Montenegro is not really the place that comes to mind when I think elite luxury. But don’t be fooled by this hot spot. Once a fortified village in the 15th century, then a hideaway for the celebs of Hollywood, the Aman Sveti Stefan has brought this place back to life. And life is good! The name sveti stefan does make me think of a post workout German style, but that image too is oh so incorrect. Oh man, these resorts are so perfect its hard to describe. Just go.

I’m heading to Russia soon and why not? They do have places that are fit for a queen, king, tsar or in this case, count. The Residence Taleon Sheremetev Palace in St. Petersburg is an old aristocratic mansion built back in the eighteenth century. Before the 1917 revolution it belonged to Count Alexander Sheremetev and his family. Today the residence has recovered its former splendour and opened its doors wide to guests. Step onto the red carpet and you will feel like nobility at last. Someone fetch me my slippers! and vodka!

I am going to attempt to remain equanimous in this review of La Terranea. Here goes nothing:

Perched on a cliff above the ocean, La Terranea has a location that begs for romance, beauty and relaxation. The bathrobes are the plush kind you want to steal away in your suitcase. The wine list is everything a Southern California wine list should be: extensive and expensive. The fitness center is practically perfect, although it faces the pool instead of the ocean (something that can be easily fixed by moving the machines 180). The spa was lush and everything spa whore such as myself would love. The facial and couples massage left me in a state of ahhhh.

But here is equanimity comes along. There are two things that La Terranea managed to do which I argue are rather inexcusable. We were there to attend a wedding…ie, wear a suit kind of wedding. When my husband sent his suit out for pressing and they sent it for dry cleaning instead, my hubby was left in sweats for the ceremony. No joke. Rather embarrassing. Second, when the hotel staff promised to arrange a rental car, the car arrived an hour and a half late. By that time I hailed a cab for the $120 ride to my next location.

So, here’s a tip for you La Terranea. If you are going to do it…do it right. And if you do something wrong, apologize. Instead of a nice apology, the manager whose name started with a Z (cant be too many of you, hmmm?) decided to get in a full blown argument of his story/my story. What happened to the customer is always right? Apology would have gone a long long way here buddy.

Think we will stick to Pelican Hill, Bacara or St. Regis next time we head South.

There are definitely more than 1000 places I want to see before I die but where do you stay along the way as you visit some of the best of Washington. Let’s get “inn” like flynn at the luxury inns of Washington.

1) Run of the River: Cutie little inn near Leavenworth surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, rivers and heavens above

2) Unique Inns lists some great picks including one of Lalas favorites, Turtleback farm

3) Friday harbour anyone? Check out Lakedale for the cute cabins or lux lodge.

4) Boreas Inn makes you want to cuddle up to you lovey.

At Grace Bay Club it’s the little things that count. A birthday cake on the eve of my 33rd surrounded by pink flowers. My daughters smiling face when kids camp director, Morgan, gave her a personlized conch shell. Poolside strawberry icies passed out mid morning. Afternoon tea and cookies to tide you over until dinner.  A mobile made of seashells. The fact that everyone knows your name and is always smiling genuinely from ear to ear. In a world where the little things are so often left behind, here the little things count and make for lasting lifelong memories.

Arriving at Parrot Cay my body and soul know I am in for a blissful experience. It is the northern Caribbean’s pre-eminent private island, wrapped in sweeps of sand and peaceful seas featuring the region’s best spa and haute cuisine.

Here you will find an awardwinning holistic spa, healthy cuisine and beach houses with private pools and an attentive staff. Here you can lay back, bask on the pristine beach and watch the sunset spread its warm colorful rays across the horizon. This is where luxury meets quite bliss.

General Manager Jeff Morgan spends the day touring me through the unique island he now calls home. He has a pride in this private heaven and I can see why. Baby powder white sand beaches, a unique attention to detail, blue rainbow waters and a laid back luxury are forever present.

Parrot Cay creates a canvas on which is painted the opportunity to experience a Shambhala massage, a carefully crafted yoga retreat, or a gathering of friends for your private island wedding. Food is not just a side note but a well crafted symphony of flavors and textures.

After a day at Parrot Cay I too want to call this place home as it has grown on me and on my soul.

As with all things Aman, simplicity is their guiding star. The galaxy aligned in the design of Amanyara, the resort perched cliffside on Turks and Caicos, accessible by dirt road and emerging in the distance as a floating palace of luxury. Nobody can desribe the style and setting than Aman themselves.

“Amanyara is located on the secluded western shore of Providenciales, in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Nestled between the pristine coral reefs of the Northwest Point Marine National Park and an 18,000 acre nature preserve, Amanyara sets a whole new standard of service and beauty.

Stretching for one and a half miles, Amanyara’s powdery, white-sand beach and its crystalline turquoise waters frame a gently undulating landscape. Here, nestled amongst mahogany, diverse cacti and wild orchids, sits a collection of shingled pavilions and reflecting pools that embrace their natural surroundings—the sun, its reflection off the water, the cooling Caribbean breeze and the sounds of the sea.”

Sitting by the pool reflected in the ocean last night and hearing the peaceful breeze surround us, my mind and soul were at peace. This is the way of Aman….bringing peace to all.

It’s a dilemma not often experienced by families. Where can an entire three generations of family from three different continents converge over Christmas and everyone will be happy? Such was the dilemma I faced when planning this years family vacation. With two kids under five and only half the party with significant others, I had met my decision making match. Add to the pot the fact that we are all picky. The kind of picky that sends staff crying for mercy. the kind of family where one member likes water without ice, one with ice, one with extra ice and one doesn’t like water at all. Now that you get the picture, let me paint you another picture. Paradise. Arriving at the Grace Bay Club was like being cuddled by sunshine. We were greeted happily by our concierge team, Franklin and Godfrey. We were handed a cell phone which we were told could be used to access them anytime for anything. Were they crazy? Hand a overly picky, demanding mother of two a cell phone that I could use to get anything? The toothfairy is real too, right? During our stay every request was met with a jovial “no problem,” and the best part was they really meant it. Reservations for seven at the islands best restaurant in 2 hours? No problem. Arrange a private dive and boat tour? No problem. Buy some grocerys, diapers and get a baby sitter for our stay? Yup, no problem. They even made me a birthday cake and delivered it to my room surrounded by flowers on the eve of my 33rd.

The softness of the beach made Hawaii look like concrete. The attentiveness and genuinely kind attitudes of the staff made the experience that much more remarkable. As I sat by the long bar on the beach one evening, my worries melted away and long before the first sunset on Turks and Caicos, I knew we would be back again and again until perhaps my own grandchildren would take me there.

Lala has reviewed a few of the hot spots on T&C….stayed tuned for more ins and outs of the island.

Tucked away in a corner of the Sorrento Hotel is a secret so good I almost don’t want to tell you lest I never get to experience it again. The secret is Shiatsu Yasuo Mori. Mr. Mori has practiced the traditional art of Shiatsu in Seattle since 1978. Shiatsu restores the body, mind and spirit to its natural state of balance while alleviating stress, fatigue and muscle aches. Shiatsu can also stimulate the healing of specific injuries and improve symptoms of poor health such as chronic pain, soreness, stress, insomnia and other conditions that are not effectively treated by Western medical practices. After a one hour session it was a significant milestone in my overstressed, busy life….I achieved a zenfull, peaceful sleep. The zen part lasted for days. I will be back for more….assuming you readers haven’t taken up all the appointments!

With winter just around the corner and the need for quite and calm in our lives, why not escape on the food and wine cornucopia package or the sunday brunch complete with soulful music? Time to “ignite” your senses four seasons whistler style! Do it in five star splendor…check out the details below:

with Four Seasons Resort Whistler’s Cornucopia Package

Whistler, BC: Feed the craving and soothe the soul with Cornucopia 2009. After sipping, swirling and savouring all that Cornucopia has to offer, guests can experience the ultimate in luxury in both accommodation and brunch at Four Seasons Resort Whistler.

Cornucopia Package
Cornucopia, Whistler’s premier wine and food festival is an extravagant event designed to indulge the palate. Starting from $240 CAD Four Seasons Resort Whistler’s Cornucopia Package stimulates all the senses! November 13th and November 14th guests can enjoy two night’s accommodation and a 3p.m. late check-out at Canada’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort. To top it off, toast a fabulous weekend with the most decadent brunch in Whistler, the Sunday Blues Brunch, included in the Cornucopia package.

Sunday Blues Brunch
End the weekend on a high note with Whistler’s most majestic brunch. A master in the kitchen, Executive Chef Scott Thomas Dolbee prepares a meal fit for a King. Sunday brunch features mouth-watering and soul warming fall favourites such as Maple-Glazed Ham, Lobster and Pumpkin Caramel Opera. But that’s not all; the opulent feast also includes an omelet and eggs benedict station, waffle station, fresh seafood and sushi station, salad bar and a carving station, a fresh juice station and assorted breakfast pastries. Make sure to leave room for the best station of all … the sweets table. To keep grooving between plates, enjoy the soulful sounds of R&B, and Jazz with band Bluesberry Jam. Enjoy this lavish spread at Fifty Two 80 Bistro and Bar on Sunday November 15th between 10a.m. and 2p.m.

Book your Cornucopia weekend escape at www.fourseasons.com/whistlerAs the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts currently manages 84 properties in 35 countries. Open since June 28th, 2004, Four Seasons Resort Whistler offers a vacation experience of unlimited variety, and the highly personalised, anticipatory service that Four Seasons guests expect and value around the world. Recent awards and honors include Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 15th best Hotel in North America and the Five Diamond Award® by the American Automobile Association, the only resort in Canada to receive this honour. Information on our company and on Four Seasons Resort Whistler can be accessed through the Four Seasons Web site at www.fourseasons.com.