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

admin — 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, itâ€™s all about driving a car that matches your mood and suits your style. Avalonâ€™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 Avalonâ€™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!

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

admin — 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 doesnâ€™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!

Stella McCartney Eco-Luxe Luggage

Tanya Schliff — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:55:36 +0000

Stella McCartney and LeSportsac have partnered to create a limited edition collection for Spring/Summer 2008. The 17 piece collection in tones of dirty pink, deep plum, silver greys, and materials from quilts to pop prints are made from 100% recycled eco polyester fabric emphasizing strong and durable yet feminine.

The collection ranges from travel to totes and can be used across all aspects of life for the modern day woman. From $98

Pan Am Cabin Bags

Tanya Schliff — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:35:03 +0000

Even though Pan American World Airways halted operations in 1991, a revival is underway to preserve the heritage with a new line of vintage tees, bags and accessories. Cheap, stylish and fun you will find the Pan Am retro products are the perfect tag-a-long for the jet setter. From $55 at eModa.

Happy Packing

Tanya Schliff — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:44:10 +0000

So easy to see why packing will put a smile on your face when you own a piece of luggage or accessory from the Halsea Collection.

The exclusive seaside prints are relaxed and elegant and are available in a splash-proof laminate canvas exterior and a lovely satin lining on the inside. Three prints available from $55.

Very Vintage: Palm Springs Shops

Tanya Schliff — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:18:27 +0000

Your visit to Palm Springs, the modern mecca epicenter, would not be complete without perusing shops showcasing mid-century furnishings and modern vintage.

On my recent visit this is what I found:

Room Service – Full-service furniture store with a mid-century modern slant. They also offer vacation rental properties in Palm Springs that have been designed, masterminded and created by room service. Perfect for those glamorous types that might have their own camera crew in tow.

Trina Turk - One of three boutiques and housed in a 1960′s Albert Frey designed building. The vintage & modern mix of the swank interior designer Kelly Wearstler, combine 1970s Palm Springs style with the luxury of a vintage department store.

111 Antique Mall – A supermarket of mid-century furnishings, art, jewelry, lighting, clothing and much more.

Dazzles – Mid-century furnishings & an extensive selection of bake-lite jewelry.1035 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760.327.1446

Studio One II – Museum quality pieces, including bake-lite jewelry and patio collections. 1035 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760.320.1145

Modern Way Fantastic home furnishings collection from the 1950′s to the 70′s

Retrospect – Restored mid-century furnishings. 666 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760.416.1766

Angel View Prestige Boutiques – For budget conscious, try this great thrift shop. 462 Indian Canyon Drive & 886 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760.322.2440

Scribble With Smythson

Tanya Schliff — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:12:59 +0000

Savour your travels with Smythson’s chic new notebooks made of soft calf leather and a subtle deerskin grain. For those spending days on the sea, choose the Yachting Log Book where each double-page spread is tabulated for recording course and position, sea area, tides, weather and visibility, compass readings, watches and crew, repairs and maintenance. If you like to spend time undersea, the Scuba Diving Journal will be your sidekick where you can record dives, with pages printed to fill in date, dive number, location, time in water, visibility, depth, bottom line, verification signature, and a second section to record memorable dive resorts.

So go ahead and wet the pages of these stylish travel journals with juicy notes from your experiences.

Disposable Swimwear

Tanya Schliff — Wed, 30 May 2007 13:57:38 +0000

Next time you check into the Four Seasons or a Relais & Chateaux hotel in Asia or Europe, don’t fret if you have forgotten your swim attire. These fine establishments are among the first to stock The disposable swimwear by Permanent Swimsuit.

Designed for hotels, spas and luxury establishments to offer guests as a courtesy product. Made in France, the swimsuits are made of hypoallergenic, hygenic opaque material from Dupont Tyvek. The suits can be used for up to nine swimming sessions and are chlorine and seawater resistant. Available in shorts for men and one piece for women in tropical prints.

Laptop Luxuries

Tanya Schliff — Thu, 24 May 2007 14:00:10 +0000

Custom made laptop sleeves by Clare Vivier include soft colored leathers, fabric lining and contrast stitching detail. Positioned in Los Angeles, she also makes special edition luxuries for Viceroy hotels. From $150

Foot Fetish: Laceless Converse

Tanya Schliff — Mon, 07 May 2007 21:02:12 +0000

Everyone chic is wearing laceless Converse slips these days. Even if you are a Christian Louboutin girl (like myself), you will find these little kickers to be so comfortable and glamorous, too.

I bought a few pairs to take along with me on my trip to Paris this June, as they will be my number one choice for long walks in the Louvre. It turns out, they look great even when wearing diamonds and pearls.