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Experience The Best Of Minimalism And Luxury At London's Rough Luxe!

Whenever I travel, I'm either looking for a simple and cheap place to sleep for a night or an all out luxurious experience in a beautiful suite. Rough Luxe in London can be described as somewhere in the middle. Located in the up-and-coming King's Cross, Rough Luxe calls themselves as "A little bit of luxury in a rough part of London. A little bit of rough in a luxurious London." and they couldn't have said it better. The small and intimate hotel may only have 9 rooms (and just 3 have private bathrooms) and the chipped paint and stripped walls may seem a little dingy, but it certainly adds to the artsy starving artist vibe. Looks aside, the service makes up for everything. The manager Leo and his dog Spud make their guests feel right at home with dinner recommendations, a tour of their gallery and evening drinks with other guests. So if you're looking for something in between a student hostel and the Four Seasons, consider staying at the Rough Luxe Hotel the next time you're in London. Take a peek at my slideshow to see more!

Summer Scents You Can Spritz On The Go!

Summer can be the busiest time of year for many of us. Three months of vacation, travel, weekend excursions, surprise visits and spontaneous road trips! All those days at the beach, evening concerts and other balmy night activities sure are fun, but keep us busy and running all around! What is the best way to stay looking and smelling so fresh and so clean (clean) if there's no time to stop by the house in between things? There's travel size cosmetics, blotting papers, compact mirrors, mini hair brushes and even dry shampoo! But what about perfume? The last thing you want to do is stuff your already bulging tote with the Nordstrom's fragrance department! Some mini perfume solids and oils have become my favorites, but at times, I just want to smell like my favorite perfume... the one that only comes in a spray-on version. The latest trend in perfumes and scents is the travel size tube! These are glass vials that hold about 0.3 oz of your favorite scent, so you can grab a familiar favorite and slip it easily into a purse or pocket and smell like your freshest you anytime and anywhere. More and more stores are providing this simple and sweet solution in scents so check out your favorite beauty store! Still not sure if you'll be able to find your specific favorite? Check out the slideshow for some classic favorites.

Gotta Getaway? Stay At Mama Shelter In Paris For Around $110 A Night!

It's easy to see why visitors have been gravitating to Mama Shelter in Paris. Designed by Philippe Starck, Mama Shelter boasts 172 rooms that feature amenities like five-star bedding, free wifi, Kiehl's bath and body products, rental bikes and cars, amongst other things that will make you feel totally babied. Located in Paris' bohemian 20th district, you'll have access to all the cafes, restaurants and shops in the area. Best part of all, rooms start at around $110 per night, which means you really don't need to break the bank for some love from dear ol' mom! Check out the slideshow for a peek of what it's like to stay at Mama Shelter!

Gotta Getaway? Experience Movie Magic At Hotel Bijou In San Francisco!

San Francisco is truly an international city with a large variety of places, things and events to offer. The people and city are interesting and diverse, ranging from unique to downright strange! My cousin recently flew in to visit me and discovered a quaint hotel that leans towards the unique side more than the downright strange side. The Hotel Bijou is located in the heart of Union Square and although the rooms are cozy, I ended up staying with her for 2 nights instead of going back to my own place. The theme is that of San Francisco movie magic. San Francisco is a city rich with culture and beauty which makes it an ideal place for film locations with classics like Vertigo and Basic Instinct on the list. Each adequately sized room is clean and kempt and named after a movie that has taken place in San Francisco. Still-frames of the specific movie decorate the rooms and other movie photos and paraphernalia are showcased in the hallways. The lobby resembles an old theater and furniture is European and comfortable with an antique feel. There is even a mini-theater complete with velvet curtains and plush red seats to the side of the lobby that shows double-features on a nightly basis. All the films shown are based in San Francisco, of course! The concierge is friendly and helpful and there is an unlimited supply of single serving raw almond packets that you can grab either on your way up to your room, or as a snack for later when you're exploring the city. The location is ideal and after watching San Francisco-based films, you'll be inspired to explore the city even more! There are numerous restaurants and eateries nearby, ranging in cuisine from fast-food burgers to Indian delicacies, as well as the huge Westfield mall. Other stores and boutiques are within walking distance, as well as a cable car stop and MUNI and Bart stations. So whether you're making a stop in San Francisco for business and pleasure, be sure to check out the Hotel Bijou for a comfortable, affordable and unique experience! Check out the slideshow for more pics!

Gotta Getaway? Head Over To Ibiza's Insotel Fenicia Prestige

Breathtaking seascapes and beaches, eccentric cultures, and the planet's biggest party destination? What more could you ask for! Summer in Ibiza really means season of soiree, as the beginning of June marks the kickoff for the largest and craziest nightclubs in the world. There's no excuse for skipping the nightlife here, with beach bars for daytime playtime, hot spots to sip and watch the sunset, raging parties for nighttime nonsense, and after party bars that extend the hours of the semi-regulated closing time of 6am. If you're one who's gotta have their party and their getaway, The Insotel Fenicia Prestige is just the place to get the luxury time you need in between flitting about the boundless social scene. This first class resort features its own top-notch bars and restaurants, spectacular views and services, and a spa to spoil you senseless, all making for a secluded kind of fun for even the most zealous of party people to recuperate. With suites galore, who could say no to amenity lists featuring luxuries like "terrace" and "hydromassage shower" epitomized by the surroundings of this immensely beautiful island? The hotel's location says it all, close enough to the hot spots, yet away enough to tour Ibiza's natural beauty. With exhausting hidden beaches and coves to explore via Vespa, even the party-pooper will flip over the incredible Balearic island adventure in store within the outskirts of the resort. Whether it be club or cove hopping, this quickly-navigable, small but bustling hotspot of an island will be the intoxicating getaway you've been craving!

Gotta Getaway? Make a Splash This Summer at The Jules Underwater Lodge in Key Largo!

Summer is here! Schools are getting out, suitcases are being dusted off, swimsuits are being pulled out from the back of closets and you realize you badly need to stock up on sandals and flip-flops! The perfect summer getaway includes warm sun, blue oceans, soft sands and beautifully potent drinks! Add a twist to your summer beach vacation and book a room at The Jules Underwater Lodge in Key Largo, Florida! Named after Jules Verne, the author of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and other famous sci-fi novels, the Jules Underwater Lodge is a an authentic underwater research habitat. It's open to the general public, though, and is the perfect place to go for a night or two during your vacation. Many of those who often travel to beach/ ocean areas in Summer are adept at diving. Book a night and have unlimited diving for certified divers with meals provided! Totally a beginner? No problem! The Jules Underwater Lodge offers lessons that come in different packages for a variety of diving abilities. Diving equipment, as well as a gourmet dinner at 6pm prepared by their "mer-Chef" (who is also on 24 call duty to make whatever you want, whenever!) and breakfast in the morning are all included in the price! Other activities such as experiencing what it's like to live undersea for a longer duration and other fun and educational tours are available. The gift shop offers beautiful pearl jewelry and the accommodations are comfortable and authentic. Basic packages start at $475 per person per night, but include not only an amazing and unique room and environment, but also meals, diving gear and unlimited diving time. You can customize your stay at The Jules Underwater Lodge by choosing additional activities and tours. The Jules Underwater Lodge is also ideal for weddings, honey-mooners and specialized parties! Check out the slideshow for cool pics of this amazing hotel and book a stay today!

Hideo Wakamatsu Luggage Stands The Test Of Time

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The Hideo Wakamatsu line of luggage is modern, sleek and well-designed. The Japanese company, which has outposts in San Francisco and Palo Alto, features elegant lines which allow the structure of their pieces to speak for itself without the need for any unnecessary accoutrements. For the most part, Hideo concentrates on black, sturdy and durable - from their roll-on luggage sets to their shoulder bags and totes. Most of their options are black leather or black hard-case, though they do have a few pieces in red in addition to a few patterned pieces. If you're like me, you constantly find yourself buying and re-buying luggage every couple of years or so when your current set wears out. Investing in a piece of Hideo now is likely to ensure you can enjoy it for years to come! Check out the blog over at TheFind for more must-have summer trends and accessories!

Gotta Getaway? Engage All Your Senses With A Stay At The Five Hotel in Paris!

Only in Paris would you be able to find a hotel that is modern, chic, cozy and quaint all at once. If you're planning a trip to Paris, check out The Five Hotel. Located in the hip and happening Latin Quarter, The Five Hotel is within walking distance from great shopping and restaurants, as well as many must-see sightseeing locations. The night life in the Latin Quarter is famous and a great place for tourists to mingle with the local crowd. It's not just the great location and nearby attractions that make The Five Hotel such a great choice, though. The Five Hotel is a sparkling gem that engages all five of your senses for the ultimate sensory stay. First, you choose a scent from 5 fragrance choices that will be used in your room. Your sense of touch is used through all the plush velvet and carpeting, slick ceramic stoneware and Chinese lacquer. Being in Paris, you taste buds are obviously going to enjoy the delicious French foods and pastries that are provided at The Five Hotel, especially their mouth-watering breakfasts featuring wonderful, crusty Viennese breads and buns from the famous Monge bakery, washed down with tea or coffee from the Mariage Freres brand with its unique flavors. The interior decorations and unique usage of lighting causes the place to shimmer and sparkle with optic fibre lights and star-studded ceilings, light sculptures and luminous glass desks that excite and please the eye. Lastly, your hearing is given a break in this quiet, secluded hotel that boasts double-glazed windows, producing a truly peaceful and restful environment. Check out the slideshow for more pics of The Five Hotel and book a room today!

Celebs Hit Up The Cannes Film Festival For A Star-Studded Stylish Vacay

The Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious celebrations of cinema, isn't just a film major's dream getaway. Aside from taking place in an unbelievably gorgeous resort town that alone could lure even the most distracted and unappreciative movie-goer, the festival is the go-to event for everyone who's anyone in the film industry for networking, premiere-hopping, and just plain lounging in resort style. This year's festival, its 62nd edition, began on the 13th with Disney's new 3D film "Up" and lured out film execs, Oscar winners, musicians, and socialites alike from their Hollywood haven (not to mention from destinations all over the world). Since its kick-off, the festival has been proceeding on with more buzzed-about unreleased, independent, and overseas films -- from Jim Carrey's "A Christmas Carol" to Pedro Almodovar's "Broken Embraces" -- with many more much-anticipated masterpieces packed in through its closing day, the 24th. While it seems the stars, including Eva Longoria, Tilda Swinton, and even Paris Hilton (but then again, what event doesn't she squeeze herself into?), are spending more time stomping the red carpet than basking by the beach, but no matter which screening or luncheon they're whisked off to next, they're always looking their vacation best, whether buttoned-up or bikini clad. Take a look at the slideshow for some of the stylish celebs spotted at Cannes! Photo credit: PR Photos

Plan Your Next Getaway To 101 Hotel in Iceland!

When I hear about Iceland and its capital Reykjavik, I always think of glaciers, experimental music (Bjork, anyone?), and amazing nightlife. The recent worldwide economic downturn has hit Iceland particularly hard, but that means this opportunity is your travel windfall! So if you've got a hankering to travel to an exciting location and looking to stretch your hard earned dollar, consider visiting Reykjavik and stay at the 101 Hotel. Named after the city's 101 nightlife district, the 101 Hotel is Reykjavik's only boutique hotel. There are 38 rooms in all with slick modern designs with every comfort in mind (including Aveda amenities), an art gallery with collections from local artists, and enjoy modern Icelandic and European cuisine at their restaurant. 101 Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik and right next to the Icelandic Opera House, so it's easy to venture out to find those glaciers and next avant garde musical talents. Check out my slideshow to get a peek at the 101 Hotel!


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