It all began with Bankie Banks whose family owns the idyllic beachfront where the Dune Preserve Beach Bar sits. When Bankie was a kid, he camped along this beach that’s so beautiful, it feels like a mirage. Then one day, he and his best friend Bullett got this idea to turn their dream spot into the ultimate ramshackle beach bar. Built of driftwood and pieces of shipwrecked racing boats supplemented with regionally harvested woods, Dune Preserve was way green when all green meant was the color of grass. Today, it’s the hippest beach bar on Anguilla. Many think it’s the best in the Caribbean. (more…)

Situated on a quiet street on the banks of the river Weser, the 51-room Hotel ÜberFluss is ideal for a variety of small events, from small wedding ceremonies to model castings. On the sixth floor there is a penthouse space for up to 54 people, with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering beautiful vistas of the river and historic city. From this room there is access to a rooftop bar and two rooftop terraces. Outfitted with lounge sofas and sunbeds, these are ideal for relaxed get-togethers and summer barbeques. Downstairs on the first floor an 900 square foot space is light and airy, with a glass front and modern multimedia equipment.

Hotel ÜberFluss
Langenstraße 72
28195 Bremen, Germany

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This 50-room hotel in the center of Palma has recently unveiled two new meeting rooms and event spaces for 10, 20 or 40 people. For small groups and informal meetings, the new multimedia room with 72” plasma screen, video console and Mac computer is ideal, whilst the new Mandala room is perfect for larger events. It has a capacity for 40 guests, state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, spaciousness and natural light. In January 2011 the hotel will also open The Wing Room, a completely new area which can be hired exclusively for private corporate and social events. It will include a Music Studio which will be the base for Puro´s own releases and remixes from its label ‘Puro Music’. For those seeking a place to wind down afterwards a poolside break or massage at Purobeach is the ultimate option.

Puro Oasis Urbano
Montenegro 12
07012 Palma
Mallorca, Spain

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The phrase ‘a room with a view’ is foremost at 144-room Memmo Baleeira where meeting rooms overlook the Baleeira harbour in Sagres Bay, known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. For a relaxing coffee break a terrace off the rooms is a place to take in the refreshing sea air, while indoors on the top floor flexible rooms for 10 to 150 people are ideal for special events or small creative sessions. The hotel also offers a wide variety of menus, ranging from working lunches to exquisite menus created for special events.

Memmo Baleeira Hotel
8650-357 Vila de Sagres
Portugal

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A summer BBQ? Chic car launch? Or perhaps swimming with dolphins? All are possible at this 294-room Hillside Hu hotel situated by the sea and just 15 minutes from Antalya airport. The ‘Voda Congress Hall’ has a ceiling height of 23 feet and an extensive balcony, while the Amanzi hall offers a large door opening on to lush gardens. Together with an 9,000 square foot ballroom, the spaces are ideal for large events such as car launches because of their style, size and easy access. Outside, a 1000 square metre al fresco function area with beautiful gardens is the perfect setting for gala dinners and parties. There are also eight smaller breakout meeting rooms for different purposes.

Hillside Su Hotel
Konyaalti
07050 Antalya
Turkey

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Design Hotels presents five member hotels with amazing views, lavish gardens and state-of-the-art technology. From the north German port city of Bremen, to an urban resort in Jakarta, there are exciting meeting spaces to be discovered all around the world. The first that we will tell you about is Alila Jakarta.

Situated in the heart of the city’s business district overlooking the Presidential Palace, the 246-room Alila Jakarta fits with its neighbors’ business prowess. With a minimal design aesthetic, the hotel offers a refreshing sanctuary from the world outside. Guests are welcome to relax in the light and calming lobby lounge with chill out music, or wander in the garden in the peaceful inner courtyard. (more…)

Earlier this summer, Aqua Expeditions CEO Francesco Galli-Zugaro announced plans to launch the second Aqua Expeditions vessel on the Peruvian Amazon, the M/V Aria, in April 2011. The M/V Aria features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. (more…)

Villa Milagro is the newest and most luxurious vacation rental in Troncones, Mexico, a resort on the Mexican Riviera just north of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.  Sitting solo on a secluded beachfront cove, the Villa consists of three separate thatched-roof, open-sided structures, open to the outdoor elements of Pacific Ocean, Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains, and acres of untouched tropical landscapes along with nature’s many other riches found in this virtual paradise. (more…)

Parties, parades, picnics in parks, fireworks and open-air concerts – summer doesn’t have to be about skitting off to the beach, when there are so many cities in America that offer a calendar-packing array of events designed to add summertime sparkle. Mr. & Mrs. Smith earmarked five of their favorite hotels – in five of their favorite US cities – that are perfectly positioned for making the most of the sun-soaked urban action.

Ace Hotel, Portland, OR

Bring your coloring pencils to this beatnik bolthole, where hand-painted murals by local artists make every room a studio space for Portland’s dusty bohemian glamor. With retro posters, vintage furniture, vinyl players and records, rooms are original without being ornate. Hang out in Clyde Common’s bar sipping Wild West-inspired cocktails, then venture out into the Pearl District to soak up more of the city’s creative buzz.

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Stonehurst Place, Atlanta, GA

Explore Margaret Mitchell country from this historic 19th-century inn where Southern charm meets European flair. Think bare feet on gleaming hardwood floors, scraping the last crumbs of home-made lemon bread from antique gold-rimmed china, or relaxing with a copy of Gone With The Wind on the front porch swing.

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XV Beacon, Boston, MA

Right beside Boston Common, this trad but trendy stay has eye-popping opulent interiors complemented by original art deco elevators and Louis XV furniture. On the rooftop, a Bostonian bower with views over Beacon Hill spills its greenery onto maple-red loungers. Look your best at Mooo, Jamie Mammano’s classic steakhouse, or descend into the stone-lined grandeur of the cellar to gaze in wonder at the vaulted array of rare fine wines.

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Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX

Slip into vintage finery and Aladdin slippers to suit the spirit of the Saint Cecilia, just south of the river in downtown Austin. It’s a trippy mishmash of turquoise velour wallpaper, stuffed exotic birds, weathered chesterfields and glittering antique chandeliers. So dim the lights, pour a Rioja from the minibar, pick a vintage vinyl soundtrack to slap on the in-room turntable, and plan your own rock ‘n’ roll rebellion.

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St Regis, Washington DC

Just a stroll from the White House, this palatial hotel combines 1920s glamor with the spankingly up-to-date. Sip a bloody mary amid the old-gold glamor of the Chandelier Room, with it’s floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows, or dine on ceviche and Colorado lamb among the eye-soothingly sleek lines of the Adour restaurant, where Alain Ducasse brings a touch of French finesse to classic American cuisine.

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Cradled in the heart of San Telmo in Buenos Aires lays the Moreno Hotel. Formerly a printing house designed by Hungarian architect Johannes Kronfuss and now a contemporary hotel that still holds dearly onto their old-school self pull elevator.  Upon entering the Moreno, I was greeted by their doorman who gladly took my luggage and escorted me to the front desk. After being mesmerized by the dim light cozy reception area, I was shocked to find that my room for the night was larger than your average Manhattan apartment with high ceilings and wooden floors. (more…)