Sitting here at my computer with “The Letter Factory” blaring from the television and Cheerios crunching under my feet, my experience spending the last few days at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica feels like a dream.

A dream come true, that is.

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Conceived and designed by railroad and oil magnate Henry Flagler as a testament to his life-long love of Florida, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West opened its doors on New Years Eve in 1920 to great acclaim. Artists, dignitaries, royalty, and the ultra-rich since frequented the resort until World War II, when it was converted to a military operational headquarters. After the war, Casa Marina briefly recaptured its glory as an exclusive vacation destination, but with its location at the southernmost point of Florida, the property was soon needed for military use once again – this time as a launch site during the Cuban missile crisis. The resort was reopened in the ‘70s and has been in continual operation ever since.

Historic Casa Marina Resort

During a recent $43 million renovation the lobby’s original wood floors were restored and all 311 guest rooms and suites were redecorated with Italian tile floors, earth-toned area rugs, painted wooden window shutters, custom artwork, sectional sleep sofas, and a dining/recreational table with teak captains’ chairs. The renovation stayed faithful to the Spanish hacienda style, incorporating the resort’s original 225-foot grand veranda, sweeping archways, and expansive lawn stretching to a private white sand beach.

Refurbished rooms at the Casa Marina

Stlll, what really sets the Casa Marina apart from other luxury accommodations on the island is its location. Nestled in a quiet, residential neighborhood on the the south side of the island, the resort is within walking distance of famous DuVal Street, yet far enough away to not be impacted by the noise and general debauchery that so defines Key West. In fact, everything a guest could possibly desire is available right on the premises. Water activities – jet ski rentals, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat charters, deep sea fishing expeditions, and a one-of-a-kind dolphin encounter experience – are can be booked at the private beach, and two oceanfront heated swimming pools are lined with plush chaise lounges and hammocks. Casa Marina also has three restaurants and an on-site massage studio that offers a full menu of beauty treatments ranging from Swedish massage to reflexology and aromatherapy.

Private 1,100 foot beach

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Casa Marina recently joined the Hilton family, which is dedicated to maintaining a level of service that would have made Henry Flagler proud.

Photo credits: Casa Marina Resort

Article by Barbara Webel at Hole In The Donut Travels

Painting by Jane Seymour outside the Somewhere in Time Suite

A while back I wrote a post about Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, also known as “The Somewhere in Time Hotel.” I had every intention of visiting there, someday, but never dreamed it would happen as quickly, or as magically, as it did.

To celebrate turning 40, my best friend Stefania and I cooked up a wacky road trip that included driving a Ford Mustang up to the Michigan peninsula and a visit pilgrimage to the setting for the time traveling romance movie, Somewhere in Time, which starred Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.  Fun idea, but who would sponsor a thing like that?

Turns out Ford was willing to let us drive their car, and Grand Hotel was willing to put the two of us up for two nights! All we had to do was get to Detroit to start the adventure. Oh, and pay for gas. No such thing as a (totally) free ride.

Journey Back in Time, or Just a Journey – You Decide

A quick 20 minute ferry rides gets you from the mainland to Mackinac Island, where it really does seem like time stood still. There are no cars on the island, so we caught a horse drawn “taxi” up the gentle hill to the hotel.

Walking into the lobby, the feeling of going back in time stays with you. But at the same time, it’s a thoroughly modern feeling resort, with every kind of store or service you could want. It’s just packaged in a slightly more genteel manner.

For example, there is a tea shop just off the lobby where you check in. It’s charming and quaint, and lends itself to afternoon tea which you perhaps have in a china tea cup  and enjoy at a table in the gallery-like long hallway. Or you can get a latte to go, just like at Starbucks.

That’s one of the nice things about Grand Hotel — you can control you level of escapism.

The Rooms

This was the biggest surprise of the trip. The incredibly generous people at Grand Hotel put us each in our own First Lady Suite — the ones designed by famous interior decorator Carleton Varney, in consultation with the actual First Ladies after whom they are named.

The Roslynn Carter Suite, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

I was handed the key to the Rosalynn Carter Suite, which featured “Georgia Peach” walls, a romantic faux canopy, and a most impressive star design on the carpet. Best of all, I had my own private deck, overlooking Mackinac Bridge, the Straits of Mackinac, and the mansion-like “cottages” that line the neighboring streets.

Jacqueline Kennedy Suite, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI

Stefania’s room was equally awesome, the Jacqueline Kennedy Suite! The room featured blue and white stripes, a lot of fringe and several photos of Jackie. It’s a fan’s paradise.

