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August 2017 - Vol 3, No 13 - Best Cigar Lounges
This smoke is for you
In case you like a good cigar, in this issue, Ted Teng, the CEO of The Leading Hotels of the World, recommends his favorite cigar lounges in luxury hotels around-the-world. For everyone, we take a look at the top suites at two new hotels - the W in Bellevue, Washington to the Shangdi-La in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
PS — We keep all past issues on an easy to access website DG Amazing Experiences where you can find both newsletters and special reports.
I hope all your trips are amazing experiences!
Founder/Editor-in-Chief
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Private Aviation Headlines:
In This Issue:
1. WOW in Seattle. W’s first new U.S. hotel since 2010 opens
2. Finally, a luxury hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka
3. Best luxury hotel cigar lounges
4. Past DGAE Special Reports
1. W Bellevue Hotel
If you are headed to the Seattle area on business, you have a new choice. W Bellevue is the first new-build W in the US since 2010. The top suite is the 2,302 sq. ft. Extreme WOW Suite. The entire hotel has 25 suites and the design reflects the Pacific Northwest. Four WOW Suites range between 1,365 and 1,495 sq. ft. The Extreme WOW (above) feature a sunken soaking tub located on a raised platform providing you sweeping views of Mt. Rainier from the bath. There are two window-side swings are next to the tub, and the suite comes with a surround sound audio system complete with DJ Booth (the black and white cube pictured in the images) with a curated collection of vinyl, inspired by the local music scene. We get the feeling that the suite can also be used for corporate events or perhaps if you just want to have your own private party.
The Living Room at W Bellevue (above) modernizes the traditional A-frame structure of the region’s lodges and lake houses while playing with the blue hues and mirrored reflections inspired by nearby Lake Washington. The design represents the evolution of W for its early days as a disco-like lifestyle hotel with dark lobbies and hallways into more of a luxury lifestyle brand.
2. Shangri-la Hotel, Colombo - Sri Lanka
While Sri Lanka is becoming an in the moment leisure destination, its capital Colombo has been wanting for a modern, five-star luxury hotel. That will change December 1 when Hong Kong-based Shangri-La will open a high rise tower at One Galle Face along the Galle Face Green promenade. There will be 500 guest rooms and suites and 41 serviced apartments. The hotel sits on 10 acres of land that will also accommodate an office tower, two residential buildings and a high-end shopping mall. The hotel is a 40-minute drive from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
The 2,260 sq. ft Shangri-La Suite (above) offers views over the Indian Ocean with three spacious guest rooms and a separate living room. Suite guests enjoy complimentary access to the Horizon Club Lounge, the largest hotel executive lounge in Colombo, and one of the better executive lounge offerings we have seen.
The hotel will feature multiple venues in Sri Lanka with over 48,000 square feet of space including two ballrooms, an outdoor lawn and several function rooms to host over 1,500 guests. Intended to appeal to large conferences and events, the hotel will complement the island’s attraction as a global MICE hotspot, alongside Bangkok and Singapore. The property will be the perfect host for weddings, social functions and gala dinners.
3. Best Luxury Hotel Cigar Lounges
If you are a cigar smoker, finding a great cigar room or lounge when you are traveling isn’t necessarily easy. Earlier this week we sat down with cigar aficionado Ted Teng, the CEO of The Leading Hotels of the World, a collection of 375 five-star hotels in 75 countries to ask about his favorites.
Austria
Hotel
Sacher Wien (Vienna, Austria)
England
The Ritz London (London, England)
Located within The Ritz London, The Ritz Club’s Cigar Shop & Terrace is separate, but popular with players at the hotel’s casino, which is open to members and guests. “You walk in off a very busy street, and once inside it’s a real Oasis,” says Teng, adding, “The Ritz is the Ritz. It’s one of those places if you come to London you have to go at least once, although you’ll likely go back. It’s such a majestic hotel.”
France
Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris (Paris, France)
The Viñales
Club is a "a cozy lounge
filled with fine materials, books and works of art” in Le Royal Monceau, one of Paris’ Palace Hotels, an official designation that means better than five stars in the French hotel hierarchy.
“It’s the best cigar bar I’ve been to,” says Teng. "You have to have a key to get in, so you don’t have people poking their heads in. It opens to the garden if you want fresh air. It’s very comfortable and they have swinging trays where you can put the ashtray so you don’t have to reach to the table. Its wood and leather. You ring a bell and people come to serve you.”
Ireland
Ashford Castle (Cong, Ireland)
On a rooftop corner of the castle, through the Billiards Room, guests can discover the Cigar Terrace that offers fantastic views of the River Cong and beyond. Teng says he likes that there are both indoor and outdoor areas. It’s a the place to relax after a day of hiking or perhaps fishing and lawn sports.
Mamilla Hotel (Jerusalem, Israel):
The Cigar Lounge is set right off the chic Mirror Bar (cigar menu linked here). Teng says, “I was there in June. They also serve excellent Israeli wines you can’t find outside the country. It has ceilings, comfortable leather couches and sofas.There is also great seafood restaurant on the roof.”
Morocco
La Mamounia (Marrakech, Morocco)
Le Churchill bar is “rich, warm and masculine. It’s dark. You feel you’re in Marrakech,” says Teng.
Portugal
Olissippo
Lapa Palace (Lisbon, Portugal)
The hotel is in the diplomatic area of the city and the cigar lounge has a good location right off the lobby. Teng says it has comfortable seating, is very secluded but has great views from its hilltop location.
South Africa
Cape Grace (Cape Town, South Africa)
The cigar bar is directly connected to the hotel’s Bascule Whiskey, Wine and Cocktail Bar. A selection of over 500 whiskeys complement the range of cigars. "It’s a very intimate hotel. It has a very nice lobby and lounge hotel with a great location,” says Teng.
Switzerland
Gstaad Palace (Gstaad, Switzerland)
The Smoking Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a cigar, pre or post live music in the Lobby Bar, says Teng. There are majestic mountain views and a great selection of cigars. “One of the best views from any cigar lounge,” says Teng
Lausanne Palace & Spa (Lausanne, Switzerland)
The Habana Bar (below) offers a wide selection of cigars in an elegant setting (cigar menu linked here). It’s a room right off the lobby. “It’s quite comfortable with seating. You ring a bell for service,” notes Teng. There are windows looking into a courtyard you can open for fresh air.
La Reserve Geneve Hotel, Spa & Villa is right off the lobby a good selection but is a bit hidden so a good place to sneak away says Teng. In the basement of Hotel D’Angleterre in the city center, the hotel has turned its gym into a cigar lounge.
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