The Grosvenor House Hotel in London Unveils Dedicated Nursery Suite

With over 100 luxury hotels in London, properties really have to work hard to stand out. We think that Grosvenor House has come up with a creative, thoughtful and practical solution for travelers with young children in mind. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, recently wrote about Grosvenor House's unveiling of their dedicated nursery suite for guests.

"Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel in London, and nursery designers Dragons of Walton Street have opened the 'Suite Dreams' nursery at the hotel. Designed and tailored with a royal baby in mind (and it just so happens that one is due in July), one of Grosvenor House's Premium Park View Suites has been transformed into a quintessentially British nursery – making it the first nursery offering of its kind from a central London luxury hotel.

Inspired by the suite's views of Hyde Park and the hotel’s history, Dragons of Walton Street (which has a historic association with the Royal family) has created and installed a selection of bespoke, hand crafted and painted furniture ideal for families with small kids. The master bedroom has a sculpted scroll top cotbed, complete with a coronet and sheer voiles draped either side. Combining the practical with luxury, the bedroom also has a chaise longue with two arms making nursing easier for new mothers.

Between the bedroom and the bathroom, guests will find a practical baby changing area themed with Beatrix Potter characters, including Peter Rabbit.

The living area has a more playful London theme, with child-size furnishings and toys, including a hand-painted play table and rush-seated chairs, hand-painted for Grosvenor House. But we hear the pièce de resistance is a dolls house cupboard hand painted to represent Grosvenor House's signature architecture (the intricate artwork for this piece alone took five days to paint!). The Suite Dreams nursery also includes a Balmoral Silver Cross Pram, the original coach-built pram that, like Dragons' furniture, is handmade and hand painted in the UK. (We hear it has been the pram of choice for royalty and celebrities around the world for decades.)

Guests will be able to select from three packages that include the suite: Clarence (one night), Windsor (two nights) and Buckingham (three nights). Guests who choose the premium Buckingham package will get a full baby concierge service including: pick up from the airport, an evening of childcare, dinner for two in JW Steakhouse, spa treatments for both parents, a private consultation with one of the Dragons of Walton Street's head designers, a private tour of Buckingham Palace (date dependent) as well as a personal shopping trip at Harrods.

The 'Suite Dreams' package will be available to pre-book from May 2013 and will be officially open to the public from June."

View rates, details and more photos for Grosvenor House in London >>

Be Nautical at The Inn at Perry Cabin

Ahoy, mateys!

The Inn at Perry Cabin is located on the Maryland Eastern shore, alongside the Chesapeake Bay. The location alone makes it an ideal vacation spot for sailing enthusiasts to set a course to this nautical friendly destination. The Inn at Perry Cabin caters to its location and sailing enthusiasts with an array of exciting excursions, tours and activities that are available on stand by. Guests can anchor aweigh on one of the many vessels for a sailing tour along the Chesapeake Bay, or spend a day running a trotline and dipping crabs while munching and sipping away on The Inn at Perry Cabin delicacies. At the end of your crabbing trip, the employees at The Inn at Perry Cabin will steam their guests' catch and deliver them fresh to eat for dinner that same night! The Inn at Perry Cabin provides two different sailing courses through the Chesapeake Bay's Offshore Sailing School, located on their property. The Inn provides a novice Learn to Sail course to get the basics of sailing down, and a five day Bareboat Cruising course for the more experienced sailing Enthusiast. Or guests can stay ashore and learn traditional boat building by becoming an apprentice for a day. Sail away towards The Inn at Perry Cabin, to indulge your sailing dreams!

View rates, details, and more photos of the Inn at Perry Cabin >>

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The Cove Eleuthera Reemerges After $30 Million Renovation

Eleuthera remains an undiscovered paradise. Lying 45 miles east of Nassau, the island is 110 miles long and nearly a mile wide. 

 The central location of The Cove Eleuthera allows resort guests the freedom to explore the island's magnificent shoreline and peaceful pink sand beaches. Five Star Alliance's sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, recently wrote about the Cove's renovation.

"The Bahamas is celebrating the rebirth of an island icon. Last month, The Cove reemerged after a $30 million renovation to become The Cove, Eleuthera, a 40-acre luxury resort of cottages and villas.

The new construction included two three-bedroom residential villas, each with private pool and staff. A two-story Sanctuary including 20 suites was also part of the new debut, along with eight Bush cottages and Bar Tony, a bar built into a point reaching 600 feet into the Caribbean Sea. All rooms and suites have iPod docking stations, 500 thread-count linens, 50-inch flat-screen TVs and more.

Significant improvements were put into the Library interior and open-air fine dining restaurant Freedom. A new 110-foot infinity pool overlooking the sea was also developed.

The resort debuted with total fanfare as guests feasted on Bahamian delicacies and were treated to performances from singer Aaron Neville and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band of New Orleans.

Getting There: The Cove, Eleuthera, wants guests to arrive in true VIP style. The resort’s own private plane offers daily nonstop flights to and from Fort Lauderdale, FL, on its own Hawker 800XP. Daily flights are also offered from Fort Lauderdale and Miami to the Nassau and Eleuthera airports. A water taxi takes guests from North Eleuthera Airport and a Range Rover escorts guests to the hotel."

View rates, details and more photos for The Cove Eleuthera >>

The Kamehameha Suite at Maui's Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Five Star Alliance's sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, recently wrote an article about the Kamehameha Suite at Honua Kai Resort & Spa, a luxury resort which sits on 38 acres of Maui shoreline. 

"High rollers in Hawaii will want to make some room in their schedules to check out this swank accommodation. The six-room suite includes three bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and dining room. Three and a half bathrooms round out the space. Top Digs: The Oceanfront Suite is on the sixth floor and offers views of the West Maui Mountains, islands of Moloka’i and Lana’i and the Pacific Ocean.

We love the transition from indoor to outdoor space. Guests can lounge on one of the three sunbeds, whale watch on a chaise lounge, take in the sunset from the center seating area or share dinner under the stars. Note: There is 2,650 square feet of indoor space and 3,200 square feet of outdoor area.

Inside, guests will find a fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel Viking appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and microwave; Bosch washer and dryer; wireless Internet; flat-screen TV; a king-size bed in every room and one queen-size sofa bed in the living room.

It will only set you back a nightly rate of $2,999."

Read More at Luxury Travel Advisor>>

Winner of Last Minute Giveaway Tells All

One of the winners of our recent Last Minute Giveaway recently sent us an email telling us about her stay at XV Beacon. Deanna R. writes:

The hotel exterior is undergoing some renovation, but inside everything was beautiful! Parking in Boston is usually hard to find and expensive anywhere. We had some difficulty figuring out where to drive up to use their valet parking, but the employees were very kind and helpful. The desk clerk explained things and answered my questions. The room was beautiful and quiet, even though in busy Boston! The touch of a small cookie and strawberry dipped in chocolate was a nice welcome. The bellhop brought our luggage to the room. The hotel is close to Quincy Market (about a 15 minute walk) and since it was a nice evening we walked and enjoyed the sights and the choice of many kinds of food. Boston Common is nearby, but we chose to tour MIT Museum instead. In the morning I was disappointed at having no hot water to take a shower at 9:30 AM, but when my husband called the desk an hour later, they sent a man right away and my husband had hot water for his shower. The service was wonderful, but I would suggest they could provide a coffee maker or hot water in the room or in the lobby. My husband and I greatly enjoyed our time together in the relaxing atmosphere of XV Beacon.

Congratulations Deanna! 

View rates, details, and more photos of XV Beacon >>

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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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