Portraits of Jackie in her eponymous suite

Somewhere in Time Suite

Picking our favorite room is impossible, they are both so luxurious and beautiful. But if we were forced to choose, the Jackie suite would win just because it was two doors down from the Somewhere in Time suite.

We knew which one was the Somewhere in Time suite because there is a name plate over the door. But we would have been able to tell anyway, because the walls outside the room are covered with paintings by Miss McKenna herself, Jane Seymour. I had no idea she had that kind of artist talent!

Self-portrait of Jane Seymour, in costume as Elise McKenna

Just to make it even better, we got a tour of the room from Bob Tagatz, the Grand Hotel concierge, official historian and chief blogger. It was pretty exciting! He told us stories about when the cast was filming at the hotel, although he was unable to confirm my long-held suspicion that Christopher Reeve and Ms. Seymour had a passionate affair during the production.

Bob Tagatz, the Grand Hotel concierge, official historian and chief blogger

Don’t take my word for it, watch the movie yourself — housekeeping will bring you a copy to watch in your room during your stay!

The Dining Room

One of the neat things about Grand Hotel is that it’s an inclusive property, meaning that breakfast and dinner are included in most packages. And it is so worth it!

Dinner is the more formal affair, with “evening attire” required for guests in all areas of the hotel, but specifically for dinner. It’s an event! It was really fun to get dressed up to go eat, and to see all of the other guests at their scrubbed up best. Particularly sweet were the big families in their Sunday best. One four or five year old little girl stopped us in the hallway to show us her pretty dress. We complimented her on the excellent twirly skirt, and smiled when we saw her later on, showing off for another guest.

Fancy dinner - that was duck confit in aspic

The food is sort of “High Resort” — a bit formal, with indulgent ingredients like foie gras and truffles, and maybe just a bit heavy on the salt.

Booze note: wine is not included in the packages, so be prepared to sign the cost of your bottle/cocktail up to your room.

Things to Do

Bike rides can be fun! Just watch out for horse poop!

The weather was gorgeous the weekend we visited, so it was all about the outdoor activities. Far and away the most popular thing to do is rent a bike, either at the hotel Tennis shop, or at various locations down in the village. We took a leisurely ride around the island, with a stop for hotdogs and french fries at the halfway point. The whole trip — which is nice and flat, no sweaty hills! — took less than two hours. Remember the sunscreen, and watch out for dive bombing seagulls at the hotdog place!

Seriously, Don’t Tip. Don’t Even Try. No. Just Stop.

You know how some places say, “No tips” but you still do it, and sometimes the staff lets you? Not here. After the first awkward interaction we didn’t even try again. Relax and enjoy not having to figure out if you should be palming $2 or $5 or a 20. You’re on vacation!

Also, empty your pockets of change before you get to the hotel, or your vacation could end precipitously, with you suddenly transported back to your home at a moment’s notice. (It’s a joke/reference to the defining plot point in Somewhere in Time, oh, just watch it already!)

Housekeeping will bring a copy of the movie!

Photo credits:

Cat Lincoln #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9

Grand Hotel #3

Stefania Pomponi Butler #7, 8

The Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square and French Champagne house Champagne Pommery have teamed up for a unique offer – buy a bottle of Pommery’s Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne, and you get a free night’s stay at the sofitel.

Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

They’re selling the bubbly for $299, and the hotel’s average rates are around $350, so it’s a good deal, even if you’re not that keen on the champagne.

And if you just happen to be a wine aficionado, well – Cuvée Louise was created as a tribute to Louise Pommery – an absolutely pure wine which quintessentially conveys the wine-making expertise of the Pommery champagne house. So that’s like getting a $350 luxury hotel room for free.

Sofitel is a luxury French brand, and so is Pommery. Apparently the hotel is celebrating it’s French ‘rendezvous’ roots, and together with Pommery, wants to show us that the French still know a thing or two about luxury living and the finer aspects of life.

The ‘Sparkling Sofitel Rendezvous’ offer is valid only at the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square until Dec 31, with or without reservations. To make a reservation or for more informaion, call (202) 730-8800.

The Sofitel is situated at the corner of Lafayette Square, bordering the White House. You can get your bottle of Pommery’s Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne at the hotel’s bar – Le Bar – located at the hotel’s entrance.

Info: 806 15th St NW Washington DC 20005; (202) 730-8800; website

Sofitel DC photo by dionhinchcliffe; Wine bar photo by Jing a Ling