Friday, December 31, 2010

EliteTravelGal's Top 10 Luxury Hotels of 2010

As 2010 comes to a close, it's time to pay homage to 10 luxury hotels that completely blew me away this year. I criss-crossed the globe to preview new hotels, and also to revisit some properties that are new and improved after impressive redos. From Santorini to Sonoma, here's my "Top 10 of 2010" list:

As I'm here in Las Vegas for New Year's Eve, I'll start with props for The Cosmopolitan. In a town where more is more, this hotel exudes elegant style. The stunning Chandelier Bar; an entire floor of celeb chef-driven restaurants (Jaleo to Comme Ca to Scarpetta); a vintage-inspired, chic room decor; two gorgeous pools; and high-tech touches everywhere--coupled with staff that smiles like they mean it--makes this my new favorite hotel in Vegas.

The second US property from AmanResorts, Amangiri, makes my list for its sheer uniqueness and Zen-inspiring setting on the border of Utah & Arizona. Leave it to Aman to bring the best of Asian style to such an All-American setting (pictured). Yoga with a view was just one fun highlight of my stay.

I fell in love at first sight with The Surrey, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, upon its reopening. Stylish design, spacious rooms & suites, a cool rooftop bar, terrific gym, and a staff that goes above and beyond to please make this my uptown favorite in the city that never sleeps.

My 2010 list also includes a downtown Manhattan fave: The Robert DeNiro-owned Greenwich Hotel. I felt like a special guest in this boutique, residential-style property that also houses the fab Locanda Verde restaurant. Cozy, clubby furnishings, huge rooms, free WiFi + free minibar, amazing baths, a Japanese spa and a living room-styled private bar are reasons I so enjoyed my weekend stay in TriBeCa.

Further afield, The Armani Hotel Dubai, wow'ed me with its uber-sleek design. How could it not, it's designed by Armani after all! I also loved its sister property, The Address Downtown. Warmly designed spacious rooms & suites with fountain views, beautiful restaurants & bars, ultra-friendly staff and an amazing Club Lounge make this hotel ideal for families to business travelers. The location steps away from the 1,200-store Dubai Mall is another selling point!

Santorini is one of those destinations I plan to revisit time and again. The Caldera area of Oia ranks up there with the most beautiful settings I've encountered in decades. The family-run Canaves Oia hotel--with a newly added second wing and a unique-to-Oia elevator--sits in a prime cliffside location to view the famous Santorini sunsets, while enjoying fabulous, authentic Greek cuisine before retiring to your beautifully furnished suite with a view.

On the list of hotels that get better with age, The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara impresses from the minute you arrive. I love the junior suites with steam showers in the baths as well as the private, individually decorated cottages dotting the oceanfront property. The newly renovated Casino Club--open to members and hotel guests only--is a terrific addition for its oversized pool, beach access and alfresco restaurant. The setting, spa, and Sunday Brunch also impress.

One of the biggest surprises of the year came during my first visit to Sonoma, CA. The family-run, 18-suite Farmhouse Inn sits right in the heart of the Russian River Valley and is worth a visit for the incredible dining experience alone. But you'd miss out bigtime if you don't stay for a few days in one of the new Barnhouse Suites, complete with four-poster beds, fireplace, jetted tub-for-two, steam shower, upscale shabby chic furnishings, and the best concierge staff in the region who will get you VIP'ed at the best boutique wineries in the Valley. One of my favorite weekend getaways of the year, hands down.

Rounding out my list of new hotels I loved this year is Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome. My clients also loved this city-center property for its unique art deco-meets-modern style, personable staff (a huge positive in Rome!), and welcoming, comfortable ambience.

It goes without saying that all of the above hotels take amazing care of our clients, and of course that is the key reason we love them all. There are too many others to list that do the same, and we can't wait to see what 2011 brings!

Let us know if we can help you plan an amazing visit to any of our 2010 favorites...or recommend properties worldwide we know will best fit your business or leisure travel needs! Contact me anytime via email stacy@elitetravelinternational.com, find me on Twitter @elitetravelgal and be sure to like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elitetravelinternational for insider tips on top hotels all year long. Happy New Year!

53 comments:

  1. I agree with you about the Farmhouse Inn. Those barn suites make for a heavenly stay. Amangiri is on my travel to do list. Luxury lodging is scarce in that part of the Utah/Arizona.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Holidays with family are always special as they are filled with beautiful memories. I liked this post very much as it gives all the information about the best hotels

    ReplyDelete
  3. Whether "official Duranie Dorms" vegas are chosen or not, it is often like this in Las Vegas. But aside from the shows themselves, often,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All latest new information based on this article is explained really well in video Baakiyalakshmi Serial format

      Delete
  4. The Armani Hotel Dubai this is very fantastic hotel in dubai if you are moving so youhave to stay there.
    sharjah movers

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think all the Hotel in Dubai are Luxury but thanks for Sharing
    movers in sharjah

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for sharing. I hope it will be helpful for too many people that are searching for this topic.
    jogos friv
    jogos de friv
    jogo friv

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very helpful advice in this particular post!
    ----
    play game jogos gratis online and play game unblocked games online

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great values to be given by Indian Escort girls in Dubai who love to say with clients for long hours.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. hey please check how to get free autolikes through an aap
    Auto Liker

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have shared a very useful information. You can check this website to send valentines messages to your dear ones Valentine messages for boyfriend

    ReplyDelete
  12. Our Detroit Lions Banner Flag measures 28x40 inches, is constructed of 2-ply 100% polyester, and provides a top sleeve for hanging vertically from a wood flagpole. The Detroit Lions Banner Flag is high quality dye sublimated with the NFL Lions logo as shown. NFL Banners Flags are a perfect way to show neighbors your NFL team allegiance by flying from your front porch, patio, or deck.
    nfl house divided flags
    dallas cowboys american flagPackers stars and stripes flags
    Houston Oilers stars and stripes flags

    ReplyDelete
  13. Truly, they will charge you to get it, however as long as you pay it back on time and don't make a propensity for obtaining from them, Payday credits are okay. Cash AdvanceCash AdvanceAuto Title LoansPayday Loans Chula-vistaCash Advance Corona

    ReplyDelete
  14. Right now, finding a solid moneylender isn't simple as the market is swarmed with banks who claim to offer best credit office to all sort of borrowers. Consequently to keep away from fakes and wrong gives, check cashing san diego

    ReplyDelete
  15. We are the Best movers in Abu Dhabi company and we have good knowledge in relocation services.

    ReplyDelete
  16. BUDGET CITY MOVERS is the professional movers and packers Dubai Company that give relocation service to another area or city. We have ships, planes, big trucks, and a small van to move to new locations or countries.
    Packers and movers Dubai
    Movers and packers Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  17. We have experienced workers for the House painting service in Dubai, Room painting service dubai, and Living room painting service dubai. If you need a House painting service dubai, an interior painting company dubai, and an Outdoor house painting service dubai? Just contact our Eagle Technical services LLC for a House painting service dubai.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Brilliant demonstrated data. I thank you about that. Clearly it will be unbelievably helpful for my future endeavors. Should see some different posts on a practically identical subject! 먹튀사이트

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been looking for info on this topic for a while. I'm happy this one is so great. Keep up the excellent work 메이저놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  20. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post 먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  21. I read this article. I think You put a lot of effort to create this article. I appreciate your work. seo tijuana

    ReplyDelete
  22. You…are…my…hero!!! I cant believe something like this exists on the internet! Its so true, so honest, and more than that you dont sound like an idiot! Finally, someone who knows how to talk about a subject without sounding like a kid who didnt get that bike he wanted for Christmas. 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for your post, I look for such article along time, today i find it finally. this post give me lots of advise it is very useful for me 먹튀폴리스

    ReplyDelete
  24. https://twitter.com/totobobbi "Thanks for such a great post and the review, I am totally impressed! Keep stuff like this coming

    " 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very good points you wrote here..Great stuff...I think you've made some truly interesting points.Keep up the good work 먹튀폴리스

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have a hard time describing my thoughts on content, but I really felt I should here. Your article is really great. I like the way you wrote this information 먹튀폴리스

    ReplyDelete
  27. Full episodes of Tamil serial Mouna Raagam only at Mouna Raagam Tamil Dhool TV for free in high quality.

    ReplyDelete
  28. 楓林網,楓林網电影,韓劇線上看,台劇線上看,韓劇線上看,電影線上看,陸劇線上看,日劇線上看,美劇線上看,港劇線上看,电影,电视剧,动漫,视频网站,高清视频,枫林网, 楓林网, 楓林, 風林網 网站,高清

    ReplyDelete
  29. 中國人線上看,韓劇, 日劇,陸劇,陸劇線上看
    , 台劇,線上看 真正為用戶帶來

    ReplyDelete
  30. 中國人線上看,韓劇, 日劇,陸劇,陸劇 線上看, 台劇,線上看 適順暢的線

    ReplyDelete
  31. 孫雪甯,石悅安鑫,張子健,姚安濂,王勁松,範明,嶽麗娜,劉智敭,Chinaq 牛寶軍,羅嘉良

    ReplyDelete
  32. 每天更新海量高清電影免費在線觀看,Gimy劇迷 追劇零時差。內容豐富多元真正為用戶帶來最舒適順暢的線上觀看體驗

    ReplyDelete
  33. 石悅安鑫, 王勁松,範明,嶽麗娜, 日劇線上看,美劇線上看,港劇線上看,Maplestage,8maple, 操作界面簡單友好,陸劇線上看 超,奚望,吳春怡,韓承羽,姬晨牧,任希鴻,馮玉璽,白慶琳

    ReplyDelete