sarah on July 2nd, 2009

erwinkarim on Flickr

erwinkarim on Flickr

Now that summer’s in full swing, let’s hit the streets and escape the mundane with cameras in hand. Island vacations are nice, but so are scenic city retreats. Urban getaways can offer such a rich range of sights and sounds, while also serving to recharge your proverbial batteries.

If you haven’t already, Perfect Escapes is inviting you to take the plunge and join its photo pool on Flickr. Our Flickr photo pool is the place to share your perfect escapes: Posh hotel pictures, idyllic travel images, and tales detailing all of your luxury hotel experiences and adventures. Whether you visit a luxury hotel or just walk by one, post your five-star travel memories here. Each month we look for images matching a particular travel-related topic or theme and announce it right here (and on our Flickr photo pool page, too). From the new submissions we receive, one lucky photog with then have his or her image featured on next month’s Suite Life Blog Flickr photo pool post!

For our July photo challenge, we’re looking for luxe cityscapes. Show us around town from on high, or directly in the mix a little closer to terra firma. New York. London. Paris. Venice. San Francisco. Tokyo. Hong Kong. Dubai. Moscow … Wherever you’ve been (or wherever you are), if the setting is urban with a twist of divine, we want to see your best shots.

Find luxury hotels around the world at Perfect Escapes.

Follow us on Twitter @PerfectEscapes

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sarah on June 29th, 2009

solea-w-hotel

Dallas News recently checked out the chic area of Mexico City known as Polanco, which is home to some very luxurious hotels and their various dining venues. If you find yourself in Mexico City on business or pleasure, choose one of these hot spots to be wined and dined.

W Hotel: Always a lively nightspot, the W’s living room lounge, is a large first floor bar popular with locals and guests alike. The hotel’s restaurant Solea serves up Mexican food with a twist sure to impress any discerning diners.

J.W. Marriott: This luxury property offers a more formal and traditional atmosphere and offers a variety of dining venues from California cuisine to a French Brasserie, a coffeehouse and a richly-toned bar.

El Presidente: This classic hotel also provides a variety of dining experiences including the classic Palm steakhouse, Italian, French, Chinese, a British tearoom and a popular business breakfast joint, La Chimenea.

Nikko: The Nikko hotel chain infuses Asian themes into each of its properties, including the one in Mexico City. The hotel’s famous brunch with sushi is still a popular choice, as well as a Teppanyaki restaurant and the British Pub-style bar.

Find luxury hotels around the world at Perfect Escapes.

Follow us on Twitter @PerfectEscapes

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sarah on June 26th, 2009

road-trip

There’s a lot see by car in America. If you don’t have a big vacation coming up, why not pile in the car and take off to some of these fun, scenic, and delightful towns across the U.S. (read the full article).

Arcata, California – See small town delights, markets, fairs and more then drive down scenic 101 Highway to get a taste of California’s amazing coastline.

Athens, Georgia – Not far from Atlanta, this town boasts college town-like appeal with some fun history, great biking and lots of live music.

Chadron, Nebraska – This might be a little farther out of the way for most road trippers, but this plains town has an excellent museum on the Fur Trade.

Key West, Florida – Get a taste of Cuban, Caribbean, and Cajun cultures all mixed together with a Floridian flare on beautiful beaches in one of the most exciting areas of Florida.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania – One of the oldest inland cities in the country, this town has a strong history that visitors will enjoy from Amish goods to the nation’s oldest farmer’s market.

Leavenworth, Washington – Deep into the Wenachee National Forest, this Northwest town is German-themed with food, festivals and fun to match as well as being surrounded by amazing mountains worth a hike or two.

Portland, Oregon – The perfect all-around town to stop in for a short trip. Spring brings tons of fruit picking options, both beaches and mountains are nearby, and plenty of fun restaurants and wandering can be done right in Portland itself.

Provincetown, Mass. – On the tip of Cape Cod, this New England getaway is easy to reach from major East Coast cities, and envelops you in typical New England fashion with rich Victorian architecture, a history of famous authors, and charming shops.

Red Lodge, Montana – High up in a mountain enclave, this town offers great opportunities for wildlife viewing, galleries, and lots of outdoor activities and spectacular viewpoints.

Find luxury hotels in your destination at Perfect Escapes.

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sarah on June 24th, 2009

hawaii-food

Once you’ve had your fill of pineapple and umbrella drinks, it’s time to venture out and experience some of Honolulu’s diverse and delicious eateries.

From traditional to extreme fusion, Honolulu has a wide variety of cuisines that capture the mix of cultures that influence it. In Chinatown you can experience all kinds of Asian foods including Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and more. Go downtown to get gourmet Hawaiian fare, or head towards Waikiki for dishes to delight business travelers from Italian to steak to French seafood.

A lot of the most renown and classy restaurants in Honolulu are actually located in some of the city’s luxury hotel properties. The Halekulani is home to La Mer restaurant, and the Kahala Hotel and Resort is home to a variety of upscale dining options.

So say Aloha to your usual eats and experience real Hawaiian cuisine. Everything tastes sweeter with the fragrant Hawaiian air and lush landscapes surrounding you. Read the full article on Top Dining Destinations in Honolulu.

Find luxury hotel deals in Hawaii at Perfect Escapes.

kahala resort dining

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sarah on June 22nd, 2009

hyatt-regency-denver

Hyatt Hotels has found a new way to ensure guests have a more than satisfactory experience. Hyatt employees will spring surprises of generosity on unsuspecting guests during their stay.

The random acts of generosity involve anything from picking up the bar tab for a guest to comping a spa treatment. Most importantly, all guests are entitled to be generosity targets, and the random rewards are just that, random. There is no set system for how a guest must earn a treat, it is simply, randomly handed out.

Hyatt is hoping that the fun of a surprise, the variety of generous handouts and equal opportunity among guests will create a greater sense of brand loyalty. This program goes beyond the usual rewards system most brands use, and hopes to instill a sense of thoughtful, generous fun into a hotel stay that could spur coveted brand loyalty and word-of-mouth advertising.

Would you book a Hyatt stay in hopes of a random act of generosity? What surprise would you most like to get?

Find luxury hotel deals around the world at Perfect Escapes.

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sarah on June 19th, 2009

fairmont-dc

The Fairmont Washington D.C. has some extra sweet guests on the roof of their hotel. They recently brought in 105,000 Italian honeybees to provide sweeteners for the hotel’s restaurant, Juniper (reports Slashfood).

The Fairmont is actively taking steps to create a more local and sustainable hotel environment, so the honeybees seemed like a natural next step, albeit a sticky one. The hotel’s chefs take care of the three colonies, but say it’s not too hard of a job and are looking forward to incorporating the bees’ honey into a variety of dishes this fall. So if you like your hotel stays extra sweet, Fairmont Washington D.C. will soon be serving up honey-featured dishes in the restaurant and bring some extra “sting” to its cocktails.

Find luxury hotels in Washington D.C. on Perfect Escapes.

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sarah on June 17th, 2009

Welcome to the latest edition of the Three+Three where the Suite Life brings you three great deals in three top destinations around the world. This week we are featuring big city deals. Enjoy all the urban pleasures that London, Washington D.C. and New York City have to offer and stay in luxury hotels with great perks. Whatever city inspires you, pick your deal and your destination and make your escape!

sofitel-london

Chic Picnic – Sofitel London St. James, London

Situated in a lively and prestigious district, the Sofitel London St. James is a perfect location from which to explore the capital and enjoy an historically significant and luxurious hotel.

Book the Chic Picnic offer and you’ll receive: overnight accommodations in you choice of room or suite, a packed picnic lunch, 25% off any 4th or 8th night you stay. Also, book this or any other Sofitel London stay with Perfect Escapes and you’ll also receive these perks on availability: room upgrade, early check-in and late check-out.

donovan-house

District Chic – Donovan House, Washington D.C.

Donovan House injects an element of sensuality and sleek sophistication into the Washington hotel scene. Hotel rooms have unique design complimented by cool public spaces and rooftop pool and bar.

Book a stay at the Donovan House with Perfect Escapes and you’ll receive: Guaranteed early 12pm check-in and late 4pm check out, and a complimentary room upgrade (on availability).

smyth-tribeca

Downtown Destination – Smyth Tribeca, a Thompson Hotel, NYC

Located in the quiet cobblestoned area of Manhattan, Smyth Tribeca features 100 rooms lavishly decorated in a modern, luxurious feel. Book a stay at this Downtown Destination and you’ll receive 10% off the best available rate for your stay.

