SATC Countdown, Choosing a Hotel

We're attending an advanced screening of Sex and the City on Wednesday night thanks to Coty Prestige and Sarah Jessica Parker's new frangrance, SJP NYC.  To make it a true girls' night out, we invited a couple of our besties to join us to make our own foursome.  Next the usual planning ensued: what to wear, where to eat, and where to stay.

We chose the Carlton Hotel, a Preferred Hotel and Resort, in the Madison Square Park district of Midtown.  The Carlton has a long history, known early last century as the Seville Hotel.  The lobby is grand:

It has been updated but keeps its Beaux Art charm, from the rediscovered Tiffany skylight (below) which had been painted over to camouflage the hotel from WWII air raids to the vintage bar that Frank Sinatra frequented when he was in town.

The rooms are stylish and comfortable:

Check back soon for a review of our stay at the Carlton.

Sunday Night Film Club at the Crosby Street Hotel

The Crosby Street Hotel is on our short list of places to see in NYC.  Located in Soho and featured in the this month's Conde Nast "Hot List," it's the newest addition to the British Firmdale group which includes standouts like Covet Garden, the Haymarket and the Soho Hotel, all in London.  Come on a Sunday night to take advantage of the lowest room rates and take part in the Sunday Night Film Club (non-guests are welcome as well).  It takes place in the Crosby Street's ninety-nine seat screening room and features a short film followed by a recently run film.  Upcoming features are Crazy Heart, Shutter Island, and Invictus.  You can either choose the $50 plan which comes with a three course dinner or the $25 ticket which includes a cocktail and bar plate.  This is great way to check out a new hotel and see a movie you missed in the big theaters.

Girls Weekend at the Dorchester Hotel

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!

On Our Radar: The Carlton Hotel NYC

On Wednesday night, we booked a double room at the The Carlton, a Preferred Hotel and Resort in Midtown right off of Madison Square Park.  It's close to Penn Station, which would have been great had our cab driver not taken us on a long tour of the city (there was a mix-up with the address).  The lobby was impressive, as we had expected.  We were running late and unfortunately the hotel restaurant, Country, wasn't serving lunch.

Our first guest room was stylish and contemporary, though small for the four us.  Our luck changed when the air conditioner conked out.  After a call to the front desk and a visit from the service technician, we were shuttled up to the Empire Suite which had a much bigger bedroom, a huge sitting area with a long dining table and best of all: a view of the Empire State Building. 

We recommend the Carlton for its location, the attentiveness of the staff, the comfortable rooms, and the good sized bathrooms.

Read more about why we chose the Carlton Hotel. 

We were given a special press rate for our stay at the Carlton Hotel.

Ultimate NYC Bag

If you still have not yet heard about or checked out Avelle’s Bag Borrow or Steal (we simply cannot imagine that – it was featured in the Sex and the City movie!) then maybe now you will take our advice and look into it. By using this site, you can wear any bag you’ve ever wanted without paying the hundreds or thousands for it, because you rent them for a fraction of the cost.

Even better, now Avelle is teaming up with the Bryant Park Hotel. If you are guest of the hotel, you can go on Avelle’s website, reserve one of their many beautiful items, and receive 25% off the rental fee. (We picked our favorites – Kooba "Celia" Bag for day and the Chanel 2.55 for night. In the city that never sleeps, two bags per day is simply rational!) The best part – whatever you rent from the website can be shipped to the hotel free of charge. Want to pack light? Just order from the website and when you get there, all of your luxurious items will be waiting for you! We hear Bryant Park and we think fashion week. This partnership will further recognize the hotel as a fashion-forward place to rest your head.

On Our Radar: Le Parker Meridien NY

A weekend trip to NYC with my girls will be especially fun with a suite at Le Parker Meridien on West 56th St. We chose it for the Midtown location near Central Park, Times Square, shopping and much more. The enclosed rooftop pool with views of the park is unbeatable, as is breakfast at Norma's, the coffee in the Knave and the TDF burgers at the Burger Joint. If only I didn't give up red meat for lent!

They have a 20% off special when you stay two or more nights (Thursdays to Saturdays) and a Bed and Breakfast package which includes a decadent breakfast at Norma's. Both available on line.

On Our Radar: New Orleans Jazz Fest

Jazz Fest kicks off in a month on April 29th, so plan your trip now. We'd love to stay at the new Hotel Le Marais on Conti Street less than a block from Bourbon Street where rooms start at a remarkably low $109! They give you a cocktail at checkin; but if you go, try their purple cocktail at the bar and let us know what you think.

The guestrooms are a cool mix of neutrals and eggplant. Since the hotel opened in November, there's a good chance everything is still fresh. We're digging the free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, granite bathrooms, free bottles of water, and iPod docking stations.

Need more reason to check out Hotel Le Marais? It has the biggest outdoor hot tub in the French Quarter. Happy travels!

On Our Radar: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have arrived in New York. The boutique hotel experts with both on-line and 24 hour in-house advisors, lend their advice on over 700 fabulous hotels worldwide. All of their hotspots have been visited and reviewed at least twice- once by a team member and once by a tastemaker (think Stella McCartney, Dita von Teese and Cate Blanchett). Check their site for these in depth and quirky reviews.

You don't have to be a member to book on-line; but members get special perks like money-back and exclusive travel deals. James Lohan and his wife, Tamara, started the company in London in 2003 after an unfortunate travel experience. "We go to extraordinary lengths to select the world’s best boutique hotels, and then we anonymously review all of them so we’re certain it’s the most passionately discerning collection on the planet," said Lohan.

We checked MrandMrsSmith.com for NYC just see to if they're on target with their choices. Sure enough they recommended and insightfully reviewed some of our favorite boutique hotels like the Soho House (pictured above), the Standard NY, the Ace Hotel, the Greenwich Hotel and more.

Candace Bushnell's Top Girls' Getaway

Where does Sex and the City scribe Candace Bushnell like to go on her girls' getaways? "I always have fun at Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris," she told Travel and Leisure. "A friend once visited me there, and I think we tried all 30 bottle of champagne at the bar." Carrie and Co. would be so proud!

If Candace goes this summer, she could partake in the Girls Escape, which includes

• A one-hour relaxing body massage
• A one-hour Eclat Total facial
• A lunch at the Dior Institute, with a glass of champagne
• A limousine to take you from the Plaza Athénée to the hairdresser and back to the Plaza Athénée or to your home (Paris city centre only) 
• A hair care and a blow dry
• Daily Continental breakfast for two 

Or she could bring along a favorite niece and stay at the Barbie Suite with pink Barbie furniture, though the Barbie Suite at the Palms in Vegas sounds like its more her (and our) speed!

Doggie's Day Out at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

The Jet Set Girls are big dog lovers and when we heard the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman was teaming up with the Humane Society of Grand Cayman, we had to take a closer look.  Our stay on the island was a blast last year (we're pictured above with friends Lauren and Meghan) and we would have loved this opportunity.

For a $25 donation, guests at the Ritz-Carlton can take a shelter dog for a walk around the Blue Tip Golf Course or the nearby North Sound Club.  Local residents and island visitors are welcome to volunteer as well. Next time we go, we'll have to make room for doggie treats in our carry on!

The program was designed by Marcus Caudill, the Housekeeping Manager, who has an adopted dog named Charlie. "We knew our guests would enjoy taking the dogs out, but had no idea how successful the program would be," said Caudill. "On busy days we've even had waiting lists for the walking slots.  One guests enjoyed her outing so much , she handed me a check for $1,000 for the Humane Society afterwards."

The view from our room at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

Learn more about the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and make reservations here.

Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz-Carlton Cancun Endless Flavors Package

The view from our room at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun

We had a fabulous time last fall at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun.  Since our trip, they widened the beach by hundreds of feet and now this: the Ritz-Carlton is offering a full meal and beverage plan in all six restaurants including the gourmet Fantino and Club Grill, pool and beachside service, and even in-room dining. Go ahead and order that pricey fruity frozen drink from your beach chair, it's included.  And, for that morning after the big fiesta, order in breakfast.  Our go-to at any Ritz-Carlton is the muesli and it's especially good at this hotel.

The Endless Flavors package starts at $739 per night and is available through December 15th, 2010.  The package also includes an ocean view room, wi-fi, and valet parking.  Happy travels!

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara

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.

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic

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.

Learn more about both hotels. 

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, S.C.

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.

Happy travels!

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: The Bahamas

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.



Book your vacation at www.atlantis.com.

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball

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.

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

On Our Radar: The First Armani Hotel

The first Armani Hotel opened his first hotel in Dubai this week. Situated in the world's tallest building, Giorgio Armani designed everything from the furnishings to the menus to the amenities.

“It has long been my dream to have a hotel in which I myself would like to stay and entertain family and friends, where the Armani aesthetic is combined with Italian-style warmth and hospitality. I am thrilled to open the doors of the Armani Hotel Dubai and invite my guests in to experience my world," said Armani. He also told WWD about the hotel's design, "This is a place where you have to find your way. It's an adventure."

When guests check in they're assigned a Lifestyle Manager --a supercharged concierge -- who makes sure every aspect of their stay within the hotel and in Dubai is fulfilling including: business arrangements, shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

Book your stay at http://www.armanihotels.com/.

See where else Mr. Armani is planning on opening hotels.

The Conde Nast Traveler Hot List

Every year, we watch our mailbox with anticipation for the arrival of the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List issue. It features the must-see hotels, spas and nightlife venues across the world. Much of it is fantasy travel, like the Raas in Jodphur, India, (shown) or the Alila Villas in Bali.

Some like the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona (shown) or the Seagate Hotel and Spa in Delray, Florida, make us want to plan a trip

And a few make us happy that we've already been, like the Gansevoort in Turks and Caicos, the W in South Beach and D.C. and the Ace Hotel in NYC.

Limited Editon Coachella Flip Flops

Our favorite flip flop line, Havianas, is partnering with one of our favorite hotel chains, the Ace Hotel, to slip these limited edition flip flops into their minibar, just in time for Coachella.

The design of the Ace Hotel and Swim Club Palm Springs limited edition flip-flops and packaging area a tribute to the original Havaianas design from 1962. (Who knew Havis were that old?) Each pair features a pin modeled after the hotel’s signature coyote mascot.

We couldn't imagine better footwear to rock out to Gossip, Charlotte Gainsbourg, MGMT and many, many more.

Not going to Coachella? Follow JSG's friend, Jamie Stone on Twitter for her Coachella updates this weekend.

On Our Radar: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton to Enter Hotel Market

LVMH Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy is planning to build two luxury resorts, one each in Egypt and Oman. LVMH follows in the footsteps of Giorgio Armani whose Dubai hotel was scheduled to open March 28th. We only wish they were a little bit closer. Word has it that Armani's next hotel will open in Milano- a dream destination if you love great clothes, leather goods, and food (who doesn't?). Then Armani is expanding to Marrakech and possibly NYC. We hope to visit one of these exclusive properties so we can report back how they've refected their style in the design, service and hotel experience.

As for Louis Vuitton, we're curious who they'll get to pitch the new hotels. We'd love to see Madge be part of the campaign!