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]

Trying to Shine, Needs More Polish

[trip style = spa] Sparkling Hill Elegantly sitting on the highest hilltop in Vernon's swanky Predator Ridge community, the recently-opened Sparkling Hill Resort and Spa blends into its environment, as well as stands out from the landscape. Why hide this gem? After all, this $122-million masterpiece was financed by the Swarovski Family, and crystals are meant to stand out and glisten.

Naturally, I couldn't just read about Canada's newest and most talked-about destination, I had to come and experience it for myself. So I did this past weekend for my 6th wedding anniversary, a few weeks after it opened. [more pictures below]

The Vision Versus The Service Every hotel I've been to in the first month of operation---even the big-names resorts who boast the best and brightest staff in the industry---seem to wobble a little before they walk steadily. Such is the case with Sparkling Hill. The incredible vision for this 152-room property is visible in every physical detail, from the 3.5 million crystals (worth $10-million) delicately placed in every---and I mean e-v-e-r-y---detail of the resort, to the West Coast architecture and as-far-as-the-eye-can-see vistas. But when you spend a weekend at Sparkling Hill, you sense a tension between the resort's oasis-like appeal and the eager, yet not-fully-trained staff. The service inconsistencies simply don't match the hotel's grandiose demeanor, nor its inclusion in the prestigious Preferred Hotels & Resorts Group, whose ambition is to be the premier global partner for the world's best hotels and resorts.

Would I Suggest Sparkling Hill? Yes, but wait to visit until the fall of 2010. This will hopefully give them time to bring their service to five-stars. It has a lot of potential, it just needs to mature and realize that potential. Aside from the service, Sparkling Hill's beauty mirroring the region's expansive lakes and mountains will ease you into a serenity now moment. And its healing features will transport you into kid-like wonder and amusement. One afternoon when relaxing in Kurspa's aqua thermal area, I could hear groups of adults giggling as they marveled at the unique series of steam and sauna rooms, and experience showers with a cool-water downpour aptly named thunderstorm, and a balmy sprinkle coined tropical rain.

Wellness...Almost One of Sparkling Hill's major draws is its -110 degree Celsius cold sauna, the first of its kind in North America. In Europe, where the cold sauna concept is widely accepted, waits can be up to a year long. I was looking so forward to experiencing fridgid healing, but there was a problem, the cold sauna is indefinitely closed and I got no further explanation. I hope it re-opens, but in the meantime, Sparkling Hill will have to rely on the grandeur of its 40,000 square foot spa, alternating warm and cool calf-deep Kneipp waterway, indoor and outdoor pools, 100+ treatments and aromatherapy steam and sauna rooms to draw people in.

Over the next few months I hope Sparkling Hill's growing pains will strengthen its already remarkable vision, so its crystals will properly reflect the world-class wellness resort it was meant to be.

Know Before you Go

• Weekend Packages for two start at $790 (oct - jun) and include 2 nights stay in a deluxe suite, dual oasis massages, breakfast and dinner daily, and a welcome beverage at the resort's coffee and wine bar
• Pets are allowed for $25/day, but you'll need to stay in a first-floor standard, mountain view room (with direct access to the outdoors for your furry friend's needs)
• Free parking
• Free Kelowna Airport shuttle service
• Free wifi
• Breakfast included
• Free Aqua-Thermal Saunas (open from 2 - 10pm, 9-10pm is clothing optional)

Other Hints

• The diamond-shaped tub-for-two overlooking Lake Okanagan is perfectly placed in each spacious guestroom
• In the summer, don't try and connect with nature by sleeping with the window open, mosquitoes could be buzzing in your ear all.night.long.
• The robes and spa slippers in each guestroom are plush and useful
• Sadly, the bed linens are rough and need to soften
• There are no coffee makers in the guestrooms
• Guestroom doors aren't very soundproof, as a result, try and select a room away from the elevator
• During the summer, lounging by the outdoor infinity pool is a perfect way to complement a post-spa experience
• The pool loungers are beyond comfortable (adjust height to any angle pneumatically)
• Look out for the plentiful and adorable marmots who scamper around the exterior of the resort
• Take advantage of the extensive walking trails surrounding the resort
• Make sure you follow up with the resort via email once you book to reserve your spa treatments and to make dinner reservations
• Unless something changes, and I hope it does, there's no bellhop or doorman to assist with luggage
• Find more info in my review on Trip Advisor

Pictures sparkling hill's entrance

one of the many crystal chandeliers adorning the space

deluxe, 3rd-floor guestroom

guestroom's diamond-shaped soaker-tub overlooking Lake Okanagan

guestroom's bathroom with crystal feature

guestroom crystal fireplace

view from deluxe 3rd-floor guestroom at sundown

outdoor infinity pool

spa's serenity room

spa's panorama sauna

view from the table at peak fine restaurant

Travel Apps :: BorderWait

Travel between Canada and the US often? Gone are the days when the radio was the only border wait time resource. Now, you can get info about the major US-Canada border crossings on-demand with the BorderWait app. If you don't want to pay $0.99 for BorderWait, you can also find the information on twitter! Just in time for cross-border summer travel, the Canadian Border Services Agency has launched a pilot program posting border wait times on twitter. Here's a list of major Canada/US border crossings' hash tags. For those in Vancouver/Seattle, Pacific Highway crossing's tag is #CBSA_PCH, and the Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing's tag is #CBSA_DPA. Another resource for dual-direction border wait times is @News1130radio.

As I was re-familiarizing myself with the details of BorderWait (which I use and love), I came across another similar app called BorderTimes. The best parts: it's free and provides specific info on passenger, nexus and commercial lanes, as well as number of lanes open, border hours and time of last update. I just downloaded it!

BorderWait App Details

• $0.99 (used to be free, now they charge)
• works with iPhone, iTouch, iPad (no word on when similar Blackberry or Android apps will be developed)
• access the most recent wait times at vehicle crossings on the Canadian/American border
• provides maps to help you find your way to the closest crossing

*If you have an Android phone you can download the WSDOT app for northbound Canadian border wait times, among other things.

Other Travel iPhone Apps we’ve Reviewed

• OpenWays
• TripIt
• Trip Advisor
• StayHIP
• Trip Journal
• Bug Spray
• CameraBag
• Convert Everything
• GateGuru
• Kindle for iPhone
• Packing Pro
• Skype
• World Fact Book
• AAA/CAA Savings
• Royal Caribbean
• Medical Concierge
• Tourism British Columbia :: Near Me BC
• Postman Postcard
• 2010 Guide
• Nat’l Geo World Atlas
• hostelworld.com
• kayak first class
• flight control (game)

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Related Content Travel Trend :: Free Communication Spotlight :: Springtime in the Emerald City Spotlight :: 30 Hours in Victoria Spotlight :: Hidden Vancouver Gems

Reposition Me

[trip style = cruising]

I recently saw a repositioning cruise that made me salivate: a 43-day adventure from Vancouver to Sydney, stopping in the Hawaiian Islands, Fiji and New Zealand before ending up in Oz. What a way to get from Vancouver to Australia - a trip I'm planning on taking in the fall! But alas, I won't be booking because... a) the wireless charge for the month-and-a-half voyage would probably cost more than the cruise (and it would likely be slow), b) the Holland America ship doesn't have a flowrider - an on-board amenity that made me particularly fond of Royal Caribbean, and c) 43 days is a long time on a ship.

Repositioning Pluses & Minuses Many people see repositioning cruises as the cruise industry's 50% off sale rack with oversized shirts and ill-fitting pants, or a lesser excuse for cruise itinerary. But it's not, and it's become a big business. If a ship is going to reposition anyway, take advantage of its discounted price tag, unique voyage and interesting ports.

Pluses - an fun alternative to flying - can be economical considering on-board amenities, food and destinations - visit places you might never plan to see - can take you off the beaten path

Minuses - you're not going on a round-trip, so you'll need to book additional travel - sometimes the unique itineraries offer fewer to no ports of call - communication with the outside world is expensive and challenging for longer journeys

Repositining Cruise Booking Resources RepositioningCruise.com Owned by the vacationstogo.com - one of the largest cruise discounters on the web - repositioningcruise.com is the most comprehensive repositioning resource online, offering a long list of cruise options to and from interesting destinations. What I like about the website is the ability to sort its list based on ports, dates, cruise lines, etc. Here are a few neat repositioning itineraries I found (to access the list of cruises, you must join their website by clicking on "show me the deals"):

• Vancouver to LA: 4 days. Departs Sept 26. No stops. $249 (that's the same price as flying, and you get to eat 3 meals a day)
• Amsterdam to New York: 19 days. Departs Aug 19. Stops in Scotland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and Canada. $1,899.
• Anchorage to Beijing: 16 days. Departs Sept 18. Stops in Japan, Russia, South Korea and China. $1,299.
• Buenos Aires to Barcelona: 20 days. Departs Mar 15, 2011. Stops in Uruguay, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canary Islands and Spain. $2,299.

Go Direct Another way to reposition yourself at sea is by visiting your preferred cruise line's website and searching for repositioning cruises. Most cruise companies offer these special itineraries themselves, and one bonus of booking directly with the supplier is loyalty. If you're already part of their program, cha-ching, you'll just be adding another reason for them to appreciate your patronage.

Have you ever done a repositioning cruise?

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Mancations

[trip style = adventure]

In honour of Father's Day this Sunday, I'm dedicating this post to men. And since this is a travel blog, let's talk about mancations, one of the fastest-growing segments in the luxury travel market, according to the CNBC video referenced below. There's even a facebook group devoted to it. Sadly, only 12 people "like" this.

Definition Mancation: When 3+ guys who've know each other for years take a trip involving beer, steak dinners, hiking & biking, several rounds of golf and never reading a map or asking for directions [pulled together by a mish-mash of the cleanest mancation entries into the urban dictionary].

The Prep

• find a like-minded group of guys who understand the gentlemen of leisure [GOL] concept
• go for an activity that's drenched in masculinity like skiing/boarding, bbq'ing, golfing, surfing, kite-boarding or fishing
• take the mancation to the next level by
  • indulging in beer, pretzels and lederhosen at Oktoberfest in Germany
  • visiting the Ferrari factory and test driving Enzo's latest in Maranello, Italy
  • taking in sporting events like UFC, World Cup, Stanley Cup, NBA playoffs or Superbowl
  • traversing the serengeti in a Land Rover on safari in Africa
  • dude ranch-ing [enough said]
  • manning-up at a guy-centric spa like Scandinave (featuring a Scandinavian bathing ritual)
• choose a manly trip style that will foster "a bonding experience," which according to spike.com is "the nature of a mancation"

Mancation Resources

• yep, there's an entire site dedicated to man-tripping and there are even articles about man-friendly B+Bs
• get inspired by movies like: city slickers, sideways, a river runs through it and ironman 2 (your lady will love the river runs through it idea...)

Video

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[photo by mil8]