January 2016 ~ luxury

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Amanbagh, Ajabgarh, Rajasthan, India

Exuding understated luxury, at once grand and intimate, Amanbagh is a glowing Mogul-style palace, set among rugged hills and surrounded by groves of palm, eucalyptus and mango trees.

Amanbagh, meaning "peaceful garden", lies in a verdant oasis, fed by a nearby lake, and previously the site of the Maharajah of Alwar's hunting lodge and pleasure garden. Amanbagh is a refined palatial-style mansion, a unique latter day haveli, architecturally faithful to the impressive, imperial Moghul dynasty.

An oasis among the rugged outcrops of the Aravalli mountain range, Amanbagh is a Rajasthani retreat informed by Mughal style. Just 90 minutes from Jaipur, the Bengal tiger sanctuary of Sariska National Park is a short drive away.

Each of the 40 Suites and Pavilions has a private courtyard or terrace and a deep soaking bathtub carved from green Udaipur marble.

The spa's massages, scrubs and facials are complemented by daily yoga, with the option to practice amid the natural beauty and temples.

The regal atmosphere of the high-ceilinged Restaurant is matched by seasonal cuisine from the gardens of Amanbagh.

The resort’s private hill-lined setting and expansive elegant grounds make it ideal for a family gathering or special occasions.

The stunning Amanbagh Resort features many adorable Mughal-like domes, a big swimming pool and ethnic Rajasthani touches. The site was once the Maharajah of Alwar’s hunting lodge and garden retreat. The current decor of the hotel makes excellent use of sandstone and pale-pink marble.

More info & Online booking

A five-star Philippe Starck Design Hotel tucked away down a Venetian side street, with breakfast and welcome drinks.

In the epicenter of Venice, on the Grand Canal, PalazzinaG has the atmosphere of a home full of charm and vitality, steeped in history, where guests can experience the melancholy grandeur of the city like true Venetians.

Privacy, flexibility, luxury, and elegance are the fundamental elements of this exclusive property. With no reception desk at the entrance area, a personalized check in marks the beginning of the tailor-made service guests can expect throughout their stay. The façade of the three-story hotel is a classical 16th-century shell, behind which generations of noble and haute-bourgeois families lived.

Bearing the standard for Venice's chic high-end hotel set, the crowd here are discerning and dressed to impress in a venue that often hosts celebrity and socialite gatherings in its mahogany-clad Krug Lounge. Exquisite cooking lessons, complete with market shopping trips, are offered by the head chef, while the food at PG's restaurant lives up to the expectations created by the boutique fixtures and fittings. It's possible to order from the menu pretty much any time of day, with dishes served just about anywhere you like within the hotel. This rule also applies to breakfast.