Grand Hotel Villa Cora in Florence
MARCH/APRIL 2011
ESCAPE DOWN UNDER
New Zealand’s Matakauri Lodge re-opened its doors in late 2010 after a makeover by interior designer Virginia Fisher. Its 11 contemporary suites (above) enjoy fabulous views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountains. Chef Dale Gartland showcases fine local produce and wines at this getaway only seven miles from Queenstown. Nightly rates from $530. matakaurilodge.com
A GRAND REVIVAL
Reopened after a three-year restoration, the 19th-century Grand Hotel Villa Cora in Florence is now welcoming guests to its 46 elegant accommodations, the opulent Mirror Room (left, top), a swank restaurant and a spa complete with Turkish baths. Nightly rates from $330 through April 30. whythebesthotels.com
LUXURY INN THE BLUE RIDGE
Fresh from a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion, The Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Virginia, is now open and pampering guests with butler service, afternoon tea and gourmet farm-to-table cuisine. New owners have infused the historic 1778 property (the former Willow Grove Inn) with an “urban-meets-plantation” vibe; accommodations boast Anchini linens, flat-screen TVs and stone-tiled baths (left). Nightly weekend rates from $295. 540-672-7001; innatwillowgrove.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.