The Conrad Maldives underwater suite makes a grand splash.

When you first see the entryway to Ithaa, you may be disappointed. A small, thatched hut located at the edge of the Indian Ocean in the Republic of Maldives, the structure hardly looks like a portal to an underwater world. Yet that is precisely what it is.

However, let’s go back to the beginning. The Crown Company owns Rangali Island, one of the uninhabited islands of the Republic of Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean and composed of a double chain of 26 atolls. Rangali is connected by a 1,640-foot bridge to its neighboring island, Rangalifinolhu. Together, these islands form the Conrad Maldives Resort and Spa.

In February 2004, Crown Company selected Mike Murphy of M.J. Murphy Ltd., a design consultancy based in New Zealand, to design and supervise the construction of a revolutionary underwater restaurant. Murphy proposed a design based on his company’s 16-foot-wide acrylic tunnel, a design concept which had been used to great acclaim in the National Science Centre Aquarium in Kuala Lumpur. Initially, Murphy planned to construct the restaurant on the beach of Rangali, after which the construction would be carefully winched down into the water on rails. Technical concerns were raised, however, and the restaurant was ultimately built in Singapore. It was named Ithaa, meaning pearl in Dhivehi, or Maldivian, the national language of the Maldives.

Throughout the summer and fall of 2004, its steel structure was built and painted, concrete ballast was added and acrylic arches were installed, along with air conditioning.

On Nov. 1, 2004, with construction completed, Ithaa was transported by an ocean-going barge to the Maldives. After a 16-day voyage, the restaurant, constructed of R-Cast™ acrylic and weighing 175 tons, arrived. Over the course of one day, 15 Maldivian men loaded an additional 85 tons of sand ballast into the belly of the structure.

On Nov. 19, 2004, the entire creation was sunk into the sea and secured to four steel piles that had been vibro-hammered into the seabed 16 feet below. The next day, divers poured concrete into the piles to lock Ithaa into place. Crown Company then built a connecting jetty that would serve as the entrance to the amazing underwater restaurant. Remarkably, these stairs withstood the impact of the terrible tsunami that struck the region in December 2004.

Against all odds, Ithaa, the first-ever all-glass underwater restaurant, had come into existence, and on April 15, 2005, it proudly opened its doors for business. Now enjoying its fifth year, Ithaa inhabits a world like no other. Reachable only by a spiral staircase that descends to a 16-foot depth from a thatched roof pavilion at the end of a jetty, its transparent acrylic roof and curved sides provide a 270-degree panoramic view of the wonders of the Indian Ocean. Tables for two are lined up one behind another on either side of the transparent walls. With a seating limit of 14 (if you are counting human beings), it is intimate. However, outside in the crystal blue water, the count is limitless. Surrounded by glorious, live coral reefs home to a wide variety of creatures, Ithaa is a hotbed of marine activity. Crustaceans and sponges live in these reefs, as well as whale sharks that can grow to a length of 30 feet or more. Groupers, eels, turtles and snappers are passing visitors as you dine; moray eels, stingrays, scorpionfish, puffer fish and lobsters might join them for a turn around your table. Never will you experience anything like the color, crystal clarity and extraordinary beauty of the underwater world within arm’s reach of your table.

Your four-course meal might start with a champagne cocktail, followed by Sai tea, a Maldivian tea infused with indigenous plants and herbs. Ithaa offers fusion Maldivian cuisine, or local cooking with a Western slant. Cold starters include seared raw yellowfin tuna with a Maldivian fish glaze, cooked seared lamb loin with tahini, and Maldivian beach grass with lime, onion and salt. Among the hot starters, you’ll find a pan-fried, foot-long samosa filled with vegetables, yellow curry and dried cumin, lollipop ground fish balls with local spices, and dumplings of deep-fried marinated ground lamb and rice. Main courses feature grilled Maldivian lobster with reduced vanilla and mint cream and gratinated with hollandaise sauce; steamed reef fish; roast rack of lamb with cracked pistachios and Arabian red powder; and a poached breast of chicken filled with stewed dates and pickled lime. A bevy of desserts follow, including assorted chocolate-dipped rosewater candies. Prices range from $120 for lunch to $150 for dinner, depending on your hotel meal plan. Children are welcome for lunch, but it’s adults-only for dinner.

After dinner, should you wish to create a night you’ll remember for the rest of your life, for a price of $11,710 and with 14 days notice, the restaurant can be converted into a private underwater suite for two. Between your champagne dinner and breakfast in bed, the evening is entirely yours; you and your beloved might as well be the only two people in the universe, noticed only by the creatures of the deep silently swimming by. With your “windows” looking out onto the nighttime depths of the Indian Ocean lit by starlight and moonlight, what more romantic setting could be imagined?

The first-of-its-kind underwater suite measures 16.4 feet by 29.5 feet, ample space in which to enjoy an evening examining the wonders surrounding you. Thanks to the aid of scientists, local coral reefs are rapidly recovering from the bleaching caused by the extreme high temperatures of El Niño in 1998, which killed more than two-thirds of the Maldives coral. While you are nestled in your double bed under the transparent ceiling of Ithaa’s underwater suite, take time to welcome back the astonishing creatures that live in these coral reefs.

This celebration of Ithaa’s fifth anniversary is an opportunity that should be taken sooner rather than later. Due to its unique location, Ithaa has an expected life span of only 20 years, particularly since increasing regional sea levels could threaten the very existence of the Maldives, the lowest country in the world, within the next few decades. Make your reservations for the underwater suite soon and enjoy this truly spectacular view from below.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, 960.668.0629, www.conradhotels1.hilton.com

The King of Diamonds opens South African lodges and a spa for an ultimate luxury vacation experience.

Nestled in the crest of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass in the lush Stellenbosch wine lands countryside, Laurence Graff ’s Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa redefines the luxury vacation. The “King of Diamonds” has expanded his territory to where he does much of his work, leaving no stone unturned, or diamond unpolished. A cornucopia of fine art, design, cuisine, wine and, of course, diamonds, the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa caters to the most discerning consumer. The site combines top-notch service with ecological sustainability—a mission Mr. Graff has pursued in his search for the finest diamonds in the world by employing local craftsmen, both in the jewelry company and the newly minted Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa.

The London-based British jeweler is famous for the flawless quality of their stones in cut, color and clarity. Perhaps the most famous Graff diamond is the 603-carat Lesotho Promise diamond, ranked as the 15th largest diamond ever discovered. It was recovered at the Letseng Mine in Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa. The flawless D-color quality diamond was studied in the rough for three months before Graff ’s experts even thought about cutting into it. The diamond ultimately yielded 26 multishaped, top-quality diamonds for a total weight of 223.35 carats. The Lesotho Promise gave way to a 76.41-carat pear-shape diamond, a 43.12-carat heart-shape diamond, a 27.03-carat round brilliant diamond and a 20.05-carat emerald-cut diamond. The dazzling Lesotho Promise necklace sparkles resplendently with all 26 diamonds.

As a shareholder in SAFDICO, the South African Diamond Corporation, Graff ’s exceptional team of jewelers number 300 in Johannesburg and 500 in Botswana. Proceeds of his 2007 coffeetable book, “The Most Fabulous Jewels in the World,” benefit the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Due to Laurence Graff ’s extensive involvement with South African people, resources and charities, the country was a natural choice for Graff ’s new venture into the complete jet-set lifestyle with Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa.

Located just 45 minutes from Cape Town, Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa seamlessly melds with its lush surroundings, where top-quality accommodations encompass incredible views of the Simonsberg Mountains and sweeping, panoramic views of Cape Town and beyond. Traditional African style, like polished peach-pit flooring and slate walls, mingles with Cape Dutch architecture illustrating Graff ’s dedication to discovering the perfect jewel from its rough, natural state. The Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa consist of 10 separate units, including the 175-square-meter Owner’s Lodge with a fireplace and two bedrooms, and the 150-square-meter Presidential Lodge also with two bedrooms. All lodges, including the eight 80-square-meter Luxury and Deluxe Lodges, offer private heated infinity-edge pools. In addition to these lavish living quarters, the Lodge’s Reception Area offers a pr ivate dining room, conference facilities and a boutique cinema. Pieces from Laurence Graff ’s own extensive art collection grace the lodge’s walls. Its refined restaurant, designed by local architect Derek Henstra and London-based interior architect David Collins, offers up “Sunshine Cuisine,” which caters to the sophisticated palate and blends Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients. The Lodge also boasts a 230-ton wine cellar, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest, which is packed with famed winemaker Morné Vrey’s Delaire wines, derived straight from the vineyards that surround the Lodges and Spa.

To add to the Delaire Graff ’ experience, a full-service spa contains four treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, a state of-the-art gym facility, a Pilates reformer machine and a qualified Pilates instructor. For the ultimate in luxury, the spa utilizes Switzerland’s famed La Prairie Spa skin care products to coax even the most stubborn complexion into brightness and health.

Aside from the sustainable structure of the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa, Chelsea Flower Show Gold medal finalist and horticulturist, Keith Kirsten, landscaped the estate, filling the South African terrain with the alluring sight of Milkwood, Yellowwood, Sneezewood, Wild Olive and African Coral Trees, along with the magical scent of flowering shrubs like Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Rose and exotic Frangipani.

Two South African exclusives call the estate home, including the 100% Capri boutique for fine linen and, of course, a Graff Diamonds salon. Graff Diamonds, which are considered some of the finest in the world, include stones, such as the 50.01-carat La Favorite; the folded-pear-shaped 137.82-carat Paragon; the 101.28-carat Golden Star, an intense fancy yellow diamond; the beloved 100.57-carat Star of America; the 5-carat intense fancy pink Rose; the heart-shaped 53.11-carat Star of Lesotho; the 6.19-carat stunningly deep Graff Blue; the Pink Orchid, a 22.84-carat pink marquise-cut beauty; the 118.08-carat fancy yellow Delaire Sunrise—no doubt an inspiration for the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa; the 102.79 round Graff Constellation; the exquisite 12.42-carat Exceptional Purple Pink marquisecut sensation; the 91.23-carat Windsor Diamonds and the Rose Queen, which clocks in at 70.39 carats, among many other important, named diamonds.

Laurence Graff ’s passion for diamonds can best be summed up by his own words: “Diamonds excite me; diamonds are my life—I see inside the stone, look at the colour and cut and assess its natural beauty and value.”

The salon houses some of Graff Diamond’s famous collections, such as the Butterfly Collection, Diamonds on Diamonds, The Waterfall Collection, The Chandelier Collection and Graff ’s sparkling array of fantastic watches.

For a unique travel experience in one of the most exotic and gorgeous locations in the world, the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa offers sustainable, world-class accommodations, cuisine, vineyards, wine and diamonds, where a Graff Diamond salon sits nearly on top of the source of its splendid sparklers. For the avid diamond collector, one can imagine the excitement of exploring the very land where the world’s finest diamonds are culled. For the oenophile, gem lover, spa fiend, traveler and explorer, the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is sure to engage and delight every sort of luxury vacation seeker.

Delaire Graff Estate, +27.21.885.8160, www.delaire.co.za

Barcelona’s most exclusive hotel gets a contemporary makeover by internationally renowned Spanish designer, Patricia Urquiola.

The new Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona blends the best of Spain’s most romantic city with all that’s new in architecture and design. Situated at the city’s most exclusive address, the hotel offers a sumptuously intimate setting with just 98 rooms and suites. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, known for its exceptional hotels and resorts worldwide, delivers the ultimate experience in luxury accommodations, combining the city’s old-world beauty and charm with Urquiola’s stylish, ultracontemporary interiors and a touch of the Group’s Asian heritage.

Located on the bustling Passeig de Gràcia, the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona boasts two world-class restaurants, Blanc and Moments, as well as Banker’s Bar—all chic places to see and be seen while enjoying delectable cuisine and imbibing Spain’s ?nest wines and liquors. Al fresco dining, a luxury of the temperate Mediterranean climate, can be enjoyed at the hotel’s breathtaking 660-square-meter Mimosa Garden or poolside on the Terrat rooftop, where panoramic views of the glittering city’s famous architecture provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic meal.

Steps from Barcelona’s most famed attractions, such as the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, the hotel’s central location proves one of its greatest assets. Designer shopping, local dining and Barcelona’s incredible cultural amenities abound, including two of the city’s most celebrated Gaudí-designed buildings. Other neighborhood staples include gorgeous churches, parks, museums and promenades.

For the traveler that prefers to view from afar, many rooms and suites at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona include sweeping balconies and terraces with views of the glamorous Passeig de Gràcia or the impeccably landscaped hotel garden. The 2,542-square-foot Penthouse Suite, the hotel’s most exclusive and private accommodation, occupies the entire top ?oor, boasts views of the Passeig de Gràcia and is out?tted with top-of-the-line Bang & Olufsen technology. The suite has two bedrooms. The master bedroom boasts its own set of rooms and a terrace. The second bedroom has an en suite bathroom. The Penthouse Suite also has two living areas, one of which has a sweeping terrace. It also has a kitchen, a dining room equipped for eight and a guest powder room. A personal butler rounds out the whole experience at $10,000 per night.

