London

Over the next four weeks, the world’s elite fashion houses occupy New York, London, Paris, and Milan to exhibit their designs for the coming year. For attendees, looking the part is a must, and Bo Derek had the right idea when she remarked, “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” In this week’s blog, we take her words to heart as we look at where the locals shop in each of the Fashion Week destinations, alongside some hotel inspiration.

Selling seasonal baubles and providing a festive atmosphere, Christmas Markets have been around for nearly a millennium. The tradition originated in German-speaking Europe, and as German immigrants spread throughout the world, so did the Christmas Market. Nowadays, most major cities will host one, and herein we highlight eight around the globe, with a corresponding dash of hotel inspiration.

’Tis the season to be jolly, and some hotels don’t just deck the halls, they go all out. In honor of Santa Claus, we’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of 9 Kiwi Collection hotels making this an extra special holiday season. So whether you’ve been naughty or nice, the festive travel inspiration herein applies to everyone.

Even though they live at one of the most iconic addresses on earth, the life of an American President is a transient one, clocking up the miles both at home and abroad in their role as Commander-in-Chief. Comfort is of utmost importance during these forays, beginning with the plush interiors of Air Force One, and extending to their choice of hotel. With almost limitless resources, the President and their entourage are free to choose from any hotel on earth, with considerations like security and convenience usually ranking highly on the list of criteria. With election day imminent, we take a look at eight iconic hotels where American Presidents have stayed.

When one books a penthouse suite, what comes with it is somewhat implicit. Luxury and opulence is a given, ditto for panoramic views and tailored service. Today, we want to celebrate hotels that not only hit this mark, but also go above and beyond with their penthouse suites. Luckily, Kiwi Collection features several properties that fit these criteria.

After what seemed like a protracted and sometimes controversial buildup, the 2016 Summer Olympics are finally upon us. Athletes by the thousands are en route to Rio to represent their countries across 28 different sports, while billions will be watching around the globe. Nearly every nation on earth will be represented, in what is considered the world’s foremost sports competition. The Olympic Games wasn’t always this monolithic presence in the public consciousness. It has grown exponentially with every iteration, leaving behind some memorable events in cities across the globe. To celebrate Olympic season we’ve decided to take a look at some prior host cities, providing some hotel inspiration along the way.

The prohibition era between 1920 to 1933 wasn’t a golden age for fans of alcoholic beverages, with their sale, manufacture and transportation all rendered illegal in the United States. During that time, clandestine drinking establishments known as speakeasies sprouted at a phenomenal rate, and in 1925, there were anywhere between 30,000 and 100,000 operating in New York City alone. Laws were eventually repealed, bringing alcohol back into the mainstream, but the glamour of the speakeasy lives on in popular culture. A welcome trend of late has been the introduction of neo-speakeasies or vintage-inspired bars with an atmosphere and cocktail menu borrowed from the Roaring Twenties. Read on as we take a look at a few Kiwi Collection hotels where the speakeasy concept thrives.

The romance between Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston has been, well, swift. But they’ve already logged an impressive few thousand miles in their two week courtship. Whether you think it’s some kind of performance art or the real deal, their itinerary is top-notch. Inspired by the twitterpated pair, we retrace their steps and chart a similar course. Hey, even if you go it alone, there’s lots to love.

It was once the case that hotels would attempt to dazzle with a list of in-room amenities as long as a guest’s arm. However, today’s increasingly savvy traveler expects a little more than lotions and potions underneath the bathroom vanity. This demand is being met in a plethora of ways, but perhaps the most welcome one is the rise of unique experiences that immerse guests in the local environment. Several Kiwi Collection hotels have crafted particularly noteworthy offerings, and we take a closer look at ten.