Five Star Alliance Deals

Five Star Alliance always has great rates for your favorite luxury hotels. But sometimes a few exceptional rates catch our eye, and we share them with you. Here are some of the great deals we are currently featuring. But hurry, these rates are subject to availability and other restrictions, and they are sure to go quickly.

Jamaica Inn  is an elegantly timeless resort located in beautiful Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Situated on what many consider to be the premier private beach in Jamaica, each of Jamaica Inn's 47 rooms and suites suite has a private balustraded balcony overlooking the beach and the Caribbean.Right now, you can book a 2nd Floor Ocean View room for $310USD per night, and receive a 4 For 3 Food Beverage Credit.

 
Come and experience the wonderful luxuries of Fairmont Gold at Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda. The Pink Princess is offering their Gold Package. Stay a minimum fo 3 nights in a Fairmont Gold room (Wed-Sun stays only, subject to availability) and enjoy complimentary continental deluxe breakfast, afternoon tea and relax in the evening with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and the wonderful selection of fine beverages in the Fairmont Gold lounge. Transportation to and from the airport  is also included.  Rates for this package start from $999 USD for a minimum of 3 night stay, based on double occupancy.

Peter Island Resort has a Sea and Self Signature Series Package. Each guest will receive one 75-minute Signature Series massage, one 45-minute Signature Series Body Scrub, one 75-minute Signature Series Wrap/Scrub, one Thalasso mud bowl, and the standard package amenities. Rates start at $900USD per night.  Rates are vailable In Ocean View Rooms And Beach Front Junior Suites.

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa in Biloxi, MS offers a Bellingrath Gardens Package. Visit the 65 acres estate of year-round beauty. Camellia blooms in winder, the azaleas in spring, roses in the summer and chrysanthemums in autumn. Package includes deluxe guest room, two one-day tickets to visit the Bellingrath Botanical Gardens and breakfast buffet for two in our four-diamond Trellis Room. Rates start at $222USD. 

Want more deals?  We've got them here >>

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Spotlight on Baglioni Hotel Group

The Baglioni Group’s Core Values are hospitality, luxury and style made in Italy, unique experiences, personalised services, locations of great historic value and prestige.  Here are just a few of their terrific hotels that truly embody their mission. 

Carlton Hotel Baglioni

The Carlton Hotel Baglioni is a luxury 5 star hotel perfect for both leisure and business trips. It is situated in the heart of Milan, at the crossroads of culture, fashion and design, in a highly prestigious position: it directly overlooks Via della Spiga, the most celebrated shopping street in the city. Via Montenapoleone, the cathedral and the famous La Scala theatre are situated a short distance away.

Luna Hotel Baglioni

Housed in a beautiful and aristocratic building, the luxurious Luna Hotel Baglioni provides its guests with a warm, intimate atmosphere and impeccable service. Luna Hotel Baglioni has that unique hospitality that welcomes back generations of guests year after year. The stamp of glamour and sophistication is evident in the frescoes, antique furniture and imposing crystal chandeliers which adorn the foyer and the public rooms.

Relais Santa Croce

A perfect balance between the luxury of a bygone era and modern comforts. In the historic centre of Florence, an eighteenth century residence hosts the exclusive, refined Relais Santa Croce hotel. Surrounded by its sumptuous furnishings and frescoed ceilings, you will be assisted by highly professional staff and delighted by the evocative nature of this truly extraordinary location in which luxury and refinement are the predominant features. It is the ideal destination for those seeking the intimacy of a private residence in Florence.

Regina Hotel Baglioni

The Regina Hotel Baglioni is situated right on the renowned Via Veneto, next to the Spanish Steps, closeto Rome's key attractions and its elegant shopping area. The Hotel offers a refined combination of luxury with an Italian touch in perfect harmony with a modern concept of cosmopolitan hospitality. The guest rooms and suites feature a sleek art deco style and classic stylish interior of timeless elegance. Guests and Romans enjoy authentic Mediterranean cuisine or can savour a cocktail at Brunello Lounge & Restaurant.

Baglioni Hotel London

The chic and very stylish Baglioni Hotel London is a modern classic housed in a traditional London building. The location may be English, but the hotel is certainly Italian in spirit. The Baglioni Group's commitment to its Italian heritage strives to combine luxury, individuality and culture in each of it's properties.

From the Baglioni Group, Coming soon to Five Star Alliance:
Cala del Porto, in Punta Ala Tuscany. Cala del Porto is situated overlooking the marina of Punta Ala. From the terraces of the hotel you can see glimpses of the Maremma landscape and look across the beautiful bay of Punta Ala towards the island of Elba in the distance. In this elegant and stylish hotel you will find welcoming staff and warm, Italian hospitality making you immediately feel at home. The aim of the hotel is to make your dreams come true and leave you with unforgettable memories of a wonderful, relaxing holiday.

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The New Jing An Shangri-La in West Shanghai to Open June 2013

June 2013 will mark the opening of Jing An Shangri-La Hotel, West Shanghai designed by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, this is Shangri-La’s third luxury hotel in Shanghai, following the well-established Pudong Shangri-La and the contemporary Kerry Hotel, both located in East Shanghai.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' newest flagship hotel will open in the heart of Shanghai. The 508-room Jing An Shangri-La in West Shanghai on the top 29 floors of the 60-storey main tower will envelop guests in a world of luxury and modern glamour befitting one of the most exciting and influential international cities.

The hotel is the cornerstone of the new Jing An Kerry Centre, a 450,000- square-metre integrated complex with prime retail, office and residential space located in the fashionable Jing An District in Puxi, Shanghai. Jing An Shangri-La will present an approachable contemporary design that evokes a strong sense of place complemented by Shangri-La's inimitable heartfelt hospitality.

Every detail of the hotel has been meticulously considered, from the staff uniforms designed by top Chinese designer Han Feng, to over 80 intricate silk lanterns that appear to float magically in the Summer Palace Chinese restaurant, to the commissioning of large-scale artwork from two of the most renowned Chinese contemporary artists - Zeng Fanzhi and Zhou Chun Ya.

Jing An Shangri-La overlooks the focal point of Jing An Kerry Centre - a 3,000-square meter piazza featuring pathways, gardens, water features and al fresco dining. Guestrooms will occupy the top 29 floors of the hotel's 60-storey main tower, while restaurants, offices and retail shops will be located on the lower levels.

The spacious guestrooms' rich yet delicate interiors are a foil for the stunning views of Shanghai visible through nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. All guestrooms will feature bathrooms with heated marble floors as well as LCD TV and digital clock embedded in the bathroom mirrors.

The most spectacular view can be seen from the hotel's Horizon Club Lounge, which takes up the entire 55th floor and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Shanghai. Horizon Club Lounge access will be available to guests staying in the 62-square-meter Grand Premier Room category and all suites.

Among Jing An Shangri-La's many draws is its array of restaurants and lounges. Shangri-La created a distinct environment for each venue.

The unique destination restaurant, Summer Palace, serves Southeastern Chinese cuisine with Cantonese flair. Inspired by Chinese ink paintings of poetic landscapes, a series of contemporary dining chambers each provide a different dining ambiance and menu. The colorful rooms flow from the casual Pantry Chamber serving dim sum, to the Lantern Chamber with an open kitchen specializing in clay pot cooking, to the exquisite Imperial Chamber for formal dining.

The 1515 WEST, Chophouse & Bar is where old Shanghai film making meets classic American bar and grill decor. Executive Chef Franco Brodini will bring "ranch to table" dining to Shanghai, serving beef from hand-selected cattle raised in Australia specifically for The 1515 WEST. The main dining room features an open-grill kitchen complemented by a raw bar and The 1515 WEST bar, serving signature cocktails from a team of world-class mixologists.

The hotel's two-level Cafe LIANG & mezzanine will add a new twist to the gourmet international buffet dining experience Shangri-La hotels are known to offer. The cafe will feature a "tick box" menu card for main courses, integrating a buffet and table service experience. Main courses can be served family style for sharing, and al fresco dining will be available in the piazza area. A la carte Japanese cuisine will be served on the mezzanine level.

Opposite Cafe LIANG in the piazza is a modern Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar in a striking stand-alone two-storey glass-roof building clad in bamboo.

Also located within the piazza is the home in which Chairman Mao Zedong spent several months in 1920. Preserved amid the Jing An Kerry Centre's gleaming modern towers, the heritage home is currently being restored with the support of Kerry Properties and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, in collaboration with the Jing An District Government.

Anticipating a need for meeting and event space in the central business district, the hotel offers an unparalleled 4,465 square meters of function space in West Shanghai. Jing An Shangri-La's Event Centre is housed in a five-storey podium block with a direct passage to the hotel tower on the third storey.

Its 1,740-square-metre pillarless Jing An Grand Ballroom is the largest in West Shanghai and boasts a 10-metre-high ceiling. The ballroom is complemented by a roof garden and a 1,039 square-metre pre-function area. In addition, the Event Centre houses a 514-square-metre junior ballroom plus six function rooms covering 659 square metres of space.

One signature event venue will be the Lifestyle Suite. Designed to provide the perfect combination of privacy and exclusivity, the self-contained Lifestyle Suite has its own bar, reception area, living room, dining room and courtyard. It can cater up to 80 guests.

Other offerings at Jing An Shangri-La include Shangri-La's signature CHI, The Spa, a state-of-the-art health club and a 25-metre heated indoor sky-dome lap pool.

The hotel is steps away from the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Jing An Temple and the famous Nanjing Road shopping street. It sits on a network of public transportation, including Metro Lines 2 and 7. It is a 45-minute drive from Pudong International Airport and a 20-minute drive from Hongqiao Airport via the adjacent elevated Yan'an Middle Ring Road.

The hotel and entire Jing An Kerry Centre development has been awarded the LEED Gold Pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai is the third Shangri-La property in the city, joining the luxurious Pudong Shangri-La located in the city's financial centre opposite the Bund, and the vibrant Kerry Hotel, Pudong, a luxury lifestyle hotel located near Century Park and the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

A Peek into Hotel Bathrooms

There is nothing like a hotel bathroom. The soft towels and bathrobe, the perfect water pressure, and most important of all: the products. Hotel bathroom products say a lot about the hotel themselves. It is common practice for hotels to partner with well-known beauty brands with similar brand attributes to provide these free amenities to their guests. Not to mention the fact that it is a huge added bonus when the hotel you are staying at, provides for you the brands you currently use or have been planning to try. Take a peek at some of these amazing partnerships between hotels and beauty brands! What hotels hold your favorite beauty products?

W HOTEL + BLISS

Thanks to one of the hippest deals in hotel history, the Bliss® brand of beauty can be found at W hotels around the world with in-hotel Bliss Spa locations, as well as Bliss beauty, bath and body amenities stationed sink side in all W hotel rooms. Bliss products are designed for pampering, and designed so that guests can take the spa home with them via their skincare products. 

KIMPTON + AVEDA  + ETRO 
At Kimpton, the beauty products vary by property, but you'll often find ecologically friendly Aveda and Etro. The art and science of pure flower and plant essences is the core of Aveda. The ETRO brand is known for blending extreme refinement with irreverent detail.  Purchases of the ETRO line support Kimpton's Dress for Success organization, an international non-profit that assists economically-challenged women as they transition from unemployment to self-sufficiency.

FOUR SEASONS + L’OCCITANE
The Four Seasons luxury hotel chain features L'Occitane products.  Select Four Seasons also offer Bulgari bath products. L’OCCITANE’s amenities are aimed at the most prestigious establishments worldwide, with  formulas composed of natural ingredients both paraben-free and tested under strict dermatological controls.

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Peek into The May Fair Hotel's Ebony Suite

The May Fair Hotel London hosts many celebrity studded social events such as the Olivier Awards, and it is the official hotel for London’s Fashion Week. They've just announced their announced their newest suite: The Ebony Suite. Ebony's futuristic facilities and generous proportions are sure to be a hit with celebrities and non-celebrities alike. 

The one-bedroom suite features stylish dark wood, a 67 square metre lounge area, sleek kitchenette, glass dining table, 52" flat screen TV, and separate guest bathroom. Spanning an impressive 110 square metres, and with access to an adjoining King Standard Bedroom, the luxury living area spills out onto a 34 square metre terrace, complete with patio furniture and panoramic views. 

The suite can also be booked as a two-bedroom suite. When booked as a two-bedroom suite, guests can also make use of the suite's separate entrance, which doubles up as a private lobby - perfect for receiving visitors. 

The May Fair Hotel London definitely invested some technological time into the Ebony Suite bathroom. The centerpiece of the spacious shower room is an oversized temperature color-changing bathtub, elegantly positioned on a raised platform in the master bedroom and, for extra privacy, partially enclosed by Japanese-inspired paneling. 

The technologically driven bathroom is complete with a multi-lingual shower that speaks a total of 8 different languages, and a Washlet, the world’s most advanced lavatory with integrated bidet, temperature and massage functions, operated via a wall-mounted remote control panel. 

The Ebony Suite joins The May Fair's  large and diverse luxury suite collection. Lavish without being showy, dramatic without compromising on comfort and with service that's attentive yet low-key, the May Fair redefines modern luxury with playful panache. 

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Water, Water, Everywhere And Lots to Drink at Divani Appolon

In a Greek beach town not far from Athens,  you can find the epitome of luxury at the Divani Apollon Palace and Spa. This wonderful hotel is covered with a plethora of pool options and they also have a private beach. Guests can bask in the sun on the sun deck or the different water locations while soaking in the picturesque Aegean Sea. Luxury being provided in every imaginable step of the way makes it hard for anyone ever wanting to leave. Guests have praised the Divani Apollon Palace’s attention to every minute detail, which is evident as guests talk about how incredibly soft the beach towels are, to even comparing the grass on the property to walking on pillows. At night, the scene is just as beautiful, as guests are welcome to enjoy the beautiful Saronic Gulf sunset while sipping on cocktails or enjoying an unforgettable dining experience on the beach.

View rates, details, and more photos of Divani Apollon Palace and Spa >>

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Starwood to Debut Luxury W Hotels in Israel in 2015

Today Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced that it will debut the W brand in Israel in 2015 with the opening of W Tel Aviv - Jaffa and The Residences at W Tel Aviv - Jaffa. The first hotel will be set inside a historic 19th century heritage building in the revitalized ancient port neighborhood of Jaffa. The W Tel Aviv - Jaffa is being designed by acclaimed British architect John Pawson along with Ramy Gill Architects and Urban Designers, who has also designed the new Jaffa port.

W Tel Aviv - Jaffa will provide a cutting-edge lifestyle experience, featuring 125 stylish guest rooms and suites, including one Extreme WOW Suite (W's interpretation of the Presidential Suite), as well as panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast.

The hotel will offer a signature restaurant, a destination bar and W Living Room (W's take on the traditional hotel lobby). Other luxury leisure facilities include an Away Spa, SWEAT state-of-the-art fitness, and a glamorous outdoor WET pool deck. Guests can also expect the W brand's signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, providing guests whatever they want, whenever they want it. The hotel will also offer a full-service, 24-hour WIRED business centre.

This project will also feature 38 W-branded Residences at W Tel Aviv - Jaffa, which will come with a private entrance. Featuring luxurious apartments ranging from 70 to 400 square metres, the six-story Residences at W Tel Aviv - Jaffa will be built alongside the heritage building in which the hotel is housed. Residents will enjoy access to the facilities at W Tel Aviv - Jaffa, including signature W offerings and services.

With more than 4,000 years of history, Jaffa is south of the main city centre of Tel Aviv and is undergoing a meticulous revitalisation project, including multi-million dollar investments in infrastructure and an extended sea promenade. W Tel Aviv - Jaffa and The Residences at W Tel Aviv - Jaffa will serve as the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the ancient port city. Spanning over 20,000 square metres, this landmark project is located within close proximity to the newly renovated Jaffa port, the pristine beach, as well as fashionable boutiques, charming sidewalk cafes and stylish nightlife destinations.

With 44 hotels and retreats open, W is on track to reach more than 60 hotels by the end of 2015, expanding its presence in the most sought-after markets from Milan to Bogota, Muscat to Beijing, Shanghai to Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Read the full article at Hotel-Online.com >>

Tee It Up at Charleston Place

Charleston, SC is a golfer's paradise.  According to Golf Magazine, Charleston is home to two of the "100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World." There are more  than 20 courses in the Charleston area to choose from; from the Rivertowne Country Club, which offers 13 holes along the Wando River and Horlbeck Creek to Charleston National, an 18 hole championship course designed by the renowned golf course architect Rees Jones,  to the Links at Stono Ferry, which  is a championship par 72 golf course located along the Intracoastal Waterway. Many golf architects have proclaimed their Charleston area courses as some of their best, including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Rees Jones.

Unlike some other golf destinations, Charleston is generally not crowded with golfers, which  results in a greater array of  tee times and golfers who can take their time hitting the links.  Morevoer, it's always a good time of year to play golf in the Charleston area, where average high temperatures range from 57°F to 89°F. The 94th PGA Championship was one of many tournaments played in Charleston, so you know the golfing is good.  

_{Pictured: Charleston Place refers guests to The Ocean Course, part of Kiawah Island Golf Resort}

So where to stay to take advantage of all this golf? May we suggest Charleston Place? Located at the very heart of downtown Charleston, in the historic district and within walking distance of all the major attractions, this luxurious hotel makes every guest feel part of this great Southern city. At Charleston Place, you can take advantage of all the city has to offer in addition to great golfing. Renowned as Charleston’s finest accommodations, it is a standard bearer of Orient-Express style. Leisure activities include relaxing by the rooftop pool, dining in the award-winning Charleston Grill and browsing the exclusive boutiques both at the hotel and in the shopping areas nearby. 

View rates, details, and more photos of Charleston Place >>

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Rooftop Pleasures at Divani Caravel Hotel Athens

Soak up the sun while soaking up an unforgettable view at  The Divani Caravel Hotel Athens' rooftop, located in the heart of Athens, Greece. With an unbeatable panoramic view where guests can see Greece’s most prized sites like the ancient Acropolis and Lucabettus Hill, going to the rooftop at the Divani Caravel hotel is definitely a treat! Home to many swoon-worthy amenities that would make hotel guests never want to leave, the rooftop at the Divani Caravel hotel is like a fully-equipped luxurious relaxation oasis.

Image of the Day: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa

Nestled amongst 35 acres of tropical gardens, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is the sole destination resort on Natadola Beach - the only stretch of natural, white sand beach on the main island of Fiji, Viti Levu.

View rates, details, and more photos of InterContinental Golf Resort and Spa >>

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