Where do travel experts go on holiday?

Kenwood Travel’s unrivalled travel expertise is born out of our enthusiasm for escape. Our roving team of travel experts regularly jet off around the world to experience every detail of our holidays first hand. From suites and swim-out rooms to tours and transfers, we know there because we go there. And because our specialist know-how is the result of real time spent in our destinations, holidaymakers who fly and stay with us enjoy bespoke booking support from our award-winning sales and customer service departments.

To date in 2017 our globetrotters have enjoyed a total of 274 days in 28 different countries. The least they could do after their sunkissed sojourns was give us the inside scoop, right? We asked Dipshaa, Naina, Sandy, Joel and Georgi to tell us, in their own words (and photos), all about their recent holidays. And as you’ll discover – from Malay cooking classes to high-octane hotels in the UAE – their adventures are not only a testament to the wonderful variety of world travel, but a fascinating glimpse into where the real travel experts go on holiday.

Malaysia

Malaysia was the first Far East destination I’ve ever visited, but it definitely won’t be my last. Firstly, the food. Tasting all the different Malaysian and Nyonya cuisine was such a treat, and we even got a chance to learn how to cook it. Attending Malay cooking classes with celebrity chef Pearly Kee was an amazing experience, and I’ll be using my new skills at home in my own kitchen for sure. I enjoyed so many incredible experiences in Malaysia, from cable car rides in Langkawi and checking out really cool street art to seeing stunning sunsets and viewing the iconic Petronas Twin towers in Kuala Lumpur.
Naina, Marketing Exec.

Where to stay
Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort, Langkawi. Rustic wooden chalets with a Malay village feel. Start the day with an Asian breakfast of dim sum and chai, then take a happy hour bar crawl with a range of locations at different time slots, between noon and 9pm.

Naina and friends enjoy the view after a cable car ride in Malaysia

Dominican Republic

Highlights for me were going to the Altos de Chavon village at Casa de Campo and admiring the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Joel, Caribbean Destination Expert.

Top tip
Spend a few nights as a stopover in Santo Domingo – highly recommended; a great way to see more of the authentic island culture on your Dominican Republic holiday.

Joel shares a snapshot of the culture in Santo Domingo

Abu Dhabi

I was invited out to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last week by our friends at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Yas Viceroy hotel, where the race itself took place. We were lucky enough to have trackside seats to cheer on Lewis Hamilton which was amazing. Watching the action from a hospitality suite on Turn 17 of the famous Yas Marina Circuit was a once in a lifetime experience.
Dipshaa, General Manager

Hotel highlight
I stayed at our number-one hotel in the city, The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, and had a lovely Club Room complete with lounge access. This included complimentary food and drinks (including alcohol) throughout the day, which is particularly good value considering drinks can sometimes be expensive in the UAE.

Dipshaa looks the part in Abu Dhabi ahead of the 2017 Grand Prix

Seychelles

Seychelles is a year-round destination where you can enjoy both winter and summer sun. Beautiful islands, breathtaking beaches and dramatic granite mountains. I would recommend island hopping, so you can enjoy at least two or three different settings. La Digue island is a must, and you can get there via a short ferry ride from Praslin. La Digue is home to the world’s most-photographed beach, so have your camera at the ready! There’s a great variety of local and global cuisine, the people are welcoming and the hospitality is superb. Depending on your budget you can choose the experience that suits you, with a variety of accommodations available from deluxe five-star to affordable four-star hotels. The Seychelles also caters to both couples and families.
Georgi, Indian Ocean Destination Expert

I always stay at…
H Resort Beau Valon Beach. Why? Stunning rooms, very chic, very luxurious. Good dining options and a very central location. Just a five-minute walk along the beach takes you to all the local restaurants and bars; it’s a lively and sociable area. Service is great too and the overall style of the property is really impressive.

Georgi takes time out in the Seychelles to admire the scenery

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s been on my bucket list for a while. And it didn’t disappoint – the island has so much to offer. I did a four-night tour starting from the bustling capital of Colombo. Great for the bazaars and fantastic restaurants. From here I ventured into the cultural hub of Sri Lanka known as Habarana. Next we visited some amazing historical sites such as Temple of the Tooth and lastly we climbed to the highest point of the island, Nuwara Eliya, where I stocked up on my tea collection. (Sri Lanka boasts some of the finest tea in the world, after all.) Following the tour I enjoyed three relaxing nights on the beautiful coast taking in the long stretches of beach.
Sandy, Indian Ocean & Far East Destination Expert

Don’t miss…
Trapeze lessons at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa. This beachfront resort on the old spice route has golf, spa and the aforementioned acrobatics so you can take it slow or go, go, go!