Newest Fashion Hotel On The Block: Tcherassi In Colombia

It's official: 2009 is the year of fashion designer hotels. Missoni just debuted their first in Scotland, Palazzo Versace continue to proliferate, Diesel's creative director opened a Brazil retreat in spring, and Armani will have his first in Dubai on December 2. We can't just look at the biggest names as the only creators of boutique properties, however, as Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi steps up to open her own tropical resort in fall.

Tcherassi will be the first Latin American designer to go the hotel route, but will keep it close to home with a 7-suite colonial mansion property on the Colombian coast in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cartagena de Indias. Who will be staying here, you ask? Tcherassi's fans, naturally, as the designer is known for her wedding atelier especially, and even has a US store and bridal workshop in Coral Gables, Florida. Marry in Miami; honeymoon in Colombia. Why not?

Of course there will also be a spa and restaurant, and judging from the exposed restaurant area and pool above, as well as the glass bathroom, this place will be your typical see-and-be-seen boutique hotel. by JetSetCD - HotelChatter

Related Links: Hotel Deals in Cartagena - Columbia, Silvia Tcherassi

SocialiteTravel.com - VIP Nightlife & Travel

Buy Your Bathing Suit From A Vending Machine At The Standard

Ever gone on vacation and realized you left your swimsuit behind. Worry no more if you are staying at any of The Standard hotels. Sporty clothing company Quiksilver has partnered with André Balazs' The Standard Hotels on co-branded swimwear that will be sold not only in the hotel boutiques but also poolside in special vending machines in New York, Los Angeles, Hollywood and Miami. It's a smart collaboration, The Standard is infamous for its pool scenes.

Four different styles of men's board shorts were designed one for each hotel but women will have to content themselves with a black string bikini. Items can be purchased online at shopthestandard.com, and the first vending machine will open in Los Angeles on August 8.

by Deidre Woollard - Luxist

[via The Thread]

Related Links: Hotel Deals in NYC, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Miami - Hotel Meta Search

SocialiteTravel.com - VIP Nightlife & Travel

Four Seasons Is Top Luxury Hotel

Bad news for the Ritz-Carlton, it's no longer the top dog in luxury hotels. That's according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. The study looked at overall hotel guest satisfaction across six hotel segments from luxury to budget. The Ritz-Carlton has been chosen the top luxury hotel in past years but this year the honor went to the Four Seasons even though the rooms at the luxury chain are more expensive. In the next tier down, the winner of the Upscale segment was Embassy Suites Hotels which took the honor for the third year running.

To determine overall satisfaction the study looked at seven key measures: reservations; check-in/check-out; guest room; food and beverage; hotel services; hotel facilities; and costs and fees. Over 66,000 people who stayed n a hotel between May 2008 and June 2009 were part of the study. The survey showed that guest satisfaction with luxury hotels has remained stable from 2008. The most-desired amenities include complimentary breakfast, wireless Internet access and pillow-top mattresses. In luxury hotels a high percentage of guests say they expect in-room high-definition flat-panel TVs. The study also found that guests are more aware of property-initiated "green" programs and 72 percent say they participated in their hotel's conservation programs. by Deidre Woollard - Luxist

[via LA Times Daily Travel & Deal] Source

Related Links: Try the SocialiteTravel.com Hotel Meta-Search - One Search Does it All!

Hip Hostels - Barcelona’s Centric Point Creates Travel Oxymoron for Backpackers

The word “hostel” usually conjures up images of bummy backpackers slumming it in old, basic, barren, cramped, shared accommodations, that and a really bad horror flick. This is definitely not case at Centric Point Hostel located Barcelona, Spain.

The atmosphere and vibe is laid back to compliment the prices which start at just over $30 for dorms or $80 for private rooms. While the amenities provide a hip and chic feel. Yes I’m using the word “amenity” in a blog about a hostel. Located in the heart of Barcelona, the very affordable digs include a common room outfitted with Internet access, music, satellite TV and a Nintendo Wii. They even toss in free breakfasts.

So if you are travelling to Spain on a budget but still want to stay in style, check out this new way to “rough it.” Totally focused to the international traveller from our travellers desk you can book all kinds of tours and activities to socialize and discover the city. Altogether one of the most spectacular hostels in Europe. (metronews) Via: Ryan Hinkson

References: centricpointhostel, metronews

Related Links: Barcelona Hostels, Barcelona Hotel Deals, Barcelona 411, Vacation Packages

Bar Refaeli Seeks Solace in St. Tropez Nightclub

Where: St. Tropez, France

We're heading into the final month of summer here and you know what that means--celebs will be descending en masse in St. Tropez on the French Riviera for their annual pilgrimage of partying, yachting, topless sunbathing, and more partying.

