Fort Wilderness Cabin Exterior

Not every “resort” at Walt Disney World is a hotel format. The Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is actually part cabins and part camping, for those who want to rough it while at Disney’s Orlando theme parks.

Located just east of the Magic Kingdom, this property opened in November 1971, only a month after the park did. It features 799 camping spaces ranging from basic tent space up to full RV hook-up slots. It also has 407 air-conditioned “cabins” for those that need a few more creature comforts, like air conditioning. Thirteen of these are set up to be disabled accessible.

Campground rates range from $48 for a basic tent site during value season, to $125 for a premium campsite during peak holiday season. The cabins, which sleep up to six, range from $285 during value season up to $450 during peak holiday season. There are discounts available for AAA/CAA members and Annual Passholders. Some of the campsite loops are also pet-friendly, but there is an additional $5 a day charge.

Fort Wilderness Resort - Pioneer Hall

There are several dining options, all centrally located at Pioneer Hall. This includes Trail’s End Restaurant, which has a basic but hearty breakfast buffet, and the popular Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue dinner show. There are also several “trading posts” throughout the resort to purchase groceries, but you’ll save more money if you buy them before you get to the resort.

One of the most popular questions I get asked is why would you camp at Disney with so many other resorts to choose from. Several reasons, actually.

A lot of people want to stay in their own RV’s or have pets with them. The cabins are the least expensive way to accommodate six people in one lodging. The resort is also great for people who want to combine the fun of the parks with a love for the outdoors and outdoorsy activities, with everything from bikes to kayaks available for rental. You can even horseback ride for a fee at the on-property Tri-Circle D Livery.

There’s even a nightly free campfire program that has sing-alongs, marshmallow roasting, and a free nightly Disney movie (this campfire event is open to all Disney guests).

Guests staying at this property have full access to the Disney bus system, and also have access to a water shuttle that goes directly to the Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is located at 4510 N. Ft. Wilderness Trail, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. To make reservations or for more information, call 407-W-Disney.

[Images courtesy Michelle Snow]

On a hot day on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, hang out at the Palace Casino Resort Pool

Palace Casino Resort rises from the rubble

Originally opened in January 1997 as the riverboat Palace Casino, Hurricane Katrina roared through Biloxi, Mississippi on the afternoon of August 28, 2005 and threw caution to the wind, taking the four-diamond  Palace Casino Resort with it. On my recent visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I had the pleasure of staying at the newly renovated Palace Casino Resort. Owner Robert Low and his wife Lawana said, “our success has never been based on the bricks and mortar, but rather the hard work of our dedicated associates.”

Expanded gaming floor

The Palace Casino Resort has added hundred of new slots – 1,100 slots to be specific – as well as a new table games pit to the new gaming floor. If you are a gambler, be sure to look into the player perks program. Not a gambler; you’ll find the best hotel rates online.

Palace Casino Resort King, room #701, with water view.

King deluxe suite

My king deluxe suite, room #701, included a water view of Biloxi’s Back Bay and complimentary internet access.  During Mardi Gras weekend, my room rented for $199 plus tax. I liked that my room was on a corner, away from the elevator. My room safe wasn’t working the first night, but after a call to house keeping, a maintenance man and security guard were on the scene and had the incorrectly installed battery working soon.

Dining options for every budget

On site dining at Palace Casino Resort includes fine dining, the Palace Buffet, three casual dining options and the Contact Lounge & Sports Bar. Opened on April 18, 2011, the Palace Buffet seats 300 and offers live action cooking stations, while Stacked grill features burgers,  sandwiches and specialty shakes. For the meat lovers in the group, Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood serves dinner Wednesday – Sunday. This California girl was impressed with the restaurant’s selection of wines.

Pure Spa

Try the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Massage & Body Treatment, 80 minutes for $150.

Palace Casino Resort Lobby features two business computers and printer

Insider Tip: For those of us who don’t enjoy smoke-filled casinos, the Palace Casino Resort is the only smoke free casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Palace Casino Resort on Twitter and like them on Facebook.  For additional information follow Mississippi Gulf Coast on Twitter.

Golf Package Deals

Sunday – Thursday: Starting at $145 per person
Friday – Saturday: Starting at $168 per person

Includes one night hotel accommodations at Palace Casino Resort and one round of golf at The Preserve Golf Club. $10.00 food credit per person per package day $10.00 slot credit per person per stay Prices are based on double occupancy / two golfers per room. All prices are tax inclusive.

• Dining room
• Safe
• Meeting rooms
• Jacuzzi
• Boats
• Non-smoking rooms
• Casino on site
• Atm/cash machine
• Wheel chair access
• In-room high-speed internet
• Express check-out
• Casino
• Parking – free
• Interior corridors
• Air conditioning

• Outdoor pool
• Modem
• Lounge/bar
• Security
• Coffee shop
• Accessible facilities
• Coffee/tea maker
• Dry cleaning
• Golf
• Cable or satellite tv
• Iron
• Pool
• Restaurant
• Room service

If You Go:

Palace Casino Resort (228) 432-8888 or (800) 725-2239

154 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

I was a guest of Palace Casino Resort

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As part of its new nationwide expansion, Joie de Vivre has announced it will open its first hotel in Chicago, next month in March. It will be the brand’s second location outside of California.

