StarwoodHotels

Fairfax Hotel Hosts Second Annual Capital Wine Festival

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

With the swearing in of the 112th Congress this week, there's either plenty to celebrate or a crucial need to dull the pain. Whichever mood your political leanings have put you in, the good news is that the Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row (part of the Starwood luxury group) will be hosting the second annual Capital Wine Festival, starting on the 20th of January. Located in Dupont Circle, the festival is the creation of Chef Daniel Bruce, who helms the kitchen at the Boston Harbor Hotel and founded its sister event, the Boston Wine Festival. Since organizing Boston over twenty years ago, he's expanded the event to include New Orleans (2007), Berkeley (2010) and DC (2010). Two disparate, yet equally popular and significant, wine regions are covered by this year's festival: the US West Coast (California and Oregon) and Italy. Over the course of eight dinners, festival participants will experience the wines of vineyards such as Poggio al Tesoro, Continuum Estate and Ponzi Vineyards, all presented by representatives from the wineries. A food and 45-label wine gala reception kicks it all off, but unlike most festivals, there's no need to run between events to cram everything in. The Capital Wine Festival is spread out over a leisurely two months, meaning that the party/pity-party will continue long into the 2011 session.

Tags: california, dupont circle, fairfax hotel, italy, oregon, StarwoodHotels, washington dc, wine, wine festival

Michigan Set To Lose Its Only Ritz-Carlton Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Michigan is about to lose its only Ritz-Carlton hotel. The Detroit Free Press reports that the hotel currently known as the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn has been sold to an investment group. It will be managed by Greenwood Hospitality Group and as of June 2, it will lose the Ritz-Carlton name. A decision hasn't been made yet as to what brand the hotel will operate under after that. The new owners plan to renovate the property and keep it as an upscale hotel. The hotel has 308 rooms including a 1500-square-foot presidential suite. This is the second time this week we've seen an upscale hotel lose one from the fold. Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced that it is selling two of its New York locations, the W Court and the W Tuscany.

Tags: dearborn, michigan, ritz-carlton, StarwoodHotels, w hotels

Starwood Hotels Dole Out Free Internet To Their Best Customers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Paying for the internet, especially at luxury hotels is one of our biggest pet peeves. One major hotel chain is making it easier for guests to get free in-room internet access. There's just one major hook, you have to be a loyal customer. Starting on March 1, Starwood will give platinum-level members of the Starwood Preferred Guest program free internet at any of Starwood's 940 hotels including Westin, Sheraton, W and St. Regis). To get the free internet you also can't book using Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz or other, similar sites.

USA Today's Hotel Check-In reports that when you get to your room and log in you may have to click yes and accept the charge but that it will be removed as long as you're a platinum-level member. Hilton already offers its gold and diamond members free, in-room Internet access as one of their hotel perks.Hyatt also offers free Internet to its diamond- and platinum-level members. It's a great step but we're still dreaming of the day when free luxury hotel internet is available without restrictions.

Tags: hotel wifi, hotel wireless, HotelWifi, HotelWireless, starwood hotels, StarwoodHotels, wireless

Starwood Hotels Sell Off Bliss Spas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

W Hotels and Bliss Spas have been an unshakable combination for Starwood Hotels. But after a tough year for the travel and tourism industry Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has sold off the Bliss spa unit for $100 million to Steiner Leisure Limited. The Bliss and Remede brands will stay at the Starwood's W Hotels and St. Regis Hotels. Bloomberg News quotes Chief Executive Officer Frits Van Paasschen who said during a conference call in October that the company was looking at "assets that are non-core or that are so attractive that we can still get a good multiple."

The Bliss spa brand was founded in 1996 in New York City. The brand quickly grew and has become famous for its playful approach ot beauty and skin care treatments. The Bliss brand includes not just the Bliss and Remede spas but also branded products. Bliss products are also sold outside the spas through an e-commerce and catalog business and distribution in Sephora and many major department stores.

The brand is a natural fit for Steiner Leisure Limited which is a provider of spa services. The company operates spas and salons on 126 cruise ships and in 51 resort spas and two luxury day spas for brands that include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Harrah's Entertainment, Hilton Hotels, Holland America Line, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels and many others. Steiner Leisure also owns and operates five schools that offer degree and non-degree programs in massage therapy and,skin care, training spa professionals for health and beauty positions at Steiner spas and salons.

Source

Tags: bliss spas, BlissSpas, hotel spa, HotelSpa, remede, spas, st regis, starwood, starwood hotels, StarwoodHotels, steiner leisure, SteinerLeisure, StRegis, w hotels, WHotels