Tag Archives: hotel

What do you look for in a Hotel?

Do you insist on getting complimentary breakfast or would you give up the free bagel for free in-room wireless Internet access? If you rather stay at a hotel that gives out complimentary waffles and OJ in the morning you might have to look a bit harder these days, according to a recent survey of 10,000 hotels conducted for the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The study also found this irony: the more you pay for your room, the less likely you are to get free Wi-Fi. Wireless Internet access is being offered by 91% of hotels, up 35% from four … Continue reading →

Hotel Woes and Pros

HOTEL WOES I’m not sure who to feel more sorry for in this next situation—-the hotel employees or the hotel guests. If you watched the news last night you might have seen the report about 40 traveling salespeople who were given the boot from a Minnesota motel for what managers there call, “very, very rude behavior.” Apparently, the three-dozen or so salespeople (reportedly all in their 20s) who were staying at the AmericInn Lodge & Suites in Moorhead left behind more than just their unwanted behavior. According to motel managers, complaints about the unruly guests started pouring in less than … Continue reading →

Travel Update: Trouble for Villa Trapp

So much for the happy Hollywood movie ending… The hills are no longer alive with the sweet sound of music–plans for an Austrian vacation villa created from the same home that once housed the famous von Trapp family immortalized in the blockbuster hit movie “The Sound of Music” has hit a roadblock. Actually, it’s more like a neighborhood block. Residents whose homes border the famous property are irate that the landmark is being turned into a tourist attraction and fear visitors will create traffic jams and become nuisances in their quiet neighborhood. “We will fight this with all means at … Continue reading →

“Villa Trapp”

My mom is beside herself today, thrilled by the news that she now has the chance to sleep in the same bed as her all time favorite movie character—Maria Von Trapp. If you are a die-hard fan of “The Sound of Music” (like my mom) then you’ll be delighted to know that the former Salzburg, Austria home of the Family Von Trapp – made famous by the popular 1965 movie musical starring Julie Andrews – is being turned into a hotel. The “Villa Trapp” sits on an idyllic piece of property on the outskirts of Salzburg and come July the … Continue reading →

How to Score a Free Hotel Room this Summer

Your pocketbook is not the only one taking a hit in these tough economic times. According to reports, gaming revenue has also plummeted, which is bad news for popular gambling destinations such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. But their bad luck could translate into you hitting the jackpot. The creative folks at the brand-new Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City’s Waterfront Tower are trying to generate buzz about their new property by giving away keys to free rooms to random people strolling the streets in various cities. Mark you calendars! Tomorrow is the day you could score a free room. If … Continue reading →

Hotels Get Creative to Lure Guests

Where do they come up with this stuff? It seems every time I log on to my computer another hotel chain is emailing me about a “new and exciting” travel package they have cleverly tied into some sort of event (a movie premiere, the Pope’s visit, the mailing of tax refund checks) or special occasion (Mother’s Day, Arbor Day, National Train Day). So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to hear that a hotel in New York City has cooked up a creative way to offset the slew of “Sex and the City” movie premiere hotel packages that are currently … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Your Next Vacation—Early Bird Specials

In a previous blog I mentioned that one of the easiest ways to save on your family’s next vacation is to book early. If you see a great deal, don’t spend days mulling over whether or not you can get a better bargain. In most instances rock-bottom deals are scooped up as soon as they are made public. The following deals have only been advertised for a couple of days so there are still spaces available (I just checked); however, that doesn’t mean that they will still be there tomorrow. If the following travel packages sound inviting and are in … Continue reading →

Boston Wants Your Business

In these tough economic times some lodgings are pulling out all the stops to fill guest rooms. Some are a bit cleverer than others, but for the most part the offerings are designed to give you more bang for your buck. Hotels in the Boston area have ramped up their promotions in just the last two weeks; perhaps hoping you will spend some of your tax rebates or part of your economic stimulus package on a vacation for the whole clan. If you are looking to getaway to Beantown and want to save some cash on your hotel room check … Continue reading →

Casa de Rodent

A few weeks ago I blogged about my daughter’s mouse sighting on our flight to Hawaii. The thought of a rodent rifling through the bag I placed under the seat in front of me still creeps me out, but it’s nothing compared to what some hotel guests in Washington, D.C. have been dealing with. The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center just opened for business and it’s already been plagued with a nightmarish situation—a rodent invasion. UGH! According to news reports, numerous guests—all of which were the first to stay in the brand-new 2,000-room hotel—say they had run ins with … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Disney Delivers

The other day I wrote about the incredible service some lodgings around the world offer their guests. Recently, a hotel staffer in Washington, D.C. went above and beyond the call of duty to help a beleaguered guest retrieve his lost laptop from a city cab. And if you thought that story was incredible then you will truly appreciate what employees at a Disney resort recently did for guests there. Two weeks ago a couple from Massachusetts checked into Disney’s Wilderness Lodge resort in Florida. They and their two children had a magical time during their stay and were sad to … Continue reading →