The Best Western Hibiscus in Key West, Florida
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a comment
Best Western Hibiscus Key West
This is my third installment about Key West, Florida hotels. And, believe it or not, I am writing very positive things about a Best Western! From my experience, Best Westerns are usually cheaply appointed hotels that are good for nothing else for a bed to sleep in at night. I’ve had some bad experiences at Best Westerns in the past - so many, in fact, that I completely swore off the hotel chain about 4 years ago.
To my pleasant surprise, the Best Western Hibiscus in Key West, Florida is a completely different bird. It’s new-looking, has a large pool that’s a common social gathering (think people sipping drinks poolside), has very large, bright and exceptionally clean rooms, and it’s within walking distance to fun Duval Street. There’s a good, free Continental breakfast too. Honestly, when I first walked in my first thought was “This is a Best Western?”
Here’s the thing. The hotel staff is not enormously helpful. You’ll probably come across an older gentleman at the front desk, with a beard, sort of looks like a sailor, who’s pretty grumpy and not at all forthcoming. That aside, though, our experience was excellent.
Prices are anywhere from $85-$199 a night (really!!), depending on the time of year you book. Definitely not your run of the mill Best Western, and I will for sure be back.
NOTE: Don’t confuse this hotel with the Best Western Key Ambassador, which is farther away from town. That one is nice as well, but a bit more expensive I think, and the rooms aren’t as nicely appointed.
Photo Credit: Best Western Hibiscus website
La Jolla Cove, San Diego, California
Posted , add a commentWho needs Australia, (Hawaii, Belize, Mexico, fill in the blank beautiful beach) when you can have the relative ease of La Jolla Cove? Sandwiched between striking sandstone cliffs, this small cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California.
View from above. http://www.flickr.com/photos/87938933@N00/3542444107/
And it’s no wonder really. La Jolla Cove is stunning: bright blue water set against white cliffs, palm trees, scuba divers (water visibility is known to exceed 30 feet!), swimmers, sunbathers. Pelicans fly overhead while Harbor Seals smile contentedly, fat spotted bellies spread flat against hot sand.
After the fog burns off. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chizhang/3595775317/
It’s the scenery for which postcards are made, engagement photos, Enya songs. On the cliffs overhead ground squirrels fairly scamper about brazenly, much to the amusement of tourists who feed them bits of Starbucks petite vanilla scones.
Nom nom nom. http://www.flickr.com/photos/55963607@N00/468027979/
The official address for La Jolla Cove is 1100 Coast Boulevard, but you can also find it by looking beneath Scripps Park. The cove is within walking distance to the downtown hamlet of La Jolla, a coastal community chock full of swank restaurants, bars, tony stucco houses and seaside shops.
Due to the popularity of La Jolla Cove, lifeguards are stationed year-round. “Swimming devices” (surfboards, boogie boards, even inflatable mattresses) are not permitted at the cove, and this rule is carefully enforced by the lifeguards, specifically the part defined as the Ecological Reserve. There is no disabled access at La Jolla Cove because of the steep incline down to the beach. Additionally, there are no parking lots, and street parking (metered during the week) fills up quickly on summer weekends. It’s best to come early, park downtown in one of the paid lots, or stroll down to the beach from the palm-lined streets above.
Celebrity Hotel of the Week: The Byblos in St. Tropez
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Prepare to have your breath catch again and again in St. Tropez.
Penelope Cruz on the St. Tropez beach
This week, we go international, baby! If you happen to be in France - more specifically, the beautiful St. Tropez (which is NOT pronounced Saynt Tro-PEZ, by the way) - you’ll definitely want to take a look at the luxurious Byblos hotel. It’s where you might see anyone from Kate Moss to Beyonce to Keanu Reeves.
St. Tropez boasts one of the Top 10 Party Beaches. Drop-dead-gorgeous scenery, tons of world-famous restaurants and clubs, St. Tropez is definitely one of the places that stars love to hang and be seen. And the Byblos is one of the best luxury hotels in town…precisely why Prince Albert II of Monaco chooses the Byblos to wind down from all that, um, royal stuff he does. Suddenly I’m reminded of the Prince-Albert-in-a-can phone prank. Hmm.
Located just 60 miles from the International Airport at Nice-Cote d’ Azur, or a short 11-mile jaunt from the Saint-Tropez airport, the Byblos hotel has been amongst the top 10 hotels in St. Tropez for 40+ years. A full Mediterranean village all in itself, you’ll find dozens of rooms, each individually decorated with a warm, homey vibe. Olives trees and bouganvillea are smattered about the patios and balconies. Sorry, in France, they say “terrace.” You know, because they’re fancy and stuff in France.
Luxurious, intimate dining at Spoon
There’s a charm and elegance all about the Byblos. You’ll find scrumptious food throughout St. Tropez, but you don’t have to leave the hotel to get it. There are two full restaurants: B., a restaurant that is poolside, and the Spoon Byblos, sort of a Mediterranean variant of Spoon Paris. The spa is incredible…just the VIEW will knock your socks off. See for yourself.
Beautiful view from the Byblos spa
Amenities include free wifi (always the first thing I ask about, because I’m a total geek that can’t stand to be disconnected for 5 minutes), fitness center, child care service, pools, air conditioning in every room, jet tubs, turndown service, free airport shuttles, steam room, concierge, room service, and a casino! By the way, pets? Absolutely welcome. Oh, yeah, I’m there.
Every room is unique and inviting at the Byblos in St. Tropez
Oh, right. The rates. This is the part where my head explodes. A single room runs 325-500 Euros, which probably comes out to about $38,000 American, what with our economy running so splendidly. OK, no, not that much. That works out to $500-$720 a night. A Deluxe Room will run you $850-$$1,300 per night. And the Suite Deluxe? $2,250-$3,750 a night.
The decor at the Byblos will relax you
The Riviera Suite? With 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a private terrace? Don’t even ask because they don’t even list the price on the site. Yeah, I’m so NOT there. Which is a shame because I’d love to hang with Penelope Cruz and Liz Hurley (LOVE her in “Bedazzled”) and Avril Lavigne, who all head to the Byblos whenever they get the chance.
Well, not Avril so much. That “Girlfriend” song still makes me convulse, ugh.
CELEBS SPOTTED AT BYBLOS: Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Avril Lavigne, Joan Collins, Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, Kylie Minogue, Liz Hurley, Naomi Campbell, Keanu Reeves
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: Salama, Villa Romania, Grenadine
You might just find Keanu Reeves at the Byblos hotel. There is no spoon.
PHOTO CREDIT | PHOTO CREDIT
(remaining photos from Byblos web site)
Monkey Business at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Posted , add a commentMonkey business in Washington DC has many meanings, but at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, it means the National Zoo and Orangutan Outreach.
Baby Orangutan
Book this family-friendly hotel’s National Zoo package, and 5% of the room revenue will be donated toward Orangutan Outreach, an organization dedicated to protecting the endangered orangutan and its rainforest habitat.
In case you think that’s peanuts, there’s more - kids (12 and under) eat three meals a day for free and receive an Orangutan Welcome Pack.
This welcome pack comes with a stuffed orangutan toy, the illustrated children’s book The Misadventures of Ori Tang, and a DVD Set of Animal Planet’s Orangutan Island.
The National Zoo is but 5 minutes from the hotel, which enjoys convenient on-site Metro accessibility at the Woodley Park-Zoo stop on the Red line. But just in case you’re ‘geographically challenged,’ the hotel will equip you with a map of the National Zoo.
The National Zoo package, available Thursday through Sunday, includes complimentary overnight parking and accomodations. Offer valid until December 31, 2009. Use promo code ‘ARN’ for online reservations, or or call 1-800-228-9290 and ask for promotional code ARN. More details here - www.wardmanparkmarriott.com/.
Photo Credit - Kiwi Flickr
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers by Chicago River and Michigan Avenue
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Chicago River View from Sheraton Hotel photo by Nancy D. Brown
Conveniently located off the #3 bus stop line, I arrived early at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. I was one of 1,500 women (and a handful of men) to attend BlogHer, a blogging conference held in July of 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel. If I was a single guy, this would certainly be the place to hang around the lobby for the weekend. But I was not single and I was ready to check in, as I was speaking on the travel panel at the conference.
While my room wasn’t ready (it was 8 a.m. and check in was at 3 p.m.) The front desk staff offered to check my bag and call my cell phone when the room was available. I got a voice message at noon saying that my room was ready. Nice customer service!
My room, #1711, was a standard king with the signature “Sweet Sleeper” bed. The room typically rents for $179 with high speed internet access tacking on an additional $12.95 fee. For cheap skates like me, guests can visit the Link Cafe downstairs for free access to internet and printers.
Sheraton Standard King Room #1711
I was staying at the hotel for three nights and appreciated its convenient location to Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, often referred to as the “Magnificent Mile.” The weather was positively gorgeous and reminded me why I love this lively city with its Millennium Park and stunning architectural wonders. However, being a California girl, I don’t think I could stand the cold winters.
Lost Luggage Tips
I’m going to slip in a plug for my post on “Lost Luggage Tips” on my What a Trip website. Unfortunately, my bag didn’t arrive on my non-stop United Airlines flight from San Francisco. I was reunited with it after a couple of days. Check out the video I made asking fellow travel writers for their Lost Luggage Tips.
Nearby Dining Recommendations
I discovered three great restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. For tapas and sangria, check out Emilio’s at 215 E. Ohio Street. If you’re in the mood for Cajun food, give Heaven on Seven a try, at 600 North Michigan Avenue. My personal favorite, Chicago deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Due.
Photos by Nancy D. Brown
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers 1 (800) 233-4100
301 East North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611
