Welcome to Hotels and Getaways

Whether you’re an avid boater, love to yacht, or simply enjoy the marina atmosphere - if you’re in the market for a marina resort vacation, you’ll want to know about the top destinations in North America. Find out where the most elegant, luxurious and extraordinary waterfront resorts and fractional ownership opportunities are - from Canada to Mexico. Read below to find out about the most popular marina resorts, based on location, amenities, value and service.

1. The Westin Key West Resort & Marina This popular Key West marina destination offers luxury, comfort and style - all backed by the Westin name. The remarkable, low-rise resort is fashioned in the time-honored Victorian style that is so distinctive to Key West.

2. Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki This amazing Oceanfront Twin Tower Hotel is located on Ala Wai Yacht Harbor at the entrance to Waikiki. Not only does this resort have a marina, it is also the only Waikiki resort to boast a 27 hole championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.

3. The Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey This high-class California marina resort features a traditional European ambience with fine, exquisite furnishings and Juliet balconies. The resort is set on five splendid acres along the water’s edge overlooking the marina.

4. The Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport (Maine) This classy Maine marina resort features the Victorian Charm of Maine’s yesteryear with contemporary amenities. The resort offers recreational activities such as scenic Lobster Boat and Sailboat and Sport Fishing tours plus Kayak rentals from the marina.

5. Montauk Yacht Club Resort Hotel and Marina Named one of the Top Ten Marina Destinations in North America, Mexico, Bahamas and the Caribbean by Yachting Magazine, the Montauk Yacht Club Resort Hotel and Marina is the Hamptons’ premier marina resort. The resort’s landmark lighthouse complements its contemporary Cape Cod design.

6. Harbor View Hotel & Resort, Martha’s Vineyard The delightful Martha’s Vineyard Hotel dates back to 1891, and evokes the ultimate in elegance by blending Victorian ambience and charm with all of today’s modern comforts. The Harbor View Hotel and Resort overlooks the scenic Edgartown Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard.

7. Three Buoys Resort & Marina, Sicamous (B.C.) This upscale B.C. marina resort is located directly on the beautiful waterfront in Sicamous. Situated on the waterway that flows between the vast, crystal clear waters of Mara and Shuswap Lakes in B.C., the resort features luxuriously appointed suites and a myriad of high-end amenities.

8. Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa, Victoria (B.C.) Victoria’s luxury marina resort is a contemporary west coast lodge reflecting the refinement of countless details. Some of the finer niceties that make this a top resort are its Fine Art Gallery, Essence of Life spa and Marina Eco-Adventure Center.

9. Puerto Isla Mujeres Resort & Yacht Club, Cancun Puerto Isla Mujeres boasts a luxury boutique hotel with gardens that inspire tranquility and relaxation. This marina resort is known as the Mexican Caribbean’s most uniquely protected and equipped harbor.

10. Marina Fiesta Resort, Cabo San Lucas This popular Mexican marina resort leaves nothing to be desired. With its exotic Mediterranean design and tropical ambience, marina resort guests will enjoy the best of comfort, elegance and relaxation.

Marina Resort Vacations

Whether you’re looking for a serene backdrop for a tranquil getaway, to buy fractional ownership property, or an action-packed recreational experience, a marina resort vacation has something to offer every vacationer. No matter which of these top marina resorts you plan on visiting, make sure to call early and book far in advance to avoid not being able to secure accommodations.

Austria is a land of fairy tales. Green meadows filled with wildflowers, snow-capped peaks where mountain goats roam free, and hillside castles overlooking crystal lakes are just a few of the treasures waiting for you as you journey to this European paradise. Whether you stay in the city, where museums and shops abound or explore the quaint villages and towns, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories. Readers of travel writer Karen Brown have chosen some of the top lodging selections to enjoy during your Austrian vacation.

Schloss Kapfenstein has been rated by readers of Karen Brown’s travel guides as Austrian Most Romantic lodging. Romance is certainly in the air at Schloss Kapfenstein, as well as great views and food. This castle hotel is located in Kapfenstein, a village that is part of the Styrian wine country. Several award-winning vintages have been produced by the owners and you can sample a glass as you enjoy the view from the patio. The owner’s son is executive chef and prepares dinners full of rich, regional dishes. The guest rooms are delightful, and you can even stay in the castle’s tower room or in the restored gatekeeper’s cottage.

Landhaus Zu Appesbach in Saint Wolfgang is truly a lodging fit for a king, or at least a former king. Great Britain’s King George VIII sought refuge at the hotel after abdicating his throne, and guests can stay in the same suite as the former monarch. The hotel’s impressive guest list is just one of its many attributes. The grounds of woods and expansive lawns are impressive, as is the manor’s ivy-covered exterior. Many guest rooms feature decks or balconies with views of the lake, which has its own pier and swimming dock. Landhaus has been rated by Karen Brown readers as Austria’s Warmest Welcome and much of this is due the untiring kindness of the host, Maximilian.

If you want to pack all the Austrian charm possible into a more affordable hotel, try the Hotel Wolf. This Salzburg gem won the 2007 Readers’ Choice Award as Austria’s Greatest Value. The hotel is located in the center of Old Salzburg, and the family-owned lodging offers a variety of charming and comfortable rooms. An expansive breakfast buffet is served each morning. Best of all, the hotel’s location can’t be beat. Many of Salzburg’s most popular attractions are just minutes away.

Hotel Goldener Hirsch is one of Salzburg’s gems. The unique hotel was built in stages, so rooms are tucked here and there throughout the inn. The guest rooms and suites are individually decorated with warm fabrics and a selection of antiques. Chat with your friendly bartender and enjoy a glass of wine in the hotel’s bar or savor authentic Austrian cuisine at the traditional-style restaurant. The hotel is rated by Karen Brown readers as Austria’s best Splendid Splurge.

Perhaps you’ll spend your Austrian vacation in one of the nation’s mountain or lake regions, taking in the scenery and enjoy the fresh air. Another option is to begin in Salzburg and work your way to Vienna, with plenty of interesting stops along the way. Check out the Karen Brown site for more information on itineraries and Austria travel planning. Austria is full of interesting options, and no matter what you choose, you’ll be glad you traveled to this fairy-tale land.

For those of you who are considering buying a Class A motorhome, there are many variables of which you should be aware. Generally, recreational vehicles are known as Class A, B, or C because of the construction and size of the RV. To describe things as succinctly as possible, a Class A is the type of motorhome that boasts the biggest space, the best luxury, and the highest price. A Class B motorhome is comparable to a fancy van with a higher roof. The average Class C is a smaller sibling of the Class A with several other modifications, like the cab-over styling and the smaller body.

Class A motorhomes are usually constructed on one of three types of chassis:

? a commercial bus chassis

The chassis of a commercial van

A chassis made just for recreational vehicles.

Running anywhere from 25-45 feet in length, the Class A motorhome is the biggest one of the three classes. Typically, all motorhomes come with beds, dining and food prep areas, and storage areas.

The Class A motorhome has become a true luxury item lately, with options for satellite TV, a master bedroom, and complete refrigerators. You can find some Class A motorhomes that come with a full bathroom. If you want even more luxury, the options of slide-outs, awnings, and internet access are currently available.

You can get a basic Class A motorhome for about $50,000, and there is truly no limit to where the price can go. The best motorhomes will set you back anywhere from $100,000 to $600,000. In the year 2006, a designer for luxury coaches planned a motorhome that had plush carpet and furniture, a built-in treadmill, and a marble flooring. It hit the 2.5 million dollar mark. If your budget isn’t quite so high, you can get a very nice RV for $100,000.

On a side note, Bus Conversions are oftentimes considered as a Class A motorhome. They are what their name implies, a commercial bus that has been converted into a motorhome. They are typically the largest of the motorhomes and usually come with highly customized and very luxurious interiors.

The actual living room in a Class A is spaceous and can be made even more roomy with the addition of the slide-out option. Most of these RV’s can sleep 6-8 people comfortably and come with a full kitchen and bath area. One of the nicer features about most Class A’s is that they now come with a variety of floorplans to satisfy different consumer tastes and preferences.

You might also know of Class A motorhomes as motorcoaches. Along with all the offerings listed above, you can also find ranges that are standard-sized, microwaves, washers, and dryers. You can have your RV fixed up with hardwood floors and cabinetry, choose the right tiling or carpeting options, and even include high-end upholstered furniture.

A Class A motorhome also has the torque necessary to tow a boat or a vehicle. With all the great features we’ve noted, it’s not hard to see why the Class A motorhome is the most sought-after RV around ? and the most like a home on wheels.

If you are in search of a good natural place to vacation in the UK, then thus your initial alternative should be Lake District. This is a very nice area that is filled with lots of greenery, trees, a beautiful lake and of course, a beautiful landscape. If you are looking for a place filled with peace and quiet, then there is no different place that you can choose besides Lake District. Hence, this way not only your body, but furthermore your mind will be rested and you will feel at ease after your vacation.

This is perhaps why many persons and families come to Lake District so that they can enjoy themselves in the wilderness. Especially in the UK , it is one of the most popular places to go to in the summer months. Hence, the roads leading to Lake District can be very full especially during summer months. One such reason for that is because internationally vacationers come to Lake District too. Of course, this is also a good place to visit in the spring time and autumn time. But, in the winter it can get quite cold in that area.

When you go to Lake District Area, one of the best places that you can stay at is Lake District Cottages. These cottages are very cozy and they allow the traveler to enjoy the Lake District Area in quiet and peace. In fact, compared to Lake District Hotels, the Lake District Cottages are also much cheaper with more of a chance to feel rested.

On of the other advantages of staying at a Lake District Cottage will be the fact that most cottages will come with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and a living room with a TV. Therefore, if you are traveling there as a family, then staying at one of these beautiful Lake District Cottages can be the best move that you can do In fact, nowadays it is possible to find a cottage that can suit your needs starting from 35 Sterling per day. Hence, as you can see, having a nice quiet vacation at Lake District does not need to cost a lot of money to be enjoyable.

Thus, many vacationers will travel to Lake District, so that they can spend some time together during a beautiful weekend getaway. In fact, for a 3-4 day vacation, Lake District Area was chosen as one of the best places to go in the UK during the year 2007. Hence, you can also avail yourself of such a solution by going to a nice vacation in the Lake District Area. Just with a budget of 200-300 sterling you can have a nice weekend getaway in the Lake District Cottages. However, due to the popularity of the region mentioned above, you must make sure to make bookings well in advance initial to traveling to the area. You can easily locate a place to stay in the area by using the Internet to locate a Lake District Cottage suited to you.

Chicago is a city rich in history and tradition, full of eclectic neighborhoods and offering plenty of attractions. While the city offers plenty of swanky hotels, for travelers craving a slightly more intimate setting, a bed and breakfast might be a better choice. Here are lodgings that might fit the bill.

Located in a restored, early 20th-century brownstone, The House of Two Urns offers both historic charm and close access to downtown. There are six guest rooms, three with fireplaces and two with Jacuzzi tubs. Rooms are bright and airy with quilt-topped beds and antique furnishings. The innkeeper at this Chicago bed and breakfast also offers several apartments with plenty of amenities, including kitchens.

At China Doll Guest House, travelers can choose to stay in one of several fully self-contained city apartments or even opt to spend a night on the innkeepers’ sailboat, when available. Three apartments are available in a historic, ivy covered row house in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and there are several more located in other homes. The innkeepers offer plenty of amenities for business travelers, including a computer, printer and fax in each apartment. The kitchens are stocked with everything from coffee and espresso to bacon and eggs to cereal, breads and yogurt. Several units have a fireplace or Jacuzzi tub, and all offer fantastic access to downtown Chicago.

A stay at the Hansen House Mansion is like a trip back in time to old Chicago. The late 19th-century home is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and filled with Victorian charm. The guest rooms are filled with antiques and original features, such as a clawfoot tub or original stained glass windows. There are two guest rooms with private baths, as well as a two-bedroom suite with a parlor, bathroom and a sun deck. The innkeepers at this Chicago bed and breakfast can arrange for a chef to prepare a gourmet breakfast or a three-course dinner, as well as specialty cooking classes.

Evanston, a North Shore suburb about 15 miles from Chicago, is home to Northwestern University, museums and theater, as well as The Homestead. This historic inn has been family-run for more than 70 years and offers both traditional inn rooms, as well as a selection of apartments. There is a gourmet restaurant, Quince, at the inn serving specialties such as shaved asparagus salad with a truffle vinaigrette, braised short ribs with Meyer lemon risotto, and homemade blueberry-dusted doughnuts with blueberry jam.

The Mansion Bed and Breakfast is located about 35 miles from Chicago in the suburb of West Dundee, providing comfortable accommodations slightly away from the bustle of the big city. The four guest rooms include a whirlpool tub, and one room as a fireplace. There are also three rooms billed as extended-stay accommodations. There are several restaurants within walking distance. Historic downtown Dundee is a charming area with plenty of architectural gems, many dating back prior to the Civil War.