Hotels

Now you can book a room in NYC and have enough left over to hail a few cabs

According to a recent article in the New York Times, hotel rates in Manhattan have been drastically reduced to counteract sagging occupancy rates.

Now, the New York Times is concerned with whether or not this is a wise move for hotel operators.  They question whether this will actually attract new visitors and ultimately improve the financial health of Manhattan properties.  The article discusses whether there are better alternatives for hotels to entice guests to stay.

I, personally, don’t care if it’s good for the hotel industry or not.

I am simply thrilled that the end result makes Manhattan a more affordable place to visit.

Hotels in Manhattan are, on average, cheaper to book than they were a year ago.  That’s good news for budget conscious travelers with an eye towards the Big Apple.  Period.

How much cheaper?

According to the New York Times article, the average price for a Manhattan hotel room in 2008 was $280 per night.  The average hotel room rate for 2009 is $198 per night.  Spread that out over a 3 night stay, and you’re saving almost $300 for the exact same hotel stay.

You’ll find comparable savings if you choose to stay in a luxury hotel in Manhattan.  Rates for luxury hotel rooms in Manhattan have gone from a 2008 average of $401 to a 2009 estimated average of $289 per night.  Now might be the best time to finally splurge on a little New York City luxury, if your budget will allow it.

How long will these savings stick around?

Obviously, no one can say for sure, and even estimated guesses are still just guesses.  But experts predict it will take years before hotels can get their rates back up to pre-economy crisis levels.  While customers will happily jump on a good deal, they’re much more reluctant to go along with rapidly increasing prices.

The bottom line is this:

If you’ve been considering a trip to New York City, now is a great time to finally book the trip.

Photo Credits: Miss Britt on FlickR

Maine Fall Foliage

It’s August 31, and that means that in the very Northeastern part of our country, including in Maine, temperatures are already starting to drop and leaves will start to change in just a couple of weeks. The first foliage reports for Maine begin around September 15, so you’d better get moving!

Check out these Maine-area hotels and bed & breakfasts for cozy, warm places to stay during your leaf peeping jaunts. I tried to pick ones that have some character.

Northwest and Northeast Maine Hotels (Hurry! Peak foliage is as early as September 30)

Old Iron Inn – adorable B&B, looks like  big red barn!

Northeastland Hotel – great location, friendly staff

Central Maine Hotels (Peak foliage is around second week in October)

Second Street Bed & Breakfast - class Colonial home, about 30 minutes from Augusta

Ware Street Inn – classic bed & breakfast

Mountain Village Inn – more of an estate feel, gorgeous surroundings

Southern/Coastal Maine Hotels (Peak foliage is second half of October)

Greystone Bed & Breakfast – close to the water, 1840 Greek Revival home with large rocking chair porch

Brunswick Inn on Park Row – routinely rated one of Maine’s best

Hopefully, these Maine hotels and Bed & Breakfasts will get you started. Book soon though, the season is changing quickly! Can’t stop thinking about having some clam chowder on a big rocking chair front porch at one of these hotels…

Photo Credits: Flickr (Arindam)

The 2009 Gold Key Award winners for ‘Excellence in Hospitality Design’  have been announced, and the world’s best hotel designs (urban) were judged to be the Andaz West Hollywood, InterContinental Chicago O’Hare and Las Alcobas in Polanco, Mexico. 

Andaz West Hollywood & Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare

 The best bar/lounge design was the W Hotel Atlanta Downtown, Atlanta, GA, along with the Mondrian Miami and the Punk Bar in Beijing, China.

Drink Shop, W Atlanta Downtown

 The best guest room award winners included the Lydmar Hotel in Stockholm and the  Mondrian Miami, along with the Miraval Guestrooms in Catalina, Arizona.

Lydmar Hotel, Stockholm

 The best lobby/reception winners included the Smyth Hotel in New York and one of the  ‘Best Suite’ design winners was Penthouse Eight at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, also in New York.  

Tribeca Grand, New York

The Gold Key Awards are sponsored by Interior Design and HOTELS magazines, and finalists were selected by a panel of notable industry experts from more than 225 projects in 24 countries. The awards ceremony will be held during the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) on Nov 7-10, 2009, at New York City’s Javits Center.

For more details about all the winners and their designers in all categories, visit IHMRS.com.

Photos courtesy Hyatt Hotels Corp., IHG Plc, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, WorldHotels and Grand Hospitality.

Sitting here at my computer with “The Letter Factory” blaring from the television and Cheerios crunching under my feet, my experience spending the last few days at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica feels like a dream.

A dream come true, that is.

Read More »

Conceived and designed by railroad and oil magnate Henry Flagler as a testament to his life-long love of Florida, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West opened its doors on New Years Eve in 1920 to great acclaim. Artists, dignitaries, royalty, and the ultra-rich since frequented the resort until World War II, when it was converted to a military operational headquarters. After the war, Casa Marina briefly recaptured its glory as an exclusive vacation destination, but with its location at the southernmost point of Florida, the property was soon needed for military use once again – this time as a launch site during the Cuban missile crisis. The resort was reopened in the ‘70s and has been in continual operation ever since.

Historic Casa Marina Resort

During a recent $43 million renovation the lobby’s original wood floors were restored and all 311 guest rooms and suites were redecorated with Italian tile floors, earth-toned area rugs, painted wooden window shutters, custom artwork, sectional sleep sofas, and a dining/recreational table with teak captains’ chairs. The renovation stayed faithful to the Spanish hacienda style, incorporating the resort’s original 225-foot grand veranda, sweeping archways, and expansive lawn stretching to a private white sand beach.

Refurbished rooms at the Casa Marina

Stlll, what really sets the Casa Marina apart from other luxury accommodations on the island is its location. Nestled in a quiet, residential neighborhood on the the south side of the island, the resort is within walking distance of famous DuVal Street, yet far enough away to not be impacted by the noise and general debauchery that so defines Key West. In fact, everything a guest could possibly desire is available right on the premises. Water activities – jet ski rentals, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat charters, deep sea fishing expeditions, and a one-of-a-kind dolphin encounter experience – are can be booked at the private beach, and two oceanfront heated swimming pools are lined with plush chaise lounges and hammocks. Casa Marina also has three restaurants and an on-site massage studio that offers a full menu of beauty treatments ranging from Swedish massage to reflexology and aromatherapy.

Private 1,100 foot beach

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Casa Marina recently joined the Hilton family, which is dedicated to maintaining a level of service that would have made Henry Flagler proud.

Photo credits: Casa Marina Resort

Article by Barbara Webel at Hole In The Donut Travels

Painting by Jane Seymour outside the Somewhere in Time Suite

A while back I wrote a post about Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, also known as “The Somewhere in Time Hotel.” I had every intention of visiting there, someday, but never dreamed it would happen as quickly, or as magically, as it did.

To celebrate turning 40, my best friend Stefania and I cooked up a wacky road trip that included driving a Ford Mustang up to the Michigan peninsula and a visit pilgrimage to the setting for the time traveling romance movie, Somewhere in Time, which starred Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.  Fun idea, but who would sponsor a thing like that?

Turns out Ford was willing to let us drive their car, and Grand Hotel was willing to put the two of us up for two nights! All we had to do was get to Detroit to start the adventure. Oh, and pay for gas. No such thing as a (totally) free ride.

Journey Back in Time, or Just a Journey – You Decide

A quick 20 minute ferry rides gets you from the mainland to Mackinac Island, where it really does seem like time stood still. There are no cars on the island, so we caught a horse drawn “taxi” up the gentle hill to the hotel.

Walking into the lobby, the feeling of going back in time stays with you. But at the same time, it’s a thoroughly modern feeling resort, with every kind of store or service you could want. It’s just packaged in a slightly more genteel manner.

For example, there is a tea shop just off the lobby where you check in. It’s charming and quaint, and lends itself to afternoon tea which you perhaps have in a china tea cup  and enjoy at a table in the gallery-like long hallway. Or you can get a latte to go, just like at Starbucks.

That’s one of the nice things about Grand Hotel — you can control you level of escapism.

The Rooms

This was the biggest surprise of the trip. The incredibly generous people at Grand Hotel put us each in our own First Lady Suite — the ones designed by famous interior decorator Carleton Varney, in consultation with the actual First Ladies after whom they are named.

The Roslynn Carter Suite, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

I was handed the key to the Rosalynn Carter Suite, which featured “Georgia Peach” walls, a romantic faux canopy, and a most impressive star design on the carpet. Best of all, I had my own private deck, overlooking Mackinac Bridge, the Straits of Mackinac, and the mansion-like “cottages” that line the neighboring streets.

Jacqueline Kennedy Suite, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

Stefania’s room was equally awesome, the Jacqueline Kennedy Suite! The room featured blue and white stripes, a lot of fringe and several photos of Jackie. It’s a fan’s paradise.

Portraits of Jackie in her eponymous suite

Somewhere in Time Suite

Picking our favorite room is impossible, they are both so luxurious and beautiful. But if we were forced to choose, the Jackie suite would win just because it was two doors down from the Somewhere in Time suite.

We knew which one was the Somewhere in Time suite because there is a name plate over the door. But we would have been able to tell anyway, because the walls outside the room are covered with paintings by Miss McKenna herself, Jane Seymour. I had no idea she had that kind of artist talent!

Self-portrait of Jane Seymour, in costume as Elise McKenna

Just to make it even better, we got a tour of the room from Bob Tagatz, the Grand Hotel concierge, official historian and chief blogger. It was pretty exciting! He told us stories about when the cast was filming at the hotel, although he was unable to confirm my long-held suspicion that Christopher Reeve and Ms. Seymour had a passionate affair during the production.

Bob Tagatz, the Grand Hotel concierge, official historian and chief blogger

Don’t take my word for it, watch the movie yourself — housekeeping will bring you a copy to watch in your room during your stay!

The Dining Room

One of the neat things about Grand Hotel is that it’s an inclusive property, meaning that breakfast and dinner are included in most packages. And it is so worth it!

Dinner is the more formal affair, with “evening attire” required for guests in all areas of the hotel, but specifically for dinner. It’s an event! It was really fun to get dressed up to go eat, and to see all of the other guests at their scrubbed up best. Particularly sweet were the big families in their Sunday best. One four or five year old little girl stopped us in the hallway to show us her pretty dress. We complimented her on the excellent twirly skirt, and smiled when we saw her later on, showing off for another guest.

Fancy dinner - that was duck confit in aspic

The food is sort of “High Resort” — a bit formal, with indulgent ingredients like foie gras and truffles, and maybe just a bit heavy on the salt.

Booze note: wine is not included in the packages, so be prepared to sign the cost of your bottle/cocktail up to your room.

Things to Do

Bike rides can be fun! Just watch out for horse poop!

The weather was gorgeous the weekend we visited, so it was all about the outdoor activities. Far and away the most popular thing to do is rent a bike, either at the hotel Tennis shop, or at various locations down in the village. We took a leisurely ride around the island, with a stop for hotdogs and french fries at the halfway point. The whole trip — which is nice and flat, no sweaty hills! — took less than two hours. Remember the sunscreen, and watch out for dive bombing seagulls at the hotdog place!

Seriously, Don’t Tip. Don’t Even Try. No. Just Stop.

You know how some places say, “No tips” but you still do it, and sometimes the staff lets you? Not here. After the first awkward interaction we didn’t even try again. Relax and enjoy not having to figure out if you should be palming $2 or $5 or a 20. You’re on vacation!

Also, empty your pockets of change before you get to the hotel, or your vacation could end precipitously, with you suddenly transported back to your home at a moment’s notice. (It’s a joke/reference to the defining plot point in Somewhere in Time, oh, just watch it already!)

Housekeeping will bring a copy of the movie!

Photo credits:

Cat Lincoln #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9

Grand Hotel #3

Stefania Pomponi Butler #7, 8

The Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square and French Champagne house Champagne Pommery have teamed up for a unique offer – buy a bottle of Pommery’s Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne, and you get a free night’s stay at the sofitel.

Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

They’re selling the bubbly for $299, and the hotel’s average rates are around $350, so it’s a good deal, even if you’re not that keen on the champagne.

And if you just happen to be a wine aficionado, well – Cuvée Louise was created as a tribute to Louise Pommery – an absolutely pure wine which quintessentially conveys the wine-making expertise of the Pommery champagne house. So that’s like getting a $350 luxury hotel room for free.

Sofitel is a luxury French brand, and so is Pommery. Apparently the hotel is celebrating it’s French ‘rendezvous’ roots, and together with Pommery, wants to show us that the French still know a thing or two about luxury living and the finer aspects of life.

The ‘Sparkling Sofitel Rendezvous’ offer is valid only at the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square until Dec 31, with or without reservations. To make a reservation or for more informaion, call (202) 730-8800.

The Sofitel is situated at the corner of Lafayette Square, bordering the White House. You can get your bottle of Pommery’s Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne at the hotel’s bar – Le Bar – located at the hotel’s entrance.

Info: 806 15th St NW Washington DC 20005; (202) 730-8800; website

Sofitel DC photo by dionhinchcliffe; Wine bar photo by Jing a Ling

Richard B. Russell State Park golf course

My fiance just got back from a boys golf trip, and once again, he raved about the cabins they all stayed in at Richard B. Russell State Park near Atlanta, Georgia. I’d better check this place out, I thought. And as soon as I did, I wanted to go. Not only were all the cabins on or very close to the lake, but there’s an 18-hole championship golf course called Arrowhead Pointe, a huge, gorgeous lake where you can go water skiing and rowing, disc golf, beach volleyball and miles of hiking and biking trails.

And, imagine waking up to this every morning outside your cabin:

Richard B Russell State Park Sunrise

Not bad, right?

As for the cabins themselves, they’re all very “cottage-ey” and rustic looking and have plenty of space. It appears that they’re all two-bedroom cottages with comfy beds, large living areas and most have great views of the lake. The surrounding state park is beautiful.

These cabins sound like a wonderful getaway opportunity for either a couple or a small group, since there’s something for everyone in every season. And if you want to rough it a bit more, you can camp outdoors underneath the stars, too.

Perfect cabins for every season – including chilly winters when you can crawl up in front of the cozy fireplaces!
Photo Credit: Elvin Lopez

Fall Foliage

Ok, Leaf Peepers, check this place out! I really can’t believe that there are still rooms available at The Carriage House Bed & Breakfast in Woodstock, Vermont. Woodstock is very popular during autumn, especially at the height of the leaf changes. I stayed here when I did a three-day road trip throughout the region back when I lived in Boston, and I can tell you it’s a really cute Bed & Breakfast. It’s actually right outside of Woodstock, but a very short drive.

If you’re looking for complete privacy, this may not be your best bet because as I remember it, there’s a sort of common breakfast table where everyone goes and eats breakfast in the mornings. I liked it, though because you get to meet some new people and have some pleasant conversation before setting out for the day.

There are only eight rooms, and two of them have whirlpool tubs (I got one of those when I booked because I booked about 9 months in advance!) I remember the breakfast being very good, and they serve you homemade delicious chocolate chip cookies and tea.

The owners were very nice and friendly.

If you’re going to book here, book soon! I’m so surprised these rooms are not completely gone. It’s a very cute place.

Happy Leaf Peeping!

Photo Credit: zappowbang

Did you know that prices at the best hotel suites have gone up by 10% this year? Apparently, the super rich have a lot more free time on their hands, what with the recession and all. And do you know which are the 10 most expensive hotel suites in the world this year? 

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

As per Wealth Bulletin’s 2009 survey, the Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva is the world’s most expensive hotel suite at $65,000 per night.

The President Wilson Hotel won out over last year’s winner – The Ty Warner Penthouse on the 52nd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, which charges $35,000 per night and offers 360-degree view of the city.

And here’s the full list of the world’s 10 most expensive hotel suites for 2009:-
1. Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva ($65k/night)
2. Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York ($35k/night)
3. Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia ($34k/night)
4. Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome ($31k/night)
5. Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo ($25k/night)
6. The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas ($22k/night)
7. Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt, Vendôme, Paris ($20k/night)
8. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai ($19.6k/night)
9. Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva ($18.9k/night)
10. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow ($16.5k/night)

Here’s a  few more gorgeous pictures of some of these expensive suites and the 10 hotels which house them.

 The Royal Penthouse, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva - Offers dramatic views of Lake Geneva through bulletproof windows and complete privacy including your private elevator.

Penthouse Suites - Presidential Wilson Hotel Geneva & Ty Warner, Four Seasons New York

Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York – Magnificent 9-room suite atop New York’s tallest hotel with cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows offering a breathtaking 360 degree view of the City.

Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia

 Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia – Located in the hotel tower, this multi-level Presidential Suite boasts 250 square metres of light-filled space with 2 living rooms, 3 bed rooms and 3 bathrooms, and also your own private swimming pool on the rooftop terrace.

The Westin Excelsior, Rome

 Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome – Seven terraces, a selection of  160 imported wines while relaxing in the magnificent tapestry-hung drawing room, and a study/library covered in hand-carved wood paneling and featuring numerous original works of art.

Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

 Presidential Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo – 3300 sq ft of pure luxury with a stunning four poster bed in the master bedroom. The suite is located on the 53rd floor of the hotel with a spectacular view of Tokyo including Imperial Palace outer gardens and Roppongi Hills.

The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas

The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas –  16 stories high and bridging the distance between the Royal Towers, this suite offers sweeping views from an 800 square foot balcony, with a 360 view of the water, lagoons and pools in Paradise Island. 

Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Paris - Vendôme

 Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, France - A 2nd floor palace all by itself, the Imperial Suite houses a full featured in-suite spa with whirlpool bath, steam room shower and a dedicated massage table.

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai – The last word in luxury with a marble and gold staircase and leopard print tufted carpets, this 25th floor suite has it’s own private elevator, a private cinema, and a master bedroom with a rotating four-poster canopy bed.

Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva

 Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva – The floor-to-ceiling bullet-proof windows are surrounded by beautiful terraces which offer stunning views over Lake Geneva, the Alps and Geneva’s Old city and the Cathedral.

Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow

 Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow – Floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Christ the Savior Cathedral.  Classic Russian Imperial furnishings and a spacious living room with a grand piano and dining area, library, office room and boardroom.

Photos courtesy Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corp., Kerzner International Holdings, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, Ritz-Carlton Moscow, and Rocco Forte Hotels. Ty Warner Penthouse photo by Durston Saylor, courtesy Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.