Careers with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

As of December 31, 2008, Starwood's hotel portfolio included owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels totaling 942 hotels with approximately 285,000 rooms in approximately 100 countries.

Also as of December 31, 2008, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. had 145,000 people employed - all put together, of whom approximately 36% were employed in the United States. Approximately 37% of the U.S.-based employees are covered by various union agreements providing for basic pay rates, working hours, other conditions of employment and orderly settlement of labor disputes.

A career in Hospitality and/or at Starwood does not necessarily mean that you end up handling customers/facilities. There's all kinds of jobs available at Starwood, including accounting, architecture, engineering, telemarketing, legal, etc. You can find the full list of job functions at Starwood here.

Benefits vary depending on your preferred job location, but these are some which will possibly be offered:-

• Comprehensive, low cost health insurance for you and your family
• Dental and vision insurance coverage
• Company-sponsored retirement plans - 401(k)
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Adoption Assistance
• Domestic Partner eligibility

Starwood also offers paid time off and vacation programs, and encourages associates to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Plus, you get massive discounts at Starwood properties. Employees can stay at their hotels & resorts for as little as $29 per night. You get free or discounted meals at the property's cafeteria where you work.

And you get steep discounts at Starwood local business partners, on things like computers, new cars, entertainment, car rentals, magazines, electronics, and mobile phone service.

You can start by creating a jobalert profile, in which case you're notified of new openings matching your profile.

Or simply start searching for Starwood jobs here - www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/careers/search/index.html

Careers with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) is the biggest hotel group in the world, with over 620,000 rooms in more than 4200 hotels, spread across seven brands and nearly 100 countries. Guests make over 180 million stays at IHG hotels every year.

Naturally, it's not easy to summarize the entire careers section of IHG in one blog post. And the HR Dept at IHG recognizes the vast spread and teh difficulty in implementing uniform hiring practices.

To that end, they have made it easy by allowing prospective employees to create online profiles in IHG's database, so it becomes easy to match and track applicationsa nd new openings. If you want to create your own profile for IHG jobs, click here.

IHG is an equal opportunity employer, and with operations spread across nearly 100 countries, it's reltively easy if you want to move to a specific country. Please note, however, that IHG does not automatically sponsor candidates for work permits and visas to work in a new country.

Possible benefits include:-

• Incentive opportunities based on company and individual performance
• Long term incentives available at select levels within the organisation
• Medical, Dental, Life, and Disability Insurance
• Pension or 401(k) retirement plans
• Discounted hotel room rates for you and your family around the world
• Paid time off and company designated holidays
• Flexible work arrangements to help balance work and home
• Health and wellness programs
• Training, continuous education, and educational assistance
• Employee discounts and special offers

You can start your search for IHG's full-time jobs and those for graduates here - www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?pageid=430

Careers with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

San Francisco based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is on Forbes' list of 'The 100 Best Companies To Work For.' And that's not just some corporate feel-good achievement program. Kimpton was awarded as the best place to work in the Bay Area in 2007.

Plus, they actually take good care of their employees, their hotels and their customers. Kimpton's committment to the environment and to providing a family-friendly atmosphere and amenities for guests is legendary. They have branded programs under which all Kimpton Hotels and restaurants adher to the same standards set by the Kimpton Kids and

Benefits at Kimpton include comprehensive medical benefits, long and short term disability, paid vacation time, tuition reimbursement and employee discounts, paid sabbaticals for general managers and executive chefs, and a managers' parental leave program, for mothers, fathers and partners. They even have a pet care program, which covers all kinds of pets, from furry to feathered.

Factor in the vast spread of Kimpton Hotels across the nation, coupled with career development options like Kimpton University, the management trainee program, and the Mentor and Leadership programs, and you have a pretty good chance for giving your budding career in hospitality a nice boost with a job at Kimpton.

And they have an online application process, which makes it even easier to apply for a position with Kimpton, regardless of your physical location.

You can start your search for employment and the application process at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants here - www.kimptonhotels.com/HR/jobsearch.aspx

Disneyland Resort Jobs

Goes without saying that a Disney career is a magical experience. It's one of the biggest brands in the world, and a job at the Disneyland Resort is a virtual guarantee that your career in hospitality will have a bright future.

But you might not need to look beyond Disney, because Disney employees enjoy the 'Disney Difference.' That means weekly pay, health-care insurance options, paid vacation and sick leave,
retirement plans, annual pay increases and premium-pay incentives may be available for certain positions, employee stock purchase program, and credit union membership.

Plus, you get theme park admission, discounts on tickets, dining and recreation locations throughout the Resort, discounts at select Disney Resort hotels, and assistance with work/personal issues like childcare and budgeting.

You also have access to on-site learning centers and programs, training opportunities and an educational reimbursement program, and commuter assistance.

But being part of such a well-known consumer oriented family-friendly brand as Disney has some additional requirements for cast members which may not be required at other companies. For example, the guidelines for your appearance and look, attire, jewelry, etc. are very strict - No tatoos, and very specific rules for facial hair. More details here.

Due to the seasonal nature of it's business, Disneyland has a lot of opportunities for part-time and seasonal workers.

Start your search for jobs at the Disneyland Resort here - http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disneyland/index.html

Careers with Joie de Vivre Hotels

Joie de Vivre, or as it is better known - JDV Hotels, is a San Francisco based company which runs boutique hotels in California. JDV was founded by Chip Conley in 1987.

Joie de Vivre Hotel's parent company is Joie de Vivre Hospitality, which oversees all of the other businesses beyond the boutique hotels including restaurants, spas, and affiliate hotels. When you tote it all up, JDV rakes in about $200 million in annual revenues.

In 2008, Joie de Vivre Hospitality was ranked as the 2nd best place to work in the Bay area in the 501-1,500 employees category. In the hospitality sector, the industry employee turnover rate is about 70%. Joie de Vivre has consistently been about a third of the industry average, coming in at around 25%.

After three years and every three years thereafter, salaried managers at JDV receive a four-week, paid sabbatical - a benefit Joie de Vivre paved the way to create in the hospitality industry.

An extensive learning and development umbrella - JDV University - offers opportunities for personal growth like surfing, card-making and hiking in the California redwoods along with extensive professional development of ESL courses and front desk host academies. Joie de Vivre has invested over $70,000 to help it's employees learn English as a second language in 2008 alone.

You also get two complimentary stays each quarter at any of JDV's California hotels, along with discounts at Joie de Vivre restaurants for you and your guests. And also spa treatments at discounted rates.

To begin searching for jobs with JDV, start here - www.jdv.jobs/, or here - www.jdvhotels.com/careers.

Careers with Marriott International

Marriott International (www.marriott.com/) has been named as one of the 100 best companies to work for in 2008 by Fortune Magazine. And with 14 brands spread across more than 3200 proeprties in over 66 countries, Marriott offers plenty of choice and scope for career development.

Marriott International is based in Bethesda, Maryland, very near to where it began in 1927 as a root beer stand in Washington DC. Today, Marriott operates or franchises hotels, resorts, executive accommodations and suites worldwide, translating into approximately 515,000 rooms and more than 10,000 vacation ownership villas.

Marriott participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program and Marriott’s benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, life & disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Continuing education/tuition reimbursement
• Ongoing training and career development programs
• Work/family programs and services
• Discounts on hotel rooms, food & beverage

You can start your online job search for careers with Marriott International here. If you're looking for internships or summer jobs, start here.

Careers with Hilton Hotels Corp

For those looking for careers in hospitality, Hilton Hotels Corp. offers a unique opportunity. It's one of the biggest hotel groups in the world, with more than 3,200 hotels and 545,000 rooms in over 77 countries and regions.

Hilton is currently based in Beverly Hills, California, but they're in the process of moving everything to FairFax, Virginia. They also have an Operations Center in Memphis.

Careers at Hilton range from hotels and call centers to the corporate offices and vacation ownership properties, and internships and summer jobs. If you're looking for jobs at any of Hilton's hotels, click here.

For 'Reservations & Customer Care Call Centers' start here. These include many telecommute jobs.

And here's the ones for their Corporate Offices. If you're anywhere near the Washington DC Metro area, now might be a good time to check out the jobs at Hilton's HQ, since they're setting up shop in Fairfax, VA, and have plans to hire hundreds of area residents.

And here's the jobs for Hilton Grand vacations, and for their Memphis Operations Center, and if you're looking for an internship or a summer job, click here.

European breakfast at Lincoln Park inn Chicago

The Lincoln Park Inn, located in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood and a short distance from Wrigley Field, is steeped in history, having been in existence in Chicago since the 1920s. And the stiff upper lip, conservative style and the European touch is still in evidence in the decor, with the chandeliers and the dark brown furnishings.

And the European style breakfast room, where you get served with complimentary hot breakfast with eggs and sausage and waffles and piping hot coffee, instead of the usual American muffins and juice. You might find a few upscale hotels on the lake shores offering this stuff with room service and charging you heaven and earth for it. But you can bet your boots you won't find a complimentary breakfast like this at one of the Chicago motels - even if you're willing to pay for it.

You also get a few other things you won't find at a motel - like concierge and business services, 24 hour front desk, dry cleaning service, and complimentary internet. In room amenities in the 74 air-conditioned guestrooms include wireless internet, cable and satellite TV, refrigerator, iron & board and hair dryer (on request), housekeeping, and shower/tub combo bathrooms with complimentary toileteries.

If you need them, the hotel also has cribs and rollaway beds. Rates from $100 onwards. The Lincoln Park Inn is pet friendly, subject to fees charged per pet. All in all, if you want to save a couple of hundred bucks in hotel bills on a weekend trip, and/or spend the same on shopping and dining and checking out the Chicago attractions, then this is the place for you.

Info: 601 W Diversey Pkwy Chicago IL 60614; (773) 348-2810; www.innlp.com/

Get a taste of Americana at Crystal City Hotel

You won't believe how hard it is to find a cheap but decent place to stay in Washington DC. Either you're staying at a posh hotel on Pennsylvania Ave with a view of the White House, or you're thrown into one of the few remaining Washington DC motels.

Which is why I was pleasantly surprised to find the Americana Hotel in the Crystal City neighbourhood in Arlington, VA. It's just a short hop to all the important attractions in Washington DC (less than a mile), and more importantly, the hotel offers rates from $79 onwards.

The Americana is a family-owned business which opened it's doors in 1963, and offers free shuttle service and free parking, along with complimentary wireless internet. And to top it off, you get a free continental breakfast with coffee, tea, milk & orange juice, 3 different types of cereal, donuts, pastries & muffins, croissants & bagels with cream cheese, and fresh fruits including apples, oranges & bananas.

In-room amenities include cable TV, iron & board, hairdryer, and a mini-refrigerator and work desk. Guest room options include a standard room with 1 bed, a standard double, standard King and standard Queen, and a Deluxe King. Rates vary from $79 for the standard with 1 bed to $99 for the King Deluxe and $119 for the standard double.

No doubt you'll be able to find better digs within walking distance of the White House, but the question is - Do you want to enjoy the luxuries and pleasures offered by Washington DC vacations, or by a Washington DC hotel room?

Info: 1400 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington VA 22202; (703) 979-3772; www.americanahotel.com/

Malibu has the nicest Motel in Los Angeles

When you look at the gated palatial mansions of the studio producers and Hollywood bigwigs lining the private Malibu beaches, you'd think it would be hard to find a place to stay in this area for around $119. You'd be wrong, because The Malibu Motel does.

The Malibu Motel, in it's own words, is "the coolest motel in one of the most beautiful places on earth." Think that's a whopper? Maybe... But you have to admit that Malibu is indeed one of the most beautiful places on earth - That's why the Hollywood billionares live here.

As for the motel itself, well, it's not the Roosevelt or the Beverly Hills Hotel, and you'd be hard pressed to find a star in any of the 18 rooms on offer, but still, it is one of coolest Los Angeles motels, which is not such a bad deal.

Especially when you consider the location, within walking distance to Malibu's excellent restaurants and shops, steps to the finest beaches and trails in the world.

The Malibu Motel offers 9 rooms with king beds and 9 more rooms with 2 queen beds. Each room has a private ocean view deck. Amenities offered include a pool, cable TV and HBO, internet access, refrigerators, comfortable beds with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and duvet covers. Room rates starting from $119.

Info: 22541 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu CA 90265; (310) 456 6169; www.themalibumotel.com/

Check out Ruby Montana's collection at the Coral Sands inn Palm Springs

Ruby Montana's quaint Coral Sands Inn is a throwback to the days when Palm Springs was known as the 'playland of the stars', and the homes of Liberace, Elvis, Peter Lawford, and the Kennedys were all part of the attractions of Palm Springs.

The Coral Sands Inn was built in 1952, and the shocking pink, the kidney-shaped pool and the distinct themed rooms with swaying palms and sweeping views of the mountains were all meant to reinforce this impression of 'Hollywood in the Desert.'

Doesn't mean that all the Palm Springs motels are as kitschy as the Coral Sands Inn. It was just a passing phase - garish, expensive and in-your-face, lead by the over-the-top antics of the King, and like it or not, that's the way it was, and the Coral Sands Inn seems to be stuck in the same time wrap even now.

And if you don't believe me, just consider the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Suite, the Liberace Room, the Yiddish Cowgirl Room, the infamous Poodle Room, and three more, each containing museum-quality vintage decorations from Montana’s private collection of western furniture, collectibles, folk art, and contemporary work by world-famous artists. Oh, and let's not forget Ruby Montana herself. And her Chihuahuas.

And this slightly odd, but unique, decor and furnishings only help the Coral Sands Inn stand apart as a go-to venue for getaways. It also helps that the hotel is located slam-bang in the middle of the best Palm Springs has to offer, including the local golf courses, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, many fine restaurants, great shopping, and antiquing to die for.

Rates from $110 to $189, depending on when and which suite you book. the Coral Sands Inn offers a choice fo 7 different suites. The $110 are the Queen bed suites without kitchens. For $189, you get a King suite with a fully equipped kitchen. And if you stay for 2 nights, you get the 3rd night free.

There's a lotta different ways to enjoy Palm Springs vacations, and if you want a taste of the way that Elvis used to enjoy his desert getaways, then no better person to show you than Ruby Montana.

Info: 210 West Stevens Palm Springs CA 922621; (866) 820-8302 or (760) 325-4900; www.coralsandspalmsprings.com/;

What's a Flatotel? It's a New York City Hotel

The Flatotel is just one of the many midtown Manhattan hotels. Only difference is that this one offers apartment sized rooms. Hence the name Flatotel. And you have more choice, to boot. Choose from amongst 11 guestrooms, 47 suites, 9 one and two bedroom suites and 5 tower suites featuring full size kitchens.

It's got a high-class New Yorkish feel to it, with upscale custom designed furniture, branded bath amenities, specialized dietary menus, state-of-the-art Sky gym, in room massage and spa services, both indoor and outdoor dining as well as private lounging and entertainment areas, valet parking, 24-hour concierge and room service, an in-house restaurant (Moda) which offers fancy Mediterranian cuisine and a lounge, and high-tech and very plush business and meeting facilities. Oh, and limo servioces to and from the airports.

And the in-room amenities at the Flatotel are stunning enough to shame the self-respecting owners of most New York motels into committing hara-kiri. The hotel offers oversized rooms with views of the Manhattan Skyline, with original, customized King, Queen, and Double beds with luxurious duvets and pillows and 320 thread count Egyptian linen.

Large flat screen TVs with full cable access, video on-demand with entertainment center with DVD players, mahogany wood blinds, in room safe and refrigerator, full turn down service and newspaper delivery to the room.

When you have all this within walking distance to Times Square and all the other famed New York attractions in the vicinity, it makes for a very luxurious experience. And of course, luxury and convinience don't come cheap. Especially not in the Big Apple. Rates at the Flatotel start from around $321.

But they do have a few nice package deals, including a 4th night free if you book in for 3 days.

Info: 135 W 52nd Street New York NY 10019; (212) 887-9400; www.flatotel.com/

Name the Motel on the beach in Del Mar

What's so special about the Del Mar Motel? Nothing much, except maybe that it's the only motel right on the beach in Del Mar, so you can step out of your room and on to the white sandiness of one of the most beautiful San Diego beaches, with the surf and the crashing waves of the Pacific awaiting you.

Oh, and around the corner from the hotel there's a few attractions, like say, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Race Track and Fairgrounds, and the village of Del Mar, with it's specialty boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Venture a few miles further, and you have the famed San Diego attractions like Sea World and the San Diego Zoo and the Gaslamp Quarter with the Ballpark and the Convention Center surrounded by all the swanky clubs and posh restaurants. Speaking of food, if you're staying at the Del Mar Motel, the oceanfront Poseidon Restaurant is right next door, where you can grab a quick bite or enjoy some gourmet delicacies.

They (the hotel) also offer you an oceanview sundeck, and a picnic and bbq area. And boogie boards, beach chairs and sand toys are available at the front desk. The 44 air-conditioned guestrooms are kitted out with refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons & ironing boards, and cable TV with HBO.

You get on-site parking, and cribs and rollaway beds are available on request. Guest room options include King bed with partial ocean views, 2 doubles with partial views, and full ocean view rooms.

Even though it's called the Del Mar Motel, the rates aren't really comparable to other San Diego motels. Rates here vary from $139 to $309, depending on season and choice of room. A King bed room with partial view in the winter costs $139, while an ocean view room in the summer costs $309.

Summer rates start on May 23th. Two night minimum stay required on weekends. Oh, and they have a few specials and packages going. If you stay 3 nights, you get the 4th night free (midweek).

Info: 1702 Coast Blvd Del Mar CA 92014; (800) 223-8449 or (858) 755-1534; www.delmarmotelonthebeach.com/

Gold-diggers seeking ElDorado Motor inn to Atlantic City

Really. The casinos of Vegas and AC are the modern equivalent of goldmines. It's where all the money, and the boom towns and the glamor and hot chicks are, and piss-poor gold-diggers come in from all over the map, and blow their life-savings, desperate to strike gold.

And of course, there's the Japanese tourist groups, who come in by the bus load from New York for weekend trips, wanting to soak in the whole 'experience' of Atlantic City vacations.

And the ElDorado Motor Inn is right there, waiting to house these sad-sacks, right next to the goldmines. The ElDorado sits adjacent to the Tropicana Casino, just a block away from the beach and the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and a short stroll down to the pier. Truth is, the motel isn't half-bad. It's pretty decent, actually, if you compare it to some of the other Atlantic City motels that peek out in between the big casinos.

The air-conditioned guestrooms with balconies and direct exterior access are equipped with refrigerators, cable TV and HBO, complimentary internet and free local calls, and private bathrooms with complimentary toileteries and a shower/tub combo. Iron & board and rollaway beds are available on request.

The ElDorado offers free parking, a 24-hour front desk and a microwave in the lobby. Standard rates from $51.99 onwards, for which you get all of the above plus 1 King bed in a room with a view of the casino and a partial view of the Atlantic ocean.

It's not that bad a deal, and if you get wiped out in the casinos, and want to go back to your little Jersey towns with the nice picture-postcard New Jersey beaches, then at least you won't regret blowing a big wad on an expensive hotel room.

Info: 2741 Pacific Ave Atlantic City NJ 08401; (609) 345-5956

Chill out on the Rooftop of the Essex inn Chicago

Unlike Los Angeles and New York, where every other hotel has a nifty rooftop pool, Chicago didn't really have many fab rooftop hang-outs. Well, maybe a few...Like the Essex Inn, which has a rooftop garden, swimming pool and a fitness center.

The massive pool looks more like an atrium or an Olympic competition tank, with the enclosure and the deck chairs and flags and all. The 1350 square foot fitness center, fully equipped with cardio machines, weight-training equipment, CrossTrainers, Lifecycles, treadmills and free-weights, is even more swanky with 6 TV sets. Like I said, the rooftop of the Essex Inn is a nice place to hangout in Chicago. View isn't bad either.

To make it even more of an attraction, the onsite restaurant - Savoy Bar & Grill - is a great place to just sit back and watch the activity in Grant Park across the street. Dining options include Greek, Mexican, and Italian specialties, as well as ribs, roast sirloin, and fried shrimp.

And considering all these facilities, the upscale guest rooms and suites and the perfect location on Michigan Avenue with a bunch of major tourist attractions in Chicago bunched around it, the rates, starting from $199, are pretty darn reasonable.

Of course, you could shave more than 100 dollars off that tab if you looked for some cheap Chicago motels to stay in, and then popped in to the Essex Inn to enjoy the other amenities.

But if this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, then the best way to enjoy your Chicago vacations would be to book in at the Essex Inn and let the luxury wash over you.

Info: 800 South Michigan Avenue Chicago IL 60605; (312) 939-2800; www.essexinn.com/

Deluxe Extended Stay Lodging in Washington DC

Sometimes, things in the Betway don't get done so quickly, and in such cases, you might find yourself stuck on extended Washington DC vacations. But you can't just waltz into the few remaining Washington DC motels - you're going to need to maintain a certain standard. This is where the deluxe all-suite digs of Extended America come in real handy.

Take, for instance, the Extended Stay Deluxe Washington, D.C. - Fairfax. There's two of them in Fairfax, actually - we're talking about the one on 3997 Fair Ridge Drive. Offers studios with rates from $64.99 onwards. You get fully-equipped kitchens and plenty of work and leisure space, with separate sleeping, living and working areas.

The kitchen comes equipped with a full size refrigerator/freezer, microwave, stovetop, coffee/tea maker, dishwasher, and dining and cooking utensils. And if that's not enough, you get housekeeping and they also serve compliementary coffee and a continental breakfast.

The 93 suites also offer wireless internet (one time fee of $4.99 per stay), cable TV, iron & board, hair dryer, sofa bed, on-site guest laundry, 24-hour front desk, air-conditioned public areas, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness facility.

And the location offers easy access to public transport, with all the major tourist attractions in Washington DC in between 15-20 miles off. Dulles International Airport is about 20 minutes away.

Info: 3997 Fair Ridge Dr Fairfax VA 22033; (703) 359-5000; website

American Idols found in Bevonshire Lodge Motel in LA

Well, actually, it's wannabe American Idols that are to found in the Bevonshire Lodge Motel on Beverly Blvd., because it's cheap. Course, there's no shortage of cheap Los Angeles motels, but this one is close to CBS Television City where the show is taped.

It's not exactly a hip location to hang out at, but if you're visiting CBS Studios, then you could do a lot worse. Believe me. There's n number of places in the Fairfax District, and especially around the Groove and CBS Studios which are filled with transients and wannabe Hollywood stars who actually do all kinds of weird stuff.

But the Bevonshire Lodge isn't like that, and besides, it has a neat pool in the courtyard, surrounded by the rooms and stairwells. If you're a bit athletic, you could easily jump off the first floor balcony straight into the pool.

The air conditioned guest rooms start at $60 per night for a standard room with a King bed, and $65 for a double, and $85 for a family room which sleeps 5 people. In addition to the heated outdoor pool, you also get free external parking, safe deposit boxes, cable TV and complimentary coffee in the lobby.

If you're a tourist looking to enjoy your Los Angeles vacations, they'll help you out with your tour arrangements and offer car rental discounts. Which you're going to need, because when you're in Los Angeles, you're going to need either a tour bus or a car - trust me.

It's 10 miles to the wonderful Los Angeles beaches and the Santa Monica Pier, and if you don't have some form of hop-in hop-out transport to see all the tourist attractions in Los Angeles, you're going to need a new pair of legs in a couple of days.

Info: 7575 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles CA 90036; (323) 936-6154; www.bevonshire.com/

Take the Metro to the Motel in New York

Actually it's called the Subway in New York, but that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about the Metro Motel in Queens, New York. It's an ideal and effective cost-saver if you're a visitor enjoying New York vacations - the motel is just 10-15 minutes off Manhattan, and the advantages of relatively cheap facilities in Queens.

The Metro Motel offers 120 rooms ideal for both families and business travelers. You don't have a view of the famed New York attractions like the Empire State Building like you do with other New York motels that are actually located in Manhattan. But you do get close proximity to New York landmarks like the Queens Shopping Center, Flushing Meadows (where the U.S. Open Tennis tournament is played) and Shea Stadium.

You also get to enjoy the delightful ethnic and cultural smells and sounds and sights of Queens, which is a melting pot for the latest wave of immigrants. You'll find Bollywood songs being played on street-front stores and the exotic smell of spices mixing with the sights of jewlry stores and saree mannequins in display windows. Chinatown is nearby and cheap Asian food is available a-plenty. It's all part of the New York experience.

You get free parking (10 minutes from Manhattan and La Guardia - that's got to be worth a fortune...) and a choice of a standard room or a Jacuzzi suite. Large beds, lots of glass, which makes the place look bigger than it actually is. The color schemes are a bit heavy, but overall, it's a decent enough place. You have free parking, proximity to the airport and Manhattan and easy accesibility to public transport, a nice bed and private shower. You could do a lot worse for $88 per night in the Big Apple.

Info: 7300 Queens Blvd and 73rd St Flushing NY 11377; (718) 457-5000; www.metromotel.com/

Villa Rosa spawns intimacy inn Palm Springs

The Villa Rosa Inn, located just off East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, CA, has intimacy stamped all over it. For starters, unlike any Palm Springs motels or hotels in the same price range ($79-$149), this secluded property offers just 6 guest rooms and suites.

The limited rooms, the idyllic setting, the sweeping views of the mountains towering above tall swaying palms and the heavy shrubbery which ring the grounds, the heated outdoor pool with deck chairs and poolside dining, the brilliant weather - it all adds up to very, very intimate getaway Palm Springs vacations.

To top it off, they offer you a complimentary breakfast poolside. You can spend the day relaxing, taking dips, enjoying a good book and watching the birds hum and twitter in the shrubs. You can set out on excursions to check out the Palm Springs attractions, play some golf, and do some shopping. Evenings are made even more romantic by the fine restaurants of the Coachella Valley.

All the guest rooms and suites have poolside views, and are equipped with King or queen sized beds, remote control color TV, refrigerators, phones, quality linens, bath & pool towels, and morning paper. Fully appointed kitchens are also available.

You have a choice between a guest room with King bed, another one with the King bed and a private patio, a studio with a King bed and full kitchen, a Junior Suite with a Queen bed and full kitchen, and two 1-Bedroom Suites with King bed, full kitchen and a private patio. The rates vary based on season and preference of guest room/suite.

A 2-night minimum stay (3-nights for holidays) is required.

Info: 1577 South Indian Trail Palm Springs CA 92264; (760) 327-5915; Reservations: (800) 457-7605; www.villarosainn.com/

Mission possible at Bay Motel

The Mission Bay Motel in the heart of Pacific Beach makes it possible to enjoy San Diego vacations without spending a lot. The motel is located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, with one of the most popular San Diego beaches and the boardwalk stretching for 2 miles right in front of the motel.

You can just pretend to be a beach bum, and spend all your time lazing on the beach, or you cna take a walk or bike ride along the board walk. Evenings you can spend in the nearby bars or go to the Gaslamp Quarter, take in a ball game, get drunk and raise cain.

Also near the motel is the Mission Bay Park, in case you're the outdoorsy type who enjoys wtaer sports. Of course, you also have Sea World and Belmont Park in Mission Bay.

The Mission Bay Motel offers 50 guest rooms, with a choice of single, double and triple beds, or a pseudo-suite with double beds and a kitchenette. The kitchenette has a 2 burner electric stove, sink and small refrigerator, along with dishes, utensils and pots & pans.

Spring rates vary from $89 to $119, depending on your prefernce of rooms. You get free parking (1 vehicle per room) and all rooms come with showers, phones, and Cable TV. $5 extra for teens, and children below age 12 stay free, as long as they accompanied by a paying adult.

All said and done, the Mission Bay Motel can be said to be a fine specimen, amongst San Diego motels. Sure, you don't get room service at 2 am, but it's well maintained, has no 'bad elements', and if you're getting a room for the entire family at around $100 with the Pacific Ocean and the beach in front of your eyes, I guess I'd be willing to forego the room service, the uniformed staff and the shiny brass doorknobs.

Info: 4221 Mission Blvd San Diego CA 92109; (619) 231-5701; Reservations: 1-866-649-5828; www.missionbaymotel.com/