Also, when you book a stay at Smyth Tribeca with Perfect Escapes you’ll also receive: Guaranteed 4pm late check-out, complimentary room upgrade (on availability), 12pm early check-in (on availability), and a welcome amenity in your room.

Find luxury hotels and hotel deals around the world at Perfect Escapes.

Follow us on Twitter @PerfectEscapes

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sarah on June 15th, 2009

mexico-romance

The best honeymoon often depends on the type of couple enjoying it. However, exotic beaches, sun and romance are honeymoon standards that often can’t be beat, especially when combined with luxury accommodations and amazing service.

With that in mind, here are the top 5 romantic honeymoon destinations that will help any newlyweds start their marriage on the right foot (or right beach)…

Zihuatanejo, Mexico – Quaint with lots of arts and culture to explore, Zihuatanejo offers a unique and more private option to enjoy the sun and flavors of Mexico while still on the beautiful Pacific coast.

Tahiti and Moorea – Amazing resorts on practically untouched beaches make for a romantic and exotic vacation.

St. Kitts and Nevis – The best beaches in the Caribbean are only host to those few that choose this more private island spot, and offer exclusive and all-encompassing luxury.

Kauai, Hawaii – This island has it all, from luxurious resorts and gorgeous surroundings, to tons of activities that range from the romantic to the adventurous. A perfect destination for the couple who wants the best of both worlds, romantic and active.

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands – Luxurious accommodations set amid island atmosphere and a national park, what could be more inviting?

Find luxury hotels in your honeymoon destination at Perfect Escapes.

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sarah on June 11th, 2009

dad-beach

Treat Dad like royalty this Father’s Day with a luxury escape that won’t rob the kingdom of its riches. Perfect Escapes has a wide variety of deals fit for a King.

Don’t want Dad to rush back to dog-walking and garbage can duty? Pick a luxury hotel deals that lets you “Stay Longer” –

Stay Longer deal at Hotel Sax, Chicago – From $153 per night

Stay Longer deal at Sedona Rouge Resort and Spa, Sedona, AZ – From $170 per night

Stay Longer deal at Four Seasons San Francisco – From $395 per night

What makes Dad really happy is when his family saves money. Book a “Free Night” offer and get more bang for Dad’s buck –

Third Night Free deal at Hotel Roger Williams, NYC – From $239 per night

Third Night Free deal at Loews Lake Las Vegas – From $149 per night

Fifth Night Free at The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, Hawaii – From $485 per night

Since this is Dad’s special day, book a luxury “Resort Credits” or “Bed and Breakfast” deal that has extra special perks to make sure Dad is relaxed and pampered (for once) –

All the Extras deal at The Raleigh, Miami – From $199 per night

La Jolla Your Way deal at Estancia La Jolla, San Diego – From $254 per night

Suite Inspiration deal at Il Lugano, Fort Lauderdale – From $149 per night

Southern Hospitality deal at The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, Virginia - From $205 per night

Find the perfect luxury hotel deal for your dad at Perfect Escapes.

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sarah on June 9th, 2009

high-line

Librado Romero/The New York Times

Get ready to walk the walk, not on 5th Avenue, but on New York City’s new High Line. The elevated promenade takes the place of an old elevated railway system, now providing ample walking space, greenery and views of the city life below.

But the airy space and happy ending weren’t always bright and shiny. The project took many years and much collaboration to approve and complete. And the opening is only phase one. Two other sections of the High Line have yet to be completed - the second is under construction and the third has yet to be approved.

The first phase allows walkers to stroll along the Hudson from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street, and is open daily from 7am – 10pm. The second section will continue the walkway up to 30th Street.

Many other cultural projects are slated along with the new High Line, breathing new life into the arts in this section of NYC along with new hotels such as The Standard, which stands directly over the High Line. Whether you want to try a new hotel, a new walkway or a new way to see NYC, there are lots of new things happening on the Westside.

Find luxury hotel deals in New York City at Perfect Escapes.

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