Enter Velas Resorts' Photo Contest to Win $25,000 Dream Wedding

Hurry, it's the last week for newly-engaged couples to enter the Velas Weddings' contest to win a tantalizing, $25,000 dream wedding at Grand Velas Riviera Maya! All you have to do is submit the story of your creative marriage proposal along with a photo (optional) of your best moment together on the on the Velas Weddings, Xcaret, and Xel-Há Facebook pages. Ten finalists will be chosen by Velas Resorts in a random drawing on November 1st. On November 2nd the 10 finalists will be notified, and public voting will take place from November 2nd - 19th on the Velas Weddings Facebook Page. The winners will be notified on November 20th, 2011. To see the winning couple from this past spring's contest tie the knot in paradise at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, tune in to www.velasresorts.com/grandwedding for live coverage on October 30. .

Curious to hear more about the winning prize? Read on to learn the details about this all-expenses paid beach wedding on Mexico's idyllic Riviera Maya...

The winning couple will enjoy a unique Mayan ceremony at Xel-Ha, known to be one of the most beautiful natural aquariums in the world, followed by a symbolic or legal ceremony complemented with flowers and music at Xcaret eco-archeological park, which showcases Mexico's mystical natural wonders, biodiversity and cultural heritage. The prize package includes four days and three nights in a luxury ocean-front Ambassador Pool Suite, a beach-side cocktail hour, a three-course wedding reception, live music, hair and makeup for the bride, decorations, wedding cake, $250 gift certificate courtesy of Diamonds International, event photography by Humberto Castilla, "Trash the dress" photo session by Dream Art and a Ultrafemme gift certificate. The couple and guests will also enjoy a welcome dinner at the resort's exclusive Piaf restaurant, dolphin swim courtesy of Delphinus, special shopping excursions to Luxury Avenue and nature tours courtesy of Rio Secreto.

Spa Trends: The Kids Get Pampered at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

One of the latest trends in luxury travel? Tykes and teens are getting pampered with specialized spa treatments. We've seen teen acne facials and little princess manicures at hotels like Stowe's Topnotch Resort, Loews Coronado Bay Hotel in San Diego, and The Homestead in Virginia. The latest resort to create a customized menu for its youngest guests? The Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand's northern culture capital in the beautiful Mae Rim Valley. For "little angels," the resort recently unveiled a menu of new treatments using organic, chemical-free products. Here's the menu:

Angel Bliss Massage – A relaxing, soothing treatment perfect for energetic kids, the Angel Bliss Massage improves the quality of children’s sleep, soothes the nervous system, and helps to strengthen the immune system through a gentle pressure oil massage applied to the scalp, legs and feet.  60 minutes.

Look At Me Facial - Formulated especially to suit young and teenage skin, and to leave a little one looking her very best, this is a very gentle facial incorporating an exhilarating face massage to hydrate and purify the skin.  50 minutes.

Gorgeous Skin Glow – The perfect treatment to bring a glow to young skin, the Skin Glow is a gentle scrub using natural red rice to exfoliate dead skin cells and revitalise the skin.  50 minutes.

Soothing Wrap for Sun-Kissed Skin – The perfect after-sun treatment for those kids who’ve been enjoying the great outdoors, this soothing body wrap uses the healing power of aloe vera to cool, moisturise and heal the skin.  50 minutes.

Hotel News Round-Up: Sleep in Buckingham Palace; Virgin Hotels Heads to Chicago

There's so much fun and excitement happening the hospitality world these days (beer-themed spa treatments? Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh?) that you can't possibly be expected to keep up with it all. So we're helping out with a wrap-up of some of our favorite tidbits (and gossip) this week. First up: Rumor has it that Buckingham Palace might open as a hotel for tourists when when Prince Charles moves his home to Windsor Castle upon taking the throne. If this does indeed come to pass, expect to pay a "princely sum" to sleep there, says The Boston Globe's Melanie Nayer. Another fun news item: Sir Richard Branson has signed the first deal for his highly anticipated Virgin Hotels brand... in Chicago. The 27-storey Dearborn Bank Building at 203 N. Wabash-- just a block off Michigan Avenue and the river-- will get a makeover and open as a hotel in fall 2013.

Pictured: Another newsworthy item, the lebua New Delhi, opening in December.

How to Choose the Best Luxury Hotel when Traveling with Kids

It’s a common misconception that traveling with kids means you cannot stay in 5-star, luxury hotels. While it is true that the industry standard is double occupancy, many luxury hotels are willing to make adjustments and modifications to best accommodate you and your travel companions. In order to choose the best room(s) at the best rate(s), we’ve come up with 5 tips to help you plan your next travel excursion, and ensure an enjoyable trip with kids.

#1: Provide the hotel with details including the number of kids traveling with you as well as their ages. This is to make sure the hotel is prepared for your arrival and has time to make the necessary adjustments to your room. Providing this information will also ensure that the appropriate adjustments are made, and that a crib is not added for the 13-year-old teenager traveling with you.

#2: Many hotels will be able to provide extra bedding for one child, but it is unlikely that they will be able to provide bedding for two or more children in one room. If you’re traveling with another adult and two or more kids, consider booking a suite, but be sure to double check with the hotel to find out how many people the suite sleeps, and make your travel plans from there.

#3: If you are traveling with children that are older, and the hotel of your choice does not have suites that suit your needs, consider reserving 2 rooms and requesting that they be adjacent, adjoining, or connecting rooms.

#4: If you are traveling with children that are younger and two adults, we advise that you book two rooms, request that they be adjacent, adjoining, or connecting rooms, and have one adult stay in each room.

#5: Be flexible, open, and willing to take advice and make adjustments as need be. Please be aware that all requests are simply requests only, and cannot be guaranteed until confirmed with the hotel.

We hope these tips ease the stress of planning your next trip with kids, and we wish you happy travels and a truly memorable experience!

Book Now: Lebua New Delhi, with $109 Introductory Rates

We're terribly excited about the Lebua New Delhi, the brand spanking new hotel from the folks behind the State Tower in Bangkok and the Lake Okareka Lodge in New Zealand. The Lebua blog explains that "Khun Deepak Ohri, CEO of Lebua Thailand aspires to bring the success of The Dome to the shores of India" with some six restaurants. Big expansion plans are in the works. After the property in New Delhi, the brand aims to set up shop in Mumbai and Punjab as well. From the official press release: "The first property by lebua in India will come with its patent luxury model offering the Indian market an array of restaurants and bars. A spectacular roof top restaurant and bar, a traditional Indian restaurant with a renowned Indian Michelin Star awarded chef, and an open terraced fine dining venue." The best news of all? A special introductory rate of $109 per night!

Mandarin Oriental Redesigns, Relaunches YouTube Channel; Still No Cat Videos

This will be a quick one because I like to let the talking pictures speak for themselves. Mandarin Oriental has relaunched its YouTube channel, and it’s gotten a full makeover and is chock full of pretty pictures and promotional interviews, like a piñata filled with the dreams of an overworked marketing executive. Go check out their new content here.

Creepy Crawler Tea at the Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans

First creepy crawly cocktails... Now an Afternoon Tea! From London to New Orleans, luxury hotels are pulling out all the stops for a happy Halloween this year. The Windsor Court Hotel-- the only Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond hotel in Louisiana-- has teamed up with the Audubon Insectarium to treat guests to a "Creepy Crawler Tea" in honor of Halloween. Taking place in Windsor Court's Le Salon on October 22 and 23, the tea will have all kinds of Halloween-inspired treats and teas: Pumpkin Spiced Chai, Cranberry Blood Orange Tea, and for the adults- a “Bloody” Orange Martini made with Mandarin vodka, blood orange juice and Grand Marnier garnished with a blood orange slice. On display on each table: terrariums filled with creepy crawlers like spiders, scorpions, and centipedes sure to delight the kids, donning their Halloween best. (Read: Costumes welcome!)

This is the second annual "Creepy Crawler Tea"- back by popular demand. Guests can choose from a Classic Tea service for $28 or a Royal Tea service for $35, which includes smoked salmon and caviar canapés and a glass of sherry, house sparkling wine or chardonnay. The children’s tea, for children 5 years of age and younger, is $17.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto to Open in January 2012

Trump has landed in Toronto. And not exactly in a quiet way. The Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, slated to open its doors on January 31, 2012, will be Canada’s tallest residential building towering 900 feet above the city. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto at the corner of Bay and Adelaide Streets, the tower will have 65 storeys. Talk about a bold addition to the city skyline! The 261 guest rooms are decorated with a color palette said to be "inspired by Champagne and caviar." Expect palatial rooms outfitted with the latest technology, Nespresso Coffee Machines, and the signature Trump Hotel Collection Beds covered with Italian Bellino Linens. Not to mention the personal attention of the Trump Attaché (dedicated butler-style service)! There will also be a 18,000-square-foot spa with an indoor pool and a fully-equipped gym, plus the STOCK restaurant on the 31st floor.

Related Article: From Trump to Four Seasons: A New Crop of Luxury Hotels in Toronto

Winter in Venice: $149 Rates at The Venetian and The Palazzo, Las Vegas

This holiday season, how about winter in Venice? Not Italy, but the Las Vegas Strip! The Venetian and The Palazzo are putting on a one-of-a-kind celebration that they say will be the "most majestic winter wonderland Las Vegas has ever seen." The five-diamond resorts will transform into a winter wonderland with an ice skating rink above The Venetian's outdoor Grand Canal-- complete with snowflakes, strung holiday lights, and a 65-foot LED holiday tree perched atop the Doge's Palace fountain. While you stroll around, you'll be entertained by a colorful cast of characters: magicians, carolers, puppets, jugglers, and candy cane stilt walkers. Enjoy seasonal treats like eggnog cupcakes, warm apple cider, spiced cocktails, and hot chocolate. And to cap off each day, you’ll be in for a treat: a "spectacular light show performance beyond your wildest imagination." Winter in Venice will take place from November 21, 2011- January 8, 2012. Special package rates are available for $149 per night in a luxury suite, two-night minimum required, with a bunch of add-ons included (hot chocolate for two, skate rentals, $40 off seasonal spa treatments).

Conrad Celebrates 25 Years by Giving You Hotel Credits

Hilton's Conrad brand of luxury hotels has been around for a quarter century. And to celebrate that milestone, they're giving away hotel credits to guests who check into their hotels around the world- from Indianapolis to the Maldives (pictured)- this fall. So whether you're craving chocolate in Brussels, doing business in Tokyo, or shopping Chicago's Magnificent Mile, choose Conrad and you'll get a nice little birthday present. Simply book the "Conrad 25th Anniversary Promotion" rate for stays through November 30th, 2011, and receive a $25 hotel credit for each night of your stay.