The Lobby from SPG

Destination Spotlight - Austin, Texas - Go Batty on a Boat in Austin

2010-03-16T14:41:42Z

The largest colony of bats in America has curiously collected in Austin, Texas, under the Congress Avenue Bridge. It's an incredible sight of symmetry to watch as more than a million of them fly out from under the bridge, and it's a sight that people can view for free from above or below. But if you really want to take it to the next level, Capital Cruises offer what they like to call "sunset bat cruises." Every night in peak bat season, which is March through October, Capital Cruises' tour guides will take you on this awesome natural adventure, offering insight on how this extraordinary phenomenon, which began in the Eighties, came to settle in Austin. Cocktails and dinner are also available options depending on one's mood to celebrate.

In other words, how truly batty do you really want to go? The choice is yours. Just listen to us on one small, but very important thing: Don't forget the bug repellent! Those critters will get you faster than any bat will; they're really not interested in us mere humans luckily. Stay at the just opened Westin Austin at The Domain, and we can promise that the bats won't follow you to your room. But you aren't afraid of bats, are you?

Destination Spotlight - Austin, Texas - Discover Farm-Fresh Eats

2010-03-16T14:30:46Z

A weekend spent at the Aloft Austin means putting on the cowboy boots and loosening the belt buckle a notch or two - right? Not exactly. This Tex-Mex heaven is a lot greener than you may expect. The birthplace of Whole Foods lays claim to some pretty exciting restaurants that have your health - and the planet's - in mind.

"Only" is an oft-repeated word when it comes to Ruby's BBQ's many claims to fame: It's the only place in Austin that slowly smokes its BBQ in oak wood-fired authentic brick pits; the only BBQ restaurant serving all-natural, hormone-free brisket; and it only serves side dishes it makes in-house from fresh produce. Its chunky mayonnaise potato salad gets rave reviews.

Texas-Tuscan haven Vespaio gets up close and personal with its meat as well, actually butchering the locally-raised lambs and pigs that make their way into its spicy Italian dishes - the wood-fired Toscana pizza features housemade Tuscan pork sausage. A back garden provides fresh herbs, and pastas, including gluten-free options, and breads are handmade in-house.
The 16-table
Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar keeps it fresh-as-can-be as well, relying on local produce, herbs, and cheeses, with an emphasis on what's in season. This member of the slow food movement is so serious about sustainability that it prints the names of the many Texas farms it works with at the bottom of its menu, which features fresh, inventive dishes like grassfed bison NY strip on barley pilaf with hen of the woods mushrooms and dried cherries.

Classical Meets Folk at the Budapest Spring Festival

2010-03-16T14:21:50Z

It's good to saturate yourself with the arts every now and then. That's the great thing about festivals. Back to back days filled with music, dance, and theater have the power to transport you to a realm outside your daily life. One of the best takes place in the Hungarian capital each spring. This year, the Budapest Spring Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary March 19 - April 5.

From orchestras to chamber music ensembles and choirs performing in church settings, the festival's classical music selection is vast. Pillars of the Eastern European classical music scene, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Hungarian National Philharmonic perform concerts dedicated to the work of Beethoven and Bartok, while piano virtuosos Tamas Vasary and Pawel Kowalski both showcase evenings devoted to Chopin. For dance lovers, a handful of international companies, including the Royal Danish Ballet and Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia bring Balanchine grace and the poetry of Garcia Lorca to the festival stage. Of course no artistic program in Hungary is complete without a little folk music and dance. Both the 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra and the Young Hearts Hungarian Dance Ensemble will add plenty of Carpathian flair.

With performances taking place at a dozen theaters, opera houses, and basilicas around the city, guests of the dazzling Le Méridien Budapest will be surrounded by a varied selection of exceptional performances during the Budapest Spring Festival's entire 18-day run. From Chopin to Shakespeare. The choice is yours.

Destination Spotlight - Austin, Texas - A Tour of the Texas State Capitol

2010-03-16T14:11:02Z

Over the past two decades, Austin has become better known as a capital of live music than the capital of the state of Texas. If you're more familiar with Austin's famed music venues than its political landmarks, make your way over to the Texas State Capitol, where free guided and self-guided tours will teach you everything you need to know about the Lone Star State's majestic seat of government. For one thing, it's absolutely enormous. Built on the city's highest point, the 1888 red-granite Renaissance Revival building towers 94 meters into the desert sky, providing panoramic views and giving the city a dramatic silhouette. In fact, it's the largest in gross square footage of all the state capitols and is second in total size only to the National Capitol in Washington, D.C. Tours take visitors to various landmarks, including the Capitol Rotunda and Dome - which is filled with portraits of everybody who has ever served as governor or president of Texas - and the Senate and House of Representatives Chambers, the latter being the building's largest room. Legal buffs will appreciate the Supreme Court Courtroom, which served as the core of the Texas judicial system from 1888 to 1959, while the Legislative Reference Library is filled with books and artifacts. If you're still up for more walking after seeing the inside of the Capitol, continue the adventure with a tour of the 22 acres of Capitol Grounds, which are gorgeously landscaped and dotted with lush lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers. It's a beautiful way to learn about one of the country's most inspiring cities. Starwood has three Austin hotels, including the nearby Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol.

[image via tspb.state.tx.us]

Starwood Insider - Peter Foreman - Anyone for Tea?

2010-03-16T14:07:31Z

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and thelobby.com's expert on Asia.

Working at Le Meridien and being a coffee lover, I enjoy our global partnership with Illy. However, on my last trip to Singapore, I discovered TWG Tea at the newly opened iconic shopping centre - ION Orchid, a 10 to 15 minute walk from the St. Regis Singapore.

TWG Tea was established in Singapore a few years back to celebrate the island's history as a trading post for tea. This was made official in the year 1837 when Singapore's Chamber of Commerce was established. Today, this quaint little tea salon serves over 800 different teas from India, China, Japan, Burma, Brazil as well as your favorite classics; 12 different Earl Grey styles and over 100 exclusive blends such as London-Singapore Tea and Weekend in Moscow Tea. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, service is quick, efficient and the staff are knowledgeable about the different teas on offer. Tables are clothed with crisp white linen and the tea is served in stylish tea pots with elegant cups and saucers. For morning tea, I had a Gentlemen's Earl Grey (S$10 / US $7.20) and a Crème Brulee infused with Darjeeling Phuguri Tea (S$10/ US $7.20).

My tip: Escape the Singapore heat with an Iced Tea; try Lemon Bush from South Africa; (S$10.50 / US$8) or enjoy some TWG tea when you're staying at the St. Regis Singapore, which also serves the tea to guests.

Neighborhood Watch: Park City, Utah

2010-03-15T14:25:04Z

A quintessential Old West mining town, Park City, Utah is delightfully picturesque. Each winter, a wondrous blanket of fluffy snow piles up on the city's rooftops and covers the long boughs of tall evergreens with sparkly white. It's a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, who are easily spotted gliding down nearby slopes, or riding up on the lifts that pass right over the roadways. And during those brief breaks between downhill runs, Park City offers all sorts of distinctive shops and delicious restaurants to explore.

With its bevy of enticing storefronts, Main Street is the obvious first stop on your Park City shopping adventure. Crosby Collection (No. 419) is a jewel box of Native American treasures. You'll find Navajo weavings, Pueblo pottery, and loads of turquoise. For cute clothes (ladies and babies only), stop in at Mary Jane's (No. 613), then satisfy your inner cowboy at Burns Saddlery (No. 363). For lunch, head off the beaten path to Park Avenue. This quaint, quiet road that runs parallel to Main Street is lined with adorable miner's homes that date back to the 1880s. At No. 703, the High West Distillery and Saloon is the perfect place to warm up with a hearty burger and a highball. The brand new restaurant, housed in a hundred-year-old garage, is the first whisky distillery to open in Utah since the 1870s. After lunch, satisfy your sweet tooth a few doors down at Sugar Buzz (No. 651). Just be sure to stock up on enough jelly beans to last through the rest of your stay at the luxurious St. Regis Deer Crest Resort. It's going to be hard luring you out again from this cozy retreat nestled among the high peaks of Utah's majestic Wasatch range. Although a glance out the window is all the incentive you'll need to get back out onto those impeccable Deer Valley slopes.

Cupcakes Forever!

2010-03-15T14:10:30Z

A Slate.com business columnist thinks the rise of cupcakes is a bubble heading for a crash. I say who cares when we all profit from the irrational exuberance! Here's a round-up of tasty cupcake options near Starwood hotels around the country.

Your first order of business in LA, after checking into the Westin Los Angeles Airport, should be to head to Cupcakes Couture in Manhattan Beach. The shop creates some of the fanciest cupcakes I've seen, including such treats as the "Sunday Mimosa," (pictured) a champagne sponge cake filled with orange curd and topped with citrus frosting and blood orange "caviar," and the "Little Miss Sunshine," a strawberry cake with strawberry jam, vanilla frosting and topped with a vanilla macaroon.

Sweet Revenge, a few blocks north of the Four Points by Sheraton SoHo-Village, knows its customers aren't kids: it offers wine and beer pairing suggestions for its cupcakes. Try pairing the decadent "Dirty" with a Peroni or another pale lager.

Up in Seattle, you can order online from Cupcake Royale and have a dozen delivered to the W Seattle, or have them waiting for you when you swing by the Capitol Hill location. Sadly, it's too late to get the "Deathcake Royale," but the chocolate mint gets high marks and is available all year 'round.

[image via Cupcakes Couture]

See the French Riviera Through the Eyes of Henri Matisse

2010-03-15T14:00:09Z

Henri Matisse was one of the most important artists of the 20th century, a master of color who brought classical French painting into the modern era. His work can be seen in museums and galleries around the world, but it might best be appreciated in Nice, the city he called home from 1918 to 1954. The Matisse Museum is located on the hill of Cimiez, near the ruins of Cemenelum, and it matches its beautiful setting with one of the most impressive art collections in all of Europe. Established in 1963 as a gift from the artist and his heirs to the people of Nice, the spacious museum features dozens of works by Matisse throughout his long, prolific career, from his 1898 painting Maisons a Fenouillet, a loving depiction of a rustic home, to his 1909 bronze sculpture Le Serpentine, featuring a woman in deep contemplation. There are some of his personal items on display as well, such as his table of paints and paintbrushes, along with the work of other French artists such as Auguste Rodin, who predated Matisse in France by just one generation. But perhaps the most striking work is the 1919 painting Tempête à Nice (pictured), which depicts a rainy day on the French Riviera. He manages to convey more about the city in a few brush strokes than a camera ever could. Starwood has three hotels in the Nice area, including Le Méridien Nice.

[image via musee-matisse-nice.org]

Party Like the Irish on St. Patrick's Day in Chicago

2010-03-12T15:28:48Z

It's safe to say that any city that dyes its river green is pretty serious about its St. Patrick's Day celebration, and Chicago is no exception. A rich Irish tradition plus a love for beer and parades make it a memorable place to spend the holiday. With the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown as your home base, you can celebrate a traditional holiday with some memorable twists.

If you're there for the river dyeing and noon parade, which actually happens this Saturday, you'll want to start your morning at Rock Bottom's Kegs and Eggs event. The microbrewery will serve a buffet packed with scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, and, of course, homemade brews, from 9-11 in the morning, giving you plenty of time to get your fill before heading to the river, which turns green at 10:45 a.m. Cap off a long day spent outdoors with a gourmet dinner at Mrs. Murphy and Sons, which serves upscale Irish fare year-round: among its offerings are a fish and chips salad, shepherd's pie topped with buttermilk mashed potatoes, and whiskey marmalade barbecue ribs served with Guinness mac and cheese. On the big day, head to Frasca for dinner. This much-loved pizzeria and wine bar is a spot that unsurprisingly skews more Italian than Irish-most days of the year, but on March 17 it'll serve a wood-fired Guinness Pizza that features a Guinness crust topped with potatoes, béchamel, and white onions. End the night by grabbing a few pints of Harp a few blocks from the hotel at Celtic Crossings, a bar that's as Irish as they come.

Art from the Edge at the Saatchi Gallery in London

2010-03-12T15:22:47Z

If you're looking for cutting edge art in the city of London - and you've already visited the Tate Modern - set aside an hour or two for a tour of the Saatchi Gallery. A gift to the city of London from collector Charles Saatchi (the founder, with his brother, of the ad agency that bears his name), it has 70,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to the very best contemporary art. Located on King's Road in Chelsea, the gallery boasts high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and a collection that runs the gamut from traditional portraiture to works that cause a stir around the world, such as Damien Hirst's The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, in which a shark is suspended in a formaldehyde solution. It's currently showing an exhibition entitled The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today, which features colorful neon, tumbleweed, and aluminum sculptures by Shezad Dawood; mind-bending comic panels from Chitra Ganesh, and selected works by Yamini Nayar that blend sculpture, photography, and architecture in ways that defy categorization. Drop by this dynamic art space and see what you can make of it all. Starwood has hotels throughout London, including The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel.

[image via Saatchi Gallery]

Introducing the W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island

2010-03-12T14:47:40Z

The island of Vieques is one of the most breathtaking places in the Caribbean, with miles of pristine beaches, verdant forests, and coral reefs teeming with life. It's also now home to the first W Retreat in the Western Hemisphere/North America, the W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island. This stylish new destination will open its doors on March 25, 2010, treating guests to the ultimate in luxury and indulgence under the tropical sun. With 157 luxurious guest rooms, Whatever/Whenever service, and breathtaking views in all directions, every visit has the potential to transform body, mind, and spirit. As an added enticement to check it out, the hotel is offering a special Insider Access package, with rates staring at $249 a night. Spend your days frolicking in the surf, chilling out on the beach, or indulging in a treatment at Spa Chakra, with more than 60 health and beauty therapies to help you feel your best. And when the sun dips below the sea, make your way to miX On The Beach, Alain Ducasse's world-class restaurant, where Latin-Caribbean flavors take on French sensibilities in an oceanfront atmosphere. It's island life at its finest. Visit here for more information or to book your stay at this exquisite new Caribbean destination.

Starpick the Westin Arlington Gateway

2010-03-11T15:20:37Z

Arlington, Virginia is located a stone's throw from Washington, D.C.'s many museums and cultural landmarks, but it has plenty of attractions of its own that are worth exploring. If you've never taken the time to check out the many faces of Arlington, here's the chance. The Westin Arlington Gateway is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so it won't take much to find yourself exploring one of Virginia's most fascinating towns. The Westin Arlington Gateway is one of the newest hotels in the Washington, D.C. area, with 336 comfortable guest rooms that feature the Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath and a host of amenities. Spend your day visiting the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, touring the Pentagon, or catching a few rays at Gravelly Point Park. Back at the hotel, you can get in a workout at the 24-hour fitness center, go for a swim in the indoor heated pool, or soak away your cares in the Jacuzzi. Enjoy a divine dinner at Pinzimini, an Italian steakhouse, followed by a cocktail at Pinzimini Bar, and you'll promise to return to this charming area before long. Of course, the Westin Arlington Gateway is just one of dozens of Starpicks properties this week, so check the list for the destination of your dreams.

Dine on Oysters in the Florida Panhandle

2010-03-11T15:04:36Z

October through April is the time for oysters, and you'll be able to get your fill - of plump and mellow Apalachicola oysters, named some of the finest in the world--with a stay at Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Walton Beach. They're collected nearby in Apalachicola Bay, where 30 miles of oyster heaven produce 90% of Florida's oysters, and served up fresh in at three hotspots whose names say it all.

