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- America’s most amazing hotel pools
- Best restaurants in Istanbul: Rejuvenated food city
- World's hautest stays: 15 designer-branded hotels
| America’s most amazing hotel pools Posted: 26 Apr 2013 05:00 AM PDT When temps are brick-oven high and humidity levels surge past "swamp-like," there's nothing like a quick swim to cool you off during a business trip or vacation. Throw in monster views, insane settings and ingenious design, and the pool becomes more than just a watering hole. It's the ultimate place to chill. Literally. These amazing U.S. hotel pools are the coolest part of any trip. Amangani (Jackson, Wyoming)On the edge of a 7,000-foot butte in Jackson Hole, Amangani's 115-foot outdoor pool gives unrivaled vistas of the Grand Tetons and Snake River below. It's heated year-round and linked to a 113-square-foot whirlpool, so you can soak in the snow-capped mountains even in the dead of winter. Amangani, 1535 North East Butte Road, Jackson, Wyo.; rooms from US$725 per night; +1 307 734 7333 Amangiri (Canyon Point, Utah)Designed to blend into the surrounding desert landscape, this secluded Utah resort embraces its surroundings with a pool carved around an 80-foot-high natural stone escarpment that's more than 165 million years old. Ringed by king-sized daybeds and sun loungers, the pool offers insane views of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument during the day and swimming under star-filled skies at night. Amangiri, 1 Kayenta Road, Canyon Point, Utah; room rates from US$1,050 (through June 14), US$1,100 (after June 15); +1 435 675 3999 Enchantment Resort (Sedona, Arizona)Eye-popping is the only way to describe the 360-degree Red Rock vistas that surround Enchantment's aqua blue watering hole. Recently revamped, the pool and patio were doubled in size and elevated 10 feet (for better sightseeing), and designed to blend into the natural surroundings. Enchantment Resort, 525 Boynton Canyon Road, Sedona, Ariz.; rooms from US$375 per night; +1 800 826 4180 Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Big Island, Hawaii)Set on Hawaii's Big Island, this Kona-Kohala Coast resort has seven pools. Among these is King's Pond, a 1.8-million gallon "aquarium" sculpted out of 200-year-old natural lava rock. Guests can snorkel and swim with more than 75 species of tropical fish, as natural springs and ocean water fill the pond through subterranean channels. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Dr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; rooms from US$595, +1 888 340 5662 Glenwood Hot Springs (Glenwood Springs, Colorado)Guests at this Colorado Rockies lodge relax in the world's largest hot springs pool, where 3.5 million gallons of nearby Yampah Springs water flow into one of two bubbling mineral pools daily. The temperature in the smaller therapy pool is a steamy 104 F. Those looking to do some leisurely laps can dive into the larger pool, which measures more than two city blocks and is kept at a balmy 93 F. Glenwood Hot Springs, 401 North River Road, Glenwood Springs, Colo.; rates from US$139 per night; Lodge: +1 970 945 6571; Pool: +1 970 947 2955 Golden Nugget (Las Vegas)Only in Vegas would you find a 200,000-gallon, shark-filled aquarium in the middle of a swimming pool. But that's what you get at the Golden Nugget's $30 million water complex, where you can swim seemingly side-by-side with a dozen sharks (including sand tiger, brown, black tip, nurse and zebra varieties). Brave swimmers can get even closer to the man-eaters by slipping down the Shark Chute, a three-story waterslide that shoots you straight through the tank. Golden Nugget, 129 East Fremont St., Las Vegas; +1 800 634 3454; room rates vary depending on day and tower Grand Wailea (Maui, Hawaii)Grand Wailea is an epic liquid adventure. With nearly 26,000 square feet of aquatic fun, guests can float along a river of a nine interconnected pools (complete with whitewater rapids and lazy currents), shoot down four waterslides, rope swing into the Tarzan pool, swim through waterfalls or chill in one of three Jacuzzis. And that's not even the best part. Grand Wailea has the world's first water elevator; it's built into a volcano. Grand Wailea, 3850 Wailea Alanui, Wailea, Hawaii; rooms from US$589 per night; +1 808 875 1234 The Grove Park Inn (Ashveille, North Carolina)This legendary resort's spa takes inspiration from its stunning mountain setting with an underground grotto of 10 mineral-based, chlorine-free pools framed by cavernous rock walls, arches and tunnels. Guests can enjoy thundering waterfalls, hot and cold plunge pools and a mineral and lap pool, complete with 6,500 fiber-optic stars embedded in the ceiling above and underwater music below. The Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville, N.C.; rooms from US$199 per night, spa day passes from US$65; +1 800 559 3984 The Joule (Dallas)Pushing design to its literal edge, this 1927 historic hotel has one ultra-modern feature: a window-walled rooftop infinity pool that sticks out eight feet from the building's exterior. Non-acrophobics can swim to the deep end and take in the views of downtown Dallas, 10 stories below. The Joule Dallas, 1530 Main St., Dallas; rooms from US$259; +1 214 748 1300 Keswick Hall at Monticello (Charlottesville, Virginia)On a private 600-acre estate in Virginia wine country, Keswick's 25-meter infinity Horizon Pool impresses with a mesmerizing reflection of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Heated year round and with piped-in underwater music, this pool is for adults only. Keswick Hall at Monticello, 701 Club Dr., Keswick, Va.; +1 888 778 2565; rooms from US$305 per night The Sagamore, Bolton Landing (New York)Set on a 70-acre island in upstate New York, the Sagamore's 95,000-gallon infinity pool and large adults-only warming pool command panoramic Lake George and Adirondack views. With 150-plus chaises, the 10,000-square-foot terraced deck has ample elbow space for poolside lounging. The Sagamore, 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing, N.Y.; rooms from $199 for the lodge, from $229 for the hotel; +1 800 358 3585 Sheraton Waikiki (Honolulu)Practically flush with the Pacific, the Sheraton Waikiki's infinity pool blends seamlessly with the ocean, creating the illusion of one spectacular body of water. Additional perks include cold water mists, oshibori (moist towels), MP3s with Hawaiian music and unparalleled views of Waikiki Beach. Sheraton Waikiki, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu; room rates vary; +1 808 922 4422 The Viceroy Miami (Miami)There's plenty of room for cannonballs at this Miami hot spot. Overlooking Biscayne Bay, a waterway connects a 300-foot infinity pool (Florida's longest), an 80-person hot tub (the world's largest) and a wading pool. Add it all up and you've got a gorgeous 15th-floor water complex that's the size of a football field. Viceroy Miami, 485 Brickell Ave., Miami; rooms from US$195 per night; +1 305 503 4400      |
| Best restaurants in Istanbul: Rejuvenated food city Posted: 25 Apr 2013 11:00 PM PDT Fat kebabs sweating on spits near Taksim Square; mussels stuffed with rice and sprayed with lemon from a mobile street stall along Istiklal Avenue; sandwiches stuffed with fish plucked from the Bosphorus -- this is Turkish street food in all its glory. But over the past decade the best restaurants in Istanbul have proven themselves on a par with most other foodie cities, with a diverse offering from international super-brands to cafes catering to Istanbul's growing community of young, creative, fine-dining professionals. Here's a sampling of the best restaurants in Istanbul. Mikla
Mikla has been at the forefront of the city's contemporary food scene since it opened in 2005. Chef-patron Mehmet Gürs -- a regular on Turkish television -- claims that his food is a reflection of his Turkish-Scandinavian background. He places an emphasis on local produce. Aegean octopus, salted and dried beef with humus and pistachio "birdsh--" paste and warm mulberry soup with cinnamon crumbs and tahini ice cream are all featured on an inspired menu. Views over the city from the restaurant's terrace, taking in the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, are astonishing. The hotel's rooftop bar makes great pre-dinner drinks and the views from here are even more spectacular. Mikla, The Mamara Pera, 15 Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Beyoglu; +90 212 293 5656 Antica Locanda
