Enjoy the views from your newly renovated room

Out with the old and in with the new! The coming new year is the perfect excuse to find vacations experiences to go with it, and there’s no better time to head to the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort.

Fresh from a six-month, $48-million renovation, this hotel (often considered one of the best in the U.S. Virgin Islands) has officially re-opened its doors. All the guest rooms have been redesigned, and the resort has added a new spa and spa pool, larger fitness center, a full-service salon, new restaurants, expanded lounge areas, a redesigned infinity pool (with kids zone) and added an adults-only pool.

The resort’s 302 guest rooms have spectacular views of Charlotte Amalie Harbour and easy access to Morning Star Beach. Newly designed rooms include Caribbean décor, rain-style shower heads, ergonomic workspaces, LCD high-definition TVs and Marriott’s signature bedding, which includes 300 thread count sheets, down comforters, thick mattresses with plush tops and fluffier pillows. Rates start at $249 per night.

Make sure to plan enough time to enjoy one of the highlights of the new additions, the Lazule Sea Spa. With 4,000 square feet of luxury facilities, the spa includes seven treatment rooms, couples room, massage cabanas, and an exclusive spa pool and couples relaxation room.

Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort

You don’t need to stay in your room to enjoy the gorgeous views. The newly re-designed Aqua Terra Oceanfront Grill and Aqua Terra Lounge have spectacular vistas of Charlotte Amalie Harbour through grand floor-to-ceiling windows. The Rum Bar Terrace also has views of Charlotte Amalie Harbour and the Sunset Grill offers a vista of Sunset Harbor.

All you need to do is pack your bag (you can even leave your passport at home), book your room and airplane tickets, and you can enjoy early 2012 in style—in a Caribbean resort overlooking a secluded beach with warm blue water. That’s just the way to start a great new year.

Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort 340-776-8400
5 Estate Bakkeroe, St. Thomas, 00801 Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Photos courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort

Related posts:
Fly to the U.S. Virgin Islands Direct With New Flight From JetBlue
Iguana Adventures in St. Thomas

The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain

Are you an avid golfer?  Golfing on vacation (or anywhere, in fact) can be expensive, but with the Unlimited Golf package at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Tucson, Arizona, you’ll get unlimited golfing at their world-class golf club during your vacation.

The Unlimited Golf package at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain starts at $249 for one person per night ($299 for two people per night) and includes the following:

The Omni Mount Washington in the Winter

Does your family enjoy skiing?  This ski season, the Omni Mount Washington in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire (the largest ski area in New Hampshire), is offering a stay here ski free package.

The package is available as a European plan package, a Bed and Breakfast plan package, and a modified American plan package.  The European plan package starts at $99 per person per night, and includes the following:

• Two complimentary Alpine lift tickets or Nordic Trail passes (or one of each) per night,per room for the Bretton Woods ski resort
• Additional lift tickets to Bretton Woods can be purchased upon arrival at the Resort Guest Discounted Price
• Accommodations in the newly renovated Omni Mount Washington Resort

The Bed and Breakfast package starts at $119 per person per night and includes everything the European package includes, plus a full breakfast daily.  The modified American plan package starts at $179 per night per person, and includes all of the above, plus a four-course dinner daily.

Blackout dates apply, rates are based upon double occupancy, and children over the age of 13 will be considered adults.  Keep in mind that the rates shown are just starting rates and may vary based upon many variables.

Omni Mount Washington
310 Mt Washington Hotel Rd
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire 03575
603-278-1000

Photo credit: Omni Mount Washington

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport

If it seems like you’re always rushing to or from the airport, next time consider keeping your travel stress at bay with a stay near the airport. The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport is just seven minutes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco—convenient for both visitors and locals who need to be close to SFO.

The hotel’s 789 guest rooms include a flat-screen TV, iHome stereo with iPod docking station, refrigerator, coffee maker and Wi-Fi (for an additional fee). Rates start at $109 and vary, depending on type of room. If you want to stay connected with the airport theme, ask for a bay view room, where you can watch airplanes land and take off.

But don’t just hang out in your cozy room. The hotel’s restaurant, sports bar and deli are all good places to kick back at mealtime, and fitness fans can spend quality time at the gym and outdoor pool. And San Francisco is a short ride away, so don’t miss out on all the big city fun.

Get a good night's sleep near SFO

Bay Area residents can take advantage of the hotel’s Park, Stay and Fly package to start a vacation off stress-free. Spend a relaxing night in a guest room at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport and ride the complimentary shuttle to the airport for your flight the next day. While you’re gone, you can leave your car safely stowed at the hotel’s covered parking lot for up to 10 days at no charge. (Additional parking in excess of 10 days will be $10/day for a maximum of 20 parking days per package.)

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, 650-347-1234
1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, CA 94010

Photos courtesy of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport

More San Francisco-related information:
Nopalito—San Francisco, CA
Hog Island Oysters in San Francisco: Best Lunches With a View