The Dandelion Chandelier Luxury Travel Calendar highlights the ideal luxury travel destinations for the month of December, as well as notable luxury hotel and resort openings, new cruise vessels and luxury train launches around the world in December 2017. For the rest of the Luxury Calendar, click here. For other Travel coverage, click here.
Luxury Travel – Top destinations in December.
December is island time! You can always opt for one of the tried-and-true luxury beach destinations; or you could have an adventure in a gorgeous remote getaway filled with exotic animals and architecture (we’re looking at you, Chiloe Islands). There are new luxury hotels to check out in Singapore and Phuket. It’s a great time to visit the iconic islands of Hong Kong or Manhattan. A luxury shopping trip abroad is always a fine idea — what better time than now? You could stroll along one of the iconic shopping streets in the world, or visit one of the great Christmas Markets of Western Europe. The global contemporary art flock will touch down in Miami during the first week of December. And it’s definitely time to make plans for New Year’s Eve.
Here are five other ideas for luxurious escapes this month:
The Chiloe Islands of southern Chile. This is a perfect time to explore some of the forty islands that make up the Chiloe (pronounced “Chi-lo-ay”) archipelago running down southern Chile’s coastline. They’re part of Los Lagos Region (Region of the Lakes); Puerto Montt – the gateway to Chile’s Lake District on the mainland – is the regional capital. The largest island in the group is Isla Grande de Chiloe or Chiloe for short. There you’ll find abundant seafood, especially shellfish: clams, mussels and other crustaceans known for their huge size. The Islotes de Punihuil, a trio of islets in the Pacific Ocean, are home to Magellanic and Humboldt penguins. These islands are the only place in the world where the two species are known to share a common breeding ground. In addition to penguins, you’ll see pelicans, cormorants and kelp gulls. You might also spot an elusive Darwin’s fox; and there are 110 species of birds native to these islands. The architecture is charming and distinctive: Castro, the capital of Chiloe, is known for its colorful palafitos – traditional wooden stilt houses, and its wooden churches that look like upside-down boats. If you’re looking for wilderness, solitude, and beauty, this is your place. The 4-star Hotel Parque Quilquico is a fine place to make your home base.
The Cook Islands. Rarotonga is the largest of the 15 Cook Islands, which are spread over a vast distance in the South Pacific (New Zealand’s Maoris originally came from Rarotonga). It’s remote, but surprisingly easy to get to: Air New Zealand stops over on the way from LA to Auckland once a week on the Saturday-evening flight. The island is thickly green and hilly in the center, but ringed by white sand beaches. Going stand-up paddle-boarding at night on the Rarotonga lagoon is a magical way to see the coral reefs and marine life (the paddle boards are equipped with LED lights). Pineapples, papayas, mandarin oranges, starfruit and bananas are among the local delicacies. This is a wonderful spot for eco-tourism, bike riding, snorkeling or just hanging on the beach. If you go, Rarotonga has several five-star properties: Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa; Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa; and Nautilus Resort. All are on Muri Beach, on Rarotonga’s southeast coast.
Oman. This vibrant nation on the Arabian Peninsula has a lively culture and stunning sand dunes. Muscat is filled with bustling souks. You can head into the Wahiba Sands and stay at a traditional Bedouin camp. Or go to the mountains and walk through traditional Arabic villages. Or you could just stay on the coast and hang at the beach. Luxury travel agent Scott Dunn can make it all happen.
St. Kitts and Nevis. Hurricanes Maria and Irma left much of the Caribbean damaged — and left many people questioning whether or not this is a good year to visit. While most of the luxury hotels of St. Barth’s are not scheduled to reopen until the spring, there are many options for a luxury escape. St. Kitts and Nevis are open for business, and easier to get to than ever: this month, Delta is adding a direct flight from JFK to St. Kitts, joining United’s EWR route. The newly opened Park Hyatt inside the 2,500-acre Christophe Harbor development combines resorts and restaurants with a superyacht marina.
Siem Reap, Cambodia. December is the dry season for Siem Reap; you’ll find cloudless skies and comfortable temperatures, ideal for walking tours of Angkor Wat or cycling through the city streets. 5-star hotel Phum Baitang is comprised of 45 stilted villas perched over rice paddies; its spa specializes in coconut-milk massages.
Luxury Travel – Recent and Upcoming Openings and other news.
Atlanta’s Ritz-Carlton Buckhead is changing its name to The Whitley. Located across the street from Lenox Square in Atlanta, this property has been a fixture of the city’s upscale Buckhead district for 30 years. It was even the brand flagship when the company had its headquarters in Atlanta. The hotel’s owner, Host Hotels & Resorts, has reached an agreement with Ritz-Carlton parent Marriott to take the property out of the Ritz-Carlton group and convert it into a property “under independent operation” called The Whitley. But it will still be part of the huge multi-brand Marriott family: The deal calls for The Whitley to be a part of Marriott/Starwood’s Luxury Collection when it changes its name December 1.
Barceló Hotel Group has confirmed it will launch the Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, its first Royal Hideaway Hotel in Tenerife, this month. The five star property is located on the southern end of Tenerife island and is divided into two distinct areas with one designed exclusively for adults and the other to cater for the entire family.
Dukes London has announced a brand-new partnership with heritage Champagne brand, Pommery. Guests of the five-star hotel can now experience selections from the luxury drinks brand in the chic surroundings of the hotel’s restaurant GBR, which opened in May, as well as in more familiar spaces such as the Dukes Bar, the Drawing Room, or as part of room service.
AccorHotels has officially opened the Novotel Singapore.
Rosewood Phuket is now open, nestled along 600 meters of one of the last remaining secluded beaches on the island, on Emerald Bay in south-western Phuket.
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, has welcomed the appointment of Pepper, the humanoid robot, as hotel technical ambassador. The newest team member will primarily be based in the Sky Lobby located on the 23rd floor, greeting guests, and complementing hotel services through engaging and playful entertainment.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Andaz Singapore, the first Andaz hotel to open in south-east Asia. The hotel marks the seventeenth property for the brand.
Pod Brooklyn has opened its doors in Williamsburg.
Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, with 97 pool villas stretched along a pristine stretch of tropical coastline, has opened in one of Vietnam’s top up-and-coming destinations.
Fresh from a $40 million refurbishment and conversion to an ice-class expedition ship, Silversea’s Silver Cloud has set sail from Buenos Aires on her first-ever expedition voyage.
Celebrity Cruises has unveiled Celebrity Flora, a marine exploration boat designed expressly for the Galapagos Islands. One of the most energy-efficient ships of its size, the 100-guest vessel will offer sea-to-shore transportation; it has anchorless technology that maintains the ship’s position while protecting the sea floor.
See other December 2017 Events:
— The Arts
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