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Hotel Spotlight: French Country Hospitality at Château de Villeréglan

Sasha — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:09:37 +0000

France is such an exciting and varied place, it’s hard to know where to start. There is the bustling, metropolitan excitement of Paris, and then there is the scenic, provencial cool of Southern France. If the latter is sounding more your speed, try checking out Château de Villeréglan in the Southern department of Aude. With only four suites to choose from, either in the main house or slightly apart in the orangerie, this is true French countryside peace and seclusion — not to mention hospitality. Your hosts are happy to serve you, and offer a three-course dinner and wine pairing almost every day of the week. At the chateau, you can stroll the gardens or indulge in activity packages (of note: a one-hour massage for her, and a two-hour cooking course for him); beyond its walls, a host of activities await, from golfing to alpine skiing to a tour of Carcassonne. (Even Spain and Andorra are not too far away, should the desire strike to travel further.) If you crave the wild nightlife scene, perhaps this is not for you. If a cozy getaway for the family (or even just for you) is in order, however, then book a stay at Château de Villeréglan today.

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Hotel Spotlight: Get Smart at Bali’s C151

Sasha — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:13:15 +0000

There is luxury… then, there is luxury. Sometimes you want a posh room at the cultural center of a bustling city, for instance, and sometimes you want to fly to a private state-of-the-art tropical villa in a leather-seated helicopter. Sometimes there are other hotels, and then sometimes there are Bali’s C151 Smart Villas.

This hotel — if you can even call it that, for it is not so much a hotel as twenty-one free-standing villas — is unparalleled luxury. Each bright and spacious villa is equipped with every amenity one could think up, and even a few you hadn’t, from remote-controlled sliding glass doors and private pools with underwater speakers down to fully-programmable automated toilets and LCD TVs in every bathroom. An on-call butler and a team of maids and cooks await your beck and call, and each villa’s bar is stocked with the finest in imported drinks to suit every taste.

And, as if the suites weren’t enough entertainment, a beautiful city lies just beyond the villas’ borders, full of culture and nightclubs and warm white-sand beaches. If you still haven’t decided on a destination for your ultimate summer getaway yet, now is the time. Reserve a little piece of paradise at C151 Smart Villas today.

Check out more Indonesian luxury hotels over here!

Hotel Spotlight: Off the Beaten Path with Gulevi

Sasha — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:13:24 +0000

Who says you need to hit the biggest city hot-spots to get the most out of a vacation? Some of the most relaxing getaways are a little bit off the beaten path. Take, for instance, Gulevi, the hottest new luxury hotel in Turkey. Though new as a hotel, the two buildings that comprise it are no strangers to the city: the manors (Hacimemisler and Betenler, respectively) date back to the 19th-century, when the Ottoman Empire was still very much alive and intact. Through years of painstaking renovations, the manors have been updated to the utmost standards of modern living, while still managing to retain the integrity and beauty of their pasts. That said, each of the hotel’s ten guest rooms are decorated differently, in the rich woods and embroidery of the lost Ottoman Empire. Outside of the rooms, the hotel’s Aquarius Cafe boasts fine regional cuisine; the hotel itself, meanwhile, is in the very center of Safranbolu, a city of rich culture and history and activities from horseback riding and swimming to tracking down Mediterranean culinary delights are all within reach. So why do the same old Western Europe trip this year? Try something new this time. Try the Turkey.

Check out more Turkish luxury hotels!

Hotel Spotlight: Get Your Roost On at London’s Nest

Sasha — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:13:20 +0000

There’s a new hotel in London town: this year has seen the opening of Nest, the newest addition to GuestInvest’s string of chic hotels taking the London area by storm.

Nest is certainly a case of not judging the book by its cover — fully refurbished from an Edwardian-era edifice, the grand white stucco-and-pillar façade melt away inside to reveal a relaxed and low-key atmosphere with an emphasis on quiet comfort. From soft beds and crisp linens to acoustically-optimized rooms, a well-rested stay is the number one concern.

