A relatively recent opening in the Maldives, the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has quickly become a very popular destination over its first couple of years. In a UK Independent report last week it got an extremely positive write-up:
Food and cabins - there are some 50 "beach pavilions" and 38 "water bungalows" - are, needless to say, so faultless you'll want to cry when it's time to leave.
When we see this photo of the pool out the back of a water villa, we can understand never wanting to say goodbye. And each room and villa come with such a long list of life's daily needs that we could probably stay and work from there anyhow: they have CD and DVD players, multi-line telephones with voicemail and wired and wireless internet access. Plus the housekeeping service drops by not once, but twice a day.
However, our dream of living at the Landaa Giraavaru forever has already been quickly shattered because we checked the prices. The cheapest nightly rate (and that's not for a water villa with this pool, obviously) comes in at US$700 a night using a stay four, pay for three package; if you want a Bed and Breakfast deal it comes in at $960 per night. Might have to be satisfied with a short vacation there instead.
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven MyTwoCents visits Venice...in her mind. Enjoy.
This morning we woke up feeling like a million dollars, even if we don't have it. In keeping with our morning fantasy, we continued to dream at our cubicle of the sweet life with a romantic getaway to Venice, no holds (or dollars) barred.
And in doing some rich and famous research, we found the perfect stay, the magnificently restored Hotel Danieli.
Lording over the San Marco Basin, this historic five-floor hotel is comprised of the 14th century gothic Dandolo Palace, the baroque 19th century Casa Nuova, and the modern Danielino building. Together the hotel offers 233 rooms with swank décor and modern amenities including satellite TV, minibars, mosaic-tiled baths and the ever-important A/C.
The Four Seasons Nevis has never really wowed us when we're considering Caribbean destinations, and guest reviews are really split too, between super luxury resort and expensive, poor service. So we're still not sure what to think, but something new might tip us into positive territory.
Four Seasons Nevis now has "ultra-exclusive" beach cabanas to rent during the day. There are four of them, each 200 square foot in area, and they're located on the beach next to the Garden Pool (pictured). They're suitable for couples or a family of up to five people, and you can rent them from sunrise to sunset if you're planning a hang-out day near the water.
Check their package deals to find one to suit--they look like they're always better value, as standard rates start at US$490 per night and packages with all kinds of extra start from $540. Let us know if you try out the cabanas and we'll know whether to get excited or not.
If it's service that spells the difference between a superb stay and a 5-star dump, then we award 10 out of 10 to the Hotel Keppler, one of Paris's little-known but best design hotels.
We visited to find out about wheelchair accessibility for a disabled man who's visiting soon, a topic that usually makes French hoteliers either squirm in embarrassment or frown slightly in un-PC disapproval. US and UK laws and attitudes on accessibility of buildings aren't quite the same on the continent.
But the staff at the Hotel Keppler were falling over themselves to be helpful, pleasant and flexible about certain special arrangements that would be necessary.
While glitzy 5-star hotels rise up left and right of Fifth Avenue, we forgot that luxury doesn't always come in tall glass towers.
But this week we got a classic reminder with a visit to the landmark Sherry-Netherland at Central Park. Or simply "the Sherry" as its called by the who's who list of travelers who have stayed there over the years.
Built in 1927, there's no better place to live the life of luxury than in this grand Jazz Era hotel, where you're surrounded with authentic Vanderbilt mansion riezes, hand-loomed French carpets, marble mosaic floors and custom-made chandeliers.
We like Argentine hotels enough to pay for our own stays, but maybe you need some more convincing? Upscale resort guide Luxury Latin America would be happy to put you up for free for six nights--as long as you enter their contest.
All you've gotta do is fill out a simple form, and you're entered to win stays at MY ba in Buenos Aires, pictured, Hotel del Casco in San Isidro, Villa Julia in Tigre and Patio de Moreno in San Antonio de Areco. (All the properties are run by N | A Town & Country Hotels.)
Of course, if you're willing to actually pay money for a swanky hotel stay in Buenos Aires, we have plenty of opinions on the best.
Just when you thought Manhattan couldn't afford any more luxury hotel room rates, comes the summer re-opening of the Mark Hotel , a 5-star hybrid hotel residence with 118 suites and 42 co-op apartments.
In its former life, the hotel was always a favorite with elite travelers who cherished its tony Upper East side location and the staff's devotion to guest needs and desire for privacy
In its 21st Century reincarnation, it won't disappoint them. Renowned French designer Jacque Granger has combined old world charm with a contemporary look and feel, giving new life to the property as a "Grand Hotel" with custom furnishings and fabrics, coffered ceilings and white oak floors.
The fabled Saint Ambroeus restaurant has moved in with a branch for all day gourmet dining and afternoon tea, Bar Mark will be pouring signature cocktails, and pampering will be provided by Frederic Fekkai's Salon Mark.
Residents and guests alike share the grand entrance of a large, seductive lobby, Wi-Fi, 24-hour international Concierge staff, a curated DVD library, business center, fitness center, childcare, petcare, and limousine and airplane charter services.
Of course, you get what you pay for in New York City. Room rates start at $1,000.
While the neighboring Baglioni Hotel and the Milestone Hotel in Kensington are rather small hotels, the Royal Garden Hotel is enormous, boasting 396 rooms over 10 floors.
The hotel is located just diagonal from the Milestone and on the edge of Hyde Park. It's even closer to all those shops and restaurants that we told you about. But it definitely doesn't have the charm of the smaller hotels.
Still reviewers consistently like this hotel which probably has something to do with its location on the park and the killer views it offers. However, quite a few complained of extremely small bathrooms and bland guest room furniture, furthering our perception that it's more of a big-box hotel.
As for what's onsite, there's a Soma Centre spa, the Park Terrace restaurant and a landmark bar, Berties. You could even pop into the Connoisseur Casino which is located in the hotel but is not an official part of the hotel. The place is open from 12pm to 6am everyday.
Right now, the hotel is offering a "Spring 3 for 2 Escape" which is three nights for the price of two. A standard room (single occupancy only) starts at £170, a deluxe room with park view at £200, and the Park Suite at £350. The deal includes full English breakfast and VAT which is a pretty decent deal. It's available from now through April 30, May 2-5, and May 23-26.
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by amandak
Just when you thought Manhattan couldn't afford any more luxury hotel room rates, comes the summer re-opening of the 
