Best Luxury Hotels in Spain

Are you thinking about going on holiday to Spain? Do you want to surround yourself in luxury? Here we offer a selection of the most luxurious hotels in Spain. Relax and enjoy a luxury available to few.

Le Meridien Barcelona
Le Meridien Barcelona interior design is a blend of modern and traditional. Contemporary design is combined with rich natural materials. Luxurious amenities include pillow-top mattresses with feather-down duvets, 42-inch Plasma TVs in the bedrooms and smaller LCD TVs in the bathrooms, high-speed Internet and bathrooms with luxurious Rain Showers. Other pleasantries include complimentary coffee and tea making facilities, pay TV and trouser press and ironing facilities.

Majestic Hotel and Spa Barcelona
In the heart of Barcelona since 1918, the Hotel Majestic is located on Paseo de Gracia in the very center of it all, within walking distance to the city's most exciting landmarks: Las Ramblas, the Plaza de Cataluna, the Gothic Quarter, and Gaudi's major architectural works. The neoclassical facade invites discriminating travelers to enter a world of luxury: discover exquisite accommodations and excellence in service. With 303 rooms and suites, the Hotel Majestic offers a wide selection to meet the needs and tastes of the most demanding travelers. With a classic and comfortable style, all rooms offer an unsurpassed level of luxury and attention to detail. Indeed, many celebrities choose the warmth of the Majestic's rooms for their visits to Barcelona. The hotel's Drolma Restaurant, one of the finest restaurants in the ciy, has been awarded a Michelin star, its chef- Fermi Puig- deemed one of the best in Spain. From divine haute cuisine at the Drolma, the pampering of sauna and massage, remarkable views from the Pool, the most up-to-date technology including a Satellite Newspaper kiosk to access 168 international newspapers, and impeccable service- the Hotel Majestic is the place to stay in Barcelona.

Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf and Spa — Malaga
Located by Casares, Andalucia, and just a mere 2km from the beach, Finca Cortesin is a cosseting, elegant essay in luxury. Designed by architects Roger Torras and Ignacio Sierra, the hotel is comprised of two Andalusian-inspired buildings. Suites are spacious, from 40-176 square meters with ornate, high ceilings, and interiors conceived by international designer Duarte Pinto Coelho. Technological features are balanced with modern, classic design, and gourmet food is available at 3 restaurants, overseen by the artful hand of Dutch chef Schilo Van Coevorden.

A 2,200 square meter signature spa offers a full range facilities and treatments for those seeking relaxation and great mental quietude. The 5-star deluxe hotel will offer one and two bedroom suites, all lavishly appointed and elegantly furnished, with high ceilings and top specifications.

Finca Cortesin is also home to a championship standard 18 holes golf course, designed by Cabell Robinson, together with Jack Nicklaus Academy and Home of the Volvo World Match Play Championship.

The Westin Palace Madrid
Comissioned by Alfonso XIII in 1912 and in only 18 months, the Westin Palace Madrid crowns the dream of a king, the desire to give Madrid a hotel worthy of a capital. Since then, The Westin Palace has been a meeting point, playing a central role in all the important events connected with Spain's history. Located in the heart of Madrid, a sparkling dynamic city full of charm that hosts the best of Spanish and world art in a kaleidoscope of sensations-- El Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Museums-- the Westin Palace is Warm and glittering, aristocratic and inviting. A Member Of The Starwood Luxury Collection, The Most Luxurious Hotel In Madrid Is A Monument To Elegance Combining Turn Of The Century Grandeur With New Amenities And High Tech Touches Of A Modern World Class Hotel. A Full Service Business Center And 18 Ultramodern Function Rooms Make The Westin Palace Ideal For Meetings And Conferences. Work Out At The 24 Hour Fitness Center, relax In The Sauna Or Solarium, then Enjoy Elegant Dining At La Rotonda Where Mediterranean Specialties Are Complemented By Selections From The Extensive Wine list.

AC Palacio del Retiro Madrid
This 50 room hotel is housed in a building that dates from the beginning of the 20th Century and it is protected by National Heritage status.

When you enter your room, you will feel like you have entered into a place deigned to help you rest, like the four pillows on your bed. Exclusive details, such as the special reading lamps on the bed head, smoker/non-smoker rooms, room service and personal climate control. Designed to make you feel that your room is always how you want it.

The hotel's restaurant, Indice, is set in the elegant public area of the hotel with privileged views over the Retiro park gardens. The restaurant offers a menu derived from the best products on the market, prepared to draw out the best of their natural characteristics and flavors. The hotel's menu, inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean, stands out for its first-rate preparation of the most traditional dishes in Spanish gastronomy.

Palacio de Santa Paula Granada
Hotel AC Palacio de Santa Paula is a 75 room property located in the old part of Granada, the result of a careful and meticulous renovation of the old Santa Paula Convent and conservation the old cloister. A unique establishment where guests are able to rest and enjoy one of the principal monuments of the city centre, in the luxury of a fine hotel.

The "El Claustro" restaurant, housed in the old Convent Library in the Cloister area, serves lunch, dinner and an exquisite buffet breakfast, featuring home made pastries. In addition to its comprehensive list of the best D.O. Spanish wines, the service is excellent.

Palacio Eugenia de Montijo Toledo
The Renaissance building which was the palace of the Empress Eugenia de Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III, houses a boutique hotel with 40 rooms. This palace which was reconstructed under the attentive and scrupulous supervision of architects, archaeologists and specialised restorers, enables you to admire Roman sewer systems, Arab walls from the 14th Century, coffered ceilings from the 14th and 16th Centuries where the coats of arms of the principal families of Toledo of that period appear.

The history, luxury, and relaxation provided by our spa and the exquisite cuisine of the famous chef Adolfo Munoz are to be found in the town of the three cultures.

Hotel Opera Valencia
Hotel Opera Valencia is housed in a brand new modern building just finished in spring 2007. A mix of interior design and functional ambiance is complimented by natural day light in all installations. Because of its image and design, the hotel is specially meant for all kind of guests whether business or leisure ones. Amenities includes panoramic lifts, convention centre, gymnasium, spa, bike hiring, left luggage office, business centre, and a VIP floor. It is a comfortable and modern space with all of the most advanced tecnological facilities. The interior design has been designed in order to make all the hotel facilities most warm and welcoming. The hotel is decorated plainly with high quality details and exclusive environment. The hotel has parking with special rates for guests. There are 262 rooms, along with spacious meeting rooms with integrated audiovisual materials.

Eurostars Madrid Tower
For this ambitious Madrid project, Eurostars Hotels has chosen an innovative decor in tune with the exterior image of the building, based on fine materials and an elegant combination of colours. As in the rest of the hotels belonging to the chain, art and culture will have a significant presence in the Eurostars Madrid Tower***** in the form of exclusive works by prestigious artists. Hotel guests will be able to perceive that they are in a high-rise building through the fantastic views that can be admired from each of its 478 guestrooms.

The Eurostars Madrid Tower takes up 30 floors of the majestic SyV Tower, rising 235 metres high. This spectacular colossus designed by architects Enrique Alvarez Sala and Carlos Rubio Carvajal is supported by three large elliptic pillars that emerge, as though from a crater, from the two levels of the public plaza situated beneath the tower. The triangular layout of the ground plan, with its vertices and curved sides, generates an unbroken double glazed facade. The distribution of space is conceived around a central core containing all the vertical communications systems. The interior design is the work of GCA Arquitectes, the studio who also decorated the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel*****GL, the flagship of the company, set in the Port Vell harbour area of Barcelona. For this ambitious Madrid project, Eurostars Hotels has chosen an innovative decor in tune with the exterior image of the building, based on fine materials and an elegant combination of colours.

Hotel Murmuri Barcelona
The Hotel Murmuri is located in the very center of Barcelona, on Rambla de Catalunya, home of the best in shopping, Gaudi monuments. Sister property of the renowned 5 Star Grand Luxe Hotel Majestic, it offers excellent service to welcome the most demanding travellers.

Opened in March 2008, this boutique hotel offers the highest quality Asian cuisine, Asiatic Murmuri Restaurant - combining pleasure with healthy eating and The Marfil Bar & Terrace located in the hotel lobby with a large terrace on Rambla Catalunya.

Do not you think more and go on holiday to Spain! You will not regret!

Algarrobo, Spain

Click to enlarge this beautiful picture!

Algarrobo is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The municipality is situated approximately in the coastal area of the La Axarquía, 32 kilometres from the city of Málaga. It has a population of approximately 6000 residents. Natives of the town are called Algarrobeños.

This small municipality, whose area is less than 10 square kilometres, extends over a territory where the mountains of La Axarquía begin to soften their edges before forming their coastal profile. It is crossed from north to south by the River Algarrobo-Sayalonga, which flows through a valley whose landscape was once covered by olive and almond trees and vineyards but is now undergoing substantial changes due to the cultivation of subtropical products and vegetables, so the gentle slopes are being taken over by the terraces needed by these new plantations. Historical evidence exists that there were human settlements in the municipal territory of Algarrobo since the Bronze Age, in the form of discoveries in the area of El Morro de Mezquitilla.

How to Get There:
Algarrobo can be reached from either the Mediterranean Expressway or the old N-340, which follows the coast, by taking the very well marked A-6203.

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Source: Wikipedia

Autonomous Regions press home advantage at FITUR

New products, hand in hand with the old favourites in each region, are the order of the day at the XXIX FITUR exhibition that openend in Madrid yesterday.

Andalucia is promoting its gastronomic treasures, its fiestas and its beautiful beaches under the forthright banner 'Andalucia loves you' ... .

The Comunidad Valenciana is plugging tourism to its inland areas as well as promoting itself as the ideal conference venue, in an attempt to reverse the recent downward trend in visitor numbers. 'Sun and sand' however, are still the main protagonists on its 7000 square metre stand.

With a striking red and black stand, Madrid hopes to catch the visitors' eyes and tempt them with its varied assortment of gastronomy, leisure, culture and sport.

The Canary Islands are setting their sights further afield, hoping to attract Scandinavian visitors to their unique islands by offering excellent health tourism.

Cantabria has put its eggs into the 'underground' basket, advertising the extensive cave paintings the region's subterranean world has to offer as 'the other Sistine'.

Visitors to the Basque Country stand are immediately transported to its green pastures. All three provinces are represented under the umbrella banner of the Basque Government with 'Euskadi, made in...' as their slogan.

Castilla y León, that has seen a 4% drop in tourism, remains faithful to its slogan ' Castilla y León is life' and is strongly promoting rural and inland tourism.

Galicia, ever-loyal to its traditional products like gastronomy and health tourism, has added a 'bar' area to this year's stand, where visitors can taste the region's different brands of mineral water.

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Source: Think Spain

Kenya and Spain in tourism deal

Kenya and Spain will jointly launch a web and conduct an e-learning programme for Spanish Tour Operators as the two countries seek to boost bilateral tourism relations with each other.

This follows an agreement on immediate areas of action following the signing of an MoU last November in Nairobi.

The Spain agreement was signed by Tourism minister, Najib Balala, and his Spanish counterpart Mr Juan Mesquida in Madrid at the Spanish tourism trade fair- the Fitur.

“The Spanish tourism ministry has a team of 40 experts to develop and manage its portal which enables on-line booking and e-transactions”, said Mr Mesquida.

Expressed interest

The agreement also includes the cross-marketing of tourism with other Kenyan products such as tea and coffee.

Kenya is taking part in the Fitur for the first time in line with the undertakings of the MoU, which was signed in November 2008 in Nairobi.

The Spanish minister had visited Kenya and was the chief guest during the annual Lamu Cultural Festival.

In order to promote the e-learning programme, the Spanish Minister will initiate action to establish the Spanish International School in Kenya

In 2007, which was the best year for Kenya, 15,000 Spanish tourists visited Kenya but this number went down to about 6,000 according to last year estimates.

Mr Balala also held discussions with Q Lineas Aereas airline, which has expressed interest in introducing direct flights to Kenya.

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Source: Daily Nation

Travelzoo Web site spots deals close to your home

What Web sites do you search for travel deals? If you’re visiting the same two or three you’re likely missing out on some of the best deals.

Launched in 2007, Travelzoo is a source of over 300 travel companies that spotlight deals which are Travelzoo researched, reviewed and tested for availability. Travelzoo is considered the largest Internet travel network - so why not start your budget travel searches there?

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Source: AJC

World's Top 10 futuristic luxury hotels

The fast changing modes of travel would certainly one day make a big dent on the hotel industry. Only those will survive who have something special to offer or, at least, I would never settle down at a place with belts of my flying car or jetpack intact.

The designers of the hotels of tomorrow, perhaps, have kept this in mind while creating futuristic hotels to lure the global nomads, of course, in case the Time Machine doesn’t becomes a reality.

Before moving ahead, please check ‘The lost notebook of Leonardo da Vinci’ - Hotel rooms of the future.

However, for now, here is a brief introduction to ten futuristic hi-tech luxury hotels, which are a living proof of the remarkable change we’re witnessing. Welcome aboard!

10. The Apeiron island hotel

Designer: Sybarite
Status: Concept
Estimated project cost: $500million

The ‘Apeiron’ island hotel is a seven star resort with a total floor area of 200,000m�. It is 185-m high and boasts of over 350 luxury apartment suites. The hi-tech futuristic hotel screams of luxury and comfort with its own private lagoon, beaches, restaurants, cinemas, retail shopping, art gallery, spas and conference facilities. Its out of the world design is magnetic enough to deliver a spell-bounded experience to visitors. (Photo Credit: Sybarite)

9. Foldable hotel pods

Designer: m3 Architects, London
Estimated project cost: $72 to $104 million

The foldable and fully transportable pods are for those traveling geeks who find it hard to shun all the amenities of their luxurious life. You can move the pods to exotic locations around the world and the amazing concept abodes will come with ‘Active’ walls and floors where guests can focus images of their choice and a disposable unit to care of all waste. (Photo Credit: m3architects)

8. The hotel Burj al-Arab

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Designer: Tom Wright (WS Atkins PLC), Khuan Chew
Status: Complete
Estimated project cost: $650 million
Cost per person: $1,000 to over $28,000 per night, $75 to have a glimpse from inside

Considered, unofficially, the world’s first and only 7-star hotel, the Burj al-Arab is a truly the most luxurious hotel imaginable and hence we couldn’t help including it in this list of futuristic hotels, which also perhaps triggered architects around the world to look beyond the fence.

The tallest, 321-metres (1,053 ft), hotel, designed as a sail of a dhow, is constructed on an artificial island 280-metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach. The hotel boasts of the world’s tallest atrium, which is 180-meters (590 feet) tall.

The suspended helipad on the top adds to the grandeur of the hotel. The lavish interior skillfully mingles the best of design ethics from both the east and the west. The 8,000 square meters of 22-carat gold leaf and 24,000 square meters of 30 different types of marbles give the hotel an enigmatic touch.

The 28 double-story floors of the hotel accommodate 202 luxury suites with prices ranging from $1,000 to over $28,000 per night (for the Royal Suite). The hotel also features 8 restaurants, including bars and lounges, latest business, conferencing, fitness and recreational facilities. Carved in the midst of white beaches and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Burj Al Arab is a dream come true.

7. Waterworld

Location: Songjiang, China
Designer: Atkin’s Architecture Group
Status: Concept

This spectacular design by Atkin’s Architecture Group deservedly won the first prize award last year in an international design competition. The 400-bed resort hotel features underwater public areas, guest rooms, cafes, and restaurants. The major attraction is the extreme sporting facilities including a luxurious swimming pool, rock climbing and bungee jumping.

What more to say, the pictures are screaming BLISS. (Photo Credit: TheCoolHunter)

6. The Poseidon Undersea Resort

Location: Fiji, The Poseidon Mystery Island
Designer: Bruce Jones
Status: Under construction, will be completed by September 2008
Estimated project cost: $105 million
Cost per person: $15,000 per week

Our pursuit of unique spaces now goes straight 1,200-square feet under the sea in the lap of Poseidon undersea resort. The world’s first underwater resort will be ready by the end of next year with breathtaking coral reefs where you can literally immerse yourself.

Surrounded by 5,000-acre lagoon, the Bruce Jones’ Poseidon Mystery Island offers luxurious 550 square feet large suites.

Not only this, the Poseidon Resorts website says, ‘the first 1,000 guests will have their names permanently inscribed on two monuments one on the island, and one on the floor of the lagoon.’ Now, that’s incredible!

Tourists can indulge in submarine piloting, deep reef excursions, scuba diving, sea track on the sea floor, water sports, para-sailing, cave exploration, and much more.

5. The Hydropolis: A self-acclaimed 10-star underwater hotel

Location: Dubai
Designer: Joachim Hauser, Crescent Hydropolis Resorts
Estimated project cost: $500-million

The Hydropolis Undersea Resort, especially designed keeping in mind that we’re around 60% water, endeavors to deliver the serene beauty of the ocean in its true colors. The one of its kind resort will encompass a whopping 1.1-million-square-foot of area offering shopping mall, ballroom, island villas, restaurant, high-tech cinema and surprisingly, a missile-defense system for your security 60-feet underwater.

Tourists can enjoy their stay in 220 theme suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares, about the size of London’s Hyde Park.

The resort is designed with a petal-like retracting roof to organize open-sky events.

Around 150 firms are involved in the project, which is expected to complete this year if all technical, land, and financial challenges are met, but it’s delayed as per the latest reports. Following the line and determined of the success of the Hydropolis, Crescent-Hydropolis is now planning a chain of underwater hotels around the world.

4. The Lunatic Hotel: Hotel on the Moon

Designer: Hans-Jurgen Rombaut, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG)
Status: Blueprint ready, will take real shape by 2050

Orbiting in space seems more thrilling but Moon brings in a nostalgic aura. Perhaps, the Lunatic Hotel concept will serve it all with spectacular views sprinkled with joys of low gravity and an alien feeling. Designer Hans-Jurgen Rombaut of the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture in the Netherlands is quite optimistic to complete the dream project by 2050.

The ’sensation engine’, as the designer calls it, will allow tourists to indulge in low-gravity games with the help of two 160-meters high slanting towers. The towers will be equipped with teardrop-shaped ‘habitation capsules’ which will serve as spaceship like suits for tourists.

The 50-cms thick hull made of Moon rock and layers holding water will protect inhabitants from the harsh lunar environment including extreme temperatures and lethal cosmic rays and solar particles. If the whole concept comes out successful, we can expect a real lunar village too. (Photo Credit: NASA)

3. Aeroscraft: The flying luxury hotel of tomorrow

Designer: Igor Pasternak (Worldwide Aeros Corporation), Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG)

Status: Prototype under development

The ‘Aeroscraft’ is a gigantic 400-ton blimp designed to carry passengers in its spacious luxury cosmos onboard. The flying hotel with an area equal to two football fields hangs in air with 14 million cubic feet of helium, huge electric and hydrogen fuel cell powered propellers and six turbofan jet engines. The hotel can accommodate 250 passengers driving them at a speed of 174 miles per hour up to 6, 000 miles.

Flying 8,000 feet above in the air, the 165×244x647 feet airship will provide tourists hi-tech amenities including casino, restaurants and staterooms.

Designer Igor Pasternak has also plans to float a cargo-carrying version too once the project takes off. (Photo Credit: WATG)

2. Galactic Suite

Designer: Xavier Claramunt of ADD+ARQUITECTURA
Status: On hold, prototype is ready

Designer Xavier Claramunt has tried to imbibe things especially to whet a adventurer’s dream with the Galactic Suite which will have around 22 rooms, measuring 7X4 meters, free of straight lines or angles and huge windows. It is termed as the first global project of its kind, next to Robert Bigelow’s space hotel. Different capsules will act as bars, restaurants, reception, and more.

The prototype is still waiting for investors to shell out their fortunes to make this project a reality.

1. Commercial Space Station Skywalker: The inflatable space hotel

Designer: Bigelow Aerospace, Las Vegas
Location: 515-kms above Earth
Status: The human space complex will be accessible by 2015
Estimated project cost: $500 million
Cost per person: $1 million a night

Certainly, we’ll have to stop this constant to and fro journey and make space our permanent base. And to make this a reality, the assembling of ‘CSS Skywalker’ kicked off with the launch of ‘Genesis I’ from Russia mid last year. Solar cells will power the inhabitable complex made of various sections that will inflate to take their real form in space. The sections or rooms of the CSS

will allow rockets to dock. In future, the modules will be used as basis for space yachts and moon cruisers.

With a volume of 1,500.00 m3 and mass of 100,000 kg, the CSS Skywalker will have a maximum diameter of 30.00 m (98.00 ft).

The concept is a big challenge while it tests inflatable technology and fights to survive in hazardous conditions. Hope it’s made to face the wrath of the meteorites, though the hull of each module is made of three protective layers with an outer 18-inch-thick shield made of alternating woven graphite composite and foam to protect against orbital debris. (Photo Credit: CNet)

Passing reference: The Diamond Ring Hotel
Location: Abu Dhabi

The Diamond Ring hotel is just a concept right now and all we’ve are these images for you to feed on. If anybody reading this has more info, please share with our readers

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Source: Born Rich

Top 5 most luxurious hotels

For most people a holiday is a time to really treat themselves, and this means that there is a huge market for luxury, top quality hotels and resorts around the world. What better way to make a honeymoon or special holiday memorable than staying in a lavish 5 Star hotel, and treating yourself to all the extravagance and opulence that they have to offer.

Here is a list of the 5 most luxurious hotels around the world, so that you can start planning the holiday of your dreams:

1. The Oberoi Udaivilas, India – this is part of the world famous Oberai chain of hotels established in 1934, and is based in the heart of the beautiful city of Udaipur in India’s Rajasthan province, the home of royalty and the setting from some of the world’s most glamorous movies including James Bond’s “Octopussy”. The Oberoi Udaivilas truly is the height of luxury, with sumptuous rooms that offer unrivalled views over one of the cities premier attractions Lake Pichhola, with a restaurant the offers some of the finest international cuisine in the world. The hotel also provides rooms with private infinity pools and elegant tented dining pavilions, and a top class spa for you to relax and pamper yourself in during your stay. This hotel consistently wins top industry awards every year, and is ideally placed to explore the ancient Arravali Mountains and the cultural splendour of one of India’s most magnificent provinces, Rajasthan.

2. The Burj Al Arab, Dubai – this is perhaps one of the most iconic hotels in the world, designed in a billowing sail-shaped structure that dominates the skyline in the beautiful city of Dubai. The Burj Al Arab symbolises the hospitality and riches of the Arab nations, and provides one of the most glamorous and opulent hotel experiences in the world. All suites and rooms are of the highest quality, with the latest in sophisticated technology at your disposal such as satellite TV, personal laptop computers, fax machines and printers. You can choose from magnificent views over the Arabic sea or the wonderful city of Dubai itself, and also there are 6 restaurants that all provide fine dining, and pools, Jacuzzis, spa treatments and fitness studios so that you can workout and relax in comfort.

3. Villa San Michele, Florence, Italy – Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, and the Villa San Michele is one of its most beautiful and luxurious hotels. This was previously a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, and is only a few minutes from the centre of the city. Villa San Michele is surrounded by its own magnificent gardens and woodland and is well known for being a tranquil and idyllic oasis. This hotel has a formidable reputation for a high level of care and service with professional dedicated staff that run the hotel seamlessly. The rooms manage to combine the beautiful heritage of the building with a modern, luxurious feel, and the views out over the hotel gardens and grounds are breathtaking.

4. The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof, Germany – this grand neo-gothic 5 star hotel is situated in the splendid city of Frankfurt, and combines modern convenience with the majesty and elegance of all of its 130 years of history. The interior is the height of luxury from glorious classical ceilings complete with chandeliers to marbled bathrooms and delightfully decadent Haute Cuisine restaurants. The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof is also situated right in the city centre, just a stroll away from the wonderful Kaiserstrasse shopping parade, and the famous Frankfurt opera house.

5. Anse Chastanet, Soufriere, St. Lucia – this amazing Caribbean hotel really is the height of exotic luxury and has been designed to incorporate both the natural beauty of St Lucia’s lush tropical landscape and also all the modern conveniences and luxuries. The hotel resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and borders one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, complete with soft white sand and bright turquoise waters. Each room in Anse Chastanet is different, but all embrace the island’s ‘joy de vivre’ with bold, bright prints and fabrics and wide spacious suites that have entire walls open to the stunning exotic landscapes outside. Anse Chastanet is also well known for its fabulous collection of both local and international art, which adorns all the rooms and public areas. The hotel’s spa, Kai Belté, is also world class, and situated right on the beach. There is also a casual beachside bar and restaurant for informal dining and a beautiful hillside terrace that serves wonderful breakfasts and afternoon teas.

Probably the Atlantis Hotel from Dubai will join the top as soon as all the problems will get solved.

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Source: Journeyetc

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal (pronounced /tɑdʒ mə'hɑl/ ---- Hindi: ताज महल; Persian/Urdu: تاج محل) is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj Mahal (also "the Taj") is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Indian and Islamic architectural styles, especially those of Persia and Turkey. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."

While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen.^[1]. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.^[2]

Origin and inspiration

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum.^[3] The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrates the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal.^{[4] [5]} The construction of Taj Mahal begun soon after Mumtaz's death with the principal mausoleum completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words:^[6]

Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand),^[7] Humayun's Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.^[8]

Architecture

The tomb

The focus of the Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square plinth consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan, an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, basic elements are Persian in origin.

The base structure is a large, multi-chambered structure. The base is essentially a cube with chamfered edges and is roughly 55 meters on each side (see floor plan, right). On the long sides, a massive pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with a similar arch-shaped balcony.

On either side of the main arch, additional pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on chamfered corner areas as well. The design is completely symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four minarets, one at each corner of the plinth, facing the chamfered corners, frame the tomb. The main chamber houses the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; their actual graves are at a lower level.

The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is its most spectacular feature. Its height is about the same size as the base of the building, about 35 meters, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical "drum" of about 7 metres high. Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome (also called an amrud or guava dome). The top is decorated with a lotus design, which serves to accentuate its height as well. The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller domed chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners. The chattri domes replicate the onion shape of the main dome. Their columned bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to the interior. Tall decorative spires (guldastas) extend from edges of base walls, and provide visual emphasis to the height of the dome. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped by a gilded finial, which mixes traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements.

The main dome is crowned by a gilded spire or finial. The finial, made of gold until the early 1800s, is now made of bronze. The finial provides a clear example of integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic motif, whose horns point heavenward. Because of its placement on the main spire, the horns of moon and finial point combine to create a trident shape, reminiscent of traditional Hindu symbols of Shiva.^[9]

At the corners of the plinth stand minarets, the four large towers each more than 40 meters tall. The minarets display the Taj Mahal's penchant for symmetry. These towers are designed as working minarets, a traditional element of mosques as a place for a muezzin to call the Islamic faithful to prayer. Each minaret is effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chattri that mirrors the design of those on the tomb. The minaret chattris share the same finishing touches, a lotus design topped by a gilded finial. Each of the minarets were constructed slightly outside of the plinth, so that in the event of collapse, a typical occurrence with many such tall constructions of the period, the material from the towers would tend to fall away from the tomb.

Base, dome, and minaret

Finial

Main iwan and side pishtaqs

Simplified diagram of the Taj Mahal floor plan

Exterior decoration

The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes, a large pishtaq has more area than a smaller one, and the decorations are refined proportionally. The decorative elements were created by applying paint or stucco, or by stone inlays or carvings. In line with the Islamic prohibition against the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either calligraphy, abstract forms or vegetative motifs.

The calligraphy found in Taj Mahal are of florid thuluth script, created by Persian calligrapher Amanat Khan, who signed several of the panels. The calligraphy is made by jasper inlaid in white marble panels, and the work found on the marble cenotaphs in the tomb is extremely detailed and delicate. Higher panels are written slightly larger to reduce the skewing effect when viewing from below. Throughout the complex, passages from the Qur'an are used as decorative elements. Recent scholarship suggests that Amanat Khan chose the passages as well.^[10][11] The texts refer to themes of judgment and include:

Surah 91 - The Sun
Surah 112 - The Purity of Faith
Surah 89 - Daybreak
Surah 93 - Morning Light
Surah 95 - The Fig
Surah 94 - The Solace
Surah 36 - Ya Sin
Surah 81 - The Folding Up
Surah 82 - The Cleaving Asunder
Surah 84 - The Rending Asunder
Surah 98 - The Evidence
Surah 67 - Dominion
Surah 48 - Victory
Surah 77 - Those Sent Forth
Surah 39 - The Crowds

As one enters through Taj Mahal Gate, the calligraphy reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you."^[12][11]

Abstract forms are used especially in the plinth, minarets, gateway, mosque, jawab, and to a lesser extent, on the surfaces of the tomb. The domes and vaults of sandstone buildings are worked with tracery of incised painting to create elaborate geometric forms. On most joining areas, herringbone inlays define the space between adjoining elements. White inlays are used in sandstone buildings and dark or black inlays on the white marbles. Mortared areas of marble buildings have been stained or painted dark and thus creating a geometric patterns of considerable complexity. Floors and walkways use contrasting tiles or blocks in tessellation

patterns.

Vegetative motifs are found at the lower walls of the tomb. They are white marble dados that have been sculpted with realistic bas relief depictions of flowers and vines. The marble has been polished to emphasise the exquisite detailing of these carvings. The dado frames and archway spandrels have been decorated with pietra dura inlays of highly stylised, almost geometric vines, flowers and fruits. The inlay stones are yellow marble, jasper and jade, leveled and polished to the surface of the walls.

Herringbone

Plant motifs

Spandrel detail

Incised painting

Interior decoration

The interior chamber of the Taj Mahal steps far beyond traditional decorative elements. Here the inlay work is not pietra dura, but lapidary of precious and semiprecious gemstones. The inner chamber is an octagon with the design allowing for entry from each face, though only the south garden-facing door is used. The interior walls are about 25 metres high and topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. Eight pishtaq arches define the space at ground level. As with the exterior, each lower pishtaq is crowned by a second pishtaq about midway up the wall. The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate screen or jali cut from marble. In addition to the light from the balcony screens, light enters through roof openings covered by chattris at the corners. Each chamber wall has been highly decorated with dado bas relief, intricate lapidary inlay and refined calligraphy panels, reflecting in miniature detail the design elements seen throughout the exterior of the complex. The octagonal marble screen or jali which borders the cenotaphs is made from eight marble panels. Each panel has been carved through with intricate pierce work. The remaining surfaces have been inlaid with semiprecious stones in extremely delicate detail, forming twining vines, fruits and flowers.

Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decoration of graves and hence Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are laid in a relatively plain crypt beneath the inner chamber with their faces turned right and towards Mecca. Mumtaz Mahal's cenotaph is placed at the precise center of the inner chamber with a rectangular marble base of 1.5 meters by 2.5 meters. Both the base and casket are elaborately inlaid with precious and semiprecious gems. Calligraphic inscriptions on the casket identify and praise Mumtaz. On the lid of the casket is a raised rectangular lozenge meant to suggest a writing tablet. Shah Jahan's cenotaph is beside Mumtaz's to the western side. It is the only visible asymmetric element in the entire complex. His cenotaph is bigger than his wife's, but reflects the same elements: a larger casket on slightly taller base, again decorated with astonishing precision with lapidary and calligraphy that identifies Shah Jahan. On the lid of this casket is a traditional sculpture of a small pen box. The pen box and writing tablet were traditional Mughal funerary icons decorating men's and women's caskets respectively. Ninety Nine Names of God are to be found as calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, in the crypt including "O Noble, O Magnificent, O Majestic, O Unique, O Eternal, O Glorious... ". The tomb of Shah Jahan bears a calligraphic inscription that reads; "He traveled from this world to the banquet-hall of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth of the month of Rajab, in the year 1076 Hijri."

Arch of Jali

Delicate pierce work

Inlay detail

Detail of Jali

The garden

The complex is set around a large 300-meter square charbagh, a Mughal garden. The garden uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway, with a reflecting pool on North-South axis reflects the image of the Taj Mahal. Elsewhere, the garden is laid out with avenues of trees and fountains.^[13] The raised marble water tank is called al Hawd al-Kawthar, in reference to "Tank of Abundance" promised to Muhammad.^[14] The charbagh garden, a design inspired by Persian gardens, was introduced to India by the first Mughal emperor Babur. It symbolizes four flowing rivers of Paradise and reflects the gardens of Paradise derived from the Persian paridaeza, meaning 'walled garden'. In mystic Islamic texts of Mughal period, paradise is described as an ideal garden of abundance with four rivers flowing from a central spring or mountain, separating the garden into north, west, south and east.

Most Mughal charbaghs are rectangular with a tomb or pavilion in the center. The Taj Mahal garden is unusual in that the main element, the tomb, instead is located at the end of the garden. With the discovery of Mahtab Bagh or "Moonlight Garden" on the other side of the Yamuna, Archaeological Survey of India interprets that the Yamuna itself was incorporated into the garden's design and was meant to be seen as one of the rivers of Paradise.^[15] The similarity in layout of the garden and its architectural features such as fountains, brick and marble walkways, and geometric brick-lined flowerbeds with Shalimar's suggest that the garden may have been designed by the same engineer, Ali Mardan.^[16] Early accounts of the garden describe its profusion of vegetation, including roses, daffodils, and fruit trees in abundance.^[17] As the Mughal Empire declined, the tending of the garden declined as well. When the British took over the management of Taj Mahal, they changed the landscaping to resemble that of lawns of London.^[18]

Outlying buildings

The Taj Mahal complex is bounded by crenellated red sandstone walls on three sides with river-facing side open. Outside these walls are several additional mausoleums, including those of Shah Jahan's other wives, and a larger tomb for Mumtaz's favorite servant. These structures, composed primarily of red sandstone, are typical of the smaller Mughal tombs of the era. The garden-facing inner sides of the wall are fronted by columned arcades, a feature typical of Hindu temples later incorporated into Mughal mosques. The wall is interspersed with domed kiosks (chattris), and small buildings that may have been viewing areas or watch towers like the Music House, which is now used as a museum.

The main gateway (darwaza) is a monumental structure built primarily of marble and is reminiscent of Mughal architecture of earlier emperors. Its archways mirror the shape of tomb's archways, and its pishtaq arches incorporate calligraphy that decorates the tomb. It utilizes bas-relief and pietra dura (inlaid) decorations with floral motifs. The vaulted ceilings and walls have elaborate geometric designs, like those found in the other sandstone buildings of the complex.

At the far end of the complex, there are two grand red sandstone buildings that are open to the sides of the tomb. Their backs parallel western and eastern walls, and these two buildings are precise mirror images of each other. The western building is a mosque and its opposite is the jawab (answer) whose primary purpose was architectural balance and may have been used as a guesthouse. The distinctions between these two buildings include the lack of mihrab, a niche in a mosque's wall facing Mecca, in the jawab and that the floors of jawab have a geometric design, while the mosque floor was laid with outlines of 569 prayer rugs in black marble. The mosque's basic design is similar to others built by Shah Jahan, particularly to his Masjid-Jahan Numa, or Jama Masjid of Delhi, a long hall surmounted by three domes. The Mughal mosques of this period divide the sanctuary hall into three areas with a main sanctuary and slightly smaller sanctuaries on either side. At the Taj Mahal, each sanctuary opens onto an enormous vaulting dome. These outlying buildings were completed in 1643.

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Source: Wikipedia