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Best Luxury Valentine's Day Spa Packages & Treatments

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Spa at Norwich Inn Valentines Day Spa Package Having a romantic Valentine's Day doesn't necessarily mean you need to have a special someone in your life. Why not show yourself some love ... at the spa on this most romantic of holidays? We've tracked down spa treatments from coast to coast (and beyond) to come up with our favorite Valentine's Day spa packages and treatments for romance and romance-lovers alike.

"Sweetheart" Scrub & Massage at Spa Desert Springs
What better way to say "I love you" or "UR G8" than with the quintessential Valentine's Day candy, Necco Candy Hearts? Palm Desert's JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is offering a Sweetheart Sugar Scrub and Sweetheart Valentine Massage, both scented with the smell of candy hearts, featuring notes of orange, vanilla and blueberry. Afterwards, unwind in the 38,000 square foot spa, the largest in Southern California. Both treatments are 60 minutes and $135.

Vanilla and Caramel Delight at The Spa at Norwich Inn
Whoever said Valentine's Day had to be just about chocolate and Champagne obviously hasn't tried this deluxe treatment. The famed Connecticut spa (which also has an outpost at Foxwoods resort and casino) is offering a Caramel Delight Facial for their holiday visitors. Vanilla helps lessen skin's hypersensitivity and reactions to environmental elements, while caramel leaves skin smooth and improves its tone. As a take-home gift, you'll enjoy the spa's Caramel serum to help maintain the effects of the treatment. Prefer something a bit "spicier"? They're also offering a selection of Chocolate and Chocolate-Gingerbread treatments. The facial is 50 minutes and $125.

Strawberries, Champagne & Chocolate at The Sports Club/LA
Finally, a spa treatment that's both luxurious and affordable. This month's seasonal specials at Sports Club/LA (locations across the country) are a Chocolate Indulgence Body Wrap, which begins with a Chocolate Crème Mineral Mask with soothing scalp massage and foot reflexology before application of a cocoa-scented lotion to leave skin smooth and supple. Need some face time? How about a Strawberry Champagne Facial, which uses the power of vinotherapy and the antioxidants to leave skin smooth, supple and refreshed? Both treatments are 50 minutes and just $99. Want to spa with a friend? Inquire about combining these into couples packages that include Champagne and strawberries.

Tags: barcelona, champagne, chocolate, ritz carlton, rock resorts, romance, spa at norwich inn, sports club la, vail, valentines day, valentines day spa packages, vinotherapy

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Celebrate Christmas in Spain at the Hotel Arts Barcelona

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

A view of the Hotel Arts Barcelona with Frank Gehry's famous Peix d'Or (fish) sculpture in the background.

Experience Christmas in one of the world's most exciting destinations, Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain.

There's a spectacular five-star Ritz-Carlton property worth checking out. Called the Hotel Arts Barcelona, it will be offering several special packages over the holidays, including New Years' Eve.

The Hotel Arts Barcelona offers 483 spacious guest rooms, including a variety of suites including 56 executive suites and 28 sophisticated duplex apartments. It also offers a spa on the 42nd and 43rd floors of the hotel that has stunning views of the city and sea below. The spa features eight treatment suites, a separate sauna and a steam room with color therapy.

Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner at one of the hotel's many fine restaurants. Paco Perez's Enoteca restaurant, which was awarded one Michelin star in the 2010 Guide, will offer festive gastronomic dishes during the holiday season such as truffle and wild mushroom cream soup with foie gras shots and grilled Grouper loin, followed by Turron, a traditional Spanish Christmas dessert made of chocolate, almond and pine nuts with puffed rice.

Gallery: Hotel Arts Barcelona

The Enoteca restaurant at the Hotel Arts Barcelona

Tags: Awards-main, Barcelona, Christmas travel, Hotel Arts Barcelona, hotel packages, Luxist-Awards, Ritz-Carlton, Spain

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A Spanish Castle, Furniture Included, Estate Of The Day

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The Castillo de Santa Florentina – Casa Nova is for sale. It combines a historic country estate, in the envelope of a true Spanish castle, located 22 miles from Barcelona, in the northeast region of Spain. Santa Florentina Castle is a medieval building from the eleventh century, built on ancient Roman ruins. Despite its fortified appearance, the castle was never a defensive fortress. Its location at the foot of a mountain and not on the highest point, which suggests that it was thought to be a residence, instead of a classic fortress. Guadimir Canet was one of its first owners, who hosted a royal visit from King Alfonso XIII, who stayed here in 1908.

The castle traces its history back to Roman times, when Barcino -- the Roman name for what is now Barcelona. -- existed, and was one of the major Roman trade routes in the 10th and 11th centuries, AD. Since then, numerous renovations and extensions have contributed to the finished product as it stands today. One of the former owners of the manor, Ramon Montaner, played an important role in converting the fortified castle into a luxury country property – adding typical late 19th century touches, with the help of the noted Spanish architect and his cousin, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Casa Nova was also mentioned in the 1998 Architectural Digest's 'Most Beautiful Homes in the World. The property has been a private home for many years. The castle is on nearly 49 acres.

The living quarters are on the first floor, with small private chapel, a grand salon and a formal dining room. There are 15 bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 32,291 square feet of living space.

The caretaker's house, adjacent to the castle's building has four more bedrooms and two bathrooms. The castle stands in a manicured garden setting, surrounded by a pool area. A stable and horse area is ready for the castle's new owners to enjoy the surrounding countryside on horseback, while the vineyards offer an opportunity for new owners to bottle and produce their own wine. The price is $24,800,000, and the furniture is included in the price of the castle.

Luxist is grateful to Luxury Real Estate.com and Rimontgo, the referral sources for this property.

Tags: Architectural Digest, Barcelona, Castillo de Santa Florentina Casa Nova, estate of the day, Guademir Canet, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Lluis Domenich i Montaner, Ramon Montaner, Roman ruins around barcelona

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Pita Barcelona Oceana Watch Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I was so happy to get my hands on this watch, but to bad lighting the images I snapped of the very cool Pita Barcelona Oceana timepiece wasn't ideal. So I will have to make due with what I have - I chose the best for this, and the other images in the gallery below. For more details and specs about the Oceana watches, you can refer to one of my previous Luxist articles here, as well as this other article on the Pita Oceana also by me. The 5000 meter water resistant watch become almost mythic for a while because lots of people argued that the unique design of the watch couldn't possibly put up with that type of pressure. Indeed, Pita wanted to make something totally different. A crownless watch that has no gaskets, and is super water resistant. The design is unlike anything else out there. To adjust the time you twist the back plate of the case. The little nubs around the ring help with grip, but also serve another purpose.

When the watch is worn on the wrist, the rubber strap hugs the nubs holding the back plate into place - ensuring that you don't accidentally adjust the time. A really clever little design feature. The construction of the case offers very few places for water to enter, and thus the watch has a gasketless design. A draw back is that the automatic movement does not offer hand-winding - only automatic winding. The movement is a highly modified Swiss ETA 2678, called the Pita-003.

Gallery: Pita Oceana watches

Tags: Barcelona, hands-on, Oceana, Pita, pita barcelona watch, review, Spain

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Top Ten Hotel Openings of 2009

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Hotels shutting their glass and filigree doors or going into some form of financial distress could have made more of this year's new than new openings; still, the quantity and quality of newly available suites to call your own felt just as stellar as in better years past. Sure, we didn't get the J line of hotels (yet), but we did get the Bardessono -- and 82 geothermal wells and hand-loomed Coyuchi linens are probably as good as anything Jay Z had to offer. Whittled to just ten, with the help of our friends over at TabletHotels.com, in no particular order here are Luxist's top openings of 2009...

Tags: austin, bahia, barcelona, bardessono, best hotels 2009, black rock oceanfront resort, BlackRockOceanfrontResort, brazil, british columbia, BritishColumbia, crosby street, CrosbyStreet, france, hotel, hotel st cecillia, hotels 2009, Hotels2009, HotelStCecillia, la reserve ramatuelle, LaReserveRamatuelle, melbourne, new york city, NewYorkCity, puli shanghai, PuliShanghai, st tropez, StTropez, suites avenue, SuitesAvenue, texas, the cullen, TheCullen, top hotels, TopHotels, uxua casa, UxuaCasa, yountville

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Pita Oceana Watch Gets Wristed

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

One of the most hotly anticipated indy dive watches of the last few years is the Spanish Pita Oceana. I originally discussed the watch here while pointing out the relative high value of the available platinum version. The Oceana watch has been in development for a while now, and for 2009 there will be a limited edition of just 80 pieces. Remember that the timepiece is available in a number of metals with a broad range of customization options. This includes choosing your own hands, crystal material, strap, bezel, and more. A great array of options from a small and very dedicated watch maker. Did I mention again that it is water resistant to 5000 meters? See the original post for more details. This represents the first time Pita has really shown the world a real version of the watch in a non-prototype form. The watch as seen above will go for about $4,000 - $5,000. Pre-orders are being accepted now.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: barcelona, dive, oceana, pita, spain, watch

Port of Barcelona Gin by Esmeralda Distillery

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Bryan Davis loves the sauce. The founder of the Esmeralda Distillery has already launched his own highly acclaimed obsello absinthe, and has now debuted his own brand of gin. Called Port of Barcelona, the spirit offers a unique alternative to the usual Bombay Sapphire or Beefeater brands found in every bar with a more complex blend of citrus, pepper, juniper, floral iris and vanilla hints, making Port of Barcelona Gin a compelling base for a classic martini or gin & tonic. And while it's bound to impress your guests, at $30 a bottle, it won't break the bank.

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Tags: barcelona, barcelona gin, BarcelonaGin, esmeralda, esmeralda distillery, EsmeraldaDistillery, gin, port of barcelona, port of barcelona gin, PortOfBarcelona, PortOfBarcelonaGin

Pita Oceana Will Be 'Bargain' Platinum Metal Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Pita Barcelona is a cool and funky independent Spanish watch makers who will soon release their long anticipated Oceana diver's watch in a limited edition of just 80 pieces. The watch will be highly customizable, with over 2,300 possible combinations. One can choose from many types of parts and features, including straps, dials, hands, crystal materiel, bezel, and of course case metal. While the limited edition of just 80 may seem low, Pita's statement of "2009 limited edition" might mean that more of the desirable watches will be made in the future. The watches will be available in various styles of steel, gold, and even in platinum. Prices start at about 3,200 euros, and top out at around 17,000 euros for the 950 platinum case version. This is an incredible deal for a platinum watch that usually go for before $50,000 and way up. I cannot definitively say that this is the cheapest platinum watch out there, but is is one of the lowest prices - and as part of an incredible overall timepiece.

Many innovations went into the Pita Oceana's design. Notable is the crownless design and water resistance to 5000 meters. The case is 43mm wide and 18mm thick. The watch movement is based on a heavily modified ETA 2671 automatic, while the overall watch has two patents in the design. The small star-shaped seconds hand is also a "chromatic depth meter." Something about the colors changing as you dive deeper. A very cool looking watch that is totally unique from a couple of master watch makers in Barcelona. Check out the online Ocean customization options here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2009, barcelona, diver, limited edition, LimitedEdition, oceana, pita, platinum, spain, timepiece, watch

Oprah's Employees Vacation In Style

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Celebrity Shopping

Working for Oprah certainly has its perks. The AFP is reporting that Oprah Winfrey celebrated her 55th birthday in Barcelona with 1,700 of her employees and their families. The party took place over the weekend at Poble Espanyol, a popular tourist destination with shops, bars and restaurants. Her lucky guests will spend three days in the city before embarking on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem liner sailing to Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Malta. The ship has 11 bars and lounges, 12 restaurants, pool, hot tubs, a beauty salon, spa, casino, cigar club, library and even a bowling alley. Oprah is said to be spending around $5,400 per person on the cruise.

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Tags: barcelona, norwegian gem, NorwegianGem, oprah, oprah winfrey, OprahWinfrey, spain

Sheraton Residences in Spain

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Sheraton is getting into the apartment business in Spain. The hotel company has announced that their first ever apartment 'Residences' will be available to purchase at the Med Group's Bonmont golf and residential community on the Costa Daurada, south of Barcelona. There will be seven buildings, each with four two-bedroom Residences next to the 136-room, five-star Sheraton Bonmont Golf Resort & Spa. The Bonmont residential community is built around an 18-hole golf courses and facilities include a golf academy, gym and restaurant as well as three swimming pools and tennis courts.

All apartments will be fully furnished in the same style as the hotel and will be priced from 600,000 euros. The Residences can be divided into two units so owners can live in one half and rent the second out, or rent all of it either as two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom. Rentals will be managed by the Sheraton hotel in Bonmont. The hotel and apartments are now being built and set to open at the beginning of 2009.

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Tags: apartments, barcelona, bonmont, sheraton, spain

Casanova Hotel Seduces With Food and Wine Tours

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

In beautiful Barcelona, Spain part of the lure it the delicious food and drink. The boutique-style Casanova Hotel in Barcelona is located blocks from the La Boqueria Market has a couple of new private, gourmet food and wine tours for 2008. The La Boqueria Market Tour Package includes a market tour with Casanova's Michelin pedigree chef Jaume Brichs, a private cooking class and lunch with Chef Brichs that includes Spanish wines, and a Spanish cook book. The Sant Sadurni de Noia Wine Tour Package includes the opportunity to explore southern Barcelona wineries with a private sommelier, transportation to and from the Albet & Noya Vineyard, Catalan Wine and Cava tasting, and dinner and Cava wine pairings at Casanova's Mexiterranee restaurant. Rates for the two-night Sant Sadurni de Noia Wine Tour package start at 1208 euros (approx. $1,760) for two people in a Superior Room. Rates for the two-night Boqueria Market Tour package start at 1058 euros (approx. $1,530) for two people in a Superior Room. You might want to plan your booking for later this summer when the Casanova opens their rooftop pool and lounge complete with hammocks.

Gallery: Casanova Hotel

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Tags: barcelona, casanova hotel, CasanovaHotel, la bouqueria, LaBouqueria, spain, wine

The Barcelona Laptop Bag by Zegari, Bag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Hit any coffee shop nowadays at the right hour and laptop bags just might be a more visible fashion statement than handbags or shoes (okay, that might be an exaggeration, but still). Regardless if you're looking to express yourself, simply want something nice to carry your laptop around in, or both, Zegari has designed a couple of very nice options to choose from.

Made of fine leather and full of handy pockets and features for everything you can imagine, both The Barcelona Bag and The Minimalist were designed to appeal to those with classic tastes looking for a mix of both fashion and function, and luxury of course. The bags sell for $285-385.

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Tags: bag, barcelona, design, designer, laptop, leather, minimalist, zegari

Mini Mies

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

A few months ago, Matthew mentioned that a Barcelona Chair, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is a must have for the well-turned out home or apartment. It is also a great way to relax if you have room in your office. Now, your budding young executive can have his (or her) very own classically-styled chair: a Mini Mies. The Mini Mies is built to exactly 2/3 scale of the full sized chair, but shares the stainless steel frame and luxuriously soft leather. It comes in black ($3,900) and white ($4,400) and is available for order from Genius Jones.

[via NYT]

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Tags: barcelona, barcelona chair, chair, child, kids, mies

King Carlos I, Maybach Tester

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

King Carlos I of Spain became the latest proud owner of a Maybach. At the Laureus World Sports Award in Barcelona, Carlos I was handed the keys to a "Cote d'Azur" blue luxury Saloon by Dr Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG.. The car has a light beige interior with brown burr walnut trim and special sterling silver ornaments on the shift lever and the covers of the front console and the ashtrays. King Juan Carlos I took his car for its first test drive in with Dr Zetsche at the Catalonian Grand Prix racetrack "Circuit de Catalunya." The king will be testing the automobile and letting Maybach know his opinion. Too bad Maybach doesn't hand out their test cars to commoners.

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Tags: barcelona, king carlos 1, KingCarlos1, maybach, spain