Tag Archive for SniqueAway

10 Designer Hotels Always in Fashion

May 3, 2013 / / Comments Off

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We adore couture and can’t help but fancy everything fashionable. So, when we realized that Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort & Club was designed by Oscar de la Renta, our hearts skipped a beat. Could there be any better way to take a truly stylish getaway? We think not, and so we gathered 10 of the most chic hotels, each lovingly designed by a fashion icon, from around the world. Go ahead. Try one on. We think they all look fabulous on you.

Photos courtesy of Moschino, St. Regis Hotel, Round Hill, Le Notre Dame and Palazzo Versace

Oscar de la Renta – Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort & Club, Dominican Republic: When you take the beauty and grace of Oscar de la Renta design and add it to 13 beachfront villas, you get a getaway that will never go out of style.

Donatella Versace – Palazzo Versace, Queensland, Australia: Glamour is taken to an entirely new level in this waterfront hotel, which was designed by Donatella Versace as a tribute to her late brother.

Giorgio Armani – Armani Hotel, Dubai: Located within the world’s tallest building—the Burj Khalifa—the Armani Hotel Dubai makes quite a statement with its minimalist modern design. Let’s be honest, would you expect anything less from Giorgio Armani? 

Moschino – Maison Moschino, Milan: Storybook-esque details, such as beds draped in ball gowns and coffee tables made out of coffee cups, come to life in this converted 1840’s Neoclassical railway station, which was designed by Italian fashion house Moschino.

Ralph Lauren - Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica: It’s true. Ralph Lauren makes the perfect companion to any vacation thanks to his classic yet comfortable aesthetic—can you say mahogany four-poster beds and white stone floors. And don’t miss the spa which sits in an 18th-century plantation house.

Dior - Suite at the St. Regis New York City: It must be said, “J’adore Dior,” especially when it comes to a glorious suite in a landmark hotel on 5th Avenue (where else?). The 1,700-square-foot suite capture the essence of the designer’s Montaigne headquarters in Paris. Simply imagine Louis XVI-style furniture with white carved-wood framing and gold leaf accents, and you are on your way.

Diane Von Furstenberg – Claridge’s, London: Prints are never out of style according to Diane Von Furstenberg. And the designer doesn’t shy away from tan and white leopard print rugs in 20 rooms and suites at this 1930’s hotel. Et Voila! This Art Deco icon is transformed into a fashion icon.

Christian Lacroix – Le Notre Dame, Paris: This is Christian Lacroix’s third hotel design collaboration in Paris (too much of a good thing is never enough!). And the hotel, with its eclectic medieval-meets-modern design, is a sight to behold.

Karl Lagerfeld – Schlosshotel im Grunewald, Berlin: Housed in a palace in an exclusive suburb, Karl Lagerfeld has designed a hotel fit for a king (or queen). And this is one place that fashion will always reign supreme.

Todd Oldham – The Hotel at South Beach, Miami, Florida: As if it were possible, Todd Oldham brings even more vibrant colors to this South Florida hot spot. The classic Art Deco hotel is now oh so cool.

Category: Style Files / Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Make a Splash with the Country’s Most Fabulous Ferries!

May 2, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Summer’s nearly here and we’re using any excuse to be by the sea. Lucky for us, Boston water taxis offer service to top restaurants and bars along Boston Harbor. Another destination that offers aquatic transportation is Charleston, South Carolina. A stay at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina places guests steps from Patriots Point, where they can then enjoy a scenic, 30-minute Fort Sumter Tours ferry ride to the historic Fort Sumter National Monument. If you’re itching for a warm-weather ferry ride, why not take a cruise in one of these top cities?

Photos courtesy of Budget Travel, Wikimedia Commons and Frank Vetere/Alamy

{From left}

Seattle: Scope out sailboats, the Seattle skyline and the Cascade Range during a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle to scenic Bainbridge Island, where you’ll enjoy 23 miles of walking trails, charming cafés and breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound.

New Orleans: Hop aboard the Algiers Ferry from Canal Street for a free, 10-minute ride across the Mississippi River. Once you reach the peaceful and residential Algiers Point, spend some time exploring 19th-century homes, cafés and the Jazz Walk of Fame.

San Francisco: Skirt past Alcatraz Island and glimpse the Golden Gate Bridge during a 30-minute ride from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal to scenic Sausalito. There, you can spend some time touring the town’s eclectic art galleries, seafood restaurants and colorful hillside homes.

Category: Around Town, Great Outdoors / Tags: , , , , , ,

Great Memorial Day Getaways with the Family (or Without!)

May 1, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Guess what?! Memorial Day is just around the corner, meaning the unofficial start of summer is finally, mercifully upon us. Here in Boston we’ve endured another typical New England winter, with January’s snow, slush, and ice giving way to March’s mud, chilly rain, and steel-grey skies.

But–but!–lawns are finally greening up, flowers are blooming, and we’re ready to plan some summer getaways.

To that end, Sniqueaway will be highlighting sales with Memorial Day availability, such as the Stage Neck Inn in York, Maine, and The Inn of Fifth in Naples, FL. Keep an eye out for more Memorial Day offers in the coming days.

Portsmouth, NH; photo courtesy of Shutterstock

 

Here are a few great options for the upcoming long weekend:

Washington, D.C. – To honor the patriotic side of this very patriotic holiday, there’s no better place to go than D.C. Expect a few crowds, sure, but fair weather for exploring the city’s sights.

Cape May, NJ – Beach towns all over the country start their season Memorial Day weekend, and this gem of the Jersey shore is a great spot to ring in another summer.

Santa Cruz, CA – “Summer” is relative here (expect wake up to chilly, foggy mornings) but this seaside surf haven kicks into high gear on Memorial Day–rides on its famous boardwalk are open until 11pm.

Portsmouth, NH – One of our favorite local towns, Portsmouth embodies everything we love about New England: Crisp, salty sea air; historic architecture; eclectic cuisine, and tight-knit community feel.

Austin, TX – Memorial Day is the de facto kick-off for boating season in Austin, making this a perfect chance to hit the water (and grab some of Austin’s famous BBQ, of course).

Seattle, WA – Everyone thinks Seattle has terrible weather, but the reality is that summers are fantastic–think temps in the 70s and less rain than we get here in Boston! Memorial Day, and May in general, is a great time to visit this beautiful, vibrant, and unique Pacific Northwest city.

Chicago, IL – Chicago, like Boston, emerges from its winter doldrums with much fanfare. The city’s beaches officially open, and on Sunday the 26th, Lakshore Drive closes (temporarily) for cyclists to enjoy.

Sanibel Island, FL – May is considered for this quiet Gulf Coast retreat–the snowbirds have gone but summer’s humidity is (usually) still holding off, meaning visitors in May get the best of both worlds.

Category: In Season / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s Festival Season

April 29, 2013 / / Comments Off

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This week, we wrote about Lake La Quinta Inn in California’s expansive Coachella Valley. Naturally, we found ourselves a little disappointed, as we were too late to attend the area’s renowned outdoor music festival (aptly named the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival).

Good thing it’s still April, because that means we have a whole summer’s worth of festivals to take advantage of, the world over. So, on that note, here are a few events we think are worth checking out.

Music Festivals

Photos courtesy of Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, NXNE and Life Is Good

Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festivals: Technically these are two festivals, but for two glorious weekends every summer The Fort Adams State Park in beautiful coastal Rhode Island turns into an internationally renowned celebration of some of this country’s oldest genres. This year’s folk fest features giants like Feist, The Avett Brothers and the Lumineers, while the Jazz lineup later in the summer presents Grammy winners Chick Corea and Esperanza Spaulding.

Lollapalooza: As one of the United States’ biggest and most anticipated festivals each year, the Chicago-based Lollapalooza is a welcome destination for those trying to avoid the standard campout festivals. So head to Chicago this year, check out an eclectic lineup (spanning from Mumford & Sons to The Cure to Queens of the Stone Age) and grab yourself a hotel room to spend a little non-festival time exploring the rest of the Windy City.

Glastonbury: Boasting about 150,000 attendees per day (that’s right, per day), this epic England fixture turns plenty of heads each year. This time around, headliners include Arctic Monkeys, The Rolling Stones, Public Enemy and Phoenix (among many, many others). Talk about an excuse for a trip to Europe.

NXNE: The Canadian counterpart to Austin’s SXSW music and film fest, this northern display of entertainment requires very little explanation to attract droves of international film, music and art lovers alike. Sure, there are your standard music headliners (this year: Social Distortion, Big Boi, and the National) but the city-wide event also debuts indie films and modern art exhibitions.

Life is Good Festival: While it may not garner the armies of attendees like some of the others, this festival proves its worth in a much different way. Organized by the lifestyle brand of the same name, this festival puts all of its proceeds (yes, 100% of its profit) toward the Life is Good Playmakers charity to help kids in need. While they haven’t announced the lineup this year, with past acts including Dave Matthews Band, Sara Bareilles and Ben Harper & Relentless 7, this is definitely a can’t-miss opportunity to give a little back to the community.

Category: Around Town, Noteworthy / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Throw a Polynesian Feast at Home!

April 25, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Te Tiare Beach Resort in French Polynesia is a South Pacific paradise: Crystal blue water, lush terrain, and a perfect white sand beach. The resort also features a Polynesian dance and dinner program, featuring authentic dishes and traditional performances.

Photo courtesy of the Polynesian Cultural Center at www.polynesia.com

And while you may not have a tropical lagoon in your backyard, or a white sand beach for that matter, you can recreate the experience of a Polynesian gathering right in your own home. Here are a few recipes to help you get started, and no, you don’t have to bury a pig in the sand (though you can if you really want to).

Kalua Pua’a, or roast pig, is typically prepared in an underground steam oven. However, the dish can be easily replicated in the home oven with good results. Ti leaves, which are wrapped around the pork, can be difficult to find; check with your local Asian grocer or shop around online.

Poi is a doughy, sticky paste made from two ingredients: Boiled taro root and water. Traditionally the paste is made by mashing the root between a stone and wooden board.

Poke is similar to ceviche, but with a Polynesian twist thanks to sesame oil and soy sauce. If you’ve never prepared raw fish at home, don’t fear: Just ask your local fishmonger for sashmi-grade tuna.

Huapia is a traditional stiff coconut pudding that can be served in bite-sized cubes. Of course, a big platter of fresh fruit will suffice as well!

Category: Uncategorized, Wine & Dine / Tags: , , , , , ,
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