At first glance, the Wyvern Hotel looks like a stately, hundred-year old establishment that has been meticulously maintained and lovingly preserved. In reality this 63-room, full service boutique hotel in downtown Punta Gorda, Florida welcomed its first guests in November of 2008. The hotel was thoughtfully  designed to harmonize with historic architecture in this charming Gulf Coast Florida city and is fast becoming a symbol of the renaissance of Punta Gorda, which was decimated by Hurricane Charley in August 2004.

New Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida

From its location on the broad Peace River at the entrance to Laishley Park and Marina, the Wyvern is an ideal spot to begin a walking tour of the city center. Wander brick-paved, tree-lined streets past historic homes, quaint shops and art galleries. More than 25 giant murals, many depicting Punta Gorda’s history, have been hand-painted on walls of downtown stores and office buildings. Dozens of restaurants and cafes offer a variety of cuisine, ranging from casual wraps and salads to the new Read More »

Just off Michigan Avenue, the Four Seasons Chicago offers the luxury you want

Hotel Site

Dr. House, anyone?

Celebs Spotted: Demi Moore, Madonna, John Cusack, Nicole Kidman, Gary Busey, Diana Ross, Elton John, Hugh Laurie, Victoria Beckham, Drew Barrymore

Chicago is in the news lately, a hopeful for the 2012 Olympics. (This just in: they didn’t make the bid.) Even President Obama has been there. And he’s not the only celebrity spotted in the Windy City. Lots of stars spend time in Chi-Town, and the Four Seasons is one of their favorite places to stay.

Come on up, the opulence is fine

Located right off Michigan Avenue (shopping, anyone?), the Four Seasons Chicago has over 300 rooms with amazing views of Lake Michigan and that spectacular Chicago skyline. You’ll find French decor all over the place. Oh, style, thy name is Four Seasons!

The Conservatory for a nice cup of tea

Demi Moore stays at the Four Seasons, as does Nicole Kidman (who reportedly sends 800-thread-count sheets ahead so they’re there when she arrives, ooh la la!) and Elton John. In fact, there are a couple of ex-Four Seasons concierges who wrote a book about the famous people at the Four Seasons, complete with tantrums and outrageous demands. The book was pulled by the publisher before it went on sale, but still. Juicy stuff.

Check out that view

Chicago skyline looks lovely

Every room has LCD flat screen TVs, wifi, DVD players, and in-room safes. Mix that up with refrigerated private bars, luxurious terrycloth bathrobes, twice-daily housekeeping service, and even a Bedtime Stories Butler for the kiddos. No kidding, the Four Seasons has a special butler that comes to your room to read bedtime stories to the kids! I kind of want one of those myself.

The Spa offers everything from manicures to massages and wraps

There’s also a fantastic spa – you can have a massage in your own room if you prefer – and a fitness room, including locker rooms, sauna, and an indoor 50-foot pool.

Glass dome ceiling, 50-foot pool

A bit sunny for my taste, but you just know that bed is comfy

A Moderate Room starts at $395 a night. The Four Seasons Executive Suite is $560/night. But if you think that’s where Hugh Laurie and Drew Barrymore stay in the Moderate Room, you’re insane.

It’s all about the Presidential Suite, baby. Oh yeah! 2,315 square feet of glamor and opulence, the Presidential Suite sits at the corner of the 46th floor of the Four Seasons. Enough room to seat nine guests in the living room, a dining room that’ll handle eight people.

Have 9 or 10 friends over for dinner

Two private bars, surround-sound stereo, four-poster bed in the master bedroom. Two – yes, TWO - marble bathrooms. Deep pink marble soaking tub, shower enclosed in glass, and a flat-screen TV…in the BATHROOM. If they deliver room service in the tub, I might never have to leave the water.

Presidential Suite

And that, my friends, will set you back $4,300 a night. But hey, if you want to pretend you’re Madonna or Victoria Beckham, that stuff costs.

Drew Barrymore

Fine dining, too, of course. The Seasons Restaurant is beautiful and offers a hybrid French-North American cuisine. A grand marble fountain and a wonderful comfy lounge on the 7th floor ensures that you’ll not only enjoy the food, but the ambiance, too. You may have to provide your own company, though.

And every Thursday through the end of this month, you can enjoy Dine Without Whine. For grownups and kiddies both, there are seasonal food items that will delight your tastebuds. For the children, there’s a special buffet near the adults, where they’ll love the movies, activities, and video games…all with a licensed babysitter. Did I mention the babysitter is free for parents? Yeah. Just in the restaurant, mind you…there are babysitters available in your room, too, but that’ll cost you.

Or spend time at the Chef’s Table for an incredible culinary experience. You and up to five others sit in the kitchen with the Executive Chef and watch your courses fixed right in front of you. A four-course meal starts at $85 a person, $125 with wine.

Chicago is magnificent, particularly this time of year. Loads of restaurants nearby, the Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo. Enjoy it all while bathing yourself in luxurious comfort at the Four Seasons Chicago. And bring me along, eh? I’m tons of fun and will be a gracious accepter of your hospitality. Seriously, I will. I’m the graciousest.

What? That’s totally a word.

I’m always interested in hotels that might fit into the Celebrity Hotel of the Week feature. If you know of any, please email me. southernyank01 at gmail dot com. Thanks.

Photo Credits

Hotel Photos: Four Seasons web site

Hugh Laurie: Celebutopia.net

Drew Barrymore: Zimbio.com

Looking to scare up a hotel stay for Halloween? Look no more than the Olympic Suites Inn, located in the twilight zone where humans and vampires live in harmony – Forks, Washington.

The Twilight Zone in Forks, WA

Forks is groundzero for the Twilight books and the movies – including the New Moon. The Twilight films were shot in Forks, and the author of the Twilight series - Stephenie Meyer, chose Forks as the scene of her Vampire stories because Forks is the rainiest place in the US.

Folks from all over are making their way to Forks for Halloween this year, and it’s going to be one heck of a party. And the perfect place for any self-respecting cold-blooded vampire to stay warm is at the Olympic Suites Inn.

Located along the Calawah River, the Olympic Suites Inn offers 1 and 2 bedroom suites with sofa sleepers in the living room for families and groups. And the Winter rates? $54 for the Queen Suite and $59 for the Double Suite. $5 extra per person. $10 extra for rollaway beds, pets and use of fully equiped kitchens.

Other options for vampire-friendly digs in Forks include Cullen House aka the Miller Tree Inn, and the Quileute Tribe’s Oceanside Resort in La Push, WA. Or if you really want to have your blood sucked, then maybe at the Forks Motel.

If you’re going to be in Bella Swan and Edward Cullen’s hometown for Halloween, then don’t forget to buy tickets for the Halloween Costume Scaryoke Party at the Twilight Lounge. Doors open at 7:00 pm on Saturday October 31st.

Check out the official Forks Twilight page to find all the Twilight themed attractions and hot-spots in Forks.

Photos by ewen and donabel

Autumn Leaves

Budget Travel Magazine published this article a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I’d share! You really can’t beat the prices. Move quickly though, these deals expire soon. Some highlights:

Up for some camping? Fall is the perfect season for it! Nights are cool, days are pleasant, and the leaves make daily hikes unimaginably pretty. Crawford Notch Campgrounds in New Hampshire offers tent sites for only $29 or cabins for $64.

Crawford Notch State Park

Another good bet in North Hampshire is the White Trellis Motel in North Conway, which is offering rooms at $69 during the week and $79 on the weekends. Hurry! Leaves are changing quickly up there.

The next two weeks are the last weeks you can take advantage of the Moose Watching Tour and Lodging Package for $119, at the Moose Mountain Inn.  2 night minimum stay. Sleep in a comfy bed and maybe see some moose! Hopefully not in your room.

A Friendly Moose.

Zoom Zoom – rent a convertible and check out the sights and sounds of Cape Cod. You can stay for two nights at the Hampton Inn in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for $150/night including convertible rental. Fun! I did this sort of thing a number of years ago on my own and it was one of the best weekend trips I’d ever taken.

Happy travels from one autumn lover to the next.

Photos: Cliff 1066, Muffet, Aske Holst