Grosvenor House London Gets a Christie's Sneak Peek

Guests at Grosvenor House London are in for a special treat. Legendary auction house Christie's and the luxury hotel have allied to provide guests with a special exhibition. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor reports:

From Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6, guests at Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, and members of the public can attend a special preview of The Collection of Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow, one of the world’s preeminent books collections, before it goes to auction this fall. The preview will be open daily from 10am – 5pm.

More of Jena Tessa Fox's article on the Grosvenor House London and Christie's Collaboration >>

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Fairmont Hotels Embrace Art

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have long been known for luxurious accommodations and stellar service.  Now, as our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor reports, the luxury hotel group has undertaken an art initiviative at its U.A.E. properties. 

Writer Jena Tessa Fox writes:

The art@fairmont, which will be rolled out this year across the UAE, will give guests an opportunity to interact with regionally-relevant artists and understand the cultural relevance of art through specially-designed lectures and workshops, local gallery tours and guest experiences.

The initiative comes in the wake of a brand survey that found 55 percent of travelers are interested in engaging with local artists one-to-one during their stay. According to the Farimont survey of travelers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, culture factors influenced 73 percent of respondents when deciding where to travel next.

Discover more about Fairmont and art in the U.A.E. >>

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Rooftop Bars for Everyone!

There are few summer pleasures that top rooftop dining. The fresh breeze, the blue sky. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, has the scoop on the many rooftop spaces that are part of the Four Seasons collection.

Drinks just taste better outside, don't you agree? Now that rooftop season is officially in swing (yay!), Four Seasons has revealed some of its hottest spots to sip and savor amid the skylines.

The dec Rooftop Bar + Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) sits 12 stories above Magnificent Mile. Hand-crafted cocktails and small bites rule the menu here, while a color-changing LED waved wall puts the final notes on the outdoor experience.

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut has opened The Roof, Lebanon's highest rooftop lounge at 390 feet above the sea. Guests can enjoy tapas and drinks poolside, with wraparound views of Beirut's downtown skyline, mountains and the Med.

Discover more Four Seasons Rooftop Spots >>

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Savor the Sights of Florence at Hotel Continentale's Rooftop Bar

The only thing better than being in Florence? Being on a rooftop in Florence.  Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, has a peek at Hotel Continentale's rooftop bar, La Terazza. Jena Tessa Fox writes:

Perched on top of a 13th century medieval tower, Florentine architect Michele Bonan reinterpreted the glamour of the 1950s Italian film and fashion scene in his re-design of La Terazza. With the addition of an open fireplace and heated benches the Continentale’s rooftop terrace La Terrazza will be open to welcome guests all year round.

To coincide with the re-launch of La Terrazza, the Continentale has been working with some of Florence’s best mixologists to develop a new drinks menu. Featuring signature Italian cocktails such as the Negroni – a blend of gin, vermouth rosso and Campari – and new interpretations of the Vesper Martini (made famous by fictional spy James Bond), La Terrazza has something for everyone.

More about La Terraza >>

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Did You Know? Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs is now an perfectly restored ghost town turned luxury retreat. The history of the property stretches back to 1885, when the town of Dunton was established. Dunto was a mining camp, with mines located about 1/2 mile from the log structures that comprised the town. After a mining boom and bust, the town was nearly deserted by 1918. The property spent the next 80 or so years as a cattle ranch and then a dude ranch for tourists. It closed down in the mid-1990s, and was bought in 1994 and subsequently renovated.

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The Caledonian and Edinburgh Castle

The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, known locally as the "Caley", is one of Edinburgh's most significant landmarks. The historic hotel is located at the west end of Prince street, and it is perfect spot to explore nearby Edinburgh Castle.

Erected in the first century AD on an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle was Scotland’s principal royal house in the Middle Ages. Built around the castle, Edinburgh’s Old Town is a maze of medieval buildings, while splendid Georgian terraces grace the city’s New Town. 

Some notable facts about Edinburgh Castle:

-The castle has sheltered many Scottish monarchs. They include Queen Margaret (later St Margaret), who died there in 1093, and Mary Queen of Scots, who gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566.

-Scotland's oldest poetry tells of a war band feasting here for a year before riding to their deaths in battle.

-The castle is Scotland's leading tourist attraction, and a key element of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

-The Great Hall’s hammerbeam roof ws where  Scotland’s great and good were expected to honour their king.
It was completed in 1511 for James IV, but he had little time to enjoy it, as he was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting the forces of King Henry VIII of England.

-The Stone of Destiny, was shere Kings of Scotland were enthroned for centuries. But in 1296, the English King Edward I took the Stone from Scone near Perth and had it built into his throne. In 1996, the Stone was returned to Scotland. 

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Luxury Hotel History: The Savoy London

The Savoy London was originally built in 1889 by Richard D’Oyly Carte on land adjacent to his Savoy Theatre. The hotel was built to accommodate the many tourists who came to London to see the Savoy Operas by Gilbert & Sullivan.  In 2007 the legendary hotel closed for the first time in order to undertake a 3-year, £220 million restoration project.

Want more Savoy London History?>>

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New to Five Star Alliance: San Montano Resort and Spa

Meet our newest addition, San Montano Resort and Spa. Located on the island of Ischia, on Italy's Amalfi Coast, the hardest decision you'll have to make during your stay is which one of the many gorgeous beaches you want to sun yourself on.

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Polo Lessons at Coworth Park

Summer means polo season! Our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, has the inside scoop on all the polo perks at Coworth Park. 

Writer Jena Tesse Fox reports that:

Players and fans alike can head up to the Berkshire property to learn and train with Hine and play with members of the world's most famous polo club.

This season, Coworth Park is offering a range of polo lessons and polo days from beginners to more advanced players. An hour-long private lesson can be booked from $203, with a course of five lessons from $952, while group lessons (three people or more) cost from $190. Upon request, the property can arrange for bespoke polo experiences for individual clients and instructional chukkas (polo games) are available for the more serious player. For younger players, Coworth Park offers smaller mallets for children, allowing everyone of all ages to enjoy this noble sport. Preferential rates are offered for guests of Coworth Park and Guards Polo Club members. Guests must be over ten years of age.

Fan of Portlandia? Here's Where to Stay in Hipster Central

Portland, Oregon used to be known for being a sleepy little Pacific Northwest hamlet. About ten years ago, it quietly transformed into a yuppie/hipster nirvana, complete with coffee houses, organic restaurants, a quirky sensibility, and a stable of cool celebrities such as filmmaker Gus van Sant, Simpsons' creator Matt Groening, and indie rocker Carrie Brownstein.  Then, the Independent Film Channel (IFC) showed up with Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen and Brownstein in tow. Thus was Portlandia launched. The sketch comedy show turned out to be a big hit for the cable channel, and tourism climbed. The city obliged with such ventures as walking and bike tours of notable spots featured in the show. 

So, if the siren call of the hipster-doofus show has you booking plane tickets on your smart phone as you twirl your handlebar mustache whilst sipping a craft cocktail, here's some suggestions as to where to stay:

the Nines
Don't even think about capitalizing the first word in the hotel's name. Just don't. So uncool. This boutique LEED Silver-certified hotel perches in the heart of the city center at the top of one of Portland most beloved landmarks, the stately Meier & Frank Building. Fine dining on site promises gourmet cuisine entwined with indigenous flavors," and toiletries are from the eco and animal friendly Bee-Kind line. Nightly rates for a mid-June stay currently start at around $253.