Sneak Peek: Rosewood London

Opening in October 2013, Rosewood London will embrace guests within one of London’s most historic locales, where the City meets Covent Garden and the West End on High Holborn. The early 20th-century Edwardian, Grade II-listed building will offer a true sense of the destination, combining English heritage with contemporary sophistication.

See details and more photos of Rosewood London >>

New to Five Star Alliance: Sir Albert Hotel

We are delighted to welcome Amsterdam's Sir Albert Hotel to the Five Star Alliance collection!

Sir Albert Hotel is in  De Pijp, the Quartier Latin of Amsterdam. The area is home to literati, artists, fashion designers, entrepreneurs and the city’s most famous market, the Albert Cuyp. De Pijp is also close to the Royal Concertgebouw, for lovers of classical music. And for lovers of shopping, you’re a leisurely stroll from Van Baerlestraat and the legendary P.C. Hooftstraat.

View rates, details, and more photos of Sir Albert Hotel >>

Share this article:

Fancy a Fizzy Lifting Cake? Chesterfield Mayfair Plans Willy Wonka Tea Party

What kid (or adult) hasn't seen Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and dreamed of visiting Willy Wonka's workplace? Well, you may not be able to go to the factory, but if you find yourself in London, you can head over The Chesterfield Mayfair for their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea. The The new stage musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be opening at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June, and starting May 13, and the luxury hotel is celebrating with Oompa Loompa Cupcakes, A Golden Egg, Blueberry Macaroons, and Fizzy lifting Cake.

Other treats served at Charlie at The Chesterfield include a choice 18 loose teas, fruit scones served with clotted cream and jam, chocolate chip scones, and savory finger sandwiches.  Tea is concluded (naturally) with a golden ticket that offers guests a chance to win a selection of fantastical treats at the hotel, with every ticket guaranteed a prize.  Prizes range from champagne to a free weekend stay in a Junior Suite. The chocolate afternoon tea at the Chesterfield runs until September, at a price of £32.50 per person plus service charge.

The only drawback to this afternoon tea is that it's not served by Oompa Loompas.

View rates, details, and more photos of The Chesterfield Mayfair >>

Share this article:

Spotlight on Villa Gallici

Villa Gallici is a Provencal house is bathed in the soft light do often depicted by Cezanne. Set against an elegant Florentine garden, where cypress trees are reflected in a luxurious pool, it offers sumptuous rooms with terraces and private gardens, a place to linger with an apertif in the shade of the trees. Traditional Provencal cuisine is accompanied by the finest wines in the restaurant.

View rates, details, and more photos of Villa Gallici >>

Share this article:

Shangri-La Hotel Beijing Launches the Beaming Faces Bloom Campaign

To help celebrate Children's Day on June 1, Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing has launched the "Beaming Faces Bloom" campaign. The luxury hotel invites you to submit photos of the innocent smiling faces of children aged 0-16 years (unlimited entries).

The photos collected will be put together to form a giant mosaic to be displayed in the hotel lobby, and uploaded to the hotel's and group's official website and on some press sites in celebration of the Children's Day on June 1.

Anyone submitting the photos will get a chance to win a two-night stay in a Presidential Suite in any of the Shangri-La Group's hotels.

Enter from now until May 20, 2013. To enter, forward photos along with the child's name, nationality, parent's name, and contact (phone and email) to communications.slb@shangri-la.com.

More about the Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing and the Beaming Faces Bloom Campaign >>

Share this article:

It's Not Too Late! Last-Minute Mother's Day Adventures

Scrambling for a gift for that lady who raised you?

Here are a few last-minute ideas. Availability is limited,and time is running out, so you'll want to book asap!

-Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is offering a Mother's Day Buffet-style brunch at their Talavera restaurant. The brunch, which starts at $87 per person, is buffet-style and includes dozens of choices, including Alaskan crab legs, cheese and charcuterie station, omelet station, slow roast prime rib, and a dessert station. You can also stay overnight for rates starting at $279.

-The Lodge at Woodloch has a Mother-Daughter Spa Getaway where mom enjoys a 30% savings on a stay of two nights or more. This package is available for the Complete Spa Plan or Intro to Spa Plan. One night stays are available for Mother's Day Weekend. Package Your Mother-Daughter Experience Includes: Lavish Accommodations 3 Gourmet Meals Daily, Inspiring Creative Arts, Scheduled group fitness classes and lectures, Chef's cooking demonstrations, selected guided group adventure excursions, and a Personal Spa Concierge to help design your program. 

-Four Seasons New York has a special Rose Diamond Nectarine and Lemon Geranium Cocktail for mom to enjoy during brunch, and rates starting at a splurge-worthy $1250 for Mother's Day weekend.

-At Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle, purchase a copy of Passion and Palate at Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar or at John Howie Steak, and they will include a complimentary box of delicious house made truffles. Plus, if you make a reservation for the special day, they will even wrap it up and have it waiting at your table!

-Okeanos Spa at Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino has a plethora of Mother's Day specials, including a Couple's Massage in the Spa Cove for $260, Mother's Day Body Wrap for $75, and Sothy's Mother's Day Facial for $105.

-Mandarin Oriental San Francisco has afternoon tea at Brasserie S&P starting at $38 per person or a half-bottle of Ruinart Rose Champagne and Mandarin Tea for two guests for $156. The Mother’s Day Brunch featires Dungeness crab and fromage blanc omelets, asparagus and Hobbs’ smoked salmon benedict and Meyer lemon ricotta pancakes, accompanied by mimosas as well as gin cocktails. If you miss the brunch, mom can still take advantage of Mother's Day packages at the spa until the end of May.

-Along the same lines, Fairmont Pittsburgh suggests a gift certificate to our spa. Certificates are available at the front desk.

Whatever you do for mom, we are sure she'll love it.

Share this article:

Did You Know? Hotel St. Francis

Hotel St. Francis is named for the patron saint of Santa Fe. The historic hotel embodies the authentic spirit of old Santa Fe, with handcrafted wood furniture by local artisans inspired by the Palace of the Governors, and a palette of natural colors reflecting the days of Santa Fe's early Franciscan missionaries.

View rates, details, and more photos of Hotel St. Francis >>

Sneak Peek: Andaz Maui at Wailea

Andaz Maui at Wailea is the newest luxury hotel on the block. The LEED certified resort is accepting reservations starting September 15, 2013. The 15-acre resort will have 297 guest rooms and suites, including seven luxury 2-4 bedroom residential villas. 

 Guest of Andaz Maui at Wailea will appreciate a host of services, from upscale spa services to a diverse array of experiential tours that celebrate Maui’s equally diverse culture.  Andaz Maui at Wailea's  LEED-certified status means that the resort has been enhanced with eco-friendly, green-minded amenities.

Exclusive Maui Resort Services include:

-Private access to Mokapu Beach

-4 outdoor infinity pools and separate adult pool

-2 poolside bars and lounges

-2 acclaimed full-service restaurants

-Full-service, eco-friendly spa with apothecary retail store

-Exclusive Wailea golf privileges

-Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access

-15,000 square feet of residential-style meeting and event facilities

-Experiential tours and activity desk

-Fitness center

Just minutes from Wailea’s most acclaimed golf courses, restaurants and shops, resort guests will experience their own slice of island life.

View more details and photos of Andaz Maui at Wailea >>

Share this article:

W New York Union Square Renovations Revealed

Jena Tesse Fox recently wrote for our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, about the renovations at The W New York - Union Square:

Heads up, New Yorkers! The W New York - Union Square has unveiled the results of a major renovation project. The transformation is part of the W brand's plan to renovate more than 11 of its properties across North America, and includes a full re-design of the hotel's 270 guestrooms and top suites, W Living Room, Todd English's Olives New York, and destination bar Lilium by Gerber Group (previously Underbar). The renovation also preserves original design details of the landmark 1911 Beaux Arts building, including its turn-of-the century Great Room with 23-foot high gilded ceilings and grand windows, which was restored late last year.

The W Living Room:  The new design of the W Union Square Living Room, by New York based design firm Krause + Sawyer, is good for for conducting business by day and unwinding by night. A black steel communal table, equipped with inlay plugs for chargers, encourages guests to mix and mingle while staying connected.

The Guest Rooms + Suites: Each of the hotel's 270 remodeled guest rooms and suites are anchored by a sculptural headboard representing an abstract view of Union Square. Silver window coverings are brightly stitched together with silk fabric mimicking a man's tie, while wall coverings in a soft, sophisticated "Park Avenue" white are contrasted with a bohemian metallic blue. Cool touch: The Extreme WOW Suite (the W brand's take on the Presidential Suite) is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video capabilities including wall units that can easily interchange from dining room table to space for a DJ booth.

Lilium and Olives New York:  The hotel's renovation also includes the re-design of its destination bar Lilium, as well as a complete renovation of Todd English's Olives New York restaurant. Lilium, the hotel's subterranean nightspot, sits beneath the hotel's façade. Key features of the 1,600 square foot interior include a twisted metal ceiling that cascades down the walls and complements the sculptural black steel lilies, created by metal artist Scot Brown. At Olives, the expanded bar, now located in the center of the space, creates a vibrant hub in the heart of the restaurant while new seating choices include u-shaped banquettes, an elevated chef's table or a nine-seat raw bar along the signature open kitchen. For more information, visit www.whotels.com/unionsquare.

Read more at Luxury Travel Advisor >>

Did You Know? The Langham Chicago

The Langham, Chicago, which is brand new, will be housed within the 52-story structure that was the last to be designed by Mies van der Rohe and is affectionately known by Chicago's citizens as the IBM Building. The building's cultural value was recognized when it was declared a Chicago Landmark in 2008 and entered into the National Register of Historic Places in March 2010.

Learn more about The Langham Chicago >>

Share this article: