50 Travel Sites to Expand Your Horizons

Luggage Online has compiled a list of the "50 Travel Sites You Probably Never Heard Of" and hotelbook ranks 13th.  All of our hard work driving the message out in the universe is paying off! 

Here is a bit more from the site:

"Before you begin to crack the travel guides, pick a destination or plan a travel itinerary, visit some of these off the beaten path travel sites. Whatever level of expertise you tout, whether it is international travel, student travel, discount travel or just plain old USA travel, these sites are guaranteed to expand your horizons."

Holiday Travel

It's that time of year again when the malls are packed with frenzied shoppers hunting for that last minute present that they should've bought two weeks ago, tired families huddle around at the airports eagerly awaiting their flights, and the roads are packed with cars traveling to their holiday destinations. It's the holidays again. Before we all head out of town to join in all our family festivities, make sure you follow a few holiday travel tips if you're driving:

1. Plan ahead and map out your route using an online mapping tool.

2. Get a full night's rest before a long drive.

3. Take a break from driving every 2 hours, or 100 miles.

4. Develop a driving emergency kit with blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, etc.

5. Buckle up!

Happy Holidays everyone!

I love NY!

I'm going to New York City for the first time ever!  My best friend and I are going to see everything - the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and most importantly, Carrie's stoop from Sex and the City.  We're still trying to decide where to stay though that will be the closest to all of the top hot spots.  I want to stay in the St. Regis on 55th St. because it is in the heart of 5th Avenue's Shopping District and only minutes away from the theatre district.  My best friend, however, wants to stay in the Helmsley on Park Lane because Central Park is across the street.  I think we will end up staying in the St. Regis because after all, I'm the one planning the vacation...:-)

New Section on London Hotel Special Offers Added

We have just added a new section devoted entirely to London Hotel Offers and London City Breaks.  Check 'em out before they are all booked!

They're All Winners in Forbes' Book

For the first time ever, Forbes Traveler has created a list of the world's Top 400 Hotels and Resorts. Unlike other such lists, however, this one names its picks in no particular rank or order. In other words, no hotel was named Number One. After eyeing the list, I would have to agree it would have been difficult to pick a winner with so many worthy contenders. Depending on personal taste, you may love the blend of contemporary architecture and ancient art offered by the Claris Hotel in Barcelona. Or you may prefer the rugged luxury of the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah, which offers gourmet dining and unbeatable accessiblity to ski slopes or biking paths, depending on the season. Or enjoy tropical paradise at Ladera Resort in Saint Lucia, where you may end up rubbing elbows with A-list guests like Oprah Winfrey, Harrison Ford and Bill Gates. These hotels, and many others in the Top 400, can all be found on hotelbook.com.

Where Dreams Come True

I'm going to Disneyworld!! This Christmas, my family has decided to take our first vacation in many, many years. All 9 of us (yes, 9! won't that be just swell?) are headed to Orlando to join Mickey & Co. for some good old family fun. We're still debating on whether to stay at a resort inside the park grounds or to try to save some money by booking a hotel nearby. The Seralago Hotel & Suites on hotelbook offers family friendly accommodations close to MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom.