No Request is Too Big for The Dorchester London

I've personally seen reservations where the special requests seem a little out of the ordinary. Of course, if guests are willing to spend the money, hotels are pretty flexible at accommodating their wishes. For celebrities though, hotels can, and will to do just about anything to make their VIP guests happy. Case in point: The Dorchester London is currently preparing for Britney Spears' June arrival, and what has Britney requested for her favorite suite at the five-star London hotel? Why a stripper pole of course! According to sources, Ms. Spears has requested the installment of a stripper pole so she can work out between shows during the appropriately named Circus tour, which is set for eight performance dates at London's O2 Arena from June 3, 2009. Stripper poles and pop stars, it sounds like The Dorchester is gearing up for one heck of a Circus!

Special Offer from Five Star Alliance: Five Star Alliance guests at The Dorchester receive a bottle of Champagne upon arrival.

Emmy-Winning Actress Tyne Daly Sings at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency

Head to Feinstein's at the Loews Regency Hotel-- the nightclub that's an "invaluable New York institution" ranked the "Best of New York"-- from May 12-16 and you're in for a treat. For its 10th anniversary season, Feinstein's welcomes Tony- and Emmy-winning actress Tyne Daly for the debut engagement of her show "Songs"-- a fabulous collection of tunes from the last century.

NBC Morning Show will Broadcast Live from Two Key West Luxury Resorts

On May 12th NBC's "Today Show" with Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Al Roker, Ann Curry, Natalie Morales, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford will be hosting at two of Five Star Alliance's recommended hotels in Key West. The top rated morning show will broadcast live from The Westin Key West Resort & Marina and the Sunset Key Guest Cottages as part of the "Today Takes a Vacation" series. The series will highlight the residents, unique culture and landscape that contribute to the laid back lifestyle unique to Key West. Along with the hosts' experiences and adventures, there will be a special appearance and a live concert by Jimmy Buffet at the The Westin Key West Resort & Marina's Sunset Pier. (pictured above)

Glitz and Glamour in the South of France: Cannes Film Festival 2009

In less than a month, the most influential people in the motion picture industry will descend upon the normally quiet seaside resort town of Cannes for one of the most important film events in the world, Cannes Film Festival. Started in 1946, Cannes Film Festival has evolved into the most prestigious and glamorous of all the international film festivals. Starting on May 13th this year, it will end eleven days later with the awarding of the "Palme d'OR, or "Palm Award," the highest prize given to the competing films.

So where do the rich and famous like to stay during Cannes? Majestic Barriere is said to be the favorite among many of Hollywood's bigwigs. An icon of elegance and luxury, Majestic Barriere is located on the beautiful Avenue La Croisette, making it one of the most distinguished addresses on the French Riviera.

Cleveland Rocks: The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Thousands of rock fans descended upon Cleveland, Ohio this past weekend to pay tribute to the newest inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With over 500 rock experts voting, this year saw such legends as Metallica and Bobby Womack take their spot in rock history. With a celebration that started early in the week, it culminated with the live broadcast of the Induction Ceremony on Saturday night. Opened since 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a great place to visit year round. A must for the rock enthusiast, it features exhibits and collections from artists past and present. If you are planning a visit, the Ritz Carlton Cleveland is the perfect place to stay. As Cleveland's only Four Diamond Property, this luxury hotel offers beautiful accommodations and is only a mile from the Rock and Roll Museum. Book now, and you can stay for less than 250 USD a night.

A Room with a View in Venice at Londra Palace

You can't beat this setting in Venice, the sybaratic "Queen of the Adriatic." Looking out onto St. Mark's Basin, just a few steps away from the Doges' Palace-- the magnificent residence of the city's one-time rulers-- and the Bridge of Sighs, Londra Palace is smack dab in the middle of the Riva waterfront. Boasting no fewer than a hundred windows looking out on the lagoon of Venice, Londra Palace offers unparalleled views from the Salute Basilica to the island of Giudecca. The urban landscape here is dotted with Gothic spires, Renaissance palaces, and galleries brimming with works by Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto and Canaletto. Like the sensual city where it makes its home, Londra Palace is full of aesthetic delights.

The bar is full of Murano glass, the award-winning restaurant has beautiful views of the Lagoon, and the floors throughout the hotel feature Venetian mosaics. The 53 guest rooms blend the best of the past and present: Biedermeier furniture and antiques juxtaposed with all the latest technology. Be sure to book a Deluxe Room or Junior Suite for the water views. You may have missed the annual Carnevale in February (what a bacchanal!), but Venice has a plethora of permanent attractions and seasonal festivals, like the Biennale modern art festival in June and film festival in August.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Starts April 24th

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is the culmination of years of discussions and efforts by city leaders who wanted to create an event worthy of the city's legacy as the birthplace of jazz. Starting in 1970 with a little over 350 people in attendance, it has grown into an amazing celebration of over 300,000 people yearly who come to pay their respect to a city that has remained resilient in spirit and cultural significance. This year will be no less than amazing, with everyone from Earth, Wind, and Fire to the Dave Matthews Band performing. There will also be an array of food and craft vendors showcasing their local talents. If you are looking for great accommodations, Loews New Orleans Hotel still has rooms available, going for less than $250 a night.

Going to Singapore: New Arts Hub in Asia

The arts are blossoming in Singapore, reports the Wall Street Journal, as the city works hard to continue to lure international tourists and foreign expatriates to a happening cultural scene. To "claim status as a global performing arts city on a par with London or New York," Singapore is relaxing some long-held taboos:

Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke stars in a production of Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale," staged here this week by British director Sam Mendes. Meanwhile, across town, the curtain is rising on Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," with an all-male, all-gay cast. These are the latest marquee productions...Theaters here increasingly are allowed to take on risqué social and political themes, a sign this tightly controlled Southeast Asian city-state is starting to loosen up.

Indeed Singapore is making a big effort to foster the arts; the state-run Singapore Arts Festival in May and June brings in 700,000 visitors to performances of theater, music and dance by local and international artists. Where to stay in this increasingly-vibrant Asian capital? The Fullerton Hotel, of course, which the Wall Street Journal puts at the top of its list. Housed in an old colonial-era post office on the Singapore River, the hotel offers five-star digs in an unbeatable location: "In April, it has special room rates of $200 (299 Singapore dollars) weekends, $215 (328 Singapore dollars) weekdays."

Cherry Blossom Fever: The D.C. Festival Has Spawned Hotel Packages Galore

Get your groove on in Washington D.C. this weekend, when the National Cherry Blossom Festival officially kicks off the spring season. Sip some cherry blossom cocktails, get a cherry-blossom-massage rubdown at local spas, and gawk at the pretty blooms in the Tidal Basin. Check out The Washingtonian's superb guide to the events celebrating the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo. You'll find a slew of cherry blossom-themed hotel packages to get you in the spirit, including a special at the historic Hay-Adams, where the Obamas checked in before moving into the White House. Other fun packages can be found at the Fairmont Washington D.C., Hotel Monaco Alexandria (chocolate-covered cherries, anyone?), The Madison, Park Hyatt Washington, Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C., St. Regis, and Willard InterContinental.

Top 10 Irish Pubs for St. Patrick’s Day: Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Guinness

Prepped for St. Patty's day? Ready to don your green shamrock T and slurp some frothy green beer? Actually, Tuesday's St. Patrick's Day celebration doesn't have to mean packed pubs with sticky floors. The U.S. of A. is home to some superb Irish bars, real class acts, in cities across the continent. The USA Today has the skinny on the Top 10-- including Nine Fine Irishmen in Vegas, McGuire's Irish Pub in Pensacola, Pour the Perfect Pint in Manhattan, and Celtic Crossings in Chitown. Click here for the full article.

Pictured at right: The 13th century Ashford Castle, once the home of the Guinness family and now a luxury hotel, is situated on 350 acres on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake.