Homewood Suites is putting up a quacky new float at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of the celebration, Homewood guests have a chance to win parade tickets and a family trip to New York with a free stay at the Hilton Times Square.

Homewood Suites Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float

From now through Oct 17, guests booking online with Homewood Suites will be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to New York City. Winner gets a 4 night-stay at the Hilton Times Square for a family of four, a $3,500 gift card to cover the travel costs, and VIP grandstand tickets for the parade. You can also enter the contest online without having to book a stay.

The 46 feet long Homewood Suites ‘On The Roll Again’ float depicts a family of ducks on a family getaway. The father duck, Lewis, is shown wearing a dapper hat and lugging a backpack, followed by mother duck Lois and the kids. As Lois gets her camera ready to capture the memories, the ducklings behind start flapping their wings from atop a wagon piled high with luggage.

Lewis the Duck is actually the Homewood Suites mascot, and they even have a children’s book series based on Lewis’ adventures. Three books currently available include “Lewis the Duck and His Long Trip,” “Lewis Goes to Canada,” and “Lewis Goes to Mexico.”

Amy Kule, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, said in a statement that “Macy’s and Homewood Suites share a commitment to the whole family and this float promises to be a spectacular new addition to this year’s Parade line-up.”

In addition to the roomy ‘home-like’ studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, the over 300 Homewood Suites locations also offer an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, complimentary grocery shopping services, a business center and laundry services.

All of this is in addition to the complimentary full hot breakfast and evening dinner and drinks, and complimentary high-speed internet in every Homewood Suites location in the US.

More info: http://HomewoodSuites.com/Macys & www.macys.com/parade

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What’s in a name? A lot, if you’re Paris Hilton and you want to open a hotel. That’s exactly what Paris Hilton says she wants to do. She says she now wants to go back to her roots as a hotelier.

Paris Hilton

She says quote ”And right now that I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do, that would definitely be the next step, to open my own hotels.”

Paris Hilton is the heiress of the Hilton Hotels chain, founded by her great grandfather Conrad Hilton. Unfortunately for our wannabe hotelier, the Hilton family has already sold off the hotel business, and the Hilton chain is now owned by the Blackstone Group.

The point being that Paris Hilton no longer has the right to open a hotel named Hilton, or Paris Hilton or anything of the sort. Unless Hilton Worldwide wants Paris Hilton to open a new brand under the Hilton umbrella, the word ‘Hilton’ is pretty much out of the running.

So what does that leave? Here’s a few name suggestions for Paris Hilton’s flagship hotel:-

The Whitney – Betcha didn’t know Paris Hilton’s middle name is Whitney.

The Paris – There wouldn’t be any legal problems with that, and there’s a bonus. What happens if they have to open in Paris, France? It would be The Paris Paris, which is a flaky name and something Paris Hilton can identify with.

The Nic – Her sister is Nicky Hilton, one of her brothers is Barron Nicholas Hilton II, and her childhood friend and The Simple Life co-star is Nicole Richie. She has had a relationship with singer Nick Carter and also with Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos III.

The Heiress - Paris founded her own record label, which is called Heiress Records. She has a perfume line, one of which is named Heiress. She’s also a published author with a bestseller called Confessions of an Heiress, and another one called Your Heiress Diary.

Photo – Peter Schäfermeier

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One of my travel fantasies is to spend a night in Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Unfortunately, the Cinderella suite at Disney’s Magic Kingdom has only been made available to winners of sporadic contests, so the odds of making this particular travel fantasy a reality are slim to none.  However, there is a hotel in Orlando that can come remarkably close to making my princess dreams come true – no luck needed!

Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, Florida

The Doubletree Castle Hotel on International Drive in Orlando, Florida may not be located in the Magic Kingdom or boast a Disney Princess pedigree, but it does offer guests a chance to dine on a rooftop terrace surrounded by castle turrets.  And it certainly looks an awful lot like a castle.

These regal accommodations are surrounded by shops, restaurants, mini golf courses and numerous other tourist attractions.  Guests will also have easy access to the area’s many theme parks, including Universal Studios and Wet n’ Wild.  In fact, the hotel offers free scheduled shuttles Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

How much does a night in a castle off Disney property cost?  Rooms can be find online for as little as $72 a night.  Hilton Honors members may also qualify for discounts and upgrades.

If you’re willing to risk looking dorky in a hotel lobby wearing a white sequin Michael Jackson glove, the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will reward you with a complimentary Disney-view upgrade.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

The offer is in celebration of the return of the ‘Captain EO’ musical to Walt Disney World’s Epcot. Peter Kacheris, managing director of the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, says the Disney-view is a thriller and that ”when it comes great hotel perks… you certainly can’t ‘beat it.’

The promotion is available during July and August. Upgrades subject to availability, and you have to book and stay by Aug 31 at the latest.

The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek has 1,001 guest rooms and suites adjacent to the Waldorf-Astoria Orlando. Both are part of the 482 acre Bonnet Creek development surrounded on three sides by the Walt Disney World Resort.

Amenities include an 18-hole championship golf course at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, six restaurants and lounges, a two acre lagoon style and zero-entry resort pool. A family fun area includes a river pool and waterslide. Read More »