The Chase is On: Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion Re-Opens

The Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion, a feature of northwest DC, has finished up its eight weeks of renovation and is gearing up for its reopening come May 7th.  Located within one of the northwest's great shopping centers, the Embassy Suites is a great DC Hotel, and their renovation is polishing all the corners and reapplying a fresh coat of paint to an already modern hotel. Grab one of their reopening packages for a crazy set of amenities:

 - Complimentary Wifi
 - Two free all-day metro passes
 - Discounted $10 metro parking
 - Free tote bag (Oh, yeah!)
 - Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast
 - Manager's evening reception

Photo via Embassy Suites

New Spa Cabana at the Sunset Key Guest Cottages a Westin Resort

The Sunset Key Guest Cottages is a Westin Resort located on Sunset Key, a beautiful, secluded 27 acre Florida Island. The cottages comprise 7 acres of the island, and they are designed for the sophisticated traveler who demands the best of the best. The perfectly appointed cottages are nestled between the swaying palm trees alongside the white, sandy Florida beach. Breathtaking Ocean and garden views are offered, and each cottage is fully equipped with a kitchen, living and dining area, bathroom(s), and a beverage and pantry bar.

The Sunset Key Guest Cottages just recently opened its new Spa Cabana where guests can enjoy a variety of massages all while indulging the senses in the island surroundings. The Spa Cabana is on the waterfront on a quiet corner of Sunset Key Beach with a thatched roof and open wall design, providing guests with the opportunity to take in the warmth of the sun, scent of the sea, and the sound of the waves. Enjoy the most relaxing massage and experience the best of the Sunset Key by making your reservation for the Sunset Key Guest Cottages today!

Chemical Romance: The Dupont Circle Hotel

The Dupont Circle Hotel recently renovated in 2009 to a new and innovative concept. Apart from renovating their rooms and suites, the hotel added an entire new floor. The secret 9th floor, in order to outdo the 13th floor of many buildings were the owners suffer from a bit of triskaidekaphobia, also doesn't  appear on the elevator, but that's because it has its own private one. A wholly separate experience from the rest of the hotel, the 15 suites on the 9th floor have a separate concierge service and special culinary preparations that are exclusive to those guests. You also learn a secret handshake on arrival.*

Outside of the enigmatic Grimmauldian world of the 9th floor, the Dupont Circle Hotel still has a lot to offer. 9,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space is available for larger parties, and you can get in-room fitness training, massage, and spa services, as well as fine French-American cuisine on site and plenty of fine dining establishments in the surrounding Dupont area.  Dupont Circle is right in the heart of the more social parts of DC that are active in the evening, and a short metro trip or cab ride to the National Mall.  If I were visiting DC, the Dupont Circle Hotel would definitely be on my short list.

*Disclaimer: You don't actually learn a handshake. But you could make up your own.

Upping the Tempo: Tempo Miami Rechristened Casa Moderna

In the spirit of the holiday, the Tempo Miami has rechristened itself as the Casa Moderna Miami. The new hotel is celebrating the name change in style, and there's not been a better time to stay in one of its 56 rooms and suites on gorgeous Biscayne Bay. Enjoy the view from its 14th-floor sky pool deck or lounge in its 8,000 sq ft spa.  The boutique resort is perfect for someone who wants to get out to the beaches of Miami without the bustle of the larger hotels.  

Casa Moderna is making a concerted effort to upgrade its dining experience as well. For the month of April, you can even text 'fresh' to 84700 in order to receive a coupon for a free Tea Forte cocktail at their delicious restaurant, Amuse. They are celebrating the addition of the new Executive Chef, Kenneth Williams, to their team, and I'm looking forward to the great things he'll be up to.  He was wonderful at the Fisher Island Club and Gotham Steak.  It will be great to see if the rebranding efforts will run deeper than the new website and new name to the essence of the hotel. At the very least, the new leadership for Amuse should provide an interesting change of pace.  Learn more about the Casa Moderna here.

Hotels with a History: Keswick Hall at Monticello

Certain hotels have a story behind them, a culture that seeps through the walls and a personality that emanates from every room. Every city has an appreciated and valued history worth exploring, and certain hotels have become a part of that rich and interesting past. For this reason, we’d like to introduce you to our blog series, Hotels with a History where we’ll be featuring unique hotels that have a little more to them than a comfortable bed and superb amenities.

This landmark estate is framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers 600 acres in the heart of Keswick, Virginia. No other place combines the equestrian lifestyle, wine making, and American history together quite like this luxury hotel. Keswick Hall is a beautiful mansion surrounded by the most beautiful scenery and home to horse races, hunts, and vineyards. It has its very own Arnold Palmer Signature 18-hole golf course and a lavish spa. Enjoy the plethora of activities available on site or nearby including swimming, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, winery tours, with the list going on and on! Located a short drive from Washington DC, make your reservations for a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle and learn the true meaning of rest and relaxation at the Keswick Hall at Monticello!

Experience the Festival of Flowers at the Grand Bohemian Hotel

The Grand Bohemian Hotel brings boutique comfort to the beautiful town of Asheville, North Carolina. This welcoming, Tudor-style hotel is located in the famous Biltmore Village and it’s set among the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains. Be sure to stay at the Grand Bohemian Hotel between April 7th and May 20th to take part in the Festival of Flowers. The gardens of the Biltmore Estate come alive with thousands of azaleas, tulips, and other flowers reaching full bloom! The Festival of Flowers is an annual event featuring live music and complimentary garden seminars. Experience the best of spring from the luxurious and art-filled setting of the Grand Bohemian Hotel where exceptional service and gourmet cuisine come together.

