Hotels

Courtesy of Pier House Resort & Spa Six low-rise buildings, tucked into bougainvillea gardens between the harborfront and the historic Old Town, house 142 guest rooms and suites. The luxury resort maintains an authentic Old Key West attitude with help from local art and the Chart Room Bar, which continues to serve free popcorn and steers clear of any neon slushie drinks. Book one of the new ocean view suites, with a balcony outfitted with a wet bar and idyllic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Source by: click here

This boutique B&B housed in a circa-1870 plantation-style mansion is the most graceful place to stay on the island. Beginning in 1930, former owner Peggy Mills spent nearly 40 years on the gardens, adding orchids, palms, winding brick pathways, fountains, and enormous Cuban earthenware jars. Since then, subsequent owners have introduced a heated pool and several outbuildings with mahogany furniture, verandas, and work by local artists.

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Courtesy of Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Rita Hayworth and Gregory Peck are among the stars who once stayed at this revamped 1920 compound, another product of Henry Flagler's bold vision. The $43 million makeover in 2007 included gussying up the common areas to their Deco era best and refurbishing the 311 rooms with ceramic tile floors and crisp white sheets.  Now part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, this landmark is the grande dame of the area.

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Mark Williams Mark Williams

Two lodges with interiors by up-and-coming African designers—Boulders is high-design rustic built into the landscape, Ebony has a vintage safari feel. Private outdoor showers and well-stocked wine cellars, plus photography-focused safaris and cultural outings to a nearby village to share meals with locals.

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Paul Thuysbaert

Set in the heart of Sultanahmet—a few minutes' walk from Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace—this property’s century-old Neoclassical building and manicured garden courtyard have hosted hotel guests since 1996. (In its earlier incarnation—as the city’s most famous prison—it was home to longer-term “visitors,” such as dissident poet Nazım Hikmet.) The 65 plush guest rooms here, though outfitted in traditional Four Seasons fashion (genteel wood antique repros, damask upholstery, plush wall-to-wall carpet), are greatly enhanced by the building’s graceful architecture, which incorporates vaulted ceilings and arched windows. Though there’s no swimming pool, the roof terrace, with views across the Sea of Marmara, is lovely in the summertime.

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© Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Modern Rajasthani retreat made up of well-appointed tents, villas and an Oberoi spa. The luxury tents are air-conditioned, decorated with traditional Indian block printings, and canopies woven with golden thread. Bathrooms are equal upscale, with sandstone showers and standalone, claw-footed tubs. The new restaurant, Rajmahal, uses herbs and vegetables from the on-site garden.

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he Red Carnation Hotel Collection

A 784-year-old stone castle with 20th-century additions that recently reopened after a $75 million renovation. The 350-acre lakeside estate starred in John Ford's The Quiet Man, was the private residence of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness (oh yes, that guiness) and now entertains a discerning clientele. Activities such as falconry lessons and horseback riding.

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A cypress-lined road leads to the rolling 4,200-acre Tuscan estate with a castle that dates back to the 10th century. Now owned by Timber Resorts, it was formerly the home of film director Luchino Visconti and an entertainment center for countless Hollywood luminaries. The 41 rustic-luxe suites incorporate oil paintings, local antiques, wood-beamed ceilings, and reclaimed terracotta. And Essere Spa, originally the estate’s wine cellar, features seven treatment rooms and massages incorporating orange and basil essential oils.

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© Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Picture your arrival: you're met at the airport by a car and driver, guided onto a private boat, then ferried across Lake Pichola—past Udaipur's domed lakefront palaces—into the gardens and fountains of the Udaivilas estate. You're led to your suite, tempered with earth tones. From your window, Udaipur, the city of lakes, carved into the desert landscape by Mewari royals in the 16th century, sparkles in the sun. When sensory overload subsides, wind your way through sprawling courtyards to a traditional Kashmiri gondola, where champagne and canapés for two await. Come back to the 30-acre lakeside property another time to receive traditional mirror-work coasters or jewelry boxes, departure gifts given to repeat visitors.

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Above: the Dreams Sands Cancun

By the Caribbean Journal staff

AMResorts has opened its newest Caribbean hotel: the Dreams Sands Cancun.

The property, which is AMResorts’ 23rd resort in Mexico, opens after an extensive renovation and adaptation of the former Grand Oasis Viva property.

The 438-room resort, located in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, has 650 feet of private beachfront property.

It also includes seven gourmet restaurants and four bars and lounges.

“As a top destination for travelers around the world, Cancun remains a priority for AMResorts as we look to strengthen our presence in existing markets, while extending our reach into new regions,” said AMResorts President Gonzalo del Peon.

The resort is AMResort’s 35th property.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2014/09/04/dreams-sands-cancun-opens-doors/

Above: the new Riu Palace Antillas

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Aruba’s newest resort opened its doors on Oct. 11.

The new Riu Palace Antillas resort has debuted on Aruba’s Palm Beach.

The adults-only, all-inclusive property has a total of 482 rooms for an 18+ audience.

The property also has three restaurants, Krystal, Rimini and Malmok, joined a pool restaurant, two bars and a nightclub.

It is adjacent to Riu’s existing Riu Palace Aruba hotel.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2014/10/13/arubas-newest-resort-opens-doors/

Thompson Hotels is coming to the Caribbean

By Alexander Britell

Thompson Hotels is expanding to the Caribbean.

The company announced the planned opening of its new Thompson Playa del Carmen this fall on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the brand’s first hotel in the Caribbean region.

The property will be located on the city’s bustling La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). The 92-room hotel will include a 30,000-square-foot rooftop with an infinity pool.

Above: the new JW Marriott in Santo Domingo (Photo: Marriott)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The first-ever JW Marriott in the Dominican Republic has opened its doors in Santo Domingo.

