snazzy lobby GoBoard

I live in the South Bay but wish I lived in San Francisco, so any weekend that I can spend in the city is a treat. This is why when I recently had the opportunity to stay as a guest of the Courtyard Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf to see their recent remodel and share my experience with UpTake readers, I jumped at the chance.

Prior to my stay:
My impression of Courtyard Marriott was that of a reasonably-priced and dependable hotel option that is popular with families.

After my stay:
My impression of Courtyard Marriott was still that it is a reasonably-priced and dependable option (as you would expect from a brand like Marriott).  But, it offers much more. I was pleasantly surprised by the modern lobby, friendly service and the bright, spacious and well-appointed rooms. It does seem like a great hotel for families, but also a great option for business travel, romantic getaways or a vacation with friends. I saw all of these types of travelers while milling around the lobby.

The Fisherman’s Wharf location has upgraded to their new state-of-the-art lobby. You can check out the features of their new lobby, here. Upon checking in, I noticed the very warm yet city-chic decor. There were numerous sitting areas where guests were using the hotel’s free-wifi (big plus in my book) or reading a magazine.

The coolest new lobby feature was the GoBoard. This was an expansive flat screen computer monitor on the wall of the lobby with local weather and news information for San Francisco. It had an interactive touch screen that pulled up maps and allowed you to search for restaurants and things to do in the area; even showing you how to get there from the hotel. I felt like I’d been projected  into the future!

comfortable and spacious rooms

As I said, the room was quite nice with a large sitting area, multi-use desk space and a large LCD HDTV. My favorite feature was the bed, however. The sheets were silky soft and the pillow-top mattress had me snoring through the alarm the next morning.

While I usually prefer to stay in San Francisco’s smaller and quieter neighborhoods, the location at Fisherman’s Wharf made everything very convienent. The hotel is within walking distance of lots of popular restaurants and bars in North Beach as well as along the water. It is also near to many popular tourist attractions like Pier 39, the Aquarium and the ferry to Alcatraz. I sat with my coffee and a newspaper on Sunday morning in a nearby park with views of Golden Gate Bridge and watched the trolly cars go by. Not a bad way to spend your weekend!

Overall, I would say that the Courtyard Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf is savvy to a modern traveler’s needs. Its new look is attempting to blends style, convenience, technology and comfort quite seamlessly and I would say, successfully!

Photo credits to the Courtyard Marriott website

There are dozens of books filled with excuses that you can use to get the day off from work, but the staff at the Biltmore in Coral Gables Fla. are blazing new trails in this field.

The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Fla.

For 62-year old Thomas Hudnall – a steward at the hotel, a get-out-of-work chit means calling in a bomb threat. The Coral Gables Police recieved a 911 call at 4.51 am on March 29, 2010.

Went something like this – “There is a bomb at the Biltmore Hotel. …and death to all Jews.” Then the caller hangs up.

The cops were able to trace the call back to the executive chef’s office in the hotel, and surveillance footage showed Hudnall lurking around. When confronted he broke down and fessed up.

Apparently he has no illwill against anyone – neither the hotel nor Jews. All he wanted was the day off, so he added the line about the Jews, hoping the hotel would be evacuated.

Hudnall is 62 and probably due for retirement, so its no surprise he wanted the day off. But is the Biltmore so bad that employees will call in bomb threats to get a day off?

Let’s see – Historic 1926 hotel with 275 guest rooms, including 130 suites. 150 acres of tropical landscape, with an 18-hole championship golf course, followed up by a restaurant called the 19th Hole and three more fine dining establishments to boot, a luxury spa, 10 tennis courts and the famed Biltmore pool with its private cabana suites.

Top all this off with the great location minutes from South Beach and downtown Miami, and a chance to hangout with celebrities. Doesn’t seem all that bad.

For the record, the hotel released a statement that said the threat was not credible, Hudnall had a clean prior record and all their employees undergo a rigorous screening process.

Photo courtesy The Biltmore

Info: 1200 Anastasia Ave Coral Gables, FL 33134; (800) 727-1926; More Info…

Related posts:-
Coral Gables, Florida Hotels
Terror Alert at Luxury Hotels

A Suite at the Four Seasons Boston

Can’t decide between a city vacation in Boston or a beach vacation in Nantucket?  Well, with the City Lights & Island Charm Getaway, you can enjoy both in one vacation!

Book consecutive stays at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and one of the Nantucket Island Resort’s properties (the White Elephant, White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Wauwinet, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, or Jared Coffin House) and you’ll receive some complimentary goodies (including a custom tote bag, one-to-three-day itineraries provided by the hotel concierges, homemade sweets from both destinations, and more).

The Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Your vacation will start out at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, which is located right on the famed Boston Common.  It’s convenient to Quincy Market, the Theater District, Newbury Street, and the Back Bay.  You can also book some optional offers from now through April 9 for even better deals.

• For two-nights, you can book the Experience More offer and receive a $75 spending credit (from now until April 9)
• For one-night, you can book the Bed & Breakfast offer and receive complimentary breakfast for two (from now until April 9)
• For three-nights, you can book the Stay Longer offer and receive a third night FREE (from now until April 9)

Nantucket Island Resorts

For the second part of your vacation, book one or more nights at one of the Nantucket Island Resorts’ properties: White Elephant, White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Wauwinet, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, or Jared Coffin House.  The Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion is still going on – so you can get an even better deal if you book soon.

Photo credit: The Four Seasons Boston Hotel

The Lobby of the Kimberly Hotel

Are you visiting New York City this spring? The Kimberly Hotel, located in Manhattan on East 50th Street, has introduced a budget-friendly/body-healthy package for visitors looking to get in shape for the summer.

The package is double occupancy, and is offered for a two-night weekend stay (either Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday). Guests receive two services per individual provided by the Kimberly’s New York Health & Racquet Club, located on East 45th Street between Lexington and Third (it’s open seven days per week). Services include a private session with a personal trainer, and your choice of nutritional guidance or a complimentary massage. Guests on this package can also request early check-in and late check-out. The package includes free breakfast and dinner (through room service, excluding alcohol) for two days and is available through August 31, 2010 and is $850 double occupancy, for a two-night stay.

The Kimberly Hotel is located in the East Side of Midtown Manhattan, and is convenient to many of the popular tourist attractions in Manhattan, including Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway, and the UN.   Guest rooms average 230 square feet (rather large for a hotel in Manhattan), and amenities include flat-screen televisions, goose down pillows, and high-speed internet access.

The Kimberly Hotel
145 East 50th Street
NYC, New York City
(800) 683-0400

Photo credit: The Kimberly Hotel