Romance on Rails

For the first time ever the celebrated Orient-Express has included Stockholm in one of its glamorous journeys. And as the legendary train glided out of the Swedish capital yesterday bound for Copenhagen and beyond, I was onboard for a lavish overnight experience.

Welcoming us at Stockholm station Platform 10
yesterday were Giulio Stix and Lucy Clark

Welcome

We were in for a journey of exquisite pampering

In art deco carriages that take you back in time
to the 20s and 30s

And now for a welcome drink in vintage milieu...

Enjoying the ambience of the piano bar

Discreet style

Harmonious surroundings

And then for a four course repast in the antique dining car, glassware and silverware glittering

All dressed up and ready for a beautiful dinner

Fillet of veal was the main

Attentive service

White chocolate mousse

Afterwards more time for passengers to socialize in the bar car, where many of the world's rich and famous swapped stories and sipped G&Ts in the 1920s.

Then a night to enjoy our vintage sleeping cars as we glided through the Swedish countryside

Breakfast in our beautiful cabin

The original Orient Express dates back to 1883. The Venice Simplon Orient-Express has carried on the legend in sumptuous style offering a luxury hotel on rails.
.
Our train had three restaurants - this one is called the Lalique:

You can see one of the famous Lalique
glass sculptures in the background

L'Oriental restaurant.

After Copenhagen the train will head for Venice. This fabulous trip between Venice and Stockholm can include 2 nights in an Orient-Express hotel in Venice, making a 7 night journey.

The Venice Simplon Orient-Express is one of 6 luxury tourist trains owned by Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises taking you to dozens of magical cities and sights, and the classiest of adventures...

Passion for wellness

I will never forget my first sauna  experience as a little girl in Finland – there is nothing  quite like an authentic Finnish sauna. I think this is where my love of spas started…and the search for well-being.

I am passionate about wellness, and in helping customers to have a true wellness experience. Resorts  closest to my heart are ones that specialize in magnificent spa experiences that bring health and rejuvenation.

...along with inner serenity

For a customer who has been very ill a few years back,  I have put heart and soul in trying to help her find the right wellness resort for her needs. I have suggested Sha Wellness in Spain – a short trip, a caring staff and the treatments and equipment she needs. Among other things Sha has special equipment for getting to the physical root of sleeping problems, apart from regimes for detox and rejuvenation, aesthetics and much else. 

A route of detox and self healing

It doesn't feel like a medical clinic though it is a very good one

...and also has everything you need for relaxation and rejuvenation

I was very touched to get this mail from her:

Dearest Leija

You are fantastic and I do hope your business flourishes, because you are truly dedicated with your heart!

I am having some tests tomorrow, and will decide later!

And even if I choose not to go this time, I do hope I get a chance … another time - I definitely want Sha...

I am so impressed with your professionalism, it borders with genuine care and friendship....

I hope your business becomes super super successful and flourishing (which I am sure it is already)

….

Of course even if she does not go it was worth the effort for me, as wellness comes first…

The One. And the Only...

…Lore. We had a cosy evening with Lore Koenig who is Executive Director of Sales for One&Only and Atlantis. So really nice to see this friend of many years.

Select meets the One and the Only Lore (far left)

And great too to hear that Kerzner resorts are thrilled with Select Collection and the interest of our customers in the elite One&Only brand.

“At headquarters they think that Scandinavia is the new America,” she told us. There is such an increase from the Nordic area and in particular from Select to One&Only resorts, with special focus on Dubai.

In Dubai we have three of the resorts Lore represents: Atlantis the Palm, One&Only the Palm and Royal Mirage. I wrote about these recently in my trip to Dubai … so I won’t say more here, just follow the links.

We also have some fabulous specials for an old favourite, the warm and elegant One&Only Le Saint Geran in Mauritius...

Le Saint Geran with its paradise setting

Never forgetting, the iconic One&Only Reethi Rah. Our customers return over and over for the ultimate perfection - see my blog for my experiences of this paradise. Other marvellous properties that bowl over our discerning customers include One&Only Palmilla in Mexico, and One&Only Ocean Club Bahamas.

But back to Stockholm for some foodie news. The restaurant where we dined with Lore is a new one called Nosh & Chow, some 50 metres away from Select Collection in Norrlandsgatan. Wide medieval (Viking)-looking raw wooden tables and soft leather chairs (like home) were part of the look which comes from Lazaro Rosa Violan, well known Spanish interior designer. The establishment runs up and down stairs in so called Town House mode. And the food great…

Venison was my choice...

...and of course Pinot Noir

Some had a little space left for
the lightest dessert

We were just happily together (Max to the left, Lore right)

Jamaica, Bond and more

Jamaica came to Select Collection last night – an event in collaboration with the GoldenEye Hotel, Island Outpost and the Jamaica Tourist Board. The GoldenEye is celebrating its launch in the Nordic area and has given an exclusive contract to us.

Scott De Mercado (right) representing Island Outpost & GoldenEye,
Her Excellency Jamaican Ambassador Assamba, me, Tord Magnusson and
Elisabeth Fox, regional director of north Europe, Jamaica Tourist Board

 The Jamaican ambassador added a great speech to the warm Jamaican welcome…

Listening to Her Excellency Ambassador
Aloun Ndombet-Assamba

The GoldenEye Hotel & Resort is one of the most exclusive havens in Jamaica. Owner Chris Blackwell –  friend of Bob Marley and founder of Island Records – has brought guests the flavour of Jamaica at its best. Cottages spread out in lush tropical gardens fringing a turquoise lagoon, and...

...Low Cay Beach

Creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming, lived here before selling to Bob Marley. And many Bond stories were written at GoldenEye. In honour of Bond and cocktails that are “shaken and not stirred” – we served delicious concoctions to our guests.

Jonatan as bartender serves rum which is
Chris Blackwell’s own production

A real Mr Bond drink was Black Devil Martini, strong and bitter sweet with Blackwell Jamaican rum,  white Vermouth, orange peel, and black olives.  Sweeter and refreshing was GoldenEye Cocktail with Blackwell rum and pineapple juice and lime. Then we also offered your Virgin Bond girl … innocently without rum.

The evening was a great mix of drinks and people

Paul Stanley  from Virgin Atlantic together with
Select staff Linda and Neil

Wonderful clients and friends; from right;
brothers, Peter and Johan Nilson

A lucky draw was held…with a lovely book about Jamaica as prize and a spa treatment from the Select Collection Spa. One of the winners was ...

Anna Milton.

Second winner was Christina de Mercado

 Tord (right) and me together with Jonny Gardsäter who
represents Virgin Atlantic in the Nordic area

Max and Tommy, great guys doing a great job,
here serving our guests

 Our guests enjoying the evening:

All to celebrate Jamaica …so take a look at this gorgeous spot on the island of reggae  - GoldenEye Hotel & Resort.

Bush bath

Field spa

Gazebo restaurant evening

Two bedroom beach cottage upstairs

Looking forward to a dip in those warm seas...

"Home" with Robert De Niro

One of the special New York Hotels in our Select Collection is The Greenwich, owned by Robert De Niro.  He lovingly decorated the hotel as he would do his own home, and it is a comfortable and intimate place, full of character. 

We had site inspection and lunch at the hotel. The restaurant Locanda Verde is very popular, and has the feel of an Italian neighbourhood bistro –  with very good food, attracting both tourists and New Yorkers.

Here GM Philip Truelove, Katy Horne Director of Sales,
together with Jonatan and me

Great Italian food - scallops

Ravioli with prawns

Continuing on our site inspection...

The lobby, full of character

You can see that De Niro put lots of heart into this...

The whole place is rich in detail

The Greenwich has 88 rooms ...

Each room with its own character

Luxurious details

Comfort and homeliness

Some rooms have a view to the Hudson River

Very removed from the bustle of New York is the Shibui spa. Beside a crystal pool you find a Japanese farmhouse in bamboo, brought stick by stick from Japan.

A refuge in the Japanese spa