The 150-room property, which is located in the capital’s Piantini district, is located above the city’s Blue Mall within a 15-story tower that first opened in 2010.

“The inauguration of this project is a very special moment for the Dominican Republic,” Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia said. “It is a moment where we making history with the level of tourism growth.”

It was developed by Fondo de Valores Inmobilarios, led by Luis Emilio Velutini.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Mr. Velutini on this project, and reveal our first world class JW Marriott luxury brand hotel to the Caribbean,” said Craig Smith, president of the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International. “This beautiful hotel brings the highest levels of accommodations and service to the Dominican Republic and is a great addition to the brand’s growing global portfolio.”

It is the first JW Marriott in the region outside of Mexico, home to the JW Marriott Cancun, but, perhaps more crucially, the property offers a series of amenities largely unprecedented for a business hotel in the Caribbean, including LCD TVs, Apple TV in every room, embedded TVs in the bathroom mirrors, Nespresso coffee machines and iPhone 5 docking stations, among others.

“The opening of this high luxury, sophisticated hotel marks an important milestone in the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry,” Velutini said. “With the thriving economy in the country and the success of the high-end Blue Mall complex, we are confident that this unique and visually stunning hotel will become a landmark in Santo Domingo attracting travelers and groups from all over the world.”

The hotel includes nine event spaces, including a 1,158-square-foot ballroom.

“Each JW Marriott delivers a warm, authentic, relaxed and elegant environment that is unique to the luxury segment, and we are thrilled to open our doors for business and receive guests to experience this incredible new hotel,” said Nigel Cook, general manager of the hotel, in a release.

Source by: http://caribjournal.com/2014/08/28/jw-marriott-opens-in-santo-domingo/

Intercontinental Dallas is located in the heart of Addison, the popular near-north suburb that is half-way between Downtown Dallas and the thriving business districts of Frisco and Plano. With its 528 spacious guest rooms and suites, which underwent a total renovation in 2005 and 2006, and 118,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 25,000-square-foot Crystal Ballroom, the Intercontinental Dallas is North Dallas' premier meeting facility. Convenient to the Addison Restaurant District, as well as the famous Galleria Mall, the hotel is 18 miles east of DFW International Airport, to which the recently completed President George Bush Turnpike (TX 190) offers easy access. Local attractions in downtown Dallas, such as the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Meyerson Symphony, or the Sixth Floor Museum and JFK Memorial, can be reached in just 20 minutes via the North Dallas Tollway.

Source by: http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxury-hotels/dallas-tx/intercontinental-dallas

Inspired by a celestial legend of two angels seeking paradise on earth, the spectacular lobby of Marquis Los Cabos opens out onto the wildly restless sea like a temple to its creation. Gorgeous specially-commissioned sculptures, massive waterfalls, spectacular infinity pools, and a lovely serene spa set the stage for vacationing VIPs. (George Clooney’s beach villa is next door.) Luxurious rooms boast balconies where you can often spot migrating whales, and there are also private villas with personal dipping pools. 

Source by: http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world

The wow-factor is left to Mother Nature at The Boulders, and it's just as well, as no man-made decor could possibly compete with the resort's surreal 12-million-year-old rock formations. Spanning 1,300 acres of the Sonoran Desert, the massive spa compound promises the ultimate in natural rejuvenation treatments, and the two golf courses are world class. There’s also an über private gated Villa Retreat for celebs seeking anonymity. PR rep Deborah Bridges says, “Our clientele is among the wealthiest in the world, but we’re not allowed to talk about who our VIP guests are until they’re dead.” That says it all.
Source by: http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world

The Las Vegas Palms is famous for high-roller living, and what better way to really indulge in Sin City than cavorting in one of their luxury rooftop suites like the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa. The suite accommodates up to 250 people for a get-together and boasts a massive rooftop Jacuzzi hanging over The Strip. A private glass elevator, rotating bed, gym, sauna, media room and full bar make these swanky digs the perfect spot to fulfill the fantasy of living in the style the world’s most famous playboy is accustomed to. (Did anyone say bachelor or bachelorette party?)


Source by: http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world

Built in tribute to the legendary lost city, Atlantis Paradise Island is a 141-acre facility touted as the premier luxury resort destination in the Bahamas. It's the resort's Royal Towers Bridge Suite on the 23rd floor that really pulls out ALL the swanky stops. It spans ten plush rooms topped by 12-ft. ceilings and full length windows and includes a grand piano, twin entertainment centers, a formal dining room with a 22-karat gold chandelier, whirlpool tubs, and more... Plus a permanent staff of seven to cater to your every whim.
Source by: http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world

Though the Big Apple has many legendary and swanky hotels, The Plaza is often the top choice for visiting VIPs—especially for its Royal Plaza Suite that boasts the best views of Manhattan. The three-bedroom/three-bathroom suite is styled in the most opulent of old world charm with a formal dining room, a library, a gymnasium, a grand piano, full kitchen (for personal chefs), and a butler’s pantry, and is serviced by its own private elevator. Butler service is also included. Built in 1907, the iconic structure was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1969.
Read more at http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world

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Built to resemble a billowing sail, the stunning architecture of Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai makes it one of the most photographed in the world. All rooms are luxurious suites spanning two floors with state-of-the art everything and incredible views. And beyond the unique over-the-top amenities like the attached heliport and hovering tennis courts, there is a vast array of futuristic dining and nightlife options. Their guest care is also seriously intensive. Upscale extras include in-suite check-in, 24/7 personal on call butlers, and a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce fleet, all catering to an extremely well-heeled VIP clientele that often includes royalty.


Source by: http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/top-10-most-luxurious-hotels-world