Akasha, St Lucia’s Best Luxury Villa Rental, welcomed two of Canada’s most popular day time chat hosts – Steven and Chris from CBC, last week. The week was a high octane one for music lovers with some high class acts on the main stage and also at some local venues. Hopefully some of our friends managed to see a few of the acts.
Steven and Chris were on island with some friends from Barbados looking over some of the high end resorts. In addition to coming to see some of the Jazz they visited Jade Mountain and Cap Maison – two great resorts with world wide reputations. Akasha was the only villa they visited. Speaks volumes in so many ways for us to be considered in the same league as these world famous resorts. We are proud that they chose to visit us and take a tour of the villa. One day we hope to welcome them as guests as they are great fans of the Caribbean region spending many weeks in the warmer climates.
As a result of their visit Akasha will be shown on TV in the Caribbean and also featured in Island Life magazine in the coming months. Island Life is distributed across the USA in Barnes & Noble.
It was an honour to meet Steven and Chris – they came across as two guys who enjoy life and treat everyone the same – celebrity or not. They asked numerous questions about the villa, its design and the rationale behind some of the features. At the end of it all they both said “wow, you guys did a great job”. So it’s safe to say they loved the villa and everything it has to offer.
We hope when you decide to visit St Lucia’s most talked about and luxurious villa you will be as impressed as they were.
Good news for the tourist industry and all St Lucia lovers in the UK. Virgin Atlantic recently announced that they will be increasing the number of flights from the UK to St Lucia.
It is reported that as part of their 2013/14 schedule Virgin Atlantic will increase the number of flights from 3 to 5 per week. This is a big increase and a big vote of confidence in the island and everything it offers. It demonstrates that Virgin Atlantic believe more people from the UK want to come and stay in paradise. Furthermore, that more tourist from the UK are waking up to everything St Lucia has to for families, couples and honeymooners.
Visitors will also be pleased to know that they will be flown in the new Airbus A330-300 aircraft rather than some of the older aircraft Virgin Atlantic use on the route.
It is not all good news for the Caribbean as at the same time Virgin Atlantic announced they will be decreasing the number of flights to Barbados from the UK despite upgrading the aircraft that fly the route.
To improve your visit to Akasha, St Lucia’s Best Villa rental we recommend taking the helicopter transfer option from Hewannora (UVF) to George Charles (SLU) where you will be met by our driver and transferred to the villa. This is not only more relaxing than the car journey but also gives you an instant view of the beauty of the island. Once you are at the villa our local team will ensure that you and your party are looked after in style.
Speculation is doing the rounds in St Lucia. Apparently, it will host one of the weddings (or at least renewal of wedding vows) of the year. Someone has let it be known that one superstar – Matt Damon, who has starred in numerous block busters, is coming to St Lucia to renew his wedding vows.
We do not know if it is true but if it is, it’s a big plus for the island. Reports in the Daily Mail from UK also say that other super stars will be there. The big names include “George Clooney, Brad Pitt and his fiancee Angelina Jolie, and his latest co-star, Michael Douglas and his Oscar-winning wife Catherine Zeta-Jones”.
Imagine all the press hounds that will be on the island – looking for the great angle to snap the big stars.
If the reports are true Matt Damon has rented out the whole resort for a week long party.
Surprising that someone connected to the resort should let this slip into the media – Akasha values it’s guests’ privacy and would never let slip who is coming to stay at the villa.
So even if you are not a superstar but want to go where the stars go then Akasha, St Lucia’s best luxury villa rental is waiting to welcome you.
Akasha, St Lucia’s most exclusive and prestigious villa available for rent is to feature in the March 2013 Condé Nast Bridal Magazine. It is the only villa in St Lucia to be featured – high praise indeed.
St Lucia is well recognized as the Caribbean’s best destination for honeymooners and couples looking to getting married. The travel industry has over the last ten years awarded it numerous awards so St Lucia must be getting something right. If you are thinking of getting married then why not check out why St Lucia might be right for your wedding or honeymoon.
We are proud to say we have already, in our short history, had several small weddings take place at the villa. This year we have Honeymooner staying in the rental villa.
As part of our celebration of being selected by Condé Nast to feature in the Bridal Magazine we are offering special packages for Honeymoon couples and Wedding parties.
Honeymoon couples booking a 7 night stay or more at Akasha will given a free honeymoon package consisting of; spa treatments, champagne, romantic boat cruise, dinner at a top restaurant and a personal chef for one evening.
Couples who book the villa to get wed and stay for 7 nights or more will be offered; the same package as Honeymooners plus flowers to decorate the villa and there is no venue charge.
We can also offer to make your stay at Akasha all inclusive for your honeymoon or wedding.
Akasha, St Lucia’s most luxurious villa rental welcomes inquiries from all couples looking to get married in an exclusive setting and honeymooners looking to stay in paradise. Come and see why Condé Nast recommends Akasha for your honeymoon and wedding.
The islands in the Caribbean are well known for their hospitality and hosting some of the most welcoming parties for visitors including Carnivals, Street Parties and Music Festivals. St Lucia has many events happening all year round. For those seeking out the best around the Caribbean here is a sample of what’s happening in the next few months;
St Lucia Independence Day Celebrations – 22nd February. During this week the island is a buzz with music, parades and parties official and un-official.
Bequia Easter Regatta – 28th March – 1st April. Local and international boats compete for the 32nd time over Easter. The sailing takes place between the islands of St Vincent and Grenadines. At the end of each day there is music and fun for all the family.
Festival Del Mare, Anguilla – 7/8th April. For the 6th year Boat racing, Steel Bands, Volleyball, Crab races, Swimming races and Cooking all taking place on the beaches. Lobster, Crayfish and so much more to enjoy. This all takes places at Island Harbour.
Agricultural and Food Fair, St Croix – 16 – 18th February. More than an Agricultural show. Here there are not only kallaloo dishes but also exotic drinks and local crafts for sale and to enjoy. The Calypso show includes horse riding.
For more information contact us at Akasha, St Lucia’s most famous villa with celebrities and let us give you a more detailed list of events of what’s happening in St Lucia and which are best for your tastes during your vacation in St Lucia.
St Lucia once again will host it’s annual festival from 30th April to 12th May 2013. As always the line up is looking to hit some high points. St Lucia organisers have just published this year’s initial line up. This year the line up includes; R Kelly, The Jacksons, Ojays, Tito Puente Jr., Akon. We expect some more top artists to be announced at a later date.
R Kelly (Robert Kelly) is a Grammy award winning R&B singer, producer and writer having written many hits for others. Some would call him the father of R&B – high praise indeed. He is certainly the all time most successful R&B artist.
Akon, to give him his full name Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam was born in the US but grew up in Senegal. Such a great voice.
Who has not heard of The Jacksons – their family has contributed so much to the music industry. So many hits its difficult to pick one as a favorite.
The Ojays, a group that’s been around for while and they have so many hits which baby boomers will remember. Who can forget “Love Train” in the 70s.
Akasha hopes to host some lucky guests who will have the opportunity to go and see these artists. They will be performing at Pigeon Island which is only a 4 minute car drive away. So make St Lucia’s best luxury villa your base for the St Lucia Jazz festival and your vacation of a lifetime in paradise. As a bonus we will throw in tickets for the whole party to go and see these artists.
Where ever you go for that vacation of a lifetime it’s important that you have a safe trip. Help yourself by taking some simple steps which are outlined below by Akasha, St Lucia’s Best Known Villa.
Traveler’s Checks.
Many people think these are no longer in use but you would be surprised how many banks, hotels and other establishments will still cash them. They are also more secure than your credit card and cash as ID is always required to cash them along with a signature.
Stay safe.
When you are somewhere new it’s not always easy to know where the safer places are to visit. So consult the locals – ask the hotel staff, check out websites like Tripadvisor for feedback. Also, do not do things you would not do at home like walking on a “deserted beach” in the middle of the night. At St Lucia’s most exclusive villa rental Akasha, our local team will provide you with local knowledge so you can stay safe. The villa is also equipped with a remote monitoring security system.
Carrying Cash.
Only carry enough cash for what you need that day. If you carry too much cash and the wrong people see it when you open your wallet then you could become a target for unsavory characters. Leave the remainder of your cash locked up in the safe back at your villa or hotel. Akasha has several safes for you to use.
Akasha is available all year round for renting. As always we look to provide all our guests with a safe vacation and accordingly incorporated a number of features into the villa which are designed to make your holiday safe as possible. These include, safes, alarm system, remote monitoring, fully fenced premises, electronic gates and security cameras.
So when you book your luxury vacation at Akasha you can be sure we have taken all reasonable steps and more to make it as safe as your own home. Luxury vacations do not have to be unsafe.
Continuing with our travel tips we look at the journey and how you can make the best of what is part of your adventure to paradise otherwise known as St Lucia. Here you will also want the best villa rental and Akasha fits that bill.
Book a Window Seat.
The view is usually the best if you get the window seat and this is defiantly true when you fly to the Caribbean. Marvel at the small islands, beaches and clear turquoise sea. When you fly to St Lucia book a seat on the left hand side of the plane – almost guarantees you a view of the world famous Pitons. If you know where to look it also means you can see your future home, Akasha for the vacation of a lifetime.
Freshen Up.
On overnight flights take a face towel and a ziplock bag on the plane with you. Shortly before landing ask the flight attendant for a cup of warm water. Put the warm water in the bag and then the face towel – so it gets warm. Then use the towel to freshen up. This is what they do in the First Class cabin.
Quick Visas.
If you need a visa to visit a country call the consulate of that country and ask if you can get a visa on arrival at the airport. Not only is this quicker than all the paperwork at the consulate but also a lot cheaper, make sure you have US dollars or local currency as credit cards may not be accepted. You will not be even required to get photos for the visa at the border.
Passport Check.
Before flying to a foreign country check that you have at least two blank pages in your passport and at least 6 months before it expires. Many countries require you to have the blank pages to stamp on arrival and also that it is valid for six months before entry.
Consider these tips and your holiday of a lifetime will get off to a great start. On such a trip you will clearly want to stay at the most luxurious villa in St Lucia and also home to celebrities and that’s what Akasha is.
Everyone likes to get the most value for their money so why would you turn down the chance to get free flights from the UK to St Lucia.
If you fancy the chance of getting a free flight then get down to Victoria Station on Monday 28th January 2013. For 7 days you can enter the British Airways competition to win free flights. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. you can enter the BA Ticket Giveaway. Play their flight simulator game and the best score every 15 minutes wins. Tickets are going to be available for flights to a host of places including St Lucia,Barbados, St Kitts, Tobago, Sri Lanka and Orlando. Every winner will get a pair of tickets.
The destination may vary every day but you can check on London Evening Standard and Metro where the tickets on offer are for.
The flight simulator is B777 so go and get some practice in first if you are serious about this.
If you cannot get to Victoria then all is not lost. Take a look at British Airways Facebook for details and the chance to win your free tickets.
As an extra bonus the Owners of Akasha, St Lucia’s best known villa will give you a discount of 25% if you go and play, that’s right you don’t have to win the free flight, just enter. We just need to see the entry ticket. That’s 25% off your booking to Akasha.
So if you fancy a luxury holiday in St Lucia staying at the island’s most luxurious villa then get yourself down to Victoria and book Akasha.
Today we bring you more travel tips. Here are our suggestions for when you are actually on the journey to your luxury vacation.
Let the Luggage Find You.
Lost luggage can be a real pain so why not put your details inside the checked luggage. Include where you are going and your home phone number but not your address. That way if the luggage tag falls off when officials open it – they can easily find you and then forward to your destination or home.
Keep the Brain Working.
If you like doing crosswords, Sudoku or other puzzles then start cutting them out of the papers a month or two before you depart and put them in a folder. Saves on buying those thick books and you can discard then easily. They also pack easily into your pocket and or hand luggage.
Say Yes to the Free Treats.
On long haul flights your airline may offer you drinks at what can be odd times – peanuts for breakfast. Take them and put them away for a time when you do feel peckish, a free treat rather than an expensive one from an airport shop always wins.
Want to Sleep on the Flight.
If you want to sleep on your flight then you are more likely to nod off if you are tired. A good way to get tired is to work out before you travel to the airport.
Jump the Queue.
No one likes to queue least of all when your flight is delayed. So if your flight is cancelled or is suffering a long delay and there is a long queue at the service counter why not call the 800 free phone for the airline. Make sure you have a note of it before you leave home if you do not have a smartphone. They will answer your call quicker than getting to the front of the queue and should be able to rearrange your travel more quickly.
So there you have some suggestions of how to travel on your dream vacation to paradise in St Lucia. Where better to stay than the best luxury family villa rental in St Lucia – Akasha.
Richard Branson has decided to help more entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. In September 2011 he opened the original center in Montego Bay. This was sponsored by Virgin Holidays in partnership with Virgin Unite.
Now this centre has been expanded with three virtual chapters including St Lucia. So all you budding billionaires from St Lucia this is your opportunity. Get your ideas together and business plans in shape and go for it.
Do not forget when you have made it you will more than likely want to vacation somewhere that you know and at the same time offers you luxury. So what better than staying in St Lucia and chilling out at the best villa rental – Akasha.
Here you will be surrounded by the places and people you know and still enjoy the best of luxury St Lucia has to offer.
Preparing for the vacation of a life time not only requires lot of planning but also packing the right items along with avoiding unnecessary items to carry and paying for excess baggage. Akasha, continues to present to you some tips that experienced travelers use.
Pack a Mailing Tube.
If you are the kind of traveller who buys paintings or maps and then struggle keeping them flat in the luggage. Pack a mailing tube and put them in the tube – then you can either pack the tube or alternatively just post it to yourself.
Bring the Sarong.
Ladies and now men should pack their sarongs. These are good for not only the beach but also when you need to cover your legs to enter temples. They can be used as a pillow, blanket, or even a blanket for when you have that picnic on the beach.
Spray Bottle.
In a hot climate it can be tricky to stay cool. So why not take a small spray bottle with you and on arrival at your destination fill it with water. When you are out and about you can spray yourself with it and you will be amazed how cooling it can be.
Safer with Baby Wipes.
Baby wipes are not just for babies. Take a travel pack of them with you and use them for cleaning germs on public toilet seats, phones and anything else that might carry some nasty germs. Did you know they can also remove stains?
Keep Those Slippers and Socks.
Many airlines give out slippers and sock especially on long haul flights and they get left behind when people dis-embark. Keep yours and use them. Pack your shoes in the slippers – saves soles marking your clothes and you can use them as slippers once you get to your destination. The socks will last a long time and can be reused.
Divide and Lessen the load.
If you are travelling with a companion why not decide who takes what beforehand. Do you need two hairdryers/shampoo bottles/irons – probably not.
So when you are coming on holiday at Akasha, the best family villa rental in St Lucia, feel free to make use of any of these tips. Here you will find luxury accommodation where the whole family can relax and play without fear.
After our break for the new year and Christmas we return with more packing tips for your trip to paradise – St Lucia.
Mix and Match Before You Go.
You want to look your best on your vacation and that usually means taking lots of clothes – wrong. Chose two of your favorite colors that match then take clothes of those colors and when you get to St Lucia just mix and match them. This reduces the items you need to take and also you still look great.
Stop Your Luggage Smelling.
On a long haul trip your luggage will locked up for long time so can begin to smell a little musty or take on board the aroma of the plane. Put a fabric softener in your case and it will keep your clothes fresh and dry.
Are You a Regular Traveler?
Packing is usually worst part of the trip, especially for men, so why not reduce the time it takes. Keep the items you take every time together near where you store your cases or go one step further and keep some items in you open suitcase.
Ziplock Your Toiletries.
There can be nothing worse than opening your luggage to find your toiletries have leaked all over your clothes. Before packing place them in a ziplock bag and if they leak the liquid will stay within the bag and your clothes stay dry.
Mulitpack.
To reduce the amount of space you need for your items why not pack items within each other. So put all your toiletries in say a re-usable water bottle which you can also use when you are out and about for drinking water. In St Lucia its good to stay hydrated.
Keep the Washing Separate.
When you have a trip which involves numerous stops and hence packing and unpacking your laundry can make your other clothes less desirable to wear. Pack a soft bag in your case and then put your laundry in to that when you repack. Put this back in the main case – you still only have one bag. Put that fabric softener in the case and you cant go wrong.
So there you have some tips not only for reducing the weight of your luggage but also on how to keep the items fresh on your travels. Of course if you come to stay at Akasha, St Lucia’s best luxurious villa then Julietta, our housekeeper, will be on hand to wash your clothes before you return. Just what you would expect from a trip to a super rental villa.
