Eloise at the Plaza

The Plaza re-opened last year after a massive three year renovation. The Pierre, likewise, re-opened earlier this year after a $100 million renovation. In a funny co-incidence, both iconic New York hotels first opened their doors on Oct 1. The Plaza opened on Oct 1, 1907 and The Pierre on Oct 1 , 1930.

Here’s the AAA’s full list of 2010 Five Diamond Lodgings. The list now also features the Mandarin Oriental in Boston; Encantado - An Auberge Resort in Sante Fe, N.M.; and The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. Florida and Nevada each scored 3 more properties on the list.

Speaking of Eloise, she now has a second home in the Big Apple – the New York Public Libary. The Library  ‘acquired’ a colored-pencil sketch of the Eloise painting that hangs in The Plaza. They got the sketch as part of a donation which included the personal papers of  novelist E. Annie Proulx and Hilary Knight, who drew Eloise for the Kay Thompson books.

No word yet on whether Eloise will be joined at the Public Library by her nanny, her pug Weenie, and Skipperdee – her turtle.

Photo of Eloise at the Plaza painting by susansimon.

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San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

One of the best places to stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is Condado Beach–with easy access to dining, shopping, nightlife, beach lounging and the historical area of Old San Juan. And smack in the middle of Condado Beach is the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, a great choice for families or couples to base their San Juan explorations. The hotel now helps guests share their vacation experience with pals back home with free YouTube postcards.

The hotel’s YouTube Concierge offers guests a chance to star in a 30-second video postcard, which is then uploaded to YouTube for you to share with friends and family back home. The free service allows you to avoid worrying about buying postcards or stamps, or whether to bring the camera down to the pool or beach. Take a look at the video we shot poolside on our last day.

San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 787-722-7000

1309 Ashford Ave., San Juan 00907 Puerto Rico

Disclosure: My trip was sponsored by the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, however the opinions are my own, and there was no promise of type of coverage.

Photo credit: San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Related post:

Puerto Rico Hotel Review: San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino

Loews Madison Hotel Lobby

Loews Madison Hotel, the official hotel partner for the National Geographic Museum, is offering guests an inside look at this ancient culture with their “National Geographic Museum Terra Cotta Warriors” package. The package includes:

Terra Cotta Warriors

• One-night deluxe accommodations
• Two premium “any-day, any-time” tickets to “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” at the National Geographic Museum, located just two blocks from the hotel
• A 20 percent discount coupon for purchases in the National Geographic Store

The 353-room Loews Madison, at the corner of 15th and M Streets, just off Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Washington, D.C., is perfectly located for exploring the National Geographic Museum, The White House, Embassy Row and National Mall monuments. Having hosted countless heads of state, international business leaders as well as some of Washington’s most notable figures, the staff of the hotel specializes in personalized service.

Loews Madison guest room

The “National Geographic Terra Cotta Warriors” package starts at $149 per room, per night. The rate is subject to availability and change and does not include tax. For information about the Loews Madison Hotel, or to reserve a room, call (800) 424-8577 or book on-line at www.loewshotels.com.

Photo credits: Hotel Lobby and room; Terra Cotta Warriors

Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

If you happen to be in town for Thanksgiving at the beginning or end of your vacation, there are some fabulous hotel restaurants catering to your Turkey Dinner needs. If you’re an “all-you-can-eat” kind of family, below is a list of the Top 5 tastiest-looking Thanksgiving Day buffet menus in the Orlando resort area.

Thanksgiving Dinner Buffets for 2009

Capriccio Grill™ – Peabody Orlando on International Drive
One of the priciest buffets in town at one of the nicest hotels, the Peabody is doing it up fancy-like for Turkey dinner. The nicest of nice foods (most of which I cannot pronounce) include Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage, Pecorino & Beurre Noisette, Apple Cider Baked Smoked Ham & Grain Mustard, and Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes.
Adults $59.50; Kids (6-12) $25 (under 6 is free)

Orlando Thanksgiving Day Buffet – Celebration Hotel in Celebration
Adjacent to Walt Disney World, Celebration, FL, has the charm and ambiance of an old-time neighborhood and city-center with all of the new-world features. The Celebration Hotel is offering a “Florida-style” Thanksgiving buffet featuring Honey Cornbread Stuffing, Granny Smith Apple-Vegetable Turkey with Giblet Gravy, and New Orleans Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce.
Adults $49.95; Kids (3-12) $19.99 (under 3 is free)

Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet – Caribe Royale on World Center Drive
Spend your Thanksgiving dinner in the company of a live Jazz Trio while dining on Shrimp & Crab Cocktail with Remoulade Sauce, Cream of Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup, Tender Roasted Tom Turkey, and a “lavish display of desserts.”
Adults – $39; Kids (3-9) – $15 (under 3 is free)

Garden Grove – Swan and Dolphin Hotel at Walt Disney World
With traditional Thanksgiving dinner fare, the Garden Grove’s buffet includes a turkey and ham carving station, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean almandine and a special kids-only offering.
Adults – $34.95; Kids (3-9) – $15.95 (under 3 is free)

Holiday Grand Buffet – Rosen Plaza on International Drive
Mixing traditional American Thanksgiving dinner accutrements with modern dishes, the Rosen Plaza has planned a tremendous spread including Roast Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus, Traditional Roast Turkey carved tableside, Pilgrims Loaded Mashed Potatoes, and Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Adults $31.95 ; Kids (4-12) $15.95 (under 4 is free)

I’m pretty much considering telling my grandma I’ll be a day late to our family Thanksgiving dinner.

photo credit: A Lynch

Michael Jackson at White House & Gary Mayor Rudy Clay in front of Jackson home

Michael Jackson was born on Aug 20, 1958 in Gary, and the family lived at their home on 2300 Jackson St until 1971, at which time they moved to Los Angeles to further the musical career of the Jackson 5 group.

Joe Jackson – Michael Jackson’s father, accompanied by Rudy Clay – Mayor of the town of Gary, IN – was in Las Vegas late last month, meeting with investors and partners for the hotel and museum project, according to a statement by Brendan Theater Corp. 

The town of Gary is in a race with Las Vegas and Santa Barbara in a bid to be labeled as Michael Jackson’s Graceland (or Neverland…). Gary is his place of birth and upbringing, Santa Barbara has Neverland – which is where MJ would have spent all his time, if it was up to him, and Sin City was his last home and one of the places he liked the most. 

In fact, before he died, Michael Jackson apparently had plans to build a 50-ft tall Transformer-meets-MJ-lookalike Robot  moving around at the entrance of a hotel and casino to be built in the Nevada Desert. It would have been the last word in extravagance for Las Vegas hotels  in a town famed for its shocking extravagance.

A robotic hotel doesn’t seem very likely now, but Vegas-based Colony Capital – which owns Neverland, has indicated that it might ship Neverland, piece by piece, to Las Vegas. A Michael Jackson themed hotel/casino in Vegas would most likely be housed inside a replica of the Neverland Ranch.

Michael Jackson White House photo -public domain; Jackson home in Gary photo by jessicareeder; Rudy Clay photo by ChicagoGeek

Ashford Castle

When you think about the movie Back To The Future, you probably don’t think of Ireland.  If you’re a movie buff, you probably think of Hill Valley, California.

But two hotels in Ireland are hoping to change all that with the launch of their Back To The Future promotion.  Despite the location not having any ties to the movie, Ashford Castle and The g Hotel in Galway, Ireland are giving guests a chance to experience two distinct eras of the country’s past.

Ashford Castle is an actual castle.  The castle itself dates back to 1228 and was once the estate of the Guinness family.  It officially became a hotel in 1939 and is set on 350 acres in County Mayo, on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong.  The setting is beyond gorgeous.  Ashford Castle officially represents the past or “Back” portion of the promotion.

The g Hotel Galway

The g Hotel Galway is as modern as Ashford Castle is historical. Located in the heart of Galway in western Ireland, it’s one of Ireland’s top five-star city hotels.  The interiors are splashed with bright colors like fuchsia and royal blue.  Amenities include the contemporary ESPA and MATZ at the g restaurant, three individually-styled lounges and a cocktail bar.  Everything about The g Hotel screams Hip Big City Life.  Welcome to “the Future”.

As part of the Back To The Future vacation package, guests receive two nights at each hotel and a full Irish breakfast each morning.  You can take your nights in any order.

The package is priced at $888, a nod to the 88 miles per hour required for the DeLorean to drive through time.

Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

The L³ package (Laptops, Lounging and Libations) includes an extended one-night stay  at the hotel on Nov 27, 2009. You get to spend Friday tucked away inside the hotel’s spectacular L³ online shopping lounge in the private 15th-floor Living Room.

The lounge offers great views of Charlotte, plus complimentary holiday beverages including cocktails and champagne, light dining fare, high-speed Internet access and complimentary hand and wrist massages beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov 27 and continuing until 7 p.m. that same evening.

Guests booking the package can actually check into their rooms as early as 11:59 p.m. on Nov 26, Thursday night, and check out as late as noon on Saturday, Nov 28, allowing for a one-night hotel package stay (Friday) that in fact extends nearly two nights in duration.

Bring your own laptop.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is the first luxury 5-star hotel in Charlotte. It is also the first LEED certified green hotel in Charlotte and also the first Ritz to be certified LEED Gold. The 146-room, 18 story hotel has been newly built in Charlotte’s Uptown, and opened last month on Oct 1, 2009.

Info: 201 East Trade Street Charlotte NC 28202; (704) 547-2244; website

Photo courtesy Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts

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Guests are greeted at the Phulay Bay Hotel Pavilion

What could be a more perfect combination than the luxurious attention of the Ritz Carlton, combined with the remote beauty and tranquility of Southern Thailand?

For some of us, absolutely nothing, which is why we’re so excited by the news that the Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton Reserve is opening in Krabi, Southern Thailand on December 22, 2009.

Beach + palm trees + sunset = perfect

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a new extension of the brand — in fact, Phulay Bay is the very first one. The idea is to offer that amazing service they’re so well known for, in secluded, one-of-a-kind environments. In other words, there are people who love out of the way places but don’t have any interest in sleeping in a rickety shack.

Phulay Bay sounds amazing. The property is a mix of villas and boutique hotel rooms, with incredible beaches, views of limestone karsts, waterfalls — views, views, views! It also sounds like the Ritz is going to great lengths to incorporate local culture, working with famed Thai architect Lek Bunnag.

Relax outdoors at the gorgeous spa

Guests can tailor the experience to make it entirely personal, from food to excursions to relaxing on the beach. Oh, and did I mention the spa? Sigh. Can you imagine a better way to spend New Year’s Eve or another special occasion?

Maybe I’ll look for some good Thai food while I’m in snowy Boston for New Year’s and plan a beach vacation for next year!

Madonna Inn

I asked a friend recently to tell me about their most memorable hotel experience.   “The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California,” he said without hesitation.  “They have caveman rooms!”

As it turns out, the Madonna Inn offers a variety of themed suites to fulfill just about every vacation fantasy.  Inspiration for the 110 themed suites ranges from merry-go-rounds to Yosemite National Park’s Bridal Veil Falls.  Sixteen of these suites include a unique “rock shower” and fourteen include in-room waterfalls!

Peeking out of a rock shower at the Madonna Inn

According to the Madonna Inn’s web site, most of the rock used to make these extraordinary amenities were taken from the 2,200 acres on which the Inn sits.  The owners took special care to use local materials and artisans whenever possible to create this unique hotel.

Room rates start out at $179 per night, but you’ll have to pay at least $209 for a rock shower in the Love Birds suite.  Waterfalls start out at $219 per night for the Rocky Mountain suite.

In addition to unusually themed rooms, Madonna Inn offers an on-site celestial Day Spa, fine dining, shopping, and “the largest convention center on the Central Coast”.  This sounds like it would be a fun place to host a wedding!

Photo credit (and Madonna Inn hat tip): Adam Avitable

John Lennon & Yoko Ono Bed-In for Peace

 John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s famous Honeymoon Bed-In for Peace in Suite 1742 at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal in May 1969. Their pajama protest against the Vietnam War has since turned into a defining moment in history.

In 1945, the UN Charter was drafted in the Garden Room at The Fairmont San Francisco and signed by fifty countries.

The young Rose Fitzgerald, future wife of Joseph Patrick Kennedy and mother of America’s 35th president John F. Kennedy, made her social debut in 1912 at The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston.

The Northern Ireland peace talks at the Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland in 2006 led to the St Andrews Agreement, the cornerstone to peace in Ulster today.

Relations between China and France were restored in 1964 at the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai.

The idea of a European Union was first broached at The Savoy in London in March 1943, by the finance and foreign affairs ministers of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The Savoy in London also hosted the first meeting of The Other Club, a private dining club founded by Sir Winston Churchill.

Fairmont wants you to hold your meetings and functions with them, and offers the tantalizing dream that one day – your meeting or wedding may also be a part of the history books.

And to convince you of the power of your meetings, Fairmont asks you to imagine what if… The UN Charter hadn’t been drafted in San Francisco, and Rose & Joseph Kennedy had never met, and all these other meetings had never taken place.

If the UN charter hadn’t been signed, there would have been much less traffic congestion in New York. And probably a couple more World Wars in between then and now. If John Lennon and Yoko Ono hadn’t staged their Bed-in, then the Beatles wouldn’t have broken up.

For more details about Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ meeting offerings, visit www.fairmontmeetings.com.

Bed-in photo by _ª’s