Design Traveler: W Hotel Vieques

As you know a few weeks back we had a chance to visit Puerto Rico, it was amazing.  Amazing in a few different ways, it was the first tropical vacation that my husband and I have been on just the two of us since the kids were born (10 + years).  So relaxing!  The main island of San Juan was beautiful in it's own way, which I will show you in a later post, but the small island of Vieques was gorgeous.  We decided late in the game to head over to the smaller island and spent less than 24 hours there which is surprising considering the number of photos I managed to take.  I made a quick reservation at the W Spa and Resort on the island.  It was perfect!  

I am a fan of the W Hotels and have stayed in a few but this was really one of their best in my opinion, very much the Anthropologie of hotels.  The room was fun and well done, the bed as always super comfortable, but all in all it was the property and the view that impressed me the most.  They have snorkeling and kayaking right off the beach, 2 pools, a great bar and restaurant and they make the best peach smoothie I have ever tasted.  I am trying to figure out how we can go back and spend a little more time there!  The design in the lobby and reception was really cool, I am pretty sure that they thought I was crazy when I came in with my camera to take more photos of the space, which I will share with you too.

Also, a big THANK YOU to all of you who recommended this beautiful Island to me, I never would have gotten over there without your help!

images by christina for greige

 

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Travel design: The NoMad Hotel

I ran across these pictures here and was reminded that I had read an article on the design style of this hotel a little while back.  I cannot remember where I read it but the gorgeous photos are just another great story in the book of the great collaborators that created the Ace hotels.  On my next trip to New York I am going to have to see if I can stay at the NoMad.  I love the down to earth styling that makes you feel like you are in an apartment rather than a hotel room and that is my favorite type of accommodation! Take a look at the detailing on those leather headboards just beautiful.

 "The NoMad Hotel is housed in a turn of the century Beaux-Arts building that has been fully restored to its original grandeur with interiors by French designer Jacques Garcia. The hotel is intended as a fresh take on the classic grand hotels of Europe with a distinct New York sensibility. The design of the hotel was inspired by the Parisian flat of Garcia’s youth. The 168 rooms are residential in feel and decorated in his classic, timeless style. Each room is appointed with hand-selected, richly textured custom-designed furnishings and original artwork. The soaring ceilings throughout the public spaces provide a fine gathering place to enjoy dining, drinking and socializing."

 

"....a Parisian inspired lifestyle hotel that speaks to the building's architectural heritage. The NoMad Hotel accommodates 168 guestrooms with double bay historic windows and views of the Empire State and Flatiron Buildings. The property features a high-ceilinged lobby with original detail and a glass roof atrium for all day dining. The interiors of the hotel are being designed by internationally acclaimed interior designer Jacques Garcia."

 

images and quotes from NoMad

  

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French in black and white...

 

I am completely dreaming of visiting this amazing French Chateau - Château les Merles.  It looks so charming, I will have to see if I can work it into our trip to Europe next year.  I am already daydreaming of all the wonderful things that next year will hold for everyone.  I hope that it is a year of great things!

Can you imagine...  Have you started planning for next year (I know that I get a little ahead of myself sometimes)??

 Have a wonderful weekend!

images found via

 

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Palm Springs Images and the Colony Palms Hotel

These are a few of my favourite pictures from my visit to Palm Springs. The weather was dry and warm. The Moroccan-inspired Colony Palms Hotel is an old landmark in Palm Springs that is a favourite spot for those who 'don't necessarily want to be seen'. It has been on the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List 2008 — 2009. The pool side bar-restaurant Purple Palm is the discrete meeting spot for locals and Hollywood's music and movie-industry elite.

 
This is the lucky Buddha at the Colony Palms. Legend has it that if you make a wish while rubbing his tummy your wish will be granted. My friends Sara and Paul from Vancouver were staying at the Colony Palms Hotel, which just happened to coincide with my visit. (PS.....I have gotten my wish!!!!!)

A view through the palm to the discreet and trendy poolside Purple Palm bar.

Shadow cast by cactus on the desert sand

View towards Palm Springs from the lookout point on Highway 74

Palm Springs Wind Energy - Increasingly popular as alternative sources of energy, wind turbine generators are a type of windmill that produces electricity by harnessing the wind. Wind turbine generators are much less harmful to the environment than burning fossil fuels, but they do require average wind speeds of at least 21 km/h (13 mph). The largest of these windmills stands 150 feet tall with blades half the legend of a football field. Windmill farms on the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass in the San Bernadino Mountains contains more than 4000 separate windmills and provides enough electricity to power Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley.




Other travel posts you might like:
Travel Blog: Drinks at the Viceroy Palm Springs
Sunday in Milan
VENICE - Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa, Giudecca Island, Redentore
ROME - Hotel Mascagni, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Barberini
FLORENCE - Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture,
and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

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