by Jane on April 24, 2012
Spa at the One & Only Palmilla Resort -- Los Cabos
Just a couple of weeks ago, we spotlighted the luxurious Palmilla Resort in sunny Los Cabos. Well, reality star Bethenny Frankel, of Skinny Girl fame, must have been inspired by our post, because on last night’s episode of Bethenny Ever After she jetted away to the resort with her family and entourage (“glammy” included) to celebrate her 41st birthday. Anyone see her 40th birthday go down? Yea, that was pretty uncomfortable to watch. And while this birthday celebration was riddled by some rough patches — including bickering with her husband, Jason – it was much better than the last; fewer awkward tears, no restored mannequin (don’t ask). Check out Bethenny’s digs during her 11-day stay at the resort after the jump, and see where all the drama went down!
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Tagged as:
Los Cabos,
Luxury Hotels
Anyone care for a glass (or a ton) of liquid cement at New York's Le Parker Meridien?
1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Knave at Le Parker Meridien has been shut down since liquid concrete from the construction site next door flooded the café last week.
2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? A couple dozen Jedis stormed the Renaissance Austin Hotel to protest the hotel’s rejection of a plan to hold a Star Wars exhibit.
3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The corporation owned by Ernest Hemingway’s family just announced it will build luxury hotels and resorts around the world in the next few years.
4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino just opened the largest candy store in the world.
5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte is offering a series of daycamps in which teens 15 to 18 will learn the basics of baking.
Check out the answers after the jump!
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Tagged as:
Austin,
Charlotte,
Las Vegas,
New York
by Devon on April 20, 2012
A plantation tour guide holding a "collie bud."
Though its origins may be debated, stoners across the world today will nonetheless honor the timeless tradition that is 4:20. The term is actually a slang reference to smoking weed, making April 20th something of Christmas feast for potheads. Because most countries still have pretty strict bud laws, we thought we would let you live vicariously though our trip to Ganja Heaven (sorry, Amsterdam), and take you through the lush, green fields of Jamaica.
READ ALL ABOUT JAMAICAN BUD NOW >>
Tagged as:
Jamaica
Even though we may speak of luxury hotels often, we’re suckers for a good deal. Especially on an amazing hotel that feels luxe but lists at a seriously budget price. Check out our six favorite money-saving spots in the video below, then tell us: Where would you want to stay for a sweet deal?
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Tagged as:
Domnican Republic,
Jamaica,
Las Vegas,
Oahu,
Phoenix,
San Francisco,
Value Hotels,
Video
by Jane on April 19, 2012
The Living Room in the Macy Two Bedroom at the White Elephant Hotel Residences -- Nantucket
Today marks the reopening of the White Elephant Hotel and Residences for the season in Nantucket. The quaint, former whaling town in Massachusetts attracts numerous visitors throughout the spring and summer with its 100 miles of sandy shores and top-notch dining — with fresh seafood being the specialty, of course. For families and groups visiting Nantucket, the big, luxurious one- to three-bedroom units at the White Elephant Residences are a great choice. Unlike vacation home rentals, these units — outfitted in attractive, nautical decor — come with the perks of a hotel stay, such as daily housekeeping, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a well-equipped fitness center. There’s not much in terms of a communal feel, like you might find at an inn or smaller hotel, but that’s part of the allure for some who seek a private, secluded vibe. As to be expected, however, privacy and luxury don’t come cheap on this island. Wanna know more? Check out more photos of the hotel after the jump or read our review now>>
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Tagged as:
Kid-Friendly,
Luxury Hotels,
Nantucket
by Jane on April 18, 2012
Photo Credit: Nicolas Briquet/ABACA/startraksphoto.com
OH MY GOD, we never thought it would happen! After all, Brad has pledged numerous times that he and Angelina would not marry until all Americans could legally tie the knot. But sometimes, love just can’t wait. So its official –the couple is engaged and Brangelina will become Mr. and Mrs. Smith, er, Pitt, presumably sometime this summer. For the past seven years, they’ve been a Hollywood dream couple that we just knew would stay together forever. [Ed. note: Before them, it was Brad and Jen, but that's neither here nor there...] And whenever there’s a momentous occasion in Hollywood such as this, we like to take a look back at the moments that made it all happen…and of course, the hotels where all of those moments went down. Check out the hotels that led Brad and Angelina to the altar — or at least to their engagement — after the jump!
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Tagged as:
Las Vegas,
Los Angeles,
New York City,
U.S. Virgin Islands,
Washington D.C.
Host Anthony Melchiorri (Credit: Courtesy of Travel Channel)
Last night we watched Hotel Impossible host Anthony Melchiorri review, inspect, and fix up a little boutique on Miami’s famed Ocean Drive, the Penguin Hotel. But not only did we get to watch it last night, we were also able to go on location (thanks to the Travel Channel, of course!) and behind the scenes to snap Melchiorri’s renovation. Before the makeover, though, the Penguin was in desperate need of hotel exec’s aid — not only did the hotel require you to walk through a creepy alleyway to get food and drinks, but the rooms were also quite dirty, as was the entire lobby, and the service had serious room for improvement. Thankfully, the Hotel Impossible crew did what they always do best — turned the spot into a chic getaway at a good price. We sent our own Jennifer Garfinkel down to South Beach to shoot the Penguin — check it out in the video after the jump!
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Tagged as:
Boutique Hotels,
Miami,
Travel and Television,
Travel Channel
Revelers at the Paris Las Vegas clearly need whatever hangover medicine is being offered...or is it?
1. FACT OR FAKEOUT: An anesthesiologist is now offering cures for hangovers aboard a bus that cruises the Strip in Las Vegas on weekends.
2. FACT OF FAKEOUT: The W New York’s Whiskey Blue Bar is now offering cocktail-flavored meatless burgers.
3. FACT OR FAKEOUT: The Algonquin is New York’s oldest continually operating hotel.
4. FACT OR FAKEOUT: Hilton Hotels has joined in celebrating gay pride season by offering free Wi-Fi to LGBT guests.
5. FACT OR FAKEOUT: Lindsay Lohan has been banned from The Standard Hollywood for doing drugs in the hotel’s nightclub.
Tagged as:
Las Vegas,
Los Angeles,
New York
Find out which hotels slash your savings! (Credit: iStock)
Guess what? Taxes are due. Today. And do we have any idea where our money goes? Nope! In a similar vein, some of the most luxurious (and not so luxe) spots charge outrageous fees, additional ones that are tacked onto your original rate. And while we already scoped out three amazing island retreats that are fee-free, we wanted to also let you in on a few hotels that charge up the you-know-what. So before you settle on staying in one of these hotels, learn where your money is really going.
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Tagged as:
Bahamas,
Boston,
Las Vegas,
Luxury Hotels,
Miami,
San Francisco,
U.S. Virgin Islands
Hotel Impossible's Anthony Melchiorri. Credit: Courtesy of the Travel Channel.
We’ve already dished on Hotel Impossible‘s host, Anthony Melchiorri, but last night we finally got the see the hotel executive in action during the show’s season premiere. Boy, we were not disappointed — the man knows how to shape up a hotel and its staff, fast. The host’s first task was to take on the legendary Gurney’s Inn of Montauk, Long Island — a close neighbor of the Hamptons but with a far more relaxed vibe. And Gurneys is practically an institution: On the tip of the island since the 1920s, Gurney’s Inn is symbolic of luxury travel — despite its recent signs of wear and tear. Thankfully, Melchiorri and his team of experts cleaned up the place, gave the staff strict instruction on service improvement, and gave the lobby a renovation that has worth far beyond its outright costs. Check out what we loved most about last night’s episode after the jump!
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Tagged as:
Television and Travel,
The Hamptons,
Travel Channel
