If you have yet to plan your Labor Day weekend getaway, there is still time to lock in great savings on hotel rooms in the country’s most sought-after destinations. Among them are the 3 hand-picked properties listed below, all of which enjoy an enviable location near key city attractions. Depending on your choice destination, moreover, you could just be within walking distance of a Labor Day parade, festival or other local event. Whether you’re headed to the East Coast, West Coast or Midwest this Labor Day weekend, there are scads of Labor Day hotel deals for the taking. There’s nothing like the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy a wonderful vacation without having to stretch your budget thin!
If you’re scouring the internet for affordable New York hotels, the Warwick Hotel New York ought to be high on your list. It is centrally located in midtown Manhattan, across the street from the Museum of Modern Art and within four blocks of Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, Broadway and Carnegie Hall. Built in 1926 by William Randolph Hearst for his partner, Marion Davies, the Warwick Hotel has been a magnet for celebrities like The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Cary Grant, who made the historic property his home for 12 years. What is it that makes the hotel such a draw? Maybe it’s the tastefully appointed rooms and suites, the hard-to-beat Mediterranean cuisine at the Murals on 54 restaurant, or Rudolph’s Bar & Lounge, which was carefully designed to resemble a cozy living room. Also featuring a fitness center and function rooms for special events, The Warwick offers plenty to keep you entertained before and after you explore the myriad attractions NYC has to offer.
The Hotel Blake Chicago is ideally located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown financial and business district, near the Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, Chicago Board of Trade and Sears Tower. Melt away your daily worries with an in-room spa treatment before indulging the taste buds at Custom House Tavern. If you’re into jazz, there’s no better place to be this Labor Day weekend as the Windy City will host the 32nd Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. The city’s longest running lakefront music festival, this year’s event will run from September 2 through September 5 and will feature such notable performers as Nicole Mitchell, Rene Marie and Brad Mehldau. (And best of all, it’s free.) In case you’d rather pass on jazz, you’ll find a wealth of shops and restaurants along Chicago’s vibrant Magnificent Mile just blocks away.
There will be no shortage of fun-filled events in the City of Angels throughout Labor Day weekend this year. Die-hard baseball aficionados can watch the Los Angeles Dodgers host the division rival San Francisco Giants September 3 through September 5 at Dodger Stadium. Travelers can head to The Fairplex in Pomona for the Los Angeles County Fair (September 4 – October 3), which will feature rides, live music and entertainment, and plenty of great food. Even if you don’t call yourself a foodie, you can get it on the first annual Taste of Beverly Hills food and wine festival. Scheduled for Thursday through Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, the event will showcase cooking demonstrations from top chefs, competitions, cocktail tastings, and live music performances. And if you’re in search of a hotel that lies in the heart of it all, Four Points Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport makes a great choice. The property offers a well-equipped fitness center, a swimming pool, four cabanas and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
What better way to kiss the summer goodbye than with a last-minute escape to one of these Labor Day hot spots?
Every traveler knows that a vacation is not a vacation without at least a few handy gizmos to enhance the overall experience. Though the whole point of a vacation is to disconnect, nowadays many of us find it nearly impossible to do so – whether it’s prompted by a mounting workload left behind at the office or simply the urge to stay on top of your latest batch of Tweets. That’s where nifty travel devices from travel adapters to language translators come in, all of which help to alleviate some of the stresses of travel. You don’t have to be a tech guru to appreciate how the four gadgets below can make excellent travel companions for the summer.
1. Kensington Travel Plug Adapter: Priced at $19.99 and weighing just 8 ounces, the Kensington Travel Plug Adapter makes both an affordable and lightweight tool to keep your iPhone, iPod, camera, notebook or other mobile device charged on the go – especially if you plan to travel outside of the country. In fact, the pocket-size device features AC power plugs – all are built into the adapter itself – for more than 150 different countries. A built-in safety release button and fuse ensure safe operation, and the adapter comes with a 1-year warranty. How’s that for staying connected while abroad?
2. SteriPen: Contaminated water is a leading cause of illness in travelers, hence the reason why many travelers refrain from drinking tap water while on airplanes and at hotels, stores and restaurants in their target destination. That won’t be necessary, however, if you’re thirsty for water and have a SteriPEN in tow. Compact and portable, the SteriPEN – its name being a nod to its neat pen-like appearance and capacity to sterilize water – uses UV light to kill off 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and protozoa that produce water-borne illness. Not only does it work faster than chemical treatments, but it doesn’t have the unpleasant taste of iodine or chlorine. Plus, this handy gadget has earned the Water Quality Association’s Gold Seal. Talk about seeing water in a whole new light!
3. Nikon GPS Geotagging Device: How often have you glanced at pictures taken on vacation and had trouble recalling the name of the river, bridge, street or famous landmark that graces the background? With the Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit firmly affixed to your Nikon camera, you’ll be able to remember the exact coordinates of where you snap every single photo. Moreover, geotags can be added to your images so you can record longitude, latitude, altitude and time information. To put it another way, it’s like having a slick device that takes the place of your memory as needed. The only caveat, of course, is that you’ll need a Nikon camera.
4. Franklin Speaking 12-Language Translator: Interested in boning up on your Spanish before traveling to sunny Miami? How about polishing your French ahead of your trip to New Orleans? The TGA-490 pocket-size translator by Franklin translates and speaks over 200,000 words and 12,000 travel phrases in 12 languages. In addition, Franklin’s phonetic spell correction allows you to enter words by how they sound. Other great features include five games, a local/world clock, metric converter, and a Databank that stores and instantly retrieves important names and numbers.
Although these products won’t ease all of your travel worries, they make great finds for summer travel and will help keep you at least a tad more relaxed and occupied. After all, a vacation should be as stress-free as possible!
getaroom.com President and Co-Founder Bob Diener sat with Michael Finney of The View from the Bay, which airs weekdays at 3:00 pm on ABC7 News (KGO TV) in the San Francisco Bay Area, to discuss how consumers can take advantage of great travel deals for their next trip.
Most travelers think they can only find the lowest hotel rates on the internet. However, hundreds of getaroom properties in top cities including New York, Boston and Chicagoare participating in getaroom.com’s unpublished rates program. Here’s how it works: By calling 800-HOTELS-8 (800-468-3578) and asking for “unpublished rates,” you can lock in rates for select hotels that are typically 10-25% less than those found on the hotel’s own website, getaroom.com and other major websites. Though the internet may seem like the best way to go for big savings on hotel accommodations, picking up the phone and booking via getaroom.com’s Call Center can actually be easier on your pocketbook!
Bob adds that travelers booking their rooms online can avail of timed promotions, which allow them to save 20-40% off normal room rates provided that they book during a limited time period. (Such time periods may vary from a few hours to as much as three days.) Even if your stay isn’t for another couple of months, booking now can save you more later. Waiting until the last minute to book meant bigger savings in 2009. According to Bob, that isn’t the case this year, as rates are markedly higher closer to check-in.
Further, consumers can enjoy cheaper rates if they stay mid-week (Sunday-Thursday) as opposed to weekends. And if you usually book 1-2 night stays, consider extending your length of stay by one or two nights. Staying longer can actually save you up to 25% more on your final bill.
Looking for the ultimate bargain destination this summer? Bob suggests you add glitzy Las Vegas to your travel itinerary. Rooms at the 5-star Luxury Suites International at The Signature, for example, start as low as $92/night. A great choice for the budget-conscious, the AAA Four-Diamond Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino is located in the heart of the Fremont Street Experience and has rooms from $39/night. Bargains are also up for grabs at other premier destinations including Orlando, New Orleans, Miami, Tampa, London, Paris and Barcelona.
To see the interview, please click the play button below.
Few would disagree that summer vacation engenders thoughts of unspoiled beaches, sparkling swimming pools, relaxing spas, and fine restaurants in every member of the family – except, perhaps, for those of the four-legged variety. The perfect summer day for Fido or Fluffy would likely include a helping of tasty treats, a relaxing grooming session, and a few hours worth of fetching and biting chew toys before catching some Z’s in a comfy hotel room. Thanks to pet-friendly packages offered at various pet-friendly hotels in major cities like vibrant New York City, historic New Orleans and scenicSan Francisco, your pet can have a “pawesome” experience without forcing you to break the bank. Below are a handful of pet-friendly properties offering loads of goodies just too good for your furry companions to pass up.
1. New York’s Hotel Pennsylvania: As the host hotel for the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York’s Hotel Pennsylvania is no stranger to four-legged guests. Conveniently within walking distance of the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Times Square and the world-famous Broadway Theater District, the hotel offers a pet-friendly special that includes a comfortable guestroom for you and your pet, a welcome pet treat upon check-in, and a copy of Fido-Friendly Magazine. There is a limit of two dogs per room, but the hotel imposes no weight restrictions. Although New York is nicknamed “The City That Never Sleeps,” your pet is likely to do otherwise once he or she sets foot in one of the hotel’s relaxed guestrooms.
2. Affinia Chicago: Affinia’s Jet Set Pets program is designed to help pets feel right at home. Among the services offered are grooming, daycare and boarding, local dog walking/sitting, dog treats, pet beds, pet psychics and pet taxis. Guests can take home a city-specific chew toy, Robbie Dawg tin of organic treats or Homemade Canine Confections, and water bowl designed for travel. Exotic animals or multiple pets are subject to approval by the hotel, and pets must be kept on a leash or inside a carrier while in public areas. Guests should confirm accommodations for their pets with the hotel one week prior to arrival.
3.Hotel Monteleone New Orleans: If your pet is friendly and sociable, he or she will be in good company at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. Sitting at the foot of Royal Street in the French Quarter, the historic property features pet-friendly floors where your pup or feline can mingle and play with other visiting pets. The hotel’s Monte’s Pet Package includes a mat for your pooch to rest comfortably on, monogrammed water and food bowls, waste bags, a chew toy, a bag of gourmet treats, and a city brochure. Guests are free to take these gifts home with them after their stay. Should you decide to take your pet for a walk, you’re sure to stumble upon several pet-friendly attractions and restaurants set just minutes of the hotel. Among them are City Park, The Levy Dog Park, Mickey Markey Playground, Cafe Du Monde, Oak Street Cafe and La Thai Cuisine.
4.Ocean Park Resort Myrtle Beach: Certified by the “Pets Can Stay” program, Ocean Park Resort is a pet-friendly facility for small dogs. Accepted year round, pets must be on a leash in all public areas, are not permitted in pool areas, and may not exceed 20 pounds. Carriers are recommended in the event you must leave the pet (only one is allowed per accommodation) unattended in your guestroom. After cavorting with their four-legged friends, the kids – those under 18 stay free – can make a splash in one of the hotel’s indoor or outdoor swimming pools.
5. The Powell Hotel San Francisco: The Powell Hotel, located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, combines historic charm with deluxe accommodations for you and your pet at no extra charge. Opened in 1908, the hotel evokes feelings of an earlier era with marble floors, ornate 20-foot ceilings and wrought-iron railings. While you marvel at the hotel’s handsome features, your pup can enjoy welcome treats included in the hotel’s pet-friendly package. The property’s central downtown location puts you within minutes of Yerba Buena Gardens, a lovely spot for an afternoon walk with your pet, near the Museum of Modern Art and Moscone Convention Center.
If you’re hankering to get away from it all summer, why not bring the furry ones along? Such properties make purr-fect places for your furry friends to stretch their paws while you kick back and relax in front of the TV or watch the kids frolic in the pool. And with great service and fine amenities awaiting travelers, you can rest assured that both you and your pets will be well-pampered.
Nothing says Independence Day quite like a colorful and thundering fireworks display, and if you’re lucky enough to be in any of the major destinations noted below this 4th of July, you’ll have a front row seat to some of the nation’s most dazzling pyrotechnic spectacles. Whether you plan on spending the holiday in the nation’s capital, the Big Apple, or even sunny Orlando, you can soak up patriotic spirit while marveling at colorful explosions that light up the night sky. To boot, parades, historic tours, concerts and other extras ensure there’s plenty to do for people of all ages. Travelers still have time to lock in low rates on airfare and score great July 4th hotel deals. Read on for a sampling of July 4th events you don’t want to miss.
1. Washington, D.C.: Washington D.C. is unquestionably the most fitting place to soak up a fun-filled day of 4th of July festivities. The National Mall, with the U. S. Capitol and Washington Monument in the background, creates a stunning backdrop to the country’s 4th of July celebrations. This all-day event in the nation’s capital kicks off with a parade along Constitution Avenue from NW 7th to 17th Streets. During the day, you can enjoy readings of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, dance performances and cooking demonstrations at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and an evening concert by the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn. Immediately following the concert, a spectacular display of fireworks over the Capitol Building and Washington Monument caps off an unforgettable day in history-rich D.C.
2.Boston: Another of the nation’s premier destinations for history buffs, Boston was the site of major events in American History, from the Boston Massacre to the Boston Tea Party. The 29th annual Boston Harborfest is a multi-day Fourth of July celebration featuring hundreds of events throughout the historic city, many being free of charge. Boston Harborfest draws more than 2.5 million visitors to Boston each July, thus making it one of the nation’s largest patriotic celebrations. This year, Boston Harborfest runs June 30 through July 5. Featuring a variety of children’s activities, historic tours, concerts and Revolutionary era reenactments, it’s no wonder the American Bus Association has named Boston Harborfest one of North America’s Top 100 Events for 2010. The Fourth of July Pops Concert at the Esplanade precedes an impressive showcase of fireworks over the Charles River. Don’t miss Chowderfest on Monday, July 5, which affords visitors a unique opportunity to savor Boston’s most popular chowder concoctions.
3.New York City: Everyone knows it is home to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and widely-watched New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square. But New York City also delivers one of the biggest Fourth of July firework displays in the nation. The Macy’s July 4th fireworks display originally made its debut on the Hudson River in 1958. This year, the Macy’s fireworks show will feature more than 40,000 shells exploding at a whopping rate of more than 1,500 per minute and fireworks soaring up to 1,000 feet in the air. At approximately 9:20 pm on July 4th, the 26-minute display will be set off from six barges set between 24th and 50th Streets on the Hudson River. The fireworks will mark not only America’s birthday, but also the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s exploration of his namesake river. American Harmony is the theme of this year’s fireworks spectacular. Alternatively, join Big Onion Walking Tours at 1 p.m. for a walking tour of sites related to the Revolutionary War in Lower Manhattan, including Federal Hall.
4. Orlando: Orlando’s thrilling, world-famous theme parks – from Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort to SeaWorld Orlando – each offer a bevy of fireworks celebrations you’ll definitely want to check out. Among them is Universal 360 – A Cinesphere Spectacular, which will start on July 4 and run most nights through August 8 at Universal Orlando Resort. The show employs four-story-tall, 360-degree projection “cinespheres,” outdoor speakers, music, lasers and pyrotechnic effects to position guests in the very center of their favorite films. The Fourth of July Cinesphere show will also include a thrilling finale complete with an eye-catching fireworks display. Otherwise, you can make plans to celebrate the Fourth of July with friends and family at the 2010 City of Kissimmee July 4th Celebration, which offers live entertainment, arts and crafts, a food festival, water-ski show, and – you guessed it – a brilliant fireworks display for free.
5. Los Angeles: If you’re spending the 4th of July on the west coast, consider taking an excursion to Los Angeles to take part in Southern California’s popular fireworks events. Among them is the 4th of July AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which combines great music, excellent food, and fireworks galore. On July 4, tens of thousands will also descend on the community of Pacific Palisades for the Americanism Parade on Sunset Boulevard before lapping up family-friendly entertainment, patriotic songs and breathtaking fireworks at the second annual Palisades Rocks the Fourth concert at Palisades Charter High School.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in celebration of our nation’s 234th birthday. Whether your idea of a memorable 4th of July involves marching along Constitution Avenue, admiring a beautiful fireworks display over the Capitol Building, braving a daring roller coaster at a Walt Disney World theme park, or touring Boston’s historic neighborhoods, Independence Day 2010 promises to offer something for everyone.
If you’re scouring the internet for affordable New York hotels, the Warwick Hotel New York ought to be high on your list. It is centrally located in midtown Manhattan, across the street from the Museum of Modern Art and within four blocks of Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, Broadway and Carnegie Hall. Built in 1926 by William Randolph Hearst for his partner, Marion Davies, the Warwick Hotel has been a magnet for celebrities like The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Cary Grant, who made the historic property his home for 12 years. What is it that makes the hotel such a draw? Maybe it’s the tastefully appointed rooms and suites, the hard-to-beat Mediterranean cuisine at the Murals on 54 restaurant, or Rudolph’s Bar & Lounge, which was carefully designed to resemble a cozy living room. Also featuring a fitness center and function rooms for special events, The Warwick offers plenty to keep you entertained before and after you explore the myriad attractions NYC has to offer.
Institute, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, Chicago Board of Trade and Sears Tower. Melt away your daily worries with an in-room spa treatment before indulging the taste buds at Custom House Tavern. If you’re into jazz, there’s no better place to be this Labor Day weekend as the Windy City will host the 32nd Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. The city’s longest running lakefront music festival, this year’s event will run from September 2 through September 5 and will feature such notable performers as Nicole Mitchell, Rene Marie and Brad Mehldau. (And best of all, it’s free.) In case you’d rather pass on jazz, you’ll find a wealth of shops and restaurants along Chicago’s vibrant Magnificent Mile just blocks away.
There will be no shortage of fun-filled events in the City of Angels throughout Labor Day weekend this year. Die-hard baseball aficionados can watch the Los Angeles Dodgers host the division rival San Francisco Giants September 3 through September 5 at Dodger Stadium. Travelers can head to The Fairplex in Pomona for the Los Angeles County Fair (September 4 – October 3), which will feature rides, live music and entertainment, and plenty of great food. Even if you don’t call yourself a foodie, you can get it on the first annual Taste of Beverly Hills food and wine festival. Scheduled for Thursday through Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, the event will showcase cooking demonstrations from top chefs, competitions, cocktail tastings, and live music performances. And if you’re in search of a hotel that lies in the heart of it all, Four Points Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport makes a great choice. The property offers a well-equipped fitness center, a swimming pool, four cabanas and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
Every traveler knows that a vacation is not a vacation without at least a few handy gizmos to enhance the overall experience. Though the whole point of a vacation is to disconnect, nowadays many of us find it nearly impossible to do so – whether it’s prompted by a mounting workload left behind at the office or simply the urge to stay on top of your latest batch of Tweets. That’s where nifty travel devices from travel adapters to language translators come in, all of which help to alleviate some of the stresses of 
getaroom.com President and Co-Founder Bob Diener sat with Michael Finney of The View from the Bay, which airs weekdays at 3:00 pm on ABC7 News (KGO TV) in the 
