Brandy, Author at Travel & Experiences at Boutique Hotels and Restaurants Around the World

Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa

…What’s to know about the Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa (The Insider Scoop)?

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Fairfax is love and Virginia is for lovers ❤️

In the heart of Loudoun County, there is a Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa with roots along the Potomac River. There aren’t many resort spas in the DC metro area where Fairfax is in the middle… and you can count them on one hand, but none are the size of Lansdowne that’s also a place to play golf. I’ll tell you more about the spa scene below…

And if you’re visiting or moving to the Northern Virginia area or considering to do so, you probably want to get this insider scoop to get a lay of the area.

Lansdowne Resort (and golf course) is close to Dulles Airport. And this was where the next tech boom was supposed to happen (they called Netplex, and if you were there in the 90s when Lansdowne was built, you would have breathed that air). That’s where AOL headquarters was and making all the news headlines.

So surprisingly, for such a cultural, affluent, and tech hub-populated area just minutes from the most powerful city in America, there aren’t many big spas around.

Why?

…Many locals have gyms they go to that have pools, steam, and sauna access. Some and many living in the Tyson’s Corner/McLean/Great Falls area especially have personal home spas.

Close by, there are many small boutique spa service stores such as Elizabeth Arden in Reston’s Town Center (that btw, was also a new development in the 90s when the toll road was being built). The Red Door is also in Fairfax, and then you can find smaller spas like Circe or Sugar House Day Spa in Old Town Alexandria or Lorien Spa and hotel I recommend and has a restaurant good for special occasions… but requires taking a drive southeast towards the other side of the Virginia Potomac River.

Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa alternative — Brabo in the Lorien Hotel

But with these few and far between options for a large metro area, there’s a gaping hole for resort-type spas for wellness nearby within a 10-minute drive considering the stressful traffic during rush hour and go-go-go surroundings. You need a massage just to handle the traffic 🫣

If you want to go out further west from Lansdowne, you can visit the luxury Salamander Resort or go more mainstream with a Spa World spa day that seems to be popular with some locals.

In my day spa experience at the Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa, I spent a free day there to recuperate from a busy work season. I’d never tried the spa before and wanted to see if it lived up to its reputation since 1991 when I was far from checking out spas or spa services even though they were all around me. By the late 90s, I was working for Aramark‘s sister property to the Xerox Corporation campus (near Lansdowne) that had about 130,000 sq ft. of conference space and definitely could’ve used a massage. 💆🏻‍♀️

And when I was lucky to be at that spa place, being local I didn’t need a stay, but this resort has rooms and suites you can book and 4 restaurants ranging from country club tavern to golf and poolside eating options… a lot like room service.

So on my weekday visit, I decided to try a facial at the Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa Minerale. I found the resting room loud (not zen). It was more like sitting at a doctor’s office in a comfy robe and slippers.

But my spa service was good and I bought some one-of-a-spa-kind facial products that didn’t have expiration dates and small bottles that lasted for years. So that was worth the trip alone because spas usually have the better products they’ve researched and tested, and back up their belief by using on their guests.

And afterward, when I got into the spa whirlpool, I felt like a million bucks. I didn’t mind that there were others around because they weren’t chatting.

And if you’re in Northern Virginia and need a nice, economical place to stay, I recommend this newer, boutique hotel style…

You may have discovered this modern color-blocking, exposed ductwork ceiling look in the Aloft brand hotel. The Aloft in Ashburn or Dulles Airport area is close to Leesburg Premium Outlet mall. It’s convenient and they’re sustainable as they do in-room recycling. There’s a WXYZ Bar and a Re:fuel gourmet self-service convenience bar in the lobby in case you need a quick snack. If you like hanging out in airports, you could like this hotel concept.

And if you wanna use or collect your Hilton points, then the Washington Dulles Hilton nearby could be your temp stay hotel place.

My humble hotel work beginnings were at that location.

Hidden Lake George Escape

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If you want to jump in a lake or be near one, a Lake George escape could fit your getaway profile. And what about the idea of staying in a cabin hotel, while being in the bougie meditative mountains? ⛰️

coffee mugs come with rainbows in this Lake George escape view 🌈

Lake George in Bolton Landing is part of the Adirondacks (where the Adirondack chair that you may own is named after). It’s a calming destination if you want to get your zen on and still be around people.

And there’s s’more entertainment… there’s firepit S’mores at night on one end …and by day, a mirror blue Infinity Pool awaits that seems to never end.

Put putt putt golf on the agenda, and pack tennis in between if you choose. And if you need more…

There’s a hidden gem wine shop across the street that you’d probably blast right past if I didn’t point it out. It’s not part of the resort. But another hidden ‘lil secret you may not know is that New York makes some of the best drinking wines.

Most people think California and Oregon are the only producing states for noteworthy drinkable American reds. 🍷

The Adirondack east coast terrain is favorable for vineyards and grapes. So it isn’t just in the drinking water in New York 🗽

Lake Geoge escape with the wine shop across the street — Adirondack Winery – shop across the Sagamore Resort

And staying at the Sagamore, you get these surprise experiences being at a fun resort property, and all the bells and whistles (and often weddng bells). There’s always a Cinderella ball gown or wedding dress event on weekends in case you know anyone who’s looking for a wedding venue. 💍

Hotel del Coronado is the White House hotel on the west coast, and the Sagamore Hotel is the White House experience on the east coast.

Sagamore Hotel lake george escape — Sagamore Hotel Lake George escape to lakefront and mountains

And there’s a fancy restaurant onsite in the main building inside where the hotel rooms are. But you’ll get the real deal vacation experience in the lodge cabin rooms that have a fireplace… and a relaxing stone shower backsplash that’ll remind you of the mountain backdrop from the windows and private balcony. With cabin robes, you can make your meals with a full kitchen and stove. It’s a hotel and a cabin all-in-one.🪵🎉

With all the distractions, you forget there’s a beautiful Lake George lakefront in front of you. As a hotel guest, you can catch a free boat tour on The George on your Lake George escape. 🚤 Now that’s a panoramic escape.

And if you can’t get a reservation at The Sagamore, don’t give up. There’s also a Best Western nearby that have quietyly moved up the hospitality ranks in standards.

And if you’re going to New York’s City that never sleeps, don’t forget to check out the water (😅) and New York Restaurant Week. 🍎

Bologna Best Rooftop Views

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Bologna is a university town and has the best rooftop views. I recommend taking a terracotta rooftop view and slowly enjoying a memorable cup of cappuccino and Italian cookies (biscotti). ☕️

Don’t miss the beautiful architecture in the heart of the city where a little walking brings a lot of beautiful sightseeing surprises. You also see the one-of-a-kind canals where you think you’re somewhere as magical as Venice (minus the Carnevale masks). 🎭

In the heart of the city in Bologna, are the Twin Towers (the other leaning towers in Italy on a lean). You can sit on the steps in the square nearby, and take in the view. And when you’re ready to keep going, you want to take a look at the architectural features that the city has to offer.

One feature is the best rooftop views (more on this below) and the famous arches that you can find at different street angles. If you’re a photographer, this is a paradise.

The modern charm everywhere matches the city. You can get great shots against doors and corners. And you don’t want to miss why this city is a UNESCO world heritage site… Bologna is dotted with ornate porticoes that you have to see in person like in this colonnade.

After you’ve had your fill and maybe a nice meal or two, a 10-minute walk away is Hotel Metropolitan that could be your choice of stay. Take the elevator to the rooftop. That’s where there’s a quiet and good size shaded terrace you can enjoy. Most likely you and your companions will be the only ones soaking in the city center view.

There are nice hotels by the train station in case that’s your mode of transportation, but it’s a hike to the city center, so I recommend staying close to city center. And especially if you’re only in Bologna for a day or two to soak in the town (that is probably enough).

And you can pack in your Italian foodie experiences 🍝. Bologna is in Emilia-Romagna (one of the 20 Italy regions and is north of Florence). Classic to the region, you want to try the tortellini that’s on every menu, or you can choose local farro like I did for one meal. The tortellini in Bologna is as common as fountains in Rome, and is also Pope recognized 😉

7 Best Summer Pink Rose Walking Gardens

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Summer pink rose gardens are one of life’s greatest beauties. Pink means “like” 💕 and appreciation… so deeper pink roses (…yes, please!) can be a part of everyday life for greater intensity.

In case you’re into signs, red roses are special love… yellow roses are friendship… and white roses are purity. So now you know your rose sender’s intent we learned from teen magazines 😉

And likable summer pink rose varieties are common. Shades of pink are attractive to males, females, and bees. Some are fragrant. Rose water 💐 is naturally clear but often with a pink tint as a spritz.

For food flavoring, you could add a little that goes a long way. And some like light rose. 🥂 All good for mind, body, and spirit on travel to reduce stress.

And if you want to fulfill your summer pink rose list, these gardens are dazzlers 🤩 to add to your bucket list in Washington DC, Miami, Florence, and Sweden:

Two are free to visit.

1.Meadowlark Gardens (Vienna, VA)

This is a whimsical bring pink rose garden with many walking surprises and a great meetup place

Meadowlark Gardens has a swervy gameboard path garden wonderland where you get to have fun with the big bell (look out Liberty Bell!) off the beaten path… and on the main path, there’s also an imaginary Alice In Wonderland tea party setup with tree-built beams (nothing faux there!).

You never know what you’ll find each season… from natural stump stools to ever changing foliage, and of course a beautiful rose garden. Fee to visit .

Located closer to Tysons Corner that’s a corporate area surrounded by the mega mall, you might want to try racking up your Hilton Honors point at this Doubletree 🍪 🍪up the street (that’s now related to my catering hotel but that’s another story). And then the other story is my first now-Hilton hotel close to Dulles Airport in case you’re flying there.

summer pink rose is one of the many features of Meadowlark Gardens and DC area summers — Meadowlark Gardens

2. Gothenburg Gardens (Gothenburg, Sweden)

The scent of this summer pink rose garden in September is worth returning

Gothenburg or Goteborg Gardens is the first garden that you’ll take notice of is a beautiful rose garden. It’s a photographer’s haven and unless someone (me) points this out, you could miss this FREE garden that has an arched entrance if you’re in Gothenburg.

And then you’ll be kicking yourself that you missed it and spent your time in the shopping mall. Or riding around on the local tram that runs on a metal track. Bring your nice running shoes as everyone seems to have them. 👟.

And I recommend staying at one of many boutique-feel hotels close to the Central Station convenient to walking everywhere (you don’t have to run 👣).

fragrant summer pink rose garden — classic summer pink rose in Sweden 🇸🇪 at the Gothenburg FREE public garden

3. Vizcaya Museum & Garden (Miami, FL)

Go pre-hurricane season in spring and summer

Vizcaya is surrounded by statues and steps to the Casino, you’ll find beautiful backdrops and oh, yeah… the Villa where many large events took place including meetings with Kings and Presidents. Fee to visit.

Since this is on the Biscayne Bay side, I would recommend staying up the street so you can appreciate the special side of the breezy palms and boat tours. If you want the romantic upscale red rose vibes, mosquito net (good for summer!) and humidity-friendly tile, then this luxury hotel resort (formerly Grove Isle Resort) is one-of-a-kind.

Roses are red, violets are blue, and there are yellow roses too!

4. Miami Botanical Garden

Miami Botanical Garden is a gem find that has a heavenly vibe and the where butterflies live. And all I can say is you may have the rose garden and koi pond all-to-yourself with the fluttering creatures if you go during the week.

And this is where you can find a beautifully fully grown eucalyptus rainbow tree that’ll keep you in awe with its color striped bark that looks like paint, but its natural. Free to visit.

5. Franciscan Monastery Summer Pink Rose Garden

Best place to see a summer pink rose garden in America and get your rosewater peace

The only Franciscan Monastery in America is in the northeast part of Washington DC. And trekking up to the Franciscan monastery is a special trip you can take. As soon as you enter the monastery you’ll see the rose garden in the front. You can walk around the paved path. Inside you’ll be stunned with the massive church where free tours are given. If you’re on a sabbatical, the rose garden is a must-to-see that’ll remind you of the Holy See. Free to visit and park.

Washington DC Franciscan Monastery summer rose garden

6.Boboli Gardens (Florence, Italy)

Boboli Gardens is behind the Pitti Palace that it’s related to. Late spring and early summer is the time you want to visit to see roses in full bloom. You’ll find the beautiful garden arches and Roman structures. And maybe a ‘lil wisteria to keep you in wanderlust. Fee to visit.

You can tie this garden visitinto your grand Florence history tour with the Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus) and Pitti Palace.

And if you want to see a more relaxed vibe and also a beautiful hillside garden in Florence, skip Boboli and visit the Bardini Gardens instead. Fee to visit.

Bardini Gardens from the top – Duomo and Florence views. Boboli Gardens is on another side of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio by the Pitti Palace.

7.Bardini Gardens (Florence, Italy)

Bardini Gardens is another beautiful garden with a summer rose garden, but not-so busy. It’s a nice slightly hilly walk through a neighborhood to get there, and you’ll enjoy the panoramic views and hillside gardens from the top. Enjoy the pergola (lavender wisteria in spring) and a summer popsicle 🍨at the top if you want, so it’s season-proof!

And if this year’s summer bucket list is already planned, something fun you can always do is appreciate the neighborhood summer pink rose scene 💕💐 Put on your walking shoes and cruise around to sniff out roses.

Unless you’re a butterfly, most residential gardens are private but you can still appreciate and sniff out the local community gardens. 🦋 These are always free (as is the Franciscan Monastery and Goteborg Sweden’s garden), so get your nature garden bucket list out.

Washington Dulles Airport Hilton (My Hotel Story Start)

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Dulles Airport – designed by Architect Eero Saarinen (designed like an Eero-plane) ✈️

This is a great time to tell you about a Washington Dulles Airport Hilton hotel I worked in that started as a Renaissance (and is now the Washington Dulles Hilton hotel).

Airport shuttle close to the airport, the hotel has great character with a circular building and lobby design. It has and had a restaurant and a lounge next to the Lobby where guests checked-in. More on DC metro local restaurant options below.

Airport hotels are very different than other and city-center hotels. Airport guests are often trying to catch a flight or have “flying somewhere” else on the mind. And some of those guests are distressed passengers where the airlines put the guests in a hotel. …You probably know what I’m talkin’ about in your travels!

Back in my college days, I remember serving fast-paced breakfasts to these guests. And then at night, the same hotel restaurant transformed into a fine-dining restaurant Olives with daily special dishes and flamed creme brulee dessert on the menu.

The music and light mood changed to dim and slow, and the dark wood tables turned into white tablecloth tables often with orchid flowers, and usually multiple courses served with wine. The built-in crescent round banquettes stood out as the romantic seats in the house for the occasional local couples coming out that way (along with the hotel guests who were often dining by themselves).

And, Olives had the best Easter brunches (…and FYI, Hilton’s had been known for weekend brunches).

And then on the other side of the lobby was the cozy retro Zodiac Club night lounge with bright 70s silver rainbow shape patterned wallpaper that glimmered in the dark moody lighting. There was a disco ball at one point. 🪩

It was cool back then and would be even cooler now (since wallpaper and retro is in!). The clubby space only had about 30 dark metal chairs. I knew that space intimately. And even though guests were flying off to their next destination, it was fun to serve the visitors who enjoyed the lounge-y experience.

That cushy hospitality setting set me on my hotel journey into catering management. I got the 360- experience at that eye-opening hotel 👀, that’s now a Washington Dulles Airport Hilton. You can check in digitally if you’re a Hilton Honors reward guest. And today’s mega outdoor Reston Town Center is an Uber ride away. Now that you’re keyed in on the history, you may want to stay. 😉 It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from DC metro area restaurants.

Ocean City MD Gem Stays

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Ready for your summer Ocean City, MD adventure? Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and you’re there! It’s still under $5 for cars after all these inflation years.

Ocean City MD gem is the beach I grew up giddy over. 🤸‍♀️

It was a summer teen getaway from suburban life malls (…rough life, I know).

The landmarks are an amusement park, beach, and Fun Island hangout spots where caramel popcorn, funnel cake, and malt-vinegar french fries mixed scents linger in the boardwalk air. 🍿It’s an easy drive past the Bay Bridge on 50 East… and then you’re there! From Northern Virginia, it’s a 4-hour drive.

And as I grew older, I discovered there are much nicer beaches with seashells (aka blue-green water and sugar-fine sand 😊)…

But Ocean City MD is still one of the most happening beaches on the East Coast… and still always in my heart. ⛱️

It’s a great affordable vacation place to create memories… like I did where the older ones are in fuzzy memory photos (not like these). 😊

Ocean City, MD is a great choice ⛱️ if you’re on a limited budget because you can drive to the beach without hassle AND there’s so much innocent putt-putt arcade entertainment for everyone… that’s retro-cheesy suitable for the beach setting, but maybe not back home. 😁 …and it’s still a great place to fly a kite. 🪁We got the same rainbow octopus tentacle kite each year or tossed a frisbee for no-frills fun.

People flock there from all-over the northeast even though there’s a closer Ocean City, NJ beach to them… so there must be something special about the fun Maryland beach and nearby Delaware beaches.

There’s something enjoyable for everyone. You can simply marvel over the outdoor sand art scene or on the iconic white wooden benches you can flip the back around to timelessly enjoy the ocean or people watch.

But as I entered my 30s, my tastes had refined… so I found this hidden gem hotel, Coconut Malorie’s, that’s on the quieter bay side (away from the busy lights and sounds, and riff-raff boardwalk areas of the beach town).

With age, you get wisdom and can easily switch standards back and forth from good ‘ol American beach fun, and adventurous Agadir or Cinque Terre azure blue ocean and mountainous beach terrains. It’s like neon-lit Vegas versus demure Paris. It’s all good in the contentment of life! 🥂

At any beach, everyone is more carefree and has sand in their toes that helps to make life lighter. 🩴 You forgive the wet bathing suits and flip flops eating outside enjoying crabs and lobster bites that bond our experience with other vacation-goers.

When you had enough beach entertainment, you get to drive back to your relaxing hotel. And at the Malorie, you drive back to the cute outlined cut-out windows that BTW have made a comeback in HGTV home trends. You reflect on how far you’ve come staying in a cute modern doll house.

And at the Malorie, you can enjoy a lovely Juliette balcony with French Doors and a cool view of the bay to appreciate even more how far you’ve come.

If you want to feel grown up or in your own tropical oasis with bay views, a nice pool, and your own refrigerator (critical for beach living!)… plus, warm beachy sand pastel vibes, then this could be your place at least for a temporary stay.

One of the best times to visit Ocean City MD is over Labor Day weekend when you catch the last few days (but not the last rays ☀️)of summer and enjoy the tail-end of famous Maryland crabs doused with Old Bay. 🦀

And if you’re with the kiddos (or someone else’s kiddos), take them to the Carousel Hotel that’s kid-friendly. The hotel is a local tradition (where weddings still take place) and overnight offers include breakfast, free cancellation and built-in entertainment options.

I remember the days when we would go by in the winter and this hotel was one of the still-open spots with a year-round public ice skating rink! ⛸️… plus outdoor/indoor pools, table tennis, and game room.

And having worked in restaurants in the summer Ocean City MD gem during college summer breaks as a getaway from the city (Washington DC), I got a new appreciation for fresh see-food year-round.

And on bayside up Coastal Highway (the main drag) is a hidden food-ier experience. 🍽️ : The Hobbit Restaurant… yes, named after The Hobbit (pre-Lord of the Rings) fantastical trilogy by Peter Jackson. This could be your new destination.

Cool Navy Blue NYC Boutique Hotel

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Walking steps to the famous Chelsea Market, this is a cool navy blue NYC boutique hotel that has cruise ship 🛟 or NAVY nautical blue vibes without having to step foot off land or leave the City… NYC that is.

The Maritime Hotel is landmark with its large round circle windows imitating a cruise ship room where you’re onboard in the heart of the Big Apple. 🍎

The look reminds me of the “Connect Four” game board. It’s cute on the outside and the inside (…now that’s my cup o’ tea!).

The designer was an apprentice under Architect Frank Lloyd Wright inspired by its former roots as the National Maritime Union headquarters. Now with all the puzzle pieces together, it makes sense as to why this is a super mod-cheeky sleek hotel, and one you wanna try out especially if you’re into navy blue. 🛋️

And throughout the hotel, you’ll see all kinds of mod-design “dress to the nine” features that could inspire your own DIY design projects when you get back home. Just sayin’!

They have all the convenient amenities like Marvis Minty fresh toothpaste, onsite steak and Pan-Asian restaurants, and a cool mood lounge that make a great stay to appreciate where you are. And of course, reminded when you step out the doors to explore.

You’ll find this boutique hotel located in the Meatpacking District, which I think is an underrated area and close to everything next to Greenwich Village and FlatIron District (near Eataly and outdoor Farmer’s Markets in case you’re on a foodie exploration 🍱). And the Empire State Building is within walking distance in case you’ve never checked out its timeless views or want to be reminded.

blue umbrellas for nyc boutique hotel — The Flat Iron Building next to the Meat Packing District… the summer visit when I didn’t know Barbie colors would come back in! 👚

In West Chelsea, the Chelsea Market stands where you can get a bite and taste of everything from lobster to sushi, and decadent desserts. I first heard about it on the Martha Stewart Show (in Chelsea) I was lucky to have been on set waaay back during retro times. I remember so vividly because that was Eataly’s opening weekend..

I also remember this classic navy blue NYC boutique hotel color palette is soothing and luxurious at the same time. Perfect for a summer getaway… and during NYC Restaurant Week (happening now, btw!).

Take your girlfriends or your partner and have a BON VOYAGE! 🚢

Retro Barbie Dream House Hotels (You’ve Not Seen Before)

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Back in the day, we called Barbie Dream House pink a dainty pink, that’s a different shade than carnation 🌸, flamingo 🦩, ballet shoes 🩰, and Peeps pink 👯‍♀️

These days any shade of pink is retro back to a Barbie comeback. She didn’t go out of style ’cause she always got a makeover.

And if you’re in love with pink, you’ll love these hotels 💕

The Ryder Hotel (Charleston) is vintage for sure with a 50’s vibe in the southern charm historic oceanside city. You see the pink stools like in a 50s diner and the motel exterior but NOTHING like a motel inside. I stayed in my first and last motel (lol!) in my teens in Ocean City, MD. And those old days, staying at a flamingo pink hotel like the Dunes Manor would’ve been a treat. 💭 Back to today’s reality, this dream hotel is a scale-up and upscale with pink finds like hotel hair dryers, lotions, and potions.

Kasa El Paseo (Miami South Beach) will make you think you’ve gone on a tropical excursion with a Barbie pink exterior on Espanola Way… the hipster area like Lincoln Road where we used to retro rollerblade. 🛼

ICYMI, Miami Beach is a perfect rollerblading town as the surfaces are smooth and pedestrian-friendly. And as a rollerblader, you’re a souped-up walking pedestrian. When you’re tired you can sit yourself down in an outdoor cafe like a 4-paw 🐾 creature and catch your second wind before you go back to the pink scenes…

…and see Foutainbleau’s spinning gelato ice cream in the day 🍨

Compass Point Beach Resort in Bahamas whisks you away to what feels like your own private island oasis away from the busier Nassau. These pastel and crayola crayon huts could be your perfect romantic getaway. You won’t need a compass or a map to find your way back.

Pink Hotel in Paris 💕draped with pink curtains, headboards, chairs in the hotel… and toilet seats… whaaat? That reminds me of those fuzzy carpet toilet seat covers from the 80s that matched the carpeted bathrooms… whoever thought that was a good idea, LOL. That’s a bit gauche and fittingly this hotel is next to the rive gauche along the Seine ready for your rosy stay. 💐

And maybe you’ll rent a pink mobile to match your Barbie Dream House hotel stay.💅

Best Value Las Vegas Hotels

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In my corporate days, I stayed at many value Las Vegas hotels as the largest convention center in the U.S. that’s surrounded by 24-7 food, one-of-a-kind casino entertainment, and never-ending shows… You’ll never forget the ching-ching sound of slot machine coins that is like a ringing in th ear when you walk past and for weeks later.

It’s the amusement park experience times 10. And if you’re visiting for the first time, maybe you take time to get off-the-beaten path, and checkout the nearby wonder of the Hoover Dam just to get away from the glitz and glam for a few. Or if you love roller coasters 🎢, the most unheard-of Sahara Resort has a fast one on The Strip.

While in Vegas, you can expect nothing less than discounted Surf-n-Turf and high-end foodie experiences if you choose. Or Rain Forest Cafe for the kiddos. You won’t be disappointed with all the options. Martha Stewart even made a restaurant debut.

My fave walk-thru hotel is still the Bellagio that’s famous for its outdoor on-the-hour Fountain Show usually narrated by Tony Bennett (Rest In Peace) singing that’ll probably still go on… and the colorful vibes with Chihuly glass flower ceiling.

And if you want to feel like you’ve been whisked to another country or Venice to be exact (one of my fave places on this planet! 🚤), then the Venetian is a luxury hotel with a canal gondolier.

And if you want to be in the middle of it all, Paris, MGM, and Bally’s could be your choice.

But the hidden gem value is this hotel where you’ll get lush for a fraction of the cost of the other luxury hotels on your way to one of the oldest (Caesar’s Palace) and one of the newest (Wynn) hotels on the Strip. You can find a magic show from a previous America’s Got Talent winner and may even catch a free outdoor pirate show nearby on-the-hour in passing.

Don’t miss the value Las Vegas hotels so you have more to spend on entertainment and foodie adventures!

2023 NYC Restaurant Week Pick (and Sunday Hotel Deal)

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2023 NYC Restaurant Week trip planning — Magnolia Bakery reminds me of the buttery frosting cupcakes I grew up with.

2023 NYC Restaurant Week is July 24 through August 20.

And if you want a break from trip planning, something to get excited about are Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. That was just one of the stops on the “Sex In the City” tour that a highschool friend and I went on that gave us great nostalgic laughs. Not the reboot, but the original storyline (aka when they were in their 30s and you and I can relate 💕). This may not be the reason for your visit, but it can be the cherry on top. 🍒

BTW, this was Carrie Bradshaw’s (Actor Sarah Jessica Parker’s) “SITC” apartment where she was a Vogue writer and before she married “Big” (Actor Chris Noth). This of course is in other than the quaint West Village neighborhood where the cupcakes are. 🧁

One very chic cute (boutique) hotel you can stay at with amazing skyline views of the One World Trade Center Tower is in the Bowery in lower Manhattan. Stay over a Sunday night during summer 2023 New York City restaurant week and get a real deal. Share a room stay with a girlfriend and it’s way less than a cost of a spa visit! Or you can check out a more central hotel (e.g. if Central Park or the Upper East Side is on your main agenda).

Especially if you want to check out a great Restaurant Week restaurant, still kicking it is David Burke Tavern by Chef David Burke (famous entrepreneur chef who also makes cookware ). Get a rooftop reservation in one of the draped tented tables and you’ll be with terrific backdrop views of the tallest U.S. building, One World Trade Center that’s unforgettable and reminds us never to forget (9-11). ❣️

They even made us a chocolate lollipop tree treat (to add to our sweet cupcakes)! 🍭 Check out 2023 NYC restaurant week ($30 for lunch and $45 for a 3-course prix fixed dinner with seafood, steak, fish, and chicken choices… and of course, dessert!). And if that’s enough, take a look at the DC restaurant week picks!