Boutique hotels | The Honolulu Advertiser

Read article : Boutique hotels | The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, March 21, 2004

Boutique hotels

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer

In Paul Theroux's novel "Hotel Honolulu," the narrator becomes the manager of the last small old hotel in Waikiki ... "a kind of 'bowteek hotel,' " the owner, Buddy Hamstra, calls it. The fictional 80-room property with its Paradise Lost bar and assortment of eccentric residents lives in the shadow of becoming a "tear-down," replaced by one of the huge chain establishments.

Theroux's hotel may be fiction, but the concept of a "boutique-style" property — small, intimate and comfortable, with staff who remember your name from one year to the next — is very much alive in Waikiki.

"New York hotelier Ian Schrager gets credit for beginning the trend for smaller and more intimate lodgings," said Tia Gordon of the American Hotels & Lodging Association in Washington D.C. "He wanted to get away from the traditional desk-bed-bath hotel room and put more color and style into smaller and hipper properties."

Islanders are often asked by prospective visitors where they should stay, and we sometimes like to make a little getaway to Waikiki ourselves, playing tourist. Where to go? The Advertiser surveyed a number of smaller hotels offering a variety of price ranges and specialties in Waikiki.

Waikiki Parc

Waikiki Parc Hotel:For some, like Bob Good of Mesa, Ariz., a stay at the Waikiki Parc is "like coming home." He says the level of service is excellent. Photos by Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hotel employees who remember your name is one reason Bob Good, from Mesa, Ariz., returns to the Waikiki Parc several times a year and says it's "like coming home." He gets a level of service he says is hard to find at hotels on the Mainland. "You can get a room anywhere, but not the quality of service I find here," said Good, 60. "I once left a suitcase behind, and a hotel employee going off their shift personally delivered it to me at the airport. They have the best staff of anywhere I've been."

Smaller and quieter than nearby sister hotel Halekulani, at the end of a cul-de-sac on Helumoa Street, the 297-room, recently renovated Waikiki Parc prides itself on delivering Halekulani-style service at a lower price.

"We have fewer public places in the hotel, so it tends to be quieter. Staff know who you are, and we tend not to have groups, so there is not so much movement," said Patricia Tam, vice president of Halekulani Corp.

Waikiki Parc also pays attention to changing visitor profiles, Tam said. "There's no longer a sharp division between business and leisure travelers. We cater to guests who are frequently doing both. This means an efficient business center and Internet service, workout room, and irons and boards in every room for the increasing number of female business travelers."

Tam said 20 percent of guests are return visitors. "For that to happen, guests must feel a personal tie-in. We are sincere about our services."

Waikiki Parc Hotel, 2233 Helumoa St., 921-7272, www.waikikiparc.com. Kama'aina rates from $125 a night.

W Honolulu

"Boutique" hotels became mainstream when Starwood Hotels & Resorts created its W line, including the W Honolulu, its fifth property, which opened near Diamond Head in 1999. One employee says W stands for "warm, witty, welcoming." Entering the low-ceilinged lobby, the W mood also is cool, chic and sophisticated, definitely mirroring hotelier Schrager's ideal of being a little "on the edge."

"At Diamond Head we're removed from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki," said Teri Orton, W's director of operations. "which promotes the feeling of tranquility. Our staff don't wear name tags, and we personally greet guests with fresh fruit juice and chilled oshibori towels to freshen up while their bags are brought in."

Guests are checked in upstairs in their rooms by "welcome ambassadors." The W has 44 rooms and four suites, including a 2-bedroom penthouse.

Decor and furnishings are Balinese, lighting intimate and subdued. Instead of a hotel lobby, W's entrance mimics a living room, with comfortable sofas that encourage guests to meet and linger.

Weekly guest events include "Revive Wednesdays," a wine and martini party beginning at 6 p.m., and "Wonderlounge" on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 6 p.m. Diamond Head Grill is open for dinner nightly at 6.

W Honolulu, Diamond Head, 2885 Kalakaua Ave. 922-1700, www.whotels.com. Kama'aina rates from $174 a night for a Diamond Head room.

Outrigger Luana Waikiki

Outrigger Luana: Paige Showe and Derek Rogers relax on a 16th-floor lanai that offers a spectacular view of Waikiki. And keep in mind ... New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, 2863 Kalakaua Ave., 923-1555, www.kaimana.com. At the quiet end of Waikiki, the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel has long been a favorite place for kama'aina to put out-of-town guests and also to get away themselves. The hotel's beachside Hau Tree Lanai is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kama'aina rate is $116 per room, per night. Aston Waikiki Joy Hotel, 320 Lewers St. 923-2300, www.aston-hotels.com. The Waikiki Joy has 93 rooms with in-room jacuzzi baths and Bose stereo systems. Guests are greeted with a guava-lava smoothie on arrival and get one free hour with a keepsake video in one of the property's 12 karaoke studios. The hotel is intimate, popular with honeymooners and gay-friendly. Kama'aina rates start at $89 per room, per night and include continental breakfast. Aston Coconut Plaza Hotel, 450 Lewers St., 923-8828, www.aston-hotels.com. The 84-room Coconut Plaza has a bed-and-breakfast flavor. A cobblestone driveway leads to a gazebo garden area. Kama'aina rates start at $59 for a studio, per night, and includes continental breakfast. Aston Waikiki Beachside, 2452 Kalakaua Ave., 931-2100, www.aston-hotels.com. The hotel overlooks Waikiki beach and serves a three-course English tea on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Kama'aina rates start at $95 per room, per night. Royal Garden at Waikiki, 440 Olohana St., 943-0202. Small, quiet, Royal Garden at Waikiki has 202 rooms, two swimming pools, two jacuzzis and two saunas as well as Cascada, a French restaurant and Shizu, a Japanese eatery. Kama'aina rates start at $95 per room, per night. 'Ilima Hotel, 445 Nohonani St., 923-1877, www.ilima.com. 'Ilima has 99 rooms, a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom suites and a three-bedroom penthouse. Ilima describes itself as family-oriented rather than a boutique hotel, with large rooms and a new conference center (for groups up to 50); 75 percent of hotel guests are returnees. Kama'aina rates start at $95. —Chris Oliver

Steve Winter, general manager of Outrigger Luana Waikiki, says the concept of the boutique hotels resides in the relationship between employee and guest. "The attitude is a desire to do something, not an obligation. It's knowing names, attentive service and ensuring the guest wants to return," Winter said.

Outrigger is converting the former 242-room Waikiki Terrace hotel into a 217-room condotel with an $11 million renovation. The units include studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. The hotel program is managed by Outrigger to generate income for absentee landlords.

Part of the Outrigger Luana's boutique attraction is its location on Kalakaua Avenue at the Ala Moana end of Waikiki, almost surrounded by Fort DeRussy's 66-acre green belt. "Ocean on one side, city views on the other. There's not a lot of concrete around us, and it's spectacular at night," Winter said.

Luana's units are compact with cleverly built-in appliances; one- and two-bedroom apartments have a kitchen. There is a sundeck and pool, fitness room, coin-operated laundry and an activity desk. There is no restaurant in the building, but there are 15 eateries within a block or two. Ourigger Luana Waikiki, 2045 Kalakaua Ave., 955-6000, www.outrigger.com. Kama'aina rates begin at $126 a night for a studio, $195 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Aqua Bamboo

"Small, comfortable. hip and affordable" is how Lisa Maria Priester describes the Aqua Bamboo on Kuhio Avenue. Priester, 36, an interior designer with Architects Hawaii, stayed there over Valentine's Day weekend after reading about the newly renovated hotel in a travel magazine. "It's not a fancy resort, but they've done a good job," Priester said, viewing the hotel's neutral decor through a designer's eye. She said it has appeal for the contemporary budget traveler.

