It used to be that you had to visit Paris, France and stay in one of those great hotels near the main shopping avenues such as Champs Elysee or Rue de Rivoli, to be within walking distance of the famous names of haute couture.

No longer is this true.  If it is the brands behind haute couture that intrigue you, just stay at the famed Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, the only hotel located on Beverly Hills’ renowned “Walk of Style,” and be just steps away from some of the most famous brands of fashion that are found in Paris.

If you want to know exactly just how many steps this is, we walked it and carefully counted them, just to be sure.

Photo by Tim Wilson

We found that the closest fashion house to the hotel is just 10 steps away: the house of Gucci.  Next closest are two, Prada and Cartier, both just 15 steps away. Chanel is a bit further, but still only 20 steps, then Dior with 45 steps and Armani with 60 steps.  The furthest is Tiffany & Co., which is 100 steps away.  All are well worth it…

There is much more shopping on Rodeo Drive.  We just got stuck in these marvelous stores and did not measure the closeness of the other stores. Given the great Southern California weather, we would suggest for you to continue your walk, take a few added steps and soak it all in — but maybe not all in one day.

Should you become overloaded with shopping bags, or just simply “shopped out,” I am sure you will be grateful for the proximity of the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, a place where you can go back to your room, kick off your stilettos and just sit quietly to marvel at your purchased “loot,” — that is, before you regain your strength to head out and give another try at browsing through another store or two.

Imagine… 45% more weekend time, 45% more in your paycheck, 45% more closet space or 45% more floor space in your own home.

Well, maybe you can’t get it all, but you can certainly find that extra 45% of space in the guestrooms and suites at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, when “breathing space” is much needed after a tiring day on the town or spent in exhaustive back-to-back meetings.  It matters when you consider the opposite – cramped quarters with the bed taking up most of the room’s walking space.  It also matters when you have to basically maneuver what seems to be an obstacle course, just to get to the bathroom without jamming a leg into a piece of furniture.  Room space just about trumps most everything else in terms of hotel comfort.  Any room at this hotel rivals a small apartment in square footage.

Staying at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel means that you don’t have to accept tight quarters as a fair trade-off for other hotel amenities such as abundant space, chic surroundings and superior services – think canopied beds with plush linens, vibrant color palettes and complimentary cappuccinos upon check-in.

Cozy isn’t all that it is cracked up to be. The real story when hearing cozy as a descriptor of hotel rooms, is that it means really, really small and has little to do with comfort or even ambiance.

Indeed, even the property’s smallest accommodations are approximately 45% larger than the national standard hotel room, offering more than 550 square feet of space to accommodate bulky and oversized luggage, a proper desk for business paperwork, closet room to store prizes from the day’s shopping trip or enough space to stretch out tired legs for more than one person.  The one-bedroom Luxe Suites provide even more – 800 square feet of living space.

The hotel, located where Bel Air meets Brentwood in the heart of Los Angeles, highlights space throughout its environs.  Set on seven acres, it boasts a tennis court, expansive pool area, a recently opened Sanctuary Spa, as well an indoor/outdoor ballroom space for your most lavish and special occasions.  Travelers can also spread their wings from the hotel, as its locale offers convenient proximity to the famed Getty Center, Beverly Hills and Southern California beaches.

So go ahead, stretch…

If you ever wanted to be in the heart of the palpable energy found in Manhattan, there is a best-kept secret that very soon will not be a secret at all. The recently opened property, Eurostars Wall Street hotel, finds itself in the midst of the international ‘high achieving ambiance ’ of downtown New York City yet, surprisingly, it also offers a respite from the chaos of it all.  Its sleek Manhattan-style contemporary décor presents a blend of the Spanish heritage of its parent company, coupled with the signature comforts and service of a Luxe Worldwide Hotels member property.

The Eurostars Wall Street boasts a coveted location, prized by both business people and families.  If you are on a business trip, you will delight in its proximity to the New York Stock Exchange and the center of New York City’s international financial hub. It also is a great place to bring your colleagues for one-on-one meetings or for conferences with many, in the well-appointed boardrooms.  Complimentary wireless Internet is anywhere you want it, throughout the hotel.

And the advantage of it all, is that there is no need to be bored in the evening or travel far…  The downtown nightlife lights up in the evenings and, within walking distance, there are choices that range from delectable eateries to bars and clubs.  If you bring along family members or simply on a leisure trip, the hotel’s proximity to some of the city’s major historical attractions, including World Trade Center memorial and the trendy Tribeca neighborhood, as well as easy access to the world of famed ‘Broadway’, is one of its great conveniences.

The boutique hotel’s size and style are deceptive, given its locale.  Each of its oversized 54 guestrooms has recently been renovated and blends contemporary touches with cathedral ceilings and luxurious marble bathrooms.  As is the case with the Luxe Hotels brand, personal service is a hallmark of the experience the hotel offers its guests.

It’s a great New York City find…