ReeHart - Blogging from the Heart

Posts Tagged ‘lodging’

Many people think that vacationing in Chicago is prohibitively expensive. While it is true that there are many expensive hotels, restaurants, and attractions in downtown Chicago, there are also some that deliver high quality, without the high prices. With a little help, you can see the best of what Chicago has to offer without breaking the bank.

Let’s start from the start : Accommodations. The vast majority of Chicago’s cultural and tourist destinations are located in or near downtown Chicago. Not coincidentally, most hotels are also located in or near downtown. This leaves you without about 80 downtown hotel options to choose from.

Being a very densely populated area, parking spaces downtown are at a premium. The average nightly cost to park a car in downtown Chicago is around $35; and that is in addition to your room rate. The only downtown Chicago hotel that offers free parking is the Best Western River North. Located in Chicago’s vibrant River North neighborhood, this Chicago hotel is a quick walk to the shopping of Michigan Avenue, as well as the architecture of the Loop. The accommodations are clean and modern, and the staff is friendly. In particular, Wallace, the bell captain, can give you directions anywhere in the city you may want to go. In addition to free parking, this 7 story hotel also offers an indoor rooftop pool, fitness center, and free wireless Internet access. This hotel is truly a hidden gem in the big city.

Next, we will move on to dining. Once you are parked at the Best Western River North, you are surrounded by the best and most varied dining that Chicago has to offer. The River North neighborhood has offerings from virtually all over the globe, and at every price level. For our purposes, there are few options that stand out.

Pizzeria Ora is located in the lobby level of the Best Western River North. Here, they specialize in Chicago-style deep dish pizza. There are many Chicago-style pizza offerings downtown, but this one delivers delicious pizza at a better price and without the long waits of the tourist-oriented pizza restaurants in the neighborhood.

Just 1 block north of the Best Western River North is another Chicago favorite, Portillo’s. The prices are reasonable, and the menu includes everything from hot dogs to Italian beef to pasta and salads. Also in close proximity is Al’s Italian Beef, a restaurant that is heavy on locals, as well as flavor.

And finally, let’s talk about attractions. There are numerous activities for visitors to Chicago that can be enjoyed for little or no cost. To get a taste of culture, try the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, or the Adler Planetarium. There are many days throughout the year, in particular during the winter season, that admission is free to all of the world class institutions. During the busier summer season, you can save money by purchasing tickets from the Best Western River North.

Millennium Park is Chicago’s newest world class facility, and is completely free to the public. Completed in 2006, the $475 million required to build it was provided nearly entirely by donations from Chicagoans. Millennium Park covers 24.5 acres in the heart of downtown Chicago, and is the home to architecture and art work by Frank Gehry and Anish Kapoor, as well as the largest rooftop garden in the world.

While it is possible to spend a lot of money on a Chicago vacation, there are many ways to experience the city without breaking the bank.

Family vacation time is right around the corner and you need some travel tips to save you money? No problem, here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Consider buying your ticket through a consolidator. This is something not a great many people know about, and those that do don’t often exercise this option. A consolidator is a type of travel broker and you can save quite a bit off the regular price.

2. Purchase an Entertainment Guide for the city you plan to visit. These books are filled to the brim with coupons for money off and freebies for restaurants, shows, and all sorts of activities in the city of your choice. They are cheap and you can recoup your money tenfold easily.

3. Here’s a little tip for reserving your airline seats. It won’t actually save you any money bit it could save you space! If there are two of you traveling, and there are 3 seats together, reserve an aisle and window seat, leaving the middle seat empty. Unless the plane is completely filled, that middle seat will usually not be filled, and you’ll have the whole row to yourself. If someone does sit there, you can easily ask them to move to the aisle or window so that you can sit with your mate.

4. Even if you don’t think you travel often enough to earn any rewards through frequent flyer miles, go ahead and sign up anyway. There is no cost, and these programs offer a lot of bargains and perks.

5. Take along a kit of medications you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription meds. You may also want to include such things as aspirin, antacid tablets, diarrhea meds, and motion sickness medication just in case. That way you won’t be stuck buying these things in the airport or hotel gift shops where you will pay extra.

6. If you are traveling out of the country be sure and update your immunizations if needed. Not doing so will cost you in both time and money.

7. Before visiting a city, check online to see if you can obtain free information and coupons. Usually you can be mailed a packet of visitor information that will include free maps of the city, brochures, discount tickets and passes, as well as general information about the city itself.

8. If you are considering a beach vacation, don’t rule out Alabama’s miles and miles of white sandy beaches. It is much cheaper and less crowded than such places as Florida or California, rates are cheaper, and many restaurants offer meals at budget prices.

9. Off-season scheduling of your vacation is the key to bargain prices in hotel rates, theme park tickets, rental car rates, airfares, and also you will have less crowds and spend less time standing in lines.

10. Use city transportation whenever possible to avoid having to rent a car. You can usually take a shuttle from the airport to your hotel for a small fee, and then use buses, cable cars, trolleys, or subways to navigate around the town. You’ll have more fun this way and save money on rental car fees.

The County of Montgomery is rich in history and tradition. Founded in December 1816, it is the fourth largest county in the state of Alabama. Life in some parts of Alabama is relatively laid back making it ideal for vacations.

Historical museums and memorabilia of the past, plus modern amenities such as parks, zoos, airports and malls blend in beautifully in the region’s landscape. Hence, one will surely appreciate both the old and the modern qualities of the place.

Montgomery County has a line up of hotels catering to all kinds of clients visiting either for personal or business reasons. They have rooms big enough for the family, conference halls with amenities for business meetings and conferences, different sports facilities, amenities for the physically-challenged persons, pet-friendly hotels and most of all, affordable-to-the-pocket hotels.

Here is a list of some cheap hotels in Montgomery County:

Americas Best Value Inn This hotel is located in the West South Boulevard, very near the Gunther and Maxwell Air Bases as well as the Montgomery Airport. It is a pet-friendly hotel with room varying rates, depending on the added amenities.

Days Inn Montgomery Midtown Being located in Zelda Road, this hotel has amenities for the physically-challenged persons. The prices of its rooms depend on the number of occupants and featured amenities.

La Quinta Inn Montgomery With its location along Eastern Boulevard, this inn offers standard, affordable accommodations. Its local attractions include the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Civil Rights Memorial.

Pets are allowed but with restrictions. If bringing pets along, please contact the hotel before your arrival.

Quality Inn Montgomery Quality Inn Montgomery can be found in Carmichael Road. It is accessible to the Hank Williams Senior Museum and the Dannelly Field Airport. They offer a flat rate for all rooms.

Quality Inn and Suites Situated by the East South Boulevard, Quality Inn & Suites Governors House Convention Center is conveniently located near the Montgomery Regional Airport, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery Mall, Alabama Old Towne, as well as the Alabama State Capital, Joe Reed Acadome, Montgomery Speedway and Victoryland Greyhound Racing. Pets are welcome in this hotel.

Econo Lodge & Suites The Econo Lodge & Suites can be found along Monticello Drive. It is just a 15-minute ride from the Montgomery Zoo and the Alabama State University. It is also near Auburn University Montgomery and Hotel. They also welcome pets.

Comfort Inn Montgomery

Located at Northchase Boulevard, this hotel is near the Dannelly Field Airport. Visitors can easily go to local attractions such as Betsy Ann Riverboat, Jasmine Hill Gardens, as well as the EastDale Mall, Montgomery Zoo and Capitol Complex. It has special facilities, particularly for the hearing-impaired persons.

All of the above-mentioned have standard hotel amenities such as fully air-conditioned rooms, coffeemakers, television with cable services, dataport, telephones and laundry services.

Likewise, it offers services of free internet access, free parking, 24-hour front desk, safe deposit boxes, non-smoking rooms, and rooms equipped for the physically challenged.

Some of the hotels have gym/sports equipment, a spa and restaurant among others. Although some of the rates seem pricey, most of them can still be classified as affordable even to the budget-conscious tourists and travelers.

Thus, being cheap does not necessarily mean scrimping on the amenities and conveniences of hotel living.

Simply put, hotel classifications are not a unified system. Many big chains, from budget options to luxury hotels, are allowed to apply their own classification systems based on the size and facilities of each of their establishments. They are not monitored by anyone except their own internal managers. And to make things more confusing, even chains change their “star criteria” from country to country!

As there are variations worldwide in the quality, size and design of different hotels the classification systems vary from nation to nation. This often means that what one would expect from, say, a three-star hotel in one country may be very much under-achieved by a similarly-rated hotel in another. Five-star hotels, for example, are expected to have the very finest of every facility made available, from restaurants to spas and other amenities, a high ratio of staff to guest and a superior location. However, France - arguably the greatest supplier of fine hotels in the world - doesn’t even have a five-star rating as even the Ritz and similar “palaces” stick to the four-star rating to avoid heavy taxes! Not to worry, as President Sarkozy is coming to the rescue of holidaymakers in Europe at least…One of his goals is to standardise the hotel rating system to ensure fair judgement and balance decision making.

Broadly speaking, star ratings should break down something like this… five star hotels (or most four and all four star luxe in France) are, as mentioned above, expected to provide everything you need at any hour of the day or night, four stars should mean formality and quality but without the very height of opulence, three stars should mean good, clean service, two stars are generally privately-owned and forgiven their faults and one star should not be considered unless you’re desperate to get inside! There is only one record of a zero star hotel, which is a converted nuclear bunker in Switzerland. We would only recommend staying there in a “dire emergency/when you hear the three-minute warning!”

But can you ever trust these ratings if they are, at best, locally judged and, at worst, self-awarded? How can you guarantee that a luxury hotel really is aluxury hotel ? A number of bodies rate accommodation providers, including the AA, the RAC, the tourist boards of various nations and, of course, independent travel guides such as Michelin, Gault Millau and Mobil. But, we’ve all had experience of disagreeing with what we’ve read or even basing our choices on reviews which are dangerously out of date.

The two paths left to the discerning traveller on the hunt for the truth are as follows. The first is to cross-reference every piece of literature you can find on the subject of each hotel, comparing the reputation of the brand (if applicable) with the designations for their rating and coming up with a fair picture of what kind of quality you are to expect. The second is so obvious that we need not even say it…Recommendations. Whether this comes from a friend or an agency doesn’t matter, as long as you trust the source. Agencies that specialise in luxury hotels and the upper end of splendour, base their reputations on customer satisfaction and separating exceptional establishments from the pretenders. As it’s in their financial interests that you are content with their choices, you’re almost certain to be directed to the experience you want, whether it’s a no- expense-spared five-star+ to the relaxed charm of a family-run chateau. To summarise, until the system changes, forget the stars and go with what you know you can trust. Or else be ready to “gets what you pay for”.

Sightseeing in Portugal is a boundless adventure. From ancient castles to elegant cathedrals, this sunny land contains an unending supply of diverse cultural influences. Its natural geographical advantages make it the perfect vacation spot for golfing, water sports and hiking.

To discover Portugal, Lisbon, the capitol and largest city, is the natural place to begin. Touring millennium-old castles, exploring legendary cafes and art nouveau shops, and relaxing on the fabulous sunny beaches are wonderful ways to experience the flavor of this unique European country. But don’t stop there. Be sure to include a few side trips to areas with quaint villages and stunning historic monuments and monasteries.

Karen Brown, the well-known author of dozens of informative travel guides, understands the need for a well-rounded plan when traveling. On her website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has listed a comprehensive collection of regional itineraries that include maps, attractions and wonderful inns and hotels specific to Portugal. Her readers have rated the following inns and hotels as exceptional places to stay:

If it’s romance you seek, you will surely find plenty of it in Portugal. This is especially true at the Quinta das Sequoias in Sintra, which rests in the hills above Lisbon. The spectacular views and amazing grounds are just one reason why a visit here is magical. Guests can stroll amongst the 40 acres and enjoy gardens and sea views or take a relaxing swim in the hotel’s pool. With just a half-dozen rooms so there is plenty of privacy and peace. The rooms are richly furnished and all offer a pleasing view. Guests can take part in a photography workshop, hike or mountain bike, or even enjoy an astronomy lesson. The inn was named by Karen Brown readers as Portugal’s “Most Romantic” lodging choice.

At Casa de Casal, exceptional hospitality is the order of the day. The charming boutique inn was the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Portugal’s “Warmest Welcome.” Spectacular mountain and Douro River views add to the charm of a stay at this family-owned inn, which dates to the mid-17th century. Guest rooms are tastefully furnished with French doors that lead outside where you can enjoy the view. The inn is located on the outskirts of the small village of Pinhao, part of the Porto wine country.

The inn chosen as offering the “Greatest Value” in Portugal by Karen Brown readers is the charming Albergaria Vila Lido, snugly seated in the middle of craggy cliffs with immediate access to the cerulean blue sea. The guest rooms offer a stunning sea view or contain private patios with access to the gardens. Nearby, you will find very good restaurants, quaint shops and a casino as well as a golf course for the sports minded visitor. Breakfasts are luscious, served in an European atmosphere with carved ceilings, a fantastic fireplace and hand painted tiles.

The Bussaco Palace, nestled in a woodland reserve, is the place to stay when desiring luxury, great amenities and fabulous dining. Designated as the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Portugal’s best “Splendid Splurge,” this ornate palace was built in the 19th century by a Portuguese king. Rooms are tastefully decorated and the paintings and stuccoes in the lobby are unbelievable. The details that define the Bussaco Palace are meant to spoil and please its guests. The fabulous gardens offer the opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Dining on the outdoor patio, which offers stunning views of the surrounding woodlands, is a treat in itself.

Looking to plan that special getaway? Choosing to stay at a West Coast inn, bed and breakfast or boutique hotel is a time-tested recipe for romance. You and your sweetheart are sure to feel pampered and refreshed after a few days of unparalleled hospitality.

Popular travel writer Karen Brown has explored both California and the Pacific Northwest and found some of the best and romantic inns and B&Bs in these two areas. Her website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, is filled with helpful information about the West Coast, as well as exciting destinations around the world. You’ll find detailed trip itineraries, maps, and listings for hundreds of exceptions inns and hotels.

Karen Brown’s readers have voted and chosen the following lodging choices as the “Most Romantic” and best “Splendid Splurges” in California and the Pacific Northwest. For a romantic getaway, the following is a good place to begin your search:

Carmel, a stunning seaside village on California’s Central Coast, is an ideal catalyst for romance. The area boasts some of the state’s best scenery, as well as plenty of excellent shopping, gourmet restaurants and world-class golf courses. Tickle Pink Inn, a fanciful bed and breakfast located just south of Carmel near the edge of Big Sur, offers couples privacy and amazing scenery. Each of the rooms boasts a balcony, most have a stunning ocean view, and many have a wood-burning fireplace, as well. The most elegant suites also include a whirlpool tub. King beds are topped with Egyptian cotton and down comforters. In the mornings, a lavish continental buffet is served, which you can enjoy along with an amazing view on the Cliffside Deck. In the evenings, a reception featuring local wines and an assortment of cheeses and fresh fruit are served. Tickle Pink Inn was named the “Most Romantic” lodging in California by Karen Brown readers.

Just a few steps away from galleries, exquisite restaurants and shops, The Inn Above Tide in Sausalito was given the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the best “Splendid Splurge” in California. This luxurious boutique hotel offers amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and Angel Island. Enjoy wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa, just a quick drive to the north while staying here. The rooms are definitely posh, offering luxurious linens, soft robes, DVD players and Bvlgari bath products. Many of the rooms are equipped with a wood-burning or gas fireplace and private decks. Enjoy a tasty continental breakfast as well as an evening wine-and-cheese reception. The Penthouse Suite will please even the most demanding guest with its glass-enclosed whirlpool tub that overlooks the bay. This romantic suite includes a fireplace and wonderful deck for enjoying the evening lights.

The recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Most Romantic” lodging in the Pacific Northwest is the Channel House. Located on an oceanfront bluff in Depoe, Oregon, the inn offers privacy and unparalleled beauty with ocean views and stunning countryside vistas. This charming inn exudes comfort and elegance and offers tastefully decorated rooms with hot tubs and fireplaces. Start your day with a marvelous continental breakfast before heading out to do a bit of whale watching. Or, check with the helpful staff to assist you in planning your daily adventure.

One of the highlights of lodging in beautiful British Columbia is the elegant boutique hotel, the Sooke Harbour House, which is nestled on the Whiffen Spit Beach in the village of Sooke. Winner of the Karen Brown Reader’s Choice Award for best “Splendid Splurge” in the Pacific Northwest, this charming boutique hotel overflows with ambiance and elegant accommodations. Each room offers a fireplace, balcony or terrace and fabulous views of the restless ocean. Perfect for a romantic getaway, the Sooke Harbour House boasts a fanciful room named the Kitchen’s Garden, which includes a shower surrounded on three sides by stained glass. Or, check into the Passion Flower Room, which includes a bed with a headboard that resembles wooden doors opening onto a mural of a garden path. Each room is artfully decorated with a different theme, and the gourmet restaurant with its excellent wine cellar is a treat to not be missed.

Give your guests a taste of bed and breakfast hospitality during their visit. Use these four innkeeper tricks of the trade to recreate a little country inn ambiance in your house.

Innkeepers always remember the little details, so be sure to stock your guest rooms with plenty of amenities. There are many low-cost ways to add ambiance to a room. Place a basket of helpful items on the dresser and include razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion and other toiletries your guest might have forgotten. Fresh flowers or a basket or pretty vase filled with potpourri are other welcoming additions. At Casa Laguna Inn & Spa in Laguna Beach, California, the innkeepers place fluffy robes in the closet and top the beds with fine, hypoallergenic linens and fluffy comforters, as well as stocking the room with CD and DVD players. Consider providing your guests with interesting reading materials and maybe even a selection CDs or DVDs.

While you might not be able to afford placing a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom, such as they do at several rooms at Beazley House in Napa, California, you can provide soft fluffy towels and luxurious bath products. The innkeepers at this historic Napa inn also keep the bathroom stocked with good quality shampoos and conditioners, as well as a hairdryer. In addition to these ideas, keep extra toilet paper and Kleenex in a pretty basket. Frame a few vintage postcards and add a little charm to your bathroom walls.

Breakfast, is of course, the center of any good B&B stay. You don’t have to train at the Cordon Bleu to impress your guests. At Fairthorne B&B in Cape May, New Jersey, the innkeepers set the table with fine linens and china to create a special atmosphere. Freshly squeezed juice and homemade breads and muffins are an easy first course, and can even be purchased and heated in a warm oven. At Fairthorne, in addition to the home-baked goodies, guests are treated to a special daily entre. You can do the same by preparing pancakes or a breakfast casserole. A buffet with fresh fruit, toasting breads and muffins, served along with coffee, tea and juices is another option.

Another fun option is to provide a light afternoon tea or provide refreshments in the early evening. At the Captain’s House Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts, afternoon tea is an institution. Their daily Cream Tea includes a selection of fine loose teas, as well as scones, cookies and sweet cakes. This Cape Cod inn also offers an English Tea with sandwiches, savory items and all the aforementioned sweets. Your afternoon treats could be as simple as a glass of vermouth with a lemon twist or as elaborate as the Captain’s House’s tea. Even providing a plate of homemade cookies and tea, coffee or hot chocolate will make your guests feel special. You could also purchase a bottle of local wine and offer some light snacks, such as cheese, crackers, mixed nuts and gourmet olives.

More ideas and some great innkeeper recipes are available at iLoveInns.com, the premier source for all things bed and breakfast. This detailed website includes listings for more than 19,000 country inns, B&Bs and boutique hotels. The site also offers printable gift certificates, a quick, easy and thoughtful gift option.

If you were unable to get reservations at a great bed and breakfast inn in Washington, D.C., to celebrate President Obama’s inauguration, don’t fret. At iLoveInns.com, you will find a complete list of beautiful residences in the original thirteen colonies that will welcome you with open arms. These 18th-century gems reflect the original Roman and Greek influence in architecture and are beautifully furnished. Relax in the atmosphere provided by the rich mahogany paneling, gilded chairs, fabulous art and satin settees. Rather than fighting the pressing crowds, straining for a glimpse of the festivities, you will be enjoying the celebration in the luxury and comfort of your chosen inn.

The Governor’s House Inn, an exquisite bed & breakfast situated in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina’s Historic District, is the former home of Governor Edward Rutledge, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. This luxurious home boasts elegant drawing rooms, unbelievable staterooms and, of course, the traditional southern veranda porches. Enjoy a mint julep while you relax in the atmosphere of richly colored walls and furnishings or watch the festivities on TV while you recline on your canopied bed.

Even the president takes time out for a bed and breakfast. Devonfield Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in Lee, Massachusetts, has shared at least one tenant with the White House. Rumor has it that in 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s chauffeur drove him across Devonfield’s front lawn for a visit with Queen Wilhelmina of Holland. Be sure to stay in the Roosevelt Room. Unlike the windowless Roosevelt Room in the White House, Devonfield’s room has a panoramic view and a wood-burning fireplace for fireside chats.

For watching the inauguration on television in an authentic American historical district, you can’t do better than being a guest in A Williamsburg White House in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. This luxurious and spacious inn boasts period furnishings and memorabilia inspired by the great presidents, from Washington to Roosevelt. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, a visit to the nearby Busch Gardens or take a short drive to the unique and historical Jamestown Settlement.

The Washington Plantation, a beautifully restored Greek Revival inn, is located in Washington, Georgia, and is nestled comfortably on seven acres of heavily treed grounds. The bedrooms are unbelievably elegant with crystal chandeliers, fireplaces and gracious baths. This charming inn provides a similar setting to the wedding of President Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom who were married in 1886 in the White House.

Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook, Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Get-One-Free-Night certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.