If you're planning a getaway to an exotic destination like Bali, you can go one of two routes for your hotel stay: beautifully rustic, like one reader did for her honeymoon, or over-the-top luxurious. The new W Retreat and Spa Bali, which just opened last week, definitely falls into the latter category. Designed by SCDA Architects, the resort boasts a modern take on traditional Balinese design in its 237 villas and suites. Click through for a tour!
Photos courtesy W Hotels Worldwide
If you're in love with old Hollywood glamour, then you'll want to book a stay at Portland's Hotel deLuxe. The design and details of this downtown hotel pay tribute to the Golden Era of Hollywood filmmaking, with its architectural details and decor referencing the 1920s and '40s.
The hotel has earned plenty of awards since opening four years ago, including multiple appearances on Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice List and Traveler's Gold List. I'd love to stay in the hotel's Marlene Dietrich suite, its top-of-the-line accommodation, which features an eight-foot circular bed with high-thread-count duvets and linens atop a custom pillow-top mattress. The rest of the room is outfitted with a beautiful oak work desk, mahogany nightstands, and one-of-a-kind crystal lamps. Other perks include a pillow menu, the "Make It So" button, HDTV flatscreen televisions, organic coffee and tea, iPod stations, and a full menu of spiritual texts (no simple Gideon Bible for deLuxe guests!).
If you need to relax with a cocktail, order an Elizabeth Taylor (crème de violette and champagne) at the hotel's Driftwood Bar, which was named hotel bar by CitySearch. Famished? Make a reservation at Gracie's, the hotel's elegant restaurant.
Guests that are tempted to leave their luxurious rooms can enjoy Portland by simply walking out the front door into the downtown district, or by catching other city sights via the Max rail line, which has a stop just outside the hotel.
Take a mini tour below!
Themed hotels can often lean toward the overly kitschy, but the Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool, England, manages to balance Beatles paraphernalia with a sophisticated boutique vibe. Amazingly, the Beatles' hometown welcomed this hotel just two years ago, but already, it's the fab home to an extensive collection of Beatles-related artwork and photos.
Beatles enthusiasts will notice nods to the band in the décor, such as the white grand piano in the John Lennon suite, and design fiends will appreciate the inspired color combinations. As a fan of both the Fab Four and Beatles-inspired décor, I'm already yearning for a trip to Liverpool. Better yet, it's a steal, with rooms starting around $150/night. Check out more photos when you read more
In a Q&A in the October issue of Metropolitan Home, Sarah Jessica Parker revealed that her favorite hotel is The George V in Paris. And I can't really fault her for the choice. The hotel, an eight-story landmark 1928 building, offers 245 guest rooms, nearly one-quarter of which are suites. The hotel is so overwhelmingly Carrie Bradshaw, and so absolutely decadent, that I wish I could hop a plane (watching Sex and the City DVDs the whole way) and book a room at The George V right now.
My first point of business would be to book a massage at the hotel's spa (shown here), and then finish off the treatment with a dip in the whirlpool or a sweat in the sauna. Then, I'd take a walk and enjoy some of the local attractions, since the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Eiffel Tower, and other gorgeous spots are a half hour or less away by foot. The hotel itself is only steps away from the Champs-Elysées. With private terraces, a gorgeous courtyard, an impressive collection of objets d'art, and a two-Michelin-star-cuisine restaurant, it's hard to see how you could go wrong with a stay at The George V. For a complete tour, read more
Austin's South Congress Hotel Saint Cecilia expertly mixes styles, eras, and patterns in the design of its rooms and public spaces. The uniting factor throughout the space is the hotel's inspiration. The hotel was named in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, and the Rolling Stones circa early '70s, writer William S. Burroughs, and artist Andy Warhol all serve as muses for the hotel. Comprised of five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios, this hotel is a must-visit spot the next time you hit Austin. See my favorite decorating ideas from the Saint Cecilia.
Are you guys watching the new Bravo show, Welcome to the Parker? After stumbling on this photo of the hotel's Jonathan Adler-designed interior, I think I should check it out if only for the eye candy.
