Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (California)

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, situated snugly between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is pretty—pretty breathtaking, that is. The Shingle-style hotel's weathered, wind-battered appearance evokes a nineteenth-century seaside lodge, and red- and gold-accented interiors showcase equally classic taste, with oil paintings, watercolors, and sepia-toned etchings lining each suite.

The northern Californian fare at Navio, set atop a stunning ocean bluff, is seafood at its best—subtle, savory, and fresh—offering standouts like the Skuna Bay salmon, paired with pumpernickel, sorrel, and smoked onion, and the olive oil poached Halibut, hailing from nearby Oceanside, which would please any lucky locavore.

The Conservatory, although a little less lavish, serves equally fresh farm-to-table fare, as befits coastal Californian cuisine.

As for leisurely activities, the Half Moon Bay has them in spades: Swing on over to either of two on-site championship golf courses, or take a jog on the hotel’s coastal paths and have the Pacific lapping at your feet. But if you’re looking to rest on your laurels—no judgment here—proceed to the 16,000-square-foot spa, with its Roman mineral baths and lavender facial treatments.

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay was the RCA Winner 2015and ranks #5 in Top Resorts in Northern California.

Source: http://www.cntraveler.com

Lotte World Tower opens in Seoul setting world records

After six years of construction, the 555-meter-tall (1,820 ft) Lotte World Tower opened in April, setting three world records and redefining the Seoul skyline.

Not only is it the tallest tower in South Korea and fifth highest in the world -- dwarfing the Korean capital's next highest building, Three IFC Office Tower, by nearly 300 meters -- it's also home to the highest glass-bottom observatory at 478 meters (1,568 ft).

But its most impressive feat?

The Lotte World Tower features the world's tallest and fastest double-decker elevator, the Sky Shuttle, which whisks passengers from the basement to the 121st-floor observation deck in one minute, or at 10 meters per second.

From the top of the half kilometer-tall tower, visitors can survey the edges of Seoul's vast urban sprawl and the mountainous terrain beyond -- only a handful of other skyscrapers in sight.

Lotte hired American elevator manufacturer the Otis Elevator Company to bring its double-deck Sky Shuttle to life.

Consisting of two attached cabins stacked on top of each other, it simultaneously carries passengers to separate floors. Other famous structures featuring this type of technology include the Canton Tower, in Guangzhou; the Petronas Towers, in Kuala Lumpur; the Eiffel Tower, in Paris; and the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai.

Boasting twice the capacity of a conventional elevator -- each cabin holds 52 passengers -- the tower's lift directly connects the basement and the observation deck, skipping the floors in between which are full of shopping complexes, offices, and even a "seven star" hotel.

"A double-deck elevator was used because the observatory would be crowded at certain times of day," Wonixuk Choi, manager of Lotte Corporation, tells CNN.

Inside the lift cabins, it feels like a video game -- 15 OLED displays offer a virtual tour of Seoul during the 60-second ride.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam

This visually stunning 4 star hotel has an impressive façade. The structure is a lively stacking of various examples of the traditional houses to be found in the Zaan region. Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam offers superb rooms, a Wellness Club with swimming pool and free WiFi throughout.

In short, it provides the best of tradition combined with modern-day comfort. It is the ideal location for your overnight stay as well as for meetings, conferences or stylish celebrations.

The hotel's green façade of traditional Zaan houses is a real eye-catcher. The interiors of the hotel rooms also reflect the rich history of the Zaan area: the traditional products, the pioneers of the local craft industries and the families which made the area world famous.

The hotel is located next to the Zaandam train station, where the train will take you directly to the centre of Amsterdam within 12 minutes and to Schiphol Airport within 18 minutes.

Source: http://www.inntelhotelsamsterdamzaandam.nl/

Glass bottomed swimming pool sits 152m above the ground below

If you’re in any way scared of heights then you should avoid this see through swimming pool at all costs.

Located in a new apartment development — Market Square Tower — in Houston, Texas, the pool sits 152m above the road below and offers guests the chance to take a dip from the 40th floor of the building.

In a video posted to the building’s official Facebook page, a swimmer gives viewers a hair raising bird’s eye view of the ground below as they walk out onto the see through glass platform.

Despite seeming like you might be standing on nothing at all, there’s an eight inch thick plexiglas panel that comes between your feet and the empty space to the ground below.

Additional amenities at the luxury tower include a poker suite, indoor basketball court and movie theatre, with a unit setting you back between $2400 and a hefty $25,000 per month.

Source: http://www.news.com.au

A Costa Rican Hotel made from a converted Boeing 727 Airplane

Nestled in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica is a 1965 Boeing 727 that tourists can actually sleep in.

The Costa Verde Hotel is built out of a repurposed old airliner, previously used by South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines. It took five trucks to transport the hefty Boeing to its current location.

The old plane rests on top of a 50-foot brick pedestal, and its inside has been renovated into a two-room suite boasting hardwood floors and Costa Rican teak paneling. There are two bedrooms, each with their own dining areas, kitchenettes, and balconies. The treetop vantage point offers guests breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park.

If you're sick of sleeping on planes, you could always grab a drink at El Avión, the hotel's restaurant and pub. Staying with the theme, it's inside a converted Fairchild C-123 plane from the 1980s.

Source: http://mentalfloss.com

Suprisingly Beautiful Flintstones Romantic Retreat House in Malibu

Have you imagined living inside a cavernous home like the ones during the Stone Age? People in that era would dwell either in a rock home or in a cave. This is what you will see in the famous cartoon sitcom, The Flintstones. The sitcom is a humorous story of Fred and his family living in a Stone Age way of life. It also shows different adventures with his best friend Barney Rubbles. Well, you wouldn’t barter living in a rock house that with the comfort in your current home. But you might change your mind after seeing this Malibu Romantic Flintstones Retreat House owned by American television and radio legend, Dick Clark. This house sits on a 23 acres lot in Malibu giving one a 360 degree view of mountains, seas and cityscapes.

This home would make you say “Yabaa-Dabba-Doo” like the famous expression of Fred Flintstone. One would have the feeling of being a modern day Fred with the aura and design of this house. One look at it would make you think that it is a massive structure but it is actually built using light materials combined with concrete. The inner walls are made of wood while the ceilings used steel beams covered with concrete to get that rock-like appearance. It has one bedroom and two bathrooms that both made use of modern appliances despite retaining a pre-historic look. The interior design of the house used irregular shapes and stone colors. While the exterior really looked like real rock especially that real stones where integrated to the concrete and scrubbed to expose it.

The house came from the idea of Architect Phillip Jon Brown who suggested to create a house that looked like a rock formation since it is situated next to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area. The idea was then made real with this home. Aside from its impressive design, this home also offers a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, Boney Mountains and Los Angeles. One will love the place for it is like a secluded retreat right in the center of nature’s gift of beauty, peace and serenity. For sure, you are eager to take a tour of the Flintstone House of Dick Clark. Scroll down and take a look at the different views of the house.

Source: http://homedesignlover.com

Wat Sampran Dragon Temple in Nakorn Pathom Thailand

Wat Sampran Dragon Temple or Wat sampran Phutho-Phao-Wana is located at Sampran district in Nakorn Pathom province Thailand. Features of this temple is Red Building by the Dragon is surrounded the building. High outstanding, which can be seen from afar. This Building is a Buddhist monk where to stay, sphere 80 meters high as the age of the Buddha, There are 16 storey (for can to see it) as heaven 16 heavens.

This building allows visitors had only 2 floor (1 floor is basement for make The documentation of the temple). The 3-17 storey are the monks where to stay are not allowed to visit, unless the special chances of the temple only. About the red color. The Chinese believe that red Color of bringing fortune.  Thai people believe The color of sacrifice and unity. European believe Symbolized by the color of love Like a rose given to lover.

Dragons is meaning represent the strong, ascendancy high very halo are resolute, courage. Antique Chinese person used as a symbol of the Emperor. Dragon is entwined a the building the Buddhist monk from 1 story to 16 storey is meaning to The circulation of the low perspective to high perspective bores by take 108 with preaching by 108 monks to the nirvana in the heaven. Green dragon scales, gold bars is a peacefulness as a shade of the trees.

Fins and tail of the dragon is the compulsion,  poised to go the right direction and is a weapon for protect dangerous. Legs, fingers and nails dragon is moving towards the direction of greatness and captured, the braced, firmly without falling.

Inside temple area have Religious activities to the people to for practice Dharma. sample : a prayer, A prayer against the dragon, and the 12 zodiac. A prayer to the Lord Waitin, A coin toss in the pit Dragon. Throughout the shady walkway in the temple are a pilgrim’s footprint street model, Leads us to the important places inside the temple. Sample: walk to pass under the Elephant stomach, Couples Naga Bridge, Giant Turtle’s Buddha Hall, which is a tunnel and have Footprint model inside, when walking out, The walkway will lead us up to a hall to walk up to the fourth floor of Vegetarian hall.

Source: https://lifeseasiamagazine.com