winter-travel-pedia

How to Ski Safely and Prevent Injuries (with video)

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

How to ski safely and prevent injuries No one wants a ski vacation cut short by an injury. So how to best protect yourself from injury? Don't ski late in the day.

Statistics have shown that most ski injuries occur toward the end of the day, according to the Steadman Clinic, which specializes in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery in Vail and Frisco, Colorado (see video below).

"If it is 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon and you are thinking of taking one more run, you may want to think twice about that because more people are hurt at the end of the day," says Tom R. Hackett, orthopaedic surgeon with the Steadman Clinic in Vail who is also a team physician for the U.S. Snowboard Team.

Tags: awards-main, luxist-awards, main-pedia, ski, skiing, snowboard, snowboarding, VailColorado, winter-travel-pedia

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What to do if Your Flight was Canceled Due to the Blizzard of 2010

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Travelers' rights for compensation due to canceled flights during the blizzard of December 2010

Tens of thousands of travelers were stranded due to the blizzard that hit the East Coast in December 2010. The impact was enormous across the country after 8,200 flights were canceled during the week following Christmas Day, wreaking havoc for air travelers from coast to coast---even those oversees, in some cases.

According to Budget Travel magazine, if you were booked on a flight that was delayed or canceled due to the blizzard, and you incurred additional expenses as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

Most airlines waived their customary fees for changing a ticket during the storm. If you were billed for a ticket change fee, submit a claim for reimbursement via your credit card company. As a general rule, you will need to file a complaint within 45 days of your flight, Budget Travel advises.
If you opted to cancel your ticket, you should get a full refund and not be subjected to a cancellation fee. "Just because the snow has melted doesn't mean that all flight issues have been resolved," says Laura Michonski, Deputy Editor Online for Budget Travel. "If you haven't already been reimbursed for your ticket change, you should definitely follow-up with the airline to sort out your refund. Start by calling the customer service hotline and then follow up by email as well-that way you have a record of your request in case anything goes wrong."

Tags: awards-main, blizzard of 2010, Budget Travel magazine, luxist-awards, winter-travel-main, winter-travel-pedia

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Swiss Deluxe Hotels, Synonymous with Quality and Luxury

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Mount Cervin Palace hotel in Zermatt is a member of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, the leading association of luxury hotels in Switzerland.

Planning an escape to Switzerland and in need of a luxury hotel? Look no further than Swiss Deluxe Hotels , which is synonymous with exclusive quality and superlative standards.

Swiss Deluxe Hotels, more formally known as the Association of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, comprises 39 of the most prestigious five-star hotels in all of Switzerland, of which 17 are city hotels and 22 are resort hotels. Each property must be independently run, or as a member of a hotel chain, be mainly autonomous.

Member hotels include The Dolder Grand and the Savoy Baur en Ville in Zurich, the Gstaad Palace, the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues and the Le Richemond in Geneva (recently renovated and a member of the prestigious Rocco Forte Collection). In St. Moritz, members include the Suvretta House, the Carlton Hotel and Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz (a Luxist Awards nominee for best international ski hotel).

Gallery: Swiss Deluxe Hotels

Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues in Geneva

Tags: awards-main, Badrutts Palace, Carlton Hotel, Dolder Grand, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Four Seasons Hotel, Geneva, Gstaad Palace, Kandersteg, Le Richemond, luxist-awards, main-pedia, michelin, michelin guide, Mount Cervin Palace, Royal Park Hotel, Savoy Baur, summer-travel-pedia, Suvretta House, The Dolder Grand, The Savoy Baur, winter-travel-pedia, Zurich

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Luxury in the Bush - 10 Ways to Safari in Style

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

These days, when you hear the phrase "I'm going on an African safari," roughing it doesn't necessarily come to mind. Those with the wherewithal to get themselves to Africa usually also have the means to make their trip a pretty comfortable one, even in the bush.

If you're like me, you find that almost disappointing. It doesn't seem fair to impose a luxury hotel on the wilderness of Africa, and it definitely doesn't seem right to destroy natural resources just to make the bush more amenable to wealthy guests. But, consider that some of the money from those guests goes to support the national parks and the local communities, as well as protect the natural resources. Consider that they bring not only money, and lots of it, but that they are there to experience, not destroy, the wildlife.

I still had my apprehensions about this balance when I embarked on my recent trip to Zambia, where I visited four Sanctuary Retreats camps on a tour with Abercrombie & Kent, a Luxist Awards' Nominee in the Best Adventure Getaway Category. To my surprise and delight, I found the most exceptional juxtaposition of immersion in the wild and modern convenience and comfort I have ever seen. I had heard that the Sanctuary Retreats camps were designed to be eco-friendly, but I couldn't have imagined just how seamlessly they fit into the landscape, and how natural and harmless their remarkable luxuries felt.

Here are ten ways A&K and Sanctuary Retreats make the bush luxurious -- and how they protect the environment and local communities while doing so.

1. Location, location, location.

With the exception of Sanctuary Baines' and Stanley's Camp, all Sanctuary Retreats properties are located within national parks. This make for impossibly pristine surroundings -- and allows the camp managers to be stewards of those surroundings. In most camps, the wildlife is so present that you can hear various animals wandering around your tent or room at night. They definitely don't seem to mind the guests being there.

2. Hot water.

Hot water is definitely a luxury when you're in the bush -- and Sanctuary Zambezi Kulefu Camp (above) keeps it eco-friendly by using solar power to heat the water.

Gallery: Luxury in the Zambian Bush

3. Size matters.

Each camp obeys strict regulations as to how many people and guestrooms it can have. As a result, you are always in an intimate group of travelers (the maximum number of guestrooms I experienced was 14 at Sussi & Chuma). This not only keeps the camps' footprints small, but ensures that the staff can keep an eye on all the guests. This both protects the safety of the guests and the safety of the surrounding wildlife -- and gives the experience a highly elite feel.

Tags: abercrombie and kent, adventure travel, african travel, awards-main, luxist-awards, main-pedia, safari, sanctuary retreats, summer-travel-pedia, winter-travel-pedia, zambia

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The Hotel Concierge: How to Get the Best Experience

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

One of the most valuable amenities offered by luxury hotels the world over is also one of the most under-used: the concierge. Sure, lots of people stop at that little desk in the lobby and ask for directions or a restaurant recommendation, but few take advantage of the full spectrum of what a good concierge can offer. Here are a few tips making the most of the experience.

Choose the Right Hotel
No matter how awesome a concierge may be they can still be limited by the name they represent. The better the hotel the more effective your concierge will be at getting you impossible to land show seats or last minute reservations at the new hot spot because being an insider will only get them so far -- when push comes to shove the concierge that works for the more prestigious hotel (and therefore sends the bigger spenders) will always be the vendor's favorite. In a round-about way you get what you pay for.

Call Ahead
Before your trip even starts call ahead and share your itinerary. Concierge's are local so they can give you a heads up on any particulars about the area and help fine tune your plans in ways a regular assistant can't -- like letting you know about opportunities that require advance planning or giving you ideas for filling in free time. Calling ahead can also qualify you for special deals and discounts in some cases, and at the very least it will give the concierge a leg up on securing tough reservations.

Source

Tags: awards-main, concierge, hotel, luxist-awards, madonna, summer-travel-pedia, winter-travel-pedia

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What Does a Hotel Concierge Do?

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

One of the most valuable assets a luxury hotel has, the concierge is there to help make a guest's stay a happy and memorable one. Indeed, concierges are trained professionals who services run the gamut from the mundane (message handling) to the extraordinary (such as getting hard-to-find tickets to the latest Broadway show).

To learn more about the importance of a concierge, we sat down with Spencer H. Wadama, who is the General Manager of The Surrey Hotel, the tony and newly renovated boutique hotel located on Manhattan's upper east side. Spencer previously served as the general manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt).

According to Wadama, The Surrey Hotel's staff of concierges, for example, regularly make special arrangements for their guests, often before the guest has even arrived at the hotel. "They give you an opportunity to experience a destination in a better, more authentic way," says Wadama. "They are a priceless amenity."

Ever wondered how much to tip a concierge for his or her services? Here what Wadama has to say about this subject in this Luxist Awards video.

