Hotelmare On Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach, it seems, is imperial for more than one reason. This impossibly beautiful beach front strip of land has no use for travelers. Or maybe it was just me. While hotels nationwide are struggling with dropping occupancy rates, Imperial Beach, just off San Diego, has only a handful of lodgings, and half of those are trash.

Don't get me wrong. For starters, of all the beaches I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot), Imperial Beach is probably the most scenic one ever. Secondly, I hate doing negative reviews. Usually, I just let it slide. But this was a bit too much - It was a hotelmare. I could just have booked in at any one of the hundreds of San Diego hotels. But I just wanted to stay at Imperial Beach. Is that too much to ask?

First hotel I went into, it was worse than a dump. Filthy rooms, rude staff and absolutely not worth even the $80 which they charged. I left after 20 minutes, paying a cancellation fee of $10. Next one I went to, it semmed pretty neat and clean and nice, and they didn't have a single room. I asked them if they would have a room the next day, and they said they were booked up well into the fall, and I could maybe try again next year. And with that, the clerk turned his back on me.

Which is when I gave up, and went back to San Diego. There were a couple more which I could have checked out, but after having voluntarily walked out of one, and being rejected out of hand at another one, I really didn't have the heart to face any more hotel heartbreak. I'm not naming names here, cause like I said, I don't do negative reviews. But note to the City of Imperial Beach - Build at least one good frickin' hotel.

Money Bags Special at Chamberlain West Hollywood

Feel like you're being taken for a ride by airlines and their new second bag check-in fees? Not when you're heading out for Los Angeles vacations. The Kor Hotel group's Los Angeles hotels are offering a 'Money Bags' special where they give you hotel credit matching the amount of your luggage fee, upto a maximum of $75. All you have to do to get the credit is to show your receipt at check-in. Participating hotels include the Chamberlain West Hollywood, Avalon Beverly Hills and Maison 140 Beverly Hills.

Use promo code 'MONEY' for online reservations, or visit the specials page on the Kor Hotel group's website, where you'll find other specials along with the Money Bags promo. This special is valid until Dec 29 2008. Rates per room, per night from $269 (taxes extra) based on single or double occupancy. The luggage receipt date must correspond to your hotel stay dates.

What you get for $269 is a Studio Suite, with other options all above $300. The studio suite for $269 is a 350 sq ft suite with a private bedroom separated from living room and work area. Bedroom features king bed with high thread count Italian linens, entertainment center with flat panel TV, DVD / CD player and VCR. Living room has spacious sitting area, large work desk and gas log fireplace, balcony.

The Chamberlain has 114 suites, and amenities and facilities include an American bistro restaurant and lounge, a rooftop heated pool with a sweeping view of the City, fitness and business centers with a conference room and additional meeting space, underground secure valet parking, dry cleaning and laundry services, along with maid service. Babysitting and childcare available on request. Wireless internet is available both in-room and in the public areas, but you have to pay for access.

Info: 1000 Westmount Drive West Hollywood California 90069; (310) 657-7400; www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com/

Endless Summer 2008 in Orlando - Get One Free

The Orlando Travel & Visitors Bureau has just spiked interest in Orlando vacations with something called Orlando’s Endless Summer. From August 15 through November 15, under the "Get One Free" offer, if you book a weekend retreat for two nights you get the third night free. Or buy one attractions ticket and get the second one free. More details here and here's the list of participating Orlando hotels.

And September is also Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, when participating restaurants will feature three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $19 or $29. Click here for more details and a list of participating restaurants.

Nothing much to say, except that free nights and free tickets to attractions are always in vogue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this is the first time that I'm seeing the Orlando Visitors Bureau focusing on the other and more conventional things to do in Orlando for tourists and visitors, like dining and sightseeing and shopping and hotel discounts, etc... Everything else besides the theme parks, that is.

If you're thinking Orlando sounds good for a late summer blowout holiday, then you might want to sync your trip to coincide with some major events, so you get more bang for the buck. Here's a full and searchable list of events scheduled in Orlando for the near future.

$26.99 per night in Vegas - Sam's Town Getaway Summer Special

Sounds hard to believe, but its true. $26.99 per night at Sam's Town Casino, Las Vegas, until Sept 30 2008. Minimum 2 nights booking and taxes extra. You get either a deluxe room with a King bed or a deluxe with two double beds. Use promo code SUMMER8. I don't think you'll find a better deal at any of the Las Vegas hotels. More details about the specials and packages at Sam's Town can be found here.

The rooms are 375 sq ft in size with in-room hairdryer and iron/ironing Board, cable channels and movies, high speed internet connection available, with park view based on availability at $10.00 extra per night. You can also ask for rollaway beds and cribs, and refrigerators, if you need these things.

There's also a snug swimming pool lined with Palm trees, and lounge chairs to soak in the sun and the scenery. Roxy's Lounge has live bands and entertainment with sizzling headliners. Multiple dining options to satisfy every taste is available, including Billy Bob's SteakHouse & Saloon, Firelight Buffett, Willy and Jose's Cantina, Panda Express and a wealth of cafes for sandwiches, coffee and quick bites, along with an ice cream parlour and even a McDonald's and a Dunkin' Donuts.

