Kimpton Hotels Sunday Sleep In Program

I've stayed at all seven Kimpton Hotels in the D.C. area and many more across the country.  Usually my stays are over the weekend as a landing spot after a fun night out.I always call down for a late check out; but now Kimpton is making that part easier.  They're offering the Sunday Sleep In Program for Saturday night stays where check out isn't until 2:00 p.m. Now we can add a good night's sleep to the other qualities we value at Kimpton: style, friendly service, good value, and evening wine hour.  Details at KimptonHotels.com.

Fairmont is Expanding Its Bicycle Program

Good news: Fairmont Hotels are now offering free use of BMW Cruise bicycles in their hotels in the U.S., in addition to Canada. Locks and helmets are also available. We suggest touring wine country from the Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, seeing Chicago from the back of a bicycle as Hope recently did or cycling around Washington D.C.'s historic C and O Canal.

Hotel Club: A Burgeoning Trend

New York Magazine addressed the trend of NYC hotels that have seen-and-be-seen clubs, a la The Standard, the Gansevoort and more. We've long been a fan of these types one-stop hotels for girls' trips. Yes, it can seem unadventurous to eat, party and sleep all in the same building, but it makes life so much easier when you're with a group, though you certainly have to be in the right hotel.

On our last trip to Miami, we stayed at the W South Beach. We hit Wall at the hotel two of the nights we were there. Not only was it the place to be back in March, it also made it easy when two of us wanted to go to bed earlier than the other two. There was no expensive cab ride, no worrying if our friends were going to be able to find their way home. It was the perfect mix of safe fun.

On Our Radar: Beach Shack Cape May, New Jersey

The new, younger hipper sister to Congress Hall, the Beach Shack in Cape May, New Jersey, doesn't put on any airs. It's a revamped motel and -- as the name suggests -- the rooms aren't luxurious, but they are comfortable, serviceable and clean according to reviewers on TripAdvisor.com.

Stay at this new 65 room property for its oceanfront views, firepit and almost nightly bands (lots of reggae) at the on-site bar and restaurant, the Rusty Nail. Need another reason to go? The Rusty Nail is where all the lifeguards and surfers hang out in Cape May. Ca-ching!

Hotel Thrillist Fontainebleau Miami

When we first received the invite to the Hotel Thrillist weekend at the Fontainebleau in Miami, we had no idea what Thrillist was or why we were invited. However, we're not the type to turn up our noses at a free weekend stay--especially at a hotel we have been wanting to check out--including parties, food and all the Bacardi Torched Cherry cocktails we could drink. The weekend was sponsored by Bacardi, Corona, Klondike and Nerf among others.

Upon arrival at the Fontainebleau, we quickly learned that Thrillist is like a unisex Daily Candy for the cool people. You can sign up for a daily email in 17 cities, including NYC, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin and more. Everyday the site features a hip new bar, restaurant, clothing line, event, gadget or the like that is just ever so slightly under the radar and definitely up and coming.

The site also offers deals like discounts on hotel stays (currently 20% off at NYC's Gild Hall) and throws parties and events, like the Hotel Thrillist weekend, that you may get invited to or win a chance to join in. On our weekend, every third person we met was a contest winner, so it really can happen.

The Hotel Thrillist weekend was packed with fun surprises like a buffet dinner featuring all the hotel's amazing restaurants, J. Cole performance at the Fontainebleau's Liv Nightclub and poolside concert by Kat DeLuna.

But hands down, our favorite part about the Hotel Thrillist weekend: The people. Not that we don't love our usual crew of beauty and fashion blogging cohorts, but it was really refreshing to meet a new mix of people including TV producers, advertising girls from Portland, Nerf PR folks, and a whole group of people who have no idea who Bethenney Frankel is -- and don't care. Figuring that the Hotel Thrillist crowd is indicative of who reads Thrillist, well, that's who we want to hang with regularly!

So sign up for Thrillist today and enter every contest you can. Who knows, we may just be seeing you at the next Hotel Thrillist weekend.

