Browsing Category: "California"
Langham Hotels International announced today the official rebranding of the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa to The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena. The 100-year old historic hotel is the second U.S. property for the international luxury hotel brand founded in 1865.
The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa has been a famous historic Pasadena landmark since 1907 and features 380 timelessly elegant rooms and suites including discretely located cottages throughout the grounds.
Located on 23 acres of rolling manicured grounds just 9 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Los Angeles environs. It is the only AAA Five Diamond hotel in Pasadena.
The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena also offers more than 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Two of its charming period ballrooms are also recognized and preserved for their architectural significance which has made them a feature in several Hollywood movies and the venue of choice for society and business events. Combined with the exceptionally extensive lawns and gardens under the favourable Southern Californian weather, outdoor events are de rigueur amongst the Pasadena elite.
The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena offers a variety of recreational activities. Guests can pamper themselves in the hotel’s award-winning spa, recognized by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the top 10 spas in the continental USA, or indulge their taste buds with the exceptional tasting menu in The Dining Room restaurant which has just earned its first Michelin Star.
They can also enjoy the popular tradition of The Langham Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Lounge or a drink in The Bar while enjoying the panoramic views of the hotel’s Horseshoe Garden.
The purchase of the Huntington Hotel and Spa Pasadena by Langham Hotels International adds a West Coast property to the company’s portfolio and signals the group’s planned expansion within the US. The company opened its other U.S. property, the Langham Boston in January 2004.
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.
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’s 3 deals are exclusive Perfect Escapes offers that bring you the best deal in the most luxurious accommodations from New York City all the way across the States to Los Cabos, Mexico and San Francisco. As always, each deal comes with special amenities exclusively for Perfect Escapes guests. So pick your deal and your destination, and make your escape.
A Muse in Manhattan – The Muse New York
Inspired by its central Manhattan location, The Muse New York — like all Kimpton hotels — offers comfort with creativity, service with style, and logic with luxury. Book the A Muse in Manhattan exclusive offer and you’ll receive luxurious room accommodations as well as a bottle of champagne upon arrival.
Plus, book this or any other stay at The Muse with Perfect Escapes and receive a guaranteed upgrade to an Executive Room when you book a Deluxe Room and confirmed early check-in and late check-out.
Los Cabos Luxury – Casa Natalia, Los Cabos, Mexico
Experience the charm of Casa Natalia, a gracious, European-style boutique hotel — a serene oasis in the heart of historic San Jose del Cabo. Glass doors open onto your private terrace, where you can relax on your own personal hammock shaded by a canopy of bougainvillea and bamboo. Three waterfalls add their music, gently cascading into the heated swimming pool. With the Los Cabos Luxury exclusive offer, book 4 nights or more and save 20% off the best rate – it’s like getting your fifth night free!
Plus, when you book this or any other Casa Natalia stay with Perfect Escapes you’ll also receive, daily breakfast for two, welcome margaritas and appetizer upon arrival, complimentary room upgrade, early check-in and late check-out.*
San Francisco Escape – Argonaut Hotel
Welcome to the Argonaut Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf. Experience the luxury of a boutique hotel built inside the historic Haslett Warehouse at The Cannery, When you book your San Francisco Escape, you’ve got a ticket to ride the country’s only mobile historical landmark – the world-famous San Francisco cable cars that stop just steps from the hotel’s entrance. Ride to the top of Nob Hill for breathtaking views, or continue on to explore Union Square’s world-class shops and restaurants downtown.
The San Francisco Escape package includes overnight accommodations, a pair of Cable Car passes good for unlimited rides each day as well as Continental breakfast for two each morning, complimentary room upgrade, early check-in and late check-out.
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: New York City, Los Cabos, San Francisco.
* Room upgrade, check-in and check-out amenities based on availability upon arrival.
Abandoning the idea that hotel meeting facilities have to be customary, sleek Hotel Diva, a member of the Personality Hotels collection, unveils a completely renovated meeting room and business center full of inspiration. Custom-designed by Bay Area designers, both rooms reflect Hotel Diva’s cutting-edge style and are styled to inspire and ignite creativity.
