There’s a myth that lodging in New York City is expensive, especially around the holidays. The Cool Yule Deal brought to you by the GEM Hotels in NYC has savings of about $80 less than the average price for a similar hotel room in Manhattan. There are three locations, one in SoHo, Chelsea and Midtown West.

Ultra Posh but comfy lobby of the GEM Chelsea

Dates included in this deal are November 20^th-29^th (perfect for catching the Macy’s Day Parade!) and December 18^th-29^th. The boutique hotels have three very different locations. If you’re interested in catching some shows or visiting the Javits Center for any reason, than the Midtown location is perfect for you. Also near that location is the Empire State Building, the Broadway Theater District and Times Square.

Midtown is great for seeing some of the classic tourist spots. I’d advise staying in that location during the Thanksgiving season if you’re interested in seeing the parade – Herald Square is a few blocks away. It’s also great for shopping with Lord and Taylor nearby.

If you’re more interested in eating than sightseeing the SoHo location is perfect. It’s a little off the beaten track and close to the unique shopping opportunities of the Meatpacking District.

Of course, if you’re the type of person who travels for nightlife, Chelsea is the place to be. With a plethora of unique nightclubs, bars and galleries, the Chelsea GEM location is key for experiencing it all. Also, it’s only a hop, skip and a short subway ride from Midtown where you can take in the classic tourist sites as well.

Lobby of the GEM Chelsea

As a New York City frequent traveler, I recommend staying in Chelsea (although I am a bit biased – that’s where I usually stay so I know the neighborhood very well). It’s a funky, artsy area with many colorful characters to keep you busy people watching.

The GEM Hotels also offers tips and local guides that are constantly updated. Called the GEMine, travlers are also encouraged to add their own experiences to the lobby-located chalkboard. This is a great source for local events and other happenings that you can’t find in the typical guidebook. As someone who likes to travel like a native, this is extremely helpful.

If you are interested in some more traditional tourist attractions, the hotels are stocked with iPods that have pre-loaded audio tours of different areas such as Little Italy and Times Square. These GEMwalks are complimentary for hotel guests.

For on –the-go tourists, GEMtexts is another service the hotels offer. Twice daily you’ll be alerted to neighborhood and hotel offers via your cell phone. Talk about convenient! Make sure you get your room soon – there’s limited availability and with this rate, the rooms won’t be around for very long.

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I had the opportunity to spend a past New Years in New Mexico and thoroughly enjoyed it. Prior to my trip, the Southwest region was never very high on my list of destinations. After seeing firsthand the culture, color and attractions, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

The architecture is wonderfully different from the Northeastern building I’m used to. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is one of those spots. Situated near the artsy district which is mainly pueblo buildings, the Cathedral, with its pseudo-Gothic yet decidedly Southwest style towers is a  juxtaposition of culture. If you’re interested in visiting other religious spots, the San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe is said to be the oldest standing church in North America. Built in 1610, this building is open every day of the week and costs only $1 donation.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe /CC Meghan Butler

The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort is the epitome of Santa Fe style with Spanish, Native American and Southwestern cultures beautifully melded into traditional structures. The resort itself has some interesting historical background. The land was bought in 1851 by bishop Jean-Baptist Lamy. The chapel he erected nearly 160 years ago still stands.

Main Building of Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort

For the holiday season, The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch is offering Thanksgiving and Christmas deal of 25% off the regular rates.  The Ranch has many relaxing activities, including the SháNah Spa & Wellness Center with six indoor treatment rooms, two outdoor massage gardens and outdoor Japanese Watsu pool and even a hair salon. The word “SháNah” means “vitality and energy” in Navajo. With that in mind, the spa offers massages, yoga and Pilates, facials along with the traditional salon treatments of waxing, hair and nail care.

Guest Room of Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort

After some relaxation, explore the Downtown Santa Fe area’s artsy district. Artists sell their unique and handmade wares out of authentic pueblos. One of the most notable artists (whose prints can be found in almost any store in Santa Fe) is Georgia O’Keeffe, Her colorful flowers and abstract renditions are well represented in the Southwest. And rightfully so – they’re beautiful.

