Best Hotels

Los Angeles boutique hotels come out on top! Who needs bustling lobbies full of tourists and tour guides when you can be greeted by name and escorted directly to your room like an A-lister? Stand in line to check in? That's so 2000 and late!

There's a new list of 5 star hotels in Los Angeles, none of which have more than 200 rooms. In order to reach the tip top of every meeting planner's list, these swanky boutique lairs must have a luxurious LA conference room and a rooftop to die for.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Aim High! Schedule an exclusive meeting in one of these private conference rooms or pitch the perfect party at the top one of these powerhouses—either way, you are guaranteed to raise the roof!

Here's my 'top-heavy" list of luxury boutique hotels LA has to offer:

1. The Thompson Beverly Hills
2. Le Montrose Suite Hotel
3. The Huntley Hotel
4. Petit Ermitage
5. Chamberlain West Hollywood

Find more Los Angeles luxury hotels on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Home to popular art and cultural events, a well respected branch of the University of Texas school system, and several large IT and Telecom firms, Richardson is a quaint, yet urban, North Dallas community. Located about 20 minutes north of downtown and perfectly situated in the center of it all is the Hyatt Regency North Dallas, a massive red brick structure with a distinctly pointed roof.

This large, luxury Dallas hotel has recently undergone a multimillion dollar renovation and now boasts 15,000 square feet of sophisticated Dallas meeting space. So whether you're looking for full-scale Dallas conference facilities or have large meetings requiring several breakouts, the Hyatt Regency North Dallas offers a multitude of options to suit your needs.

The hotel itself is gorgeous. Upon entering, guests are greeted by an elegant foyer lined with four-story windows and adorned with rich drapery. There are 342 remodeled guest rooms complete with high-speed wireless Internet, flat panel televisions with digital video-on-demand and cable services, huge work desks with comfortable chairs, and an iHome alarm clock perfect for iPods. As with any full-service luxury hotel, guests are met with all the amenities one would expect, such as in-room dining, laundry and dry cleaning services, turndown, and a multilingual staff.

Moving on to the meetings side, Dallas event planners won't be disappointed. There is an incredible 7,800-square-foot ballroom that can be broken into seven different sections, as well as a 2,700-square-foot junior ballroom that is divisible into four areas. In addition, there are six extra breakout rooms, 4,000 square feet of prefunction space, and two "lounge" areas to consider as well. The icing on the cake: The Hyatt Regency offers complimentary parking and shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the hotel.

With delicious catering options from their in-house, full-service restaurant, experienced sales and event managers, and on-site audio-visual techs ready to handle any request, there's no excuse not to consider the Hyatt Regency North Dallas as an excellent, and economical, option for hard-to-please clients while in Dallas.

View more information about Hyatt Regency North Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

Starwood Hotels & Resorts are getting in the holiday spirit by offering great rates, free nights and special packages to its guests at hotels across the United States, Canada and Latin America. For example, find New York hotel deals at The Westin New York at Times Square and the W New York-Union Square, both of which are offering a buy three nights, get the fourth night free offer.

Or, consider the exciting Chicago promotion at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Here, for stays between November 6, 2009, and February 21, 2010, guests can enjoy a $100 gift cards for each night you stay; a Macy's VIP coupon book; a complimentary photo with the Macy's Santa on State Street (November 24-December 24); and reduced rates starting at $175 per night for reservations booked before November 6. The Chicago luxury hotel is also offering a complimentary shuttle to and from the Macy's on State Street and Water Tower Place for stays Friday through Sunday from November 27 to December 20. Guests can book online or call 866-716-8103 and ask for hotel promo code MAP to enjoy this Chicago hotel deal.

Visit Starwood Promos to learn more about offers at properties across the globe and learn more about specific terms and conditions.

Hyatt is offering a great hotel promotion for your business travelers and meeting guests. Billed as "The Next Big Thing," the deal invites guests to choose their reward of free nights or bonus points.

From October 1, 2009, through January 31, 2010, Hyatt Gold Passport members can opt for one free night after every two stays or 3,000 Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points on every stay, starting with the second stay. Plus, every stay during the promotional period will count double toward earning tier status. And best of all, these rewards are unlimited!

Guests can redeem free night awards with no blackout dates between October 15, 2009 and March 31, 2010. Bonus points can be used anytime for free nights, upgrades or miles, with no expiration.

Visit Hyatt Gold Passport to learn more and register for this great hotel deal!

Centrally located in the heart of Chicago's loop, the Palmer House Hilton offers modern conveniences combined with over one hundred years of elegance. An all-in-one destination, the Chicago hotel has two on-site restaurants, an enclosed shopping arcade, and a fitness center complete with a steam room, sauna and indoor pool. Plus, a central location in Chicago's business and entertainment district places it just a few steps away from an abundance of shopping activities along world-famous State Street and North Michigan Avenue.

In 2005, The Palmer House was bought by Joe Sitt. Over the next few years he began a renovation project of about $170 million to restore the hotel, while keeping it open the entire time. Although the renovation was much needed, Sitt had to be careful to preserve the hotel as an attraction. As one of the most frequently visited places in the city, The Palmer House is home to a beautiful mural painted by French muralist Louis Pierre Rigal in the 1920s. This scene was derived from Greek mythology and brought the entire lobby to life for both guests in the hotel and guests passing through to enjoy.

The Chicago luxury hotel's long list of special amenities is well-suited for meetings and events. The self-contained conference floor includes 38 function rooms and its own business center, which can satisfy virtually every business need. With 27,081 square feet of Chicago exhibit space, this 1,639-guest room property can accommodate large overnight groups while allowing the convenience for them to have meetings on-site. With fine service and Chicago's most popular attractions outside the door, The Palmer House Hilton is ready to charm you and your business guests.

View more information about The Palmer House Hilton on the Cvent Supplier Network

Atlanta is a third-party planner's dream city to host meetings, special events and, most of all, weddings! With its temperate climate, Southern hospitality and spacious event sites, there's no wonder why Atlanta provides is a welcoming destination for brides and grooms. One of the best venues for Atlanta weddings is undoubtedly The Trolley Barn. Maybe this is why this venue is booked almost every weekend until next fall.

Built in 1889, The Trolley Barn is a local landmark with beginnings that were anything but an Atlanta special event facility. Originally built to service first railway line through the city of Atlanta, it has transitioned through time into a premier site for events. Recent renovations have assisted in maintaining its historic architecture, which make a perfect site to accommodate professional and festive events.

The main hall of this Atlanta unique venue can host 250 guests for seated dining. With its grand 30-foot ceilings and classic mesquite wood flooring, the hall is the perfect spot for the couple's first dance.

Off-site catering is welcomed either indoors in the approximately 2,800 square feet of vintage venue bliss, or on the outdoor patio, which can be tented for the winter months. If your guests need lodging, there are several Atlanta luxury hotels fewer than two miles away. These include the Ritz Carlton Buckhead Atlanta hotel, W Hotel Downtown, and the Emory Hotel and Conference Center.

View more information about The Trolley Barn on the Cvent Supplier Network

The W Atlanta Midtown is one of the city's few hotels where people can enjoy much more than a good night's rest. With popular celebrity filled events almost every weekend, why would you want to sleep? This boutique hotel in Atlanta invites its guests to get pampered, get attention and get away, all without leaving the Atlanta city limits.

The W Hotel was the first location for the ultra-modern, world-class Bliss Spa in the Atlanta area. Here, guests may indulge themselves with decadent treats including the oxygen blast facial, carrot & sesame body buff and the "blissage" head-to-toe massage treatment.

The premier site for celebrity sightings, many of the city's elite can be found at this Atlanta hotel on any given night. The Real Housewives of Atlanta have been spotted here on various occasions, including during their OK Magazine photo shoot. Incorporating LA style with Southern hospitality, the Playboy Pajama Party was also held at this Atlanta luxury hotel.

So why pick the W Hotel for your Atlanta events? Opened in 2008, this hotel paradise in Midtown is complete with 30,000 feet of multipurpose function area, 14 meeting and special event rooms and 466 luxury guest rooms. So whether your event attendees want to have an executive meeting or a glitzy Hollywood-themed party, the W Hotel Midtown has the sophistication to make any function a red carpet event.

View more information about the W Atlanta Midtown on the Cvent Supplier Network

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is on a mission to open its 1000th hotel and resort, and throughout 2009 the North American Division made contributions. Starwood recently announced that it executed 25 new deals and opened more than 40 hotels in the North American Division this year, with an additional 20 properties expected to open before 2010.

"These 40 plus hotel openings and 25 new signings further extend our leadership as the world’s largest upper-upscale and luxury hotel company, while also strengthening our place as the industry innovator in the select service segment," said Paul Sacco, senior vice president of development for Starwood's North American Division, in a statement.

Among the properties opened this year:

• The St. Regis Atlanta, the 500th hotel in North America
• W Fort Lauderdale, the 30th W Hotel worldwide
• Aloft Tallahassee Downtown, the 30th Aloft Hotel worldwide

Expected among the 2009 hotel openings include the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center & Casino, Le Meridien Philadelphia, and The St. Regis Resort & Residents, Deer Crest. Recent signings have included an Aloft property in Atlanta, an Element property in Ontario, a St. Regis property in Bermuda, and a Westin property in New Jersey.

The Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center near Washington DC is the largest hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard. It has over 470,000 square feet of flexible meeting room space including a 180,000 square foot exhibition hall. Located on the National Harbor, this DC luxury hotel has stunning views of the Potomac River and an incredible 18-story glass atrium.

One of the many luxuries that the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center offers is a “Hotel within a Hotel” program. The program is perfect for all your events in Washington DC because it provides exclusive meeting environments for executive meetings. Guests of executive meetings can stay in the National Bay, which is a collection of 300 upgraded guest rooms with direct elevator access from guestrooms to dedicated meeting space. There is also a dedicated Meeting Manager assigned to each executive meeting to cover all aspects of the planning process. 65,000 square feet of outdoor event space, including a full-service pier and marina.

View more information about the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Located on Union Square, and opened in 1904, The Westin St. Francis is a fantastic San Francisco luxury hotel and a perfect venue for your next special event.  Referred to as the “Great Dame” of Union Square, the Westin St. Francis has over 56,000-square-feet of meeting space in 34 rooms.

With a mix of historic elegance and modern innovation, The Westin St. Francis features of variety of unique special event space. The Colonial Room is a gorgeous 3,276-sqaure-foot San Francisco banquet hall that features a gold-leaf ceiling and a beautiful Tuscan mural and fits over 400 people. The Westin St. Francis also has the massive Grand Ballroom, with over 10,700-sqaure-feet. The Grand Ballroom is perfect for all your large, extravagant affairs, as it fits over 1,500 people.

Another unique element of the hotel is the historic Magneta Grandfather Clock in the lobby. For years, this clock has caused guests to exclaim “Meet me under the clock!” So, tell your guests to meet you “under the clock” for your next special event in San Francisco and host the event at The Westin St. Francis!

View more information about The Westin St. Francis on the Cvent Supplier Network

Looking for posh and totally exclusive? Have clients you want to impress? Try The Joule Dallas!

One of the newest, most elegant Dallas boutique hotels, The Joule is the latest addition to the city’s push to reintroduce sophistication into its hospitality scene. Designed by Adam Tihany, the same man who did Le Cirque in NYC, this Neo-Gothic hotel spared no expense when it came to its design and amenities. Case in point: the in-room phone has a one-touch call button to the flagship Neiman Marcus right next door! This upscale hotel also includes a 1,500-square-foot deluxe gym, in-room spa services, a library, and more than 2,300 square feet of Dallas meeting space.

The Joule is also home to Charlie Palmer’s signature restaurant, Charlie Palmer at the Joule, as well as a retail wine shop Next Vintage, which serves the rooftop lounge. What’s so special about the rooftop lounge? That would be the boldly designed, cantilevered rooftop pool that actually juts out over the edge of the building with only a thick layer of glass separating swimmers from the earth below!

Don’t let this bit of luxury scare you, though. For those looking to truly impress important business clients, or for Dallas event planners who need to plan an upscale off-site event without those pesky getaway fees (like, say, airfare), The Joule is the place. It boasts the air of sophistication the best hotels of NYC, all from the heart of Texas!

View more information about The Joule Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

Much to the excitement of Chicago meeting planners and visitors, the brand new Elysian Chicago hotel is approaching opening day! This new luxury hotel is the first in a new series of properties under the management of Elysian Hotels & Resorts. Set in the glamorous Chicago Gold Coast, the Elysian will be located near the posh Chicago restaurant Spiaggia as well as many high-end stores and boutiques such as Barney's, Gucci and Prada.

This 60-story, 188 guest suite hotel (part of a mixed-use development) has combined a sophisticated and timeless setting for its guests to experience. The suites average 890 square feet with only 10 suites per floor. Each guest room is equipped with elegant modern furnishings, both indoors and on the private terraces; white marble soaking tubs; dual vanities; fireplaces; and exclusive Italian linens. As if those amenities weren't enough, the hotel has two on-site restaurants as well as 24-hour room service run by the famous Charlie Trotter.

Additional perks include luxury automobiles for local transportation around the city and airport transfers. Guests are also treated to access to the Elysian Spa & Health Club, home to a mosaic-tiled pool, saunas, steam rooms and, of course, whirlpools.

The Elysian has over 4,500 square feet of function space for Chicago meetings and private events. Its world-class cuisine and intricate decor provides a versatile setting for any type of event, from a business meeting in the Fitzgerald Boardroom, which seats 12 people, to a black-tie affair in the Sinclair Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 270 people. Each event is sure to run smoothly thanks to the Elysian's special attention to top-of-the-line service.

The Elysian Chicago makes it a mission to mimic the "Golden Age of travel" in the early 20th century when a hotel stay was synonymous with luxury. It seems to be right on track!

View more information about the Elysian Chicago on the Cvent Supplier Network

For the first time in 30 years, the historic Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa opened to guests. However, its soft opening saw only 65 guests, who booked the rooms exclusively through booking agents.

Closed since 1981, the hotel building has been boarded up for decades. In 2001, the Snyder family bought the hotel for $250,000 and has been gradually renovating it at a cost of $40 million.

Now, this Tulsa luxury hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features 102 modernized guest suites with flat-screen televisions, full kitchens, and wood floors. It also boasts nine event and meeting spaces, which can accommodate 10 to 300 guests. Consider an intimate dinner at the Penthouse, which offers stained glass windows, dark woodwork, breathtaking views of the city skyline and room for 50 to 80 guests. Or, host your Tulsa wedding reception or a black-tie gala in the Crystal Ballroom.

Hotel officials say the Mayo Hotel will be open for reservations from the general public "soon."

Event planners have another New York luxury hotel to add to their lists. Ink48, a Kimpton Hotel, is currently open for its "rough draft phase" with 222 guest rooms and suites. In addition to the great views of the Manhattan skyline, rooms feature an elegant color scheme of snow whites, ruby reds and chocolate browns, and come equipped with numerous amenities to immerse guests in the utmost of luxury. French-press coffee upon request, high-speed wired and wireless Internet access, flat-screen HDTVs, complimentary morning newspapers, and L'Occitane spa and bath amenities are among the posh extras guests can enjoy.

For New York meetings and social events, Ink48 is a great venue option. With 5,000 square feet of space, the NYC hotel can accommodate everything from a corporate board meeting of 12 people to an elegant New York wedding reception of 100 guests. Ink48's catering services add a special touch, crafting seasonal menus that incorporate local produce, meats and fish from the New York area.

Ink48 is a perfect urban retreat for New York meeting guests and business travelers. Its eco-friendly spa includes the signature "Ultimate Urban Facial" and "Jet Lag Recovery" treatments, while the its rooftop restaurant and lounge is the perfect place to kick back with a glass of Champagne. And of course, for guests who want to get right in the action, the hotel is located just blocks from the New York convention center and attractions such as the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, Central Park South, and the American Museum of Natural History.

View more information about Ink48 on the Cvent Supplier Network

Those famous white tents will once again be taking over New York City's Bryant Park today with the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Just as fashionistas get a first look at spring's new crop of flowing dresses and ruffled blouses, event planners, too, should have something to look forward to, right?

Lucky for you, BizBash New York recently compiled a list of 10 of New York's Most Anticipated New Venues. From hotels to restaurants, here's what planners can anticipate up ahead: 

Empire Room

Located on the ground floor of the Empire State Building, one of the most iconic New York attractions, the Empire Room is a 3,500-square-foot Art Deco cocktail lounge. Set to open in late October or early November by Mark Grossich's Hospitality Holdings, the New York venue will "harken back to the golden age of the 1920s and 30s with its theme, A Toast to Another Time," according to Grossich.

Le Caprice New York

From the London-based Caprice Holdings, owners of such well-reputed establishments as The Ivy and J Sheekey, comes Le Caprice New York. Located on the lobby level of New York luxury hotel the Pierre, this NY restaurant—the first American property of the group—will boast sleek black-and-white decor and 76 seats in the dining room.

Stage 37

With locations across the country, Studio Instrument Rentals is one of the largest and most respected backline, audio, rehearsal and production support services in America. This fall, SIR is unveiling a new location new the New York convention center. At 13,600 square feet, the multipurpose Stage 37 will have room for 500 guests for New York events of all kinds.

Need a San Antonio hotel for an event, but want to treat your guests to a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is a great option. Set to open January 2010, this San Antonio luxury hotel is just 20 minutes from downtown set among the majestic beauty of Texas Hill Country's Cibolo Canyons.

Offering 1,002 guest rooms including 85 suites, this Hill Country resort is a truly relaxing experience. Its 26,000-square-foot  spa has 30 treatment rooms, a private spa pool and fitness area complete with state-of-the-art cardio equipment and free weights. Its 36-hole golf course, designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman, boasts stunning views of the countryside. Finally, its 1,100-foot lazy river is the perfect way for guests of all ages to unwind.

The JW Marriott offers over 140,000 square feet of dedicated San Antonio meeting space. Planners in need of San Antonio banquet facilities can take advantage of the 40,000-square-foot Grand Oaks Ballroom, 21,000-square-foot Cibolo Canyon Ballroom or one of three outdoor venues. Also on-site are a 40,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall and 18 breakout rooms.

View more information about the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa on the Cvent Supplier Network

Last week I blogged about how luxury hotels across the country are dropping rates in order to stay competitive and boost occupancy. In the short-term, enticing guests with the promise of luxe accommodations at a low price works, with most travelers raving about the deals they've found. However, the strategy also has big disadvantages, such as the loss of luxury hotels' hard-earned reputations.

"This is a huge issue," Jan Freitag, a vice president at Smith Travel Research, recently told the Las Vegas Sun. "Rates are a signal of quality in the hotel industry."

Perhaps more pressing is the difficulty hotels will face in increasing their hotel rates in the future following such price drops.

"It hurts the business, it hurts the market fairly significantly, because it will take a number of years to recoup the rates," John Brost, general manager of the Best Western Lakeside in Kissimmee, Florida, told The Orlando Sentinel.

Customers will expect hotels to keep these deals coming, agreed Thomas P. McConnell, a senior managing director at Cushman & Wakefield.

"Once you get a $149 rate in Manhattan, it will be difficult to charge $349 for that room next year," McConnell told The New York Times.

This slow recovery has been seen in the past. Take, for example, the nationwide travel slump that followed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In Orlando, average room prices slid 11 percent and did not recover until four years later, despite occupancy returning to pre-9/11 levels after three years. In New Orleans, hotels are still struggling to recoup room rates as they recover from Hurricane Katrina four years ago.

Interestingly, a recent study by the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration of U.S. room rates from 2001-2007 found that "hotels that set their prices higher than direct competitors—in good times and bad—generated more room revenue over time," The Orlando Sentinel reported. Hotels that discounted prices were not able to stimulate sufficient demand to make up for the discounted rates.

"There’s nothing wrong with offering selected discounts, but hotels shouldn't give them away to everybody because their occupancy will still be down," Sheryl Kimes, a professor of operations management at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration, told the Sun. "With fewer people traveling, everyone is fighting for a smaller pie."

Still, with occupancy rates for luxury hotels worldwide falling over 50 percent this year, it seems they have few good options.

"The bottom line is the operator is stuck between a rock and a hard place," Richard Maladecki, president of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, told the Orlando Sentinel. "They need to fill those rooms because, obviously, yesterday is not going to happen again."

I've been blogging about luxury hotels slashing rates to earn customers. To compensate further for the hotel market decline, these upscale venues are now giving up their stars, according to Bloomberg News.

Stars, diamonds and other measures of quality are not standardized internationally. In the United States, travel guides generally provide rankings, with the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Mobil Travel Guide being the most widely-recognized. As such, no hard and fast rules of rankings exist, but many have specific guidelines. The Mobil Travel Guide, for example, expects five-star hotels to have fresh flowers in guest rooms, ice buckets that are high quality (glass, metal, stone, etc.), a choice of at least two complimentary newspapers offered and distributed, and 24-hour room service, including hot food.

However, as I've blogged before, many hotel properties are eliminating extras like these in an effort to save money.

"A lot of things we all got drunk over can be eliminated and reduced to being less intrusive and hence more economical," Lewis Wolff, co-chairman of Martiz, Wolff & Co., owner of luxury hotels including a Four Seasons hotel in Toronto, told Bloomberg.

However, such cutbacks aren’t expected to impact the customer experience.

"If a five-star hotel was downgraded to a four star, most people would be just as happy," Wolff said.

Four years after being knocked down by Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans meetings are regaining their footing. Last year, 7.6 million visited the city, according to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, up from 3.7 million in 2006 and 7.1 million in 2007. Before Katrina, in 2004, a record 10.1 million visitors showed up. This year looks good: Mardi Gras attendance reached pre-Katrina levels of about one million.

There are 119 hotels in New Orleans with 22,000 hotel rooms. And rates at the luxury hotels there are a good deal, many being quoted at $70 per night.

You've probably heard the saying, "Champagne taste on  beer budget" and know that it's no easy feat. You want more, you pay more, right? Well, in today's tough economy, that's no longer the case, including at luxury hotels.

Though the entire hotel market is suffering due to the recession, no segment has been hit harder than luxury hotels. Smith Travel Research has reported that occupancy rates for luxury hotels worldwide fell 57 percent this year through July, a bigger drop than other accommodations. As such, upscale properties are cutting room rates; STR reports that average daily rates of luxury hotels around the globe have dropped as much as 16 percent.

"Most luxury hotels are facing occupancy shortfalls, they are lowering rates to entice consumers to come in," Jeff Higley, vice president at Smith Travel Research, recently told Bloomberg News. "There rarely has been a better time to stay at a luxury hotel than right now."

Take Las Vegas, where high supply and low demand have resulted in a budget traveler's paradise. In fact, back in May, Budget Travel writer Andrew Lincoln took a trip to Las Vegas to see just how low the luxury hotels though would go. On the phone, he got rates as low as $129 at the Wynn Las Vegas, and ultimately booked a room online for $90.

Last week, Orlando hotels were slashing rates just as much. The Orlando Sentinel reported that The Monumental Hotel was offering rooms for $10 one night mid-August. Meanwhile, Marriott's Orlando World Center Resort was running an Orlando hotel deal of 25 percent off for any guest booking a four-night stay.

New York hotels find themselves among those markets suffering the most, and thus are cutting rates quite a bit. For the week of August 9-15, 2009, Smith Travel Research reported that New York saw revenue per available room decreases of 30.2 percent, leading the six markets that reported RevPAR decreases of 25 percent or more.

"I know I could come across sounding like the convention bureau, but New York really is a good buy right now," John A. Fox, a senior vice president at the New York offices of PKF Consulting, recently told The New York Times.

As such, Manhattan hotel operators have responded by cutting room rates by nearly one-third over last year, averaging $200 a night in July, according to the NY Times. New York luxury hotels in NYC saw average daily rates of $289.