Travel

Book It Now: The Roosevelt New Orleans

New Orleans is still on the mend after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, but like the legendary phoenix, aspects of the glorious city are rising from the ashes in spectacular fashion. Take The Roosevelt New Orleans, the newest luxury hotel under the Waldorf Astoria Collection brand. Formerly the Fairmount Hotel, the building was closed until this past July after undergoing a lavish $145-million restoration. To celebrate the hotel's official opening, a grand celebration is slated for the weekend of October 23–25, complete with music from the Neville Brothers as well as singer Irma Thomas. Book a grand-opening-weekend package ($1,750 per couple), which includes a deluxe suite for two and two tickets to both music shows, among other amenities. While you're there, be sure to dine at John Besh's Domenica Restaurant and visit the lush Guerlain Spa, both slated to launch that weekend to coincide with the festivities. therooseveltneworleans.com.

–Caroline Rath,  ModernLuxury.com  

Photo: The Roosevelt New Orleans.

Book It Now: Poseidon Undersea Resort

Looking for an exotic island adventure complete with sea, sand and nature? Then consider visiting Poseidon Mystery Island in Fiji. The seven-day, six-night excursion ($15,000 per person) includes four nights in an oceanfront cabana as well as two nights spent completely submerged in an underwater suite, where walls made of 4-inch-thick acrylic give guests a breathtaking view of oceanic flora and fauna swirling soothingly overhead. Feed the fish from inside your suite, or turn on external lights to draw creatures from the depths. Afterward, comb the beaches above, scuba, snorkel and commune with nature. The resort doesn't debut until early 2010, but reservations are now being accepted. poseidonresorts.com.

–Caroline Rath,  ModernLuxury.com  

Photo: Poseidon Undersea Resort.

Book It Now: Hotel Sorella

Houston's new Hotel Sorella boasts a clean, contemporary style that isn't sparse or cold. With its mod interior and sophisticated touches, the hotel's not stuck in a time warp or the heavy-handed trappings of theme. There's a spa for pampering and a pool that's sure to become an after-dark hot spot, along with two on-site restaurants, Bistro Alex and Café Rosé, and the Monnalisa Bar, which offers libations in chic, European-inspired environs. The guest rooms and suites are decked out with flat-panel TVs and custom Sorella beds, all kept in sleek designs inspired by boutique hotels throughout Europe. hotelsorella-citycentre.com.

–Christopher Luu, JuliB  

Photo: Hotel Sorella.

Book It Now: Outback Weekend at Alisal Guest Ranch

We don't normally condone dude ranches, but we seriously LOVE the luxurious Alisal Guest Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Despite the high-thread-count sheets and sublime spa, it's a real ranch with real cowboys and real horses—sturdy and beautiful, the polar opposite of those skinny ol' ponies you've seen on the beach in Mexico. But what's even better than horses is hottie Aussie chef Curtis Stone (from TLC's Take Home Chef series), who'll be cooking at the ranch next month. The South Australian Tourism Commission's Outback Weekend (September 17–20) will include a cowboy wine dinner starring the celebrity chef. But wait—it's more than just barbecue and Shiraz. There'll be unlimited horseback riding and golf, plus an outdoor screening of the movie Australia (of course). And here's the kicker: Everyone who saddles up for the Aussie weekend at Alisal will be automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Outback in 2010 for the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive (more great horses; an $8,000 adventure vacation). To reserve your Outback Weekend (rates from $897), call the ranch directly at 800.4.ALISAL or visit alisal.com.

–Brad A. Johnson,  ModernLuxury.com   

Quarter horses at Alisal Guest Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Photo: Alisal
Guest Ranch.

Book It Now: The Ritz-Carlton Chicago

The Four Seasons' classic Ritz-Carlton Chicago hotel has gone all suite 'n' sassy on us, thanks to a multimillion-dollar facelift by Bryant Hughes Design Studios. The firm—also behind Four Seasons properties in Costa Rica, Egypt and Jackson Hole—has paired custom-designed ebony furniture with accents like gray sateen draperies and ergonomic leather desk chairs to bring a modern twist to the Ritz's traditional charm. Technology upgrades offer each room wireless Internet and flatscreen TVs, and framed abstract photographs of famous Chicago architecture, such as Marina City, dress the walls. fourseasons.com.

–Jessie Goldberg, Modern Luxury Magazines  

Photo by Peter Peirce.

Book It Now: Le Westin Montréal

Pay your respects to America's faltering newspaper industry with a stay at the newly opened Le Westin Montréal, a 454-room hotel housed in the historic building once belonging to The Montréal Gazette. The repurposed property, whose unusual indoor driveway now accommodates arriving cars in a grand hall that once housed the paper's printing presses, is also home to a farm-to-table-inspired restaurant called Gazette and an aptly named bar, The Reporter. westinmontreal.com.

–Kim Peiffer, ModernLuxury.com Contributor  

Book It Now: Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

Venice, Rome, Tuscany, Florence—you've done them all. Give the Italian mainland the boot and sail on over to Sicily, where the new Verdura Golf & Spa Resort opens this weekend. A mere 18 miles from the historic Agrigento and its Valley of the Temples, this 570-acre coastal oasis is surrounded by lemon trees and olive groves. Italian architect Flavio Albanese has blended contemporary architecture with island traditions to create a spectacular, $175 million Rocco Forte resort. Existing buildings have been restored with volcanic rock, cane and wood to complement the striking natural landscape. Inside, Olga Polizzi uses various textures, local ceramics, artifacts and warm tones to underscore the terrestrial paradise, where 203 ocean-view rooms and suites overlook the private beach. Tee off at two championship golf courses or on the driving range, all designed by Kyle Phillips. Prefer some pampering? The huge (43,000-square-foot) holistic spa uses Mediterranean seawater and extracts from local fruit to nourish the skin. Next, shape up at the fitness and yoga center, or dive into eats at one of four on-site restaurants, which feature Mediterranean cuisine, Sicilian specialties and homemade gelato. verduraresort.com.

–Ket Lamb, JuliB  

Book It Now: W Washington DC

What's located next to the White House and is one of the biggest things to happen to the Capitol since President Obama strolled in? Dubbed the place where "the congress of cool is in session," the new, 317-room W Washington DC hotel is home to the city's very first Bliss spa, plus Jean-Georges Vongerichten's J&G Steakhouse and a rooftop spot with views of the White House. What's the vibe? Distinctly W, of course, but with an Italian-Renaissance-meets-modern-cool aesthetic. Red is the color de rigueur, from the plush couches in the lounge and the booths at J&G to the tables at the destination bar, POV. It's all about life, liberty and the pursuit of luxury. starwoodhotels.com.

–JuliB  

Book It Now: The Element Dallas Fort Worth

Bored with hotels that are more bland than bold? Check out the slew of clever amenities at the new Element Dallas Fort Worth. Work (or work out) on your schedule at the Starwood property's 24-hour business and fitness centers, or channel your inner feng shui master and rearrange room furniture to your liking. Feeling a spark of culinary creativity? Grab-and-go with ingredients from the hotel's communal gourmet pantry, then create something spectacular in your room, where a full kitchen awaits. Up for some exploring? The Dallas Museum of Art and hot spots like Zubar and Curtain Club are all just minutes away. starwoodhotels.com.

–Christopher Luu, JuliB  

Book It Now: Perry Golf's Scotland Yacht Cruises

Want to hit the links and vacation like a star? Perry Golf is offering a back-to-back pair of seven-night voyages around Scotland aboard the Harmony II, a stunning mid-20th-century yacht. The first trip, which runs July 20–26, begins on Scotland's west coast and concludes up in the Highlands, while the second journey, beginning July 27, begins in the Highlands and treks backward to the west coast. Each voyage accommodates 12 guests and features six rounds of golf along with excursions to the Isle of Islay and Cawdor Castle. perrygolf.com.

–Kim Peiffer, ModernLuxury.com Contributor