Announcing the Mr. C Beverly Hills Grand Opening

0

Los Angeles California is the first city to welcome a brand-new signature hotel line with the grand opening of the new Mr. C Beverly Hills on June 1. The new hotel chain is being developed by internationally known restaurateurs Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani. The Cipriani’s carry-on a family tradition of luxury clubs, banquet houses, restaurants, and living spaces going back four generations.

The Mr. C. Beverly Hills offers 138 rooms, including 12 signature suites and classic suites. Rooms range in size from 365 sq. ft. to 800 sq. ft. and all include a private balcony. A tasteful mix of old world Italian charm and modern classic includes color schemes of Burgundy and gray with white accents, vintage artwork, well furnished bathrooms with teak flooring, and elegant bedrooms featuring rich, dark hardwoods. For those planning a longer stay, the property offers five residential bungalows with 3000 sq. ft. of living space on multiple levels. Each bungalow provides a private plunge pool, private garden, and its own gourmet kitchen.

Groupon and Expedia Partner for Travel Deals

0

Over the last 10 years online travel sites offering discounted deals have seen great success. And about three years ago, the new Groupon concept of group coupon shopping deals also hit the Internet, also to explosive success. Now the two industries have come together in a recently announced joint venture between Groupon and Expedia. The two companies are partnering to launch a brand-new website geared at connecting travellers with deeply discounted deals all across the globe.

The new website will be offered in the U.S. and Canada to start, then later in other countries. Right away users will have access to deals from more than 135,000 hotels and resorts already working with Expedia. The service will work similar to Groupon in a model that presents users with new deals at regular intervals. Users can claim those deals, within a limited time frame, in order to receive a voucher to be used sometime in the future. Dates for booking the actual travel are flexible.

It remains to be seen exactly what the final product will look like, but Groupon and Expedia both expect the site to be very successful. With millions of regular users already between them, the two companies are holding out hope that their partnership is one that will set the course for the future of discounted travel online.

Marriott International Planning New Downtown L.A. Property

0

Marriott International could be poised to take a larger slice of the downtown L.A. hotel pie if plans to build a new 377-room property come to fruition. Marriott would not own the property themselves, but they would operate the hotel under their Courtyard and Residence brand names. When complete, the 22-floor property would help meet a demand that grew by about 24% last year.

Marriott already operates two other hotels within the same general vicinity and a third only seven blocks away. However, company officials cite the fact that all of their different brands cater to a variety of travelers across a wide spectrum of tastes and financial means. For this reason it isn’t uncommon for Marriott properties to be clustered close together. Furthermore, the new hotel would be very close to the L.A. Live Center that, in tandem with the Staples Center now hosts as many as 300 events per year.

Building the $120 million hotel campus is Oregon developer Williams/Dame & Associates, the same company that developed three condominium properties in L.A.’s South Park district. Officials from the firm are quick to point out that hotel properties are less expensive and easier to construct because the rooms are uniform. They believe that investing in a new luxury hotel in downtown L.A., which they would own, is a fairly safe bet.

Frommer's Top Airport Lounges for 2011

1

Airport travel lounges are a godsend to frequent fliers who need a peaceful and relaxing environment while they wait for flights. So much so that even as employers are cutting expenses by eliminating club membership perks, many individuals are paying for it out of pocket. If you find yourself in this position, you might be interested to know Frommer’s Travel Guides’ top airport lounges for 2011.

The Wing, from Cathay Pacific Airways’ Hong Kong terminal earned the number one slot with a 1st-class lounge that offers individual privacy rooms complete with shower, toilet, and deck chair, as well as a 32-seat restaurant and library. The Upper Class Clubhouse from Virgin Atlantic at Heathrow took second place, with a roof-top garden, observation deck, TV room, and billiards.

The remaining three of the top five also went to lounges in cities outside the U.S., including Kuala Lumpur, Munich, and Tokyo. In the States, New York and Houston are tops. Lounges at several of their airports offer everything from massages to free food and drink. Most offer free wireless Internet access, real desks to work at, and plenty of peace and quiet.

Starwood’s First All-Inclusive Resort: New Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal

1

Starwood’s First All-Inclusive Resort Westin Resort & Spa Playa Conchal
Latin America continues to be the target of an aggressive development campaign from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., as evidenced by the announcement of its first all-inclusive resort in a Costa Rica. The new Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal, a renovation of what was previously the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort, is already under way and should be completed by the end of the year. All of the hotel’s 406 rooms and public areas will get a complete makeover. In addition, Starwood plans to open three more Latin American hotels in 2011.

The exclusive Westin Resort & Spa experience begins for guests as soon as they enter the resort’s lobby. They are greeted with the brand’s Sensory Welcome which strives to create an awakening of sight, sound, smell and taste that will soothe and relax. Gentle music plays in the background while the eyes feast on beautiful botanicals and exquisite mood lighting. Subtle fragrance fragrances permeate the air, evoking a calm and peaceful feeling which is perfectly complemented by Westin’s subtle but captivating White Tea.

The New Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel

0

Starwood Hotels & Resorts continues its tradition of world-class international hotels with the opening of the chic, new Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Centre. The new hotel is just 30 minutes from the city centre and provides direct access to the Malpensa Airport’s T1 terminal. Stunning views of the Italian Alps add the perfect backdrop for this amazing new property designed by King Roselli Architects and Saporiti Hotel Design.

Tourists to the area will have a choice of more than 400 rooms, 19 suites, and 58 club rooms; all spacious and well appointed, with Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds(R) and the latest in modern technology. The hotel also offers a 21,000 ft.2 Club Lounge with extra amenities for members of the Sheraton Club. For your weddings, banquets, and corporate gatherings, the Sheraton Milan Malpensa has you covered with over 21,000 ft.2 of space including meeting rooms and a large open space that can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

Now Open: Balcones del Atlántico – Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

1

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-760" title="Balcones del Atlántico – Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic" src="http://luxgetaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Balcones-del-Atlántico-Las-Terrenas-Dominican-Republic.png" alt="" width="610" height="220" />

RockResorts welcomes you to the Dominican Republic and the newest luxury hotel in its family, the Balcones del Atlántico Las Terrenas. Set near the small and quaint fishing village of Las Terrenas, the property has all the charm and warmth you would expect from the Dominican Republic combined with the elegance and luxury RockResorts is known for. Just opened a few months ago, the Balcones del Atlántico includes all the Caribbean has to offer with its white sand beach, crystal-clear water, and views to die for. The resort is located at the north end of the Samaná Peninsula which is accessible through direct flights from several U.S. cities including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, and a Philadelphia.

This newest of Caribbean resorts offers 86 well-appointed villa suites, each with two or three bedrooms. The natural Caribbean environment provides the design theme, which is both comfortable and stylish. For an extra special touch of luxury the hotel offers a Penthouse Villa that includes a private, rooftop plunge pool and 4000 ft.² of space to comfortably accommodate up to seven guests. All of the suites enjoy private terraces and kitchen facilities.

For your relaxation the Balcones del Atlántico offers you a RockResort spa providing well-being treatments and the highest level of relaxation and comfort. You’ll also enjoy a beachside bar and restaurant, gourmet deli, and two beautiful swimming pools. One of the pools even offers a swim-up bar for your poolside refreshment. And if you would prefer to go into town for local dining and shopping, it is just minutes away.

London's Goring Hotel Plays Host to Future Duchess of Cambridge Katie Middleton

1

The Goring
Beeston Place
London
SW1W 0JW

[nggallery id=58]

Hilton Hotels & Resorts Greets Visitors with New Lobby Design

2

The Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner, Virginia recently became a showcase for Hilton Hotels & Resorts and their new lobby design project. The hotel’s $40 million facelift includes a contemporary new lobby featuring food and beverage options, an adaptable “community” environment, and accessible technology. If the design proves successful it may become the new standard for the Hilton brand.

Upon entering the hotel visitors are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that resembles the average American living room. The environment is intended to encourage the gathering of guests for social interaction, a shared work environment, and plenty of collaboration.

The lobby includes a dedicated technology lounge which integrates the standard business centre idea with personal, social networking. The entire package is made complete by a progressive bar open 18 hours a day with an evolving menu of beverages and “to-go” items.

The project’s designers even went so far as to include the social networking aspect into the front desk. Gone is the standard elongated counter space, replaced by several pod style check-in desks that promote interaction between guests and staff.

St. Regis Hotels and Resorts Brings Luxury to Bangkok With Opening of The St. Regis Bangkok

1

When discriminating travellers hear the name St. Regis, they can’t help but think of sophistication, class, and unparalleled luxury. Now, that same reputation has reached Thailand with the announcement of Starwood Resorts & Hotels’ newest offering, the St. Regis Bangkok. This brand new, 47 story property graces Bangkok’s skyline with breathtaking architecture from Brennan Beer Gorman Architects, the world-renowned architectural design firm known for a style that is both cutting-edge and unique.

The St. Regis Bangkok aims to be the address of choice not only for international travellers, but also for influential residents who desire the finest in hospitality, luxury, and service. The St. Regis is the first hotel in the city to provide butler service to all guests and residents. Furthermore, the addition of Thailand’s first Elemis Spa and ZUMA restaurant means there’s no better place to be than the St. Regis.

Accommodations
The St. Regis Bangkok’s 227 total rooms include 51 suites and 53 unique residences. Taking luxury and elegance to new heights, guest rooms range in size from 45 m² to 250 m². Floor to ceiling windows provide breathtaking views of the city and beyond, while exquisite styling and lavish appointments provide guests a peaceful and relaxed escape from the busy city below.