Region – Americas Public Relations Monthly Report June 2014
FRHI HOTELS & RESORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS - REGIONAL MONTHLY REPORT
Three Classic Hotels Get Facelifts Fairmont Le Ch창teau Frontenac in Quebec City, Hotel del Coronado in California and Gurney's in Montauk, N.Y., have undergone major renovations June 20, 2014
Fairmont Le Ch창teau Frontenac Michel Roy
QUEBEC CASTLE REDO It's been a big couple of years for one of Quebec City's most recognizable hotels, the Fairmont Le Ch창teau Frontenac. The property, which overlooks the St. Lawrence River on one side, Old Quebec on the other, recently celebrated its 120th birthday and just completed a two-year, $75 million refurbishment. The project preserved signature features of the hotel, but also added new ones, like marine-blue onyx wall panels in the reception area and a 15-foot-high, icicle-inspired chandelier over the grand staircase. The spa is completely new and the guest rooms were treated to redesigns, in modern and traditional styles. The Frontenac's eateries now include the casual Bistro le
Sam, the sleek 1608 Wine and Cheese Bar and Le Champlain, which retains its original name and serves a rich take on Quebecois fare in a polished-wood setting. From $299 a night, fairmont.com
Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa
MONTAUK MAKEOVER A freshening was long overdue for Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa, which occupies 1,000 feet of beachfront near the eastern tip of Long Island, N.Y. Last year, real-estate developers George Filopoulos and Lloyd Goldman finished buying out the property's 800-plus timeshare owners. Now Gurney's, which dates back to 1926, has unveiled the first phase of its overhaul. The guest rooms in its Forward Watch building were gutted and redone with wood furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the ocean view; other rooms were also updated. The 40-room spa has been updated and the pool—said to be the only ocean-fed one in the U.S.—rebuilt with a 1920s Paris feel. The formal dining room, the Seawater Grill, was made over; there's a new executive chef; and a kids' club, complete with an oversize Jenga game, will open soon. From $360 a night, gurneysinn.com
Hotel del Coronado Hotel Del Coronado & Beach Village at The Del
CALIFORNIA DREAM Some of the Hotel del Coronado's recent $13 million remodeling was about the past. The lobby of the resort, which opened in 1888 near San Diego, Calif., saw its intricately coffered ceiling restored and vintage-style lighting installed. A Victorian window that had been removed was reinstated, and the new carpeting has a period-appropriate pattern. The 757 guest rooms were another matter—they were redone in contemporary, beachy style. The resort also added family suites to its Ocean Towers, with kids' rooms kitted out with beanbag chairs and bunk beds, and the eateries got upgrades, too. From $329 a night, hoteldel.com
Direct Link: http://online.wsj.com/articles/three-classic-hotels-get-facelifts-1403276987
What Not to Pack JUNE 26, 2014
If you want to travel light, it’s not merely what you pack that matters — it’s what you don’t pack. Yet you need not be a minimalist with featherweight shirts and quick-drying underwear to be a carry-on-only flier. I don’t check luggage on weeklong trips overseas and always manage to fit a few frills in my duffel. The key is knowing what you can buy at or have delivered to your destination. If you’re traveling alone or with other adults to a decent-size city, this will be easy. If you’re traveling with children, packing light is harder but not impossible, at least within the United States. Below are 10 items to keep out of your bag, though that doesn’t mean you have to do without them. You just need to be creative. Sometimes that involves shopping or borrowing locally. Other times it involves having unwieldy items (bodyboards, diaper packs) shipped or sent by messenger to your hotel or home rental. It’s easier than you think. So is donating anything you don’t want to take home when your vacation ends. Here’s how to pare down. 1. BEACH TOYS, SPORTING GOODS AND SO ON Snorkels, pails and paddleball rackets are great to have; just don’t lug them onto the plane. Let’s say you’ve rented a beach house. If the
owners don’t have gear you can borrow, consider free services like Pick Up Todayfrom Walmart. You can buy what you need on Walmart.com and select a store and an approximate pickup time before leaving home. Then, after you land and get your rental car, pick up your order at a local store. Alternatively, users of Amazon Prime, Amazon.com’s free two-day shipping service, can have beach necessities sent anywhere within the contiguous United States. There’s also ShopRunner.com, which offers members ($79 a year or $8.95 a month) free two-day shipping (no minimum order size and free returns) from more than 80 retailers as varied as Toys “R” Us, PetSmart, Drugstore.com, Eastern Mountain Sports and Neiman Marcus. If you have an eligible United States consumer or small-business American Express card, ShopRunner membership is free. Amazon Prime members can try ShopRunner’s unlimited free two-day shipping for a year. Don’t want to waste vacation time at a big-box store? Outsource your shopping. Should you be visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, Chicago, Dallas or New York City, you can try eBay Now, the auction site’s local shopping service. Using Ebay.com/now or the eBay Now app, you can buy items from hundreds of retailers — including Home Depot, Babies “R” Us, Target, Best Buy, Walgreens, Macy’s, Office Depot and Urban Outfitters — and in about one to two hours a messenger will deliver your order to your door. The service is $5 an order (less than you might spend on gas), and you must shop one retailer at a time. Google also has a same-day shopping and delivery service in certain areas known as Google.com/express. Another option is to hire someone to shop for you through a site like TaskRabbit.com, which matches people who have errands to run with locals willing to do the legwork. On a budget? Try buying local secondhand equipment and toys through Craigslist. At the end of your vacation, you (or someone you hire on TaskRabbit) can send everything home via UPS or donate it to charity. Websites to help you find a local drop-off spot include Satruck.org/donate-goods,Goodwill.org/locator and Donationdropoff.org. And Donationtown.orglists charities that will pick up your donations free. If you prefer to sell the items, try a site like Recycler.com or eBay Classifieds. 2. GYM GEAR If you’re taking a fitness-theme trip, obviously bring your own sneakers. But increasingly, chains — Westin Hotels and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and some Four Seasons hotels — are lending guests gym clothes and running shoes. This is ideal if you’re traveling for business or are not sure you’ll run or use the gym. Keep in mind that workouts can be had without sneakers. In bare feet you can practice yoga and Pilates, jog on a beach and do push-ups and other resistance training exercises on sand or grass or in your hotel room. 3. TOILETRIES If you have allergies or are a devotee of a brand that’s hard to find, by all means take those items with you. But if you enjoy experimenting with new grooming products, your trip is a perfect opportunity. Beauty industry veterans flock to drugstores in cities such as Tokyo, Berlin and Paris for elixirs, makeup and hair accessories. These days I travel with almost no products and an empty T.S.A.-approved quart-size plastic bag to take home finds. Besides, you learn a thing or two about a city by browsing its drugstores. And prettily packaged hard soaps, solid perfume and lip balms make great gifts. 4. NECK PILLOW If you’re a neck-pillow devotee, save space by using an inflatable version. Or try products that do double duty like jackets by ExOfficio and Merrell that convert into neck pillows. For some, a large pashmina that can also serve as a scarf or travel blanket does the trick. 5. HAIR DRYER Plenty of hotels and home rentals offer hair dryers. If yours doesn’t, buy one at a local drugstore and, if you’re in a foreign country (bonus), you won’t have to use a converter. Alternatively, consider getting a blowout at an airport spa such as Be Relax, or at your
destination — not necessarily the hotel, which can be expensive — but at a local salon or chain like Blo Blow Dry Bar or Drybar. 6. UNDERWEAR Some swear by quick-drying undergarments like ExOfficio Give-N-Go travel underwear so that they can pack just one or two pairs and wash them again and again. The fabric, which is mainly nylon, will not necessarily appeal to everyone, though. Another option: consider your trip a chance to refresh your lingerie drawer. Bring a few pairs and buy the rest there, be it cotton basics at aMonoprix in France or corsetry at an Intimissimi in Italy. 7. SUNSCREEN AND BUG SPRAY You really can’t travel carry-on with sunscreen and bug spray because you need more than will fit into a few three-ounce bottles. The solution: Buy it when you arrive. Or add it to an online supplies order, especially if you’re traveling with a large group. 8. UMBRELLA Minimalist travelers have long advised against weighing yourself down with things you may not need. Many hotels and home-swap owners will lend you an umbrella. If not, see No. 7: buy it at your destination. 9. TOWELS If you’re renting a house and don’t want to shop for towels while on vacation, buy them online and ship them in advance of your trip. Afterward, leave them for the next guests or donate them (see charity addresses above). Another option is to check out backpacking gear like the lightweight PackTowl Nano towel ($7.95 to $9.95 at REI.com). 10. GADGETS So many tempting travel gadgets, so little room in your bag. Bring only what you know you’ll use, like smartphones, tablets and chargers. After all, smartphone and tablet apps can replace many gadgets: GPS devices, flashlights, video cameras. Or better yet: put down your electronic devices and enjoy your vacation. Direct Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/travel/what-not-topack.html?emc=edit_tl_20140627&nl=travel&nlid=54824533
June 05, 2014
Marcus Samuelsson Pops Up in Bermuda
From June 3 through August 3, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Bermuda hotel will host a pop-up restaurant by chef Marcus Samuelsson—of New York’s Red Rooster Harlem fame, among other ventures—in anticipation of his new signature restaurant, which is set to open on the property in May 2015. “Bermuda has a vibrant history that has resulted in an interesting mash-up of British, Caribbean and Portuguese influences,” Samuelsson says. “The Fairmont in Bermuda combines that rich culture with a modern perspective. It’s a perfect inspiration for a bold, fresh menu and seaside dining.” That includes Samuelsson’s clever reinvention of local favorites, like a croquette version of the island’s classic fish chowder and a Dark and Stormy sorbet. Rum cake with strawberry salad is pictured here. “Chef Samuelsson’s signature, internationally influenced cooking style is a great fit for Bermuda, and there will be nothing like this on the island,” says George Terpilowski, the hotel’s managing director. In honor of the occasion, the Fairmont is offering a Culinary Escape Package (through August 2; from $780; 800-441-1414), complete with accommodations in a newly renovated deluxe harbor-view room, a signed copy of Samuelsson’s memoir, Yes, Chef (Random House Trade Paperbacks), and dinner for two at the popup.
Direct Link: http://www.departures.com/blogs/luxury/2014/6/5/marcus-samuelsson-pops-up-inbermuda?xid=DISPATCH060514ReadMoreMarcusSamuelssonPopsUp
Where to Watch the #WorldCup in Style if You're Not in Brazil June 9, 2014
Soccer great Pelé vacationed at Le Sereno (no longer El Sereno) on St. Barth in the 1980s, and you can go now. (All photos courtesy of the resorts) You don’t have to go to Brazil to celebrate the year’s biggest sporting event. You don’t even have to care much about who’s winning. As die-hard football — sorry, soccer — fans head to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup (June 12-July 13), destinations around the world are jumping into the party with themed deals and packages. We’ve tracked down some of the most notable. Get out the cachaça because it’s time to party! (And read to the end for some World Cup cocktails you can make right at home.) The U.S. America may not be the most soccer happy of nations, but the sport’s popularity is growing here — and besides, we never turn down a chance to indulge in athletics-related excess.
The elegant Shutters on the Beach hotel in Santa Monica is launching a World Cup-themed wine menu and hopes to have a wine representing every country with a team in the World Cup — a Chardonnay from Rio, a white meritage from Croatia. Once a team is out, so is its wine (so if you love Ouzo, start cheering for Greece!).
“The African nations were the most difficult by far, as most have no U.S. distribution or in some cases have no wine production at all, so we had to be creative,” general manager Gregory Day said. For Cameroon and Ghana, for example, they had to rely on colonial pasts, choosing wines “from old houses that would have been around during that point in the country’s history.” Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail will be showing World Cup matches in its Fireside Lounge. Besides the lounge’s usual 70-inch flat-screen televisions and 54-inch HD TVs, the hotel is putting up the largest screen in town: 7 by 13 feet. It will also have a rotating selection of dishes that coincide with which team is playing, so guests can munch on Brazilian flat steak churrasco tacos when Brazil is playing.
Europe Looking to watch the Cup surrounded by genteel luxury? Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris will be serving custom caramelized popcorn as it shows World Cup games in its 99-seat private cinema theater. The renowned hotel in the center of Paris will also host free Brazilian-themed artistic workshops on June 14 and 21 as part of its children’s program. For the grownups, the hotel’s Michelin star-winning La Cuisine restaurant will be serving strawberry and basil caipirinhas. Le Royal Monceau will also host a Brazilian DJ on June 21 as part of Paris’ Fête de la Musique music festival. Just make sure you stop in at the spa for your “Colors of Brazil” makeup application before you hit the dance floor.
Hoar Cross Hall Spa & Hotel in England. Many Brits are opting for staycations during the World Cup. Why miss summer weather in Britain when you can watch the game amid your crazed countrymen? Locals and visitors in London can watch the action on a giant plasma screen at The Deck, a rooftop event venue atop the National Theatre that’s normally reserved for private functions. They’ll be sampling special meat-based delicacies like picanha and frango com pequi: “I wanted to create a menu that paid homage to the intense flavors of my home country,” said The Deck’s Brazilian-born executive sous chef, Ricardo Menta. Then there’s the ultimate sports counter-programming: Although it’s hosting events for footie fans, including a Brazilthemed barbecue on July 6, Hoar Cross Hall Spa & Hotel in England is declaring its spa a “football-free zone.” The hotel, a stately former country home set on 50 acres in Hoar Cross, 30 miles from Birmingham, is offering specials that let you “indulge in your own game of relaxation” with a Brazilian-themed spa day featuring lemon and lime as the signature ingredients. Yum.
Barceló Hotel & Resort, Riviera Maya. Mexico I was in Mexico for the Winter Olympics earlier this year, and it was fabulous. For one thing, Spanish-speaking announcers are a lot more fun than the ones we’re used to (even if you don’t speak much Spanish). And since Mexico is in the World Cup, the crowds will be super excited. Barceló Hotel & Resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya will show World Cup games and host trivia and contests. They’ll also have their own version of the World Cup (both men’s and women’s versions) and Carnival-style festivities each Wednesday.
Temptation Resort Cancun At the all-inclusive, all-adult (and topless-optional — how’s that for Brazil style?) Temptation Resort Cancun is offering a 45 percent discount for bookings through June as well as game contests and a free tour of nearby Isla Mujeres. Enter discount code WORLDCUP when you book.
The Caribbean Here’s my idea of the perfect World Cup venue: one that lets you dash out to a warm white-sand beach between matches. Hotel Guanahani & Spa, on the French-Caribbean island of St. Barths, is offering a World Cup Special package: 5 nights in a room or suite for the price of four, a daily buffet breakfast at the oceanfront Indigo Restaurant and free round-trip airport transfers. Book a second room and it’s 50 percent off. Guests can watch the game from The Barto Lounge while enjoying a soccer-themed tapas menu and specialty cocktails.
Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barths. Soccer great Pelé vacationed at Le Sereno on St. Barth in the 1980s. If this cozy family-owned retreat was good enough for him, surely it’s good enough for your World Cup-watching party. The beachfront resort’s seven-night World Cup packageincludes a bottle of Champagne, car rental, massage treatments, full breakfast and dinner or lunch at Le Sereno Restaurant. During the World Cup, Grand Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort on Grand Bahama Island will be entertaining kids with themed activities including beach soccer. Adults can watch from a safe distance while making their selections from a special Brazilian drink menu. The resort will be projecting the soccer action onto a giant inflatable screen during hosted game-watching parties.
Red Lounge at Paradisus Resorts, Cancun.
Paradisus Resorts, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and in the Dominican Republic, will jump into the World Cup in style, with opening-ceremony parties at all five of its properties. Games will be streamed into bars and lounges, and you can watch poolside dance and capoeira performances as well as samba shows in the bar. At halftime, guests can try for prizes (including Team Mexico jerseys at the Cancun resort) by playing games including World Cup trivia and “mini soccer.” For our readers who plan to hunker down at home for the soccer-watching marathon (or host World Cup parties of your own), we’ve got a couple Brazil-themed drink recipes: Batida de Coco (Serves 2) 3/4 cup coconut milk 4 tablespoons of sugar 2 shots Brazilian cachaca (cane vodka) ice cubes 2 Tablespoons shredded coconut Directions: 1. Mix coconut milk, sugar and cachaca in a drink mixer or a blender. 2. Put the mixture in a pitcher. 3. Add the ice cubes to the pitcher and pour in glasses. Cover with the shredded coconut. — Grand Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort
The Brazil 1/2 lime, squeezed 1/2 oz. simple syrup 2 oz. cilantro-infused cachaca Shake and strain over crushed ice, garnish with cilantro — Four Seasons Resort & Residences Jackson Hole
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/where-to-watch-the-worldcup-in-style-if-youre-not-in-88020060192.html
Chef Marcus Samuelsson's 7 Favorite Bermuda Hot Spots Even before globetrotting celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson announced the opening of his summer popup restaurant, Samuelsson at HP, at Bermuda’s Fairmont Hamilton Princess, he was already a fan of the island. “I always noticed the welcoming friendliness of the people in Bermuda and the positive and happy energy,” he says. “And I was impressed with the freshness of all the ingredients here, from fresh-caught fish to mangoes and different fruits.” Bermuda’s mash-up of British, Caribbean and Portuguese influences also sparked a desire to bring his cooking islandside. “Different cultures and ingredients inspire the way I cook every day, and I was excited to create a new menu through this country’s lens,” he says. “I have really enjoyed getting to know Bermuda and am excited to be a part of the landscape there.” The two-month pop-up also serves as a sneak peak to his new signature restaurant at the hotel, which will open in May 2015. But it’s not all work when Samuelsson’s in Bermuda. He shares his favorite places to eat, drink, shop and be merry on the island. WHERE TO EAT
Photo by Peter Ross
“Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy has been around in Bermuda for years and started as a roadside stand offering famous fish sandwiches. This is the biggest and best fried fish sandwich I have ever had. And with cheese and coleslaw and a ginger beer, it is perfection.” “The Spot is another one of my favorites because of how it really caters to the locals. It’s in Hamilton and has been around for 70 years; it’s one of the last authentic Bermudian diners. I love the Indian codfish and potatoes for lunch.” WHERE TO DRINK “On the island’s most northeastern tip, I really enjoyed having a cold beer at Tavern By The Sea in St. George’s. It’s great to sit and watch the boats go by.” WHERE TO SHOP
“I really love Urban Cottage. It’s got some really unique vintage and reclaimed pieces. We actually picked up a yellow hutch there for the restaurant, and it really brightens up the space and gives a nice authentic feel.” WHERE TO SUNBATHE “I like the more secluded beaches for the calm that they can bring; especially on a rare day off. I enjoy Warwick Long Bay as it’s a great swimming spot, and the beaches on the South Shore for their famous pale-pink sand. You can’t beat the view at Horseshoe Bay Beach either, with its turquoise water and small coves everywhere.”
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hamilton Princess
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hamilton Princess Direct Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/maridelreyes/2014/06/24/chef-marcus-samuelssons-7favorite-bermuda-hot-spots/
These Are The ‘Best of the Best’ Hotels of 2014 June 11, 2014 The Jetsetter community has spoken. Check out the travel website's top picks —from best for foodies to best design—for 2014's "Best of the Best hotels" Jetsetter's 2014 Best of the Best Hotel Award Winners
Best Comeback: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada. (Courtesy of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac)
Direct Link: http://time.com/2859305/jetsetters-2014-best-of-the-best-hotel-awards-2/
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/10/beach-volleyball-for-all-at-a-californiahotel/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1
How celebs hijacked the pop-up restaurant June 23, 2014
Samuelsson tries Bermuda Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster in Harlem opened a two-month pop-up in June at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda. A number of big name chefs are turning the once low-key pop-up experience into something more sophisticated. (CNN) -- The original "pop-up restaurants" were secretive affairs. Called "supper clubs," they were hosted in private homes, the locations of which were revealed at the last minute via social media or guerrilla advertising. These underground gatherings of complete strangers were inspired by a love of food and seen as an act of rebellion against the established restaurant trade. Are celebrity chefs stealing the show? Today, the idea is increasingly hijacked by celebrity chefs and big corporations. Everyone from Pierre Koffmann to Rene Redzepi to Gordon Ramsay are "popping up" in locations away from their home turf. Exclusive and expensive pop-up dining clubs, membership for which can run into thousands of dollars, have also evolved out of the pop-up idea, to become part of the world's high-end dining scene.
The latest interpretation is from molecular gastronomy chef Heston Blumenthal, who'll be transporting his three Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant from a village in England to a casino in Melbourne, Australia for six months in 2015. Other celebrity chefs jumping the pop-up bandwagon include: • Rene Redzepi, head chef of Copenhagen's Noma restaurant. He ran a pop-up at the swanky Claridges hotel in London for 10 days. At nearly $330 a head, his menu featured dishes like live ants and flowers. Opinion was divided about whether his restaurant, which focuses on locally foraged food, had traveled well. • Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. He braved accusations of selling out by creating a one-day popup restaurant in London to showcase ingredients from discount supermarket chain Aldi. • Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster in Harlem, who opened a two-month pop-up in June at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda. • One of the most unusual pop-ups was on the London Eye. A capsule on the giant ferris wheel was transformed into a dining room with menus from the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Ireland's Richard Corrigan. So are celebs and big money enterprises cashing in on and corrupting what should be an authentic, fun foodie experience? Or are pop-ups a natural training ground for future stars and novel dining experiences? MORE: The world's best restaurant is... A sign of the times Pop-up restaurants have their roots in Latin America where illegal, privately owned eateries called paladares (meaning palate) sprang up after the Cuban Revolution. The trend spread to the East Coast in the United States and London in the UK in the 2000s, run by foodies in their homes and unknown chefs in venues like disused warehouses or pubs. Supper clubs gave the hosts a chance to experiment with cooking and guests loved the risque feel. A chance for rising chefs
Food blogger Kerstin Rodgers says celebs don't get the pop-up idea.
Pop-ups offer rising chefs the chance to get their name known without all the investment and risk of opening a physical restaurant. Many now-famous chefs cut their teeth on temporary restaurants. Ludo Lefebvre of Trois Mec in Los Angeles previously ran Ludobites, a series of pop-ups across the city selling affordable, high-end food. Tom Collins of Bistrotheque ran the UK's first "guerilla" restaurant in a converted brewery in east London in 2006. Pop-up pioneer and food blogger Kerstin Rodgers, aka Ms Marmitelover, started one of the first supper clubs at her home in London in 2009. "I was cooking in various cafes and didn't have the money to start my own restaurant," she says. "This was a way to cook without having to pay for premises and staff and without taking all the risks of opening a new restaurant." Her first event cost just $16 -- now she charges $67 for themed suppers and can cater for 20 people in her living room. "It's good for tourism because people from abroad can come and eat in a Londoner's home. It's good value food cooked from scratch, which can't be said of many restaurants nowadays," she adds. Stealing the show "I'm an original punk and I think there are parallels between the punk movement and supper clubs," says Rodgers. "Punks hate all these bloated rock stars sitting in tax exile in their mansions and in a sense supper clubs were a reaction to bloated and overpriced restaurants." Posh dining clubs and celebrity chefs are the antithesis of the pop-up movement, she believes. "What I find disappointing is there have been a lot of opportunists who don't understand the roots of it, piling in with their big backers and marketing teams and pretending to do the same thing, and they're not." MORE: Best airport restaurants around the world Social side Unlike some modern dining clubs, which require a big annual fee and a recommendation to become a member, the original supper clubs were open to an eclectic mix of people. Stephanie Biden runs a Thai-themed supper club in her home in southwest London. She saw Jamie Oliver visit a New York supper club on TV and thought she'd try it.
"One of the great things is that if you invite friends around for dinner you tend to spend time thinking about who would be a good combination of guests to invite, and on the night your attention is divided between hosting and cooking. "With a supper club you don't have to worry about that. You can focus on the cooking and preparing the best food you can," she says. "It's been a great way of getting friends and acquaintances from different parts of your life to meet one another. The dynamic is unique, lively and informal -- it's neither like a dinner party, nor like going to a restaurant."
Actor Elijah Wood was a DJ at one Supper Club event. Exclusive club But supper clubs are becoming increasingly commercial enterprises. Tamsin Lonsdale runs The Supper Club. It has 1,000 members who pay $3,000-4,000 each for an annual membership offering access to monthly dinner parties in New York, Los Angeles and London. Uma Thurman, Christian Slater and Naomi Campbell are just some of the celebrities joining other personally vetted guests at her lavish events. "It's good to have something for everyone. The pop-up scene has more variety in it nowadays especially in America," she says. "Some are bring your own, some are very foodie-orientated. I try to marry the food, chef and the people. The suppers are structured and organized but our members like that structure -- they can't just drop everything at a moment's notice. "Of course I'm in it to make money but I genuinely love meeting new people and it's a relationship thing -- you can't put a price on that. Her role is to "curate" a dinner party, she says, similar to an art exhibition. She brings together different people. The only criteria is they must be "shining stars" in their field, whether surgeon or entrepreneur. MORE: Pop-up hotels, catch them while you can Testing food trends A different kind of pop-up club is Dinner Lab, which tests out cutting-edge food concepts in pop-up restaurants in 10 cities across the United States.
