Ellen Degeneres Crashes a Bachelorette Party at The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas

Need a good laugh? Check this out. Ellen Degeneres rolled into Vegas where she crashed a bachelorette party (well, it should be plural "parties" since there were four bachelorettes involved). The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas welcomed "The Ellen Degeneres Show" to celebrate their new alliance with the InterContinental Hotels Group. These AAA Five Diamond resorts are the first-ever InterContinental Alliance Resorts, and guests can now earn (or burn) IHG’s Priority Club points while staying in luxury on The Strip. To see DeGeneres as "Celebrity Concierge" at The Venetian and The Palazzo-- treating the four lucky bachelorettes to VIP drinks and dancing (and a whole lotta merrymaking)-- check out the video.

Pictured: The Palazzo Las Vegas in all its glory.

Inside Look at the World's Tallest Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

Ever since the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong opened its doors in March, the media has been abuzz about the world's tallest hotel. Rising 490 meters above the city from its perch on the 102nd- 118th floors of the International Commerce Centre, the luxury hotel offers dazzling views over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island. Eager to see what's on the inside? The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is throwing a star-studded opening gala tomorrow (Tuesday, May 3) and the entire event will be streaming live on the Internet (both on the Ritz-Carlton Facebook page or www.ritzcarlton.com. Coverage begins at 6 pm Hong Kong time (so tune in during the morning hours on the East Coast). They're promising all kinds of live performances and interviews with special guests; don't miss out!

Green Hotels: Inkaterra's Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Approved by the Rainforest Alliance

Peru is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu this July. Now the country's biggest tourist attraction, the magnificent Incan ruins lure visitors from all over the world. Planning a trip to Peru? Consider a stay with Inkaterra, a Peruvian organization that's become a model of sustainable tourism with its focus on preserving Peru's geography, nature, and cultures and sharing them with the world. Hotels include Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "World's Best Hotels" for 2010; Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, located on the Madre de Dios River in the Southern Peruvian Amazon rainforest; Inkaterra La Casona, an 11-suite boutique hotel in the historic city of Cusco, the first and only Relais & Châteaux hotel in Peru. Notably, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica recently received Rainforest Alliance's 'seal of approval' as two properties whose sustainability practices align with the company's mission of conservation.

The Dorchester Plants Trees, Toasts with Cocktails, for 80th Birthday

The Dorchester in London knows how to throw a good party. Just check out the photo of the classic Dorchester cocktail they've revived in order to toast their 80th birthday. Created by famous bartender Harry Craddock in the 1930's, the "Dorchester of London" was made with rum and an exclusive "Forbidden Fruit" liqueur which is no longer in use. Bob's Bitters has helped recreate the secret mixer, and the drink will be available on The Dorchester's cocktail menu for a year.

In an even grander gesture, The Dorchester is celebrating this big birthday by planting 80 "future grand trees," as the 80-year-old plane tree in front of The Dorchester's entrance was designated one of the Great Trees of London by TfC in 1997. To quote Conde Nast Traveller: "The famous hotel opened its doors to the public on Monday 20th April 1931. Promoted as a venue for 'aristocrats and industrialists, high finance, ambassadors and statesmen, pleasure-seekers and the Beautiful People,' The Dorchester continues to be revered for its high-end service and luxurious events." Stop by the hotel for a cocktail and all proceeds will go towards funding The Dorchester's 80th Anniversary 'Future Great Trees' project.

Image via Conde Nast Traveller

Tourism Queensland Launches The Best Expedition in the World

Remember the “Best Job in the World” contest? Back in 2009 Tourism Queensland made headlines for its innovative marketing campaign. Thousands of video resumes were received, and Tourism Queensland chose Ben Southall as the lucky winner who got to live in a gorgeous three-bedroom house on Hamilton Island while blogging about his exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. After a successful year-long stint as Island Caretaker (paid $150K), Southall is embarking on a new adventure- "The Best Expedition in the World." Ben, now Queensland Tourism Ambassador, is exploring Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef on a four month, 1600 km kayak and sailing journey, retracing the route of Captain James Cook from the Town of 1770 on the Central Queensland coast, north to Cooktown in Queensland’s Tropical North. He’s setting of on May 21, 2011, and armchair travelers can keep up to date on Ben’s experiences by reading the official blog. Now that’s a cool job.

Photo: The dreamy Hayman Island Resort on the Great Barrier Reef. (*Not* Ben's digs, but check out that incredible setting.)

A New Look for Kimpton’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco

The beloved icon in San Fran’s Union Square was looking a little worn around the edges. Now loyal Sir Francis Drake fans are toasting their good luck; the hotel is undergoing a glamorous makeover to be revealed in early summer. And some of the rooms have already been done up. From the website: “The fresh new design is a take on a contemporary interpretation of the classic attitude and elegance of the era of Sir Francis Drake– the Elizabethan period of English history – woven into a modern vision that honors Kimpton’s grand boutique roots.” Expect elegant art, custom wool carpets, and regal lounge chairs in the 417 guest rooms. Public spaces, including Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, will also be getting dolled up.

Traveling to San Francisco? Best available rates can be found at the Sir Francis Drake for $149 per night.

The World's Best New Hotels for 2011

It's that time of year again. Conde Nast Traveler recently published their 2011 Hot List of the best new hotels in the world. The venerable rag describes this year's Hot List as "an eclectic group- from tree houses to farmhouses" in some 43 countries on six continents. What unites them? "A common standard in their artful blend of high style and a strong sense of place." We've selected a few of our favorites below. To gawk over the full list (and some splendid photography), check out the magazine's website.

North America: Thompson Toronto, Banyan Tree Cabo Marques, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, Andaz Fifth Avenue, The Chatwal, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The James New York City, The Redbury, Waikiki Edition...

Europe: Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, The Savoy, Le Burgundy, Le Royal Monceau, Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow...

Asia: Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai, St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, W Retreat Koh Samui...

What's Hot: Fasano Las Piedras in Punta del Este

The Fasano family's hotels in Brazil are positively dreamy. (Check out photos of the sexy hang-outs in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and tell us you don't agree...) Now we're getting wind about a glamorous new venture in Uruguay that's causing quite the stir. Located in Punta del Este, the Fasano Las Piedras sprawls across 480 hectares of both countryside and sandy coast- so lucky guests can get a taste of Punta del Este's famous nightlife while bedding down in tranquil quiet on a country estate. Like the other Fasano properties, the exclusive hotel was designed as a collection of low-rise stone cottages by modernist architect Isay Weinfeld. Top-of-the-line amenities include a free-form pool, spa, private beach and boathouse, even an equestrian center with polo fields. Needless to say, this is *the* place to stay in Punta del Este!

Waldorf-Astoria Shanghai on the Bund Fetes Grand Opening with a Gala

Yesterday saw the Grand Opening party of the latest luxury hotel in Shanghai: The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund. Formerly an exclusive gentlemen's club in the 1920's, the heritage-listed building had fallen into disuse until Hilton Worldwide snatched it up and made some snazzy improvements. Some 600 guests attended the big gala, celebrating the opening of the Waldorf Astoria tower building. (The hotel already opened its 20-suite Waldorf Astoria Club last summer.) The two-building complex is connected by an outdoor courtyard that resembles Peacock Alley in the original Waldorf=Astoria New York. With six dining outlets, banqueting facilities, a gym and spa, the hotel easily snagged the "Best New Hotel in Shanghai" accolade at the recent TTG China Travel Awards 2011.

Hot in London: The Gilbert Scott at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

Hold on to your hats. Acclaimed chef Marcus Wareing is opening a second restaurant and it's going to be good. In fact, its going to be "a great British brasserie" to quote the official website. Come May 5, The Gilbert Scott will debut at the newly renovated St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London and we can hardly wait. As befits its setting inside one of London's great architectural landmarks, the eatery will showcase smart interiors by the David Collins Studio that reference grand railway stations. The restaurant is named, in fact, for the building's original architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Gilbert Scott will "celebrate the very best of the UK's regional culinary history, subtly modernizing traditional dishes to unusual effect." Now taking online reservations. To learn more about the dramatic £150 million transformation of the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, check out our article here.