The Suite Life

Many people insist New Years’ Eve is yet another overrated holiday with huge crowds, bar lines that go for miles and pressure to find the perfect midnight kiss. But then again, the crowds of beautiful people, the booze and the possibility of a midnight kiss are exactly what makes New Years’ so enticing.

Much like a more grown-up version of Halloween (with couture for costumes and canapés instead of candy), New Years’ gives everyone a chance to start a new year in style and Perfect Escapes wants to share with you a few of the most happening New Years’ events in the off-chance you decide last minute that getting dressed up and dancing the night away really does beat starting off the year on your couch in front of the TV.

The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco – The St. Francis has taken center stage as the place to be this New Years’. With a fashion show, 2 live bands, a 3,000 balloon drop and more, this party has everything to create a classic New Years’ celebration.

Pure Nightclub in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas – For those who want to mix with the young and trendsetting MTV crowd, the place to go is Pure. Extending the New Years’ celebration to a whole weekend, Pure has events and parties going on from now until the clock strikes 12 on New Years’ (who are we kidding, the real party won’t even start until 12). Pamela Anderson is the headlining host for the evening, with special guest hosts throughout the weekend including cast members from MTV’s hit show The Hills and the infamous Hilton Sisters, without which no party could be complete.

Times Square, New York City – The epicenter of the New Years’ celebration, Times Square has the biggest party in the country. You’ve undoubtedly seen it on TV, the crowds, the excitement and of course, the ball drop. While all that chaos might be a bit over the top for some, a luxury hotel can certainly make the night memorable and a whole lot more comfortable. The Renaissance Times Square is in the center of all the excitement but puts you high above the clamoring crowds. The amazing view of Times Square from the dining area is the perfect place to enjoy the celebrations.

Perfect Escapes wishes you a wonderful and luxurious New Years’ celebration, wherever that may be.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

As we ‘round the bend from the holiday season and gear up for 2008, many people are wondering what’s in store for luxury travel in the upcoming year. While there have been many predictions for which trends hotels will embrace, one major trend for the new year is the personalized hotel experience.

From technology to amenities, hoteliers are realizing that the best way to please their seasoned luxury traveler clientel is to personalize their hotel stay as much as possible. Smaller luxury hotels are popping up all over the place, and the fierce competition creates ideal conditions for hotel guests whom are being pampered with anything their hearts desire.

Wyndham Hotels are the biggest chain that has now introduced Pure Rooms, so that allergy free guests will not experience any discomfort during their stay. Their air-filtered rooms still offer luxurious linens and atmosphere without the fear of a dreaded allergy attack. Kimpton Hotels are going very green with policies and amenities that ease the minds of eco-conscious travelers.

The Hard Rock Hotels offer guests access to special music events, lounge spaces to sip a drink and relish one’s coolness, and the latest in hip hotel trends, the rooftop pool and bar.

In addition to amenities and ultra-chic design, hotels are quickly wiring up. More luxury travelers have come to expect complimentary wireless internet as a standard in hotels and hoteliers are beginning to respond. Offering wireless, better equipped business centers and high-tech work stations in a comfortable lobby or café setting, hotels are realizing that being online keeps guests checking in.

But guests aren’t just bringing their laptops when they travel, they are bringing their pets too. Luxury hotels are seeing more guests seeking out special services for their pampered pooches who are accustomed to luxurious accommodations just as much as their owners (or should I say companions). Hotels now offer doggy day-care, spa treatments, dog-walking and more to make sure all their guests are happy, whether they have four legs or not.

And dogs are not the only ones being given more attention since children are more savvy and more well-traveled than ever, hotels are setting up kid’s suites with everything a posh under-agers could desire from dress up clothes and cupcakes to bunk-beds, all in their own adjoining suite. The Four Seasons has long catered to the smallest luxury travelers with child-size bathrobes, cookies and milk, and movies complete with popcorn and melted butter.

So whether you are traveling on business, pleasure, with a pet or with the kids, look for luxury hotels in 2008 to create personalized experiences that make every guest feel at home, only better.

Find Luxury Hotel Deals in your destination at Perfect Escapes.

