Hotel Giraffe Address: 365 Park Avenue South (at 26th Street), New York City Value Luxury Rating: (out of 3 hearts) Features: Located in the recently named NoMad area of New York City (North of Madison Square Park), Hotel Giraffe is conveniently situated between midtown and downtown Manhattan. The hotel, part of the Library Hotel Collection, offers a generous package of complimentary amenties including continental breakfast buffet each morning (served 7-10:30 am weekdays, and till 11 am on weekends), wine and cheese reception every evening (5-8 pm), wi-fi throughout the hotel, reading material (books, magazines, newspapers), DVD library, bottled water in guestrooms, and passes to New York Sports Club (various locations throughout Manhattan, closest one is three blocks away). Price Range: A search of room rates for April 2015, show rates starting at $287 night. Check for specials and promotional rates. Personal Notes: Hotel Giraffe […]
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Hotel Review: The Kimberly, NYC
The Kimberly Address: 145 East 50th Street (50th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, Midtown), New York City Value Luxury Rating: (of 3 hearts) Features: Located in the heart of the midtown, The Kimberly is an upscale property that is well situated for business, shopping, or just a sightseeing getaway. The 192 European-styled rooms, most of which are suites, feature flat screens and satellite TV, kitchen or kitchenettes with microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, sink and untensils; robe and slippers, electric shoe-shiner, complimentary water, and the expected upscale bathroom amenities. Some rooms have balconies and jacuzzi tubs. Price Range: Low winter rates range from $160 night for a deluxe guest room to $223 for an executive 1-bedroom suite. Rates jump up in spring to $430-550, and if you can bear the heat of summer, drop down to $320-440. (Prices based on a random […]
Read MorePostcard from Nintendo World, NYC
Located by Rockefeller Center, the Nintendo World Store is the only store of its kind, offering games and merchandise that are otherwise only available through online purchases. With two floors of interactive games, it’s an assault to the senses – like being a kid in a candy shop.
Read MoreHow to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Five Boroughs
Ringing in the New Year in New York City is a bucket list item for many people. The annual ball drop in Times Square, as well as other celebrations throughout Manhattan, plus events in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, makes New York City an ideal spot to ring in 2015. For a visitor, however, the thought of researching and putting together all the details of a New Year’s getaway may be overwhelming. NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism organization for the City of New York, has put together some tips and ideas to make New Year’s Eve planning just a little bit easier. (If it’s too late to make your plans for this year, start making your plans today for next year.) In Times Square The Ball Drop: The iconic ball drop (and yes, in this […]
Read MoreHotel Review: Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn, Yakima Valley
Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn Address: 3271 Roza Drive, Zillah, Washington (Yakima Valley) Value Luxury Rating: (out of 3 hearts) Features: Set on a working farm in the Yakima Valley, Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn offers overnight accommodations in 22-foot teepees. This specialty bed and breakfast has barbeque grills, compact refrigerators, separate super-clean and private water closets, along with an open-air shower to round out its amenities. The property is horse and dog-friendly, and the teepees have a special bed in your teepee so your dog can sleep right along with you. No children permitted. Price Range: $245/night based on double occupancy. Full breakfast included. Cherry Wood is open during the “season”, generally from late spring into early fall. Reservations required; make them early as they book up for the season quite quickly. Personal Notes: I’ve been interested in […]
Read MorePostcard from Peace Center Amphitheater, homepage
I’m in Greenville, South Carolina, for Euphoria 2014, and Friday night was Taste of the South held at th Peace Center. To accompany the great food and drink, Sixwire played in the amphitheater. A wonderful Friday night. This is a really great event and a wonderful way to kick off a weekend.
Read MoreEuphoria in Greenville, South Carolina
Come September, I’ll be heading to Greenville, South Carolina, for Euphoria, a weekend-long event that includes exclusive tasting events, cooking demonstrations and wine seminars, as well as multi-course dinners and live musical performances. Dedicated to excellence, euphoria features domestic and international wines, celebrity chefs, master sommeliers, and national recording artists. The annual event shines a spotlight on Greenville, South Carolina’s thriving Culinary and Arts Communities. Greenville, situated at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, stands out with its award-winning downtown, vast entertainment options, and diverse population. And as a charitable organization, Euphoria gives back to the community that supports it, with all net profits providing sustenance to those in need, providing educational opportunities, and supporting children. And what about Greenville? Centrally located along I-85 between the long-standing Southern urban centers of Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. Greenville and […]
Read MorePostcard from Hurricane Ridge
In the snow at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. Washington state has wonderful natural beauty.
Read MorePostcard from Seattle: The View from the Ferry
The air was brisk. The sun was shining. The sky was blue with puffs of clouds. These kind of days are why I love living in Seattle.
Read MorePostcard from Maui: Double Rainbow
After the rain comes the double rainbow. Hawaii is always full of surprises.
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