Hotels

I love staying at a hotel. Actually I love staying at a GREAT hotel. Only the best will do when I go away my friends. So I felt the need to give a shout-out each month to a few hotels that I felt provided me with a memorable stay.

I will report back from various lodges around the country (and sometimes around the world) with a full review of the “real” experience during my visit. None of that fake press release nonsense! Just the facts about what makes each hotel notable and why each deserves a “nomad nod” from yours truly.

Check back around the first of each month for a new spotlighted property or properties. Hopefully after reading my reviews, you will feel compelled to check out one, some, or all of these great hotels.

May

Name: Casablanca Hotel

Address: 147 West 43rd Street New York, NY. 10036

Telephone: 212.869.1212

Website: casablancahotel.com

Rates: The price range varies depending upon the style of room you book. For instance, the standard room with 1 full bed is about $225/night, while the mini-suite is about $300/night.

Casablanca Hotel was first class all the way! From the moment I checked in until the time I checked out, they treated me like a true guest in their home. I do not want to come off sounding corny and all, but literally from the moment I walked through the front door, I was greeted with a smile and a welcome. Check in was quick and painless. I was given an unexpected upgrade to one of their mini-suites on the 5th floor.  I stayed in room 502, which I am hoping can be renamed the Nomad-suite…okay maybe not. Click here for the full review.

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June

Name: Hotel Giraffe

Address: 365 Park Avenue South at 26 Street, New York, NY 10016

Telephone: 212-685-7700

Website: HotelGiraffe.com

Rates: I will update once I receive the official rack rates from the hotel. But check out their “last minute weekend” offer that starts at $205 per night and includes all the freebies I mentioned above, plus a complimentary bottle of wine (how cool is that?)

Located along New York City’s popular and chic Park Avenue is the amazingly cozy and stylish Hotel Giraffe. Upon entering this boutique hotel I was greeted by friendly staff that instantly made me feel at home. The lobby, which host both complimentary breakfast from 7am-10:30am and cheese and wine from 5-8pm daily, exudes a real laid back and comfortable feel to it. Click here for the full review.

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July

Name: Hotel Elysee

Address: 60 East 54 Street, New York, NY 10022

Telephone: 212-753-1066

Website: Elyseehotel.com

The Hotel Elysee was built in the 1920’s and was named after one of the best French restaurants of that era. This beautiful hotel, located between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue on East 54 street in New York City is not just a hotel, but truly a piece of the Big Apple’s history. Click here for the full review.

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August

Name: The Roosevelt Hotel

Address: 45 East 45 Street, New York, NY 10017

Telephone: 888-TEDDY-NY or 212-661-9600

Website: TheRooseveltHotel.com

I recently enjoyed a stay at the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Named after the 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, this grand 4-star hotel is definitely a great place to rest your weary head after a day of checking out everything New York City has to offer. From the moment you step through the revolving doors at 45 East 45th street, you are welcomed with one beautiful lobby. One the day that I arrived the ground floor was bustling with many happy looking customers. That is always a sign of a hotel doing something right. Click here for the full review.

Name: Panoramic View Resort

Address: 272 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954

Telephone: 631-668-3000

Website: PanoramicView.com

Located on 10 breathtaking acres of ocean front property,  Panoramic View seriously blew me away from the moment I arrived at 272 Old Montauk Highway. As I entered the driveway and drove down to the parking area, I was welcomed with a spectacular view of the Atlantic. I knew right at that moment that this place was something special.

Click here for the full review.

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September

Name: The Davenport Hotel

Address: 10 South Post Street, Spokane, Washington 99201

Telephone: 509.455.8888 or 800.899.1482

Website: TheDavenportHotel.com

Opened in September of 1914 and standing proud today, The Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Washington is without a doubt one of the true hotel gems of the west. I mean a walk around the lobby alone is worth a visit to this marvelous property. I was fortunate enough to spend a few days here over the summer and have to admit that I was blown away at the grandeur that this hotel exudes. Click here for the full review.

Name: Hotel Teatro

Address: 1100 Fourteenth Street, Denver, Colorado 80202

Telephone: 303.228.1100 or 888.727.1200

Website: hotelteatro.com

When I found out that I would be staying at the Hotel Teatro in Denver, Colorado, I decided to do something that has become the norm when I book a hotel – I snooped around online to see what other travelers thought of the place. Well talk about an overachiever, this downtown destination is just racking up the awards and receiving rave reviews from the likes of TripAdvisor (Top 10 best pet-friendly hotels), Travel + Leisure (Top 50 large city hotels in the US & Canada), and Conde Nast Traveler (One of North America’s “Gold List” hotels for 2008). Click here for a full review.

Name: The Library Hotel

Address: 299 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Telephone: 212-983-4500

Website: LibraryHotel.com

There are hotels…and then there are HOTELS. Located off the corner of East 41 street (aka Library Way) and Madison Avenue is one of the best concept hotels I have ever visited. The Library Hotel exudes a cool/intelligent/elegant vibe that is a true rarity by today’s hotel standards. Click here for the full review.

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October

Name: St. Mellion International Resort

Address: Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6SD, England

Telephone: 01579 351 351

Website: st-mellion.co.uk

Located in the South West English city of Saltash in Cornwall, the St. Mellion International Resort is truly a golf lover’s paradise. But not to worry if you are trying to become the next Tiger Woods, as this luxury hotel has plenty to offer for just about every kind of traveler. Click here for the full review.

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November

Name: Hotel Gansevoort NYC

Address: 18 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10014

Telephone: 212.206.6700

Website: hotelgansevoort.com

Located in the trendy Meatpacking District, the Hotel Gansevoort is definitely a great choice for travelers looking to stay at a chic, sexy, and centrally located property. The 187 rooms range from 250 square foot superior rooms to a regal 1,400 square foot duplex penthouse! Click here for the full review.

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December

Name: Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center

Address: 49 East Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown, NY 10591

Telephone: 800-553-8118

Website: tarrytownhouseestate.com

I am an avid traveler that also happens to live in the city that never sleeps. Sounds like the best of both worlds right? Well it is. But there are times when I can not take a trip too far from home base and need to get out of the craziness that is the Big Apple and the surrounding five boroughs. Click here for the full review.

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January

Name: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Address: One Borgata Way Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Telephone: 866-MY-BORGATA

Website: theborgata.com

I am not much of a gambler, but my recent stay at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was like hitting the jackpot. From the moment you stroll into this billion dollar property, you feel as if you are in for something special. Opened in 2003 as Atlantic City’s first new casino hotel in 13 years, the Borgata’s owners Boyd Gaming and MGM Mirage spared no expense when constructing this massive building. Click here for the full review.

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February

Name: The Arch London

Address: 50 Great Cumberland Place, London, W1H 7FD

Telephone: +44(0)207-724-4700

Website: thearchlondon.com

On my most recent visit to England’s capital city, I was fortunate enough to spend a few nights at a new hotel that just opened its doors a few weeks ago called The Arch London. Click here for the full review.

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April

Name: Affinia Dumont

Address: 150 East 34th Street , New York, NY 10016

Telephone: 212.481.7600

Website: Affinia.com

I recently was offered a complimentary night at the Affinia Dumont Hotel located in the Murray Hill/Midtown East section of Manhattan. I have to admit that as a hotel nerd I was looking forward to finally checking out an Affinia Hotel. With locations throughout New York City, Chicago and Washington DC, this collection of boutique hotels have intrigued me for quite some time due to their often interesting themed package deal. Click here for the full review.