The Luxury Hotel Insider: Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance. The New Hotel Saint Barth Isle de France
February 27, 2013
By: Ruthanne Terrero
Five Star Alliance's sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, recently wrote an article about the new Hotel St. Barth Isle de France. Read more here:
When you arrive, you’ll get the vibe that everything at Hotel St. Barth Isle de France is pure white against a blue, blue sea. And it is white and fresh, thanks in large part to a recent renovation to its garden bungalows and public areas. We were able to get a good walk-through to one of the just-turned-two Flamands Villas (No. 43). There are two of these enormous three-bedroom suites which measure 4,300 square feet in size. Smart Move: Each of the bedrooms is of equal size, with a private bath, so there’s no stress about divvying up the sleeping quarters if you’re sharing with other couples or on a girlfriend getaway. More good things: Bathrooms have double sinks and roomy tubs. Both suites as well have full, real working kitchens near their respective living rooms, which open up to a terrace, complete with a plunge infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean and they have direct access to the beach. Other lush touches? Each has an exercise room and a home cinema. Life is good.
If a Flamands Villa isn’t large enough for your special party, consider adding on a suite next door, which measures 1,300 square feet.
What we loved: Lunch at the alfresco La Case de l’Isle overlooking the sea is a must, even if you’re just in town for the day off a luxury cruise. The menu is simple and French and the crowd that gathers is cosmopolitan and international and usually quite tan and fashionable. We started off with the refreshing soupe glacée de petits pois, bruschetta de prosciutto et poivrons grilles, which is an iced pea soup served with a prosciutto ham, and grilled peppers bruschetta. For a unique dish to share with your dining companion, consider the “Wok de gambas et poulet marine,” which is a shrimp and marinated chicken wok dish served with Thai noodles. (P.S.: A continental breakfast is included in the room rate.)
The spa here has four treatment rooms and uses Natura Bissé and Intraceuticals skincare products. There’s also a Spa Pavilion set in the resort’s tropical gardens.
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By: Ruthanne Terrero
Image of the Day: Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang
February 26, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang has a 700m-length beach with amazingly beautiful white sand and rows of coconut-palms. It also is the largest island-sea tourism and entertainment resort in Vietnam.
View rates, details and more photos for Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Image of the Day: Cavas Wine Lodge
February 26, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Nestled in a 35 acre vineyard, Cavas Wine Lodge is strategically located between the best known wineries and the magnificent Andes Mountain range.
View rates, details and more photos for Cavas Wine Lodge >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
We Have a Winner!
February 25, 2013
By: Five Star Alliance
At long last, we can share our exciting news! We know many of you have been anxiously awaiting the announcement as to who has won our Romantic Getaway Sweepstakes! We've wanted to tell you, but we had to wait until all the details were finalized. Now that all we've dotted all our i's and crossed all our t's, we can finally tell you! The lucky winner is (drumroll please!)
Kim H. of New York!
Kim and her guest will be flying business class to Bali courtesy of Qatar Airways! They will enjoy a 5 night stay in a luxury 1 bedroom pool villa courtesy of the Viceroy Bali.
Amenties include:
-Welcome drink & cool towel upon arrival
-Daily choice of A La Carte Breakfast
-Daily restock of mini bar with free nonalcoholic drinks
-Free Wi-Fi Broadband Internet Access
-Free use of Jacuzzi & Steam bath at Lembah Spa
-Free drop off and pickup shuttle service in Ubud area
-Cardio and Resistance Gymnasium
Enjoy your stay Kim, and take lots of pictures! For all those who didn't win, keep checking our Facebook page. We'll have another exciting luxury hotel contest coming up soon.
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Image of the Day: Banyan Tree Hangzhou
February 24, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Banyan Tree Hangzhou is a Jiangnan-style "water-village" resort experience located inside the Xixi wetlands, China's first wetlands reserve. The Xixi National Wetland Park is home to an amazing wealth of thriving plant and animal life.
View rates, details and more photos for Banyan Tree Hangzhou >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Image of the Day: Hotel Lutetia
February 23, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Some rooms at Hotel Lutetia have stunning views of Le Bon Marche and the Eiffel Tower.
View rates, details and more photos for Hotel Lutetia >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Image of the Day: Hotel Il Salviatino
February 22, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
When you stay at Hotel Il Salviatino, all of Florence is at your feet.
View photos, details, and rates at Hotel Il Salviatino >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Oscar Checks In
February 22, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
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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By: K. Clare Johnson
Image of the Day: Four Seasons Milan
February 21, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Designed by celebrated architect Patricia Urquiola, the Spa at Four Seasons Milan is accented with wood, cream and grey design elements to embrace you in warmth and comfort. This sleek Milan spa retreat offers a delectable range of massage, facial, nail and body treatments in seven luxurious treatment rooms, including a spa suite.
View rates, details and more photos for Four Seasons Milan >>
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By: K. Clare Johnson
Atlantis Summer Camps for Kids
February 21, 2013
By: K. Clare Johnson
Ahhh, summer camp. Sleeping in cabins, eating at the mess hall, playing pranks on counselors. For those with fond memories of summer camp, you can pass on some of those memories to your kids. Except, well, they'll be in the Bahamas and staying in a lot more luxurious surroundings!
Atlantis, the family-friend resort in Nassua, has announced the first three of its summer camps. They are:
-Junior Scuba Explorers, for ages 10-15, offers ocean adventurers the chance to earn PADI Open Water SCUBA Certification from certified instructors. Divers will get to explore the themed exhibit lagoons and embark on underwater excursions to nearby coral reefs.
-Marine Adventure Camp, for ages 10-14, is for kids interested in becoming Atlantis Jr. Aquarists. Campers will spend 3 days working with 
marine life, from food prepping to feeding the animals to snorkeling and learning about coral reefs.
-Junior Golf Camp, for ages 6-14, will get kids swinging like the pros. Campers will learn the fundamentals fo golf, starting with grip, posture and alignment. They'll also learn how to putt, chip, pitch, and full-swing.
Other camps will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
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By: K. Clare Johnson
