CasaSugar

Which Hotel Features These Artists?

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:24 -0700

Yesterday, as part of a subversive campaign to take back advertising locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Public Art Campaign had local artists, including Mint and Serf, seen here, paint over ads. Mint and Serf also painted their work in a hotel recently. Can you tell me the name of the hotel?

Which Hotel Is Don Draper Working With?

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:00:06 -0700

On last night's episode of Mad Men, Don met with Connie, who he met at Roger and Jane's country club party. The two men chatted about an advertising campaign for Connie's chain of hotels. Can you tell me what hotel it is?

The Shops at Ritz-Carlton Now Online

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:15:11 -0800

Short of strapping bell boys, pricey continental breakfasts, and having your bedding turned down each night, now you can experience the Ritz-Carlton every day in the comfort of your own home. The legendary luxury hotel chain has just launched the Shops at Ritz-Carlton, an online shop selling the lavish amenities we praise it for: spa treats, feather down pillows, 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, plush shawl collar bath robes, and hypoallergenic down comforters, including exclusives like the very mattresses you'll find in their executive suites. Honestly, why leave home? They're making it very easy for me to ditch my favorite homes away from home altogether.

Home Away From Home: Gwyneth Paltrow's Fave NYC Hotels

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:08:28 -0800

In today's edition of Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletter, she has offered six of her favorite hotels in New York City to her readers, should they be planning a trip to the Big Apple anytime soon. So, I thought I'd offer a little of my design insight on each locale. Paltrow says she's stayed in all but one of them, as she's been redecorating her apartment for a year or so. Considering how stunning her Hamptons digs are, I'm sure her NYC apartment will be worth the wait! To see which spots made it to Gwyneth's top six, check out this slideshow! Not interested in NYC? Here are Gwyneth's fave Los Angeles hotels. Source and Source

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Guess What This Hotel Is Made From?

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:15:20 -0700

This Travelodge hotel in England is made of a very unusual object. If you look carefully at the photo, you may be able to identify it, but here's a hint: You would usually find this very large and practical object on a train or the deck of a ship.

Home Away From Home: Wedding Hotel Tips

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:00:57 -0700

For destination weddings, or if you have guests coming from out of town, reserve group blocks at a hotel nearby, and make sure to ask for a discounted wedding rate, which is routine.
Tell your guests to look online for lower hotel rates as well, if a hotel has a lot of vacant rooms (typical during off-season), they may be offering discounts via web reservations.
Reserve blocks at more than one hotel in town, to accommodate different price ranges, from budget to luxury, and families with children, etc. This will also allow you to keep the old folks and youngins away from the up-till-dawn crowd, by simply sending out different hotel details with your invites.
Steer clear of reserving blocks at hotels with "attrition policies," which may charge you for rooms that are not booked.
Under no circumstances should you feel obligated to pay for your guests' accommodations.
Reserve your rooms as soon as possible, as soon as your location and date have been decided. Especially during "wedding season" in popular locales, hotels book up quickly; you wouldn't want your guests to bail simply because there were no hotels to stay in.
If the hotel(s) is far from the reception, and guests will be drinking, rent a shuttle to get your guests home safely when the night is over.
Make out-of-town guests feel at home by putting a welcome basket full of goodies in each hotel room. Check with the hotel to see what toiletries (toothpaste, lotion, etc.) they may not provide, so your guests will have everything they need during their stay.

For more tips, just read more.

If any of your guests are less than cordial with each other, suggest separate hotels for each party to make sure things go smoothly.
Got kids? Hire a professional sitter to hang at the hotel, in case any of the kids lose interest in the reception and need to leave. That way, their parents can enjoy the party.
Book one room in the hotel to be the after-party venue. That way guests can come and go as they please, without getting in the car.
When reserving your hotel, especially in a small town, ask how often they've hosted wedding parties, and make sure they're equipped and staffed for a heavy load.
Having a wedding overseas? Make sure your hotel is furnished with safes for valuables like passports, etc.
Don't get reeled in by wedding packages. You may be able to get a better deal with your hotel than they normally offer, depending on your needs, the time frame, etc. Make sure you read the fine print.
Test out the directions to your hotel before you print them (and include a map); the smallest mistake can cause your whole wedding party to arrive late.
Check out the rooms if you're suggesting rooms at a hotel you've never used before — even budget hotels should be clean and offer the basics.
Book a room in a different hotel than the one your guests will stay in on your wedding night; you'll want your privacy!
Don't freak out too much about the hotel details, your guests will ultimately take care of themselves!

And as always, for all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.
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Home Away From Home: Semiramis Hotel Athens

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:16:56 -0800

Semiramis Hotel is a 52-room hotel in Athens, Greece, and designer Karim Rashid's first hotel project undertaking. I guess Rashid has beginner's luck (or really intimidating talent), because the hotel's design is inspiring, polished, and every square inch is original. Of the project, Rashid said, "Hotels today make you feel like you're living in the previous century. That's the last thing I want to do." I'm definitely getting an other-worldly Jetsons-meets-Real-World-house-meets-cruise-ship vibe from my look at the photos, and certainly don't think it resembles the previous century, or any century for that matter. So, he must have pulled it off.

The hotel is located in the suburb of Kifissia, in the heart of evolving Athens, surrounded by high-end boutiques, restaurants, and cafes and set 340 meters above sea level. It features 42 balcony rooms with pool or park view, five poolside bungalows, three penthouse studios, and one penthouse suite, plus all the unnecessary amenities, ranging in price from $337 to $440 a night. If I ever make it to Athens, I'll be sure to get my shop on at the local boutiques. That is, if I can drag myself away from Semiramis's pool deck.
To see photos of the superb spot, read more

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Home Away From Home: Stockholm's Hotel J

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:41 -0700

Stockholm's Hotel J is a super chic chalet influenced by the fine craftsmanship of yachting with a distinct Scandinavian twist. Bright and airy, the interiors' chairs and sofas are upholstered in thick white wrinkly cotton and also feature clean-lined contemporary light oak furniture. The hotel has a gorgeous view of the Stockholm harbor, and guests can rent sailboats or taking sailing lessons.

"Nautical by nature," the hotel is filled with boating accents throughout, such as sail remnants and model sailboats, but knickknacks are kept to a minimum. I love the calm vibe of the hotel. Beds are dressed in blue and white stars and stripes, but not in a kitschy way. Stockholm, here I come! Take a tour when you read more.

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Would You Want to Stay at the "Hotel of Doom"?

CasaSugar — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:30:34 -0700

Located in North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, the Ryugyong Hotel is also known as The Hotel of Doom and The Phantom Hotel, since construction on the hotel had been abandoned for over 16 years. Recently, however, construction started again, and there are rumors that it may be finished by 2012. This three-sided pyramid was named "The Worst Building in the History of Mankind" by Esquire magazine, but don't let that description stop you. Tell me: if this building was ever finished, and if you ever had reason to travel to North Korea, would you stay in it?

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Great Decorating Ideas From the Hotel Saint Cecilia

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:15 -0700

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.
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