Make your summer Epic at Vail

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Flee the cities and suburbs this summer, and head out to Colorado to connect with nature and use your body as more than a wedge for subway doors. Vail Resorts is reading to for you to hit the Rocky Mountains with style and help you get the most fun and relaxation (or excitement, depending on your taste) out of your summer getaway.

The seven-day/six-night “Epic Summer” package is designed to deliver the Rocky Mountain experience as a whole. You’ll be able to raft down the Colorado River, enjoy some horseback riding on Beaver Creek Mountain and take scenic gondola rides through Keystone and Vail. You’ll eat picnic lunches, do some hiking and take an incredible walking tour through Breckenridge.

If the $1,495 (including all meals) is a bit rich for your blood, think about the four-day/three-night alternative, which starts at $289 per person per night for adults and $226 for kids. The deal runs from June 3, 2010 through September 12, 2010.

New RockResort opens in Breckenridge in only one month

by Tom Johansmeyer on

One Ski Hill Place, the newest RockResort, is set to open on June 1, 2010. Want to be the first to sleep in a particular room or bed? This is your chance! With the “Be the First” package, you can, well, be the first. Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward. The opening rate for this property is as low as $75 a night. The hotel’s grand opening doesn’t come until November 12, 2010, because there isn’t a whole lot of skiing over the summer, so think of this as a chance to get in early, poke around and see if One Ski Hill Place will hit your winter skiing or snowboarding itinerary.

To take advantage of the special rate, you’ll need to book by June 1, 2010 and stay at the hotel during the month of June. In addition to the one-bedroom accommodation, you’ll also get a complimentary breakfast.

If you’re more interested in heading out to Breckenridge when there’s snow on the ground, consider the “Early Bird Winter Package.” You’ll be able to stay at One Ski Hill Place between November 12, 2010 (when the grand opening party is being held) and April 24, 2011 for only $81 a night (and up).

Four Hotels for a Free Lobster Dinner for Two

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Nothing goes with summer quite like the cracking of lobster shells (and wearing a bib, even if you’re a grown man). You can get a lobster anywhere, but if you’re within a few hours of the New England coast, the whole experiences changes dramatically. This summer, four hotels are willing to give you and your guest a free lobster dinner when you stay only one night. Of course, it isn’t a lobster dinner without corn on the cob, clam chowder and blueberry pie, all of which you should expect to find on your table, as well.

Rates vary, ranging from $179 to $299, depending on the hotel, but it comes out to a savings of around $150 at each of them. To take advantage of this deal, check out the properties below:

The Sagamore, Lake George, New York (code: LOBSTER)

The Wentworth, New Hampshire (code: LPR)

The Samoset, Maine (code: DATE)

The Harborside Hotel, Bar Harbor, Maine (code: DATE)

%Gallery-66022%

The Oberoi Mumbai reopens tomorrow

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Luxury digs are coming back to Mumbai. The Oberoi is set to reopen tomorrow, following a substantial renovation and restoration. The atrium lobby stretches 14 storeys high, features white Thassos marble and serves as the gateway to 287 guestrooms and suites. Ziya is the hotel’s new Indian specialty restaurant and offers the creations of Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia. Other dining options include Fenix (world cuisine) and Vetro, which has Italian dishes. If you’re looking for wine, this is the place to go, with more than 1,200 bottles from which to choose.

Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Chairman, The Oberoi Group said, “We are pleased to re-open The Oberoi, Mumbai. We look forward to welcoming guests to the hotel which has been completely renovated to offer the highest standards of facilities as expected at all hotels of The Oberoi Group; this will be complemented by personalized and gracious service extended by our well-trained and dedicated staff.”

Now, be ready to write a big check. Rates start at $700 a night for a luxury room, but you’re worth it … right?

Memorable in Manhattan: Package for first-timers

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You’ll never forget your first time. It may have been thrilling or awkward, but it was memorable. Many are still waiting for their first … their first trip to New York City. If you’re only exposure to this city is what you’ve seen on television or the big screen, this is your chance to experience it for yourself. The Crowne Plaza Times Square‘s First Time in New York Package will make it easy to give up your city virginity.

I don’t remember my first time in the city (let’s just say I was young), but I do remember my first stay at the Crowne Plaza Times Square. It was only a few weeks after Y2K – and the world didn’t end, in case you were wondering. I remember the feeling that came with stepping onto the sidewalk: the rush of energy was incredible. And then, I got sick – probably a combination of weekly travel, 80-hour work weeks and a diet that looked strangely like a menu at a baseball stadium. So, I really saw little more than the inside of my room, from which I stumbled when I was finally able to handle travel again, and grabbed the 1/9 train down to Penn Station for the ride back to Boston.Hopefully, your first time will be more pleasant! Doubtless, it will be. While the Crowne Plaza can’t immunize you from the nagging diseases that could screw up your trip, it can be all the protection you need when it comes to boredom. As part of the First Time in New York package, you’ll receive two 48-hour passes for the Classic New York Double Decker Bus Tour; tickets to the Empire State Building’s Observation Deck, ferry to the Statue of Liberty and the Natural history Museum; a detailed New York City sightseeing map; a New York City’s Official Visitor Guide; and a commemorative picture frame. At $598 for two nights, this is an absolute steal.

Your first time should be a memory to cherish and a story to tell. Treat yourself to two nights in Manhattan, and you won’t be stuck wondering what it feels like when you watch it on TV.