The Best Romantic Getaway Hotels: Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie in Rome, Italy

Certain hotels have a beautiful romance to them, an elegant charm that sweeps you off your feet and leaves you feeling like you’re floating on a cloud. Whether you’re planning an anniversary, a birthday, or simply hoping to have a romantic weekend with your significant other, we certainly have the perfect hotel in your city of choice. Check in with us often as we will be featuring our favorite hotels for a romantic getaway all over the world!

Our first feature is the Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie. This luxury hotel is located in the heart of Rome on the fashionable Via del Babuino, next to the Piazza del Popolo and near the Spanish Steps. This 122 bedroom property is a favorite amongst the Hollywood A list and it has gained fame for its beautiful terrace gardens. These so called “Secret Gardens” are hidden behind the building and offer guests the perfect place to enjoy each other’s company in tranquility, away from the bustle of Rome. Enjoy al fresco dining at ‘Le Jardin de Russie’ restaurant and take advantage of the hotel’s health club and spa with a hydro pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish steam bath, and much more. Make your reservations at this romantic gem in Rome and get ready for a phenomenal time with your loved one!

It's Business Time: Fairmont Singapore Best Business Hotel in Singapore

There's a very interesting split in the travel industry between business and leisure travelers. And if you're one of the business types, you know well that you're on the road constantly and the things that matter to you, travel convenience, efficiency, and connectivity, are almost the opposite of what a leisure traveler might want. If the word 'secluded' ever appeared in a hotel description, you'd cross it off the list immediately. So I'm here to use some adjectives you might appreciate hearing in describing some of the world's best business hotels. Today? Singapore.

In real estate, it's all about three things: location, location, location. For the business traveler, it's much the same, and the good folks at Fairmont kept that in mind with the Fairmont Singapore. The hotel is located at the crossroads of Singapore's major business, cultural, and shopping districts.  A staggering 70,000 square feet of meeting space means that you can host an event of just about any size in the hotel's wonderfully furnished top-of-the-line meeting rooms.  The main ballroom itself can host up to 3200 people, and there's another auxiliary room that can hold up to 1,000. After you're done with business, relax and unwind, or treat your guests, at the Willow Stream Spa, one of the largest in the city, ensuring that you can find exactly what you're looking for.  And with 769 rooms and suites, all of the executives can stay on-site; there's no having to worry about booking additional rooms and coordinating transportation to other hotels. The Fairmont Singapore is a business center in the center of business for Southeast Asia. 

Angled-Saxophone: The Infinity Pool at Saxon Boutique Hotel Plays Music

I have a special place in my heart for tiny boutique hotels. It may be a little smaller than some of the other chambers, and there aren't enough spots for everybody, but that just makes the few who do make their way into my good graces all the more special. I can give each and every one the loving care and attention they deserve. And thus began my new segment on boutique hotels that I just adore.

South Africa had a major revitilization following their hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, and it continues to be one of the major getaway destinations for someone looking for something a little different from the stereotypical Caribbean island vacation.  And in the spirit of looking out for something different, the Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa is even a little different from the standard fare in South Africa.  With only 24 suites on the property, I would say the entire resort could practically fit in the palm of your hand if it werent for the fact that for those 24 rooms, it has all the facilities of a hotel ten times its size.  Especially of note is the architectural emphasis on aquatics. The hotel's crowning jewel is its gorgeous infinity pool, which you can be assured is never too crowded and actually plays underwater music.  The hotel's spa makes use of the innovative treatments, including the Rasul Chamber, which you'll just have to experience for yourself.  The Saxon makes an effort not to be just another cookie-cutter luxury destination, and if you stay on your next trip to Africa, you'll feel the difference that makes.

Go in My Stead: The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Spas are a funny thing. It's actually amazing to think that we live in a world full of all the modern luxuries, and yet we have to pay to escape to a simpler, more relaxed experience.  The spa is just that, too, quintessentially an escape, retreating inward to recharge the mind and the body during a moment's respite from the bustle of modern life. But, the fact remains, many of us are in desparate need of that retreat, and if you're looking to get away from everything, there's no better destination than the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC. 

The hotel itself is gorgeous, was built in 2007, and features 228 oversized luxury guest rooms with all the modern amenities: flat screen TVs, Rivolta Italian linens, and many with balconies overlooking the natural flora.  World-class dining and a great respect for the local culture accent the property, with local artists featuring prominently and the down-home hospitality a guarantee.  

The real crowning jewel of the hotel is the spa.  The two-story building adjacent to the property offers ten treatment rooms where you can find the perfect personalized relaxation technique to wash the stress out of your body.  A meditation courtyard, whirlpools, and a steam room offer alternative ways to rejuvenate and recharge and the naturally lit interior spaces soothe the eyes as much as they do your soul.  The Umstead Hotel & Spa really is a wonderful place ot slough off your East Coast woes and embrace the healing powers of a day all to yourself.

Love the Hunger Games? Then Be Sure to Visit Asheville!

The big hit movie the Hunger Games was filmed in Asheville, North Carolina, and this southern town is certainly drawing in quite the crowd because of it! The town of Asheville has two 5-star hotels properties and one 4-star hotel. Read on below to explore these luxury hotel options and choose the one that is most suitable for you and your Hunger Games needs!

The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

This is one of the most popular hotels on our site, and it is one of the South’s best loved resorts. It offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it overlooks the city of Asheville. The property has a 40,000 square foot spa, a restored golf course, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, child programs, and much more.

Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville Autograph Collection

This boutique hotel is located in the famous Biltmore Village, and it’s set among the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Its 104 rooms and suites have personal touches including stone flooring and custom bedding. This hotel has a fine dining restaurant, spa, lounge, and art gallery all easily accessible and readily available. Experience the elegance of the Old World at this charming and rustic boutique hotel.

Biltmore Village Inn

This 4-star hotel is located on top of Reed Hill, above Biltmore Village. It offers a 360 degree view of the mountains and overlooks the Village and Swannanoa River Valley. This charming, small boutique hotel only has 7 rooms in 2 buildings, so you can expect an extremely personal stay.

Explore these hotel options and be sure to visit the beautiful town of Asheville to get an even more personal connection to the Hunger Games!

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: The Wickaninnish Inn

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 Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, Canada is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for leisure facilities. This luxury hotel is located on Vancouver Island’s beautiful west coast, on a rocky promontory, surrounded by ocean on three sides. Each of its 46 guest rooms and suites provide ocean and beach views, soaking tubs, fireplaces, and private balconies. This beautiful boutique hotel offers a mix of sandy beaches and old growth forests, providing its guests with almost too many things to do! Take advantage of the fishing, whale watching, golfing, hiking, scuba diving, shopping, and a whole lot more. This is a year-round resort where you can witness a beautiful snowfall, a hot summer day, and everything in between. Be sure to explore the photos and room options at the Wickaninnish Inn for a scenic and exciting escape from the norm.

New Luxury Hotels Opening in 2012: Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv

We at Five Star Alliance are all about the best and most luxurious hotels. We certainly keep up with the happenings in the luxury travel world and take pride in bringing our clients the latest luxury travel news. Keep up with our newest blog series where we’ll be featuring luxury hotels opening in 2012 to stay on top of the trends and make your reservations at the newest hotspots.

The Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv has just opened in Ukraine’s capital, just in time for the Euro Cup 2012! This brand new luxury hotel is the first Fairmont in Eastern Europe, and it will mark the 4th luxury hotel in the beautiful city of Kiev. It features 248 luxurious guest rooms including Royal and Presidential suites, each beautifully decorated and equipped with magnificent amenities. Many rooms offer stunning views of the Dnipro River, and it’s located in the heart of the city center, within walking distance from the Golden Gate and the St. Sophia Cathedral. Be sure to make your reservations for this beautiful new property and experience one of the most vibrant and phenomenal cities in all of Europe!

The Spa at Le Parker Meridien New York Is Out of (and Under) This World!

Le Parker Meridien, a hotel in the heart of New York City on West 57th Street is not your typical luxury property. It features 730 luxurious rooms and suites enhanced with cherry and cedar woods, suites will phenomenal views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, and a fitness center, two salons, a café, and a brand new spa located in the hip complex known as The Underground. The brand new spa, Moonshine, has just opened and its treatment rooms are uniquely named after Prohibition-era cocktails such as Sidecar, Gimlet, and more. What else is new under Le Parker Meridien New York? The luxury hotel has an updated 15,000 square foot fitness center, a dry bar hair salon that only does blowouts, and a nail salon with an iPad at every manicure station. Be sure to check out this extremely unique and revitalizing hotel on your next visit to the Big Apple!

Photo courtesy of Moonshine Spa Facebook page

It’s Cherry Blossom Time in Washington, DC

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is approaching full bloom here in Washington, DC, and we simply cannot wait for all of the events and activities in store. In 1912, 3,000 cherry blossom trees were given as gifts to Washington, DC from Tokyo, Japan. A century later, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is gearing up for its upcoming festivities, celebrating international companionship and the beauty of nature. This is the 100th anniversary of the cherry blossoms, and the District of Columbia is certainly going all out with its events. Be sure to make your luxury hotel reservations and take part in all of the excitement in our nation’s capital!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival goes from March 20th – April 27th, 2012. A few must-check-out events include the Blossom Kite Festival on March 31st, the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival on April 7th, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 14th, and Jazz at the Jefferson on April 19th. For more information on these events, visit the official National Cherry Blossom Festival Events page.

For accommodations, we encourage you to explore the 37 luxury hotels we have in the Washington, DC area. If you’re hoping to be located on or near the National Mall and in the heart of all the action, be sure to take advantage of and explore the list of options available to you here!

Photo courtesy of the NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org

Take a Break and Head to the Breakers in Palm Beach

There are two things I love: One is a beautiful Renaissance-style Mediterranean hotel.  The other is the spaciousness of Florida beaches. Actually, I'm pretty sure there's more than that, but these two seemed the most appropriate for the moment because I'm about to tell you about The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL.  One thing about American hotels is that they have a style all of their own, and it's rare to see European sensibilities packed up and smuggled over international waters to find a home in good ole US of A.  However, the breakers is a lovely exception to that rule.  I'm not sure how they snuck it through customs, but The Breakers brings the Italian Renaissance to Palm Beach, and its 140 acres give that style the room to breathe that it has a little more trouble finding in its native Italy.

On the property, you can find 36 holes of championship golf, 10 tennis courts, a beach club, and an extensive children's club. All this has been registered as a National Historic Place, thanks to its 100+ year history in the hotel business.  Fine dining, four oceanfront pools, and a full-service spa are all just an arm's reach away.  Not only that, for the family-minded, the hotel can connect up to five rooms together, so you can be perfectly flexible finding the arrangement that works best for your party.  As if that weren't enough, take to the seas and the skies with organized water sports, hot-air ballooning, or an air boat tour.  It's almost too much take in in just one trip.  So maybe you'll have to stay at The Breakers in Palm Beach twice.