luxury hotel

Grand Hotel Villa Cora Reopens in Florence

Following an extensive three-year, mulimillion-dollar renovation, Whythebest Hotels group has just reopened the Grand Hotel Villa Cora in Florence, one of the city's most prestigious properties. Established when Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, the Grand Hotel Villa Cora has a long association with the likes of emperors, princes, Pashas and famed artists such as Tchaikovsky. Comprised of three separate structures located inside a centuries-old landscaped park, the hotel was restored with the aim of conserving as much of the original architectural detail as possible.

The Main Villa houses 30 suites and rooms each with its own style inspired by famous guests who have stayed there over the years, including an Imperial Suite dedicated to the Japanese emperor Hirohito. The renovations also include a new spa, gym, swimming pool, and two restaurants, one of which is dedicated to Egyptian ruler Pasha Isma'il who stayed in the villa for numerous years. The spa features a tepidarium, hydro massage, sauna, hammam, fitness room, and a beauty and wellness center, while the heated outdoor pool overlooks the famed Boboli Gardens.

Gallery: Grand Hotel Villa Cora

Tags: Florence, Grand Hotel Villa Cora, hotels, Italy, luxury hotel, Whythebest Hotels

Four Seasons London Reborn on Park Lane

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Architecture & Design

Four Seasons London Reborn on Park Lane
41 years ago this month Four Seasons opened the Inn on the Park in London's Mayfair, its first European property and one that would come to help define the brand as it expanded around the world. Now after a more than two-year hiatus during which time an entire new hotel was constructed on the existing site, the storied property has just been reborn as the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The stylish new hotel, designed by Eric Parry, features larger rooms, more suites, a new restaurant / lounge concept, and meeting spaces. The hotel, which now has 192 rooms, including 45 one, two and three bedroom suites – the most lavish of which, the Presidential Suite, costs about $14,000 per night – is designed to feature every luxury amenity whilst retaining the intimate feel of a private residence.

The restaurant / lounge, Amaranto, is a series of three flow-through spaces wherein guests can choose when and where they want to dine, without restriction on seating times or particular menus. With its own entrance in Hamilton Place as well as direct lobby access, Amaranto offers an airy conservatory space and private garden for outdoor seating, a more clubby lounge area including an innovative peek-through wine wall that allows guests to follow sommeliers in action, and a soaring atrium highlighted by a hand-moulded sculpture wall with motifs inspired by nearby Hyde Park. In the next phase of the project the hotel plans to open a spa, fitness and lounge area on the top floor, with sweeping views across London.

Gallery: Four Seasons London at Park Lane

Tags: Four Seasons, hotel, Hyde Park, London, luxury hotel, Mayfair, spa, suites, UK

Boston's Liberty Hotel Joins Luxury Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The owners of the luxe Liberty Hotel in Boston, a National Historic Landmark built in 1851, have inked a deal to make it part of Starwood's Luxury Collection portfolio, its very first in Boston. Located in a historic former jail at the foot of Beacon Hill overlooking the Charles River, The Liberty Hotel is a 300-room "urban retreat infused with a distinctive personality that honors the building's rich history while imparting contemporary vibrancy." The building preserves the original structure's commanding 90-foot central rotunda, soaring ceilings, exposed-brick walls, and authentic portions of its historic jail cells. Three floors of balconies are restored prison catwalks, and the property includes a landscaped courtyard designed to be a hidden gem in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

"We are proud to welcome The Liberty into our unique collection of hotels and resorts that celebrate distinctive heritage and authentic character," notes Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. "With the building's rich storied past and mysterious character, The Liberty is destined to be a coveted destination for global travellers and an unparalleled way to discover Boston." The hotel is owned by a joint venture between HEI Hotels & Resorts (HEI), the nation's fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate, and Cambridge, Mass.-based Carpenter & Company, Inc. The Liberty Hotel is anchored by several restaurants, CLINK, Alibi, Scampo, and the Liberty Bar. CLINK is designed with vestiges of original jails cells that create cozy nooks for an intimate dining experience.