Hostile Takeover, Literally: Lehman Bros Busts into Setai with Armed Guards

It's not often that the hotel industry gets good drama.  In a move that I imagine happening a little something like this, the Setai was invaded by armed enforcers, who physically removed managing hotel group, General Hotel Management, from the premises.  The enforcers were controlled by the Setai owners, affiliates of Lehman Brothers Holdings, who were clearly unsatisfied with the way their property was being managed.  GHM President Hans R. Jenni claimed they were completely blind-sided by this maneuver, even noting that they had posted the second highest profits of any year immediately prior to their displacement.  This in answer to the allegations that the management group was overspending.  The staff is reported to be filing an injunction against Lehman Brothers, but in the past such moves have been met with little success.

Executives from all sides are claiming that this should have no effect on your stay at the hotel, but we can bet that at the very least, you'll be hearing some good gossip from the staff.  It's not every day that an armed posse of off-duty cops and private security storms into your place of work to eject your boss from the building.  My favorite part of this story is that the folks doing the accusations of money mismanagement are most well-known for their 2008 Chapter 11 bankruptcy that catalyzed a national recession.  So at least we know they're in good hands.  Head on over to the Setai in Miami Beach to see for yourself.

 Read more about the two sides at HotelChatter.

Everybody in the Club: Houstonian Hotel Club and Spa

The Houstonian Hotel Club and Spa is a special kind of retreat.  Boasting one of the largest hotel fitness clubs in the US, the Houstonian Club has over 30 certified personal trainers and its 125,000 square feet of space features a rock-climbing wall, three resort pools, a boxing ring, eight tennis courts, and a full gymnasium court.  If you want your hotel to come with a sports complex, then the Houstonian is right for you.  Not only that, the Houstonian's spa, Trellis, offers more than 100 different treatment options and an indoor float pool alongside all of the traditional spa options.

Despite its premium facilities and total self-sufficiency, the Houstonian Hotel Club and Spa manages to hide itself from the greater Houston metropolis.  Houston has a wonderful 18-acre forest in its heart, and it is within this oasis of serenity that the Houstonian lies. You get all the convenience of the city with the atmosphere of the countryside.  Its 288 rooms are adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows which provide unparalleled views of the surroundings.  It's serene, subtle, and full of the options that every sort of luxury travel is looking for, from business to leisure.  The Houstonian Hotel Club and Spa is a unique expansion of the standard hotel facilities, and it helps it stand out from the crowd.

Go in My Stead: The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Spas are a funny thing. It's actually amazing to think that we live in a world full of all the modern luxuries, and yet we have to pay to escape to a simpler, more relaxed experience.  The spa is just that, too, quintessentially an escape, retreating inward to recharge the mind and the body during a moment's respite from the bustle of modern life. But, the fact remains, many of us are in desparate need of that retreat, and if you're looking to get away from everything, there's no better destination than the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC. 

The hotel itself is gorgeous, was built in 2007, and features 228 oversized luxury guest rooms with all the modern amenities: flat screen TVs, Rivolta Italian linens, and many with balconies overlooking the natural flora.  World-class dining and a great respect for the local culture accent the property, with local artists featuring prominently and the down-home hospitality a guarantee.  

The real crowning jewel of the hotel is the spa.  The two-story building adjacent to the property offers ten treatment rooms where you can find the perfect personalized relaxation technique to wash the stress out of your body.  A meditation courtyard, whirlpools, and a steam room offer alternative ways to rejuvenate and recharge and the naturally lit interior spaces soothe the eyes as much as they do your soul.  The Umstead Hotel & Spa really is a wonderful place ot slough off your East Coast woes and embrace the healing powers of a day all to yourself.

Love the Hunger Games? Then Be Sure to Visit Asheville!

The big hit movie the Hunger Games was filmed in Asheville, North Carolina, and this southern town is certainly drawing in quite the crowd because of it! The town of Asheville has two 5-star hotels properties and one 4-star hotel. Read on below to explore these luxury hotel options and choose the one that is most suitable for you and your Hunger Games needs!

The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

This is one of the most popular hotels on our site, and it is one of the South’s best loved resorts. It offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it overlooks the city of Asheville. The property has a 40,000 square foot spa, a restored golf course, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, child programs, and much more.

Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville Autograph Collection

This boutique hotel is located in the famous Biltmore Village, and it’s set among the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Its 104 rooms and suites have personal touches including stone flooring and custom bedding. This hotel has a fine dining restaurant, spa, lounge, and art gallery all easily accessible and readily available. Experience the elegance of the Old World at this charming and rustic boutique hotel.

Biltmore Village Inn

This 4-star hotel is located on top of Reed Hill, above Biltmore Village. It offers a 360 degree view of the mountains and overlooks the Village and Swannanoa River Valley. This charming, small boutique hotel only has 7 rooms in 2 buildings, so you can expect an extremely personal stay.

Explore these hotel options and be sure to visit the beautiful town of Asheville to get an even more personal connection to the Hunger Games!