The Suite Life

Europe is taking steps to win back some of its previously dedicated tourists, Americans. The recent downturn of the American economy has affected not just those here, but tourism across Western Europe as well.

While Americans still find an economic advantage in Eastern Europe (and thus the region has seen an increase in tourism), Western Europe has become an even pricier endeavor, and has lost a significant amount of tourism dollars as a result. Official tourism boards in multiple countries have launched discount coupons, heavy advertising, and special offers to woo their Western patrons back across the ocean.

For Harry’s Bar in Venice, famous for being Hemingway’s hang-out, the way to win back the Americans was with a special 20% discount on drinks for “American Victims” of subprime loans and bad economy. It seems the bar may be actually laughing at and not with Americans’ plight with this special offer, but it might just work. As Hemingway once said, “Don’t you drink?…I have drunk since I was fifteen and few things have given me more pleasure.”

Find luxury hotels around the world at Perfect Escapes.

London

Paris

Italy

You may imagine the hotel of the future with robotic on-demand housekeeping, voice-activated room entry, and all kinds of other gadgets, which may not be far off, but InterContinental Hotels is looking beyond technology to the future of the environment.

Their new Innovation Hotel is a specially dedicated section of the IHG website that will showcase the hotel empire’s green efforts both now and for properties of the future. InterContinental isn’t looking at the future in terms of another century or even decade either, many of the green practices including low-emissions paint, solar roof panels, and recycled furnishings, could be in place within the next few years.

Let’s just hope other luxury hotels take the green out of their envy and put it towards their futures as well.

Find luxury hotels around the world at Perfect Escapes.

Conde Nast Traveler has just released its Hot Hotel list for 2008. The list includes hotels in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Middle East, Australia and the Pacific, and of course, North America.

Here’s a sneak peak at the list’s North American Hot Hotels which included many Perfect Escapes accepted properties such as:

Aqua Cancun, Cancun
Rosewood Mayakoba, Mayakoba
Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen
La Purificadora, Puebla
Grand Del Mar, San Diego
Ivy Hotel, San Diego
Angler’s Boutique Resort, Miami Beach
Tides South Beach, Miami Beach
Hotel Sax, Chicago
Palazzo Las Vegas
Ritz Carlton Dallas

And many more…

Some of these properties have such exciting design and anticipation that they are already achieving big industry buzz before they even open. So make sure to book early as the hotter a hotel gets the harder it is to get into, and it’s going to be one steamy summer.

Find luxury hotels around the world at Perfect Escapes.

See the entire Conde Nast Traveler Hot Hotel List for 2008.

The Chicago Tribune recently reported that hotels in the Windy City are stepping up their high-tech amenities in an effort to make guests feel more at home. While the general consensus is that nothing is as important as impeccable service when it comes to a hotel experience, it can’t hurt to lavish guests with high-tech amenities to accompany the custom pillows and service. In a world where people are plugged in to some sort of device almost constantly, hotels are reaching out to high-tech lifestyles who live in a luxuriously gadgety world.

The Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is installing HDTV’s into every guest room, while The Peninsula is upgraded cell-phone coverage and many area hotels are succumbing to the almost now standard amenity of free wireless internet.

Many Chicago hotels are also offering video game consoles, more accessible outlets, and in-room laptop storage safes in addition to the giant plasma TV’s and entertainment systems.

When you mix luxury with high-tech you can lay in your turned-down, fluffy bed, watching your HDTV, while your ipod charges in the alarm dock next to you, all while a concierge happily arranges for the phone charge your forgot to be replaced and dropped at your hotel room door. It’s virtual hotel bliss.

Find luxury hotels in Chicago on Perfect Escapes

Welcome to this edition of the “Three + Three” in which the Perfect Escapes Suite Life Blog brings you three great deals in three top destinations around the country. Published twice monthly, you can also get your 3 deals delivered directly to you by subscribing to our RSS feed.

This week we go to the Canadian Rockies, where three very different Fairmont hotels and resorts are ready to host your next great getaway. Enjoy a rustic lodge, lakeside luxury, or a park resort, it’s up to you. Whatever you choose there are always exclusive Perfect Escapes perks, so pick your deal and your destination and make your escape.

Rustic Elegance – The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The charming cabins and rustic elegance of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge make this legendary resort the embodiment of peace, tranquility and natural beauty. Book the Rustic Elegance offer, a Perfect Escapes exclusive, and receive: guaranteed late check-out, daily breakfast for two, welcome gift, and complimentary room upgrade and early check-in (on avail.).

Rocky Mountain Luxury – The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Tucked deep within Banff National Park, the Chateau invites you to a retreat of welcoming grandeur. Book the Rocky Mountain Luxury package, a Perfect Escapes exclusive offer, and receive: confirmed room upgrade, valet parking, and late check-out.

Plus book this or any other Fairmont Chateau Lake Louis offer with Perfect Escapes and receive: Daily Breakfast for two, early check-in (on avail.) and welcome gift.

Banff & Breakfast – The Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs offers all the amenities of a world-class resort, with superbly appointed guest rooms and attentive service in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Book this Banff & Breakfast offer, a Perfect Escapes exclusive, and receive a confirmed room upgrade and complimentary parking.

Also, book this or any other Fairmont Banff Springs offer with Perfect Escapes and you’ll receive Daily breakfast for two, late check-out and early check-in (on avail.) and a welcome gift.

Remember, these special offers are exclusive to Perfect Escapes. Find more luxury hotel deals at Perfect Escapes for each of this week’s featured destination: The Canadian Rockies.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes