Savor Seattle at The Fairmont Olympic

Every city, I believe, has a special DNA. Its a kind of feeling, something that's not really tangible, but very much there. Seattle, unlike most other cities, has a kind of laid back gandeur, which isn't like Southern hospitality or old world charm. More like an Officers' club of the British Empire in India or Africa.

And this special brand of plush luxury blending in with peaceful quarters and lakes in the middle of packed clubs and bars and a thriving market and games and all sorts of recreation - This is exactly what luxury hotels in Seattle, like The Fairmont Olympic, specialize in.

And in case you missed the point, they're making it explicitly clear with a series of $299 packages or as they call it - Special Experiences. Each special experience includes, in addition to luxury accomodations, some of the activities or attractions in Seattle which epitomise the spirit and DNA of the City.

One of these is the 'Savor Seattle' package, which includes overnight accommodations in a luxurious Executive Suite, 3-course dinner in The Georgian for two, and overnight valet parking. Rates from $299 plus tax for two people.

The other special experience packages are 'Shoppers Delight' which nets you a $100 Visa gift card, and 'Celebration' where guests are treated to a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and truffles.

Info: 411 University Street Seattle Washington 98101; (206) 621 1700; www.fairmont.com/seattle/

Valentines Day Hotels in New York

In case you forgot, write Feb 14 on a big piece of paper and staple it to your forehead. That's so you can remember that Valentine's Day is coming soon. And since most New York hotels will be booked solid for Valentines well in advance, now would be a good time to make your pick, in case you want to enjoy Valentine's Day in the Big Apple with the apple of your eye.

And why not? Winter is the best time to enjoy romantic getaways in New York, when the City is at its most beautiful. Here's a brief outline of the many pleasures offered up by New York for couples who want to make the most of Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day in New York City is ice skating at Rockefeller Center, a buggy or rickshaw ride in Central Park, dinner for two almost anywhere. If you prefer to be entertained, tour wineries on Long Island, catch Le Scandal at The Cutting Room, or see a Broadway Show. Have a spa date for two in the afternoon, a drink and dinner at a romantic restaurant, and top it off by strolling around the Lincoln Center Fountain. Get married, or just pretend to, on top of the Empire State Building.

And getting back to the hotels most suitable for romance in New York, here you go:

Plaza Hotel - Fifth Avenue at Central Park South New York, New York 10019; (212) 759-3000; www.fairmont.com/theplaza/; See full review.

Paramount Hotel - 235 West 46th Street New York NY 10036; Direct line (212) 764-5500 or Reservations (866) 760-3174; www.nycparamount.com/; See full review.

Bryant Park Hotel - 40 West 40th Street New York NY 10018; (212) 869.0100; www.bryantparkhotel.com/

Chelsea Hotel - 222 W 23rd St New York NY 10011; (212) 243-3700; www.hotelchelsea.com/

Better Tomorrows at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter San Diego

Most hotels in San Diego, particularly those in the Gaslamp Quarter, will offer you a rollicking today. But The Westin Gaslamp Quarter goes one better. It gives you a Better Tomorrow™.

For every night you pay regular rates from $209, you can get the next for 50% off. So whether you stay 2 nights, 4 nights or more, your tomorrows will be that much better. And no, they won't tell you that tomorrow never comes. At least, I hope they won't...

Arrive Thursday - Sunday, now through March 31, 2009. Book online, or call (866) 716-8132 and mention promo code ZBT. Rates are pre-paid and non-refundable. 50% is taken off the best available non-restricted rate.

So are these tomorrows at the Westin worth it? Well, for a start, they have 450 guest rooms and suites. And most have at least the following - a 27" flat-screen television with in-room movies and cable channels, writing desk, individual climate control and air conditioning, in-room electronic safe, branded Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly Shower/Bath® along with deluxe bath amenities and a hairdryer, alarm clock, dual-line cordless speaker telephone, voicemail, wi-fi internet (Charge), iron/ironing board, video check-out, 1-cup coffee maker, minibars, and 24 hour room service.

Plus, you can ask for additional amenities and facilities like connecting rooms, The Heavenly Crib(SM), and the Westin Heavenly Dog Bed. So if you're looking for family hotels for a weekend trip to San Diego, you could do a lot worse than the Westin.

As far as dining options are concerned, the Westin has four restaurants. There's Café Express, which is good for Starbucks coffee, light snacks and for surfing the web. The Café San Diego is known for its 'revitalizing breakfast' and imported teas. There's Horton's Bar & Grill which is a sports bar, so you might want to hang around there if there's a game on at the Ballpark. And then there's the The Lobby Lounge, where you can unwind with your choice of beverage and light cuisine.

Info: 910 Broadway Circle San Diego CA 92101; (619) 239-2200; Website

Tampa Bay Hotels for Super Bowl XLIII Fans

Dec 31, everyone - the media, television, news papers, the internet - was fixated on Times Square. Come Jan 20, the focus shifts to Washington DC, for Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th President. After that, the focus moves to Tampa Bay, for Super Bowl XLIII on Feb 1. It's funny how the focus changes from city to city, like a game of musical chairs.

And along with each of these events, there's a mad rush for hotel rooms. Hotel rooms in NYC get sold out months in advance of Dec 31 each year. And this year, owing to the historic nature of Obama's victory, the demand for Washington DC hotels for the Inauguration is so great that almost everything available got sold out in a couple of days after Nov 4.

And as for the Super Bowl, you won't be needing to check availability for all the Tampa Bay hotels individually. There's an official fan reservation service set up by the host Committee, designed to provide hotel accommodations to individuals and groups coming to the Tampa Bay area for Super Bowl XLIII.

Offering both online and toll-free booking, visitors have access to a wide range of hotel accommodations throughout the region. If you are interested in reserving rooms for groups or individuals, visit the Tampa Bay Super Bowl XLIII Fan Housing Web site or call 866-599-FANS (3267). Oh, and they're offering special NFL Super Bowl discounted rates for tickets to the Disney Parks.

And if you need a little more 'sophistication' and personalized service than what the fan reservation service has on offer, then there's plenty of tourism companies offering package deals and discounts on Tampa vacations and direct hotel bookings. Tampa Bay & Company has a special page for the Super Bowl, which includes the main tourist attractions in tampa Bay, along with a hotel booking engine. Sports Travel has customized Super Bowl packages, which look great, even if they're a bit over-priced for Joe six-pack.

New York Sightseeing Package from Hotel Paramount

New York is a multi-faceted City, with someting in it for everyone. Whether you're a nightlife party animal seeking clubs, or on a family vacation looking for kid-friendly activities, or whether you're interested in specific activities like art exhibitions, museums, book stores, theater, food or any kind of 'love' that you might be actively seeking, you'll find plenty of attractions in New York that are just right for you.

Only problem is, with such a plethora of options available, it becomes a bit difficult for ordinary tourists to decide which attractions to visit, and which ones to skip. Which is where these guided tours and bus tours with fixed itineraries come into the picture. And the most famous of these tours is the double decker tourist bus with an open top which you might have seen in some movies (Will Smith jumps down into one of these buses from an overpass in the first part of Men in Black).

And now you can get this tour, along with a stay in one of the finest of New York hotels located in the heart of bustling Times Square. We're talking about a special offer from the Paramount Hotel Times Square, which is offering a 'New York Sightseeing' package. Includes accommodations for one or more nights (all taxes included), and 48 hour pass to the hop - on, hop - off double decker bus (makes over 40 stops), plus a ticket to the ferry to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and a ticket to the Empire State Building Observatory. More details here.

Now all you need is your 'I Love New York' t-shirt, sunglasses and camera, and you're all set to be a perfect role model for all the 47 million annual visitors who enjoy New York vacations.

FYI, if you need any more help, the Paramount Hotel's concierge staff can assist you with many services, including theater tickets, sightseeing tours, transportation to and from local airports, restaurant reservations, flowers, and more. The concierge can be reached at via email at paramountconcierge @ continentalguestservices.com or by phone at (212) 827-4211.

As for the hotel amenities and accomodations, the paramount has 567 guest rooms and suites, furnished with marble topped tables, white straight-backed chairs, custom lighting and checkered carpet embellish rooms with full, queen or king sized beds, all featuring gilt-framed headboards, with most depicting images from famous Vermeer paintings. All beds are cozily appointed with three, high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows and down-filled comforters.

The design, color schemes, lighting and furnishings are much more pleasing to the eye than what you'll find at most hotels. Pristine white, with shades of grey and black, its almost like something which you see in movies or in glitzy magazines.

Info: 235 West 46th Street New York NY 10036; Direct line (212) 764-5500 or Reservations (866) 760-3174; www.nycparamount.com/