Image of the Day: The Betsy Hotel

Dramatically poised alongside its Art Deco neighbors on Miami Beach’s famed Ocean Drive, The Betsy is a distinguished landmark hotel with 61 rooms and suites.

Explore rates, details, photos and more at The Betsy Hotel >>

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Image of the Day: Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium

Trump SoHo New York brings a new perspective of Manhattan from its 391 guest rooms, providing unparalleled views of the city from floor-to-ceiling windows in the deluxe and premiere rooms and suites.

Explore rates, details, photos and more at Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium >>

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Image of the Day: Ritz Carlton San Francisco

Check out the stunning exterior of Ritz Carlton San Francisco

Explore rates, details, photos and more at Ritz Carlton San Francisco >>

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Romantic Meals in New England

The people have spoken! OpenTable has named The Most Romantic Restaurants in Boston/New England, as voted by almost 1 million diners.

 

Congratulations go out to The White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, ME and to Natalie's in Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI. 

If you hurry, maybe you can still grab a table for Valentine's Day. As of this writing, both restaurants have availability for February 14th.

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Last Minute Inauguration Deals!

If you haven't booked your  room for the upcoming Presidential Inauguration, you are in luck!  As of this writing, there's still some availability at these Washington DC-area luxury hotels.  For a stay for two adults from Sunday January 20-Tuesday January 22, we found a range of great options. Keep in mind that the vast majority of these rates are either pre-paid, non-refundable and/or non-cancellable, so read the rate details carefully before booking. But book quickly, as these rates are sure to go fast.  All rates are in US dollars.

Here's what we found:

 -Want to splurge? The Jefferson, one of our favorite small luxury hotels,  is offering a 2013 Inaguaration pre-paid package starting at $1435 per night. You'll get a King bed, walk-in shower, and other room amenities. Located at the corner of 16th and M Streets NW, the hotel is just four blocks from The White House.

 -The Mayflower, one of the largest luxury hotels in the District, is offering a AAA rate to qualifying members. For $299 per night, a deluxe room can be yours. It is also located near The White House.

-The fun Donovan House, located on Thomas Circle, has non-refundable Inaguration rates available from $425 a night for a k. The rate includes a King-bedded room and the complimentary Wine Hour held every evening.

-Hotel Palomar Washington DC, located in the vibrant Dupont Circle area, it also offers a King-bedded room and the complimentary Wine Hour, but with nightly rates starting at $573.75.

-The elegant Fairfax at Embassy Row has King-bedded room starting at $329 per night. The hotel is nestled among the stately mansions of Massachusetts Avenue, right near Dupont Circle.

-Park Hyatt Washington has King-bedded rooms with free wireless internet starting at $699 per night. While there, you can enjoy a meal at the highly-rated Blue Duck Tavern.

-Located in Washington's fashionable West End, Fairmont Washington DC offers a King-bedded 400 square foot uxury room starting at $599 per night. Internet access is also included in the rate.

-The recently renovated Dupont Circle Hotel fittingly overlooks the actual Dupont Circle. Their Best Unrestricted Daily Rate has King-bedded rooms from $399 per night.

-The Omni Shoreham Washington DC is a renovated Art Deco/Renaissance hybrid building set on a hill overlooking Rock Creek Park. It's Best Available Rate for a Deluxe Room with 1 King Bed is $579 per night.

-The Hotel George Washington DC is just one block from Union Station and near a lot of the Inaugural festivities. Nightly room rates for a Queen Deluxe Room include the Wine Hour and start at $634.

These are just some of the great rates we found. Check out Five Star Alliance for more rates and Inaugural hotel options.

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Kids, Paul Frank, and The James New York

_{Image courtesy of The James New York}

At first glance, The James New York might seem to be too sophisticated to cater to smaller, younger guests.
But this sophisticated Soho luxury hotel has teamed up with illustrator Paul Frank to make kids feel welcome. 
You'll probably recognize Frank's whimsical Julius the Monkey character that has appeared on clothing, accessories,
and many other products. 

Paul Frank amenities for kids include:

-Crib for youngest guests with cozy Paul Frank blankets.

-Paul Frank car seats and boosters for use in The James New York car service or city taxis.

-Paul Frank pajamas for boys and girls, sizes 3T-7.

-Paul Frank coloring sheets and crayons.

Paul Frank amenities aren't the only things parents can expect from The James New York. Babysitting services are available on request, along with a selection of children’s books, movies and a Play Station for use during your stay. David Burke Kitchen has also created in-room dining options sure to appeal to tiny palates.

Explore rates, details, photos and more at The James New York>>

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See What's New at Ritz-Carlton Montreal

Ritz-Carlton Montreal has recently undergone an extensive $200 million dollar restoration. The result is a hotel that offers its guests the perfect mixture of old and new.  The building’s facade was preserved and restored, public spaces were renovated and redecorated, and rooms were redesigned with the utmost in luxury and comfort in mind.

Here are just a few details of the restoration:

-Part of the historic building was expanded and converted to accommodate a new residential wing, the Ritz-Carlton Residences. If you've always wanted to live at the Ritz, now you can! These 45 exclusive residences provide the opportunity to live at a renowned Montreal address while enjoying the comforts and services of a luxury hotel.
 

-Guests can shop without leaving the building. Renowned and revered jeweler Tiffany & Co. opened a  2000 sq. ft. boutique just below the Ritz-Carlton Residences.

-Corporate clients were a top priority in the restoration. The hotel’s 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting space are incredibly flexible, able to  host formal board meetings for 12 people, larger meetings for 35 to 75 or a gala dinner for up to 350. Perhaps the grandest space at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal, the Oval Room meeting space was restored by artisans who hand painted the finishes.
 

-The 98 guest rooms and 31 suites include the Royal Suite, which at 4,700 sq. ft is the largest hotel suite in Montreal. The guest rooms feature high-tech amenities, such as intuitively remembering a guest’s temperature preferences upon check-in, and motion sensors that activate lights to guide guests in a darkened room. The marble fireplaces in many suites are original to the 1912 hotel, while the luxurious and modern finishes were added during the recent restoration.

-The rooftop saltwater pool is heated with reclaimed energy from the hotel’s kitchen. Stunning views of the Montreal skyline can be seen from inside or on the terrace and guests can also relax inside the sauna.

-During the restoration of the hotel, enormous energy and resources went into creating the most advanced, HACCP-certified kitchen in the city. The new kitchen, which prepares meals for in-room dining as well as banquets, is able to feed 1,000 diners at a time, and includes the first dedicated fully-kosher kitchen in a large hotel in Montreal.
 
 

-As with all of famed Chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurants around the world, Maison Boulud, located inside the Ritz-Carlton Montreal is unique to its setting. Traditional French culinary roots meet high standards of hospitality to reflect the culture, tastes and lifestyle of the city, with a particular focus on local produce and artisanal Quebecois products. An outdoor dining area overlooks the garden in the summer months, and a 46-seat glass greenhouse is open off of the main dining room during the winter. Maison Boulud welcome diners for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on Sundays.

-Ritz-Carlton Montreal, just four months after re-opening, has been awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award®, recognizing its status as one of North America's most luxurious hotels. The property joins just three other Five Diamond-rated hotels in Canada, and is the only one in Quebec.
 

Explore rates, details, photos and more at Ritz-Carlton Montreal>>
 

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The Top 15 Luxury Hotel Locations in 2012: #2 New York

In the final days of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 15 Luxury Hotels and Resort Destinations Worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

As of this writing, there are 98 luxury hotels on Five Star Alliance.  New York City, aka The City That Never Sleeps, is the most populous city in the United States. The city is comprised of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.  There are an estimated 50 million visitors to New York City every year. 

What makes our guests love New York? 

-The overwhelming amount of things to do and see!  Wall Street, The Statue of Liberty, world-class dining and shopping, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Musuem Mile, and Central Park are just a few of the hundreds of things to do and see in the city.

-The wide range of places to stay.  Accommodations range from classic luxury properties like The Waldorf-Astoria to historic properties like Castle on the Hudson to funky modern spots like Gansevoort Park Avenue (pictured above.)

 -The city is fun for all ages. Times Square is a family-friendly destination, sporting events and touring shows abound at Madison Square Garden, and the subway and bus system is extensive, efficient, and economical. 

Where to stay?

-New York is popular all year round in terms of tourism, but the holiday season is particularly in demand. Springtime in New York is also a terrific time to visit.

-Nightly rates for a mid-April getaway in New York range from $225 at The Alex Hotel to $425 at The Gramercy Park Hotel  (pictured) to $625 at The Surrey New York. 

Did you know?

-There are seven state parks with the confines of New York City.

Check out all the best luxury hotels and resorts in New York>>

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The Top 30 Luxury Hotels in 2012: Honorable Mention Le Saint-Sulpice

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! But there were a few more hotels we absolutely had to mention. Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Here are a few fun facts about Le Saint-Suplice:

-At this all-suite boutique hotel you can choose between a spacious loft-style or a one-bedroom suite or an Executive Suite. French style windows open on the courtyard or the historic streets of Vieux-Montreal. All suites feature a luxurious bathroom, an additional sofa-bed, and an equipped bar-type kitchen.

-The hotel's Sinclair restaurant features contemporary French cuisine by chef Stelio Perombelon. Chef offers modern flavours with a selection of market quality fresh ingredients, which pay tribute to local and international produce.

-As a mid-size boutique hotel, Le Saint-Sulpice excels at treating guests to all the small attentions that make all the difference.

Explore photos, availability, and rates at Le Saint-Sulpice>>

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The Top 15 Luxury Hotel Locations in 2012: #4 Miami

In the final days of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 15 Luxury Hotels and Resort Destinations Worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

 

Five Star Alliance features 54 luxury hotels in Miami. 

What Makes Our Guests Love Miami?

-Miami is one of the nightlife centers of the United States. Nightclubs, a vibrant music scene, great restaurants and more than 15 miles of beaches are just part of the draw of Miami. The annual average temperature is 76F and there are more than 250 sunny days per year. 

-The only Everglades eco-system in the world.

-Miami is the largest cruise ship port in the world.

-Miami Beach is known as the “Wreck Diving Capital of the Americas’ due the sheer number of wrecks. There are over 50 diveable wreck sites. 

-12 million visitors every year.

-Sports fans can catch a game featuring the hometown talents of the Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins,  or Miami Heat. 

Where to Stay?

-Plan your Valentine's Day getaway to the warmth of the Florida sunshine. Intercontinental Doral at Miami has nightly rates starting at $208. Betsy Hotel (pictured below) has nightly rates from $465. The James Royal Palm has nightly rates starting at $552. 

Did you know?
-Miami Beach's Art Deco District contains the world's largest collection of Art Deco Architecture. 800+ buildings.

 

Check out all the best luxury hotels and resorts in Miami>>

 

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