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LUXURY HOTEL INSIDER

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The Luxury Hotel Insider: Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance.
Named one of Tripbase's Best Luxury Travel Blogs for 2011, below are Five Star Alliance's newest articles featuring exclusive information on luxury hotels worldwide including special offers and deals at the world's best hotels.

| By: Five Star Alliance

Sponsored Post*

This past year, Peninsula Chicago revealed its reimagined rooms and suites, which introduced The Peninsula Hotels' signature technology to the United States. The new rooms now offer all essential functions, entertainment, and guest services in 11 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Continue reading below the photo.

In-room technology at the Peninsula Chicago

Rooms are designed so that every control is located precisely where it is required without guests having to think or search. The tablet technology allows guests to adjust lighting and temperature controls, as well as browse restaurant menus, hotel services, city information, attractions, and TV channels, while LED touch-screen wall panels offer weather details and privacy options. In addition to the recently launched 24-hour check-in for web bookings, a new Mobile Concierge provides instant guest service support by text message, directly to mobile devices. An added benefit for domestic and international travelers alike, all domestic and international calls made from the guest room phone are complimentary via VOIP, and bedside charging stations store and charge several types of mobile devices. Read more below the photo of the bedside charging station.

Bedside charging station at the Peninsula Chicago

All of this pioneering technology has been developed by The Peninsula Hotels’ Research and Technology Department. Based in Hong Kong, the group has been responsible for some of the most advanced, yet intuitive innovations in the global hotel industry since 1985. The team flew more than 250,000 miles during the installation of the new system to ensure a truly seamless experience for guests. Continue reading below the photo. 

The Water Tower Suite at the Peninsula Chicago

The Peninsula Chicago is steps from the boutiques and restaurants along the Magnificent Mile. Offering a prestigious location and a host of accolades, the property has three on-site restaurants, legendary Afternoon Tea, two-story spa facility, and elegant event spaces. All guest rooms and suites are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, as well as classical styling with Pratesi linens, 55-inch TVs with sound bars, and marble bathrooms with 19-inch inset TVs and soaking tubs.

Check rates and availability at The Peninsula Chicago

*The information in the article above was provided by the Peninsula Chicago.


| By: Five Star Alliance

Check into Aloft Hotels, and you may just run into some robotic customer service. Aloft Hotels, the tech-forward brand of Starwood Hotels, has introduced the hotel brand's first Botlr (robotic butler) at Aloft Cupertino. The addition is a logical next step for Aloft, which is known for its industry-first smart check-in program, Cool Concierge program, and piloting Apple TV in-room services.

A.L.O the Botlr will be on call to assist his Aloft human counterparts in delivering amenities to guests. Guests simply call down to the front desk, and the three-foot tall robot, who is on call 24/7, will fulfill every request. Staff load up A.L.O with the desired items (such as a toothbrush, an extra blanket, etc.) and then enter the correct guest room. A.L.O uses WiFi to get around, and call navigate hallways and call the elevator. Best of all, cash tips aren't accepted by A.L.O. Instead, the robot accepts tweets as tips. #cool

If A.L.O is successful, additional Botlrs will be implemented in Aloft's nearly 100 properties.


| By: K. Clare Johnson

 

Burj Al ArabThink a gold credit card is impressive? Not anymore. Burj Al Arab, the super-luxury hotel in Dubai, has introduced the latest status symbol for luxury travelers: The gold iPad.

 

Guest at Burj Al Arab often arrive one of the world’s largest chauffeur-driven fleets of Rolls Royce’s or by a dedicated helicopter transfer service. After check-in, the 24-karat iPad, which is worth approximately $10,000, is yours to play the world's most expensive game of Angry Birds on. Or, guests can use the virtual concierge program that comes loaded on the gadget to take advantage of the hotel's many bespoke services. The hotel introduced a similar amenity back in October 2012, with a 24-carat rose gold iPad that was designed as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness month program. 

 

Sadly, the iPad, much like a room key, has to be returned to the front desk upon check-out. Although you can purchase your own in the hotel's boutique, along with a gold iPad minii and a gold iPhone5.

