Picture this: You’re sitting in your private cabana and sipping mai tais on a beautiful, 80-degree California day while receiving a massage and being sprayed with a cool mist as you people-watch through your newly cleaned sunglasses. This is not a scene out of a movie, but what you can expect at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel during a typical Los Angeles summer afternoon.

Nestled below the Getty Center hillside where Bel Air meets Brentwood, you’ll find a unique oasis in a quiet urban enclave of Los Angeles. For years, international visitors and LA locals alike have flocked to the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel for its unique charm. This luxury boutique hotel destination is favored for its superior service, distinct style, and ideal location—in the heart of the most stylish areas of Los Angeles. In the summer months, the Luxe Sunset pool is a highly sought after retreat that brings the best of “la dolce vita” (the sweet life) and LA summer living to its visitors.

Whether you’re from Iceland or Mexico, you’ll find yourself pining for the Luxe LA life—equipped with the amenities and perks you’ve craved all winter. Open exclusively for guests, the Luxe Sunset pool offers an array of complimentary services from Memorial Day through Labor Day including cell phone charging, sunglass cleaning, Evian cool mist spray, personalized towel and chair service, snacks and beverages including smoothies and fruit skewers.

If a lively summer barbeque is what you’re after, then you must visit us on a summer weekend, when we’ll be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, cooked to order at the pool. If there’s a different entre or beverage you crave, then you can order it from the full room service menu without losing your prime spot by the pool.

Choose from four private cabanas available for rent and share your own moment in the sun with your sweetheart or your best friend. Enjoy full bar service, complimentary magazines and newspapers, a dedicated pool concierge, and the star of our show—the Luxe pool—heated to a perfect 84 degrees year round.

If you’re not a guest of the hotel but find yourself lured by the sound of summer fun when you stop by for a service at the Luxe Sanctuary Spa, you’re in luck—all patrons of the spa are welcome to use the pool and its services at no additional charge.

So the next time you find yourself California dreaming and yearning for the sweet life, book a stay at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel—and don’t forget to bring your swimsuit!

Poolside view at Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel

The universal love affair with New York City is indisputable. No wonder…

New York epitomizes the “melting pot” that America has always embraced. Staying true to its Ellis Island roots, it was the “port of hope” for millions that were seeking freedom over the course of the first half of the 20th century. The resulting cultural diversity, which has lasted for more than a century has remained unique to New York. It evolved, and has become an epicenter of the arts — ranging from the legendary Broadway shows, the numerous world-class museums, the famed Carnegie Hall that resounds with international performers, the Barge concerts, or an underground jazz club. There are hidden gems that lie in every corner, just waiting to be found.

New York is the kind of city that no one wants to miss.

But it matters where one stays…Best to stay in the midst of it all — surely walking distance to some of the “must sees.”  One of these hidden gems that sits right in Manhattan’s Carnegie Hill area is The Hotel Wales, a romantic, luxury boutique hotel that has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation, and features 89 elegant guest rooms, with 43 of them beautifully appointed sun-drenched suites.

The hotel has breathtaking panoramic views of the Upper East Side and Central Park from the rooftop terrace. You can also enjoy a good workout in the new fitness center, 24-hour complimentary coffee and tea in the lounge, and free Wi-Fi.

Every means of transportation is a block or two away, so it’s easy to hop on the subway and seek out New York hotspots like the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the chic boutiques of Soho and Chelsea, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall. When you’ve reached your saturation point for the day, head back to the hotel and sip a glass of wine on the rooftop garden and then go downstairs for dinner at Paola’s—an Upper East Side institution that makes you feel like you’re in an old school Italian movie.

Whether in New York for business or pleasure, it’s difficult to leave unmoved by the city. It has a uniqueness that is unmatched. It simply can’t be missed…

Just take to heart Frank Sinatra’s advice and “come on, come through, right to the heart of it…New York, New York, New York!”

Beer, chocolate, and waffles… If this perfect triad isn’t reason enough to make Belgium your next destination, then consider this: Brussels abounds with beautiful medieval and baroque architecture, the sweet charm of small city life, a striking French and Flemish history, lively public squares, cozy cafes, and diverse locals whose friendly disposition and generosity is contagious.

Brussels is one of the most international cities in the world. Home to multiple nationalities, 27% of the population is composed of international citizens and French, Dutch, and German are all considered official languages.

