New to Five Star Alliance

We're always on the lookout for the top luxury hotels to add to the Five Star Alliance collection. Here are a few we've added recently.

Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, is an adults-only all-inclusive resort located on a spectacular and intimate bay. Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla combines a prestigious Caribbean setting with world-class facilities, including Royal Service, the ultimate in spa treatments, a relaxed ambience, and flexible meeting spaces with state-of-the-art equipment. 

View Rates, Details, and More Photos of Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla>>

Refinery Hotel New York is located in the heart of Manhattan's garment district.  It is blocks from Bryant Park, the theater district, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. There are 197 Guest Rooms and Executive Suites throughout the hotel's 12 elegant floors, each opulently tailored and custom-furnished. The chic decor and artistic ambience have industrial accents, a nod to the building's former life as a hat factory. 

View Rates, Details, and More Photos of Refinery Hotel New York>>

Paradisus Playa del Carmen Esmeralda, also located in Playa del Carmen, is also all-inclusive, but is geared towards a fun family vacation. There is a family pool, and 11 restaurants to choose from. The oceanfront location is surrounded by a lush tropical mangrove preserve and has views of Cozumel Island.  Enjoy fun activities such as tango dance classes, sushi-making, and sensorial experiences. 

 

View Rates, Details, and More Photos of Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda>>

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Sponsored Article: Hotel Vitale

All 200 guestrooms at Hotel Vitale feature limestone covered bathrooms, luxurious sheets, and a soft and subtle color scheme designed to promote vitality.  But we'd like to draw your attention to the rooms that showcase Hotel Vitale's prime location on the revitalized Embarcadero Waterfront. After all, who doesn't want to wake up to a view of the bay? Here are the rooms you want to book if you want waterviews.

-The Landmark Terrace Suite is located on the top floor of the Hotel Vitale.  663 square feet of indoor living space includes a bedroom with a king bed and a living room with sliding glass doors leading to a private terrace. The terrace overlooks the famous landmarks of the historic Ferry Building, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Bay, the Ferry Building, and the Bay Bridge. 

Valen-Find Grand Prize Winner Announced!

Well, someone is getting a pretty great post-Valentine's Day gift!  We are delighted to announce that the grand prize winner of our Valen-Finds Day Sweepstakes is:

Rebecca R. of Calgary, Alberta!

Congratulations to Rebecca. Rebecca and her guest will enjoy 3 nights at Charleston Place, which is located in the heart of the city, just steps from Market Street's museums and south of Broad's secret gardens. Their stay will be on the exclusive private Club-level. Located on the top two floors of the hotel, and offering the city's best views, guests enjoy complimentary cuisine throughout the day including continental breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and after dinner cordials and desserts. They will also enjoy a 6-course tasting menu with wine pairings at the Forbes Four Star Charleston Grill.  

Congratulations Rebecca!

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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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