Lodging

A view of the Animal Kingdom Resort Lobby

As a Walt Disney World Mom, I’ve been to quite a few of the properties on site at Walt Disney World, but I have to admit that my family’s favorite is the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the newer Walt Disney World hotels, and as you may guess, it’s located closest to the Animal Kingdom. As a result of that, it’s a little further from the other resorts, which was one of our concerns before we got there – and a concern I often hear from other families.

When my family went, we flew through Orlando International Airport and took the Disney Magical Express. Because of that we were able to bypass baggage claim and headed right to the Magical Express counter. The airport was actually much more crowded than I expected, and it took a while to navigate through the airport. There were quite a few lines at the elevators which extended the journey. I generally find that if you travel during peak hours, it can take a while to get from the airport to the resort.

The view from our savannah-view room

Animal Kingdom Lodge is built on a 33-acre wildlife preserve with three savannahs, and over 30 species of wildlife. We had booked a savannah view room, which meant that we’d be able to see animals outside our porch door. This definitely did not disappoint! I think our kids actually preferred watching the animals to going to the parks! The room itself was clean and nice, but a bit on the small side. Because we didn’t spend much time in the room, it wasn’t a problem at all.

While we were there, we ate at the buffet restaurant, Boma, and swam in the pool. Boma was lots of fun – it’s got a great atmosphere and the food is excellent. Despite the fact that the food is African, there are plenty of choices for children also. We ate breakfast and dinner there. The pools are also great. My kids did prefer the heated baby pool, but the larger pool is wonderful.

Bus service was easier than expected. With only one bus stop at the resort, the buses traveled quickly, and the time to the resort was very quick. The buses were never too full either.

Most evenings, we wandered around the resort, checking out the various animals. Each savanna has different animals to see, so even if you have a savannah view room, it’s worth walking around. We saw an amazing assortment of animals – every single day!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is an amazing resort, and it’s likely that your whole family will love the experience!

Animal Kingdom Lodge
2901 Osceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-7429

Standard rooms range from $240 (value season) to $515 (peak season) per night.

Photo credits: Jodi Grundig

There’s a party going on in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That’s right. The oldest capital city in the United State is celebrating its 400th birthday. The Eldorado Hotel & Spa is joining in the festivities by giving travelers a present. Guests of the four-diamond property will receive the third night free; a 33% savings value starting at $219.

Located next to historic Santa Fe Plaza, Eldorado Hotel & Spa offers 219 non-smoking guest rooms, complete with 32” flat-screen HD-compatible televisions, terry-cloth bathrobes, a workstation with task light, high-speed internet access, overstuffed lounging furniture paired with a reading lamp and tables, a refrigerated mini-honor bar and optional turndown service. A selection of larger Deluxe rooms feature wood-burning kiva fireplaces and shared terraces.

While you’re staying at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, enjoy the $100 discount on a 24-karat gold facial offered by the Nidah Spa. The golden 80-minute treatment tightens and brightens skin.

Although I haven’t stayed at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, it sure sounds convenient for attending Santa Fe’s birthday festivities. Since both promotions are valid through December 30, 2009, there’s still time to plan a visit to the 10th Annual Santa Fe Film Festival (Dec. 2-6, 2009) or the Winter Spanish Market (Dec. 12 and 13, 2009).

To book this special at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, use the ‘Super Saver’ rate code PROSSS at www.eldoradohotel.com or call (800) 955-4455

Review by Donna L. Hull, My Itchy Travel Feet

All photos courtesy of Eldorado Hotel & Spa

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

Not all dudes yearn after the guys-only Vegas blowout vacation. Any why should they? Get creative on your next mancation, aka vacation with the guys. Instead, try fishing in Mexico, skiing and snowmobiling in Wyoming or golfing in South Carolina.

Boca Paila Fishing Lodge in Riviera Maya, Mexico
During the day, catch snook, tarpon and Culebra snapper, then lounge on the beach drinking Tequila on the rocks as the sun sets. Trips to the nearby Mayan ruins can also be arranged. This small resort caters to only 18 guests at a time, so expect a low-key experience. Rates start at $385 a night based on double occupancy. Price includes three meals a day. Call 01-52-984-155-00-12 or email info@bocapaila.com.

A rustic fishing lodge in Mexico

A short walk to daily entertainment: fishing

Togwotee Mountain Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Dubbed the ultimate snowmobile lodge, this outpost in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, caters to the winter sports set, offering access to skiing, snowboarding and more. Prices start at $119 for a half day snowmobile rental ($169 for a full day) without a guide (based on the rate for a beginner snowmobile). Guests are encouraged to bring their own. Rooms start at $140 plus tax, based on double occupancy. Cabins start at $190 plus tax; cabins have three beds and offer a taste of winter camping. For details, call 866-278-4245.

Snowmobiling in Wyoming

Opt for a cabin for the next boys' ski trip

Kiawah Island Golf Resort near Charleston, South Carolina
The Ocean Golf Course offers views of the Atlantic at each of the 18 holes. And, this course will host the 2012 PGA Championships. The three-room villas start at $270 per night. If golfing, drinking Bloody Marys and walking the beach aren’t enough to fill your days, you can always wrestle gators. Call 800-654-2924 for more details.

The Ocean Course

Special thanks to Boca Paila for the inviting lodge photos, Togwotee Mountain Lodge for the crisp shots of winter fun, and to Kiawah Island Golf Resort for the inviting shots of the resort and golf course.

Two nights ago, I witnessed the power of puppy therapy when my dog and I had dinner with some friends whose pet passed away five months ago. They both relished the couch time with my boxer, and likewise, my dog looked like she was about to ask me to forward her mail.

Quail Park Lodge in Kanab, Utah, is bringing puppy therapy to its guests. Book the “Puppy Therapy” package and spend the day volunteering at the nearby Best Friends Animal Society, then invite the canine back to Quail Park Lodge for the night. This special is ideal for all pet lovers, especially those who are interested in dog adoption and want to test the relationship before committing.

Rates start at $79 per night for a double room, and $99 for the suite. The package also includes a coupon for a pizza delivery order of up to $25, as well as snacks for the pup. This package is available November 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010.

Note that Kanab is just over the border of Utah and Arizona, and is about a four-hour drive from Las Vegas, Nevada. What a perfect voluntourism day trip from Vegas: driving through the desert en route to helping animals.

Here are some of the pups looking for roommates (I don’t like the word ‘owner’):

Goober TX

Waylon

Sprite

I love that Sprite looks like a Muppet.

To check out all the dogs who would love to come live with you, visit Best Friends Animal Society.

Special thanks to Best Friends Animal Society for the photos of these darling dogs.

Quail Park Lodge
125 N 300 W
Kanab, UT 84741-3102
(435) 644-8700

Airport parking is the thing I least like paying for. You waste lots of money and get nothing back, not even a “My owner honeymooned in Fiji and all I got was this bumper sticker.” Seriously, though, at rates starting at $7 per night, it’d be nice to get something in return.

Making airport parking breezy

Chicago’s Hyatt Regency O’Hare has no plans to create bumper stickers, but they are offering free airport parking at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) for up to 14 nights if you stay one night with them prior to your trip.

Let’s say you’re cheap like me and book the $7-a-night parking garage and you’re traveling for two weeks. You just spent $98 for your car to rust in someone else’s lot.

Or, for just $67 more (based on a room rate of $165 at the time that I called), you can sleep at the Hyatt the night before your big trip and not worry about traffic or any of the other concerns with the mad dash to O’Hare.

This offer is valid now until December 30, 2009. The kind lady on the phone suggested that interested parties make a reservation just in case, as you can cancel it penalty free 72 hours before your trip.

One last thing: Double check that you are flying out of O’Hare and not Midway. The Hyatt may be adding class to airport parking, but they can’t help you if you mix up which airport you’re flying out of.

Call 847-696-1234 to book. Be sure to ask for the “free parking” package when you make a reservation.

Hyatt Regency O’Hare
9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue,
Rosemont, Illinois, USA 60018

Click here to read what Uptake Lodging Editor Nancy Brown said of the hotel’s remodel.

*Special thanks to Emrank for the airport photo. And for those of you who realized that this is not O’Hare, good eye! You’re well traveled and I want you on my Trivial Pursuit team. This is actually the Chubu International airport in Japan. Did anyone guess that correctly?

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Milliken Creek Inn & Spa Ode to Chocolate

My ears, or should I say, my taste buds perked up when I heard that Milliken Creek Inn and Spa was offering an “Ode to Chocolate” Package. This luxury boutique Inn, located on the southern part of Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail, oozes romance and privacy. On my particular visit, it also oozed chocolate; milk, dark, white and even a massage with chocolate oil.

Milliken Magic Hour

The 12 room Milliken Creek Inn and Spa has teamed up with local chocolatiers and wine makers to offer guests the finest in chocolate and wine pairing. They even offer a “Milliken Magic Hour” from 6-7 p.m. where a local winemaker comes to chat with guests and pour his or her featured wine, along with cheese, crackers and fruit. On my visit, a stormy wet day in October, Peju was the featured wine.

Ode to Chocolate Package

The “Ode to Chocolate” package is available starting at $720 for a two night stay and includes one 90 minute chocolate massage, the magic hour, several boxes of chocolate and breakfast for two.  

Milliken Creek Inn, Nancy D. Brown

As a guest of Milliken Creek Inn and Spa, I stayed in room #7, a luxury room that over looks Milliken Creek. The rooms are broken down into three price categories; Milliken, deluxe and luxury. The deluxe and luxury rooms guarantee river views and are a bit larger than the standard room. The luxury rooms also feature ultra spa tubs.

Customer Satisfaction

The hotel is keen on customer satisfaction, from the offer of a Milliken umbrella to ward off the torrential down pour to a concierge service to make dinner or wine tasting reservations. I appreciated that the property was set up for wireless internet access throughout, while honeymooners will like the robes provided in room for lounging by the fireplace or on the balcony.

Milliken Creek Inn & Spa

Chocolates include:

Peju Province Winery

Swanson Vineyards

Woodhouse Chocolates

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Milliken Creek Inn and Spa 888 622-5775

1815 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

My good friend Lauren called me last night, telling me how much she hates her apartment and has to move. But the thing is, she just moved to Los Angeles, California, a month ago, and already she bemoans not having had more time to scope out apartments. Moving to a new city can be difficult, but knowing where you’re going to spend those first few nights doesn’t have to be.

I was reminded of what my dad recommended three years ago when I first mentioned I was moving to Orlando, Florida. He suggested I check out Extended Stay Hotels.

At the time, I had pictured the worst: vagabonds who were temporarily upgrading and other unsavories. He assured me I was wrong. (Dad, now you can say it: “I told you so.”)

Extended Stay Hotels are designed for business travelers and other people seeking value for longer stays. And, these hotels are the perfect option for those moving to a new city. Each has a kitchen, so you can save money on meals, coffee and more.

Check out this map of Extended Stay Hotels located throughout the United States:

Extended Stay Hotel locations

Notice how these hotels are in most states. And my dad was right: There’s an Extended Stay Property in Maitland, Florida, that’s a three-minute drive from the house I reside in now. It definitely would have been easier to move to a new city having a safety net.

Rates start at (based on at least a weeklong stay):

For the Northridge area of Los Angeles, California, rooms start at $74.99 per night
For the Lakewood South area of Denver, Colorado, rooms start at $47.99 per night
For the Altamonte Springs area of greater Orlando, Florida, rooms start at $29.99 per night

Call 800-804-3724 for more details.

Special thanks to Extended Stay Hotels for the map.

At first glance, Amelia Island seems like many of Florida’s beach towns: a two-lane quiet road running parallel to the swath of white sand separating sea from the homes all eager to maximize the views. Palm trees dot the yards, but there’s not nearly a canopy of trees to speak of; just sun and sand, sea and sky.

But head to town and it becomes clear why Amelia Island is so popular. It’s far enough north that accents bring that lingering drawl to the locals’ speech. And the downtown, well, we wouldn’t call it booming but the ice cream and fudge shops stay open until 10, live music plays at the Mexican joint, the glow of twinkle lights on side streets beckons passersby to try the outdoor dining (Cafe Karibo is a favorite for its cheap, healthy and inventive fare.)

And The Addison, a charming bed and breakfast, takes advantage of all the charm of the downtown area.

The Addison

Room three is popular among honeymooners and elopers not only for the big bed, but the private porch outside.

Room Three

Breakfast is served downstairs. Should you choose, dine outside and enjoy the patio. The Addison also offers a nightly wine and cheese hour for guests.

The outdoor dining area

The property is available for a small wedding should you choose to book all 15 rooms. The Addison is more popular among those who elope and wish for a quiet ceremony and simple, romantic weekend escape.

The Addison also offers use of bikes to its guests to explore the surrounding areas.

Rates start at $165 per night during the week and $205 per weekend night.

614 Ash Street
Amelia Island, FL 32034
800-943-1604

Photos by Brooke Morton.