A staple of Destin's historic inner harbor for 25 years, AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar brings the outdoors in, with deck seating on two levels that give you a close-up view of the action: watching the town's fishing fleet haul in the day's fresh catch. But there's plenty of action happening at the oyster bar, where gems from the Apalachicola waters are shucked right before your eyes and served with homemade cocktail sauce. If raw is a little too adventurous for you, give the Oysters AJ a try - six jalapeno, bacon, and Monterey Jack-topped oysters, baked on the half shell.

Literally located steps from the hotel on the boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, the Fort Walton Beach location of the Crab Trap Seafood & Oyster Bar offers spectacular views of the sunset, assuming you can take your eyes off of what's on your plate. Start with oysters on the half shell and a rum-filled CrabTrap Punch before moving on to Bourbon Street Shrimp cooked in a spicy butter sauce.

Finally, serving only the best Apalachicola oysters, the Boathouse Oyster Bar is an award-winning local favorite. Oysters come raw, steamed, or for the very brave, as shooters. You can also try two baked versions: the Baked Action, topped with butter, bacon, onions, and mozzarella; or the SOB, a spicy mix of cocktail sauce, nacho chips, cheddar cheese, and jalapenos.

[image via AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar]

A Wealth of Florentine Treasure at the Palazzo Pitti

2010-03-11T14:51:27Z

When it comes to accumulating wealth and prestige in Renaissance Europe, it's hard to top the Medicis. From the 14th to the 18th centuries, the prominent Florentine family and political dynasty acquired some of the greatest works of art of all time, inspiring scores of artists and altering the landscape of European culture for generations to come. To get an idea of just how influential the Medicis and their associates were, pay a visit to the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Located along the banks of the River Arno, the vast palace was purchased by the Medici family in 1549 and later was the home of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Napolean even used it as a headquarters in the late 18th century, but by the early 20th century, King Victor Emmanuel III decided to donate it to the people as a massive art museum. Today, anybody can gaze upon the endless masterpieces that were once reserved for the elite, from the works of Raphael and Rubens in the Palatine Gallery to the Medici portraits in the Royal Apartments, a 14-room suite used by the family that had every conceivable luxury. Of particular interest is the Porcelain Museum. Located in the Casino del Cavaliere (pictured), the Grand Duke's former retreat, it contains works from some of the most renowned porcelain factories in Europe, including daily items from the Doccia factory near Florence, and several large dining services from Vincennes, a Parisien factory. Be careful not to bump into anything, as it's all rather pricey. Starwood has three properties in Florence, including the luxurious Westin Excelsior, Florence.

[image via museumsinflorence.com]

Check Out Miami's Real Wild Side in Biscayne National Park

2010-03-10T15:28:23Z

Just minutes from the sizzling scene at South Beach is one of Florida's most pristine tropical sanctuaries, where you can find a peaceful respite from the nonstop action on the strip. Biscayne National Park is a 700 square kilometer nature preserve that's comprised almost entirely of water, and its best attractions are viewed with a mask, fins, and snorkel. Of course, not everybody has access to a boat, so land-based travelers should make their way to Convoy Point, where the Dante Fascell Visitor Center provides an excellent jumping-off point for all sorts of tropical adventures. Visit an extensive museum that offers a virtual journey through the park's four ecosystems, peruse a gallery that highlights the work of local artists who find inspiration in the park, or browse a bookstore filled with educational materials. But if you're itching to get close to nature, book a trip on a glass-bottom boat or rent a canoe or kayak for some individual exploration. The park is filled with rare and beautiful wildlife, from sea turtles and spiny lobsters to the Schaus' swallowtail butterfly (pictured), an endangered species that lives only in Biscayne National Park and northern Key Largo. Speaking of the Keys, the park is notable for being the home of Elliott Key, the first island in the Florida Keys chain that extends all the way to Key West. That's a bit too far for a kayak, so don't get any crazy ideas. Starwood has hotels throughout the Miami area, including the stylish new W South Beach.

[image via nps.gov]