May 8th, 2009
The cherry blossoms have bloomed and humidity is just around the corner. School is (almost) out and vacation is on. Keep it close to home this summer with a visit to DC to honor this most historic year in the nation’s capital. In a city known for a metro system as convoluted as a Congressional hearing, Park Hyatt Washington‘s super central location, at 24th and M street, is the perfect home base from which to hoof it to all the must-sees (swamp-like conditions and all).
The Walk from the Park package at Park Hyatt Washington offers a walking map of the city, exclusively prepared by the hotel’s all-knowing concierge and based on guests’ interests. Might we suggest an Obama-themed tour? This would undoubtedly include some of Michelle’s favorite Georgetown shops, the Kennedy Center (where they caught an Alvin Ailey dance performance), Equinox (the scene of Michelle’s birthday dinner), and a little place called the White House.
The Walk from the Park package also includes two energizing fruit juices or smoothies from Park Hyatt’s new Healthy Living menu to get walkers going, and aromatic bath salts to fill the spa-like soaking tub after a long day of sightseeing.
The package starts at $349 per night and is valid through September 30, 2009.
May 5th, 2009
Set sail aboard Crystal Symphony’s “Baltic Bliss” theatre at sea themed cruise and celebrate the Theatre Guild’s 90th anniversary with some of the top names in the industry! As part of Crystal’s Experiences of Discovery collection of themed cruises, this August 12, 11-day sailing from Stockholm to London will feature live performances from the Guild’s portfolio, including household favorites like Porgy & Bess, Oklahoma and Carousel. Joining the sailing are Gena Rowlands, Susannah York, Patricia Neal, Lucy Arnaz, and Laurence Luckinbill, who will perform works from the Guild’s repertoire and some of their own creations.
Calling in Stockholm, Helsinki, Warnemünde, Copenhagen, and London, with a three-day stopover in St. Petersburg, this cruise is sure to inspire the inner bard! Guests can even pay a visit to the iconic West End theatre in London to catch some of the hottest shows by extending their vacation with Crystal’s post-cruise hotel programs.
Fares begin at $5,000 per person, double occupancy, and include the new All Inclusive – As You Wish $1,000 per person shipboard spending credit, good towards virtually anything with the exception of Casino gaming. For additional information on this itinerary, click here.
May 5th, 2009
Whether you get your tan from a can or from a quick bask in the shining sun (careful not to bake!), always prepare skin with a brisk brushing. Our pick: ESPA’s Skin Brush. This bundle of all-natural bristles is sure to be your favorite body-beauty tool by the end of summer and you may still be using it come December.
ESPA tip: When you’re trying to hold on to that last inkling of color in September, keep brushing! Dead skin = dull skin.
If you prefer to stay a Victorian shade of pale, you’ll still find this useful: it also helps flush toxins and reduce cellulite.
Shop for ESPA’s Skin Brush ($26.00) and other ESPA products at www.espaonline.com or at ESPA spas worldwide including: The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York; The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, Chicago; and ESPA at Acqualina in Miami.
May 1st, 2009
”The most important thing is not living, but living well” Plato
This summer, the new La Réserve Ramatuelle in the south of France will introduce an innovative 6-day spa program that offers an individually-tailored approach led by an onsite doctor to promote anti-aging wellness both inside and out. After a consultation, guests are prescribed a combination of up to four spa treatments each day (some by the cult beauty brand, La Mer), an exercise regime, meticulous meal planning, and stress-reducing practices. There’s not a scalpel or needle in sight, yet the results of La Réserve’s therapeutic approach yield a glowing complexion and a slimmer figure, as well as a long-term outlook on managing longevity.
May 1st, 2009
Yannick Alléno, currently at Le Meurice in Paris, has been tapped as the Executive Chef for Le Royal Mansour. At Restaurant le Meurice, Alléno brought widespread acclaim to the hotel after winning two Michelin stars in 2002 for his work as head chef of Les Muses at Hôtel Scribe; in 2004, he won two stars at le Meurice and then a third star in 2007. At Le Royal Mansour, Alléno will introduce a less traditional and more artistic form of Moroccan cuisine.