January 2008 Archives

Hotel Resort Insider has posted the Top Five Secret Vacation Spots Of Celebrities. These are:

1. Portofino, Italy
2. Ile de Re, France
3. The Frégate Island Private, Indian Ocean
4. The Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, Australia
5. The Mystique in the Caribbean

We at TW Towers love to indulge in star spotting but were somewhat concerned when we found out *which* celebrities could be found 'chilling' in Portofino....

Here, you have an elegant piano bar and the La Terrazza restaurant of the hotel Splendido, which is a very common place [to] spot stars like Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Rex Harrison.

Sinatra? Ava Gardner? Rex Harrison? Blimey, who else? John Lennon? Queen Victoria? Tutankhamen?

We're also not terribly sure where 'Mystique' is. They say:

The Mystique in the Carribean is a 1400-acre island and a vacation spot for the British royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Is it possible they mean Mustique?

But joking aside, what we do find out is this:

• Johnny Depp or Gérard Depardieu like to hang out at Ile de Rein, France
• British royals can be found chilling on the Caribbean island of Mustique (or Mystique if you prefer)
• Bill Clinton, Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman and Sean Penn can be found at the Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, Australia
• To catch a glimpse of Pierce Brosnan and Michael Douglas you should try and get booked in to the Fregate Island Private
• Dead celebrities like to hang out in Portofino

Celebrity gossip blogger 'Perez Hilton' has reported on his site that Michael Jackson has been spotted in the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.

No, we had to look it up too.

It's in Missouri - half way between Kansas City and St Louis.

It's the fifth-largest city in the state of Missouri and the largest city in mid-Missouri. The University of Missouri (right) is here and it is known as "The Athens of Missouri.". Columbia is one of 20 towns called Columbia in the USA.

So why are we telling you all this?

OK, so it's not the hottest destination in the USA, but we happened to stumble across this piece int he Columbia Business Times about Columbia's Holiday Inn which reveals:

Former President George H.W. Bush even had his hair cut in the hotel’s salon. Elizabeth Dole, Dick Chaney and Ross Perot have been among political notables. Hollywood celebrities have included Whitney Houston and Brooke Shields.

So now you know.

ShowbizSpy reveals that The Spice Girls were billeted at the Lowry Hotel for the Manchester tour dates.

Apparently their boss Simon Fuller bagged the £2,000 a night Charles Forte Suite which according to the hotel's website is "the most prestigious in Greater Manchester":

With a spacious reception lounge offering the latest in-room entertainment systems and an elegant dining room with a baby grand piano, The Charles Forte Suite is the perfect place to relax or entertain. A spacious pantry with a separate entrance will allow a butler and private chef, if required, to prepare your in-room dining and entertainment requirements.

The master bedroom allows for a spacious, private space to relax and unwind and benefits from a vanity area and double-sized walk-in dressing room, whilst the huge double bathroom boasts a feature bath and double walk-in shower. An additional Riverside connecting room is available when required.

Another day, another hotel for "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria.

Earlier this week we reported that the actress was spotted at the Mandarin Hotel in Miami.

Now gossip site, Gossip Girls is reporting that Eva is staying at Claridges in London.

Ha ha ha. We're quite pleased with ourselves over this one.

This is about Danny Glover - who co-starred with Mel Gibson in the Lethal Weapon' films (remember when Mel made films which weren't in Aaramaic or Peruvian or whatever?) who has been convicted of trespassing for failing to leave a hotel lobby in September 2006.

Glover had got involved in supporting unions in a labor (as the US insist on spelling it) dispute with Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc.

He refused to leave the lobby of the Sheraton on the Falls when asked. The police refused to file any charges and so Canadian Niagara Hotels decided to prosecute for themselves.

Full story on Bloomberg.

An interesting tribute to Heath Ledger whose untimely death was reported this week.

Hotelier Jeff Klein (owner of the Sunset Tower in Los Angeles and the City Club Hotel in New York) blogs about his experience of Heath Ledger as a hotel guest:

He soon revealed himself to be one of the kindest, sweetest guests we have ever had. He had absolutely no pretention, was very chic (in a sort of bohemian way) and was always a gentleman to all the employees here, including me.

Read the full article in the New York Times here.

ICYDK.com have spotted Madonna leaving Claridges in the early hours with a bit of a black eye.

I wonder if she's made use of the wonderful facilities at Claridges. After all...

Each therapist has been chosen for their experience and specific expertise and every member of the team is encouraged to offer a bespoke and individual service, attuned to the client’s needs and utilising the therapist’s extensive knowledge. There is a wide selection of treatments available, including facials, massage (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Thai and Reflexology), body treatments, waxing and other finishing touches, vitality and sense of wellbeing.

.. and while a massage won't get rid of the shiner, it could well account for how relaxed and smiley she looks in the photo.

HotelChatter.com has reported a warning by the US Navy that an explosive device used for training may wash up on the beach by the Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, considered to be one of America's most beautiful hotels.

Built in the 1800's, the Hotel Del Coronado is reputed to be the inspiration behind L. Frank Baum's Oz books and has played host to presidents, princes, inventors and celebrities - Madonna, Brad Pitt, Thomas Edison, Charlie Chaplin and Charles Lindbergh, to name but a few.

But most famously, the hotel provided the backdrop to arguably the funniest film of all time, Some Like It Hot, voted America's funniest comedy by the AFI in 2000 and starring none other than Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and a certain Ms Marilyn Monroe.

Luckily, HotelChatter.com advises that:

officials believe the device will be found ashore near the hotel. It won't blow up but anyone who sees it should call 911.

Phew

I'm Not Obsessed has some pictures of Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria leaving the Mandarin Hotel in Miami.

The hotel is situated in Brickell Key, an artificial triangular island at the mouth of the Miami River in downtown Miami.

The Sun website reports today that Sven Goran Eriksson has been nicknamed 'Alan Partridge' by his Manchester City players because he doesn't want to move out of his hotel.

The former England manager has been staying at the five-star Radisson Edwardian in Manchester while he looks for a home and apparently loves it so much he doesn't want to leave.

The hotel won the Tourism Award 2007 and was also "Manchester Hotel of the Year" 2006 & 2007

And according to its website:

The 263 luxurious rooms and suites at this central Manchester hotel have been designed for both relaxation and work with richly decorated rooms and marble bathrooms. All rooms have High-Speed and wireless Internet access, Bang and Olufsen entertainment systems and advanced telephone systems.

Here's a quick round-up from the last couple of days...

1. Liv Tyler relaxes in Kauai, Hawaii


2. Pamela Anderson hangs out at Hollywood's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino


3. Hilary Swank and Clare Danes attend the Palazzo Hotel Casino grand opening


4. Richard Bacon and wife set to honeymoon in the Maldives


5. Britney Spears visits the Sofitel Los Angeles. No paparazzi were hurt.


And lastly ...
6. Stephen Fry breaks arm in Tefe, Brazil while making documentary based on Douglas Adams' radio show and book, Last Chance To See

• Tefé is a city and a municipality in the state of Amazonas in Brazil
• Tefé was founded by missionaries in the 17th century
• Tefé was known as Nogueira in the 1600's and Ega in the 1800's


• There are no roads into Tefé and the only access is by river boat or plane

Strangely none of us at TW Towers were invited to either of these events, but just to show there's no bad feeling, here's a round up of where the rich and famous celebrate.

First up is Kate Moss who held her birthday party at the Dorchester last week. It's probably just as well we weren't invited as we wouldn't have known where to look by all accounts.

Rather more restrained (we hope) was Jennifer Lopez's baby shower on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City:

According to the Sun newspaper, Ed Simon has treated girlfriend Lily Allen to a £42k holiday in the Maldives.

Ed - who is not only one half of dance band Chemical Brothers, but also co-owner of Ms Allen's bump - is reported to be splashing out a whopping £3k per night on on the five-star luxury resort.

A source said:

“Ed wanted to treat Lily with a holiday she would never forget.

“They wanted to have a decent break while Lily was still allowed to fly. It is the last time for a while they will be able to enjoy time alone together without being up to their elbows in nappies.”

We can't work out if it's a really sweet gesture, or a really flashy gesture. Probably both.

Spotted by the Daily Mail, presenter and actress Denise van Outen has been recharging her batteries in the Maldives.

Van Outen's successful run in the West End rock musical Rent ended in December.

She is due to be reunited with her Big Breakfast co-presenter Johnny Vaughan on Capital Radio's breakfast show in February.

Meanwhile, George Clooney and his girlfriend Bauer Griffin are in New York staying at luxury East Side hotel, The Carlyle.

According to its website,

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, has been called home by leaders in world affairs, business, society, entertainment and the arts since its debut in 1930. Brilliantly positioned on Madison Avenue, it is a true New York landmark — a showcase of great art, a purveyor of privacy and a sanctuary of refined taste. Guests feel truly ensconced in an elegant private residential atmosphere, which includes a discreet and polished staff as well as world-class dining and entertainment.

Rooms at The Carlyle start at $700 per night with a two-bedroom suite costing anywhere between $2075 and $6000 per night.

Our chums over at I'm Not Obsessed have spotted self-proclaimed "worlds first supermodel" and celebrity gob Janice Dickinson in South Beach, Miami, looking rather cold and giving her own unique take on the Britney Spears meltdown.

Here's how Janice would sort it out:

“I’d slap her silly! I’d slap the living s**t out of her!”

Manchester United stars Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are planning a joint stag do in Las Vegas, says The Sun. Both players are to marry in the summer.

Manager Alex Ferguson is rumoured to be unimpressed at the prospect of yet more all-out partying, following reports of wild behaviour at the club's Christmas bash.

That particular party was held at the Great John Street Hotel, Manchester. Baby Grand suites start at £235.

Bjork has been accused of attacking a photographer in New Zealand, according to Showbiz Spy.

Bjork has something of a short fuse where the press are concerned, particularly after a long flight. Her assault on a reporter at Bangkok's Don Muang airport in 1996 was filmed and ended up on Youtube.

The journalist's act of provocation was to say "Welcome to Thailand."

We're well beyond wondering about anything Amy Winehouse does these days so will skip over the details of her spending the night in a hotel room with her ‘Back to Black’ album producer Mark Ronson while husband Blake Fielder-Civil languishes in Pentonville.

We say "spending the night" but apparently they didn't arrive until 5.30am. Showbiz folks, eh?

Anyway, it all happened at the uber-trendy K West Hotel in Notting Hill.

Buried in the News of the World's allegation of naughty goings on by Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is that he brought the ladies of the night back to the Rome Cavalieri Hilton.

But according to the report a guest who saw him arrive back at the hotel, said: "He came in a cab on his own."

At a loose end this weekend? Then why not jet off to one or more of Expedia's top celebrity destinations and spot an A-lister or two for yourself?

Barbados tops the list, with Sir Michael of Jagger, the Beckhams and a Blair or two as frequent visitors.

Britney Spears was thought to have gone to ground in New York, as reported byThe Gossip Girls.

It's now thought that Spears and her boyfriend, paparazzo Adnan Ghalib, sent a private jet to the Big Apple to put the press off the scent, while the pair drove to Rosarito Beach in Mexico, according to Heatworld.

"How Britney tricked us all!", cries Heat, trying to convince us that we all still care.

Bouffant-haired Welsh warbler Rhydian Roberts has been holidaying in Mexico, according to the Daily Mail. Any disappointment the X-Factor runner-up may have felt at being pipped at the post in the final by fellow-Celt Leon Jackson is likely to have been short-lived – Roberts has just been awarded a £1m record deal of his very own.

Those who find the singer’s platinum quiff off-putting can take comfort from the fact that it could be a whole lot worse – the pre-peroxide Roberts was a redhead.

Thanks to Jaunted for alerting us to Sean Penn’s apparent error of judgement while on holiday at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe. The Oscar-winner’s wife, Robin Wright Penn, allegedly discovered him being over-enthusiastically affectionate with a couple of Russian ladies.

It’s not clear whether Penn has a KGB movie in the pipeline, for which he might have needed rigorous linguistic coaching. But it might be a good excuse to keep in mind for the next time Mrs. Penn forgets to knock before walking in.

The Sun reports that singer Dionne Warwick has had £80,000 worth of jewels stolen from her room at the luxurious Hotel De Russie in Rome.

She lost two diamond rings, a Rolex watch and gold necklace.

Italian papers are reporting that this was the very same hotel room where Cameron Diaz surprised a couple of burglars seven years ago.

Veteran hoofer Anton du Beke, star of Strictly Come Dancing, has been holidaying in Barbados, according to the Daily Mail.

Despite his years of experience with long-term dance partner Erin Boag, du Beke has struggled to drag his hapless celebrity partners up to his level.

His best result was in the first series of the inexplicably popular BBC show, when, partnered by classical diva Lesley Garrett, he finished in third place. Since then, paired with Esther Rantzen, actresses Patsy Palmer and Jan Ravens, and GMTV’s Kate Garraway, Anton has been booted off the show before reaching the final.

The Mail seems concerned about the photographs of du Beke’s impressively fur-covered torso – more disturbing is the dancer’s uncanny facial resemblance to a young Bruce Forsyth.

According to the Daily Mail, Sienna Miller and actor/musician Rhys Ifans have spent a romantic weekend in Paris, despite insisting that they’re still “just good friends”.

Ifans, who famously exposed both his Welshness and his underpants in the film Notting Hill, picked up a BAFTA in 2005 for his portrayal of iconic comedian Peter Cook in the TV film Not Only But Always.

Miller, 26, is in the running for this year’s BAFTAs. She was shortlisted yesterday for a rising star award, the only category voted for by members of the public.

ExpoSay reports that Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher are currently staying at the Swiss ski resort of Champéry. More drinking than skiing, by the sounds of it.

Image by Michael Henderson

Report in the New York Times today saying that:

KATE Moss is trying her hand at the "be your daughter's best friend and not her mother" thing. The hard-partying model and her rocker boyfriend, Jamie Hince, apparently couldn't find a baby sitter for her 5-year- old daughter, Lila Grace, on New Year's Eve, so the couple took her along to the Amanpuri Resort in Phuket, Thailand. "Kate was dancing around with Lila, and they were sipping champagne until well past midnight," said our spy. "But Kate was definitely being a mom. She was with her daughter the whole time."

According to the fabulous Gossip Girls, Spanish starlet Penelope Cruz is enjoying a romantic beach getaway in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil with her actor boyfriend, Javier Bardem.

>> See more pictures on the Gossip Girls site

About Fernando de Noronha

1. Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean formed of 21 islands, of which Fernando de Noronha is the largest (and the only one inhabited)


2. The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll off the coast of Brazil were both classified World Heritage sites in 2001 due to their rich waters and marine life


3. Fernando de Noronha is considered the best place to scuba dive in Brazil


4. The island was used as a prison in the 19th century during which time most of the vegetation was cut down to prevent the prisoners from hiding and making rafts


5. in 1988 approximately 70% of the archipelago was declared a national marine park and reserve

The New York Times reports:

NICOLLETTE Sheridan may have looked smokin' in her bikini shots taken on St. Barts, where she vacationed with fiancé Michael Bolton last week, but her attitude was not so hot. A fellow beach-goer overheard a staffer at Hotel Taiwana, where the duo stayed, moaning about their behavior. "He said they were a 'bloody nightmare.' They kept trying to get deals on the room and boat rentals," our source said. "They wanted a bigger boat. And he's a vegetarian - they looked all over the island for food to accommodate him." The two flew back to LA Saturday. Sheridan's rep did not return a call.

Want to see Steve Martin body surfing in St Bart's? Then you are in luck. Thanks to x17online for this.

Aloha Hawaii... the fabulous Gossip Girls have spotted Hollywood hunks Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson, chilling out and paddling in the shallows on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui.

Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands, and is made up of two volcanoes; Mauna Kahalawi in the west and Mount Haleakala in the east.

You can learn more about Hawaii and the island of Maui by taking part in Travel Weekly's online training programme - Hawaii's Aloha Academy - in association with Hawaii Tourism Europe

According to Metro, Amy Winehouse has just had a week in Mustique staying at Bryan Adams' mansion.

According to the News of the World, Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy is trapped in her Kenyan holiday villa in Malindi.

The paper reports:

Chelsy was due back in Leeds on Friday to begin three weeks of crucial university exams tomorrow.

But British consular officials have warned Brits in Kenya not to travel. A spokesman said: "In affected areas, we are advising people to stay indoors and seek local advice."

Chelsy is now too nervous to risk even the short drive to Malindi airport, from where she must fly to Kenyan capital Nairobi then London.

While violence grips Kenya, Kelly Hoppen was taking a winter break on the island of Lamu, off the coast of Kenya, with the likes of Tracey Emin and Nicky Clarke.

And more from Christian who also spotted Roger Federer and his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec relaxing at the Four Seasons Maldives resort of Landaa Giraavaru in the spa lobby (Roger and Mirka are sitting on the left middle in white shorts). Federer had just played three exhibition matches around Asia against Pete Sampras and had won two of the three encounters. Next stop Australia for the AAMI Kooyong Classic - a warm up for the Australian Open.

Thanks to Christian Locke, a product manager for travel company ITC Classics, for this spot.

Christian tells us that Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans had to delay their honeymoon due to work commitments after celebrating their nuptials in Los Cabos, Mexico.

They spent their honeymoon at One&Only Kanuhura in the Maldives from early December until just after Christmas and were looking very relaxed in the One&Only seaplane lounge at Male airport and sat on the seaplane just behind Christian on the way to the hotel.

Picture: Water Villas at Kanuhura

E! Online reports that Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds married on New Year's Day on a private island off Bora Bora.

Usmagazine.com reports that Britney Spears, "wearing a black wig and dark sunglasses, and photographer Adnan Ghalib, 35, checked into the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs around 2 a.m. on Jan. 2 – and then checked out around 7 a.m."

Classy.

Strictly Come Dancing star Kelly Brook and fiance Billy Zane are chilling out with a lovely beach holiday on the French West Indies island of St Barts.

Jennifer Aniston has been taking the rays in Mexico. The Friends star took a New Year break in the Los Cabos resort along with fellow Friends star Courteney Cox, her husband David Arquette and daughter Coco.

Pic credit: Alejandro the Great

Yes, we know Ole Blue Eyes is dead, but apparently his ghost is raiding the minibars of the Hotel Nacional de Cuba in Havana. Just ask Jude Law who witnessed it at Christmas.

Showbiz Spy reports that Madonna has spent $200,000 on a holiday in a palace to celebrate winning the right to keep the two-year-old Cambodian tot she adopted in 2006.

She whisked her family to India on a private jet (as you do) on New Year’s Eve.