Chicago Travel


North America, Travel , , , ,

Red Hot Chicago The Cloud Chicago Blues in Chicago

A city that thinks their mile is “Magnificent!” Where boutiques, baseball & Blackhawks are more enticing than dating (maybe!) Whether you’re into jazz, blues, top chefs or architecture you will be blown away by Chicago!

Travel in Style.  Want the red carpet treatment? VIP Travel is your go to travel source for that hard to get reservation! All you need to do is relax, enjoy the VIP “Experience” and be whisked about town.

Where2Stay

Trump HotelPleasure or business? What better place than Trump Hotel Chicago?  Towering over Michigan Avenue, this glass & steel skyscraper is one of ten in the world to hold a 5-Star Forbes rating for both its restaurant & hotel! It is the  tallest reinforced concrete building in the world. With the largest hotel rooms in Chicago, panoramic views & luxurious spa what more can you want? How about one of their special exotic martinis at Rebar?

 Shake it up – Start by flying high New Years Eve at Sixteen for dinner, then head to Rebar for fireworks and champagne. Then retire to your room to make your own fireworks!

Trump Chicago Architecture Tour Stroll Michigan Ave

Virgin Hotel – Wouldn’t it be nice to be a virgin again? Sir Richard makes that a reality with the opening of the first Virgin Hotel in the world! Rooms are colored exactly like his planes – red and white. Use their Virgin app (your wish, their command.) Don’t miss “Death by Chocolate” in their Miss Ricky diner, free cocktails from 6-7, meet your roommates in the Common Room or hang out literally on their roof top.  And you thought you could never be a virgin again!

Where2Dine

Chicago Cut – Make the cut!  Fantastic charred steaks, city views, outdoor terrace (in summer) buzzing bar – reservations essential! Martinis overflow (you even get a straw). Probably the most happening place in Chicago!

Momotaro – Not a carnivore? How about sushi & whiskey? Don’t get lost in their 11,000 sq. ft space! Serving modern Japanese in the Fulton Market District. Don’t miss their signature tartar. Don’t have a reservation? Head to their downstairs izakaya. Large tables, make new friends!

Duck Inn – Duck in!  Esquire magazine named it one of the new 10 best restaurants in America & bartender Brandon Phillips just won the Global Bartender Competition for his Gin Cocktail & Gin popcorn. Pre order the duck when reserving. Better than a movie!

Pick Me Up Café – Hungry at 4 AM? Head to Lakeview (filled w/ vintage shops & bars) to this 50’s style cafe! Open 24 hours on weekends – don’t miss their zombie coffee drink: three shots of espresso, two cups of coffee, steamed milk, whipped cream w/ chocolate & caramel! Gives a whole new meaning to “getting picked up.”

Lunch Tip – Want to fast track that business deal? Dine at Sixteen, on the 16th floor in the Trump Hotel. Awarded two Michelin stars, the view alone makes you a winner!

The Perfect SteakMartini Spash Chicago = Pizza

Where2Play

Three Dots and A Dash: A bit of Hawaii in Chicago. Follow the tiki torch lit back alley named after Don the Beachcomber. Order one of their “Pain Killer “cocktails & a Pu Pu Platter. You won’t feel a thing!

Violet Hour – A yellow lightbulb is the only clue that you have arrived! This Wicker Park bar is ideal for that romantic tryst. White tables, chandeliers, candles & artisanal cocktails. Read the house rules – no beer, cell phones, no Grey Goose! Think Absinthe, beet syrup & egg whites!

The Drake – Footloose? Stay on your feet & move to the rhythm of ballroom &salsa.

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse Head into the “triangle”and you might never emerge. An a iconic institution – start early evening w/martinis you can drown in & end the night singing with the pianist!

Face It  Spin the Bottle

What2Do

Chicago is a cultural mecca! Museums – Art Institute, Science & Industry, Field Museum to name a few. Love boat rides? Take the Chicago Architecture Boat Cruise but bundle up! For the sports fanatic – hockey, basketball & baseball which will keep him occupied while you  stroll the Magnificent Mile! Don’t forget Fulton Market -art galleries, restaurants, bars and boutiques. Don’t want to carry those bags? Have VIP Travel Experience travel help out!

Go Blackhawks  Chicago Rocks and Rolls Good Catch Cubs\

Don’t Miss

The Chicago Architecture Biennial  – Artist exhibits, installations from over 70 studios in 30 countries (October -January)

Randolf St. Monthly Market (dates vary)

Creatures From the Concrete (September 13th-January 10th)

Robot Revolution at the Museum of Science and Industry (May 21st-Jan.3rd)

The Next Hot Neighborhood – Pilsen on Chicago’s South Side! New buzz, new restaurants, new galleries

 Look Out – Willis Tower Sky-deck Plexiglas box-step out at your own risk suspended

Don't look down!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Souls of SF -Travel


North America, Travel , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

 

Watch Out… San Francisco is dangerously fabulous!

 

Watch Out SF

 

 Is it the fog, street art, steep hills, or forward fashion? Or because we are the “tech epicenter” or perhaps just the most beautiful city in the world? Ski one day, drink wine in Napa the next! Be anywhere or do anything. Well almost anything!

 

Acrobatic Wish I coud do that? Don't drink while trying this!

 

Introducing Flight Courtier – an internationally based travel company that offers the comfort of First and Business class travel at reduced rates. Think flat beds, champagne, actual food and dessert! Service with a smile! Arrive at your destination refreshed, unwrinkled and ready for business. Please be sure to tell them Wear2Where sent you!

 

Fly in Style

  

Does being married or single influence Where to Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S)) or quiet & elegant (perfect for married?  (M)  Sometimes you want to “marry” the two.   (MS)

 

Where2Stay

W Hotel – Cool and never boring, LED certified. Gaze out the floor to ceiling windows in your “Fantastic Suite” while sipping Napa wine. Their new 24 hour “FIT” gym looks like a disco. Whatever it takes to get you there.  (M/S)

 

W Hotel FIT

 

Hotel Triton – Boutique hotel at the gates of Chinatown. Pet friendly, wine hour and a perfect location make this a great choice. Book the Hãagen-Dazs’ “Sweet Suite” or the Jerry Garcia and Kathy Griffin suites! Food and celebrities!  Win -Win    (M/S)

 

Hotel Triton


 

Hotel Des Arts – Imagine staying in an art gallery? All rooms showcase art works of emerging artists. Think graffiti, edgy and hip. At the crossroads of Chinatown, Financial District and Union Sq. Value hotel! (S)

 

Bed Fantasy Hotel des Arts

 

 Diva Hotel– Sexy, modern and absolutely not for everyone. Centrally located in Union Square, guests take advantage of the artist-designed diva lounges, 24-hour fitness center, newly remodeled business center and Starbucks located just off the lobby.  (S)

 

Hotel Drisco  – Quiet oasis in charming Pacific Heights neighborhood. Near great shopping boutiques on Sacramento, Fillmore and Union Streets. Stroll the streets of the “Gold Coast,” explore nearby Golden Gate Park. Complimentary buffet breakfast, wine & cheese, bath products by Agaria. Free WiFi & bicycles. Why leave?   (M) 

 
Where2Dine

Better question – Which country to visit? SF is obsessed w/ food. From farmers markets, food trucks (Off the Grid), taco stands & oyster bars to Michelin Star Restaurants – we have it all! 

Off The Grid

 

Urchin Bistrot– hot Valencia Street corridor. Cal-French restaurant delivers “Classics with a Twist” Hiro Stone does it again!
The Commissary Traci des Jardin newly anticipated Spanish Cal food in the Presidio
Colibri – Mexican, located in Union Square, great margaritas and guacamole! Remember, you need to stay awake to see theater across the street!
Hog Island Oyster Co. – Oysters and champagne – What could be better?
Red Dog Restaurant & Bar – Farmhouse cooking at the Ferry Building (voted best Bloody Mary)
Akiko -Seafood fresh out the ocean. A visit to Tokyo w/out the jet lag

 

Hog Island Oysters Voted Best Bloddy Mary  Crab at Fishermans Wharf

  Nightlife

Cigar Bar and Grill – Eat, dine and dance in this cool cocktail lounge/restaurant. Salsa dancing, live music Thursday – Saturday nights. Great Mexican food
Bimbos 365– live entertainment, private parties – an institution in San Francisco
Local Edition – chic subterranean lounge. No signage – look carefully. A speakeasy style bar w/ newspaper theme.
Underground – The End Up – SF #1 after hours club.

 

The End Up Underground SF

 

*** Travel Tip Secret rendezvous? Forbes Island – Dine on a boat in the middle of the Bay! No one will ever see you!

*** Hot ticket? Cirque du Soleill Kurious coming November 14th

 

 

Co-Authored by Jade Wu

 

 

 

 

New York Travel


North America, Travel , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Carrie and Mr. Big

“A bad day in New York is still better than a good day anywhere else.” Just ask Carrie or the other 8 million people in NYC. We are off to NY to discover everything new and happening–along with the perfect place to rest your head. As if you will ever sleep in NY.

 

Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S), or quiet & elegant (perfect for married (M))?  Sometimes you want to “marry” the two. (MS)

 

Where2Stay – The Library Collection Hotel’s – Offering fantastic value, unparalleled service & amenities (all offer free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, wine & hors d’oeuvres) befitting a 5 star hotel. Who says nothing in New York is free?

 

library-hotel-2   Monkey Bar, NYC4oK-ihemCgZdTzY2J44P33ur9P6NL4

The Library Hotel In Midtown, ideal for those who read–we know you exist! Enjoy books in your room or head to their free reading room. Have a romantic getaway in the special “Love” room with private terrace overlooking Madison Ave. An oasis awaits in their rooftop poetry garden & terrace.   (M/S)

Elysee Hotel –Location, location…Romantic & elegant, located on 54th St between Madison Ave and Park just steps away from the Madison Ave shops! Offering free passes to NY Sports Club, water, Belgian chocolate & comfy but elegant rooms, its NYC at its best. Traveling alone? Dine at the famous Monkey Bar Restaurant. You never know who you’ll meet! Turn heads here wearing a Saint Laurent Biker Jacket   (M/S)

 

Hotel Giraffe  Times Square NYC46IVrF-Rf-2gZXlBu15ZBbd65_gxnOM

 Casablanca Hotel Steps away from New York’s phenomenal tourist attraction- Times Square! This boutique, European-style hotel is great for couples on a romantic vacation and families. Escape from the hustle & bustle of New York to the upstairs exclusive club room, Rick’s Café.   (M)

Hotel Girafee —Embodies the grace of a giraffe! In Manhattan’s hottest new neighborhood-Nomad! Visit their unique rooftop garden. Great value. *Speaking of NoMad it’s the newest area to meet men!   (S)

 

Where2Dine – Newest hits

Bobby Flay Gatos  Toro NYCToro NYC

Gato – Celeb chef Bobby Flay does it again w/ Mediterranean cuisine. Toro – warehouse, meatpacking district, loud, fantastic Spanish tapas; it saves you a trip to Barcelona! General Assembly – Quality Meat & Italian owners brings farm to table dining. Try Claudette for Provencal cooking, Batard for those who wish to actually dine (another Drew Nieporent hit & Bar Primi, a hit from day one in the Bowery. Head to the East Village for the edgy, hip and cool.

Where2Play – Whether day or night there is always a place to go! From Bergdorf Goodman, to Jeff Koons at the Whitney to the Split Rocker in Rockerfeller Center – it never ends.

 

Walk on By   Split Rocker   DSCN3321

Grand Banks  Gilded Lily NYC Sheltering Sky, Williamsburg

Gilded Lily – Once a private club, now open to the public. Down a freight elevator this gold dusted club offers a sunken dance floor. Wednesday night is “Feel Up” where Paul Sevigny and other NY celebs can be found. Look for sister Chloe.

Grand Banks – Lower anchor on the hottest new Oyster Bar in New York City. Sail along on the last of fleets of schooners that sailed the Grand Banks.

Sheltering Sky – The new hot place Brooklyn. Formerly known as the King & Grove Williamsburg, the McCarren Hotel has created The Rooftop Bar. Sit back, relax, enjoy the view.

 

Where2Shop- Consignment

Womens Consigment ClothingPick A NameDesign to Consign

 

Madison Avenue is loaded with hidden gems and consignment shops. Stroll to our favorite store Michael’s, in business for over 60 years. Affordable designer labels! Stop by Encore, the first consignment store to open in the USA. Expect to find everything from Givenchy, Chanel, Alexander Wang and Rick Owens. Visit Roundabout’s newest location on Madison and 82nd.

New Store Openings – The Bay Plaza Mall: first shopping mall to open in the NYC area in almost 40 years, set to open on August 14th, Georgia NYC, small boutique with a wide selection of vintage women’s clothing, La Petite Mort, Lower East Side, vintage shirts that are now becoming collector’s items

Upcoming Events –   New York Salsa Festival – August 27-September 1st;  Spring Fashion Week – September 4th-11th, Burlesque Festival – September 25th-28, four nights of dancing, feathers & lace!


Broadway – Check out Disgraced and The Real Thing opening in October!

Salsa in NYC Burlesque in NYC  Salsa Competition NYC

 

Notable Openings:  Park Hyatt – Dig deep because this hotel will set you back. Ideal location 57th St. and 6th Ave. Sophisticated & elegant. Opening in the fall: Baccarat Hotel – across from MOMA on 53rd and 6th. Imagine the crystal -For those seeking glamor, celebration, seduction & intimacy. SLS Park Avenue – in the heart of the trendy Nomad neighborhood  (S)