The newest boutique hotel in South Beach Miami to open its doors is Lords South Beach on exclusive Collins Avenue. It is the first self-identified gay boutique hotel and describes itself as an “appropriately oriented hotel”. It aims to cater to the gay community that gravitates around this bijou area. Located just around the corner from the former Versace mansion, Lords also welcomes straight guests who are open minded enough to be enjoying the South Beach lifestyle.
On the surface this hotel offers much the same as any other boutique hotel in Miami – Frette linens, well-stocked minibars and the latest high-tech equipped guest rooms. One tweak has given room service a new title, Stay Naked Dining, although robes are thoughtfully provided. The hotel also has Bohemian décor with copies of Out magazine scattered carelessly around.
This is one of 1800 TAG approved hotels which are known to enforce non-discriminatory policies and train staff in LGBT sensitivity.
by Gillian at Luxique
Cruising is a booming business with approximately 34 million passengers taking a cruise each year and contributing to the flourishing $60 billion industry.
News reports frequently hail the launch of newer bigger cruise ships, which have made this once exclusive domain of the wealthy available to all income brackets, but now cruise embarkation ports are in the news. Many major ports are planning improvements to make their facilities more secure, easier, more multi-functional and even a little more eco-friendly.
The Port of San Diego opened its new $28 million pavilion just before Christmas which will provide green shore-side power to cruise ships. When cruise ships are not in port, the huge complex can be used as a public events arena.
Not to be outdone, the neighboring Port of Los Angeles has just completed its $10.8 million solar roof project. The solar panels are estimated to produce 1.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity per annum and should save $200,000 in energy costs whilst providing a more eco-friendly system.
Known as the “Cruise Capital of the World”, the Port of Miami is the busiest cruise ship port in the world and sees around 4 million passengers a year depart its busy docks. It has laid out plans for a $2 billion expansion over the next two decades including a $75 million project to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships to date, the Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas.
by Gillian at Luxique Luxury Hotels
For boutique hotels in Miami, Los Angeles and San Diego, check out the unique selection on Luxique.
