The Exterior of the New York Palace, Decorated For the Holidays

The New York Palace Hotel, an institution in Midtown Manhattan, is planning some great things to celebrate this holiday season.  Christmastime is one of the best times to visit New York City, and the New York Palace is centrally located near many of the city’s most popular attractions for the holidays.

The New York Palace’s “Holiday Fantasy” offers so many seasonal surprises, including Palace Guards (in custom designer-created costumes) who will greet people in the Palace Courtyard, and a  30-foot Christmas tree.  There will also be a Snowplace Princess who will make special appearances at the weekend holiday-themed brunch.  The hotel will also offer a “Happy Holiday Hour” featuring specialty festive holiday cocktails, and a four-foot Gingerbread House will be located in the lobby.

The New York Palace is also offering a Holiday Fantasy Package for the holidays.  The package includes luxury guest room accommodations; a $100 nightly food and beverage credit which can be used at the on-site Gilt or Istana, or towards the Holiday Fantasy Brunch; a commemorative New York Palace Holiday Ornament; and an in-room children’s welcome amenity.  This package starts at $499 per night and is based on availability, and upgrades are also available.

The New York Palace Hotel
455 Madison Avenue
New York NY 10022
1 212-888-7000

Photo credit: The New York Palace Hotel

The Skating Rink at the Charles Hotel

The Charles Hotel, located in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge, is a great place to stay in the Boston area this winter season.  The Christmas Tree is already lit, the skating rink will soon be opened, and there are great deals to be had.

To celebrate the opening of their new spa, Corbu Spa and Salon, the Charles Hotel is offering a ten percent discount on all services through January 15, 2012. Please mention the discount code “Reinvent” to receive your discount.  The spa offers seasonal treatments inspired by the celebrity chefs of The Charles Hotel’s restaurants – Chef Jody Adams of Rialto Restaurant and Chef Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table.

Ready to book your stay? On Cyber Monday (today!), book at hotel stay from December 3, 2011 to March 31, 2012 (with a few blackout dates), and you’ll receive a 20% discount on the best available rate and a $25 gift card to Corbu Spa (or you can use it throughout the hotel).  Book a deluxe guestroom between 11:28am and 12:29pm (ET) for a 50% discount and a $50 gift card to Corbu Spa.

If you miss the Cyber Monday deal, you can still take advantage of some great discounts.  Follow the Charles Hotel on Twitter @CharlesHotel or like their Facebook page and each Tuesday, you’ll receive information on an exclusive one-day only sale.

The Charles Hotel
Harvard Square
One Bennett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
800.882.1818
Photo credit: The Charles Hotel

Guests enjoy a Gala Dinner at Chefs' Holidays in The Ahwahnee's Dining Room.

Think about the best message of Thanksgiving: It’s really all about giving thanks for the best things in life. Why only give thanks for family, friends, good health and enjoying life one day a year? This time, consider the many ways you can give thanks throughout the year. This winter, escape to Yosemite National Park with blankets of snow across the meadows and icicle-draped trees, and add a rich culinary experience to treat all your senses.

Right in the heart of the valley with views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point, is The Ahwahnee. A stay in this hotel, known for its magnificent architecture and grand spaces, is a special way to add to a Yosemite visit. The Ahwahnee Chefs’ Holidays are held each year in January and February, and include some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs.

Featured chefs for 2012 Chefs’ Holidays include: Annie Sommerville from Greens (San Francisco), Donald Link from Herbsaint (New Orleans), Suzanne Goin from Lucques (Los Angeles), David Barzirgan from Fifth Floor (San Francisco) and more. The eight sessions run from Jan. 8 to Feb. 2, 2012.

Each session features a “Meet the Chefs” reception, cooking demonstrations, kitchen tours and a Gala Dinner. Two- and three-night packages for Chefs’ Holidays include access for two to session presentations, tours, reception and dinner, as well as hotel accommodations.

Two-night packages at The Ahwahnee start at $896 and three-night packages start at $1,145. It’s also possible to bunk at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls (two-night package starts at $665; three-night package starts at $800). Individual tickets for the Gala Dinner are $199 per person.

To learn more about Chef’s Holidays, call 801-559-4903 or visit www.yosemitepark.com/chefs.

The Ahwahnee, 801-559-4884
One Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Photo courtesy of The Ahwahnee

More Yosemite-related information:
 Award-Winning Ahwahnee in Yosemite Delivers Best Lunch

The Exterior of The Gaylord Opryland

If you’ve never been to one of the four Gaylord Hotels located in the US, you are most definitely missing out.  These hotels go well  beyond the standard hotel room and are full entertainment, dining, and lodging destinations all under one glass roof.  This holiday season, they are offering a fabulous Christmas Memories package for guests.  I can only imagine how beautiful these hotels look all decorated for Christmas!

The Christmas Memories package is available from mid-November through early January, 2012 at all four of the Gaylord Hotels.

• Gaylord National in National Harbor, MD (metro D.C.)
• Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN (the Music City)
• Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area)
• Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine, TX (near Dallas)

The Christmas Memories package, which starts at $99 per night (depending on the hotel), includes the following:

• One night room accommodations
• Ticket to ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls (at the Gaylord Texan and Gaylord Palms) or featuring DreamWorks’ Merry Madagascar (at the Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord National)
• A souvenir photo

If you are traveling with kids, you may also consider booking the Dreamworks Experience at the Gaylord Hotels, which includes scavenger hunts, a welcome amenity, gingerbread decorating, holiday shows, and much more!

Visit the Gaylord website to learn more.

Photo credit: The Gaylord Opryland