Designed by renowned Architect/Designer T. Olle Lundberg, CEO and Founder of San Francisco-based Lundberg Design, the Hotel Diva Meeting Room features a black and sepia color scheme and is outfitted with highly textured charcoal grey carpet tiles, a custom-designed golden onyx and steel under-lit buffet by Lundberg Design, Carre modular tables in rich cherry wood and brushed stainless steel, “cornflake” chairs upholstered in felted wool, artwork by Carol LaBarge and lighting by Artimide, EOS and Starship. Two of the walls have been sculpted in a dramatic wave pattern to add texture and drama to the room, while the onyx buffet is lit from below, casting a dramatic golden hue over the entire room. A large flat screen television and projection screen complete the room.
Just off the meeting room, the outside “Breathing Room” has been refinished in a deep espresso color and features a sleek cobalt blue bench, cube seating and a Frank Gehry arm chair, all by Design Within Reach. Adding freshness, green plants are placed throughout the outdoor area in large modern metal planters. An eight-foot white “Vessel” pottery sculpture installation, consisting of five, eight-foot curvilinear ceramic “poles” attached to a base serves as an imaginative focal point.
Designed by Kevin McPhee, the B&N Industries Business Center is styled with modern, custom-made furniture including a long walnut desk (equipped with two computers, a printer and office supplies), a glass conference table with a metal base, and walnut Cherner chairs. Elson bubble lamps are suspended at varying heights from the ceiling, and walnut Iconic wall paneling and palm green Flor carpet tiles complement the room. B&N Industries, located in Burlingame, Calif., is an innovative designer and manufacturer of fresh, fun, and functional products for the retail, architectural, and consumer industries.
Planning a meeting can be very stressful, especially when mini-emergences happen at the last minute. Here to the rescue is Personality Hotels’ “Emergency Resources Kit” (“ER Kit” for short), which includes everything a meeting planner could need - from a stapler and staples, to poster adhesive and cough drops. The “ER Kit” is complimentary when the meeting room is reserved at Hotel Diva, The Maxwell Hotel or Kensington Park Hotel. The “ER Kit” is also available for purchase for $100, excluding tax.
Overall Best Los Angeles Airport Hotel:
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles
We hesitate giving an airport hotel without free internet our top honors, but we’ll make an exception for the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles. The property feels more like a resort than your typical airport hotel. The scenic heated pool is open late, as is the jacuzzi. The service, especially that which brings one poolside drinks, is attentive and the food near-stellar. The feel of the whole place is more like a hip boutique inn than a stale business hotel, the Starbucks in the lobby not withstanding. Best of all, the Sheraton Gateway is the most convenient hotel for LAX travelers — the property is as close as any to the terminals and the hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle runs every 15 or 20 minutes, all day and night. We prefer their rooms with the airport runway views, though some low rumblings from airplanes taking off do manage to penetrate the double-plated windows; if you are an especially light sleeper choose one of the front rooms.
The Grande Dame of San Diego, Hotel Del Coronado presents The Beach Village at the Del a great new addition to the already famous resort is just next door featuring VIP villas tailored to suit the needs of today’s family getaway.
Since its opening in 1888, The Hotel Del Coronado has been the premier resort destination on the West Coast, hosting 11 U.S. presidents, dignitaries and discerning travelers from around the world. Hollywood has also played a special part in creating the mystique of The Del. It was here, in 1958, that Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon filmed the comedy classic Some Like It Hot. The Del has remained a playground by the sea for many celebrities through the years. Legendary beauties such as Lana Turner, Judy Garland and Lauren Bacall lounged by the pool, and leading men including Clark Cable, Frank Sinatra and Kirk Douglas strolled the sandy beaches. Continuing the tradition, celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson and Oprah Winfrey have all enjoyed relaxing respites at the legendary resort.
With the introduction of Beach Village (adjacent to The Del), owners and discerning travelers can now enjoy a new level of luxury. Special amenities include Bose surround sound systems and docking stations, large flat-panel televisions, wireless Internet and more. Beach Village cottages and villas feature dining and living spaces with fully-equipped kitchens and gourmet-quality appliances, cozy fireplaces, spa-style baths with soaking tubs, spacious ocean-view balconies and private terraces. Within this exclusive enclave, owners and guests will also enjoy private pools and hot tubs, personalized concierge service and private access to the beach.
