Lydia, the ghost of a 19th century bride-to-be, seems to be making the Inn her permanent residence, but doesn’t mind sharing the newly remodeled grounds with out-of-towners. Talk to many of the staff, and even some guests, and learn about odd occurrences that are said to be linked to Lydia’s mischief. 

If wayward spirits aren’t really a draw, the Inn by the Sea offers a number of attractive vacation packages, from pet friendly to family vacation ideas. Book in October and enter the Inn’s pumpkin carving contest (October 1-31st). Let Lydia inspire you and get creative. The winner of the contest will have their expenses credited back to them!

It just did. 

The Fairmont Chicago will actually bring the spa to your room. Included in it’s in-room dining services, the hotel offers the Serenity Bath. Order one and a bath sommelier comes and sets up a relaxing atmosphere for you. They’ll draw your bath, adding soothing aromatherapy oils. They’ll also set up neck pillows and loofahs, a fruit plate and bottled water, a variety of soaps and lotions, and leave a CD player with an assortment of relaxing music.

Add this to the already tantilizing array of gourmet dining options from the hotel’s in-room dining menu with signature dishes like pan-fried crab cakes with tomato-herb chipotle aioli, or roasted halibut and suddenly seeing all that Chicago has to offer from the view of your posh suite doesn’t seem so bad.

Order up a Valhrona chocolate lemon tart for a post aroma bath treat, indulge, repeat.

But, as the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So while staying at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach why not surprise your kids with a pillow fight! Enjoy this lively turndown service that will get the whole family involved (and hopefully tuckered out). Guests are armed with 30 small silk pillows and miniature boxing gloves. Boys vs girls, parents vs kids, or every man for themselves. You’ll also get game ideas to help inspire some of the greatest memories a vacation can offer: having fun with the family.

The pillow fight service also includes milk and cookies and a sweet treat that can go to the winner. 

Other awesome kid-oriented amenities at this family-friendly Ritz include a ‘Bath Science’ service that features a floating science lab of test tubes, beakers, and things to make the water froth and change color. Send them out for the day to hang out at the AquaNuts day camp where they can meet other kids and participate in both indoor and outdoor activities like swimming, arts and crafts and nature tours. 

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? 

Hotel Erwin, the boutique hotel just 200 feet from the sand and ocean, is doing just that. Book a room now through December 2009 and get a $100 voucher for a tattoo from their in-house tattoo and graffiti artist, Lubriderm lotion and ice packs to help you heal, and a bottle of tequila to help numb the pain.

Work up your courage while staying in one of the 119 hip rooms of the 3 1/2 star hotel, many with balconies opening up to the expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Plan your tat at High, the hotels rooftop, open-air lounge that offers handmade cocktails and great views of Venice Beach and downtown LA. Or sketch your design over breakfast at Hash’s chill dining room, offering ‘from scratch’ breakfasts and market fresh dinners in a beach-style cafe setting. 

There’s a $500 bonus for anyone who gets a “I Heart Hotel Erwin” tattoo. And after a stay at this trendy, chill beach spot, it might just seem pretty cool once you get home.

***UPDATE - November 5th***

If you find yourself looking to get tattooed while on vacation on the East coast, book a room at the Hotel Marcel in New York City. Starting November 15th, as part of the Marcel Original Art on Rotation series (M.O.A.R) launching at the same time, tattoo and graffiti artist Mister Cartoon will set up shop as the hotel’s “Tattoo Artist in Residence”. Tattooer to the stars, Mister Cartoon has done work on Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Mena Suvari and Ryan Phillipe. 

Book a room at Hotel Marcel while Mister Cartoon is there and skip his year-long wait list and get inked during your stay! 

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.

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?

So…wait, what? 

Okay, so the brownies aren’t exactly the ones that you’re thinking of. The warm, gooey treats are named for the little ceramic pots in which they are baked-to-order—as opposed to any secret ingredients.

Normally we don’t like being duped by press releases, but this one was actually quite clever. Well played, Hard Rock. And besides, free dessert is never frowned upon here at Sherman’s Travel. Never.

Want to check it out for yourself? Click here to read about a similarly illicit-sounding summer package that the hotel is offering until August 30.

Hotel Saint Cecilia

The hotel doesn’t skimp on its other amenities either: All the beds are handcrafted Hastens, red bean bag chairs surround the outdoor pool, and every room has a turntable and fancy iPod dock. Evident in the books and art on display, the place pays tribute the writers and musicians of the ’60s and ’70s. When it comes to the mini bars, they adhere to Bob Dylan’s famed lyric “the highway is for gamblers, better use your sense”: A menu with prices is prominently on display, so there won’t be any expense suspense when check out time rolls around.

Reported by Katie Przybylski