Susan and I were recent guests of this trendy property on rue de Ponthieu just a block behind the Champs-Élysées.  Knowing that city hotels in Europe are not like our hotels in the USA, we had no idea what to expect, but our hosts assured us the hotel was newly renovated and they were eager to have us tell our readers about their little dream property in Paris. If you have ever stayed at a W Hotel,  you will love The Beauchamp. Our rooms were modest in size but very well appointed and smartly decorated. The air conditioning was always working, the flat screen Television visible from anywhere in the room, and there was ample space for clothing.  Our rooms had all the comfort and amenities necessary for a great stay.

Upon our arrival, Damien greeted us and he could not be more welcoming.  While our rooms were not yet ready, our bags were stored with a smile, and assistance offered to help us get our bearings.  My cell phone needed charging, and Damien quickly offered to charge the phone while we were out sightseeing.  On our return a bit later, our rooms were ready and my phone was charged. As Susan and I headed up to the rooms, we were pleasantly surprised to see tall operable windows and bathrooms with plenty of space for all the toiletries, and a towel warmer.  The tub and shower was ultra modern and worked like a charm – hot, hot water!  Nevertheless, it was not until our return that evening that we fully understand the comfort of the Beauchamp Hotel. Awaiting us was bottled water and a bed SO comfortable that you sank immediately into sleep. As soon as my head it the pillow, I was fast into dreamland. I knew waking up in the morning I wouldn’t want to depart the unparalleled comfort of that bed!

Our breakfast was included with the room, and we found the restaurant to be charming and the food was both plentiful and delicious. Our server was equally welcoming and engaged in conversation immediately. The buffet has an artful display of croissants, breads, cheeses, fruits, eggs, meats, yogurts, etc. and fresh squeezed orange juice. The best part of Paris are the breads and cheeses and those were delicious. The dinner menu looked terrific and very reasonably priced as well.

Location is everything, and The Beauchamp Hotel is located near brasseries, cafes and plenty of nightlife.   (Sometimes a bit too much nightlife…. but after all it was the World Cup.)  You could easily wander out the door of the hotel in the evening and find countless opportunities for city nightlife.  We found the location very convenient to buzz in and out of during the day.  Especially after shopping excursions along the Champs-Elysees, it was just a quick detour to drop bundles back at the hotel.

Susan and I loved this hotel, and can highly recommend it for anyone looking for an intimate experience in a fabulous location – the Hotel Beauchamp won’t disappoint.

Additional Tips:

• If you are a light sleeper, you may want to request a room away from the street.
• The bathroom tubs are large and deep – a luxury in Europe.  If you have mobility problems the tall sides may give you a challenge.
• Check Expedia for specially negotiated rates!
  

I’ve just returned from a girls getaway weekend at The Wentworth, and let me say a one night escape felt like days of pampering.  The delight begins as you turn right off Route 1A (first exit after the Hampton Tolls) onto Wentworth Road and ride past the pastoral golf course stretching along the ocean’s edge, and then catch your first glimpse of the gleaming white, red-roofed resort perched on a hill with commanding views of ocean in every direction.  The impact is instantaneous, beach-side grandeur of yesteryear.   There’s a smile on every face as we park the car – heads swiveling in every direction – taking in the ocean views, manicured gardens  (we’ve hit tulip/lilac season), hidden arbors and gazebos, and oh yes, let’s not forget the marina with happily bobbing yachts.  Sigh….

Entering the grand foyer we’re greeted by the ever smiling and dapper Concierge, George, who later volunteers to give us an historic tour of the property.  We hear tales of treaties signed by Teddy Roosevelt, jazz performances by Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, and architectural wonders like the magnificent cherub entwined ‘whisper’ rotunda dome that graces the dining room.  We visit the very elegant spa, which is clearly one of the main attractions of the hotel, and then enter the pool pavilion which seems suited for a Grecian goddess – gorgeous.  The social rooms are a perfect balance between elegance and comfort – inviting rather than stiff and stuffy.  The sweeping porches dotted with wicker furniture encourage guests to sit a spell, breath in the briny sea air, and gaze off to the ever changing landscape of sea, marsh and boating channels.

And finally off to our room which is large, luxurious and offers sweeping ocean views.  Since the hotel is built on a coastal island, it enjoys entertaining water views in every direction.  We particularly love the heated marble floors in the bathroom – now that’s indulgence!  The decor is bright and dignified, with every high end amenity on your wish list.  Families love the new 1,000 sq ft, two-level marina suites built right along the water’s edge by the outdoor swimming pool, seaside restaurant and marina.  But you won’t be spending much time in your room, there are so many activities to beckon you -  golfing, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, nearby antiques and outlet shopping, historic Strawberry Bank in the lively city of Portsmouth – to name just a few.  We had dinner and breakfast at the resort and both were outstanding – delicious, with interesting offerings, and prepared to perfection.  Wentworth By The Sea is a Marriott resort, so if you are lucky enough to have Marriott reward points, this is a spectacular choice for redeeming them.  Rates usually begin in the $250 per night range for a standard room and I would say this resort is worth every penny.  They do a robust wedding business all year round, making it important to book your spa services in advance if you’re visiting on a weekend.

So the next time you need a dose of pampered living, fine dining and beautiful sea views, that are close to home, head right up Rt 95 to Wentworth By The Sea.  This resort makes a perfect weekend destination for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Anniversary or Birthday celebrations, which probably accounts for the fact that they are sold out most weekends of the year – plan your visit in advance and enjoy!

Today, there are 10 individual restored cottages for rent year round, as well as 3 dormitory style homes.  Some homes are located directly on the 3.5 mile stretch of beach, while others enjoy a bluff top perch with sweeping coastal views.  The prices to rent these historic gems are astonishingly low, resulting in a brisk competition for vacation availability.  Cottage rental rates start at $125 per night, and all are under $200 per night as the base rate.)  All reservations are handled by ReserveAmerica.com (800-444-7275) and availability (for 7 months ahead) is posted on the first day of each month at 8am (pacific time).  It is recommended that you pre-register on the site in advance so you can click right through to the reservation without having to fill out preliminary information.  Reservations can be made for a maximum of a 7 night stay or for a little as one day.  It is also recommended that you read all tips about securing a reservation at the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages reservation information page.  Those lucky enough to snag a reservation will be treated to a memorable stay at one of the last undeveloped yet accessible coastline beaches in all of California.

Here’s a link or more information on the southern beaches of California and the web page for the Crystal Cove State Park.

American Airlines has announced a Caribbean airfare sale (including Turks and Caicos) for flights between April 1 – May 22nd, purchase by March 22, 2010.

The West Bay Club – One of Turks and Caicos’ newest and most appealing boutique properties on celebrated Grace Bay, is tempting you to stay longer with free night offers that continue from April 11th through November 22, 2010.  Book three nights in a luxury one bedroom or larger accommodation and receive an additional night free.  Or relax for 5 nights and receive two additional nights free.  This offer is valid for stays from 4/11 – 5/31/10.  Beginning June 2nd, the resort offers a 5th night free plus 10% off their great summer rates for stays of five nights or longer.

The Leeward Resort another new luxury all suites property located at the quiet east end of the island offers a relaxing beachfront setting within easy reach of Leeward Marina.  If you love boating, snorkeling, fishing and exploring nearby islands, this is the perfect location.  The promotions at the Leeward Resort are amazing!  From April 15 to December 15, 2010 rates are  30 to 50% off.  Incredibly the promotion also includes a complimentary rental car and a cell phone for guests staying 3 nights or more.  What a deal – you’ll be able buzz around the island, enjoy the resort’s private stretch of beach and have a phone to make all your restaurant and excursion reservations – perfect!  This promotion clearly makes the Leeward Resort the best deal on the island.

The Ocean Clubs on Grace Bay have been a great choice for vacationers for many years.  The three story plantation style buildings house condo accommodations ranging from studios to 3 bedroom units perfect for families.  There are two Ocean Club properties located on Grace Bay a short distance apart so you can stay at one and play at both, and they are particularly convenient for golfers.  From 4/5 – 5/31, the 5th night is free.  From 6/1 – 12/20/10 the 5th and 7th night is free.

Beaches - Where do I begin?…  No one delivers fabulous family vacations like Beaches!  There is something for everyone, for every taste and every energy level.  There are water parks, 16 restaurants, villages reminiscent of France and Italy, nightclubs, kids clubs, Muppet characters, pirate ships, a pirate island, game rooms, excursion boats and too many amenities to name.  There are just 7 days left to take advantage of rates up to 65% off an all-inclusive stay of 3 nights or more for visits through April 30th. For some categories of accommodation you’ll also receive one night free with a 7 night stay.  Stays between May and December are discounted between 55 – 30%.

All of these promotions have their own particular terms and conditions, so be sure to click on their individual sites for all the details.

See you on Grace Bay Beach!

Major hotels are jumping on the Buy Two, Get One Free bandwagon.

Four Seasons Hotels want you to ‘stay longer’.  They’re offering a 3rd night free in many of their locations including Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Palm Beach, Miami, Atlanta, Austin, Alexandria and Philadelphia to name a few.  There are several international destinations included as well – Whistler, Prague, Dublin and more.  Check the website for hotels that are participating in the “Stay Longer” program, it may just make staying at the top luxury properties within your budget!

Trump International Beach Resort in  Sunny Isles Beach Florida, offers “Free Fridays”.  Book a minimum of a 3 night stay that includes a Friday night, and you’ll receive Friday for free along with a full American breakfast.  Book by March 16th for stays through March 31, 2010

Lake Tahoe – March in the Mountains at Heavenly Now this is a deal!  Stay at the Big Pine Mountain House, Lakeside Inn or Blue Lake Inn and ski at Heavenly Ski Resort for two days and you’ll receive the third night at the hotel and third day of skiing free.  The promotion is valid weekdays or weekends through April 18th and starts at $75 per person per night!

St. Martin Radisson Resort & Marina wants you to recharge this summer – when you stay for 3 nights you’ll only pay for two.  Your stay will include complimentary breakfast for two, (kids stay and eat free), and you’ll get a 10% discount on Le Spa services.

Half Moon Bay California – Located on a beautiful stretch of vibrant coastline a bit south of San Francisco, this community wants you to stay a few days to discover their many attractions.  There’s top tier golfing, biking and hiking; surfing, whale watching and horseback riding on the beach.  Fifteen lovely lodgings are offering the 3rd night free through April 15th.

Loews Hotels are promoting Loews Long Weekends.  Stay Thursday through Saturday night and take 30% off your bill at participating properties.

Choice Hotels International has a great twist on this offer – stay two separate nights by April 30th and you’ll receive enough Choice Privilege points for a free night stay.  Be sure you sign up for the Choice Privilege program prior to your stay.

And don’t miss the spring sale from Expedia.  They have a promotion featuring 3rd, 4th or 5th nights free throughout major vacation destinations around the globe.  Book by 3/18/10 to get the promotional rates.

Getting There: A steady stream of airline sales have kept the cost of flights to Hawaii comparable to flying to a resort in Mexico or the Caribbean.   Two sites worth watching are HawaiianAir.com where you can sign up for unadvertised airfare specials by email, and the Twitter and Facebook Page of PleasantHolidays.com.  Pleasant Holidays is one of the largest tour companies packaging trips to Hawaii and by following Twitter.com/PleasantHoliday you’ll be among the first to know about their many discounts on vacation package deals.

And thanks to low cost airways  GO by Hawaii Airlines, flying inter-island is a real bargain with most flights pricing at just $58.  This makes island hopping easy and cheap!

Where To Stay:  Two words… Aqua Resorts.  This collection of 18 freshly redesigned mid-range properties have an astonishing 12 hotels priced  well under $99 per night during the winter of 2010.   CJay stayed at the Aqua Surf and Spa which has a terrific location just 2 blocks from center stage Waikiki beach.  He could walk out the door and be sipping a cold one at Duke’s in a matter of minutes.  The hotel gets high marks for their complementary continental breakfast, which was a full buffet of fruit, cereals, bagels, danish, muffins – you name it – a perfect way to fuel up for the day and saves $15-25 on breakfast prices elsewhere!  Aqua Resorts are running a winter special with 60% off standard rates in Waikiki and 50% off in Maui, Kauai and Molokai – a penny pincher’s dream come true.

If you’ll be staying on one island for a week or more, savings can be huge by staying in a condo or vacation home.  The downturn in home and condo sales means lots of owners have posted their properties for rent.   Sites like VRBO, HomeAway and Rentalo all list terrific rentals starting at only $100 a night in prime locations.

And for those who want a luxury resort experience on a budget, have a look at the offerings of Starwood Hotels’ Values In Paradise, including promotional rates at the incomparable Westin Moana Surfrider which has just completed a multi-million dollar refurbishment and is grander than ever before.

Eating and Drinking On The Cheap:  Can you say Happy Hour?!  Luckily the practice of holding happy hours is alive and well throughout Hawaii and in particular in Honolulu.   Here is THE source for finding happy hour promotions and tasty pub grub PubClub.com in Waikiki and Maui.  Even though they don’t have an official happy hour, Duke’s Barefoot Bar is the center of fun on Waikiki Beach.  The food may not wow you, but it’s hard not to have a good time – especially on weekends when live bands rock the beach.  You’ll find a Duke’s Bar on all the main Hawaiian islands.

The ABC Stores are your friend for pacing the gap between breakfast and happy hour – you’ll find one a block or two away in every direction.  Bop in to pick up a fist full of power bars, a $3 sandwich, a banana, and drink, and head off to the beach!  Or if you need something more substantial, The International Marketplace in Waikiki has a great food court with lots of local offerings.  You can also do the Food Court shuffle at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza with the largest food court  in the islands – a good place to hide out if you get a rainy spell.

Tours and Entertainment:  Right after you’ve collected your bags at the airport, help yourself to the dozens of free brochures and coupon books you’ll pass on the way out of the terminal, they are a great resource for finding interesting tours.  But you really don’t need to pay to enjoy touring in Hawaii.  It really takes no more than a pair of sneakers and a curious disposition.  There are miles of great beaches to explore – just take a stroll down the boardwalks, stopping in a hotel cafe or two along the way when you need a break from the sun.  Rent a boogie board or long board right on the beach and tackle the waves.  Take a hike up the Diamond Head trail for a view you’ll always remember.  Be dazzled by fireworks every Friday night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  And don’t miss a sail out on the gorgeous aqua waters.  Catamaran cruises (booze, whale watching, snorkeling or sunset) are all very reasonable and you can hop on board right from the beachfront.

Here are a few phenomenal lists of wonderful FREE (or very cheap) things you can do in Hawaii:
101 Free Things To Do on Oahu – About.com
Free or Cheap in Honolulu – PubClub.com
Honolulu On The Cheap
20 Places To Eat Under $20 on Maui - LA Times
Maui Cheap Fun - Maui Vacation Network

ALOHA!

In the world of  websites that provide hotel information and customer reviews, Oyster.com stands out like a gleaming gem!

Oyster.com has a team of experienced travelers who stay at hotel properties (unannounced and anonymous), to bring you an unbiased assessment of the resort.  I love their feature, Fakeouts Revealed!  In Fakeouts, you’ll see the fancy brochure or website photo, accompanied by an undoctored photo of the REAL property.  Take a look at this Jamaica resort gym.  Instead of being oceanside, it looks like you’ll be pumping iron in the windowless basement!  If you want to know if that resort pool is really glamorous, or just a cement plunge pool, be sure to visit Oyster.com before booking your reservation. 

You’ll also like the destination categories they’ve pulled together – Best Pools, Best Beaches, Party Pools, Best Bars, Most Romantic, Kid Friendly, Best Values, Pet Friendly and more.  When you pull up a property review, you’ll see a full list of hotel pros and cons – so you can decide which elements are most important to your stay.  You’ll also see an exhaustive resort overview, loads of pictures, maps, pricing, and every element you will need to make an informed buying decision.  Currently Oyster reviews properties in New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Maimi, Hawaii, Jamaica, Aruba, Bahamas, BVI, and the Dominican Republic, with more destination reviews on the horizon.

I have just bookmarked Oyster.com and will consider it my go-to information site before making any resort reservation in the future – I’m now a raving fan of this site!!!

Just log on and register at the Sheraton Free Check-In Promo web page and make your reservation at a participating property.  Thousands of lucky travelers will instantly win a free night’s stay – for one night only 10/23/09.  The stays are awarded on a first come, first serve basis and can be made anytime between October 6 – October 9th.  The promotion incredibly covers all taxes, fees and surcharges!

What could be better than a free night in a luxury Sheraton hotel, no strings attached???  Never mind a staycation – here’s your chance to get out of the house and take a mini getaway for free!  Sounds to me like Friday 10/23 just became the most popular romantic date night in the country!  If you don’t snag one of the 2,100 free room nights all is not lost, a consolation prize of a coupon for a room discount will be offered.

Good luck everyone – and I hope you’re not trying for the same hotel that I am!!