As annual host to the stars of the Westminster Dog Show in Madison Square Garden, New York’s Hotel Penn is getting ready to welcome the VIPs (Very Important Pooches).

Hotel Penn NYC

This is the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and it takes place February 14-15, 2011 at Madison Square Garden, directly across from the hotel.

It’s hard to say if staying in the hotel makes competitors the ‘Best in Show’ or maybe its just that the best prefer to stay here.

Either way, New York’s most pet friendly hotel has a stellar record of hosting dogs that do well at the Westminster dog show, including former Best in Show winner Uno the Beagle.

Apparently, people have been calling the hotel asking for Uno’s room, hoping that maybe some of the magic will rub off on their wannabe champion.

There will be a ‘Pre-Westminster’ fashion show at the hotel on Feb 11, and there will be a temporary doggie spa created inside the hotel – the Green Room Salon & S’paw, where the VIPs can expect to be pampered. Top that off with a Paw Mall and a Doggie Concierge who will on hand with a solution for every need.

Jim Flynn, the hotel’s General Manager, says that “No one does it like New York’s Hotel Pennsylvania. We look forward to once again having these VIP’s staying with us for the Westminster Dog Show given our perfect location and unique services/amenities.”

The hotel has a pet friendly special (not available during the Westminster Dog Show) which includes a welcome pet treat upon check-in and a copy of Fido-Friendly Magazine. Book the package online and you also get exclusive coupons for the city’s most popukar stores and attractions, including Macy’s, Madame Tussauds, Top of the Rock and many more.

Photo credits (from left): Sergio Calleja; Hotel Penn 

More info: 401 Seventh Avenue (at 33rd St.) New York NY 10001; (212) 736-5000; www.hotelpenn.com/

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The View from the Fort William Henry Hotel

My family recently traveled to Lake George, New York for a family winter vacation.  The Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center, right at the beginning of Lake George Village, hosted us for one night.

The Fort William Henry Hotel has three separate sections – the Grand Hotel (where our room was), the Standard West (more of a motel), and the Premium East (nicer motel rooms).  Our room, in the Grand Hotel, had two double beds, and a pull-out sofa, along with a microwave and mini-fridge.  The hotel also offers free high-speed internet access.

The hotel is on the older side, and our room wasn’t as nice as the room we had at the Holiday Inn Turf (which was newer).  But, the location was better – a short walk to Lake George Village.  The view from our room was absolutely amazing – just see the photo at the left.  I also found the staff to be fabulous – very helpful with directions to activities, and very willing to give us a late check-out on our last day.

The Fort William Henry Hotel also offers an Olympic-sized outdoor pool (for the summer) and a smaller indoor pool.  There are three on-site restaurants.  We had breakfast at the hotel, and really enjoyed the quality along with the menu options.  In addition, my son’s breakfast was free because kids 4 and under are free.

Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center
48 Canada Street
Lake George, New York 12845
(800) 234-0267

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: Our stay at the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center was complimentary.

The Exterior of the Holiday Inn Turf

Last week, my family make the journey from blizzard-bound Boston to Lake George, NY, right after Christmas.  Our agenda was jam packed, and we wanted a nice hotel to spend our nights, as well as swim in the evenings.  The Holiday Inn in Lake George, was the perfect location for us.

The Holiday Inn is located right near Lake George Village, right on route 9.  The three-story hotel offers 129 rooms and suites, many with a view of the lake.

The Two Queen Bedroom at the Holiday Inn

We had a third-floor suite, with two queen beds in the bedroom, and a pull-out couch in the living room.  It was perfect for us, because we had our children sleep on in the living room.  The bathroom is nice and big with large counters, and the room also has a microwave and a mini-fridge.

The Holiday Inn also has an on-site restaurant, TR’s Restaurant, where kids staying at the resort eat free with a paying adult.  We had breakfast there every morning, and really enjoyed it.

The hotel also offers an indoor and seasonal heated outdoor pool, as well as a sauna, and outdoor spa.  High-speed internet access is free for all guests.

The Holiday Inn
2223 Canada Street
US Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
800-315-2621

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: I received two complimentary nights free.

On Dec 27, 2010, in the middle of a blizzard that shut down much of the Northeast, the Aloft Harlem quietly made history with the simple act of opening its doors to guests.

Aloft Harlem, New York

The 12-story building on the corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 124th Street near the 125th St subway station has the hotel on the first six floors with 124 loft-style rooms, with the six floors above devoted to 44 residencies.

What’s historic is that Harlem now has its first major hotel since the Theresa shut down in 1967. This famous neighborhood in Harlem where the Apollo Theater alone attracts over 2.5 million annual visitors hasn’t had a hotel for 43 years.

A new hotel in New York City may not be a big deal now, but back in the days when the Theresa was open, it was the only good Harlem hotel open to some people because downtown hotels wouldn’t let them  stay.

As times changed, the Theresa was no longer the only option, but it was still a powerful symbol and a call for visitors to come stay in Harlem. After it closed down, tourists and visitors would come to enjoy the Apollo Theater and Harlem’s jazz clubs and soul food, but they couldn’t stay here. The Aloft changes all that and Harlem now has its own hotel again.

Daniel Fevre, General Manager of Aloft Harlem, says that “Harlem has long been a highly visited destination in Manhattan and we look forward to providing a unique lodging alternative in the area.”

History and symbolic statements aside, it’s also a pretty trendy and tech savvy place to stay in. There are flat-screen television sets in each room which are ‘plug & play’ enabled – meaning guests can hook up PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops.

Guest room, Aloft Harlem

Each room also has individual climate control and video checkout.  Smart check-in with a special RFID-powered keycard allows guests to skip the front desk and head straight to the room on arrival.

Standard amenities include the Signature bed for a good night’s sleep, and a work desk with an ergonomic chair and a coffee maker for those who don’t want to sleep and would instead prefer to use the in-room wi-fi or wired high speed internet.

Being an Aloft, the hotel also has a re:mix lounge, a re:charge fitness center, 24/7 re:fuel for a quick bite to eat, and the w xyz bar for mingling with drinks.

From now until March 31, 2011, guests who book in at the Aloft Harlem will earn double SPG points for every stay, and a $20 voucher for food & drinks at the hotel’s w xyz bar or at re:fuel.

Photo credits – Apex Condominiums, SPG (The Lobby).

Info: 2296 Frederick Douglass Boulevard New York NY 10027; (212) 749-4000; website

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