As packed venues at A60, Jimmy, and Le Bain have proven, rooftop bars were the year's top hotel trend, according to a new report released by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. It covered a number of aspects of the New York City hotel scene, but the rooftop bar was by far the most dominant new trend. Pioneered by boutique properties but recently embraced by bigger chains, it’s not hard to see why. a good rooftop space can bring in up to $120 per square foot in peak months, translating to profits up to 50%.

There’s a lot to see anytime you land in a new city, and your travel time is always precious. In an effort to accommodate their customers’ need for speed and comfort, luxury hotels are offering more options than ever for getting around.

"It doesn’t take long to track down hedonism"

Traditionally, Valentine's Day is known as a "Hallmark Holiday," but really it's so much more than that. Its crass commercialization isn't limited to the greeting card world; there are flowers and chocolates and ridiculously marked up restaurants packaged, and yes, there are oddly contrived "romance" packages at hotels around the world. Single or coupled, old or young, pro or anti-John Mayer, there's a hotel Valentine's Day marketing gimmick just for you.

The Peninsula in Beverly Hills is creating the perfect opportunity to schmooze and clink glasses with other LA royalty this summer. Every Thursday through Labor Day, the hotel is opening its Roof Garden bar to everyone, even those not staying there.

The Chicago celeb is a rare creature ...

While every other hotel group has been scrambling to launch twee eco sub-brands, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, in conjunction with L.A. nightlife hotshots SBE, has been plotting in the direction of megaluxe. And so, this winter, Beverly Hills will see the launch of the SLS Hotel -- the first of a new lineup of ultra-chic lairs. With interiors by Philippe Starck, the SLS will be awash in boutique-y hotel trappings (sleek furnishings, designer minibars and a futuristic gym), but with 297 distinctly posh sleeping quarters, it will more likely be luring guests away from the Peninsula than from hipster magnets like the Standard.

Conde Nast Traveler has revealed the Reader's Choice Awards for 2008. Topping the list for Best Cities (for the 16th year in row, snore) is San Francisco. The real news is that Charleston, SC trumped Manhattan for the second spot on the list, bumping NYC to number three. Best Hotel honors in the United States went to: The Peninsula Chicago (#1), The Four Seasons in New York (#4), and The Peninsula Beverly Hills (#6).