More bad news for the Queen of England - she has fallen to 12th place on Forbes' list of the world's richest royals. Earlier this month we reported that the value of her London residence, Buckingham Palace, had fallen by a whopping $100 million thanks to declining property values.
Now Elizabeth II is suffering the added indignity of languishing on the rich list, as her measly $650 million fortune puts her well behind the UAE's oil-rich rulers. In the No. 1 spot for the first time is King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, with a net worth of $35 billion, who apparently shot up the list as a result of admitting he was richer than previously thought.
High in the mountains of Thailand a new luxury resort has been born. The sister to Veranda Resort Hua Hin, the new Veranda Chiang Mai is a getaway in paradise affording serenity, peace, color, culture and relaxation for its guests. Featuring terraced gardens, a hillside infinity pool, feng shui landscaping and a zen-like essence throughout, it is also near the northern capital, Chiang Mai, where culture and nightlife abound. Each of the sixty-nine rooms creates an atmosphere where you can rest, restore and experience the best of Thailand...don't forget your elephant trek through the jungle while you're visiting.
We've seen polo in the snow before but perhaps the most unique type of polo match in the world is elephant polo. The 2008 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is currently going on in Thailand. The event is sponsored by Audemars Piguet watchmakers and takes place on the grounds of the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle. This year seven teams from 15 countries are competing for the King's Cup trophy with a total of 28 elephants.
The opening match begun with a blessing ceremony and the animals were given a buffet of fruits and vegetables. The festive event raises money for the National Elephant Institute, which provides medical care and sustenance to Thailand's elephant population. It is estimated that Thailand has around 2,500 domesticated elephants and 1,500 wild elephants.
Another luxury project that bears the unique stamp of Philippe Starck is Cape Yamu on Phuket's East Coast in Thailand. The project includes both villa residences and a five-star boutique hotel, the Yamu. The project has some serious design clout, both Adrian Zecha of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts and architect Jean-Michel Gathy are also involved. The Yamu will have 63 hotel rooms as well as a large swimming pool, spa and restaurants. There are also twelve villa estates and 15 club villas for sale. Just two estate lots are left for purchase. The style is Thai-modern, clean, spare and yet tropical. Starck adds his own touch of whimsy but seems to have gone for elegant over wacky in this particular design using a more muted color scheme. The Yuma complex includes a restaurant and five other "glass cubes" around the hotel grounds that are host to a wine room with a wine cave, a cigar lounge, a private kitchen, a chocolate room and a private boutique. There is also a play area with chess, a lounge and a bar. The Yamu is set to open in 2008.
The Ocean One Tower planned for Pattaya, Thailand will not just be the tallest building in Thailand, it will also be eco-friendly. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a piece on environmentally-friendly architecture in Asia and highlighted this project, a 91-story beachfront condo development. The 611-unit building will be designed to conserve water and energy through a variety of different methods. Tap water will be fed back into toilets and then treated and used for the grounds and the gardens. The power of the highspeed elevator will also light the observation deck and solar panels on a nearby commercial building will power the shops and restaurants. The $245 million project is expected to be completed in 2010.
The Mango Wood Turned Stool can serve many purposes, working equally well as a table, stool, or simply as an artistic element. Hand-turned on a lathe by artisans in Thailand, the unique beauty and character of the mango wood is left to show naturally by leaving the wood untreated, which means no two pieces are alike. I love it and think it's beautiful, although due its mix of natural energy and modern appeal working it into a room's decor would take a skilled vision I think. Its hand-crafted nature means measurements may vary slightly, but are generally 13"W x 18"H and it weighs about 25lbs. $368 from Gaiam.
One of the ways that Hyatt is keeping up with the boutique hotels is to create little oases inside their larger hotels. The Barai is a new spa concept that is part of the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in Thailand. The spa offers just eight residential spa suites and 18 private treatment suites. The bottom floor residential suites have plunge pools while the upper suites have balconies with view of the Gulf of Thailand. The spa offers yoga, meditation and a variety of treatments and will open in March.
Serenity Terraces, a new beach-front real estate project in Phuket has a new tactic to seduce condo hunters. Every buyer in the project will also get fractional ownership rights on the 89 foot yacht, the Lady Anita.. The Lady Anita will be owned collectively by the unit owners and during the construction phase of the project buyers may start utilizing their yearly rights to use the Lady Anita.
Serenity Terraces faces Chalong Bay and is located near the Six Senses Evason Hotel and the site of the future Four Seasons Hotel. There are 63 units ranging from one bedroom apartments to beach-front duplexes and lofts with their own private swimming pools. Prices start around $205,000. Other amenities will include a beach-front infinity pool, restaurant and sports gym and the units can be part of a managed holiday rental program.
The Four Seasons is now accepting reservations for their latest gorgeous resort, the Koh Samui in Thailand. The resort is located on a hillside in Laem Yai Bay and overlooks the beaches of the Gulf of Siam. The resort includes villas and residences that feature private pools and sundecks. There is a forest spa and dining options that the opportunity to eat high on a hill or beachside. They are now confirming for February reservations and rates start at $600 per night.
The Indigo Pearl Resort, located in Phucket, Thailand, is one of the country's newest luxury locations. The concept of the resort is a balance between land and water, as it is on the Andaman Sea beachfront. The decor is an unusual combination of natural influences, such as silk and wood and industrial art work that reflects the area's mining past, all atop an overarching modern design. Guests will stay in one of 277 rooms and suites and will have access to 8 restaurants serving Thai and International cuisines. Other amenities include swimming pools, a full-service spa, tennis courts, a cooking school, diving lessons and a fitness/meditation pavilion. The resort is scheduled to open in November 2006.
Condo residences are really starting to take off in Thailand. We keep seeing more and more urban complexes. The latest to be announced is the Millennium Residence @ Sukhumvit, a set of four towers in Bangkok. The new condos are designed for both Thais and foreigners and have panoramic views of Bangkok's skyline. The four 51 to 53-story "orchid petal-shaped" towers have 604 units in total. Amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis court, jogging track, gymnasium, a sauna and steam room, games room and a playground for the children. Prices range from 6.6 million Baht (around $173,000) to as much as 90 million Baht 9($2.37 million) for a penthouse. The project is expected to be completed by November 2009.
The Sarojin, a luxury resort in Khao Lak, Thailand has only been open less than a year but they have already been named to the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List 2006, selected as a World Travel Awards nominee 2006 and included in the Association of British Travel Agents, top 100 hotels. The reasons for this include a beautiful sheltered beach, a luxurious spa, a gourmet restaurant and a very sexy pool designed for private relaxation. To tempt visitors to Thailand during the summer months they are offering a special where, if you stay a minimum of two nights, you receive the same number of additional nights free. The resort also offers a complimentary 30 minute spa massage; daily shuttle bus trips into Khao Lak town; wireless internet; fruit baskets and welcome drinks as well as use of mountain bikes, a catamaran sailing boat and sea kayaks. There is also a 38-foot boat, the Lady Sarojin, which is available for excursions or private charters. Guests stay in 56 private residences, some with plunge pools.
The JW
Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa in Thailand has a unique way to keep your children entertained. They now have
a KidzSole Circus Training program for children. The daily program is three hours of training in the morning and
is available for kids from four to 12 years old. The children can learn trapeze, trampoline, juggling, tumbling,
clowning and other circus acts. There is also a two to three hour specialty act rehearsal in the afternoon for some of
the children. A five-day training period costs $100. A small price to pay for kid-free hours to soak up the sun, sleep
or play in the pool.
The
next exclusive place to play may be Barama Bay Island. The tropical paradise is
located off the east coast of Phuket, Thailand and will become a new resort that will include a six-star hotel, yacht
club and private estates. The island can be reached by water taxi or helicopter. The island has a no-car policy
(electric carts only) and will have a deep water marina for mooring larger yachts. The hotel will include multiple
pools and a large spa. The entire project is set to be completed in early 2009 and prices
start at $3 million for an 8,000 square foot villa set on a one acre plot.
From the pictures, it looks like a modern boutique
hotel in New York or Los Angles but Luxx is a new hotel in Bangkok. The tiny
hotel of just 13 rooms offers chic and clean modern design to attract trendy travelers. It opened a few weeks ago and
Luxx Hotel general manager, Dusadee Srishevachart says that they will be promoting the hotel to European and
American guests. The hotel will also have a bar called Mess and is hosting their launch party on March 29, 2006 .
Luxx is located on Decho Road in an area that offers plenty of nightlife, dining and shopping for tourists. They are
offering opening specials as low as $70 per night.
More bad news for the Queen of England - she has fallen to 12th place on Forbes' list of the world's richest royals. Earlier this month we reported that the value of her London residence, Buckingham Palace, had fallen by a whopping $100 million thanks to declining property values.
Condo residences are really starting to take off in Thailand. We keep seeing more and more urban complexes. The latest to be announced is the 