The aim is to discover the latest food trends and offer undiscovered chefs the chance to experiment, says 20-something CEO Brian Bordainick. It costs $100-$175 to become a member and then $60-$80 per event which includes food and alcohol, in venues ranging from helipads to piers. "For most chefs, the restaurant decides what they will be cooking. Artists like having a free rein to be creative and we give them a platform to do it," says Bordainick. "We help them get out of the shadow of the head chef and hone in on which concepts could be a success. We're trying to figure who and what's next." Every course is rated by up to 120 guests, and the aim is to eventually open permanent restaurants using the research. "We're experimenting in a way where we throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks," says Bordainick. "It allows people to try out experimental dishes in a very approachable way. "Pop-ups are no different from any type of trend, it's only a matter of time before it makes its way into big organizations who try to homogenize it. But I say, different strokes for different folks." Future It was always going to be hard for underground restaurants to stay underground forever. Celebrity chefs and big business cashing in on the scene don't seem to have dented the popularity of temporary restaurants ranging from home-cooked grub in someone's living room to innovative cuisine in an aircraft hanger. Expect the pop-up to keep popping up.
Direct Link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/23/travel/pop-up-restaurants/index.html
6/25/2014
The New Potato » Fairmont Hamilton Princess: The New Potato of Summer Weekends
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Fairmont Hamilton Princess The New Potato of Summer Weekends June 24th, 2014
At 5:45 PM on a summer Friday, a commute out for a Hamptons weekend is most often longer than flights to certain tropical destinations. We’ve all been in that car or on that jitney. Once the playlist you created has repeated itself three times and you suddenly realize you’re only two miles out of the Holland Tunnel, your Friday high hits an all-time low. We’re not saying we don’t love the Hamptons, but we do think everyone could take at least one weekend this summer for a change of pace (and a chance for East Coast people to become acquainted with people that aren’t necessarily – well – East Coast people). In this case, the destination us potatoes are pushing is Bermuda, which, if you didn’t know, is a mere two-hour flight. It’s our new summer three-day weekend go-to. Bermuda’s Fairmont Hamilton Princess just underwent a ninety million dollar renovation, part of which includes an infinity pool (that we frequented as much as humanly possible during our stay), accommodation facelifts, and a summer pop-up restaurant from M arcus Samuelsson (a tease for the 2015 permanent restaurant opening) called Samuelsson at HP. Hotel Hot Potatoes 1609 Restaurant: The hotel’s harbor-side bar and grill takes waterside dining to the next level. When in need of rosé, hit up 1609. When in need of cocktails, hit up 1609. When in need of insanely fresh seafood, hit up 1609. We recommend it for lunch or drinks and appetizers. http://www.thenewpotato.com/2014/06/24/fairmont-hamilton-princess-the-new-potato-of-summer-weekends/
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6/25/2014
The New Potato » Fairmont Hamilton Princess: The New Potato of Summer Weekends
F avorite items: Grilled Local Wahoo, Spicy Tuna Roll, Roasted Bermuda Carrots, and White Sangria. Samuelsson at HP: We love everything Marcus Samuelsson does and this delicious pop-up (a preview of the 2015 opening) only runs through August; so now is the time to go! Plus, the entire waitstaff wears Bermuda shorts and knee high socks…do you think we could pull this look off? Yay or nay? F avorite items: Cornbread Madeleines, Seared Watermelon, Trout Roe Tostadas, Mighty Mac n’ Cheese, and Seared Catch of the Day. M arina Lounge: An outdoor lounge situated right on the harbor, this is the spot for pre or post dinner drinks. Additionally, every Friday they do ‘Marina Nights’, a hotel event boasting an awesome DJ, cocktails and tapas. We’re not necessarily ones for hotel functions, but this one felt a little like a night out at Surf Lodge. Girls and guys avoiding exes in the Hamptons, this getaway
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could be the place for you… Poinciana Wing: We stayed in the brand new one-bedroom suite that boasts a harbor view and outdoor sitting area. Between that and the Le Labo bath products (which we forced ourselves not to steal) we were sold… The Takeaway: You never have to leave the hotel. If you do choose to cease with the drinking, eating and poolside dozing, here are some hot potatoes outside the hotel… Hidden Gems of Bermuda Experience: Okay, so we usually do not like tours. We’re not going to sugar coat it: The experience has always been up there with Times Square visits and dentist appointments on our Least-Favorite-Things list. BUT, with this tour we have to say we are officially converts. Enter Ashley Harris, the founder of Hidden Gems and the tour guide who is possibly the cutest person we’ve met…ever. The excursion goes on for half the day and Ashley – a Bermudaborn local - takes you to places that are legitimately the opposite of tourist attractions. We cliff dived, swam in salty pools in the deepest Bermuda caves and snorkeled on a beautiful beach where not another person could be found. We became adventure-loving converts, and especially if you’re an ‘outdoor person’, it’s seriously a must. Black Horse Tavern: This is a local, quintessential Bermuda restaurant that’s been around since 1947. F avorite items: Wahoo Nuggets, Hoppin’ John, Johnny Cakes with Bermuda Fish Chowder and Ginger Beer. Bailey’s Ice Cream: The homemade ice cream parlor is possibly our most addictive find in Bermuda. We could live on this stuff, especially the Bermuda banana flavor which was heaven in a cone. Fairmont Southampton: This is a perfect stay for those who want a beach rather than a harbor, as well as a hotel that feels a bit more like a full-scale resort (though we loved the low key charm of Fairmont Hamilton Princess). What we loved most about this hotel was the lounge-like bar, The Dock, and Waterlot Inn, a legendary residence-turned-restaurant (around since 1847) that is Bermuda’s quintessential steakhouse. Both are nestled along a millpond; you should plan to have drinks at The Dock, followed at dinner at Waterlot for a truly special sunset-filled evening (an easy ferry leaves from Hamilton Princess and docks directly outside the bar and restaurant). Till next time Bermuda, Xoxo, your forever pale potatoes http://www.thenewpotato.com/2014/06/24/fairmont-hamilton-princess-the-new-potato-of-summer-weekends/
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Toronto Fairmont Royal York home to new 'bee hotel': Essential pollinators can find a rooftop oasis amid the urban jungle June 4, 2014
The new bee hotel atop the Fairmont Royal York roof in Toronto hopes to attract and support wild pollinator bees. (Fairmont Royal York) There's no doorman, but Toronto's iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel is hoping a new structure will attract thousands of wild bees to its rooftop. The "bee hotel" as the Fairmont is calling it, is a light green, freestanding wooden structure that looks like a large bookcase. On its shelves are bunches of sticks, soil and other materials that wild, pollinator bees — which normally live alone — can seek shelter in.
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The bee hotel complements the hotel's already buzzing honeybee apiary, which has been in operation since 2008 and includes six hives. The hotel said the hives produce around 360 kilograms of honey each year, most of which gets used in the hotel's restaurant. The wild bees that will live in the structure don't produce honey, but are still crucial for plant life across the city because they're better pollinators than their honeybee cousins. Unfortunately, experts across Canada are warning the pollinators are in decline. “They're dying,” said Alexandra Blum, one of the project's founders, who works for the cosmetic company Burt's Bees.
“And one of the reasons they're dying is because in urban environments, they become very confused with urban pollution and smog and they need places to nest.” Blum and her sister came up with the initial idea for the rooftop bee hotel. Their concept was then developed with the hotel, Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building and the bee experts at Pollinator Partnership Canada, who helped complete the design. Four more bee hotels are set to be installed across Toronto soon, and one will be built in Guelph, Ont., as well. The Fairmont said it may also extend the program to its other hotels. Victoria MacPhail, a biologist with Wildlife Preservation Canada, was also a part of the project. She said that the Fairmont Royal York Hotel works in large part because of the hotel’s green-coloured copper roof and an existing garden the bees can pollinate. “Bees frequently visit green roofs, there have been studies done on that, and actually a friend told me she had a report of a bee at the top of the Empire State Building,” said MacPhail. “So build it and they will come.”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-fairmont-royal-york-home-to-new-bee-hotel1.2664039
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6/6/2014
Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
Condos for bees are creating a buzz Dave LeBlanc Special to The Globe and Mail Published Wednesday, Jun. 04 2014, 4:39 PM EDT Last updated Wednesday, Jun. 04 2014, 5:19 PM EDT
Yeah, it’s an old log with a bunch of holes drilled in it, but it’s home. It can also be a deep, dark pile of sticks that are sheltered from the rain. Hey, if you’re a bee, it’s like checking into a luxury hotel, or purchasing your own posh condominium. As long as the nesting depth is at least eight inches to keep unwanted predators away. The plight of the bee – and not just the bumble or honey – has been making international headlines of late. Our little pollinator-friends, who contribute billions of dollars in free labour to the human agricultural industry, are suffering from both Colony Collapse Disorder, a somewhatmysterious scenario where workers, en masse, don’t show up for their shift any more (which many think is caused by increased pesticide use), and a vanishing habitat. Increasing in scope since the mid-2000s, the issue has struck a chord with those in the architecture and art worlds, says architect Janna Levitt of LGA Architectural Partners, who has been “fascinated with bees and beehives” for as long as she can remember. She points to last year’s exhibition by New York-based artist Judi Harvest, Denatured : Honeybees + Murano, which naturalized a weedy field on the island of Murano (and then installed apiaries), and, closer to home, Toronto’s Sarah Peebles’s Audio Bee Cabinet currently on display at the Cambridge Sculpture Garden. “Of course, the notion of the hive is a compelling one for science fiction writers, architects and artists to sociologists,” says Ms. Levitt. “In short, anyone who has an imagination and an interest in human nature, ecology and metaphors.” In fact, Ms. Levitt teamed with artist Myfanwy MacLeod back in October, 2013, to create a very metaphorical kiosk in Beekeeping for All for the Royal Ontario Museum’s recent exhibition on climate change. There, childsized mannequins in bright yellow beekeeping suits – which looked a lot like haz-mat suits – stood guard around an empty, yet buzzing, hive-like kiosk. And artists and architects aren’t stopping at the conceptual. In an http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/condos-for-bees-are-creating-a-buzz/article18989574/
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Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
undisclosed Leslieville woodworking shop, architect Paul Dowsett of Sustainable.TO and two recent graduates – Ryerson’s Jamie Kwan and OCAD-U’s Joel Anderson – are hard at work finishing the last of five “bee condos” that will populate various southern Ontario locations.
Dave LeBlanc For The Globe and Mail One, a set of stepped, bundled rectangles made from recycled wood, which “took inspiration from Chicago’s Sears Tower,” says Mr. Kwan (“ – the Willis Tower, sorry,” he quickly corrects himself) will be installed at Eastview Pollinator Park in Guelph; another, with a more traditional gabled roof, will be painted “Monopoly hotel red” to stand out at Black Creek Community Farm. Still another, now on the roof of the Fairmont Royal York hotel, takes the skyline as its inspiration, and the final two, one at Toronto Botanical Garden – site of Sustainable’s “Swallow Hollow” birdhouse in 2010 – and one at the Kortright Centre in Vaughan, will be up in time to celebrate Pollinator Week (June 16 – 22).
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/condos-for-bees-are-creating-a-buzz/article18989574/
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Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
Jamie Kwan
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/condos-for-bees-are-creating-a-buzz/article18989574/
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Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
Jamie Kwan
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/condos-for-bees-are-creating-a-buzz/article18989574/
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Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
Jamie Kwan
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Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
Jamie Kwan
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Condos for bees are creating a buzz - The Globe and Mail
Jamie Kwan Of course, unlike humans, bees don’t care what shape their condos take: They’re just looking for the right materials, depth and shelter from the rain. The bold shapes and colours, says Mr. Dowsett, are for humans: “We want them to be attractive to people so that they ask questions,” he says. “Awareness is what this is all about.” And following awareness, hopefully, is action. Despite the Ontario Bees Act regulation stating that a hive must be at least 30 metres away from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/condos-for-bees-are-creating-a-buzz/article18989574/
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the neighbouring property line (which makes it nigh impossible to maintain one on a city lot) there are many things a homeowner can do to help solitary bees – the ones that don’t work in hives but do all kinds of pollinating – in their own backyards. Solitary bees, says Ms. Levitt, “like nothing better than some hollow bamboo poles tied together or a partially hollowed log located in a quiet part of a garden to facilitate their building.” She also adds that the removal of asphalt, if possible, provides soil access to bees (they also nest underground), and the planting of indigenous plants in the garden will give them something to pollinate. Mr. Dowsett agrees: “I encourage people not to clean up that messy little corner of their garden, where the chunks of branch are, the beetle-eaten stuff,” he laughs. “That’s what the bees are looking for; and I think that’s part of the reason we’ve destroyed their habitat: We’ve gotten too good at cleaning up.” Because Mr. Dowsett has teamed up with some big players to get his bee condos constructed – Burt’s Bees, Fairmont hotels and the Pollinator Partnership – he hopes that in 2015 awareness and action will morph into education and reward: Plans are hatching for an international bee-condo design competition at the elementary school level, and Fairmont says the winner will get to choose which Fairmont property the condo gets constructed for, and then will fly the winner and his or her family to the unveiling. Now that’s a honey of a prize. Yes, things are buzzing, especially in Ontario. “Absolutely,” finishes Ms. Levitt, who visits apiaries wherever she goes. “The worse the problem, the more dire the news reportage, the more interest there is.”
More Rela ted to th is Story Kuwabara brings tall building romance to Yonge and Wellesley Inspired by the ties between health, architecture and neighbourhoods How not to take the lead in your own reno T op ic s: Toronto Home Sales Real Estate
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6/19/2014
6.17.14: Like watching A Life | New York Social Diary
Like watching A Life
Riverside Park. 6:05 PM. Photo: JH. Tuesday, J une 17, 2014. Yesterday was a warm sunny day in New York. I never know what my day will be like until the night before when I look at my (New Yorker) calendar to see what’s in the book. This Monday was a lunch with an old friend, and a dinner with another old friend. This sort of commitment is like a vacation day for me. When asked where should we lunch, I suggested Michael’s simply because ... you never know what’s going on there. Monday at the beginning of summer is usually a slow, or slower day in New York. Michael’s, ditto.
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6/19/2014
6.17.14: Like watching A Life | New York Social Diary
A new handbag belonging to Kathy Steinberg whom I dined with this past Sunday night. Ultra Violet,one of the original members of the Warhol Factory gang died this past Saturday morning (6/14/14) in New York Hospital. She was 78 and had been ailing from cancer. Born Isabelle Collin Dufresne in La Tronche, France on September 6, 1935 to an upper middle class French family, she was a rebellious girl whose beginnings presaged a presence on the international art scene marked by her relationship with Andy Warhol. She published a memoir in 1988 “Famous for 15 Minutes: My Years With Andy Warhol.� I met her about fifteen years ago when JH and I first started the New York Social Diary. She was one of our first interviews. She lived in an unusual penthouse on the top of an apartment building behind (and overlooking) the Guggenheim Museum on 88th Street and Fifth Avenue.
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She had a quality of quiet authority about her. Hers was a dramatic persona but there nothing hifalutin about her presence; she was one of those people who had no problem expressing her Ultra Violet, 2001. Photo: JH. opinions and answering a question directly and candidly. She was also used to giving interviews to curious reporters like Columbia and Hirsch who were just beginning this thing called the NYSD. We are re-visiting that original interview here. Catching up. Last Wednesday night, The Central Park Conservancy gathered 850 guests on a beautiful summer evening for the annual Taste of Summer benefit held at Bethesda Terrace. The evening featured its traditional tastings prepared by New York's top restaurants, participated in a luxury-filled silent auction, and danced to the music by DJ Kiss. Guests included community leaders, philanthropists and prominent New Yorkers all coming together to support Central Park Conservancy's mission of restoring and maintaining Central Park. The event, which was sponsored by M acquarie Group, raised $925,000. http://www.nysocialdiary.com/node/1912326
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6.17.14: Like watching A Life | New York Social Diary
The site of Taste of Summer: Bethesda Terrace Arcade. M arcus Samuelsson hosted The Taste CafĂŠ featuring dishes from Red Rooster Harlem, American Table Cafe and Bar at Lincoln Center, and Samuelsson at HP at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel in Hamilton, Bermuda. 35 additional restaurants participated serving sample tastings throughout the evening. Some of the signature dishes guests enjoyed: Gooseberries with Tomato and Tarragon from Betony, Crab Cakes with Cucumber Salad and Caper Remoulade from The Central Park Boathouse, New England Lobster Roll from Left Bank, Lightly cured Sardines with Sicilian Capers and Confit Lemon from Ristorante M orini, and Fried Cheese Grits with Homemade Chorizo and a Yellow Tomato Radish Salsa from Tavern on the Green.
Also in Social Diary 6.19.14: The Haves and the Have Nots 6.18.14: Going full tilt 6.17.14: Like watching A Life 6.16.14: Everything is quieter 6.12.14: That’s what we felt 6.10.14: Life in the concrete jungle 6.9.14: As We Like It 6.6.14: Filled with parties and events 6.5.14: Flying high 6.4.14: Summer-like weather 6.3.14: The Parks 6.2.14: Weekend Activity 5.30.14: Lessening the stress 5.28.14: By Land and
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6.17.14: Like watching A Life | New York Social Diary
By Sea 5.26.14: Memorial Day Weekend in New York More Social Diary >> Reyka Vodka Foraging Bar. One of the highlights was a Reyka Vodka Foraging bar where guests could create their own cocktails using a selection of herbs, fruits, garnishes and spirits. William Grant & Sons, a family-owned and independent distiller, was the exclusive spirits partner at this year's Taste of Summer. Hosts included Central Park Conservancy Trustees and Event Chairmen Kristy and J onathan Korngold, Carol Sutton Lewis and William M . Lewis, J r., Laurie and J ay M andelbaum, Gillian and Sylvester M initer, J enny and J ohn Paulson, M elissa Vail and Norman Selby.
Maine Sea Scallop Crudo from The Regency Bar & Grill.
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6.17.14: Like watching A Life | New York Social Diary
SD26 Soft Egg Yolk Raviolo. Host Committee members and guests included: Kitty and Tom Kempner (Chairman, Board of Trustees, Central Park Conservancy), Doug Blonsky (President and CEO, Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator), Suzie and Ainar Aijala, Charles Altchek, Sarah Arison, Alexandra Lebenthal and J ay Diamond, M elissa Seligmann Gokhvat and Eugene Gokhvat, Rebecca and Larry Grafstein, Anne Harrison, Yaz and Valentin Hernandez, Rachel and Ara Hovnanian, Cathy and Bill Ingram, Sharon and Bill J acob, Veronica and Ray Kelly, Kamie and Rich Lightburn, Liz and J eff Peek, Sandra Ripert, Alexandra and Alex Robertson and Nanar and Tony Yoseloff.
Andrea Fahnestock.
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Bill Ford, Marigay McKee, Liz Peek, and Jeff Peek.
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Where to Watch The World Cup at Hotels June 12, 2014
Today's the day the world's been waiting for all year. The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off this afternoon with host country Brazil playing Croatia in São Paulo. Even though it's not too late to catch a flight to Brazil for the games, we reckon it's cheaper easier for you to find a pub on your street with multiple TVs and special World Cup food and drink menus. Or rather, a hotel. Here's a starting list of hotels that will be showing the World Cup matches while offering international cuisine and cocktails. We'll be adding to this as the games go on. NEW YORK
THE REFINERY: The hotel's “Hatbox" venue will play the games on a large projection screen in addition to flat screen televisions with full audio. Entry fee is $5. The venue will open an hour before the games can sip on Heineken, Dos Equis, New Castle Brown Ale and Amstel Light draughts for $5 each. The Jade Hotel: The Grape & Vine bar will be playing the matches on a big screen while the bartender will be serving up World Cup inspired cocktails to try including classic Brazilian
cocktails, a G&T named after Team England's captain Steven Gerrad, and a Clockwork Oranje drink named for the Netherlands team. Pod 51: Gastropub, Pop @ Pod is airing the games while serving up Leblon Cachaça in their World Cup-inspired cocktails such as the Lady in Red ($13), the Funky Monkey ($13) and the cocktail of Brazil, the Caipirinha ($10). Peroni drafts will also be poured on game days ($7 a piece and $30 for buckets.
MIAMI
The Four Seasons Miami: The hotel has transformed an existing private event space into theEdge Copa Lounge which has multiple TVs, bench-like seating and foosball tables. Made-toorder Caipirinhas will be served from a Leblon Cachaca car, along with a special World Cup menu featuring items inspired by countries around the world. The lounge will be open during all games for the duration of the World Cup. The St. Regis Bal Harbour: The St. Regis Bar will be showing the World Cup games from June 12 to July 3 with special Brazilian dishes on offer like Pao de Queijo, Picahana Steak sliders with chimichurri and French fries, as well as Octopus Carpaccio with tapenade dressing. An extensive selection of beers and specialty cocktails will also be served including the Chipotle Passion, made with chipotle vodka and passion fruit puree. For the later rounds of the tournament (July 4 to 13), the viewing party will move into the resort's private venue space, Atlántico. The Viceroy Miami: The hotel 15th & Vine Kitchen and Bar will be showing the games on a giant projector screen with live World Cup viewings with different dishes and drinks based on who's playing. For example, the Brazil v. Croatia game will have Rio Royale vs. Sailing Croatia competing drinks and Felijão Tropeiro vs. Bučnica plates. Even better? Every game the US wins, you get a free Coors Light on the house! Go USA! You can peruse the calendar for the 15th & Vine viewings and the accompanying menus here. JW Marriott Marquis Miami: The hotel's Met Café & Bar is serving two for one international beers from a ll 32 participating countries during the matches. There will also be a World Cup Happy Hour at db Bistro Moderne with multiple flat screen TVs turned onto the game and $8 beer and wine starting served along with a selection of Bar Bites.
(See what other Miami hotels are doing for the World Cup here.) MEXICO
Barceló Maya Beach Resorts: If you're kicking it at one of these resorts in Riviera Maya, you'll be able to watch the football players kicking balls at all the lobby bars. You'll also be able to partake in contests and trivia games, carnivals, and even a women-only soccer tournament to be held on Fridays. THe Barceló resorts include: Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Caribe, Barceló Maya Tropical, Barceló Colonial and Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe. For more info, go here.
PARIS
Le Royal Monceau : There are two different way to watch the World Cup at this Raffles hotel in Paris--one is an expensive cocktail deal and the other is really expensive Michelin-starred dinner--but both include watching the game in the hotel's private 99-seat theater. Decide which options you want here. The hotel is also offering a deal for those who have "no interest
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whatsoever in football"--a complimentary "Colours of Brazil" make-up session at the Spa My Blend by Clarins spa, with the purchase of a Clarins face or body treatment. Le Bristol Paris: The hotel has gone through a lengthy renovation process and now they want to part. The Bar du Bristol will be showing the World Cup matches on their huge mirror screen, while serving special game-related tapas menus from Michelin-starred Chef Eric Frechon. Guests who order from one of the four specialty menus will get a free shot for every goal scored. You can even place bets on the game. If you correctly guess the score of a game, you'll win a complimentary cocktail and tapas experience for two. Read more about the menus here.
Direct Link: http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2014/5/19/103756/490/hotels/Where_to_Watch_The_World_Cup _at_Hotels_
Fairmont Offers Films Alfresco Nothing says “summertime” like an outdoor movie.
Monaco’s Cinema d'Été, Just Steps from the Fairmont Monte Carlo According to the Smithsonian, the first drive-in movie in America was opened by one Richard Hollingshead of New Jersey, during the depths of the Great Depression. What better time to offer the down-at-heel public a chance to escape the dreariness of hard times, especially when it involves cars, the growing object of Americans’ collective affections? Hollingshead’s first forays into the movie-showing habit had begun with a sheet strung up in his New Jersey backyard, but the local popularity of his showings planted a seed that would continue to grow through the following decades, maturing in the early 1960s, when the number of drive-in movie theaters across the country would number in the thousands. Popular for families and back-seat snugglers, the institution all but died out completely in the ensuing years, but the allure of watching movies under the stars has never faded into obscurity. In fact, it’s back, being repackaged on rooftops and outdoor venues around the world. Witness Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which is celebrating the summer season by recalling those good times of old by offering outdoor screenings and “dive-in movies” in fabulous locations: In London, The Savoy, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, has teamed up with Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House to offer an exclusive Summer Screening experience for guests this August. The twonight package includes breakfast, a pair of VIP tickets to the movie screening and a decadent Savoy picnic for two. Summertime and swimming join with outdoor movies at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, where the desert jewel is serving poolside “dive-in” movies, with fireworks for dessert. The film showings are complimentary on Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day, and guests can keep
cool in the pool while watching the family-oriented flicks or snack on classic movie snacks, hot dogs or tacos. Tuesday evenings are the nights for screen stars at the luxurious Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda, where guests are invited to float in the pool while enjoying a complimentary movie under a starry Caribbean sky. Beverages and movie-snack favorites will be available poolside, along with specialties from Wickets Burger Bar. Against a glittering backdrop of the Texas city skyline, the elegant Fairmont Dallas is holding a rooftop pool party every Saturday night through August. Guests can enjoy the Dive-In Movie series relaxing by (or in) the opulent pool, where refreshing drinks, cocktails, movie snacks and a variety of poolside specials will be served—from smoothies and salads to old-fashioned hot dogs and burgers. A stay at the sumptuous Fairmont Monte Carlo means that Monaco’s Cinema d'Été, one of the grandest open-air cinemas in Europe, is just a short stroll away, to the edge of the Rock of Monaco. Hotel guests can book tickets for the movie screenings through the hotel’s concierge and view a variety of top-notch films, with the luscious Mediterranean as a backdrop. One thing you can leave behind for all of the Fairmont summer movie events, though: your car. But you won’t miss it. Promise.
Direct Link: http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/Fairmont_Offers_Films_Alfresco/76/2097.aspx
6/6/2014
HOTELSMag.com
NEWS
Bees buzzin’ about 'The Pollinator'
By Jeff Weinstein o n 6/6/2014
Research indicates solitary bee populations continue to show signs of decline, and loss and fragmentation of habitat is cited as a leading factor. Enter Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which is providing solitary bees with a place to rest their wings by introducing its first pollinator bee hotel at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. Fairmont’s latest project to support bees is part of a larger partnership with Burt’s Bees and its annual Wild For Bees campaign. The two companies, along with Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building and Pollinator Partnership Canada, have designed and constructed five sustainable bee hotels: four in Toronto and one in Guelph, with the first hotel launching at The Fairmont Royal York. Fairmont plans to roll out the project at more hotels next year. A pollinator bee hotel is a collection of nesting materials (wood, twigs, fallen branches, soil and pith-filled holes) designed to attract, support and protect native, lost and solitary bees by replicating their natural nesting sites. This allows the bees to breed, lay eggs and seek protection from predators. Fairmont’s bee hotel, which is designed to reflect the Toronto skyline, will provide a sustainable nesting site for local pollinator bees. The Fairmont Royal York’s rooftop garden, which already houses an apiary of six honeybee hives, has been in bloom for more than http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/News/Details/50670
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15 years and is the perfect spot for the new pollinator bee hotel. The high-rise herbarium features 17 fourposter beds and surrounding planter pots filled with herbs such as rosemary, lavender, lemon thyme, chives, parsley, tarragon and basil. Lemon Verbena, alpine strawberries and mojito mint also have their own beds. Established in 2008, the apiary produces B ee h o tel o n th e ro o f to p o f T h e F ai rm o n t R o y al Yo rk , T o ro n to
over 800 pounds of rooftop honey each year that is used in the hotel’s kitchens and its
local micro-brew called “Royal Stinger.” Executive Chef Collin Thornton and his team of sous chefs maintain The Fairmont Royal York’s rooftop garden and apiary, and use the garden as a teaching tool for apprentice chefs in how ingredients are produced. To showcase the amazing powers of the pollinator bees, Chef Thornton has created a feature Pollinator Menu for June in Epic Restaurant. Additionally, the hotel’s Library Bar will offer a special “Buzztini” with ingredients from the roof, and a complimentary Burt’s Bees lip balm, all to celebrate Fairmont Hotels & Resorts partnership with Wild About Bees.
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6/12/2014
Checking In: Queen of Quebec City unveils renovations
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6/12/2014
Checking In: Queen of Quebec City unveils renovations
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Checking In: Queen of Quebec City unveils r enovations Château makeover cr eates new dining, updates 400 r ooms By Rochelle Lash, Special to The Gazette June 11, 2014 Recom m end
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Bistro Le Sam is one of three new dining spots at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Photograph by: Michel Roy/ Fairmont Le ChÇteau Frontenac Long live the queen. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is wrapping up a dramatic $75-million, top-to-bottom makeover that has affected everything from the regal crest on the http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Checking+Queen+Quebec+City+unveils+renovations/9928752/story.html
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Checking In: Queen of Quebec City unveils renovations
staff uniforms all the way through the lobby, dining spaces, guest rooms and 12 kilometres of corridors. It’s an exciting, fresh approach for the hotel’s loyal subjects. The five-star queen dates to 1893 and its medieval- and Renaissance-inspired architecture makes it as much of a landmark as Hôtel du Parlement, the provincial capital buildings, and La Citadelle, home of the Royal 22nd Regiment (the famous Van Doos who are celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2014 with a new museum). Le Château Frontenac always will be exceptional for its majestic summit setting and views of the St. Lawrence River and Old Quebec, but even royalty must keep up. The hotel has brightened its aristocratic lobby, spruced up its business centre and Grand Ballroom, expanded the fitness centre and added meeting rooms. Groups — the convention and cruise people — now have their own check-in desks on the lower level. And the new lobby shops include Lambert & Co., an adorable boutique of Quebec woollens, fur pillows and wooden sculpture. The Spa du Château also has moved. Since the renovs, it is a luxurious sanctuary with seven treatment rooms on the sixth floor, adjacent to the indoor swimming pool and the impressive outdoor sun terrasse. (That terrasse is my favourite Château summer place; it’s a treasured oasis of lounging, especially after a day of sightseeing.) On the accommodations front, the hotel renovated two-thirds of its 600-plus guest rooms (the rest had been done in recent years). They’re now more contemporary, decorated in soothing neutrals with two pastel colour schemes: My room had butter-coloured, art-deco leather club chairs and next door, my cycling pal Rae Turley recouped on a turquoise Edwardian-inspired fainting couch. Fairmont Gold, the posh hotel-within-a-hotel on the highest five floors, ramps it up with magazine-worthy decor in elegant ivory with ebony detailing, plus satin pillows, elite sheets and modern furniture with clean lines. Fairmont Gold also has a larger, more luxurious lounge, with the customary private concierge, continental breakfast and afternoon canapés. The transformation is an astounding feat of interior design: With all the hotel’s turrets and facades, no two rooms are exactly alike. Apart from accommodations, the biggest change is in dining. Two great new chefs with Michelin credentials, executive chef Baptiste Peupion and restaurant chef Stéphane Modat, have been cooking up tantalizing dishes since 2013. The kitchens have been rebuilt with the latest in culinary technology and Le Château has created three progressive options, all on the lobby level, and all overlooking the St. Lawrence: The smart Bistro Le Sam, which has brassy navy and gold decor and an open kitchen. Here, mixologists amuse with martinis and mocktails and casual gourmet fare includes lobster mac ’n cheese, Cornish hen or braised ribs. The dazzling 1608 Wine and Cheese Bar where le tout Québec will meet for drinks, with a rare selection of Quebec cheeses and charcuterie. A striking, contemporary chandelier and rich leather and brass seating make the clubby 1608 both stately and stylish. The chic Le Champlain, which has the same name as the former dining room, but it’s an all-new space with the glamorous sheen of silvery decor. Quebec gastronomy features venison, foie gras, Matane shrimp, North Atlantic halibut, Chantecler poultry, lobster stew and grilled beef with marrow. The modernization has been done with respect for the past, and I was charmed by the contrasts. The lobby is more upbeat, with sky-blue carpets and mirrored reception desks, but the century-old cherubs and griffons still dance on the hand-painted ceilings, and the handsome woodwork speaks of a noble background. A museum-like display on the lower-level showcases archeological artifacts from Quebec’s early days. And, even in this instant e-world, a souvenir shop sells postcards that you can send via the hotel’s own brass mailboxes. Back to the future: Le Château soon will launch a historic guided tour app, for both iTunes and Android. Le Château Frontenac is prime VIP territory. Churchill and Roosevelt, with Mackenzie King as intermediary, planned the Second World War’s invasion of Normandy (aka D-Day) at the top-secret 1943 Quebec Conference held at Le Château and La Citadelle. Later, the guest register boasted Queen Elizabeth, Princess Grace of Monaco and showbiz kings Sir Paul McCartney, Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio. Clearly, Quebec City is the place for a selfie with a star. Billy Joel and Lady Gaga are among 1,000 performers of Le Festival d’été de Québec, July 3- 13, which will feature nearly 300 indoor and outdoor shows. (888-992-5200, www.infofestival.com). IF YOU GO: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac: 800-441-1414, 418-692-3861, www.fairmont.com/frontenac, www.cuisinechateau.com; Quebec City. Pet-friendly, $35 per day. Prices: Summer offer until Sept. 30: third night is free. Rates fluctuate; rooms, approximately $299-$389 per night, double occ.; suites, $699-$2,000, including indoor pool, whirlpool, steam room, fitness centre. Children under 18 stay for free. The Nouveau Château Package, from $359 for two, per night, includes buffet breakfast and $50 dining credit. Other packages with Parc Aquarium du Québec and Musée de la Civilisation. Prices will decrease lateOct. to April. Extras: parking (free for electric and hybrid cars), spa treatments. Fairmont Presidents’ Club includes Wi-Fi; Fairmont Gold adds private lounge. Quebec City Tourism: 877-783-1608, www.quebecregion.com. http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Checking+Queen+Quebec+City+unveils+renovations/9928752/story.html
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Bistr o Le Sam is one of thr ee new dining spots at Fair mont Le Château Fr ontenac. Photogr aph by: Michel Roy/ Fair mont Le ChÇteau Fr ontenac
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Fairmont Hamilton Princess readies first phase of refurb June 4, 2014 The Fairmont Hamilton Princess this summer is debuting the first phase of a more than $90 million renovation, a project the company calls a game-changer for Bermuda. The 410-room hotel will introduce a new marina, infinity pool, a restaurant by chef Marcus Samuelsson and upgraded rooms and suites this summer. "The changes will appeal to a younger demographic that wants to have a different option," said Scott Evans, director of sales and marketing for the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. Fairmont's two properties on the island, including the 593-room Fairmont Southampton, comprise just under half of the room inventory on Bermuda, adding to the significance of the renovation. Fairmont executives are hopeful the enhancements will attract a new audience to the hotel and, by extension, to Bermuda. "The project will transform the hotel into the premier luxury travel destination in Bermuda," said George Terpilowski, managing director of Fairmont, Bermuda. Terpilowski said the hotel has worked closely with architects and designers to maintain its historical character — it is 130 years old — while adding contemporary and upscale features. The property's Poinciana Wing will be given new furniture, fixtures and equipment as well as an expansion of its balconies that overlook Hamilton Harbor. The rooms will be decorated with work by modern Bermudian artists. The renovations include the addition of a pair of two-bedroom suites with separate dining and living room areas and extended balconies offering 180-degree views of the harbor. The property's Bermudiana
House was also refreshed; the new rooms were slated to open June 1. The resort's pool area, facing the harbor, has private cabanas, the new infinity pool, a family pool and a lap pool. A major element of the project is the development of a 60-berth marina, the only full-service marina in Bermuda, according to Fairmont. It is set to open in July. As part of the marina development, a new harborside eatery, 1609 Bar & Restaurant, opened in May offering open-air dining and a menu featuring Bermuda-inspired cocktails like the Rum Swizzle and Dark & Stormy. The renovation includes a new art program that features contemporary art meant to be juxtaposed against the property's historical architectural details. The collection includes work from Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, as well as artwork by former South Africa President Nelson Mandela. Phase two of the renovation will include the development of a signature restaurant from Samuelsson, slated to open in spring 2015. This summer, the property will offer a preview of the eatery with a pop-up restaurant called Samuelsson at HP, with a menu executed by the chef de cuisines from Samuelsson's Red Rooster Harlem restaurant in New York. Samuelsson at HP will be open from June 3 to Aug. 3. Phase two will also include the renovation of guestrooms in the hotel's main building, landscaping of the hotel grounds and upgrades to the health club, spa and retail experience. Direct Link: http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Fairmont-Hamilton-Princessreadies-first-phase-of-refurb/
The Hottest New Hotels of 2013 June 2, 2014
The Tambourin lounge at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, Kenya There are familiar brands aplenty in this list, which is also peppered with a number of boutique properties and rising stars coming online as well. Here is Travel Agent’s selection of Hot New Hotels that opened between January and December 2013. Africa Sir Richard Branson’s Mahali Mzuri Camp, Masai Mara Guests enjoy a front-seat view of the Great Migration (which usually takes place between July and October) at Mahali Mzuri. This newest addition to Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s collection of private retreats, is set within the Motorogi Conservancy in the Masai Mara ecosystem of Kenya. Each of its 12 luxury tented suites sits on a raised platform and includes a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, sitting area and a large deck with views over the landscape. Authentic touch: Most of the Mahali Mzuri team are Maasai who hail from the local communities around the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Olare Mara Kempinski, Masai Mara Tented Camp The Olare Mara Kempinski has 12 tents in Kenya’s Olare Orok Conservancy. It’s a top home base for catching sight of the wildlife that inhabits these protected grasslands. Tents come with four-poster beds, claw-foot bathtubs, outdoor showers, and teak decks. (Tip: One has its own private plunge pool.) The tented camp has an eco-friendly focus: Produce for meals is grown in the onsite vegetable garden, and solar panels provide 70 percent of the energy needs. Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi The new Kempinski in Nairobi complements the brand’s new tented luxury camp in the Masai Mara. We love the Presidential Suite, which has its own terrace, plunge pool, and even an outdoor barbecue area. The dining options are extensive: 88, the Pan Asian Restaurant; Lucca, the Italian Bistro; Tambourin, the Arabic rooftop lounge; and the all-day dining restaurant called Cafe Villa. For night owls, there’s a cigar lounge and a Taittinger Champagne corner at The Balcony.
Asia Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa, Cambodia Anantara Resorts’ new retreat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, puts guests right at the doorstep to the ancient temple ruins. The Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa was designed to resemble “a grand Khmer villa”—and it has succeeded. Its 39 rooms and suites are centered around a garden courtyard—complete with a salt water pool. The Anantara Spa is equipped with a gym, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and nine treatment rooms (including four foot massage rooms!). The rooftop garden hosts yoga sessions, while the two restaurants offer traditional Khmer cooking classes. In addition, the hotel has a network of local guides who can unveil the secrets of Angkor Wat, on foot or by bicycle, and even set up a picnic at Angkor Thom. The resident “Streetwise Guru” can lead you on a tour of the local markets. Anantara Hoi An Resort & Spa, Vietnam Anantara’s boutique retreat in Vietnam reflects Hoi An’s cultural diversity, with two- and three-story colonial-style buildings revealing French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese influences. The 93 guest rooms and suites blend European and Asian styles, designed with a split level layout, each featuring an upper bedroom and bathroom, leading down to a lower lounge that opens onto a porch with day beds. Nice touch: The resort offers guests Vietnamese cooking, language, painting and lantern-making classes; Thu Bon River inspirational trips; and visits to the nearby beaches of Cua Dai and An Bang. Ancient cultural sites are also accessible, such as the Imperial Citadel of Hue and My Son Sanctuary. Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei, China China’s North Hot Springs got a little hotter last September with the debut of the Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei. We hear that the springs contain mineral contents such as calcium sulphate, magnesium and potassium. Upon soaking for 10 to 15 minutes, guests can move on to spa treatments, such as the signature Royal Banyan treatment (think a massage where a herbal pouch is dipped in warm sesame oil, followed by a lemongrass cucumber body scrub). Another experience is the Yin Yang Rainmist experience, which is the first hydrothermal package in Chongqing Beibei. It features a combination of rain shower and steam bath for a body scrub, and another rain shower that is followed by a massage. Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives The Cheval Blanc Randheli brings new meaning to the word “luxury” on the island atoll beloved by celebrity honeymooners. Private seaplanes from Malé transport passengers in 40 minutes to the island resort, where dedicated ambassadors are at the ready to customize guest experiences with dinner cruises, yoga sessions on the beach, and private scuba diving excursions. Architect Jean-Michel Gathy has fashioned the 45 villas in a contemporary style reflecting the traditional palm cabanas of the islands. Set in lush gardens, the villas have private pools.
Villa at Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives Conrad Beijing The futuristic skyscraper that houses the Conrad Beijing is worth the price of admission and sets the tone for the ubermodern luxury within. The guest rooms come with such luxurious comforts as Nespresso machines and 400-threadcount bed linens. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for expansive views over the city from the hotel’s location in the Chaoyang District. Named after China’s Sage of Tea, the restaurant Lu Yu has a two-story wall that resembles a library stocked with a wide variety of Chinese teas. For foodies, private dining rooms are available where chefs will prepare
your meal right before your eyes. There’s a resident DJ spinning tracks at the hotel’s rooftop bar, Vivid, which also has an al fresco area. The Conrad also has a spa, fitness center and 80-foot pool. Park Hyatt Busan, South Korea Attention shoppers! Park Hyatt Busan is adjacent to the world’s largest shopping mall, Shinsegae Centum City, as well as the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO). Nestled in the marine city adjacent to Haeundae Beach, Park Hyatt Busan is built in a modern style with 33 floors above ground and six floors below street level. Architect Daniel Libeskind designed the hotel in a curved shape, which embodies the ocean waves in Busan. In addition to this nod to the nautical, as well as the camellia, a symbolic flower of Busan, the interior of Park Hyatt Busan offers views of the ocean and Gwangan Bridge though floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Lumi Spa has seven treatment rooms filled with natural sunlight and ocean views. Raffles Makati, Philippines Raffles Makati sits in a brand-new, 30-floor tower housing deluxe rooms, suites and one- to four-bedroom residences. The suites span the ninth and 10th levels of the tower and we love the look of their floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the city. Raffles aficionados will be amused to know that the Long Bar has made the trek to the Philippines. It has decor similar to that of the Long Bar in Singapore, with tropical fans, terra-cotta tiled floor and long-stemmed ceiling fans. The restaurants include all-day dining, a contemporary pastry boutique, two lounges, as well as the Long Bar and the Writers Bar. Guests can cool off at the two outdoor swimming pools, unwind at the Willow Stream Spa or work off dinner at the fitness center. Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran Why it’s hot: Location, location, location (and design…and amenities). The resort is set on Jimbaran Bay, once a small fishing village that has blossomed into a bustling beach community. The resort offers four dining venues in a three-story complex. The signature restaurant Bamboo Chic serves Pan-Asian flavors (with a focus on Balinese cuisine), while Smoqee Lounge & Sky Bar mixes up cocktails. Latitude 8 serves coffee by day and wines and tapas by night, and WaLa is a casual spot for gelato and coffee. W Guangzhou The entry into the W Guangzhou starts off with a bang—a 62-foot “Luminous Water Wall” by WET Design greets guests as they enter. Guest rooms range from Spectacular to WOW in seven different categories, complete with 46-inch LED HD TVs, sound systems, high-speed Wi-Fi, and MP3 player plug-ins. At the signature WOOBAR, mixologists and DJs concoct drinks and mix tunes to set the mood, while the Fei Ultralounge is the place for all-night dancing. Yan Yu serves up Cantonese-style cuisine. For Japanese fare, visit I by Inagiku, which has indoor and garden dining options, along with a Sake bar. At The Kitchen Table guests can have breakfast, lunch or dinner at large oversized tables with views into an open kitchen. The AWAY Spa is the first in China and it’s a 24/7 retreat. Complementing the spa is a FIT fitness center and a WET heated indoor pool.
W Guangzhou lobby, with “Luminous Water Wall”
Caribbean Azul Sensatori Jamaica The location of this resort alone cemented a place on our list of hot hotels, with prime real estate on Negril’s worldfamous Seven Mile Beach with views of the Caribbean Sea. It’s also notable for being Karisma’s first foray into the Caribbean. While there’s a multigenerational section with Family Suites and two-story Family Loft Suites, couples and others can isolate themselves from the sounds of kids at play by booking one of the 108 rooms and suites in the Adults Only section. Expect to see some “Do Not Disturb” signs on many of the rooms here, which also offer two oceanfront pools with swim up bars that become lounges in the evening, since this is where the resort’s romantic Honeymoon Suites can be found.
Terraced honeymoon suite at the Azul Sensatori Jamaica Radisson Grenada Beach Resort Whenever a well-known, branded hotel makes its debut in a new destination, it definitely garners quite the buzz from the agent community. Couple that with a breathtaking spot on Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach and you’ll see why we think this Radisson resort is worthy of being included. Set on 20 acres of tropical grounds with a white sugar-sand beachfront, the Radisson’s central location in Grand Anse is what sets this hotel apart from most—near the shopping and financial district, and just seven minutes from Port Saline International Airport and the picturesque capital of St. George’s. Clients will never have a dull moment staying at this hotel. Royal Oasis by Occidental, Haiti That a major hotel company has faith in the resilience of Haiti and its people is hot news in itself, but The Royal Oasis by Occidental made a huge splash when it opened because it is not only the largest hotel in the destination, but also Haiti’s first all-inclusive resort. Clients who are intrigued by Haiti, but perhaps a bit hesitant to visit, should know that The Royal Oasis was constructed to be earthquake-resistant and hurricane-proof. It features a crisp, modern design and is just a 30-minute drive from Port-au-Prince International Airport. At the Royal Oasis’ five bars and restaurants guests can experience an extraordinary selection of local and international cocktails and menus, while Grand Level Occidental Members will enjoy the exclusivity of the Lounge Club Royal, which offers fine dining in a private and superior style. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba It’s a Ritz-Carlton hotel…and it’s on the island of Aruba. What could be hotter than that? We say it’s the resort’s 55 luxurious Deluxe, Executive and Parlor Suites that will have clients buzzing upon their return. They all offer one-and-ahalf baths, a spacious living room and boutique bath amenities. Two Ritz-Carlton Suites deliver impressive ocean views and rooms as expansive as they are elegant, distinguished by a master bedroom, a living room, and a private balcony facing the sea with outdoor showers. A smart choice for guys or girls getaways, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers the signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level directly overlooking the resort’s sprawling sun-kissed coastline. For added excitement, there’s a large casino that is open 24/7, and for unwinding, the Spa blends the four natural elements of Fire, Water, Sky and Earth into signature treatments that use organic ingredients.
Divi, the all-day bar and lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba Sandals LaSource Grenada This may be the most luxurious resort Sandals Resorts International has ever rolled out—a game-changer for how clients will view all-inclusive resorts going forward. Nestled on a beautiful chunk of Pink Gin Beach, Sandals LaSource Grenada offers clients a high level of luxury with an unprecedented look and feel for the resort company’s portfolio. So throw away all notions that luxury doesn’t exist at an all-inclusive resort. The best room views are from the Skypool Suites, which afford outstanding Caribbean Sea vistas from their large balconies. Another first for the all-inclusives pioneer: This resort’s whopping nine gourmet dining options, including Sandals’ very first steakhouse, Butch’s Chophouse, named after the resort company’s founder and chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart.
Cascading pool at Sandals LaSource Grenada’s South Seas Village Central and South America Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica From its perch on the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo will impress clients with views of the stunning Bay of Culebra—views they can enjoy from the privacy of their spacious balcony. The decor balances modern design with touches of local character, including woven textiles, solid woods and carved artifacts, to create an authentic, local feel. What makes this hotel stand out, however, is its privately accessible beach for Andaz Peninsula Papagayo guests that ensures isolation from crowds, while two swimming pools encourage fun in the sun. Culinary highlights include Ostra, the hotel’s specialty restaurant, which features three live culinary stations, allowing guests to sample specialties and soak in the freshest products and flavors of the country.
Wyndham Guayaquil, Ecuador Boredom is not an option at Wyndham’s first foray into Ecuador. Wyndham Guayaquil is just steps from the historic Santa Ana Hill and just minutes from the sights and attractions at Malecon 2000, Simon Bolivar Convention Center, World Trade Center Guayaquil and Aeropueto Internacional Jose Joaquin de Olmedo. It’s also convenient to museums, botanical gardens and other places of interest. Don’t let its location in the business hub fool you; the hotel is familyfriendly—there’s a full kitchen in every room and dedicated children/teens activities—and it touts the ninth-floor terrace, with its views of the beautiful Guayas River, as a wedding venue. Europe Aman Canal Grande, Venice Amanresorts got a foothold in the city of canals in a historic building. In San Polo, midway between the Rialto and Accademia Bridges, the centerpiece of the Aman Canal Grande is the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli. We hear rooms have some amazing ornamentation that’s been kept intact, such as 18th-century frescoed ceilings and rococo mirrors. The property has two gardens, making it a good pick for those craving greenery: Fronting the Grand Canal, the Garden Terrace is one of very few private gardens on the canal, where Aman guests can dine al fresco. A second “secret” garden with soaring trees offers a more laid-back experience. Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, Russia This hotel is the first Four Seasons in Russia, and opened last year after a major renovation from the private apartment building known as the “House with Lions” into a five-star hotel. The triangular building was originally conceived in 1817 by Auguste Montferrand as the private address of the city’s elite, close to the Winter Palace. During the renovation, the original concept and aesthetic was studied and many elements were maintained. Neo-classic materials were acquired from across Europe (like gilt mirrors and marble fixtures) to keep the ambiance in sync. The hotel’s four-level spa is constructed within a triangular courtyard of the original Lion Palace, and has eight spa treatment rooms—including a deluxe couples’ suite with a private lounge. Hotel de Paris, St. Tropez, France A once-fashionable meeting place for the international jet set in St. Tropez has been given a new lease on life, thanks to a dramatic makeover by acclaimed designer Sybille de Margerie. After two years of non-stop renovations, the legendary hideaway is back on the French Riviera scene. Outfitted with all the latest technology and designer furnishings, the 52 rooms and 38 suites are a feast of color—with a rainbow of hues accenting the walls, curtains, and fabrics. Top dig is The Presidential Suite (sprawling over 1,400 square feet) with its private terrace offering views over the Saint Tropez harbor. One of the highlights is the pool with a transparent glass bottom—suspended over the lobby so that bathers are visible from below. Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg – Tchaikovskogo InterContinental Hotels Group launched its boutique Indigo brand in Russia in the historic center of St. Petersburg, between the Neva and Fontanka rivers, the Summer Garden, and Tavrichesky Garden. We say that’s a good spot for visiting local attractions. Floor-to-ceiling murals in the hotel’s 119 bedrooms were inspired by the nearby Summer Garden, the Foundry metal works and river embankments. Good to know: The hotel, like all of the Indigo properties, is crafted to reflect its neighborhood, so keep an eye out for local artwork and regional specialties on the menus. Hotel Nikol’skaya Kempinski, Moscow This new hotel on Lubyanka Square in central Moscow is the culmination of a six-year renovation project that merged several adjacent historic buildings not far from Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Bolshoi Theatre. Interiors by the Leo International Design Group conjure the Belle Epoque with elements like marble, crystal, and gilded wood. Served by butlers, the two Presidential Suites are like private apartments in some of the best real estate in town. This is the Kempinski Group’s second hotel in the Russian capital, and for a sense of the “wow” factor, rates start at around $400 per night. InterContinental Davos, Switzerland Alert the dedicated ecotourists among your clientele that this hotel is focused on environmental sustainability, heated with 90 percent renewable energy. Inside the dome-shaped hotel, the ambience reflects a modern, upscale alpine
chalet. The hotel’s spa has 14 treatment rooms, a wet area, open-air pool, and a lounge overlooking the mountains. For younger visitors, the hotel has a Globini Kids Club—a team of professional kindergarten teachers to create activities and a safe place for kids. InterContinental Marseille, Hotel Dieu Housed in the centuries-old Hotel Dieu, a landmark historic monument on the Old Port, InterContinental Marseille, Hotel Dieu opened as the city’s first true five-star hotel. The historic structure, which looks over the city and port, has been renovated so that historic details—like a 12-century chapel and its mosaics—have been preserved. Perched atop Le Panier, the oldest part of France’s second largest city, the building has vaulted passageways and large terraces. The property overlooks the city and offers views of the Vieux Port and the iconic Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica.
Presidential Suite at the InterContinental Marseilles J.K. Place Roma Occupying a historic building at Via Monte d’Oro 30, just off the Via Condotti (right in the middle of town), this hotel is within walking distance to the Spanish Steps. Rooms come with rosewood canopy beds or handmade fabric beds, spacious marble bathrooms, plus complimentary minibar and free Wi-Fi. The J.K. Master Room is the largest at 540 square feet. Composed of a living room and separate bedroom, the suite is decked out with custom furniture by architect Michele Bonan. Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna Originally built as a hotel for the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873, the building stands in the heart of the city, not far from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After two and a half years of restoration, it opens its doors again—as famous Viennabased architect Boris Podrecca’s most recent masterpiece. (Podrecca, widely considered a pioneer in postmodernism, blends elements of the original Renaissance revival style with a contemporary, chic overlay.) In its new life, the hotel has two restaurants, a winter garden, a spa, and some top nightlife spots. Rosewood London Housed in a 1914 Edwardian Belle Epoque building in Holborn, the Rosewood’s wrought-iron gates lead to an intimate courtyard, making for an impressive welcome. The Grand Manor House Wing is accessed via a private elevator and its own street entrance; this is the only hotel suite in the world to have its own postcode. Beyond that, the suite has six bedrooms, a dressing chamber, a library, a dining room and several sitting rooms that spread out over 6,318 square feet of living space. The Garden House, meanwhile, has a garden terrace overlooking the London skyline while the Chancery House has plenty of old-fashioned grandeur.
Executive Suite at the Rosewood London Swissotel Metropole, Geneva Swissotel Hotels and Resorts opened the Swissotel Metropole, Geneva, in March. Its 12 “signature rooms” are the first of their kind within the company: All lights and electronic instruments are navigated via a central control panel and the TV has a media connection panel allowing guests to connect their own devices. Additional services, available free of charge to guests in the new rooms, include minibar access, free Wi-Fi, and ironing service on arrival. All signature rooms are offering a view over the famous English Garden or Lake Geneva. We hear the open, mosaic bathrooms are considered a particular highlight of the property, providing guests with their own personal spa experience via the steam showers, or Jacuzzi baths with jet stream. The experience is enhanced by the Swissotel product line Pürovel, which is produced by Swiss farmers using pure biological oils and local herbs. The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland This new ski resort is set to become a new Grande Dame hotel for Switzerland. The best suite to book is the Gemsstock Suite, which spans an expansive 1,400 square feet. The resort can arrange over-the-top requests for guests, such as customized day excursions, sightseeing in Lucerne, guided hiking trips to a cheese-making farm, and concert tickets for the Lucerne Festival. The London Edition This upscale hotel was created in partnership between Marriott and Ian Schrager. The brand of luxury lifestyle hotels currently only has two other properties in its portfolio worldwide—in Istanbul and Miami Beach. (More are due to open in the coming years.) Occupying the site of the former Berners Hotel in Fitzrovia, The London Edition has 173 rooms, a lounge dubbed the Punch Room, and a restaurant called Berners Tavern run by Jason Atherton, who created Maze for Gordon Ramsay Holdings. The hotel is near the British Museum and Soho. Waldorf Astoria Berlin As part of the new Zoofenster skyscraper, this 32-story hotel has the highest Presidential Suite in the whole city on the top floor. The hotel’s interior design has been conceived by Parisian agency Inter Art Etudes with plenty of Art Deco flair. Guests can choose from five different dining venues, the most exclusive of which is Les Solistes, where the menu was thought up by Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire. And be sure to visit the Guerlain Beauty Spa, the only Guerlain outpost in Germany. W Verbier, Switzerland Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened the first-ever W Hotel in Switzerland in December, also marking the W brand’s firstever alpine and ski retreat. The resort has four wooden chalet-style buildings, each connected by a glass atrium. For accommodations, the W Verbier has 123 guest rooms, including one Extreme WOW Suite (the W brand’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite), as well as 15 W-branded Residences. Top Perk: All guest rooms and suites have a fireplace and a balcony with panoramic alpine views. The resort also offers immediate ski-in, ski-out access to the mountainside.
Mexico Iberostar Playa Mita, Riviera Nayarit What sets this resort apart from other Iberostars in Mexico is its location. Riviera Nayarit is an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, secluded between the Western Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. As such, the resort places a huge emphasis on the natural environment and the local, traditional towns that surround it. Why it’s hot: In addition to its ocean view rooms and suites, this resort has 18 adults-only Spa Rooms that include spa treatments in their rates. There are a variety of dining options, including an international buffet, as well as four themed restaurants: Gourmet, Japanese, Steak House and Mexican. There is also an exclusive SeaSoul bar with ocean views, as well as seven other bars placed throughout the resort. Geared toward both couples and families, the hotel has a Splash Park aqua park and a separate kids’ pool. Grand Residences Riviera Cancun The all-suite Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, an affiliate of Leading Hotels of the World, debuted shortly before Christmas—a gift for clients who value privacy and the personal touch. The all-suite property is nestled in a secluded enclave between Riviera Maya and Cancun. The suites are designed as private residences, with on-property gourmet dining, a spa and salon, and personalized beach and pool service. The property’s top-notch Presidential Suite is a fourbedroom penthouse that sleeps up to 13. It comes complete with a private roof garden, ocean views, a pool, Jacuzzi, and a bar and grill. Nizuc Resort & Spa, Cancun Nizuc Resort & Spa is just 10 minutes from Cancun’s airport, and delivers service on par with any of the established and respected five-star resorts to the south. Sitting on its own stretch of land away from the hotel zone, Nizuc is a quiet, secluded resort overlooking the ocean on an almost private strip of beach. What we loved was the path that led from the main pool area through wild, rustic foliage, passing private lounging areas on small docks in hidden beach nooks (Hint: You can request a private dinner to be served here), which led us to the adults-only La Punta Grill & Lounge, which has its own infinity pool and sunning area. This area is authentic Mexico, as it served once as a presidential retreat for the country.
Nizuc Resort & Spa in Cancun Middle East Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Waldorf-Astoria’s first hotel in the UAE is designed to mirror the classic features of an Arabian palace. Guests may feel like royalty as they enjoy a private beach and two temperature-controlled outdoor pools. Dining aficionados can select from four signature restaurants, including specialty dining from US steakhouse, The Lexington Grill; Japanese dining at Umi; and Emirati-inspired cuisine at Marjan. The Waldorf Astoria Spa, one of the Emirate’s largest spas, stretches over 17,760 square feet with 12 treatment rooms as well as a VIP room. Let your golfing clients know that there’s an 18-hole championship course onsite. Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort and Spa Perched on the eastern crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, an archipelago of islands connected to the mainland, this Asian-style resort has rooms with direct access to more than 107,000 square feet (that’s two-plus acres!) of lagoon pools. Inspired by traditional Thai architecture, the resort also has 18 over-water villas—the first of their kind in the Middle East—and three Royal Beach Villas. A kids club and a teens club keep the young ones entertained while the grown-ups visit the Anantara Spa.
Villa with pool at the Anantara Dubai Palm Beach Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv InterContinental Hotels Group opened the Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv – Diamond District, the debut of IHG’s boutique brand in Israel. We hear the hotel has design details inspired by the gemstone. (Think murals all throughout the property.) There’s also the diamond-inspired Clarity Spa, a sundeck and a rooftop glass swimming pool. The French-Mediterranean restaurant Blackstone Bistro & Lounge (named after the original, raw formation of a diamond) serves locally sourced food and drink and is open to locals as well as guests. Bonus: Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel so guests can keep up-to-date online or relax with their own music selection in the iPod docking station. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, Kuwait The Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa is the first Jumeirah property in the Gulf region outside the UAE. The hotel has eight restaurants and lounges, an outdoor swimming pool lined with palm trees, and a Talise spa. Equipped with free Wi-Fi, the top of the hotel’s 316 guest rooms are the decadent Royal Suites—sprawling across 3,875 square feet. The five-bedroom villa, meanwhile, at the hotel looks over the ocean and the hotel gardens, and offers guests the use of a private parking space as well as a private plunge pool. Guests can also make use of the full kitchen, including dishwasher, fridge, microwave, oven and chinaware. Rosewood Abu Dhabi The first Rosewood Hotels & Resorts property in the UAE is set on the waterfront of Sowwah Square. The 34-story landmark hotel occupies a prime spot on Al Maryah Island (formerly Sowwah Island), in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new central business district. It has 189 rooms and suites and four penthouses, as well as nine signature restaurants and lounges. Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s interiors are created from such materials as Italian marble, a bespoke 13-foot American walnut table, and custom and hand-blown chandeliers from the Czech Republic. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Acquiring the title of “World’s Tallest Hotel” from the Guinness Book of World Records, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is just a little shorter than New York City’s Empire State Building. At 1,164 feet and 72 stories, the property is the first JW Marriott Marquis outside of North America and the 59th addition to the brand’s global luxury portfolio. The 43,000square-foot Saray Spa and Health Club draws inspiration from the caravanserai silk route across Arabia. The hotel’s nine restaurants and five bars/lounges include the steakhouse Prime 68 (as in 68th floor), where the cuts of meat are matched only by the sky-high views; the experiential sushi restaurant, Izakaya; and cocktail bar Vault, which occupies the 71st and 72nd floors and affords panoramic views of the city. Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal This resort is the first Ritz-Carlton in Abu Dhabi and the ninth property in the Middle East for the luxury hotel operator. Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, The RitzCarlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is located at the waterfront and consists of 10 buildings arranged in a crescent formation around a sprawling 17,000-square-foot outdoor pool where guests can relax in a private cabana.
United States Capella Washington, DC This boutique hotel was inspired by the history of American architecture. Guests of the property are entitled to Capella Personal Assistants 24 hours a day. Complimentary amenities include a refreshment center, laundry pressing service (up to five pieces), Wi-Fi and more. We love The Grill Room and The Rye Bar, which are trending on the DC culinary scene. The former specializes in bone-in, artisanal meats, seafood, and tableside preparations, while the latter serves up rare rye whiskeys, cocktails and a specialty menu of bar snacks. The Clubhouse at Streamsong Resort, Florida When its 216-room main lodge opened in January 2014, the Clubhouse Streamsong Resort near Tampa had already been welcoming guests to its 12-room golf clubhouse for almost a year. The landlocked luxury resort targets a different Florida niche, eschewing the usual beach focus for golf (Streamsong Red was named “Best New U.S. Course You Can Play” by Golf magazine), as well as tennis, shooting, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, hiking and hot-air ballooning.
The Clubhouse at Steamsong Resort, west of Tampa Downtown Grand Las Vegas Las Vegas’ booming Downtown area received an early Christmas present when the Downtown Grand opened in November. Yes, the hotel has its share of gaming facilities (600 slot machines, 30 table games and a sports book), dining options (five), and bars—including the signature Mob Bar, a flapper-style environment that has handcrafted cocktails and live entertainment. The topper, however, may be what’s at the top: Downtown Grand’s PICNIC is the latest entry to Las Vegas’ competitive rooftop swimming pool scene. Designed to be reminiscent of a ‘50s pool oasis, the new area offers live entertainment and film screenings throughout the year, an infinity pool, and opportunities for picnics on the grass or at communal tables. Guests can also enjoy cocktails or play blackjack outdoors. El Encanto, Santa Barbara The first Belmond hotel on the U.S. West Coast—and Santa Barbara’s only Forbes Five-Star resort—reopened to rave reviews after nearly seven years of restoration accomplished in close association with Santa Barbara’s Historic Landmarks Commission. To complement the historic decor, the hotel also offers carefully selected artwork by Damien Hirst and Charles Arnoldi. Accommodations are a mix of private bungalows and luxury suites. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hills of Santa Barbara’s wine country, The Spa draws from the surrounding landscape using local ingredients to create signature treatments. Executive Chef Leo Andres Ayala creates inspired California Coastal cuisine with locally sourced seasonal produce, such as herbs directly from the chef’s garden, and Belmond El Encanto cheese, made from the milk of Ellie, the resort’s resident cow. Hotel Zetta, San Francisco The new property from Viceroy Hotel Group is the first new hotel in San Francisco in five years. The stylish building is on 5th Street in the heart of SoMa, adjacent to the Westfield Shopping Centre, steps from Moscone Center and close to Union Square. BART trains are practically at the doorstep for guests who want to explore other San Francisco neighborhoods. Hotel Zetta offers ultra-modern accommodations and, like all Viceroy properties, a 21st century awareness of sustainability. The interactive lobby is a social hub with Macs and—heads up, The Price Is Right fans—a Plinko game wall.
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica Opened Fall 2013 as a new offering on the iconic Santa Monica Pier, the hotel’s unique lobby—dubbed Le Meridien Hub Experience—re-interprets the traditional lobby scene as a social gathering place with good coffee, large-scale artwork and unique lighting. Cool touches: The hotel has a 24-hour curated soundtrack and offers the “Unlock Art” program— LM100 artist-designed key card collections that not only offer access to the guest room but also to Le Meridien brand affiliated contemporary cultural centers in the city. Nobu Hotel at Caesars Las Vegas The first celebrity chef-branded hotel venture in Las Vegas brings Nobu’s famed culinary brand to the hospitality space, including the world’s largest Nobu restaurant and the first to offer teppanyaki in the United States. The hotel’s dining experiences channel his signature style and, ramping up the cool factor, all rooms have minibars filled by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa himself. Nobu’s signature hot tea is served in the room upon arrival, and there are tech touches like iPad registration, an iPad docking station and Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace app.
King Room at the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Las Vegas Salamander Resort, Middleburg, Virginia The pet project of Black Entertainment Television co-founder Sheila Johnson officially opened last August after much delay and fanfare. Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., the expansive resort (it occupies 340 acres of Virginia horse country) offers an ideal retreat with its infinity pool surrounded by cabanas, Equestrian Center, and access to over 50 vineyards within an hour’s drive. There is a Cooking Studio at Harrimans Restaurant where guests can partake in culinary classes and watch cooking demos. Chef Todd Gray, of Equinox in Washington, is the Salamander’s Culinary Director. The Langham Chicago Just minutes from the commercial Loop district and within walking distance of the famous Magnificent Mile, Langham Hotels’ first purpose-built hotel in North America arrived on the scene last summer. With design by world-renowned architects like Dirk Lohan, who worked with his grandfather Mies van der Rohe on the IBM building in the 1960s, and David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, who designed the property’s signature restaurant, Travelle, this property is a major addition to Chicago’s booming hotel landscape. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Langham without Tiffin at The Langham, the traditional afternoon tea that first debuted at The Langham, London in 1865, and the signature Chuan Spa. The Pearl Rosemary Beach, Florida This luxury resort opened on Florida’s Emerald Coast in time to catch the last wave of summer travelers. The resort is notable for its tech-friendly amenities, including the Intelity App, which enables guests to book dinner reservations, room service, or place concierge requests before or during their stay via an iPad available in each room. The resort is also the first in the U.S. to offer in-room Apple TVs, allowing guests to stream wirelessly from the complimentary highspeed Wi-Fi. But with a private stretch of white-sand beach just steps away, a spa with four stunning poolside treatment cabanas, and an 18.6-mile scenic bike trail, guests may find they have little time for TVs and PCs. The Redbury South Beach, Miami This boutique property charms with its Art Deco-themed rooms and suites with in-room Crosley record players and a collection of vinyl curated by Capitol Records and Universal Music Enterprises. Apartment-style touches include kitchens
and private balconies. The swank rooftop pool and Chef Tony Mantuano’s Lorenzo restaurant are also plusses. Other perks include exclusive access to the beaches, pools, and amenities of the nearby SLS Hotel South Beach and The Raleigh, as well as complimentary BMW house car service within a three-mile radius of the hotel. Thompson Chicago Why do we think this hotel is hot? Lots of reasons: All of the hotel’s residential-style rooms and suites have modern art and a fully stocked minibar. The bathrooms have rain shower heads and natural bath and spa products by REN, and the minibars are filled with Dean & DeLuca snacks. Tech touches include bedside lighting controls, nightstands with built-in USB chargers and an in-room entertainment system by Tangerine. Coolest tech detail of all: Each room has its own ISP address and functions as its own hotspot. (Wi-Fi is included.) It also offers top views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Plus, guests enjoy complimentary car service to downtown Chicago.
Thompson Chicago lobby Hawaii Andaz Maui at Wailea Hawaii doesn’t get new hotels very often, so when it does, it’s hot news. With Wailea’s first new resort in six years, Andaz is putting a luxury spin on the destination’s multigenerational market while also creating a quiet retreat for affluent couples. Seventy percent of all rooms face the ocean and the two Premiere Suites have a soaking tub smack dab in the center of the room, offering clients an impressive ocean view while they soak. The hotel is also home to one of Hawaii’s hottest restaurants, Morimoto Maui, named after executive Chef and former “Iron Chef,” Masaharu Morimoto. Four of the resort’s five swimming pools lead into each other, with three infinity pools ending up in one relaxing “lagoon.” The fifth is separate and serves as the resort’s adults-only pool.
Open-air lobby lounge at the Andaz Maui at Wailea on Maui
New York’s Boutique Boom Here is a quartet of newcomers that proves small hotels are a good fit for the Big Apple. The Quin, Viceroy and WestHouse are all within shouting distance of Carnegie Hall and each other, and just blocks from Central Park and Broadway theaters, while the Refinery is trying the Garment District on for size. The Quin, New York The Quin is housed in a pre-War building that, as the Buckingham Hotel, is rumored to have been the former home of famous musicians and painters such as pianist/composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski and artist Georgia O’Keeffe–whose names are given to the Quin’s two specialty suites. There’s also a Penthouse suite for those who adore a view of Central Park. The Quin employs a team of Attachés to curate New York City experiences for guests, be it art and culture, shopping, food and drink, or entertainment they seek. Viceroy New York With its array of amenities that leave guests wanting for nothing, including Chef Marc Murphy’s Kingside restaurant, the Viceroy was already hot when it opened in October. It has since opened a new rooftop bar dubbed, in no-nonsense New York fashion, The Roof, where guests can take maximum advantage of the New York scenery from 29 stories up while nibbling on small plates and sipping small-batch spirits, regionally brewed craft beers, global wines and sexy cocktails. WestHouse Hotel of New York One of three new additions by Small Luxury Hotels of the World to New York’s ever-trendy hotel scene, this 1920s Art Deco-style property unwrapped itself just in time to welcome early Christmas guests. We love the unique apartmentstyle vibe: guests are called “residents,” check-in from their rooms and can even request their own butler. And, as mentioned above, you can’t beat the neighborhood. Refinery Hotel New York This Garment District property hit the scene last May and we hear it’s a great pick for fashionistas who want to hit the nearby sample sales. The main entrance is designed to evoke a fashion runway, while the reception area has hat-making machinery repurposed as custom art installations. Other furnishing is inspired by sewing machines and factory carts, while the Parker and Quinn restaurant sports classic design touches that span New York City’s history from the 1900s to today. Macy’s and Madison Square Garden are just a few blocks south. The Quin, Refinery and WestHouse are all members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
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6/19/2014
[TRAVEL] Eat, Pray and Love Your Way Through Maui - Photos - EBONY
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[TRAVEL] Eat, Pray and Love Your Way Through Maui
JUNE 2014
YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE TO ONE OF HAWAI'I'S MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS [PHOTOS]
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CLASSIC GALLERY
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h e is la n d o f M a u i is truly one of the most beautiful and restorativ e places in the United States, if not the world, with its lux ury resorts and retreat centers, amazing food, a plethora of activ ities to bring y ou back to center, and --best of all--the Aloha spirit of the nativ e Hawaiian people that say s all are welcome. Here are suggestions for the best way s to enjoy all that Maui has to offer.
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[TRAVEL] Eat, Pray and Love Your Way Through Maui - Photos - EBONY If y ou’re looking for a v acation resort, y ou cannot beat The Fairmont Kei Lani in beautiful Wailea, Maui or The Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua. Both resorts hav e made it a priority for guests to ex perience authentic Hawaiian culture, and they take pride in incorporating that culture and history throughout their resorts. If y ou want a non-traditional v acation ex perience, howev er, Lumeria Maui Retreat Center is the place to be. T h e Fa ir m o n t Ke a L a n i: When y ou walk into The Fairmont Kea Lani on Wailea, it will seem like some kind god dropped a palace in the middle of paradise and inv ited y ou in. Sure, there are many lux ury resorts on the strip of ocean Wailea sits on, but The Fairmont surpasses them all. Aside from the beauty of the open-air, hacienda-sty le architecture, designed by Mex ican architect Jose Luis Ezquerra, with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, y ou still feel a distinct Hawaiian spirit as y ou walk the ocean-side resort grounds and swim in one of its three pools. Hawaiian history and culture are infused into ev ery part of the ex perience at The Fairmont, from the fine and casual dining and the art on the walls to the spa and activ ities it offers guests, like canoeing, before which y ou'll witness a Hawaiian blessing of y our trip before departing and learn the Hawaiian words for stop and go, as well as the wildlife y ou'll see on y our journey , like honu (turtles). The family -friendly , all-suite and v illa resort will giv e y ou ample time to relax in lux ury while learning about the beautiful and storied history of Maui and the Hawaiian islands. Rea d more a bout my experience a t The Fa irmont h e r e . T h e Rit z-C a r lt o n : The name and brand are internationally sy nony mous with lux ury and great serv ice, and the Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua more than liv es up to that reputation with its ocean v iews, multiple pools, fine dining opportunities, spa and club-lev el rooms. These are not what make this Ritz-Carlton special, howev er. Under the direction of The Ritz's cultural adv isor Clifford Naeole, the resort has become a part of the Hawaiian community , hosting an annual Celebration of the Arts, where the history and culture of nativ e Hawaiians. When the resort was first being constructed more than twenty y ears ago, The Ritz became the first hotel to mov e its prime oceanfront location out of respect to protesting nativ e Hawaiians and the burial ground that ex isted there, and as a result, the Ritz set precedent across Hawai'i that businesses could no longer build on sacred sites.
