XV Beacon lobby

The ‘staycation’ was the top travel trend word for most of 2008 and into 2009, and while I wasn’t entirely on board with the concept (I’m a firm believer that you need to escape your town/city in order to really ‘escape on vacation’) the idea started growing on me.  I’ve lived in the same apartment for more than a decade, and while nothing comforts me quite like coming home, I’ll admit I’m envious of fireplaces, mini-bars and free HBO. Sure, I could get movie channels in my apartment and redesign my wine rack to look more like a mini-bar, but there’s something special about these little indulgences one gets while on the road.

This year started off with a bang – it’s fair to say that 2010 is showing some promise, and while I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, the planning is somewhat exhausting! So, I decided to treat myself to ’time out’ – a much needed break in my backyard where a flick-and-switch fireplace takes priority over trash night, and my Kindle provides the only ‘book’ I’m focused on for the night. Enter: XV Beacon, one of Boston’s best business hotels and a hidden gem among leisure travelers looking for a quiet hideaway. (more…)

Mandarin Oriental Miami

Travel took a hit in 2009, but with a new year brings new opportunities. The silver lining of 2009′s travel industry was hotels – rates dropped, and new properties like CityCenter took center stage just as travelers closed out their year-end budgets and found a few extra dollars in the bank.

Analysts have predicted that hotel prices are on the rise in 2010, so the sooner you book the better the savings. Thankfully, the options are endless. New hotels popped up all around the world and some of the most notable were here in the U.S. I’ve highlighted a few of the new and notable North America hotels that opened their doors in 2009 and are worth a visit in 2010.

So, where will you spend the night?

[Read more via Gadling.com]

We learned about octaves with do-re-mi and fought our fears with a few of our favorite things, but the most important lesson taught by Captain Georg von Trapp and the Baroness Maria von Trapp was the importance of family. The lesson lives on through generations and no where is it more prominent than at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.

Trapp Family Lodge, Dec. 2009

The 1965 movie, “The Sound of Music,” was made famous by Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews and recounted the voyage of the von Trapp family as they sang their way through Austria to escape Nazi rule. A favorite family film, images of Maria running through the Salzburg hills during the opening credits will forever be burned in our memory. But when the von Trapps moved to America in the 1950s, the hills in Stowe, Vermont, really started to sing.

Read more on SingleMindedWomen.com

My new favorite thing about hotels: rooftop bars. On a recent trip to New York City, I happened to stay at two different hotels, each with a rooftop bar. This wasn’t a requirement for my booking, but it was a nice amenity to my stay.

Rooftop bars have grown up over the years. Plastic chairs and table covers have been replaced with cushioned-lounge chairs and clear plastic tables. Twinkle lights and flowing drapes provide the ambiance for the evening. In New York City, the rooftop bars provide some of the best views of Manhattan (hint: skip the line at the Empire State Building and head to a rooftop bar for a cocktail and the same views).

What I love most about these rooftop bars is the design – they are inviting, enticing and alluring, and posses a certain boudoir-style that not only makes you feel comfortable, but also a little sexy.

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If there’s one thing I love it’s a good hotel. The fine pressed-linens, the smell of the freshly-cleaned room, the views from top floors, the shine of marble in the lobby, and the attention to detail – from smiling check-in desk agents to personalized pillows – all play a part in a successful hotel stay.

As I prepare for some upcoming trips to new hotels, I started thinking about my hotel wish-list — my ‘ bucket list’ of hotels, the hotels I must stay in before I kick it. Here they are, in no particular order. If you’ve stayed at any of these hotels – or have hotels to add to this list – please let me know!

St. Regis Hotel, New York

St. Regis, New York: This one seems so simple, but still so far away. I’ve always had a fascination with the St. Regis. I remember the first time I saw the entrance to this hotel in Manhattan -the gold, the marble, the fountains; so grand and exquisite. I vowed one day to stay at the St. Regis, but only when I could afford to do it right. Note to the St. Regis: When I do finally get my room at the hotel, you can be certain I’m not leaving for the duration of the stay.

Four Seasons Lana’i, Hawaii: The beauty of this hotel has captivated me since I was first introduced to it by my friend Stacy at Elite Travel International. I’ve never been to Hawaii, and didn’t have a huge desire to go until I saw this hotel. Admiring the Pacific Ocean from the balcony at this hotel would be magical.

Tango Mar, Costa Rica: My plan is to do a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, but then I found Tango Mar and thought, why not combine yoga with spa? (more…)

Building Loyalty

Here’s a friendly hint for hotels: Loyalty is your best defense against bad reviews.

How can you generate loyalty and retain repeat guests? Simple: roll out the red carpet of customer service. There’s nothing more frustrating for a traveler than a rude receptionist, unfriendly concierge, or inattentive booking agent. Your clients pay money to stay with you and in this day and age, no one wants to see their money go to waste with a bad experience that could have been avoided. The end result can be everything from bad online reviews to bad press, and when it’s all said and done, there’s little you can do to rectify a bad situation after it’s happened. But there’s good news! There are very simple things you can do to prevent a bad experience from happening. (more…)

70 Park Avenue, A Kimpton Hotel

Even frequent travelers need a break from travel — sort of. For me, these ‘breaks’ are more like long-weekends in nearby cities, hiding n a quiet hotel, taking a bubble bath, watching “Entourage” re-runs and ordering room service.

Destination: New York City

While most people associate NYC with late night dining, raging dance clubs and endless parties, I found the perfect mix of ‘me’ time and ‘play’ time at the 70 Park Avenue hotel on the corner of Park and 38th. Located only four blocks from Times Square, the hotel is within walking distance from all the sights, but far enough away from the chaos that can consume anyone.

I’ve been to New York hundreds times and I’ve done all the to-dos that are on all the tourist lists. I’ve walked Canal Street, shopped on Fifth Avenue, seen countless Broadway shows and dined at some of the best restaurants in the city. This trip, I was committed to doing something new. I started my Saturday on the No. 6 train heading downtown to Brooklyn. (more…)