The lakeside of Door County isn't as densely populated or developed as the more chic and expensive bay side, but then again that's its chief selling point. All along the lake beaches are basic, family-friendly beach accommodations, and one of the oldest and best examples of this is the Beachfront Inn at Bailey's Harbor. The yellow, motel style inn has been in operation since the 1950s, and while it is immaculate and somewhat upgraded, it still maintains the feel of a bygone era. There are... Read Full Story

I know I've been quiet of late, as I haven't been traveling as much as I should be. My kitchen renovation and a slew of well paid health and wellness stories have prevented me from taking trips. But I just got back from a terrific four day trip to Door County, WI, which is nothing less than Cape Cod without the salt water or traffic. Bucolic, temperate and lush, the lake and bay both sparkle in the summer and best of all there are no chains north of the biggest town, Sturgeon Bay. No chain... Read Full Story

Last year, The Liberty Hotel, which is a phenomenal example of repurposing historic architecture, opened in Boston to a flurry of publicity and romanticism. Once the notorious Charles Street Jail, the building now offers guests from around the world luxury boutique accommodations. If only my great Uncle Francis had had such an experience. He died there, not as a guest, but as an inmate nearly sixty years ago. Why was he there? Apparently, a proto-beat nik, he stole a car when hitchhiking... Read Full Story

Okay, now I'm not a regular reader of Travel & Leisure Magazine. This is primarily because I would have to sell my house to pay for most of their featured trips. But, as a true sign the economy is in a major downturn, they have produced a nifty slideshow of budget-friendly hotels. Some of them I agree with, some I don't. But the list sure is worth gazing upon. Read Full Story

The Chelsea Hotel, admittedly, is not everyone's cup of tea. I wouldn't stay there with my mom. (Although, she's said she's game on more than one occasion.) But it must rank as one of, if not the most fascinating hotels in the world. The scene of murder, mayhem and all manner bohemian self destruction, the New York landmark is the subject of a documentary that recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. So, if you're not up for actually staying there, the doc might be the next best thing... Read Full Story

So, the good people at Celebpulp.com made a lovely mention of Cool Hotels, so I am giving them a shout out. Check them out! Read Full Story

So, yahoo posted an awesome article debunking some travel myths. I'm not sure which of the debunkings was my favorite - the one that says that recirculated air on a flight won't make you sick or the one that says that it's neither illegal or dangerous to use a cell phone when you fly. Except for one thing, cell phones are annoying. Can you imagine a planeload of people on an airplane chatting on their phones for the whole flight? It would be worse than a New Jersey transit train. My theory... Read Full Story

I've been thinking more about greenwashing, and while I can't do much about hotel green exaggeration and outright fraud, I can look at my own behavior and make things better. And I can look back fondly at some stuff I will probably never do again. 1) I will never use all the towels in the room, just because. 2) I will never fill the specially designed bathtub at Loft 523 all the way to my chin. Nor will I request the room with the special double shower heads. 3) I will never turn the in... Read Full Story

I love traveling, and I just love a fun, interesting hotel. I wouldn't run this blog if I didn't. I also love my Prius, my canvas shopping bags, my stainless steel reusable coffee mug and my recycle bin. And I know very well that hotels are almost never green enterprises, despite the appearance of eco-friendly shampoo/conditioning products and little placards telling one to reuse towels. Even the most tony eco-resorts have been busted for making sham claims about their greenness - because we... Read Full Story

Well, we know magazines loves lists. And Forbes Traveler is no different. They've got a list of the sexiest hotels in America, all luxury properties, natch. Nonetheless, I think it's a good list - albeit with some vague criterion. After all, sexy is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe you'd prefer creole sexy or modern sexy or maybe cozy sexy. Who knows? Maybe you think sexy is that suite Clark and Lois had to share in Superman II? Read Full Story