Gift giving can either be one of the most fun and rewarding parts of the holiday season, or it can be your absolute worst nightmare. Some of us are naturally talented at finding the perfect gift for every person on our list, while some of us think socks make an appropriate gift for all occasions. Here at Renaissance, we have dedicated ourselves to making every Renaissance stay – whether for business or for pleasure – our perfect gift to you. In case that isn’t enough to get you through the gift giving season, however, we’ve put together a fool-proof guide to help you give the toughest people on your list the perfect gift this holiday season.
Karate Salad Chopper via www.random-good-stuff.com
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: We all have the friend or relative who is the dedicated photographer of the bunch. But where’s the fun in taking the pictures if you don’t have a fun new way to share them? Modern technology meets antiquated sharing in the iPhone app “postagram.” iPhone users can instantly send photos and a message via postcard through the mail to friends around the world. The app is free, but we can guarantee the photog in your life will love receiving a $18.80 credit which will score them the ability to send 21 Postagrams.
THE CHEF: Everyone loves the chef in their life. They invite you over for dinner, they bring you a cake on your birthday. But what to give the person with the meticulously stocked kitchen? Stick to something fun to lighten up all that hard work they do in the kitchen. We love the “Karate Salad Chopper,” and so will your chef friend. http://onespot.wsj.com/gadgets/2011/10/03/f29a7/karate-salad-chopper
THE SPORTS FANATIC: Sports fanatics don’t just want to know who scored the winning touchdown in last night’s game – they want to know where that player is from, how old he was when he started playing, and what his annual salary is. For the sports lover in your life, give the gift of a subscription to ESPN magazine, which provides the inside scoop that they’re dying to tell you about.
THE HOST: Every holiday there’s the family that hosts the big, blow-out party of the season. Always the host, they are constantly seeking ways to jazz up their party to make it stand out from the year before. So as not to impose on the party decor or menu, show up with an unexpected liqueur or wine that party guests can enjoy hearing about and sipping on.
THE FASHIONISTA: Gifting clothes is too tricky – it’s virtually impossible to know whether you’re getting someone the right size. For the fashionista in your life, stick to a simple pair of stud earrings like these Roped Pave Posts from www.baublebar.com.
THE PICKY ONE: Ok, sometimes there’s just no hope. Some people just won’t like their gift, no matter what it is, because they didn’t pick it out themselves. We all have a picky one in our lives. Rather than try to fight it, go for the tried and true: either a gift card to either their favorite store, or a Visa gift card that they can use anywhere.
The Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel celebrated its public launch last night with an enthralling RLife LIVE performance by acclaimed artist Hamdan Al-Abri. In the heart of Qatar’s dazzling capital, the cosmopolitan crowd danced late into the night to Al-Abri’s soulful R&B. Accompanied by his DJ, Yasser Anderson, his positive lyrics and (other)worldly beats perfectly captured the excitement of Doha, a rapidly expanding, international metropolis on the shores of the Persian Gulf.
Born in Zanzibar to a famous musician father and a mother who defied convention by becoming a doctor, Al-Abri is always confronting and stretching the so-called limits of his music. This has earned him widespread buzz, and performances with Erykah Badu, Ziggy Marley, Kanye West, Joss Stone, Kelly Rowland, and Arrested Development. After developing his unique sound touring with his band ABRI, Al-Abri recently decided to go solo, and just released his self-titled debut EP in late October. But don’t take it from us! Listen for yourself with this FREE download. Al-Abri’s sound certainly resonated with fans last night, who grooved to his electrifying performance, which included “Rebirth,” a song recently used in an episode of the hit crime drama C.S.I.. A pioneer of soul music in the Middle East, Al-Abri is set to break out worldwide with music that captivates and soothes. It was certainly a performance we’ll never forget.
Dinner and a movie? More like lunch and intrigue at The Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. To celebrate the release of the Clint Eastwood-directed film, J. Edgar, starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role, Café Promenade will be offering a one-day-only special menu of Hoover’s favorite lunch on Friday, November 11, from 11am to 2pm. The cost is $18 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
On Thursday, the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel became the first newly constructed, full-service hotel to open in Louisiana’s capital city in more than 40 years. Newly re-elected Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, joined by other dignitaries, took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming this 256-room luxury hotel to dynamic Baton Rouge. The opening gala kept going with members of the LSU Tiger Band and The Beat — a 10-piece band and local favorite — keeping guests on the dance floor.
With LSU’s Tiger Stadium (a.k.a. “Death Valley”), the State Capitol, upscale shopping, and downtown Baton Rouge all nearby, this is a dream location for getaways, business, and unforgettable tailgating. One of the founding investors, Steve Margol, said, “This hotel blends the area’s rich local colors and flavors in a hotel that is both contemporary and provides up-to-the-minute technology. It’s a one-of-a-kind hotel for a city with its own unique character.”
ATL has a new kid on the block — and it’s a beauty. It has now been a bit over three weeks since the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel burst on the scene. And we are so proud that our guests, friends, and visitors alike have all taken to our exciting, entrancing new home here. To welcome everybody to the party, we hosted 25-year-old R&B sensation Janelle Monae, who put on a show for over 500 people. Did she ever! Fabulous scenester magazine Jezebel covered the event as “one of the year’s most fashionable soirees” in Atlanta. Janelle’s performance — at turns spunky, inspiring, and soulful — was a huge hit.
Congratulations to 1500° for being the only restaurant in Florida named to Esquire magazine’s prestigious list of Best New Restaurants of 2011! This hotly anticipated list was carefully curated by renowned food and wine author John Mariani, who gushed about the Eden Roc Renaissance’s farm-to-table restaurant on Miami Beach.
“It’s big, it’s splashy, it’s got a poolside patio and a faux-zebra-fabric banquette — you sit there wondering when the Guess photo shoot is going to start,” wrote Mariani, who compared the grilled-peach salad with blue cheese, candied pecans, and honey vinaigrette to the famously sweet Esther Williams, the classic Hollywood synchronized swimmer who performed in the pools of South Beach.
For years, our inner geek has turned to Wired magazine to keep informed on the latest and greatest in science, technology, pop culture, politics, and everything in between. Now for the first time ever, Wired is coming off the pages for the inaugural WIRED 2011 conference at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London on October 13 and 14 – and we can’t wait.
Thought-leaders from around the globe will present cutting-edge perspectives from their fields including Wired editor-in-chief, Chris Anderson; Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Office and VP of Amazon.com; Gil Hirsch, co-founder and CEP of Face.com; Heather Knight founder of Marilyn Monrobot; Stanley Yang, Chief Executive Office of NeuroSky; and Joanna Shields, VP of Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Facebook.
There’s only one way to get in on all this geeky goodness – set up your inclusive Wired weekend with tickets to the conference and a room at St. Pancras.
Comic books have been coming to life on the streets of Cleveland. The Midwest city was transformed into both New York City and Germany to be the setting for the upcoming superhero movieThe Avengers. And with a prime location on Cleveland’s Public Square, The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel not only housed the film’s stars and crew, but its historic façade also served as a backdrop for many scenes.
“The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is doing a marvelous job bringing films to this market,” said Gary McGauley, Renaissance Cleveland Hotel’s General Manager. “We are enthusiastic about being a part of these ventures.”
In fact, the whole city of Cleveland was thrilled to get involved: Hollywood explosions covered the downtown in balloons of smoke, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America (Christopher Evans) battled villains on the streets, residents volunteered to appear as extras in the film, and local fans stood by filming the action on cell phones and cameras.
Filming wraps up this week, be sure to catch the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel on the silver screen in The Avengers in May 2012.
The annual MOBO Awards celebrates the UK’s finest urban music (Adele and Jessie J ring a bell?). Now in its 16th year, MOBO will honor the 2011 recipients at a star-studded event on October 5 at Glasglow SECC.
Spunky songstress Jessie J walked away with the most nominations – 5 in total – for Best Album, Best Newcomer, Best UK Act, Best Video and Best Song, with soulful singer Adele following closely with three nominations for Best UK Act, Best Album and Best Song. View all the nominees and cast votes for your favorites here.
For information on attending the 2011 MOBO Awards, visit http://www.mobo.com.
In the 1960s, air travel was not standard – it was the mark of luxury. Set in this exciting Jet Age ABC’s new series, PAN AM, follows the drama of glamorous flight attendants and rock star pilots as they take to the skies.
The show will debut on September 25th on ABC – but Renaissance Hotels and Washington DC’s WJLA are inviting you to discover the Jet Age early with an amazing prize package. The PAN AM prize package includes:
- 2 tickets the VIP Viewing Party on Friday, September 16th
- Overnight accommodations for two at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
- Two glamorous PAN AM travel bags
- 3-night stay for two, redeemable at any Renaissance Hotel location worldwide
If you want a chance to experience the life of jetsetter, enter here. But be sure to act fast – entries are due by September 9, 2011.
R Life is about your life. It's about bold style. Authentic experience. Real travel (even if it's right near your home). And inspired discussion, peppered with wit and joie de vivre. It's about looking to see what's around the corner, and savoring what's new and different once you're there. Learn More
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