To ease weary feet or just plain relax, indulge in the hotel’s 1,000-square-meter Spa at Mandarin Oriental—the destination for pure pampering. The spa’s tranquil setting and holistic approach to beauty and wellness ensure a variety of treatments to suit every taste. Signature spa programs include both full- and half-day options. The daylong Pathway to Radiance, a rejuvenating program, promises to reveal the best you, and includes a personalized 80-minute aromatherapy massage, the Signature Quintessence Body Scrub and the Age-Defying Facial.

For an afternoon of bliss after wandering Barcelona’s storied streets, the spa’s Urban Escape package awakens the body and soul with an invigorating sea salt, menthol and lime scrub, followed by the Therapeutic Massage and the Regenerating Firming Eye Treatment. The spa also offers a selection of individual treatments for both men and women, including the Signature Spa Therapies, a nearly two-hour-long, full-body treatment developed in consultation with specialists in traditional Chinese medicine, which are tailored to meet the individual needs of each guest.

From its stunning architecture and perfect location to its delicious cuisine, excellent spa and spectacular views of this storybook city, a visit to the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona promises to be a truly remarkable experience. The Mandarin Group’s brand of excellence has surely exceeded itself in the hotel’s development, but it is the groundbreaking design and personalized approach that will ensure the perfect vacation destination for the well-heeled traveler.

Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, +34.93.151.87.68, www.mandarinoriental.com/barcelona

Shangri-La Hotels has officially announced that it will open two hotels in the Jiangsu province – one in Yangzhou and one in Nanjing – of China in early 2012.

At a press conference announcing the openings, Greg Dogan, President and Chieft Executive Officer of Shangri-La Hotel Management Limited, stated that “ShangrI-La has operated hotels in the Yangtze River Delta for over twenty-five years.”

With the Shangri-La construction underway, Yangzhou will welcome their first every international luxury hotel within the city. The standard hotel guest room will cover nearly 42 square meters, while the premier suits will provide over 63 square meters of space. The 371-room Shangri-La Yangzhou will lie amongst the lively central business district.

Since Yangzhou is the birthplace of the Huai Yang cuisine, the Shangri-La will feature an elegant Chinese restaurant, specializing in dishes relevant to the region, such as, Cantonese favorites, and dim sum. In addition, the hotel will offer three standout restaurants, bars, and various meeting rooms.

Like most Shangri-La Hotels, the Yangzhou will provide additional facilities like the Horizon Club executive lounge, fitness center that outfits a 25-meter swimming pool and tennis court.

Although similar in amenities provided, the Shangri-La, Nanjing, will stand tall – in the city’s Gulou district – with 670 rooms. Mirroring the inspiration of the Shangri-La Yangzhou, the Nanjing hotel will offer the same Chinese restaurant, Horizon Club executive lounge, and health club. However, unlike Yangzhou, Nanjing’s hotel will exclusively provide a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views.

-Affluent Page

[Shangri-La]

Indonesia welcomed their first tropical park situated within a hotel when St. Regis Bali recently opened the gates to their 7,000 square meter natural retreat.

Designed by award-winning landscape architect Bill Bensley, the St. Regis Tropical Park was created to organically blend into the already existing Amphitheatre. Bensley’s inspiration stemmed from the vast landscape of the St. Regis, so he expertly incorporated a lush garden. Bensley brought romance and fantasy to the expanse of land by entwining pebble-stoned paths throughout the verdant gardens.

In addition, guests can experience the Orchid Pavillion, which includes close to 50 species of orchids — 44 of them are considered to be rare. With highlights such as the ‘Dulang’ (meaning ‘A Royal Plate’) dinner venue, and a Hammock Garden, the St. Regis Bali and Bensley have created one of the most spectacular natural parks a hotel can offer.

“We are continuously looking to provide our guests with additional activities to help them escape to a sanctuary of indulgence and relaxation, and the creation of the Tropical Park within the resort is a testament to this commitment,” said Frank Beck, General Manager of The St. Regis Resort.

Prices for a villa at the St. Regis Bali can go as high as $9,000 – $10,000 per night.

-Affluent Page

[St. Regis Bali]

Still looking to get away this holiday season? The largest and most luxurious chalet at the world-famous Verbier ski resort in the swiss alps became available for its Dec. 23 – Jan. 2 package.

Due to a cancellation, the Verbier ski chalet is taking offers for this lovely winter resort. The original price for the place was €190,000 for the ten night stay; Jan. 2 – 16 is also still available.

Covering a ridiculous 3,000 square meters, this chalet can accommodate up to 18 people without breaking a sweat. Featuring a 15 meter onyx pool, Hammam and Sauna, treatment rooms, full gymnasium, private cinema, wine cellar, vodka bar, Oriental disco, and cigar lounge, makes this a winter paradise.

Verbier is one of the premier resorts in Switzerland’s stunning Alpine region. Situated at 5,000 feet high above the cascading valleys, Verbier is the luxury traveler’s dream. With high quality restaurants, nightlife that goes until the sun comes up, and the most extreme trails, this mountain palace offers up luxury on a silver platter.

[Ibiza Royale]

For those who want to experience life under the sea without being a submarine pilot, Richard Branson’s Necker Nymph can be at your disposal.

The Billionaire mogul – who also owns an airline, record label, phone company, several restaurants, and an island to boot – has commissioned a $663,000 underwater plane. The submersible will be used to take guests who are aboard his luxury catamaran, Necker Belle, to his private island in the Caribbean.

Nymph, which can sink to a depth of 130 ft (Branson hopes to get it to 35,000 ft one day), is only $25,000 for the week, but is available only if you shell out $88,000 for a week aboard Branson’s Belle (which can be booked through Jameslist).

Unlike most submarines, Nymph uses downward lift on the wings to glide like an airplane through the water; most subs use ballasts to propel them under the water. It is able to carry a pilot and two guests on the two hour trip.

If you’re feeling adventurous, after undergoing some scuba training you can get outside the submersible and unearth an ancient shipwreck or swim with the dolphins.

Designed specifically for diving in tropical waters, Nymph has individual wind shields that remove the pressure of the slipstream. This means the sub is able to have an open cockpit for panoramic views of the ocean.

Designed and built by Graham Hawkes, Nymph is the first of its kind and is expected to be delivered to Branson by February 20.

[Jameslist]

[Dunton Hot Springs]

An exclusive resort on the southwest coast of Anguilla, Cap Juluca has become synonymous with luxury and privacy. Situated on 179 acres of land and inland waters, the resort is only 25 minutes away, by boat, from the restaurants, casinos, and other entertainment venues on the island.

With eighteen Moorish-styled beachfront villas, six of which are private pool villas that feature a one-bedroom suite or boasts five bedrooms. Five-star restaurants are only a short walk away.

Oceanfront Five Bedroom Private Pool Villas are an impressive choice for a private retreat.  With double tubs, marble showers, covered terraces with ocean views the first floor of the $7,495 Villa encourages one to relax and enjoy the luxurious and modern atmosphere.

With the master suite boasting separate living and dining areas, a spacious kitchen, a luxurious bathroom with tub and marble shower, a separate bedroom suite and domed ceilings, guests can experience exotic and tropical designs while having the privacy they want. A separate butler’s entrance and exit is designed off the kitchen while private external entrance can connect to each other but are not internally connected to the main suite.

For those sport activity-avid guests, Cap Juluca a variety of water sports which include kayaking, windsurfing, and water skiing, to name a few.

Cap Juluca caters to every want, hobby, and needs of its guests.

-Affluent Page

[Cap Juluca]

Earlier this week, London unveiled the Town Hall Hotel. Formerly an impressive town hall in the heart of London’s East End, the Town Hall Hotel presents a new addition to the reinvigorated East End market.

The building will now contain a variety of bedrooms and apartments, ranging from studio, one bedroom, to the two bedroom layout.  Each room – no matter the layout – will incorporate a unique mix of original furnishing with modern kitchens. In addition, art pieces have been installed throughout the hotel courtesy of the burgeoning East End art scene. The hotel will also feature a modernized gym, which includes a pool and traditional spa.

Restored with Edwardian, Neo-Classical fine stone, the Town Hall Hotel features 98 luxury rooms and apartments; rich in traditional design. With original interiors, including the council chamber, sweeping staircases and marble hallways, the restoration operator – Design Hotels – blends a classical touch with modern innovation.

~Affluent Page

[Town Hall Hotel]