Casa de Sierra Nevada Es Su Casa: Special Rates in the Heart of San Miguel de Allende

A beautiful boutique hotel in a cluster of historic buildings at the heart of San Miguel de Allende, the Casa de Sierra Nevada is the paragon of the small hotel experience in Central America.  The charm of the 33-room Orient-Express property is practically dripping from the stone arches lining its courtyard space.  To preserve the interior serenity, the Casa de Sierra Nevada doesn't allow children 11 or under, so you'll never have to worry about a little tyke with a toy airplane distracting from the last chapter in that novel you've been trying to finish for the last three months.  

Each of the hotel's 33 rooms had to be carefully adapted to hotel rooms as they are designated historical homes by the National Instititute of Anthropology and History.  Meticulously restored using period furniture alongside the more modern amenities of classic luxury, there is a very homely feel to the luxury at Casa de Sierra Nevada.  While larger chain hotels can seem somewhat impersonal even as they offer the best service, in San Miguel de Allende, you'll feel as at home as you would in your own living room, only with the five-star luxury you've come to expect from an attentive and accommodating staff.

 Not only that, reserve a room now to take advantage of special Five Star Alliance rates at the Casa de Sierra Nevada. Reserving through us grants a free room upgrade if available on arrival and a welcome margherita.  I can't think of a better way to start a vacation than reclining in an extra-spacious room with a tropical cocktail.  

Grand Opening of the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Florida is set to open on January 19th, 2012. This exclusive resort is directly across from the Bal Harbour shops and only a few minutes from the excitement and energy of South Beach and Miami. This resort features 243 elegant rooms and suites, including 36 condominium hotel suites in 3 all-glass towers. Stroll along the beach, enjoy a cocktail poolside, and utilize the services of the St. Regis butler to plan your perfect adventure.

Make your plans today to experience the newest luxury hotel on the Miami block and experience all of the luxuries it has to offer!

(L)audible Venture: Hotel BPM Set to Open in April

Brooklyn's next big hotel, the Hotel BPM, was dreamed up by a young DJ and business grad who is probably more excited about the project than anyone else.  DJ Bijal quickly made a name for himself in the celebrity DJ scene, and he's looking to expand his reach as host to a hip new hotel location.  Doubling as weekend destination, the club-like lobby will take on a more neon lighting scheme and the music will be at a higher BPM.  The black, green and white logo and design features accentuate the auditory experience.

A recent contest to name the 76 custom mattresses in each of the hotels rooms came up with "The Sound Sleeper," making me change my title pun.  And if you like it enough when you stay, you can even buy the mattress yourself.  King and Double rooms will start at $160 and $180 respectively, so make a stop by Sunset Park when this one opens up to experience a hotel that has its finger on the pulse of the Brooklyn nightlife.  

Photo courtesy of Gadling. As reported by HotelChatter.

Luxury Hotels near the San Diego Convention Center

This blog series is for all of the business travelers who are looking for a luxury hotel that is located near the Convention Center of specific cities. We understand that you have places to be, people to meet, and conferences to attend, so we try to make your travels as stress-free and convenient as possible without forgoing luxury. The San Diego Convention Center is our center of focus for this blog post. The following are 5 star hotels located less than a twenty minute walk away from the Convention Center. We’ve listed them in order of proximity, starting with the hotels located a 10 minute walk away to hotels a 16 minute walk away from the Convention Center.

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego – located 0.5 miles from the Convention Center.

W San Diego – located 0.5 miles from the Convention Center.

Andaz San Diego – located 0.6 miles from the Convention Center.

U.S. Grand Hotel – located 0.6 miles from the Convention Center.

The Westgate Hotel – located 0.6 miles from the Convention Center.

Hotel Palomar San Diego – located 0.7 miles from the Convention Center.

Traveling somewhere else? Keep up with our blog series and check out the luxury hotels located near the Convention Center in the following cities: Boston, Montreal, and Washington D.C.

Word to the Wise: Stay and Save at the Hotel Plaza Athenee New York

If you're sitting at work thinking, boy it's really about time I got that promotion I deserve, you need wait no more.  The Hotel Plaza Athenee New York is offering you not just one but five promotions, all available through March 31st.  They might not come with a raise, but they might as well, since you'll be saving a good chunk of cash while staying at one of the top hotels in New York.  

First up are the straight money-saving specials.  Stay three or more nights in an executive room and save 30% off the BAR (not including amenities).  If you're looking stay just three nights, then go ahead and book two and get the third free in either Superior or Deluxe rooms. 

If you'd rather just be getting more for your investment, then the Winter Nights, City Lights promotion offers a guaranteed upgrade from Classic to Superior and Superior to Deluxe on any length stay.  Or go for Serenity in the City and wake up every morning to a delicious continental breakfast for two and receive 25% off BAR.  The Classic Suite Special is a similar 20% off BAR and free breakfast for the suite-minded folks.  It's hard to go wrong when such a great hotel, just a short stroll from Central Park and all of Midtown, is ushering in the New Year with some great specials.  I know I resolved to travel more this year, and this might just be what gets me out the door.  So maybe I'll see you at the Plaza Athenee New York!

Claude Monet Exhibit Opening at Bellagio las Vegas

Known for exhibitions that showcase exceptional art in an unrivaled setting, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) presents “Claude Monet: Impressions of Light” opening Feb. 18, 2012.

Organized in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), this landmark exhibition will feature works that illustrate the height of Claude Monet’s engagement with color and light. BGFA will showcase 20 pieces by Monet, the founder of French Impressionist painting, accompanied by eight additional canvases by the master’s predecessors and contemporaries. All of these works are drawn from the MFA, which holds one of the largest collections of paintings by Claude Monet outside of Paris.

“Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s mission has always been to present exhibitions that engage and excite lovers of all genres of art, from classical to modern to contemporary,” said BGFA Director Tarissa Tiberti. “Exhibiting Monet and the French Impressionists provides historical background to some of the more contemporary shows we have presented over the last three years.”

Spanning four decades of Monet’s career and featuring many of the artist’s most celebrated and recognized paintings, “Claude Monet: Impressions of Light” will also highlight paintings by other masters of the genre including Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Camille Pissarro and Eugene Louis Boudin. It was from Monet’s collaboration with these painters, along with his solitary explorations of the French countryside, that his own signature style eventually emerged.

After exploring Monet's incredible masterpieces, check into the Bellagio and take in the beauty of the Lake Bellagio, the pristine pools, and the stunning courtyards. 

This article information originally appeared on our sister website, Travel Agent Central.

Impending Opening: Trump Tower Towers over Toronto on the 31st

The grand opening of a new Trump Tower is certainly something to be excited about, and hopefully with the business mogul taking a tumble out of the presidential race, he'll have time to focus on unveiling the newest five-star hotel in his ever-growing collection.  Set to open on the 31st of January, now is the time to book the earliest rooms in this now-dominant feature of the Toronto skyline.  Each of the 261 rooms and suites features an elegant, cosmopolitan style and many look out over Lake Ontario.  

Ever looking to accommodate the businessmen among us, Trump's tower offers two full floors of meeting space and conference rooms to host your next big event.  Two additional floors house the nearby spa and wellness facility that dwarfs most others in the city.  If you're at all daunted by its comprehensive spa experience, never fear because the Spa Attache will be there to highlight the most revitalizing treatments.  Once you're done relaxing, head on down to the elegant signature restaurant led by an award-winning chef or the sleek, modern bar with signature cocktails that please both the traditionalist and the more adventurous imbiber.  You can even acquire kiddie cocktails and coloring books for the more youthful members of your party.

Reservations are available now, so make sure to check out Toronto's newest property, the Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto the next time you're passing through.

New Hotel Openings in 2012: Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants plans to open 3 new luxury boutique hotels during 2012. Located in distinctly different markets, they include a new Hotel Palomar, Hotel Monaco and a renovated Hotel La Jolla. 

The Hotel Palomar Phoenix, AZ was originally planned to open in 2010, but with building delays the newest timeline shows a 2012 opening in the downtown Phoenix area's new mixed-use development CityScape. The 250-room luxury boutique hotel will anchor one end of CityScape in a 34-story tower including office space and a retail plaza.

Construction on The Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, PA began in spring 2011 to convert the 11-story Lafayette Building across from the Liberty Bell into the 271-room, four-star hotel. Built in 1906, the Lafayette office building is located directly across from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and projected to open in Q3 2012. According to the press release, Hotel Monaco Philadelphia will feature a "chef-driven, 120-seat restaurant and bar and approximately 12,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 3,200 square foot ballroom located on the ground floor with windows facing Independence Square. In addition, it will feature Philadelphia's largest rooftop bar. The hotel's 271 guestrooms will include 23 suites and 25 King Spa rooms." (Lafayette Building photo to the right courtesy of author MrFox at NakedPhilly.com.)

The Hotel La Jolla in La Jolla, California just outside San Diego is a recently renovated 110-room property boasting the only view of its kind in the area. Reopening in Spring/Summer 2012 as a Kimpton property, Hotel La Jolla offers panoramic ocean views and is within a short stroll of the beautiful beaches of La Jolla Shores. According to Kimpton the "11-story property will feature a newly created lobby and reimagined top floor restaurant by Gulla Jonsdottir of Los Angeles based G+ Design. The top floor will also include dynamic, convertible event space that can accommodate up to 100 for parties of any style. The garden level will be transformed into an outdoor lounge area featuring an inviting, family friendly pool scene by day and enticing lounge space by night complete with fire pits and outdoor bar. This retreat just off the beaten path of the shopping district of La Jolla Village is a place where even being at work can feel like a vacation." (Pictured at right is a current photo of Hotel La Jolla.)

We'll update you with more information as construction progresses.

The Top 20 Hotels in 2011: #7 Hotel Le St. James

In the final days of 2011, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 20 Luxury Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, as decided by our guests.

In the #7 spot we have the Hotel Le St. James in Montreal, Canada.

Quick facts about the Hotel Le St. James:

- This historic building is ideally situated in lively Old Montreal with easy access to shopping areas, restaurants, and the financial center.

- Located less than a mile from Central Station and just 12 miles from Dorval International Airport.

- Each room and suite has its own character and personal charm.

- The hotel’s restaurant, XO Le, is Montreal’s highest rated restaurant in 2009 by the Gazette.

- Le Spa, the hotels luxurious spa served as the Merchant’s Bank vault in the late 1800s.

- Pet friendly, allowing pets less than 30 lbs.

- Mobil Travel’s highest rated property in Quebec since 2003.

- The hotel’s original architecture dates back to 1870, with design features that have remained intact over the centuries.

View photos, learn more about the hotel, and check availability at the Hotel Le St. James.

The Top 20 Hotels in 2011: #9 Jumeirah Essex House

In the final days of 2011, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 20 Luxury Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, as decided by our guests.

In the #9 spot, we have the Jumeirah Essex House, a premiere Manhattan hotel.

Quick facts about the Jumeirah Essex House:

- With stunning views of Central Park, the hotel offers a uniquely quieter perspective on the bustle of New York City.  Its 509 guest rooms and suites range from 300 to 2,500 feet and newly include such features as interactive touchscreen displays to adjust lighting, mood, and temperature.

- Just north Broadway, the Essex House gives easy access to the world-class theater on display in the Big Apple.  

- The in-house spa offers personal trainers, a sauna and steambath, and full massage treatments to help you relax and enjoy the city.

- The rooms, suites, and lobby were all recently renovated in an $90 million dollar project to revitalize the charming Art Deco style.

- The Essex House's storied history dates back to 1929 when construction first began just prior to the stock market crash. Opening finally in 1931, the hotel hosted a number of attendees of the 1939 World's Fair before being acquired for military use during World War II.  It is one of only 200 hotels in America recognized by the Historic Hotels of America for maintaining its historic and cultural integrity for its 80 years of operation.

View photos, learn more about the hotel, and check availability at the Jumeirah Essex House >>

Be sure to keep up with our countdown as we spotlight a new hotel every day until the New Year!