Tag Archives: pool

Find World-Class Luxury at the St. Regis Atlanta


Embracing one of the world’s finest hotels was very easy for Atlantans clamoring for world-class luxury. So far, the St. Regis hasn’t disappointed. Tucked away near the heart of Buckhead, the St. Regis is both accessible and exclusive, so there’s a resort feel without the hassle of having to travel far to find things.

But why travel at all when Picture 15everything needed is right there? Work out anytime at the 24-hour fitness facility. Relax at Remède Spa where there’s no one service fits all policy. Instead, services are unique and customized to the guest. Therefore, no facial or massage is the same.

Envision high living on the Mediterranean at the sprawling pool piazza, with its tropical plants and cascading waterfall. Don’t lift a finger thanks to the private butler service, but do bring on the night with the traditional Champagne Sabering dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s era. And, of course, fine dining is a requirement at Paces 88. For serious unwinding, there’s the Wine Room or the even more popular St. Regis Bar.

With plush accommodations and such fabulous amenities, no wonder locals and travelers alike rave about the St. Regis Atlanta. All hotels are clearly not equal.

Have a cocktail and play basketball at Grapevine Bar

Grapevine Bar is an interesting little entity with all kinds of things to keep you busy while you overindulge. It’s located right off Oak Lawn and has a rooftop deck with great views of the city. They also have a large patio with a basketball court and ping pong tables and TV’s, pool and Sony Playstations inside. Located right off Oak Lawn, but not necessarily a GLBT establishment, Grapevine is the kind of place with such diverse patronage that no one is out of place. They also have happy hour every day (even Saturday) that’s all day long Sunday through Tuesday.

Hotel Urbano: Chic, artsy in heart of Brickell

Most of the hotels around Miami’s upscale Brickell area near Downtown Miami are big name large hotels so when Hotel Urbano opened its doors hailing itself as an “urban, art boutique hotel with a resort flavor” it was a welcome addition to the area.

The 65-room, three-story hotel features double and king rooms with pool and city views, balconies and walk-out lanais. Comfortable seating area with balcony view, flat screen television, premium cable channels and comfy robes make the getaway experience even more complete.

Highlights at Urbano include a rockin’ menu at the Bistro Urbano Restaurant & Bar by Executive Chef Anthony Velazquez, ecclectic art that rotates regularly when art shows are held and a relaxing, inviting pool area with firepit, waterfall and comfy lounge and covered couch seating. Sipping a cocktail from the bar and nibbling on some killer apps by the pool is the way to go. And it’s easy to stretch out the evening with the nearby pulsating Brickell nightlife.

Hotel Urbano is located at 2500 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL

Billiards, Bars and Darts at Rocket Bar

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Sometimes there’s nothing more fun than hanging in someone’s pimped out basement, playing games, and hanging with friends. But when you’re in the city, basements are few and far between. That’s why many young Washingtonians head to Rocket Bar. With 17 HDTV’s, 7 pool tables, 6 shuffleboards, 6 darts, 2 jukeboxes, boardgames, and 3 full bars, Rocket Bar is the ultimate house party.

The Georgian Terrace is the Grand Dame of Atlanta’s Hotels

Built in 1910, The Georgian Terrace holds a special place in Atlanta’s history, with its rich heritage and elegant charm. Once dubbed Atlanta’s “Paris hotel,” the building’s nineteen-story design features stunning architectural details, floor-to-ceiling Palladian-styled windows, white marble columns along with crystal chandeliers, making it the grand dame of hotels in the city’s glamorous midtown district.

Saunter the Italian tiled floors to your spacious, luxurious suite with classic furnishings and modern amenities including full kitchens, pillow-top mattresses with Picture 16300-thread count cotton bedding, 37-inch flat screen HD TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. Feed your soul inside the hotel’s Livingston Restaurant and Bar, where guests can dress up for a four-course evening at the restaurant or dress down for cocktails and a light supper at the bar, while surrounded by classic architecture and early 20-century glamour.

Whether you’re a local in need of a “staycation” or visiting from out-of-town on real vacation, there’s an exclusive package catered to your specific needs, such as the Pampered Girlfriends or Romance Special.

While The Georgian Terrace first opened its doors a century ago, it still remains a notable Atlanta landmark located on the corner of Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue across from the world-renowned Fox Theatre. It also accommodated the likes of American Idol winner Fantasia during her time in the city as the star of The Color Purple Broadway musical.

Wild & Wonderful at the W Hotel in Westwood

The W Hotel in Westwood is the perfect hideaway for a Los Angeles vacationer. Hidden in a residential neighborhood, you can forget about the hustle and bustle of foot traffic, but are minutes away by car. This perfectly situated hotel has everything you could every want: from an amazing spa to beautiful rooms, a perfect place to grab a cocktail and an even better place to sweat it all off.

With great rooms and even better service, the Picture 20W Hotel is home to Bliss Spa, one of the most prestigious and well known spas in LA. Over-the-top treatments and indulgences are waiting behind the blue signage and it’s a perfect perk for the hotel guest.

Along with a great spa, the W Hotel features an amazing pool area called “WET” and fitness facility titled “SWEAT.” Both “WET” and “SWEAT” are two reasons people choose the W, from the newly redesigned heated pool to a state-of-the-art workout room that any gym enthusiast could dream of.

The W Hotel also features some great dining experiences, from NineThirty, a great place to experience American cuisine, to The Backyard, located poolside and also recently redesigned.
If all of this sounds intriguing and you are ready to make plans, make sure to check the website before you do. The Starwood Hotels are always offering amazing deals and packages to make sure your stay is as perfect as what the hotel can offer you.

The Standard Sets It Very, Very High

Whether you are poolside or cozying up in The Purple Lounge, nothing is standard at The Standard. It only takes one step into the lobby to realize that you are at one of the swankiest hotels in Los Angeles. Filled with modern furniture and a staff that looks like they were castPicture 17 from Ford Models, The Standard upholds its reputation of combining trendy elegance with a retro chic vibe.

If you are a lucky patron of the hotel, make sure your room has views to match its interior. Placed on Sunset Boulevard, views overlooking Hollywood are as worthy as the price you are paying for it.

For those just looking for a night out on the town, this is probably the only hotel you will ever see where the lobby gets as much action as a Las Vegas Casino. If you venture further into the 24/7 restaurant, you can find yourself in a club-like experience with flashing neon lights and select DJs.

Though the rooms and lobby are equally as amazing, nothing truly beats being poolside at The Standard. While sipping cocktails in the sun, don’t be surprised to run into celebrities who also ventured out to frolic under the shades of this fabulous pool.

Overall, the Standard can please any need, from the clubber to the sunbather. If you are looking for an over-the-top experience, you might as well go Standard.

Live Like a Star at Hotel ZaZa

Swimming pools and movie stars….no, this isn’t an episode of Beverly Hills, but a stay here can feel like that (without the drama, of course). Hotel ZaZa is a hotbed of glitPicture 8z and glamour that draws big names and big parties. When celebs come to town, ZaZa is a hands-down favorite, and for good reason: the exterior is modern with a French Chateau twist, the chic lobby is bathed in candlelight and crystal accents, and the hotel boasts the Magnificent Seven Suites, with themes like Crouching Tiger and Rock Star that can accommodate stylish dinner parties or become a sexy bridal suite. (Insider tip: Rock Star lives up to its name, being rumored to truly be a favorite of rock stars all over the world.)

The pool is another place you’ll find yourself feeling like the epitome of glamour. In the summer, it is full of greenery and cocktails for comfortably basking in the Texas heat. In the winter, the pool area is encased by a tent and candlelight, and becomes a plexiglass floor that guests can mix and mingle over.

With eclectic dining in Dragonfly, the hotel restaurant, and Za Spa, a relaxing oasis, you’ll begin to think you’ve been magically transported to Beverly Hills instead of Big D.

Get a Taste of “Art in Motion” at the Hotel Palomar

Looking for comfy accommodations with a little something extra? Marked by the theme “Art in Motion,” DC’s Hotel Palomar prides itself on its unique partnership with the Smithsonian and the Phillips Collection – national institutions marked by their artistic prestige. The boutique hotel, part of the well-known Kimpton group, pairs modern accommodations with a bit of avant-garde panache – perfect for the out-of-town guest looking to see the trendier side of the District.

hotelpalomar2From the oversized modern art in the striking two-story lobby, to the attentive staff trained in graceful service by the Washington Ballet itself(!), the Hotel Palomar exudes creative touches that seek to intrigue and inspire guests from the moment they enter, to long after they have returned home.

With nearly 350 rooms inspired by 1930s French Moderne design aesthetic, the four star hotel boasts some of the roomiest accommodations in the city as well as a variety of appealing amenities.  The hotel showcases a 40-foot heated outdoor pool (open seasonally) that serves lunch daily, as guests lounge in trendy cabanas.  Additionally, guests can utilize the well-equipped fitness center, in-room spa services and nightly, complimentary wine receptions (known to host creative speakers and guest artists).

Insider Tip: For those who can’t bare to part with their favorite companions, not to worry!  The Hotel Palomar is a pet friendly hotel (free of charge) with a variety of amenities geared toward all types of furry friends.  Grab a glass of wine at the evening reception while your pup relaxes at The Dish, the nearby pet lounge, complete with tasty treats!

The Viceroy Hotel’s Bold Biscayne Bay Statement

The importance of making a statement is evident at first glance of the Viceroy Miami. Bold statement pieces, like massive, Dali-esque face sculptures, greet both arriving guests and people driving along posh Brickell Avenue. The Viceroy is a unique boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Biscayne Bay- and takes full advantage of its prime location with fabulous amenities.

Picture 23There’s rooftop partying and dining on the 50th floor’s aptly named Club 50, which wraps around the hotel’s pool and where deejays play the hottest tracks during happy hour and for the night owls. The 28,000-square-foot spa bathes guests in relaxation and luxury with a floating library, reflecting pond, hot and cold plunge pools and floor to ceiling windows showcasing dramatic bay views as far as the eye can see.

The Viceroy Hotel is as unique, luxurious and bold as its decorative pieces.

Four Star Service at the Four Seasons

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When you think of the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the words elegant and refined immediately come to mind. This beautiful hotel that has seen more weddings and Bat Mitzvahs than any church or synagogue is the ultimate destination for saying “I do” or “L’chaim.” Four Seasons Pic

The Four Seasons, filled with rolling greens and stunning gardens, is the perfect place to stay overnight or come just for the day. Though this isn’t the spot for a twenty-something looking for a club or bar, it is the perfect place to relax by the pool or hit the spa.

Speaking of which, The Spa at the Four Seasons is an absolute must for any tourist or L.A. native. Offering the finest services, massages and body treatments, your visit to the spa will make you feel A-list worthy in a matter of minutes. If you aren’t lucky enough to ever actually spend the night, the spa offers visitors a chance to lounge by the pool before or after a service to give you the ultimate Four Seasons experience.

2. Chicest NYE Party at Mondrian 12/31/09

Many Hollywood types head to the warm beaches of Miami for New Year’s Eve and many of them will be headed to the elegantly chic Mondrian Hotel on South Beach. Ring in 2010 with class and luxury poolside or in a private cabana with you and your friends. An open bar runs all night from 9pm until 2am, while multiple DJ’s spin until 4 am. The Mondrian shows you how to have a New Year’s Eve party Miami style.

Sleep Chic at The Donovan House

Picture 2Step away from the political frenzy and into the intimate, modern oasis of The Thompson Hotel Group’s The Donovan House. Located just off Thomas Circle on busy 14th Street, this boutique hotel, known for its impeccable service, is a breath of fresh air from the notoriously “stuffy” Washington hotels. The sleek, minimalist decor and swanky vibe are perfect for the hip, sophisticate looking to take advantage of the nation’s Capitol.

Open since early 2008, The Donovan House boasts just under 200 rooms, outfitted in stark white decor with unique cocoon-like showers and dramatic, extended leather headboards. Freshen up after a long trip with complimentary Kiehl’s bath products or indulge in the fabulous Dean & Deluca mini bar before cozying up to luxurious Sferra sheets.

Insider Tip: For added value, book in the warmer months and be sure to take advantage of The Donovan House’s exclusive rooftop bar and pool lounge, ADC (“Above DC”). Take in breathtaking views while you sip a cool cocktail or two at DC’s trendiest warm-weather hotspot.

Embassy Suites Chicago – North Shore/Deerfield

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Picture 18Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at this suite-hotel right near Northbrook Shopping Center and just 15 miles from O’Hare International where comfort reigns supreme. Take a dip in the pool, kick back in the spacious suites equipped with two televisions, or visit Gino’s East, the on-site pizza parlor renowned for its delicious deep dish slices that will keep you coming back.

Doubletree Hotel Chicago O’Hare Rosemont

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Between the pool and its proximity to Rosemont Theater, there’s more than enouPicture 13gh to do at this luxury airport hotel. If you’re not a water baby, sweat it out in the fitness room or scarf down a succulent steak at Gibson’s Steakhouse, right inside the hotel. Oh, and did we mention there’s a 24-hour complimentary hotel shuttle? It just gets better and better.

Comfort Inn & Suites

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It says it all in the name: comfort is the top priority at this inn that specializes in cPicture 8atering to its customers. If your limbs are stiff from traveling, take a soak in the public whirlpool/hot tub or steam away stress in the sauna. For those with work on the brain, there’s a business center, and if you want to do some gallivanting about town, shops and restaurants are walking distance. You’ll want to stay inn the whole time.