park hyatt, shanghai

When it opened in September 2008, the Park Hyatt Shanghai officially became the highest hotel in the world. The elevator ride up to the lobby is long and full of anticipation. But as the elevator doors finally ease open to reveal the stunning 87th-floor lobby, the view does not disappoint. The dark mahogany wood of the reception area against pale coffee-coloured walls is rich and luxurious. The exceptionally high ceilings (unexpected in a high-rise building) give instant grandeur to the space and create an immediate sense of extravagant style.

Designed by New York–based Chinese-American interior designer Tony Chi, the rooms at the Park Hyatt Shanghai are nothing short of sophisticated. With high-tech features (remote controlled shades that, at the click of button, reveal a sweeping view of Shanghai, a television screen hidden in the bathroom mirror and a toilet that does everything but your laundry) and an otherwise minimalist decor, the rooms are a perfect mixture of modern American design and traditional Chinese Zen.

We checked in with Caitlin Hickey, a public relations representative for the hotel, to find out more about the inspiration behind the hotel’s beautiful design. Click here to read the interview.

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grand hyatt mumbai

It’s been a few days but … back to my Indian adventure! After leaving the jungle, I was off to Mumbai, where I stayed at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. This five-star luxury hotel was imposing and impressive, from the moment I stepped foot inside. I was pretty hungry on arrival and was thrilled to see the dining options, of which there were plenty. Dinner at the Italian restaurant Celini was delicious – I had a mouthwatering ossu bucco (I’d had my fill of curry and needed a change!). China House serves a menu of typically Chinese cuisine and M is a grill and martini bar. Of course, there’s an Indian restaurant, too; Soma dishes up authentic regional and tandoor-grilled cuisine.

The rooms are bright and tranquil and feel strangely out-of-place amidst the chaos of Mumbai that resides right outside the hotel grounds. But it’s a welcome respite and a wonderful place to rest and relax after wandering the streets of one of the world’s most intriguing cities. Pictured here is the Grand King room, with floor-to-ceiling windows (you can have a courtyard or city view) and the minimalist, modern decor is totally Zen. Crisp, white linens, golden Jaisalmer stone (an Indian sandstone) and light sycamore wood paneling give the 40-square-meter interior a spacious and airy feeling and ensure a good night’s sleep. Sweet dreams!

Click here for more information on the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

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baghvan pench jungle lodge

Next up on the itinerary: A stop in the Indian jungle to go on safari! Here, I stayed at the wonderful Baghvan Pench Jungle Lodge. When I wasn’t out on an early morning (or mid-afternoon) game drive, searching for the ever-elusive tigers and leopards that roam Pench National Park, I was hanging out in the luxurious accommodations at the resort. Pictured above, you can get a sense of the “lobby” that greets guests. More like a living room in a thoughtfully designed home, this space gives an immediate sense of the style and intimacy guests can expect to find here. Cocktails here in the evenings give guests the opportunity to meet other guests and make you feel at home rather than “at hotel”.

The bedrooms are equally as welcoming. Featuring soaring ceilings and a rather rustic exterior (this is the jungle, after all!), the interiors are warm, comfortable and cozy. On cold nights, guests return to their rooms to find hot water bottles warming their bed and early morning tea and biscuits brought to the door are an exceptional way to start the day. There are many amazing resorts and hotels all over the world but this one, nestled deep in the heart of the Indian jungle, was truly special. Aside from the stylish accommodations and the surrounding natural beauty, here, heart, hospitality and friendship come first. Quite unexpectedly, I found myself shedding a few tears to leave the friends I’d made on my much-too-short stay.

For more information, visit andbeyondindia.com

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shangri-la style

Many North Americans are unfamiliar with the Shangri-La hotel chain but that is soon about to change! This leading Asia-based luxury hotel group has 58 deluxe hotels and resorts in major Asian and Middle Eastern cities and is known throughout Asia as a premiere destination for business and leisure travelers alike. But get ready – the Shangri-La’s expansion plans are bold and the chain will roll out a number of North American launches in the next few years, starting with Vancouver (2009) and followed by Toronto, New York and Chicago (2011).

Yesterday, I started to tell you about a recent trip to India. While I was in New Delhi, I had the great pleasure of spending one night at the Shangri-La there. The hotel has 320 guest rooms and suites and the decor of the rooms is warm and inviting. I loved the dark woods and the colours, echoing shades of paprika and saffron, seemed fitting in this place so well known for its spices.

What is your favourite hotel? I’d love to hear from you about places you’ve stayed and loved.

For more hotel-inspired design ideas, check out Style at Home’s Hotel Style section.

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travel in style

I recently had the opportunity to visit India. Have you ever been? To say it was a life-changing experience would be an understatement. India, as its tourism slogan states, is incredible.

But my journey there first involved a stop in Belgium and after the unexpected and devastating terror attacks in Mumbai, I went on to Shanghai. Over the next few days, I’m going to share some of the experience with you, and in keeping with the theme of this blog, showcase some of the beautiful hotels I stayed at along the way. If you, like me, love beautifully designed hotels, check out our Hotel Style section for ideas and inspiration.

The entire trip, I flew business class on Jet Airways. Wow! I had never experienced anything like this before. Jet Airways’ business class service is so deluxe, it makes a 12-hour flight seem too short! Check out the seats, pictured left. Each seat is private and features a television screen and lots of room for you to get comfortable. The best part is that the seats turn into completely lie-flat beds. This was a first for me and was an unforgettable experience. The flight attendants were the friendliest and most attentive I’d ever encountered and I know I’ll be flying with Jet Airways again. They made the experience very, very special.

OK, so my first stop was Belgium. I stayed at The Dominican, a luxury hotel in the heart of Brussels, just steps away from the Grand Place and a short walk from the Brussels Central Railway Station. The rooms here, as you can see from the photos, are luxe and decadent, the perfect place to relax after a long flight. There are 150 guestrooms and suites here and the contemporary design is rich and luxurious. It’s a beautiful marriage of old-world Europe and modern design. Intimate and elegant, this hotel was a real treat!

The bathroom was possibly my favourite part! The weather was very cold while I was visiting (lots of rain,  sleet and snow!) and I looked forward to long hot showers to warm up! Marble and stone in muted shades of black, brown and grey, complement each other wonderfully in this space and create a calming, zen-like environment.

THE DOMINICAN
Rue Léopold / Leopoldstraat 9
1000, Brussels, Belgium

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cavallo point lodge

I’m staying at the most amazing resort in San Francisco right now and I just had to tell you about it! It’s called Cavallo Point Lodge and it’s a luxury resort hotel in the heart of Golden Gate National Parks. The setting is idyllic. Tucked away from the city proper, almost underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, this place gives ‘getaway’ a whole new meaning. The historic rooms are restored, turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival buildings and they’re a stunning union of old and new. Original features combine with modern decor elements to create a space that’s got both history and a contemporary design aesthetic. And, with an eye to environmentally-friendly living (fine organic linens and cotton towels, certified organic cotton robes and slippers, bamboo wood furnishings and recycling bins), this is the kind of place it’s good to support. Walking into the bright and spacious rooms feels like walking into your own home … everything from the perfectly chosen paint colours to the warm and welcoming accessories say ‘home’, not sterile hotel. I haven’t seen a fraction of what this place has to offer yet (there’s a spa, a cooking school) and already, I know I’m eager to return. I felt a real joie-de-vivre on arrival here and I’m excited to explore. I hope you have the opportunity to do so, too!

Cavallo Point Lodge
601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker
Sausalito, CA 94965
phone (415) 339-4700 / fax (415) 339-4792
cavallopoint.com

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hotel style

I love to travel. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. There’s such a thrill that comes with packing your bags (the more last-minute, the better!), jumping on a plane and heading somewhere, anywhere. Travel has become so accessible these days that we’re all doing it more and more. And I don’t know about you, but it’s not just exploring new destinations that thrills me. It’s that feeling of checking into a gorgeous hotel and knowing that I’ll be calling it home sweet home for a short while. I love beautiful hotels with rooms that issue a warm welcome the moment you step foot inside.

Pictured above (1) is Toronto’s Hotel Le Germain. This boutique hotel beautifully merges cozy and chic and everything about this room says calm comfort to me. I just want to curl up with a good book on that big comfy bed!

Pictured above (2) is a room across the globe at the Wailea Beach Villas in Maui. This room evokes a whole different feeling, drawing inspiration from the colours of nature on the island. The room feels bright and sunny and the blue and green accents are reminiscent of the Pacific.

Thinking about a vacation yet?

For more inspiration from hotel decor, check out styleathome.com’s series Hotel Style – you’ll find beautiful hotel interiors with ideas you can copy at home.

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