In the pretty neighborhood of Arnavutköy, Antica Locanda is one of Istanbul's best-kept secrets. Unlike most so-called Italian restaurants in the city, Antica Locanda offers a genuine Italian menu, prepared by the charming chef-owner Gian Carlo Talerico. If you have a few days to spare and want to get a taste of Istanbul's revived dining scene, mark Antica Locanda as a must-try restaurant. It's best on a sunny day if you get a table at the tiny outdoor seating area that looks over the church next door. Everything on the menu is good, so the best way to enjoy this restaurant is to go in large group and sample as many dishes as possible. Antica Locanda, Satış Meydanı No.12, Arnavutköy; +90 212 287 97 45 Cokcok
Pronounced "chok chok" ("plentiful" in Turkish), this superb Thai restaurant in Beyoglu is just off the main drag. Not afraid to turn up the spice levels, the kitchen, overseen by chef Nuch -- a celebrity in her native Thailand -- produces favorites, such as stir-fried beef and curried duck with the addition of dishes like house-made ice cream, poached pear and lobster in garlic sauce. The décor (all light wood and glass) is clean and contemporary and the small split-level restaurant (it seats 60 in winter, or 70 in summer when the terrace is open) exudes a warm and welcoming glow in the evening. Cokcok, 51 Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Beyoglu; +90 212 292 6496 Sunset Grill & Bar
Istanbul's first restaurant to add a sushi bar, Sunset Grill & Bar isn't just any upscale restaurant in the city. The restaurant grows its own herbs in the garden, produce wines in its vineyard in Bozcaada and has Turkey's most precious wine collection in its possession. Executive chef Hüseyin Arslan and chef Hiroki Takemura form a force that creates some of the best Turkish, Mediterranean and Japanese dishes in town. If you have cause for celebration, Sunset is the place for it, with a great menu and astounding views of the Bosphorus. Sunset Grill & Bar, Adnan Saygun Caddesi Yol Sokak No. 2 Ulus Parkı, Ulus; +90 212 287 03 57 Pandeli
Once feted as one of the best places to eat in the Turkish capital, Pandeli, located just inside the main entrance to the Spice Bazaar, has become less ostentatious in recent years. Don't expect fine dining or consistency from the vast, traditional Turkish menu, but do expect huge servings of meat and lots of bread, with an astringent glass of fresh pomegranate juice. Accessed via a cramped and winding stone staircase, the restaurant is basic, comprised of a smattering of simple wooden tables -- the one next to window overlooking the market is the best -– but its turquoise tiles and domed ceiling lend it an air of majesty. Pandeli, 1 Misir Carsisi, Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet; +90 212 527 390 Meze by Lemon Tree
Meze are small, appetizer-like dishes filled with local deliciousness. Most Turkish taverns and kebab restaurants feature a long list of these classics, from pureed eggplant and stuffed vine leaves to deniz börülcesi (samphire greens) and fava (mashed broad beans). Across from the historic Pera Palace Hotel, the chic Meze by Lemon Tree offers innovative creations that change with the seasons. Classics include sea bass ceviche and şaman bayıldı (fried sweet green pepper filled with cheese, pistachios and onion). There's rakı and a heart's desire of dishes to choose from. Meze by Lemon Tree, Asmalımescit Mahallesi Meşrutiyet Caddesi 83/B, Beyoğlu; +90 0212 252 83 02 Changa
If you're in search of Istanbul's most elegant, modern and chic restaurant, Changa is the place to go. The menu is contemporary Turkish and international, created by celebrity chef Peter Gordon with Changa's chef-owner Civan Er. Some say to starve yourself during the day then opt for the tasting menu for dinner. Changa, Sıraselviler Caddesi No. 47/1, Cihangir; +90 212 251 70 64 Ulus 29
Ulus 29 is an Istanbul classic, with great food, proper cocktails, stunning views of the Bosphorus and a wild club scene. In the upscale neighborhood of Ulus, far from the crowds of Taksim or the tourist spots of Sultanahmet, this trendy restaurant/bar/club serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine fusing international selections with Turkish specialties. Come for dinner, stay for the party. Ulus 29, Adnan Saygun Caddesi Ulus Parkı İçi, Ulus; +90 212 358 29 29 PoseidonPopular with Istanbul's beautiful people, the large deck area at this Bebek seafood restaurant floats above the waters of the Bosphorus, offering superb views of Bebek Marina -- the ideal setting in which to enjoy simple, fresh calamari, sea bass and whatever the catch of the day happens to be. Summer is the best time to visit, as the place goes al fresco, but food quality and atmosphere are guaranteed all year round. Poseidon, 58 Küçük bebek Cevdetpasa Caddesi, Bebek; +90 212 287 9531 The House CaféMost people won't have been in Istanbul for more than a day before they spot their first branch of The House Café -- there are 12 across Turkey -- but the 250-seat cafe in the art nouveau Misir Apartment building on the city's main shopping street, Istiklal Avenue is the most centrally located. Every city has a trusted franchise, and The House Café provides homey dishes, cooked to a consistently high standard in a relaxed environment. The décor is Istanbul's take on shabby chic and there's a semi-covered terrace that leans onto the main street. The menu includes excellent pizzas and salads, as well as a selection of more substantial dishes like steak, curry and risotto. But breakfast is where the kitchen excels with fantastic minced meat, chard and egg casserole. The House Cafe, 163 Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu; +90 212 251 7991 ZumaMany food-savvy globetrotters will have sampled Zuma's cosmopolitan twist on traditional Japanese izakaya cuisine -- there are branches in London, Hong Kong, Dubai, Miami and Bangkok -- but the Istanbul outpost is special. Located beside the waters of the Bosphorus and boasting a sake bar and lounge, a private jetty for guests arriving by boat, as well as a 140-seat water-side terrace, the setting is stunning, even by Istanbul's high standards. The ground floor restaurant serves a menu similar to Zuma's other branches, with the focus on high-end ingredients and innovative presentation and flavor combinations. There's a sushi counter and robata grill, as well. Zuma, 7 Salhane Sokak, Ortakoy; +90 212 236 2296    |
| World's hautest stays: 15 designer-branded hotels Posted: 25 Apr 2013 03:00 PM PDT They're the darlings of architecture and design publications, to say nothing of fashion magazines and Tripadvisor reviews. Although they remain relatively under the radar for luxury travelers (this may have to do with the fact that most aren't associated with loyalty programs even though they're run by the big hotel groups), fashion-branded hotels and suites are big business around the world. Australia's Palazzo Versace Queensland was the world's first fashion-branded hotel. It opened in 2000. Since then, other designers and fashion brands have followed suit on a smaller scale, with Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior and Diane von Furstenberg creating designer suites for large hotels. This designer hotel trend appears to be no fad. Now in its eighth year of construction, Palazzo Versace Dubai is one of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2014. Here are some of the hautest of haute hotel designs you can check out and check into. Armani Hotel Dubai
The Armani Hotel Dubai takes up 11 floors in the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest manmade structure. It has seven restaurants and a spa and eight different types of rooms and suites. The hotel upholds Armani's reputation for commitment to detail. Touches include everything from signature-scented bathrooms to an en suite gym for Armani Dubai Suite guests. A peek at Armani architecture plans reveals a perfect use of space -- both Armani hotels are housed in buildings shaped in an "A." Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; +971 4888 3888; from 2,000 dirhams ($550) per night Armani Hotel Milano
Armani's Milan hotel is designed along the same clean, minimalist lines as its Dubai sister property. Along with a stylish lounge, guests in the Presidential Suite have their own fully serviced cocktail bar. For those without personal bars, Armani/Bamboo Bar shows off double-volumed ceilings, louvered window walls and backlit onyx features. The hotel extends its superior service outside the hotel. The Culture Journey "lifestyle team" can round up tickets for museums, city tours and exhibition. At your request, they can also hunt down the best seats for the theater and opera, as well as prime tables at the hottest restaurants. Journey prices start from €1,410 ($1,830). Armani Hotel Milano, Via Manzoni 31, Milan, Italy; +39 02 8883 8888; from €495 ($640) per night Bulgari Resort Bali
