9 Most Romantic B&B’s in Georgia for a Much-Needed Getaway

Read article : 9 Most Romantic B&B’s in Georgia for a Much-Needed Getaway

If you’re looking for more than just a place to sleep when you travel, consider staying at more B&Bs. There are lots of charming B&Bs in Georgia that offer personalized service, Southern hospitality, and a local perspective. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just looking to get away for a weekend with someone you love, here are the most romantic B&Bs to stay at in Georgia.

The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast

Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast, Covington (Prices & Photos)

The movie, Gone with the Wind, inspired this lovely Antebellum home that was built in 1836. You can stop by for a tour of the home, or better yet, book an overnight reservation in the mansion. It has been featured in many publications and books and was renovated in 2012 with modern conveniences. Now you can expect to find luxurious spa tubs, remote control fireplaces, Wi-Fi, and even rib cage showers in the grand suites. In the morning, you’ll enjoy a locally sourced Southern breakfast, and there’s also a Southern Sippin’ and Nibblin’ Hour in the evenings. Covington, Georgia has been called the “Hollywood of the South” because so many movies and TV shows have been filmed here.

Catherine Ward House Inn

Catherine Ward House Inn, Savannah (Prices & Photos)

This is an 1880s home that truly embodies Southern charm in Savannah’s Victorian District. You’ll find intricately designed styles of architecture both inside and out, with nine guest rooms to stay in. Each room has its own personality, and the B&B is just a short walk away from Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park. It’s easy to walk to all the local restaurants and shops from here too. The home has been recently renovated with luxurious bathroom features, and breakfast is served daily from 8:30am to 9:30am. High-speed Wi-Fi is offered for guests at no charge, and free street parking is available on the B&B’s quiet residential street.

Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast

Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast, Lookout Mountain (Prices & Photos)

Another wonderfully romantic B&B in Georgia is the Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast. It is about 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee and an ideal home base to visit local attractions, like Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway. You can also get outside and active while staying here, thanks to the hiking and biking trails nearby. The Inn is set atop Lookout Mountain and offers lovely views of the Chattanooga Valley down below. Included amenities include a full homemade breakfast, evening cookies and desert, an in-ground pool, and bocce ball court. The guest rooms have private baths, and some have individual outdoor patios too. Romantic packages offered include champagne, truffles, seasonal flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries, and spa services.

Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn and Spa

Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn and Spa, Sautee Nacoochee (Prices & Photos)

Located in Sautee Nacoochee, this is a luxury B&B with a day spa that’s located high on top of a mountain. The Spa at Lucille’s offers day spa services and is adjoined to the B&B inn. Typical gourmet breakfast offerings include creme brûlée French toast with minted strawberries, asparagus and goat cheese quiche, and Applewood smoked bacon. There are lots of wineries nearby to explore, as well as adventure activities like hot air balloon rides, zip lining, horseback riding, and waterfall hikes. Make sure to time to the top of the Crow’s Nest before sunset for awesome views of the Sautee Valley and mountains. Romantic add-ons include champagne, a dozen roses, and a bottle of wine waiting for you upon check-in.

Beachview Bed & Breakfast

Beachview Bed and Breakfast, Tybee Island (Prices & Photos)

Tybee Island is a fun place to visit with your sweetheart, especially if you stay at the Beachview Bed & Breakfast. There are eight guest rooms here that each have their own distinctive décor. The Presidential Suite and the Love Shack are favorites among couples. This is also a dog-friendly establishment, so feel free to bring your pup along! You’ll enjoy farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast and dessert before bedtime. Since this is a commercial B&B, you can even buy a glass or bottle of beer or wine to take back to your room.

Long Mountain Lodge Bed & Breakfast

Long Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inn, Dahlonega (Prices & Photos)

Dahlonega is another ideal getaway destination for lovers because of all the wineries and outdoor adventure opportunities here. The Long Mountain Lodge is both upscale and rustic, located near the Chattahoochee National Forest and close to the Appalachian Trail. Most of the B&B rooms have a wood-burning fireplace, private entrances, and jetted tubs. B&B guests will also enjoy delicious full, three-course breakfasts, which are served in the main lodge. Some of the favorite dishes here include blueberry pancakes, egg puffs, sausage, and home-fried potatoes.

Spencer House Inn

Spencer House Inn Bed and Breakfast, St. Mary’s (Prices & Photos)

Head to the historic district of St. Mary’s, Georgia for a quaint place to stay near Cumberland Island National Seashore. The history of the Spencer House Inn B&B dates back to 1872 and provides a coastal retreat that’s brimming with romance. There are 14 guest rooms here, some with clawfoot soaking tubs and others with traditional showers and tubs. A full breakfast is served each morning, and guests enjoy peace iced tea and treats in the afternoons. For a touch of romance, you can arrange for breakfast in bed, wine or champagne in the room, or a seasonal flower arrangement.

Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast

While many of these B&Bs are in remote and rural parts of Georgia, Stonehurst is a great city B&B right here in the heart of Atlanta.  This is a 19th-century Midtown mansion that values both modern amenities and historical preservation. There are elegant six rooms and suites here, as well as landscaped gardens a front parlor with a grand parlor, and a relaxing porch. It’s easy to check out the city’s top attractions, like Piedmont Park and the Fox Theatre, when you stay at Stonehurst.

1842 Inn

1842 Inn Bed and Breakfast, Macon (Prices & Photos)

One of the most romantic spots to stay in Macon is the 1842 Inn Bed and Breakfast, which was built in 1842 by John Gresham. With a significant display of Greek revival architecture, this inn has 19 guest rooms, as well as hospitality parlors and a courtyard. Breakfast is served each morning, and complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and beverages are served at daily evening hospitality hours. Order a mint julep at the cash bar and relax in one of the four public parlors after a day of sightseeing around Macon.

4 bed detached house for sale in Llantrisant Road, Capel Llanilltern, Cardiff CF5 - 43271927

Read article : 4 bed detached house for sale in Llantrisant Road, Capel Llanilltern, Cardiff CF5 - 43271927

Summary
A charming detached four bedroom family residence, approached by a gated private drive with extensive private parking, and set within a private garden plot of appromimate 1.95 acres. With a stunning range of outdoor leisure features including a swimming pool and hot tub.

Description
Ty Newydd Farm is a distinctive house of character, built 1998 by the current owners on the site of an original period farm cottage which was reputed to date back to 1700 and occupied a an overall plot of 1.95 acres. This unique four bedroom family home enjoys the special benefits of ensuite shower rooms serving each of the double sized bedrooms plus a large period family bathroom equipped with a free standing roll top suite. Recently a stunning bespoke kitchen has been installed providing a wonderful social space (30'1 x 14'9), centred around a large island unit with Quartz granite work tops, stylish integrated appliances and inset with a charming stone Inglenook fireplace with contemporary log burner and a solid wood mantle. There are two utility rooms and two ground floor cloak rooms. The living space is truly impressive including five principle reception rooms plus a grand entrance reception hall inset with a wide staircase returning to the east and west first floors. All windows are double glazed with white PVC units, and there are two feature windows, both hexagon in design with coloured leaded glass. Central heating is oil fired with panel radiators and a modern tank installed also in 1998. Charming character features include exposed beamed ceilings and natural stone walls providing a Farm House theme, whilst the living space provide a contemporary style with both a large formal dining room for social meals, and a relaxing lounge with a stone Minster fireplace!

The Property
With a family in mind the capacious cinema room (18'10 x 17'8) offers a wonderful entertainment centre, whilst both the sitting room (19'11 x 13'6) and the sun lounge (16'3 x 15'0) offer flexible living space with french doors that open onto the gardens. Each of the double bedrooms also include individual walk-in wardrobes, and the unique advantage with the living space on the first floor is the undoubtable fact that each bedroom is well proportioned with pleasing outlooks across the surrounding gardens and grounds. A truly impressive family house situated within only a short drive to Cardiff, and within easy access to an exit onto the M4, allowing fast travel to Newport, Swansea and Bristol.

Outside Leisure Features
Whilst the property is approached by a long gated private entrance drive which leads to both a large double garage (20'10 x 22'1) and a double car-port (20'11 x 20'5), the outside space includes many separate areas for activity including a large L shaped lawn which is screened by high conifer trees, a fully heated outdoor swimming pool, a large decked sun terrace, an undercover patio and a matching covered hot tub. There is also a further summer house and a separate self contained home office. There are three further outdoor rooms buildings which could be converted into stables, whilst one of these buildings is already converted into a fully sound proof studio!

School Catchment
The property lies within the school catchment of Radyr High School, whilst local primary schools include Craig-y-Parc off Heol-y-Parc in Pentyrch Village, and Creigiau Primary School in Creigiau.

Ground Floor

Entrance Reception Hall 16' 8" x 14' 9" ( 5.08m x 4.50m )
A most imposing and charming large entrance reception hall, inset with a 6 ft wide spindle balustrade staircase with newel posts, exposed beamed ceiling, double radiator, approached from an open fronted porch via two part panelled white PVC coloured leaded glass double entrance doors with side screen windows. Built in understair cloaks hanging cupboard.

Downstairs Cloakroom 8' 5" x 2' 9" ( 2.57m x 0.84m )
Fitted stylish modern and contemporary cloakroom suite with tiled walls and floor, comprising a large shaped pedestal wash hand basin with stylish chrome mixer taps and pop-up waste, slimline W.C., PVC Georgian style window to rear.

Understairs Cloaks Cupboard

Lounge 20' x 15' 5" ( 6.10m x 4.70m )
Gracious room inset with a Minster fireplace with granite surround and hearth, exposed beamed ceiling, PVC double glazed Georgian style window with outlooks across a front sun terrace, further PVC Georgian double glazed french doors opening on to the rear gardens, double radiator.

Cinema Room 18' 10" x 17' 8" ( 5.74m x 5.38m )
A fantastic cinema/games room, equipped with ceiling with spotlights, wide PVC double glazed Georgian style windows overlooking the courtyard front gardens, projector screen, exposed stone walls, feature Living Flame electric contemporary fire, surround sound.

Formal Dining Room 20' 2" x 16' 2" ( 6.15m x 4.93m )
An elegant room with an exposed beamed ceiling, PVC Georgian style double glazed window with views across the pretty front courtyard, PVC Georgian style window to rear, double radiator.

Kitchen And Breakfast Room 30' 1" x 14' 9" ( 9.17m x 4.50m )
Well fitted along two sides with an extensive range of stylish and contemporary bespoke floor and eye level units with high gloss doors, panel fronts and chrome handles, Quartz granite work surfaces with island unit and large breakfast bar, integrated Bosch Schott Ceran electric induction hob with a stainless steel canopy style extractor hood with glass surround and lights, two integrated stainless steel sinks with a powerful power jet chrome mixer tap, integrated aeg dishwasher, integrated Hoover wine cooler. Two tall storage larder units, two integrated Bosch fan assisted electric ovens, ceramic tiled floor throughout, space for the housing of two American style fridge freezers, exposed stone inglenook fireplace inset with a log and multifuel cast iron burner with stone hearth, two double radiators, PVC window with side garden aspect, PVC window with front garden aspect, PVC double glazed outer door to front courtyard. LED plinth lights.

Utility Room One 12' 6" x 7' 11" ( 3.81m x 2.41m )
With access to an outer hall with radiator and PVC Georgian style door with access to rear gardens. Well fitted along one side with high gloss contemporary floor and eye level units with chrome handles and solid work surfaces with a ceramic tiled surround, exposed beamed ceiling, radiator, PVC Georgian style window to rear.

Second Downstairs Cloakroom 6' 11" x 3' 7" ( 2.11m x 1.09m )
Suite comprising wall mounted wash hand basin with chrome mixer taps and pop-up waste, W.C., ceramic tiled floor and walls, PVC window to side, radiator.

Utility Room Two 8' 6" x 4' 5" ( 2.59m x 1.35m )
Approached from the kitchen, fitted along two sides with high gloss contemporary and stylish floor and eye level units with laminate work surfaces and chrome handles, incorporating a modern sink with mixer taps, vegetable cleaner, space with plumbing for an automatic washing machine, space for the housing of a tumble drier, space for the housing of a low level fridge, ceramic tiled floor and walls, ceiling with spotlights.

Sitting Room 19' 11" x 13' 6" ( 6.07m x 4.11m )
A stunning room with solid oak floor and exposed beamed ceilings, PVC double glazed Georgian style french doors opening on to the rear gardens, further double glazed Georgian style window overlooking the front courtyard gardens, square opening leading to...........

Sun Lounge 16' 3" x 15' maximum ( 4.95m x 4.57m maximum )
A large and versatile sun lounge conservatory, inset with a solid wood floor, cavity brick outer plinth walls surmounted by PVC double glazed Georgian style windows, inset with PVC french doors opening onto a block paved courtyard front garden, double radiator, standard ceiling with spotlights.

First Floor Landing
Three PVC double glazed Georgian style windows with rear aspect, spindle balustrade landing, exposed beamed ceiling.

Master Bedroom One 19' 10" x 15' 5" ( 6.05m x 4.70m )
Gracious room with an exposed beamed ceiling, elegant coloured leaded glass hexagon shaped window with side aspect, two further PVC Georgian style double glazed windows with front and rear aspect, double radiator.

Ensuite Shower Room 7' 2" x 4' 3" ( 2.18m x 1.30m )
White suite with walls largely ceramic tiled, ceramic tiled floor, shaped pedestal wash hand basin, W.C., separate ceramic tiled shower cubicle with Mira shower unit and glass shower door. Radiator, PVC double glazed Georgian window to front, beamed ceiling with spotlights.

Walk-In Wardrobe 7' 2" x 5' 5" ( 2.18m x 1.65m )
An extensive hanging and storage space, electric light.

Bedroom Two 16' 7" x 16' 3" ( 5.05m x 4.95m )
A large impressive bedroom with an exposed beamed ceiling, double radiator, PVC Georgian style double glazed window with pleasing front aspect across the courtyard gardens and towards adjacent fields.

Ensuite Shower Room 7' 1" x 4' 3" ( 2.16m x 1.30m )
Modern white Ideal standard suite with ceramic tiled floor and ceramic tiled walls, comprising shaped pedestal wash hand basin, corner shaped corner ceramic tiled cubicle with Mira shower unit and shaped clear glass sliding doors and screen, radiator, PVC Georgian style double glazed window to front, beamed ceiling with spotlights.

Ensuite Dressing Room/wardrobe 7' 2" x 5' 6" ( 2.18m x 1.68m )
With extensive hanging space and shelving, together with a small access leading to the roof space, electric ceiling light.

Bedroom Three 15' 9" x 12' 6" ( 4.80m x 3.81m )
A charming room, equipped with three Velux double glazed windows, three further PVC Georgian style side windows overlooking a side garden with pergola, ceiling with spotlights, double radiator.

First Floor Landing Continued
Built-in linen cupboard and a further built-in full height airing cupboard with copper hot water factory insulated tank. Two further PVC Georgian style windows overlooking front courtyard, radiator, part beamed ceiling with spotlights.

Ensuite Shower Room 10' 11" x 6' 2" ( 3.33m x 1.88m )
Stylish modern recently installed suite with limestone style ceramic tiled floor and walls, comprising double size shower with contemporary Mira shower unit and clear glass sliding doors, chrome fittings, shaped wash hand basin with a contemporary built out vanity unit, mixer taps and pop-up waste, W.C. With concealed cistern, double radiator, PVC Georgian style window to side, ceiling with spotlights, built-in bathroom full height cabinet, hardwood panelled outer door leading to second staircase providing direct access to the kitchen and breakfast room.

Built-In Wardobe 12' 6" x 3' 10" ( 3.81m x 1.17m )
Approached via double doors with leaded lights and brass handles, extensive hanging space and shelving.

Bedroom Four 18' 5" x 10' 6" ( 5.61m x 3.20m )
With an elegant hexagon shaped PVC double glazed leaded coloured glass front window, further PVC Georgian style double glazed window with front garden and courtyard aspect, double radiator.

Ensuite Shower Room 7' 8" x 6' 9" ( 2.34m x 2.06m )
Modern white suite with ceramic tiled walls, comprising shaped pedestal wash hand basin, low level W.C., separate ceramic tiled shower cubicle with New Team 3000 shower unit and glass shower door, PVC Georgian style window to side, radiator.

Walk-In Wardrobe/dressing Room 7' 8" x 6' 7" ( 2.34m x 2.01m )
A good size, fitted with extensive shelving and hanging space, electric light.

Family Bathroom 16' 8" x 7' 10" ( 5.08m x 2.39m )
A most impressive white Period style suite with ceramic tiled walls and exposed beamed high atrium style ceiling with spotlights, comprising a free standing roll top bath with gold effect mixer taps and mixer shower fitment, W.C. With hardwood toilet seat and china handle, large shaped pedestal wash hand basin, double radiator, PVC Georgian style window to rear, PVC Georgian style window to side.

Private Entrance Drive
Approached via private gates with side pillars and leading to a long sweeping entrance drive that leads into the front garden and continues to a large block paved turning area with parking for several vehicles and equipped with outside lights and water tap.

Double Carport 20' 11" x 20' 5" ( 6.38m x 6.22m )
Electric power and light.

Double Garage 22' 1" x 20' 10" ( 6.73m x 6.35m )
Approached via electronically controlled fob operated roller double width door. Electric power and light.

Home Office 14' 5" x 14' ( 4.39m x 4.27m )
Fully equipped private detached from the main house home office, independently approached from the courtyard via a PVC double glazed door with side screen window, extensive power points and light fitments, outer hall leading to downstairs cloakroom with W.C. And wash hand basin, plus additional PVC outer door.

Store Room

Hot Tub
Fully operational hot tub with a timber trellis surround with timber pitched roof.

Outdoor Swimming Pool
Large fully heated electrically powered outdoor swimming pool with cover and decked side sun terrace, bordered with timber garden seats and outside lighting. Approximate depth 1.8 meters continuos.

Breeze House
Open fronted breeze house with space for patio table and chairs beneath a rosemary tiled roof with timber outer pillars

Decked Sun Terrace
Large decked sun terrace inset with a summer house/storeroom, detached and fully equipped with electric power and light, edged with outside lights and trellising for full privacy.

Outside Lawn
Large main lawn, edged with high grown conifer trees and garden trees to afford maximum privacy and security.

Enclosed Garden
There is a further enclosed garden which could be turned into a menage or small paddock, currently with hard concrete flooring but bordered with outside walls to afford privacy and security.

Luxury Real Estate Goes to the Dogs (and Chinchillas)

Read article : Luxury Real Estate Goes to the Dogs (and Chinchillas)

Pets have never had it better.

A decade ago, pet owners in tony apartment buildings in the United States made do with cramped basement “spas” and cleanup rooms equipped with garden hoses, slop buckets and open drains.

More: Chicago Building Next Features a House Dog

But these days, the Fidos and Fifis lucky enough to live in luxury developments are frolicking in their own swimming pools, getting high-end haircuts, blowouts and pawdicures on-site, and enjoying prearranged vet visits, play dates and “yappy hours” with their best friends in the building.

To lure and keep pet-obsessed tenants and buyers, luxury developers in New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami and Atlanta increasingly are offering top-notch pet services along with the expected fitness centers, entertainment lounges, children’s playrooms and rooftop lap pools.

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After all, “I have long observed that dogs are the children of condo and apartment owners,” said Scott Leventhal, the CEO of the Trillist Companies, a developer in Atlanta, South Florida and South America.

At its new YOO on the Park rental complex in Atlanta, Trillist has created a 700-square-foot Pet Respite with two bathing and grooming facilities as well as “doggie treats and supplies and a mural we’re doing for owners of their four-legged friends,” Mr. Leventhal said.

Pet spas galore

Related Companies, a developer with offices and major buildings in in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Sao Paulo, has created its very own on-site pet-services amenity called Dog City for some of its luxury buildings. These include Manhattan’s MiMA, which has a bone-shaped pool for dogs on its outdoor terrace, as well as Manhattan’s Abington House, The Caledonia and 70 Vestry, and 500 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

“Dog City is our own proprietary pet spa,” says Ben Joseph, executive vice president of Related. “We offer walking, day care, play dates, grooming, boarding and veterinary care for our dogs.”

Dog City handlers receive ongoing training on all aspects of dog care, including CPR, first aid, safety and health, and even understanding how dogs are feeling or connecting nonverbally. Dog City also hosts quarterly “yappy hours” with drinks and treats for pets and their owners, and the Lake Shore Drive building has an annual Dog Swim in October, just before closing the pool for the season.

More: Developers Around the World Focus on ‘Thoughtful’ Amenities

“We feel that it’s just extending our concierge service to our four-legged friends,” Mr. Joseph said.

And to live in the building, it’s well-behaved dogs only, please. “We interview all of the dogs before they’re accepted,” he said. The pups must pass a temperament test, be spayed or neutered (if they’re over a year old) and have current vaccinations.

Pet-services companies providing amenities for four-legged residents

Other developers and leasing agents are teaming up with existing pet-service companies to help design and staff the pet amenities in their new buildings. The goal is to keep everything on-site and super-convenient for the pet owners.

Baroo, a high-end pet concierge service founded by Lindsay Hyde, has partnered with Equity Residential, Avalon, Bozzuto, Greystar and other developers to bring pet services to premier multi-family buildings in Boston, Chicago and the Washington, D.C., metro area. They plan to be in New York within the next 12 months, Ms. Hyde said, with “Seattle and San Francisco on the horizon.”

More: The Weird and Wonderful Smart Home Tech of 2016

“We’re teaming up with luxury buildings to meet this incredible demand for pet services and amenities,” Ms. Hyde said. “The pets get the exercise they need and the owners have the convenience of everything being on site.”

In Chicago, for example, Baroo services nearly 10,000 multi-family homes across 25 properties, offeringa variety of dog walk or run programs, on-site playdates, in-home pet sitting, grooming, feeding, vet visits, and training and pet therapy with animal behaviorists. For cats, they provide nail clipping, feedings and playtime as well as daily litter box scoops and weekly litter box change-outs.

“All of our employees are individually trained and arrive on site in a uniform,” Ms. Hyde said.

Liz Verhyden, who lives in an Equity building in Washington, D.C., with her fiancée and an energetic 18-month-old German shepherd named Ranger, loves that individual attention her pet gets on his walks with Baroo handlers.

That includes daily photos and detailed texts. “Did he pee? Did he poop? Did they refresh his water? Then I know what to expect when I get home,” Ms. Verhyden said.

Anastasia Kaup, who lives in the luxury Marquee at Block 37 in Chicago with a 9-pound miniature dachshund named Charlotte, is also a big fan of the Baroo services. “As a neurotic dog owner, I want to know that Charlotte seems to be in a contemplative mood today and she’s had half a bowl of water so far,” said Kaup, who also appreciates her building’s fifth-floor covered dog run where dogs can do their business without going down to the street.

In winter, Baroo dog walkers look for warm walking areas, and the dogs get booties for snow and ice and full paw and body wipe-downs before they are returned to their apartments.

At OneEleven in Chicago, Baroo has a light and bright Pampered Pet Retreat with four pet rooms, including a recreational Puppy Play Space anda Run & Relief Room, which is designed with natural elements like AstroTurf and a fire hydrant.

More: Click to Read What Millennials Want: Homes Designed for Connection and Convenience

And it’s not just cats and dogs that get the pampering, Ms. Hyde said. They have a chinchilla that gets pet-sitting services and “we also have some exotic fish and snails we take care of.”

Meanwhile, at its new Grove at Grand Bay in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood, developer Terra is partnering with a local company called Dogtown to provide walks, day care, feeding and vet outreach. Terra also built a swank new 1,500-square-foot spa with multiple bays, lockers and tons of toys and treats.

Los Angeles introduces pet amenities

In Los Angeles, which has plenty of parks, beaches and other dog-friendly open spaces—and not very many high-rise apartment buildings—pet amenities are a new thing, said David Solomon, a luxury real estate agent at The Agency in L.A.

Both of the new condo towers on Ocean Avenue South in Santa Monica–The Waverly and The Seychelle, by Related California, have pet spas.“They’re the only buildings I know of in L.A. that have a pet facility.”

“It’s like the nicest bathroom I’ve ever seen, with very expensive tile and state-of-the-art grooming equipment,” is how he described it.

High-end agent David Kramer, who focuses on Beverly Hills and Bel Air, agrees with Mr. Solomon’s assessment of the L.A. pet scene.

“I’ve also seen houses where people have turned bedrooms into dog play areas,” Mr. Kramer said.

More: New Luxury Buyers Are Young, Tech Savvy and Focused on Lifestyle

Veterinarian concierge services along with grooming for pets

Back in New York, the pet spa at 50 West, a 64-story luxury condominium tower rising in Manhattan’s Financial District, will have three stations for grooming, including a ramped shower and dog-washing station.

Time Equities, the developer of 50 West, is looking to partner with a veterinarian concierge that would make house calls for sick pups and kitties who live in the building, said Seth Coston, director of condo operations at Time Equities. And they are now vetting grooming services that would provide the dogs at 50 West with VIP treatments, such as show cuts and makeovers with organic shampoos and other products.

When it comes to deluxe pet amenity services, Adam Light and Mike Lavora are seasoned pros, having launched their Throw Me a Bone company in New York in 2008. They now have 30 employees who provide on-site pet services such as grooming, walking, training seminars and overnight care for such top-shelf buildings as 15 Central Park West and Gotham West as well as hotels like the Plaza, Pierre and St. Regis.

These high-end pet amenities are here to stay, Lavora said. “It’s now no longer a novelty–I think this will become the norm.”

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Villa Marine Guest House in Pringle Bay, Western Cape

Read article : Villa Marine Guest House in Pringle Bay, Western Cape

About Villa Marine Guest House

Villa Marine Guest House is nestled on the spectacular coast in Pringle Bay. Experience the sea a mere stone throw from one of our luxury en-suite rooms. Our unique combination of warm hospitality and highly personalised service ensures an exclusive experience.

Viewing the spectacular sunset from the deck over the vanishing edge swimming pool while sipping a glass of Cape wine will be a great start to an evening spent dining at the Villa or visiting one of the local venues. Fall asleep in a cozy percale linen bed with the waves crashing against the rocks in the bay. - Pringle Bay is an ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect base from which to explore the rich and diverse mountain landscape of the Western Cape.

Accommodation

Villa Marine Guest house is nestled in a spectacular rocky bay on the whale route in Pringle Bay village. There are 5 en-suite guest rooms ranging in size and luxury. The 2 Executive and 1 of the 2 Luxury sea view suites each have their own fireplace and private balcony. All rooms include under floor heating and mini lounges with satellite television, stocked bar-fridges and tea trays, unique bathrooms with showers, large bathtubs and heated towel rails. All the rooms have magnificent views looking down into a secluded cove or towards the surrounding mountains. Experience the sea with all your senses at this special venue. 2 Executive, 2 Luxury Sea View Suites and 1 Standard Room is available.

Executive Sea View Suites:
Each individually decorated Luxury Suite has an en-suite bathroom with large bath and shower, a large private balcony with ocean view, under floor heating and fireplace in room, television and DVD player, stocked mini bar and tea and coffee tray and a private safe.

Luxury Sea View Suites:
Each individually decorated Luxury Suite has an en-suite bathroom with large bath and shower, a private balcony with ocean view, under floor heating and fireplace in room (only in 1 of the 2 rooms), television and DVD player, stocked mini bar and tea and coffee tray and a private safe.

Standard Room:
Individually decorated Standard Room has an en-suite bathroom with showers (no bath), under floor heating, television and DVD player, stocked mini bar and tea and coffee tray and a private safe. No verandah.

Dining

A gourmet breakfast is served around the pool deck or in the glass fronted dining room overlooking the waves crashing against the rocks. Individual tastes are catered for. A Light Lunch can be provided on a request basis. Dinner is a set menu of traditional South African food. (Additional charge).

Conferences

Villa Marine is an ideal venue for small conferences or company break always. Up to 12 delegates per day can be hosted in a private facility.

Activities

• Walk along the pristine beaches or swim in the refreshing ocean
• A number of golf courses are available within easy reach.
• Explore the Kogelberg floral kingdom, a world heritage site.
• Visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens.
• Bird watching in the Villa garden.The honey suckers are a delight in the fynbos.
• Visit Arabella Health Spa.
• Stony Point, land based African penguin colony.
• Mountain biking, in the surrounding mountains. 4 mountain bikes are freely available to quests.
• Explore the wine routes in the vicinity.
• Superb dining experiences in the local restaurants.
• Lounge at the pool with a book or simply relax while taking in the splendour of the sea.

Locations & Attractions

From Cape Town you will travel along the scenic Clarence Drive Route (5 km past Rooiels) it forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, A one hour drive from Cape Town with Hermanus, Stellenbosch and the Wine routes 45 minutes away. The area is renowned for its Indigenous Fynbos Flora and houses more plant species per square meter than anywhere else on the planet.

On the world famous whale watching route, Pringle Bay is an ideal place to view Whales during the Whale Season from June to December every year. Only 12km away the Harold Porter Botanical Garden is home to a wide variety of Fynbos such as the King Protea and Disa and the nearby town of Betty's Bay hosts the Jackass Penguin Colony.

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Make a splash with a new bathroom

Read article : Make a splash with a new bathroom

Things are getting personal in the bathroom... Gabrielle Fagan reveals three key looks to make a style splash

THERE'S a new wave of styles washing over bathrooms. The tide's turning against the predictable, and embracing a more go-with-the-flow approach means you can mix-and-match furniture and fittings to conjure a space that perfectly suits your taste, as well as your practical needs, whether it's a spa-like haven, a functional family room, or a contemporary wet room.

As designers become more adventurous, sophistication, glamour and individuality rule. And it's easy to achieve a 'wow' factor, thanks to state-of-the-art technology - think TVs, sound systems and light and water shows in the shower - sculptural sanitary ware, and even stunning waterproof wallpaper now vying with tiles for attention.

"The traditional bathroom suite has become outdated and there's a desire for the space to become customised, with people seeing it as a room where they can display individual pieces, as they would art," says Leanne Martin, head of product at Sottini.

"A strong industrial trend is coming through, with steel-effect wall-hung cabinets complemented by sleek brassware and fresh white walls for an efficient, sleek look. Bathroom units raised off the floor, increasing visible floor space, to create an illusion of a larger room, are starring, and a particularly striking 'floating' effect can be achieved, with wall-hung, chunky, unsupported slabs in gloss or wood grain, and slim, curved vessel basins on top."

Soak up inspiration from these latest bathroom looks...

DRAMA ZONE

"If you don't want to reach out and touch the walls, you're not doing it right for 2017. Bathrooms no longer mean matching tiles as far as the eye can see - as a nation, we've become experimental with wall finishes and shrugged off the constraints of the white bathroom tile," says Martin.

"Industrial concrete walls are being paired with textured wallpapers, while tile effects are being created using countless different sizes, shapes, prints and texture options. Even a retro wood finish has made a comeback for a Scandi-chic style statement, and for the really bold, vertical green, living walls, to give a lush 3D impact you can't beat!"

Water, she points out, is a feature in itself. "It's not enough that it drains down a plughole any more. It's all about the spectacle of how it falls in a waterfall-like sheet from a height and disappears out of sight into concealed drainage."

LOOK OUT FOR: Mirrors with sensor controlled lighting and de-misting, as well as inbuilt functions linked to music systems, TVs and phones.

TAP INTO STYLE: Wall&Deco's waterproof 'wall papers' include a gorgeous 'Inner Forest' and 'Converatory' (Pictured above) - which looks like a lush tropical landscape - design, from £156 per square metre, West One Bathrooms (www.westonebathrooms.com). Alternatively, make an impact with a monochrome Diver Wall Mural, from £10.63, Purlfrost (www.purlfrost.com).

Sottini's range has bang-on-trend pieces, including a free-standing Ombrone Totem Washbasin, £1,190.25 (pictured below); a Bonamico 70cm Square Vessel Washbasin, £341.55, or a bowl-shape Pioto Vessel Washbasin, £160.43. Achieve that 'floating' effect with a sleek Ippari Console, £546.48. (www.sottini.co.uk).

If you really want to splash the cash for celebrity style, Touched Interiors is the destination to visit: Brass And Gold Plated Black High Gloss Bubbles Bathtub, £29,310, and a Polished Brass And Mirrored Free-standing Washbasin, £14,770 (www.touchedinteriors.co.uk).

For period style, look no further than Heritage Bathrooms, which has a Madeira Cast Iron Double Ended Bath, from £3,750, and an Abingdon Basin & Washstand in Rose Gold, from £495 (www.heritagebathrooms.com).

SERENE SANCTUARY

"The bathroom isn't purely about functionality, or a clinical environment any more. It's a sanctuary that needs as much design consideration as a living room," says Daniel Cook, principal development designer at C.P. Hart.

"It's all about subtle elegance and a beautiful harmony of shades with less 'pops' of colour. Muted consistent tones, such as taupes and greys for furniture and sanitary ware, are increasingly popular colour choices. There's a move beyond white and glazed surfaces and a significant increase in pastel shades of pinks and blues."

LOOK OUT FOR: A refined industrial trend with brushed finish brassware, matt finishes for ceramics, as well as silk/satin glass finishes.

TAP INTO STYLE: Key into colour with Italian-designed items from the Cielo Ceramica I Catini range: Blue Washbasin (pictured below), from £1,580, C.P.Hart (www.cphart.co.uk).

Laufen's slim units in gold would impress: Gold Kartell All Saints Mirror, £504.62 and Rifly Pendant Lamp, £335.27; Boutique Dark Oak Vanity Unit, £1,522.50.

MAKE A SPLASH

"From cars to holidays, and clothing to furniture, customisation is one of the fastest growing consumer trends," says Jayne Barnes, managing director, AQATA.

"The discerning bathroom buyer now wants not only a highly engineered luxury shower enclosure or screen, handmade to fit their space, but also a completely individual customised design to bring their own character and personality into the bathroom. Home trends are being reflected in bathrooms with diverse colours, patterns and textures making their mark.

"Today's shower should incorporate these essential features: easy access (walk-in wet rooms are perfect for this), spacious enclosures and a steam function, as well as power showers and body jets to cater for comfort and wellbeing, and distinctive personal touches."

LOOK OUT FOR: Larger showers as they're being given more space in either a bathroom or bedroom, plus frameless enclosures featuring coloured or tinted glass.

