Category Archives: Travel

The Sea Crest in N. Falmouth on Cape Cod boasts more than 260 rooms on beautiful beach front property, free internet, indoor and outdoor pools, coffee shop and two bars.  No amenity was more appreciated on my recent stay than the two bars.

This property (as do most in the area) caters to families looking to have  some summer fun at the beach.  For families, this would seem like an idyllic (if not somewhat loud) location. By day the property is overrun with children and by night it is so quiet you can hear the ocean outside your room.

While I witnessed some issues with service – specifically at the hotel check-in – my experience was quite the opposite and even a bizarre late night request for vinegar and honey (a home remedy for a sore throat) was accommodated so quickly I couldn’t believe it.

Although I would not return to the Sea Crest, it has more to do with the fact that I prefer less family-friendly lodging and a place with more nightlife options.  As the images below will show, the rooms are spacious and comfortable – although my one gripe with our room was the pillows were roughly half the size of standard queen or king sized pillows and were very uncomfortable. However, I feel like that is an easy fix for the property which otherwise seems to cater quite nicely to families.

You can find more information on the Sea Crest hotel website.

Anyone who has flown recently will tell you how expensive flights in the US have become. Prices have continued to rise and according to an article in the LA Times, prices for domestic airfare rose almost 5% in the first 3 months of the year.   This comes after airfares rose more than 8% in both 2011 and 2010.

However, it looks like domestic airfares are expected to drop between 10% – 20% starting August 21st.  If you are planning a trip and can hold off until the price break you could end up saving yourself a bit of money. You can read the full article here in the LA Times.

Amtrak launched its “Ride With Pride” campaign at the end of July, partnering with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).  I’m always intrigued when businesses create niche marketing like this.  Such blatant courting would have never been feasible by a government subsidized organization in the past.

On a recent business trip to New York City I stayed at Waldorf-Astoria.  Although I’m not typically a fan of older hotels, one cannot help but be impressed by the old world charm this fabled New York City hotel holds, and the art deco architectural details both outside and through out the property are truly amazing.

I did not have a chance to enjoy the hotels’ amenities or visit any of the three hotel restaurants, but I did appreciate my slightly quirky but spacious corner room on the 11th floor with high ceilings, large closet and small work space.

The hotel is very convenient to Midtown attractions but beware that this iconic property means that the lobby is always busy.  Hotel guests mingle with curious visitors coming to photograph the lobby and or attend one of the many events the property seems to always host.

Property hint: If you join the Hilton Membership program you will be allowed two free waters each day of your stay.

Located in the heart of Philadelphia this Starwood property is near Rittenhouse Square close to many of the city’s attractions and business district. Although I was only there briefly, the Westin Philadelphia lived up to its brand reputation for providing professionals a comfortable place to stay.

The rooms at this Westin did not appear to be as new as the Westin Copley, but my room was still comfortable with a sizable room, nice bathroom, good work space and of course their heavenly bed.I spent very little time at this property since work brought me to Philadelphia, so I cannot even tell you if one side provides a better view than another, but I can speak to the convenience of the location which is why I will stay here again on my next visit to Philadelphia. Below is a photo of the bathroom with the dual-headed shower that Westin properties have for hotel guests.You can contact the Westin Philadelphia for more details about this property on its website here.

Earlier this month work brought me to NYC and due to booking last minute, I found myself staying at the Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square. Normally, I would shun such a hectic location, but it was not possible on this visit.

Despite my initial reservations about staying in Times Square, the hotel won me over by exceeding my expectations in three ways. First, located just blocks from Hell’s Kitchen was a bonus as was it’s proximity to 46th Street which has many dining options between 8th and 10th Avenue.  Second, the hotel bar provides one of the best views of Times Square and makes for a great place to grab a nightcap if you’re into that sort of thing. Lastly, the rooms are plush, comfortable and a decent size.

Although I’m still not a fan of staying in Times Square, for tourists this may be the best address in town. Its proximity to great restaurants, the hotel’s bar and the well appointed rooms make this worth considering.

Do you love to travel or are you content to dream about far away places? Either way, the New York Times article from earlier this year, The 45 Places to Go in 2012, is a fun read. In typical New York Time’s fashion, the article stretches the imagination suggesting places as mundane as San Diego, CA then listing “Space” (as in the final frontier) as plausible destinations.

Perhaps you have travel plans already in the works or maybe you are considering several possible destinations to explore this year. If so, check out their list to see if any of your destinations are mentioned.  Aside from identifying cities, the article shares interesting sites to explore.  You can read the full article in the travel section of the Times online here.

Last week travel website, TripAdvisors.com, named the top hotels in the  United States as voted by their 20 million members. The Waldorf Astoria in Chicago (depicted below) was ranked the best hotel in the US.  I’ve listed the top five and included a link to the larger list for all you travel fans looking to book your next destination.

1 – Waldorf Astoria ♦ Chicago

2 – The Grand del Mar ♦ San Diego

3 – Four Seasons ♦ Maui at Wailea

4 – Old Edwards Inn & Spa ♦ Highlands, NC

5 – Heathman Hotel ♦ Kirkland, WA

Boston’s Hotel Commonwealth which is just around the corner from Fenway Park was named the 6th best hotel.  I can’t say that I’ve ever stayed there so I couldn’t comment on the amenities or service, but the hotel does have two very good restaurants and is conveniently located in the Fenway so it doesn’t surprise me that it was recognized by travelers.

If you’d like to see the full list of Best Hotels or if you would like to see TripAdvisors list of best luxury hotels, Inns, or Spas, you can check out members’ rankings here.

Prior to boarding our Atlantis Cruise we spent two nights in Fort Lauderdale at the W Hotel.  This particular property is perhaps the largest W Hotel I’ve stayed, but it wasn’t my favorite.

First with the positives:  the hotel’s location just blocks from the gay beach and overlooking the ocean is one of its best selling points. Additionally, the staff was very helpful and did their best to accommodate all our requests. Lastly, the hotel may have one of the nicest pools in FTL which also has great views of the Atlantic.

The property’s disappointments mostly stem from incidentals; for example our room not having an iPod docking station and a lumpy bed that was not particularly comfortable. The images below are not our room, but this is what a standard room at the W Hotel looks like.

Hints & Tips: 1- The hotel provides free internet access only from the lobby and bar area.  Its worth accessing the hotel’s free service if you are only using the internet for personal reasons rather than work. 2- I felt that our room on the 5th floor was far more convenient since we could walk to the pool, gym and lobby.  3- Our upgraded room (Rm 511) was a handicap accessible room which included a HUGE bathroom and over sized semi-private patio with views of the ocean.

Standard W Hotel Room

Standard W Hotel Bathroom