Chinese get serious about tallest hotel – plan to clone Dubai Burj Khalifa

by Scott Carmichael on

If you can’t beat them, copy them – consider that the logic behind the news yesterday that the Chinese have hired a Saudi construction firm to build what could become the next tallest hotel in the world. Its inspiration? The 2,716ft tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai of course.

The Beijing tower is currently well into the planning phase and will be situated at the end of Chang Avenue, right across from Tiananmen Square.

This all comes a mere three weeks after another Chinese hotel tried to claim the fame when they announced a new hotel to be built in Shanghai. As with most of these “tallest”, not that many details were revealed, and the final height, number of hotel floors and completion date were not published. But with an estimated construction price of $1.3bn, you can assume it’ll be absolutely mindblowingly tall.

%Gallery-81382%Just how tall is this building? Check out this video shot from the top:

[Photo of Burj Khalifa from AP/Getty Images]

New Los Angeles hotel, Mr. C., opens in April

by Melanie Nayer on

The Cipriani Family, most famous for running New York’s established Rainbow Room since 1999, just announced it will open a new luxury Los Angeles hotel called simply, Mr. C.

Slated to open in the spring of this year, Mr. C will be a 138-room boutique hotel with 12 suites, all ranging from 365-800 square feet. Each room comes with a private balcony and many have panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. The hard wood flooring, burgundy and grey color palettes combined with dark wood accents add a bit of mystique to the stylish interior of the hotel. Vintage black and white film photography lines the walls and rooms, playing on Los Angeles’ iconic and historical moments.

The hotel will also have five multi-level, residential-sized bungalows averaging approximately 3,000 square feet, each with a private garden, gourmet kitchen, plunge pool and views of Beverly Hills. Each bungalow will feature all the Mr. C amenities, including spa treatments, housekeeping, and room service from the signature Mr. C restaurant.

The hotel restaurant, under the same name, will feature classic dishes from Cipriani alongside grilled specialties and pizzas. The restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating, a separate entrance for non-hotel guests, and two private rooms for more intimate occasions. Mr. C will also feature an outdoor pool for hotel guests only and indoor/outdoor private event space boasting 360-degree panoramic city views from the 12th floor of the hotel, with a private exterior glass elevator.

Our prediction: Mr. C. might just be the new see-and-be-seen locale in L.A. for 2011.

Hilarious bed bug video shows top cities for infestations

by Scott Carmichael on

Next Media Animation has quickly become a popular go-to destination for hilarious news clips. Take for example this video clip translating the Terminix top bedbug infested cities into something we’ll call “must watch”. Sadly, they only took the time to show the top four, but the end result is still worth it.

Our friends at AOL Travel recently reminded us how bed bugs are still very much in the news with a report on the third bug lawsuit targeting the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

And back in November, we also published some tips on how to detect and remove bed bugs from your hotel room.

Feeling itchy yet?

Four Seasons London to re-open January 31

by Melanie Nayer on

The Four Seasons London Hotel at Park Lane started its multi-million dollar makeover back in May 2010 and we’ve been waiting with baited breath for the big unveil. Now comes word from the hotel’s Twitter stream that the official opening is slated for Jan. 31, 2011.

The Four Seasons London hotel will have 192 rooms including 45 suites, all with king, queen or twin beds. Some rooms will offer fireplaces and garden terraces.

The hotel’s restaurant and bar area is Amaranto, which services Italian cuisine throughout the day with al fresco dining options in the private garden overlooking Park Lane. At night, the Menù dello Chef offers a four-course set-menu option, changed daily, and an eight-course tasting menu paired with wines.

There’s a rooftop spa with nine treatment rooms, each with their own private relaxation pod. The fitness center, located next to the spa, offers state-of-the-art cardio- and weight-training equipment, all with views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. The spa also includes a skylit vitality pool, steam rooms and saunas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking London.

But our favorite part of the new hotel: The Vogue wall. The hotel’s corridor includes photographs from Vogue, a nod to the elegance and style of London.

Daily Pampering: Curtain Bluff Resort’s honeymoon packages from $4200

by Melanie Nayer on

This luxury Caribbean resort is kicking things off in 2011 with a package for the lovers.

Curtain Bluff, one of the Caribbean’s favorite luxury all-inclusive beach resorts and a Condé Nast reader’s choice pick for the past three years, is offering honeymoon packages through May 14, 2011. This daily pampering comes with a lot of pampering! The 4-night package includes:

  • 3 meals a day
  • bar drinks
  • most water sports including motorized and non motorized water sports
  • use of the gym including aerobic, pilates, yoga and aquatic classes
  • use of tennis courts and squash court
  • round trip town car pick up
  • bottle of champagne in room upon arrival
  • private dinner in romantic garden gazebo
  • couples Destressor massage in our spa
  • sunset sail on 49 foot sailboat

You’ll spend time along the resort’s two stunning beaches, enjoy nightly entertainment, and take a peek at the resort’s 25,000 bottle wine cellar.

The cost of this romantic getaway starts at $4200 for a deluxe room; $5052 for a junior suite; or $7220 for the Grace/Morris Bay suite. Extra nights are available if you find yourself lost in paradise.

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