The Berkeley is drawing people to its gym, and not for its treadmills. The Knightsbridge hotel transformed its gym and spa's terrace into a lush British countryside, complete with birch trees and lavender, in the middle of the city.
And instead of burning calories on the elliptical, you can order from a picnic menu, which includes blanket-friendly fare like iced tea and strawberries and cream, while you pop a squat on the secret rooftop garden. ]]>
Recently, we spent a few days in Shanghai at the behest of the PuLi Hotel in the western Jing’An business and park district. As the muggy heat in the city became unbearable we thought we’d just enjoy a quick refreshing cocktail at the hotel’s Long Bar, but instead, we decided to check out their newly opened Garden Terrace.
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While hotels have opened their rooftops for alcohol-fueled summer fun, the Palmer House Hilton is choosing to offer chili peppers, heirloom tomatoes and basil instead of beer and cocktails on its 25th floor. The Chicago hotel recently unveiled its new 2,000-square-foot garden rooftop.
The hotel decided to plant some veggies and herbs to be used in its restaurants, Lockwood and Potter's Lounge, for a garden-to-table culinary experience. Plus, Lockwood will feature a daily "Chef's Garden" menu item for breakfast that will feature ingredients grown on the rooftop. ]]>
The Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront wanted to wear its eco-consciousness like a flashy Lady Gaga getup, so it decided to put up a 720-square-foot indoor living green wall—the largest in Chicago—right in its lobby.
Okay, it may not be as much of a spectacle or as carnivorous as Gaga's meat dress, but the giant standalone wall is made of 3,840 plants, including the hardy neon, rabbit foot fern, aboricola and rex begonia. ]]>
People most likely come to the Montage Laguna Beach for its sweet on-the-water locale. But they may start heading there for Studio restaurant's new garden-to-table dishes or herb-filled spa treatments, made of veggies and spices that the Orange County hotel grows on its own.
Outside of the eatery sits the new 1,000-square-foot Studio Garden. Its five raised garden beds are full of lettuce, tomatoes, beans, strawberries, blackberries, lavender, sage, chamomile, rosemary, Fuji apple trees and fingerling potatoes among other goodies.]]>