Daily Pampering: Luxury travel shopping experience in Milan

by Melanie Nayer on

What do you get for the fashionista who has everything? A luxury travel trip to Milan to explore high-end boutiques along Via Montenapoleone and attend two exclusive trunk shows with industry leaders Valentino, Stella McCartney, Dior, and more.

The luxury travel package, worth more than $13,000, is offered by Pure Entertainment Group and includes everything from a suite at The Four Season Hotel Milan, a private tour of the city, dinner at the exclusive Dolce & Gabbana Gold restaurant and a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne upon arrival.

What’s a luxury shopping experience without a new pair of shoes? Absolutely nothing. While you’re here, grab a new pair of stilettos and hit the catwalk in style.

This ultimate pampering package includes:

  • 4-night stay in a Junior Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Milano
  • Daily full breakfast
  • Welcome amenities with complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and fresh flowers
  • 2 Exclusive Trunk Shows at the boutiques of your choice on Via Montenapoleone with catering and champagne. Luxe designers include Valentino, Dior, Stella McCartney, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Armani.
  • Exclusive discussion with some of Milan’s fashion designers
  • Preferred shopping privileges in Milan’s most exclusive boutiques
  • 1 gourmet dinner at Michelin-Starred restaurant Cracco Peck (alcohol not included)
  • Private guided tour of Milan (3 hours)
  • 1 dinner at Dolce & Gabbana Gold restaurant (alcohol not included)
  • Personalized airport welcome with limousine transfer to/from hotel

The price for this shopping package starts at $13,075/4 nights and is available through May 15, 2011

Want more? Try and beat this luxury travel package with more daily pampering.

Forbes Travel Guide announces annual four- and five-star hotel, spa, restaurant winners

by Melanie Nayer on

The star-rating for hotels, spas, and restaurants is similar to the Academy Awards for Hollywood. If Oscar is the type prize, a five-star rating for a hotel can be called “Oscar.” Luxury properties waited with bated breath for today’s announcement from Forbes Travel Guide: the list of Four-Star and Five-Star award winners for the 2011 Forbes Travel Guide.

The list, unveiled today, announced two hotels, two restaurants, and two spas winning a coveted fifth star. The list has defined the industry’s highest standards of excellence in hospitality for more than 50 years.

The five-star winner restaurants are both in New York City (Daniel and Eleven Madison Park); the two new five-star hotels include Island Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong, and Falling Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, in Farmington, Pennsylvania; and the two new five-star spas are The Spa at The Grand Del Mar, in San Diego, and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, in Las Vegas.

Forbes Travel Guide’s ratings are based on objective evaluations of more than 500 attributes. This year’s additions bring the total number of Forbes Five-Star hotels to 54. Among the 54 Five-Star hotels, six are in New York City, the most of any city in the U.S. There are five Five-Star hotels in Hong Kong, and two in Macau, where ratings were established for the first time in 2009. Forbes Travel Guide expects to further expand its rating system to include properties in additional international destinations in 2011.

The complete list of Forbes Travel Guide Star award winners can be found here.

Daily Pampering: Year-round yachting at Radisson Royal Moscow

by Melanie Nayer on

Feel like taking the yacht for a ride through the ice? Not a problem, if you’re in Moscow.

The Radisson Royal Moscow just introduced a fleet of specially commissioned river yachts now equipped with ice breakers — just so that winter travelers can still see the [snow-capped] sights while in Russia.

The yachts provide year-round, private cruises along the Moskva River, where guests can take in the likes of the Kremlin, Christ the Savior Cathedral, etc. River yachts can also be reserved for private parties and events, vodka likely on board.

To celebrate the arrival of the new yacht, the Radisson Royal Moscow is offering a new holiday package that includes a spin around the waters:

  • Two nights in a Superior Room, with upgrade to Deluxe pending availability
  • Daily Super Breakfast Buffet for two in Veranda Restaurant
  • Two-hour private sightseeing cruise on the Moskva River in the hotel’s custom river yachts
  • Access to the Royal Wellness Club and its Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool
  • Festive Sunday Brunch in Veranda Restaurant
  • Early check-in and late check-out, pending availability
  • In-room holiday welcome gift

Rates start at RUB 10,400 per night (approximately $350), based on double occupancy and the package is good through Jan. 16, 2011.

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

Daily Pampering: The most expensive suite in Latin America

by Melanie Nayer on

What does $9,500 a night buy you? The F Suite at Faena Hotel + Universe – the most expensive suite in Latin America.

This Buenos Aires suite reflects the interior design of a collaboration between Philippe Starck and Alan Faena, and incorporates Imperial-style furniture, red velvet curtains, lapacho wood and arabasceto marble. Traditional Argentine themes and patterns can be found throughout the space and are woven into rugs. A large red Murano glass chandelier hangs in the center of the living room and oil portraits of General and Eva Peron adorn the wall.

In addition to all the luxury in the F Suite, the hotel a stunning pool, a rejuvenating spa and Turkish bath, two top notch restaurants and two intimate theaters that sell out live shows.

Pamper yourself in these luxury digs and you’ll get private access via a residential entrance, an outdoor terrace with spectacular views of the city and round-the-clock personal service by a dedicated Experience Manager.
What else are you going to do with $9,500 a night?

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

First ever Wolfgang Puck restaurant in Europe to open at 45 Park Lane

by Melanie Nayer on

The celebrity chef with the magic touch is making his way to London, and the Dorchester Collection is rolling out the red carpet for his arrival. The hotel group announced they will be opening the first Wolfgang Puck restaurant in Europe to the London dining scene with the opening of ‘CUT at 45 Park Lane’, a modern American steak restaurant at the distinctive 45 Park Lane hotel.

Scheduled to open in spring 2011, Wolfgang Puck will bring his famous CUT concept to London for foodies to feast on. With a menu featuring everything from prime dry and wet aged beef, to pan-roasted lobster and sautéed and roasted whole fish, the options are endless when Puck is in the kitchen. Of course, no menu is complete without an international wine list, which will be hand-selected to accompany the menu items.

Located in Mayfair, 45 Park Lane is one of London’s most revered boutique hotels. Each of the hotel’s 45 rooms (which include suites and one penthouse) have views of Hyde Park. CUT at 45 Park Lane will occupy the ground floor of the hotel alongside Bar 45, with seating for approximately 30 additional guests.

Can’t you just taste the excitement?