Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice

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Category: Active Adventure

As I walked through the Keflavik airport I noticed a sign, “why burn coal when you have fire?” This reiterated what I was most excited for about travelling to Iceland….. Hot Springs!  Iceland was never part of the original landmass Pangea and was formed all due to Volcanic Activity, similar to the Hot Spot under the Hawaiian Islands. So where there is Volcanic Activity there are hot springs with healing powers all around the country!

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Up Close and Personal with Andy Thesen Owner of Hermitage Bay

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Category: Rest and Rejuvenate

Just before Virtuoso week 2013 I was put in contact with the owner of Hermitage Bay Hotel in Antigua over twitter. At this time I knew little about the island of Antigua, I knew nothing about Hermitage Bay but I believe everything happens for a reason so I was intrigued to set up a meeting with Andy Thesen the owner of Hermitage Bay. After our first meeting in 2013 Carly and I knew we were kindred spirits with Andy. One year later we met again at Virtuoso Week 2014 and we wanted to get up close and personal this time with Andy and learn the heart behind Hermitage Bay.

The hotels and resorts in the Virtuoso Collection have all gone through a rigorous screening to be included in the list of the world’s Best of the Best. Therefore Carly and I know that the rooms, bathrooms, décor in the hotel and service all reach a certain level but we want to know what makes each hotel property different. Is it an independent hotel? Is it a trusted global brand? Does it have a sense of place? Is it boutique? Is it grand? The questions go on and on for what can set each luxury hotel apart from the next.

Andy discovered Hermitage Bay when he was looking for property for a home for himself. What exists now is nothing of what he thought it was going to be originally. He now offers the most powerful sense of wellbeing at a luxury resort with the top priority of taking care of their guests.

What is your definition of Wellness?

-Holistic…

-Very conscious of what one eats, wanting to know where it comes from, no processed food, no farmed fish, fresh produce etc. I like creating my own kefir and sauerkraut. The kefir I make comes from raw goats milk that I get at a biodynamic farm near my house in the UK.

-Staying Active and having an exercise routine that works for you

-Spiritual Wellness; taking that time in the day to meditate and reflect.

What is your definition of Luxury?

-It’s not marble bathrooms and gold taps…. It is a feeling of human connection and being part of a bigger thing.

Hermitage Bay has been given rave reviews for the service, what is the philosophy behind your impeccable service?

-Hermitage Bay is an entity, it is a being and has become what it is by the people who work here. I have hired all local staff. We recruit people with good hearts and we teach the rest!

-The GM, Rachel, is a community builder and she doesn’t even know it. It is in her DNA and comes from the fact that she grew up in a commune in BVI. She has created a sense of culture and sense of family amongst the staff. They know they are all in this together and help each other out without asking.

-I have also had group therapy sessions with the 100 staff at Hermitage Bay because it allows us to have the most open and honest communication possible. The therapy allows us to continue to grow and be the best we can be. It comes not from a place where there is something to fix but more from a place similiar to the fact that Roger Federer probably has tennis lessons!

-This sense of community and love within the staff naturally trickles to love and appreciation of every guest that stays at Hermitage Bay. The staff give out genuine authentic care without anything in return. When I am on property if I can see the guests are open to it I love chatting with them and learning their story.

What kind of environment have you created at Hermitage Bay?

-The environment is conducive to anyone who is looking to relax, disconnect and be present. We offer a low stress environment for those looking for peace and to connect back to oneself. We have no man made noises on property, we enjoy the natural sounds!

Did you come up with the name Hermitage Bay?

-No, it came with the name and it is very fitting. Hermitage Bay….literally a place for people to hermit. 

What Carly and I got from Andy was raw and left us in tears for just how beautiful, transformative, and powerful a stay at Hermitage Bay can be. I left off the amazing guest stories that Andy shared with us so if you are interested in learning about them feel free to contact me or Andy (twitter @HermitageBay)….or better yet how about experience it firsthand! #AntiguaAwaits

Getting Naked....A Business Fable

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Category: Virtuoso Travel

I recently returned from Virtuoso Week, an annual luxury travel conference where the best of the best in the tourism and hospitality industry come together to exchange information. Every year Virtuoso has incredible speakers at the opening ceremonies and this year I listened to Patrick Lencioni, author of “Getting Naked…A Business Fable:”. He was truly inspirational to me. I did not study business in university nor did I ever see myself in a “sales” position. My passion is health and wellness and I want to help people, not sell them things. In the last 3 years as I have transitioned from the life of a university student to a builder of my own personal Wellness Travel brand under Renshaw Travel my interest in “business” has completely shifted. Whether one is a farmer, a yoga teacher, a doctor, a psychologist, a car salesman, a realtor or a travel advisor something is being sold. This something may be a service, product, a life changing experience or a necessity such as food and therefore business is involved.

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