Why New York is the summer capital for 2015

The glamour of the Indian summer is best relegated to romantic literature. Beat the heat in your boldest best with fashion cues from Blake Lively, Spice's stylista for the week or simply find a sun-drenched elsewhere that isn't going to burn the skin off your back. We recommend New York City with its startling number of new hotels opening up. Or simply head to Prague; Spice's deal should be music to the ears for all those who dream Jazz. 

Fashion

Look of the Week

Blake Lively in Roksanda

Considering summer this year has decided to get bolder for the better, ever-stylish Blake Lively is bang-on in her Roksanda colour-blocked dress with a matching coat. It's yellow and blue, an unusual yet striking combination that's bright enough to brighten any day. She's smartly tied her hair back and gone without accessories; the dress is bold enough to outshine anything anyway. Take this look to a work meeting and get rid of the coat for lunch or a club outing. 

OTT

Watch Out

The Metiers d'Art Les Univers Infinis or the Horesman watch from Vacheron Constantin is a piece of art as exclusive as it is expensive. Available in a limited edition of 20 individually numbered pieces for each model, it is priced at Rs 78 lakh and available at the Vacheron Constantin boutique in India.

Travel

NYC New Hotels

Baccarat Hotel

Here's the easiest way to escape to: 

Paris while enjoying Midtown. The weeks-old Baccarat Hotel (rates from $775 onwards), from the storied French crystal company, now owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts combines 114 art deco-inflected rooms; chandelier-hung salons; a bar inspired by Versailles's stables and a modern French restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Shea Gallante and former La Grenouille host Charles Masson. In case you need further goading, a 50-foot black-and-white marble-lined indoor pool and spa from Creme de la Mer is on the charts too. 

Marmara Park Avenue

The 128-room Marmara Park Avenue (rates from $550), flagship Manhattan outpost of an Istanbul-based brand, summons some of its international swagger to the Big Apple. It offers Turkish tinges like wines from a celebrated vineyard in the country's Anatolia region and hammam treatments at its spa. It occupies a historic 21-storey building that dates back to 1927. If you're looking for subtle elegance, this is it. 

The New York EDITION

Prime location could well be its prime seduction. Centrally located on 24th street and Madison Avenue, The New York EDITION (rates from $725) sits directly across from New York's iconic Madison Square Park. Originally built in 1909 as the headquarters for The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the 41-story clock tower is an iconic NYC landmark. The New York EDITION will feature 273 guest rooms and suites with spectacular views of the city. With a spa on the 39th floor, need we say more?

Hotel Central Park 

Come July, Sterlicht (Founder, chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group) continues his hospitality re-entrée with 1 Hotel Central Park (rates from $549), the second spot from his new sustainability-minded concept. The first opened in South Beach in late March, with Brooklyn next on the list. The 229-room eco-conscious escape designed by AvroKo allows a blissful retreat from urban grit. With a three-storey living wall, reclaimed rustic-chic materials and all-organic everything, plus with an on-call Tesla, and a monthly farmer's market, this one soothes your conscience too.

The Renwick 

The Renwick is a writer's retreat (rates from $479), which reimagines historic artists' studios and apartments originally designed by St Patrick's Cathedral architect John Renwick in 1928. Once home to creatives and intellectuals of every kind - John Steinbeck, F Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Mann all slept here - the Midtown East hotel that opens in August will offer 173 artfully appointed loft-like rooms.

Auto

Attitude on wheels, is how the all-new Audi TT Coupe, the latest from German luxury car brand, Audi's stable, is best described. The iconic car was launched in Delhi this week. 

Deal

Music to the ears

If you're a music lover, head to Prague. The Mandarin Oriental is offering its Suite Temptations accommodation package to celebrate the city's exciting spring and summer music season. Nestled fortuitously among palaces and gardens in the historic heart of the "golden city", Mandarin Oriental, Prague is close to music venues and the Czech Museum of Music. The hotel concierges can arrange tickets for events and advise on what to attend.

Recommendations for this year include:

70th Anniversary of Prague Spring International Musical Festival (May 12 - June 3)

Magnetic Festival of electronic music (May 7)

Prague Proms 2015 (June 10 - July 19)

Bohemia Jazz Fest (July 13 - 15)

Opera superstars Cecilia Bartoli & Rolando Villazon (June 12)

Opera Barocca in the Clam-Gallas Palace (August 2015)

The package, priced from EUR 765, offers suite accommodation, with complimentary third night continental breakfast for two, VIP welcome amenity, including special musically themed pralines and a spa credit of EUR 90 on spa treatments.