The Emperor's New Groove: Caesars Palace Opens New Tower

As TravelAgentCentral reports, Caesars Palace is beginning to take reservations for its new 668-room tower, and its accommodations are certainly befitting an imperial residence.  The Octavius Tower, named after the given name of the Emperor Caesar Augustus, keeps with the Roman theme with elegant, austere marble floors made warm and inviting by extensive traditionally patterned carpets.

As with any good Roman palace, the rooms feature flat-screen tvs and plush velvet sofas.  In lieu of the more period-accurate public baths, however, private bathrooms feature whirlpool bathtubs and glass-enclosed showers.  

For a public space, the Tower expansion offers the appropriately understated Garden of the Gods, a pool and garden area perfect for lounging around as you munch on a bit of ambrosia.

So next time you’re looking to go to Vegas, go check out the new addition to Caesars Palace (laurel wreath not included).

Public Chicago Offers Modernized, Discrete Room Service; Also, Cows in Hats

The Public Chicago just keeps coming up with something new. I just posted about them a couple of days ago, and already they’re back with more interesting and innovative concepts. HotelChatter has released reports of their amazing, new room service. Classic room service is based on the concept of the full-service experience – because pure luxury is being waited on hand and foot.  A butler brings the food to your room, and you go through an involved process of preparation and presentation.  But the Public Chicago has smartly realized that sometimes guests prefer their privacy to an extra inch or two of service.

In this case, Public knows that discretion is the better part of more than just valor, and they offer an alternate room service model in addition to the standard. Often on vacation we want nothing more than to be left alone to lounge in our ultra-soft blankets, so the Public has adapted the philosophy of the convenience in non-interaction (see the self-checkout line at your supermarket) to luxury service.  

Removing the pressure of having to look put-together and the hassle of removing unwanted dishes, the food is delivered in a surprisingly sleek brown bag with nothing but a discrete knock on your door.  It’s so circumspect; I’m half expecting them to offer a fake passport hidden in a false bottom with your every meal. While you might not be having a clandestine meeting with foreign intelligence agents, Public respects your desire for privacy and doesn’t skimp on the quality.  Look for this practice to catch on as more and more hotels cater to a modern sense of luxury.  But don't worry if you prefer the classic; Public Chicago still offers the industry standard if discretion is not your cup of tea.

I've neglected to even mention some of the other spectacular reports coming out of this new hotel, such as the breathtaking views, complimentary bike rides, or fine dining.  And if you're curious about the second part of the headline, I think this picture speaks for itself:

Ambassador East Goes Public: Rechristened Public Chicago Hotel Is Ready to Rumble

HotelChatter recently traveled to the newly renovated and renamed Ambassador East Hotel, now the Public Chicago Hotel, and have brought back their impressions along with a number of gorgeous photos. The verdict:  Public Chicago is undeniably the next big thing.  While the name itself evokes images of other, less luxurious public facilities, once you step inside, it becomes quite clear that the Public Chicago is warm, sleek, and modern.  While the hotel has been updated and modernized, reopening just this month, it also hasn’t forgotten its roots – the Public has integrated the traditional aspects of the Ambassador into their reimagining, ranging from a postcard of Dustin Hoffman dressed in their original bellman’s outfit to their inviting library and exquisite restaurant, The Pump Room. 

And when you consider the pricing of the rooms, officially starting at $135/night (though demand could quickly raise the cost), the “public” in the name becomes clear.  The value for the cost is far beyond other hotels of its class, and the Public manages to bring affordability to a luxury hotel without sacrificing the experience that discerning travelers have come to count on – something that many hotels have tried and failed to do.  This is no welfare system; it’s an atmospheric and ultra-modern hotel offering top-of-the-line accommodations at a price anyone could afford. Click through to see HotelChatter’s own analysis, and check out the galleries of the rooms and the public spaces for a look under the hood of a hotel so freshly rebranded, the cab drivers don’t even know its name. And if it looks like a destination that’s right for you (hint: it is!), don’t hesitate to book now while prices are still low.

Champagne and Chocolate: The Madison Washington DC Offers Romantic Getaway

The Madison Washington DC is offering a romantic getaway escape that's perfect for enjoying the capital's sophisticated dining and historic landmarks with that special someone. Whether you want to explore the sights of D.C. or spend an intimate evening rekindling the flame, The Madison is prepared to accommodate your every wish. Clichés exist for a reason, and the Madison realizes that they come together to make the recipe for a perfect evening. What could be more indulgent than beginning your romantic stay with a bottle of champagne and some heavenly strawberries smothered in the finest chocolate? It may be a feature of every romantic dinner scene in the last ten years, but who wouldn’t want the movie-star treatment?

And after a long night, nothing says relaxing like waking up to a fresh and delicious breakfast, right at the foot of your bed.  The Madison is prepared to make your romantic getaway as relaxing or adventurous as you like.  Don’t move an inch except to don your bathrobe and wander down to the 24-hour Spa, or put on your traveling boots and head out to explore the history of a nation.  And regardless of whether you’re stretching your legs for the first time or winding down from an exciting day, there’s no better cap to a wonderful evening than a stroll through a gorgeous twilight cityscape – complimentary, of course. 

The package includes

• Two night stay in a guest room, with complimentary upgrade to a suite based on availability 
• Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival
• Breakfast in bed each morning
• An unforgettable experience in one of the most storied, and historic, cities in America

$96 Per Night: 96-Hour Sale at RockResorts Hotels

Whether you're looking to tear it up on the slopes in Colorado, lounge by the beach on St. Lucia, go snorkeling in Jamaica, or savor some Southwestern flavor in Santa Fe, RockResorts is giving you the chance. Score lavish accommodations at affordable prices with a 96-hour sale with rooms starting from just $96 a night. Available for travel seven days a week through April 8, 2012, this offer must be booked by Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at Midnight MDT. Check out some of these fab destinations: The Osprey at Beaver Creek, The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Keystone Lodge and Spa, The Lodge at Vail, The Arrabelle at Vail Square, The Landings St. Lucia in the West Indies, Half Moon in Jamaica, Snake River Lodge & Spa in Wyoming, Tempo in Miami, and La Posada de Santa Fe.

Photo Contest: Win a $1000 Four Seasons Gift Card

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is currently running a photo contest and the prize sounds too good to be true. Simply share a picture on the Four Seasons Summer Memories Photo Contest Flickr page with the tag "FSSummerPics" by August 15 and you could win a $1000 USD Four Seasons Gift Card for use at any Four Seasons hotel worldwide. (We've got our eye on Beirut, the brand spanking new hotel on Park Lane in London (pictured), or the glam resort in Marrakech...) They're looking for the shot that "best captures that unforgettable summer moment." The full contest rules can be found here.

Hotel Trends: Unplug with a "Digital Detox"

Can't stop checking your email while on vacation? You're not the only one. When it comes to detaching from their cellphones, tablets, and other digital devices, some 79% of travelers expect to stay connected on their next vacay-- according to a recent survey by American Express. To help these folks help themselves, a growing number of hotels are offering "unplugged" and "digital detox" packages- reports The Wall Street Journal. From Washington D.C. to Teton Village, Wyoming, hotels are rolling out the discounts and stress-reducing amenities like spa treatments. To quote the WSJ: "Starting this month, guests at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel can book "Zen and the Art of Detox" on some summer weekends. The Hotel Monaco Chicago offers anyone who reserves its "tranquility suite" the option to add a "Technology Break." The Lake Placid Lodge (pictured) also offers a similar package.

Last Minute Hotels for the Fourth of July Weekend

Still don't have plans for the long weekend? It's not too late to organize a staycation for July 4th- fireworks and all kinds of good American grub included. A quick search on Five Star Alliance shows some stellar hotels with weekend availability including the Andaz Wall Street (Saturday check-in; from $225), the Hilton Scottsdale (from $85), the Westin in Columbus, OH (from $129), the Hyatt Regency Sarasota (from $199), The St. Regis Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah ($199), and The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles (pictured, from $239). Happy birthday, U.S. of A.!

20 Years in LA: Happy Birthday to The Peninsula Beverly Hills

In a star-studded hotel scene, The Peninsula Beverly Hills stands out for its exemplary service and rockstar enticements. Take, for example, the "Red Carpet Ready" experience- where guests are dolled up with glam jewelry and designer threads, then photographed by an award-winning Hollywood photographer after getting their hair and make-up done by a stylist. Sure, this AAA Five-Diamond and Mobil Five-Star hotel has the luxury spa, exceptional restaurant, and rooftop pool terrace that's so important for L.A.'s well-heeled clientele. But the hotel's "enticements" really distinguish it from the rest. We also like the chauffeured shopping experience, piano classes with local celebrity pianist Antonio Castillo de la Gala, and in-room Yoga classes. When you pay a visit to The Peninsula Beverly Hills this year, take Afternoon Tea to celebrate the landmark hotel's 20th anniversary. Each of the specially designed teas is designed to give back to the local community, with a portion of the proceeds going to nonprofits each quarter.

The Weirdest, Wackiest Hotels in the US

We're constantly scouring the globe for interesting and unusual hotels- whether they be underwater hang-outs or galactic spaceships. But sometimes the weirdest are in your own backyard. Like the 1968 Sikorsky Sea King helicopter at Winvian, the Connecticut resort comprised of different concept cottages (like said helicopter). Now The Los Angeles Times has come out with a nifty slide-show of some of the "Cool and Unusual Hotels in the U.S."- whether you're looking to sleep in "a bed-and-breakfast in a beagle or an entire ghost town." They also single out New York's Library Hotel and the Crowne Plaza Hotel Indianapolis. One of our favorites? Liberty Hotel in Boston, formerly the Charles Street Jail (pictured at left). To check out the slide-show, click here.