Hotel Chic

Miami Glamour: The St. Regis Bal Harbour

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Sara Bliss

The view from the St. Regis Bal Harbour

A few weeks back, I spent a few days in Miami checking out the new hotel scene there for Refinery29. I stayed at the St. Regis Bal Harbour, which is about 20 minutes away from South Beach. While, I love South Beach, it has become a bit like Vegas, especially at night with packs of people hitting the Collins Avenue hotel strip, so if you’re not single and 21, staying in Bal Harbour is kind of ideal. You’re close enough to zip over and revel in the fun of South Beach after dark, or check out the amazing Design District foodie scene (love Juvia). But then you can head back to enjoy the whole zen glamour and beach resort experience of the St. Regis. The Yabu Pushelberg designed resort is gorgeous and grown-up, with killer ocean views from every room. While you’re still in a highrise hotel (it is Miami after all), the beach is so beautiful without the wall-to-wall people you expect on Collins Ave (although the people watching is not nearly as good, no neon thong-wearing people here…sigh) Here it is all about spending the day poolside in a cabana, heading to the beach, the lovely Remede spa and retreating to the peaceful, glamorous rooms. The nighttime scene is very quiet and subdued (except for a late night rockstar sighting in the elevator…but more on that another time!)

I took a few snaps of the St Regis for all of you, the hotel’s pics are below too. More inside peaks at Miami hotels later this week. Enjoy!

Every room has its own roomy terrace with a killer view…

The pool on the left is the adults-only pool at the resort (there is another slightly smaller one for families). On the right is one of the two pools for the condo owners.

The view from the pool heading over to the beach. There is an 8-mile path that parallels the beach, perfect for biking or running, or walking…..

Even on a cloudy day, the water is the most gorgeous color.

You really can’t beat the views.

I got to take a sneak peak into one of the suites. Not only do they each come with kitchens, but also your own Butler.

I love the mirrored mosaic headboards and the lucite lamps. There’s lots of sparkle and shimmer in the rooms, pale woods, and purple and grey. It’s all very serene and soothing, yet still glamorous. Really lovely.

Talk about sparkle and shimmer…the lobby bar and hallway.

The spa…where they serve Champagne & chocolates with every treatment–my kind of place.

Capturing the view.

Photos: Sara Bliss and Courtesy of the St. Regis Bal Harbour

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Posted in Miami, Uncategorized, Virtual Vacation | Tagged Best New Hotels in Miami 2013, Miami Hotels, Miami Resorts, Refinery29, St. Regis Bal Harbour, Yabu Pushelberg | Leave a comment

Virtual Vacation at Nicaragua’s Mukul Resort

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Sara Bliss

With unspoiled beaches, miles of pristine rainforest, and a new crop of gorgeous eco-friendly boutique hotels Nicaragua is not going to be an under-the-radar destination for much longer. Especially with the much buzzed-about opening of Mukul. The new 37-room luxury boutique resort on over 1600 acres flanks a 4-mile stretch of Nicaragua’s stunning Pacific Coast.

Mukul’s 18-hold gold course designed by David McLay Kidd was created with eco-friendly initiatives in mind–working to disturb the stunning landscape as little as possible.

There are 23 cottages or Bohios and twelve 1 and 2-bedroom villas. Each room features its own pool and a view of the ocean.

The resort was the vision of local magnate Carlos Pellas, whose family business Caribbean Pacific Transit owns 16 different companies including Flor de Caña Rum. The headboards are actually made from recycled rum barrels. The rest of the interiors feature work by local artisans using materials from the region.

Mukul means secret in Mayan, but this place definitely won’t be a secret for long. (sorry, I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true!)

All images courtesy Mukul Resort

Posted in Nicaragua | Tagged Carlos Pellas resort, eco-friendly resort Nicaragua, Mukul resort, Nicaragua Hotels | 1 Comment

Get The Look: Hotel Altapura

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Sara Bliss

Ski chalet style is given a glamorous spin at Altapura in Val Thorens, France, a ski town known for great peaks but previously lacking in chic hotels. Located in a former 1970s ski lodge, rich textures like faux fur headboards, velvet covered chairs, and layered birch paneled walls combine with fun contemporary furniture. The 88-room hotel was designed by one of the owners Nicolas Sibuet. The design of the ski-in/ski-out property proves that ski style can be contemporary and cool. Check out ideas to get the hip nordic look at home:

The Grizzli Stool through Discover & Deliver

The Cortina Armchair through Discover & Deliver

Utha Armchair through Discover & Deliver

PAPIER-MÂCHÉ Deer Head from DwellStudio

New Wright Sofa from DwellStudio

Pottery Barn’s faux fur throws

Madura Faux Fur Pillow

Hervé Langlais designed Cheyenne side table

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Posted in France, Get The Look | Tagged Altapura hotel, Discover Deliver, DwellStudio, Nicolas Sibuet Design, Papier Mache deer head DwellStudio, Val Thorens hotels | 1 Comment

Black & White Glamour at the Marquis Saint-Honoré in Paris

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Sara Bliss

Michele Bönan is the man behind some of the most beautifully designed hotels in the world from the JK Place in Capri to Germany’s Heidelberg Suites. His new 15-room Marquis Saint-Honoré in Paris is no exception. Just like his other hotels, the spaces are designed to feel like incredibly chic homes and full of real-life design inspiration. The bathroom alone would be such an easy look to make your own and is a great alternative to the all-white bathroom trend. A slab of marble frames the tub and paired with marble sinks, pop against painted charcoal (almost black) walls and wood paneling. You could make this look your own by framing your tub walls in marble tile (less expensive than a slab). I also love that the tub is centered in the space rather than in the corner. The dark walls paired with Calacatta marble is such an ultra glamorous combo.

Bonan continued the dark walls and wood paneling into the living room. When you’re in a tight space (like so many of us in NYC) it is actually a great design trick to remember. Echoing the color palette from room to room is a designer secret for making a space seem larger. The living space with the beige couch, pops of red, and striped rug set off by dark walls is great color inspiration for a den or smaller living space.

This will definitely be the hot hotel in Paris this year!

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Posted in Design Lessons, Paris | Tagged chic bathroom, cool hotel design, Michele Bonan, Paris boutique hotels | 1 Comment

Sneak Peek: Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Sara Bliss

Ritz-Carlton’s new Reserve brand aims to be more fabulous and intimate than your standard Ritz hotels.Their first property Phulay Bay in Thailand definitely fit the bill with a remote, completely unspoiled location two hours from Phuket, 54 1-bedroom suites, each with their own butler, and a gorgeous design inspired by traditional Thai architecture. The second Reserve property is the just-opened Dorado Beach resort in Puerto Rico. Along with the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, the brands are hoping Puerto Rico will once again become the glamorous destination it was in the 1950s when Laurance Rockefeller and starlets like Elizabeth Taylor, vacationed there. Dorado Beach was one of the first RockResorts that Rockefeller established. The new Dorado Beach boasts 114 oceanfront rooms, each with either a rooftop or beachside plunge pool. The spa is spread out in 22 buildings across 5 acres and features treehouse treatment rooms. An 11 acre nature trail and a kids program designed by Jean-Michel Cousteau emphasizes conservation and the environment. There are 4 golf courses to boot. Sounds pretty amazing.

A good friend just got back from a weekend at Dorado Beach and passed on a few pictures so that I could share them with all of you. I’ve pasted them below along with a few hotel images of Su Casa, a 1920s plantation house that is part of the resort. Perfect timing for a little virtual vacation with this freezing weather (I was in Florida where it was 43 degrees eeek!). Looks absolutely gorgeous!