Tags: awards-main, concierge, hotel, importance of a concierge, luxist-awards, Spencer Wadama, summer-travel-pedia, surrey hotel, tipping, winter-travel-pedia

Should You Tip the Housekeeping Staff at a Hotel?

by Donna Rodgers (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

How to Tip a hotel housekeeper Tipping housekeepers, bellmen, concierge staff and others in a luxury hotel is a topic even experienced travelers ask about. How should staff be tipped? How often should you tip them? How much should you tip?

Robin at AAA New England says "Housekeeping receives $3-$4 a day, only if you choose to tip. You should tip daily, because staff changes. Leave cash in a sealed envelope (most hotels offer stationery and envelopes in guest rooms), and write "for the chambermaid" on it. You may put the cash in the hand of whomever you're tipping. Tip the bellman about $2 for each bag, or more. Tip the concierge depending on how hard he worked for you. For example, if you want to have dinner in an exclusive restaurant and can't get the reservation yourself, tip the concierge $5 -$10 if they get you in..depending where you are, the money you leave may be very appreciated. When I was in Mexico five years ago, I left $10 with the housekeeper. She started to cry and hugged me so hard. Workers are paid really low wages, our tips are so great to them."

Gallery: Seven Tips About Tipping the Hotel's Housekeeping Staff

Tags: hotel, housekeeper, HousekeeperTips, housekeeping, luxist-awards, main-pedia, summer-travel-pedia, tiphousekeepingstaffluxuryhotel, tipping, winter-travel-pedia

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How Does Sunscreen Work?

by John Stone (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

According to the Centers for Disease Control, skin cancer has become the most prevalent form of cancer in the United States. To prevent against this threat, more and more people are turning to the regular use of sunscreen. The Sun protection industry has taken off; sunscreens are now found in makeup, clothing, lotions, even in lip balm. However, all sunscreens are not created equal.

Sunscreens work by absorbing, scattering, or reflecting sunlight off of the skin. Organic chemicals found in sunscreen, such as para aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and oxybenzone, absorb the Sun's ultraviolet rays before they have a chance to penetrate deeply into the skin. Other chemicals, namely zinc oxide or titanium oxide, are reflective particles that reflect incoming ultraviolet radiation away from the skin.

Unfortunately, although sunscreens provide a significant amount of protection from the sun, these chemicals are not 100% effective. Even after the application of sunscreen, all sun exposure carries with it some risk.

To minimize the risk from the sun's harmful rays, use of a "broad spectrum" sunscreen is recommended. Broad spectrum coverage refers to protection from both UVA and UVB rays – two different forms of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. According to the Centers for Disease Control, UVA rays are the most common kind of sunlight at the earth's surface. UVA rays penetrate past the outer layer of skin and can lead to premature aging, damaged connective tissue, and an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Most UVB rays are absorbed in the atmosphere, but those that reach the surface of the earth contribute to the tanning and burning of skin. As such, UVB rays also contribute to a person's risk of developing skin cancer.

In addition to selecting a sunscreen that has broad spectrum coverage, a high Sun protection factor, or SPF, is recommended. SPF is a number which helps determine how long a person can spend in the Sun. According to Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., SPF only indicates protection from UVB rays, those rays responsible for the tanning and burning of the skin. It does not indicate protection from UVA rays, which can also lead to skin cancer and premature aging. A higher SPF indicates that more UVB rays are reflected or absorbed by the sunscreen, decreasing penetration of those rays into the skin.

SPF is simply a multiplication factor. If a person can spend 20 minutes in the Sun before getting burned, using a sunscreen of SPF 10 would allow that person to stay 200 minutes, or 10 times 20 minutes in the Sun before becoming burned. An SPF 15 sunscreen would allow that person to stay 300 minutes, or 15 times 20 minutes, out in the Sun before becoming burned.

This post was contributed via Seed.com, AOL's new platform for freelance writers.

Tags: beauty-pedia, luxist-awards, main-pedia, skin cancer, skin cancer prevention, SPF, summer-travel-pedia, sun protection, sunscreen, uva rays, UVB Rays, winter-travel-pedia

Should You Tip a Concierge? (with video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Part Merlin, part Houdini, how is possible for the concierge at your hotel to get you tickets to a sold-out show or a reservation at a restaurant that would have been utterly impossible for you to do so on your own?

One of the most valuable assets a fine hotel has, the concierge is there to help make a guest's stay a happy and memorable one. But have you ever been baffled by whether or not you are supposed to tip the concierge if he or she has done something special for you?

