PerriHouse Bed & Breakfast Inn Orlando

The PerriHouse Bed & Breakfast Inn is located inside a bird sanctuary located a few minutes' drive away from DisneyWorld and Universal Studios. If you get a bit tensed up by the hustle and bustle of the dazzling range of things to do in Orlando and with the buzz and thrills inside the theme parks, the PerriHouse is a perfect way to unwind and relax with a pond, a small birdhouse musuem and observation paths to watch the woodpeckers and hawks and herons that inhabit and fly in to the 15 acres off sanctuary that surround the Inn.

The Inn itself is kind of a laid back place, with four poster platform beds and fireplaces. A far cry from the luxury resorts that dot the landscape around and inside DisneyWorld and Universal Studios. Of course, there's also a take associated with this give. Meaning that when you get a $99 room in a scenic and peaceful location a few minutes' drive from one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, there's got to be a few downsides.

For starters, its not within walking distance of anything. Second, there seems to be a problem with the service, which is as laid back as the Inn itself. And the grounds are not all that well maintained. Most of the rooms are pretty small, and had it not been for the scenic and central location, definitely not worth $130 or more.

These downsides are probably offset if you ask for a suite in the new Villa de Perri, which can accomodate upto 6 people with a seperate living and dining area, and a full size modern kitchen. All the 8 guest rooms are equipped with private entrances and private baths. In-room amenities include a television with VCR and free movies from the library, hardryer and bathrobes, use of the common kitchen if you wish to cook, and a Continental breakfast from 8 to 11 am.

Hotel amenities include a library, a nice outdoor pool and jazuzzi, with a sundeck.

Info: 10417 Vista Oaks Court Lake Buena Vista FL 32836; (800) 780-4830; www.perrihouse.com/

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach Hotel & Spa

Coming soon to Miami, later in 2008, is an aberration of a hotel - Canyon Ranch Miami Beach Hotel & Spa. Aberration because in a city which prides itself on its gross decadence and overt consumption, not to mention alcohol binges and cocaine fueled parties, the Canyon Ranch's signature offering is peace and quiet and an atmosphere of calmness which goes against the very definition of Miami hotels.

A hotel in Miami exists for one, and one reason only - To push their guests off the edge, in terms of crossing over from an 'ordinary' life into the party zone that blankets the City. The Canyon Ranch, on the other hand, aims to bring their hard-partying guests back to reality with a dose of bodily and spiritual rejenuvation. With the kinds of things to do in Miami, the Canyon Ranch is likely going to be kept very busy 'rejunevating' visitors and locals.

Not that they're not materialistic. A night at the Canyon Ranch Miami Beach will cost you a minimum of $650. And for this, you get a waterfall which is meant to convey a message of peace and joy and stuff like that. You get an ice cave, and Yoga pavilions and other stuff which is all meant to squeeze the party animal out of your brain, leaving it drained and bringing you down to reality with a loud thud.

But these are just the accessories. The main tools are the hotel, the guest rooms and the spa. A spectacular lobby designed by David Rockwell awaits you, awash in natural scents, with a 4 stoory suspended mangrove scupture above and polished stone and shell floors below. Thr 150 luxurious guest rooms, all structured to offer specatular views of the ocean, the intracoastal waters and the City. Inside lies an oasis of luxury and state-of-the-art hospitality offerings, with marble baths, a designer kitchen attached to one and two bedroom suites, fine linens and even more fine bedding.

The 70,000 sq ft Wellness Spa has every possible massage and body treatments available, not to mention a rock climbing wall and a full service gym, along with things you might never even have heard of. Its all more than enough to rejunevate a dead body and push in a soul into it and make it stand upright and head for South beach.

Dining options will include the oceanview Canyon Ranch Grill serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the lobby Carillon Cafe for socializing and a quick break, the Conservatory which offers organic tea in a calming atmosphere by exotic greenery and wooden shutters, the pool side Cabana with juices and smoothies, and EEZZ's juice bar located next to the spa reception.

Two other branches of the Canyon Ranch are already in existence in Tucson AZ and Lenox, MA.

Info: 6801 Collins Ave Miami Beach FL 33141; (800) 742-9000; www.canyonranch.com/

Gas Rebate Summer Package from Hotel Sax Chicago

Hotel Sax Chicago has a summer special package which includes a $50 stored value card from BP/Amoco, along with complimentary parking. Offer valid until September 1 2008. Package rates from $259. More details here.

The hotel is situated on the Chicago River at Marina City in the heart of downtown Chicago, close to North Michigan Avenue shopping, Loop theaters and businesses and the best of the touristy things to do in Chicago.

With the House of Blues next door, the Sax, as the name implies, has a distinctly musical bent to all its offerings and to the look and the feel inside the hotel. Its not really funky, but more like an attempt to be in sync with the hipsters. Let's just say that its kind of like upscale luxury with a designer who may have slightly exceeded his brief - The kind of rooms and service which would appeal to extrovert performers and their groupies. Not that I don't, but just so you know....

Take the Crimson Lounge, for example. Rich and luxurious, upscale and costly, cocktail menu, a unique VIP bottle service, and a DJ who tends to forget that its supposed to be a place to relax and have some quiet conversation. End result is that the Lounge is a cross between a hot nightspot and a luxury hotel cocktail lounge.

The guest rooms at the Sax, again, are spacious, extremely well designed and impeccably maintained, with luxurious furnishings including 42" flat-panel HDTVs and 320-count Egyptian cotton sheets on large King or queen beds, and spacious bathrooms with a large deep-soak bathtub make it a definitive pleasure to stay in. But.. the hotel seems to have some sort of tie-up with Microsoft, and the best rooms, large European sized with rich wood paneled walls, are available only on the 6th floor, near a studio which displays the Microsoft powered gadgets.

Inspite of the somewhat unnerving effort to be 'different', the Sax still comes across as a pretty neat place to put up at when you're in Chi-town, with its location, the high quality amenities and personalized service and the A-grade rooms. Which, in the end, is what a hotel is all about.

Info: 333 N Dearborn St Chicago, IL 60610; (312) 245-0333; www.hotelsaxchicago.com/

Sacramento Summer Package From Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza

Family summer holiday in Sacramento? Look no further. The Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in Downtown Sacramento is offering a "Historic Sacramento Railroad Museum Summer Package" for $154 on weekends and $199 on weekdays. Includes overnight accomodation, admission for two adults to the Railroad Museum (children ages 16 and under admitted free to Museum), and breakfast for two adults (children ages 12 and under stay and eat free). More details and booking information here.

With the best attractions and things to do in Sacramento bunched around it, the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza is a prime destination for both business travelers and families visiting Sacramento on vacation. The State Capitol Building is steps away from the hotel. The historic treasures and tourist attractions of Old Sacramento, including the Railroad Musuem, lie just 2 blocks from the hotel.

As far as amenities and services for guests are concerned, the hotel has vast and cavernous spaces to accomodate large groups of upto 1000 people. 15,000 sq ft of meeting space, five meeting rooms, an outdoor pool, fully equipped fitness center, valet parking, a comfortable concierge lounge with a flatscreen television and an expansive view of the city are some of the perks of booking a room at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza.

The guest rooms are equally spacious, with complimentary high speed internet, large work desks, free morning newspaper, cable TV, coffee and tea maker, pillowtop bedding, iron & ironing board, and solid wooden floors and a lush ambience with large windows with ornate drapes and deep comfortable couches.

Dining and room service is taken care of by the Cyprus Grille Restaurant which has a casual atmosphere and ofers breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with great views of the city. The hotel also has a full service bar in the lounge mentioned above. In addition, the area is home to a lot of famed restaurants serving California cuisine, including the Firehouse restaurant, River City Brewery and Joe’s Crab Shack.

Info: 300 J Street Sacramento CA 95814; (916) 446-0100; www.sacramentohi.com/

Las Vegas Treasure Island Summer Solstice Offer

Treasure Island Las Vegas has a special Summer Solstice offer with rates from $89 per night based on single or double occupancy and a two night minimum stay. Offer includes free lunch when you purchase one for 'The Buffet at TI', free drink when you purchase one at Kahunaville Party Bar, free VIP viewing access for the Sirens of TI show, $22 Credit at 'WET - The Spa & Salon at TI', and a bonus of $15 Casino Free Play®.

Offer valid from July 1, 2008 through September 3, 2008. Book before Aug 1 2008. More details about the package and booking information available here.

The deluxe guest rooms that come with this package offer floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Las Vegas Strip, Sirens Cove, or sunset over the Spring Mountain range. Each room features one King or two Queen beds, marble bathroom, handcrafted furniture, in-room safe, and high speed internet access.

Not that there's any shortage of things to do in Las Vegas and the Strip, but in addition to the famed and dazzling variety of gaming, entertainment and dining options available at TI, amenities offered to guests include a magnificient and newly renovated pool with plush ottoman seating and double chaise lounges poolside, along with a 25 person hot tub for frolic and fun. Weekends at the pool, from 2 pm to 7 pm, are even more entertaining with a mix of top 40, reggae and party music from DJ Mike Kleid. Private cabanas with LCD TV and private host are also available.

For shopaholics, TI is connected to the Fashion Show Shopping mall by way of a pedestrian bridge, showcasing upscale department stores, in addition to more than 200 specialty shops.

Info: 3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.Las Vegas NV 89109; (800) 288-7206; www.treasureisland.com/

Cheap Hotels in Anaheim

Thinking about a family vacation in Anaheim? How about that excellent good neighbour participating hotel? Yeah, that sounds good. So does $2000 - To the Disney guys and the hotels and the airline guys and the restaurants, and the...

Well, you get the point, I think. Which is that blowing $2000 on a few days in Anaheim is child's play. Unfortunately, the Disneyland resort in Anaheim is the one place your child really would like to play in this summer. So... So, what we need is cheap and decent lodgings, to offset the costs of going to, and enjoying all the things to do in Anaheim.

Which brings to the top 10 list of cheap Anaheim hotels. Using this link, you can search for hotels costing between $50 and $150. Listed below is what I got from my search. Bear in mind that this list won't include some hotels which might offer rooms for $60 or $50, but could possibly turn out to be rat or roach infested dumps. So I've filtered out the list to offer only those which I know for sure will be fairly decent and comfortable, if not luxurious.

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Anaheim Resort - Rates from $84 at the Hojo Anaheim. 1380 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 776-6120; www.hojoanaheim.com/

Candy Cane Inn - Rates from $97 at this Inn. 1747 South Harbor Blvd. Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 774-5284; www.candycaneinn.net/

Anabella Hotel Anaheim - Rates from $110 at the Anabella. 1030 W Katella Ave Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 905-1050; www.anabellahotel.com/

Fairfield Inn Anaheim Disneyland Resort - Rates from $119 at this resort. 1460 South Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 772-6777; Web link

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort - Rates from $119 at the Sheraton Park, formerly known as the Coast Hotel. 1855 South Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 750-1811; Web link

Carousel Inn and Suites - Rates from $140 at the Carousel. 1530 S. Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 758-0444; www.carouselinnandsuites.com/

Best Western Park Place Inn and Mini Suites - Rates from $99 at this Best Western. 1544 S. Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 776-4800; www.parkplaceinnandminisuites.com/

Tropicana Inn and Suites - Rates from $99 at the Tropicana Inn. 1540 South Harbor Blvd Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 635-4082; www.tropicanainn-anaheim.com/

Park Vue Inn - Rates from $121 at the Park Vue Inn. 1570 S. Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 772-3691; www.parkvueinn.com/

Sheraton Anaheim Hotel - Rates from $124 at the Sheraton. 900 South Disneyland Drive Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 778-1700; Web link

Pacific Beach San Diego Vacation Cottages

If you've ever tried booking a hotel room in San Diego near the Convention Center when the crowd from the San Diego County Fair starts overlapping with the July 4th holiday visitors, you'll know that its not only difficult, its darn near impossible. For Comic-Con 2008, people are booking rooms as far away as Mission Beach and further. Every year, the first week of July, the number of people and the number of things to do in San Diego goes up sharply. This is where necessity promotes innovation in the form of beach cottages aka vacation homes.


While there's a huge number of choices available in terms of vacation homes, you can filter it down two levels - First, located slam-bang on the beach, and second, located slam-bang on Pacific Beach. Which brings us to the 'Beach Cottages' (http://www.beachcottages.com/), a family owned enterprise which offers one and two bedroom Cottages, Apartments, Studios, Suites and Motel Rooms - All fully furnished and all except the motel rooms come with attached kitchens, again fully equipped.

White walls, tiled roofs, private patios with a tiny table and nice chairs and an umbrella for enjoying the view of the ocean, which is just across the cottage compund. Its centrally located, with the boardwalk, the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego only minutes away. A 1 bedroom ocean front cottage capable of accomodating upto four people goes for $305 per night. Motel rooms are around $150 and a two bedroom, two bathroom suite comes at $365. Photo credit & copyrights - Beach Cottages, 4255 Ocean Blvd Pacific Beach San Diego CA 92109; (858) 483-7440

Compare all this with a boxed room in a luxury hotel where you'll likely pay twice this amount and the only additional thing you get is room service, and you'll never sleep in a hotel room again. Vacation homes rock, and its my guess that more and more people will be using them instead of hotels as prices go south and the economy slows down.

