$59 Rooms At Golden Nugget Las Vegas

Rates from $59 per night with the 'Super Summer Room' offer at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas for stays before September 30 2008. $59 per night (Sunday - Thursday, taxes extra) and receive a $25 Food & Beverage Credit and 2-for-1 Tickets to 'Defending the Caveman'. Two night consecutive minimum stay required to receive Food & Beverage credit and 2-for-1 Tickets. Rates based on single or double occupancy. Call (800) 634-3454 for reservations or click here for more details and online booking.

If I write about everything this monster hotel & casino complex has, it'll take me more than a few pages. So here's the 'fast facts'. Three towers housing 1,907 guestrooms, including one and two bedroom suites, 27 luxury apartments in the Spa Suite Tower and six Penthouse Suites in the North Tower. 38,000 square feet of gaming area, which includes approximately 1,200 slot and video poker machines and 50 table games. A 600-seat showroom featuring headliner entertainers and nightly headline entertainment. More than 20,500 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, including 13 meeting and banquet rooms. Outdoor pool with live sharks, Jacuzzi and private cabanas, complete spa, salon and fitness center, and full-service business center.

Dining facilities include the Carson Street Café (American), Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, Lillie’s Noodle House (Asian), Grotto Italian Ristorante, The Buffet and a Starbucks. Shopping facilities include the Perfect Timing watch shop, Trend & Style for clothing and jewelry, and other assorted shops with essentials, newspapers, snacks and stuff.

As for the accomodations, standard rates for guest rooms are between $79 - $189 and the suites for between $175 - $750. The rooms for the super summer package are in the South Tower, and come with high speed internet, in-room movies, safe deposit boxes, hair dryers, iron & ironing boards, full sized desks and bathrobes. Bathrooms have marble flooring, and each room has a vanity area with lighted makeup mirror.

In case you feel the need to leave all this 'wonderfulness' behind and check out the things to do in Las Vegas, the hotel offers golf, tennis and sightseeing tours.

Info: Golden Nugget Hotel 129 E. Fremont Street Las Vegas NV 89101; (702) 385-7111; www.goldennugget.com/ ; Photos courtesy & copyrights Golden Nugget Hotels and Casinos

Best Western Anaheim Inn

Here's a question for you. Would you rather spend your money on the things to do in Anaheim, or spend it on tipping a snotty room-service guy and valet parking? I'm talking about booking in at a cheap Big Western, as opposed to upscale digs like the Hilton. And say what you will about them, Best Westerns are darn cheap, especially if you're talking about staying with family.

One of these cheapos is the Best Western Anaheim Inn, located a mile away from the Anaheim Convention Center. Plus, you get a $25 gas card if you stay for 3 consecutive nights (offer valid until Sept 30th 2008). As it is, a standard room for two costs about $113. Children under 18 can stay free. Take out the $25 gas card, and you get a room for a full family for around $88 per night. With free parking. That's near the Convention Center, one of the most heavily visited tourist areas in the world that we're talking about here.

And its not like we're talking about a dump. Amenities at the Anaheim Inn include a front desk which provides Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets & CityPass for purchase, a restaurant & lounge next door, a heated pool, spa & sauna, same day dry cleaning & valet service, and guest laundry.

In-room amenities include a mini-refrigerator & microwave, kitchenettes available upon request, cable television with HBO, Disney Channel, ESPN, CNN & MTV, high speed wireless internet, coffeemaker with complimentary coffee & tea, hairdryer, and iron & ironing board.

You won't get ripped off, the location is good, and you'll get exactly what you paid for, which isn't shining brass and chandeliers, but comfortable and cleanliness and you have all the basic stuff you need for an overnight stay.

Info: 1630 S. Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 774-1050; www.anaheiminn.com/

Ohana Hotels Stimulus Rebate Special at Waikiki

Ohana hotels is offering a stimulus rebate special at five of its hotels in Waikiki. $129 at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber, $119 at Ohana East, $109 at Ohana Waikiki West, $109 at Ohana Waikiki Malia, and $119 at the Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel. Rates are per room, per night, based on double occupancy. Package valid until December 21, 2008. More details and online booking here.

From what I know, best of the lot is the Ohana East Hotel, located at the corner of Kuhio Avenue and Kaiulani Avenue, steps away from Waikiki Beach, International Market Place, and Kalakaua Avenue. Its just a minute from Lewers Street, and a short walk away from Kapiolani Park, Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Aquarium. Even better, the Ohana stimulus package comes with free access to the Waikiki Trolley, meaning that you can easily poke around the things to do in Honolulu.

The standard room rate at this hotel is around $204, so you save about $95 per night with the $119 stimulus package. Can't get a better deal in Waikiki, at this rate and from a touristy view point, unless someone gifted you a stay at the Hilton Hawaiaan Village.

Amenities at the Ohana East include three restaurants, an espresso cafe, room service, fitness room, swimming pool, high-speed Internet access, self-service laundry and a video arcade. The standard guest rooms, included in the stimulus package, are about 240 sq ft, with hair dryer,
in-room safe, iron & ironing board, refrigerator, coffee maker with complimentary coffee, shower and cable, pay-per-view movies and a nintendo for games. Cribs and rollaway beds available upon request (extra charges may apply).

That's pretty basic, but considering the kind of rates which other resorts and Honolulu hotels will make you pay, and considering the location of the Ohana East, this, like I said, is a pretty good deal. Point is, its a decent hotel, good location, cheap rates and service ain't that bad either.

Info: 150 Kaiulani Avenue Honolulu Hawaii 96815; (808) 922-5353; Website

Recommended Bed & Breakfast Inn's, Fort Lauderdale

As far as I'm concerned, a hotel is a place where you go to sleep and rest, when you're visiting a new place. So long as its decent, spacious and comortable, and all the amenities work, I don't really look for much else. I mean, you don't visit some place, and then spend all your time in the hotel room, unless you happen to be a nutty Hollywood star. Which is why I prefer a B&B to a hotel. On the minus side, since B&B Inns are usually mom & pop enterprises, there's no real guarantee of getting what you paid for, unlike a Kimpton Hotel, or a Hilton or Marriott, where the brand name ensures that you get exactly what you are promised.

As a compromise, what you can do is frequent B&B's which you know for sure are going to be at least as good as the offer, if not better than advertised. To make a long story short, here's a list of Bed & Breakfast Inns in Fort Lauderdale which are culled from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau's recommended list. You can rest assured that these are quality places, spend the money saved on shopping and things to do in Fort lauderdale, and thank me for afters.

Green Island Inn: 3300 NE 27th St., Fort Lauderdale 33308; (888) 505-8951, Contact - Michael Green

Pelican Place: 3221 NE 7th Place, Pompano Beach 33062; (954) 956-8999; www.4rentbythebeach.com/

Villa Venezia: 132 Isle of Venice Dr., Fort Lauderdale 33301; (954) 832-0981; www.villa-venezia.com/

Tropi Rock Resort: 2900 Belmar St., Fort Lauderdale 33304; (800) 987-9385; www.tropirock.com/

Sea Turtle Inn: 315 Roosevelt Street, Hollywood 33019; (954) 599-9199; www.hotels-rates.com/

Phoenix Beach House & Guest Apartments: 3609 NE 27th St., Fort Lauderdale 33308; (954) 733-7701; www.beachguesthouse.com/

Berkshire Beach Club Of Deerfield: 500 N. A1A Hwy., Deerfield Beach 33441; (888) 595-2382; www.pyramidresorts.com/

Sleepless in Hotel Vintage Park, Seattle

Thanks to Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, there is, and always will be, a heavy fog of romance smothering Seattle, especially for couples hoping to hit third base or build a stronger relationship. And in the romantic heart of Seattle, directly across from the Seattle Public Library, sits the Vintage Park Hotel (a Kimpton Hotel), which bills itself as the place for romantic escapades, weddings and wine & dine getaway weekends. The downtown location offers a splendid way to begin an exploration of Washington's wine country and it also provides easy access to all the important attractions and things to do in Seattle.

Each room in this boutique hotel is dedicated to a local Washington State winery and vineyard. The Vintage Park astutely promotes a gaggle of romance specials which include free bottles of wine from local vineyards. For example, there's the Taste of Tuscany package which includes accommodations for two with a bottle of Washington wine delivered to your room at turndown, handpicked by the hotel's 'Grape Goddess', hosted evening wine hour from 5PM to 6PM in the hotel's lobby, complimentary overnight valet parking, morning newspaper and morning coffee service.

All guest rooms in the Vintage Park hotel offer complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access, on-demand pay-per-view movies, CNN and ESPN, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, bathrobes, Aveda amenities, down pillows, sound-proof windows, mini-bar, 24-hour Room Service and concierge service, complimentary newspapers, overnight shoeshine, same-day laundry service, in-room exercise and yoga programs, and an essential travel items kit. The hotel is pet-friendly, and even offers a special pet package that comes complete with a pet survival kit, and a special bed for pets, food and water dish and a t-shirt, with dog walkers and dog-sitters available through the concierge.

Rates from $319 (try using Priceline or Hotwire to get cheaper rates). Hotel amenities include meeting facilities, a fitness center, and most important of all - Umbrellas, which is a prized possession to have in Seattle.

Info: 1100 Fifth Avenue Seattle WA 98101; (206) 624-8000; www.hotelvintagepark.com/

Green Hotels in San Francisco

So nowadays almost every hotel touts some kind of green aka eco-friendly initiative, or certification or some sort of affiliation with any one of dozens of green business groups. But at the end of the day, its a bit difficult to judge whether your stay at the hotel was actually different from any other hotel, as in more of a greener stay or not.

Point I'm trying to make is that it would be nice if you could say, with absolute certainity, that your stay was greener then the green goblin. San Francisco is one of the pioneer cities in this regard, and most things to do in San Francisco are bound to be environmentally correct, and there are a few hotels where you can walk in blind, do anything you want, or use any of their services and amenities, and still be able to say that you didn't fall off the green wagon.

One of those hotels happen to be the Orchard Garden hotel, LEED certified (which is very rare for a hotel), eco-friendly rooms, guestroom key card energy control system, in-room recycling system, chemical-free cleaning products, compact fluorescent light bulbs and a 100% tobacco-free environment. Nice location in Union Square, neat, luxurious and you can rest assured that everything you do and use is going to be eco-friendly. Info: 466 Bush Street San Francisco CA 94108; (415) 399-9807; www.theorchardgardenhotel.com/

Another hotel almost as green as the Orchard Garden is the Triton hotel, again in Union Square, featuring eco rooms with integrated practices such as a sophisticated waste recycling program, biodegradable cleaning products, recycled paper, and organic coffee. Hotel Triton's environmental efforts became the inspiration and blueprint for Kimpton Hotel's eco-program in 2005, which is now being implemented at all Kimpton Hotels nationwide. Info: 342 Grant Avenue at Bush Street San Francisco CA 94104; (415) 394-0500; www.hoteltriton.com/

Other San Francisco hotels which fall into the category of 'very green' include the Fairmont San Francisco and Hotel Palomar.

Weekend Special At Hilton Checkers Los Angeles

The Hilton Checkers Los Angeles is offering weekend specials with rates starting from $149 per night. That's around $100 less than the standard room rate. More details about the special here.

If being a part of the hot LA scene is on your list of things to do in Los Angeles, you might want to find anotehr place. Because the 12 story Hilton Checkers is a sort of a misfit amongst the other luxury Los Angeles hotels surrounding it, and has its own place in the history books (built in 1927) and a kind of understated charm and a feeling that this is not a place where you want to flaunt your wealth or status.

This European conservativeness is totally against what goes for conventional hotel wisdom in Los Angeles, as far as decor and big, splashy amenities and flamboyant lobbies and eclectic rooms are concerned. The Hilton Checkers steers clear of all these entrapments, and instead offers neutral toned walls, a wood-paneled library, a discrete rooftop pool with a sundeck and whirlpool and a great view of Downtown LA, and quiet corridors adorned with Asian antiques.

But what the Hilton Checkers does, it does unqualifiably well. The Checkers restaurant is a peaceful oasis highly favored by those in the know, with a menu featuring cuisine ranging from Contemporary American to stylish French, with the Checkers Lounge being heavily frequented by the regulars sipping martinis in an intimate setting.

The Checkers Spa is not just a spa attached to a hotel. Mostly, its the other way around. The Spa is so good, offering so many massages and treatments, with state-of-the-art equipment, that its actually an asset which pulls in a lot of clients who end up staying at the hotel, just to be able to attend spa sessions.

The 188 guest rooms are equally solid and furnished with elegance and attention to detail, like the fresh flowers in the bathroom, which by the way is outfitted with marble flooring, Neutrogena toileteries, a hairdryer and shower massager. Ergonomic leather chairs, flat screen television with free cable and pay-per-view movies, free high speed internet, complimentary coffee with a coffee-maker, iron & ironing board, CD player and a complimentary copy of USAToday await you in the rooms. Hotel amenities include valet parking ($23), 24 hour room service and concierge services.

Info: 535 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles CA 90071; (213) 624-0000; www.hiltoncheckers.com/

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/