Sure, Mammoth Mountain (800-626-6684) is making improvements to the table-top jumps at its already awesome terrain parks, but the really big air this season is at Mammoth Yosemite Airport. That’s where, starting Dec. 18, daily flights from Los Angeles International Airport will arrive, marking the first time in 13 years that the Eastern Sierra resort will have air service. The 65-minute flights will leave the airport every afternoon until mid-April and start at $198. Now that ain’t bad, if you ask me!

The big news at Taos Ski Valley (866-968-7386) in New Mexico — besides a new double-black diamond glade called North American — is the addition of, (collective applause please), snowboarders. They were first allowed on the New Mexico area’s slopes last spring, and the, no Virginia, the apocalypse did not follow. That only leaves three holdouts in the United States: Deer Valley and Alta in Utah and Mad River Glen in Vermont.

In 2006, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming (307-733-2292) took its aging tram offline. This winter, the free skier’s favorite hill will return to top form when a shiny replacement tram starts its engine on Dec. 20. Each red car can carry 100 people to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain and its legendary black diamond terrain in about nine minutes.

Tags: Mammoth Mountain, Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, Deer Valley, Alta, Utah, Mad River Glen

For as many years as I have watched I have seen an equal amount of variable temperatures (often hovering around the low 40s), crowds escalating in size, and performances and floats become more and more magical. What I never quite knew though is who those people were that were shown by camera watching through their windows and just where they were watching from. Turns out many of them were in their hotel rooms. These rooms though are valuable and often have very strict rules and policies about their use.

Tips for Booking Parade View Hotel Rooms

• Call the hotel directly — these rooms are carefully guarded and often available only through the hotel’s in-house reservation or sales department…not online, unfortunately
• Most of the prime rooms are booked now for next years parade
• Many hotels have strict limits on occupancy — ask about the restrictions when making your reservation and before inviting your extended family to enjoy your room with you
• Some hotels have no such requirement, others have 2 or 3 night minimums. Be sure to ask
• Be sure when to ask about cancellation/refund policies, as many hotels require guests to pay in full at the time of reservation with no chance of cancellation
• Aim for a mid-level room (floors 7-15, in this area of NYC) as you can see the balloons well without seeing ant people dancing below

If I were booking a room I would suggest:

Comfort Inn Central Park West
31 West 71st St.
New York, NY, 10023
Phone: (212) 721-4770
Fax: (212) 579-8544

Crowne Plaza Manhattan
1605 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-977-4000; 800-243-6969
Fax: 212-333-7393

Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square-New York City
1568 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-719-1600
Fax: 212-921-5212

New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-398-1900; 1-800-843-4898
Fax: 212-704-8930

Tags: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Miracle on 34th Street, Rockettes, Comfort Inn Central Park West, Crowne Plaza Manhattan, Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square-New York City, New York Marriott Marquis

• Bath Products - Yes, I do facial masks. I also condition my hair. And on occasion I use smelly soaps. So, I love free bath products. I prefer Crabtree & Evelyn but I will settle for others. I am obviously not the only one as you can see by Jennifer Miner’s article.
• Meals - This typically means breakfast. But I am not up for any old stale doughnut, dry cereal deal. I want something substantial that is hot and “sticks to my ribs.”
• Gym or Workout Facility - I have lost a significant amount of weight in the last year and I would like to keep it off. Everyone knows that travel equals eating so keeping fit is important. It must be convenient, free, and clean.
• Wine and Cheese House - Typically reserved for bed and breakfast settings, some of the nicer, corporate hotels have taken to either hosting wine and cheese hours or giving out drink coupons to their special guests. It is a great way to loosen up guests and to show appreciation.
• Airport shuttle - Seriously. Do I need to say anything else? Oh, and please handle my bags with more care than the airline will.
• WiFi - This MUST be in my room, cannot incur a ridiculous daily fee and must have some speed to it. I don’t consider this an option anymore. An option would be a networked printer where your printoffs would be ready at the front desk for you to pick up. Wow. Could you imagine?
• Coffee - This is a tough request because every hotel does it but few do it with class and taste. Note to hoteliers…ask someone other than the local coffee salesman what a good brew is. Oh, and don’t be stingy with the cream and sugars.
• Cable - I say cable but I mean DirectTV or satellite. If I can’t watch my beloved Bravo or ESPN2, I don’t consider it a perk. News on five channels is not so entertaining and I will likely go to a sports bar to see a game if my hotel can’t offer it. Oh, and did I mention I spend a fair amount of money whilst watching games?

Tags: Crabtree & Evelyn, bed and breakfast, DirectTV, Bravo, ESPN2

A) Invited us along

B) Refrained from any sort of sexual activity or expression (or even implied) outside of your guest room

It seems that this has become enough of an issue that the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel, located next to the Burj Al-Arab, has issued etiquette guides to hotel guests urging them to hold back their sexual urges while in public. The etiquette guides, which suggest the hotel’s guests could be arrested for inappropriate public displays, are left on tables during the weekly brunch event at the hotel. Guests are strongly suggested to “employ discretion” in expressing affection publicly, says the hotel, with “anything more than a peck on the cheek” likely to result in police involvement.

The guides were issued after two Brits were arrested for having sex on the beach near the hotel after one of the hotel’s long, and alcohol saturated brunches. The promiscuous pair received a three month jail sentence, were fined £200 for drunkenness and deported from Dubai after their release.

The Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC, a place that has seen many elections and candidates come and go over the years, is getting in the spirit of the 2008 election inauguration with a special ‘Road to the White House’ hotel package.

This historic Washington DC luxury hotel has designed a suite retreat for fans and supporters of Obama—a little haven to show solidarity whether the preference be Chicago in the midst of Washington DC, literally on the Road to the White House. For those in the election frame of mind, the hotel’s ‘Road to the White House’ election package includes a luxurious suite; a historic inaugural menu dinner in Café Promenade-designed with reproductions of dishes from the legendary menus of inaugural meals of the past; historic Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour and a signature glass DC monument replica. This special Washington DC hotel package is priced at $329 per night.

Whether in Suite 776 where FDR penned the famous line, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” or in room 351, where WWII spy and saboteur George Dasch exposed a plot to destroy US power plants and factories; or in the ballrooms and grand hallways where the political and social elite still walk today, The Mayflower itself is an important part of Americana. A walking- tour brochure is available to guests of this historic luxury hotel for them to create their own walking tour of the historic site. An exhibition of artifacts from days gone by is on display on the Mezzanine level. With the nation entering a new phase, celebrating the 2008 presidential inaugural at The Renaissance Mayflower Hotel will be a memory of historic proportions.

The Mayflower, a Renaissance Hotel, is located at 1127 Connecticut Ave., NW, in Washington, D.C. For more information on this 2008 presidential election hotel special or for hotel reservations, call 202 347 3000 or visit renaissancemayflower.com.

Tags: Barack Obama, 44th President, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 2008 election, Café Promenade, FDR, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself

Hotels are supposed to be non-partisan, but this year, all Chicago hotels in the Grant Park area will probably be rooting for Obama. After all, he’s the reason there is expected to be 100 percent occupancy tonight.

Since Obama announced his election night rally would be located in Chicago’s Grant Park, Chicago’s Mayor said the city is expecting over 1 million people to come to the park. So far that number has not been far off. Many “boomers” are bringing along their families hoping to provide a memory much like those who witnessed the win by JFK a few decades ago. Hotels surrounding the park, like the Essex Inn are 100 percent booked.

Not only can you review New York, Paris, Barcelona, and London but as of today you can also review Dubai and LA. Be sure to sign up for the hotels you like (Dubai, especially, is limited) and LA is just such a hotspot. Let me know your thoughts and any cities you would like to see in the future. Our next launch will hopefully be Dec. 1.

Marilyn Manson conjures up celebrity spirits at The Roosevelt tonight, where he will be hosting to lingering ghosts like Marilyn Monroe, whose spirit is said to still haunt the hotel. DJs include Mix Master Mike from the Beastie Boys, Danny Masterson, Andy Caldwell, The Sounds, Twiggy of Marilyn Manson and more. 21 and over; call to reserve VIP seating. More info at homemadela.com. Tickets range from $60 to $100.

If you aren’t familiar with the legacy of the Roosevelt, this 12 story luxury hotel for the rich and famous, the biggest and brightest stars, was financed by Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, and had its grand opening in 1927. A ballroom, called The Blossom Room was the location of the first and second Academy award banquets. The hotel had everything, including a large pool, large banquet rooms, a penthouse library, luxury suites, and an elegant decorum. The guests walk into a two story lobby, decorated in a rich Spanish style, featuring hand-painted wooden beams.

In 1984, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel underwent a 12 million dollar restoration, renovation face lift to restore it to its “original glory.” Afterwards, ghosts started to become very active in the grand old hotel, ready to move back in with the eager living, who wish to experience elegance and history.

Packages are available that include an overnight stay in one of the many staterooms. Packages includes accommodations, meals, a souvenir t-shirt and entrance into all the Halloween festivities.  The scary production runs through November 1st! Don’t miss out on the creepiness that is the Queen Mary Shipwreck Terror event.