The Good Life

5 Luxurious Resorts for When Price Is No Object

twocents@thestreet.com (Jerold Leslie) — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00 GMT

BOSTON (MainStreet) -- The world's finest vacation resorts offer it all -- exotic locations, first-class service, comfy accommodations and yummy meals.

"It's really a combination of everything -- the setting, the ambiance, the services and all of the extras," says Bruce Wallin of luxury lifestyles magazine The Robb Report, which recently compiled its first Robb Report 100 List of the poshest resorts around the globe.

Some two dozen Robb Report writers and editors teamed up with industry experts to pick the greatest vacation spots available to the price-is-no-object crowd. ...

ArteBA Paints Beautiful Picture of Buenos Aires

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (MainStreet) -- As one of Latin America's premiere art events, as well as one of the preeminent fairs in the contemporary art world, ArteBA has grown in its 21st year to expect more than 120,0000 visitors for the five-day event starting Friday. Much like New York's Armory or Art Basel, the event features a series of gallery shows and parties in a whirlwind week of art festivities and fair that's almost entirely open to the public.

There are more than 68 art galleries participating in the event as well as exhibitors from neighboring countries such as Chile and Uruguay. This year will feature an extensive auditorium series offering daily Q&A sessions with the industry elite, from curators to critics, including lively art debates and educational exchanges. ArteBA 2012 is to again feature Barrio Joven-Chandon, a festival program that showcases emerging Latin and Argentine talent in a stand-alone exhibition. ArteBA is a preeminent art event that has grown to envelope the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires every year in May.

Key to the event, running from 1 to 9 p.m. daily, is Buenos Aires' La Rural, a nearly 30-acre complex near the city center that offers top eateries and such tourist destinations as the city zoo and botanical gardens. Those looking for the most convenient hotel address during the fair should opt for one in the trendy Palermo neighborhoods such as Palermo Soho, where they'll discover an array of boutique hotels such as Jardin Escondido --- the home turned micro-hotel of Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola. ...

Warm Weather Indulgences of the Alcoholic Kind

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS (MainStreet) -- Fruity. Smoky. Barrel-aged. Do these adjectives evoke thoughts of cocktails?

They will now, as mixologists across the country tap their creative juices to whet appetites with some mouthwatering spirits during this warm-weather season. TravelsinTaste has sought out the fruity and fabulous to have on your cocktail radar for when the moment strikes you.

More From TravelsinTaste CUT: A Cut Above the Rest SHO Shaun Hergatt: The Financial District Finally Gets Fine Dining Right New York's Best Seafood, Courtesy of New York's Best Chef: James Beard Award Winner Eric Ripert ...

No Sign of Austerity for Cannes 2012

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00 GMT

CANNES, France (MainStreet) -- The gigayachts are queued in the harbor, the stars have already checked in and the red carpet has that deep luster again as the Cannes International Film Festival begins Wednesday. If anyone is expecting less sparkle this year, given a European debt crisis that's still mid-script, an explosion of new hotels and late-night party line-up seems to suggest otherwise. This year's star-studded jury includes fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, Diane Kruger and Ewan McGregor presiding over an inventory of film openings and premieres by headliners such as Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard to rising names that include Zac Efron and Twilight star Kristen Stewart.

The round of new hotel names include Five Hotel & Spa, which offers the city's best luxury design boutique and is next to the Croisette and Palais des Festivals. Designed by architects Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet, the property hopes to create the sense of a journey for guests via objects, furnishings and artwork throughout but the hotel -- a "voyage immobile." It has one of the prettiest lobbies in town, with oriental silk screens juxtaposed with floor-to-ceiling windows and furnishings that nod toward midcentury French design. Five Hotel & Spa is Cannes' best luxury design boutique and has one of the city's hottest new eateries in Seas Sens.

On the fifth floor of Five Hotel comes one of the city's hottest new eateries: The culinary triumph of Seas Sens, led by brother chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, who mix traditional French gastronomy and Southeast Asian twists followed up with a dessert menu by Jerome de Oliveir -- a winner of the World Pastry Cup. After dinner, guests find rooms with cocoon-style canopy beds by towering windows concealed behind linen drapery with a fashionably lazy pleat. Private dressing rooms evoke the grand era of steamer travel, complete with saddle-stitched leather detailing fit for a Hollywood stylist. ...

