Lodging

New Orleans Marriott Deluxe Guest Room

Get into the holiday spirit in New Orleans, the city that knows how to celebrate everything just right. Celebration doesn’t have to break the bank, however. The New Orleans Marriott Hotel makes it much easier on your wallet with Papa Noel rates, starting at $89 per night.

Located at the edge of the French Quarter on Canal Street, the New Orleans Marriott is conveniently located for all your holiday shopping, sightseeing and celebration.  Fresh from a $38 million renovation, the hotel features 1,329 guest rooms and suites.

Papa Noel rates start at $89 per night (based on double occupancy, not including tax), and are available from Dec. 1 to 24. In addition, get in on the local culinary tradition at this time of year, and take part in a reveillon feast at the hotel’s 5 Fifty 5 restaurant. For $45 per person, the six-course reveillon dinner menu features char-broiled oysters, Creole fried green tomatoes, butternut squash bisque, speckled trout, lamp chops and more.

5 Fifty 5 Restaurant

If that’s not enough, and you want to learn how to make these luscious dishes when you get home, participate in a free cooking demonstration with Mark Quitney, 5 Fifty 5’s executive chef. The 45-minute cooking demonstrations are available at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 to 4, 8 to 11, 15 to 18 and 22 to 23.

On my first visit to New Orleans nearly 20 years ago, I stayed at the New Orleans Marriott. My friends and I were in town for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and looking out our window to the city and river below, I was mesmerized before I even began to explore the Crescent City on my subsequent trips over the years.

For more information on Papa Noel reservations, call 888-364-1200, or visit www.neworleansmarriott.com and use reference code HOL. If your holiday spirit gets revved by giving back, check with the hotel’s concierge in advance of your stay for volunteer opportunities in the community. Santa will take note.

New Orleans Marriott Hotel 888-364-1200
555 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Photos courtesy of New Orleans Marriott Hotel

More New Orleans-related information:
Five Haunted Hotels in New Orleans

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Holland America Line Ms Westerdam

“Hello everyone, this is Captain Henk Keijer,” the man with a Dutch accent delivered an important message over the Ms Westerdam’s PA system. “Due to the weather forecast of high winds and rough seas, we are unable to call in the port of Sitka. The Ms Westerdam instead will offer scenic cruising through the area of Tracy Arm.”

Indeed, Captain Keijer had made the proper call, as hurricane force winds were projected for our next port. In fact, the weather started turning as we docked in Juneau. This was September, after all, and summer had officially ended in Alaska.

Our Alaskan Explorer cruise on the Ms Westerdam began in Seattle, Washington. As a journalist, I was a guest of Holland America Line for a seven day cruise via Glacier Bay. After a quick flight from San Francisco, I experienced a smooth check-in process to board the ship. As was recommended to me by fellow cruise experts, my first stop on the ship was to the Greenhouse Spa to book a massage appointment for later in the week.

After a salmon lunch at the Lido Buffet, I was able to move into stateroom #4139. A mini-suite, my queen bedroom had a combination shower and tub in the bathroom, a desk for writing, with internet acess (for an extra fee) and a balcony. If you can swing the $1,349, the stateroom provided fabulous views of Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm, our unexpected, yet highly scenic diversion later on in the week.

Ms Westerdam State Room #4139

New to cruising, I was pleasantly surprised with the wide array of entertainment options, from nightly shows, to the Culinary Arts Center, guests can learn new cooking techniques, keep up with their yoga and cardio classes at the gym or relax in the hydro therapy pool. The same can be said for the variety of dining choices offered on board. Let’s just say that I’ve been eating and drinking my way through Alaska.

Grazers will appreciate the Lido Buffet, while three-squares a day diners may opt for the Vista Dining Room. As a solo diner, I selected the Vista Dining Room for its family-style table seating during breakfast and lunch. I was able to break bread with cruisers from all over the United States, many were repeat HAL cruisers. Evenings offerered early and late dining with a little singing, dancing and table-side entertainment thrown in as an added bonus toward the end of the cruise. Who knew our wait staff was so talented?

For the gourmets among us, the Pinnacle Grill offers an even higher caliber dining experience for $10 additional at lunch and $20 during dinner. As noted with the spa services, I’d recommend making advance dining reservations for this specialty restaurant. And for the food and wine aficionados, HAL has introduced the Westerdam’s Chef’s Table, a multi-course meal, paired with wines, hand selected from the sommelier. HAL is so confident in its culinary skills that it allowed several journalists a behind-the-scenes kitchen galley tour.

While I wasn’t able to land on the Mendenhall Glacier during a Juneau shore excursion, due to poor weather conditions, I was able to go whale watching on Auke bay as a guest of Dolphin Tours. And yes, we did see humpback whales. Magical! Juneau is a land of micro-climates and while it was nasty weather in downtown Juneau, Auke bay gave us light rain, smooth water and plenty of whale sightings, ($110 for a three hour tour, ship to shore.)

My take away tips on sailing Alaska’s Glacier Bay:

• Best weather for smooth sailing and slight seeing is May, June and July
• Cruisers wanting spacious ships with unobtrusive service and quality dining, Holland America Line
• Best value for dollar tour and lodging selections – book as far out as possible. The 2010 calendar is available now

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Holland America Line Ms Westerdam

During our trip out West, I had the fortune of being given the opportunity to try out a couple of the hotels in the Country Inn and Suites family. I will say, I had never stayed in one before, and wasn’t really sure what to expect. 

Our first experience with them was in the Country Inn and Suites in Billings, MT.

Billings, MT is about a 4 hour drive out of Missoula, MT where we had stayed at the night before.  We were tired and eager to get to our room when we arrived.  The hotel is located across the street from a very busy thruway and it is surrounded by eateries, such as Papa John’s and Subway, as well as some shops.

Once we entered the site it smelled like apples and was very homey, clean, and quiet.  I thought it was wonderful.  I love that feeling of complete serenity when I enter a hotel.  Most of the best hotels in NYC are full of the WOW effect in that they are grandious and extravagant, but they are also loud…at least in the lobby and public areas, and it’s hard to find that serenity until you are in your room.  So, I appreciated this right away.  My kids loved the pool and the free cookies on the reception counter.

Country Inn & Suites, Billings, MT

Our room was wonderful.  It was about as big as our NYC apartment, with a huge bathroom, and whirlpool, a dining area, living room area, work area, and separate bedroom with a king size bed.  One of the two televisions helped to get the kids acclimated, while I enjoyed resting and relaxing with my husband.

Our next experience was in Madison, WI.  As far as locations, I like the Country Inn and Suites in Middleton, WI the best. Granted, I have a special affinity for the Madison area, but also the shops and eateries were of a higher scale, and places I would enjoy going into.  Inside, I felt the same serene welcome as in Billings. I also liked the free cookies, and amazing pool area.

Country Inn & Suites, Middleton, WI

Our room was gorgeous here as well.  It was spacious and comfortable, clean and fresh, all the same amenities as the room in Billings, MT except that it didn’t have the whirlpool bathtub. 

We enjoyed our stay with the Country Inn & Suites family.  The staff is friendly and helpful, and the environment, as well as those visiting were very welcoming of our children. I would recommend this chain to traveling families, who are on a budget, but still want to have a comfortable, positive family hotel experience.

All Country Inn and Suites locations offer complimentary breakfasts and Internet service. The rooms we stayed at were the one bedroom, king size suites, and at the time of our stay, the rates for these room were between $110 and $116 a night for Billings, MT and Madison, WI respectively.

Photo credit: Carol Cain

When my husband first suggested that we go camping near Yellowstone Park I have to admit I cringed…a lot.  I couldn’t help it, I’m a city girl, I like my hotels to come with all the amenities, including a king size bed.  I love room service, and free Internet and cable. 

Camping is a hard sell.  But, as I looked at my little boys I realized that in this instance I was (again) out numbered, because camping, if we want to stick with generalizations, is a “guy thing”, and mine is a “guy dominated” home.  So I caved in to the idea.  But not without packing up extra sheets and pillows and insisting that we sleep on queen size air mattresses as opposed to flat, confining sleeping bags.

My husband did his research trying to find a compromise and what we found was KOA Kampgrounds, about 10 minutes outside of Yellowstone Park on the Montana border. And I guess they have several throughout the U.S.

The campsite has all the amenities for sure.  It has a 24 hour laundry room, which provides all the supplies you would need, including a change machine.  It has a store for those last minute purchases, such as milk, or toothpaste, or paper towels.  They have a coffee shop, though on the first morning, my city slicker husband asked for an Espresso and was quickly offered a no frills cup of coffee instead. They also offer hot breakfast in the morning, made to order, consisting of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon.  The eggs were a little strange tasting, but otherwise the food was ok and not expensive. They also have free wireless service which you can access every where on the  grounds (including from your campsite), a pool, a playground, bike rentals, and a game room. The bathrooms are clean and have private showers and toilet stalls, ample room to hook up hair dryers and spread out make up.

