I'd LIKE to STAY HERE in South Africa. IN a tree house.

My only real fear is that serpents could someone make there way up into the treehouses.   But for that, can you imagine what it would be like to sit in this rudimentary splendor watching the life the desert pass below you.  Maybe you could pet a giraffe on the head.  Or feed an elephant a banana.  Or rut amongst the rhinos.   Can snakes climb walls or trees or posts?   I would hope these have been snake proofed?

A trio of strikingly beautiful tree houses on the Lion Sands Game Reserve  in the heart of South Africa's safari land, offer brave guests the chance to sleep under the stars, with wild animals lurking below.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mE4zATK
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The 645sqft Kingston is the largest of the three and features a shower, and guests are offered champagne dinners and sunset massages. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mEOnqye
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The 645sqft Kingston is the largest of the three and features a shower, and guests are offered champagne dinners and sunset massages. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mEOnqye
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The 645sqft Kingston is the largest of the three and features a shower, and guests are offered champagne dinners and sunset massages. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mEOnqye
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

China is really KNOCKING out some STUNNING architecture these DAYS

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/mad-architects-sheraton-huzhou-hot-spring-resort/

New Sheraton hotel in Huzhou (near Shanghai) China.   This stunning simple design, which reflects the new non-linear, geometric structures that I love in today's contemporary architecture (Gehry, Hadid, etc).

This is elegant.  It is beautiful.  It is proportional.

The 27-story Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort offers 321 spacious guest rooms, including 44 suites and 39 villas(1) on Lake Taihu.   

This stunning design features a horizontal exterior facade that accentuates the horseshoe shape and makes for a stunning piece of sculpture when lit at night or reflected in the lake's waters below.  

The hotel is designed by Beijing-born architect Ma Yanson, MAD Architects. (3)  What an astonishing portfolio of incredible designs and completed structures.   Visit their website for more (MAD Architects).

The interior design in the interior public spaces seems a bit outré?   Very opulent.   But maybe a bit too Vegas-ish.   Or to be kinder, Dubai-ish.

However hotel rooms are quite lovely. 

All rooms have a balcony.  Note the exterior facade.

A suite with balcony which shows the exterior facade.  Note circular design of the room

This is really a beautiful new building.  

The exterior public spaces reflect the beauty of the building, as shown. 

According to Daily News Huzhou is:  "Known as 'The City of Silk', the ancient metropolis is situated on the southern shores of Lake Taihu in the northern part of Zheijang Province. It is hailed as the birthplace of the Far East's famous tea culture." (2) 

The charm of the local city--Huzhou's Water Village.

A beautiful sunset on Lake Taihu

(1)  Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2376911/Sheraton-Huzhou-Hot-Spring-Resort-gigantic-glowing-doughnut-hotel-China.html#ixzz2a1neeCA1 
(2)  Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2376911/Sheraton-Huzhou-Hot-Spring-Resort-gigantic-glowing-doughnut-hotel-China.html#ixzz2a1uiKHiO 
(3)  Credits and Info:
Architect: MAD Architect Co., Ltd.,
Associate Engineers: Shanghai SianDai Architecture Design (Group) Co., Ltd.,
Structural Engineer: China Majesty Steel Structural Design Co., Ltd.,
Façade/Cladding Consultants: Zhejiang Zhongnan Curtain Wall Co., Ltd., Shanghai Timalco Curtain Wall Engineering Co., Ltd.,
Landscape Architect: EDSA – Landscape Design
http://www.arch2o.com/sheraton-huzhou-hot-spring-resort-mad-architects/

Bali Hotel where 30 elephants are STAFF members

I will travel to this hotel just for the accommodations and the pachyderm help on staff.

This a hotel that incorporates elephants as part of your stay in every aspect of your visit. It is also a luxury spa experience located in the historic historic village of Taro, Bali, Indonesia.

Elephant Safari Park & Lodge

Jalan Elephant Park Taro, Taro Village, Tegallalang, Ubud Bali 80561, Indonesia

Lodge: Tel +62 361 8988888 Fax +62 361 898888

Sales Office : Tel +62 361 721480

Fax +62 361 721481

Email: info@elephantsafariparklodge.com

Reservation: online booking

Click here for their website http://www.elephantsafariparklodge.com

World's Tallest Hotel opens in Hong Kong

T-A-L-L hotel in a very T-A-L-L new skyscraper

The world's tallest hotel recently opened on Hong Kong's West Kowloon mainland. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is located in the International Commerce Centre (ICC) building on floors 102 to 118. The building itself is the 4th tallest building in the world with 118 stories (1,588 ft) and the tallest building in towering Hong Kong.

The five-star hotel has 312 rooms ranging from 530 square feet to 3,920 square feet. With six restaurants, a spa and an indoor infinity pool overlooking Victoria Harbour, there is no reason to leave this tall aerie. The hotel's lobby is 425 m (1,394 ft) above the ground, becoming the highest hotel in the world surpassing that of the Park Hyatt in the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Herve Humler, president of luxury hotel chain said the building was a landmark hotel which was the culmination of many years of hard work. 'We have been able to create truly spectacular so we can welcome our guests not just to the tallest hotel in the world, but also to one of the very best hotels in the world,' he said. 'We are taking luxury to new heights in every sense.'

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong will likely lose the tallest hotel in the world distinction in 2014, when the J-Hotel opens near the top of the 2,073-foot Shanghai Tower.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371203/Worlds-tallest-hotel-opens-Hong-Kong.html#ixzz1I1Tsr3xy or http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1371247/Worlds-highest-hotel-Hong-Kongs-Ritz-Carlton-opens-doors.html

The ICC building can be seen in the distance in this partial photo of the Hong Kong skyline

747 HOTEL--that's my kind of hotel--how original and how beautiful

I have always been fascinated with airlines and airliners. When I was a kid I collected airline timetables from around the world. Go figure?

The 747 was launched in late 60s which was about the same time that I became an airline timetable addict. I was maybe 9 or 10. But the 747 captured my heart and imagination. It still makes my heart flutter and I breathe a wistful sigh whenever I see a photo or when I actually see the real thing. Such a graceful stately bird!

But can you imagine this. In Stockholm, an old 747 has been converted to a hotel! Isn't that an original thought (have you heard about those restaurants in NY and LA and I think in London where you eat in a bed.....that is my kind of living. I'll have to research and blog on that one day). So here it is. It'd be nice to see Stockholm, yeah, but this would be the real reason I'd be going. I might not even leave my room. Just order room service and stay holed up in my hotel room for the duration (which is my idea of the ultimate in comfort).

Check it out:

This must be the penthouse suite......I don't think so. Can I see another room, please?
Oh Stewardess, I'll have some tea, please.

Perfect.......even have a plasma tv.