Gallery: The Liberty Hotel, Boston

Tags: Beacon Hill, Boston, Liberty Hotel, Luxury Collection, luxury hotel, Paul James, St. Regis, Starwood

Gwyneth's Favorite Female Chef Snags a Second Michelin Star

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping

Hélène Darroze (above), who runs the chic eatery in her name at London's posh Connaught hotel, has just been awarded a second Michelin star making her the only female chef in the UK with two of the coveted étoiles under her toque. Gwyneth Paltrow, who lived at the Connaught for a month and was a regular visitor to the restaurant while renovating her house in London, is one of Darroze's biggest fans. Reinforcing the legendary Mayfair hotel's 114 year old legacy of fine dining, Darroze, a protegé of Alain Ducasse, has established a loyal following among other notables and gourmets as well with traditional dishes from her native Southwest France combined with the best seasonal ingredients from the British Isles.

Gallery: Helene Darroze at The Connaught

Tags: Alain Ducasse, chef, Connaught, France, Gordon Ramsay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hélène Darroze, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London, luxury hotel, Mayfair, Michelin, UK

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Celebrate Valentine's Day in Luxe Style at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The desire to do something extraordinary for Valentine's Day often clashes with the cold reality of no time to travel somewhere truly exotic. We've found the U.S. Virgin Islands to be an ideal escape without having to cross borders (and all that entails) to get somewhere special. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas manages to be a magical oasis despite its relative proximity to the area's only major airport – a big plus when time is of the essence. The resort's secluded setting on 30 acres fronting an intimate white-sand beach and the gracious elegance of its main building, the Italianate Palazzo (above), set the scene for really romantic getaways. In front of the Palazzo are landscaped gardens leading to a stunning infinity pool overlooking the beach and turquoise waters of a sheltered bay.

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, The signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level at the property has 55 Deluxe rooms featuring standing rain showers and soaking tubs and unobstructed ocean views from private balconies. The Club Level accommodations in St. Thomas also include one-bedroom Executive suites, a top-floor Ritz-Carlton Club Suite and three stunning 1,850-square-foot Presidential suites boasting a dining and living area and fitness room with treadmill, where Barack Obama and family have stayed in the past. All Club Level rooms and suites include access to the elegant Club Lounge with a spacious outdoor terrace, offering elaborate culinary presentations throughout the day and evening, chic cocktails and a dedicated Club Concierge.

Once ensconced in your luxe accommodations there are several options for making your getaway even more magical. A particular favorite for celebrating Valentine's Day is a champagne sunset sail aboard the Lady Lynsey, the resort's luxurious 53 ft. catamaran. You can take a cruise to Honeymoon Beach across the bay on St. John featuring some of the finest snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, and then hop back on board for a leisurely lunch for two complete with a champagne toast. Stay out on the water to watch the sunset and then finish the day with a starlit dinner in a private gazebo on the beach with a chocolate and wine tasting, or enjoy a private dinner for two at Bleuwater restaurant, one of four distinctive oceanfront-dining options as unique and colorful as the Caribbean scenery that surrounds them. [cont'd]

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Tags: Barack Obama, beach, Caribbean, catamaran, champagne, dining, hotel suites, luxury hotel, ocean, Prada, Prada Beauty, Ritz-Carlton, sailing, spa, St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton, U.S. Virgin Islands, Valentines Day, Virgin Island

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Cipriani Family to Launch Luxe New "Mr. C" Hotel Brand in Beverly Hills

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, fourth generation of the famed Cipriani family internationally renowned for its restaurants, landmarked banquet spaces, clubs, and residences, have announced the debut of Mr. C, a chic new signature hotel brand opening its first property in Beverly Hlls this April. Mr. C is designed to be "a modern version of old-world simplicity and stylish European glamour, providing today's traveler with a comfortable, elegant and effortless experience blending contemporary amenities with discreet, personalized service." The 138-room property will feature 12 Signature Suites and Classic Suites, alongside spacious guest rooms ranging from 365–800 square feet, each with a private balcony and many with panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. The interior design aims to be "rich and welcoming" with dark hardwood floors, burgundy and gray color palettes, and crisp white accents. Vintage black and white photographs from films like La Dolce Vita bring iconic and historic cultural moments to life on the walls, and well-appointed bathrooms feature teak flooring, marble accents, and luxe amenities.

