Exclusive Evening

Thursday night Select Collection held an exclusive evening for our valued clients together with Marbella Club and Bo Bergrens Urhandel.






Carlos and Count Rudy from Marbella Club are not just great business partners but also good friends

Ola Berggren with his team representing Hermes watches.

Hermes watches inspiring to meet the spring

Happy staff serving great champagne from Eric Rodez

Mia and John came with lovely roses from Nevado Roses

Surprises from Holy Sweet

Many valued and loyal clients arrived

Birgitta, the lucky winner of a 3 night stay at Marbella Club

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In Search for New Surprises ...

Last weekend our Management Team had a conference to go through the new collection 2012-2014. The brochure will be out in one year's time and we are constantly on the lookout for new amazing resorts to feature. The place where we held our conference is one of these ... I will not reveal this gem but be sure it will turn up in our next collection!

Trendy suites will be included

And family bungalows

The Management Team. The man in the door was just curious ...

Enjoying a nice dinner after a working day

The food was delicious and well presented

These two guys were not part of the conference but they brighten up our stay!

Hidden Gems of London

At the Quintessentially event at the British Ambassador's Residence last week Londoner and business owner Mr Henry Togna gave an information filled speech about the "hidden gems of London". For a frequent London traveller as myself it was great to get some insider tips and of course I would like to share a few with you! If you wish to travel to London and try for yourself, don't hesitate to contact some of my knowledgeable staff ready to guide you through the choices of hotels in this great city.

In his speech, Henry Togna quoted Samuel Johnson; "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life". That is very true. London is a vibrant city with plenty to do - you just need to know where to go. Togna mentions Shepherd's Market in Mayfair (where we also have our London office), a "village" of boutiques, bistros and bars. Among them the famous Harry's Bar and the Italian restaurant Tempo. 

Other great Italian restaurants are the River Café and Bocca di Lupo (Soho). If you prefer Thai food you should try the new Heston Blumenthal's restaurant Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental. But remember to book well in advance. The restaurant is fully booked until June ...

Mandarin Oriental is a nice choice for your hotel accommodations but there are many more. Togna brings up The Dorchester and The Connaught along with smaller, more hidden gems such as The Halkin and The Dean Street Hotel.

One hotel that I found out about recently is the St James Hotel in Mayfair. It is a nice hotel where we have great deals. We also have good rates at the traditional, wonderful Brown's Hotel as well as the cosy Chesterfield Hotel, also just steps away from our office.  

The Connaught

  

Memorable Evening at Grand Hotel hosted by KSSS

Friday night our Marketing Coordinator Max and I had the privilege of joining the KSSS Gala as sponsors at Grand Hotel Vinterträdgården. The host was KSSS (Kungliga Svenska Seglarsällskapet) and host country was USA,  represented by the American Ambassador Mr Matthew Barzun.

It was a beautiful evening with great food, pleasant company and nice performances. Prince Carl Philip was present on the stage when I, on behalf of Select Collection, handed over the price (5 nights at the stylish resort Setai in Miami) to our lucky winner.

Dressed for the occasion

Cyndee Peters performed

The American Ambassador Matthew Barzun held a great speach 

Max from Select Collection



The Body is back

The bodysuit was a must-have item in the 1990s. Will it be back again?

Picture from FT Feb 5/6

The originator Donna Karan says, " the bodysuit had always been a part of my own life", who launched her first Lycra version as part of her 7 Easy Pieces Collection in 1985. " I love dancing and I have practiced yoga since I was 18.

If you want to get in shape for the spring fashion or just practice yoga, please contact our professional staff at Select Collection and we will direct you to one of our best spa resorts, tailored for you.


-- Post From My iPhone

Flying in Comfort with the Boutique Airline of Asia

As I was flipping through my iPhone pictures, I found these from my flights with Bangkok Airways recently. They have increased their number destinations and are known as the Boutique Airline of Asia. Bangkok Airways is a very good option if you wish to travel within Thailand, around Asia and Indian Ocean.

Great service minded staff

The seats in business class are very comfortable and there are only 8 seats in this category which ensures a nice and calm athmosphere in the cabin as well as staff who has the time to attend to your needs

On the flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok - lasting less than one hour - they served a two course hot meal

Travel and Investment Opportunities at Select event

Last night we hosted a successful event in our Stockholm premises, together with Carnegie Private Banking. Carnegie's fund broker Mona Stenmark told us about the fund HQ Emerging Markets, where it is possible to invest in selected businesses around the wold.

Fredrik from Select Collection then took us on a different inspirational trip around the world by telling us about exotic and far away destinations Madagascar and Sri Lanka as well as one hideaway more close by; Alva Park north of Barcelona.

The evening ended with test treatments in our beautiful spa where the therapists performed short scalp and foot massages - all to the liking of our clients!

Lovely Moments

Back to the cold, flipping through my pics and remembering some lovely moments from Kamalaya at Koh Samui in Thailand

Best time for me to relax on the beach is at 5 pm

When the sun starts setting

Afternoon tea with healthy snacks

At the lounge, where the view is stunning

Or just walking around looking at some pretty arrangements is relaxing.

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A Magic Master

Dr. Song Qinggeng is a true master of everything from TCM to Thai Chi and Qi Gong. Click and read more

He is not just a doctor but a warm hearted and lovely person.

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Lucky Day

Have you heard the etymology of the White Elephant...
White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy in ancient times in Thailand and other Asian countries. Keeping a white elephant was a very expensive undertaking , since the owner had to provide the elephant with special food and provide access for people who wanted to worship it. If a Thai King became dissatisfied with a subordinate, he could give him a white elephant. The gift would, in most cases, ruin the recipient.

I got a very sweet white elephant made of a towel, on my bed at Kamalaya this morning after breakfast, but I don't think it was from the King...

But perhaps the beautiful flowers I received after lunch was from a Prince

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A Healthy Lunch Meeting

The other day Ulrika and I had a great lunch meeting at Kamalaya with the Managing Director Marc-Antoine Cornaz and Gaby Gubler, the Sales Manager. We are looking into a close partnership which will give our clients unique benefits.

Marc is a lovely person and joined Kamalaya as a partner 2003. He is very much hands on and you can see that he is here to ensure that the original vision is delivered with authenticity, integrity and quality.

The lunch restaurant Amrita has a beautiful view facing the beach and it's open until 6 pm. It's perfect for guests having treatments and wanting to eat later.

The menus include extensive vegetarian options as well as seafood, poultry and lamb dishes, along with customized meals for those undertaking detox programs or with special dietary requirements.

The food here is amazing - the cuisine is healing in function and tantalizing in form.

My favorite is the black cod.

And being in Thailand, I always long for the green papaya sallad

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Another day in Paradise

I will tell you later about all exciting treatments Kamalaya can offer but just walking around the beautiful property gives you energy and puts you into a spiritual mood.

Kamalaya integrates the surrounding landscape into the simple elegance of its architecture and design.

Kamalaya's sixty accommodation options range from Hillside rooms to spacious Villas

Very tropical vegetation

And exotic gardens

And the beach of course

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We look forward

As I mentioned before there are so many wonderful improvements at Kamalaya, so it will certainly be a product for the new Select Collection. Kamalaya is in our Spa Brochure at the moment and we have negotiated great deals for our valued customers.  Please contact our professional staff for information and special rates for select travellers.

You can read more at www.Kamalaya.com

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A Perfect Start

Open your heart, rest your mind, engage your spirit and nurture your body..at Kamalaya

My first thing in the morning (after the hot water with lime) is the watermelon.

Before lunch it's time to select lovely healthy drinks...the green one is my favorite; Kamalaya Detox Juice, coconut water, fresh pineapple and fresh Thai basil leaves. Coconut water replenishes and cools the body while basil and pineapple support digestion. A good accompaniment before the meal.

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Life's Potential

I'm staying at Kamalaya, Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa. I was here quite many years ago for a short stay and decided to pay a second visit and I have now fallen in love with this unique place. It has been improved in many ways and I (being quite an expert in spa and health:)) can highly now recommend Kamalaya, if you want to make a Wellness Journey.

Kamalaya translates as 'Lotus Realm', an enduring symbol for the unfolding of life's potential.

-- Post From My iPhone

Escaping the cold

Arriving this morning to the island of Samui in Thailand after 14 hours of travel but finally meeting the warm weather

The airport transportation at Samui airport is all open and fun

The terminal building is open as well

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For your eyes only

The Jamaican estate where Ian Fleming created James Bond just opened recently as an exclusive hotel. The islander Chris Blackwell is the owner, who is known for the Island Outpost Hotels.

I used to work closely with the group many years ago and I still recommend Pink Sands Resort in Bahamas on Harbour Island, as long as you don't compare it with some of our other five star resorts. It's an intimate,beautiful secluded boutique beach resort that needs a bit of renovation.



The way Sophy Roberts at FT describes this new resort, makes me want to visit the place very soon. " Golden Eye is more than cinematic cliche; it's about luxury, style and heritage but it also speaks to people who seek something true to Jamaica now"

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First Day 2011

Wish you all a Happy New Year!

A nice start on the New Year; Asian Brunch at Berns

Lovely chocolates

Great atmosphere

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