Okay, we're not gonna lie: we were a little bit startled when we received word of the "One Way Ticket to Hell...oween" Package from Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. Cause why would you advertise a stay in your hotel as a one-way ticket to hell? Who do they think they are, the Hotel Pennsylvania? (Zing!)

But the more we thought about it, the more we could get behind the name: we've had our share of hellacious experiences on Rodeo Drive ourselves. Hell on the wallet, hell on the feet (we felt obligated to wear stilettos), hell on the boyfriend. Perhaps the hotel understands that.]]> Jenna 2008-10-10T11:30:19-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/10/8/152017/495 <![CDATA[<p><img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/frenchmaid140.jpg" class="imgborder"></a>How far would you go to win a free night? Would you dress up as a French maid and go to a party full of people dressed up as French maids swilling absinthe?<p> And if people are <i>dressed up</i> as French maids--opposed to <i>actual</i> French maids, which we aren't sure truly exist--then we know they're <i>slutty</i> French maids. Um. Awkward. A little bit like a high school movie. Or another kind of movie.<p> So this is the premise for <b><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Maison+140/ian/133490">Maison 140</a></b>'s "Spirits of Halloween" party and you're invited! If you can't resist a good contest, show up in your maid costume and be in the running for six prizes including an overnight stay for two, and abigailmschilling 2008-10-08T16:19:26-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/10/1/11589/3993 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/blueonbluepool.jpg" class="imgborder"> <p>While some of us are planning some unofficial living room shindigs in which we plan to, in a way, "drink the vote" (or make up a drinking game to get us through the VP debates tomorrow night, really), the poolside Blue on Blue at The <b><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Avalon+Hotel/local/584">Avalon Hotel</a></b> is taking things a bit more seriously with its <b>Drink the Vote 2008 </b>promo, which launches today. <p>Like a lot of hotels, they are offering a selection of politically themed food: "Caucus Kabobs" are our favorite name on the menu -- other gems include Electoral [oyster] Shooters, GOP (grilled onion and prosciutto on flatbread) and a Green Party Platter. <p>But the most fun can be had, of course, with Jenna 2008-10-01T11:59:03-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/9/24/141259/805

There's a ton of new things happening with Kor Hotels this week.

First, an Abu Dhabi company bought a 50 percent stake in the company allowing Kor to expand their presence overseas opening hotels in Middle East, North Africa and Asia.

And back in the states, The Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills is getting a new look from its designer Kelly Wearstler to be completed sometime in early 2009. We initially heard this was happening from a dedicated HotelChatter reader but now we have an official statement from the designer herself after the jump.]]> juliana 2008-09-24T16:15:33-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/9/18/11496/1197 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/montagebhconstrux908.jpg" class="imgborder"><p>Work on <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Montage+Beverly+Hills/ian/269818/"><b>The Montage Beverly Hills</b></a> is coming along fairly well and we just thought you might enjoy a Peach Pit After Dark-type of construction shot.<p>This is the side of the hotel that will be facing Canon Drive and what you are seeing is the underground parking entrance. But to the left is actually another section of the building with rooms. We just couldn't capture that bit with our flash-less iPhone.<p>We actually shot this picture from the upstairs of Mastro's Steakhouse. And we realized that when the hotel is completed, there will be a lot of voyeuristic action going on. <p>Hotel guests can peer in on steak eaters and their ladies of the night and vice versa. juliana 2008-09-18T11:54:07-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/