InterContinental The Clement Monterey

When you vacation in Monterey, Calif., you want to get as close to the water as possible. Why waste any time away from that magnificent view? For a front-row seat right on the edge of Monterey Bay, get a room at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey.

The hotel is in the heart of Cannery Row, right next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Even during busy times, the nature of this hotel is so calm that it’s like taking a deep breath of salty ocean air.

The 208 guest rooms and suites include natural wood, marble and glass. All include bathrooms with soaking tub and separate shower, 37-inch plasma TVs, iPod docks, Wi-Fi (for an additional fee), coffee maker and enough desk space to get work done if you really have to work (come on, just tell the boss you’re going to Monterey). My favorite thing in the rooms, however, is a plush otter in place of a teddy bear on your bed. Winter weekday rates start at $159 per night, and weekend rates start at $209 per night.

Of course, you’ll want to spend plenty of time watching the water, and you can do it in a few ways. First, get a room with an ocean view. Second, spend time out on the Pacific View Courtyard (lounging around two fire pits) or hang out along the railing and watch for marine life.

Warm up on the Pacifc View Courtyard

The third way to get an eyeful of ocean views at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey is to eat a meal at the C Restaurant. Sticking to the standards of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, the dishes here include sustainable fresh seafood, premium meats and organically grown local produce.

Don’t leave without some down time in the hotel’s spa, where a long massage is the perfect thing to get you ready for the rest of 2012.

InterContinental The Clement Monterey, 831-375-4500
750 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Photos courtesy of InterContinental The Clement Monterey

More Monterey area-related information:
Fandango: Fine dining in Pacific Grove, California
Monterey, California’s Sardine Factory

Enjoy San Francisco views from your room at the Four Seasons

The holiday season can get out of control, and before you know it, you’re rushing everywhere. Why not slow down and enjoy a retreat in San Francisco this winter at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

The luxury hotel is right on Market Street, in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown shopping district—Union Square. The hotel’s 277 guest rooms include 46 luxury suites, and all are roomy. My room, a Deluxe King, had a long window seat where I could perch and watch all the Market Street action while I had slippers on.

Sure, those cozy slippers (and robes) are in all the rooms, but so are a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, CD player and an iHome alarm clock. The spacious marble bathrooms have a large vanity, deep bathtub (where you can relax after the shopping) and separate glass-enclosed shower. Rates start at $395 for a standard room, and $495 for the room I had.

When you’re not lounging in your room, head to Seasons Bar and Lounge for small-plate selections (or the burger lounge, offered on Sunday and Monday), cocktails (including specialty martinis) and live music. If you’re looking for something a little more leisurely, take your meals in Seasons restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant focuses on California-style cuisine.

Treat your taste buds at Seasons restaurant

And even if you’ve spent all day shopping, you can still people watch from the bar, restaurant, or your room—if you’ve gotten one on the Market Street side.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, 415-633-3000
757 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Photos courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

More San Francisco-related information:
Nopalito—San Francisco, CA
Hog Island Oysters in San Francisco: Best Lunches With a View

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of the most popular parades in the country, watched by millions on TV. But wouldn’t it be great to see it live and in person from New York City?

All you have to do is make your way to NYC and get up at the crack of dawn to get yourself a spot along the parade route, then stand for hours elbow to elbow with a crowd of restless strangers. Want the live experience without the pre-dawn wake-up call? Head to a Manhattan hotel.

As of this posting, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on 7th Avenue and 53rd Street still has rooms available along the parade route for November 24th, with standard guestrooms starting at $750 (hey, a tradition like this is going to cost you!). To book a room for the parade, call 212-581-1000and make sure to ask for a room facing 7th Avenue.

The W Times Square also had parade view rooms available, but there’s only one person in the hotel who can handle these specific reservations. Call 212-930-7441 and request to speak with Sherry. (Rumor has it that next year’s parade won’t go by Times Square, so this could be your last chance to see the parade from here.) Check out a few less expensive options over at the Lodging blog.

When the parade has passed you by, take advantage of some of the best shopping in the world on 5th Avenue, or head down to Chinatown for something a little more unique. Other holiday favorites in the city include visits to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

Photo courtesy Sheraton New York

SkyCity Grand in Auckland, New Zealand

Looking for an ideal hotel to use as your home base when in Auckland, New Zealand? Look at the skyline and head for the 1,076-foot SkyTower—the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. Right across the street from the casino and hotel complex of SkyCity is the luxe SkyCity Grand hotel.

The 316 stylish rooms range from Luxury King and Twin rooms to the Grand Suite (which is the size of four Luxury rooms). Even the smallest rooms are spacious enough, and offer a separate bath and shower, plush bathrobes, in-room movies and tea/coffee-making facilities. Broadband Internet is available, but for an additional fee.

You may want to curl up in your room to sleep off the jet lag, but there’s time for that later. Get out and investigate the rest of the hotel, which includes plenty of ways to taste the many flavors of New Zealand: dine by Peter Gordon, The Grill by Sean Connolly, The Lobby and The Terrace. If that’s not a big enough selection, head across the street to SkyCity, and pick from an additional handful of tasty options.

Aside from pleasing your palate, get rid of your jet lag at the gym, or even better, the East Day Spa. After that, rest up in your room for a full day of fun in Auckland.

SkyCity Grand, +64-9-363-7000
90 Federal Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Photo courtesy of Jill K. Robinson

More New Zealand-related information:
Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand