On Our Radar: W London

If all this talk about the royal wedding has you thinking about making a trip across the pond, here's another reason: The newly opened W London - Leicester Square Hotel. The hotel is centrally located near the West End theaters (The upcoming Batman is another reason to head to London this summer) and the shopping on Regents and Oxford Streets.

In the Wonderful rooms the sinks are in the middle, a take on the American trend of putting tubs in the center of the room. (The shower is behind closed doors.) The rooms feature Bliss spa products and iPod docs.

When it's time to party, you can hit the Wyld Club or the Lounge Bar. There's a branch of NYC's Spice Market in the hotel for meals that are both delicious, fun and sexy.

Ready to go? When you book two nights, the third is free. Get ready to call in sick that Monday!

On Our Radar: The Viceroy Miami

We're headed south this morning, destination: the Viceroy Miami. We couldn't be more excited to spend a couple of nights in such a chic hotel and this time Mother Nature cooperated by dishing us some mighty fine weather. You'll find us poolside in the afternoon and at Club 50 late night. We may never leave the hotel!

Are you in need of some Vitamin D? The Viceroy Miami is currently offering a free night when you stay two nights (it averages to about $265 per night).

On Our Radar: Kimpton Celebrates Its Big 3-0

Happy 30th to one of our very favorite hotel chains: Kimpton Hotels. We hesitate to call Kimpton a chain, since each property has its own style and character, from the original Hotel Monaco in San Francisco with its strips to the Sky Hotel in Aspen with its chic lobby and apres ski-scene to the built from the group up Ink 48 on the edges of Manhattan with a stunning rooftop bar (shown above).

Kimpton won us over years ago with their innovative ideas like hotel wide pet-friendliness, commitment to environmentalism, their humor, the wine hour, the goldfish and much more. They're celebrating their thirtieth birthday since the first hotel opened in San Francisco and sharing the celebration with guests in a number of ways:

Birthday Cheers! On April 1st, Kimpton hotels are extending their daily wine hour and serving cupcakes and special wine selections.

Write Here, Right Now Starting today, Kimpton fans can win a free night by telling the favorite birthday story through a poem, haiku, sonnet or funny rhyme. Voting will be on Facebook and 30 submissions will receive free nights.

Birthday Spa Bonus Kimpton is giving an additional 30 minutes free to a 50 minute in-room massage throughout April (use the code "30th Birthday when you book).

Kimpton Style Savings Wishing you'd brought home one of Kimpton's big puffy animal print robes? From April 1st to the 14th, all purchases on KimptonStyle.com will reflect an automatic 30 percent discount.

On Our Radar: New Orleans Jazz Fest

Jazz Fest kicks off in a month on April 29th, so plan your trip now. We'd love to stay at the new Hotel Le Marais on Conti Street less than a block from Bourbon Street where rooms start at a remarkably low $109! They give you a cocktail at checkin; but if you go, try their purple cocktail at the bar and let us know what you think.

The guestrooms are a cool mix of neutrals and eggplant. Since the hotel opened in November, there's a good chance everything is still fresh. We're digging the free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, granite bathrooms, free bottles of water, and iPod docking stations.

Need more reason to check out Hotel Le Marais? It has the biggest outdoor hot tub in the French Quarter. Happy travels!

On Our Radar: Spa Week

It's that time of the year again, where great spas across the country offer up their popular services for only $50 a pop. Spa Week runs from April 11th through the 17th.  I always take the chance to pamper myself (somehow I can justify it if it's at a discount!). This time around I booked the Stress Melter Ritual (scrub and wrap) and a facial at The Red Door Spa. For $50 each it's like getting two for one and this close to tax day, I'll need some relief. Who wants to join me?

Book your services now, because they fill up quickly! www.spaweek.com

On Our Radar: Le Parker Meridien NY

A weekend trip to NYC with my girls will be especially fun with a suite at Le Parker Meridien on West 56th St. We chose it for the Midtown location near Central Park, Times Square, shopping and much more. The enclosed rooftop pool with views of the park is unbeatable, as is breakfast at Norma's, the coffee in the Knave and the TDF burgers at the Burger Joint. If only I didn't give up red meat for lent!

