Lululemon can't be knocked down. 

In the past year, the retailer has endured falling share prices, accusations that it's a cult, an employee murder trial, and mounting competition from Gap's Athleta brand. 

Yet Lululemon proved it was resilient at earnings today, reporting sales that were up 15 percent from a year earlier. 

So how did they do it? 

Lululemon goes to great lengths to make sure their clothing actually fits, Carolyn Beauchesne — known online as the Lululemon Addict — tells us. Her blog reviews new products from the brand and gets 50,000 unique visitors per month. 

Beauchesne has measured Lululemon's clothing and says it's more forgiving in the waist and hips than its competitors. This means that women actually feel great wearing the pants. 

In addition to the fit, Lululemon has a tricky strategy for merchandise, Beauchesne says. The brand frequently releases new colors and patterns, then retires them for years when they sell out. 

"It drives people crazy because they want that color and don't want to miss out on the new release," explains Beauchesne. "It's a big incentive for people to get to the stores." 

Finally, Lululemon offers free repairs on merchandise, so women aren't as afraid to spend big on workout clothes. 

Regardless of how you feel about Lululemon, their strategy is clearly a smart one. 

DON'T MISS: Suddenly It Makes Sense For The Fashion Industry To Make Clothes In The US>

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Lululemon announced its Q2 earnings today and it came well ahead of expectations, but things haven't been totally perfect for the company lately.

Oppenheimer analyst Pamela Quintiliano brought up a quality problem that popped up earlier this year.

What happened?

Lululemon tried to push the "color limit" too far. That is, one of its bright neon colors — Paris Pink — had a problem with bleeding. At the time, it sparked quite the controversy among Lululemon customers.

Here's what CEO Christine Day had to say about it on the company's Q2 earnings call:

"Primarily for us it was the bright neons which are very difficult to put on fabric and we pushed the color limit pretty intently. So, we did have bleeding with Paris Pink and a couple of small isolated issues which were very hard pressed to track down in a couple of other colors that were also bright neons that came in the second quarter.

So, because we want to strategically continue to push the envelope with bright colors, we did bring in a color expert who has done an amazing and we've learned a lot of great new tricks from him. So, we're actually very excited about even new capabilities.

So, the silver lining in having an issue with Paris Pink was that it created actually more opportunity for us and so by changing some simple rinse agents and a couple of others things that we've worked on with the manufacturers in the mills, we feel very comfortable now with the product and being able to do our strategic intent, which is push colors and maintain quality."

Day said that it was "not a material event from a pure financial perspective," but it did give Lululemon a chance to work on how it communicates with its customers. The customer base was truly worried about what was going on — especially regarding health concerns.

NOW SEE: 12 Utterly Bizarre Facts About The Rise Of Lululemon >

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On Aug. 22, Prince Harry was thrown into the spotlight even more than usual after nude photos of the royal partying in Vegas surfaced all over the internet.

And about a week later, Aug. 31, marked the 15th anniversary of his mother Princess Diana's death.

While Harry has grown up accustomed to the limelight, his late mother wasn't always so at ease with the cameras.

What started as the public's interest in the seemingly fairytale marriage of Lady Diana and Prince Charles of Wales led to rumors of affairs, probing by the press, and ultimately, her death after a paparazzi car chase in 1997.

Whether it was the birth of her two sons or scandalous rumors of what was going on inside the palace, the press documented Lady Di's every move—for better or worse.

Retronaut posted the following 18 magazine cover photos showcasing the 16-year evolution of Princess Diana in the press.

1981: 20-year-old Lady Diana became The Princess of Wales when she married The Prince of Wales on July 29, 1981, at St Paul's Cathedral. The newlyweds' photo was blasted on magazine covers across the world.

1982: On June 21, Princess Diana gave birth to her and the Prince's first son and heir, William Arthur Philip Louis.

