Dear Trip Kick Travelers,

I am personally excited to announce that Trip Kick has been acquired by the web’s most exciting new Hotel Room Search Engine, Room77.com.  Room 77 is founded and backed by some of the travel industry’s most well respected members, including Rich Barton, Co-Founder and former CEO of Expedia. 

Trip Kick and Room 77 have joined forces to create an even more powerful way for travelers to gain insight on the guest room experience by presenting information in a way that has never been seen before in online travel.

What does this mean for you?  For now, you can continue to research individual room recommendations on TripKick.com, however we encourage  you to visit Room 77 for an exciting new take on hotel room reviews.  Your visit will take you through an in-depth analysis of hotels and resorts in over 16 launch destinations and counting.  You can check out exactly where room categories reside within the hotel using Room 77’s comprehensive mapping technology which includes simulated views and specific details on every room in the hotel.

We’re super excited to be a part of the Room 77 team, and we know you’ll absolutely love our product.  See you at Room 77 sometime soon!

Sincerely yours,

Bryant Waters

CEO & Co-Founder, TripKick.com

Andaz 5th Avenue, Entrance

The Andaz brand is Hyatt’s newest, offering travelers an alternative to classic luxury.  While some may dub the new brand as Hyatt’s “W Hotel” alternative, we think it’s totally different, and in ways that you’ll really like.

Don’t get us wrong, we admire the W Brand in many ways, but Andaz takes a fresh take on modern luxury, without the hype of loud nightclubs and sometimes attitude laden staff. 

Our editors got a first look at Andaz 5th Avenue recently, including an introduction to their on property restaurant: “The Shop”.  Wow was the overwhelming sentiment (a rare one from our sometimes picky editorial staff)  The Shop features a casual yet elegant setting on 5th Avenue with an open kitchen format and a fun yet relaxed atmosphere.  “The Bar Downstairs” (that’s literally its name, honest) is definitely a must visit.  The cooking continues downstairs in perhaps an even more casual setting, and the list of unique cocktail offerings is nothing short of amazing.  Try the Velvet Spice: a mixture of Sailor Jerry Spice Rum, Punt e mes, Velvet Falernum and House Orange Bitters… tasty!

The Shop

The Bar Downstairs

Trip Kick will soon be providing a full overview of the Guest Room Experience at Andaz 5th Avenue, so stay tuned.  We hear they have some pretty exciting guest room options!

Room 2303's Living Room

Located in downtown Chicago, Elysian is committed to providing guests with quality service that isn’t easily duplicated, even at lavish hotels. Its 188 guestrooms average 890 square feet, and with only 10 rooms per floor, guests won’t feel like their personal comfort is being sacrificed so the hotel can fit in as many rooms as possible. As many hotel patrons are aware, amenities are the secret ingredient to a perfect hotel recipe, and this notion isn’t lost on Elysian. Vi-Spring luxury beds are draped in 460-thread count Italian linens, and spacious closets ensure you won’t be living out of your suitcase. White marble bathrooms complete with soaking tubs provide the type of tranquil environment that’s essential to any luxury hotel. And with rooms decorated in champagne and platinum hues—the perfect backdrop to enjoy the fireplace or furnished terraces—you’ll feel as if you’ve found a room fit for a king or queen.

The hotel is located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, which makes it the perfect location for those looking to explore all of the exciting activities that have put the Windy City on the map. Elysian is two blocks away from Michigan Avenue; a block away from Oak Street, which is known to be the Rodeo Drive of Chicago; two blocks away from the lake and the John Hancock Center; and quick cab ride to the Art Institute of Chicago.

While plenty of fine-dining options are within walking distance of Elysian, some of the city’s best dining can be found within the walls of the hotel. Executive Chef Jason McLeod presides over the hotel’s two restaurants, Balsan and Ria. Centered around fresh, local ingredients, Balsan is a European-style bistro that serves up traditional dishes and modern takes on American cuisine, while Ria will tantalize your taste buds with innovative seafood dishes.

Elysian reminds us that even in the wake of increasing efficiency, quick fixes to long checkout lines and in-room iPads with built-in city guides are no substitution for excellent customer service and first-rate accommodations. So dust off your crown and get ready to be treated like the royalty you are at Elysian.

TripKick.com would like to thank Travel + Leisure Magazine for naming us a Best Website for 2010 (for the third year running!), thanks T+L!

Photo Courtesy of Amalfi Hotel Chicago.

Located in Chicago’s fashionable River North District, Amalfi is close to the Loop, the Magnificent Mile, Merchandise Mart and Michigan Avenue, so the trendiest restaurants, the most upscale shops and the hottest nightclubs are never far away. Upon arrival, guests are assigned to an Experience Designer who will help customize their trip. Think of your Experience Designer as less of a concierge and more of a genie in a bottle who can get you into the swankiest nightclubs and set you up with the best tables at the hottest new restaurants.

The hotel’s 215 newly renovated guestrooms are available in two categories to fit your lodging needs: Deluxe Rooms and One Bedroom Suites. Every room is clad in a sea of rich autumn colors so you can retreat from the sensory overload of Chicago’s busy streets. Enjoy the array of luxe amenities including LCD TVs, in-room CD and DVD players, microfiber robes and slippers, pillow-top mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets and Aveda spa products. Complimentary high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi is available, and you can even borrow CDs and DVDs from the hotel’s personal library if a relaxing night in is what you’re craving. Wake-up every morning to a free breakfast of Italian goodies provided on every floor, so you won’t even have to change out of your pajamas to get your java fix.

More than just a place to rest your head at night, Amalfi is an experience that will heighten your time in the Windy City. In-room spa treatments are available for those who wish to de-stress or look their best for a night out on the town. Hard bodies and workaholics will delight in the fact that Amalfi’s fitness center and business center are both free and open 24 hours a day. If Amalfi Hotel Chicago doesn’t have you singing “that’s amore,” we don’t know what will.

·         Rates from $199 that include a $100 gift card to Macy’s (per night you stay) and complimentary photos with the Downtown Seattle Macy’s Santa

The Westin Seattle

·         Rates from $199 that include a $100 gift card to Pacific Place Shopping Center (per night you stay) and a donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital

The Westin Bellevue

·         Rates from $199 that include a $100 gift card to the Bellevue Collection (per night you stay)

The pool at the Delano Hotel. Photo: 416style

The Raleigh
Frequently called one of the most beautiful pools in America, the pool at The Raleigh was made famous by Esther Williams, a swimmer and movie star in the 1940s and 50s. Known for her aquamusicals, Williams was a frequent guest of The Raleigh since its pool was the backdrop for many of her films. Today, the pool still retains its vintage-movie charm while kicking up the glamour with modern-day accents. Tropical plants surround the pool area, and the pool’s tumbling waterfall will transport you into an island frame of mind. In case you need a little more help relaxing, grab a scented towel from one of the staff members and hit up the poolside bar.

For more information, visit www.raleighhotel.com/explore/the_pool/.

Eden Roc Resort
A favorite of celebrities like Madonna and Steven Spielberg, and even a filming locale for episodes of “I Love Lucy,” the Eden Roc Resort not only offers oceanfront accommodations, but also three gorgeous pools: an adult pool, the Main Resort Infinity Edge Pool and the Ocean Garden Infinity Edge Pool, which is family friendly. There’s a Jacuzzi (essential!) to relax after a long day of swimming. Unlike many hotel pools in Miami, Eden Roc’s are open 24/7, so you won’t have “some ‘splainin’ to do” to any hotel security guards in case you feel like going for a midnight dip.

For more information, visit www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/recreation/miasr-eden-roc-renaissance-miami-beach/.

Gansevoort Miami Beach
Like its NYC counterpart, the Gansevoort Miami Beach is set on stunning its patrons with the ultimate in poolside luxury. Undoubtedly, you’ll have to split your time between Gansevoort’s two ocean-view pools; you wouldn’t want to make either one jealous! The rooftop pool is situated on a 26,000 square-foot oasis complete with cabanas and quintessential palm trees. The 110-foot swimming pool is 18 floors high, next to the “Plunge” bar and lounge, and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and downtown Miami. The Pool Plaza will seduce you with its ocean-view, infinity-edge pool, located on a Brazilian Ipe deck. Be sure to try the upscale fare at the outdoor restaurant by the infinity-edge pool—just be sure to wait 30 minutes before diving back into the pool or you might float into the abyss.

For more information, visit www.gansevoortmiamibeach.com/features-activities/.

Fontainebleau

One of the pools at Fontainebleau. Photo: David Berkowitz

While many of the poolside scenes in Scarface were filmed at the Fontainebleau, the only thing you’re going to be saying hello to is the incredible poolscape at this luxury resort. Whether you’re looking for an adults-only pool experience or hoping to keep the kids entertained, Fontainebleau has a pool to suite your aquatic needs. The main pool is an amalgamation of a free-form pool combined with the “walls of water” effect, which gives the pool a walk-on-water appearance. For a more sensual experience, flaunt yourself at the enclosed European-style pool that’s surrounded by cozy cabanas and sun loungers. Families with children can visit a multitude of small dipping pools as well as an interactive waterscape play area that includes a waterslide, beach-style entry, a spray canopy, water canons and a zero-entry wading pool.

For more information, visit www.fontainebleau.com/web/recreation/pools_and_beach.

Delano Hotel
The Delano Hotel may only have one pool, but it certainly proves that quality is more important than quantity. Self-labeled as more of a “water salon” as opposed to a pool, Delano’s watery retreat will soothe your soul with its underwater classical music, cascading waterfall and in-pool furniture. There are separate areas in the pool designated for floating and meditating, so you can get your Zen on in peace. Poolside cabana dinning is available, and if that doesn’t make you feel like royalty, butlers are available as well. Don’t, however, let the peaceful daytime surroundings inform your view of what the pool area will be like at night. Once the lights go down, the “water salon” turns into more of a “water saloon,” where guests can indulge in the nightlife experience that inspired Will Smith to write his infamous Miami anthem.

For more information, visit www.delano-hotel.com/#/explore/?id=pool.

Waikiki Edition is the brands’ first property, and we got a first look this week while in Honolulu.  While Ian Schrager’s signature style is evident throughout, there is also a sense that the sometimes over the top whimsical flare seen in some of his other properties (ala Gramercy Park NYC) isn’t quite as strong here.  So what’s the verdict?… we LOVED it!

Waikiki Editon Reception Desk

We all have our personal preferences in terms of hotel personality, brand etc.  I think we can all agree however that boutiques can sometimes disappoint- rooms might be too small, service has an attitude or the hotel just hasn’t invested as much as it might need.  Edition takes all of the desirable elements of a boutique hotel- vibrant personality, an intimate level of service and hip design- and delivers an experience that is both consistent and seamless as a large name brand hotel, made possible by the backing of Marriott.

Edition’s Waikiki is the first of several properties worldwide (including upcoming locations in Istanbul, Barcelona and South Beach), but if this is what we should expect every time, we’re very excited.

So let’s talk about Edition Waikiki.  The arrival experience is very different than any other Hawaii property you might expect.  Missing are the lei’s, “Aloha” at check-in or statues of dolphins in the porte cochere.  Instead, Edition welcomes you with a low key yet attentive arrival experience.  You certainly know you’re in Hawaii, but it’s not contrived in any way.  The lobby area is fun and hip but still a reminder of where you are(you’ll love the surfboards behind the front desk!)  After a welcome drink and quick briefing on the hotel, we were escorted to the guest room elevators.

The Lobby (Notice the bookshelf in the background- it moves at 4pm and opens to the lobby bar area- a neat touch indeed)

Edition’s warm contemporary design continued into the guest rooms.  Because this Edition occupies a previously existing hotel, there were certain design constraints (ie. Not all room types have balconies), however they’ve done a wonderful job at transforming old to new.  In fact, most guests might even be hard pressed to notice the fact that this hotel wasn’t built new from ground up.  The vast majority of room types offer some type of ocean view, including views of the neighboring harbor, ocean view and pool views.

Guest rooms are simply yet elegantly appointed with luxurious finish work including large plantation shutter dividers in the bathroom and window areas.  While minimalist, guest rooms are quite cozy in feel with subtle reminders of Hawaii- most notably a wall mounted tribute to local heritage- a ukulele, shells, starfish etc.  Regardless of room type, bathrooms are outfitted with walk-in glass showers, and select deluxe one-bedroom suites offer separate shower and deep soaking tubs.  Rooms with 1 King Bed feature outdoor lanai’s.

Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite, 1724  (1 King Bed & Living Room/Desk Area)

Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite, 1724 (Bathroom Area, w/ Separate Shower & Tub)

The View from a One-Bedroom Ocean Suite  (Room Number 1110)

The common areas of the hotel are meticulously designed with utmost imagination and attention to detail.  While the hotel itself isn’t quite ‘beachfront’, it offers a convenient location with wonderful views of the water and easy access to nearby beaches and lagoons.  Waikiki Edition does offer two distinctive pool experiences on the 1st level of the hotel including a beach style pool (surrounded by sand) as well as a traditional pool, both offering pool bars and full service.  While being oceanfront is a nice touch, we never really missed the sometimes crowded feel that other Waikiki resorts experience; Edition is more of an oasis away from the crowds.

The ‘Sand’ Pool (one of two pools offered at Edition Waikiki)

Edition Gift Shop

The Common Areas, near Poolside

Our initial impression of Edition was overwhelmingly fantastic… While some of Ian Schrager’s other properties have received mixed reviews in terms of room size, service etc., it’s clear that his talents coupled with the backing of Marriott will prove to be a huge success. Waikiki Edition has executed their product in a way that is enormously creative, yet comfortable and familiar at the same time- we look forward to seeing more of their properties in the near future!

Located on 21 acres of white sand beaches, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana is ready to cradle its guests in the lap of luxury. The 1,800-room resort has “Rock Star Suites” complete with jellyfish tanks, villas fit for a king (of rock ‘n’ roll), and rooms that have double Jacuzzis and double showerheads. The walls of the resort are adorned with music memorabilia that pays homage to both local and international artists and celebrates a diverse range of musical genres—not just rock ‘n’ roll.

While the all-inclusive aspect of this resort is certainly one of its prime qualities, what’s really impressive is that the decidedly family-friendly resort is an experience in and of itself. Golfers will be thrilled to hit the links at the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course that boasts 18 holes spread across 155 acres. Gamblers can seek solace in the more than 48,000 square foot Las Vegas-style casino that has a high-limit poker room, 457 slot machines, a VIP lounge and 40 tables featuring games such as blackjack, roulette and craps. Workout fiends and those who like to stay active will appreciate the 15,000 square foot Body Rock fitness center and the rock-climbing wall. Two tennis courts are also available, as well as billiards, ping-pong and other table games. After a hard day of play, wind down with a massage or facial at Rock Spa, the most widespread spa in the Caribbean.

If you have little ones in tow, take them to one of the 11 pools, preferably one of the four that has a swim-up bar so you can relax poolside with a fruity beverage. The resort also has a lazy river, a mini-golf course, waterslides, a Kids Club and an ice-cream stand. Move over Disneyland, it looks like Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana is gearing up to be the new happiest place on Earth.

For up-to-date information, visit www.hardrockhotels.com/puntacana/.

For more information, visit www.thebazaar.com/experience/saam.

The Bridge at The Roosevelt
Move over, Whole Foods. The opening of The Bridge at The Roosevelt this past summer confirms that the farmers market is indeed the hip place to shop for all things local and organic, whether you’re shopping for groceries or supplying the ingredients to put together the ever-changing menu at L.A.’s newest “it” restaurant. Adeptly named for its location on the Marilyn Monroe Bridge, The Bridge serves up its fresh dishes on a modern, patio-like area overlooking the pool. While the menu changes weekly, expect delish food that won’t break the bank, like chilled avocado soup, grilled lamb chops and butterscotch parfait.

For more information, visit www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/la/hollywood-roosevelt/eat/the-bridge.

Simon LA at Sofitel Los Angeles
Iron Chef vet Kerry Simon is no stranger to satisfying hungry hotel patrons—Simon’s eponymous restaurants are also located at The Palms in Las Vegas and the Hilton Atlantic City. His Los Angeles effort goes after that spot in your stomach that still yearns for mom’s home cooking. With comfort food like tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, Black Angus burgers, roasted chicken and margherita pizza, Simon LA knows how to hit the spot without making your meal seem like last night’s leftovers.

For more information, visit www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-0937-sofitel-los-angeles/restaurant.shtml.

Restaurant at Sunset Marquis
Grab a seat under the stars with that someone special and prepare to delight in chef Guillaume Burlion’s culinary magic. The simplicity of Restaurants’ name isn’t an indication of Burlion’s ability in the kitchen, but rather his aptitude at turning ordinary ingredients into edible works of art. The menu changes to feature seasonal ingredients, but regardless of what time of year it is, prepare your taste buds for the likes of Chinese duck breast marinated in green tea and served with caramelized potatoes with a plum reduction; miso crusted black cod with Japanese squash; and individual lamb loin “tarts” with roasted eggplant and spring heirloom tomato concasse.

For more information, visit sunsetmarquis.com/sm_restaurant/restaurant.shtml.

The Blvd at The Beverly Wilshire
The Beverly Wilshire may be a common locale for the filming of HBO’s “Entourage,” but don’t expect any Johnny Drama-like pretension at The Blvd. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. everyday, this celebrity-favorite overlooks the famous intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. Sit inside to enjoy the high ceilings or on the sidewalk patio to people watch. Chef Perfecto Rocher lives up to his name by creating signature dishes that add Spanish touches to traditional California cuisine. Vegetable ragu, sweet potato salad, foie gras, pan-seared salmon and rack of lamb are just a few examples of the savory dishes you can expect to find on the menu at The Blvd.

For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire/dining/the_blvd/.