In light of last week’s 2014 Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating announcement, some luxury hotels to make the list have decided to help celebrate the honor by creating special packages just for you. From Shanghai to Santa Barbara, here are five Star-Rated hotels with offers that can’t be missed:
Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
As one of the city’s two new Five-Star hotels, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai is now serving up a celebratory offer to guests, starting off with a personalized welcome amenity (dependent on the purpose of your trip and if you’re a returning guest), a one-room category upgrade to those staying in a Club River View Room, Club Mandarin River View Room, Executive Suite or Harbour City Suite, plus club lounge access for two people. You’ll also receive a $100 credit to use at the tranquil spa or one of the various onsite restaurants, including Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Fifty 8° Grill. Available until August 31, 2014
El Encanto, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Retreat to sunny Santa Barbara for the ultimate top-notch trip thanks to El Encanto’s Five-Star Experience package. For starters, when you book a room at the Five-Star resort, you’ll get a guaranteed one-room category upgrade. But that’s only the beginning. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted with welcome amenities and then a 50-minute treatment of your choice at The Spa at El Encanto — a rejuvenating anti-aging facial, perhaps? — will be bumped up to an 80-minute session. Post-pampering, whet your palate with a five-course dinner served at The Dining Room, which offers refreshing plates such as kale and California persimmon salad or braised short ribs in white wine. Available until April 30, 2014
Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.
To honor its second consecutive year as a Five-Star hotel, Acqualina Resort & Spa has created a Five-Star Experience offer that’s sure to impress. First, you’ll receive a complimentary fifth night, in addition to five luxury amenities — notice a theme here? — to enjoy throughout your stay. Indulge in a welcome amenity of a fresh fruit platter and a bottle of champagne upon arrival, a daily breakfast buffet for two at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended restaurant Il Mulino New York, one 50-minute body or facial treatment at the Five-Star Acqualina Spa by ESPA and a $75 dining credit to Piazzetta Marketplace and Restaurant. Added perks include complimentary Wi-Fi and free access for kids (ages five to 12) to the AcquaMarine program, too. Available until June 30, 2014
Hotel Murano, Tacoma, Wash.
If you weren’t already planning a getaway to Tacoma, the Four-Star Hotel Murano is now giving you plenty of reason to schedule one in the books. The art-centric property (think blown glass chandeliers and a life-sized horse lamp named “Temptation”) is providing guests with an overnight stay accented by decadent accoutrements. When you arrive, get your sweet tooth prepped for Truman chocolates shaped like glass marbles (a nod to the hotel’s glass art collection) and a chilled bottle of champagne in your room. Whether or not you decide to stay at the boutique hotel for dinner, you’ll be able to enjoy breakfast for two at Murano’s signature restaurant, BITE, with options such as limoncello cured salmon or huckleberry pancakes. And don’t worry about forking over any cash to park your car overnight, either — the package also includes complimentary valet. Available until May 31, 2014
The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast, Calif.
A tip of the hat to The Resort at Pelican Hill, a 170-room stunner that is celebrating its fifth anniversary as a Five-Star hotel. As a result, the luxury property is going all out with its Five-Star Fifth Anniversary Experience to provide a slew of special offers covering a range of categories, from golf and spa to family-friendly perks. Aside from a two-night stay, welcome amenity, complimentary parking and use of the pools, gym and spa amenities, you’ll be able to choose from five categories to indulge in — it just depends on the purpose of your visit.
For golf aficionados, up to four people can experience unlimited golf, five hours of private golf instruction, daily breakfast and a private dinner at the Pelican Grill chef’s table. Pampering patrons can enjoy the Diamond Indulgence Package at the Five-Star spa, where up to four people will relax with an 80-minute Diamond Magnetic Ritual Massage, 80-minute Natura’s Diamond Experience Facial, Diamond Manicure & Pedicure, five hours of private fitness instruction, a spa lunch and daily breakfast. Foodies can opt for a private chef-led cooking class, five-course dinner for up to 10 people and daily breakfast. Traveling with the family in tow? The family option, for up to 10 people, includes unlimited access to a private cabana suite, daily breakfast and dinner at the Coliseum Pool & Grill, unlimited Camp Pelican access for up to five kids and a three-day SUV rental with both curbside pick-up and drop-off. The last option is geared toward couples, offering lovebirds a sunset harbor cruise, romantic dinner at Four-Star Andrea restaurant, duet couples massage with a bath upgrade and lunch at the spa, unlimited access to a private cabana and daily breakfast for two. Available until November 26, 2014
Photos Courtesy of Acqualina Resort and Spa and El Encanto