The Langham's Pink Taxi

The Langham Hotel in Boston is one of my favorite hotels in Boston because of its central location in the Financial District of Boston, its great service, its unique charm, and its popular Chocolate Buffet.  Last week, the Langham added to its unique appeal with a specially-imported English taxi, which has been retrofitted to U.S. automobile standards and painted the iconic Langham pink.  The taxi, which fits in with the Langham’s British roots, will be used to shuttle hotel guests around the city of Boston.

To celebrate, the Langham Hotel Boston is offering a special promotion for Boston residents and visitors.  Facebook users who spot the pink taxi on its travels throughout Boston should upload a photo of the taxi on The Langham, Boston’s Facebook page to be automatically entered for a chance to win a four-day, three-night stay at the original, luxurious Langham, in London, England. The winner will also receive premium Economy airfare for two provided courtesy of Virgin Atlantic Airways.  Contest submissions will be accepted on Facebook from November 12, 2011 to January 12, 2012 with the winner will be picked at random and announced on or about January 31, 2012.  See the Langham, Boston’s Facebook page for all contest rules.

The Langham, Boston
250 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 451 1900

Photo credit: The Langham, Boston

The Lifesize Gingerbread House at the Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls

The Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park and resort located in Niagara Falls Canada, is gearing up for the holiday season.  This year, they are once again building a full-sized gingerbread house – large enough for an entire family of six to dine!

The gingerbread house, which is nearly two stories tall, takes over 300 hours to complete.  Reservations are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, starting on November 24, 2011, for up to nine seatings per day.  The $20 reservation fee (meals are additional), will go to the Child Advocacy Centre Niagara.  You do not have to be a resort guest to make a reservation.

This life-sized gingerbread house is just one piece of the Great Wolf Lodge’s holiday celebration.  Here are some of the other fun things going on as part of Wiley’s Winter Wonderland at the Great Wolf Lodge:

Snowflakes will be falling in the Grand Living Room
Santa, Mrs. Claus and all of their elves will be visiting guests
“Taffy on Snow” (hot maple syrup drizzled on a bed of snow and rolled into a popsicle stick treats) will be served
Forest Magic shows

The Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Canada
3950 Victoria Ave
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 7M8

Photo credit: The Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of the most popular parades in the country, watched by millions on TV. But wouldn’t it be great to see it live and in person from New York City?

All you have to do is make your way to NYC and get up at the crack of dawn to get yourself a spot along the parade route, then stand for hours elbow to elbow with a crowd of restless strangers. Want the live experience without the pre-dawn wake-up call? Head to a Manhattan hotel.

As of this posting, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on 7th Avenue and 53rd Street still has rooms available along the parade route for November 24th, with standard guestrooms starting at $750 (hey, a tradition like this is going to cost you!). To book a room for the parade, call 212-581-1000and make sure to ask for a room facing 7th Avenue.

The W Times Square also had parade view rooms available, but there’s only one person in the hotel who can handle these specific reservations. Call 212-930-7441 and request to speak with Sherry. (Rumor has it that next year’s parade won’t go by Times Square, so this could be your last chance to see the parade from here.) Check out a few less expensive options over at the Lodging blog.

When the parade has passed you by, take advantage of some of the best shopping in the world on 5th Avenue, or head down to Chinatown for something a little more unique. Other holiday favorites in the city include visits to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

Photo courtesy Sheraton New York

SkyCity Grand in Auckland, New Zealand

Looking for an ideal hotel to use as your home base when in Auckland, New Zealand? Look at the skyline and head for the 1,076-foot SkyTower—the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. Right across the street from the casino and hotel complex of SkyCity is the luxe SkyCity Grand hotel.

The 316 stylish rooms range from Luxury King and Twin rooms to the Grand Suite (which is the size of four Luxury rooms). Even the smallest rooms are spacious enough, and offer a separate bath and shower, plush bathrobes, in-room movies and tea/coffee-making facilities. Broadband Internet is available, but for an additional fee.

You may want to curl up in your room to sleep off the jet lag, but there’s time for that later. Get out and investigate the rest of the hotel, which includes plenty of ways to taste the many flavors of New Zealand: dine by Peter Gordon, The Grill by Sean Connolly, The Lobby and The Terrace. If that’s not a big enough selection, head across the street to SkyCity, and pick from an additional handful of tasty options.

Aside from pleasing your palate, get rid of your jet lag at the gym, or even better, the East Day Spa. After that, rest up in your room for a full day of fun in Auckland.

SkyCity Grand, +64-9-363-7000
90 Federal Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Photo courtesy of Jill K. Robinson

More New Zealand-related information:
Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand