The 12 acre Hotel Bel Air, just above Sunset Drive, has reopened with a modern makeover after two years under construction. Having originally welcomed its first visitors in 1946 this legendary venue – all tropical plants, oval swimming pools and Swan Lakes no less – has retained much of its old Hollywood charm, with the addition of hi-tech gadegtry from Bang and Olufsen and slick interiors courtesy of designer Alexandra Champalimaud. More over here.

Click for images.

The desert setting of Hotel Lautner has us intrigued. Always on the lookout for unique destination offerings, the Lautner is situated in the San Jacinto Valley of Palm Desert, CA. Designed by architect, John Lautner, the hotel was recently restored in March 2011 by designers Tracy Beckmann and Ryan Trowbridge. Just two hours east of Los Angeles, the Lautner is a desert destination with mid-century modern charm.

More look after the click.

Working for a second time together, Baron Wells and the ACE Hotels come together for an limited edition necktie made fom silk woven exclusively for ACE by Vanners of England which features a thin white pinstripe on black. The come packaged and sold in a Baron Wells stamped kraft capsule. Available now in the ACE online shop for $110.

More look after the click.

Public art exhibitions are essential in every city. The Mondrian SoHo does its part with a newly installed exhibition of minimalist, Sol LeWitt’s photography. 150 of LeWitt’s photographs of the Lower East side are exhibited on the Lafayette Street side of the hotel, photographed around 1979. The expanse of the exhibition runs more than 60 feet in length with images scaling to 20 feet in height. The project has been organized in collaboration with independent curator Adam Shopkorn, the LeWitt Foundation and Paula Cooper Gallery. Stop at the Mondrian for a look.

Photography: ©Estate of Sol LeWitt / ARS. Courtesy Paula Cooper Gallery, New York

More looks after the click.

The new Armani Hotel in Milan was opened for business yesterday with an Armani-proper gala to celebrate the event. The joint venture between Giorgio Armani and Dubai’s Emaar Properties is their second property in the Italian city, located in Milan’s couture district. 95 guestrooms and suites are available inside the new structure which mixes architecture of new and old.  Those heading to Pitti Uomo this coming January may well consider staying at the new Armani Hotel.

A little bit of local love from me. While currently reside on the Cambridge-side of the Charles, there are certain locales which I must frequent on the other side of the river – the Boston side. It just happens that  Government Center (or Downtown Crossing to some) is home to one of Boston’s finest “new” hotels. The Ames Hotel, built inside the old Ames Building, just steps from the Old State House, was renovated by the Morgans Hotel Group back in 2009.  Today, it is a much needed hotel destination in this area of Boston. Washington Street which connects Government Center to the Theatre District, is a frequent shopping haunt for many. The Ames places a drop-pin on the far end of Washington, for both accommodations, dinner, and night life.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

Read more on the Ames Hotel, Boston after the click.

With a long love of farming in tow, Griffin Studios introduces Loveland Farm Camping. Take it as the brands opportunity to merge an interest in functional garments with the places that test their usage. The farm, located in North Devon, allows shared exploration of the outdoors and sustainability. It’s not just 1970s retro camping, Loveland is… like Griffin clothing… is a contemporary articulation of centuries old leisure activity.

Learn more here… and if inclined book a weekend trip.

Pictures of the camp are found after the jump.

There are certain advantages to staying in a hotel located in New York City’s SOHO district. Outside of the location itself, which puts the guest in the center of one of the stronger shopping experiences in the city,  SOHO hotel like the new Mondrian SOHO, guarantee some unique views of the city, not often seen from midtown or uptown hotels (see photo above from the 19 floor if you don’t believe us).

The new Mondrian SOHO, part of the Morgans Hotel Group,  provides guests with a unique hotel experience inspired by Jean Cocteau’s film, “La Bell et la Bete.” Designer, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz used the film and theme to design a hotel experience that floats in and out of a modern “fantasy” of  blue;  a color that not only offers a calming  feeling but also one that welcomes you. I never expected a color to do so.

For those that prefer a more neighborhood-friendly hotel experience just shy of all the action, the Mondrian SOHO may be the choice for you. Mr. Noriega-Ortiz gave us a walking tour through the new Mondrian SOHO. Here’s out look.

Photography: Selectism.com

More looks after the click.

Hotel Americano is set to open its doors next month in New York City. T Magazine takes a look not only at the new property – the 11th from Grupo Habita – but also some of the more interesting finds to be discovered in each room and suite. “Guest rooms feature Kengo Kuma low-to-the-ground platform beds and black vinyl Zanotta bean bag chairs alongside less aggressively slick accouterments like touch-tone phones, denim bathrobes by Loden Dager (which also outfitted the staff) and harmonicas for sale in the minibar. In-room iPads are loaded with music as well as the Hotel Americano version of a city guide, with regularly updated listings of things to do, both in the ZIP code and beyond.”

More looks after the click.

The latest property from the Morgans Hotel Group opens doors in the SoHo district of NYC. The Modrian SoHo is also their property downtown. “This 270 room hotel will see fantasy meet sophisticated chic through the distinctive vision of Benjamin Benjamin Noriega Ortiz, who also re-imagined Mondrian in Los Angeles and will boast incredible views of Manhattan… Inside Mondrian, the hotel will launch its highly anticipated seafood restaurant Imperial No. Nine located just off the hotel lobby where lauded Chef Sam Talbot will introduce his interpretation of sustainable seafood with a 180-seat restaurant.” The Mondrian promises “unrivaled” views of Manhattan. We’ll have to see for ourselves.