Daily Pampering: Boston shopping spree with the Four Seasons Boston

by Melanie Nayer on

The words “shopping spree” send shivers up my spine. What’s better than someone handing over discount cards to some of the most elite boutiques in Boston, headlined with clothes from some of the world’s most sought-out designers? Nothing, unless you couple it with a night at The Four Seasons.

The Four Seasons clearly heard my charge cards *ching* and created this ultimate shopping package for Boston guests: A Shop Boston Package that gives discounts at over 117 Boston retailers and galleries. Fashionistas rejoice! Today’s Daily Pampering is straight out of a shopaholics dream.The Shop Boston package at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston includes the following discounts:

  • Brooks Brothers – 15% off
  • Cole Haan – 20% off
  • Cynthia Rowley – 20% off
  • Donna Karan – 25% off
  • Jacadi – 10% off
  • La Perla – 15% off
  • Longchamp – 10% off
  • Nanette Lepore – 20% off
  • St. John – $200 off a purchase of $1,000 or more
  • Ted Baker – 15% off PRUferred Shopper Card, valid for special discounts at stores and restaurants within The Shops at Prudential Center.

In addition, you’ll get a night’s accommodation in the posh hotel, complete with a Four Seasons Hotel Boston tote bag filled with all the essentials for a day (or two) of shopping including bottled water, chocolates and yogurt-covered pretzels – because every shopper knows that sustenance is key to a successful shopping day.

The cost of the package ranges from $475 a night to $850 a night, depending on your room choice.

Want more? Get your dose of Daily Pampering right here.

White Collar Travel: How Important Is That Phone Call?

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The biggest complaint that non-business travelers have about the white collar folks likely involves cell phones. Our reluctance to turn the off at the appointed time is probably the greatest annoyance to those around us, though the Gordon Gekko-style pacing and posing at the gate tends to ruffle some feathers, too. I’ve overheard and even been asked countless times the very simple question: “Is it really that important?”

Of course, it’s sometimes phrased, “Nothing can be that [insert expletive of choice here] important.”

Now that I’m out of the game, my perspective on business travel has changed greatly, but there are some quirks and habits that still make sense to me. When I see a guy in a suit shaking his head dramatically, waving his arms and clenching his jaw, I get it. Chances are, it really is that important. Some issues won’t wait, especially if you’re bouncing up against a deadline and are about to be inaccessible for several hours.

In fact, it’s measurable.
Whether it’s commissions or billable hours, every white collar traveler has a number to hit – for the firm and, more importantly, personally. A manager squeezing in those last few minutes before the phones have to go dark can set people on the right course for the next four hours, resulting in possibly tens of thousands of dollars of value to his company.

Now, that’s the positive side of this. There’s also the crisis scenario. The door’s about to close, and you have only seconds left. Your project is blowing up, and your team needs any information or guidance you can give. Anything you can do will make life that much easier for the half a dozen or more people relying on you. I’ve been on both sides of this one and can assure you that it’s uncomfortable for all involved.

When you’re annoying everyone around you – which you really don’t want to do – you’re comparing that to trying to help your team. So, the choice involves securing the approval of strangers or taking care of people who are important to you. It’s easy to see how that one shakes out.

There is one more scenario to keep in mind: the business traveler before you, hollering and gesticulating, is a complete asshole who is unbelievably desperate or as much attention as he can garner. Do anything except ignore him, and you’ll only make it worse … for everyone.

Disney Hawaii hotel to start accepting reservations for August 2011

by Melanie Nayer on

Ready to trade in palm trees for orchid leis? If Orlando is getting stale, but you still want the magic of Walt Disney, it’s time to start thinking ahead to Hawaii. Word on the Disney blog is that Disney plans to begin accepting reservations for its new Hawaii resort hotel in a few weeks.

Reservations for The Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii, will begin on Aug. 2. The resort is scheduled to open about a year later, on Aug. 29, 2011.

The resort will feature 21 acres of oceanfront property near historical sites and will be the first Disney hotel that’s not next to a theme park. Book one of the 360 hotel rooms or 481 two-bedroom suites, and hang 10 with Mickey & his friends on the west side of Oahu.

This first Disney Hawaii hotel will be at Ko Olina Resort & Marina and near a Marriott hotel and other resorts and condominiums. For more information and to book reservations, visit the resort’s Web site: www.DisneyAulani.com

Summertime, and the maggots are easy

by Alex Robertson Textor on

It’s summertime, which means that for people in many parts of North America, certain types of vermin are particularly well-represented in kitchen cupboards, bathroom corners, basement nooks and, heck, just about everywhere. Mosquitoes, cockroaches, water bugs, and other little flying and scurrying insects make their presence especially well known across North America during the summer.

But maggots? Maggots, thankfully, we see less frequently than garden-variety mosquitoes and water bugs.

Passengers on US Airways flight 1537 on Monday from Atlanta to Charlotte were not so lucky as the rest of us. Flies and maggots materialized in the cabin before take-off. Some passengers were even rather terrifyingly rained on by maggots after more decaying flesh. Entomophobes everywhere will certainly find the cell phone video of the experience, taken by a passenger, to be seriously stomach-turning.

Apparently some rotting meat was responsible for the presence of maggots and flies on 1537. Thankfully, the airplane did not take off as scheduled. Passengers were removed from the plane, and a cleaning crew then boarded to scrub the overhead luggage areas clean. The plane then flew on to Charlotte, where it was fumigated. As disgusting as the event originally was, it appears to have been dealt with properly by US Airways.

Beyond the mere curiosity of the event, there is some irony in the fact that it comes during one of the best weeks for press for the airline in recent memory. US Airways has gotten great coverage this week for its ultra-cheap Twitter-publicized fares.

(Image: Flickr/asrusch)

Five great Fourth of July destinations

by Alex Robertson Textor on

Arguably the most American holiday of all (sorry, Thanksgiving!) the Fourth of July occupies an undeniably special place in the hearts of millions. Remarkably, the enthusiasm of so many for the holiday seemingly floats independently of patriotism. It’s a family holiday, a time for picnics and fireworks and the sheer enjoyment of hot summer temperatures. The following are a few places where the Fourth of July can be celebrated with some attention to history, or, if you prefer, hot dogs and fireworks.

1. Bristol, RI. Bristol Fourth of July Celebration.

Since 1785, Bristol, Rhode Island has continuously held a Fourth of July Parade, the nation’s longest-running. Bristol does it up for several days around July 4, with a visit by the USS Squall, concerts, a drum corps show, a parade, a fireworks display, and a ball. This is the Fourth of July at its New England best, small-scale and dripping with historical significance.

2. Philadelphia, PA. Wawa Welcome America! Festival.

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love has pride of place in the history of the emergence of the United States as an independent nation. The Welcome America! Festival is one of the country’s biggest, an 11-day celebration featuring a food festival, a photography exhibit, a block party, fireworks, a parade, and a Bell Tapping Ceremony, in which descendants of signers of the Declaration of Independence ceremonially tap the Liberty Bell.

3. Brooklyn, NY. Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The Fourth of July and hot dogs are inextricably linked, and Nathan’s hot dog eating contest on Coney Island in Brooklyn, held on the Fourth of July, only intensifies the association. The event’s nexus of competition and gluttony is enjoyable and mind-blowing to watch. For those who cannot make it to Brooklyn, don’t fear. ESPN will broadcast the competition.

4. South Lake Tahoe, CA. Star Spangled Fourth – Lights on the Lake.

The largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi River is held on the south shore of Lake Tahoe on the evening of July 4. The size of the Lights on the Lake fireworks display itself is a big deal, and the lake’s enormous reflective surface adds significantly to the effect. Fireworks are set off from a small island located in the center of Lake Tahoe. Local radio stations KRLT and KOWL even soundtrack the fireworks display.

5. Washington, DC. General Pageantry in the Nation’s Capital.

The nation’s capital may be the most obvious choice for an Independence Day getaway, but it is indeed a great place to celebrate the holiday. In addition to a parade, fireworks, and concerts at the US Capitol and Washington Monument, there are special events scheduled at the National Archives and the White House Visitor Center.

(Image: Flickr/Ed Yourdon)