Watch the Green Flash with Cocktails at Naples' Edgewater Beach Hotel

One of the best places to watch the sunset in Naples, Florida? At the Edgewater Beach Hotel, the all-suite oceanfront property situated on seven miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico. They've got a glass-enclosed beachfront bar that's named for the "green flash" that is said to briefly appear when the sun dips below the water's horizon. The hotel recently introduced a summer-inspired cocktail and small plates “Flash at the Glass” beachfront happy hour. Order up the signature Edgewaterita, a refreshing libation of Partida tequila, lime and agave nectar, while nibbling on selections from a menu of $5 small plates, including Tuna Tartare with Avocado Dressing, Jumbo Porcini Tortellini with Marina Sauce or Chicken Satay with Sundried Tomato and Artichoke Tapenade. Interested in staying overnight? Get rates from $199 per night with the Best of Waldorf package, and enjoy reciprocal privileges at the Edgewater’s sister property, Naples Grande Beach Resort, with access to championship golf and tennis, the Golden Door Spa and Clam Pass Beach adjoining a 200-acre mangrove preserve and estuary.

Paris Restaurants: Shang Palace Opening at the Shangri-La Hotel

Foodies, hold on to your hats. A fabulous new haute cuisine dining experience will be available in Paris in September when Shang Palace opens its doors at the gorgeous Shangri-La Hotel. This will be the first gourmet Cantonese restaurant in the city, and foodies are chomping at the bit to get a taste of the made-to-order dim sum and the Whole Peking Duck, served in two-courses. The beautiful eatery is comprised of three private dining rooms named for the Tang, Ming and Qing dynasties. Open Thursday to Monday for lunch and dinner. For reservations or more info, call (33 1) 5367 1998 or e-mail shangpalace.slpr@shangri-la.com.

Trends in Travel: Marco Island Resort Rewards Guests for Voluntourism

The latest hotel to give travelers discounts to reward them for voluntourism work? Florida's Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort which recently launched Give & Get-- meaning 15% savings when guests use a portion of their hard-earned vacation time helping others. Available through September 30, 2011, the program features diverse volunteer opportunities: coastal clean-up with Friends of Rookery Bay, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering with the YMCA, or helping out at Marco Island’s first public high school.

Related Articles:

Voluntourism Means Hotel Discounts at Four Seasons Austin

Voluntourism in the Everglades with Mandarin Oriental Miami

Culinary “Voluntourism” at the Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans

Travel Trends: Voluntourism, and Give-Back Getaways with Ritz-Carlton Hotels

Now Booking: Five Star Alliance Adds Fab New Four- and Five-Star Hotels

Each and every day, the Five Star Alliance team is adding new hotels to our online portfolio. We offer great rates at the web's most comprehensive, hand-picked collection of luxury hotels. Just a sampling of the gorgeous properties that you can now book on our site: the Fairmont Heritage Place Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco, the Buddha Bar Hotel Prague, Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives. And let's not forget our stellar four-star hotel collection, too. Whether you're looking for a honeymoon splurge or a simple, inexpensive weekend escape, we've got you covered.

Island Hop in Thailand with Anantara Resorts

Why settle for one idyllic Thai island when you can experience the best of two? Embark on an indulgent and diverse getaway to the Gulf of Thailand to get a taste of the red-hot nightlife on Koh Samui and the relaxing beaches of Koh Phangan (the isle famous for its full moon parties). Anantara Resorts is whisking you away with a special offer called the "Two Island Experience." Divide your time between Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa, a hideaway near bustling Chaweng, with the dreamy seclusion of a private pool suite or villa at Rasananda Phangan Island Resort. With breakfast, sea and land transfers all included, this special package invites you to linger longer and soak up tranquil island life. Rates from THB 17,700 with three nights at each resort.

The Peninsula Bangkok's New Fleet of BMW Luxury Limos

Whether you need a lift from the airport or a spin around town, The Peninsula Bangkok can chauffeur you around the Thai capital in style. The landmark luxury hotel recently unveiled a brand new fleet of nine BMW 730Ld luxury cars to be used as hotel limousines. Finished in signature Peninsula Green, these magnificent cars offer the ultimate in air-conditioned luxury. The in-line six 3.0-litre advanced diesel engine and electronic six-speed automatic gearbox makes for a silky smooth drive. What a way to beat the heat!

The arrival of these new cars reinforces The Peninsula Hotels Group's existing relationship with the German automaker. The Peninsula Shanghai has six BMW 7 Series long wheelbase cars, while two MINI Cooper S Clubman vehicles are popular transportation options at The Peninsula in Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York and Chicago.

Free Championship Golf at Miami's Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort

Savor the last days of summer with a jaunt to Miami. With a private beach club, an exclusive spa, and three sparkling pools, the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort will give you a reason to smile. Pay just $159 per night and get a bunch of value-added amenities built into the price. Not only that, you'll get to enjoy free golf on both of the 18-hole championship courses through September 30, 2011. This deal is so snazzy it caught the eye of CBS News; kids under five get to eat for free, and parents can tuck into a three-course Prix Fixe dinner at award-winning BOURBON STEAK for only $35.

Opening Soon: Dorchester Collection's 45 Park Lane in London

In just a matter of days, a new luxury hotel will be making waves in London town. The Dorchester Collection's newest property, 45 Park Lane, is just a stone's throw from the hotel flagship, overlooking Hyde Park in Mayfair. In perhaps the biggest news of all, 45 Park Lane will be home to Wolfgang Puck's first restaurant in Europe: CUT, a modern American steak house. Acclaimed architect Thierry Despont was behind the renovation. There are 45 guest rooms, all with views of Hyde Park, plus a Penthouse Suite with sweeping views of London from a wraparound terrace. Hot rates: From September 1- 11, 2011, guests can take advantage of an introductory rate of £350 (approximately $567 USD). Wifi is included.

Boston Restaurant Week: Specials at the Taj Boston

Boston restaurant week is in full swing, meaning you can score a deal at some of the city's finest restaurants. Try a two-course lunch for $15.11, three-course lunch for $20.11, and three-course dinner for $33.11. For the occasion, the Taj Boston-- the landmark hotel at Arlington and Newbury streets overlooking the Public Garden-- has introduced new menus available August 14-19 and August 21-26. Snag a table in The Café, the hotel’s charming 66-seat restaurant with perfect people-watching views of fashionable Newbury Street shops, and dig into these tasty favorites:

* Starters: Indian Spiced Fish Cake with Cucumber Salad and Mint Chutney OR Escargot and Orecchiette Pasta with Woodland Mushrooms and Lemon Garlic Butter

* Entrees: Methi Murg Chicken (a flavorful red curry) with Sweet Onion and Cashew Gravy and Fenugreek; East Coast Seafood Cioppino with Garlic Toast and Herb Aioli, OR o Grilled Smoked Pork Chop with Corn Yukon Mashed and Mustard Barbeque Sauce

* Dessert: Crème Brûlée with Fresh Berries, OR Coconut Caramel Cake with Candied Bananas and Passion Fruit Coulis

A Jewel-Inspired Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

The Langham London is legendary as the birthplace of Afternoon Tea, that quintessentially British institution. The luxury hotel opened in 1865 and began serving this "afternoon snack" favored by Anna Russell, 7th Duchess of Bedford, as a way to ward off hunger pangs between lunch and dinner. The Langham continues to serve up this indulgent ritual in Palm Court, garnering multiple accolades in the process. Recently The Langham announced an exclusive new tea, created in collaboration with the renowned jewelry designer, Stephen Webster. Inspired by Webster's latest collection (called "Murder She Wrote"), Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden has designed some glittering pastries that are almost too beautiful to eat: the Crystal Clear Diamond, a Guinness macaroon with blackcurrant jelly; the Poison Apple, a red peppercorn and dark chocolate shortbread; and a roasted green pistachio Chantilly with airy meringue sponge inspired by Stephen Webster's Armadillo ring. The Stephen Webster Bijoux Afternoon Tea is priced at £49 per person (approx. US $79), inclusive of VAT, and is available from September 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012 in the Palm Court.