"Our studio apartment had two double beds and a plasma-screen TV. The lobby is beautifully furnished Indonesian-style and the rates, especially for kama'aina, are great," she said. Priester also liked the little journal in each room in which travelers can record their stories.

"There aren't too many true boutique hotels in Waikiki," said Bamboo manager Joseph Yamaoka, "but we do our best to provide a 'home away from home' experience for our guests." He describes it as B&B intimacy with hotel amenities.

One of three Aqua properties in Waikiki, Bamboo offers guest rooms with at least one private lanai (many have more than one), color television, in-room safe and shower with full tub and kitchen, all renovated in 2001. Amenities include ice and soda vending machines, concierge services, parking (for a fee), swimming pool, jet spa/sauna (at nearby Hyatt Regency for a fee), coin-operated laundromat, sundeck, barbeque grill, garden with pavilion.

Aqua Bamboo, 2425 Kuhio Ave., 922 7777, www.aquaresorts.com. Kama'aina rates start at $89 for a studio.

Pikake Suites

Take any back road in Waikiki, and between high-rise concrete towers are plenty of alternative lodgings. One block back from Kalakaua Ave., behind a big wooden gate, the Pikake Suites, a seven-suite, two-story building, opens this month after renovations, aimed at gay and honeymoon travelers. (It was formerly Ha'eheo Guest House and Magnolia Hotel.)

"We see our property as a comfortable sanctuary," said general manager Michael Lunde. The two-bedroom suites with lounge and small kitchen are elegantly furnished in Balinese style. There is a library/reading area, and a small fountain courtyard and jacuzzi. "Our guests are international as well as from the Mainland. Most will stay around a week," Lunde said. What's special about the place? "Hmmm, it's got to be the staff attitude. We're here to greet guests and ensure they enjoy their stay from the get-go," Lunde said.

Pikake Suites, 2566 Cartwright Road, 778-2283. No kama'aina rates; the two-bedroom suites are $179 a night.

Ohana Reef Lanai

Ohana Reef hotel manager Lester Shim says the 110-room property on Saratoga Avenue offers small-scale, more personal service. "I've worked in larger hotels where there is a "time poverty" problem, Shim said. "There are only so many minutes, with many people demanding your attention. Here at the Ohana Reef Lanai, it's less hectic and we can offer the same services without the hustle and bustle."

The Reef Lanai became the first smoke-free hotel property on O'ahu in November. "We took a risk, especially with business clients — no smoking anywhere — but we thought it was the right thing to do," Shim said. Prohibiting smoking guarantees guests a no-smoking room, something other hotels cannot absolutely promise, he said.

During the early morning in the small lobby looking out on Saratoga across from Fort DeRussy Park, guests can be seen coming and going, ducking into Buzz's restaurant in the hotel for breakfast (the restaurant is smoke-free, too).

The hotel offers a choice of standard, studio and large one-bedroom suites that can sleep families of six, and recently won an editor's choice award from Travel Holiday magazine for best hotel in its price range.

Ohana Reef Lanai, 225 Saratoga Ave. 923-3881, www.ohanahotels.com. Kama'aina rates from $85 per room, per night. A $79-a-night kama'aina special, which includes a free continental breakfast, is available, depending on hotel occupancy.

The Breakers

Mid-morning rain doesn't bother guests at The Breakers, an old Hawai'i-style resort on Beachwalk. In the central courtyard around the swimming pool, general manager Ethel Nada is on hand to chat with guests and suggest indoor activities, but many are content to read on their lanais and wait out the shower.

"Home, friends, family" are words Nada uses to describe the resort's ambience. Nada started out with The Breakers as booking clerk when it opened and has never left. The hotel is celebrating 50 years in business now. She knows her guests personally, 75 percent of whom are return visitors. Many of her staff have been with her for 20 years, she said.

"We consider ourselves an oasis among high-rises," Nada said of the Japanese-style budget resort. "Friends return here each year to meet up."

The Breakers does not market itself as "cool and hip," rather as "gracious Island living." Architecturally, the resort matches the Urasenke Tea House, with which it shares the property.

The Breakers, 250 Beachwalk, 923-3181, www.breakers-hawaii.com. No kama'aina rates; room rates begin at $91 a day, single; $94 a day, double.

The 23 Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean

Read article : The 23 Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean

With infinity pools overlooking the water, canopied beds ideal for cuddling, and elegant spas for couples' massages, many Caribbean hotels were designed for romantic escapes. But of course, some are better than others for vacationing with a significant other, so we set out to find the best of the best. After visiting hundreds (and hundreds) of hotels throughout St. Lucia, Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and dozens more Caribbean destinations, we compared and evaluated each breathtaking property. Take a look at the most romantic hotels in the Caribbean, and get inspired!

1. 

   Romantic? Undoubtedly. Unique? Absolutely. Expensive? For sure. Through an innovative, open fourth wall, each of Jade's 29 enormous suites overlooks the sea from its canopied bed, raised whirlpool tub, and (in all but the entry-level category) private infinity pool. Getting to Jade Mountain can be tedious, even nauseating, but its organic cuisine, doting service, unwavering silence (no TVs, radios, or children), and extraordinary design make the long journey worthwhile.

2. 

   Interiors here are designed by fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, and the 30 rooms feature comfortable four-poster beds with crisp, white Frette linens and unique wicker canopies. Bathrooms have coral floors, deep hot tubs, large stand-up glass showers, and toiletries from L'Occitane -- about as good as it gets in the D.R. The best part: the nightly turndown includes a drawn bath with floating red flower petals and tea lights. Tortuga Bay's luxury Six Senses Spa is one of the D.R.'s best.

3. 

   This unique luxury resort in St. Lucia is made up of 32 one- and two-bedroom villas, each carefully carved into the surrounding hillside overlooking the island’s iconic twin Pitons. The treehouse-style villas -- which have missing fourth walls, and in most cases, private plunge pools -- are a main draw, as are the spectacular views and lush grounds. The resort also features some fabulous amenities, such as an infinity lagoon pool, a gorgeous open-air restaurant and bar, a (tiny) open-air fitness center, and a lovely spa with a multi-level series of small outdoor mineral pools. All of this comes at a price, but Ladera is still significantly cheaper than the ultra-glam Jade Mountain (rates are often around half as much). Ladera is within close range of several of the island’s best tourist destinations -- notable cocoa plantations are within walking distance, the pristine white sands of Jalousie beach are a short drive away, and tourist hot spots like the volcano and Tet-Paul nature trails are both nearby.

4. 

   This 23-room luxury boutique hotel is a Balinese-inspired paradise in Curacao where the details make the difference -- hand-carved teakwood pieces, gift bags left on the beds, and candles lit all around the property are just a few examples. The highlights of the resort are the elegant rooms and villas, some with private pools, the excellent fine-dining restaurant, and a lovely (though man-made) stretch of tranquil beach. This is the top luxury resort on Curacao, without contest.

5. 

   One of Jamaica's most romantic escape (for adults only), the Caves' 11 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach) carved with steep stairways down to the water and into incredible grottos.. A top-shelf bar, an Aveda spa, free cooking classes, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive. High-quality food celebrates local ingredients, and the scene is laid-back and bohemian -- suited to travelers who appreciate outdoor showers and artful decor in favor of conventional luxury.

6. 

