Lodging

Those who visit Orlando, Florida, on vacation often wish they didn’t have to return home so soon. But even renting a room at one of the city’s many extended-stay hotels or finding a great deal on a vacation home rental can get expensive for any real length of time.

What if you could spend about two months touring the many attractions and not only get into them free but not have to pay a cent on lodging in Orlando?

Based on the success of Australia’s recent tourism campaign “Best Job in the World,” the Orlando CVB has launched the “67 Days of Smiles” contest.

Want a shot at winning?

Simply put together a video of why you and your spouse/partner/family member/best friend should be picked and if you are, you will receive 67 days rent-free in a downtown condo, $25,000 to cover living expenses (both in Orlando and back home), and admission to everything from theme parks to museums around town. In return, the two of you will be expected to blog about your adventures for the CVB’s website.

This contest is open to those 21 and over worldwide who speak/read/write fluent English, except where prohibited by law. For more information, or to enter your hat into the ring, visit the contest page.

While there, be sure to sign up for the free Orlando Smiles card that offers savings around town on everything from lodging to dining and more.

The Chancellor Hotel was built in 1914.

My eyes rested on the dusty, fake flowers as I waited for my tour of the Chancellor Hotel. A landmark building, it was built in 1914 for the Pan-Pacific Exposition and these flowers look like they could have been original. My first impression of the busy lobby — tired, bland, worn.

Mary Orsorno, who handles PR for the family-owned hotel, came to show me around to some of the 137 rooms. While small by today’s standards, the rooms were impeccably clean and newly renovated in with coats of fresh emerald green paint and new carpeting.

The renovation included comfortable, pillow-top mattresses and 380-thread count sheets. A “pillow menu” offers 12 types of hypoallergenic pillows to choose — a charming and unique amenity I’ve not come across before. Rooms include 32-inch flat screen televisions, irons and ironing boards, personal safes, umbrellas, ceiling fans and hair dryers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and a small business area is near the front desk.

The bathrooms feature deep-set tubs, Lord & Mayfair bath salts and products, and rubber duckies, another sweet touch.

137 rooms tower over Union Square.

The rooms were surprisingly quiet (double-paned windows, thank you very much) especially considering the location in the heart of busy Union Square with cable cars whizzing by out front. Windows actually open for fresh air, again something not found most places, and guests can order breakfast in bed from Lucque’s the restaurant on the premises, open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Room service is available till 9:30 p.m.

Oh, checkout is at a most civilized hour — noon.

Prices range from $125 to $225; two two-room suites are available for families and larger groups.  I did however see prices as low as $89 on the Internet. The hotel is currently offering some promos – a romance package, a summer dining package, and a Giants special that includes tickets to a baseball game. Rooms have either queen beds or two twin beds.

The location is unbeatable if you are looking for a traditional San Francisco tourist experience. Union Square shopping is legendary, the cable car is at the doorstep, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a few blocks away and there are tons of great restaurants and bars within walking distance.

The clientele tends to be older — my parents stayed here a few years ago and adored it.

So there you have it — the Chancellor is proof that you can’t always judge a hotel by it’s lobby.

The lobby is tired but the rooms look fresh.

Just as Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort caters to the budget travelers visiting Walt Disney World, so too does the second of the theme park’s value resorts, Disney’s All-Star Music.

Country Fair at All-Star Music

As the name suggests, the themes at this resort lean towards music, with the room buildings separated into five groupings: Calypso, Jazz Inn, Rock Inn, Country Fair, and the Broadway Hotel. Each of these three-story buildings features exterior corridors, central elevators and stairwells at the ends. They are also separate from the main lobby and food court building. The resort has two pools (one shaped like a guitar, the other like a piano) but no jacuzzis. Disney movies are shown in Melody Hall where there is also an arcade.

Room buildings feature exterior décor that fits each genre, like 3 story tall cowboy boots at Country Fair, and jukeboxes and electric guitars at the Rock Inn. There are also Disney-themed touches, like a Beauty and the Beast theatre marquee in the Broadway area.

All rooms are very basically furnished and have a TV, phone, one sink and mirror (the tub/shower and toilet are in a separate room), an open area for hanging clothes (with a rack on top) and a small size dresser. Irons/ironing boards and hair dryers are available upon request. Bedding in most rooms is either one king or two double beds.

This is the only one of Walt Disney World’s value resorts to feature family suites, which were added during a recent renovation. These 560-sq-ft rooms sleep six to a room via a queen bed, full-size pull-out sofa and a convertible ottoman and chair sleeper, plus one child under 3 in a crib. Each suite has two full bathrooms and a kitchenette with a small refrigerator, microwave and a coffeemaker.

As with the All-Star Sports resort, guests staying at the All-Star Music can also take advantage of Disney resort perks like free Disney buses, early/late magic hours at the parks and ship to your room privileges for items bought at on-property stores.

I would definitely say this resort would be best enjoyed by music fans, families and those on a budget who want to stay on Disney property for their stay.

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Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
1801 W Buena Vista Dr,
Lake Buena Vista,,FL,32830
Phone: 1-407-939-5000

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Mark Twain was a guest at The Chateau Tivoli mansion.

A few blocks from San Francisco’s famed row of Victorians known as the “painted ladies,” a massive pink mansion stands the corner of Steiner Street and Golden Gate Avenue. Lavishly detailed, the edifice spares no element of Victorian — balusters, widows walks, domed turrets, colorful gables with gingerbread fretwork and iron spires compose the ornate confection known as Chateau Tivoli.

Inside, the heavy grandeur of the double parlor is home to the (unnamed) owners’ collection of antiques and eclectic art and sculpture that includes a pump organ and a statue of Pan. Ceilings are impossibly high, hand-printed wallpapers line the walls, and a dramatic oak staircase spills down from the floor above.

This place is sumptuous and darkly romantic. Built in 1892, the 22-room Tivoli has hosted luminaries like Mark Twain and Isadore during the headier days of its prime. Today it retains a more faded glory, evocative of another time.

The residential location is not for those looking for cable cars and sea lions at their doorstep. But, for travelers interested in exploring a neighborhood where actual San Franciscans live and who enjoy  walking (one of this city’s true assets), Hayes Valley, Fillmore Street and NoPa are bordering neighborhoods. Be careful at night or call a taxi though as some of the surrounding areas can be sketchy.

Seven guest rooms and two suites range in price from $114 to $350. Two rooms share a bath.

The parlor was the setting for a dramatic Goth wedding.

Jonathan, the delightful innkeeper who showed me around, described weddings that have taken place here,  both gay and straight. Most notable was a Goth marriage that came alive in the atmosphere and the telling. I can’t imagine the setting could have been more spot-on.

Continental breakfast is available on weekdays and Champagne brunch with hot entrees like French toast and egg dishes are prepared on weekends.

Chateau Tivoli

1057 Steiner Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

800-228-1647

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Oregon Garden Resort Lobby

Unfortunately for me, I do not have a green thumb. I’ve killed more orchids and house plants than I care to admit.  Yet that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy beautiful gardens and exotic plants. If you enjoy gardening or simply like walking through beautiful gardens, add Oregon Garden Resort to your travel plans. The latest addition to the list of Moonstone Hotel properties, Oregon Garden Resort boasts a main lodge, the Garden View Restaurant (I enjoyed the local Buffalo Burger with turkey and wild rice soup for $9.00),  a lounge (with live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights) and a full-service Moonstone Day Spa.

Oregon Garden

I didn’t stay overnight at the pet-friendly property, but I did take a tour of the Oregon Garden, which is included in the lodging rate and open to the public for a small fee. The Children’s Garden is charming. A display of a couple, made entirely of pots, sitting on a bench, gives the term “pot head” new meaning.

Oregon Garden Resort Room 208

I did get a chance to peek into several of the resort rooms. There are 17 buildings on the property with six guest rooms in each garden-themed building. A standard king, such as room 207, rents for $99-$249 and includes a hot American Breakfast Buffet and entrance into the Oregon Garden. All rooms have a private deck or patio and fireplace. The Dogwood building is pet-friendly and charges a mere $15 per dog.

Oregon Garden Resort 1 (503) 874-2500

895 West Main Street, Silverton, Oregon 97381

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Executive Suite at Four Seasons Las Vegas.

Four Seasons Las Vegas is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s not on all printed maps of the Strip, since it’s located on the top floors of one of the buildings in the sprawling Mandalay Bay complex. That said, it does have it’s own ground-floor lobby (and express elevator) and totally separate staff, spa and pool (though guests can also access the sandy beach and wave pool at the mega Mandalay Bay property).

Even though it wasn’t on my radar, I suppose those in-the-know (i.e. Vegas visitors with funds) are well aware of the elegant Four Seasons. In fact, plenty of TripAdvisor users and reviewers think it’s great: it was named one of the top 10 hotels in the United States in terms of luxury, according to the TripAdvisor 2009 Travelers Choice Awards.

My husband and I stayed at the Four Seasons earlier this month for just a quick night’s stay (courtesy of TripAdvisor.com). Indeed, we found the lobby sophisticated and our room spacious (Executive Suite with separate bedroom and living area, two TVs, huge bathroom with spa amenities.) We especially appreciated the gorgeous pool area — a serene spot and a far cry from the crowded Mandalay Bay pool experience. While we didn’t eat at the Four Seasons, I admired the vast breakfast buffet menu.

Pretty pool area at Four Seasons Las Vegas.

Visitors can reach the Mandalay Bay casino from the Four Seasons lobby, but there is no casino in the Four Seasons proper. While you want see slot machines, don’t be surprised if you find yourself riding the elevator to your room with a four-legged guest: dogs are welcome here (for better or worse).

There are plenty of cheaper spots to stay in Las Vegas, so if budget is key for you, skip the Four Seasons. But, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, or if you have money to burn, consider a stay at the Four Seasons. The property is a lovely respite from the chaos of the casino scene found on the rest of the Strip.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

White Rock Resort Cabin

My husband left the Bay Area on Thursday for an eight plus hour drive to the Smith River in California. He’s an outdoor-kind-of-guy so he was excited to meet a former childhood classmate from Oregon to renew a friendship and watch the waves in the pacific ocean for a couple of days.  His friend selected the White Rock Resort, ocean front cabins off of highway 101 north in Smith River.

The cabins are individually owned an offer affordably priced, fully furnished one bedrooms with a loft. The large cedar decks come with a full-sized hot tub, some with ocean views. The kitchen is fully equipped with a microwave and oven, refrigerator with freezer and a bread machine (with a hot loaf waiting upon arrival.) For those not wanting to disconnect from the world wide web, there is free WiFi internet. All river cabins have BBQ and fireplace, there are also laundry facilities for washing the sand out of those beach towels.

View from the Deck of White Rock Cabin

My husband recommends the Nautical Inn Restaurant next to White Rock Resort and the cheap and tasty $4.00 Friday appetizers. Room rates for the cabins range from $150-$250 per night with a two night minimum required during the summer season. FYI, pets are allowed in cabins #12, #19, #22 & #28 with a $50 non-refundable fee.

White Rock Resort 1 (707) 487-1021

16800 Hwy 101 North

Smith River, CA 95567

Photos by Cory N. Brown

The Algonquin Hotel in New York City, birthplace of the New Yorker magazine.

“The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.” — Dorothy Parker

I’m a big fan of Mrs. Parker’s acerbic wit and have subscribed to the New Yorker for years. I’m also a sucker for an old hotel with a fascinating history. The stories of how the magazine came into fruition among the brilliant minds who comprised the legendary Round Table of the Algonquin Hotel, made a visit to this literary landmark mandatory for me.

It was several years ago and I was in New York City with my husband. We were heading down Broadway to 44th Street to have a drink in the lobby lounge and visit with the ghosts of Mrs. Parker and Mr. Benchley. As we neared the Ed Sullivan Theater, we were approached by an intern from David Letterman’s show who offered us free tickets to the show that was starting momentarily.

The show featured lovely Isabella Rosellini and an unknown writer/actor/director named Billy Bob Thornton. After that fortuitous detour, we continued on to the Algonquin.

While we were waiting for a table to open up, a stranger approached us and asked if we knew where he could go to have a smoke. We chatted a bit, and quickly realized he was the guy we had just seen being interviewed by Dave. We mentioned seeing him at the taping an hour before. He was charming and kind of shy. A few weeks later Sling Blade premiered and Billy Bob Thornton broke into Hollywood.

So, that’s my little Algonquin brush with fame.

The Algonquin is a special place — whether it’s cocktails in the lounge, a cabaret act in the Oak Room, retro-style dinner at in the Round Table Room, or admiring the artwork of longtime regular, Al Hirschfeld in the Blue Bar — it remains vital 107 years after opening it’s doors.

Special promos including the “Writers Block” package (25 percent off the best possible rate if you can show a work in progress or a published work) can be found on the website. The brilliant literary legacy continues…

Photo courtesy of the Algonquin Hotel

Does it have a pool? This was the only question I ever asked of resorts and hotels when I was a kid. Marriott’s Orlando World Center would have blown my mind when I was 6: It boasts six pools, one of which has a lazy river that winds under waterfalls. Buy an inner tube (choose pink or green) for use during the week and to take home as a little souvenir that’s more useful than mouse ears.

The Marriott, a contender for Orlando

OK, it still blows my mind and I’m much older than 6. I was there this past Sunday with a friend to soak up the Florida sun. Only we were sipping adult beverages (the Marriott’s pina colada is the real deal, with a rum floater—not that all-ice knock-off that some resorts try to pass off) and taking breaks from all the pool lounging to catch up on our reading (Martha’s suggested summer cocktails look delish; I have real work cut out for me infusing a plum and lemon balm brandy.)

For the kids, there’s even a beach where contests for best sand castle have been known to happen. The resort also has a spa and the Hawk’s Landing golf course. And for meals enjoyed while wearing something other than your swimsuit, choose from Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, Ristorante Tuscany and several others, plus a Starbucks.

But back to the pool. The service is a 10. Attentive staff ensure you always have a fresh drink and snacks as you need them. This perfect day makes it certain: This Marriott earns my vote for Orlando’s best pool.

The winner of the Silverado Resort Girls Getaway contest is Lisa Dion, of Misanthropic Musings, otherwise known as “entry number 16.”  Here is the winning opening paragraph written on behalf of herself and three friends, all in need of a long weekend away from it all:

“ok, why i really need a spa retreat — it ’s less than three hours before deadline, i finally got both kids to bed after visiting my girlfriend who delivered a beautiful baby boy (lars mccall) just hours ago, writing and researching a blog post on sleep pods at san francisco international airport, delivering and collecting the baby to and from daycare, attending my four-year-old daughter’s first ballet recital (cuteness freaking overdose), and getting through a post-performance dinner with my in-laws.)” ‘

It continues from there to describe why each of her friends needs to escape. She says, “let’s face it, we all deserve a break. but i know of a few women in my crew who truly need one.”

“Once you read the post, you will understand… But don’t stop there, I highly recommend you check out the other entries. They will take you through an emotional gamut of funny, sad, sweet and kind–from a child telling their mom she deserves to win because she is beautiful, to a husband writing on behalf of his hard working wife.

The judges from Silverado had a hard time deciding who deserved this the most.  Thanks to all who entered.

Entries:

1. Living The Vine LIfe-Follow Up!
2. Wardrobe 911-What To Wear Spa Getaway
3. Contract Lawyering Made Easy-Sometimes You Just Need to Get Away
4. Snerkology-I Want to Fly Away
5. Texas Word Tangle-Simply Savoring Life at Silverado
6. Mommy is in the bathroom- Uptake and Silverado Resort Take Us
7. Erika Jean-Uptake Silverado Resort Getaway
8. Bloggerqueen.com-Please God Let Me Win
   
9. IVegasFamily-Deserving Mother
10. Hennart Online.com–Not Just To Get Away
11. Joe Prose- Well So Far I’ve Received Exactly Zero Entries for the Big UpTake Silverado Naked Girls Drinking Wine Getaway
12. Kitchen Gadget Girl- Girls Getaway in Napa Valley
13. Minnemom.com-Getting Away
14. Texas Word Tangle-Sometimes I Lie But I Have Good
15. Citymama, 40 Whatever-I Need To Win This UpTake Contest
16. My Misanthropic Musings -Mid-life Crises
    
17. Withbrooke -My Sister-in-law Deserves A Girls Weekend at Silverado Resort (THE WINNER!!)
    
18. Nancy D. Brown.com-Spa Girl Getaway In Napa Valley, California
19. Trix and Her Kids-Why I Need to Get Away

I hope Lisa, Kelly, Angela and Tessa enjoy the spa!