The Westin Copley Boston is debuting a new guest room renovation by Spring 2011, and today we got a sneak preview of Room 2222, the room that shows off the newest look.

Hope you enjoyed the preview, let us know what you think!

Four Seasons Chicago, Lobby Experience

Chicago is well known for its luxury hotels, as the Windy City is home to the Four Seasons Chicago, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Peninsula Chicago and numerous others.  The Four Seasons Chicago and The Ritz-Carlton Chicago are sister properties, both located off Chicago’s Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue)  Although normally competitors, these two hotels enjoy a unique relationship as they are both managed by Four Seasons (a relationship started when Four Seasons founder Isadore Sharp licensed Ritz Carlton’s name for his first U.S. property)  Both hotels have recently unveiled renovations that have added contemporary touches while preserving their timeless elegance and unparalleled reputation.

Four Seasons Chicago:

The Four Seasons Chicago offers a unique guest room experience, with guest rooms occupying floors 32-46 (an almost unseen feature, as most newer hotels position guest rooms on lower floors, and residences on higher floors)  Regardless of where you are in the hotel, you are certain to benefit from a stellar view.  We were particularly pleased with our lake & Michigan Avenue view (which can enjoyed in most Odd Numbered Rooms)  Deluxe Four Seasons Executive Suites, Located in the “25″ series of the hotel, offer perhaps the very best views in the hotel.

Four Seasons Chicago has transformed the guest room experience into something more contemporary (from its once more traditional past) offering a warm array of colors and smart furnishings.  Perhaps our favorite feature (which can be experienced in any Four Seasons hotel) is the oh so comfortable bed.  What’s better than a truly divine bed?… How about a divine bed with a view?  Four Seasons Executive Suites and Deluxe Executive Suites feature a larger layout with a separate living room and bedroom area.  If you’re traveling with your family, be certain to request an Executive Suite on Floors 30 or 31, as select suites feature unique floor plans with Kitchens as well as 1.5 baths.  These floors were also last to be renovated, and feature a different decor from the rest of the hotel. (See photos below)

Four Seasons Executive Suite, 1 King Bed, Separate Living Room & Bedroom Area  (Room Number 3111)

Four Seasons Executive Suite, Lake & City View  (Room Number 3111)

The Four Seasons Chicago features an unrivaled guest room experience (perhaps with the exception of The Ritz-Carlton Chicago) as well as a long list of amenities and services designed for the savvy business or leisure traveler.  Among the many features you may enjoy include an expansive Fitness Center & Spa, Indoor Pool, Elevator Access to the adjacent 900 Shops Mall as well as Season Restaurant.

Detailed Guest Room Information @ TripKick.com

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel:

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, located just across the street from the Four Seasons, offers a luxurious hotel experience with a more traditional approach.  Guest rooms have been modified with a more contemporary scheme, however they still retain a more conservative (albeit indulgent) design.  Guest rooms also benefit from fantastic views (perhaps more Lake oriented than the Four Seasons guest rooms) Similarities include the Four Seasons Bed, as well as all of the other amenities you will find at the Ritz-Carlton’s sister property.  While the Four Seasons felt more understated (and perhaps even a bit more quiet & private), The Ritz-Carlton offers an expansive lobby with a traditional layout.

Guest Rooms Ending in 01-07 as well as 29-33 Feature spectacular Lake Views.

Detailed Guest Room Information @ TripKick.com

Ritz-Carlton Suite, 1 King Bed, Separate Living & Bedroom Area  (Room Number 2707)

Lobby

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has recently debuted its newest brand: Andaz.  Taken from the Hindi word “Andaz” it means “personal style” or “stylish”  And Stylish it is.  Formerly the Hyatt West Hollywood, Andaz West Hollywood is nearly unrecognizable for those who have stayed here before; its stunning arrival experience will lead you to believe you’re in an entirely new hotel.  And this isn’t too far from the truth either- in fact Andaz has used very little of the old framework, essentially transforming it into a new hotel.

Andaz takes a new approach by delivery everything a luxury minded traveler might desire in a contemporary hotel experience.  Yes you could say that Andaz competes with the W Hotels of the world, but the mentality seems to be quite different.  Upon arriving the Andaz West Hollywood you are quickly greeted by one of the many personal lobby hosts, a rare yet sought after touch that few other hotels in the world seem to do right.  Gone are the front desks you might traditionally find at the check-in process.  Instead, you are pleasantly welcomed and seated in the lobby area with a laptop savvy attendant, who will later become your personal host for anything you might need throughout your stay.  The sound of “White or Red Wine?” was so much more welcoming than the traditional “Last name please?” approach you typically find.  While sipping on a glass of California Wine (of course a reminder of you where you are…) your credit card and personal details are taken, and keys are issued.  We’re told that these lobby hosts are trained to sense whether a guest is wanting to get to their room quickly (ie. late arriving business travelers) In either case, we loved the check-in.

Wine Reception Area

Andaz West Hollywood has made substantial changes to the guest room experience, and created a contemporary yet sophisticated atmosphere that echoes the hotel’s chic surroundings.  For those rooms in the “View” category (Rooms Ending in “05-19″), what were once balconies have now become enclosed sitting areas with floor to ceiling windows.  An ingenious idea, not only did View category rooms pick up some extra space, but they make these rooms feel more “suite-like” offering an extra place to sit and take in the view.  Bathrooms have been newly outfitted with white carera marble, walk-in glass showers and new vanity areas.  Albeit a tad bit small, the bathrooms are exceptionally well appointed and feature exclusive bath amenities and Frette towels & bathrobes.

View Room, 2 Queen Beds (Room Number 1106)

For those of you who always complain about outrageous mini-bar charges, you’ll love that Andaz includes all non-alcoholic mini-bar items at no charge.  Us Trip Kickers almost always make a “snack & water” run once we arrive at our hotel, but Andaz provides this for you on a complimentary basis.  Items include sodas, large bottled waters, juices & mixers as well as a generous offering of snacks- all replenished daily. Kudos to Andaz for making this a brand standard.

For those who are discerning about the hotel bedding experience, you will love the Andaz Bed.  Outfitted in nothing but the best, Frette Linens of course- you’re certain to fall in love.  Other impressive guest room features include larger flat panel televisions, bedside iPod docks and a second television in the window sitting area (View Rooms Only) 

For those who desire a bit more space along with a prime corner location, The Andaz Suites (Rooms Ending in “05″ and “19″) are a wonderful option.  Andaz Suites benefit from fantastic views of Los Angeles, as well as a generously sized room with a separate living room & bedroom area.  Andaz Suites feature hand picked local art along with custom furnishings and 2 Full Bathrooms (a rare feature even for suites)  The Sunset Suite (Room Number 1420) offers an impressive space and an outdoor terrace with fantastic Hollywood views.  The Sunset Suite features a separate bedroom and living room, and boasts features such as a walk-in closet, upgraded bathroom with Walk-In Glass Shower & Separate Deep Soaking Tub along with views of the city.  In case you’re in the mood for entertaining, The Sunset Suite also features a wet-bar area and second half bath.

Andaz Suite, 1 King Bed  (Room Number 419)

Sunset Suite, 1 King Bed (Room Number 1420)

Feel like taking a quick break from the action on the Sunset Strip?  Andaz features a rooftop deck with stunning city views, if you aren’t going to take a swim- at least check out the view.  During appropriate seasons, rooftop bar service is available.

Rooftop Pool Area

Classically trained in France, Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault has debuted RH Restaurant at the Andaz West Hollywood.  RH offers a breathtaking open kitchen design, along with a menu selection that will impress even the most sophisticated palette.  Archambault features some unique offerings along with a few classics as well, all perfectly executed in a hearty yet contemporary fashion.  After enjoying dinner, segway into the RH Bar, a vibrant setting on the Sunset Strip with a fun and exciting atmosphere.  

RH Restaurant, Open Kitchen Design

The Andaz West Hollywood offers personal style, personal service and impeccable design in a concept that we truly loved.  We can see how this brand will quickly catch on for those travelers who not only seek cool design, but personalized service to go along with it.  It’s often the little things that make for a memorable hotel experience, and Andaz has scored big points for those of us who seek a luxurious experience in a cool package.

Find the Andaz West Hollywood by Clicking Here & Get Find More Information About Which Rooms to Request

Riviera’s Lobby Area

The Riviera Resort & Spa is located just minutes from the Palm Springs Downtown Area, offering all the benefits of a resort while maintaining a close convenient location to city shopping and dining.  The Riviera originally opened in 1959, and quickly became one of the deserts most popular resorts.

In 2008, The “Riv” as it’s called by many, reopened after having completed a massive $70 million renovation.  The Riviera preserved its “Spoke Style” design, maintaining an intimate feel despite having over 400 guest rooms and suites.  The entire resort design contains over 8 Guest Room buildings in total, covering nearly 25 acres of land in the middle of Palm Springs.  The Riviera choose to design the hotel in keeping with its retro past, while incorporating fun contemporary touches throughout.

Guest Rooms:

Nearly half of Riviera’s guest rooms are “Mediterranean Rooms”, Trip Kick’s favorite guest room type.  These rooms are located in the “Spoke Design” of the resort, with close proximity to the main pool as well as the resort Spa, Fitness Center, Main Restaurant and Lobby.  The Mediterranean Room category acts more like a suite, as they feature a distinctive sitting area, oversized bathroom with deep soaking tub and separate glass shower.  Furthermore, Mediterranean Rooms all feature balconies or walk-out patios, some with fantastic mountain views.  Other room types include “Riviera Rooms” the resorts standard category, also generously sized, but do not offer the separate shower/tub feature, and balconies upon request.  Riviera’s Suites are dynamite, ranging in size from 600 square feet +.  Some suites feature fantastic outdoor areas with fire pits as well as outdoor private jacuzzi’s (One Bedroom Starlite Suites)

Mediterranean Room, 1 King Bed (Room Number 3112)

Starlite One-Bedroom Suite, 1 King Bed (Room Number 3100)

One-Bedroom Marquee Suite Mountain View, 1 King Bed (Room Number 4309)

The Pools:

Riviera offers two swimming pools, each with its own vibe.  The “Deep End” pool is located in a quieter area of the resort, offering a more intimate pool experience.  The Main Pool however is the focal point of the 6 “Spoke Buildings” and is center to the resort’s main bar area and within close proximity to the Riviera’s main restaurant: Circa 59.  The Main Pool is surrounded by a fantastic bar (day or night) as well as several fire pits for those sometimes cold Palm Springs nights.

Main Pool Area

Circa 59 Restaurant:

Riviera’s main restaurant is Circa 59, which is centrally located between the Lobby and Guest Room buildings.  Circa 59 takes a modern approach to dining and has just unveiled an enitrely new menu experience which features a wide range of contemporary American selections, as well as a few exotic choices too.  Already well received by locals (a good sign for a hotel restaurant) Circa 59 has a stand alone reputation for offering some of the finest entree selections in Palm Springs.  A charming yet sophisticated evening dining atmosphere coupled with great food makes Circa 59 a great spot for romantic occassions or even dining with the family.  Circa 59’s setting is a must see at night, offering both indoor and outdoor seating (poolside of course) as well as a “hybrid” of the two, with a half indoor/half outdoor setting.  Menu selections include an “Asian Pear Salad”, “Braised Shortribs” (our personal favorite) and several other savory choices.

Circa 59 Resaurant

Palm Springs has become an overwhelmingly popular destination for many, and there are a wide variety of hotel and resort choices available.  The Riviera combines a true resort experience with the convenience of Downtown Palm Springs.  A recent renovation has elevated the Riviera to once again being a world class resort that will appeal to the contemporary minded traveler.  Guest rooms and suites are thoughtfully designed and include features that we admire, most notably a wonderful bathroom experience as well as bright, modern design tones.  Information on Riviera’s best rooms will be available soon, stay tuned.

Park Deluxe Room Category  (Room Number 317)

Washington D.C. has a wide array of hotel offerings that appeal to all types of personalities.  Generally however, hotels in the District are traditional in style, and the lack the daring contemporary personality that you might see in other cities.

Last weekend we had an opportunity to stay at The Park Hyatt Washington D.C., a place where style and personality are simply stunning.  Hyatt’s ‘Park’ collection of hotels compete with the likes of Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton properties, and provide unique locations with upgraded amenities and service.  The Park Hyatt Washington offers dramatic design by famed architect Tony Chi, a transformation which was completed in 2006.

Lobby Space and the Tea Cellar

Park Hyatt’s renovation dramatically transformed this property into a hotel masterpiece, featuring an impressive collection of contemporary appointments and an amenity list that would impress any hotel aficionado.  The Park Hyatt Washington features the Blue Duck Tavern Restaurant, a contemporary American Dining experience, as well as the Tea Cellar, an ideal location for afternoon tea, cheeses or a creative cocktail.

Tea Cellar

Blue Duck Tavern Restaurant

The guest room experience at Park Hyatt Washington is simply exquisite.  The hotel has a large number of “suite-like” accommodations, The Park Deluxe Category Room, which offers a spacious 600 square foot space with a division between the bedroom and living room.  Most notably however, the Park Deluxe rooms feature “spa inspired’ bathrooms which are not only spacious, but offer an open shower concept along with a separate deep soaking bathtub.  We can easily say that these are some of the best hotel bathrooms available in North America.  The standard category rooms, Park King & Park Twin Rooms, also offer a comfortable 400 square feet of space, with a more traditional bathroom layout.  Regardless of your room selection, you will be impressed with the meticulous attention to detail, museum quality knick knacks and a bed that is simply amazing.  Quality was paramount for the renovation in 2006, and few details were overlooked.

Park King Room  (Room Number 314)

Park Deluxe Room  (Room Number 317)

The Park Hyatt Washington boasts an excellent location, within walking distance to Georgetown and several other notable sites throughout the District.  When looking for utmost style, attention to detail, and a truly fantastic guest room experience, The Park Hyatt Washington delivers.  Make sure to book and request the Park Deluxe Category and you won’t be disappointed.

The Park Hyatt Washington D.C. TripKick.com Profile

The Four Seasons San Francisco is hardly and oldtimer.  Built in 2001, The FS San Francisco quickly became one of the city’s most notable properties, offering guests a central location with endless amenities and of course Four Seasons legendary service.

The Four Seasons San Francisco has recently completed what the industry calls a “Soft Renovation”, adding a fresh look to guest rooms in the way of replacing carpets, bedding, draperies etc.  Loyal guests will immediately notice a more soothing color scheme, with a more modern take on an already contemporary design.

Guest rooms are located on Floors 6-17, and Four Seasons residences occupy upper floors of the building.  Views range from Market Street and Downtown to views of the neighboring Yerba Buena Gardens.  There are a wide variety of room types, but among our favorites are the “02″ Series Rooms which are considered the “Premier King” category as well as the “03″ Series Rooms which are considered “Deluxe Room” category rooms.  At TripKick.com, we often prefer a more unconventional room layout, and these room types have a more condo-like residential feel with wrap around windows and views of Yerba Buena gardens on higher floors.  Guest rooms now feature either a Chocolate/Tan motif (as seen below) or a Teal Green color palette.

Premier King Category Room, “02 Series”,  (Room Number 802)

Deluxe View Category Room, Market Street Views  (Room Number 1619)

The Four Seasons San Francisco has two “Specialty 1 Bedroom Suites” which offer stunning views of Yerba Buena Gardens, and 2,300 square feet of space to stretch out and relax.  Features include an oversized living room area with entertainment center, oversized bathroom with deep soaking tub and a fresh new design.

Specialty 1-Bedroom Suite (aka Presidential Suite) (Room Number 1603)

Common areas of the hotel remain the same, but include the addition of new services and dining options.  Four Seasons has introduced “Meet the Winemaker” which allows guests to experience local viticulture, and pair wines with various dishes offered in the restaurant.  One of our favorite on-property features however is the “Four Seasons SF Podcast” which provides guests with a detailed walking tour of the hotel’s famous art collection- this is a must do.

Check out the Four Seasons TripKick.com Profile Here!

The Hilton Anaheim has long stood as the city’s largest hotel, and recently Hilton has embarked on a renovation effort that has transformed every facet of the hotel into something new and exciting.  The Hilton Anaheim has just unveiled its new product, all 1,572 of them to be exact.  With this number of rooms, the project was no small feat, but we’re confident that conventioneers and Disney-goers alike will love the entirely new guest room experience.

From top to bottom, this Hilton has been entirely re-outfitted.  Loyal guests will immediately recognize these changes upon arrival, as the lobby has been dramatically reinvented with new dining options and most notably, the addition of Mix Restaurant & Lounge.  The entire experience has been re-imagined, and is highly appropriate for the market.  Regardless of the occasion, you are certain to enjoy this calm, contemporary and extremely soothing welcome experience.

Anaheim and the adjacent Disneyland Area offers a wide variety of accommodation offerings, yet few have managed to set the tone quite like The Hilton Anaheim.  We’ve often found that neighboring properties are dated, and don’t reflect the upbeat contemporary environment that one might expect when visiting Southern California, and Disneyland in particular.  The Hilton Anaheim has done a wonderful job at capturing this contemporary vibe.

Let’s talk about the guest rooms.  We had a chance to comb over the new digs, and we’re quite pleased with Hilton’s new direction here.  Those guests who have stayed here in the past are likely to be overwhelmed by the changes, and frankly- we think they’re some of the best new rooms in town.  Rooms and suites feature clean lines and are adorned with a host of modern upgrades, including 32″ LCD televisions and Cuisinart single-cup coffeemakers.  Guest bathrooms have been newly outfitted with new Kohler fixtures and granite countertops.  Select guest rooms feature outdoor patios and views of Disneyland, both available upon request.

Studio Suite Category Room (Room Number 5 127)

Standard Guest Room, 1 King Bed  (Room Number 5 210)

The Hilton Anaheim is the closest hotel to the Anaheim City Convention Center, just minutes from Disneyland, and is now easily the best choice for Anaheim visitors.  Check out Hilton Anaheim’s TripKick.com Profile for additional information on the guest room selection process.

The Blackstone Hotel, a Renaissance Property, is sporting an entirely new look post renovation, and our recent visit is solid proof of the new transformation. The Blackstone has long been one of Chicago’s finest hotels, and certainly one of the most well known. The Blackstone has years of history; and even Al Capone was a regular at this Chicago Institution. (He would often get his haircut in what’s now one of the Hotel Meeting Spaces)

After being closed for several years, The Blackstone is once again shining bright. Immediately adjacent to Chicago’s Grant Park (Yes, there were great views for those guests who were there for President Elect Obama’s now famous Acceptance Speech) We’re told that The Blackstone is located in what’s being called “SoLo” short for South Loop, which is an area that has recently gentrified and see the addition of several new restaurants and businesses. For leisure travelers, it’s only a 15 minute walk from most major Michigan Avenue attractions, but museums, Grant Park and Millenium are just across the way.

The Blackstone has made significant improvements to their Guest Rooms & Suites, and in fact have Reinvented them beyond recognition. We were pleasantly surprised to see the finished product, and the renovation has been extremely well received by guests as we’ve been told by the hotel and TripAdvisor.com. Standard Guest rooms are spacious, and very sophisticated. We especially liked the bathroom setup, as all rooms feature Large Stand Alone Glass Showers. Club Level rooms and Suites (Floors 20-23) receive In-Mirror Bathroom Televisions, a feature that we’ve been seeing more and more of in upscale hotels. Additionally, rooms on these floor also feature upgraded furnishings including Eames Chairs along with Bose Wave Radios. Some Guest Rooms and Suites have wonderful views of Michigan Avenue, Grand Park and Lake Michigan.

Standard Guest Room w/ 2 Double Beds & Michigan Ave & Lake Views (Room Number 1819)

The Blackstone has built a collection of Suites that are something to be seen. Some of these Suites were original to the hotel, including the “Smoke Filled Room Suite” along with the “Suite of Presidents” whereas the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Suites, dubbed “Heaven” and “Sky” respectively, were newly created as a result of the renovation. These 2 very special Suites, once the Attic Area of The Blackstone, have been meticulously appointed from top to bottom, and sport a residential feel with Manhattan sophistication.

“Smoke Filled Room Suite” (Room Number 915) Mostly Famously Known as The Place where The Republican National Party Nominated Warren G. Harding as the Presidential Nominee of 1920

Blackstone Presidential Suite aka “Sky Suite” Bedroom Area, Dining Area, MiniBar, Sitting Area (Room Number 2315)

Blackstone Vice-Presidential Suite, Sitting Area, Bedroom Area, View of North Michigan Avenue from Desk Area (Room Number 2320)

The Blackstone Hotel, a Renaissance Hotel TripKick.com Information Can be Viewed Here

The W Times Square is located in the heart of Times Square, and has become known for its playful design and fun atmosphere. It was however time for a rooms renovation, and the W Times Square has done a nice job with their newest room enhancements.

We’ve had the pleasure of staying at the W Times Square in the past, and my first reaction was “Wow, are these rooms larger than before?” No, they couldn’t be. Apparently this is a common reaction to the new renovation, as W has done an amazing job at reorganizing the furnishings to make the rooms appear larger and more comfortable. In a city where space often comes at a premium, we think this was a wise move. Guest rooms are still contemporary in design of course, but use more Tan & Pink tones which make the rooms appear a bit friendlier in the past, and far more inviting. Minor enhancements have been made to the bathrooms, and the addition of a Glass Shower Door in rooms with 1 King Bed was a thoughtful change. (Now the bathrooms won’t fog up so quickly!) The W Times Square has also added an “All-in-One” magazine holder rack slash glass rack for the Mini-Bar. The beds frames have also changes, and these small changes add up to making the room just feel a little bigger. Naturally the views haven’t changed, and guests can continue to enjoy view of Times Square, The Hudson River and The NYC Skyline.

Spectacular Room, 2 Double Beds (Room Number 3202)

Cool Corner Room, 1 King Bed, Times Square View (Room Number 3201)

Fantastic Suite, 1 King Bed, 1.5 Baths (Room Number 4411)

The W Times Square has evolved nicely; new guests and repeat guests alike will most definitely appreciate the new changes.

Check-In at The Stanford Court

On our last visit to San Francisco, we decided to check up on The Stanford Court Hotel- a Renaissance Property. On our first visit, The Stanford Court had just embarked on a massive renovation effort- so we were excited to see the finished product this week. The Stanford Court has spent over $35 million on the renovation which includes a full rehab of Guest Rooms, Lobby Area, Restaurants, Meeting Space and the addition of a Club Lounge.

The changes are evident upon arrival, as the Main Entrance has been relocated and the Lobby Space has been entirely redesigned to reflect a more modern approach. The Stanford Court is a historic property, originally built as Mr. Stanford’s personal residence, so this most recent overhaul took a great deal of thought and consideration of the property’s historic attributes. The Lobby Space now encompasses a “Great Room” feel as it blends the hotel’s restaurant Aurea into the Lobby itself, creating a unique feel that guests are likely to enjoy.

Aurea Lobby Bar & Restaurant, The Bar Offers Guests a Wide Variety of Wines by The Glass

The Guest Room experience at the Stanford Court has changed dramatically post renovation, and long gone are the days of a traditional decor. The Stanford Court has instead opted for a decor that will appeal to a wider audience, featuring modern colors, and the installation of several new features. Most notably, The Stanford Court has upgraded its bedding, furnishings and technology. The hotel has already received much praise for its bed comfort and addition of 37″ Flat Panel Televisions, Bedside LED Reading Lights and overall room comfort.

There are a wide variety of room configurations, but we’ve listed some of the more popular options on The Stanford Court TripKick.com Page. We found that most guest rooms were generously sized, and some had the distinction of offering City and Bay Views on higher floors.

Deluxe Category Room w/ 2 Queens (Room Number 460) We Recommend Rooms Ending in “60″ as they are some of the Largest Rooms w/ 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room w/ Bay & City Views, 1 King Bed (Room Number 447) Rooms Ending in “47″ are Some of the most Preferred Rooms in the Hotel as they are Oversized and Feature Excellent Views

Standard Room w/ 1 Queen Bed, The Stanford Court’s Smallest Guest Room (Room Number 448) Rooms Ending in “48″ are among the hotels’ Smallest, However They are Still Ideal for 1 Traveler, Also Very Quiet

Stanford Court’s “Virtual Wall Mounted Concierge” in addition to the actual Concierge, Assists Guests with Flight Information, Dining Options Etc., all at the Touch of a Finger

The New Gym, Twice the Size of the Previous Facility

We were thrilled to see the evolution of a product, and we give kudos to The Stanford Court for adding style to history and presenting a product that guests are already loving.