The Luxury Hotel Insider: Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance.
Named one of Tripbase's Best Luxury Travel Blogs for 2011, below are Five Star Alliance's newest articles featuring exclusive information on luxury hotels worldwide including special offers and deals at the world's best hotels.
The talk of the town in Paris is the re-opening of Le Royal Monceau, the legendary palace hotel that recently emerged from a dramatic renovation by designer Philippe Starck. The Informed Traveler went behind the scenes before the official opening date to check out the property, now operated by Raffles. And we're totally smitten. This could easily be one of the hottest hotel openings around the globe this year. Here's what we loved:
A thoughtful and eclectic design scheme. Inspired by the working studio of André Malraux, each spacious guest room is equipped with a guitar, haute couture walk-in closet, and a map highlighting Starck's favorite Paris addresses.
A movie theater that puts iMax to shame. Built for major film premieres and private screenings, the 100-seat cinema has divine leather seats, high-tech projection equipment, and a decadent snack menu, including gourmet popcorn recipes dreamed up by Hermé himself. Can we say celeb central?
An impressive contemporary art collection in the hotel's public spaces. The on-site contemporary art bookstore boasts screens which broadcast live feeds of international art auctions. There's even an Art Concierge on staff.
The cigar lounge, painted in bright red, with 50 private cigar boxes outside, reserved for cigar-lovers to store their favorite cigars for the next visit.
Restaurants which are destined to become top addresses in the French capital. Both La Cuisine and Il Carpaccio boast talked-about decor (a chandelier made from shells in the Italian resto, a colorful ceiling painting called "Le Jardin de Paris" adorns La Cuisine).
A central garden with a giant tea-pot sculpture designed by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. This garden is a magical space available for al fresco meals in the summer months. It's also got a neat pond with views- through sheer glass- of the spa swimming pool below. In another part of the hotel, there's an organic garden where the chefs grow herbs and produce for the restaurants.
Coming soon: an outpost of the trendy L'Eclaireur concept store. *Swoon*
Note: The spa-- My Blend by Clarins-- won't be open til next year.
Fairmont’s property in Montreal, the Queen Elizabeth, for example, adopted a goat whose milk is used to make fresh cheese, and the Fairmont in Washington features honey-based drinks. Eleven Fairmont hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Kenya and China keep bees, overseen by local groups or resident beekeepers, and almost half of the brand’s 64 properties worldwide keep gardens.
The article also draws attention to the Elysian Hotel in Chicago for establishing a close relationship with nearby farms, even changing their dinner menu daily depending on what products they get.
PS. Live in the D.C. area and want to support the local food movement? Buy tickets to Farmland Feast 2010, hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on November 1. This culinary extravaganza will shine the spotlight on Chesapeake Bay farmers with a five-course autumnal dinner.
Hotel Palomar Philadelphia earned Gold LEED certification this year, not an easy feat. (Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification of a building's eco-friendly construction.) Kimpton is toasting the big win with a special offer at their Philly property. Guests can grab gold at Hotel Palomar with lots of green goodies. Available until December 30, 2010, the "We Got Gold" package includes:
* Rates starting at $329
* Deluxe accommodations
* Receive a reusable Hotel Palomar Philadelphia shopping bag
* A special "green" eggs and ham breakfast for two, made with local, organic ingredients in Square 1682, a LEED-certified, chef-driven Kimpton restaurant, located adjacent to the hotel.
In addition, guests can choose from the following:
* Green Can Be Gorgeous: Sustainable spa products will be waiting in your room, including an organic candle, organic massage oils, and organic bath salts.
* Low Carb(on): Enjoy a healthy, farm-to-table boxed lunch made from locally sourced, fresh ingredients by hotel Executive Chef Guillermo Tellez. Or savor a farm-fresh brunch for two in Square 1682.
* Peace of Mind Massage: Relax with an Earth-friendly, in-room temple massage using organic peppermint oil, followed by a Swedish massage with organic lavender oil.
Flee from the ghouls and ghosts and instead trick or treat yourself to a Halloween night in Yountville at the new luxury hotel everyone's talking about: Bardessono. Get overnight accommodations in a King Spa Suite, a four-course dinner for two with wine pairings, and breakfast for two for $449 per couple. Stay an extra night or two for $299 per night. The only LEED Platinum Certified hotel in California and one of only two in the U.S., Bardessono has won rave reviews for its gorgeous contemporary design that's committed to environmental sustainability. What could be better than sampling the farm-fresh menu and organic wines in the restaurant, lounging by the rooftop pool, or treating yourself to vinotherapy at the gorgeous spa? In-room treatments are pretty awesome, too, as the sleek guest rooms "double as in-room spas."
We've been waiting with bated breath and now the moment's arrived: Coworth Park opened its doors today on the border of Windsor Great Park in the English countryside. Just 45 minutes from central London, the 70-room estate is the first luxury country house hotel from the Dorchester Collection. We can barely contain our excitement about the luxe offerings: three restaurants overseen by Michelin-starred Chef John Campbell; a contemporary design that enhances the Georgian charm of the original Coworth Park's manor house; an equestrian center; sunken gardens and polo fields; a carbon neutral spa that's the first in the world to offer treatments by Dr. Alkaitis, renowned for his 100% organic, paraben free ingredients. This is the year to celebrate the yuletide season in Merry Ole England!
We just learned about a cool promotion from IHG brand hotels worldwide. When you stay any weekend at any one of their 4,500 hotels and pay with your visa card, you can say goodbye to luggage fees. Straight from the horse's mouth: "Overpack. There's plenty of room for the maybes and why nots. We're paying." They'll reimburse you for your checked airline bag with an IHG Visa Prepaid Card (up to $50). IHG brands include InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and Candlewood Suites. One of our favorites is the swank newInterContinental Times Square New York (pictured). We also can't help but fall for The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. Book today! (Promotion is valid until December 30, 2010. Open to residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who have attained the age of majority in the jurisdiction of their residence.)
We just received word about the fall line-up of awesome culinary events hosted by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants across the country. We're talking Bourbon Dinners, Farmer's Market Tours, Cooking Demos, and Classes. All emphasize local flavors. (Viva the 100-mile diet!) For example, Portland's Pazzo Ristorante, located adjacent to Hotel Vintage Plaza, is organizing a tour of the Inner Circle Farmer's Market tomorrow. After all, the Italian restaurant is known to celebrate Mediterranean dishes by showcasing the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Also coming this fall: The Grand Cafe in San Francisco will be hosting a Regional Dinner Series featuring Bordeaux in October, and Seattle's Library Bistro will be hosting Scotch, Whiskey, and Liquor Tastings. For the full calendar, click here.
Across the globe, voluntourism projects are taking off. Hotels from Texas to the Maldives are giving discounts on accommodations when guests sign up for volunteering projects. Another example: the Give & Getaway program with RockResorts. They'll arrange an environmental conservation project for you-- such as light trail maintenance or working on an area community farm-- and you'll get a reduced rate on your stay plus complimentary swag like hydration packs. Give back to the environment and get rewarded for your efforts! Participating hotels in the RockResorts portfolio include:
Snake River Lodge & Spa is partnering with Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation to remove miles of old buck and rail fence surrounding Grand Teton National Park.
Spend the day harvesting locally grown fruits with St. Lucians on a working warm and end the day sampling locally caught seafood at the Anse La Ray Friday Fish Fry!
It's Prairie Produce Week at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago! Frank Brunacci-- the hotel's executive chef-- is celebrating the "Prairie Produce" of local farms with menu items crafted from ingredients harvested within driving distance to Chicago. Time Out Chicago quotes the chef: "Prairie Produce week is a celebration of the fantastic bounty available right here in the Midwest and presents an exciting opportunity for us to make a new connection with our guests." In addition to these epicurean treats available at the restaurant, Prairie Produce Week will also bring a farmer's market to The Terrace at Trump on Thursday, September 2 from 7- 11 am. Here's what you can find at this "sky high farmer's market" on the hotel's 16th floor: "cheese from Nordic Creamery, sausages from Mint Creek Farm, handmade truffles from Katherine Anne Confections; produce from Nichols Farm; seasonal preserves from Rare Bird Preserves; beef and pork products from Slagel Farm; and much more." Sixteen (the restaurant) will also offer a breakfast buffet made up of all the displayed produce, plus you'll be able to have a "meet and greet with the farmers that put all those goods on your table."
It's not too late to plan the ultimate summer/autumn family vacation in the heart of Canada's Rocky Mountains. Discover the alpine majesty of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can go hiking, mountain bike The Great Divide, take a Bow River float trip, and let the kids embark on a photo expedition. After a fun-filled day, unwind at a Fairmont spa and reconnect with your family over dinner. Fairmont makes it easy with a special themed package at its two Banff hotels: the Fairmont Banff Springs, styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a resort recognized globally for progressive environmental stewardship and responsible tourism. The Mountain Adventure package gives you the freedom to enjoy activities with a $100 CAD resort credit, plus kids eat for free. Available until December 20, 2010, the package starts from $339 CAD per night at the Fairmont Banff Springs and $299 CAD per night at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
The talk of the town in Paris is the re-opening of Le Royal Monceau, the legendary palace hotel that recently emerged from a dramatic renovation by designer Philippe Starck. The Informed Traveler went behind the scenes before the official opening date to check out the property, now operated by Raffles. And we're totally smitten. This could easily be one of the hottest hotel openings around the globe this year. Here's what we loved:
A thoughtful and eclectic design scheme. Inspired by the working studio of André Malraux, each spacious guest room is equipped with a guitar, haute couture walk-in closet, and a map highlighting Starck's favorite Paris addresses.
A movie theater that puts iMax to shame. Built for major film premieres and private screenings, the 100-seat cinema has divine leather seats, high-tech projection equipment, and a decadent snack menu, including gourmet popcorn recipes dreamed up by Hermé himself. Can we say celeb central?
An impressive contemporary art collection in the hotel's public spaces. The on-site contemporary art bookstore boasts screens which broadcast live feeds of international art auctions. There's even an Art Concierge on staff.
A central garden with a giant tea-pot sculpture designed by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. This garden is a magical space available for al fresco meals in the summer months. It's also got a neat pond with views- through sheer glass- of the spa swimming pool below. In another part of the hotel, there's an organic garden where the chefs grow herbs and produce for the restaurants.
A 
Flee from the ghouls and ghosts and instead trick or treat yourself to a Halloween night in Yountville at the new luxury hotel everyone's talking about: 
We've 
We just learned about a cool promotion from IHG brand hotels worldwide. When you stay any weekend at any one of their 4,500 hotels and pay with your visa card, you can say goodbye to luggage fees. 
We just received word about the fall line-up of awesome culinary events hosted by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants across the country. We're talking Bourbon Dinners, Farmer's Market Tours, Cooking Demos, and Classes. All emphasize local flavors. (Viva the 100-mile diet!) For example, Portland's 
Across the globe, voluntourism projects are taking off. Hotels from 
It's Prairie Produce Week at 
It's not too late to plan the ultimate summer/autumn family vacation in the heart of Canada's Rocky Mountains. Discover the alpine majesty of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can go hiking, mountain bike The Great Divide, take a Bow River float trip, and let the kids embark on a photo expedition. After a fun-filled day, unwind at a Fairmont spa and reconnect with your family over dinner. Fairmont makes it easy with a special themed package at its two Banff hotels: the 
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