1983: Princess Diana's trouble with the invasive British press begins. She told a British publication, "I am finding it very difficult to cope with the pressures of being Princess of Wales, but I am learning to cope."

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Seven months ago, the Costa Concordia capsized off the coast of Italy with more than 4,000 passengers on board, killing 32 people and capturing the world's attention. Since then thousands of tourists have flocked to the Tuscan island of Giglio to see the ill-fated cruise ship in person, The Daily Mail is reporting.

The macabre wreck remains half-submerged exactly as it came to rest on that fateful night. Due to the proximity of the wreckage to the coast, the tiny island of Giglio has seen a major spike in tourists as people flock to the beach or pay 10 euros to ride ferries that pass within mere feet of the sunken ship.

The accident occurred on Friday January 13 when the Costa Concordia's Captain Francesco Schettino made an unauthorized diversion from his programmed route to give a three-horn salute to Giglio Island, Discovery News reports. He has since been arrested and accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and abandoning his ship. Schettino's next hearing will begin on October 15.

The ship was originally expected to be removed from the site by mid-January 2013, but the deadline has since been extended to Spring 2013. The project was jointly undertaken by US company Titan Salvage and Italian firm Micoperi with an estimated cost of $300 million.

Now see 10 other horrifying cruise ship disasters >

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A "plastic surgeon" pleaded guilty Friday to performing unlicensed cosmetic surgeries on women, the New York Attorney General's office said.

Carlos Arango and William Ordonez, who are not licensed doctors, and licensed physician Marlon Castillo were charged in April 2012 with performing plastic surgeries on women without anesthesia and disfiguring them forever, the AG said.

"Mr. Arango lured unsuspecting patients with bargain prices for very complex medical procedures, putting his own greed ahead of the health and safety of his victims," said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in a statement.

Arango admitted that, between April 2011 and December 2011, together with Ordonez, he solicited patients at the Bellisima Full Service Spa in Queens and performed the medical procedures in Stamford, Connecticut, and Manhattan.

Arango will be sentenced to six months in prison and have to pay over $8,000 in restitution to his victims, according to the release.

The trial against Ordonez, who remains at large, and Castillo is still pending.

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Eater has gotten hold of the menus for famed Food Network host Guy Fieri's new restaurant, which opens in Times Square on Sunday.

It's packed full of every trendy food marketing buzzword out there. For instance, "chipotle" and "cajun" make multiple appearances.

"It’s Fieri’s own 'No buzzword left behind' initiative. But say what you will…the restaurant will do blockbuster business," writes Scott Hume at Burger Business.

"If I still were compiling a Top 100 Independent Restaurants list for the late Restaurants & Institutions magazine, I’d be saving a spot for Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar."

Here are the menus, via Eater:

Food

Cocktails

Beer and Wine

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It's Fashion Week in New York City, meaning models have taken to the streets, wearing clothing that even Cruella De Vil would call eccentric. But Thursday night, dubbed Fashion's Night Out, seemed more rowdy than stylish.

A mob surrounded a white Audi A4 on Broadway, between Bleecker Street and Houston Street around 11:15 p.m. after the driver tried to break through the crowd and nearly hit a bicyclist, Gothamist reported.

Gothamist cited several witnesses who said the crowd included people from nearby Fashion's Night Out events.

It was "not clear who was at fault. The bicyclist stopped in front of the Audi and began screaming at the driver. ... This drew the attention of at least some in the crowd, who encircled the car and began running over it," said one witness, according to The Gothamist.

Someone from the crowd, the video shows, breaks the Audi's rear windshield. Soon after the police showup, and the mob disperses.

Check out the scenes captured by one of the witnesses. Warning, there's strong language.

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Whatever you think of him, James Bond persists as a force in our culture. In honor of this iconic fictional character, Christie’s presents 50 Years of James Bond—The Auction.

