Expolore a First Class Suite with Emirates A380 (including a shower!)

Youtube user Volterrific was able to experience the Emirates Airlines A380 First Class Suites on a flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong.

Included in his experience? An onboard marble shower spa plus his suite offered a sliding door to his seat/suite, a fully flat bed with a mattress, a personal mini-bar, adjustable ambient lighting, and its own vanity table, mirror, wardrobe.

Watch the video below to see his experience:

Stuck in a Snow Storm: Extend your Stay with Five Star Alliance

Traveling during the snowy, winter months can be extremely unpredictable. We understand that the weather is a powerful force causing flight delays and therefore last minute travel and accommodation changes. Whether you’re hoping to extend your stay at your current hotel or find a new hotel last minute, we at Five Star Alliance will do everything we can to help you find a hotel that has availability and that fits your needs.

With the Midwest currently experiencing heavy snowfall, here are a few of our favorite luxury hotels in Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis that have availability for the rest of the week.

Chicago: Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, The Peninsula Chicago, The James Chicago Hotel, Public Chicago

Detroit: The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, The Henry Autograph Collection, The Townsend Hotel

Milwaukee: Inn on Woodlake, The American Club, InterContinental Milwaukee, The Pfister Hotel Downtown

Minneapolis: W Hotel Minneapolis The Foshay, The Marquette Hotel Minneapolis

Behind the Scenes, All Access Pass to Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways hosted a media reception at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. With the opportunity to attend the event, I thought you, our luxurious travelers might like an inside look into this luxury hotel in the sky!

Qatar Airways has earned the reputation of offering a luxurious experience the moment you set foot on the plane, but for us, the special treatment began the moment we arrived. Our evening started with champagne and hors d’oeuvres being served at Qatar Airway’s downtown office. Afterwards, we proceeded to Dulles Airport, aboard a Reston’s Limo Bus, giving everyone on board a flashback to senior prom. Upon arrival, we were taken on a tour of the airport and got a quick rundown of how the control tower manages incoming and outgoing flights.

We then proceeded to the best part of the evening, an on-the-ground tour of a Boeing 777. The sheer size of the plane was breathtaking, and it made you wonder for a second how a machine of that magnitude can fly. Our tour continued onto the aircraft, which had two business classes, accommodating 42 seats total. The plush, crimson chairs recline fully, and the pristine flight attendants pride themselves on providing five-star service. Qatar Airways prides itself on delivering individual service and catering to every passenger on board. There is no designated meal time; at any point during your flight you can enjoy anything off the unlimited menu that offers indulgences such as zucchini soup, salmon, and even ice cream. And by unlimited, they really mean unlimited. If you want eight servings of ice cream, you are more than welcome to it.

Our evening ended with an incredible dinner, and at that point it was quite clear why Skytrax voted Quatar Airways Airline of the Year in 2011. Qatar Airways flies to over 100 destinations, and since it is at the forefront of the luxury travel industry, it’s bound to meet and exceed your expectations.

Bottom Line: For your next trip to a 5-star resort, consider flying with the leader in luxury, Qatar Airways.

(Photo via Qatar Airways)

Global Sale on Airfares: Up to 25% Off with Qatar Airways

Nab this deal while you can! Qatar Airways is running a Global Sales Promo - up to 25% off ALL destinations. With this 3-day sale starting September 6, 2011, you can travel to over 100 destinations and experience the world's 5-star airline, recently voted the Skytrax 2011 Airline of the Year in a survey consisting of over 18 million passengers from 100 countries. Hurry, you must book by September 8, 2011! With this exclusive sale, you can save up to 25% on Economy Class and up to 15% on Business Class fares. Reserve your tickets today and enjoy travel through March 31, 2012.

Free $1000 Air Credit from L.A. to Turtle Island Resort, Fiji

Escape to a private island resort in the South Pacific for a romantic getaway. Turtle Island, a favorite haunt of celebrities, is giving away an $1,000 air credit when you book a five-night stay. What's more, they'll throw in two extra nights for free. With over 500 acres for just 14 couples at a time, Turtle Island is the ultimate honeymoon hideaway. Discover what Andrew Harper calls "as close to heaven on earth as you’re likely to get." Rates include all meals, drinks, and activities like sport fishing and scuba diving. The Washington Post researched the rates: A seven-night stay is $12,495 in a two-room beachfront cottage. Stay December 1, 2011-April 30, 2012.

10% off to Select Destinations on Qatar Airways

Hurry! You still have a few days to nab a 10% discount on fares on Qatar Airways. Book by August 31, 2011 and save up to 10% to 15 select destinations: Ahmedabad, Amman, Bangalore, Beirut, Chennai, Colombo, Kochi, Dhaka, Dubai, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Mumbai, and Trivandrum. Head to qatarairways.com/us to take advantage of this exclusive promotion. You'll experience 5-star luxury in the airlines' award-winning Economy Class onboard a brand new Boeing 777 aircraft.

Kids Fly Free in August on the World's Best Airline

Qatar Airways was recently named ”Airline of the Year” by Skytrax at the annual World Airline Awards 2011 for outstanding inflight product and operational excellence. Fly onboard one of the worlds youngest and most modern fleets to an ever-expanding global network of over 100 destinations.

And this August, fly Qatar Airways to selected destinations and pay only taxes and surcharges for up to two kids. Enjoy a family holiday to some of the most exciting destinations the world has to offer, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha.

Get all the information here >> http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/special-offers/kids-fly-for-less.html

Qatar Airways Business Class Luxury

Did you know that Qatar Airways is a global airline with over 100 destinations worldwide?

Qatar Airways Business Class sets the standard for onboard comfort and space. Here's why it was awarded World's Leading Business Class at the 16th World Travel Awards 2009.

The 180 degree flat-bed seats come with foot rests, 8 in-seat massage settings, and an in-seat power supply* to charge all your electronics. Need to put the finishing touches on a Powerpoint presentation or business proposal? You'll have no problem getting your work done in this environment. And when it comes time to relax, you'll find touch-screen inflight entertainment, 15.4” monitors, and, over 770 audio and visual options. Best of all: you'll arrive at your destination fresh and ready to go.

 *Available on selected routes only. Not available to Europe and Africa. Click here to learn more about our fleet.

The meals are memorable too. As a premium passenger, you will be treated to five-star dining at 35,000 feet with delicacies including foie gras, caviar, and smoked salmon. Complement your meal with a wide selection of fine wines and champagnes, plus select vintages exclusive to Qatar Airways. You'll also taste regional specialties, as Qatar Airways chooses the menu based on the direction of travel. For example, the Osaka to Doha route in Business Class has all kinds of Japanese delights. The Late Evening Indulgence features a sushi plate, seafood soba noodles soup, and wagyu beef sukiyaki in addition to the smoked center-cut salmon; foie gras with mushroom & chive salad; classic arabic mezze; donatello's azuki and green tea ice creams; sliced fresh fruit; cheese plate of farmhouse cheddar, brie de meaux and fourme d'ambert. The Japanese Breakfast offers grilled balloon fish; braised dried tofu, egg roll simmered shitake; poached egg with miso simmered spinach and carrot; steamed rice; miso soup; yaki nori seaweed; muskmelon & fresh fruit; forest berries in mountain yoghurt; and a selection of Japanese tea, espresso, African coffee, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Book your flight now >>

It’s a Bird, it’s a Plane, it’s… Premium Lounge at Miami International Aiport

Globetrotters rejoice: American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia have launched a joint Premium lounge in Miami International Airport, located in Concourse E — so first-class and business passengers can kick back, relax, or get down to business — before ever stepping foot on their flight.

Spanning 6,000 feet and offering seating for 120 guests, the new lounge boasts a business center with high-speed PCs, flat-panel TVs, spa-like showers for an on-the-road freshening, and a children’s room outfitted with age-appropriate programming.

Travelers visiting the lounge can also order up a stiff cocktail or crisp bubbling beer, as well as choose from a complimentary lunch, afternoon tea or light supper menu, offering rotating soups and mini sandwiches among other edible delectables.

The AA, BA, IB Premium lounge is open daily from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and welcomes eligible International First Class, Business Class and Emerald and Sapphire customers.

Customers traveling on an AA-operated transcontinental full fare First Class (F and Z inventory) or full fare Business Class (J and U inventory) ticket, as well as Admirals Club members departing from Concourse E, may also access the lounge.

Warm up in the Turks and Caicos: 25% Savings at The Sands at Grace Bay

You need a break from the frigid temperatures and wintry mix. Flee the sidewalk/driveway shoveling and bask in the sunshine on one of the prettiest beaches on earth. Though only 80 minutes by air from Miami, the Turks and Caicos feel like a world away. The Sands at Grace Bay is a secluded hideaway with pristine sand, turquoise water, and spacious balconied suites. Trade the winter for a little piece of heaven, and enjoy 25% off room rates for a limited time. (Act fast to get these sweet savings; discount available for stays through February 12, 2011.) Whether you end up relaxing in the free-form swimming pool or scuba diving the pristine reefs, you'll appreciate a taste of the islands in the middle of the dreary winter.

Psst. We hear that JetBlue will offer new nonstop service from New York and Boston to Providenciales and Continental Airlines will offer non-stop service from Newark starting in February.