Seattle Hotel Nexus Woodland Park Zoo Package

The Hotel Nexus, Seattle, is offering a Woodland Park Zoo package special from $137 - $222 nightly plus tax. Rates dependent on lead time, room type and arrival dates. Package includes one night in a room with two queen beds, two adult tickets to the Woodland Park Zoo and one child ticket, complimentary hot breakfast, free parking, and use of other hotel facilities.

Considering the area attractions, the shopping and the things to do in Seattle, its a good bet that you'll be needing more than a day, but the package is basically aimed at wanderers zipping in and out of North Seattle University District. In fact, the hotel even has an 'extended stay' package, for people who would rather not checkout.

Amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool, wifi internet throughout the hotel, a lobby which serves out complimentary coffee with a plasma television for guests killing time or waiting for someone, a fitness center and indoor spa, and business center with meeting rooms for upto 200 people. The hotel is pet-friendly and offers free parking, a free shuttle service, and complimentary breakfast to all guests.

In place of the old Berkshire Grill, the hotel has a restaurant slated to open in August 2008 called the Saffron Bar & Grill which will serve fusion cuisine, in addition to the old Berkshire favorites including Prime Rib and Fish & Chips. In spite of the restaurant not being operative as of yet, the Nexus still whips up a darn good free breakast every morning, with the menu changing depending on the day of the week. Served everyday alongwith the breakfast are make-your-own Belgian Waffles, cereal, wheat bread, fresh juice and coffee.

The hotel has 169 guest rooms including 12 two room suites and 6 spa studios featuring in-room Japanese hydrotherapy soaking tubs. There's a refrigirator and microwave in each room, complimentary wireless and high speed internet, television with pay-per-view movies, HBO, ESPN and FOX, and a nintendo for games. The business and premium rooms feature a workdesk with chair, and the standard rooms feature either a desk or a dining table.

Info: 2140 N. Northgate Way Seattle Washington 98133; (206) 365-0700; www.hotelnexusseattle.com/

Hawaii Summer Specials

In a typical year, most of the major hotels in Hawaii are full up, and rarely, if ever, offer any specials or deals or freebies. But this being an atypical year, with a recession hanging over the economy and the price of oil zooming into the stratosphere, there's bargains to be had, with hotels offering everything from free nights to complimentary meals and rebate coupons.

In places like Waikiki, with so many things to do in Honolulu, its a virtual paradise right now, with limited tourists, hotel specials at places like the Hilton Hawaiaan Village and even the local tourism service providers picthing in by offering reduced rates for everything from tours to supplies. Here's a list of hotels offering summer specials in Hawaii.

Halekulani Hotel Honolulu: Experience five heavenly nights and receive the 5th night complimentary. As our guest, you will also receive a $100 leisure credit towards unforgettable Halekulani escapes. Details here.

Hilton Hawaiian Village: Offers Net Direct rates valid until Nov 15th 2008. Rates from $251 onwards. Details here.

Kaanapali Beach Hotel: Maui Super sale special with room and breakfast for two for $179. Plus they also have a great 'Family & friends' deal for 4 people. Details here.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach: Stay 5 nights, get one night free. Valid until Dec 21st 2008. Details here.

Hyatt Regency Maui: Sunshine on Sale promotion package at the Hyatt Regency Maui offers 6th night free and daily breakfast for two. Details here.

Gallery One - A Doubletree Suites Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

I guess I need to find some more things to do in Fort Lauderdale, cause Gallery One, a Doubletree Suites hotel in Fort Lauderdale, is offering a $132.99 per night two room suite with a kitchen.

The hotel is offering a 'Net Direct' $132.99 special until Dec 31st 2008, where you get a "completely renovated contemporary suite features marble entry foyer, living area with wall-mounted Plasma TV and sleeper sofa, dining table for 4, fully equipped stainless kitchen, Sweet Dreams Sleep Experience queen bed, marble bath with walk-in shower with Rainshower water-head with dramatic skyline view."

In-room amenities include a 26 Inch Flat HDTV, air conditioning, bathrobe and Neutrogena(R) bath amenities, LCD flat panel TV, sweet dreams sleep experience, complimentary remote printing, hairdryer, high speed internet access, iron & ironing board and microwave. Full payment in advance, no refunds/changes allowed. More details and online booking here.

The Hotel is situated on the main Intracoastal Waterway, 3 blocks from the beaches and next to the Galleria Mall with its upscale shops. In addition to the 231 guest rooms and suites, Gallery One has a gift shop, news stand, a tropical outdoor pool, fitness center, both coin and valet laundry, concierge desk, and a business center with meeting rooms.

Dining facilities include the Patio Bar overlooking the pool which offers beverages and light snacks, and Vue on the Water restaurant, which contemprary cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Info: 2670 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale Florida 33304; (954) 565-3800

Chancellor Hotel, Union Square, San Francisco

How would you like to spend a weekend in a $155 per night room for two people in a luxury Union Square Hotel in San Francisco? Topped off with $25 worth of free daily credits for beverages and restaurant food? If you think that's a great deal, and you think of some things to do in San Francisco for the weekend, call the Chancellor Hotel, San Francisco, at (800) 428-4748 and ask for the summer dining package.

Package includes deluxe accomodation with one queen or two twin beds, food & beverage credit worth $25 per day per room for the Luques Restaurant. Valid only on weekends, subject to availability and an additional 14% tax on the rate.

Located on Powell Street right on the cable car line to Fisherman's Wharf, the 137 room Cancellor Hotel is a boutique hotel and has been a family owned concern since 1914. It's the best location possible in an area which is one of the most tourist friendly locations in San Francisco, and filled with the best hotels in San Francisco.

Not much to say about the hotel, except that its cheap, offers rooms and two room suites, does not offer air-conditioning and no pets allowed. And even though the hotel is pretty old, its been recently renovated in 2007, so everything works and looks pretty neat. The hotel staff are quite friendly and know what they're doing, and you'll get service fast for things you need, or ask for, like room service. Speaking of which, the room service, and aforementioned free $25 per day credit for food and drinks, is for the Luques Restaurant & Bar, situated just off the hotel lobby, which serves breakfast and lunch with California cuisine.

The guest rooms are furnished with all the usual stuff like free wi-fi internet, hair dryer, in-room safe, iron & ironing board, free local calls, on-demand movies, free HBO and a nintendo for games. Standard room rates are around $200 per night.

Info: 433 Powell Street San Francisco CA 94102; (415) 362-2004; www.chancellorhotel.com/

Hotel Monaco KN Tranquility Suite, Chicago

Whether or not hidebound Field Museum and the other hidebound things to do in Chicago put you to sleep, the Monaco Hotel Chicago, has a KN Tranquility Suite that certainly will. Part of the Kimpton Hotels Group, the four star Hotel Monaco, formely a hat factory in the Loop business district steps from North Michigan Avenue shopping and Millennium Park, offers all kinds of simulations and relaxing room decor.

But that's for ordinary cookie-cutter guests. If you're the budding insomniac who has finished counting all the sheep in the Midwest and you're about to start off with the stars, then you need something special - Like the KN Karen Neuburger® tranquility suite, with a soothing wall sized water fountain and eco-friendly bamboo sheets. Plush window seats offer sweeping views of the city and a cozy corner for reading or meditating. KN Tranquility Suite "Sweet Dreams" Package comes with overnight accommodations in KN Suite, a KN Welcome Bag with keepsakes, cozy breakfast in bed for two ($40.00 value) and 2 p.m. checkout for the late sleeper. $360 per night based on double occupancy.

Guestroom amenities at the 192 guest rooms and suites of the Monaco Hotel include free wi-fi internet throughout the hotel premises, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, bathrobe, hair dryer, solid mahogany writing desks, in room yoga facilities, an essential travel kit, in-room safe, individual climate control, gourmet treats in the stocked honor bar, and some suites with deluxe bathrooms and two-person whirlpool tubs. The hotel is pet friendly. Room rates from $209 plus taxes.

Dining and room service for Monaco Hotel guests is provided by the adjacent South Water Kitchen, which serves up sumptous regional American fare like favorites like macaroni and cheese or falling-off-the-bone short ribs.

Info: 225 North Wabash Chicago IL 60601; (866) 610-0081; www.monaco-chicago.com/

The Pod Hotel - NYC Budget Lodging

You want a hotel room in Manhattan, close to the Rockefeller Center, Central Park, the United Nations and St. Patrick's Cathedral, for less than $150? You need to get a pod. Not literally, but in a manner of speaking - A room at the Pod Hotel, New York, on 230 E 51st St. The hotel labels itself as 'hip, convenient accommodations for the stylish and spendthrifty traveler' and offers rooms for $149 plus. Photo courtesy & copyrights - The Pod Hotel.

Your choice of Pod includes a Queen, Double, single or a bunk. All the pods offer LCD television, iPod docking stations, dimmer controls, free wi-fi internet, closets and in-room safes. The Queen and Double rooms offer private glass encased bathrooms and showers while the single rooms and bunks have shared baths. The bathrooms all have stainless-steel sinks, granite floors, rainhead showers, wall-mounted jets and streaming music. The bunk pod has two bunk beds with tiny LCD televisions for each bunk.



Its a well known fact that any hotel in Manhattan offering rooms below $200 is bound to be crap. But then, in this case, you might have to make an exception because the rooms are quite tiny, even by New York standards, and the amenities offered bare minimum. If that makes it crap, well... Nothing I can do to change your view, but what I look for in a hotel room is cleanliness, comfort and location.

I mean, what the heck are you going to do if you had an additional 200 sq ft? Dance in it? All you need is a bed, television, internet and a bathroom. If you have this, the rest is just window dressing. Well, the Pod has these things, and its cool and nerdy and comfortable, and has swanky bathrooms. And its cheap. And located slam-bang next to most of the cool things to do in New York everything you might want to visit as a tourist in the Big Apple. Nuf Said.



Info: 230 E 51st St. NYC, NY 10022; (800) 742-5945; www.thepodhotel.com/

Nickelodeon Family Suites 4-D Experience

Seems the Nick Hotel doesn't think there are enough things to do in Orlando, Fla., because the Orlando Sentinel says that Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn has announced the grand opening of its 4-D Experience, a 73-seat theater where hotel guests can see 3-D movies with sensory effects. The theater will show six short films -- including a SpongeBob SquarePants movie -- that include effects such as scents, bubbles and vibrations. Each will end with virtual "sliming," a Nickelodeon signature.

A 4-D experience sounds and feels like just the ticket and added motivation needed to stay inside the resort and never say anything else in Orlando... But for the record, if the hotel seems more attractive than the rest of Orlando, that's not just because of a new theater which will make you think you've lost your marbles. The Nick has fun activities by the bucketload, and even more fun guest suites.

Here's a few of the highlights - Two massive interactive pool complexes with multiple slides, climbing nets, and water jets; Nickelodeon-themed KidSuites®, 777 suites, netted basketball court; mini golf course; shaded kids play area with slides and squirt games, and an arcade with a 3000 sq ft game room. Average nightly rates from $246 onwards..

Info: 14500 Continental Gateway Orlando FL 32821; 407-387-5437; www.nickhotel.com/

Miami Spa Month

Spa vacations aren't just spas and facials and massages and treatments. They're about luxury, pampering, relaxation and locale. If its a spa in the middle of a hectic urban jungle, that takes away a major part of the attraction. On the other hand, if the spa sits adjacent to a beach, with a view of the ocean, lost of sun and natural beauty, that adds up to a lot of relaxation and luxury and pampering.

Plus, if you add in the list of things to do in Miami - The shopping, dining, entertainment, the hot beaches and cool nightlife and happening palces like Lincoln Road - what you have is a spa vacation. Photo by Mr. Usaji via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Which is why a gaggle of the world's best spas are situated in Greater Miami and the beaches. These spas offer opulent luxury, spacious comfort and professional masseuses trained to cater to upscale customers. In short, these are facilities fit for royalty, and you'll be treated like a Queen.

To make the whole concept of taking a Miami spa vacation more worthwhile, Miami is celebrating a 'Spa Month' in July (http://www.miamispamonth.com/). For the whole month, a collection of select spas will be offering special treatments at $99, topped off with an additional 10% discount on add-on spa services.



The list of participating spas include the Aquagene Spa, Doubletree Ocean Point Resort & Spa, Aquanox, Trump International Beach Resort-Miami, The Boutique Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, ESPA at Acqualina, Guerlain Spa at The Regent Bal Harbour, Jurlique Spa at the Mayfair Hotel and Spa, Le Spa at the Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach, mySpa at the InterContinental Miami, The Ritz-Carlton Spa at Key Biscayne, The Ritz-Carlton Spa on South Beach, Spa Chakra at the Conrad Miami , The Spa at Doral at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, The Spa at The Setai, The Spa at The Shore Club, The Spa at Shula's at the Shula's Hotel & Golf Club, Spa Terre at The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, Spa V at Hotel Victor, Uhma Spa, and Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club.

Hotel Gas Rebate Packages

With the price of gas heading south, unpredictable summer weather promising to further increase the pressure on oil prices and hotels already reeling under an overall recession in the general economy, the Hospitality industry is coming out this year with novel inducements and package specials to woo travelers to book in. One of these inducements is a free gas card or rebate. ranging from $20 to $150, these rebates are meant to offset the additional cost of traveling the same distance this year, thus keeping hotels in the competition for long distance travelers. Here's a listing of some of the best offers.

Expedia $50 Gas Card: Get $50 for free gas from Expedia when you book a stay of 3 or more nights at participating U.S. and Canada hotels and pay using your MasterCard® card. More details here.

Hotels.com Gas Package: Book 3 nights or more between May 19, 2008 to July 6, 2008 and travel by Sept. 1, 2008. At booking, use code GAS50 A $50 gas card will be mailed to you after your trip. More details here.

Hilton San Diego Del Mar: Gas and Go package offers a $25 gift card, free self parking and breakfast buffet for two. This could be even more attractive, if rooms are available, considering that the San Diego County Fair is just around the corner. More details here.

Algonquin Hotel, NYC: Provided you drive into the City, the Ahistoric Algonquin offers a 15% discount on best available prices. You'll have to provide proof that you drove in by presenting a parking ticket upon check-in. More details here.

Personality Hotels, San Francisco: Personality Hotels, which runs 7 boutique hotels in San Francisco, is offering the "Bend Over Backwards, But Don't Pass Gas!" package featuring a $10 gas card for each overnight stay, complimentary parking and deluxe overnight accommodations. More details here.

Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle: I don't really know much about the things to do in Seattle, but if you must go, then stay at the Mayflower Park and take advantage of the Guests Gas It Up Package, which offers classic or deluxe guestroom, $20 shell gas card for each night of stay and complimentary valet parking. More details here.

Sanborn Guest House Los Angeles

The Sanborn Guest House is a charming little Bed & Breakfast nestled in the shrubbery on Sanborn Ave in the Silverlake/Los Feliz neighbourhood in Los Angeles. This B&B is ideally situated just off Sunset Blvd for visitors who want to visit the many attractions and things to do in Los Angeles, including Hollywood, Universal Studios, the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, the J. Paul Getty Center & Museum, Disneyland, Magic Mountain and for trips to and from the beaches.

Inspite of being in the middle of one of the most tourist friendly places in the world, the Sanborn Guest House sits in a quiet residential area, with neat houses and gardens. Run by two caretakers, Jaime and Gary, the Sanborn offers a guest room and a guest suite. Both are well furnished and equipped with centralized aiconditioning, private baths, television and VCR, wi-fi internet, telephone, ceiling fan, and queen size beds. Additionally, the Guest house offers use of a shared kitchen and a living room for guests, along with a gated parking lot. The house is furnished elegantly with a simplicity which one can only say reminds you of home, and so do the clean and comfortable rooms and all the books.

One quirky thing about this B&B is that while they offer you use of a kitchen, the cost of a prepared breakfast is not included in the booking charges. A minimum stay of 2 nights is required and no smoking or pets allowed inside the guest house. The guest room costs $75 or $95, depending on single/double occupancy, and the guest suite costs $89 or $115.

Info: 1005.5 Sanborn Avenue Los Angeles CA 90029; Online reservations; Contact

Los Angeles Marriott Downtown

The Los Angeles Marriott Downtown is a cookie-cutter chain hotel, propped by the brand name, a solid downtown location in the heart of the financial district and close to the Los Angeles Convention Center and the usual amenities and services afforded to guests at a Marriott. For all of that, though, there's precious little personality to speak of, and in an age of fierce competition for filling up hotel rooms, a posh hotel without a personality or a USP is like a not-so-beautiful woman wearing designer threads. Looks good from afar, but once you get up close, the proposition doesn't seem so attractive. Not to belittle a Marriott, because there's many pluses to counter the blandness.

If you inquire a bit more than usual, and select the right room out of the 400 guest rooms and 69 suites spread over 13 floors that the Marriott offers, you can get hold of a spacious room with floor to ceiling windows and a sweeping view of downtown Los Angeles with new and luxurious beds. Some of the rooms are dumps, but if you get the right one (change if you have to), a stay at the LA Marriott Downtown will definitely be a positive experience. But then, this applies to just about everything. If you do a little research about the attractions and things to do in Los Angeles, you can make teh entire trip an unforgettable experience. Point is, when you book a hotel room, make sure you get the best value for money.

In-room amenities at this Marriott include coffee maker, Web TV/internet browser, iron & ironing board, a seperate bath and shower with hairdryer, and bottled water, rollaway beds and cribs available upon request. Hotel services and amenities include an outdoor heated pool, business center with copying, fax and parcel services, car rental, vending machines, ATM, concierge desk, 24 hour room service, valet dry cleaning, 25,000 sq ft of meeting space with 23 meeting rooms, on-site fitness center, and valet parking for a fee.

Dining facilities on-site at the hotel include the Back Porch Restaurant with continental cuisine open for breakfast and lunch, the Lobby Bar and Lounge offering sandwiches and appetizers, and Moody's Bar and Grille for dinner.

Info: 333 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles CA 90071; (213) 617-1133; www.marriott.com

Sterling Hotel Sacramento

Situated 3 blocks from the State Capitol, Sacramento's Sterling Hotel looks like, and actually was, a Victorian mansion from yesteryear when the amber glow of gas-lit lamps would merge with the pristine white facade and the green lawn with the neatly paved entrance, with a horse drawn carriage awaiting guests, and creating an etherally beautiful landscape of charm and warmth and old southern style hospitality.

Today's Sterling Hotel, from the outside, looks much like the mansion did in the 1890s. Only, the inside is now a modern hotel with 17 impeccable guest rooms, a four star restaurant - the Chanterelle - and all the amenities and little perks which guests expect from an upscale hotel.

The old money atmosphere which the Sterling exudes draws not only visitors looking for things to do in Sacramento, and a storied, comfortable and luxurious place to stay, but also Sacramento residents for whom the combination of the stylish catering from the Chanterelle and the Sterling's magnificient ballroom with chandeliers, beautiful stained glass rotunda and arched beveled mirrors, and the seven-foot ivy laced topiaries offers a perfect setting for weddings, receptions, parties, tea gatherings and holiday events. Simply put, the Sterling is not only a high-class act, its also a status symbol for Sacramento's upper class.

Eeach of the 17 rooms at the Sterling have been exquisitely furnished and designed to recreate a Victorain aura along with the latest amenities, with Italian marble tiled bathrooms and jacuzzis, four poster beds, chandelier lighting, continental breakfast and a reception bar in the lobby, and individual attention and personalized care for each guest.

Info: 1300 H Street Sacramento CA 95814; (800) 365-7660; Photo credit & copyrights - Sterling Hotel

Ayres Hotel Anaheim

There's a certain sameness to all the resorts dotting the lanscape around Disneyland in Anaheim. I understand that the theme park is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world, and as such, even hundreds of hotels wouldn't be enough to cater to the never-ending flow of visitors. Even so, at some point, the whole scene becomes one giant tourist trap, catering to kids and families and offering all kinds packages with Disney specials and such.

There's not that many things to do in Ahaneim which are not in some way or the other connected to Disney. Very upscale stuff, all this, and in such lean times (recession and all), what you need is a middle range hotel which offers location, comfort and a homey feel which seperates it from the Hiltons and the Marriotts. Enter the Ayres Hotel Anaheim. First, while all the other resorts and luxury hotels are chain hotels totally in sync with Disney as all American hospitality providers, the Ayres is a distinctly European themed boutique hotel with its own unique identity - a lobby with marble flooring, a central fireplace and Italian oil paintings.

Even though the hotel looks vast from the outside if you include the grounds, it has only a 126 guest rooms and 7 suites. This enhances the perception of the Ayres as an independent hotel offering personalized service to each guest, not to mention the fact that this makes the rooms comparatively large. It doesn't hurt, of course, that the hotel is located minutes away from everything of importance in Anaheim. And that includes the Honda Center, the Grove, Angel Stadium and Knott's Berry Farm. Its about 10 minutes away from Disneyland. Amenities offered include a spacious parking lot, compimentary breakfast and an evening reception, high speed internet, business center with meeting and conference space, a heated pool and a whirlpool spa, fitness center, self-laundry facilities with a washer and dryer, and valet laundry.

The rooms, again, speak of a slightly personal touch, with a view of the city parking lot or poolside area, are equipped with a mini-kitchen with refrigirator, wet bar and microwave and coffee maker, workdesk area, satellite television with HBO, wi-fi and high speed internet, and a full private bathroom with vanity. Much larger than the standard boxes you get at tourist traps, clean and furnished with extremely comfortable beds - Triple sheeted with feather pillows. And the noise level inside the rooms is very low, inspite of the hotel being situated close to train tracks. Room rates start at $129 plus taxes.


Info: Ayres Hotel Anaheim - 2550 E. Katella Ave Anaheim CA 92806; (714) 634-2106; www.ayreshotel.com/anaheim/