The J.W. Marriott Hotel Los Angeles and Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles make up the $2.5 billion building in heart of the L.A. LIVE complex, boasting 1,001 rooms total (878 rooms in the J.W. Marriott and 123 rooms at the Ritz-Carlton and Ritz-Carlton Residences). While the hotels share the space as part of the luxury brand’s global portfolio, the two brands maintain their individuality in design and style.

J.W. Marriott hotel designers took advantage of the lobby’s open frame. The neutral colors on the walls and rugs are contrasted with modern furniture in reds, purples and animal prints, emphasizing the enormous space while still giving travelers a comfortable place to rest upon arrival. A few steps past the check-in counter, however, and you’re transported to a futuristic display of lights, mirrors and lots of action.

In contrast to the J.W. Marriott’s bold lobby design, the Ritz-Carlton entrance is dimly lit from a Swarvoski crystal chandelier set against deep mahogany wood. Recognizable on the outside by its glass facade, one of the most mesmerizing parts of the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, is its variations in the color of blue glass on every floor. Symbolic of the ocean or the sky (depending on how you like to view hues of blue), the LEED-certified structure almost looks as if its draped in diamonds when viewed from the right angle.

Read my entire review of the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles and Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles here.

Aviary Suite, Villa by Barton G.

The Versace name is synonymous with luxury, privilege and decadence, so it’s no surprise that the mansion where Gianni Versace lived in Miami doesn’t rank as one of the most coveted homes in America.

When Gianni Versace was gunned down in 1997, his South Beach home became a place to pay homage to one of the world’s elite designers and purveyor of fine fashion.

Now, the Versace mansion has re-opened as a hotel for the rich and luxurious. My favorite part? Gianni Versace’s former bedroom has a nine-foot-wide bed, two balconies and seven closets.

This is luxury living. Read more here.

My favorite part of the blockbuster movie “Pretty Woman” is when the ‘happy man’ comes strolling down the street shouting, “Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don’t; but keep on dreamin’ – this is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin’.” He couldn’t be more right.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, Beverly Hills

The cab pulled into the horseshoe driveway at the Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and stopped right in front of the statue of Marilyn Monroe. “How Hollywood,” I thought. I’ve returned to LA having embarked on one of my travel dreams — Los Angeles was my first stop on the way to Australia.

I walked into the hotel and was immediately taken by the smells of fresh flowers and new decor, thanks to a $33 million makeover the hotel just unveiled after two and a half years. The walls whispered softly of Hollywood legends while welcoming new stars to its check-in desk. Unlike its sister property, the Four Seasons Los Angeles on Wilshire (known to many as the former Regent Beverly Wilshire), the Four Seasons Los Angeles, Beverly Hills is a private getaway located in the backyard of its famous neighbors. General Manager Mehdi Eftekari describes the hotel as “Hollywood’s living room.”

I walked into room 1024 and was transcended back to 1960′s Hollywood. The simple flower decor played into the ambiance of French doors that opened up to a small balcony overlooking Century City. I imagined Rita Hayworth welcoming the morning with a shake of her hair as Orson Welles emerged from the bedroom.

Piano in the penthouse suite

As I walked down the hall of the 10th floor, I wondered what stories might have transpired on the other side of the doors. If you listen carefully, you can hear Sinatra tickling the ivory keys on the piano in the penthouse suite, or Audrey Hepburn humming along with her favorite songs. The soft sobs of Warren Beatty’s late-night mistress echo through the hallway while the rest of Hollywood gets dressed for the new day. Today’s Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, Beverly Hills might not have been around in the 1960s, but it’s current location on South Doheny Drive captures the essence and glamour that made Hollywood a shining star on the world’s map.

I made my way downstairs and stood in the library looking out on the gardens, which are pruned perfectly by the hotel’s owner. The grand displays of green trees and white blossoms provide the perfect shade for today’s haut monde, while still adding a touch of home to this luxury hotel.

I stepped back to admire the view and was slowly transported back to 2010. This hotel that makes all its guests feel like a member of Hollywood’s elite, and made me feel like a modern day pretty woman.

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston

The term ‘luxury’ is synonymous with glamour, grandeur and extravagance, and often accompanied by a hefty price tag. But what if you were told you could travel luxuriously without breaking the bank? That’s the concept of Ritz-Carlton’s brand strategy, and more travelers are finding that ‘casual elegance’ means living it up without breaking the bank.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has been around for nearly 100 years and has set the gold standard in luxury hospitality worldwide. Its first hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston opened on May 19, 1927 with a room rate of just $15 – mere pennies in today’s pockets, but a stretch for those recovering during the Great Depression. Throughout its century-long life, the Ritz-Carlton weathered the economic storms and continued to provide a level of quality synonymous with luxury.

I recently spoke with Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, to get his thoughts on how luxury, by definition, has changed over the years, and I also got a sneak peak at what’s to come in the next 100 years for the Ritz-Carlton.

Read my entire interview with Ritz-Carlton President and Chief Operating Officer Simon Cooper on Gadling.

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. (more…)

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

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.

(more…)

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? (more…)