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    Inspiring Your Next Vacation (Part 1)

    It’s hard not to think about getting away now that the holidays are behind us and temperatures have dipped into the single digits. While we love a new fashion collection few things are more thrilling than visiting a brand new luxury hotel.

    The fresh linens, plush towels, eager staff and bragging rights are just a few aspects that make visiting a new hotel extra special. Good thing that the luxury boom has lead to a great crop of properties that just opened or are slated to open in 2016.

    In a multi-part series we will highlight some of the most exciting new destinations in the world. For more information about these properties or any other travel related assistance email info@steeletravel.com

    Hotel Le Toiny (St. Barths, FWI)

    Small and private is what you’ll find at the newly renovated Hotel Le Toiny, in St. Barths. The resort, which reopened in November, has just 14 one-bedroom suites and one three-bedroom villa. All have wide-open water views, kitchens, and 10-by-20-foot private pools.

    The renovations were overseen by London-based interior designer, Lady Bee Osborn. Le Toiny’s original French-inspired décor has been transformed into a clean ocean front aesthetic, which includes a muted palette of neutral tones, petrified wood, mother-of-pearl and sun-bleached teak. The design is accented with pops of Caribbean blue.

    Also new is the Toiny Beach Club, which is surrounded by groves and orchards and is noted for its barfoot-chic atmosphere. New softer sand was added to to the beach but doesn’t interrupt Toiny Bay’s natural rocky shoreline. The club is opened to hotel guests and to the public by reservation. Rates at the hotel are about $2000 a night (plus tax) in February.

    Faena Hotel Miami Beach (Miami Beach, USA)

    The highly anticipated Faena Hotel Miami Beach didn’t open in time for Art Basel but we have a good excuse to go back to Miami. The Faena officially opened in December after gutting the  historic Saxony Hotel, which was originally built in 1947. The hotel opening marks the public debut of the Faena Arts District, a $1 billion neighborhood rooted in art and culture.

    The Faena Miami Beach has 169 rooms and suites and 13 penthouse residences that span the top two floors. Guest rooms combine classic Miami Beach touches with Art Deco motifs. The result is a plethora of contemporary art and plush red details, like the fringed red couches that look as if they are straight out of a hacienda.

    The Faena values personalized service. Each floor is assigned a Faena Butler, which offers guests personalized service throughout their stay. The hotel also offers ‘Experience Managers’, who can assist in designing the overall experience from pre-arrival planning to departure arrangements.

    Upon entrance, guests are greeted by a 30-foot-long red carpet that leads into a Cathedral-like lobby that’s lined with massive gold-leafed columns and edged with elaborate floor-to-ceiling murals depicting lush tropical scenes. The Terre Sante spa is 22,000 square feet and includes a hammam, ice chamber and couples treatment suite with ocean views. Rates start at about $900 a night (plus tax) in February.

    The Beekman (New York, USA)

    Coming soon to Lower Downtown is The Beekman, which is slated to open early this year. (We are hoping for February but no final date has been announced.) This highly anticipated historic renovation showcases a soaring nine-story Victorian atrium and a majestic skylight.

    Operated by Thompson Hotels, The Beekman will have 287 rooms, including 45 suites and two signature penthouses with private rooftop terraces overlooking One World Trade Center, the Woolworth Building and City Hall Park. Keith McNally and Tom Colicchio will both have restaurants in the hotel. Keith McNally — of famed Balthazar and Minetta Tavern — will open a 94-seat eatery called Augustine, serving French bistro fare. Colicchio will run the lounge, to be called the Living Room, which will provide room service to guests and catering venues.

    This is the first new luxury hotel to strategically land in the middle of Fulton Center, Brookfield Place and Westfield World Trade Center. Between the new restaurants, the shopping and the financial center, The Beekman is destined to become one of  Downtown’s hottest destinations for tourists and New Yorkers alike. Rates in June start at $530 a night (plus tax).

    Barneys Starts Third Markdown: Inside 75% Off

    Most New Yorkers are finally back from holiday vacation and on the top of most every fashion-lovers to-do list is to check out the sales. Right on cue Barneys started its final markdown today and select merchandise is discounted up to 75% off.

    Follow us on Instagram and Twitter to get insider shopping news as it happens. 

    We started our sale hunt on the main floor, looking for marked down handbags. There is very little that’s left over now that the discount is 60% off. We found a black leather and suede YSL Sac De Jour that’s now $1189 from $2800, a cobalt blue Fendi Baguette is about $1000 from $2300 and a Balenziaga Metallic Edge Part Time is $859 from almost $2200. See more than 50 pictures of these bags and other merchandise from our shopping trip in the jump.

    If you’re looking for true markdowns of 75% off you will need to head to apparel floors. Among the most discounted merchandise we found lots of Lanvin and Lucien Pellet-Finet and smatterings of Derek Lam, Alaia, Givenchy, Missoni and Mary Katrantzou. A Lanvin ruffle dress is reduced to $859 from $3400, a cashmere navy sweater is $319 from $1290 and a stunning rainbow Juan Carlos Obando gown is $879 from $3900. Were were surprised to still find a Saint Laurent lipstick print dress for $759 from almost $1900. Pictures and prices of more items can be found here.

    Moving up through the chain of escalators we found the shoe department where the discount stands at 60% off. We are told that there won’t be any further markdowns on footwear but an additional price cut is expected to be taken on Chanel shoes. Right now the Double-Cs are discounted just 40%.

    We found Gianvito Rossi buckle moto boots priced at $519 from $1290, Saint Laurent strappy sandals are $600 from $1500, Louboutin platforms are $479 from $1200 and Givenchy black chain boots are $929 from $2325. You can see all of what’s left in the shoe department right here.

    Moncler, Prada and Canada Goose are still full price but we are expecting a markdown soon. Stay tuned.

    Main Floor Women’s Accessories: 212-833-2001
    5th Floor Shoes: Stacy 212-833-2141
    2nd Floor Women’s Designer: 212-833-2189

    Assorted Bags

    Fendi

    Fendi

    Balenciaga $859

    Saint Laurent $1189

    Saint Laurent

    Lanvin $859 from $3420

    Lanvin $859 from $3500

    Alexander Lewis $229

    Derek Lam $319 from $1290

    Givenchy $369

    Sophia Kah

    Sophia Kah

    Proenza

    Victoria Beckham

    Assorted Sale Items

    Lucien $1189 from $4745

    Mary Katrantzou $979

    Chanel

    Chanel

    Chanel

    Assorted Chanel

    Saint Laurent $600 from $1500

    Balenciaga $649 from $1635

    Alaia $659 from $1650

    Christian Louboutin $479 from $1195

    Tabitha Simmons $539

    Assorted Shoes

    Christian Louboutin $439 from $1100

    Louboutin $859 from $3000

    Louboutin $399 from 1000

    Chanel

    Chanel

    Chanel

    Chanel

    Chanel

    Missoni Jackets $899 from $3600

    Armani 

    Saint Laurent $759 from $1890

    Neiman Marcus Handbags 70% Off

    Most department stores have already had their discounted handbags annihilated. We’ve been keeping a keen eye on Neiman Marcus as they have been slowly discounting select bags. Today we were sorting through the assortment and were surprised that bags were reduced to sample sale-like discounts.

    Head this way and feast your eyes on Tom Ford, The Row and Christian Louboutin handbags that are discounted 70%. Right here is a Louboutin Sweet Charity bag that comes to $645 from $2150 and this fringed leopard Charity is just over $500 from $1700. Heading over to the Tom Ford goodies, there is a leather camera case reduced to $507 from almost $1700 and this Chain-Strap small cross body is $600 from $1990.

    Among the other great finds are The Row’s classic hobo is $765 from $2550 and a Brunello Cucinelli pochette is $565 from $1885, this Prada lipstick print bag is $720 from $2400 and an Alexander McQueen skull clutch is $750 from $2500.

    For some reason, you can’t find these great discounts just from sorting by discount. This is the perfect opportunity to brush up on those math skills and start calculating those discounts.

    Manolo Blahnik First Markdown

    The new year means many things to different people. To us, the new year is the start to Manolo season. Every year, the Manolo Blahnik boutique takes their first markdown following the big ball drop.

    Currently, shoes and boots from the winter collection are now discounted to 33% off. This markdown should not cause too much excitement considering that department stores are running sales where Manolos are 60% off.

    In less than three weeks you can expect the discount to drop to 50% off and by early February the discount climbs to 75% off. You know, that’s when we come running. You can click here to see our Manolo closeout coverage from last year were we found lots of ornate and iconic styles for just $250!


    Manolo Blahnik

    31 West 54th Street (b/w 5th and 6th)
    Mon-Fri 10:30 to 6:00, Sat 10:30 to 3:30
    212-582-3007

    Hunt & Gather: Solange Azagury-Partridge Hotlips

    We’ve been lusting after Solange Azagury-Partridge’s hotlips rings for years. As a matter of fact, we posted about them in 2012. It’s been almost been four years of walking by the Madison Avenue boutique and crushing on those sweet red lips.

    Spending $1700  on this darling silver ring has been difficult but when we found it for less than 50% off so we couldn’t resist. Right now, TheRealReal has several new Solange Azagury-Partridge hotlips rings for just $595. The classic red isn’t available  but here is  coral pink and black. We also found a version in white but it looks as if it is pre-owned. There is only one available in each color. Hurry, before you miss this kiss.

    New Year’s Sale: Neiman Marcus & Saks

    As we count down the final hours of 2015, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Madison Avenue Spy family. When I started this blog –almost nine years ago– I wanted to carve a place on the Internet where people could get insider shopping information. With your support and help, I think we have succeeded in adding transparency to pre-sales and VIP shopping promotions.

    I hope you continue to be amused and informed. Wishing you all a joyous, prosperous, healthy and Happy New Year. Without further delay, we bring you the final sales of 2015.

    Saks Fifth Avenue
    The Final Sale has started. Shoppers can now save 70% off on designer clothing. (The shoe discount is stalled at up to 60%.) The Valentino black white print dress from off the runway is $1300 from $4400, a Herve Leger Jacquard dress is $500 from $1700 and Norma Kamali foil leggings are $60 from $195. Do grab a pair of these Frame jeans for $90 from $199 or a distressed pair for $70 from $230. Just be careful, some heavily reduced items may be final sale.

    Neiman Marcus
    Through Friday, you can save an extra 33% on already reduced items. On some clothing the additional discount brings the final markdown to about 70% off. Among the items eligible for the extra markdown, is an Alexander Wang white crepe gown that’s $300 from $925, a chunky cashmere Derek Lam sweater with an oversized collar for $666 from $1700 and a Valentino floral print baby-doll dress is $1880 from $4700. Sandals appear to be the most highly discounted shoes. Sorting for more seasonally appropriate options we found Tabitha Simmons velvet slip-on sneakers for $250 from $625, Fendi t-straps for $300 from $900 and Lanvin ballet flats for $225 from $560. Neiman Marcus still has a great handbag selection but prices aren’t reduced nearly as much as their competitors. We will keep an eye on that.

    Moda Operandi
    Keeping one step ahead of the pack, Moda Operandi has taken up to 75% off. Among the most highly discounted items we found a Tanya Taylor black and white floral print dress that comes to $50 from $600, a Dolce & Gabbana shift dress with leather appliqué for $2250 from $9000 and a Giamba a-line skirt for $223 from $890.

    Shopbop Extra 25% Off (Again)

    For the second time this month, Shopbop is offering shoppers an extra 25% off sale merchandise. Use the code EXTRAEXTRA when checking out to engage the additional discount.

    The Maison Margielia shoe selection is exceptionally good with an initial discount of 60%. These over-the-knee leather boots and black and white booties are both about 75% off after using the promotion code. We dare you to go for this Merry Xmas sweater from Markus Lupfer ($140 from $310). After the fact seems even cuter than before the holidays– especially if you’re not Christian. From the designer selection there is a grey cashmere Cushnie et Ochs dress that also comes to 75% off after the discount and this Herve Leger trompe l’oeil lace design skirt comes to under $300 from $1300.

    The promotion started today and runs through the end of the Year. Just like 2015, it’s all over at the strike of midnight Thursday. That’s midnight Pacific Time, which gives us East Coasters a few extra hours to drunk shop.

    Disecting Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale

    The Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale is back. After taking a hiatus from the semi-annual event, Nordstrom is bring back its biggest sale of the year. The discount is 50% to 60% off most all fall and winter merchandise. Take note, the sale only runs through January 3rd.

    Some items may not be discounted as much as other department stores but we love that each purchase comes with a no-questions-asked return policy. Nordstrom is also notorious for price matching. If you see an item priced less at another store Nordstrom will match the price in most situations. They have even been praised for honoring a markdown on a non-exact item.

    The best part of this Half-Yearly sale is that there are a lot of great items that have been long sold out at other shopping destinations. For example, discounted basic black Saint Laurent Sac de Jours are long since sold out but are available here for $2300 from $3300. If you’re looking for steeper discounts of 60% head this way to find a classic Nina Ricci wool coat that comes to $1460 from $3650 or an iconic Proenza slash dress reduced to $1330 from $3325. Unfortunately, the coordinating fishnet tights are sold out just about everywhere.

    Other great available standouts include a Dolce & Gabbana rose print jacket that you can easily wear through Spring, a Lanvin high-low dress and a JW Anderson double-buckle leather skirt. Among the shoes are Valentino Rockstud booties that are $550 from $1375, Miu Miu studded cap toe loafers for $320 from $800 and Lowe boots for $400 from $990.

    We suggest you snag what you like now because Nordstrom’s online discounts don’t usually dip below 60%. If you’re shopping in the stores– that’s another story.