First Edition - 2013 Scrub Island Resort - British Virgin Islancs

Ultra-LuxeScrub Island Resort

to a Friend

Pass

Accommodations bull Attractions bull Events bull Destinations

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

20thAnniverary

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Boiler House Restaurant Las Alamandas

About the CoverScrub Island Resort Spa amp Marina is the newest luxury resort development in the British Virgin Islands and an in-credible property focused on ultra-luxe accommodations(Photo Scrub Island Resort )

Northern Quest Resort amp CasinoSpokane Washington

ldquoCity of Yellow Rosesrdquo-

San AntonioTX 6

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines - Bastrop TX 8

Galveston Texas - Mardi Gras 10

Aldacorsquos Stone Oak -

San Antonio Tx

12

Boiler House Feature 14

Mansion at Judges Hill - Austin TX 20

Pearland Crawfish Festival 22

Destinations 25

New York State 26

Dude Rancherrsquos Association 28

The Tuscany - New York 29

Mandarin Oriental - San Francisco 30

Northern Quest Resort - Washington 32

Delamar Greenwich Harbor 33

Las Alamandas - Mexico 34

Hotel Matilda - Mexico 35

Kaya Mawa Lodge 36

Scrub Island Resort - British Virgin Islands 37

Paris for the New Year 39

Table of Contents

wwwthehotelguidecom 3

The TuscanyNew York New York

Las AlamandasMexico

2 wwwthehotelguidecom

ldquoTop 5 New Restaurantsrdquo - San Antonio Express News Readers Poll 2012ldquoTop 10 New Restaurantsrdquo - San Antonio Magazine Critics Choice 2012

ldquoBest Margarita in San Antoniordquo- WOAI Readers Poll 2012ldquoBest Restaurant Margaritardquo - Margarita Pouroff 2012

ldquoBest Burger in the Cityrdquo - San Antonio Magazine Annual Best in the City Poll

ldquoTexas Inspired Cuisine andWorld-Class Margaritasrdquo

9840 West Loop 1604 N San Antonio TX 78254(210) 688-2686 bull wwwtwosteprestaurantcom

Award-Winning

Edward R LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Angie CroninDirector of National Sales

JoAnn BooneSenior Travel Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Jordan ApodacaDeanna Barrett

Danielle GuttingerLyndsey Huggins

Chriselda PachecoContributors

Contact InformationThe Hotel GuidePO Box 592418

San Antonio TX 78259Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) 857-2003infothehotelguidecomwwwthehotelguidecom

Special Thanks tobull Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

bull Denver Convention amp Visitorrsquos Bureaubull Texas Department of Tourism

bull Texas Department of Transportationbull Texas Hotel and Lodging Association

bull Texas Travel Industry Associationbull Las Vegas CVB

bull Austin CVBbull Tyler CVB

bullGalvestonCVBbull Houston CVB

bull Corpus Christi CVBbull New Braunfels CVB

bull El Paso CVBbull Lubbock CVB

Copyright 2013 The Hotel GuideAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher The Hotel Guide

does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine

A Word Fromthe Publisher

he New Year has begun and as we

reflect on the past 20 years we can only hope that the future will continue to be as bright as our past Our pub-lication launched in 1993 has grown from a simple city guide to a com-plete digital travel outlet - marrying our versatile digital magazine with our corporate website and blog along with our engaging social media networks Our goal at The Hotel Guide has always been to be your complete travel tool - all at your fingertips Nothing has changed over the past 20 years We have seen many changes occur in the travel and tour-ism industries but we have steadfastly kept pace with what you - the traveler wants This edition covers some of the most romantic desti-nations and resorts from the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in Central Texas to the Tuscany Hotel in New York City all the way to Las Alamandas in tropical Mexico As you venture through the great state of Texas make sure you plan on participating in Mardi Gras in Galveston Texas and visiting San Antonio as the city transforms into the ldquoCity of Yellow Rosesrdquo during the week leading up to Valentinersquos Day Nothing better than a little revelry and romance Around the continental United States take your pick from members of the Dude Rancherrsquos Association or the myriad of things to do in New York state What-ever you fancy during this romantic time of year The Hotel Guide is sure to have your answer Send us your Travel Experiences For great story ideas or to be a part of our ldquoExpe-riencesrdquo section send me a personal e-mail by clicking hereHappy Travels

Tbeautiful

magicalmemorable

wwwriosanantoniocom

River Taxi bull Private Charters bull Special Events

Ride the Rio

riosanantonio

(210) 244-5700(800) 417-4139

Connect ShareEngage

wwwthehotelguidecom 54 wwwthehotelguidecom

TEXAS

6 wwwthehotelguidecom

pickPublisherrsquos

copy20

12 H

otel

Val

enci

a C

orp

orat

ion

Val

enci

areg is

a re

gist

ered

trad

emar

k

1 8 6 6 8 4 2 0 1 0 0 | W W W V A L E N C I A G R O U P C O M

H O t E L V A L E N C I A R I V E R W A L k | H O t E L V A L E N C I A S A N tA N A R O W | H O t E L S O R E L L A

Chosen among the Top 100 U S Hotels Condeacute Nast Traveler 2010 amp 2011 Readersrsquo Choice Awards

Stay AuthenticUnique destinations Exceptional hotels Indulge

in local cuisine art and music and stay authentic

Experience the true sense of a vibrant city at any one

of the Valencia Group locations Whether itrsquos a stay

on the River Walk in San Antonio in the hub of the

high tech district at Santana Row in San Jose or just

feel the pulse of Houstonrsquos heart beat at CITYCENTRE

yoursquoll find that a stay with us puts you in the center

of it all Itrsquos no wonder that Condeacute Nast Traveler

magazine has given all three a place among the

100 Top Hotels in the US

Valencia_BizLeader_Ad01indd 1 12012 1049 AM

San AntonioCity of Yellow Roses

alentinersquos Week (February 8-17) in San Antonio is more romantic than ever as the destination trans-forms into the ldquoCity of Yellow Rosesrdquo Romance

specials themed around San Antoniorsquos legendary yel-low rose offer a getaway like none other

Visitors can experience ldquoCity of Yellow Rosesrdquo in many ways bull Hundreds of yellow flowers line the River Walk this season Always a romantic spot the River Walk offers riverside hotels sidewalk cafes theaters and so much more bull Romance-themed hotel packages are available with yellow roses champagne river barge cruises museum passes and more romantic offerings bullSpecial menus created by the cityrsquos top chefs and eateries await some riverside some neighborhood treasures bullHorse-drawn yellow rose carriage rides circle through historic downtown past the legendary Alamo bullMariachis serenade all along the River Walk and in Market Square the nationrsquos largest Mexican mar-ket This year the City of Yellow Roses is also presenting the Gentlemenrsquos Guide to Valentinersquos where experts answer romance questions and provide romantic sug-gestions at CityofYellowRosescomRomantic Destination Often recognized as one of the most romantic desti-nations in the nation San Antonio is located deep in the heart of Texas Itrsquos majestic River Walk is lined with dozens of quaint sidewalk cafes while river barges pass beneath a canopy of cypress tress and clear Texas skies On street level 18th century Spanish colonial architecture mixes with public art installations and modern superstructures Though visitors may find the cityrsquos festive culture is what enlivens the oldest of romances Here bold colors music cuisine and artists

V

offer a little bit of Mexico a dash of Cowboy Western and a hint of Euro-pean blended into a distinct landscape that can only be described as San AntonioPlan Your Trip At CityofYellowRosescom visitors can learn more about what makes San Antonio the ideal spot for a romantic getaway and begin planning their Val-entinersquos Week getaway

TEXAS

wwwthehotelguidecom 7

ome February love is in the air But where you and your sweetheart choose to breathe

it in depends on your preferences regarding miles to log settings to admire amenities to enjoy and ac-tivities to pursueCentral Location Just 20 minutes from Austin-Berg-strom International Airport a quick commute from Austin and reason-able road trip from Dallas Houston and San Antonio Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is a luxurious Texas wilderness escape that feels a world apart The award-winning destination has a reputation as a family-friendly stay and is often over-looked as a couplesrsquo getaway ndash but it shouldnrsquot be During the wintertime and cer-tainly around Valentinersquos Day the resort is ever tempting for traveling twosomes especially those with a penchant for combining recreation relaxation and romance Hyatt Lost Pines offers a cure for nature deficit disorder for dar-lings and dears who need to unplug unwind and focus on togetherness In addition to providing a secluded and scenic setting the resort is home to horseback riding archery trap shooting 18 miles of nature trails for hiking and birding dining de-lights nightly srsquomores roasting rounds of golf at Wolfdancer and indulgences at Spa Django These activities - as well as kayaking and sunset floats on the Texas Col-orado River through the adjacent McKinney Roughs Nature Park - also pres-ent memory-making opportunities for two Each year the resort extends a perk-filled Valentinersquos Day travel deal one major boon of which is the fact it isnrsquot limited to the holiday weekend Rather the offer-ing spans the month of February making it possible for travelers to squeeze a getaway into their busy work-and-

C

life schedules From February 1 to 28 Hyatt Lost Pines boasts the Love Lounging and Lattes Package which features two cushy spa robes to take home champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries on the night of ar-rival morning lattes each morning and a $50 voucher toward a couplersquos massage at Spa Django Couples who wish to travel on Thursday February 14

will have the option to enjoy a special Valentinersquos Day menu at Stories the resortrsquos fine dining restaurant The 2013 prix-fixe menu lineup features 11 decadent selections from which each guest will be able to choose three Delights include oysters and caviar friseacutee salad filet mignon lobster Texas quail and Lost Pines triple chocolate cake and more Beyond Valentinersquos Day travel Sto-ries remains a wonderful choice for a romantic dinner for two during other select dates as well In sum Hyatt Lost Pines is a desti-

nation that offers twosomes plenty to do ndash and the op-tion to do nothing - in its handsome neck of the woods making it a haven for consideration among traveling duets everywhereMore information Visit wwwlostpineshyattcom

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort amp Spa

Takes Your Breath Away

TEXAS

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

pickPublisherrsquos

itrsquos a destination One where couples return year after year Where sharing a glass of wine on the veranda and enjoying a couples massage become rituals And where every winding pathway leads to memories yoursquoll treasure forever

To book your trip visit lostpineshyattcom

affection isnrsquot a feeling

1 800 55 HYATT (49288)lostpineshyattcom

The trademark HYATT and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation copy2012 Hyatt Corporation All rights reserved

Galveston Texasardi Gras revelers wanting to avoid the anticipated

Super Bowl crowds in New Orleans in 2013 can head to Galveston Texas for an alternative Mardi Gras experience amid the islandrsquos charm-ing Victorian architec-ture and views of the Texas Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Galves-ton ndash to be held Febru-ary 1-12 ndash is the third largest Mardi Gras cel-ebration in the United States attracting more than 300000 attendees annually The two-week celebra-tion is best known for its lavish parades held on the streets of the cityrsquos historic downtown and beachfrontLargest to Date The 2013 event is scheduled to be the biggest Mardi Gras Galveston celebration yet with 38 concerts 24 parades 20 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls In addition to the annual ldquoFunky Up-town Umbrella Brigaderdquo ndash in which Mardi Gras Galveston organizers earned a world record for the largest choreo-graphed umbrella dance last year ndash revelers will also be a buzz about these exciting happen-ings in 2013Headline Performances bull Platinum rock group Tonic and country music star Lee Brice will be the headline performers at Mardi Gras Galveston Tonic ndash whose musical power has earned the

M

group six top-rated singles and two Grammy nominations ndash will perform at 730 pm Saturday February 2 Country music artist Lee Brice known for his 2012 chart-topping singles ldquoHard to Loverdquo and ldquoA Woman Like Yourdquo will give his Mardi Gras performance at 9 pm on Friday February 8bull Cruise Krewe on the Carnival Triumph ndash This special cruise package will include a full day of Mardi Gras fun in Galveston ndash including a ride on a parade float ndash on Sunday Feb 10 followed by a five-night cruise on the Carnival Triumph The cruise will depart from the Port of Galveston with special Mardi Gras festivities and concerts on the ship throughout the trip For details visit wwwcruisekrewecombull Jagermeister DJ Stage and Laser Shows ndash The Jagermeiseter DJ stage will return in 2013 with an expanded line up of local and national DJrsquos for four nights during Mardi Gras Galveston In addition to top DJrsquos this stage will also fea-ture spectacular laser light shows to make this the dance party of the yearbull Family Gras ndash Sunday February 3 is Family Gras at Mardi Gras Galveston featuring the annual Sunshine Kids Parade Shriners Hospi-tals for Children Parade a beachfront carnival and more Admission on this day is free Dona-

tions will be accepted at the gate for the Sunshine Kids non-profit organizationMore info Go to wwwmardigrasgalvestoncom

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

TEXAS

3rd Largest Mardi Gras in Nation5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

TEXAS

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

TEXAS

hen people hear ldquoTexas cuisinerdquo images of chick-en fried steak and Tex-Mex come to mind but you wonrsquot find those dishes included on the menu at

the new Boiler House Texas Grill amp Wine Garden The restaurant from the owners of MAXrsquos Wine Dive burns down the stereotypes of Texas food and instead fea-tures contemporary Texas tastes and flavors created with a Texas technique and local Texas ingredientsTrue Texas Flavor ldquoWhen we began talk-ing about Boiler House we knew we wanted to honor the history at Pearl and the unique aspect of the build-ing We started with the concept of grilling some-thing that plays a huge role in Texas cuisine Pair that with flavors that reflect Texas and the concept just grewrdquo explains Executive Chef James Moore A wine-centric restaurant serving contemporary Texas fare featuring grilled delicacies from local farms and markets and extraordinary wines from around the world Boiler House is set in a vibrant and energetic space with a Texas soul and roots dating back to 1896 Location is everything Located within the redeveloped Pearl Brewery com-plex known simply as The Pearl Boiler House is housed in the original boiler house that powered the brewery The building is one of the three remaining original struc-tures on the brewery campus With a 72-inch grill as the focal point of the restau-rantrsquos kitchen therersquos no doubt that Boiler House takes the ldquogrillrdquo portion of their name seriously And the kitchen does not include a fryer ldquoNot a single one If we present an item fried it will be pan-fried in a cast iron skillet While we love fried foodswersquore just taking a different approach highlighting our ingredients through different cooking methodsProteins on Display Fitting with Texas cuisine the menu features proteins in a starring role ldquoWhen you think of Texas you think of barbeque fajitas German sausagemdasheverything is protein based So our menu reflects that and throws in seafood a Gulf influence and vegetables and grains

Wthat complement the proteins The menu selections are a natural fit featuring a bit of everything that makes Texas cuisine distinctrdquo says Moore

Inspired by the avail-able resources of the area the menu in-cludes Texas-produced products as much as possible ldquoWe may occasionally feature a special thatrsquos from outside of Texas but with the abundance of quality producers and fresh products avail-able to us itrsquos natural to work things from home like fresh fish from the Gulf Central Texas pecans or a chorizo made here in

San AntoniordquoThe Pearl Farmerrsquos Market The Pearl is host to a weekly producers-only farmers market that occupies the parking area next to Boiler House ldquoAll Pearl Farmers Market vendors are located within a 150 mile radius of San Antoniomdashyou really canrsquot get more local than that Having that source as a neighbor made it natural to incorporate those products into our menu and will allow us to offer fresh local and seasonal selections that were planted raised and har-vested close to homerdquo Selections from the Pearl Farmers Market are high-lighted in a special section of the menu ldquoFrom the Mar-ketrdquo The restaurant currently features local and Texas products from Bluebonnet Farms Boggy Creek Farm Briggs Farms Broadway Daily Bread Broken Arrow Ranch Groomerrsquos Seafood and Farm to Table among others Sit and Savor The foundation of the menu is ldquosmall platesrdquo ideal for sharing perfect for the relaxed wine garden atmo-sphere and communal picnic tables featured in Boiler Housersquos unique outdoor space the wine garden Play-ing off of a traditional European beer garden the space includes custom-made picnic tables designed to keep wine (or beer) chilled while people enjoy spending time with friends noshing on contemporary Texas fare

The Boiler HouseTaking Texas by StormpickPublisherrsquo

s

continued on page 16

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

Celebrate love all month long at Pearl

Visit our website for our romantic gift guide then visit our shops to pick up sweets for your sweetie Dine with us and enjoy special Chefrsquos tasting menus and wine pairings all month long Visit the farmers market every Saturday for month of love themed cooking demos at 930 AM with Pearl Chefs

ATPEARLCOM LOVE

FEBRUARY 2013

Diners can select items from different portions of the menu to create a meal for everyone at the table to share start with a nibble add a small plate or greens select something from the market pair it with a protein and a prime cut and then enjoy a denouement ldquoThe proteins and prime cuts are designed to be the centerpieces of the meal so that diners can then build around those to create a meal for sharingrdquo explains Moore ldquoOr guests can do a mix of small plates and proteins adding breads or something from the market Wersquore really letting our customers build their meal by choosing the ingredients that appeal to themrdquo The menu details key ingredients featured in each dish allowing those ingredients to guide the dish but doesnrsquot overly describe the presentation ldquoIrsquod like to pleasantly surprise our guests so while the ingredients will remain the same the presentation of the dish may be altered occasionally al-lowing us to be creative in the kitchen and let the quality of our ingredients shine Our serv-ers will provide details on the dishes but if you like the ingredi-ents we list yoursquoll enjoy the dishrdquo explained MooreJust a Nibble ldquoNibblesrdquo on the menu include Pasilla Roas t ed Pep i t a s Can-died Texas Pecans and Chile Lime Kettle Cornmdash perfect items to munch and nibble on when chatting with friends over wine The ldquoBreadsrdquo on the menu are grilled breads served with spreads com-prised of ingredients like bone marrow gremolata and tomato jam or eggplant tahini pinenuts and olive oil for another terrific option to share with the table Other options designed to share are ldquoCheeserdquo a plate featuring Eagle Mt Farmhouse Gouda Pure Luck Goat and Texas Daily Harvest Cheddar served with Brandied Grape Preserve and Grilled Bread as well as ldquoCharcuterierdquo a plate of Rabbit Terrine Head Cheese and Duck Rillette served with House Grain Mustard and Pickled Vegetables that will vary depending on whatrsquos in season The charcuterie is prepared in-house using ingre-dients from Texas producers and is a favorite of Moorersquos ldquoIrsquom excited that wersquore producing this ourselvesmdashitrsquos one of the many ways wersquore letting the kitchen shinerdquoThe ldquoTexas Grillrdquo

The ldquoTexas Grillrdquo portion of the restaurantrsquos name influences the full menu but definitely shines in ldquoPrime Cutsrdquo where yoursquoll find everything from Whole Gulf Snapper to Venison Antelope and Filet Mignon The proteins will be grilled served with a sauce or a com-pound butter The ldquoProteinsrdquo selections include everything from pork to tofu featuring Heritage Pork Belly with White Balsamic Apple Glaze Shrimp Bacon Brochettes with Serrano Avocado Relish Chicken Pancetta lsquoSticksrsquo with Parmesan and Lemon and Tofu Ratatouille Skewers with Saffron PiperadeSweet Delights And after the savory portion of the meal is complete Boiler House features sweets to allow diners to linger even longer ldquoDenouementrdquo includes dessert

features such as Texas Pear Crumble with Goats Milk Ice Cream and Almond Brittle Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Kraken Rum and Campfire SrsquoMores with House Graham Cracker Marsh-mallow Fluff and Dark Chocolate FondueWine anyone And where does wine fit into all of this ldquoThe rules of drinking red with one thing or white with another arenrsquot how I look at thingsmdashitrsquos about how the flavors fit each other For instance the flavors of the Heritage Pork Belly fit with a chilled pinot noir or a bright acidic sau-

vignon blanc You donrsquot have to follow rulesmdashitrsquos about what you like and the

flavors you enjoyrdquo says Moore Boiler House servers will walk diners through the menuand offer wine suggestions to pair with your meal or the right food pairing for your favorite wine ldquoOur servers know the menu and know our wines Like at MAXrsquos Wine Dive wersquore not wine snobs We want the wine experience to be fun and definitely not intimidating We donrsquot take ourselves too seriously or look down on anyone who ask questions about wine or the foodmdashwe want to talk to our customers and share information to help them enjoy their experience even morerdquo explained Moore The Boiler House lunch menu mirrors the dinner menu but features a few items that are traditional lunch fare The items will be daily specials to include pasta spe-cials or sandwiches The weekend brunch menu features the restaurantrsquos proteins as well as egg-based dishesMore Info For more information on The Boiler House visit them online at wwwboilerhousesacom

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

TEXAS

Dynamic Innovative Impressive Everything you want your meeting or event to be is found in one place The Hurst Conference Center is minutes away from everything DFW has to offer Restaurants shops sporting events attractions airports and more Our state-of-the-art facility has over 50000 square feet of flexible event space with seating for up to 900 in the Grand Ballroom and 300 in Meeting Rooms Full audio-visual presentation equipment and production is available in-house plus wi-fi is readily accessible throughout the building Everything you need to make a lasting impression is right here in our amenity-rich facility Find out how the Hurst Conference Center is central to your success by contacting our sales team today

THE WOW FACTOR HAS A NEW ADDRESS

(817) 581-0044 infohurstcccom wwwhurstcccom

11-COH-046 Retail Guide Adindd 1 102511 1011 AM

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

History and Elegance

320 BonhamSan Antonio Texas 78205

(888) 450-8436wwwcrocketthotelcom

Like Texas the Crockett Hotel is well-located independent spacious and comfortablehas a great history and is friendly and personable

bull 138 beautifully-appointed guest rooms

bull Outdoor pool amp landscaped fountain

bull Complimentary continental breakfast

bull Free Wi-Fi in guest rooms

bull Meeting facilities on property

bull Complete full-service spa

bull Across from the Alamo and Rivercenter Mall

ldquoLikerdquo us on Facebook

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

TEXAS

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the founders of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos estimate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the el-egance of its historical roots with the vibrancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incred-ible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeep-ing services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delicacies Here you will find an exquisite blend of International Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

meal The 1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm

and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid drap-eries and the attentive and friendly atmosphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a business meeting wed-ding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommodate up to 250 peopleContact Us For more information on this world-

class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

TEXAS

rom April 5 ndash 7 the bugs will be boiling and a ldquobon temprdquo will be had by all at the first annual Pearland Crawfish Festival The Pearland Crawfish Festival

takes the friendly relaxed fun and community feel of a small town fair and serves it up bigCrawfish Abounds Theyrsquoll be serving hot fresh crawfish at $350 a pound at multiple sta-tions throughout the festival along with the best of Cajun dishes and classic festival fare The festival will take place on a 50 acre lot on the West side of HWY 288 between Broadway (FM 518) and FM 2234 do-nated by Shadow Creek Ranch providing perfect visibility and plenty of room for fun crawfish at multiple stations stages and parking at the festi-val siteIncredible Events The mix of flavors includes the live music with the ar-earsquos best Zydeco Texas Country and The Houston Blues Society will bring in the blues There will be costumed performers and activities crawfish races crawfish-eating contests and more will continue throughout the event Performers will mingle with vendors of gifts arts and crafts A Childrenrsquos Area will provide plenty of activities and fun for kids All of Pearland is ready to join in and help show the world all that makes life here so specialAttractions For $350 a Pound Crawfish Wersquore bringing in the best farm-raised Crawfish the Gulf Coast has to offer at a great price The crawfish is being handled by Swamp Shack Catering - world-class professional boilers who learned the art deep in the bayous of Louisiana They have supplied crawfish and catered events festivals and high profile parties along the Gulf Coast This will assure great crawfish served fast and hot spiced just right and professional handling in high volume of the signa-ture feature of the Festival Houston Blues Society Stage The Houston Blues Soci-ety is dedicated to the study research and preservation of the blues culture and music unique to Houston Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast They will provide a stage

Fshowcasing this iconic music of overcoming struggle that has deep traditions joining Texas and Louisiana Pirates The public boat ramp will be the rousing haunt of freebooters of a bygone age who found hid-den coves on the Texas coast Enjoy special vendors and displays of pirate and nautical wares in the company of John Lafitte Blackbeard Calico Jack Rackham Henry Morgan and Bartholomew Roberts

Bayou Stage The best in regional Zydeco Country and Classic Rock Bands | Perform-ers To Be Announced Games StageCrawfish Eating Contest Contestants compete for the championship over the three days of the event The Gulf Coast Washer Pitching Championship Presented by Big Daddy Washer Boards competi-tors will vie for the title of

Washer Champion in this popular horseshoes-like game and a trophy board Festival Vendors The festival will feature rows of vendors with the best of arts crafts gifts and more from Pearland the Greater Houston-Gulf Coast Area and around the country Childrenrsquos Area will provide all patrons need to keep their kids busy and having fun during the eventAbove all this festival is all about the food- in addition to the $350 a lb crawfish we have a lot more to offerTons of Great Food Therersquos more food to enjoy at the Pearland Crawfish Festival than great crawfish Cajun cuisine grew out of the bayou culture where people with a love of great food and good times had to make do with what was available Applying sheer artistry to simple ingredients they created unique blends of rich flavors and lively spices that captivated the world Seafood and game from the bayous and bays meat sausage and vegetables from the farms and the bountiful supply of herbs and spices from the woods and swamps learned over generations have been joined in almost endless variations Our Vendors proudly offer the best of the tradition as well as classic festival fare For more info visit wwwpearlandcrawfishfestivalcom

Pearland TexasExperience the Crawfish Festival

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

1-877-426-6763wwwplayinconroecom

THG 2011

We are a delightful blend of nature history arts and recreation nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas Visit our Website and print a Visi print a Visitors Guide call us or order one online and wersquoll mail it to you

Urban Jewel in the Piney WoodsCONROE TEXAS

destinations

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

NY

ouples looking for original ways to celebrate Valentinersquos Day will find New York State brim-ming with romantic possibilities Cuddle under a warm blanket as you glide through snow-topped

woods in a horse-drawn sleigh or mush sled dogs around a pristine lake Sip vintage wines in front of a blazing fire and learn to heighten your senses in a gourmet kitchen Get your hearts racing with the thrill of an Olympic bobsled run And thatrsquos just a small sampling of the exotic and extraordinary ways couples can make this Valentinersquos Day a mem-ory to treasure forever Best of all these expe-riences and more are offered as special Val-entinersquos Day promotions throughout the state Here are five ideas to get you started 1 Cuddle up on a dogsled or horse-drawn sleigh ride Couples stay-ing at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid (800-582-5540) can walk out their door and snuggle into a dogsled for a thrilling ten-minute trip around Mirror Lake in the Adiron-dacks The ride free with the resortrsquos Valentinersquos Day package costs $10 per person a la carte Set out from the Schroon Lake Bed and Breakfast in Schroon Lake (518-532-7042) on a 45-minute minute ride in an antique sleigh as you cozy up under blankets and sip hot choco-late or cider while gliding through the Adirondack winter wonderland The cost $95 plus tax for two

2 Learn the magic of touch Therersquos nothing like a relax-ing massage to set a romantic tone The Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs in the Capital-Saratoga region

New York State

(866-890-1171) packages a couplersquos Swedish massage with a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawber-ries while in the Finger Lakes region the Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles (877-647-2328) features a

couplersquos massage along with a three-course wine-pairing dinner And for those seeking a more hands-on experience the Catskills regionrsquos Roxbury Motel in Roxbury (607-326-7200) offers a teaching ses-sion where couples learn to massage each other as part of its Rad Romance package

3 Savor gourmet and vin-tage pairings For many couples sharing great food and wine is the height of romance and as one of the nationrsquos premier agricultural and wine producing states New York is big on farm-to-table cuisine and native wines Among the best places to savor food and wine pairings from around the state is the Finger Lakes regionrsquos New York Wine amp Culinary Center in Canandai-gua (585-394-7070) which offers a wide array of cook-ing classes and tasting events on Valentinersquos Day weekend

and throughout the year priced from $50 per couple The renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park (845-471-6608) in the Hudson Valley offers top-notch dining experiences as well as introductory classes and tastings Gourmet food paired with local wines is also on tap on February 9 in the Thousand IslandsSeaway region at the Thousand Islands Winery in Alexandria Bay (315-482-9306) where couples can enjoy a five-course wine-paired dinner VIP winter winery tour barrel tastings and Valentinersquos Day-themed games for $4999 per person

4 Let me entertain you Concerts casinos and games

Romance is in the AirC

NY for couples combine with romantic accommodations to create lasting memories Options range from the ldquospouse I thought I knewrdquo game part of the Valen-tinersquos Day weekend fun at the Riveredge Resort in Alexandria Bay (800-365-6987) in the Thousand Islands-Seaway region to the theater package at the Parker Inn in Schenectady (518-688-1001) in the Capital-Saratoga region Gaming enthusiasts can en-joy rose-petal turndowns spa treatments and more at both The Lodge at Turn-ing Stone Resort Casino in Verona (315-361-7711) in Central New York and the Seneca Niagara Casino amp Hotel in Niagara Falls (877-8-SENECA) which is within walking distance of Niagara Falls State Park And for jazz lovers Long Islandrsquos winter festival ldquoJazz on the Vinerdquo kicks off with five weekends of music at 19 Long Island wineries on Valentinersquos Day Many performers are GRAMMY recipients or nominees and admission to each concert is $20 per per-son includes a glass of wine

5 Racy Roman-tic Adventures Host of two Winter Olym-pic Games Lake Placid in the Adiron-dacks offers skiers and snowboard-ers plenty of challenge at Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain But you donrsquot have to be Olympic athletes to enjoy any of New Yorkrsquos ski areas Trails cater to all levels of ability and with more than 50 downhill ski centers across the state--more ski areas than any other state in the nationmdashNew York

has plenty of choices Couples looking for ski-in ski-out romance might opt for The Inn at Holiday Valley in Ellicot-tville (800-323-0020) with its heated outdoor pool and hot tub in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region And for the ultimate speed thrill couples can virtually fly down Lake

Placidrsquos Olym-pic bobsled run piloted by an expertWant more informationCheck out ilovenycomWinterThemesValentines-Dayaspx for more romantic Valentinersquos Day packages and New Yorkrsquos exciting ac-commodations on the beat to learn about some exotic and wonder-fully romantic accommoda-tions around

the state

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

USA

herersquos nothing like a romantic special occa-sion such as

Valentinersquos Day or an anniversary to instill fear in the hearts of even the most con-siderate gift-givers This Valentinersquos Day instead of panicking give the gift of shared adventure to your other half Imagine a rustic romantic get-away complete with horseback riding outdoor adventure and bonding Or a passionate weekend for foodies filled with delectable gourmet dishes and carefully selected wine pairings that the two of you can indulge to your heartrsquos content Or a luxury resort that caters to your every whim in a breath-taking locale ldquoDude Ranchrdquo The term lsquodude ranchrsquo usually brings to mind images of cowboys and cattle drives a la the popular 1991 comedy ldquoCity Slickersrdquo While dude ranches still evoke those same memories and are rooted in American tradition they are much much more There is a broad spectrum of guest ranches across North America ranging from rustic no-frills working ranches to luxury resort-style ranches located in some of the most spectacular areas in the country Think valleys complete with untouched Rocky Mountain backdrops to desert sunsets across the Southwest The Dude Ranchersrsquo Association (DRA) represents more than 100 ranches in North America (two in Can-

T ada) and requires its members to uphold top quality and service standards The DRA staff helps travelers cus-tomize their romantic dude ranch getaway guiding them to the perfect ranch that suits their needs and desires Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch Set aside time for you and your significant other at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch located in Loveland Colorado Treat your special someone to a delicious

candlelight dinner and then enjoy an enchanting roman-tic night in warm cabin with a cozy fireplace Wake refreshed and renewed to enjoy a leisurely ranch breakfast in the Antique Dining Room overlooking the Big Thompson River Afterward take a stroll along the river and pause by the heart-shaped pond to soak in

the moment Montanarsquos Rich Ranch If yoursquore looking for an adventurous escape with your significant other look no further than Montanarsquos Rich Ranch where you can enjoy 1500+ miles of groomed secondary and mountain snowmobile trails right from your cabin door Stay in a roman-tic cedar log cabin with a private bath and propane fireplace Hearty ranch meals are served buffet-style at the main lodge and a bubbling hot tubs await you at the end of the day Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Located on 1100 acres of Idaho pasture

with tall pines and breathtaking views of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges is the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch a fourth generation working cattle ranch that has been operating on the same land since 1940 On February 14 make a reservation to treat your sweetheart to a romantic evening of fabulous food and music Take a step back in time in a one-horse open sleigh and stay overnight in a cozy lodge room or log cabin

Dude Ranch AssociationAdventure and Romance

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

tial sensibility a contem-porary New York pied-agrave-terre experiencerdquo Fabrics and lighting fixtures are from the ven-erable Italian company Fortuny and help estab-lish The Tuscanyrsquos past while a custom-designed polyhedral lacquered desk in the lobby is an example of the best in modern design Further evoking a ldquosophisticated urbanrural ambiancerdquo is the spectacular custom wrought iron railings

found in the lobby and lounge areasImpeccable Guest Rooms Guest rooms are furnished in custom oak and leather wall panel systems evoking the craftsmanship of fine Italian leather goods while other custom-designed and fabricated furnishings combining hand wrought iron ele-ments impart a residential feel The DuChateau hard-wood floors in the guest rooms lend an added warm and welcoming feel complemented by Jeff Lincolnrsquos custom designed reinterpretation of a damask carpet which covers the main bedroom areas of the rooms Guest rooms also feature 46rdquo LCD high-definition televi-sion sets Intelligently designed bathrooms feature glass tile walls and Duravit vanities providing classic contempo-rary luxury The bathrooms have also been outfitted with faucets and shower fixtures from Hansgrohe and Toto Innovative large suites at The Tuscany are designed around the prestigious company Maharamrsquos Digital Proj-ects artistic mural program Each one features a large wall mural made by a famous artist or designer ranging from the hot modern artist Sarah Morris whose recent MOMA show was a brilliant success to the quintessen-tially sophisticated English designer Paul Smith Unique and vibrant these accommodations represent ldquoartistic experience in the capital of the art worldrdquo says LincolnMore Information For more information about The Tuscany and to make reservations please visit wwwstgilesnewyorkcom To sign up for the St Giles Be Rewarded program go to wwwstgilesberewardedcom

t Giles Hotel Group today unveiled the newest addition

to Murray Hillrsquos luxury boutique hotel scene Combining old world charm and sophisticated modern style The Tus-cany NYC - A St Giles Luxury Collection Hotel is one of two side-by-side hotels owned and operated by St Giles the other being The Court The Tuscany re-opens with 124 guest rooms suites and a Penthouse Suite after a multi-million dollar renovation Special Offer The Tuscany is featuring an introductory ldquogrand openingrdquo special offer which includes a rate of $269 per night (rates will increase after this special offer ends) and a limited edition Molton Brown pamper pack with such amenities as the Ambiente sleep spray derived from yuan zhi root with vanilla and ylang ylang and vitamin lip saver made from French honey beeswax and vitamin E Molton Brown the London-based maker of top quality luxury bath and beauty products is The Tuscanyrsquos official bath amenities provider Members of St Gilesrsquos global VOILA guest loyalty program Be Rewarded will also earn 500 bonus VOILAgrave points as part of this package This introductory offer will only be available for a limited amount of time and is subject to availability Originally an apartment building The Tuscany was the inspiration of Henry Mandel one of the many bril-liant ambitious Russian immigrants of the 19th century who helped build New York It opened in 1928 at a cost of $500000 with 14 floors of apartments and a round-arched ornamental Tuscan style later becoming the first hotel in the city to have telephones in every bathroom and the first in the world to introduce color televisions Classic Themes In its newest incarnation The Tuscany celebrates its heritage with a decidedly modern point of view Design features of the historic landmark put an emphasis on classic themes strongly textured materials and artistic in-novation to create what interior designer Jeff Lincoln of Jeff Lincoln Interiors describes as ldquoa luxurious residen-

The Tuscany NYC

SLuxury in the Big Apple

FL

CA CA

he Mandarin Oriental San Francisco unveiled its new 8000-square-foot Spa and Fitness Center a rejuvenating retreat unlike any other in the city with comprehensive facilities and a unique offering

of holistic Asian-inspired spa treatmentsLocated on the hotelrsquos 3rd floor a dedicated team of ho-listic thera-pists led by Director of SpaKristy Whit-ford will guide guests through a sensory ex-perience that touches the mind body andspirit pro-viding hotel guests and day-spa users with a harmonious experience of well-being in an unparalleled spa environ-ment Elevated Level of Luxury Designed to reflect the elevated level of luxury intrin-sic to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group The Spa offers a tranquil meditative setting and features a total of four treatment suites including a special couplersquos suite and a relaxing Tea Lounge for guests to rest and reflect Design highlights include a warm natural color pal-ette with subtle Asian detailing The walls feature richly textured mocha-hued coverings accented with illumi-nated golden tones and the interior is further accentu-ated with museum quality art pieces that are on display throughout Also on display is an elegant six-foot statue of Kuan-Yin Goddess of Mercy holding the peach of lifeTreatments The spa will offer Mandarin Orientalrsquos Signature Spa Therapies developed in consultation with specialists in

T Traditional Chinese Medicine and master aroma thera-pists the Mandarin Oriental Signature Spa Therapies consist of a relaxing hands-on body massage ritual that combines the powerful effects of Oriental meridian massage with the therapeu-

tic benefits of custom-blend-ed essential oils created uniquely for Mandarin Oriental The signature 60-minute Ori-ental Essencemassage will present guests a firm full-body massage concentrating on neck shoul-der and lower back areas to leave the body mind and spirit energized revitalized and in perfect

harmony Other treatments include the 1 hour 50 minute Ori-ental Harmony a treatment performed by two therapists working in perfect unison to replenish the skin using a soft scrub followed by a massage to balance the bodyIn addition guests can book personalized journeys called ldquoTime Ritualsrdquo which encourage guests to book time rather than specific treatments so that services can be tailor-made to meet specific needs Intended to restore a natural state of equilibrium and attend to the bodyrsquos specifics needs a Time Ritual is tailor made for individual guests Beginning with a welcoming foot ritual each Time Ritual will provide a peaceful path to an unforgettable experience The Spa will also offer personalized massages and body treatments utilizing products from Aromatherapy Associates an expert in the spa field producing natural essential oil-based products that improve onersquos general

Mandarin OrientalNow a San Francisco Spa Staple

state of health and well-being physically and emotion-allyDesigner Treatments Designer treatments will include the Mother-to-be to nurture and support expecting mothers in atime of con-stant change and Cocoon for the New Mother to provide new mothers with specialattention af-ter the stress-es of preg-nancy with a nourishing regenerative treatmentGuests will be encour-aged to arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to their scheduled treatment beginning their spa experience with the exchange of shoes for comfortable slippers an enduring Oriental welcome that signifies the leaving of the external world behind Guests will be able to enjoy a welcom-ing cup of tea be-fore being escorted to treatment suites As Time Rituals beginspa-goers will be treated to Man-darin Orientalrsquos signature footbath in the privacy of their suite At the conclu-sion of each treat-ment guests will be offered a signature tea and escorted back tothe relaxation lounge An array of specialized facials will also be avail-able including Beauty by Mandarin Oriental a series of results-oriented anti-aging facial treatments designed to

maximize tone texture and skin radiance using bespoke products and equipment from Aroma-therapy Associates A full array of body massages body wraps and scrubs Gentleman Essential treatments

hand and footrejuvenations and nail care will complete The Sparsquos of-fers The Spa can also tailor time to include single services as well as half- and full-day programsFitness and Retail The spa-cious Fitness Center will keep hotel guests mo-tivated and challenged featuring the latest range of Technogym equipment

and Precor Machines For those who wish to continue their spa experience at home the Spa Boutique will of-fer a full range of Mandarin Oriental Signature products that have been developed specifically for the Group by

the award-winning UK based company Aromatherapy Associates as well as Aromatherapy Associates own line of productsThe Spa at Manda-rin Oriental San Francisco will be open daily from 9 am to 9 pm for allhotel guests and spa goers The Fit-ness Center will be open 24 hours to hotel guests onlyMore InfoFor reservations and more informa-tion please call +1

(415) 276-9608 or email mosfospamohgcom or visit them at wwwmandarinorientalcomsanfrancisco

pickPublisherrsquos

wwwthehotelguidecom 3130 wwwthehotelguidecom

WA NY

spa at Delamar welcomes guests through 1500-square feet of soothing Mediter-ranean inspired deacutecor and offers two treatment rooms (including a couplesrsquo treatment room) in which to enjoy an extensive array of massage therapies facials and body treatments The Golf Course While she is enjoying her spa experi-ence he can take a trip just 25 minutes away to Pound Ridge Golf Club The pre-mier high-end public course in the met-ropolitan New York area is hewn from

172 acres of magnificent cliffs streams and wooded hills and has one of the most visually stunning settings for golf in the US Since opening in 2008 the Pete Dye design has earned a reputation (and national ranking) as a true destination golf course Package are available that include a Friday or Sat-urday night stay at the hotel and one round of golf as well as a $20 food and beverage credit 10 off golf merchandise breakfast a bottle of champagne and a private wine and cheese reception For more information please visit wwwdelamar-greenwichcom 8663352627 or wwwpoundridgegolfcom

ew York City has long been the va-cation destination

of choice for people who appreciate the finer things in life Whether itrsquos shop-ping dining sight-seeing or the arts the Big Apple is para-mount Even with an infinite number of reasons for heading to New York nothing can compare to an ultimate week-end couples retreat featuring best-in-class accommodations spa and golf all within a short distance from the city lights Partnering For discern-ing travelers who seek out the most unique experi-ences The Dela-mar Greenwich Harbor and Pound Ridge Golf Club have teamed up to offer an unpar-alleled weekend escape that is ideal for a romantic getawayThe Hotel Located less than an hour outside of NYC in Green-wich Connecticut the Delamar Greenwich Harbor is arguably one of the most elegant boutique hotels in the country The hotel offers its discerning guests 82 Deluxe Rooms and Suites all designed to evoke an ambiance of old world charm Styled with European deacutecor and comfortable con-tinental furnishings many rooms overlook Greenwich Harbor from private balconies while the rest look over the town and area surrounding the hotel For the ultimate in rejuvenation and relaxation the

Delamar Greenwich Harbor

N

Partnering with Pound Ridge Golf Club

32 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 33

Guests enjoy full-day access to all spa ame-nities with the purchase of any spa service For an experience unlike any other try their experien-tial shower and enjoy the sensation of a beautiful waterfall raining down on you enhanced by music light and sound Spend time in the state-of-the-art Fitness Center or take a dip in the river-inspired pool hot tub or sauna Sip champagne while reading a book in our Relaxation Lounge or tailor a full day of spa treatments with a group of your favorite friends As your cares melt away indulge in the propertyrsquos culinary menu featuring unique taste sen-sations from Masselowrsquos eastern Washingtonrsquos only AAA Four-Diamond restaurantHealthy Living The Kalispel Tribe believes healthy active lifestyles bring long and prosperous lives At La Rive Spokanersquos finest massage therapists esthe-ticians make-up artists hair designers and nail specialists are committed to the wellness and com-fort of each and every

guest All healing massages wraps and body treat-ments are enhanced by a palette of natural and native materials Open seven days a week your journey for physical and spiritual renewal begins at La Rive Spa Let the traditions inspired by the Kalispel people en-hance your senses renew your spirit and heal your soul Begin your experience by at wwwnorthernquestcom or by calling 8778716772

s the only tribally-owned AAA four-diamond resort in

the inland northwest and one of 27 lodgings in the entire state to receive this recognition Spokane Washingtonrsquos Northern Quest Resort amp Casino welcomes visitors with a contemporary urban vibe and 250 luxurious guest rooms and suitesTrue Luxury Getaway Promoted as a pre-miere destination resort guests seeking a true get-away can escape to the pampered luxury of the nationally-recognized La Rive Spa satisfy their hun-ger at one of 14 restau-rants and lounges offering everything from burgers to fine dining cheer on their favorite team on the larg-est HDTV screen east of the Cascades at the Q or try your luck with true las vegas-style gaming Inspired by the Kalis-pel Tribe of Indians and the river they call home spa treatments at La Rive are designed to restore your mind body and soul Unwind in their Heal-ing Waters Coed-Relax-ation Lounge featuring three waterfalls reminis-cent of spring run-off on native lands Or soak in an oversized soaking tub in the private Camas Duet Suite which includes a fireplace and couples shower La Rive Spa At La Rive Spa awaken your spirit with treatments adopted from tribal culture and surrounding nature alongside classic European spa and salon services

Northern Quest Resort

A

A Journey to Serenity

MexicoMexico

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

bull A popular lounge known for its creative mixology featuring mixers of fresh ingredientsbull Designer rooms and suites with 400-thread-count linens Mexican calcutta marble floors soft 100-percent long-staple Egyptian cotton towels both a bathtub and a shower many with oversized

showerheads and custom bath amenities by Malin + Goetz bull A vibrant art-gallery-like interior ndash the first and only contemporary ambiance in colonial San Miguel de Allende ndash filled with an eclectic collection of dramatic contemporary works by noted artists many specifically commissioned for the hotelbull Innovative dining by Mexicorsquos most acclaimed chef Enrique Olvera who operates the hotelrsquos Moxi restaurant which has become a ldquomust visitrdquo in Mexico for foodiesbull One-of-a-kind artistic and culinary events from openings by major artists to extravagant gourmet eveningsHotel History Hotel Matilda opened in September 2010 in the heart of San Miguel de Allende celebrated for its intact 500-year-old Spanish architecture of graceful arches beautiful bell towers ornate churches and walls aflame with bougainvillea San Miguel is historic atmospheric and utterly romantic where lovers walk arm-in-arm on cobbled lanes enjoy intimate dinners al fresco on beautiful tile patios with splashing fountains and discover eclectic boutiques offering hand-crafted local artisanry More Info For more information and Romantic Rendezvous reservations toll free 855-MATILDA (855-628-4532) or infohotelmatildacom or visit wwwhotelmatildacom

scape on a ldquoRomantic Rendezvousrdquo

for Valentinersquos Day with a one-two love punch ndash marrying Mexicorsquos sultry 1 destination and sexy 2 hotelSimplyDivine Lovers will savor Hotel Matildarsquos sophisticated lifestyle-focused guest experience ndash that has ignited an international buzz for the two-year-old hotel including being named the 2 hotel in Mexico in Condeacute Nast Travelerrsquos 2012 Readersrsquo Choice Awards And they will swoon over the unending romantic charm of stunning San Miguel de Allende Hotel Matilda is located in the historic center of this crown jewel of colonial Mexico and UNESCO World Heritage Site ndash which was crowned Mexicorsquos 1 destination by Condeacute Nast TravelerHotel Matildarsquos Romantic Rendezvous package featuresbull One night in a spacious beautifully appointed Luxury Suite bull Romantic Set Up in the suite that includes candles flower designs on the bed and strewn flower petals bull frac12 bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne bull Hammam for two at Spa Matilda bull Late check-out if space availability allows

The package is $742 including taxes and service Additional nights are $437 plus taxes and serviceImpeccable ExperiencesAmong the components of the vaunted lsquoMatilda lifestylersquo guest experience arebull Award-winning holistic Spa Matilda that was named to Condeacute Nast Travelerrsquos 2011 Hot List of the worldrsquos top new spas among the facilities is a Turkish-style Hammam with aromatherapy steam where guests enjoy self-administered body scrubs and masks as either a stand-alone treatment or the introduction to a more extensive spa experience

Hotel Matilda

EEscape on a ldquoRomantic Rendezvousrdquo

waves at the oceanfront Spa Palapabull An adventuresome escapade in a kayak for two along a wild shore of bird isletsbull Relaxing together in your Jacuzzi on your private terrace taking in incredible panoramasbull Enjoying a siesta for two in one of the many hammocks throughout the gardensPrivate Suites The 17 extraordinarily spacious beautifully appointed

and completely private suites are located within seven villas with vibrant contemporary Mexican chic deacutecor The suites are designed for casual indoor-outdoor living with spacious terraces and patios panoramic views and most with a private JacuzziTons of Activities Lovers who want to leave their suite and each otherrsquos arms have numerous activity options lighted tennis court beach volleyball half basketball court croquet lawn chess mountain bikes 60-foot swimming pool fully equipped air-conditioned gym ping-pong horseback riding bird watching kayaks (doubles and singles) hiking surfing and boogie boarding Dine al fresco at the Oasis Restaurant and the Oceanside La Palapa Beach Club or in the romantic privacy of your suite terrace ndash on sophisticated healthy cuisine prepared with fresh locally procured ingredients including vegetables lettuces herbs and fruits from the resortrsquos own organic gardens and seafood caught by local fishermenPerfect Location Las Alamandas located midway between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo along the Costalegre boasts one of the most beautiful natural environments of any resort It is nestled within a private nature reserve of pristine white-sand beaches rocky capes lagoons teeming with numerous varieties of fowl jungle terrain traversed by trails that are ideal for biking and hiking and lookout points with dramatic panoramas of the coast Visit wwwalamandascom for information

rom its hideaway location and untouched nature

to its chic villas and personalized service Las Alamandas is a place for lovers This tropical paradise is inexhaustibly sexy and romantic created for incredibly sensual moments together ndash and the ideal Valentinersquos Day spot to celebrate your passion rekindle the fire in your relationship or even pop the questionValentine Special The Valentine Special at Las Alamandas is a breathless array of luxury amenities at a passion-inducing rate The package includesbull Two nights in a luxurious Ocean View Suite bull Fresh Lime Margaritas upon arrivalbull Tropical Fruit Platter in the room bull Three gourmet meals daily with non-alcoholic beverages served al fresco at the Oasis Restaurant or in the privacy of your suite bull Romantic Candlelit Dinner set up or gourmet picnic with sparkling winebull Sunset Margaritas between 5-7 pmbull 1-hour horseback ride for twoRates start at just $1674 for two plus tax and service Offered February 1-28 2013 the Valentine Special is also available in other suite categories For reservations Tel + (52) 322 285-5500 toll free in US and Canada 888-882-9616 or infoalamandascom Why Visit Why is this 1500-acre retreat on Mexicorsquos Pacific coast so sexy and romantic Think incredibly sensual moments with your Valentinebull Walks together on unspoiled beaches where the only footsteps in the sand are your ownbull A champagne toast atop seaside cliffs at sunsetbull Cocktails together under the stars at the incredibly sexy rooftop Estrella Azul loungebull A gourmet picnic at Chachalacas a private beach all to yourselvesbull A relaxing massage for two to the sound of the

Las Alamandas

F

Tropical Paradise Perfect for Romance

crub Island Resort Spa

amp Marina the newest luxury resort development in the British Virgin Islands in more than 15 years is enticing guests with a seduc-tive new ldquoBe My Valentine Private Island Escaperdquo pack-age Avail-able from February 8 to 14 2013 the exclusive package is ideal for cou-ples who want to celebrate the most roman-tic month of the year with the quintessential private-island escapeldquoBe My Valentinerdquo The ldquoBe My Valentine Pri-vate Island Escaperdquo package includes ultra-luxe accom-modations for three nights in one of the resortrsquos spacious ocean view guest rooms Romantic extras include a bottle of champagne and selection of chocolates a 60-minute couples massage with private continental breakfast for two served in the Ixora Spa and a roman-tic dinner at the fine dining restaurant Caravela Guests will also enjoy airport welcome transfer un-limited ferry access to Tortola Trellis Bay personal con-

Scrub Island Resort

cierge service and unlimited use of the resortrsquos fleet of kayaks fitness center and hiking trails Rates begin at $2160 for three nights and additional nights can be purchased Escape to ParadiseWhile on island couples may want to slip away to the private honeymoon beach accessible only by Scrub kayak charter a sailing excursion on the beauti-ful waters of the sailing capital of the world or take a thrilling helicopter tour for spectacular aerial views of the British and US Virgin Islands More Information For more information on Scrub Island Resort Spa amp Marina call toll free US (888) 678-8912 or visit wwwScrubIs-landcom

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

BVI

S

True Romance Package

Malawi

months moved the bar and the restaurant to the beach created four new rooms a new bar restaurant PADI dive and kite-boarding center and brought in new boats cars and quad bikes To help support the community only locals are employed and villagers are encouraged to

grow gardens and to make items the Lodge can buy And Kaya Mawa is a masterpiece of creative re-use ndash some headboards are old dug-out canoes light bulbs are wrapped in hemp to give a glow bed linens made in the textile workshop run by Suzie Lightfoot Jamesrsquo

wife are embroidered with shell and bone Fun Activities Dating couples can enjoy Kaya Mawarsquos myriad water sports sailing snorkeling scuba diving kayaking windsurfing and more Land activities include mountain biking visiting the local village with its splendid cathedral and marketplace or shopping for fabulous textiles made in Suzie Lightfootrsquos cooperative that assists single mothers and orphans Cuisine at Kaya Mawa is

international cooked by local ladies trained on site by qualified chefs and features such island delicacies as local chamba fish baked in a banana leaf with ginger garlic and a hint of chili The fully-stocked bar boasts a wine list of excellent wines predominantly from South Africa as well as soft drinks and Likoma Iced Tea Lovebirds can dine anywhere ndash the barrestaurant beach deck platform or gazebo a surprise private table every night Rates start at $270345 pppn for a standard room Premium Rooms $320385 Houses $375440 and the Luxury Villa $460 Visit wwwkayamawacom

ne of the most romantic getaway spots in the world is Kaya Mawa

a remote luxury resort on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi Malawi This year there will be direct flights from the Malawirsquos capital of Lilongwe to the island where guests will be picked up and taken to a piece of paradise Herersquos the storyLuxury and Privacy Couples or couples-to-be who love water sports and treasure privacy will find heavenly measures of both at Kaya Mawa Lodge a five-star eco-luxury resort on Likoma Island in Malawi a new favored destination Likoma Island is located about half way up beautiful Lake Malawi the lake explorer David Livingstone dubbed Lake of Stars it shimmers so At 365 miles long 12 miles wide and 1 mile deep itrsquos also called Calendar Lake The water is crystal clear and supports more kinds of tropical fish ndash some 1300 species ndash than any lake in the world making it a superlative place for freshwater divingElegance and More Kaya Mawa comprises a luxury villa a two-bedroom house a four-bedroom family house two two-bedroom family houses one one-bedroom house three premium accommodations and four standard accommodations All face the Lake to take advantage of the spectacular scenery and calming effect of water The lodge was built under extraordinary circumstances ndash in a remote corner of Malawi 42 miles by water from the nearest town on an island with no shops vehicles electricity or running water and serviced by a 1920rsquos tramp steamer When completed in 2000 Kaya Mawa was the only renewable energy lodge in all of Malawi In 2009 General Manager James Lightfoot and a repeat guest Nick Brown bought Kaya Mawa closed it for four

Kaya Mawa Lodge

OA Remote Luxury Resort

experiencesfter spending 10 days in Paris I can officially say I fell in lovehellip with a city This trip was magical and incredible in every way and I never understood how people could fall in love with a place until

now So many places to see streets to explore sites to view foods to tastehellip the possibilities are endless This is truly a great city to visit for anyone whether you are alone or in a group Whatever your heart desires Paris will deliver it to you wrapped in French lace sprayed with perfume and with a side of chocolate Planning a trip of a lifetime overseas no less is no easy endeavorhellip especially when you donrsquot speak the local language are a single chick have limited funds and high-end taste (at times) and no clue about transportation andor how to get around in this totally foreign city But I quickly found out that all anyone really needs to have a fabulous time

byDanielle Guttinger

in Paris is this an open mind Hopefully after reading about my petit Parisian adventures you will see just how possible it is to experience all of Paris one of the most amazing cities in all time while not maxing out your credit cards and having a tres chic and fabulous time Planning for Paris The idea of lsquoGoing to Parisrsquo manifested after I

was wondering what to do for New Yearrsquos and simultaneously celebrate my best friendrsquos birthday and take a much needed vacation all while on a limited budget and a desire to return home with great memories but not be penniless While exploring our global possibilities a friend of ours in Paris mentioned that we were welcome to stay in his apartment while he and his girlfriend were in Spainhellip Brilliant After that it was easy to see that Paris would be the perfect place for my gal pal

and I to bring in 2013hellip and things just fell into place thereafter

Paris France

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

A

Bringing in the New Year for the Trip of a Lifetime

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

Key points and tipsbull Accommodations Hotels are where you will spend most of your money Have an open mind and find an apartment to rent or house to share ndash or better yet find a friend (or friend of a friend of a friend of a friendhellip) who will let you stay in their place bull Transportation Get comfortable with public transportation The Metro in Paris is the best way to get around Itrsquos amazing and cheap bull Buy your Metro tickets trip-by-trip or a 10 ticket pack ndash it saves money bull Food Shop at grocery stores and take a picnic or snacks with you try not to eat all the meals out but if you do then find some off the roadpath cafes They will have daily specials for under $10-$15 and includes 2-3 courses bull No refills on any beverages so either get used to it or buy your drinks at grocery stores Also specify you want tap water or they will bring you expensive bottled water bull Everyone eats baguettes ndash eat some Itrsquos served with everything there and is free and delicious bull Museum tip There are ways to visit museums without spending all your cash on pricey admissions and some are even free all the time Research to see which ones are free on what days The Musee de Orsay is free on Sundays and is one place you canrsquot miss bull Parks ndash the parks there are so beautiful and worth visiting and best part is they donrsquot charge you to walk around and enjoy the amazing sites So you can get your exercise while being in glorious surroundings and save your cash for food ndash thatrsquos multi tasking at a new level bull Tourist attractions go and visit all the great places Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Champs-Elysees etc but if you can help it donrsquot go in Take your photos and enjoy the exquisite views from outside Still breathtaking and no lines When I arrived into Charles de Gualle airport it was very simple to take the train and find my friendrsquos apartment Look online here parisbytraincom for tips ndash this site saved me so much time It will cost you a few

Euros but so worth it and fast Paris is divided into districts and they are arranged like a snail starting from outward going in Our

apartment was located in the 19th district in Place de Fetes which was the Northeastern side and was walking distance from great sites such as an incredible Park (Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont) Montmarte and the Belleville neighborhood My Days in ParisDay 1 ndash explored my new surroundings and spent the entire afternoon at the Parc des Buttes Chaumont then late afternoon enjoyed the open foodgoods market in front of the Place des Fetes Metro station where I purchased some very delicious fruits and treats for next to nothing Day 2 ndash met my friend at the Gare du Nord train station and explored the city Celebrated NYE in Montmarte and saw the Sacre-Coer Did everything

on foot from the apartment ndash had pizza before midnight and watched the fireworks from the hill top in Montmarte Had drinks at an English youth hostel in St Christopher ndash great for very young people early 20rsquos crowd The thing to do for NYE in Paris is get your champs or wine and bring it with you ndash plus some food - and drink and celebrate out in the parks with all the locals and enjoy being in Paris Day 3 ndash New Yearrsquos Day in Paris took a Metro to Hotel de Ville and went and saw a movie in very cool movie theatre located in an underground center in the Forum des Halles called UGC Cine We had the best Thai meal ever in that same area then walked around the incredible city We bought groceries and wine for dinner ndash the wine there is very cheap so enjoy and cheers People in Paris tend to eat dinner very late having dinner in a very crowded bistro after 11pm is not uncommon thereDay 4 ndash Had a lovely walk around the park and then took the Metro to the train station area Gare du Nord and had lunch in the area at a very Parisian cafeacute The daily lunch special was 3 courses for 11 Euros amazing Quiet evening at the apartment watching movies and walking around the neighborhood Day 5-6 More exploring the area long walks and site seeing Took the Metro to Notre Dame area and had a great time walking up and down the river

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