Hotels

Cape Pines Motel, Hatteras Island, Outer Banks of North Carolina

“Our rooms are so clean, you would think your MOTHER works here!” claims the Cape Pines Motel. That sounded good to me; cleanliness is always at the top of my list when choosing accommodations. But though the Cape Pines more than lives up to its reputation for being immaculate, I soon discovered that this charming old brick motel had so much more to offer, not the least of which was its gracious owners, Bill and Angie Rapant.

The Rapants purchased the Cape Pines in July of 2006 after years of dreaming of owning their own motel. Both had worked in the hotel industry – Bill most recently as the controller at the Plaza Athenee on Manhattan Island in New York City, which is rated one of America’s finest hotels. With their backgrounds, Bill and Angie know what service and hospitality is all about, and they set out to provide guests with the most enjoyable vacation experience of their lives.

In order to achieve this goal, they gradually remodeled each of the motel’s 29 rooms, upgrading where appropriate, but restoring the original wood floors and classic tongue-in-groove knotty pine walls and ceilings wherever possible. With the addition of custom linens and modern amenities such as mini refrigerators, Read More »

Sheraton Carlsbad

Normally I am a frugal traveler, opting for inexpensive but comfortable lodgings near my destination.  For our family’s trip to Legoland, however, the adjoining Sheraton Carlsbad offered us a significant discount, so we chose to stay there during our visit.  What follows is our true-life experience.

We pulled up to the front door of the Sheraton Carlsbad on a chilly humid evening.  Both of the children were jarred from their sleep, and when I came out to the carport after checking I could hear their screams of dissatisfaction from very far away.  When I turned around, the staff of the hotel had come to the rescue!  They brought out a tiny teddy bear wearing a blue Sheraton robe for each child, calming them down right away.  I nearly swooned with gratitude.

That was my introduction to the hotel, which opened this March.  The lobby is enormous and easy on the eyes with a business center off to the left upon entrance that is hard to miss.  Flower arrangements are made of Legos!  The pool area is a family fun zone, with pool noodles and swim diapers at the ready, and plenty of shallow areas for the little ones.  On the lawns surrounding, outdoor game equipment is laid out for anyone to enjoy.  Bathrooms and showers are close at hand.  It’s incredibly inviting and convenient.

Up in the room, the two big comfy beds gave us plenty of space to spread out.  Unfortunately, the digital television takes a long time to respond to commands, and with two cranky small children who could not wait one more second to be hypnotized by TV, that was frustrating.  Also, there were no surfaces high enough to put forbidden items out of reach of the 2-year-old, so I put those things into the wardrobe, hoping he wouldn’t explore and find them.  I tried unsuccessfully to use the in-room safe, and the climate control never quite worked in our room despite our request for an engineer to come up and lower the temperature.

We appreciated the Starbucks coffee with a single cup brewer that was right there for us to use in the morning.  Now that it was light, we discovered the balcony which was only wide enough to stand or sit, and just the right height of furniture for our children to try and launch themselves overboard, so we didn’t make use of that.

The kids enjoyed making monkey faces in the full-length mirror

The main amenity that attracted us to this location was its proximity to Legoland.  Indeed, there is a special entrance from the Sheraton grounds into the park at the back end that you can get to by walking, but we took advantage of the courtesy shuttle to bring our family and our friends right to the front entrance of the park.  The driver gave us a special card with the number to call to arrange pickup at the end of the day, and off we went for our Legoland adventure.

A little boy looks forward to his big day at Legoland from inside his room at the Sheraton Carlsbad

Traveler beware:  on a Friday night in the summertime (hence the height of the season) at closing time, everyone and their mother (literally) is calling to get a ride back to the Sheraton at the same time.  We called ahead for the shuttle to come in ten minutes.  After several phone calls and 45 minutes of us waiting, trying to decide if we should just walk back instead, Lisa, a concierge at the hotel, grabbed the keys and came and got us herself.  By the time we got back to our room we were tired, dirty, cranky, and starving.  The children were bouncing off the walls and demanding cookies and candy.  The staff took pity on us and sent us dinner at poolside, so at least we were able to relax in the pool and finally get some food.

(Incidentally, the food, while pricey as expected at fancy hotel, was delicious.)

In concept, the courtesy shuttle to Legoland is a perfect idea.  Where else would you want to stay if convenience and luxury are your top priorities?  (Those, and an awesome pool.)  All of it is close to the beach, so not only do you get fancy hotel pool and Legoland, you get some local flavor and oceanside exploration as well.  Just be aware that you might have to, well, wait a while, and that it might be worth it just to walk.

Soho Grand site

Soho Grand NYC front entrance

The SoHo district in New York City is one of the major hot-spots to hang out if you’re looking to see the celebs while in the Big Apple. Known for its diverse artistic community, Soho is also the tops when it comes to glamour, shopping, dining, partying…it’s THE place to be seen, and for good reason.

David Boreanaz

Smack dab in the center of Soho is The Soho Grand, located at 310 West Broadway, and if you can’t find celebrities there, your eyes are closed. A favorite luxury hotel for such names as Heidi Klum, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt, and Susan Sarandon, the Soho Grand treats them all like kings and queens. And they’ll treat you that way, too. You know, if you can cough up the green.

The Soho Grand boasts eclectic chic throughout the space; in fact, its design is world-renowned. There’s the infamous glass-bottle staircase, lots of cast iron and concrete, warm woods, and the whole thing was designed to be memorable beyond belief by William Sofield.

Soho Grand Stairway

Being located on the very pulse of NYC shopping doesn’t hurt, either. You’ll find Prada, Chanel, Bloomingdale’s, and the Apple store (aka Heaven) all within walking distance. The Soho Grand is surrounded by amazing places and sights, lined with charming cobblestone streets, some of the hottest restaurants in NYC, including the exclusive Nobu. And with the subway withing spitting distance (not that any celebrities spit, mind you), you’re just a heartbeat away from the Theater District, Greenwich Village, and the Museum of Modern Art. LOVE New York’s transit system!

Soho Grand Loft in NYC

Josh Hartnett & Susan Sarandon at Soho Grand

But what specifically about the Soho Grand itself makes it a preferred stay for Jennifer Lopez and David Boreanaz? Every one of the 363 luxury guest rooms are simply amazing, offering stunning views of the NYC skyline.

Lots of neutrals in the decor, with copious amounts of wood, clay, and leather in every room. This, mixed with top-of-the-line tech, make the Soho Grand a must-stay. Flat-screen televisions, wifi, DVD players, even iPods are yours for the asking. And I swear I’m not making this up, you can get a complimentary free pet goldfish. I have no idea what the heck I’d DO with a goldfish if I was visiting New York City and had to carry it around with me all weekend, but still. Clearly, the Soho Grand is on the leading edge of the Free Hotel Goldfish Revolution.

Those are the Guest Rooms. The Superior Queen rooms are cheapest at $355/night, but it’s the penthouse lofts that the stars love. The Lofts start at (gulp) $4,500/night and go over $5,000/night. But one look at these photos and you can see why. Over 1,600 square feet indoors AND a 1,200 square-foot terrace, with some of the most amazing views of NYC you’re going to find. Fireplace, custom furniture, mohair upholstery, “Masai” pillows, glorious chandaliers, THREE plasma TVs with full surround-sound…yeah, I know, I’m drooling, too.

Loft Balcony View at Soho Grand

And the restaurant in the hotel – the Grand Bar and Lounge – is a major draw in its own right. Very intimate environment for gathering with friends, whether it be for drinks or dining AND drinks. Can you tell the drinking is one of my favorite things? Ahem. You can do appetizers or 3-course meals (or maybe just the desserts, which I hear are bloody phenomenal) made by the Grand Bar’s executive chef.

The Loft at Soho Grand

When I win the lottery or land my major book deal, you can be sure I’ll be staying at the Soho Grand myself. If I’m lucky, I’ll run into Will Arnett at the bar and tell him how much I love “Arrested Development.” And maybe his wife.

Love to hear from you if you’ve ever stayed at the Soho Grand. Also, feel free to email me if you have some unwanted lottery money.

NEARBY RESTAURANTS

Nobu

Kredens

Pen Top Bar & Lounge

Fresh Restaurant

Pepolino

I just got back from a whirlwind 10 day road trip that culminated in Chicago, IL, where I attended the BlogHer and TBEX conferences. It was an action packed week and a half, which started with a delightful stay (is there any other kind?) at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ritz-Carlton Dearborn, Michigan

You heard me right, yes, there’s a Ritz in Detroit.

When I was putting together the itinerary for this roadtrip, which included picking up a Ford Mustang in Dearborn, my contact at Ford mentioned that the Dearborn Ritz is very close to the corporate offices.

“There’s a Ritz in Detroit?” I said, trying to keep the amazement out of my voice because I’m polite like that.

“Yes! And it’s really affordable, and nice,” she replied.

Since I have a great PR contact for the Ritz, my next call was to her. She confirmed the existence of the property, and even better offered to comp a night there so I could try it out. I’m smart, I immediately said “YES, PLEASE!”

It was a quick visit, but I was able to check out all of the things I care about: room comfort, cashews, mirrors & lighting.

The Room

Pretty room at the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn

The Dearborn Ritz-Carlton seems to be one of the older properties. It was impeccably clean, just a little staid in the decor. We had a room with two double beds, and it was a decent size, not huge, but spacious enough for two adults to be comfortable. It was surprising to see that the TV wasn’t an HD flat screen, but it really didn’t make any difference to us. We watched “Grease” and it was just as Shamalama Ding Dong magical as ever.

The bathroom was good sized, the shower cap thoughtfully came with a little hair tie, and the amenities were these gorgeous smelling Bulgari soaps and lotions. Slathering them on, you totally get that “Yeah, I’m at the Ritz, baby!” feeling of luxury.

The Mini-Bar Situation

The Hospitality Suite, where they keep the free booze & candy

There is no mini-bar at this Ritz … because they don’t need one. Instead there is a Hospitality Suite on the top floor where they have five different “food presentations” through the day. In wedding planning lingo, this translates to “heavy hors d’oeuvres all day, all night.” Over the course of four visits (during a 12 hour stay, yes, we were a little embarrassed, but it was irresistible!) we sampled bruschetta, fresh fruit salad, s’mores, and bagels with smoked salmon. And so much more!

The Hospitality Suite also is stocked with Ritz-Carlton branded bottled waters, sodas, coffee, teas, and bottom-less bowls of Rolos, Reese’s peanut butter cups, cookies, granola bars, and more snacks galore.

There are comfy chairs, a beautiful view, and did I mention the open bar? Red, white and sparkling wine, plus your basic hard liquors in drinkable brands, i.e. Absolute vodka. And there was always a gracious attendant on hand to get you anything else necessary to make you happy.

And Then We Got Room Service

Don’t judge, but yes we also ordered room service (which we paid for — only the room was comp’d.) Maybe because the last place I got room service was in NYC, these prices seemed amazingly affordable to me. The usual litmus test, a pot of coffee, was only $8. I’ve been charged as much $40 for one, to give you some perspective.

There was a nice range of pasta ($13 for penne), salads ($9 for a Caesar) and burgers ($15) on the menu, with a great kids menu that included a PB&J with the crust cut off for just $7. Nice touch with the crust, right? But of course it is the Ritz.

Mirrors & Lighting

The dark and classic lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn

Light is always my issue in hotels. There is usually a good reading light by the bed, but the rest of the room is in shadows and darkness. Why is it so hard to make the rest of the room bright enough to do stuff like repack your bags that are filled with black clothing? Or put on makeup anywhere besides the bathroom?

Our room at the Dearborn Ritz was tastefully lit, but it wasn’t very bright. I decided to wait until the morning, when I could open the curtains, and let in sunlight, to repack my bags.

Having more mirrors in the room would have helped a lot, both to amplify the lighting, and to make it easier to get ready. Besides the mirror in the bathroom, there was only one other mirror, behind the closet door. It was inconveniently far away from both the lights and the window, so we couldn’t use it to do makeup.

Judgment

Thanks to the doorman for taking this photo!

You stay at a Ritz-Carlton for the service, and the Dearborn property definitely holds up that tradition. I heard “It’s my pleasure” echoing off the walls, and it was always delivered in a sincere, low-key way. After helping us load our bags into our cherry red 2010 Mustang, the doorman spent another ten minutes taking pictures for us and giving us directions to our next stop.

A quick check on the Ritz-Carlton site just pulled up rates starting at $139/night. While you can certainly get a less expensive room in the Dearborn/Detroit area, that’s a pretty amazing rate for a night at a luxury hotel. I’d stay there again just for the Hospitality Suite and the Bulgari amenities!

Want to relive the Summer of ‘69 in a 60’s themed vacation in Tucson or Tempe? Sage Hospitality is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Summer of ’69 with special offers including $69 room rates, $6.90 suite upgrades, $6.90 entrees, $.69 beers and $69 massages (where applicable).

Sage Summer of '69

The Sage Summer of ‘69 offer is valid from July 1 to Sept 30, 2009, and is available at the following Sage hotels - Marriott Ogden, UT; Marriott, Pueblo, CO; Sheraton Phoenix Airport, Tempe, AZ; Marriott Charlotte Executive Park, NC; Hotel Baronette, Novi, MI; and the Sheraton Tucson, AZ.

Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality, says that Sage is running thhis special because  ”Whether it’s the funny fashions, man’s first walk on the moon or the music and movies you remember, the summer of 1969 was a time of transformation in America and after 40 years, a time worth remembering.”

And to make it a more memorable experience, each hotel is adding some special touches, like “munchie” menus in the restaurants (think Magic Mushroom Pizza, Twilight Twinkies, Peace Brownies with a peace stencil and Tie Dye Sherbet). Guests may find 60’s vintage VW buses and VW bugs on display, 60’s music playing and even a bit of incense on a few appropriate locations.

You could even have a flower child check you into your room or get classics like ‘Easy Rider’ or ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ as part of your in-room entertainment package, says Nanci Sherman, general manager at the Sheraton Tucson.

More details here – http://www.sagehospitality.com/specials/summerof69.htm

Duval Street in Key West

Looking for an amazing value for a hotel in Key West, Florida? Check out The Inn at Key West! I was researching hotels for my wedding next year and came across this one. I happened to get an amazing deal of $109/night due to a pricing mistake on the website, but I also just booked a room for $89/night for a scouting trip next week (stay tuned for updates about how the hotel actually is). Here’s what I know so far, which is why I’m so excited about this hotel:

It’s cheap!

Good-quality, cheaper hotels are pretty tough to find during high season in Key West, and this hotel starts out with rooms for about $130/night in high season. That’s very reasonable. If you book during summer, you can snag rooms for as low as $89/night like I did. And, many rooms come with two Queen beds, so you can accommodate two couples easily.

Away From Duval Street Craziness

The Inn at Key West is about 3 miles away from downtown Key West, which can actually be a good thing. Duval Street can be nuts, so if you’re looking for a quieter retreat, you’ve found it.

Largest Freshwater Pool in Key West!

Yep – check out the pics on the website, the pool looks amazing.

Great Food and Drinks Poolside

You can grab breakfast and lunch poolside. Rumor has it that the pina coladas are must-haves.
So there you have it! I’ll report back next week after my stay to see if this hotel lives up to the hype.

Photo Credit: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

guest post by Sherry Gray

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando?  Finding the right resort can be a daunting task because there are so many factors to consider.  Should you stay at a Disney hotel, or nearby?  Cost is important, and to some, the defining factor.  But you may also want to consider the quality of your stay. For dedicated Mousketeer families, immersion in the Disney experience and culture is a big part of the fun. For kids of a certain age, expectations will be high, and nobody delivers the magic like Disney.

So here’s why you should consider staying at a Disney Hotel:

• Proximity is your friend. If Disney is your only destination, then the closer you are to the parks, the better. Traffic around Disney can be as bad as downtown at rush hour, and who wants to be stuck in traffic with kids at the end of a very long day?
• Siesta time. Staying inside Disney allows you to start early, return to your hotel to cool off with a dip in the pool or a nap, and go back for that tenth ride on Space Mountain (or maybe the Teacup ride) feeling refreshed. Florida is HOT most of the year, and being outdoors in the fierce sun can really wear you out – dangerously so. Off topic: Wear a good sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and find a cool spot if you start feeling shaky.
• Disney has transportation of every conceivable variety. You may be able to forego a rental car and return to your hotel by bus, train, monorail, sky gondola or even boat. Disney’s inter-park transportation is free to travel, but getting from one point to another may be time consuming and involve multiple transfers. Disney World is huge, 47 square miles, so while getting around without a car within the park is certainly possible, it might not be desirable.
• Disney’s Magical Express is a pretty cool perk. You board the plane at your home airport and when you arrive at the Orlando airport, you simply jump on a coach. Disney will claim your luggage and deliver it to your room. Bear in mind that you might want to pack some essentials in a carryon, because your bags may arrive hours after you do.
• Extra Magic Hours give Disney guests a few extra hours to enjoy the parks before and after the invasion of the unwashed hordes: an hour extra in the morning before the parks open to the public, and a few hours in the evening after public closing time.
• Fixed-rate dining plans can potentially save you money on your meals. It’s a comparative value; eating outside Disney or bringing in groceries could be far less costly, but compared to free-range foraging for meals without a package deal, it’s practically budget.
• Golf and sports. Disney offers a beautiful golf course and a sports venue that hosts youth sports, professional training camps, exhibitions and championship events for when you’re ready for some more grown up recreation.
• Expense. Years ago, Disney had only one resort price range: high. Today they offer options for nearly any budget, although to drop under $80 per night, you’ll need a camper. There are many options in an affordable $80-$150 range.

One thing that belongs in both pro and con columns is the Disney Magic.  If you’ve ever ridden the “It’s a Small World” ride, you know what I’m talking about. It’s fun at first, until you realize you’re being smothered by ubiquitous Disney…sort of like subliminal messages in 70s elevator music. Bushes are trimmed in character shapes.  Floor tiles are arranged in attractive advertising layout.  Power lines are threaded through mouse-head shaped pole toppers.  Golf course sand traps are mouse-eared. If a seagull flies over and poops on the sidewalk, it lands in perfect character silhouette (ok, I made that one up.  They probably pay somebody to shape the poop after it lands). For an enthusiastic five-year-old, this level of inundation really is pure magic. Small kids will delight in finding mouse ears in unexpected locations (everywhere).  Adults and older kids might be considerably less than enchanted.  Depends on how they feel about Disney.

Here’s why you should consider staying off Disney property:

• Fitting your budget.  First, you can find a less expensive hotel. The lowest price Disney hotel, excluding Fort Wilderness campsites, is $82 per night and reservations for lower price rooms tend to fill up well in advance.  Offsite, there are literally hundreds of nearby hotels to meet any budget. You can also choose a reasonably priced all-suite hotel; suites are both rare and pricey on Disney property. Hotel rooms in the highly competitive Kissimmee area close to Disney’s West Gate can run as low as $38 per night for a very basic stay (not that I’d go so far as to recommend them). In addition to hotel cost, the choice of eateries ranges from street vendor sandwiches to five-star gourmet…or you can just hit a grocery and pick up some supplies.
• Shuttle service to all attractions. Disney is a closed environment, but offsite hotels often have shuttles that will take you to any of Orlando’s attractions like Seaworld, Universal Theme parks, water parks, and themed restaurants. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure anyone?
• Convention facilities. If you’re planning a working vacation while attending a convention or conference, a hotel on or around International Drive might be your best bet.
• Chaos factor. Disney hotels and hotel grounds are busy. If a picture of downtown Bejing sends you into convulsions, you might want to find a nice quiet hotel off the beaten path.  On Disney property, the more adult oriented the property, the higher the price.

Your best preparation is in planning and research. Outline your objectives and decide what is most appealing to every member of your vacation party, and then find a compromise. Selecting a hotel that fits your budget and meets your comfort needs means less stress and a more enjoyable overall experience for everyone.

400 years ago this September, Henry Hudson sailed into what is now known as New York Harbor, and ever since, visitors have been looking for a place to stay in New York City. Here’s a few of New York’s ‘centennial club’ hotels, all of which are at least 100 years old.

The Sohotel, New York

Let’s start with a simple question – Which is New York’s oldest hotel still in business? That title belongs to the Sohotel, which has been in operation since 1805 under various names including The Worchester, The Occidental, The Pioneer and now Sohotel.

That’s a 204 year old hotel located just north of the spot where George Washington entered the Bowery with his troops and took command of the city, setting up the government of the United States on November 25, 1783.

This location in lower Manhattan off The Bowery at 341 Broome Street - with walking access to the attractions of Soho, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, China Town, and Tribeca - is pretty good even today.

The Sohotel nowadays makes a decent living as a no-frills budget hotel for students and tourists looking for reasonable accomodations in the heart of Downtown Manhattan.

The Algonquin Hotel, New York

Next question – which is the oldest NYC hotel operating under the same name? That would be The Algonquin Hotel, which opened in 1902.

Nothing much needs to be said about this famed historic hotel which has been immortalized on screen and in the literary works of Dorothy Parker and the rest of the Algonquin Round Table members.

Next up on the list is The Plaza (now the Fairmont Plaza), which opened its doors on October 1, 1907. Billed at that time as the world’s greatest hotel, The Plaza charged the exorbitant price of $2.50 per night for single rooms when it opened.  

Straddling Fifth Ave and Central Park, The Plaza is not only a traditional brunch and afternoon tea spot for New York’s socialites, but also a movie star in it’s own right – most famously featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

Hotel Chelsea, New York

No list of New York hotels would be complete without honorable mention of the Chelsea Hotel - ground zero for Bohemians. The Chelsea is housed in a distinctive landmark building which dates back to 1884, first as an apartment building which opened as a hotel in 1905.

Former residents of the Chelsea include Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Sid Vicious and many more linked to Andy Warhol’s Factory.

Another hotel which just makes the cut as a 100+ historic hotel is The Jane NYC. Originally built as a hotel for sailors with cabin-like rooms in 1908, the hotel was restored and brought back to life in late 2008 as a budget hotel offering $99 rooms.

The Jane’s claim to fame lies in the fact that in 1912, the survivors of the Titanic stayed at the hotel until the end of the American Inquiry into the ship’s sinking.  The surviving crew held a memorial service at the hotel four days after the ship sank.  

Also eligible to join New York’s exclusive centennial club is the The Hotel Wolcott (1904), which also housed one Titanic survivor – Dr. Washington Dodge of San Francisco, who then penned a harrowing first-person account of the tragedy while staying at the Wolcott. Really dodged that one, didn’t he? 

Hotel Chelsea photo by Gyrofrog (creative commons).

by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

By the time I rolled into the little mountain town of Cashiers, North Carolina, it was after dark. I’d been on the road for three weeks and I was dead tired. To top it off, although I’d been in Cashiers a few years earlier, I was almost totally unfamiliar with the town, had no reservations, didn’t even know where to find a hotel or motel, and was almost out of fuel. First things first, I decided. Pulling into the gas station in the center of town, I climbed out of my car and stretched to get rid of the kinks from a day of driving. While pumping gas, I scanned my surroundings and spied a cute-looking inn across the road, perched atop a hillside.

Laurelwood Mountain Inn entrance and main office

Luck was with me when I pulled into the Laurelwood Mountain Inn. The manager, Eric, was still on site through some fluke – normally he would have been long gone by this hour. I held my breath when I asked the price – from the look of the place, I expected it to be well above my budget. Imagine my surprise when he quoted me $80 per night. “Deal,” I said, delightedly. Even better, the motel provided free high-speed wi-fi.

The Laurelwood Mountain Inn has twenty-four absolutely charming rooms, suites and cabins. My standard room had a queen-size bed and was equipped with coffee maker, mini-refrigerator, cable TV, ceiling fans, air conditioner (although in the mountain air there was no need for it), and built-in writing desk. The recently remodeled room featured tongue-in-groove wooden ceilings and wainscoting with woodsy wallpaper borders adding a homey touch, and the brand spanking new bathroom had granite counter tops and a spacious shower with a great shower head that beat hot water down on my sore muscles.

Standard room

Standard room

What impressed me most about the Laurelwood Mountain Inn, other than the fact that is was one of the cleanest rooms I have ever stayed in, was the obvious thought that had been given to the guest’s comfort. Towels were soft and fluffy, a full complement of shampoo/conditioner/lotions were set out for my use, the bed was firm yet extremely comfortable; even the pillows were fluffy. And to my delight, when I propped myself up in bed and booted up my laptop to get my email, I found a plug right next to the bed (I am constantly amazed by the lack of electrical receptacles in seemingly modern hotel rooms).

Though I chose the most affordable room, the Laurelwood offers a variety of accommodations. Deluxe rooms have full kitchenettes and shower/tub combinations. Three lofted suites in a beautiful log building offers two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a full kitchen, whirlpool tub, cable TV, private balcony, air conditioning, and a large wrap around porch with rocking chairs. Finally, a beautifully isolated cabin has a private king bedroom, bathroom with tub/shower, full kitchen, living room with a romantic gas fireplace, spacious upstairs loft with two twin beds, screened back porch with rocking chairs, and a BBQ grill.

Laurelwood suite

Deluxe two bedroom cabin

In the morning, I happened to meet one the owners of the inn, Bob Dewes. In June of 1995, after spending many years in the corporate rat race, Bob and his wife, Lise, gave up the big city life, moved to the mountains, and purchased the motel. In addition to providing wonderful accommodations, the Dewes are also experts on the area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in and around Cashiers and are always happy to help guests plan activities such as horseback riding along local mountain trails, golfing, fishing, whitewater rafting, antiquing, shopping and more!

Located deep within the Nantahala Forest, Cashiers sits within a glittering emerald valley encircled by 5,000-foot high peaks. Sunshine streams down through crisp pine-scented air, illuminating the distant craggy stone faces of the surrounding mountains, and pine-scented air lures visitors into the surrounding woods, where spongy footpaths carpeted with last winter’s detritus follow rushing creeks to thundering waterfalls. I’ve tried – and failed – to imagine a destination more alluring than Cashiers, North Carolina, or a more perfect mom and pop motel than the Laurelwood Mountain Inn.

Photos courtesy of the Laurelwood Mountain Inn

July 23-26, San Diego attractions include Superman, Spiderman and a host of other superheroes. San Diego Comic-Con 2009 has kicked off for 4 days of fun and comicbook bliss - if you had the sense to book a hotel room near the San Diego Convention Center a couple of months ago.

Comic Con San Diego 2009 photos

All memberships are sold out, hotels are packed solid and well over 120,000 people are expected to be present at the Convention Center. If you don’t have a room, well… here’s a list of the few remaining hotels in the vicinity of the Convention Center where you can still find available rooms.

These hotels were last checked for room availability on July 23 for 4-day bookings from July 23-26.

Comfort Inn Gaslamp/Convention Center – 660 G Street, San Diego CA 92101; (619) 238-4100; (2 min to Convention Center)

Marriott San Diego Gaslamp Quarter – 660 K Street, San Diego CA 92101; (619) 696-0234; (2 min to Convention Center)

The Westin San Diego – 400 West Broadway, San Diego CA 92101; (619) 239-4500; (3 min to Convention Center).  

Rodeway Inn & Suites Downtown – 719 Ash St., San Diego CA 92101; (619) 232-2525; (4 min to Convention Center)

Americas Best Value Inn – 1801 Logan Avenue, San Diego CA 92113; (619) 232-1616; (4 min to Convention Center)

La Quinta Inn (Old Town/Airport) – 2380 Moore Street, San Diego CA 92110; (619) 291-9100; (8 min to Convention Center)

If for any reason, these hotels are not suitable for you, and you still don’t have a place to stay, then you can call the Comic-Con Travel and Housing Desk at 1-877-55-COMIC.

Photos by Parka Blogs via flickr (creative commons).