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Shangri-La Hotels / Hotel Flowers / Hotel Design / Hotel Amenities / Hotel Swag / → All Tags

The Shangri-La Singapore Has Its Very Own Orchid

"Dendrobium by Shangri-La Singapore." It sounds like a perfume, right? Close, as that is the full name of a variety of orchid that graces several vases in each room at the Shangri-La Singapore hotel. Yes, this hotel has its very own flower and, though you'll spot larger, white orchids around the property as well, these sweet little greenish yellow blooms with their faint violet shading are the ones to watch for.

And if you thought we were joking with that official name of the flower, here's the full details (for you gardeners and flower geeks):

A long-lasting specialty orchid named after the golden sunsets of the Palolo Valley in Oahu, Hawaii. Dendrobium by Palolo Sunshine is the mother plant. The father plant is Dendrobium Pink Spider, a Singaporean hybrid created from Dendrobium Black Spider and Dendrobium Lucian Pink. The Dendrobium by Shangri-La Singapore was named in commemoration of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore's 35th Anniversary.

[Photo: HotelChatter]

Hotel Bars / Hotel Design / W Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Flowers / → All Tags

The Coolest Part Of W Union Square's New Bar Is On The Ceiling

Where: 201 PARK AVENUE SOUTH [map], New York, NY, United States, 10003

Last June, W Union Square closed its underground bar (suitably named Underbar) in order to re-launch an entirely new concept in the same space. Six months later, W unveiled Lilium, a black-and-gold accented nightclub with a moderate-size dance floor and video art that loops on a flat-screen behind the bar.

But beyond the giant bubble chandelier in the foyer, and the Todd English-prepared small plates offered, by far the most interesting touch here are the hand-sculpted steel lilies that adorn the ceiling like some sort of gilded cave of forgotten dreams. Artist Scot Brown used over 4,000 lbs of steel to create the effect, and along the walls, he etched the contours of yet more lilies, which are then illuminated against the dark steel by fluorescent lights. Scroll down to see the lilies in their everlasting bloom!

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Twitter / Hotel Bathrooms / Hotel Showers / Hotel Flowers / Boston Hotels / Kimpton Hotels / → All Tags

Twitpic Of The Week: Passing The Hours With Flowers In The Shower

Where: 90 Tremont St , Boston , MA, 02108

In the ever-expanding universe of Twitter, there is one particular trend @HotelChatter happens to quite enjoy: candid hotel photos. These Twitpics range from stunning views to anti-views to celebrity tomfoolery and everything in between. And we can't get enough of 'em! Every Monday, we will feature one "Twitpic of the Week" to commemorate our favorite hotel-themed snapshot. Got a favorite of your own? Want to show off your sweet suite? Send it in!

One of the best things about social media is how quickly it can turn one individual's "Kodak moment" (does anyone even use that expression anymore?) into a shared experience for people all over the world.

In the case of @Niki_Leondakis, better known as the President and COO of Kimpton Hotels, this burst of color she snapped from her room at Nine Zero in Boston is quite possibly the cutest floral display we've seen in a while, not to mention the best use of flowers in a bathroom. And don't think we haven't seen our share of flowers. Or bathrooms, for that matter.

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Four Seasons Hotels / Josh Flagg / Hotel Flowers / Los Angeles Hotels / Robert Cohen / → All Tags

The Owner of the Four Seasons LA is Very Particular About His Succulents

Where: 300 South Doheny Drive [map], Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90048

It's no secret that our celebrity hotel hopper, Josh Flagg, has a bit of thing for Four Seasons Hotels but today's Flagged hotel review is actually not about the rooms or the restaurant or the pool at the Four Seasons Los Angeles but rather the flowers which are all painstakingly selected by the hotel's owner, Robert Cohen. And Cohen is especially particular about his succulents.

On one of his frequent visits to the hotel, Josh got some time to talk with Robert about his passion for flowers. Take it away Josh!

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Viva Vegas / Hotel Retail / Hotel Stores / Project CityCenter / Hotel Flowers / Hotel News / → All Tags

MGM's CityCenter Will Feature a Shopping Mecca Called The Crystals

Where: Las Vegas, NV, United States, 89109

When MGM's CityCenter opens in late 2009, it will change the face of the Las Vegas Strip forever. The complex will feature three hotels, a luxury apartment building and a ton of gaming, restaurant and retail space.

And it's that retail space we're so interested in. CityCenter has wisely ignored the choice to name their shopping complex something tired like "The Shops at City Center" in favor of something a bit more mysterious. CityCenter's retail haven will instead be called, The Crystals.

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Westin Hotels / Hotel Flowers / Hotel Trends / → All Tags

Westin Gets Hip With Its Floral Arrangements

Ever paid much attention to the floral arrangements at a hotel? Admittedly, we haven't, but perhaps that'll all change now that we know Westin Hotels have got a partnership going with the woman some people say is the world's best florist.

We didn't have any idea there was a world's best florist, but apparently Jane Packer fits the bill pretty well. She writes books about floral arrangements and counts Calvin Klein and Donna Karan on her client list. And now she's done a deal with Westin to provide designs for flower arrangements they'll use in their hotels across the world.

This means Packer's created a style guide for use in all Westins. The floral designs are meant to be strong and innovative "in single-color ways" to help Westin show their sense of style. It's an interesting idea, so keep an eye out for the vases at the next Westin you visit.

Fun fact: The Westin Taipei has its very own Westin Flower Shop.