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Shutters On The Beach
Santa Monica, California
Thursday, 9:15 am 
#sand #sun #surf #shutters

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Here at Jetsetter, we work round-the-clock to bring you hotels and trips that unlock classic and under-the-radar destinations around the world, and we hope you’ll forgive us if we take a moment to brag about a few milestones. In the last 365 days, we’ve debuted Jetsetter 24/7, our black book of hotels available year-round; Personal Travel Planning, and the brand-spanking-new Jetsetter Homes. To toast another landmark year, here are some hand-picked hotels fit for a party. It’s our party, we can stay if we want too… Kampaii!

Turkey. Barbaros Bay - Kempinski Hotel.
Thirty minutes from Bodrum, Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay is a sprawling spa resort in a postcard-perfect setting. Views of the Aegean take center stage, whether through floor-to-ceiling windows in rooms and suites, in some of the six on-site restaurants or from the enormous infinity pool — one of the largest in Turkey. The private beach and 60,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa (with a traditional Turkish hammam) make this destination for sun-worship and spa time, but the city action and historic sights in Bodrum are just a short drive away.

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I’m a Hurricane-Andrew-Survivor, but that don’t mean I’m down for Irene. So let’s cut to the category-4 chase… this lady in our midst offers the perfect excuse to pack up, and head outta’ Dodge. My picks for clearing out before the ‘cane…

Las Vegas. Cosmopolitan.
It’s not easy to make a city like Las Vegas sit up and take notice, but the new Cosmopolitan did just that. Consisting of two skyscrapers, large rooms with private terraces, 13 restaurants and 300,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space, this hotel came to make a statement. With special events all summer long at the loungelike pool areas and a nightclub run by the famous Tao Group, the hotel delivers a true Vegas stay in style.

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Spend the summer in carefree anarchy at Ruschmeyer’s, a hot new spot in low-key Montauk where kids can be kids and adults can…well, be kids too. Set on three acres of woodsy lakeside land, Ruschmeyer’s (originally built as a camp in 1952) has been brought back to glory with 19 fresh and clean cabins, a teepee, a sandy beer garden, a chic communal restaurant and a happening bar. Expect a 1970s bohemian vibe; it’s the type of hotel where face-painted kids roam as if they own the place and couples lounge in hammocks until the day ends. You can listen to live music in the Magic Garden, play bocce in the beer garden or share a punch bowl with friends at the Electric Eel Disco. You can have an Indian Summer escape, and your kids can too.

There’s a reason travelers venture to the easternmost tip of Long Island to spend long weekends in Montauk. Its Brooklyn-meets-Malibu vibe attracts artists and musicians, families and singles, out-of-towners and locals alike. Montauk is the go-to getaway for those looking to escape, to stay under the radar and away from the sceney side of the Hamptons. 

A few years ago Surf Lodge set the standard for a new kind of Montauk escape, with its relaxed and charming yet modern vibe. And where Surf Lodge might remind you of Gidget and beach bonfires, the brand new Ruschmeyer’s is your very own Camp Nowhere. 

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Celebrate the unofficial (ok, official) start of summer with a Memorial Day Weekend getaway. Whether you’d rather be hiking outside Jackson Hole or simply lounging on a sunny beach, here’s a few ideas to suit your long weekend needs. But next time, don’t be such a procrastinator….

Woodmark Yacht Club. Seattle, Washington. 
In Seattle’s eastern suburb of Kirkland, this 100-room property is a crowd-pleaser and a classy affair all around. The only hotel on Lake Washington, the Woodmark Hotel has a special perk for guests: a taste of waterfront life, thanks to a temporary membership to the Woodmark Yacht Club. And during this Memorial Day stay, all of the lake’s charms will start to come alive.

Malibu Beach Inn. California.
Kick off the summer at the Malibu Beach Inn, a 47-room oceanfront property that puts Southern California’s fabled good life within reach. The inn has a studiously laid-back vibe, gorgeous Pacific views, stocked in-room wine coolers and a terrace or fireplace for the still-cool nights. And after a walk or two on the inn’s beach, you won’t blink an eye when you run into a celebrity — it’s practically a daily reality along Malibu’s 27 miles of sparkling coastline.

Forty 1 North. Rhode Island. 
Narragansett Bay is your watery front yard at this new Newport boutique hotel. Since its opening in April 2010, Forty 1° North has made the most of its harborfront spot with floor-to-ceiling windows, large balconies and open-air restaurants where you can dine on fresh seafood while watching boats bob in the water and the sun sink behind the horizon.

Smith Fork Ranch. Colorado.
Get off the beaten path this Memorial Day with a trip to Smith Fork Ranch, in one of the country’s wildest locations abutting the Gunnison National Forest and West Elk Wilderness Area in western Colorado. A proud sense of heritage and down-home welcome runs through the meticulously restored buildings, which are filled with carefully curated antiques. It all adds up to one of the country’s most lovingly restored guest ranches — a place for trail rides on horseback, fly-fishing excursions, farm-to-table gourmet food and fine wine.

Cheeca Lodge. Florida Keys.
The Florida Keys’ come-as-you-are ideology and tropical simplicity have attracted travelers for many decades. In the heart of these iconoclastic islands, the historic Cheeca Lodge & Spa has evolved into a serene barefoot-luxe destination since its 1940s inception as an exclusive hideaway for the Washington elite. Renovated and reinvented over the past two years, this oceanfront retreat brings a new level of sophistication to the sport-fishing capital of the world while remaining true to the Keys’ renowned casual vibe. 

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Colorful parades, folk dancing, mariachi bands and margaritas — now is the time to celebrate the Mexican victory over a European army more than 150 years ago. And what better way than to bring the party back to the land where it all began? Mexico is so diverse that there are seemingly endless ways to tailor an experience. We’ve whittled down your options, from romantic cliffside escapes and hot urban hangouts to private beach spots and wilderness retreats. All that’s left to decide is which trip (and bikini) suits you the best…

Esperanza. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Don’t Miss: Hand and foot massages by the pool…
Esperanza is a dramatic cliffside retreat in Cabo San Lucas that’s been drawing the celebrity set for several years. Gone is the typical Cabo Wabo tequila-swilling party crew of the spring break era. Instead, guests find peace and tranquility among gorgeous pools with unmatched views of the Sea of Cortez. 

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Ok, I’ll admit it… I have a guilty pleasure called The Bachelor. Each season, the cast and crew travel around the globe in search of love — while we’re at home, searching for the spectacular hotels featured in each episode. This season, Brad’s proposal to Emily was considered the most romantic in Bachelor history, and it’s no doubt that the beautiful South African setting helped. The season may be over, but we’ve got nine Bachelor-approved hotels where you can recreate your own rose ceremony. Don’t hold it against me….

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With the official kick-off of New York’s Fashion Week, we’re rounding out our wardrobes for a visit to Jetsetter’s most chic hotels across the globe. Whether it’s proximity to top shopping, crowds of beautiful people or true designer cred, these properties promise style in spades.

Gansevoort Park Avenue. New York. 
Getting discovered in New York City requires character, beauty, originality and a bit of chutzpah. The Gansevoort Park Avenue, the city’s newest hotel starlet (opened mid-August), pushes the envelope of architecture and design and champions a new breed of rooftop experience with a trilevel bar and pool. With some of the city’s fiercest (and largest) crash pads, eclectic furnishings and killer city views, this central trendsetter has successfully commandeered the NYC spotlight.

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It’s almost times for Valentine’s Day. Say no to slipdress and yes to Paris, Napa, Hawaii and Miami. Whether you visit one of the world’s sexiest cities, take a weekend jaunt, or retreat to a romantic beach, you can thank us later. Five fab ways to spend the holiday…. Love, Jetsetter.

El Tamarindo Beach - Mexico
Set on a 900-acre tract of land with 15 kilometers of beach on a peninsula on Mexico’s Pacific coast, El Tamarindo is an exercise in utter relaxation. From the open-air lobby to each of the 29 recently renovated thatch-roofed villas, everything here is a careful balance of luxury and authenticity. An 18-hole golf course effortlessly blends into the surrounding hills before tumbling into the ocean, and the villas have teak floors, private pools and outdoor living areas. This is Mexico the way you dreamed it. Something special? Set sail on El Tamarindo’s private luxury yacht and indulge with an all-natural Rejuvenation Treatment at El Tamarindo’s spa.

Greenwich Hotel - New York
This 88-room hotel in desirable Tribeca has an eclectic, lived-in feel, thanks to one-of-a-kind furnishings like Moroccan tile and hand-woven Tibetan silk rugs, and a meticulous design (all the bricks were made by hand), creating an overall effect that’s more wealthy-friend’s-townhouse than big-city-hotel. It was built in 2008, part of the overall resurgence of the once-industrial Tribeca neighborhood on Manhattan’s lower West Side. Nestled on a picturesque corner, the 88-room hotel is an urban retreat that feels miles away from the city’s grit and grim. Something special? Dine at Locanda Verde, one of New York city’s hottest and most romantic restaurants and take a private midnight swim in the hotel’s lantern-lit pool.

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Too often, it’s hard to find a trip that’s both quick and totally satisfying in the sense of a pure vacation. Not any more. Shed the stress of the season by escaping to one of these six Jetsetter favorites around the country, from Vegas to Newport, Portland to Santa Fe, Lake Placid  to Hawaii.

What are you waiting for? Check in with Jetsetter.com

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Fashion inspires art and art inspires fashion; but sometimes, travel inspires both. Fashion Week kicked off on Friday, and it’s clear that this year’s top designers have channeled sought-after destinations for their Spring/Summer 2011 collections.

Be it a Parisian tweed jacket or a Kimono-inspired gown, fashion can transport you (and not just to the Boom Boom Room)… Here are 6 collections to get you dreaming.

What: @Chris Benz Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Paris - Hotel du Crillon
Why: Joyful models trotted down the runway, singing along to the sound of the Beach Boys at Chris Ben’z S/S/ 2011 show. Full skirts, full mini-dresses, and full-leg pants, reminiscent of the 1960’s, were paired with crochet cardigans, tweed jackets, floral prints and color-block tops. Cue the boys in vespas, street musicians and throw on a bureau, and you’ve got yourself a Parisian dream.  

What: Vera Wang Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Shanghai, China - Grand Hyatt
Why: Why: Vera Wang’s Spring collection has a Samurai-meets-Matrix vibe with masculine lines and laser cut fabrics. Looks were inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s film Kill Bill, such as sumo-wrestler ropes, Kimono blouses and Eastern silks. With these Shanghainese shaped sheaths, all you need is a set of nunchucks.

What: @Custo Barcelona Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Ibiza, Spain - Atzaro, Bikini Bootcamp
Why: The show mixed fantasy with reality; reality that is for a jetsetting supermodel en-route to Cannes or Capri. Full of flashy feathers, crocheted one piece bathing suits and micro mini skirts, Custo’s collection is inspired by the quintessential Mediterranean party girl… or did the collection inspire the party? 

What: @Peter Som Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Miami, Florida - The Delano
Why: Peter Som was channeling the candy coated skyline of South Beach in his S/S 2011 collection. He mixed postcard prints, flamingo pink and floral brocades; mini shorts, bandeau tops, cutout sweaters were only emphasized by super high platforms. If any gals can pull of this bold and brazen look, its the ladies of SoBe, with a mojito on standby. 

What: Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2011
Where: Seoul, Korea - Grand Hyatt
Why: Inspired by the traditional clothing of Korea, Carolina Herrera’s collection was sophisticated and evocative.  Calligraphic and lotus-blossom prints could easily be from centuries past, while wide-brimmed hats, sheath-dresses and sarong-inspired skirts captured the modernity of now. Clearly studying at the Korean Museum in New York paid off. 

What: Rodarte Spring/Summer 2011

Where: Northern California - 968 Park Hotel
Why: The Mulleavy Sisters collection was born from their love of Northern California, and the redwood spotted landscape. The line looks a lot like their childhood - seventies shapes and suburban functionality - in hues of brown, chocolate brown, walnut brown, ok, well just brown. The back-to-earth tone of the collection is even visible in the details like wooden platforms, sky-blue dresses and stamped leather.

For more travel-inspired fashion, check out Jetsetter Passport.