Premier room #2021 at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Luxurious Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

The Strip, as it is known in Las Vegas, is not to be confused with Disneyland. Although, in some places gold fairy dust is sprinkled liberally about. Chef Pierre Gagnaire sprinkles magic on his French country dishes at Twist restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas  and the bartender at Mandarin Bar sprinkles Li hing powder, along with a dehydrated pineapple on his signature Ninth Island cocktail. The staff at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas may not sprinkle you with gold dust upon arrival, but they do treat you like royalty from 3 p.m. check in until noon check out.

Mandarin Premier bathroom comes with walk in shower and soaking tub

Premier rooms at Mandarin Oriental

With 392 rooms at this property, there is a room for every budget. The standard rooms at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas are anything but standard. At 500 square feet, the standard rooms are the best value for dollar, being one category below Mandarin Premier rooms.

What I love about the Mandarin Oriental Hotels is that each property is unique. You won’t find a frequent stay program here, but you can beat that each hotel tracks returning guests and rewards them accordingly.The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas does partner with several airlines – ask for details at check-in.

My room, Mandarin premier #2021, rented from $380-410 in April. You’ll need to check the website for the best rates.

Drink in the view at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas while enjoying the Ninth Island cocktail

Drink in the view at Mandarin Bar

The Mandarin Bar, with its floor to ceiling windows, is a great place to watch the high rollers – not in the casinos (thankfully you won’t find one in this hotel) but on the roller coaster next door.  If you are looking for more gold, The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas offers free live jazz on the weekend. Try the Golden Leaf martini with Hendricks Gin, Aperol, muddled mandarin pineapple juice, fresh lime and simple syrup.

In a nod to the many Pacific Islanders who visit Las Vegas, the bartender created the Ninth Island cocktail. You can create this signature cocktail by watching the YouTube video above.

Chef Pierre Gagnaire discusses his cooking style at Twist restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Twist with Chef Pierre Gagnaire

If you love French cuisine, make reservations at Chef Pierre Gagnaire’s Twist restaurant. I was there during the debut of the spring menu and soaked up the earthy, rich flavors of fresh morels, baby artichokes and onions, as well as tender Oregon asparagus, along with a roasted saddle of Colorado lamb, flavored with rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and lemon paste.  I know I mention this in many of my restaurant reviews, but do save room for dessert – you are sure to discover more gold.

Water works at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

What’s a trip to the desert of Las Vegas without a dip in the pool? The plastic wading pool of yesteryear with a rubber ducky floating aimlessly area no match for the pool and cabanas at the Mandarin Oriental. Create your own desert oasis by customizing a cabana with 42″ tv, PS3 games to keep the kids – and the kids at heart – happy. Throw in a stocked mini-bar, plush bathrobes and you’ve got yourself a poolside party.

To keep the water works going, I booked a Mandarin Oriental Essence Massage (60 minutes for $200 on weekends, $180 mid-week) followed by a dip in the Vitality Pool and a rinse in the Experiential Rain Shower. Only in Vegas will you experience a blast or arctic mist or the warmth of the tropical rain forest without having to show a passport. If you like heat, hop in the steam room and Laconium. Some like it hot!

Create a poolside paradise with a cabana rental at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Insider Tip: Sometimes  Las Vegas resort fees  are not revealed up front. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas Golden Access Pass of $24 per day is actually not a bad deal. The pass includes: unlimited wired and wireless inroom internet access; local and toll free calls; access to fitness classes including yoga*, pilates and kinesis wall training; access to the fitness center and locker room, coffee and tea from the espresso bar, daily newspaper upon request, printing of boarding pass and overnight shoe shine service.

I was not happy to learn that guests had to call housekeeping to request that the sheets and towels not be changed on a daily basis. Coming from California, I naively assumed that Las Vegas was water conscious, as well. While the hotel is LEED certified, and is “eco-friendly” in many ways, it turns out that high rollers want their sheets refreshed every day. What a shame.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas on Twitter.

What are your favorite things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada? *I enjoyed my yoga class – a great way to start the morning before a pool or spa day.

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas (702) 590-8888

3752 Las Vegas Boulevard, South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Article written by  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. Photos courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. I was a guest of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

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It's a dog's life at Carmel Beach. Dogs welcome at Hofsas House, Carmel, CA

Pet-friendly Hofsas House, Carmel, California

If you are one of those who enjoy traveling with man’s best friend, you’ve probably heard about or traveled with your dog to Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Hofsas House in Carmel not only offers ocean view rooms at affordable prices, they welcome your four-legged friend in style.

In all of my travels, Carmel is one of the most pet-friendly communities that I have encountered and Hofsas House is the cat’s meow for dogs. With water bowls and pet-friendly restaurants scattered throughout this bohemian village, you’ll feel guilty if you leave your dog at home.

Romantic Hofsas House

My husband and I were married in Carmel, and spent our first night together as husband and wife at the Tickle Pink by the Carmel Highlands and Point Lobos.  This was our first stay at the Hofsas House, the other pink palace. It is a family-friendly property with a swimming pool and sauna. Hofsas House offers concierge service and enhancement packages such as s’mores with all the fixings, and, of course, a dog-friendly package. Did I mention that Carmel Beach is a short walk from the hotel and not only allows dog to run off leash, they are encouraged to romp and roll on the white sands beach.

Complimentary continental breakfast

Your stay at The Hofsas House also includes a continental breakfast. The family-run property likes their guests to come downstairs for breakfast so they can help plan your trip to Carmel.  If I hadn’t opted for their complimentary concierge service, I wouldn’t have learned about Carmel’s Wine Walk by-the-Sea Passport. Of course, you are welcome to bring a tray of fresh fruit, pastries from Monterey’s Paris Bakery, yogurt, juice and a carafe of fresh coffee or hot tea back to your hotel room. Which is exactly what we did, as we didn’t want to miss out on our ocean view room.

King Suite with ocean view at Hofsas House in Carmel, California

Hofsas House King Suite ocean view in Carmel, California

Our ocean view king suite, room #45, included a fireplace with a Duraflame fire log. We enjoyed a local bottle of wine and a couple of wonderful cheeses from the local Cheese Shop. Our room rented for $175 in the slow season, ranging to a high of $229 – a great value compared to other ocean view properties in Carmel.

Insider Tip

Hofsas House is a four story building without an elevator. The owners go out of their way to accommodate guests with disabilities and offer ADA rooms, but there are a lot of stairs on property.

In addition to off street parking, Hofsas House features:

• 

  The swimming pool at Hofsas House in Carmel

  King and Queen beds

• Maid service
• Refrigerator
• Kitchenette
• Copier
• Cable/satellite television
• Shower (no bath tub in our room)
• Hairdryer
• Iron and Ironing board
• Non-smoking rooms
• Telephone and voicemail
• Alarm clock
• Microwave
• Complimentary Wireless internet access
• Balcony/lanai/terrace
• Fax machine
• Handicap room (room 37 offers a king bed with private balcony and ocean view)
• Coffee/tea maker
• Fireplace
• Ocean view
• Connecting rooms

If You Go:

Hofsas House (831) 624-2745

Between 3rd & 4th Ave. on San Carlos Street

Carmel, CA 93921

Article written by, YouTube video and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Hofsas House.

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The Green Cabin has a loft bedroom

At the Hocking Hills Canopy Tour near Logan, Ohio this past Saturday, a couple in my group seemed happier than happy. They seemed as if they were still in the romantic phase of their relationship. The signs were there. The sweet pecks on lips, light rub on backs and lots of smiles.

The Blue Cabin sleeps 4

Cabins are fully furnished and equipped with all you need for a cozy getaway of solitude and relaxation, although you do need to bring your own charcoal and lighter fluid for the grill.

The owners suggest you might want to bring a beach towel if you use the hot tub, as well as personal toiletries. The property also has a stocked fish pond and hiking trails.

Check out the website’s link for last minute deals and specials. Right now there are spring package discounts.

Interior of Red Cabin

Frontier Log Cabins
18381 Thompson Ridge Rd.
Laurelville, Oh 43135
1-888-332-6747

Photos courtesy of Frontier Log Cabins

Post by Jamie Rhein, member of Midwest Travel Writers Association