Ever dreamed the dream of becoming a famous rockstar or singer? If you have, but never got beyond karaoke and the shower, here’s your big chance. The Mosser Hotel is going where no San Francisco hotels have gone before – free recording sessions for guests at the hotel’s own recording studio.

The Mosser Hotel, San Francisco

Book their Holiday Tunes package and you get luxe accommodations, 1 hour of recording time in the state-of-the-art recording studio (with Engineer), a CD of your recordings, and a box of chocolates upon check-in. Rates from $165.

If you like the sound of your own voice, then you can up the ante and book into the Musicians package, which offers a four hour session at the studio, along with the hotel room.

For other guests worried about the racket caused by amateur musicians and wannabe rock bands, not to worry – Mosser’s rooms are secured with double-double pane windows to ensure a quiet nights sleep.

The Mosser Hotel, located just 4 blocks from Union Square, first opened in 1913 as the Keystone Hotel. In 1981, Charles W. Mosser purchased the hotel and it was renamed as The Mosser after a massive renovation in 2003, and the hotel now offers a modern interior and chic rooms with an eye-catching Victorian exterior.

The Mosser studio is called Studio Paradiso, and is located adjacent to the hotel and Annabelle’s Bar and Bistro. The studio normally charges $60/hour. More details here.

Photo courtesy Mosser Co.

Info: 54 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; (415) 986-4400; www.themosser.com/

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The Exterior of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel

This holiday season, visitors to Boston can book a great package to stay at the brand-new (opened October 2008) Mandarin Oriental Hotel just steps from some fabulous shopping.  The new Mandarin Oriental Hotel, on famed Boylston Street in Boston, is located right near the Shops at Prudential Center, Copley Place, and Newbury Street.

The limited time ‘Tis the Season to Shop package includes the following:

• Access to concierge recommendations for holiday activities in the city, including the Frog Pond in Boston Common
• A gift card for $250 off a $1,000 purchase at the Gucci boutique
• A 15% discount gift certificate at luxury Italian linen brand Frette
• A 20% discount off any service at MIZU hair salon
• A private shopping appointment at Saks Fifth Avenue, including a savings certificate, and a private makeup session
• Two holiday cocktails
• Breakfast for two in Asana, the hotel’s restaurant, for each morning

The Mandarin Oriental Boston has 136 guestrooms and 12 suites, with the largest average guest room size in Boston.  Each room offers wireless or wired internet access, flat screen televisions, and separate soaking tubs and showers.  The hotel also includes 16,000 plus square foot spa and fitness center for resort guests, as well as extensive business facilities.

Mandarin Oriental Boston
776 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199

Package rates from $419 and are valid from November 20th – January 3rd.

Photo credit: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

The New York Jets were routed 31-14 by the New England Patriots in Sunday’s game. But the loss wasn’t just providence. It was the Providence Marriott. A phony fire alarm went off at the Jets team hotel at 1 am the night before the game, forcing the entire team out of the hotel in the middle of the night.

Providence Marriott Downtown, RI

Jets safety Kerry Rhodes tweeted about it, at 1 am in the night - ”you know we are playing new england when in the middle of the night when u r sleep somebody pulls a fire alarm to wake u up!! wow!!”

So did Dustin Keller – “So much for a good nights sleep..the alarm just went off in our teams hotel hahaha grown men walking around the hallway in their draws haha”

No wonder the Jets were absolutely flat in the first half and down 24-7 at one point. And here’s the kicker – the fire alarm wasn’t just an accident or a co-incidence. This is the second time this has happened.

The Buffalo Bills had a similar phony fire-alarm go off at their hotel in September, in the wee hours of the night before their game against the Patriots.

Here’s what the Marriott Providence Hotel says on its website – “The newly reenergized Providence Marriott Downtown invites guests to recharge, refresh and rediscover the possibilities… luxurious accommodations elegantly appointed with classic furnishings, exquisite REVIVE bedding for a most restful night’s sleep.”

Provided there isn’t a Patriots game the next day…

Photo courtesy Marriott Providence

Info: 1 Orms Street Providence, RI 02904; (401) 272-2400; www.marriottprovidence.com/

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The Charles Hotel at Night

Are you visiting the Eastern Massachusetts area this Thanksgiving holiday, and looking for a great place to stay?  The Charles Hotel, an independent hotel located right in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge, is offering a fabulous Thanksgiving hotel package, called the Trimming and Thanks package.

The Trimming and Thanks package, which is available for stays from November 20th – November 29th, includes overnight accommodations, a personal signed copy of Chef Peter’s cookbook – Fresh and Honest, choice of pie (apple, pumpkin, and pecan) from Henrietta’s Table, and breakfast for two at Henrietta’s Table.

The package price starts at $279 per night for double occupancy (not including taxes or fees) and the free breakfast cannot be used at weekend brunch at Henrietta’s Table.

The Charles Hotel has some wonderful amenities, including:

• High-speed internet access in all rooms (wireless in public areas)
• Complimentary newspapers on weekdays
• Free local and domestic long distance calls
• 24-hour concierge
• 24-hour room service
• Valet, indoor/outdoor parking, and car salon
• Library in lobby with autographed bestsellers
• Complimentary cribs with bumpers, fitted sheets, and blankets

In addition, the Charles Hotel also has an on-site skating rink, an adjacent spa and fitness center, several on-site and highly rated restaurants, and a jazz club.  The hotel is both kid friendly and pet friendly.

The Charles Hotel
Harvard Square
One Bennett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Toll Free: 800.882.1818

Photo Credit: The Charles Hotel

It should come as no surprise that the economy is hitting the travel industry hard.  Hotels all over the country are cutting rates and announcing creative promotions to try to lure in more guests.  It’s crucial that hotels book rooms, because they don’t get a second chance to fill a guestroom for the night once the sun comes up.

As you hunt for holiday travel bargains, be sure to check out 10 cities that are showing the biggest drop in hotel rates.

Top 10 Cities For Hotel Rate Reductions

Houston, Texas

1. Houston, Texas

Hotels in Houston showed the biggest drop in room rates from November 2008 to November 2009.  A stay in a 4-star hotel in Houston is averaging just $74 per night right now.

2. Tampa, Florida

Hotels in Tampa actually tied Houston with a 24% rate reduction from last year.  The average rate for a 4-star hotel in Tampa right now is $65 per night, and may include a view of white sandy beaches.

Miami, Florida

3.  Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Ouch.  The Florida travel industry is not doing well with two cities showing up on the price drop list.  A night in Miami will run you a little more than a Tampa stay at $89 per night.

4. Nashville, Tennessee

Thinking of taking a visit to the Grand Ole Opry?  Now might be the perfect time with rooms in 3-star hotels going for $68.

Oahu, Hawaii

5. Oahu, Hawaii

Not even paradise is immune from the wheezing economy.  Room rates in Oahu, Hawaii are down 18% from the same time last year.

6. San Diego, California

San Diego is listed as one of the Top American Cities To Visit, and now it comes at a bargain.  San Diego hotel rates are down 16% to an average price of $72 per night.

view from Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas

7.  Austin, Texas

Texas joins Florida as a state with double entries on the list.  However Austin seems to be doing a little better than Houston with just a 15% drop in average hotel rates.

8.  Minneapolis, Minnesota

Plan a holiday shopping trip to the Mall of America and you’ll pay an average of $72 per night this year in a Minneapolis hotel.

Phoenix, Arizona

9.  Phoenix, Arizona

With it’s dry heat, Phoenix is a popular destination for northerners looking to escape the winter cold.  But that hasn’t prevented local hotels from cutting rates by 14%.

10.  Las Vegas, Nevada

Save a little money on sin this year.  One night in a 4-star Las Vegas hotel costs an average of $87 right now, 13% less than you would have paid for the same room last November.

Experts are saying that things are looking up for the economy, but the hotel industry has yet to feel the boost.  If you can afford to take advantage of the travel industry’s woes, now might be the time to pounce.

List and date compiled by Hotwire.

Photo credit: eflon, alexdecarvalho, skyseeker, wyscan, kevindooley on Flickr.

Marriott’s Custom House in Boston, Mass. a Marriott Vacation Club resort

If you’ve ever been to Boston and visited Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, you are probably already familiar with the Marriott Vacation Club’s Custom House.  The clock tower is known as Boston’s first official skyscraper, and is a major fixture in the Boston skyline.

The Marriott Vacation Club’s Custom House is located literally just steps from Boston’s famed Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Harbor Waterfront, the North End, and the Freedom Trail, so it’s a great location for a family who wants to stay active during their vacation.  The hotel offers one bedroom/one bathroom family suites that are 450-650 square feet and include kitchenettes and a separate dining and living area.  Its got some other unique features – the 26th floor is an observation deck with views of the city, and the 30th floor is home to a unique nest of birds, the Peregrine Falcons. While the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant on site, there are so many nearby that it’s really not a drawback.

This fall/winter 2009 season, the Custom House is offering a great deal for their 25th anniversary. Guests can save 25 percent off room rates from now through December 20, 2009.  To book the 25th Anniversary Rate, visit the promotional page of the Marriott Web site and use promotional code FSZ or call 1-800-VILLAS-9.

