Hotels with a History: Hotel Alfonso XIII

Certain hotels have a story behind them, a culture that seeps through the walls and a personality that emanates from every room. Every city has an appreciated and valued history worth exploring, and certain hotels have become a part of that rich and interesting past. For this reason, we’d like to introduce you to our blog series, Hotels with a History where we’ll be featuring unique hotels that have a little more to them than a comfortable bed and superb amenities.

 Named for the king who commissioned in in 1928, the Hotel Alfonso XIII is located in the heart of Seville, and it was designed to be Europe’s most luxurious hotel. It symbolizes the city’s Moorish influences and provides easy access to the Guadalquivir River and the Santa Cruz neighborhood. Its 151 rooms pay tribute to the various eras in Seville varying from Isabelline Baroque, Castilian, and Moorish-style. Every room has lively walls covered with a blend of silk and linen, and the rooms are adorned with beautiful, authentic antiques. It’s phenomenally located minutes from the Reales Alcazares and Plaza de Espana, among the arches and arabesques of the historic downtown. This hotel has an Olympic size seasonal pool; it offers private massages, babysitting services, and easy access to Calle Sierpes and other wonderful cobblestone shopping streets in the phenomenal city of Seville.

Conde Nast Platinum Circle 2012: Hotel de la Cite

We've been spotlighting a list of Conde Nast's award-winning Gold List Hotels for 2012, and each one is amazing in its own right. In a clear case of never enough of a good thing, Conde Nast has yet an additional level to their awards, the meta-prestigious Platinum Circle Hotels, distinguished for being consistent Gold List winners for the last five years. Perhaps it could have been more aptly named the Conde Nast Award for Continued Excellence in the Having of Conde Nast Awards, but that's probably just my jealousy talking. It takes a certain level of cachet to be able to recognize someone for being recognized by you, and the Conde Nast Awards carry that weight. Regardless, the Platinum Circle hotels are undoubtedly some of the best of the best and have the mark of consistency that other hotels can only aspire to.

The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012 is the eighth of their annual lists, and the hotels chosen by their team of editors and experts are the best for service, food, location, rooms, leisure facilities, ambiance and design.

Though some of us may have visited Carcasonne on our very own dining room tables, there's certainly reason enough to see one of the most storied feudal regions of France.  To collect double points, the proprieters completed Hotel de la Cite in 1909 on the site of a former Bishop's palace in a neo-gothic style.  Stain-glass windows and mosaic patterning adorn a hotel that echoes the sensibilities of 12th century France, and views of Saint Michel cathedral give it an eerily medieval quality.  From within the circular citadel walls, Hotel de la Cite overlooks the surrounding farmland with all the commanding presence of the original fiefdom.  Itself a UNESCO world heritage site, the fortified castle represents one of the most idyllic historic locations you could visit.  If you're looking to get out of Paris to explore the rich history of a medieval France, there's nowhere better than Hotel de la Cite.

Check rates, availability, photos and more of the Hotel de la Cite here!

Hotel Plaza Athenee Offers Best Sleep in Paris

The Hotel Plaza Athenee is an incredibly romantic and beautiful hotel ideally located between the Avenue des Champs and Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. This luxury hotel features 188 luxurious guest rooms including 43 suites and offers views of the elegant Avenue Montaigne, the west side of the Eiffel Tower, or the courtyard. The Hotel Plaza Athenee takes service to a new level with hotel staff outnumbering guests 3 to 1, giving guests an extremely personal and unforgettable experience. If the location, phenomenal décor, and service aren’t enough to add this to your list of hotels worth visiting, then consider this. The Hotel Plaza Athenee has recently installed a NightCove Sleep Solution in the Art Deco Suites. According to HotelChatter, “the sleep clinic at Hotel-Dieu Hospital developed this device, and it is a unique bedside lamp that helps improve the quality of sleep by bathing guests in selected light wavelengths and sound frequencies that are specially adapted for the physiological needs of sleep. Click on ‘Sleep/Anti-jetlag/Nap’ to stimulate melatonin with a red glow and the hush of waves, then greet the day with a ‘Wakening’ of soft music and blue light similar to early daylight.’

Wow! We’re certainly impressed by this technology and would love to ease the pains of jet lag as quickly as possible. Make your reservations at this, let’s face it, perfect Parisian hotel and stay bright eyed and bushy tailed for the entirety of your stay!

Condé Nast Traveler Platinum Circle 2012: The Dorchester

We've been spotlighting a list of Conde Nast's award-winning Gold List Hotels for 2012, and each one is amazing in its own right.  In a clear case of never enough of a good thing, Conde Nast has yet an additional level to their awards, the meta-prestigious Platinum Circle Hotels, distinguished for being consistent Gold List winners for the last five years.  Perhaps it could have been more aptly named the Conde Nast Award for Continued Excellence in the Having of Conde Nast Awards, but that's probably just my jealousy talking. It takes a certain level of cachet to be able to recognize someone for being recognized by you, and the Conde Nast Awards carry that weight.  Regardless, the Platinum List hotels are undoubtedly some of the best of the best and have the mark of consistency that other hotels can only aspire to.

This week, we're spotlighting The Dorchester in London. Occupying one of the most prestigious locations in all of England overlooking Hyde Park, The Dorchester regularly plays host to the movers and shakers in British high society. And with decor and decorum straight out of the 1930s, but with a bit of contemporary flair, you'll be treated like royalty. Its four restaurants, Alain Ducasse, The Grill, China Tang, and The Promenade, offer a variety of options for the lover of luxury cuisine, and the hotel's 54 suites come in enough varieties to please any refined traveler. And having been remodeled in 2011, it's even fresher and newer than in the first years it won the Conde Nast Awards. So check out The Dorchester today, and you won't be disappointed.

W Paris Opera Set to Open on Valentine’s Day

The clever W Paris Opera is set to open its doors on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day. The City of Love will have a new luxury hotel in its collection starting February 14th, 2012, adding a bit more excitement to this already lively city. Make your reservations for Valentine’s Day and be among the first to experience everything the W Paris Opera hotel has to offer.

The W Paris Opera is perfectly located in the heart of all the action in Paris. Take a stroll with your loved one down the Rue de la Paix and indulge yourselves in sparkling jewelry shops, and explore the Granier Opera House, a Parisian landmark. With 91 guest rooms and suites equipped with plush pillows, 350 thread count sheet, and Bliss bath products, you may never want to leave your room! This luxury hotel will steer away from the traditional hotels in Paris and have a backlit digital wall projecting abstract patterns through space, utilizing various colors to create different moods. The public areas of the hotel will have mosaic floors, marble staircases, and stained glass windows while the guest rooms will feature local art and original light fixtures designed specifically for the W Paris Opera.

Explore everything this hotel has up its sleeve and make your reservations today!

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Hotel Schloss Fuschl Resort and Spa

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 work hard to offer you the best in the industry, and we’d like to welcome you to our second blog series where we feature the best and most luxurious resorts in the world. But don’t take our word for it. These resorts have been recognized as the best in the business and have made the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012.

The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012 is the eighth of their annual lists, and the hotels chosen by their team of editors and experts are the best for service, food, location, rooms, leisure facilities, ambiance and design.

The Hotel Schloss Fuschl Resort and Spa in Salzburg, Austria is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for leisure facilities. This luxury hotel is a renovated 15th-century castle that’s located on a peninsula in Lake Fuschl, facing the Alps and surrounded by 30 acres of nature. Its 110 beautiful rooms and suites overlook either the lake or the castle’s incredible park. This luxury hotel has received recognition for its leisure facilities which include opportunities to indulge yourself in the newly built spa, go hiking, biking, swimming, and a whole lot more!

Be sure to explore the photos and room options at the Hotel Schloss Fuschl Resort and Spa for a serene and relaxing adventure.

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Hotel Imperial

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 work hard to offer you the best in the industry, and we’d like to welcome you to our second blog series where we feature the best and most luxurious resorts in the world. But don’t take our word for it. These resorts have been recognized as the best in the business and have made the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012.

The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012 is the eighth of their annual lists, and the hotels chosen by their team of editors and experts are the best for service, food, location, rooms, leisure facilities, ambiance and design.

I have a question for the peanut gallery.  Ladies and gentlemen, what could possibly be better than gold?  Turning to the record industry for our answer, there is, of course, only one choice.  Platinum.  And the Gold List's gotten a silvery sheen, and like the American Express you may pay with to get in these places, the platinum club is just for the extra exclusive hotels who are more than just a flash-in-the-pan nouveau riche kind of hotel.  They've proven consistently over the last five years that they're Gold List material, so they've gotten the VIP upgrade.

Today's platinum contender is none other than the Hotel Imperial, one of only two hotels in Vienna to get this distinction, and boy is it something else?  The hypothetical boy, in this case, would have to answer with a resounding, "yes," because the Hotel Imperial does everything right.  Vienna is a city that never quite got past its imperial heritage and still longs for the days of the empire, and the Hotel Imperial harkens back to that era with a purity of character that's unrivalled in other Austrian hotels.  If you're looking for a stay where the Sacher torte is fresh and the after-dinner liquer subtle and full of flavor, then the Hotel Imperial is the one for you.  

Incredible Deals at Claridge's in London

Claridge's is currently offering a few incredible packages and deals that are too good to pass up! This luxury 5 star property is located in the heart of Mayfair, surrounded by ample designer shops and two of London’s finest parks. All of its 203 rooms and suites boast the latest technology and its Foyer and Reading room serves delightful breakfast, award winning afternoon tea, and dinner.

Weekend Indulgence Package

Make a reservation and stay Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night and enjoy welcome champagne and a traditional English breakfast.

This package is available until December 31st 2012. Rates are based on double occupancy per room, per night, exclude of VAT of 20% and a service charge of 5%. Special offer rates are subject to limited availability on selected dates, and the offer may not be used in conjunction with other offers or negotiated rates.

Suite Heaven Package

Make your reservation at the Claridges’ one or two bedroom suites for a luxurious and stylish stay. Enjoy personal butler service and champagne while exploring the traditional art deco of the distinctively restored suites.

Offer is available until December 31st 2012, subject to availability and exclusive of VAT at 20% and a discretionary service charge of 5%. Offer may not be used in conjunction with other offers or negotiated rates.

Family Heaven Package

This package is perfect for families traveling to London and provides 2 rooms for the price of 1! This package also includes welcome champagne and traditional English breakfast. The young travelers will enjoy smoothies and cookies upon arrival as well access to a selection of game consoles (including Nintendo Wii, subject to availability).

Valid until December 31st 2012, and rates exclusive of VAT at 20% and a discretionary service charge of 5%. This offer applies to 2 adults and 2 children up to the age of 16 only. Special offer rates are subject to limited availability on selected dates, and may not be used in conjunction with other offers or negotiated rates. Connecting rooms can be requested at time of booking but are subject to availability.

Be sure to check out Claridge's to view photos, availability, and make your reservations!

$50 Spa Credit at the Carlyle and Free Champagne at the Ritz? Yes, Please.

When Confucius declared the five pillars of filial piety, he hardly could have anticipated the sixth relationship that matters above all else, the one of blogger to his readers.  In honor of that lasting bond, I have come bearing gifts to solidify our friendship.  I hope you like them; I was going to make you a papier mache model of the Burj Al Arab, but my crafting abilities are on par with a baby elephant's, and I don't even have a prehensile trunk.

So instead, I'm happy to declare that Five Star Alliance have partnered with the Ritz Paris and the Carlyle in New York to bring you special amenities with reservations made under the Five Star Alliance rate. For a limited time, the Ritz Paris is offering free champagne with FSA reservations.  The saccharine taste of bubbly effervescence is the perfect way to sweeten an already great deal for a hotel in the heart of the city of bread, wine, love, and cheese.  And it's the perfect time to catch this Parisian gem before it goes off the radar for an extensive renovation.

If New York is a little bit more your style, the Carlyle is looking to show off its exquisite Rosewood Spa by offering FSA guests a $50 spa credit. Simply select the "Welcome Offer" rate code, and you'll be well on your way to enjoy a sumptuous soak in one of New York's finest spas.  And don't forget that if you're friend of Five Star Alliance on Facebook by the beginning of March, you could win two nights at the Carlyle for free. 

Top 5 Romantic Valentine's Day Hotels: #3 Hotel Plaza Athenee

Valentine's Day is coming up, and, as such, it's time to think about where you'd like to spend the day with that special someone. Whether you're enjoying a cozy night in or an adventure on the town, a night in a luxury hotel can be the perfect gift to the both of you, a chance to escape to another world where no expense will be spared in giving you the night of a lifetime. What follows is just one in a series of our favorite romantic hotels, and, we think, a great place to take him or her this February the 14th.

#3 The Hotel Plaza Athenee

For a city like Paris, its romantic image the stuff of fairy tales, it is almost impossible to pick our favorite romantic hotel.  Whether an iconic mainstay of the cityscape or a small boutique hotel tucked away in a charming neighborhood, each jewel in the Parisian crown has its sparkle. So instead of evaluating by some arbitrary metric, like roses/sqm or candles of candlelight, I just thought to myself, "Where would I take my girlfriend if I found myself in Paris just a few weeks from now?"  And once I stopped troubling myself with the details, the answer came quickly:  The Hotel Plaza Athenee. It's everything you could desire for your romantic evening, a dream of a hotel within a dream of a city. And for the girl of your dreams, how could you ask for anything less? 

Whether you're staying in the Eiffel Signature Exclusive Suite with a view onto the tower itself or a cozy room tucked away for perfect privacy, the Hotel Plaza Athenee promises to make a night you'll forget in the moment but remember forever. And with staff members outnumbering rooms nearly 3 to 1, you'll be sure that every detail is inch-perfect.

To set the evening off right, simply go downstairs to experience the cuisine world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse. The lightest brush of your lips against the bouquet of flavors in each of his dishes will create a never-before experienced synesthesia, a fusion of light and color emanating from your taste buds.  Savor each bite as time itself begins to slow to a rest. And when you pair your meal with a bottle of the finest French wine, well, I don't even have to tell you.

It's a rare hotel indeed that I can recommend without reservation, but I guarantee that the Hotel Plaza Athenee will give you the Valentine's day experience you didn't even know you were looking for.