Recently in Properties Category

Starwood has so many exciting new hotels and resorts opening up across the country that it can be hard to keep track of them all. Until now, that is. Check out the recently launched a microsite that helps connect travelers with its newest properties, wherever in North America they happen to be. Simply click here and browse by destination, property type, or brand to find new and noteworthy hotels and resorts from sea to shining sea. Curious to see what's new in Colorado? Have a look at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon (pictured), with inspiring views of Beaver Creek Mountain. Looking for the newest resort? They don't get much newer than the Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Vermont, a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection. Wondering where the next W will wind up? The sleek new W Fort Lauderdale will open on March 1, 2009, ushering in a new era of style to the classic beachfront town. You can even search on an interactive map. Best of all, you'll have instant access to special offers that make checking out a new place all the more enticing. Visit the Opening Offers site today and explore the best in new designs, new escapes, new views, and new luxuries.

We just got word that the Sheraton Orlando North has reopened following a multi-million dollar renovation. The 390-room hotel was completely gutted and all rooms and suites are brand new. There's a new lobby and amenities include a in-hotel Starbucks, a 1,500 square-foot gym, poolside room service and flat-screen tvs in all rooms. Located just outside Orlando in the town of Maitland, the Sheraton Orlando North has easy access to all of the area's amusement parks and to the many businesses in the Orlando Corridor.

The largest spa of any Starwood property can be found in Austria. The Four Points by Sheraton Panoramahaus Dornbirn is scenically located in the Austrian Alps and is home to the Home of Balance. The spa has over 21,000 square feet of space and is spread out over three floors with just about every amenity you can imagine. Unfortunately, you will need to know German in order to look at the Home of Balance's webpage, but the multimedia tour offers plenty of visual stimulation for us Anglophones. Dornbirn is a quick drive from the German and Swiss borders and is near some truly spectacular scenery, including Lake Constance.

One of the safest places to visit in Africa is Morocco. It's an exotic destination; the former stomping grounds of William Burroughs and many a 1960s hippie is also an easy place to get around for any French or Arabic speaker. One of Marrakech's most opulent hotels is the Le Meridien N'Fis, a 277 room hotel with some of the country's finest accomodations. The BBC recently put together a Marrakech day guide that takes in many of the traditional sites and many of the not-so-traditional sites:

Down on the main square, life carries on as it has for centuries though. The square is in the heart of the medina and over the years it's been a place of execution, riots and most famously, the Djemaa el-fna, which means, Assembly of the Dead, a street festival that's held there every day. Locals who come to the souks to shop then spend time in the square, watching the snake charmers or visiting the fortune tellers.