Make your own luxury hotel (see above). Philippe Kjellgren, the Swedish traveller known universally as PK who has spent nearly three years visiting all the known and unknown best luxury hotels in the world, treated his father to a birthday ‘away night’. His parents thought they were being chauffeured to some recognized establishment but found they were welcomed, with Champagne of course, at Kjellgren’s own summer cottage, half an hour away. The stay at the momentary ‘Aman’ included farm-to-table dining and sauna and spa.  Read more @pkslist, and for PK’s choice of legitimate hotels globally, see www.pks-list.com

**

Auckland’s Hotel Britomart opens 1st October – 104 bedrooms, GM Clinton Farley.  It is managed by TFE Hotels, partly owned by Singapore’s powerful Far East Organization, perhaps known for that city-state’s Fullerton Hotel (Far East has recently re-branded Sydney’s former Westin, now also Fullerton). TFE Hotels consists  of 73 hotels with 10,374 keys in Australia, New Zealand and Europe under five brands, plus over 30  hotel projects under various stages of development. TFE’s main brand is Adina, which is opening several properties in Germany within the next year.

**

Mandarin Oriental is putting together a scrumptious ‘sandwich’ of a package, two water-side luxury hotels in Europe with a ‘filling’ of helicopter transport. The Lake-to-Lake Helicopter Experience consists of one-night accommodation in a luxurious suite at both Mandarin Oriental, Geneva and Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como; a 75-minute private helicopter flight with stunning views from Lake Geneva to Lake Como or vice versa (maximum five passengers); round-trip limousine transfers between the helipads/airports and the hotels; a unique three-course bespoke dining experience at each hotel; daily breakfast for two in the hotel/resort restaurant or American breakfast in-suite – plus a bottle of Champagne in-room upon arrival at each hotel.

**

Not long now – the next episode of MARY GOSTELOW GIRLAHEAD PODCAST features Forbes Travel Guide CEO Filip Boyen

***

Anyone who sensibly believes that all-inclusive and luxury can go together only has to venture 90 miles north of New York, up the Hudson Valley to New Paltz, to Mohonk Mountain House (above). Part of Historic Hotels of America, the 259-room hotel has been owned by five generations of the Smiley family – it traces its evolution to  Quaker twins Albert and Alfred Smiley who bought 300 acres of land, with a ten-room inn, in 1869. The property is named for Lake Mohonk, which half a mile long, and fishing on it is one of the main all-included activities: among the many other things to do are swimming indoors or out, and winter skating.

**

Once borders are opened up, Dubai should be back in business with a vengeance.  One luxury hotelier tells Girlahead he is so happy with Government.  Obviously led by the Emirate’s Prime Minister, officials come to visit at least three times a week, not ‘policing’ but coming to support and give ideas on enhancing safety measures. When global travellers return, they will feel 100% confident and relaxed

**

One of the most beautiful and discreet resorts in the entire Indian Ocean is Maia, on the southwest coast of Mahé in the Seychelles (we remember it as a near-vertical forest, with its 30 detached villas so totally private we thought we had ‘the whole wide world’ to ourselves). Designers are Bill Bensley and Lek Bunnag. We stayed in #209, near the top of the 12-acre estate, with views far far down to Anse Louis Beach. Our 250sq m space, with plunge pool, was surrounded by Rousseau-type lush foliage. Memories? Watching, chilled Cristal in hand, a myriad of birds at sunset and, in the morning, the chef arriving to fix eggs, exactly.

**

Not long now – the next episode of MARY GOSTELOW GIRLAHEAD PODCAST features Forbes Travel Guide CEO Filip Boyen

***