While Hawaii usually conjures up thoughts of palm tress, beach chairs and big waves, December turns Hawaii into a festive holiday fantasy.

Combining the luxury of gorgeous beach front properties and activities galore (water sports, hiking, volcanoes, waterfalls, etc.) with the wonder of thousands of sparkly lights covering every Palm tree and roof in site, Hawaii brings a special sort of holiday excitement to vacationers.

Kauai celebrates the season with a Festival of Lights running through New Year’s. There are Christmas parades, fairs, decorations and more on multiple Islands, and Maui even brings in snow for those who want a white Christmas amongst a backdrop of tropical tinsel.

If suddenly the thought of shoveling snow so you can run to the store and fight for the last carton of eggnog for Aunt Joan who happens to insist you wear the 3rd edition of a Reindeer sweater she made for you is really just not getting you in the holiday mood, then pack your bags and head for the islands, where the holidays are even brighter and the Christmas fruitcake is made from fresh pineapple right outside your door.

Find great deals on some of Perfect Escapes’ favorite Luxury Hawaii Hotels:

Big Island - The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii

Lana’i - Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay

Maui - Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Oahu - Turtle Bay Resort

Read the full article about Hawaiian Holiday celebrations from the SF Chronicle on SF Gate.

Hyatt’s Hyatt Place brand is quickly growing in popularity as a lifestyle hotel that offers casual yet attentive hospitality and all the technological convenience to stay in touch with work or to zone out after a long day of meetings. And Hyatt Place’s newest gadget, the Hyatt Plug Panel, is sure to convert those who have yet to join this modern technological oasis.

A 42” HDTV flat screen is already in each guestroom but now the Plug Panel will allow every guest to plug in their media devices to the television, be it mp3 player, laptop, and basically anything that comes with a chord.  Guests can go about their usual gadget-using business, but in 42″ wide screen. And, if they forget those pesky chords, some are available for purchase in the hotel.

Giving guests control over their evening by making it easier to plug in and chill out, Hyatt Place finds a balance for guests who want access to it all, but also want to be left alone. Other high tech amenities include a touch screen menu in the 24-hour Guest Kitchen, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and ergonomic work stations.

With an increasing demand by frequent travelers for technology and more amenities, hotel brands are finding ways to keep their guests plugged in while still maintaining the calm escape of a luxury hotel. Hyatt’s Hyatt Place has turned this idea into reality fairly quickly, and with over 120 Hyatt Place hotels open by the first quarter of 2008, this comfortable yet functional theme is definitely one worth adopting.

Like the traditional Hyatt Brand as well? Find Hyatt Hotels and Resorts from Perfect Escapes.

Find Luxury Business Hotels from Perfect Escape.

Check out Hyatt’s other new brand, ANdAZ, London location, on Perfect Escapes.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

Layovers happen for many reasons, some planned and some, unfortunately, not , leaving many luxury travelers struggling to find a place to rest that doesn’t include a hard plastic bench giving off a not so faint smell of old French fries.

Luckily, airport hotels are responding to the demand for more luxurious accommodations and are slowly regaining the trust of frequent travelers who had long given up on the bare-bones offerings. Airport hotels are quickly gaining speed behind luxury hotels with drastic facelifts in everything from design and service, to amenities and food offerings. Services at these air-resorts include spa and fitness centers, pools and gardens, a choice of restaurants and bars, and A-list designer room motifs.

Acting more like resorts than quick sleeping solutions, the new and improved airport hotels are treating guests with the same high quality attention that they are receiving on their business class flights. Hotels are now catching up to ensure the luxury experience continues once travelers are off the plane and until they get back on. Sofitel’s newest location in the Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 will connect to British Airways. Grand Hyatt brings European culture and high-end technology to a massive complex in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Getting a good night’s rest has grown to include things such as pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TV’s, spas and attentive service, which were once reserved for top destination resorts far from the airport terminal. Now travelers can rest easy knowing that all of these luxuries are available to them right outside the jetway door.

Planning to stay longer than a layover? Find other luxury hotels in Dallas from Perfect Escapes.

Need some R&R after hours of flying? Find luxury spa hotels in your destination from Perfect Escapes.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes