Special Rates with Added Amenities at The Surrey New York

Bedside cocktails, cuisine by acclaimed Chef Daniel Boulud, and a wow-worthy rooftop garden are enough reason to head to The Surrey Hotel in Manhattan's Upper East Side. An exceptional guest experience is assured at the hotel that once hosted JFK, as The Surrey, recreated by interior designer Lauren Rottet, has just about everything the modern traveler could dream of. (Yes, even pooches are pampered here with Lauren Rottet-designed pet beds and Pratesi pet robes.) Hot rates: If you book with Five Star Alliance and choose "Five Star Alliance" rates, you'll get a discount on your room plus loads of freebies: in-room Continental breakfast for two, 20% off spa services (not available on mani-pedis), a welcome amenity from the General Manager, and an upgrade based on availability.

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Padma Lakshmi’s Luxury Jewelry Collection at The Surrey, New York

Festive Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

The food alone is a reason to book a table for Easter brunch at Sixteen, the modern American resto at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. (With made-to-order sushi, carving stations, and individually-prepared omelets, it's a firm favorite among Chicago brunch-goers.) And for the holiday on April 24, the eatery is pulling out all the stops for a festive celebration. Executive Chef Frank Brunacci will offer several special items for Easter: Spring Pea soup; Crispy trout with mushroom and fava bean ragu; Veal medallions with caramelized artichokes and spinach; Thai-spiced shrimp with curry-apple slaw; Grilled asparagus with goat cheese, candied walnuts, and truffle vinaigrette; and Lamb loin with fennel and Vidalia onion jam. For something sweet, stop by Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Kosikowski’s dessert station. But don't fill up too fast- your family will also get a homemade chocolate bunny to take home. The kids will get a kick out of the lively entertainment, including a visit from the Easter Bunny and an Easter egg hunt.

Brunch will take place from 10:30 am to 3 pm, priced at $115 for adults and $25 for children (under 8 years of age) exclusive of alcohol, tax, and gratuity. Sixteen will also be open for Easter dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Spring Break in Key West: The Conch Republic Independence Celebration Begins April 22

Visitors to the southernmost point in the United States are often so enchanted with Key West that they never leave. A favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway, the sunny island has diving and snorkeling, sailing and sunning, deep-sea fishing, elegant dining, and a rowdy nightlife scene. All connected to the mainland by an impressive island-hopping roadway-- possibly one of the prettiest roads on earth. There's never a bad time to visit, but Key West's Conch Republic Independence Celebration is a real hoot. Key West has called itself the Conch Republic since it "seceded" from Florida in 1982 with the motto: "The People Who Seceded Where Others Failed." With drag races, parades, food fests, and the "Conch Crawl," the celebration promises to be a rip-roaring good time. Residents are calling it: "The Conch Republic's own 4th of July, Bastille Day & Cinco de Mayo all rolled into one!"

Looking for some hotel recommendations? Scroll through the photos in our hand-picked collection of Four-Star and Five-Star hotels, and be tempted to plan your getaway. Pictured at right: The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.

Don’t Miss Out: Win a 3-Night Stay at The James New York!

Have you heard about the Five Star Alliance giveaway contest? We're giving away a 3-night stay at The James New York, the sexy new hotel already famous for its rooftop pool deck that has 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline. Simply sign up for our free monthly newsletter by May 31, 2011, and you’ll be automatically entered to win! All new subscribers, aged 18 or older, will be eligible for a chance to score a 3-night getaway in a Deluxe Guestroom at the hotel everyone’s talking about.

A Well-Earned Tax Break: Crunch Time Special at Duane Street Hotel, New York

It's that time of year again. Tax season is upon us, and with the April 15 deadline just around the corner, you may be desperate for a little tax relief. Duane Street Hotel to the rescue! The stylish 45-room hotel-- located in New York's red-hot TriBeCa neighborhood-- is offering the "Crunch Time" package so you can take a "tax break." Starting from $370 per night, the package includes chic accommodations, unlimited in-room coffee, a complimentary Taxes for Dummies book, and access to an iPad loaded with TurboTax, along with a round of celebratory cocktails when you've done the deed.

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Spring in South Carolina at Charleston Place

Take a long weekend in Charleston, and it's guaranteed that you'll return home with a spring in your step. A good dose of history, lots of art, flower-filled gardens, and all kinds of good grub (from elegant fare to Southern comfort food that's finger lickin' good). Not to mention the comfortable climate. Charleston Place-- the Orient-Express hotel that's famed for its true Southern hospitality-- is celebrating the arrival of spring with a fabulous package where you get to choose from a memorable variety of experiences, one for each day of your stay. Available from April 1- June 4, 2011 and priced from $370 per night, the "Spring Selections" package includes luxury accommodations, complimentary Internet access and daily newspaper, plus your choice of one of the following (per night):

* $100 Food & Beverage Gift Card for use in the Charleston Grill, Palmetto Cafe, Thoroughbred Club or In Room Dining

* $100 Spa Gift Card for use in The Spa at Charleston Place

* Schooner Pride two hour Sunset Sail for two, including two drinks per person

* Carriage ride for two from Palmetto Carriage Works

The Mark Hotel New York Now Offers a Private Courtesy Car for Suite Guests

The Mark already has a courtesy car for guests' use (and a neat 24-hour check-in policy). But now it gets even better. When you book a suite*, you'll get a complimentary car and driver with your stay. You'll be chauffeured anywhere you wish in Manhattan for up to six hours-- each day of your stay. While you're in town, ask the concierge to book you a table at the hotel's restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. (We tend to drool over the raw bar selections like oysters on the half-shell, chilled Maine lobster, and caviar on warm blinis, but the a la carte menu items are just as exciting.) In need of a haircut and styling? Check out the hotel's on-site salon services by famous hairstylist Frederic Fekkai.

*Excluding the Courtyard Suite, Seventy-Seven Suites, and Studios.

The Elysian Hotel Chicago Offers Emergency Style Kits

It's happened to the best of us. Upon arriving at your destination, you unpack your suitcase, only to discover the missing (and desperately needed) item. Oh woe! The Elysian Hotel Chicago to the rescue, explains HotelChatter in a recent story. The luxury hotel "stocks Emergency Style Kits to help with your fashion 911" and the offerings are pretty snazzy:

The women's Emergency Style Kit is filled with all-purpose goodies that will make you look good, whether you get last-minute tickets to the Lyric Opera or have a business meeting that requires some dress-up. The kit includes the perfect wear-it-a-million-ways LBD, the Donna Karan black Infiniti convertible jersey dress.

Ladies also get accessory choices, too. The kit carries classic Jimmy Choo black Gilbert Kid leather pumps, MAC Viva Glam Lipstick, Wolford Power Shape tights and a red Lanvin Ouloulette clutch.

Guys can also arm themselves with fashionable items from their very own Emergency Style Kit, stocked with "an Ermenegildo Zegna white French cuff dress shirt, an Hermés silk tie, David Yurman Armory cuff links, Gucci moccasins and Byredo Fantastic Man cologne." Prices for the ladies' kit items range from $15 to $1,000, and for the men, from $170 to $595.

Related Article: Bed, Breakfast, and Marc Jacobs at the Elysian Hotel Chicago

Sponsored Article: Ski Season Extended at Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah

Good news for ski bunnies. Canyons, Utah's largest ski resort, has extended its 2010/2011-ski season by a full week to April 17, 2011. The six new dining and après ski outlets, along with the first heated chair lift in North America, are scheduled to remain open in celebration of great snow conditions and the resort’s recent multi-million dollar re-creation. Located in Park City, Canyons offers 4,000 acres of exceptional skiing and snowboarding terrain, 180 trails, and five world class lodging properties including Silverado Lodge and Grand Summit Hotel. The ski conditions have been phenomenal this season; the resort has already reported more than 270 inches of snow with forecasters predicting even more to fall later in the season.

Canyons is so excited about its makeover, which includes the new "Ski Beach" base area, that they're running two special promotions. The “You’ll-Love-It-Or-It’s-Free-Guarantee” offers a refundable lift ticket for guests not fully satisfied with their mountain experience and a $15 après ski dining credit. Guarantee ticket must be purchased directly through the Canyons website at www.thecanyons.com/guarantee. The “Spring Ski, Dream and Dine” package is complete with overnight accommodations at Sundial Lodge, full-day lift ticket and daily breakfast for $139 per person, per day.

Two Day Grand Slam Event with Tennis Legend Fred Stolle at Fairmont Turnberry Isle

Heading to Miami this weekend? Tennis fans won't want to miss the opportunity to mingle and play tennis with 18-time Grand Slam champion Fred Stolle at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle resort. The 300-acre tropical retreat is hosting Stolle, one of the greatest tennis pros of all time, and lucky guests can score some tips to improve their game. Activities include a pro-am round robin at 5 p.m. on Friday, and then a two-hour group clinic followed by an organized match-play that begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. $175 per person includes all tennis activities with Fred Stolle, unlimited court time throughout the weekend, and a wine reception on Friday evening. Spaces are limited and reservations are required in advance by calling (305) 933-6925. Turn the weekend into a getaway with the resort’s new Fred Stolle Stay & Play package, priced from $195 per person, per night.