Daily Pampering: Warm up at Trump Chicago with a romantic overnight

by Melanie Nayer on

Oh, baby, it’s getting cold outside! The great minds at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago have just the thing to put some fire back into your cold routine.

Chicago locals and visitors alike are invited to escape the cold weather this holiday season with a romantic overnight stay in one of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago’s luxurious one-bedroom suites, equipped with a fully furnished kitchen, illuminating fireplace, spacious living room, and five-fixture bathroom.

Snuggle in front of a warm fireplace while sipping on your choice of a hot toddy or hot chocolate, and take in the romantic views of the Chicago River and the city’s skyline. You’ll be served breakfast in bed the next morning and, to keep you warm when you leave, each guest will receive a signature Trump bathrobe as a holiday gift.

The price of this hot little pampering? Room rates start at $695 a night and are available November 1 through December 30, 2010.

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Daily Pampering: The Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite in South Africa

by Melanie Nayer on

When you’re one of the most revered men in the world, your own suite at one of the top luxury hotels in the world is just part of the package that comes along with being you. In the spirit of sharing and world peace, however, this particular suite named after Nelson Mandela is available to the general public.

The intimate Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, features the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite as its top tier accommodation. The 400-square-meter suite is located on the second level of the hotel, with access via a private elevator and/or staircase. The suite is decorated with sophisticated African flair, and consists of two inner-suites, a guest powder room, an open plan lounge and dining room, a fully equipped kitchen (with its own butler’s entrance).

Guests of the Platinum Suite are afforded complimentary round-trip airport transfer via a Mercedes sedan, and VIP assistance on arrival, including meet-and-greet at the airport via the diplomatic channel around passport control. In the suite, guests are treated to Champagne on a nightly basis, complimentary minibar with soft drinks, waters and a selection of beers, replenished daily. If that’s not enough, a housekeeper and butler are on hand to cater to your every whim.

The cost of this peaceful palance? Rates start at ZAR 35,000 per night – approximately $5,103 USD.

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Daily Pampering: new San Francisco restaurant debuts $390 truffle dinner

by Laurel Miller on

It’s truffle season again. In the Perigord, grizzled Frenchmen scour the forests using specially-trained female pigs or dogs to sniff out the rare black fungi growing from the roots of various tree species. In Piedmont, Italy, a similar hunt is under way for the even more esteemed white truffle. According to The Daily Beast, these little buggers can fetch an average of $3,500 a pound in a good economy (in ’09, the price for white truffles dropped to $1,800 to $2,500 a pound), making them one of the most expensive ingredients on earth.

In celebration of all this fungal goodness, Alexander’s Steakhouse in San Francisco is offering a nine-course truffle dinner for $390, through early 2011. Inside Scoop SF also tells us that for another $110, the restaurant will pair the wines for you. The Japanese-inflected meat temple opened last month in the buzzing SoMa neighborhood, but the sister location in the Silicon Valley is offering the same special.

Why are people willing to spend so much cash on a glorified foraged mushroom that smells like male pig pheromones? Gourmands will tell you the essence of the homely truffle elevates everything from scrambled eggs to pasta to euphoric levels. And truffles are supposedly an aphrodisiac (the scent of swine sex hormones, and all). Fortunately, a little of the pungent fungi goes a long way, and Alexander’s uses a total of 15 grams (roughly half-an-ounce) of black and white truffles on its special menu.

Dishes include elegant offerings like bonito sashimi with salsify, garlic chips, celery, curry foam, and black truffle; binchotan-roasted bone marrow, black garlic panko, citrus jam, and white truffle, and Japanese a5 Kagoshima ribeye cap [in plain English: expensive cut of top-grade imported Wagyu beef] with parsnip puree, butternut squash, chestnuts, and white truffle. Are you feeling randy yet, baby?

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[Photo credit: Flickr user cyclingshepherd]

Daily Pampering: Swiss watchmaking excursion in Geneva for $12,000

by Melanie Nayer on

For the man who has everything, this little excursion will send him spinning: Pure Entertainment Group has created an exclusive watchmaking excursion in Geneva for the serious watch aficionado.

Upon landing in Geneva, guests will be transported to their Junior Suite at the renowned Five-Star hotel Beau-Rivage Geneva via private transportation, where you will be greeted with a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, fresh flowers, and Swiss chocolates.

The 4-night package includes everything from guided tours of the city to dinner for two at the Michelin-Starred restaurant Le Chat Botté. The sublime offering, however, is the limo to the De Bethune watch manufacture in La Chaux L’Auberson, where you’ll receive a showing of the De Bethune private watch collection. Rumor has it, during your discussions with De Bethune founders David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet, there’s a possibility De Bethune will create a bespoke watch for just for you.

The cost of this once in a lifetime watchmaking package? The 4-night stay starts with private transfer services, dinner for two and the visit to the De Bethune starts at EURO 8,600 per couple (approximately $12,068).

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Daily Pampering: Harper’s Bazaar suite at Willow Club New York

by McLean Robbins on

Ever wonder what it’s like to shop like a celebrity, including custom wardrobe selections, VIP fashion show access and merchandise straight from designer’s archives? Members visiting New York through new private membership group Willow Club now can, thanks to the Harper’s Bazaar Style Suite. Located at the Shoreham Hotel in New York City, the Style Suite marries the best fashion, accessories and stylish amenities, plus special events – including Friday and Saturday evening makeup touch-ups, blow-outs and fashion advice from top stylists – available exclusively to members.

Located on the main floor of The Shoreham, the Style Suite features a revolving display of Harper’s Bazaar-edited merchandise, most of which appears in the magazine’s current issue and may be purchased with the help of a Willow Club Style Suite Concierge directly from the display or through the brand’s personal shoppers. Past items for purchase include include a Derek Lam dress worn by Jennifer Aniston in the September issue of the magazine as well as over 75 pieces on display from brands including Michael Kors, Ports 1961 and Donna Karan.

Access to the Style Suite is complimentary for Willow Club members. Willow Club, is a private membership organization that offers members entrée to events and lifestyle experiences that would typically be inaccessible or cost prohibitive. In addition to stays at Willow Club’s three luxury Manhattan hotels, as well as stays internationally with no additional room night charges, examples of club benefits include: season tickets to all major New York sports teams, including the club’s luxury suites at select venues; use of the club’s private yacht; the club’s tickets to premier Broadway shows and performing arts; insider access to New York Fashion Week; use of limited-edition, luxury and high-performance cars; complimentary entry into New York City’s most celebrated and internationally-noteworthy cultural attractions and museums; member golf and tennis; and insider shopping and fashion experiences with personal stylists. The Club is currently accepting new members at www.willowclub.com.

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