A room in the St Regis in San Francisco

San Francisco is a great place to visit in December–the weather can be fairly mild, SPCA kittens grace the windows of Macy’s, and hotels offer fantastic deals for visitors from near and far.

At the high end, check out the ultra-posh St Regis Hotel, where the “Holidays at the St Regis” package includes gingerbread cookies and egg nog, a delivery of hot chocolate for two, and a Vie Luxe candle. Especially during the holidays I love to meet friends for a drink in the slick, gorgeous bar, and I’ve heard Remede Spa is not-to-be-missed.

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants created memorable packages at many of its San Francisco properties, from “The Art of Shopping” getaway at the Hotel Palomar near shopping mecca Union Square to the “Naughty or Nice?” package at the Argonaut Hotel, which includes either a trip to Alcatraz or a visit to the Exploratorium science museum.

Parents might especially love the “Holiday Memory Maker” package at Hotel Monaco. Your kids write letters to Santa on personalized stationery, then receive a surprise visit from elves who come bearing milk, cookies and a bedtime story.

Walt Disney World

The Lake Buena Vista area in Orlando, Florida, is only about one mile from Walt Disney world, but it has some great hotels which are cheaper than most of the properties on the Disney World grounds. We discovered the area recently after failing to book early enough for hotels in Disney World, which were all sold out. Luckily, we were really happy with the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista!

In addition to the price (we paid about $80/night), one of the great things about this hotel is that there’s a really efficient shuttle that takes you to the Disney World resorts. There’s a great pool in the back which we were able to use, a fitness center and even a movie theater geared toward families called the Castle Movie Theater! I had to smile when I learned about the KidSuites they have here – they’re basically kid-friendly rooms that can sleep up to four kids, and they have a playroom. I could imagine parents saying “No, we’re not actually staying IN Disney World – but this is even better, you get to have a playroom in your room!” Kids under twelve eat free, too at Maxine’s Kitchen, which serves breakfast and dinner.

Oh and self-parking is free! This was fabulous because we hated the thought of paying for the outrageous rates at Disneyland. I can’t wait to go back. We didn’t spend near enough time in Epcot Center, and with all the money we saved by staying at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista, we’ll still have time to splurge on lunch in the park!

Epcot Center

Photo Credits: gbrunett, c.d. harrison

The Claremont Hotel on Mount Desert Island, Maine

Summering on the waterfront in Maine is a dream for most of us, but for a weekend — or a few weeks if you are rich or lucky — you can live the dream at the Claremont hotel in Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island.

On the opposite side of the island from Bar Harbor, the Claremont is a classic hotel built in 1884. The quietly stunning setting on the Somes Sound, where you can see the only fjord in North America, is a dramatic backdrop for the historic main hotel and several guest cottages.

There are 24 recently renovated guest rooms in the main hotel building, six private rooms in the Phillips House, and 14 cottages, spread across the six acre property.

The main house boasts a porch with rocking chairs where you can relax with a book or your computer — yes, wifi has reached Maine!

Relax in a rocking chair on the open deck at the Claremont hotel in Maine

The more intimate Phillips House also has a veranda that tempts the tired traveler to sit and contemplate the water, as well as a large common room with a fieldstone fireplace.

Each of the 14 housekeeping cottages has a wood or gas burning fireplace, deck and kitchenette, for a classic “cottage on the water” vacation. The cottages has loads of character, from charming log cabins to more contemporary styles, and range in occupancy from two to seven.

The view from the Claremont hotel restaurant

There are a couple of options for meals on the property, including fine dining at Xanthus Restaurant. The menu is impressive, with local and organic offerings like Niman Ranch pork loin with fava bean risotto, and pan roasted red snapper with stewed fennel and tomatoes on a porcini risotto cake. But I have to admit I was disappointed not to see lobster on the menu. For me that’s a vital element of every trip back to Maine!

You can also enjoy a light lunch and evening cocktails at the Boathouse, and there is a new hotel bar for pre-dinner cocktails. “In season” between July 1st and September 2nd the hotel also serves afternoon tea, and in the summer has weekly lectures and music recitals.

For entertainment, the hotel offers boating, tennis, a library and two croquet courts, as well as close proximity to Acadia National Park, where you are practically guaranteed a moose sighting. The hotel is a quick 20 minute drive from the shops, restaurants and attractions of Bar Harbor.

The Claremont hotel is open from late spring to early autumn, with rates in the neighborhood of $150 to $250 per night in the off season, and from $200 to $300 range in season. Check the website for exact dates and rates.

In 2008 they offered two special packages, “Summer in Acadia” and “The Colors of Fall”. The two day packages were based on double occupancy and included two nights lodging, two full buffet breakfasts and one dinner. It’s definitely worth a look when you’re planning a summer vacation on the coast, or a foliage trip through New England.

If you’re dreaming of your summer vacation while looking at mounds of snow out your window, or making plans with family members over the holidays, you may want to consider a rustic visit to Maine, (State Motto: “The Way Life Should Be”) and stay at the Claremont hotel.

The Claremont Hotel
PO Box 137
Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679
phone: 1-800-244-5036
email: clmhotel@roadrunner.com

View from the Links at Lansdowne

Sometimes the best trips can’t be planned.

That was the case last weekend when I got stuck in Leesburg, VA overnight, along with 60 other people bumped from a United Airlines flight to San Francisco. When they handed over my hotel voucher, I suspected I’d be lodged in a Motel 6-quality establishment on the airport road and spend the night listening to jumbo jets touch down.

Instead we stayed in the cushy, AAA Four Diamond Lansdowne Resort, about 20 minutes from Dulles airport. Though I arrived late and left early, missing out on some of the hotel’s charms, like Spa Minerale, I did get enough of a taste to wholeheartedly approve.

First, the desk staff were competent and charming, quickly processing the long line of “distressed” (the official designation for “bumped”) guests, as well as one newly married couple that included a pregnant teenage bride wearing a too-large gown. Hey, the Lansdowne welcomes all types.

Stunning view from a rocking chair

My clerk handed me a toothbrush, a voucher to use in the bar and directions to the business center, where I checked flight information and walked past a wedding party wearing beautiful saris–no surprise, given the event spaces, including a terrace that overlooks the rolling Virginia hills.

My room was spacious and well decorated, with great water pressure and fluffy pillows. And that bar voucher came in handy–San Francisco-bound passengers took over the place, which included pool tables, several TVs, and a selection of fine bourbons I was pleased to happen upon.

All in all, a relaxing (and unexpected!) visit to a great hotel!

images from Lansdowne Resort