Since our focus here on Longitude is watches, I’m pleased to announce that two models, actually worn by actor Daniel Craig as Agent 007 in the movies, will be included among the lots offered. And one of those definitively answers the question, “What will James Bond wear in Skyfall?”

Lot 45 (Traditional Sale): Daniel Craig wore this exact Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean wristwatch in Skyfall, a unique piece made in 42mm titanium for Craig’s action scenes. It features a circular black dial with Arabic quarters, luminous tapered baton, dot hour markers and luminous hands, with a date indication. The co-axial escapement is on view through the glazed caseback.

Craig’s Bond seem to be establishing a preference for watches with this profile. Last time out, in Quantum of Solace, he wore the Omega reference 2201.50 Seamaster Planet Ocean in stainless steel.

Lot 37 (Online Sale): Daniel Craig wore this Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean in the movie Quantum of Solace. In a 42mm stainless steel case with bracelet, it features a black dial with Arabic quarters, luminous baton hour markers and luminous hands. It also has a date indication, helium escape valve and engraved case back. Inside ticks the George Daniels’ invention, the co-axial escapement.

“Christie’s Presents 50 Years of James Bond – The Auction,” will be conducted in 2 phases, totaling 50 lots. Both will feature memorabilia from EON Productions, the Bond movies’ producer. Thus, authenticity is, as 007 might say, “bullet-proof.” Provenance adds to inherent commercial value – based on both overall popularity of the James Bond character and Daniel Craig’s portrayal of the world’s most famous gentleman agent.

The first 40 lots will be offered by online-only auction, without reserve. You read that right: No reserve!

An additional 10 lots will by invitation-only in a traditional auction at Christie’s South Kensington, celebrating Global James Bond Day. These are numbered lots 41-50.

Since his debut in Ian Fleming’s book Casino Royale in 1953, the not-so-secret, secret agent James Bond has had an impact on everything from cars, clothing and bon mots, to watches.

So it’s likely no surprise that the star of this auction is a 2008 Aston Martin 6 Litre 12 DBDS 2-Door Coupe driven by Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace.

Other items included are a first edition book of Fleming’s Dr. No, a belt with gold buckle worn by Christopher Lee as Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun and a La Perla bathing suit worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. Yep, the auction includes swimwear.

All proceeds from the auctions will benefit 12 charities including UNICEF (Roger Moore is an ambassador), Art Fund, ORBIS (Omega and Daniel Craig are ambassadors), and ChildLine. If you’re near Christie’s South Kensington from September 29^th-October 4^th, all the lots will be on view. Admittance is free.

Online auction: Friday, September 28th—Monday, October 8th. Traditional Auction: Friday, October 5th at 8:30pm.

Now discover 11 facts about the world's changing appetite for luxury watches >

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Since the beginning of time, men have ruled the world. 

But now women are speeding past men in schools, at home and in the workplace, according to Hanna Rosin's new book The End of Men: And the Rise of Women. 

In the past, "men had an advantage because of their size and strength," Rosin told us in an interview. But in the industrialized world, brains are valued over brawn. 

Her book outlines the evidence that women are poised to take over the world. 

"Women worldwide dominate colleges and professional schools on every continent except Africa," Rosin says. In the United States, three women receive a Bachelor's Degree for every two men that do. 

The shift is also revealed in the workplace, where 12 of the 15 fastest-growing industries are primarily occupied by women. Rosin writes in the book: 

Our vast and struggling middle class, where the disparities between men and women are the greatest, is slowly turning into a matriarchy, with men increasingly absent from the workforce and from home, and women making all the decisions. The story was no longer about the depths men had sunk to, that dynamic had been played out for several decades. The new story was that women, for the first time in history, had in many ways surpassed them.

Men have also been limited by society's depictions of them, and are struggling to conform to a more domestic role, Rosin said. While female role models on television date back to workplace woman Mary Tyler Moore, men are often portrayed as bumbling and dumb at home. 

Society can help men by showing them how to adopt different roles and values that will allow them to succeed, Rosin says. 

Her book comes out September 11. 

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According to an article in Le Monde (via Finans Akrobat), France's richest man and head of the luxury goods company lVMH, Bernard Arnault is trying to move to Belgium.

From Le Monde, via Google Translate:

French first fortune, Bernard Arnault would become the man richest man in Belgium . According to Freedom of Belgium , the multibillionaire asked late August to be naturalized. His case is now on the table of the Committee on Naturalization s must ' ensure that the candidate has many "real ties" in Belgium.

The motivations of the owner of LVMH are not known, but it is more than probable that Mr. Arnault wants to enjoy the lower tax provided by Belgium.

Here's more from the Belgian paper (again via Google Translate) where the report surfaced:

The application is received by the Committee on Naturalization of the House, and if the candidate's motivations remain confidential, we can doubt it will generate great excitement in France, while the Socialist government of François Hollande wants to honor his campaign promise of 75% tax high incomes from a million.

...

Georges Dallemagne (CDH), the Chairman of the Committee to the House of naturalization, confirms and declares that "the case will be treated like any other. There are 47,000 on the table. Our committee has received the request last week "." Section 19 of the Code of Belgian Nationality provides that an applicant for naturalization must be 18 years of age, proof of three years residence in Belgium, and if this is not the case, demonstrate that it has genuine ties with Belgium, says the MP. "The Commission must also ensure that there is no criminal offense and will contact the prosecutor's office, the State Security, the Foreign Office and the record. "

For more on Hollande's tax plan, see here >

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Some rich people think they could start all over again and still get rich.

T. Boone Pickens is one of these people, and he said as much in a striking graduation speech, as described to Business Insider's Rob Wile:

"I was giving a commencement address at my grandson's graduation from St. Stephens & St. Agnes in Alexandria, Virginia, and i looked at the graduates that were sitting there and i felt like they were drifting off, and we were getting close to lunch, and they were thinking 'why doesn't this guy shut up and we'll go eat.' I said to them, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make you an offer today. I will trade my spot for your spot. And they go 'what is he talking about?' Of course I couldn't do it, but I said you're sitting there, you want to figure out how you can get rich like I am, have a ranch, have an airplane, have a lot of money: 'how can i do what he did?' Right here [snap] I'll trade with you. I said I'll come and sit there and put on your graduation hat and you take this and you get the airplane, you get the ranch, whole deal. I said you are in the spot i'd like to have. To be 18 years old, to be you and start out again."

Pickens discusses the keys to success in the rest of the interview:

Don't miss: 21 Ways That Rich People Think Differently >

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As the average price of a gallon of regular gas varies between $3.50 and $4 nationwide, fuel efficiency remains prized among the new cars most people buy.

But some drivers are too rich to care about gas costs, or need or choose to drive cars or trucks that are big and heavy.

As a result, the least fuel-efficient cars fall into two categories—ultra high-end luxury cars and large vans and SUVs.

Read The Rest At 24/7 Wall St. >

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Another property is on the market at tycoon mecca 15 Central Park West, and it's asking a whopping $44 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The apartment is absolutely massive, spanning nearly 4,000 square feet. It's technically two separate units that still need to be combined, so any prospective owner should expect to do some construction. As it stands, the apartments have five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

15 Central Park West has made countless headlines during the past year, with Sandy Weill's penthouse selling for $88 million, and a $95 million listing from a steel tycoon.

Welcome to 15 Central Park West.

Robert A.M. Stern designed the building.

The apartment is two adjacent units that were combined, on the 24th floor.

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Late summer and early autumn, when most wine producers begin harvesting the season’s vintage, are some of the most exciting weeks of the year for oenophiles.

It is a crucial time—grape ripeness and quality are determined and wineries are at their busiest.

See the world's best wine resorts >

For vino enthusiasts eager to witness the action, vineyard estates offer luxury accommodations that allow guests to soak up the sights and smells of a vineyard running at full speed. (And, blissfully, a glass of wine is never far away.)

The styles are varied. L’And Vineyards, located in Portugal’s Alentejo region, opened last spring right around the time its very first vintage (a 2009 Reserve) hit the market. Situated just 15 minutes from the ancient Roman city of Évora (and less than an hour from Lisbon), the vineyard’s stylish digs and simple, warmly appointed suites capitalize on the area’s serenity.

Retractable over-the-bed roofs offer stunning nighttime views of star-lit skies, and outdoor fireplace-equipped patios look out over greenery and patches of farmland. “Wine is our anchor, but it works best when paired with everything else on the property,” says Duarte Cunha, L’And’s general manager.

In Temecula, California, longtime small producer Ponte Winery takes a similar approach. It utilizes the vineyard´s natural surroundings to create a scenic, wine-driven space for guests to take advantage of wine tastings and see firsthand how the winemaking process works. The folks behind Ponte realized that their most ardent clients—the same people who pushed for the opening of the hotel—would appreciate a place to unwind from their busy city lives and indulge in their passion for wine right at the source.

For the uninitiated, staying at a wine-focused resort can be the perfect opportunity to learn more. The months-old Loisium Wine & Spa Resort in Suedsteiermark, Austria, offers traveling revelers a glimpse into a burgeoning vino destination that is just beginning to gain international repute.

The property doesn’t make its own wine, but its proximity to some of the country’s most exciting, undiscovered producers makes it an invaluable resource for those seeking future industry stars.

Cheers to that.

More From Departures:

World's Most Bikeable Wine Regions

The Top Villas In Tuscany

Secret European Summer Getaways

Great Golf Courses In California Wine Country

Argos in Cappadocia, Uçhisar, Turkey

With its dramatic, cave-like architecture and hillside location, Argos in Cappadocia is the perfect perch from which to discover the country’s central region, which teems with tales of centuries-old civilizations (the hotel itself is built into an ancient monastery).

Guests here can also learn about Turkey’s lesser-known winemaking efforts. In its nearby vineyard, Argos harvests Syrah and Kalecik Karasi (a local Pinot Noir–like varietal) grapes, and small Muscat grape patches on terraces around the property are visible from public spaces like the lounge balcony. Rooms, from $200; Uçhisar; 90-384/219-3130; argosincappadocia.com.

L’And Vineyards, Évora, Portugal

At L’And Vineyards, it is nearly impossible to have anything but an all-wine-all-the-time experience. The vineyard is home to one of Portugal’s two Caudalie Vinothérapie spas, navigating the property requires walking past planted grapevines (even the infinity pool is surrounded by them), wine classes are held in the cellar and guests can choose their own grapes to eat or use for spa treatments.

The staff is also happy to arrange other non-wine activities, such as a trip to Alqueva Lake—the largest in Europe—or a guided tour of historic Évora, so the only time contact is made with the nectar of the gods is when drinking it. Rooms, from $245; Estrada Nacional 4, Herdade das Valadas; 351-266/242-400; l-andvineyards.com.

Babylonstoren, Stellenbosch, South Africa

If you are craving New World wines from the southern hemisphere, remember that the growing season is the opposite of up north: You will need to wait until March to experience a harvest in wine capitals like Argentina or Australia. The same goes for Babylonstoren in South Africa’s Drakenstein Valley.

The well-preserved 320-year-old werf, or farmyard, is ideal for all-encompassing rural adventures, including walks amid chickens, scenic hikes or canoe trips across the farm’s dam. The year-old property harvested its first grapes last year and is now in the process of bottling its first wines, so guests here are able to taste what is not yet available anywhere else, like winemaker Charl Coetzee’s Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay. Rooms, from $350; Drakenstein Valley; 27-21/863-3852; babylonstoren.com.

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The prestigious Oxford University has been teaching students since 1096—and it's produced some of the greatest minds and successful people in the world.

You've seen the famous alumni from Yale, Harvard, Stanford and Princeton. But even these prestigious schools don't come close to the pedigree of England's top school.

Robert Hooke received his M.A. in 1662 or 1663

While at Oxford, Robert Hooke was an assistant to the famed philosopher Robert Boyle.

In 1665, he published his famous book "Micrographia" based on his studies of plant tissue. He is also responsible for coining the term “cell” when he discovered the existence of microorganisms.

While he is most known for his contributions to cell theory, Hook was also an accomplished and versatile scientist who developed the combustion theory and invented the reflecting telescope.

Edmund Halley attended Oxford at the age of 16, but left in 1676 without graduating

Edmund Halley was a mathematician and astronomer who first calculated the orbit of the comet later named after him. 

Halley’s work in the field of astronomy was greatly influenced by John Flamsteed, the Astronomer Royal, whom he met while at Oxford.

William Penn was expelled from the university at 17 for protesting mandatory church attendance

William Penn identified himself as a Quaker, a largely persecuted group at the time.  

Under the belief that religious tolerance would not be achieved in England, Penn was granted permission from the King to establish a colony in America. When Penn arrived in 1682, the King named the colony Pennsylvania, meaning “forests of Penn.”

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The recession affected men's careers the most, and the workplace will never be the same. 

But men will never fully recover because the bad economy simply expedited something that had been happening for years, according to Hanna Rosin's new book The End of Men: And the Rise of Women.

Rosin explains in her book: 

In the Great Recession, three-quarters of the 7.5 million jobs were lost by men. The worst-hit industries were overwhelmingly male and deeply identified with macho: contruction, manufacturing, high finance. Some of these jobs have come back, but the dislocation is neither random nor temporary. The recession merely revealed--and accelerated--a profound economic shift that has been going on for at least 30 years, and in some respects even longer."

The movement from a manufacturing economy to a knowledge-based one is what's really at work, Rosin said. 

"The manufacturing economy will never operate how it used to, and men are accustomed to operating in a very narrow space," Rosin said in an interview. "The quality the workplace most values right now, flexibility, is something that women have, and men need to catch up to succeed." 

The August jobs report revealed men's participation in the workforce to be at the lowest level since 1948, the Atlantic reported. The number of men in the workplace began declining in the 1950s, when women entered the workforce in droves.

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It's a constant joke: People talk about wanting to snap up Greek villas and islands if Greece leaves the Eurozone and the currency collapses.

Well we've got bad news. The rush to buy cheap Greek property has already begun.

German newspaper Der Tagessspiegel reports (via Google Translate) that luxury real estate brokers are seeing MUCH more activity now than they were a year ago. (Via @sebastiengaly)

George Petras is back in business. The real estate broker and head of Engel & Völkers office on the Greek holiday island of Rhodes this year has sold twice as many lots and houses as last year. In the crisis months of May and June 2012, when the country was without a government, there was no indication for a strong sales year. On the contrary.

At that time, the phone of the German Greeks had often stood for hours still. "Only with the pro-European election results in late June have the buyer back inspire confidence in the housing market," said Petras. Since then, there is the office of the broker who grew up in Stuttgart bustle: 50 percent more inquiries than in the first half of 2011, he noted.

We checked out the listings for luxury properties on Greek islands on the website for Engel & Völkers and it's not hard to see why there's a huge rush to buy them up. They're stunning. And cheap.

We're talking real architecture, right off the glistening water, for less than the cost of an average condo in Manhattan or London.

This specimen of classic Greek architecture costs less than $1 million

The house has 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and is 3,056.95 square feet

The whole propert has 4,347.31 square feet

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“If you ask freshmen why they chose their colleges, they usually say one of two things,” says Baltimore architect Adam Gross, who’s worked on projects at the University of Virginia and Swarthmore. “Either they got a good financial aid package or they thought the campus was beautiful.”

Check out the college campuses >

America’s most beautiful college campuses have the power not only to sway indecisive high school students, of course, but also to attract tourists. Their appeal comes through varying combinations of awe-inspiring architecture, landscaping, and surroundings. To choose among more than 2,600 four-year American colleges, we considered these three key factors as well as architects’ expert opinions.

“The most important thing to realize is that how landscaping and buildings interconnect is as important as the buildings themselves,” explains Boston-based architect Mark deShong. At Princeton University, for example, “It’s really about landscape,” he says. The campus connects its ivy-covered gray stone buildings with footpaths, idyllic small greens, and courtyards that create an intimate village-like scale.

Architectural coherence also plays a role in making a campus beautiful. Take the University of San Diego, which sticks to one architectural style: the Spanish Renaissance, with its elaborate façades, delicate ironwork, and carved wood. Ocean views and palm-tree-lined courtyards are extra selling points.

Yale can’t compete when it comes to location, but it has embraced one architectural movement after another. As Robert A. M. Stern, dean of Yale’s School of Architecture, puts it: “Our campus is a living history of the architecture and urbanism of its three centuries in New Haven.” Whatever your taste, you’ll find a structure to your liking on a campus stroll, perhaps dorms designed by 1960s starchitect Eero Saarinen or James Gamble Rogers’s imposing Gothic bell tower.

But no assessment of America’s campuses would be complete without the University of Virginia. “You might think it looks like all these other campuses, but it’s the first to look like that,” says deShong. He cites founder and architect Thomas Jefferson’s then-novel concept of flanking a lawn with pavilions linked by colonnades and a grand library at its head. New York-based architect Alexander Cooper concurs: “UVA remains the masterpiece of American campus planning.”

So plan your own trip to check out these campus masterpieces. Think we missed a beautiful campus? Tell us why it should make the grade by posting a comment below. —Ratha Tep

More from Travel + Leisure:

America's Top College Hotels

World's Most Beautiful Buildings

America's Coolest College Towns

Scenic Views From Airplane Windows

Bard College: Annandale-on-Hudson, NY

Stanford University: Palo Alto, CA

The entryway to Stanford’s 8,180-acre campus is arguably the grandest of any college campus: a mile-long, tree-lined Palm Drive, which leads up to the expansive green Oval, red-clay-roof-tiled Main Quad, and the campus’s crown architectural jewel, Memorial Church, with its striking mosaic façade.

Photo-op: The view of campus—and all the way to San Francisco on a clear day—from the Hoover Tower observation platform.

To-Do List: The Cantor Arts Center’s collection of 170 bronzes by Auguste Rodin, among the largest outside Paris, includes the Gates of Hell and Burghers of Calais. —Ratha Tep

University of Notre Dame: South Bend, IN

It’s hard to miss the glistening golden dome of the university’s Main Building, not to mention the neo-Gothic Basilica of the Sacred Heart that defines this 150-year-old Catholic school. Besides gorgeous architecture, the campus is chock-full of lush quads, where students congregate to kick back when they’re not in class—or at the football stadium. —Joshua Pramis

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No matter the destination, and no matter the reason for being there, the allure of a hotel suite knows no bounds.

A suite is a hotel’s first-class seat, often the most desired room and the epitome of hospitality done right.

Be it palatial or cozy, high-design or low-key, it offers a place to eat, sleep, dress, entertain, observe or just plain lounge. The overall effect can be irresistible.

Click here to see the hotel suites >

Many hotels have taken their suite offerings to (literally) new heights. London’s Corinthia Hotel, for instance, houses the 5,000-square-foot Royal Penthouse, which contains its own spa-treatment pod and a striking spiral staircase (among other luxe touches) and is the largest two-bedroom hotel residence in that city. The chic Arts Suite at the design-driven Hotel Arts Barcelona offers guests special extras, such as helicopter transport to lunch at one of Spain’s Michelin-starred restaurants, or electric Smart cars to drive around town.

While size is often a major selling point, it isn’t the only measure of success. Taking cues from the outside environment can turn an already spectacular setting into something extraordinary. The Girijaala Suite at Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah, takes full advantage of its superb desert locale, incorporating natural elements into its design and maximizing views of the Entrada Sandstone mesas. And in Marrakech, the Atlas Deluxe Suite at Selman is perched on 15 acres of parkland and offers unprecedented views of the Atlas Mountains, as well as the hotel’s 16 Arabian horses.

Award-winning actress Vivien Leigh once said, “I need something truly beautiful to look at in hotel rooms.” These suites have beautiful views of all kinds covered, but they also create an experience that conforms to every need, making for a truly unforgettable stay.

More articles from Departures:

• 10 Stunning Hotel Penthouses
• Top Fashion Designer Hotels and Suites
• The Perfect New York Hotel Rooms
• Stunning Hotel Dining Room Views
• Spectacular Hotel Rooftop Pools

This story was originally published by Departures.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong: The Ritz Carlton Suite

This 4,460-square-foot escape has all the necessities: butler service, access to the hotel’s Club Lounge, a dreamy bathroom with Acqua di Parma bath amenities, a sizable dining and living area, monogrammed robes, pillowcases, and towels. But its location on the 117th floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong—which makes it the hotel’s loftiest room—really seals the deal. Spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and the island of Hong Kong itself are thrilling. They are in fact so breathtaking, you might not even notice other in-room highlights, such as the sauna and the shower, which is big enough for eight people.

From $15,472

International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd. W., Kowloon

852-2263-2263

ritzcarlton.com

Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah: Girijaala Suite

Natural wonders highlight this suite in the desert. Amangiri, which opened in 2009, positions it to take full advantage of the gorgeous landscape, the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the Entrada Sandstone mesas. (“Girijaala” means “mountain ridge”; the resort is located on 600 acres in a valley.) Guests enter the suite via a private courtyard that continues up to a sky lounge with an outdoor bed. There is a 46-by-12-foot pool and terrace. Stone floors and concrete walls add to the natural feel, and a bench carved out of one of the outer concrete walls emphasizes the oneness with the surrounding land. Whether marveling at the constellation-filled night sky, watching the sunset amid the mountains or contemplating a visit to the spa (just steps away), it is difficult to make a bad choice here.

From $3,300

1 Kayenta Rd.

435-675-3999

amanresorts.com

Hotel Arts Barcelona: Arts Suite

This 1,600-square-foot, one-bedroom suite at this design-forward hotel in Barcelona offers special touches and singular experiences in equal measure. Minimalist and furnished with pieces by the likes of designer Antonio Citterio and B&B Italia, the suite features wide views of the Mediterranean Sea and famed La Sagrada Família church. For a real treat, the hotel’s helicopter will transport guests to one of three Michelin-starred restaurants, including El Celler de Can Roca in Girona (a 45-minute flight away). Electric Smart cars are also available, and a fragrance concierge can help formulate a custom scent to mark the visit.

From $8,775; helicopter lunch, additional $5,014 a couple

Marina 19–21

34-93/221-1000

hotelartsbarcelona.com

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It may only be early fall, but the fashion world is already gearing up for Spring 2013 at New York Fashion Week. Once the warm weather rolls around, floral patterns, pastels, and lots of funky accessories will be in for women.

This year at Lincoln Center, Olympians are stealing the stage. We spotted Ryan Lochte next to the former reality TV star Lauren Conrad at the Rebecca Minkoff show.

Dive in and check out what else is happening this week at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

The Nautica men's line showed on the roof of the Empire Hotel, just steps away from busy Lincoln Center.

For guys, the spring looks were a combination of light suits and beachwear.

No worries about post-Labor Day white here.. This model is playing it cool in the sun.

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