Friday, 30 November 2012

Eco luxury & eco wine


All set for a lovely evening at our headquarters!

Eco biodynamic wine tasting at Select Collection last night was attended by many of our valued customers. The evening was hosted by Sonu Shivdasani of Soneva Resorts, a very special Select partner. 
17 years ago Sonu and Swedish celebrity model Eva Malmström created a Crusoe resort in the Maldives that blew people away with the deep luxury behind the rustic wood and palm thatch. This lead to other resorts and a hot trend in eco-luxury with loving care for nature and the local population.
Sonu's first resort in the Maldives - Soneva Fushi 

Last night, after champagne and caviar, Sonu presented Soneva Fushi and Soneva Kiri, for which Select as a special partner has fabulous offers (see for example our special Soneva Fushi packages from the UK, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark). 

Sonu presents his passion - luxury that leaves
only the lightest of footprints on our earth,
and inspires in other ways too...
he calls it intelligent luxury 
 
Then our sommelier Erika lead us through the delights of eco biodynamic wines all from the Soneva cellars…which somehow taste better and more alive…
Our sommelier Erica Landin

 
My favourite wine

 
Meanwhile I wandered round with my little iPhone and snapped many of our happy guests…

Important clients Helene & Cecilia
from Nygren & Lind
 
 
Sonu (right) with Ebba Wachtmeister
and Cay Bond

Fredrik Ottosson Select Collection managing director,
with Helene & Cecilia from Nygren & Lind,
Hannu Pollänen Nordic representative Soneva Resorts
 
 
Jan Carlborg & companion
Ina Nilsson, Eva Egeri & Magnus Nilsson 


Peder & Catherina Isacson,  Erika Åhr, Martin Bäumi
 
 
Sophie Federsel, Aija Hjelm, Louisa Federsel,
Sune Karlsson

Magnus & Kerstin Mannesson
Birgitta Noorzoy & Marianne Boden with
Max Albrechtsson from our
marketing department & Fredrik

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Football supporter...


Back from Thailand. Today I was at a special lunch in Stockholm arranged by DNA - a networking organization  that gives social and economic support to Djurgården Football.
Select  Collection sponsored  a prize announced at the lunch for their member of the year Anna Omstedt Lindgren. 
Anna receiving one of her prizes

The prize we donated was a lovely stay at Daios Cove on Crete, 7 nights in a one-bedroom pool villa. Daios Cove is  a beautiful resort that is built down a hillside above its own turquoise cove and beach.
A pool villa at Daios Cove

One of the founders of DNA in 2010 - also its managing director -  is a lovely friend of mine Tom Davidson.
Tom at the lunch at the Grand Hötel 

Football is not a new interest of mine. My first company Aktiv-Resor began with sport travel 30 years ago, and the  first trips I arranged were football training camps.
Since Djurgården has a full range of teams right down to the little football enthusiasts, I hope that one day we can help get young teams to the sun in the spring, as the football season starts so late in Sweden on account of the Nordic weather…
It’s the weather that makes Nordic people  travel so much!

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Detox and rejuvenation

A few images from Kamalaya – before I talk about detox…
Detox at its most delicious...
My new friend Esra, a lovely woman
from Istanbul, also enjoying Kamalaya
Clive, the GM is making sure that
all guests are happy
 
With Kate Leff, Sales & Marketing Manager
I was actually saying goodbye to Kate...all detoxed.

And now for some serious detox talk… the latest big thing in the spa world.
Kamalaya has excellent stress-reduction and weight loss programmes but it seemed to me that most guests at Kamalaya are on detox, choosing from  three levels: beginners, basic and advanced programmes for the seriously detox minded…
These various programmes run from 3 to 14 nights.
With any package you get full board which can include ordinary healthy meals (even a la carte) or a set detox menu, along with a bio-impedance analysis, a wellness consultation and free holistic activities.
In the beginner’s package you also get a detoxifying body wrap and an oil massage, along with some nice foot and hand massage. On top of that beginners get a taste of  the real detox stuff: Taoist abdominal massage (Chi Nei Tsang), farinfrared saunas and lymphatic drainage therapy. For the more advanced detoxers the 7 to 14 night packages include many more sessions of abdominal massage and infra red sauna treatment  as well as colon hydrotherapy…
At the pinnacle of purification, here is part of a 14 night comprehensive detox package. In addition to a Thai massage and a lot else, the serious stuff is:
• 4 x 30 minute Chi Nei Tsang (Taoist abdominal massage)
• 4 x 60 minute Chi Nei Tsang (Taoist abdominal massage)
• 13 x 30 minute Far Infrared Sauna
• 4 x 60 minute Colon Hydrotherapy
• 5 x 90 minute Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
• 2 x 60 minute Oriental Herbal Detoxifying Body Scrub & Wrap
• 1 x 60 minute Traditional Asian Foot massage
• 1 x 60 minute Indian Head massage
• 1 x 60 minute Sodashi Pure Radiance Facial
• 3 x 60 minute Personal Training sessions
• 1 x mid Detox Consultation
Detoxed, equals new born – and a challenge to keep pure, happy  and radiant by living and eating healthily on return home, inspired by the delicious healthy cuisine at Kamalaya …

See our web page on Kamalaya for more general information about the resort. With our strong interest and expertise in spa holidays, we can create the perfect package for you. If you are not convinced about going all out for detox, we can suggest a combi of slimming, fitness and detox...to have you glowing with well-being!

Monday, 26 November 2012

Song of Kamalaya

Doctor Song is one of the very talented people at Kamalaya. He does great treatments, using his enormous skills in Chinese medicine, including  acupuncture and much more. This was the view from his treatment room last night...
 

 
 
It was also Valerie's birthday yesterday which we celebrated with a fantastic healthy cake; made of pears, avocado and raw chocolate.
 
Healthy but very nice....
 

Doctor Song celebrating with us yesterday 

 

Eva and Valerie
 

At Kamalaya getting healthy can also be sunny and laid back ...



 

And rainy days too can be very pleasant. This morning it was raining so.... 


...my morning yoga was on our private terrace
Our villa is a cosy place to be:

Verdant views from our villa
 
Living room of our two-bedroom villa

 
Back to yoga. You can choose to participate in group yoga or take private lessons.
 

Afternoon yoga with Siri
 
But there is lots more to do than treatments and yoga…

Nature walks
Lush tropical garden
 
Just being…

Sunday, 25 November 2012

The lotus



 
Today I thought we will have just one picture: The Lotus, symbol of Kamalaya wellness retreat.
 
I feel very fortunate when looking in my flower book to learn that my birthday 16th of July has the symbol of the Lotus flower


 
The words above are:
 
Lotuses are ancient symbols of purity
and spontaneous generation.
They represent the unblemished spirit of mankind.
Growing beneath murky waters in mired
surroundings, they develop strong straight stems and
finally emerge from the water surface to sprout
sweet fragrant blossom in the sunlight.
The heart of human beings is like an unopened lotus;
when the virtues of true enlightenment are achieved
therein the lotus blossoms.

 

Friday, 23 November 2012

Tropical wellness haven...




Back at Kamalaya, enjoying a tropical sunset at this beautiful wellness retreat on Koh Samui. Here you can work out to your heart’s desire, and choose from 70 different treatments for detox, weight loss, rejuvenation and fitness – or take it easy just enjoying lovely food and a life-enriching healthy holiday.


Most guests here are on a detox program:
 
 
But it’s certainly not all about raw food and salads:

You can also have normal healthy
and very delicious food:)
 

Kamalaya warms the heart:
 
...it is so harmonious and relaxing
 
 


...the gardens are lovely
...and surroundings picturesque
 

Candles are always lit, leading to the bedrooms:
 
Eva and I have a beautiful 2 bedroom villa
 
After your first consultation you can follow your very own programme at your very own pace…
 
Valerie and me ... all natural. Here you
don't need hair dryer and make up -
you have so much else
No time to say more today…but take a  look at our Select Collection for more on Kamalaya.

 

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Blue Ribbon delights


 
Flying Blue Ribbon with Bangkok Airways I had a really pleasant flight direct from Hong Kong to Koh Samui – only 3 hours.

Bangkok Airways is known as the Boutique Airline of Asia. In  business  (Blue Ribbon Class) you get your own checkin and lounge at Hong Kong airport  – where we  were attended to by really friendly staff and enjoyed real food and showers. We also got a 30 kg luggage allowance.

On board...

 
...the air hostess was truly sweet
and service minded

 We got a full 3-course  meal.
 
 
Here a starter and a glass of Pinot Noir ...

The last glass for 8 days as I'm going to Kamalaya Wellness Center…

Talk to you soon…a healthier me

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Mortons … Mixologists in the making

I have a guest blogger today, and in that way I can be all over the world at once. The scene is back in London and my blogger is Collette O'Connor, our charming and intelligent sales manager for the UK.

Select Collection of Mayfair supported, along with our valued Travel Partner Banyan Tree a Master Chef style Cocktail Making Competition on the 14th at Mortons, the exclusive Mayfair Private Members Club.






Collette was also one of the judges, here
with Justin Purves, also a judge
 
Select and Banyan Tree together donated a fantastic prize – a holiday with flights to Banyan Tree Phuket, and also had the honour of choosing the best beverage.  The many  participants had just one shot at creating a bespoke vodka-based mouth-watering exotic drink and only 10 minutes to do it!


Work stations for competitors


Ingredients and garnishes to inspire exotic mixes



The set-up

Drinks round one

The lucky winner is yet to be announced so watch this space...  But a lot of fun was had on the night, and the Members were in highly competitive spirits with their eye on the big prize!

The expert panel - Collette O’Connor Sales Manager Select Collection UK,  Justin Purves Marketing Director for Europe Banyan Tree and Frederic Tartas Bar Manager extraordinaire of Mortons had the very serious task of judging the competition, as it’s not only about the fantastic prize, but the winning cocktail will be available at Mortons and Banyan Tree Phuket during the month of December!

Judging - a serious affair

A big thank you to Alex, Fred and Team Mortons, also Bronwen and Justin of Banyan Tree and our own Contracts Co-ordinator Jennifer Sloan for a hugely successful evening.  And of course a big cheers to the wonderful Mortons Members for competing so enthusiastically!  The judges had a tough job to decide.

More to follow…