Roam+Board :: Fairmont Banff Springs

[trip style = active/adventure + luxury + spa]

{Editor’s Note :: I was just a guest of the Fairmont Banff Springs and the iconic property is Trip Styler approved.}

What First things first. The Fairmont Banff Springs isn't just a hotel, it's a fairy tale scene right out of a just-shaken snow globe.

I don't think I've ever referred to a hotel as magical, but the 768-room castle {literally} carries a Harry Potter-level mystique with chandelier-covered ballrooms, arched grand entrances and a stone-clad exterior. Within seconds of pushing my way though the rotating wood and brass doors, it quickly becomes my favorite Canadian heritage hotel, and yes, the four-lane bowling alley helps sway my decision.

Whether or not you have any interest in history, you can't help but be taken by the 1888-built property. You'd be in good company, Marilyn Monroe liked it too, and if she were here today, I have a feeling she'd escape under the trio of cascading waterfalls in the spa's spring fed pool. This alone is worth writing home about. Fold in the stop-in-your-tracks views, and you've got a post card-perfect Canadian scene stealer.

Where In Banff, the heart of the Canadian Rockies, a one hour drive from the Calgary International Airport.

When Summers are warm like hot chocolate, winters are frosty like snow cones, and shoulder season could go either way. When I was there in mid-May, it went from a balmy +25 C one day, to a snowy -2 C the next. Dress in layers---from flip flops to snow boots.

Who/Why You're 30% adventurous 70% chic, and like an intrepid boy scout/girl guide you'll just as quickly march into the wilderness as you'll waltz into the wine bar for après. Lucky for you, both are much better enjoyed with views of the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cost Rates start at $299 per night Jan-May and Oct-Dec. During summer high season, rooms start at $449. Valet parking is $35+ tax/night and self-park is $25+ tax/night. Bark woof, Fido can come too for $25/night. Expect complimentary wifi and a $49 spa rate *if* you sign up for Fairmont's free {and fabulous} loyalty program.

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More Roam+Board Thompson - Beverly Hills The Sorrento Hotel – Seattle The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand Hotel De La Paix – Thailand X2 Kui Buri – Thailand Ecopod Boutique Retreat – Scotland From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos by @tripstyler]

IMG_FRI :: Rock 'n Rails

[trip style = luxury + sightseeing]

{Editor's Note :: Next week is a double-whammy for the TS crew, Monday is a Canadian National Holiday, and the rest of the week we'll be trip styling in a secret location abroad---more details on this in the next few weeks---with potentially spotty wifi and a full schedule. Look for updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and catch us back in action on Monday, May 28th.}

This week I had the privilege of taking the road less traveled aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, named by National Geographic as one of the world's greatest trips {our full report coming in a few weeks}. Inching through the Canadian Rockies at speeds ranging from 10 to 50km/h, I savored a side of Canada that's wild, explored by few and ruled by the mighty grizzly bear.

More IMG_FRI Handsome Coffee LA SEA-ttle Tokyo JAL Business Class A Cinque Terre Adventure Conquering Phoenix’s Camelback Mountain

[photos by @tripstyler]

Roam+Board :: Thompson Beverly Hills

[trip style = luxury + sun + urban]

{Editor’s Note :: I just stayed at the Thompson Beverly Hills---a hotel I'd been eyeing and booked via Hotel Tonight. PS - it's Trip Styler Approved.}

What Transplant a hip NYC hotel dressed in dark leathers, tinted shades and modern accessories into LA and you've got the Thompson. Think edgy with a set of pearls. Sure, there's a scene, but in a clash of East-meets-West, it's varied enough for bohemians and high society to mingle sans entourages.

Boutique-y rooms carry the hotel's smokey hues right down to the black marble-clad bathroom, ebony herringbone hardwood flooring and leather headboard sporting a few mirrored strips for effect. Balancing rooms' ying with some yang, a bed with stark white sheets, and sheer grey curtains soften the palette.

Once at the rooftop, LA comes out to play. Strategically placed palms and bougainvillea add some lush to the urban landscape, and the pool---fairly big for a tightly sculpted 107-room hotel---brings out the bathing suit in all of us. Think of it as your chic beach in the city.

Where In Beverly Hills dah-ling.

When The warm California sun shines down on LA year-round---329 days per year to be exact---with minimal rain that tends to fall in the winter. Summer temps hover around 24 degrees C and winter temps hover around around 15 degrees C.

Who/Why You're a trip style = urbanite who likes to match your structured wardrobe to your hotel's design. Lounging poolside is as close as you'll get to sun and sand.

Cost Rates start at $150 per night and include complimentary wifi in the lobby and at the rooftop pool. In-room wifi is $14.95 per day. Valet parking is $35+ tax/night. Fido is not allowed.

{Trip Styler Tip :: If you're a light sleeper, BYO earplugs and ask for a room at the end of the hall, away from the elevator.}

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More Roam+Board The Sorrento Hotel - Seattle The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand Hotel De La Paix – Thailand X2 Kui Buri – Thailand Ecopod Boutique Retreat – Scotland The Saguaro AZ – Scottsdale From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos by @tripstyler]

Giveaway :: Mother's Day At The Fairmont Whistler

[trip style = luxury]

{Editor's Note :: I've spent more hours at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler than any other hotel in the world. It's one of my happy places. With this in mind, I'm really excited to share this Mother's Day Package and giveaway with you! Good luck.}

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Mother's Day Package

• Two nights in Fairmont accommodation (Either Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun of Mother’s Day weekend)
• Daily breakfast in bed or in the Wildflower Restaurant for two
• Special Mother’s Day welcome amenity
• Cost: $169 per person based on double occupancy, plus taxes
• Subject to availability

The Giveaway {a $338+ value} One lucky reader will win the above package with an upgraded Deluxe Slopeside room with views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Non-transferable. Congrats Karen P, you're the tentative winner. Once you confirm via email, we'll email you with the details!

How To Enter

• You have to be a fan of Trip Styler on Facebook. If not, “like” the Trip Styler FAN PAGE on Facebook.
• Like this post...scroll-up, see the Facebook "like" button above.
• Complete your entry by leaving a comment below telling us you’ve entered! {see the ‘leave a comment’ link below}

Bonus Entry 1 – Join our email list {top right} and activate your email. New sign-ups only please. Bonus Entry 2 – RT the following on twitter: I entered to win 2 night #MothersDay package @FairmontWhistlr in #Whistler via @tripstyler Enter: http://goo.gl/XBwjq *For bonus entries, make sure you tell us you've completed each when you leave your entry comment below.

Details Open to residents of Canada and the USA 21 years or older. Entries will be accepted Apr. 30 – May 7th {until noon}, 2012. Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced after noon PST on May 7th. After prizing notification, winner has two days to make contact.

[photos via The Fairmont Chateau Whistler]

Luxe For Less B+ Hotels

[trip style = budget conscious...with a taste for the high life]

{Editor’s Note :: Today is the second post in a two-part series about B+ luxe for less. Last week we carried on about B+ Destinations.}

"A" hotels, aka those that constantly grace Conde Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure 'best of' lists, usually mean splurge. Steals rarely exist at these world-renowned, high-occupancy, fancy-pantsy accoms.

Hotel Luxe For Less - Two Rules 1/ Find luxury for trip style = budget conscious prices outside multinational hotel mainstays like Four Seasons, Ritz or Relais & Chateaux. 2/ Find luxury within high-end multinational hotel brands in less popular areas.

1/ Though I prefer smaller, boutique-y properties, mixing it up and staying at the biggies is important---even for loyalty program points acquisition as a means of stretching your travel budget. The problem: stay at hotel brands synonymous with luxury in resort areas or major urban centers, and your pocketbook is on a non-stop spend-a-thon at standouts like the Four Seasons Resort in Maui, the Fairmont Savoy in London, the Intercontinental Le Grand in Paris and the Banyan Tree Seychelles.

Go with an independent or less recognized hotel brand that's just as luxurious sans the glitzy brand name, and you'll travel like a king for jester prices. For example, on my recent trip to Thailand I stayed at two ultra-stylish and luxe properties in B+ destinations. Neither hotel was part of a major hotel group, yet both were regularly featured in international design mags and blogs. At the first property I had a beachfront, plunge pool villa with a daily champagne breakfast. At the second resort I had a huge, swanky room with the BEST hotel bed known to man and a 12ft rain shower. PS - both start around $150/night---a far cry from the A properties in nearby A destinations like Koh Samui .....

2/ You want to stay at the Four Seasons for Holiday Inn prices. We all do. It's possible. Vacationing at the Four Seasons Maui will set you back approx. $450/night. Alternatively, take a 45-min boat ride to Lanai {from Maui}, and choose from one of two Four Seasons properties {1 & 2} available for half the price. Banyan Tree is another example of an exquisite hotel group with a consistent hotel product and varied price points. Their first property in North America, located in Mexico's Riviera Maya, goes for a FRACTION of the price of their other properties even though the location and amenities are just as strong.

What are some of your “Brilliant B Hotels”?

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[photo by @tripstyler taken of the Banyan Tree villas in Mexico]