The Fate of The Plaza, New York

The rumors were too devastating to bear: The Plaza to be gutted and stuffed with luxury condos?!? The fall of New York’s legendary landmark—possibly the most storied hotel in the United States—seemed the end of an era. After 100 years of hosting movie stars, dignitaries, and lots of drunken NYC debutantes… But admirers of Eloise (my all-time favorite childhood book), the legend lives on! Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has just announced plans to manage this National Historic Landmark. After a $350 million renovation, the new Plaza will contain 282 luxury hotel rooms (including those dreaded condo units and heaps of retail space), ready in early 2007.

Living Large at Lajitas, The Ultimate Hideout

In the rugged wilderness of West Texas, between Big Bend National Park and the Mexico border, lies a unique destination resort situated on a 25,000-acre private estate. Lajitas is surrounded by the awesome scenery that—as Architectural Digest explains—inspired Franklin Delano Roosevelt to sign into law the creation of Big Bend National Park. This exquisite landscape is etched with the history of the infamous characters from the Old West. The lodging? This ain’t tents around the campfire. Along with the resort’s endless array of activities, Lajitas offers luxurious cowboy chic. Of the 92 rooms, no two are alike—each outfitted with plush robes and lavish Agave amenities. (Suites and private haciendas also available.) The resort has designed a host of fun and clever packages. The “Ultimate Golf Package”—with unlimited golf and lunch on the course—is $250 a night. With the optional 19th hole in Mexico, Ambush at Lajitas is the world’s only international course. Unlimited rounds of golf are complemented by unlimited carts, balls, and beverages. My fave is the “So You Wanna Be A Cowboy” package, where guests participate in a slew of activities, starting with a custom-fitting of cowboy boots. Next on the agenda? Learn how to use a gun of the Old West at Greasewood Flats, Lajitas’ very own cowboy action shooting range. After breakfast on Day 2, head out on a trail ride to the Buena Suerte Mine and Ghost Town, then star-gaze by a roaring campfire while enjoying a gourmet feast. Starting at $400 per person.

Lajitas, The Ultimate Hideout, Official Site

Lajitas, The Ultimate Hideout, Five Star Alliance

The Windsor Court Hotel Reopens in New Orleans

The legendary New Orleans establishment has opened again with a full range of services. The Windsor Court is well-known as one of the world’s finest hotels, with overly-spacious suites, superb service and cuisine, and the finest collection of European art in the South. In its 20 year history, the Windsor Court has remained a fixture at the top of all the World’s Best lists (Conde Nast, Travel and Leisure, Andrew Harper’s Hideaway, you name it…) Post-Katrina, the hotel is not only housing clients associated with the city’s rebuilding, but is also offering a “Returning Home” rate for locals who need a place to stay while overseeing home repairs. The rate of $235 a night includes suite accommodation, breakfast for two in the New Orleans Grill, and parking. Additionally, the hotel can stock your refrigerator with groceries and configure the in-room phone line to accept forwarded calls from your home or business.

The Windsor Court Hotel, Official Site

The Windsor Court Hotel, Five Star Alliance

Jumeirah Wins Big at World Travel Awards

At last week’s World Travel Awards, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group was recognized as the “Middle East’s Leading Hotel Brand.” In addition, Jumeirah’s hotels in Dubai—the Burj al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort, and Jumeirah Emirates Towers—received a bounty of accolades. The Burj Al Arab, Jumeriah’s flagship, was honored as the “World’s Leading Hotel,” not surprising for the hotel most often recognized as the world’s most luxurious. Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort, received four awards including Middle East’s Leading Resort and World’s Leading Conference Resort. Additionally, the Emirates Towers won two prestigious awards: World’s Leading Business Hotel and Dubai’s Leading Hotel. (Notably, last February Jumeirah’s business hotel launched the Chopard floor, an entire floor devoted to female business travelers.) Since its establishment in 1997, Jumeirah has won over 130 international travel and tourism awards. Starting in early 2006, Jumeirah will take over management of the Essex House in New York.

Burj al Arab, Official Site

Burj al Arab, Five Star Alliance

Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort, Official Site

Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort, Five Star Alliance

Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Official Site

Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Five Star Alliance

Finding a Room in Torino for the Winter Olympic Games

Check out this fabulous, very informative article on Torino. Though hotel rooms for the Winter Olympic Games may be slim pickin’ at this point, the Chicago Sun-Times directs us to the swanky boutique Hotel Boston. Another good option? Le Meridien’s Turin Art + Tech—designed by a renowned architect to embody cutting edge technology and contemporary design.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas at Sea Island Resorts, Georgia

Sea Island Resorts is absolutely brimming with good cheer and merriment this holiday season. They’ve put together a bunch of events sure to delight the whole family. Activities include: ballroom dancing, nightly elf tuck-in for the kiddies, crafts workshops, holiday bingo, and a Stables Christmas Party-- complete with horses parading in their holiday best, games, and a bonfire for roasting s’mores. The best part of the deal is the guaranteed White Christmas, with a special delivery of blown snow at the Beach Club. Take advantage of the 12 Days of Christmas Package, which includes room, breakfast for the family, welcome gift, Reindog parade, Family Holiday Show, elf tuck-ins, and lots more events. Rates: Ocean House Nature View and Deluxe Ocean View - $350. Ocean House Ocean View - $425. Lodge - $525. Two night minimum required, available December 18 through December 30 (excludes NYE).

Cloister at Sea Island, Official Site

Cloister at Sea Island, Five Star Alliance

The Lodge at Sea Island, Official Site

The Lodge at Sea Island, Five Star Alliance

Explore Germany’s Christmas Markets with Discounts at Sofitel Hotels

In December, the country is hopping with some 2,500 traditional Christmas markets held every year. Dating back to Medieval times, the markets showcase local cuisine (sausages and mulled wine, anyone?) and booths of artisan’s gifts. Sofitel is offering fantastic rates at Dorint Sofitel Gendarmenmarkt Berlin, Dorint Sofitel Bayerpost Munich and at Dorint Sofitel Quellenhof Aachen with offers up to 40% off rack rates, seven days a week, until December 31st 2005.

Indoor Water Parks Open in the Northeast: Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos

Live in the Northeast? Don’t worry about flying to Florida this winter when you can take your swimsuit to a water park!, a recent AP article counseled. Hmmm, a lodge in the Poconos vs. Miami Beach. Somehow-- I muse-- it’s not quite the same thing… But read on, loyal reader, the concept is pretty sweet. The park in question just opened in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains (very convenient to the whole Megalopolis of the East Coast), and another one is opening soon in New York’s Adirondacks. Great Wolf Lodge is a 78,000 sq ft indoor water park, with 401 suites (log cabin style), an arcade, spa, restaurants and fitness center. This is a full-service family resort, and the kids go gaga over the water park’s 11 slides, wave pool, winding river, and whirlpools. The price ranges from $189 in the off season to $569 for a luxury suite during the holiday peak.

Bring the Kids to Grace Bay Club

Possibly the most prestigious address in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grace Bay Club is dripping with accolades: Robb Report’s Best of the Best, Forbes.com World’s Most Luxurious Beaches, Andrew Harper’s Best of the Caribbean. And the resort seems to stick like glue to Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List, where it’s been a fixture since 1997. The adults-only hotel has 21 luxurious suites, adorned with terra-cotta Spanish tiles on the edge of a stunning white-sand beach. Measuring a palatial 850-2,000 square feet, the suites have private ocean view terraces, sumptuous 220-count Egyptian cotton linens, hand-painted Mexican tiles, flat screen televisions and full kitchens. The oceanfront restaurant, Anacaona, is the island’s elegant best—serving up epicurean delights such as Turks and Caicos baby conch. The resort’s ultra-hip Lounge offers a creative martini menu on the beach. What could get better than this? Grace Bay Club just announced the opening of new family-friendly suites at the Villas. So while parents bask in the pampering at the 5,000 square foot European spa at the adults-only hotel, their kids are living it up at the eco-activity children’s program—Kids Town—not to mention their own pool and beachside Grill. Grace Bay Club, Official Site Grace Bay Club Booking at Five Star Alliance