The Hotel Arts in Calgary is where the cool kids come to stay. I love places that have character. If they’re a little quirky even better. Hotel Arts fits that bill. Where else can you have breakfast next to a life-sized horse lamp?
As soon as I stepped into the lobby of the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary, Alberta I felt out of my element. The soaring ceilings, giant chandeliers, and marble floors let me know that I was in for a night of luxury. The Palliser isn’t trying to be hip and trendy, but instead has a timeless class and luxury about it. Normally this would be the type of hotel that I would aspire to stay at while I schlepped my stuff to a rental or budget inn, but Fairmont teamed up with PARK (Promoting Artists | Redefining Kulture) to offer some packages that made a weekend of luxury realistically affordable.
As soon as I walked in the door and saw the eclectic lobby I knew I was going to like the place. Between the purple leather sofa, the old-timey milk vending machine, and the giant toy soldiers I was in my element. The decor in the Retro Suites Hotel in Chatham, Ontario is quirky, ever-changing, and oozes personal style. The hotel is owned by Rob Myers, classic car restorer. He and his wife, artist Cathy Van Raay-Myers, are always bringing in new finds, sometimes to the chagrin of hotel staff who have to find homes for the pieces.
After almost three hours on the road I turned off the highway toward Glovertown, NL making turns down progressively smaller roads until I reached Noah’s on the Point, my home for the next two nights. I’m not quite sure how to classify it as none of the usual titles: hotel, motel, or inn seem to fit. Rooms are grouped into three clusters, each room/suite with its own external door, parking space, cheery yellow deck chairs and bbq. There are a couple picnic tables and two communal fire pits where you can watch the sun set over Alexander Bay and roast marshmallows. I felt like I had stumbled onto a little cottage community.
This was the view I was greeted with each morning when I opened the door of my room at the Hotel Flores in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. A little oasis among dusty roads. I spent a few hours by the pool trying to get the hang of this “relaxing” thing. I liked the fact that it’s small – only eight rooms – and I would happily stay here again when in Tamarindo. I’ve been longing for Costa Rica lately. I think the cold, wet, North Atlantic winter has something to do with that.
Yo quiero ‘Go with Oh’ a Barcelona! Barcelona has been on my travel radar for awhile now. Architecture, food, wine, beaches, art and gorgeous Spanish men – what more could a girl want from a vacation? Add in beaches and shopping and it’s like the city was tailor made for me.
Love motels often get a bad rap but don’t dismiss them just because they can be rented by the hour. If you find the right one, for less than a tourist hotel you’ll get a room that’s head and shoulders above. Think larger beds, jacuzzi tubs, huge tvs, free minibar and in room PCs for starters.
It was only by chance that I stayed at the Listowel Arms Hotel at all. The fog in Dingle had canceled my plans to drive around the peninsula so my dad and I decided to push on towards Galway that afternoon and stop when it got close to dark. That lucky town was Listowel, Co. Kerry – “the Literary Capital of Ireland”. I noticed a plaque outside noting that the hotel was associated with Daniel O’Connell, The Liberator, and also with C.S. Parnell. If it was good enough for them, it’s certainly good enough for us.They had a twin room free for a rather princely sum of 60 euro each but where else were we going to go in the dark? This was the only game in town. The price did include wifi, full Irish breakfast and parking until 9am, so there was that. When I got to the room I noticed that, while the room had two twin beds, they…
Traveling on a budget means different things to different people. For some, it’s traveling as cheaply as possible. For others, it means having a fixed limit in mind and prioritizing where that money is spent. When I travel, I look for somewhere that’s clean, safe and in a good location. Anything else is a bonus. I’ve considered the hostel dorm, but it’s just not my style. What options do I have left?
I knew right away that I’d made a good choice of hotel in La Fortuna when the van pulled up to the entrance and I was immediately greeted with a fizzy mock-tail of delicious tropical juices and a big smile, while someone took my bags. With free wifi, a full restaurant, spa and three bars I knew my needs would be taken care of but it was the private hot springs I was really looking forward to. If you’re traveling to the Arenal Volcano area of Costa Rica and want to feel relaxed and pampered, the Hotel Royal Corin will delight and treat you well.
