Posts Tagged ‘hotels’

There’s a lot to like about Newport Beach in Southern California. Like Newport Rhode Island, it’s a pretty swanky town on the water. It has its own fair share of impressive mansions to gawp at, too, albeit with a lot less US history behind them (no Vanderbilts or Astors here). Newport Beach is fun and outdoorsy, but it’s also an upscale, luxury-oriented part of Southern California – perfect for a romantic vacation. And guess what? One of my favorite upscale, luxury-oriented hotel brands, Fairmont, is running a special Valentine’s Day travel deal for Twitter users.

Obviously, not everyone embraces the 140-characters-or-less ethos of the social media tool, but I do. In fact, it’s a Fairmont (the Fairmont Kea Lani, in Wailea Beach, Maui) that serves as my own Twitter wallpaper. But the Fairmont Newport Beach is a LOT closer to where I live, and I LOVE this vacation package. Here’s the rundown: On Twitter, follow @FairmontNewport or @FairmontHotels, and get the “Twitter Only” special code. then call Central Reservations (800) 447-1414 with Rate Code 2U8VAL.

The Newport Beach Valentine’s Day romantic travel package starts at $199/night, which is a great deal for staying at a Fairmont hotel. Package includes:

• Junior Suite with private balcony
• Breakfast for two on balcony or in hotel restaurant
• Complimentary valet and internet access
• Two plush robes, monogrammed with your @Twitter Name!
• Blue “Twitter” heart-shaped cookies
• Choice of Champagne, wine or cider
• Late check-out

This Fairmont Newport Beach hotel vacation package is meant for Valentine’s Day, but is good from Feb 1 – March 31, 2010. That gives us two months in which to find the time to schedule a romantic getaway — pretty nice, huh? I think so.

We love to travel and to see the world, but let’s face it — sometimes, getting there can be quite an experience in itself.  Traffic jams, flight delays, and lost hotel reservations can really start a vacation on the wrong foot. But think about the big picture: are those relatively common travel annoyances really so bad? Not when you compare them to some of these strange and sorry travel tales of 2009 — most of which (surprise, surprise) are related to air travel:

TSA Touché: A mom blogger ranted in a long, emotional post about the “nightmare” experience she had in airport security in Atlanta and claimed TSA agents removed her toddler son from the screening area. Only the TSA fought back by airing YouTube video showing that Nicole’s son was never out of her sight.

Dumb Tourist Award: A German visitor allegedly said not once, but twice, that he’s got two bombs in his backpack at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom security checkpoint. He landed in jail with a $10,000 bond.

Viral Videos: United Airlines broke a $3,500 guitar in transit from Nova Scotia to Nebraska. Too bad it belonged to a creative, funny band-man who produced two hilarious revenge videos on YouTube — racking up more than 7 million views.

Cranky Kids Can’t Fly: A mom and her two-year-old son were removed from a Southwest Airlines flight before take-off because the child wouldn’t stop screaming. “We just can’t tolerate that for two hours,” a flight attendant allegedly said. Southwest later apologized and gave the mom a $300 travel voucher.

Athletic Clothes=Coach Class: A man was denied boarding in the first class section of a United Airlines flight for wearing a track suit.

Watch for Nude Drunks in Your Hotel Bed: A wasted, naked 29-year-old wandered into a presumably unlocked hotel room, surprising occupants. They did not press charges.

And Naked People in Airplane Aisles: A 21-year-old exposed himself to a female seatmate, punched her and then stripped down. The plane had to turn around so the dude could be arrested.

Asleep at the Wheel: Why did those Northwest pilots overshoot the runway in Minneapolis? We’re they napping or merely distracted? Now they’re blaming it — in part — on air-traffic controllers.

Foot Fetish: Apparently people like to see actor Danny Devito’s stubby-toed “troll feet” in various locations around the world. Follow him on Twitter, along with 300,000 other people, to witness this bizarre display. Or watch the video.

Not That Button! A civilian passenger on a “joyride” with an Air Force pilot in South Africa accidentally ejects himself from a jet – and survives.

Sure, one of the The Vacation Gals moved her family from sunny Arizona to (currently) frigid Minnesota by car this year, and another endured the dreaded Thanksgiving holiday air travel across the country. Neither of these dreary experiences quite compare, though, to the weirdest and wackiest travel stories of 2009.

What can you get for the proverbial “man who has everything?” My husband has a gratifying career, happy kids, and enough consumer electronics to keep his geeky self busy for a while.  So for his big birthday recently (let’s just say it’s a number divisible by 10), I thought about past romantic getaway weekends we’d had, and picked one of the best for a repeat trip. Once I thought about it, the choice for a weekend luxury vacation was pretty obvious: The San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito CA was named The Best Hotel in North America by Forbes Traveler (2009) and is adjacent to Santa Barbara, our favorite nearby town for an upscale getaway.

Suite living room at San Ysidro Ranch

We arrived to find we’d been given an upgrade to a gorgeous suite – hooray! Since a few other couples were joining us, we let our living room be “home base” where they joined us for breakfast in the mornings and wine in the afternoons. Each cottage at the San Ysidro Ranch has a

Santa Barbara wine at SYR

private outdoor patio with hot tub, fireplace, and breakfast area, along with wi-fi and huge flat screen televisions (but don’t spend too much time watching TV, please). It’s really the personal touches that help elevate the San Ysidro Ranch above others to become a best hotel in North America for couples, though. Guests’ names in blocks by the front door, wine and cheese, handwritten notes, turndown service with rosemary right from the citrus garden, attentive service, and easily made appointments for in-room massage services all add up to a perfect luxury travel experience.

There are a few hiking trails right off the ranch property; all the couples on our birthday celebration weekend enjoyed these. Montecito is great for hiking all year round, after all. We also had one of the best meals of our lives at the San Ysidro Ranch’s popular restaurant, the Stonehouse. Everything was extremely well prepared and beautifully presented, and the sommelier knew his stuff. There’s a more casual restaurant on the property as well; the Plow & Angel is pub-style in the back, with a casual and friendly atmosphere.

Stonehouse Restaurant near Santa Barbara

The town of Montecito is charming and lovely, and Santa Barbara is less than 10 minutes away.  Santa Barbara is simply wonderful; from the mission to the art museum to the huge variety of restaurants on State Street, my family never gets tired of weekend vacations there.

Even when traveling with family and close friends, it’s important for couples to get some alone time. The cottage arrangement of the San Ysidro Ranch, with their privacy, crackling fire in fireplaces, and incredibly lush interior, make the San Ysidro Ranch perfect for the best romantic getaway trip. Those Forbes Traveler people knew what they were doing when they named this spot the best hotel in North America, at least in terms of couples’ vacations. After a couple of fantastic weekends here, I completely agree. A weekend getaway at the San Ysidro Ranch is a great gift, too, for the man who has everything. Thank you, SYR, for helping make this a most memorable birthday celebration.

Cheese plate at SYR, Montecito

I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time in Denver this fall. I’m not complaining — I’m happy to descend from my little mountain town to the “big city” as often as possible. After all, Denver’s got loads of things to do whether you’re visiting for a family vacation, a girlfriend getaway (spas and shopping!) or romantic escape.

Here’s a peek at my accommodations during my most recent Denver trips, all of which I’d recommend.

Hotel Teatro This upscale and sophisticated downtown property is a block from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, making it the ideal place to stay if you’re in town for one of the DCPA’s world-class musicals or plays. Costumes, sets and posters from past performances line the walls at the Hotel Teatro, which is also home to two great restaurants: Kevin Taylor and Prima Ristorante (have a bite to eat before or after the show). Rooms are more than comfortable and the bathrooms especially sublime: Frette towels, rainforest showerhead, Aveda bath products.
Best for: Girlfriend getaways, romantic escapes.

Warwick Denver one-bedroom suite.

Warwick Denver Technically “uptown,” this property is still 5 blocks from the 16th Street Mall, a popular shopping and dining destination in downtown Denver. It’s the site of the former Denver Playboy Club (ooh, la la!) and was formerly comprised of luxury condominiums; the rooms have been renovated for hotel use, but retain much of that “condo space,” that guests can appreciate. The rooftop pool is a great place to relax in the summertime, and Randolph’s Restaurant and Bar has a super-popular happy hour and Sunday brunch.
Best for: Business travel, girlfriend getaways.

JW Marriott at Cherry Creek This hotel in the Cherry Creek shopping district is especially welcoming to families, with child-sized robes, teddy bears and a full library of kid-friendly DVDs, games and books that children can use and enjoy during their stay. Then there’s a scavenger hunt that introduces families to the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. Book a special Family Package, and you also get milk and cookies at turndown and tickets to the Denver Zoo. Of course, it’s not only about kids, here. Grown-ups appreciate the fitness center, on-site spa and hip Second Home Kitchen + Bar with a fun outdoor fire pit and comfy lounge seating.
Best for: Families, girlfriend getaways.

Breakfast buffet at Homewood Suites.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver International Airport. Designed for extended stays, the studio, one- and two-bedroom suites here all have full kitchens (a boon for families who want to store and make meals to save money). There’s also a generous complimentary daily breakfast buffet served in a homey, kitchen-like setting; kids love making their own waffles, I appreciated the fluffy scrambled eggs. Monday through Thursday, there is a “Welcome Home Reception,” with complimentary munchies, which aren’t too shabby: meat lasagna, chicken fried steak, prok chops and grilled chicken are just a few of the evening offerings. Still more amenities: an indoor pool, small fitness center and small basketball court. I stayed here before an early morning flight out of Denver International Airport: pay just $10 (on top of the room rate) to park your car for up to 30 days and take a complimentary shuttle to the airport, 15 minutes away.
Best for: Business travelers, families.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary or disocunted stays at the four hotels mentioned above. The Vacation Gals write for SuiteTrip.com, a family-travel website adminstered by Homewood Suites, a Hilton Worldwide property.

Families love hotels — someone else makes the bed, room service is only a call away and when in a gorgeous destination, the views are spectacular. However, families need to take caution when traveling with young children. There are many dangers that can be avoided with just a little attention. I recently wrote an article for Fodors.com entitled How to Childproof  a Hotel Room;  if you feel inclined, stop by and have a read. Most importantly, the next time you travel, remember to prepare your room for child safety and never take your eyes off your child — especially in the bathroom and on the balcony. Vacations are supposed to be fun! Plan it that way.

Anyone who’s stayed in a lot of hotels – for business travel, vacations or both – knows that the quality of the hotel doesn’t necessarily correlate with the quality of the coffee served.  You know what I mean; some unassuming little B&B’s serve a fantastic cup of coffee, and some large well-reputed chain hotels serve dreck they call coffee, but really is what David Letterman once called “useless warm brown water.” I love that line! But I DON’T love terrible coffee: It really can mar an otherwise lovely travel experience to have nasty coffee in the morning. That’s why I’m so happy to have found Starbucks VIA, a ready-brew coffee packet that surprisingly comes close to the Starbucks quality coffee I brew at home (and buy, way too often, at Starbucks stores).

Made of the same 100% arabica beans – freshly ground and sealed, of course – as the full-bodies Italian Roast Starbucks blend, VIA is made in a snap. I’ve used it several times already; just pour the grounds in a coffee cup or mug, add hot water, and stir. That’s it! Add sugar and milk if preferred, naturally. Italian Roast is a bold blend, though. For coffee drinkers with milder flavor preferences, the medium blend Columbia brew is a viable option.

Starbucks VIA comes in 3 or 12 servings to a packet. These packs of three are passport-sized and very transportable; perfect for a weekend getaway or quick business travel at a hotel whose coffee is of an unknown quality. 

Three-year-old Madeline McCann disappeared from her hotel room at a Portugal resort after her parents left her alone, sleeping, while they ate dinner at an on-site restaurant about 130 yards away.

I thought about this tragic story during my family’s recent stay at Azul Beach near Puerto Morelos, Mexico, earlier this month — but it didn’t dissuade me from leaving my children, ages 7 and 9, in our ground-floor room alone while my husband and I took a 45-minute walk on the beach, and then ate breakfast on our own at a hotel restaurant.

Was this bad?

I don’t think so. Here’s my defense:

• We put the “Do Not Disturb” signs on the doors, so housekeeping would leave them alone.
• We closed the sliding glass door, but made sure they knew how to open it.
• We made sure they knew to call “0″ in an emergency to get the front desk.
• We checked in on them in between our beach stroll and our breakfast.
• It’s a tiny resort – just 97 rooms – and they’d found their way around the property within the first hours we were there.
• We leave them unsupervised together for short periods of time at home — say, when I need to get to a PTA meeting, and my husband is on his way home from work, but still 7 minutes away by car; our relatives live next door and they know Grandma’s cell number (please don’t call social services on us).
• They’d eaten room service breakfast and were totally occupied watching cartoons.
• They get along swimmingly, don’t bicker and they watch out for each other.
• They said they were comfortable with it.
• The Kids Club wasn’t open yet and I didn’t want to pay $15/hour for a babysitter to sit in our room while our kids watched TV.

I’m thinking about Lenore Skenazy, the mom who let her nine-year-old son take the subway alone in New York City, as well as the wrath she endured afterwards. “What if something had happened!” commenters on her blog said. “Nothing did happen,” she replied. And she knew her son.

I know my kids, and I know what they are capable of handling. Leaving them unsupervised in a secure hotel room (though, we all know not all hotel rooms are totally safe) for 45 minutes at a time was something they could handle and I felt okay about.

Of course, if something did happen to them, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. The guilt would likely send me to a funny farm. But bad things happen at home, too. Kids are snatched from playgrounds or walking to the bus stop. Accidents happen. We can’t envelope our children in bubble wrap all the time. We’ve got to let them spread their wings so they’ll grow into capable, independent adults.

I admit I left my children alone in a hotel room because it was convenient for my husband and me. But we also feel they were mature enough to do just fine on their own. And they did.

What about your children? How old would they have to be to for you to feel comfortable leaving them by themselves in a hotel room? I’m curious what other parents would have done — or what they do — in this situation.

Next week is Valentine’s Day and this year the most romantic holiday lands on a Saturday — that means the romance should last all weekend long. If you and your sweetie are taking a little romantic getaway, here are some tips for spicing up your hotel room and helping your space appeal to all of the senses — no matter how many stars your hotel room is rated.

1. It’s What You Wear. The little sexy number you bring along should be easy to pack, doesn’t wrinkle and of course should be flattering. Cool Sets, with their silk-like material (made with CoolBalance moisture wicking fabric to keep you cool between the sheets), are actually ideal for traveling – they don’t wrinkle, take up only a pinch of space, they feel so soft, plus they have a variety of sexy styles for all body shapes.

2. Scent of A Woman. It’s not always easy to switch gears from airport hiking traveler to romantic love-goddess. Try transitioning with Giella’s Revitalizing Lavender Foot Spray. The scent is delightfully light and refreshing without being overpowering. Plus, lavender is known to reduce anxiety, stress and tension plus – a great way to start a relaxing romantic weekend.

3. Mood Lighting. Depending upon your hotel room, you may have to crack your bathroom door to get the right amount of mood lighting. Consider bringing a few candles (jarred candles with a lid are great for travel) or pack a dim night light.

4. Forget the TV Background Noise. Are you (or your husband) the type of person who turns the TV on the moment you walk into your hotel room just to have it on? You have to agree The Cosby Show reruns or movies like Rocky and Anchorman aren’t the most mood enhancing. Instead, bring along an HD2O.tv video and relax to the underwater footage and soft music. Many hotel rooms now include a DVD player or at least offer loaners. Otherwise, ensure your portable DVD player is compatible with the TV in your room.

6. The Tasty Stuff. Valentine’s Day and romance are synonymous with wine and chocolate and I’m thinking chocolate dipped strawberries paired with a nice Zinfandel sounds like the perfect complement to a romantic getaway.

7. Bubble Bath. Bubbles plus jacuzzi bathtub equals a good time. Enough said — just don’t forget to take off that sexy number before you get in the tub.

Happy Romancing!