Disney to Let 100 People Join Super-Secret Club

twocents@thestreet.com (Newser) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:09 GMT

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Membership at Disneyland's secretive Club 33 is so sought-after that no new names have been added to the 800-person-strong waiting list in a decade. But now, for the first time in 10 years, the membership rolls are being opened up once again, and 100 people on the waiting list will be invited to join the fewer than 500 who are estimated to be members.

What will they get for their $25,000 entrance fee and $10,000 yearly dues? Access to Club 33, a hidden restaurant in New Orleans Square, as well as a new private club at the neighboring California Adventure theme park. ...

10 Apps and Gadgets to Take Out to the Ballgame

twocents@thestreet.com (Jason Notte) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:30 GMT

NEW YORK MainStreet -- The 2012 Major League Baseball season is costing fans a bundle in ticket and beer money, but smartphones and tablets are two places where fans can slide under the tag a bit.

Teams have a hand in fans' wallets the minute they step to the ticket counter, but free and low-cost apps for stat geeks, fantasy baseball freaks and fickle game watchers make it a bit easier to enjoy the game without dumping a truckload of money onto the field. It's also an incredibly long season that has almost five full months left to go, which makes an app purchase a huge value.

We went flipping through the various app stores and found the 10 most essential baseball apps of the 2012 season. These apps are all top contenders for your time and money this season, even if your team isn't: ...

Hotel Scents That Keep You Checking In

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- Frequent business travelers will often tout hotel amenities as simple as an impeccable mattress or perfect morning espresso as reasons for their hotel loyalty. Others recite a global Rolodex of hotel properties that offer bathroom toiletries with scents so unique they become synonymous with the cities themselves and without which a visit simply isn't complete.

Travelers to London will often talk of the Bamford Body toiletries found at Claridge's or Penhaligon's that grace bathrooms counters at the Brown's Hotel and Belgraves. But then there's Firmdale Hotels, which include properties such as the Charlotte Street Hotel and Dorset Hotel opening in June, offering a scent so unique a morning shower in London just isn't the same without. Some scents are so unique to a city and hotel that a visit, no matter how nice the stay otherwise, simply isn't complete without them.

Bathrooms at all Firmdale Hotels offer a selection of Miller Harris bath products, namely a Citron Citron shampoo and shower wash that's a combination of Sicilian lemons, Spanish oranges and Jamaican lime with a tinge of cool mint and basil. The products are available at Miller Harris fragrance boutiques throughout London, including a Bruton Street location with its own tearoom. ...

Kitchit: Top Chefs Come to Your Home to Cook

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00 GMT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Want a fine-dining experience in your home, but don't have the time, effort or energy to attempt it, nor access to top chefs who'll swing by and whip it up?

All is not lost.TravelsinTaste looks to Kitchit, a website that connects members with the most talented and creative local chefs to craft individualized, full-service "bespoke" dining experiences in their homes. The site even helps plan the event, coordinating rentals and decor and emailing invitations.

Hollywood's Ultimate Celeb Suites

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:00 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- Los Angeles has no shortage of luxury hotels and plenty of high-end properties that cater to celebrity travelers and the corporate elite. But there are some guests for whom only a hotel's absolute best room will do. Here's where to find those truly spectacular penthouses and bungalows:

The most hallowed of celebrity hotel grounds is the Chateau Marmont, which the meticulous management of hotelier Andre Balazs has evolved into an insider's den of exclusivity in the middle of the Sunset Strip. A well-guarded door at virtually all hours of the day ensures that guests such as Dita Von Teese will be unmolested by the camera lens, and photographers, journalists and fans breaking the rule will be asked politely to leave. Past the motor court, a residential entrance leads to a staircase or elevator arrival to the main lobby that feels much as it did back in the days of Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes. Celebrating its 100-year anniversary, the Beverly Hills Hotel has no shortage of starry accommodations.

Insider secrets of the Chateau include always insisting on eating outside versus the cozy but isolated dining room, and booking suites in the main building versus the less-preferable cottage and pool bungalows. There's little doubt the rooftop penthouse is the best room in the house. Priced from a surprisingly affordable $4,500 per night, its living room (complete with piano and fireplace) opens onto the chicest rooftop terrace in town, with views that can make anyone feel famous for a night. ...

10 Best Summer Travel Options on Two Wheels

twocents@thestreet.com (Jason Notte) — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:30 GMT

NEW YORK MainStreet -- Hear that roaring and buzzing outside your window? That's every scooter and motorcycle in a five-mile radius telling you summer's here.

Gas prices have dropped below $3.90 a gallon and are down from this time last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Even if you could get a gallon of gas with pocket change, though, rising temperatures would put two-wheelers on the road.

That said, there are some cycles and scooters out there that are clearly ahead of the pack. We took a look at the best the market has to offer and found 10 motorcycles and scooters that cut through beach and mountain traffic more capably than the competition. What we didn't find, however, was a Harley Davidson or Vespa that could make the cut: ...

Spring Treks from Treasure Diving to Everest

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- There are some people that look to spring for its hedonistic spa getaways or early beach vacations. Then there are the thrill seekers who take advantage of better weather by diving to the depths of the ocean in search of treasure, climbing the highest mountain they can find or satiating their mind and body with an archeological journey that goes above and beyond the norm or the usual spring getaway.

Those looking for the most unique adventures without having to do all the legwork will most likely want to use an adventure travel specialist such as U.K.-based Wild Frontiers. The company promises "to help adventurous souls get to incredible places that would otherwise remain inaccessible," and a well curated website by company founder Jonny Bealby includes a wide array of fully tailored experiences to the far reaches of the globe that vary by the degree of wildness, preferred region and whether the idea is group travel or a private event. The Archeological Institute of America offers an 11-day cruise called "Cultures and Archaeology of the Adriatic Sea" that has the usual Venice-Piran-Dubrovnik itinerary as well as journeys to places such as ancient Tunisian sites, the Roman city of Aquileia or the town of Egnathia, where adventurers explore ruins dating back to 4 B.C.

More adventurous travelers can partake in a 30-day Wakhan Corridor Trek through Afghanistan and Tajikistan. A bit shorter is the nine-day Wild Walk in the Caucasus, which traverses the great Georgian mountain range in a group hike that includes crossing the Abodelauri Pass and camping in pastures along the Russian border. ...

How to Save on Your Midlife Crisis

twocents@thestreet.com (Greg Emerson) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:13 GMT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Ask people how much their mental health is worth and most will tell you that you can't put a price tag on sanity. Ask someone who's recently gone through a midlife crisis, though, and you might get a different answer entirely.

Regret is a hard pill to swallow at any age, but when an expensive decision is designed to make life better for the 40-something American who's lost his or her sense of youth and vigor, the bitter aftertaste can put a person's entire retirement in jeopardy.

Kimberly Foss, a wealth adviser for high net-worth individuals (people worth $1 million or more, generally) with 29 years of experience, has seen plenty of clients of a certain age come to her wanting to make big purchases and trying to convince themselves that they are entirely rational decisions. It may seem like a simple procedure, but the cost of looking younger can easily last to old age. ...

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11 Amazing Tastes for National Burger Month

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS (MainStreet) -- In anticipation of May's National Burger Month, TravelsinTaste searched from West Coast to East for the best and most interesting burgers around the country.

In Las Vegas, where everything is over the top, Holsteins at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is serving the Gold Standard, a dry aged beef sirloin burger with smoked bacon, aged goat cheddar cheese, tomato confit, baby arugula and garlic-chive aioli. Want something a little more decadent? They've got the Billionaire Burger with Kobe beef, foie gras, port onion marmalade, frisee and truffle mayo.

10 Ways to Buy a Great Summer at Home

twocents@thestreet.com (Jason Notte) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:30 GMT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- For outdoor enthusiasts who spent the past few weekends rolling grills out of storage and setting up deck, porch or balcony furniture, this time of year was worth the wait.

If your home's outdoor setup is just right, it gets really tough to leave. Couple a sweet grill and a comfortable chair with gas prices averaging more than $3.90 a gallon and warm summer weather becomes a strong argument for staying home.

Considering the impact of even a modest outdoor improvements, we've come up with 10 outdoor investments that can turn even the most modest real estate into an open-air resort: ...

Upgrades Pay On Europe's No-Frill Carriers

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:00 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- Low-cost carriers are part of everyday life for most European travelers, and the combination of convenient schedules on key routes and low prices justify the otherwise reviled bare-basic amenities. But while many luxury travelers would sooner forgo the trip than face the epic boarding lines or cutthroat seating once aboard, some little-known upgrades by Europe's top frill-free carriers could make an otherwise grueling travel experience a lot more comfortable this summer.

EasyJet is an amiable entree to the European no-frill carriers. One of the pioneers in the business, EasyJet manages an easily navigable website with omnipresent specials, such as a Mallorca-London Luton flight for a mere u8.82 -- cheaper than the ride to the airport in most cases. Some little-known upgrades on airlines such as EasyJet could make otherwise grueling travel a lot more comfortable this summer.

Those that can overlook less-than-convenient routes, often from commuter airports such as London's Luton that are often farther from urban centers, find great value in fares that often include all government taxes and free carry-on baggage. Checked baggage comes with a predictable u14-per-piece supplement. But EasyJet also offers perks, including Speedy Boarding that means you can be the first aboard the plane for prime front seats, and often the first to disembark. Costing a mere u11.50 per person, Speedy Boarding also offers designated check-in desks at selected airports to check bags faster and avoid the epic luggage lines at prime European hubs. ...

The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Hotel Groups

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- For anyone who travels with a four-pawed friend, navigating cumbersome hotel pet policies can be labor-intensive investigation that, done wrong, can have you and your pet on the curb. And some national chains that insist they're pet friendly can still let member properties have their own policies -- inconsistent weight restrictions that limit any dog above 30 pounds, requiring owners to never leave a pet alone inside a room or simply not allowing pets at all.

Industry leader Starwood Hotels & Resorts operates an array of pet-friendly brands that deviate in the details. Its Westin Hotels brand clearly states most pet policies in the announcement area of each hotel's landing page, including perks such as a Heavenly Pet Bed or dog bowl and mat provided upon check-in. (Those with dogs larger than 30 pounds should call properties directly to see each hotel's restrictions -- which can often be waived by the general manager, albeit with owners often required to be with pets at all times when inside the room, and with and dogs rarely allowed inside restaurants or lounge areas.) While websites such as PetTravel.com advise of a generous 80-pound weight limit at Starwood's W Hotel & Resorts, a look at individual properties yielded different policies at its W South Beach and W Hoboken, which have a 40-pound limit, and W San Francisco, which has a 50-pound limit. Kimpton Hotels set "no restrictions and never require an extra charge, fee or deposit" -- making it likely the most friendly and fun hotel group in pet travel.

As for the major luxury brands, Four Seasons has a doggie door open in various dimensions at its top U.S. hotels, including its Biltmore Santa Barbara, which has a generous 50-pound weight restriction but a requirement that guests with pets stay in their Cottage Rooms (although those come in a wide variety of categories). In Los Angeles, where pet ownership is virtually a city mandate, the pet policy at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills isn't so generous -- there's a 15-pound weight restriction, since it's a high-rise hotel in an urban setting not conducive to larger dogs. At the Four Seasons Boston, however, they won't even charge you a pet fee or put you in pet-designated rooms, like even the most liberal pet-friendly brands, although they will require a pet waiver and insist that your companion be under 25 pounds. ...

Savory Desserts Send Palates on a Tasty Adventure

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS (TheStreet) -- Throughout the history of the modern meal, savory flavors have traditionally belonged to appetizers and entrees while the sweet tastes of dessert serve as the grand finale. That's changed. In a city that loves to bend the rules, Las Vegas restaurants are serving savory desserts that send culinary palates on a tasty adventure.

Featuring out-of-the-ordinary ingredients such as roots, spices and vegetables, these desserts blend sweet and savory in perfect harmony, proving once again Las Vegas chefs are changing the way we finish our meals. TravelsinTaste sought out some of the most notable Las Vegas chefs to bring their savory creations to you, along with some insight into their creations.

Where to Match Your Hotel to Your Outfit

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:18 GMT

MILAN, Italy (MainStreet) -- In a crowded marketplace of international hotel chains it can often be little more than a name -- a fashion name -- that might oust even the most famous brands from the top slot. That's the case in Milan, which had no shortage of luxury hotels such as Four Seasons, Park Hyatt and Baglioni but now have to compete also with such virtual synonyms for fashion and glamour as Armani and Bulgari.

Bulgari Hotel was one of the first designer hotels in Milan, and it was a wow of one at that: an 18th century palazzo floating in a dreamy garden of rolling, including nearly neon-green lawns and an elevated outdoor lounge with sexy decor and fichus trees as manicured as the patrons. Interiors live up to even the loftiest of architectural expectations with Zimbabwe black marble and zen undertones. But more interesting than the full-size Bulgari bath toiletries in guest rooms and Espa Spa is that that Bulgari is a joint venture between Bulgari S.p.A. and Marriott International, which also manages the Ritz-Carlton portfolio. (The collection also operates the revered Bulgari Bali Hotel in Indonesia and Bulgari Hotel London opening this spring, which could be a competition killer in the lead-up to the Olympics.) Maison Martin Margiela brought its usual elegance to designing the interiors at La Maison Champs Elysees.

Newcomer Armani Hotel debuted last year, adding to the hipness quotient of Milano hospitality. Armani Hotel makes its home in a more urban location along via Manzoni, under a modern rooftop atrium that puts a fashionable hat on the building's historic masonry facade. Inside, Armani uses muted colors and signature furnishings, many available for purchase through his Armani Casa line. An Armani-branded eatery features a bold design statement of black-and-white marble floors under windows illuminated by the Milanese skyline. The first Armani Hotel is in Dubai; Armani Hotels & Resorts is actually a partnership between Armani and Dubai-based Emaar, which also developed the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. ...

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New U.S. Restaurants Sizzle for Spring

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:21 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- Spring 2012 is proving to be a busy season for U.S. restaurateurs, including some much-anticipated openings and debuts that have already made headlines nationwide. The roster has no shortage of starry names, from three-star Michelin chefs such as Daniel Humm and Gordon Ramsay to Top Chef alums and culinary elite debuting in cities across the U.S.

In New York, the developers behind the highly-success Ace Hotel New York recently opened the NoMad Hotel, a grandiose and moody hotel sibling designed by Jacques Garcia (the man behind such properties as Hotel Costes in Paris). The hotel mixes turn-of-the-century glamour and a high-fashion edge that extends to its in-house eatery, helmed by Humm of Eleven Madison Park and restaurateur Will Guidara. A series of connected parlor rooms include a grand atrium space where designer Garcia mixes ruby red decor with shiny woodwork and walls strewn in Audubon-style prints. The menu continues Humm's culinary narrative of Eleven Madison Park with dishes inspired by time spent in Switzerland and California for an all-day dining room menu that's already giving The Breslin a run for its foodie money. In South Florida, the much-anticipated St. Regis Bal Harbour opened its doors this year with a showy installment of Jean-Georges Vongerichten's J&G Grill.

In South Florida, the much-anticipated St. Regis Bal Harbour opened its doors this year with a showy installment of J&G Grill. The design comes compliments of the Seiger Suarez Architectural Partnership, with dramatic interiors by Yabu Pushelberg (whose work can also be seen at Tribeca's Smyth Hotel and W Hotel Times Square). There are J&G Steakhouse installments from Phoenix, Ariz., to D.C.: this is the first Jean-Georges Vongerichten eatery at the beach, and it comes with an floor-to-ceiling windows that loom out over a beachfront pool and palm-strewn Atlantic. While a fancy destination for dinner, the views (not to mention dishes such as spring pea soup with sourdough croutons, black truffle and Fontina cheese pizza and center-cut filet mignon with heaping sauteed Maitake mushrooms with a drizzling of lime) make it a perfect post-shopping lunch. ...

Outdoor Dining in the Concrete Jungle of NYC

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:10 GMT

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Spring has sprung and there's nothing New Yorkers like more during this season than dining outdoors and forgetting they are in the middle of a concrete jungle. TravelsinTaste has gathered the latest in outdoor dining to sample whether you're a tourist or a native New Yorker, so you can forget about the jungle for a while and savor the fresh air and fine cuisine.

For rooftop dining a wonderful respite in the midst of Midtown is the rooftop at Aretsky's Patroon. With just the right sense of fun, frolic and, of course, lush foliage, the rooftop space provides the perfect escape from bustling Midtown. It's more casual than the restaurant and great for a drink or a light bite of shrimp cocktail or Angus prime beef sliders. The Patio at Tom Colicchio's Riverpark gives diners a beautiful view of the East River.

On a quiet block in Hell's Kitchen Ardesia's 34-seat outdoor patio is the ideal setting to enjoy Chef Amorette Casaus' playful dishes made for sharing such as homemade New York-style pretzels and Duck Banh Mi, accompanied by selections from the restaurant's diverse wine list. ...

5 of America's Best Spas

twocents@thestreet.com (Jerold Leslie) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:11 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- America's greatest spas offer everything you need to rejuvenate both your body and spirit -- from Ayurvedic massage to Zumba dance classes.

"It wasn't that long ago that a hotel spa would be three treatment rooms in the basement, but the bar is constantly being raised," says John Newton of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, which polls its readers annually to pick America's best spas. "Going to the spa has become a lot less about going into the hotel basement and a lot more about having a whole experience."

Newton says the best spas have 20,000 square feet or more of elaborate fireplaces, baths and treatment rooms, as well as a wide variety of physical, spiritual and nutritional programs. Couples can enjoy spa treatments together at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Utah. ...

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The Beer Dance: How Schlafly Craft Beer Shook Up St. Louis

twocents@thestreet.com (Jason Notte) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS (MainStreet) -- Schlafly Brewing Co.'s win against Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams in our Beer Dance craft beer bracket last week looked like an upset. But just beneath its head was an outpouring of local pride that's been brewing for quite some time.

Schlafly has grown from an 880-barrel-a-year operation founded in a small St. Louis taproom in 1991 to a 15,000-barrel bottling operation in 2003 to a nearly 50,000-barrel enterprise with two restaurants, almost 50 styles of beer and distribution in 12 states. It doesn't give its beers wacky names -- its Biere De Garde saison and Oktoberfest Marzen seem downright quirky compared to its straightforward Pale Ale and Hefeweizen. Schlafly's production is still well below the nearly 2.5 million barrels of Samuel Adams brewed at facilities in Boston, Allentown, Pa., and Cincinnati, but looks a bit bigger when you compare Schlafly's 16,000 followers on Twitter to Samuel Adams' little more than 8,000. ...

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Detox Getaways: Check In, Zone Out

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:04 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- By the onset of spring, most weight-loss resolutions have long since failed. But with less than 100 days left until summer, there's still time to attain that summer swimsuit body with the assistance of a destination spa that often comes with resort-like luxury and price tags on par with a seven-day cruise.

So if you're eating like it's November in spite of the arrival of spring, here are some lavish spa getaways that take the bite out of detox.

By April the Caribbean has cooled of its paparazzi sizzle as island destinations like Anguilla, Turks and Caicos return to normalcy. It's in the latter that you'll find the glamorous Parrot Cay, a private destination island by the owners of London's Metropolitan and The Halkin. The property is home to an outpost of their COMO Shambhala Retreat that is a magnet for upper-crust and celebrity clients. Getting your body in shape for summer doesn't have to be work, it can be a vacation instead. ...

Behind the Scenes at Michael Jordan's Celebrity Golf Tournament

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS (TheStreet) -- The biggest names in the worlds of sports and entertainment gathered for four days of competitive golf and exclusive events March 29-April 1 when ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter hosted the 11th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational. The invitational returned to the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Course, which opened to spectators for only the second time in its history.

Normally reserved solely for guests of MGM Resorts International, the experience includes a limousine that transports you to and from the Tom Fazio-designed course and upon arrival, your personal caddie greets and guides you through a golfing experience you will never forget.

Proceeds from the charitable tournament benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Univerity of California-San Diego Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation, Opportunity Village and Cats Care, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats charity arm. Since its inception, MJCI has raised more than $6 million for charity. TravelsinTastebrings you the scoop in what went down during the four day event. Ashton Kutcher and Michael Jordan took to the links recently during Jordan's celebrity golf invitational at the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Course. ...

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Vegas Pool Clubs Kick Off Early in 2012

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:00 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The season of Veuve Clicquot snowcones and topless sunbathing arrived earlier in Las Vegas this year, as the summer pool clubs roar back to life a full two months ahead of schedule.

The combination of a warmer winter coupled with ambitious owners and promoters looking to cash-in on the thriving business model led some clubs like the massive WET Republic at the MGM Grand to open as early as March with a season kickoff that had no shortage of bikinis and celebrities like Kendra Wilkinson, Ryan Scheckler and star DJ Bob Sinclair.

Star power will be an even more important ingredient for the city's top pool clubs this year, hoping to differentiate themselves from the onslaught of recent openings recently as well as attracting guests that now pay upwards of $30 for mere entry and sometimes $5,000 for a coveted cabana or poolside bungalow. ...

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Flying Car Takes Off at New York Auto Show

twocents@thestreet.com (Jonathan Blum) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:00 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- If you are going to build a street-legal airplane, it pays to have good insurance.

Insurance is Richard Gersh's thing. I met the 22-year veteran of the insurance business, an affable risk and policy wonk, on the floor at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday. He was getting a kick out of the media horde tweeting, posting and shooting his latest exercise in risk management -- the Terrafugia Transition.

A plane that's a car. And a car that's a plane. The first road-ready personal flying car, the Transition by Terrafugia, is shown off at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday. ...

Super-Luxury Cars for the Commitment-Phobic

twocents@thestreet.com (Jerold Leslie) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:30 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Bruce Newman drives Ferraris, Aston Martins and other exotic vehicles on a regular basis, but never has to change the oil or make a car payment.

That's because he belongs to San Francisco's Club Sportiva, one of a handful of car-sharing clubs that let well-heeled consumers drive super-premium vehicles whenever they want.

...

Sin City: Chocolate Mousse to Die For

twocents@thestreet.com (Travels in Taste) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:24 GMT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Forget counting calories -- it's National Chocolate Mousse Day.

To celebrate, TravelsinTaste has selected some of the most decadent mousse-based creations across the country.

Ginger Chocolate Mousse Cake at Japonais in the Mirage (Las Vegas) ...

Super-Nannies: Worth the Super Price Tag?

twocents@thestreet.com (Newser) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:10 GMT

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Want an elite New York nanny? Adam Davidson considered hiring one until he saw the price tag: $180,000 a year plus Christmas bonus and a $3,000 apartment on Central Park West.

"I should be her nanny," quips Davidson in the New York Times. So he probed the world of top-notch Manhattan nannies to see what people are paying for. "A typical high-priced nanny effectively signs her (and they are almost always women) life over to the family she works for," he writes. "That kind of commitment is essentially built into the price." ...

U.S. Tourists Search for 'Downton Abbey'

twocents@thestreet.com (Michael Martin) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:00 GMT

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (MainStreet) -- Few international shows, even English-speaking ones, make it on U.S. networks without being reworked with an American cast along the likes of The Office, Shameless and Ugly Betty. But then there's Downton Abbey, the incredibly popular British TV show that chronicles the upstairs/downstairs world of butlers, countesses and chambermaids within the aristocratic Crawleys and their family seat at Downton Abbey.

Now there's also a tourism component to Downton Abbey to satisfy American fans flying off in search of that quintessential English countryside lifestyle. Those in search of Downton can actually find the iconic family home of the actual Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, on which the award-winning series is based. Those in search of Downton Abbey can actually find, tour and stay near the iconic family home of the actual Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle.

With a fan base of more than 11 million viewers in more than 100 countries worldwide, the show has made Highclere a cult tourist destination in its own right, and it's a surprisingly accessible property open to the public at select times throughout the year. ...