Tag: luxury vacation rental

Mar 4

Ireland Luxury Travel: Castles You Can Stay in Around the Emerald Isle

March 4th, 2013 - By

Best Ireland Castles: Dunguaire Castle, County Galway (credit: stahrdust3)

Imaginations of Ireland tend to conjure up visions of pots of gold, rainbows and mist-draped castles.

Actual visions of the country might not include a leprechaun and their overflowing pots of gold, but Ireland lives up to imaginations in the castle department.

For the traveler in search of refuge, many of those former Norman fortresses open up their doors and allow guests to sleep in their imaginations for the night.

The hundreds of years of history, the isolation and even a few ghost stories are all included in the room rate.

These Irish castles have transitioned from defensive strongholds to hospitable settings.

For a honeymoon in Ireland, a wedding venue or even just a luxurious getaway, travelers should consider resting up in these pieces of Irish history.

 

Ashford Castle

 

Ireland Castles: Ashford Castle

Photo By bobfamiliar

 

When you want to get away from the world, you might as well head to Ashford Castle on Ireland’s western edges.

Set up on over 350 acres of wooded parkland, the 13th century castle feels like it hasn’t been touched since its beginnings.

The Anglo-Norman De Burgo family founded the castle in 1228.

It would become their principal stronghold for a time until it changed hands and ultimately fell into the beer soaked fingers of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1852.

It wasn’t until 1939 that Ashford Castle would open up its doors to travelers in search of opulent shelter.

If Guinness is good for you, so too is the family’s former estate.

Ashford has that bubble surrounding it, one that seems impenetrable from chaos and harm.

With its backdrop of forests, lakes and mountains, guests check into the classic style rooms for the escapism.

Each room boasts its own touches, straying away from the cookie-cutter approach to most hotels.

Included in the room rate are the creaks of the floors and the chance to marvel at oil paintings that probably should be in museums.

Ashford Castle lends a number of activities for guests to take advantage on its grounds facing Lough Corrib.

You can play golf or shoot at clay pigeons.

Just beyond the castle’s grounds is the postcard perfect town of Cong.

The village was the setting for The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

The film almost single handedly opened up the floodgates of Americans to discover what Ireland was all about.

 

Ballygally Castle

 

Best Ireland Castles

Photo By Philandthehounds

 

The landscape up on Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast is one of mist covered glens and causeways seemingly built by giants.

Resting up for the night in this setting comes with both history and legend.

Ballygally Castle positions on the scenic Antrim Coast.

The castle from 1625 gazes out on the sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay as it ponders its story.

James Shaw, a Scot looking for fortune in Ireland, constructed the now castle hotel.

Historians explain Ballygally Castle as a place of defense and residence in its early years.

It also functioned as a refuge for Protestants during civil wars.

By the 1950s, Ballygally Castle would transition into the role of hotel.

Renovated over the years, the castle features 44 bedrooms with a contemporary style.

However its older features are maintained throughout several turreted bedrooms.

If you prefer your luxury vacation to have a hint of legends and spirits, Ballygally Castle throws in the ghosts without an extra charge.

Shaw’s wife Isabella reportedly haunts the place, specifically in the appropriately named Ghost Room located in one of the oldest parts of the castle.

With ghost stories stretching across 400 years and its positioning on the tip of one of the world’s greatest road journeys, it is easy to see why hiding away in this Irish castle ticks all of the marks.

The setting compliments the spirit of the 17th century building.

 

Waterford Castle

 

Top Ireland Castles: Waterford Castle

Photo By Matt and Kim Rudge

 

The combination of both historic castle and island is incomparable.

Waterford Castle proudly positions on an estuary of the River Suir, just one mile down the river from Waterford City.

In order to reach this castle hotel, you must board the private ferry service between the city and the island.

Perhaps no other castle hotel in Ireland lends quite the level of seclusion for a vacation away than Waterford Castle.

The island’s life dates between the sixth and eight centuries when a monastic settlement was found on the grounds.

It would fall into the hands of the English Earl of Pembroke and cousin of Strongbow, Maurice Fitzgerald.

He would construct the first structure on the island, a Norman Keep.

Additions to the castle were made from 1849 to 1895.

