Hotel de Crillon Renovations Revealed

The legendary Parisian Hotel de Crillon recently closed in order to go a major renovation that's expected to last two years. Our sister publication, The Luxury Travel Advisor, got some inside information on what future guests might expect.

 Here's what writer Jena Tessa Fox found out about the renovations: 

Architect Richard Martinet, along with Artistic Director Aline d'Amman and three Parisian decorators – Cyril Vergniol, Chahan Minassian and Tristan Auer – are working to bring the historic hotel into the 21st century. And although both management and designers have revealed little in the way of details, a recent press release offered a hint: "The 7th floor … will be imagined as a 'quarter within the hotel' where fashion designers and brands can collaborate with the Crillon to decorate the suites." The hotel's management contract, the story continues, may take a page from the Kempinski model - an established brand that manages a number of historic hotels. And the Crillon will need a special kind of care to balance contemporary tastes with classic style: It is 250 years old, and several rooms are listed as national historic monuments. But the "Louis XV" decor, while never lacking for gilding, can seem a tad dated, and when the French Ministry of Tourism was handing out "palace" status to hotels in 2011, the Crillon was absent from the list. It is worth noting that Mohamed Al-Fayed's Paris Ritz also lost out and has also recently closed for a 27-month refurbishment. The renovated hotel will open its doors again in 2015.

We look forward to seeing the stunning results! 

Did You Know? Paris Las Vegas

Paris Las Vegas brings the City of Lights to Sin City. Not only is the Broadway hit Jersey Boys playing, you can also catch American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, who has a year-long engagement at the hotel, and there's Napoleon's Dueling Pianos, where pianits face off nightly. Bet you can't see all that at Versailles. 

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Art and iPads at The Dolder Grand

The historical Zurich luxury hotel, The Dolder Grand, has entered the digital age. The Dolder Grand is renowned for its world-class art collection, a collection that would make most museums green with envy.  There are over 124 pieces of art work set around the property, work by such art world luminaries as Joan Miro, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Man Ray, Salvador Dali, Camille Pissarro, Damien Hirst, Rene Magritte, and Max Ernst.  Now, guests can guide themselves through the astounding collection via a just-launched iPad application.

Guests can borrow an iPad from the reception desk and use a the app to see the hotel’s collection. The works have been sorted by location and guests can access a map showing them positions of the works throughout the hotel. There's also additional information about each artist. 

Guests can have a museum experience without ever leaving the hotel.  

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Image of the Day: Dusit Thani Dubai

Dusit Thani Dubai is known for capturing the essence of Thailand in the vibrant center of Dubai's Business District. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 >>

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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.

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