Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International has teamed up with Yelp, Travel Channel, Food Network and HGTV to launch its Official Hotel of Summer campaign to help travelers plan fun-filled summer vacations. The new campaign provides travelers with a summer road trip guide for planning the ultimate summer road trip and a series of video vignettes that share advice to help stretch budgets farther this summer. The campaign shares tips like the top 10 museums to see for free, one-tank road trip wonders, scenic vistas for less, budget-friendly food stops and grilling on the road, which highlights the best BBQ road trips, all to help us plan our next summer vacation. 

This innovative program helps us plan fun and affordable summer road trips across America. The innovative online road trip guide runs now through the end of the summer. Targeting people who travel by car versus by air, the guide is packed with useful information on Choice Hotels properties as well as on restaurants, shopping, attractions, recreation and more. This handy new platform lets travelers consult Yelp’s trusted reviews to plan and share their own road trips or choose from 75 recommended itineraries from 25 top American cities.

Addressing the proverbial backseat “are we there yet” refrain, the Choice Hotels Official Hotel Of Summer Road Trip Guide offers scores of options to make getting there fun. Users can map out great trips with insider tips on best stops for ice cream, mini golf, quick swims, and more. Travelers can select Choice Hotels properties close to “Yelpers’” top picks for amusement parks, water parks, beaches, festivals and scenic drives, as well as preferred spots for snorkeling, mountain biking, hiking, zip lining, antiquing, and so much more. Additionally, weekly sweepstakes winners will receive Choice Hotels gift cards, and a grand prize winner will get a weeklong road trip with an $875 hotel gift card good at Choice Hotels U.S. properties as well as a car rental, camera and more.*

To jumpstart your summer road trip fun, visit online.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited by law. 18 years of age or older as of 5/8/2013. Prize restrictions apply. Click here for OFFICIAL RULES AND PRIVACY POLICY. Official Rules

Special offers and travel deals are perfect for planning your next getaway and don’t forget you can take all the family along.

Play Hard - Travel Easy

Choice Hotels share your passion for sports and that’s why Choice Sports Travel makes it easy for you to follow the games you love. Whether you’re looking to book a room for a game or an entire season, for yourself or team travel, Choice Sports Travel can help you find a place that’s friendly, convenient, affordable and perfect for your next sports trip. With thousands of hotels to choose from, it’s easy to root for the home team, no matter where they play.

Get the latest sports headlines, challenge yourself with sports trivia or try to hit a hole in one with our Golf Shot game. Visit The Sporting Life.

¹The reservation must be made on ChoiceHotels.com using your Choice Privileges number and must be made either 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance. The rate starts at 15% off Best Available Rate, is non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking. ²Amenities vary by location. ³Terms & Conditions apply.  See choicehotels.com.

St James Hotel New Orleans

The luxurious boutique hotel St James Hotel, just joined Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International as the portfolio’s second property in New Orleans. Ascend is a group of 77 independent hotels, each with a unique personality that’s rich in local character. These properties are located in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Central America.

Just in time for our spring and summer getaways are $109 per night through July 31, 2013 (some blackout dates apply).

The 86-room St. James Hotel is located in the downtown business district steps away from the French Quarter, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, Harrah’s Casino, boutiques, renowned restaurants, nightlife and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The charming, refurbished hotel is housed within the Banks Arcade, a 19^th-century landmark that was once the center of the Caribbean sugar and coffee trade. Guestrooms and suites celebrate the setting’s rich history with elegant West Indies décor. Guests enjoy rooms just off a lush courtyard surrounded by sunny rooftop terraces. Deluxe rooms offer balconies with panoramic views of downtown and elegant four-poster beds with spacious sitting areas.

Among St. James Hotel’s notable neighbors are The Chophouse New Orleans steak house and the Board of Trade special event venue. The hotel is also minutes from the New Orleans International Airport and a short stroll to the historic streetcar line, Aquarium of the Americas, Shops at Canal Place, National WWII Museum and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Blake Hotel New Orleans in the heart of downtown is the city’s first Ascend Hotel Collection property (it joined last summer). Other notable additions to the portfolio this month include Napa Winery Inn, Napa Valley, Calif.; Carmel Mission Inn, Carmel, Calif.; and Arroyo Pinion Hotel, Sedona, Ariz. For more information, please visit online for more information www.ascendcollection.com/.

W South Beach Hotel

W South Beach and celebrity trainer, Simone Cavalletti, partner to launch the Work It Out couples package aimed at kick starting fitness-focused resolutions in the New Year. The wellness retreat will help us detox, tone-up and lose weight through innovative sessions combined with well-balanced meals developed for W South Beach by Cavalletti himself. We can choose a three or five-night Work It Out package for two, while enjoying the best-in-class hotel services and amenities.

The Work It Out package at W South Beach starts at $1,494/night per couple for three nights and $1,344/night per couple for five nights and includes daily accommodations in room type of your choice. A pre-planned 3-day wellness menu or pre-planned 5-day wellness menu prepared at the hotel and delivered to your room. A one hour consultation, body fat measurement and health evaluation for two. Daily two hour one-on-one personal training sessions per couple. Daily private one hour yoga class and one hour light weight cardio aerobics for two.

The Work It Out package follows the recent launch of three beachfront fitness classes designed by Cavalletti exclusively for hotel guests: Healthy Sweaty Beach Boot Camp, Genius Body Workout and Beach Yoga.

Combining aerobics and strength training, the Healthy Sweaty Beach Boot Camp will help zap up to 600 calories per session. Beach Yoga will promote a more relaxed state-of- mind while building a toned, flexible and stronger body through a series of physical postures and movements, breathing techniques and meditation. Genius Body Workout combines a flow of martial arts, calisthenics and resistance training for a true body transformation.

To reserve a Work It Out stay at W South Beach, call (877) 822-0000 or visit online. Please mention rate plan code LZPKG1-10 for a three-night stay or LXPKG1-10 for a five-night stay. The package is valid for booking through October 31, 2013. Pricing is exclusive of tax and gratuity and is subject to availability. Some restrictions do apply.

Simone Cavalletti brings over 20 years of experience of training various celebrity clients from Miami, New York, Los Angeles and internationally. His approach combines unique aerobic, yoga and strength training with his knowledge of nutritional and alternative therapeutic practices.

Just one of the many components this busy season is the 2013 Sony Ericsson Tennis Open and the spectators that are staying at W South Beach also have the opportunity to hit the courts themselves and learn how to play like the pros!

W South Beach offers one of kind coaching to its guests on the roof top tennis court alongside spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Private individual & group lessons, adult & junior clinics and a customized cardio tennis clinic are available and instructed by Coach Federico Pintaluba seven days a week. Coach Federico has dedicated his life to the game of tennis and has successfully competed in junior and professional tournaments such as Wimbledon and the French Open. For reservations and pricing please contact the concierge at (305) 938-3000.

W South Beach Hotel & Residences has garnered international attention since opening in July 2009. The 408-room hotel has appeared on the pages of Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Elite Traveler, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Departures, Vanity Fair, W, Town & Country and Vogue among many others. W South Beach has earned some of the travel industry’s most prestigious accolades, including a place on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2010 “Hot List”; Travel + Leisure’s 2011 list of “World’s Best Hotels”; Elite Traveler’s 2010 “101 Top Hotel Suites” list; and two covers of the trade publication, Lodging Hospitality.

Kimpton’s Miami

With one win under their belt, Miami’s white-hot Heat are well on their way to another victorious season. To enjoy all the excitement of the post-season, locals and fans from rival teams can add some extra sizzle to an already electrifying playoff experience with special stay savings from Kimpton’s EPIC and Surfcomber hotels.
 
From now until the playoffs conclude and the Heat bring home another title, EPIC and Surfcomber are offering fans a championship offer – a choice of stay on South Beach or in downtown, 20 percent off each hotel’s best available rates, plus plenty of perks.
 
Centrally located in downtown Miami within walking distance from the American Airlines Arena, EPIC is at the Epicenter of the basketball scene with a unique, cosmopolitan vibe to match the Heat’s own smooth moves on the court. Just a short car ride away from the arena, the recently renovated Surfcomber Miami, South Beach promises a whimsical and welcoming vibe and a celebrated beach and pool deck brought to life with sun-inspired activities that are fun for all ages.
 
