Your Luxury Summer Travel Guide: Incredible Hotel Pools All Over the World

Swimming, fishing, hiking, sun bathing, and kayaking are just a few of the various activities to partake in during the incoming summer months. We’ve combine luxury hotels with exciting activities to give you the ultimate summer luxury travel guide perfect for folks looking for an adventure, a weekend away, or just an opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful weather! Check in with us often for a few ideas on where the summer should take you!

Memorial Day Weekend starts tomorrow, and with that comes the opening and beginning of pool season! Certain luxury hotels have absolutely stunning pools perfect for catching some rays and relaxation, and a few of our favorites include the Setai in Miami Beach, the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The Setai is an intimate oceanfront resort in the heart of South Beach, Florida, and it has not 1, not 2, but 3 beautiful pools each set at a different temperature to accommodate the wide range of guests’ needs. The Bellagio in Las Vegas has 5 beautiful pools with massages available along the poolside, a pool bar, and beautiful statues and flowers surrounding the area. The Marina Bay Sands Singapore infinity pool is located in the Sands SkyPark, and it offers simply stunning views of the city that’s absolutely unparalleled. Be sure to check out these incredible pool options for a phenomenal and relaxing holiday!

Need more? Check out our top luxury hotel pool album on Facebook and board on Pinterest for even more ideas on where to make a splash next!

Image of the Setai

Alila Villas Uluwatu Receives the China Gold Tourism Award

A big congratulations goes out to the Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia for receiving the ‘Most Popular Overseas Hotel’ in the 7th annual China Tourism 2012 Gold List Awards. This luxury hotel is situated on an elevated plateau that meets with limestone cliffs that sweep down to the ocean. It is the perfect place to re-discover the joy of pure relaxation in a spacious and comfortable environment with a personal butler to assist you with whatever it is you may need. Indulge all of your senses in the traditional fine dining restaurants, the clifftop pool and bar, or in the spa. Frederic Simon, CEO of Alila Hotels and Resorts says, "we are honoured to be recognized for our distinction in the hospitality industry for the first designed & built EarthCheck certified luxury resort in Bali. It is the ultimate achievement to be awarded such an accolade, especially as it is voted by our guests and travel partners." We certainly agree and feel that the Alila Villas Uluwatu deserves to be added to every luxury traveler’s bucket list!

Sponsored Feature: Why the Villa Spalletti Trivelli's Small Size Is Just What You Want

When the national title association was handing out the allotment of letters to the Villa Spalletti Trivelli, there must've been a 2-for-1 deal on ls. Either that or it is secretly run by a pack of llamas. In any case, the Villa Spalletti could certainly be described as lilliputian. The tiny hotel rests in the heart of Rome and has but 12 rooms and suites to its name. Many hotels champion their large inventories as a great strength, singing the praises of the customizability that the options deliver. I find that such an experience doesn't necessarily guarantee my perfect satisfaction though. By the same token, size can lead to a kind of standardization, where while you can pick between a number of five-star restaurants all the on the property, you still succumb to a feeling of sameness. You lose a sense of the specific charm of the city you've come to see.

In this regard, the Villa Spalletti Trivelli's small stature is precisely its strength. The hotel simply feels like Rome. You're nestled downtown, just moments from the Fontana di Trevi, Quirinale, and the Spanish Steps, and the rooms and public spaces are filled with genuine antiques. Private gardens allow for you to experience a genuine moment of quietude away from the bustle of the city; and, with only a few other guests, that silence won't be interrupted. The on-site Health Center is a source of rejuvenating and relaxing wellness therapies. Elegant dining is available at the Papier Peint Dining Room, and it is just that, an intimate experience closer to a private meal than a night out, only with the freshest traditional Italian ingredients that you could only get at the finest restaurants. The next time you're headed to Rome, think about foregoing some of the bigger brand names for the authentic experience at the Villa Spalletti Trivelli.

Your Luxury Summer Travel Guide: Wine Tasting at the Auberge Du Soleil

Swimming, fishing, hiking, sun bathing, and kayaking are just a few of the various activities to partake in during the incoming summer months. We’ve combined luxury hotels with exciting activities to give you the ultimate summer luxury travel guide perfect for folks looking for an adventure, a weekend away, or just an opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful weather! Check in with us often for a few ideas on where the summer should take you!

Our featured activity today is wine-tasting, and we can’t think of a better place in the United States to swirl, sip, and spit than Napa Valley, California. The Auberge du Soleil is one of northern California’s most revered dining establishments, and its located on a hillside with fantastic views of Napa Valley. Its 52 luxury rooms feature Mediterranean inspired décor and private outdoor terraces for relaxing and dining. The restaurant at the Auberge du Soleil features delectable dishes perfectly paired with wines in ways that delight and inspire even the greatest of food connoisseurs. And with over 120 wineries open to the public in Napa Valley and a concierge to assist with planning your itinerary, the Auberge du Soleil is the perfect luxury hotel for a food and wine-filled summer weekend!

Curious what other luxury hotels await you? Check out the other phenomenal options in Napa Valley here!

Hotels with an Incredible View! Boston, Massachusetts

We understand that an incredible view is of utmost importance to luxury travelers. After a day of exploring a new city, there’s nothing more enjoyable then returning to your luxurious accommodations and taking in the miraculous view before calling it a day. For others, there simply is no time to enjoy everything a city has to offer, and the only exploration one has time for is to take in the view from the hotel. We’d like to introduce you to our new blog series, which will be featuring incredible hotels with incredible views! Whatever your travel reasons or however much time you have to enjoy your trip, we hope you leave thinking wow what a view!

Our feature is the Boston Harbor Hotel which is situated on one of the nation’s oldest wharfs in Boston, Massachusetts. Its unique combination of history, culture, location, and service has quickly made this hotel a Boston landmark. The Boston Harbor Hotel has been listed as ‘One of the Best Places to Stay’ by the Conde Nast Traveler, and its award winning restaurants, shopping opportunities, spa, and fitness center all contribute to its high level of luxury and comfort. What sets the Boston Harbor Hotel apart is its phenomenal views of the beautiful city and harbor, making it easy to stay in for the entirety of your stay and call it an escape!

Be sure to keep up with our blog series to discover various luxury hotels all over the world with the best views!

Deals and Steals at the Hotel Plaza Athenee New York

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!

The Hotel Plaza Athenee is one of the iconic hotels of Paris, and its sister property in the other capital of the world, New York, matches it stride for stride. This week's deals focus on the American transplant, which brings a brand of Parisian romance and style to a city with its own particular character. With these specials, now is the perfect time to experience the unique blend of Paris and New York at the Hotel Plaza Athenee.

Classic Families

The classic families package is a great way to guarantee that your family has enough space for everyone and doesn't have to take the elevator to stay together. The Plaza Athenee can guarantee two connecting king-bedded rooms for the price of just $1120 in the low seasons or $1220 in the high (from April 1-June 30). Similarly a two bedroom suite is available for $1720 or $2125. The cost of the interconnecting rooms is a 50% discount on the second king bed for the low season. Additionally, it includes up to four tickets to the Central Park Zoo and milk and cookies at turndown.

Leading Celebrations

Book leading celebrations for a great flat discount on your rate, with Executive King rooms available for under $500 with rates varying depending on your dates of travel.

Spa Package

If you want to make use of the Plaza Athenee's wonderful spa, book a spa package which comes with a 50-minute signature massage at the Plaza Athenee Spa.

Simply enter your dates of travel here to see what great deals are available at the Hotel Plaza Athenee when you'll be there!

Deals and Steals at the Mon Hotel Paris

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!

I have a long-held fascination for the Mon Hotel Paris, so when I heard they were offering a special rate, I jumped all over the opportunity. Those who know me know that I have a special soft spot for smaller hotels. With a smaller inventory and often indepedent ownership, these hotels have the freedom to experiment in ways that larger brands cannot. Standardization is certainly valuable in the world where luxury is defined by certain expectations of service and amenities, but it is at smaller hotels like the Mon Hotel Paris where innovation can really shine. Its 37 rooms are distributed over six floors, each personalized in its own unique color and designed by Aurelia Santoni, and its contemporary take on Parisian luxury extends from its sleek, modern room design to the innovative French cuisine served at Mon Resto. 

Five Star Alliance Rate

Book the special Five Star Alliance Rate at the Mon Hotel Paris and you'll receive, for the same price as the standard rate, a glass of champagne, a special welcome card, and free upgrade based on availability. It's the perfect chance to get something a little more special than you can find anywhere else, and that's exactly what Five Star Alliance and the Mon Hotel Paris are all about.

Deals and Steals at Charleston Place in South Carolina

We at Five Star Alliance know that you, our loyal 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, so 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!

Charleston Place is a charming luxury hotel located in the heart of the historic district on King Street in the beautiful town of Charleston, South Carolina. Its Italian marble lobby and signature Georgian open arm staircase evoke the feeling of a grand 17th century residence, providing guests with stunning and luxurious accommodations and amenities. Its 435 beautiful rooms and suites, award winning dining options at the Palmetto Café and Charleston Grill, and its full service spa with rooftop indoor and outdoor pool and Jacuzzi all contribute to make this one of the finest hotels in Charleston!  Be sure to check out the following packages and deals to make the most out of your trip to this beautiful southern town!

75 Credit Summer Savings Package

Looking to get the most out of your summer family vacation? Check out this package which includes luxury accommodations, a Passport to Savings book worth $75 to be used towards the Spa, restaurants, and bars, and children ages 12 and under eat for free when dining with a paying adult.

Breakfast and Valet Parking Package

Perfect for the business traveler, this package includes luxury accommodations, daily a la carte breakfast for 2 in the Palmetto Café (to the value of $40 per room), valet parking for one car, complimentary wireless internet access, and a daily newspaper.

Continental Breakfast Grill Gourmet Package

This is the ideal package for a romantic getaway, and it includes luxury accommodations, one dinner for 2 at the Charleston Grill (to the value of $120 per room, per stay), one Continental Breakfast for 2 at the Palmetto Café, sparkling wine, and a special amenity, complimentary wireless internet access, and a daily newspaper.

115 Credit Spa Experience Package

Perfect for a relaxing retreat, this package includes luxurious accommodations, $115 spa credit per room, per day for use in the Charleston Place Spa, complimentary wireless internet access, and a daily newspaper.

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons

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.

Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for food. This luxury hotel is nestled in the beautiful Oxfordshire village of Great Milton in Oxford, United Kingdom, which is renowned as one of Britain’s best gastronomic experiences. This luxury hotel is recognized for its two Michelin Star modern French restaurant for 27 years. The manor only has 32 rooms creating an extremely personal and intimate setting for guests. Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons has a 2 acre vegetable and herb garden which adds organic produce to the kitchen and allows the chefs to create phenomenal, epicurean experiences!

Make your reservations at Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons for a culinary and luxurious journey unlike any other!

Ritz Paris Launches Its First Oxygen Treatment at its Health Club

The Ritz Paris has a new oxygen treatment option available at its Ritz Health Club, and we certainly encourage you to check it out before this luxury hotel’s doors close on July 31st, 2012 for an extensive 2 year renovation. Oxygen is an essential element for maintaining the vitality of the skin and is necessary for cell renewal and skin regeneration. With a partnership with the Ritz Health Club, Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy achieves anti-aging results through the unique method of using oxygen to carry ingredients to the heart of the skin cells without needles. After an hour, skin is firmer, deep wrinkles are filled, and the complexion is radiant. Make your reservation at the Ritz Paris and take advantage of this phenomenal skin treatment to come back looking years younger!