Les Saisons, Ketchum, Idaho

680 Sun Valley Road
Ketchum, Idaho 83340
866.847.4200

CELEBS SPOTTED: Bill Gates, Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Queen Oprah Winfrey

This week, it’s more of a luxury residence resort. But you ask for celebrity hangouts, and that’s what I’m giving you. Les Saisons in Idaho’s Sun Valley is a beautiful property, dripping with le exclusive vibe. There are 12 residences, each coming in at 1,900 square feet, and folks like Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey eat it up.

Beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho

It’s one of America’s premiere ski resorts and the scenery is to die for. Everything from the astounding views to the amenities will have you feeling like a star. The staff claims to know everyone by name, which is a wonderful touch, particularly if they recognize me like so: “Hi Karl, here’s your Guinness.”

The lobby says, "Cozy"

Bruce Willis loves Les Saisons

The Idaho mountains make this a great spot for not just skiing, but fly fishing, hiking, golf, and there are tons of arts in the area, too. There are photo galleries, paintings, even a Sun Valley symphony. Culture out the wazoo, people!

Living room with a view

This is the place where Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney hung out from “White Christmas.” And Les Saisons, while more of a time-share sort of thing, is fairly reasonable if you’re looking to get away from it all. Rates start at $300 a night for a 2-bedroom, $400 a night for 3 bedrooms. And in the peak Christmas season, you’re looking at $900 and $1,200 a night, respectively. And those are the rental rates, so if you’re not looking to buy, there’s still hope.

The kitchens at Les Saisons give you all you need

And while there aren’t a ton of recognizable chains in Ketchum, Idaho, there is a Starbucks. The restaurants you’ll find are all unique dining experiences. Ernest Hemingway used to spend time here, and you can, too. French cuisine and European flairs combine, and there are plenty of regional Northwest flavors, as well.

Luxury includes a rooftop pool

Les Saisons is the perfect spot to enjoy the Bunny slopes. Well, that’s where you’d find me, anyway. I like all my bones right where they are.

Nearby Restaurants: Ketchum Grill, Lefty’s Bar & Grill, The Cellar Pub

Photo attributions:

Sun Valley snow scene – http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/ / CC BY 2.0

Celebrity photos: Celebutopia

All other photos: Les Saisons web site

Walking distance from the fashion district is The Standard Hotel

Leonardo is part-owner of The Standard

The Standard Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles
550 South Flower at Sixth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone (213) 892-8080

CELEBS SPOTTED: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Benicio del Toro

Smack dab in the middle of downtown Los Angeles – a stone’s throw from the fashion and jewelry districts – is The Standard Hotel. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is close by, as is the Museum of Contemporary Art and Dodgers Stadium.

Celebs galore hang at The Standard. Leonardo Dicaprio loves the Rooftop Bar, complete with incredible views of L.A., heated pool, outdoor fireplaces, the bar and restaurant.

You think this is cool? Wait till you see it at night.

Cameron Diaz enjoys the 24/7 Restaurant, literally open 24/7, with it’s cheery yellow decor and outside patio area. The Standard sets a…well, standard for casual chic.

The 24/7 is all bright and cheery-like

There's Something About Cameron

Yes, Leonardo and Cameron are part of the investors in the hotel, but they have reason to love the place, anyway. It’s cool, baby, cool. The indoor lobby area has pool tables, the outdoor lobby has a flaming fountain (yes! Flames and fountains together!) – there’s even a photo booth. And my favorite thing in any hotel, of course: free wifi throughout. That’s class.

Platform beds and great lighting

The Medium room, at 300 square feet, comes with queen-sized platform bed and glass-enclosed shower. A great desk, along with iPod stereos, too. It starts at $245/night. A few notches up, you have the Gigantic room, which measures in at 480 square feet. Sports  a king-sized bed, five great windows (corner rooms), double closets, and a bathtub, along with the other amenities. The Gigantic runs $350/night and up.

Some rooms have separate living rooms

But let’s look at how Benicio del Toro likes his room. The Bigger Penthouse (yes, that’s what it’s called) is the cream of the crop. Starting at $1,300/night, it’s 1,000 square feet, and has a separate living room (with dining table). Huge shower, bathtub, TWO toilets, and a big vanity area. Plus, amazing views of the arts and financial districts.

The outside dining area is divine

Add in a gym, 24-hour room service, and live music every Tuesday in the lobby…the stars love The Standard, and you will, too. You know, if you’ve got the scratch.

Nearby Restaurants: Restaurant at Standard, Chaya Downtown, Water Grill, Cafe Pinot

Photo Attribution:

Exterior Hotel Shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/experiencela/ / CC BY 2.0

Rooftop Shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/akhir/ / CC BY 2.0

Celebrity photos: Celebutopia

All other hotel shots from The Standard web site.

Cardozo Hotel
1300 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel: 305.535.6500
Toll Free: 1.800.782.6500

CELEBS SPOTTED: Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Cindy Crawford, Kate Hudson

Gloria Estefan owns the Cardozo

Art Deco comes to life in the Cardozo Hotel in southern Florida, otherwise known as the “Jewel of South Beach.” Owned by the Conga Queen herself, Gloria Estefan and husband Emilio, the famous building has been in lots of flicks, including “Something About Mary” and Frank Sinatra’s “A Hole in the Head.” Casual, yet elegant is the flavor at the Cardozo, which is why everyone from Kate Hudson to Cindy Crawford have been spotted there.

The Cardozo Bar and Grill offers Cuban flare

With 43 rooms ranging from doubles to deluxe suites, you’re going to love the calm atmosphere with Atlantic views. Dine in at the Cardozo Bar & Grill, another spot the celebs like to hang in South Beach. Plus, you’re within walking distance of tons of shops and restaurants along Ocean Drive, and Lincoln Road is blocks away. Walk with your family, take the dog, see live music and art galleries.

Beauty and elegance abound at the Cardozo

Look at that view!

Rooms start at $250 a night (until the off season starts in April, when they drop to $215 a night). All rooms have cable TV, minibars, bathrobes, and computerized door locks. WiFi, too, and room service. But you can really relax in the spacious suites, which include pullout sofa beds, dining areas, and Jacuzzi tubs. And every room is ADA-equipped.

Luxury in double at the Cardozo

You want to drink in South Beach and all the Miami goodness it has to offer? Hard to find better than the Cardozo…luxurious yet (relatively) affordable. The ocean views await. So do all those tanned botoxed beings.

Nearby restaurants/bars: The Grill at the Setai, scrumptious Italian eatery Escopazzo, or just chill with a beer at Zeke’s Roadhouse.

Photo Credits

First exterior shot of hotel: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkeigan/ / CC BY 2.0

Gloria Estefan: Daylife

All other photos: Cardozo Hotel web site

Turning Stone Resort and Casino

I’ll admit I haven’t been following Tiger Wood’s adulterous affairs all that closely.  It’s hard to escape from the onslaught of  Tiger Woods stories though and what I do know is that his trysts are in the double digits.  So where were these alleged torrid steamy nights?

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