Vacation reviews are generally good and truthful and help us in making travel plans.  These reviews, whether on AirBNB, VRBO,  Booking.com, Trip Advisor or many other sites, are generally pretty helpful. But very occasionally, a review might step over the libel line and and leave both the reviewer and the publisher open to a libel or defamation complaint. This basically occurs when the review identifies a person, says something untrue, is published and then causes provable financial or reputation damage to the victim. 

So what is a reviewer to do?

I always leave 4-5 stars on lodging stays, unless there is truly a problem with the room or apartment. If a problem crops up during our stay, I try to contact the owner or manager of the property to resolve the issue–and they usually do. Rarely is a place uninhabitable or check-in a Herculean task (we have experienced both). If a coffee pot is broken or there is something else amiss, let the owner or manager know immediately. We travel frequently and overall have had outstanding and memorable experiences.

I am somewhat distant from an AirBNB unit we own in Carlsbad, CA. I recall some months ago, a guest reached out to let me know the kitchen blender was broken. I paid my cleaner to run over to Target and buy a nice new one. Guest was happy, problem was resolved, and I was relieved. I believe most owners and managers want their guests to be happy with their visit. We do the same for a Reno vacation rental I manage.

But sometimes, owners are non-responsive and there may be unresolved health hazards that other guests should beware.  I would advise to always try to deal with someone who has the power to get things done. That is usually the owner or manager for the property. If there is no response, it may be time to either write the responsible party to let them know of the problem and as a last resort, complain publicly via a review.

When writing negative vacation reviews, be very careful not to exaggerate or speculate. Deal with facts only. Failure to do so could leave you open to libel litigation–especially if your review causes financial harm that can be proved. That is one reason companies like AirBNB and TripAdvisor may want to investigate negative or suspicious reviews before publishing them to make sure there is no fabrication , or they could become party to any libel litigation that might arise.

To win or lose a libel case, the following must be proven:

1. Someone made a statement
2. The statement was published
3. The statement caused injury
4. The statement was false
5. The statement did not fall into a privileged category (complaining to courts regulatory authorities)

So what can protect you from a libel lawsuit?

      1. Truth
      2. Consent
      3. Privilege
      4. Statute of Limitations

Note that TRUTH or the lack of it are key elements in libel litigation and actual damages must occur. If a statement is made in a vacuum and not published, there can be no libel. And publication itself is not enough. The victim must be able to prove financial loss or provable damage to reputation. If these do not exist or are not provable, a libel suit would likely be unsuccessful.

So what are the potential damages from a libel lawsuit? That largely depends on where the property is located. In Canada, for example, it is both a civil and criminal offense carrying a potential 2-year prison term plus civil monetary damages. In the US, much depends upon the state where the damage occurred. All states allow for civil monetary damages that can include both compensatory and punitive damages, which can be very heavy if a jury feels a lesson needs to be taught. But some states treat libel as a criminal offense as well, including Nevada, Idaho, Texas, Florida, Montana, Michigan and many more.

How heavy can libel damages be? In a 2016 Nevada case, a jury awarded $38.3 million to Bradley Stephen Cohen in an internet defamation case. Another jury awarded $50 Million to a South Carolina mayor whose opponent sent out several defamatory emails about Mayor Lisa Sulka.

Internationally, the penalties can be even heavier. Beware Europe: In many countries defamation and libel are criminal offenses that can land one in prison– and journalists are not immune. In Singapore:

Penal Code Section 499 states that, if a person intends to defame another person or should know that what he or she says will harm that person, then that person has committed a crime that can be punished by a fine plus up to two years in jail.

Heaviest damages seem to occur when someone is libeled and damaged professionally–or hindered from making a living because of the defamation. Damages can also accrue if there is evidence of malice or gross negligence.

Many years ago, I studied libel law, taught it in journalism classes and also worked at the Dallas Times Herald as a reporter. Libel was a big deal in those days–and so was the truth. And it still is. We created habits that should be second nature to every writer/editor:  Always be on high alert for libelous passages. Incorrect facts, such as room pricing, may be annoying but they are not libelous. However if you make or imply an untrue statement about someone and it is published (even by email) and it results in financial or reputation harm, you may end up in court, or even prison in certain locations.

My advice to potential reviewers: Do not speculate or write in anger. Deal with provable facts only. Take photos and screenshots to substantiate your statements. The TRUTH will always be your best defense. And if this is not possible, take my deceased mother’s wise advice: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut!”

The post Vacation Reviews and Libel appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

I may dream of disconnecting from all things electronic, but fly into a panic when wifi goes down or more frequently, can’t find my phone. And I know I’m not alone.

But there’s a persistent fantasy that I will one day deliberately land in some remote (and beautiful) location where there is no wifi, no television, no internet–and no clocks. I would be with my soulmate and days could be spent exploring terrain, foods, customs, each other, and a different rhythm of life. We would have no problem disconnecting from the noise of modern existence.

Imagine falling to sleep at night under all the stars that are lost to city lights and pollution. That is disconnecting of a different kind.

This idea came up last week as I was pondering remote possibilities for an off-the-grid vacation–where only light bulbs and fans would be acceptable. Theoretically speaking.  I imagined that a remote oil rig somewhere might be interesting (for one night), but knew there had to be more suitable destinations.

But the idea did get me to thinking about off-the-electronic-grid vacations,  where one (or two) might unplug, rewind and reset.  Listed below are just a few of the possibilities I found:

Punta Placer, Oaxaca, Mexico

Forget about cell phones ringing at Punta Placer. Stay in a   beachfront  and palm covered bungalow just outside the tiny seaside   fishing village of San Agustinillo on the southern Pacific coast. You’ll   find no television and the luxury of air conditioning comes from ocean breezes. No boredom here, though. You can swim with protected sea turtles, hike through the Oaxaca rain forest and even melt under skilled hands with an aromatherapy massage. While not a 5-star resort, you will enjoy home-cooked Mexican food, rustling coconut trees, a margarita or two, deck chairs,  and some spectacular sunsets. Clocks and watches optional.

Amankora, Bhutan

Imagine, by whatever means necessary, you land in remote Bhutan between India and the remote Tibetan Plateau. You might not expect to find a luxury resort, where you can totally unplug and get away from all of life’s noise. Imagine meditating in a 7th century Buddhist monastery or climbing, even part way, up Himalayan mountains that peak at 22,000 feet. You might also want to try archery or white water rafting through deep river valleys surrounded by blue pines and ending the day relaxing in the hotel spa’s steam room

There are several fine resorts and hotels in this last remaining Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. Unplugging should be easy. Watches and clocks are irrelevant.

Ultima Thule Lodge, Chitina, Alaska

Want to get really serious about disconnecting from the world as we know it? If so, you will need to hop on a bush plane to get to Ultima Thule Lodge in remote Alaska, because the nearest road is 100 miles away.

The beautiful log-sided lodge sits next to the 13 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park–the largest protected land mass on earth– and is completely out of cell phone range. There is, however, a single computer in the lodge with a dial up modem that we might want to try just for nostalgia’s sake. Remember the sound?

Reviews for this surprisingly luxurious lodge are amazing. “The most amazing place you will ever visit,” says TripAdvisor. One of “the Best Wilderness lodges,” says Mens Journal and a “once in a lifetime” adventure  according to Travel & Leisure Magazine. The hiking description from Ultima Thule Lodge website is pretty exciting:

Glacial runoff thunders down from the mountain in a massive waterfall. Vast clouds of vapor glitter in the sunlight. You watch as the glacier calves a huge, jagged shard of ice, and it drops down into the valley below, crashing into the Chitina river.

Behind you, the two-seater Piper Super Cub waits silently, it’s steel propeller glinting in the sun, it’s massive, rubbery bush-wheels perfectly suited for a landing at the top of the world.

Oh, and did I mention Northern Lights? They see them here. And given the very remote location, a watch might come in handy.

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Key West, Florida

This is another resort that will require boat, helicopter or sea plane for arrival. A perfect setting for Gilligan’s Island, this remote key has white sandy beaches, lots of iguanas and a multitude of colorful fish species that might be seen while snorkeling while snorkeling at nearby Dive Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.

The thatched bungalow rooms at this treasured resort have no telephones, televisions or alarm clocks (and no guests under the age of 16). They do, however, have chilled champagne awaiting your arrival. I explored booking a room for most any period this summer and found no vacancy. And given that Little Palm Island Resort and Spa has long been a favorite getaway for high profile celebrities, presidents and savvy travelers. The wise traveler, however, would be smart to book well in advance–and the unwise one during hurricane season.

The resort offers gourmet dining (both in room and in restaurant), a world class spa and guest lodging that entices one to stay more than a single night. From their website:

Our thirty Florida Keys suites, nestled two apiece in thatched-roof bungalows, are so silent and peaceful, it’s like you’re living alone in the lap of luxury.  Island Escape Suite, Island Elegance Suite, Island Romance Suite and Island Grand Suite guest quarters are housed in thatched roof bungalows, with custom-made king-sized beds with romantic butterfly netting, so plush some guests never want to leave.

I confess to never having visited the Florida Keys, but a reservation and disconnecting at this resort could lure me there from San Diego!

In conclusion….

This is a topic I will likely keep exploring. There is a secret terror lurking inside me that fears being unconnected. There is also part of my soul, though, that wants nothing more than to bury the phone, ipad, and laptop for a week to test my survival skills. And that is challenge enough!

Do you have any off-the-grid vacation suggestions?

The post The Luxury of Disconnecting appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Amazing Underwater Hotel Experiences to Become a Reality?

It seems underwater hotels are the new rage in bizarre hotel experiences. Finland blew us away with the ice hotel, China with its underground hotel, and now Fiji, Africa and Dubai –and other countries which now have competing underwater hotel experiences for the adventurous and well-heeled.

Sites of some current underwater hotels:

1. The Manta Resort in Zanzibar, Africa (Pemba Island) is located 13 feet below the surface and rents for $900 to $1500 per night.
2. On Rengali Island in the Maldives is the Conrad Hilton’s Maldives Rengali Island Resort where an underwater restaurant is, on occasion, turned into a luxurious underwater hotel room that rents for at least $800 per night. Would imagine that reservations are needed far in advance.
3. 3. Sweden’s Utter Inn offers a tiny single room (80 square feet) 10 feet underwater for around $170 per night.  A boat drops you off at the small station that sits  above the room. No restaurant or spa here. Bring your own food and wine?
4. Jules Undersea Lodge in Key West, Florida requires that you scuba dive to your room, located 30 feet under the surface. Pizza delivery is available to these spacious 2-bedroom units. Rates start at about $800 for two under their Jul package.
5. The Poseidon Undersea Resort on mysterious Katafinga Island in Fiji is pictured above. Very luxurious, rooms here start at $1500 per night for a single and double that for a couple. These rates may be dated, so would advise checking!
6. Floor to ceiling windows are standard at the luxurious and newer Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which sits in a virtual aquarium. For best rates, the hotel advises you contact them directly. Restaurants and family fun look absolutely wonderful. What an adventure!

I have yet to stay in an underwater hotel room, but do wonder what it would be like to sleep among the sea life. Would also have difficulty falling asleep if I could see what sea life was going on around me.

Should I put in on my bucket list?

The post Underwater Hotel Experience appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Luxury Holiday Villas Around the World

St. Martin is an island of exquisite natural beauty, with turquoise water and white sand. There are many luxury villas on this island, and some of the best are expansive and directly on the beach. La Dacha, located in Terres Basses, is a cliff-side villa with heart-stopping ocean views. It features five bedrooms and a pool, and is surrounded by lush greenery and gardens, beats any family holiday park. This villa runs approximately US $6,500 per night.

Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa offers a unique holiday retreat for safari enthusiasts. The Waterbuck lodge is a private villa located on a private game reserve, offering unique chances to see Africa’s Big Five game up close–including the park’s world famous white lions. The villa offers all the amenities of a luxury retreat, including spa and dining options, with the natural benefits of camping out in the wilds of Africa. This villa costs approximately R37,000 per night, or US $4,500, and can accommodate up to 8 people.

Tuscany offers the best landscapes in Italy, so a villa with a view is the perfect way to experience this region for the holidays. While there are villas all over Italy, one of the most charming locations in Tuscany is a restored farmhouse known as Camporempoli. The interior has been decorated in a traditional Tuscan style, but the features are all modern. This farmhouse even allows dogs, so it’s the perfect place to have a holiday gathering with four-legged family members included. Camporempoli rents for US $984-$1682 per night and can sleep nine people.

Greece is a land of classic history and architecture, but a Greek villa doesn’t need to be a rustic affair. Porto Zante’s Imperial Spa Villa is a modern wonder set in the classical world. This villa is well known for the privacy it offers, which is perfect for big name visitors. Besides the wonders of its private beach, the villa has all the entertainment, dining, and health features necessary to truly enjoy the holidays. The Imperial Spa Villa is available for Eur €2500-€5400, or US $3366-$7270.

For some people, the warmth of traditional villas isn’t suitable for the holidays. For colder weather, a trip to Whistler in Canada may be the perfect solution. Kadenwood, which is located in Creekside, is mere minutes from the ski lifts and a ten-minute drive to town. This villa is perfect for skiers, but also for those who wish to sit by the fire and watch the snow whisper by outside. Kadenwood rents for US $982- $3435 depending on the season.

It is important to remember that beyond well-known villas, there are also private locations available for rent directly from owners. If one falls in love with a luxury villa, it may be worthwhile to make a purchase in the area to create a yearly holiday tradition. And no matter where one spends the holidays, a luxury villa offers all the space and amenities needed to truly enjoy what it means to be a family.

My name is Nisha Sharma I work as the editor for Holiday365. I have been representing the business for the last 2 years now. Feel free to visit our site for the latest information on holiday parks.