The Luxury Hotel Insider: Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance. Top 10 Most Romantic Luxury Hotel Ideas
February 14, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Couples massages. Champagne and strawberries. Rose petals scattered on the bed and tub. A hammock made for two. These are just a few of the romantic gestures you will find at almost all luxury hotels. But we wanted to find some of the more creative choices available for lovers. These suggestions might be too late for this year's Valentine's Day, but there's always next year!
1. Floating love seat at Four Seasons Bora Bora. Guests will enjoy weightlessness on an inflatable love seat, which is anchored to their bungalow or delivered to their villa for the day.
2-Stargazing at Post Ranch Inn. The night sky in Big Sur is just one of the romantic activities available at the ranch.
3-Bryant Park Hotel offers a sex toy menu. Options from swanky adult toy store The Pleasure Chest are available for couples or singles.
4-Mondrian Hotel has a minibar that offers, in addition to upscale snacks, intimate accessories for the discerning couple.
5-Beverly Wilshire has a Rolls Royce Phantom guests can employ to squire that somebody special around town.
6-Conrad Maldives will transform its underwater restaurant into a one-night only underwater suite. Gives sleeps with the fishes such a positive spin.
7-Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego has a 33-foot gondola equipped with two professional massage beds. After leaving the resort’s private marina, guests enjoy a 40-minute massage.
8- Six Senses Hideaway at Zighy Bay will allow you to make a dramatic entrance. Strap yourself to a professional paraglider and soar to the resort’s front steps from a nearby cliff.
9-The Surrey New York has an in-room mixologist is on call 24 hours a day, arriving within minutes with a fully stocked cocktail cart.
10-The Lodge at Doonbeg offers an on-site geneaologist, so your Irish lad or lass can trace their roots and visit their ancestral villages.
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Happy Valentine's Day!
February 14, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Here's to a day filled with the love of those near and far!
(Romantic image is of Bali's Amankila)
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Newly Unveiled Renovated Guest Rooms at The Tuscany NYC
February 14, 2013
By: Meagan Drillinger
Five Star Alliance's sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, recently wrote an article about the newly unveiled guest rooms and suites at The Tuscany Hotel in New York City. Read more here:
The unveiling on December 18, 2012 showed off the first phase of the revitalization (think fully renovated guest rooms and suites). The second phase will wrap up in early 2013 with the debut of the 17th-floor Penthouse Suite, with wraparound terrace and views of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. The Penthouse Suite will also come with its own private kitchen and living room/den area (complete with working fireplace).
The Tuscany embodies both Old and New World, with custom oak and leather wall panel systems and hardwood floors complemented with artistic wall murals made by artists and designers (think Sarah Morris and Paul Smith).
All bathrooms have glass tile walls and Duravit vanities. Nice Touch: In-room bath amenities are Molton Brown.
View rates, details and more photos for The Tuscany Hotel New York City >>
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Image of the Day: Hotel Monaco San Francisco
February 13, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
The Hotel Monaco is located just footsteps from the Union Square, Moscone Convention Center, the downtown Financial District, and the Theatre District.
Explore rates, details, photos and more at Hotel Monaco San Francisco >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Conde Nast Traveler Reveals Results of Readers' Poll
February 13, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Conde Nast Traveler has announced the winners of its 2013 Readers Poll and there are a whopping 270 Spas that were voted the best. The magazine revealed that the results were based on 46,352 vistis to hotel, resort, and cruise ship spas.
Topping the US Top 100 Resort Spa list was Mohonk Mountain House, with Vail Cascade Resort & Spa coming in a close second. Osthoff Resort in Wisconsin was third, Sundara Inn & Spa was fourth, and Resort at Squaw Creek was fifth.
The Atlantic and Caribbean Top 25 Spa list had The Regent Palm on top (pictured right), with Nisbet Plantation Beach Club second. Rounding out the top five in this category are Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, Jumby Bay, and Seven Stars Resort.
The list of Top 25 Spas, Mexico and Central America included Capella Ixtapa at #1, Maroma Resort and Spa is #2, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort and Spa is #3, Rosewood Mayakoba is #4, and Esperanza (pictured left) is #5.
