New Years Eve at the Marcel at Gramercy - a New York City Boutique Hotel

Happy Continued Holidays Everyone !!! It's the Day after Christmas, but the Holiday Season is still in high gear. Especially, at least, for me. Today, December 26th falls on Friday, obviously, and it pads a great long weekend. Before you know it next week on Wednesday night December 31st, New Years Eve will be upon us. I get a lot of mixed feelings about New Years Eve from people. To some I've heard it called "Amateur Night" and categorized like July 4th and the night before Thanksgiving. That is, the night when the young and those that have yet to be disenfranchised by life are numb enough to weather the storm of crowds, high prices and tons of drunk idiots. To other's, they may not go out to the big parties, but still plan something to do to usher in the holiday. Then to another group, whether for the first time, or a long standing tradition, they venture out to the "hot spots" where ringing in the New Year is an event. You all know the places, Las Vegas, New York City, New Orleans. Obviously, New York City and the dropping of the Ball in Times Square is almost synonymous with New Years Eve as Santa Clause is with Christmas.

Well if you had plans on heading to the Big Apple for New Years Eve, and like many of us just didn't find the time to make arrangements I might be of some assistance. Might I add this was not easy. After digging around a little I found that the Marcel at Gramercy, a New York City boutique hotel, still has vacancies up through New Years Eve, with room rates at around $254 per night. First, the property has just had a major overhaul, so it's upgraded and newly designed. Second, the accommodations are included in a package that includes a $30 American Express Gift Card. This is a treasure of a find, especially at this late date. I'm sure that vacancies for rooms will not last for long so if you ever needed to make a move now is the time. Here is some additional information about the Marcel Hotel in New York City.

The New Year will be upon us any day. I wish all of you that read and follow my blog the best of new hopes, directions and dreams.

Guide-to-Hotels.com Introduces Branson Hotels Section

Guide to Hotels is proud to announce the introduction of it's Branson Missiouri Hotels section. Branson Missouri is one of many new destinations being phased in to introduction by the site over the next six months to a year.

Branson Hotels to see the all new content. For specific information about the city go to the Branson Missouri official web site.

Here are some of the featured hotels in Branson that you will find.

Holiday Hills Resort and Golf Club located at 2380 East Highway in Branson. It's located near the American Presidential Museum Dolly Parton's Dixie Stamped and the Silver Dollar City Amusement Park.

Also near the Silver Dollar City Amusement Park is probably the fines hotel in Branson. The Chateau on the Lake. Located at 415 State Highway 265 in Branson, the Chateau on the Lake Hotel is incredible. Find both great scenic views, a classic style design and first class service.

Last on our list of great Branson Hotels is the Pointe Royale Resort and Golf Course located at 158 Pointe Royale Drive in Branson. This hotel is centrally located to many of Branson's attractions and locations such as the State Park Marina, Thunder Road Family Amusement Park and Branson's Antique Toy Museum.

Guide to Hotels will be rolling out more cities and destinations as it strives to provide greater coverage of travel. Stay tuned daily, or write us for our daily specials.

Award Winning Christmas Display a Must See at Gaylord Palms Hotel Orlando...

During this time of year it makes sense to take pause and recognize certain things. Perhaps a time to reflect on the past year for what is has been or maybe not have been for us. A time for family and tradition. Most assuredly, the Holiday season ushers in a time of festivity and happiness for most. As this blog deals with the hotels on many levels, wether it be a great discount, a new opening, an addition to an already phenomenal structure or anything else under the rainbow, there are also those properties that make the holiday season a part of there calendar year. That is, across this great country of ours the true world class properties make it a point to create works of art that capture the Holiday season.

One such property that has done so is the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center just outside of Orlando Florida in Kissimmee.  This exhibit is truly one of those special projects that has taken on a life of it's own over the years and has come to include some of the best architect minds in the world. Year after year, the Gaylord Palms commissions artists from as far as China to produce absolute works of art. Each year this team from the far east puts forth an incredible effort of spirit, soul and inspiration in creating an indoor spectacular of ice and art.  Coming in on it's Fifth Anniversary, the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center produces an extraordinary exhibit that includes over two million pounds of ice and becomes an interactive exhibit that visitors can enjoy for the holiday season even in the sunny state of Florida.

Past years have included incredible displays that offer visitors the opportunity to walk through and feel for themselves. One such display included a life sized ice sculpture of an authentic train. Other incredible displays have included life sized and detailed nativity scenes that glow with heart stopping crystal and light. 

The display is formally known as ICE, and is an absolute must see if you find yourself in the Orlando Florida area for any reason. This years theme for 2008 will reflect Santa's Arctic Blast. 

The exhibit will appear from November 17th 2008 through January 4th 2009. For more information about the Gaylord Palms Resort ICE exhibit check out this link. 

The Grand Del Mar San Diego..Serving Tea & Desserts Every Day for the Holidays

Every area of the country, if not the globe has a little nook and/or cranny to celebrate the holiday season their own way. You could even be in one part of town like New York City and find a whole other world of festivities on the other end of town that don't even seem like you're in the same city.

Well today's featured post is about the Grand Del Mar Resort in San Diego. Obviously keeping with the holiday theme I have something interesting to report about this hotel as it relates to Christmas. Well here it is if you can't wait any longer. The Grand Del Mar Resort San Diego is an upscale property. It has just about anything you could want in a hotel which, even better, is located in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Having started actually at th beginning of 2008 the Grand Del Mar Resort of San Diego has been doing an entire line of Culinary events. During the month of December, the hotel is holding an event each day from 6:30pm to 8:30pm where they feature exquisite Holiday Desserts. What's great about these events is the open nature. That is, guests get to actually mingle and talk with the chefs. It's much more informal, but don't let that make you think the quality is any less than what you could expect at any Five Star Resort Restaurant. What's more the event also offers classes during each session to learn how to make your own five star Holiday Treat. The menu includes great things such as tarts, cakes, an array of sweets, pastries and just about anything else you can think of that has sweet in it.

The Grand Del Mar Resort San Diego will continue this culinary series well past the holiday season into the end of January 2009. If you're looking for more information go to the link above to the official site of the hotel.