When you find your way to Brussels (whether your nose follows the aroma of fresh waffles, or otherwise), the Hotel Manos is an ideal home base. A member of Luxe Worldwide Hotels’, the 5-star Hotel Manos Premier offers travelers the character and charm of a private Brussels home in an atmosphere of calm and refinement. Located in the heart of the city, Hotel Manos offers all the comforts of home within a luxurious backdrop.

Built from combining four houses at the beginning of the last century, the hotel’s 50 spacious guestrooms and suites, are uniquely decorated with Louis XV and Louis XVI period furniture, and feature marble bathrooms, and modern comforts offset by lovely terraces, picturesque fountains, and gardens where ducks peacefully strut by. For travelers who want to work off all of the beer and Belgian waffles they’ve consumed or for those who simply want to resign themselves to pure relaxation, the hotel also features a fitness room, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi and intimate Drawing Room for reading or reflecting on all your sensory delights in this great city.

Just a short walk to the business district, 12 kilometers from the Brussels airport, and minutes from the luxury shopping district on Avenue Louise and the famous Bois de la Cambre, you can feel the heartbeat of the city from the hotel. Of course, no trip to Brussels would be complete without a visit to the Grand Place (Grote Markt)—the historic market square widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. As you meander through the streets of Brussels, you’ll encounter warm cafes and lively beer gardens pulsing with local hospitality and charm.

How appropriate that the regional symbol of Brussels is the Iris—which comes from the Greek word for rainbow. Indeed, Brussels is a lovely microcosm of the beauty of diversity and the best of a modern cosmopolitan city buttressed by the traditional and local flavor that is uniquely Brussels.

If you want it all in one location, try Zürich, the largest city in Switzerland right in the center of Europe. It is a city were you can find restful solace amid breathtaking views of the Alps while boating on the broad Lake Zürich, but you can also experience its superb culture by a slow stroll through its 50 museums and 100 private galleries or by partaking in the many music festivals it offers where some of the greatest performers gather… Moreover, its nightlife shimmers and glistens for Zürich boasts some of the best fondue restaurants in Europe and it has the highest density of night clubs in all of Switzerland. And then there are the art fairs, numerous parks and gardens and, of course, exquisite shopping.

Home to dozens of financial institutions and banking giants, as well as SIX Swiss Exchange, one of the largest stock exchanges in the world, Zürich is a magnet for international meetings, conventions and seminars.

When you visit Zürich, it is a must to stay in the center of the city, on the world famous Bahnhofstrasse that features banks, exclusive fashion boutiques and street cafes lining the old cobblestoned streets. The Hotel St. Gotthard, built in 1889, recently re-furbished its 139 rooms and now offers the best of two worlds – the old-world graciousness with modern convenience only a 10-minute walk from the city’s best sights, art, shopping and Lake Zürich. The hotel’s proximity to the Paradeplatz business district, meetings and event space, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and four on-site restaurants and coffee bars, make Hotel St. Gotthard one of the most appealing business hotels in Zürich.

Whether you’re in Zürich for business or pleasure, getting around the city is a breeze thanks to superb public transportation that allows guests to reach practically every main site for business meetings, dining, or arts and culture, including Old Town Zürich, Niederdorf, Zürich Opera House, Zürich West, Zürich Zoo, Schauspielhaus Theater, Swiss National Museum and Kunsthaus Zürich within 10 minutes.

Just wandering through the city will give you a sense of why this lakeside metropolis has consistently been ranked as one of the top cities in the world with the best quality of living.

Did you know that Bogotá is known as the “Athens of South America?”

Maybe not… Yet comparing Bogotá, the largest city in Colombia, and the fourth largest city in South America, to that ancient city, makes sense when you consider that Bogotá is filled to the brim with 162 national monuments, nearly one thousand architectural landmarks, universities, libraries, galleries, 45 theatres and 20 cultural centers. It boasts 57 museums, 35 libraries, 20 public squares, 7 promenades and groves.

Yes, it can be exhausting but ever so adventurous to explore…

“Bogotanos” as those from Bogotá call themselves, are a spirited people. They are passionately proud of their heritage and precise Spanish diction, value family and practically “inhale” life through food, art, and culture. This spirit permeates life in Bogotá.

So to catch that “contagious” joie de vivre that the Bogotanos have so naturally, get on a flight to Bogotá and, when there, choose to stay at the Grand House Hotel, for it provides easy access to the historic center and the best of museums, theatres, galleries, shopping and nightlife in Bogotá. Located in the heart of the city, Grand House also features breathtaking architecture and design, with clean-cut lines and loft architecture throughout the hotel. Each of its 64 suites features marble bathrooms with jacuzzis or shower jets, a minimalist aesthetic and all incorporate the principles of Feng Shui to ensure a perfect combination of modern comforts and historic Columbian charm.  Guests enjoy access to five meeting spaces, a 24-hour full-service business center with concierge services on site, a state-of-the-art spa with private sauna, steam bath, massage room, and spacious gym.

Location matters, as we all know…A few blocks away from the most important financial, business and cultural centers of the city, the Grand House is 10 minutes from the popular G Zone and T Zone areas known for their array of top restaurants and nightlife, with easy access to important landmarks like the botanical garden José Celestino Mutis, La Quinta de Bolivar, the national observatory, the planetarium, Maloka, the Colpatria observation point, the monument of the American flags, and La Candelaria (the historical district of the city). After a full day of taking in the city’s best museums, parks, shopping and crowd-watching in the public squares, indulge in local favorite desserts like figs with arequipe or strawberries with cream (postre de natas and cuajada con melao) or grab a Canelazo, a hot drink from the Altiplano prepared with aguapanela and cinnamon.

When you’ve hit your satiation point, stop back at the hotel for a moment of respite in the hotel’s jacuzzi and grab a glass of wine before you head out for round two – delighting in gastronomical feats and nightlife in Bogotá.

So the next time you’re scratching your brain as what new adventure to explore, head to Bogotá and join the Bogotanos in their embrace of the good life. Make Bogotá your new playground.

As the largest, and one of the most diverse cities in Canada, Toronto is known as “a world within a city.” And for a good reason… It is one of the most multicultural places in the world, boasting an incredulous amount of languages and dialects spoken in its surroundings – 140, to be specific.  And because of this, you can imagine how varied the food choices are, how wide-ranging are the sights, smells and entertainment, and how colorful Toronto’s ethnic festivals are—like the Korean Spring Festival, the Little Italy Street Festival, and Brazilian Day. But for all its big-city ambiance, there is also a certain quaintness about it, as seen through its many independent bookstores where “practicing the art of reading” is alive and well – still.

So it’s worth exploring…When you do, make sure to stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in the heart of downtown Toronto and here is why: the hotel location offers the best of two worlds, for the business traveler and tourist, for it is steps away from the financial district and is close to major attractions like Toronto’s Dundas Square, Massey Hall, Canon Theatre, and the Eaton Centre.  The hotel finds itself in the epicenter of Toronto’s financial district at Yonge and King, near Massey Hall, Elgin/Wintergarden Theatre, and the Eaton Centre.

Moreover, it features 78 zen-inspired suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies with breathtaking views and an interior designed to encourage optimal energy flow throughout the building in a restorative balance of yin and yang. Additionally, all rooms include a complimentary in-room meditation channel, relaxation CD and meditation mats.  But for that extra “zing,” there is the hotel’s Shizen Spa where you can experience a divine hot stone massage in the 1,500-square-foot glass-enclosed Zen Solarium – a perfect respite for the stressed-out business traveler or the exhausted tourist. To top off an evening, make your way to the vibrant and trendy Eight Wine Bar for a wine flight and dinner.

Here is another tip — if you espouse the “go big or go home” mind frame, then consider the Designer Penthouse, designed by TV’s own “The Designer Guys”, or the Cosmopolitan Penthouse, with its stargazing loft and wrap-around balcony.

The Cosmopolitan typifies all that is great about Toronto — diversity, worldly charm, and modern inspiration and one more thing – safety.  Yes, travelers will also want to know that Toronto has consistently ranked as the safest large metro area in North American.

So when you’re looking to expand your horizons and visit a whole new world—look no further than Toronto!

As one of the most important cultural centers of Switzerland, Basel is a city that captivates. As you stroll along the city’s streets, you will encounter an array of the best cafes, restaurants, theatres and museums that Europe has to offer.

Located in northwest Switzerland on the Rhine River where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel features The Museum of Fine Arts, the world’s oldest public art collection, is home to the largest orchestra in Switzerland, several national heritage sites, and the Theater Basel, voted as the best stage for German-language performances.

The heart of the city is where you surely want to be, and the Hotel Euler, located in the center of town, can easily be your home-away-from-home while in Basel. Featuring 66 guestrooms and suites, this 4-star superior hotel was completely refurbished in 2008, melding both the elegance of a grand hotel and the modern features of an urban city. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, a lovely view of the town square, a lively piano bar, and easy access to some of the best stores, culture, and restaurants the city has to offer.

There is so much to do in Basel, where rich history and modern art converge. It may be too much for a single visit, but it certainly will give you a taste for wanting a return visit.  Still, with most public transport lines departing just in front of the hotel and a short walk to the SBB train station, you can definitely get the essence of what Basel has to offer.

For starters, saunter down to Basel’s Old Town, one of the best-preserved and most beautiful historic towns in Europe. You’ll feel like a time traveler as you visit the small boutiques and charming antique shops. Then grab some tea and traditional Basel honey cake and make your way to the banks of the Rhine River to engage in some sun worshipping and people watching. After some relaxation, target the city’s more than 40 museums for your fill of some of the best art Europe has on display. Before you take in a ballet or award-winning opera at the Theater Basel, head back to the hotel for a lazy late afternoon aperitif or a Starbucks coffee on the Euler Terrace.

Whether business or pleasure brings you to Basel, you are in for a gratifying dose of cultural nirvana ensconced in an old-world setting.

There is something incredibly appealing to most people about escaping the here and now by fantasizing how it was in another era – one that oozed with “acceptable” excess and graciously bore the stamp of the high-end, unreachable glamour.  How best to enter this nirvana state? Travel of course. Not back in time, as some films would have you believe is possible, but by searching in today’s environs for that elusive “look and feel.”  Of course, today’s hard to please traveler also wants to have access to all things modern.

So there is reason enough, when in San Diego, to seek out the Lafayette Hotel & Suites, that offers a surprising meld of history and modernity. Originally opened in 1946, it was a haven for the iconic Hollywood elite—the likes of Bob Hope, Betty Grable and Ava Gardner.  While the hotel is a throwback to the elegance and glamour of the fifties and sixties, it is also enmeshed in the best of today’s local San Diego culture.

Centrally located in the heart of North Park, the Lafayette Hotel and its 107 beautifully appointed hotel rooms, offer easy access to the best of San Diego.  Although too long a list to describe in detail, just know that not to be missed are the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Sea World, and Downtown San Diego. When you’re in the mood for tanning or surfing, the best San Diego beaches are a stones throw away. If you have the urge to shop and people watch, you can head to the Mission Valley and Fashion Valley Malls, Hillcrest, and the historic Old Town and Gaslamp districts.

When exhaustion hits, head back to the hotel for some R & R, like a refreshing swim in its Olympic-size swimming pool, or maybe a drink at the L Bar & Grill that overlooks the pool and where live music can be enjoyed. Then there is the Red Fox Room restaurant and lounge that beckons, with its 16th-century Tudor artifacts and popular piano bar, where the seafood and steak will certainly tempt you to enjoy a delectable dinner.

And when thinking back on your trip to San Diego, you’ll know that you got to live and play just like the Hollywood icons did in an era before you, and that the historic charm of their day is now yours to remember. In the words of Bob Hope, “When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things – not the great occasions – that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.”

So go on, glow!

As legend has it, February 14, which we now call Valentine’s Day, marks the day that birds begin to mate and is marked, since the 14^th century, by a feeling that love is in the air!  The traditions of the day, filled with grand gestures of courtship and romance expressed through love notes and sappy cards, red roses, romantic dinners, chocolates, jewelry, and the like, have been consistent across five centuries – on this specific day.

Even for those Valentine “Scrooges” who see Valentine’s Day as the ultimate commercialized holiday, it’s difficult to ignore the day.  For there, across their day’s paths, they will surely encounter an enchanted fairytale-like story that renews romance and gets their hardened hearts a-flutter again.

Justin and Jolene have such a story. Their paths crossed, on one summer night, during a music concert on the rooftop of the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, and that chance encounter will bring lasting happiness to the couple in a fairytale happy ending that will resonate with wedding bells on April 28 this year!

Here is Jolene’s endearing recollection of the night she met Justin:

“Timing is everything.  The night I met Justin I was actually on a double date with a gentleman I had met only 3 days prior.  I brought my friend Lila along with me, as I was not interested in my date (AT ALL) rather just excited to go out, be social…and listening to live music atop the Luxe hotel sounded fun! I don’t remember much about that night before I first saw Justin..our “dates” were enjoying cigars and Lila and I were enjoying the music and ignoring them.  Justin was sitting with his family in front of us.  When he stood up and turned towards us to walk to the bar, that was the moment time stopped.  I can close my eyes (still today, almost six years later) and visualize the first time I saw his amazing smile and the light in his eyes.  I was magnetically drawn to him and we hadn’t yet spoken a word to each other!  I knew instantly that I wanted to interact with him somehow.  I handed him my camera and asked him to take a photo of Lila and me, and instantly the flirting commenced.”

Stories like Justin and Jolene’s make us smile and warm our hearts because they come along every so often to tug at our hearts.  And then we remember that in celebrating love on Valentine’s Day, we celebrate a chance to renew that magical sense of hope for reaching that pinnacle of true love.

If you’re still looking for a way to show your “honey” how you feel this Valentine’s Day, consider booking the Love Me, Lavish Me package at the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel and enjoy a split of champagne as you arrive, deluxe accommodations with a complimentary in-room movie, a turndown truffles and a chance to luxuriate in bed with a continental breakfast the next morning – all starting at only $289 per night.

Or, if an unparalleled romantic dinner is what you’re looking for, celebrate L’Amour at OnSunset Restaurant this Valentine’s Day and savor a romantic delectable five-course menu, with your love of course, created by celebrated Chef Olivier Rousselle http://www.luxesunset.com/cms/pressroom/valentinecheckstuffer_jan12_web.pdf

By Efrem Harkham, Founder and Chairman, Luxe Hotels

We are witnessing the historic rise of a new category of properties—the micro brands. What many consider independent hotels, the ones that have personality and individual traits, are now the micro brands—perceived as independent, but really part of an overall brand that has a recognizable presence.

The Luxe Hotels brand is one such micro brand, a meld of boutique hotel locations, each with their own signature personality, charm and exceptional service, but with the services of a much larger brand.

Micro brands know their guests’ name, remember them and create guests’ interaction throughout their stay. They excel at making each guest feel like they are special. It’s the best of both worlds. Guests enjoy the unique allure, service, and solace of a boutique hotel, while also taking advantage of the “perks” (amenities, fine restaurants and comfort foods, bars, specials, and locations) akin to the big brands. They are a welcome relief from the chains that offer sameness and impersonal service. The micro brands are better at identifying the guest of today and their desire for individuality and service.

The reality is that it’s getting increasingly difficult in this landscape to go at it alone, as an independent hotel. So how does the micro brand compete with the giants? Micro brands think and act like large brands, while delivering the unique experience that guests demand today. This concept pays careful attention to the details, while staying away from cookie-cutter designs. They have access to the same distribution channels as the larger chains—including a worldwide database, access to top corporate clients and mega travel agencies, among others.

For instance, Luxe Worldwide Hotels is limited to 200 boutique hotels around the world. This is to ensure the best possible level of attention and support to our members. We genuinely care about the success of our hotels and leverage our global team, training and tools to level the playing field for independent hotels. We attend 80 major travel trade shows around the world on behalf of the member hotels, but we also host sales missions and events. Our sales team travels all over the world and designs tailored sales missions and calls, based on the recommendations from all hotels.

Our members tell us all the time how we have changed their working model for the better and given them the tools to succeed. The numbers really speak for themselves. If you look at the Luxe City Center Hotel, which joined as a branded Luxe Hotels property in 2010, it has benefited from a 25 percent rate increase under the Luxe flag in 2011, while showing an even larger jump in revenue during the same period.

As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”—I have repeatedly witnessed this play out in front of my eyes in my over 28 years in this industry.

At the end of the day, it has to be an ongoing, 365 days-a-year working partnership between the independent hotel and Luxe Hotels in order to maintain a reasonable return on the investment.