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It is because of that deference and continued showing of respect, inclusion and immersion in Hawaiian culture that the Ritz has become a place where nativ e Hawaiian history , language and cultural arts are heralded and supported, whether during the annual Celebration or any day , when guests can participate in cultural and env ironmental activ ities like and ceremonies, like the sunrise spiritual purification ceremony Hiuwai led by Naeole on the beach. Guests hav e many opportunities to leav e The Ritz-Carlton not only restored, well-fed and well-serv ed but also with a greater respect and a new appreciation for nature and the spirit that dwells in all liv ing things, and a better understanding of the history of Hawai'i and its people. S t a y t u n e d for more a bout my tra nsforma tiv e experience a t The Ritz-Ca rlton, Ka pa lua . L u m e r ia M a u i: There is no greater escape from the traditional v acation ex perience than the unique and restorativ e stay y ou'll hav e at Lumeria Maui retreat center. With 24 rooms of v arious designs, a Sanctuary for reading by the fireplace, meditating, chanting or socializing with other guests, a hot tub and pool, y oga studio and restaurant, Lumeria Maui offers y ou a chance to get zen in a spiritual, garden paradise where all are welcome. While there, I enjoy ed a threecourse farm-to-table dinner made with ingredients from Lumeria Maui's garden and a healthy , organic breakfast buffet, along with a renewing, 1 .5-hour y oga session and on-my -own deep meditations. If y ou're looking to get back to nature, reconnect with God and deepen y our spiritual life in a quiet, affirming and alluring space, Lumeria Maui is the place for y ou. W H A T T O DO H a le a k a la C r a t e r a t s u n r is e . Y ou’ll hav e to get up early in the morning to watch the sun rise at the top of Haleakala Crater, a 1 0,000
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[TRAVEL] Eat, Pray and Love Your Way Through Maui - Photos - EBONY foot high mountain and hallowed ground for nativ e Hawaiians—but the trip is well-worth the effort. I was fortunate enough to trav el there with Kamaka Kukona, an award-winning v ocalist and hula performer with Kumu Hula, and cultural specialist who, after the massiv e sunrise crowd dispersed, performed in the stillness a beautiful chant for the rising of the sun, E Kane Holani E, which remarks on the power and rev italizing impact of the sun. The ex perience was so amazing that I made the trek to the top again a few day s later so that my best friend could witness it. Though she wouldn’t get up in time for sunrise, Haleakala Crater during our early afternoon v isit was just as majestic as it is at first light, but in a remarkably different way . In the fullness of the sun, it looks like a completely different place; where the early morning giv es y ou a sense of renewal and ex citement and rebirth, the early afternoon v iew is like ex periencing the manifestation of y our most incredible dreams. Y ou’ll hav e to pinch y ourself to be sure that what y ou’re v iewing actually ex ists before y ou, in real life. Whether y ou’re an early riser or not, both ex periences are surreal and worth it. I a o V a lle y St a t e Pa r k Second only to Haleakala, as far as mountainous spots of natural beauty on Maui goes, is Iao V alley State Park. Where Haleakala is an incredible canv as of red and brown rocks, blue skies and white clouds, Iao V alley is a lush, green mountain range with a rocky stream running through it. Hike up to the look-out point and take pictures with Iao Needle as a backdrop, or hike down off-trail into the v alley and hav e a picnic by the stream. With an Iao V alley museum nearby , y ou can spend the whole day learning about the significance of this sacred v alley to nativ e Hawaiians. But what I did after my hours of hiking was to sit in a field ov erlooking the park and sing, “How Great Thou Art”. When y ou witness such div inity , when it’s blooming all around y ou, what else can y ou do? Su r fin g G o a t Da ir y Fa r m T o u r . Though I’v e alway s lov ed cheese, goat cheese was nev er a fav orite—until now. Surfing Goat Dairy ’s fresh cracked pepper goat cheese (named the “Iv ory Coast”) made me a believ er. Besides being healthier than cow’s milk cheese, Surfing Goat Dairy ’s award-winning, melt-in-y our-mouth cheeses are incredibly good. My fav orites are Rolling Green, Men’s Challenge, Olé!, and Garden Fantasia. But Iv ory Coast just might change y our life. Luckily for me, The Fairmont Kea Lani sold many of the cheese right in the hotel’s cafeteria—perfect for my late-night crav ings—and many of the local restaurants incorporate Surfing Goat Dairy cheeses into their meals. Local businesses supporting each other: now that’s the Aloha spirit! O c e a n V o d k a Dis t ille r y T o u r Right nex t door to the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm is the organic Ocean V odka Distillery , where y ou’ll get to sample what Ocean V odka calls “the purest water in the world.” This pH-balanced water, along with sugar cane, is distilled continuously to make the smoothest v odka y ou’ll ev er hav e the pleasure of drinking. Take a tour of the distillery and the beautiful sugar cane plantation with an awesome, Upcountry v iew of the ocean and the Maui sunset and top the ex perience off with a sample shot of Ocean V odka that will slip down y our throat with no bite at all. Best of all, the organic v odka distillery uses eco-friendly , sustainable products and practices and makes their bottles from recy cled glass, guaranteeing y ou'll hav e the most guilt-free v odka ex perience y ou'v e ev er had! If that’s not magical enough, Ocean V odka and Surfing Goat Dairy hav e teamed up to make goat milk chocolates flav ored with Ocean V odka martini recipes, like ly chee and strawberry basil lemonade, which y ou can sample after y our tour. Many of the local restaurants use Ocean V odka as their official v odka as does Hawaiian Airlines. If y ou’re lucky enough to be fly ing Hawaiian Airlines, y ou’ll be able to sip and sav or Ocean V odka all the way back home. A li'i Ku la L a v e n d e r Fa r m : While y ou’re in Upcountry , y ou must v isit the beautiful Lav ender Farm. With panoramic v iews of rolling hills and the ocean in the distance, Lav ender Farm has become a go-to destination for ev ery thing from intimate weddings to a momentary getaway . I spent twenty minutes sitting in the garden doing a guided meditation on stilling and quieting my soul. With such a perfectly peaceful backdrop, I set a personal record for how fast I could turn my self ov er to quietness and allow my self to be env eloped by pure beauty . But with all of that stillness, I worked up quite the appetite, and
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[TRAVEL] Eat, Pray and Love Your Way Through Maui - Photos - EBONY enjoy ed some fresh scones with Ali'i's unbeliev ably delicious lav ender jelly and washed it all down with their signature lav ender lemonade. Beauty , peace and good eats equals an afternoon well spent. St a n d -Up Pa d d le B o a r d in g w it h H a w a iia n Pa d d le Sp o r t s : There are many companies that offer paddle boarding lessons, but Hawaiian Paddle Sports not only has highly skilled and knowledgeable guides, but also emails its patrons the epic pictures from y our time paddle boarding around the reefs off the coast of Oluwalu Beach. Whether it’s y our first time like it was for me or y our fiftieth, y ou’ll lov e the fullbody workout y ou’ll get, along with the fish and sea turtles y ou'll spot in the clear water. If y ou come before April, y ou might ev en see some whales out there. Ask for SUP instructor Curtis. W a t e r fa ll Ra p p e llin g w it h Ra p p e l M a u i: Waterfall rappelling with Rappel Maui is an adv enture like no other. Plan for a full day to strap into a harness and rappel down a 50-foot and then a 30-foot waterfall in the rainforest off the scenic Hana Highway . As a nerv ous first-timer, the ex tremely patient guides assured me of my safety and made my ex perience relax ing and fun. Now, whenev er I'm feeling nerv ous, I remind my self that I'v e rappelled off of a waterfall in the rainforest. Twice. It's empowering bey ond belief! Once y ou rappel, y ou swim in the cool, fresh water swimming holes at the bottom of each fall before y ou hike through the rainforest back up to the top and enjoy a picnic lunch with a v iew of the falls and the ocean way down in the distance. It's an amazing opportunity for ev en the only occasionally athletic person, like me. Se e "'Ula le n a " a t M a u i T h e a t e r : The most mov ing ex perience I had (indoors) while v isiting Maui was v iewing the award-winning show 'Ulalena at the Maui Theater near Kapalua. 'Ulalena tells the story of Hawai’i, combining the my ths and legends of the islands with the history of America’s impact. The performers speak, chant and sing in nativ e Hawaiian, and offer breath-taking performances with top-notch special effects that will leav e y ou dev astated by the powerful reenactments of historical ev ents, empowered with the truth and hopeful for the future of this beautiful island culture and spirit. Y ou can only ex perience this show on Maui; do not leav e the island until y ou'v e seen it! W H E RE T O E A T Food can make or break y our v acation, which is why I’v e chosen to highlight only the best places I ate at while on Maui. Pin e a p p le G r ill: If y ou’re in Kapalua, run, don’t walk, to Pineapple Grill and order y ourself the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. As soon as I hit Kapalua, ev ery person I met told me I absolutely had to go to this restaurant and hav e this cake—and they were not ly ing. My dreams of Maui consistently include this delectably sweet dessert whose tangy fruit, caramel drizzle and macadamia nut ice cream swirl together in y our mouth to create an immensely satisfy ing after-dinner ex perience. H u m u h u m u n u k u n u k u a p u a 'a Re s t a u r a n t : This award-winning, open-air, thatched-roof restaurant named for the state fish of Hawai'i sits on stilts ov er a 1 million gallon salt water Koi pond with a section for lobsters that y ou can pick out for supper y ourself. With a wide array of surf-and-turf options, my fav orites were the sea scallops in garlic butter appetizer and the tender steak and succulent lobster entree. Kō: The incredible seer-it-y ourself Ahi tuna appetizer at The Fairmont Kea Lani's Kō restaurant is only the beginning. Here, I discov ered the Hawaiian white fish, monchong, which was serv ed in between two lamb chops, and knew that I'd ex perienced something special. While this meal inspired me to eat monchong wherev er I could find it--and with any kind of preparation--nothing ev er compared to that first bite at Kō.
L a h a in a G r ill: Continuing my quest for first-time ex periences, I enjoy ed my first taste of moonshine at the Lahaina Grill just a few blocks away from the Maui Theater where I saw 'Ulalena. The Moonshine was mix ed into a lav ender cocktail with a sugar rim and went perfectly with my unbeliev ably delicious pink snapper entree. Unfortunately , I had to box up the snapper because I had gorged my self on Lahaina Grill's offerings of sweet bread with rosemary and
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[TRAVEL] Eat, Pray and Love Your Way Through Maui - Photos - EBONY basil butter before my meal could arriv e. Fortunately , the rest of the snapper made for a great nex t-day breakfast, along with Lahaina's outof-this-world Kula Lime Tart. Ka i Su s h i: What are y our fav orite kinds of sushi and sashimi? Name it and Kai Sushi at the Ritz in Kapalua has it. I sampled at least three of ev ery thing and it was delicious raw seafood and rolls heav en. The ambiance is also great, with carefully selected paintings portray ing v arious aspects of Hawaiian culture and history and prominently featuring an image of the first canoe Hawaiians used to retrace their ancestors' v oy age from Tahiti in 1 97 6. W H E RE T O SPA Sp a G r a n d e a t T h e G r a n d W a ile a : Nothing beats the amazing array of bath options av ailable at The Grand Wailea’s Spa Grande in Wailea. Arriv e an hour before y our appointment in order to treat y ourself to the full-body scrub serv ice, the multiple sea salt soaks, the highpressured showers and the hot and cold tubs to jump-start y our circulatory sy stem. With an East-Meets-West theme, y ou'll ex perience European bathhouses and Asian-inspired treatments all under one, fabulous roof. While my massage was fantastic, the highlights were definitely preparing for the serv ice and lounging on the shaded, outdoor post-treatment deck ov erlooking The Grand Wailea's pools and the ocean. Brooke Obie is Editor-a t-La rg e for EBONY .com. She v isited Ma ui courtesy of the Ma ui Tourism Boa rd a nd the spots she enjoy ed the best on her trip a re fea tured a bov e. Rea d a bout Brooke's tra nsforma tiv e journey on Ma ui here. ​Follow her tra v els on Tw it t e r a nd I n s t a g r a m @BrookeObie.
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6/6
There's something new wherever you travel this summer
A video snapshot of a part of Dubai few people see. Deira is the old trading part of Dubai full of souks and spice markets, along the creek, Dubai's old main waterway.on.aol.com
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner June 28, 2014 Where ever you travel this summer, something new is happening. For instance Raffles Dubai just introduced its new Caviar Facial, at its spa. The decadent indulgence, known for its powerful antioxidants, is being used in a 90 minute rejuvenating anti-aging treatment for the face, neck and décolleté. The combination of antioxidant rich caviar, glycolics and a unique peel off masque leaves skin glowing and healthy. Guests who book the Signature Caviar Facial in June, will also receive a blissful 30 minute back massage free of charge.
Swissôtel Métropole has opened its rooftop lounge bar and restaurant overlooking Lake Geneva and the city’s skyline, in a beautifully designed space by architect Enzo Enea. The impeccable and inventive menu found in the “5” lounge-bar-restaurant is a culmination of gourmet small plates from around the world in a tapas style setting. The unique food offerings will be paired with handpicked selections off the wine list by the hotels sommelier, or a special creation from the extensive cocktail menu. Raffles Praslin Seychelles has an offer you can't refuse beginning July 1 through September 30 when guests can enjoy a complimentary night if they stay for four while others who stay for
seven nights will only be charged for 5. The hotel amenities include accommodation in a beautiful villa with a private plunge pool, a lavish daily breakfast for two in Losean Restaurant and access to a 24 hour butler service. Guests will be steps away from swimming and water sports at the beachfront and children will be entertained with the hotel’s kids club. Parents and children alike have complimentary access to biking, kayaking, snorkeling paddle boarding and the fitness center along with wireless access throughout the resort. 
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is featuring a Red Sea Adventure Package which provides guests with the opportunity to explore the depths of this crystal clear diver’s paradise.
Direct Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/there-s-something-new-wherever-you-travel-thissummer
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30 JUNE 2014
Travel
5 Reasons to Visit Bermuda NOW LIFE/
KRISTIN BRASWELL ON THE ISLAND PARADISE THAT'S CLOSER TO HOME THAN YOU MAY REALIZE
By K R IS T IN B R A S W E L L Share Share Share Share More 49
Ki ng's Wharf i n Berm uda
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h a t if I t o ld y o u that less than two hours away from most cities on the Northeast, there is an island so beautiful that at ev ery turn it almost looks staged? Powdery pink sand and a culture rich in the arts are just a few of many things Bermuda has to offer. It is impossible not to be left breathless at the site of the water, its different hues of blue that ev en the best watercolor painting could fully capture. Bermudians are a proud people with a rich history that includes African, English and Portuguese influences. The infamous Bermuda shorts are still often worn out, but this fashion trend coupled with golf courses and retirees that many people think of when Bermuda comes to mind could not be further from the truth. Bermuda is bustling with life, from late night reggae boat parties to the alway s-anticipated C u p M a t c h for cricket lov ers in the summer. One could easily spend a day in awe of the brightly colored pastel homes, drinking a rum swizzle and watching the sunset sink behind a sy mphony of colors. Nex t time y ou are choosing y our future beach getaway , consider Bermuda. Here are 5 reasons y ou will not regret it: 1) Fa ir m o n t Pr in c e s s H a m ilt o n : With its recent renov ations and ideal location in the central town of Hamilton, the Fa ir m o n t H a m ilt o n Pr in c e s s is the perfect place to stay for a business trip or weekend getaway . The new Poinciana Wing suites prov ide ample room, as well as a bed so comfortable that it is nearly impossible to get out of, until y ou see the water below. Front St., Bermuda’s commercial center of shopping and nightlife, is right across the street from the Fairmont. On Friday ev enings, Marina Nights brings hotel guests and locals alike to drink and mingle at 16 0 9 B a r & Re s t a u r a n t , which offers gorgeous harbor v iews. This summer, Fairmont Hamilton receiv ed an additional bonus with the opening of chef Marcus Samuelsson’s pop-up restaurant, Samuelsson at HP. The restaurant will be open until August 3, and is a sneak peak of the permanent restaurant that will be unv eiled in May 201 5. Be sure to try to the dark and stormy sorbet- a modern twist on a Bermudian classic. 2 ) M a s t e r W o r k s M u s e u m o f B e r m u d a A r t : “Y ou can go to heav en if y ou want. I’d rather stay in Bermuda.” So said Mark Twain,
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one of many artists that pay homage to the island in the M a s t e r W o r k s M u s e u m o f B e r m u d a A r t . Artists around the world hav e contributed to this div erse museum, which is not to be missed for any one looking to learn a bit more about Bermuda’s rich history . 3 ) B e a c h e s : There are beaches in Bermuda that simply knock the wind out of y ou with their beauty . I hav e spent many times ex ploring small cov es that lead to surreal turquoise water and sand that nev er gets too warm. Horseshoe Bay in Southampton parish is one of the most famous beaches and well worth a v isit, but I encourage first time v isitors to get lost on a trail that leads to quieter stretches of sand and water. For snorkel lov ers, Church Bay offers an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with the island’s sea life. At the north end of the island, Clearwater Beach is one of Bermuda’s gems with few tourists and ex cellent sunbathing. To get a v iew of ev ery beach on the island, try t h e W ild C a t Po w e r b o a t T o u r around the country . It just two hours, y ou’ll ev ery stretch of the island. 4 ) Fis h Sa n d w ic h e s : Bermudian food is a mash up of global influences. Fish chowder, wahoo and codfish and potatoes are just a few local fav orites. Another local fav orite (which I hesitate to recommend for fear that the line will be come ev en longer) is the fried fish sandwich at Art Mels (9 St. Monica’s Road). The original location is about a ten-minute cab ride from downtown Hamilton. Trust me when I tell y ou that y ou will want to take that ride. Art Mels colossal fish sandwich contains fried snapper, tartar sauce and coleslaw. It can be serv ed on deliciously soft raisin bread if y ou would like to take it up a notch. Please do not blame me for the withdrawal y ou are sure to feel day s after y ou leav e Bermuda and realize y ou ex perienced the best fish sandwich y ou will ev er taste in y our life. For those looking to mix a classic cocktail with a fish sandwich, try Sw izzle I n n ’s Back O’ Town sandwich and their signature Rum Swizzle, which contains black seal rum, orange, lemon and pineapple juices, falernum (local sweet sy rup) and a few ex tra secret ingredients. 5 ) B e r m u d ia n Pe o p le : Perhaps I hav e been tarnished by tough New Y ork City liv ing, but I am alway s in awe of the general hospitality and friendliness of Bermudians whenev er I v isit the island. People greet strangers with “good day ” no matter where y ou are, and being inv ited to a barbeque or a boat party at some point during y our v isit is not out of the norm. It is this same community that makes the island feel like home almost immediately . My heart aches each time my plane departs knowing that I am leav ing all the beautiful people who hav e made me feel like family , ev ery single time I v isit.
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21 hours ago
Come on over, guys. Just a short hop away :-) 1
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Walter Matthew s
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11 hours ago
u need to have the Bermudians writing this ad. After being away for 32 years n returning, I see less n less things Bermudian especially in the restaurant's n hotels. So much so I had to ask my family n friends whether or not all the Bermudians have retired from the hotel industry. Then, I hear this excuse Bermudians don't want to work. Keep repeating this lie ,, but it is still a lie. I was trained in the hotel/restaurant industry here in Bermuda from serving rolls n pouri9ng water at Elbow Beach Hotel from age 13years old n made tons of money. My last training was done in the Boston Hotels, whereas, they sent me down to CORNELL UN. I Also trained at
Fare Deals, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts: Summer discounts apply at historic properties Summer rates at the Eaton Chelsea Toronto (formerly the Delta Chelsea), plus a discount on St. Lawrence cruises, and a polar sale on trips in 2015 to Spitsbergen, Greenland and Baffin Island
The Fairmont Summer Offer comes with room rate discounts or free nights at landmark properties across the country, including the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in Quebec.
By: Kathryn Folliott Travel, Published on Fri Jun 27 2014 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ scenic and historic properties are true icons of Canadian travel, and until Sept. 30 you can book all of them at discounts worth up to 20 per cent, or with a free night. Just about all of Fairmont’s city hotels in Vancouver (including the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver), Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal are offering 15 per cent off summer stays, while the Fairmont Empress in Victoria is offering third nights free. At the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Lake Louise, the deal is fourth nights free, and at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, the promotion’s maximum 20 per cent discount applies. Rates are subject to availability and priced per room, per night, double occupancy and exclude taxes. See the Fairmont Summer Offer at fairmont.com/summer . Summer in the city at Eaton Chelsea
Summer rates at the Eaton Chelsea Toronto (formerly the Delta Chelsea) are leading in at $159 and include free transportation to Chelsea Beach, a designated area on Toronto’s Centre Island just for Eaton Chelsea guests. Lifeguards are on duty at Chelsea Beach from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and there are change rooms, bike rentals, Franklin Children’s Garden and a snack bar nearby. Back at the hotel, there’s the Family Fun Zone with the city’s only indoor waterside. Eaton Chelsea Toronto guests also get discounts at attractions including Ripley’s Aquarium and Centreville Amusement Park. See chelsea.eatonhotels.com. River cruise up the St. Lawrence Blount Small Ship Adventures is offering a 25 per cent discount off cruise rates for its Hudson, Erie Canal & St. Lawrence Seaway itinerary, for two dates, Sept. 2 and Oct. 17. The 13-night river cruise sails from New York City to Montreal, and the two sale departures come at the height of the fall foliage season. The discount translates to a savings of up to $1,575 per person and prices include cruise accommodation, all meals, 24-hour snacks and free beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Blount’s BYOB policy allows guests to bring their own wine, beer and/or alcohol onboard, with the cruise line providing mixers and barware. See blountsmallshipadventures.com. Best buy of the week Intrepid Travel’s Polar Sale, worth 25 per cent off, applies to seven trips in 2015 to destinations including Spitsbergen, Greenland and Baffin Island. Durations range from nine to 16 days. The booking deadline is July 15. See intrepidtravel.com/polar-sale .
Direct Link: http://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2014/06/27/fare_deals_fairmont_hotels_resorts_summer_disco unts_apply_at_historic_properties.html
6/25/2014
What's Hot in Your Inbox: Discount Pole Dancing Classes - Email Scan - Racked NY
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What's Hot in Your Inbox: Discount Pole Dancing Classes Tuesday, June 24, 2014, by Tiffany Yannetta
We scan the inbox so you don't have to. Today, three items of note:
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Best Bets Daily: Surprisingly comfortable girl-boss heels <http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/06/easy-effortless-girl-boss-pumps-for-theoffice.html> Byrdie: A look inside actress Lea Michele's fridge <http://www.byrdie.com/leamichele-fridge?ps=hp&m=top&pt=slideshow&cat=celebrity> GiltCity NYC: Deals at Body & Pole (pictured) <http://www.giltcity.com/newyork/bodyandpolenycjune> Into the Gloss: A review of $100 chocolate toothpaste <http://intothegloss.com/2014/06/chocolate-toothpaste/> The New Potato: Vacation inspo: the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda <http://www.thenewpotato.com/2014/06/24/fairmont-hamilton-princess-the-newpotato-of-summer-weekends/> Pulsd: Meet ANTM alum Kim Stolz <http://pulsd.com/newyork/celebrities/strand-book-store-inc/meet-the-author-model-kim-stolz> Refinery29: Inside designer Syrette Lew's Bushwick studio <http://www.refinery29.com/moving-mountains-studio#slide> Well+Good NYC: Green juice popsicles <http://www.wellandgoodnyc.com/2014/06/23/now-you-can-get-your-greenjuice-fix-in-popsicle-form/> WWWD: 22 flattering summer dresses <http://www.whowhatwear.com/flatteringsummer-dresses?ps=home> The Zoe Report: An affordable job-interview outfit <http://thezoereport.com/interview-outfit-affordable-2014/>
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Fairmont Royal York Opens “Bee Hotel” Thursday, 05 June 2014 10:50 TORONTO — The Fairmont Royal York is building buzz around its pilot pollinator bee hotel. Created to address the declining population of pollinator bees, which are responsible for pollinating flowering plants, fruits and vegetables, the special hotel is packed with nesting materials such as fallen branches, wood and twigs. It’s part of a collaboration with Burt’s Bees’ Wild for Bees campaign, along with the help of Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building and Pollinator Partnership Canada. “Bees are the crux of our business,” says Carolyn Hungate of Burt’s Bees Canada. “We launched Wild for Bees three years ago with the intention of giving back to Canada’s hardworking bee population, which provides us with the honey and beeswax we need to make 95 per cent of our products. This year, we are proud to partner with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and other like-minded brands to build bee hotels across Canada, all in the name of bee health.”
Collin Thornton, Fairmont executive chef, whose staff maintains the hotel’s rooftop garden, has created a special three-course menu for June that offers local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients, with a special focus on pollinated foods.
Fairmont plans to roll out five bee hotels — four in Toronto and one in Guelph, Ont., next year.
Image courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Direct Link: http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/in-the-news/latest-news/1650-fairmont-royal-yorkopens-bee-hotel
9 Hotels Where You'll Sleep Like a Baby Vacations are supposed to be a time to recharge and relax, but thanks to street noise, thin-walled hotels, and lumpy mattresses, you may end up more tired than before you started. Avoid insomnia by booking a room at one of these hotels, which offer cutting-edge solutions to even your worst sleep problems. By KRISTIN CONARD
9:00 AM, JUNE 16 2014
COURTESY SWISSOTEL
SWISSÔTEL BERLIN
Berlin, Germany Fend off jet lag with Swissotel’s Deep Sleep Package, designed by somnologist Dr. Michael Feld. The package comes with all sorts of goodies: a wake-up drink in the morning gives you energy, while a calming cup of cocoa at night helps you relax. There’s also daily aromatherapy, access to the hotel’s PowerNap Lounge (yep, it’s a thing— you get 20 minutes to take a catnap), and pillows equipped with white-noise generators.
http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2014/06/hotels-with-sleep-aids_slideshow_Swiss-telBerlin_4
Serge Ethuin Appointed GM of Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris June 26, 2014
Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Serge Ethuin as General Manager of Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. One of Europe’s best-known hoteliers, Serge moves from Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts to take up the position in Paris with immediate effect. “I am delighted to announce the news of Serge’s move to Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris,” says Peter French, President of Raffles Hotels & Resorts. “Serge is held in high regard within the industry and his extensive international hotel experience speaks for itself - as do the results of his past six years in Rome. During his tenure at Rome Cavalieri, the hotel grew exponentially in sales results, reputation, staff mentoring and awards gained. I am more than confident that Serge will take Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris to the next level.” Serge has more than 17 years of professional experience as General Manager internationally. He started his career with Hilton, initially in his native France - Paris, Strasbourg and Orly – before moving on to Rome and the UK. He assumed his first posting as General Manager in 1997 in Madagascar, followed closely by Rome and Paris again, before moving in 2008 to Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria, where he has been Managing Director for the past six years. In 2011 Serge was named Best General Manager of the Year, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure at Rome Cavalieri, the hotel was highly regarded, receiving many international accolades including “Best Hotel in the World” (Telegraph Travel Awards); the American Academy of Hospitality Services Six Star Diamond Award (2011); “Best Restaurant in Italy” for Ristoranti di Bibenda; an appearance on the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List and “Best Spa in Europe” (Travel & Leisure). Additionally, the hotel’s La Pergola Restaurant retained its three Michelin Stars since 2006 under his leadership. Serge holds a diploma from the Hotel Management School of Strasbourg in France, and a Certificate of Asset Management from Cornell University. He succeeds Omer Acar, who is moving to Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris’ owning company, Katara Hospitality. “We are delighted to welcome Serge Ethuin to the Raffles family. We expect great things from such a consummate professional,” says Peter French.
CONTACT INFORMATION: The Brandman Agency: Kara Hoffman | Holly Schnabel kara@brandmanpr.com | holly@brandmanpr.com T: (212) 683-2442 THE ROYAL MONCEAU – RAFFLES PARIS reopened in 2010 as a next-generation Palace, after a dramatic and complete two-year transformation by designer Philippe Starck. The hotel has 149 luxurious rooms and suites and is just minutes from the Arc-de-Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées in Paris' 8th arrondissement. At Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, art is omnipresent, with an exclusive service of Art Concierge, an Art Bookstore, a private Art Gallery, a 99-seat cinema theatre and an impressive private art collection. Food and drink are an art form here too – from the buzz of the Long Bar on the ground floor, to the two Michelin-star restaurants, ‘La Cuisine’ for gourmet French food and ‘Il Carpaccio’ for the best Italian in Paris. Not to be missed are the delicious pastries, macarons and chocolates by Pierre Hermé, considered by Vogue magazine as the ‘Picasso of pastry’. The 1,500sqm Spa My Blend by Clarins is an award-winning white paradise, with the longest swimming pool in a Paris hotel. www.raffles.com/paris RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The portfolio currently comprises ten luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to city hotels in key locations around the world: in Singapore, Cambodia, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, the Philippines and Paris, each one is an oasis of calm and charm. The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in key destinations scheduled over the next two years. With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on the timeless essence of Raffles – to deliver thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests. Raffles Hotels & Resorts is part of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with more than 110 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. www.raffles.com
Direct Link: http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleID=33303
6/20/2014
At the Fairmont, bees stay for free - Toronto World Travel Insights | Examiner.com
At the Fairmont, bees stay for free June 19, 2014
“Ya don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone”, goes the Joni Mitchell song. Bees, those fuzzy flying creatures, pollinate most of our fruits and vegetables. They are not gone, but their numbers have been declining. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
Fairmont Hotels has joined Burt’s Bees
Jacqueline Swartz
in an effort to attract and host the tiny but
Toronto World Travel Insights Examiner
invaluable guests to the Fairmont Royal YorkToronto’s rooftop “Wild For Bees” is a program offering sustainable nesting spaces for solitary, pollinator bees, which
make up over 95% of the bee population and work independently to spread pollen and nectar from plant to plant and flower to flower. Other types of bees, like honeybees and bumblebees, typically work and nest in groups, but solitary bees work and nest individually, without a queen or a hive.By 2015, Burt’s Bees and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts aim to fund the design and development of 100 bee hotels across Canada. At the Toronto Fairmont rooftop, these Bee Hotels look like wooden sculptures, built haphazardly, with holes for the bees to rest their weary wings. They were designed by SUSTAINABLE.TO Architecture and Building, and assisted by Pollinator Partnership Canada. For several years, the Fairmont’s rooftop has been known for its garden of billowy lettuce and other vegetables, and a multitude of herbs, picked fresh for dining. The Hotel also had honey http://www.examiner.com/article/at-the-fairmont-bees-sleep-for-freeat-the-fairmont-bees-stay-for-free-ya-don
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At the Fairmont, bees stay for free - Toronto World Travel Insights | Examiner.com
beehives in over 20 of its luxury properties across the globe. The Toronto Fairmont Royal York is the first to construct a Bee Hotel, offering bees a place to rest, and bringing home the point that bees pollinate more than 80% of our fruits and vegetables. Wild for Bees was started three years ago by the skin care company, Burt’s Bees, in order to raise awareness and money. According to Burt’s Bees Canada spokesperson, Carolyn Hungate, bees provide the honey and beeswax needed to make 95% of Burt’s Bees products. In June, which is designated as Pollinator Month, the company has launched a new, limited edition Hydratiing Lip Balm with Coconut and Pear. And the Fairmont Royal York haslcreated custom pollinator menus at its restaurants, and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Pollinator Partnership Canada. According to the Pollinator Partnership, we need not be afraid of bees. Less than half of the world’s bees are capable of stinging, and only female bees sting. It’s completely safe to watch bees as they fly from flower to flower. The stinging bees are usually ground nesting yellow jackets, which are only minor pollinators. Do not swat at bees or yellow jackets, as this could aggravate them. Another collaborative effort, which aims to track and conserve North America's bumble bees, is called Bumble Bee Watch. It asks participants to register and upload photos of bumble bees. Experts will identify the bumble bees, and help locate endangered populations. Supported by Wildlife Preservation Canada and other organizations, Bumble Bee Watch wants to create a group of citizen scientists. When it comes to saving these essential creatures, the more buzz the better.
http://www.examiner.com/article/at-the-fairmont-bees-sleep-for-freeat-the-fairmont-bees-stay-for-free-ya-don
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6/19/2014
Fairmont heads on road trips to showcase property possibilities - Luxury Daily - Multichannel
Luxury Daily Home >> Events / Causes, Featured, Industry sectors, News, Travel and hospitality >> Article: Fairmont heads on road trips to showcase property possibilities Receive the latest articles for free. Click here to get the Luxury Daily newsletters.
Fair mont heads on r oad tr ips to showcase pr oper ty possibilities By Joe McCarthy June 18, 2014
East Coast Road Trip Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is tapping the social media reach of travel bloggers for road trips showcasing brand properties. Travel blogger Liisa Sullivan embarked on the first trip from Washington to Boston, stopping at multiple hotels and wandering into the surrounding areas. Summer is the season for exploration and publicizing a road trip is an effective way to display what can be done at certain properties. “We see great value in working with bloggers, and over the years we’ve cultivated individual relationships with targeted bloggers around the world,” said Mansi Vagt, director of digital marketing for the Americas at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Toronto. “At Fairmont, bloggers and other social media influencers are taken into account as part of our larger social media strategy, especially as it relates to niche markets such as family/multigenerational travel, spas, golf, etc.,” he said.
http://www.luxurydaily.com/fairmont-heads-on-road-trips-to-showcase-property-possibilities/
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Fairmont heads on road trips to showcase property possibilities - Luxury Daily - Multichannel
One city at a time “An East Coast Road Trip: Americana with a Touch of Class” is part of a series that includes six driving trips that will unfold throughout the summer. As consumers begin to finalize summer plans and hear about Fairmont’s campaign, they may look to the trips for inspiration. Ms. Sullivan is guiding social media followers through the East coast excursion, which is a three to four day, 450-mile trip. She first starts out at The Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown, where she takes a chocolate tour, walks along the C&O canal and stops at Martin’s Tavern for an American meal.
C&O Canal in Washington, from Liisa Sullivan for Fairmont The next hotel she reaches is The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. Her stay in New York is marked by stops at Riverside Park, the Hudson River, The Leopard at des Artistes and The Plaza’s The Rose Club.
http://www.luxurydaily.com/fairmont-heads-on-road-trips-to-showcase-property-possibilities/
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Fairmont heads on road trips to showcase property possibilities - Luxury Daily - Multichannel
The Plaza Hotel, from Liisa Sullivan for Fairmont Boston is the final destination on the itinerary. Here, Ms. Sullivan stays at the Fairmont Copley Plaza and gets some shopping done at the North End boutiques.
Fairmont Copley Plaza, from Liisa Sullivan for Fairmont Ms. Sullivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full experience can be read here. Fairmont is inviting fans to participate on social media with the hashtag #FairmontSummer.
http://www.luxurydaily.com/fairmont-heads-on-road-trips-to-showcase-property-possibilities/
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Fairmont heads on road trips to showcase property possibilities - Luxury Daily - Multichannel
Fairmont Facebook post Luxury travelers are becoming more discerning when planning trips, expecting more original experiences and more options. In response, hotel brands are tapping top travel and lifestyle bloggers with increasing regularity to kickstart social campaigns, illuminate what can be found at certain properties and to build connections with highly concentrated audiences. Although hotel brands are fully capable of explaining the assets of a property to consumers, travelers are often wary of taking advice directly from the company that stands to benefit from giving that advice. Consequently, leveraging bloggers can help brands achieve a tone of authenticity that may resonate with consumers, while reaching larger pockets of consumers (see story). Cruising in luxury Other hotel brands have generated travel interest through road trip collaborations. For instance, The Luxury Collection and vintage home decor brand One Kings Lane toured Vermont, Boston and New York and uncovered sales freighted with cultural significance. Flash sales corresponding to each location on the East coast road trip were triggered for fans to access on One Kings Laneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web site. Luxury Collection stoked the anticipation generated http://www.luxurydaily.com/fairmont-heads-on-road-trips-to-showcase-property-possibilities/
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Fairmont heads on road trips to showcase property possibilities - Luxury Daily - Multichannel
by its West coast road trip by recruiting two celebrated bloggers to chart the trip’s course in advance (see story). Similar to the Luxury Collection, Fairmont will build momentum for successive road trips by staging them one after another and framing them as parts of a whole. “There will be road trips showcasing Quebec, the Canadian Rockies, California and BC/West Coast,” Ms. Vagt said. Final Take Joe McCarthy, editorial assistant on Luxury Daily, New York
Joe McCarthy is an editorial assistant on Luxury Daily. His beats are arts and entertainment, automotive, healthcare, real estate, sports and travel and hospitality. Reach him at joe@napean.com. Like this article? Sign up for a free subscription to Luxury Daily's must-read newsletters. Click here!
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There's something new wherever you travel this summer
A video snapshot of a part of Dubai few people see. Deira is the old trading part of Dubai full of souks and spice markets, along the creek, Dubai's old main waterway.on.aol.com
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner June 28, 2014 Where ever you travel this summer, something new is happening. For instance Raffles Dubai just introduced its new Caviar Facial, at its spa. The decadent indulgence, known for its powerful antioxidants, is being used in a 90 minute rejuvenating anti-aging treatment for the face, neck and décolleté. The combination of antioxidant rich caviar, glycolics and a unique peel off masque leaves skin glowing and healthy. Guests who book the Signature Caviar Facial in June, will also receive a blissful 30 minute back massage free of charge.
Swissôtel Métropole has opened its rooftop lounge bar and restaurant overlooking Lake Geneva and the city’s skyline, in a beautifully designed space by architect Enzo Enea. The impeccable and inventive menu found in the “5” lounge-bar-restaurant is a culmination of gourmet small plates from around the world in a tapas style setting. The unique food offerings will be paired with handpicked selections off the wine list by the hotels sommelier, or a special creation from the extensive cocktail menu. Raffles Praslin Seychelles has an offer you can't refuse beginning July 1 through September 30 when guests can enjoy a complimentary night if they stay for four while others who stay for
seven nights will only be charged for 5. The hotel amenities include accommodation in a beautiful villa with a private plunge pool, a lavish daily breakfast for two in Losean Restaurant and access to a 24 hour butler service. Guests will be steps away from swimming and water sports at the beachfront and children will be entertained with the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kids club. Parents and children alike have complimentary access to biking, kayaking, snorkeling paddle boarding and the fitness center along with wireless access throughout the resort. ď&#x201A;ˇ
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is featuring a Red Sea Adventure Package which provides guests with the opportunity to explore the depths of this crystal clear diverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise.
Direct Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/there-s-something-new-wherever-you-travel-thissummer
6 Classic Cocktails and the Hotel Bars That Invented Them We find out at what hotel bars these classic cocktails were first made. By Karen Gardiner Hotels bars have a timeless appeal, particularly because they have been the site of creation for many classic cocktails. Here are six iconic libations and the hotel bars that put them on the map. 1. The Bloody Mary at the St. Regis Hotel, New York City (pictured above) The Bloody Mary came to life as a simple vodka and tomato juice beverage, prepared by Fernand Petiot at Harry’s Bar in Paris in 1921. Petiot then moved to New York and started working at the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis where, in 1934, he perfected the cocktail by spicing it up with salt, pepper, lemon and Worcestershire Sauce. “Bloody Mary” was deemed too vulgar a name for the hotel’s elegant King Cole Bar, however, so it was rechristened the “Red Snapper.” The original recipe is still served in the King Cole Bar today. 2. The Martini at the Knickerbocker, New York City While there is some debate over the origin of the martini, The Knickerbocker hotel, which reopens this fall, is sticking with the long-standing rumor that it was the cocktail’s birthplace. When it opens, the hotel will be rolling out a martini program with a special ‘Martini Cart’ that will prepare martinis table side in the restaurant and lounge. Ingredients and preparation, we are told, will be just as they were when head barman Martini di Arma di Taggia invented his namesake cocktail here in 1912.
3. The Black Russian at the Metropole, Brussels Bartender Gustave Tops is credited with creating this vodka and coffee liquor cocktail while working at the Hotel Metropole in 1949. The story goes that Tops came up with his creation in honor of American socialite Perle Mesta, who was serving as the ambassador to Luxembourg at the time. You can still enjoy a tipple in the hotel’s lobby bar Bar Le 31.
4. The Corpse Reviver #2 at The Savoy, London Harry Craddock (who had also worked at The Knickerbocker) fled prohibition-era America for theAmerican Bar at London’s Savoy. While tending bar, he wrote the bartenders’ bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book, which, still in print today, contains 750 original recipes including the Corpse Reviver #2.
The note accompanying the recipe in the book warns: “Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again.”
5. The Sidecar at The Ritz, Paris As well as claiming the origin of the Sidecar cocktail (first published in Harry MacElhone’s Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails in 1922) the Paris Ritz is also home to the most expensive Sidecar in the world. At the hotel’s Bar Hemingway, you can sip on a Sidecar that is made with a rare Champagne cognac that was bottled in the mid-1800s and carries a $1,670 price tag.
6. The Singapore Sling at Raffles, Singapore The Singapore Sling was created by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Raffles Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Long Bar in Singapore sometime between 1910 and 1915. The bartenders at the Long Bar get so many orders for Singapore Slings, however, that what is served nowadays is a modified version of Boonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original recipe that called for eight ingredients; and is often pre-mixed.
Images via Shutterstock/Aviation Gin
Direct Link: http://societeperrier.com/blog/six-cocktails-invented-hotel-bars/
Le Petit Royals: That Means Spoiled in French June 20, 2014
A trip to Paris conjures a bevy of romantic visions. Walking down the cobble-stone boulevards, exploring hidden shops next to the Seine, leafing through rare books, and nibbling on ĂŠclair in bustling cafeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Now throw in some kids into the mix, and Paris becomes a far less idyllic scene with visions of messy kids running through the streets and offending precious French sensibilities.
And while Paris and kids may not seem like the most natural of pairings such as when Nutella first met the Crepe, there’s a good reason why Madeline is one of France’s chief exports. When it comes to treating kids well, the Parisians, like almost everything they do, have it down to an art form.
Nowhere is this more apparent than at Le Royal Monceau, a Raffled Paris property, and the home ofLe Petit Royal — the most elaborate hospitality program known to kid-kind. As a new program that has already attracted the who’s who of the kid world, the hotel is a treasure trove of workshops and activities that would make even Eloise sit up in her gilded-era chair and pay attention for a change. Held in both English and French, there are a dozen of programs to choose from, including a pizza-making classes with a Michelin-star Italian Chef, movie screenings in the nearby modern Cinema, and even a DJ mixing class for budding musicians.
If the kids don’t do well with organized activities, there is a personal kid concierge available at Le Royal Monceau who will cater personally to your little jet setters in training with excursions that might include treasure hunts through the Louvre’s Egyptian galleries, “pirate” boat trips down the Seine, or a tour that follows the footsteps of a real-life prima ballerina.
With everything carefully thought through to the most minute detail, kids will never want to leave the confines of the luxurious Royal Monceau hotel.
Direct Link: http://www.alistmomtravel.com/le-petit-royals-that-means-spoiled-in-french/
6 Classic Cocktails and the Hotel Bars That Invented Them We find out at what hotel bars these classic cocktails were first made. By Karen Gardiner Hotels bars have a timeless appeal, particularly because they have been the site of creation for many classic cocktails. Here are six iconic libations and the hotel bars that put them on the map. 1. The Bloody Mary at the St. Regis Hotel, New York City (pictured above) The Bloody Mary came to life as a simple vodka and tomato juice beverage, prepared by Fernand Petiot at Harry’s Bar in Paris in 1921. Petiot then moved to New York and started working at the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis where, in 1934, he perfected the cocktail by spicing it up with salt, pepper, lemon and Worcestershire Sauce. “Bloody Mary” was deemed too vulgar a name for the hotel’s elegant King Cole Bar, however, so it was rechristened the “Red Snapper.” The original recipe is still served in the King Cole Bar today. 2. The Martini at the Knickerbocker, New York City While there is some debate over the origin of the martini, The Knickerbocker hotel, which reopens this fall, is sticking with the long-standing rumor that it was the cocktail’s birthplace. When it opens, the hotel will be rolling out a martini program with a special ‘Martini Cart’ that will prepare martinis table side in the restaurant and lounge. Ingredients and preparation, we are told, will be just as they were when head barman Martini di Arma di Taggia invented his namesake cocktail here in 1912.
3. The Black Russian at the Metropole, Brussels Bartender Gustave Tops is credited with creating this vodka and coffee liquor cocktail while working at the Hotel Metropole in 1949. The story goes that Tops came up with his creation in honor of American socialite Perle Mesta, who was serving as the ambassador to Luxembourg at the time. You can still enjoy a tipple in the hotel’s lobby bar Bar Le 31.
4. The Corpse Reviver #2 at The Savoy, London Harry Craddock (who had also worked at The Knickerbocker) fled prohibition-era America for theAmerican Bar at London’s Savoy. While tending bar, he wrote the bartenders’ bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book, which, still in print today, contains 750 original recipes including the Corpse Reviver #2.
The note accompanying the recipe in the book warns: “Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again.”
5. The Sidecar at The Ritz, Paris As well as claiming the origin of the Sidecar cocktail (first published in Harry MacElhone’s Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails in 1922) the Paris Ritz is also home to the most expensive Sidecar in the world. At the hotel’s Bar Hemingway, you can sip on a Sidecar that is made with a rare Champagne cognac that was bottled in the mid-1800s and carries a $1,670 price tag.
6. The Singapore Sling at Raffles, Singapore The Singapore Sling was created by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Raffles Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Long Bar in Singapore sometime between 1910 and 1915. The bartenders at the Long Bar get so many orders for Singapore Slings, however, that what is served nowadays is a modified version of Boonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original recipe that called for eight ingredients; and is often pre-mixed.
Images via Shutterstock/Aviation Gin
Direct Link: http://societeperrier.com/blog/six-cocktails-invented-hotel-bars/
May 28, 2014 CUP, soccer lovers from all over the world will enjoy the best of Paris – whether on a business trip or romantic getaway – without missing any game of their favorite teams. Coinciding with the World Cup games from June 12 to July 13, hotel guests and visitors alike will enjoy a gastronomic dinner in the Michelin-star restaurant 'La Cuisine', before watching the games in the hotel’s 99-seat private cinema theater, or in a private lounge equipped with SONY’s latest TV screens, PlayStation and mobile devices. Guests will also be able to chill out on a 'pop-up' Champagne Terrace in partnership with VEUVE CLICQUOT, sample a signature 'Strawberry & Basil' caipirinha with LEBLON Brazilian Cachaça and play on deluxe football tables by TECKELL. The hotel will also host a 'Silent Disco' in its beautiful courtyard, in partnership with SONY, on Saturday June 21 for Fête de la Musique, a summer musical festival showcasing a variety of free live music across the city of Paris. The hotel's resident DJ will 'battle' against a guest Brazilian DJ to compete for listeners, with guests dancing to music listened to on wireless headphones rather than using a speaker system. This way, every guest will be able to dance the night away and have as much fun as they like, without disturbing other hotel guests or conversations at the next table. The award-winning SPA MY BLEND BY CLARINS will also offer complimentary express make-up with the “Colors of Brazil” Summer Collection, with the purchase of any Clarins face or body treatment. Lastly, le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris will host two complimentary Brazilian-themed artistic workshops for its younger guests, on Saturday 14 June and Saturday 21 June, as part of its children's program. MICHELIN-STAR DINNER PACKAGE FROM 180€ PER PERSON (until July 1) Including a 3-course dinner in our Michelin-star restaurant La Cuisine with matching wines and dessert by Pierre Hermé Paris, live broadcast of the match in our private movie theater, a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne or Leblon Caïpirinha, caramelized pop-corn by Pierre Hermé Paris served at half-time, and a special ‘World Cup’ gift. Note to editors: quarter finals: 220€, Semi-Finals: 300€, Final: 500€ (gala dinner, details upon request) ROYAL APÉRITIF PACKAGE FROM 60€ PER PERSON (until July 1) In our terrace garden or VIP section, including a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne or Leblon Caïpirinha, live broadcast of the match in our private movie theater, caramelized popcorn by Pierre Hermé Paris served at half-time, and a special ‘World Cup’ gift. Note to editors: quarter finals: 70€, Semi-Finals: 100€ (2 drinks & canapés) Special offer: for any booking of our ‘Rise & Shine’ package (Bed & Breakfast) from June 12 to July 13, get 2 complimentary ‘Royal Aperitif’ tickets for the game of your choice.
http://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/news-articles/super-luxe-world-cup-at-le-royal-monceau-raffles-paris-21585.php
Fairmont Properties to Begin Opening Hotels for Bees With First Location at Royal York in Toronto Jun. 26th, 2014
Other than citrus fruits, much of our produce relies heavily on the natural work of bees to ensure proper pollination. Without these little black and yellow friends, our supermarket produce isles would look pretty grim, and lacking in some of our favorites like apples, peppers, strawberries, lemons, cashews and even walnuts among many others. Knowing this and understanding that solitary bee populations are on the decline in major cities, Fairmont Hotels is opening pollinator bee hotels across many of the brand's properties, starting with the popular Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.
"The Fairmont brand has a long history of being a sustainability pioneer, and this project to protect pollinator bees is an extension of our ongoing efforts to support bees of all kinds [...] at more than 20 of our properties around the world" said Alexandra Blum, VP of public relations at FRHI Hotels & Resorts.
Blum also noted that (as far as bees are concerned), their tiny guests will receive the "five-star treatment they deserve for keeping our ecosystem resilient." The move comes in the wake of a partnership between Fairmont, Burt's Bees, Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building and Pollinator Partnership Canada where the group has designed and built five bee hotels for various locations around Canada. The first, of course, being the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, and is a wonderful display of Fairmont's sustainability and eco goals and mindedness. With pollinator beesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; numbers on the decline, we are excited to see how this move may persuade other hotels to do the same in order to help preserve Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tiniest farmers.
Direct Link: http://www.justluxe.com/travel/hotel/feature-1955587.php
The Latest Buzzworthy Hotel: The city of Toronto is all abuzz about the latest hotel offering, where no reservations are required June 5, 2014
Statistics state that one out of every three bites of food we eat comes from a bee‐pollinated plant or from an animal that depends upon same. That’s a lot of food. But, in the past few decades, there haven’t been a lot of honey bees, with their numbers decreasing worldwide. Researchers have determined that bee‐kind is suffering from a disorder called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In North America, approximately one‐third of all bee colonies have simply vanished. Although there may be many factors leading to CCD, including climate change, the loss and fragmentation of habitat is one of the most often cited. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is stepping up to the hive. In Toronto, the landmark Fairmont Royal York has opened a new wing, so to speak, offering solitary bees a place to at the hotel’s first pollinator bee hotel. Yes, you read that right. A pollinator bee hotel is a collection of nesting materials (wood, twigs, fallen branches, soil and pith‐ filled holes) designed to attract, support and protect native, lost and solitary bees by replicating their natural nesting sites. This allows the bees to breed, lay eggs and seek protection from predators. Fairmont’s bee hotel, which is designed to reflect a bit of the Toronto skyline, will provide a sustainable nesting site for local pollinator bees. “Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is extremely excited about the addition of our new pollinator bee hotel and we look forward providing these pint‐sized ‘guests’ with the five‐star treatment they so deserve for keeping our ecosystems resilient,” said Alexandra Blum, VP of public relations. She went on to say that Fairmont “has a long history of being a sustainability pioneer, and this project to protect pollinator bees
is an extension of our ongoing efforts to support bees of all kinds, including nurturing honeybees with hives at more than 20 of our properties around the world.” The bee hotel project is part of Fairmont’s partnership with Burt’s Bees and its annual Wild for Bees campaign, along with Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building and Pollinator Partnership Canada. The companies have teamed up to design and construct five sustainable bee hotels in Canada, of which the Fairmont Royal York is the first location. The new pollinator bee hotel is located in the Royal York’s rooftop garden, which already houses an apiary of six honeybee hives, along with an herbarium. The apiary produces over 800 lbs of award‐ winning honey each year, which is used in the hotel’s kitchens and to make its local micro‐brew, called “Royal Stinger.” If you don’t happen to be a flying insect with a penchant for pollen, however, Fairmont will still provide you with five‐star treatment at its luxurious landmark hotel. Built in 1929 in the heart of Toronto, the Royal York has been extensively renovated with an eye to preserving its historical elegance and sumptuous style, and offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the past combined with the contemporary amenities of today. Borrowing a phrase coined during the decade in which the Royal York was constructed, you could say that the latest addition to the historic hotel is, well, “the bees’ knees.” Direct Link: http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/The_Latest_Buzzworthy_Hotel/76/2071.aspx
Danny Glover Heads San Francisco Rally for Sweetened State Film-TV Credits
Elisabetta A. Villa/Getty Images JUNE 9, 2014 | 02:39PM PT
Dave McNary (http://variety.com/author/dave-mcnary/) Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary (http://twitter.com/@Variety_DMcNary) Danny Glover (http://variety.com/t/danny-glover/) is leading a Saturday rally to support improving California’s film-TV tax credit at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel. The 10 a.m. rally — a first for Northern California — will also include appearances by The Meehan Bros. from “Last Comic Standing”; San Francisco Film Commission exec director Susannah Greason Robbins, assembly members Marc Levine and Rob Bonta; San Francisco supervisors David Chiu and Mark Farrell; Teamsters VP Rome Aloise; IATSE Local 16 VP Eddie Raymond and Fairmont Hotels (http://variety411.com/us/new-york/hotels-short-term-housing/) VP Thomas Klein. The campaign is aimed at pressuring state legislators to sweeten the current program, which is capped at $100 million a year and 20% of production costs — smaller than rival incentive programs in Georgia, Louisiana and New York. “Nearly 40 other states and 30 other nations offered nearly $1.5 billion in tax incentives last year to lure jobs and wages out of California, and the percentage of films made in California has gone from 66% to 40% in just a few years,” a flyer for the event said. The event is also aimed at showing that improving the incentive program has strong support outside Los Angeles.
A March rally by show business vendors in the San Fernando Valley drew more than 600 attendees, and a February event organized by Hollywood below-the-line unions attracted more than 1,000. Assembly Bill 1839 (http://variety.com/t/assembly-bill-1839/), aimed at overhauling the current incentive program and attracting bigger movies and TV series, is being promoted as essential to keeping productions from being lured out of state. The legislation cleared the State Assembly (http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/californias-assembly-passes-expansion-of-film-and-tv-tax-credit1201195224/#) by a 76-0 vote on May 28. The bill’s authors have not yet attached a specific dollar figure to the legislation. Supporters believe that the legislation, which would go into effect in 2016, should wind up clearing the State Senate in August or September. The California Film Commission, which administers the tax credit program, held its lottery to choose recipients for the 2014-15 fiscal year on June 2. Demand far exceeds supply, with 23 productions selected out of 497 (http://variety.com/2014/film/news/record-number-of-film-tvprojects-apply-for-california-tax-credits-1201210746/#)that were submitted. The bill, the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act, would renew California’s tax incentives so it runs an additional five years, through the 2021-22 fiscal year. The legislation has 59 co-authors. The legislation would lift a $75 million budget cap on productions that are eligible for the credit. FOLLOW @VARIETY (HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/INTENT/FOLLOW?SCREEN_NAME=VARIETY) ON TWITTER FOR BREAKING NEWS, REVIEWS AND MORE
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6/25/2014
Things Heat Up At The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - New York Luxury Lifestyle Travel | Examiner.com
Things Heat Up At The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess June 24, 2014
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, located in beautiful Arizona, is a perfect destination for those seeking fun, relaxation and plenty of sunshine. Located on 62 acres of http://www.fairmont.com/
Vanessa Alfano
Sonoran Desert, this expansive resort truly has something for everyone.
NY Luxury Lifestyle Travel Examiner
View all 5 photos
The property is gorgeous featuring manicured rose gardens and fountained lagoons, interspersed with natural desert fauna and the majestic McDowell Mountains as a backdrop. Accommodations range from deluxe rooms to private casitas, all boasting a great combination of luxury and comfort. Throughout the resort, the Spanish style architecture brings old world charm, and modern touches give the property a luxurious contemporary edge. Five sparkling swimming pools await guests ready to cool off or soak in the sun. The South pool offers a trendy vibe with luxurious cabanas and a happening poolside bar, while the expansive East pool is beyond family friendly. The Sonoran Splash pool is a huge hit for kids of all ages, featuring two twisting water slides, as well as a serene zero gravity entry pool for the little or less adventurous ones. No matter where you head, reclined chaise lounges and towering palms await.
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6/25/2014
Things Heat Up At The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - New York Luxury Lifestyle Travel | Examiner.com
Well & Being, the resort’s amazing spa and wellness center, is by far the best feature of this luxury resort. Indulge in signature services like the Hacienda Retreat, a 90 minute escape featuring a unique corn & lime exfoliating scrub followed by a richly hydrating mask of shea butter, lime and soothing lemon. The gentle massage application and “cocooning” that follows will have you falling into a deep relaxing state you won’t want to end. Inevitably it will though, but don’t despair, the spa also offers an amazing array of amenities including an impressive whirlpool, inhalation rooms, an outdoor waterfall “grotto” and a glistening rooftop pool. Another fabulous part of Well & Being is the unique fitness classes that are offered (which incidentally are also included at no additional cost when purchasing any spa service). Forget regular old yoga or cardio classes, Well & Being takes things to a whole other level with Aerial Yoga, TRX Suspension training and super fun SurfSET Fitness. Of course good food is essential at any vacation spot, and Fairmont Scottsdale doesn’t disappoint. In fact we were also impressed with the healthy options available. A smoothie and juice bar sit within Well & Being, and their delectable spa menu– offering black bean burgers, quinoa crab cakes, and more– is available throughout the resort. The Fairmont also features an array of acclaimed restaurants. La Hacienda, their latest opening combines incredible ambiance with modern mexican flare. And The Grill, which sits overlooking the impressive Stadium golf course is a step above most “clubhouse” restaurants, with delicious salads and inventive mains. All in all, the Fairmont is a desert oasis offering beautiful surroundings and amazing amenities. The first class spa and wellness offerings make having a HealthyStyle vacation easy. Relaxation is easy there, and of course, plenty of sunshine!
http://www.examiner.com/article/things-heat-up-at-the-fairmont-scottsdale-princess
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In Scottsdale it's Spa, Food and Adventure in the 2014 Toyota Corolla 06/11/2014 Scottsdale, Arizona is the perfect getaway for a jaunt anytime of the year, and while there are plenty of things to see and do in Scottsdale, consider your trip in a fuel-efficient vehicle -- that means you can see as much or as little as you want and not worry about the ride, whether it's adventure you are looking for or a good pampering in one of the local spas coupled with a perfect meal. For a great vehicle offering a completely new design and great fuel economy, the 2014 Toyota Corolla is a compact sedan that now offers better styling and more room for a comfy ride around town or on vacation. With a longer and wider body this year, competition for the 2014 Toyota Corolla includes the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Ford Focus and the Kia Forte. There are a variety of trim levels on this five-passenger compact sedan depending on your needs from the L, LE, LE Eco and S. Taking that a step further, you can choose from the Plus and Premium sub-trims except for on the L version. The engine on the 2014 Toyota Corolla is a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine with 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. On the LE Eco it's a bit higher with 140 horsepower and 126 pound feet of torque. The six-speed manual is the standard on the Corolla L and S trims, but on the L you can also opt for a four-speed automatic and on the S you can choose a CVT instead. However, the CVT is the standard on the LE and LE Eco trims. For traveling around looking for the perfect spa or restaurant in Scottsdale, the fuel economy will make you smile with 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. Opt for the CVT and it is even better at 29 in the city and 38 on the highway. Toyota has always considered safety so on this new version of the Corolla it's stability and traction control, antilock brakes with front discs and rear drums as well as rear discs on the S trim, if you want it. There's also front side, side curtain and driver knee airbags and a passenger seat cushion airbag. Finally, a rearview camera is standard on all but the L trim. Comfortable inside with easy-to-use controls and plenty of room for the tallest driver or passenger, for luggage there is 13 cubic feet in the trunk for bags. If you need more room than the rear seat splits and folds too. As for a trip to Scottsdale, the spa-lover will find this destination a virtual paradise and, if you should decide to bring your golf-loving spouse there is plenty for him or her to do while you indulge at one of the area spas. My three favorite spas include Montelucia Resort and Spa's Joya Spa, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess's Willow Stream Spa and the Boulder's Resort renowned Golden Door Spa. At the Boulder's Resort, indulge in not only the spa, but spend a few nights too since the place is named after the 12-million-
year-old granite boulders that encompass the landscape and you really can feel the energy of the Earth at this little paradise. Indeed, the Boulders is nothing short of a desert hideaway with 160 guest casitas and 61 villas, seven restaurants, two championship Jay Morrish-designed golf courses, eight tennis courts and, of course, the 33,000 square-foot spa. The Boulders Resort Golden Door Spa takes spas to the next level with an eclectic spa menu including the Astrological Soul Reading. The Astrological Soul Reading is all about guests being given the ability to gain insight into the story of their soul's journey through the astrological chart, which is calculated by the spa guest's birthdate, birth time and birthplace. The service's namesake, the soul, is a person's individual energy and the Astrological Soul Readings are done by Tom McMullan, resident Astrological Consultant who says he is taped into what your soul is telling you. There is also a shamanic ceremonialist healer onsite offering two treatments on the spa menu that combine natural regional ingredients with Native American traditions. Guests can also choose the Energy Field Balancing with Pulsors, which is a 60-minute relaxation session, which allows the body to re-balance itself through the use of pulsor energy triangles that are placed in different configurations throughout the body. Pulsors are special healing tools comprised of tiny crystals that store and discharge energy at specific frequencies. The design elements for the Organic Garden at the property include naturallyflowing water, a reflection pond and two outdoor dining areas; an elevated dining area with teak furnishings amidst the raised planter boxes and a Chefs Table at the Outdoor Kitchen. The eight elevated planter boxes grows seasonal organic vegetables and the Sonoran desert planter boxes grow maize, chilis, hackberry, Sonoran eggplant and other desert root vegetables and the Organic Garden supplies the produce for the resorts restaurants too. For dinner I found the perfect menu at the Spotted Donkey Cantina (www.spottedonkeycantina.com) located at the nearby Pedregal marketplace. The food was a take on Arizona's popular southwestern fare with cantina-style dishes and western flavors that put a smile on my face especially when the jalapeno drinks reminded me that it's all about relaxing in sunny Arizona. Montelucia Resort and Spa is set in the foothills of Camelback Mountain with 293 guest rooms amid 35 acres of desert landscape. If you stay at the property there is poolside dining including the signature restaurant and shopping areas onsite, but the real draw here is Joya Spa.
The spa is an oasis with a feel of healing as you experience the spa's more modern take on the interpretation of the Hamman preparing the mind and body for indulgence. The spa was designed by Sylvia Sepiella who has spent time designing the likes of other domestic spas in the area and as far away as Hawaii, but the spa would be nothing without the treatments offered of which there are many to enjoy. I had a 50-minute full-body reflexology that worked on not only my hands and feet pressure points, but also with a bend toward overall natural healing of the body. The reflexology practiced at Joya concentrates on their own version of this traditional practice and also includes the scalp and ear pressure points being manipulated as well. www.montelucia.com The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess sits majestically on 450 acres in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. You get a mix of sophisticated Southwestern style alongside the amazing desert landscape. With two golf courses, a number of pools and tennis courts, the 44,000 square-foot Willow Stream Spa is the real draw here though for any spa junky with an interior featuring sandstone interiors and waterfalls and lunch onsite at the Nourish Café so you can start the relaxation experience early. Pamper yourself with a 90-minute stress relief massage hitting all the pressure points from head, neck, shoulders, back and feet and then try one of the facials like the 60-minute Advanced Age Correcting Facial with the latest skincare technology used in conjunction with a multi-acid exfoliation on the face and neck as well as hands and décolleté. Vitamin C and skin renewing essences to correct hyperpigmentation, fine lines and uneven skin texture are also used in this treatment so you come out feeling pampered and beautiful. www.scottsdaleprincess.com For dinner, the Fairmont's La Hacienda restaurant features Mexican dining that is fresh and contemporary amidst a rustic Spanish architecture using Chef Richard Sandoval's mix of modern Mexican cuisine. The 240-plus artisan tequila selections will impress and save room for the churros and flaming coffee. For some outdoor fun, Scottsdale is a great place to find adventure like the Green Zebra Adventures Tom Car Tour (www.gogreenzebra.com). The tour is off road, driving a snazzy military grade Tomcar and the guide will take you on an exploration of some of the 23,000 acres of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in the Sonoran Desert. You will see the giant Saguaros towering everywhere as well as possible sightings of bald eagles, wild horses while also learning a good bit of the history of the area as well.
Direct Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rita-cook/in-scottsdale-its-spafoo_b_5483580.html?utm_hp_ref=travel&ir=Travel
There's something new wherever you travel this summer
A video snapshot of a part of Dubai few people see. Deira is the old trading part of Dubai full of souks and spice markets, along the creek, Dubai's old main waterway.on.aol.com
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner June 28, 2014 Where ever you travel this summer, something new is happening. For instance Raffles Dubai just introduced its new Caviar Facial, at its spa. The decadent indulgence, known for its powerful antioxidants, is being used in a 90 minute rejuvenating anti-aging treatment for the face, neck and décolleté. The combination of antioxidant rich caviar, glycolics and a unique peel off masque leaves skin glowing and healthy. Guests who book the Signature Caviar Facial in June, will also receive a blissful 30 minute back massage free of charge.
Swissôtel Métropole has opened its rooftop lounge bar and restaurant overlooking Lake Geneva and the city’s skyline, in a beautifully designed space by architect Enzo Enea. The impeccable and inventive menu found in the “5” lounge-bar-restaurant is a culmination of gourmet small plates from around the world in a tapas style setting. The unique food offerings will be paired with handpicked selections off the wine list by the hotels sommelier, or a special creation from the extensive cocktail menu. Raffles Praslin Seychelles has an offer you can't refuse beginning July 1 through September 30 when guests can enjoy a complimentary night if they stay for four while others who stay for
seven nights will only be charged for 5. The hotel amenities include accommodation in a beautiful villa with a private plunge pool, a lavish daily breakfast for two in Losean Restaurant and access to a 24 hour butler service. Guests will be steps away from swimming and water sports at the beachfront and children will be entertained with the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kids club. Parents and children alike have complimentary access to biking, kayaking, snorkeling paddle boarding and the fitness center along with wireless access throughout the resort. ď&#x201A;ˇ
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is featuring a Red Sea Adventure Package which provides guests with the opportunity to explore the depths of this crystal clear diverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise.
Direct Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/there-s-something-new-wherever-you-travel-thissummer
The Hottest New Hotels of 2013 June 2, 2014
The Tambourin lounge at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, Kenya There are familiar brands aplenty in this list, which is also peppered with a number of boutique properties and rising stars coming online as well. Here is Travel Agent’s selection of Hot New Hotels that opened between January and December 2013. Africa Sir Richard Branson’s Mahali Mzuri Camp, Masai Mara Guests enjoy a front-seat view of the Great Migration (which usually takes place between July and October) at Mahali Mzuri. This newest addition to Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s collection of private retreats, is set within the Motorogi Conservancy in the Masai Mara ecosystem of Kenya. Each of its 12 luxury tented suites sits on a raised platform and includes a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, sitting area and a large deck with views over the landscape. Authentic touch: Most of the Mahali Mzuri team are Maasai who hail from the local communities around the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Olare Mara Kempinski, Masai Mara Tented Camp The Olare Mara Kempinski has 12 tents in Kenya’s Olare Orok Conservancy. It’s a top home base for catching sight of the wildlife that inhabits these protected grasslands. Tents come with four-poster beds, claw-foot bathtubs, outdoor showers, and teak decks. (Tip: One has its own private plunge pool.) The tented camp has an eco-friendly focus: Produce for meals is grown in the onsite vegetable garden, and solar panels provide 70 percent of the energy needs. Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi The new Kempinski in Nairobi complements the brand’s new tented luxury camp in the Masai Mara. We love the Presidential Suite, which has its own terrace, plunge pool, and even an outdoor barbecue area. The dining options are extensive: 88, the Pan Asian Restaurant; Lucca, the Italian Bistro; Tambourin, the Arabic rooftop lounge; and the all-day dining restaurant called Cafe Villa. For night owls, there’s a cigar lounge and a Taittinger Champagne corner at The Balcony.
Asia Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa, Cambodia Anantara Resorts’ new retreat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, puts guests right at the doorstep to the ancient temple ruins. The Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa was designed to resemble “a grand Khmer villa”—and it has succeeded. Its 39 rooms and suites are centered around a garden courtyard—complete with a salt water pool. The Anantara Spa is equipped with a gym, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and nine treatment rooms (including four foot massage rooms!). The rooftop garden hosts yoga sessions, while the two restaurants offer traditional Khmer cooking classes. In addition, the hotel has a network of local guides who can unveil the secrets of Angkor Wat, on foot or by bicycle, and even set up a picnic at Angkor Thom. The resident “Streetwise Guru” can lead you on a tour of the local markets. Anantara Hoi An Resort & Spa, Vietnam Anantara’s boutique retreat in Vietnam reflects Hoi An’s cultural diversity, with two- and three-story colonial-style buildings revealing French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese influences. The 93 guest rooms and suites blend European and Asian styles, designed with a split level layout, each featuring an upper bedroom and bathroom, leading down to a lower lounge that opens onto a porch with day beds. Nice touch: The resort offers guests Vietnamese cooking, language, painting and lantern-making classes; Thu Bon River inspirational trips; and visits to the nearby beaches of Cua Dai and An Bang. Ancient cultural sites are also accessible, such as the Imperial Citadel of Hue and My Son Sanctuary. Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei, China China’s North Hot Springs got a little hotter last September with the debut of the Banyan Tree Spa Chongqing Beibei. We hear that the springs contain mineral contents such as calcium sulphate, magnesium and potassium. Upon soaking for 10 to 15 minutes, guests can move on to spa treatments, such as the signature Royal Banyan treatment (think a massage where a herbal pouch is dipped in warm sesame oil, followed by a lemongrass cucumber body scrub). Another experience is the Yin Yang Rainmist experience, which is the first hydrothermal package in Chongqing Beibei. It features a combination of rain shower and steam bath for a body scrub, and another rain shower that is followed by a massage. Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives The Cheval Blanc Randheli brings new meaning to the word “luxury” on the island atoll beloved by celebrity honeymooners. Private seaplanes from Malé transport passengers in 40 minutes to the island resort, where dedicated ambassadors are at the ready to customize guest experiences with dinner cruises, yoga sessions on the beach, and private scuba diving excursions. Architect Jean-Michel Gathy has fashioned the 45 villas in a contemporary style reflecting the traditional palm cabanas of the islands. Set in lush gardens, the villas have private pools.
Villa at Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives Conrad Beijing The futuristic skyscraper that houses the Conrad Beijing is worth the price of admission and sets the tone for the ubermodern luxury within. The guest rooms come with such luxurious comforts as Nespresso machines and 400-threadcount bed linens. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for expansive views over the city from the hotel’s location in the Chaoyang District. Named after China’s Sage of Tea, the restaurant Lu Yu has a two-story wall that resembles a library stocked with a wide variety of Chinese teas. For foodies, private dining rooms are available where chefs will prepare
your meal right before your eyes. There’s a resident DJ spinning tracks at the hotel’s rooftop bar, Vivid, which also has an al fresco area. The Conrad also has a spa, fitness center and 80-foot pool. Park Hyatt Busan, South Korea Attention shoppers! Park Hyatt Busan is adjacent to the world’s largest shopping mall, Shinsegae Centum City, as well as the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO). Nestled in the marine city adjacent to Haeundae Beach, Park Hyatt Busan is built in a modern style with 33 floors above ground and six floors below street level. Architect Daniel Libeskind designed the hotel in a curved shape, which embodies the ocean waves in Busan. In addition to this nod to the nautical, as well as the camellia, a symbolic flower of Busan, the interior of Park Hyatt Busan offers views of the ocean and Gwangan Bridge though floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Lumi Spa has seven treatment rooms filled with natural sunlight and ocean views. Raffles Makati, Philippines Raffles Makati sits in a brand-new, 30-floor tower housing deluxe rooms, suites and one- to four-bedroom residences. The suites span the ninth and 10th levels of the tower and we love the look of their floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the city. Raffles aficionados will be amused to know that the Long Bar has made the trek to the Philippines. It has decor similar to that of the Long Bar in Singapore, with tropical fans, terra-cotta tiled floor and long-stemmed ceiling fans. The restaurants include all-day dining, a contemporary pastry boutique, two lounges, as well as the Long Bar and the Writers Bar. Guests can cool off at the two outdoor swimming pools, unwind at the Willow Stream Spa or work off dinner at the fitness center. Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran Why it’s hot: Location, location, location (and design…and amenities). The resort is set on Jimbaran Bay, once a small fishing village that has blossomed into a bustling beach community. The resort offers four dining venues in a three-story complex. The signature restaurant Bamboo Chic serves Pan-Asian flavors (with a focus on Balinese cuisine), while Smoqee Lounge & Sky Bar mixes up cocktails. Latitude 8 serves coffee by day and wines and tapas by night, and WaLa is a casual spot for gelato and coffee. W Guangzhou The entry into the W Guangzhou starts off with a bang—a 62-foot “Luminous Water Wall” by WET Design greets guests as they enter. Guest rooms range from Spectacular to WOW in seven different categories, complete with 46-inch LED HD TVs, sound systems, high-speed Wi-Fi, and MP3 player plug-ins. At the signature WOOBAR, mixologists and DJs concoct drinks and mix tunes to set the mood, while the Fei Ultralounge is the place for all-night dancing. Yan Yu serves up Cantonese-style cuisine. For Japanese fare, visit I by Inagiku, which has indoor and garden dining options, along with a Sake bar. At The Kitchen Table guests can have breakfast, lunch or dinner at large oversized tables with views into an open kitchen. The AWAY Spa is the first in China and it’s a 24/7 retreat. Complementing the spa is a FIT fitness center and a WET heated indoor pool.
W Guangzhou lobby, with “Luminous Water Wall”
Caribbean Azul Sensatori Jamaica The location of this resort alone cemented a place on our list of hot hotels, with prime real estate on Negril’s worldfamous Seven Mile Beach with views of the Caribbean Sea. It’s also notable for being Karisma’s first foray into the Caribbean. While there’s a multigenerational section with Family Suites and two-story Family Loft Suites, couples and others can isolate themselves from the sounds of kids at play by booking one of the 108 rooms and suites in the Adults Only section. Expect to see some “Do Not Disturb” signs on many of the rooms here, which also offer two oceanfront pools with swim up bars that become lounges in the evening, since this is where the resort’s romantic Honeymoon Suites can be found.
Terraced honeymoon suite at the Azul Sensatori Jamaica Radisson Grenada Beach Resort Whenever a well-known, branded hotel makes its debut in a new destination, it definitely garners quite the buzz from the agent community. Couple that with a breathtaking spot on Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach and you’ll see why we think this Radisson resort is worthy of being included. Set on 20 acres of tropical grounds with a white sugar-sand beachfront, the Radisson’s central location in Grand Anse is what sets this hotel apart from most—near the shopping and financial district, and just seven minutes from Port Saline International Airport and the picturesque capital of St. George’s. Clients will never have a dull moment staying at this hotel. Royal Oasis by Occidental, Haiti That a major hotel company has faith in the resilience of Haiti and its people is hot news in itself, but The Royal Oasis by Occidental made a huge splash when it opened because it is not only the largest hotel in the destination, but also Haiti’s first all-inclusive resort. Clients who are intrigued by Haiti, but perhaps a bit hesitant to visit, should know that The Royal Oasis was constructed to be earthquake-resistant and hurricane-proof. It features a crisp, modern design and is just a 30-minute drive from Port-au-Prince International Airport. At the Royal Oasis’ five bars and restaurants guests can experience an extraordinary selection of local and international cocktails and menus, while Grand Level Occidental Members will enjoy the exclusivity of the Lounge Club Royal, which offers fine dining in a private and superior style. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba It’s a Ritz-Carlton hotel…and it’s on the island of Aruba. What could be hotter than that? We say it’s the resort’s 55 luxurious Deluxe, Executive and Parlor Suites that will have clients buzzing upon their return. They all offer one-and-ahalf baths, a spacious living room and boutique bath amenities. Two Ritz-Carlton Suites deliver impressive ocean views and rooms as expansive as they are elegant, distinguished by a master bedroom, a living room, and a private balcony facing the sea with outdoor showers. A smart choice for guys or girls getaways, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers the signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level directly overlooking the resort’s sprawling sun-kissed coastline. For added excitement, there’s a large casino that is open 24/7, and for unwinding, the Spa blends the four natural elements of Fire, Water, Sky and Earth into signature treatments that use organic ingredients.
Divi, the all-day bar and lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba Sandals LaSource Grenada This may be the most luxurious resort Sandals Resorts International has ever rolled out—a game-changer for how clients will view all-inclusive resorts going forward. Nestled on a beautiful chunk of Pink Gin Beach, Sandals LaSource Grenada offers clients a high level of luxury with an unprecedented look and feel for the resort company’s portfolio. So throw away all notions that luxury doesn’t exist at an all-inclusive resort. The best room views are from the Skypool Suites, which afford outstanding Caribbean Sea vistas from their large balconies. Another first for the all-inclusives pioneer: This resort’s whopping nine gourmet dining options, including Sandals’ very first steakhouse, Butch’s Chophouse, named after the resort company’s founder and chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart.
Cascading pool at Sandals LaSource Grenada’s South Seas Village Central and South America Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica From its perch on the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo will impress clients with views of the stunning Bay of Culebra—views they can enjoy from the privacy of their spacious balcony. The decor balances modern design with touches of local character, including woven textiles, solid woods and carved artifacts, to create an authentic, local feel. What makes this hotel stand out, however, is its privately accessible beach for Andaz Peninsula Papagayo guests that ensures isolation from crowds, while two swimming pools encourage fun in the sun. Culinary highlights include Ostra, the hotel’s specialty restaurant, which features three live culinary stations, allowing guests to sample specialties and soak in the freshest products and flavors of the country.
Wyndham Guayaquil, Ecuador Boredom is not an option at Wyndham’s first foray into Ecuador. Wyndham Guayaquil is just steps from the historic Santa Ana Hill and just minutes from the sights and attractions at Malecon 2000, Simon Bolivar Convention Center, World Trade Center Guayaquil and Aeropueto Internacional Jose Joaquin de Olmedo. It’s also convenient to museums, botanical gardens and other places of interest. Don’t let its location in the business hub fool you; the hotel is familyfriendly—there’s a full kitchen in every room and dedicated children/teens activities—and it touts the ninth-floor terrace, with its views of the beautiful Guayas River, as a wedding venue. Europe Aman Canal Grande, Venice Amanresorts got a foothold in the city of canals in a historic building. In San Polo, midway between the Rialto and Accademia Bridges, the centerpiece of the Aman Canal Grande is the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli. We hear rooms have some amazing ornamentation that’s been kept intact, such as 18th-century frescoed ceilings and rococo mirrors. The property has two gardens, making it a good pick for those craving greenery: Fronting the Grand Canal, the Garden Terrace is one of very few private gardens on the canal, where Aman guests can dine al fresco. A second “secret” garden with soaring trees offers a more laid-back experience. Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, Russia This hotel is the first Four Seasons in Russia, and opened last year after a major renovation from the private apartment building known as the “House with Lions” into a five-star hotel. The triangular building was originally conceived in 1817 by Auguste Montferrand as the private address of the city’s elite, close to the Winter Palace. During the renovation, the original concept and aesthetic was studied and many elements were maintained. Neo-classic materials were acquired from across Europe (like gilt mirrors and marble fixtures) to keep the ambiance in sync. The hotel’s four-level spa is constructed within a triangular courtyard of the original Lion Palace, and has eight spa treatment rooms—including a deluxe couples’ suite with a private lounge. Hotel de Paris, St. Tropez, France A once-fashionable meeting place for the international jet set in St. Tropez has been given a new lease on life, thanks to a dramatic makeover by acclaimed designer Sybille de Margerie. After two years of non-stop renovations, the legendary hideaway is back on the French Riviera scene. Outfitted with all the latest technology and designer furnishings, the 52 rooms and 38 suites are a feast of color—with a rainbow of hues accenting the walls, curtains, and fabrics. Top dig is The Presidential Suite (sprawling over 1,400 square feet) with its private terrace offering views over the Saint Tropez harbor. One of the highlights is the pool with a transparent glass bottom—suspended over the lobby so that bathers are visible from below. Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg – Tchaikovskogo InterContinental Hotels Group launched its boutique Indigo brand in Russia in the historic center of St. Petersburg, between the Neva and Fontanka rivers, the Summer Garden, and Tavrichesky Garden. We say that’s a good spot for visiting local attractions. Floor-to-ceiling murals in the hotel’s 119 bedrooms were inspired by the nearby Summer Garden, the Foundry metal works and river embankments. Good to know: The hotel, like all of the Indigo properties, is crafted to reflect its neighborhood, so keep an eye out for local artwork and regional specialties on the menus. Hotel Nikol’skaya Kempinski, Moscow This new hotel on Lubyanka Square in central Moscow is the culmination of a six-year renovation project that merged several adjacent historic buildings not far from Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Bolshoi Theatre. Interiors by the Leo International Design Group conjure the Belle Epoque with elements like marble, crystal, and gilded wood. Served by butlers, the two Presidential Suites are like private apartments in some of the best real estate in town. This is the Kempinski Group’s second hotel in the Russian capital, and for a sense of the “wow” factor, rates start at around $400 per night. InterContinental Davos, Switzerland Alert the dedicated ecotourists among your clientele that this hotel is focused on environmental sustainability, heated with 90 percent renewable energy. Inside the dome-shaped hotel, the ambience reflects a modern, upscale alpine
chalet. The hotel’s spa has 14 treatment rooms, a wet area, open-air pool, and a lounge overlooking the mountains. For younger visitors, the hotel has a Globini Kids Club—a team of professional kindergarten teachers to create activities and a safe place for kids. InterContinental Marseille, Hotel Dieu Housed in the centuries-old Hotel Dieu, a landmark historic monument on the Old Port, InterContinental Marseille, Hotel Dieu opened as the city’s first true five-star hotel. The historic structure, which looks over the city and port, has been renovated so that historic details—like a 12-century chapel and its mosaics—have been preserved. Perched atop Le Panier, the oldest part of France’s second largest city, the building has vaulted passageways and large terraces. The property overlooks the city and offers views of the Vieux Port and the iconic Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica.
Presidential Suite at the InterContinental Marseilles J.K. Place Roma Occupying a historic building at Via Monte d’Oro 30, just off the Via Condotti (right in the middle of town), this hotel is within walking distance to the Spanish Steps. Rooms come with rosewood canopy beds or handmade fabric beds, spacious marble bathrooms, plus complimentary minibar and free Wi-Fi. The J.K. Master Room is the largest at 540 square feet. Composed of a living room and separate bedroom, the suite is decked out with custom furniture by architect Michele Bonan. Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna Originally built as a hotel for the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873, the building stands in the heart of the city, not far from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After two and a half years of restoration, it opens its doors again—as famous Viennabased architect Boris Podrecca’s most recent masterpiece. (Podrecca, widely considered a pioneer in postmodernism, blends elements of the original Renaissance revival style with a contemporary, chic overlay.) In its new life, the hotel has two restaurants, a winter garden, a spa, and some top nightlife spots. Rosewood London Housed in a 1914 Edwardian Belle Epoque building in Holborn, the Rosewood’s wrought-iron gates lead to an intimate courtyard, making for an impressive welcome. The Grand Manor House Wing is accessed via a private elevator and its own street entrance; this is the only hotel suite in the world to have its own postcode. Beyond that, the suite has six bedrooms, a dressing chamber, a library, a dining room and several sitting rooms that spread out over 6,318 square feet of living space. The Garden House, meanwhile, has a garden terrace overlooking the London skyline while the Chancery House has plenty of old-fashioned grandeur.
Executive Suite at the Rosewood London Swissotel Metropole, Geneva Swissotel Hotels and Resorts opened the Swissotel Metropole, Geneva, in March. Its 12 “signature rooms” are the first of their kind within the company: All lights and electronic instruments are navigated via a central control panel and the TV has a media connection panel allowing guests to connect their own devices. Additional services, available free of charge to guests in the new rooms, include minibar access, free Wi-Fi, and ironing service on arrival. All signature rooms are offering a view over the famous English Garden or Lake Geneva. We hear the open, mosaic bathrooms are considered a particular highlight of the property, providing guests with their own personal spa experience via the steam showers, or Jacuzzi baths with jet stream. The experience is enhanced by the Swissotel product line Pürovel, which is produced by Swiss farmers using pure biological oils and local herbs. The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland This new ski resort is set to become a new Grande Dame hotel for Switzerland. The best suite to book is the Gemsstock Suite, which spans an expansive 1,400 square feet. The resort can arrange over-the-top requests for guests, such as customized day excursions, sightseeing in Lucerne, guided hiking trips to a cheese-making farm, and concert tickets for the Lucerne Festival. The London Edition This upscale hotel was created in partnership between Marriott and Ian Schrager. The brand of luxury lifestyle hotels currently only has two other properties in its portfolio worldwide—in Istanbul and Miami Beach. (More are due to open in the coming years.) Occupying the site of the former Berners Hotel in Fitzrovia, The London Edition has 173 rooms, a lounge dubbed the Punch Room, and a restaurant called Berners Tavern run by Jason Atherton, who created Maze for Gordon Ramsay Holdings. The hotel is near the British Museum and Soho. Waldorf Astoria Berlin As part of the new Zoofenster skyscraper, this 32-story hotel has the highest Presidential Suite in the whole city on the top floor. The hotel’s interior design has been conceived by Parisian agency Inter Art Etudes with plenty of Art Deco flair. Guests can choose from five different dining venues, the most exclusive of which is Les Solistes, where the menu was thought up by Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire. And be sure to visit the Guerlain Beauty Spa, the only Guerlain outpost in Germany. W Verbier, Switzerland Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened the first-ever W Hotel in Switzerland in December, also marking the W brand’s firstever alpine and ski retreat. The resort has four wooden chalet-style buildings, each connected by a glass atrium. For accommodations, the W Verbier has 123 guest rooms, including one Extreme WOW Suite (the W brand’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite), as well as 15 W-branded Residences. Top Perk: All guest rooms and suites have a fireplace and a balcony with panoramic alpine views. The resort also offers immediate ski-in, ski-out access to the mountainside.
Mexico Iberostar Playa Mita, Riviera Nayarit What sets this resort apart from other Iberostars in Mexico is its location. Riviera Nayarit is an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, secluded between the Western Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. As such, the resort places a huge emphasis on the natural environment and the local, traditional towns that surround it. Why it’s hot: In addition to its ocean view rooms and suites, this resort has 18 adults-only Spa Rooms that include spa treatments in their rates. There are a variety of dining options, including an international buffet, as well as four themed restaurants: Gourmet, Japanese, Steak House and Mexican. There is also an exclusive SeaSoul bar with ocean views, as well as seven other bars placed throughout the resort. Geared toward both couples and families, the hotel has a Splash Park aqua park and a separate kids’ pool. Grand Residences Riviera Cancun The all-suite Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, an affiliate of Leading Hotels of the World, debuted shortly before Christmas—a gift for clients who value privacy and the personal touch. The all-suite property is nestled in a secluded enclave between Riviera Maya and Cancun. The suites are designed as private residences, with on-property gourmet dining, a spa and salon, and personalized beach and pool service. The property’s top-notch Presidential Suite is a fourbedroom penthouse that sleeps up to 13. It comes complete with a private roof garden, ocean views, a pool, Jacuzzi, and a bar and grill. Nizuc Resort & Spa, Cancun Nizuc Resort & Spa is just 10 minutes from Cancun’s airport, and delivers service on par with any of the established and respected five-star resorts to the south. Sitting on its own stretch of land away from the hotel zone, Nizuc is a quiet, secluded resort overlooking the ocean on an almost private strip of beach. What we loved was the path that led from the main pool area through wild, rustic foliage, passing private lounging areas on small docks in hidden beach nooks (Hint: You can request a private dinner to be served here), which led us to the adults-only La Punta Grill & Lounge, which has its own infinity pool and sunning area. This area is authentic Mexico, as it served once as a presidential retreat for the country.
Nizuc Resort & Spa in Cancun Middle East Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Waldorf-Astoria’s first hotel in the UAE is designed to mirror the classic features of an Arabian palace. Guests may feel like royalty as they enjoy a private beach and two temperature-controlled outdoor pools. Dining aficionados can select from four signature restaurants, including specialty dining from US steakhouse, The Lexington Grill; Japanese dining at Umi; and Emirati-inspired cuisine at Marjan. The Waldorf Astoria Spa, one of the Emirate’s largest spas, stretches over 17,760 square feet with 12 treatment rooms as well as a VIP room. Let your golfing clients know that there’s an 18-hole championship course onsite. Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort and Spa Perched on the eastern crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, an archipelago of islands connected to the mainland, this Asian-style resort has rooms with direct access to more than 107,000 square feet (that’s two-plus acres!) of lagoon pools. Inspired by traditional Thai architecture, the resort also has 18 over-water villas—the first of their kind in the Middle East—and three Royal Beach Villas. A kids club and a teens club keep the young ones entertained while the grown-ups visit the Anantara Spa.
Villa with pool at the Anantara Dubai Palm Beach Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv InterContinental Hotels Group opened the Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv – Diamond District, the debut of IHG’s boutique brand in Israel. We hear the hotel has design details inspired by the gemstone. (Think murals all throughout the property.) There’s also the diamond-inspired Clarity Spa, a sundeck and a rooftop glass swimming pool. The French-Mediterranean restaurant Blackstone Bistro & Lounge (named after the original, raw formation of a diamond) serves locally sourced food and drink and is open to locals as well as guests. Bonus: Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel so guests can keep up-to-date online or relax with their own music selection in the iPod docking station. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, Kuwait The Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa is the first Jumeirah property in the Gulf region outside the UAE. The hotel has eight restaurants and lounges, an outdoor swimming pool lined with palm trees, and a Talise spa. Equipped with free Wi-Fi, the top of the hotel’s 316 guest rooms are the decadent Royal Suites—sprawling across 3,875 square feet. The five-bedroom villa, meanwhile, at the hotel looks over the ocean and the hotel gardens, and offers guests the use of a private parking space as well as a private plunge pool. Guests can also make use of the full kitchen, including dishwasher, fridge, microwave, oven and chinaware. Rosewood Abu Dhabi The first Rosewood Hotels & Resorts property in the UAE is set on the waterfront of Sowwah Square. The 34-story landmark hotel occupies a prime spot on Al Maryah Island (formerly Sowwah Island), in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new central business district. It has 189 rooms and suites and four penthouses, as well as nine signature restaurants and lounges. Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s interiors are created from such materials as Italian marble, a bespoke 13-foot American walnut table, and custom and hand-blown chandeliers from the Czech Republic. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Acquiring the title of “World’s Tallest Hotel” from the Guinness Book of World Records, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is just a little shorter than New York City’s Empire State Building. At 1,164 feet and 72 stories, the property is the first JW Marriott Marquis outside of North America and the 59th addition to the brand’s global luxury portfolio. The 43,000square-foot Saray Spa and Health Club draws inspiration from the caravanserai silk route across Arabia. The hotel’s nine restaurants and five bars/lounges include the steakhouse Prime 68 (as in 68th floor), where the cuts of meat are matched only by the sky-high views; the experiential sushi restaurant, Izakaya; and cocktail bar Vault, which occupies the 71st and 72nd floors and affords panoramic views of the city. Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal This resort is the first Ritz-Carlton in Abu Dhabi and the ninth property in the Middle East for the luxury hotel operator. Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, The RitzCarlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is located at the waterfront and consists of 10 buildings arranged in a crescent formation around a sprawling 17,000-square-foot outdoor pool where guests can relax in a private cabana.
United States Capella Washington, DC This boutique hotel was inspired by the history of American architecture. Guests of the property are entitled to Capella Personal Assistants 24 hours a day. Complimentary amenities include a refreshment center, laundry pressing service (up to five pieces), Wi-Fi and more. We love The Grill Room and The Rye Bar, which are trending on the DC culinary scene. The former specializes in bone-in, artisanal meats, seafood, and tableside preparations, while the latter serves up rare rye whiskeys, cocktails and a specialty menu of bar snacks. The Clubhouse at Streamsong Resort, Florida When its 216-room main lodge opened in January 2014, the Clubhouse Streamsong Resort near Tampa had already been welcoming guests to its 12-room golf clubhouse for almost a year. The landlocked luxury resort targets a different Florida niche, eschewing the usual beach focus for golf (Streamsong Red was named “Best New U.S. Course You Can Play” by Golf magazine), as well as tennis, shooting, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, hiking and hot-air ballooning.
The Clubhouse at Steamsong Resort, west of Tampa Downtown Grand Las Vegas Las Vegas’ booming Downtown area received an early Christmas present when the Downtown Grand opened in November. Yes, the hotel has its share of gaming facilities (600 slot machines, 30 table games and a sports book), dining options (five), and bars—including the signature Mob Bar, a flapper-style environment that has handcrafted cocktails and live entertainment. The topper, however, may be what’s at the top: Downtown Grand’s PICNIC is the latest entry to Las Vegas’ competitive rooftop swimming pool scene. Designed to be reminiscent of a ‘50s pool oasis, the new area offers live entertainment and film screenings throughout the year, an infinity pool, and opportunities for picnics on the grass or at communal tables. Guests can also enjoy cocktails or play blackjack outdoors. El Encanto, Santa Barbara The first Belmond hotel on the U.S. West Coast—and Santa Barbara’s only Forbes Five-Star resort—reopened to rave reviews after nearly seven years of restoration accomplished in close association with Santa Barbara’s Historic Landmarks Commission. To complement the historic decor, the hotel also offers carefully selected artwork by Damien Hirst and Charles Arnoldi. Accommodations are a mix of private bungalows and luxury suites. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hills of Santa Barbara’s wine country, The Spa draws from the surrounding landscape using local ingredients to create signature treatments. Executive Chef Leo Andres Ayala creates inspired California Coastal cuisine with locally sourced seasonal produce, such as herbs directly from the chef’s garden, and Belmond El Encanto cheese, made from the milk of Ellie, the resort’s resident cow. Hotel Zetta, San Francisco The new property from Viceroy Hotel Group is the first new hotel in San Francisco in five years. The stylish building is on 5th Street in the heart of SoMa, adjacent to the Westfield Shopping Centre, steps from Moscone Center and close to Union Square. BART trains are practically at the doorstep for guests who want to explore other San Francisco neighborhoods. Hotel Zetta offers ultra-modern accommodations and, like all Viceroy properties, a 21st century awareness of sustainability. The interactive lobby is a social hub with Macs and—heads up, The Price Is Right fans—a Plinko game wall.
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica Opened Fall 2013 as a new offering on the iconic Santa Monica Pier, the hotel’s unique lobby—dubbed Le Meridien Hub Experience—re-interprets the traditional lobby scene as a social gathering place with good coffee, large-scale artwork and unique lighting. Cool touches: The hotel has a 24-hour curated soundtrack and offers the “Unlock Art” program— LM100 artist-designed key card collections that not only offer access to the guest room but also to Le Meridien brand affiliated contemporary cultural centers in the city. Nobu Hotel at Caesars Las Vegas The first celebrity chef-branded hotel venture in Las Vegas brings Nobu’s famed culinary brand to the hospitality space, including the world’s largest Nobu restaurant and the first to offer teppanyaki in the United States. The hotel’s dining experiences channel his signature style and, ramping up the cool factor, all rooms have minibars filled by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa himself. Nobu’s signature hot tea is served in the room upon arrival, and there are tech touches like iPad registration, an iPad docking station and Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace app.
King Room at the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Las Vegas Salamander Resort, Middleburg, Virginia The pet project of Black Entertainment Television co-founder Sheila Johnson officially opened last August after much delay and fanfare. Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., the expansive resort (it occupies 340 acres of Virginia horse country) offers an ideal retreat with its infinity pool surrounded by cabanas, Equestrian Center, and access to over 50 vineyards within an hour’s drive. There is a Cooking Studio at Harrimans Restaurant where guests can partake in culinary classes and watch cooking demos. Chef Todd Gray, of Equinox in Washington, is the Salamander’s Culinary Director. The Langham Chicago Just minutes from the commercial Loop district and within walking distance of the famous Magnificent Mile, Langham Hotels’ first purpose-built hotel in North America arrived on the scene last summer. With design by world-renowned architects like Dirk Lohan, who worked with his grandfather Mies van der Rohe on the IBM building in the 1960s, and David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, who designed the property’s signature restaurant, Travelle, this property is a major addition to Chicago’s booming hotel landscape. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Langham without Tiffin at The Langham, the traditional afternoon tea that first debuted at The Langham, London in 1865, and the signature Chuan Spa. The Pearl Rosemary Beach, Florida This luxury resort opened on Florida’s Emerald Coast in time to catch the last wave of summer travelers. The resort is notable for its tech-friendly amenities, including the Intelity App, which enables guests to book dinner reservations, room service, or place concierge requests before or during their stay via an iPad available in each room. The resort is also the first in the U.S. to offer in-room Apple TVs, allowing guests to stream wirelessly from the complimentary highspeed Wi-Fi. But with a private stretch of white-sand beach just steps away, a spa with four stunning poolside treatment cabanas, and an 18.6-mile scenic bike trail, guests may find they have little time for TVs and PCs. The Redbury South Beach, Miami This boutique property charms with its Art Deco-themed rooms and suites with in-room Crosley record players and a collection of vinyl curated by Capitol Records and Universal Music Enterprises. Apartment-style touches include kitchens
and private balconies. The swank rooftop pool and Chef Tony Mantuano’s Lorenzo restaurant are also plusses. Other perks include exclusive access to the beaches, pools, and amenities of the nearby SLS Hotel South Beach and The Raleigh, as well as complimentary BMW house car service within a three-mile radius of the hotel. Thompson Chicago Why do we think this hotel is hot? Lots of reasons: All of the hotel’s residential-style rooms and suites have modern art and a fully stocked minibar. The bathrooms have rain shower heads and natural bath and spa products by REN, and the minibars are filled with Dean & DeLuca snacks. Tech touches include bedside lighting controls, nightstands with built-in USB chargers and an in-room entertainment system by Tangerine. Coolest tech detail of all: Each room has its own ISP address and functions as its own hotspot. (Wi-Fi is included.) It also offers top views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Plus, guests enjoy complimentary car service to downtown Chicago.
Thompson Chicago lobby Hawaii Andaz Maui at Wailea Hawaii doesn’t get new hotels very often, so when it does, it’s hot news. With Wailea’s first new resort in six years, Andaz is putting a luxury spin on the destination’s multigenerational market while also creating a quiet retreat for affluent couples. Seventy percent of all rooms face the ocean and the two Premiere Suites have a soaking tub smack dab in the center of the room, offering clients an impressive ocean view while they soak. The hotel is also home to one of Hawaii’s hottest restaurants, Morimoto Maui, named after executive Chef and former “Iron Chef,” Masaharu Morimoto. Four of the resort’s five swimming pools lead into each other, with three infinity pools ending up in one relaxing “lagoon.” The fifth is separate and serves as the resort’s adults-only pool.
Open-air lobby lounge at the Andaz Maui at Wailea on Maui
New York’s Boutique Boom Here is a quartet of newcomers that proves small hotels are a good fit for the Big Apple. The Quin, Viceroy and WestHouse are all within shouting distance of Carnegie Hall and each other, and just blocks from Central Park and Broadway theaters, while the Refinery is trying the Garment District on for size. The Quin, New York The Quin is housed in a pre-War building that, as the Buckingham Hotel, is rumored to have been the former home of famous musicians and painters such as pianist/composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski and artist Georgia O’Keeffe–whose names are given to the Quin’s two specialty suites. There’s also a Penthouse suite for those who adore a view of Central Park. The Quin employs a team of Attachés to curate New York City experiences for guests, be it art and culture, shopping, food and drink, or entertainment they seek. Viceroy New York With its array of amenities that leave guests wanting for nothing, including Chef Marc Murphy’s Kingside restaurant, the Viceroy was already hot when it opened in October. It has since opened a new rooftop bar dubbed, in no-nonsense New York fashion, The Roof, where guests can take maximum advantage of the New York scenery from 29 stories up while nibbling on small plates and sipping small-batch spirits, regionally brewed craft beers, global wines and sexy cocktails. WestHouse Hotel of New York One of three new additions by Small Luxury Hotels of the World to New York’s ever-trendy hotel scene, this 1920s Art Deco-style property unwrapped itself just in time to welcome early Christmas guests. We love the unique apartmentstyle vibe: guests are called “residents,” check-in from their rooms and can even request their own butler. And, as mentioned above, you can’t beat the neighborhood. Refinery Hotel New York This Garment District property hit the scene last May and we hear it’s a great pick for fashionistas who want to hit the nearby sample sales. The main entrance is designed to evoke a fashion runway, while the reception area has hat-making machinery repurposed as custom art installations. Other furnishing is inspired by sewing machines and factory carts, while the Parker and Quinn restaurant sports classic design touches that span New York City’s history from the 1900s to today. Macy’s and Madison Square Garden are just a few blocks south. The Quin, Refinery and WestHouse are all members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
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Designing Hotels With the Female Business Traveller in Mind Marisa Garcia, Skift June 13, 2014
Flower prints aren't necessary, but this Swissotel, Geneva has good marks from female traveler groups because of its security and pleasant atmosphere. / Swissotels
Earlier this week we launched our new report â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Rise of Female Business Travelersâ&#x20AC;? focused on learnings on how to attract and retain the loyalty of Female Business Travelers. Below is an
extract. Get the full report, to maintain your competitive edge by getting ahead of this influential trend. The best way to start defining a product which will appeal to female business travelers is to say what it should not do:
It should not pander to stereotypes. It should not (necessarily) be pink. It does not need to be scented with sweet flowers. Nor embossed with flowers. Nor named after flowers. It need not be dainty or quaint or cute. Products targeted at women should do the same thing products targeted at men do: Solve problems. While most of the problems facing women when they travel for business are identical to the problems faced by their male counterparts, there are some additional complications for women which brands targeting this demographic can gain by addressing.
This is an excerpt from our latest Global Trends Report The Rise of Female Business Travelers, which examines how travel providers can better appeal to this large and growing demographic.
Chris Nurko, Global Director of FutureBrand, points out that some hotels in the Middle East, like the Four Seasons Hotel in
Riyadh, provide dedicated floors for women. In some cases of hotels making these accommodations, however, Nurko tells us: “This tends to mean separate, not equal or better. The segregation has meant more attention being paid, but often only
superficially. The product is still designed by men and often with ‘pink’ stereotypes including flowers/chintz and tissues.” Going beyond these design stereotypes requires creativity, and some travel brands are getting creative. The Hyatt hotel lab is one example. Hyatt has dedicated a number of its properties to experimentation, trying on a number of changes to design, product configuration and services to evaluate their appeal to customers. In fact, a number of hotels, including Marriott, IHG, Swissotels and Westin have introduced labs on their properties. Outside designers and in-house
product managers contribute ideas which are deployed in limited rooms and areas of the hotel so that guests and staff can test them and determine if they work. These labs have introduced product and technology innovations which benefit to female business travelers and male business travelers alike.
Features like revamping check-in procedures, personalizing through “host” associates, ensuring these hosts can cater to the needs of travelers on arrival will appeal to both men and women.
That is a key point we must make. Designing to improve the travel experience for women most often results in designing solutions which make the travel experience better for men.
But both Froelich and Pearson point out that women will appreciate certain design and product features particular to their needs which may have no impact to the travel experience of men, or which may appear superfluous to me, but these extra features
are “final touches” and easy to implement. Certainly, double-locking doors, improving lighting and positioning peep holes so that women can see out of them address the security needs of female business travellers.
Men might be indifferent to these changes. Providing special amenities including items which women may need or appreciate, like including toiletry items for women, providing power hair dryers and magnifying mirrors in the bathrooms, installing full length mirrors in the room, adding herbal teas to the coffee service, and healthy options in the room service menus would improve the travel experience for women. Men might like them too.
Direct Link: http://skift.com/2014/06/13/designing-hotels-with-the-female-business-traveller-in-mind/