Spotlight on Luxury Travel Provider: Marbella Club Hotel

As a part of our Spotlight on Luxury Travel Providers series, we had the sheer pleasure of interviewing Carlos Quereda, director of sales and marketing at the Marbella Club Hotel, on the experience travelers receive when they visit the acclaimed Marbella Club Hotel. Located on the glistening shores of Spain, this hotel is one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations. 

See below for the interview:

1. How does the Marbella Club Hotel stand apart from other luxury hotels in Spain?

The Marbella Club Hotel, located in a natural paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean, in the heart of the Golden Mile and only five minutes from Old Town Marbella and the world famous Puerto Banús, enjoys 325 days of sunshine. Open year round, the renowned hotel, one of the “The Leading Small Hotels of the World,” was once the private residence of Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe. Since opening its doors over half a century ago, the hotel has been regarded as the European playground for the international jet-set: aristocrats, stars of the entertainment industry, and business and political leaders from all over the world. 

Count Rudi, who was the general manager when the hotel first opened is still there greeting guests and VIPs as they arrive. Everyone from the Duke of Windsor to Elizabeth Taylor to the Rolling Stones to Britney Spears and the Beckhams have stayed there. They have a saying at the hotel “No glossy past outshines the present. Here the good old days are what’s happening.” And it is so true. 

The beachfront retreat has it all—121 luxury bedrooms and suites and 14 Andalusian-style villas throughout 42,000 square metres of lush subtropical gardens, golf, riding, tennis, fitness, world-class restaurants, stunning beach and pools and accommodation to suit the needs of any entourage, family or couple (as well as private 2 – 5 bedroom Villas with private gardens and pools). 

In 1968, a Town & Country article is quoted as saying ‘The Marbella people have come up with a new set of rules to live by. Daytime, no matter how sunny and dazzling, gets the short end of the stick; after dark is when all the sensible folk come out to shine.” And they still live by this sentiment today—days are spent at the beach or beach club, a late afternoon siesta is followed by dinner at midnight and then a dance club until dawn. The Marbella Club and later Puente Romano opened some of the first discotheques in the region. 

Voted “Best Beach Hotel of Europe” by the members of the American Express Platinum & Centurion Card, the Marbella Club Hotel offers a wealth of experiences and activities. It is the ideal destination for male trips and female getaways, site-seeing excursions, romantic getaways, sport and golf vacations, family holidays, and rejuvenation and spa trips.

The Marbella Club Hotel offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafés, a beach club surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens, private golf club, riding stables, tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness facility, children’s club, and the exquisite Thalasso Spa.   

2. The Marbella Club Hotel is located in the center of “the Golden Mile,” on the southern coast of Spain. Tell us a little bit about this area and how guests benefit from the hotel’s location. 

What is known as Marbella’s Golden Mile begins at the western edge of Marbella city and stretches to Puerto Banus. The area is exclusive and home to some of the area’s most impressive villas and estates.

The Golden Mile is divided into two parts by a motorway that runs through it. Along the motorway are strings of business centres, five-star hotels, a golf course, and other services. The beachside of the motorway is fully developed, while the mountainside is still undergoing development. Investment opportunities in this area include spectacular views of mountain and sea.

Urbanizations in the area’s seaside are Alhambra del Mar, La Alcazaba, Las Torres, Los Verdiales, Marbellamar, Marina Marbella, Oasis, Rio Verde and Santa Margarita.

On the mountainside  of the motorway, the following urbanizations are currently developing: Sierra Blanca, Nagüeles, Cascada de Camoján, Jardines Colgantes, Marbella Hill Club, El Venero, El Batatal, La Capellania, La Virginia, Carolina, El Vicario, Altos de Salamanca, Casas del Señorio de Marbella, Coto Real, Ancon Sierra.

3. The golf course at Marbella Club Hotel is absolutely stunning! What makes this golf course unique compared to other golf courses found throughout Europe?

With its magnificent 18-hole golf course, designed by Dave Thomas, and its superbly equipped riding stables, the Golf Resort and Riding Stables of the Marbella Club Hotel are a haven where enthusiasts, riding fans, and nature lovers can enjoy their favorite pastimes. It is also an ideal spot for lovely walks among the hills and for taking in the spectacular views of the Sierra, Gibraltar, the North African coastline, and the Mediterranean.

