Thursday, April 25, 2013

Virginia Hotel Suites | "A Traditional Stay in China"


Source    :   http://www.usatoday.com
Category  :  Virginia Hotel Suites
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Hutongs are historical districts typical to Beijing, consisting of courtyard residences linked together by a maze of intricate alleyways. Dating back to China’s dynastic period, they hold an important place in Chinese cultural history. Although many have been lost to make way for more modern amenities in the capital city, those that remain are now listed as protected areas and some have been carefully converted into luxurious hotels, retaining the oriental charm and details that are now a testament to China’s vivid past.
Traditional Stay In China
Virginia Hotel Suites

Perfect for modern travellers wanting more than just a comfortable bed for the night, these unique properties offer an authentic taste of China’s true character.

DuGe Courtyard Boutique Hotel

The first (and arguably the best) designer courtyard hotel in China, DuGe Courtyard Boutique Hotel is part of what was once the residence of a noble family.  Bursting with bright, vibrant colours and exquisitely intricate detail, the stunning hotel fuses traditional architecture with contemporary custom-made furniture and luxurious touches. The rooms face a peaceful inner courtyard, offering guests a treasure trove of tranquillity in bustling Beijing.

Red Wall Garden Hotel

The Red Wall Garden Hotel revives memories of the emperor’s city whilst maintaining the traditional hutong residential atmosphere. The beautifully decorated hotel is spread out over three different buildings overlooking the old town. With its own gallery, as well as a restaurant, cafe, wine cellar and outdoor jacuzzi, the hotel has everything guests could possibly need for a truly luxurious hotel stay.

Hotel Cote Cour

Centrally located in the protected old town of Beijing, Hotel Cote Cour is part of a hutong that was once the rehearsal area for royal musicians, dancers and actors in the Ming dynasty. As well as its 14 luxurious rooms, there is a chic lounge area with contemporary Chinese art and a rooftop terrace, where guests can relax and enjoy a drink in the sparkling sunshine.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia | "Small Town – Big Taste"


Source    :  http://www.usatoday.com
Category  :  Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


My destination was Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
The purpose of my trip was to speak to a class of journalism students about blogging as an alternative way of making a living from writing.
Small Town Big Taste
Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia

The highlight (other than the kids of course) was a cooking class on root vegetables.
Our instructor was Emma Currie, chef at The Brass in Mount Pleasant.
Being Vegetarian, this class was for me.
I love vegetables.
Last year when I went to India a strange thing happened – I became a vegetarian.
It wasn’t for health reasons. It wasn’t a principled stand. It was just something that happened as a result of living with a Sikh family for five days and then staying at an Ashram for another week. After eating vegetarian for almost two weeks, I couldn’t imagine eating meat again.
I didn’t pressure myself into this. Eating veg in India was easy. When I went home I decided to just see how it went. If I wanted meat I would eat it. But it’s now been a year and while I force myself to eat fish a couple of times a month, I have no desire for it or any other form of meat.
But, as our entertaining chef often said, I  digress….

Of course, we started with the basic roasted root vegetables with fresh herbs.
Cooking classes are great for solo travelers.
At first my trip was simply about speaking to the students. But when Micki, a regular reader of Solo Traveler and the professor who invited me (she also has a blog called Culinary Woman) realized that the cooking class at The Market on Main was on the night before I would speak, she asked me to join her at the class. I was very lucky to get in as these classes sell out – so much so that they allow people to sign up for only two in a series so that everyone gets a chance.

Now this is how you peel garlic.
An education in food…
This was not a hands-on cooking class but a demonstration. I’ve done both and my preference is the demonstration while Micki prefers to roll up her sleeves and cook. Over the course of the evening every vegetable was introduced, chopping and other preparation tricks of a chef’s trade were shared and recipes were cooked and tasted.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Reservation Hotels In Virginia | "Orlando home to six of top 10 best family hotels"


Source    :  http://www.usatoday.com
Category  :  Reservation Hotels In Virginia
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Orlando's the biggest winner this year in TripAdvisor's just-released Travelers Choice awards for family friendly hotels.

The online review giant crunched its members' reviews to identify the 231 "best of the best" family friendly hotels, and Orlando properties located near Walt Disney World grabbed six of the top 10 spots for the USA.
Best Family Hotels
Reservation Hotels In Virginia

In the No. 1 spot is the condominium-style Floridays Resort, which offers two- and three-bedroom suites. A quick check of the hotel's website shows that travelers can book a three-bedroom suite with a kitchen and balcony for March 22 weekend, when many schools have spring break, starting at $250 a night.

Disney has two properties that made the top 10: The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Beach Club Resort.

The upscale Bay Lake Tower is one of Disney's newest, villa-style locations with multi-bedroom suites that sleep at least six people and contain a refrigerator and stove, which makes feeding hungry youngsters a little easier and cheaper. The location also is a plus.

"It overlooks the Magic Kingdom, so you get spectacular views of the fireworks in the evenings," says longtime Disney visitor and independent travel agent Jillian Markin. The Bay Lake Tower's website says that rooms start at $484; a check for March 22 shows the cheapest room available costs $642.

Disney's Beach Club Resort is located on a lake within walking distance to Epcot, the theme park that offers among the greatest variety of options for both adults and kids.

Overall, TripAdvisor identified 231 hotels around the world that received outstanding reviews from people traveling with families.

"For those planning family trips this year, these lists highlight hotels around the world that family travelers love most," said Barbara Messing, TripAdvisor's chief marketing officer.

If you have young children and are looking for family-friendly hotels for spring break or summer vacation, check out the hotels featured in this photo gallery assembled by USA TODAY. Based on analysis of TripAdvisor reviews, these properties are the top 10 for families. No. 1: Floridays Resort, Orlando.

What makes a hotel family friendly?

While I've never stayed in any of these hotels with family, my sons say their favorite hotel experiences involve guest rooms with Wii, Xbox and/or PS3. Our music-obsessed 9-year-old's favorite hotel suggests that "family friendly" can mean different things to different people.

He gives his own Best Family Hotel award to Manhattan's trendy Gansevoort Park Avenue, which is best known as the place where Kim Kardashian lived with her then-husband Kris Humphries while filming a TV reality series. Despite the hotel's ample adult-oriented amenities, my son appreciated being able to play Wii and Xbox in our room, swim in the hotel's heated rooftop pool overlooking the Empire State Building in the dead of winter, and seeing the pop star Pitbull in the lobby before he got into a waiting limo.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Hotels In Virginia Beach | "Marriott’s Autograph Collection Expands Its Royal Reach Into the UK"


Source    :  http://www.hotelchatter.com
Category  :  Hotels In Virginia Beach
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


The raison d’être of Marriott’s Autograph Collection is to provide not just a place to lay your weary head, but to give you an experience based on different themes like Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Urban Excitement or Sporting Adventure. (For added fun, you can visit their Facebook page and have your autograph analysed to see which theme suits you best. It was shockingly accurate.)
Marriott Expands Its Royalties
Hotels In Virginia Beach

Now they’re bringing that concept to the UK for the first time with the addition of two upscale hotels: Threadneedles in London and The Glasshouse in Edinburgh.

Threadneedles is set in the heart of the Square Mile, the original site of the Roman settlement that started it all. Being in The City, you’re close to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Borough Market and the Tower of London.

The hotel is in a former Victorian bank and blends the traditional with the contemporary. The lobby is dominated by an elaborate stained-glass dome from 1856 and the hotel has a see-and-be-seen restaurant and bar for the business crowd, Bonds. For those of you who have really latched on to the theme idea, you’re looking at Urban Excitement, Culinary Delight, Wedding Celebrations and Historic Explorations at this boutique hotel.

The Glasshouse in central Edinburgh can be found at the foot of Calton Hill and is built into the 150-year-old façade of the Lady Glenorchy church, a short walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh castle. Rooms have great views over the Firth of Forth (which is really fun to say) and Edinburgh New Town, and the majority of the other rooms have views over, and provide access to, a private two-acre rooftop garden. The hotel is currently undergoing a refurb and is due to be done in June. We’ll give you a sneak peek then!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Hotel Reservations Virginia Beach | "Best Beaches For 2013"


Source    :  http://www.huffingtonpost.com
Category  :  Hotel Reservations Virginia Beach
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Perhaps you have your favorite beach and possibly I have mine, but there are many beaches around us that may interest you. Being in Arizona, we are many miles from the Pacific Ocean, but just a day’s drive gives us a selection of fine California locations.
Hotel Reservations Virginia Beach
Hotel Reservations Virginia Beach

The San Diego area has some 70 miles of wonderful waves and sand. La Jolla Shores is one of the best in Southern California. Coronado’s beaches stretch 1-1/2 miles with fine homes in the background and the famed Coronado Hotel, which is more than 100 years old now. The water along the Pacific is not warm as that in Florida, so you may want a wet suit.

North of San Diego are the fine beaches in Carlsbad and Oceanside and further north in the Los Angeles area is Laguna Beach, one of Orange County’s most fashionable towns, which is also culturally rich.

Newport Beach is for the jet-setter contingent, with fine docking space for the zillion dollar yachts that spend summers there. Here, the trendy surfing set hangs out as well as the sunbathers. All along the coast are affordable motels and hotels as well as high-end spas and resorts.

Hermosa Beach takes pride in its abundance of outdoor beach activities that include surfing and swimming. Bike riding is popular as well as roller skating, jogging and strolling. At night, the Strand is a great people-watching spot.

Catalina Island is located 22 miles off the Southern California coast and you may take water taxis there from Long Beach and Los Angeles harbors. This is a small island with a myriad of outdoor activities in and around the town of Avalon. There is a fine beach facing the town, which is convenient. There are a couple nice restaurants that feature seafood and several bars. You’ll find small motels and a couple hotels for overnight stays. You can see the underwater gardens from a glass-bottom boat, do some deep-sea fishing and go horseback riding along the shoreline and mountain paths.

Bordering Los Angeles is Venice Beach, which attracts all kinds of people. Surfers, preening weightlifters, sand sculptors, an Ocean Front Walk, stores and a flea market and bars and fast-food spots.

Just north of here is Santa Monica where there is never a shortage of seaside fun. You have the Santa Monica pier at the boardwalk, short order restaurants, surfing, and an assortment of stores and bars. A lot of fun can be had in and around Santa Monica. Inland a few miles from here are Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Hollywood. You can see movie stars all over the place if you look hard. The ladies won’t be wearing makeup and the guys usually look 10 to 20 years older than they appear in the movies.

Malibu Beach is another place where your chances are also good to see the movie crowd, although you may not recognize them at first. It’s just north of Santa Monica.

Further north of Los Angeles is Santa Barbara and the beginning of the Central California Coast. There is good swimming from here up to Avila and Pismo Beach and usually good waves for surfing. Be aware, the water is cold!

At the other end of the United States is Florida. Many rave about the fine sands on the beach at Siesta Key, which is central Sarasota’s gateway to the sparkling waters of the Gulf and also boasts fine resorts. You have a large swath of public beach along this 8-mile barrier reef island. Close by are numerous restaurants and pubs, docks for yachts, stores and all kinds of beach fun. You can rent pontoon boats, try parasailing and do some snorkeling.

Clearwater Beach, Fla. is a great beach town with miles of fine, white sand and it is often voted number one in the nation, but so are several others.

Key West in the Florida Keys is a popular vacation spot and the town is most interesting with good lodging. In fact, all over Florida there are wonderful beaches for you to explore. You might rent a car in Orlando, see the fun parks such as Disneyworld and then check out beaches along both the east and west coasts. There are also many interesting communities around the state.

Virginia’s Assateague National Seashore on Assateague Island, where wild ponies roam, is rated 7 in one survey. You may wish to investigate this location.

Mexico has some good beaches. Cancun offers some of the finest in the country. The resort city was created several decades ago to cater to an up-scale clientele from around the world. There is much to do here any time of day or night. The resort hotels are some of the finest anywhere. Good air service from the States to Cancun is also a benefit. An all-inclusive resort may be your best buy.

The highest rated beach this year is on Hawaii’s fine island of Maui. Kaanapali Beach at Lahaina was the number one pick of the experts. Other top Hawaii beaches are: Lanikal Beach; Kailua on Ohau; Wailea Beach, Wailea; and Hanauma Bay near Honolulu, Oahu; Poipu Park Beach, Kauai; Manini’owali Beach, Kailua; Big Island, Wai’anapanapa State Park and Hana, Maui; Hanalei Beach, Kauai. Waikiki Beach at Honolulu is not bad if you can stand the crowds of tourists.

Overseas some of the top-rated spots for sand and sun are: Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy; Brace Bay in the Turks and Caicos; Whitehaven Beach and Airlie Beach, Australia; Bahia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil; Blamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico; Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadel, Spain; Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda; Eagle Beach, Aruba; and Rhossili Bay, Swansea, Wales.

I also like the several beaches at St. Johns, Virgin Islands. You will find good beaches all over the Caribbean area and they are there for the picking.

Wherever you go, be sure to take plenty of sun block, dark glasses, bathing suit and hat. They will be necessary on any beach.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Hotels In Virginia Beach | "Lost Sea Lion Pup In San Diego Waddles Back To The Ocean"


Source    :  http://www.huffingtonpost.com
Category  :  Hotels In Virginia Beach
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


A lost sea lion pup in San Diego, Calif., wasn't stranded for long.

After the pup wandered around an Ocean Beach parking lot for an hour, it managed to waddle its way back to the ocean early Wednesday morning -- but not before it was captured on camera. (Watch footage of the pup's return to the sea in the video above.)
Hotels In Virginia Beach
Hotels In Virginia Beach

According to local outlet ABC 10 News, a pedestrian spotted the stranded sea lion around 5 a.m. on the corner of Abbott Street and Newport Avenue and notified a passing police officer. The young animal returned to the beach before animal services could respond.

The adorable episode is one of several recent sea lion sightings in the area.

Earlier this month, another pup hopped into the front seat of a San Diego man's vehicle when the driver, believing the animal was a dog, pulled up next to it and stopped in the middle of traffic. In a March incident, a baby sea lion waddled out of the ocean to find comfort in a La Jolla Hotel patio chair. Both animals were rescued by animal care specialists from SeaWorld.

More than 1,000 malnourished sea lions have been rescued on beaches in southern California this year -- a number that is extremely high, when compared to previous years. However, as NBC Los Angeles reports, some of the marine mammals contributing to this count have become marooned more than once, washing ashore again after being rescued and released back into the wild.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has since declared the high rate of stranded sea lions pups an "unusual mortality event." While scientists are not certain of exactly what is causing so many emaciated sea lions to come ashore, one of the running theories holds that the problem stems from the marine mammal's prey, or lack thereof.

"These sea lions might be our sentinel that tells us something else is going on that's going to be affecting other fish, that's going to be affecting sharks, that could have much broader concerns throughout the ocean," Sarah Wilkin, a marine biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, told NPR.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Virginia Hotel Suites | "Best Beaches For 2013"


Source    :  http://www.paysonroundup.com
Category  :  Virginia Hotel Suites
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Perhaps you have your favorite beach and possibly I have mine, but there are many beaches around us that may interest you. Being in Arizona, we are many miles from the Pacific Ocean, but just a day’s drive gives us a selection of fine California locations.
Virginia Hotel Suites
Virginia Hotel Suites

#The San Diego area has some 70 miles of wonderful waves and sand. La Jolla Shores is one of the best in Southern California. Coronado’s beaches stretch 1-1/2 miles with fine homes in the background and the famed Coronado Hotel, which is more than 100 years old now. The water along the Pacific is not warm as that in Florida, so you may want a wet suit.

#North of San Diego are the fine beaches in Carlsbad and Oceanside and further north in the Los Angeles area is Laguna Beach, one of Orange County’s most fashionable towns, which is also culturally rich.

#Newport Beach is for the jet-setter contingent, with fine docking space for the zillion dollar yachts that spend summers there. Here, the trendy surfing set hangs out as well as the sunbathers. All along the coast are affordable motels and hotels as well as high-end spas and resorts.

#Hermosa Beach takes pride in its abundance of outdoor beach activities that include surfing and swimming. Bike riding is popular as well as roller skating, jogging and strolling. At night, the Strand is a great people-watching spot.

#Catalina Island is located 22 miles off the Southern California coast and you may take water taxis there from Long Beach and Los Angeles harbors. This is a small island with a myriad of outdoor activities in and around the town of Avalon. There is a fine beach facing the town, which is convenient. There are a couple nice restaurants that feature seafood and several bars. You’ll find small motels and a couple hotels for overnight stays. You can see the underwater gardens from a glass-bottom boat, do some deep-sea fishing and go horseback riding along the shoreline and mountain paths.

#Bordering Los Angeles is Venice Beach, which attracts all kinds of people. Surfers, preening weightlifters, sand sculptors, an Ocean Front Walk, stores and a flea market and bars and fast-food spots.

#Just north of here is Santa Monica where there is never a shortage of seaside fun. You have the Santa Monica pier at the boardwalk, short order restaurants, surfing, and an assortment of stores and bars. A lot of fun can be had in and around Santa Monica. Inland a few miles from here are Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Hollywood. You can see movie stars all over the place if you look hard. The ladies won’t be wearing makeup and the guys usually look 10 to 20 years older than they appear in the movies.

#Malibu Beach is another place where your chances are also good to see the movie crowd, although you may not recognize them at first. It’s just north of Santa Monica.

#Further north of Los Angeles is Santa Barbara and the beginning of the Central California Coast. There is good swimming from here up to Avila and Pismo Beach and usually good waves for surfing. Be aware, the water is cold!

#At the other end of the United States is Florida. Many rave about the fine sands on the beach at Siesta Key, which is central Sarasota’s gateway to the sparkling waters of the Gulf and also boasts fine resorts. You have a large swath of public beach along this 8-mile barrier reef island. Close by are numerous restaurants and pubs, docks for yachts, stores and all kinds of beach fun. You can rent pontoon boats, try parasailing and do some snorkeling.

#Clearwater Beach, Fla. is a great beach town with miles of fine, white sand and it is often voted number one in the nation, but so are several others.

#Key West in the Florida Keys is a popular vacation spot and the town is most interesting with good lodging. In fact, all over Florida there are wonderful beaches for you to explore. You might rent a car in Orlando, see the fun parks such as Disneyworld and then check out beaches along both the east and west coasts. There are also many interesting communities around the state.

#Virginia’s Assateague National Seashore on Assateague Island, where wild ponies roam, is rated 7 in one survey. You may wish to investigate this location.

#Mexico has some good beaches. Cancun offers some of the finest in the country. The resort city was created several decades ago to cater to an up-scale clientele from around the world. There is much to do here any time of day or night. The resort hotels are some of the finest anywhere. Good air service from the States to Cancun is also a benefit. An all-inclusive resort may be your best buy.

#The highest rated beach this year is on Hawaii’s fine island of Maui. Kaanapali Beach at Lahaina was the number one pick of the experts. Other top Hawaii beaches are: Lanikal Beach; Kailua on Ohau; Wailea Beach, Wailea; and Hanauma Bay near Honolulu, Oahu; Poipu Park Beach, Kauai; Manini’owali Beach, Kailua; Big Island, Wai’anapanapa State Park and Hana, Maui; Hanalei Beach, Kauai. Waikiki Beach at Honolulu is not bad if you can stand the crowds of tourists.

#Overseas some of the top-rated spots for sand and sun are: Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy; Brace Bay in the Turks and Caicos; Whitehaven Beach and Airlie Beach, Australia; Bahia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil; Blamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico; Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadel, Spain; Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda; Eagle Beach, Aruba; and Rhossili Bay, Swansea, Wales.

Courtyard Virginia Beach Hotels | "10 romantic getaways in Washington State"


Source    :  http://www.bocamag.com
Category  :  Courtyard Virginia Beach Hotels
By        : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Couples have a lot of reasons to be attracted to the Evergreen State. From sleek Seattle boutiques to secluded inns on the San Juan Islands, there’s a little something for every romantic in this corner of the Pacific Northwest. Outdoorsy couples will love hiking in the romantic Snoqualmie Valley, in the shadow of one of Washington’s many waterfalls, while city-slickers will fall in love with Seattle’s funky food scene and vibrant nightlife. So if you’re planning a romantic getaway with that special someone to Washington State, be sure to consider these hotels ready for romance.
Courtyard Virginia Beach Hotels
Courtyard Virginia Beach Hotels

1 Outlook Inn, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands

Couples have plenty of reasons to be attracted to the Evergreen State. From hip Seattle boutiques to secluded inns on the San Juan Islands, there's a little something for everyone in this corner of the Pacific Northwest. Check out some of our favorite hotels ready for romance here.

The Outlook Inn is aptly named; the hotel has stunning views of Eastsound from almost anywhere you stand. This property is the only full-service hotel in Eastsound and its romantic ambience, on-site chapel, and excellent food from the New Leaf Cafe make it a popular spot for wedding parties. Units vary greatly, though, as standard rooms have seen better days while suites feature updated private bathrooms with large tubs, luxe details such as fireplaces and flat-screen TVs, and killer views.

2 Salish Lodge & Spa, Snoqualmie Valley

The Salish Lodge & Spa features 84 rooms in a gorgeous setting overlooking the falls in Snoqualmie, about a 40-minute drive from Seattle. The historic property, which originally opened with only eight rooms back in 1916, is a popular romantic getaway and wedding destination. The restaurants feature beautiful views, and the elegant spa has numerous signature treatments (including one with homemade honey!). Sexy rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and peek-a-boo bathrooms with two-person tubs. The entire property has a soothing, rustic-luxe style; features such as stone fireplaces, stacked firewood, cashmere throws, bookcases, and warm, earth tones complement the outdoor scenery.

3 Four Seasons Hotel Seattle , Downtown, Seattle

It’s hard to go wrong with this top luxury hotel that has some of the best views in Seattle, not to mention a restaurant with an acclaimed local chef, a rooftop infinity pool, and 147 spacious, classically comfortable rooms. The business-y surroundings might preclude the opulence of larger Four Seasons properties, but what you lose in neighborhood ambiance you gain in vistas and proximity to the best Seattle attractions.

4 Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands

The Lakedale Resort is not your grandfather's campground. In addition to a lakefront location with plenty of spots for picnicing, this 82-acre property offers everything from an airstream trailer to canvas cabins. The lodge rooms definitely have the most conveniences -- bathrooms with Molton Brown toiletries, TVs (albeit tube-style ones), and patios -- but they are also the least outdoorsy. The Canvas Cabins are no-frills -- but in a good way -- sporting charming rustic decor and comfy beds. The property is best suited for couples looking for an upscale camping experience where they can be detached from everything but their significant other. Still, poor cell phone reception may be a nuisance for some.

5 Alexis Hotel, Downtown, Seattle

This upscale boutique hotel, featuring 121 eclectic guestrooms that cater to every possible personality, is about as perfectly located as a downtown hotel can be. Many of Seattle’s most desirable sightseeing destinations are within easy walking distance, as are a vast selection of top-notch restaurants. Note, though, that while the Alexis sits on First Avenue, directly above Puget Sound, it doesn't capitalize on the famous harbor views; if vistas are what you’re looking for, best to head a few blocks north to one of the view-front hotels. Nonetheless, amenities such as a charming bar and a nightly wine hour add to the romantic vibe.

6 Inn at the Market, Downtown, Seattle

Inn at the Market is one of Seattle's best-known, and most popular, hotels, in large part due to its unbeatable location: It's half a block from Pike Place Market, in the heart of downtown Seattle. But the location isn't the only reason to stay; the hotel has a long list of romance-inducing features, including four solid restaurants, a pleasant rooftop deck with stunning panoramic views, free Wi-Fi, and in-room massage services. Rooms are sophisticated and contemporary, if a tad bland for some tastes, and come with upscale conveniences, such as great Hypnos beds (with reading lights attached to the headboards), Sferra linens, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and iPod docks.

7 Hotel 1000, Downtown, Seattle

This upscale hotel is located smack-dab in the heart of Downtown Seattle, within walking distance of major attractions such as the Pike Place Market and the waterfront. It has gorgeous amenities that make it stand apart from most other hotels in the area -- at least as far as romance is concerned -- including a virtual golf system, a full-service spa with a wonderful (and expensive) menu of personalized treatments, and an acclaimed (and locally popular) restaurant on-site. The sexy, glass-enclosed bathrooms with tubs that fill from the ceiling and separate walk-in showers are arguably the highlight of the high-tech and modern (though somewhat dark) rooms.

8 Friday Harbor House, Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands

The 23-room Friday Harbor House sits atop a bluff overlooking the marina in the heart of the downtown area. Decor is pretty generic, but rooms are decent-size and come with gas fireplaces, two-person Jacuzzi tubs, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and (in most cases) beautiful views -- great for a romantic getaway. Nice freebies such as Wi-Fi and a good continental breakfast add value, but the location and views mean that prices will often still feel a bit steep for what you get. It is less boutique-y than one might expect of such a small property.

9 Hotel Vintage Park, Downtown, Seattle

It’s hard to go wrong with a Kimpton property, and the Hotel Vintage Park doesn’t disappoint. Hailed for its exceptionally friendly staff that goes out of their way to make guests happy, this luxury boutique hotel delivers an intimacy not found in other, more pretentious venues. Quality vintages (hence, the name) are offered at the free nightly wine hour, but the lobby is a bit small for serious socializing.

10 Bird Rock Hotel, Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands

The 15-room Bird Rock Hotel, housed in a historic building, is a quaint, bare-bones bed & breakfast. The small, earth-toned rooms are cozy (low lighting gives them a Zen-like vibe), and there's a lovely deck for enjoying some fresh sea air. The hotel's central location, though, is definitely the highlight -- just a block from the ferry landing, and within walking distance to plenty of shopping and dining in downtown Friday Harbor. The hotel lacks on-site amenities such as parking, a restaurant, fitness center, and pool, but breakfast is free and guests have access to the sister property's parking lot, fitness center, and pool, less than three blocks away.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Virginia Hotel Suites | "Royal DIning in Delray Beach"


Source     :  http://www.bocamag.com
Category  :  Virginia Hotel Suites
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard



The smells of delicious tenderloin steak and three-cheese polenta wafted from the stage of the Crest Theatre at Delray Center for the Arts yesterday afternoon, to join the ripples of laughter already reverberating across the auditorium. Darren McGrady, who spent 15 years cooking in Britain’s royal kitchen as personal chef to Queen Elizabeth and later Princess Diana, spoke for more than an hour to a packed house at the Crest, even while cooking a special meal on hot plates for four local diners who won a raffle to savor the dishes.
Virginia Hotel Suites
Virginia Hotel Suites

McGrady shared hilarious and touching anecdotes from his times in Buckingham and Kensington palaces, and it was a great way to conclude the Crest’s 2012-2013 season. I heard many patrons say that it was the best lecture they’d heard all season. Here are a few of the highlights.

“I was born in Nottinghamshire. Nottinghamshire is in the middle of the country, famous for Robin Hood and Nottingham Castle, which I thought was a huge castle in England until I started working for the Royal Family and went to Windsor Castle. Then I saw a real castle. Nottingham is also home to Stilton cheese – the king of cheese in England. It’s a region-protected dish, meaning it can only be prepared in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. It’s region-protected, just like Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France, that Parma ham can only come from the Parma region of Italy, and that chicken-fried steak can only come from Texas!

“I applied to the Savoy Hotel in London, one of our big five-star hotels. I thought, well, I probably won’t be head chef. I’ll probably be No. 2. I was actually chef No. 70 of 70 chefs. So I spent the next two years in the royal kitchens, working my way through the partie system.

“Buckingham Palace is amazing – 775 rooms. A movie theater. A post office. Even a helicopter pad out the back. It was everything I’d imagined it would be.

“The queen has 20 chefs, and those chefs would travel with Her Majesty all around the world, to the royal residences and on the Royal Britannia. For my first job at Buckingham Palace in the kitchens, the head chef called me in and said, ‘Darren, I need you to help me out. Come and peel some carrots for the queen.’ He said, ‘I’ll show you how to do them!’ Really? He took three carrots and peeled them all. Then he cut them to finger length. Then he patted them down and trimmed them again. Then he put them in a paper sack and folded the creases down. I said, ‘Chef, she likes her carrots, doesn’t she, Her Majesty?’ And he said, ‘Why’d I say they’re for the queen – they’re for the queen’s horse!’

“The banquet rooms are pretty special. My favorite of all is the queen’s ballroom. It seats 156 people for a state banquet. Her Majesty sits in the center of the table, and the visiting king, queen or president sits next to her. When the queen is ready to start the meal, a page stands behind Her Majesty and presses a button. The traffic lights at the four exit doors change from red to green, and the footmen start coming out with the plates. When Her Majesty put down her knife and fork from the first course, that meant the course was over. You’d finished, even if you hadn’t finished!

“We had 6,000 people at diplomatic receptions. All the embassies in London would come and bring their wives and families for this huge reception. Princess Diana didn’t really like the big receptions. She’d get pinned into the corner by someone and couldn’t get away. One time, she came in, and she was carrying a box of mangos. She said, ‘Darren, you remember the diplomatic reception last week? Well, there was a gentleman there I couldn’t get away from, and he said to me, Lady Diana, in my country we have the best mangos in the world. Well, naturally I said to him, I love mangos. He sent me a box of mangos – how kind of him.’ So I took the mangos, and I made sorbets and smoothies and shakes. A week later, another box arrived, and a week later another box came. And then another box, the fourth week. This went on for six weeks. I was putting them in the refrigerator, behind the refrigerator, anywhere I could. On the last week, the princess came into the kitchen with this box of mangos. She dropped them on the table and said, ‘Darren, if ever I see that man again, I’m going to tell him I like diamonds!’

Christmas was always so much fun, working for the royal family. The royal family are German by descent, and they carry on the tradition of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve. I remember being in the kitchens on Christmas Eve and listening to them in the ballroom next door, opening all these presents and laughing and joking. We did this huge buffet in the evening. We were in the kitchen and suddenly we hear ‘Charge!’ William and Harry come racing into the kitchen. They’d got pump-action water guns that Prince Andrew had bought them for Christmas, and they were firing at all the chefs. We got absolutely soaked. I said to my friend Arthur, we’re going to get our own guns and get these boys back.

“We did – we found the only two replica Uzi machine guns in the whole town. In those days, they didn’t have the orange caps on the end – they looked real! Better still, they had batteries, and the water fired 30 feet. We were so excited, like little boys. We raced back to Sandringham ready to start the evening shift. It was cold, dark, miserable, snowing, windy, and we got into chef uniforms and knew we had to get across the parking lot and into Sandringham House before the boys got out of afternoon tea and went up to the nursery for bath and bed. We got halfway across the parking lot, and we heard, ‘Freeze! Armed police!’ Out of nowhere came a policeman with a gun. A real gun. Fortunately, he recognized us. He came over to us and said, ‘What are you doing?’ Before I could say anything, Arthur says, ‘We’re going to shoot William and Harry!’

“The people Diana had over were people that would write in and say, I want to meet Princess Diana and see if she could help with my charity. One day she came into the kitchen and said, ‘Darren, no lunch today, I’m going out.’ I said, ‘Your Royal Highness, I’ve made lunch for you. Where are you going?’ She said, ‘I’m going to see a little boy who’s dying of AIDS.’ That hit me. I said, ‘wow, what can you say? What can you do?’ She said, ‘There’s nothing much I can do and very little I can say, but if just by sitting with him for half an hour, if just by holding his hand, if just by telling him some of my jokes, takes his mind off the pain, then that will have been worth it.’

“She’d do this all the time. She got into trouble for being the first member of the royal family that wouldn’t go on a walkabout wearing gloves. She told the rest of the royals, ‘I need to touch hands. I need to feel the warmth and connect to the person I’m talking to.’ She got into trouble for kneeling down to a little girl to take flowers from her. Prince Charles said, ‘We don’t bow down to our servants.” And Princess Diana said, ‘But you have to go down to a little girl’s level when you talk to her so you can look her in the eye.’ She used to take the boys to homeless shelters and let them see what life was really like, so that they’d grow up and appreciate the luxuries that they had.



Friday, April 12, 2013

Hotels In Virginia Beach | "Join The Mile High Club In A Luxury Private Jet"


Source     :  http://stupiddope.com
Category  :  Hotels In Virginia Beach
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Becoming a member of the elite “Mile High Club” is definitely a cool club to get in to. Given the current airline rules and regulations, becoming a member has become a little more difficult. Britain decided to make it a little easy for everyone and put together the first ever luxury mile high club. While the jet isn’t up for keeps, the company promises to give you the space and privacy you need while in the air to become a member of the prestigious Mile High Club.
Hotels In Virginia Beach
Hotels In Virginia Beach

Participants are greeted at the plane with complimentary chocolates, champagne and any song of Barry White they like. There are additional custom requests like silk pillows, soft lighting and an open bar. The plane is designed for a good time and that is exactly what you get at the cost of $7,500. Not sure if this guarantees membership but it is definitely a great way to do things. Nothing says Mile High Club like a 3×5 airplane bathroom, the green occupied light and the risk of getting caught by the nosey flight attendant. That’s the stamp of membership approval. Check out the luxury Mile High Plane below and let us know which membership ritual you prefer…Luxury or airbus?

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Virginia Hotel Suites | "Who’s World Is This!? | Four Seasons Unveils Around the World by Private Jet Trip for 2014"


Source     :  http://stupiddope.com
Category  :  Virginia Hotel Suites
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Around the world in eighty days sounds like a great time off but who has 80 days? Well, the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort brand has cut the trip down to size as it is presenting the world for guests to see. The luxury company presented two itineraries for around the world travel. Both itineraries and their respective destinations will host accommodations at Four Seasons establishments.
Virginia Hotel Suites
Virginia Hotel Suites

A Boeing 757 will be geared up and ready for vacation as guests are booking their reservations now. Taking on only 56 guests at a time, the tours give participants a chance to see the world and do all kinds of things adventurous. One itinerary includes an adventurous tour around the Americas (North, Central, South and the Caribbean). You can do all kinds of things including zip lining over tropical forests and whale watching in the Atlantic. All of this while taking in the most popular sites of the cities. The twenty three day Around The World Itinerary spans over countries in all the continents. Passengers start in Los Angeles and finish up in London. In between are destinations in Australia, Northern Thailand and Bora Bora.

The flights include WiFi, flat screen televisions, 45 degree recliners and Bose headphones for quality sound. If traveling is on your “To Do Before I Die” list then this is definitely the way to go. Check out the particulars after the jump and let us know if this is a travel plan for you. All you need is a passport and about $80,000.


"Departure." Few words in the English language carry such excitement and promise (especially when spotted at an airport). It means you're going places in more ways than one. Now, after selling out all three Around the World by Private Jet tours to date, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts reveals a boarding pass for two new 2014 itineraries that promise a departure from ordinary travel with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Rediscover the Americas takes flight from February 24 to March 13, 2014, and touches down in seven of the most stunning Four Seasons destinations in the Americas: Miami, Nevis, Buenos Aires, Carmelo, Costa Rica, Punta Mita and Beverly Hills.

Around the World is a 23-day itinerary sure to fill a passport with exotic stamps as travellers explore 10 legendary destinations across the globe starting March 14, 2014: from the idyllic islands of Hawaii, Bora Bora and Bali to the vibrant city streets of Sydney, Mumbai, Istanbul and London.

Adventure-loving passengers will travel free of worry and full of wonder as they board a Boeing 757 built for luxury, operated by private jet partner TCS & Starquest expeditions. With just 56 guests on each journey (22 fewer than previous trips), there's even more room to unwind and enjoy the impeccable services of an experienced flight crew, private chef, physician, and a veteran Four Seasons concierge who'll be onboard for the duration of the trip to help customize each traveller's experience from booking spa appointments and sightseeing tours to arranging anniversary dinners or picking out the perfect gift. The possibilities are as endless as the view of the horizon from the spacious leather seats.


Hotel Reservation In Virginia | "Jamaica's best beach hotels and accommodation on a budget"


Source     :  http://www.guardian.co.uk
Category  :  Hotel Reservation In Virginia
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


If you're after the cliff-edge drama of the West End, but don't fancy slumming it, the Rockhouse is probably for you. Some of the West End's most upmarket hotels are so antiseptic and uptight you'd hardly know you were in Jamaica, but the Rockhouse has managed to combine modern boutique comforts – a world-class spa, crisp bed linen, fabulous food – with the laid-back hedonism of the old Negril. The rooms look a bit like stone thatched wigwams, some with private terraces, but it's the drama of the cliff-edge dotted with diving platforms that holds everyone's attention, alternately tempting and terrifying. It is the friendliest fashionable hotel I've ever known.
Hotel Reservation In Virginia
Hotel Reservation In Virginia

A lot of the mid-range hotels along Negril's white sandy beach have seen better days, but the Palms' natural wood aesthetic has aged more successfully than the gaudy tropical motifs of its neighbours. From its stylish wooden decking and beach bar, just feet from the water's edge, you can enjoy all the spectacle and carnival of Negril's beach life, but the property itself is peaceful, and the service has all the efficiency of a much pricier hotel, with none of the formality. There's nothing phoney about the relaxed friendliness of the staff; by day two, the gardener was busy teaching my toddler to speak patois.

The rocky stretch of Negril known as the West End became a mecca for hippies in the 1960s, and Banana Shout evokes the best of the old bohemian spirit, perched on the edge of the cliffs right next door to Rick's Cafe, the famous sunset diving spot. The four cottages have a lovely rustic charm, and the whole property has a friendly communal feel. Guests tend to be likeably left-field travellers rather than tourists, and Milo, the Italian owner, is a mischievously charismatic host. The cottages have little kitchens, but if you like, Milo will cook for you in the alfresco bar/kitchen, making Banana Shout feel more like a home than a hotel.

Today's fashionable jetset like to winter in Barbados or St Barts, but half a century ago they flocked to the luxury villas and exclusive hotels just east of Port Antonio. The atmosphere these days is heavy with nostalgia, as if ghosts of faded glamour haunt the peeling paint and untamed tropical gardens, yet bafflingly few of the hotels have downgraded their prices accordingly. San San Tropez is one of the few affordable options (just blowing our £100 budget), with spacious, comfortable rooms around a small pool. It's a minute's stroll away from a crescent of creamy white beach you're pretty much guaranteed to have all to yourself, and the famous Blue Lagoon and Frenchman's Cove (pictured) are a few more minutes' away.

These two cottages for two were built by the owners of a local art gallery, and everything about them exudes artful individual style. The wooden two-storey cottage has an outdoor bathroom overlooking the ocean, while the other is less characterful but more spacious, amid lush tropical gardens. Thoughtfully equipped with proper kitchens, Wi-Fi and iPod docks, and brimming with all sorts of art, they feel like proper homes. Higgledy-piggledy stone steps lead down to the sea, passing private sun decks. The owners' home sits between the two cottages, and their cheerful informality and warmth have a great deal to do with the relaxed intimacy.
Hotel Reservation In Virginia
Hotel Reservation In Virginia

Nothing can quite prepare you for the shock of what lies behind a plain wooden gate at the end of a scruffy little track. You step through it into a kind of tropical Narnia fantasy – an African village carved into a Brazilian rainforest above thundering Caribbean waves, less like a hotel than a hallucinogenic movie set. The huts – some tiny, some big enough to sleep a large family – are dotted among dense tropical vegetation. They're crafted out of bamboo and rock with batik drapes. A cliff-top bar features thrones carved out of stone, gazing out over crashing waves next to a swimming pool perched on the edge of a sheer rock face, while steps lead down to a private sandy beach. You'll need plenty of mosquito repellent.

It's almost impossible to believe you can get all this for less than £60 a night. The guesthouse's four rooms are all massive – some can sleep six – with hot water and air conditioning, while the garden groans with mango trees. A path leads through a riot of flowers past a little wooden cottage (also for rent), to a quiet sandy beach where you can buy fresh lobster from fishermen. Suzette, the hugely likeable cook, will make fantastic local meals for a modest charge, but otherwise guests share the huge kitchen and living room.

They can be an eclectic mix – I mingled with Hungarian backpackers, retired Austrian teachers, and a middle-aged Midwestern couple – which might have felt a bit like an experimental house party if it weren't for owner Elizabeth's remarkable gift for hostessing. An American artist, she lives in a cottage in the garden and never seems to stop laughing; she runs an art gallery next door, and her mosaic artwork shimmers across the guesthouse walls. It would be worth a stay here just to hang out with Elizabeth, and if you book the garden rental cottage you share her open-air kitchen and outdoor shower.

Back in 1996, when Jake's was just a handful of cottages in a remote fishing village, it won the Tatler award for best hotel for under £100 a night. Since then it's evolved into a world-class collection of boutique rooms and villas, the destination of choice for every international hipster looking for tropical chic without risking bumping into Simon Cowell. A beautiful spa, daily yoga classes and beachside seafood restaurant have all been added, along with rooms built on stilts over the ocean, honeymoon suites, rock star villas …

Yet Jake's is still far and away the best beachside hotel in Jamaica for less than £100 a night. Even the cheapest rooms are an aesthetic delight, though the real joy of Jake's remains not the status of your room but the rare laid-back charm of sitting at the beachside bar with a supermodel on one side, villagers playing dominoes on the other.

If you're looking for hardcore authentic Rasta Jamaica it's hard to beat Ital Rest, two wooden two-storey cottages, thatched with palm fronds, at the end of a dirt track among tamarind, sweetsop and palm trees. The four rooms are simply furnished, and from your balcony you can watch the sun set into the ocean, across a goat field that slopes down to a coastline dotted with tiny sandy coves; the darkness is sudden, and the rooms have no electricity, just candles and hurricane lamps. The cottages have kitchens and bathrooms, and share an outdoor shower, and the Jamaican co-owner's wife cooks spectacularly good Ital food (the vegetarian diet followed by many Rastafarians), with vegetables from their organic farm. Be sure to ask for some of her guava and ginger juice.

This is pretty much the definition of off-the-beaten-track perfection, at the end of a pot-holed lane that peters away into a dirt track overlooking a deserted cove. A stone fort built by the Spaniards in the 17th century, it has a river curling through its lush gardens, with steps carved out of roots and vines leading down to a plunge pool. The five rooms are cool, airy and simple, arranged around a courtyard with an open-air dining area; lawns are dotted with snoozing dogs and clucking hens. The German owner is married to a Jamaican farmer and fisherman, whose vegetables and fresh fish supply the kitchen, and at night guests gather near the water's edge round an open fire beside an alfresco bamboo bar.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Virginia Hotel Suites | "A Royal Princess prepares for her debut"


Source     :  http://www.vancouversun.com
Category  :  Virginia Hotel Suites
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard

New cruise ship has an oceanview walkway, television studio, expanded dining areas, larger movie screen and a jogging track Loyalty has its rewards for cruise lines - and Princess, arguably more than others, has a loyal following.
Virginia Hotel Suites
Virginia Hotel Suites

With its last new ship, the Ruby Princess in 2008, Princess was ready to refresh the fleet with the upcoming prototypes - Royal this year and Regal next year. What I have seen of the new Royal Princess here at the Fincantieri Shipyards in Monfalcone Italy, is that Princess has walked the tightrope of enhancing the familiar while offering new features to keep loyal passengers comfortable and impress new ones.

With 1,000 workers buzzing around the ship in three shifts, I suggested to Captain Tony Draper - the master of the Royal Princess - that he might be hard-pressed to make her sea trial next week and he simply assured me: "She will be more than ready to go." (For a lot more on the Royal Princess and the Regal, check my blog entries that started April 1 at Portsandbows.com.)

Among the new features set to impress is the SeaWalk, a glass-bottomed elliptical walkway that looks straight down on the ocean as it extends from the top deck. Want a drink with that view? On the other side, you will find the Seaview Bar. Night-time and LED features reveal SeaWalk at its best.

A TV studio will feature various performers, cooking classes and more - all to be on the air in your cabin from 8 a.m. to midnight on sea days, along with a large choice of feature movies.

Remember all the time you took looking for your cruise pictures? Now, special kiosks feature face recognition and you can find all of them at once. If you're cruising in one of the suites you will now have your own lounge.

Meanwhile, the familiar Horizon Court buffet has been expanded to 1,500 seats, 150 of them facing the main pool deck. Beverage stations are gone from this area; instead, waiters serve beverages at your table.

The ship's three main dining areas are capable of holding a total of 1,800, with the anytime dining section containing more tables for two.

Adjacent to that, Bistro Lounge has its own 1,200-square-foot pastry kitchen, for everything from waffles to desserts. Jonathan Wilson, the head of hotel operations, claims it's in a class by itself when compared to other cruise lines.

Still with dining, a fibre-optic illuminated curtain encircles a new feature, Chef's Table Lumiere, which seats 12 in the middle of the traditional dining room.

With the ship spending most of its time in the warmth of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, the 880-foot (roughly 268-metre) outdoor jogging and walking track and expanded pool area should be appreciated. The movie screen has been enlarged and moved higher up on the ship. Each night, the screen enhances a dancing waters show from a 100-jet fountain shooting water high into the air. During the day, loungers occupy the water stage.

I think the Atrium, or Piazza - which is bigger than those on Princess's other ships - is going to be the winner on the Royal Princess. One neat design decision that will probably be copied by other lines is moving the front and shore excursion desks into a mini atrium in the back, leaving a wonderful, convivial and large entertainment atrium.

The Royal Princess will be launched from Southampton in mid-June with two overnight cruises and then will leave on an inaugural (and sold out) 19-day cruise. She will spend the rest of the summer on a regular run of itineraries between Barcelona and Venice - for Princess, the Grand Mediterranean cruises.

Royal and Regal - appropriate names for the new queens of the fleet.

Visit portsandbows.com for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia | "Tokyo, From the Top"


Source     :  http://travel.nytimes.com
Category  :  Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


Blanketed by haze and poised at the juncture of restless tectonic plates, Tokyo is unlikely territory for sky-high observation decks and city-viewing towers. But defiant Tokyoites insist on building them, and then, once they are in place, eagerly get in line to ride up and have a look.
Oceanfront hotels in virginia
Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia

The latest addition to the city’s soaring buildings, dizzying Ferris wheels and skyscraper-top restaurants is Tokyo Skytree, which at 2,080 feet, holds the title as the world’s tallest free-standing tower. The Skytree, which opened last May, became an instant hot ticket.

Its top viewing level, at 1,480 feet, is only the fourth-highest in the world, behind a couple of Chinese skyscrapers and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. That is tall enough, though, for a head-clearing perspective on sprawling Tokyo, whose multiple city centers, odd block-based address system and reliance on underground transit foster confusion at ground level. One surprise in the Skytree vantage point is a sudden realization of how far the distorted subway maps depart from geographic reality.

On a weekday morning last fall, an animated crowd waited 40 minutes to buy tickets, gasped at a rapidly ascending view through windows in the elevator shaft, and once on the observation deck, pointed out landmarks keyed on satellite maps and took turns on a patch of glass floor. Mount Fuji, the holy grail of Tokyo gazing, was out there somewhere, hidden by clouds and smog. (Chances of seeing it are best in winter, when winds blow the haze away.) When a window washer glided into view outside, everyone’s cellphone came out to snap a picture. Nobody seemed at all concerned about the shaky ground below — even though some of the people had probably watched Tokyo’s skyscrapers swaying like trees in the wind a couple of years ago, when the same earthquake that brought a devastating tsunami farther north hit Tokyo with a reduced but still impressive jolt.

For 50 years before the Skytree reared its upstart mast, the iconic queen of the skyline was the Tokyo Tower, an Eiffel Tower knockoff and a frequent target of Godzilla and his monstrous ilk. Only about half the Skytree’s height, marred at its base by tacky souvenir shops, the Tokyo Tower feels cramped and a little pathetic by comparison, although it’s worth remembering that it still bests the Eiffel Tower by 28 feet. It is also cheaper to visit than the Skytree, less crowded, and the place to go for a certain perspective that is especially good at night.

That is when the tower feels just right — above the city but still within it. Traffic streams by on nearby expressways in a blur of red and white light, the Ferris wheel at the Odaiba waterfront entertainment complex whirls with its own bright display, and Tokyo Bay glimmers beneath the illuminated Rainbow Bridge. The ambience seems to appeal to young lovers. Couples who appeared to be out on a date dominated the thin crowd on one warm autumn evening.

Clusters of lighted skyscrapers mark the cities within the city: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, the old city center near the Imperial Palace. On clear nights, the view extends to Yokohama, identifiable by a glimpse of the Landmark Tower, Japan’s tallest building (the much taller Skytree can’t hold that title, since much of its height is a structure without floors to walk on) and the location of yet another observation deck.

The Tokyo Tower was a symbol of the city’s determination to remake itself after World War II on the model of Western capitals. The Skytree announces the intention to remain competitive as other Asian cities reach for dominance. All of Tokyo’s places to look down at itself take seismic chances that those other cities’ towers do not. But they also reflect something familiar: a great city’s desire not to let a few quirks of nature hold it back.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Virginia Beach Hotel | "How to brush your teeth in space"


Source     :  http://news.cnet.com
Category  :  Virginia Beach Hotel
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard



For those of you who hate brushing your teeth under normal circumstances, think about how much harder it is to clean those pearly whites in space, with zero gravity and no sink to get water from or spit into afterwards.
Virginia Beach Hotel
Virginia Beach Hotel

In another in his series of entertaining how-to videos from space, International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield shows how to take care of those chompers in space. Does the toothpaste go up your nose? How do you get the toothbrush wet in the first place?

Check out the below video in which Hadfield answers those questions and more. And here's a spoiler: he has a unique way of cleaning his toothbrush post usage.


Williams made a video presentation on her latest space expedition, 'Expedition 33', that was launched from Biakonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan July 15, 2012. It began with a narration of the preparatory drill for space travel and then showed the working environment inside the space station. The video described the nature of the experiments conducted aboard as well as the space walk performance.

