Friday, February 10, 2012

Romantic Montréal, Canada


How romantic is Montréal? Well, a set of lush lips adorns Tourisme Montréal’s logo, standing in for the “o” in the city’s name!

With European ambience and cobblestone streets lit by gas lamps, where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past old world buildings, you have the backdrop for a perfect Valentine’s Day.

Old Montréal in particular is “romance central”. There are plenty of dreamy boutique hotels to cuddle up in including the sumptuous, celebrity-favorite Le St-James, formerly a bank. The original vault is now a dramatic spa that feels like a castle keep: indulge in a candle-lit double massage with your sweetie. Small, cozy and tucked into the shadow of Notre-Dame Basilica de Montréal, Auberge Bonaparte is a country-style getaway where you’ll feel like you’re in a small French village.



Pick up a box of hand-made chocolates at Le Maître Chocolatier and nibble them enroute to the Essence Workshop where you and your loved one create your very own perfume. Sign up for Cook and Date’s special Valentine’s Sensual Desserts event: sip bubbly and cook with local chef Anthony Crisafulli to create a sit-down, multi-course dessert menu. Or stop in at the chic new café at the famed Birk’s jewelry store for high tea or lunch and browse Canadian diamonds between sips.



The wooded trails of Mont Royal Park are a serene place for a snowy stroll or a horse-drawn carriage ride. A Valentine’s guided snowshoe trip around the summit by the lights of the city with Les Amis de la Montagne finishes up with mulled wine and chocolates. And there are plenty of places in the city to skate outside arm-in-arm, but the most romantic are Parc Lafontaine’s meandering ice paths that twist and turn to the sound of music.



Dine on fine European cuisine in the warm, dimly-lit Club Chasse et Pêche – there’s no sign on the door and the top-rated Old Montréal eatery has a comfortable speakeasy atmosphere. For inventive modern cuisine created from local Québec products, try the Relais & Châteaux Europea, a contemporary restaurant set in a downtown Victorian.

Mont Royal Park’s lookouts over the glittering city are a perfect place to smooch until the wee hours, as is the new Snow Village where you can spend the night in an ice hotel, visit an ice chapel or keep one another warm with frosty kisses in an igloo.



By: Margo Pfeiff

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Saguaro, Palm Springs


Whether you come for the sun, the air, the spas, the style or the natural beauty, there's an undeniable appeal to this oasis of desert modern in the Coachella Valley.

Now there's a new place to lay your head while soaking it all up. The Saguaro opens in February 2012, bringing with it elevated design, delicious food and simple comfort. If you ever needed another reason to escape here, you have one now.

Bright. Light. Colorful. The rooms at the Saguaro immerse you in the desert resort experience that is Palm Springs. Choose your view — mountain, garden courtyard with pool, or city lights. Nearly every room has a balcony or patio and is accented inside and out by the brilliant color of a native Mojave wildflower, creating a visual spectrum of light throughout the grounds. No one perspective is the same.

Guestrooms offer at least 275 square feet of living space and include sitting areas, work stations, hand-crafted, imported Mexican furniture, as well as luxury bath products and linens. The brilliant, desert-inspired color scheme is shared by your indoor and outdoor space and adds to your experience. Feel free to request a color depending on your mood.


There are certain standards by which a visit to Palm Springs is judged. Such as pool time and the scenery that goes with it, the quality of architecture and design, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to enjoy the desert landscape and air, preferably with cocktail in hand. By all accounts, the Saguaro has you more than covered. 
 

Hotel Services

  • Pet-friendly
  • Secure self parking*
  • Laundry and dry cleaning service
  • Wireless Internet Access*
  • Daily yoga*
  • Complimentary local transportation*
*included in daily resort fee

Leisure Amenities

  • Grounds and gardens renovated February 2012
  • On-site spa featuring indigenous treatments
  • Outdoor, heated Olympic-size pool with cabanas and fire pit
  • Two outdoor hot tubs
  • Poolside bar and food service
  • Fitness center

Guestroom Amenities

  • All rooms refreshed February 2012
  • Flat screen, 42" HDTVs
  • Views of surrounding mountains, pool and city (select rooms)
  • Outdoor patios or step out balconies
  • Large working desks
  • Stereo with iPod docking station
  • On-demand movies and music

A touch of old Hollywood glamour. Perhaps the best golf and spas in the west. Groundbreaking mid-century modern architecture. A party circuit unrivaled for its inclusiveness. There is only one Palm Springs, that's for sure. The Saguaro puts you right in the middle of it, just off famed Palm Canyon Drive a mile from downtown. Yet, in true Palm Springs fashion, a stay here is also about privacy and relaxation.

 

El Jefe is a cool celebration of the culture and cuisine of Mexico City, with a menu focused on the cuisine of what is known by locals as the "Distrito Federal.” With a premium tequila bar and lounge seating, El Jefe is a muted backdrop for Chef Garces' modern Mexican small plates.

Chef

He’s one of the country’s most talented young chefs, winner of the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and a James Beard award. His food draws crowds in Philly, Chi-Town, Scottsdale, and now Palm Springs.
 
The Saguaro opens in February 2012, Book now!
  

Contact

1800 East Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Maps & Directions T 760-323-1711

Content & photos by: jdvhotels.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

Perch, Los Angeles


Le Venue
Perch is an elevated rested place, a whimsical French inspired inclusive rooftop bistro.  Due to its surroundings Perch offers an unobstructed view, one truly feels as though they are floating at the skyline.  At Perch there really is something for everyone. With two outdoor fireplaces, various fire pits, both lounge and table seating. On any given night you may come to see a live Caberet act, a funky jazz trio, indie bands or a late night DJ, Perch is sure to be a magical scene.  



Le Ambiance
Perch was a collaboration of a handful of visionaries.  With developer Jeffrey Fish building three additional stories atop his Pershing Square Building and Rachel Thomas seeing the design through to the final stages.  Thus creating an atmosphere reflective of the bohemian and whimsical approach to the collaborative design process. 



Le Food
The menu at Perchconsists of classic French dishes with a fun and approachable twist. Our talented Chef Benjamin Udave, formally of The Jonathan Club is taking this classical cuisine and updating it with a playful new approach and techniques. The menu will be both inspired and delicious consisting of items that are meant to be shared and meals that stand boldly alone all the while building a new and unique dinning experience in the sky. 



  
Le Bar
Perch boasts three full liquor barsthat have a comprehensive beverage menu focusing on simple, fresh Parisian inspired cocktails. We will also offer a unique and an elegant list of rare Cognacs, Armagnacs, Calvados and French Cordials that many will be able to experience for the first time.  


Le Wine & Beer
The wine and beer list will also be Frenchafied but instead of the old world standards Perch will infuse a new eclectic mix of producers and styles that will compliment the unique menu and clientele. Sommelier and partner Coly Den Haan, provides an approachable interpretation of all that French wines have to offer.  


448 South Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
Telephone: 213-802-1770
Special Events email us at events@perchla.com
Hours: mon-wed 4pm-12am . thur-fri 4pm-2am . sat 6pm-2am . sunday closed
General Inquires: info@perchla.com
Reservations call 213-802-1770 or visit opentable.com




  content & photos by: perchla.com