by Jane on February 6, 2012
Sun and sand is great and all, but some (us included) would argue that a beachy setting gets better when the clothes come off. Think of a nude beach as your new and improved wingman — its mere presence allows you to skip the whole how-do-I-get-him-or-her-out-of-their-clothes predicament. So come and get the skinny on our favorite nude beaches for one hot date this Valentine’s Day.
The beach at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa; Miami, FL
WHY WE LOVE THE BEACH: Though Miami is topless-friendly just about everywhere, Haulover Beach is the only true nude beach in this spring break hotspot. The waters are crystal clear, the soft sand is debris-free, plus there are tons of on-beach amenities. Haulover has lifeguards (in swimsuits, unfortunately), food and drink vendors, and plenty of organized activities like birthday-suit volleyball, although we recommend not going for the save.
WHY WE WANT TO STAY HERE: Less than a 5-minute drive from Haulover Beach, ONE Bal Harbour has a prime location for seeing some skin. Plus, this luxury resort has massive suites, a 10,000-square-foot spa, and over $4 million dollars worth of modern art.
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by Jane on February 2, 2012
Although celeb divorces are super-frequent, we were blindsided when Heidi and Seal announced their separation. (But after seeing this picture, it’s pretty clear they haven’t been getting along.) And if that reveal wasn’t heartbreaking enough, it came on the heels of a slew of other celeb splits: Demi and Ashton, Vanessa and Kobe Bryant, Katy Perry and Russell Brand, to name a few. But as it always goes in Hollywood, every failed, star-studded relationship could have a second chance. And with the aforementioned couples, no finalizing papers have been signed. No completely irrevocable damage has been done. We think that a little R&R would help these duos unite once again — they just need the right recommendations. (From us, natch.)
The A-List Couple: Heidi Klum and Seal
Credit: Steve Connolly/startraksphoto.com
The Lobby at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler; Whistler, BC
Why The Hotel Can Save Them: 2004 was a good year for Heidi and Seal. They met, she gave birth to her daughter Leni (whom Seal later adopted), and then he proposed in an igloo in Whistler. So we think they should just head back to where it all began. We know that skiing can bring Heidi and Seal smiles; their last happy photo was a pic of them on the slopes over Christmas. Plus, at the kid-friendly Four Seasons, Mom and Dad can reconnect during a luxurious couples massage while the tots are at the kids club. Then the whole fam can cozy up in front of the fire in one of the massive residences to call it a night.
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by Jane on February 2, 2012
Beach at Sandy Lane; Barbados
Decked out in its signature pink, the 112-room Sandy Lane is arguably the best resort in Barbados, known for its unparalleled service and distinct touches. Guest amenities run rampant; perhaps the most noteworthy is access to the super-exclusive Green Monkey golf course (so that’s probably why Tiger Woods got married here). Upon arrival (the hotel provides free transportation to and from the airport via its Rolls-Royce), the road winds through beautiful grounds and mahogany trees toward the impressive entrance and marble lobby. Once there, the staff will whisk your luggage away to your room, marked with luxe touches including Italian marble floors, plantation-style designer furniture, and state-of-the-art bathrooms. The top-notch spa, outstanding restaurants, and celebrity sightings are mere cherries on top. Check out more amazing photos of the hotel after the jump or read the full review here >>
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by Jane on February 1, 2012
On Valentine’s Day, just about anything can get a person in the mood — but there are some things are a sure bet. That’s why we perused our most romantic hotels to find come-hither amenities that could have even total strangers getting hot and heavy in no time. Grab your spouse, significant other, or the eye candy that lives next door and check in to one of these sexy spots.
THE LUSTY AMENITY: The Clothing-Optional Pool
The Clothing-Optional Lower Pool at the Ventana Inn & Spa; Big Sur, CA
The Ventana Inn & Spa is all about creating a zen, holistic retreat with such offerings as yoga classes, discovery walks, afternoon wine and cheese, Japanese baths, and two pools. Forgot to pack your bathing suit? No problem! One of the pools is clothing-optional (read: everyone’s in their birthday suit), so it’s easy to dive in and feel sexy. Check out more super-sexy hotel features after the jump!
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by Jane on January 25, 2012
We know Valentine’s Day is a few weeks away but if you want to wow your significant other, the time to plan is now. Especially if you want to wow her (or him!) with a proposal. We’re sure any kind of proposal could have your special someone crying tears of joy in no time. But if you really want to make it a proposal to remember, whisk your better half away on a romantic getaway and propose at one of our favorite romantic spots.
The Harvest Dance Suite at the Spring Creek Ranch; Jackson Hole, WY
Set in a wildlife refuge more than 700 feet above the Jackson Valley, the Spring Creek Ranch has arguably the most stunning views of the Tetons in the area. It has a wide array of room categories, from standard hotel rooms to immense two-bedroom condos, and he delicious, popular restaurant and the excellent heated outdoor pool are not to be missed.