They have a 20% off special when you stay two or more nights (Thursdays to Saturdays) and a Bed and Breakfast package which includes a decadent breakfast at Norma's. Both available on line.

On Our Radar: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have arrived in New York. The boutique hotel experts with both on-line and 24 hour in-house advisors, lend their advice on over 700 fabulous hotels worldwide. All of their hotspots have been visited and reviewed at least twice- once by a team member and once by a tastemaker (think Stella McCartney, Dita von Teese and Cate Blanchett). Check their site for these in depth and quirky reviews.

You don't have to be a member to book on-line; but members get special perks like money-back and exclusive travel deals. James Lohan and his wife, Tamara, started the company in London in 2003 after an unfortunate travel experience. "We go to extraordinary lengths to select the world’s best boutique hotels, and then we anonymously review all of them so we’re certain it’s the most passionately discerning collection on the planet," said Lohan.

We checked MrandMrsSmith.com for NYC just see to if they're on target with their choices. Sure enough they recommended and insightfully reviewed some of our favorite boutique hotels like the Soho House (pictured above), the Standard NY, the Ace Hotel, the Greenwich Hotel and more.

On Our Radar: New York Palace for the Royal Wedding

The invites for Wills and Kate's April 29 wedding were sent out this week. Not one of the 1,900 guests invited? Here's a swank Plan B: Check into the New York Palace Hotel for its Royal Wedding Breakfast. You can opt to stay overnight or simply attend the breakfast that starts at 5:30 am with coffee and tea service. At 6 am, breakfast service will begin to correspond with the 11 am wedding start time in London and it concludes at 8 am with a champagne toast.

And since no royal wedding breakfast is complete without a few extras, you'll also get keepsake Palace slippers, “In Honour Of” printed menus and commemorative wedding “favors” (scented glass candles with an embossed crown logo).

The Royal Wedding Breakfast at the New York Palace is $150 and rooms start at $299. Find out more about the Royal Wedding Sunrise Breakfast. 

On Our Radar: Hotel Theodore in Scottsdale

We stayed at the Mondrian in Scottsdale for our first trip after creating The Jet Set Girls, so we were sad to hear it closed. Opened in its place is the Hotel Theodore and by the looks of it, not a lot changed. The public spaces were open, chic and modern; but the guestrooms were on the small side and the bathrooms were definitely not big enough for our group of four. Your best bet is to come here for TR's Lounge and Teddy's Nightclub; but stay at one of Scottsdale's posh resorts.

On Our Radar: $1 Rooms at the JW Marriott LA Live

On Tuesday, February 15th, the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live is celebrating its birthday by giving away 10 packages worth almost $4,000 for just $1. We're hoping to head to LA ourselves so this chance couldn't have come at a better time! There's plenty to do with the Nokia Theatre, the Staples Center, and the Grammy Museum next door and the LA Zoo, the Hollywood sign and more nearby.
Here's what the packages include:

• A night in the Chairman Suite, the hotel's most lux at 1,566 square feet with views of the LA skyline
• Two glasses of champagne at gLAnce Wine Bar
• Breakfast for two at LA Market restaurant
• Valet parking

The "Happy Birthday" package goes on sale at 8:00 a.m. PST on February 15th for $1.00. The deal is valid for a Friday or Saturday night stay between August 6, 2011 and September 10, 2011. To book enter code ES6 at www.lalivemarriott.com/birthday. 

Beach Week Day 5: Soho Beach House Miami

The recently opened Soho Beach House Miami is everything its sister properties in New York, West Hollywood, Berlin and the originals in Britain are: chic, fun, and exclusive. We never turn down an invite to the members-only club in the Meat Packing District (and neither would we at the Beach House); but the easiest way to get in is to book a room in one of the hotel's fifty bedrooms- then you have access to both pool areas, the beach club, and the rest of the private lounges.

Also in the Soho Beach House, the Cowshed spa offers everything from massages and facials, to blowouts and manis. Cecconi's Italian restaurant is open to the public; but doesn't give you access to the after hours areas of the Beach House. Hotel rates begin at $400, memberships begin at $900/year. Sigh.

On Our Radar: Coachella

It may be 77 days away, but the new A|X Armani Exchange ads put Coachella on our minds. The legendary music festival that takes place near Palm Springs, California was the inspiration for the spring ad campaign. “The aesthetic of the A|X Spring 2011 Collection was conceived around casual but sophisticated style and the modern influence of season-less, festival-chic dressing. The emphasis was not on major seasonal shifts but instead on creating looks that possess an overall truthfulness,” said Kate Lanphear, Elle's style director who styled the ads. The photos were shot at the Empire Polo Fields, where the festival takes place.

This year's Coachella festival kicks off on April 15 with Kings of Leon, the Black Keys and ends on April 17 with headliners Duran Duran and Kayne West. Check out Coachella.com for more details.

On Our Radar: Hotel 1000 Seattle

Seattle is an exciting city and off our beaten path. The handful of visits we've had there were full of good food, good people, and plenty of new sights. Next time we visit, we'd like to stay at the Hotel 1000 a boutique hotel downtown which is in walking distance of galleries, restaurants and shopping like the Pike Place Market. In our favor, Hotel 1000 is more Frasier Crane than grunge; but you can get your music fix at the clubs within walking distance. The guest rooms have Asian and Northwestern accents, Thai linens and spa worthy bathrooms (the tubs fill from the ceiling!). And not surprisingly the rooms are stocked with techno-gadgets like electronic "do not disturb" signs, 40" LCD tv's,  and - our personal favorite- free WiFi. There's even a roof-top dog run and some serious virtual reality golf games. Rooms start at $215 per night.

On February 27th, Hotel 1000 is hosting a big Academy Award party. Tickets are $50 to $75 with proceeds benefiting Reel Grrls which "empowers young women from diverse communities to realize their power, talent and influence through media production."

An Evening with the Stars includes:
Appetizers
Cocktail on arrival
Two drink vouchers
A swag bag
Red carpet photo ops
Prizes for best celeb look-alike and best outfit
Hotel 1000 will provide live entertainment and a telecast of the Academy Awards
Party starts at 4:00 p.m.

Girls Getaway Package at the Setai South Beach

This is the time each year when we plan a little trip to Miami. It's just so easy and we always have fun. We're looking at new hotels to check out; but we still wanted to pass on this Girls Getaway package at the Setai. If you haven't been, it's simply one of the most sophisticated, lux property on the beach. We love the asian design influences, the floor to ceiling windows in the rooms, and the proximity to just about all of our favorite spots in SoBe. 

The Girls Getaway Package at the Setai includes:

• A bottle of Taittinger Champagne and Chocolate Truffles in the suite
• Two 60-minute treatments in The Spa at The Setai
• Complimentary Aperitif when dining in The Restaurant at The Setai
• VIP entrance to a South Beach lounge or nightclub
• Complimentary bottle with a VIP table reservation any Opium Group nightclub (like Mokai where Dwayne Wade is having his bday, Mansion and Set among others)
• Champagne makeover and private shopping experience at the Saks Fifth Avenue Club in Bal Harbour with an exclusive fifteen percent off
• The Setai Grand Breakfast each day
• Fifteen percent off the Asprey Boutique, located in the Setai lobby
• Personalized pre-arrival experience by one The Setai’s dedicated concierges (not sure what this is but we're intrigued!)

On Our Radar: Lady Gaga Monster Ball and the Luxe City Center LA

If you missed Lady Gaga last year, this is a great opportunity to see her. The Luxe City Center in LA adjacent to the Staples Center finished a remodel and is offering a couple of premium Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour packages. Whether you live on the west coast or you need a break from freezing temps elsewhere, the show on March 28th would be blast.

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour "Suite" Platinum Package in a Luxe  Premium Suite

• Two lower level tickets for Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Concert on March 28;
• Valet parking
• Early 10 a.m. check-in at hotel;
• Get your bubbly on with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
• Box of Godiva Chocolates
• Dinner for two at Flemings Prime Steakhouse (includes a cocktail, appetizer, entree, and dessert for two)
• $200 Visa gift card so you can shop like a rock star (think leather leggings)
• Lady Gaga Hardcover Monster Ball Program

This package is available for $3,500 for one night (based on two guests) and is exclusive of taxes and tips.

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour "Suite" Diva Package in a Luxe Executive Suite

• Two lower level tickets for Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Concert on March 28
• Valet parking
• Early guaranteed 12 noon check-in at hotel
• Bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
• $150 Visa gift card to enjoy a "Diva Dinner" at the restaurant of your choice
• 2 Lady Gaga Monster Sunglasses

This package is available for $1,900 for one night (based on two guests) and is exclusive of taxes and tips.

To make a reservation for these exclusive packages, call 213-748-1291. 

On Our Radar: Montage Laguna Beach Shopping Spree Special

We'd love to finish our shopping (and take the edge off the holiday stress) by spending a couple of nights at the posh Montage Laguna Beach. Their Shopping Spree Special includes:

• An ocean view room for two nights
• Transportation to the nearby South Coast Plaza with its 200 stores including Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Bloomie's
• $50 breakfast credit with in-room dining or their restaurant The Loft
• Passes to the VIP Suite at South Coast Plaza with complimentary refreshments and package check
• Daily lunch for two at Quattro Café
• The best part: complimentary gift wrapping!

Rates start at $545 per night.

On Our Radar: the Montage Deer Valley

The Montage Deer Valley opened this month. Located near Park City and its charming and fun Main Street and just a mere 36 miles from Salt Lake airport, it's easy to get to and loaded with action.  The Deer Valley ski resort boasts the smoothest runs anywhere (always groomed) and the best chili and salad bar we've ever tasted on the slopes. The new Montage resort sits mid-mountain with true ski in/ski out access via the three lifts outside its doors. The lux rooms and suites start at 600 square feet and many have fireplaces and patios. When you go, spend some time (and check out the dudes) at Daly's Pub & Rec, a new American gastro-pub which sports bowling, billiards, darts, Wii  and 80's arcade games. Check out the spread at MontageDeerValley.com.

On Our Radar: Kimpton on Jetsetter

Kimpton is featured on Jetsetter.com this week with great deals on its hotels in New York, D.C., and Miami. The rates start at only $110 per night at some of the hotels and would be a perfect fit for your New Year's Eve plans, a quick getaway with your honey, or (in our case) our annual girls' night out with our childhood friends.

The Eventi in NY which opened this year has views of the Empire State Building from its floor to ceiling windows. A visit here has been on our to-do list for months.

The Hotel Palomar D.C. is a favorite of ours and we've stayed here a few times. Located near Dupont circle, there's plenty to do close by; but you might be just as happy staying at the hotel and eating at their tasty Urbana Restaurant. All Kimptons are pet friendly, so this is on Anne's list when she's comes to DC.

We've thought about staying in Downtown Miami on our next trip. The Epic Hotel has water views, the Exhale Spa, and the Area 31 seafood restaurant. SoBe isn't far away either if your itching for nightlife.   

On Our Radar: W New York Hotels Not Home for the Holidays

Can't make it home for the holidays? The W New York is offering business travelers who are stuck in the city a Not Home for the Holidays package so you can avoid the epic journey that Steve Martin and John Candy made in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. It include two cocktails and a free room upgrade, plus a comfort-food room service menu featuring treats like butternut squash soup and mom's apple pie. And, for every package purchased, the W’s of New York will donate $25 to the Food Bank of New York City. While this package is themed towards business travelers, it works for your girls' trips, too. After all, comfort food generally makes a good hangover remedy!

While you're there, be sure to check out the W Hotel boutique's global glam collection!

Book on WHotels.com.

On Our Radar: Paris and the Hotel Notre Dame

We leaving on Tuesday for a quick trip to Paris and just booked our hotel yesterday. The paralyzing problem was the number of great places to stay and deciding which amenities were the most important to us. For instance, apartments give you more space and a kitchen for less than the average 4-star hotel; but we're only staying three nights and exploring the bistros, bars and cafes is high on our priority list.

So instead, we opted for a mid-size hotel in an uber-convenient location with tons of style and history too. The Hotel Notre Dame sits just across the Seine from the cathedral and if we're lucky our room will have amazing views. The 400 hundred year old building was recently renovated and each room decorated by Christian Lacroix. The RER (train) stops across the street, so getting there from Charles de Gaulle will be a breeze. It locay right on the river means we'll have no problem traveling between the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay and the metro will make the rest of our favorites easy to get to as well. We'll be sure to share with you the highlights of our trip - it's been a long time coming. If you have any recommendations while we're there, please share!