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The Windsor Court Hotel is located three blocks from the French quarter of New Orleans. It is centrally located especially for those traveling by car on US 10 between Houston, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida. It is a quick easy getaway destination in a city with a lot of great things going on.
The hotel is near the Harrahs casino in the middle of the central business district. It is also near the aquarium and the Canal Place shopping district. Guests drive up into a walled courtyard. There is a fountain in the center with the patron Saint George. This is the first hint of the British influenced design of the hotel. The lobby is sleek and modern with fantastic furnishing and a great use of marble throughout. The center of the lobby has a table with the hotel’s signature rose bouquet. Staff will welcome you by name and escort you to your room.
Of the 320 guestrooms 265 are suites that average 800 square feet. There is ample space to spread out in one’s room and many things to do throughout the hotel. The Windsor has a resort like quality in a city setting with world class dining offered on site in the renowned Mobil Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond “Grill Room” restaurant and Polo Lounge. The Polo’s bartender worked at Studio 54 and is famously cited as a “sazerac man”. The Windsor’s Le Salon is a true English tea room and offers afternoon tea.
All linens are 300 count Frette linens. Rooms have either a king sized bed or two doubles. Guestrooms have beautiful views of the Mississippi River with each suite containing a balcony. Guests can sit outside and watch the ships go by with their morning coffee or do so with a cocktail in the lounge later in the evening. The living and bedroom space in each guestroom are separated by beautiful French doors. Each guestroom also has an expansive bathroom.
The Windsor opened in 1984 with the World’s Fair. It was originally built as an extended stay hotel so there are small kitchenettes in each of the rooms with large refrigerators separate from the mini-bar. The hotel is pet friendly. It is preferable that the pet be less than 30 pounds but the staff makes exceptions especially with their many repeat guests. There are no fees for bringing a pet but the hotel does require that you do not leave your pet in the room untended. Pet services are offered including room service and pet sitting.
Art is found throughout the Windsor and guided tours are offered. The hotel has museum quality tapestries, prints, painting and furnishings. The earliest piece is from 1750 but there is a range of contemporary artwork as well. The artwork is mostly British including the original Windsor Castle statue. The city has endless activities. There is fantastic jazz in the nearby French quarter, museums throughout the downtown, and the famous St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, shopping in Canal Place and golf, history and many tour operations.
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For more information visit http://www.windsorcourthotel.com
New York City is easily accessible from Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Stephanie says that it is a lovely drive alongside the Hudson River to Albany, New York and a quick trip from Albany to Penn Station, NYC by Amtrak. When in New York City Stephanie says you have to go to Serendipty3 located at 225 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenue. There you can have an amazing hot fudge sundae or their unbeatable trademark drink, the Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Serendipty3 is celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2009. It is a boutique restaurant specializing in unique and unusual dishes but also classic comfort foods. Serendipty3 is famous for its oversized portions and its desserts but there are a variety of other menu items. Many are as simple as chicken salad, a casserole or a foot long hot dog with chili.
Serendipty3 is also famous for its atmosphere which includes funky design features and marble table tops. At the front of the restaurant is its renowned store. Stephanie has made many purchases from the shop over the years. One was recently the subject of conversation at a dinner party she hosted. Her guests commented on a platter she had purchased at Serendipty3 which is over 18 inches long and looks like it has sliced Italian bread, cheese and grapes covering it. The shop also specializes in Christmas items including decorations. This year the restaurant will release “Serendipity Christmas Balls” in silver and gold. They also have cookie jars shaped like cups of Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Stephen Bruce, one of the founders and owners of Serendipty3 says that the restaurant’s Frozen Hot Chocolate drink has been a true blessing. He and his partners invented the formula in 1954. It includes a blend of fourteen different kinds of chocolate, ice and milk and is topped with whip cream. The owners of Serendipity are now selling the drink worldwide and featuring it at their New York City store. In honor of the restaurant’s anniversary the owners have also created a cherry chocolate flavored and mint chocolate flavored Frozen Hot Chocolate.
For more information visit http://www.serendipity3.com
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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Fun Facts:
Saint George is the patron saint of England but also Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, and several cities. He is also the patron saint of many different professions, organizations, and disease sufferers.
Guests Include:
David Teich, General Manager, Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana.
www.windsorcourthotel.com
Stephen Bruce, Founder and Owner, Serendipity3, New York City, New York.
www.serendipity3.com
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The Ice House Hotel in County Mayo, Ireland is a contemporary property situated along the picturesque River Moy. The original house dates back to the early nineteenth century. It was redeveloped in the mid eighteen hundreds as a two-story Neo-Tudor structure owned by the Moy Fisheries Board. Salmon fishing was a huge industry at the time and it employed many people in the small, rural towns on the west coast of Ireland. Ballina was a principal sea port as the Moy empties into the bay in the city and subsequently the Atlantic Ocean. In the original Ice House (known as the Iceland House or Cottage) the fish were prepared and packed with ice before being shipped to Dublin. Unfortunately drift net fishing resulted in declining salmon populations and the practice was outlawed in 2006. Fisheries are now required to catch fish by means of angling, meaning to catch with a hook.
The Ice House building fell into disrepair with the decline of net fishing. It was purchased in 2006 by hotel proprietors and opened the subsequent year. Dara Cruise, General Manager of the Ice House Hotel says that today the property is a “wonderful marriage of old and new”. In no place is this more true that than the dining room area of the property. The center piece is a large tunnel that was once the heart of the ice house. The hotel’s architect has added on a modern structure to this, a beautiful glass conservatory that allows guests to take in the view of the river and also the Beleek woods which are across the water. The Beleek Forest Part has layer upon layer of forest growth that changes with the seasons. Dara Cruise says that it is “mesmerizing”.
Stephanie was a guest at the Ice House Hotel in spring of 2009 while attending the 30th anniversary party of the County Mayo chapter of SKAL, an international organization of travel industry professionals. Stephanie is a member of the Boston Chapter of SKAL. The anniversary was in honor of the founding of the County Mayo chapter by Brendan Geary in 1969.
The Ice House Hotel has 32 bedrooms spread out over three different areas of the hotel. The original house had four main rooms. These have been redone and brought back to their early 19th century glory. The riverside wing is spread over three floors and is arguably a hidden gem. When you approach it from the road it looks to be small but actually covers a lot of space. There are 20 bedrooms in this wing, each with floor to ceiling windows that allow guests to appreciate the views. In the old section of the hotel are deep wooden bath tubs. Dara Cruise says the hotel offers the perfect “blend of relaxation, tranquility and pure enjoyment”.
For more information visit http://www.icehousehotel.ie
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Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas is a resort destination located just outside Page, Arizona. Lake Powell comprises over nineteen hundred miles of shoreline spread out over Arizona and Utah. This is more than the entire shoreline of the west coast of the United States. Lake Powell is also part of Glen Canyon and National Recreation Area. Visitors can fly into Page, Arizona or drive in from Phoenix or Las Vegas. Both cities are approximately a four hour drive from the resort area.
Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas offer over four hundred guestrooms as well as fully-equipped camping and RV sites and several marinas where guests can dock a houseboat. Full houseboat suites are also available for rent as are Jet Skis, kayaks and powerboats. Other lakeside activities include hiking, biking, cliff jumping and diving.
There are a total of three marinas that are part of the resort. The Wahweap Marina is located on the Arizona side. The Bullfrog and Halls Crossing marinas are located in Utah. There are different lodging options at all the properties including the three diamond resort in Page which has 350 guestrooms including double, queen, king and deluxe sized suites. The resort has pools, hot tubs, fitness centers and dining experiences including the renowned Rainbow Room. There are also casual dining options and shopping outlets throughout the park. In Utah another lodge has over 50 guestrooms all with the same level of amenities as Page’s resort. There are also family units at both Utah marinas with living room, dinning room and bedrooms included.
The lake attracts avid boaters as well as amateurs. There are a variety of boating options to choose from. There are the standard 46 footers, the deluxe 59 footers and luxury liners that come as large as 75 feet. Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas have one brand new boat, the 52 foot Journey. Luxury houseboats can come with captain services as well as a free concierge service.
There are many canyons and corners to explore on the lake. Guests can jump aboard boat tours to travel to three different destinations, Antelope Canyon, Navaho Canyon and Tapestries or Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Rainbow Bridge is over 275 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It is the largest natural bridge in the world.
Guests have the option of just lounging and drinking a cocktail poolside or embarking on their own adventure. The whole park is open and available to visitors. Guests are able to beach their boat wherever they happen to be and go out and explore. All parks are accessible by car and boat or guests can travel off the beaten path by themselves. The south entrance of Lake Powell Resorts receives 1.25 million visitors each year but guests can still find themselves alone with the natural beauty. There are 186 miles between the damn to the Utah marinas at the north end of the lake.
An upcoming event is the 2009 Page Lake Powell Balloon Regatta which is held November 5th through the 8th. Over thirty balloons will launch with many professional balloonists offering visitors rides. Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas are offering a special package deal that weekend. Guests pay $360 (25 percent off the original price) USD for a two night stay and also receive a one hundred dollar resort credit.
Also look for the Rainbow Ridge Centennial in May of 2010. Rainbow Ridge is 50 miles north on the lake. Visitors can get there by either private powerboat or tour boat.
For more information visit http://www.lakepowell.com
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Fun Facts:
Pittsfield, Massachusetts is a sister city of Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland.
Guests Include:
Dara Cruise, General Manager, The Ice House Hotel, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland.
www.icehousehotel.ie
David Sloma, Vice President of Operations, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, Page, Arizona.
www.lakepowell.com
www.lakepowell.com
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Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, has always been dedicated to ecological issues. Fairmont was founded in 1884 and has a long standing history as an established brand. The chain has also been an innovator and leader in green partnerships. Fairmont was first situated in the pristine Canadian Rockies so they come by their dedication to the environment honestly.
The California region Fairmont Hotels are currently sponsoring a “Save Our Parks” initiative. Tom Klein, Regional Vice President of California Region Fairmont Hotels joins “Travel with Stephanie Abrams!” to discuss the program. There are a total of six Fairmont properties in California: the Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont San Jose, Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica and the Fairmont Newport Beach. All hotels in the California region are of course affected by the recent wildfires and are committed to sustainable tourism and environmental management. The Fairmont Foundation donated $5,000 USD as an initial contribution to the Tourism Cares and the California Save Our Parks Campaign. Now, between September 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009, the hotels are asking guests to donate $1 USD per nightly room rate.
The hotels provide guests with literature to raise awareness about the issues and stress that the program is necessary in order to help keep the state parks open. Tom Klein refers to it as an education process for both the guests and the colleagues who are joining forces through the initiative. Though people are not required to contribute, management does expect most people to at least help with the minimum donation request.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
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Paul Ohm, General Manager of the Fairmont Newport Beach in Newport Beach, California joins the show to discuss the nature of the Fairmont line. Stephanie states that Fairmont is one of those brands that you can count on consistently for quality and to exceed your expectations. The Newport Fairmont has 444 guestrooms including 56 suites. Its staff is energized, enthusiastic and greets each guest individually. As a result the property receives numerous repeat guests. The hotel is also a premiere business and group hotel with over 26,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
The Fairmont Newport Beach continues the brand’s commitment to the environment by helping out with the annual California costal cleanup. 2009 is the 25th anniversary of coastal cleanups worldwide. The program allows people in communities around the world to clean up the waterways in their area. The Newport Fairmont pledged over 1,000 colleagues, family and friends on Saturday September 12, 2009 towards this mission. Paul Ohm says that we each have a responsibility to the environment and should also take the opportunity to give back to the community in which we live. The crew will gather over a million pounds of trash at Newport Beach. This garbage is not only dangerous to marine life but also comprises the natural beauty of the area.
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Kelley Cosgrove, General Manager of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa joins “Travel with Stephanie Abrams!” to discuss the strengths of Fairmont’s Sonoma property. The hotel has over 40,000 square feet of spa space. This includes two pools, food and beverage service and an expansive outdoor terrace. The water used for treatments and in the pools is mineral water extracted from 1,000 feet below the grounds of the hotel. This is great for your skin and has been an attraction for visitors from outside California since the eighteen hundreds.
The hotel is also situated in wine country just 45 minutes from San Francisco. In addition to the spa and health club there is a golf course and nearby sightseeing opportunities. Kelley Cosgrove says that the hotel is in perfect harmony with its surrounding. It is a well established property with an endless list of wonderful things to do depending on your hobby. Guest can also just curl up with a book and relax in their room.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.fairmont.com
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Now that the academic season has begun there is a lull in air travel. As consequence CheapOAir.com has some amazing airfare available worldwide. Roundtrip airfare from New York (flying either out of Newark of JFK) to Zurich is available for $586 USD including all taxes. This deal is perfect for those who interested in skiing in the Alps. There is also airfare available to Hanover, Germany for $632 USD. Roundtrip airfare to Brussels is $648 USD. Chicago to Amman, Jordan is $715 USD. Houston, Texas to Cairo is $889 USD. Washington to Sri Lanka is $1181 USD, including all taxes. Las Vegas to Chicago is $289 USD roundtrip and again includes all taxes. The flight needs to be originating in Las Vegas though some airlines with grant the price from either destination.
All fares listed online are quoted at the roundtrip price with all taxes and fees shown. All of the above quotes are with major airlines.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.cheapoair.com or call 866.592 .9685.
Guests Include:
Tom Klein, Regional Vice President, California Region Fairmont Hotels.
www.fairmont.com
Paul Ohm, General Manager, Fairmont Newport Beach, Newport Beach, California.
www.fairmont.com
Kelley Cosgrove, General Manager, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Sonoma, California.
www.fairmont.com
Sanjay Hathiramani, Vice President, Supplier Relations, CheapOAir.com.
www.cheapoair.com
