Nothing compares to the feeling that comes from traveling to a new destination. Discover luxury hotel reviews, world-class cuisine, pampering spas, and a new and exciting lineup of local events and happenings.
The Dorset Square Hotel has undergone a extensive refurbishment and will re-open on June 18, 2012. The luxury boutique hotel located in London’s Marylebone is a new member hotel of Design Hotels. Hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp, the husband and wife team of the Firmdale Hotels, are the owners of the Dorset Square for the second time. The couple originally purchased the townhouse/hotel in 1985 and resold it. They recently re-acquired it have transformed it into Kit Kemp-signature design hotel. Each of the 38 individually designed bedrooms follows a different color scheme and is decorated with items gathered by the Kemps from around the globe. The hotel is situated in one of London’s most urbane residential areas, dotted Read More
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain has introduced two new summer packages, Summer Returns and Summer Fun, which invite travelers to return to life, to leisure and to the long-missed joys that only summer vacation can bring. Read More
Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Reef Resort recently added a new three-story waterslide in the pool area of the resort. The new aquatic-related amenity enriches the resort’s already established extraordinary water activities. The new slide is located in the Ocean Reef’s outdoor water park, Cancun Lagoon. "We love building these fantastic, fun amenities for the young and the young-at-heart," said Patrick Norton, Brittain Resort Management's VP of marketing. "We value the directive to create unforgettable experiences for children as much as the call to provide great facilities, convenience and value for adult guests, and we're pleased to be receiving a great deal of positive feedback about Ocean Reef, as well as our other resort holdings." Read More
Luxury small-ship cruise line Seabourn is enhancing the benefits received to patrons who are members of the Seabourn Club. The luxury cruise line recently announced a major expansion of benefits for guests who return for another voyage on one of its the award-winning ships. While the Seabourn Club already includes an award of a complimentary cruise after sailing 140 days, the line has added new benefits that start rewarding guests even after just one cruise. The benefits increase as guests sail more. Seabourn Club members are free to choose rewards from a menu of onboard amenities and discounts while on their cruise. The new, enhanced onboard benefits begin accruing for guests on all of Seabourn's voyages departing on and Read More
The New Life Hiking Spa located in Killington, Vermont, recently opened for its 35th season on May 17, 2012. The spa opens annually from mid-May through the end of September for hiking and spa vacations in the verdant Green Mountains. Jimmy LeSage, M.S., founded the New Life Hiking Spa in 1978. “I came up with the idea of New Life after attending a six week yoga retreat in Val Morin, Canada in 1977,” said Mr. LeSage. “I had been living and working in Vermont for a few years after graduating with a degree in education from Florida State University and took the opportunity to use a ski hotel in the summers for my idea in 1978.” The special Vermont retreat moved to Killington from its original site in Stratton Mountain. The Read More
Entertainment producer and distributor Paramount Pictures is entering the hospitality industry with plans to build as many as fifty global Hollywood-themed luxury hotels. According to a report by Bloomberg, the entertainment themed properties will be located in large cities and at major tourist destinations around the world. Some of the hotels could be part of theme parks as well. Prospective destinations for hotels include Brazil, the UK, the Caribbean, Russia, Qatar, Oman, South Africa, and Indonesia. CEO of Parmount Hotels & Resorts, Thomas Van Vilet, told Bloomberg that they are not trying to develop something that looks like Planet Hollywood or the Hard Rock Hotel. A more subtle and creative adaption of the Hollywood element into the concept are wan Read More
Santa Monica Place recently launched a mobile app that they are hopeful will add value to the luxury shopping experience for consumers and retailers alike. Key features of the new application include an elaborate mall directory, an interactive map, a customizable shopping-list compiler, an information center, a gift card station, and vehicle-location assistance. The app’s mall directory is viewable alphabetically and categorically and provides contact information plus news on special sales and events. The custom-shopping list compiler enables shoppers to plot their own experience on a per-stop basis. The application assists customers in finding the best available parking spots based on where they want to shop as well as Read More
Anthony Van Camp will be the executive chef at the Hilton Anatole’s SER Steakhouse, when it opens in October 2012. The experienced culinary professional’s tenure officially begins October 1, 2012. Van Camp has worked under the supervision of the acclaimed executive chef of Nana in Dallas Texas, Anthony Bombaci. Chef Van Camp has worked at the prominent steakhouse in Dallas since 2005. “Anthony is a natural in the kitchen,” said Chef Bombaci, “He is very intuitive, but also precise and passionate. His excellence shows through his cooking.”
Anthony Van Camp proclaimed his wish to be a chef as early as his kindergarten days from his hometown in Indianapolis. His Mexican mother was his first influence in the kitchen. Nicole Read More
Chef Mathias Gervais, 33, is the new executive chef at The Setai Miami Beach. The accomplished chef’s culinary cache of French, Italian, and Japanese cuisine, along with his experience working in a number of Michelin-rated restaurants, will flavorfully enrich The Restaurant at The Setai, Miami Beach.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to assume the esteemed executive chef position at The Setai, Miami Beach,” said Gervais. “Our culinary staff is committed to creating a gastronomic palette that embraces an uncomplicated approach to Asian-inspired dining as well as southern European creations.”
The young and talented Chef Gervais has worked with renowned and celebrated chefs, such as Joël Robuchon, Christophe Cussac, and Takeo Yamazaki. Read More
The Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, in Dubai, recently introduced iPads to its fleet of chauffeured hotel limousines to allow guests to stay connected throughout their visit. The new service provides guests uninterrupted connectivity from the moment they are picked up at the airport to arriving at the hotel. Complimentary access to iPads also is available for guests in the executive lounge of the service-savvy Etihad Towers. "The iPad services were introduced as part of our ‘Jumeirah Stay Different’ promise, knowing most of our international business and leisure clientele required immediate Internet and email access as soon as they checked into the hotel," said Doris Greif, general manager of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. Read More
