Stay in the loop with the travel world with this week’s top news…
Linkwasha luxury
Hot off the, um, digital camera, we’ve just received images of the new Linkwasha Camp at Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, which opened at the beginning of May.
It’s situated on the same site as the old camp, on the private Linkwasha Concession in Hwange’s southeastern corner. The camp is close to the famed Ngamo Plains, which offer fantastic summer game viewing, and there’s excellent winter viewing within the Concession. The camp affords guests with easy and private access to the best wildlife locations within Hwange, and mammal species in the area number more than 100.
The luxury camp features a fresh, open and airy design, complemented by an eclectic mix of contemporary interiors celebrating the spirit and essence of safari. Eight en suite luxury tents and one family tent look out over the waterhole, while the main area includes various multi-level decks, a pool area and a winter lounge complete with library.
Discover more: Linkwasha Camp
Green, green dining at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
With more than 80 properties around the world, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts recognised that each one would have its own unique shopping list, thanks to the dishes, flavours and ingredients unique to each particular destination. The group saw a real opportunity for change – one that would delight diners with fresh, regional produce, celebrate local suppliers, and help the environment in the process.
So, in 2012 it launched “Rooted in Nature”, a food and beverage initiative that lets each property source its ingredients from local farmers and artisanal producers – people who responsibly and ethically steward the land and sea. Thanks to these partnerships, each property can design its menus around local produce, seafood, meats and unique ingredients. The result is fair-trade, organic, free-range, sustainable food that’s free of chemicals, pesticides and carbon footprints. Traditional food knowledge and cooking techniques are preserved, and the environment, the landscape and animal welfare are respected and revered. Oh, and the food tastes great.
In April, to coincide with Earth Day, Shangri-La chefs all over the world celebrated “Rooted in Nature” with special menus and dining events. But it’s an ongoing effort, and the goal is to serve 75% more sustainably sourced food on every hotel menu, by 2020. Look for the pea shoot logo next to dish descriptions on each menu for food that’s good for the environment, good for local communities and good for the palate.
Discover more: Shangri-La Sustainability
The Chelsea Flower Show blooms
The world’s most prestigious flower show, the Chelsea Flower Show, is on at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea from 19-23 May.
As ever, the show features true garden magic, including a partnership between Champagne house Laurent-Perrier and the grand Derbyshire stately home of Chatsworth, to create Garden an enormous garden (featuring 300 tonnes of rock) that will represent a small, pretty corner of the 40-hectare Chatsworth garden.
The history of the perfume industry in France’s perfume capital, Grasse, will inspire an exquisitely scented garden, thanks to beauty firm L’Occitane, while Prince Harry’s charity Sentable will be exhibiting a garden for the second time, inspired by its flagship child care centre in Lesotho.
Tickets sell out in a flash – and touts sell them at massively inflated prices – so if you’re going to be in London but haven’t booked, better start planning for next year.
Discover more: Chelsea Flower Show
Everything is awesome at the Legoland Hotel
Okay, so this one’s for the big kids among you – on 15 May, the new Legoland Hotel will open, right at the main entrance of Legoland Florida, along the shores of Lake Eloise.
The Lego-themed hotel features 152 rooms and suites, all brightly coloured and highly themed, with Lego décor, interactive play areas, a pool and a restaurant.
A stay at the hotel also gives guests exclusive early admission to Legoland Florida – the largest Legoland park in the world. The 60-hectare interactive theme park features more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, plus restaurants, a brilliant botanical garden and a water park.
Discover more: Legoland Hotel