Victoria Beckham offered $40 million to design hotel

by Melanie Nayer on

Looks like some hotels are seeking a few posh designs.

Rumor has it Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham was approached by one hotel company to spice up a few hotels to the tune of $40 million. Contactmusic.com reports that Beckham and her super-star soccer husband David have been in discussions since last summer to help design a fashion-themed hotel alongside other high-fashion profiles like Karl Lagerfeld.

The hotel will be located on the island of Isla Moda off the Dubai coast, which is part of The World development, a man-made archipelago of 300 islands.

No word on any signed contracts or planned designs as of yet, but I predict if this deal goes through there will be a very strict dress code to boot.
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Five steps to a better Valentine’s Day from Fairmont

by Tom Johansmeyer on

After the toll that 2009 took on your spirit and your body, it’s time for you to commit to a relaxed and steady 2010. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in on board with this and is kicking in some amazing deals through its Willow Stream spa brand, which is available around the world. So, if you’re planning to hit Monte Carlo, Miami or the Mayan Riviera, you’ll have a top-shelf treatment ready and waiting for you. Check out the “Follow Your Heart” spa experiences on tap at 11 Fairmont hotels this Valentine’s Day.

One Heart: This is a Red Ribbon Lips facial upgrade and includes a complimentary Jane Iredale Organic Sugar Lip Scrub treatment that will soften and soothe your lips. Worried about dry, cracked lip kissing? That won’t be a problem after this treatment.

Two Heart: Willow Stream’s Sending You Kisses offer includes a Willow Stream Lip Kit and Lip Definer pencil, which will make softened lips eye-catching — translation: you’ll more likely have the chance to use them.

Three Heart: Enjoy a Heartfelt 90-minute spa experience, an hour of which is side-by-side for couples, with a 30-minute dip in the spa’s oversized whirlpool tubs … complete with champagne.

Four Heart: The Love Me package makes you the center of attention. The solo day at the spa includes a 90-minute experience before noon and a Willow Stream spa bento box lunch.

Five Heart: Willow stream will Love You Forever. On the first day of the month, guests will enjoy enjoy either a 60-minute or 90-minute spa treatment … for an entire year!

Participating resorts include: Fairmont Turnberry Isle (Miami), Fairmont Singapore, Fairmont Scottsdale, Fairmont Le Montreux Place (Switzerland), Fairmont Mayakoba (Mexico), Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Fairmont Banff Springs (Alberta), Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont Southampton (Bermuda), Fairmont Monte Carlo, Fairmont Empress (Victoria, British Columbia).

The Burj Dubai is now open!

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Looking for new ways to get high? Skip the local street dealer, and book your flight to Dubai. Today, the Burj Dubai is open to the public, and the views from its 124th floor observation deck can’t be beat. Now the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai captures the spirit of its hometown – you know, trying to make Las Vegas look small and humble. Also, in true Dubai style, money gets you to the front of the line: pay a little more than twice the normal ticket price to get up to the observation deck faster.

If you want to stay in the tower, you’ll have to wait a little loner, though. The Armani Hotel Dubai – a luxury property which represents the collaboration between Giorgio Armani and Emaar Properties – won’t open until March 18, 2010. This will be the first in a series of Armani properties that will include hotels, resorts and residences around the world. Expect demand for these rooms to be palpable, so if you want to be among the first to stay in these rooms, book your stay in late January, when reservations will start to be taken.

U.S. lifts ban on travelers with HIV or AIDS

by Sean McLachlan on

For the past 22 years, if you had HIV or AIDS and weren’t American, you couldn’t enter the U.S.

That changed today as President Obama lifted the ban. Since the Obama administration is planning to host the 2012 World Aids Conference, the change in policy was necessary.

The biannual conference naturally includes many people living with HIV and AIDS, and barring their entry would have been bad PR for an administration that wants to be seen as a global leader in the fight against the disease

There are only ten countries that now ban people with HIV/AIDS from entering. They are: Brunei, China. Equatorial Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

According to the website hivtravel.org, some of these countries allow people to enter under “special circumstances”. Some other countries not on the list put restrictions on people living with HIV/AIDS but not full bans.%Gallery-13474%

The Burj Dubai opens on Monday as the tallest building in the world

by Scott Carmichael on

On Monday morning, Dubai developer Emaar Properties will take ownership of the tallest building in the world. Despite a brutal economic climate, and the very real chance that Dubai will soon be bankrupt, this 2,683 feet tall structure was completed in six years. With 160 stories, the Burj Dubai towers over every other building in the city.

Monday is also the first day that the general public will be able to visit the observation deck on the 124th floor. According to the developers, most of the spaces in the building have been sold. Just 37 of the 160 floors are for office space, the rest will house new Armani residences, and an Armani hotel will open later this year. A total of 12,000 people can live and work in the tower, though it is obviously unclear whether the current economy will force many would-be owners to change their plans.

As you can see from the video posted above – this building is immense. To put things in perspective – the Sears Willis Tower in Chicago is a mere 1450 feet tall, with just 108 stories. Skidmore, Owings and Merril are the architects behind the Burj Dubai, the same ones that designed the Sears Tower back in 1973.

(Via Luxist)

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