One of the newest places to stay in the Windy City is the Ian Schrager-designed Public Chicago. Housed in the former Ambassador Hotel, the Public showcases Schrager's love of all things white and oversized, but the design is more subdued and well, grown up, than you might expect. The color palette sticks with soothing neutrals, so the hotel looks as if it was inspired by a Restoration Hardware catalog (which is not necessarily a bad thing).

­One of the newest- and hippest - places to stay in Scottsdale is the recently renovated Saguaro Hotel. Although the modish design and candy-colored palette looks like it was transplanted from Palm Springs, the architects actually took their design cues from the vibrant hues found in the desert. The in-house Distrito restaurant dishes up modern Mexican fare and is helmed by chef Jose Garces, a previous Iron Chef America winner. We're tempted by the mezcal and tequila flights on the bar menu, as well as the pork spare ribs with a chipotle- cider mustard bbq sauce. For relaxing, there are two pools as well as a spa. Rates start at $189. The Saguaro, 4000 N Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Phone:  (480)308-1100.

­A multi-million dollar recreation has turned the tattered-around-the-edges Saint Louis Hotel into the gleaming new Hotel Mazarin, a 102 room haven in the French Quarter just off Bourbon Street. Named after Cardinal Jules Mazarin—a  17th century Italian-born pontiff, an advisor to the French Crown and a collector of fine wines —the Mazarin features a lovely wine bar, gold leaf accents, lots of polished wood, free Wi Fi, free daily breakfast, in-room spa services and a welcoming inner courtyard.  

­Long before the late, great Domino magazine taught us all to whitewash our interiors and stain our wood floors for a uniformly hip look, there was Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic fame. She taught us that white slip covers are not only beautiful and calming, but also child and pet friendly (and they truly are... thank goodness for bleach and a hot water wash). 

Ms. Ashwell is still going strong with a successful line of textiles and furniture (there's also a moderately priced line of linens sold at Target). But her latest role is that of innkeeper- she is the new owner of The Prairie B&B in Round Top, located in Texas Hill Country.

­The holiday season is officially underway - which means plenty of people are already planning their great escape. If you're thinking about Hawaii, consider SoulSpace Sanctuary, which opened earlier this week on Maui. The property, which was originally built in 1909, consists of five restored historic buildings and features 28 guest rooms, suites and bungalows. The design is a blend of laid-back elegance and neo-colonial architecture, and the rooms are free of televisions to encourage guests to unwind (wifi is available though). 

­James Beard award winning chef Donald Link has done it again. Not content with three mainstay restaurants in New Orleans— Herbsaint, Cochon and Cochon Butcher or with his rock-solid reputation as a city supporter who puts his money where his mouth is (he opened his second restaurant, Cochon, six months after Katrina hit at a time when other local chefs were closing doors and firing staff), the chef has just added another delicious link in his pork-centric empire.

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­If you love traveling to Walt Disney World but want to keep the ­magic going for a little longer, here’s your chance to own a slice of it.  For the first time in its history, Disney is selling luxury homes within the resort. Called Golden Oak, this master-planned resort community was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering  (the brains who help design everything from the parks and rides to ABC’s Times Square Studios) and is just three miles from the Magic Kingdom.­

Owners can choose to live there full-time or use the homes as a vacation retreat for friends and family, although they cannot rent the properties.

­­Jack Rogers Navajo sandals. Check. LL Bean tote bag. Check. J. Crew bikini. Check. These three items are the classic ingredients for a preppy summer look.

Jack Rogers sandals are famed for being as stylish (in an understated way) as they are comfortable, and it has just become easier to buy them in New York City. Originally founded in Palm Beach in 1961, Jack Rogers has just opened its New York flagship. The Navajo, pictured, retails for $98 but there are also espadrilles and wedges for sale, along with plenty of closed toe shoes for New York's non beachy weather days - which is about half the year.  Jack Rogers, 1198 Madison Ave between 87 and 88 Street. New York, NY 10128. Phone: (212) 259-0588.

­The East Coast of the US is littered with 50s era motels. Most them are still stuck in the past and quite grim, but some savvy developers saw the potential in Provincetown's Harbor Hotel. No longer a no-tell motel, it has been injected with color, fun and style. The 129 rooms look like a W on acid, with bright pops of turquoise and lime green. There's a pool for cooling off, or just head to the nearby Cape Cod National Seashore. The in-house Whaler Lounge serves up New England classics with a twist, like lobster roll sliders. Weekend rates start at $219. Harbor Hotel Provincetown, 698 Commericial Street at Snail Road, Provincetown, Mass. Phone: (800) 422- 4224.

­­­The Cipriani family is known for rolling out fabulous restaurants and clubs in all the right places - chiefly, New York, London, Hong Kong and Venice. The family's latest venture is the opening of the very chic Mr. C hotel in Beverly Hills. The hotel is the brainchild of twenty-something brothers Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, fourth generation members of the family.