Destinations

I went to Minneapolis Minnesota and stayed at the Hyatt Place in Eden Prairie. This is the first time I have stayed at a Hyatt Place. The rooms are very spacious, much like a Suite. Each room contains a large comfortable sitting area with a pull out sofa, a office area, wet bar, bathroom, and bedroom separated by a partition. The room has all the modern amenities that one would need such as a flat panel HDTV and what they call the Hyatt Plug Panel. The panel allows you to connect any media devices you can think of: laptop, MP3 players, video games, and DVD players.

They have a pantry type place in the lobby called Gallery Grab and Go. You can purchase all types of food and snacks, I would recommend the big pretzels they are quite tasty. They also have a kitchen area where you can order your food on a touch screen and pay with your room key! Ah the age of technology! The food is available 24 hours and made to order. They also have free WI-FI access down in the lobby. The decor in the lobby and the entire hotel was modern, clean, and pleasant. I say if your a corporate traveler or just on vacation this would be a great choice.

By Guest Blogger Sandy Zimmerman from Discover the Ultimate Magazine

Enter the Sukhothai Hotel and see the true meaning of world-class luxury!  The Hotel resembles a palace in Thailand’s ancient Sukhothai Kingdom.  Their ancient frescos, objects d’art, reflection pools, and impressive pillars all present a picture of the past.  Silken fabrics adorn the furnishings, wallpaper, drapes and also many members of their staff wear colorful traditional silk clothing.

This is truly Thai-style with charm and elegance.  Whether you choose a superior room (409 square feet) or suite, you will enjoy a touch of luxury.  The Garden Suite (818 square feet) gives you a private balcony overlooking Lotus Blossom ponds and gardens.  The Executive Suite (818 square feet) has everything any one would want.  I especially liked the sliding silk lined wooden curtains, a perfectly beautiful way to keep out the sunlight when you want to sleep late.  There is a telephone at each side of the bed, on the desk and in the bathroom next to the oversized tub.  The plasma television swivels around (180 degrees) for viewing either in the bedroom or living room.  Light dimmers and air conditioning control panels allow you to regulate each area of your suite.  The grandest suite of all, the Sukhothai Suite (2,132 square feet), the “Suite of Kings,” has a long list of movie stars, heads of state and other dignitaries who stayed there.

Choose from the Celadon Thai Restaurant, Colonnade buffet, or La Scala Italian Restaurant.  The leisure facilities offer a health club, swimming pool, shopping arcade, squash and tennis courts.  Lotus Blossoms decorate the lobby, guest’s rooms and throughout the hotel in unique floral arrangements.  New guests receive flowers when they arrive.  Best of all, the exchange rate (34 Baht = $1 US- September, 2008) allows you to savor these surroundings at more reasonable rates.

The five-star Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Tourism Authority of Thailand

I recently visited Whistler, B.C., Canada, where I stayed at the Fairmont Château Whistler.  The hotels location was perfect for ski enthusiast looking for the ability to ski directly from the hotel on to the waiting lift. With spectacular views of the majestic surrounding mountains, I would wake every morning in awe of the natural beauty of this special destination.

Whistler is home to world class skiing and will be the home of the 2012 Winter Olympic games. Not a skier, but love the winter outdoor experience? No need to worry, there are many activities besides downhill skiing and snowboarding. Consider strapping on a pair of snow shoes for a cross country adventure, take the kids to the local ice skating rink for some family fun, or grab some hot chocolate and your sweetheart and bundle up on a romantic sleigh ride for two.

When thoughts of Whistler cross the mind most think of a winter destination, but did you know that Whistler has as much to offer in the summer as they do in the winter? There is a Robert Trent Jones golf course that is rated #1 in all of Canada. For those seeking a more physical challenge try hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or my personal favorite, the zip trek. For the die-hard skier there is even glacier heli-skiing available.

After a day of extreme adventure or a spectacular day of shopping, kick back and enjoy all that the village of Whistler has to offer. With restaurants to suit all taste and budgets and nightlife for those looking to dance the night away, Whistler has something for everyone. Young and old, families and honeymooners, winter or summer, come find out for yourself the magic of Whistler.