Luxist

Ritz-Carlton Launches Reserve Brand

Deidre Woollard — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

Ritz-Carlton is betting on the luxury hotel business to continue to be strong with the launch of the new brand extension, The Reserve. Next March the new brand will open Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Southern Thailand. The 54-villa and pavilion boutique hotel is set on the shores of the Andaman Sea and surrounded by a national forest with rugged rock formations and hidden waterfalls. Rooms offer tropical garden or cean views, private plunge pools and sheltered outdoor baths and showers and verandahs with out-door lounge beds. the resort has an infinity swimming pool featuring comfortable oversized day beds, cabanas and pool chairs, a gym, spa with ten treatment rooms, retail shop, personal butlers and the Living Room, a club house with a library with a wide range of international books in numerous genres and audio and video materials, board games and entertainment programs tailor-made as the guests' requests. The resort was designed by Thai architect Lek Bunnag to combine modern styling and architecture with accents of Thai culture and design.

Ritz-Carlton Launches Reserve Brand originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Armani to Open Hotel in Milan

Jared Paul Stern — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

Back in September my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported that the largest Giorgio Armani boutique in the world was opening in the designer's hometown of Milan. Now Armani has begun construction on a hotel there as well, located in an historic building designed by architect Enrico A. Griffini in 1937 that also houses an Armani store. "I feel a very special involvement in the project for the Armani Hotel Milano as it is located here, in my hometown," Armani tells Vogue UK.

"Every aspect of the hotel is a reflection of my aesthetic philosophy, and its position, above the Manzoni 31 concept store, will offer my guests the chance to experience a complete Armani lifestyle. I believe the hotel's design will perfectly fit the spirit of Milan as a capital of style, whilst offering a new experience of hospitality within its fashion district." The world's first Armani hotel is slated for Dubai, and plans are also underway for a London branch.

Armani to Open Hotel in Milan originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ultimate Escapes Destination Club

Deidre Woollard — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

Whether you are into spending your winter vacation on a beach or on the slopes, Ultimate Escapes has it covered. The destination club's membership includes the chance to experience more than 140 properties in over 50 locations around the world. The properties include beach cottages, larger homes, apartments and yachts.

There are three tiers of membership: Premiere entitles you to homes with an average value of $1 million, Signature membership offers homes valued at around $2 million and Elite membership includes stays in home with an average value of $3 million. Within each tier there are bronze, silver, gold, platinum and platinum plus levels of membership with escalate in price based on the amount of days. A Premier Silver membership costs $95,000 plus one year membership dues of $9,500.

Ultimate Escapes Destination Club originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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W Hotels Announces RedWire Package

Deidre Woollard — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

As part of World AIDS day today, W Hotels has announced that it will be the official hotel partner of (RED)WIRE, the new online music magazine by (RED). Applying the (RED) idea to music, (RED)WIRE helps to buy lifesaving medicine and other services for those living with HIV/AIDS in Africa by contributing a portion of the proceeds from memberships to the Global Fund, which works to help eliminate AIDS globally. Subscribers will pay for a subscription that will entitle them to exclusive tracks from artists including U2, John Legend, The Killers, Kid Rock and Coldplay. Half of the money goes directly to Africa and half goes to the artists and the music company.

All W Hotels in the United States will be giving guests access to a free, two week membership to (RED)WIRE during the month of December and will feature a (RED)WIRE package that includes a six month membership, Through December 2009, W Hotels" (RED)WIRE package will include in addition to accommodations, a limited edition USB drive featuring beautiful (PRODUCT)RED-inspired artwork from African artist Joseph Amedokpo, which connects guests to exclusive content on (RED)WIRE, a six month (RED)WIRE membership and a special bonus track from (RED)WIRE artist John Legend as well as two INSPI(RED) cocktails.

W Hotels Announces RedWire Package originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ireland's Hotel Discounts

Deidre Woollard — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

This might be a great time to enjoy a luxurious getaway in Ireland. The Times Online reports that rooms at many of the nation's five-star establishments are going empty prompting some good deals. The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation told an Oireachtas tourism committee this month that as many as 20,000 of the country's 50,000 hotel beds are vacant at any one time.

The Shelbourne in Dublin reopened last year after an expensive renovation with rooms that started at €315 a night. Now the luxury hotel is one of several luxury hotels in Ireland offering guests free nights as it attempts to ride out the recession. customers who spend two weekend nights at the Shelbourne earn a free third night, with rates starting at €229 a night per person double occupancy. The Four Seasons in Dublin is also offering a third night free with any two night stay between December and April, and rates starting at €225. At the Ritz-Carlton in Powerscourt, Co Wicklow, American Express cardholders who stay three nights in a row get the fourth night for free. The hotel was offering rooms for between €450 and €500 a night but now rates run at €275 for a weekend night and €215 midweek and the hotel is offering value-added packages.

Overall rates in Ireland are at a six-year low and it is believes that hotel occupancy will continue to drop as the global recession continues. The timing is unfortunate, Ireland's recent tourism boom led to the addition of at least 8,000 new rooms overall in 2007 but now many of those hotels are struggling to pay the costs of rapid expansion leading to the discounted rates which will likely be in place for a while.

Ireland's Hotel Discounts originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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La Pez Ocean Palace Hotel Opens

Deidre Woollard — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

The latest spot on the increasingly popular Mayan Riviera is a small six-room boutique hotel called Pez Ocean Palace. Located on a secluded rocky cove overlooking private lagoon, Punta Piedra, and a short walk from the Tulum beach village it offers a playful place to stay. The six room have ocean views and are named after sea creatures. Rooms have wireless internet, rain showers and private balconies. The swimming pool and gardens overlook the ocean. During the summer months from July to September, giant sea turtles can often be seen at night digging their nests in front of the hotel and laying hundreds of eggs, which hatch into November.

The restaurant is open from 8am to 10pm and serves a range of healthy dishes with an Oriental-Mexican fusion style offering fresh seafood, organically grown herbs from jungle gardens and local produce. The champagne bar serves up bubbly cocktails as the house special with fresh tropical fruit juice twists. Room rates start at $260 per night.

La Pez Ocean Palace Hotel Opens originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hotel St. Barth Isle de France's New Beach Suites

Jared Paul Stern — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

The Hotel St. Barth Isle de France, the luxuriously appointed hotel, resort and spa in the French West Indies that was just named Best Hotel in the Caribbean by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, has just opened a quartet of new state-of-the-art Beach Suites. Designed by Penny Morrison of Morrison Interiors in London, the Suites feature amazing views of the island's beautiful Flamands beach. Each one has a private infinity plunge pool (above), large terrace with beach loungers, 52″ plasma television, fully equipped kitchen, wireless internet, stone bathtub and outdoor shower. The hotel also recently introduced membership in the Isle de France Club, an investment opportunity consisting of a fractional ownership in one of five Club residences, complete with the finest furnishings and the highest level of guest services.

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Hotel St. Barth Isle de France's New Beach Suites originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canoe Bay Offers Discount Packages

Deidre Woollard — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

A luxury getaway in Wisconsin? Oh yes, Canoe Bay, the Midwest's only Relais & Châteaux resort, offers a tranquil winter retreat on 280 wooded acres. The adults-only resort has 23 accommodations including cottages and rooms at The Lodge and at The Inn: single-story cedar buildings set close to the lake's shore and surrounded by peaceful woods.

The resort is offering what they call a Personal Bailout package which includes discounted lodging, a guaranteed room upgrade and a complimentary dinner. For $830 per couple for a two-night stay, the package includes deluxe cottage accommodations , a savings of up to 40% based on type of cottage selected, guaranteed lodging upgrade and dinner for two in Canoe Bay's glass-enclosed restaurant overlooking Lake Wahdoon. Upgrades to a package with massages and other amenities are also available. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing and a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow.

