The Suite Life

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.

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 bring you offers from the 3 top destinations of Miami, Baltimore and Seattle. Get extra savings, a romantic stay, or a Tuscan-themed escape with these 3 great offers. Whatever you choose there are always exclusive Perfect Escapes perks, so pick your deal and your destination and make your escape!

Stay 3 Nights, Save 15% – Hotel Astor, Miami

Situated in the very heart of South Beach, the Hotel Astor provides top-notch amenities in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere. Book your escape to the Hotel Astor and receive: 15% off best available rate on your choice of room, guaranteed late check-out, welcome gift, complimentary room upgrade, and early check-in (on avail.).

Harbor View Love Affair – InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore

The gracious InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore is the premier choice among Inner Harbor hotels, offering elegant accommodations in a landmark setting. Book the Harbor View Love Affair exclusive Perfect Escapes offer and receive: guaranteed upgrade to a Deluxe Harbor View room, rose-petal turndown service and chocolate-covered strawberries, and a $50 credit toward any in-hotel expenses.

Plus, book this or any other InterContinental Harbor View Baltimore stay with Perfect Escapes and you’ll also receive daily breakfast for two, complimentary valet parking for one car, and early check-in and late check-out (on avail.).

Taste of Tuscany – Hotel Vintage Park, Seattle

Elegance and personalized service are a way of life at the four-diamond Hotel Vintage Park, located in the heart of the city, just steps from the best boutiques, theatres, and arts venues. Book the Taste of Tuscany offer with Perfect Escapes and you’ll receive: overnight accommodations in your choice of winery-themed rooms and suites, complimentary valet parking, and a hand-selected bottle of Washington wine delivered to your room at turndown.

Remember, these special offers are exclusive to Perfect Escapes. Find more luxury hotel deals at Perfect Escapes for each of this week’s featured destinations: Miami, Baltimore, Seattle.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

Welcome to the latest 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 on the Three + Three we head out West where Spring is already in the air. Spice up your spring wardrobe with a trip to shopping haven San Francisco, enjoy fresh sea breezes in La Jolla, or soak up the sun in Sedona. Whatever you choose there are always exclusive Perfect Escapes perks, so pick your deal and your destination and make your escape!

Luxury on a New Level – InterContinental San Francisco

The City’s newest landmark, InterContinental San Francisco offers guests many reasons to stay inside its cool-blue exterior. Upgrade your stay with the Luxury on a New Level offer and you’ll gain entry to Club InterContinental’s exclusive lounge featuring wine and chef tastings, breakfast, afternoon tea, and more.

Plus, this special access will also give you a choice of pillows from the pillow bar, hometown newspaper each morning and more as well as special Perfect Escapes Perks such as guaranteed late check-out and complimentary wireless internet. For full details go to Perfect Escapes.

Fourth Night Free – Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa offers a coastal San Diego County retreat where tradition, environment, and design blend to renew and inspire alongside the beautiful La Jolla beaches. Book the 4th Night Free offer by midnight on March 17 and receive and exclusive PE rate and your 4th night free.

Book this or any other Estancia offer and you’ll also receive the excusive PE Perks of daily breakfast for two, complimentary room upgrade, early check-in and more.* For full details go to Perfect Escapes.

Sedona, Your Way – Amara Resort and Spa

Sedona’s newest and most striking resort, Amara Resort and Spa offers a full-service, pampering environment in the heart of uptown Sedona. Chic and contemporary, Amara Resort will capture the heart of every guest. Book the exclusive Sedona, Your Way offer and you’ll receive stylish resort room or suite accommodations and a $50 resort credit to spend as you wish.

Also, book this or any other Amara Resort and Spa stay with Perfect Escapes and you’ll also receive, complimentary breakfast for two, special welcome gift, room upgrade and more.* For full details go to Perfect Escapes.

Remember, these special offers are exclusive to Perfect Escapes. Find more luxury hotel deals at Perfect escapes and for each for each of this week’s featured destinations: San Francisco, La Jolla, Sedona.

*Room upgrade, check-in and check-out amenities based on availability upon arrival.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

A recent W Magazine article examined a new class of concierge that has emerged in top luxury hotels. These are the “can do” concierges, who will do almost anything at anytime for their guests, and not just the VIP ones.