Bulgari Resort Bali is a hedonist heaven. If you're not content with a private plunge pool (each villa has one), your personal butler can drive you to the infinity pool to mingle. Art buffs won't have to go far for a sense of Balinese culture. The resort displays a collection of Balinese antiques and art pieces. Furniture, decorative tableware and fabrics were designed and produced by local artists in collaboration with Bulgari architects. Bulgari Resort Bali, Jalan Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin, Uluwatu, Indonesia; +62 361 847 1000; rooms from $1,000 Bulgari Hotel London
Bulgari Hotel London pays tribute to the brand's silversmith origins. The hotel balances sleek silver architecture with chiseled marble. Silver-patterned silk curtains take inspiration from an 1800s silver brooch by Sotirio Bulgari. The rooms are no less stylish. Italian silks feature elaborate designs inspired by the Bulgari Chatelaine. The mini-bar is made to resemble a classic travel trunk. The hotel claims that its rooms and suites are the most spacious in town. One thing that isn't in dispute: it certainly has a fashionable address, surrounded by Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Bulgari Hotel London, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW; +44 0207 151 1010; from £510 ($780) per night Bulgari Hotel Milan
To sculpt the best designs, Bulgari Milan imports stone from Vicenza and Afyon, which is complemented by black marble from Zimbabwe. The result is a juxtiposition of textures throughout the hotel. A highlight of this urban hotel is the 4,000-square-meter private garden, an extension of the nearby Botanical Gardens. Available for patio dining and drinks, the lounge is a perfect place to watch Milan's most fashionable crowd. Bulgari Hotel Milan, via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7/b, Milano 20131, Italy; +39 02 805 8051; from €610 ($790) per night Dior Suite at St. Regis New York
The Dior Suite reflects Dior's avenue Montagne headquarters in Paris, with high ceilings, deeply carved crown moldings, wainscoting and ornate crystal chandelier. Living room furniture with white carved-wood framing and gold leaf accents is inspired by Louis XVI style. A dramatic chainmail chandelier and expansive map of Paris adorn the dining room. This is more than a just a pretty room. At guests' disposal: a personal butler and the St. Regis custom-designed Bentley. The city's best shops and attractions are a short ride away. St. Regis New York, 12/F, 2 E. 55th Ave., at Fifth Avenue, New York; +1 212 753 4500; suite from $9,500 Grand Piano Suite by DVF at Claridge's Mayfair, London
Iconic hotel meets iconic designer in London's fashion neighborhood. "Claridge's is the most glamorous hotel in the world," said Diane von Furstenberg when she was called to design the suite. The room displays photos taken by Diane von Furstenberg during her travels through Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. All glasswork is from Murano and boxes and trays are handcrafted from Bali. Claridge's Mayfair, 3/F, Brook Street, Mayfair, London; +44 (0)20 7629 8860; suite from £6,500 ($9,960) Grunewald by Karl Lagerfeld at Schlosshotel
Karl Lagerfeld originally designed Schlosshotel Im Grunewald's interior in the 1990s. The hotel kept original pieces from his designs through renovations in 2006, but the hotel's Grunewald Suite is the only suite fully furnished by Lagerfeld. "I love the idea of having a suite in Berlin that is totally furnished to my own personal taste," said Lagerfeld when he was first commissioned. The bathroom is the pièce de résistance. The romantic French-style bathroom is an artwork of handmade tiles and white marble floor. Schlosshotel, Brahmstrasse 10, Berlin 14193, Germany; +49 30 895840; suite from €2,000 ($2,600) Maison Moschino Milan
Moschino reinterpretes the neoclassical railway station by keeping the classic facade while giving interiors an imaginative twist. The 65-room boutique hotel takes inspiration from fairy tales, such as "Alice in Wonderland" and "Little Red Riding Hood." Alice's room is characterized by an oversized teacup table, while Little Red Riding Hood has a Big Bad Wolf print sitting on the bed. Maison Moschino Milan, Viale Monte Grappa 12, Milan, Italy; +39 02 2900 9858; from €159 ($205) per night Missoni Edinburgh
In an often-gloomy city, Missoni's bright colors can be a cheerful change. "We wanted the Edinburgh hotel to be unmistakably Missoni in its mixing of color, pattern and furniture," said the brand's co-founder Rosita Missoni when the hotel opened. Circular couches and deep soaking tubs mark Missoni's stylish-meets-ergonomic design. Guest favorites include Missoni brand bathrobes and towels, as well as slippers and toiletries. Missoni Edinburgh, 1 George IV Dridge, Edinburgh, Scotland; +44 0131 220 6666; from £90 ($140) per night Missoni Kuwait
This is one of the few fashion-branded hotels that fits a lower budget. The cheaper price tag doesn't mean compromising quality though. Recent guests have raved to us about how staff members remember names, where guests prefer to sit and their tea/coffee orders. Top-notch service also includes complimentary valet and airport pick-up. Missoni brand indulgences -- bathrobes, towels, toiletries, slippers-- are at the ready near the Missoni striped swimming pool. The hotel's gold, turquoise and mosaic stylings reflect Kuwait's desert and sea. Missoni Kuwait, Symphony Complex, Gulf Road, Salmiya, Kuwait; +965 2577 0000; from KWD 63 ($220) per night Palazzo Versace Dubai
Palazzo Versace Dubai's 2014 opening will bring an oasis of old world tradition to the new world-class city. Gold details will be featured through hotel ceilings, with an oversized chandelier lighting up the foyer. The designs merge classic European palace style with Arabic elements. Motifs such as the Greek key and Medusa head are used throughout the furniture, flooring and fabrics. A preview of Palazzo Dubai's showroom reveals a lighter color palette than is employed at its Versace Queensland counterpart. The 214 rooms will be styled with Donnatella Versace-designed furniture. Guests can enjoy Rosenthal Versace tableware inside the suites with their room service. Palazzo Versace Dubai, Dubai Creek, Culture Village, Dubai; +971 4 409 2900 Palazzo Versace Queensland
Palazzo Versace reflects the environment that inspired Gianni Versace when he founded the fashion house in 1978. Hand-crafted mosaics feature iconic meander, Medusas, cornucopias and Greco-Roman decorative borders. An antique chandelier that once shone in the grand State Library of Milan winks at the gold hand details on vaulted ceilings. To please fashionable guests, the world's first fashion-branded hotel recently launched Fashionista High Tea in the lobby bar. The set incorporates the trends, colors and designs inspired by Versace's latest collection. The Couture Champagne upgrade features a glass of Dom Perignon with brightly glazed eclairs, macarons, white chocolate mouse clouds and Bakewell tarts (AU$110 ($124)). Palazzo Versace Queensland, Sea World Drive, Main Beach, Australia; +61 7 5509 8000; from AU$332 ($350) per night Portrait Suites Rome
You want a Ferrari to cruise in, but don't know where to find one? The Portrait Suite's lifestyle team can plan a vacation as extravagant as your wallet will stretch. The tribute hotel to Ferragamo adds wonderful touches of nostalgia. Receipts from Marilyn Monroe and golden-era celebs are displayed showing what they paid for their Ferragamo shoes. Guests love the Honor Bar. No chance of losing your wallet after a few drinks here. Wine, spirits, liquor and straight-up booze are available for you to fix yourself a drink. The bills are added to room tabs after patrons honorably report what they've had to drink. Portrait Suites Rome, Via Rocca di Leone, 23, Rome; +39 06 6938 0742; from €620 ($800) per night More on CNN: World's 15 most expensive hotel suites Tortuga Bay at Punta Cana Resort and Club by Oscar de la Renta
Tortuga Bay stands out amid Punta Cana's resorts and hotels for its high design. Oscar de la Renta uses a palette of natural island colors with authentic combinations of wicker and wood furnishings and luxurious Frette linens. It's far from stuck-up though. The friendly staff are always happy to help, especially in finding ways to skip airport lines. Your villa manager is only a phone call away, the complimentary cell phone available should you need anything from transportation to nanny services. Punta Cana Resort and Club, Higüey, Dominican Republic; +809 959 2262; from $820 per night    |
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