 Seasonal watersports are available on the beach, as well as the Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness, located at sister hotel Puente Romano (only a 5 – 10 minute beach walk away), which includes 10 tennis and four paddle courts and a state-of-the art Fitness Centre with a selection of aerobic courses, saunas, and steam baths.

4. Describe the hotel’s Thalasso Spa. Specifically, what type of experience can visitors expect and what are the spa’s most popular signature treatments?

The Thalasso Spa is, without a doubt, one of the best spas to be found in a major European destination. Located on the beach with the Mediterranean at its doorstep, the spa is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a dynamic indoor seawater pool, hammams (Turkish baths), saunas, a relaxation room, and 12 treatment rooms. Guests can also enjoy the heated outdoor pools and the renowned Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness club.  

5. Is there anything else you would like to add?

The culinary offerings at the Marbella Club Hotel are simply spectacular. The famous Beach Club buffet, the romantic Grill, the avant garde MC Café, the brand new MC Beach and the delightful Pool Bar and, of course, the Golf Resort Club House restaurant, all offer delicious dishes and the exquisite service that characterizes the hotel.

Truly a place of magic, almost anything imaginable is possible when it comes to romance and events at the Marbella Club Hotel. In the past, wedding guests, honeymooners, and loving couples have been dazzled by fireworks, entertained by performers such as Julio Iglesias, privately dined on the shores of the Mediterranean, rode horseback through the mountains or along the shores on a private yacht, and even danced on a glass dance floor suspended over the pool.

About the Marbella Club Hotel:

Marbella Club Hotel has come to be recognized the world over as one of the most prestigious establishments in the hotel world. And the Prince’s vision has become reality with the Marbella Club Hotel Golf Resort & Spa that we know today, included as it is amongst the “Leading Small Hotels of the World.”

Connect with the Marbella Club Hotel:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/marbellaclub

Website http://www.marbellaclub.com/welcome.html

Spotlight on Luxury Travel Provider: American Safari Cruises

As the first blog post in our Spotlight on Luxury Travel Providers series, where we spotlight luxury travel providers on the experiences guests will receive from using their company, we had the pleasure of interviewing Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO of American Safari Cruises. During this interview, Captain Blanchard shared with us the details on what it’s like to partake in an American Safari Cruise, and why this cruise line is so unique from the rest.

See below for the interview:

1. American Safari Cruises is probably best known for the Alaska cruise. Tell us a little bit about what travelers can experience on this cruise.

American Safari Cruises has been cruising in Alaska for 13 years, and it is still our most popular destination. All three yachts sail in Alaska from May through September. The small, luxury yachts let guests see the real Alaska—spectacular wilderness areas, whales, and bears up close, and tidewater glaciers. We don’t spend time in the traditional ports. Instead, we navigate our nimble yachts into unnamed coves and passages less traveled to explore nature and wildlife.

We spend two full days in Glacier Bay where guests can hike ashore high above glaciers and kayak—unlike other cruise ship passengers who must stay on board their ship. We are the only cruise company that can do this in Glacier Bay. Our flexible itinerary means we can stop and watch whales for as long as we like.

We cruise through whale-rich Frederick Sound. If we’re lucky, we’ll see spectacular displays of breeching or bubble net feeding. Kayaking and hiking trips are another great way to see wildlife and the coastline up close. You can spot bears feeding by the shoreline. We’ll also see puffins, sea lions, eagles, and seals. We’ll get as close as we can to tidewater glaciers. Guests can get closer by skiff or kayak. You’ll be close enough to experience the exhilaration of ice calving into the water.

2. Your wine and culinary cruises in the spring and fall along the Columbia River Gorge are spectacular. How do these cruises differ from other wine and culinary tours?

Cruises on the Columbia & Snake Rivers blend scenic exploration and historical discovery. On the wine and culinary theme cruises, guests will also enjoy tasting the best of the northwest, including award-winning wines. A wine expert and a guest chef or culinary expert will sail on board for the full cruise.

Located on approximately the same latitude as some of the great French wine regions, the area of the Pacific Northwest’s Columbia River valley has become well known and popular with wine enthusiasts from around the world.

We’ll visit five wineries where guests will enjoy a private tour and tasting. Cuisine will focus on flavors of the northwest with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Guests will also enjoy cooking demonstrations during the cruise.

3. You’re the first cruise line to offer unstructured inter-island yacht cruises through the Hawaiian Islands. What does this mean and how do passengers benefit from this type of cruising?

We are so pleased to be bringing the 36-guest Safari Explorer to Hawaii in the fall. We’ll be the first company to offer unstructured inter-island yacht cruising in Hawaii.  Our flexible itinerary focuses on exploring the beautiful scenery, coves, and wildlife. We are free to follow the wildlife and linger while we watch whales or explore a hidden cove. We only sail during the day so guests don’t miss any of the spectacular scenery along the shores of Maui, Moloka’i, Lanai, and the Big Island.

Our guests will enjoy hiking, kayaking and skiff excursions. We’ll also have sailboats, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and bicycles for guests to use. All these activities are included.

We’ve established relationships with local people in Moloka’i and guests will meet these kind people in their community. Local guides will accompany guests on tours such as hikes or beach combing. This is a chance to talk to the locals and learn about their traditional Hawaiian culture.  In the evening we’ll join the locals for a truly traditional Hawaiian Pa’ina with great local food and music. It’s an experience not to be missed and nothing like the canned hotel shows.

4. What makes American Safari Cruises unique from other cruise lines? (Please discuss how the amenities and the suites on the ship are luxurious, as well as the exceptional food that American Safari Cruises is known for).

Our tagline is “Luxury in the Pursuit of Adventure,” and that is a promise we take to heart. Our small group yacht adventures provide an alternative to traditional large and small ship cruises by taking guests into areas that are not accessible to larger groups on big ships. With so few guests, the itineraries are flexible and can be altered at a moment’s notice to maximize wildlife and scenic viewing opportunities.

The yachts travel only during the day so guests miss nothing along the way.  They anchor every night in pristine coves or dockside in small villages so guests can explore by water and on foot. We provide plenty of opportunities for people who like active adventures, but guests can be as active as they want. Hiking and kayaking are popular activities.

We’ve outfitted the staterooms with full bathrooms with heated tile floors (some have Jacuzzi tubs), memory-foam mattresses, flatscreen TVs with DVD players, iPod docking stations, and terry bathrobes and slippers. You’ll be comfortable!

The yachts have an inviting lounge with open bar, a library, DVD library, hydrophones to listen to whales underwater, and an underwater bow camera that streams to stateroom TVs and the lounge. The Safari Explorer and Safari Spirit each have a sauna. All the yachts have on-deck exercise equipment. Meals are served in the dining room at one seating and the cuisine features locally sourced ingredients from the current destination. You’ll enjoy fine dining at every meal. Premium spirits, wines, and micro brews are included.

5. American Safari Cruises offers exceptional private charters and family yacht charters. Who would benefit from booking a private charter? What can travelers expect when booking a luxury private charter?

We can accommodate group sizes from 12 to 40 people on one of our luxury yachts. There are many benefits of chartering a trip, but privacy and the ability to customize your trip are paramount. We’ve had families celebrating special occasions and groups of friends charter trips. Business groups and common interest groups have also chartered yacht cruises. 

Chartering allows for more control over all aspects of the trip. We will work with you to make it special, and you can help design the itinerary and arrange custom excursions. It will be a private, exclusive travel experience without any crowds. Our emphasis on flexibility means that if you change your mind about something while underway, we will work to accommodate your request.

6. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Our crews are truly the cream of the crop in our industry, and we have almost no turnover from year to year. We are unique in this area; crew members stay with us for the same reasons our guest do: flexible itineraries, nights at anchor, and small group comfort—not to mention superior compensation.  

About American Safari Cruises:

American Safari Cruises specializes in authentic, active, deluxe cruises and charters on three luxury yachts. Itineraries focus on close-up viewing of wildlife, fine dining, and activities such as kayaking, beachcombing, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, and exploration by motorized inflatables. Each of the yacht charters and cruises are offered at one inclusive price, so all premium wines, microbrews and liquors, exclusive shore excursions, on-yacht meals, activities, taxes, port charges, transfers and lectures are included. American Safari Cruises offers an alternative to traditional large- and small-ship cruises by taking guests into areas that are not accessible to most larger ships, and on excursions and to activities that are exclusive, private, and unavailable to most other travelers.  

Connect with American Safari Cruises:

Twitter 

Facebook 

Website 

Contact us today for more information on planning your American Safari Cruise.