22
Holiday Edition - 2013 The Gaylord Palms Resort - Florida Gaylord Palms to a Friend Pass Accommodations • Attractions • Events • Destinations Call a for yo Hote l Gui de pec ia rat 20th Anniverary Natural Bridge Caverns The Phoenician Resort Jade Hotel Holiday Magic

Htlgde111213

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Holiday edition. Tons of great events, destinations and resorts featured. From Texas to New York to Florida. This is your travel resource.

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Page 1: Htlgde111213

Holiday Edition - 2013 The Gaylord Palms Resort - Florida

Gaylord Palms

to a Friend

Pass

Accommodations bull Attractions bull Events bull Destinations

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

20thAnniverary

Natural Bridge Caverns The Phoenician Resort Jade Hotel

Holiday Magic

About the CoverThe holidays are aglow at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando The hotel transforms into a Winter wonderland and has a myriad of holiday fun for everyone (Photo Courtesy of the Gaylord Palms Resort)

The Phoenician ResortScottsdale Arizona

Ford Holiday River Parade 7

SeaWorld San Antonio 10

San Antonio Cocktail Conference 12

Lone Star Court 14

Aldacorsquos Restaurant 16

Holidays in Grapevine Texas 18

Mansion at Judges Hill - Austin TX 22

Overton Hotel 24

Destinations 27

Scottsdale Arizona 28

Table of Contents

wwwthehotelguidecom 32 wwwthehotelguidecom

NaturalBridgeCavernscom bull 210-651-6101

On A Whole New LevelImagine a place that towers overhead even though itrsquos deep underground A place filled with delicate formations of solid stone formed by single splashes of water A place thatrsquos eons old but feels brand new every time you see it From giant chambers that echo with mystery to passages with discovery around every bend come see what makes Natural Bridge Cavernshellip Naturally AmAziNg

mORE TO EXPLORE

Fort Lauderdale Florida 29

Phoenician Resort 30

Gaylord Palms Resort 32

The Jade Hotel 34

Hotel Victor 35

The Boulders Resort 36

Tenaya Lodge 37

Experiences 38

New Orleans 39

30

Edward R LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Christa ThompsonSenior Travel Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Deanna BarrettJacqueline Gonzalez

Margo Gonzalez HuckabayDanielle GuttingerLyndsey Huggins

Chriselda PachecoContributors

Contact InformationThe Hotel GuidePO Box 592418

San Antonio TX 78259Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) 857-2003infothehotelguidecomwwwthehotelguidecom

Special Thanks tobull Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

bull Denver Convention amp Visitorrsquos Bureaubull Texas Department of Tourism

bull Texas Department of Transportationbull Texas Hotel and Lodging Association

bull Texas Travel Industry Associationbull Las Vegas CVB

bull Austin CVBbull Tyler CVB

bullGalvestonCVBbull Houston CVB

bull Corpus Christi CVBbull New Braunfels CVB

bull El Paso CVBbull Lubbock CVB

bull Granbury CVBbull San Antonio CVB

Copyright 2013 The Hotel GuideAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher The Hotel Guide

does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine

he Holiday season is upon us and

the perfect time of year for traveling and making more memories This time of year brings a myriad of festivals events and fun things to do In Texas you canrsquot miss the Ford Holiday River Pa-rade that christens the San Antonio Riverwalk and is the focal point for the lighting of this famed venue Want-ing more Christmas in Texas How about heading to Grapevine Texas which is billed as the statersquos ldquoChrist-mas Capitalrdquo Looking for less wintry venues try the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale Along with the resort you can find a ton of holiday happenings in this desert city In Fort Lauderdale imagine a water parade of holiday-decorated yachts on display Talk about a memorable time of the year Florida also beckons a stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando This incredible resort has the holidays covered From their unique ICE exhibit to thousands of twinkling lights free-flowing within the all-encompassed property Kids will be amazed at all there is to do under one roof Updates and upgrades indeed Texas brings the Lone Star Court to the mix in Austin and the Hotel Victor in Florida goes through a historic renovation as well Two incredible properties for sure Send us your Travel ExperiencesBook Travel For great story ideas or to be a part of our ldquoExpe-riencesrdquo section send me a personal e-mail by clicking here Looking for great hotel deals Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here Happy Travels

T

wwwthehotelguidecom 54 wwwthehotelguidecom

beautifulmagical

memorablewwwriosanantoniocom

River Taxi bull Private Charters bull Special Events

Ride the Rio

riosanantonio

(210) 244-5700(800) 417-4139

Connect ShareEngage

A Word FromThe Publisher

6 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 7

Texas

TEXAS TEXAS

sher in the Holiday Season on the River Walk this year with the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony On Friday

November 29 at 700 in the evening watch the San Antonio River Walk come alive under beautifully draped LED lights in 200 trees Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the show from seats located along the parade route or from the patio of their favorite River Walk establishmentOnce Upon a Christmas A grand production the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting will be centered on the theme Once Upon A Christmas This theme was chosen to ldquohonor all those special holiday books that families across the country read each holiday season creating wonderful memories through the magic of booksrdquo explains Nancy Hunt Executive Director of the Paseo del Rio Association Each float will be beautifully decorated and will have live entertainment filling the River Walk with traditional holiday carols as well as symphonic favorites Great seats Watch from the ever popular Arneson River

U Theatre where a laser light show will be featured as well as a beautiful performance from The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization made up of five orchestras an annual Summer Symphony Camp and the new Music Learning Center on the Cityrsquos West Side The mission of Youth Orchestra of San Antonio the premier orchestral experience for youth citywide is to enhance education enrich the community and transform lives by pursuing excellence in classical music in a stimulating nurturing and fun environment that is equally accessible to all youthGrand Marshal Leading the parade as Grand Marshall this year is renowned author and San Antonio resident Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros is the founder of the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation the Elvira Cisneros award and the Macondo Foundation all of which work on behalf of creative writers She is the recipient of numerous awards including a MacArthur Fellowship Her writings include novels The House On Mango Street and Caramelo short stories Woman Hollering

Ford Holiday Riverwalk Parade

Illuminating the Alamo City

By Margaux Gonzalez Huckabay

NOVEMBER 29 2013For over 30 years this spectacular one-hour parade along San AntoniosRiver Walk has featured illuminated floats with celebrities bands andlavishly-costumed participants Enjoy the parade from a reserved seatalong the River Walk For a map of the parade route and to order tickets

visit wwwTheSanAntonioRiverWalkcom or call 210-227-4262

TICKETS $15-$30Special performance by Sebastien de la Cruz on the Grand Marshal float

Sponsored By

Other Float SponsorsSilver Eagle Distributors bull University of the Incarnate Word

H-E-B bull The Drury Plaza HotelBroadway in San Antonio bull The Salvation Army PRESENTED BY

FHRP_PromoAdLayout 1 112113 1108 AM Page 1

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

TEXAS TEXAS

Creek and poetry collections My Wicked Wicked Ways and Loose Woman She has also written a childrenrsquos book Hairs Cisneros is currently at work on several writing projects including Borrowed Houses Infinito Cantos Y Llantos Her most recent work also includes a childrenrsquos book Bravo Bruno with artist Leslie Greene and has been published in Italy She also wrote Have You Seen Marie An illustrated book for adults with artist Ester Hernandez published in the US in October 2012 Cisneros is currently selling her house and says that this event will be a good way to say goodbye to San AntonioMemorable Floats All of this yearrsquos parade floats will be decorated to portray holiday favorites like 12 Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch stole Christmas During a two hour tour the parade will float past the Drury Plaza Hotel and Casa Rio as well as many other hotels and restaurants many of whom have prepared dinner room and parade ticket specials for guests who schedule ahead for one of the most memorable River Walk events of the year Map It Out

To see a map of the parade route and to purchase tickets visit wwwthesanantonioriverwalkcom The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting

Ceremony will also be broadcasted in networks in Texas and syndicated nation-wideMayorrsquos Light up Downtown To complement the River Walkrsquos Lighting The City of San Antonio is holding its annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest which encourages downtown business owners to compete for the most decorative and creative

use of LED lights This will combine downtownrsquos river and street levels into one magical holiday destination You can vote for your favorite by visiting wwwlightupdowntownsacom On the Friday after Thanksgiving the San Antonio River Walk will be decked and dazzled with holiday spirit and warm colored lights Grab a blanket a loved one or friend and enjoy the Ford Holiday River Parade with holiday cheer

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

Enjoy theSuite Life

SeaWorld San AntonioAquatica have partnered with the Art Institute of San Antonio and the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade to bring you the first-ever ldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

Come experience the magic

9821 Colonnade Blvd bull San Antonio TX 78230

Experience OurldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

wwwseaworldcom

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

NEW

Book it1-800-THE OMNI

Aquatica Suite available after July 2013Before then ask for the ldquoKidrsquos Fantasy Suiterdquo

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS TEXAS

eaWorldreg San Anto-nio will be transformed into a wintery watery

wonderland where families of all ages can enjoy stunning live shows sip hot cocoa and stroll through a sea of more than one million twinkling lights during its annual Christ-mas Celebrationreg a magical holiday program offered on scheduled operating days through Dec 31 SnowWorld In the newest addition to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration SnowWorld present-ed by Coca-Colareg families can play in real snow right here in Central Texas Guests will feel like theyrsquore in a winter wonderland while sled-ding playing and dashing through the snow Plus fami-lies will get the opportunity to capture their memorable day at SeaWorld with a unique family photo inside of a larger-than-life snow globe This 12-foot-tall snow globe in SnowWorld Market is sure to get families into the holiday spirit as they pose for their exclusive Christmas portrait in this unique set-ting Also new this year is Christmas Cove an area of the park that will make guests feel like theyrsquove stepped into the 1950s A visit to Christmas Cove would not be com-plete without Home for the Holidays Dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus Guests will feel right at home for the holidays when they join Santa and Mrs Claus for din-ner with all the trimmings and a special story Advance reservations are required for this exclusive dining experi-ence Joy to the World Another new element to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration is Joy to the World an area of the park that will feature trumpeting angel statues a beautiful nativity scene and carolers telling the story of Christmas through song Guestsrsquo Christmas favorites include Shamu Christmas Miracles Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas A Dolphin Christmas Elmorsquos Christmas Wish Orsquo Christmas

S Tree and Reflections Also returning are the many traveling musicians carol-ers and photo opportuni-ties each with their own unique Christmas flare Plus there will be a festive train ride for young guests aboard the SeaWorld Express located near our Nautilus AmphitheaterSet to music from The Nutcracker A Dolphin Christmas features beluga whales Pacific white-sided dolphins acrobats and trainers in a stunning cel-ebration of Christmas the SeaWorld way Make a wish during Elmorsquos Christmas Wish in the heart of our charm-ing Sesame Streetreg Bay of Playreg and be inspired watching Rosita Grover Zoe and Cookie Monster

all work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wishGuests can reflect on the magic of Christmas during Reflections and sing-a-long to Christmas melodies led by ldquoElfredrdquo and all the SeaWorld carolers Santarsquos sea lion helpers Clyde and Seamore are bringing laughs to SeaWorld in Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas This special holiday show is filled with spoofs and plenty of laughs Our loveable sea lions along with the rest of the crew invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration Guests are taken on a wonderful voyage into the heart of the holidays as they experience the power and beauty of Shamu Christmas Miracles Theyrsquoll be immersed in a festive atmosphere of sight and sound where thrilling holiday music soars as Shamu helps tell a story of reflection understanding peace friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us SeaWorld San Antonio is open weekends through Dec 15 as well as Thanksgiving week Nov 23 through Dec 1 and Dec 21 through Jan 5 (closed Christmas Day) Sunday Jan 5 2014 is SeaWorldrsquos final operat-ing day for the 2013 season For more details call (800) 700-7786 or visit Sea-Worldcom

A Holiday GetawaySeaWorldreg San Antonio

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

TEXAS

pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 2: Htlgde111213

About the CoverThe holidays are aglow at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando The hotel transforms into a Winter wonderland and has a myriad of holiday fun for everyone (Photo Courtesy of the Gaylord Palms Resort)

The Phoenician ResortScottsdale Arizona

Ford Holiday River Parade 7

SeaWorld San Antonio 10

San Antonio Cocktail Conference 12

Lone Star Court 14

Aldacorsquos Restaurant 16

Holidays in Grapevine Texas 18

Mansion at Judges Hill - Austin TX 22

Overton Hotel 24

Destinations 27

Scottsdale Arizona 28

Table of Contents

wwwthehotelguidecom 32 wwwthehotelguidecom

NaturalBridgeCavernscom bull 210-651-6101

On A Whole New LevelImagine a place that towers overhead even though itrsquos deep underground A place filled with delicate formations of solid stone formed by single splashes of water A place thatrsquos eons old but feels brand new every time you see it From giant chambers that echo with mystery to passages with discovery around every bend come see what makes Natural Bridge Cavernshellip Naturally AmAziNg

mORE TO EXPLORE

Fort Lauderdale Florida 29

Phoenician Resort 30

Gaylord Palms Resort 32

The Jade Hotel 34

Hotel Victor 35

The Boulders Resort 36

Tenaya Lodge 37

Experiences 38

New Orleans 39

30

Edward R LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Christa ThompsonSenior Travel Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Deanna BarrettJacqueline Gonzalez

Margo Gonzalez HuckabayDanielle GuttingerLyndsey Huggins

Chriselda PachecoContributors

Contact InformationThe Hotel GuidePO Box 592418

San Antonio TX 78259Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) 857-2003infothehotelguidecomwwwthehotelguidecom

Special Thanks tobull Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

bull Denver Convention amp Visitorrsquos Bureaubull Texas Department of Tourism

bull Texas Department of Transportationbull Texas Hotel and Lodging Association

bull Texas Travel Industry Associationbull Las Vegas CVB

bull Austin CVBbull Tyler CVB

bullGalvestonCVBbull Houston CVB

bull Corpus Christi CVBbull New Braunfels CVB

bull El Paso CVBbull Lubbock CVB

bull Granbury CVBbull San Antonio CVB

Copyright 2013 The Hotel GuideAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher The Hotel Guide

does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine

he Holiday season is upon us and

the perfect time of year for traveling and making more memories This time of year brings a myriad of festivals events and fun things to do In Texas you canrsquot miss the Ford Holiday River Pa-rade that christens the San Antonio Riverwalk and is the focal point for the lighting of this famed venue Want-ing more Christmas in Texas How about heading to Grapevine Texas which is billed as the statersquos ldquoChrist-mas Capitalrdquo Looking for less wintry venues try the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale Along with the resort you can find a ton of holiday happenings in this desert city In Fort Lauderdale imagine a water parade of holiday-decorated yachts on display Talk about a memorable time of the year Florida also beckons a stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando This incredible resort has the holidays covered From their unique ICE exhibit to thousands of twinkling lights free-flowing within the all-encompassed property Kids will be amazed at all there is to do under one roof Updates and upgrades indeed Texas brings the Lone Star Court to the mix in Austin and the Hotel Victor in Florida goes through a historic renovation as well Two incredible properties for sure Send us your Travel ExperiencesBook Travel For great story ideas or to be a part of our ldquoExpe-riencesrdquo section send me a personal e-mail by clicking here Looking for great hotel deals Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here Happy Travels

T

wwwthehotelguidecom 54 wwwthehotelguidecom

beautifulmagical

memorablewwwriosanantoniocom

River Taxi bull Private Charters bull Special Events

Ride the Rio

riosanantonio

(210) 244-5700(800) 417-4139

Connect ShareEngage

A Word FromThe Publisher

6 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 7

Texas

TEXAS TEXAS

sher in the Holiday Season on the River Walk this year with the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony On Friday

November 29 at 700 in the evening watch the San Antonio River Walk come alive under beautifully draped LED lights in 200 trees Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the show from seats located along the parade route or from the patio of their favorite River Walk establishmentOnce Upon a Christmas A grand production the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting will be centered on the theme Once Upon A Christmas This theme was chosen to ldquohonor all those special holiday books that families across the country read each holiday season creating wonderful memories through the magic of booksrdquo explains Nancy Hunt Executive Director of the Paseo del Rio Association Each float will be beautifully decorated and will have live entertainment filling the River Walk with traditional holiday carols as well as symphonic favorites Great seats Watch from the ever popular Arneson River

U Theatre where a laser light show will be featured as well as a beautiful performance from The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization made up of five orchestras an annual Summer Symphony Camp and the new Music Learning Center on the Cityrsquos West Side The mission of Youth Orchestra of San Antonio the premier orchestral experience for youth citywide is to enhance education enrich the community and transform lives by pursuing excellence in classical music in a stimulating nurturing and fun environment that is equally accessible to all youthGrand Marshal Leading the parade as Grand Marshall this year is renowned author and San Antonio resident Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros is the founder of the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation the Elvira Cisneros award and the Macondo Foundation all of which work on behalf of creative writers She is the recipient of numerous awards including a MacArthur Fellowship Her writings include novels The House On Mango Street and Caramelo short stories Woman Hollering

Ford Holiday Riverwalk Parade

Illuminating the Alamo City

By Margaux Gonzalez Huckabay

NOVEMBER 29 2013For over 30 years this spectacular one-hour parade along San AntoniosRiver Walk has featured illuminated floats with celebrities bands andlavishly-costumed participants Enjoy the parade from a reserved seatalong the River Walk For a map of the parade route and to order tickets

visit wwwTheSanAntonioRiverWalkcom or call 210-227-4262

TICKETS $15-$30Special performance by Sebastien de la Cruz on the Grand Marshal float

Sponsored By

Other Float SponsorsSilver Eagle Distributors bull University of the Incarnate Word

H-E-B bull The Drury Plaza HotelBroadway in San Antonio bull The Salvation Army PRESENTED BY

FHRP_PromoAdLayout 1 112113 1108 AM Page 1

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

TEXAS TEXAS

Creek and poetry collections My Wicked Wicked Ways and Loose Woman She has also written a childrenrsquos book Hairs Cisneros is currently at work on several writing projects including Borrowed Houses Infinito Cantos Y Llantos Her most recent work also includes a childrenrsquos book Bravo Bruno with artist Leslie Greene and has been published in Italy She also wrote Have You Seen Marie An illustrated book for adults with artist Ester Hernandez published in the US in October 2012 Cisneros is currently selling her house and says that this event will be a good way to say goodbye to San AntonioMemorable Floats All of this yearrsquos parade floats will be decorated to portray holiday favorites like 12 Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch stole Christmas During a two hour tour the parade will float past the Drury Plaza Hotel and Casa Rio as well as many other hotels and restaurants many of whom have prepared dinner room and parade ticket specials for guests who schedule ahead for one of the most memorable River Walk events of the year Map It Out

To see a map of the parade route and to purchase tickets visit wwwthesanantonioriverwalkcom The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting

Ceremony will also be broadcasted in networks in Texas and syndicated nation-wideMayorrsquos Light up Downtown To complement the River Walkrsquos Lighting The City of San Antonio is holding its annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest which encourages downtown business owners to compete for the most decorative and creative

use of LED lights This will combine downtownrsquos river and street levels into one magical holiday destination You can vote for your favorite by visiting wwwlightupdowntownsacom On the Friday after Thanksgiving the San Antonio River Walk will be decked and dazzled with holiday spirit and warm colored lights Grab a blanket a loved one or friend and enjoy the Ford Holiday River Parade with holiday cheer

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

Enjoy theSuite Life

SeaWorld San AntonioAquatica have partnered with the Art Institute of San Antonio and the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade to bring you the first-ever ldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

Come experience the magic

9821 Colonnade Blvd bull San Antonio TX 78230

Experience OurldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

wwwseaworldcom

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

NEW

Book it1-800-THE OMNI

Aquatica Suite available after July 2013Before then ask for the ldquoKidrsquos Fantasy Suiterdquo

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS TEXAS

eaWorldreg San Anto-nio will be transformed into a wintery watery

wonderland where families of all ages can enjoy stunning live shows sip hot cocoa and stroll through a sea of more than one million twinkling lights during its annual Christ-mas Celebrationreg a magical holiday program offered on scheduled operating days through Dec 31 SnowWorld In the newest addition to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration SnowWorld present-ed by Coca-Colareg families can play in real snow right here in Central Texas Guests will feel like theyrsquore in a winter wonderland while sled-ding playing and dashing through the snow Plus fami-lies will get the opportunity to capture their memorable day at SeaWorld with a unique family photo inside of a larger-than-life snow globe This 12-foot-tall snow globe in SnowWorld Market is sure to get families into the holiday spirit as they pose for their exclusive Christmas portrait in this unique set-ting Also new this year is Christmas Cove an area of the park that will make guests feel like theyrsquove stepped into the 1950s A visit to Christmas Cove would not be com-plete without Home for the Holidays Dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus Guests will feel right at home for the holidays when they join Santa and Mrs Claus for din-ner with all the trimmings and a special story Advance reservations are required for this exclusive dining experi-ence Joy to the World Another new element to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration is Joy to the World an area of the park that will feature trumpeting angel statues a beautiful nativity scene and carolers telling the story of Christmas through song Guestsrsquo Christmas favorites include Shamu Christmas Miracles Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas A Dolphin Christmas Elmorsquos Christmas Wish Orsquo Christmas

S Tree and Reflections Also returning are the many traveling musicians carol-ers and photo opportuni-ties each with their own unique Christmas flare Plus there will be a festive train ride for young guests aboard the SeaWorld Express located near our Nautilus AmphitheaterSet to music from The Nutcracker A Dolphin Christmas features beluga whales Pacific white-sided dolphins acrobats and trainers in a stunning cel-ebration of Christmas the SeaWorld way Make a wish during Elmorsquos Christmas Wish in the heart of our charm-ing Sesame Streetreg Bay of Playreg and be inspired watching Rosita Grover Zoe and Cookie Monster

all work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wishGuests can reflect on the magic of Christmas during Reflections and sing-a-long to Christmas melodies led by ldquoElfredrdquo and all the SeaWorld carolers Santarsquos sea lion helpers Clyde and Seamore are bringing laughs to SeaWorld in Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas This special holiday show is filled with spoofs and plenty of laughs Our loveable sea lions along with the rest of the crew invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration Guests are taken on a wonderful voyage into the heart of the holidays as they experience the power and beauty of Shamu Christmas Miracles Theyrsquoll be immersed in a festive atmosphere of sight and sound where thrilling holiday music soars as Shamu helps tell a story of reflection understanding peace friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us SeaWorld San Antonio is open weekends through Dec 15 as well as Thanksgiving week Nov 23 through Dec 1 and Dec 21 through Jan 5 (closed Christmas Day) Sunday Jan 5 2014 is SeaWorldrsquos final operat-ing day for the 2013 season For more details call (800) 700-7786 or visit Sea-Worldcom

A Holiday GetawaySeaWorldreg San Antonio

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

TEXAS

pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 3: Htlgde111213

Edward R LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Christa ThompsonSenior Travel Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Deanna BarrettJacqueline Gonzalez

Margo Gonzalez HuckabayDanielle GuttingerLyndsey Huggins

Chriselda PachecoContributors

Contact InformationThe Hotel GuidePO Box 592418

San Antonio TX 78259Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) 857-2003infothehotelguidecomwwwthehotelguidecom

Special Thanks tobull Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

bull Denver Convention amp Visitorrsquos Bureaubull Texas Department of Tourism

bull Texas Department of Transportationbull Texas Hotel and Lodging Association

bull Texas Travel Industry Associationbull Las Vegas CVB

bull Austin CVBbull Tyler CVB

bullGalvestonCVBbull Houston CVB

bull Corpus Christi CVBbull New Braunfels CVB

bull El Paso CVBbull Lubbock CVB

bull Granbury CVBbull San Antonio CVB

Copyright 2013 The Hotel GuideAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher The Hotel Guide

does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine

he Holiday season is upon us and

the perfect time of year for traveling and making more memories This time of year brings a myriad of festivals events and fun things to do In Texas you canrsquot miss the Ford Holiday River Pa-rade that christens the San Antonio Riverwalk and is the focal point for the lighting of this famed venue Want-ing more Christmas in Texas How about heading to Grapevine Texas which is billed as the statersquos ldquoChrist-mas Capitalrdquo Looking for less wintry venues try the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale Along with the resort you can find a ton of holiday happenings in this desert city In Fort Lauderdale imagine a water parade of holiday-decorated yachts on display Talk about a memorable time of the year Florida also beckons a stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando This incredible resort has the holidays covered From their unique ICE exhibit to thousands of twinkling lights free-flowing within the all-encompassed property Kids will be amazed at all there is to do under one roof Updates and upgrades indeed Texas brings the Lone Star Court to the mix in Austin and the Hotel Victor in Florida goes through a historic renovation as well Two incredible properties for sure Send us your Travel ExperiencesBook Travel For great story ideas or to be a part of our ldquoExpe-riencesrdquo section send me a personal e-mail by clicking here Looking for great hotel deals Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here Happy Travels

T

wwwthehotelguidecom 54 wwwthehotelguidecom

beautifulmagical

memorablewwwriosanantoniocom

River Taxi bull Private Charters bull Special Events

Ride the Rio

riosanantonio

(210) 244-5700(800) 417-4139

Connect ShareEngage

A Word FromThe Publisher

6 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 7

Texas

TEXAS TEXAS

sher in the Holiday Season on the River Walk this year with the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony On Friday

November 29 at 700 in the evening watch the San Antonio River Walk come alive under beautifully draped LED lights in 200 trees Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the show from seats located along the parade route or from the patio of their favorite River Walk establishmentOnce Upon a Christmas A grand production the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting will be centered on the theme Once Upon A Christmas This theme was chosen to ldquohonor all those special holiday books that families across the country read each holiday season creating wonderful memories through the magic of booksrdquo explains Nancy Hunt Executive Director of the Paseo del Rio Association Each float will be beautifully decorated and will have live entertainment filling the River Walk with traditional holiday carols as well as symphonic favorites Great seats Watch from the ever popular Arneson River

U Theatre where a laser light show will be featured as well as a beautiful performance from The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization made up of five orchestras an annual Summer Symphony Camp and the new Music Learning Center on the Cityrsquos West Side The mission of Youth Orchestra of San Antonio the premier orchestral experience for youth citywide is to enhance education enrich the community and transform lives by pursuing excellence in classical music in a stimulating nurturing and fun environment that is equally accessible to all youthGrand Marshal Leading the parade as Grand Marshall this year is renowned author and San Antonio resident Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros is the founder of the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation the Elvira Cisneros award and the Macondo Foundation all of which work on behalf of creative writers She is the recipient of numerous awards including a MacArthur Fellowship Her writings include novels The House On Mango Street and Caramelo short stories Woman Hollering

Ford Holiday Riverwalk Parade

Illuminating the Alamo City

By Margaux Gonzalez Huckabay

NOVEMBER 29 2013For over 30 years this spectacular one-hour parade along San AntoniosRiver Walk has featured illuminated floats with celebrities bands andlavishly-costumed participants Enjoy the parade from a reserved seatalong the River Walk For a map of the parade route and to order tickets

visit wwwTheSanAntonioRiverWalkcom or call 210-227-4262

TICKETS $15-$30Special performance by Sebastien de la Cruz on the Grand Marshal float

Sponsored By

Other Float SponsorsSilver Eagle Distributors bull University of the Incarnate Word

H-E-B bull The Drury Plaza HotelBroadway in San Antonio bull The Salvation Army PRESENTED BY

FHRP_PromoAdLayout 1 112113 1108 AM Page 1

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

TEXAS TEXAS

Creek and poetry collections My Wicked Wicked Ways and Loose Woman She has also written a childrenrsquos book Hairs Cisneros is currently at work on several writing projects including Borrowed Houses Infinito Cantos Y Llantos Her most recent work also includes a childrenrsquos book Bravo Bruno with artist Leslie Greene and has been published in Italy She also wrote Have You Seen Marie An illustrated book for adults with artist Ester Hernandez published in the US in October 2012 Cisneros is currently selling her house and says that this event will be a good way to say goodbye to San AntonioMemorable Floats All of this yearrsquos parade floats will be decorated to portray holiday favorites like 12 Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch stole Christmas During a two hour tour the parade will float past the Drury Plaza Hotel and Casa Rio as well as many other hotels and restaurants many of whom have prepared dinner room and parade ticket specials for guests who schedule ahead for one of the most memorable River Walk events of the year Map It Out

To see a map of the parade route and to purchase tickets visit wwwthesanantonioriverwalkcom The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting

Ceremony will also be broadcasted in networks in Texas and syndicated nation-wideMayorrsquos Light up Downtown To complement the River Walkrsquos Lighting The City of San Antonio is holding its annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest which encourages downtown business owners to compete for the most decorative and creative

use of LED lights This will combine downtownrsquos river and street levels into one magical holiday destination You can vote for your favorite by visiting wwwlightupdowntownsacom On the Friday after Thanksgiving the San Antonio River Walk will be decked and dazzled with holiday spirit and warm colored lights Grab a blanket a loved one or friend and enjoy the Ford Holiday River Parade with holiday cheer

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

Enjoy theSuite Life

SeaWorld San AntonioAquatica have partnered with the Art Institute of San Antonio and the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade to bring you the first-ever ldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

Come experience the magic

9821 Colonnade Blvd bull San Antonio TX 78230

Experience OurldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

wwwseaworldcom

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

NEW

Book it1-800-THE OMNI

Aquatica Suite available after July 2013Before then ask for the ldquoKidrsquos Fantasy Suiterdquo

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS TEXAS

eaWorldreg San Anto-nio will be transformed into a wintery watery

wonderland where families of all ages can enjoy stunning live shows sip hot cocoa and stroll through a sea of more than one million twinkling lights during its annual Christ-mas Celebrationreg a magical holiday program offered on scheduled operating days through Dec 31 SnowWorld In the newest addition to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration SnowWorld present-ed by Coca-Colareg families can play in real snow right here in Central Texas Guests will feel like theyrsquore in a winter wonderland while sled-ding playing and dashing through the snow Plus fami-lies will get the opportunity to capture their memorable day at SeaWorld with a unique family photo inside of a larger-than-life snow globe This 12-foot-tall snow globe in SnowWorld Market is sure to get families into the holiday spirit as they pose for their exclusive Christmas portrait in this unique set-ting Also new this year is Christmas Cove an area of the park that will make guests feel like theyrsquove stepped into the 1950s A visit to Christmas Cove would not be com-plete without Home for the Holidays Dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus Guests will feel right at home for the holidays when they join Santa and Mrs Claus for din-ner with all the trimmings and a special story Advance reservations are required for this exclusive dining experi-ence Joy to the World Another new element to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration is Joy to the World an area of the park that will feature trumpeting angel statues a beautiful nativity scene and carolers telling the story of Christmas through song Guestsrsquo Christmas favorites include Shamu Christmas Miracles Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas A Dolphin Christmas Elmorsquos Christmas Wish Orsquo Christmas

S Tree and Reflections Also returning are the many traveling musicians carol-ers and photo opportuni-ties each with their own unique Christmas flare Plus there will be a festive train ride for young guests aboard the SeaWorld Express located near our Nautilus AmphitheaterSet to music from The Nutcracker A Dolphin Christmas features beluga whales Pacific white-sided dolphins acrobats and trainers in a stunning cel-ebration of Christmas the SeaWorld way Make a wish during Elmorsquos Christmas Wish in the heart of our charm-ing Sesame Streetreg Bay of Playreg and be inspired watching Rosita Grover Zoe and Cookie Monster

all work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wishGuests can reflect on the magic of Christmas during Reflections and sing-a-long to Christmas melodies led by ldquoElfredrdquo and all the SeaWorld carolers Santarsquos sea lion helpers Clyde and Seamore are bringing laughs to SeaWorld in Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas This special holiday show is filled with spoofs and plenty of laughs Our loveable sea lions along with the rest of the crew invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration Guests are taken on a wonderful voyage into the heart of the holidays as they experience the power and beauty of Shamu Christmas Miracles Theyrsquoll be immersed in a festive atmosphere of sight and sound where thrilling holiday music soars as Shamu helps tell a story of reflection understanding peace friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us SeaWorld San Antonio is open weekends through Dec 15 as well as Thanksgiving week Nov 23 through Dec 1 and Dec 21 through Jan 5 (closed Christmas Day) Sunday Jan 5 2014 is SeaWorldrsquos final operat-ing day for the 2013 season For more details call (800) 700-7786 or visit Sea-Worldcom

A Holiday GetawaySeaWorldreg San Antonio

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

TEXAS

pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

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14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

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16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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6 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 7

Texas

TEXAS TEXAS

sher in the Holiday Season on the River Walk this year with the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony On Friday

November 29 at 700 in the evening watch the San Antonio River Walk come alive under beautifully draped LED lights in 200 trees Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the show from seats located along the parade route or from the patio of their favorite River Walk establishmentOnce Upon a Christmas A grand production the 2013 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting will be centered on the theme Once Upon A Christmas This theme was chosen to ldquohonor all those special holiday books that families across the country read each holiday season creating wonderful memories through the magic of booksrdquo explains Nancy Hunt Executive Director of the Paseo del Rio Association Each float will be beautifully decorated and will have live entertainment filling the River Walk with traditional holiday carols as well as symphonic favorites Great seats Watch from the ever popular Arneson River

U Theatre where a laser light show will be featured as well as a beautiful performance from The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio The Youth Orchestra of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization made up of five orchestras an annual Summer Symphony Camp and the new Music Learning Center on the Cityrsquos West Side The mission of Youth Orchestra of San Antonio the premier orchestral experience for youth citywide is to enhance education enrich the community and transform lives by pursuing excellence in classical music in a stimulating nurturing and fun environment that is equally accessible to all youthGrand Marshal Leading the parade as Grand Marshall this year is renowned author and San Antonio resident Sandra Cisneros Sandra Cisneros is the founder of the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation the Elvira Cisneros award and the Macondo Foundation all of which work on behalf of creative writers She is the recipient of numerous awards including a MacArthur Fellowship Her writings include novels The House On Mango Street and Caramelo short stories Woman Hollering

Ford Holiday Riverwalk Parade

Illuminating the Alamo City

By Margaux Gonzalez Huckabay

NOVEMBER 29 2013For over 30 years this spectacular one-hour parade along San AntoniosRiver Walk has featured illuminated floats with celebrities bands andlavishly-costumed participants Enjoy the parade from a reserved seatalong the River Walk For a map of the parade route and to order tickets

visit wwwTheSanAntonioRiverWalkcom or call 210-227-4262

TICKETS $15-$30Special performance by Sebastien de la Cruz on the Grand Marshal float

Sponsored By

Other Float SponsorsSilver Eagle Distributors bull University of the Incarnate Word

H-E-B bull The Drury Plaza HotelBroadway in San Antonio bull The Salvation Army PRESENTED BY

FHRP_PromoAdLayout 1 112113 1108 AM Page 1

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

TEXAS TEXAS

Creek and poetry collections My Wicked Wicked Ways and Loose Woman She has also written a childrenrsquos book Hairs Cisneros is currently at work on several writing projects including Borrowed Houses Infinito Cantos Y Llantos Her most recent work also includes a childrenrsquos book Bravo Bruno with artist Leslie Greene and has been published in Italy She also wrote Have You Seen Marie An illustrated book for adults with artist Ester Hernandez published in the US in October 2012 Cisneros is currently selling her house and says that this event will be a good way to say goodbye to San AntonioMemorable Floats All of this yearrsquos parade floats will be decorated to portray holiday favorites like 12 Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch stole Christmas During a two hour tour the parade will float past the Drury Plaza Hotel and Casa Rio as well as many other hotels and restaurants many of whom have prepared dinner room and parade ticket specials for guests who schedule ahead for one of the most memorable River Walk events of the year Map It Out

To see a map of the parade route and to purchase tickets visit wwwthesanantonioriverwalkcom The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting

Ceremony will also be broadcasted in networks in Texas and syndicated nation-wideMayorrsquos Light up Downtown To complement the River Walkrsquos Lighting The City of San Antonio is holding its annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest which encourages downtown business owners to compete for the most decorative and creative

use of LED lights This will combine downtownrsquos river and street levels into one magical holiday destination You can vote for your favorite by visiting wwwlightupdowntownsacom On the Friday after Thanksgiving the San Antonio River Walk will be decked and dazzled with holiday spirit and warm colored lights Grab a blanket a loved one or friend and enjoy the Ford Holiday River Parade with holiday cheer

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

Enjoy theSuite Life

SeaWorld San AntonioAquatica have partnered with the Art Institute of San Antonio and the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade to bring you the first-ever ldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

Come experience the magic

9821 Colonnade Blvd bull San Antonio TX 78230

Experience OurldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

wwwseaworldcom

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

NEW

Book it1-800-THE OMNI

Aquatica Suite available after July 2013Before then ask for the ldquoKidrsquos Fantasy Suiterdquo

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS TEXAS

eaWorldreg San Anto-nio will be transformed into a wintery watery

wonderland where families of all ages can enjoy stunning live shows sip hot cocoa and stroll through a sea of more than one million twinkling lights during its annual Christ-mas Celebrationreg a magical holiday program offered on scheduled operating days through Dec 31 SnowWorld In the newest addition to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration SnowWorld present-ed by Coca-Colareg families can play in real snow right here in Central Texas Guests will feel like theyrsquore in a winter wonderland while sled-ding playing and dashing through the snow Plus fami-lies will get the opportunity to capture their memorable day at SeaWorld with a unique family photo inside of a larger-than-life snow globe This 12-foot-tall snow globe in SnowWorld Market is sure to get families into the holiday spirit as they pose for their exclusive Christmas portrait in this unique set-ting Also new this year is Christmas Cove an area of the park that will make guests feel like theyrsquove stepped into the 1950s A visit to Christmas Cove would not be com-plete without Home for the Holidays Dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus Guests will feel right at home for the holidays when they join Santa and Mrs Claus for din-ner with all the trimmings and a special story Advance reservations are required for this exclusive dining experi-ence Joy to the World Another new element to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration is Joy to the World an area of the park that will feature trumpeting angel statues a beautiful nativity scene and carolers telling the story of Christmas through song Guestsrsquo Christmas favorites include Shamu Christmas Miracles Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas A Dolphin Christmas Elmorsquos Christmas Wish Orsquo Christmas

S Tree and Reflections Also returning are the many traveling musicians carol-ers and photo opportuni-ties each with their own unique Christmas flare Plus there will be a festive train ride for young guests aboard the SeaWorld Express located near our Nautilus AmphitheaterSet to music from The Nutcracker A Dolphin Christmas features beluga whales Pacific white-sided dolphins acrobats and trainers in a stunning cel-ebration of Christmas the SeaWorld way Make a wish during Elmorsquos Christmas Wish in the heart of our charm-ing Sesame Streetreg Bay of Playreg and be inspired watching Rosita Grover Zoe and Cookie Monster

all work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wishGuests can reflect on the magic of Christmas during Reflections and sing-a-long to Christmas melodies led by ldquoElfredrdquo and all the SeaWorld carolers Santarsquos sea lion helpers Clyde and Seamore are bringing laughs to SeaWorld in Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas This special holiday show is filled with spoofs and plenty of laughs Our loveable sea lions along with the rest of the crew invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration Guests are taken on a wonderful voyage into the heart of the holidays as they experience the power and beauty of Shamu Christmas Miracles Theyrsquoll be immersed in a festive atmosphere of sight and sound where thrilling holiday music soars as Shamu helps tell a story of reflection understanding peace friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us SeaWorld San Antonio is open weekends through Dec 15 as well as Thanksgiving week Nov 23 through Dec 1 and Dec 21 through Jan 5 (closed Christmas Day) Sunday Jan 5 2014 is SeaWorldrsquos final operat-ing day for the 2013 season For more details call (800) 700-7786 or visit Sea-Worldcom

A Holiday GetawaySeaWorldreg San Antonio

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

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pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 5: Htlgde111213

NOVEMBER 29 2013For over 30 years this spectacular one-hour parade along San AntoniosRiver Walk has featured illuminated floats with celebrities bands andlavishly-costumed participants Enjoy the parade from a reserved seatalong the River Walk For a map of the parade route and to order tickets

visit wwwTheSanAntonioRiverWalkcom or call 210-227-4262

TICKETS $15-$30Special performance by Sebastien de la Cruz on the Grand Marshal float

Sponsored By

Other Float SponsorsSilver Eagle Distributors bull University of the Incarnate Word

H-E-B bull The Drury Plaza HotelBroadway in San Antonio bull The Salvation Army PRESENTED BY

FHRP_PromoAdLayout 1 112113 1108 AM Page 1

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

TEXAS TEXAS

Creek and poetry collections My Wicked Wicked Ways and Loose Woman She has also written a childrenrsquos book Hairs Cisneros is currently at work on several writing projects including Borrowed Houses Infinito Cantos Y Llantos Her most recent work also includes a childrenrsquos book Bravo Bruno with artist Leslie Greene and has been published in Italy She also wrote Have You Seen Marie An illustrated book for adults with artist Ester Hernandez published in the US in October 2012 Cisneros is currently selling her house and says that this event will be a good way to say goodbye to San AntonioMemorable Floats All of this yearrsquos parade floats will be decorated to portray holiday favorites like 12 Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch stole Christmas During a two hour tour the parade will float past the Drury Plaza Hotel and Casa Rio as well as many other hotels and restaurants many of whom have prepared dinner room and parade ticket specials for guests who schedule ahead for one of the most memorable River Walk events of the year Map It Out

To see a map of the parade route and to purchase tickets visit wwwthesanantonioriverwalkcom The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting

Ceremony will also be broadcasted in networks in Texas and syndicated nation-wideMayorrsquos Light up Downtown To complement the River Walkrsquos Lighting The City of San Antonio is holding its annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest which encourages downtown business owners to compete for the most decorative and creative

use of LED lights This will combine downtownrsquos river and street levels into one magical holiday destination You can vote for your favorite by visiting wwwlightupdowntownsacom On the Friday after Thanksgiving the San Antonio River Walk will be decked and dazzled with holiday spirit and warm colored lights Grab a blanket a loved one or friend and enjoy the Ford Holiday River Parade with holiday cheer

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

Enjoy theSuite Life

SeaWorld San AntonioAquatica have partnered with the Art Institute of San Antonio and the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade to bring you the first-ever ldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

Come experience the magic

9821 Colonnade Blvd bull San Antonio TX 78230

Experience OurldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

wwwseaworldcom

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

NEW

Book it1-800-THE OMNI

Aquatica Suite available after July 2013Before then ask for the ldquoKidrsquos Fantasy Suiterdquo

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS TEXAS

eaWorldreg San Anto-nio will be transformed into a wintery watery

wonderland where families of all ages can enjoy stunning live shows sip hot cocoa and stroll through a sea of more than one million twinkling lights during its annual Christ-mas Celebrationreg a magical holiday program offered on scheduled operating days through Dec 31 SnowWorld In the newest addition to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration SnowWorld present-ed by Coca-Colareg families can play in real snow right here in Central Texas Guests will feel like theyrsquore in a winter wonderland while sled-ding playing and dashing through the snow Plus fami-lies will get the opportunity to capture their memorable day at SeaWorld with a unique family photo inside of a larger-than-life snow globe This 12-foot-tall snow globe in SnowWorld Market is sure to get families into the holiday spirit as they pose for their exclusive Christmas portrait in this unique set-ting Also new this year is Christmas Cove an area of the park that will make guests feel like theyrsquove stepped into the 1950s A visit to Christmas Cove would not be com-plete without Home for the Holidays Dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus Guests will feel right at home for the holidays when they join Santa and Mrs Claus for din-ner with all the trimmings and a special story Advance reservations are required for this exclusive dining experi-ence Joy to the World Another new element to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration is Joy to the World an area of the park that will feature trumpeting angel statues a beautiful nativity scene and carolers telling the story of Christmas through song Guestsrsquo Christmas favorites include Shamu Christmas Miracles Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas A Dolphin Christmas Elmorsquos Christmas Wish Orsquo Christmas

S Tree and Reflections Also returning are the many traveling musicians carol-ers and photo opportuni-ties each with their own unique Christmas flare Plus there will be a festive train ride for young guests aboard the SeaWorld Express located near our Nautilus AmphitheaterSet to music from The Nutcracker A Dolphin Christmas features beluga whales Pacific white-sided dolphins acrobats and trainers in a stunning cel-ebration of Christmas the SeaWorld way Make a wish during Elmorsquos Christmas Wish in the heart of our charm-ing Sesame Streetreg Bay of Playreg and be inspired watching Rosita Grover Zoe and Cookie Monster

all work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wishGuests can reflect on the magic of Christmas during Reflections and sing-a-long to Christmas melodies led by ldquoElfredrdquo and all the SeaWorld carolers Santarsquos sea lion helpers Clyde and Seamore are bringing laughs to SeaWorld in Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas This special holiday show is filled with spoofs and plenty of laughs Our loveable sea lions along with the rest of the crew invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration Guests are taken on a wonderful voyage into the heart of the holidays as they experience the power and beauty of Shamu Christmas Miracles Theyrsquoll be immersed in a festive atmosphere of sight and sound where thrilling holiday music soars as Shamu helps tell a story of reflection understanding peace friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us SeaWorld San Antonio is open weekends through Dec 15 as well as Thanksgiving week Nov 23 through Dec 1 and Dec 21 through Jan 5 (closed Christmas Day) Sunday Jan 5 2014 is SeaWorldrsquos final operat-ing day for the 2013 season For more details call (800) 700-7786 or visit Sea-Worldcom

A Holiday GetawaySeaWorldreg San Antonio

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

TEXAS

pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

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4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

Enjoy theSuite Life

SeaWorld San AntonioAquatica have partnered with the Art Institute of San Antonio and the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade to bring you the first-ever ldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

Come experience the magic

9821 Colonnade Blvd bull San Antonio TX 78230

Experience OurldquoAquatica Suiterdquo

wwwseaworldcom

Call an for your

Hotel Guide pecial rate

NEW

Book it1-800-THE OMNI

Aquatica Suite available after July 2013Before then ask for the ldquoKidrsquos Fantasy Suiterdquo

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS TEXAS

eaWorldreg San Anto-nio will be transformed into a wintery watery

wonderland where families of all ages can enjoy stunning live shows sip hot cocoa and stroll through a sea of more than one million twinkling lights during its annual Christ-mas Celebrationreg a magical holiday program offered on scheduled operating days through Dec 31 SnowWorld In the newest addition to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration SnowWorld present-ed by Coca-Colareg families can play in real snow right here in Central Texas Guests will feel like theyrsquore in a winter wonderland while sled-ding playing and dashing through the snow Plus fami-lies will get the opportunity to capture their memorable day at SeaWorld with a unique family photo inside of a larger-than-life snow globe This 12-foot-tall snow globe in SnowWorld Market is sure to get families into the holiday spirit as they pose for their exclusive Christmas portrait in this unique set-ting Also new this year is Christmas Cove an area of the park that will make guests feel like theyrsquove stepped into the 1950s A visit to Christmas Cove would not be com-plete without Home for the Holidays Dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus Guests will feel right at home for the holidays when they join Santa and Mrs Claus for din-ner with all the trimmings and a special story Advance reservations are required for this exclusive dining experi-ence Joy to the World Another new element to SeaWorldrsquos Christmas Cel-ebration is Joy to the World an area of the park that will feature trumpeting angel statues a beautiful nativity scene and carolers telling the story of Christmas through song Guestsrsquo Christmas favorites include Shamu Christmas Miracles Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas A Dolphin Christmas Elmorsquos Christmas Wish Orsquo Christmas

S Tree and Reflections Also returning are the many traveling musicians carol-ers and photo opportuni-ties each with their own unique Christmas flare Plus there will be a festive train ride for young guests aboard the SeaWorld Express located near our Nautilus AmphitheaterSet to music from The Nutcracker A Dolphin Christmas features beluga whales Pacific white-sided dolphins acrobats and trainers in a stunning cel-ebration of Christmas the SeaWorld way Make a wish during Elmorsquos Christmas Wish in the heart of our charm-ing Sesame Streetreg Bay of Playreg and be inspired watching Rosita Grover Zoe and Cookie Monster

all work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wishGuests can reflect on the magic of Christmas during Reflections and sing-a-long to Christmas melodies led by ldquoElfredrdquo and all the SeaWorld carolers Santarsquos sea lion helpers Clyde and Seamore are bringing laughs to SeaWorld in Clyde amp Seamorersquos Countdown to Christmas This special holiday show is filled with spoofs and plenty of laughs Our loveable sea lions along with the rest of the crew invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration Guests are taken on a wonderful voyage into the heart of the holidays as they experience the power and beauty of Shamu Christmas Miracles Theyrsquoll be immersed in a festive atmosphere of sight and sound where thrilling holiday music soars as Shamu helps tell a story of reflection understanding peace friendship and the everyday miracles that surround us SeaWorld San Antonio is open weekends through Dec 15 as well as Thanksgiving week Nov 23 through Dec 1 and Dec 21 through Jan 5 (closed Christmas Day) Sunday Jan 5 2014 is SeaWorldrsquos final operat-ing day for the 2013 season For more details call (800) 700-7786 or visit Sea-Worldcom

A Holiday GetawaySeaWorldreg San Antonio

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

TEXAS

pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

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4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

rom Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cocktail

Conference will offer a chance for cocktail experts sponsors afi-cionados and newcom-ers to drink and dine together while enjoying tastings competitions evening parties and interactive workshops And for the third an-nual event all proceeds will benefit not one but two childrenrsquos charitiesExecutive Chef Mark Bohanan opened his in-ternationally-acclaimed restaurant 11 years ago and quickly embraced the positive impact Bo-hananrsquos Prime Steaks and Seafood had on the San Antonio community While pushing for development of the dining and cocktail scene downtown he was inspired to give back to the commu-nity that stood behind his business from day one Thus San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born First of its kind in Texas A first of its kind for Texas San Antonio Cocktail Conference was designed as a way for top mixologists and cocktail aficionados to come together for four days of collaboration education entertainment and charita-ble giving The popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic and New Orleansrsquo Tales of the Cocktail were inspiration for San Antonio Cocktail Conference After the incredible success raising more than $75000 over the past two years for HeartGift San Antonio Bohanan has decided itrsquos time to add a sec-ond beneficiary ChildSafe As a family man and father himself he recognized the need to help children both lo-cally and around the globe and therefore is excited to include the local child advocacy center ChildSafe in this yearrsquos conference Bohanan understands the significance of working with two organizations that remove children from life-threatening situations ldquoWhen you organize an event of this caliber itrsquos often unclear how the public will respond but we couldnrsquot be happier with the support the Cocktail Conference has re-

F

ceivedrdquo Bohanan said ldquoI canrsquot thank my dedicated team enough for working so tirelessly year round on behalf of our missionrdquo Abusive situations and heart issues affecting children have become the special focus of San Antonio Cocktail Conference HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe help children in completely different ways but have a com-mon mission in mind save the lives of childrenHeartGift San Antonio According to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery 93 percent of the worldrsquos population doesnrsquot have access to pediatric surgery To lessen the sever-ity of this statistic San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2012 and 2013 raised funds to save four childrenrsquos lives through heart surgeries mdash a life-changing journey which costs $25000 per case HeartGift San Antoniorsquos patients have been from countries including Ethiopia China and Mongolia all countries where the care they need is often unavailable or inaccessible ldquoWersquove had so much success over the past two years with San Antonio Cocktail Conference that wersquove been able to save four lives through heart sur-geryrdquo Leslie Davis Met executive director of HeartGift San Antonio said ldquoThe support of San Antoniorsquos com-munity is incredible and we look forward to what this year will bringrdquo

San AntonioCocktail Conference

Cocktails for a Good Cause

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pickPublisherrsquos

ChildSafe ChildSafe mdash San Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos new-est beneficiary mdash works with law enforcement Child Pro-tective Services prosecution and mental health profes-sionals to create a unique plan for each individual and family affected by abuse The nonprofit offers multiple programs that aid families on their road to recovery from traumatic incidents Each is community based strengthens family relation-ships and supports the healthy emotional and physi-cal development of children ldquoThese children and their non-offending family members are immersed in heart-wrenching situations and need helprdquo Kim Abernethy president and chief executive officer of ChildSafe said ldquoSan Antonio Cocktail Conferencersquos inclusion of ChildSafe this year is enormous because it helps provide the funds necessary for us to offer trauma focused services which helps these chil-dren recover through emotional healingrdquo To begin the childrsquos healing process with ChildSafe assess-ment services provide a psycho-social and needs assessment of the situation Next family support specialists work with caregivers and families to understand the legal and civil process Licensed therapists then begin the healing process with a child through behav-ioral therapy Children in dire conditions benefit from the important work of HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafe every day whether itrsquos from long-term life-saving effects of cardiac surgery or expert care for child victims of abuse and neglect San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014 invites you to participate and raise funds for these two charities All proceeds from the conference benefit HeartGift San Antonio and ChildSafeWhat to Expect To kick things off in style the festivities begin Thurs-day Jan 16 with music and cocktails at the beautiful Majestic Theatre Bartenders traveling from all around the country will mix specialty cocktails crafted from se-lect spirit brands Friday alike will play host to a full day of parties and seminars that appeal to cocktail beginners and experts In the evening Rio San Antonio Cruises will transport guests to an ldquoAll Texas Spirits Nightrdquo from the Weston Centre to Pearl for a showcase of San Antonio bars in

conjunction with all Texas spirits and live music from The Rick Cavender Band The fun continues Saturday Jan 18 with even more daytime seminars That evening join Bohananrsquos and Luumlke for a tasty experience at the Houston Street Stroll where both restaurants will serve up dishes and cocktails sure to exci te And whatrsquos better than rounding out

the night with an after party hosted by The 86 Co at Empire Theatre with special musical guest The Spazmat-ics Saturday evening will be an ex-travaganza you surely wonrsquot forgetWind down the cocktail weekend with a Sunday morning Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Deep Eddy Vodka at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with tastings of their three famous spirits including their fan favorite sweet tea vodka The final day of Cocktail Conference will also in-clude an exciting cocktail competi-tion plus a closing evening party at The BrooklyniteJoin us for the trifecta cocktail event of the year featuring creative drinks fantastic music and delicious food How often can you say you learned your cocktail tricks from the best of the best San Antonio Cocktail Conference is fun and edu-cational and all for a great cause Gather your friends for an incredible weekend at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2014

About the Conference Welcoming cocktail novices and enthusiasts industry experts sponsors and regional and national media to San Antonio from Jan 16-19 2014 San Antonio Cock-tail Conference 2014 combines education with good old-fashioned fun With seminars tastings evening soirees after parties and more the conference benefits HeartGift San Antonio a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries where necessary care is unavailable to them and ChildSafe a child advocacy center that specializes in providing services to children who have been abused or neglected wwwsacocktailconferencecomAbout Houston Street Charities San Antonio Cocktail Conference operates as a program of Houston Street Charities a 501(c)(3) The mission of Houston Street Charities is to benefit needy children increase educational opportunities for the com-munity provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it and support and enhance other public charities

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14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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new upscale retro-inspired motor court concept is coming to Austin courtesy of the Valencia Group Nostalgia will meet modern at the Lone Star

Court with an aesthetic thatrsquos authentically Austin and Texas Hill Country from the art in the rooms to the unique outdoor environment According to Doyle Graham Jr President and CEO of the Valencia Group ldquoThis is the most exciting new concept in the hotel industry Lone Star Court will be a 21st century re-interpretation of the nostalgic motor court At the same time it will capture the essence of Austin and the Texas Hill Country it will be one of a kind and totally unique to Texasrsquo capital cityrdquoTrue Texas Lone Star Court will have 123 retro-inspired guest rooms with high-tech amenities True to Austin Lone Star Court will feature live music by an outdoor fire pit a dipping pool reminiscent of Hill Country swimming holes and an on-site food trailer court Lone Star Court will draw business as well as leisure travelers to its unique ldquoranch-techrdquo property and the res-taurant and bar will be a destination for Austi-nites as well as visitorsA Place to Meet The property will have approximately 2000 square feet of interior meeting space an outdoor covered pa-vilion of 1600 square feet and an adjacent open air lawn that adds 1800 square feet to the total available meeting space The Valencia Group Lone Star Court is a new concept created by Valencia Group a Houston-based company known for its luxury independent Hotel Valencias in San Antonio and San

A Jose the Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE in Houston and re-cently Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City Why the Vintage Concept

During the early days of auto tourism beginning in the mid 1940s road-side campsites led entrepreneurs to create quaint cabin-like places for travelers to stay Simple cottage camps began to evolve into more sophis-ticated full-service motor courts and the number of motels in Ameri-

ca tripled to more than 60000 by the 1960s The new more modern motor courts along great American highways featured ldquoair cooled by refrigera-tionrdquo television coin-operated radios tiled bathrooms

easy chairs and Serta Per-fect Sleepers After decades of boom-ing business mom-and-pop motels began to disappear in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that funded construction of the interstate highway system With little means to move their facili-ties or re-route traffic these gems of the road gave way to corporate chains staking their claims along the new highways Lone Star Court will take visitors back to the heyday of the roadside motor court ex-

perience where guests can discover an era of authentic Americana along with modern amenities and the excite-ment of Austin More InformationTo find out more about Lone Star Court visit them online at wwwlonestarcourtcom

Lone Star CourtAustinrsquos Authentic Americana

TEXAS

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

reate your Christmas memories in

Grapevine the Christ-mas Capital of Texas With 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus days yoursquore sure to finda stocking-full of holi-day fun for the entire family See the city as itrsquos transformed into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas with millions of lights enormous decorations carolers and a whole lot more Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the fam-ily a grownup get-away or fun festivities enjoy these magical events in Grapevine this season1 Hop Aboard the North Pole Expressreg Create a unique ldquoFam-ily Christmas Memoryrdquo at the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos North Pole Expressreg Your experi-ence begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where you board the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail Coaches and are greeted by elves minstrels and carol-ers Departing the platform you will enjoy live entertain-ment and the reading of a Christmas story when every child will receive a ldquoWe Believerdquo Silver Santa Bell Riders return to a transformed platform that now leads to the North Pole where all are in search of Santa You then enter a Winter Wonderland through a Christmas Tree Maze to a dazzling North Pole stage where Santa Helpers and costumed characters perform a highenergyexciting traditional Christmas Show that cul-minates with the arrival of Santa Santa greets the audi-ence and asks all ldquoWho Believerdquo to ring their Santa Bells and the North Pole is alive with the jingles of hundreds of bells Santa wishes everyone a Happy Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a

Cmemory mug to all the boys and girls Santaalso gives guests a voucher for a Family Photo with him at the North Pole General Store You can go get it right then or come back anytime during the week between noon and 7 pm Limit one per family ALL ABOARD Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person and are on sale now Advance purchase recommended November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 1314 15 20 21 22 and 23 See Gaylord Texan Resortrsquos Lone Star Christ-mas Featuring ICE and Kung Fu PandaAwesome SNOW tub-ing ndash The magic of the Christmas season comes to Gaylord TexanResort now ndash January 4 2014 Events include 15

million twinkling lights 15000 ornaments an amazing 54-foot-tall rotating Christmas tree a 7-foot-tall ginger-bread house ICE featuring The Nutcracker carved from more than two million pounds of ice Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing and other exclusive holiday events and attractions Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for times and tickets Have a Howlinrsquo Good Time During Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge - Enjoy a trip to the North Woods in Grapevine at the Great Wolf Lodge During Snowland guests at this family-friendly resort will enjoy an 84-de-gree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa North Pole University for Elves holiday carol sing-alongs a life-size Gingerbread House Santarsquos Let-ter Depot Polar Wolf Walk Great Clock Tower holidayshow nightly Story Time and much more November 30 - January 5

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of the Lone Star State

See the Largest Lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas ndash Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine on December 5 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands Look for Santa Claus on the last float Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event Free Anddonrsquot miss one of the coolest parades yoursquoll ever see on Lake Grapevine See the beautiful Twinkle Light Boat Parade with watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating fes-tival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina including Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grape-vine and the Glass Cactus Nightclub at Gaylord Texan Resort December 7 6-9 pm Free A Christmas Shoppers Paradise ndash Christmas shoppers will find a sleigh-full of exciting gift-giving options for ev-eryone on their list in Grapevine From one-of-a-kind bou-tiques and jewelry stores to some of the largest national retail chains Grapevinersquos shopping choices offer a wide range of great ideas for every taste and budget And donrsquot forget to buy yourself a little something special to celebrate the season Run run Rudolph to Historic Downtown Grapevinersquos more than 80 locally-owned shops boutiques jewelry stores winery tasting rooms home deacutecor and collectibles and more Stores such as Good Things For All Seasons Crowned by Grace Chic Boutique Merryrsquos Christmas and Clowns Bermuda Gold Grapevine Olive Oil Com-pany Ooh La La and many more will delight even the most seasoned shopper From opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night to a variety of exciting holiday events Grapevine Mills mall offers even the most devoted shopper a truly amazing experience The 16 million square feet of shopping euphoria includes spots such as the recently opened HampM Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more And for a spe-cial holiday treat enjoy breakfast with Santa at Rainfor-est Cafeacute on December 21 Looking for shopping ideas for your outdoor enthu-siast Check out all the great gear for fishing boating hunting camping archery and the outdoors at Bass Pro Shops Donrsquot miss Santarsquos Wonderland with free activi-ties crafts and games Located across the street from Grapevine Mills mall you can also see special Christmas visitors throughout the season on weekends And shopping traditionalists will love Grapevine Towne Center home to brands such as Target Cost Plus World Market Office Depot and more Delicious Dishes and Christmas Wishes ndash Grapevinersquos delicious dishes go perfectly with Christmas wishes Take a shopping break at one of the cityrsquos more than 200 res-

taurants that serve a variety of cuisines at prices to fit a range of budgets The city features a variety oflocally-owned restaurants and national chains that will refresh and restore even the most dedicated Christmas shopper Musicals Movies and Magical Moments at the Palace Theatre ndash Hit a high note with live entertainment and classic Christmas movies in Grapevine With the amaz-ing backdrop of Grapevinersquos Historic Palace Theatre all ages will love sharing in all the seasonal fun Texas Tenors ndash Back by popular demand for the third year in a row The Texas Tenors bring their exciting Christmas show to Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre One of the most popular Grapevine Christmas events The Texas Tenors will perform classic Christmas music to opera to country favorites all with a Texas twist See for your-self why The Texas Tenors are one of the most popular groups in the history of Americarsquos Got TalentGet your tickets now as these shows sell out fast Tickets $30 December 18 19 20 21 and 22 at 730 pm For more information call 817-410-3100 Blue Christmas with Kraig Parker ndash Oh yoursquoll have a Blue Christmas if you donrsquot come see Kraig Parker at Grapevinersquos Palace Theatre On Sunday December 1 see Kraigrsquos incredible Elvis-styled Christmas show Known as the worldrsquos premier Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker will definitely be a favorite of all the Elvis fans on your list Tickets start at $27 The show starts at 4 pm Call 817-410-3100 for tickets Grapevine Opry ndash Christmas music fans will love the Grapevine Opryrsquos seasonal shows featuring some of the best local performers in North Texas All shows start at730 pm and tickets are $25 Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 30A Texas Christmas ndash December 6 and December 13Fabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 7Christmas Wonderland ndash December 14New Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 Classic Christmas Movies ndash Therersquos no better place to watch a classic Christmas movie than a classic theatre in a historic downtown Tickets $5 per person Movies includeWhite Christmas December 2 8 11 and 17Itrsquos A Wonderful Life December 3 10 12 16 22 and 23A Christmas Story December 4 and 9 andA Charlie Brown ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christ-mas December 20 21 and 23 Build your Holly Jolly Holidays at LEGOLANDreg Dis-covery Center and dive into Christmas fun with Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium ndashLEGOreg bricks are always a Christmas time favorite Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center DallasFort Worth and celebrate the holiday season with festive family-friendly activities

TEXAS

continued on page 20

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 11: Htlgde111213

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

TEXAS

Events include the search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND December 11 ndash25 write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Cafeacute December 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm and build your best LEGO ornament fordisplay on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (mini-mum $1 donation to Merlinrsquos Magic Wand) Christmas Day guests can also enjoy milk andcookies from 4 pm ndash 6 pm Scuba Santa and his elf are back and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish andsharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevinersquos 145000-gal-lon tank Scheduled dives occur at 11 am on December 11 14 18 and 21 Young SEA LIFE visi-tors will also be able write and mail a let-ter to Santa while enjoy-ing a complimentary candy cane 12 pm to 2 pm on December 11 14 18 and 21 See Santa at Christmas on Main ndash Step back in time this season at Christmas on MainWith the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style build-ings dressed up with ribbons bows and wreaths and set aglow with twinkling lights children of all ages can see jolly Christmas characters including Santa on stilts play reindeer games experience the glass workshop atVetro Glassblowing Studio enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides ($1 per person per ride) and more November 29 and 30 December 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 and 22 Fridays 2 pm ndash 5 pm Saturdays Noon ndash 5 pm and Sundays 2 pm ndash 5 pm A Christmas Pairing of Wine and the Grapevine Vin-tage Railroad ndash Ride the rails on the Grapevine Vintage Railroadrsquos Christmas Wine Trains This seasonal event is a festive grownup escape from all of the Christmas hustle and bustle This fun evening begins with a reception at 7 pm in the Cotton Belt Railroad District followed by boarding at 730 pm Each train features a different Grapevine winery and winery representatives will be on board Wine will be

available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Buy your tickets early as these train experiences sell out quickly Riders must be 21 and overDecember 12 and 19 at 7 pm Visit wwwGrapevineTexa-sUSAcom or call 817-410-3185 See Twinkling Lights Each and Every Night ndash Twinkling lights abound at the Light Show Spectacular in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine This brilliantly-choreo-graphed show runs continuously from 6 pm ndash 11 pm

nightly starting Novem-ber 26 Sing along with the cityrsquos Christmas tree enjoy the lights and see the joy on the faces of everyone in the family as you watch this show at the Town Square Gazebo Free Have a Historic Christmas ndash Experience a Victorian Christmas at Grapevinersquos Nash Farm Visitors will be led by docents through the farmhouse and the farm to experience how Grapevinersquos earliest set-tlers celebrated Christ-mas in Texas during the latter part of the 19th Century Tours will be led from the pole barn

where visitors can enjoy hot cider and cookiesto the front door of the farmhouse through the parlor bedroom dining room and kitchen then outside by the burning yule log and back to the pole barn Following the tour guests may make ornaments to decorate their home for Christmas December 7 3 pm ndash 6 pm Free Unseasonable Greedings at Texas Star Dinner Theater ndash Tis the season to be jolly or at least it would be if it werenrsquot for Newman Marcus Saks V The greedy owner of the largest general store in town has robbed everyone of their Christmas cheer All Marshal Courtright wants is to do is go home relax by the fire and await Santarsquos arrival but with a murder to solve his plans are evapo-rating faster than a snowman in July Seems someone finally curtailed Newman Marcus Saksrsquo commercialized Christmas Most Thursdays and all Fridays and Satur-days November 22 ndash December 31More Information Holiday hotel packages are available For additional information please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visitwwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL SPA amp CONFERENCE CENTER Stay in a spacious two-room suite with complimentary made-to-order omelet and breakfast buffet each morning Spa Botanica located inside the hotel will pamper you at their full service spa with a massage facial nail and salon services Then wrap up the day with a complementary managerrsquos reception And with 78000 sqft of conference space one of the 19 rooms will be just the perfect size for your meeting 512-392-6450

SAN MARCOS RIVER The crystal clear San Marcos River is the perfect place to cool off Snorkel kayak or rent a tube at City Park float to Rio Vista Falls then shuttle back and start again

LIVE MUSIC When the sun sets enjoy live music at the Texas Music Theater or Cheatham Street Warehouse where many music legends got their start

3

OUTLET SHOPPING The San Marcos Outlets is the largest outlet shopping center in the United States and feature 260+ shops Enjoy shopping upscale designers to name brand stores with amazing discounts of up to 65 off

Top 9Reasons to Love

SAN MARCOS

wwwtoursanmarcoscom | 5123935930

4

NATURE TRAILS Bring a 4-legged friend for a hike on our trails Pet friendly hotels are available

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Stroll around the Square to shop and dine then stay to enjoy night life and live music

DICKrsquoS CLASSIC GARAGE Home to more than 80 pristine American classic cars dating back to 1929

987WONDER WORLD CAVE Go deep underground in the nationrsquos only example of an earthquake-formed cave

AQUARENA CENTER Marvel at underwater marine life in a glass bottom boat or glass bottom kayak

65

21

SportsSMTX

TourSanMarcos

(SMCVB)HotelGuideindd 1 32513 442 PM

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

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4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

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galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 12: Htlgde111213

TEXAS

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

he Mansion at Judgesrsquo Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in

Originally built in 1900 the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall amp Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten one of the found-ers of the University of Texas The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas In fact in 1929 they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10000 (todayrsquos esti-mate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home Since its inception this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vi-brancy of its futureldquoFluffy Not Stuffyrdquo At the Mansion you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal All the rooms have a personality all their own Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache Amenities in these incredible accommodations include 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows complimentary LrsquoOccitane and Gilchrist amp Soames custom bath products private stocked honor bar complimentary wireless amp high-speed internet access cable television and dvd players Additionally there is twice daily housekeeping services Food for Thought The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delica-cies Here you will find an exquisite blend of Internation-al Modern and Classic Cuisines The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal

T

Mansion at Judgersquos Hill

The

1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents intimate tables vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmo-

sphere the Mansion has come to be known for Here you can enjoy a delicious martini tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections Special Events and More The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events Regardless of the formality tastes or budget they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function Whether itrsquos a busi-ness meeting wedding reception or conference they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests The venue can accommo-date up to 250 people

Contact Us For more information on this world-class boutique hotel visit them online at wwwjudgeshillcom or call (512) 495-1800

Elegance in the Texas Capital

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

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24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

TEXAS

ust a field goal try away from storied Jones ATampT Sta-dium stands one of Texasrsquo

newest stars The Overton Hotel and Conference Center embod-ies the unique feel and style of a top-notch hotel Impeccable Amenities When venturing to Lubbock Texas the Overton Hotel is the perfect getaway choice From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly staff ready to help you With 303 guest rooms and suites the Overton is more than accommodating All of the standard rooms feature compli-mentary wired and wireless high speed internet for all your day to day emailing and tweets Relax and watch your favorite show on a 37-inch flat-screen TV with complimentary HBO Meetings If you are interested in hold-ing your next meeting or board function in Lubbock then this hotel is the ob-vious choice The Overton has more than 20000-square feet of flex-ible column-free meeting space that can accommodate up to 1300 people In addition the property has state-of-the-art function rooms two memorable executive board rooms and tons of spacious prefunction areas Because everything is always bigger in Texas nothing in Lubbock measures up to the Overtonrsquos ballroom which is the citiesrsquo largest Letrsquos Eat You really will find the best dining in Lubbock at the Over-ton Hotel and Conference Center Hearty breakfasts indulgent lunch dishes and tasty dinner fare are only steps away from

J

The Overton Hotel

your luxurious high-rise accommoda-tions Executive Chef Patrick Tarantino and staff at the Pecan Grill at the Over-ton serve up a sophisticated selection of Texas-style favorites for breakfast lunch and dinner From innovative dishes such as Sweet Tea Brined Game Hens and West Texas Rabbit loin to more tradi-tional fare like our Bone-in Ribeye Steak the Pecan Grill at hte Overton Hotel has something for everyone

And if you are looking for a great place to hang out and unwind the Overton Bar is the perfect spot Contact Us For more information on this world-classincredible property visit wwwovertonhotelcom

The Newest Star in Texas5 Hotels within 50 Miles

WErsquoVE GOT HOUSTON KEMAH AND GALVESTON ISLAND TX COVERED

7132281520innattheballparkcom

2813349880kemahboardwalkinncom

4097441500sanluisresortcom

4097445000galvestonhiltoncom

4097405300holidayinnresortscom

galveston-bch

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

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Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

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Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 14: Htlgde111213

destinations

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 15: Htlgde111213

FL

The holi-days are a unique time in Scotts-

dale Whether yoursquore searching for family fun or looking to cozy up with that special some-one there are a plethora of possi-bilities for enjoy-ing an exclusive experience in the Sonoran Des-ert this holiday season Wersquove rounded up our picks for what makes Scottsdale stand out during this wonderful time of year Great Holiday Events Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov 29 through Dec 31 at the Desert Botanical Gardenrsquos Las Noches de las Luminarias Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Cafeacute as you stroll the paths throughout the garden Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers handbells guitars and violins fills the air With advanced reservations you can even dine at Gertrudersquos which stays open late for the event And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete with-out stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014 Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihulyrsquos colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night skyKids and the Zoo Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wan-