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Canoe Bay Offers Discount Packages originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canyon Ranch Miami Beach Now Open

Lisa Palladino — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Dining, Journeys, Spas, Water, Real Estate Developments

Canyon Ranch has long been known as one of the top spa and wellness centers anywhere. With two locations (Tucson, Ariz., and Lenox, Mass.) already established, we've been waiting since 2005 for the Miami Beach location to be ready. It finally opened earlier this month and now is accepting reservations. The historic Carillon Hotel, with ocean views, has been restored and now is "infused with the Canyon Ranch spirit of health, fitness, and personal attention." Choose from a selection of 150 one- and two-bedroom luxury suites that range from from 720 - 1,200 sq. ft., and from $300 - $1,800. All include

kitchenette, and washer and dryer;
400-thread-count linens;
luxury limestone-tiled bath with dual-head frameless glass shower, soaking tub, and exquisite vanity niche;
two flat screen HDTVs;
Bose Wave radio;
High-speed Ethernet and wireless Internet access; and
multi-line telephones, cordless phones, DID numbers and voicemail.

Download a brochure here to read more about the spa and wellness programs, or use the easy-to-navigate lefthand tabs on the home page to get all the details.

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach Now Open originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Montage Beverly Hills Opens

Deidre Woollard — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

It's been a long journey but the Montage Beverly Hills is finally ready for guests. The company opened the Montage Laguna Beach in 2003 and have been working on their Beverly Hills location since 2005, fighting a battle in order to begin construction. The Montage Beverly Hills is a 201-room luxury hotel situated in the "golden triangle" of Beverly Hills and it is the first new luxury hotel to be built in Beverly Hills in more than 16 years. The hotel has a Spanish Colonial Revival design and features details like hand-painted ceilings in the Marquesa ballroom and the Library and a curator-assembled art collection. There are three restaurants and a two-level spa with a fitness facility, relaxation area and beauty salon.

The guest rooms and suites are designed to reflect the glamour of old Hollywood but with the latest in technology. Rooms range from 500 to up to 5,000 square feet. Guest services include 24-hour check-in, complimentary John Lobb shoe shine, custom-designed suit hangers and Agraria's golden pomegranate scented bath products. Guests who book Corner Suites and higher can borrow Mercedes-Benz cars to use during their stay.

The restaurants include Parq, an 88-seat restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and signature dishes include Marinated "Japanese Kobe" Cobb, Cannelloni of Braised Short Ribs and Cedar Plank Medallions of Spiny Lobster. For dinner, the 44-seat Muse serves exotic seafood and prime meats. Bordering the rooftop pool, The Conservatory Grill offers all-organic options for breakfast and lunch.

Hotel Chatter reports that rooms, which usually start at a steep $595 a night, can be had for a $425 introductory rate.

Montage Beverly Hills Opens originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's Oldest Cognac for $6,000 a Shot

Jared Paul Stern — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Cigars, Journeys, Spirits

The luxe Lanesborough Hotel in London has just acquired the world's oldest bottle of cognac, distilled in 1770, and is offering it to patrons of their plush Library Bar (above) for £4,000, or about $6,000, per shot. That's considerably more than the ultra-expensive Louis XIII Black Pearl Magnum cognac my colleague Lisa Palladino wrote about last summer, which cost $2,500 per shot. In addition to the 240-year-old tipple, the Lanesborough, a St. Regis property, just installed a new walk-in cigar humidor, the first of its kind in a London hotel. The humidor houses 1,000 cigars and contains 25 private lockers for the personal collections of top patrons, who can enjoy Cuban and even pre-Castro smokes in the hotel's posh Garden Room.

[via JustLuxe]

World's Oldest Cognac for $6,000 a Shot originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smithsonian Journeys Offer Educational Travel Itinerary

Laura Malesich — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

The Smithsonian is usually known in relation to its museum but it also offers 'The Best in Educational Travel'. Pairing behind the scenes adventures with experts and comfortable accommodations, Smithsonian Journeys are one of the up-and-coming ways to see the world...especially if you have a larger budget. Choose from such itineraries as 'In the Footsteps of Galileo' or 'Historic Cities of the Sea' and you'll treat yourself to an mind expanding vacation with top-quality offerings. In the world of the wealthy it is no longer a week at the beach that suits their needs but a deeper desire to pair unknown destinations with self-enrichment and quality dinner conversations with fellow travelers. Peruse the gallery to get a hint of the incredible destinations that await you.

[via Wall Street Journal]

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Smithsonian Journeys Offer Educational Travel Itinerary originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unique Ways To Celebrate Thanksgiving Away From Home

Deidre Woollard — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

Most of us gather at the homes of family or friends for Thanksgiving but that isn't the only option. Some opt for a warm weather escape outside the U.S. and hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean can do a brisk business this time of year. But here in the U.S. a wide variety of hotels offer different types of Thanksgiving specials that include dinner but also spa treatments, winery tours and outdoor sports. Another way to do a non-tradiitional Thanksgiving is to opt for a dinner cruise (a couple of examples are in the gallery below). If you haven't made plans yet, there is still time. Many hotels and restaurants are finding their reservation books staying open longer than usual this holiday season.

For those interested in attending the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, shown above, the I Love a Parade from Mandarin Oriental offers access to the 6,000 square foot Mandarin Ballroom with panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline and includes omplimentary upgrade from a Deluxe Room to a Hudson River View Room, a welcome amenity of signature pumpkin taffy, spiced pumpkin seed candy, hand-picked heirloom apples and orchard cider and clusive access to the Mandarin Ballroom on parade day, including Continental Breakfast (children's activities included). It starts at $925.

Check out the gallery below for other options for distinctive Thanksgiving excursions.

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Unique Ways To Celebrate Thanksgiving Away From Home originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Osprey at Beaver Creek to Open Next Month

Laura Malesich — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

When it comes to ski towns in the U.S. many think of the Vail/Beaver Creek area of the Colorado Rockies -- I certainly do, but then again I am a bit biased since I was born and raised in the gorgeous blue-sky state. Bias aside it's clear that the newest addition to Rock Resorts, The Osprey at Beaver Creek, is a stunning combination of outdoor adventure, lavish amenities, and premier slopeside location. This alpine retreat, formerly known as the Inn at Beaver Creek, boasts they are the 'closest hotel to a ski lift in North America' which comes in handy when you want to whisk out to the slopes and then back again for a luxurious massage or après-ski drink around the fire pit.

This fabulous hotel will host a grand opening on December 19th just in time for the holidays. Plus, there are a couple of specials to kick off the winter season: The Osprey's 'First Flight' and Rock Resorts' 'Holidays On Us' and 'Ski Free Stay Free'.

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The Osprey at Beaver Creek to Open Next Month originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Rough Luxe Hotel's Unique Aesthetic

Deidre Woollard — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

The Rough Luxe hotel has to have one of the most interesting looks I've ever seen in a hotel. The boutique hotel located in the King's Cross area of London is fabulously quirky. Just check out the article from the Guardian in which when the writer arrives at the nine-bedroom Grade II listed home and finds a prominently displayed "No Vacancies" sign put out to discourage walk-up traffic.

The hotel was created by designer Rabih Hage and is connected to an art gallery in the courtyard behind where there is also a coffee bar and tea room. Like the name says it combines the rough and the luxurious, pairing lush fabrics, fine furnishings and modern art juxtaposed with walls with chipped paint or rough wallpaper. Some rooms are small and some share a bathroom but luxury is still expressed in the huge pictures of Italian palazzos, the wine and the service that is warm and not stuffy or stilted. And you won't find a flatscreen television here, some rooms are equipped with older televisions, but you will have wi-fi access. The overall feel of it reminds me of the same aesthetic that is behind rough diamond jewelry, pairing cut stones and gold with hunks of unpolished rock.

As Hage puts it in the Guardian article, "Perfection doesn't mean beauty. That's not important. What makes a place great to stay is the location, the welcome you get and how well you are looked after." And can you resist a hotel whose dog has his own website? Doubles start at £135 B&B.

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The Rough Luxe Hotel's Unique Aesthetic originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The New Marcel at Gramercy

Jared Paul Stern — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

Manhattan's The Marcel at Gramercy just unveiled a luxe new makeover, transforming the quaint 3 star hotel into a chic and stylish 4 star standout. The Gramercy Park fixture's upgrades include the addition of several new floors, a complete modern redesign of the guestrooms and lobby with a stylish fireplace (above), and a hip new Northern Italian restaurant / wine bar, Bar Milano. Now housing 135 rooms, the Marcel's new amenities include Frette linens, marble bathrooms, iPod docking stations and LCD TVs. A rooftop deck, spa and gym are also in the works.

The New Marcel at Gramercy originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saffire Resort Planned For Tasmania

Deidre Woollard — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

A new resort called the "jewel of Tasmania" has been given the appropriate name of Saffire. Saffire is located on the Freycinet Peninsula which in addition to being a spot of great scenic beauty, just happens to have one of the only deposits of natural sapphires in Tasmania. This five-star retreat will have six luxury suites, 10 deluxe suites and four premium suites with rates s ranging from AUD $1,000 to AUD $3,000 per suite, per night. Suites will have ocean views, private decks, lounge areas and the latest electronics. The premium suites will have plunge pools. The resort will also have a day spa, gym, guest lounge and meeting facilities and will showcase local produce and exceptional wines in the fine dining restaurant. The resort is poised for a December 2009 opening.

Saffire Resort Planned For Tasmania originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYC's Glamorous New Empire Hotel

Jared Paul Stern — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Dining, Journeys

All phases of Manhattan's glamorous, newly-restored Empire Hotel are now complete with the opening of Jeffrey Chodorow's chic new Center Cut restaurant. The red brick structure adjacent to Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side originally opened on December 5th, 1923 and was a hotspot from the Roaring '20s through the Swinging '60s. One of the highlights of the redesigned Empire is the luxe rooftoop pool and deck where the huge Hotel Empire neon sign, one of the oldest in the U.S., casts a warm red glow over everything.

The warm, glowing lobby and lobby bar have a retro Old Hollywood feel; it and the rooms and suites are designed with a nod to the hotel's history, but are thoroughly modern and luxurious. Center Cut features restored woods, the space's original terrazzo floors and sweeping curtains, while the menu is an eco-friendly take on steakhouse classics. See the gallery for more.

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NYC's Glamorous New Empire Hotel originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Setai Penthouse Yours for $30,000 a Night

Jared Paul Stern — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

There was at least one glaring omission in the Wealth Bulletin's list of the world's top 10 most expensive hotel suites, which we reported on last month: the penthouse at The Setai in South Beach, Miami. With 6,500 square feet of interior space and 3,000 square feet of terraces and balconies, the pad's $30,000-per-night pricetag makes it the 3rd most expensive hotel room in the world when inserted in its proper place on the list.

The Setai penthouse is designed with an haute-Asian aesthetic employing exotic woods and other luxe finishes, and features a double living room that extends across the entire eastern end of the 40 story glass tower. The living room boasts unlimited views of the northern, southern, eastern and western horizons. There are two master suites with soaking tubs, private balconies and beach views.

State of the art LCD touch panel screens, installed throughout the penthouse, offer total control over the lighting, audio-visual and building systems. A sunken infinity edge stainless steel pool (above) complete with waterfall and raised coral stone-encased hot tub highlight the massive terrace. The Setai also recently opened a recording studio designed by Lenny Kravitz. See the gallery for more.

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Setai Penthouse Yours for $30,000 a Night originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Expedia Helps Travelers to Inauguration Day

Tracy Chait — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Journeys

In anticipation of record-breaking crowds (think everyone at Grant Park bringing +1s), Expedia has created an Inaugural Page to help travelers facilitate their visit to the nation's capital.

The January 20th inauguration of Barack Obama as President is expected to draw so many visitors to DC that travelers will need to seek out hotels in nearby suburbs like Bethesda, Maryland.

Expedia offers a number of tips from local experts on getting there and where to stay--any hotel close to the Metro.

Expedia Helps Travelers to Inauguration Day originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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