Additionally, the property will feature five multi-level, residential-sized bungalows averaging approximately 3,000 square feet, each with a private garden, gourmet kitchen, plunge pool and views of Beverly Hills. Renowned Californian architect Ray Kappe designed the bungalows, which will feature all the Mr. C amenities including spa treatments, housekeeping, and room service from the signature Mr. C restaurant. The restaurant will welcome guests and Angelenos alike with a menu featuring classics from Cipriani's famed kitchens alongside grilled specialties and pizzas from morning to night. The restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating, a separate entrance for non-hotel guests, and two private rooms for more intimate occasions. The hotel will also feature an outdoor swimming pool for hotel guests only and an indoor/outdoor private event space boasting 360-degree panoramic city views from the 12th floor of the hotel, with a private exterior glass elevator. Rates will run from $429 for a Deluxe City View room to $2,009 for a Specialty Suite.

Gallery: Mr C, Beverly Hills

Tags: Beverly Hills, bungalow, California, Cipriani, hotel, hotels, interior design, Los Angeles, luxury hotel, Mr. C, restaurants

Billion-Dollar Luxury Hotel Fails To Pay Electric Bill

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I first wrote about the Mardan Palace Hotel in Turkey back in 2009 when Mariah Carey, Seal, Richard Gere, Sharon Stone, Tom Jones and Paris Hilton showed up for the hotel's grand opening. Carey reportedly earned a $1.5 million paycheck for performing at the opening of the hotel as did Jones. The hotel could use that money now, Bloomberg News is reporting that the $1.4 billion luxury hotel had its power cut off after failure to pay electricity bills. The hotel, which was crowned the "world's leading luxury hotel" at the World Travel Awards, had to switch to generator power as it deals with nearly $3 million in electric bills. The monthly electricity bills average more than $300,000 powering the Mediterranean's largest swimming pool, 10 restaurants, 11 bars and 546 rooms, including two royal suites with private pools.

Gallery: Mardan Hotel Launch

Tags: luxury hotel, mardan palace

The St. Regis New York Launches E-Butler App

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

The St. Regis New York has just launched an innovative new E-Butler application, allowing guests to interact with the famed luxury hotel's butlers and concierge as never before, and featuring exclusive content including an Insider's Guide to New York City curated by some of NYC's most celebrated personalities. The St. Regis New York E-Butler app is a modern twist on traditional butler service, providing guests with the world renowned St. Regis service at the touch of a button. The app will offer guests the ability to "chat" directly with The St. Regis E-Butler in real-time via their iPhone or iPad, arranging all of the important details of their visit to the city instantly. In true St. Regis style, the hotel has tapped some of New York's most celebrated personalities including Andre Leon Talley, Jason Wu, Alain Ducasse, Danny Meyer, Michel Musto and Peter Som to share their insider info. on favorite shops, restaurants and city landmarks. Through St. Regis E-Butler, guests will have the ability to book these favorite spots directly, and the app will also feature a curated calendar of events for the season's most interesting and anticipated happenings around the Big Apple.

Tags: Alain Ducasse, Andre Leon Talley, app, apps, butler, Danny Meyer, iPad, iPhone, Jason Wu, luxury hotel, New York City, Peter Som, restaurants, St. Regis, St. Regis New York

Versailles Complex To Include Luxury Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you've ever dreamed of staying at the Palace of Versailles you may soon get your chance. Not at the actual palace alas, but at the Hotel du Grand Controle, a smaller outbuilding that is the traditional home of the chateau's treasurers. The building will become a 23-bedroom luxury establishment with views out onto the Orangerie or the ornamental lake. The AFP reported that a concession has been granted to the Belgian company Ivy International SA. The company will renovate and develop the satellite building. The company is also working on a similar project in the Brittany area of France.

The building was built in the 1680s by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart and served as an officers' mess until 2006. Reports say that the venerable building isn't in the best shape. Ivy will pay for the renovations which are estimated to cost $7.3 million and the company will pay Versailles an annual fee to lease the building. The move is part of a new way that France is looking at its treasures, finding ways to get them to generate enough money to pay for their upkeep. The new hotel is expected to open at the end of 2011.

Tags: france, luxury hotel, versailles

Exploring the Caribbean's Most Exclusive Escapes

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

Seasoned travel journalist and luxury hotel expert Meg Nolan Van Reesema sussed out the Caribbean's most exotic and exclusive escapes for her entrancing new book Caribbean Hideaways: Discovering Enchanting Rooms and Private Villas from Rizzoli. The thirty gorgeous destinations from fifteen different islands featured in the book were chosen for their unique views, elegant decor – no examples here of the tacky tropical style we like to call "Caribbean Awful" – and unique ambience. Over 200 vibrant photographs by Jessica Antola bring the desirable destinations to life, while practical information about the best suites, what to expect during your stay, and the local surroundings is also included.

Standouts include the relaxed, chic bungalows of Hermitage Bay in Antigua with dark wood furnishings and freestanding tubs; the open-air guest rooms of Jade Mountain in St. Lucia with unparalleled views of the Piton peaks; the posh, private Oliver Messel-designed Fustic House estate in Barbados; the spectacular Balinese furnishings of Anguilla's Bird of Paradise Villa; St. Barth's super-stylish Isle de France hotel; the ultra-luxe Yemanja villa on Mustique (pictured on the book's cover above) complete with a private screening room; and the elegant British Colonial-style Colleton Suite at Barbados' Cobblers Cove. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Caribbean Hideaways

Tags: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, books, Caribbean, Cobblers Cove, coffee table books, Hermitage Bay, hotels, island, luxury hotel, luxury hotels, Mustique, resorts, St. Barth, St. Lucia, villa

The Classicist: Movie Star Style at the Beverly Wilshire's New $25,000-Per-Night Penthouse

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

Following a recently completed $40 million facelift, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel has just unveiled its newly renovated Penthouse and Presidential Suite for the ultimate in movie star style. The Penthouse, beginning at $25,000 per night, is the largest hotel suite in Los Angeles and now one of the world's most expensive as well. L.A.-based architectural firm Barry Design Associates transformed the historic suites into modern, sophisticated spaces. They even throw in a Porsche. The Beverly Wilshire is a true piece of Hollywood history; the Italian Renaissance-style stone and marble building was completed in 1928 when the city had fewer than 18,000 residents, and its grand suites have played host to many of movieland's most famous faces over the decades.

The three-bedroom Penthouse offers guests 5,000 square feet of space. Positioned on the private top floor of the hotel's Beverly Wing it features floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and a wrap around balcony with sweeping views of downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Hills. An entry way welcomes guests with marble mosaic flooring and Swarovski crystal chandeliers, while a dining room offers seating for 12 people adjacent to a state-of-the-art designer kitchen with Michelangelo marble countertops and Miele appliances. The elegant master bedroom is highlighted by an antique mirror and silver leaf detailed bed frame along with huge walk-in closet finished in stained oak. The master bath is fitted with glass tiles, exotic stones, a marble soaking tub, dual steam and rain shower contains a light and music system. There's also a media room for private screenings of your latest blockbuster.

Gallery: Beverly Wilshire Reborn

The two-bedroom Presidential Suite offers 4,000 square feet of space, entered through a spectacular grand foyer (above) with Corinthian columns and intricate crown molding designed when the Hotel first opened over 80 years ago. Located on the eighth floor of the hotel's original Wilshire Wing, it features sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills and has been graced by numerous celebrities, legends and dignitaries over the years. The suite comes complete with its own living room and library as well, while the master bath is fitted with a soaking tub, steam shower for two and integrated televisions in the mirrors above the black lacquer vanity counters. [continued]

Tags: Beverly Wilshire, California, celebrity, Four Seasons, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, hotel suites, hotels, library, Los Angeles, luxury hotel, marble, movie stars, penthouse, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, presidential suite, Swarovski, worlds most expensive

Continue reading “The Classicist: Movie Star Style at the Beverly Wilshire's New $25,000-Per-Night Penthouse”

Buccament Bay Resort Opening On St. Vincent

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Buccament Bay Resort, a new luxury resort on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, has announced its soft opening. The 368-room resort is the first from the new hotel brand, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts. The resort offers both hotel suites and beachfront villas. The resort has several restaurants and lounges including Jack's Steak and Seafood, Arlecchino Italian fine dining, Trader Vic's offering a blend of Pacific Island, Asian and American cuisine, Ginger & Co. Asian fusion restaurant, and The Bay Beach Club serving drinks and snacks throughout the day. The Pearl, Buccament Bay's resident galleon ship, offers cruises with drinks and a buffet.

The resort offers plenty to do including the tennis at the Pat Cash Tennis Academy. The resort is the first Caribbean destination to feature a partnership with a football (American soccer) club with the opening of the Liverpool Football Club Soccer School. Courses will be available for children of five years and up and the facilities will also be available for professional teams to undertake pre-season training. The theatrically minded can take classes at the Harlequin Performing Arts Academy with classes for children and master classes can also be arranged for aspiring adults. There is also a diving and watersports center. The Alaia Spa offers both traditional beauty and spa treatments indoors as well as outdoor treatment suites.

The resort marina has berths for cruising yachts and offshore anchoring mooring buoys for larger yachts. Additional resort amenities include several boutiques, a white sand beach, swimming pools with concierge service, a children's pool, business center, Teen Club, babysitting and Little Harlequins, Buccament Bay Resort's signature kid's club. Room rates start around $400 per night.

Tags: buccament bay, caribbean, hotel opening, luxury hotel, st. vincent

Stay In Color At The Pantone Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Like a little color with your hotel room? Then perhaps there could be no better spot for you than the Pantone Hotel. The experts behind those annual color pronouncements have created the Pantone Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. The hotel was designed by Belgian interior designer Michel Penneman and Belgian architect Olivier Hannaert and each of the hotel's seven floors is given over to a different color palettes to complement guests' emotions with distinctive hues from tranquil blues to fiery reds. Guest rooms have white walls and bedding enlivened by saturated pops of vibrant color. Rooms feature photographic installations by Belgian photographer Victor Levy. There is meeting space as well as a rooftop terrace with a bar.

The hotel also offers selections from the Pantone Universe a line of colorful, design-inspired products that includes mugs inspired by the Pantone color chips. Pantone color consultants are also available by appointment for informal color consultations or to present educational seminars on color psychology and trends. Room rates start around 130 euros.

Tags: boutique hotel, brussels, luxury hotel, pantone, pantone hotel

Chamberlain West Hollywood, A Stylish 1980s Redux

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Too often boutique can mean boring but that isn't the case at the Chamberlain in West Hollywood, California. The 114-room property, part of the Viceroy Hotel Group's premier Urban Retreats portfolio, is in the midst of a design renovation set for completion this summer. The hotel's redesign is its first since its opening in 2005 and encompasses a remodel of all guestrooms, suites, bathrooms, and the roof-top outdoor pool deck, which offers views of the Hollywood Hills, city skyline, and Pacific Ocean. The new aesthetic vision is a modern-day interpretation of 1970s and 1980s-era glamour with a use of graphic patterns like grids, checkerboards and chevrons to add interest.

Tags: boutique hotel, california, los angeles hotels, luxury hotel, viceroy, viceroy hotel, west hollywood

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Irish Governments May Wind up in the Luxury Business

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Three high-profile London hotels could wind up in the hands of the government soon. The Berkeley, Claridges and Connaught, all owned by Maybourne Hotel Group, are at risk of being controlled by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), due to the terms of a €16 billion loan. And, there wil probably be more.

In Ireland, five hotels could fall victim to the impact of economic woes on their developers. Loans totaling €80 billion could push the prestigious hotels – the Shelbourne, K-Club, Ritz-Carlton Wicklow, Radisson and G Hotel in Galway – into the hands of the state. Even if the loans don't go into default, the fact that they used government relief could push control to NAMA.

Depending on how the situation unfolds, NAMA could become one of the largest hotel owners in the world, a dicey proposition for the properties given the agency's lack hospitality experience. There's a shot that 100 hotels could find their way to NAMA's portfolio according to the Irish Hotel Foundation, and others in the industry put the potential at double that amount. The problem is that these assets aren't easy to manage.

Some of the properties that could wind up in NAMA's hands fall distinctly into the luxury sector. The lowest priced hotel in the Maybourne Group comes in at €643 a night (for the Berkeley). At the Connaught, you could wind up dropping more than £8,000 a night. Given the stakes involved, some the developers will be kept on to manage the new properties, though there are cases where NAMA will bring in a new team.

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Tags: hotel, hotels, ireland, london, luxury hotel, luxury hotels, radisson, RadissonHotelsAndResorts, ritz, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton