Nov 3, 2009 by Jennifer Bernstein - comment
We scope out the wine baths, pet psychics, caviar facials, gourmet cooking classes, revolving rooms, and other extravagant extras that will push your vacation over the top.
Getting something permanently drawn onto your body should not be a decision made quickly. So maybe a long weekend getaway with friends isn’t the best time to sit down under the needle. That giant sun wrapped in barbwire to commemorate your trip to Florida might not seem so awesome once back home in Wisconsin.
Then again, vacations are known to motivate, and friends can be pretty convincing. And what more inspirational setting then ink-clad, super-hip Venice Beach, California? And what better excuse then a hotel offering a “Ink and Stay” hotel package?
Known as the Algonquin Round Table, some of the most influential literary minds of our time met at the Algonquin Hotel to share stories, opinions and meals, thus shaping the American literary landscape. Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and Robert E Sherwood were among the regulars (and founders) of the group that called this chic hotel home.
Ideally located in midtown Manhattan, steps from Times Square, theaters, and shopping, the Algonquin Hotel continues to be a classic choice when staying in the city. And now, if you left your favorite book at home or (even worse) on the plane, they have you covered. Staying true to it’s rich literary heritage, and commitment to stay cutting edge, Kindles are offered to all guests loaded with your favorite reads, for you to use during your stay.
Suddenly loosing your book sounds kind of cool. We think Dorothy Parker would approve.
With honeybees rapidly disappearing in the U.S. over the last couple years, one hotel is stepping in to save black and yellow buzzers and the sweet golden nectar they provide. The Fairmont Washington D.C. recently let 105,000 honeybees check in to three new hives on the hotel’s roof. The 300 pounds of honey that the bees are expected to yield within the first year will be used in soups, salad dressings, pastries, ice cream and other delectable creations in the hotel’s Juniper restaurant.
Of course, this begs the question: Will guests want to stay in a hotel that is also home to over 100,000 bees? Would you?
Yes, you read it right: To commemorate Woodstock’s 40th anniversary, San Diego’s Hard Rock Hotel is giving away free pot brownies to all guests checking in from August 14-16. The brownies, served à la mode, will come straight from the hotel’s cafe, Maryjane’s.
So…wait, what?
Visiting and getting around a new city is never easy–but biking is fun, great exercise, and offers fantastic views of any new place. We’ve previously covered the trend of hotels offering loaner bikes for guests, and it looks like the amenity is continuing to spread like wildfire. As of this spring, Fairmont Hotels across Canada have introduced state-of-the-art BMW Cruise Bikes as the newest benefit for guests. At the Fairmont Château Whistler, guests can explore mountainside bike paths, while guests at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth can expore the avenues of Montreal before stopping for a coffe at a cafe. The BMW bikes are great for both busy urban streets and scenic wooded trails, and the sleek frames will have you looking hip. Other original features include an integrated brake routing system that enables you to stop on a dime—a nice comfort factor for infrequent riders! The 24-speed bikes come in red and pearl white, and they retail for $1,190, so taking one for a spin is definitely a steal. Bonus: In addition to offering a selection of BMW Cruise Bikes, each hotel will have a variety of child-size BMW bikes on hand, allowing families to take in the sights together.
Hotel Saint Cecilia (named after the patron saint of music and poetry) is a great boutique hotel that opened last year in Austin’s South Congress District. Among its offerings are mini bars that Cecilia herself would see fit to rename with a decidedly more grandiose adjective. If Warhol, poetry, and legendary furniture design features give you a craving for elegant eats, head back to your suite, bungelow, or studio and, with mother-of-pearl or olive wood utensils in hand, dine in-room on global gourmet treats. Tucked inside the minibar are handmade chocolates, shortbread cookies, olive oil crackers, and, on the more opulent end, red lumpfish caviar, a variety of cheeses, duck rillette, salami, and bison jerky. Wash it down with a fine Pinot Grigio or Rioja, and nurse that possible hangover later with kombucha, or a Victorian lemonade.
While dining in the tub may seem a bit over the top, a custom-drawn soak is the perfect antidote to several hours crammed in an airplane seat. If you’re Barbados-bound and staying at legendary Sandy Lane – a five-star hideaway favored by celebs and international jet-set for its classic elegance and perks aplenty – you can now request your very own luxury bath to await you upon arrival. Day One: Kick off your vacation with Jet Lag Revitalizer, an aromatherapy bath that revives your mind, body and soul with a mix of eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint. Read the rest of this post »
Here’s something you don’t see everyday in the more-is-more amenity world: As part of a limited-time offer, the Rancho Bernardo Inn, an upscale golf resort in San Diego, is letting guests sacrifice amenities in exchange for a discounted room rate. Pretty novel, right? Called the Survivor package, the offer includes deluxe accommodations and breakfast for two and starts at $219. And from there? Forgo the honor bar (BYOB) and the price drops to $179. Loose the sheets (BYO…S) and it plunges to $109. Willing to brave SoCal’s summer heat sans A/C? You’re looking at $159.
Want to know the very lowest you can go? (It’s sort of shocking).
On a recent trip to Argentina, I stayed a night at the lovely Sofitel Buenos Aires. It’s on a quiet, leafy street that’s lined with galleries and antique shops. It provides all the comforts (and great food) that one expects of this luxury French brand but with a distinct sense of place (the landmarked building was the city’s first skyscraper when it was built in 1929 and the handsome rooms are trimmed in biker bar-levels of Argentine leather). The elegant cafe–Cafe Arroyo–off the lobby was modeled after Buenos Aires’ distinguished jockey clubs of the early 1900s. Here, guests can find a singular amenity.
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We’re crazy about our pets–and the White House is too. But just because Bo is getting all the special attention doesn’t mean that your pooch can’t be treated the same as “First Dog.” We’ve found some unique hotels and packages that cater to man’s best friend—with some interesting amenities to boot (or would that be to paw?)
Each guestroom at The Resort at the Mountain, in Mt. Hood, Oregon comes stocked with freshly baked homemade dog treats, dog dish, bottled water, and a dog-friendly hiking trail map, making your pet feel like White House royalty. Pampering your pooch doesn’t end there—the “First Dog” package includes a $30 credit towards a Canine Cuisine entrée from the in-room dining menu.
