The Haute Travel Writer

JustLuxe •

South Beach Glitz hits the Middle East with a stay at the Mondrian Doha

South Beach is a special kind of place. It is a mélange of Miami chic where urban-cool New Yorkers and Euro travelers come to warm up in winter and where Latin America has created a home away from home in the US. That Miami style created some of the coolest and most chic hotels and hospitality that the world over has come to love. One of Miami’s hippest hotel icons is the Mondrian, a fantastical Alice in Wonderland-like inspired hotel with whimsical design elements of pure opulence, high style a
JustLuxe •

Thai High-Style holidays in the Middle East at the Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

For those who have never been to Dubai, you are somewhat behind the times on your international travel must do list. Over the past few decades, it has gone from an exotic destination only for the Avant-garde to one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.  In the winter months, when the rest of the world is huddled around the fireplace, Dubai is the place to be, with perfect weather, endless miles of sandy beaches and crystal waters.  Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with acclaimed cult
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

The Opulence of Oman at the Shangri-La Al Husn Hotel

Oman is a special place. It is one of the friendliest of all the Middle East destinations with a rich and proud heritage and culture. Beyond its people there is nature’s beauty at every turn with prodigious mountain ranges, deserts, verdant date tree filled oasis’s, and miles and miles of beautiful white sand beaches and clear blue water. In such a place is the opulent icon of Omani hospitality,  the Shangri -La  Al Husn Resort and Spa. A short drive from the bustling city center of Muscat is w
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

A taste of Arabian Opulence in Abu Dhabi at the Eastern Mangroves by Anantara

Abu Dhabi is one of the Middle East’s most cosmopolitan cities and has become the holiday destination of choice for the haut monde. The Middle East and Abu Dhabi in particulate is about opulence. No expense is spared in creating some of the most impressive hotels, experiences, and lifestyle events with one seeming to outdo the next with each occurrence. In a peaceful place amongst the calming mangroves of a protected natural magrove reserve and a short distance from the hustle and bustle and bri
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

Hotel Review: Palazzo Versace Dubai, A Hotel with Passion and Bold Intentions

Dubai is a city that is completely Arabian yet has incorporated the best of everything from around the world. It is also a city steeped in opulence and you’ll see the top names in luxury automobiles on the roads, women donning couture designer fashions, and the wealthy living the high life in the most lavishly designed homes.  When it comes to hospitality, that aspect of Dubai is no different. Every name from the highest echelons of the hotel industry are there showcasing their brand’s finest pr
JustLuxe •

Going Down to the Lowest Place on Earth: Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea Jordan

Weary bodies from around the world flock to the lowest point on earth. They walk around like a strange tribe covered with black sea mud to allow the nutrients from the rich earth sink deep into their skin. Others wade through the salt crusted banks into the sea and float, buoyant by the dense water filled with salt and other nourishing minerals.  After hours taking in the natural and curative powers of the sea, they will return to for further luxuriating at one of the top resorts in the Middle E
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

Le Vendôme Hotel, The Grand Dame of Luxury Hotels In Beirut

The newest Jaguar XJ sedan pulls in the circular driveway past the water fountain and roman statues. Inside are the hotel’s newest guests who arrive from the Beirut airport which is 20 minutes away. The doorman welcomes the tony couple; she a model-esque woman bedecked in baubles, a designer dress, and handbag and him in a bespoke tailored suit and fine Italian shoes.  This is Beirut and this is Le Vendome. Le Vendôme has been a nation treasure since it first opened its doors in Beirut in 1964.
JustLuxe •

4,000 Years of Culture on Abercrombie and Kent"s Luxury Nile Cruise

Egypt. The name evokes thoughts of mysterious Pyramids and 5,000-year-old half man, half lion sphinxes as tall as a New York skyscraper. The advanced civilization left behind countless treasures in science, technology, philosophy and culture. Egypt’s most important sights are easily accessible by a cruise down the Nile River. For more than 30 years Abercrombie and Kent has curated a selection intriguing shore excursions to ensure its guests take away cherished memories from this magical and exot
JustLuxe •

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach Keeps its Tastefully Elegant Vibe

Dubai is an international cosmopolitan center known for its brand of Middle Eastern extravagance and opulence. Most hotels compete in this space by having the biggest this or the tallest that in the city. In the midst of this ocean of excess, the recently opened The Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach opted to go in another direction. To the delight of its guests and industry critics, this tastefully elegant low rise beach front resort bucked the trend of hospitality excess and remained
JustLuxe •

Cruising the Nile River Aboard the Oberoi Philae

Egypt is a beautiful country full of historical importance, wonders of the world, and is one of the oldest civilizations on earth. In fact, 30 percent of the world’s ancient artifacts are found here. For centuries, we’ve heard stories about the Nile River, accounts of mythical gods, pharaohs that conquered lands and this magical body of water that was at the center of the dynasty. Although many travelers may have shied away from Egypt due to reports of civil unrest, the country is finally starti
JustLuxe •

The Emirates Palace: Abu Dhabi's Icon of Opulence

The Emirates Palace is among the most expensive hotels in the world with a price tag of over $4.25 billion. Opened in 2005, it took 20,000 artisans three years to complete the project which is owned by the Abu Dhabi government (Royal Family) and managed by the Kempinski hotel chain. It was destined to become one of the world’s best hotels. Paris has the Ritz, New York has the Plaza and the Middle East has the Emirates Palace. On the outside, the hotel’s façade has a distinctly-Islamic design of
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine •

The Cove Rotana Ras al Khaimah, The Santorini of the Middle East

Most have heard of Dubai with its sparkling skyline and Abu Dhabi, the capital and cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. But in the UAE there are seven emirates, similar to states, and they all have something special and unique to offer. One of the most exciting and lesser known emirates is Ras al Khaimah. A little over an hour from Dubai, this emirate is filled with all types of natural beauty from majestic rocky mountains, beautiful golden deserts, and endless miles of white sand beaches.
JustLuxe •

Oman's Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz Carlton Resort, is Charmingly Traditional & Tastefully Opulent

Cradled between the majestic Al Hajar Mountains and the blue waters of the Sea of Oman, Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, Oman is regarded as one of the top five-star hotels in the world. Even from afar, the property is impressive with its ornate exterior of Arabic geometric patterns. The property was originally developed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in order to accommodate visiting heads of state. It was subsequently renovated and then managed by the Ritz-Carlton. The Omani know true Arabic hospital
JustLuxe •

The Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah: A U.A.E. Watering Hole for the Well-Heeled

When you hear the name Waldorf Astoria, the image of a spectacular and grand hotel instantly comes to mind. A place of dapper gentlemen and regal ladies dashing about without a care in the world. One envisions men in tuxedos and tails and women in sequined dresses off to a gala as they did in 1900s when the Waldorf and the Astoria hotels opened in New York City. The Waldorf Astoria Ras al Khaimah is one such a regal place. A royal and grand resort that provides the finest luxury travel experienc
Luxe Beat Magazine •

Oman's Alila Jabal Akhdar: Bucket List for the Well-Heeled Traveler

The beaten path is a place that everyone knows about and has already been to. It is a predictable and a known commodity. I love to go off the beaten path to explore new and interesting places. I recently found heaven off the beaten path in the Alila Jabal Akhdar atop Oman’s Al Hajar mountain range. Oman is special place. Only three million travelers go there each year. It is not a place where you will find T-shirt vendors, strip malls and your typical tourist attractions and gaudy theme parks.
Luxe Beat Magazine •

Qasr al Sarab by Anantara: A Castle in the Sand

At dusk, guests trek to the peak of the tallest dune just beyond the resort to take in the beautiful sunset. The desert is a trickster so the walk is a rigorous one and longer than one might expect. But the result is worth the effort. Couples and friends sit on dunes in an ocean of sand as far as the eye can see, some laughing in conversation, some in silent contemplation as the sun sets in the west bathing the dunes in golden and reddish light. This is the endless Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi and i
Luxe Beat Magazine •

Raffles Dubai: Luxury Fit for a Pharoah

Dubai is an amazing city with so much to see and do. In the center of it all, near to the beaches and top shopping malls, is the area known as WAFI where you’ll find an icon of architecture and hospitality, the Raffles Dubai. This stunning Egyptian pyramid is as much a landmark as it is a hotel. Everything about this place is gargantuan, from the lobby, the rooms, and all of the venues which are grand in size and décor. The tastefully Egyptian esthetic melds with modern interiors and you’ll fin
Luxe Beat Magazine •

Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort, Review: Defining Relaxed Luxury in the U.A.E.

Luxury is about details. Details which are often extra or unnecessary but enhance one’s experience. Luxury can also be the absence of something such as when complication, noise, and chaos are replaced with simplicity, quiet, peace.  Luxury is a term often overused but in some cases it is a proper descriptor;  such is the case with the Ajman Saray, a Starwood Luxury Collection Resort in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Ajman is an oasis just a 40 minute drive from Dubai.  It is not as well-known as
JustLuxe •

UAE's Homegrown Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

The corniche is Abu Dhabi’s most famous boulevard and passes through the capital city’s sky scrapers along the azure coast of the Arabian Sea. At the end of it, rising high above all others, are the Etihad Towers. The futuristic towers are made of glass and mirror, and reach into the clouds to create an unmistakable landmark in the sky. Four of the developments are residential and office buildings with the fifth and tallest being the Jumeirah hotel. As guests approach the entrance they will see
JustLuxe •

Habtoor Grand Resort is The Scene for Dubai's Gitterati

Among Dubai's many glittering hotels, the five-star Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa stands out as one of its best. The property is located on the legendary Jumeirah Beach, an area known for its restaurants, boutique shops and mile-long beach boardwalk with even more shops and eateries. Named after the Habtoor family, one of Dubai’s preeminent Emirate families, the clan is known as much for their love of polo as their business acumen. The Habtoors are patrons at essentially all of UAE’s polo eve
Load More Articles