ECO SERENDIB VILLA and Spa- St. John
There’s luxe, and then there’s fabu-luxe. Eco Serendib Villa and Spa on the gorgeous, unspoiled island paradise of St. John takes the latter to an entirely new level. This hotspot hideaway is magnificently perched atop a hillside with magnificent views of the Caribbean sea, and not only is it stunning, it’s supremely eco-friendly , employing energy saving green elements into the operation while providing guests with an optimized version of the good life.

Enter and you’re immediately awestruck by the magnificent hand-blown glass sculpture of a St. John sunrise, complemented by eclectic custom-designed furniture and decorative pieces that reflect the international travels of the owner. Accommodations are equally as phenomenal, we’re talking 600-thread-count linens, luxury bath products, Frette robes, villa concierges, and striking decor. For a true treat, try the Presidential Suite, complete with its own chromatherapy tub with gorgeous views out to Fish Bay.

In as much as the rooms overwhelm, the spa is the true opulent centerpiece of the property. Step through the arch clay entrance and you’re enveloped by a sense of tranquility, while you bask in luminescent lighting and relaxing natural fragrances. Eco Serendib’s spa utilizes the award winning Sodashi product line for their impressive array of treatment options. Highlights include a Kohler steam shower, Sunlighten sauna, stunning couples treatment room and luxurious Living Earth Crafts spa equipment, and for those that wish to take their treatments alfresco, outdoor massages can be arranged.

Add in an exquisite 16-person dining table crafted by recycled material, a full luxury kitchen designed for interactive theater-style dining, outdoor BBQ area, a salt-infused hot tub and pool, and a Yamaha baby grand piano and you’ve pretty much found the ultimate private retreat. www.ecoserendib.com

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- $4000 SPA CREDIT when booking the entire villa for exclusive use on a 7 night stay. Contact reservations at 215-830-8300 via email at ecoserendib@harithproductions.com . Can’t stay 7 nights? Not to worry, they’ll provide you with an alternative spa credit option. The offer is valid through December 15, 2012 and conditions apply. As always, be sure & tell ‘em The Explorateur sent you!

BENTWOOD INN- Jackson Hole, WY

Talk about the quintessential winter weekend getaway...this elegant five-guestroom log home is as beautiful and inviting as its backdrop, the legendary Grand Teton mountain range. The 6,000 square-foot home built in 1995, is entirely composed of 200 year old huge pine logs from Yellowstone National Park- an architectural splendor touches the senses. The grand, luxurious feel Is relaxing and cozy from the moment of arrival where the spacious slate entry leads into a massive, three-story living area that showcases a floor to ceiling 30 ft. river rock fireplace, a baby grand piano, and an adjacent library. The warm and inviting dining room features hand-painted tables and cheerfully eclectic Western decor. A stately log staircase leads up to the guest rooms off the open landing while a large cedar deck runs across the back of the Bentwood, where guests gather in friendly clusters at the end of the day to enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a view of the sunset over the spectacular Tetons.

Bentwood offers guests all the comforts of home and more - including your own personal whirlpool bathtub, a fireplace in every room and the very finest in amenities. Each morning Bentwood's guests awake to enticing scents from the kitchen where they take ordinary breakfast entrees and give them a unique flare. Instead of French toast, guests are treated to Swedish, Danish and English Tea Time toasts. Innkeepers Deborah and Lee Clukey previously ran a luxury B&B in Ojai, CA before joining the Bentwood Inn and their breakfasts are a fabulous way to start the day.Together, their energy and graciousness define the "Bentwood experience" for guests.

Best of all, it's centrally located to everything you will want to do on your Jackson Hole vacation. A short hop to Jackson Hole's best skiing, and a great spot to start a spectacularly scenic sixty-five mile drive through the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park to the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. www.bentwoodinn.com

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- 15% OFF! Email info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for more info and, as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

THE SURIN PHUKET- Thailand
This idyllic resort elegantly sashays down the topical landscape to rest along the island's finest white sandy beach at Pansea Bay, nestling itself in peaceful seclusion in the form of 108 secluded cottages gently shaded by coconut palms on verdant slopes. We call it genuine serenity.

This celebrated resort paradise has been rejuvenated by its original designer, Paris-based architect Ed Tuttle who has artfully refreshed Thai beach cottages utilizing local materials and traditional designs fused with modern functionality. The cottages are connected by elevated walkways and all feature unobstructed views of the ocean, spacious bedrooms, bathrooms with his-and-hers vanities and high-tech electronic elements. All done up in custom made furnishings and warm, earthy, organic colors. The atmosphere is eclectic yet serene, the service is high touch yet unobtrusive.

Dining? Authentic and varied. Wellness? Comprehensive and personalized, with flair from a stylish black-tiled pool adjacent to a special children’s pool, fully- equipped gymnasium, and all manner of watersport from catamarans to windsurfing, snorkeling to scuba diving and more. Relaxation can be found within the peaceful confines of The Surin Spa, created in harmony with the natural beauty of the surroundings, featuring a complete menu of Thai-inspired wellness and rejuvenation treatments. Spa rooms offer sweeping views of the Andaman Sea and pose the perfect sanctuary for ultimate spa indulgence. www.thesurinphuket.com

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Book now and receive 20% off the Best Available Rate, complimentary room upgrade to next category, plus stay 5 nights in a Beach Cottage or Beach Studio and receive a complimentary 50 minute Spa Treatment! Email info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for more information and as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

HOTEL U-232- If you’re going to travel to Barcelona, there is simply no other way to experience this vibrant city than putting yourself right in the heart of the eclectic mix of cultural sights, amazing shopping, and fabulous food. Just remember this 4 digit code- U232.

This dynamically chic boutique hotel is set in the Eixample, which is a most privileged downtown location close to the famed Paseo de Gracia y Avenida Diagonal (ie, exactly where you want to be.) It’s done up in a warm style that’s an intriguing mix of modern and colonial, replete with careful attention to detail and excellent service. We’re talking design by Rosa Rosello, classic elements and avant-garde furnishings by Philippe Starck, and their latest, most gorgeous addition- a collection of enchanting vintage photos by Swedish photographer Maria Espeus. Guests to the hotel are now treated to a gorgeous collection of black-and-white snaps, revealing the enchantment of a dream-like Barcelona through its districts, markets, and hidden little corners of exceptional days gone by. It is said that some of these photos have served as inspiration to the hotels’ most exquisite signature cocktails including the Boquería, Golondrinas and Rotonda.

Rooms here are sleek and comfortable, set in 5 different category types, all in neo-classical décor ,all peaceful and bright with natural light. The Family Rooms are a particularly excellent value, 2 connecting spaces, 2 bathrooms and large enough for a group of 5. Delight in each day by beginning with a sumptuous buffet breakfast serving all manner of local traditional dishes, cheeses and cured meats, and wind down the day at their sexy outdoor 10^th floor terrace bar where you can relax with a drink while listening to soft jazz, with the sounds of the city in the background. www.u232hotel.com

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival, wi-fi, assistance with sightseeing planning and daily newspaper. Email us at info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for more information and as always, be sure & tell ‘em The Explorateur sent you!

Aquapura Douro Valley - Set in a magnificently privileged location in the heart of the Douro Valley- a UNESCO World Heritage Site with majestic views, an exceptional climate, and miles of terra firma where some of the world's finest wines and Ports are produced. Carefully restored and impeccably maintained, this 19th Century manor-house-turned-lifestyle-spa-resort boasting an appropriately dramatic setting, apropos of such a unique, unusual concept.

An elegant, contemporary interior design dominates this unique space, and attention to detail belies an extreme sophistication, enhanced by the beauty of Asian Art. The rooms and public areas are decorated in the colors which reflect the textures of the region, while rich materials in superb geometric lines grace the spaces. It is a perfect balance of the architecture of a 19th century manor house blended with a creative, contemporary atmosphere designed to feature the most panoramic views of the winelands.

In an atmosphere dominated by the presence of the water element, the Aquapura Spa invites you to a journey into the senses that will induce introspection and tranquility. Make the most of this world-class spa including warm indoor pool, aromatic showers, panoramic sauna, laconium, herbal baths or simply relax in a marvelous water bed. Holistic treatments based on natural ingredients or the best in medical cosmetics are also available to make you feel wonderful and perfectly serene. Complete customized weight loss, anti-ageing and integrated well-being.

Accommodations are modern and spacious with all of the extras you might suspect- serviced twice daily to maintain the impeccable feel, and complete with wi-fi, pillow menu, complete mini bar, 24 hour room service and gourmet coffee maker. The Spa rooms are especially dynamic, offering a small plunge pool, tatami mat, working area, gorgeous bathroom and a panoramic woodland view. http://www.theexplorateurportfolio.com/continent/hotel.asp?idhotel=44

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- AMAZING AQUAPURA ADVENTURE!

Special savings on this exquisite package including

-2 Nights in a River Room with VIP arrival gift
-1 Balinese massage per person (1 hour 25 min)
-1 3-course dinner incluing wine at hotel restaurant,
-1 Tasting Experience of Port, cheese & red wine
-1 lunch at local restaurant + 1 tasting at local winery

Email us at info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for more information and as always, be sure and tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!