Daily Pampering: Stylecations at the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

by Annie Scott on

The Ritz-Carlton has enlisted StyleChic‘s Aly Scott (pictured) to bring you a truly “Hollywood” getaway experience complete with a personal style consultation, exclusive shopping privileges and plenty of champagne.

According to a rep from the hotel, “Where do I shop?” is one of the most commonly asked questions at the front desk. Aly can certainly help with that, and help you hone your own style — whether you’re preparing for a special event or just looking for a great girlfriends or mother-daughter getwaway.

The custom packages from the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles are the “Red Carpet Getaway” and the “Stylecation”:

Red Carpet Getaway (from $3,000 double occupancy or $2,500 single occupancy)

  • Guaranteed early check-in and late check-out
  • Two nights deluxe overnight accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
  • Club Lounge access; enjoy complimentary beverages and continuous culinary offerings throughout your stay
  • Dinner for two at chef Wolfgang Puck’s award-winning WP24 Restaurant & Lounge
  • Pre-arrival consultation with Aly Scott, founder of StyleChic
  • Six hour customized StyleChic experience with Aly Scott
  • Choice of $100 Spa Credit or 60 minute personal training session
  • Personalized welcome amenity hand-selected by StyleChic

Stylecation (from $1,800 double occupancy or $1,200 single occupancy)

  • Guaranteed early check-in and late check-out
  • Overnight deluxe overnight accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
  • Dinner for two at chef Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 Restaurant & Lounge
  • Three hour personalized StyleChic experience with Aly Scott
  • Choice of $100 Spa Credit or 60 minute personal training session
  • Personalized welcome amenity hand-selected by StyleChic

Both packages include a custom StyleChic itinerary tailored to you. Need some ideas? How about a champagne welcome in the newly opened VIP terrace lounge at Tods on Rodeo Drive? A private, white glove atelier service appointment with a high fashion fine jeweler known for his work with Beyonce, Rihanna and Zoe Saldana? You can also visit a custom couture atelier, have lunch at The Ivy, meet up and coming designers, hit the back room of an appointment-only vintage boutique and more, all chauffeured around in a private town car, of course.

We love these packages because they are designed to make you feel like a star — after all, who would want to fly to LA for a quick night or two to shop? Celebrities. They’re just like us.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Five facts about vacation relaxation: boys drink, girls read and nobody sleeps

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Everyone has a different approach to relaxation. Aside from the major activities at a destination, like hitting the beach or wandering the city, there are the things we do back at the room that help us unwind. What you do when your feet are up, however, differs for men and women … shocking, right?

According to the “Relaxation Report,” by Princess Cruises:

1. Men drink, women read: 32 percent of women read to relax, compared to only 18 percent of men. Liquor, on the other hand, appeals to 25 percent of men and only 15 percent of women as the top relaxation option. The story, in USA Today, also indicates that men will take beer over wine, at 41 percent to 27 percent, with women usually opting to sip wine instead of beer (45 percent to 27 percent).

2. Nobody likes bits and bytes: 97 percent of respondents to the Princess Cruises survey, 97 don’t hit the web as their primary way to relax, with 87 percent eschewing television for this purpose. Keep in mind, however, that this is only as the “primary” way to relax: it doesn’t mean people unplug when they get away.3. Sleeping sucks: 55 percent would rather get up early than sleep late when they’re on vacation. Men are more likely than women to do this, at a rate of 58 percent to 51 percent. I get the reasoning on this: you want to maximize your time at your destination!

4. Natural water is best: 67 percent of respondents like to chill at the beach, with 26 percent thinking a pool is better. This really doesn’t blow me away: beaches are far better.

5. Schedules are unacceptable: do you prefer a set itinerary? Well, you’re in the minority – 60 percent would rather take it easy and see what the vacation gives them.

Luxury hotel planned for Washington DC’s ‘nightlife’ neighborhood

by Melanie Nayer on

The Adams Morgan neighborhood in Washington DC is mostly known for its lively nightlife, late-night bars and endless take-out restaurants, but plans to add a little luxury to the ‘hood are in the works.

Washington Post reporter Jonathan O’Connell reports that plans for a luxury hotel in the trendy neighborhood have been in the works for the past six years. Developer Brian Friedman proposed transforming a historic church, formerly the First Church of Christ, Scientist, into a 174-room luxury hotel, according to the paper. While financing and development details are being worked out, one aspect of the hotel seems to moving along: the design.

Reports say Friedman signed with visionary hotel designer Ian Schrager to help turn the church from goth to glam. Schrager is behind the works of notable living spaces including Gramercy Park Hotel and the residential building 40 Bond in New York City. Shrager also works closely with Marriott for the Edition collection, which currently has plans for hotels in Waikiki, Istanbul, Barcelona, Mexico City, Bangkok, South Beach and soon, Adams Morgan.

Marriott’s Edition brand is focused on bringing the boutique hotel atmosphere to luxury travelers, and the new Adams Morgan hotel would be part of that plan. Friedman told the paper the hotel would offer “something a little more interesting” for guests.

[Photo credit/ Flickr user ultraclay]

New Jersey surfers subject of new documentary film

by Laurel Miller on

The Jersey Shore has unfortunately become, for a variety of unsavory reasons, part of the American lexicon. One thing it’s not well-known for, however, is the surf.

Filmmaker Alex DePhillipo just released a surfing documentary, “Dark Fall,” which profiles the New Jersey surf scene, as well as some of the state’s top surfers-including former World Championship Tour qualifier and cancer survivor Dean Randazzo. Randazzo, a NJ native, is credited with “proving East Coast surfers are worthy contenders,” according to a recent CNN article. Randazzo, who battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also runs the non-profit Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation.

New Jersey produces a number of competitive surfers, as shown in “Dark Fall.” Winter weather is the true mark of a Jersey Shore surfer; the freezing temperatures require dedication, stamina, a full wetsuit, hood, gloves, and booties. Don’t expect to see “The Situation” out there.

[Photo credit: Flickr user mcwaffle89]

First craft lands at Spaceport America (Exclusive Video)

by Stephen Greenwood on

The future of travel is one step closer to taking off. Last Friday, Spaceport America officially dedicated its recently completed tarmac by welcoming two craft to land in front of a large crowd of Spaceport officials, future astronauts, and press.

Gadling was on-site to witness history as Virgin Galactic’s spaceship VSS Enterprise, carried by mothership White Knight II, made a dramatic flyover and landed on the enormous 200 ft wide by 10,000 foot long runway.

Situated under restricted airspace in the desert of New Mexico, the Spaceport is the first purpose-built commercial facility designed for vertically and horizontally launched spacecraft. The facility will serve as Virgin Galactic’s headquarters for the initial 20 years of operation, but aims to serve as a base for many types of commercial spacecraft as this new industry is formed.

For more information about Virgin Galactic’s approach to commercial spaceflight, head on over to their website. For a look at the event and interviews with Richard Branson, Governor Bill Richardson & a few future astronauts, watch our exclusive video below!