Friday Photos: A Room with a View at Nafplia Palace Hotel, Greece

The views from the ancient Bronze Age acropolis in Nafplion are breathtaking. From your perch above this white-washed village on the Greek mainland, the Bay of Argolis sparkles turquoise far below. The Nafplia Palace Hotel & Villas-- aka the "jewel of the Pelaponnese"-- occupies a prime piece of real estate, built within an archeological site dating from the 3rd century BC. Designed to blend in to its surrounding environment, this uniquely-situated hotel offers stunning views from each and every one of its chic rooms, some equipped with balconies, private swimming pools, or outdoor jacuzzis. The hotel has three restaurants, two bars, a chic spa, and beautiful pools. There's even an elevator that carries guests down through the ancient bedrock of the acropolis to access the town beneath.

Conrad Celebrates 25 Years by Giving You Hotel Credits

Hilton's Conrad brand of luxury hotels has been around for a quarter century. And to celebrate that milestone, they're giving away hotel credits to guests who check into their hotels around the world- from Indianapolis to the Maldives (pictured)- this fall. So whether you're craving chocolate in Brussels, doing business in Tokyo, or shopping Chicago's Magnificent Mile, choose Conrad and you'll get a nice little birthday present. Simply book the "Conrad 25th Anniversary Promotion" rate for stays through November 30th, 2011, and receive a $25 hotel credit for each night of your stay.

Exercise in Style: NH Lingotto Rooftop Track

Are you an avid exerciser who doesn’t like to give up working out when you’re traveling and away from home? We definitely understand the need to keep up with your routine while still enjoying the beautiful city you’re in, so we’d like to introduce you to hotels that offer you an opportunity to exercise that’s a bit different from your typical access to a treadmill, elliptical, and a few weights in a hotel gym.

Today’s featured luxury hotel is the NH Lingotto in Turin, Italy, and its exercise facility is sure to be unlike any other you’ve seen. The hotel is situated in the former Fiat automobile factory, and the redesign of the entire space has made the NH Lingotto a striking blend of the modern and historic. The hotel’s first floor connects to a shopping gallery, with various boutiques and cafes, while the top floor houses the incredible Pinacoteca Giovannie Marella Agnelli art gallery. Aside from these luxurious amenities, the NH Lingotto also has 240 beautiful rooms and suites and a 1,030 meter running track on the roof that was formerly a Fiat car-testing track. This track allows you to exercise outdoors while taking in the most magnificent views of Turin, Italy.

So whether you’re a serious runner or simply enjoy going for a walk, consider checking into the NH Lingotto and checking out the outdoor track for some fresh air and a unique exercise opportunity that’s quite outside the norm.

Create a Christmas Vodka Flavor: Win a Stay at London's Montague on the Gardens

The Montague on the Gardens, the lovely Georgian townhouse hotel in the heart of London's Bloomsbury, is getting in the Christmas spirit early this year. They're creating the "12 Vodkas of Christmas" and inviting you, dear reader, to help dream up one of the delicious Christmas-themed flavors. They've already got 10 flavors including Cinnamon, Spiced Apple and Candy Cane, and now they're looking for two more to add to the menu. If your flavor is chosen, you'll win a night's stay for two people at the Montague on the Gardens, including breakfast, a festive Afternoon Tea for two, plus a bottle of your very own flavored vodka to savor at home! To enter, email winterwonderland@rchmail.com, or leave a comment on their blog with your creative idea. From the judges: "Points will be awarded for originality of mouth-watering flavors that will help keep us warm while we’re in our Winter Wonderland this December!"

Closing date for entry is November 11, 2011. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Prize valid until end of March 2012, subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Festive Afternoon Tea will be replaced with Traditional Afternoon Tea from January 2012."

PS. Don't miss the hotel's "alpine lodge"-- as they transform their deck into a winter wonderland with pine trees, reindeer, even falling snow. The perfect spot to sample one of those 12 Christmas vodkas.

Race to the Top: 51 Buckingham Gate Opens New Luxury Jaguar Suite

51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences, in London has opened up its newest suite, inspired by the design of one of the finest luxury vehicles, the Jaguar. Though it’s not a Mustang, the new Jaguar suite is bucking trends: It’s sleek, modern, and one of (if not the first), rooms to bring a sports car aesthetic into the lap of luxury. Buckingham Gate is bringing the cool Jaguar vibe indoors with sleek wood paneling and custom wallpaper. Minimalistic design choices hint at the unique curves of the vehicle itself, and they go so far as to shape the fireplace in the form of the iconic rear window. The devil is in the details, and Buckingham Gate has gotten it all right. From the dark leather to the custom wallpaper, the room evokes Jaguar’s design choices without ever approaching gaudiness. It’s well-crafted, timeless, and minimalistic, and I wish I were staying there right now.

If you have even a passing appreciation for the artistry that goes into a fine luxury car, you are guaranteed to fall in love with the space the Buckingham Gate has crafted in its new Jaguar suite.