The Hotel Lincoln derives its name from its Lincoln Park location and the 184 rooms in this boutique hotel have views of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan, both nearby.

All rooms will have been renovated in time for the opening, with the new decor reflecting a “eccentric-meets-collegial preppy” style, according to Andrew Alford of Dirty Lines Design, the firm hired for the project.

On property dining includes Perennial Virant, which features a farm-to-table seasonally changing menu from award-winning chef Paul Virant.

The hotel overlooks the Lincoln Park Zoo and is near DePaul University and attractions such as the Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Conservatory. This makes it a good base for both business and sightseeing during a stay in the city.

Plugging in random dates showed opening special rates starting at only $89.50 (plus tax) for the end of March. Members of Joie de Vivre’s Joy of Life member rewards program also can accrue benefits during stays here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hotel Lincoln
1816 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Phone: 800-738-7477
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[Image courtesy of Joie de Vivre]

The Oak Room is the watering hole, otherwise known as the bar, at Alisal Guest Ranch

At Alisal Guest Ranch, everyone gets VIP treatment

If the walls of Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort could talk, you’d know that some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities have played backgammon here and gone horseback riding in the hills of the Santa Ynez valley. But the walls can’t talk and that’s a good thing.  At Alisal Guest Ranch, your privacy is respected. With plenty of activities to fit every fitness level, guests may fill their days with archery, golf, (two 18-hole championship courses), tennis and swimming or they might just lounge by the pool or cast a line in the 100-acred spring-fed Alisal Lake to see if a fish bites or wait for a Bald eagle to fly by.  It’s all in a days work at the ranch.

After a day of horseback riding, head over to The Alisal Spa for a massage

Family-friendly Alisal

From the Alisal Barn Yard to the Alisal Spa, toddlers to teenagers will be able to keep themselves entertained. One of the highlights of a stay at the Alisal is the Breakfast Ride on horseback (additional fee) to the Old Adobe. Riders from beginners to advanced will saddle up and ride with Alisal wranglers among sycamore trees heavy with Spanish Lace, and enjoy a Western breakfast buffet next to a crackling campfire. On my visit I witnessed teenagers, giddy with anticipation – or was that lack of sleep, waiting to be matched to their horses. Remember this is an early morning breakfast ride, so if The Alisal Ranch is able to coax sleep-loving teens out of their cozy beds in the wee hours, this breakfast ride has got to be good – and boy, howdy, is it good!

Alisal Spa

After a day of horseback riding, climbing the hills of Santa Barbara County, I was ready for a 60 minute deep tissue massage at The Alisal Spa, ($130.)  Opened in 2008, The 6,000 square foot Alisal Fitness Center and Spa features four treatment rooms, a cardio- weight room and fitness classes from Ab sculpting to Zumba – $15 additional charge for fitness classes.

73 Alisal Ranch guests rooms feature California ranch design. Room #31 is a one bedroom select suite

Alisal Guest Cottages

With 73 guest rooms and suites, decorated in  California ranch design, parents are able to have privacy, while kids bunk in the living room. Interconnecting rooms make Girlfriend Getaways and family reunions possible, while still offering a relaxing environment. In fact, the Alisal subtly creates an unplugged environment. Did I mention that there are no telephones or televisions in the guest cottages? Cell reception is limited at the Alisal. Don’t worry, the library offers big screen tv’s and there is complimentary internet throughout the property AND in the guest rooms for those who are unable to disconnect from the digital world.

Insider Tip: Verizon provides good coverage in the immediate vicinity of the Ranch.

Room Categories:

Deluxe Studio (sleeps up to three people)

Jr. Suite

Select Suite

Deluxe Suite (may accommodate up to five people)

Check in 4 p.m. check out noon.  No pets allowed.

This Alisal Ranch "select suite" sleeps up to five people in the one bedroom suite.

Wood-burning fireplace

I stayed in a select suite ($650 per night during my visit, based on two people) that included a ranch breakfast and dinner. All rooms include a wood-burning fireplace, stocked with firewood and a fire starter. Do I really need to confess that I did not have success with my fire? I was even a Campfire girl in my youth! The rooms include daily housekeeping and turndown service, as well as in room coffee maker, refrigerator, iron and board, hair dryer and clock radio.

Check the website for package deals for the Angler, Cowgirl and Cowboy Boot Camps and Spa Escapes. The Alisal Guest Ranch is a member of Ranch Web.com.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Alisal Guest Ranch  on Twitter @AlisalResort and like them on  Facebook.

If You Go:

Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort (805) 688-6411 or (800 ) 4-ALISAL

1054 Alisal Road

Solvang, CA 93463

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

I was a guest of Alisal Guest Ranch.

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