The most interesting part came when it showed how an astronaut spends a typical day in space and focussed on the challenges'' involved in routine activities like brushing one's teeth and using the toilet given that there is no gravity.

In space, we see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets within a span of 24 hours. Naturally, you cannot wake up every time the sun rises and go to sleep once it is dark. We set our day to GMT and wake up around 6.00 am. Our work hours span 8.00 am to 7.00 pm and the Command Centre back here on Earth gives us assignments for the day,'' she said. In the beginning it all looks very clumsy but soon you learn to float around smoothly and get accustomed to living without gravity.''

Williams appealed to the children to take an interest in space exploration. I am really looking forward to India's participation in the space programme in a big way,'' she said. It entails creativity and requires imagination.'' Speaking about the International Space Station Williams said, It is a collaborative venture where different countries are participating. It has brought the world together.''

She hoped for an ISRO-NASA collaboration in future that would open up opportunities for young Indians interested in pursuing a career in space exploration.

Williams was the commander of Expedition 33 where she was accompanied by Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's flight engineer Akihiko Hoshide. Her team spent four months conducting a wide range of experiments. Williams and Hoshide performed three space walks to replace a component and repair an ammonia leak on a radiator. The crew returned to earth safely on November 18, 2012 after having spent 127 days in space.
Williams' India visit began April 1. She met with students at the National Science Centre in New Delhi and Science City in Kolkata and plans to end her trip


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Hotel In Virginia | "Where to eat out in the East Bay on New Year’s Eve"


Source     :  http://www.berkeleyside.com
Category  :  Hotel In Virginia
By            : Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
Posted By  : Hotels in Virginia Beach North Courtyard


These East Bay restaurants still have seats available for New Year’s Eve. Leave a comment below if you have other suggestions. Diners: You’ll definitely want to call ahead to confirm availability.
Hotel In Virginia
Hotel In Virginia

Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Serving a $27 Chef’s Tasting Menu for dinner with three appetizers and four main dishes plus sides of rice, naan bread, chutneys and pickles. A vegetarian option is offered for $24. The regular menu will also be available.

Seating begins at 6 p.m. Highlights include assorted sausages with house-made condiments and marinated prime rib eye with Argentine red sauce and garlic chips. The final course will feature pumpkin tart tatin with candied cranberries, accompanied by house-made chocolates, and paired with a glass of sparkling Torrontes dessert wine. The New Year’s Eve Argentine “Asado” is priced at $78 per person, and includes food and a glass of sparkling wine.

Open from 8 a.m. to midnight. Serving the regular à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Plus, for lunch and dinner (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.), they will offer on an à la carte basis a quintessential Italian meal, “Cotechino con Lenticchie e Pure,” with slow-boiled sausage, lentils and potato purée ($18), which is said to bring good luck and riches for the coming year. All day, glasses of Prosecco will be priced at just $5.

Camino is offering a “festive multi-course feast,” which includes wood oven-baked oysters; Dungeness crab broth with burdock, parsley root and a “grilled crab bundle”; and wood oven-roasted rib eye. A yogurt-sesame pudding will top off the meal, which costs $85 per person. A vegetarian menu is available.

Open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Serving the regular à la carte menu, plus, on a pre-order basis, two different sized seafood plates and a special caviar menu. Highlights of the pre-ordered seafood plates will include oysters, jumbo shrimp cocktail, Dungeness crab claws, Champagne poached mussels, scallop ceviche and Maine lobster. A DJ will provide entertainment from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

FIVE restaurant at Hotel Shattuck, 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley 94704; 510-225-6055

Chef Banks White is serving up a delicious menu of five courses for $70. Some of the items include Marin myagi oysters, grilled Filet Mignon, winter pumpkins soup and Jersusalem artichoke pierogis, and almond olive oil cake with Meyer lemon curd and huckleberry coulis.

Seating from 5-10 p.m. Serving an $85 four-course prix fixe menu with vegan and omnivore options for each course, and a wine-by-the-glass pairing available for an additional $25. Menu highlights will include crudo offerings with caviar, uni, crab and oysters; a chef’s choice fish entrée; and an aged guinea hen terrine.

Seating from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Serving the regular à la carte menu until 5 p.m. and then a holiday à la carte menu with special entrées including tagliarini with prosecco poached oysters; roasted beef tenderloin with bone marrow crust; garlic-sesame crusted ahi tuna; red wine braised short rib; and Happy Boy Farms baby beet salad. Guests ordering three or more courses from the holiday menu will each receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

Downstairs, diners can drop in for Champagne, cocktails and bar snacks, with music by The John Brothers Piano Co. from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Upstairs, reservations are required. Diners can choose from four to five courses ($95-$115 per person), and dishes offered will include risotto bianco with white truffle butter; and roast duck breast with caramelized sunchokes, rainbow chard and kumquat sugo; as well as desserts such as bittersweet chocolate torte with brandied vanilla bean-chocolate truffle ice cream.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels | "West Virginia travel took toll"



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Category  :  Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels
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Bob Huggins said Monday that West Virginia needs to make nonconference scheduling allowances next season to accommodate the Mountaineers' rough Big 12 travel schedule.
WVU (13-16) has played four games against Kansas, Gonzaga and Michigan, all ranked No. 1 at some point this season.
Virginia beach ocean front hotels
Virginia Beach Ocean Front Hotels

Huggins suggested that this year's nonconference schedule took its toll once league play began. He'll end the season with his first losing conference record since 1985, his first season at Akron.
“We're not backing down, but we've got to do a better job of managing our travel,” Huggins said. “None of us had any idea what it would be like.”
OSU preparing: Oklahoma State still has a slim chance for the league title as it trails Kansas and Kansas State by a game with two left.
Upcoming games at Iowa State on Wednesday and home Saturday against KSU will be a litmus test for the Cowboys heading into the Big 12 tournament next week in Kansas City and a likely NCAA tournament bid.
“I do think this will be a great opportunity for our team to experience how tough Big 12 tournament and NCAA tournament games will be,” OSU coach Travis Ford said. “These are two of those kind of teams that will be there.”
Sooners' FT surge: Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said he wasn't aware that the Sooners were 34 of 34 from the foul line Saturday against Iowa State until he was told after the game.
The Sooners tied an NCAA single-game record by sinking all 34 of their shots against the Cyclones. It matched a record set by UC-Irvine against Pacific on Feb. 21, 1981, and Samford against Central Florida on Dec. 20, 1990.
“This group has shot free throws pretty well on the season based on their percentages,” Kruger said. “Yet, I don't think they totally realized there was a streak during the game. When you make free throws, it makes it easier for the next shooter. You get a little momentum as you convert, and that happened on Saturday.”
Postseason plans for UT?: Barring a miracle in Kansas City, Texas likely will miss the NCAA tournament for the first time in coach Rick Barnes' 15 seasons in Austin.
But with the glut of postseason tournaments other than the NCAA, the Longhorns (13-16) still might play after the Big 12 tournament.
Barnes said he hasn't specifically thought about a potential berth in the CBI Invitational but said that he couldn't imagine turning down a chance for more games.
“I haven't thought about it that far, but I think if you love anything ... if you have any pride and passion about the game, you want to play as long as you can,” Barnes said.