In their usually high-minded way, Ritz-Carlton aims for lavish and alluring, secluded and sensory, in its new type of resort called Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The first of them will open shortly in Thailand, at Phulay Bay, about two hours from Phuket.

But for those with a more plebeian orientation, itʼs hard not to recall Fantasy Island. I mean that in a good way.

In Thailand, just 54 rooms will be supported by close to 300 staff; each guest will have a personal concierge; and nearly anything you wish can be accommodated at any hour you choose.

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An email from a major travel website landed in my in-box with this subject line: Top Hotel Deals Under $19.”

Is it just me, or are there others who never, ever, ever want to stay in a $19 hotel room?

I’m much happier with deals like these that have come across my desk at about the same time, any of which will provide something far more memorable than the savings one forgets with the turning of the calendar.

In New York, families reign at the Sofitel where rates begin at a mere $259 a night (a bargain in Manhattan) and where children get a second room for 50 percent off (even better). Breakfast is included, just the thing to get you out the door to family favorites like Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Times Square, all very walkable from your West 44th Street location. You just know that next year, it will cost twice as much. More info: Sofitel New York.

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Those in Europe who are responsible for high-speed rail service are thinking about business travel needs, but leisure travelers can also benefit from ever-improving European rail service.

Why Travel by Rail?
One big advantage of rail is that itʼs a less stressful way to travel, partly because it is more comfortable, and partly because the rail station experience is so much more tolerable than a typical airport. Also, with far fewer weather delays, one can generally count on on-time departures and arrivals. And finally, for journeys of two to four hours, the door-to-door time for passengers is usually shorter via rail than via air.

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Boeing’s “Dreamliner,” or 787, is the first aircraft in a generation to use a suite of new, forward-looking technologies and materials that represent a departure from previous production aircraft. Its new electrical architecture requires miles less copper wiring; its body requires 1,500 fewer aluminum sheets; and for you trivia buffs, each plane will need about 50,000 fewer fasteners than earlier models of a similar size.

Built with advanced carbon fiber construction, the 787 is much lighter than it would have been using traditional materials, resulting in 20 percent fewer emissions and 20 percent greater fuel efficiency, although its speed will remain about the same as a 747.

Inside: Larger luggage bins, bigger windows, and cleaner air.

Outside: Curved wings.

And yet: No telling when you’ll be able to fly in it.

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The Maui Prince Hotel is the latest to fall (perhaps) victim to the economy. Although the hotel went into foreclosure a week ago, its banker (Wells Fargo) had hoped the operators would keep it open. After all, the all-ocean-view resort that sits at the foot of Haleakala had just undergone a big renovation to attract quality guests.
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