TAP INTO STYLE: AQATA's frameless Spectra Enclosure SP448, from £1,561 (pictured below), and Linneal Shower LNP241, £1,300 (for stockists, visit www.aqata.co.uk). Alternatively, Merlyn Showering has a Twin Panelled Double Shower Enclosure, from £345 per panel (www.merlynshowering.com).

The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair - five star luxury in the heart of London

Read article : The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair - five star luxury in the heart of London

A Mayfair Staycation – The Westbury Hotel:

If only…

There are parts of London, like Mayfair, where most of us can only aspire to live.  Even if you shop on Bond Street and take tea at Sketch, actually living in Mayfair is out of reach for most Londoners.  So, why not live the dream and staycation at The Westbury Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, just around the corner from many of London’s designer boutiques.  Perfectly located for those who want to indulge in some top-end shopping, The Westbury is a classic five-star hotel with features that put it above many of the luxury hotel offering in London.

As London’s first 5-star American hotel, you might expect a few difference – the Westbury London was opened in 1955, the sister hotel of the original Westbury in New York City.  The design still has an American luxury feel to it, with lots of dark wood and mirrors, larger than average London hotel rooms and marble lined ensuite bathrooms with tubs.

I was lucky enough to be offered an upgrade to a Corner Suite for my stay – something the same size as a London flat, with a living room complete with dining table to seat four and a large bedroom.  Enough wardrobe space to encourage me to shop until I dropped and a stunning bathroom with a second powder room.

I didn’t really want to leave.  At all.

Especially as the hotel had thoughtfully provided a bottle of wine, water, fresh fruit, a platter of cold meats, cheeses and pickles and a truly tempting plate of macarons and petits fours.

The wine obviously needed to be tried and you should never eat on an empty stomach.  Most of the cheese and cold meats vanished…

And I can never resist a macaron or two.

My room came equipped with a Nespresso machine and pods.  There wasn’t a kettle that I could see, though that may have been simply down to lack of looking on my part.  I did, however, have a personal butler on call who I am sure would have obliged had I wanted tea, champagne or even caviar.  And the Westbury offers a full room service from all three of their restaurants so if I hadn’t had a table already reserved at Tsukiji, the small but perfectly formed Japanese restaurant, I’d have indulged myself and just stayed in the room all evening.  More of that experience in a separate post – there is far too much to cover to include details here.  And, I’ve already tried the Polo Bar (and been back a couple of times).  That leaves Alyn Williams at the Westbury – the hotel’s Michelin star fine dining restaurant – which I definitely want to try.

I was particularly impressed by the toiletries in the bathroom of the suite.  Asprey’s Purple Water is probably my favourite of the luxury toiletries provided by hotels.  With classic and restrained packaging, it’s something of a special secret.  I love the light, citrussy scent and am always impressed by the overall quality of the products.

Turn down arrived promptly at 6pm and provided a comprehensive service, drawing the floor to ceiling curtains and packing away the decor cushions and throws.  And, my guest for dinner turned up early enough to enjoy a glass of wine with me before we went downstairs.

There is something altogether luxurious about having dinner and just having to take the lift upstairs afterward.  I slept like a baby in the large bed.  Beautiful white cotton bed linen, fluffy pillows and a soft yet firm mattress all conspired to ensure the perfect night’s sleep.

Breakfast is served in the dining room used by Alyn Williams in the evenings.  It’s a large and comfortable space with contemporary touches.  There are neat pots of cereals, fruits, and yoghurts to one side.  But, of course, it’s the a la carte breakfast that I look forward to when I am staying in a hotel.

Here there’s a good range of teas and coffees brought to you by waiter service, together with individual baskets of breakfast pastries so you don’t have to search out the last pain au chocolat!

The cooked breakfast was immaculate – I have to admit that since I was alone, I ordered a full English with eggs, just to check they were properly prepared.  Of course they were.

After I’d eaten more than enough for the whole day I went back to my suite to pack up and (regretfully) go home.

But not without doing more than a little window shopping on my walk back to Green Park tube.

The Westbury is discrete and quiet.  Tucked away off New Bond Street, it is somewhere I’d recommend to anyone wanting to stay in central London.  Good size rooms, immaculate service and a level of comfort that is well above average combine to make this a great base.  Suites like the one I stayed in would be perfect for a small family or for someone wanting to use the hotel as a base for business as the sitting room can be completely zoned off from the bedroom.

But, if you simply want the best of London’s shops on your doorstep I’d look no further than The Westbury.

Thinking of visiting London?  Why not pin this post for later

The Westbury Hotel

37 Conduit Street,
Mayfair,
London,
W1S 2YF,
United Kingdom

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World's 15 most expensive hotel suites

Read article : World's 15 most expensive hotel suites

Money's worth nothing, until you spend it.

That's the philosophy behind all extravagant luxury goods, and nothing says "senseless overspending" like blowing thousands on a place to sleep, shower and store your clothes while you go about your day.

For anyone with a few hundred thousand to squander, this is a to-do list. For the rest of us, it's a can't-do, won't-do, don't-even-want-to-do list.

15. Peninsula Suite, The Peninsula, Hong Kong

US$10,000 per night

A stay at Hong Kong's grande dame begins at the airport, where you're picked up by a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, part of The Pen's signature fleet.

Or, if you're feeling really flash (and flush), you can arrive by helicopter -- the hotel has two rooftop helipads for their super-rich guests.

At more than 371 square meters, The Peninsula suite, on the 26th floor, provides the most stunning vistas over Victoria Harbour, along with a 24-hour butler and chauffeur service, mini-gym and fully equipped kitchen.

14. The Sultan's Suite, Çirağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul

US$15,332 per night

Originally built of wood in the 16th century, and eventually the residence of the last Ottoman Sultans, this palace was rebuilt in marble for Sultan Abdülaziz in 1857.

Now a lavish five-star hotel with a guest list that includes Prince Charles, Liz Hurley, Uma Thurman and Giorgio Armani, it has all the trimmings: a gorgeous pool, boat and helicopter service and an amazing breakfast buffet.

The Sultan's Suite overlooking the Bosphorus comes with private butler service, opulent chandeliers, period furniture and fine art. What more could the average oligarch need?

13. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Moscow

US$18,000 per night

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Ritz-Carlton Suite frame an unparalleled view of the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral and Christ the Savior Cathedral.

With classic Russian Imperial furnishings, the 232-square-meter suite comes with a spacious living room, dining area, library, office, grand piano and heated flooring, perfect for bone-chilling Moscow winters.

12. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

US$18,716 per night

There are luxury hotels, and then there's the Burj Al Arab. Since its 1999 opening, the iconic, sail-shaped Dubai resort has been a benchmark of no-holds-barred extravagance that others have tried and failed to emulate.

All of the suites -- the word "room" does not exist here -- are arranged over two floors and have whirlpool baths, living and dining areas and dedicated butlers.

11. Royal Suite, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

US$24,550 per night

There are a pair of Royal Suites at Hotel George V. Both have private terraces overlooking the historic art deco fountain of the Three Graces.

Stuffed with magnificent French antiques, these vast suites are adorned with 18th- and 19th-century fine art. Crystal chandeliers glitter and huge vases of pale pink roses perfume the air.

The master bedrooms have spacious marble bathrooms with steam rooms, sauna and a walk-in dressing rooms.

10. Royal Towers Bridge Suite, Atlantis, Bahamas

US$25,000 per night

This 10-room suite with gold sofas, cushions, gilt mirrors and chandeliers is enough to make minimalists break out in hives. This is shameless glamour.

The grand foyer dazzles the eye with an elaborate floor made of four kinds of marble. The 15-meter-long living room holds a baby grand piano. The vast entertainment center comes with a full-service bar.

Throw in the eye-popping balcony views, and a butler, and this is no ordinary pad.

9. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

US$25,050 per night

At 120 square meters, the Carlton Suite has many of the usual big suite highlights -- Frette linen sheets, an oversized marble bathroom, huge beds, flat-screen TVs and individual rain shower booths.

The clincher is the fact that it tops the tallest skyscrapers in Tokyo and has proposal-worthy views over the Imperial Palace, Roppongi Hills and Mount Fuji.

8. Villa La Cupola Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome

US$30,000 per night

For the ultimate in La Dolce Vita, check into the stunning Villa La Cupola suite in Rome's Westin Excelsior.

One of the largest in Europe, the suite is inspired by ancient Rome, with extensive use of marble, stained glass and frescoes. There's a gorgeous wraparound terrace where you can soak up the sun, a private spa with sauna, whirlpool and steam bath, as well as private cinema.

7. Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Sardinia, Italy

US$32,736 per night

Perfect for sun-kissed networking, the Presidential Suite overlooks the sparkling brine of the Costa Smeralda. Billed as one of the most gorgeous suites in the world, this three-bedroom luxury pad stands above the rambling towers and pantile roofs of the luxury Porto Cervo resort.

An understated blend of Mediterranean style and sensational bay views, the suite also has its own pool on the private roof terrace, along with a wine cellar and outdoor gym.

6. The Royal Villa, Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athens

US$34,356 per night

With a butler, private chef and pianist at your beck and call, there's little need to lift a finger -- except to sip martinis -- when you stay at this three-bedroomed villa.

When you're feeling more active you can also take advantage of an indoor pool, outdoor heated pool and gym, as well as a steam bath and massage room.

There's also a nearby private marina and beach.

5. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa Palms Resort, Las Vegas

US$35,487 per night

The Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, high in the Palms' Fantasy Tower, is fitted out with everything Playboy: racy artwork selected by Hef himself, a huge, rotating circular bed and an indoor pool, branded with the Bunny logo, leading to a hair- -- and libido- -- raising cantilevered spa bath high above the Strip.

This 836-square-meter, two-bedroom pad also includes an orgy-sized bathtub, bar and poker table and an indoor waterfall.

The eye-watering price doesn't include breakfast -- or Bunnies.

4. Penthouse Suite, Hotel Martinez, Cannes, France

US$37,500 per night

On the Croisette, Hotel Martinez has a Michelin-starred restaurant, piano bar and huge private beach.

Decked out in art deco style, you'll have a sitting room, dining room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms with hammam, shower, spa bath, dressing room and sauna at your disposal, as well as a huge terrace overlooking the Bay of Cannes.

3. Ty Warner Penthouse Suite, Four Seasons Hotel, New York

US$41,836 per night

This 400-square-meter penthouse tops the entire top floor of this magnificent hotel, offering a 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline.

The nine-room suite is the brainchild of designer Peter Marino, architect IM Pei and the hotel's owner Ty Warner (the billionaire creator of the Beanie Babies).

It sports fabrics woven with platinum and gold, an indoor-outdoor Zen garden, a stupendous chandelier, the services of a personal butler, personal trainer/therapist and private chauffeur.

2. The Presidential Suite, The Raj Palace Hotel, Jaipur, India

US$45,000 per night

This positively palatial suite was a former Maharaja's residence. At nearly 1,500 square meters, the suite is one of the biggest in Asia, and comprises a four-floor apartment lavishly decorated in gold leaf, stucco, ivory and mirror work.

With a private roof terrace and swimming pool offering panoramic views of the pink city of Jaipur, and its own private museum, there seems little reason to leave.

1. Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson, Geneva

US$65,000 per night

For the security-conscious, or the merely paranoid, there's nowhere better to stay than the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson Hotel, which has panoramic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.

With bulletproof doors and windows, it's the perfect safehouse for visiting heads of state, or privacy-conscious celebs.

Taking up the entire top floor of the hotel, the suite has its own private elevator to whisk guests to an apartment with 12 rooms, which hold a Steinway grand piano, billiard room, library and private fitness center.