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Mardi Gras At The Monteleone

March 9, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 6:40 pm | Comments off

Those of y’all not fortunate enough to live in the great state of Louisiana might not know that yesterday was Mardi Gras. You might also be unaware that Mardi Gras is not the single day of fun that the name, Fat Tuesday, implies. No, indeed, Mardi Gras is weeks of drunken, bead-encrusted fun. The parades started midway through last month and culminated in Tuesday’s fanfare that you’ve all inevitably seen on TV. So, if the time has already passed, why am I bringing it up? Because 364 days (or so, it goes by the Catholic calendar) from now the whole thing will start all over again, and you should start planning now.

While Mardi Gras festivities are to be found in almost every town in Louisiana, the most famous are in New Orleans. And they are a Big Deal. So, if you want a room with a great balcony and a comfortable bed, I’d suggest calling and booking immediately. The Hotel Monteleone is one of the oldest and most famous hotels in the French Quarter. Its balconies offer the perfect vantage point for observing the madness without getting stuck in the muck. Plus, it gives you a beautifully authentic experience of old New Orleans with all the modern amenities.

Four Seasons To Open In Marrakech

March 3, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 9:03 pm | Comments off

The Four Seasons hotel chain is known for its unparalleled quality. Few other franchises have been able to maintain such a solid reputation over and extended period of time. I guess you could kind of say the same thing about Marrakech. It’s one of those place that may fade in and out of the spotlight, but it never goes completely out of style. It’s just got a timeless air of mystery around it.

Well, lucky for many, the Four Seasons is set to open a hotel in Marrakech this very summer. The walled 40-acre property features two pools, five restaurants, and several gardens. Not to mention the extraordinary spa facility, which has fifteen treatment rooms. With 140 guest rooms, the hotel is set to be one of the largest in the city, and the layout is nothing short of amazing. Pavillions of guest rooms are grouped to form small villages complete with walkways and arcades. The short buildings are purposefully built so as not to obstruct the guests’ view of the Atlas Mountains and Menara Gardens.

Life At The Ritz

January 20, 2011 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 5:54 pm | Comments off

Do you love staying at the Ritz-Carlton when you travel? Well, if you do, now you can have the Ritz-Carlton experience every day of your life. The company bought 8.8 acres of oceanfront property in Palm Beach and is currently converting the existing residence into the Ritz-Cartlon Residences Singer Island, one of only eight residential properties that the company owns, worldwide.With only 60 days on the market, the Ritz has already sold $20 million in condos.

The beachfront residences run from $700,000 to $10 million. Each of the two buildings has a 24 hour valet, a fitness center, and a private screening room. In addition, there are two spas, numerous indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and poolside summer kitchens. Other amenities include private guest suites, oceanfront cabanas, and private garages. Now, that’s the kind of condo I’m talking about. Especially when you figure in the private catering facilities, on-site chef, and beautiful art on loan from both private collectors and museums.

Amangani Resort, Jackson Hole, WY

October 28, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 9:12 am | Comments off

The Amangani Resort located in Jackson Hole< Wyoming is part of the ultra-luxurious Aman hotel & resort chain. In 2009, it was named the #1 Ski Resort in North America by Conde Nast Traveler, and its spa is consistently at the top of the list of America’s top spas.

Situated in the valley beneath the Tetons, the youngest of the Rocky Mountain range, the resort features spectacular views of both the mountains and also the Snake River. every season at Amangani has its own set of rewards. In spring and summer, the resort is haven to fly fishermen, mountain bikers, hikers, and kayakers. In fall and winter, skiers from around the world come to experience the powdery paradise.

All year round, the spa will pamper you will an assortment of massages, facials, and other healing therapies. All the suites at Amangani are decorated in minimal “wild Western” style. Spare lines give way to woven cowhide chairs and faux wolf throws await on plush couches to snuggle up in. No matter where you’re coming from or what time of year you visit, Amangani is a unique, luxurious mountain retreat.

Stay Like A Pretty Woman at The Regent Beverly Wilshire

June 21, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 9:39 pm | (1) Comment »

If you have seen the movie, “Pretty Woman,” there is no doubt, after watching it, that you would want to see where part of the movie was filmed. Even better, why not stay at The Regent Beverly Wilshire, the hotel where Julia Roberts and Richard Gere did in the movie? (It was actually only filmed in the lobby – the famous Penthouse suite was a Hollywood set). Guests of this famous hotel include Elvis Presley, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Beatles and Mick Jagger.

You must choose to stay between two wings of the hotel – the Beverly or Wilshire. The Wilshire offers more traditional accommodations whereas the Beverly hosts a modern, deco-style design. The hotel’s 395 guest rooms are superior or deluxe accommodations. Guests may also choose the Veranda Suite with 750 square feet and a private stairway entrance to the two-bedroom suite with two bathrooms and 1,530 square feet. The hotel is located at the most desirable address in town – at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive – in the heart of Beverly Hills.

Our room in the Beverly Wing had a large Italian marble bathroom with separate shower and tub. The rooms on floors 7-12 of this wing were totally reconstructed because they were unavailable to guests for the past 10 years. Most have balconies and expansive views of the city.

The hotel is the only one in the city to offer two presidential suites – one in the Beverly Wing and one in the Wilshire. The hotel sits proudly amid the glamour of the Hollywood entertainment industry.

For reservations or more information, call the Regent Beverly Wilshire directly at 310-275-5200.

Four Seasons Bora Bora Offers Five-Diamond Escape

June 14, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 9:30 pm | Comments off

The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora just might be paradise found. The property offers 121 spacious hideaways nestling around Bora Bora lagoon and its outer beaches. The 100 over-water bungalows perch on stilts above the turquoise lagoon. On the shore, seven beachfront villas nestle along a stretch of private beach. All overlook the pristine waters and views of spectacular Mount Otemanu.

Guest accommodations offer a restful, airy ambience inspired by local architecture – with traditional teak wood furnishings, high ceilings and roofs thatched with pandanus leaves. To accentuate the feel of Polynesia, special touches include striking works of art, private pools and deep bathtubs beside doors that slide open to reveal panoramic fresh-air views of the lagoon.

You can choose from an over-the-water bungalow with private plunge pool or a more spacious villa. The bungalows are some of the most spectacular on the island with a large deck with ladder access to the lagoon. The bedroom, with lagoon views, opens onto a deck that features a private plunge pool. Four large glass panels, including one in the floor looking down into the lagoon below, flood the bathroom with light by day and invite the moonlight to sparkle and reflect the waves of the ocean by night. The bathroom also has double vanities, an oversized tub, and a separate shower. A guest bathroom with shower is located off the living area.

Overlooking the tranquil, translucent waters of the lagoon, the on-site restaurant, Arii Moana, epitomizes romance, offering marvellous views – as far as distant Mount Otemanu – and culinary perfection. The imaginative menu creations highlight the best in seafood specialties, accompanied by the finest wines.

http://www.fourseasons.com/borabora/

Hot Buzz Surrounding Australia’s Luxury Saffire

June 8, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 3:33 pm | Comments off

Australia’s newest luxury hotel, Saffire, located on the picturesque East Coast of Tasmania near Freycinet, has just opened.  Saffire is considered by its developers to be an iconic development for the Australian tourism industry.  Its concept and design are like no other current hotel in the country, capturing the essence of the unique region and connecting with the environment to bring an authentic and enriching experience to guests.

Distinct in its design, exclusive in its features and set apart by its approach to individually tailored experiences and service, Saffire’s approach is not constrained by traditional five-star ratings and standards, but instead sets a bold new direction for holidays and accommodations in Australia.

Saffire features 20 luxury suites, each offering sweeping views of Great Oyster Bay and the Hazards Mountains with complete privacy from the neighboring suites. Tasmania’s freshest produce and finest wines and beers will be showcased in Palate restaurant and The Lounge bar.  All guests can restore their well-being in the premium spa facilities and on-site gym.  Exclusive Signature Experiences have been developed accessing little-known areas of the Freycinet Peninsula, and a range of other activities can be tailored to suit guests’ desires.

The design of Saffire is distinctly unique and recognisable, just like its location. The unmistakable Hazards Mountains are framed in the main building’s roof line, and the suites present like waves peeling on the shores below.

The roof is made from curved Tasmanian wood beams, built in a ribbed structure with ply overlay which forms a smooth underlay for the Polymea membrane. Although complex in concept, the build and look of the roof present a very simple view without dominating the entire structure. The glass used has a very low percentage of reflectivity, allowing for maximum impact when viewing the surrounding coastal beauty both during the day and at night.

For more information, visit www.saffire-freycinet.com.au

Unrivaled Stay at The Borgata Atlantic City

May 28, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 2:00 pm | Comments off

When the 2,000 room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened its doors in the summer of 2003, it was the first new hotel property to open in Atlantic City in 13 years. Three years later, in June 2006, Borgata unveiled a $200 million expansion that added three fine dining restaurants, 36,120 square-feet of casino space, 36 table games, 500 slot machines, and an 85-table poker room.

Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, Borgata guests are treated to an unparalleled travel experience.  The casino-hotel holds 161,000 square-feet of casino floor space featuring 200 table games and 4,100 slot machines, 12 specialty retail shops, 13 destination restaurants – including six fine dining options from renowned chefs Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, and Bobby Flay, a 54,000 square-foot spa, salon, and barbershop, 70,000 square-feet of event space, a 2,400-seat Borgata Event Center, a 1,000-seat Music Box theater, an indoor pool and gardens, and multiple nightlife options.

There are so many rooms to choose from, including 1,600 Classic Rooms (460 square-feet), 313 Fiore Suites (700 square-feet), eight Studio Suites (900 square-feet), 39 Opus Suites (1,000 square-feet), 40 Piatto Suites (1,500 square-feet) and just two residences (5,000 square-feet). Each room offers floor-to-ceiling windows, 24-hour room service, luxurious 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, enormous bathrooms with granite countertops and marble walls and floors and oversized glass-enclosed showers with therapeutic showerheads.

Do not miss a visit to Spa Toccare, a 54,000 square-foot European-style spa featuring 31 treatment rooms (including 1 vichy/wet room, 2 couple rooms, 1 deluxe couples suite, and 7 skin care/esthetics rooms), a full-service hair salon, a gentlemen’s barbershop, a pool and gardens, and a fully equipped fitness facility. The Spa offers a large selection of health and beauty services including seven facials, nine sensual body treatments, two hydrotherapy services, seven supercharged massages, and two men’s treatments.

For more information, view www.theborgata.com.

Luxury at the Peaks of the French Alps

May 26, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 10:53 am | Comments off

Le Chardon Mountain Lodges, the newest addition to the elite Mantis portfolio, features a cluster of five luxurious chalets nestled into slopes of the Val d’Isere ski resort. With access to some of the world’s best skiing, hot tubs boasting unrivalled views of the Alps, private cinema and entertainment rooms, in-chalet ski fitting, and dedicated concierge service, the five-star resort offers an amazing ski getaway.

For the ultimate stay, request one of the five exclusive chalets. Le Chardon houses up to 20 guests in ten rooms; Le Mistral houses up to 14 guests in seven rooms; Lafitenia houses up to 12 in six rooms; La Bergerie houses up to eleven in six rooms; and Le Kilimanjaro houses up to eight in four rooms. At certain times of the year, the main lodge, Le Chardon, operates as a boutique hotel and can be booked by individual guests as well as groups.

Each of the five chalets exudes tranquility and warmth, from the Savoyard wood beams and blazing fire to the Italian marble and bubbling hot tubs. The rooms are individually designed in lavish style, with floor to ceiling windows that offer uninterrupted views of the Manchet Valley and Vanoise National Park. Every chalet includes tea or coffee in bed, breakfast made to order, afternoon tea, pre-dinner champagne and canapés, five-course gourmet evening meals, an open bar with spirits, beers, and soft drinks, hot tubs, massage and treatment rooms, satellite televisions, DVD players, wireless DSL and PC computer, concierge service, in-chalet chauffeur service, in-chalet ski fitting, and comprehensive travel insurance. Le Chardon also boasts an 18-foot swim spa.

After a long day of skiing, guests can unwind with afternoon tea; a soothing massage performed by a highly trained physiotherapist; and champagne and canapés before an epicurean, five-course feast. For children, the chalets offer endless entertainment including a cozy TV room complete with satellite TV and a DVD player, plenty of nooks and crannies in which to play hide and seek, a wide assortment of board games, and acres of outside space for snowball fights and sledding.

Rates for Le Kilimanjaro begin at $11,429 per person, per week, all-inclusive; rates at La Bergerie begin at $14,287 per person, per week, all-inclusive; rates at Lafitenia begin at $17,144 per person, per week, all-inclusive; rates at Le Mistral begin at $20,002 per person, per week, all-inclusive; and rates at Le Chardon begin at $28,574 per person, per week, all-inclusive. These prices are based on the exchange rate of the dollar to the euro on 5/21/2010.

For more information or to book, please call +44 (0)845 092 0350, or visit the website at www.lechardonvaldisere.com.

Relax in the Berkshires at Wheatleigh

May 25, 2010 | Posted by bLavish as Luxury Hotels at 8:34 pm | Comments off

If you are looking for an idyllic holiday in a sensational Italianate villa, then you need look no further than Wheatleigh, in the Berkshires. This private villa was constructed in 1893 by railroad and real estate tycoon Henry H. Cook for his daughter as a wedding gift when she married Count Carlos de Heredia.

Today, the landmark property has been transformed into a grand retreat with grace and charm that will take you back in time to 16th century Tuscany. Wheatleigh offers a unique combination of luxury and complete privacy with 19 guest rooms nestled on 22 acres — just a short walk to Tanglewood, the summer playground of the Boston Pops. All rooms here are exquisite and offer meticulous details, including fireplaces, museum-quality art, sitting areas and large bathrooms with high ceilings. The outdoor heated pool, tennis court and bocce field are added bonuses.

For dinner you can choose from the award-winning restaurant’s formal prix fixe menu of French cuisine served in the main dining room or order à la carte in the more casual adjacent library. The gracious European staff is always nearby to ensure that your every need is met, whether you wish for an in-room massage or merely a pitcher of lemonade to enjoy on your private terrace. They consider every detail, including remembering your name.

Enjoying the stylish Wheatleigh’s old-world charm doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice modern amenities. It is the first hotel in the United States to offer the new Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 7 flat screen TV in all suites, junior suites and deluxe rooms. Your only complaint will be that you didn’t stay longer.

For more information, visit www.wheatleigh.com.

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