Travel

Staybridge Suites in Stafford, Virginia (Video Walk-through)

Recently we visited with our son in Quantico, Virginia and stayed at the Staybridge Suites in Stafford, Virginia, which is just one town over from Quantico.

This area is saturated with Marines and people who commute to Washington, DC everyday. You will find lots of families in the area visiting their Marine. It is conveniently located on Jefferson Davis Highway, which is a straight shot to the Marine base.

The Staybridge Suites is a rather new hotel. They call it a suite instead of a hotel because it is designed for extended stays. With a property like this you will get a kitchenette which is very convenient. Some rooms are larger so you have a counter to eat at and others do not. Check out the room details before you stay and if you need a larger room ask about that feature. They also offer a full breakfast and not just a continental breakfast so you get even more for your money.

We got there very late at night and found that it was easy to find with our GPS. The parking lot is very well lit and there is a 7-Eleven adjacent to the hotel parking, which is another convenient feature.

One thing I have to say about their parking lot though is that it is too small for the actual hotel. Every single spot was taken so we had to park in the 7-Eleven parking lot.

Photo Courtesy of Ichotelsgroup.com

When you arrive at the front door you are greeted with music. The door is wide and opens automatically. Although there is handicapped parking right next to the door and a ramp there is no ramp in the front curb to allow you to roll your luggage up easily. I found this odd since most hotels have this feature.

Once inside I was greeted by friendly staff and the foyer was very pleasant. There is a fireplace in the center and everything was very clean, new looking and shiny.

Video Walk-through at the front door

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I was impressed by the size of the breakfast area and lounge area. To the right side of the lounge area is a TV screening room with leather recliners. Down the hall to the right of the foyer you will find the elevators, restrooms, pool, conference room, 24-hour laundry room and workout room (see video)

Video walk-through of our room

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We stayed on the 6th floor. The room was just like the rest of the hotel, clean, shiny, and very new looking. There was a large desk to the right of the door, a kitchenette to the left, a couch (which is not a pull-out bed), large flat-screen TV, and a single queen comfy-looking bed.

Because the Staybridge Suites is on a main road you would think there would be a lot of noise. I have to say that there was a lot of traffic always coming and going in front of our hotel and we never even heard a sound.

I found it just a tiny bit odd that the bathroom was to the right of the bed with the opening to the sink area open. Most of the time there is a wall between the bed and bathroom. This is not a real problem but if someone wants to use the sink or bathroom while the other person is still asleep it is very noisy and bright.

In the bathroom you will find that the rod for the shower is curved and that is gives you extra space when you are inside taking a shower. We finally bought a curved shower rod for our home since so many hotels have them. I didn’t realize they were so affordable for home use. The water pressure was really good and we had plenty of hot water. The sink, however, was a different story. It took a full 5 minutes for the water to get hot, which seemed odd.

The closet had an ironing board, safe, lots of hangers, and extra blankets and pillows.

The sink was wide and the lighting bright. I especially liked the attached hair dryer because it had a retractable cord and it had a digital read-out. It was very powerful and worked great.

Internet Access

Internet access is free everywhere in the hotel. It was easy to hook up. No password or special setup was needed. This was a definitely plus as we bring our laptop with us everywhere we go and work on the road as we travel.

Breakfast

Breakfast was a feast. There were Belgium waffles with whipped cream, eggs, toast or bagels, muffins, cereal, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and friendly staff. What more can you ask for?

Photo Courtesy of Ichotelsgroup.com

Problems and Housekeeping

We had a slight problem the first night we stayed. When we pulled the comforter up to go to sleep it smelled awful, like someone’s body odor. We know that most hotels don’t change the comforters. The next morning we told housekeeping about this and they quickly sent someone to our room to pick it up. They washed it and returned it within a few hours. We were impressed!

Bonus Food Events

If you stay during the week they have special free food events in the evenings. These are usually Tuesday through Thursday only. One night they even had a beer-tasting event. Sometimes they have special movie nights with popcorn. The events are listed on a flyer that is on your refrigerator when you come into your room.

Overall Opinion

We would stay at the Staybridge Suites again. It was just about $7 more than other hotels in the area and the full breakfast and other features made it worth the extra cost. The few minor problems we had were not enough to keep us away either. We had a great experience at the Staybridge Suites and would stay there again.

Disclosure: this was a personal trip.

Stafford Hotels

Top 10 Holiday Air Travel Tips

@Fly_com Check out these top 10 air travel tips to help you stay sane, save big money, and enjoy your holiday travel this year.

Thanksgiving is known as the busiest US travel day of the year and December holidays follow close behind. Last year, 24 million Americans traveled over Thanksgiving week and 43 million Americans traveled during the December holidays.

Want to save big, stay sane, and enjoy your holiday travel this year?

Warren Chang, VP and general manager of Fly.com, the most comprehensive online airfare search engine, has compiled his top 10 holiday travel tips

holiday travel tips

Be a Conscious Consumer: If the airline puts you on a different flight and you arrive at your destination between one to two hours after your originally scheduled arrival time (one to four hours for international destinations), the airline is required to pay you an amount equal to the one-way fare to your destination that day, up to $400 maximum and $800 for international travel.

If the airline does not make alternative arrangements for you, the airline is required to compensate you double the amount of the one-way fare to your destination.

Give Yourself a Gift: Business class fares are affordable this winter! Prices are only about double that of an economy ticket, rather than 3-4 times the economy rate as they usually are. European destinations are the best targets for this tip. (For example, flights to Paris or Frankfurt are roughly $750 in economy and just $1500 in Business Class. Later, business Class seats to Paris jump up to $2200 and $3000 for Frankfurt, while economy tickets remain the same.)

Try to Travel on Holidays: If you can, travel on actual holidays for less-crowded airports, cheaper fares – instead of the day before or day after. Travelers can expect to pay half or even less to travel.

(For example, flights from NYC to Miami are $450+ leaving the day before Thanksgiving and returning on Sunday or Monday. Traveling on Thanksgiving and returning on Tuesday will only cost you $199). If you’re not up for traveling on holidays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest days of the week to travel.

Non-stop Means Non-hassle: Winter weather and crowded airports make for potential disasters when it comes to catching connecting flights. Avoid the stress and hassle by springing for the nonstop flights. Or, at least avoid layovers in cities known for inclement weather (Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis). If you must take a flight with a stop, opt for warmer climates like Dallas, Miami or Los Angeles.

Wrap the Right Way…Later: Don’t bring wrapped presents to the airport. TSA agents might end up opening your gifts, instead of your intended loved ones. Save time and money by wrapping gifts once you arrive at your final destination.

Involve the In-laws: Pack less and do laundry at the homes of family members. Less carry-on luggage can save travelers up to $50 in baggage fees while also avoiding the hassle of hauling around extra luggage. (When searching on Fly.com the results show baggage fees!).

Prepare Your Precious Carry-Ons: If you’re traveling with oversized items such as skis, snowboards, or golf clubs, make sure to check airline requirements and fees ahead of time to avoid surprise expenses.

Check Nearby Airports: Often larger airports due to heavy flow of passengers/aircraft have the most delays and fewest seats available. Search for airfare in smaller nearby airports to get the best deals. From Chicago fly into Washington National or Baltimore to save at least $30 on the cost flights when compared to Dulles.

Get to Grandma’s Early: There are often less delays on early morning flights as they are usually the first scheduled flights of the day. The plane is often waiting for several hours and ready to go!

Use Social Media to Save: Sites such as Fly.com often offer real-time Twitter fare (@Fly_com) and Facebook alerts (www.facebook.com/fly) for flights around the world.

And of course always remember, tis the season. Be polite to airline employees, especially when things go wrong. Niceness can go a long way when you experience problems.

Source: Fly.com

Review of the Hotel Rio in Las Vegas

In January of 2010 we traveled to Las Vegas to a conference. We booked our stay at the Rio because that was the host hotel for the conference. The Rio is an older hotel from what I have been told and is not directly on the strip. Since we have never been to Las Vegas we didn’t really have any way to compare hotels so this is a review of our first-timers experience at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

A Quick Summary of the Hotel Rio: The Hotel Rio in Las Vegas is a basic, no frills, hotel that does the job. You won’t be impressed but it’s not bad either. If you are staying at the Rio for a conference it is very convenient but beware there is a lot of walking to and from the convenience venue.

Hallway to the conference hall.

We didn’t get any photos at the time so everything in this post is stock.

When we arrived and took the shuttle to the hotel we were stunned at how beautiful and colorful the hotel was at first site. It is quite large and has two buildings. I believe it has almost 50 floors as well and as we were to find out, a HUGE conference center.

When you walk through the main door, which is one of those rotating doors that is large enough for 5 people to fit into one section comfortably, the first thing you see is a bar – the iBar. There is noise and laughter going on and you feel like you are in Las Vegas right away. There are slot machines to the right, behind the bar, and to the left of the bar. The registration desk is to the far left.

The registration process went off without a hitch and we never had a problem signing in.

Our room was on the 7th floor. When you step out of the elevator and go around the corner you see a cool site. Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of it. There are 4 long hallways for the four corners of the building. The hallways seem to stretch on forever. The carpet is as colorful as the building itself.

Once in our room we were surprised at how large it was. We had a king sized bed and there was also a couch bed too. The room was large enough that 5 more people could have bunked out on the floor. You get a lounge in the corner and a desk. The TV, which wasn’t up-to-date, but an older models, is inside of a cabinet with closed doors. There is also a small refrigerator full of drinks. DON’T, I repeat don’t even pull one of those drinks out to look at it or you will be charged. We learned the hard way once. There is a mechanism under each drink that let’s the hotel know you have taken it out and basically purchased it.

There was a large dressing area attached to the bathroom that had full-length mirrors on the closet door. The lighting was great in this area. The bathroom was standard and nothing fancy.

Here are some of the things I didn’t like. There was no coffee maker in the room at all. I learned, after being in Las Vegas for 5 days, that the reason why they give you cheap hotels and airfare is to get you to Las Vegas and charge you for everything under the sun. Because there is no coffee maker you have to buy drinks all of the time.

Internet Access

The Internet is also not free. Many times hotels charge for this so I understood that concept. What I didn’t like is that the first time I opened up the browser it showed me $13.95 a day with a discount of $36.99 if you purchased it for a week. I decided to do that since we were going to be there for 5 days. When I hit the Submit button it switched to a new screen with a different Internet service shown and the cost doubled. I wasn’t happy and called the front desk who transferred me to tech help. They were no help. I went back to my browser and I refreshed the screen again and got the $36.99 price.

Internet was a big issue. Although they have a network cable there to attach to your computer they require that you use a WiFi compliant computer to access the Internet. Many times it wouldn’t work well so I had to move my laptop around the table to find the best connection. Even though I paid for the entire week the Internet would die at the end of the night and I would have to log in again.

I found out from the guy in tech help that the same Internet company can range from $2.95 a day to $13.95 a day depending on what the hotel wants to charge for it and there isn’t anything you can do about it.

Overall Review of the Room at the Rio

The bathroom needed to be updated a bit but it was clean. They do provide you with the generic shampoo and soap but nothing extra or special.

The bed was really great and comfortable although if you looked at it from across the room you could see a sag. The lamps were a bit crocked – probably from some wild parties – and overall you knew this room got a lot of use. I am sure hotels have a hard time keeping up with changes in Las Vegas.

But, we were happy with our stay except for the added costs. If you don’t have a laptop you can bring and need to use the computers in the hallway downstairs be warned that they are expensive. I think we used a computer for 15 minutes to print out boarding passes and it cost us $5.00.

