swimming pool

Seven Stars, Suite Luxury on the World's Most Beautiful Beach

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

The luxe Seven Stars resort in Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos islands presides over the world's best beach, according to the new TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards. It was also just named the world's Most Romantic Hotel or Resort in About.com's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards. Looking at its luxurious pool area (above) fronting the fine white sand and ultra-blue sea of Grace Bay it's easy to see why. You can of course stop in for a quick getaway but Seven Stars is perfectly equipped for longer stays as well thanks to its massive, luxuriously-equipped suites.

Tags: beach, hotel suites, luxury resorts, Providenciales, resorts, seven stars, spa, swimming pool, Turks and Caicos, worlds best beach

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Four Seasons Houston Awarded AAA Five Diamond Status

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

On the heels of a three-year, $25 million renovation project that introduced re-styled guest rooms, a new resort-style swimming pool area and a fresh, modern lobby, the Four Seasons Houston has been named the the city's only AAA Five Diamond Hotel. The travel authority's highest and most exclusive rating was awarded to the hotel for an unparalleled experience of luxury and sophistication in an artfully designed setting, complemented by service that goes above and beyond. A destination in its own right, the new $4 million pool (above) at the Four Seasons Houston is downtown's only outdoor, resort-style pool.

The pool, which glows with artful lighting at night, meshes dramatic cityscape views with exotic materials such as Turkish travertine tile, environmentally-friendly Ipe wood decking, and lush tropical plants. The pool renovation included the creation of cabana-style patios, a trellis-covered event space, soothing water wall, hot tub, fire pit and poolside bar. Acclaimed San Francisco-based design firm BAMO also created custom-designed furniture and one-of-a-kind abstract artwork designed for the hotel's luxe new guest rooms.

Gallery: The Four Seasons Houston

Tags: AAA, AAA Five Diamond, awards, Four Seasons, Four Seasons Houston, hotels, Houston, luxury hotels, swimming pool, Texas

'Eclipse' Builders Blohm + Voss to Launch 1930s-Style Megayacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Roman Abramovich's gigantic high-tech gigayacht Eclipse has been a major headache for German shipyard Blohm + Voss, with the Russian billionaire complaining about everything from the mirrors to the engine vibrations. While the project still stumbles along, as we reported earlier this month it won't even be the world's largest privately owned yacht by the time it's finally finished. Perhaps that's why Blohm + Voss' next big project eschews the ultra-modern in favor of something more appealing than appalling: a 1930s-style superyacht that borrows heavily from the famed firm's 130-year-old archives. At 364 feet, the B+V 111 MY/ Vintage (above) actually qualifies for megayacht status.

In addition to a helipad the exterior spaces offer a swimming pool with glazed side panels and a large beach club aft. The entire 5th deck is devoted to the owner's suite which includes a large bedroom, his and hers bathrooms and dressing areas, a private dining room, gym and lounge. In addition up to 12 guests can be accommodated in four luxury and two VIP guests cabins. An indoor dining area with a lounge connects to an aft deck for al fresco dining and cocktailing. With a crew of 25 seeing to the yacht's diesel-mechanical propulsion system, she's set for a cruising speed of 14.5 knots.

[via JamesList]

Tags: Blohm + Voss, Eclipse, megayacht, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, superyacht, swimming pool, yacht

German Newspaper Scores Sneak Peek Inside Abramovich's Eclipse

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

German newspaper Bild has scored an exclusive sneak peak inside Roman Abramovich's new 557-ft. Eclipse (above), the world's largest and most expensive privately owned yacht which was recently completed by Hamburg shipyard Blohm + Voss at a cost estimated to be near $1 billion. The gigayacht boasts every luxury finish imaginable in its nearly 20,000-sq-.ft. interior, including a master suite upholstered in shagreen (stingray skin) on the topmost sixth deck with a retractable moon roof. On Deck 4 there are two VIP suites and eight guest cabins, while accommodations for the 80 crew members needed to man the massive vessel are located in the bow. The décor however is fairly understated with earth tones predominating, we note. One of the three helicopter landing pads disappears under the deck with the push of a button, and the yacht also features the world's largest onboard swimming pool which converts into a dancefloor, in addition to a wellness center including a fitness studio, hairdresser, massage parlor, sauna, steambath and whirlpool. Bild notes the Eclipse will cost about $100,000 per day, or $36.5 million per year, to operate. Check out some exclusive interior images here.