Once you’ve rested up, however, you can take notice that Nest has more to offer than just a comfy room. Downstairs is Le Petit Oiseau, an ultra-modern French restaurant with an affinity for tasting trays, and a contemporary photography gallery. Branching farther out, the hotel is ideally-situated at the heart of London’s trendy art scene, giving you access to a wealth of sights to take in during your stay. So whether your plans in London are leisure or simply a good night’s sleep while on business, check out Nest as your laid-back roosting spot at the end of the day.

Oh hey, more luxury London hotels here!

Old-School L.A. Glamour at the Avalon Hotel

Sasha — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:01:28 +0000

Los Angeles has always had a style all its own, but the Fifties and Sixties were something of a Golden Era, and few recapture that magic quite as beautifully as Beverly Hills’ Avalon Hotel. everything from the bright matte beiges and blues of its decor to its Noguchi tables and Eames chairs, the Avalon is a loving ode to the Atomic Age — no surprise, then, that it is another kwid creation, as mastermind Kelly Wearstler seems to have quite the knack for spot-on period pieces. It is difficult to decide whether its most outstanding feature is its stunning retro swimming pool, or the restaurant that sits beside it, for the two are inextricably linked. The entire hotel embraces and reflects Southern California’s mid-20th century patio party aesthetic, and in this light blue on blue especially shines, all wicker and Lucite with benches and private cabanas. Everyday cuisine is New American, with swinging “Kick the Weekday Blues” poolside happy hours and a Sunday afternoon special featuring hangover cures and spa drinks (for those detoxing from a wild weekend) and gourmet bar food and Bloody Marys (for those who are still going strong). With its sprawling net of freeways, Los Angeles has long been linked with driving, and indeed it might take a while to get to all the endless Los Angeles attractions without one. Luckily, even if you’re flying in, you won’t have to worry about that with the Ride This Town package currently offered at The Avalon:

In Beverly Hills, it’s all about driving a car that matches your mood and suits your style. Avalon’s Ride the Town package allows guests to choose an eco-chic Prius, a high performing and luxurious Mercedes or a cruise-worthy, convertible Audi A4. Select the ease of curbside, airport pick-up or choose to have the car delivered directly to the hotel. A sleek ride combined with overnight accommodations in one of Avalon’s stylish guestrooms completes this quintessential Beverly Hills experience.
Package includes:

Overnight accommodations

Choice of Toyota Prius, Mercedes C300 or Audi A4 rental.

Rates for the package start at $359 a night, which isn’t bad when you consider your choice of three awesomely slick cars at your beck and call. Why not add some 1950s Beverly Hills chic to your weekend and book a stay at The Avalon?

More luxury hotels in LA right here!

Boston Harbor Hotel: Not Just Another Hole in the Wall

Sasha — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:46:48 +0000

Despite it being a fascinating city and a huge destination spot, I hadn’t yet touched on Boston here, so I asked Alyk at Redfin for some info on her favorite pieces of temporary real estate in the whole of Beantown. Without hesitation, she responded: Boston Harbor Hotel — not least, she noted, due to her fascination with the giant gaping arch in its edifice that links Atlantic Avenue with the waterfront of Rowes Wharf. I’m a sucker for interesting architecture as much as Alyk knows her stuff, so I decided to check it out.

Basically, BHH is the ultimate in luxury hotels on the waterfront. Rooms start at “Superior” and range upward to “Presidential” (think jacuzzi and personal butler service). The decor is elegantly colonial, and the views of the harbor are stunning. As far as dining, you can choose between Rowes Wharf Bar’s satisfyingly classic pub fare or breathtaking 5-star seasonal cuisine at Meritage. If you feel like leaving the hotel, however (though with 230 rooms and so many knock-out amenities, this may prove difficult in more ways than one), a wealth of museums and parks and shopping centers are as close as a hop onto Boston’s excellent rapid transit system.

You may want to rethink the staying-in bit, though — the most interesting package BHH has going on right now is the Five Stars on the Harbor SPA-tacular Getaway, and spectacular is pretty accurate:

Relax, unwind and rejuvenate as you enjoy this “Five Star” treatment. Find tranquility as you are pampered like a star at the Boston Harbor Hotel. The Five Stars on the Harbor SPA-tacular package includes:

Luxurious Harborview accommodations that offer panoramic views of Boston’s Historic Waterfront

Spa amenity

Choice of two specialty 50-minute message treatments

Three-Course Spa luncheon for two at the Pool Lounge or in the Intrigue Café

Complimentary use of 60 foot In-Door Swimming Pool and Health Club facility

Rates for the package start at $595 per night, but
by the looks of the spa, at that point you will probably be too relaxed to care, so head on over to Boston Harbor Hotel and book that weekend, stat!

Thanks, Alyk, for the sweet recommendation!

More luxury hotels in Boston this-a-way!

It’s a Deal: Fast Times at Beverly Hills’ Maison 140

Sasha — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:29:10 +0000

Celebrities are always in need of posh escapes; less-expected is the posh escape to the home of a celebrity. Maison 140, named inconspicuously for its location on 140 South Lasky, was once the home of silent film star Lillian Gish. These days the house finds its calling as a bed-and-breakfast of sorts, and though that title may conjure up images of quaintly shabby residential seaside shacks, Maison 140 is anything but. Each of the 43 guest rooms are an original creation, every one awash in bold Parisian- and Mandarin-inspired colors and patterns conceived of by luxury interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Meanwhile, in-house Bar Noir is all inventive cocktails and sleek black-white-and-crimson sophistication, and host every Wednesday night to wine and cheese parties that call to mind Maison’s sociable early days. As far as quaint, its location directly between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards — in the heart of Beverly’s shopping district and just a short walk from Rodeo Drive — beg to differ.

As any true celebrity jet-setter knows, the best time to escape the trials of everyday life is immediately, and in this spirit Maison 140 is currently offering a stellar special for anyone who just can’t wait:

Last Minute Special: Book now and save with our Last Minute Deal! Receive 20% off of our Best Available Rate when making a reservations within 24 hours of your arrival.
Rates from $199

Why wait? Book a date with Maison 140 and run (or fly) like your life depended on it. At prices like that, how could you regret it?

More boutique hotels in Los Angeles over here!

It’s a Deal: Sunday Special Rates at NYC’s Dylan Hotel

Sasha — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:54:19 +0000

Is it weird to be absolutely fascinated by chemistry? I should say not, and at any rate, it certainly expounds the fascination factor of Midtown Manhattan’s Dylan Hotel. Housed inside the former Chemist’s Club building on 41st St, it still bears the organization’s name on the entryway as well as wonders of science-themed stained glass artwork, making for an intriguing architectural experience. Of course, hotels don’t get by on intriguing architectural experiences alone — designed with classic fabrics, ebony woods, and a nod to turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts structure, the Dylan evokes the sort of cool and quiet calm that makes for a welcome respite from flashier boutique hotels, perfect for when your stay is less “weekend city romp” and more “working on that next Nobel Prize.”

Speaking of which, The Dylan Hotel has an excellent deal for those of you arriving as the weekend warriors are packing it in:

SUNDAY COMMUTE PACKAGE: Receive $25 off per night, of the best available rate being sold at time of booking when arriving on a Sunday.

Enjoy complimentary high-speed and/or wireless internet access

Complimentary in-coming and out going faxes

Complimentary bottled water each day of your stay

15%* off your restaurant bill for the Benjamin Steakhouse Restaurant.

Rates start at $179 USD as it is, and with this package things get even lower. If you’re in town for a long work-week, why not make your hard-earned nights a little more relaxed and stylish by booking yourself a stay at the Dylan Hotel?

See more luxury boutique hotels in New York City here!

NYC’s Bryant Park Hotel Wants to Rock and Roll All Night

Sasha — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:59:00 +0000

If you ever had any doubts about the inspiration for Gotham City, look no further than the American Radiator Building. A towering mass of coal-black brick and bronze, the very picture of industry, it doesn’t take much of a stretch to imagine Batman surveying the land for mischief and malice from atop its gilded spires. Luckily for him, Bruce Wayne would fit in just as well inside the building: no longer a radiator showroom, it is now The Bryant Park Hotel, among the most fashionable and luxurious spots in the City. That it is just across the street from Bryant Park proper — home to New York’s Fashion Week (Proj-Run, anyone?) — says it all, but the hotel aspires to unparalleled levels of chicness in every aspect of its existence. Casting off the average boutique hotel’s chipper quirks in favor of sparse clean lines and leather and travertine, is as austere as it is unexpected. Not that the place doesn’t know how to have a good time — from the hip underground Cellar Bar to the celebrated L.A.-transplant KOI sushi bar, Bryant Park Hotel has enough to keep even the most elite crime-fighting young professional entertained.

Speaking of which, at the moment The Bryant Park Hotel has a pretty great package going on for anyone with a heavy nocturnal agenda:

“Party All Night” Escape: New York City never sleeps and neither do you have to. The Bryant Park Hotel will help you experience the excitement of Manhattan. Our in the know-concierge team will consult and arrange for you to go to the hottest places in the city. You will get VIP treatment with access to clubs and arrive in style with complimentary transportation to your first destination. Enjoy the night worry free of the morning; you will receive a late check out. If sleeping in doesn’t have you fully refreshed, full American breakfast via room service and some Tylenol will do the trick!
Package includes:

Personal consultation with Entertainment Planning Desk for VIP access to NYC Clubs

Complimentary 2:00pm Late Check-Out

Complimentary one (1) way transportation to club or restaurant (NYC only)

2 Black Satin Blindfolds

Molton Brown Eye Rescue Ultra Cool Cream

2 Red Bulls

Full American Breakfast for 2 through Private Dining

2 packets of Tylenol

2 Bloody Mary mixes

Rates start at $295 a night, and although the special is running until December, dates are booking up fast, so head on over to The Bryant Park Hotel, book yourself a reservation, and get some sleep now while you still can. It’s gonna be a long night.

More luxury boutique hotels in New York City over here!

A Very Sexy Special: The Sex and the City Package at Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris

Sasha — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:54:27 +0000

It’s no wonder that Sex and the City was such a phenomenon: with characters that are so very real on one level, and yet so much more glamorous than life on another, it’s near impossible not to love them. It’s also near impossible to not find yourself wanting to be them — designer shoes, steadfast friends, and the whole bit of being whisked away to Paris in the name of turbulent romance. The Hôtel Plaza Athénée is aware of all this: situated just between the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, it is at the center of it all and knows a thing or two about fashion and excitement. So, to coincide with our favorite fashionistas’ Hollywood comeback, the hotel is offering very special package deal fit for only the most devastatingly fabulous.

The Hôtel Plaza Athénée gives you a chance to slip into the skin of Carrie Bradshaw with a unique, personalised and, more importantly, ultra-glamourous offer.
Amenities Include:

A Cosmopolitan cocktail “Carrie’s favourite drink” for each person, served at Le Bar du Plaza Athénée.

A chocolate shoe made by our World Champion Pastry Chef Christophe Michalak.

Carrie’s “Must have” shopping booklet All Is About Shoes, listing the leading footwear names found on avenue Montaigne. Thanks to a VIP contact in each boutique, you will enjoy a personalised welcome.

A chocolate shoe, even! But perhaps all of this is not enough for you — maybe you’ve finally made it as a fashion editor or snagged that lawyer husband, and can afford an upper echelon of style. In that case, for only an extra thousand euro, even more fabulosity awaits:

We offer you the opportunity, for an additional fee of €1000, to have a made-to-measure pair of shoes created by you with the help of a designer. The shoes are hand made in four weeks and delivered to your home address.

Not too shabby! Of course, all of this custom care and service doesn’t come cheap (room rates range from 810 to 4,800 € ), but what’s a little cash in the name of one legendary weekend? If you feel like you deserve it (and you absolutely do), contact The Hôtel Plaza Athénée and request the ‘Sex and the City Offer’ before time runs out!

Or, check out more luxury hotels in Paris over here.