Planning Creative Holiday Parties

(ARA) - “You’re invited . . .” are always popular and welcome words around the holidays. If you’re like me, you love to host a party. But if you’re a hostess with the “leastest” amount of time, a party is a lot of work. Entertaining requires considerable planning and preparation because there are so many things to do.

Think about the parties you’ve attended and what made them special. Was it the food, guests, laughs, decorations, ambience? The parties I liked best were the ones that touched me in a personal way. A special party creates lasting memories for you and your guests. No matter who is on the guest list, the basics of organizing a party are almost always the same. What’s different is how you customize the details. Here are my tips to get you started:

* Make a master list of what must be done a month, week and day in advance and don’t forget the day-after cleanup.

* Decide what kind of menu you want as far ahead as possible and whether you want a sit-down dinner or a buffet. Think about every course from hors d’oeuvres, to appetizers, salads and dressings, breads, entrees, vegetables, desserts and beverages. Always include some healthy and low-calorie selections. Prepare and freeze whatever you can, so you don’t have to do it all in one day. Home baked cookies and brownies can be stored in tins; roasts, cooked the day before, can be served cold. Nibbles like crudités can be chopped and stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator. Order specialty items from the florist, butcher and bakery, and extra chairs and tables in advance.

* Buffets are usually easier than sit-down dinners. Avoid anything that can spoil when left out for hours. Utensils and napkins should be available everywhere there is food and drink. Tie silverware and napkins together with festive ribbons and a candy cane. purchase paper napkins with fun and witty sayings or personalized with your name or initials on them. Decorate tabletops with spray-painted gold pinecones, holiday ornaments and candles.

* Make or purchase plenty of ice cubes and place them in a large galvanized tin bucket decorated with a big red ribbon. Using food coloring, make festive red and green ice cubes. To cut down on misplaced glasses and wasted beverages, purchase holiday wine charms for every glass. For coffee or tea, use colored sugars or rock sugar stirrers instead of regular sugar.

* Before the party starts, place cloves, cinnamon and orange peels on a baking sheet in the oven. Set on a low temperature for an hour; the heavenly aroma will fill your house for hours. Mull spiced cider in a large pot on your stove for a warm winter drink with a holiday fragrance.

* Make your guests feel welcome from the instant they arrive. Line the driveway with luminarias and decorate the front of your house and lawn to set a celebratory mood. Place a guest book at the front door for expressing sentiments.

Family Parties

Ask guests to bring a family photo to make a personalized ornament for your tree. Childhood photos make great place cards for a sit-down dinner. Begin a family album, highlighting favorite recipes, anecdotes, pictures, and memorabilia. Include a family tree with small pictures.

Parties For Neighbors

Enlist at least two outgoing guests to help you make introductions. Instead of gifts, organize a future neighborhood activity where everyone can pitch in such as a spring planting, a summer block party, an Easter egg hunt, or autumn leaf raking. Give gift certificates of time to each other, offering to shovel snow in the winter, take care of pets while someone is vacationing, or baby-sit a newborn so parents can have a night out.

Parties For Co-workers

Organize a “Secret Santa” giveaway or ask your guests to bring funny gifts for a grab bag. Holidays are a good opportunity to meet the families of co-workers. Plan activities that allow everyone to mingle and learn more about each other. Ask guests with special talents to entertain. An aspiring magician can perform magic, someone who has a great voice can read “A Christmas Carol,” and someone who likes to sing can lead the caroling.

The goal of a holiday party is to put everyone in a festive mood and set the tone for the coming year. With advance planning and preparation, the host will be relaxed and everyone will have a good time! 

Honeymoon

Weddings are stressful. No matter how much planning and preparation you do the stress levels never seem to go down. There always seems to be that opportunity for things to go wrong. So why not reward yourself with a fantastic holiday at the end of it?

One of the biggest things the bride and groom have to look forward to is their Honeymoon. Personally I would never recommend delaying the honeymoon particularly for work commitments. You will find you need this time to chill after an enjoyable but stressful period.

The Wedding Day takes so much preparation and planning that the Honeymoon is the ideal way for the bride and groom to relax, de-stress and enjoy their first few days or weeks of married life together.

Where to go on your Honeymoon can be as big a decision as any of the other Wedding Day decisions you have just spent weeks if not months making. Do you both like the same things when on holiday or are you going to have to find compromise with your Honeymoon destination?

Some of the more popular Honeymoon choices are all-inclusive resorts where everything is paid for in advance. For a Honeymoon this can be the ideal choice after the expense of the Wedding. You can order snacks, meals and refreshments without worry about a final bill.

Many people envisage themselves on Honeymoon relaxing surf side with a cocktail in hand, the sun high in the sky and everything done for you. But if that's not your idea of a good time then why not Honeymoon somewhere that little bit different. Honeymoon in the mountains at a secluded ski resort has a certain appeal.

What time of year your Wedding takes place can have a bearing on where you choose for your Honeymoon destination. If you have chosen a winter wedding then you may want to continue the theme whilst on Honeymoon and a ski resort with roaring fire is ideal. Maybe you want the complete opposite and are looking for some winter sun on Honeymoon.

Whatever it is that you are looking for on Honeymoon spending time with your partner after the stress of the Wedding is the most important thing. Use your Honeymoon to unwind and relax and wherever you go.....have a ball! 

Oprah Winfrey family `secret' prompts buzz

AP – FILE - In this May 3, 2010 file photo, Oprah Winfrey arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume …

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By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer – 2 hrs 45 mins ago

Oprah, you had us at "family secret."

Oprah Winfrey's announcement that she will stage a surprise reunion on her talk show Monday has prompted speculation about the person's identity. Could it be an unknown sibling? Perhaps even a birth parent who has been in the shadows?

Based on past "The Oprah Winfrey Show" reunions for stars as well as average folk, the episode could provide a tearful catharsis for Winfrey and her guest and — just maybe — boost program ratings as well as attention to her new cable channel.

"I don't have the least idea of what she has in mind," Vernon Winfrey, her father, said Sunday from Tennessee.

He may be alone. Winfrey biographer Kitty Kelley says the on-camera meeting may be with a sister Oprah's never known. Perez Hilton cites the parent theory on his blog.

Harpo, Winfrey's production company, declined to provide details of the show.

Winfrey has not commented publicly about Kelley's 2010 biography, which includes the allegation that Vernon Winfrey isn't her biologicalfather. That claim prompted online speculation by Hilton that she may be reunited with a mystery birth dad.

Winfrey, 57, and various biographies says she was born to unmarried teenagers Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee, and raised at different times by a grandmother, her mother, and her father and stepmother in Mississippi, Wisconsin and Tennessee. Two Winfrey siblings, a brother and sister, both have died.

Whatever the answer Monday, Winfrey promised viewers in a promotional spot Thursday that it represents a "miracle."

"I was given some news that literally shook me to my core. This time, I'm the one being reunited," she said. "I was keeping a family secret for months, and on Monday you're going to hear it straight from me."

A clip in the promo, presumably taken from the taped episode, shows the back of a shadowy figure walking onstage.

Winfrey has shared painful and private elements of her life before, willingly or not. Her revelation that she had given birth as a teenager to a son who died shortly afterward came after a relative sold the story to a tabloid in 1990. Winfrey has also discussed her childhood molestation.

The Chicago-based syndicated "Oprah Winfrey Show" is in its 25th and final season. The Oprah WinfreyNetwork, OWN, launched in January.

Dhobi Ghat

Cast: Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra

Director: Kiran Rao

Rating: ****

Every year literally hundreds of thousands throng to the city of dreams, Mumbai. To cover so many dreams in a small span of an-hour-and-a-half calls for some brilliant filmmaking. And watching "Dhobi Ghat" will make you realise that there indeed have been very few debuts as stunning as this one.

"Dhobi Ghat" is the story of five characters - Yasmin (Kirti Malhotra), Arun (Aamir Khan), Shai (Monica Dogra), Munna (Prateik Babbar) and the city of Mumbai. After a one night stand with Arun, who is a painter, Shai, an investment banker from America and an amateur photographer, obsesses over him, while her dhobi Munna pines for Shai.

Arun, meanwhile, discovers a few tapes in his flat from the previous tenant and, watching them, falls in love and find a muse in the woman who has made them - Yasmin.

Each of the character is thus looking for something in one another, while the fifth character, Mumbai, simply stares blankly at them without comment or prejudice.

One of the best things about the film is its casting. Each of the actors complement the film, its director, and the city of Mumbai perfectly.

Each is believable in his or her own garb. Prateik is bound to become the heartthrob of the generation, while Kirti Malhotra's innocence has to be seen to be believed.

Real life singer Monica brings out the uncertainty of her character beautifully.

The only one who is a little out of place, and hence the small sore point of the film is actor Aamir Khan. He begins shakily and is self conscious, unable as he is perhaps of shaking away two decades of Bollywood's acting baggage. By the end of it though, he manages to get into the film's rhythm and gives a believable performance.

It is hence not Kiran Rao's luck that she got superstar husband Aamir to act in the film, but Aamir's luck that he is in this film, which will go down in the history of cinema as one of the best character sketches of a city and its people.

Very few people in the world have sketched any city with such tender love, care and affection. And to add to the lilting melody that is Mumbai in the film is composer Gustavo Santaolalla who gives a haunting background score.

Director Kiran Rao brilliantly manages to find a physical representation of Mumbai city, in the old woman who blankly stares at all the characters, but says nothing. The metaphor is simple but powerful - Mumbai is a dying, decaying city, but one that is definitely alive and watches over all.

And like the character of Arun who becomes a voyeur into the life of Yasmin, it is Kiran Rao that has played voyeur on the city of Mumbai.

Another good thing about the film is that nowhere does it slacken or lose pace.

On the contrary, it unfolds almost like a mystery, like a rose bud, only to scintillate the senses in full bloom. It thus might become the low budget indie Indian film that will finally make money like big-budget Bollywood fare.

In the end though, that wouldn't matter much to the audience who will find themselves somewhere in the film. Each one of the characters in the film is like Mumbai, and Mumbai is like each one of us who inhabit it.

Study questions breastfeeding alone for first 6 months

(Photo by ThinkStock Images)

As if new moms don’t have enough to worry about, the debate rages on about the best way to feed newborns. The World Health Organization recommends exclusively feeding your child breast milk for the first six months of life. But a new review by pediatric researchers at the University College London raises doubts about the standards, and suggests they could lead to iron deficiency or trigger allergies during development.

Should moms following the WHO guidelines worry? Not really, says Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, member of the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Section on Breastfeeding.  “First of all, breastfeeding isn’t being called into question—it’s still the healthiest way to feed your baby,” she says. “The only issue raised is when to add solid foods.” While the WHO sets the standard of six months, they’re taking into account developing nations, which may have additional health factors in play. The new review, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests babies in developed nations like the United States, could benefit from introducing solid foods earlier than six months. But it all depends on your child’s needs.

If your baby has immune disorders or a genetic predisposition to allergies, waiting six months to introduce solids may be risky, according to this new report. “We knew giving your child solid foods before four months puts them at risk for food allergies, but now starting them later could leave them vulnerable too, so it’s not as clear cut,” says Dr. David Greene, Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University. Iron deficiency is the other concern for an all-breast-milk diet, especially for children born premature, or those whose moms are anemic and don’t produce enough iron in their milk. “Iron is a big concern because it affects brain development,” says Dr. Greene.

But don’t panic. If your child needs more iron-rich nutrients before six months, he’s likely to tell you. “Babies will let you know what they need. If they're making a fuss over the food you’re eating, they’re letting you know it's time to sample some solid foods,” says Dr. Greene. “Another sign is if your baby isn’t producing three to five wet diapers a day.” That’s could mean he’s lacking nourishment and ready for a more rounded diet. 

The best way to tell if your child’s feeding plan is working is simply by charting his growth patterns with your pediatrician every two months. “There are new WHO guidelines for growth adopted by the Centers for Disease Control that are more normative with the guidelines for breastfeeding,” says Dr. Feldman-Winter, who serves as Professor of Pediatrics at Cooper University Hospital. If your child’s on track with these standards, he’s likely getting all the nutrients he needs.

Now for moms: how to parse all the conflicting information about breastfeeding without going nuts?  Trust your gut. “It may well be that our Stone Age ancestors combined breast milk with other foods before six months—certainly they didn’t have government guidelines telling them not to” says Dr. David Katz of Yale University's Prevention Center. He adds that, based on the latest study, it's still inconclusive whether four or six months is a better time to start your child on solids. 

Dr. Feldman Winter agrees, pointing to flaws in the British Medical Journal review: “The problem is all of the studies they look at are done differently with different subjects so it’s difficult to draw a solid conclusion.”

The one thing doctors agree on across the board is that breast milk is better for your baby than formula. “If a parent can breastfeed their child as opposed to giving them formula, they should,” says Dr. Feldman-Winter.

“Breastfeeding is the best human food for human babies, and this is pretty consistent,” agrees Dr. Greene. “The minute formula is introduced in babies, infection rates go up.” As far as solid food, wholesome, minimally processed foods are best for development, overall health, and future food tastes. 

 “To a certain extent it’s about common sense and following your baby's cues rather than a calendar,” says Greene. In other words, mother still knows best. 

Possibly the freakiest IVF treatment ever

Put down the acupuncture needles, set aside the supplements. Forget your Reiki and fish oil and all other rituals to bring on the baby dust, pregnancy goddesses, and fertility fairies.

A new study says that watching a clown perform after embryos are implanted to women undergoing in-vitro fertilization could significantly impact her chances of getting pregnant.

Dr. Shevach Friedler led the research at a fertility center in Israel, tracking 219 women over the course of a year. Half of the participants viewed a clown show, complete with magic tricks and jokes, that was created especially for the study by the doctor. After implantation, those women watched the antics for 15 minutes, which Dr. Friedler believes helped lower their stress levels.

Whether this is the reason or not, the 36.4% of the women who saw the circus act became pregnant. Only 20.2% of the control group became pregnant. The results were recently published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility.

Dr. Friedler dreamed up the idea after reviewing research on how laughter aids stress reduction and wanted to provide relief to women at what he noted as a highly stressful moment in their treatment. It probably helps that he is a trained mime. "Medical clowning," he notes, is already standard practice in many children's hospitals and has been used in hospitals worldwide.

It seems like a harmless, albeit a bit strange, addendum to a medical treatment plan. However, since every little percentage point boost makes a difference when you are pursuing pregnancy, why not give old-fashioned comedy a try? (Is it wrong to wonder what shapes the balloons would be?)

And if laughter can help equal babies, I'm assuming the more, the better. I'd just like to request that, should I ever be in that recovery room, the creepy, uncomfortable clown moment is skipped and Louis CK or Chris Rock are sent in  for a visit instead.

Top 10 Cities for Shopaholics

Whether you’re in the market for high fashion, fancy baubles, or even an unusual pet, we’ve got a destination for every breed of shopaholic.

By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

Paris

Photo by: Flickr/globalr

If your heart starts palpitating at the mere sight of a ‘sale’ sign, or if you've been known to elbow other shoppers out of the way for getting between you and those must-have boots, this list is for you. We’ve rounded up the world's 10 best cities for shopaholics for those of you who plan your vacations with retail therapy built in – whether you’re in the market for high fashion, fancy baubles, or even an unusual pet, we’ve got a destination for you. So pay off some credit card debt and hit the road – but don’t blame us when the bills come in.

Paris, France

The creativity that goes into Parisian window displays – whether to front a high-fashion house or a neighborhood chocolatier – is unmatched anywhere in the world, and reflects the locals’ philosophy that shopping should be seen as a pleasure, not a chore. One of the best neighborhoods to experience this attitude is the Marais, where a medieval maze of streets harbors trendsetting boutiques, shops, and galleries near the Place des Vosges. But you also shouldn’t miss the 8th arrondissement, and the international haute-couture labels along two streets in particular – the famed Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne – though shopaholics will spend fewer euros at the city’s grand magasins (department stores); two local favorites, the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, are found side by side on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th.

Bangkok

Photo by: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is renowned as one of the best shopping cities in Asia and it’s surely worth the trip, if only for some superb retail therapy on the way to the beaches of Phuket or the cultural temples of Chiang Mai. High quality silk, jewelry, and traditional crafts – everything, really, from sizeable bling to tailor-made suits – at a fraction of stateside prices draw millions to this Thai capital every year. The city’s several chaotic markets, and especially the 35-acre Chatuchak Market, are bona fide treasure troves, whether you’re a shopaholic scouting for clothing, home goods, or art – or even live roosters, pythons, or multi-colored chicks.

Buenos Aires

Photo by: Ente Turismo de Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Besides being among the most beautiful cities in Latin America, Buenos Aires is also home to some of the world’s most fashionable people. And where do these gorgeous porteños shop? Much of the shopping is centered in Microcentro (downtown) along the streets of Calle Florida and Calle Lavalle, both of which teem with chain stores and boutique shops (those with more pesos to spend head to the upscale neighborhood of Recoleta, where Armani, Cartier, and their ilk maintain addresses). But no trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without the purchase of several leather items – the city is known for its abundance of high-quality leather goods that cost a fraction of what they do in the States. A savvy shopaholic would head to the leather district for the biggest selection and return home with a superb handbag, pair of shoes, jacket, and more, at excellent value.

Copenhagen

Photo by: Morten Jerichau/Wonderful Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

The fresh, modern talent of Scandinavian designers has made the Danish capital of Copenhagen synonymous with cutting-edge merchandise – whether you’re looking for a new wardrobe or sophisticated home decor. The Grønnegade area finds popular local designers like Munthe plus Simonsen, while Strøget and Købmagergade – both pedestrian shopping streets – are home to international giants like Prada, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. Mega department stores Det Ny Illum and Magasin du Nord make great one-stop shops, but if you’ve always wanted a sleek Bang & Olufsen stereo, there’s nothing like going to the source (on Østergade). Ditto if you’re keen on Georg Jensen’s sophisticated home accessories or first-rate glassware and porcelain from the likes of Holmegaard and Royal Copenhagen Porcelain; this fantastic trio is located within steps of each other, on Amagertorv – ideal for any avid shopaholic.

Hong Kong

Photo by: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong has a lot more to offer shoppers than electronic gadgets these days – and visitors will find street markets, designer boutiques, and mega malls laden with everything from jade to silk, in addition to cutting-edge technology, of course. Local designers like Vivienne Tam, William Tang, and Walter Ma are always popular, as are the vendor-rich streets of Li Yuen East and West, and the lanes of historic Stanley Market, favored for their collectibles like porcelain vases, silk garments, and Chinese artwork. The Jade Market in Yau Ma Tai is also a must for any shopaholic – 400 stalls display the green gems that symbolize long life and good health. Each year, the Hong Kong WinterFest, a winter duty-free shopping nirvana, happens just in time for Christmas – so you can fill those holiday stockings at a discount.

London

Photo by: Pawel Librera/Visit London

London, UK

Whether you choose to shop the trendy boutiques of Covent Garden, follow in the steps of princesses by visiting Sloane Street, or pick up a bespoke suit on Savile Row or tailored shirt on Jermyn Street, you’re bound to shed a few pounds (of the monetary variety) when shopping in London. That said, you’ll save a few quid by visiting the stalls of Camden Market, the shops of Oxford Street, where Selfridges and Topshop maintain addresses, and Portobello Market, a shopaholic haven for antiques and hand-me-down treasures. But also don’t forget to stock up on foodie treats at Fortnum and Mason, a veritable gourmand’s delight of beautifully presented teas, biscuits, cheeses, and more, and stop at the venerable Harrods – at least to buy a shopping tote to carry everything home in.

Los Angeles

Photo by: West Hollywood Marketing and Visitors Bureau

Los Angeles, California

Ever wonder where your favorite celeb gets her to-die-for designer duds? Depending on how old she is, it’s either Melrose Avenue (Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton) or high-end Rodeo Drive (Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones). Still, you needn’t spend a fortune to get dressed in Los Angeles, as downtown’s Santee Alley is loaded with affordable knockoffs of brand-name merchandise. Otherwise, LA is one of a handful of major cities to boast popular outdoor shopping centers – The Grove, for one, is chock full of stores selling everything from fresh vegetables to iPod accessories, while the three-block, pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica has familiar brand-name stores interspersed with funky boutiques – ideal for any breed of shopaholic.

Marrakech

Photo by: Ehren Joseph for Sherman’s Travel

Marrakech, Morocco

Shopping in the souk in Marrakech is truly an experience of a lifetime – and one of the more challenging shopping excursions you’ll ever have. Bargaining over goods is a way of life for Moroccans, which can be a daunting but worthwhile experience, especially when you walk away with a piece of clothing, jewelry, pottery, or carpet at your chosen price – and substantially less than you’d pay for the same item back home. Even if you don’t buy anything here, this vast bazaar is easily one of the most atmospheric places in the world in which to lose yourself: Its narrow cobblestone streets are suffused with such exotic sights and smells – stained-glass lanterns hang beside meat and vegetables, carpets lie next to mounds of spices – that you’re in for an altogether heady experience whether you're a shopaholic or not.

New York City

Photo by: Malcolm Brown/NYC & Company

New York City, NY

From high-priced designer fashions to discount chic, and from electronics to rare books, New York City has it all, from the exclusive boutiques of Madison Avenue to the knockoff stalls along Canal Street. Manhattan’s mega stores, like Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy's (which bills itself as the world's largest department store) offer the utmost in one-stop shopping. But more personal shopping experiences await in NoLita and SoHo, where big-name boutiques mix with one-of-a-kind shops and high-end street vendors. Chelsea, meanwhile, is the go-to spot for original art works (at a hefty sum); the Lower East Side attracts fashionable young things to its exclusive shops; and bargain-hunters fight over cut-rate designer fashions at the shopaholic discount mecca of Century 21.

St. Barts

Photo by: Saint Barth Tourism Committee

St. Barts, Caribbean

The French-owned St. Barthélemy, affectionately known as St. Barts (or St. Barths – both are correct) has earned a reputation as playground for the jet-set, but also as the capital of the Caribbean shopping scene, thanks to its duty-free status and 200-plus boutiques. The delightful capital, Gustavia, is a high-end retail haven for shops like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Cartier, and Hermes (many of which stock items that aren’t available stateside) while the beach resort town of St. Jean tucks posh shops into La Savane Commercial Center and La Villa Créole. It’s not all high fashion on this celebrated isle, mind you: Local women do peddle traditional island handiwork – handwoven palm hats, baskets, bags, and more – from their verandas, ensuring that visiting shopaholics go home with something truly Caribbean after all.

World's Most Expensive Hotel Rooms

FOR SOME TRAVELERS, ANY HOTEL STAY IS A LUXURY: AFTER ALL, SOMEONE ELSE MAKES THE BED, CLEANS THE BATHROOM, SETS OUT A CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND MAYBE EVEN BRINGS THE MORNING PAPER. FOR TRAVELERS WITH MORE EXTRAVAGANT TASTES, ONLY THE MOST LAVISH ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES WILL DO. BUT LUXURY COMES AT A PRICE -- A VERY STEEP ONE. SO WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET FOR THAT FOUR- OR FIVE-FIGURE CREDIT CARD CHARGE? YOU MIGHT NOT BELIEVE IT:

By Emily H. Bratcher

Ambassador’s Bure at Wakaya Club & Spa, Fiji

Photo: Wakaya Club & Spa

10. Ambassador’s Bure at Wakaya Club & Spa

Fiji

Cost: $4,900 a night. If your idea of luxury is a secluded island hideaway, Fiji’s Wakaya Club & Spa is at your service. And interestingly enough, this secluded getaway is much more affordable than the other suites named in this article. This private island resort is composed of only 10 waterfront bures (or cottages), and the Ambassador’s is its largest at 4,500 square feet. The bure's own spa, a private pool, several decks and a hammock are accompanied by private access to the Pacific Ocean.

Imperial Suite at Park Hyatt Vendôme, Paris

Photo: Park Hyatt Vendôme

9. Imperial Suite at Park Hyatt Vendôme

Paris

Cost: $19,000 a night. You’ll be content as a cat, soaking in the Parisian sunlight from the second-floor rooms of the Park Hyatt Vendôme. $19,000 will get you about 820 square feet of high ceilings, a spa bathroom (with a massage table, should you get the yen for an á la carte rub-down), a large living room, dining room and a work room (if you’re on the clock). You'll also receive round-the-clock room service, along with an in-room safe for all your valuables.

The Royal Suite at Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Photo: Jumeirah

8. The Royal Suite at Burj Al Arab

Dubai

Cost: $22,900 a night. This 25th-floor, two-bedroom suite is the very definition of indulgence in über-luxurious Dubai. After being chauffeured around the city in your choice of a Rolls Royce or a BMW and then stepping off your own private elevator, you'll be enveloped by the suite's marble, gold, mahogany and leopard-print décor. Explore each room and find full-size Hermes' 24, Faubourg fragrances and body products in several marble bathrooms, a rotating four-poster bed in the master bedroom and even a private cinema and library. And just in case you need a helicopter ride, well, the hotel offers those too -- but at additional cost.

Bridge Suites, Royal Towers at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Photo: Atlantis

7. Bridge Suites, Royal Towers at Atlantis

Paradise Island, Bahamas

Cost: $25,000 a night. The Bridge Suites span the space between Atlantis, Paradise Island's two Royal Towers, hence the name "Bridge Suites." Along with an awesome 16-story-high view on an 800-square-foot balcony, guests will enjoy the undivided attention of a staff of seven. Luxurious embellishments like a 22-karat gold chandelier in the dining room and a grand piano in the living room make this suite the ultimate in Bahamian extravagance.

Presidential Suite at the Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Photo: Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

6. Presidential Suite at the Ritz-Carlton

Tokyo

Cost: $25,000 a night. Staying in Tokyo’s tallest building will cost you many, many yen, which shouldn't be surprising since, according to BusinessWeek, Tokyo is the world's most expensive city. For 2,100,000 JPY, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji and the surrounding Roppongi Hills. Beyond the usual luxuries -- marble bathrooms, 40-inch flat-screen, terrycloth towels -- this Ritz offers club use and concierge services.

Royal Plaza Suite at the Plaza Hotel, New York City

Photo: Fairmont

5. Royal Plaza Suite at the Plaza Hotel

New York City

Cost: $30,000 a night. The Plaza Hotel’s Royal Plaza Suite was inspired by Louis XV’s royal court. Sumptuous décor complements square footage -- 4,400 to be exact -- which is at a premium in the city that never sleeps. But along with all of that, guests will enjoy a state-of-the-art kitchen (for their personal chefs, of course!), a dining room that seats 12, a library lined with a thoughtful selection of books and magnificent views of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue. To top it all off, there are even 24-carat gold faucets in the bathrooms -- yes bathrooms; there are three.

Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons, New York City

Photo: Four Seasons Hotels and Resort

4. Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons

New York City

Cost: $40,000 a night. The Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons gives guests a wide-angle view of Manhattan, on display from the nine-room suite’s glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows. Inside, guests will enjoy the creativity of Ty Warner, Peter Marino and I.M. Pei, who planned every detail from the 25-foot cathedral ceilings to the cut-glass chandeliers. If all this isn’t luxurious enough, penthouse guests are also promised the use of a personal butler, personal trainer/therapist and personal chauffeur.

Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Casino & Resort, Las Vegas

Photo: Palms Casino & Resort

3. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Casino & Resort

Las Vegas

Cost: $30,000 a night. Yes, you can drop some serious dough in Vegas, and at the Palms Casino & Resort, you can drop five figures without even approaching a blackjack table. But then again, you'll get to live large in the same suite as Kanye West (back in '07). A full bar, a cantilevered Playboy pool (sorry, bunnies aren't part of the package), a sunbathing deck, pop-up plasma TVs, a rotating king-size bed and a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip are just some of this suite's accoutrements.

Royal Villa at the Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athens

Photo: Grand Resort Lagonissi

2. Royal Villa at the Grand Resort Lagonissi

Athens

Cost: $45,000 a night. Nearly 4,500 square feet in size and overlooking the Aegean Sea, the Royal Villa drips with decadence. Several fireplaces, marble bathrooms and BVLGARI bath products, an indoor heated pool -- and outdoor one -- are just some of the amenities. Also at a guest's disposal is a staff of four -- one for personal training, another for spa treatments, a butler and a limo driver. And guests might even enjoy the exclusive service of flying to Athens by private jet, though certain conditions apply.

Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel, Geneva

Photo: President Wilson Hotel

1. Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel

Geneva

Cost: $65,000 a night. For a lofty price, guests can enjoy 18,083 square feet of luxurious accommodations overlooking sparkling Lake Geneva. Enter the marble bathroom and guests will find their own personal hot tub. By the way, you’ll be scrubbing up with Acqua di Parma bath products. Room service is 24 hours, and rumor has it, this suite is très secure -- with the ability to lockdown and watch suspicious hotel guests on closed-circuit TV. Of course there’s also satellite TV and a nearly limitless selection of movies and music. The suite also features a safe because if you can afford this room, you’ll be traveling with lots of treasures