Congratulations to all the winners!
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By: K. Clare Johnson
South Beach Food and Wine Festival-Where to Stay
February 12, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. This year, it's being held from February 21-24. In 2012, more than 60,000 guests attended nearly 50 events featuring more than 150 celebrated chefs and over 250 wineries, spirits producers, and non-alcoholic beverage suppliers. Events include star-studded receptions, seminars, tastings, dinners, brunches, and concerts.
So where should you stay? Fontainebleu Miami Beach is presenting Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best Sponsored by Bank of America, where proprietors and wine-makers from each winery are invited to pour their top varietals and to speak to attendees about their individual processes. As of this writing, nightly room rates start at $489.
Fans of Guy Fieri won't want to miss the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Food Network star team up with reggae legend Ziggy Marley for a closing party concert at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. The party starts at 6:30 Sunday February 24, and the luxury hotel has rooms available starting at $529 per night. 
Marley will be presenting Ziggy Marley Organics™, a organic line of the World’s First flavored coconut oils and roasted flavored hempseeds.
Don't miss Paula Deen! She'll be at the VIP opening reception at the Delano Hotel. Paula and her sons, Jamie & Bobby, will be hosting Moët Hennessy's The Q. More than 40 of the top BBQ chefs from across the country will grill up chicken, ribs, brisket and pork butts from Omaha Steaks with smoky side dishes.
Oceanview rooms are still available for the festival, starting at $939 per night.
Other rates available in Miami for the festival include $255 per night at Riviera Suite South Beach, $383 per night at Epic Hotel Miami, and for a true splurge $2159 for a Marvelous Suite at W Hotel Miami.
Eat, drink, be merry, and sleep in luxury!
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Image of the Day: Cafe Royal Hotel
February 12, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
True to its original glamorous spirit, Cafe Royal has reopened as a luxury hotel in the heart of London, with elegant Mayfair to the west and creative Soho to the east. Paying homage to the history of the building, grand historic areas have been sensitively restored, while serene new rooms and suites are created in a refined style.
Explore rates, details, photos and more at Cafe Royal Hotel >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Dog Spa Days at The New Yorker Hotel
February 11, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
The world-famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show starts tomorrow in Manhattan, and even non-show dogs are feeling the pressure to look their best. If Fido isn't quite in pageant shape, don't worry. The New Yorker hotel has come to the rescue with their Classic Dog Spa Package. Priced at $50 per pooch, thedeal includes use of Jog A Dog™ treadmills (which are exclusive to the hotel), grooming stations, blow dryers, and indoor potty areas. Guests who book this package will also receive a special edition dog show publication, free of charge, along with complimentary dog treats.
For even more canine comforts, upgrade to the Premium Dog Spa Package, which at $75 per dog includes all of the amenities in the Classic Dog Spa Package, in addition to access to bathing areas.
Sounds like a barking good time.
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Image of the Day: Casa de Campo
February 11, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
On Casa de Campos' exclusive Minitas Beach, guests can enjoy a sea of water sports. Choose from kayaks, Hobie cats, windsurfers, and paddleboats. Special arrangements can be made for anglers, snorklers or those guests that wish to scuba dive. Minitas also houses a massage room for private soothing sessions by the water.
Explore rates, details, photos and more at Casa de Campos >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
A London Valentine’s Day
February 11, 2013
By: Oksana Balytsky
For folks spending Valentine’s Day in London, we have a variety of suggestions for you depending on your lovers’ interests and needs, so check out our recommendations to plan the perfectly romantic evening!
For outdoor fun, take your special someone to Broadgate Ice Rink with two-for-one ticket sales on February 14th.
For a romantic dinner, take him/her to The Gilbert Scott which has an absolutely stunning dining room with ornate ceilings and sparkling chandeliers. The Valentine’s Day menu starts from $125 per person and is available after 8:00PM.
For a romantic and luxurious night away, explore our 104 hotels in various parts of London. With this many options, you’re bound to find the perfect hotel for the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience!
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By: Oksana Balytsky
