Daily Pampering: Hugo BOSS at the Regent Berlin

by Melanie Nayer on

There’s a reason I love this column, and it’s not just because I get to imagine myself in fancy cars and being pampered by tanning butlers (but let’s not kid ourselves, both are worthy of a few stolen moments during the day). It’s because I get to introduce you to the finer things in life; some of the most luxurious travel amenities in the world.

I’ll be the first to admit there are things I’ve yet to discover, stones I haven’t unturned, destinations I’ve yet to explore, but there are some things I know very well: I know hotels, I know handbags and I know Hugo BOSS makes one handsome man. Apparently, the Regent Berlin feels the same way.

The Regent Berlin offers in-room personal shopping services thanks to a unique partnership with Hugo BOSS. With the touch of button on your in-room phone, the concierge will arrive in your room with a mobile wardrobe fitted with selections from the current season’s collection. There is no separate charge for the service – you simply pay for your purchases.

The Regent Berlin’s service, called “Travel Light”, gives new meaning to packing with a purpose. Now, you can “accidentally” forget your evening attire, or mistakenly leave his faded blue suit standby suit in the closet, and let Hugo BOSS dress you. And trust me, once Hugo BOSS steps into your wardrobe, you’ll never look at your faded blue suit the same way again.

Want a little more luxury in your day? Click here for your daily dose of pampering.

Luxury designer brand Louis Vuitton enters the hotel industry

by Melanie Nayer on

The designer-inspired-hotels trend is ramping up. The Villa by Barton G has taken over the former Versace mansion, and Armani is getting set to open its first hotel in the Burj Dubai. Ralph Lauren and Bulgari have helped design exclusive hotels around the world, and now, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the parent company of Louis Vuitton, announced plans to manage two luxury hotels in Egypt and Oman.

The two hotel project will cost $100 million and is financed by Egypt’s Orascom Development Holdings and private investors, including the Sultanate of Oman, according to an article in the Financial Times.

According to the article, the Oman hotel will feature 32 private villas, each with its own beach and swimming pool. The 40-suite hotel in Egypt will be set on an island overlooking the Nile. Both of the hotels are set to open in 2012, complete with a suite of luxury accommodations and amenities.

Paris-based LVMH, already famous for its leather handbags and watches, said the creation of LVMH Hotel Management was a “natural extension of activities in luxury hospitality”. LVMH alluded that there are more designer hotels in the pipeline, but the story gave no indication on when or where these hotels would launch.

Hotel Julien – Comfortable minimalism in Antwerp

by Annie Scott on


One of the great things about Antwerp is how walkable the city is. For that very reason, make sure you stay at a hotel that’s right in the middle of the action — such as Hotel Julien, which is located at Korte Nieuwstraat 24, just a hop and a skip from tons of local attractions including De Kathedraal and plenty of bars and restaurants, and about a 15 minute walk from the train station.

The mood at Hotel Julien is very Zen. The peaceful Flemish setting includes a comfortable sitting room with a fireplace, an uncomplicated courtyard and an unmistakably homey front desk lined with bookshelves. The service is friendly and helpful, but I found it strange that when I mentioned I’d be leaving for my flight in the early AM, they insisted on checking me out the night before. Nevertheless, the nice touches shone through, such as their readiness with maps and the slip detailing the next day’s weather left on my pillow at night.

The decor in the rooms is minimalist and chic with pale wood and whites and greys making the whole thing very light and cool feeling. Everything is hidden, from the TV to the toilet paper, which comes magically out of a side slot in the sink stand. Wifi and a delicious breakfast are included in your stay, and as with any city-center hotels, convenience stores are nearby in every direction if you’d rather not raid your minibar.

I’d recommend Hotel Julien to travelers who want things to be easy and relaxing at the hotel — but don’t intend to spend a lot of time there. The downstairs feels very much like a home, but the rooms, while lovely, offer very little to look at. Prices at Hotel Julien start at approximately $250 and include breakfast.
%Gallery-90167%
My visit to Antwerp was sponsored by Tourism Antwerp and Cool Capitals, but the opinions expressed in the article are 100% my own.

Amsterdam Public Library to become Andaz Hotel

by Melanie Nayer on

The people at the Andaz hotels have been very busy this year. First with the announcement that Andaz will open new hotels in the U.S. in 2010, and then following it up with new properties in New York and California. Now comes word that Andaz Amsterdam will be the first Andaz hotel in mainland Europe.

The 122-room Andaz Amsterdam will open in 2012 on the site of the former Public Library on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht. We can’t promise you won’t have to sharpen any pencils before arriving, but we’re pretty positive the Andaz Amsterdam will be a welcome addition to Amsterdam’s city hotel options.

The Hyatt Hotel Corporation’s stylish new boutique brand of hotels went mainstream this year, setting its sights on new properties in the U.S. and announcing an expansion in the Europe market. The Andaz Amsterdam will feature a lounge, bar and restaurant as well as fitness and business centers.

The first Andaz, Andaz Liverpool Street in London launched November 2007, followed by Andaz West Hollywood in January 2009 and Andaz Wall Street and Andaz San Diego in early 2010. The Andaz Amsterdam marks the first mainland Europe hotel for the group. Other planned openings include Andaz 5th Avenue, Andaz Austin, and Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica.

Holiday Inn asks guests to weigh in for rates

by Melanie Nayer on

Hotels create catchy promotions as a way to entice guests and generate publicity, but sometimes the creativity goes a little too far. Case in point: The Holiday Inn Olathe, Kansas and The Great Weight Rate.

The latest promotion crosses the line of “cute and kitshy” and, in my opinion, enters into hostile territory. The hotel challenges guests to pay their own weight — step on the scale at check-in and the nightly rate will be calculated at .35 cents per pound.

According to the Holiday Inn’s website, the promotion is meant to motivate people to get in shape for summer. As far as I’m concerned, the promotion borders on rude and inhospitable, two characteristics a hotel should not have on their record.

Travel expert Pauline Frommer, who is also a blog contributor for Weight Watchers, said the campaign “steps over the line of good taste and into outright bigotry” in her latest blog post. Bigotry is a strong word, but then again, weight issues are no laughing matter. It’s one thing to be asked how much you weigh before boarding a 9-seater Cessna so the pilot can adjust the weight levels and ensure a steady flight. It’s another thing to be asked to weigh-in for a room at the Holiday Inn.

It’s only fair to point out that this “package” includes dinner and breakfast, plus access to workout facilities at the YMCA (which will come in handy if you went over your allotted calorie count for the day). And, if you don’t want to step on the scale, you can just pay $150 for the night as part of the promotion. But, really, Holiday Inn? You couldn’t just offer a promotion with access to the YMCA and call it a night?

If you are so inclined to weigh in for a room, the promotion runs through May 31, 2010.%Gallery-67351%

Watch the video below to hear Pauline and Arthur Frommer weigh in on the biggest bargains in travel right now.