I introduced the Missoni Hotel a couple months ago for their bold use of colors in a bedroom. Missoni is one of many designer brands who joined the hospitality market.

These days, the fashionista can do more than decorate her home with designer’s bedding and cushions, or entertain with tableware from the same fashion maven than the clothes she wears at her dinner party. The next frontier is to fully experience a designer style by staying in an hotel room. Seriously, I am all for stylish, well-designed hotel rooms. I am tired to see the generic hotel rooms. When I travel, I want a better experience that will inspire me. That is the main appeal of the boutique hotels.

Elle Canada listed 9 designer hotels from established fashion houses and hip designers. If you wish to stay in an interior designed by Christian Lacroix head to Hotel Du Petit Moulin. You could enjoy a night in a Bulgari Hotel when you visit Milan or or the remodeled Mondrian designed by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz when you go to Los Angeles.

+ more at Elle Canada
+ photo via Bulgari Hotels

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Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth was one of the sponsors of PodCamp Montreal 2009. After the Saturday sessions, a selected group were invited for a cocktail in the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Suite.

Fairmont put the bed as the place it was for the bed-in. One thing that you may not know is that the suite was rearranged for the bed-in. We all appreciated that Fairmont was kind enough to change the place of the bed for us.

The story goes that John and Yoko wanted the bed in front of the window with the best view. The lounge area became the bedroom. Everything has changed since then. Except for the pictures on the wall and the floor plan, nothing from that area is still in the room. Still, it was a great feeling.

Everyone had his or her picture taken in the bed. Michelle Sullivan did a live interview with me to talk about my top blogging tips and trends. It was a lot of fun. I included more pictures of the small suite to give you an idea of the space.

Here, Laurent Maisonnave set up his video camera to capture a live interview with Scarborough Dude, Bob Goyetche, Julien Smith and Laurent Lasalle. Observing is my husband, Jérôme Paradis.

Until December 31, 2009, you can book the Bed-In for Peace package at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel.

PHOTO CREDITS:
+ Bob Goyetche
+ Jerome Paradis

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This is not the typical accommodation that you think you will get when you stay at a National Park. It is about time that we get other choices than the predictable log cabins.

Sustainable Modern Architecture Design

Each residence offers three en suite bedrooms for sleeping 6 guests. The open floor plan brings the indoors out so you can take full advantage of nature. The succession of the kitchen, the dining room and the living room favors being together. I would be delighted to stay at one of these modern luxury residences located in Yorkshire Dales, UK.

One of the reasons why it is more ecological to build minimal foundations in nature is to Minimal foundations maintain a living habitat beneath each residence. Natural Retreats’ Yorkshire Dales has attained Zero Carbon status. Sustainable design is reflected with rainforest harvesting, a living plant based roof, low energy consumption combined with solar energy, recycled materials used for insulation and more. See the Web site for the list of green initiatives.

With 5 Luxury Resorts in Ireland

In Ireland, Natural Retreats operates the 5-star Castlemartyr Resort, located in the South East of Ireland in Cork. The modern building was build on the estate of a castle first built in 1210 by knights under the leadership of Richard Earl de Clare. But the magnificent Manor House that we see from the glass wall of the indoor swimming pool was built in the 17th century.

Besides these two properties, Natural Retreats operated 4 more resorts in Ireland.

MORE:
+ Natural Retreats

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We stayed to the newly opened Fairmont hotel when we went to Boston at the beginning of August. We stayed there for almost a week. I now prefer the Fairmont Battery Wharf to the historic Copley Plaza hotel. The Battery Wharf won for its location and its modern design.

Little Italy

If you have ever been to Boston, you know that at night, it becomes a quiet city. I am always amazed to see how early everything close, even on week-ends. During our previous visit to Boston, we were going to Cambridge at night.

The Battery Wharf is located along the Waterfront, and is next to North End, which is Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood. North End is lively and you have accessed to many delightful restaurants at walking distance. What else can you ask for as a tourist?

Modern Design

We stayed in a standard King size bed room. The marble bathroom is spacious. I had no problem putting my makeup while I share the bathroom with my husband. I cannot stay that of many hotel bathroom.

The most clever design idea is definitely the closet. It has doors that open from both sides: from the bathroom and from the bedroom. This is an idea that you must remember if you are renovating your master bedroom with its ensuite bathroom.

Another detail that is worth mentioning is that the designer thought that we need to recharge our cell phones, digital cameras and much more. On the side of each night table, they placed electric outlets. Finally, the flexible arm lamp on the bed frame adds to our comfort of we wish to read in bed. These are small details that enhance your stay.

MORE:
+ Fairmont Battery Wharf in Boston

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Using bold colors and patterns requires more than an eye for design. One luxury company who is known for their bold use of colors is Missoni. The Italian brand opened their first hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland last June. Four more hotels is scheduled to open over the next few years.

As you would expect, the room decor is inspired by Missoni’s line of fabric. Although I do not like all their room decor, I find that some of are well-done. I wish to share my favorite ones with you. The secret is often to use solid colors taken from the bold pattern palette. You do not wish to add new colors. Then, you can oppose textures and finishes (ex: mat vs shiny).

The richness of the more subtle scheme rooms comes from a major element done in a metallic finish. If you like it, check out the Golden Age Silver collection by Missoni.

Although the entrance is a bright yellow, the main walls of the room have an almost plain beige wallpaper. This is what you need to not compete with a bedding.

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Did you know that an hotel chain is fighting against the shortage of bees? In June 2008, the Royal York in Toronto installed three hives as a natural extension of their decade old rooftop herb garden. The rooftop apiary was established in partnership with the Toronto Beekeepers Cooperative and FoodShare. Both initiatives deliver fresh local product in a sustainable way to hotel guests.

Since then, three more Fairmont hotels established their apiary. The first US hotel to join that initiative is The Fairmont Washington, D.C.. They expect their 105,000 Italian honey bees will produce 300 pounds of honey within the first year. Other sites are at The Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick and The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Honey harvested from the Fairmont’s Bee Hives are used in soups, salad dressings, pastries, ice cream and other culinary delights in the hotel restaurants. They are also used to make cocktails at the bars.

I applauded this initiative. Bees are important to the ecosystem as they play a determinant role in pollination. The next time I will go to any of these hotels, I would like to have a tour of the installation.

+ Fairmont Hotels

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I told you last year about citizenM hotel at Schiphol Airport, now you can stay at the hotel in the city. The rooms are small but the rest of the hotel offers plenty of attractive features for lovers of modern design. You could lounge in brand new Vitra furniture including the legendary Marshmallow sofa by George Nelson.

citizenM Schiphol is 10th the Conde Nast Traveller 2009 hot list of best new hotels in the World. With free wifi and public Mac computer stations, I would enjoy staying there a few days. Special rates are in effect for the launch at the Amsterdam city hotel. Special opening rates are 99 euro (normally 129 euro) during the week and 79 euro (normally 99 euro) on weekends.

Self-served Check In

This is an innovative approach in the hotel business. You check yourself in at any of the citizenM hotel. An innovative touch screen terminals give you access to your online booking where you can enter your personal preferences, such as lighting, music, temperature and wake-up call. Your room will be automatically adjusted to your liking. Do not worry, citizenM Ambassadors are there to give you a hand.

After your stay, your room key doubles as a luggage tag. It becomes your proof of membership in the citizenM community at citizenM hotels worldwide. This is a cool concept!

+

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First, I got a warm welcome by the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica with a nice tray and a card. This is one of the advantages of staying often at the same hotel chain and be a member of their rewards plan. Thank you guys.

A Reward for Being Green

We drive a Hybrid car; we rented a Toyota Prius with GPS because a car is a must in Los Angeles. Everything is spread across a series of towns.

A few participating Fairmont hotels give a complimentary parking if you drive a hybrid car. When staying, at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, this translates in $30 a day savings.

I wish to point out that Fairmont Hotels is on Twitter. They are listening and answering back to what we are saying. I applauded a brand that engages in a true conversation. I thought the free parking for hybrids was only a green living initiative good in California. They told me about the other cities.

My first Video of 2009

You can check a little video I did as we picked up the car at the airport. There were a lot of noise and workers around which distracted me. It proves that a micro for my digital video camera is a must. Talk to you soon.

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When we are thinking about the ski in Switzerland we imagine the traditional Swiss ski cottage, a small village like this or the alpine huts popular in James Bond movies. But there are several hotels in Switzerland ski regions that will satisfy the modernism and the hip crowd.

Eating a raclette or a cheese fondue is fantastic. During winter, my husband and I eat one every two or three weeks. In vacation is great to eat local foods but the traditional Swiss menu is small. A dish of rösti (Swiss hash browns) is tasty but if you stay a week or more, you need more variety.

Groovy Ski Resorts

The design hotels bring trendy bars and restaurants as well as a modern style decor. A few cool design hotels emerge in Switzerland. A perfect example is the Solis Cambrina Hotel in Adelboden.

If you are taking of freshen up the ski cottage, consider the idea of going modern style. The interior design shown here is certainly warm and the space look comfortable. The bedroom picture is dreamy inside and outside.

Interior design ideas that you could slip in your house includes the 4-color lamp row and the circular conversation lounge simply made with 4 chairs.

Discover Adelboden

The hotel sits in a relaxed holiday resort located in the middle of the Bernese Alps. Adelboden is characterized by its village atmosphere and has been awarded the “Families Welcome” quality label. So you get the best of both: an incursion in the tradition and the modern.

Adelboden, meaning noble ground is great for ski, all-year long hiking, mountain biking and many more outdoor adventures. You can find some challenging slope since a FIS Ski World Cup at the Chuenisbärgli happens in January every year. The Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden is considered one of the Cup’s most challenging courses with the giant slalom event attracting up to 30,000 spectators. Check out the results of the Aldenboden 2009 giant slalom race held 6 days ago.

MORE:
+ Solis Cambrian in Aldenboden
+ Winter pleasures in Switzerland

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citizenM is an innovative, contemporary hotel for the cost conscious traveler. The first hotel is located at Amsterdam Airport. The second citizenM hotel is under construction already and will open shortly near Amsterdam’s World Trade Centre.

citizenM keeps accumulating awards. Last year, they won a Worldwide Hospitality Award for Best Innovative Hotel Concept. Philips fills the room with technological innovations as you can see in this video report by Megawhat.tv on YouTube.

About The European Hotel Design Award of the Year

Sleeper Magazine presented the award event on Thursday, 6 November 2008. The European Hotel Design Awards is the premier celebration of outstanding innovations in the hospitality industry and hotel design in Europe.

Since I like their concept, I am happy to report that citizenM won the grand prize: The European Hotel Design Award of the Year. On top of that, citizenM also won the Innovation award, the Technology award, and the Graphic Design award.

Credit Crunch Special

citizenM is offering rooms for 69 euro per night, on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, until the credit crisis ends. Keep that in mind of you travel during the weekend.

+ citizenM special packages

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Gone is the design that Philippe Starck did at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, California.

The hotel needed to update its Alice in Wonderland concept for some time now. The mastermind behind the new design at the Mondrian Hotel is Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.

The party to launch the $40-million redesigned Mondrian is scheduled for September 4th, 2008. But I bring you a speak preview, thanks to Los Angeles Times.

What’s New?

The fanciful mirror works as a TV screen. You will see pieces from many superstar designers in the remodeled Mondrian next to affordable pieces like the installation of inexpensive hooks in the bathroom or the La Murrina and nickel lanterns made by Roost on the lobby.

I like the black and white polyethylene table on the guest room terraces designed by modern Dutch designers Marcel Wanders next to the Nest chairs by Tord Boontje.

The ABYU Lighting feather lampshades at the concierge’s desk are supposed to be something. I do not know if it is a different design than the one made for Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Steven Wine Private Residence.

The feather lampshades are becoming a signature since Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz used them in many projects since 2006.

SOURCING:
+ Mondrian Hotel
+ Nest chairs by Tord Boontie at Unica – price: $687 USD, in 8 colors
+ Roost Jumbo Nickel Lanterns at Velocity – price: $96 USD for medium, $120 for large
+ ABYU New York Custom Lighting
+ Images photographed by Mel Melcon for the Los Angeles Times
+ Bottom right image featured in Metropolitan Home in October 2006

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When we went to San Francisco last winter, we rented a Prius. It is a fun car to drive. We stayed at Hotel Vitale and two Fairmont hotels. My husband and I truly appreciated the fact that Fairmont gave us free valet parking because we drove a hybrid car.

Unfortunately, Fairmont green generosities extend only to California. I find the hip Hotel Vitale with its relaxing and good for the soul experience is missing the boat by not having a similar policy. This is the only area where I give a failing grade to Hotel Vitale.

Opus Hotels in Vancouver and Montreal

As a Canadian, I am proud to announce that the Canadian boutique hotel chain Opus Hotels started to offer free valet parking to anyone who shows up in a hybrid car. Opus Hotels has a blog where they tell how what measures they are taking right now to lesser the impact of environment.

What Can You Do As A Guest?

As a hotel guest, we can also make a contribution this summer on our vacation. Simple actions like turning off the light, music and reducing the air conditioning power when we go out add on the energy we consume as a society.

You can watch the following video with Katrina Carroll-Foster, VP Sales & Marketing, Opus Hotels, for more green living tips.

These ideas are a start. Do you integrate green living into your vacation plan? I am curious to know how you do it.

Via: Is Green the new Black? [Opus Hotel Blog]

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