Trending at the St. Regis | Fall 2012

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Trending at the St. Regis

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts share the latest news and exclusive offerings for the fall. 

THE ST. REGIS SAN FRANCISCO: Exclusive Wine Getaway

Guests at The St. Regis San Francisco now have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world-class wineries in Sonoma Valley, Calif., through the hotel’s Town & Country package.

The exclusive package includes accommodations in one of the hotel’s luxurious suites, daily breakfast prepared by renowned chef Romuald Feger of Vitrine and the signature St. Regis butler service. The pampering continues with chauffeured transportation to the Ram’s Gate Winery, where guests receive a private tasting of an exclusive collection. Each wine is paired with a fresh, seasonal dish.

Guests also receive a bottle of one of the winery’s specialty wines—pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, syrah or sparkling wine.“We’re excited to partner with Ram’s Gate Winery, a truly exceptional lifestyle destination, to create an offering that will expand upon the unparalleled experiences and amenities we provide to our hotel guests,” says Toni Knorr, The St. Regis San Francisco general manager.

With a private, decadent winery tour for two, and the hotel’s upscale accommodations, the Town & Country package offers guests a lavish getaway to remember.

THE ST. REGIS NEW YORK: Thornwillow at the St. Regis

When temperatures begin to drop outdoors, guests of The St. Regis New York can take to the Cognac Room for warmth, relaxation and even holiday shopping.

Thornwillow, a local publisher of handmade, limited-edition books, stocks the room’s shelves with hard-to-find publications, gifts and library accessories. Guests are invited to stop by the Cognac Room to lounge in front of the fireplace with a hot drink or design their own holiday cards with a Thornwillow librarian.

This fall, Thornwillow is offering a number of unique, handcrafted items for the savvy holiday shopper. Guests can choose from an engraved calendar with a brass easel to high-quality boxed motif cards and a number of books. Thornwillow will also offer its libretto series, with original works by celebrated writers bound in letterpress wrapper as well as the presidential series, which is comprised of five volumes of facsimiles of letters and documents by beloved American presidents.

With its exceptional holiday offerings, Thornwillow invites guests to linger in the Cognac Room at The St. Regis New York for a literary experience unlike any other.

THE ST. REGIS BAHIA  BEACH RESORT: AAA Five Diamond Rating Awarded

Less than two years after its opening, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort has received the coveted AAA Five Diamond status—an honor given to fewer than a 1/2 percent of the more than 31,000 properties recognized by AAA.

“This rating builds upon our solid, withstanding reputation as the leader in luxury hospitality in Puerto Rico, a reputation which serves as the result of the resort’s exceptional amenities, stunning natural surroundings and bespoke service to provide our guests with the ultimate island escape,” says Terry Bechtold, general manager at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.

Establishments selected for the five-diamond evaluation must meet 27 essential requirements, including cleanliness, comfort, security and safety. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is the only property in Puerto Rico to have received the esteemed rating.

The resort is also the first and only gold-certified Audubon Sanctuary in Puerto Rico, meaning that it is committed to maintaining its 483 pristine acres of wildlife. Both of these honors make official what St. Regis guests already know—that the resort is the ultimate in elegance and sophistication.

THE ST. REGIS BAL HARBOUR RESORT: Bespoke Residences

In addition to offering guests a one-of-a-kind resort experience, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort now also offers 255 exclusive condominiums adjacent to the resort property.

Among the three 27-story glass towers are 28 custom-designed Bespoke Collection residences—including the recently unveiled model residence, 1904 South, as well as decorator-ready unfurnished units. While the custom-designed residences are outfitted with clean, classic and comfortable furniture, the unfurnished spaces are decorator-ready, with prime-painted walls and imported Italian cabinetry.

The residences range from just under 2,000 square feet to more than 7,000 square feet, with one to five spacious bedrooms. Each residence features the same impressive 10-foot ceilings and extensive balconies, which showcase the highly sought-after views of Miami skyline and what many consider the finest beachfront on the East Coast.

All residents also have complete access to a 24-hour attended lobby and all of the distinguished amenities and services that resort guests enjoy, from private beach access and fitness facility to renowned restaurants such as J&G Grill and world-class butler service.

The combination of the carefully designed floor plans, innovative interior design and panoramic ocean views puts The Residences at The St. Regis Bal Harbour at the forefront of desirable real estate in Miami. As Bruce Weiner, the residences’ development partner, says, “There’s The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, and then there’s everywhere else.”

THE ST. REGIS MONARCH BEACH: Spruce Up for the Season

Take a well-deserved breather with Ultimate Beauty, the new fall spa treatment at The St. Regis Monarch Beach’s award-winning Spa Gaucin. In the transition from the sizzling heat of summer to the crisp, dry winds of autumn, Spa Gaucin’s Ultimate Beauty ritual is a must-do for all. Guests at The St. Regis Monarch Beach can brave the fall and winter months with their best faces forward.

Through this new spa journey, Ultimate Beauty promises a two-hour session of utmost relaxation. Starting with a soothing scalp massage to release all tensions and worries, the treatment will nourish hair with nutrients and essence of Moroccan mint argan oil.

Facials will be tailored to specific skin needs with diamond exfoliation or oxygen infusion and enhanced by the stone facial massage to reduce aggravations and improve skin tone. Hands and feet will undergo gentle exfoliation, and detoxification will follow using an organic blend of salts from the four corners of the earth. A grapeseed body butter massage on hands and feet will awaken guests from their peaceful, pampering journey.

THE ST. REGIS ATLANTAAn Extraordinary Addition 

This fall, The St. Regis Atlanta warmly welcomes Senih Geray, its newly named general manager. A seasoned hotelier, Geray brings with him years of experience from the St. Regis brand and luxury resorts.

Over the years, Geray’s time in the hospitality industry has amounted to a fortune of experience. In 1989, his career took off at the Sheraton Grande Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif. From 1994 to 2002, he went on to The St. Regis New York, serving in various capacities and ending as director of finance. Afterward, he served as the general manager for the Sheraton Voyager Antalya Hotel Resort & Spa in Turkey from 2002 to 2006. For the past five and a half years, he has successfully led The St. Regis Aspen Resort as general manager.

Geray also has the educational background fit to lead at the helm. After earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the United States International University in London, Geray continued his education in San Diego, with studies in hotel and restaurant management. He also attended the professional development program at Cornell University in 1996.

“It is a great privilege to be entrusted with the management of The St. Regis Atlanta,” Geray says. “I look forward to continuing the culture of excellence and flawless service that The St. Regis Atlanta is known for.”

THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT: Movie Lovers’ Paradise

 Film aficionados will have the time of their lives on The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s exclusive Kauai film tour. This tour gives guests an insider’s look into the breathtaking backdrops used for award-winning Hollywood movies, such as the highly acclaimed film “The Descendants.”

Renowned for its ravishing landscapes, Kauai has served as Hollywood’s tropical backlot for other films—such as “Hook,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Jurassic Park,” “Tropic Thunder” and “South Pacific.”

Angela Tillson, one of the island’s most prolific film location managers, leads the cinematic expedition of Kauai, which includes a private look at The St. Regis Princeville’s Presidential Suite and Kipu Ranch, both filmed on location in “The Descendants.” The return to Princeville by helicopter promises one-of-a-kind aerial views of Kauai film locations. As a token to remember the movie experience, an autographed copy of the book “The Descendants” by Kaui Hart Hemmings will be gifted.

Running through 2013 as a seasonal offering at the resort, the experience includes a five-night stay in a St. Regis Ocean View Suite and daily breakfast for two at Makana Terrace.

THE ST. REGIS WASHINGTON, D.C.: Adour Pastry Chef Lauded

The RAMMY Awards, one of the most prestigious culinary honors in the D.C. metro area, recently named Fabrice Bendano, pastry chef of Adour at The St. Regis Washington, D.C., Pastry Chef of the Year for 2012. Chef Bendano has been with the St. Regis since Adour first opened its doors in 2008 under internationally renowned chef Alain Ducasse.

In line with Adour’s commitment to using local and seasonal ingredients, Bendano seeks to craft irresistible, innovative desserts tailored for the season. Recent creations include a chocolate yuzu bar with shortbread and yuzu sorbet as well as a hazelnut souffle with orange sorbet and a granita.

With Bendano’s award-winning sweets seducing Adour’s clientele, the restaurant recently extended its hours, unveiling a daily lunch service and an expanding dinner service to seven nights a week.

THE ST. REGIS HOUSTON: Timeless Tea Tradition

Henry James once said, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

Truer words were never spoken, especially at The St. Regis Houston, where afternoon tea constitutes a classic tradition, rich in timelessness and bespoke service.

Today, The St. Regis Houston has kept true to the tradition that dates back to the mid-1840s, serving a time-honored menu of petite fours, tea sandwiches and scones. Highlights such as the signature blackcurrant British scone, with its delicate, flaky texture served with England-imported Devonshire cream, make tea time heaven on earth.

Always at your service, The St. Regis Houston pastry kitchen also accommodates guests’ specific food requests, such as gluten-free pastries, plain scones and vegetarian selections.

Defined by impeccable service and refined elegance, the St. Regis tea butler attends each guest with heartfelt care at the Tea Lounge. An extensive array of artisan blends include—among seasonal selections—ginger mingle peach, passion fruit vanilla, mocha spice and cherry blossom green tea. Sway to the airy melodies of a profession harpist, who performs daily, while savoring a fine cup of the signature St. Regis Tea Special Blend—just one of a large selection of premium loose-leaf teas.

It’s safe to say that afternoon tea has never been more exquisite when taken at The St. Regis Houston. Embark on a spirit-lifting voyage with each cup, brewed to your whim and fancy.

THE ST. REGIS MAURITIUS RESORT: The St. Regis Mauritius Opens 

St. Regis continues to expand to new horizons; the  latest property, The St. Regis Mauritius Resort, marks the brand’s first venture into the Indian Ocean region. Located on the southwestern shore of Mauritius, an island east of Madagascar, the resort is has made a home on the stunning Le Morne beaches—a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting sparkling turquoise waters and pristine sandy shores.

The latest addition to the St. Regis portfolio opened Sept. 15, fully fitted with the elegant accommodations, lavish spa facilities, state-of-the-art meeting venues and gourmet restaurants that have become synonymous with the St. Regis name. Five pools and 172 guest rooms and suites sit throughout the expansive resort, at the heart of which is the exclusive Manor House, with its seven luxury suites as well as a movie theater, library and private pool.

THE ST. REGIS MEXICO CITY: Jean-Georges Vongerichten Restaurant Opens 

After charming guests and gourmands at the Bal Harbour, Princeville and Deer Valley properties, J&G Grill and Kauai Grill—the relaxed yet sophisticated restaurant concepts developed by esteemed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten—arrived at The St. Regis Mexico City in May. The eatery focuses on simply prepared dishes that let the high-quality meats and seafood take center stage.

While Vongeritchten developed the restaurant’s essential approach, Chef de Cuisine Maycoll Calderon puts a unique spin on the philosophy: Hints of traditional Mexican flavors pop up throughout the menu, from the huachinango (red snapper) with purple potato and charred poblano chiles to the grilled prime New York strip steak with a sauteed corn, jalapeno and lime topping. Desserts include macerated strawberries with poppy seed sorbet and crispy meringue, as well as a mango upside down cake served with basil sorbet. Calderon comes to J&G Grill after launching Fern at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.

In addition to the customary St. Regis Bar, the resort offers six singular dining experiences, where master chefs draw inspiration from the traditional cuisines of Mauritius, France, India, Southeast Asia and Japan to create culinary fantasies guests have only dreamed about.

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