The 10 Best Hotels For Couples In Dallas, Texas

Read article : The 10 Best Hotels For Couples In Dallas, Texas

Enjoy one among the most luxurious properties in town with your significant other. Known for its excellent service, it houses elegant suites with deep soaking tubs, rain showers and all modern amenities. Spend a relaxing day around the pool and rejuvenate yourself with the eight-hand massage at the on-site spa. The two of you can then proceed to enjoy the complimentary guacamole and margarita tasting that is held every evening at 6:00 pm in the lobby and follow it up with a scrumptious meal at celebrity chef Dean Fearing’s restaurant which is every bit worth the price.

The Ritz Carlton

Address: 2121 McKinney Avenue, Uptown Dallas, Dallas, TX 75201, USA (see map)

Price: from 400 USD

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Offering accommodation only for adults, the rooms are done up in soft lighting and romantic decor, making for just the right mood you need while on a romantic getaway with your partner. Some of the suites have a pole, stage and a spa bath as well. Barring the Suite with Spa Bath with which all of this is offered complimentary, the guests can get chilled champagne, chocolates, ice, water bottles, mints and chips at USD 15 extra charge for all other kinds of rooms. The property also makes for a relatively budget-friendly property among the others that make the list of the most romantic properties around town.

Guest Experience: “This place is great for couples just wanting to get away and have alone time… I enjoyed my stay there and I will be staying there again.” - Justin, USA (Booking.com)

Romantic Inn and Suites

Address: 8504 South Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75241, USA (see map)

Price: from 70 USD

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The boutique hotel has exclusive romantic packages that offer everything from sparkling wine and chocolate covered strawberries in the room to aromatherapy baths and two Swedish massage treatments. They also provide for rose petal turndown along with embroidered pillowcases with the couple’s initials. All this and a three-course meal and a breakfast for two on the morning after.

You can also snuggle up with your partner on the cozy lantern-lit terrace while enjoying the spectacular view of the Dallas skyline and enjoy your dining experience with live jazz in the evenings. And that’s not all, they give you a Lexus to test drive if you decide to venture out.

Rosewood Mansion

Address: 2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75219, USA (see map)

Price: from 570 USD

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With dark wood furnishings and French-inspired details, the hotel located in downtown has housed everyone from royalty to rockstars. The French Room, an on-site restaurant, is one among the best in the city and provides the ultimate dining experience. The luxury spa is great for a much needed couples massage with your significant other and the excellent customer service is the cherry on top.

Guest Experience: “My wife and I stayed here to enjoy a weekend away for our anniversary. Andrew, the concierge, went above and beyond what I could’ve imagined. The hotel staff were all very pleasant and professional. The hotel itself was beautiful. Our stay was truly a 10 out of 10.” - Bret, USA (Booking.com)

Adolphus Hotel

Address: 1321 Commerce Street, Main Street District, Dallas, TX 75202, USA (see map)

Price: from 300 USD

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Choose between their options of rooms, suites and villas - each of which offer stunning views and all the modern amenities you could possibly think of. Go on to relax at the spa center with bae and enjoy the steam, sauna, whirlpool complimentary or choose to get a couples massage on your patio along with tips on how to give the perfect massage to your partner. What’s more is that you can enjoy private dining venues and a night out in Dallas and Fort Worth as a part of their romantic package.

Guest Experience: “Was our anniversary and had a complimentary bottle of champagne with chocolate covered strawberries upon evening return to our room. Very classy.” - Thomas, USA (Booking.com)

Four Seasons

Address: 4150 North MacArthur Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75038, USA (see map)

Price: from 475 USD

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A boutique hotel in a renovated 1920s building, it juxtaposes art with luxury in the most beautiful way. The rooms have designer fittings and a frosted glass shower door. Check out the great food and beverage options on the property, shop at the boutique stores on-site and spend time with your partner relaxing at the word-class subterranean spa facility coupled with the city’s best cocktail offering Midnight Rambler located just off the lobby. If you fancy art, you could also check out the extensive art collection at the property with pieces from renowned artists from around the world. The staff provide you with personal attention and are exceptionally efficient as well. The romantic package includes champagne, chocolates, a late check-out and breakfast.

Guest Experience: “Absolutely flawless. We stayed at the Joule for 3 nights as part of our 3 weeks honeymoon and I have to say I was impressed. Perfect location, gorgeous decor and impeccable staff.” - Giulia, UK (Booking.com)

The Joule

Address: 1530 Main Street, Main Street District, Dallas, TX 75201, USA (see map)

Price: from 529 USD

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A chic boutique hotel in a renovated factory building with massive windows offering stunning views of the gorgeous Dallas skyline. Each room has lavish bathrooms with spa rain showers. The hotel has on offer a couple of romantic packages you can choose from, each offering unique services and goodies to make your romantic getaway with bae memorable.

NYLO

Address: 1325 South Lamar, Dallas, TX 75215, USA (see map)

Price: from 190 USD

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Hotel ZaZa is known for featuring a variety of themed suites. Ask about (or look up) the Dangerous Beauty or the sensual Erotica Suite at this trendy uptown boutique hotel for a romantic getaway. Enjoy the pampering with The Romance Ritual Couples’ Massage session at ZaSpa, indulge in fine dining at the Dragonfly and relax at the Urban Oasis pool with your honey. No matter what you’re in the mood for, the hotel is sure to set the mood for romance.

Hotel ZaZa Dallas

Address: 2332 Leonard Street, Uptown Dallas, Dallas, TX 75201, USA (see map)

Price: from 280 USD

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With their Retreat to Romance package, get 100 USD of cuisine & cocktail credits per stay, a bottle of Chandon sparkling wine delivered upon arrival and concierge pre-call to assist with any special romantic touches and personal requests.

Guest Experience: “From the moment we arrived we were treated with five star service! Hunter and his team did an excellent job and made our anniversary stay one to remember! We will definitely be back!” - Jeff, USA (Booking.com)

Omni Dallas Hotel

Address: 555 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75202, USA (see map)

Price: from 143 USD

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A boutique hotel offering rooms with a mini bar and snack box each, it has 24-hour concierge service and an on-site Bliss Spa and all the modern amenities you could possibly want at an uptown hotel. Moreover, they go over-the-top to provide you complimentary stuff to make your romantic getaway all the more special.

Guest Experience: “Everything at W was fantastic. Me and my wife loved the stay so much we booked or next stay before we left. This is where we will be staying anytime we are in the area.” Ryan, USA (Booking.com)

W Dallas - Victory

Address: 2440 Victory Park Lane, Victory Park, Dallas, TX 75219, USA (see map)

Price: from 290 USD

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What are you waiting for?

For the best romantic getaway, make your most anticipated stay and also your most indulgent stay with the best hotels around the city of Dallas.

Boutique hotels | The Honolulu Advertiser

Read article : Boutique hotels | The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, March 21, 2004

Boutique hotels

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer

In Paul Theroux's novel "Hotel Honolulu," the narrator becomes the manager of the last small old hotel in Waikiki ... "a kind of 'bowteek hotel,' " the owner, Buddy Hamstra, calls it. The fictional 80-room property with its Paradise Lost bar and assortment of eccentric residents lives in the shadow of becoming a "tear-down," replaced by one of the huge chain establishments.

Theroux's hotel may be fiction, but the concept of a "boutique-style" property — small, intimate and comfortable, with staff who remember your name from one year to the next — is very much alive in Waikiki.

"New York hotelier Ian Schrager gets credit for beginning the trend for smaller and more intimate lodgings," said Tia Gordon of the American Hotels & Lodging Association in Washington D.C. "He wanted to get away from the traditional desk-bed-bath hotel room and put more color and style into smaller and hipper properties."

Islanders are often asked by prospective visitors where they should stay, and we sometimes like to make a little getaway to Waikiki ourselves, playing tourist. Where to go? The Advertiser surveyed a number of smaller hotels offering a variety of price ranges and specialties in Waikiki.

Waikiki Parc

Waikiki Parc Hotel:For some, like Bob Good of Mesa, Ariz., a stay at the Waikiki Parc is "like coming home." He says the level of service is excellent. Photos by Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hotel employees who remember your name is one reason Bob Good, from Mesa, Ariz., returns to the Waikiki Parc several times a year and says it's "like coming home." He gets a level of service he says is hard to find at hotels on the Mainland. "You can get a room anywhere, but not the quality of service I find here," said Good, 60. "I once left a suitcase behind, and a hotel employee going off their shift personally delivered it to me at the airport. They have the best staff of anywhere I've been."

Smaller and quieter than nearby sister hotel Halekulani, at the end of a cul-de-sac on Helumoa Street, the 297-room, recently renovated Waikiki Parc prides itself on delivering Halekulani-style service at a lower price.

"We have fewer public places in the hotel, so it tends to be quieter. Staff know who you are, and we tend not to have groups, so there is not so much movement," said Patricia Tam, vice president of Halekulani Corp.

Waikiki Parc also pays attention to changing visitor profiles, Tam said. "There's no longer a sharp division between business and leisure travelers. We cater to guests who are frequently doing both. This means an efficient business center and Internet service, workout room, and irons and boards in every room for the increasing number of female business travelers."

Tam said 20 percent of guests are return visitors. "For that to happen, guests must feel a personal tie-in. We are sincere about our services."

Waikiki Parc Hotel, 2233 Helumoa St., 921-7272, www.waikikiparc.com. Kama'aina rates from $125 a night.

W Honolulu

"Boutique" hotels became mainstream when Starwood Hotels & Resorts created its W line, including the W Honolulu, its fifth property, which opened near Diamond Head in 1999. One employee says W stands for "warm, witty, welcoming." Entering the low-ceilinged lobby, the W mood also is cool, chic and sophisticated, definitely mirroring hotelier Schrager's ideal of being a little "on the edge."

"At Diamond Head we're removed from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki," said Teri Orton, W's director of operations. "which promotes the feeling of tranquility. Our staff don't wear name tags, and we personally greet guests with fresh fruit juice and chilled oshibori towels to freshen up while their bags are brought in."

Guests are checked in upstairs in their rooms by "welcome ambassadors." The W has 44 rooms and four suites, including a 2-bedroom penthouse.

Decor and furnishings are Balinese, lighting intimate and subdued. Instead of a hotel lobby, W's entrance mimics a living room, with comfortable sofas that encourage guests to meet and linger.

Weekly guest events include "Revive Wednesdays," a wine and martini party beginning at 6 p.m., and "Wonderlounge" on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 6 p.m. Diamond Head Grill is open for dinner nightly at 6.

W Honolulu, Diamond Head, 2885 Kalakaua Ave. 922-1700, www.whotels.com. Kama'aina rates from $174 a night for a Diamond Head room.