A Simple Sip of Bijoux Tea: The Langham London's Luxurious Liquid

I’ve been around the world in eighty brews, to see the place it takes me to

To make a brew that tastes like the cream cakes made by angels do

-Professor Elemental, "Cup of Brown Joy"

It may be that we’ve finally found the elusive brew the Professor sought: The Langham London offers a classic tea time that will take you places you’ve never dreamed of. We recently posted about the signature Halloween drinks their bartender is whipping up, but if you’re in the mood for more traditional fare, The Langham's Stephen Webster limited edition Bijoux tea is the best money can buy.  For those less familiar with the British tea tradition, tea is more than a drink; it’s a three-course afternoon adventure including sandwiches, cakes and scones. Eschewing the standard cucumber sandwiches in favor of smoked salmon and cream cheese with cucumber pearls and a poached quail breast, the tea’s best feature is actually its standard scones, whose melt-in-your-mouth texture tastes suspiciously of ambrosia. I entreat even teetotalers to try this total tea experience. So throw on your tea-shirt and sashay scone-wards, because the Bijoux brew is not just Britney’s favorite, it’s the best Cup of Brown Joy your taste buds can touch.

InterContinental Hotels Celebrates Responsible Business Week with National Geographic

From supporting local craftsmen in Romania to clean-ups of the reefs in Cozumel, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts knows responsible business. In fact, they've partnered with National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations to celebrate Responsible Business Week. Hotels around the world are "taking part in activities that ensure their location remains an appealing place to visit for future generations"- to quote the official press release. The protection and preservation of local environments is key. Examples of these geotourism initiatives include: InterContinental Boston's rooftop beehives that pollinate the flora in surrounding parks and provide local honey for the kitchen; InterContinental Bora Bora Resort's salt water air-conditioning system, the first in the world; Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort's environmental work to protect the reefs and marine life, teaching guests how to scuba dive responsibly. More details can be found here.

Home, Sweet Home: Radisson Blu Adopts Contest-Winning Room Design

There’s one criticism I’ve heard a lot about high-end hotels: These luxurious accommodations and world-class amenities are all well and good, but I still feel like a guest. And I tend to agree. Regardless of the number of free fruit bowls and complimentary drinks they throw at you, there can be a kind of artificiality to the hotel experience.

And that’s the worry that motivated contest winner Wim Alenus in his design of a new room at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Belgium. Abandoning the overused velour and gold-plated everything of traditional hotel rooms, Mr. Alenus has created a home away from home. The room has been designed to evoke a feeling of comfort, and the jury described it as “eclectic…elegant, relaxing, and real.” It’s a room where you can kick your feet up, read the paper, and make yourself as comfortable as sinking into your favorite couch. The contest itself attracted over 10,000 entries and the winning designer has won 30 nights in the room of his creation. That’s a man to be jealous of!

Could this become a trend in the hotel world, both in design and operations? We might very well see a return to an emphasis on comfort, and I know I’d love to see more independent designers get the chance to show what they would do when given the chance to design some of the best hotel rooms in the world.

Best of the Best: King George Palace has the Best Scenic View in 2011

We understand that no one aims to come in second place; there is no recognition for mediocrity. We at Five Star Alliance understand better than anyone the importance of offering the most luxurious resorts in the world, so we notice what’s going on in the industry, and it matters to us, because it matters to you. We’d like to welcome you to our new blog series, Best of the Best, where we’ll be featuring the best and most luxurious resorts in various categories. But don’t take our word for it. These resorts have been recognized as the best in the business by the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards, so you can relax and stop worrying about your upcoming trip, knowing that it truly will be the best of the best.

Today’s featured luxury hotel is the King George Palace, recipient of the Best Scenic View award in 2011. Located on Constitution Square, just steps from the Greek Parliament, this luxurious resort offers the best of Athens. Not only has the King George Palace received the prestigious award for hotel offering the best scenic view by the World Luxury Hotel Awards, but it has also been distinguished as one of the best hotels in Greece. This luxury boutique hotel has been home to Kings, Princes, and Presidents since the 1930s, and it will surely be your best home away from home. Be sure to visit the Acropolis, see the Parthenon, and stroll through the Agora, Athens’ central market. As your day draws to an end and as the sun is setting, dine at the rooftop restaurant of the King George Palace, and prepare to have your breath taken away by the incredible view of this phenomenal city.

Book Your London Hotel for the Olympics & Queen's Jubilee

2012 will be a big year for Britain, says Travel Agent Magazine. London is prepping for a series of blockbuster events, starting with the Queen's Jubilee in June, honoring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne (can we say gigantic flotilla on the Thames?) If you're eager to get in on the action, and also partake in Olympic fever, it's best to book your hotel room ASAP. The USA Today reports that "hotels are expected to fill about 92% of their rooms, which will mean many sold-out nights"-- according to a new forecast from Pricewaterhouse Coopers. "And that's despite a number of new hotels that have opened, including Dorchester Collection's tony 45 Park Lane in Mayfair and Starwood's trendy W in the heart of Leicester Square."

Looking for a hotel in London or the surrounding area? Five Star Alliance has a number of recommendations- whether you want a family-friendly boutique hotel or an opulent palace on the Thames. There are also a slew of four-star hotels available.

Pictured: The Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments.