:Hotel Lust:

Fortunately, the weekend Hurricane Irene arrived, I had previously scheduled a staycation in the lap of luxury at DC's Topaz Hotel. I cannot say ENOUGH great things about the quality of service given by the staff, and the wonderful staff members themselves. They really rolled out the red carpet for ya girl.

~

*Free wine reception, not to mention a bottle replete with two glasses in-room when I came back from the reception: CHECK!

*Free internet service: CHECK!

*Free premium channel cable: CHECK!

*Free gift card to raid the mini-bar: CHECK!

*Whatever I needed whenever I called: CHECK!

~

YEP! These folks know how to treat exalt their guests...and are incomparable to any hotel staff I've ever encountered--and that's an extremely good thing. Oh, and did I mention the hotel is walking-distance from a multitude of terrific restaurants, nightlife, prime shopping, etc....that is, if you even actually decide to venture away from the property, which also has an uber hip bar/lounge/restaurant on the premises. I'm sooo looking forward to my next stay. And I seriously wanted to move into my hotel room. It was my very own pied-à-terre for the weekend--even had a vanity, and well...you know how I feel about those, seen here, here and here. See where I was luxuriating last weekend for yourself...

I had my very own couch, y'all! : )

Oh, and this chair...self-explanatory. High-glamour and ultra chic.

See that laptop? It was a showpiece on the desk for most of the weekend. I had a great view though!

Love this mirror from Z Gallerie. Wanted to pack it up in my suitcase when preparing to check out.

I cozied all up in this after my in-room massage. It was the perfect antidote to Irene.

:Hotel Amour:

Hello my lovelies! Forgive my absence (I had been vacationing in Miami) and had corresponded with the magical Tam Styles prior to leaving to ask her to be my guest blogger, then all hell broke loose with my Blackberry while in Florida, and well...POOF! A dream deferred. No more gmail until I returned meaning no way to contact Tam. Maybe next time.  At any rate, my girls and I resided at the art-deco inspired and gracious employee-riddled Loews Miami Beach Hotel. I swear you literally only had to snap your fingers and whatever you wanted damn near appeared out of thin air.  We were left waiting too long for nothing. However, some friends of ours booked a penthouse suite at the new W in Miami. And let me tell you...that is one sexy-ass, saucy hotel!!  I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the penthouse interior.

Calgon...take me away? Yes please.

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Artwork and accessories...whimsical.

Views...well...they just speak for themselves.

And then around the corner at the Gansevoort:

...rooftop oasis. Check! ...Now I can't show you anymore, but rest assured--we behaved. Very well or badly? I'll never telllll.....;-)