The hotel has lots of restaurants, slot machines, poker tables, a shopping mall, bars, and Starbucks so you will find many things to keep you occupied. They even have a show called the Show In The Sky which is their take on the Mardi Gras. While kids were hanging out with their families to get beaded necklaces this is definitely not a show for kids. They had a huge bed on the stage at one point that they used to do a mock up of an orgy. It was comical after you had seen it 3 times but for kids it shouldn’t be something you take them to.

Shopping at the Rio

Oh, and if you go to the Rio and want to get some cheap handbags, scarves, jewelry, and accessories you will want to check out the $10 store at the top level in the far corner. I got a great handbag for $10 that isn’t made all too bad and I am using it everyday now. The store is called Bijoux Terner and they have them in airports and other malls throughout the country. They really have a great concept with this store. You need an evening bag or a piece of jewelry but you don’t want to spend a lot on vacation so you just spend $10 and get exactly what you need for your event or vacation.

Restaurants at the Rio

American Grill

You can get food almost all times during the day until the wee hours of the night. The prices are very fair and their food is good. You will mainly get sandwiches and breakfast at this restaurant. It is casual and not fancy. The service is also good.

World Buffet

I am not sure who told us buffets were cheap in Las Vegas but this one sure isn’t. We paid $24.99 a person. Across the street at the Palms the buffet is $6.99. The food is great here and the buffet goes on for 100 feet on two sides. They have everything under the sun from Mexican, Chinese, Italian and American food and it is all cooked fresh. I saw the Chinese food being prepared while people were waiting. They have a killer dessert bar and lots of fresh fruit.

Cafe Martorano

This is one of the high-end restaurants. I went there to meet up with new affiliates I wanted to talk to. I thought the dinner would be around $35 but $85 later I was not happy. Since this was a large table with many people eating we all had the same thing. They served appetizers, a salad and then the main course which was Italian. It was really good food but nothing any more special than I could have gotten anywhere else. You are paying for the atmosphere I guess.

Our time in Las Vegas was great and we did enjoy staying at the Rio because everything we needed was in one place. If we hadn’t gone to Las Vegas for a conference we probably would have stayed somewhere on the strip because you have to take the shuttle to get there.

Oh, and the Rio has men and women who get up on platformed stage throughout the day to sing or dance. There was definitely a since that you were in “sin city” at the Rio. After visiting other hotels and casinos while we were there we found that the Rio was flashy and what you think of when you have never been to Las Vegas. If you get the chance try Caesar’s Palace for a more upscale experience.

Las Vegas Hotel Review

A December Trip to Miami, Florida

After looking back through all of my pictures on the computer I decided to write about our experiences at the Sofitel hotel in Miami.

This was a December trip. We flew coach air through USAirways and stayed 3 nights at the French Sofitel hotel in Miami, Florida. This was the second time we stayed at an Accor Sofitel hotel. The first time was on our trip to France back in 2002.

The Sofitel Miami hotel is much bigger than the one in France – maybe because there isn’t as much room in Paris for a hotel. Miami Sofitel has a pool, a huge dining room, Starbucks, conference rooms on several floors, and huge lounge area. The hotel rooms were much larger too and include a sitting area.

Sofitel Hotel Review Miami Florida

The people working at the Sofitel know all about customer service. I was really surprised at the level of service. There was always someone around to ask us how our stay was or if we needed anything. I think it has to do with either Miami, and the fact that they thrive off of the tourist industry, or the fact that the Sofitel is a European hotel. Someone told me I was just experiencing Southern Hospitality but I don’t think that is why at all. I am originally from Virginia (born and raised 21 years there) so I understand all about Southern hospitality. Miami and the South are two different things but then again, when people are friendly I’m happy. I think it has to do with warmer climates. I find people are naturally happier when it is warm and sunny.

