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The Copley Square Hotel opened in 1891 in Boston’s famous Back Bay neighborhood. Near trendy Newbury Street and tucked behind the Boston Public Library, the seven-story boutique hotel seems overshadowed by its Westin and Marriott neighbors, but what it lacks in stature it makes up in grandeur.
The hotel closed in January 2008 for a $18-million renovation and reopened later that year as a luxury contemporary boutique with old-school elegance and modern amenities.
THE ROOMS
I heard about the modern-meets-sexy designs and decor that graced the rooms at the Copley Square Hotel post-renovation, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the seductive atmosphere I walked into. Simply put: these hotel rooms set the mood. Read more of my review at Gadling.com
XV Beacon lobby
The ’staycation’ was the top travel trend word for most of 2008 and into 2009, and while I wasn’t entirely on board with the concept (I’m a firm believer that you need to escape your town/city in order to really ‘escape on vacation’) the idea started growing on me. I’ve lived in the same apartment for more than a decade, and while nothing comforts me quite like coming home, I’ll admit I’m envious of fireplaces, mini-bars and free HBO. Sure, I could get movie channels in my apartment and redesign my wine rack to look more like a mini-bar, but there’s something special about these little indulgences one gets while on the road.
This year started off with a bang – it’s fair to say that 2010 is showing some promise, and while I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, the planning is somewhat exhausting! So, I decided to treat myself to ’time out’ – a much needed break in my backyard where a flick-and-switch fireplace takes priority over trash night, and my Kindle provides the only ‘book’ I’m focused on for the night. Enter: XV Beacon, one of Boston’s best business hotels and a hidden gem among leisure travelers looking for a quiet hideaway. Continue Reading…
Posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
Mandarin Oriental Miami
Travel took a hit in 2009, but with a new year brings new opportunities. The silver lining of 2009’s travel industry was hotels – rates dropped, and new properties like CityCenter took center stage just as travelers closed out their year-end budgets and found a few extra dollars in the bank.
Analysts have predicted that hotel prices are on the rise in 2010, so the sooner you book the better the savings. Thankfully, the options are endless. New hotels popped up all around the world and some of the most notable were here in the U.S. I’ve highlighted a few of the new and notable North America hotels that opened their doors in 2009 and are worth a visit in 2010.
So, where will you spend the night?
[Read more via Gadling.com]
We learned about octaves with do-re-mi and fought our fears with a few of our favorite things, but the most important lesson taught by Captain Georg von Trapp and the Baroness Maria von Trapp was the importance of family. The lesson lives on through generations and no where is it more prominent than at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
Trapp Family Lodge, Dec. 2009
The 1965 movie, “The Sound of Music,” was made famous by Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews and recounted the voyage of the von Trapp family as they sang their way through Austria to escape Nazi rule. A favorite family film, images of Maria running through the Salzburg hills during the opening credits will forever be burned in our memory. But when the von Trapps moved to America in the 1950s, the hills in Stowe, Vermont, really started to sing.
Read more on SingleMindedWomen.com
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago. 2 comments
My new favorite thing about hotels: rooftop bars. On a recent trip to New York City, I happened to stay at two different hotels, each with a rooftop bar. This wasn’t a requirement for my booking, but it was a nice amenity to my stay.
Rooftop bars have grown up over the years. Plastic chairs and table covers have been replaced with cushioned-lounge chairs and clear plastic tables. Twinkle lights and flowing drapes provide the ambiance for the evening. In New York City, the rooftop bars provide some of the best views of Manhattan (hint: skip the line at the Empire State Building and head to a rooftop bar for a cocktail and the same views).
What I love most about these rooftop bars is the design – they are inviting, enticing and alluring, and posses a certain boudoir-style that not only makes you feel comfortable, but also a little sexy.
Continue Reading…
Posted 5 months, 1 week ago. 2 comments
If there’s one thing I love it’s a good hotel. The fine pressed-linens, the smell of the freshly-cleaned room, the views from top floors, the shine of marble in the lobby, and the attention to detail – from smiling check-in desk agents to personalized pillows – all play a part in a successful hotel stay.
As I prepare for some upcoming trips to new hotels, I started thinking about my hotel wish-list — my ‘ bucket list’ of hotels, the hotels I must stay in before I kick it. Here they are, in no particular order. If you’ve stayed at any of these hotels – or have hotels to add to this list – please let me know!
St. Regis Hotel, New York
St. Regis, New York: This one seems so simple, but still so far away. I’ve always had a fascination with the St. Regis. I remember the first time I saw the entrance to this hotel in Manhattan -the gold, the marble, the fountains; so grand and exquisite. I vowed one day to stay at the St. Regis, but only when I could afford to do it right. Note to the St. Regis: When I do finally get my room at the hotel, you can be certain I’m not leaving for the duration of the stay.
Four Seasons Lana’i, Hawaii: The beauty of this hotel has captivated me since I was first introduced to it by my friend Stacy at Elite Travel International. I’ve never been to Hawaii, and didn’t have a huge desire to go until I saw this hotel. Admiring the Pacific Ocean from the balcony at this hotel would be magical.
Tango Mar, Costa Rica: My plan is to do a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, but then I found Tango Mar and thought, why not combine yoga with spa? Continue Reading…
Posted 6 months ago. 5 comments
All text and images copyright © 2010 Melanie Nayer. All rights reserved.
The Copley Square Hotel opened in 1891 in Boston’s famous Back Bay neighborhood. Near trendy Newbury Street and tucked behind the Boston Public Library, the seven-story boutique hotel seems overshadowed by its Westin and Marriott neighbors, but what it lacks in stature it makes up in grandeur.