Then there were the campsites.  They have cottages as well as what they call “tent villages”.  I convinced my husband that since we were going to go “camping” we should go for the full camping experience.  So we settled on the tent village.  I am not exactly sure what size the section they provide for your tent is.  I guesstimate it is about 30×20.  It comes with a picnic table, a fire pit (bring your own wood), and ample space for a large tent, which we had, and your car, or RV.

And it was, for all intents and purposes, a perfect site for a city girl like me.  It had all the conveniences one could need, especially with little kids, and activities galore.

It was close to the West entrance of Yellowstone Park, and we had tons of fun there, so that was really great for us. But in the end, except for the part where we slept in a tent, it didn’t much feel like “camping” at all.  I had envisioned my camping experience to be a bit more rural, more isolate.  I psyched myself up to “rough it” and in the end, it wasn’t that at all.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

It is not KOA’s fault, they have set themselves up for providing traveling families with everything they could need and want.  But personally, I felt like I cheated my kids out of a true camping experience.  Maybe, for now, this option is the best.  The two youngest are pretty small still (2.5 and 4).  And though we enjoyed our stay, I felt at times I was in a trailer park and not really camping…and I think next time, when the boys are a little older, I will aim to really appreciate more of nature and without so many of the conveniences.

Photo credit: Carol Cain

Iguanas outnumber people on Little Cayman island, best known for white sand beaches and the kind of escapism matched only by private islands. Sir Turtle Beach Villa, located just yards from the Caribbean Sea, offers the best of this off-the-grid, family-friendly isle.

Little Cayman island

If you don’t feel like making breakfast in the villa’s kitchen, then walk the beach to either the Southern Cross Club or Little Cayman Beach Resort. Spend the day scuba diving or rocking out in a hammock. Or, borrow a kayak from the Southern Cross Club and paddle about 10 minutes to a lonely spit of sand known as Owen Island. The swimming-pool-clear water makes it easy to watch fish from the boat. I made the paddle, judging how far I had come by the rocks. When the rocks kept moving, I questioned if the current was stronger than I had initially judged. But closer inspection revealed that stingrays flock to this island. Do pack a book: The sand slopes so gradually into the warm water, making a perfect lounge chair for catching up on that page-turner.

At night, you’ll be inspired to learn the names of the constellations, or at least watch for shooting stars. The lack of development means almost zero light pollution, perfect for gazing into the heavens. The best part? Sir Turtle Beach Villa has a large hot-tub that seats eight, so the party can linger into the wee hours.

Rates for summer (now until Dec 15) are:

For up to 10 adults and 2 children: $635 a night
For up to 6 adults: $430 a night

Rates for winter (Dec 15 – April 15) are:

For up to 10 adults and 2 children: $855 a night
For up to 6 adults: $635 a night

Note that rates include taxes and airport transfers.

Call 800-235-5888 for more details. Or visit www.caymanvillas.com.

Special thanks to Bettyx1138 for the charming beach photo.

Looking at the outside of the Paradise Motel is like being transported back to the 1950s, when the single story motel was king. Owner-owned and managed, this property is a clean, no-frills place to crash when in Wisconsin Dells.

Paradise Motel in Wisconsin Dells

The rooms are reasonably well-maintained, though the mattresses may seem old to those used to the lush pillowtops of most resorts. Rooms smell a bit musty and even a non-smoking room may smell slightly of smoke. Shower temperature varies depending on if others in neighboring rooms are bathing at the same time and if you do want to wash up, you’ll need to bring your own toiletries. You’ll also need to hike down to the office if you want any ice, but you’ll find the owner to be a friendly gentleman willing to help your stay be the best it can.

Paradise Motel is located in the heart of the tourist corridor, directly across the street from the behemoth Mt. Olympus Waterpark and Theme Park. As such, you may not care that the pool is small and only boasts a diving board and traditional plastic slide, or that said pool is completely packed in the heart of the summer heat.

They also offer charcoal grills and a picnic area for guests to use and have a playground with swing set for the kids. A variety of restaurants are within walking distance and each room comes with a mini-fridge and microwave. It should also be noted this motel is pet-friendly.

Rates for a standard room during the peak season summer months start at $99; the family suites at $159. These rates do include passes to Mt. Olympus for each person in your party, though, saving about $20-$30 per person. Expect to pay about half of that during the off-season, since the 49-room motel doesn’t have an indoor pool or any other fancy amenities.

Those who just want a basic place to sleep while vacationing on a budget in the Dells and don’t mind the older qualities of this property should consider this motel for their stay. Tbose used to more modern hotels might be more comfortable sleeping elsewhere.

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Paradise Motel and Suites
1700 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-254-7333

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[Photo courtesy of Paradise Motel]

Related Posts:

• Comfort Inn in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin
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• Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

For an animal lover, walking into the lobby of the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells can be a bit unnerving. As the hotel is themed to resemble the hunting lodges of the American West, the lobby is full of animals. Whether they were real or not, I honestly didn’t want to know. The antler chandelier and totem poles were an interesting touch, though.

Great Wolf Lodge Lobby in Wisconsin Dells

Check-in was quick and I had a Family Fireplace suite on the parking lot side of the hotel, facing away from Interstate 90/94. The room featured a fully working fireplace and a seating area separated by a small partition wall from the two queen beds. There was also a wet bar area with a sink, microwave and fridge near the entrance. The bathroom was pretty standard, with no-brand toiletries. The room was spacious and clean; the bed comfortable. I did notice, however, the room and many of the common areas showing signs of age and normal wear-and-tear.

For families with small kids, I would consider going with a Wolf Den suite or a KidCabin Suite, which are slightly more expensive than the style of room I had. But the extra price is worth it because both of these suites feature a separate room-within-a-room area for kids to sleep and play in, with bunk beds. This way kids get their own fun place while mom and dad can still keep an eye on them.

Great Wolf Lodge Family Fireplace Suite

I was traveling during the peak season, which is the summer months from Memorial Day until Labor Day, so my room was $149.95/night plus tax on a promotional discount (base rate for this style of room, according to the website is $229.95). This was one of the most inexpensive suite options, which can go up to $459.95 for the 3-bedroom Great Wolf Loft condo. Expect rates to be lower off-season. They also tack on a $5/night resort fee (which I personally detest) year-round. At least parking is free.

Great Wolf Lodge is a family-friendly resort, and each room comes with daily passes for the property’s indoor and outdoor theme parks. Other resort amenities include a day spa for adults, a fitness center, a restaurant and a convenience store. Wi-Fi is also available.

Also fun for kids of all ages is the newly opened MagiQuest, an interactive game area that combines video games and role-playing in a multi-level adventure. Think Harry Potter meets Dungeons & Dragons with interactive video walls. There is a $14.99 fee for each player’s magic wand and $9.99 per visit charge to play the game.

The resort neighbors the Tanger Outlet mall, where shopaholics can nab some great deals. Other Dells attractions are a short five minute drive away. There are also several restaurants within a short walk of the resort (you have to stop at Culvers and try the butterburgers and flavor-of-the-day fresh-made custard).

It should also be noted that Great Wolf Lodge is a lodging chain with twelve locations in North America, and this review only covers the Wisconsin Dells location.

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Great Wolf Lodge
1400 Great Wolf Drive
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965
Phone: 800-559-9653

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Related Posts:

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

The Grove Inn is quiet and comfy.

The Grove Inn is a discreet, unassuming little place east of Alamo Square Park (think “painted ladies” — that iconic row of Victorians in San Francisco).

The location is residential but close to the shops, restaurants, cafes and bars in Hayes Valley, Fillmore Street, and Divisidero Street. Six blocks away is Civic Center, home to the symphony, ballet, City Hall and the Asian Art Museum.

A Gold Rush Era boarding house, it was built in 1865, fell into disrepair years later, then was bought and renovated by the present owners, an East German couple, in 1983.

Rooms are sunny and spacious.

Rooms are spacious, sunny, and quiet with large double-paned bay windows and 12-foot ceilings. Eight of the 18 rooms have private baths and all rooms have either a queen or pair of twins. Optional trundle beds are available and two for the rooms connect to form a suite that can accommodate four to six people.

Continental breakfast — croissants, pastry, fruit, tea and coffee –  is served daily.

Host Klaus is engaging without being intrusive and quick with historical facts, opinions on current events and stories. The Grove Inn feels live visiting your (or somebody else’s) aunt and uncle from the “old country.” Stacks of reading materials clutter a bit downstairs and there is no shortage of plastic flowers, but the rooms are clean, bright and tastefully furnished.

The Grove Inn is a restored Gold Rush boarding house.

There is some street parking but also a lot nearby. Prices are a reasonable $110 to $120.

Photos by Lisa Dion

A cable car glides by the front of Hotel Union Square in San Francisco.

What exactly is a “kids’ suite?” I wondered.

I decided to find out.

