Lodging

The image that Motel 6 has is of basic lodgings at a value price, and that is a fair assessment of what I received during my stay at the chain’s property located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Standard 2 Double Bed Motel 6 Room

The motel is actually, technically, in the city of Lake Delton, but Delton and the Dells are twin cities separated only by an invisible barrier. For all intents and purposes, most everything in this twin city area is considered The Dells.

But I digress. The motel is located where I-90/94 and Hwy 12 intersect and it is a three-story lodging with very basic rooms offering 1 king or 2 double beds, a TV with cable, an indoor pool and hot tub, free morning coffee in the lobby and that’s about it.

There’s no on-site restaurant or fitness center, no indoor waterpark like the Great Wolf Lodge and Kahlahari just up the road, and no free toiletries, other than a bar of no-name soap. The walls are also thin enough to hear a loud conversation next door and even with a non-smoking room, there is still lingering smoke smells as soon as you step into the hallway.

But for $50 or less, on average (AAA discounts available), you do get free WiFi, free parking, indoor hallways for security and a clean, comfortable place to sleep. Restaurants are less than a mile away, next to the Tanger Outlet Mall, and it’s about a five minute drive from both the main tourist strip of Dells attractions and Ho Chunk Casino. This is also a pet-friendly lodging and does have rooms to accommodate those with disabilities.

This is definitely a place to pick if you’re more concerned with price over amenities, but sometimes, all you need is a cheap place to crash.

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Motel 6 Lake Delton
I-90/I-94 at US 12, Exit #92
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-355-0700

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[Photo by Michelle Snow]

Related Posts:

• Comfort Inn in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Mayflower Motel in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

This is a guest post authored by Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino!

 There are many attributes that make Italy wonderful for families.  High on the list is the outrageously good yet kid-friendly food and a culture that worships children. 

In addition, there are a wide array of accommodations that support families perfectly with kitchens and plenty of indoor/outdoor space to make it easy to live like a local for a week or more.  In most destinations, the trick is finding the decent options with these amenities.  Not so here.  Far more challenging is distinguishing between them. 

Tuscany in particular has an incredible number of rural properties that cater to families. Some are part of the agriturismo network—working farms—and others are large estates that have been converted into apartments.  Most agriturismi produce a mix of wine and olive oil.  Sadly for kids, these ‘farms’ do not have a menagerie of animals running around other than the usual variety of dogs and cats. 

Agriturismo in Tuscany

The vast majority of rural accommodations in Tuscany have a swimming pool.  Given the cost of energy in Europe, most pools are unheated.  Fortunately, the swimming season that runs from June-September is typically hot and humid, so the cool water is bearable. 

The main thing to consider when evaluating these accommodations is the number of onsite amenities you want to access.  If you envision sightseeing most days, a pool and apartment facilities may be all you need.  On the other hand, some families appreciate more extensive facilities like an onsite restaurant, playground, and structured activities for kids.  There are big differences between what is offered at each property. 

 Usually, there is some sort of onsite resource to help navigate through local excursions, although it is worth understanding if they live onsite or need to be reached on the phone (the latter can be disconcerting for some travelers). 

There are quite a few agriturismo directory websites for Italy like Agriturismo.it  and Agriturismo.net.  These resources are comprehensive, but are of little value to families that want to quickly narrow down a short list of the best options.  On Ciao Bambino, we list all the key family-oriented features including specific kids’ facilities and babysitting rates.  All of our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted and experienced by real families.  See our list of the best accommodations with kids in Italy and my recent blog post on Italy Travel 101: Creating a Family-Friendly Itinerary for more information.     

 Independent villas are plentiful and best for multiple families traveling together.  Villas provide more privacy and space, but families will miss the social aspects of a resort setting—a big part of the fun in a country that attracts visitors from all over the world. 

Photo provided by Ciao Bambino

Amie O’Shaughnessy is the Editor of Ciao Bambino, a family travel blog and guide to the best accommodations with kids. 

Visitors to Sicily may find themselves overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of its capital, Palermo.  It is dirty, congested and incredibly busy.  It’s definitely worth a visit (especially for the food), mind you – but it can still be a tad overwhelming.

So getting outside of the city can be a welcome respite. If you are set to stay on the island for more than a few days, it may even be a necessary one.  And if you are of a mind to truly get away from it all, the Relais Santa Anastasia resort, about 60 km away in the old town of Castelbuono, is a perfect escape.

When I say get away from it all, I’m not kidding.  The resort is about a dozen clicks away from the nearest town of Castelbuono.  And to do any sightseeing in the vicinity, you’ll need a rental car (and probably one with a good GPS at that).  But Relais Santa Anastasia’s sparse, breathtaking beauty, and its award-winning winery next door, means that you may not be all that inclined to leave anyway.  Its refined serenity, coupled with the grounds incredible history, should have you captivated in no time at all.

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The folks at Joie de Vivre are a pretty blissed out crew.

Founder Chip Conley has been spreading his positive message around California since 1987, and has accrued nearly 40 boutique hotels, more than 20 restaurants, and four spas in the state during that time.

And now, Joie de Vivre, (French for “joy of living,” btw),  is spreading the bliss by giving  guests an opportunity to turn a two-night stay in to a three-day getaway at one of Joie de Vivre’s hotel properties.

When you book three nights at joieoflife.com from now through May 31, 2010, you get a freebie on JdV.

The campaign encourages visitors to, “explore living joyfully, happily, and exuberantly,” and the web portal at joieoflife.com is worth a look. This  integrated social media platform features blogs, twitteresque posts, information about contests and prizes, and allows visitors  to sing up to be informed of last minute deals through twitter.

Achieve a state of bliss at a JdV spa.

And, if you’re less cynical than myself, there’s a link to create and send positive and inspirational messages like, “You Rock,” “I Heart You,” and “You Made My Day” to all of your friends and significant others.

On the site, you’ll find:

• Third Night Free Offer — use the code “JOIE” and reserve by May 31, 2010 for stays November 1 through June 15 (based on availability)
• Jump for Joie Photo Contest — Enter the first of three contests by 10 a.m. PST on November 19 to win prizes that include free stays.
• Create Joie — Find out how to sign up to recieve last-minute hotel, restaurant, and spa specials through December, 2009 with JdV’s Mobile Mondays, Twitter Tuesdays, and Facebook Fridays. This section also features the blog, YouTube videos, Twitter tweets, and Facebook postings.

Photo courtesy of Joie de Vivre.

21c Museum and Hotel

21 Museum Hotel is one of the few urban hotels where you’ll want to spend more time in the common areas than in your room–or even the rest of Louisville.

The lower two floors of the 90-room boutique hotel house a free 9,000 square foot museum of provocative contemporary art. Most of the pieces change regularly, with a few exceptions.

The most notable permanent works are the first floor restrooms, especially the men’s–don’t worry though ladies, you won’t be the first to sneak a peak (and if you are too bashful, you can find a video tour of the men’s room on YouTube).

Once you make it to your room, and it might take you a while to leave behind the art, you’ll find your room spacious and relaxing, if not as compelling as the downstairs. And leave your shampoo, condition and soaps at home as you’ll want to try the hotel’s toiletries.

Rooms start at $119 and go up–considerably on Kentucky Derby weekend.

A room in 21c Museum Hotel

21c’s location is ideal for exploring downtown Louisville’s attractions, like Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Science Center.

Proof on Main, a new American restaurant located in the 21c (and named one of the best new restaurants in 2006 by Esquire) is worth a visit even if you aren’t staying at the hotel. The bar area is a smart gathering place for Louisvillians who work downtown. A drink or two here will expose out-of-town visitors to some of Louisville’s dynamic younger people.

And at Proof, the people behind the bar aren’t called bartenders. They’re mixologists. The speciality drinks vary based on what’s in season but seldom disappoint. Kentucky is bourbon country though, so a beverage based on that whiskey verital is a good way to keep it local.

Proof on Main

Proof’s food menu changes daily, depending largely on what’s available in Northern Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley. The Kentucky bison burger, roasted octopus appetizer and scallops with spaghetti squash are staples for a reason though.

As with 21c, Proof’s walls are adorned with interesting art that changes once or twice a year. The deers’ heads near the door, however, are permanent, so don’t miss them.

Photos courtesy of sashafatcat (room), ellenm1 (hotel) and Daquella manera (Proof)

21c Museum Hotel
700 W. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-217-6300

With four young children, finding a hotel with the space and amenities for our entire family isn’t always easy.  When we vacationed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, however, we found a winner in the Canad Inns Polo Park.

The kids loved it.  We stayed in one of the space-themed kids rooms, which included a room just for the kids with bunks, lights, and their own TV, separated from the main room by a pocket door.  It was almost too much fun for them to have control of their own light switches and move from bunk to bunk in their very own room.  They loved the pool area, which includes a waterslide, as well as the kids’ kit they received when we checked in.  Decoding the messages found around the hotel was great fun for them.   Fare at Aalto’s Garden Restaurant was reasonably priced and child-friendly, including slushies and sundaes and good kid food when the buffet was open.

My husband and I liked the hotel’s location, convenient to many Winnipeg attractions like Assiniboine Park and the Western Canada Aviation Museum.  Polo Park shopping center is just a few blocks away, as is the football stadium for the Blue Bombers, and when we needed a distraction, we just walked across the street to Toys R Us.

We found the hotel to be family-friendly, with courteous staff, a fun swimming area, and spacious themed rooms that our kids loved.  When we return to Winnipeg, Canad Inns will be our home once again.

Canad Inns Polo Park (204) 775-8791
1405 St. Matthews Ave, Winnipeg, MB

Photos used by permission of Canad Inns.

Linda (minnemom) finds fun with her four kids and writes about their adventures at Travels with Children.

San Sebastian, in the northern Basque area of Spain, is one of the country’s most beautiful resort towns. Its crescent beach lures Spain’s elite, who stay in glitzy high-rise hotels with ocean views, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants and generally live the Spanish high life. For those on a more modest budget,  Pension Bellas Artes, a 10-minute walk from the beach, is a less expensive and more personal option.

The Beach at San Sebastian

Owner Mari Carmen and her English-speaking daughter Leire welcome guests as though they were family, elevating an average hotel into something truly special. Each visit starts with information on the best restaurants and sights in the city, plus tips on getting around and hidden gems to check out. On special occasions, the staff will even go above and beyond with special treats like champagne toasts on New Years Eve.

The rooms are basic, but comfortable. Standard rooms include double beds with spacious bathrooms. The building has wi-fi and Leire will even lend you her laptop if you are traveling without one. She’ll also arrange tours, cabs, and restaurant reservations.

Double rooms start at 59 Euros in low season (October to April), 72 Euros in May and 79 Euros in high season (June to September and the holidays).

Address: C/ Urbieta, 64 1B, San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa
Telephone: 943 474 905
Email: info@pension-bellasartes.com

Photo Credit: Katie Hammel

When I came back from Costa Rica, I couldn’t stop talking about the sloths that I got to meet. Most of my friends who have been to Costa Rica admitted to being jealous: Sloths, unlike howler monkeys that line Costa Rica’s tree branches the way pigeons line the building facades of New York City, are harder to spot.

Sloths aren't lazy

For a guaranteed encounter with these animals, which I swear must have been the inspiration for most of Jim Henson’s work, check out the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica and the Avarios del Caribe Hotel, located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica (near the town of Limon). A local family adopted a sloth that was displaced by local development. It climbed a telephone pole, thinking it was a tree, and suffered burns from the electricity. The family named her Buttercup, and she is still a fixture at the Sloth Sanctuary, sitting perched in a wicker chair in the outdoor dining area.

Rates start at $74 for a room for one. Depending on how many amenities you want, expect to pay about $13o for a room for four. Rates include breakfast. Note that this lodge was created to help offset the costs of taking care of the rescued sloths; when I visited, the staff was nursing about 20 babies and four adults.

Email slothsanctuary@gmail.com for reservations. The Avarios del Caribe Hotel is located in the Limon Province, 11 kilometers north of Cahuita, on the Southern Caribbean Coast.

Special thanks to the Sloth Sanctuary for the adorable sloth pic.

It seems lately, there’s been an explosion of resorts using social media to disclose deals and contests for those that follow or fan them. Add MGM Grand Las Vegas to the mix.

MGM Grand Las Vegas Lion

For several months, the resort has been utilizing Twitter to send out last minute discounts, but now it’s asking followers to Tweet their sins for a chance to win a free room night.

To enter, simply follow @mgmgrand on Twitter, then Tweet a sin along with the hashtag #mgmsin. It doesn’t get easier than that.

Here’s an example of how to use a Twitter hashtag for those unfamiliar with it:

Tweet your sins to win free night at MGM Grand Las Vegas #mgmsins

The resort says that you don’t need to direct the sin Tweet at them, it just needs to have the hashtag so they can find your Tweet when picking a winner from the multitude of sins. The “sin” also doesn’t have to have anything to do with the resort or even Vegas. You just need to confess a sin of any kind.

As opposed to most viral campaigns, MGM Grand Las Vegas is allowing multiple entries. Tweet as many sins with the hashtag as you’d like and each one counts as an entry.

Each day from now until November 26, 2009 (that’s Thanksgiving Day), the resort will award one free room night to a winner picked at random from all sins Tweeted with the hashtag. Unfortunately, this one is open to U.S. residents age 21 and over only.

For more details on the contest and a handy way to Tweet your sins, visit the MGM Grand’s contest page.

I love this resort. It’s got a great location at the south end of The Strip in Las Vegas, and there’s so much to see, do and eat, you could easily spend a couple of days without even leaving the property. Not to mention, there’s nothing better than a free night in Vegas!

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MGM Grand Las Vegas
3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-891-1111
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[Photo: Michelle Snow]

Photo courtesy Donna L. Hull

Art, history and mountain scenery provide a heady mix in this region of the “Land of Enchantment,” otherwise known as Taos, New Mexico. On a recent visit, my husband and I chose Casa Benavides Bed and Breakfast Inn, an art-filled bed and breakfast, as our headquarters for visiting the north-central New Mexico city where the UNESCO World Heritage site of Taos Pueblo, art galleries, restaurants and shops competed for our attention.

Our room, located in one of the inn’s six individual homes clustered on five acres in downtown Taos, included a fireplace. Antiques, handmade furniture and Native American rugs completed the decor. A back door led to a hidden courtyard where a cascading bougainvillea vine draped over the wall, adding a touch of bright red charm.

Breakfast is included in the room rate at Casa Benavides. We appreciated sitting at a table in the large dining room overlooking a courtyard, while servers brought the meal to us. The complimentary breakfast included an egg dish, which happened to be quiche topped with red or green chile sauce. Freshly baked tortillas, waffles and homemade granola completed the meal, providing the fuel for a day’s exploration along the 84-mile Enchanted Circle, a National Scenic Byway, another touring option.

Photo courtesy Donna L. Hull

We made sure that our adventures ended each day with afternoon tea in the Casa Benavides dining room. Homemade chocolate chip cookies, lemon chess bars, Mexican wedding cookies and chocolate cake accompanied our choice of coffee or tea. Later, we strolled through the main building, the site of Taos’ first art gallery, to the living room where we sipped tea while gazing at the vivid collection of paintings and Native American art, the perfect ending to a day in the “Land of Enchantment.”

If you go:
Casa Benavides Bed and Breakfast Inn
137 Kit Carson Road
Taos, New Mexico  87571
Reservations: (800) 552-1772  (575) 758-1772
http://www.taos-casabenavides.com

Review by Donna L. Hull, My Itchy Travel Feet.
All photos by Donna L. Hull