Prior to the Hotel Gritti Palace, Mr. Marco Novella was most recently at the St. Regis Grand Hotel in Rome. Before that, he worked at the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo and the Four Seasons Hotel Milano. He took some time to answer a few of our questions about Venice, the hotel, and what visitors should know.

Five Star Alliance: How did you come to be General Manager of the hotel?
Marco Novella: After a 4 year experience including being involved in the re-opening of the St. Regis Grand Hotel in Rome.

Five Star Alliance: What best describes the personality of the Hotel Gritti Palace?
Marco Novella: A residential Palace with a true Venetian feeling to it.

Five Star Alliance: Can you share the names of any famous guests who have stayed in the hotel, or perhaps regulars that return on a periodic basis?
Marco Novella: During the opening week of the last three editions of Venice's Biennale of Art exhibition, Christie's has invited its most important guests to our hotel ballroom for a preview of its most prestigious auction of the year. Hotel Gritti Palace's terrace is the most sought after place to be, to see and be seen both during this prestigious event and during ... Continue reading about Marco Novella, the Gritti Palace and why you should visit »

Fans of the luxury airline will be pleased about this one. Starting July 6, 2008, Eos Airlines will start daily service between London Stansted and Dubai's international airport. So now lucky passengers can enjoy the Eos Class experience when heading to the world's most outlandish, over-the-top destination. We've talked up the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world, but now Dubai's also getting one of the biggest malls in the world-- a gargantuan, 12-million-square-foot development complete with an indoor aquarium and an Olympic sized ice skating rink. Tickets to Dubai onboard Eos will be available starting in April.

So you're looking for some family bonding time, a weekend getaway, family vacation, something unique and memorable... Starwood Hotels to the rescue. The company has just announced "Love Your Family"- a new, family-friendly program designed for both kids and adults alike. After lots of customer research, Starwood's come up with a program they feel caters to the whole family. The three signature experiences- Fireside Storytelling (s'mores included), Stargazing, and Dive-In Movies (watch a family film from the pool)- can now be found in 29 resort locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean under the Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection labels. Other "Love your Family" services? Connecting rooms, food and bev discounts, counselor-led kids nights, all coordinated by the resort's "Director of Fun."

I recently traveled to New York City on business, and of course in my line of work, I stayed in three hotels over the course of five nights. One of those properties was The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, located on Madison Avenue at 76th Street. The hotel strives for a "private residential atmosphere" and they more than succeed. The dedication to creating that feeling is demonstrated by the Managing Director choosing to live on the property with his family.

I was spoiled like a princess at The Carlyle in the hotel's "Royal Suite" - room 2209. The Royal Suite is located on the 22nd floor along with three other suites and is a short ride with the white-gloved elevator operator from the lobby. The Carlyle's Royal Suite floor-plan doesn't do justice to how spacious the Royal Suite actually feels. After stepping inside, I thought I had entered into someone's Park Avenue apartment with gorgeous hardwood floors, area rugs, and fabric wall coverings. [Click on any images in the article to see the full pictures.]

According to The Carlyle promotional material - "The Royal Suite is an elaborate two-bedroom suite offers 1,700 square feet of living space and features both a king-bedded and twin-bedded bedroom. There is a full kitchen, dining room for"...    Read more, see the pictures, get rates and availability »

Indulge your quirky side with the delightfully unique Luxe Manor, located in the bustling city of Hong Kong. Surrounded by a variety of shops, museums and stores, the Luxe Manor offers a variety of activities outside the hotel to choose from, while also providing a unique place to stay. Furnished with a combination of Oriental, European and post modern decorations, each suite offers a different experience artistically enticing, yet comforting and luxurious. The Luxe Manor Hong Kong is also home to the extraordinary restaurant Aspasia, complete with bar and sit down dining area. Aspasia benefits from the talents of Chef Rolland Schuller, winner of multiple Michelin Stars, and presents a fine variety of Italian cuisine, among other delicious dishes. Each room includes an LCD television, marble bathroom, internet access, and room service. The Luxe Manor also offers a gymnasium, Business Centre, wireless internet throughout the hotel, and various childcare and car services.

Once again this month, we've added new hotels to the Five Star Alliance Collection. Instead of listing them all, here are a few - but visit our Newest Luxury Hotels page to see even more.

 * Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monaco
 * Shangri-La Hotel Xian, Xian, Shaanxi, China
 * Grand Hotel Bellevue, Gstaad, Switzerland
 * Sheraton Addis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 * Solis The Palmyra Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, Jamaica
 * W Hotel Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
 * The Fairfax at Embassy Row, Washington, DC
 * Hyatt Regency La Manga, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
 * The Joule, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dallas, TX
 * Hotel Montebello Splendid, Florence, Italy
 * Mirasierra Suites Hotel, Madrid, Spain
 * Inn and Spa at Loretto, Santa Fe, NM

View all of our Newest Luxury Hotels >>

Tea in Thailand
Located on the Gulf of Siam and reminiscent of an ancient Thai village, Five Star Alliance guests at the Anantara Hua Hin Resort will receive free afternoon tea daily for 2 at the Sala Siam lounge featuring Thai favorites.
Anantara Resort Hua Hin Rates and availability »

Personal Training near NYC
Five Star Alliance guests visiting The Lodge at Woodloch - a luxury destination spa - will receive a complimentary upgrade upon arrival based on availability and one complimentary personal training session per guest valued at $115.
The Lodge at Woodloch Rates and availability »

More Recommendations »

Featuring lower rates and special value added amenities available only through Five Star Alliance:

Taj Boston Hotel, Boston, MA
The Connaught, London
Hay-Adams Hotel, Washington, DC
Conrad Hotel, Chicago
The Milestone Hotel, London
Loews Hotel Vogue, Montreal
The Berkeley, London
Hotel Victor, Miami Beach
Bryant Park Hotel, New York City
Lodge at Torrey Pines, San Diego
Baur au Lac, Zurich
Claridge's, London
Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston

Loews Hotels, North America
All Park Hyatt & Grand Hyatt Hotels
All InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

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7 Most Popular Articles
Our readers favorite articles from previous Informed Traveler issues:

- Candid Photos of Luxury Hotels
- Sutton Suite at the Loews Regency NY
- All About Luxury Airlines
- Luxury Suites
- Defining Luxury: Articulating the Intangible
- New Over-the-Top Perks at Lux Hotels
- Loews Regency Sutton Suite

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The Informed Traveler is published monthly by Five Star Alliance, the leading travel agency for luxury hotels.

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View the March 2008 Issue
of The Informed Traveler