Scottsdale AZ

der through Zoo Lights at the Phoe-nix Zoo Nov 28 2013 through Jan 12 2014 As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze the zoo transforms into a winter won-derland Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million color-ful twinkle lights and 500 custom-

made animal and nature light sculptures Yoursquoll likely spot a sleepy orangutan a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivitiesChristmas Tree Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Mu-seumrsquos Ornament Marketplace from Nov 28 through Dec 1 Return to the museum Dec 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard an annual Southwestern tradition This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting per-formances and artist demonstrationsChristmas at the Princess Literally rock around the musical Christ-

mas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princessrsquo annual win-ter celebration Christmas at the Princess At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov 21 see 65000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs The event which runs through Jan5 2014 features a 5400-square-foot ice skating rink visits from Santa and his elves musical performances the Sil-ver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical

Holidays in the DesertT

AZ

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

his Winter expect a myriad of great things

in Fort Lauderdale Winter warmth amp holiday cheer The 42nd An-nual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade one of the top 20 pa-rades in the world and the 7th largest one day spectator event in the coun-try returns Dec 14 A perennial favor-ite for more than 50 years Christmas on Las Olas Boulevard returns to the chic shopping street Dec 3 The Holiday Fantasy of Lights Nov 22 ndash Jan 4 at Tradewinds Park three miles of giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees Water Taxi Winterfestival of Lights throughout Decem-ber features amazing holiday light displays atmansions along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Lauderdale live concert weekend Greater Fort Lauderdale is an undergroundindie rock music hub secret Donrsquot miss the debut of Lauder-dale Live December 6-8 along the scenic waterfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale Headliners Lyle Love Huey Lewisamp The News are joined by Jason Isbell Indigo Girls Robert Randolph amp The Family Band Shovels amp Rope Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors The WildFeathers Holly Williams Lee DeWyze Jille e Johnson and more Plus a lavish VIP event onboard three luxury yachts docked along the New River on Dec 6 ldquoYacht Discovery Experiencerdquo ships are supplied by super yacht charter company YCO all the worldrsquos a stage Greater Fort Lauderdalersquos music scene is rockrsquon and rollrsquon this season with performances by Bonnie Rait (Nov 30) and Trace Adkins (Dec 17) at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Top acts this winter at the BBampT Center in Sunrise include Jay Z (Jan 2) Billy Joel (Jan 11) Barry Manilow (Jan 17) Andrea Bocelli (Feb 14) Demi Lovato (Feb 25) Justin Timberlake (March 4) and Cher (May

T 25) This seasonrsquos Broadway showsat the Broward Cen-ter for the Perform-ing Arts include The Book of Mormon Nov 26-Dec 22 2013 The Wizard of Oz Jan 7-19 2014 Memphis the Musi-cal Feb 25-March 9 2014 Just kidding around The Museum of Discovery and Science unveiled its newest exhibit Dinosaurs In Motion featuring 14 magnifi cent fully

interactive recycled life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by actual fossils Visitors will have the unique ability to manipulate dinosaurs via lever and pulley systems as well as with remote controls off ering large-scale dinosaur interaction unprecedented in a museum setting Discover the mystery and marvel behind our nationrsquos most celebrated comic book superheroes during Young at Art Museumrsquos Zap Pow Bam The Superhero The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950 exhibition ap-pearing through Jan 5 2014 Parents will enjoy Cool de Sac at The Village of Gulfstream Park a full-service restaurant that faces an entertainment center with play stations where they can enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids tooShop uber chic The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale continues to expand its mix of more than 100 specialty retailers with the re-cent opening of the first Michael Kors and new locations from American Eagle Outfitters and LOFT coming soon Sawgrass Mills adds to its coveted collection of world-renowned luxury brands with the first and only Jimmy Choo outlet in Florida set to open at the Colonnade Outlets this fall and the opening of the first Floridaoutlet locations from Versace and Free fine linens a seasonal outlet location from GUCCI Kids and other de-signer names including Diane von Furstenberg Armani Robert Graham Ippolita and Wolford More Info Visit wwwsunnyorg

Fort LauderdaleHoliday Events Abound

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 16: Htlgde111213

AZ

30 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 31

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 17: Htlgde111213

FL FL

wwwthehotelguidecom 3332 wwwthehotelguidecom

lorida is making a buzz for Christmas and Gay-lord Palms Orlando is right in the center of it all Who says the fun should end when you get to the hotel Why not enjoy the digs as much as

the theme parks for the holidays Situated right next to Disney and minutes from Sea World and Universal Studios Gaylord Palms Orlando is without a doubt the best place to stay for the holidays in Florida Herersquos 10 reasons why

1 Locationlocation loca-tion Gaylord Palms is close to it all so close that they offer shuttle service free of charge to Disney Thatrsquos right They can also arrange shuttle service to Sea World Universal and the airport for a small fee So forget driving in a place yoursquore unfamiliar with and enjoy the ride

2 A stunning resort property with a 45 acre botanical atrium that even Las Vegas canrsquot touch Where you might expect a garden you get 45 acres of tropical foliage lining paved trails that summon your feet to stroll through caverns waterfalls and even a replica of the Castillo de San Marcos This all inside a climate controlled paradise designed after popular Florida themes St Augustine the Emerald Bay Key West the Everglades and Florida Springs

3 Gaylord Palms is wild This is no flashy fishtank hotel How about a replica of Floridarsquos natural springs Em-erald Bay and a 161000 gallon lagoon which are all home to a variety of marine and land wildlife including koi catfish pacu tarpon stingrays live snakes 30 spe-

Gaylord Palms Orlando 10 Reasons to Visit

F cies of native Florida turtles and even live alligators

4 The Christmassy Dreamworks Experience is AWESOME Character meet and greets from Shrek and Madagascar are surprising kids all the time at Gaylord Palms You can even enjoy Shrek Feast at the Villa de Flora a character meet and greet for breakfast I love this beyond words

They take their time and go to each table and really make it special for each and every child There are no mobs or rushing the kids they really want to make these memories amazing You can even get a map of where all the char-acters will be making it very easy to see everyone This is so cool

5 Annual Christmas Ice event With a new surprise theme each year yoursquore going to be making a habit of Gaylord Palms for Christmas This yearrsquos Ice event theme is the American classic Frosty the Snowman an ice sculpture wonderland of rooms tunnels slides and scenes from the cartoon carved entirely from ice Dress warm this is the only place in Florida where it will ever be 8 degrees Parkas provided

6 Luminescence a light and sound spectacular Gather around Gaylordrsquos massive 54-foot Christmas tree and let the holiday cheer warm your heart as you watch over 2 million lights dance to symphony and live stage entertain-ment All FREE

7 Christmas everywhere you turn From a reindeer scavenger hunt to pictures with Santa Clause Christmas is around every corner at Gaylord Palms Take a stroll

through Holiday Hall for hot chocolate fresh roast-ed nuts and holiday decor shopping

8 Spend time with your kids and build a ginger-bread house Join your kids at Gingyrsquos Ginger-bread Decorating Make a masterpiece and get photos with Dreamworks Gingy from Shrek

9 Hospitality and a friend-ly staff make staying at Gaylord Palms any time of the year a memorable ex-perience No matter what every time I make a Gay-lord Palms visit the staff is courteous and happy nothing but smiles and hel-los from everyone I love how warm everyone is This is what makes Gaylord Palms my favorite resort in all of Florida

10 Dining experiences that take you on a Florida tour Enjoy fine dining at the Old

By Christa Thompson

Hickory Steak-house nestled in the swamps of the Everglades hop on Sunset Samrsquos life sized sailboat in its own lagoon with live fish catch the game at Wreckers with its 37rsquo big screen or get a Vegas style buffet at Villa de Flora in the cen-ter of the atrium No mattter what your taste therersquos something for everyone

There is NO-WHERE in America that you can get all of this in one place If yoursquore think-ing Florida for Christmas make it Gaylord Palms

Orlando

Click amp Save

Save Money WhenBooking Your Travel with Us

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 18: Htlgde111213

NY FL

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

The hotelrsquos gracious faccedilade will complement todayrsquos technological comforts and amenities including fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout fully equipped fitness room and energy-efficient and low-noise central air Staff uniforms are custom-designed for The Jade by Against Nature the Lower East Side ldquobespoke atelierrdquo A grey waistcoat with purple piping traditional but very modern is the uniformrsquos signature

Grape amp Vine Restaurant Manhattan restaurateur Frederick Lesort operates Grape amp Vine The Jadersquos day-to-night restaurant and bar The speak-easy-inspired eatery welcomes neighbors and guests with an artisanal-style menu signature custom cocktails and healthful juice options Lesort is joined by his business partner Youri Raffi Djorkaeff a World Cup-winning soccer star who now lives in New York City Jade Guestrooms Inspired by Legendary Deco Artisan Ruhl-mann Accentuate the Details

For The Jadersquos Art Deco-inspired guestrooms interior design consultants Andres Escobar amp Associates took inspiration from legendary 1920s French Deco furniture artisan Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Rich shades of crim-son blue and gold are dominant tones Bedframes and desks are made of Makassar ebony the luxurious textured hardwood sensuous curves accent furnishings A sliding cabinet inset with a gorgeous Art Deco pat-tern conceals a 37rdquo flat-screen TV A compact Tivoli audio unit next to each bed features a docking cord for mobile devices On every bedside table is a function-ing vintage rotary telephone Bathrooms have textured black-and-white ldquosubwayrdquo tiles and feature European-style dual-flush toilets Indulgent bath amenities come from CO Bigelow Most rooms offer unobstructed views north and south with breathtaking vistas of New York from lower Manhattanrsquos architectural treasures to the iconic Jef-ferson Market Library nearby The higher floors offer select rooms with a terrace allowing guests to gaze over the cityscape For guests who prefer private out-door space second-floor guestrooms feature individual garden terraces separated by a landscaped trellis Visit wwwthejadenyccom for more info

he charm of Greenwich Village one of New York Cityrsquos most famed neighborhoods comes alive in an architectural gem of a hotel - The Jade Hotel With meticulous period architecture and

sumptuous Art Deco interiors The Jade conjures the Greenwich Village of speakeasies and literary salons the exhilarating Village of artists and musicians ndash and the electrifying crossroads of fashion food and culture that the Village is todayCraftsmanship Craftsmanship and beauty are reflected everywhere at The Jade The 113-room hotel was created with extraordinary attention to detail by New York architect Gene Kaufman Design Architect Richard Cam-eron of Brooklyn firm Atelier amp Co renowned for his grasp of classical architecture designed and consulted on certain ele-ments of the hotelrsquos faccedilade Developer Will Obeid took classes at Manhattanrsquos Institute of Classical Architecture amp Art and pursued the best designers and craftsman necessary to bring this hotel to life from its modern comforts to its authentic design Elegance in Design The elegant Georgian-style architecture of the lower faccedilade is illuminated by lamps blazing at The Jadersquos en-trance restoration glass a large semi-circular ldquolunetterdquo window and a huge copper clad bay window These welcoming elements create a feeling of inspired nostal-gia for guests as they enter the vestibule and descend into a sunken lobby that is enhanced by a fireplace Art-Deco inspired wall-coverings and a display of original works by emerging artists In a library cove off the lobby Jade guests find plush seating and classic New York-themed books including early editions by authors from those who call or have called Greenwich Village home ldquoThe Jade is infused with the same pride of craftsman-ship that gave old New York its characterrdquo Obeid said ldquoWe were driven to create a hotel that provides an experience that is quintessential Greenwich Village This is a place where guests and neighbors gather to share stories adventures and encountersrdquoImpeccable amenities

The Jade Hotel

TCharm in Greenwich Village

materials and textures to create an approachable living space which is reflected in subtle interior touches such as the sleek wooden floors and soft linen chairs and drapery This same soothing aesthetic is car-ried into the bright airy lobby which offers ample seating as well as free Wi-Fi communal computers and complimen-tary access to Beach Cruisers to check out all the sights and sounds of South Beach Renovated Pool For guests looking to relax and soak in the sun Hotel Vic-tor offers a newly renovated

outdoor pool and ten new spa-cious cabanas that will offer the ultimate lounge experi-

ence The 10000 square feet V Spa will also receive new management and re-launch in early NovemberBoardrooms and more The renovations also feature two new at-tractive boardrooms ideal for small meetings fitting up to 20 and 10 people respectively Offering top-of-the-line technology and full projector screens special group packages and corporate rates are available With Pinkberry serving beachgoers their refresh-ing frozen yogurt on the ground level Hotel Victor will also be welcoming new tenant Sushi Couture by Mikasa in early 2014 Originally debuting in 1937 and de-signed by Florida architect Lawrence Mur-ray Dixon Hotel Victor is a classic art deco property that has been welcoming distin-guished guests on Ocean Drive for years The hotel was later meticulously restored by

acclaimed French architect and designer Jacques Gar-cia who is best known for his work on the beloved Hotel Costes in Paris Perfect Location Located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean the beachfront hotel is steps away from some of the arearsquos best nightlife shopping restaurants and entertainment For more information on Hotel Victor please visit wwwhotelvictorsouthbeachcom

otel Victor South Beach reopens at

1144 Ocean Drive this month follow-ing an $8 million refurbishment that took place over the course of five months Utilizing award-winning designers Yabu Pushelberg the renovation features major upgrades to each of the 91 guest rooms and oceanfront suites a fresh new modern lobby and refurbished outdoor pool and cabana areaGreat Ownership Hotel owners a company affiliated with New Yorkrsquos Nakash Family which owns Jordache Enterprises re-cently purchased the Ver-sace Mansion (most recently known as Casa Casuarina) next door for $415 million with plans of re-launching the iconic property as a boutique hotel which will also be con-sidered an extension of Hotel Victor ldquoWe are thrilled to be re-opening the doors at Hotel Victor and showcasing many of our new lifestyle amenities and fresh design featuresrdquo says Wadeh Constance act-ing general manager Hotel Victor ldquoAs a recognized and trusted brand in South Beach for many years we represent the constant evolu-tion of Ocean Drive and are committed to offering the best hotel guest experience and value in MiamirdquoStylish rooms In addition to creating stylish new guest rooms and suites that evoke a ldquobeach houserdquo vibe designers Yabu Pushelberg skillfully combined neutral tones with natural

Hotel VictorH

South Beach Style

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 19: Htlgde111213

CAAZ

36 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 37

Kids Dinner With Santa package for children 4 to 12 enjoy a special evening with Santa and his Tenaya-based lsquoelvesrsquo After an activity craft and joy-filled two hours with the elves children will dine and take a photograph with Santa ndash giving them a chance to put in that special request this Christmas Space is limited sign up early for Dec 21 22 and 23 with packages start at just

$269 Mrs Claus will join holiday revelers on Christmas Eve to share some of her cookie decorating secrets and a reading of ldquoTrsquowas the Night Before Christmasrdquo for good girls and boys who will head off to bed with visions of candy cane turndown service and more surprises

Buffet Time The Christmas Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom will keep the family fun going as will family movie nights planned throughout the weekKids Getaway Did the excitement of Christmas rile up your little one Take advantage of the popular Kids Spa returning for another holiday season Children will learn all about age-appropriate skin care and spa services while sampling some of the sparsquos favorite products Adults of course will find the Ascent Spa at Tenaya an oasis throughout the holidaysContact Us

For more information call toll-free (888) 514-2167 or visit TenayaLodgecomHoliday for holiday packages and TenayaLodgecomHolidayEvents for holiday events and activities

reaming of warm gingerbread the scent of fresh

pine crisp mountain air and crackling fires this holiday season Look no further than Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite a Four Diamond mountain retreat tucked in the Southern Yosemite Sierra two miles from Yosemite National Parkrsquos South Gate Holiday Fun The winter fun begins Thanksgiving week with the season opening of the popular Tenaya Lodge Ice Skating Rink on Nov 27 Get a head start on the mistletoe season by taking advantage of the Srsquomore Ice Skating package that includes ice skating sessions and rentals for two as well as a Srsquomores kit to be enjoyed in the warm glow of an open fire beginning Nov 27 starting at $185 per night The Thanksgiving week fun continues Nov 29 and Dec 21 and 22 with the crowd-pleasing Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop Complimentary holiday beverages and cookies will flow the evening of Nov 30 as the Tenaya Lodge lobby transforms into a Yosemite Sierra holiday wonderland with entertainment and a towering thirty foot Sierra-grown Christmas tree as its centerpiece A visit and photos with Santa Claus caps off the weekendrsquos celebrationsOld Saint Nick Old Saint Nick will be a regular visitor to the lodge and kids and adults alike can team up to test their gingerbread house decorating skills or through the

Tenaya Lodge

DA Complete Holiday Retreat

panoramic view of the surrounding valley The guided trail rides can ac-commodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians Desert Hiking The Boulders experienced trail guide takes guests on natural hiking trails through the 1300 acre resort property Hiking trails bring guests to re-mote areas where baby bobcats are born or to see Native American petroglyphs and even a ldquomatterdquo kitchen used by the ancient peoples Trails are customized for both the leisure and the experienced hiker The new ldquoscramblerdquo trail is a

frac34 mile hike that winds through and around the boulder formations providing spectacular views without a verti-cal climb The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up Hot-air Ballooning Exhilarating hot air balloon rides take off right from the property thanks to the wide open Sonoran desert at the Boulders a perfect takeoff and landing spot Flights are offered at sunrise and sunset and include breakfast Bicycle Tours The Boulders professional guides offer several bicycle tours Residential Bike Tours on the new comfortable Hybrid bicycles is a leisurely ride ranging from one to two hours A advanced ldquoRoad Bike Tourrdquo on the new high-end carbon-frame road bikes are carefully planned 30-50 mile paved bicycle routes with 70-mile panoramic views desert lakes cliffs and some of Arizonarsquos most dramatic natural landscape Mountain Biking Acres and acres of stunning natural mountain bike trails begin right at the Boulders Resort Challenging single and double-track moun-tain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst indigenous desert wildlife and towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta gold and lavender This ride can be done with or without a guide For more information on these and other speciality programs contact them at wwwtheboulderscom

ucked away in the high Sonoran Desert just north of Scotts-

dale The Boulders is re-nowned for a world-class resort experience that includes championship golf and tennis a luxurious spa and an exceptional level of service But this extraor-dinary desert hideaway is also a threshold to a host of outdoor adventure activities that transcend traditional resort activities and begin right in The Boulders own 1300-acre backyard from helicopter tours and horse-back riding to rock climbing and even desert fly fishing Rock Climbing The surrounding high desert and striking rock forma-tions provide the perfect environment for rock climbing Designed for adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge the clinics are taught by the Bouldersrsquo pro-fessional guides and guests can learn a classic ldquocrackrdquo climb as well as a ldquofacerdquo climb Two carefully selected routes are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers Desert Fly Fishing Taught by the Bouldersrsquo Orvis Cer-tified instructor guests ranging from children to adults learn fly fishing techniques on the Club Lake at the golf course set amidst the beautiful desert flora and fauna In addition to the serene setting and catching an abun-dance of fish there are also plentiful sightings of color-ful birds ranging from Red Northern Cardinals Cactus Wren and Quail to Song Birds Blue Heron Red Tail Hawks and American Kestrels Falcons Grand Canyon amp Sedona Flights Guests staying at the Boulders donrsquot need to rent a car or drive to the airport Private helicopters take off and land right from the resortrsquos own private helipad allowing guests to visit Arizonarsquos natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the magnificent red rocks of Sedona Horseback Rides Since The Boulders ldquoWindwalker Horsebackrdquo rides take place right at the edge of the resortrsquos property guests donrsquot have to take a lengthy car ride to get to a remote horseback riding location The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a

THE BOULDERS

TBoundless Luxury in the Desert

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 20: Htlgde111213

experiencescanrsquot help but get giddy thinking about visiting New Orleans As I countdown the days to my trip I get the feeling like Irsquom going back HOME Thatrsquos how I feel when Irsquom there HOME From my first

visit in the winter a few years back to my most recent one this summer that city never ceases to amaze me The people the architecture the old time feeling you get when hearing the trolleys roll by the foodhellip Oh My The FOOD There is NO WAY your tummy wonrsquot get satisfied The following is a list of Must Visit Places some NEW spots I got to enjoy and some I would SKIP I hope this is helpful to you when planning your next visit to the Crescent CityMust Visit- Bourbon House Although itrsquos mostly fine dining they offer a great Oyster Bar for their hot travelers just looking to cool down While they shuck the massive Gulf Coast Oysters we order a Bourbon Milk Punch If yoursquove never had one have one To me itrsquos what Christmas should taste like - Cafeacute du Monde World famous for its cafersquo au lait fluffy beignets and the opportunity to people watch Make sure you bring cash and wear clothing you donrsquot mind being covered in powdered sugar- Lucky Dogs Although they are scattered along most of Bourbon Street I keep to my spot inside of Harrahrsquos Casino Somehow it just seems less hellip scary to eat Just make sure you order it with EVERYTHING

byJacqueline Gonzalez

on it Go Hard or Go Home right I take mine and sit at the bar right behind the hot dog stand where I play $5 worth of video poker and get COMP drinks Just a TIP from me to you hellip bet low and donrsquot forget to TIP the bartender who serves your FREE drinks- Brotherrsquos Fried Chicken one block from the hustle and bustle of Canal Street on the corner of Commons Street and Carondelet Street sits this FoodLiquor Mart where you will find the most amazing Friend Chicken in the World OK not sure if thatrsquos 100 accurate BUT trust me when I say that Irsquove never taken someone there and they not agree with my previous statement Itrsquos pretty EPIC Fried Chicken OH yeahhellip and itrsquos open 24 HOURS Yoursquore welcome- Bourbon Orleans Hotel for your mid-afternoon Bloody Mary fix hellip Old School Drinks can be found and enjoyed in this historical hotelrsquos bar The bartender will tell you of his 45+ years of patrons tourists and natural disasters that hit that fun filled street

New Orleans

38 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 39

Experiences

I

For the Love of the Crescent City

continued on next page

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 21: Htlgde111213

wwwthehotelguidecom 4140 wwwthehotelguidecom

Experiences

- Pat OrsquoBriens The Original Get the Hurricane at the Piano Bar Get there early enough for a seat though It fills up quickly Donrsquot have two Hurricanes Yoursquoll forget everything yoursquove done before your firstTRY to Visit- August Restaurant John Beshrsquos Fine Dining Restaurantrsquos cuisine is Contemporary French yet it focuses on LOCAL ingredients and infuses Beshrsquos Southern Louisiana roots Located inside a 19th Century French-Creole building in NoLarsquos Central Business District this place will surely take your breath away with large crystal chandeliers and soaring columns Of course there is much more to this place that deacutecor I went with a large group and together we had most of the dinner menu (including dessert) The vote was unanimous with happy tummies you canrsquot go wrong with ANY of their options - Cafe Atchafalaya off the beaten path where most tourists are fighting over last minute dinner reservations look for this great little gem down Louisiana Avenue I hear Brunch here is amazing as well but dinner was divine I highly recommend- Columns Hotel take the trolley down to the Garden District and visit a little piece of history I donrsquot want to spoil it for you but yoursquore gonna love the drinks at this old fashioned bar Locals love this spothellip and so do celebrities So bring your camera with you- Jack Dempseyrsquos Restaurant amp Bar this is one of those places that my localrsquos beg me not to skip You might as well skip breakfast and dinner lsquocause this lunch

will keep you full ALL DAY

TRY to Avoid- Anything FranchisedCorporate yoursquore in one of the most amazing culinary cities in the nation Why are you at a restaurant you have back at home You seriously waited 15 minutes for a double cheeseburger at fast food franchise burger place because you wanted something quick Bad Tourist Bad Support Local Restaurantshellip ask your Hotelrsquos Valet for their local recommendations They know of some of the best kept secrets - Jackson Square on Sunday never short of pick-pockets and

fake non-profit organization swindlers this is not the best place to try to find a good place to eat Find something

closer to the Business District where you can walk off what you just ate and not worry about being haggled for loose change - Lucky Dogs on Bourbon Street again bare with me hellip I donrsquot recommend eating them outside of Harrahrsquos Sometimes I just need to remind people about that Street food here is sketchy I would also like to recommend something non-culinary when visiting NoLa Although I usually stay on Canal Street or in the French Quarter I really appreciated staying somewhere new this time around The newly- renovated Hyatt Regency on Loyola in the heart of Downtown New Orleans was such a treat to visit and stay at Walking distance from everything you can imagine or just a trolley skip away from

the Garden District This grand hotel offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city The hotel is full of great restaurants bars and the ambience of live jazz music throughout the evening The staff is helpful knowledgeable and extremely kind I canrsquot wait to stay there again

deals

Click amp Save

Save 50 - 90 offTravel amp Leisure

Deals

Powered by

Experiences

42 wwwthehotelguidecom

Page 22: Htlgde111213

42 wwwthehotelguidecom