With the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games coming to a close this weekend, why not throw your own closing ceremonies party with a Gold Cocktail?

Gold Cocktail recipe:

-2  1/2 oz Vodka
-1 1/2 oz Malibu Coconut Rum
-1 tsp shredded coconut
- Coconut flakes (for garnish)
-Edible gold powder (available at bakery/cake decorating outlets)

First, coat the bottom of a martini glass with the edible gold powder. Combine the remaining ingredients into an ice filled martini shaker, shake well and strain. If you like, add a little more gold powder to deepen the color and sprinkle with coconut flakes.

Since the first Summer Olympics in Athens in 1896, countries around the world have hosted the games and cheered the athletes on. And if you are a real Olympic fan, check out some of these great host cities of the past along with some amazing hotels where you can get your own Gold Cocktail:

Tokyo, Japan: Summer Olympics 1964
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo:
Consistently rated as one of the finest hotels in all of Asia, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo is a exquisitely designed luxury hotel located in the rich historical district of Nihonbashi in one of the most vibrant cities on earth. Each suite has amazing views of the city across Tokyo Bay or towards the Imperial Palace. And if you love great cuisine, choose from one of nine great restaurants and bars right on the property.

Stockholm, Sweden: Summer Olympics 1912
Hotel Diplomat:
If you have never been to Stockholm, Hotel Diplomat is the perfect hotel to book your stay for the magnificent waterfront views that showcases the pristine beauty of the city. The hotel is a classic art nouveau building located right downtown in the fashionable Strandvagen. This is a great starting point to explore Stockholm and all it has to offer.

London, United Kingdom: Summer Olympics 1908, 1948 and soon for 2012
High Road House:
The High Road House is a luxury hotel and private members’ club located in the heart of Chiswick, West London. Chic and intimate, this 14 room hotel has a comfy, homely feel complete with a luxury game room, large sofa bar and playground lounge area perfect for screenings, presentations and meetings.

Mexico City, Mexico: Summer Olympics 1968
Distrito Capital:
Occupying five floors of a building in the Santa Fe area of Mexico City, Distrito Capital offers amazing views of the city from every side. And if you love all things unique, soak in the design by Joseph Dirand and get inspired by the art of Thomas Glassford “Asteroid”. Like the great city of Mexico City, Distrito Capital has a style all its own.

Los Angeles, United States: Summer Olympics 1984
THE HUNTLEY Hotel:
THE HUNTLEY Hotel is where modern beach side glamor meets urban chic. This hotel exudes a sense of luxury the minute you step into the lobby with its eclectic furniture, sleek lines and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Come here and indulge in the ultimate Southern California Hotel experience.

Paris, France: Summer Olympics 1900 & 1924
Hotel Keppler:
If you love design and trendy boutique hotels, the Hotel Keppler is where you’ll want to stay when visiting Paris. Located right in the heart of the city, this attractive hotel  is perfect for enjoying your morning espresso on your private terrace looking out to the city below.

Athens, Greece: Summer Olympics 1896, 1906 & 2004
Hotel Grande Bretagne:
Athens is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and there couldn’t be a better place to soak in the city then the Hotel Grand Bretagne. You can view the original Olympic Stadium as you lounge by the pool, see the famous Acropolis from their bar or soak in the Parthenon while you dine on their fabulous Mediterranean cuisine.

And if you didn’t get a chance to make it out to this year’s Vancouver Olympics, check out our other Refreshing Fridays post with some great Vancouver hotels: Have a Canadian in Vancouver

As serious wine drinker knows, no matter when the harvest begins, the third Thursday of November the world is treated to the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau wines. This year November 19, 2009 is the big day of celebration to clear your calendar and get ready to drink. A votre santé!

By law, the Beaujolais producers cannot start selling their wine until the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday of November and once that happens, the race is off to see who can get the wine to Paris and the rest of the world first.  Not too heavy, young and very fruity, Beaujolais is usually the “fun” wine on most drinkers lists. Made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region for France this wine is low in tannins and is very close to white wine in taste because of the way it is processed and it’s one of the only reds that actually benefits from being served slightly chilled.

All over France, people will be celebrating the arrival of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau wines. And while in the country, make sure to stay at one of these luxury hotels in France.

Cap Estel:
Set on a five acres peninsula surrounded by the Mediterranean sea in the heart of Cote d’azur between Nice and Monte Carlo is Cap Estel. This legendary haven has played host to celebrities from all over the world with their highly original style and rare refinement. Spend your days here overlooking the sea or dine on their fine cuisine with ingredients form their on-site garden. Come and experience Cap Estel’s tribute to luxury and beauty.

Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly:
Located just outside of Paris and sitting on one of the highest points in the magical Chantilly forest is the beautiful 18th century Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly. Surrounding its guests in traditional French comfort and decor, this luxury chateau is the ideal escape for a romantic getaway along with a perfect glass of wine.

Trianon Palace Versailles, The Waldorf Astoria Collection:
Discover an exceptional woodland retreat on the edge of the tranquil Royal Doman in Versailles. Trianon Palace Versailles is one of Frances finest luxury palaces and offers the perfect lush garden hideaway by famous landscape designer Louis Benech. And with Paris being only a 30 minute car ride away this perfect location to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Jiva Hill Park Hotel:
This beautiful boutique hotel in the Geneva region of France is the ideal place to enjoy your Beaujolais Nouveau and look out over the majestic Mont Blanc range. Six of the private lodges at Jiva Hill Park Hotel offer their own private garden and Jacuzzi make this hotel a unique haven of well being. And if you’re traveling for business, this hotel also features seminar packages and beautiful conference rooms perfect for a business retreat.

Hotel Fouqet’s Barriere Paris:
Located right in the heart of Paris is the new epitome of a 21st century palace, Hotel Foquet’s Barriere Paris. Built around an interior garden, this urban retreat offers unparalleled fresh style and is tailored to meet the tastes of international and discerning guests who are looking for something new and distinctive. Be sure to indulge in their exquisite flavors at their restaurant Le Diane and after a long day take part in their wide array of beauty treatments at their spa.

Hotel Palais Stephanie:
Escape to the heart of Cannes, nestled in-between the Mediterranean and the Southern Alps and you will find Hotel Palais Stephanie. Right on the La Croisette beach and seafront this is the ideal place to take in the view and have a fabulous glass of wine. Blending luxury, glamour and French elegance, your stay here will surely be an unforgettable one.

If the Catacombs are Closed, How Else Can We Scare Ourselves Silly in Paris this Halloween?

Nobody is less pleased about the closing of the Catacombs de Paris than the Skeletons pictured above.

When we think “Halloween destinations”, Paris definitely tops the list. The Parisians of yesteryear moved the dead to the damp and chilly pathways beneath the city, creating the Catacombs de Paris.

Visitors to Paris could have the bone-chilling experience (ha, ha!) of observing heaps of skeletons (layered like a hellish birthday cake) in what is arguably the world’s creepiest crypt. Also many visitors claim to have met some of the lost souls wandering around in there, quite agitated of course, after being disturbed from their original graves.

So you can imagine how ticked we were here at Kiwi Collection to learn that Paris’ creepiest tourist destination, and Halloween site extraordinaire, is closed indefinitely due to vandalism!

Jerks! Schemers! Finks!

Vandals let themselves loose in the Catacombs in September, and scattered bones throughout the passageways. Now, with parts of the Catacombs inaccessible, they’re shut to the public – just in time for Halloween 2009.

It begs the question: how else can we scare ourselves silly in Paris this Halloween?

Well, nothing will truly replace the eeriness of the Catacombs de Paris. But in the mean time, those of us looking for a bit of a weird experience in the city of lights this Halloween might enjoy the following attractions:

Paris Dog Cemetery – located just outside of the city, this is the world’s first pet cemetery and is the site of more than 40,000 pet graves! That’s a lot of poodles, folks.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery – right in the heart of Paris, the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is the resting place of many a celebrity. Think of hanging out next to the resting places of Oscar Wilde once the sun goes down.

Paris Sewers Museum – something stinks, and it’s definitely not you, especially when you spend an afternoon crawling around in Paris’ sewer system.

Paris Erotic Museum – not nearly as scary as it sounds, here you can enjoy historic and modern erotic art from around the world.

