November 11th, 2009
Head to our nation’s capital and book a cozy holiday getaway with the Comfort & Joy Winter Package at Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
Enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a Park Deluxe room, where guests can spend a frosty evening snuggled up under a fluffy down comforter. Before lights out, chase away the chill in your bones and settle in to a steaming hot bath in the Park Deluxe spa-inspired bathroom.
Then savor the flavors of a revitalizing pot of tea from the hotel’s famously unique Tea Cellar. Boasting more than 50 rare teas from regions of China, Japan, Sri Lanka, and the Himalayas, the Tea Cellar is sure to please anyone in need of a soothing night-cap. If the kids are in tow – or you’re craving something a bit sweeter – ask for a complimentary pot of rich hot cocoa and a batch of freshly baked cookies.
As for the best part? There’s no need to worry about getting to bed early – check-out time for this special seasonal package is pushed back until 4 p.m. for a little extra hibernation.
The offer is available from November 29, 2009 through February 28, 2010. Rates start at $349 per room.
November 10th, 2009
The perfect recipe for a chilly winter’s night? Spending hours snuggled up by a crackling fire playing a good old-fashioned board game.
Just in time, the UK’s National Trust has launched its very own Monopoly set, becoming the first charity version of the game to be created. Exclusively available in the US through The Royal Oak Foundation, it is on sale now to further brighten the coming festive season. National Trust properties have replaced the locales on the standard US version of the board, which includes familiar names such as “Pennsylvania Avenue” and “Park Place.”
Reserve your National Trust Monopoly game for $100, 50 percent of which is a tax-deductible donation to The Royal Oak Foundation for their work with the National Trust.
Here are a few highlights from the new board:
- Lyme Park in Cheshire –featured in the BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth emerging from the lake as Mr. Darcy – replaces Boardwalk.
- Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire – one of Britain’s greatest and most complete Elizabethan houses built by the formidable Bess of Hardwick – replaces Park Place.
Players can purchase National Trust countryside sites that include the iconic Snowdonia (Pennsylvania Avenue) and the glorious gardens of Stourhead (Indiana Avenue). The game also substitutes 20 Forthlin Road, the childhood home of Sir Paul McCartney, for Mediterranean Avenue, and the Birmingham Back to Backs, the atmospheric 19th century courtyard of workers’ homes, for Baltic Avenue.
Twenty-six National Trust places from across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are featured in the board game; they include beaches, a light house, a mill from the Industrial Revolution, and Sir Winston Churchill’s family home.
Where there are houses and hotels in the original game, National Trust Monopoly has players building visitor centers and holiday cottages; the grouping of National Trust locations, including countryside, beaches, grand mansions, industrial works, and beautiful gardens, reflects the range of properties within the Trust’s care.
Proceeds of the game go directly to preserving the real versions of the special places on the board – so even the most ruthless Monopoly property developers will still be doing their parts for conservation.
The game features National Trust-specific Community Chest and Chance cards including scenarios like Health and Safety Inspection. Pay £50, Coastal Path Repairs. Pay £100, and Fundraising Appeal Does Well. Collect £150.
The Royal Oak Foundation is the United States partner of the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Royal Oak members gain free entry to over 200 important historic houses and gardens, 40 castles, 76 nature reserves, and six World Heritage Sites owned by the National Trust. The Foundation supports National Trust conservation projects and offers a series of lectures and other public programs in U.S. cities on topics including British history, architecture, gardens, the fine and decorative arts – as well as other programs in the UK. As a U.S. not-for-profit organization, membership dues and donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
November 10th, 2009
Let someone else baste the turkey this year and relax with a few great, last minute holiday deals from Nantucket Island Resorts. Stay at the White Elephant, where Hot Dates, Cool Rates will get you a room for $150 per night from November 25-29. Then feast with the family at the All-day Thanksgiving Buffet at Brant Point Grill for $65 adults, $32.50 kids 6-12yrs and $5 for 3-5 yrs.
Book online or call 800.ISLANDS and mention “Hot Dates, Cool Rates.”
Visit http://www.nantucketislandresorts.com for more information.
November 6th, 2009
It’s that time of the year: the leaves are gone, and Starbucks has the gall to bring out its holiday cups. So, at the risk of getting ahead of ourselves, we wanted to send out two new deals for the Caribbean and Mexico for early 2010 (!) escapes.
On the Riviera Maya, Rosewood Mayakobá just announced its ‘5 for 4’ offer for stays from January 3 through May 10, 2010. This is available for all room categories. The fifth (consecutive) night is complimentary, and the only blackout date is March 3 to 7, 2010. The resort just won a Five Diamond Award for 2010, on top of a slew of others, but the real reason to go is the tequila library.
More details and reservations here or call 888-ROSEWOOD
In Turks & Caicos, Parrot Cay has several new offers for stays from January 10 through September 8, 2010: ‘7 for 5,’ ‘4 for 3,’ and then 25% off of any of its packages. These are applicable to all room categories. Its packages include the Stress Management Program and the Ayurvedic Program at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, the all-inclusive Sun and Seclusion, and then the new Babymoon and Romantic Runaway packages.
More details and reservations here or call 649-946-7788
After last winter, we are resolved to build in some warm sun & turquoise water getaways this year. After all, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte only gets you so far.