Thanks to distinct Miami Heat Packages available at both EPIC and Surfcomber, fans can experience Miami off-the-court with special savings, incentives and fan perks. As an added bonus this playoff season, fans who sport their Miami Heat gear upon check-in will be eligible for a complimentary room upgrade if availability permits.
 
EPIC – always living up to its name – is a distinctive luxury, waterfront hotel epitomizing downtown Miami at its best. With rates starting at $269 per night, EPIC’s Miami Heat Package is available now through the end of the playoff season for booking and travel, and offers guests:

• 20 percent off best available guestroom or suite rate
• One continental breakfast for two
• 20 percent off spa services at Exhale
• Inclusive perks with complimentary access to the hotel’s fitness center, WiFi when guests sign up to become a Kimpton InTouch member and nightly hosted wine hour in the living room

And for those out-of-towners in need of extra “leg-room,” EPIC offers 13 specialty “tall rooms” with longer beds, king-sized for taller guests.  EPIC’s tall beds are 9” longer than its standard size beds, measuring 72” wide x 89” long.  “Mascots” are also welcome courtesy of EPIC’s pet-friendly policy, which ensures all pet guests receive a pet bed, treats and toy upon arrival.
 
Surfcomber is the newest South Florida Kimpton addition and the Art Deco District’s beachfront playground offering a one-of-a-kind “daylife” experience. With rates starting at $239 per night, Surfcomber’s Miami Heat Package is available now through the end of the playoff season for booking and travel, and offers guests the following:

• 20 percent off best available rate
• Bucket of beers upon arrival
• Complimentary appetizer at Lantao Kitchen + Cocktails with purchase of entrée (pre- or post-game)
• Inclusive perks with complimentary access to the hotel’s fitness center, WiFi when guests sign up to become a Kimpton InTouch member and nightly hosted wine hour in the living room

Social Club at Surfcomber is giving fans a reason to cheer with the “Feels like a Home Game” cocktail on game days made with Nolet gin, Cynar and Branca on the rocks. Say “Feels like a Home Game” and score the quencher for $10 while you watch game on their big screen TV’s at South Beach’s favorite watering hole.

Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. For more information on EPIC and/or reservations, please call (866) 760-3742 or (305) 424-5226 or visit online. For more information on Surfcomber and/or reservations, please call (800) 994-6103 or visit online. Use booking code MHEAT for both EPIC and Surfcomber. Stay up-to-date on the latest news and travel deals, become a fan of the EPIC’s Facebook page and Surfcomber’s Facebook page, and follow on Twitter and Instagram @KimptonInFL.

L'Auberge Del Mar

Dads will feel like they are sitting on top of the world this Father’s Day thanks to L’Auberge Del Mar’s new Flight of Your Life Package. Built for thrills, the package combines a plush overnight escape with choice of exhilarating airborne experience that gives Dad and a guest a bird’s-eye-view of the Southern California landscape including estates, wineries and the exquisite coastline.

The Flight of Your Life Package starts at $719 per night, double occupancy and includes overnight accommodations and choice of one of the following flight excursions for two: hot air ballooning, gliding from the cliffs of Torrey Pines or a ride in an open-air vintage biplane. Dads will leave for their outing with a gourmet picnic lunch for two prepared by the hotel’s talented Executive Chef Scott Thomas Dolbee.

After the fun, Dad and his guest can savor the day’s accomplishments back at the hotel, while watching the sun set over the blue Pacific.

For more information or reservations, please visit online or call 800-245-9757. Use promo code FOYL. Package is subject to availability and black-out dates.

About L’Auberge Del Mar
Located in the heart of Southern California’s most picturesque coastal village of Del Mar, L’Auberge Del Mar overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers a resort experience reminiscent of a private, coastal estate. Managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, this historic seaside hotel offers 120 guest rooms and suites, refreshing dining options, a cheerful and cozy spa, a private path to the beach and peaceful pool area. The award-winning, signature restaurant, KITCHEN 1540, blends energy and intrigue with a fresh, lively atmosphere. The restaurant’s extensive offerings meld the classic and the unexpected, making KITCHEN 1540 something one simply has to try when dining in Del Mar. For more information, please visit www.laubergedelmar.com or www.destinationhotels.com.