The Luxury Hotels Specials

Founded in 1812 as the ‘Mivart’s’, the hotel became ‘Claridge’s’ in 1854 when William and Marianne Claridge acquired the hotel. Ever since then this hotel has offered quiet luxury, lavish hospitality and discreet service to crowned heads, princes and politicians, statesmen and celebrities, such as Madonna. In fact, it was at Claridge’s that Queen Victoria met Empress Eugenie of France who was in residence there in 1860. Claridge’s is celebrated for its opulent Art Deco surroundings. Tea is served in the Foyer and the Reading Room from 2.30-5.30pm. Bookings are preferred and gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie at all times. Tea is served on Limoges porcelain with Robbe and Berking silver (founded 1874) and silver cake stands are so tall that they can be placed on the floor next to the table. Claridge’s offers 14 different blends of tea. Entertainment is provided by a pianist and a violinist. ‘Tea at Claridge’s’ costs 26 GBP. 
Address: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1A 2JQ, Tel: +44-20-7629 8860, Fax: +44-20-7499 2210, E-Mail: info@claridges.co.uk, Website: www.claridges.co.uk

The European Hotel Managers Association gave ample proof of its vitality at the General Meeting recently held in St. Moritz, chaired by its president Johanna Fragano, general manager of the Hotel Quirinale in Rome. The conference was organized by a committee led by Hans Wiedemann in two hotels, the Badrutt’s Palace and the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. It was a “green” three days, during which the hotels ran entirely on alternative energy. It was a demonstration of how sustainable tourism is a priority of the EHMA, not only because of its intrinsic importance but also because of the ever increasing number of “green customers”, customers who prefer companies which respect the environment.

“I’m very happy with the enthusiastic participation of our members at St Moritz, which created an atmosphere bursting with positive energy”, comments Johanna Fragano, EHMA president and general manager of the Hotel Quirinale in Rome. “The results that we are achieving in spreading our values – peace between peoples, protection of the environment, safeguarding of our professionalism – provide the clearest evidence of our members’ interest in our initiatives, even in the countries that are less well-represented, such as Russia. I am truly grateful to all those who responded to our appeal.”

Open air, important meetings and great events

Sport, nature and snow were the leitmotiv of the event. Taking advantage of St. Moritz’s climate, which blessed the conference with a beautiful blue mountain sky and powdery snow under the spring sunshine, many of the programmed activities took place outdoors, with a grand finale of fireworks at an altitude of 3000 metres. The al fresco Welcome Cocktail for the over 400 participants began with a welcome from the president of the Organizing Committee, Swiss delegate Hans Wiedemann, and from the city authorities and the Grigioni canton. A whole day was devoted to intriguing team games in the snow. The sumptuous gala evening at Badrutt’s Palace which concluded the conference was also the occasion for the presentation of the “Hotel Manager of the Year” award to 51-year-old Austrian Kurt Dohnal, CEO and Executive Vice President of the Kessler Collection Europe.

An international commitment

The activities of the EHMA involve various sectors, creating synergies and fostering close international relationships. Last November saw the study tour to China, organized as a result of contacts with the ECHMEC (Europe China Hotel Management Experts Council, www.echmec.org), a non-profit organization based in Brussels, which offers itself as a link between Europe and China for the hotel industry. The EHMA also supports the IIPT, the International Institute for Peace through Tourism.

The 35th General Meeting was also a chance to greet the 39 new members. The total number of members is 450, with a good mix of independent hotels and hotels belonging to the big international chains. Affiliation was extended to new countries not previously present, such as Russia and Finland. The association plans to have an even more widespread presence in Europe, where it currently has a presence in 28 countries.

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Aside from hot alpha males with attitude and heroines who whip them into shape? Travel. Exotic locations.

Finally, all that time in Europe is paying dividends! (Although it paid plenty of dividends when I lived and traveled there — priceless experience.) But now, I get to revisit those places I loved while I create the world of my Harlequin Presents story.

I didn’t stay in the Gritti Palace in Venice, but it’s the inspiration for one of my hero’s hotels. The Gritti Palace starts around 500 Euros a night. Can you imagine?

There was a time, when I lived there, when that would have cost about $350. Today, it’s nearly $800. I don’t think I’ll be staying there anytime soon.

But I can imagine it! I can view the pictures and see my hotel come to life. I can imagine the luxury of that place, the service, the gorgeous views from that terrace. I’m doing armchair traveling to write this story and I LOVE IT! Why didn’t I do this sooner?

I always wanted to write for Presents. But I stubbornly kept putting it off. Until the Instant Seduction contest. I can’t thank HM&B enough for having the contest. I’d still be saying someday, and I wouldn’t be armchair traveling through my old guidebooks and getting inspired by pictures of sumptuous rooms and table settings.

What do you write and why do you love it? Do you love to armchair travel? What’s the best vacation you ever had? The coolest place you ever lived?

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Hosted ecommerce business BT Fresca are offering retailers a free breakfast briefing at London’s swanky Lanesborough hotel London and a free whitepaper on multichannel retailing.
How much is online fraud costing your business? Is the title of a free breakfast briefing to be hosted by BT’s latest retail purchase BT Fresca.

According to the accompanying release with the BT Fresca invite, “It is of vital importance to your brand, reputation and continued sales growth that the right processes and levels of security are in place as you develop your online capabilities.

Join other multichannel retailers for an informative and interactive breakfast briefing and hear the latest industry thinking and best practice on combating online fraud and protecting your brand and your data from security breaches.

The briefing takes place on the 18th June, at the Lanesborough Hotel, London. You can’t miss it just look for the queue of Lamborghinis outside. The Lanesborough used to be the hotel Madonna chose for her London stays before she got hitched to a “Britisher” and now has her own London pad to trash.

To find out more about this event, including itinerary details, speaker profiles and discussion topics http://www.btexpedite.com/breakfast_briefing/. This event is exclusive to retailers only.

In addition to the event BT also have a white paper to download. The whitepaper by BT’s leading customer experience futurologist, Dr Nicola Millard, explains why companies are driving customers away with a short-sighted approach to their multichannel strategy.

Register your details to download a copy of Dr Millard’s report, The Multichannel Swap Shop: at http://www.btexpedite.com/white_paper.aspx

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The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul will be a meeting point for those who would like to make the Father’s Day on the 15th June a long-remembered one…

The Father’s Day brunch at Çintemani Restaurant is a great way to celebrate this important day. A sumptuous open buffet offering delectable options prepared by the freshest and the best quality ingredients available, will be complemented by the magnificent Bosphorus view, live music and a bottle of Calvin Klein Contradiction after shave lotion, as a gift from The Ritz-Carlton.

Brunch Buffet is priced 111.00 TL per person including free flow of hot & cold beverages, local alcoholic drinks, selection of Bloody Mary cocktails and Martini Brut sparkling wine.

(Guests until the age of 12 are served with the compliments.)

 For detailed information and reservations please call (0212) 334-4188.

Your father deserves to spend this special day in the best way possible and The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul offers this opportunity to you. Rather giving ordinary gifts, pamper your father with heavenly massage therapies and treatments applied with Sodashi products in Laveda Spa. You may book the treatment directly or give them prestigious Ritz-Carlton gift vouchers to let him decide on his preferred time to have his therapy in the soothing atmosphere of the Laveda.

For detailed information and reservations please call (0212) 334-4353.

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In the center of Barcelona the magnificent five-star hotel Claris before known as Palacio de la Vedruna has opened. The building of XIX century palace in area Eixample has been restored and has been opened as hotel in 1992.

The design of interior of new hotel combines elements of classical, modern, vanguard and traditional styles. The hotel has 124 numbers, including suites and two-storied suites, are spoken on a site prestigehw.com. All room-numbers are decorated by the Egyptian groove, Turkish carpets, Indian sculptures, and also - the Roman mosaic and Andy Warhol’s original lithographs.

The hotel has a sauna, the open pool, having a rest in which, it is possible to enjoy a view on the center of Barcelona, business center, the conference halls, three restaurants and bar. Visitors can take advantage of free of charge Smart cars. The hotel has own museum with 400 masterpieces of Ancient Egyptian art.

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I read an article the other day: ‘Madonna’s Travel Secrets.’ Get a life, Moreton, I hear you cry.
No, but listen … nearly all the places she loves to stay are on Luxique’s list of luxury hotels and boutique hotels (we knew the lady had taste). So, in case you want the chance to hang out with the Material Girl, listen up.
Her love affair with the Caesar Park in Rio de Janeiro goes back to 1993 when she performed for 120,000 people at the city’s Maracana Stadium. Luxique likes this one very much too – we call it “an opulent 23-storey business hotel of fine dining and service.”
When in Rome, she apparently favours the Hotel de Russie. Good choice, Madge. We’ve called it “Rome’s best hotel for those who appreciate the Rocco Forte discreet designer style.”

In 2006, she embarked on her global ‘Confessions’ tour, which spanned 60 shows on three continents. When she arrived in Miami, there was only one place she wanted to lay her head: The Setai. Luxique’s view? “A razor-sharp, Oriental-reflected designer number on South Beach with stratospheric service levels.” Madonna liked it so much, she’s been back many times.

