Lodging

New 5-diamond Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas

Each year when AAA releases its list of 5-diamond hotels in North America, it’s a big deal. This is, in most respects, the most coveted designation out there, equivalent to a restaurant getting the maximum number of Michelin stars. The requirements are strict and there’s little margin for error in amenities or staffing, so this is an elite club that stays quite small. As new hotels are added, others drop off: just because a hotel was awarded 5 diamonds last year doesn’t mean it will earn it again the next.

Five hotels from the U.S. dropped off the list this year, including two in Houston alone: the St. Regis and the Four Seasons—the latter after being 5-diamond for 14 years straight. Two dropped off because of renovations and could return later.

Sixteen new properties were added to the list this year. Three new beach resorts in Mexico made the cut, as well as some notable new hotels and major reopenings after extensive renovations. Las Vegas led the pack with the new Encore, the new Palazzo, and the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas. Two New York hotels made the list after a revamp:  The Plaza Hotel and the now Taj-owned Pierre graduated to the top tier. Santa Fe’s Encantado was the first ever entrant from New Mexico.

California has the most 5-diamond hotels overall, with 20 of the 116 being in that state.

To see the full list, visit the AAA newsroom.

Public Beach at Gilbert Lake State Park

By Molly G. @ The Bumbles Blog

When we were looking for a cheap way to see Cooperstown recently we looked into campsites. It was baseball’s Hall of Fame induction weekend so the hotel rates in and around the area were high priced with limited availability. Returning to our camping roots seemed like a good way to go. In general, state parks tend to provide cleaner, safer, more comfortable campgrounds with better amenities. And Gilbert Lake State Park in nearby Laurens did not disappoint. Spending less than $30 a night didn’t hurt either. Read More »

Comfy Bed at a Decent Price

By Molly G. @ The Bumbles Blog

Driving home from Niagara Falls after a long day of lines and traffic, we found ourselves approaching Syracuse on Interstate 90 about halfway home to Boston. At the Exit for Route 81 a few miles from downtown you will find what the toll booth operator termed “Hotel Row.” For weary travelers like ourselves, it was like a beacon with a large variety of choices amongst the smaller hotel chain variety. We initially passed up the Quality Hotel because it was rather dark and there was a Clarion sign covered up with no new sign taking its place. But after finding the rates at some of the other surrounding options too high, we decided to check out the no-name hotel after all. Read More »

Times Square by Countdown Entertainment LLC

There’s one New Year’s Eve celebration that surpasses all others in tradition and excitement. Watching the ball drop at One Times Square, New York, New York.

I’ve been watching the 60-second “ball drop” ever since I can remember–first as a child sitting in front of the TV at home with my parents, and still now, at New Year’s Eve parties the TV’s always on with a group of people standing around, watching the countdown.

Times Square many years ago photo courtesy of New York Times

The tradition is over one hundred years old. On December 31, 1907, the first seven-hundred-pound iron and wood ball glided down the flagpole on the tower of the New York Times headquarters at the intersection of Broadway, 42nd Street, and 7th Avenue. That’s nothing compared to the 11,875 pound crystal ball to be unveiled this year.

New York has plenty of options for places to stay, but below is a list of hotels that have a view of Times Square and the New Year’s Eve Ball:

Rennaissance New York Hotel Times Square
Two Times Square
714 Seventh Avenue at West 48th Street
(212) 765-7676

Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square New York City
1568 Broadway
(212) 719-1600

New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway
(212) 398-1900

Spacious sleeping area in Affinia 50 Junior Suite.

My family of four stayed at the Affinia 50, An Executive Suite Hotel, on 50th and Lexington over the Thanksgiving holiday. I heartily recommend this midtown-Manhattan property to others making a family trip to New York City.

We stayed in a Junior Suite, which featured a huge open entryway, full closet, safe, ironing board, tons of shelves, dresser, TV, two double beds, a sofa bed, desk, comfy chair, good-sized bathroom with Aveda toiletries, and the best part of all: a full kitchen!

The kitchen was key for our family for storing breakfast foods and snacks. We went to the grocery store a few blocks away and stocked up on bread, eggs, frozen waffles, fruit, peanut butter and jelly. Eating breakfast in our room, instead of going to the hotel’s breakfast buffet or other NYC restaurant each morning, saved us literally hundreds of dollars over our week-long stay. Granted, the galley kitchen was small, but it absolutely served its purpose.

I was also pleasantly surprised that our room on the 7th floor wasn’t noisy at all. We heard no street traffic (granted, we also didn’t have a view of the street, but rather a next-door hotel).

A full refrigerator, toaster and microwave are opposite the sink and stove in the Affinia 50 Junior Suite.

Other marvelous hotel amenities: Free wine and cheese Monday to Thursday evenings, a full fitness center, coin-operated laundry (which we also used halfway through our stay) and complimentary pillow menu.

Another nice touch: Don’t bother packing toiletries like shaving cream, razor, toothbrush, contact lens solution and toothpaste. If you request these items online after you book, they’ll be packed neatly in a bag for you to pick up when you arrive. (Especially nice if you’re carrying your bag on the plane, and don’t have room to pack all of your 3-oz. toiletries in your quart-sized bag.)

The Affinia 50 is surprisingly affordable, too. Guest rooms for a two-night weekend stay in January start at $195 non-refundable nightly rate. Other room options include Studio Suites, Junior Suites (which we stayed in), One-bedroom Suites and Two-bedroom Suites. Be sure to check discounts for AAA or AARP before booking.

Finally, the hotel’s midtown location rocks. It’s within easy walking distance to Rockefeller Plaza, many reasonably priced restaurants on Second Avenue and the Lexington Avenue 4-5-6 subway line.

But, if you’re looking for accommodations elsewhere in Manhattan, consider the other Affinia properties on the Upper East Side, close to Times Square or in Murray Hill. You’ll also find Affinia brand hotels in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

My only complaint was the fee for using Internet. I paid $45 for a week’s worth of Internet service, which doesn’t break the bank, but still, it would be nice to have complimentary Wi-Fi in the rooms. That said, in the Club Lounge, guests can use complimentary hotel computers that are fully wired.

Again, I think the Affinia 50, with its amazing amenities, spacious rooms and ultra-friendly staff, is a great deal for families who are traveling to New York City.

Photos by Kara Williams, taken November 2008.

They’re quiet and charming. They’re certainly not the best places to celebrity watch. But if your plans take you to Brooklyn to see friends — or to Manhattan’s Midtown on business and you’re not excited about forking over $500 — then they’re the way to go. Brooklyn’s bed and breakfasts offer comfort and convenience for less than $175 per night.

Brooklyn Bridge at night.

In the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, try the Awesome Bed and Breakfast. The one-of-a-kind rooms were designed by local artists. Rest up, then walk a few blocks to the Brooklyn Bridge, meander the promenade that offers views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, or try a pie at Grimaldi’s Pizza and determine if you think it’s worth the wait.

Perched on prime Park Slope real estate, the Victorian-style Bed and Breakfast on the Park is located about 11 blocks from Grand Army Plaza. From there, it’s a 30-minute ride to Rockefeller Center or Bloomingdale’s. Or stay local and check out the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. And for the kids or your inner kid, check out the must-haves at the Brooklyn Superhero Supply.

A visit to the Escape Guesthouse means sampling the best of Carroll Gardens and the up-and-coming Smith Street. A few blocks separate cuisine from France (Robin des Bois), the Mediterranean (Zaytoons) and the Caribbean (Cafe Dore).

OK, so you’re guaranteed affordability and comfort when it comes to Brooklyn’s bed and breakfasts. But maybe it’s harder to dodge celebrities than you think. After all, Adrian Grenier, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jennifer Connolly all own property in this quieter borough.

Thanks to Global Jet for the gorgeous shot of the Brooklyn Bridge.