Highlife Marketing’s Perfect Christmas Wish List

Highlife Marketing’s Perfect Christmas Wish List

It’s that time of the year again and finding the perfect present for that special someone who seems to have it all is now one less-stress your clients need to worry about. We’ve come up with our top recommendations for the most romantic Christmas gifts of all time. Easy to book, hard to beat and definitely a more satisfying way to do the Christmas shopping than hitting the streets, or waiting in for the postman. Spread the word..your clients will love you for it!

Petit St Vincent

Create lifetime memories with a loved one, friends, or family on a lush 115-acre tropical island. With just 22 spacious one bedroom cottages and two bedroom beach villas, you can enjoy the privacy you desire with gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea at Petit St Vincent.

This is the perfect location to unplug and unwind. With no telephones, TV’s or Wi-Fi in the cottages this island is all about stopping time, putting the brakes on life and taking a second to breathe. Those looking to relax can lounge with a book on the beach without another soul in sight while sipping a fresh piña colada or spend the afternoon at the open-air treetop spa listening to the sound of the warm breeze gently blowing through the trees.

For those looking to keep active, the island has a hiking trail and two beachside yoga pavilions, and all non-motorized water activities—snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, windsurfing and Sunfish or Hobie Cat sailing—are complimentary. But the dive centre is where PSV really excels. Owned and operated by Jean-Michel Cousteau, dive in and enjoy the hidden secrets of coral reefs and be dazzled by the array of colorful coral reef fishes, secretive sea turtles, graceful eagle rays and inquisitive lobsters.

PSV isn’t for everyone, but it is for those looking for somewhere completely different; somewhere that offers a true escape from the frantic pace of modern life. It could be the greatest gift you give, a chance to detach from virtual reality for a moment, re-connect with loved ones, celebrate the simple pleasures in life and soak up the beauty of Caribbean life.

Crillon le Brave

Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves our hilltop village hotel in Provence is the perfect destination for a romantic short break. The views from the rooms, terraces and gardens are simply stunning at Hotel Crillon le Brave.

They have created the package “Crillon for Two” which is the perfect gift to share with a loved one who is in need of some indulgent pampering. When you arrive at the hotel flowers, champagne and a small bottle of massage oil will be waiting for you in your room. Later, or the next day, take an unhurried ride through the surrounding vineyards and olive groves on our state-of-the-art Co-motion tandem bicycle with a picnic hamper stuffed full of special Provencal treats, a bottle of Domaine Vintur rosé and a map of suggested routes and scenic locations for a lazy picnic along the way.

And afterwards, enjoy a well-deserved 60-minute massage each in the spa des écuries. In the evening, the head chef Jerôme Blanchet, one of the finest young chefs of his generation, will prepare for you his ‘menu de saison’, served on the main terrace overlooking the Mont Ventoux or in our stone vaulted dining room, depending on the weather.

Portetta

Swap white sand for white snow this year and opt for the plush surroundings of this retreat high in the French Alps. Portetta sits on the slopes of chic Courchevel 1650, moments away from a ski lift. Piste-facing bedrooms have stunning vistas, valley-facing bedrooms offer complete tranquillity, or for those with a larger budget, the luxurious lofts or mountain lodges offer the ultimate in ski-in ski-out luxury.

Enjoy the best sun terrace, lounge, bar and restaurant in Courchevel. The hotels Fire and Ice bar is right at the bottom of the main piste and has huge log burning fires, flaming torches, wood fired pizza oven, ice shots, fur snugs and heated bar seating. And for full on foodies, the hotel has partnered with Angela Hartnett to open the new restaurant Cucina Angelina which serves Italian influenced mountain food.

For more information on any of the featured properties in our wish list, including rates and availability for 2017, please contact Danielle at Danielle@highlifemarketing.com, or call us on 01923 286002 – we’re full of good ideas all year round!