At the Sofitel Miami there was always a mixture of people from French, Spanish, Cuban, and Italian. I heard so many languages that my head was spinning. I sure wish I could speak all of them because I feel left out.

In the dining room the waiters, waitresses, managers, and bus boys were busy every second clearing, cleaning, primping, or attending to diners. The Italian coffee Lavazza was the best. They used a French press to serve it.

We had a full breakfast everyday and while most of the time they assumed we wanted the “American breakfast” we always tried something different each day – French crepes, French toast, a fruit platter, or an omelet. My husband and I like to try all kinds of new foods, experiences new cultures, and go new places. That’s how we learn and have adventures – by getting out of our comfort zone.

While we were in Miami we had a rental car so we drove around a lot – and got lost a lot too. I can safely say that we drove around The Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove 6 times. I memorized the front lawn. There’s one hotel I’d like to stay in.

Did you know it rains almost everyday in Miami? Well, at least it did for us. But it doesn’t last long. It rained when we got there and that was the first view I had out of our window. After that we had the most gorgeous sunset.

Miami, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Luxury Homes South Florida, Merrick Park, Sofitel Trip Update

The view from our room when we arrived. Pretty little raindrops overlooking a beautiful sunset over the bay.

miami florida sunset

Besides sunflowers (my favorite flower), my favorite living plant is the palm tree. I have a 1-1/2 foot one in my kitchen that I bought at Walmart this past summer. I am trying to make sure it lives through this Connecticut winter. I took more pictures of palm trees than anything else. I couldn’t believe all of the varieties in Florida.

palm trees miami florida december

It was Christmastime after all so you could see decorations hanging from palm trees, quite a site for us who were from Connecticut.

We had an open schedule so we picked a handful of things to do. We ended up going to Merrick Park Mall and walked around. They call this a luxury shopping center. It has stores like Williams and Sonoma, Coach, Juicy Couture, and L’Occitane but we didn’t buy anything. We walked the entire mall, which is outside, just to look at the scenery. They even have valet parking and when the counters in the bathroom are made out of marble you know it much be an expensive place to shop.

miami merrick park mall christmas florida

It’s so beautiful you almost feel like you are at a park.

miami merrick park mall christmas florida

We also made it to Coconut Walk (nothing much there to see), Coconut Grove, drove through Coral Gables and The Miracle Mile (not impressed) and then found a Fresh Market store (similar to Wholefoods) where we sampled their Christmas coffee and bought some home. The regulars in this store were so friendly that we actually stopped and chatted with a few of them. We even came back later in the day to get our dinner to take to the hotel. I could have walked around this store all day. Everything is so fresh and colorful. It was right on the water too.

The next day we drove out to South Beach. It was only about a 15 minute drive. Along the way we could see cruise ships docked.

south beach miami cruise ships florida

South Beach is unique in that it has high-rise buildings but it doesn’t feel like a big city. It also has old, Art Deco buildings and hotels that add to it’s charm. Along the main strip on Ocean Drive you see all of the original hotels and cafes and swear you are living in the 1950s. They call this the Art Deco section. They are all the original hotels, beautifully restored. People are sitting in the outdoor cafes chatting away and while there are people everywhere you go there aren’t crowds because there are so many cafes, hotels, and shops that it is spread out nicely. We never made it to the actual beaches for lack of time – that will have to be on our next trip.

miami florida art deco palm trees

We drove all of the way down Ocean Drive and then turned and went up Collins Avenue. You can see luxury homes on the other side of the Avenue on an island. Man, wouldn’t it be nice to live here? That is if someone else could do the cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the yacht! Oh, yeah, and pay the taxes.

miami florida south beach collins avenue luxury houses

miami florida luxury homes

We finally parked and walked up and down Lincoln Road Mall where we landed at an Italian restaurant for lunch. We sat at their outdoor cafe area eating and doing a little people watching for a couple of hours. This is Segafredo. We actually should have eaten there becuase it was bustling with people and where we ended up was just kind of average. We will know for next time though.

Segafredo Llincoln Mall Miami Florida

After eating we drove down Washington Avenue and parked at South Pointe Park. This is a one-mile, at least, walk along Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It was newly renovated in 2009 so we got there just in time to enjoy it. It is lined with luxury condos on one side and yachts on the other. You can also see cruise ships and cargo ships go by. We walked almost a mile, I think, and then sat and watched the water for awhile.

South Pointe Park miami florida

Must be nice to have a yacht AND a helicopter.

That evening we came back to the hotel for our Chocolate Lover treats. This was part of the hotel package. We were given a selection of fabulous chocolate cakes and pastries, along with that wonderful Italian coffee.

The next day we had about 4 hours to kill before we boarded the plane so we decided to take a ride out to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens. It’s a bit pricey ($20 per person) but the fee does go to keep the garden running. They don’t have a military discount but they do have a senior and children’s discount if you decide to ever go. If we had known we were going we would have printed out this $5.00 discount coupon.

We took the tram ride around the park, which is definitely the way to see it. The tram ride was 45 minutes long and the hilarious driver pointed out everything of interest. There was never a dull moment on the ride. If you just walk around you have no clue what you are looking at. Take the tram ride first and then walk around. The walk would probably take you 3 hours alone. See map

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens florida

The garden is run by volunteers and they have all kinds of great events all year long. It is also a place for art lovers. There were sculptures all throughout the park and places to sit and just take it all in.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens florida

Did you know they have over 100 varieties of palm trees – amazing! And all kinds of lizards, geckos, and iguanas run all over the place. After the tram ride we picked a few spots that were pointed out to walk through and the geckos would scurry past out feet, 10 at a time in some cases.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens florida

I so wanted to take this little guy with me to add to my “critters” back home.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens florida

I think my favorite area was the waterlily pond. Some of the lily pads were 4 feet in size. Just beautiful!

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens florida lily pond

The airfare ride to and from Florida was uneventful and that is good. You really want it that way so you don’t have much to write about. But, I can say that you sure do see a lot of characters in the airports and that is an adventure in itself.

We came back to Connecticut where it was 20 degrees with a snowstorm on the way. I miss the 80 degree weather already. Going for a weekend trip to Florida in December is definitely a must if you live in New England.

Miami Beach Vacations

The Wauwinet Inn on Nantucket Island (Video Walk-Through)

Since the 1800s The Wauwinet Inn has been a place for weary travelers to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Wauwinet has changed hands many times over the years and has been a hostel, bed and breakfast, and now is a premier resort owned by the Nantucket Island Resorts group. As one of the 5 properties owned by the Nantucket Island Resorts, The Wauwinet is the resort that folks go to find a little peace and quiet.

We stayed at the Wauwinet Inn as part of our weekend trip to Nantucket Island. This was our first visit to the island.

The other properties owned by the Nantucket Group are: White Elephant, White Elephant Hotel Residences, Jared Coffin House, and The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin. Each of the different properties offer their own unique and exceptional lodging and each have it’s own personality. In addition, the group also owns the Nantucket Boat Basin.

The view from the second floor of The Wauwinet Inn

The Wauwinet is located on the northeast end of Nantucket Island, 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. Situated 9 miles from downtown Nantucket, they offer complimentary shuttle runs every hour so guests are never far from the main hub of the island. It is located next to the Great Point wildlife sanctuary and is the only resort on Nantucket within walking distance of both the Nantucket Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Private beaches on both offer the choice of ocean surfs or calm waters. The Wauwinet is available for weddings and other private events.

The view of the back of the Inn looking back at it from the ocean.

The Wauwinet offers 32 guest rooms and cottages nestled in an old New England seaside setting. Each room offers a stunning view of either the Nantucket Bay or Atlantic Ocean. All guest rooms are individually decorated with its own unique country pine antiques, cheery chintz, hand-stenciled finishes and fresh flowers. Each room will accommodate 1 to 2 guests with the exception of the 2 bedroom cottage. The inn caters to guest 12 years and older.