Increases in luxury hotel competitiveness and in hotel room prices seem to explain why hotels feel the need to both stand out from the crowd and to increase customer loyalty. Just as they are upping the design and amenity standards, so too are luxury hotels making guests feel more special with personal, constant service.

The article explains that 20 years ago, people didn’t use concierges for much more than restaurant recommendations, and assumed their services were reserved for VIP’s. But when the standard room now goes for over $500 per night, every guest has come to expect VIP-level service.

To some degree, that’s exactly what the hotels want. If they can fulfill inventive and sometimes outrageous requests, than they made the guest’s experience memorable and hopefully gained their loyalty. Luxury travel is all about unique, brag-worthy experiences these days, and concierges want to see it happen, especially since user reviews and word of mouth have become paramount to traveler’s hotel decisions. St. Regis’ legendary personal butler service, InterContinental’s pillow bar, and Peninsula’s Concierge Choice newsletter are just a few examples of the efforts made by top luxury hotel chains to make guests’ stays the best possible.

On the other hand, more and more extreme cases have arisen in which guests become downright demanding and difficult with their last-minute and unusual requests (house broken pets, double-decker buses and more). While concierges refuse to do anything “illegal or immoral”, they stick to their “can do” attitude as much as possible, and ask that you take advantage of their services on your next trip. Whether you need a rooftop private dinner for two or a new computer battery, they really are happy to help (most of the time).

Find luxury hotels in top destinations around the world at Perfect Escapes:

New York City

Chicago

Los Angeles

Miami

San Francisco

Las Vegas

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes

Thursday, February 28, 2008 was officially declared InterContinental San Francisco Day as the red ribbon was cut at the grand opening this morning.

Still smelling of fresh paint, last minute touches were still being finished, yet as a whole the hotel glistened, especially as the sun penetrated the numerous floor to ceiling windows, a main feature of the property.

Dressed in a California meets Italy feel, the property is modern and crisp yet also warm and inviting. The large windows on either side of each hallway are met by warm red carpet and soft lighting, making the traditional hotel hallways a bit more friendly. Modern bathrooms in light, muted colors exist next to rooms designed to meet all your needs (extra outlets, ipod docking station, more counter space, flat screen TV’s and WiFi). And of course, there are the amazing views in each room that float you above the colorful SoMa district 33 floors below.

Yet, what stood out most in the internationally renowned luxury hotel chain’s latest property is that it did not feel like a massive chain hotel. The design gives guests room to lounge (rooms are well-sized and plenty of main floor seating) yet is not overrun by large unwelcoming spaces. The center white staircase invites movement not isolation and the ballroom is flanked by colorful abstract artwork. Each floor has only 23 rooms and upon exiting the elevators guests can only turn right or left creating one long hallway and eliminating the maze of corridors that often exist in large hotels.

There are other special touches as well including the indoor lap pool with skylights, the bamboo-encased spa terrace and the club lounge that hosts chef demonstrations, your local newspaper, and tastings of international cuisine throughout the day (see below for a special Perfect Escapes offer with Club IC).

Luxury on a New Level at InterContinental SF - Experience the best that InterContinental San Francisco has to offer with this exclusive Perfect Escapes deal. When you book this package you’ll gain access to the Club InterContinental Lounge to indulge in wine and chef tastings, breakfast, afternoon tea and more.

You’ll also receive guaranteed late check out, complimentary WiFi, a special bath amenity and more. See full details at Perfect Escapes.

With the first guests already arriving, the hotel is eager to set into motion what has been in the works for almost 10 years. It is evident that a lot of heart went into the creation of the InterContinental San Francisco with stories of selecting flawless décor at any cost, refurnishing until rooms were perfect and of the meticulously composed menu for Luce, the hotel’s restaurant with uniquely blended dishes as well as a special “Luce” wine made with both Californian and Italian grapes.

This blend of cultures, modern style and comforts certainly seems to make for a success story. Having already secured their first sold out day (this coming Monday, March 3) the hotel is quickly settling in to its home, and its opening has made multiple headlines from The Chronicle and Daily Candy to right here on the Suite Life Blog.

See photos of opening day and our hotel tour on the Perfect Escapes Flicker Photo Pool.

Find luxury hotels in San Francisco on Perfect Escapes.

By Sarah Ziering for Perfect Escapes