The Mountain Club on Loon in the Winter

The Mountain Club on Loon Mountain, a slope-side, four-season resort located at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire, has just finalized their $9 million floor-to-ceiling renovation.  Enhancements include the following:

• Rooms, studios, and suites updated with new appliances, bathrooms, flat-screen televisions, and flooring
• New windows and balcony sliding doors, providing new and improved views
• Free Wi-Fi available through the resort
• Hallways updated with new carpeting, paneling, wallpaper, and lighting
• Exterior enhancements including cedar trim and new lighting
• A new heating and cooling system making it an even better four-season environment

The 234-room Mountain Club on Loon Mountain is located slope-side on Loon Mountain, overlooking the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln, New Hampshire.  It’s just a short two-hour ride from Boston, and is right off of Route 93 at the base of the Kancamagus Highway in the scenic White Mountains.  For larger groups, the hotel offers 117 suites that sleep up to six guests, including separate Club rooms with king beds and Studios with queen/double beds, a full kitchen and dining area.  Hotel amenities include garage parking, several onsite restaurants, the Viaggio Spa and Health Club, an indoor heated pool, and outdoor heated pool, indoor racquetball courts, indoor basketball courts, and ski-on, ski-off access.

The Mountain Club on Loon Mountain
90 Loon Mountain Rd.
Lincoln, NH 03251
800-229-7829

Photo credit: The Mountain Club on Loon Mountain

The Exterior of the Walt Disney World Dolphin

I recently decided to plan a last minute trip to Walt Disney World to cheer on some of my friends at the marathon.  Since it’s a popular weekend, and I was booking very last minute, my hotel options were fairly limited.  As an American Express cardholder, I was able to get a great prepaid deal at the Walt Disney World Dolphin – a hotel I hadn’t visited before.

While the Dolphin isn’t an official Walt Disney World hotel, it does have some Disney perks.  Guests are able to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours as well as Disney transportation.  However, Magical Express transportation is not available.

We had booked a two double-bed room, as there were three of us sharing the room.  However, when I checked it at 10pm, my room wasn’t available.  Instead, we got a king bed room with a sofa bed and a pull-out couch, along with a one-time $50 credit and complimentary breakfast for three.  I was a little disappointed, but the room was actually very nice.

The restaurants at the Dolphin (and sister hotel the Swan) are fabulous, if a bit expensive, and the pool area is wonderful.  But you can’t beat the location – walking distance to Epcot’s World Showcase and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Walt Disney World Dolphin
1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

The Ahwahnee in winter

Tons of people visit California’s Yosemite National Park in its peak season: summer. But why fight the crowds when you can have the place nearly all to yourself in the winter?

One of the first wilderness parks in the United States, Yosemite National Park is known for its huge granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams and giant sequoia groves. Right in the heart of the valley with views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point, is The Ahwahnee. One of the best ways to enjoy winter in such a stunningly beautiful park is a stay at this grand hotel.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the hotel itself is known for its grand public spaces, including huge stone fireplaces, hand-stenciled beams, rich tapestries and elegant stained glass. Be sure to schedule some spare time to relax in the Great Lounge and enjoy a meal in the beautiful Ahwahnee Dining Room, celebrated not only for its looks—but also its award-winning cuisine.

Guest rooms range from standard to those with incredible views and balconies. Parlors and junior suites give you more room to stretch out and enjoy your stay, however all the hotel’s rooms have ample space. Want a little more privacy? Get a cottage, located among the dogwoods and pines on the hotel grounds. They’re perfect for a romantic retreat. Winter rates start at $299 per night.

Aside from winter activities in the park, The Ahwahnee has a packed winter season with Vintners’ Holidays, the Bracebridge Dinner and Chefs’ Holidays. If you missed your favorite event this year, sign up for next year and get it in your calendar now.

The Ahwahnee, 801-559-4884
One Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Photo courtesy of The Ahwahnee (exterior photo by Kenny Karst)

More Yosemite-related information:
Award-Winning Ahwahnee in Yosemite Delivers Best Lunch

A Delta Riverboat at the Gaylord Opryland

Are you planning on staying at one of the Gaylord Hotel’s gorgeous properties this winter?  If so, you may be helping to support VH1′s Save the Music Foundation.  Under the Gaylord Hotel’s Rooms for Good program, 10% of the room package rate will be donated to a designated charity (excluding taxes, fees and incidentals incurred during stay).  In January and February, the designated charity is the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining and restoring instrumental music education in schools.

If you’ve never stayed at a Gaylord Hotel, now is definitely the time.  These hotels are like a beautiful city all under one climate-controlled glass atrium ceiling – including waterfalls, restaurants, shops, clubs, conference facilities, a spa, bars, a fitness center, and much more.  In addition, the Gaylord Hotels are now partnering with Dreamworks for an even more family-friendly vacation experience.  Rates start at $179 at the Gaylord Palms, and $199 at the Gaylord Texan, the Gaylord Opryland, and the Gaylord National Hotels.

The Gaylord National
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745

The Gaylord Opryland
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

The Gaylord Palms
6000 W Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34746

The Gaylord Texan
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051-1945

Photo credit: The Gaylord Hotels