re: The 53 Places to Go in 2008
I was intrigued as the next guy by the list of 53 Places we're supposed to go in 2008, then I realized that almost without exception, the "reason" to go is the opening at long last of that destination's first "luxury" accommodations. Which seems about the dumbest reason I can think of for choosing where to travel.
I started pulling out all the quotes, Zagat-style, but I got so bored, I quit around 40. You get the idea, though. And you have to admit, those exceptions are rather awesome: who needs an Aman Resort when you have "flower bloggers" and "death squads"?
1 Laos: "luxury teak houseboats"; "seriously upscale Residence"
2 Lisbon: "style-savvy"; "avant-garde status"
3 Tunisia: "undergoing a Morocco-like luxury makeover"; "stylish boutique hotels"; "increasing numbers of well-heeled travelers"
4 Mauritius: "Four Seasons resort"
5 Mid-Beach, Miami: "faded glitterati hangouts" with "multimillion-dollar renovations"; "a Mid-Beach outpost of the members-only Soho House"
6 South Beach, Miami: "red carpet of designer hotels"
7 Maldives: "high-end hotels expected to open next year"; 50 villas "allowing guests to observe the rich marine life while still lying in bed."
8 Death Valley: "flower bloggers already speculating about a dazzling spring bloom"
9 Courchevel: "ultra-exclusive"; billionaires fuel the "consumption of Cristal jeroboams and high-ticket hotels"; "sumptuous"; "rustic-chic apartments"
10 Libya: "luxury hotels and golf courses are planned"
11 Hvar: "a new Riviera"; "fills with yachts"
12 Puerto Vallarta: "some dozen gay-friendly hotels"; "a glut of bars and clubs"
13 Sylt: "the 'Hamptons of Germany'"
14 Prague: "youth hostels are being squeezed by luxe hotels"
15 Quito: "a crop of upscale hotels has arrived"
16 Liverpool: more "than just the Beatles"
17 Munich: "hybrid Mercedes-Benz taxis"; "cushy living"; "posh new hotel"
18 Iran: "luxury cruise liner"
19 Tuscany: "the nine-hole course covers 247 acres"
20 Anguilla: "Just when you thought the Caribbean island of Anguilla couldn't get any fancier"; "172 luxury accommodations"; "3,200 feet of private waterfront"
21 Bogota: "remembered for its death squads"
22 Playa Blanca, Panama: "tres chic beach club"; "'sexiest project in Panama'"
23 Alexandria: "upscale cafes"
24 Mazatlan: "a half-dozen resorts are now in the works"
25 St Lucia: "upscale progress marches on"; "eco-hedonistic resorts"; "private jet terminal"
26 Oslo: "one of the world's most expensive cities"; "two new design hotels"
27 Buenos Aires: "the first five-star gay hotel in Latin America"; "bohemian-chic"
28 Rimini, Italy: "Italy's bling party capital"; "style-conscious"; "raging club scene, cool boites and designer hotels"
29 Malawi: "luxury lodge"
30 Roatan: "waking up with big plans"; "Westin Resort & Spa"
31 Mozambique: "high-end lodges"; "luxurious tented bandas"
32 Kuwait City; "a slate of opulent hotels"
33 Verbier: "will get decidedly more upper class"
34 Lombok: "other high-end hotels are on the way"
35 Northwest Passage: "Notwithstanding last month's sinking of an Antarctic cruise ship"
36 Easter Island: "its first luxury resort"
37 Virgin Gorda: "raising its profile" with "three villas measuring 8,000 square feet"
38 Namibia: "the country is going eco-deluxe"; "stylish decor and matching rates"; "planning five luxury hotels"
