Archive for the Category »Cool Hotels «

Jan
20th		   Hotel of the Week: Spotlight on a Presidential Playground in Primary Season (Pun Intended)
One Comment Category: Arizona, Cool Hotels, Travel, Travel and Design Tags: , ,

Arizona BIltmore

If you are attracted to the non-cookie cutter hotels, this one in the Arizona desert is worth discovering if you haven’t already. The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix is the only Frank Lloyd Wright inspired hotel in the world. The accomplished architect’s (he himself might say the MOST accomplished…if you are familiar with his reported ego) stamp is still very much preserved at the 80 year old hotel – Wright was the consulting architect.

I visited recently and fell captive to it’s charms. The linear architecture… and geometric furniture …the sophisticated design touches at this hotel are abundant.

The stained glass…and hexagons…so typical of Frank Lloyd Wright…the furniture he designed…. it all works.

Even if you don’t love Wright’s influence, the overall layout gives it the resort special feel. Spaced on 39 acres, you walk from the lobby into a large communal grass area and outdoor patio.

There were always guests lounging next to firepits, reading the morning paper with their coffee – that to me says “get-away.” It is very family friendly (that to me says not so much get away as “what can we do to keep the kids happy”) with large life-size lawn chess…

croquet…and a fun pool on the grounds.
The hotel is known for the celebs and presidents who have stayed there, mostly Republicans of course in that red state of AZ…

and lining the walls are photos of past presidents who have stayed and played there. The list is long, and the kids enjoy seeing the famous photos.

The rooms were underwhelming, I must admit… we even had stained carpet -  but the more I thought about that, the more I realized – well, you really don’t come to the desert, to a resort like this with so much going on, to sit in your room.

And that we didn’t…. I was SO excited to visit Frank Lloyd Wrights Talisien West about 30 minutes from the hotel in Scottsdale.

Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright designed

This was his west coast retreat and office that he designed, and today is the site of an architecture school in his spirit.

The experience did not disappoint. It is inspiring beyond belief listening to the tour guide explain why Wright designed the way he did – what his philosophy was. Some would say he was a mad genius.

The pool shape – a triangle. Creative.

Wright was known for using indigenous materials, and incorporating nature … He used boulders from the area in the building, and you can see how it blends with the natural landscape.

This attraction is well worth visiting. Tours are given daily, but it is best to go when it’s not so hot. There aren’t many architectural tours that I’ve been on that truly make the non-architecture student stop and think about the process of design, but Wright was so innovative, it is impossible to escape being intrigued.

If you are looking for a hot weather, with haute design – bask in the heat at the Arizona Biltmore. In March, there is a special lecture with Frank Lloyd Wright’s photographer. Visit the website for more info.

www.arizonabiltmore.com

www.franklloydwright.org

Have a great weekend -

 
Jan
13th		   Hotels of the Week: Those to Watch in 2012
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, Cool Hotels, Italy, London, Luxury Travel, Travel, WIne, Winetasting abroad, hotels Tags: , , , , , , ,

There are so many hotels opening in 2012 – good news for travelers. More rooms = more destinations to explore, & lower prices if there are more rooms than demand.

What are your new year’s resolutions? If to travel fully and transport yourself so completely is one of them, you’ll want to see these special places. Bon Voyage my friends – wake up your passion.

Here are some intriguing hotels that either just opened … or will open in 2012.

AMANRUYA, TURKEY

On the “off the radar” Turkish Riviera is the new Amanruya. Part of the exclusive Aman Resorts, this hotel on the Aegean Coast is romantic experience.

Amanruya, Turkish Riviera

It is a collection of five-star cottages – each with a pool, private garden, outdoor shower, and lounging pergola. Let it roll off your tongue “I am retreating to my lounging pergola…”

Inside, the design is smashing and classic.

The hotel is on the Bodrum Peninsula…and has a small beach.

http://www.amanresorts.com/amanruya/home.aspx

SIX SENSES CON DAO, VIETNAM

Speaking of beautiful beaches, what also comes to mind is the Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam – a country on my must see list.

This is the first five start resort on these Vietnamese islands – remote, but accessible – just take a 45  minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

There are 50 villas on this property – each with it’s own infinity pool… ranging in size from single level to duplex, and one bedroom to four.

Six Sense Con Dao offers water sports, snorkeling, diving, cooking classes, and trips to remote beaches. This will work for Valentine’s Day.

http://www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao/

CASTELLO DI CASOLE, ITALY

Heading to the country…. we’ve got Castello di Casole in Tuscany. This dramatic 4200 acre estate will open in 2012.


Castello di Casole entices those who would love to vacation among enchanting vineyards and olive groves. The estate has more than 100 acres of organic vineyards dotting its gorgeous landscape.

In addition to vineyard tours, wine tastings, winemaker dinners and events on property with the winemaking team, the resort offers Italian winery tours at some of Italy’s most prestigious wineries.

One can also expand his or her wine cellar, manage a collection and experience the world’s fine wines through the resort’s partnership with specialty wine retailers.

A little bit of luxury in the Italian countryside… and there are residencies too for those looking to spend even more time there.

http://www.castellodicasole.com/

SCRUB ISLAND RESORT, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

The British Virgin Islands are near and dear to me… I shot a few shows there and always want to return. Scrub Island Resort would be a good reason!

Ocean view rooms… secluded, crystal clear beaches with seriously turquoise waters.. Can’t ya just feel the gentle breeze? The resort is right ona marina, so for those of you with yachts, ahem,  you are welcome. Water sports abound here, and the resort also hosts weddings.

Scrub Island

The rooms are tasteful and tropical.It is officially an island resort with one of those beautiful ceiling fans.

http://www.scrubisland.com/

BVLGARI HOTEL, LONDON

If you are craving city life, you will get your fill of London this year since this world class city is host to the 2012 Olympics. One new hotel opening is the BVLGARI – classy, but hopefully not too stuffy.

BVLGARI Hotel, London

It is a joint venture between Italian jeweller BVLGARI and Marriott International, located in the Knightsbridge area. The BVLGARI stamp doesn’t mean bling comes with the room, and by the looks of the brand’s design, it is not too flashy. This photo is of a room at the Bvlgari in Milan, since the London hotel is not open yet.

BVLGARI in Milan

http://www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/london-2012/london-2012

As always, happy travels and have a great weekend.

 
Oct
21st		   Hotel of the Week: Laid Back, Old Fashioned, Family Retreat where Lighthouses and Lobster Abound.
Leave a Comment Category: Cool Hotels, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Maine, Travel, hotels Tags: , ,

Inn By Th Sea, Portland, Maine

This hotel is off-the-beaten-path, but still has won accolades from travel magazines… and anyone who knows of it. It is “The Inn by the Sea,” in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I had always wanted to visit the coast of Maine, and this hotel won me over by it’s non-pompous attitude, and location: on the stunning coastline, but just a 10 minute drive into quaint Portland, Maine – the state’s largest city.

I did mention non-pompous didn’t I? When you pull up to this truly grand resort, it has a humble but pretty curb appeal.. and no valet parking. As a matter of fact, the parking is free. How often do you visit an upscale establishment offering that?

The lobby is inviting… and in the bar area there are daily drinks put out – coffee for guests in the morning… tea in the afternoon… and you can have a glass of wine into early evening by the cozy fireplace.

But what captivated my family the most when visiting is the huge grass field in the back, where we spent much time playing soccer and volleyball. The Adirondack chairs dotting the lawn made it feel tranquil… you could sit there to rest and enjoy the view and the sound of children’s laughter.

The games don’t end there – the bocce court is a nice touch – a game everyone can enjoy.

There is a pool near the grass yard – but beware – this is New England, so the solar heating isn’t always generating warm pool water. So when you look at the website thinking you can rest by the pool all day while your kids swim, make sure you visit during a sunny heatwave! On the other hand, the beautiful beach is just a short walk down a path.

The dining room is lovely and the food is gourmet and local fare… can you say blueberry martinis? (Blueberries are big in Maine!)

We did venture out to Portland for dinner it was so close and is a very cute town. If you visit, you really should get out to Portland. Very clean and charming, with unique boutiques and not many chain stores.

Breakfast, well – when you have kids you don’t have as many options – to drive to Portland right when you wake up doesn’t sound to leisurely, and with hungry kids, impractical. We ate breakfast at the hotel on the lovely veranda. It is a beautiful setting – we only wished there was a children’s menu so you don’ t have to pay $7 for a bagel for them.

The service is stellar – some of the nicest and most helpful people work there. My camera lens broke and I wanted to get it fixed, so they looked into it and got me the info. We needed to switch hotels in our next destination when we were there, and the director of publicity researched some options that may be good for our family before I even had an opportunity to think of something.

Overall, staying at the Inn by the Sea is a relaxing experience but there are activities nearby if you want to partake – kayaking, whale watching, lobster fishing are all “so” Maine. The only thing I would have liked to have done is have a clam bake… but that just gives me a good reason to go back. :)

What to do in Maine:

Summer and Spring: all sorts of outdoor activities. L.L. Bean can hook you up with guides for kayaking, birdwatching, etc..There’s also lobster fishing, and hanging out on a beach.

Winter: winter carnivals, snowmobiling,  and ice fishing

Fall: leaf peeping of course!

www.innbythesea.com

 
Sep
30th		   Hotel of the Week: A Rare Gem Re-opens and Dazzles
Leave a Comment Category: California, Cool Hotels, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels, southern california Tags:

When you are on the road a lot, many hotels start to seem the same. Then, there are those special ones that leave a mark on your soul. I can’t say that about very many hotels, but Hotel Bel Air is one of them. It is a spiritual and romantic retreat hidden high in the leafy streets of the Bel Air neighborhood in Los Angeles, which is part of its non-chain-hotel charm.

Now, after a two year remodel, (which it did need by the way) it will re-open this month with even more class and exclusivity. The iconic swans in the hotel’s lake are still there, as well as the signature Spanish Colonial buildings in “Bel Air pink,” but beyond the deliberate scene stealers, there are other new charms to disarm you.

The new design is amazing- Hotel Bel Air with a fresh, glamorous, and youthful face-lift in public spaces…

…and rooms.

There are 12 new accommodations, built into the hillside offering sweeping canyon views, expansive sliding glass walls, outdoor fireplaces and spacious decks with private spa pools.

Also new to the hotel:  a 12,000 square foot Spanish mission style structure featuring a new bell tower, fitness studio, three unique “Loft guestrooms” with open floor plans, double sided fireplaces and dramatically high ceilings as well as the brand new 4,134-square-foot Spa by La Prairie, the luxury Swiss beauty company.

I have always enjoyed the restaurants, or late night drinks at the hotel, and now there are expanded dining and drinking options, as well as famed Hollywood chef Wolfgang Puck taking over the restaurant services. Room rates start at $565, with a $100 food credit through the end of the year… If you can’t swing a full stay at the hotel, try to get there for lunch or dinner to experience something so special to LA, it doesn’t feel like LA at all.

If you don’t take my word, just check out the reviews on TripAdvisor. Have you ever seen more 5-star, rave reviews? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32655-d111751-Reviews-Hotel_Bel_Air-Los_Angeles_California.html

The legendary hotel is officially reopening October 14- but it is accepting dinner and room reservations now. I look forward to the return of something special…don’t we all? Life is too short. Enjoy it and have a great weekend wherever you are.

www.hotelbelair.com

 
Sep
09th		   Hotel of the Week: Where the US Open Stars Stay
Leave a Comment Category: Cool Hotels, Luxury Travel, New York, Travel, hotels, sports travel Tags: , , ,

My son was thrilled to bump into defending US Open champ Rafa Nadal in the elevator of the St. Regis Hotel in New York. He was staying there at the same time we were on a recent trip. We got a brush with athletic greatness on his way to the 2011 Open…

We also had a brush with hospitality greatness at the St. Regis. I understand why Nadal stays there. Location? Perfect. Can walk to Central Park, shopping on 5th, Time Square, and Magnolia Bakery :) Rooms? Not my style – very traditional and old NY, but lovely and spacious! Bed? I want it! Had the best night sleep when I finally went to sleep.. Service? Spectacular.

The St Regis butler service is legendary – 24/7 a butler can assist you with anything. Toothbrush? No problem. Shoe shine? At your service. French Press coffee to my room every morning, along with the NY Times and Wall St Journal? Done.  The expense is – a nice tip for them at the end of your stay.

Warning: The only down sides to the hotel are that since it is on UH-MAZ-ING 55th and 5th Ave,   it can also be loud – two nights the jackhammering on those busy streets lasted until 12:30AM. I don’t think that’s what Frank meant when he referred to the Apple as “… a city that doesn’t sleep.”

The other down side: we didn’t find any truly good NY bagel places nearby. ( H & H was about 10 blocks away)

But let’s not be too picky! I’m just sayin…If it’s good enough for Nadal it’s good enough for me.

You wont find the style of the hotel many other places- it is rich and detailed, with marble floors even in the elevators. As I said before, elegant but of a certain era. A brand new suite  the Tiffany suite, conjures up memories of my favorite Audrey Hepburn classic…

and brings a newer vibe to the hotel…

…but at a price. Truman Capote’s Holly Golightly may have talked her way into staying in that suite….but we regular girls can only look. It is reportedly $8500 a night. 1700 square feet, and beautiful Tiffany & Co blue….and hmmmm it was occupied the entire week we were there – possibly a stay only a pro tennis player could afford?

Whether it be the US Open.. or the 9/11 10 year anniversary tributes this weekend… NY is ready for it’s spotlight with special luxury hotels like this. Have a great weekend – pray for the victims and families of 9/11.

www.stregisnewyork.com

 
Aug
12th		   Hotel of the Week: A Picture Perfect Setting for Romance… or Rug Rats
Leave a Comment Category: California, Cool Hotels, Family Travel, Los Angeles, Luxury Travel, Travel, golf, hotels, southern california Tags: , , ,

View from Terrenea Resort

This was the ocean view from my room at Terranea resort in Ranch Palos Verdes, CA… about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles. That’s one of the things that makes this Mediterranean style 582 room resort special – all of the rooms offer private balconies, and most have ocean views. I could have stayed there all night and watched the sun set on this gorgeous only in So Cal summer night.

The setting for this huge-but-doesn’t-feel-too-big resort is spectacular – on one of the most gorgeous parts of the California coast… and it really is secluded from major developments or traffic, as it sits right at land’s edge on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Although it is along the coast, the stretch of beach for guests is not that large, but pretty.

At certain times of year you can see the sun both rise and set thanks to it’s location…. you have views from the pools as well as the guest rooms.

My favorite place to catch the view is at one of the restaurants: Nelsons, which sits right on the cliff. It is a casual environment… with an outdoor deck that also boasts a fire pit.

We went at sunset – the best time – but you really do need to get there early as it fills up fast. We were told it was a two hour wait to eat… but it ended up only being 30 minutes.

Like most of the restaurants at Terranea, Nelson’s has a children’s menu. The upscale resort could easily have catered more to an elite, adults only crowd, but the management was smart enough to realize more adults are traveling with their young children.

They have a number of activities for kids – My kids spent all day at the family pool with a 140 foot water slide and a water play area…. they barely came up to our lounge chairs for a break.

There is also a kids camp where you can drop in,  a family-friendly Par 3, 9 hole ocean front golf course, and a s’more party at night by the pool. (By the way for you golfers – the 9 hole course is brilliant in my opinion. When traveling, golf can eat up a big chunk of your day – 9 holes allows you to have a great round, then leave some time for relaxing too. If you want a longer course, Trump National Golf Club is a public course about three miles away.)

As a critic, I often see hotels that try to do too much – Terranea gracefully can accommodate and satisfy couples as well as families – There is an adult only pool that is quiet and has ocean views, and also a spa pool near the 50,000 sq foot very-adult indulging spa.

Another nice touch for adults and couples: You are welcomed at check in with a glass of champagne. They won me over right there – a really nice touch.

Another nice touch was a bottle of Paraiso Pinot noir and incredible chocolate covered strawberries in our room!! (Note: sorry – but that was a personal touch from the manager.) But you can order the Pinot in the restaurants and although I’m not a huge Pinot fan, it was darn good.

If you rent one of Terranea’s two, three, or four bedroom villas, you can keep the wine in your kitchen. These rooms are great options for families, or groups traveling together.

There were a lot of locals at Terranea – especially for dinner- and with good reason.

If you are visiting Los Angeles, and want to take in all the sights of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Santa Monica and Malibu beaches, Getty museums – Terranea is not the most convenient location, especially since  – shocker – Los Angeles has a little traffic problem.

But what I always do when booking a trip to a big city is find a relaxing resort or waterfront hotel that provides a balance in your trip. If your budget allows, I would add a few days here to stay planted, unwind, and enjoy the golden sunshine on our stunning coastline.

Why can’t summer last forever?  www.terranea.com

 
Jul
29th		   Hotel of the Week: Just the Right Amount of Wrong
Leave a Comment Category: Cool Hotels, Las Vegas, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels Tags: , ,

Vegas is infamous for it’s slogans… but this slogan “Just the Right Amount of Wrong” advertising the Cosmopolitan Hotel in on the strip has to be my favorite. Especially if you’ve ever been to the hotel – very hip and sexy, just tempting you to be a little bad.

It is a newer hotel in Vegas… and since there are so many that are over the top, this hotel does a great job keeping up with the competition  – but this is not OTT in a cheesy way – more in a seductive, glamorous way. The whole ambiance is EYE CANDY to the max. The lobby, bars, game tables, restaurants, pools , everything.

Check out this bar off the lobby – it sparkles and glows.

Other bars are enchanting too…

I loved the pool table lounge areas just in the middle of open spaces.

The dining is to die for – so many choices you will find yourself wanting to try a new one each night.

From sushi, to steak, to Sicilian, most of the restaurants are all on one floor so it is a smorgasbord of gastronomy..each restaurant more stylish than the next.

We ate at STK – a contemporary steak house with  cozy, intimate seating in petite booths, and a a happening bar with a sexy vibe. The booths could be a little farther apart for more privacy with your date. The menu:  you order a steak or other dish and then order all your side dishes from a long list. Make sure you ask for the pre-dinner bread.

The shopping is unique- once again, the Cosmopolitan is trying to make a statement that “we are different, but cooler” by offering boutiques that offer eclectic items – for instance, one reportedly sells limited edition sneakers.

There are three pools… Day Club Pool is for adults only, and at night becomes an extension of the night club. We’ve come a long way since the Rat Pack.

Then there’s the Boulevard Pool.. which has a laid back vibe, with fusbol and a bar on the deck. Great place to hang out.

