Image of the Day: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is nestled in the hills of the famous Son Tra Peninsula, and features beachfront villas with private pools and a range of more than 20 suites. 

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Winners Report: The Peninsula Chicago

Fans of Five Star Alliance will remember our recent Last Minute Giveaway. Mary K. was the winner of our recent Last Minute Giveaway sweepstakes, and she shared a few pictures from her stay at The Peninsula Chicago with us. Mary won a two-night stay at the luxury hotel, and the hotel surprised her with an upgrade to a Grand Deluxe Room and special amenities.  At left is the lobby of the downtown hotel, and below is one of the doormen. 

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Live it Up with Trump's Great Gatsby Package

One of the greatest novels of all time has inspired of the most expensive luxury packages of all time. New York's Trump International Hotel Tower has announced the Trump Great Gatsby Package. Recommended for couples, the over-the-top experience includes:

-A three-night stay in a luxurious Central Park-view suite.

-Chauffeured car service for the duration of the stay.

-Dinner for two at the hotel’s Three-Michelin-Star restaurant, Jean-Georges

-Breakfast daily at Nougatine at Jean Georges

- A magnum of Veuve Cliquot Champagne served in-room

-Ladies will receive an Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Art Deco shagreen and onyx cuff, accompanied by a personal note from Ivanka Trump.

-Gentleman will receive a custom-tailored suit and shirt from Bergdorf Goodman, plus vintage Art Deco cufflinks.

The package comes with a Gatsby-appropriate price:  $14,999. The package is available for travel March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013.

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Image of the Day: Constance Moofushi Resort Maldives

Constance Moofushi Resort Maldives has 110 beach and water villas in an intimate location of pure lagoons, sandbanks, and tropical surroundings.

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La Samanna Serves Up Wine & Rum Tastings

Wine is to France, as rum is to the Caribbean is a good rule of thumb when thinking of spirits and vacationing. But, where can one go to experience both? How about La Samanna, a private resort located on the Caribbean isles of the French-side of Central Saint Martin? The location and cultures on this island alone brings the best of spirit worlds together: rum and wine. If you are a guest at La Samanna,  the property offers both wine and rum tastings at their on-site restaurant: La Cave. Guided by an expert sommelier for your wine and rum tastings, guests get some education and the opportunity to sample some of the finest wines and rums France and the Caribbean has to offer.

Accompanied by a selection of fruits and cheese to pair your wine and or rum with, both activities can be done conveniently at La Samanna’s restaurant La Cave. With a majority of rum production taking place in the Caribbean, La Samanna has followed suit and delighted to announce that they have produced their own line of rum. Partnered with a renowned rum producer, the property’s rum can be tasted amongst many other of the region’s finest. The tastings have been said to be an experiential learning experience, as many guests discover how to mix different rums to create certain tastes, and/or learning about great wine and cheese and fruit pairings.

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The Salamander Resort & Spa Sets August 2013 Opening

Salamander Resort & Spa, set on over 300 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains amid Virginia's famed horse country and lush vineyards announced that it is set to open this August. Located in the 18th century village of Middleburg, Salamander Resort is 30 minutes west of Dulles International Airport and an hour from downtown Washington, DC.

Set on 340 acres of farmland, the brand new resort will offer what was said to be "an unparalleled luxury experience in the region" with 168 guest rooms and suites; a culinary program led by Chef Todd Gray of Equinox Restaurant in DC including two restaurants, wine bar, cooking studio and two-acre culinary garden; a spa with 14 treatment rooms and a couples suite; and various activities including an onsite Equestrian program, with a 22-stall barn, practice ring, riding trails and instructional classes.

The property similarly boasts tennis courts and an outdoor pool complex, and guests have privileges at the nearby Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Fifty wineries are within an hour's drive of the resort, as are opportunities for whitewater rafting, sporting clays and raceway spectating.

Salamander Resort is also eyeing to be a destination for meetings or events. The property features a 5,000 square foot Grand Ballroom, as well as more intimate settings including a 1,800 square foot Junior Ballroom, Executive Boardrooms and breakout rooms, hospitality suites and 2,000 square foot Presidential Suite with an entertainment balcony.

Indoor and outdoor event facilities at Salamander are eyed to make events stand out, including the Equestrian Barn event room, the Stallion Barn, a, over a hundred year old stone building adjacent to the Grand Lawn, and the Cooking Studio, which may be reserved by groups for private events.

Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran Introduces Bamboo Chic

Breakfast in Bali has never tasted so good! Bamboo Chic, Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran’s newest restaurant boasts its delicious take on Pan-Asian cuisine with a Balinese twist. Le Meridian Jimbaran Bali has gone through a total renovation that displays a beautiful mix of traditional Jimbaran heritage amidst global contemporary design. This mix of traditional Jimbaran culture with the styles of global contemporary can be seen within the flavors of the newly opened restaurant at Le Meridian Jimbaran Bali’s restaurant: Bamboo Chic.

Guests can enjoy their meals in their 3-story restaurant and bar, or can even dine on their roof-top terrace to enjoy a beautiful Bali sunset while eating next to the man-made salt water lagoon. Run by executive chef Paul Lewis, who keeps the Le Meridian farm-to-table food concept alive by using local fresh ingredients and fresh catch-of-the-days in the menu. Bamboo Chic provides food options for all ages, complete with a delicious buffet spread that caters to many taste preferences. The restaurant is well-known for its Pork Hock dish that has a very distinct Balinese twist. Always on the menu, but in different forms, the pork is definitely a must-try at Bamboo Chic!

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Ritz-Carlton Montreal Debuts Maison Boulud

A few months ago, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal's re-opened its doors and unveiled their new $150 million renovated hotel. Part of the multi-million dollar renovations was the much anticipated reveal of the award-winning French Chef Daniel Boulud's new restaurant: Maison Boulud. The combination of the renowned, three star Michelin award-winning chef located in one of the most well-known names in the hotel industry has created a lot of hype amongst local foodies and hotel-guests. Living up to its hype, it has all of Montreal buzzing about its new hot spot eatery. Daniel Boulud has embraced the Montreal culture into his own food philosophy by focusing the restaurant's menu to serve the best "fresh local ingredients and artisanal Québécois products," according to the restaurant’s web site.

Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch; Maison Boulud has become Montreal's new go-to spot for special occasions and foodie connoisseurs. The experience is a great one, for those who want to experiment in fine dining in French cuisine. The ambiance, food and service are all top-notch and reflect Daniel Boulud's signature je ne sais quoi elegance embedded in part of his restaurant. If you are in the Montreal area and looking to enjoy the best of what this city has to offer, definitely stop by Maison Boulud for an outstanding gastronomic experience!

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Sponsored Post: Special Spa Services at Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago

 
Chicago winters are nothing to joke about. While we hope the frigid weather is behind us,  but just in case The Spa at Trump is offering some Chocotherapy to warm up the senses. The 23,000 sq. ft. Spa at Trump, located inside the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, features an array of 5 star services with 11 treatment rooms and 53 spa guestrooms overlooking the Chicago skyline. Here's just a few of the winter services they offer:

-Lovers of chocolate will want to sign up for the Hot Chocolate Body Scrub. The exfoliating treatment helps loosen fat and has an anti-cellulite effect. After the scrub, the skin is hydrated by an delectable chocolate mousse and you get to sip on a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Pair it with the Hot Chocolate Pedicure for the complete decadent service. You'll get a vanilla foot bath followed by a creamy chocolate exfoliation treatment and the chocolate mousse application mentioned above. 

-Prefer pearls over chocolate?  The Black Pearl Body Treatment uses crushed black pearls to exfoliate away dead skin cells and promotes hydration and skin tone. It can be paired with the Black Pearl Facial where Pearl Essence Powder exfoliates and then firms and hydrates the skin. 

Exclusive to the Chicago location of Spa at Trump are year-round services which are designed to combat the harsh effects of city living with natural ingredients that detoxify and replenish.

-The Ultimate Urban Body Mask begins with a body purifying exfoliation featuring detoxifying herbal mineral sals and antioxidant vitamins. That's followed by a blue-green algae mask enhanced with chlorophyll extracts to infuse the skin with potent cellular nutrition. The treatment finished up with a replenishing massage application of detoxifying aromatherapy oils, including cypress, rosemary and grapefruit.

-The 90-minute Ultimate Urban Facial is designed to enhance all skin types. It begins with a deep cleanse using 100% natural cleansers and floral waters designed to wash away dull surface skin cells. Cellular renewal is then stimulated with a glycolic or fruit enzyme peel designed to exfoliate and reduce the appearance of fine lines. To cap off the experience, you'll receive a warm and soothing foot massage. 

-The Ultimate Urban Neck & Shoulder Massage combines acupressure and massage techniques, hot and cold volcanic rocks, and specially formulate shea butter and is designed to penetrate deeply into muscles and joints.  

These are just a few of the services currently offered at the Spa at Trump. Be sure to check in to see what Spring treatments await you!

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Focus on Ponta dos Ganchos

Located on the Emerald Coast in the southern province of Santa Catarina, the private island resort Ponta dos Ganchos  is only accessible via private jet. It is the epitome of a private island oasis. Enjoy the panoramic sea views while comfortably laying on a hammock, sipping on a selection from the line of Ponta Dos Ganchos coffee. This resort only allows guests that are 18 and over, to ensure complete adults-only serenity. Known for their impeccable attention to detail and customized service, Ponta dos Ganchos is as relaxed and easy-going despite the posh feel of the resort. The employees of this resort seem to have one goal: Making it all about their guests. This is seen in their meals as they do not have set meal times, giving their guests the luxury to not be bound to a schedule set by the resort but their own. Their restaurant has different options that change on a daily basis to keep things fresh. Daily meal ideas are decided upon what is available at the market or caught at sea that day.  This is the perfect oasis for those couples that want a hideaway vacation, complete with equal parts of exclusiveness and luxury!

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