Public Displays of Affectation: Public Chicago's New Year's Party

A small avian recently alighted itself upon my desk and informed me of quite the New Year's party in the great city of Chicago.  If you're looking for the place to be while watching the ball drop, you might as well see it in one of Chicago's newest, and swankiest, hotels.  The Public Chicago has gotten a lot of buzz for its reimagining this year, and it's well deserved.  The sleek, modernized design hasn't forgotten its roots as a traditional Chicago hotel but has embraced everything great about modern convenience.

And its party is no slouch either.  For just $150/person, starting at 9pm, you get a 4-hour premium open bar in the Pump Room and Library, their signature dining options, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and a midnight champagne toast.  Live DJs will be supplying the music all night long, and if dinner is your idea of a warm-up, the Pump Room is offering a four-course prix-fixe meal for just $65 on top of it.  Simply book a room at the Public Chicago for New Years and you'll be ready to check out one of the hottest new hotels getting its groove on.

The Top 20 Hotels in 2011: #11 Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

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 #11 spot, we have the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, a charming Santa Fe retreat.

Quick facts about the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi:

- Every room at the Inn of the Anasazi evokes the creative spirit of the Anasazi people, the Native American tribe that once inhabited much of New Mexico. Handcrafted doors, sculptured stairways and sandstone walls all work together to create an intimate and traditional Pueblo atmosphere.

- Ideally located on Santa Fe Plaza, the hotel is the perfect jumping-off point to explore the unique, cultured charm of the surrounding city.  

- Kiva-shaped gas fireplaces, which warm the room to a cozy temperature during the cooler desert nighttime, are featured in every room, along with great four-post beds that even come with a special stepping stool to help release you from an unendingly downy sleep.

- The hotel offers daytrips to the Rocky Mountains and closer skiing at Taos and other local mountains.  

- Similarly, explore the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, and White Sands National Monument all within a few hours of the Inn.

- Take a trip through the skies and land at the Canyon de Chelly for a horseback ride led by a Navajo tour guide. 

View photos, learn more about the hotel, and check availability at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi >>

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

Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Andaz Wall Street

We understand that no one aims to come in second place; there is no recognition for mediocrity. We at Five Star Alliance know 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 Traveller Gold List 2012.

The Condé Nast Traveller 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.

This entry in the Gold List is a special property indeed. The Andaz Wall Street is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, and it stands at the forefront of a design renaissance sweeping the area.  Rather than a traditional lobby, the Andaz features a lounge space that combines the check-in counter with a contemporary conversational feel. You don't check-in, you relax and even have a drink with a concierge.  This transformation from business to leisure is precisely what the hotel embodies; its clean lines and remarkable efficiency are always the result of impeccable design. In many ways, the Andaz Wall Street is the iPod of New York hotels: It's not that it's fundamentally redesigned the hotel experience, but at every turn it's just a little bit more intelligently designed, a little smoother, and a little more elegant.

Party Down, Vegas-style: Celebrity New Year's Appearances in Vegas

If you're interested in doing a little stargazing this New Year's Eve, Vegas.com has compiled a list of the top ten star-studded New Year’s Eve festivities, in order to help visitors plan their celebrations for the end of 2011.  Check out the highlights of the star-studded parties below, and make sure to check out the nearby five-star accommodations in Las Vegas to find a place to come back to once you're done partying in the New Year with some of the world's famous.

1. LAX Nightclub will feature hip-hop artist B.o.B.

2. Stevie Wonder will perform at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

3. The Bank will begin their celebrations with Grammy-winning artist, Bruno Mars.

4. The Second Annual Old School New Year’s Eve Party will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton. It begins at 9:30 p.m., in the ballroom, and will include music, dancing and a champagne toast.

5. LMFAO will perform at the ARIA nightlife venue, Haze Nightclub.

6. Visitors can attend the New Year’s Eve Bridge Bash at New York-New York Hotel & Casino.

7. Fergie will host the grand opening of 10AK Las Vegas, Mirage’s newest nightclub. The celebration starts at 9 p.m. and will feature the music of DJ Jesse Marco.

8. Chris Brown will be the entertainment at PURE Nightclub, inside Caesars Palace. Guests will also be able to go to the outdoor area to see the fireworks display over the Strip at midnight.

9. Holly Madison, PEEPSHOW starlet, will be the host at the Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort. Everything begins at 10 p.m.

10. Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick will both be hosts at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris on New Year’s Eve.

Thanks to Nicole Lowary from our sister publication, Travel Agent Central. Visit www.vegas.com/newyears/

The Top 20 Hotels in 2011: #16 Auberge du Soleil

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 #16 spot we have the Auberge du Soleil, a lovely terraced boutique hotel in the heart of the Napa wine-country.

Quick facts about the Auberge du Soleil:

- The sophisticated hillside hotel takes advantage of its roots as a fine-dining establishment, and in the eyes of many, the Auberge remains a restaurant first and a hotel second, so high is the quality of its cuisine.

- The mediterranean decor, inspired by the European influences in California's wine-growing, sets apart the Inn of the Sun as the uniquely American experience: A cultural fusion of the best the occidental has to offer.  

- Limited to residents of the hotel, the Inn's 7,000 sq. ft. spa is guaranteed to provide a quiet and relaxed atmosphere for innovative and local body and facial treatments.

- The hotel is the perfect jumping off point for tours of Napa Valley's finest wineries.

- Private terraces offer an unparalleled view of the surrounding fields of grapes.  

- The hotel is entirely newly renovated and has even launched its own custom-made bath amenities including the softest plush robes and slippers you've ever felt.

View photos, learn more about the hotel, and check availability at the Auberge du Soleil >>

Be sure to keep up with our countdown! In case you missed it, here are our previously featured hotels:

#20 – The St. Regis Resort Aspen

#19 – The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

#18 – The Peninsula Chicago

#17 - The Tower Club at Lebua

The Top 20 Hotels in 2011: #18 The Peninsula Chicago

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 #18 Spot we have The Peninsula Chicago, located on the Magnificent Mile, the heart and soul of Chicago.

Quick Facts about the The Peninsula Chicago:

-  Offers 339 rooms and suites that are decorated in a classical yet contemporary style which can be controlled using state-of-the-art interfaces located within the room.

- The Peninsula Spa was rated one of the top ten urban spas in the country, and houses an indoor pool and spa center that spans the top floors of the hotel, offering a breathtaking view of the city

- The Magnificent Mile is the shopping center of Chicago, with such amazing stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany and Co, and numerous other luxury brands.

- Three distinctive restaurants and a bar serve a variety of fine cuisine, including a chocolatier who concocts 25-40 different kinds of confectionary treats a night.

-The hotel offers children's packages that cater to the age of the child and the American Girl store next door.

- With a grand ballroom and six additional meeting spaces totaling over 14,000 sq. ft. of space, The Peninsula is a top-notch space for meetings and galas.

- The Peninsula has received the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award and Mobil Five Star awards as well as the Forbes 5-star Award for nearly every year since its opening in 2001.

View photos, read more, and check availability at The Peninsula Chicago >>

Luxury Hotels near the Boston Convention & Exhibition 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 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts is our center of focus for this blog post. Unfortunately, there are no 5-star hotels located a few minutes’ walk from the Convention Center, but we found a number of hotels located less than 2 miles away, making them a good stroll or a few minute cab ride away! We’ve listed them in order of proximity, starting with the hotels located 0.8 miles away to 1.3 miles away, ranging from a 15 minute to a 27 minute walk to the Convention Center.

InterContinental Boston

The Langham Boston

                                                                      Boston Harbor Hotel

                                                                      Ritz Carlton Boston Common

                                                                      Nine Zero Hotel

                                                                      Ames Boston Hotel

                                                                      Fifteen Beacon

Winter Wonderland in Las Vegas

This winter, the Venetian and the Palazzo will transform into the most beautiful winter wonderland Las Vegas has ever seen. Be sure to experience the special amenities and activities available from November 21st through January 8th. Glide, twist, and turn on the largest ice rink on the Strip, which is surrounded by magical lights, beautifully lit trees, and cheerful music. Enjoy seasonal treats including eggnog cupcakes, creamy hot chocolate, and delicious hot cider. And as the sun sets, enjoy the Nightly Holiday Spectacular light show which will surely dazzle you beyond expectation.

The Venetian allows you to experience the romance of Italy without leaving the heart of Las Vegas. This all-suite resort and casino provides guests access to 19 exceptional restaurants and 80 international boutiques. Rejuvenate at the Canyon Ranch Spa Club and enjoy its fitness center, full-service salon, and rock climbing wall.

The Palazzo is a 50-floor luxury tower next to the Venetian with approximately 2050 luxury suites. Each suite is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. From marble-appointed baths to luxurious Egyptian linens, the Palazzo surely provides an incredible, luxurious experience.

Escape, explore, and embrace the excitement that awaits you in Las Vegas.

Nothing Cheap About It: Cheap Sally's Top Amazing Hotel and Spa Destinations

It's not every day that an infographic so awesome comes around.  Over at Cheap Sally, an online discount site, their travel experts have aggregated a list of some of the wildest hotel and vacation sites in the US, and it features some of our favorite US properties.  For the whole list, check out the infographic below, but I'd like to highlight some of our favorites.

Long at the top of our list of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the world, The Point at Saranac Lake, NY, is so exclusive, you aren't told where exactly on the pristine Adirondack lake it is until you've confirmed your reservation.  Complete with a 3-star Michelin chef and only 11 rooms on the property, you are guaranteed to experience a personalized, secluded stay in one of the world's most elite properties.

In terms of crazy spa treatments, it's hard to top the over 250-gallon Evian bath only available in the penthouse suite of the Hotel Victor on Miami Beach.  This spa treatment costs only slightly less than the suite itself and features a bath of pure Evian water sprinkled with rose petals.

But if you're like me and you like your baths with a little more kick to them, then the Kenwood Inn and Spa vinotherapy treatment is just what you're looking for:  Bathe in wine and grape seed extract to soak your skin in the antioxidant polyphenol which powerfully slows the aging of skin.  You'll come out looking and feeling younger than even a couple glasses of the same wine would make you feel.

There's a just a few of the wonderful and crazy hotels and spas located around the US, and you can some more great examples below.  Make sure to check out Five Star Alliance to book these great destinations or if you're looking for a deal or digital coupon for any of over 11,000 retailers, Cheap Sally is your girl.  

Click for full image.

Infographic courtesy of Cheap Sally

Inn at Perry Cabin Offers Jazz Nights

The Inn at Perry Cabin is a quiet hideaway in Maryland, and this waterfront estate is located on the edge of the Victorian town of St. Michaels. Just an hour and a half drive outside Washington DC, this charming Inn provides guests with incredible opportunities to take part in garden tours, boating, sailing, fishing, and crabbing excursions.

This quiet, luxury resort is also celebrating the season by offering weekends filled with wonderful food and live jazz by the Eric Felten Trio. Be sure to make your reservations for any of the following dates to enjoy the legendary food and fun. The winter jazz weekend series will be on Saturdays, and the band will perform at Sherwood’s Landing, the hotel’s incredible restaurant, from 7:00 – 11:00pm.

January 14th and 28th, February 18th and 25th, and March 10th and 31st