Luxury hotel planned for Washington DC’s ‘nightlife’ neighborhood

by Melanie Nayer on

The Adams Morgan neighborhood in Washington DC is mostly known for its lively nightlife, late-night bars and endless take-out restaurants, but plans to add a little luxury to the ‘hood are in the works.

Washington Post reporter Jonathan O’Connell reports that plans for a luxury hotel in the trendy neighborhood have been in the works for the past six years. Developer Brian Friedman proposed transforming a historic church, formerly the First Church of Christ, Scientist, into a 174-room luxury hotel, according to the paper. While financing and development details are being worked out, one aspect of the hotel seems to moving along: the design.

Reports say Friedman signed with visionary hotel designer Ian Schrager to help turn the church from goth to glam. Schrager is behind the works of notable living spaces including Gramercy Park Hotel and the residential building 40 Bond in New York City. Shrager also works closely with Marriott for the Edition collection, which currently has plans for hotels in Waikiki, Istanbul, Barcelona, Mexico City, Bangkok, South Beach and soon, Adams Morgan.

Marriott’s Edition brand is focused on bringing the boutique hotel atmosphere to luxury travelers, and the new Adams Morgan hotel would be part of that plan. Friedman told the paper the hotel would offer “something a little more interesting” for guests.

[Photo credit/ Flickr user ultraclay]

Hotels.com offers three and four-star hotels for $99 or less

by Melanie Nayer on

Hotels.com® just launched their $99 or Less promotion, which offers many travelers an awesome break on three and four-star hotel prices.

Featuring nearly 2,000 hotels in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, travelers who book by November 1 and travel by November 15 can enjoy deluxe accommodations on a limited budget.

Need some enticing? No problem…

How about the Palms Resort in Negril, Jamaica. The three-and-a-half-star property is situated near a beach and offers guests ocean or garden view rooms. Rooms start at $85 a night.

Head to the San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico for just $95 a night. Recommended by 79% of past guests, this three-and-a-half-star property is pet friendly, has an outdoor pool, a spa, and is within walking distance to the San Juan beach.

If Sin City is more your style, rooms at four-star properties like Treasure Island Hotel and Casino start at $60 a night.

At the Hotel Allandale, in Austin, Texas, not only will you relax in comfort and style but you’ll only pay $85 a night for this three-star Southern hospitality.

Get 178 Mandarin Oriental Tokyo rooms, keep the neighbors away

by Tom Johansmeyer on

There’s nothing worse than being in a hotel room that’s filled with the sounds of your neighbors. It has to get pretty bad outside your door for some out-of-control moron to be loud on your side of it, but let’s face the reality: some hotel neighbors are awful. You can solve this problem easily, as long as you have close to three quarters of a million dollars on hand per single night of bliss.

The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo has a great deal for guests who just want to sleep well at night. Pony up a whopping $679,500, and the only other people in the hotel will be the staff – and the few lucky people you invite to join you. Spa rooms, all nine restaurants … you can turn the hotel into your personal playground

According to the Sydney Morning Herald:

The luxury hotel in central Tokyo began selling the plan a week ago as “something splashy” to commemorate its opening five years ago, said hotel spokeswoman Chie Hayakawa. It intends to apply for recognition from Guinness World Records once a reservation is finalised.

“When the hotel opened we had an exclusive party like this — black tie, cocktail dresses. There was music and drinks and food from the restaurants, and it was all quite grand,” said Hayakawa, who took part.

The rather hefty price tag doesn’t even get you a full 24 hours; it only runs from 3 PM until noon the next day. But, you can host a cocktail reception for up to 500 people.

There has been some interest in the package, mostly from businesses. Of course, eccentric individuals are also open to book a stay of this caliber. There is a catch:

“The only thing is, you have to pick a date where there are no reservations already,” she added. “It’s not as if you could just request it for later this week.”

[photo by TheTruthAbout via Flickr]

Daily Pampering: Thai detoxifying ritual at Canyon Ranch

by Melanie Nayer on

There’s a massage that leaves you relaxed and rejuvenated, and then there’s a massage that transports you into another universe. Enter: the traditional Thai detoxifying ritual from Canyon Ranch Miami.

The 100-minute session is a celebration of Thai healing therapies based on the royal healing traditions of Thailand. It begins with an application of aromatic Thai herbal pouches, combined with warm-oil massage to increase energy flow, relax muscles, soothe soreness and increase flexibility. The masseause stretches you while applying pressure to muscles, allowing better circulation before you step into a personal steam treatment, meant to uplift and detoxify. Called the “time machine” by those at the spa, you’ll steam the space-age looking capsule for 20 minutes before enjoying a 50-minute massage. Thanks to Canyon Ranch’s Aquavana, a European-inspired aquathermal oasis that offers everything from igloo capsules to personal rainshowers, you can continue on with your bliss following the treatment.

The price for this pampering: $330

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

Daily Pampering: The Parisian life at Le Meurice

by Melanie Nayer on

Admit it, you’ve always wondered what it would be like to live life as a true Parisian. If the thought of French press coffee and freshly-baked baquettes turns you on, the Dorchester’s Collection Le Meurice in Paris has a deal for you.

Located opposite from the Tuileries Gardens with breathtaking views overlooking the Musée d’Orsay, the hotel is now offering an exclusive package, giving guests a VIP peek and chance to “live the life as a real Parisian for 24 hours.” With grand 18-century architecture combined with the design of Philippe Starck, dishes prepared by three-star Michelin Chef, 160 spacious and elegant guestrooms and more, Le Meurice is the quintessential glamorous Parisian hotel now giving a real entrée into the best that the City of Lights has to offer.

Package for two includes:

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Minimum two night stay including breakfast
  • VIP welcome with Champagne
  • Dinner for two at Executive Chef Yannick Alléno’s Le Dali restaurant (beverages excluded)
  • Two hand treatments “speedy mani” at the Spa Valmont
  • Use of Le Meurice’s scooter or bicycle to explore the city
  • VIP kit at Printemps, Paris’ luxury department store
  • Garment bag for all purchases
  • “My Little Paris Passport” booklet which gives an insider’s list of the best places to eat, see and explore

The price for this Parisian pampering? Rates per room per night begin at 805 Euros (approximately $1,101 USD).

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