Outrigger Luana Waikiki

Outrigger Luana: Paige Showe and Derek Rogers relax on a 16th-floor lanai that offers a spectacular view of Waikiki. And keep in mind ... New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, 2863 Kalakaua Ave., 923-1555, www.kaimana.com. At the quiet end of Waikiki, the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel has long been a favorite place for kama'aina to put out-of-town guests and also to get away themselves. The hotel's beachside Hau Tree Lanai is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kama'aina rate is $116 per room, per night. Aston Waikiki Joy Hotel, 320 Lewers St. 923-2300, www.aston-hotels.com. The Waikiki Joy has 93 rooms with in-room jacuzzi baths and Bose stereo systems. Guests are greeted with a guava-lava smoothie on arrival and get one free hour with a keepsake video in one of the property's 12 karaoke studios. The hotel is intimate, popular with honeymooners and gay-friendly. Kama'aina rates start at $89 per room, per night and include continental breakfast. Aston Coconut Plaza Hotel, 450 Lewers St., 923-8828, www.aston-hotels.com. The 84-room Coconut Plaza has a bed-and-breakfast flavor. A cobblestone driveway leads to a gazebo garden area. Kama'aina rates start at $59 for a studio, per night, and includes continental breakfast. Aston Waikiki Beachside, 2452 Kalakaua Ave., 931-2100, www.aston-hotels.com. The hotel overlooks Waikiki beach and serves a three-course English tea on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Kama'aina rates start at $95 per room, per night. Royal Garden at Waikiki, 440 Olohana St., 943-0202. Small, quiet, Royal Garden at Waikiki has 202 rooms, two swimming pools, two jacuzzis and two saunas as well as Cascada, a French restaurant and Shizu, a Japanese eatery. Kama'aina rates start at $95 per room, per night. 'Ilima Hotel, 445 Nohonani St., 923-1877, www.ilima.com. 'Ilima has 99 rooms, a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom suites and a three-bedroom penthouse. Ilima describes itself as family-oriented rather than a boutique hotel, with large rooms and a new conference center (for groups up to 50); 75 percent of hotel guests are returnees. Kama'aina rates start at $95. —Chris Oliver

Steve Winter, general manager of Outrigger Luana Waikiki, says the concept of the boutique hotels resides in the relationship between employee and guest. "The attitude is a desire to do something, not an obligation. It's knowing names, attentive service and ensuring the guest wants to return," Winter said.

Outrigger is converting the former 242-room Waikiki Terrace hotel into a 217-room condotel with an $11 million renovation. The units include studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. The hotel program is managed by Outrigger to generate income for absentee landlords.

Part of the Outrigger Luana's boutique attraction is its location on Kalakaua Avenue at the Ala Moana end of Waikiki, almost surrounded by Fort DeRussy's 66-acre green belt. "Ocean on one side, city views on the other. There's not a lot of concrete around us, and it's spectacular at night," Winter said.

Luana's units are compact with cleverly built-in appliances; one- and two-bedroom apartments have a kitchen. There is a sundeck and pool, fitness room, coin-operated laundry and an activity desk. There is no restaurant in the building, but there are 15 eateries within a block or two. Ourigger Luana Waikiki, 2045 Kalakaua Ave., 955-6000, www.outrigger.com. Kama'aina rates begin at $126 a night for a studio, $195 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Aqua Bamboo

"Small, comfortable. hip and affordable" is how Lisa Maria Priester describes the Aqua Bamboo on Kuhio Avenue. Priester, 36, an interior designer with Architects Hawaii, stayed there over Valentine's Day weekend after reading about the newly renovated hotel in a travel magazine. "It's not a fancy resort, but they've done a good job," Priester said, viewing the hotel's neutral decor through a designer's eye. She said it has appeal for the contemporary budget traveler.

"Our studio apartment had two double beds and a plasma-screen TV. The lobby is beautifully furnished Indonesian-style and the rates, especially for kama'aina, are great," she said. Priester also liked the little journal in each room in which travelers can record their stories.

"There aren't too many true boutique hotels in Waikiki," said Bamboo manager Joseph Yamaoka, "but we do our best to provide a 'home away from home' experience for our guests." He describes it as B&B intimacy with hotel amenities.

One of three Aqua properties in Waikiki, Bamboo offers guest rooms with at least one private lanai (many have more than one), color television, in-room safe and shower with full tub and kitchen, all renovated in 2001. Amenities include ice and soda vending machines, concierge services, parking (for a fee), swimming pool, jet spa/sauna (at nearby Hyatt Regency for a fee), coin-operated laundromat, sundeck, barbeque grill, garden with pavilion.

Aqua Bamboo, 2425 Kuhio Ave., 922 7777, www.aquaresorts.com. Kama'aina rates start at $89 for a studio.

Pikake Suites

Take any back road in Waikiki, and between high-rise concrete towers are plenty of alternative lodgings. One block back from Kalakaua Ave., behind a big wooden gate, the Pikake Suites, a seven-suite, two-story building, opens this month after renovations, aimed at gay and honeymoon travelers. (It was formerly Ha'eheo Guest House and Magnolia Hotel.)

"We see our property as a comfortable sanctuary," said general manager Michael Lunde. The two-bedroom suites with lounge and small kitchen are elegantly furnished in Balinese style. There is a library/reading area, and a small fountain courtyard and jacuzzi. "Our guests are international as well as from the Mainland. Most will stay around a week," Lunde said. What's special about the place? "Hmmm, it's got to be the staff attitude. We're here to greet guests and ensure they enjoy their stay from the get-go," Lunde said.

Pikake Suites, 2566 Cartwright Road, 778-2283. No kama'aina rates; the two-bedroom suites are $179 a night.

Ohana Reef Lanai

Ohana Reef hotel manager Lester Shim says the 110-room property on Saratoga Avenue offers small-scale, more personal service. "I've worked in larger hotels where there is a "time poverty" problem, Shim said. "There are only so many minutes, with many people demanding your attention. Here at the Ohana Reef Lanai, it's less hectic and we can offer the same services without the hustle and bustle."

The Reef Lanai became the first smoke-free hotel property on O'ahu in November. "We took a risk, especially with business clients — no smoking anywhere — but we thought it was the right thing to do," Shim said. Prohibiting smoking guarantees guests a no-smoking room, something other hotels cannot absolutely promise, he said.

During the early morning in the small lobby looking out on Saratoga across from Fort DeRussy Park, guests can be seen coming and going, ducking into Buzz's restaurant in the hotel for breakfast (the restaurant is smoke-free, too).

The hotel offers a choice of standard, studio and large one-bedroom suites that can sleep families of six, and recently won an editor's choice award from Travel Holiday magazine for best hotel in its price range.

Ohana Reef Lanai, 225 Saratoga Ave. 923-3881, www.ohanahotels.com. Kama'aina rates from $85 per room, per night. A $79-a-night kama'aina special, which includes a free continental breakfast, is available, depending on hotel occupancy.

The Breakers

Mid-morning rain doesn't bother guests at The Breakers, an old Hawai'i-style resort on Beachwalk. In the central courtyard around the swimming pool, general manager Ethel Nada is on hand to chat with guests and suggest indoor activities, but many are content to read on their lanais and wait out the shower.

"Home, friends, family" are words Nada uses to describe the resort's ambience. Nada started out with The Breakers as booking clerk when it opened and has never left. The hotel is celebrating 50 years in business now. She knows her guests personally, 75 percent of whom are return visitors. Many of her staff have been with her for 20 years, she said.

"We consider ourselves an oasis among high-rises," Nada said of the Japanese-style budget resort. "Friends return here each year to meet up."

The Breakers does not market itself as "cool and hip," rather as "gracious Island living." Architecturally, the resort matches the Urasenke Tea House, with which it shares the property.

The Breakers, 250 Beachwalk, 923-3181, www.breakers-hawaii.com. No kama'aina rates; room rates begin at $91 a day, single; $94 a day, double.

5 Simple Ways to 'Zhng' Your Bathroom to Boutique Hotel Standards

Read article : 5 Simple Ways to 'Zhng' Your Bathroom to Boutique Hotel Standards

Bathroom #goals

The one thing you look forward to at staycations besides the breakfast buffets and movies on demand on the 42” plasma are the luxurious bathrooms. Stocked with plush towels, free-flow toiletries and if your hotel’s atas enough, a relaxing rain shower! And there’s a way you can take this hotel experience home, with some help from the experts of showers: hansgrohe. 

First to invent showerheads with adjustable jets and the wall-bars on which you mount your shower heads, hansgrohe has had many “eureka!” moments with state-of-the-art bathroom inventions. And we saw it firsthand at their recently revamped showroom - from button-operated rain showers to customizable taps in a spectrum of fashionable colours - with 5 bathroom additions to “zhng” your humble bathroom to one matching a 5-star hotel:

1. Get the hotel “rain shower” experience right in your home 

Raindance Select Overhead Showers

Your best bathroom karaoke sessions are at atas hotel staycations - you reckon it’s the combination of the superb reverb and rejuvenating rain showers. But you’ll also be “singing in the rain” in the comfort of your home with hansgrohe Rain Showers.

With up to 3 spray modes like RainAir (infuses water with air to create a voluminous water-saving spray) or WhirlAir (pulsating sprays that massage you), these overhead showers more than recreate the rain-like experience of hotel bathrooms.

The QuickClean technology in hansgrohe’s rain showers also makes cleaning a breeze because any dirt and limescale build up simply falls off when you gently rub the flexible silicon tip of each nozzle.

Raindance Select E300 Showerpipe Source: hansgrohe

If you’re excited about getting an overhead shower but your partner’s more a hand shower person, get the best of two worlds with 2-in-1 Showerpipes and Shower Panels. All your bathroom needs is an exposed connection to the main water supply and you won’t even have to hack the walls to install these babies.   

2. Change the mode of your shower with the press of a button

From delicate sprinkles to forceful streams, each of your family members has their favorite shower spray setting. And having to forcibly twist the showerhead dials back to your favorite setting every time you step into the shower can be quite a chore!

Raindance Select E120 - 3 sprays in 1 hand-shower (Colour: White Chrome)

But you can now adjust the jets of your shower, fuss-free, with hansgrohe’s Raindance Select hand showers like the Raindance Select E120. Clicking the “SELECT” button has you toggling between 3 different spray settings - Rain, RainAir and WhirlAir. And electricity’s not at all required to operate this clever device!

Remember to check the water pressure you have at home so the hansgrohe consultants can recommend you suitable hand showers.

Not just for hand showers, the Select Technology is also available on a range of hansgrohe showers, including the overhead rain showers. 

3. Bling up your tap handles with Swarovski crystals 

Source 

Never again settle for conventional metallic grey taps when there’s the option of stunning ones with sparkly Swarovski crystals. From the hansgrohe company’s luxury brand, AXOR, comes the closest thing to bespoke taps you’ll find. These customisations are hand-made in Germany, where taps can also be engraved with words and initials upon your request. 

Mandarin words can also be printed for those of you with parents who don’t read English 

You can also customize the heights of your taps to fit your bathroom. Source: hansgrohe

With 15 colours ranging from chrome to gold, these special finishes are not just pretty, they also make the metal more scratch-resistant. Taking customization up another notch, they even give you the option between matte and glossy - and you thought that was only applicable to the photographs you develop! 

4. Impress your guests with these one-of-a-kind taps

When guests come over to visit, the only room more visited than the living room is the bathroom. And all you need are these designer taps to give your visitors some serious tap-envy.  

AXOR Starck V. Source: AXOR

With a see-through faucet made of crystal glass, this tap reveals a mesmerizing water vortex. This is how spray researchers at Hansgrohe pay homage to Klaus Grohe - the founder’s youngest son - and his passion for water. Not only is it easy on the eyes, its easy-click-in design and safety-stop function make it really easy to clean. 

Turn up the zen with the AXOR Massaud’s nature-inspired designs and get a mini waterfall at your bathroom sink Source: AXOR

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to a branch and made with ⅓ less brass compared to regular taps, the AXOR Starck Organic taps are not only eco-friendly but very fancy. Source: AXOR

5. Give your basic bathroom a boutique hotel theme 

Your basic bathroom has a lot of untapped potential and your standard issue BTO bathroom can be boutique hotel material. All you’ve to do is dare to imagine and take inspiration from the urban chic AXOR Citterio M series or classy 1900s European AXOR Montreux series. 

Urban chic minimalist design of the AXOR Citterio M series Source: hansgrohe

The sleek design of the AXOR Citterio M series is the perfect option if you don’t have much toilet space to work with. Resembling the knobs and dials that you see in cars, this bathroom collection designed by the Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio, ought to strongly appeal to you car aficionados. 

AXOR LampShower by Nendo Source: AXOR

There’s never been a rain shower as quirky as this lampshade that doubles as a showerhead, where the “spotlight” is literally on you as you stand under the water converging at the centre. So get ready to belt out those karaoke tunes. 

The AXOR Montreux Series - Posh up your bathroom with regal designs inspired by 20th century Europe. 

Hansgrohe- the touch of atas you need in your home

There are four types of Singaporeans in the shower. If you’re the chiongster who just whacks water both hot or cold or the hum ji kia who spends 10 minutes making sure the water’s the right temperature, showering is far from a relaxing experience. 

But here to change that, is a line of bathroom fixtures from AXOR and hansgrohe  - from hand showers with intuitive buttons to mind-boggling taps with water vortexes - they’ll completely redefine your idea of bathroom #goals. 

The showroom’s AXOR Massaud collection, featuring a lake-like bathtub and even a towel holder that looks like a branch! 

Catch these bathroom taps and showers in action and head down to the newly revamped hansgrohe and AXOR showroom at 69 Mohamed Sultan Road. With bathroom collections designed by prominent names in the industry - like Phoenix Design, Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio - you’ll find there are really no bathroom boundaries in your home.

*From now until 28 February, simply pay with your Citibank debit or credit card and get 25% off regular-priced products under hansgrohe brand.

Click here to find out more about AXOR and hansgrohe!

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This post was brought to you by hansgrohe.

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Where celebrities stay when in Baltimore

Read article : Where celebrities stay when in Baltimore

In June, when Sade was preparing to kick off her first tour in more than a decade, the husky-voiced crooner tweeted about her love of Baltimore and entertained reporters while relaxing in her 2,100-square-foot suite at the Hotel Monaco. When in town, actor Gene Hackman has been known to chat up other guests at the bar in the Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys.

Movie stars and musicians have a long history of coming to Baltimore for gigs. But in recent years, the city has attracted more high-profile shows and films, from Rihanna and U2 to HBO's "Game Change." And while the A-listers are here, local hotels are willing to go great lengths to accommodate them. The long-term benefits of hosting a celebrity far outweigh the occasional pesky request, hotel officials said.

"We love it when celebrities stay with us," said Lindsey Grocholski, sales manager for Radisson Hotel Cross Keys. "It's fun for us. It's cool to be able to say that we hosted these celebrities."

Proximity to venues — such as 1st Mariner Arena or M&T Bank Stadium — a hotel's reputation and discretion play a role in the hotels chosen by the visiting rich and famous. City hotels have hosted the likes of John Travolta, Joaquin Phoenix, Tim Allen, Jodie Foster and Clint Eastwood, according to Jack Gerbes, director of the Maryland Film Office.

"One of the benefits of having a film shoot in Maryland is that many times, actors, celebrities and out-of-town cast and crew get to enjoy Maryland hotels and their hospitality," Gerbes said.

In just two years, Hotel Monaco has established itself as a prime spot for celebrities to stay while in Baltimore. With its pet-friendly policy, boutique feel and willingness to meet requests for such things as European honey or exotic teas, it's no surprise that rapper Common, or singers Sade, Robin Thicke and Melanie Fiona have all stayed at the hotel in the past year.

"We have a lot of A-list entertainers," said Todd Unger, director of sales and marketing for Hotel Monaco. "We give them VIP status, and we respect their rights and privacy."

At Hotel Monaco, celebs generally stay in the Mediterranean Suites and the Majestic Suite. The Majestic Suite, which was occupied by Sade, can be reserved as a one- or two-bedroom suite. The entire Majestic Suite, which runs $1,500 a night, can accommodate up to 20 guests for a reception and sleeps four as a one-bedroom suite or eight as a two-bedroom suite. The smaller Mediterranean Suites have housed such celebs as Common, Danny Glover and Dennis Haysbert. The suites sleep four and feature a private bedroom with a king-size bed, as well as a Fuji spa tub and separate shower.

