The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto opens its doors, streams it all live on Facebook

by Darren Murph on

It’s been a long, long road for The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. If you’ll recall, we actually were led to believe that it would open its doors in the fall of last year, but after a few setbacks and delays, the day has finally come for the elusive property to welcome its first guests. No longer will Ritz-Carlton execs have to answer questions related to the infiltration into Canada, as this new Toronto property most certainly puts the company on the map here in the Great White North. This particular hotel is situated in the heart of the downtown area, providing views of the city or Lake Ontario, as well as extravagances that Ritz-Carlton is known for. All told, the 53-story monolith will feature 267 guestrooms, featuring 56 Corner Suits, a pair of Deluxe Suites and “The Ritz-Carlton Suite” at over 2,400 square feet.

Toronto sure feels like the perfect next location for this brand to tackle, with many calling it the most ‘international’ city on the planet. Those who pop by will be treated to floor-to-ceiling windows with heated perimeters, rich African Anigre wood and Portuguese Estremoz marble, not to mention heated marble flooring, dual vanities (with embedded 22-inch HDTVs), private rain showers and soaker tubs when it comes to the bathroom. There’s a 13,000 square foot spa, a natural light-filled Urban Sanctuary and its own signature eatery: TOCA by Tom Brodi. Those interested in being one of the first to book a room can visit the property’s website, and if you’ve ever wondered what all was involved in the ribbon cutting ceremony that happens as a Ritz-Carlton hotel is opened, today’s your lucky day. The whole thing will be livestreamed on the company’s Facebook page starting at 11:30am EST, so be sure to set your alarms and add yourself a bookmark. Too bad Facebook’s ‘Teleportation’ feature is still on the drawing board.

P.S. – If you missed our Toronto-based episode of Travel Talk, catch up here!

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Famed Golden Nugget plans to reopen hotel-casino in Atlantic City

by Melanie Nayer on

The hotel-casino that hosted everyone from the Rat Pack to Liberace in Las Vegas plans to return to Atlantic City with a bigger, better, and more modern debut.

Landry’s, Inc., the parent company to the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, announced plans to buy the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The purchase is currently pending regulatory approvals, but Landry is already planning the design, decor and details of the new Atlantic City hotel, which will be located next to Borgata and Harrahs in the upscale Marina District.

The new Golden Nugget, which was originally a fixture in Atlantic City from 1980-1987, is being planned as a “premier resort destination” and will feature a number of Landry’s award-winning restaurant concepts including Chart House, Red Sushi, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine and Noodle Bar and the acclaimed Grotto Italian Ristorante and Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse.

According to a press release from Landry’s, the new Golden Nugget Atlantic City will include new bars and lounges with live entertainment, retail shops and boutiques and completely renovated rooms and suites. In addition to the late night bars and clubs, the resort-casino will also feature a new spa, poker rooms, race and keno rooms. Seasonal hot tubs and fire pits will grace the outside of the hotel for guests.

The Golden Nugget Las Vegas still carries the company by way of name recognition and yearly profits, but Landry’s says it plans to incorporate all the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas property into the Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Can it be done? Maybe Atlantic City will be the new Las Vegas…

Live like “The Bachelor” in Anguilla at CuisinArt Resort with a special package offering

by McLean Robbins on


Those of us who watch The Bachelor know the deal – by the time the field narrows to just a few lucky ladies or gents, the bachelor or bachelorette of choice whisks them off to a “magical” and “romantic” locale. Past seasons have seen cast members travel to Istanbul, New Zealand and Tahiti, but this season brings us slightly closer to home, to the romantic island of Anguilla.

We, as viewers, are always skeptical of these “most romantic” locations, but when we heard the setting for this season’s Valentine’s Day episode was none other than CuisinArt Resort, we were more excited than anything else. As such, we’re excited to see that we can be guaranteed to get the “final rose” when booking their new “The Bachelor’s Journey” package, offering us regular folk the chance to live like reality stars at the five-star resort.

The special package mimics the activities that will appear on tonight’s episode – only in a more private setting (no TV cameras allowed)! Amenities include:

· Five nights, six days accommodations in a beachfront suite
· VIP airport and semi-private boat transfer from St. Maarten
· Roundtrip private car transfer for two
· Welcome drink upon arrival
· Welcome Bottle of Champagne and long stemmed rose en suite
· Daily breakfast at the resort’s acclaimed restaurant Café Mediterraneo, or continental breakfast en suite
· One intimate Torchlit Beach Dining Experience with private waiter and a specially selected bottle of wine from the Resort’s cellar
· One Dinner at Santorini, Anguilla’s only AAA Four Diamond Award Winning Restaurant
· A choice of either a World Delicacies or Caribbean theme dinner
· One Dinner at the Beach Grill with a lively ambiance and light casual fair
· “Couples Rendezvous”, a luxurious spa escape including an Anguillan Coconut Pineapple Scrub, Couples Swiss Duet Rain Shower, Rose Scented Aroma Therapy Couples Massage, Floral Escape Soothing Bath Soak, and Champagne and Strawberries offered in the privacy of a Couples Suite
· One-day car rental to explore the beauty of Anguilla as a couple

Even better? Chances are if you’re traveling with your sweetheart on this package, there’s no chance of being sent home alone. Rates for this package start at $3,580, non inclusive of tax and service fees.

Luxury travel: Presidential Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

by Melanie Nayer on

There’s no denying that power is the top player in Washington DC. From the White House to the Capitol Building to the endless red leather, cherry wood restaurants that have housed heads of state for martini lunches over the years. Still, Washington DC has a few hidden gems worthy of an ambassador or two.

Mandarin Oriental Washington DC‘s recently renovated presidential suite is anything but ‘under the radar’ in this high-powered city. On a brief stop to Washington DC, I had the opportunity to explore the 3,500-square-foot space and overwhelmed by the idea of high-level meetings happening in his luxe space.The Presidential Suite in the Mandarin Oriental Washington DC offers 3,500-square-feet of space for a nightly rate of $10,000. The three-bedroom suite comes complete with a living room, kitchen, full bathrooms and separate dining area, but it’s the “great room” that steals the show.

The massive room offers enough seating for a cabinet meeting (or a little less) and to help inspire the attendees, features views of The Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument and Jefferson Memorial, and on clear days you can see all the way to the Capitol Building.

The adjacent study which connects the living room to the bedroom has been made into a cozy annex for respite and intimate meetings. A small nook off the master bathroom has enough space for a treadmill – the perfect accessory for a jetlagged traveler needing to work off some energy.

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JW Marriott Los Angeles celebrates first birthday with $1 room packages

by McLean Robbins on

Want to live like an A-lister for just a dollar? That’s just what will happen to ten lucky travelers who book the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live’s special first birthday package.

The hotel, celebrating its first anniversary on February 15, is offering a “Happy Birthday” package to the first ten reservations. The package, valued at almost $4,000, includes:

· Overnight accommodations in the Chairman Suite, the hotel’s most luxurious 1,566 square-foot suite over looking the Los Angeles skyline
· Two glasses of Champagne at gLAnce Wine Bar
· Breakfast for two at LA Market restaurant
· Complimentary valet parking

The “Happy Birthday” package will go on sale at 8:00 a.m. PST on February 15 for $1.00. The package will be available for a Friday or Saturday night stay only between August 6, 2011 and September 10, 2011. The package will be available online only with code ES6.

In town on the 15th? Hotel guests will be treated to commemorative cupcakes throughout the day while hotel employees will give back to the local community through volunteering at Midnight Mission, a non-profit serving the homeless of the city located in downtown Los Angeles.