View rates, details, and more about Burj Al Arab >> 

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| By: Oksana Balytsky

Fairmont is now offering complimentary shuttle service to its President’s Club members in a BMW 750i Sedan, so arrive to the airport, your meeting, or your dinner date in style!

Explore Fairmont hotels all over the world here >>


| By: Oksana Balytsky

Legos, original barbie dolls, and beanie babies send us all back to our childhoods, so we certainly squeeled like little kids when we heard about Legoland Hotels. Set to open on April 5th 2013 in Carlsbad California, this will be the first Legoland Hotel in the United States and the third in the world with the two already up and running in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

We’re looking forward to having life-sized, lego built employees including bell hops and dragons dispersed throughout the property. All of the 250 rooms are decorated in accordance with one of Lego’s three most popular product styles (Kingdom, Adventure, or Pirate), and feature perks like mini-fridges and in-room treasure hunts. Rooms also feature free Wi-Fi, flatscreen televions, and all of the lego bricks you could ever want in a lifetime!

If a visit to Legoland Park is all you need, be sure to explore the 2 luxury hotels in Carlsbad for a vacation full of kid-friendly fun and luxury!


| By: Oksana Balytsky

Park Hyatt Chicago has been recognized as one of the top 20 ‘World’s Best Hotels’ by Institutional Investor, so it’s no surprise that its 198 rooms meet a high level of luxury, but its Bottega Venta suite certainly exceeds our expectations! This 1400-square foot suite offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and its design is sleek and refreshingly simple. The bedroom, open living room, kitchenette, and two bathrooms are spacious and maximize the light and dramatic views of Chicago’s expansive lakefront. A few elegant touches include leather pillows, hand-carved Venetian glassware, and cashmere throws, and objects from Bottega Veneta’s home collection.

Explore the Bottega Veneta suite and other room options at the beautiful Park Hyatt Chicago here!


| By: Oksana Balytsky

The Four Seasons Costa Rica is double dog daring its guests to truly disconnect from their iPhones and embrace a relaxing vacation without technology constantly going off. The “Disconnect to Reconnect” challenge is asking guests to turn in their iPhones which will  be kept in a safe for 24 hours or more. Upon completion of the challenge, the Four Seasons gives you back you’re phone along with a new custom phone cover.

Are you up for the challenge? Make your reservation at the Four Seasons Costa Rica here >>


| By: Oksana Balytsky

Plans for the Poseidon Resort Mystery Island, an all-suite hotel forty feet below water, seem to be progressing well. Sebastian’s words of wisdom certainly stuck with us, and we agree that it’s better down where it’s wetter under the sea. We hope to be able to join our fishy friends in this underwater, bubble-shaped hotel soon. According to an article by Design-Milk, "the company has completed all of the necessary design and engineering for the subsea structures and is currently working to secure the capital necessary to begin construction," which is expected to take about 2 years to complete. The plans for this hotel include 25 suites, a spa, a restaurant, wedding chapel, and the opportunity to pilot one of four 3-passenger personal submarines!

For folks hoping to travel to Fiji prior to the completion of this underwater sensation, we encourage you to explore the luxury hotel options currently available here >>


| By: Oksana Balytsky

Exploring new cities is exhilarating, but getting there is a stressful and arduous process. The Mark New York now has an Airport Concierge to facilitate the process and make the flight to hotel transfer as easy and enjoyable as possible. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted at the gate, escorted through immigration, assisted with luggage pickup, and driven to the hotel. This service is currently available for $400 for two, and each group of guests will have their very own airport concierge. No lines and no waiting? Now that’s what we call traveling in luxury!

Explore availability, photos, and rates at The Mark New York here >>


| By: Oksana Balytsky

Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris is opening Le Club Vinales, a members-only retreat featuring leather club chairs, international magazines, books, and a private terrace perfect for enjoying summer days. Make a reservation at this stunning hotel and get the VIP treatment by becoming a member of the club!


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