In January a handful of hotel guests outside of Québec City, Canada did the unthinkable: they climbed into sleeping bags for a long night’s sleep atop giant blocks of ice. It’s a ritual performed every year from January through March at the Hôtel de Glace of Québec.

The hotel is made up entirely of ice and compacted snow; construction typically begins in late November as long as the weather in the Northern Québec cooperates. The 2012 version boasts some brand-new features never before seen as well as what hotel officials describe as “amazing discoveries and lots of fun,” combining the art, culture, and history of the First Nations that once inhabited the area.

The Hôtel de Glace of Québec is certainly not the only ice hotel in the world. The concept actually dates back to a 1990 art show in Sweden where an ice igloo, which was part of the show, was used as accommodations for some of the guests because of a lack of hotel space. From those humble beginnings more than 20 years ago, ice hotels have evolved to become elaborate works of art with themed rooms, ice sculptures, full ice bars, and incredible lighting.

Nightly rates start at $199.

Hôtel de Glace Québec
http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/
9530 Rue de la Faune Quebec
QC G1G 4G4, Canada

No related posts.

Tverskaya is perhaps the most famous street in all of Moscow. But it also happens to be home of the brand-new InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya Hotel. After a 10 year absence from Russia, InterContinental Hotels Group makes its return with a luxury property designed to give business and leisure travellers and experience which incorporates all Russia is. Just minutes from Red Square and the Kremlin, the hotel projects an image of classic Russian design combined with a new embrace of contemporary influences.

InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya offers a total of 203 rooms including 16 junior and senior suites. There are also three penthouse suites where luxury meets culture in one of Russia’s most important forms of art: ballet. Each of the suites honours one of that country’s most famous dancers — Isadora Duncan, Vaslav Nijinsky, and Galina Ulanova. In all of the rooms guests will be treated to traditional Russian tastes perfectly accented with cog-shaped reading tables. The design is stylish and sophisticated yet purposely reflective of the city’s industrial heart.

Although the hotel is now open for business it is not yet complete. A luxury spa is slated to open during the first quarter of 2012 along with the hotel’s gym facilities. For banqueting and meeting purposes there are 10 meeting rooms with a total of 600 square meters. The main ballroom provides for weddings, corporate events, and private dining, while the normal dining needs of guests are provided through the main restaurant featuring traditional Russian and European cuisines.

Rates start at over $400 per night.

Intercontinental Moscow Tverskaya
Tverskaya Ulitsa 22
Moscow, 125009
Russia

No related posts.

Also integrated on the hotel page is Google Maps, which displays the hotel, as well as other attractions that are nearby.

This is a tremendous upgrade for The Four Seasons, and was rumored to have cost $18 million.

No related posts.

When your eyes first lay hold on the Hyatt Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi, your mind has a difficult time comprehending what you see. For ascending out of the ground is an architectural structure unlike anything you’ve ever seen. As so much of new the Abu Dhabi construction is designed to be, the Hyatt Capital Gate is as much a work of art as it is a luxury business hotel. It is a modern structure in every sense of the word with a stunning 18° lean that seems to defy gravity.

The hotel’s interior is equally stunning with modern décor, stylish elegant design, and the magnificent architecture. The hotel features 189 guest rooms and suites that could be considered nothing less than five-star. Guest accommodations occupy the 18th through 33rd floors, while the areas below accommodate the hotel’s restaurants, bars, meeting rooms, and ballrooms. Guest rooms and suites all come with 24-hour room service, high-speed Internet access, dedicated work area, comfortable seating and bedding, and floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views. 

The 19th floor is home to the incredible Rayana Spa, designed to give the impression of an “elevated oasis” rising above the desert floor. Guests will relish time spent in the spa’s suspended outdoor pool, as well as a complete list of well-being treatments provided for the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. Made complete by panoramic views of the city, Rayana Spa may very well be the best spa in Abu Dhabi.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

No related posts.

The six participants include Choice Hotels International, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels, IHG, Marriott International, and Wyndham Worldwide. All six companies own an equal share of the new company and will work together to further develop the site. They are also looking to add more hotel chains who might want to participate.

The new site is being made possible with technology acquired through an asset purchase from Hotelicopter. In addition to allowing customers direct bookings, the Hotelicopter platform provides an avenue for destination marketing that can help drive customers to member hotel websites while they search a specific locale. This added convenience is expected to boost web traffic and further the group’s marketing efforts.

No related posts.

The American-based Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will be making its Austrian debut during the second quarter of 2012, after being selected by Verny Capital to operate a newly acquired property located within Vienna’s historic Ringstrasse district. The announcement further solidifies the working relationship between Ritz-Carlton and Verny Capital, following the Verny acquisition of the Ritz-Carlton Moscow this past May. Verny Capital officials chose Ritz-Carlton because of their reputation as a leader in luxury hospitality.

The new hotel will be situated inside two historic, 19th-century palaces which have long been protected under Austrian preservation laws. The area in which the palaces are located is one of cultural and historic significance in part of what’s considered Vienna’s “old city.” Although specific plans have not yet been announced, it’s expected that the hotel’s 202 rooms will incorporate the city’s rich heritage as a centre for Europe’s classical music scene. Very near the site is a selection of other historically important buildings erected during the late 19th century. The location of the hotel provides easy access to all the most important sites Vienna has to offer.

Beyond the historic importance and cultural influences, the hotel is also expected to be a classic example of Ritz-Carlton’s world renowned service. The company has already voiced its commitment to making a stay at the hotel a memorable one for all guests. That said, we would expect spacious and well apportioned rooms, the best amenities, concierge service, fine linens, tasteful furnishings, and more.

No related posts.

W Paris – Opéra is being designed in a partnership between Rockwell Group Europe and W Global Brand Design. It will take full advantage of the historic nature of the building to create an atmosphere of sophistication, which plays off of the designation of Paris as the City of Lights. At the centre of the design is a spectacular backlit wall that undulates throughout the core of the building with displays of The Spark; digital patterns creating abstract images that continuously change.

As for the hotel rooms themselves, the five-story property will feature a total of 91 guest rooms. Among them will be W Paris – Opéra’s 20 luxury suites and two others is being billed as “Extreme WOW Suites.” All of the hotel’s rooms include three and a half meter ceilings, a spacious and sophisticated design, and unforgettable views of the local neighborhood and the Opéra Garnier. Adding to ambience will be some of the historical elements of the building, which will remain intact throughout the hotel’s public spaces. Guests will enjoy gorgeous stained glass windows, exquisite fireplaces, marble staircases, and second-floor mosaic flooring.

The Parisian reputation as one of the most exciting places to be for fashion was part of the inspiration for choosing the site of W Paris – Opéra. W Hotels hopes their first venture into Paris will provide an exciting experience full of energy and vibrancy guests will not soon forget. To that end, everything about the hotel is meant to capture the attention of guests and stimulate them to experience all that is Paris.

http://www.whotels.com/parisopera

No related posts.

Northern Thailand’s historic city of Chiang Mai is home to 137 Pillars House, a unique experience combining modern luxury and elegance in a historic Thai building. This 30 room hotel sits effortlessly on a glorious piece of land along the Mae Ping River, and was formerly used by the Thai government to host visiting guests.

137 Pillars House offers four levels of accommodations, starting with their 20 Rajah Brooke Suites. These suites offer 70 square meters including a suite bathroom, walk-in closet, and tiled veranda overlooking lush tropical gardens. The hotel’s top-tier accommodations are their two Louis Leonowens Pool Suites. At 135 square meters, these one or two bedroom suites feature their own private pools and indoor/outdoor showers. All of the rooms feature four poster king or super king beds with Sealy Posturepedic mattresses and 400-ct. bed linens. Guests will also enjoy personal butlers, concierge service, high-speed Internet, a welcome basket of fruits and local delicacies, and so much more.

Strolling through the grounds reveals carefully preserved lady palms, mimosa trees, and lots of tropical flowers. It is the perfect setting for the hotel’s spa, which offers traditional Thai spa treatments. Guests will find professionally trained therapists and spa staff offering classical massage, aromatherapy, yoga, and a variety of beauty treatments. Guests can even receive private instruction in order to take massage skills home with them.

Nightly rates start at over $600 per night.

137 Pillars House
2 Soi 1, Nawatgate Road,
Tambon Watgate,
Muang Changmai,
50000 Thailand
Thailand

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Related posts:

1. Modern Day Luxury in an Old Time Building – St. Regis San Francisco Hotel
2. Golden Eagle Luxury Tree House at Primland
3. Hilton Opens Pattaya Beachfront Resort in Pattaya, Thailand

The Armani Group has announced the opening of its second hotel – this one in the fashion-rich city of Milan. It follows closely on the heels of the brand-new hotel chain’s first property, the Armani Hotel Dubai. While Dubai property focused on luxury in a modern, art deco world, the Milan property is a step back in a unique package which combines luxury, old world Italian elegance, and Giorgio Armani’s personal sense of sophistication. It is a hotel designed not only for international travelers on holiday, but also the world’s top business representatives coming to the city. Armani Hotels are operated in partnership with Emaar Properties PJSC

The lovely 95-room property sits atop the historic Manzoni 31 building where Armani’s signature first store is also located. The hotel features three room options including Armani Deluxe, Armani Signature, and Armani Presidential suites. The presidential suites are by far the most sought after ranging up to 2,162 square feet, spread across two floors and joined by an impressive staircase. Among the modern and sophistication design elements are a one-way glass shower enclosure, cupboards that recede and disappear into the walls, and a unique front vestibule separating the bedroom area. Guests are sure to appreciate the sophisticated neutral colors, elegant furnishings, and the abundance of Asian limestone in the bathrooms.

The hotel includes a spa on the eighth floor complete with a 24-hour fitness gym, heated pool, six treatment rooms, a couple’s suite, and a world-class combination of treatments designed for both beauty and ultimate relaxation. One floor below is the Armani Ristorante, Armani Lounge, and Armani Bamboo Lounge. The restaurant features classic gourmet Italian from a first-rate chef, complete with a private wine list and a handful of exclusive tables right in the kitchen. Both the seventh and eighth floors also serve as the best place to view the city of Milan. Completely enclosed in glass, visitors will see awe-inspiring views in every direction.

The Armani Hotel Milano officially opened on November 10, with a star-studded guest list numbering 300 celebrities.

Rates start at over $700 a night.

Armani Milano
Via Monzoni 31,
Milan, Italy

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Related posts:

1. The New Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel
2. New W Hotel in New York City – Now Open!
3. Trump SoHo New York Hotel – Now Open!

The former Ambassador East Hotel has been a Chicago landmark since its opening in 1926. Now, thanks to iconic hotel designer and developer Ian Schrager, the legend of days gone by has been transformed to rise to new heights of sophistication and elegance for the discriminating traveller. Schrager, widely known for his revolutionary boutique hotel concept birthed in the 1980s is once again changing the luxury hotel paradigm with a new brand known simply as PUBLIC. The brand is Schrager’s attempt to redefine luxury travel without the unnecessary excess which has long made it unaffordable to the masses. His PUBLIC brand changes the way we think of luxury hotels, thus allowing access to anyone who wants it.

At the heart of PUBLIC Chicago is a design theme that harkens back to the days of the American and European coffee houses in the 1950s. The hotel’s public spaces are designed to encourage both socialization and business interaction by including relaxing sofas and chairs intermingled with workspace tables. Soft colours and sleek lines combined with refined and low-key décor, present a sophisticated space that is instantly classic without being ostentatious. When you’re in the hotel’s lobby you will know you’re somewhere special — though you might not know exactly why.

Moving on to the accommodations, PUBLIC Chicago’s 285 rooms strike a perfect balance between comfort and functionality. Immediately upon entry your eyes will be captivated by Schrager’s “no color” color palette, which makes great use of soft neutrals for a peaceful and relaxing ambience. The hand-picked furniture is specifically selected for each room to provide what the hotel chain defines as “superb integrity.” Perfectly complementing the furnishings are custom-designed lighting systems, draperies, and artwork.

Guests will enjoy a range of amenities including 300 count linens by Frette, oversized desks, complementary high-speed wireless Internet, concierge service, daily housekeeping, stocked minibar, and spectacular views of the city of Chicago.

PUBLIC has redefined the luxury travel model to make your stay more about the experience, and less about price or class; a new paradigm perfectly encapsulated in the hotel’s public and private spaces.

Nightly rates start at under $200.

PUBLIC Chicago
http://www.publichotels.com/chicago/home/
1301 North State Parkway
Chicago IL 60610

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Related posts:

1. First Virgin America Hotel Announced in Chicago
2. Miami Beach Gansevoort Hotel – Classic Elegance with Contemporary “Kick”
3. Brazil’s Modern Luxury Hotels: Fasano Sao Paulo & Rio De Janeiro