Finally, Baa Atoll in the Maldives, where the star and her family spent a ‘heavenly’ holiday over 2006/7. Luxique offers the Diva Island Resort in this paradise island. “Sumptuous villas set on stilts in a blue lagoon in one of the best diving sites in the Maldives.”

All these fabulous places are bookable through our Luxique online boutique hotel booking system where, in many instances, we’ve negotiated a range of special rates or seasonal offers.
One thing, though. If you do happen to be vacationing in the vicinity of Madonna and her large entourage, don’t expect camera or autograph time. She sticks close to children and husband, Guy Ritchie, and steers clear of fan worship.
“I think she’s hyper-aware of security,” says Mary Cross, author of Madonna – A Biography. “She definitely wants her privacy, so even though she loves luxury and might pick a well-known hotel, she keeps a low profile and insists on hotel confidentiality.”

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While I was doing some work on line, I came across these old hotel and luggage tags that were souvenirs from Paris at the turn of the last century.  The history of their existence and the evolution of the hotel industry in Paris is interesting–basically it was a reaction to the needs of a society being influenced by this new concept called “travel” which was being made easier and more accessible to a wider audience.  Universal exhibitions held here over a period of years in the late 1800’s led to an increased need for rooms.  Paris, wanting to outdo London as hosts to the world, hired two successful entrepreneurs from Portugal of all things, the Pereira brothers, to participate in the creation of a city of splendor project set forth by Napoleon III,  worthy of the new French Empire.  The result was the Grand Hôtel du Louvre.

 I have walked by this place millions of times on my way to Palais Royal and was unaware of its illustrious history.  Built in 1855, it reigned supreme in Paris for nearly a decade until the same brothers outdid even themselves with the 700 room Grand Hôtel.  I do believe these two gentlemen paved the way for the modern day Ian Schrager.

Some additional tags to hotels that still exist and remain 4-star wonders:

Hôtel de Crillon

Hôtel Majestic

Hôtel Meurice 

Hôtel Montaigne

 Hôtel Plaza

 All these hotels continue to be landmarks in Paris and offer the finest in accomodations.  I can personally speak to Hôtel Montaigne as I stayed there in November.  It is located in the Golden Triangle and was a wonderful place to call home at the end of my day.

I have linked you to all the sites which are beautiful in their own right and will whisk you away for a few minutes.  Who knows…..you might be inspired to make a reservation!

India Mahdavi , an Iranian-born, Parisian designer and architect, recently introduced her line of furniture to the United States. The 18-piece collection of tables, chairs, stools, desks and lighting, is a sculptural mix of lacquer, wood and ceramics. Some of it was used to furnish her projects, like the new Coburg Bar and Hélène Darroze restaurant at the Connaught hotel in London.

Ms. Mahdavi began her career working for the interior designer Christian Liaigre, and has continued in a minimal yet playful vein. The Superstarr Dining Table ($27,300), for instance, is oak with four different totem-like legs made of stacked wood and black and white ceramic blocks, while the Flower Cocktail Table ($17,400), has interlocking petals of green, brown and black lacquered wood. Available through Ralph Pucci International, 44 West 18 Street (Sixth Avenue), (212) 633-0452. Information: ralphpucci.net.

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Best Restaurants in the World - 2008 List

The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled from the votes of The Nespresso World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. They divide the world into regions, with a chairperson in each region appointed for their knowledge of their part of the restaurant world. These chairs each select a voting panel, who cast a total of 3,410 votes.

This year they have fine-tuned the system and added another region taking the total to 23, to ensure The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is as reflective of the world restaurant industry as possible.

There is no list of nominees; each member of their international voting panel votes for their personal choice of five restaurants. They may vote for up to two restaurants in their own region, the remaining votes must be cast outside their home region. Nobody is allowed to vote for their own restaurant and voters must have eaten in the restaurants they nominate within the past 18 months.

World’s best restaurants 2008 winners list:-

1. El Bulli, Roses, Catalonia, Spain (Best in Europe)
2. The Fat Duck, Bray-on-Thames, UK
3. Pierre Gagnaire, Paris, France
4. Mugaritz, San Sebastián, Spain (Chef’s Choice)
5. The French Laundry, California, USA (Best in the Americas)
6. per se, New York, USA
7. Bras, Laguiole, France
8. Arzak, San Sebastián, Spain
9. Tetsuya’s, Sydney, Australia (Best in Australasia)
10. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
11. L’Astrance, Paris, France
12. Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo, Italy
13. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London, UK
14. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Paris, France
15. Restaurant Le Louis XV, Monaco
16. St John, London, UK (Highest Climber)
17. Jean-Georges, New York, USA
18. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
19. Hakkasan, London, UK
20. Le Bernardin, New York, USA

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