   This luxury all-inclusive resort is one of the most elegant and well-regarded hotels on the island, with 64 posh suites dotting a quarter mile of beachfront. Spice Island is a serene oasis amidst the bustling Grand Anse beach area, with clean lines, and a polished, upscale vibe that still maintains the laid-back charm of the Caribbean. The resort includes two restaurants, a beautiful spa, and a variety of activities, but peace and relaxation are also easy to find. The nice pool area is quiet and private, yet the beach -- though beautiful and clean -- is shared by locals and guests of nearby resorts.

7. 

   Accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, this 1,000-acre resort on a private island is the definition of tranquility. With an incredible infinity-edge pool, world-renowned COMO Shambhala Spa, waterfront Balinese-style villas, doting service, and more than three miles of pristine beaches, it's easily one of the most luxurious and romantic options in the Caribbean. But hefty price tags put it out of reach for many, and the rare level of privacy comes as the cost of convenience -- a boat commute is required to reach any nightlife or shopping.

8. 

   This luxurious Viceroy is truly a stunner. It has arguably the best location on St. Lucia, right in between the Pitons, St. Lucia's famous volcanic spires, and on a beautiful white-sand beach. Its 79 rooms are minimalistic, chic, and mostly white, and all come with private plunge pools, butlers, and 24-hour room service; the larger villas and cottages offer living rooms and huge bathrooms (some with outdoor showers and hot tubs). Features include a family-friendly pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and free water sports. The romantic tree-house spa is one of the island's best. The resort's restaurants and bars are pricey, but all-inclusive rates are available to help guests keep costs in check. Unlike Ladera and Jade Mountain, the other two St. Lucia properties on this list, Sugar Beach does allows children, but it tries to ensure peace and quiet for couples, as well, and opened an adult-only beach in spring 2016. 

9. 

   The Geejam is made up of only five private, high-tech cottages on the lush (rainy) foothills of Port Antonio. The setting is gorgeous, the service is extraordinary, and one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches is only 10 minutes away. Quiet seclusion it has; a pool, spa facilities, and direct beach access it does not.

10. 

    This adults-only luxury resort offers just two room types: deluxe rooms on the second floor, and slightly larger junior suites on the lower level with access to the beach. Sprawling across 11 acres on the west coast of Barbados, the property is situated closer to the waterfront than others in the area, due to it being built before legislation forced future resorts to build further inland. The pink Colonial-style property is romantic, and offers two restaurants and bars, as well as free afternoon tea on the terrace. Because there are only 72 rooms, the beach never feels crowded. Excellent amenities include an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and free non-motorized water sports. But all this comes at a price -- room and restaurant prices are some of the steepest in Barbados.

11. 

    One of Barbados' most exclusive resorts, The House is the definition of luxury. Located on the ritzy west coast, the adult-only property doesn’t even have a sign out front on the road. The property is secluded and private, with manicured gardens, koi ponds, and a chic lounge area. The rooms are spacious and contemporary with upscale amenities including a massage jet shower and a free bottle of rum punch. Thoughtful freebies include welcome drinks, champagne breakfast, and jet lag revival massages. There is no spa on-site -- surprising for a hotel of this caliber.

12. 

    This is called One&Only for good reason -- there’s nothing quite like it on Paradise Island, or anywhere in the Bahamas for that matter. The 106 rooms and suites, split into two sections, are luxurious, though those in the newer Crescent Wing are a bit more modern and stylish. Guests have access to the amenities at the Atlantis but the advantage of being removed from the crowds. Expansive manicured grounds have two outdoor pools, a romantic garden and statuary modeled after Versailles (a dream for weddings), and the endless stretch of white-sand beach and turquoise waves. Health and wellness nuts are spoilt for choice with daily yoga, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, an indoor/outdoorfitness center, and a Balinese-style spa with private villas. After a day in the sun, guests return to the room to find champagne and strawberries waiting, and many choose to begin their evening with sunset drinks at Jean-Georges' Dune restaurant.

13. 

    Rosewood Tucker's Point's obvious lures aside -- four pools, a private beach, a championship golf club, a tranquil spa, four restaurants, and spacious rooms featuring million-dollar views -- it’s the fine-tuned details that make this 200-acre property truly spectacular. For example, in the library just behind the lobby, old photos of Bermudian cricket matches, cabinets filled with china, and an antique Oriental rug feel like a swanky 1920s living room frozen in time. Rosewood is easily one of Bermuda’s top luxury resorts, but the rates are also higher here than anywhere else on the island. But perfection (or near-perfection) has its price, and at Tucker’s Point, it’s well worth it.

14. 

    Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches. Personal boats for daily excursions, on-call service, spacious villas with fully stocked kitchens and wet bars, and a host of all-inclusive activities make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas. However, some of the villas feature outdated decor and worn furnishings that seem inconsistent with the resort's high nightly rates.

15. 

    If you ever wondered where the stars might go for R&R, look no further than the minimalist Le Sereno, a chic five-pearl boutique hotel reserved for travelers seeking all-around luxury. The simple, elegant interiors by famed designer Christian Liaigre are matched by top-notch amenities and lovely views of the ocean, and the option of in-room (or oceanfront) spa treatments as well as 24-hour room service makes for a truly pampering experience. The hotel’s restaurant, while tasty, is quite pricey -- even for fancy St. Barth's -- and the semi-private beach is not as pretty or wide as the island’s numerous other strips of sand. The hotel is best for couples who don’t mind paying a little extra and renting a car to reach the secluded romance of this hillside hotel.

16. 

    This luxury boutique is heavy on style and refinement, with British Colonial design and 28 huge multi-room suites (they start at 1,080 square feet) featuring kitchens, terraces, and high-end bathrooms. Property highlights include a lovely, tranquil pool, personal beachfront service, a small but spectacular spa, and one of the Providenciales’ most romantic dinner spots. However, its remote location on the point of the beautiful, 12-mile Grace Bay beach -- while peaceful and quiet -- makes it necessary for guests to rely on expensive taxis or car rentals to explore the island.

17. 

    The Caribbean Club is a luxury boutique hotel located on Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach. The 37 spacious suites and villas are individually owned and exquisitely decorated, and all have full kitchens, balconies with ocean views, and marble bathrooms with separate whirlpool tubs and rainfall showers. The Club has one of the nicest stretches of beach along the Seven Mile coast with white sand, turquoise water, and calm waves. The beach and pool areas are not crowded, allowing for a quiet and serene tropical getaway. The restaurant here is one of the best on the island, but note that there is no spa.

18. 

    Easily the most luxurious resort in St. Martin, the 55-acre La Samanna resort brings tranquility to an otherwise tourist-filled island. Featuring two beautiful pools, an extensive wine cellar, a yoga and Pilates studio, a European-style spa, and the island's most pristine beach, this 81-room, eight-villa retreat is hard to beat. The vibe is about as fancy as it gets for St. Martin, so of course everything -- from the nightly rates to the dinners and spa treatments -- comes at a sky-high cost.

19. 

    Decked out in signature pink, the 112-room Sandy Lane is the creme de la creme of Barbados -- indeed, it's one of the most luxurious resorts in the world -- known for unparalleled service and distinct touches. Guest amenities run rampant; perhaps the most noteworthy is access to the super exclusive Green Monkey golf course with a separate apparel line that can only be purchased after completion. A Rolls Royce Phantom, top-notch spa, outstanding restaurants, and celebrity sightings are just a few aspects that set the elegant Palladian-style hotel apart from the rest. This is a very special place, for those who can afford it.

20. 

    Sandals is the epitome of a couples-only Caribbean mega-resort. With 11 restaurants, 373 luxurious rooms, and six pools, it's expansive, if not a bit overwhelming. You could easily get lost in the 27 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and along the pathwayswinding between buildings. The Sandals brand is evident at every turn, and the experience can feel generic, pre-packaged, and lacking in authenticity. However, this popular upscale all-inclusive with elegant rooms is definitely dedicated to creating memorable, romantic getaways. (Just be prepared to share yours with a few hundred other couples.)

21. 

    The relaxed, tranquil environment of this adults-only boutique resort is a major part of its appeal. This isn't Antigua's fanciest property, but it doesn't need to be: Simple Caribbean style (think: thatched roofs, stone, and rattan), a truly gorgeous beach, and all-inclusive food that's better than average for the island make for a winning combo. Water sports are also included in the rate, but the ocean here can get a bit rough so guests shouldn't count on being able to swim in it every day.

22. 

    The Bucuti is a romantic, adults-only resort at the southern end of Eagle Beach. This intimate, 104-room property has 14 acres of beach, and the main activity here involves lingering on the sand under shaded palapas; there's also a chic infinity edge pool. Rooms are stylish and have higher-end amenities such as iHome systems, charging docks, and built-in TVs in the bathroom mirrors. A free breakfast buffet is served daily, and dining is a highlight -- including five-course menus at the intimate gourmet spot, Carte Blanche -- and plenty more restaurants are within walking distance. The resort sees a high percentage of repeat visitors, so book early.

23. 

    This charming all-inclusive boutique resort, situated on a bluff overlooking the sea, features 57 separate cottage-style rooms painted in Caribbean pinks and blues. The rooms have a rustic style featuring exposed wood beams, and some have private plunge pools. It is a posh adults-only property catering to couples, wedding parties, and honeymooners -- but it offers a much more intimate atmosphere than massive couples-only resorts like Sandals.

Where to Stay in Antwerp: The Best Hotels and Neighborhoods

Read article : Where to Stay in Antwerp: The Best Hotels and Neighborhoods

To help you out with the decision where to stay in Antwerp, we’ve put together a list of neigbourhoods and the best hotels in the city.

Antwerp is often left out when planning a trip to Belgium. Touristy cities like Brussels or Bruges easily obscure trendy towns of Antwerp or recently re-discovered Ghent.

However, from what we’ve experienced in Antwerp, it’s a vibrant, extraordinarily creative city full of history, so you’re doing yourself a favor by staying here longer, and exploring it for more than a day away from Brussels.

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Where to stay in Antwerp?

Where to stay in the Antwerp Historical Center

This is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Antwerp if your goal is to catch up with sightseeing. The old town is full of museums, lively squares, and a number of cafes, restaurants, and beautifully renovated bed & breakfasts in historical houses.

The area is very walkable, and you can easily access the riverbank. It’s also safe and quiet at night.

Our top pick > De Koning van Spanje

We stayed in this family-run boutique hotel for three nights, only a minute walk from the main square Grote Markt.

The luxurious interior with elegant decoration made us feel comfortable, as well as the immense space in the bedroom and bathroom. Hot tub, solid wooden writing table and sofa were also part of the room. Our room faced a small courtyard and a garden, so it was absolutely quiet during the whole day.

The breakfast is served in the dining room furnished with antique plates and furniture. If you’re looking for some insider tips on the city, ask the owners. They are extremely helpful, and knowledgeable, since Carl has worked at one of Antwerp’s museums. Check the latest price.

Luxury > Hotel ‘T Sandt
Spotless, spacious rooms with an incredibly homey touch. The suites and rooms are bright thanks to big windows. Excellent location near the Grote Markt, good breakfast included. Check the latest price.

Mid-range > Aplace Antwerp City Flats & Suites
Very tastefully decorated rooms and apartments in vintage style with modern elements. Apartments also feature a fully equipped kitchen. Pets allowed. Check the latest price.

Budget > Kathedraallogies Drie Koningen
Unusual and affordable bed & breakfast in the historical center of Antwerp. You can choose from rooms with shared or private bathrooms. The property is a renovated building from the 16th century. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Antwerp Historical Center

• Visit Museum Plantin-Moretus
• Get a pint at the Witzli-Poetzli while enjoying jazz music or check out the the quirky Elfde Gebod
• Hang around the Groenplaats or Grote Markt Square early in the morning
• Enter the Cathedral of Our Lady

Traveling to Belgium and Europe? Get inspired by more travel articles:

Where to stay in Het Zuid (the Southern District)

It’s trendy, modern, and very suitable for expats and young people fancying nightlife and art. The southern district aka Het Zuid is a renovated neighborhood with plenty of bars, local restaurants, galleries, and museums.

Het Zuid is well connected to the city center and train station by public transport. We stayed here for a few nights and loved it here for its laid back vibes and a running path along the river.

Our top pick > The Soul Antwerp

In case you prefer cooking your own food and are hoping for some privacy, The Soul would be the best place to stay in Het Zuid. Modern studio with vintage interior offers an equipped kitchenette with a dining corner and comfy sofa, (which we found great after walking the city all day).

The apartment is located right in the heart of the south district, surrounded by many cafes and restaurants. By the way, you can grab a coffee, breakfast or lunch at the atmospheric Soul Cafe. In case you decide to cook, there is a big grocery shop within 5 minutes walking.

Our studio was clean, with a separated bedroom, bright seating area with a dining table and kitchenware, and a private bathroom. The place is also run by welcoming and easygoing owners. Check the latest price.

Luxury > The Glorious Inn

In case you’re wishing for some extraordinary place to stay in Antwerp, check it out here. Thematically decorated rooms, classy furniture, and a very quiet location.

We stayed here only a night, but enjoyed the funky atmosphere of the room with a Sleeping Beauty theme. We won’t spoil the surprise, but the room was full of secret hints related to the fairy tale. You better come and check for yourself.

It featured a large and very comfy bed, a tea table with plenty of herbal choices. The highlight of the room was a bathroom with an enormous bathtub, candles, and high-quality toiletries.

Spoil yourself, and if you come during the week, make sure to have dinner in their restaurant downstairs. Check the latest price.

Mid-range > Maison Emile
Stylish, modern, and clean rooms with a rich healthy breakfast. It features double and single bedrooms. Check the latest price.

Budget > Le Sud
Very affordable and clean budget option with different types of rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Het Zuid

Where to stay in the Jewish Quarter in Diamond District

The area near the Central Station is the oldest diamond center in Europe, and rumour has it they were playing around with diamonds long before the first traders in Hong Kong or New York.

Stay around on Friday or Saturday, and you’ll see the Jewish community walking to and from the synagogues here. Currently, more than 80% of the Jews in Antwerp are involved in the diamond trade.

There are more than 1500 companies involved in selling, cutting, and polishing diamonds in the city, and you can check out some of them on Pelkinstraat Street near the railway station, or in the boutique shops on the Appelmansstraat, Lange Herentalsestraat and Vestingstraat streets.

Always ask for the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grading report when buying a gem. Read more about the history of Jews in Antwerp.

Our top pick > Hyllit Hotel

Located right in the center of the Diamond district, a couple of minutes walking from the Central Station. Luxurious 4-star hotel with an indoor pool, spacious rooms with writing desk. Suites available. Check the latest price.

Luxury > Park Inn by Radisson Antwerpen
Spacious and super clean rooms, some of them with a great view. The hotel features a gym, and you can use sauna and swimming pool at the Health Club that is 100 m away. Check the latest price.

Mid-range > Queen A Antwerp
Incredibly cosy rooms and common area, decorated with a great taste and sense for interior details. Very kind staff and excellent breakfast! Check the latest price.

Budget > Eden Hotel
Simply decorated in pastel colors, and for a very reasonable price considering the proximity to the main railway station. Free tea/coffee station available. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Diamond district

• Check the architecture of the railway station in case you haven’t arrived by train
• Go to the Stadtpark and have a picnic here. Great for kids, the park offers some playgrounds
• Book your ticket for a performance in the stunning Flemish Opera
• Have a peak in some of the diamond stores in the Diamond District

Where to stay in Sint Andries

Rough and poor area in the past that has become a shopping area with lots of cafes now. Popular for its vintage vibes, great proximity to the centre and best Antwerp attractions. Safe and lively Southern neighbourhood in Antwerp.

Our top pick > Holiday Home Zuiderzin

Wonderful holiday home for family or groups of friends. It features three double beds, a seating area, washing machine, and a small kitchen. It’s centrally located, with many cafes and restaurants around. Check the latest price.

Luxury > Maison Nationale City Flats & Suites
Ultra clean, beautiful, bright, and spacious rooms designed in black & white minimalistic style. Possibility to prepare your own food with the kitchenware. Check the latest price.

Mid-range > Kaai11 City Flats & Rooms
A luxurious option for a mid-range budget. Situated near the Schelde River, most of the rooms have awesome views. Modern & elegant interior. Some suites come with a fully equipped kitchen. Check the latest price.

Budget > Antwerp Cental Youth Hostel
Very cool place in a great location. Simple and clean with twin, quadruple, or dormitory rooms, all with private bathrooms. Buffet breakfast included. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Sint Andries

• Visit MoMu Fashion Museum
• Go for a graffiti hunt. Read this article to get inspired.
• Walk through the summer Markt van Morgen market & do some shopping here
• Visit St Andrew’s Catholic Church from the 16th century
• Spend a couple of hours at the incredible Plantin-Moretus Museum of printing
• Vintage lovers, head straight to the Kloosterstraat Street

Where to stay in Het Eilandje

Het Eilandje means “Little Island,” and currently the area is boasting with loads of cafes, and some of the most distinct museums in Antwerp: MAS, which is a highlight of the Het Eilandje, and Red Line Star – a museum dedicated to the emigration waves that brought millions of European overseas, and the iconic Port House of Zaha Hadid.

It’s a cool area to chill out, enjoy an afternoon coffee, and make your artistic soul happy.

Our top pick > B&B Yellow Submarine

Original modern room with minimalistic décor. Clean and spacious rooms feature a shower or a bath. Very good breakfast included. Check the latest price.

Luxury > B&B Suites@FEEK
This is something quite different. High ceilings, futuristic white design with a jacuzzi in the room. Great breakfast! Check the latest price.

Mid-range > Best Western Hotel Docklands
Modern rooms of a 3-star hotel, some of them with harbour views and a balcony. Very friendly staff. Some rates include delicious breakfast. Check the latest price.

Budget
The area doesn’t really offer budget options, but you can find a budget accommodation not far from Eilandje.

Condo Gardens Antwerp
Simple, clean studios with a kitchen, great location for a very reasonable price. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Eilandje

Where to stay in Borgerhout

The area doesn’t have the best reputation, but only because of its multicultural nature, as it’s a home to 90 different nationalities.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a bit of an “underground,” creative area with music festivals, quirky bars, and a Moroccan & Turkish minority, which means great food, head to the Borgerhout.

Our top pick > @Couche Couche

Very stylish and comfortable B&B. You can stay either in an apartment for 2-4 people with kitchenware, or in a double room. Located in a beautiful old mansion from 1907. Minimalistic design with soothing feeling.

Luxury
There aren’t any top luxury hotels in the area, although the B&B mentioned above can be considered a high-end choice of accommodation in Borgerhout.

Mid-range > B&B Antwerp
Large, impeccable rooms with lots of sunlight, very tastefully decorated. The quadruple room also features a seating area and facilities like a coffee machine, fridge, and microwave. Check the latest price.

Budget > Kif Kef City Apt.
Incredibly charming apartment with minimalistic design. Fully equipped kitchen, sun terrace and bike rentals (for an extra charge) available. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Borgerhout

• Spend an evening at one of the performances in De Roma, an amazing cinema from 1920’s.
• Go for a free yoga class in Krugerplein Square on Saturday (from 24th of June – 9th of September from 10 am to 11 pm)
• Check out the gigs at the TRIX Muziekcentrum

Where to stay in Deurne

Located in the east of Antwerp, famous mostly for its huge green area: the Rieverenhof Park. It’s the area of townhouses, and it’s not popular among tourists as it lacks Antwerp’s cultural vibes. However, it’s a good option if you feel like staying out of the city center.

There’s great cycling infrastructure. For the best Antwerp attractions you’ll need to take a tram or a bike to the city center. Or… go local and visit some of the Deurne’s cultural events.

Our top pick > Bed & Breakfast Exterlaer

Elegant & artsy rooms, some of them with a seating area. The place has a lovely garden, and delicious breakfast included. Very pleasant hosts. Check the latest price.

Mid-range > Luxury Suites Arendshof
Modern & simple design, located in a quiet area. The suites are in a two-floor house with a living room and a jacuzzi. Breakfast for an extra fee available. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Deurne

Where to stay in Zurenborg

Residential, trendy, silent and … the pricey area of Antwerp with convenient public transport. It’s popular for its art nouveau architecture. Over 170 houses in the neighborhood have the status of protected monuments, and most of them were built in 1900’s.

Zurenborg is a bit off the beaten path, as it lacks the typical tourist attractions, but is easily accessed by a short tram ride from the centre. Very worth a visit even if you don’t book a hotel here.

Apart from exploring the special architecture, you can stop by for a coffee, a lunch, or have a pint in one of plenty of Zurenborg’s cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Our top pick > Abondance Logies

Wonderfully minimalistic rooms with white & red décor. Super clean. Breakfast for an extra fee available, and you can prepare your meals also in the common kitchen. Close to the restaurants.

Luxury
There are no luxury options in the area.

Mid-range > Amaaj
Simple, neat rooms with private bathrooms and a bathtub. Great relaxing area. Check the latest price.

Budget > Alias Youth Hostel
A fantastic choice for budget travelers. Clean, simple, with dormitories or double bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms. Tram stops nearby. Check the latest price.

Things to do in Zurenborg

• Grab a leaflet in one of the tourist offices in Zurenborg or at the train station in Berchem neighbourhood and do a self-tour
• Walk along the streets Cogels-Osylei, Transvaalstraat, Waterloostraat to see some great architectural works
• Learn about brewing and go for a fantastic beer at the De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery in the nearby Berchem neighbourhood
• Make a trip to the southern neighbourhood and visit Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum

Hopefully this ultimate guide on where to stay in Antwerp helped you to decide which hotel to book, and what attractions you can see in each neighbourhood.

Have a blast in this incredibly vibrant city, and in case we missed any district you’d recommend staying in or cool things to do in Antwerp we haven’t included here, please, leave a comment below.

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Welcome to the rise of 'no frills' (and sometimes no towels) hotels

Read article : Welcome to the rise of 'no frills' (and sometimes no towels) hotels

Lianne Livingstone, a Canadian living in Luxembourg, recently stayed in an F1 hotel – a famously cheap French chain – near Amsterdam with her husband and two children. “The facility itself was fine if you were super strapped, and it was clean,” Livingstone says. “But the beds were probably the cheapest, most solid beds I’ve slept on, and the linens were practically transparent.”

Welcome to the rise of “no frills” (and sometimes no towels) hotels. As more and more hotels across the globe are adding a mind-boggling number of amenities and extras – from free minibars and laundry facilities to bath butlers and pet concierges – there’s also a parallel, but polar opposite, trend of hotels stripped down to the barest essentials.

Tune Hotels, a Malaysian chain with properties in Asia and the UK, offer bare bones and cheap accommodations, but if you want towels, a safe and a TV, or even a window, you’ll have to pay extra. Tune Hotels is in the midst of opening seven hotels across the UK, including several properties in London.

Handout

Meanwhile, EasyHotel – owned by EasyJet – has now opened up in several countries across Europe and recently announced several new hotels in the Middle East. They’re explicit that guests will be sacrificing “a bit of luxury space” in return for cheaper rates. The staffing is minimal, the rooms are tiny, and the TV, WiFi and even luggage storage come àla carte.

Even several big chains – including Holiday Inn Express and Hilton – have started offering “value rooms” with no room service and limited amenities.

But are these bare-bones hotels worth the savings? And where does this new proliferation of budget hotels fit into a hospitality world where one high-end hotel – the Park Hyatt Vienna – will actually take your dog out for an evening at the opera?

For some, ultra-budget accommodations fall on the grim end of the hospitality spectrum.Michele Sponagle from Paris, Ont. found that her biggest issue at the F1 hotel in Avignon was the communal bathroom. “The shower room was pretty yucky, with hair and soap bits swimming around the drain,” she says. (She stuck her feet in two plastic shopping bags so she didn’t have to touch the floor.)

Shared bathrooms have long been a feature of budget accommodations in hostels and small guest rooms the world over. Some amenities – a lack of canine opera excursions, for example – are rarely considered deal breakers. As people increasingly rely on their computers to binge watch crime procedurals and even stream the local news, a television might no longer be the essential service it once was. Others amenities, such as paying extra for a room with a window at a Tune Hotel, might well be worth the splurge.

Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

While many hotels report that guests don’t like the feeling of being “nickel and dimed” – an assumption that has led many luxury properties to roll things like breakfast and minibars into the overall room cost – these budget properties give guests the ability to pick and choose, opting out of, say, the hairdryer they were never going to use anyway.

Julia Buckley from Cornwall, UK has stayed at Tune Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and London. “I really like the fact that it’s a hostel price, but of a certain standard,” she says. “The rooms will be clean and, if you pay for the extras like WiFi and windows, it ends up feeling like a normal hotel, but still cheaper. The only thing I didn’t like is the really cruddy toiletries they give you, but I learned that lesson after Kuala Lumpur and brought my own to the rest.”

As with cheaper airfares, à la carte hotel options can add up if you choose every optional amenity. At the Tune Hotel Liverpool Street in London, the cheapest room starts at £66 – an extraordinarily reasonable sum in a city where the average hotel room costs more than double that. But Tune Hotels also offers a full list of à la carte options that can be added to the tab, including room cleaning (£8), early check in or late check out (£15), television or Wi-Fi (£4 per night each), towel and toiletry kit with soap and shampoo (£2), and a hair dryer or in-room safe (£2).

These budget hotels align nicely with the parallel trend of declining airfares, and a broader trend often referred to as the democratization of travel. Flying across the globe used to be an elite privilege for the few; now, teenagers book intercontinental travel and all-inclusive vacations for spring break. Budget hotel rooms are helping make tourism that much more accessible. Swidlicka, who has stayed in two windowless EasyHotel rooms in London, says that these economical services are ideal for DIY travellers, backpackers, young couples, students “and other people with low budgets and big dreams.”

Cheap, after all, is tempting. Sponagle says that despite her less-than-ideal initial experience, she would be game to stay at an F1 hotel in the future – especially now that she knows the ropes. “I’d pack flip flops for the shower room,” Sponagle says. For an amazingly affordable €45 a night, it certainly wasn’t all bad, she says. “I lived to tell the tale.”

Villa Marine Guest House in Pringle Bay, Western Cape

Read article : Villa Marine Guest House in Pringle Bay, Western Cape

About Villa Marine Guest House

Villa Marine Guest House is nestled on the spectacular coast in Pringle Bay. Experience the sea a mere stone throw from one of our luxury en-suite rooms. Our unique combination of warm hospitality and highly personalised service ensures an exclusive experience.

Viewing the spectacular sunset from the deck over the vanishing edge swimming pool while sipping a glass of Cape wine will be a great start to an evening spent dining at the Villa or visiting one of the local venues. Fall asleep in a cozy percale linen bed with the waves crashing against the rocks in the bay. - Pringle Bay is an ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect base from which to explore the rich and diverse mountain landscape of the Western Cape.

Accommodation

Villa Marine Guest house is nestled in a spectacular rocky bay on the whale route in Pringle Bay village. There are 5 en-suite guest rooms ranging in size and luxury. The 2 Executive and 1 of the 2 Luxury sea view suites each have their own fireplace and private balcony. All rooms include under floor heating and mini lounges with satellite television, stocked bar-fridges and tea trays, unique bathrooms with showers, large bathtubs and heated towel rails. All the rooms have magnificent views looking down into a secluded cove or towards the surrounding mountains. Experience the sea with all your senses at this special venue. 2 Executive, 2 Luxury Sea View Suites and 1 Standard Room is available.

Executive Sea View Suites:
Each individually decorated Luxury Suite has an en-suite bathroom with large bath and shower, a large private balcony with ocean view, under floor heating and fireplace in room, television and DVD player, stocked mini bar and tea and coffee tray and a private safe.

Luxury Sea View Suites:
Each individually decorated Luxury Suite has an en-suite bathroom with large bath and shower, a private balcony with ocean view, under floor heating and fireplace in room (only in 1 of the 2 rooms), television and DVD player, stocked mini bar and tea and coffee tray and a private safe.

Standard Room:
Individually decorated Standard Room has an en-suite bathroom with showers (no bath), under floor heating, television and DVD player, stocked mini bar and tea and coffee tray and a private safe. No verandah.

Dining

A gourmet breakfast is served around the pool deck or in the glass fronted dining room overlooking the waves crashing against the rocks. Individual tastes are catered for. A Light Lunch can be provided on a request basis. Dinner is a set menu of traditional South African food. (Additional charge).

Conferences

Villa Marine is an ideal venue for small conferences or company break always. Up to 12 delegates per day can be hosted in a private facility.

Activities

• Walk along the pristine beaches or swim in the refreshing ocean
• A number of golf courses are available within easy reach.
• Explore the Kogelberg floral kingdom, a world heritage site.
• Visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens.
• Bird watching in the Villa garden.The honey suckers are a delight in the fynbos.
• Visit Arabella Health Spa.
• Stony Point, land based African penguin colony.
• Mountain biking, in the surrounding mountains. 4 mountain bikes are freely available to quests.
• Explore the wine routes in the vicinity.
• Superb dining experiences in the local restaurants.
• Lounge at the pool with a book or simply relax while taking in the splendour of the sea.

Locations & Attractions

From Cape Town you will travel along the scenic Clarence Drive Route (5 km past Rooiels) it forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, A one hour drive from Cape Town with Hermanus, Stellenbosch and the Wine routes 45 minutes away. The area is renowned for its Indigenous Fynbos Flora and houses more plant species per square meter than anywhere else on the planet.

On the world famous whale watching route, Pringle Bay is an ideal place to view Whales during the Whale Season from June to December every year. Only 12km away the Harold Porter Botanical Garden is home to a wide variety of Fynbos such as the King Protea and Disa and the nearby town of Betty's Bay hosts the Jackass Penguin Colony.

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Find out more about Pringle Bay or view things to do in Cape Overberg. Please let us know how you enjoyed your stay by leaving a review.

South Florida's most expensive hotel rooms

Read article : South Florida's most expensive hotel rooms

November 4, 2011|By Doreen Hemlock, SunSentinel

Luxury resorts in South Florida are getting even pricier this winter. Try $7,500 a night for the presidential suite at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

Few can afford that. But hotel consultant Scott Brush says there are plenty of celebrities, entrepreneurs and foreign guests who can pay for South Florida's deluxe digs, some with private elevators.

"The top 1 percent in the country is people making more than $400,000 a year. And if we're 300 million people, that's 3 million," said Brush of Brush & Co. in Miami. "That's a fair size market."

The Boca resort's presidential suite, for example, has hosted actress-singer Jennifer Lopez and the Egyptian billionaire father of Dodi Fayed, whose son died in a car crash with Princess Diana.

The price gap is wide between top suites and most rooms. Average hotel rates were $125 a night in Broward and $155 a night in Palm Beach county last January.

Here are six of the most expensive rooms in the area and what you get for the money:

• W Fort Lauderdale: The Extreme Wow Suite at the hip W spans 4,330 square feet, including a wrap-around balcony accessible from each room and equipped for entertaining. The terrace can hold up to 25 people on its lounge furniture and dining table – more than many homes.

The two-bedroom suite on the 24th floor sports the latest technology: a Bang & Olufsen entertainment system with a 50-inch LCD TV, DVD player, Tivoli alarm clock/radio and an iPod docking station in the living area, smaller flat screen TVs in each bedroom and high-speed Internet access.

It also offers hip comforts in its 2-and-a-half bathrooms: a whirlpool bath-tub, a rain-forest shower that opens to the balcony, plus a free-standing concrete cast tub surrounded by river rocks.

The price this winter: $5,000 a night, up from $4,000 a night last year.

• The Atlantic Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale: Both Oceanfront Penthouses offer luxury brand-items: Molton Brown bath amenities, Frette bathrobes and La Belge chocolates at turndown.

Each has two-bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and marble bathrooms in its 2,200 square feet, not counting the wraparound balconies.

The price this winter: From $1,500 to $3,000 per night, depending on the date, which is similar to last year.

• Boca Raton Resort & Club: The Tower Presidential Suite starts on the 26^h floor and includes two levels on 6,000 square feet, linked by a private elevator and by a spiral staircase.

The suite has three bedrooms, each with a king-size bed and private bathroom. The master bedroom also has fitness equipment inside and an oversized marble bathtub with jets in it.

For entertaining, there's a grand piano. That's in addition to double-height living area with ample seating areas and picture windows, wet-bar and a media pit sporting a large projection TV with surround sound.

The price this winter: $7,500 a night, up about 5 percent from last year.

• The Breakers Palm Beach: The Imperial Suite was renovated last year before other rooms were redone in an $80 million resort upgrade. Its new décor has a marine theme, with starfish designs on pillows and white coral-like branches on lamp bases.

The one-bedroom suite has five step-out balconies with ocean views. There's a six-seat dining area, wet bar, half bathroom for guests, a new sound system and personal concierge services.

The price this winter: Reduced to $5,400 a night from $5,900 because other rooms are more newly renovated.

• Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach: The Deluxe Oceanfront Suite has two furnished terraces and a railed-in Juliet balcony to step outside the way Romeo's beloved once did.

It has two bedrooms and can expand to three or four bedrooms by adding a connecting room. Newly renovated by Canadian designer Brian Gluckstein, the style is upscale beach house, with fabrics in sea-glass colors and custom furnishings with seashell glaze.

For children, there are brand-name accessories, including a crib and changing table from Maclaren's Cabine collection.

The price this winter: $4,500 a night, up from $4,000 a night last winter.

• Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale: The Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Residential Suite on the 17th floor comes with access for four to the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge. The 8th floor lounge has free food and drink daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., a separate TV room, sitting area, computer station and a dedicated concierge.

The suite has 1,345 square feet, not counting the balconies. It offers a granite-countertop kitchenette, dining table for four, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, marble bath, plush bathrobes, free DVD rentals and a "digital guest control system" to help you turn on and off the TVs and lights.

The price this winter: $2,500, up from $2,000 last winter.

dhemlock@tribune.com or 305-810-5009

California Dreamin' Part II: From San Jose to Big Sur, Spending Only $51 a Day

Read article : California Dreamin' Part II: From San Jose to Big Sur, Spending Only $51 a Day

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Getting away from the big city isn't always easy, but the proximity of the magnificent beauty of Big Sur to the major metropolises of California makes it an ideal and popular weekend drive.

Getting There

There's no point in poking around San Jose, so speed on down to the Monterey-Carmel area on US 101 to Prunedale, then westward on 156 to Seaside, where you join the Pacific Coast Highway, Number 1. If you can tear yourself away from the delights of those two cities, start on down the highway, taking your time and stopping at as many turnouts or vistas as you can.

If you have time, return on the same marvelous routing, catching different views and vistas, the better to see the mist creeping in, or a sunset, or a day when the fog bank sits along the horizon like a very thick futon, creating an amazing wall a few miles out to sea. Should you be in a hurry, however, go on down Route 1 to Cambria, and then turn eastward on State 465 to Templeton, where you pick up speedy US 101 for your return trip north.

Highlights

The best weather here is in the spring and fall, the former being the time when wildflowers abound (especially lupines and poppies, as well as the tall purple cones called "the Pride of Madeira"). May is still peaceful, as the big summer season and the crowds begin in June, with warm weather and a chance even to dip into the rivers here. Indian summer and it's requisite marvelous fall colors, with poison oak showing deep red, the maples, sycamore, and cottonwoods their golden yellows and oranges, dutifully comes along late in September and throughout all of October. In mid-November, the season for fishing steelhead rainbow trout opens. Best of all, from the end of December through the entire month of March, you can watch migrating gray whales offshore as they traverse the route from sunny Baja California northward.

All the way down along scenic PCH1, the 90-mile stretch of Big Sur affords great views of the awesomely beautiful and rugged coastline between Carmel to the north and San Simeon to the south. The highway was completed in 1937 after 18 years of hard work, partly with the aid of convict labor. (They didn't even have electricity in these parts until the 1950s!) And although Highway One is well maintained, it has plenty of sharp curves and steep hills, so take it easy. Besides, if you drive too quickly, you won't have a chance to see the most beautiful coastline in the world, in the opinion of many experienced travelers.

If it's beach time you want, bring a blanket and a jacket, as it can be chilly, even in summer. You can get down to the Andrew Molera State Park beach, 23 miles south of Carmel, easily on a mile-long path paralleling the Big Sur River.

A cultural highlight of the drive is the Henry Miller Library, just one-fourth of a mile south of the Nepenthe restaurant on the mountainside of the road. Henry, who wrote his best-known work, Tropic of Cancer, in 1934, settled down in Big Sur (not at this building) in 1944, and wrote many other books here. This is not a library of books he collected, but of books by and about him, as well as other highly literary and experimental works for sale by other authors. It's open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 to 6 or by appointment. Phone the library at 831/667-2574 or visit the Web site, www.henrymiller.org.

Although Big Sur is as close to nature as you can get in America and still be on a highway, costs are typically high, thanks to the distance and scarcity of population. But with some digging, I've come up with lodging and three meals costing only $50.70 per person per day, sharing a double room.

Lodging

There are only 200 hotel rooms in all the Big Sur area, so pickings are slim. Except during winter, you might consider camping out when you get here. After all, that's what the whole region is about, getting back to nature in a meaningful manner. Should you decide you want to live in a tent or rustic cabin, check out the Big Sur Campground & Cabins, 26 miles south of Carmel on Route 1, phone 831/667-2322. In addition to empty sites, there are a few cabins, the tent variety costing only $12, the all-wood version going for $89 and up. The all-wood cabins have their own country-style furniture, woodburning ovens and complete kitchens, not to mention private patios.

The best-priced commercial lodging in the area is at the modest Ripplewood Resort, where there are cabins costing as little as $65 (double bed), $70 (queen), $75 (queen and double), up to $105 (queen and double, kitchen, deck, and fireplace). The cheaper cabins overlook the redwoods and the hills, while the more expensive are along the Big Sur River itself. All units have private bathroom with shower or tub. Just 27 miles south of Carmel, the resort is also the site of a wonderful cafe (breakfast and lunch only), a gas station (you can't imagine how helpful that is) and a grocery store (ditto). For reservations, phone 831/667-2242. Their Web site is www.ripplewoodresort.com.

The best little hotel in the region, in my opinion, is the Big Sur River Inn on Highway 1 at Pheneger Creek, Big Sur 93920. There are 20 rustic and cozy rooms with private baths ranging in price from $80 in winter, $90 in spring and fall to $100 in July and August. That's for a room with one queen bed. On weekends throughout the year, you pay the summer rate of $100. What's fun here is to sit in Adirondack chairs in the shallow river, dangling your feet in the water, and drinking a beer. Above the iris and calla lilies along the banks, on the lawn between river and hotel, people relax over their food, and a jazz band plays on weekend afternoons. A throwback to the 1930s, the River Inn was once known at the Apple Pie Inn, having started as a restaurant back in 1934. It has been run by the same family (Pfeiffer and Ewoldsen) ever since. Contact the Inn at 831/557-1700 or 800/548-3610, fax 831/667-2743, Web site www.bigsurriverinn.com.

You can have your adobe hacienda and not pay big bucks for it if you stay at Glen Oaks, in the Big Sur River valley. All rooms are in single story structures, and each has a private bath and walk-in shower. You also have a patio, surrounded by flowers in season and a view of the valley. There's a good restaurant on the premises, too (see listings on the next page). A queen bedroom here costs $89, queen and twin $94, two queens $99. You can have a whole cottage to yourself for $125, with a kitchen $140, beyond our price range but doable if you have four persons sharing the costs. Contact the Glen Oaks at 831/667-2105, Highway 1, Big Sur 93920.

Moderately priced during the winter (at $89), the rooms at the Big Sur Lodge rise precipitously during the rest of the year, so I can recommend it only in the November-March period, when the weather can be wonderful. There are 61 huge cottage style units, each with deck or balcony. Some units can sleep up to six persons. Nestled among the marvelous towering redwoods and oaks inside the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, these units are a perfect place to get away from the apparent world and enjoy the real realm of nature. There are no phones, TVs, radios, or alarm clocks. There is a restaurant on the grounds, as well as a general store, and a seasonal heated pool. They're on Highway 1 at Big Sur, 93920, phone 831/667-3100 or 800/424-4787, Web site www.bigsurlodge.com. Rates here include the admission fee not only to this park but also to four others in the immediate area. That, in turn, allows you free use of the parks, including hiking and firing up the barbecue if you feel like it.

Alternatively, if you are really into nature, and want to stay at a Catholic monastery where you get absolute peace and quiet, you might like the New Camaldoli Hermitage, about 25 miles south of Big Sur Village at Lucia, where rooms go for a suggested donation of $45. You usually need to book six months in advance here! You need not participate in the liturgical worship, but you may if you wish. All rooms are single occupancy, each with half bath and a personal garden overlooking the ocean. There is also a room with several showers and a common kitchen where you pick up your mostly vegetarian meals, to eat by yourself in the garden or room. If you want a retreat house trailer, these, too, are available, with a full bathroom (shower, not tub!), small refrigerator, small countertop gas burner, and a sun deck. Suggested donation is $55. To keep the place quiet for the Benedictine monks, you cannot use radios, typewriters, or musical instruments, nor can you bring a pet. Phone the monks at 831/667-2456. They ask that you phone them, not e-mail them (unless you live overseas). Their Web site, however, is www.contemplation.com.

Restaurants

This is the perfect place to have a picnic, down on the beach or up above, just looking at the coastline. You can stock up on everything you could possibly need at Big Sur Center Deli, located at the Post Office Center, phone 831/667-2225. Open daily from 8 AM to 8:30 PM, the deli has takeout selections of prepared food items for all three meals (including fresh pizza on Monday and Friday evenings), as well as a good selection of groceries, wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Big Sur River Inn, part of the hotel of the same name (see previous page), is a marvelously un-chic place, with quiet corners, tables out on the patio overlooking the river, or near the bar and its big sports-saturated TV screen. Breakfast starts at $5.75 for two eggs, hash browns, and toast; lunch menu items hover around $9.95 (the cheapest sandwich is $8.25), and dinner courses cost from $7.95 (omelets) through $8.95 (fish & chips) up to $17.95 for ribs. Open daily. Phone 831/667-2700.

At the Ripplewood Resort (see previous page), you can have two eggs with a potato casserole and a homemade muffin for just $5.75, or pay another dollar and have the same thing with sausage, bacon, or ham. At lunchtime, a grilled cheddar sandwich will set you back $4.50, a delicious grilled jack cheese and green chili one $5.75. All sandwiches (your choice of bread) come with tomatoes, sliced red onions, sliced pickles, lettuce, and mayonnaise, along side your choice of a green salad, marinated bean salad, or shoestring-cut french fries. They don't serve dinner. Phone 831/667-2242.

The Glen Oaks Restaurant is also part of the hotel of the same name (see previous page), with a copper fireplace and works of local artists, serving dinner only, open year round, but closed on Tuesdays. Dinner items start from $12.95 and range upward from there. Several entries on the otherwise standard menu are Asian inspired, and the pastas and bread are homemade. Wines from the California Central Coast are featured. Phone 831/667-2264 for reservations.

Deetjen's restaurant is in the hotel of the same name, with a cozy, country-inn feeling about the place. Two meals are served daily, with basic breakfasts at about $7.95, comfort-food dinner main courses from $12.95. Chicken with garlic is a local favorite. Phone the restaurant at 831/667-2377. The location is about 30 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur 93920.

Cafe Kevah is located just a level down from famed Nepenthe (see below) and owned by the same family. Its prices are slightly less than those up the stairs, a fajita dish costing 7.95, for instance. The view is almost as good that on the level above, but the ambiance is more utilitarian, the food (with several Mexican items on the menu) is as good, if not better. Since you'll be outside, even on a sunny day in fall, winter, or spring, be sure to bring a coat. In summer, never mind. The address is the same as Nepenthe, but the phone is 831/557-2344.

Nepenthe is not just a restaurant, but also the emotional center of Big Sur, almost since its beginnings back in 1949. It's at the top end of our price range for budgeters, but is well worth the visit. The ambiance is better than the high-priced and celebrated Ambrosiaburgers ($11.95), in fact. After you climb the long flights of stairs, you'll find the views magnificent. You may, if you are lucky, find seats at counters on the edge of the cliff, so that you look right out on the valley and ocean 808 feet below. This is the perfect place to have lunch, if only for the view. The restaurant, formerly owned by Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, is a celeb favorite. Recent visitors include Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, as well as Bill Gates Jr., and Oakland mayor and former California governor Jerry Brown. Movie fans will want to know that Liz Taylor and Richard Burton frequented this restaurant a lot when they filmed Sandpiper in the neighborhood way back in 1962. Location: On California 1, 28 miles south of Carmel, phone 831/667-2345.

Sunday Brunch

If you make it as far as the Hearst Castle, at the southern end of Big Sur, you might enjoy the Sunday brunch at the San Simeon restaurant in town, costing $12.95 for adults, $5.95 for children under 12. You can eat as much as you want at the salad bar, waffle bar, or omelet bar, partaking of country biscuits and gravy, roast beef, seafood, beef Stroganoff, and the like with a glass of champagne, too. Phone 805/927-4604.