The Suite Life

The names behind two of the most well known luxury brands, Ian Schrager and J.W. Marriott Jr. have officially launched their joint project of hotels under a new brand called “Edition.”

The two global names have been in talks for a while now, and publicly launched their new joint venture with the overwhelming support of partners and investors. This new brand may be centered around a lifestyle boutique hotel theme, but will definitely be a massive global brand with the strong support that has allowed the Edition team to double the original amount of planned properties.

The first destinations on the list for the unique hotel brand include two in Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, Costa Rica, Miami, Washington, Chicago and Scottsdale. Edition aims to reach an widely untapped luxury hotel population that expects top luxury and amenities as well as a unique hotel experience. The hotels will each have imaginative architecture, interior design, and ambiance that caters to the growing population of hotel goers who see hotels as not just places to sleep, but as luxury destinations.

Edition will be innovative in every sense of the word, from design and conception to service and operations, including strong environmentally conscious programs.

There is sure to be much talk about the properties as they emerge (the first is not set to open until 2010) as the world eagerly waits to see the next generation of luxury hotels take their place among the world’s best.

See all Marriott Hotels offered on Perfect Escapes

See all Morgan’s Hotel Group Hotels (a past Schrager venture) on Perfect Escapes

See Ian Schrager’s latest project, Gamercy Park Hotel on Perfect Escapes.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

There have been quite a few “top destinations of 2008” lists floating around, and the latest one comes from The Times, London. Their list spans the globe, including everything from the Maldives to Mexico. Many of them are new hotels set to open sometime this year, but others are ready and waiting to serve all of your luxury traveler’s desires.

Of course, New York City was first on the list, as the place that continues to command attention across the globe and radiates with the energy of multiple new hotel openings. The Times highlighted the new Robert DeNiro Greenwich Hotel set to open in TriBeCa and the first of the Firmdale hotels to cross the great Atlantic from London and settle nicely in SoHo.

Other U.S. luxury hotels to make the list included Gansevoort South in Miami Beach and the nearby Mondrian South Beach.

Outside of the States, over 18 other destinations were listed. The Fairmont and Rosewood in Mayakoba, Mexico, were on the list as well as Panama, Colombia, and Brazil.

In Europe, the new Rocco Forte Augustine Hotel in Prague was highlighted alongside hotels in Switzerland and of course Britain and England. Getting high praise was the Hyatt’s new Andaz Hotel which premiered in London and will soon makes its way to its first opening in the U.S.

Read the whole Times article.

Find luxury hotels in your destination from Perfect Escapes

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

Everyone has a sleepless-in-hotel story. Whether it’s the all night hallway partiers, the couple arguing through the paper thin walls, or the 5am construction start that the hotel failed to mention, it has become a rare commodity to actually get a good night’s rest at a hotel.

This sleepless situation is a tale being told across America as hotels become hipper and louder, and the noise factor is pushing out guests who actually want to sleep. Luckily hotels are taking notice and quickly jumping to serve the guests who have been alienated by those who think sleep is so last year.

Turning up the Volume

The hotel industry is fiercely competitive. No longer can hotels rely simply on comfortable beds and a good location to be noticed. Architecture, presentation, and on-site amenities have become paramount to a hotel’s survival. In the Iron Chef of hotel competition, only the most innovative and forward thinking survive.

Hotels have transformed from being a simple place to rest to a complete travel experience, almost if not as exciting as the trip itself. Hotels have invested millions on image improvements, facilities enhancements and expanded services to stand out from the crowd. Rooftop lounges, multi-story dance clubs, poolside entertainment, and lively restaurants have helped hotels to transform their image in hopes of creating the “it” scene. However, with many of these added perks, comes added noise, and hoteliers soon realized that their new sound was deafening to a large section of their clientele.

Hotels get an Earful

This noise factor is creating a lot of sleepless nights for hotel guests and a big concern for hoteliers. USA Today conducted a poll through TripAdvisor which found that 31% of hotel-goers have a problem with noise during their stay.

Their findings were further confirmed by the findings in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey which methodically measures guest satisfaction across six hotel categories and seven key areas of hotel stays. Of the over 47,000 respondents, hotel noise was the number one complaint. Given the increase in noisemaking amenities, and the decrease in funds spent on sound-proofing, this doesn’t come as a surprise.

Customers are loudly voicing their concerns to concierges, hotel websites and in their social communities which has hoteliers rushing to turn down the volume on complaints by adjusting the noise. In return, hotels are keeping guests informed and up-to-date on any property construction or changes and offering an array of tools to help make sure you get a good night’s sleep from ear plugs to noise canceling machines.

But that isn’t always enough. Some hotels are realizing that the initial reluctance to install sound proofing insulation is now necessary to keep customers happy. Implanting special sound-proofing materials in both public entertainment areas as well as in guest rooms is helping to re-establish guest privacy and comfort. One of the ways that sounds travels from one hotel room to another is through shared electrical outlets. The new InterContinental San Francisco has invested in electrical infrastructure that keeps these outlets separate for each room to reduce noise.

For now, guests must take an active role in determining whether their hotel is sleep-able, by reading reviews and asking questions of concierges. While an excellent hotel scene was once a cherished commodity, a good night’s sleep is becoming a more desired rarity. Luckily, hoteliers have taken notice and are quickly working to ensure every guest can have some peace and quiet along with their dinner and dancing.

Find luxury hotels that cater to your personal interests at Perfect Escapes.

Read user reviews of luxury hotels at Perfect Escapes.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes.

This week marks the third segment in our new Suite Life Blog series, User Reviews.

Since our launch of the user reviews application, Perfect Escapes has been overwhelmed with responses from people around the world sharing their unique hotel experiences. In this special blog segment, we take the chance to share some of the particularly thoughtful reviews with you in the hope that it will aid you in deciding where to stay on your next trip, and spur you to share your memorable experiences with us as well.

See what guests to the Perfect Escapes site had to say about their stay at the Taj Boston…

“Rooms were immaculate, elegant and spacious. The service all around was perfect; with staff very efficient and most eager to please. Definitely would stay again.” – Joanne from West Springfield, US

And…

“The Taj was more than I expected. Its location was perfect for transportation accesability, shopping was perfect and the service was fantastic. Always somebody around to help with questions or just a friendly smiling face. A great place. Classic decorations and furnishing.” – Bruce from Chattanooga, US

Remember, user reviews are open to anyone who has stayed at a Perfect Escapes-listed hotel or resort, no matter where you booked your trip.

To read more user reviews on your favorite luxury hotels, visit Perfect Escapes. Search by destination or for the specific hotel of your choice and then click on the “user reviews” tab on the hotel’s page.

See all of the user reviews for the Taj Boston on Perfect Escapes.

Find other Luxury Hotel Deals in Boston, from Perfect Escapes.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

It’s time for the newest 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 have not one, but two great offers in the heart of New York City at 70 Park Avenue and The Benjamin, as well as a special offer from one of our most exciting hotels, Graves 601, in Minneapolis. As always, each deal comes with special amenities exclusively for Perfect Escapes guests. So pick your deal and your destination, and make your escape.

Glamorous Gotham – 70 Park Avenue Hotel

70 Park Avenue Hotel marks Kimpton Hotels’ much-anticipated debut in New York and offers a haven of quiet luxury for guests seeking the ambiance of their very own Park Avenue pied a terre – a New York luxury hotel that feels like a second home. Book the Glamorous Gotham offer, exclusive to Perfect Escapes, and you’ll receive, luxury accommodations, complimentary bottle of Champagne, and on valentine’s day, a box of Champagne truffles.

Also, book this or any other 70 Park Avenue stay and receive complimentary room upgrade, early check-in and late check-out.*

Winter Retreat – Graves 601 Hotel

Graves 601 Hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Minneapolis among the business, theatre, and entertainment districts. A hotel with a history of excellence, Graves 601 offers a unique and appealing design as well as luxury accommodations. Book the Winter Retreat offer, an exclusive for Perfect Escapes, for stays through April 15, and you’ll receive luxurious accommodations, a bottle of Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, and a $50 credit for drinks at Cosmo’s, the hotel’s award-winning hotspot.

Plus, book this or any other Graves 601 stay and receive a complimentary room upgrade, early check-in and late check-out.*

Perfect Manhattan Escape – The Benjamin Hotel

The Benjamin brings a unique level of comfort to business and leisure travelers in a sophisticated, boutique-style setting. Luxurious and high-tech amenities allow guests to both work and relax from the comfort of their spacious rooms. Book the Perfect Manhattan Escape, an exclusive Perfect Escapes offer, an receive 10% off on studios or one-bedroom suites, full American breakfast for 2 at The Restaurant, 20% off a spa treatment, and guaranteed 12-noon check-in and 4pm check-out.

Book this offer soon as it is valid through April 21, 2008 only.

To book these offers and for more details go to Perfect Escapes and search for the deal of your choice or just click the links above in each offer. The Three + Three will be back with 3 new great offers in two weeks.

See all of the Perfect Escapes hotel offers in New York and Minneapolis.

* Amenities based on availability upon arrival.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes