Gotta Getaway: Take On Shanghai Sustainably At URBN Hotels!
by Amber Fijolek
Jul 21, 2010 4:19 PM PDT
Eco-friendly never looked so comfortable! This time around, why not take a green getaway and give Planet Earth a little vacation too? With it's state-of-the-art modernism, it's easy to forget that there's actually a cause behind the swanky URBN Hotels. A mere peek at the chic, boutique lodging makes it hard to believe that China's first sustainable hotel is a former factory warehouse. An extensive effort has been put into the greenness of URBN Hotels, located in the heart of Shanghai, including furnishings and decor made from all recycled materials. Its environmentally friendly practices are the beginning to a new breed of hotels with carbon-neutral practices and commitments to leaving as minimal earth-harming footprints. The company even prides itself on its investment in the growth of the million-tree project, one devoted to the planting of trees reserved for the purpose of compensating for emissions. You're even offered the opportunity to purchase carbon credits to make you feel better about your flight halfway around the world! Don't get the wrong idea: the environment isn't the only thing treated like royalty at URBN. The hotel's 26 rooms, spa suite and 2 penthouses provide the ultimate in guest comfort. With in-house accommodations like their guest-only rooftop cocktail lounge and concierge options that include guided bike tours and Chinese Mandarin language tutoring, guests are guaranteed a memorable Shanghai experience. View the slideshow to take a peek at the sleek and sensible carbon-neutral model that will soon be the new craze in tourism: Shanghai's URBN Hotels!
Live Like A Queen (Or King) At Turkey's Mardan Palace
by Amber Fijolek
Sep 9, 2009 4:19 PM PDT
In Antalya, Turkey, a beautiful city surrounded by mountains that sits right on the Mediterranean coast, there lies a resort fit for a king. Mardan Palace was made for those rolling in riches, and every penny has been invested into the development of such indulgent design that its majesty defies reality. And what better a location for such a world-class resort than Antalya, a city known for its proximity to great skiing, hiking, and shipwreck exploring as well as its important role in the history of the Greek, Roman, and Ottoman empires. The hotel boasts its own coral reef and lagoon, a spa so sweet it will make you salivate, and a vast swimming pool that appears bigger in area than the resort itself. Each room caters to this marvelous location with a view of either the Mediterranean Sea, the Taurus Mountain Range, or the pool encapsulated by a series of ornamented bridges. As if the beautiful view weren't enough, guests enjoy toiletries by Hermes and a 24-hour butler service. Excursions alone could occupy your entire stay, but guests are also entertained by 24 different spots within the resort to enjoy some luxury food and libations, including one with an all vegetarian menu, one with windows made of tropical fishtanks, one within the Palace's own waterfall, and one situated on the rooftop. It's a shame I've spent most of my lifetime without having considered Turkey an instinctual travel destination: It's now reached the top of my list! Click on the slideshow to experience Antalya's Mardan Palace!
