The South Florida Traveler » Hotels & Places to stay

Are You Planning a Trip With Your Pet?

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:56:48 +0000

Is your pet an extension of yourself? Do you bring your pet with you on walks to the beach, to your neighborhood restaurant and to the homes of your friends and family? If this describes you, you most certainly bring your pet with you when you go on vacation. But, how do you transport your pet via plane, where do you find a place to stay? Well, your answers are solved with the website titled PetTravelCenter.com.

According to their site, they make pet travel fun and easy. They are an internet company and online community serving pet loving people everywhere. They provide a vast collection of resources on accommodations for you and your pet, dog parks, emergency hospitals and tips for traveling. In addition, they send out a newsletter to their members, post airline travel regulations, have a vet and pet relocation specialist on staff to answer burning questions (what are you to do when you need an 8-hr sedative for your dog/cat?), have an online store with much needed pet travel supplies, and you’re able to book your pet-friendly travel plans right on the website.

Happy traveling!

Photo Credit: RoBeE @ flickr

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So What are You Doing for New Year’s Eve?

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:14:39 +0000

As many people are busy preparing for the big turkey feast ahead of them and cleaning the house for the multiple members of their family coming to visit, others are looking down the road a little further. Yes, today I received the first announcement of events going on to ring in the new year. Excited yet?

Make your way out to the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach this New Year’s Eve. They have put together 2 packages that will strike anyone’s fancy.

Option 1 ($300 per person):

Join in the fun as John Davidson, a popular headliner on Broadway, in Hollywood, Vegas and on TV since the mid-1960’s including: playing host of That’s Incredible, The New Hollywood Squares, $100,000 Pyramid, appearing on The Tonight Show over 80 times, and his stint on Broadway including Foxy, Chicago, The Music Man and Oklahoma.

This evening will start off at 7:30 with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by the pool, continue with a 5-course dinner, followed by a performance by John Davidson. At midnight, ring in the new year with a champagne toast followed by breakfast in the Palm Court at 1:00 am.

Option 2 ($250 per person):

This night out begins at 8:00 pm with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and it is followed by a 5-course dinner and dancing with The Switzer Trio. Midnight is a champagne toast and 1:00 am is breakfast in the Palm Court.

For reservations, please call 561-659-8100.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with The Colony, just ask President Bush or President Clinton or many of the other Windsors, movie stars or corporate czars that have stayed there. It has a British flair to it and is only steps away from Worth Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean.

Photo Credit: Waldo Jaquith @ flickr

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Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at the Fountainebleau

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:05:19 +0000

Were you one of the lucky ones to score tickets to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at the Fountainebleau this past weekend? This annual holiday lingerie extravaganza made its way to Miami Beach this past weekend as part of Fountainebleau’s star-studded grand re-opening. Usher kicked off the show, and he was soon joined by 35 supermodels decked out with their Angel wings including the much loved Heidi Klum. If you failed to get tickets to this show, don’t worry as it will air on CBS on December 3rd at 10:00 pm.

You can also get a sneak peek here.

photo credit: newscom

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Love Life Sundays

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:28:42 +0000

I’m all about game shows. Give me some Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy and I’m set for hours. That’s why I was excited to hear about Love Life Sundays at The Standard in Miami Beach. This all day event runs from noon until 11:00 pm. At 8:30 pm, the excitement heats up and bingo is in the air. No, it’s not some church hall filled with retirees, but rather the hip and trendy place to be on Sunday nights. The Standard has moved this up a notch and added hipster callers, trendy cocktails and groovy music from local DJ’s.

If you want to check out the action, be sure to arrive by 8:15. The action takes place in the lobby, and be prepared for some fierce competition, as they have been known to bring in a rowdy crowd filled with a mix of locals and tourists. It doesn’t cost anything to come, and the prizes are fantastic … free hotel stays, massages, spa treatments. Ohh, la, la! They tend to wrap things up around 11:oo pm or midnight depending on the activity of the crowd that evening.

The Standard Hotel is located at 40 Island Avenue in Miami Beach. 305-673-1717

If you’re not a bingo fanatic, you can also check out the world-famous spa at The Standard or h2-OM, a yoga and spa bathing immersion that takes place on Friday nights.

Photo Credit: klynslis @ flickr

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Why Not Try a Bed & Breakfast?

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:10:20 +0000

You’re planning a trip to South Florida, and are looking for a new place to stay. Sure, there are hotels lining the area, but you want something a little different, a little cozy and off the main drag. A bed and breakfast may be your answer. Here are a few that may strike your fancy:

The Miami River Inn - this historic landmark was built between 1906 and 1910 and carries a feeling of comfort and tranquility. The River Inn has 40 rooms split into 4 cottages and each is uniquely decorate with hard wood floors, antiques, and brass, wood, and wicker furniture. Step outside and you will enjoy the lush beauty of the outdoors. Beautiful flowers surround the pool and jacuzzi area and guests are able to enjoy breakfast in the garden courtyard or a complimentary glass of wine in the evening. Guests can also partake in a game of croquet. (Good to note – well-behaved pets are welcome as long as you plan in advance.) The Miami River Inn is located at 118 SW South River Drive in Miami (305) 325-0045.
The Hibiscus House is located in Downtown West Palm Beach just steps away from CityPlace. Consisting of 2 historic homes built in 1917, is both charming and intimate. Each room is distinct from the next. Guests receive a full course breakfast every morning either on their outside porch or in their dining room. Don’t worry about transportation, as the trolley makes a stop right outside the Hibiscus House and will take you throughout the Downtown area. The Hibiscus House is located at 213 S Rosemary Avenue in West Palm Beach (561) 833-8171

For a more extensive list, check out Beautiful Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns Online.Photo Credit [Kiki @ flickr]

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News on the St. Regis, Oh No!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:25:32 +0000

So Dine Magazine is planning this cocktail competition on August 27th to take place at 3030 Ocean (more details to be posted here soon) and I’ve been contacting local bartenders in Fort Lauderdale to participate in the competition. I picked up Swank Martini as a sponsor and all attendees will be receiving a complimentary martini glass. All is good, but today I heard back from the St. Regis and I was informed that as of August 11th, they will no longer be operating as a St. Regis. What?@! I absolutely love that place, Cero Restaurant, etc. Although they have no further information, I am crossing my fingers that Cero will stay around. Take a look at an article on the restaurant here, and if you haven’t been there yet, you will understand.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Samantha Brown Goes to South Beach

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:00:48 +0000

Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel is back and in this episode she headed to South Beach. “Passport to Great Weekends” brought Samantha down to the Delano with her girlfriends for a fabulous weekend getaway. The Delano, although a bit pricey, is a classic in South Beach and is worth a visit, even if its just for a visit to the bar. Make your way outside and you can lounge in the cabanas surrounding the pool. Passport to Great Weekends airs on Thursday nights at 10pm on the Travel Channel.

Video Courtesy of The Travel Channel

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If You Can’t Afford a Hotel, Stay at a Hostel

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:35:54 +0000

When I traveled in Europe, hostels were the place to go. I spent some time in Stockholm and I chose to stay in a hostel that was on a ship. It was a memorable experience as I traveled by myself, made dinner in the community kitchen and made friends along the way that I was able to explore the city with. It’s very different when you are in a foreign country, then when you are at home, but everyone just seemed extremely friendly. Jump forward 10 years, and as everyone is trying to save that extra dollar, staying at a hostel just seems to make sense. I’ve never been to one in the United States, but I know they are around and it just sounds good to only have pay $20 for a room for the night. Are you willing to risk it to bunk with random strangers or is an experience worth checking out?Here’s a guide to some hostels in South Florida:

The Tropics Hotel and Hostel, 1550 Collins Ave – located in the center of the Art Deco District, The Tropics is in the middle of the action and only 1 minute from the beach and right across the street from The Loews. Beds start at $21.95, but you must have a passport to stay there. All rooms have AC and their own bathroom and telephone.
Miami Beach International Travelers Hostel is located at 236 9th Street in Miami Beach. 305-534-0268 Open for 13 years now, this hostel is only 1 block away from the beach. They offer a game room, a lounge room and an outdoor terrace. They also offer free breakfast daily, and free lunch and dinner twice a week. Free drinks during special happy hour, free wi-fi, you can’t go wrong. At Miami Beach International Travelers Hostel, beds start at only $12/night.
The Clay Hotel and Hostel is located at 1438 Washington Avenue in South Beach. 305-534-2988 Offering male dorms, female dorms, private single and double rooms, AC, refrigerator, a telephone, shared kitchen and satellite tv. Beds start at $22.60.
Backpackers Beach Hostel is located at 2115 N Ocean Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale(954) 567-9697 for those of you that don’t want to stay in Miami. Offering discount rooms or individual beds, this is an alternative that you may choose. They also offer guests free cable, free parking, free lockers, internet access and use of gas grill. Individual beds start at just $20/night.

Photo Credit [flicker goatopolis]

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Those Special Touches

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:36:06 +0000

So after last night, it really made me wonder what makes a hotel stand out from the rest. Is it the room, the service, the incredible food? During our stay, after we checked in we were greeted by name the entire time. At the restaurant, when I forgot my purse in the car and they brought it up to our room, when we ordered room service, when the maid stopped by. There’s something about being addressed by your name that makes the experience so much more personal and welcoming (even though you know they don’t know who you are). Here’s some personal touches that won me over and will always do so:

large bathtubs – need I say more? Even better if they have jets
plush robes and slippers – I’ve never been much about slippers, but when you are cold and they warm you up, nothing could be better.
Soothing toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, all Bulgari
plush pillows, a large bed – there’s even some places that have a pillow menu and others that guarantee you’ll have a good night’s sleep
free Internet - Should you really have to pay to go online when you are already paying $400 to stay overnight?
Good food, room service around the clock and my hotel companion would definitely say if a hotel will bring him chocolate milk at any hour of the night, it’s definitely worth a night back.
A good restaurant and bar, pool, large room, good view and all the others that you typically think of

Although, it didn’t happen last night, here are some other things that have won me over:

having a pet fish in my hotel room
a bottle of Bling Water and some goodies to snack on upon my arrival, very memorable

Photo (from our dinner at Acqua) [personal collection] Bling water [Travis Vocino flickr]

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Best of the Best

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:19:21 +0000

Right now I am sitting in my hotel room at the Four Seasons in Miami. (Yes! This is the part of my job that I love. I’ve been jumping for joy ever since I got the invite.) I was invited down here for a wine dinner at their restaurant, Acqua that will take place this evening and for a stay in the hotel. This is my first stay at a Four Seasons and yes, it is quite nice, but for some reason I always thought it was the best of the best, something more that couldn’t be touched by others around. Now I am questioning that. (Or maybe I’ve just been spoiled and have been able to stay at some really great places.) I’ll have to see how the dinner goes, but its definitely comparable to other places that I’ve stayed before. Question here is: Where have you stayed that you were blown away by? Where has the service and the experience been so amazing that others don’t compare to it? Some of my favorites have included Hotel Monaco in Seattle, Hotel Helix in Washington D.C. (though I didn’t actually stay there) just visited the bar, Grove Isle in Coconut Grove and maybe even The Gaylord Palms - just a memorable experience. What about you?Photo Credit [Zach K]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler