In October, I finally went to Costa Rica for the first time. My first three nights were in Tamarindo, and then I spent four nights at Peace Retreat in Playa Negra, Costa Rica. I’ve written about my experience there for MyDestination.com and BootsnAll.com, but now that those have been published, I want to write about it here.

The main building of Peace Retreat

Peace Retreat was opened a little over a year ago by an inspiring couple, Kevin and Hali McQuillan. They are well-respected yoga teachers and yoga teacher trainers from Vancouver Island who dreamed of leaving everything behind and starting a yoga retreat in Costa Rica. They ended up buying a villa-style retreat in Playa Negra, a very small town with bumpy dirt roads and only a few restaurants, and relocating there with their adorable 3-year-old daughter. It’s a charming beach town with friendly locals, laid-back expats, top-notch surfing, and it’s set amongst a vibrant jungle filled with vocal howler monkeys. It couldn’t be more perfect a place to connect with nature and work on yoga and meditation.

Some of the greenery on the Peace Retreat grounds

I’m a busy professional writer who has trouble de-stressing. Despite pleas from loved ones to embrace yoga and meditation, I just found them too boring and wasn’t interested in making them a priority. But I learned about Peace Retreat and liked the idea of getting out of my comfort zone and trying these practices in a quiet, natural setting.

The retreat has two private rooms with private bathrooms, and several stand-alone cabinas with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. I went during rainy season so there were only two of us attending, so we each got one of the private rooms. There was no TV, no clock, no radio, and sketchy WiFi (“jungle Internet” is the term for it). At first, this terrified me. I hadn’t been somewhere so disconnected from the world in years. Then I realized how much I needed to be forced to unplug. It was simple, but comfortable and quiet.

My room at Peace Retreat

Some of the cabinas

Cute shared bathrooms for the cabinas

Every morning, we did several hours of yoga, which began and ended with meditation. The studio was open-air and screened in, so we practiced to the beautiful sounds of monkeys, birds, and rain. Tropical plants were in my view most of the time. Being more connected with nature felt so right. The air was warm and humid, and I dripped in sweat. The yoga was tough. I shook. I fell. But I grew stronger and detoxified with every drip.

I’ve done some yoga before, and I’m very flexible from doing gymnastics in my youth, but I thought I was “bad” at yoga. I realized I was actually really good at it, which boosted my confidence, and in turn allowed me to enjoy it more. The style that they teach is Baptiste–a Vinyasa flow that starts slow but quickly becomes a fast and challenging workout. It was more invigorating than most styles I had tried, but was less strict than Bikram, which I had tried in the past and found too intense. Their Baptiste style really connects your mind and body. It’s different from running or doing an elliptical machine, like I normally do. You have no chance of staying balanced in poses like crow or eagle without being focused and in the present.

Me doing a modified wheel pose

Kevin also helped me get into a handstand–something I did frequently in gymnastics, but hadn’t done in many years. I was nervous at first, but he spotted me the whole way and walked me through proper form. I’m not sure if it was all of the blood rushing to my head or not, but it made me feel giddy to be upside-down.

On the second evening, Catherine Paulson–a yoga instructor and bodyworker who lives on-site–led us through some restorative yoga to soothe our sore muscles. This slow type of yoga wouldn’t normally appeal to me, but in the context of using it to help sore muscles, it was perfect. The sun had set and we practiced as the crickets and frogs sang.

Every day, we had a few hours of free time. I spent a lot of time just reading–an activity I love but rarely spend much time doing for fun since I’m always doing it for work. I walked around outside looking at flowers and searching for monkeys, hung out with the other participant, napped, listened to the rain, and lived a simple and relaxed existence.

In addition to being a passionate yoga teacher, Hali is also an expert in Ayurveda, so I also spent a lot of time talking to her all about it, and I learned so much. I also got to spend some time around their adorable little girl Bili Be, a fun and sassy toddler. One evening, Catherine and I went on a walk together to the beach and talked for hours. We would all have dinner together and chat and laugh. It felt so good to stop worrying about emails piling up or missed phone calls, and to just enjoy the great company and stunning natural backdrop in the present. Costa Rica was the perfect place for that.

View from Peace Retreat's sky deck

We also had self-inquiry talks with Kevin each afternoon. I spent a lot of time talking about it in my BootsnAll article, so I encourage you to read that for details. The short version is that he focused on being present and authentic in all aspects of our lives. He asked me to look deep within and identify the negative self-talk I’ve been using, which he calls “limiting perceptions.” It took a while, but he helped me put clear labels on what I’ve been telling myself (much of it unconsciously) that’s been holding me hostage. He wouldn’t let me bullshit or dance around an issue. Once I identified them, he helped me learn how to make them powerless. He asked me to be authentic, so I gave it all I had and learned a lot about myself.

Flowers and a butterfly at Peace Retreat

Since I’ve been back to Austin, I’ve stayed committed to keeping up a yoga practice. I’m still a gym rat, but I have been consistent about doing yoga at least once a week. The Baptiste style that Kevin and Hali teach uses a heated room, warm enough to make you drip in sweat once you start moving, but not oppressively hot like Bikram. I’ve found a few local studios that do this, and while I occasionally go to studios without it, I always feel so invigorated when I leave a class of hot yoga.

When I tried the crow pose at Peace Retreat–my first time to ever attempt it–I couldn’t hold it more than a milisecond. I thought they were insane for thinking I could do that and that it was only for yoga masters. But now that I’ve been continuing to practice, I can hold it for more than 10 seconds–one time I made it to 20 seconds. Little victories like that have encouraged me to keep going. Kevin and Hali gave me that push to believe in my own strength.

The pool at Peace Retreat

Sure enough, when I first arrived at Peace Retreat, Kevin promised me that I would leave transformed. I went there as a writer to report about it, so I was skeptical that I would have the full experience, but he was right. I went in with the intention to have an authentic experience, and I grew more in those five days than I thought possible. I left feeling like the McQuillans had been lifelong friends. They inspired me to bring yoga, meditation, and more authenticity back to Austin with me, and I think I’m doing a pretty good job. I hope we cross paths again, and I hope that others have the same chance.

Disclaimer: Peace Retreat covered my meals and accommodation so I could write about it, but as always, all of my opinions are all mine.

Me skiing Schoolmarm in Keystone

Colorado is my favorite place on earth (other than Santorini). I grew up going to Estes Park every summer, with some spring breaks in Aspen. I’ve also visited Durango, Boulder, Keystone, Breckenridge, and more.

What do I love about it? The fresh, crisp mountain air is intoxicating, and the verdant scenery is breathtaking. Soaring peaks, sparkling lakes, massive valleys. Wildlife is abundant. Our main activity in Estes Park was hiking in the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park. I have also gone white water rafting and skiing in Colorado.

Vail Resorts owns the famous Colorado resorts of Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek. They also own two ski resorts in California, North Star-Tahoe and Heavenly. The Vail Resorts team makes a stop in Austin each year, and I joined them recently for the third year in a row to learn about developments at the resorts this winter. I thought a lot was happening last year–in December, my husband and I went to Keystone for a few nights and went out to Breckenridge for the day (see my posts from day 1, day 2, and day 3). But this year is also full of fun events, great deals, and new things to do.

Epic Pass

Skiing is not cheap, so I was happy to hear that this year, their Epic Pass is an amazing deal. It’s $649 per person for unlimited, unrestricted skiing at ALL of their resorts (Colorado and California), all winter season. While that may sound like a lot at first, a seven-day pass is $499, so it’s actually a fantastic price for unlimited skiing at six resorts in two states! This year, $5 from each Epic Pass will go toward St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shaun White’s charity of choice.

EpicMix app

Their EpicMix app now lets you take and share photos (it works on iPhone and Android). This innovative smartphone app that was new last season is free when you buy the Epic Pass. Your pass is scanned when you ride a lift, and the app keeps track of your ski paths, vertical feet skied, days skied, and more. You can earn pins and share your stats on Twitter and Facebook. If you’re skiing with friends, you can also use it to track where they are on the mountains and use it communicate for a meet-up point. So cool.

Here are just a few of the cool new developments at the Colorado resorts. There’s plenty more at the California resorts, such as a partnership with Shaun White, but I don’t want to make this too long, and I’m a Colorado girl!

Beaver Creek:

• This resort is famous for serving fresh-baked cookies at 3 p.m. to skiers on the slopes. They’re launching their 8th annual Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition. Anyone can turn in a recipe, and submissions are due by Oct. 21. Judges will select five finalists, and on Nov. 23, locals and guests can eat the cookies and vote for their favorite. The winner will win a cash prize of $1,000, and their recipe will be the official Beaver Creek cookie for the year.
• This December, they are opening the new Rose Bowl high speed Doppelmayr quad chairlift. Transporting 2,400 people per hour, the new side-load chair’s ride time will be nearly cut in half at five-and-a-half minutes. This means more ski time!

Breckenridge:

I took this at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge in Dec. 2010

• The resort is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year. Leading up to opening day on Nov. 11, they are doing “50 Days of Getaways.” As it gets closer, the prizes get better. Prizes are given out through their Facebook page, so go there and like it to be eligible.
• Another way they are celebrating the 50th anniversary is giving 50% off stays in the Village of two nights or more from opening day until Dec. 15. Book on their website.
• Breckenridge Gold Runner Alpine Coaster! New on Peak 8 between two ski runs, The Gold Runner twists and turns down 2,500 feet of elevated rollercoaster and speeds through hairpin curves, twists, and dips at a maximum speed of 30 mph. You control the speed of the two-seater car, so you can take it easy navigating the corners as well. It will operate in summer and winter.
• They are hosting the Dew Tour from Dec. 15-18, an extreme winter sports competition. I went last year and it was a blast! There will also be International Snow Sculpture Championships in January.

Vail:

• On Dec. 1, a highly-anticipated new table-service restaurant, “The 10th” is opening. It’s a ski-in, ski-out restaurant. The name, is a nod to the veterans of the 10th Mountain Division, many of whom, including several of Vail’s founders, became involved in the ski industry upon returning from World War II and dramatically influenced the development of skiing in the United States.
• There are also two new restaurants opening up in the town of Vail. One is Elway’s, named after former Denver Bronco quarterback and NFL Hall of Fame Inductee John Elwaywide. It will serve an array of steaks and seafood as well as its terrific atmosphere and nightlife. The other is Matsuhisa, which is part of the Nobu brand. This will be only the fourth Matsuhisa location, and it serves traditional Japanese cuisine infused bold South American and Western flavors.
• Vail Snow Daze: From Dec. 5-11, early season skiers will enjoy a week of live entertainment from headliners like Weezer, O.A.R., Dwight Yoakam and Mix Master Mike, plus contests, parties and giveaways throughout town.

Keystone:

• This year, there will be a brand-new Dercum Square Ice Rink in River Run Village (where the slopes are). It’s 7,200 square feet and has day and night skating. It’s free, though there is a charge to rent skates.
• The resort’s award-winning pastry chef sculpts a miniature alpine village every December from 2,500 pounds of imported chocolate at the Keystone Lodge & Spa. I saw it last year in person, and it was unbelievable. She adds on more each year, so there will be something new this December.
• Adventure Point Tubing: One of Colorado’s best tubing spots is at the summit of Dercum Mountain at Adventure Point. With a good pitch and long runout, the park’s four tubing lanes are fast and fun. Snow biking is also available at Adventure Point. New this year–every Thursday is Disco Tubing night, so get ready to dance!

Have you been to any of the Vail Resorts? What did you think?

I randomly heard of Travaasa Austin a few months ago, and when I checked out their website, I could tell that the wellness resort in the Texas Hill Country was unique. Coincidentally, their PR team recently reached out to me and asked if I would like to come spend a day there to check it out. A few Saturdays ago, I went and spent a full day there, and I had a ball. (Side note: I forgot to charge my camera so I used my iPhone camera; I apologize that the quality of the photos isn’t better.)

Travaasa is only 30 minutes from downtown Austin, but it’s located out in the rustic hills of Central Texas. It sits on 210 acres and is refreshingly quiet and peaceful. Due to a historic drought, the land in Austin is dry and crispy, but out at Travaasa, somehow everything was still verdant. The resort strives to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.The spa, pool, fitness center, restaurant, yoga studio, and lodgings are all within walking distance. You walk through winding wooded trails to get from place to place, as you can see in my photo below–something calming in and of itself.

They have 70 guestrooms for people who come stay overnight, and all of the rooms have sweeping views of the Balcones Canyon Preserve. There are hacienda rooms, which have flat-screen TVs and are for those who want to stay connected to the outside world. If you prefer to disconnect a bit more, the casitas offer yoga mats and stretching ropes.

I didn’t have the chance to take a yoga class, but I took a peek in the yoga studio and it filled with natural light and overlooks the nearby greenery:

Music Massages

Travaasa has an on-site spa. It’s the type of spa where you have a locker and change into a robe and slippers, and then enter a relaxation room where you can hang out and drink tea before your treatment. I love spas that offer that; it helps you unwind before the bodywork even begins.

They offer traditional massages and facials, but they have two music massages–I had never heard of the concept before. The first is the Rose Massage, which I had. This massage is done of the backdrop of Janis Joplin music, who got her start in Austin. It was really interesting; the songs were soft enough that the massage was still peaceful, but it gave the massage a fun vibe. The masseuse used rose oil, which smelled so delicious. The last song that was played was “Piece of My Heart,” and at the end, you get to take home a little heart made by a local artist. It’s a custom massage, so you get to choose what style you want. I wanted deep tissue, and my masseuse, Jason, did a fantastic job at getting in there and working through the knots in my back. They also offer a massage to the soundtrack of Willie Nelson music, another famous Austin musician.

Unique Texas-inspired activities

Travaasa has daily schedules of activities, and guests can participate in as many or as few as they want. The activities focus on Texas culture, fitness, and exploration. While they offer typical resort activities such as yoga, meditation, and cooking demos, they have a slew of unique offerings. They have mechanical bull fitness, Texas Two-Step lessons, a harmonica class, slack line, challenge course, journaling, photography, eco-hikes, geocaching, mini med school, an equine experience, and much more.

I eavesdropped everywhere I went, from the dining room to the locker room, and I heard many people remark that the staff in every department here were the creme de la creme and all seem to have major experience in their field. As I progressed through my day there, I could tell that each person truly knew their stuff.

Here are the other activities I took part in:

Whole Body Fitness
I participated in the 45-minute class in Agave Fitness Center. My instructor, Ivonete, had a unique style that heavily focused on using multiple muscle groups at once and posture. We used many weight machines, and rather than simply doing the default movement that worked one body part, she taught us methods to engage both core and legs, or both legs and arms. It was just me and one other woman in the class, so when we both expressed a little confusion about exactly what Ivonete meant about certain postures, she put things on hold and took a lot of time to carefully explain and show to us the right way to do it. I love when instructors truly spend time working closely with you to make sure you have the right form, as it makes sure you aren’t injured and maximize the workout. Ivonete invented the blue mats you see behind her, which have footprints and handprints to help you maintain proper form in a variety of exercises.

Breath Work
I ended up being the only person who attended this session, and it was amazing getting the personal attention. This workshop was out in Solidago Gardens, which is secluded from the rest of the resort. I walked past a stone labyrinth (pictured below) and approached a building enclosed in a stone wall that looked like an Asian temple. I entered the courtyard, and there was a waterfall fountain. I opened two large wooden doors and entered a stunning wooden room with a high ceiling and skylight. It truly felt like a sanctuary or temple in China or Asia. Susan, my instructor, was a lovely woman who was soft-spoken and soothing. She discussed the anatomy of breathing, and how being conscious of our breathing can help us in our day-to-day lives. She had me lie down and close my eyes, and she talked me through a very relaxing breathing exercise.

After that, she told me that breath work can help us in several situations in life. There is a type of breathing that helps energize you and pumps energy into your veins (if you’ve done Bikram, it’s the Pranayama breathing you use at the beginning of class). There is a type of breathing that helps relax you when you’re stressed and anxious, and there’s a type of breathing that can help drift you into sleep or meditation. There is one other type that now I’m forgetting. She let me choose which strategies I was most interested in and taught them to me. Toward the end, she had me lie down again and walked me through another soothing breathing exercise. I left so relaxed.

Lunch in Jean’s Kitchen
This on-site restaurant serves fresh delicious food with as many local ingredients as possible. The menu lists the full nutrition information for each dish–I wish every restaurant did that! I had the baked sweet potato fries and the Wagyu sliders. Both were tender and flavorful. I somehow managed to eat nearly all of it!

Mechanical Bull Fitness

It’s no secret that some bars have mechanical bulls and allow tipsy patrons to ride them and make fools of themselves. But I can safely say that I’d never heard of using them for fitness. In true Texas flavor, Travaasa Austin has a mechanical bull, but it’s used as exercise rather than drunken shenanigans. Ivonete operates the controls and slowly increases the speed and bucking. It is an incredible thigh and core workout! As it gets faster and trashing harder, it becomes a major challenge to stay on. Someone said that leaning in the opposite direction of the bull and keeping a hand in the air helped, and it did–I managed to stay on longer than most people could. That’s not to say that I didn’t take a few spills. I inevitably always tumbled off of it and into the inflated red ring. It was a lot of fun! I handed someone my camera and they took the pic of me below riding the bull before things got too crazy.

Cooking Demo
The head chef who usually gives the demonstrations was taking a rare day off, so another woman who worked at Travaasa led it. She wasn’t a chef there, but she had attended cooking school and helped create the menus at Travaasa. The food was bruschetta with ricotta salata, an unusual cheese that she said was ricotta cheese pressed together to make a firmer cheese. It’s so rare that even the head chef didn’t know what it was when she requested to order it. I love learning about new cheeses, and it was delicious. She used fresh cherry tomatoes picked on-site, a freshly-blended oil mixture with garlic and basil, and sourdough bread handmade by the head chef with a special ingredient he refuses to share.

Infinity Pool

Travaasa has a gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks the green hills. There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas to go around. I swam up to the edge overlooking the Hill Country and decided that I definitely needed to come back here.

Since I didn’t stay overnight, I didn’t get the complete experience and didn’t get to see what the guest rooms looked like. But I got a great taste of the day-to-day activities that guests get to enjoy, and not only did I have fun, but I learned a lot and got to decompress. I can see it being a great place to go as a solo retreat or a fun couples getaway (the spa director told me that both are common there).

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, located in heart of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, is also known as “the castle in the city.” The towering building with stunning French chateau-style architecture can be seen from all over downtown, and it looks more like a palace than a hotel.

After hearing wonderful things about it from fellow travel bloggers, I choose to stay there for my three nights in the city.

The hotel is actually the third incarnation of the Hotel Vancouver. The very first opened in 1888. The current one opened in May of 1939, just in time for a visit from Great Britain’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Once you enter the lobby, you can tell why it’s fit for a king; there are high ceilings, marble floors, massive chandeliers, regal carpet, and decorative crown molding. It also has several in-house retailers, including Gucci and the city’s flagship Louis Vuitton store. I did some great window shopping!

Canine Ambassadors

The first thing I noticed upon entering the hotel was the classic and elegant style. The second was the two adorable dogs hanging out next to the concierge desk. I quickly learned that these sweet labs were Mavis and Beau, the Fairmont’s Canine Ambassadors (see my pics of them below). I was happy to learn that several other Fairmonts have dogs as well. They each have a bed on either side of the concierge desk, but they liked to wander and sometimes sleep on the floor. One time I saw a little kid playing with one of them, and the dog was so sweet and patient.

These pups made this luxurious hotel seem more like home. When I travel, I miss my dog terribly. It gave me comfort to be able to pet these dogs. One thing I love is that you are allowed to take them on walks! They can only be walked a few times a day, but this is a very good thing—it would be terrible if they were forced to go on 15 walks a day! They occasionally took a little stroll through the lobby, but they were extremely well-behaved and friendly. Each one lives with a member of hotel staff, so they go home every evening and come back in the mornings.

Interestingly, Mavis and Beau have both been trained as seeing eye dogs. Another fun fact is that Mavis is the half-sister of one of the Canine Ambassador dogs at the Fairmont Waterfront location.

The Location

There are three Fairmont hotels in downtown Vancouver: Hotel Vancouver, Waterfront, and Pacific Rim. Each has a different personality and style. This one is located on Georgia Street and is just one block from Robson Street, a major thoroughfare with tons of shops and restaurants.

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was the perfect spot for exploring downtown by foot. We were able to walk to Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, beaches, and Granville Island. We never even took a bus or SkyTrain—we enjoyed taking advantage of the exercise and beautiful weather. There are literally hundreds of restaurants within half a mile of the hotel; one of our favorites was Kamei Royale, a Japanese restaurant right across the street. We also loved Pacifico, an Italian restaurant a few blocks away. There is also great shopping all around in areas surrounding the hotel, from major designer shops to cute affordable boutiques.

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea doesn’t happen in America. Sure, some of us drink green tea or chai tea from time to time, but there is no such thing as tea time as an event. I assumed it was only an English tradition. I was intrigued to find out that it was also popular in Vancouver. This confused me at first, until I put two and two together and realized that Vancouver is in British Columbia, which has a shared heritage with the U.K.

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver hosts a traditional afternoon tea every afternoon at its classy 900 West Lounge, which I attended one day. The tea menu is lengthy, with dozens of worldwide teas to choose from. I went with peppermint, which I loved. Each person gets their personal kettle, which is something we rarely get when we order tea in the U.S. I was told that the Fairmont Pacific Rim has a tea menu with more Asian influence. They also have a fun tea menu for kids; flavors have included bubblegum tea and peanut butter and jelly.

The tea treats I took back to the room with me

To complete the experience, you can get a tier of traditional tea snacks, including petit sandwiches, homemade scones (incredibly tasty—of course it’s a secret recipe!), fresh strawberries with Devonshire cream, and delectable pastries (lemon tart, blueberry cheesecake, mini éclairs, etc.). It’s served with the original royal crystal.

I had a late lunch that day so I wasn’t able to eat much at actual tea time, but they kindly let me take the rest of the goodies back to my room, which I had for dessert that night! It was fun getting to experience a true afternoon tea; it provided a great break in the day to enjoy fresh tea, delicious treats, and good conversation. Why don’t we do that in America?

My Room

My room at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

The first thing that struck me about the room was the beautiful bedding with purple accents (it’s my favorite color). The second was the window that looked straight at the harbor. Sure, it was only a small part of the harbor since buildings blocked the rest of the view, but I didn’t care. I loved watching the bustling city from above and seeing ships pass by.

While the room itself was spacious, with a work desk, comfy chair, and an armoir with a flat-screen TV, there was one big thing I felt was missing: a full-length mirror. I love being able to see my full outfit before I go out, and there wasn’t one–just the bathroom mirror that shows about chest up (I’m short). The bathroom was also quite small, though I know it’s an old building. The massive, cozy king-size bed made up for that.

Prior to arriving in Vancouver, we were in Seattle for several nights and stayed in a friend’s apartment. It was downtown and had no air conditioning, and it was a warm week. We had to sleep with the windows open, which meant lots of light and noise (I had to wear earplugs and an eye mask). It was such a relief that our room at the Fairmont was quiet, had a cooling system, and had blackout curtains. The bed was soft and comfortable. After that stay in Seattle, I slept like a baby here.

The Celebration of Light took place while we were in Vancouver. I was advised by many to go to it, but I was also warned that the crowds would be intense. We were in the room that evening well before the event, and I heard several bangs. I ran to the window and saw smoke in the air—they were test fireworks. I realized we would probably be able to see the show from our window, so we stayed in the room rather than dealing with the masses. We pulled up a chair to the window and watched a stunning firework show from our 12^th-story hotel room. It was perfect. I took photos of the whole show, including that one to the left.

Exercise Room and Pool
I was too busy exploring the city to visit Absolute Spa, the hotel’s in-house spa, though I wish I had squeezed in time for a massage. But I did use the exercise room once. I was extremely impressed—the equipment is very new and modern. The treadmills had screens that allowed you to watch TV while running, and the stationary bikes had screens that could simulate outdoor biking. They also had a new device with weighted cables that could be used in dozens of different ways, and there was a video playing on repeat showing how to use it. I’m a fitness junkie and have been to plenty of hotels with mediocre or bad workout equipment, so I was very happy with theirs.

We visited the pool, which is indoors but surrounded by windows, so it is flooded with natural light. There were several kids swimming at the time, so we instead soaked in the hot tub. It was a great way to unwind after a long day.

Little Things I Loved

• At some big hotels, you’re stuck waiting for elevators for ages. The hotel has six elevators, so I very rarely had to wait for one or miss one because it was too crowded.
• On our first day, we asked the concierge for advice on a casual lunch nearby. Rather than giving us several different options to choose from, as many places usually do, he got straight down to business and just gave us one solid recommendation (Cactus Club Café). His choice proved to be perfect; I was happy not to be overwhelmed with choices during my first hour in a new city.
• At evening turn-down, they refill your ice bucket, leave you two free bottles of water, and leave you a card with the weather for the next day. It’s the little things that count.

Great Tip!
I learned this from the brilliant Johnny Jet. It’s completely free to join the Fairmont President’s Club, so you should sign up online before your visit. It gives you free access to WiFi (normally very pricey). You get other perks, such as free bicycle rental and free newspaper.

Disclosure: One of my nights at the Fairmont was complimentary for review purposes. As always, my review is fully objective.

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme's facade

Some of my favorite things to see when traveling are castles and palaces. No, I don’t have a princess complex–something about these ornate historic buildings just absolutely captivates me. I loved touring Versailles, Kensington Palace, Edinburgh Castle, and so on. I love trying to imagine what life must have been like there.

So you can imagine my excitement when I learned that a select few hotels in France have been deemed palaces by the French government. Hotel palaces, that is–five-star French hotels of the highest distinction. Still, it means that a regular girl like me can stay in the modern equivalent of a palace.

A Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme guest room

Only eight such palace hotels exist in France. I learned of this in May when the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme was named a Distinction Palace hotel.

Over the years, many French hotels began calling themselves palace hotels, but it wasn’t official. To create standards, the French government stepped in last year and made it an official category and laid out specific criteria for five-star properties to compete for the prized rating of Distinction Palace. Some of the things considered were speed of service, quality of dining, and historical and architectural interest.

They stated that this new “tourism version of the ‘Pulitzer Prize’ … will be awarded by a most unusual and prestigious jury” that consists of 10 respected personalities from the worlds of hospitality, architecture and design, literature, film and television, science, and business.

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme Ambassador Suite

The Park Hyatt opened in 2002, but its beautiful palace-like facade was the former couture house of Paquin. It has a world-class spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, and 40 stunning Ed Tuttle-designed suites. The hotel’s decor pays respect to the building’s incredible history while also feeling contemporary and timeless.

The seven other palace hotels are:

• The Bristol in Paris
• The Meurice in Paris
• The Plaza Athenee in Paris
• The Palais in Biarritz
• The Airelles and Cheval Blanc in Alpine resort Courchevel
• Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat near Nice

I got married last Saturday, and since my husband (still not used to using that word!) is in law school, we were only able to get away for a few nights. After having a wonderful stay at a suite in the Omni Downtown Austin, we headed over to The Inn Above Onion Creek in Kyle, Texas for two nights.

We came here a few months ago for just one night and immediately knew that we would be back. The property is only around 20 miles southwest of my city of Austin, but it feels like you’re in another world. It’s tucked away on 88 pastoral acres off a winding country road.

The Inn Above Onion Creek has an on-site spa down the road from the main buildings and a pool, but the best perks are the delectable three-course gourmet dinners and gourmet breakfasts included in the room rate. You can choose to have the dinner in the dining room at 6 p.m. at shared tables (where you will meet tons of interesting people) or you can pick it up to-go at 7 and enjoy it on your own. My mouth is still watering from the homemade tres leches dessert on the first night. Oh, and you have 24/7 access to jars of two different types of fresh-baked cookies, plus free popcorn, sodas, and juices. You won’t find that at a hotel.

The inn's two main buildings

The B&B has 12 guest rooms–two of which are stand-alone cabins. The regular rooms and suites are in two separate wooden buildings next to each other. During this stay, we were in the Kuykendall Suite, which actually spanned two stories and had a fireplace on each level. Click on that link to see high-quality pictures of the room.

This building housed our room, in addition to the kitchen, dining room, and library

Every room has a porch or deck, some of which are private. Our last room had a ground-level private back deck; this time it was a second-story deck that we shared with two other rooms. But the deck was huge, and none of the other guests were ever out there when we are, so it felt private. It overlooked the countryside and was blissfully quiet and peaceful. We spent so much time sitting out there reading, playing guitar, and just talking.

Bryan playing guitar on the deck

I took this photo of Bryan hanging out on the deck using the iPhone app Panorama for the first time:

The inn’s library is another one of its unusual treasures. With a fireplace, grandfather clock, rows of hardback books, and comfy leather chairs, it feels like you’ve gone back in time. The room also has tons of board games you can use, in addition to a huge DVD library. You can borrow them for free and take them back to the DVD player in your room or watch it in the library’s TV. Bryan enjoyed digging through University of Texas yearbooks from the 1960s and a photo history of the Civil War, while I made a cacophony with the accordion that was sitting in a shelf (my talent remains with the cello; it’s fortunate that no other guests were in the room to hear it).

Inn Above Onion Creek's library

Another part of the library

The inn’s name isn’t arbitrary. There’s a path leading away from the inn (the one you see in the panorama picture above) that takes you to a scenic overlook of the creek the inn is named after. It’s only 400 yards to the overlook, but it’s a lovely and quiet walk among the trees and cacti.

View from the scenic overlook (it's a lot further away than it looks in this picture)

Sadly, we arrived to find no water. We later learned that the creek is in fact dry most of the time. Despite this, I was so happy to be away from a desk and out amongst nature.

Me, the city girl, loving being out in the woods

While we spent most of our time outside, our two-story suite was fantastic. We always had one of the fireplaces going, and the king bed was incredibly comfortable. The bathroom was larger than the size of my bedroom at home. To the right was a two-person jetted tub, and to the left was a double shower. I had never seen one before. It was enormous, and it even had a bench inside–amazing for those of us who have to shave our legs. Now I want one!

Our double shower. Why doesn't every home have one?

The inn is a short drive to the charming town of Wimberley, and it’s a great home base for exploring the Texas Hill Country’s wineries. But we went there to just unwind and be together. The first time we went, I asked the innkeeper what there was to do in Kyle. She said not much–that most people went there to “just be.” That’s what we did. There’s nothing like sitting on a porch in rocking chairs watching the sun set over the countryside. And then stuffing your face with homemade cookies.

A Texas sunset

This is the third post in a three-part series about destination weddings. Read the other posts to learn about the pros and cons of destination weddings and tips for planning a destination wedding.

For couples who want an especially unique wedding or whose families don’t have a home base, a destination wedding may be the perfect way to tie the knot. Whether you get married 100 miles or 10,000 miles away, getting hitched abroad is the perfect excuse to travel. More often than not, your guests will make a vacation out of it and stay a while, too.

You can pick your favorite vacation spot, or a place where you would want to stay for a honeymoon. While you may want to pick a spot at random, Molly Ann, the photographer behind Luminaire Images, has seen an increase in weddings of the ancestral homeland of the bride or the groom. For example, she is in talks with a couple who lives in Texas but are looking to get married in Peru because the groom was born there.

Here are a mix of resorts, hotels, and areas across the world that host gorgeous destination weddings. Most of these venues have on-site wedding coordinators. Disclaimer: Some of these are affiliate links.

United States venues:

Alyeska Resort

Alyeska Resort: Girdwood, Alaska
This year-round luxury destination is located outside of Anchorage. They operate a ski area and 304-room hotel, and are located in the heart of the Chugach range. According to Sandy Chio, Director of Marketing, Alaska is a huge draw for brides and grooms because it is so spectacular and different. The resort is 40 miles from a major airport and on a scenic byway easily accessible via train, shuttle, limo, or rental car. “Although you’re in ‘remote’ Alaska, you are also based in a full-service hotel with the level of luxury amenities that you’d expect at home,” says Chio. This includes an on-site wedding coordinator and full catering.

Westward Look Resort: Tucson, Arizona
This venue claims to be Tucson’s first resort. Tucson is not only scenic but also has beautiful weather for winter weddings. The resort offer Sweet Surprise Elopement Package for those who want a more intimate private wedding. Starting at $850 a night, couples can enjoy a private ceremony site, a five-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by a personal chef and served to the couple’s private patio, a Stargazer Suite with private hot tub, couple’s massage in-room or at the Sonoran Spa, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, breakfast in bed, and discounted rates for additional guest rooms. They also offer more traditional wedding packages.

Calaveras County, California
This part of California has everything from rolling golf greens to rugged snow filled mountains. It’s located in foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is the home of the California Gold Rush. You can have an elegant wedding at a winery or you can have an adventurous wedding at the entrance of a cave, such as Black Chasm Cavern, California Cavern, and Moaning Cavern. The area is loaded with outdoor activities for your guests.

Newport Dunes Resort

Newport Dunes Resort: Newport Beach, California
This resort sits on 100 waterfront acres featuring a 406-site RV park, 450-slip marina, and a private waveless beach and playground. Wedding guests enjoy the warm Southern California weather, and the resort has multiple waterfront and beachfront ceremony spots. They offer personal wedding planners and accommodation packages. They can host rehearsal dinners, and they can accommodate ceremonies or parties of any size, from 30 to 1,000.

Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort: Santa Barbara, California
Situated in a mission-style (and pet-friendly!) hotel on 24 beach-front acres, this resort is a popular place for gorgeous destination weddings.  Santa Barbara is called America’s Riviera; the resort offers mountain, garden, and ocean views of the surrounding area. Best of all, it’s only half a mile from downtown Santa Barbara. The resort has many flexible options for either indoor or outdoor weddings, including an intimate beach wedding. There are four on-site restaurants, a spa, tennis courts, and more. Guests can visit the nearby zoo, go whale watching, go biking, visit nearby wineries, and so much more.

Breckenridge Resort: Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge has many different wedding options. Get married in a charming historic church, in a cozy mountain lodge, or even on skis atop a snow-covered peak. The 151-year-old historic town features 300 days of sunshine and fresh alpine air, and it’s a great spot for weddings at any season. At 9,600 feet elevation with sweeping views of the Tenmile range, you will feel on top of the world. Breckenridge offers mountain lodges, ski condos, hotel rooms, and more.

Callaway Gardens

Callaway Gardens: Pine Mountain, Georgia
Centrally located in the Southeast and only one hour from Atlanta’s airport, this mature woodland garden is a beautiful place to get married. Callaway Gardens is also a resort with great golf and fishing. Depending on size and your interests, there are many places to have your ceremony: have a beach wedding at Robin Lake Beach (an inland beach), at the boat dock overlooking the lake and golf course, inside a chapel, a garden ceremony, on a bridge overlooking Mountain Creek Lake, and more.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: Koloa, Hawaii
This quiet and romantic island hosts 250 destination weddings a year. They have wedding planners and a spa where you can unwind. The area also has tons of outdoor activities. Publicist Diann Hartman says there is a solution for guests who can’t make it out to Hawaii. “There is a company here, Hawaii Stream, that will live-feed your wedding on the Internet so your friends and family can watch,” she says. They archive it online for a while, and then edit it and send you a short version on DVD. You can get a private URL, which you give to those who might want to watch. “I’ve heard of some people’s entire workplace stopping to watch the wedding of a co-worker!” says Hartman.

Halekulani: Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
This luxurious 453-room hotel sits on the oceanfront of Waikiki Beach. It has won numerous awards and recognition for its amenities and service. Halekulani houses three-award winning restaurants, SpaHalekulani, which is the first to fully explore the healing cultures of the Pacific Islands. The Vera Wang suite is designed by Vera Wang herself, and is the ultimate in honeymoon suites.

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa: Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
This Maui resort is great for a Hawaiian destination wedding. The 544-room oceanfront resort offers a variety of tropical locations featuring amazing Pacific Ocean, sunset and garden views. The resort has a designated Romance Center led by wedding expert Tracy Flanagan, who has 22 years of experience in the Maui wedding industry. The bridal party can also take advantage of the hotel’s Mandara Spa.

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida
“Balmy breezes, endless Gulf beaches and year-round sunshine make southwest Florida’s Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel one of the world’s most romantic wedding destinations,” says Wrenda Goodwyn, who works on behalf of the area. It gives you a tropical island feel without having to leave the country. Many of the resorts here offer very affordable packages.

WaterColor Inn & Resort: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
This resort on the warm northwest Florida coast overlooks green gulf water, making it ideal for those who want a romantic beach wedding with mild weather. They have a team of wedding service professionals to help you plan all the details and pick a reception site. Guests will be entertained with swimming, fishing, kayaking, tennis, and more. There is also a camp for kids.

Wedding at SouthWood Golf Club in Tallahassee, FL

SouthWood Golf Club in Tallahassee, Florida
According to publicist Jonathan Williamson, this venue features antebellum setup, giant oak trees, and old plantation clubhouse. It’s very popular with guests from the South, such as Atlanta, Jacksonville, Birmingham. They have on-site cottages where the bridal parties can stay. There is also plenty of on-site entertainment, including a well-ranked golf course.

The Wauwinet: Nantucket, Massachusetts
Wedding season at The Wauwinet is in May or October, and the inn can accommodate up to 150 guests. Located nine

The Wauwinet

miles outside of town on the peacefully secluded northeast tip of the island, guests can relax in one of the 28 guest rooms or in one of the four garden cottages. Have an elegant ceremony with a backdrop of Nantucket Bay at sunset. The Wauwinet offers highly-lauded catering in a tent on the lawn overlooking the bay. Get a couples’ massage at the spa to relax before the big day.

Big Cedar Lodge: Ridgedale, Missouri
Located in the hills of the Ozarks, this venue feels hidden away even though it’s only 15 minutes south of Branson. It is close to three airports, making it easy for guests to get there. It’s primarily a destination wedding venue, so it’s equipped with certified wedding planners who know how to handle all the details. The lodge is close to outlet shopping, go carts and mini golf, entertaining shows like the Dixie Stampede and Branson Showboat Belle, and the Ozark pioneer-inspired theme park, Silver Dollar City.

Finger Lakes Region, New York
“Finger Lakes Wine Country is a beautiful and natural location for your wedding, done your way,” says Emily Hubbell, Director of Communications for Holiday Inn Express Horseheads and Holiday Inn Elmira Riverview in Finger Lakes. “The Finger Lakes offers every backdrop you could imagine; rolling hills, vineyards, wineries, one of the many lakes, waterfalls, gorges, small town churches and even your fairytale castles.  The region also boasts several facilities that can host your bridal parties, rehearsal dinners and plenty of rooms for your family and guests to stay.”

The Swag Country Inn: Waynesville, North Carolina
Located 30 miles from Asheville in the the Smokies of North Carolina, this inn sits on 250 acres and borders the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It feels more like the Swiss Alps than the North Carolina mountains, and you can exchange vows in front of a breathtaking vista.The Swag is offering three wedding packages designed to make your wedding stress-free. It has 14 luxurious accommodations on-site. They can host weddings of up to 100 people.

The Fairfax Hotel

Black Hills, South Dakota
Joe Rainboth, the blogger behind Black Hills Travel Blog, had a destination wedding with his wife in the Black Hills of South Dakota (the area is now their home). Through his research, he found that you could have everything from a traditional church wedding to a rustic cabin wedding, but they opted to have a beautiful lakefront wedding at Sylvan Lake. He thought that the local wedding professionals he found in the area were top-notch, and there were many affordable lodging options in the area. There was also so much to enjoy there that many guests stayed later to tour Mount Rushmore and relax.

Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row: Washington, D.C.
In spring—prime time for wedding season—D.C. blooms with cherry blossoms. It’s also a great place to tie the knot.  This regal hotel has been around since 1927, and General Manager Robert Schofield says, “A gleaming black and white marble foyer opens up to a stately 2,600 square foot banquet room adorned with chandeliers and a small stage risen a few steps above the main room on which the couple can say their ‘I Do’s.’ An alcove with a piano lies adjacent to the main room, which can accommodate up to 250 guests.”

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch: Saratoga, Wyoming
Dana Parks, publicist for the venue, says it opens in spring 2011 and “is a exclusive, independent guest ranch” perfect for a unique destination wedding “set amid a century-old working cattle ranch outside of Saratoga in south central Wyoming’s North Platte River Valley.” Situated on 13,000 private acres, the property features a chapel and dance hall, wedding gardens with built-in stone seating, an overlook deck with great views and an indoor event space, and a flavor of the West. There is also a spa, on-site wedding planning services, and many outdoor activities.

International venues:

The Authentic Seacoast: Nova Scotia, Canada
The Authentic Seacoast Resorts are located at the head of Chedabucto Bay, the largest bay on the Nova Scotia Atlantic coast. Their properties include DesBarres Manor Inn, a luxury bed & breakfast inn that has received numerous culinary awards, and Osprey Shores Golf Resort, a motel-style lodge on a 60 acre peninsula between Mussel and Cutler coves. It’s great for couples who picture their marriage ceremony in a scenic seaside location off the beaten track, but still have the luxuries of award-winning cuisine and wine, comfortable guest rooms, and warm maritime hospitality.

Niagara Falls: Ontario, Canada
Remember the episode of “The Office” where Pam and Jim wed on a boat at Niagara Falls? This gorgeous natural setting is a unique place to get married. “The Niagara Parks Commission has many great venues for weddings,” says Sandra Aaron, destination wedding planner with Mindless Sophistication Events. “Last season they had a wedding over the Gorge on their Sky tram, and another where the bride arrived on horseback.”

The Lanesborough: London, England
Located in London’s Hyde Park, this luxury hotel is known for its resemblance of an 18th century residence. With just 95 guest rooms, 43 being suites, each room is decorated to the highest standard and includes a personal butler. As a wedding destination, The Lanesborough offers six venues ranging from small intimate rooms to others that hold up to 120 guests and display open views of Hyde Park. The Lanesborough is the home of Apsleys, which holds the record for the fastest London restaurant to be awarded a Michelin Star, less than five months after opening.

Yasawa Island Resort

Yasawa Island Resort & Spa: Fiji
Recommended by Sandra Aaron, this resort is a fantastic wedding location for those who want to get away from busy city life or want a gorgeous beach wedding. The resort has 18 luxurious bungalows, all which have no televisions (though WiFi is available in the main area of the resort). It’s located on one of Fiji’s most remote islands, which features activities such as swimming, diving, and visiting local villages. The resort also has a spa.

Ireland
With a well-developed tourism infrastructure, international airports, glorious scenery, renowned golf courses, legendary hospitality, and Celtic romance, Ireland makes a great spot for a destination wedding. The Emerald Isle is dotted with castles and estates now re-purposed as hotels, resorts and inns perfect for weddings. “You could be married in a real Irish castle,” said Tim Grant of Irish Aisle, a U.S.- based, Irish-themed wedding resource website.  “These are authentic castles built centuries ago and classic old estates set in beautifully landscaped grounds.  Add to it Ireland’s unforgettable scenery, and you just couldn’t find more romantic and elegant wedding destinations.” This includes Ashford Castle in County Mayo and Barberstown Castle, County Kildare, both built in the 13th century; and the 18th century estates of Adare Manor in County Limerick and Mount Falcon Estate in County Mayo.

Italy
Everything about the country screams “amore.” According to Lisa Fantino of Wanderlust Women, a travel planning company that specializes in Italy, “It is perfect because your theme is set and the natural beauty limits the amount of ‘extras’ you must add for decor, as you set the scene with the blues of the Amalfi Coast or the golden tones of the Tuscan Hills. ” You can also get married in a major city, such as Rome, Venice, or Florence, which is sure to keep your guests busy. Once the party is over, it’s the perfect place to stay for your honeymoon.

GEEJAM

GEEJAM: Port Antonio, Jamaica
Jamaica is very close to the U.S. and features a tropical climate year-round, so you can save by going here off-season. Set in the lush rainforested area just outside the town of Portland on Jamaica’s northeast coast, the luxury property was originally a residential recording studio where the likes of No Doubt, Amy Winehouse, and India.Arie have written and recorded music. It has since expanded to become a six-acre private hotel, placed part-way up one of the coastal foothills of the Blue Mountains, looking out over the pristine shoreline of the San San Estate. For weddings, the resort will coordinate and execute every event detail. Geejam’s private beach is available only to guests and is lined with red cabana beds and red and gold tables.

Strawberry Hill: St. Andrew, Jamaica
The mountain resort of Strawberry Hill offers an alternative to the classic Jamaican vacation. The 50-acre former coffee estate is perched 3,100 feet above sea level in the Blue Mountains, offering a picturesque backdrop for a wedding. The resort offers a variety of garden and villa venues that can accommodate 10-250 guests. The ceremonies can be on the beautiful mountain view lawn or on a balcony in a private room overlooking the city of Kingston. Smaller nuptials can also be held at the Jade Arbor or yoga gazebo. The resort offers a number of wedding packages. Full property bookings are available with three night minimum stays.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso: Los Cabos, Mexico
The desert beach resort actually has a Director of Romance, whose job is to make your experience as lovey-dovey as possible. Las Ventanas also introduced something special for brides and their bridesmaids: the New Beginning Ritual, a holistic spa ceremony. While here, the bridal party and guests can go golfing, horseback riding, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing, whale-watching, and more.

CasaMagna Marriott

CasaMagna Marriott: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Situated between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Bay of Banderas, this resort has 433 newly renovated rooms and the largest resort spa in Puerto Vallarta. There is also an infinity oceanfront pool, tennis courts, multiple restaurants, and a kids program. Weddings here are very affordable and have many options. Get married on a beachfront patio, flowering garden, sand or on a grass-covered jetty with the ocean as a backdrop. Expert wedding planners help customize the event and accommodate any request. Other perks include room rates, upgrades, and a hosted website, among other amenities.

Rosewood Mayakoba: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Weddings at Rosewood Mayakoba allow you to choose stunning outdoor venues like the white sand beach or the plaza with views of the resort, lagoon, and tropical jungle. Three different restaurants are available to cater. Retreat to the privacy of a private plunge pool after the ceremony, or come down a day early with the wedding party and receive treatments at the resort’s spa, Sense, which is its own private island.

Anantara Phuket Villas: Phuket, Thailand
While you can opt to have a totally traditional Western wedding here, you can also have a Thai wedding with ancient customs, such as Thai long drum processions, traditional music and dance, and the releasing of fish for good luck. Have a wedding on the tropical beach that ends with a feast of local seafood. You can also opt to get married on to the villa grounds while barefoot in the infinity pool.

Maho Bay Camps and Estate Concordia Preserve: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands don’t require a passport for Americans and are safe and affordable, yet you feel like you’re visiting a world away. Plus, these resorts are eco-friendly! According to Marketing Director Melody Smith, “Many of our guests tell us they love staying in a Swiss family Robinson type treehouse and escaping the high-tech world for a week or two. From their screened-in tent cottage, visitors can see iguanas climbing through the trees, banaquit birds feeding from the flowering trees, and with a walk down to the beach for a snorkel they can see all kinds of fish, coral, and a few turtles.”

Bolongo Bay

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is a small family-owned Caribbean resort with 62 beachfront rooms and an abundance of activities. This includes live nightly entertainment, complimentary non-motorized water sports, scuba diving, catamaran sailing, and more. Bolongo Bay has two popular on-site open-air beachfront restaurants. Lorena Leonard, Bolongo Bay’s Romance Director, guides couples through every step of wedding planning. Couples can wed right on the resort’s 1,000-foot palm-lined beach or on the Caribbean Sea on a private sail on Bolongo Bay’s own 53’ catamaran, Heavenly Days. After the ceremony, celebrate in one of the restaurants or in a private tent set up on the beach.

Peter Island Resort and Spa: British Virgin Islands
With coconuts, colorful flowers, and beaches abound, this resort sits on a private island that makes a wonderful spot for a tropical wedding. It features a variety of accommodations, including furnished villas. You can even buy out the whole island (and even its airspace) for a large wedding. While there, guests can go sailing, diving, hiking, biking, sunbathing on the beaches, relaxing in the spa, and more.

Wyndam Sugar Bay Resort: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
This mountainside resort with incredible views hosts over 300 destination weddings a year. Couples choose from a number of picturesque outdoor venues such as St. John Terrace, a rooftop gazebo overlooking St. John and the British Virgin Islands. Couples can say “I do” on the resort’s secluded stretch of beach, or if they have a large group, they can use the spacious ballrooms. Passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and obtaining a marriage license is simple. Guests enjoy a secluded beach with an array of water sports including snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking; three interconnecting freshwater pools with a waterfall and grotto; mini-golf, tennis complex; onsite spa; modern fitness center; several restaurants, and more.

Parrot Cay: Turks & Caicos
Tie the knot in a tiki hut on the white sand or in the private spa cottage overlooking the island’s wetlands.  All weddings here have a dedicated planner who assists with all preparations, including reserving the dates, food and beverage details, music and entertainment, photography, and any other service requested. Parrot Cay can accommodate small, intimate weddings, or can be bought out for larger weddings (up to 120 guests).

Are there any destinations I left off that you think make great wedding venues?

I hate writing bad hotel reviews, but this was a terrible lodging experience, so I felt like it was worth sharing this with other travelers.

Our broken curtain at Chateau Dupre

I visited New Orleans, Louisiana for the first time in early November. My friend and I wanted to stay in a vacation rental, but all the ones we were interested were already booked. We wanted to stay in the French Quarter but didn’t have a ton of money to spend, so we ended up going with Chateau Dupre, an independent hotel off Decatur near Canal. While it had some pretty bad reviews, it also had many glowing reviews. I found that nearly every hotel in this price range in the French Quarter had some bad reviews since many of them are so old.

Our plane was delayed, and we showed up tired and ready to crash. We were immediately disappointed. When we walked in, the lobby looked nothing like it did online. On Hotels.com, it looked regal and fancy. In reality, it’s very basic and on the crummy side.

We reserved a non-smoking room with two double beds online several months in advance. We arrived and they gave us a smoking room. We complained and they didn’t care, so we decided to check out the room to see how bad it was. It wasn’t a faint smell–it absolutely reeked as though someone had just been in there smoking a pack of cigarettes, and my travel partner has bad allergies that get irritated by that much smoke residue. The windows don’t open, so we couldn’t air it out.

I went downstairs and told them we couldn’t stay in that room and that we booked a nonsmoking room, but the lady at the front desk was very rude and said that smoking or nonsmoking was just a preference and that they book rooms solely based on beds. I could tell she was flustered because two other parties were in the lobby complaining about other things to her, too–one about their room not being clean on arrival, and one was a booking issue. Another couple was waiting in line to talk to her. Everyone was rolling their eyes and seemed fed up with the hotel. She was being extremely unhelpful, and I had to get sassy and flat-out told her that we had to move rooms or would have to leave the hotel. (Sidenote: I asked her if we could get a refund if we went elsewhere, and she said no–I assume because we already paid online on Hotels.com. I wonder if it would be different if we booked directly with them and hadn’t paid yet.) She relented, but all they had available was a king bed room. We took it, but we are friends–not a couple–so while it was doable, it really would have been nice to have the double beds we originally booked.

A king bed room (ours looked almost identical but the TV was in a different spot and there was no dresser--oh, and our right curtain was on the ground!)

The king bed room had two huge windows on the wall that faced outside. When we walked in, we saw that the entire curtain for one of them was sitting on a pile on the floor, leaving that window completely uncovered. I told the front desk and they didn’t do anything about it. Good thing I brought an eye mask, because it was extremely bright in the morning. And thank goodness the window only overlooked garages and not other hotels or residences where people could peer in.  (The funny thing is that one of the curtains were also messed up in the double bed room we originally entered).

The one elevator in the hotel is really old and doesn’t always work properly. Sometimes the door won’t close and just shakes, so you have to push on the door hard to restart it (the hotel staff nonchalantly showed us how). The television remote control had tape on the back of it and didn’t work. A lot of the room numbers seemed to have fallen off, as some of the room numbers we passed by in the hallway were displayed in tape.

While sometimes it was very quiet from the hotel room, at other times there was a lot of outside noise, especially early morning–some industrial, some just people yelling and shouting. We weren’t really near bars, but we were next to some garages and alleys where things were loaded and unloaded, which I assume is where it was coming from. However, I slept with earplugs (in addition to the eye mask) to lessen it, and I’m sure it would be worse right on Bourbon Street with all the loud bars and partiers.

The room with the two double beds that we were originally assigned was quite large, though the room with the king bed that we ended up in was quite a bit smaller. The rooms themselves were clean, so I had no complaints about that. The location was very good–it was easy to walk all throughout the French Quarter from there, so it was a great home base. It was also very close to the St. Charles streetcar. There were also lots of nearby restaurants. In that sense, the hotel was a great pick.

Chateau Dupre was in a convenient spot, still in the French Quarter yet a bit removed from the madness. It just had awful service and a lot of things were in obvious disrepair, and the staff didn’t seem to care. When we checked out, the woman at the front desk flat-out said to me, “I know we didn’t meet your expectations.” Unfortunately, they didn’t do anything to fix it.

For many young travelers, luxury hotels, resorts, retreats, safaris, and cruises are out of the question. I’m sure many of us would go if we could easily afford it, but $400/night vacations just aren’t in our budgets. That is, until private online travel sale websites began popping up. They’re free to use, and they offer killer limited-time offers on high-end travel.

A few years ago, private sale websites arrived for the fashion industry. Sites such as Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, Haute Look, and ideeli sprung up, all of which are invite-only. Every day, each site features private sales with extremely deep discounts on posh clothing, shoes, and accessories from several designers (some small and up-and-coming, others huge names like Salvatore Ferragamo and Marc Jacobs). Over time, Rue La La and ideeli began offering occasional sales for furniture, kitchenware, and other-non fashion items. Then, Rue La La introduced travel sales here and there, which were usually stays at hotels or resorts, and ideeli later followed.

Gilt Groupe opened up a sister site, Jetsetter, that was the same concept but only for travel. Several new travel-only private sale sites have popped up since. All of these sites offer high-end travel experiences or lodgings at significantly discounted prices, usually 50% off or more. Some simply offer a room at a chic boutique hotel at an affordable price, while others offer deals on suites or villas at lodgings at a property where most people could normally only afford a regular room. There are sometimes sales for packaged experiences that would normally be too expensive for many travelers.

All of the sites do a great job of providing detailed photos and descriptions of the experience or lodgings, in addition to itineraries or recommended flights, if appropriate. The websites each only have a few sales each day, so they hand-pick their offerings, making sure they are high quality.

Below are the three of these invite-only, travel-only sites that I’m aware of. I actually haven’t booked anything yet on any of these travel sites, though I have made purchases on several of the fashion sites. While being a member is free, to keep all of these private sales exclusive, you can only join these sites if you are referred from a friend. I’m a member of all of the fashion and travel sites mentioned in this post, so if you want to join any of them, email me at emily [at] maiden-voyage-travel [dot] com, and I’ll hook you up.

As mentioned, Jetsetter is owned by the same folks who run Gilt Groupe. They specialize in sales for experiential travel; I have seen packages for African safaris, Balinese health retreats, New York tennis camps, Costa Rica surf schools, and more. They also have many sales for stays at high-end hotels in major U.S. and European cities. There are usually two or three sales starting each day, and each sale is open from five to seven days.

Voyage Privé calls their specials “flash sales,” and they post several new ones each day. The flash sales last for five days each unless they sell out first. I have seen them offer several luxury cruises, including ones in China, South America, and the Caribbean. They have many sales for rooms at luxurious hotels in European cities, plus beach resorts in places like Mauritius, Hawaii, and the Dominican Republic. They also feature accommodations in large U.S. cities.

I just found out about SniqueAway and joined the other day. It is owned by Smarter Travel Media—a TripAdvisor Media Group company—and all hotels featured on SniqueAway have earned a minimum four-star rating classification and four out of five review ratings on TripAdvisor. I’m not surprised that more mainstream travel brands have hopped on board with this concept, similar to how sale sites like Groupon are taking off. SniqueAway offers about three new sales a day, called “escapes,” and each sale lasts up to seven days or until it sells out. Some of the sales I have seen so far are a retreat in Trinidad & Tobago, a hotel in Portugal, a beach club in Curacao, a hotel in Providence, RI, and a beach resort in South Carolina.

Have you ever used one of these private sale sites?

I’ve always been reluctant to use the “name your own price” feature on Priceline. It allows you to name your own price by bidding for a hotel in a specific area for specific dates, but you don’t get to pick the place. Same for airfare–you give the general parameters, but you don’t get to select the actual flight.

If your bid is accepted, your reservation is made, and you then find out where you will be staying or when you will be flying. While I know you can use it to save loads of money, I’ve never used it because I like to thoroughly research hotels–the location, the amenities, the reviews, etc., in addition to flight details.

But lately, several people I know have snagged great deals on Priceline, making me wonder if I should give their “name your own price” feature a whirl myself. To learn more, I talked to Don Nadeau, a Priceline bidding expert. He kindly answered these questions for me via email. You can find Don on Twitter at @donnadeau.

Don Nadeau in front of a South African family hut

Q: Don, can you first tell me a little about yourself?

A: Needless to say, I’ve always loved to travel. As for travel-related work, I started off teaching hundreds of high school students the geography—primarily cultural geography—of Africa and Asia. I also developed perhaps the first secondary school Urban Studies curriculum. That’s me you’ll see spending most of my time walking around the cities I visit.

Then I got involved with a predominately inbound travel company that at the time was second largest seller of Amtrak tickets in the world (not counting Amtrak itself). We chartered entire trains. I still love rail trips and the budget side of the business.

Eventually, I became manager of a travel agency in Canada that specialized in Third World corporate travel. Those are the places in the world that I enjoy so much and so it was a perfect fit. I earned the CTC, the highest industry designation in Ontario, while there. I have lived in Canada, South Africa, and the States.

Q: How did you end up becoming an expert on Priceline bidding?

A: I had two reactions when I first heard of Priceline around 1997. How in the world did Priceline get a patent on a concept as simple as online travel bidding? Even eBay had to pay Priceline to offer this. And, two, Americans weren’t used to and don’t especially enjoy situations where prices are not set such as buying a car.

I figured people would welcome help and started learning as much as possible, but didn’t take BidonTravel online until 2002 when I saw how easily Priceline survived the dot com collapse. It’s still one of the most financially secure online companies around.

Don's view from the Millenium Hilton--the NYC hotel he recently got when he used "name your own price"

Q: What’s your number one Priceline tip?

A: Start your Priceline experience with hotels. These are reasonably easy to book when “naming your own price” and you can readily tell that you are saving money by comparing prices on other sites for the same neighborhood, quality level, and dates.

Moreover, you won’t face the downsides of bidding on airfares, such as lack of control over the time you depart.

Q: Are you saying not to bid on Priceline flights?

A: No. Bidding can really help you when you’ve missed advanced purchase deadlines or are facing expensive international fares, but otherwise it’s harder to grab significant discounts these days.

Q: I’ve never done Priceline bidding because I like to read hotel reviews and know about their exact location and amenities before I book. What do you say to someone like me who is reluctant to use it but knows there are benefits?

Even though you can save, I never recommend bidding on a hotel for a very special occasion such as a golden anniversary. There, you may want to know every little detail. And, you won’t want to bid if you have special needs such as bringing a pet into your room or wanting a bed and breakfast-type experience.

Honeymoons are another matter. I’d rather a couple without much money bid on a resort in Maui than postpone that type of experience to “when we can afford it” or go into big debt.

Frankly, for most trips, do you really need to know more than neighborhood, quality, and price when you book? Priceline hotel star ratings closely track AAA or CAA auto club diamond ratings for quality and availability of amenities and maps on the Priceline site show the neighborhood you’re bidding on.

Q: Are there downsides to bidding on hotels?

A: Yes. They become completely nonrefundable. You seldom receive frequent stay points. You will most likely be assigned a standard room and need to pay extra if you want a better view, etc.

Particularly in larger cities, you may end up with a room that may not be large enough for a rollaway bed. Priceline warns us not to bid if we need more than two people per room. That impacts a lot of families and groups of young people!

Q: How does Priceline handle handicapped rooms?

Don's view from his room at Westin Jersey City--a Priceline win for $108, and only a few subway stops to NYC

A: Physically challenged people should go ahead and bid for the savings. Once they know the name of their hotel, I highly recommend that they contact it immediately to make sure that they are assigned a suitable room. If a room will not be available, Priceline customer service will assign them another hotel at no extra charge. This is best done early, before alternatives sell out.

Q: How much can you really save by bidding on Priceline rather than purchasing at the published price?

A: The last time I booked a “name your own price” hotel in Manhattan, the Plaza was offering its standard rooms for $700 per night. Now, I’ve stayed at the Plaza and it’s a really nice hotel in a perfect location, but $700? No way.

Although $700 skews toward the upper range, top-star hotels in Manhattan typically list prices of over $300 even during less busy seasons. Instead, my Priceline bid got me the 4-star Millenium Hilton in the neighborhood I most wanted. I looked out at the Hudson River. There was a large flat screen TV.

I paid just $135 per night plus tax—a real bargain in New York. If lucky, that amount might fetch someone a 1- or no-star hotel with bath in Manhattan at regular prices. Of course, price depends on demand. For good discounts, we’re not talking about Easter and Passover in Orlando or during a huge convention in Chicago.

In general, I believe you can expect to pay 30-70% less than prices listed on sites like Expedia.com.

Q: Where are the best bargains?

A: Right now, hotels near many large airports like O’Hare, Los Angeles International, Vancouver, Newark, and San Francisco are overbuilt for the demand. Winning name your own price bids for these can be unbelievably low.

Q: What are the basic steps one should take to make a successful low Priceline bid?

A: The steps you should follow are fairly simple. You especially want to make sure that you don’t overbid and that you maximize your chances of getting a low bid accepted.

I have posted bidding strategies and step-by-step tips on BidonTravel.com. There’s no charge to use these.

Have you ever bid for hotels or airfare on Priceline? What was your experience like?

I arrived at City Club Hotel, a small luxury hotel in New York City, in a frenzy. I had just finished attending an exhausting conference, and I rode over that night in a taxi whose driver was flying through Manhattan’s backstreets like a bat out of hell. I never get nauseous on car rides, but the way he careened through the narrow roads at high speeds left me feeling queasy and unnerved.

My City Club Hotel guest room (photo by E. Gerson)

Once I walked into City Club Hotel, I immediately relaxed. The modern lobby was small and dimly lit, but in a comforting way—it was fragrant, quiet, and peaceful (when I left in the morning, it was bright and airy, so it’s only dim at night). My tension subsided; I almost felt like I had walked into the entrance of a high-end spa. The two concierge women were helpful and friendly.

I was grateful to ascend to my cozy room and decompress. I rode up in a dim elevator with a modern decorative vase/stool, and emerged on a dark and contemporary hallway decorated mostly in black. Once I entered the cozy and well-lit guest room, it was easy to forget that the hectic streets of New York lied below. Modern and comfortable don’t always go hand in hand, but I found that they merge seamlessly at City Club Hotel.

Background

City Club Hotel sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on the north side of 44th Street. It is located between Fifth and Six Avenues, making it a shopper’s paradise. It is also very close to Times Square, the theater district, and Bryant Park.

Tall painting covering the TV (photo by E. Gerson)

It’s no surprise that this 65-room luxury hotel feels classy; the hotel’s literature says the designers intended it to embody the aesthetic—both in spirit and architecture–of New York’s private clubs once visited by the city’s elite. It was built in the New American Classical style and primarily uses the color palette of beige, brown, and pale blue.

The hotel has its name because it is housed in the former clubhouse of the City Club of New York, a non-partisan civic association that formed in the late 1800s. The current building became the club’s home in 1904, though it became home to the American Plywood Association and a law office before becoming come to City Club Hotel in 1999 (it is unaffiliated with the current City Club).

While the hotel is primarily made of four standard guest room sizes, it offers three Grand Duplexe Suites fit for royalty. These 750-square-foot accommodations are two stories; they have a living and dining area downstairs and a spiral staircase leading to the master bed upstairs. They feature 20-foot ceilings and private terraces.

The Guest Room

I stayed in a King Luxe room on the seventh floor, and surprisingly, I heard no street noise from my room. Maybe this is because it was a Sunday or because I kept the air conditioner on, but it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful–having stayed in many noisy New York hotels and apartments in the past, I really appreciated it. The room was very spacious and airy for a New York City hotel.

The guest room's daybed (photo by E. Gerson)

I have stayed in enough hotels in my lifetime that I’m impressed when I see something completely original. Like much of New York, the space here is used creatively. You wouldn’t even know the hidden closet was there if it wasn’t for that small silver handle protruding from the wall. The closet isn’t the only thing in disguise. Upon entering the room, it appears as if there is no television. On the wall across from the bed is a tall vertical modern painting. Swing it open, and voila; there’s your television. I was surprised that it was an old-school square television rather than a new flat-screen television that most hotels have adopted, but the cubby for the television behind the painting is in a square, so it would probably take some major renovations to accommodate that type of update.

The television also has a speaker in the bathroom, which is an interesting touch. They have a free DVD player connected to the TV and a large DVD library you can rent from at no cost. I used the DVD player to do an exercise DVD, and it worked perfectly.

Another thing that delighted me was a long, thick window seat (or daybed, as the hotel calls it), stretching the length of the wall with the window overlooking midtown. It was like an untraditional couch. One end of the daybed is like a love seat; it has padded walls on either side, with several plush pillows in the corner. There are several small lights above the length of the day bed. It’s the perfect place to take a nap, read a book, or work on the computer (though there is a desk if you prefer that). I curled up here and worked on my computer for a bit, and it was very comfortable.

Above the bed was a framed vinyl record, which went along with the old-school club theme. However, the record choice was odd; the band was Canibus and the record title was “Watch who u beef wit.” I saw online that while some of the rooms have these many of the rooms have different art, and some have framed old New York maps and playbills.

Marble bathroom at City Club (by E. Gerson)

All guest rooms are outfitted with spacious regal marble bathrooms and a large, full-length mirror occupying one of the walls. The shower was very roomy; I found it a bit strange that it had a plastic curtain instead of a glass door, though it did make the space a little more flexible.

I slept like a baby in the plush king size, down feather bed. The headboard was padded, making it extra comfortable to sit up and read in bed.

Hotel amenities

It has become the norm for hotels to charge upward of $12.95 for merely 24 hours of wireless Internet. City Club Hotel sets itself apart with free WiFi, which I certainly made use of. I was a little surprised to see that there is a $1 line access charge for all external phone calls, but most people use cell phones now anyway.

Another huge perk is that guests can obtain complimentary passes to the New York Sports Club, located on the same block. They are open every day of the week and have a sauna, steam room, boxing, personal training, exercise classes, free weights, cardio equipment, and more.

Restaurant

The hotel’s restaurant, DB Bistro Moderne, is headed by renowned chef Daniel Boulud. I had a friend join me here for breakfast (we paid for our own food). We ate in the front section of the restaurant, which is more casual and colorful than the back dining room. The decorations were contemporary, bright, and bold, with walls and abstract art in deep shades of red and orange. It was a bit pricey, as you can expect any hotel restaurant to be, but we enjoyed the ambiance and thought our food was delicious (I had a yogurt, granola, and fruit parfait). The back dining room of the restaurant is more upscale and less colorful—it really does look like a restaurant in a swanky private club.

Disclosure: I was given a complimentary one-night stay for review purposes, though this review is fully objective. My meal was not paid for.

Update: This contest is now over.

On August 16, 2009, Maiden Voyage set sail with this inaugural post, and earlier this week, I published my 100th post. When I started this blog, I had a few years of blogging experience under my belt with other websites, but I was ready to embark upon my own blogging journey in the travel world.

Since launching it, I have learned so much more about travel, interviewed some incredible people, motivated myself to travel more, and connected with so many other like-minded travel bloggers who inspire me every day.

I wish the 100th post had come sooner, but I’ve found that it’s hard to publish as often as I would like with a writing day job and freelance writing gigs.

But I feel like I’ve come a long way, so to celebrate, I’m giving away a $100 Marriott gift card courtesy of VoucherCodes.co.uk,  a money-saving website that scours the Internet for deals and discounts and puts them in one place. They have lots of vouchers and coupons for activities around London and London hotels, and they are kindly giving one of my lucky readers a $100 gift card for a hotel stay in any Marriott of their choice.

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment below by July 8, 2010 at midnight CST, telling me where you think I should go on my honeymoon. The winner will be selected randomly by Random.org (the answer is just for fun!) and announced on July 9.

If you miss out, there is currently a hotels.com discount for 30% off Hilton Hotels.

Photo by Jessica Diamond