Room With a View

Looking for the perfect hostess gift or perhaps a birthday gift for your favorite JSG? Check out Conde Nast Traveler's Room with a View. It's a compilation of TDF hotel rooms like the Sun Suite at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia

and the El Venado Suite at Hotelito Desconocido in Mexico

The book could double as your bucket list!

Last Minute Dad's Day Gift

Forgot to get dad a gift this year? Make it up to him with this last-minute ultimate guys getaway: Steer, Scotch, Sticks and Stogies and the Southampton Inn in Long Island, NY.

The event is June 24-25. Dad will be treated to a happy hour cocktail party, a five-course steak-scotch and local wine-pairing dinner, followed by cigars and a sampling of The 50 Scotch. Friday morning, he's off to golf at the Robert Trent Jones’ Long Island National Golf Club.

The overnight is $499. Dinner only is $155.

Contact the Southampton Inn to book. 

Fontainebleau Review

After hearing about how amazing the Fontainebleau is for over a year, we finally made it to the resort to check it out for ourselves. We were there for the Hotel Thrillist weekend (more on that later). We heard more than once during our stay that the Fontainebleau is like Vegas in Miami. We pretty much agree with that--the hotel is one stop shopping for pooltime fun, spas, dining, nightlife and, of course, shopping.


Our double room was white with aqua accents, the comfiest bed ever and a view of the ocean. The bathroom was small, as they often are in older properties that have been remodeled. We loved the Apple desktops in the room that provided info on the hotel and free internet access.

We stopped by the Lapis Spa to use the water facilities, which include a co-ed rain shower and mineral pool steam rooms, hot tubs and these heated Hammam benches.

Iced cucumbers are placed throughout the spa for instant eye cooling. The idea is so simple and so genius, we're not sure why every spa in the world doesn't do this!

The Bowtie pool was a daytime party.

We got to sample the food from the Fontainebleau's restaurants on Friday night. The duck ravioli from Scarpetta's and the spicy creamed corn from Gotham Steak were the hands down faves.

As for the nightlife--we finally got to experience Liv and DJ Ruckus. The bi-level club is swank and the door is a madhouse. We have to admit, we were a bit disappointed by DJ Ruckus. Oh well, at least now we know!

Liv is bachelorette party central. We saw at least four groups of women in tiaras, sashes, etc. All looked to be having a good time!

Girls' Trip to Monterey

Monterey is one of our favorite towns in Northern California. We love the aquarium, the small shops and the cute but stinky sea lions.  The Monterey Bay Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a stay, now that we don't live close by.  Its "You Go Girls!" package includes beachfront accommodations, discounted stand-up paddle board rentals and lessons, a complimentary Burt’s Bees skincare kit, and daily in-room breakfast.  Last time we were there, we rented kayaks and paddled around the sea lions; but this is our chance to try out paddle boarding.

The Monterey Bay Inn is offering the "You Go Girls!" package through September 2, 2010. The two-for-one stand-up paddle board rentals, lessons and tours are provided by Adventures by the Sea.

On Our Radar: Chicago

We're off to Chicago for a last minute trip.  While searching for a reasonable plane fare has been painful, choosing which hotel has been a lot more fun.  Chicago has choices ranging from luxury, like the Peninsula, to bargain; but we usually go for something in between.  So far here's what we've found:

We featured the Hotel Sax (above) on our Memorial Day countdown because of its summer baseball package for only $169. It's bound to have character as it's part of the Thompson Hotel Group and next to the Marina City playground with the House of Blues, Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse, 10Pin Bowling Lounge, and Bin 36 restaurant.

Our twitter friend @iheartheels recommended the Whitehall Hotel because it's right off the Magnificient Mile and has super comfy beds (the beds are high on our priority list!). 

Kimpton's newest Chicago outpost is the Hotel Palomar, we'll definitely swing by for a tour, whether or not we're guests.  Our friend, Sarah, told us the Sable Restaurant and Bar makes amazing hand crafted cocktails, so put that on our to-do list too!

Are we missing your favorite Chicago hotel?  Please share!

Thompson LES Above Allen Opens Up June 9th

The Thompson Lower East Side Hotel's popular night spot, Above Allen, begins its summer hours on June 9th:  Wednesdays to Saturdays 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.  Above Allen will retract is glass roof, making it a truly open-air experience and a fab place to meet friends for happy hour while celebrating the view of the NYC skyline. 


Hotel guests and Above Allen members can access the terrace bar, and non-members can make reservations by emailing AboveAllenReservations@thompsonhotels.com.  You can also show up without reservations; but be prepared to flatter the doorman if you want to get in.  A sexy outfit and great shoes won't hurt either.

The Thompson Hotels and Nanette Lepore

The new uniform for staffers at the Thompson Hotels designed by Nanette Lepore is so sexy, it almost makes us wish we worked there, even if weren't the pool ambassadress. The sexy black cocktail dress will be worn by staffers at the Thompson LES in New York City, the Donovan House in D.C. and the Hollywood Roosevelt in L.A. We're trying to figure out how to get one of our own, short of robbing the front desk clerk.

The Nanette Lepore Vivacious dress is available in white on ShopBop.

On Our Radar: The Carlton Hotel NYC

On Wednesday night, we booked a double room at the The Carlton, a Preferred Hotel and Resort in Midtown right off of Madison Square Park.  It's close to Penn Station, which would have been great had our cab driver not taken us on a long tour of the city (there was a mix-up with the address).  The lobby was impressive, as we had expected.  We were running late and unfortunately the hotel restaurant, Country, wasn't serving lunch.

Our first guest room was stylish and contemporary, though small for the four us.  Our luck changed when the air conditioner conked out.  After a call to the front desk and a visit from the service technician, we were shuttled up to the Empire Suite which had a much bigger bedroom, a huge sitting area with a long dining table and best of all: a view of the Empire State Building. 

We recommend the Carlton for its location, the attentiveness of the staff, the comfortable rooms, and the good sized bathrooms.

Read more about why we chose the Carlton Hotel. 

We were given a special press rate for our stay at the Carlton Hotel.

SATC Countdown, Choosing a Hotel

We're attending an advanced screening of Sex and the City on Wednesday night thanks to Coty Prestige and Sarah Jessica Parker's new frangrance, SJP NYC.  To make it a true girls' night out, we invited a couple of our besties to join us to make our own foursome.  Next the usual planning ensued: what to wear, where to eat, and where to stay.

We chose the Carlton Hotel, a Preferred Hotel and Resort, in the Madison Square Park district of Midtown.  The Carlton has a long history, known early last century as the Seville Hotel.  The lobby is grand:

It has been updated but keeps its Beaux Art charm, from the rediscovered Tiffany skylight (below) which had been painted over to camouflage the hotel from WWII air raids to the vintage bar that Frank Sinatra frequented when he was in town.

The rooms are stylish and comfortable:

Check back soon for a review of our stay at the Carlton.

Girls Weekend at the Dorchester Hotel

We haven't been to London in a few years, but this deal from the lux Dorchester Hotel may get us planning.  The Girls Weekend package is designed for a stylish, shopping foursome, a la SATC.  It features:

A personal stylist appointment at Harvey Nichols- Harrod's sexier and hipper competitor.

A Pow Wow Breakfast on The Promenade at The Dorchester- to strategize about the day's shopping.

Two interconnecting rooms for show-and-tell post shopping spree and easier access to each other's makeup and hair accessories.

Four handmade corsages from the florist at The Dorchester.  We haven't worn one in years; but it would make a great ice breaker at the bar later that night.

Four cocktails at The Bar at The Dorchester. 

Four Lip Glosses from The Dorchester Spa with signature light and mirror for mid-evening touch ups.
 
The package is available through April 30th, 2011.  The second night is free on the following UK bank holidays:  May 28-31st and August 27-30th.  Happy travels!

Sunday Night Film Club at the Crosby Street Hotel

The Crosby Street Hotel is on our short list of places to see in NYC.  Located in Soho and featured in the this month's Conde Nast "Hot List," it's the newest addition to the British Firmdale group which includes standouts like Covet Garden, the Haymarket and the Soho Hotel, all in London.  Come on a Sunday night to take advantage of the lowest room rates and take part in the Sunday Night Film Club (non-guests are welcome as well).  It takes place in the Crosby Street's ninety-nine seat screening room and features a short film followed by a recently run film.  Upcoming features are Crazy Heart, Shutter Island, and Invictus.  You can either choose the $50 plan which comes with a three course dinner or the $25 ticket which includes a cocktail and bar plate.  This is great way to check out a new hotel and see a movie you missed in the big theaters.

Candace Bushnell's Top Girls' Getaway

Where does Sex and the City scribe Candace Bushnell like to go on her girls' getaways? "I always have fun at Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris," she told Travel and Leisure. "A friend once visited me there, and I think we tried all 30 bottle of champagne at the bar." Carrie and Co. would be so proud!

If Candace goes this summer, she could partake in the Girls Escape, which includes

• A one-hour relaxing body massage
• A one-hour Eclat Total facial
• A lunch at the Dior Institute, with a glass of champagne
• A limousine to take you from the Plaza Athénée to the hairdresser and back to the Plaza Athénée or to your home (Paris city centre only) 
• A hair care and a blow dry
• Daily Continental breakfast for two 

Or she could bring along a favorite niece and stay at the Barbie Suite with pink Barbie furniture, though the Barbie Suite at the Palms in Vegas sounds like its more her (and our) speed!

Doggie's Day Out at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

The Jet Set Girls are big dog lovers and when we heard the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman was teaming up with the Humane Society of Grand Cayman, we had to take a closer look.  Our stay on the island was a blast last year (we're pictured above with friends Lauren and Meghan) and we would have loved this opportunity.

For a $25 donation, guests at the Ritz-Carlton can take a shelter dog for a walk around the Blue Tip Golf Course or the nearby North Sound Club.  Local residents and island visitors are welcome to volunteer as well. Next time we go, we'll have to make room for doggie treats in our carry on!

The program was designed by Marcus Caudill, the Housekeeping Manager, who has an adopted dog named Charlie. "We knew our guests would enjoy taking the dogs out, but had no idea how successful the program would be," said Caudill. "On busy days we've even had waiting lists for the walking slots.  One guests enjoyed her outing so much , she handed me a check for $1,000 for the Humane Society afterwards."

The view from our room at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

Learn more about the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and make reservations here.

Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz-Carlton Cancun Endless Flavors Package

The view from our room at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun

We had a fabulous time last fall at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun.  Since our trip, they widened the beach by hundreds of feet and now this: the Ritz-Carlton is offering a full meal and beverage plan in all six restaurants including the gourmet Fantino and Club Grill, pool and beachside service, and even in-room dining. Go ahead and order that pricey fruity frozen drink from your beach chair, it's included.  And, for that morning after the big fiesta, order in breakfast.  Our go-to at any Ritz-Carlton is the muesli and it's especially good at this hotel.

The Endless Flavors package starts at $739 per night and is available through December 15th, 2010.  The package also includes an ocean view room, wi-fi, and valet parking.  Happy travels!

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun

Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara

We haven't forgotten about you west coasters in our round up of Memorial Day Travel Ideas. For those wanting to escape L.A. head on down to the W in San Diego to take advantage of their Better Tomorrows program where you get 50 percent off the second night's stay.

For something a little more sophisticated, head up the coast in the other direction to the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara. Sister hotel to Santa Monica's Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar, the hotel is named after the Canary Islands and the Mallorcan design influences can be seen throughout. The hotel is in downtown, but like the W San Diego, has a roof top pool with a view.

Memorial Day Travel Idea #1: Sex and the City Trips
Memorial Day Travel Idea #2: Chicagoland Baseball
Memorial Day Travel Idea #3: Atlantis in the Bahamas
Memorial Day Travel Idea #4: Charleston, SC 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #5: Dominican Republic 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #6: San Diego and Santa Barbara 
Memorial Day Travel Idea #7: Ritz Carlton in Cancun