Lodging

As with most tourist attractions, there are plenty of hotels around the Legoland theme park in San Diego, California. But until now, there hasn’t been an actual hotel at the popular attraction.

Las Vegas' Excalibur Hotel at Legoland

That will all change as Legoland says they are planning on building a Lego-themed resort.

The local Carlsbad City Council gave the approval for the proposed 254-room hotel to be built right next to the park at its October 27 meeting.  According to Legoland, the hotel will reflect the different aspects of the park, and of course, heavily feature Legos in the decor.

Basic rooms will feature bedding, carpets and wallpaper with instructions on how to make different Lego creations. Premium rooms at the hotel will borrow from different popular areas of the park. For instance, there will be a pirate-themed room that continues the fun of the Pirate Shores area of the park.

The hotel itself will reportedly have a serpentine shape around the pool, with a colorful exterior reflective of the way Legos come in many colors. Legoland says their hotel will very much appeal to families with younger children.

There is no time frame attached to the completion of the hotel, yet, but most likely it will be two to three years before the hotel is built, given the current economy.

This sounds like a fun hotel. It’d really be cool if they actually built some of the furniture out of Legos. After all, if a Barbie suite in Vegas can have plastic furniture, why not a Legoland hotel?

What do you think? Would you stay at a Lego-themed hotel?

[Photo courtesy of Legoland]

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Hotel Cheval in Paso Robles

Paso Robles is growing up. No longer the sleepy little town, Paso is known for its wine country and sophisticated dining. And while kids used to ride their horses into town, the only horse you’ll find cruising the streets of Paso Robles is Chester, a 2,000 pound Belgian draft horse.

Chester – The Horse of Course

Chester is the official mascot of Hotel Cheval. The former work horse from Big Prairie, Ohio has seen his last days of pulling plows and now carts guests of the Hotel Cheval to and from downtown Paso Robles in a handsome vintage vis a vis carriage.

With only 16 rooms, Hotel Cheval offers its guests luxury and privacy in this Central Coast location. From the outdoor stone wood-burning fireplaces to the horse shoe-shaped zinc Pony Club bar, visitors will enjoy a bit of the old ranching life, while keeping both boots firmly planted in the good life.

Chester Takes Guest from Hotel Cheval

Hotel rooms range from $225 weekdays to $325 on the weekends. Hotel Cheval is pet-friendly with a $30 charge per pet, each day.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Cheval

Hotel Cheval 1 (866) 522-6999

1021 Pine St.  Paso Robles, CA

The Galt House and the Louisville skyline

When booking a room in Louisville’s Galt House Hotel and Suites you’ll have to pick: newer room or bigger room.

The RIVUE (East) Tower, which was renovated in 2006, has 591 suites and deluxe rooms. The SUITE (West) Tower has larger rooms than the East Tower, featuring 600 executive suites, including premium ones with waterfront balconies, but they’re a bit older.

The rooms are clean but lack the amenities many guests expect from an upscale hotel, with the notable exception of complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the building. Located on the waterfront, many rooms in both towers offer expansive views of the Ohio River and neighboring Southern Indiana, although the scene isn’t particularly notable.

Rates range from $169 to $950, but the Galt House does offer specials.

Online reviews yielded mixed experiences with the service: some guests raved about their treatment, but most others complained. It’s not too surprising that most reviews were less than stellar though: a few months ago I was sitting in the back of a Louisville bus next to a sweaty guy in a t-shirt who was pounding beers. We started talking. He was a Galt House employee on his way to work, albeit two hours late.

A room with a view of the Ohio River

Another knock on the Galt House is that all of the elevators go to all floors, meaning if you’re on a higher floor, getting to and from your room can take a while. So plan accordingly or ask to stay on a lower floor.

The 10,000 square foot, three-story glass conservatory that connects the two towers also offers  sweeping views of downtown Louisville and the mediocre Ohio. It has free Wi-Fi and houses Thelma’s Deli and Al J’s lounge, but if you’re looking for local flavor, you won’t taste it here (a common line at the bar seems to be “Have you ever been to Louisville before?”).

Al J’s bar is a long fish tank, albeit sparsely populated (although it’s possible I’d scared the fish to the other end). It has a lengthy martini menu, including–no surprise for Kentucky–whiskey martinis. Its cocktail prices, however, are geared towards drinkers on a per diem, but $4.75 for a Guinness is reasonable.

The Galt House's conservatory houses a deli and lounge

While the conservatory has a modern feel, much of the rest of the hotel’s common areas are dated. For example, the Archibald Cochran Ballroom in the West Tower is ahead of its time, but its time is 1973.

The Galt House’s location is ideal for taking advantage of downtown Louisville’s entertainment, dining and nightlife options. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory,  the Muhammad Ali Center and Fourth Street Live! (a popular, if gentrified, evening playground that attracts twentysomethings) are just a few blocks away.

And it’s just a cheap taxi drive from the Galt House to Bardstown Road and its eclectic mix of independent bars, restaurants and stores that help “keep Louisville weird,” a popular slogan around town.

It’s also a 10-minute drive to Churchill Downs, but getting a reservation at the Galt House on Kentucky Derby weekend can be difficult and expensive. (Check this article for information on events that are cheaper than the Derby, namely because they are free.)

The Galt House’s rates, size and proximity to Louisville’s attractions (including the Kentucky International Convention Center) make it a popular destination for conferences.

All photos courtesy of Galt House.

The Galt House Hotel and Suites
140 N. 4th St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-589-5200

The Evergreen Lodge's winter wonderland.

If you’re tired of the same old holiday celebrations, Yosemite National Park’s Evergreen Lodge has a way for you to add a fun, new tradition while getting a winter view of one of the first wilderness parks in the United States.

The Evergreen’s winter packages during Christmas and New Year’s weeks include those favorite traditions from the season, like cookie decorating, champagne toasts and holiday feasts. For those looking to add something new, they also include snowshoe walks, s’mores and flamingo decorating.

Two- and three-night Christmas week packages (Dec. 16 to 27) start from $340 per couple or $495 per family (two adults and one or two children, ages 2 to 12) per night. Packages include cabin accommodations, daily breakfast, trail lunches, evening campfires, a hayride, gift baskets, holiday kids’ crafts and a three-course Christmas feast.

Packages during New Year’s week (Dec. 29 to Jan. 3) are also available for two and three nights; per night rates begin at $340 per couple or $480 per family. Included are accommodations, breakfast, New Year’s Eve dinner and party, champagne brunch on New Year’s Day and a gift basket.

The lodge’s 22-acre property is dotted with 90 cabins that are comfortably heated and furnished, and feature spacious decks. Festive music (holiday or otherwise) is provided to all cabins on SIRIUS satellite radio.

If you can’t tear yourself away from the large family gatherings this holiday season, or if you prefer to do your celebrating earlier, the Evergreen is offering a special of 25 percent off its weekly rates. The discount is available Sun. through Thurs., Nov. 3 through Dec. 17–excluding Nov. 25 and 26.

Evergreen Lodge 209-379-2606

33160 Evergreen Rd. Groveland, CA 95321

Photo courtesy of Evergreen Lodge

More Yosemite-related posts:

Caving in Yosemite

Family Fun at Bass Lake, California

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.

Read More »

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

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.

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