The Plaza Hotel Reopens In Style

After almost three years of extensive renovations at a staggering cost of US$400 million, New York’s most famous hotel finally reopens its doors.

The Plaza, which is now a National Historic landmark, first opened in 1907.

With 282 rooms and 182 private residences, each furnished in Louis XV French décor style, the six-star Plaza Hotel at the crossroads between Fifth Avenue and Central Park continues to re-define luxury since its doors open to receive guests a century ago.

A wireless touch-screen panel in each room connects you to the hotel’s concierge services while also serving as a remote for the room’s ambience.

The hotel’s iconic Palm Court, Oak Room and Bar, and the famous Grand Ballroom – scene of author Truman Capote’s masked extravaganza, the Black & White Ball in 1966 – have also been painstakingly restored to their former glories.

Zurich: The Dolder Grand

Zurich’s iconic luxury city resort, the Dolder Grand, has been honoured in the 2009 Design Awards by prestigious international travel and design magazine, Wallpaper.

The historic Zurich landmark transformed by world-renowned London architects Foster and Partners in a US$400 million facelift was voted ‘Best New or Renovated Hotel’.

Designed in 1899 by Jacques Gros, the Zürich’s Dolder Grand Hotel has a wonderful city location overlooking Lake Zürich and the Alps.

It now features 173 exceptionally luxurious rooms and suites within the historic Main Building and two entirely new extensions, the Golf and Spa Wings, which seamlessly embrace the historic hotel in a fusion of tradition and modernity.

The 173 rooms and suites are uniformly high-tech; curtains, flat-screen television and lighting are all operated from bedside zappers. Rooms in the new wings all have balconies, vast windows and a slick, contemporary décor.

W Barcelona

In late 2009, visitors flying into Barcelona will see what looks to be a giant windsail on the coast right next to the entrance to the Port of Barcelona.

Except this windsail is actually the W Hotel Barcelona scheduled to open on October 1, 2009.

The W Hotel Barcelona will be the second W to open in Europe (W Istanbul was the first). But like all Ws it will debut with a bang due to its location right at the foot of the Mediterranean Sea in a building designed by Spain’s most famous architect Ricardo Bofill.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Nestled on the shores of majestic Lake Louise in the heart of the pristine Canadian Rockies, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise combines luxurious resort living with the spirit of adventure.

Since 1890 this “diamond in the wilderness” has been an adventure destination in a spectacular scenic region of rugged peaks, majestic glaciers and world-renowned skiing.

Once the home of the Stoney Indians, trail riders and Swiss guides, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has become a destination of choice for explorers, royalty and movie stars.

In addition to skiing, a multitude of activities from the serene to the extreme are available to you just outside the doors.

From a guided snowshoe excursion to heli-skiing, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Mountain Adventure Concierge can customize an itinerary of once-in-a-lifetime experiences based on your desires.

A mountain playground for all seasons, the Chateau continues to celebrate winter with world-class dog sledding, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and sleigh rides.

After the snow melts, a magical world of water appears and makes way for popular spring and summer activities including rafting, canoeing and fishing. Those who prefer to remain on land can choose among hiking, climbing, bird-watching, horseback riding and wildlife watching.

And after an adventurous day, enjoy an alluring dining experience at any of the property’s eight restaurants or indulge yourself with a relaxing treatment in the Escape Spa and Salon.

Trump SoHo New York To Open Fall 2009

Downtown New York will greet its first ultra-luxury high-rise hotel when Trump SoHo New York opens in Fall 2009.

Located at 246 Spring Street in the heart of the fashionable SoHo district, the dramatic, 46-story, 400-room glass tower neighbors numerous art galleries and chic boutiques.

Eleven spectacular penthouse suites crown the top three floors of Trump SoHo New York, including the largest suite on the East Coast, measuring 10,045 square feet.

Skybar at Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

The rooftop lounge now offers a floor-to-ceiling view of the bustling, lighted up city. It offers guests the ultimate in cool drinks and intoxicating views, all in a very chic and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Guests can gaze at the glow from the illuminated towering twin wonders of Petronas while listening to ’straight chill’ and upbeat music. SkyBar was named “Best Malaysian Bar” by Malaysia Tatler.

Hilton Launches Conrad In Bahrain

Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that it has signed a management agreement with Diyar Al Bahrain, to open the first Conrad hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2011.

The Conrad Bahrain, will be located in one of Bahrain’s most luxurious developments, the newly-built Reef Island off Bahrain’s capital city Manama and will feature 250 guest rooms and 50 apartments.

The Conrad will also offer its business guests unparalleled meeting facilities, including a business centre incorporating the latest technology, six sizeable meeting rooms, two banquet rooms and an impressive ballroom.

To wind down, guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s shopping arcade or utilise the fitness facilities, including a tennis court, squash court, swimming pool and health club. Reef Island’s features will also include, among other attractions, open parks, an Aquarium, a luxury shopping mall, a marina and a Yacht club.

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