The only caveat: while many hotels are practically giving away rooms this summer,   the Cosmopolitan is still charging $350-$450 a night for a basic room on a weekend.  Go to their website for special packages. www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

One last note- not my usual type of recommendation, but I saw an acro-cabaret show while in Vegas that was everything that Sin City is- provocative, fun, funny, wild, – and warning: RAUNCHY. It is called Absinthe and it is definitely not for everyone – don’t bring your mother – but if you can tolerate the totally shockingly crude humor – you are in Vegas so it is somewhat more palatable – then you will marvel at the extreme stunts that are performed almost in your lap.  It is  at Caesar’s Palace – we walked from the Cosmopolitan.   It satisfied my craving for something out of the ordinary… as if that is difficult to find in Vegas. :)

Here’s a little taste. Happy travels.

www.absinthevegas.com

 
Jun
17th		   Hotel of the Week: Laguna Beach Love
2 Comments Category: Beaches, California, Cool Hotels, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels Tags: , ,

I can’t really think of many more special places than Laguna Beach in Southern California. I visited recently, and every time I go, I appreciate it more. Almost 200 art galleries within 5-10 miles, and some of the most spectacular beaches California has to offer. That being said, I did go BEFORE the summer crowds starting piling up. The road getting into Laguna from the freeway is long and one lane…. you could end up moving very slowly on sunny summer days.

But it’s worth it! We stayed at the beautiful Montage Resort ….

At the Montage Resort, Laguna Beach

Best way to describe it is waaay upscale, but it doesn’t lose it’s beach vibe. Probably because of the Craftsman -style architecture, instead of so many of the overdone new hotels in Orange County.

The hotel itself is located on an oceanfront bluff, so the views are pretty darn nice from practically everywhere.

The hotel has teen and kids programs…. and is offering some specials – one is a night night stay plus breakfast starting at $595.00. www.montagelagunabeach.com. It is not a cheap chain… but a lesser hotel doesn’t have the great cocktail hour with the piano and view at sunset in the main lobby :) That, and the cabanas by the pool, were my favorite elements. There are board games poolside, and your cabana comes with a TV if you just can’t miss that HGTV show.

If you are lucky enough to be part of the Exclusive Resorts program, you will have your own personal concierge, who is fabulous – we lifted the telephone for the most ridiculous reasons, and she was there to help :)

The town of Laguna has plenty to offer – take some time to stroll through the village. The restaurants are plentiful and varied -

But … we visited some  restaurants recommended by the resort.. and were terribly disappointed. One was not what we expected a nice resort to suggest  – it was up the coast a few miles, and the crowd was predominantly overly-coiffed blonds with too much make-up and bad plastic surgery wearing short skirts, leaving with aging men…or pro-athlete types with multiple body piercings. And I LOVE a good time – but I felt like I needed to take a shower after having margaritas here. We should have stayed on campus at any of the Montage’s nice restaurants where I’ve had great meals.

One special “only in Laguna Beach” activity is to get tickets to the “Pageant of the Masters” running in July and August. My words will not do this production justice – it is performed and run by volunteers, and couldn’t be more entertaining. I can’t even describe what these people do – but that photo above is NOT a painting – it is the actors recreating the painting. They basically reproduce a masterpiece painting with live bodies and set decor…all in an outdoor theater. Lovely at night under the stars. www.foapom.com

Laguna is a great destination for the Fourth of July… or anytime to kick off your summer.

Have a great weekend and happy travels!

 
Apr
16th		   Hotel of the Week: Perfect Post-Spring Break Get-Away
Leave a Comment Category: California, Cool Hotels, Travel Tags: , ,

Palm Springs has been a spring break destination for decades… sun-seekers from all over the country come to the Southern California resort town for some beautiful weather, golf, and swimming pools galore.

So if you can, come after or before spring break when the crowds have left, and before the weather becomes unbearably hot. But here’s a tip: If you can stand the heat, desert hotels offer great specials in summer!!

At La Qunta Resort, CA

I was recently at one of my favorite resorts – La Quinta Resort and Club in the desert town of La Quinta. It is not an overdone hotel. The white Spanish style buildings have a casual vibe which I love, and the place is fantastic for kids. It is nicely spread out on many acres. www.laquintaresort.com

La Quinta Resort and Club

I was there at the beginning of spring break season, so the place was buzzing… fun and lively, but harder to book a tennis court or spa treatment… and definitely harder to get an outside table at one of the great restaurants there. (If you like loud music, the upstairs patio near the Mexican restaurant Adobe Grill is in full party mode… if that’s not your thing, and you’d rather be able to talk to your companions, try Morgan’s in the Desert, closer to the valet parking.)

When we come, the kids play tennis, golf, swim, or venture into the air conditioned arcade when it gets really hot. There ARE 41 pools here after all… I know what you’re thinking, but it really isn’t a zoo. The way the resort is laid out, there are a few hotel rooms to each pool. You can book anything from a casita – some which have their own patios and fireplaces – or a ville or a suite.

Easter weekend is especially great for kids – starting Good Friday (April 22) the fun begins – dive in movie and pottery painting for the kids… & on Easter Sunday an Easter egg hunt.

N. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs CA

If you are looking for some adult time outside the resort, go to downtown Palm Springs. One of my favorite thing is to hunt for Mid-Century Modern treasures… whether you find some furniture at an estate sale, and refinish it… or find that gem in one of the many mod stores. Head to N Palm Canyon Drive for tons of furniture galleries… you really only park once and walk the strip.

Christopher Anthony in Palm Springs

One boutique with incredible stuff in my opinion is Christopher Anthony. My friend bought a feminine desk that once belonged to Eva Gabor, and me, being a sucker for art, I ended up falling for and buying this contemporary painting.

Try to negotiate the price of things…  many places also give designer discounts.

To cap off the adult afternoon, try head to The Parker Hotel – a hip place that used to be the old Gene Autry Hotel.

The Parker Hotel

It is swank, and I just had to go to see the design alone. Part old Hollywood glamor, yet with a new fresh eclectic mix. Lunch at Norma’s in the hotel isn’t really worth the trip – get a smoothie, or a drink at the fabulous bar instead.

How chic, right?  www.theparkerpalmsprings.com

Wherever your travels take you, I wish you a good one :)

 
Jan
14th		   Hotel of the Week: A New Rosewood off the Beaten Path
Leave a Comment Category: Cool Hotels, Luxury Travel, Mexico, Travel, hotels Tags: ,

Last week I posted about hotels to watch in 2011 – and completely forgot about the Rosewood at San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. It is gorgeous – both the city and the hotel. San Miguel de Allende is maybe not on the first-timer to Mexico’s list of places to visit, but for those seeking out more culture in a picturesque town have for sure discovered it.

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is in Central Mexico – not on the beach like other resort towns – but has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charming cobblestone streets, and stunning Neo-classical-Baroque architecture attract many artists, and the town has been greatly preserved. The historic center is as charming as it gets. Just look at the views from the hotel!

San MIguel de Allende

The hotel helps offers various activities to help you enjoy what San Miguel de Allende has to offer…. For example:

Sightseeing tours: historic walking tours, home and garden tours, guided museum tours
Art, cooking, music and dance classes
Wine tastings, lectures and wellness workshops
Horseback riding, ATV adventures, mountain biking, hiking and golf
Bullfighting exhibitions
Day trips to nearby historic sites, thermal springs and traditional craft centers
Year-round festivals, art shows, musical and theatrical performances, and public events
Family friendly adventures

San Miguel de Allende offers visitors and residents a vibrant and lively community of artists, musicians and writers and a eclectic mix of Mexican folk traditions, fiestas and religious celebrations.

Shopping in San Miguel de Allende is a shop-a-holic’s dream – plenty of interesting Mexican handicrafts, boutiques, art galleries, and furniture and items for your home.

Thousands of people come to San Miguel de Allende every year to learn Spanish, study art, or take Mexican cooking classes.

Maybe you too? You could be enjoying this patio….The resort opens early February – the first availability is Feb. 8. www.rosewoodsanmiguel.com

Have a great weekend.

 
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