Daily Pampering: Brunch in Chicago Park Hyatt’s NoMI

by Grant Martin on

Seven floors above the bustling streets of Chicago’s Michigan Avenue lies one of the finest restaurants in the city: NoMI. Peering over Water Tower Plaza from a sweeping, glass-lined perch, there’s much more to enjoy at NoMI than the spectacular view. Chef Christophe David has created a brunch to best all brunches, complete with a dizzying array of stations, fares and dishes. Depending on the day, this can include a fresh, made to order sushi station, carving stations, every imaginable breakfast fare possible, scores of desserts, meats, cheeses and pasts — and that’s all before the main course.

That smoothie above? That’s the Care Smoothie, $16 worth of pureed raspberries, peaches, strawberries, aloe vera, soy milk, and ground almonds. And lo, it’s worth every drop.

Everyday brunch at NoMI runs $55 for adults and $27 for 12 and under children, while a typical holiday brunch can reach around $100 per person. For the view, quality and company, however, in Chicago it can’t be beat.

Daily Pampering: Renovations at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago

by Melanie Nayer on

After two years and $25 million, the Ritz-Carlton Chicago is ready for its close-up.

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (a Four Seasons Hotel) recently completed its latest restyling and is ready show off a new lobby, restaurant and bar, ballroom and presidential suite.

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago’s prime location at Water Tower Place sets the mood for unbridled extravagance. The 12th floor lobby was redesigned with deep woods and earth tones,and welcomes guests to a blend of contemporary and traditional design. A sky-lit fountain is centered in the room and thanks to its high-rise location, guests will have amazing views of the city before arriving in their guest rooms.

Located behind the lobby fountain is the new deca RESTAURANT + BAR, which infuses art deco design with brasserie-influenced cuisine. Executive Chef Mark Payne and his team offer a menu of classic items with inventive twists and the wine list offers over 40 wines served by the glass.

The stunning new 2,900-square-foot Presidential Suite is the grand dame of this hotel’s renovations. The re-imagined two-story Suite boasts a spiral staircase featuring new interiors and floor-to-ceiling two-story window views of Lake Michigan. It includes a kitchen, living, dining and study rooms, three full and two half baths. A media room, baby grand piano and Bose surround sound stereo system add to the decor. Amenities include a 24-hour personal assistant with in-room business center; transportation to and from the local airport via a Rolls Royce Phantom; and a daily in room 90 minute massage.

What’s not to love about this Chicago-style pampering?

For more Daily Pampering, click here.

Daily Pampering: Detox at The Dolder Grand

by Melanie Nayer on

This Switzerland retreat knows you’ve had a rough winter. All those hot totties by the fireplace skewed your usual caloric intake, and the cold winter winds wreaked havoc on your skin. No worries, the healing process is about to begin.

Zurich’s Dolder Grand is offering “Detox” and “Retreat” packages with 30% savings to encourage health and wellness this spring. Whether you’re in need of a detox escape or just a relaxing spa getaway, experience one of the world’s most exceptional spas at Dolder Grand. The best part: both of these treatments are available through Dec. 31, 2010, so you have plenty of time to make your way to Zurich.

The Grand Detox Program:

  • Five nights luxury accommodations at the Dolder Grand
  • Complete five day detox nutritional meal plan, including introductory interview including “needs analysis” and daily coaching with the Dolder Grand Spa Team
  • Fitness and body composition analysis
  • Daily fitness and relaxation sessions
  • Daily treatments of Cleansing and Detox Rituals with custom massage
  • Consultation for continuation at home
  • Unlimited use of Dolder Grand Spa
  • Total cost: 8,600 CHF/ Double occupancy (approx. $8,000 USD) or 4,720 CHF/ Single occupancy (approx. $4,400 USD)

The Grand Spa Retreat:

  • Three nights luxury accommodations at the Dolder Grand
  • Daily breakfast at the Garden Restaurant per person
  • One dinner in the Garden Restaurant per person (beverages not included)
  • One 90-minute La Prairie Caviar Firming Facial per person
  • One 90-minute Grand Body Ritual, with replenishing scrub, therapeutic bath and massage application, per person
  • One 90-minute Bamboo Shiatsu Massage per person
  • One 60-minute Kerstin Florian Classic Pedicure per person
  • Unlimited use of Dolder Grand Spa
  • Total cost: 3,100 CHF/ Double occupancy (approx. $2,880 USD) or 1,770 CHF/ Single occupancy (approx. $1,645 USD)

Sit back, relax and detox.

Don’t do mornings? Take a “Crack of noon” tour of Italy or France

by Laurel Miller on

Don’t you just despise fellow vacationers who leap out of bed at dawn’s first light, eager to get a start on the day’s activities? Do you hate trying to comprehend great works of art with a throbbing hangover? If your holidays often end up feeling about as relaxing as a day at the office, Executive Tours International has a solution.

The small, California-based luxury and customized travel company offered its first “Crack of Noon” tour of Italy last fall. It proved so popular, France has been added to the fall 2010 schedule.

This new take on organized tours features activities starting “after the civilized hour of noon” -ideal for those who don’t consider themselves “morning people.” Most days officially begin after 12 p.m., so travelers can choose to sleep in after a bit of late-night revelry, or have entire mornings to explore on their own. Limited to 24 guests each, “Crack of Noon Italy,” and “Crack of Noon France” allow travelers to explore each country, while giving them ample time to relax, recharge, and get some quality alone time.

The tours showcase the food and wine of each country. Italy includes Rome, Tuscany, and Venice, while France highlights Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera. Bookings close June 30th-be sure to set your alarm.

Professional honeymooners: dream job or nightmare?

by Laurel Miller on

Does a half-year working honeymoon sound like your idea of a dream job? If so, you might want to contact RunawayBrideandGroom.com, an Irish travel agency catering to destination weddings and honeymoons.

But wait- there’s more! You’ll also be paid 20,000 euros (about $27,000). “The Ultimate Job” is the latest in a series of promotions designed to capture the public imagination and serve as a “brilliant” marketing tool for people and places. The idea was inspired by last year’s blockbuster “Best Job in the World” campaign in Australia.

Winners will travel the globe for six months, and get paid to test out the most romantic wedding and honeymoon destinations around the world. More than 1,000 couples have already applied for the chance to be sent to resorts in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States. You don’t have to be Irish to apply, but you do have to tout Ireland as part of the process.

Hopefuls have until April 7 to apply for the “horrendous assignment” — as the company teasingly calls it (hee.) — which starts mid-May. B.Y.O. Viagra and UTI medicine.

The winners will be asked to blog about their experiences a few times a week, “when they can get out of the hammock after sipping a glass of champagne,” says Rosemarie Meleady, managing director of RunawayBrideandGroom.com. Assuming they stay sober long enough, they must also write for The Irish Times once a month.

While 182.5 days of globetrotting is a dream job for many (mainly real travel writers), it would still test the limits of even the most solid of couples. Here’s hoping the company also throws in a good divorce lawyer.