My bed at the W Westwood in Los Angeles, CA

I don’t travel well, especially when it comes to getting to sleep in a strange bed.  Besides my inherent fear that someone will break into my room, there’s always the lovely sounds of hotel neighbours to rouse me before I actually get to sleep.

Having just returned from the hip and happening W Westwood in Los Angeles, (where I must admit I felt 100 years old just like last time, more on that later), the first article I wanted to write was this one.  You know, for next time.

So, if you’re a restless, weary traveler, consider the following:

1 ) When checking in or booking the room, ask to be placed at least 2 floors away from the hotel’s hot spot.  In the case of the W, make it 6 or more.  I was on the 4th floor and heard BOOM BOOM BOOM until 1 a.m.  Not ideal when I had to be up at 6.

2 ) Also request your room not be near the ice machines or the elevators.  Even if the mechanics of these areas are quiet, there will be the human element pouring off the lift or digging in the ice machine for just one. more. drink.

3 ) Unplug your phone or ask the hotel to put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode if possible.  No need for drunk dialers to wake you if you’ve already managed to crash.

4 ) Double check your alarm clock for obvious reasons.  You don’t want to be up at 4 a.m. unless it’s your flight you’re looking to catch.

5 ) Use ear plugs, if you’re so inclined.

6 ) If you’re the type to get up in the night to use the washroom or get a drink of water, make sure your foot path is clear and save yourself the trouble of getting up for water by leaving a glass of water at your bedside.

7 ) Close your curtains before bed.

8 ) If your neighbours are particularly rowdy, you could try calling the front desk but if that fails, don’t be afraid to pack it in and go to the front desk for a new room.  Personally I don’t mind the sound of happy party people.  For some reason I feel safer if I know there are people around.

9 ) If you’re going to watch television to fall asleep, set the timer for sleep mode.  That way you don’t wake up to the Slapchop dude screaming into your dreams.

10 ) If you don’t want hotel staff to wake you up in the morning, be sure to use your Do Not Disturb sign.

Personally I find having a couple of drinks at dinner gets me lubricated enough to slip into dreamland a little easier.  Hopefully sleep finds you at your destination!

Photo Credit: Karen Bodkin

Twitter is becoming a more popular vehicle for hotels to reach clientele and job prospects.

Twitter is fast becoming a medium for companies to reach their clients. (We’re on Twitter too!  Follow us @UpTake!)  Just yesterday my own websites went down and instead of going to my server company’s web page, I went directly to their Twitter page.  In seconds I saw they had a power outage and service would be restored within the hour.  What took the company 5 seconds to Tweet saved us both time and satisfied my need-to-know immediately.

Here are some of the top hotels on Twitter.  Feel free to add to the list in comments.

The Hyatt has twitter streams for two purposes.  One @hyattconcierge, to reach clientele and prospective clients, as well as promote their brand.  The other, @hyattcareers, is meant for a search of job prospects and to post employment opportunities within the company.  It will be interesting to see if separating the two genres will prove to be lucrative for The Hyatt.

The Marriott International (@MarriottIntl)posts interesting updates and does a good job of keeping their followers.  With 13,000+ following their feed, it’s obvious The Marriott is taking Twitter seriously.  The Marriott Vacation Club (@MarriottVacClub) is an active feed, with plenty of deals for would-be travelers.  Watch this space closely for coupon codes.

I love how the Ritz Carleton actually has PR rep Allison Stitch as their front woman on Twitter (@RitzCarletonPR).  Not only does that instill a sense of humanity to the stream, you know you’re actually talking to someone who’s job it is to make you happy.  Great job Ritz Carleton!

Starwood Hotels are also doing a great job of engaging fellow Tweeters at their stream (@StarwoodBuzz)  They ask questions, post interesting stories and links and reply back – a key to keeping your followers!

Omni Hotels (@OmniHotels) have a Twitter Team, complete with pictures.  They help clients and post deals when they have them.  Seems to me they are really taking the time to answer questions and go above and beyond to help others.

Joie de Vivre Hotels of California (@JDVHotels) take the time to post interesting things near their locations, answer customer questions and solve problems.  Hotel guest Michael Fishman put the JDVHotel Twitter stream to test with shredded towels (!) and received new towels and a reply on Twitter.

Morgans Hotel Group (@morganshotels) also seem to love Tweeting about nearby nigthlife and the like.  It’s proven to be a good move for them obviously, so say their high number of followers (3100+ to be exact).  One tip for Morgans?  Follow back.  We don’t bite and your ratios are whacky.

Fairmont Hotels (@fairmonthotels) have a fun stream with contests and trivia questions.  If nothing else, this Twitter stream is enjoyable and light.  Twitter host Mike Taylor does a great job or keeping his 4500+ followers on board.

Millennium Hotels (@MillenniumPR) does a great job of posting job fairs, contests and replying to clients and prospective travelers.  There’s a bonus to being one of their followers too: they post things just for us.  I can see this account growing in popularity if Millennium keeps up the momentum.

There are many more hotels on Twitter.  Here is a comprehensive list for you to find your favorites or to touch base with any of the hotels you plan on visiting.

Photo Credit: Karen Bodkin (screenshot of Twitter)

guest post by Sherry Gray

Anything on the beach is going to have a certain amount of awe associated with it just by virtue of the natural environment.  But some beach hotels go the extra mile to make the most of their prime location.

Six Amazing Beach Hotels

The National Hotel on South Miami Beach, FL

The Naitonal - South Beach Miami hotel

Known for the elegance and luxury of a bygone era, the hotel sits right on the sands of Miami’s best known beach and features a unique 205-foot long infinity pool. The National was built in the late 1940s and boasts chic art deco style with all the amenities you expect in a luxury hotel.

itty bitty picture of big infinity pool

What’s to love: Style! Fully restored to its original glory in 1997, the National is loaded with charm and style.

The Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey Bay, CA

The Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey Bay

Built on the edge of The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, this luxurious resort offers the kind of unspoiled nature you’d normally have to sleep in a tent to enjoy. The isolated location of The Sanctuary Beach Resort offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean or rolling dunes of seemingly endless sand alive with an amazing array of indigenous plant and wildlife. You can’t go wrong, either choice is simply breathtaking.

What’s to love: Put simply, raw nature. With the Marine Sanctuary just steps away, you’re surrounded by wilderness while being spoiled rotten by amenities.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort just off the coast of Charleston, SC

The Sanctuary

This five star resort hotel built in 2004 is designed to be reminiscent of an elegant seaside mansion, and to fit into the landscape as if it has been in place for hundreds of years. Sweeping, Gone With the Wind staircases dominate the expansive lobby, beautifully decorated in traditional southern décor accented by antiques, lending a homey feeling of casual elegance.

What’s to love: Gorgeous, oceanfront golf. Golf Digest ranks The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort at number 25 on it’s list of 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses and number 4 on the Best Public Course list.

The Wyndham Hotel Galvez in Galveston, TX

Tropical pool at The Wyndham Hotel Galvez

Recently restored to its full glory, the glamorous Wyndham Hotel Galvez dates back nearly 100 years. Dubbed the “Queen of the Gulf” when it first opened in 1911, the hotel was frequented by celebrities and public figures like Teddy Roosevelt, Frank Sinatra and the enigmatic Howard Hughes.

What’s to love: Aside from rich historical background, the incredible tropical pool complete with swim up bar is a sight to behold.

The Victorian at the Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit, ME

Beachmere Inn

This beautifully restored Victorian mansion built in the late 1800s was once a private residence. Comfortable, affordable rooms decorated in Shaker style and soothing seaside color overlook a panoramic view of the beach below.

What’s to love: Wood burning fireplaces in some of the suite-style rooms for cozy evenings in.

The Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, HI

View from The Turtle Bay Resort

Forty-five minutes away from the high density overpopulation of Honolulu, the Turtle Bay Resort is an oasis of tranquility on nearly five miles of dazzling white sand beaches. Because of its unique construction, every room in the resort has a spectacular ocean view.

What’s to love: Surfing! The Oahu shoreline is home to legendary surfing spots including the Banzai Pipeline.

You might have guessed that I’m not a huge fan of cookie-cutter chain hotels. I look for unique factors that will make my beach vacation memorable. Fortunately it’s not that hard to find a hotel full of charm, grace and elegance. They key is to break away from the familiar and search for the original.