Holiday Inn - not exactly home for the holidays

There was a moment when I wondered if this was such a good idea.

The empty dining room felt lonely rather than private and we missed the jostling and shoving that comes from trying to fit too many people at a too small table.  It was odd to place an order instead of spending an entire day juggling cooking times and oven space.  As we waited for a woman we’d never met before to bring us our plates full of turkey and stuffing, we didn’t feel adventurous.  I worried that my family holiday vacation was a sad substitute for a family Thanksgiving feast at home.

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Unless you’re looking for a cold stare and a hurt silence powerful enough to reduce you to a shameful puddle, better get busy and fix up something good for Mother’s Day. Want to make it easy, let these special hotels do all the heavy lifting.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Fairmont Frontenac - Old world luxury, the French connection and the ‘Pamper Mommy!’ special combine into an irresistible package designed to melt Mom and keep you in her good graces for the rest of the year.

Includes 2 nights stay, afternooon tea on Saturday and Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday at Le Champlain restaurant, a 15% discount on shopping at the hotel’s boutique store and a 20% discount on spa services. Details here.

Warwick New York - This hotel apparently has a time machine stowed away somewhere, because they’re offering, in their own words, “the gift of time.” The Warwick’s Mother’s Day package is called ‘Time For You’ and the promo code is MOM.

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island - Being at the historic Grand Hotel is by itself quite adequate to make Mom realize she didn’t do such a bad job raising you after all.

But the Grand then lays it on some more, with a 2-night Mother’s Day package that includes with family accomodations, daily breakfast and dinner, evening receptions, Mother’s Day Grand Luncheon Buffet, ferry discounts and best of all – no tipping.

Opryland, Nashville  - Celebrate a “Family Affair” at the Opryland, which includes admission to the Mom Prom and the Family Affair Dance with DJs, dance contests and refreshments, a Delta Riverboat ride inside the hotel, and a milk and doughnuts family breakfast on Mother’s Day with a special gift.

Hotel Del Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado - Again, being at The Del is itself an excellent gift for Mother’s Day.

Add to this a Mother’s Day champagne brunch buffet, dinner with a view of the ocean and a 4-course Mother’s Day menu, and a six-pack spa treatment.

Photo credits:- Frontenac – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Grand – Scott Ellis (via flickr); Del – Hotel Del Coronado

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - New York

Christmas is barely three weeks away, and if you’re like me, one of the greatest joys of the season is admiring beautifully decorated Christmas trees. You can find all sorts of them displayed in outside environments, but don’t forget to duck inside some hotels! Christmas is an incredibly busy season for most hotels, and many go to great lengths to provide awe-inspiring Christmas displays. Check out some of the following hotels for their gorgeous Christmas trees this season – they’re perfect opportunities to add a little holiday cheer to your family or romantic outing.

What other hotels do you have to add? Please comment!

Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA - Christmas Ice Skating!

1.  The Hotel Del Coronado – San Diego, California

I used to visit this hotel’s beautiful tree every year when I lived in San Diego. It’s usually around 50 feet tall, and is decorated with the pretties ribbons, bows and ornaments. By the way, did you know that the country’s first outdoor, electrically lit Christmas tree was at the Hotel Del Coronado in 1904? The hotel has a grand tradition of Christmas trees. You can go ice skating, too, at this hotel – outdoors, overlooking the beach and ocean.

2. M Resort Spa and Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada

This resort is brand spankin’ new, and on December 12 it will unveil an 109-foot tall White Fir Christmas tree. That’s really, really big – to provide some perspective, the Rockefeller Center tree is generally around 80 feet tall, so this one towers over that!

3.  The Inn at Christmas Place – Piegon Forks, Tennessee

I blogged about this hotel last year because it was so unusual – it’s Christmas here year-round! You can even request a room that has your very own Christmas tree. You’ll see Christmas throughout this Victorian themed hotel, all decorated differently.

The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana

4. Roosevelt Hotel – New Orleans, Louisiana

This hotel was devastated during Hurricane Katrina, and after$145 million in renovations, it is finally open again to the public and is featuring its gorgeous Christmas displays once again, including a host of Christmas trees.

Photos: Ewen and Donabel, armatoj, infrogmation

Chicago is one of the greatest places to be during the winter holidays.  Yes, it’s cold.  But the snow and the tiny white lights that cover the entire city are beautiful.  Chicago winters perfectly capture the spirit of the most wonderful time of year.

Chicago Christmas Tree

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is offering guests incredible travel specials for the holidays – as long as you book early.

Here’s the Chicago holiday travel deal:

• Receive a $100 Macy’s gift card for each night of your stay.
• Receive a Macy’s VIP coupon book.
• Get a complimentary photo with the Macy’s Santa on State St. Available for stays Nov. 24 – Dec. 24.
• Reduced rates starting at $175 per night from Nov. 6, 2009 to February 21,  2010.

According to my math, the Macy’s gift card brings your actual room rate to about $75 per night.  You have to shop now anyway, right?

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers will also be offering complimentary shuttle service to Macy’s and Water Tower Place – Chicago’s consumer utopias – during the weekends leading up to December 20.

How to get this Chicago Christmas  deal

• Book by November 6th.
• Offer valid for stays from November 6 to February 21.
• Book online, or call 866-716-8103
• Ask for promo code MAP

Happy Holidays from the Windy City (and Sheraton Chicago)!