The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #26 One and Only Ocean Club

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #26 spot is the One and Only Ocean Club which is located 185 miles southeast of Miami on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- Features residential-style villas ideal for families.

- Opportunities to take advantage of diving, snorkeling, sailing, skiing, windsurfing, and just relaxing along the shoreline of a pristine beach.

- The Mandara Spa features eight Balinese-style private treatment villas with open-air gardens.

- Complimentary one-hour yoga classes are offered daily on the beach deck.

- Six Har-Tru tennis courts, complimentary bicycles, and an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course.

- All accommodations feature a private balcony or terrace, central air conditioning, indoor and outdoor ceiling fans, DVD and CD players, satellite television, Internet access, service bars, marble appointed bathrooms with double sinks, and safes.

- Beachfront suites with parlors and doors that open to the water are the most recommended room types.

Explore photos, availability, and rates at the One and Only Ocean Club here >>

The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #27 The Mansion on Forsyth Park

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

The Mansion on Forsyth Park is #27 on our list. This gracious Savannah hotel is located in the city's historic district. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

-The Mansion on Forsyth Park is home to 400 works of artwork and a masterpiece all its own—the Grand Bohemian Gallery.

-In addition to sumptuous food in gorgeous surroundings, the hotel's 700 Drayton Restaurant offers a cooking school.

-The full-service Poseidon Spa features manicures, pedicures, massages and a fitness center. The Poseidon Spa also includes one wet and three dry treatment rooms.

-The hotel is a restored Victorian Romanesque mansion.

-The 126 lavish guestrooms and suites offer the classical refinement of a historic mansion, as well as conveniences for the 21st century traveler.

Explore photos, availability, and rates at The Mansion on Forsyth Park >>

The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #28 Burj Al Arab

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #28 spot is Burj Al Arab which is located on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach strip. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- Considered to be Dubai’s most recognizable landmark and stands 280 meters offshore on a man-made island, linked to the mainland by a slender, gently curving causeway.

- One of the most photographed structures in the world.

- Consistently voted the world’s most luxurious hotel.

- Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Burj Al Arab is an all-suite luxury hotel.

- Features a discreet check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers.

- Has a private beachfront and two indoor pools, one mixed and one for women only.

- Each room has private fax, printer and copier perfect for business travelers.

- Features special suites that are handicap accessible.

Explore photos, availability, and rates at the Burj Al Arab here >>

Plans for an Underwater Fiji Resort Progressing Swimmingly

Plans for the Poseidon Resort Mystery Island, an all-suite hotel forty feet below water, seem to be progressing well. Sebastian’s words of wisdom certainly stuck with us, and we agree that it’s better down where it’s wetter under the sea. We hope to be able to join our fishy friends in this underwater, bubble-shaped hotel soon. According to an article by Design-Milk, "the company has completed all of the necessary design and engineering for the subsea structures and is currently working to secure the capital necessary to begin construction," which is expected to take about 2 years to complete. The plans for this hotel include 25 suites, a spa, a restaurant, wedding chapel, and the opportunity to pilot one of four 3-passenger personal submarines!

For folks hoping to travel to Fiji prior to the completion of this underwater sensation, we encourage you to explore the luxury hotel options currently available here >>

The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #30 King George Palace

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #30 spot is King George Palace which is located in the heart of Athens, Greece. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- Certain rooms above the fourth floor feature stunning views of the Acropolis.

- Located on Constitution Square, within steps of the Greek Parliament, the hotel is near the historical city center blended with the financial, commercial and business districts.

- Located within walking distance from the Acropolis, the old city (Plaka), and most of Athens' sights and attractions.

- The Tudor restaurant on the 7th floor features an impressive view of Athens and the Acropolis.

- Private pool for royal presidential suite.

- Fulfills the need of every type of traveler with a spa facility, fitness center, and a business center on site.

Explore photos, availability, and rates at the King George Palace here >>

Fun Fact Friday! Inauguration Weekend in DC

Luxury hotels in Washington DC are filling up fast for Inauguration Weekend which will be January 18th – January 21st, 2013. Lucky for our luxury travelers, the Capella Georgetown is expected to open this January, providing travelers with another option on where to stay. Be sure to check availability and rates at luxury hotels in Washington DC here, and book your stay soon to ensure you’ll be a part of the action this January!

Spend New Year's Eve with Marilyn Monroe

Don't the let the pesky little fact that the legendary sex symbol is no longer alive put a damper on your New Year's Eve. You can still say Ciao to 2012 and Buon giorno to 2013 with Marilyn Monroe at your side.  The divine Renaissance villa turned luxury hotel Il Salviatino has dreamed up a New Year with Marilyn package.  You'll enjoy a show-stopping 1950s themed New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner inspired by the very best music,
style and fashion this iconic era is famous for. You'll dine on gourmet food and then dance away 2012 to the sounds of Marilyn Monroe and The Rat Pack.


The Package includes:

Two nights in the room or suite of your choice
Full à la carte breakfast
Welcome drink
Seasonal welcome gift
The New Year’s Eve gala dinner (excluding drinks)
Special New Year’s brunch on January 1st
A farewell gift
Guaranteed late check out on your departure day

Prices start at € 1,178.10 for a Deluxe double room.

Additional terms and conditions apply, and space is limited, so book today!

Canyons Resort Opens for the Season

  Dig out your gloves and strap on your skis!  Canyons Resort is open for the winter season.  The luxury Park City resort is comprised of Waldorf Astoria Park City, Silverado Lodge at the Canyons, and three other luxury properties, all of which are located slopeside.  Canyons is the closest Park City ski resort to the Salt Lake City International airport and offers a plethora of dining choices, entertainment, and family adventures. Waldorf Astoria Park City is even offering 25% off and a $50 nightly credit when you book early (terms and conditions apply, so please read the terms carefully)!

To the slopes!

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Anthony Bourdain Approved Hotels

Anthony Bourdain’s show The Layover is back for another season, and we can’t wait to see what interpretation about a place, its people, and the food he can come up with between his flights. We’re particularly interested in the show since he’ll be featuring the hotels at which he crashes during his layovers, and we assume Mr. Bourdain wouldn’t catch some zzz’s at any old motel.

Just as we expected, Anthony Bourdain proves to stay in style with the first episode featuring the Four Seasons Chicago. According to Anthony Bourdain, “this hotel is swank as all get out. The industry gold standard in big ass, comfortable beds.” We would have to agree with you there, Anthony, and also give our stamp of approval to the Four Seasons Chicago for their luxurious beds, superb downtown location, and the Martini Man with his traveling cart, ready to whip you up any drink in the comfort of your own room.

Explore the Four Seasons Chicago here >>

Where to Find the Best Luxury Hotel News

We at Five Star Alliance work tirelessly to ensure we bring you the best luxury hotels selection and information regarding amenities, location, and highlights so you are confident that the hotel you choose will exceed your expectations and serve your needs. Sometimes, however, you are left with a few questions that go unanswered, and that’s why we’re here. Be sure to explore our new blog series ‘Your Questions Answered’ to find answers to real questions submitted to us by our clients regarding traveling with kids, pets, the best beach hotels, and much more.

Question: Do you have a mailing list for news on your resorts? If so, could you please add me to this list but do not pass my details on to anyone else?

Answer: We do have a bi-weekly newsletter that goes out featuring the luxury hotels on our site. To sign up for our free newsletter, simply visit this website and enter your details. We will never sell or distribute your information including your email address to anyone else.

Photo of the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing

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