by Rachel on February 21, 2012
The fashion set loves to travel, in case you didn’t know. Twice a year, editors, buyers and influencers traverse the globe (starting in New York and capping it off in Paris) eye-balling the latest looks from each city’s top designers for Fashion Week. But sometimes hotels can fall short in terms of their chicness. Thankfully, a handful of our favorite ready-to-wear designers (and a couturier, too) stepped up to the proverbial challenge and took their dressing skills to the next level by dressing entire hotel rooms (and in some cases, the entire darn thing). Check out our favorite fashion designers-turned-hotel decorators, and then tell us: Which is your fave fashionable hotel?
Two-Bedroom Suite at Tortuga Bay; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
What de la Renta is Known For: This Dominican-born designer has an affinity for ladylike looks — he dressed Jackie O back in the 1960s — and manifests it through the use of sumptuous textures, intricate detailing, and luxe fabrics. Today, his designs are spotted from the runway, on the red carpet, and on royalty.
What Tortuga Bay is Known For: The immaculate, 15-room hotel offers amazing service (including preferential treatment at Punta Cana Airport), an on-site nature reserve, several superb restaurants, and a world-class golf course. Need anything? Snap your fingers – a personal “Villa Manager” is available between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. But the designer’s touch really resonates most in the villas themselves: Spacious and airy, each one of them features a hardwood, four-poster bed that exudes glamour. A final nod to his Caribbean heritage — coral bathroom floors — add an extra splash of color and island vibe.
Check out more fashionable spots after the jump!
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by Rachel on February 20, 2012
This week’s mini-vacation comes courtesy of Fowl Cay Resort in the Bahamas. This incredibly luxe hotel has sandy strips of private beach ripe for chilling. And just look at that sweetie’s face — who wouldn’t wanna lay a towel down and snuggle up with him? So, as we say on Mondays, sit down, take a deep breath, and Zen out with this amazing Oyster Shot.
The Beach at Fowl Cay Resort; Bahamas
by Rachel on February 17, 2012
We’re super excited about next Tuesday’s boozy, beaded party known as Mardi Gras. Multiple parades make their way through the Central Business District and up until the French Quarter, with hundreds of revelers lining the streets to peek at the eye-catching costumes, floats, and borderline insanity. But before you can let your hair down — or lift your shirt up — you’ll need to find some primo digs to stay and play at. Just remember that the parades don’t go on Bourbon Street, even if the majority of the partying does. Check out our fave Fat Tuesday hotels — we promise that at least a few of them will let you catch some shut-eye.
The entrance to Hotel Monteleone; New Orleans, LA
The Draw: A true Southern Gem, the Monteleone is a Bourbon Street spot that’s rich in New Orleans history — and has all the Creole stylings to prove it. Most notable is its Carousel Bar, which is a veritable, well, carousel, that features kitchsy decor and a chill vibe that’s all its own. Hop on one of the rotating chairs and order up a Ramos Gin Fizz, a drink that actually originated in the city itself.
Best Feature: Aside from the obviously posh accommodations, its location on Royal Street is ideal for watching the parade and reveling with the Bourbon Street partiers.
Find out more about our fave Fat Tuesday hotels after the jump!
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by Rachel on February 15, 2012
Credit: Albert Michael/startraksphoto.com
We carefully curated the perfect (and we mean perfect!) hotel for each aspiring Republican president-to-be, because after a slew of messy debates and quotes, we bet each of these men are in need of a serious vacation. (And, you know, since we’re a hotel review site, we couldn’t help but indulge.) Check out our ideal (and hilarious) pick for each candidate, then tell us: Where would you send the GOP candidates?
The Candidate: Newt Gingrich
The Hotel: Temptation Resort Spa Cancun, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Pool at the Temptation Resort Spa Cancun; Cancun, Mexico
The Deal: This is an adult-only, topless-optional property that caters to 21 and over, uninhibited guests. (Newt, we know you were born in 1943, so we won’t need to ID you first.) There is never a dull moment at this all-inclusive resort, which features themed swimming pools and nightly risqué live shows. Gingrich, who has been alluded to in two extra-marital affairs and has had 84 ethics charges filed against him, will find a range of entertainment while vacationing here, including provocative games and contests like sexy Temptation Idol karaoke. While the beach area is small and lackluster compared to other resorts (but who cares with all the sexing that’ll be going down?), the shaded sun beds are a nice place to relax and unwind.
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by Rachel on February 14, 2012
Our iPad App home screen.
We’re so stoked to introduce our brand-spanking-new iPad app, which is available for FREE right now on the Apple AppStore. It’s pretty sweet. Here’s five reasons why we heart it:
1. The Maps! Did we ever mention we’re actually kind of geographically challenged? Well, we are, and the app’s interactive maps make finding hotels — or a specific landmark — a cinch. Want a hotel that’s actually on the Northern coast of the Big Island, that’s really on the beach? Done.
The interactive maps on our app.
Check out more shots of our app after the jump!
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by Rachel on February 13, 2012
Not tied down right now? Lucky you! Thankfully, you don’t need to sit home tomorrow night and be sad — hotels across the country are pulling out the stops for those who are currently sans significant other. We found three of our favorite hotels that are actually offering anti-romance packages. But, all of them have a catch — should you find a cutie tomorrow night, you can get down and dirty with them in one of the hotel’s rooms. Don’t you feel independent already?
THE HOTEL: Four Seasons Miami; Miami, FL
THE PACKAGE: The Lonely Hearts Club Group Dinner
The Grounds at the Four Seasons Miami; Miami, FL
If you’re looking to meet ready-to-be-met singles, head to the Four Seasons tomorrow (and if you work in Miami’s financial district, you pretty much have no excuse, considering how close you are) to mug down on delicious fare at the hotel’s brand-new restaurant, Edge Steak and Bar. While the dinner costs $65 per head, you do get a leg up on a hotel room: Should you meet your match while finishing up with your Broken Hearted Napoleon (with passion-less fruit sauce, natch), the Four Seasons outpost is offering rooms at $469/night.
CHECK OUT MORE HOTEL HOT SPOTS FOR SINGLES AFTER THE JUMP!
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by Rachel on February 13, 2012
We know Monday mornings are tough. It’s hard to come back to work after the weekend, right? So we figured we’d help you out every Monday by sharing a bliss-inducing photo from our Oyster Shots collection. Take a deep breath, relax, and sit down: Your Monday morning cure is here.
The Beach at Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara Resort; Turks & Caicos
by Rachel on February 10, 2012
Credit: Courtesy of Jenny Kang
Jenny Kang is the practically the poster child for New York street style — she is the Fashion Editor for New York Magazine, after all. The Chicago native, who has described her style as “preppy sportswear with punches of fun,” knows how to pick out ideal spots to cool her heels between shows. We asked Kang to dish on her favorite hotels, and of course, her favorite designers. Right now she’s loving Proenza Schouler, Miu Miu and Givenchy, but is most looking forward to the Marc Jacobs show this NYFW. “The way he presents his collection is always innovative, almost like fashion theater,” says Kang. Check out her favorite New York City hotels (hint: there’s one she really loves) for New York Fashion Week after the jump.
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by Rachel on February 10, 2012
Nothing says hotel luxury like a private pool, and the folks behind the Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia have taken it to the next level by providing in-room private infinity pools, which look out onto the exotic island’s incredibly lush terrain — and, oh yeah, the Caribbean Sea. Whether it’s for a serious soak or just a little toe dip, this elusive spot makes swimming a seriously sexy activity. As Toy Story hero Buzz Lightyear says, “To infinity and beyond!”
The in-room infinity pool at the Jade Mountain Resort; St. Lucia
Credit: Courtesy of (the super-chic) Jen Ford
Jen Ford is a serious player in the fashion game, having helmed up Lucky Magazine‘s Fashion News and Features department as its director for about seven years now. Twice a year, Ford packs her bags and spends a month traversing the globe to check out the next season’s latest looks. So there’s no doubt that she not only knows how to pack a mean suitcase, but also knows what to look for when it comes to hotels. Before she jumps across the pond to London Fashion Week, though, she stays local to her home base, NYC, checking out about a dozen shows daily for a week. (She’s most looking forward to the Derek Lam and Preen shows — they make her “weak in the knees.”) We grilled her to find out where the fashion elite dine, drink and sleep during the beast that is New York Fashion Week. Check out Ford’s favorite hotels after the jump, then tell us: Where would you want to stay for NYC Fashion Week?
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