Lodging Blog

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Oceano Hotel Lobby

Don’t you love the smell of new cars? Well, new hotels have that same smell and feel to them. The Oceano Hotel and Spa is Half Moon Bay Harbor’s newest neighbor and I wanted to check it out. Having dropped my daughter at camp for a week, I was foot loose and fancy free for the afternoon. I drove up Highway One from Santa Cruz and admired the gorgeous California coastline.

After arriving at the Oceano, I dropped my bag and looked for a good place to get some fresh seafood. Yes, this would certainly be a nice place to bring my husband for a romantic getaway, but, as usual, he was home with our other child.

My room, #312, was called the Grand Oceano and rented for $379. The suite had a king bed, organic linens and panoramic views of Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor. The sliding glass doors opened to the balcony looking out to the Pacific Ocean. As I mentioned, the hotel is new, having opened 16 months ago on March 13, 2008.  Each suite comes with a fireplace, private balcony, a 42 inch, flat screen, HD television, free Wireless Internet access, a separate sitting area and wet bar. Too bad you can’t see the Mavericks Surf contest from the hotel.

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY

Oceano Room #312

As environmentally-conscientious Californians, we’re used to linen re-use programs, water efficient landscaping and reduced wattage lighting. Oceano Hotel clearly walked the eco-friendly talk with its low VOC paints, their ozone laundry facility and its biodegradable cleaning program and the use of reclaimed cooking oil used to produce Bio Diesel fuel. Heck, if I’d pulled up in my LEV and FEV (low emitting & fuel efficient) vehicle, I could have had free valet parking. But I don’t yet own a smart car, although it is on my list. Instead, I arrived in my slightly dented, but fully-paid for, Honda mini van and self parked in the garage. How very un-sexy.

The Green Suites certified hotel, also has a Spa and Health Club, although the spa wasn’t fully up and running on my visit. The Oceano Coastal Spa will officially open on August 29, 2009 with a soft opening taking place August 24-28. The Spa will offer a barbeque during the grand opening and all treatments, except massages, will be 50% off during the soft opening. Check the website for Getaway Packages and specials.

Oceano Hotel and Spa 1 (888) 623-2661

280 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay, California 94019

Planning a summer 2009 trip to Boston? Are you feeling lucky?  Then mark your calendar for July 14, 2009. This is when the Copley Square Hotel is running a special promotion to celebrate its 118th birthday, with room rates as low as $18 a night.

Copley Square Hotel Bedroom

No, that’s not a typo - $18 a night for a queen bed room. But you have to be fast, because the sale only runs online for 118 minutes, or until all the allotted sale rooms are gone.

Here are the details:

• The sale starts at 1:18 p.m. and runs until 3:16 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
• Dates available to book are from July 14, 2009 until September 24, 2009.
• At least 5 rooms per night during this time period are available at the $18 rate and this is for a queen bed room.
• Other sale rates include $38 for a king-bed deluxe or $68 for a king-bed premiere room.
• Once those low-rate rooms are gone for a date, there will be rooms on sale for $118 to $168 a night for these dates.
• Rates do not include taxes or incidentals. These are room-only rates.
• This sale is only being conducted online at the special promotional link of www.copleysquarehotel.com/birthday/. They will not accept any telephone bookings for this promotion.

The Copley Square Hotel originally opened on July 4, 1891, and recently underwent an $18 million renovation, reopening as a boutique hotel in January 2009. It is centrally located amongst all of Boston’s most visited attractions, including Fenway Park (home to the Boston Red Sox) and Beacon Hill, not to mention all the chic shopping areas nearby.

I have not had a chance to stay at this hotel for a review, but from other guest reviews, it’s a lovely hotel. Not to mention, I don’t even know if you could get a hostel room for $18 a night in Boston.

So mark the date, bookmark the weblink above and good luck!  If you manage to nab one of the low-rate rooms, let us know.

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Copley Square Hotel
47 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02116
617-536-9000

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[photo courtesy of Copley Square Hotel]

Historic main building and lush summer landscaping at The Broadmoor.

The tagline for The Broadmoor, the venerable AAA Five Diamond and Mobile Travel Guide Five Star resort hotel, is: “If you’ve been there, you know.”

Ever since I moved to Colorado, and first learned of the luxurious and historic “Grand Dame of the Rockies,” I’ve wanted to stay at The Broadmoor. Just last week — fifteen years after landing in the state — my family and I had a chance to overnight at the resort. While I can confidently say that just one night isn’t near enough time to fully enjoy all of the amenities, dining options and fun activities The Broadmoor offers, the hotel more than lived up to my (longtime) expectations. And, indeed, like the slogan implies, The Broadmoor a property that you need to experience to fully understand and appreciate.

Classy cottages set beside a meandering creek.

Even the chock-full-of-information website simply doesn’t do the elegant property and beautifully manicured grounds justice. You need to pull up to the ornate porte-cochere with its mosaic-tiled entryway, where valets and bellman dressed in tailored uniforms and black caps of yesteryear greet you by name (the security guy at the gate radios ahead). Step into the lobby with its marbled curved staircase, old-fashioned key slots behind the front desk, ornate chandeliers and narrow brass escalators, and you feel transported to another time and place. (Stroll the campus for just a few minutes, and it’s easy to envision the Great Gatsby leaning against one of the old-time streetlamps that light the pedestrian walkways at night.)

While the property is steeped in history – the 3,000-acre resort dates back to 1918 – it’s absolutely moved forward with the times. Through the decades, rooms have been upgraded (most recently with wireless Internet access), golf courses added (now totaling 54 holes), and fabulous services and amenities introduced, such as a zero-depth infinity pool adjacent to pretty Cheyenne Lake (kids love the two water slides into the pool and paddle boats on the lake), a full-service spa, a first-run movie theater, a modern and colorful “Bee Bunch” kids’ club, and a myriad of shops and restaurants (I can recommend firsthand the atrium Garden Room of the Tavern, featuring a steaks and seafood menu).

Parlor in a Broadmoor Cottage.

The latest addition to the resort: The Broadmoor Cottages, 44 bedrooms in six different buildings along the 18th East Coast fairway. Various rooms can be locked off to create one- to eight-bedroom accommodations — the larger cottages are ideal for extended family reunions. In true “cottage” fashion, each room configuration has its own porch with wicker furniture, and inside you’ll find wood floors with pretty area rugs, high-beamed ceilings, white beadboard and woodwork throughout, and pretty parlors with stone fireplaces. Close and open window draperies with state-of-the-art, button-touch technology.

Few expenses were spared in the spacious bathrooms, with separate soaking tub and large glass shower with dual showerheads (including one “rainshower” style). A commode behind a closed door provides privacy, while a small flat-screen TV brings in-bathroom entertainment. Showering on a chilly morning? Flip on the heated tiles to warm your tootsies. Plenty of fluffy white towels, generous spa toiletries and dual sinks round out the amenities in the bathrooms.

Cottage bathrooms are 150 square feet.

Of course all of these luxurious appointments come at a price: rack rates for the cottages range from $1,400 to $7,650 a night. The Broadmoor is offering a 50 percent off introductory special for the Cottages through the summer.

Prices still too steep? Through September 30, stay in run-of-house accommodations for just $125/night per person double occupancy (kids under 10 stay and eat free). With the “spectacular summer savings” special, other extras include complimentary paddleboat rental, entry to the Broadmoor movie theater and discount on retail purchases. With standard summer rates typically starting at $420/night during the week, this is a great deal for the top-notch service and spectacular surroundings you’ll find at The Broadmoor.

Photos courtesy of The Broadmoor.

Post by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Historic Crater Lake Lodge

Photographer’s will love the endless photo opportunities at Crater Lake. The lake looks beautiful captured in black and white, but the many shades of blue found in the water are beautiful, as well. What surprised us most about a recent road trip to Crater Lake, Oregon was the amount of snow on the ground in mid-June!

High Touch, Not High Tech

Nature-lovers will appreciate that Crater Lake Lodge has resisted the urge to go high-tech. You won’t find multiple cell phone towers in Crater Lake National Park. Save your battery and turn your cell phone off while you visit the historic Crater Lake Lodge. The 71 room lodge, originally opened in 1915, went through a major renovation in 1995.

Deluxe Lakeside Room #401

The fireplace in the Great Hall welcomes visitors to sit down and relax. In warm weather grab a chair on the balcony and enjoy the breath taking views from the edge of the caldera. If you are planning a trip to southern Oregon, be aware that advance reservations are a good idea if you’d like to snag a Deluxe Lakeside room. On our particular visit, there were four rooms available on a walk-in basis. By the time we showed up for our early dinner reservation, the lodge was sold out.

If you didn’t book your room reservation on-line, up to 13 months in advance, you might want to try the other Xanterra Parks and Resorts property, the Cabins at Mazama Village. Keep in mind that neither the Lodge or Mazama Motor Inn are pet-friendly.

Clawfoot Tub with Lake View

There are rooms to fit ever price range, from ground floor pricing, starting at $151, to Deluxe Lakeside rooms, listed for $206, to the four loft rooms, complete with mini fridge and views of the Klamath Valley.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Crater Lake Lodge
565 Rim Drive
Crater Lake National Park, OR  97604

Inn on Castro caters mainly to a chiefly gay clientele.

On Sunday, June 28 San Francisco celebrated its annual Pride parade. The city’s gay population and their supporters came out (not pun intended) en masse to celebrate at parties in various locations around the city, but no place more than in the Castro district.

It occurred to me that in the 10 months I’ve contributed to this blog, I hadn’t covered any place in the Castro. Time to change that.

Inn on Castro is a restored Edwardian building one-half block up Castro Street from Market Street. Eight rooms on three floors are available at the inn, and for larger parties, three spacious and well-appointed apartments are located nearby.

Innkeeper Jan de Gier has owned the Inn on Castro for 26 years. He gave me a tour of the inn decorated with modern furnishings, original art, and fresh flowers. Most rooms have mini fridges stocked with water and soda, all have robes, flat-screen tvs, DVD players, and free wi-fi. The patio suite has a relaxing, well-tended outdoor garden with a view. A full breakfast is served daily. One sweet touch is that the extensive collection of napkins and fine china are rotated daily as well.

The living room in the Douglass St. apartment.

Jan also took me across Market Street to his other properties on Douglass and Caselli sts. Apartments are located in residential areas, off of the main hub of the Castro.

As we drove around the Castro, Jan pointed out some of his favorite spots including Toad Hall, Trigger, Sumi Sushi, Anchor Oyster Bar, and the fabulous piano bar Martuni’s.

An informed innkeeper with a passion for where he or she lives is a true treasure. Jan de Gier is one such person.

We hit it off well, chatting about architecture, food, art, death, relationships, and philosopy.  When he found out I’d never been there, he insisted on taking me to Kite Hill Open Space, which it turns out is not a good place to fly a kite (”too windy, It actually has a down draft”) but was named for the small birds of prey called kites that occupy the hill most of the year.

It was breathtaking. A view of the city I’d never seen in the 19 years I’ve lived here. With the Castro in the forefront, its gynormous rainbow flag flapping in the wind, and the bay receding behind City Hall and the downtown skyline, it was impossible not to feel Pride. Thanks, Jan.

Inn on Castro, 321 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114; 415.861.0321

Photos by Lisa Dion

I was beginning to think I was going to need a GPS unit to find The Orleans lobby.

Mardi Gras Lobby at The Orleans Las Vegas

Theoretically, I should have been able to just follow along the wall from the self-park garage and with a few left turns, I would have been at the lobby. What I hadn’t taken into account is the sheer size of the hotel or the labyrinth layout of the casino floor.

After about 15 minutes, though, I did find the front desk, checked-in without difficulty (after another 15 minutes waiting in line) and headed up to my room with my friend.

Even though The Orleans is an older hotel, located just west of the Strip, it has been upkept relatively well. My room looked more mid-70s Americana motel than the Mardi Gras theme of the public areas of the resort, but the two of us had plenty of room in our two queen-bed room with sitting area. The room itself was clean, if sparsely decorated. The bathroom was separated from the bedroom/sitting area by a sliding door and featured a tub/shower combo, though the air ventilation system seemed to have seen better days. Opening the tiny window above the tub did help.

Two Queen-Bed Room at The Orleans Las Vegas

Our third floor view was of the parking garage, as if to mock us getting lost, but I’m sure higher floors would have a view of the mountains since we were facing west. Ask for a room on one of the upper floors facing the Strip, if a view truly matters to you. I’m told some of the rooms do feature an updated decor, so you may with to request that, as well.

The Orleans has outsourced many of its dining options to chains like TGIFridays (must give props to the all-day happy hour with its $1.50 cheeseburger sliders for cheap eats) and Fuddruckers, but its Mexican restaurant Don Miguels had 2-for-1 specials on margaritas and fajitas the day we stayed and both were pretty tasty.

Amenities offered at the hotel include an outdoor pool, a spa, an 18-screen movie theater and a 70-lane bowling alley. It also offers complimentary scheduled shuttle service to The Strip. For those looking for on-site entertainment, The Orleans Arena and Showroom venues offer everything from sporting events to national music and comedy headliners,

Considering I nabbed the room for only $27 (plus tax) a night midweek via an online promotion on The Orleans website, I probably shouldn’t nitpick. But I would be remiss if I didn’t call them out on the fact that not only is their high-speed internet not Wi-Fi (I hate being tethered to a desk) but they charge $12.99/day for it. I was also upset that they tacked on a $5/day “resort fee” at check-in to cover the “free” unlimited local calling and such, as well as put a $100 hold on my credit card, which was refunded at check-out. Neither was disclosed when I booked the room.

I would stay here again, if I could nab another low rate. But with Vegas room rates what they are nowadays, you might want to look at nearby Strip properties like Excalibur for special deals, first.

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The Orleans Hotel & Casino
4500 W. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
800-ORLEANS (800-675-3267) or 702-365-7111

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The Radisson Martinique on Broadway in NYC.

Location, location… and not much else.

In early June I needed to book a last-minute hotel in Manhattan, so I turned to my stand-by for such things, Travelocity. High on the list of low rates was the Radisson Martinique on 32nd St. right in the thick of things near (but not on) Times Square.

I booked a “Classic Guest Room” for under $200 and hoped for the best. The best is not what I got. While the exterior was beautiful, the lobby had a decidedly ‘80s feel, and my room itself was possibly the smallest I’ve had short of a European uber-budget hotel. In fact, there was an uber-budget Euro-vibe throughout, in terms of an indifferent staff and the lack of luxury.

My mini-bar fridge was empty with a big sign that they were in the process of eliminating that feature, leaving the impression that I was actually sold a room in the process of renovation.

I realize these are the type of slim-pickings that get released to the discount websites. If I had booked weeks in advance and was still given this kind of leftover, I’d be upset. There was a queen sized bed, but if I had a companion with me, there would have scarcely been room enough for two people’s luggage.

The dated lobby of the Radisson Martinique on Broadway.

My biggest gripe though, which was a major inconvenience, was that my magnetic key card failed not once, not twice, but three times! Each time I was forced to return to the desk (once with all of my luggage), and wait in line for a replacement. When I asked why it kept happening, I was told, “anything can cause it- coins, keys, a wallet…” and given an unhelpful shrug. (Later I would read endless horror stories about the front desk and check-in staff, making my experience seem minor in comparison.)

One thing it does have going for it is the location. There’s a subway station half a block away, taxis were plentiful, and you are less than two blocks from both the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden/ Penn Station. If literally all you are looking for is a bed near the heart of the theater district, you might be fine with it.

Radisson Martinique on Broadway
49 West 32nd Street, NY, NY 10001
800-395-7046

Photos courtesy of Radisson Hotels.

This is one of my favorite Walt Disney World resorts to stay at. Sure, there are more expensive and more beautiful resorts on property, but this one really takes me back to my childhood. Why? Because Disney’s Pop Century resort blends homages to the Disney movies with a look back at American pop culture. And I am a retro pop culture junkie.

Rubiks Cube Stairway at Disney's Pop Century Resort

Like the other value resorts at Walt Disney World, this resort is separated into themed sections. At Pop Century, it’s all about the decades, starting with the 1950s and going to the 1990s. Each section is themed with references of what was hip and happening during that decade, along with a popular Disney movie that was released during that decade.

The whole experience starts with the main building. Step into the check-in lobby with its wall of memorbilia displays. Is that really a Commodore 64 hanging in that case? Why yes, it is.

Stepping outside to go to my room, I walk past the 3-story tall Big Wheel in the 70s section, dancing to the disco music playing, and make a left at the life-size Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head - stop for a quick photo - to the 80s section with its big Rubik’s Cube stairways.