You can purchase real skulls in Downtown Santa Fe! / CC Meghan Butler

For the more active travels, The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch has guided horseback riding trails, a skeet and trap range and tennis courts. To keep your entourage of kiddies happy, the Lodge has youth horseback riding programs. So sign em up, saddle em up and send em out to pasture. Then enjoy some quiet time!

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Minitas Beach, Casa De Campo

Today’s photo of the day of Minitas Beach at Casa De Campo in the Domincan Republic provides the perfect movitivation to escape the cold this holiday season and head to warmer climates.  As temperatures begin to drop in the north the idea of white sandy beaches, clear blue ocean, and palm trees is very tempting.  The folks at Casa De Campo are doing everything they can to help you make the decision to spend the holidays with them  this year.   They now have new elite hotel rooms and suites and an entirely new main hotel hotel area including a new pool area. From December 21-January 3rd they are offering $300 resort credits for rooms and $500 resort credit for villas and from January 4th April 4th they are offering $200 resort credit for rooms and $400 resort credit for villas.  You must book by November 15, 2009 to take advantage of this offer.

Finding time to travel as a family is always difficult, especially when you are juggling school vacation schedules and everyones individual obligations.  While the Christmas holiday break seems like a good time because everyone is off and usually work schedules all quiet down, it’s hard to imagine being away and giving up some traditions.   The Athenaeum Hotel in London offers some travel options that solve this dilemna.  They offer all the comforts of home and will help you arrange some of those holiday traditions.

During the Christmas holiday season the Athenaeum Hotel is offering attractive guaranteed US dollar rates on all room categories that includes some great value added extras.  Rates run $799 plus tax for a townhouse apartment (which can accommodate a family of four).  Prices on other room categories include $450 plus tax for a deluxe room, $520 plus tax for a Parkview room; and $950 plus tax for a Parkview Suite. 

In addition to these great rates they also throw in some great extras- complimentary English breakfast each morning, Wi-Fi as well as Nespresso coffee; and complimentary soft drinks and snacks from the mini-bar.  Also, kids under twelve eat for free.  Guests staying three nights will enjoy a complimentary one-way car transfer from any London airport.  Stay five nights and receive a complimentary round-trip car transfer from any London airport.

To help you keep your holiday traditions going while away they also offer a host of seasonal treats devised by the property’s special elves also know as the Kid’s Concierge Team, a first by any deluxe hotel in London  A festively decorated basket of DVDs will be delivered upon arrival, full of your favorite Christmas films; all children will be welcomed with age- and gender-appropriate toy boxes to use for the duration of their stay; for older children, Xboxes, Playstations and iPod docking stations will be available for use, so that they can keep up with their favorite video games and tunes.  And, cozy bathrobes and slippers along with cookies and milk will be provided for kid’s who want to wait up for Santa. 
The Kid’s Concierge Team will also work with you to create itinerary for you and your family to ensure you get the very most out of their stay in London.    They will help you plan activities such as ice skating at one of London’s seasonal ice rinks, taking in the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, sightseeing or even a trip to the theater. 
           For an additional cost, the hotel also offers a traditional festive lunch served on Christmas Day in The Restaurant at The Athenaeum.

Santana Row in San Jose comes alive during the holiday season with over 80 stores of luxury shopping, festive lights, a 40 foot Christmas Tree in Valencia Park.  The Hotel Valencia Santana Row offers travelers the perfect place to rest their head this holiday season as they indulge in the shopping and the festivities nearby.  From Nov. 20-29, and Dec. 18-30, hotel guests that stay at Hotel Valencia two nights in a row will receive a complimentary gift certificate entitling them to one more night for FREE, allowing consumers to take advantage of one more vacation day during these challenging economic times. 

The “Stay 2 nights, get 3rd FREE” package includes the following:

A stylish guest room for two, featuring views of Santana Row, Hotel Valencia’s stunning outdoor pool/hot tub or courtyard
Cocktails for two at the chic, sumptuously-lit Vbar
A deluxe buffet breakfast at Citrus, Hotel Valencia’s signature restaurant
Rates from $179 per room per night, double occupancy, exclusive of tax and subject to availability
A complimentary night at Hotel Valencia Santana Row that may be used in conjunction with the first two nights, or at a later date

Looking for more deals? Search our year-round San Jose hotel deals for a great rate!