Where to Stay When Getting Weird in Paris this Halloween:

Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris
There is nothing dark or disturbing about this hotel in Paris; in fact, the recent redecoration of the lobby uses deep reds, gold and bronze, perfect for warming you up on a cold, autumn day.

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris
Also a quick 15 minute drive to the Paris Catacombs is Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris. This luxurious palace has an interior garden, state of the art facilities and an excellent restaurant (Le Diane). After a long day of mingling with Paris’ ghosts and ghouls, ward off the icy hand of death at this hotel’s spa.

Hotel Keppler
Chic, witty and playful are all good words to describe Hotel Keppler. In addition to being just a few steps from Champs Elysees, this eclectic boutique hotel in Paris is quite close to all of Paris’ other creepy sites.

Who doesn’t love a great party? Especially when it’s a week long and highlights cutting edge fashion trends. That’s right – it’s that time of year again – Paris’ 2009 Ready-to-Wear fashion week showcasing 2010’s spring and summer trends!

Exploring top designs from the world’s best designers, Paris’ fashion week takes place from Wednesday September 30 to Thursday October 8, 2009. Check out the schedule of events!

Frequented by celebrities, buyers, top fashion designers and media types, you probably already know that you’re going – but may not have a fashionable place to stay during your fun and fabulous week in Paris. If that’s you, read on to learn about some of Paris’ most fashionable hotels.

Paris’ Most Fashionable Hotels:

Murano Resort Paris:

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Sleek, chic and oh so modern, Murano Resort Paris is one of the city of lights’ most unique boutique hotels. At only 51 rooms, guests enjoy a high level of privacy and intimacy during their stay right in the heart of the city!

We love the modern design of this hotel with lovely red accents in the rooms. The Deluxe suite has a neat colour scheme: silver, taupe, maroon and obsidian.

And, for those of you who really want to go “over the top”, be sure to book the Top Floor Suite which spans over the entire top floor of the hotel. It includes its own private elevator.

Guests who book Murano Resort Paris through Kiwi Collection can take advantage of our special relationship with the hotel and will receive a complimentary upgrade upon their arrival (subject to availability) and a bottle of wine!

Guests staying in junior suites and above will receive a complimentary bottle of Champagne.

Hotel Keppler:

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Another fabulous boutique hotel in Paris, Hotel Keppler is smart and sophisticated and VERY fashionable (designed by Pierre Yves Rochon). You’ll find a rich blend of traditional and contemporary styles here and will feel like you’re staying in a private downtown residence, not a hotel.

At 39 rooms and suites, the atmosphere is prestigious and private. Perfect for VIPs, celebrities and fashionistas who really want to live it up during Paris’ fashion week.

Our favorite elements of this hotel are its spacious guest rooms and distinguished customer service. And the design of the hotel is suitable for guests who need a “chic” place to stay.

Guests who book their stay at Hotel Keppler through Kiwi Collection will receive complimentary breakfast, a welcome drink for two, complimentary internet access and the general manager’s VIP amenity!

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris:

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Intimate rooms, warm colors and a grand entrance way like no other, you only have to walk in to Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris to feel like you’re on a runway. This is why this gorgeous hotel in Paris makes our list of top hotels to stay in if you’re attending the Paris Fashion Week 2009!

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris is located right in the heart of the city where you will see and be seen. Enjoy the surrounding boutiques, shops, restaurants and, of course, it’s proximity to all of the venues of the fashion week!

One of this hotel’s greatest features is that it was built around an interior garden, giving this hotel a true “retreat” type feeling. It’s so rare to be in the heart of everything while still being able to “escape” from it all.

Guests who book their stay at Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris will received a complimentary breakfast for two, early check in and late check out and one massage per person during their stay. Guests will also receive the hotel’s VIP welcome amenities.

Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris:

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There is only one word we can use to describe Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris: elegant. This gorgeous hotel truly radiates an incomparable charm and is a favorite among both local Parisians and international clients alike!

The hotel has somehow preserved its authentic French style while incorporating some bold Art Deco touches. We love the warm color combination used by the hotel: Plaza reds, terracotta wares, gold and bronze.

One of the best features of this hotel is its prime location. Found on Avenue Montaigne, you’ll be looking out on to the chestnut trees lining the street and will really get a feel for being in Paris staying here.

As one of Paris’ best hotels, Hotel Plaza Athenee is definitely a prime place to stay if you want to make a big impact during Paris fashion week. In fact, Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen recently stayed here. You can read his review of Hotel Plaza Athenee right here on the blog.

If you’re a Tour de France junkie, you won’t want to miss stage 21 of the 2009 Tour de France: the Grand Finale. This year, you’ll see a tight race between some of the Tour de France’s greats, so be sure to stay in a hotel close to the Champs-Elysees, the world’s most beautiful avenue, on Sunday, July 26, 2009.

Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris:

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A gorgeous, modern hotel, Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris radiates charm that appeals to both Parisians and international guests.

You can’t get a better location in Paris for the Tour de France than this gorgeous luxury hotel!

Right between the Avenue des Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, guests find themselves at the crossroads of fashion, entertainment and business – and at the race’s finish line!

The lobby here was redecorated recently and has a warm and aristocratic feel. You’ll love the classic French style of this hotel, with a touch of Art Deco mixed in.

Kiwi Collection’s CEO, Erik Haugen, recently stayed at this hotel. Read Erik’s review of Hotel Plaza Athenee right here on the Jetsetter.

Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris:

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Right at the intersection of the Champs-Elysees and Avenue George V, Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris is another great hotel to stay at if you want to attend this year’s Tour de France! Perfect for foodies, a romantic trip, sightseeing and shopping, Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere Paris has it all.

This hotel is basically a 21st century French Palace, tailored to meet the tastes and needs of international guests looking for something new and distinctive. Our favorite part of this hotel, aside from the intimate rooms and extravagant suites, is the interior garden.

In fact, this hotel was constructed around the garden, which makes it a refreshing retreat in such an urban setting.

The Westin Paris:

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A quick walk to the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, The Westin Paris is in a perfect location for a weekend getaway of which observing the Tour de France 2009 is a part.

From this hotel, you’ll get exciting views of the Eifel Tower and the Tuileries Gardens.

It’s an ideal location for avid site seers because you are moments away from the Louvre Museum, the Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde and the boutiques of Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore.

The guest rooms have all been newly refurbished and include a traditional Parisian charm intermixed with a contemporary design. This hotel in Paris has 80 suites, featuring separate living rooms and master bedrooms, which are perfect for rest and relaxation.

If you find yourself at loose ends at any part of your stay, you can partake in a chocolate tasting, flower arranging demonstrations or a makeover at the hotel. What a weekend in Paris!

Hotel Keppler:

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Steps from the Champs Elysees, Hotel Keppler is a luxury boutique hotel in Paris. Perfect for luxury travelers who want an intimate, traditional environment close to the grand finale of the 2009 Tour de France, you won’t find a better hotel than this!

You’ll love the warm sense of intimacy in this 39 room hotel. All of the rooms and suites are works of art, designed by Pierre Yves Rochon (one of the best interior designers in the world). To be honest, the top floor feels more like a private penthouse apartment than a hotel suite.

Guests who book this hotel through Kiwi Collection can benefit from our special relationship. Ask for the Kiwi Rate and get a welcome drink for two, complimentary breakfast, complimentary internet access and late check-out.

Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen was delighted by his experience and the quality of service at Plaza Athenee in Paris! Plaza Athenee is the perfect hotel to go to if you’re looking for the total Paris experience. Stay here if you’re looking for a romantic getaway.

What makes Paris so special? The grand avenues? The beautiful buildings? The fabulous museums? The great restaurants? Well, probably all of those things. But Paris is about a total ‘experience’ and nothing beats the Paris experience than when you stay at one of its top hotels.

At most of Paris’ top hotels (such as Fouquets Barriere, Plaza Athenee, Le Meurice, The Ritz Paris, The Keppler, and L’Hotel) you will find that the comfort, the sense of generosity, the quality and the attention to detail are all often second to none. However there are still many features that differentiate these great hotels from one and other.

Things such as location, design, size (of the public areas) and types of facilities and amenities all help differentiate the hotels from one and other.

On my last visit to Paris I was lucky enough to stay at the Plaza Athenee one of the foremost luxury hotels in Paris. The Plaza Athenee has the reputation for providing a quintessentially French top-end luxury hotel experience, and I have to say they did not disappoint.

In fact they excelled on every key measure of the quality of a hotel experience. Everything from the comfort of the room/bathroom, the service, and the amenities exuded a sense of generosity, attention to detail, and passion.

In addition the Plaza Athenee provided something extra: a sense of familiarity and a sense of confidence in itself that made the experience of staying there seem perfectly natural. Walking down the corridor and opening your room you might feel you are in the (very large) house of a rich relative. The warmth of the décor, the perfect lighting and the friendliness of the staff all lead to a general sense of ease.

There was always staff on hand ready to help, but they never intruded on a guest or visitor’s personal space. The fact that they could immediately source items such as stockings for my wife, and that they were perfectly comfortable cooking things not on the menu for a mid afternoon snack, all further reinforce the sense of flexibility and the ‘can do’ attitude that is critical in delivering an exceptional hotel experience.

However, the experience was not only about the rooms and the service. The Plaza Athenee experience is one with many dimensions.

Not only do they provide exceptional hospitality but they have a Christian Dior spa, an Alain Ducasse restaurant and the famous Plaza Athenee bar on their premises all of which conspire to make this one of the worlds most well rounded and fulfilling centre-city hotel experiences.

Dinner at the Alain Ducasse restaurant followed by a drink at the Plaza Athenee bar is the perfect way to round off a great day in Paris.

I will remember my stay at the Plaza Athenee this year with great fondness and put it down to the staff and the management who work so hard to make this one of the truly great hotel experiences.

Thank you!

(left to right: Nash, Karla, Lukas, Philippe)

My fiancée and I recently flew in to Geneva for Lukas Lundin’s 50th Edition party with 130 of his closest friends and family from all over the world, which made it a very special occasion.

It was held at Jiva Hill Park Hotel owned by Lukas’ brother Ian Lundin, and it has been designed as a south African camp just outside Geneva on the French side of the France-Switzerland border – a beautiful resort that comes with its own lake where guests can water-ski or relax; a perfect place to hold any event private or for your company.

It was a black-tie dinner with a 28 minute long fireworks show in the end (putting most fireworks competition to shame), it was one of those parties of a lifetime that never seemed to end, people just had too much fun - we were one of the early quitters at 4:30 AM.

During our visit to Geneva we also had a chance to stay at La Reserve, which has become sort of an institution for the local jetsetters – don’t miss their pool or their ride in to town with their Italian Riva style motor boat.

The festivities ended the following day with brunch at Lukas’ parents wonderful estate in the French countryside.

This region is filled with amazing  countryside charm, and a visit on the other side of the border is a must if you are ever visiting Geneva. Geneva itself is like a miniature Paris on a lake with amazing “Brasseries” and not to mention a plethora of jewellery and fine Swiss made watches  – there is no better place in the world to find Swiss-made quality than at the source.

We then went to Paris with the TGV (a very fast French train)…a trip I would highly recommend. In a mere 3.5 hours, you are smack dab of a hub of activity in central Paris. We stayed at Le Ritz on Place Vendome, wich has renovated many of their rooms (be sure to ask for one of the renovated ones when you book your next stay). This very well known and historical property is located amongst the high fashion stores on Faubourg St Honore (one of the most famous shopping streets in the world). Be sure to bring your credit card or stay in another area of Paris as your loved one will not be pleased should you ignore the many beautiful windows packed with perfect gifts.

The last night in Paris we stayed at Hotel Costes, a complete opposite of Le Ritz but still one of my personal favourites, designed like a high end boudoire. This place is like a night club, restaurant with hotel rooms…the party never ends. When you are here be sure to have at least one drink here. It is the perfect place to people watch. Stay in one of the rooms with a terrace facing the courtyard. In most hotels this would be the quiet zone. But in this hotel, the courtyard is the centre of activity and features the hotel’s restaurant & bar.

Until our next meeting on the road…A bientôt.