Hotel Review: Copley Square Hotel’s Modern Remake

The Copley Square Hotel opened in 1891 in Boston’s famous Back Bay neighborhood. Near trendy Newbury Street and tucked behind the Boston Public Library, the seven-story boutique hotel seems overshadowed by its Westin and Marriott neighbors, but what it lacks in stature it makes up in grandeur.

The hotel closed in January 2008 for a $18-million renovation and reopened later that year as a luxury contemporary boutique with old-school elegance and modern amenities.

THE ROOMS
I heard about the modern-meets-sexy designs and decor that graced the rooms at the Copley Square Hotel post-renovation, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the seductive atmosphere I walked into. Simply put: these hotel rooms set the mood. Read more of my review at Gadling.com

Exploring Washington DC as a Solo Traveler

U.S. Capitol Building

Traveling alone, whether for business or pleasure, can be an eye-opening experience. It’s a chance to do things that only you would do, without having to worry about entertaining or accommodating others. Go to the museums, eat hot dogs from a cart, spend the day laying on the beach, or cuddle up in your hotel bed with room service and free HBO. Whatever you choose to do, traveling solo is a great way to experience a new or familiar city.

On a recent trip to Washington, DC, I was reminded of all the things I loved to do in our nation’s capitol – the Smithsonian, a morning run through The Mall, shopping in DuPont Circle, strolling down Embassy Row, and the list goes on. My past trips were with nieces and nephews or business partners, which meant I set the itinerary to cater to someone else. Not this time – I was taking on Washington, DC, my way! Next time you’re up for a visit to DC take some time to explore your favorite things about the city, and if you get lost I’ve listed a few Washington DC must-sees for you in my recent Women on Their Way column with Wyndam Worldwide.

Boston’s Best Hotel Bars (even for locals!)

Ah, the hotel bar – although sometimes underrated, it can actually be home to some of the best bartenders and most creative concoctions around. There’s something wonderful about hotel bars even for those who live in the same city; it’s a chance to see first-hand the kind of traveler your city is attracting, and if you play your hand right, it’s an opportunity for you to get to know a bartender well enough for him to divulge the secrets of the room to you. Some of the best people watching goes down in Boston’s hotel bars, so we’ve offered up a few of our favorite hotel bars for your next trip to Beantown:

M Bar & Lounge, Mandarin Oriental: If elegance and extravagance is what you seek, look no further than M Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Boston. The new hotel sits pretty in Boston’s trendy Back Bay and M Bar plays into the style and sophistication of the neighborhood. The crowd is a mix of high-rollers celebrating a new VC-deal and cougars on the prowl for cubs, and you’ll enjoy a little bit of everything from your corner seat with a Mandarin Martini.

Read more (and get the honorable bar mentions) from my column on Oyster.com

Countdown to Oz: So Little Time, So Much To Do

In just a few weeks I’ll be sitting pretty in economy-class on 16-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, courtesy of VAustralia. When I purchased the ticket I told myself, “Economy class will be fine! You can walk around, watch some movies, maybe you’ll make a few new friends… you don’t need to spend the extra money to lie down in business class.” I’m starting to rethink this decision.

In an effort to create a more comfortable environment for my pending economy-class seat I bought myself some new Gap pjs, had my favorite pashmina dry-cleaned and dug out my aromatherapy slippers for the flight. I’m totally ready to go! Now, what to do when I get to Australia?

Thanks to the chaos that has been my life for the past few months, I haven’t had two seconds to plan this trip. I know where I’m staying, and I think I called ahead for a car service from the Sydney airport, but as far as trip planning and reservations – there are none. So, the countdown to Oz is on… and I have no idea what to do. Here’s what I know I want to see/do – if anyone has ideas on how to get this accomplished, please drop me a line:

1. Bridge Climb: Despite my fear of death, I’m committed to doing the Sydney Bridge Climb. I’ve decided it’s best to plan this for one of the last days I’m in Australia – that way if I die from fear on the bridge, at least I would have seen most of Sydney before I go.

2. Sydney Zoo: I’m not really a ‘zoo’ person – I’m afraid many animals are mistreated at zoos – but I’m told the Sydney Zoo is nothing like the zoos in America, and that the animals reside in their own habitats. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I’m willing to give it a go.

3. Pet a kangaroo/koala bear: I can’t leave Oz without playing with a kangaroo or petting a koala!

4. Sydney Opera House: The Grand Dame of Sydney awaits! I want to play dress up and walk in the icon down-under.

5. Bondi Beach: I forget why I’m supposed to go to Bondi Beach, but it’s on my list so I’ll be going!

6. Chart the stars: The wanna-be astronaut in me is uber-excited about viewing the stars from the Southern Hemisphere. Good thing I’m staying at The Observatory Hotel in the Rocks, where I’m told there is a wonderful viewing room for star-gazing.

7. Shopping! I don’t know what I’ll buy, but you can bet I’ll come back with something fabulous from Sydney.

That’s my list as of today, but I know there’s so much more I’m missing. If you’ve been to Sydney, send along your recommendations so I can add them to the list!

Things to do in Boston, Even When it’s Freezing

Snow-covered Beacon Hill

There’s a reason it’s so inexpensive to travel to Boston December through February; the bone-numbing temperatures and random snow squalls are enough to keep even the heartiest tourists at bay. But there’s no reason to hole up in your hotel the entire time – just dress warmly and remember to bring an extra pair of socks! Here are five fun things to do around Beantown even when the temperature has dipped below freezing…Read the entire article from Oyster.com

From the Cockpit: Flying the Cessna 402

View of San Juan/Cessna 402

I always wanted to learn to fly. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with aviation, flight, and space travel. My parents encouraged my fascination – they bought me books and model airplanes, sent me off to Space Camp and one year, they even did a surprise drive-by of Cape Canaveral on our way to Fort Lauderdale for the family vacation. They loved that I had a passion for something other than Guess jeans and AquaNet, and were happy to indulge a little girl in her dreams of flying a plane. Until one day when the little girl went to see the Air Force recruiter at her high school’s career day.

All bets were off when Mom got wind of my potential enrollment in the Armed Forces. Dad figured it’s a win-win — I get to learn to fly and the Air Force pays for my education. Mom sat watching images of bombs exploding in the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War and put her foot down. What none of us knew, however, is that this little girl wasn’t getting close to any plane. Seems at that time, girls with glasses couldn’t fly airplanes and as soon as the recruiter informed me of my fate behind a desk, maybe with a view of a F-16 in the background, I went back to filling out my college applications. Mom slept a little better that night, and Dad was back to the library looking up various grants and loans we could apply for to help pay for college. As for me, I knew one day I’d get the opportunity to fly a plane. That day still hasn’t happened but I came close… as close as one can get to the controls of a Cessna 402 without a pilot’s license.

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