Mr and Mrs Potato Head at Disney's Pop Century Resort

Rooms feature either a king or two doubles (which is what we had), a TV, separate vanity/dressing area with an open wardrobe area, a small size dresser/entertainment center combo and a table with two chairs. There’s high-speed internet, but it’s not Wi-Fi and you do have to pay for it (c’mon Disney…in 2009 not to have Wi-Fi??). All rooms are also smoke free and they do have some modified for guests with disabilities (all king bed).

The resort has three pools: a bowling alley one in the 50s section; a flower-power themed one in the 60s section and a computer themed one shared by the 80s and 90s section. The 70s section is the only one without a pool, but it does have a huge game of outdoor twister that could easily fit 10-15 people.

The food court is just as fun - especially the dessert case. Two that caught my eye were a tie-dye cheesecake that featured so much food coloring you know it couldn’t be good for you and a container of tiramasu made with - get this - Twinkies. It was such a sugar overload but tasted so good! I definitely recommend getting the all-you-can-drink-for-your-stay mug, too. When it’s hot outside, you’ll appreciate not having to buy a bottle of soda several times a day. Skip the in-room pizza delivery - it’s overpriced and the pizza is not stellar.

Rates start at $82 a night during value season and can go as high as $160 during peak seasons, like holidays.

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Disney’s Pop Century Resort
1050 Century Drive
Lake Buena Vista,,FL,32830
Phone: 1-407-938-4000

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Best Western New Oregon Motel

If you have a student attending the University of Oregon in Eugene, you’ve probably stayed at the Best Western New Oregon Motel. Situated directly across the street from the college campus, the Best Western is my pick for pet-friendly, clean, family-friendly lodging.

I’m dating myself to admit that I stayed at the Best Western New Oregon with my parents when I was a wannabe Duck. We did the college campus tour and I fell in love with the University of Oregon. Now, a gazillion years later, my husband and I returned to our alma mater with two teenage offspring in tow, both potential ducklings.

My husband selected the New Oregon Motel because he stays here every other year to watch the Ducks play football against the Cal Bears. There is nothing like watching a football game at Autzen Stadium. The New Oregon is within walking, jogging and biking distance to the beautiful Willamette River trails that lead to the stadium.

One of the beds in the family suite

This particular trip we had our dog along with us. Our entire family appreciated staying in room #328, one of eight family suites. The kids liked it because they each got a queen bed. I liked it because I could retreat to my own bedroom and close the door to the kid’s room. My husband liked it because he could play raquet ball with our son and the dog liked it because she could watch the ducks swim by from our second story balcony.

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. If you happen to be in Eugene on a weekend, make sure to check out the Saturday Market.

The Best Western New Oregon offers AAA discounts. Coffe and tea are availble in the lobby and a so-so continental breakfast is offered complimentary from 6:30-9:30 a.m. across from the lobby. There is a computer and printer available to guests in the lobby, as well as high speed internet access available at no additional charge in all rooms.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Best Western New Oregon 1 (541) 683-3669

1655 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon 97403

This was my first stay in this namebrand chain that is part of the Marriott family, but I can tell you the SpringHill Suites O’Hare is a great value for the money.

Standard King Bed Suite at SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare

I booked a king bed standard suite last-minute online for $89 (plus tax) a night over a weekend due to a late-spring snowstorm that kept me in the city. Check-in went smoothly and I had a generous-sized room for the price I paid.

The living/seating area was separated by a half-privacy wall from the bed area. It also had a kitchenette alcove that had a wetbar setup - small sink, fridge and microwave. The king bed had a pillow-top mattress and a TV that was a bit difficult to see from the couch, but from the bed was fine. I also had a lovely view of the neighboring expressway from my room, but thankfully, none of the noise.

I didn’t use the fitness room, pool or free airport shuttle, but did take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, free self-parking and the daily free hot/cold breakfast (with eggs and sausage, yet!). There was an Outback Steakhouse adjoining the hotel, but I didn’t eat there. Without a car, though, any other dining options are located at least a 2 miles walk away, as the hotel sits on a frontage road.

This is definitely a hotel that is geared toward a business traveler, but I would also recommend it for those looking for a lower-priced hotel near O’Hare airport. Not only is the price right, but it offers many amenities for free that other nearby airport hotels charge extra for.

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SpringHill Suites Chicago O’Hare
8101 West Higgins Road
Chicago, Illinois 60631
1-773-867-0000

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