We’ve zigzagged across the country—from New York to Napa—to find a handful of classy properties ideal for your most discriminating clients.
metropolitan by COMO, miami beach
doors opened: March 2014
The Allure: “Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach,” says Javier Beneyto, the property’s general manager, “is a haven of tranquility for those visiting South Florida. The hotel offers the most discerning guest a ‘cocoon’ within one of America’s most exciting cities. Many travelers often look to relax in privacy, within a peaceful and secluded environment that is away from the busy crowds and nightlife South Beach is known for. Our guests can experience a type of ‘barefoot elegance’ that is encapsulated by a quintessential excellence in hospitality from COMO. Our service ethos is ‘back to basics’ with a focus on the simple pleasures that people expect from a hotel, such as an exceptional cup of coffee and pastry in the morning. The most fundamental traditions provided in a hotel stay are often overlooked and we aim to bring this back to the guest experience. Furthermore, Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach perfectly complements the experience offered by the company’s sister property in the Caribbean—the private island resort of Parrot Cay by COMO in Turks and Caicos.”
The Trappings: Art Deco architecture is synonymous with Miami Beach and this boutique property does not disappoint when it comes to paying homage to that swanky era. The 74 guestrooms are wrapped in a 1939 pre-war Art Deco building and the interior decor is a nod to this aesthetically pleasing period with pastel colors and understated furnishings that allow the building’s architectural details to take center stage. The backdrop to all this elegance is the Atlantic Ocean—it offers an idyllic natural playground and envelops the property with a sun-splashed vibe. Room categories run from the City View Rooms (330-392 sq. ft.) and the Metropolitan Ocean View Rooms (394-436 sq. ft.), some of which come with private balconies, to the 1,113-sq.-ft. COMO Suite (there’s only one, so it’s quite coveted), an apartment-style accommodation offering a bedroom, separate living and dining room areas, 1.5 bathrooms, kitchenette and large closet space (the suite can be converted to a 2- or 3-bedroom accommodation with connecting rooms). Peek inside the bathroom and you’ll find COMO Shambhala amenities, a nice complement to the rainfall showers. Bites from the sea can be had at the onsite Traymore Restaurant, which incorporates the company’s signature COMO Shambhala healthful cuisine; and for those who love savoring gin, Miami Beach’s first gin club is located at Traymore Bar with monthly events and tastings. This being a COMO property, there’s no question clients will want to try out the intimate COMO Shambhala Urban Escape facility with Asian-based therapies, as well as the hotel’s rooftop hydrotherapy pool.
Recommend: Guests should try the COMO Shambhala wellness juices, served in the restaurant and pool bar. The ingredients in each juice combine to provide therapeutic benefits, according to the hotel’s press material.
Done Deal: Rates for a City View Room start at $255 per night and go up to $469. The COMO Suite ranges from $1,699 to $2,199.
Get in Touch: (855) 316-2666; comohotels.com/metropolitanmiamibeach
park hyatt new york
doors opened: August 2014
The Allure: “From its inception,” says area v.p. and general manager, Walter Brindell, “the hotel’s features, services and amenities were thoughtfully crafted with the discerning luxury traveler in mind. Located on one of the most exclusive blocks in Manhattan steps away from Central Park, Park Hyatt New York offers guests a one-of-a-kind, authentic New York City experience, offering exclusive experiences entirely unique to the hotel through our partnerships with New York’s cultural icons, including Carnegie Hall, MoMA, Central Park Conservancy and Sotheby’s, among others.”
The Trappings: Dressed up in muted hues of gray, brown and beige that play off the natural light that streams into the property, Park Hyatt New York is the epitome of understated elegance. Pleasing-to-the-eye details include natural stone flooring and museum-quality artwork, as well as Italian linens and some of the best views in the city. Here, 11 different room types make themselves at home in 210 guestrooms, including 92 suites. The suite categories range from the 811-sq.-ft. Park Junior Suite to the 2,239-sq.-ft. Presidential Suite, with lots of goodies thrown in such as a two-sink vanity and heated floors in the bathroom, Rivolta Carmignani linens, spacious living room, a powder room and panoramic views of 58th Street. Exploring the hotel means getting pampered at the 6-treatment room Spa Nalai, which offers the International Series, a limited inventory seasonal menu inspired by Park Hyatt spas globally; or people-watching at The Living Room, a lounge that hotel insiders say gives guests the impression they’re hanging out in a well-appointed New York apartment. For clients who want to start their evening on a cultural and culinary high, recommend they dine at The Back Room at One57, an intimate American grill with views of Carnegie Hall.
Recommend: Tell your clients to take advantage of the property’s location near New York City’s top cultural venues—there’s nothing else like it in the world.
Done Deal: Nightly rates begin at $795 per night.
Get in Touch: (646) 774-1234; parkhyattnewyork.com or hyatttravelagents.com
the godfrey hotel chicago
doors opened: February 2014
The Allure: “What makes The Godfrey Hotel Chicago a unique choice for visitors is our focus on providing what we call ‘tech plus touch’—the combination of high-quality textiles, linens, furnishings, etc., along with high-tech amenities, like free WiFi throughout the property, our digital concierge board in the lobby, the ability to confirm your room in advance through a mobile app, and control your LED TV with your mobile phone, among others,” says director of sales and marketing Adam Schomaker. “These qualities, along with our focus on service—from the moment you walk in the door through to the moment we say good bye at the end of your stay—Godfrey offers the perfect alliance of organic and inorganic offerings.”
The Trappings: The Cubist-inspired building that The Godfrey Hotel Chicago calls home is an architectural stunner. This bit of eye-candy, located in Chicago’s art gallery district of River North, lures the artsy set, whose first encounter with the interior is a chic white marble lobby with a recessed ceiling and ample natural light. Within, there are 221 rooms, including 182 standard guestrooms, 12 Executive King rooms and 27 One-Bedroom Suites. All are decorated in a sophisticated style, with pops of color and imaginative art pieces. The star attraction on-property, however, is the I|O Urban Roofscape that is said to be the largest indoor-outdoor lounge and bar space in the city. The space offers south-facing skyline views, a retractable roof, and a Midwest menu, as well as The Champagne RI|OT brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. After exploring Chicago, guests can opt for an in-room spa treatment or slip into the intimate 2-treatment room Spa Boutique.
Recommend: Order something from The Cocktails from the Kitchen menu, which brings the back of the bar into the kitchen with chef Riley Huddleston utilizing scientific methods such as pH testing and molecular gastronomy to bring an element of surprise to classic cocktails, which are offered by the pitcher.
Done Deal: Rates start at $254.44.
Get in Touch: (312) 649-2000; godfreyhotelchicago.com
SLS las vegas
doors opened: August 2014
The Allure: “At SLS Las Vegas, guests can experience the finest dining and one-of-a-kind entertainment in an approachable setting perfectly fitting for Las Vegas,” says Rob Oseland, president & COO of SLS Las Vegas. “One of the ways SLS Las Vegas raises the bar with luxury is that everyone is treated like a VIP. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy, and we’re proud to be able to deliver outstanding service and create memorable experiences for our guests every day.”
The Trappings: Whimsical. That’s SLS Las Vegas in a nutshell. Where else can you expect to see portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn blowing giant pink bubble gum bubbles; or have esoteric writings swirl around you while dancing the night away (at Foxtail); or feast on ginormous pancakes and French toast (at The Griddle Cafe)? The SLS Las Vegas delivers the hip factor in spades—one of the masterminds behind the fabulousness is, of course, creative director Philippe Starck. Imaginative, creative, with a New York sense of style, the 1,600 accommodations, which are dispersed throughout three towers—Lux, Story and World—each offer a different decor concept that will have clients blowing up their Instagram accounts. SLS Las Vegas pays homage to the property that previously stood in the very same spot, the famed Sahara Hotel & Casino, with playful art pieces and imaginative carpeting that showcase supersized images of icons with ties to the Sahara (watch out you don’t step on Sir Sean Connery’s face). SLS Las Vegas also treats the palate with an array of dining options that range from a carnivorous feast at Bazaar Meat to Asian goodies at Ku Noodle. Nightlife? Um, this is Vegas, so take your pick from a trio of nightclubs; and for those who want to party while soaking in the sun, there are two poolside lounges. And after all that partying, guests can calm the nerves at the 10-treatment room Ciel Spa, which features custom massage beds equipped with music
therapy technology.
Recommend: Save your appetite for lunch at The Griddle Cafe, where you can have breakfast for lunch (or dinner, or even breakfast with 24/7 hours). We’re talking Banananana pancakes served with panCAKE boozy shakes (yes, you read right, shakes with booze).
Done Deal: Rates start at $109.
Get in Touch: (855) 761-7757; slslasvegas.com
SENZA, a napa valley retreat
doors opened: September 2014
The Allure: “SENZA, A Napa Valley Retreat is a unique property providing contemporary luxurious accommodations,” say owners Craig and Kathryn Hall. “Our hope is to share the essence of beautiful Napa Valley with our guests, bringing together wine, food, art and, most importantly, a peaceful vineyard setting.”
The Trappings: With just 41 rooms—18 of them suites—intimacy and exclusivity is key here. Don’t be surprised if your clients come back from a stay at this 2-acre property feeling as if they’ve just visited an old friend’s residence in Napa Valley. Formerly known as La Residence, this Napa Valley retreat encompasses five main buildings including the SENZA House, Hall Building, Walt Building, Cellar House and Parker Mansion, all surrounded by breathtaking vineyard views. During the renovations, eight rooms in the historic Parker Mansion, which was built in 1870, were updated, and 15 guestrooms were completely remodeled. Also, those aforementioned 18 suites are new and offer private patios—the better to take in the green-soaked surrounding landscape. Guests ease into the day with complimentary breakfast by Bouchon and in the evenings, they can enjoy complimentary local wine paired with artisanal cheese. Other new goodies include a heated outdoor pool with cabanas and a new outdoor fireplace; and the Riposa Center offers a full spa.
Recommend: Sit back and take in the stunning vineyard setting—it’s incomparable.
Done Deal: Rates start at $379.
Get in Touch: (800) 253-0382; senzahotel.com