At the Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys, celebrities generally stay in the Presidential Suite, a three-room cluster that takes up a little more than 1,500 square feet. The space costs between $500 and $600 a night, depending on time of year.

When celebrities aren't using the space, bridal parties usually occupy the space.

At the Radisson, hotel staff decorate the celebrity rooms with fresh flowers, leave towels shaped like animals in the bathroom and add special complimentary touches, such as a bottle of wine or chocolates on the nightstand.

"We're always doing little things that make their stay more pleasant," said Jessica L. Morrison, director of operations for the Radisson.

The hotel attracts Preakness royalty each summer, veteran celebrities such as Liza Minnelli, and local television personalities who stay at the hotel during inclement weather. Soul singers Etta James and Chaka Khan stayed at the hotel when they performed at past Artscape festivals.

Patti Labelle once stayed at the hotel, struck up a friendship with the front office manager and took her out for an afternoon of shopping and dinner. She also invited the employee to watch her perform in concert. Singer Jewel almost stayed at the hotel last spring, but a stalker kept her confined to her tour bus while her road crew stayed in the hotel.

Hotel Monaco benefits from its proximity to downtown venues. The hotel has a preferred relationship with 1st Mariner Arena, meaning that it's recommended to visiting performers by the venue, according to Unger. The hotel also attracts a number of acts performing at the nearby Hippodrome.

Unger has seen all types of requests from celebrity guests. One celebrity wanted a certain brand of honey made overseas; another wanted bottled water chilled at a specific temperature; a third wanted candy in a certain color.

"We'll do anything within reason," said Unger. "Nothing has been too crazy or over the top. If we can get it, we will."

At the Radisson in Cross Keys, celebrities have demanded everything from the most up-to-date Zagat guide to daily fruit baskets — for one particular celebrity, sans bananas. Sports journalist Bob Costas once requested that 10-pound dumbbells be waiting for him in his room.

But the item celebrities are pickiest about is their water, according to Tom Cook, general manager at the Radisson.

"Celebrities are very particular about their bottled water," said Cook. "They want Fiji, Perrier and Voss."

All in all, celebrity visits are quite tame, unlike in the past when the rich and famous — especially rock stars — were notorious for their crazy hotel antics. Those days are long gone, according to Cook.

"They are literally resting," he said. "They want sleep before their performance."

Not all celebs are perfect guests, though.

On Thanksgiving 2005, rockers 311 and former Creed singer Scott Stapp got into a fight in the bar of the InterContinental Harbor Court Hotel, according to MTV, which reported the altercation. No charges were filed.

To shield against gawkers and autograph hunters, Baltimore hotels have a number of safeguards in place to protect the privacy of their celebrity guests.

At Hotel Monaco, the elevator system works with room keys that only access the floor where the guest is staying. In certain instances, the hotel has blocked off the front entrance of the building to prevent eager fans from snapping photos or asking for autographs.

At the Radisson in Cross Keys, the Presidential Suite can only be entered only through an unmarked door on an undisclosed floor. The hotel's website doesn't even list the trio of rooms that make up the suite as a room option. The suite has to be booked directly through the hotel.

Venues such as 1st Mariner Arena have provided plenty of celebrities for area hotels. It's a win-win for the city, according to Frank Remesch, general manager for the arena.

"We love to hear that artists are choosing to stay in Baltimore hotels rather than hop on a tour bus," Remesch said. "How cool is it to hear that an artist, say, stopped by the Capital Grille for dinner, or you spotted someone in a neighborhood shopping? It just proves that Baltimore really is a hip place."

john-john.williams@baltsun.com

The 23 Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean

Read article : The 23 Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean

With infinity pools overlooking the water, canopied beds ideal for cuddling, and elegant spas for couples' massages, many Caribbean hotels were designed for romantic escapes. But of course, some are better than others for vacationing with a significant other, so we set out to find the best of the best. After visiting hundreds (and hundreds) of hotels throughout St. Lucia, Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and dozens more Caribbean destinations, we compared and evaluated each breathtaking property. Take a look at the most romantic hotels in the Caribbean, and get inspired!

1. 

   Romantic? Undoubtedly. Unique? Absolutely. Expensive? For sure. Through an innovative, open fourth wall, each of Jade's 29 enormous suites overlooks the sea from its canopied bed, raised whirlpool tub, and (in all but the entry-level category) private infinity pool. Getting to Jade Mountain can be tedious, even nauseating, but its organic cuisine, doting service, unwavering silence (no TVs, radios, or children), and extraordinary design make the long journey worthwhile.

2. 

   Interiors here are designed by fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, and the 30 rooms feature comfortable four-poster beds with crisp, white Frette linens and unique wicker canopies. Bathrooms have coral floors, deep hot tubs, large stand-up glass showers, and toiletries from L'Occitane -- about as good as it gets in the D.R. The best part: the nightly turndown includes a drawn bath with floating red flower petals and tea lights. Tortuga Bay's luxury Six Senses Spa is one of the D.R.'s best.

3. 

   This unique luxury resort in St. Lucia is made up of 32 one- and two-bedroom villas, each carefully carved into the surrounding hillside overlooking the island’s iconic twin Pitons. The treehouse-style villas -- which have missing fourth walls, and in most cases, private plunge pools -- are a main draw, as are the spectacular views and lush grounds. The resort also features some fabulous amenities, such as an infinity lagoon pool, a gorgeous open-air restaurant and bar, a (tiny) open-air fitness center, and a lovely spa with a multi-level series of small outdoor mineral pools. All of this comes at a price, but Ladera is still significantly cheaper than the ultra-glam Jade Mountain (rates are often around half as much). Ladera is within close range of several of the island’s best tourist destinations -- notable cocoa plantations are within walking distance, the pristine white sands of Jalousie beach are a short drive away, and tourist hot spots like the volcano and Tet-Paul nature trails are both nearby.

4. 

   This 23-room luxury boutique hotel is a Balinese-inspired paradise in Curacao where the details make the difference -- hand-carved teakwood pieces, gift bags left on the beds, and candles lit all around the property are just a few examples. The highlights of the resort are the elegant rooms and villas, some with private pools, the excellent fine-dining restaurant, and a lovely (though man-made) stretch of tranquil beach. This is the top luxury resort on Curacao, without contest.

5. 

   One of Jamaica's most romantic escape (for adults only), the Caves' 11 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach) carved with steep stairways down to the water and into incredible grottos.. A top-shelf bar, an Aveda spa, free cooking classes, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive. High-quality food celebrates local ingredients, and the scene is laid-back and bohemian -- suited to travelers who appreciate outdoor showers and artful decor in favor of conventional luxury.

6. 

   This luxury all-inclusive resort is one of the most elegant and well-regarded hotels on the island, with 64 posh suites dotting a quarter mile of beachfront. Spice Island is a serene oasis amidst the bustling Grand Anse beach area, with clean lines, and a polished, upscale vibe that still maintains the laid-back charm of the Caribbean. The resort includes two restaurants, a beautiful spa, and a variety of activities, but peace and relaxation are also easy to find. The nice pool area is quiet and private, yet the beach -- though beautiful and clean -- is shared by locals and guests of nearby resorts.

7. 

   Accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, this 1,000-acre resort on a private island is the definition of tranquility. With an incredible infinity-edge pool, world-renowned COMO Shambhala Spa, waterfront Balinese-style villas, doting service, and more than three miles of pristine beaches, it's easily one of the most luxurious and romantic options in the Caribbean. But hefty price tags put it out of reach for many, and the rare level of privacy comes as the cost of convenience -- a boat commute is required to reach any nightlife or shopping.

8. 

   This luxurious Viceroy is truly a stunner. It has arguably the best location on St. Lucia, right in between the Pitons, St. Lucia's famous volcanic spires, and on a beautiful white-sand beach. Its 79 rooms are minimalistic, chic, and mostly white, and all come with private plunge pools, butlers, and 24-hour room service; the larger villas and cottages offer living rooms and huge bathrooms (some with outdoor showers and hot tubs). Features include a family-friendly pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and free water sports. The romantic tree-house spa is one of the island's best. The resort's restaurants and bars are pricey, but all-inclusive rates are available to help guests keep costs in check. Unlike Ladera and Jade Mountain, the other two St. Lucia properties on this list, Sugar Beach does allows children, but it tries to ensure peace and quiet for couples, as well, and opened an adult-only beach in spring 2016. 

9. 

   The Geejam is made up of only five private, high-tech cottages on the lush (rainy) foothills of Port Antonio. The setting is gorgeous, the service is extraordinary, and one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches is only 10 minutes away. Quiet seclusion it has; a pool, spa facilities, and direct beach access it does not.

10. 

    This adults-only luxury resort offers just two room types: deluxe rooms on the second floor, and slightly larger junior suites on the lower level with access to the beach. Sprawling across 11 acres on the west coast of Barbados, the property is situated closer to the waterfront than others in the area, due to it being built before legislation forced future resorts to build further inland. The pink Colonial-style property is romantic, and offers two restaurants and bars, as well as free afternoon tea on the terrace. Because there are only 72 rooms, the beach never feels crowded. Excellent amenities include an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and free non-motorized water sports. But all this comes at a price -- room and restaurant prices are some of the steepest in Barbados.

11. 

    One of Barbados' most exclusive resorts, The House is the definition of luxury. Located on the ritzy west coast, the adult-only property doesn’t even have a sign out front on the road. The property is secluded and private, with manicured gardens, koi ponds, and a chic lounge area. The rooms are spacious and contemporary with upscale amenities including a massage jet shower and a free bottle of rum punch. Thoughtful freebies include welcome drinks, champagne breakfast, and jet lag revival massages. There is no spa on-site -- surprising for a hotel of this caliber.

12. 

    This is called One&Only for good reason -- there’s nothing quite like it on Paradise Island, or anywhere in the Bahamas for that matter. The 106 rooms and suites, split into two sections, are luxurious, though those in the newer Crescent Wing are a bit more modern and stylish. Guests have access to the amenities at the Atlantis but the advantage of being removed from the crowds. Expansive manicured grounds have two outdoor pools, a romantic garden and statuary modeled after Versailles (a dream for weddings), and the endless stretch of white-sand beach and turquoise waves. Health and wellness nuts are spoilt for choice with daily yoga, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, an indoor/outdoorfitness center, and a Balinese-style spa with private villas. After a day in the sun, guests return to the room to find champagne and strawberries waiting, and many choose to begin their evening with sunset drinks at Jean-Georges' Dune restaurant.

13. 

    Rosewood Tucker's Point's obvious lures aside -- four pools, a private beach, a championship golf club, a tranquil spa, four restaurants, and spacious rooms featuring million-dollar views -- it’s the fine-tuned details that make this 200-acre property truly spectacular. For example, in the library just behind the lobby, old photos of Bermudian cricket matches, cabinets filled with china, and an antique Oriental rug feel like a swanky 1920s living room frozen in time. Rosewood is easily one of Bermuda’s top luxury resorts, but the rates are also higher here than anywhere else on the island. But perfection (or near-perfection) has its price, and at Tucker’s Point, it’s well worth it.

14. 

    Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches. Personal boats for daily excursions, on-call service, spacious villas with fully stocked kitchens and wet bars, and a host of all-inclusive activities make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas. However, some of the villas feature outdated decor and worn furnishings that seem inconsistent with the resort's high nightly rates.

15. 

    If you ever wondered where the stars might go for R&R, look no further than the minimalist Le Sereno, a chic five-pearl boutique hotel reserved for travelers seeking all-around luxury. The simple, elegant interiors by famed designer Christian Liaigre are matched by top-notch amenities and lovely views of the ocean, and the option of in-room (or oceanfront) spa treatments as well as 24-hour room service makes for a truly pampering experience. The hotel’s restaurant, while tasty, is quite pricey -- even for fancy St. Barth's -- and the semi-private beach is not as pretty or wide as the island’s numerous other strips of sand. The hotel is best for couples who don’t mind paying a little extra and renting a car to reach the secluded romance of this hillside hotel.

16. 

    This luxury boutique is heavy on style and refinement, with British Colonial design and 28 huge multi-room suites (they start at 1,080 square feet) featuring kitchens, terraces, and high-end bathrooms. Property highlights include a lovely, tranquil pool, personal beachfront service, a small but spectacular spa, and one of the Providenciales’ most romantic dinner spots. However, its remote location on the point of the beautiful, 12-mile Grace Bay beach -- while peaceful and quiet -- makes it necessary for guests to rely on expensive taxis or car rentals to explore the island.

17. 

    The Caribbean Club is a luxury boutique hotel located on Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach. The 37 spacious suites and villas are individually owned and exquisitely decorated, and all have full kitchens, balconies with ocean views, and marble bathrooms with separate whirlpool tubs and rainfall showers. The Club has one of the nicest stretches of beach along the Seven Mile coast with white sand, turquoise water, and calm waves. The beach and pool areas are not crowded, allowing for a quiet and serene tropical getaway. The restaurant here is one of the best on the island, but note that there is no spa.

18. 

    Easily the most luxurious resort in St. Martin, the 55-acre La Samanna resort brings tranquility to an otherwise tourist-filled island. Featuring two beautiful pools, an extensive wine cellar, a yoga and Pilates studio, a European-style spa, and the island's most pristine beach, this 81-room, eight-villa retreat is hard to beat. The vibe is about as fancy as it gets for St. Martin, so of course everything -- from the nightly rates to the dinners and spa treatments -- comes at a sky-high cost.

19. 

    Decked out in signature pink, the 112-room Sandy Lane is the creme de la creme of Barbados -- indeed, it's one of the most luxurious resorts in the world -- known for unparalleled service and distinct touches. Guest amenities run rampant; perhaps the most noteworthy is access to the super exclusive Green Monkey golf course with a separate apparel line that can only be purchased after completion. A Rolls Royce Phantom, top-notch spa, outstanding restaurants, and celebrity sightings are just a few aspects that set the elegant Palladian-style hotel apart from the rest. This is a very special place, for those who can afford it.

20. 

    Sandals is the epitome of a couples-only Caribbean mega-resort. With 11 restaurants, 373 luxurious rooms, and six pools, it's expansive, if not a bit overwhelming. You could easily get lost in the 27 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and along the pathwayswinding between buildings. The Sandals brand is evident at every turn, and the experience can feel generic, pre-packaged, and lacking in authenticity. However, this popular upscale all-inclusive with elegant rooms is definitely dedicated to creating memorable, romantic getaways. (Just be prepared to share yours with a few hundred other couples.)

21. 

    The relaxed, tranquil environment of this adults-only boutique resort is a major part of its appeal. This isn't Antigua's fanciest property, but it doesn't need to be: Simple Caribbean style (think: thatched roofs, stone, and rattan), a truly gorgeous beach, and all-inclusive food that's better than average for the island make for a winning combo. Water sports are also included in the rate, but the ocean here can get a bit rough so guests shouldn't count on being able to swim in it every day.

22. 

    The Bucuti is a romantic, adults-only resort at the southern end of Eagle Beach. This intimate, 104-room property has 14 acres of beach, and the main activity here involves lingering on the sand under shaded palapas; there's also a chic infinity edge pool. Rooms are stylish and have higher-end amenities such as iHome systems, charging docks, and built-in TVs in the bathroom mirrors. A free breakfast buffet is served daily, and dining is a highlight -- including five-course menus at the intimate gourmet spot, Carte Blanche -- and plenty more restaurants are within walking distance. The resort sees a high percentage of repeat visitors, so book early.

23. 

    This charming all-inclusive boutique resort, situated on a bluff overlooking the sea, features 57 separate cottage-style rooms painted in Caribbean pinks and blues. The rooms have a rustic style featuring exposed wood beams, and some have private plunge pools. It is a posh adults-only property catering to couples, wedding parties, and honeymooners -- but it offers a much more intimate atmosphere than massive couples-only resorts like Sandals.