Over the course of its time with the Fitzgerald family, the castle played host to a number of feasts and banquets.

By 1987, the Waterford Castle would turn into a luxury hotel.

The luxury hotel keeps things intimate with just 19 guest rooms.

Suites are decorated with antique furnishings, Waterford crystal lamps, four poster beds and even marble fireplaces in some cases.

Guests have 310 acres of private island to explore on any number of nature trails.

You can pack a picnic and spot the wildlife on the island, which includes badgers and deer.

It isn’t hard to envision a Fitzgerald resting up for the night in a neighboring room at the Waterford Castle.

The mix of history and seclusion lends an Irish experience that you won’t find available for a good night’s sleep in most cases.

 

Dromoland Castle

 

Incredible Irish Castles: Dromoland Castle

Photo By JessyeAnne

 

It’s not everyday that one has the chance to rest up in a former home of Irish royalty.

Dromoland Castle sounds fictitious in name and description but it is not a figment of the imagination.

The castle boasts a history dating back to the 5th century.

It was the ancestral home of the O’Briens, direct descendants of Brian Borun, High King of Ireland.

The O’Briens were one of the few native Gaelic families of royal blood.

Just 8 miles from Shannon Airport in County Clare, the estate presents itself in grand fashion with a meandering drive that approaches the grounds dramatically.

Hundreds of acres of magnificent lawns beckon the traveler in search of the Ireland of their imaginations.

Overlooking the golf course and sparkling lake, guests catch some ancient Zs throughout rooms decorated with old world elegance.

While all of the contemporary luxuries are readily available, you have the chance to play the part of an O’Brien by sleeping in the Queen Anne quadrangle of the hotel.

Sir Edward O’Brien built this section of 28 rooms in 1736.

The space of the castle prides itself on being a century older than the rest of five star hotels in Ireland.

Activities at Dromoland Castle range from hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golf, tennis and soaking up the spa.

Guests can also request fresh flowers, handmade chocolates and champagne to their rooms to truly feel like Irish royalty.

Dromoland Castle is famously known as one of Ireland’s best five star hotels.

 

Kinnitty Castle

 

Kinnitty Castle: Irelands best castles

By IrishFireside

 

Located in the village of Kinnitty in County Offaly in the Irish Midlands, Kinnitty Castle offers a taste of the 13th century.

Basking in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ireland’s Midlands, the castle has foundations in a 1213 Norman castle.

While destroyed in a fire in the 1920s, the castle was rebuilt in keeping with a neo gothic style.

Kinnitty Castle lords over 650 acres of parkland, lending a truly serene Irish castle experience.

The 37 guest rooms adorn in high ceilings, cast iron roll top baths and original features in keeping with the period of the property.

Guided historical tours of Kinnitty Castle are offered along with plenty of activities like fishing, clay pigeon shooting and walks.

Then again, Kinnitty Castle is just the sort of place where one might find relaxing by an open fire of which unquestionably can pass the day.

 

Worlds best castles: Ireland

Photo By billfromesm

 

The drive up to these castles is sure to cause mouths to drop in wonder.

A hotel could just be a hotel, but in Ireland, travelers in search of a little luxury will find a hotel can be a grand medieval castle, a standing testament to time.

And while a great deal is included in the room rate from antique covered rooms to classic activities that the former owners would probably appreciate, visions of leprechauns and pots of gold might cost extra.

 

Have you stayed in an Irish castle?

 

Tell us about your trip back in time below!

 

About the Author

Suzy is a freelance writer, largely penning travel and lifestyle pieces for a number of online publications including the Estate Weddings and Events blog. With a redheaded temperament she travels the globe in search of sarcasm, stories and travel tips to share with anyone willing to listen. You can connect with her via LinkedIn or Google+.



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Feb 25

Honeymoon Island Hideaways: Secret European Sands to Seek out Post-Wedding Chaos

February 25th, 2013 - By

Top Honeymoon Destinations: Secrets & HideawaysGermany, Ireland, France, Italy and Greece could almost advertise as honeymoon destinations alone.

These European countries are no strangers to amorous couples looking to get away from the chaos of their weddings, and their families for that matter, for their honeymoons.

However just like a game of telephone, if one couple spends their honeymoon among the ruins of Rome or appreciating the sunsets of Santorini, the masses are bound to follow.

Being engrossed in the planning of my own wedding at the moment, I can see why many couples look forward to their wedding concluding and their honeymoon beginning.

A honeymoon offers the chance to get away from the details of engraved napkins and different shades of salmon.

You need to select a honeymoon location that eliminates all worries and stresses which is usually found poetically on islands.

However many honeymoon destinations are predictable and mainstream, especially in the European circuit.

If you and your partner want to begin your lives and travels together thinking a bit outside the box, you might want to plan your honeymoon to a secret island  for your own offbeat  hideaway.

From the shores of the Baltic Sea to the sands of the Mediterranean, a number of predictable honeymoon countries offer tiny islands that the world has forgotten or never even knew.

They might be in countries that you know, but these European island hideaways allow honeymooners to disconnect, even from fellow honeymooners.

 

Hiddensee Island, Germany

 

Honeymoon destinations: Hiddensee Island, Germany

Photo By Martin Terber

 

A couple takes a seat in a strandkorb built for two.

The beach basket type chair blocks out the winds of the sea and keeps honeymooners close, as it should be.

And yet these couples sharing a wicker half-shell chair built for two are not in the Caribbean but rather Germany.

Island paradise and Germany aren’t often found in the same sentence.

However, Germany surprises with countless islands.

Honeymooners in search of seclusion and quiet will appreciate Hiddensee in the Baltic Sea.

Known by locals as “sweet little isle”, the island stretches just 19 square kilometers, making for pint sized honeymoon perfection.

Couples truly get away from the world as you can only travel by foot, bike or horse carriage on the island.

Without the noise of engines, you can appreciate Hiddensee’s undisturbed beachfront of white sand.

In addition, the island is a natural wonder as part of the Boddenlandschaft National Park.

It boasts lovely pine forests and a rich bird life among its rocky cliffs.

Hiddensee Island tugs at the heart strings of honeymooners with its meditative tranquility, a serenity that has attracted authors, poets and novelists to its shores.

Unspoiled nature and complete peace bode well not just for creative types but also for the couple just off of the whirlwind of a wedding.

And while you might not be toasting those classic honeymoon margaritas, you can imbibe in the local drink of the island, sea buckthorn schnapps.

Hiddensee grows sea buckthorn, a bushy scrub with orange berries that they somehow managed to make drinkable in schnapps form.

 

Lampedusa, Italy

 

Honeymoon hideaways: Lampedusa, Italy

Photo By passer8

 

Closer to Africa than any piece of Italy’s boot, the island of Lampedusa makes for an offbeat Italian honeymoon destination.

While lovers converge in Rome, Venice and Florence for their honeymoons, you will be truly away from a standard Italy experience in Lampedusa.

Italy’s southernmost island is in fact closer to Tunisia than Sicily.

The outdoorsy couple will appreciate this slice of Italian paradise for a large portion of the island is a protected nature reserve.

La Riserva Naturale litters in wooded areas and sandy coves, proving ideal for walks and hikes.

When you aren’t spending time combing the interior of the island, adventurous couples can take to the water.

Lampedusa has established a scuba diving reputation due to its crystal clear waters.

And for the truly rare honeymoon activity, couples who come to Lampedusa in July and August have the chance to see loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs on Spiaggia dei Conigli, otherwise known as Rabbit’s Beach.

The setting is one of the few places in the Mediterranean where you can see such a phenomenon.

Even if you can’t make it for the occasion, Spiaggia dei Conigli is worth seeking out while on Lampedusa’ shores.

The best-known spot on the island can only be reached by boat or during low tide.

The cove of rocky coastline and emerald waters could not be more honeymoon picture perfect.

Honeymooners looking to avoid the crowds can hire a boat or car and seek out Lampedusa’s lesser-known stretches of beach.

 

Achill Island, Ireland

 

Honeymoon locations: Achill Island, Ireland

Photo By IrishFireside

 

For sun seekers and beachcombers, Ireland doesn’t usually serve as one of the best places to get a tan.

However this island nation is home to its own private island with a wealth of sandy beaches.

Achill Island floats only a short distance away from the mainland of Ireland.

Set up on the west coast of the country in County Mayo, a tiny road bridge from the Currane Peninsula connects Achill will the rest of the world.

While Ireland’s largest island, Achill provides that disconnection that every honeymooner requires without the headache of getting there.

Achill Island romanticizes couples with its very setting.

Couples should rent a car and make the narrow and at times nail biting drive around the island, known as Atlantic Drive.

Battling through the nerves will be worth it in the end to see dramatic overlooks of unbelievable greenery and pounding surf.

Hordes of sheep will often be your only company.

Achill is not all about the eye candy, but it also boasts a rich history and heritage.

Road signs spell out in the Irish language.

Megalithic tombs, forts, ruined watchtowers and medieval ghost towns litter the scene.

The island’s ending point produces a truly romantic setting.

Keem Beach perches on the tip of the island to the west.

The horseshoe shaped bay with more Caribbean inspired  waters causes couples to wonder just where they have landed.

In fact, Achill Island houses five Blue Flag beaches, perfect for sunbathing in the summer or wind-assisted activities like hang-gliding and windsurfing.

Couples should merely let the breeze of the Atlantic Ocean carry them to this off the beaten track island destination.

 

Simi, Greece

 

Honeymoon spots: Simi, Greece

Photo By ctsnow

 

The Greek island honeymoon usually boils down to a visit to one of its most popular 227 inhabited islands.

And while Santorini, Corfu and Mykonos are beautiful in their own right, the couple in search of an offbeat Greek island should head to the Dodecanese chain, specifically to the rugged and tiny Simi.

While just shy of the popular island of Rhodes, Simi is away from the tourist track in the southeastern Aegean.

The couple in search of a little cosmopolitan flair will find it on Simi.

When you arrive dramatically by boat, you will first notice the island’s rainbow of pastel colored neoclassical mansions.

Due to Simi’s rich tradition of shipbuilding and trading, its wealth is apparent from the wealth of grand mansions and churches.

Posing for photographs in this setting looks more like an untouched Greece than some of the other islands.

Simi’s appearance remains largely untouched by modern eyes, as an archaeological decree mandates buildings must maintain their historic grandeur.

Couples should also visit the remote and romantic Panormitis Monastery on Simi, dedicated to Saint Michael.

The couple looking to truly sizzle on their honeymoon will find the heat in Simi.

In fact, the island is one of the hottest places in Greece during the summertime.

 

Ile de Ré, France

 

Best honeymoon places: Ile de Ré, France

Photo By paularps

 

Connected to the French mainland by a bridge, Ile de Ré is what French island life should be.

Just 33 square miles, the small island sits just off of the coast of France, bathing in the Atlantic Ocean.

While most honeymooners envision a French honeymoon of scouring through mainland vineyards or soaking up the love of Paris, this honeymoon lends just enough isolation for those that still crave activity on their honeymoon.

Ile de Ré largely follows a slow and relaxed pace to life due to its main mode of transport.

Most go around the island by bike for over 60 miles of paved bike paths cover Ile de Ré.

You and your soul mate can pedal through sunflower fields and salt marshes or head down to the local baker for a baguette.

The scene is laughably French and yet merely how things are done on Ile de Ré.

Here you can have your cake and eat it too.

Couples looking to get away from it all can in places like Les Porte, the furthest village from the bridge connecting the island to France.

Wide, sandy beaches aren’t hard to come by on the island.

Then again, honeymooners that still enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life will find slices of the urban on Ile de Ré in resort corners like Saint Martin.

The historic port is just the sort of place one would want to park their yacht and stay awhile.

Throw in that Ile de Ré appreciates the same amount of sunshine as the south of France and this French island seems like a secret worth sharing.

 

Have another secret European island to share for the perfect honeymoon hideaway?

 

Share your secret with us below!

 

About the Author

Suzy is a freelance writer, largely penning travel and lifestyle pieces for a number of online publications including the Estate Weddings and Events blog. With a redheaded temperament she travels the globe in search of sarcasm, stories and travel tips to share with anyone willing to listen. You can connect with her via LinkedIn or Google+.



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Aug 2

Featured Estate of the Week: Modern Hollywood Retreat in Los Angeles, California

August 2nd, 2012 - By

Modern Hollywood Retreat

Los Angeles, California

 

Hollywood Private Event Venue and Filming Location

This Los Angeles estate is a modern marvel.

With wood flooring throughout the home, marble accents, museum lighting, and clean lines, this is the perfect modern event space.  The  vertical walls surrounding the property are covered in varieties of ferns.

Exotic gardens and palm trees line the outdoor areas of the estate with unmatched beauty. The view of the city below is nothing short of breathtaking.

From the bedrooms and bathrooms to meeting and event spaces, all the furnishings and features are state of the art.

The spacious deck offers ample event space for a cocktail reception for a wedding or even a corporate party.  The yard is the perfect setting for an intimate wedding ceremony for up to 75 guests.

Whether you are interested in holding your wedding, private event, corporate retreat, or social gathering here, you are sure to soak up your luxurious surroundings.

Overnight accommodations are available at the estate, with three bedrooms available.  This luxury vacation rental is an ideal setting for anyone travelling to Hollywood to view the famous landmarks of Los Angeles.

Want to learn more?  View more information on the  Modern Hollywood Retreat and request more information today!

 

About the Author

Claire is the Director of Client Relations for Estate Weddings and Events and will often be the first person to greet you and answer any questions you may have about planning your estate event. In her free time, she loves to make succulent arrangements, homebrew craft beers and put her love for crafts to work! You can follow her here Linkedin or Google+.



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May 22

Attention Foodies: Something NEW for your Taste buds

May 22nd, 2012 - By

Eating out is…

 

a part of virtually every vacation.

For some people, however,

food is the most important part of their travels.

Holiday-making food lovers make sure they hit all

the best eateries in their destination.

They might even choose a specific destination solely because of the reputation of its restaurant scene.

The delights of eating don’t even have to be confined to the restaurant table.

Luxury vacations rentals, which play host to vacationers who want a more private,

luxurious holiday experience than a hotel or resort can provide,

often have chefs on staff to create world-class cuisine right at the estate’s dining room table.

The cities listed below have dynamic restaurant scenes and

a wide array of vacation estates that are known for offering great eating experiences to their guests.

 

San Francisco

 

As a cultural melting pot and one of the world’s great metropolises, San Francisco is an ideal city for food lovers.

Authentic Cantonese and Japanese cuisine is easier to find here than it is in any other city on the American side of the Pacific.

The seafood is ridiculously fresh in the Bay Area, and ambitious chefs are constantly finding new ways to present old fish favorites.

When combined, these traits create one of the most interesting eating scenes in the country.

The same exciting food culture carries over to the rental estates of the Bay Area, many of which employ personal chefs and caterers to provide delicious dishes for vacationing families or large special events.

Of course, the added bonus of a food-centric Bay Area vacation is that California’s wine country is nearby, so high quality wines are commonplace on every estate’s  dinner table.

 

New York

 

The Big Apple is legendary for the diversity of its restaurant scene and for the high concentration of world-class, chef-driven restaurants.

Every well-known cuisine in the world is represented in New York City.

Some kitchens focus on cutting edge fusion cuisine and boast menus that feature dishes which cannot be eaten anywhere else in the world.

The event venues and rental estates of metro NYC also provide world-class cuisine because they employ the city’s best caterers and most experienced private chefs.

 

Honolulu

 

Honolulu is a land of beaches and resorts.

It hasn’t really earned headlines for its food scene, but the combination of fresh foods, generous portions and surprisingly diverse, non-touristy eateries make Honolulu a great place for a food-based getaway.

Seafood lovers will feel like they are in heaven when they eat their way around the 50th state’s biggest city.

The best part about Honolulu, of course, is the prevalence of seaside rental villas that provide luxurious accommodations to tourists who want to experience Hawaii from a non-resort perspective.

 

San Diego

 

San Diego might sit in the shadow of one of the world’s mot famous metropolises, Los Angeles, but it more than holds its own when it comes to food.

Like its West Coast peers, the city is a melting pot of cultures, flavors and cooking styles.

Places like the Gaslamp Quarter have a high concentration of world-class eateries, while suburbs like La Jolla boast some of the region’s best upscale dining experiences.

The luxury rental estates of San Diego are ideal bases for exploring the food scene of Southernmost California, both because they are close to the city’s hottest eateries and because many have chefs on staff who can cook dishes that can match any restaurant kitchen in terms of quality.

 

Los Angeles

 

LA’s restaurant scene is probably best known because of its celebrity-filled restaurants and glitzy, (over-priced?) bistros, delis and cafes.

For food lovers, though, this massive metropolis is not about celeb-sightings, but rather about cutting edge chefs doing exciting things in the kitchen.

A truly memorable Tinseltown vacation would have to include a stay in one of the unbelievably luxurious rental estates in the city.

These venues range from penthouses to spacious villas to ultramodern mansions, so visitors can easily find the perfect accommodation for their needs.

 

The ultimate food-centered vacation would have to include a stay in a luxury rental estate that employs a personal chef.

These upscale venues make it possible for hard-core foodies to enjoy quality meals every time they sit down at the table.

 

Share your thoughts below…

 

What are your favorite food destinations?

 

 

 

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Apr 3

Reasons to Choose a Villa or Estate over a Hotel or Resort

April 3rd, 2012 - By Jamie Ehrsam

When searching for an event location that will perfectly suit your vision, there are many factors to take into consideration beyond the aesthetics of the event space. Selecting a private estate or luxury villa for your event or getaway offers many rewards. We have included some of the top reasons why you should opt for a villa or estate for your next celebration.

No Food & Beverage Minimums for Events

Whether you are hosting an intimate dinner for 15 close friends or an elaborate wedding for 300, food and beverage minimums at hotels, resorts, and even restaurants have the ability to consume your budget extremely quickly. By selecting a private property for your getaway or estate wedding, you have the flexibility to determine your own budget for food and beverage. Some may be concerned that outside of a hotel or resort, you will lose the services that make an event or vacation relaxing and luxurious, but with all of the concierge services currently available, you can still feel like you are on vacation. Private chefs, maid services, and transportation services can all be arranged for any villa or estate.

Complete Privacy

There may be nothing worse than tacky tourists lingering around your event, or event worse, showing up uninvited. Private Estates and Villas offer complete privacy to you and your guests, allowing you to relax, enjoy the scenery, and most importantly, allow your event or stay to be all about you.

Escape the “box” of Hotel Ballrooms

Although hotel or resort events may be convenient for most, when it comes to creating a unique event, private estates and villas definitely have the advantage. To transform a standard ballroom, thousands of dollars are spend on specialty lighting, fabric draping, and other specialty decor. With a private property, there is no need to cover up the existing spaces, only enhance what is already present, so in the end, you end up spending substantially less to create a original event space.

Here are some of our favorite hotel/ resort alternatives for your luxury vacation or event:

Eden Estate | Ojai, California  | Villa Jasmine | Miami, Florida (pictured above)

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Mar 13

International Luxury Retreats

March 13th, 2012 - By Jamie Ehrsam

Estate Weddings and Events is the perfect source to find your dream wedding location, but you don’t have to let your experience of luxury estates end there. Escaping to one of our luxury destinations for your honeymoon, business retreat,  or reunion between friends is an amazing way to see the world while having a home to call your own for that time away.

With all of the luxury concierge services available, such as private chefs and excursions, you and your guests are sure to have an unbelievably luxurious and completely private retreat. Read on to learn more about some of our favorite international luxury retreats that will surely inspire you to treat yourself to the ultimate in luxury travel!

Casa Majani in Punta Mita, Mexico

From its calming reflection pools to its thoughtful, contemporary architecture, Casa Majani is a true gem, located inside the gates of the Four Seasons Resort just forty miles north of Puerto Vallarta. This luxury retreat boasts two swimming pools (seemingly suspended over the Pacific), six fully appointed bedrooms, the option to host an event on-site, as well as a staff of seven to create your own private resort-like experience.

Spain Luxury Villa in Catalunya, Barcelona

This luxuriously restored manor, built in 1592, is full of history, charm, and breathtaking views. Spain Luxury Villa is the ideal luxury estate for any occasion and is set on over 300 acres just south of Barcelona. This international luxury retreat captures everything that Spain has to offer.

Villa Castellamonte in the Dominican Republic

Built in the style of the Tuscan villas, Villa Castellamonte combines the relaxed luxury of the Caribbean with the charm of Italy. With views of the pristine north coast, eight spacious suites, 5-star amenities, and the availability to host weddings and events, this estate is a fantastic Caribbean retreat!

Below, you can find additional international luxury retreat locations for your corporate retreat, wedding, family reunion, or luxury vacation:

Blue Cave Villas (Zakynthos Island, Greece)  | Infinity Koh Samui Retreat (Thailand)

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Dec 19

How to Write SEO-Friendly Descriptions for Your Estate Venue

December 19th, 2011 - By

If people can’t find your estate venue when they perform basic online searches, you’re missing out on a lot of lucrative business.

The days of flipping through massive telephone directories are fading fast. These days, your prospective customers are seeking out villa rental locations, estate wedding locations, corporate events locations and other venue locations through the Internet. Creating and maintaining a website isn’t enough.

To attract as much targeted and relevant traffic as possible, your venue descriptions need to be optimized for the major search engines. The most popular way to do that is through search engine optimization or SEO. Learn how to create SEO-friendly venue descriptions below.

The Problem with Basic, Generic Descriptions

 

You probably already know that descriptions of your mansion, ranch or other venue location need to accurately convey what prospective customers can expect.

They should include as many relevant details as possible, and they should be well-written and compelling to boot.That’s all well and good, but it’s not enough.

To increase the odds that your venue will appear near the top of the search engine rankings, its description needs to be sprinkled with effective, targeted keywords and key phrases.

That’s where SEO comes into play.

What is SEO?

 

SEO or search engine optimization refers to the process of optimizing a website to bolster its ranking with the major search engines. It’s a widely used and highly regarded strategy. When done properly, it can produce exceptional results.

The first step to achieving high-quality SEO is coming up with a list of search terms that your ideal customers are the most likely to use when performing queries on the major search engines.

By sprinkling your venue description with targeted keywords that are relevant to private estate locations, filming locations, corporate events locations or whatever type of venue you’re marketing, the right people are more likely to find it online.

Optimizing Your Venue Description

 

After you’ve selected a list of keywords and key phrases that make sense for your particular venue, you need to use them to optimize its online description.

There are two main ways to do this: You can incorporate them into the existing content, or you can start from scratch and slip them into the new description when it makes sense to do so.

It’s almost always best to simply rewrite the description entirely because attempting to squeeze keywords into previously written content can produce clumsy, difficult-to-read results.

Keep it Natural

 

While creating your optimized venue description, you need to keep two audiences in mind: search engine crawlers and humans. Search engine crawlers, which are sometimes called spiders or bots, analyze a site’s content to figure out what it is all about.

They apply the information that they find to an algorithm that assigns the site a ranking in the search engine results. Therefore, you’re mostly including specific keywords for their benefit.

However, the description of your villa rental location, estate wedding location or other venue must be easy and enjoyable for humans to read too, or they won’t stick around to consider your services.

Tracking Your Progress

 

It’s important to monitor your venue’s ranking with the major search engines to see whether or not the optimization process is having a positive effect. Before you optimize your estate venue description, perform searches using the keywords that you have selected.

Make a note of where your venue appears in the search engine results pages or SERPs. After implementing your new SEO strategy, wait a day or two and perform the searches again. With any luck, the optimized description of your venue will have moved up in the rankings.

Getting Help

 

Depending on your specific venue and the amount of competition that it faces, optimized descriptions may not be enough.

There’s more to search engine optimization that optimizing content with specific keywords. If your revamped descriptions don’t seem to be getting you anywhere, it might be due to fierce competition from other filming locations, villa rental locations, private estate locations, estate wedding locations and other venues.

In that case, a little extra help may be warranted. It’s well worth it to hire an experienced SEO firm to assist you because it can result in more reliable, consistent and effective results.

It’s Worth It

 

The chances are high that many of your closest competitors have already implemented SEO for their venue descriptions. If you don’t get into the act yourself, you’re essentially handing them a ton of free business.

The good news is that it’s not difficult to write SEO-friendly descriptions for your estate venue. From start to finish, the entire process can be finished in a single afternoon. It’s smart to get going with this as quickly as possible, and you certainly have nothing to lose.

Get started right now by coming up with a list of relevant keywords and optimizing your venue description today.

If you need assistance with your SEO Friendly Description feel free to contact us for more information.

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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