Highlights for us would be the Royal Street Stroll on Thursday which combines jazz, art, antiques, wine and food for an evening of tasting and shopping. We're not sure why these ladies were wearing togas at a previous year's stroll; but it looks fun!
The Riedel seminar: we did this on the Oasis cruise a couple of years ago and Max Riedel taught me that size and shape make a difference, in wine glasses that is.
Wine Lovers Musical: we're strangely curious about this audience participation show that combines wine tasting and musical numbers.
Stay at the Hotel Montelione where Anne stayed for "Tales of the Cocktail" or the W New Orleans, because we always have a fun time at a W.
This summer the Hilton Barbados is offering a celebration package to commemorate its re-opening. When we visit a new place we like to look at it from a different angle, usually from a boat (we love a good snorkle trip); but we've also explored the inner island too. The standout of the Hilton's Celebration package is a 4x4 Land Rover Safari trip for two to discover the "hidden gems of Barbados."
The Celebration Package is offered this summer from June 1st to August 31st and priced from $339. In addition to the safari it includes:
A deluxe guestroom, a bottle of sparkling wine, daily breakfast for two, and a thirty minute massage for each guest.
We haven't been to London in a few years, but this deal from the lux Dorchester Hotel may get us planning. The Girls Weekend package is designed for a stylish, shopping foursome, a la SATC. It features:
A personal stylist appointment at Harvey Nichols- Harrod's sexier and hipper competitor.
A Pow Wow Breakfast on The Promenade at The Dorchester- to strategize about the day's shopping.
Two interconnecting rooms for show-and-tell post shopping spree and easier access to each other's makeup and hair accessories.
Four handmade corsages from the florist at The Dorchester. We haven't worn one in years; but it would make a great ice breaker at the bar later that night.
Four cocktails at The Bar at The Dorchester.
Four Lip Glosses from The Dorchester Spa with signature light and mirror for mid-evening touch ups.
The package is available through April 30th, 2011. The second night is free on the following UK bank holidays: May 28-31st and August 27-30th. Happy travels!
Our twitter friends are buzzing about Colorado's first big snow fall of the year. We couldn't be more excited for them. In fact, this week we started planning a ski trip for January. How did we start?
First asked ourselves, do we feel like flying international? We've skied in France, Switzerland and Austria. The major advantages include getting the Euro experience, skiing on slopes that are more natural, less groomed and eating great food. Once when we were in Davos, we stumbled upon a little chalet that served up the best spaghetti bolognese of our lives. How they got supplies to that place is a mystery since the place was literally buried in snow (only the door was dug out). The disadvantage is the jet lag, it is hard to fly east anyhow and in the winter with less light, you have to be particularly diligent to wake up on time or you'll sleep away the day underneath the unbelievably thick down comforters that all the hotels have there. Also, on one trip to Chamonix we traveled all the way over and they were having a drought. Sadly the skiing was slim.
How about Whistler? We've been to the Olympics before and we're not sure we want to deal with the building out and fussing around that comes with the event. We'd like to head up there next year to take advantage of all that they've done to improve the site; but avoid the crowds this go around.
Utah is always a great choice. Easy direct flights to Salt Lake, a short drive to Park City and easy access to many different cool resorts. Park City has great lodging and a super fun strip for night time carousing. Utah also has the best snow, consistently, that we've ever skied. This was definitely in the running.
East coast skiing, a la Vermont? Sadly, as we get older, we get fussier about the cold weather and we swear it's colder (my dad calls it a wet cold) in Vermont than out west. Plus, our past few trips up there have been on icy slopes.
We ended up choosing Vail/Beaver Creek. The deciding factor was the amazing deal we got on plane tickets: $118 round trip, D.C. to Denver! We go each year with a group of friends, and yes we should probably branch out. At least we're staying somewhere new-- literally new, The Westin Riverfront Beaver Creek just opened last season. We're excited that they have a gondola that runs from the hotel up to the slopes, there's an outdoor lap pool (okay, we may not do laps; but we'll definitely hit the hot tubs), and we're looking forward to the new Anjali spa. If you ski Vail/BC you know how good it feels to take the first trip up the mountain, to find your favorite pit stop for chili and beer, to find a path through the trees and sit for a few minutes on the edge of a slope, saying hi to the familiar view, which is always breath taking. January can't come soon enough.
