Hotel Thrillist Fontainebleau Miami

When we first received the invite to the Hotel Thrillist weekend at the Fontainebleau in Miami, we had no idea what Thrillist was or why we were invited. However, we're not the type to turn up our noses at a free weekend stay--especially at a hotel we have been wanting to check out--including parties, food and all the Bacardi Torched Cherry cocktails we could drink. The weekend was sponsored by Bacardi, Corona, Klondike and Nerf among others.

Upon arrival at the Fontainebleau, we quickly learned that Thrillist is like a unisex Daily Candy for the cool people. You can sign up for a daily email in 17 cities, including NYC, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin and more. Everyday the site features a hip new bar, restaurant, clothing line, event, gadget or the like that is just ever so slightly under the radar and definitely up and coming.

The site also offers deals like discounts on hotel stays (currently 20% off at NYC's Gild Hall) and throws parties and events, like the Hotel Thrillist weekend, that you may get invited to or win a chance to join in. On our weekend, every third person we met was a contest winner, so it really can happen.

The Hotel Thrillist weekend was packed with fun surprises like a buffet dinner featuring all the hotel's amazing restaurants, J. Cole performance at the Fontainebleau's Liv Nightclub and poolside concert by Kat DeLuna.

But hands down, our favorite part about the Hotel Thrillist weekend: The people. Not that we don't love our usual crew of beauty and fashion blogging cohorts, but it was really refreshing to meet a new mix of people including TV producers, advertising girls from Portland, Nerf PR folks, and a whole group of people who have no idea who Bethenney Frankel is -- and don't care. Figuring that the Hotel Thrillist crowd is indicative of who reads Thrillist, well, that's who we want to hang with regularly!

So sign up for Thrillist today and enter every contest you can. Who knows, we may just be seeing you at the next Hotel Thrillist weekend.

Room With a View

Looking for the perfect hostess gift or perhaps a birthday gift for your favorite JSG? Check out Conde Nast Traveler's Room with a View. It's a compilation of TDF hotel rooms like the Sun Suite at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia

and the El Venado Suite at Hotelito Desconocido in Mexico

The book could double as your bucket list!

Last Minute Dad's Day Gift

Forgot to get dad a gift this year? Make it up to him with this last-minute ultimate guys getaway: Steer, Scotch, Sticks and Stogies and the Southampton Inn in Long Island, NY.

The event is June 24-25. Dad will be treated to a happy hour cocktail party, a five-course steak-scotch and local wine-pairing dinner, followed by cigars and a sampling of The 50 Scotch. Friday morning, he's off to golf at the Robert Trent Jones’ Long Island National Golf Club.

The overnight is $499. Dinner only is $155.

Contact the Southampton Inn to book. 

Fontainebleau Review

After hearing about how amazing the Fontainebleau is for over a year, we finally made it to the resort to check it out for ourselves. We were there for the Hotel Thrillist weekend (more on that later). We heard more than once during our stay that the Fontainebleau is like Vegas in Miami. We pretty much agree with that--the hotel is one stop shopping for pooltime fun, spas, dining, nightlife and, of course, shopping.


Our double room was white with aqua accents, the comfiest bed ever and a view of the ocean. The bathroom was small, as they often are in older properties that have been remodeled. We loved the Apple desktops in the room that provided info on the hotel and free internet access.

We stopped by the Lapis Spa to use the water facilities, which include a co-ed rain shower and mineral pool steam rooms, hot tubs and these heated Hammam benches.

Iced cucumbers are placed throughout the spa for instant eye cooling. The idea is so simple and so genius, we're not sure why every spa in the world doesn't do this!

The Bowtie pool was a daytime party.

We got to sample the food from the Fontainebleau's restaurants on Friday night. The duck ravioli from Scarpetta's and the spicy creamed corn from Gotham Steak were the hands down faves.

As for the nightlife--we finally got to experience Liv and DJ Ruckus. The bi-level club is swank and the door is a madhouse. We have to admit, we were a bit disappointed by DJ Ruckus. Oh well, at least now we know!

Liv is bachelorette party central. We saw at least four groups of women in tiaras, sashes, etc. All looked to be having a good time!

Girls' Trip to Monterey

Monterey is one of our favorite towns in Northern California. We love the aquarium, the small shops and the cute but stinky sea lions.  The Monterey Bay Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a stay, now that we don't live close by.  Its "You Go Girls!" package includes beachfront accommodations, discounted stand-up paddle board rentals and lessons, a complimentary Burt’s Bees skincare kit, and daily in-room breakfast.  Last time we were there, we rented kayaks and paddled around the sea lions; but this is our chance to try out paddle boarding.

The Monterey Bay Inn is offering the "You Go Girls!" package through September 2, 2010. The two-for-one stand-up paddle board rentals, lessons and tours are provided by Adventures by the Sea.

On Our Radar: Chicago

We're off to Chicago for a last minute trip.  While searching for a reasonable plane fare has been painful, choosing which hotel has been a lot more fun.  Chicago has choices ranging from luxury, like the Peninsula, to bargain; but we usually go for something in between.  So far here's what we've found:

We featured the Hotel Sax (above) on our Memorial Day countdown because of its summer baseball package for only $169. It's bound to have character as it's part of the Thompson Hotel Group and next to the Marina City playground with the House of Blues, Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse, 10Pin Bowling Lounge, and Bin 36 restaurant.

Our twitter friend @iheartheels recommended the Whitehall Hotel because it's right off the Magnificient Mile and has super comfy beds (the beds are high on our priority list!). 

Kimpton's newest Chicago outpost is the Hotel Palomar, we'll definitely swing by for a tour, whether or not we're guests.  Our friend, Sarah, told us the Sable Restaurant and Bar makes amazing hand crafted cocktails, so put that on our to-do list too!

Are we missing your favorite Chicago hotel?  Please share!

Thompson LES Above Allen Opens Up June 9th

The Thompson Lower East Side Hotel's popular night spot, Above Allen, begins its summer hours on June 9th:  Wednesdays to Saturdays 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.  Above Allen will retract is glass roof, making it a truly open-air experience and a fab place to meet friends for happy hour while celebrating the view of the NYC skyline. 


Hotel guests and Above Allen members can access the terrace bar, and non-members can make reservations by emailing AboveAllenReservations@thompsonhotels.com.  You can also show up without reservations; but be prepared to flatter the doorman if you want to get in.  A sexy outfit and great shoes won't hurt either.