Travel Trends :: Haute Couture Hotels

[trip style = luxury]

A few months ago I wrote about designer-inspired hotels and decor, mentioning Posh's potential hotel deal in Dubai, Armani's growing brood of properties and stylist Amanda Ross' consulting gig for W. It's safe to say these Paris Fashion Week regulars agree that fashion and travel are not exclusive, and a trend gaining steam like celebrities and their signature perfumes/colognes is haute couture hotel collaborations. The latest recruits to high fashion hotels are Gucci and Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF). Here are some details:

Gucci It appears Dubai is the place to be, er, have a hotel right now. Elisabetta Gucci, daughter of famed designer Paolo Gucci is opening a hotel in Dubai later this year. The 87-room luxury boutique hotel will feature all the accoutrements of high-end hoteling plus an exclusive limousine service and roof-top lounge. Once you pay an estimated $420 for a basic room, you'll be able to buy anything in the hotel--from furniture to slippers. I expect those will be the nicest hotel slippers you ever wear, monogrammed and all. This project isn't that much of a stretch for the Gucci heiress given she works in the design world creating interiors, furniture and art. And according to Reuters, this fashionista means business, in addition to the Dubai Hotel opening late this year, she's also planning another 40 over the next 15 years in the Middle East, Far East and South America.

DVF First it was her iconic wrap dresses, then suitcases, now hotels. Not too shabby. The always-classy DVF will plunge into the world of interior hotel design at London's Claridge's Hotel. Here's what she has to say about the partnership "One of my fondest memories was when I was in London as a young, independent businesswoman and stayed at Claridge’s. I knew I had made it. To me, Claridge’s is the most glamourous hotel in the world; I regard it as my home away from home, to me, Claridge's is the most glamorous hotel in the world." She'll lend her expertise to 20 rooms where she'll use her iconic prints, bold colors and original furniture to add her signature style. Don't miss her custom cocktail bar and personal travel photography on the walls. Want to stay at this prestigious address? A weekend indulgence package including a one night stay, a chilled bottle of bubbly and a traditional English breakfast will cost approximately $455---I'm assuming this won't include a newly-appointed DVF room launching this month.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg, Jaunted pulled together a list of 19 designers including Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo and Todd Oldham with hotel design engagements all over the world.

[photo credit: claridge's, gucci ad, DVF]

Travel Trends :: Online Auctions

[trip style = adventure]

Going once, going twice, SOLD to the lady in the red hat. Have you ever used a travel auction site? I used Sky Auction a few years ago to bid on and win a week's stay at the Villa Vera Hotel & Racket Club in Acapulco [pictured above].  I paid around $300 usd for the week, which worked out to a decent savings off the $115 usd nightly rate [see my review on Trip Advisor].

For the Risky at Heart Although travel auction sites have been around since the advent of internet-enabled travel booking, they've been making a comeback with the launch of the newest auction site Off & Away. I call this trip style adventurous because it's not for everyone; booking travel on auction sites involves time, research, strategy and a quick finger to win the deal you have your eye on. At its core, the concept isn't much different from any other type of travel booking, but hey, it's one way online travel companies differentiate themselves.

Travel Auction Sites Luxury Link The oldest, if not wisest site in the travel auction mix has been auctioning off travel since 1997.  Focusing on elite getaways, they offer the largest selection of vetted luxury hotels, resorts, cruises and tours on the web. They're also enterprising; like we talked about last Thursday, they recently partnered with Travel + Leisure to create Vacationist.com, a members-only private travel sale site.

Sky Auction Almost as ancient as Luxury Link, Sky Auction has been around since 1999 and has over 966,550 auction winners. Offering the Ebay-like ability to bid or buy now, the site offers auctions for hotels, flights, packages, cruises and attractions.

Off & Away The newest online travel auction kid on the block is a little more niche, offering suites at 4- and 5-star hotels. But there's a catch, each bid costs $1 usd, and if you don't win your auction, you can apply your used bids towards another room.

My Take Like I mentioned above, I've used Sky Auction to book an auctioned-off vacation. Although it's not my preferred booking method, I would consider booking travel through an auction again. Similar to my advice for booking on sites like Hotwire or Priceline, if you like taking educated risks, do your research and go for it.

Tips Before you Bid

• like pizza or ice cream, travel auction sites can be addictive, so use restraint and the same common sense you would when bidding on eBay
• once you win a bid, you'll only be able to travel on the hotel's specified dates - which are clearly published during the bidding phase
• when you see a property you like, research the heck out of it, so you know what you're booking
• even if the price seems to good to be true, always check it against other sources
• read the fine print and make sure you aren't going to have attend a mandatory presentation or the like

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Travel Trend :: Private Travel Sales

[trip style = luxury]

Want to stay here? Me too. Now you can for less. Here's how:

A new breed of elite travel website are making waves with luxury travel enthusiasts faster than you can say: Singapore Airlines First Class. Likened to Travel Sample Sales by Jaunted (the pop culture travel blog), these invitation-only websites are like the country clubs of online travel booking, catering to the elite, or those who want an elite getaway.

How Members-Only Travel Websites Work

• you are invited to join (don't worry, mine got lost in the mail too, but it was found, so now I'm inviting you via the link below)
• deals up to 40% off, or "prices too good to be public" are offered at discerning properties worldwide
• these deals only last for a limited time (usually 5 - 7 days) and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis
• previews of upcoming hotel deals are sent via email (if that's your preference)

Private Travel Sale Websites jetsetter.com [join here] - Luxury Safari/$1595 per night, Tiamo Resort/Bahamas/$630 per night

vacationist.com [join here] - Furore Inn Resort/Italy/$260 per night, La Amada Resort/Cancun/$90 per night

kayak.com/privatesale [join with a kayak.com account, more info here] - No sales currently offered

Your Take & Mine What do you think about these sites? Are you a member? Have you stayed at any of the properties they offer?  I've already signed up and look forward to finding the perfect luxury trip style when my schedule permits.  The Vacationist's current La Amada Resort offer looks pretty tempting given the hotel's location, decor, free breakfast and wifi, and accolade from Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards as the #1 Spa Hotel in the World. Whether I escape to Mexico or beyond with Jetsetter or Vacationist, stay tuned, I'll be sure to write about it!

[photo credit: vacationist/tiamo resorts]

Travel Trend :: Free Communication

We used to send messenger pigeons. Then we wrote letters. Then we used tin cans connected by a wire. Then we made collect phone calls.  Then we sent faxes. Then we sent emails. Then we updated our facebook status.  Then we tweeted. Then we called for free. Wow!

People long to connect, especially while abroad. Whether it's chatting with locals or updating our friends and family back home, we are constantly sending and receiving messages.

Communicating internationally used to come at a big cost. Now it doesn't. Here's how to communicate for free while traveling:

On your Computer

• Skype: download skype, then talk, video chat, text and leave voice messages for free with other skype users. Want to call someone who's not a skype user, no problem, you're simply charged a minimal fee.
• Google Voice: Direct your phone calls to one master telephone number from whichever phone you want, wherever you may be... keeping the calls local for your peops! (not yet available in Canada)
• Google Talk: Google's instant messaging service also has chatting, video and voice mail function
• MSN: if you've still got friends who use MSN's instant messaging, you can take it to the next level and call them through the service.

*note that all of these services are dependent on a good wifi connection *if your computer doesn't have a built in microphone, or you don't want the rest of the lobby patrons to talk to your grandma, you'll need a headset with mic

On your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad There are multiple apps that offer free chit-chatting on your iPhone, but one of the best and easiest is Skype. It's a free and allows you to make free calls to other Skype users as long as you are connected to wifi. (Note... until the new iPhone OS 4.0 comes out, turn off all notifications prior to making a skype call to ensure your call isn't disconnected).

Yep, you can turn the iPod Touch into a phone. I've done it! Simply attach a headset and follow the same directions as above.  You may need 3.0+ OS for this... but it's well worth the upgrade.

Your iPad also has a built-in microphone and speakers... but if you want to keep your convo private then use a headset.

On your Android Phone If you've concluded that Google is God and Apple is the devil and are rocking a droid-powered phone, then you too can download the Skype app, assuming your phone has wifi capabilities.

On your Blackberry Download the Skype app for your Blackberry, so you too can make free calls like all your cool friends with iPhones. Just remember to enable your wifi and disable your cell network connection if you want to avoid data and voice roaming charges.

On your Cell/Mobile (not free, but cheap)

• you'll need to buy or rent an unlocked GSM tri- or quad-band phone & SIM card (purchased online or in your destination)
• talk and text with local rates (make sure you're on the correct plan for your needs!)
• note that your phone # will correspond with your SIM card

With all this talk of free communication, the irony is, the lost art of letter writing is making a comeback.  Maybe messenger pigeons will too?

Apps the Next Guidebook?

Apps are changing the way we travel one download at a time.  I *love* travel guide books, but compared to apps, they are like phone books -- you have to flip through a bunch of pages to find the info you're looking for. In contrast, apps are immediate, not to mention the bonus updates  they automatically download so the info remains fresh and you don't need to buy a new edition. Example Here's an example of how apps are changing the way we travel.  Let's say you're going to Europe for a summer getaway.  Here's what you might bring:

10 YEARS AGO One big guidebook or several country-specific ones, a language-learning tape or CD, walkman or diskman, tapes or CDs, foreign language dictionary/phrase book, airline tix, hotel & rental car confirmations, books, newspaper, maps, itinerary, mobile phone, camera

NOW One iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad will give you: country guides, museum tours, language guides, tube or metro maps, country maps, gps, airline or car rental apps to show boarding passes or car rental confirmations, trip itinerary, postcard app, books, newspaper, web browser, camera (for iPhone), photo editing, music player, TV/movie player, email client, etc...

Other than clothes, it seems like the only thing you can't bring with you on your iPhone is your passport, although I'm sure that's coming. There's also the battery issue, but if it gets drained, you'll have to rely on your ability to talk to strangers, rely on people and travel like its 1999.

[photos by ben atkin & barnacles hostels]