Photo credit: Marriott’s Custom House

The Liberty Hotel on Beacon Hill has a Boston Tea Party Reenactment Package for you. That would be because, on Dec 13, 2009, the Old South Meeting House museum on Boston’s Freedom Trail will be hosting its annual Boston Tea Party Reenactment to honor the 236th anniversary of the historic tea party that was held on Dec. 16, 1773.

The Liberty Hotel in Boston & CLINK

The Liberty Reenactment package includes overnight accommodations on either December 12 or 13, two tickets to the Boston Tea Party Reenactment, and breakfast for two at CLINK – the hotel’s neat restaurant with dining booths that are real jail cells.

The Boston Tea Party reenactment is open to the public ($8 tickets), and audience members are invited to choose sides – Patriot or Loyalist – and lend their support for or against the tariff. You can’t change history, though, and the rebellious riff-raff will win the debate.

In addition to the slammer food inside CLINK, The Liberty hotel also offes other equally dodgy dining options fit for aforementioned rebellious riff-raff, with names like ‘alibi,’ ’scampo’ and ‘the yard.’ Just to be clear, these are restaurants and lounges inside the hotel where people dine.

If you’re wondering what’s with all the prison lingo, The Liberty was previously the Charles Street Jail for the 120 years  leading up to 1990, housing some of Boston’s leading criminals. And now it is a swanky hotel and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World group.

Guest rooms @The Liberty Hotel, Boston

As for the guest rooms – good enough for the discering white-collar criminal. The hotel’s 298 guest rooms range in size from 400 to 800 sq ft, with floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek four-fixture bathrooms.

For the Tea Party Reenactment tickets, visit oldsouthmeetinghouse.org or call (800) 838-3006. And since this is the age of social media, you can also follow the tea party debate via twitter – @BTPReenactment.

Photos courtesy The Leading Hotels of the World

Info: 215 Charles Street, Boston MA 02114; (617) 224-4000; www.libertyhotel.com

There’s a new hotel in Boston, and with exactly one day under its belt, the Ames is presumptous enough to compare itself to both Benjamin Franklin and a hot supermodel.

Ames Building, Boston

The Ames is the latest boutique addition to the collection of Morgans Hotel Group, and the building in which the hotel is housed was Boston’s first skyscraper – The Ames, and dates back to 1893.

To add to the hotel’s street creds, the group which owns the Ames building also owns The John Hancock Tower – Boston’s tallest skyscraper. Ok, so they’re good enough to be compared with Ben Franklin.

What about the supermodel? Morgans’ collection includes the sizzling hot Hard Rock Hotels and signature hotels such as The Hudson in Manhattan and the Mondrain in Los Angeles.

Morgans CEO Fred Kleisner  explains that “Ames takes all of Morgans’ theatrical signatures and subtle design seductions and creates a dramatic and inventive work worthy of both Benjamin Franklin and the most refined and provocative Supermodel.”

The Ames, rather than joining the pantheons of luxury hotels in Boston, aims to be more of an experience – mixing a happening vibe and modern amenities with decor and art which take you back to Boston’s rich and historic past.  Read More »

Hotel Monteleone

The elegant Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans’ French Quarter has been run by the Monteleone family since 1886, and is well known for its excellent customer service. It’s extremely convenient—just walking distance from some of New Orleans’ most famous landmarks and attractions.

The Monteleone’s 600 spacious guest rooms and 55 suites include traditional décor, high ceilings, marble and granite bathrooms, comfy robes, coffee makers, high-speed Internet access, large-screen cable TVs and more. Rates start at $209 per night.

One of just three hotels in the Unites States that has been designated a literary landmark, the hotel is featured in the works of Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway and Eudora Welty. Looking for a little more excitement? As with many New Orleans hotels in the French Quarter, the Monteleone claims a handful of “permanent residents” in the form of ghosts.

The hotel is one of the few luxury hotels in the state that offer services for your canine best friend, including a mat with water bowls, a bag of treats and a map of pet-friendly spots in the Crescent City.

Read More »

We all, at least I, dream of staying in the Presidential Suites in the best hotels. It’s the ultimate in luxury. Because it is a top international travel destination, Orlando does not lack in the luxurious possibilities of staying in an upscale hotel suite.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Presidential Suite

Boasting EIGHT Presidential Suites, the Swan and Dolphin Resort sets itself apart. Each of the eight suites features a parlor measuring over 1000 square feet, two-story suites (Dolphin), and a “Personal Pantry” from which to order so you’re stocked up in your suite before you even arrive.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin | 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard | P.O. Box 22653 | Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
888-828-8850
Read More »