Five Famous and Fictional Hotels
Television and movies bring to life settings that we can never forget, immortalizing hotels, motels and lodges within our memories for years to come. Here we explore five of the film locations of all time.
The Bates Motel
Pretty girls checked in, but they didn’t check out as actress Janet Leigh showed us during the iconic shower scene in one of the best horror films of all time, “Psycho”. The motel was filmed on the set at Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA, and is still a part of the studios’ back-lot tour.
The movie was adapted from the Robert Bloch novel with the same name. Bloch based his story on Ed Gein from Wisconsin, who was a grave robber and a murderer. Gein lived just 40 miles from the author. The set of the Bates Motel was inspired by a painting from artist Edward Hopper named “The House by The Railroad.” Read more…
W Hotels Premiers in Russia with W St. Petersburg
W Hotels Worldwide has made its debut in Russia by opening its first hotel, W St. Petersburg. This first hotel in Russia, owned by Real Estate Development Ltd., was designed to offer guests a contemporary lifestyle experience. It features 137 guest rooms, a signature restaurant miX, bar and rooftop lounge by three Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse, and a signature spa.
Located right in the center of “Venice of the North,” the hotel aims to bring additional vibrancy to a city recognized as historic host for the Russian social elite and aristocracy. W St. Petersburg was designed Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel Partners who drew inspiration from the architectural ancestry of the city and chose the jewel-tones of the world renowned Fabergé Egg as their color muse. Read more…
Courtyard by Marriott Launches Weekend Deals for this Summer
US and Canada travelers planning a weekend getaway this summer will benefit from the newly launched special offer of Courtyard by Marriott. Starting today and until September 5th, a weekend stay at all participating Courtyard hotels across the North American continent will cost between 69 and 129 US dollars per night.
With weekend getaways and short trips being very popular this year, many travelers plan to take at least one such brief vacation this summer. Courtyard has come up with a great deal to capitalize on these very travel plans US and Canadian travelers are currently making. Read more…
New Luxury Hotel Opens in Rajasthan, India
A brand new luxury hotels now adorns the semi-desert Rajastan historic hot spot of India. A fresh addition to Jaipur’s accommodation industry, Devi Ratn was just opened to guests by the Devi Resorts group. Representing the spirit of modern Rajasthan and combining the lyrical beauty of Indian culture with bold architecture, the new hotel’s name is inspired by the “Nav Ratn”, the nine pure gemstones that focus cosmic energy.
Featuring intricate detail design in both public and private areas, Devi Ratn offers 60 suites and three villas to luxury seekers traveling for business or leisure to Jaipur, the first planned city of India. The hotel is defined by modern amenities and top of the line luxury facilities, from spas and swimming pools to a library or entertaining travel activities, such as camel safaris or kite flying. The hotel has just started welcoming guests after opening up its reservation system earlier. Read more…
Travel + Leisure 50 Best New Hotels Across the World
The travel industry and hotel enthusiasts around the world can finally get their hands on Travel + Leisure’s sixth annual list of the 50 best new hotels in the world, a prestigious top freshly released earlier today.
This year’s list features city hotels, beach hotels, rustic hotels, resort hotels and more. While the USA is the country with the most hotels in this year’s list (8 US-based venues have been included), Travel + Leisure also added 12 hotels from Europe, 12 from Asia, 8 from Africa and the Middle East, 6 from Mexico and Latin America, 2 Caribbean hotels and another 2 from New Zealand and Australia. Read more…
Corinthia Hotel London, Officially Open to Guests
Corinthia Hotel London has officially opened its door to the public today, welcoming guests to their new landmark 5-star luxury hotel in the British Capital. A mix of traditional grandeur and modern freshness is what defines this new Corinthia luxury venue, housed by a redesigned Victorian building located in the very heart of London and within walking distance from the most popular tourist attractions the city has to offer.
The Corinthia London hotels take pride in being one of the top choices of international celebrities and London’s who’s who. They have been visited by well known actors, artists, fashion designers, by cultural trend setters and have hosted exclusive parties for major events in partnership with the BAFTAs, Vanity Fair, GQ and Condé Nast Traveller. Read more…
France Distinguishes Top Hotels with “Palace” Label
Call them upper upscale, call them luxury or exclusive, even the top hotels need differentiators. This is the conclusion France reached and solved the problem by allowing a few top hotels to label themselves as “palaces”, a special recognition designed to separate them from rivals and to boost the country’s position as luxury destination.
The new “palace” label has been awarded by French tourism authorities to eight of its existing 127 five-star hotels in France – Meurice, Plaza-Athenee (both property of the Sultan of Brunei), and Bristol (owned by German family Oetker), Park Hyatt Paris Vendome in Paris, Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, LVMH’s Cheval Blanc and Les Airelles located right in the luxury French ski resort Courchevel, and L’Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, the French Atlantic coast. Read more…
