On Our Radar: Borgata

I’ve been going to Atlantic City since I was a child.  As I grew up, it became the perfect girls weekend getaway (especially for concerts and shows).  While I have stayed in almost all the hotels on the Boardwalk, The Borgata is by far my favorite when it comes to luxury, amenities and entertainment!

The Accommodations
Last year we stayed at the Borgata and this year we chose to switch it up and stay at their Water Club tower (above) for Memorial Day Weekend.  The water theme is evident throughout all the design and décor.  What stood out the most were the bright teal sheets on the beds.  You get so accustomed to standard, bleached white bedding, that the burst of color was a refreshing and comforting change.  Our room even had great views of the bay and boats in the marina, keeping with the water theme.

Service was excellent also.  One of our favorite things about The Borgata is that you have to show your room key at the elevators ensuring only those who are staying overnight have access to the rooms. The friendly staff took every opportunity to ensure we were enjoying our stay.

The Spa
Our goal for the weekend was to do as much as possible – without ever leaving the hotel.  We spent Saturday morning getting massages as Spa Toccare.  Many other people must have had similar plans as the spa was hustling with women coming and going.  The three of us got the standard aromatherapy massage and left the spa feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and smelling like lemon, orange and pomegranate.  The heated tables and relaxing music made the massage experience even more enjoyable.  We especially liked that all fees and gratuity were included when you paid upon arrival.  (Insider’s tip:  Ask for Gio, he was an amazing massage therapist!)

The Entertainment
It was a concert that brought us to Atlantic City and we can’t say enough good things about the Event Center venue.  The intimate size and general admission set-up allows for great views no matter where you’re standing.

The above picture with the stage curtain in the background shows how close we were to all the action.

After the concert we headed over to one of our favorite clubs, MIXX.  Soon after turning 21 my girlfriends and I enjoyed a fun night at MIXX so the nightclub has always had a special place in my heart.

The DJ played a great mix of music, the lines at the bar were manageable and security spends a lot of time managing crowd control which provided us enough room to dance the night away.  We got there early on a Friday and there wasn’t a long line, but we’ve seen the line curve around the entire casino, so be sure to plan accordingly.

The Food
Last but not least, The Borgata offers a ton of places to eat.  We sampled casual dining options at The Borgata Buffet, Bread & Butter and our personal favorite, The Metropolitan (get the Cobb Salad!).

One piece of advice -- if you’d like to have Internet access over the weekend, be sure to pack your laptop.  The business center is only open on weekdays (we found this out the hard way).

We’re already looking forward to our next stay.  Fingers crossed the future holds some nicer weather for us so that we can fully check out the indoor and outdoor pools.

Written by JSG contributor Samara Finn.

Girls' Trip to Monterey

Monterey is one of our favorite towns in Northern California. We love the aquarium, the small shops and the cute but stinky sea lions.  The Monterey Bay Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a stay, now that we don't live close by.  Its "You Go Girls!" package includes beachfront accommodations, discounted stand-up paddle board rentals and lessons, a complimentary Burt’s Bees skincare kit, and daily in-room breakfast.  Last time we were there, we rented kayaks and paddled around the sea lions; but this is our chance to try out paddle boarding.

The Monterey Bay Inn is offering the "You Go Girls!" package through September 2, 2010. The two-for-one stand-up paddle board rentals, lessons and tours are provided by Adventures by the Sea.

W South Beach

We're just back from our latest girls' trip at the W South Beach. Our verdict on the hotel: We loved it! The location was great, nestled in by the Gansevoort and the Shore Club on Collins, the lobby is simply stunning and our room (an Oasis Suite) was a nice size with an  ocean view.

Even though Miami was on the chilly side this weekend, we spent plenty of time by the pool (sometimes wrapped in towels). Given the weather, we didn't actually make it into that infinity edge pool, but we did enjoy many a Greek salad, French fry and glass of Sauvignon Blanc on our lounge chairs. The service was attentive and friendly. The pool made for great people watching, too: In addition to the Euro men in their bikini briefs, we spotted a few celebs, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Jerry Bruckheimer and Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy.

Since it was too cold to spend the night's outdoors, we headed to the W's Wall Club--an intimate space with a rocking DJ. It was definitely a fave. We also enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails in the lobby bar.

We do have a few minor complaints about the hotel:
1. There were no Q-tips in the bathroom.We can't remember the last time we stayed at a swank hotel that didn't proved them for you. Our friend Heidi resorted to cleaning her ears with twisted up toilet paper.
2. There aren't enough lounge chairs at the pool. Even though we were in a two bedroom suite, we were told we were only allotted three chairs.
3. Mr. Chow does not live up to the hype. Not only was it expensive, but the food was bad to unmemorable. We sent back an order of chicken satay--seriously, how do you screw up peanut sauce?

On Our Radar: W Miami

Seeing as we're in the middle of snow-icane 2010, all we can think about is our trip to Miami next week, when we'll be staying at the new W South Beach. Believe us when we say that with all the new hotels in Miami, making our decision of where to stay was harder than ever!

We most recently spoke about the W back in January during our Beach Week. What attracted us to the hotel, which opened back in July, is its prime beachfront location on Collins Ave., the sexy infinity edge pool and that it's home to Mr. Chow's restaurant--always a party scene in NYC--and our favorite Bliss Spa. And the fact that it has 6 different bars sure didn't hurt either!

It was not a unanimous decision, however.  Our one friend ruled out the W at the get-go because she feared the rooms would be small (as they admittedly are at some branches);  but even the smallest rooms at the W in Miami ring at 500+ square feet. Then we had drinks in L.A. with our favorite travel agent who told us that her clients have been raving about the property, especially the phenom service.

Once we were finally able to pull some strings and get ourselves a deal on an Oasis Suite, we were sold! Now the only questions left: Where to go for dinner? What clubs to go to? And most important of all, what to pack?

Check back next week to follow us on our trip! We leave Thursday!

On Our Radar: Vacation Rental Homes

Maybe it's those wacky antics of Snooki and the Situation, but we're entertaining the idea of renting a beach house for a girls' getaway this summer. It's fun to stay under one roof, vacation rental homes are often more economical than a hotel--especially for a large group, and there are some pretty sweet vacation rentals to be had out there. While Seaside Heights, NJ is definitely off the list, here are a few spots we're considering:

Vacation Rental Home #1: Seaside Place in Key West. It has its own pool, is right by the beach, has 5 bedrooms, and starts at $600 a night.

Vacation Rental Home #2: Carpinteria, California. This 4-bedroom home near Santa Barbara has ocean views and rents for $5,000 a week. 

Vacation Rental Home #3: Bridgehampton, New York. Ok, so this 7-bedroom stunner isn't exactly a bargain at $35,000 per week, but it was built in '08 and we can see ourselves hosting the party of the season on that deck.  

Vacation Rental Home #4: Bravos by the Sea, in Vieques, Puerto Rico. While we're waiting for the W to open, we could happily call this 7-bedroom stunner home. It starts at $5,500 per week.

Not sure where to start your search for a vacation rental home? We like HomeAway and Discover Vacation Homes. HomeAway tends to be a little swankier, has more listings and offers European rentals. You may find better bargains on Discover Vacation Homes.

Shopping in Miami

While we're still figuring out exactly where we'll be staying during our upcoming trip to Miami (with so many options, it's hard to narrow it down), we know for sure we'll be doing a lot of shopping. Added to our old favorites of Barney's Co-op, Scoop and Intermix are all the new stores on Lincoln Road. The outdoor shopping area turns 50 this year and is celebrating with a redesign and expansion. We're definitely planning stops at Osklen, a Brazilian chain; Coltorti an Italian boutique; Alchemist and Y3. You'll also catch us at the MAC store getting our fake eyelashes done before a night on the town.

If you're lucky enough to be headed down that way for the SuperBowl, be sure to let us know how it is!

Our Annual Girls' Getaway 2010

For more years than we can remember we get together the first or second Saturday in January with our besties from high school in our native Washington, D.C..  The weekend works for us because it's post holiday, but pre-craziness of everything else.

We tend to stay at Kimpton Hotels--we love their cheeky design, decent -sized rooms, reasonable prices and downtown location. This year, the recently renovated Hotel Monaco in the Penn Quarter was our pick. The hotel is in the historic former General Post Office, built in 1839 by Robert Mills, the same architect to design the Washington Monument.

Like many Kimpton properties, the hotel hosts a nightly wine hour. We enjoyed hanging out by the fireplace, catching up and people watching.

 

 The six of us shared one room and one suite. There's nothing quite like waking up the morning after and rehasing the night before.

 Amy, Shannon, Heidi and Shawn--WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Ski Vacation Day 7: Whistler

It would be a blast to attend the Olympic Games 2010 in Whistler.  We've been to the summer games and our advice is to be patient with the large crowds.  We loved the international cross section of people, meeting the athletes as they wondered around the grounds, and most of all the excitement of the competition. 

We heard there are still rooms available in Whistler during the games and while not a bargain, it would be worth the experience of seeing Lindsey Vonn in the giant slalom and Shaun White in the halfpipe.  Don't forget your skis and boards because 90% of the mountain will be available for public use!

A good bet for great accomodations would be the Fairmont Chateau Whistler (pictured above).  It's located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain and has coveted ski-in/ski-out access.  Our dream room would have mountain views and a cozy fireplace like this one:

Anyone have plans on going to the Games?  We'd love to hear about your experience!

Ski Vacation Day 2: Keystone, Colorado

If the reason you don't ski as much as you would like to is the cost, this ski vacation deal is for you. Keystone, Colorado is offering a “Three for Free” package, which includes a free night, $50 worth of “on-mountain money,” a free Adventure Eye Video System helmet camera to capture all your downhill runs and more. Rates start at a very affordable $50 per person per night.

Keystone is a a lower key option to nearby Vail and Beaver Creek. It's known for its night skiing and 5-acre ice skating rink.

You have to book by January 31, but the deal is good through April 11. For more info, check otu the Keystone website.

Ski Vacation Day 1: Viceroy Snow Mass

Combine the hipness of Aspen/Snowmass with the sexiness of the Viceroy and you may even get a beach-goer like Annie to hit the mountains on her next winter trip. The hotel is brand spanking new--it opened last November.

We can imagine ourselves being pretty happy sitting by the fire apres-ski or hot tubbing it with some sexy ski bums in the outdoor pool. The pool terrace and the pool cafe were decorated by Kelly Wearstler, who also worked her magic on the Viceroy in Miami.

The Viceroy has ski-in/ski-out slopeside access, the Eight K restaurant--named after the altitude level of the hotel and a 7,000 square foot spa to soothe those tired muscles after a long day on the slopes. The gorge spa features treatments inspired by Ute Indian, Nordic and Asian rituals.

Ski Vacation Deals: When you stay at the Viceroy Snowmass for three nights, you'll get the fourth free.

Ski Vacation Intro

Last week we focused on beach vacations. This week, for all the snowbunnies out there, we're spotlighting the best ski vacation destinations, deals and more.  On JSG, we focus on girls' getaways- usually somewhere warm; but each year we take a trip with our friends to Colorado.  That's Hope above with Meghan and Shelly in Beaver Creek.

As for us: our favorite places to ski are Vail for its size and the village; Lake Tahoe for the warm weather, amazing lake views, and nightlife; and Park City mostly for the powder but also because it's close to the airport.  There are a ton of other great resorts and some really good deals out there.  We'll show you our picks this week starting with the new Viceroy at Snow Mass.

Ski Vacation Day 1: Snowmass
Ski Vacation Day 2: Keystone
Ski Vacation Day 3: Vail
Ski Vacation Day 4: Tahoe
Ski Vacation Day 5: Park City
Ski Vacation Day 6: Jackson Hole 
Ski Vacation Day 7: Whistler

Beach Week Day 6: The Cove Atlantis

With the Free Companion Airfare deal to the Bahamas, we've been trying to come up with an excuse to get ourselves down there ASAP. Checking out the Cove Atlantis may just be it.

The Cove is the sophisticated sister to the Atlantis that opened in March 2007. The all-suite resort was designed by Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell and features Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill.

What really caught our eye is Cain, the adults-only pool that's exclusive to guests at Cain. It's a touch of Vegas in the Caribbean with DJ's, cocktails and gambling tables. We're picturing ourselves at one of the cabanas right now.

Beach Vacation Deal: Buy your plane ticket with your American Express card and get a free companion ticket. Some restrictions apply.

Update: Barbados is also in on the action with free companion airfare on American Airlines. Book your ticket before February 12, 2010 and travel before May 31, 2010. Other restrictions apply. Read more about Barbados airfare deal. Never been to Barbados? Read about Annie's trip to Barbados last summer.

Beach Week Day 4: Miami

Miami is hands down one of our favorite places for a girls' getaway--we're counting down the days til our trip in March. In the two years since our last trip, numerous hotels have opened, including the Mondrian, Viceroy, Epic, the W and Fountainebleu, which makes deciding where to go fun.

We've stayed at the Viceroy in Palm Springs before and love Kelly Wearstler's eclectic style.

We're also partial to Kimpton Hotels, which includes the Epic, and stay in them whenever we can. Beach Vacation Deal: Rates start at $199 if you book before January 27.

We've heard various reviews on the Fountainebleu, both good and bad. But the 1,504-room hotel is a little to big for our tastes. 

The previous three options aside, we do always like to stay in South Beach when we're in Miami. We'll inevitably end up going out there at night and like to stay in the heart of the action. The Mondrian, part of the Morgan hotel group, looks like a sexy option and nearly a twin to sister property the Delano. It was conceived as "a design homage to Sleeping Beauty's Castle".

The W Hotel South Beach features two pools, Mr. Chow's restaurant and a Bliss Spa.

Any input on your favorite place to stay in Miami?

Beach Week Day 3: Curtain Bluff in Antigua

This one may be better suited to traveling with your honey, or your honey and another couple, but it sure looks like where we want to be right now. Curtain Bluff in Antigua entices us with its gorgeous views of the Caribbean--every guest room has one. The resort is set on a peninsula that's surrounded by a reef. This topography creates two unique beaches, one that is calm and tranquil and the other with dramatic surf.

Curtain Bluff is an all inclusive resort but there's not a buffet in site. The price also includes activities such as scuba diving, deep sea fishing, reef snorkeling, water skiing, a rain forest walk and more.

Leave time to visit the spa and experience a Tangerine Dreams body scrub, a Water Lily Wrap or a Caviar and Champagne Massage.

Learn more about Curtain Bluff in Antigua.

Beach Week Day 2: Postcard Inn

Florida has to warm up sooner or later and when it does, we're booking a room at the Postcard Inn on the Beach in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Travel + Leisure calls the property, "an easygoing beach hotel with a bohemian edge". Sounds like just the place for a stylish lowkey trip.

Similar to yesterday's pick, the building was originally a budget hotel. This time a Travelodge was transformed by the new owners into a surf-themed hotel. Each of the 204 rooms is uniquely decorated, but all have surf-inspired decor like a mural of a surfer catching a wave, a photo collage or quotes from Thoreau, the Beach Boys, Warhol, Jay-Z, and others.

The hotel features a Snack Shack, Beach Bar and a Wildwood BBQ + Burger (B.R. Guest's Stephen Hanson is part owner). The Postcard Inn sits beachside and also has a pool. At night time, hang out by the fire pit to make s'mores, swap stories and stay warm.


Welcome to Postcard Inn from Postcard Inn on Vimeo.


Beach Vacation Deal
Inspired by the video above to visit? Travel and Leisure is advertising a 4 night stay including a $50 dining credit and one-hour surf lesson for $627. Read more about this deal.