Leading Hotels Offers One-of-a-Kind Experiences to Celebrate This Summer's Blue Moon

According to folklore, the next blue moon will take place on August 31, 2012. Before the actual astronomic event arrives, make it a point to reserve one of the many outstanding One-of-a-Kind offers available only through LHW. *Due to the highly curated nature of these unique offers, reservations are available only by calling 1-800-223-6800. Following are just a few.

Is there a beach only 45 minutes from Paris? With the special ‘Fly Me to Deauville!’ offer, the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière gives you a chance to get away from it all for a day, far from the hustle and bustle of the City of Light. Take off for Deauville on board a private helicopter. Have a picnic on the sun-drenched beach. Take a stroll along the seafront ("les Planches"), have fun at the Casino Barrière, and browse the luxury boutiques. Then, when you come back to Paris, spend a superb night at the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière. This unique experience for couples or families is only available from the famous hotel on the Champs-Elysées. Your incomparable one-day escape includes round-trip transfers between the hotel and the Paris heliport; round-trip helicopter flights to and from Deauville; a choice of a luxurious picnic on the beach prepared by the hotel’s chef, Jean-Yves Leuranguer, holder of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” award for the quality of his work; OR a lunch at the Hôtel Normandy Barrière Bar, just a step away from the famous “Planches”; overnight accommodation at Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière and a generous breakfast the following morning. Rates start from EUR 5,070.

The art of wood inlay is intricately woven with the history of Sorrento, Italy, tracing its origins to the time of the Benedictine monks, who inhabited the monastery of St. Agrippino in Sorrento between the 6th and 7th centuries. Using wood from local trees, such as walnut, lemon and orange – they created complex carvings to create delicate, captivating masterpieces. Now you, too, can learn the complexities of this ancient craft during a stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. In conjunction with the MUTA - Museobottega della Tarsialignea – the hotel has put together a five-night offer which includes a visit to the wood inlay museum, as well as three days of training and practicing of marquetry handicraft for one person, during which you create your own masterpiece under the guidance of an English speaking teacher and historian of inlay technique. At the end, your project is yours to keep, along with a certificate issued by the MUTA Museum. Also included are daily buffet breakfast, welcome fruit and bottle of local wine, arrival and departure transfers via limousine, dinner for two one evening at the Restaurant Bosquet Terrace (excluding beverages), as well as discounts on additional meals and products purchased at the hotel’s spa. Rates start from EUR 521 per night.

For those who don't have 1,001 nights to explore the mystery and allure of the Middle East, The Chedi Muscat (pictured) enables guests to truly immerse themselves in the exotic destination of Oman. This exclusive beach resort, designed in traditional Omani style and with magnificent views of the Hajjar mountain ranges, is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area. To help you do that, the hotel is offering a package that includes three nights in a luxurious room at the Chedi and one night in a secluded camp in the desert, complete with a private guided tour to the camp including lunch along the way, a three-course dinner after arrival, and a return transfer to the hotel via land cruiser. Also included in the package are a welcome drink; buffet breakfasts; lunch one day overlooking the sea beside the 3000-year-old Bat Tombs; a four-course candlelight dinner one evening on the beach, including champagne; one Balinese massage per person; and roundtrip airport transfers. Rates start from OMR 2,692 based on double occupancy.

At least once in a lifetime you should experience the wild beauty of Africa on a safari-style holiday, but no one says you have to rough it! Orient-Express Safaris in Botswana is comprised of three unique safari camps, all offering unparalleled opportunities to view multiple species of big game and bird life in their natural habitat. Eagle Island Camp, Khwai River Lodge and Savute Elephant Camp are located in their own distinctive unique ecosystem, yet they are operated as a collective venture, making transportation between them seamless. Accommodations are in spacious, elevated, luxury air-conditioned tents, each with its own large deck, ideal for viewing local wildlife. A six-night package includes two-nights’ accommodation at each camp, as well as round-trip shared inter-camp flights from and to Maun Airport. Full-board arrangements include all beverages, as well as premium branded spirits and wines, except imported champagne. Guests will also enjoy two game viewing activities per day at each camp and a 35-minute helicopter safari at Eagle Island. Tax, service and National Park fees are also part of the offer. The six-night package is priced from USD 1455 per night, based on double occupancy.

Having already garnered numerous international accolades, Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa has crafted a program to make it possible for guests to discover the exceptional beauty of this special region of Australia. The adventure begins with a chauffeured limousine ride to the heliport where you will lift off for the trip to the resort. Champagne awaits as you settle in for the three-night stay in your suite with its own private deck and pool. During your visit you will learn about local customs and lore with two nature-based activities each day, including a personalized heritage and wildlife tour of Wolgan Valley via four-wheel-drive. Unwind after all the action with a sunset ritual spa therapy package for two. Throughout your stay, will you enjoy three gourmet meals a day, including a traditional Australian barbecue at the original settler’s 1823 homestead; and a chef’s table nine-course degustation dinner one evening created by Executive Chef Dwane Goodman. The experience also includes a free flow of non-alcoholic beverages, including those from the mini-bar, a selected range of regional wines and beer with meals, and return transportation to Sydney. Rates start from AUD 3333.

Set along a broad stretch of sand beach, The Nam Hai offers a uniquely luxurious base from which to delve into the rich cultural heritage and gracious hospitality of Vietnam. Some of the highlights are a half-day visit to Hoi An – where you can shop for a wealth of local handcrafts. You will also enjoy full-day trips to other nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Hue, with its cobbled streets, Buddhist pagodas, royal tombs, historic citadels and magnificent sacred ruins; and My Son – considered the most sacred place during the ancient Champa Kingdom – with a stop at the Cham Museum. Your five-night stay also includes a fisherman and waterways experience and a Nam Hai culinary adventure. In between excursions, you can relax on serene Ha My beach, lounge by one of the resort's three swimming pools, or decompress with a soothing spa treatment. Rates start from USD 1,160 per night.

Please note, due to the exceptional nature of these unique offers, reservations are available only by calling toll-free 1-800-223-6800 and refer to promotion code LOK.
A full list of participating hotels may be viewed at www.LHW.com/OneofaKind