But it looks like Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue cover girl, Bar Refaeli is getting a head start. The beauty was seen partying it up with Brazilian polo player and entrepreneur Ricardo Mansur, leading us to believe that her on-off boyfriend, Leonardo DiCaprio, is once again "off." This Ricardo dude might also have it out for Leo as he reportedly once dated Leo's ex, Gisele Bundchen, as well.

While celebs can be found throughout the summer in St. Tropez (not all of them are classy like Jon Gosselin, Tara Reid and Avril Lavigne), August seems to be the month to go. The New York Times has a great article about the madness of splashy flashy St. Tropez that gives a good history of the place and how it turned into such a party spot. True, the article is from 2005 which is now firmly "pre-recession era" but this is the French Riviera--there's no such word as "recession," is there?

And as for how Bar actually got to St. Tropez, well we're guessing she didn't fly her SI One.

by juliana - Jaunted

[Photo via TMZ]

Related Links: Hotels in St. Tropez, France 411, Celebuzz

SocialiteTravel.com - Become a fan on Facebook!

Wild Eco Retreats - West Africa's Resort Spa Channels the African Wild

Scottish-based design consultants, Treasured Dreams, is one of the world’s leading treehouse design and construction companies, and they have been aspiring to create one of West Africa’s leading eco holiday resort and spa.

The aim of the project is to create the next most sought-after destination for exclusive sunny short hall vacations for European residents as well as a luxury spa, five star hotel and numerous exceptional dining alternatives. The resort will feature about 75 villas and 200 residences and combines a destination experience with luxurious facilities.

All suites feature luxurious en-suite bathrooms, multimedia DVD players, satellite TV, and coffee/tea making facilities; each villa comes with its own private Jacuzzi that over looks the river.

The Hotel Spa has been designed with the surrounding landscape in mind. The interiors reflect the natural colors of the African landscape, with the work of local artists adding colorful highlights. In Treasured Dream's world nothing is impossible. We dedicate ourselves to giving you the best possible service and ensuring your time with us is a pleasurable experience. And, if you share in our belief that nothing is impossible, you will find that the only limit to what can be achieved by our own imaginations. (treehouse-builders) Via: gorby2

References: treasureddreams, treehouse-builders

Related Links: Africa Destination Guide

The W Fort Lauderale Wants You To Visit Their Water Wonderland

Where: 401 S Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd [map], Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States, 33316

The W Fort Lauderdale's Terrace Bar

Yes, summer in Florida is sticky and sweaty. But the still-new W Fort Lauderdale is trying to woo you down to the Sunshine State with its “W Presents Wonder on the Water” promotion.

According to the hotel’s website, here’s what you get:

· VIP Living Room table with two Coastal-politans

· W beach towel, two lounge chairs & an umbrella on the beach

· Bliss® Hot Cream Manicure $25

· Chef-guided kitchen tour with wine at Stephen Starr’s signature restaurant

· Unbelievable room upgrade!

That’s the Living Room lounge in the hotel—not to be confused with the nightclub of the same name up at the Los Olas riverfront (a place Playboy describes as “the Jetsons on crack.”)

This Living Room has a 20-foot “signature bar under overheard tilted mirrors” where hotel literature encourages you to create your own action “kicking back on mattress-inspired seating under the pool as you catch glimpses of swimmers through portholes.” There’s also a “sultry hidden nook with glistening LED starlights.”

That W beach towel will set you back 38 clams if you buy it in the W Hotels Store, and the Bliss Hot Cream Manicure is usually 25 bucks.

Oh, and as for that chef-guided tour with wine at Stephen Starr’s signature restaurant? (Steak 954, which the Miami Herald granted an “excellent” review.) Read the fine print when you go to book this promotion and you learn that this is contingent on purchase of dinner for two.

Still, the package starts at just $299 for a Wonderful Room with Limited View for a stay this Saturday night. Not too shabby when you consider how good it will feel to wrap your freshly manicured nails around a Coastal-politan in the sultry hidden nook! by MsRebecca = HotelChatter

[Photo: Tom Barnes]

Related Links: Hotel Deals in Ft. Lauderdale, W Fort Lauderdale, Vacation Packages

The Most Natural Partnership in Vegas: The Hard Rock and Virgin America

Where: 4455 Paradise Road [map], 89169

It’s the most holy of alliances. Virgin America, the rock ‘n’ roll airline, has teamed up with Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel for a special promotion. From now until December 30, you can get a 30-percent-off rate at Hard Rock Hotel when you book three nights or more. While VA’s promo offer suggests the special is good “exclusively” for Elevate – its frequent-flier program – members, the Hard Rock’s site is also running a “Summer Special” on it Web site that seems to offer exactly the same deal.

Normal rates for next Friday night (July 31), for example, in a king-sized room are $259. With the discount (either via VA or Summer Specials) that means you pay only $181 and change. Here’s an unexpected perk, too: while Saturday night, August 1, is totally sold out if you try to book it through the regular “reservations” tab on the HRH’s Web site, if you book by clicking on the “Summer Specials” button, you can actually score a room. It’s $499, mind you, but it’s there.
While we’re scratching our head as to how VA can claim "exclusivity" for the offer, it’s not a bad deal. Check this out: if you’re interested in booking a room during the mid-week in December, your rate is a low, low price of $48 per night. Holiday shopping junket, anyone? by Erika Pope - VegasChatter

[Photo: Old Shoe Woman]

Related Links: Vegas Hotel Deals, Hard Rock Hotel, Vegas Packages

The Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club Pool By the Numbers

Where: 1281 Channel Drive [map], Santa Barbara, CA, United States, 93108

Guests of the Four Seasons Biltmore Resort in Santa Barbara have a choice when it comes to pools: the "intimate" Resort Jungle Pool or the "legendary" Olympic-sized pool across the street at the private-membership Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club.

The spa, and fitness facilities here are open to club members and Four Seasons guests only. And with that kind of exclusivity, numbers matter.

Below, we've rounded up some interesting numbers regarding this exclusive pool area.

160: length of the Coral Casino pool in feet.
31: number of private cabanas surrounding the pool.

180: number of chaise lounges by the pool for the cabana-less; number of degrees of your Butterfly Beach view.

1937: year the beach club was built.

65 million: cost in dollars of the Coral Casino’s recentish restoration by architect Peter Marino.

3: number of years spent on said face-lift.

5: price in dollars for the cheapest items on the Coral Café menu: onion rings, sweet potato fries, truffle and parmesan French fries, or tortilla chips with salsa.

600: actual cost in dollars for onion rings or fries, once you factor in the necessary Four Seasons room rate that will allow you access to the Coral Casino.

500: approximate numbers of Coral Casino club members.

250,000: starting cost for membership.

250: estimated number of names on membership waiting list.

795: rack rate listed for a room at the Four Seasons Biltmore this Saturday night.

90210: all you can think about, if you are a guest of a member who gets to play rich at the “beach club” for a day.

Having a friend whose parents are members of the club and being able to hang by the pool when it’s close to empty? Priceless.

by MsRebecca - HotelChatter

Related Links: Hotels in Santa Barbara CA, Four Seasons Biltmore Resort

My House Hollywood - The Latest Celeb "it" Bar

The Place:
My House Hollywood

The Scene:

The nightlife version of Hollywood Cribs, My House is the latest late-night reincarnation of the former-Garden of Eden near the corner of Hollywood and Vine. If it were any other city the fact that a nightclub with its historic Moorish-theme that had been around since the ‘30s and entertained everyone from Rudoloh Valentino to Billy Idol would have been spared from the Dodd Mitchell Hollywood re-do. Not so much. Instead, the man the designed Dolce and Falcon, two former-Hollywood hotspots, gets his hands and paint cans on the former-space and creates an Alice in S&M-wonderland that currently the party spot du jour for the Audrina and Paris set as well as various tabloid magazine parties.

Bitterness aside, My House attempts to recreate the Hollywood Hills house party experience in a massive streetfront space that includes a kitchen-theme bar area with stainless steel appliances and super-sex bartenders mixing Patron margaritas. The space is sexy and well thought-out, nearly 10,000 square feet that includes a living room-theme lounge area and micro-dance floor as well as an upstairs bedroom that doubles as the VIP space. Outside is a tranquil terrace area and smoking patio that offers glimpses of the building’s past but with new fireplace, cabanas and even a Jacuzzi for 2am skinny-dipping.

JetSet Tips:

My House is currently used as an event’s space that means that every night offers a different party, promoter or theme. Log-on to the website or call in advance to make sure you get your gay night straight from your US Weekly nights.

Last Word:

Historic Hollywood nightclub gets a mansion-theme facelift by the LA designer of Dolce and nearby Katana. Via: Ann Vine, Editorial Review Author - JetSetReport.com

Related Links: My House, Hotels in Hollywood, Los Angeles 411