Ritz Carlton Highlands in Lake Tahoe Opening December 9th, 2009

It was under construction when I visited last winter, but I have it on good authority that the Ritz Carlton Highlands in North Lake Tahoe will open on December 9th, and what's more -- there's still availability over Christmas week. (Yes, I know we've not yet celebrated Columbus Day, but, for that peak week, Dan Sherman spokesperson of Ski.com has told me repeatedly that it's never too soon to secure your accommodations.)

The hotel, which is a series of linked pavilions, will have 170 guest rooms, 16 suites, each room with a gas fireplace. A gondola connects you to the bustling and lively Northstar village. The hotel's design, handled by Hornberger + Worstell, is meant to be a contemporary take on traditional great mountain lodges, like Oregon's Timberline Lodge. It was also designed to blend into the hillside, and to that end, the site was not clear-cut --- landmark trees were tagged, and worked around. by Alison Wellner - Luxist

Photo Gallery

SocialiteTravel.com - For Jet Setters, By Jet Setters!

Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Celebrates Its 25th With Redesigned Foyer, Lobby & Lounge

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta marked its 25th anniversary with a complete redesign of the entrance foyers, lobby, and lobby bar, now named Lumen, which features exotic, sophisticated edible cocktails, a Lumen signature cocktail, and art-themed cocktails.

The new interiors feature well-known, traditional elements transposed in an updated way, such as a Chippendale Mahogany sideboard refinished in a hand-applied gilded platinum tone; sheer shrouds wrapped around the hotel's crystal chandeliers; and accent chairs graced with damask patterns in oversized formats.

Lumen underwent a great change. The lounge, so named for its many light effects, now greets guests with crystal chandeliers that glow red at night; seven-foot tall custom settees covered in midnight blue mohair, complete with their beaded sconces; a bar cabinet that glows blue in the evening; mirror-polished, handspun metal tables custom-designed by Brad Oldham (brother to designer Todd); beaded corkscrew floor lamps; and a custom-designed, under-lit onyx-topped communal-styled table seating up to eight.

My friend Nancy is scheduled to speak at a meeting being held at this Ritz, and I can't wait to hear what she thinks of the new spaces. See the gallery for before and after shots. by Lisa Palladino - Luxist

Related Links: Atlanta 411, Hotel Deals in Atlanta, Ritz-Carlton Atlanta

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!

Koa Kea: Kauai's New Luxury Boutique Hotel

This is the first season for Koa Kea, a new hotel & resort on Kauai's Poipu Beach. The hotel and resort opened in April 2009, and it's built on the grounds of the old Poipu Beach Hotel which was shuttered in the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Other than the footprint, the resort has been completely rethought. It has three separate buildings that create something of a U-shape, facing the ocean. Before renovation, the former hotel had some rooms over the lobby that faced away from the water -- basically no view at all save for the parking lot. No longer, those rooms without a view have been (very wisely) transformed into a spa, and a departure lounge for late or early arriving guests.

Koa Kea has a retro vibe going on -- in this sense, it reminded me of the Valley Ho in Scottsdale, one of my favorites. In the lobby and in the guest rooms, the dominant impression is of white textiles and dark brown wood, with accent colors of fuschia, teal and coral -- very bright, but designer Anita Brooks used an appropriately light hand. It's all quite a nice foil for Poipuand Kauai's exuberant greenery and bright blue ocean. There are six ocean-front suites and three ocean-view suites, the ocean front suites make more use of traditional sand, pale green and blue beach tones that you often see in ocean view rooms -- because really you're not going to be admiring the bed spread if you're right on the ocean.

All rooms are well equipped with Anichini linens, flat screen TVs, Nespresso Espresso coffee makers (read the instructions!) and iPod docking stations

Koa Kea has 121 rooms, six ocean-front suites, and three ocean-view suites. Opening promotional rates from $299 (for a garden view) to $2575 for an ocean front two-bedroom suite.

by Alison Wellner - Luxist, Gallery: Koa Kea Kauai

Related Links: Hotel Deals in Kauai, Koa Kea Kauai, Boutique Hotels, Hawaii Vacation Packages