Ritz-Carlton deals for STARS guests

Ritz-Carlton Central Park — third night free. With an ideal location in the middle of Central Park South at 6th Avenue, Deluxe Park View rooms offer an outstanding view over Central Park. Valid through March 5.

Ritz-Carlton Battery Park third night free + guaranteed upgrade to the Club Level at time of booking. Offered from December 17 - March 31 (excluding New Years Eve). The hotel offers views of the Statue of Liberty from its Harbor Rooms.

Ritz-Carlton Boston Commons offers an upgrade at booking from January 1 - March 31. The hotel is located steps from the Boston Commons.

Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC offers an upgrade at booking to Club Level from a Deluxe room. Available through January 31 for visitors to our Nation's Capital.

Hotel Arts Barcelona offers an upgrade at booking into an Executive Suite from January 1 - March 31. The hotel is right by the Mediterranean Sea in the area of the old Olympic village.

These are just the highlights of current specials available for STARS guests. In addition to these Ritz Carlton deals, value-added amenities and VIP service is available everyday to every STARS guest at every Ritz-Carlton hotel in the world, including a complimentary daily breakfast for two for rooms booked at the best available flexible rate. Ritz-Carlton is always a value option for the luxury conscious traveler.

Ritz Carlton deals (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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Boston | a fun city to visit

I recently spent two nights in Boston — at either end of a quick trip to Iceland — and had the chance to experience several of Boston's luxury hotels in the course of my visit.

Ritz Carlton Boston Commons. I spent a night at this beautiful property at the southeast corner of the Boston Commons. My room looked out over the commons with an incredible view of the autumn leaves ... and even a glimpse of the Massachusetts State House with the sun glistening on its golden dome. My deluxe room was large (425 sq. ft.), comfortable, and well equipped for the business traveler with a desk large enough for two users, two ethernet ports (not to mention wireless internet), a 42" flat screen television, and a large marble bathroom with separate stall shower and tub. The hotel has an immense Sports Club that occupies two entire floors; hotel guests can use it for $15 per day. For a most special treat, book a Luxury Park View Suite. This 1100 square foot residence — with a study, a living room (with pullout sofa bed), and Master Bedroom — features a dead-on view of the Boston Commons. Virtuoso amenities include an upgrade if available upon arrival, daily continental breakfast for two, and a complimentary lunch for two ... all at the Best Available Rate.

Mandarin Oriental Boston is a brand new hotel connected to the Prudential Center. This property is very convenient to high-end shopping opportunities on Boylston and Newbury Streets and is well located in the commercial center of Boston. We had dinner at Asana, the hotel's Asian-fusion restaurant that uses organic seasonal New England ingredients. In addition to featuring a "chef's table" at which guests can watch Chef Nicolas Boutin at work, the restaurant has a unique, glass-enclosed cheese room. The rooms at the Mandarin Oriental are large with a huge WOW factor, and the hotel's new spa is gorgeous. The Mandarin Oriental has applied for Virtuoso status, and it plans to offer Virtuoso amenities at the Best Available Rate; amenities are said to include a $100 spa credit per room in addition to an upgrade if available at time of check in and daily breakfast for two.

Boston Harbor Hotel is a landmark hotel on the waterfront overlooking historic Boston Harbor. Located just 10 minutes from Logan airport, this is a luxurious alternative to the in-terminal Hilton Hotel. I spent a night in a Deluxe Junior Suite (and easily made my 8 a.m. flight the next morning). The room featured elegant, traditional styling with rich drapery fabrics, silk wallpaper, and molded woodwork and crown mouldings. I especially liked the color scheme which was a tasteful blend of creme, green, gold, and red. The room features a marble bathroom and a very comfortable king bed with a soft pillow-top. Virtuoso guests receive a Full American Breakfast (through room service, if you wish) and a $50 hotel credit.

To take advantage of the complimentary Virtuoso amenities, just book through a Virtuoso travel consultant.

Boston's luxury hotels (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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