If you're looking for cheap Las Vegas vacations with a bit of resort getaway downtime along with evenings lit up with Vegas style entertainment, then this Sam's Town summer getaway special is just what the doctor ordered. In fact, its actually a bit out of the way from the sizzling things to do in Las Vegas, so while its still signature Vegas, you do get some respite from the extravaganza and the breathless adrenalin pumping excitement of the Strip.

Info: 5111 Boulder Highway Las Vegas NV 89122; (702) 456-7777; www.samstownlv.com/

Hybrid happiness at the Allegro Hotel, Chicago

Chi-town and the myriad things to do in Chicago seem to be getting a lot of attention these days, and well primed to take full advantage of the spurt of interest in Chicago vacations is Kimpton's Allegro Hotel, sharing space with the historic Cadillac Palace Theatre in the trendy North Loop theatre district.

Social undercurrents are roiling the MidWest as the old mixes with the new, hip and cool Chicago - High-rise buildings in historic locations, green, environment-friendly lifestyle clashing with conspicous consumption, a fusion mix of art, theatre, jazz, rock concerts and tech gizmos.

And Chicago hotels sure know how to keep atop this changing culture with packages and specials designed to appeal to these social needs. Take for instance, the hybrid happiness package from the Allegro - deluxe accomodations, complimentary valet parking for your hybrid vehicle and a hosted wine reception in the lobby. Rates from $349. For this price, you get a Queen room, with 350 thread count Frette linens, 37" LCD HD flat-screen TV with cable access and on-demand movies, iHome docking station with alarm clock, fully-stocked honor bar with organic options, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, in-room safe designed to accommodate laptops, and Aveda bath amenities.

There's other packages like Metra Escape. Ride the Metra, present your stamped Metra ticket at check-in and you'll het $10 room credit per adult, valid for any food or beverage purchase, a guide for public transport and trolley use, and a hosted wine reception. And Kimpton makes a $10 donation to the Trust for Public Land for every Metra Escape package booked.

Click here for online booking and to see details about these and other specials at the Allegro.

Info: 171 West Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60601; (800) 643-1500; www.allegrochicago.com/

Seattle Staycation, Virtual Golf at Hotel 1000

Search a thousand Seattle hotels for that really special 'special', and what you get is a Seattle Staycation package at the Hotel 1000 where you can play virtual golf in 'The Golf Club' which magically transports you to authentic and fabulous championship courses from Pebble Beach in Carmel to Princeville on Kauai.

In addition to the two rounds of virtual golf, the package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, 25% discount on spa services in 'The Spaahh at Hotel 1000', two tickets to the Seattle Art Museum, picnic lunch for two to enjoy at a destination of your choice within Seattle, and complimentary overnight valet parking. Rates from $299. Call (877) 315-1088 for reservations or visit the site for online booking and more details.

This hotel is a bit 'different' and more geeky than most other hotels you're ever going to see. For starters, the bathtubs fill from the ceiling. Then there's the 'intelligent' private bar service which takes privacy to a new level. The tech wizardry doesn't stop there either. Smart infra-red technology controls the temperature, the 'Do Not Disturb' signs are electronic, complimentary wireless internet and a 40" LCD HDTV await you in the rooms, and here's the kicker - even the art display is intelligent, and controlled and changed based on your preferences.

In addition to the Golf Club, the hotel also offers a full service spa, a fitness center, and a business center with individual workstations and 6200 sq ft of meeting and conference space.

Info: 1000 First Avenue Seattle WA 98104; (206) 957-1000; www.hotel1000seattle.com/

August Tasting Menu on Delta King Sacramento

Its considered good form to have dinner and take in a show aboard the Delta King riverboat when you happen to be in Sacramento. Kinda like one of the must-visit attractions for Sacramento vacations. And August happens to be a well.. august month for literally tasting the menu on the floating hotel cum restaurant cum theater moored in downtown Old Sacramento.

That's because the PilotHouse restaurant is offering a 4-course tasting menu until Aug 31 2008. First course of Oysters on the 1/2 shell with yuzu and ginger granita, second course of black seabass, a third one with duck breast and the last one with Duet of Parfait (lemon and blackberry cheesecake with chocolate amaretto cream). Prepared by chef Julian Vasquez, $36 for dinner and $13 for wine. For reservations, call (916) 441-4440.

You'll have to check their website for the latest shows being staged in the theater, and if you want to go the whole hog and book in for a floating hotel room, the Delta King offers 44 ornately decorated and completely renovated staterooms with either a view of the Sacramento River or Old Town Sacramento. Have to warn you, though, that the place is darn pretty in the late evenings, with the lights twinkling on the river and the peace and serene calm and slow pace of Sacramento, coupled with the sumptous feasts and the theater and well... its kinda addictive, and you'll hate to let go of it. Best part is the price - rates starting from $81 per night.

As far as floating hotels go, there isn't really anything to compare with, except for the Queen Mary, but as far as Sacramento hotels are concerned, you won't find much else which offers such a comprehensive mix of accomodation, entertainment, location, views and dining - A true Sacramento experience which you shouldn't miss.

Info: 1000 Front Street Old Sacramento CA 95814; www.deltaking.com/;
Tel: Delta King Hotel - (800) 825-5464 & (916) 444-5464; Delta King Theatre - (916) 995-5464; Pilothouse Restaurant - (916) 441-4440