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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Rm 1016 Grand Hyatt Denver

My second visit to Denver was for a conference held at the Grand Hyatt Denver, not to be confused with the Hyatt Regency Denver – which my SuperShuttle driver did. Not to worry though if this detour happens to you, the hotels are only two blocks from each other. And to make things even more interesting, the Grand Hyatt Denver is formerly the Hyatt Regency Denver.

Within about a three to four block radius, you will find every major hotel represented. Why? You are that close to the Colorado State Capitol building, the Colorado Convention Center and the University of Colorado at Denver.

The Grand Hyatt is two blocks from the Denver Pavilions entertainment complex and 16th Street Mall.  These both have lots of shops, restaurants and movie theaters.  Since I was in town strictly for the conference, I got to know the insides of the Grand Hyatt quite well. Here are my highlights:

• Two Double Beds were nice. I used one as a workstation and the room still felt large. They were Grand Beds™ featuring ultra-plush pillows.
• Wi-Fi access for my Mac didn’t work. I had to use their wired dataport at my desk.
• Walk-in closest fit my clothes & suitcase easily. I loved the full length mirrors on both the inside of the door and outside on the wall.
• Room service offers a decadent molten chocolate cake with strawberries.
• My room had a decent city view and the church bells on Sunday were a nice touch for my departure.

I didn’t make it to their gym but I heard good things about it from other conference goers. The hotel’s elevators operate using your room key.  The staff was nice especially the maid service. Next to the concierge desk is a kiosk for airline check-in and printing your boarding pass.  SuperShuttle stops by the hotel every 15 minutes for Denver International Airport.

Pet friendly Grand Hyatt Denver - cute!

Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 295-1234

Photos by Sharon Castellanos

Loews Hotel, New Orleans - Restaurant

Get a taste of New Orleans with a special gastronomic package deal at the Loews New Orleans Hotel. Book a room at the downtown hotel in 2010, and upgrade to the package that will entertain you and satisfy your taste buds. Located 4 blocks from Canal Street and a few more from Jackson Square, you’re staying in the heart of true New Orleans history on Poydras at Loews.

Vacationing with your children? Kids 12 and under eat FREE at the Loews New Orleans Hotel April 1 – Memorial Day.

Package includes:
* Two nights in Grand King Guest Room
* Welcome cocktail for two in Swizzle Stick Bar
* $150 credit towards dinner for two in Café Adelaide
* Beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde for two
* Lunch at Mother’s Restaurant for two
* Admission for two to Preservation Hall Jazz Club
* Admission for two to the Southern Museum of Food & Beverage including Museum of the American Cocktail
* Copy of “In the Land of Cocktails” book written by Ti Martin & Lally Brennan ‘The Cocktail Chicks’

Rates start at $579 and are subject to availability.

300 Poydras St
New Orleans, LA 70130

The Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich Switzerland has recently renovated it's rooms.

Zurich Switzerland is a beautiful city, surrounded by the breathtaking view of the Alps.  Museums, The Opera House, and more will delight you as you enjoy local food and culture.  To be pampered in style, check out these gorgeous hotels:

Baur au Lac is a high quality hotel with the guest in mind.  On the shore of Lake Zurich in it’s very own private park, this hotel is a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World” and of “Swiss Deluxe Hotels” and lives up to it’s name in service and food.  The rooms are recently renovated and spacious, decorated in various styles throughout.

Hotel du Theatre boasts the La Suite Lounge on the first floor as the “perfect meeting place for moviegoers.” Now they serve Tapas for before or after the theatre.  YUM.

Hotel St. Gotthard has been open since 1889 and is now on it’s 4th generation of owners.  This luxurious legend is high in class and located in the heart of the city center.  Enjoy the lobster and oyster bar/restaurant or the Piano Lobby Bar/Restaurant or the canopied pavement café for a light meal.

{photo source Baur au Lac}