Oscar Checks In

So maybe you didn't get nominated for an Oscar this year.  We didn't either. Again! Fret not. You can still celebrate like the star that you are by booking one of these Academy Award-themed hotel deals!
 

-Hotel Monaco Washington DC is, appropriately enough, offering up a Four Score Lincoln package, in honor of the Spielberg flick's 12 Academy Award nominations.  The deal includes accommodations in the historic building that was once D.C.’s General Post Office and offices for the Postmaster General during the Civil War, admsission and tour for two at President Lincoln's Cottage, two tickets to Madame Tussauds to see the President's Gallery, which includes wax figures of all 44 U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Admission to Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln met his untimely demise. The package is available through April 30, 2013. Rates start at $279 per night and are subject to availability.

-Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is showing its local pride by offering a Silver Linings Playbook-inspired package. The deal includes 15% off the regular room rate, a VIP tour of Lincoln Financial Field, and breakfast at the Broad Street Diner. This LEED registered luxury hotel is in the heart of Center City Philadelphia and is known for its superior eco-friendly hotel design, personalized service, and genuinely warm hospitality.
 

-Donovan House, also in Washington DC, is offering a Secret Agent package, perfect for Argo fans. Fittingly, the hotel is named for  Wild Bill Donovan, the legendary general whose covert operations gave birth to the CIA. The package includes deluxe accommodations; welcome amenity of a notepad and invisible ink; two tickets to the International Spy Museum and a $25 credit for adjacent restaurant Zentan for Bond martinis. Rates are start at $165. 
 

-Life of Pi fans will want to check in to Oberoi Vanyavilas.  The luxury hotel will take guests on a tiger safari in the nearby Ranthambhore National Park. With any luck, you'll get a peek at one of Richard Parker's relatives but won't have to share a small boat with him. The Unforgettable Holiday also offers a night under the the stars sleeping in a luxury tent, daily breakfast, and one dinner.  Rates start at $777 per person for a two-night stay.
 

-Les Miserables devotees may want to check into W London Leicester Square, which is a two-minute walk from the original stage production that spawned the Oscar-nominated movie. Nightly rates for a wonderful room start at $486.  Or, plan a summer trip  Montreuil-Sur-Mer in France, Fantine's hometown, where the movie's popularity has meant a rapid rise in hotel bookings.

Happy booking!

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A Blast From The Past: Hotel del Coronado in San Diego

This year is Hotel del Coronado's 125th Anniversary. Rising from water's edge on the quaint island of Coronado in San Diego, The Del is a classic historic hotel built in 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

View rates, details and more photos for Hotel del Coronado in San Diego >>

Cooking at Canyon Ranch

Set on 750 feet of pristine beach, Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach is a spectacular all-suite oceanfront luxury hotel which offers limitless views, beachfront dining,  and quick access to the vibrant nightlife of nearby Miami and South Beach. Now you can add cooking classes to the list of reasons to visit.

Chef Giovanni Arias and Canyon Ranch nutritionist Larisa Alonso team up every other Tuesday at 3pm for inspiring healthy-cooking demonstrations, each with a different theme. Larisa answers all your questions about healthy eating while you sharpen your technique and add to your repertoire of easy, great-tasting dishes. You’ll watch Chef prepare a delicious three-course late lunch for you to enjoy.

Classes are open to the public but space is limited. Room rates currently start at $860 per night for a suite stay from March 4-6.

The schedule of topics is below:

March 5 – Vegetarian Powerhouses: Tofu & Fish Dishes to Savor
March 19 – Breads: The Joy of Kneading
April 2 – Sensational Sushi at Home
April 30 – Farm to Table: Making the Most of Great Ingredients

Bon Appetit!

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Newly Unveiled Renovated Guest Rooms at The Tuscany NYC

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: 

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

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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Conde Nast Traveler Reveals Results of Readers' Poll

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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South Beach Food and Wine Festival-Where to Stay

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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Dog Spa Days at The New Yorker Hotel

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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Art at The James Chicago

Art in Chicago has a new place to check in to.  It's not just The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum of Mexican Art, anymore, now you can get Art@TheJames.

The James Chicago pays homage to the creative neighborhood that it calls home. Artists are a mix of local and international artists, both emerging and prominent.

Currently, The James Chicago is featuring Joel Ross, Demarcus Purham, Monique Meloche, Nienke Sybrandy, Andrea Mantin, and Kristina Estell.

The entire James Hotel experience, from your arrival all the way to the walls of your guestroom, aims to be a journey of visual and cultural luxury.

The Joel Ross installation shown at right is called Room 28. The artist checked into a motel and packed the entire contents of the room into antique suitcases.

We wouldn't recommend packing up your room at The James Chicago, but you should definitely enjoy being surrounded by art!

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Explore rates, details, photos and more at The James Chicago >>

Take a Picture, Win a Stay at W Hotels of New Orleans!

At W Hotels of New Orleans, pictures aren't just worth a thousand words. They can also be worth a free one-night stay! The hotel group, which includes W New Orleans and W New Orleans French Quarter, has just announced a joint Instagram photo competition that starts Thursday Feb. 7. The contest, which lasts through Mardi Gras day, asks fans to share their best Mardi Gras celebratory images on Instagram. Fans should tag the hotels by using @whotelsnola along with the hashtag #wmardigras. On Wednesday, Feb. 13, W New Orleans will post the top five photos to their Facebook page. The participant whose photo gains the most likes by 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Monday, Feb. 18 will win a one-night stay at W New Orleans!  

With all the floats, parades, costumes, and colorful characters in New Orleans, we can't wait to see all the great photos!

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