Luxe For Less In B+ Destinations

[trip style = budget conscious + luxe]

{Editor's Note :: Stay tuned for a follow-up piece on B+ hotels---just as nice, sans the globally recognized brand name.}

"A", as in "it" destinations command A pricing. Take: - Wailea in Maui, - NYC in New York, - Miraflores in Lima, - Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong.

Stay in an A area of an A city and you'll pay the price. Sometimes it's what we want as far as convenience, and it's possible to save on the hotel with discount booking sites like Priceline or Hotel Tonight, however, to save an extra dollar or 75 of 'em, B can be best!

Consider the area just on the outskirts of A to achieve a luxe experience for less. B+ destinations can save you a ton of money because they have less international acclaim and less marketing dollars devoted to promotion. This doesn't mean they're a second-class choice or an inferior tourism option, just not as visible in the shadow of their successful sibling!

Some Brilliant Bs

• A = Manhattan, NY. B+ = Brooklyn.
• A = Seattle, WA. B+ = Bellevue.
• A = Newport Beach, CA. B+ = Laguna Beach.
• A = Palm Beach, Aruba. B+ = Eagle Beach.
• A = Serengeti, Tanzania. B+ = Masai Mara, Kenya.
• A = Sydney, Australia. B+ = McMahons Point {North Sydney}.

What are some of your "Brilliant Bs"?

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[photo by @tripstyler taken in Aruba]

JAL Business Class

[trip style = luxury]

Each airline does executive class a little differently. Companies like Virgin, Singapore Airlines and Emirates excel in over-the top first class service, while US carriers like Alaska and Delta could use a little improvement {<--- speaking from experience}.

I don't normally fly business class, but on my recent trip to Thailand I made an exception involving a Japan Airlines {JAL} executive class seat sale. Ah business class, it's not so much about the semi lie-flat seats, as it is about the lounge access, security lane fast-pass and attentive service---all m-a-j-o-r bonuses when flying an international, multi-leg, long-haul flight!

Trip Styler Tip :: When traveling internationally, make sure the airline you're flying is part of your preferred airline alliance. It would be a shame to waste close to 20,000 miles that could have otherwise been used towards a free trip, as well as get you closer to elite status. For example, the American Airlines air miles I'll accrue from the JAL flights are just shy of getting me to the Caribbean and back during AA's Caribbean bonus period Sept 15 - Nov 15.

Here's an inside look at JAL's Business Class.

Seats {In the grand scheme of business class seats, JAL planes' various seat pitches aren't the most horizontal, but for an 11-hour flight, anything greater than a 33" economy seat recline will do.}

Food {I've eaten better food in Turkish Airways economy seats, but JAL's unlimited Champagne was a plus.}

Party Favors {Complimentary Vogue, moisturizing eye mask, face mask, toothbrush and slippers. The moisturizing eye mask was the best, and proved really helpful in counteracting the shrivel effect caused by parching airplane air.}

Lounge {Sakura Lounge, Narita. Modern, lots of seating and great sleeping/relaxation spaces.}

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More IMG_FRI A Cinque Terre Adventure Conquering Phoenix’s Camelback Mountain Arizona Spring Training Baseball Tipping Etiquette Infographic Harrison’s Secrets Portlandia Honolulu

[photos by @tripstyler]

Roam+Board :: Hotel De La Paix

[trip style = beach + sun + affordable luxe]

{Editor’s Note :: April’s destination focus is Thailand. Last week we featured a modern, all-villa resort 3.5 hrs from Bangkok, and today Hotel De La Paix! PS – I just left this resort on Monday and it’s ultra TS approved!}

What Without a big brand name or travel editors' hot pick location, Hotel De La Paix is grandiose-chic with big-picture pizzaz. Upon arrival you are met by massive white marble stairs, which lead to a modern, open-air lobby looking over a reflections pool covering the vast length of the property.

At every turn this swish stopover is refreshing and edited, knowing its target market with p-r-e-c-i-s-i-o-n. Catering to the younger jetsetting crowd {not a lot of seniors here}, each room has its own wifi router, Apple TV, ambient chill music and 12ft ceilings with a 2 x 3ft rain shower cascading from above {<-- somewhat shaky video, but hopefully you get a refresher}.

Foodies will love the international breakfast buffet with its carrot muffin shooters, fresh honeycomb, and grilled bananas with coconut sauce, in addition to all the regular brunchy suspects. And don't even get me started on the resort's tropical vanilla signature scent gently permeating from the hallways right through to the in-room shower amenities.

Keep Hotel De La Paix on your Thailand radar. This luxe, meticulously kept property is manicured like a Thai Royal.

Where Just before Hua Hin, Thailand at Cha-Am Beach, two hours from Bangkok. A one-way car transfer costs $115.

When High season spans November to February with cool and balmy weather {33 degrees C “feels like” 45}. Shoulder season is mid-September to October and mid-March to April with hotter weather and less predictable precipitation. Low season is May to August due to ultra-hot and rainy conditions, but usually you get a bit of warning before a short-lived torrential downpour!

Who/Why You're an international vagabond who likes the taste of Thai city life, but doesn't want to be stuck between bars and massage parlors in the middle of town. You bring your iPad to the pool with you and appreciate the small touches, like oversized loungers with enough space to put your beach bag and scatter your beach paraphernalia.

Cost Rooms start at $140/night in high season. Includes comet-fast wifi, an elaborate breakfast buffet, a shuttle into Hua Hin, mini bar {with beer} and morning yoga.

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More Roam+Board X2 Kui Buri - Thailand Ecopod Boutique Retreat – Scotland The Saguaro AZ – Scottsdale Arizona Biltmore – Phoenix Llipimpac Guesthouse – Cusco, Peru Postcard Inn At Holiday Isle – Florida Keys Nira Alpina – Switzerland From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos by @tripstyler---see additional shots of Hotel De La Paix via Trip Styler's Instagram]

Roam+Board :: X2 Kui Buri

[trip style = beach + sun + affordable luxe]

{Editor’s Note :: April's destination focus is Thailand, and this is the first of a few features we'll post this month. PS - I am at this resort RIGHT now and it's TS approved!}

What Sun-bleached and wind-swept boardwalks connect X2 Kui Buri's 23 villas with an inky mosaic-tiled pool, open-air restau-bar and sweeping unmanicured beach with a fresh catch of fishing boats dotting the shore. Seriously secluded, it's raw, modern and its brand of chic is unravelled sans jewels, hairdos, resort wear and this season's it lip shade.

The X2 zigs where other resorts zag. Check-in and check-out times are flexible. Instead of a big bouquet of flowers at reception, there's a floor-al arrangement of green stems arranged in alternate directions. A beach bag with two oversized yellow towels awaits guests in every room.

Rectangular concrete villas are constructed of local stone, each with private, outdoor rain showers and apropos touches like in-room issues of Wallpaper* magazine {Thai edition}. Bring all your essentials because this place is off the charts--and the grid.

Where Just past Hua Hin, Thailand, beside a small fishing village, 3.5 hours from Bangkok. A one-way car transfer costs $150.

When High season spans November to February due to cool and balmy weather---by Thai standards---{33 degrees C "feels like" 45} with lower humidity and clear skies. Shoulder season is mid-September to October and mid-March to April with hotter weather and less predictable precipitation. Low season is May to August due to ultra-hot and rainy conditions, but usually you get a bit of warning before a short-lived torrential downpour!

Who/Why You like to be connected while away from it all---your version of getting off the grid. Dwell magazine takes center stage on your iPad and "clean lines" are your only architectural lines. Scenesters beware, this ain't no Koh Phangan full moon party; nightlife includes watching the sunset, waiting for the stars to appear and dining al fresco.

Cost Villas start at $130/night in high season. Includes wifi, a champagne breakfast and a jazz-meets-chill-meets-elevator-music soundtrack.

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More Roam+Board Ecopod Boutique Retreat - Scotland  The Saguaro AZ – Scottsdale Arizona Biltmore – Phoenix Llipimpac Guesthouse – Cusco, Peru Postcard Inn At Holiday Isle – Florida Keys Nira Alpina – Switzerland From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos by @tripstyler]

Roam+Board :: Arizona Biltmore

[trip style = luxury + sun]

{Editor’s Note :: This month we're featuring one of our favourite trip style = sun destinations: Phoenix/Scottsdale. I'm here right now, and today I have the pleasure of flaunting this desert jewel. Look out for more of AZ in IMG_FRI and destination Spotlights.}

What It's easy to get lost in the winding corridors of a large hotel, but getting lost on the Arizona Biltmore's 39-acre, eight-pool property is bliss. Ultra-landscaped gardens---think Paris' Jardin des Tuileries---greet you between sets of Frank Lloyd Wright-infused low-rise buildings.

Just as chic and approachably glam as it was when Hollywood's Golden Era celebs frolicked in this 1929-built desert oasis, the Biltmore is a big hotel with a boutique feel and a Pleasantville-like perfection in its friendly demeanour and manicured grounds.

If I could have stayed longer, I would have watched the sunrise in an Adirondack chair with a morning coffee and book, picked up a just-fallen orange from one of the property's many citrus trees, played a round of lawn party-sized checkers or croquet, or sipped a tequila sunrise {invented at the Biltmore} next to one of the fire pits.

The Arizona Biltmore is Trip Styler approved!

Where Phoenix, AZ, about 15 minutes from the airport.

When High season is between November and April due to sunny, 20-30 degree Celcius weather. From June to September expect the type of heat that makes you want to carry a portable mister. Visit in October and May for hot 'n breezy temperatures and killer low-season deals.

Who/Why You like space, friendly staff whizzing by on delivery tricycles and dry desert heat, and your appreciation for Art Deco goes further West than the design style's Parisian roots. Foodie alert: eat at Wright's, the resort's signature restaurants which delivers on service, style and sustenance.

Cost From $269. A $28 nightly resort charge affords complimentary wifi, use of fitness centre and self parking.

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More Roam+Board Llipimpac Guesthouse - Cusco, Peru Postcard Inn At Holiday Isle – Florida Keys Nira Alpina – Switzerland Rockhouse – Jamaica Hotel Bellevue – Near Seattle Rolling Huts – Methow Valley {WA} From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos taken by @tripstyler while a guest of the Arizona Biltmore]