HotelChatter - it

This Week In Hotel Lust: Villa D'Este, Lake Como

Heidi Atwal — 2009-11-06T15:10:03-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/32083/villadeeste.jpg" class="top"> Views of the lake and villa If <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bernanke-declares-the-recession-over-2009-09-15">comments</a> made in recent months by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke are to be believed, then "the recession is very likely over." Most of us continue to scoff in disbelief, and inversely, there are others that may have missed the memo that the economy was in upheaval at all. We're talking about the well-monied types that have continued to swipe their Black AmEx cards with reckless abandonon Michelin-rated dinners, sports cars, and certainly pricey vacations and hotel suites. Even for those of us sans trust funds or Swiss bank accounts, reading about what's luxe in the hotel world proves to be endlessly entertaining. It could inspire fantasies about staying

There Will Be No Shortage of Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Casa MANNI

globetrotting gourmet — 2009-09-18T17:08:51-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/casaMANNI.jpg" class="top"> This very well may be Rachel Ray's idea of hotel heaven. Weve been hooked on MANNI White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil since we sat in on a demo at the <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/promo/classic/">Food & Wine Classic in Aspen</a> a few years ago. Then, Chef Ryan Hardy of Montagna at <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/5/12/223612/415/hotels/Meet_Your_Charcuterie_Maker_Ryan_Hardy_of_Montagna_at_The_Little_Nell_">The Little Nell</a> gave us two bottles to take home one Per Mia Figlia (for my child) and one Per Me (for me) and its like liquid gold crack for foodies. Now, the <a href="http://www.manni.biz/w2d3/v3/view/mannibiz/home2/index_en.html">EVOO expert</a> Armando Manni has extended his presence in the luxury lifestyle market with the opening of <a href="http://www.casamanni.com/">Casa MANNI Roma</a>, an exclusive penthouse for two in a 17th-century palazzo

Principe Di Savoia Ready To Unveil Renovations in September

amandak — 2009-08-27T16:03:09-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/Principe_di_Savoia.jpg" class="top"> Remember our fears about the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hotel+Principe+Di+Savoia/ian/141199">Hotel Principe Di Savoia</a> fixing what ain't broke by renovating their iconic <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/26/14025/6698/hotels/Is_Milan_s_Hotel_Principe_di_Savoia_Nixing_Their_Iconic_Bar_">Winter Garden bar</a>? Well, we're not 100% sure yet but the renovations at the hotel are pretty much done and from what we can figure out, it's still an impressive place.Ready to debut in September, the $50 million worth of renos include nine new suites, a new Imperial Suite and an impressive new lobby (pictured); and a refurbishment of the bar. The refurb of the Winter Garden has been planned by architect Thierry Despont, who also worked on the Dorchester in London and the Getty Center in LA, so we're feeling we're in good hands but we'll

The Westin Excelsior in Florence Unveils New Rooftop Terrace With Killer Views

Jennifer Kester — 2009-08-26T09:09:41-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/sestoview.jpg" class="top"> <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Westin+Excelsior%2C+Florence/ian/141203">The Westin Excelsior, Florence</a> used to attract a who's-who of the film industry to its Roof Garden, the top-floor terrace, with such VIPs like Franco Zeffirelli, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Orson Welles, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. But it's been a while since some of those folks have stopped by. (Yes, we know a few of them are no longer alive.) But the hotel is now looking to reclaim its glamorous glory by reopening the rooftop terrace with the (awkward) new moniker SE.STO on Arno in late September. After a $4 million renovation, the rooftop is reopening as a bar, restaurant and lounge. A curved, upholstered wall marks the entrance to the bar and

Fairy-Tale Destination, Fairy-Tale Deal for Italian Getaway

Heidi Atwal — 2009-08-20T13:32:11-05:00

It's no one-cent weekend, but this travel package, which includes stays in both Tuscany and Venice, is one of the most reasonable, all-inclusive deals we've seen in a while. We concede that the base price of $799 (airfare included) is slightly unbelievable—and, if you get into the nitty-gritty fine print, it truly is, depending on where you're flying from and when you travel. Yet it's still a solid deal, and there are ways to stay within a bargain basement range if you're willing to be a little flexible (and isn't that the caveat of similar deals, anyway?).