Calling all Gavin DeGraw fans: You'll want to head to the W in Atlanta this Wednesday to hear the sexy singer perform in the W Hotel's Wonderlust Live Music Series. The intimate concert will showcase Gavin's new album, "Free" along with his classic hits, "Chariot" and "I don't Want to Be".The concert is open to anyone with a MasterCard who signs up for the W's All Access Pass. The Insider Package starts at $249 and includes two tickets to the performance, two cocktails, a 3PM late checkout and a Spectacular Room. And, of course, you'll get these yummy Bliss amenities in your room.
For Annie's upcoming nuptials, most of the out of town guests will be staying in style at the Tribeca Grand. She selected the hotel first and foremost for its location (it's within easy walking distance to her reception), but also because it's chic and swank and has a hip New York vibe all without killing her guests' budgets.
The sister property to the Soho Grand, the Tribeca Grand has a soaring lobby, which is sure to wow out of towners. While she was a little nervous about the potential of all-night partying at the hotel's Church Lounge, each room is equipped with a Sony Dream Machine and management did request quieter rooms for Annie's parents and older relatives.
The rooms are modern without being spare and are large by NYC sizes. She loves that the hotel will provide you with a pet goldfish , but is guessing she'll be too busy for a pet, even a low-maintenance one.
The hotel is close to other things besides her reception for guests who want to sight see. Cross Canal Street to hit the shopping in SoHo, head south to get to Ground Zero or hop on one of the nearby subways to zoom up to Times Square and the Theater District. If it's warm enough, her guests can borrow one of the hotel's Electra Townie bikes to ride around NYC. The nearby Westside Highway path is flat and goes along the west perimeter of Manhattan.
She has also been scoping out after-reception options and has her eyes on Macao Trading Company across the street from the Tribeca Grand for tasty cocktails, Warren 77, the bar partly owned by Sean Avery, and Naked Lunch, and oldie but a goodie where she danced away many a night in her past. (Update: We crossed Warren 77 off the list last night when @immaculateinfat tweeted that it smelled of "courgars and doucehbags.") Of course there's always the Tribeca Grand's Church Street Lounge or she could just hit the hay with her new hubby.
In case our other Memorial Day Travel Ideas weren't quite European enough in feel for you, here's another idea: Head north across the border to Montreal. With the cobblestone streets, sidewalk cafés and French speaking natives, you'll think you hopped the pond and are in France. We're heading there ourselves next week, so will report back with the full scoop on what's new and not to be missed.
We're most looking forward to the shopping, including the Unicorn Boutique, which houses smaller designers not found frequently in the states, including Eve Gravel (shown), and Harricana by Mariouche, which features creations made of recycled furs.
We'll be staying at the Opus Hotel, conveniently located at the corner of Rue Sherbrooke and Boulevard Saint-Laurent. We first became a fan of the Opus after touring the equally chic Vancouver property years ago.
We'll be in Montreal May 20-24. Follow our tweets from our trip at JSGAnne.
South Africa is high on our wish list of dream spots to visit; but we won't make it in time for the World Cup held there which begins June 11th.
In the meantime, we're satisfying our curiosity with the latest issue of Vanity Fair. If you're not a soccer (football) fan, you will be after seeing Annie Leibovitz' sexy shoot with its stars. It features many of the international players including Ivory Coast's Drogba and Portugal's Ronaldo (on the cover above), Brazil's Kaka, and never fear the U.S. is well represented by Landon Donovan.
We haven't forgotten about you west coasters in our round up of Memorial Day Travel Ideas. For those wanting to escape L.A. head on down to the W in San Diego to take advantage of their Better Tomorrows program where you get 50 percent off the second night's stay.
For something a little more sophisticated, head up the coast in the other direction to the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara. Sister hotel to Santa Monica's Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar, the hotel is named after the Canary Islands and the Mallorcan design influences can be seen throughout. The hotel is in downtown, but like the W San Diego, has a roof top pool with a view.
East Coasters who want to hit the beach should take advantage of Jet Blue's expanded service to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The airline added additional flights from NYC's JFK and Boston's Logan airports to the Caribbean Island.
Fair warning: The Dominican Republic is known for its all-inclusive resorts, which can attract a lot of families. What you trade in quiet pool time, you'll find some stellar hotel deals. Bargain seekers should check out the Puntacana Hotel, which recently redid its rooms. You can spa, scuba, golf, play tennis or horesback ride.
For a more luxurious stay, try sister property Tortuga Bay. It offers the same activities, with more attentive service and swankier digs -- the rooms were designed by Oscar de la Renta.
Charleston won us over on our trip in '08 where we proved you can have a fun time on a 24 hour trip. We've been itching to go ever since. What's so special about it? It's quaint, easy to get to and close to the airport, it has a ton of super cute boutiques filled with great clothes, and it has great restaurants.
The Charleston Place Hotel is in the middle of it all. On our last trip we stayed there and walked to everything. In fact, we only cabbed it to and from the airport. The Charleston Place is offering a Spring Special package starting at $370 which includes a $100 credit to either the restaurant, spa, a schooner ride (we'd love to see Charleston from the water), or a tour of the Magnolia Plantation.
We're partial to smaller resorts but when a mega resort like Atlantis offers a deal with as many perks as the Spring Special package we're taking a second look. The Atlantis' package starts at $499 over Memorial Day and incudes $650 in complimentary activities and dining. The best part? Guests at the Atlantis qualify for free companion airfare! It makes the Bahamas seem even more accessible.
Also included:
Two dolphin interactions
A round of golf at One&Only Ocean Club
Two signature margaritas at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill
Two sunset martinis at Jean George’s Dune at One&Only Ocean Club
Sushi and Sake Mini Tasting at Nobu (a favorite of ours in any city)
One night access to Aura nightclub - from the people who opened Pure Las Vegas
If you're like us, you may choose to splurge and stay at the Cove Atlantis, the squanky sister next door. Its comtemporary styling and all-suite set up makes it the most upscale experience at Atlantis. Naturally, you can expect to pay more: rates for Memorial Day weekend (arriving on May 27) start at $1089, which includes the fourth night free.
Chicago is one of the dwindling cities that still has its original baseball stadium. Catch the Cubs play the Cardinals over Memorial Day weekend at charming Wrigley Field with its ivy-covered outfield walls. Our friend Felissa loves the stadium so much, she named her King Charles Spaniel after it. "It is such a fabulous place to see a game with fans that know the game, love their team and love the history of the game as well," she says. (If you can't buy a ticket, you can always head to one of the surrounding buildings and sit in the bleachers--a bit D-list, but it works!)
If you go, take advantage of the Sax Hotel's Summer Baseball Package. Hotel Sax, formerly the House of Blues, is part of the growing Thompson Hotel group. That means you can count on it being chicly designed and in a party part of town. In fact, you can walk to Bin 36, the 10Pin Bowling Alley and Smith and Wollensky's from Hotel Sax. The summer baseball package includes:
2 CTA passes so you can get to the game and avoid traffic
Complimentary valet parking ($49 value)
Garrett's Popcorn for a game time snack
A map of Chicago and a few other surprises
Rates start at $169 per night. The package is also open to White Sox fans (though they're playing in Tampa Bay over Memorial Day) and runs through September 30.
Be sure to hit the House of Blues Gospel Brunch on May 30. You can erase your hangover with biscuits and gravy, an omelet station, mac & cheese and white chocolate banana bread pudding while watching a gospel choir do their thing.
Not sure what to wear to the game? Show your team spirit with a fitted jersey that actually shows off your figure.
Can you believe it's May? Neither can we. Especially because that means Memorial Day Weekend is less than four weeks away. All this week we'll be featuring fun girls' getaway ideas to celebrate the unofficial kick off of summer.
With Sex and the City 2 opening on May 27, we suggest heading to New York City to catch a showing and experiencing the SATC lifestyle for yourself. Whenever Hope is in town, she stays at The Muse, right in the heart of Times Square.
The hotel is offering a Sex and the City themed package--updated for the sequel. Included is:
A personal driver to visit the girls’ haunts like Jimmy Choo, Magonlia Bakery, The Pleasure Chest, and even the steps of Carrie’s brownstone to snap pics.
“Sex and the City” inspired cocktails at the hotel's NIOS restuarant, which include Carrie’s Manolo Martini, Charlotte’s Upper East Sidecar, Samantha’s Kinky Caipirinha, Miranda’s Power Suit Punch, and Mr. Big’s flight of Napa Cabernet Savignons
A DVD of the original Sex and the City: The Movie
Breakfast in bed--you must order a side of Applewood smoked bacon.
A map to “tour Morocco” in NYC with locations inspired by the new film including Café Mogador and Revitali Hookah Lounge.
Rates start at $429 per night.
When you're in town, stop by the Ted Gibson salon for the Sex and the City 2 special. When you and three friends book blowouts, you get 15% off, a free glass of champers and a discount on Ted Gibson Hair Styling Sheets, which are ideal for your carry on. Be sure to mention the special when booking. The offer is good from May 14 through 29.
Here's a special from The Reef Resort in Grand Cayman that's tailor made for any woman who has suffered the same fate as Sandra Bullock, Elin Woods and Ginny Barber: The Cheat’en Husbands respite package. Included is a Men Are Pigs’cocktail (we hope that's a fancy name for bottomless tequila shots), a mani and pedi and a T-shirt painting therapy workshop, where suggested slogans are “men are scum,” “cheat’en is for losers.”
The package includes a four-night stay for four in a two-bedroom beachfront suite and a jeep rental. Prices start at $445 per person during the summer season and $595 per person during the winter season.
Word of warning: The hotel also offers romance, honeymoon and wedding packages, so you may be better off sticking with Vegas!
Cannes actually beats out Sundance on our list of film festivals we're dying to attend. Now we have a shot--albeit a thin one--thanks to the Stella Artois Jacques d'Azur Can't Go to Cannes This Year contest. That's Jacques above, a suave kinda guy who only walked on red carpets (witness the carpeted diving board, above).
Jacques disappeared while was sailing around Tahiti on his yacht ‘Bridgette et Anna’. The last reported radio contact from him was the message “I have come across an undiscovered island. Amazingly all the inhabitants are beautiful women.” His location could not be determined. No further contact was made with him and the extensive search found no sign of Jacques or his yacht.
Stella Artois launched a contest/search for his rightful heir to take Jacques' place at Cannes this year. The heir/winner gets round trip first class tickets for two, a 2-night stay in a five star hotel, a personally tailored suit or dress for the winner, tickets to an opening or closing gala at the Palm D’Or Awards and exclusive VIP festival screenings and more.
Admittedly, we're probably the only ones watching the Victoria's Secret Swim Videos to gawk at the scenery of Necker Island, instead of the gorgeous models (It's pretty much the same way we feel about the Sport's Illustrated Swim Issue.). Necker Island is home to the ultra-exclusive Sir Richard Branson-Virgin resort and is right up there with Mustique as a favorite vacation-hideaway of the rich and famous. Watch the video and you'll understand our fascination.
If you're looking for a last minute getaway with your girls, put Vegas at the top of your list. With the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament starting next week, expect to see the town packed with guys eager to plunk down money on their team.
Where to stay? For the swankiest digs, try Encore or the Wynn, the plush rooms and nightclubs make it our first choice. But if you're looking for the boys, they're less picky so you may see them at Planet Hollywood, MGM or the Hard Rock. Vegas was the big winner in this year Best Bars awards, so there's plenty of places to explore. And you can't go wrong with the pools, just make sure to get a cabana with a flat screen.
Our friend, Michael, has been going there with his brothers for years for March Madness and from what we can tell, Vegas (a male heavy town) becomes even more lopsided during the tournament's almost three weeks of play.
We're just back from our latest girls' trip at the W South Beach. Our verdict on the hotel: We loved it! The location was great, nestled in by the Gansevoort and the Shore Club on Collins, the lobby is simply stunning and our room (an Oasis Suite) was a nice size with an ocean view.
Even though Miami was on the chilly side this weekend, we spent plenty of time by the pool (sometimes wrapped in towels). Given the weather, we didn't actually make it into that infinity edge pool, but we did enjoy many a Greek salad, French fry and glass of Sauvignon Blanc on our lounge chairs. The service was attentive and friendly. The pool made for great people watching, too: In addition to the Euro men in their bikini briefs, we spotted a few celebs, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Jerry Bruckheimer and Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy.
Since it was too cold to spend the night's outdoors, we headed to the W's Wall Club--an intimate space with a rocking DJ. It was definitely a fave. We also enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails in the lobby bar.
We do have a few minor complaints about the hotel: 1. There were no Q-tips in the bathroom.We can't remember the last time we stayed at a swank hotel that didn't proved them for you. Our friend Heidi resorted to cleaning her ears with twisted up toilet paper. 2. There aren't enough lounge chairs at the pool. Even though we were in a two bedroom suite, we were told we were only allotted three chairs. 3. Mr. Chow does not live up to the hype. Not only was it expensive, but the food was bad to unmemorable. We sent back an order of chicken satay--seriously, how do you screw up peanut sauce?
With Sex and the City 2 opening on May 27, we suggest heading to New York City to catch a showing and experiencing the SATC lifestyle for yourself. Whenever Hope is in town, she stays at The Muse, right in the heart of Times Square.