Hotel Palacio Estoril

More than FIT for purpose

There are many great things about Portugal, not least the ease and speed with which you can get there. After an early Monday morning start from Stansted, I was already on the road from Lisbon to the small, coastal suburb of Estoril, by noon. Once the favoured resort of the Kings and Queens of Europe, Estoril is also home The Hotel Palacio, where they chose to stay, and my home for the next 36 hours.

Hotel Palacio is without question the town’s most elegant and well-connected building, sandwiched between the pretty seafront and the renowned Casino Estoril. This grande white dame may be elderly, but she is exquisitely preserved and still giving off more than a whiff of decadence and glamour. Service is strictly old school here with no stone left unturned; every guest is treated like royalty at the Palacio.

My opulent suite with a double balcony overlooking both the Adriatic and the casino, was hard to leave (especially with a tempting plate of the hotel’s famous Portuguese custard tarts awaiting me), but I was here in the pursuit of wellness. During my short stay I would be experiencing the health-promoting benefits of the hotel’s exceptional (but up until now relatively undiscovered) spa and wellness centre and sampling some of its unique facilities and treatments. I couldn’t wait.

Located in a separate, state-of-the-art building across the road from the hotel itself, the spa and wellness centre can be reached via a rather clever corridor and lift route leading directly from the hotel. So making your way from your room straight to the spa is a doddle – you can do it in your robe and slippers if you choose.

In contrast to its grandiose parent, the wellness centre is a contemporary high-rise with sharp, clean lines and a cool, slick interior. Arriving at ground level, I was greeted by the rich, warm tones and delicious jasmine oil aroma of the Banyan Tree Spa reception and given my schedule for the afternoon. An hour in the Dynamic Pool, followed by a 90-minute traditional Thai massage and relaxation – I love my job!

The Dynamic Pool was a revelation. A giant pool filled with comfortably warm water and a number of different ways to reap its benefits. From the gently soothing bubbles of the Jacuzzi at one end to the extremely powerful jets at the other, designed to pummel any shoulder and back tension into submission, this was no ordinary swimming pool. In the centre, a strong circular current enables you lay back and be transported around without the slightest effort, or alternatively you can choose to swim against the flow and get a really good workout.

Completing the Hydro Banyan Circuit there is a hammam, sauna, steam room and refreshing sensations showers, making this watery wonderland the perfect place to relax, unwind and reconnect with a work-weary body. It worked wonders for me, and when the therapist arrived to take me for my Thai massage the morning rush hour and airport chaos already felt like a distant memory.

The massage, on the other hand, is something I won’t forget in a hurry. And for all the right reasons.

Having suffered from neck and shoulder pain for sometime, I took the brave step and opted for a ‘strong’ massage, softened slightly by the rose-scented essential oils that accompanied it. All of the Banyan Tree Spa therapists are trained in Thailand in traditional techniques and you can definitely tell that you’re getting the real McCoy. After 60 minutes of serious pressure and gentle body strokes pulling me this way and that I was offered a very welcome pot of ginger tea and floated back to my hotel room in a delicious daze. I can’t remember the last time I felt so totally relaxed and after an early ‘clean’ dinner of salmon and lemon vegetables in the Bougainvillea restaurant, I fell into my big comfy bed and slept like a baby. 

Next morning I was up with the larks (and a few other willing bodies) for my 8.15am Hydrobike group fitness in the Wellness Centre. I took the lift up to the second floor, left my clothes and my inhibitions in the super-smart changing rooms and joined the rest of the class in the special healing waters of the thermapool. Much like a spin class, but with the bike and your bottom half under water for the duration, hydrobike is a great way to burn calories and strengthen leg, arm and core muscles without putting any strain on your joints. It’s certainly not a soft option, but the low impact of pedalling in water and pushing against its weight with your arms, makes it suitable (and popular) for all levels of fitness. Our enthusiastic instructor did a brilliant job of making herself understood in both English and Portuguese and we all finished feeling wide awake and ready to face the day.

Butt buffed and bingo wings banished, I was led to the epi-centre of the wellness clinic where the seriously impressive treatments take place. In direct contrast to the deep brown tones and intoxicating aromas of the Banyan Tree Spa downstairs, the Wellness Centre is a clean, white clinical space. It boasts a number of specialised treatment rooms and an outstanding role call of reputable doctors and practioners, ranging from oesteopaths to hydrologists, rheumatologists, podiatrists, nutritionists and experts in anti-ageing. Here I was treated to a jet shower that involved being blasted from a distance by something resembling a fireman’s hose. The clever therapist turned up the pressure as my body became more acclimatised to the assault and then made tiny circles with the end of the hose to give every muscle on my body a serious pummelling. Designed to improve circulation, encourage the elimination of toxins and tackle cellulite, you can feel this treatment breaking down the fat and getting your system working – I would have one very morning if I could.

Hard work over, what comes next is pure pampering. Submersion in a warm hydromassage bath filled with moisturising almond milk-enhanced water, while gently bubbling jets soothe your muscles. Then it was into the next room for an invigorating deep tissue Vichy Shower Massage conducted under warm sprinkling water to soothe away aches, pains and any lingering cares you might still have after 24 hours in healing heaven.

Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated by the whole experience I decided to finish my Hotel Palacio Spa and Wellness Centre experience with a group yoga class. It’s been an amazing 36 hours and as I board the plane to come home I look and feel like I’ve been on holiday for a week or more.

Hotel Palacio Estoril offers a range of superb value 3 to 7 night Spa and Wellness packages, from beauty boosters to anti-ageing, detox to weight loss, all including accommodation, treatments, classes and specified meals. To find out more contact lisa@highlifemarketing.com, or click on the link: http://www.palacioestorilhotel.com/wellness/packages

La Reserve Ramatuelle Fam Trip Sept '16

Heaven is a place on earth. And it’s called La Reserve Ramatuelle.

I hadn’t been to the south of France for many years and so the opportunity to accompany six luxury tour operators on an educational to this stunning five star resort and spa was simply too good to turn down. The Cote D’Azur was even more vivid and beautiful than I had remembered and as we took the picturesque coastal road from Nice airport alongside the sparkling Mediterranean, the sky seemed to be competing with the sea for blueness.

We arrived at lunchtime to a warm welcome and a chilled glass of champagne while we took in the breathtaking views that greeted us in the lobby. White muslin curtains blew gently in the lovely breeze, bringing the outside in to the cool, contemporary reception area. A neutral palette of whites, creams and soft pebble colours combine with natural textures, like leather, local stone, terracotta and glass, to provide the perfect contrast to the vivid blues and greens of the rugged coastal landscape. There is no formal check-in to interrupt the immediate feeling of calm and relaxation that pervades as soon as you set foot in the hotel, so we enjoyed taking our time to savour our surroundings and La Reserve’s faultless hospitality. I cannot remember a more leisurely or pleasant arrival.

A ‘light’ lunch with deputy manager Veronique – and visiting counterpart from La Reserve Geneva, Claudine – proved to be an equally leisurely affair as several courses of delicious fish, chicken and salads were served in the light and airy La Voile restaurant. All accompanied by a crisp local Rose wine that looked as good as it tasted, in a beautifully decorated bottle.

Food at La Reserve Ramatuelle is fresh, natural, organic and healthy. Clean eating and general wellbeing is an important part of the philosophy here, but don’t let the idea of a ‘healthy menu’ put you off. This food is seriously scrumptious and incredibly creative. Two Michelin-starred chef, Eric Canino, manages to make the most saintly ingredients taste wickedly indulgent – it’s the dream combination. If only we could take him home!

After a longer than expected lunch (after all, what’s the rush?), we were treated to a memorable massage in the super-stylish spa. Gleaming white walls and surfaces again provide the perfect foil to the brilliant blues of the scenery that can be seen from every treatment room, thanks to large windows and lots of glass everywhere. Products used here include those from Swiss brand Nescens, which focuses on better aging, and beauty editors’ favourite, Crème de La Mer. I can thoroughly recommend the signature ‘better-aging body massage’ that left me floating back to our truly fabulous five-bedroom villa in a blissful state. I might not have looked 10 years younger after just 90 minutes, but I definitely felt it.

So, the villa…there are no words! If you’ve never witnessed a room of silent travel professionals before, you should bring them to Villa 19, it really is breath (and speech) taking. One of 16 villas here –  ranging from three to six bedroom, each different from the next – ours had five bedrooms and had recently been completely refurbished. The view from the huge living room, and two of the main bedrooms is spectacular, looking out as it does across a terraced seating area, sparkling infinity pool and perfect manicured lawns, down to the Mediterranean beyond.

We were all amazed at how big the villa was with four, more-than-generous double rooms and one twin-bedded room, each with their own state-of-the-art bath and/or shower room en-suite. The kitchen is fully equipped and, again, HUGE, with a range-style cooker, excellent coffee maker, giant fridge and separate wine chiller for all that lovely Rose. Plus, there’s a large dining table leading straight off the kitchen area for great dinner parties and family lunches.

The beauty of the villas at La Reserve is that you can self-cater, order home delivery from the hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, or pop into the picture-postcard village of Ramatuelle for a bite to eat at one of the charming (and extremely good) restaurants there. I can personally recommend La Forge after a wonderful meal on our first night. All that, and the glamour and buzz of St Tropez and its famous beach clubs just a 15 minute drive away, makes for the perfect holiday home-from-home.

Every villa has the services of a housekeeper for six hours a day who will happily prepare breakfast out on the terrace, afternoon tea and take care of the all the general household duties, including laundry. On the second morning, we also booked for one of the Personal Trainers from the spa to come up to the villa at 8am for a yoga and stretch session in the sunshine around the pool. It was a great way to start the day and while we worked out, a delicious organic breakfast of fresh fruits, warm, nutty breads, pancakes and granola was prepared and served on the terrace as our reward. Sounds wonderful, right? But the great thing is if you don’t want to be disturbed by anybody, just leave a sign on the door, or call down to the hotel, and you’ll be left in total peace.

It’s not hard to imagine a family or group of friends living here really comfortably for a couple of weeks, or even longer – it’s just such an easy place to be. Stunning, exclusive and totally private, yet completely understated and unpretentious in any way. That pretty much sums up the whole experience at La Reserve Ramatuelle. I cannot wait to return.

La Reserve Ramatuelle

To say I was excited about my trip to La Reserve Ramatuelle would be an understatement and having already visited La Reserve Geneva and the exquisite La Reserve Paris, my expectations were high! They say timing is everything and when I arrived at Nice airport to be greeted by a throng of press, I wondered if mine was not ideal!

“Of course “, I thought it’s Cannes Film Festival and they were waiting for Angelina and Brad, George and Amal, not me and my two partners in crime -  industry colleagues! Nevertheless, we were swiftly whisked away by our very friendly and efficient driver and in one and a half hours arrived at La Reserve Ramatuelle (though the journey can take up to two hours in high season).

My initial impression was “Wow”. As you enter the lobby you cannot help but be drawn to the amazing rugged coastline vista before you. It struck me how modern the property is in comparison to the other La Reserve hotels. It felt clean and crisp with white, ochre and neutral shades, very relaxed and inviting .There is no formal reception desk but attentive, smiling staff to take you to your room or villa either on foot or in a golf cart.

I checked into my Junior Suite and had that “Gosh I love my job” feeling! The Junior suite is the third room category (superior & deluxe being the lead in room types) and I would definitely suggest this room type as the best option.  The room felt huge, approximately 55 sqm all to myself, not to mention the garden terrace on the other side of the picture window. I stood for a moment taking in the ever changing hues of the Mediterranean.....even in the drizzle, it was spectacular!

There was a welcome gift of perfectly formed marshmallows, a small lemon cake and chocolate bites and a bottle of rose, all so beautifully presented that I did not dare touch them.

Lunch was calling. La Voile restaurant is close to the lobby area and very open in style with many different terraces and a small garden  which come into play in high season .Chef Eric Canino , formerly with Michel Guerard has two Michelin stars and incredibly manages to combine indulgence with balance so nothing I ate felt heavy or excessive. The lunch menu is comprehensive and the whole ethos of Eric Canino’s cuisine is to cater for those who want to enjoy healthy food without sacrificing taste and creativity. Dishes range from €30-60 for lunch.

In true French style, it was a long lunch finishing at 4.30pm (we were late arriving!) and had time to relax and enjoy the facilities before leaving the hotel to dine in Ramatuelle that evening. Ramatuelle is a quaint little, hilltop village far from the madding crowds with a handful of good local restaurants and a wonderful art gallery – well worth a visit and I can certainly recommend La Forge a family run Italian with great food and hospitality.

La Reserve Ramatuelle provides a complimentary shuttle service for guests between the resort and   Ramatuelle or St Tropez.

I slept like a baby and awoke to glorious blue skies, perhaps a little earlier than I would have liked but keen to experience the Nordic walk which starts at 8am and forms part of La Reserve Ramatuelle’s Bootcamp programme. I hasten to add that this was the only part of the programme we tried!

Our guide was eagerly awaiting us at reception so after a “green juice” off we went, all so thrilled to see blue skies and a glistening sea. The coastal walk took us though rugged terrain with spectacular views of the sea and many photo opportunities of little bays and single yachts that had moored overnight in a tranquil piece of heaven.

For those who want to explore the region, there is a plethora of activities on offer from vineyard tours in Domaine de la Tourac and local Provençal markets to golf, helicopter rides and yacht charters. 

In addition to the 28 resort rooms, there are 14 stunning villas at La Reserve Ramatuelle. I was surprised by the standard of the villas – each one could have been a privately owned stand-alone villa finished to a very high spec and with individual interiors, homely and stylish. The individuality of each means that guests can have a different experience each year as they have lots of repeat clients. Villas range from three to six bedrooms (just one) and include a housemaid six hours per day who will prepare breakfast afternoon tea, ensuring that guests are relaxed and well looked after throughout their stay. Each has its own pool, lovely garden with barbeque area so for those clients seeking total privacy, they are an excellent choice. Two new villas will open  earlier than planned on July 7^th – villa No .1 (5 bedrooms) , a vintage villa dating back to the 1970s and lovingly restored maintaining many of the original features such as the tower section and Villa No .2 (3 bedrooms) a panoramic villa overlooking L’Escalet.  Guests can access all the hotel facilities and  avail of the complimentary shuttle service to St Tropez and Ramatuelle which operates between 8am and 10.30pm subject to availability.

Our last night was a gourmet sensation with the  7 course Gourmet menu in La Voile – there are not enough superlatives but unusually when dining in a  two Michelin star restaurant, I did not need a crane to lift me from the table! The lemon and lime melee for dessert was the highlight for me. I tried to recreate it at home but failed miserably.

From June onwards guests can enjoy the fabulous Roof Terrace which will welcome a new Japanese chef for this season so sushi and champagne on a candlelit terrace - it doesn’t get much more romantic and it can be privatised for proposals or private parties.

The next morning we were treated to a wonderful treatment in the anti-aging Nescens spa which is a destination spa and was recently featured in Conde Nast Traveller.

Needing all the help I can get these days in an effort to rejuvenate myself, I opted for the Better – aging body massage. The description read “Combined with the use of a lymph drainage device for the 80 minute treatment, this massage releases blockages and eases tension, while activating cell regeneration and stimulating skin oxygenation and muscle tone.” That was enough for me. I came out feeling like a new woman and did not relish the thought of packing my bags to leave this wonderful resort. I would highly recommend it whether for a family villa holiday, romantic and relaxing couple getaway or a few days rejuvenation in the spa!  

Back to reality!

Portetta Fam Trip

 My first trip to Portetta started off early with an 8am flight from Heathrow to Lyon. However I was delighted to find that once on board the new British Airways aircraft that I had a whole row of seats to myself, one of quite a few perks I noticed while visiting Portetta in low season. After a very comfortable 90 minute flight we regrouped at the baggage reclaim area and made our way through a very quick and painless passport control. On the other side we were greeted by Sebastian who was holding a Portetta sign at the arrivals area, he took us to our private mini bus and we started our two hour transfer to Portetta.

We arrived in Portetta’s heated driveway ahead of schedule and I was eager to see the hotel for myself. We walked into the warm cosy reception and I instantly felt relaxed, we were greeted by Nicolas and Mehdi the hotel director and assistant manager and were shown to our rooms. My valley facing room was simply gorgeous; it was rustic in style with exposed wooden beams and plush, cosy textiles that created a sense of warmth and comfort. After I unpacked I was keen to see the rest of the hotel.

We walked through the large spacious lounge and into the new bar area and restaurant Cucina Angelina and I could see that the interiors throughout have been designed to the highest standard, with large open fireplaces and elegant furnishings - think alpine-chic with a warm, laid-back vibe! The hotel had everything one could need for the perfect ski break, a top notch ski room and shop where staff will even warm your boots for you to a lavish spa where you can relax and rejuvenate after a long day of skiing. I was very impressed but more importantly after a busy morning I was very hungry, it was time to experience what culinary delights Portetta had to offer.

We made our way outside to the Fire and Ice Bar, Portetta’s outdoor terrace bar which is right at the bottom of the main piste and took a seat. The sun was shining down on us and view was breath-taking. I perused the menu and I was spoilt for choice, the Italian influenced mountain food included pastas, salads, grills, pizza and more and I wanted to try everything! Finally I decided to try an old favourite of mine and an Italian dish carbonara and I was not disappointed.  We decided that despite the fact that we were already full to burst it would be rude not to try a dessert and make the most of this sunny afternoon so I ordered the chocolate torte and felt no ounce of guilt.

After an absolutely perfect lunch there was only one thing to do, take a nap in my peaceful room and prepare for dinner which was only a couple hours of away (maybe I shouldn’t of had dessert!).

We met in the lounge for a quick glass of champagne before we went to visit the lodges which were simply stunning, each one unique and furnished to the highest standard by Laure the lodge manager who joined us for dinner in Blanchot. It was clear to see from spending a short amount of time with Laure just how passionate she is about the lodges and how much she strives to make sure that each guest has a great experience. She is involved in every aspect of their stay from the booking right through to departure to make sure everything runs smoothly.

We enjoyed a delicious three course meal cooked by the wonderful chef Céline before retiring to the hotel for a quick night cap and an early night before a busy day on the slopes.

Today was my first day skiing and to say I was apprehensive would be an understatement. Nevertheless I got into my ski gear and met the rest of the group downstairs in Portetta’s very own ski room. I was greeted by my instructor for the day the lovely Christine from the ESF 1650 ski school who quickly made my nerves disappear. Our first stop was the baby slope which I managed to complete with ease so we then moved up to a slightly steeper slope which I must admit I was a lot more ‘wobbly’ on. After a few successful runs on the learning slope Christine decided I was ready for my first green run and I thought she had gone crazy! So I found myself on my first drag lift which I absolutely loved! The views were incredible and the weather was simply perfect, I could have easily stayed on the lift all day but I think Christine had other ideas.

My first run resulted in a few crash landings but after that I started to get the hang of it and really enjoyed myself; Christine was amazing and kept pushing me to tackle more difficult slopes. So after a long morning on the slopes I was exhausted and ready for my next meal. We decided to try a local French restaurant a short walk away from the hotel which was superb, I had my first tartiflette which is a French dish from the Savoie and Haute Savoie region of France. I spent the rest of the afternoon in the hotel spa relaxing my very tired legs.

Dinner this evening was in Cucina Angelina, Portetta’s brand new restaurant in partnership with top chef Angela Hartnett. The restaurant builds on the relaxed, casual style at Portetta with rustic mountain chic interiors. The food was simply divine and I enjoyed every single bite! It was the perfect end to a fabulous stay at Portetta. Now I’m home and ready to hit the gym after an indulgent few nights. 

Danielle McDaid