5 -Star Luxury My Top 5 Needs

If you have been  thinking of spending some extra money to stay at a luxury five-star hotel. Do it!, you deserve to be spoiled, live in luxury, and have your needs met before you even know that you need anything.

Les Sources de Caudalie, located among the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Graves great growth, was established in 1999.

Les Sources de Caudalie- France

I have come up with my list of 5 areas that I feel set different hotels apart, and make the experience even that much better. It’s pretty simple for the top hotels to do, and it’s the small attention to details and service that have made the difference to me.

Esperanza Cabo San Lucas Mexico Situated on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, this luxury resort is 19 km from downtown Los Cabos. It features a beachfront infinity pool, spa boutique, and free yoga sessions.

Esperanza Cabo San Lucas Mexico 

Of course there are certain things that some five-star hotels can offer that others can’t based on location, time of year, and staff.

Here are some of the things that easily enhance the experience that I notice right away, and really set the tone of luxury and attention to detail that you should expect.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE Bathroom

Bathroom

Let’s start with the bathroom. Do they have two sinks? Also they should have that simple little lighted make-up mirror a good sign if they do. Also a scale is something I have come to expect, 2 warm cozy robes, slippers (sometimes found in the closet), Q-tips, cotton pads, lip balm, body wash, nail care items, sewing kit, bottled water, loads of extra cozy towels, soaps, body wash shampoos, conditioner, body cream, real décor silver, glass items in the bathroom, and a double shower head. A must is a real hairdryer, extra combs and now they even have small airline size plastic bags that you can take home your unused items.

Le Meurice has been ranked among the most elegant hotels in the world

Le Meurice Paris 

Closet

In the closet I like to find extra hangers wood ones that actual come off the racks, they should also have many soft cloth hangers, extra pillows, extra warm cozy blankets,  and yes I like to find a iron, and extra luggage rack. How great is it to have a safe that’s actually large enough for my laptop and a safe that has plugs in it – excellent!

The Minibar and refrigerator

It’s great to find fresh and healthy items these days in your room, so hotels will have some cheese and fruit waiting for you. In the minibar some healthy items are a big plus and a nice selection of sweet and salty items. Coffee makers stocked with the right condiments and extra tea, coffee.

Wynn Las Vagas

Wynn Las Vagas

Wynn Las Vagas

Wynn Las Vagas

 

Concierge & Staff

Above all the hotel staff can make or break your experience. A concierge who knows how to communicate, is helpful, and offers great suggestions is worth their weight in gold. Anyone who comes into your room, from housekeeping in the day, to the room turndown service at night. Bellhops, maintenance personal, room service servers, those who are warm and friendly bring comfort and value to your stay.

Other Amenities

The Peninsula Beverly Hills is a luxury hotel at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard

The Peninsula Beverly Hills 

Round the clock room service, laundry service, 24 hour fitness center with water, towels, magazine, and juice.

http://magazine.fourseasons.com/immersive-travel/signature-sleep

Four Seasons Magazine

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The Grand Del Mar San Diego

A few more of my top choices —

Villa D Este Via Regina 40 Lake Como Cernobbio CO 22012 Italy 1-855-201-7819

Grand Hotel Timeo     Teatro Greco 59, 98039 Taormina, Italy

Four Seasons Hotels Nevis,Florence,Haulalai,Chicago, New York, Whistler

Hotel Le Meurice Paris, France

The Peninsula Hotels – Chicago, Beverly Hills

 

St. Regis Florence – The Grand Hotel

Feel free to contact me on Twitter @BethRosen

and next week I will be covering each hotel in more detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Packing Tips – 1 Bag – 3 Weeks – 5 Tips

Easy Packing Tips

Easy Packing Tips

Having twin boys in their junior year of college on a study abroad program has always been a dream of mine. Making one son study 4 years of French in high school, and the other Spanish has paid off. I’m off to Europe to visit one son in Paris and the other in Barcelona.

They are going to be my tour guides, I’m taking trains and small local planes to visit them. I was able to save a lot of money on my flights by being very flexible with my dates.

I’m traveling very frugal and light, I have to…did I mention I have twins doing study abroad?

Here are some easy packing trips, that will keep you in style, on time, warm, and your luggage bag light enough you can carry it.

1. Try to look for big space in a smaller bags, you can find many that are sturdy and have plenty  of room. I packed this same amount in a carry on Osprey ,  as in this a light to check American Tourister bag.

Osprey luggage

Osprey luggage

This is a carry on..it fit as much as my checked bag...

This is a carry on..it fit as much as my checked bag…

American Tourister iLite

American Tourister iLite

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2. Use a packing cube or old fashion Zip plastic style bag. The key to fitting a lot in was I used  many of those zip plastic bags to put my clothes in and suck the air out, I looked for clothes that I can layer, rinse and wash, and I wore my heavy items on the plane.

This all fit easy in both bags - Use Zip Plastic Bags to squeeze out air, save room

This all fit easy in both bags – Use Zip Plastic Bags to squeeze out air, save room

3.  Stick to a color plan, but bring a few bright items to beak it up, dress it up, and layer on.

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4. Should you go with the roll or fold? I say it depends on the item. I fold my jeans smash them in a Zip  plastic bag, squeeze out the air and they are flat. If you try to roll the jeans they can take up a lot of room. I will save items to roll and pack in the sides and in-between items. I also will roll shoes together and again place in a plastic zip bag, and they will slide just about anyplace you need them to fit.

Zip Lock Bags, lot's of items I can layer

Zip Lock Bags, lot’s of items I can layer

5. Pop some color and fun with an extra sweater, or fun accessories like scarves, hats, hair items, belts, sunglasses, earrings, have fun they are easy to fit in small spaces but can bring a big impact.

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