Richard B. Russell State Park golf course

My fiance just got back from a boys golf trip, and once again, he raved about the cabins they all stayed in at Richard B. Russell State Park near Atlanta, Georgia. I’d better check this place out, I thought. And as soon as I did, I wanted to go. Not only were all the cabins on or very close to the lake, but there’s an 18-hole championship golf course called Arrowhead Pointe, a huge, gorgeous lake where you can go water skiing and rowing, disc golf, beach volleyball and miles of hiking and biking trails.

And, imagine waking up to this every morning outside your cabin:

Richard B Russell State Park Sunrise

Not bad, right?

As for the cabins themselves, they’re all very “cottage-ey” and rustic looking and have plenty of space. It appears that they’re all two-bedroom cottages with comfy beds, large living areas and most have great views of the lake. The surrounding state park is beautiful.

These cabins sound like a wonderful getaway opportunity for either a couple or a small group, since there’s something for everyone in every season. And if you want to rough it a bit more, you can camp outdoors underneath the stars, too.

Perfect cabins for every season – including chilly winters when you can crawl up in front of the cozy fireplaces!
Photo Credit: Elvin Lopez

Fall Foliage

Ok, Leaf Peepers, check this place out! I really can’t believe that there are still rooms available at The Carriage House Bed & Breakfast in Woodstock, Vermont. Woodstock is very popular during autumn, especially at the height of the leaf changes. I stayed here when I did a three-day road trip throughout the region back when I lived in Boston, and I can tell you it’s a really cute Bed & Breakfast. It’s actually right outside of Woodstock, but a very short drive.

If you’re looking for complete privacy, this may not be your best bet because as I remember it, there’s a sort of common breakfast table where everyone goes and eats breakfast in the mornings. I liked it, though because you get to meet some new people and have some pleasant conversation before setting out for the day.

There are only eight rooms, and two of them have whirlpool tubs (I got one of those when I booked because I booked about 9 months in advance!) I remember the breakfast being very good, and they serve you homemade delicious chocolate chip cookies and tea.

The owners were very nice and friendly.

If you’re going to book here, book soon! I’m so surprised these rooms are not completely gone. It’s a very cute place.

Happy Leaf Peeping!

Photo Credit: zappowbang

Did you know that prices at the best hotel suites have gone up by 10% this year? Apparently, the super rich have a lot more free time on their hands, what with the recession and all. And do you know which are the 10 most expensive hotel suites in the world this year? 

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

As per Wealth Bulletin’s 2009 survey, the Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva is the world’s most expensive hotel suite at $65,000 per night.

The President Wilson Hotel won out over last year’s winner – The Ty Warner Penthouse on the 52nd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, which charges $35,000 per night and offers 360-degree view of the city.

And here’s the full list of the world’s 10 most expensive hotel suites for 2009:-
1. Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva ($65k/night)
2. Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York ($35k/night)
3. Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia ($34k/night)
4. Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome ($31k/night)
5. Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo ($25k/night)
6. The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas ($22k/night)
7. Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt, Vendôme, Paris ($20k/night)
8. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai ($19.6k/night)
9. Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva ($18.9k/night)
10. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow ($16.5k/night)

Here’s a  few more gorgeous pictures of some of these expensive suites and the 10 hotels which house them.

 The Royal Penthouse, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva - Offers dramatic views of Lake Geneva through bulletproof windows and complete privacy including your private elevator.

Penthouse Suites - Presidential Wilson Hotel Geneva & Ty Warner, Four Seasons New York

Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York – Magnificent 9-room suite atop New York’s tallest hotel with cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows offering a breathtaking 360 degree view of the City.

Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia

 Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia – Located in the hotel tower, this multi-level Presidential Suite boasts 250 square metres of light-filled space with 2 living rooms, 3 bed rooms and 3 bathrooms, and also your own private swimming pool on the rooftop terrace.

The Westin Excelsior, Rome

 Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome – Seven terraces, a selection of  160 imported wines while relaxing in the magnificent tapestry-hung drawing room, and a study/library covered in hand-carved wood paneling and featuring numerous original works of art.

Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

 Presidential Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo – 3300 sq ft of pure luxury with a stunning four poster bed in the master bedroom. The suite is located on the 53rd floor of the hotel with a spectacular view of Tokyo including Imperial Palace outer gardens and Roppongi Hills.

The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas

The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas –  16 stories high and bridging the distance between the Royal Towers, this suite offers sweeping views from an 800 square foot balcony, with a 360 view of the water, lagoons and pools in Paradise Island. 

Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Paris - Vendôme

 Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, France - A 2nd floor palace all by itself, the Imperial Suite houses a full featured in-suite spa with whirlpool bath, steam room shower and a dedicated massage table.

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai – The last word in luxury with a marble and gold staircase and leopard print tufted carpets, this 25th floor suite has it’s own private elevator, a private cinema, and a master bedroom with a rotating four-poster canopy bed.

Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva

 Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva – The floor-to-ceiling bullet-proof windows are surrounded by beautiful terraces which offer stunning views over Lake Geneva, the Alps and Geneva’s Old city and the Cathedral.

Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow

 Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow – Floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Christ the Savior Cathedral.  Classic Russian Imperial furnishings and a spacious living room with a grand piano and dining area, library, office room and boardroom.

Photos courtesy Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corp., Kerzner International Holdings, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, Ritz-Carlton Moscow, and Rocco Forte Hotels. Ty Warner Penthouse photo by Durston Saylor, courtesy Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. 

Charming. If I could pick only one word to describe Bar Harbor Inn, it would be charming, and the description would apply not only to the historic cedar-shingled Main Lodge, but also to the nicely appointed rooms, lavishly planted grounds, quaint Reading Room Restaurant, and to the wonderful staff.

Main Lodge of Bar Harbor Inn

King room in the Main Lodge

Frankly, I was surprised that I could even get a room here. As usual I had been wandering, searching for colorful fall foliage, with no idea where I would stay for the night. I had rolled into Bar Harbor, Maine late in the afternoon and decided to stick around for a couple of days to hike the trails of stunning Acadia National Park. In the center of town, perched on a low rise overlooking Frenchman Bay, the Bar Harbor Inn was hard to miss. Although it looked pricey, I figured it couldn’t hurt to inquire about rates. Still, I hesitated after walking in the front door. Overstuffed sofas and armchairs flanked a roaring fire, and an antique sideboard offered hot tea and cider; undoubtedly this hotel would be beyond my means. To my delight, I learned that high season rates had ended the previous day and a non-view room was available for less than $100 per night. The manager even threw in free wi-fi.

King room in Oceanfront Lodge

Despite having only a peek-a-boo water view, my room was comfortable and well appointed, with a bed so soft that it literally enfolded me. Each of the 50 rooms and suites within the Main Lodge has either one king or two queen beds with premium bedding, luxury bathrooms with jetted tubs, cable TV with HBO, VCR, refrigerator, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and coffeemaker. Many of the rooms have fireplaces and oceanfront balconies. An additional 64 rooms are available in the separate Oceanfront Lodge, which is also where the hotel’s amazing complimentary continental breakfast buffet is served each morning.

Even dinner was a special event. Though I arrived at the hotel’s Reading Room Restaurant without reservations, the maitre’d graciously escorted me to a well-lit table where I could read, and joined me during dessert to tell me a bit about the history of the hotel. The restaurant is named after the Mount Desert Reading Room, a social club that in 1887 was the first occupant of what is today the Main Lodge. Though the club’s avowed purpose may have been to “promote literary and social culture,” in the early 1920′s it served quite another purpose. As prohibition settled over the country, members began secreting bootleg alcohol at the club and the phrase “retiring to the reading room” became a euphemism for “getting together for a drink.”

View of Frenchman Bay from oceanfront rooms

The Bar Harbor Inn was a rare find: a hotel with accommodations that truly feel like a home away from home and a staff that has mastered the art of making guests feel like family. Absolutely charming.

Photo credits: View and Exterior by Barbara Weibel; rooms courtesy of Bar Harbor Inn

Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels