The Suite Life

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

Just as frequent spa-goers could recite the vast differences between a hot stone massage and a deep tissue, so could they explain that destination spas and resort spas are two wonderful, but very different, spa experiences. Luckily, Perfect Escapes wants to ensure every luxury traveler gets exactly what he or she is looking for, so here is a rundown of the intricacies and delights of each type of spa experience…

Destination spas are destinations designed for guests who seek total immersion in a spa experience. They offer an adult environment where the emphasis is on getting and staying healthy. These spas are intended to be the destination and not simply an added bonus to a vacation. As such, destination spas offer guests a wide range of therapeutically oriented activities to keep them occupied. These activities are intended to help guests find inspiration and become energized among a like-minded community of participants. They equally balance spa treatments with health-building activities such as education and seminars, exercise routines, and meditation to create an overall sense of growth and inner peace.

Most destination spas include lodging, meals, programs and some spa treatments in their base rates. Guests average longer visits to a destination spa with stays commonly being five days to multiple weeks. Destination spas are a great way to address particular health issues or initiate a healthier lifestyle. While much time is spent looking inward, destination spas are also a good way to enjoy the company of a close friend or partner looking to achieve the same relaxation and rejuvenation goals.

Resort spas, on the other hand, are for those guests seeking to enjoy some spa treatments as part of their overall experience. They often offer a family environment and a full range of dining and recreational experiences in addition to the on-site spa, such as golf and tennis. These spas offer a great way to pamper oneself as part of a larger getaway and are for the less formal spa-goer. So if you want to work those muscles playing sports, expand your mind site-seeing or simply relax on the beach, a resort spa often has all those activities close at hand, and you can go back to the resort for a body treatment to heal from all those adventures.

Most resort spas offer spa packages that bundle room nights and spa treatments but most guests book spa treatments separately from their lodging. Either way, be sure to book spa treatments ahead of your stay as they are generally difficult to get last minute due to limited treatment rooms and staff.

Need further help deciding whether a destination spa or a resort spa is for you?
- Go to a destination spa to rid your body of toxins. Go to a resort spa to tie on a couple of intoxications.
- Go to a resort spa to dine on lamb chops dressed in lemongrass. Go to a destination spa to nibble on lettuce dressed in grass with lemon.
- Go to a destination spa OR a resort spa for a perfect escape.

Top Destination Spas
If you are looking for an ultimate spa getaway, then consider a trip to any of these twelve amazing spas whose focus is on personal wellness and growth.

Agua Spa at the Delano Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida
Amandari, Bali, Indonesia
Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden, Germany
Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
Canyon Ranch, Lenox, Massachusetts
Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand
Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, Texas
Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona
Miraval Resort, Tucson, Arizona
Plateau at Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong

Top Resort Spas
If you are looking to enjoy a terrific spa as part of a greater getaway, then consider staying at one of these twelve properties or go to Perfect Escapes for a list of great spas at many luxury hotel properties:

American Club, Kohler Waters Spa, Kohler, Wisconsin
Bacara Resort & Spa, Santa Barbara, California
Bathhouse at Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley, California
Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Carefree, Arizona
Esperanza, An Auberge Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Fairmont Banff Springs, Willow Stream Spa, Canada
Hotel Le Sirenuse, Aveda Concept Spa, Positano, Italy
One&Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, New York City
Spa Halekulani, Honolulu, Hawaii
Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand
Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Palazzo Las Vegas, Nevada

By Eric Jeck, CEO 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

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.

The Plaza Hotel is as paramount to New York City as the Big Red Apple, Bendel’s and Serendipity. Picturesque in its park-side location, The Plaza is the grandfather of New York luxury and, like a grand-father, The Plaza has become even more loved and respected over the years.

Having played host to numerous sets and stories including Home Alone 2, Eloise and the Hitchcock classic, North by Northwest, The Plaza is a true icon of both luxury and tradition that almost everyone has a fond memory of, even if they’ve never actually stayed in the hotel.

On October 1st The Plaza celebrated its 100th birthday and commemorated the occasion with a host of festivities from roof-top fireworks to a 12-foot scale model cake that took one month to create. Hundreds of couture-laden guests completed the colorful affair and were treated to a separate, pre-cut cake.

The Plaza was not only celebrating its birthday, but the upcoming re-opening of the hotel this winter after 2 years of extensive (and expensive at over $400 million) remodeling. The new and improved Plaza maintains the French chateau architecture and old-world charm but adds some luxurious perks that many travelers have become accustomed to these days such as a champagne bar, the Rose Club Lounge and 24-hour room service (who could travel with out that?). The Plaza is already taking reservations for 2008, so the New York icon is right on schedule to get back into the hearts and vacation plans of the many who have admired the hotel for 100 years.

Find great deals on New York City Hotels from Perfect Escapes.

Find luxury hotels from Perfect Escapes in the Tri-State Area.