I met my husband and our children, ages four and one, after work last week at the Hotel Union Square in San Francisco. Even though I arrived just 20 minutes after they checked in, when I opened the door it looked like a cyclone had hit the handsome, spacious room.

The kids were having a blast.

Roman had found a little play kitchen and was mixing, blending and cooking.

Parker had dumped out pile of wooden blocks, but had since moved on to a toy keyboard upon which she was writing an original composition.

I stepped over a football and Chinese checkers to hand Dan a glass of complimentary Cabernet from downstairs in the posh lobby.

Dropping my backpack on the bed at the other end of the suite I had my “aha” moment.

Kids’ suite. So, this is what they mean….

Built in 1913 for the Pan Pacific International Exhibit, the historic hotel has great bones and sturdy walls that could tell many stories. During Prohibition, San Franciscans thumbed their noses at authority and sneaked down into to the Golden Bubble, a 10,000 square-foot speakeasy beneath the lobby. And Dashiell Hammett, author of The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man booked his fiance a suite here the night before their wedding.

The Hotel Union Square underwent a $5 million renovation last spring. The result is sophisticated and sleek — gray pinstriped carpets, exposed brick walls, sumptuous Serta mattresses and comfortable conversation areas throughout. Though the design is minimalist and contemporary, beautiful art works from Egyptian-style mosaics to jazz era paintings and metal sculpture are sprinkled throughout.

There is even the Dashiell Hammett suite, an homage to the San Francisco scribe with vintage photos and period ephemera including a Royal typewriter.

Party time in the kids suite at the Hotel Union Square in San Francisco.

But, back to the Kids’ Suite. The oversized room looks out onto Powell Street, above the cable car line. Two passes for the cable car are included with the room. The front desk offered a portable crib for my little guy, but the kids were very comfortable in the trundle bed.

After an early dinner at Lori’s Diner across the street, we came back to try out the Wii. At storytime we tapped into the book collection that covered many reading levels and subjects from Humpty Dumpty to Hannah Montana.

The Union Square location is good for families — a Walgreens is across the street and I counted at least five affordable restaurants on the block — from Blondie’s Pizza and Subway to Thai and Indian cuisines, and a steak house.

Teenagers will like the proximity to Urban Outfitters, Rasputin Records, Forever 21 and the Gap.

Drawbacks?

It’s noisy. If you or your kids are unaccustomed to urban noise, it might be too much. The night we were there was trash/recycling night which notched up the volume considerably. Despite that, we all slept well.

No fridge. This was particularly inconvenient since they don’t serve Continental breakfast and I had stopped to pick up milk and fruit for the morning but had no place to store it.

Some sharp corners and a nonbaby-friendly bathroom. Not a huge deal, but since my little man can open doors, I was constantly retrieving him from inside the plexiglass shower and off the slippery tiled floor.

Would I book another kids’ suite? Absolutely. I totally get it, and I appreciate the attention to needs of children when traveling. It was so nice not having to pack a boatload of toys to keep them busy and to have a space large enough for them to play while my husband and I relaxed and sipped wine across the room. Now that’s almost a vacation!

Photos by Dan Dion

This most recent cold spell seems to have frozen everything: frozen lakes, frozen sidewalks, frozen fingertips. But maybe frozen doesn’t have to be so bad. At least, not in Mexico. Wouldn’t you trade it all for a frozen margarita?

The Westin in Cancun

The Westin Resort and Spa in Cancun is at the far end of the hotel strip, and it lays claim to one of the prettiest stretches of white sand in Mexico, if not the world over. If you’re looking to spend a weekend lounging poolside, running into the surf, ordering quesadillas with guacamole and working on your tan, there’s no better place. And when all that indulgence seems like too much, then head to the gym, which is large enough to accommodate a small neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Or head to the spa. Enjoy a massage on the sun deck or even in your own room. And for those looking for a truly cleansing ceremony, consider the Temazcal. A shaman guides you through this Mayan ritual, which involves sweating out toxins in an outdoor sauna. Bad energies leave the body as the temperature increases. Then dip into the cleansing pool and watch the stars light up the night sky as the shaman talks you deeper into relaxation.

But if you prefer a high-energy night, it is Cancun. It’s a town of clubs, bars and endless nightlife, but it’s not void of culture. That is, if you’re willing to rent a car. The ruins of Chichen Itza are a short drive away and offer a glimpse into ancient Maya life. And be sure to ask about the fates of the ball players. The winners, not the losers, faced death. The Mayans believed that the meeting the gods was an honor, one that only the best competitors deserved.

Makes a cold spell seem not bad at all.

Photo courtesy of Westin Resorts.