Waking Up to a New Waikiki

Back in the 1960’s, Waikiki  was one of the premier travel destinations all over the world.  While Hawaii has maintained a consistent reputation as a romantic hotspot, surfer’s paradise, and relaxing getaway, Waikiki Beach has waned in its own appeal over time.  Specifically, development in other area parts of Hawaii and steadily increasing hotel and resort competition had left Waikiki struggling to keep up with complaints ranging from dated hotels, mediocre dining options and an overcrowded beach.  However, big changes have just recently been completed and many are still in production for a re-vamped, expanded, and completely renovated Waikiki.  This promises to be an unprecedented focus on placing a considerable investment in an extraordinary renovation of hotelbook properties like the Outrigger, Ohana, and Diamond Head properties. For instance, the Outrigger On the Beach is currently undergoing a $100 million upgrade, where by May the newly renovated rooms will have enlarged ocean view suites with individual whirlpool baths, from where guests can venture to a poolside signature restaurant that is attracting culinary talent from across the globe. 

Apart from all of the great re-designed properties, changes in Waikiki will include a completely cleaned and spread out boardwalk with lush parks, magnificent ocean views, increased dining options, a brand new $84 million shopping center, and a considerable focus on expanding and widening the popular beaches.  The completed development and plans set in motion are set to completely change the face of an already beautiful destination, and as not a single detail has been missed, there could be no better time to enjoy Waikiki, which is conveniently located nearby the Honolulu International Airport.  For more information on these exciting developments check out this article in Travel Age West.

Get Your Green On

One of the biggest unofficial world hoildays is just around the corner. It's that time of year again to claim your Irish heritage, regardless if you have any Irish blood in you at all. St. Patrick's Day is coming on March 17th, and like always, it's bound to be quite a spectacular event. The Irish support across the States is omnipresent around this time of year, and just last year Chicago dyed their entire river green. While St. Patty's Day might be good fun in many places in the world, the ideal spot to sport your green has got to be in the homeland. Now that hotelbook has a list of the top ten hotels in Ireland, the choices to make the best of a great holiday in Ireland have been made all the more easier. If you hope to have a beer in Oktoberfest or run with the bulls in Spain, why not celebrate St. Patrick's Day where it all started?

Spring Break Nostalgia

One of the things I miss most about being in school are all the vacations - Fall Break, Christmas vacation, and most of all Spring Break! I still have a few friends who are still in school who are eagerly anticipating their week long sabbatical from "studying". I should foward them hotelbook's top ten destinations for Spring Break to make their planning easier as it features vacations from sunny beaches from all coasts to urban getaways in the hottest cities in the States.

Red, Red Wine

My cousin and I are longing to get out to the California wine country.  She is a Merlot maven, while I am more of a Pinot Blanc kind of gal.  Either way, you can't go wrong in Sonoma Valley, California.  I found a perfect, charming place for us to stay on hotelbook.com.  Gaige House, located in Glen Ellen, is a beautifully relaxing property.  Located creek side, the hotel offers private sitting areas and hammocks alongside the water.  Sounds romantic -- I think I might just have to bring my "special someone" back with me another time!  My cousin and I will spend most of our time touring Napa/Sonoma wine country, and the rest hanging out at Gaige House, where there is an on-site spa, a heated outdoor pool, and even a 24-hour cookie and tea bar!  It will be the perfect girls' getaway.  Now all I need to do is brush up on my wine knowledge!

All-Star Las Vegas

Boom. Crash. Slam.  What’s all that racket?  It must be that time of year again for the NBA All-Star game and this time the giants are gathering in the Nevada desert, stomping in from every corner of the USA.  Don’t miss out on this unprecedented opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest athletes in the non-stop action that is professional basketball on February 17, 2007.  For the first time, the once a year event is to take place in a city without an NBA team, Las Vegas, the city of glitz and glamour.  What makes the All-Star game so fun to watch is that all of the players who are in the midst of heavy competition in the race to the Finals can at last relax and play a care-free game with their fellow players, all rivalries and feuds aside.  It’s not too late to book a weekend stay in Las Vegas to catch the game, and hotelbook® has a plethora of great options for hotel stays.  I’d recommend you check out the Desert Rose Resort, a Vegas accommodation rife with a Wild West feel, from the tall palms and adobe-style architecture, to the relaxing amenities such as jacuzzis, tall balconies, and lush suites that resonate with Southern hospitality and comfort.  Being just a block from the strip, it places you right in the middle of the action, where you just might bump into Shaquille O’Neal (just hope he’s in a good mood).

Mardi Gras Madness

Mardi Gras is only a week away, but there is still time to book your hotel room in New Orleans, a city bursting with beautiful history and culture, where it is simply a must to find a hotel that complements its surroundings.  My pick?  Hotel Monteleone, located in the French Quarter just a block from the infamous Bourbon Street.  The hotel boasts award-winning restaurants, a serene rooftop pool and the famous Carousel Piano Bar - a slow-revolving cocktail bar with a wild circus design.  When staying in the French Quarter, there is no excuse not to go to Cafe Du Monde for delicious beignets (French doughnuts covered in powdered sugar--yum!) and a nice hot cup of Cafe Au Lait (half coffee, half milk).  Another Big Easy favorite is the flagship restaurant of the Food Network's Emeril Lagasse, but you'll likely need a reservation.  In the mood for an "off the beaten path" find?  Try Salvo's Seafood, located in Belle Chasse, about a 15-minute drive from the city.  With its laid-back atmosphere and checkered tablecloths, Salvo's is known for its all-you-can-eat specials.  The point is--there's no shortage of things to do and see in this wonderful city, so hop on hotelbook.com now to check out some Fat Tuesday favorites.

Paris: A Podcast Guide

In this episode we will be taking a look at one of Europe’s most historic and romantic cities and proposing a few itineraries to help you plan your trip to Paris.


MP3 File

Coffee So Good You'll Be Sleepless in Seattle

Cliched or not, the coffee in Seattle in absolutely to-die-for! When I visit my sister there, we like to do a full-blown coffee tour of the city. Starting downtown at Pike's Place Market, the original Starbucks is a must for the true java junkie. In Fremont -- a funky, artsy neighborhood north of downtown -- grab a latte at Fremont Coffee and enjoy unbeatable people-watching on the wraparound porch. Other notable stops include Tully's and Seattle's Best. But my ultimate favorite cup of joe in Seattle is at the Rusty Pelican, a cozy cafe in the Wallingford neighborhood of town. They serve heavy cream with their coffee, making every sip rich and delicious. Finally, we wrap up our caffeine crusade at Caffe Ladro -- rated by Zagat as the best coffeehouse in Seattle -- in the MarQueen Hotel in the historic Queen Anne district.

Rock On!!

Only one word needs to be uttered for music lovers everywhere to get that twinkle in their eyes as they twitch in total excitement: Coachella. It's that time of year again folks and it's going down in Indio, California. For three days, the quiet outstretches of Palm Springs will be transformed into a musical paradise of over 100+ bands with Bjork, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and RATM as headliners. The lineup is AMAZING and it just about includes every rock/indie band that all you elitist hipsters listen to these days. My friends and I are seriously considering going as we've heard it's just an awesome experience. There is an onsite campground but being the clean freak that I am (say yes to hygiene!), that's going to be a negative for me. The Azure Sky Resort looks like a nice place to stay and to nurse my tired feet from all three days of rockin' out!

New 7 Wonders?

Have you voted for the new seven wonders of the world?  Egyptian officials scoff at the idea and won't have anything to do with the contest.  I tend to agree with them.  I would be ok with the next 7 wonders, but don't replace the old ones.  I love to travel and want to see all of the seven wonders.  And I haven't seen any of them yet, so I don't want them changed. 

In any event, everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I have a provided a link to the site so you can cast your vote for the New 7 Wonders of the World.