Lodging

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Classic Neon Sign at Weasku Inn

If this place is good enough for Clark Gable, it’s good enough for me. In fact, the Weasku Inn is now a personal favorite of mine. And asking a lodging editor to name their favorite resort is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. Yet, the Weasku Inn truly is special. It’s rustic, yet upscale and it’s charming without being over-the-top cute.

Back to the Clark Gable connection. The Weasku Inn has had several owners in its 84 years of existence. It was under the Gibson family ownership during the “Golden Years” of 1937 that Hollywood Movie Legend Clark Gable discovered the Rogue River fishing lodge. Gable returned to the Weasku Inn over the years, but it was in 1942 after his wife, Carole Lombard, died in an airplane crash, that Gable holed up in room #4 at the top of the stairs. He didn’t emerge in public for three weeks.

Over the years, the Weasku Inn feel on hard times and was left in poor condition. Current owner Carl Johnson fell in love with the Rogue River Valley and took it upon himself to restore the Inn to its current glory.   After five years of extensive restoration, the Weasku Inn opened with little fanfare in 1996. There are 18 rooms on the property, including the house across the street, five rooms in the main lodge and 12 river front cabins. All the cabins have wifi, but better reception is in the main lodge.

Jacuzzi Suite Cabin #41

We drove to the Weasku in Grants Pass from Eugene, Oregon and had to drop our Labrador Retriever at R & R Pet Resort in nearby Phoenix, Oregon. The Weasku Inn is not pet-friendly, but our dog, Stella, had a wonderful time at the brand new kennel.

Our two teenagers stayed in cabin #22 with a queen bed and fold out couch. I don’t know which kid slept on the couch, but neither of them wanted to leave the next day. While we missed the 4:30-7:30 p.m. wine and cheese reception, we all loved the fresh chocolate chip cookies that were offered in the great room at the lodge. The next morning we returned to the lodge for a deluxe continental breakfast served from 7:30 – 11 a.m. My kids liked the mini cinnamon rolls, I liked the noon check out time.

Weasku Inn Lodge

The Weasku Inn is a member of Country House Inns and a Select Registry member. The Jacuzzi Suites rent for $329 from May – September and $255 off season.

Weasku Inn 1 (800) 493-2758 or 1 (541) 471-8000

5560 Rogue River Highway, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Five years ago, Holiday Inn bought the property formerly known as the Courtyard by Marriott that was located right next to Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  Then the hurricanes of 2004 rolled right through the area and caused some damage to the 323-room hotel, delaying work on converting the property over to the new owners.

A Two-Queen Bedroom at Holiday Inn Walt Disney World

This week, Holiday Inn announced they are now accepting reservations for stays starting November 15, 2009 and later at the new Holiday Inn at WDW.  Just in time for the annual holiday rush of visitors to Walt Disney World.

While structurally the hotel still looks pretty much the same from the outside, Holiday Inn has invested $35 million into completely renovating the hotel. The hotel has turned a section of the beautiful atrium into a restaurant, and yes, per most Holiday Inn properties, kids will eat free here when accompanied by an adult (that could save quite a bit of money per stay). It also looks like the pool area has been redone with a new zero-entry pool. I love those – like being at the beach without the sand clinging everywhere.

Perhaps one of the best features of the changeover that I can see is that rooms that were formerly two double beds are now outfitted two queens.This will make it more comfortable for four people to share the room. I’m told king bed rooms will also now come with a sleeper sofa.

Other new features of the rooms include 32″ LCD HD televisions, pillows in your choice of “soft” or “firm,” and complimentary Wi-Fi.

In fact from the list of renovations, the only thing I’m not so thrilled about is that the hotel will be charging $8 for self-parking. I know they don’t have the largest parking lot, and several other neighboring hotels also charge for parking, but I always feel guests should get this as a complimentary feature of any hotel.

Staying here will also include several benefits of this being the only Holiday Inn on Walt Disney World property, like free shuttles to the WDW parks and the ability to ship purchases back to the hotel from the Disney stores (instead of having to carry the bags around all day).

It looks like opening rates will be around $135 a night but be careful when booking as it seems there are additional per person charges for some rate plans at this hotel that could add an extra $20-$30 a night to the rate.

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Holiday Inn at WDW
1805 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
1-407-828-8888

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[photo courtesy of Holiday Inn]

The elevator ride up to the roof usually involves conversation—the tight quarters inspire it. But the elevators are only packed just before sunset, as everyone in the know dashes to claim seats and order a mojito or other sundowner in time for the show. And the roof of the Crowne Plaza La Concha isn’t just the best place in Key West to watch the sunset, it also is one of the few places where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the city.

The roof at Crowne Plaza La Concha

The hotel itself is a classy place to stay right on Duval Street. It’s a historic landmark, but was renovated in 2007, so expect comfort and an updated look. La Concha also has an outdoor pool, as well as a 24-hour fitness room. Wi-fi is available throughout the property. It’s blocks from ol’ Papa Hemingway’s house, Mallory Square and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy so you couldn’t ask for a more central location to all that this Florida city has to offer.

But no matter what Key West attractions you explore during the day, be sure to arrive back at La Concha early—after all, you don’t want to miss out on good seats for the show.

Located at 430 Duval Street, Key West, Florida, 33040.

Call 800-970-4891 for more information.

Photo courtesy of Crowne Plaza La Concha.

With its close proximity to O’Hare Airport, as well as the neighboring Allstate Arena, the Wyndham O’Hare is a centrally located hotel for business flyers and concert goers. But a recent stay at this hotel left me a little underwhelmed.

King Bed Room at Wyndham O'Hare

I was attending a horror fan convention being held on property, so I expected it to be busy. But even though I had requested early check-in, my room wasn’t ready. When I checked back an hour later, I was given a coupon for a free breakfast buffet to compensate me for my wait, which was a nice touch.

I arrived at my king-bedded room to find a plate of cheese and crackers, along with a cold bottle of water, waiting for me on the desk, courtesy of my free membership in Wyndham’s By Request program.

The room itself was on the 10th floor in the back tower, with views of the parking lot and the freeway next to the building. Thankfully the room seemed rather soundproof against all the noise.

The bathroom was a bit on the small size, but for a single person staying in the room, it was more than adequate. The first morning, though, I had to call the front desk to fix a slow drain, as well as a non-operating hair dryer.

Barley's Bistro at the Wyndham O"Hare

I secured my valuables in the in-room safe and ate at the breakfast buffet at the onsite restaurant Barley’s Bistro. There was a nice selection of hot and cold items and it seemed to get replenished often.

Other than the small issues with the bathroom, the main reason I didn’t fully enjoy my stay was the parking lot. For a hotel of its size, the lot was surprisingly small and odd-shaped in the back area. Combine that with a lot of people attending the convention and parking was just a nightmare. The second night I left for a few hours to dine off-property, and when I returned, I was almost turned away due the lot being full. On top of it, even though I was a guest at the hotel, I still had to pay the $16 a night charge to park my car.

If I were attending another onsite convention or perhaps a concert at the Allstate, I might consider a repeat stay here. But otherwise, I’m not sure I’d book another night here again without a really incredibly low rate.

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Wyndham O’Hare (Chicago)
6810 N. Mannheim Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018
1-847-297-1234

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Feeding Llamas at Ponderosa Lodge

If you find yourself in Sisters, Oregon for the June Rodeo, the annual Quilt Show in July, a day of fishing,  golfing or snowboarding, make a reservation at the Best Western Ponderosa. It’s dog-friendly, budget-friendly and certainly kid-friendly.

Families with teenagers to tots will love feeding the llamas on the 14 acre property that backs up to the Deschutes National Forest. Everyone who stays here mentions the deer, but we had our Labrador Retriever with us, so the deer were wise to stay away. The llamas, standing safely behind the fence, were not afraid of our bird dog!

Heck, even if you aren’t staying at the Ponderosa, the folks are so friendly that they’ll let you feed their llamas anytime. The llamas, including Outlaw, Danny Boy and Apollo, have donated their wool, available only at the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, to be spun into yarn. A friend of the Reed family, owners of the lodge, volunteered to spin the Reed llama wool and sell it to raise money for the Bill and Jan Reed Memorial Scholarship fund. But that’s another story…

Best Western Ponderosa Suite

The Ponderosa has 36 standard double queen rooms, and 12 kings, all pet-friendly for a $15 fee, but it’s the six unique themed suites that caught my attention. The Adirondack Suite, has a buffalo theme, while the Ponderosa Suite, #233, is wonderfully western. The Ponderosa Suite rents for $239.99 plus tax in the summer and $189.99 in the winter. Adults will enjoy the beautiful rock fireplaces that turn on with a flick of a switch, while the kids will like the pool and jacuzzi.

The property offers AAA rates and has wifi throughout.  Restaurants and shops are conveniently located across the street, but there are plenty of dining options from steaks at the Tumalo Feed Company to upscale dining in downtown Sisters.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Best Western Ponderosa 1 (541) 549-1234

505 Highway 20 West, Sisters, Oregon 97759

While I live just down the road from the mountain resort of Aspen, I’ve actually been getting to know the neighboring Vail Valley pretty well this summer. First, I had an incredible meal at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek earlier this month, then my family spent a couple nights at the Westin Riverfront in Avon. Just last week, a few other travel writers and I toured around Beaver Creek (including two nights at the newly renovated Osprey) and Vail, which featured a stay at the Vail Cascade, on the western end of town.

This wasn’t my first trip to the Vail Cascade; four girlfriends and I rented a couple of rooms here a few years ago for a quick weekend getaway. We chose it because of its renowned Aria Spa (one of the most popular spots for locals to enjoy a massage and a steam) and its easy access to Vail’s fabulous restaurants and shopping options in nearby Lionshead and Vail Village (just a free shuttle ride away).

Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant at Vail Cascade.

This latest trip to the Vail Cascade revealed some resort improvements — to the tune of a $30 million renovation, most of which was unveiled this winter. Here are a few new-construction highlights:

• The resort’s new Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant features seating in a window-filled dining area with rock-star views of the slopeside stream that flows past the property. In nice weather, guests are served on an outdoor patio, as well. We enjoyed a hearty weekend buffet breakfast (hot items included brioche French toast and ham & cheese frittata), as well as a yummy lunch, with a menu offering soups, salads, sandwiches and light entrees. (The crispy-thin nachos with a side of chili and topped with sour cream and guacamole were a big hit.) Dine off of “small plates” in the more casual “tavern” area, or sit down for the full menu in the more formal dining room (think rack of lamb, rib-eye, and striped bass).

• The entire back deck of the property, also facing Gore Creek, was totally renovated to include a pretty infinity pool that blends effortlessly into the natural environment. Guests can now gather in outdoor hot tubs or on rocking chairs around fire pits to enjoy views of the towering pine trees and the sound of rushing whitewater.

• All guests rooms now have air conditioning; there’s a new Cascade Market with coffee service, snacks and quick eat-on-the-go items; and the cozy Fireside Bar/Lounge — a popular place for apres-ski festivities — was given a face lift.

New infinity pool at Vail Cascade.

Outside of these enhancements, the 292-room Vail Cascade (which also houses guests in 80 condominiums) already had a lot going for it. In the winter, skiers and snowboarders are literally a few steps from the Cascade Village Lift, whisking them up to the trails on Vail Mountain in minutes. In the summer, cyclists, inline-skaters, strollers and runners flock to the Gore Valley Trail, the paved path that leads west to Donovan Park (with a huge playset for kids) or east toward the charming shopping and restaurant centers of Lionshead or Vail Village.

The Vail Cascade is no boutique property. It’s a major player in the wedding and groups market, with tons of meeting and ballroom space. Again, the Aria Spa is fabulous; I especially like the eucalyptus steam room and its lovely “sanctuary” for resting on comfortable lounge chairs in front of a gas fireplace before and after a treatment. Activity-filled Camp Cascade for kids ages 4 to 12 is open year round ($15/hour for first child), as is the 78,000-square-foot, top-of-the-line fitness center (strength-training equipment, outdoor tennis and racquetball courts are free for guests; fitness classes are $15/each).

But even though the Vail Cascade does cater to many hotel guests at a time (not to mention wedding receptions and professional meetings), I found the service to be quite good. The front desk staff was friendly and accommodating (they opened the Market for me after hours because I craved a Diet Coke), and our lunch server was super outgoing and happy to share personal favorites on the menu.

Finally, my spacious, ground-floor, king-bedded room (#85) was a treat since it opened onto its own patio and grassy area leading to the Gore Valley Trail and Gore Creek. ‘Twas fun to go to sleep to the sound of the late-spring runoff!

Photos courtesy Vail Cascade Resort & Spa.

Wisconsin Dells, or “The Dells,” as the locals call it, has been a family vacation destination for decades, Appropriately, many of the lodging options you’ll find along the main strip of Hwy 12, where the major attractions are based, are family-run businesses, not major chains.  These can offer great deals to the budget traveler.

Mayflower Motel Double Bed Room

One of the best family-run motels in The Dells is the Mayflower Motel and Suites. It is an older motel, but the family that runs it has done a good job of upkeep and occasional renovations to keep the property fresh (though there is some wear and tear here and there).

Accommodations here range from a standard two double bed room to a three queen bed jacuzzi suite with a loft (great for groups or large families). Each room comes with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker and cable TV with the Starz! movie channel. The suites also include wet bars, sofa sleepers and in-room jacuzzi tubs. Some even have private balconies.

Amenities at the Mayflower include a large indoor pool with hot tub and sauna, as well as two outdoor pools with kids pools, a children’s playground area, an arcade and a sheltered picnic/grill area.

There isn’t an on-site restaurant, but within a two-to-three block are several restaurant options from a pizza joint to ethnic food like Japanese and Jamaican. During my stay I ate at Houlihan’s (an upscale sports bar) and the elegant House of Embers across the street (very cool place if you want to have a romantic fine dining experience). Fast food options and a WalMart Supercenter (featuring a grocery secton) are mere minutes away by car.

The Mayflower is also within walking distance from major Dells attractions such as Noah’s Ark waterpark and Mt. Olympus.

Rates for 2009 start as low as $58 for the two double bed rooms during the off-season when I stayed (which is pretty much all year except Memorial Day through Labor Day). Be sure to check the motel’s website for coupons. I was able to book my three-night stay with 50% off the third night using them.

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Mayflower Motel & Suites
910 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-8316
608-253-6471

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Five Pine Lodge, Sisters, Oregon

Most people drive through Sisters, Oregon on their way to Bend for skiing and snow boarding at Mt. Bachelor. Our family has often driven by Sisters; sometimes stopping at the Sisters Bakery for killer doughnuts or to pick up smooth tasting java from Sisters Coffee Company.  This trip, we stayed in Sisters as guests of the Five Pine Lodge while we attended the rodeo in June.

Initially, our teenagers were not thrilled to be vacationing in Sisters, but once we gave them keys to their own pet-friendly cabin, they were happy, as was our dog.  My husband and I were doing the happy dance because we had our own adult-only romantic cabin and it was beautiful. The cabin, #22, looked like it was from a Sunset Magazine photo shoot. The room had Amish-crafted hardwood furnishings and the Kohler tub, with a waterfall, looked out to the fireplace. We also liked the nightly happy hour with local wines and beers on tap from the Three Creeks Brewing Company next door.

Five Pine Cabin 22

There are 32 rooms at Five Pine Lodge and several, including cabin 21, are pet-friendly and teenager friendly. To qualify that last comment, the rooms come equipped with 42 inch plasma screen TV’s and guests have access to the on-campus Sisters Athletic Club, as well as the swimming pool and complimentary cruiser bikes for the nearby paths. It was a very easy walk into Sisters from the lodge.

Oregonians tend to be green-aware and Five Pine Lodge was no exception. The owner developed the entire campus using a minimal impact approach. The water feature that meandered through the property maintained its water level based on rain and snowfall.

Creeks and Cabins at Five Pine Lodge

Make an advance reservation for the Shibui Spa if you want to feel totally pampered. I loved the Thai Bandle massage, heated Maja Bandles, filled with lemon grass and other herbs are steamed and used as heated compresses during the massage. My daughter enjoyed the Swedish massage, $95 for a sixty minute massage and use of the sauna and jacuzzi. We had the entire place to ourselves on our visit.

For such a small town, there were plenty of dining options around. One night we drove to the Kokanee Cafe in nearby Camp Sherman for a gourmet dinner, Jen’s Garden was another high-end contender. Martolli’s Pizza was a great choice for quick and easy slices, calzone and salads.

Five Pine Lodge and Conference Center 1 (541) 549-5900

1021 Desperado Trail, Sisters, Oregon 97759

Considering how much money the MGM Mirage company is investing in removing all traces of Egyptian-theming from its Luxor property in Las Vegas, I find it ironic that this last week they would announce they are opening a new MGM Grand resort in the country of Egypt.

The 550-room MGM Grand New Giza will be located just outside of the capital city of Cairo, with views of the legendary pyramids.

In a deal made with a company called New Giza For Real Estate Development that is developing a luxury, mixed-use community on the outskirts of Cairo, MGM Mirage will partner in building the newest MGM Grand property.

“It’s a great opportunity for the company to leverage our brands and reach out to our guests who have come to know and love our brands in their own countries and in their own cities,” Gamal Aziz, MGM Mirage Hospitality chief executive officer and president, said in a press release.

The goal is to have the Egyptian resort open by 2013.

MGM Mirage owns the MGM Grand Las Vegas and the MGM Grand Detroit. It also has a licensing agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Connecticut.

The company also owns and operates the MGM Grand Macau in a 50-50 partnership.

Besides Egypt, MGM Grand properties are in various stages of development in Vietnam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and China, where the company has agreements to build two.

If you’re anything like most visitors to Greenville, you’ll probably find most of your time in downtown. From catching a Greenville Drive baseball game to a stunning performance at the Peace Center to a concert at the Bi-Lo Center to patio dining on Main Street, downtown has it all. Rising above it all is a variety of the best hotels that Greenville has to offer. However, if you want a little something different from your typical downtown hotel and you want a break from the downtown hustle and bustle, then head back down I-385 a few miles to the Greenville Hyatt Place Hotel.

Hyatt Place Greenville

From its outer appearance, the Greenville Hyatt Place has the looks of just any other ordinary hotel, but once inside, you experience something different. You’ll notice the contemporary style as soon as you walk through the doors with a brightly lit lobby, featuring sleek, but cozy chairs, stylish decor and a coffee and wine area. You’ll appreciate the convenience of the self-registration kiosk. Staying connected is just a step away with the e-room, which offers free computer access. In addition, complimentary high-speed, wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel.

The Hyatt touch really comes out when you set foot in your room. You’ll want to simply plop down on the plush bed, as you relax while watching movies or sports on the 42-inch HD flat panel TV. For added privacy and comfort, there’s an oversized sleeper sofa that is separated from the main living area.

Hyatt Place Standard Room

Although located a few miles from downtown, the Hyatt Place offers everything you could possibly need, within a mile of the Haywood Mall and several local restaurants. For a break from the ordinary, enjoy a relaxing and refreshing stay at the Greenville Hyatt Place.

Photos by Spencer Spellman.

Hyatt Place Greenville
40 W Orchard Park Drive
Greenville, SC 29615
1-864-232-3000