Survey Names America’s 8 Best Lakes

by Jessica Festa on

In an effort to find out what the best lakes across the United States are, USA Today conducted a survey to allow travelers to weigh in on the subject. The poll generated over 5,000 votes on Twitter and Facebook, and named Lake Tahoe as America’s best lake.

The survey listed 15 finalists, chosen by regional magazine editors.

Says Laura Bly of USA Today, “While we took some heat for ignoring the five Great Lakes, our intention was to spotlight some of the USA’s smaller, less famous summer getaways.”

However, even Lake Tahoe nominator Peter Fish of Sunset admits the destination is already loved by many. According to him, this lake, which straddles the California-Nevada border “draws a gazillion” tourists on weekends who use it as a summer escape.

Michigan’s Lake Charlevoix was runner up, followed by Alabama’s Lake Martin, Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks and North Carolina’s Lake Lure. There were also many votes for New York’s Blue Mountain Lake, New Hampshire’s Newfound Lake and Washington’s Lake Crescent.

What’s your favorite lake in the United States?

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[Above image via Sascha Bruck; Gallery images via Big Stock, Mwanner, Kiwiowner, Lake Martin Voice, Kms5333]

Olde Schaumburg Centre: America’s Least Impressive Historic District?

by Dave Seminara on

At the intersection of Roselle and Schaumburg Roads in Schaumburg, Illinois, you’ll find one of America’s least impressive historic districts. I was en route to Oberweis, a Chicago-area chain ice cream parlor my wife and I like when we noticed a sign indicated that the strip mall that Oberweis was located in was called the “town square” and surrounding area was dubbed “Olde Schaumburg Centre” (OSC).

I lived in Chicago twice, and Schaumburg is often held up as a prototypically boring, soulless suburb, and I certainly was never aware of the fact that it had a historic district. When I saw the OSC sign, I looked around, but couldn’t see anything “olde” at all – just the typical, mundane collection of strip malls that nearly every suburb in America has these days. I parked the car, got my ice cream and then risked my life crossing busy Roselle Road in search of something, anything “olde.”I found a handful of century-old buildings across the street from the “Town Square” but one can’t help but notice that the history of the village founded by German immigrants in the 19th Century has been almost completely swallowed up by modern developments. The OSC’s website lists just 11 “historic” buildings and the anchor of the “Town Center” is an Applebee’s.

According to a plaque in a man-made lake across a vast parking lot next to the Oberweis, the strip mall dates to 1995. At the rate we’re going in this country, with strip malls being built from sea to shining sea, that could practically qualify the place for The National Register of Historic Places.

Outside of major American cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and several others, the whole country might be just one big beige mélange of big box retailers by the time my children retire.

I don’t blame local officials in Schaumburg for trying to create a “village center,” and the fact that they are paying lip service about creating a “pedestrian orientation” is a good sign. And to be fair, there’s a nice park in the area and my kids enjoyed running around the fountain near the lake. But what’s the point of trying to market a thoroughly modern suburb as a historic place?

Airline Safety: Another Needle Found In Airplane Food

by Jessica Festa on

Two weeks ago, we told you about how six Delta passengers were horrified to find needles in their airline sandwiches. While we were hoping it was a one-time incident, it seems passengers really do need to be extra careful when eating their on-board meals. In the last case, the flights were leaving from Amsterdam; however, Air Canada has confirmed a sewing needle was found in the food on a Canadian flight this week.

Although the two events are suspiciously similar, police say it’s too early to connect them, especially since a different caterer was used in both incidences.

According to TIME, in both situations, the sewing needles were found by passengers eating a pre-packaged, catered sandwich. The passenger wasn’t hurt, and neither Delta or Air Canada have reported any other needles being discovered.

Air Canada says they are working with their caterer to “ensure heightened security measures.” Moreover, police have stepped in to investigate while the FBI and Dutch authorities continue attempts to solve the case from July.

[Flickr image via sillygwailo]

MUJI To Open First West Coast Store In San Francisco This Fall

by Jessica Marati on

California design junkies rejoice: Japanese retailer MUJI recently announced that it will open its first West Coast location in San Francisco‘s SOMA district this fall. With 7,250 square feet of retail space, the new store will be the fifth and largest MUJI location in the United States.

MUJI has developed a cult following in the design community for producing simple, functional lifestyle items that are high on quality and low in price. The MUJI retail environment mirrors this streamlined approach, with spare design, soft lighting and Zen music in each of the chain’s four New York City locations.

While the store sells everything from notebooks to frying pans to organic cotton T-shirts, travelers will be especially pleased to find a wide range of well-designed travel accessories. The store’s assortment of bags, pouches, cases, bottles, containers and dividers will revolutionize the way you pack, as well as introduce a touch of Japanese simplicity into your travel experience.

[Flickr image via Stephen Spencer]

Behind The Scenes Of Being A Personal Concierge

by Jessica Festa on

You see these people every time you go on vacation. They plan your nights out, deliver your messages and go to great lengths to ensure each guest has a wonderful stay at their hotel. Have you ever wondered, however, what goes on behind the scenes for a personal concierge? To help give people an idea of what the job is really like, Michael Romei, the head concierge at The Waldorf Astoria/Waldorf Towers, has been kind enough to answer some personal questions based on his 18+ years of experience.

What does being the head concierge at The Waldorf Astoria and Waldorf Towers in New York entail?

I ensure each guest that walks through our doors receives first-class, luxury service, which can include anything from ensuring the right climate control in your room to coordinating an extravagant event or night on the town. I have been the man behind proposals, birthday celebrations, anniversaries and first-time visits to New York. I’m one piece of what we call True Waldorf Service, a service standard and commitment that delivers the utmost experience that begins at the time you book your trip.

What is the most unusual request you’ve ever received from a guest?

I once worked with a guest from a high profile family from central Africa, opening a bakery in Ethiopia. She asked me to help her purchase kitchen and pastry equipment that could be shipped to Ethiopia. I got to know the guest as she stayed with us for six weeks and made sure she got everything needed to open her bakery. One day, I hope to take a trip over to see how the bakery turned out.How many requests do you receive per day?

I receive approximately 150-200 emails per day. I do not know the number of telephone calls, but I would say it’s probably 50-100. Naturally, not all are valid requests, but very often simple questions, which could be answered quickly. On average I handle about 30-50 requests per day; again this varies tremendously from a simple private car booking to restaurant bookings to very lengthy and elaborate planning. Due to the nature of our guests and the luxury service provided, there are several guests who ask me to recommend or even assist them with planning worldwide travel. I once had to run to a traveler’s bookstore to purchase something for a guest. I was in my uniform with name tag and Les Clefs d’Or keys and a customer noticed me and said, “Oh my God! The chief concierge of the Waldorf is here. Can I ask you for your recommendation of where we should stay when we visit the Amalfi Coast?”

What is your favorite part about the job?

My passion, energy and drive is really about pleasing others and creating an unforgettable and memorable experience. I also enjoy being very curious and investigating new and interesting ideas and places in our city that I know our guests would want to know about. Recently a guest actually asked me where I lived. When I mentioned that I live in the same neighborhood just a few blocks away from our hotel, they wanted to then know more from me as a local in the neighborhood and actually asked me which way I walked to and from work and what my favorite places were along the way.

What are the true rewards of your job?

Knowing for sure that I made such a difference in someone’s life and/or experience of their visit. There are numerous examples, but one that you might find significant. A group of guests in wheelchairs were here from Germany one year to actually participate in the “Special Olympics.” They asked me if there was any way they could experience a typical New York City disco club at night. Of course it meant that there had to be something nearby that was also wheelchair accessible. I actually found a club just a few blocks away and escorted the guests myself in their wheelchairs down the street and called ahead to have the manager and security of the club meet and greet them to avoid any waiting in lines of delays at the door. They were absolutely thrilled and said it was a trip of a lifetime!

What is your least favorite part about the job?

My least favorite part of the job is when I cannot deliver and I know a guest is disappointed. However, I always try to compensate in some way by sending something to their room, a floating flower petal, chocolates, their favorite book or a very nice card. Most of the time it really involves a restaurant that really is completely booked and they just cannot add another table or accommodate. I have personally gone to all of the major restaurants to introduce myself to management and staff and several of the top 10-20 restaurants. I have cultivated relationships with the managers and maitre d’ in order to assist with special requests and sold out situations. In spite of this, there is sometimes a certain evening that they just cannot make exceptions. It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while.

What kind of in-room surprises can you provide?

We have done it all from providing a family with movies and popcorn or updating room floral arrangements daily, to the more elaborate such as decorating a room for a child’s first baseball game or setting up for a romantic marriage proposal. I have arranged for near life-size chocolate figures to be in the room and even for an American Indian to perform a “bow and arrow ceremony” in a guest room for a family during Thanksgiving. If there is something you want in your room or if there is something we think you will truly enjoy, we do our best to get it there.

Is there anything you’re not allowed to do?

We make every effort to fulfill all our guest’s requests, and they’re generally all very reasonable. If we can’t make something happen, we still work to ensure the guest has a great stay.

What types of guests tend to be the most difficult?

Every guest is different, but that’s part of the fun of this job – understanding or intuiting what people need and going above and beyond their expectations. One of the key characteristics of a good concierge is having this type of intuition, which allows you to make a right match. The match is knowing the customer from communications, interaction, questions and then matching them with the right selection such as a restaurant, Broadway show, concert, shopping or tour.

Have you ever served a famous guest?

I have served several famous guests, however, just like all our guests at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, privacy is always top of mind.

Are there any new technologies you employ on the job?

As part of True Waldorf Service, we rely on a consumer relationships management system that connects our True Waldorf Service personnel to our luxury clientele with ease and helps us to coordinate services and requests.

Do you get any free or discounted perks for being a concierge?

Information about gifts, commissions and tips cannot be disclosed.