Colorado’s Top Independent Hotels for Unforgettable Winter Vacations

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Dense forest, frozen lakes, and the snowy slopes of the Rocky Mountains — what can be a better place than Colorado for an adventure-filled vacation this winter? Check out Colorado’s top independent hotels that promise the most memorable winter escapes.

Red Lion Inn & Suites Denver Airport

A short drive from the Denver International Airport, Red Lion Inn & Suites in Aurora awaits travelers with nicely appointed guest rooms featuring contemporary decor and modern furnishings. Plush king bed, comfortable bedding, separate living and kitchen areas, en suite bathroom with premium bath amenities, and excellent in-room amenities make this Colorado hotel ideal for a leisure vacation with the family. Rooms are also equipped with an LCD TV, fridge, microwave oven, coffee maker, and iron with ironing board, so everything is there to ensure your comfort. Complimentary amenities include breakfast, Wi-Fi internet, and an airport shuttle service.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

Tucked away in the scenic village of Beaver Creek and overlooking the Rocky Mountains, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch offers a perfect setting for a romantic escape for city dwellers. The snow-covered mountain trails in the resort beckon travelers for adventure and outdoor activities such as skiing and mountain biking. Other recreational amenities include an award-winning golf course, fine dining restaurant, luxury spa, fitness center, and heated outdoor pool. The resort’s spacious guest rooms and suites come with king beds and designer linens, a fireplace, and a work desk with cushioned chair, table lamp, and internet access.

Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk

If you are thinking about a fun-filled, luxurious retreat, then Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk near Denver awaits you with a range of gaming options and upscale hotel amenities for a memorable vacation. Enjoy a variety of games at the casino, including video poker, slot machines, and table games. The hotel’s standard rooms come with a choice of either one king bed or two queen beds with pillow-top mattresses. Room facilities include a 32-inch LCD television with cable channels, safe, executive desk, Wi-Fi internet, coffee maker, and iron with ironing board.

The Sky Hotel

With an on-site spa, hot tub, heated outdoor pool, ski rental shop, and ski-in access, The Sky Hotel in Aspen can be a perfect winter getaway for adventure lovers. Exclusively designed guest rooms come with soft beds that have down comforters and luxurious linens, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, mini bar, in-room climate control, and of course, stunning outdoor views. This pet-friendly boutique hotel at the foothills of Aspen Mountain is a part of the Kimpton Karma Rewards program that allows guests to earn exclusive offers, so it definitely pays to stay!

Keystone Lodge

Nestled in the lap of the Rocky Mountains, Keystone Lodge offers ample opportunity for mountain sports such as cat skiing, night skiing, snow tubing, skating, and sleigh rides. Whether you’re flying solo, a couple, or traveling with family, you can choose your accommodation accordingly from a variety of lodging options, such as Lakeside Village, Mountain House, River Run, and East, West and North Keystone. Pamper yourself at the resort’s full-service spa or unwind in the heated pool at the end of an activity-packed day. The cozy guest rooms come with modern furnishings, fluffy beds, a television, wireless internet, and DVD player to make sure you enjoy every moment of your stay at Keystone Lodge.

Boutique Stays at Tennessee for a Memorable Weekend

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The beckoning of adventure in the scenic outdoors, year-round music gigs and festivals, and a history of music makes Tennessee a popular weekend getaway. Be it Memphis, the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, or the lively town of Chattanooga, here is a list of five boutique stays at Tennessee that can add a special charm to your weekend trip to Tennessee this fall.

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The Peabody Memphis

The Peabody Memphis, Tennessee hotels

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Established in 1869, The Peabody Memphis has come a long way to offer its guests most modern amenities and services at affordable price. Tastefully designed rooms come with executive desk with workstation, large flat screen TV with cable channels, high-speed internet, telephone, closet, iron with ironing board, and more. The strategic location of The Peabody Memphis allows quick access to the city’s main attractions. You can spend your free time working out at the Peabody Athletic Club or pampering yourself with beauty treatments at the on site spa.  The hotel’s special entertainment feature includes the historic Peabody Ducks March every day at 11 am and 5 pm.

Vista Inn & Suites Memphis

If you are looking for a pet-friendly budget hotel at a convenient place in downtown Memphis, Vista Inn & Suites Memphis can be the right choice.  This boutique hotel’s neatly organized rooms come with work desk, fridge, microwave, free wireless internet, cable television, and more. Enjoy continental breakfast served in your room as you wake up every morning. Choice of food is aplenty at Vista Inn & Suites Memphis as all the popular restaurants and fine dining options at downtown Memphis are quickly accessible from this hotel.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

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With contemporary rooms and suites, a meticulously appointed Victorian rail carriage to sleep and dine, three on site restaurants, a Victorian lounge bar, heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool with waterfall and shaded decks, Chattanooga Choo Choo is more than just a hotel. It is a vacation complex where you can expect most relaxing living experience in the classic settings of Victorian era.

The Victorian sleeper car rooms will take you back to the fifties with their retro style interior. With latest technology and electronic appliances, the room amenities are designed to help both business travelers and vacationers in Chattanooga, TN.

The Read House Hotel Historic Inn and Suites

The uniqueness of The Read House Hotel Historic Inn and Suites in Chattanooga lies in its perfect blending of modern facilities with vintage settings. Traditionally designed, non-smoking rooms come with luxurious bed, antique furnishings, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, complimentary Wi-Fi internet, and coffeemaker. If you are traveling with family, opt for the suites with spacious bedroom and separate living areas.

Porter’s Steakhouse, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, awaits you with a range of American delicacies. Work out anytime at the hotel’s fitness center or unwind at the indoor pool with hot tub.

The Chattanoogan

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Overlooking the beautiful Lookout Mountain, The Chattanoogan offers an array of upscale, non-smoking accommodations in downtown Chattanooga. Experience the warm hospitality of Tennessee at this award-winning hotel offering a range of leisure and business amenities to the travelers. Complimentary wireless internet, fully equipped business center with computer and printer, live music shows on weekend, a game room with pool and a full service spa are to name a few of many luxurious amenities at The Chattanoogan.

The Four Best Day Trips For Fall Visitors To Seattle

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This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk’s  Tailwind blog on September 23rd.

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For visitors to the Pacific Northwest this fall, there is no shortage of activities in Seattle, the region’s largest and fastest-growing city. Baseball fans can check out a Mariners game, foodies can stroll around Pike Place Market for hours, and brave souls unafraid of heights can take in the unparalleled view from the Space Needle. But travelers who find themselves with free time, and with access to a car, may want to consider the following four day trips, which highlight the lush beauty unique to the Emerald City and the surrounding area, particularly in the Autumn season.

whale watching, san juan island, seattle, usa

The San Juan Islands:

About a three-and-a-half-hour drive north, the San Juan Islands are a must-see destination for out-of-towners. The San Juan Islands are composed of 172 individual islands, but four (San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island) are served by ferries and feature activities for visitors. For wine aficionados, visiting San Juan Vineyards, located on the main San Juan Island, is well worth the drive – their well-regarded wines have won many awards. Those with fond memories of the film Free Willy should also be sure to go whale watching while exploring the islands, with the best time for viewing occurring from late May to October. All four islands have hotels and inns for those wishing to stay overnight, with the Earthbox Inn and Spa offering the perfect ambiance to relax.

North Cascades National Park, seattle, USA

North Cascades National Park:

Northwest of Seattle is the North Cascades National Park, which is about a four hour drive from the city. Many come here to camp, and the jagged peaks, engulfed by hundreds of glaciers nestled among cascading waters, ensure an unforgettable experience. No other U.S. park outside of Alaska contains as many glaciers, in addition to diverse wildlife: bald eagles, moose, bears, grey wolves, and more than 200 species of birds. If you’d prefer a day trip in the park as opposed to camping, try staying at the budget-friendly Red Roof Inn near the Seattle-Tacoma Airport (Sea-Tac).

Olympic Peninsula, rainforest, seattle

Olympic Peninsula:

Three hours west of Seattle is the Olympic Peninsula, home to temperate rainforests and the Olympic Mountains. There is no shortage of activities with fishing, sailing, boating, and hiking being among the most popular. The Peninsula is also famous for its lush scenery featured in Hollywood blockbusters like the Twilight series. Those wishing to stay in and around the peninsula have a plethora of options, while nearby Olympia offers budget-friendly hotels like Red Lion Hotel or the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites.

Mount Rainier National Park, mt rainier, seattle

Mt. Rainier National Park:

For aspiring mountain climbers, the three hour drive south to Mt. Rainier National Park is a must. Mt. Rainier is an iconic part of Washington state’s landscape, standing at 14,000 feet above sea level. An active volcano, Mt. Rainier has the largest glaciers in the U.S. outside of Alaska. Most climbers require two to three days to reach the summit, with experience in glacier travel and self-rescue required. About half of the 8,000-13,000 climb attempts per year are successful, so only the brave at heart should undertake the climb. Less experienced mountain climbers shouldn’t feel left out though, as the entire park is open for hiking, backcountry skiing, camping. Photographers should definitely pay a visit – you won’t see anything else like it in the U.S. Try staying in nearby Tacoma, at either the Hotel Murano or the Silver Cloud Inn, for affordable, modern luxury.

Amazing Places to Stay at Disney World

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If you dream of an African safari but you don’t have the time for a long vacation in faraway Africa, you can visit Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista. If you love water more than wildlife, Disney World Resorts can arrange a fun-filled tropical vacation for you instead. Be it a weekend getaway or a family vacation, here are five places to stay at Disney World to make your vacation a memorable one.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House

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The African wildlife theme, designed to resemble traditional African village huts, is what sets Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House apart from other resorts at Disney World. All the villas and studio rooms have a wonderful view of the meticulously re-created landscape of the African savanna. A variety of herbivorous animals, including giraffe and zebras, roam freely to make you feel like you’re really in Africa.

Enjoy thrilling water slides in this tropical oasis or chill out at Uwanja Camp’s water playground while watching wildlife at a distance. Scenic jogging trails, evening campfires, and an open-air movie by the pool are some of the exclusive recreational amenities at Disney Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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Overlooking the Stormalong Bay, an artificial lagoon full of beachside recreational features, the Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers a captivating panorama along with classic New England-style accommodations. Elegantly designed rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, king-size bed, coffee maker, microwave, safe, iron and ironing board, and portable crib. You can upgrade to rooms with club-level service for more personalized services and a range of complimentary amenities, such as access to the club-level lounge and fitness center.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

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Offering a range of watercraft and sports amenities by the Stormalong Bay, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a haven for adventure lovers. The guest rooms come with modern interior and amenities including king or queen bed, upscale furnishings, coffee maker, iron with ironing board, in-room safe, and baby crib. The on-site restaurant, Yachtsman Steakhouse, serves mouth-watering steaks and seafood dishes. While you go for some beachside adventures, your kids can enjoy games and crafts at the supervised children’s activity center.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Lake Buena Vista

Immerse yourself in luxury and leisure at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Lake Buena Vista. The resort’s one and two bedroom suites come with ample amenities, ensuring ultimate comfort of its guests. The hotel allows quick access to Disney World Resorts’ dazzling shopping arcades and fine dining restaurants. Enjoy all the benefits of this Disney World resort, including discount on entry to the PGA golf course and free shuttle services to all the Disney World theme parks and water parks. The hotel also houses a state-of-the-art fitness center, meeting room, outdoor pools, and tennis courts for both your business and recreational needs.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, Disney World Resort

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If you’re thinking of a long, relaxing family vacation at Walt Disney World, Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is a wise choice. The resort houses an array of rental suites with elegant European décor, modern furnishing, a private balcony, and a kitchen equipped with all necessary appliances including cookware, a microwave, and a fridge. The condo-style rooms offer a beautiful lakefront view. Hotel amenities include a concierge, spa, restaurant, BBQ area, and more.