Tags: Blohm + Voss, Eclipse, Germany, gigayacht, helicopter, megayacht, oligarch, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Russian billionaires, shagreen, swimming pool, yacht

The Classicist: Tanglewood Conservatories, Turn-of-the-Century Style

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Estates, The Classicist

Beginning in the 18th century, English country houses had glass-paned orangeries where exotic plants, flowers and citrus trees flourished throughout the cooler months, providing a haven from the elements for their inhabitants and spaces for entertaining in summer. Their popularity surged during the 19th century when new construction techniques allowed for ever more fantastical structures, but they pretty much disappeared as tastes and styles changed in more modern times. At Tanglewood Conservatories, on the Eastern Shore area of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, Alan Stein, Nancy Virts and co. aim to recreate some of that bygone elegance. The company designs and builds bespoke turn-of-the-century domes, conservatories, greenhouses and swimming pool enclosures in high style.

Every structure is made by hand at the Tanglewood atelier, and the prices, starting at $175,000, reflect the time, attention and high quality materials that goes into their construction. They can be added to existing houses and mansions or built as part of brand new estates, like this incredible spread in Washington. Some of their well-known clients include Eddie Murphy, director / producer Ron Howard, the Dallas Cowboys' Don Abbey, late Lazard Freres CEO Bruce Wasserstein and interior designer Mario Buatta. Each creation is totally unique; Tanglewood never repeats the same design twice. The fit and finish of a Tanglewood conservatory has more in common with fine furniture than carpentry. Usually constructed of solid mahogany, these are intricate, complex, highly detailed structures, some large enough to hold fully-grown trees. The company also constructs glass and copper domes, roof lanterns and skylights in virtually any size, shape and design.

Gallery: Tanglewood Conservatories

The Victorians regarded the conservatory as nothing short of a triumph of architecture over nature. Swimming pool enclosures might seem a more modern innovation, but in fact the tradition of building extraordinary structures to enclose both public and private swimming pools is in even older, dating to the great Roman balnea or thermae. Most Roman cities had at least one such building, which was central to the public life of its citizens. Most private villas also included a bath house. The opulent pool enclosure pictured above was constructed for an estate in Kentucky. Tanglewood's sensitivity to form, proportion, materials and detail is evident in its pleasing lines. Their craftsmen are heirs to a 300-year-old craft and woodworking tradition, especially in an area with a long history in boatbuilding. See the gallery for more examples of Tanglewood's high-end designs in various styles.

Tags: architecture, conservatory, Eddie Murphy, EddieMurphy, garden, greenhouse, Maryland, swimming pool, SwimmingPool, Tanglewood Conservatories, TanglewoodConservatories

Maui's New Adults-Only Pool

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

It was under construction when I visited this past February, but The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has just opened a major new feature at the resort: a new infinity-edge saltwater pool, surrounded by a 4,100 square foot terrace -- all of it ocean front, with views of Lanai and West Maui Mountains.

They're calling it the Serenity Pool, and that's because it's adults only (over 21) so no irritating splish-splash-marco-polo-ing from the wee ones. (Kids can use the other lovely pool that's not that far away.)

The new Serenity Pool has underwater music, four bubble loungers, two hot tubs, and a walk-up and swim-up bar. You can arrange for massages and facials pool side.

There are also six 160 square foot cabanas available for daily rental, with internet access, ceiling fans, couches, chaise lounges, flat screen HDTVs. And for the workaholics among us, the cabanas also offer WiFi and wired internet access. There's also a laptop safe if you feel ready to put down the computer and take a dip.

Source

Tags: hotels, maui, swimming pool, SwimmingPool

Thompson LES Still Delayed But Pool Pics Surface

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Despite the notorious delays of the Thompson LES (as in Lower East Side) hotel, the latest in hotelier Jason Pomeranc's lineup of luxury sleepover parties, a few teaser pics have surfaced thanks to Men.Style.com. Above is the LES pool, complete with a triptych of Andy Warhol photolithographed to the bottom. Now scheduled to open July 29, Thompson LES was designed by architect Ed Rawlings and sits high at 190 Allen Street, eighteen stories reminding the neighborhood that the times they are a-changin'.

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Tags: andy warhol, AndyWarhol, lower east side, LowerEastSide, swimming pool, SwimmingPool, thompson hotels, thompson les, ThompsonHotels, ThompsonLes

The Cool Pool At The Joule

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

In the hot summer months, hotels with rooftop pools have a special allure. One of the most striking is located at the top of The Joule in Dallas. The Joule is part of the Luxury Collection and is located near attractions such as Victory Park, the Dallas Museum of Art and the original flagship Neiman Marcus. The building's 1920s Neo-Gothic façade has been restored and added to with a new 10-story tower which is topped by the cantilevered rooftop pool and bar area. The pool actually juts out over the edge off the building with just a heavy layer of glass separating water and the swimmers from the city below (check out an amazing shot by The Urban Fabric on Flickr here). Simply amazing.

The hotel also includes Charlie Palmer's new signature restaurant - Charlie Palmer at The Joule and Next Vintage, a retail wine store. Palmer's restaurant will also offer light-fare menu at the rooftop pool bar. Rates for the hotel start around $250 per night.

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Tags: dallas, hotel, joule, resort, swimming pool, vacation

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