Icing Age: The Rancho Las Palmas Gingerbread House

Winter is here (or summer for our Southern friends) and that means the Holiday season is starting to get into full swing. For some in the culinary arts, this is the perfect chance to show off their skills, and the team at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in California have taken the challenge to heart. Their premiere pastry chef’s creation is anything but half-baked. Weighing it at over 200lbs, the grandfather of all gingerbread houses couldn’t compete in a boxing match below heavyweight. You’d likely die from a sugar overdose if you tried to bring it down to size, but at least if it came to life and made a break for it, it’d be no problem to catch.

Taking more than 100 hours to make over 15 days of work, the saccharine landscape pays homage to Ice Age, an animated film significantly faster paced than its geological counterpart. The scene features 100 rocks, 40 flowers, and 35 trees, serving as a backdrop for the 15 movie characters that define the action. All of this was baked and formed using a diverse color palette of sugary mixes.

To see the gingerbread house to end all gingerbread houses, all you have to do is book a room at the Rancho Las Palmas before Christmas, and the confectionary creation will be on display for all to see in the hotel lobby. Sweet!

Photo and Story via Rancho Las Palmas Facebook

Very Bad Santa Is Very Good: Hotel Monteleone for Christmas

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for another article from yours truly! Don’t know who I am? That’s okay, sometimes I wake up in a fit of existential angst and ask myself the same the question. But regardless, I have some great news that I’m sure you’ll be excited to hear: The Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans has a suite of featured events for the hotel seasons, including the grand reopening of its cocktail bar. And with signature drinks such as the Joyous Noel or Papa’s Nightcap, they’ll warm your heart and your belly. I’m not even going to tell you what happens during the Very Bad Santa Crawl, but needless to say, if you’re even thinking of staying there on December 10th, it’s a must-see. If you’d rather be a good Santa, they’re offering a children’s holiday tea time. And Christmas day things really cut loose, gourmet-style. And by that, I mean a family feast prepared by their signature chefs. If you’re looking to get away to more cajun climes for the holidays, I can’t think of a better place than the Hotel Monteleone.

Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, is Perfect Family Winter Destination

Traveling with a family can be quite difficult, and I’m not just talking about restless babies or the endless games of “Are We There Yet?” It can also be an effort in itself to find a hotel that is kid-friendly in its room design. Most luxury hotels have adopted the two-adults-per-room model, so it’s refreshing to find a property that keeps families in mind when laying out its rooms. The Resort at Squaw Creek features Queen Rooms as a standard, and they include not one but two queen beds, so your kid(s) can cozy up together, and you won’t have to split up the family while enjoying the premiere mountain resort in California. This site of the 1960 Winter Olympics has everything you need to enjoy some skicapades with or without kids in tow. The Resort at Squaw Creek is one to keep in mind for the winter season.

Luxury Hotels near the Walter E. Washington 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 Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC 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 nine minute walk away to hotels a seventeen minute walk away from the Convention Center.

Hotel Monaco Washington DC

Sofitel Lafayette Square

The St Regis Washington DC

The Madison Washington DC

The Jefferson Washington DC

TheWillard InterContinental

Incredible Deals at the Taj Campton Place Hotel

The Taj Campton Place Hotel in San Francisco is offering a few incredible offers and promotions that are too good to pass up! This luxurious, boutique hotel offers personalized service that accommodates the needs of all travelers, and its restaurant is one of the top San Francisco restaurants, offering award-winning European cuisine. Starting now, the Taj Campton Place Hotel has the following deals that’ll be sure to inspire you to explore the Bay Area.

Shop Til You Drop Package: The Taj Campton Place Hotel is located steps from San Fran’s shopping center of Union Square and San Francisco Centre. This package is perfect for those hoping to buy all of their holiday gifts and get a little something in return. This package includes a special San Francisco cable car ornament of blown-glass and VIP treatment at Bloomingdales including: an appointment with At Your Service personal shopper, a $75 gift card, a 15% off all-day savings certificate, a signature gift, a Dior makeup consultation, and personal package delivery service to Taj Campton Place for purchases of $250 or more. This package is subject to availability, valid until January 7th, 2012, and requires a minimum two night stay. (Blackout dates may apply)

Stay a Bit Longer Package: Extend your stay and experience a little more of this exciting city. This package allows guests to stay two nights, and get the third night free! This offer is limited to a maximum of two complimentary nights available per stay. This package is subject to availability, valid until March 31st, 2012, and requires a minimum of a three night stay. (Blackout dates apply) Please be advised that the rates are adjusted at checkout. 

Suite Celebrations Package: Book a suite and enjoy a 50% discount on the second night. All of the suites at the Taj Campton Palace overlook Union Square, so you’ll get to enjoy an incredible deal along with an incredible view. This package is subject to availability, valid until March 31st, 2012, and requires a minimum of a two nights stay. Rates are subject to 14% occupancy and 1.5% tourism assessment fees, per room, per night. Please be advised that the rates are adjusted at checkout. 

Bunker-in-Chief: The Greenbrier Gets Presidential Patronage in War and Peace

Here’s an interesting tidbit, courtesy of Dan Lewis of Now I Know: Having hosted 26 U.S. presidents, the Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia is a traditional home away from home for America’s Commander-in-Chief. However, with fears of the Cold War looming, it became much more than that. When it sought to expand into a new “West Virginia” wing, Congress stepped in and had them construct a secret bunker underneath to house them in case of impending nuclear war. Not only that, in order to remain in a state of emergency readiness, Congress set up a nearby dummy corporation to house the staff that would support them in case of emergency. Ultimately, it was discovered in 1992 by the Washington Post and Congress had to discontinue it as a site, since its usefulness depended on its secrecy. They had even had it constructed such that broadcasts out mirrored the backdrops of their broadcast offices in DC, so that it would appear as if they had not relocated. It was never used, and now the Greenbrier is only prepared to offer service to presidents and other luxury-minded travelers in peacetime. So I’d advise checking out The Greenbrier on your next vacation, both for its quirky top-secret government hideaway and for the wonderful accommodations that lured generations of presidents in the first place.

New York Hotels near Central Park

New York City can be a bit overwhelming, and we understand the desire to be located near the trees, grass, and open spaces. We’ve received a number of inquiries about which hotels are located near Central Park, and which of those hotels we would recommend to our luxurious travelers. You ask, we listen and respond, so here are five of our favorite hotels near Central Park!

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan and offers sweeping views of Central Park. The Surrey New York is nestled in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and it’s both a familiar destination and unexpected delight. The Jumeirah Essex House is perfectly located at Central Park and it’s recognized throughout the world as a model of graceful elegance. The Trump International Hotel Tower overlooks Central Park, and it is the only Forbes Five-Star hotel with a Five-Star restaurant in New York. The Mark New York is just steps from Central Park, and it is sophisticated, chic, and stylishly comfortable.

Looking for something different? With 93 luxury hotels in New York City, we guarantee you’ll find a hotel perfect for you!

Luxury Resorts on the Slopes in the U.S. with Availability in December

We’re pretty excited about ski season, and apparently so are our luxury travelers! A number of hotels are solidly booked for the end of December, but there are still incredible hotels with availability. Be sure to make your arrangements pronto, and you’ll be swishing down the mountain before you know it!

The St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City, Utah is located in a private, gated community, and it stands upon the beautifully covered slopes of the Wasatch Mountains. The Snake River Lodge and Spa in Teton Village, Wyoming is located slope-side at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The Hyatt Escala Lodge in Park City, Utah is located within the mountainside village of the Canyons, and this all-suite property offers room options for families with easy slope access. The Four Seasons Resort Vail in Vail, Colorado is located high in the Colorado Rockies, and it is consistently ranked among the world’s top ski destinations. The Sky Hotel in Aspen, Colorado offers a unique experience at the base of Aspen Mountain. Last but certainly not least, the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, California, is nestled at the base of Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Looking to go outside the United States and ski new terrain? Then check out our list of the top ski resorts all over the world!

Please be advised that rates and availability are subject to change prior to making a reservation.

Luxury Hotels near the Montreal 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 Montreal Convention Center is our center of focus for this blog post. The following are 5 star hotels located less than a ten minute walk away from the Convention Center. We’ve listed them in order of proximity, starting with the hotels located a one minute walk away to hotels a nine minute walk away from the Convention Center.

The InterContinental Montreal

Hotel Le Saint James

LHotel Montreal

W Montreal

Hotel Gault

Place d’Armes Hotel

Le Saint-Sulpice

Three four star hotels near the Convention Center are Le Westin Montreal, which is a one minute walk away, the Hotel St. Paul, which is located 8 minutes away, and the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure, which is located 9 minutes away.

Peninsula New York is Decking Its Halls

The Peninsula New York is located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, in the heart of New York City’s shopping, cultural, and business neighborhood, in Mid-town Manhattan. This luxury hotel features 185 spacious guest rooms and 53 suites, recently renovated and decorated in a modern style. Specifically designed with convenience in mind, all of the rooms utilize state-of-the-art technology, allowing guests to control their environment with the touch of a button.

The Peninsula New York invites you to celebrate the holidays amidst wonderful decorations and fabulous dining at its restaurants and bars, including the popular Salon de Ning Rooftop Bar and Terrace, which offers breathtaking views of New York. Be sure to participate in the annual Children’s Gingerbread House Decorating class, and enjoy the holidays in good cheer with your loved ones.