Beyond the Sea Special at the Chelsea Atlantic City

You know what's worse than not having a beach in your city? Having one and no one ever knowing that it exists. If that sounds cryptic, let me simplify it with two words - Atlantic City. All along the NJ shores, there are beautiful beaches, from Wildwood to Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City and Ocean City, all being prominent attractions in each of their locations. But if you go to a tour operator and ask about beaches for Atlantic City vacations, they'll laugh in your face.

That's because AC is in essence a Vegas clone, which just happens to be located on the waterfront. Meaning that there's only three things to do in Atlantic City, and they are gambling, nightlife and enjoying the carnival atmosphere, like at the Steel Pier. Sure, you get nice views of the ocean from the windows of beachfront casino resorts. But end of the day, when you have casinos with beach bars featuring nightly live bands, who needs the beach?

Which is why I was surprised to hear about the Chelsea Hotel (thechelsea-ac.com), the first non-gaming hotel to open in Atlantic City in about 50 years. All it offers is pure luxury, simple privacy and a beachfront location with a great view. Oh, and just about everything else that you get at the other Atlantic City hotels, including a full service spa, two restaurants, a coffee shop and a steakhouse, 4 bars, a rooftop pool with a poolside bar and private cabanas, transport to the casinos, fitness center, valet parking garage, and an indoor saltwater pool inspired spa (whatever that may be...).

Has 342 guest rooms and suites spread across two towers and 20 floors. And since they just opened, the Chelsea is offering opening specials at rates from $169 per night. There's a special beach package called 'Beyond the Sea', which allows you to experience the full charm of Chelsea's beach service with luxurious towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, private cabanas, and food and beverage service from the signature Stephen Starr restaurants on-site. For reservations call (800) 548-3030 or click here for more details of this and other specials at the Chelsea.

Info: 111 S. Chelsea Ave Atlantic City NJ 08401; (800) 548-3030; http://thechelsea-ac.com/

Hip Chicks Day Off at the Sorrento Seattle

Ever wonder what extras do hotels purporting to be 'girl getaway' friendly offer? I mean, ok, so they could give you a box of chocolates or candy or somthing kitschy like that, but that hardly counts as something concrete. Now if you throw in free treatment at a spa, brunch at a snooty hotel, and/or shopping coupons, then you got something to chew on.

And that's exactly what the Sorrento hotel in Seattle offers. They have this 'Hip Chicks Day Off' package, which includes your choice of a deluxe guest room or a Sorrento Suite with two Queen sized beds, two cosmopolitan cocktails upon arrival delivered to your room, lunch for two at the Hunt Club, both of you get a LuLu manicure and pedicure at Frenchy's in Madison Park, valet parking, and a surprise welcome amenity. Valid until Dec 31, 2010? I guess the hotel believes its guests should book a couple of years in advance... More details here.

Rates from $516. For which you get a deluxe room with one king, one queen or two queen size beds, 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, terry cloth bathrobes, bathrooms in Italian marble, desk and chair, full length mirror, sitting chair, JVC sound system with ten digital satellite stations and 3-disc CD changer.

Amenities and guest services include the spa Shiatsu Yasuo Mori at the lobby level, Yoga classes at the Pilates de Sorrento located in the lower lobby level, and two restaurants - The Hunt Club and the Fireside Room.

Oh, and the hotel is by far one of the most pet friendly hotels I've ever seen, in Seattle or anywhere else. If you have a pet tagging along, they charge a mandatory $60, in return for which you get a dog bed, organic locally made treats (for the dog, not you...), food and water bowls, special water/spill proof mats to place under the bowls, and poop scoopers so you don't have to make a face when you use tissue to pick up after your dog.

Oh, and if you want, they're also capable of arranging physical pet therapy, onsite pet massage, doggie day care with pick up and drop off service included, dog psychic sessions, and onsite dog grooming. I'm quite A-ok with the rest, but psychic sessions for dogs? You gotta be kidding me...

Info: 900 Madison St Seattle WA 98104; (206) 622-6400; www.hotelsorrento.com/

Tower Tails Pet Promo at the Tower Beverly hills

Its a well known fact that pooches in Beverly Hills are amongst the most spoilt and pampered pets in the world. The combined expense that Los Angeles residents incur annually on pets likely rivals the GDP of a small country. And Beverly Hills hotels are rightly at the top of their game when it comes to offering that extra something for pet owners.

The Tower Beverly Hills counts itself as one of these pet friendly hotels which goes down on all fours and lets the dogs and cats brought in guests walk all over them. They're offering a special for guests with pets called the Tower Tails Pet Promo, which includes a doggie bag at check in and friendly tips for making the most of Los Angeles vacations, pet in tow. Valid until Dec 30 2008. Rates from $279. Minimum 2 night stay required.

Amenities at the Tower include the Lot 1224 sports bar with happy hour from 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm daily, a heated outdoor pool with private cabanas & lounge beds, mini bars in rooms, pet-friendly rooms, VIP lounge, onsite fitness room and business center with meeting space, and a continental Breakfast served daily in Studio 360. Services include laundry and drycleaning, valet parking, and car and limo rentals.

The best suite at the Tower is the Executive Jacuzzi Suite. Located on the top floor, this room is surrounded by 3 private balconies with a view of both the LA skyline and the ocean. You can see from downtown to the Rancho Park Golf Course. The suite is quite spacious - a 448 square foot room, with a dvd player, cd stereo and a sitting area. And a step-in jacuzzi for 2 in the bathroom.

Info: 1224 S. Beverwil Drive Beverly Hills CA 90035; (310) 277-2800; www.thetowerbeverlyhills.com/

$38 Special at Broadway Hotel & Hostel NYC

NYC is a costly city for visitors, but for the cheapo types, there's plenty of low budget lodging options. One of these happens to be the Broadway Hotel & Hostel in the Upper West Side. And they're offering a limited period $38 fall special.

Includes shared accomodations in a 4-bed dorm style room with a shared bath, and a complimentary drink at the Kazbar Lounge in the Marrakech hotel close by. Reservations for this offer begin Sept 22 and end Oct 1, for stays between now and Dec 30 2008. More details here (move mouse over the top banner to see the details).

As far as New York hotels are concerned, the Broadway is no great shakes, limited by the relative distance from the main tourist hot-spots. To be fair, that shouldn't really be a problem, since the nearest subway stop is just a couple of blocks off the hotel. Still...

But when it comes to hostels, its not so bad, with about 400 beds all put together. A stay in the shared accomodations includes access to high speed internet, white European bed linens, plush blankets, accent pillows, down comforters, in-room vanity, ceiling fan, air conditioner, hair dryer, private baths with shower massage head, Ecco natural bath products, complimentary linens, towels, and blankets, complimentary local newspaper, daily housekeeping service, and luggage storage for an extra $2 per day.

And you can stay out as late as you want, so you can experience the NYC nightlife, and enjoy languid dinners at restaurants and hit the dance floor at lounges and have fun in whatever way you want. There's a lotta things to do in New York after the sun goes down.

Info: 230 West 101 St New York Ny 10025; (212) 865-7710; www.broadwayhotelnyc.com/

Hotel & Car Package from Hawthorn Suites Sacramento

You know what I like about Sacramento hotels? You get a whole lot more for much less. Seriously, this ain't a catchy slogan or a sleazy marketing gimmick. It is a fact. Compare Sacramento to LA or San Diego or San Francisco, and you'll find that rates are less than half, and you get a room which is at least twice as big as waht you get in the other CA metros, and you get freebies like free parking and a complimentary breakfast. This is standard stuff at most all hotels in Sacramento.

Where the Hawthorn Suites, located in the heart of Sacramento 10 minutes off Sacramento International Airport, stands apart is in the fact that its offering a free rental car along with the usual room, breakfast and free parking. Package includes overnight hotel accommodations in a spacious queen studio suite, 1 day compact car rental per night’s stay, complimentary full, hot, buffet breakfast at the hotel, complimentary evening social hour Monday through Friday, access to the heated, outdoor pool and hottub and fitness center, and free high-speed wireless internet access. How much does all this cost you? $99 per night. Valid until Dec 31 2008, and you need to have a valid driver's license. More details here.

FYI, the hotel offers 1 & 2 bedroom suites, with cable television, in room movies, hairdryers and irons & ironing boards in every room, and full & half kitchen suites are available. In addition to all the stuff mentioned above, you get an outdoor heated pool, airport shuttle service, guest laundry services, free daily newspaper, sports court, Valet service, on-site restaurant (Memphis BBQ), and meeting and event space. And Old Town Sacramento is just 1 mile away.

Info: 321 Bercut Drive Sacramento CA 95814; (916) 441-1200; Website

Green Spa Getaway at the Shore Club Miami

Miami spas are the stuff of legends, and if said spa getaway happens to be green, and includes deluxe accomodations at one of the most luxurious hotels in South Beach, well, that makes it a true spa vacation. Which is what the Shore Club hotel on Collins Avenue offers.

Package includes accommodations, a choice of bamboo massage or organic facial and 2 Acai cocktails at Skybar per reservation. Rates from $375. More details and online reservations here.

The hotel offers a choice of 70 suites and 309 guestrooms, 7 duplex bungalows, triplex penthouse and an private oceanfront Beach House. The standard room that comes with the green getaway package has a king bed, with city or courtyard views, shower, high speed wireless internet, flat screen television and a DVD player. The spa therapy is offered poolside, while you relax with a mojito.

The hotel also houses the Skybar Miami Beach, with 4 bars nestled in a tropical garden setting, and is one of the hotetst and most happening nightlife watering holes in South Beach.

Info: 1901 Collins Avenue Miami Beach Florida 33139; (305) 695-3100; www.shoreclub.com/