The residents of Grand Island, NY are all worked up over a swinger convention that’s about to take place in the Holiday Inn there.

Holiday Inn Grand Island, NY - View from across the Niagara River

The ‘Entice the Falls’ $1000 per couple swingers gathering is taking place Thursday-Sunday at the Grand Island Holiday Inn. The convention organizers have booked the entire 263-room hotel, and there will be no other guests.

The hotel”s General Manager says nothing illegal is going to take place. Events scheduled include an erotic writing workshop, a hedonistic pool party and other activities which are best left unstated.

According to WIVB, some of the hotel’s employees are refusing to work at the hotel while the swingers are there. Apparently the hotel hasn’t placed any limitations on sex in public areas within the premises, except for the pool and dining areas.

 In addition to the 263 guest rooms and suites, the hotel also offers both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and also a children’s wading pool. The hotel also has a fitness center, sauna and whirlpool, video arcade and tennis courts.

The Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Center is located on the upper banks of the Niagara River, 15 minutes from downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY and Ontario Canada. And the Seneca Niagara Casino is just a short hop away.

Photo by Jimsflicker 

Info: 100 Whitehaven Rd Grand Island, NY 14072; (877) 863-4780; website

Chicago is one of the greatest places to be during the winter holidays.  Yes, it’s cold.  But the snow and the tiny white lights that cover the entire city are beautiful.  Chicago winters perfectly capture the spirit of the most wonderful time of year.

Chicago Christmas Tree

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is offering guests incredible travel specials for the holidays – as long as you book early.

Here’s the Chicago holiday travel deal:

• Receive a $100 Macy’s gift card for each night of your stay.
• Receive a Macy’s VIP coupon book.
• Get a complimentary photo with the Macy’s Santa on State St. Available for stays Nov. 24 – Dec. 24.
• Reduced rates starting at $175 per night from Nov. 6, 2009 to February 21,  2010.

According to my math, the Macy’s gift card brings your actual room rate to about $75 per night.  You have to shop now anyway, right?

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers will also be offering complimentary shuttle service to Macy’s and Water Tower Place – Chicago’s consumer utopias – during the weekends leading up to December 20.

How to get this Chicago Christmas  deal

• Book by November 6th.
• Offer valid for stays from November 6 to February 21.
• Book online, or call 866-716-8103
• Ask for promo code MAP

Happy Holidays from the Windy City (and Sheraton Chicago)!

If you live in or around Georgia and are looking for a hotel to impress a loved one on a romantic retreat, look no further! I tried to select hotels across different price ranges – you obviously don’t have to spend a lot of money for a romantic getaway, but some of the pricier hotels were so nice I couldn’t help but include them.

Cheateau Elan in Braselton, Georgia

Chateau Elan – Braselton, Georgia

LOVE this hotel.  It’s a hotel/winery/spa in Braselton, Georgia, about 40 minutes north of Atlanta. You can snag rooms for about $100 in certain months, and they’re not usually above $150. The winery is great fun to tour (actually take the tour, the tastings are way better than the ones in the store!) There’s also a golf course, so everyone can be happy . The hotel looks like a 17th century French mansion, very European and chic looking. You definitely do not feel like you’re still in Georgia, which is part of the romantic charm.

Barnsley  Gardens Resort- Adairsville, Georiga

You’ll pay at least $200/night here, but oh the amenities. This gorgeous resort is tucked away at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 60 miles from Atlanta. You will be pampered. Choose between a room, a suite or an entire cottage. Enjoy tennis, golf and more. The property is over 160 years old, so you’re surrounded by history as well. Don’t forget about the Fairy Godmother (see the site).

Foundry Park Inn and Spa - Athens, Georgia

I adore Athens, Georgia. It’s a lovely, picturesque college town with big oak trees that make canopies over the streets, big green parks and a quirky assortment of very good cafes, restaurants and bars. Athens is a fun place to escape to for a romantic weekend, and Foundry Park Inn and Spa will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. It’s a remarkably affordable retreat – rooms are usually $110-$130/night.

Romantic Athens, Georgia

The Gaslight Inn Bed & Breakfast

This is a very high quality B&B located in one of central Atlanta’s most enchanting neighborhoods, the Virginia-Highlands. You’ll be within walking distance to a host of shops, cafes and bars, and you’re a two minute drive from beautiful Piedmont Park. If you’re looking for a distinctive Craftsman type hotel for your stay, you’ve found it. This is the perfect starting place to explore downtown Atlanta without staying in one of downtown’s more generic high rises. There’s plenty of character and charm to go around.

Photos: Bruce Tuten, Vzach

One block from Waikiki Beach

I was only on Oahu for three and a half days, which meant I had to cram a lot of vacationing into a short amount of time, which meant I didn’t spend much time in my hotel.  The time I did spend at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, however, was comfortable, restful, and useful.  What more can you ask from vacation lodging?

Well, I suppose you could ask for an awesome view.  I didn’t have the most awesome view – my room looked out over the street and the Royal Hawaiian mall on one side, and had a passable view of Waikiki bay and Diamond Head from the window over the bed.  That was fine with me, because I spent most of my time in my room either sleeping or running around getting ready to head off to another activity.  Or blogging, for which a view is counterproductive.  Just like my view of Twitter.

View from the bedroom, if you stand on the bed

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