Daily Pampering: $15,000 Penthouse Suite at the Fairmont San Francisco

by Melanie Nayer on

In 1926, the penthouse at the Fairmont San Francisco leased for $1,000 a month. Today, the 6,000 square foot of luxury space goes for $15,000 a night.

The Fairmont San Francisco began revitalizing the iconic penthouse (currently valued at $20 million) in August 2009 and a year later, the grand dame of San Francisco suites reopened to guests.

Spanning the entire eighth floor of the historic Main Building of The Fairmont San Francisco, the penthouse offers three large bedrooms, a living room with grand piano, a formal dining room seating 60 people, a kitchen, a two-story circular library crowned by a rotunda where a celestial map is rendered in gold leaf against a sapphire sky, a billiard room covered in Persian tile from floor to vaulted ceiling, and an expansive terrace with views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind bookshelves on the library’s second floor lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite (and used to lead to the rooftop of the hotel for the ultimate in star and skyline gazing).

The penthouse has welcomed everyone from royalty to rock stars, including President John F. Kennedy, Prince Charles of Wales, Mikhail Gorbachev, King Hussein of Jordan, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and Tony Bennett. And why not? For the $15,000 fee a night, guests get a private butler, private chef, private masseuse, private personal trainer, private house keeping and access to an extensive wine cellar featuring some of the world’s best vintages.

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Ritz-Carlton Dallas plans month-long football promotions for Super Bowl

by Melanie Nayer on

Whether or not your favorite NFL team will play the Super Bowl is irrelevant. What matters is where you’ll watch the game. The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, is making things easy for you by offering month-long football promotions in partnership with Fearing’s Restaurant.

With Super Bowl XLV scheduled to take place February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium near Dallas, the luxury hotel and its neighboring restaurant have customized the following gridiron treats for hotel guests and local residents:

Fearing’s Tailgate Cooking Class (January 22, 2011). Need some tailgating snack ideas? Head to Celebrity Chef Dean Fearing counter and get some tips from the acclaimed chef on menu items and beer pairings for the big game. On the menu: Chili Frito Pie, Jalapeo-Braised Carnitas Sliders, and Tacos with Barbecued Thousand Island Cole Slaw, Pickled Red Onions and Dutch Oven Beans. A dessert of Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites will complement the menu.

If the game is getting to be too much for you, head to the the Ritz-Carlton Spa for the Quarterback Sports Wrap, First Down Facial and Tight End Body Treatment. The Ritz-Carlton Spa has also introduced a new Rookie Package, providing a 20 percent savings on Monday-through-Thursday spa treatments for first-time guests of the spa between now and February 28. If the spa and tailgating menu options aren’t enough, the hotel will pay tribute to the pigskin with Spa Tailgate, offered all Sundays in January coinciding with major televised sports events.
And this is all before and after the big game. On Super Bowl weekend, the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas and Fearing’s will also offer the following:

  • A roster of hotel Football Concierges will provide guests with information on the upcoming game, team stats, road traffic updates, driving routes to the stadium and more.
  • Hotel guests staying during game weekend will receive a complimentary in-room gift of a luxurious cobalt blue throw blanket commemorating the special date.
  • A special menu of added In-Room Dining selections will include a post-revelry, wee-hours selection called “Aftermath”, consisting of a bacon & egg pizza with ranch dressing, an array of sliders and cold beer. Additionally, In Room Dining will offer an ultra-gourmet hot dog menu for the weekend.
  • Fearing’s Restaurant will offer several specialty food items and specialty cocktails in honor of the two team cities represented in the game. Fearing’s will offer extended dining and bar hours during Super Bowl weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), including dinner beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing to 11 p.m.

For those not staying at the Ritz-Carlton, fear not: you can still enjoy the Super Bowl and all the excitement in the hotel’s lobby bar starting at 6 p.m. on game day!

Daily Pampering: St. Regis Washington DC warms up with Washington Ballet

by Melanie Nayer on

The St. Regis Washington, DC is getting artsy this year, thanks to a partnership with the Washington Ballet.

Celebrating the spring 2011 performance of Carmen on May 19th, the exclusive hotel offer includes VIP, behind-the-scenes access with The Washington Ballet’s Artistic Director Septime Webre, viewing of dress rehearsals as well as a stay at the St. Regis Washington, DC.

Available from May 17, 2011 through May 21, 2011, the package includes:

  • Access and transportation to a private afternoon dress rehearsal which will offer a sneak peek of the Opening Night performance
  • Limousine service to and from the Harman Center for the Performing Arts on Opening Night
  • Attendance to the Opening Night showing of Carmen, with an exclusive backstage tour led by Septime Webre himself during intermission
  • An invitation to the celebratory Opening Night Party, attended by company dancers, Ballet VIP’s and board members
  • An intimate lunch at Adour at The St. Regis Washington, D.C. with Septime Webre to discuss his creation
  • Accommodations for four nights in a luxurious St. Regis suite
  • Spanish wine accompanied by light tapas waiting for guests in-room upon arrival
  • A signed copy of the ballet’s Wonderland coffee table book, which offers dramatic glimpses of life backstage and photos of the dancers in landmark Washington locations
  • Access to signature St. Regis Butler Service throughout the stay

The price of this prima ballerina pampering? $5,000, and 20 percent of the proceeds from the booking will be donated to The Washington Ballet.

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Daily Pampering: InterContinental Hong Kong’s million dollar Valentine’s Day date

by Melanie Nayer on

Looking for a totally over-the-top way to spoil your special someone this Valentine’s Day? The InterContinental Hong Kong has planned the ultimate Valentine’s Experience for only HK$1 million (approximately $130,000 USD) Valentine’s Day Date in the hotel’s Presidential Suite.

The package includes one-night stay in Hong Kong‘s largest Presidential Suite (at 7,000 square feet), which includes a duplex living room, rooftop terrace with a private swimming pool and jacuzzi overlooking Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island and a master suite and bathroom, with a jacuzzi and rain forest shower for two, plus a private sauna and steam room. The suite at the InterContinental Hong Kong also has a private dining room, gym and study.You’ll also get:

  • Chauffeured airport transfers via the hotel’s Phantom VI Rolls Royce.
  • A bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2004Champagne served with fresh strawberries in the Rolls Royce, in transit to InterContinental Hong Kong
  • A personalized premium bar set-up in the Presidential Suite for your enjoyment throughout your stay.
  • Our Phantom VI Rolls Royce limousine with private chauffeur — on call for your use throughout your stay.
  • A special welcome gift and amenities in the Presidential Suite upon your arrival.
  • Your selection of pampering spa treatments in the private couple’s Spa Suite at the hotel’s feng shui inspired I-Spa during your stay.
  • Arrangements for a Personal Shopper to help you select your designer wardrobe for the evening at the brand name boutique of your choice (to the value of HK$150,000).
  • A custom-designed Valentine’s message displayed by banner via a private boat at a designated time as seen from your rooftop terrace.
  • Personalized floral décor in the suite
  • A premium private bar set up in the suite.
  • 1,000 roses delivered to the Presidential Suite – just for her
  • A “declaration of love” gift from (valued at HK$100,000) from him to her from a designer brand store of her choice.
  • Pre-dinner cocktails and aperitifs served with deluxe hors d’oeuvres in the Presidential Suite
  • A romantic dinner fit for a prince and princess, with your choice of a custom-made menu from one of the hotel’s two 1-Michelin star restaurants
  • Yan Toh Heen (for exquisite Cantonese cuisine), or SPOON by Alain Ducasse (for contemporary French cuisine) or NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong (celebrated for its innovative new-style Japanese cuisine), paired with vintage wines.
  • The romantic candlelit dinner can be served in the Presidential Suite by your personal butler or in the private room at SPOON by Alain Ducasse, Yan Toh Heen or NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong.
  • Live music performed by a string quartet throughout the evening in the Presidential Suite.
  • A Champagne and caviar breakfast served in the privacy of Presidential Suite on your private harbourview terrace overlooking Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island.
  • Monogrammed His and Hers Shanghai Tang silk bathrobes.
  • A butler-drawn rose petal bath in the Presidential Suite’s romantic harbourview Jacuzzi with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour.
  • Chanel bathroom amenities
  • Access to the exclusive Club InterContinental (Executive Lounge) where you can enjoy afternoon tea and evening cocktails, as well as complimentary high-speed internet access and personalized concierge services.

This one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Date Experience in the Presidential Suite is exclusively for reservations between February 11-14, 2011.

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Daily Pampering: Private calligraphic portraits sessions in Sedona

by Melanie Nayer on

Sedona is a magical and mystical place. From the vortex of the Red Rocks to peak of the mountains, there’s a special healing power that takes place in Arizona‘s desert retreat.

Mii amo, set in Sedona’s dramatic red rock country at Enchantment Resort, has been ranked among the world’s top destination spas for the past 10 years, thanks in part to its ability to attract unique artists, healers, health practitioners and spiritual leaders for one-of-a-kind events and retreats. As 2011 kicks off, the Enchantment Resort offers up some one-of-a-kind experiences just for its guests.

“Calligraphy of the Heart” takes place February 8 – 15 and if the perfect gift for the romantic traveler. Alok Hsu Kwang-han, an acclaimed Zen calligraphic painter from China, returns to Sedona to create romantic calligraphic portraits in private sessions for individuals, couples or families in time for Valentine’s Day.

The price for your potrait? $1,450 – $1,650 per portrait session.

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