Superior Room at the Francois 1er

Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities, not to mention one of the most romantic,  so now is the time to start thinking about a Valentine’s break or perhaps the chance to experience one of Europe’s great capitals for the summer.

The Preferred Hotel Group, which operates 13 hotels in Paris have begun an ‘I love Paris’ promotion to help you get the most from your time in the City of Lights. With a minimum three nights stay at one of the city’s fabulous hotels you can benefit from a free airport transfer and daily continental breakfast.
You can choose to stay in one of several properties located close to the Champs Elysee, like the Francois 1er: a boutique hotel offering luxurious rooms and intimate common areas, with décor heavily influenced by French royalty.

Floating Beds at the Seven Hotel

Or, if you prefer something more modern, opt for a few nights on the Left Bank at the Seven Hotel, a one of a kind experience with ‘levitating’ tubs and beds and a strong focus on LED and neon lights.
With over a dozen properties to choose from, located across the city, offering the best in design and luxury there is property to please even the most discerning traveler.  Prices start from just $286 per room, per night and the promotion is valid until the end of 2012.

For more details see the  I Love Paris website

Picture Credit: Preferred Hotel Group

Rancho de los Caballeros Living Room

Rancho de los Caballeros – welcome home

Welcome to the family ranch! Rancho de los Caballeros, which means ranch of the gentlemen on horseback, should actually be called Ranch of the family. Whether you are one of the 100+ people on staff at this Arizona guest ranch,  a new guest or returning for your 20th visit to the ranch, you will be welcomed like one of the family. For more than a half century, this family-owned ranch has been operating on 20,000 acres of high Sonoran desert.  In addition to horseback riding, the dude ranch, open from October to mid-May, features a top-rated golf course, excellent kid’s program and relaxing spa.

Rancho de los Caballeros Swimming Pool

La Familia at Rancho de los Caballeros

When I visit a property, I try to find staff members to interview. I tend to get a better feel for the place when I talk to the people who work and, often times, live on property. Pastry Chef Mary Jane Gladen has been with Rancho de los Caballeros for 35 years.  “I started working here when I was 17,” laughs Gladen. Massage Therapist Lynn Marbach has been with the ranch 13 years. “This place is like family,” notes Marbach.

The all inclusive resort includes three meals a day with breakfast and lunch served buffet-style. After a morning of horseback riding, I was pleasantly surprised by the multitude of hot and cold lunch  choices, but the dessert selection sent me over the edge. This place is like a cruise ship without setting foot off shore. Needless to say, I have found the food at Rancho de los Caballeros to be top notch – from the Sonoran Especiale of duck tamale, cheese and onion enchilada and chorizo and potato tostada to the Vaquero pie – you will not leave hungry.

Rancho de los Caballeros Maricopa Suite #354

Value Vacation at Rancho de los Caballeros

If you are looking to stretch your vacation dollar – and who isn’t these days – the best value for dollar at Rancho de los Caballeros is after the winter holidays. The Getaway package, January 2- February 14, 2012 includes horseback riding or golf for free.  I timed my visit for January, with 70 degree days, and a fantastic staff to guest ratio. I stayed in Maricopa Suite #354 with a Kiva gas fireplace, private king bedroom, queen-size Murphy bed, wet bar and spa tub. Priced at $455 per night for two people – or $355 single supplement- I was one happy buckaroo in this 750 square foot suite. Did I mention that complimentary internet access is available in all rooms?

The Spa Rancho de los Caballeros

Spa at Rancho de los Caballeros

After a two hour nature horseback ride in the morning and one and one half hour advanced ride in the afternoon, my muscles were calling out for a visit to The Spa at Rancho de los Caballeros. Massage Therapist Lynell Marbach did not leave me disappointed. I opted for the Desert Oasis one hour massage ($110), a blend of tropical flower essences and sweet lime make up this tropical mango massage oil.  From desert baths, scrubs and wraps to facials and pedicures, both men and women will feel relaxed and renewed.  There is also a labyrinth walk behind the spa for your journey to inner peace.

Golf

Rated by Golf Digest magazine as one of Arizona’s top five golf courses, Los Caballeros Golf Club is gorgeous, according to first-time guest Dennis Miller.  “Hole 14 was up hill and had sand traps on the right,” noted Miller. “Shooting uphill is always more interesting.”

Rancho de los Caballeros Maricopa Suite

Pick your package at Rancho de los Caballeros

• Ranch Getaway: This package includes room, meals and options for activities, and it’s the best value of the year (please note that this package is only available during special times of the year).
• Ranch Experience: For those who want to experience virtually everything The Ranch has to offer, this is your package.
• Giddy-Up Gals: For ladies who’d like to enjoy themselves without the menfolk, this package was created for you.
• Golf Getaway: This package is perfect for the golfer in your family and includes room, meals, three rounds of  golf per two-night stay.
• Ranch Meeting Round-Up: For large groups looking to hold a one-of-a-kind meeting or retreat, this package includes room, meals, meeting space, reception and more.

Plenty to do at Rancho de los Caballeros

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Rancho de los Caballeros  on Twitter @RanchodelosCab and like them on  Facebook. Rancho de los Caballeros is a member of the Arizona Dude Ranch Association,  Dude Ranchers’ Association & Historic Hotels of America.

If You Go:

Rancho de los Caballeros (928) 684-5484 or (800 ) 684-5030

1551 S Vulture Mine Road

Wickenburg, AZ 85390

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 Rancho de los Caballeros.

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The Exterior of the Ocean House Resort

I grew up in Rhode Island, and although I no longer live there, it’s still one of my favorite places.  There’s a quaint charm and just about every location throughout the entire state has a fabulous water view.  It can be expensive to stay in the better Rhode Island resorts in the summer, but in the winter months, you can get some great deals at some deluxe locations.   The Ocean House Resort, a gorgeous resort located in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, is offering a “Winter Wonderland” package, available through April 15, 2012.

Guests who book the Winter Wonderland package will receive the following:

• Accommodations in a Deluxe or Terrace room at Ocean House
• Daily breakfast for two
• A $50 resort credit
• Round-trip transportation and two tickets to Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT

Ocean House offers 49 guestrooms and luxury suites in a seaside location right in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.  Open year-round, the resort has gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can see Block Island, Rhode Island, and Montauk, New York.  The resort also offers OH! Spa, a 12,000 square foot, seven room spa and several on-site dining options.

Ocean House
1 Bluff Avenue
Watch Hill, RI 02891
(401) 584-7000

Photo credit: Ocean House

Where to stay outside of Pasadena for a Rose Bowl game

Courtyard Los Angeles Baldwin Park

My husband and son are serious University of Oregon football fans. Not one for crowds, neither one had interest in watching the Tournament of Roses Parade® or the Roy Rogers “Happy Trails” float. When they found out that the Ducks were Rose Bowl-bound on January 2, 2012 they jumped on a pair of tickets and then looked for lodging. They were smart in their lodging plan of attack. Rather than sleep in Pasadena – with a three night minimum stay -  and fight traffic, the boys searched for lodging on the outskirts of town. As we are Marriott Reward members, they checked out Courtyard by Marriott properties first.

Built in 1989, the Courtyard Los Angeles Baldwin Park served as home base for their 2012 Rose Bowl roadtrip.  Conveniently located off the I-10 Freeway between Downtown Los Angeles and Ontario, the hotel was 20-30 minutes away from Pasadena. The ten story high rise was renovated in 2004 and has 191  deluxe guestrooms and suites, with television, remote control, telephone, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron, ironing board and data port in each room.  They never made it to the outdoor heated pool or whirlpool, nor the 24 hour fitness center, but these features are great to have when traveling with kids or if you simply want to relax by the pool.

Two queen beds for two football kings at Couryard by Marriott Baldin Park Los Angeles

Two queen beds for two football kings

The father son duo opted for two queen beds which cost them $199 per night.

All Courtyard by Marriott Hotels in the USA and Canada have a smoke-free policy that applies to guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms and public spaces. To accommodate the needs of smoking guests, hotels have designated smoking areas outside of the property.

Amenities at Court Yard by Marriott Los Angeles Baldwin Park

• Car rental desk
• Modem
• Guest laundry fee
• Meal plan available
• Pay-per-view movies
• Complimentary coffee in lobby
• Concierge floor
• Accessible parking
• Security
• Full service housekeeping
• Handicap room
• Free wireless internet
• Meeting facilities
• Non-smoking rooms
• Ice machine

• Express check-in
• Voicemail
• No extra phone charges
• Complimenary newspaper in lobby
• Child programs
• Internet access
• Public area air conditioned
• Movie channels
• Food and beverage outlets
• Tennis
• Individual efolio available
• Valet same day dry cleaning
• Alarm clock
• Espn available
• Barber shop

If You Go:

Courtyard Los Angeles Baldwin Park (626) 962-6000

14635 Baldwin Park Towne Center

Baldwin Park, California 91706

Follow Marriott International on Twitter and follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter for insider travel tips.

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

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