Best Spots for Proposing:
If your soon-to-be-fiance is the active type, strap on your snowshoes and take her to a secluded spot on one of the property’s many trails. Beside the lake or in the teepee are also romantic spots for popping the question.
by Jane on January 24, 2012
Presidents Day is just around the corner and of course that makes us reflect on our country’s leaders — and Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight at 9 p.m. EST. But c’mon, we’re a hotel website so what it really makes us think about is presidential suites. The most lavish accommodations in hotels, presidential suites are fit for, well, presidents. In fact, they reportedly got their name from President Woodrow Wilson, who had a strict list of requirements for his hotel rooms. Some of those requirements may be standard nowadays (such as en-suite bathrooms) but the over-the-top luxury remains. Last time, we highlighted the best presidential suites in New York City and Washington, D.C. so this time we’re heading to the West Coast to find the most drool-worthy presidential eye candy in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Presidential Suite at the InterContinental San Francisco; San Francisco, CA
The Hotel: InterContinental San Francisco
Built in 2008 in the business-oriented neighborhood of SoMa, the modern InterContinental has luxury-level service, high-tech guest rooms, a lap pool, a popular spa, and a Michelin-star restaurant.
Presidential Suite at the InterContinental San Francisco; San Francisco, CA
Oyster.com’s Favorite Feature of the Presidential Suite:
There’s a lot to love about the two-floor presidential suite, but we really go gaga over the wrap-around balcony with amazing city views and the funky light fixtures.
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by Jane on January 24, 2012
Lobby at the Waldorf Astoria Park City; Park City, UT
The fourth episode of this season of The Bachelor, which aired Monday night on ABC, brought fan-favorite Ben and the contestants to Park City, Utah. It may have been a new location, but it was the same story: There was backstabbing, cat fights, a lot of tears, and plenty of “I think I’m falling in love with being on TV Ben.” And, per usual, it all went down in super-luxe digs — Ben and the women were put up in the Waldorf Astoria Park City, an upscale hotel at The Canyons resort. Check out photos of where the drama unfolded at the hotel after the jump.
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by Jane on January 24, 2012
The nominees for the 84th Academy Awards were announced this morning at 8:38 a.m. EST. And though our love for sleep is strong, our total devotion to all things celebrity won out and we watched the online broadcast live. If you snoozed your alarm one too many times, don’t fret (but we’ll allow you be ashamed) — we’ll give you the low-down. Not only will we tell you some of our favorite nominees, but more importantly, we’ll show you how to live like the characters or real-life actors in these Oscar-nominated films. Who wouldn’t want to live like George Clooney, right? Unless, of course, it’s George Clooney in The Descendants, with a wife in a coma and an unruly teenage daughter. Silver lining? He lived in Hawaii, so things must not have been all bad…
THE NOMINATIONS: Best Picture, Best Actor (George Clooney), Best Directing (Alexander Payne), Best Film Editing
THE FILM: The Descendants
Dolphin Quest at The Kahala Hotel and Resort; Oahu, HI
The heart-warming and heart-wrenching film tells the story of Matt King, a successful Honolulu-based lawyer dealing with difficult family truths after his wife has fallen into a coma. So you may not want to trade places with his character, but the real-life Clooney leads a pretty glamorous lifestyle that’s definitely envy-worthy. If you want to live like the actor, head to the luxurious Kahala Resort where Clooney (along with the rest of the cast and crew) stayed during filming. A celebrity retreat since 1964, the Kahala is one of the only quiet luxury options on Oahu, and offers amenities such as a swimming with the dolphins program, a quiet, beautiful beach, and large rooms with enormous bathrooms.
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by Jane on January 19, 2012
Yesterday marked the kick-off of the wildly popular London Art Fair. A four-day event, the art show features pieces from Britain’s hottest new artists, and everyone from gallery owners to over-eager Art History majors crowd the city’s Business Design Centre to get a peek at the avant-garde display. We know it’s a little last minute, but it’ll be worth it: grab your non-ADD friend (you know, the one who can spend more than 20 minutes in a museum), pack a suitcase, and hop across the pond to check out some of the world’s up-and-coming artists.
The St. James's Hotel and Club; London, England
To get inspired, try: The St. James’s Hotel and Club
Previously owned by Sirs Michael Caine and Sean Connery — and frequented by Winston Churchill and Gregory Peck — this striking building, located on a quiet cul-de-sac in Mayfair, now houses lavish accommodations. A recent multi-million renovation brought in bespoke furnishings, and rooms offer high-tech perks such as iPod docks and free Wi-Fi. An outstanding feature here is the Michelin-star restaurant directed by executive chef William Drabble. Plus, the hotel is filled with notable cubist paintings so you can get inspired before you head to the art show.
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by Jane on January 18, 2012
The pool and view from The Room at the Jade Mountain Resort; St. Lucia
If nothing else, the Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia boasts insanely gorgeous views. Braced against a mountain about 100 feet above the shore, and pointed at St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons (volcanic plugs), the boutique resort has just 29 rooms. Almost all of the enormous suites overlook the sea from chromatherapy-lit whirlpool tubs, canopied beds, and private infinity pools. And the service is pretty fabulous, too. Two “major domos” are assigned to each room – staffers on-call from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to cater to pretty much any need, no matter how obscure. It comes at a high price, but a stay at the Jade Mountain Resort – with its its organic cuisine, doting service, peaceful ambience (no TVs, radios, or children allowed), and amazing views — is worth the cost. Check out more amazing photos of the hotel after the jump or read the full review here >>
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