Have a cocktail and take The Plunge this V-day.

Intimate, romantic Deluxe Suite.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and having just returned from a luxe press trip in NYC courtesy of the Thompson Hotel Group, the Hotel Gansevoort and Destination I Do for my magazine, , I am thrilled to report back on what to do in the Big Apple for V-day. Sifting through the best and the hippest travel options out there to save you time and energy with the most amenities (see below) in the best part of town is the goal. In my humble opinion, this V-day package is power loaded with goodies. Throw a  romantic neighborhood meal into the mix (Spice Market and Pastis) and you are good to go. Having stayed in a Deluxe Suite, perusing a view of the city over a glass of delicious wine in my adjoining living room, or a complimentary cocktail at Plunge Bar and roof garden, the only thing missing was my sweetie (okay, it was a press trip). Breakfast at Tanuki Tavern is delish (try the small plates for an intimate tete a tete around happy hour time too)….Next time around, I’ll be sure to bring him (maybe next Valentines Day?). I heart the Hotel Gansevoort and hope you can take advantage of this hip and happening V-day special. Happy Travel Tuesday!

Hotel Gansevoort V-Day Package

Hotel Gansevoort, a chic, full-service urban resort in New York City’s Meatpacking district, is offering a Valentine’s Day Indulgence Escape Package with all the items necessary for creating some naughty distractions this winter.

With prices starting at $615.00* for a Deluxe room and $855.00* for a Suite, this package is offered from January 15, 2010 – February 21, 2010 and includes:

•    Early check-in (1pm)
•    Deluxe Room or Suite accommodations
•    A dozen red roses
•    Chocolate-covered strawberries
•    Pool access and two complimentary poolside beverages
•    Bottle of chilled Moet champagne
•    Mile High Kit
•    Twister
•    Book of Erotic Games
•    Complimentary Continental breakfast in Tanuki Tavern
•    Late check-out (2pm)

About Hotel Gansevoort

Sleek and stylish, Hotel Gansevoort is the first luxury, full-service hotel in Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District.  Located on Ninth Avenue at 13th Street, Hotel Gansevoort’s signature rooftop offers stunning 360-degree river and city views and features a 45-foot heated outdoor pool with underwater music; Plunge Bar and roof garden; and an event loft with soaring 20-foot ceilings. Generously appointed guestrooms blend chic design with hi-tech and include sumptuous feather beds, flat screen TVs, CD players, and complimentary Wireless Internet. The 187-room hotel includes 20 corner suites, one duplex Penthouse, exhale Spa; and Tanuki Tavern Japanese restaurant.

 

Eat, Stay, Play on Valentines Day at Thompson Lower East Side

This Valentines Day slip into something more comfortable: a sleek and sexy room at the Thompson Hotel, Lower East Side. Once you settle in and peruse the options, you may never need to set foot outside (and isn’t that kind of the point?) -  it has everything your heart and art desires.

The multiplex of options include: a poolside lounge, a see-and-be-seen party hotspot on the 7th floor with a private terrace, Above Allen, and a poolside lounge. Crave a nibble before you hit that box of chocolates? Head to Shang and sample Susur Lee’s global Chinese culinary wizardry.

When you’ve had enough hobnobbing, head back to your sleek, industrial chic, modern room decorated with Ryan McGinness graphics and sweeping views of NYC.

The rest of Valentines Day at the Thompson, is totally up to you…..

Winter Exclusive:

Stay 2 Nights, Get 3rd Night Free
Queen Superior: Total Rate $499
Studio King Suite: Total Rate $599
Complimentary Bottle of Wine on the Shang Terrace

Must be Booked by 1.31.10 for stays until 3.31.10
Does not include taxes

ReservationsLES@thompsonhotels.com or call 212.460.5300

Book Here:

https://www.reservations-page.com/C00157/H01289/be.ashx?pc=JANLES

 

Enjoy luxe Fall pampering at the St. Julian

While doing research for an upcoming story on great places to have a destination wedding in the United States, I was introduced to one of my favorite towns and as a result one of the town’s best hotels. The St. Julien Hotel & Spa was not only a decadent rustic chic escape nestled in the bustling town of Boulder, Colorado, but it has also been given recognition by the readers of Conde Nast’s Traveler.

For the second consecutive year, St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, CO, has been named one of the Top 100 United States Hotels in the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2009 and remains the only hotel in Colorado to receive this prestigious honor. St Julien Hotel & Spa jumps over 20 spots from their 2008 ranking and now shares the title with Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica and Omni La Mansion del Rio in San Antonio, which tied for #51 in this year’s poll.

In celebration of this prestigious accolade, St Julien Hotel & Spa invites travelers to experience the new “Time Well Spent” package, available November 1 through December 31, 2009. Guests receive a special $199 per night rate for stays Sunday through Thursday with a $50 activity credit per night per room. The $50 activity credit can be used throughout the hotel including dining at Jill’s Restaurant, treatments at the Spa at St Julien, and more.

The Spa at St Julien

For a relaxing escape, guests can use their “Time Well Spent” activity credit to indulge in the Yam and Pumpkin Freshener—the Spa at St Julien’s fall seasonal spa treatment ($50). Available through December 2009, St Julien’s 25-minute Facial Freshener treatment is enhanced with a boost of yam and pumpkin enzyme peel for an instant skin-illuminating boost. The Spa at St Julien also offers a new “Happy Hour Beauty Bar” on Thursday nights for ladies and Tuesday nights for gentlemen. Available for $50 per person, guests can enjoy a selection of drinks and snacks from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St Julien’s newly renovated salon and receive a choice of two mini treatments. Ladies can choose from mini hand or toe polish change; a “night out” up-do such as a fun ponytail or messy bun; or a mini makeover including eyes and lips. Men can chose from a menu of grooming options including: haircut or mustache and beard trim; chair massage; or mini MAN-icure.

 

Get your VIP passport stamped here.

Before my destination wedding, my favorite gal pals took me to Vegas for my last weekend of “singlehood” and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only because we partied like rock stars and all 16 of us got along like the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, but because we got serious red carpet, VIP treatment.

We didn’t wait in a single line, or pay high priced covers. We had amazing rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel and regularly took limos wherever we went. Now, some of the reason we got such stellar treatment was because the girls had truly planned through the details and had some connections at the places we went. But what about the ladies who don’t have connections, yet want the VIP experience? Welcome,  Vegas Passport.

Each Vegas Passport costs $99, but offers up to $500 in savings and allows you VIP access to some of the hottest bars on the strip. Here are some of the participating clubs:

•    Body English – Hard Rock
•    Lavo – Palazzo
•    Pure – Caesar’s Palace
•    Tao – Venetian
•    Tabu – MGM
•    Jet – Mirage
•    Studio 54 – MGM
•    LAX – Luxor

Other things included in the Vegas Passport are drink discounts, access to other “adult” clubs and transportation to select places. Keep in mind they do have blackout dates, but you can also use your Passport for future trips (just make sure to read the fine print to truly get your money’s worth).

And remember, even with discounts – what happens in Vegas…well you know the rest.

 

Southwest Airlines is also having a special. Today through Thursday (September 17th) take advantage of one way tickets for as low as $49! Plus, your bags fly free! Click here for more info.