Beautiful Courtyard at the Greenwich Hotel in New York Now Open

The courtyard at the Greenwich Hotel is now open and exclusively available for use by guests of the hotel. It is quietly tucked away from the chaos of New York City and features stone benches, hanging lanterns, and beautiful brick walls. Come down to enjoy some fresh air while reading the paper and sipping a cup of coffee and take in the relaxing atmosphere. Greenwich Hotel is located at the corner of Greenwich St. and North Moore St. in the Tribeca neighborhood. It is a beautiful luxury hotel that has a traditional, unique feel offering 88 rooms of which no two are alike. Enjoy lunch in the Drawing Room with 12-foot ceilings, bookshelves, and a wood burning fire place, and then enjoy dinner on the courtyard beneath latticed vines. Consider the Greenwich Hotel for your next visit to New York City for a truly exceptional and unique hotel experience unlike any other!

Deals and Steals at La Samanna in St. Martin, French West Indies

We at Five Star Alliance know that our travelers are in search of luxurious accommodations at the best prices available, so we go above and beyond to find the best promotional packages and specials to ensure you get the most from your hotel experience. We’re thrilled to introduce our newest blog series where we’ll be featuring luxury hotels that offer you more than just room-only rates. Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, we certainly have something for you. Be sure to check in with us often to get the inside scoop on the best deals and packages available at luxury hotels all over the world!

Today’s feature is La Samanna in St. Martin, French West Indies. This stunning boutique resort is located along the exclusive Baie Longue in the Caribbean. La Samanna is consistently ranked among the region’s top 10 retreats, and it features 83 stunning oceanfront guest rooms perfect for a honeymoon, romantic getaway, or a family vacation. Facilities include the Caribbean’s most celebrated wine cellar, phenomenal dining options, an indoor/outdoor spa, and a stunning infinity pool. Still not sold? Then check out a few of the following deals which are certainly too good to pass up!

Suite Dreams

From May 1st – December 21st, this package allows guests to enjoy a luxurious suite at a discounted rate of 25% off the regular rate. This package includes luxurious accommodations in a 1 bedroom suite, daily buffet breakfast, and access to all of the facilities of La Samanna Resort including the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, business center, and unlimited use of all non-motorized water sports. Please note that a minimum of five nights stay is required, the offer is applicable to one bedroom suites only, rates are exclusive of tax, resort fee and gratuities, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other offers or packages.

Island Discovery

This package is perfect for folks looking for an adventure and an opportunity to really get to know the island. This package includes a mid-size car rental for four days, one round-trip airport transfer, daily buffet breakfast, and access to all of the facilities of La Samanna Resort including the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, business center, and unlimited use of all non-motorized water sports. Please note that rates are exclusive of tax, resort fee and gratuities, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. The guest will be responsible for gas, tax, insurance and any damages (if any occur). La Samanna must make the car rental booking and provide clients credit card information for incidentals. Car rental rates for the additional days of stay will be given at prevailing rates, and there's a maximum four guests per vehicle.

Family Getaway

Take your family on a once in a lifetime ultimately relaxing escape this summer. This package is available from May 1st – December 21st and it includes accommodations in a luxurious 2 bedroom suite which has a comfortable living room and a full kitchen. Also, enjoy daily buffet breakfast and access to all of the facilities of La Samanna Resort including the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, business center, and unlimited use of all non-motorized water sports. Please note that rates are exclusive of tax, resort fee and gratuities, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. This offer is applicable to two bedroom suites only.

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Villa San Michele

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 Villa San Michele is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for service. This luxury hotel was a 15th century monastery which was converted into one of Europe’s most charming luxury hotels. Its located only a few minutes from the center of Florence, and it is surrounded by its own gardens and woodlands of the Fiesole hills. The Villa San Michele goes above and beyond to ensure that its guests are comfortable and have everything they need for a lavish and enjoyable stay.

Check rates, availability, photos and more at the Villa San Michele here!

Cheese Caves are the New Craze at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto

Wine cellars are so last year, and cheese caves are becoming the new and hip necessity for luxury hotels. The Ritz Carlton Toronto has a glass-enclosed cheese cave inside its Toca restaurant, and it features over 200 delectable cheeses for guests to sample! A sampling of three or four cheeses is offered nightly at the dining tables, and the true cheese connoisseurs can take it up a notch by tasting their way through more than 50 varieties made available to guests. Savor a phenomenal goat cheese or a five-year aged cheddar that the chefs at Toca infuse with whiskey and maple syrup.

The Ritz-Carlton Toronto welcomes its guests to the heart of the financial district with a 23,000 square foot spa, exquisite dining options, amazing service, 267 guest rooms and suites, and of course, its cheese cave of wonder. Be sure to make a reservation at this hotel to experience its impeccable service, amenities, and its cheese!

A Boutique Critique: Ballyfin

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.

There are few places in the world as storied as Ireland, and people travel there specifically for the romance of the countryside. Why then would one stay in a large city hotel when your accommodations can be as magical as the views? Ballyfin, at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, was restored in an eight year process that just finished in 2011 to allow it to open as a 5-star country house hotel with the pure Gaelic soul of the rolling hills. 600 acres of land hold just fifteen rooms, so you'll experience the greenery in perfect quiet. 

Open to children 14 and over, the all-inclusive resort maintains the original 1820s design, full of antiques and gorgeous art. Row boats are available on a nearby lake, and you can even go ice skating in the wintertime. This small boutique hotel is the perfect destination for a wedding or retreat, and, listed as a Forbes Top Life Hotel, it has the accolades to back up its reputation. If you want to experience Ireland as she's meant to be, then you should think about staying at Ballyfin.

Hotels with a History: The Betsy Hotel

Certain hotels have a story behind them, a culture that seeps through the walls and a personality that emanates from every room. Every city has an appreciated and valued history worth exploring, and certain hotels have become a part of that rich and interesting past. For this reason, we’d like to introduce you to our blog series, Hotels with a History where we’ll be featuring unique hotels that have a little more to them than a comfortable bed and superb amenities.

Opened in South Beach in 1942, the Betsy Rose Hotel stood out from the traditional style of architecture with its Florida Georgian façade in an Art Deco dominated neighborhood. This luxury hotel underwent an extensive renovation in 2009 while maintaining its original design and timeless style. This boutique hotel has 63 private, beachside rooms and suites equipped with the latest technology. The Betsy Hotel offers its guests ample opportunities to relax on the white sandy beaches, play a round of golf, partake in water sports, and much more!  The Betsy Hotel has also gone green and is committed to making eco-friendly decisions without sacrificing luxury, ensuring that its guests get the most out of their stay while keeping the environment in mind. Be sure to check out this historic and beautiful luxury hotel for your next trip down to South Beach!

Stay Like Royalty at the Copacabana Palace

The Copacabana Palace opened in 1923 in front of the world famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This traditional hotel was designed by the French architect Joseph Gire, and it is considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in Rio. Its long established reputation for exceptional service has attracted celebrities, politicians, royalty, business travelers, and vacationers. A few of the hotel’s highlights that keep visitors occupied and entertained include 14 meeting rooms, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, a semi-Olympic sized pool for all guests, a private pool for guests on the 5th and 6th floors, a 3 floor spa, and a rooftop tennis court. The 5th floor is more geared towards business travelers while the 6th floor penthouses are more for folks looking to indulge in lavish comforts. Be sure to check out this incredible hotel option for your next trip down to Brazil!

New Luxury Hotels Opening in 2012: Palais Namaskar

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 Palais Namaskar in Marrakech, Morocco recently opened. Its situated between the Atlas Mountains and the Djebilet Hills, commanding more than 12 acres of seclusion. This luxury hotel has exceptional views of the mountains, lakes, and beautiful gardens. It features 41 rooms including 3 kinds of rooms, 4 types of suites, 2 styles of luxury villas, and 2 extraordinary palaces. The Palais Namaskar also houses a private jet to shuttle guests to and from various airports, allowing guests to hop on the jet for a quick trip to another country and then be back in time for dinner at the Palais Namaskar!

Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2012: Raffles Praslin Seychelles

Conde Nast Traveler, purveyor of fine hotel reviews and travel advice, has just released its 2012 edition of the Hot List, a list of hotels that are setting the hotel world aflame with fresh designs and new concepts, or maybe just a solid new look at classic luxury. 41 reporters embedded themselves anonymously in hotels across the globe to review their targets. What results is a list of 121 hotels around the world that are so on fire they should be put on your watch list, just in case they end up burning down.

There's not a lot that needs to be said about the Raffles Praslin Seychelles. It pretty much speaks for itself. A supreme level of personal service abounds at the 86 villas, all with butlers and private plunge pools. The Seychelles couldn't be much more idyllic, with sandy beaches and azure oceans almost fading into the background you become so used to their astounding beauty. The Raffles Praslin's spa is also not to be scoffed at. 12 treatment pavilions allows your vitalizing treatment to come with a free helping of fresh sea air. Open windows and private deck space are almost a guarantee, even in rooms where you might not expect it. All in all, at the Raffles Praslin is exactly how I would want to spend my summer.

A Boutique Critique: Inn at the Presidio

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.

I have been spotlighting a lot of cutting edge designer hotels lately. There is another side of boutique hotel with a perfectly American flavor that is not represented in this group. The small boutique hotel can also be a down-home experience that mimics the classical elegance of the old-school inn and upscale roadhouse. The Inn at the Presidio is just that, a 22-room house that gives the impression that San Francisco was built around it, though that is not to say that it appears in any way dated. In fact, given that description, you would never expect that the Inn at the Presidio is as freshly minted as they come, opening just in April of this year. 

The interior spaces are slick and well-crafted, bringing the American Inn into the 21st century. The Inn at the Presidio is what a classic inn would be if it were opened in 2012, rather than a preservation of antique furniture. Most importantly, the privileged position afforded the Inn, right by the waterfront, means that third floor rooms boast a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The one-bedroom suites that make up the bulk of the rooms offer a separate sitting area and gas fireplace alongside the standard bedroom. While the Inn at the Presidio certainly couldn't accommodate gold rush numbers, that only enhances its charm, and you would do well to give it a gander next time you're heading westward.