Akasha, brings you daily travel tips. Our series now focuses on how to pack for your trip to save you weight and dollars.
Don’t Lose All Your Luggage.
It’s always a pain if you arrive at your destination and your luggage doesn’t make it. If you are travelling with someone minimize the risk of losing your entire luggage by splitting it with your travelling companion. Put half of your luggage in their case and vice verse – that way if one suitcase goes missing then at least you both have some of your clothes.
Hide Your Valuables.
Ladies like to travel with some expensive jewellery and if the place you are staying at does not have a safe then hide them in containers where thieves are unlikely to look. Try your medication canisters, contact lens containers or older style film canisters.
Carry-on or Check-in.
If you are not sure about the weight of your check-in luggage, put the heavier items in the carry-on. Go one step further and make sure that you can take items out of the carry-on if you are asked to check that in at the plane door. The final step would be to include a smaller bag within the carry-on. You can then take this smaller bag out of the carry on easily and still take the most valuable items with you.
Akasha is pleased to provide these and other travel tips for our friends, guests and all readers of our blog. In St Lucia you will not find a better place where we have put the same care and thought as we have into these travel tips. If you have any questions about the travel tips or about your luxury vacation in St Lucia then feel free to contact us.
We continue to bring you daily tips on getting the best out your luxury vacation no matter where you are travelling to. Hopefully it’s to paradise St Lucia.
Delete the Cookie
Most websites make use of “cookies” on your pc and so they know which sites you have visited and the rates you were quoted. The sites can be (and often are) programmed to not reduce any quotes they offered to you on a previous visit. You have a number of options if you think this is happening to you. You can go to another computer in a different location and get the latest quote, you can get a friend to get a quote from their house, or you can unplug your modem and then power it up again after 20 seconds. The last of these typically fools the local service provider to give your pc a new IP address. That way the website does not know you have recently visited. One final option if you know a little bit about technology is to clear out your cookies for that site and you will then be offered the very latest prices and availability.
Not a Frequent Flyer
Even if you are not a frequent flyer it is still worth joining as you can redeem the miles from “points.com”. The site allows you to redeem the points for music downloads and other items. So you do not miss out on maximizing your dollar.
As always Akasha, your home in paradise is pleased you offer these tips. If you have any questions relating to the Travel Tips or about your vacation at St Lucia’s best luxury villa rental then just contact us.
Akasha hopes all our friends and guests enjoy their travels in 2013. Here we offer you some tips on making your travel that more enjoyable.
DIY Makes Sense
Do not assume package holidays are more economical. Luxury is not a packaged product when it comes to vacations. If a number of friends or a family are travelling together, it pays to check out a DIY option. Price out the flights and a villa rental and then divide the total cost by number of travelers and compare that to a packaged trip. While you are at it, compare the quality you are getting, so look at the space, freedom and flexibility you get on both. The quality of a DIY trip will nearly always be better.
Take in a Travel Show
If there is travel show near-by go and see what deals they can offer. Arm yourself with information about the current costs and deals that are out there before you go so you can recognise a good deal. Tell the sales person what you can get on line and elsewhere as part of your negotiations and ask for additional discount. Use your smartphone while you are at the show and show the sales person what you can get and use that as a bargaining tool.
Frequent Flyer Bonus
Do not miss out on the additional miles you are offered as frequent flyers. Make sure you read the flyers, emails and statements you get. Often these additional miles are advertised in there and no where else.
When you are considering luxury villas then Akasha in St Lucia certainly comes in to play. It is well known for it’s stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and east coast of St Lucia – a super vacation island with a luxury villa, an unbeatable combination.
Akasha is pleased to offer you more travel tips on New Year’s Eve.
Call the Concierge
Planning a trip to somewhere new means it’s difficult to know how much you can pack into a day. Why not call the concierge at your hotel (or villa) to run your plans by him or her. They might suggest some changes as they know how practical your plans are. If you are lucky they may even give you better options. At Akasha the local team and owners are always willing to assist you in planning your visit to St Lucia.
Share the Workload
All vacations need planning and it can be a difficult task so why not share it. Split the tasks and make each person responsible for different tasks and that way everyone will own the trip. This is great way to get younger family members to learn responsibility and learn new things. You could split the tasks this way – getting to the airport, getting to your villa, organise the local trips and packing lists etc.
Minimize Chances of Delays
Delays to your journey are the last thing you want so book flights which depart in the morning, the earlier the better. These planes usually arrive the night before so there is less chance of them being late departing. Added bonus is that the crew should be fresh.
St Lucia’s best know luxury villa, Akasha, is happy to pass these short travel tips to all our friends and guests – past and future, to make your luxury trip even more enjoyable.
Today Akasha offers you further tips for preparing for the luxury trip you are planning.
Low Fare Finder
The number of budget airlines is constantly increasing around the globe and it’s difficult to know where they fly to so why not take a look at www.whichbudget.com. Here you just enter where you want to go and it will tell you which airline flies there. So if you fly to a hub airport then use a budget airline your budget will stretch further than you think. To St Lucia you will find JetBlue flies from the USA.
Print the Map
If you are travelling to another country and do not have a local data plan then downloading a map can give you a nasty shock when you get home to see your cell phone bill. Print off local maps for the places you want to visit and take them with you. Just file them neatly in a folder and have them handy for when you get to your destination.
Enjoy Your Layover
Sometimes when you fly long haul you find yourself with a long layover. Why not get a local taxi to take you to a luxury hotel nearby or use their free shuttle which they offer. Once you get there buy a pass to their spa, have some dinner and a glass of wine. This is much nicer way to spend your time than sitting in an airport lounge and it won’t break the bank. If you are flying to St Lucia check where you can enjoy a free stop over – Miami is a great place to chill before getting to paradise.
St Lucia’s best holiday villa, Akasha is happy to bring these tips to you based on our experience and that of many other travelers around the world.
Check out our travel tips to make that luxury vacation easier and get the most for your dollar. Today we continue to focus on the planning phase.
Use a Concierge
If you go on a luxury trip then make sure you have a Concierge who can help you arrange what you want to do – it’s so much easier than having to do it yourself. Make sure you look after the Concierge with a sensible tip as they do not earn mega bucks but know their stuff. Often they will be able to arrange things at short notice and get you ahead of the queue – knowledge is power. After all your time is valuable, and you have worked hard to earn this trip.
Google a Coupon
Search the internet and see if there are any coupons for where you are going. Just type in your destination and “coupon” and see what pops up. In addition to Google once you know the places or restaurants you want to visit why not check out their websites. Many of these places offer specials which are only advertised on their website. Join their Facebook page and tell them you are visiting them and see if they give you preferential rates. Take a look at “destinationcoupons.com”.
Buy a Coupon or Gift Certificate
Many people get coupons and never get to use them for one reason or another. Take a look on sites like Ebay where people sell these coupons for less than face value. These types of coupons are usually for flights, amusement parks and travel.
Akasha, Caribbean’s best luxury villa, is always willing to share its knowledge of the travel industry. If you would like to know more feel free to contact us.
Akasha offers you some tips on your luxury vacation.
Saving For That Luxury Trip
Every time you come home from work or a night out put all your change into one pot – and if you are really dedicated to go on that trip then put in the lowest value note you have in your wallet or purse in the pot. You will be amazed how quickly you are saving for the trip of a lifetime. If you are really serious why not put, say 5%, of your wage every pay day away into a special account. After the second month you won’t even miss that, but you will have enough to enjoy that trip.
Not Sure Where You Want Your Luxury Trip
Whenever you see an article about a trip that you would love to go on – cut it out from that magazine or paper or print it off and put it into a folder. When you come to think about the trip you will not be short of ideas. Include any sites or restaurants which are mentioned as you will want to know where to go once you get there.
Ask The Crew
If you are flying to somewhere and not sure where to eat, dine, drink or what to see then ask a member of the crew. On long haul flights the crew often stay over to where you are flying and know all the good spots. While you are at it, why not ask them how to get best deals once you get there.
Specialist Reading
While most of us read mainstream papers do not forget to check out specialised magazines. They often have hidden gems of where to eat, what to see. You don’t need to buy the magazines – just head to your main library where they will have all the back issues. Best bit – all that information is free.
These travel tips have been put together by Akasha – St Lucia’s most luxurious villa rental. Its the place where stars come to stay. If you would like more tips or information feel free to contact us.
