Twin bombings ripped through the J.W. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday morning.

The explosions were timed to go off simultaneously, with one bomb going off in the Restaurant Syailendra in the Marriott hotel’s basement at 7.45 am, just 2 minutes after which there was another explosion in the Ritz-Carlton’s Airlangga restaurant. Both hotels are located adjacent to each other in an upscale business district in Jakarta.

As of now, 9 (8) people have been reported killed and 50 injured in the bombings, with at least 14 foreigners included in the count. 4 foreigners are reported to be killed, but no nationality or identification has been specified as yet. Apparently the force of the Marriott bomb was so great that the explosion, which went off in the basement, shattered glass on the third floor.

Initial statements from law enforcement officials suggest signs of suicide bombings, but it’s not official yet and investigations are ongoing.

Update 1: July 17, 2009 - 8 Americans among those injured. President Obama condems bombings and offers US help to Indonesia. Marriott International, which owns both the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton brands, said in a statement that guests were evacuated to nearby hotels and that both hotels sustained damage, but it does not appear to be structural.

The Queen Mary in Long Beach

This week’s historic hotel is unique because, well – it floats. The Queen Mary is a huge, beautiful ship, a classic ocean liner from days past. She sailed the Atlantic Ocean from 1936-1967 and was built by the Cunard line. The Queen Mary was initially built to compete with the new breed of super liners which were on the oceans in the 1920s and 1930s, and those who traveled with her – at least, those who traveled on First Class – traveled in true style. There was an indoor swimming pool, a library, a nursery and a beautiful First Class dining room that featured a map of the Transatlantic Crossing complete with little motorized Queen Marys on it; passengers could track where the ship was on her journey. First-class accommodations were spacious and comfortable, but third-class cabins were tiny and cramped.

During World War II, The Queen Mary was painted in camouflage and served as a soldier transporter, and she was one of the fastest ships on the ocean – U-boats could barely catch ships of her speed. She had at least one close call off the coast of South America, but she thankfully escaped. The Queen Mary was also almost capsized by a gigantic rogue wave while at sea, but she came out of that as well. After the war, The Queen Mary was again ready for passenger service in 1947, and she carried some of the most famous people in the world on her decks. The ship was retired in 1967, and she now permanently sits in a Long Beach harbor as a hotel, museum and tourist attraction.

I’ve stayed on this ship before with my family, as a child, and it was a very fun time. Walking onto the ship, I was convinced that she was going to set sail overnight while we were asleep, and that we would wake up someplace entirely new. The rooms are on the smallish side, but I’ve actually stayed in smaller hotel rooms on land before! To those who enjoy a good haunting: the ship is rumored to be quite haunted, and The Queen Mary was the only time in my life my sister and I believe we actually saw a ghost. To this day, we can’t explain what happened…it was a fun, if not slightly scary, memory.

The Queen Mary is open year-round. Book early, especially if you plan a summer visit, because the 314 rooms tend to fill up very quickly. I highly recommend the guided tours which are offered. If you’re looking for true luxury, reserve one of the Royalty Suites for $350-$700/night;  the Deluxe Staterooms run $180-$240, and there are several cheaper options as well. Definitely a unique and enjoyable experience!

Photo Credits: Gail548

Tom Cruise with Suri in Hollywood

Lots of celeb spottings at the Mondrian in West Hollywood, California, that’s for sure. That’s because it’s a luxury hotel with all the trimmings, not to mention some of the hottest spots in Hollywood. Lindsay Lohan? Check. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes? Check. Britney, Leonardo, Jewel, and other one-name stars? Check, check, check. They’ve all been seen at the Mondrian.

It’s tough to grab a table at the Mondrian’s Asia de Cuba restaurant, or a spot in the Skybar, but if you’re looking to be treated like a star (and see some, too), then I think you’ll really dig it. Exquisite details permeate every room, whether it’s the 30-foot mahogany doors, the plush lobby, the fine Egyptian linens, or the breathtaking scenic views from the Balcony Suites. It’s art deco at its best.

Luxury pool at the Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood, California

Surprisingly, the Mondrian is also (relatively) reasonable in price, too. If you’re looking for a standard room, they start around $295 a night. Balcony Suites are under $500 a night, and the deluxe Apartments are – wait for it – $2,500 a night. But hey, we’re talking lap of luxury here. Wet bars, double rainfall showers, lovely flat-screen HDTVs, even 24-hour room service. Even now as I write this, I’m imagining myself getting a 90-minute massage in my room, while girls fan me and feed me grapes. *sigh*

The suites at the Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood are exquisite

If you’re going to rub elbows with people like Kevin Spacey and Hugh Grant, you’re going to pay the price. But it’s unlikely that the Mondrian will disappoint. And if you’re lucky, the paparazzi may see you outside and accidentally think you’re Somebody. What? It could happen!

Nearby Restaurants: Katana, BOA Steakhouse, Koi, and the O-Bar

Singer Jewel spotted near the Mondrian in West Hollywood

Photos: Daylife.com, Mondrian hotel web site

Sunshine Guaranteed for Florida Vacation

Two Florida hotels are guaranteeing the state’s famous sunshine during your hotel stay through Sept. 30.

The Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Mary and the Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra are offering a discounted $99 hotel room rate and the assurance that you will get a free night certificate for a future vacation if it rains more than 0.5 inches on any night of your stay.

The Sunshine Guaranteed package also includes extras such as free breakfasts and dinner discounts.

“We know vacationers are looking for packages like Sunshine Guaranteed- great deals with the kind of valuable extras that make summer travel fun and affordable,” says Chuck Schoonmaker, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra.

Here’s a look at what each hotel has to offer:

Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Mary

This new hotel opened in January 2009 in Lake Mary, Fla. It has 128 guestrooms, each equipped with Hyatt Grand Beds, separate seating areas and roomy workspaces, refrigerators and flat-panel TVs. Wi-fi and parking are free at the Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Mary. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool and a new fitness center.

Staying at the Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Mary on the Sunshine Guaranteed package gets you:

* $99 per night discounted room rate
* Free future room night for each day it rains more than 0.5 inches
* Free made-to-order breakfast for up to four guests per room, per night
* $25 gift certificate to Stonewood Grill

You can book online using the discount code “SUNS” now through Sept. 15, 2009, for stays through Sept. 30, 2009.

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra

This hotel is at the entrance to the TPC Sawgrass, a golfer’s paradise. It has 127 guest rooms, and all of them have a refrigerator and microwave, which is great for family travels. The Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra has an outdoor poll and whirlpool, as well as a free fitness center. Wi-fi and parking are free.

Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra on the Sunshine Guaranteed package gets you:

* $99 per night discounted room rate
* Free future room night for each day it rains more than 0.5 inches
* Free full breakfast for two each day at the Great American Grill restaurant in the hotel
* $25 gift certificate to Cruisers Grill

You can book online using the discount code “P3″ now through Sept. 15, 2009, for stays through Sept. 30, 2009.

If you’re planning a trip, check out Jacksonville flights.

Guest post by Leigh Caldwell.