To find out these answers, we sat down with Spencer H. Wadama, who is the General Manager of The Surrey Hotel, the tony and newly renovated boutique hotel located on Manhattan's upper east side. Spencer previously served as the general manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt). The Surrey Hotel's staff of concierges, for example, regularly make special arrangements for their guests, often before the guest has even arrived at the hotel.

According to Spencer, "The amount is really to your discretion, and what is the appropriate amount really depends on the service that was provided," he says. "It is very appropriate to tip a concierge if you had a special request that you knew was difficult to get access to."

In America, tipping is a way of saying "thank you", but tipping is not expected in all countries, such as in Japan, where tipping is not part of the culture.

The amount you tip should take into account the city where the hotel is located; for example a tip in New York should be higher than a tip in Cleveland, for example, to compensate for the difference in the cost of living.

When you approach a concierge, take a look at the lapel of his or her uniform. If you notice a pin that resembles a small set of gold keys, he or she is a member of an elite organization called Les Clefs d'Or, a French term that translates into "keys of gold". If that is the case, you can be assured that you are dealing with a seasoned professional. Curious about whether you should tip the housekeeping staff? Find out how to do so here.

Tags: awards-main, concierge, Les Clefs dOr, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Spencer Wadama, summer-travel-pedia, Surrey Hotel, The Surrey Hotel, tipping, tips, TipsForTravel, winter-travel-pedia

What You Didn't Know About Your Ski Resort Vacation

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

Heading off for a snowy adventure on the slopes might sound like nothing but fun but like it or not there are some dangers and inconveniences to be aware of.

There are more and more snow boarders out there, and it's good for business. Skiers and snowboarders don't always mix but there's little that can be done about it when skiers' numbers are dwindling and the snowboarding population is on the rise. Some resorts have separate slopes but many don't have the money or space to divide people up -- you'll have to get along.

Reported snow conditions may or may not be accurate. The truth is there's very little consistency or regulation in how ski resorts report fresh snowfalls and exaggeration is common. Studies have shown that resorts regularly report more new snow on weekends than during the week, apparently in hopes of encouraging impulsive last-minute weekend trips.

Source

Tags: luxist-awards, main-pedia, ski, ski resort, ski resorts, skiing, SkiResort, SkiResorts, winter, winter-travel-pedia, wintertravel-pedia

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An Insider's, Insider's Guide to Luxury Travel

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Lux Tips

The luxury traveler is awash in options – when even Yangon, Myanmar has two (!) 5-star hotels, you know that the forward scouts of the voluptuary have planted flags just about everywhere. Now the question is: how do you find the best of the best? While numerous sites swear numerous oaths about being the finest in sybaritic escapes, as is always the case in these matters, only a few have a worthy insider's eye on luxury destinations. What's more, some of them offer insider deals so you can do more with your time away – or maybe do less and feel better about it. We had a chat with three of them, Gilt Groupe's Jetsetter, TabletHotels.com, and Urban Daddy's Jetset to see what they had to say about their offerings.

Tags: awards-main, deal, deals, gilt groupe, gilt jetsetter, GiltGroupe, GiltJetsetter, jetsetter.com, luxist-awards, savings, tablet hotel, TabletHotel, urban daddy, UrbanDaddy, winter-travel-main, winter-travel-pedia

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The Best Airlines and Airports for Smooth Travel

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

There's never a good time to experience travel delays, but no matter how thoroughly and carefully planned a trip might be, hangups and slowdowns always manage to pop up somehow. Airline travel is particularly riddled with schedule-related frustrations, and although there's no 'silver bullet' solution you can minimize inconvenient delays by traveling through the airports and on the airlines that have the best reputations for being on-time.

The airline with the fewest delays (according to numbers gathered by Travel & Leisure) is Hawaiian, but unless you're traveling to Hawaii you won't be able to enjoy their lovely 89.5% on time average. Thankfully other top contenders are a little more accessible, however, with Pinnacle and Southwest bringing in the top 3 with 83.4% and 83% averages respectively. (See the complete best and worst airlines list here.)

As for airports, Salt Lake City (SLC) is the #1 place to leave from (or to stop over at, as the case may be) with only 12% of their flights experiencing delays or cancellations. Portland (PDX) comes in at number two with 15%, and both Washington D.C. (DCA) and Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) score 16% and so are tied for 3rd. (See the complete best and worst airports list here.)

Unfortunately geography often limits what options are available to travelers, but with these numbers in mind you can make the best choice and avoid as many frustrating inconveniences as possible. And in case you're wondering (which I'm sure you are) the single worst airline for delays is Comair with only 70.1% of its flights arriving on time, and the single worst airport is a three-way tie between Philadelphia (PHL), Atlanta (ATL), and Washington D.C. (IAD) all with 22% delay averages.

Tags: airlines, airports, luxist-awards, main-pedia, summer-travel, summer-travel-pedia, winter-travel, winter-travel-pedia

What are the Characteristics of a Five Star Resort?

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Luxist Awards asked three of our Expert Panelists, all veterans of the travel industry, about what distinguishes a five star resort from the rest of the pack.

According to our experts, one of the most important features of a five star resort starts with the professionalism of its staff, the people who run the resort and work there. Of course, the quality of the accommodations and other facilities at the hotel in addition to the food are also a major part of the vacation experience, as well.

The best resorts are ones that are unique in some way, with location being a key variable. Lastly, our experts all agree--a resort that has a sense of place and reflects the culture where it is located, is of utmost importance.

"You don't want to go to a resort that stands on its own, in its own little world and doesn't reflect what is going on around it," says Nikheel Advani, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Grace Bay Resorts in the Turks & Caicos.

In this video, Advani, along with Adam Stewart, chief executive of Sandals Resorts International and Ed Steiner, Senior Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean, One&Only Resorts share their insights with Luxist.

Tags: Adam Stewart, AdamStewart, awards-main, Ed Steiner, EdSteiner, Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay Resorts, GraceBayClub, GraceBayResorts, KerznerInternational, La Palmilla OneOnly, LaPalmillaOneonly, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Nikheel Advani, NikheelAdvani, OneOnly Resorts, OneonlyResorts, sandals resorts international, SandalsResortsInternational, winter-travel-main, winter-travel-pedia

Keys to Staying Warm in Winter Weather

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Whether you're traveling in it or just trying to live your daily life in it, cold winter weather can be miserable and even downright dangerous if you don't dress appropriately. Staying warm is more complicated than simply throwing on a coat and scarf, here are some tips for keeping toasty from your head to your toes.

Layer layer layer!
Not only does layering help prevent drafts and help wick moisture away from the body, but you can remove them one at a time if you start feeling too warm. It's much easier to remove layers than it is to add them. See some good info here about the difference between the wicking layer, warmth layer, and wind layer.

Wear a hat and cover your ears
While not to the degree that some myths claim, body heat is lost through the head so wearing a hat is important. Ears shouldn't be ignored either, cover them as they're especially susceptible to frost bite.

Go waterproof, and bring backups
Waterproof socks, gloves, and even wind or ski pants can make a huge difference in comfort level. Have extra pairs on hand so you can change in case something does get wet.

Get boots that fit
Boots need to be snug enough not to flop around and trip you up but not at all too tight. Make sure when you're buying boots that you wear several pairs of thick socks so you can ensure there's enough room. Tight boots equal cold feet, and cold feet equal no fun.

Source

Tags: journeys, travel, weather, winter, winter travel, winter weather, winter-travel-pedia, WinterTravel, wintertravel-pedia, WinterWeather

Martha Stewart and Sandals Resorts International Team to Offer Destination Weddings

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Looking for a tropical destination for the wedding of a lifetime? Look no further than one of the 18 different Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts located throughout the Carribbean. Sandals Resorts International, which hosts as many as 13,000 weddings each year, is collaborating with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to offer six different wedding themes. On January 1, Sandal's began offering Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart, featuring coordinated color palettes, beautifully designed wedding décor, complimentary bouquets, invitations, cakes and favors, along with à la carte items, creating a memorable experience to suit a couple's unique preferences. "We have a fundamental mind set that the wedding day has to be perfect and flawless," says Adam Stewart, chief executive of Sandals Resorts International. "We are constantly trying to find new and innovative ways to deliver that experience for the bride and groom. That road led us to Martha Stewart, who is a visionary. " Watch this video to hear more from Adam Stewart and see a Sandals Wedding by Martha Stewart firsthand.