The Wauwinet’s internationally acclaimed restaurant, Topper’s, offers a relaxing, yet elegant, dining atmosphere. Executive Chef Kyle Zachary’s cuisine centers on the local harvest, both from the sea and shore, of Nantucket. Guest can enjoy a prix fixe or seven course tasting menu for dinner. Topper’s cellar-master is available to assist in pairing any of the 1450 current wine selections with your cuisine.

For those you prefer a more casual fare, can dine on the new Topper’s Deck. Topper’s bar serves is available throughout the day for light, casual dining.

Also available are gourmet picnic baskets for those heading off for a day at the beach or a bicycle ride around the island. Topper’s is now offering its a la carte breakfast to non-guest.

A fantastic complimentary Continental breakfast is available to guest, consisting of:

Sliced Fresh Fruit – Mixed Berries – Vanilla Non-Fat Yogurt – Cereal, Granola – Hard-Boiled Eggs – Genoa Salami – Smoked Ham – Smoked Salmon – Artisan Cheeses – Sliced Cheese – Fresh Baked Pastries – Breakfast Breads – Marmalade – Juices/coffee/tea

A short stroll across from The Wauwinet is the Spa by the Sea, a luxury spa offering rejuvenating and relaxing treatments, such as the Lavender Crush Body Treatment, the Garden Facial, and Atlantic Seaweed Wrap, which use local and sea-inspired ingredients. Also available are ocean salt scrubs and algae masks. Seasonal wildflowers and herbs such as local rose, chamomile, rosemary, lavender, and hydrangea grown in The Wauwinet’s own spa garden are incorporated into the massages.

The Wauwinet Inn offers an almost endless list of complimentary amenities and activities, including:

Summer Season Boating Activities
Spring and Fall Cruises on Nantucket Bay
Afternoon Cheese, Sherry and Port in the Library
Fresh Fruit Anytime
Early Risers’ Coffee, Tea & Fresh-Baked Goods
Library refreshments: freshly squeezed lemonade in the summer; apple cider in the fall
Yoga mats, kayaks, sailboats, customized iPods, Trek and Cannondale Mountain bikes
Hip Waders, Fishing Poles, and tennis

Here is a walk-through of the Spa at Wauwinet Inn.

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The friendliness and helpfulness of staff at The Wauwinet was quickly apparent as we were greeted at the ferry dock by the shuttle driver. We chatted on the drive to the inn and he knew the other passengers by name, as they were return guest. The staff’s attentiveness was re-enforced when the breakfast hostess addressed me by name and we had not even met before. Every staff person we met talked to us and asked if there was anything they could do for us. Each and every request we made was quickly addressed to our satisfaction.

We were quickly checked in and told about everything that was available to us during our stay. We arrived during the late afternoon and only had a brief moment to partake of the afternoon cheese, sherry and port snack; which was unfortunate for us as it offered a fine selection of cheese and crackers.

Upon arrival at our room, the porter quickly adjusted the heater / air-conditioner for us and asked if there was anything else he could do for us. We had a room on the Atlantic side of the inn with a splendid view of the ocean. If you really like a Bay view ask for a Bay view room on the other side of the Inn.

The room decor remained me of what would have been in a late 19^th century New England luxury seaside cottage; simple, but elegant. A special touch that I have not seen at any other resort was the personalized cards waiting for us on the bed.

The bathroom was filed with amenities from Dorothy Prentice Aromatherapy. The glycerin soap was so refined and aromatic that we took the rest of ours home in a zip bag. The soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were the Green Tea and Ginger blends and are available for purchase at dorothyprentice.com

Take a look at the video walk-through of our room.

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After we settled in, we decided to walk around the inn and take in the views. I noticed that soft music was playing throughout the inn, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Thinking back the relaxing, smoothing music was also playing while riding in the shuttle and our room, so the stress and tension was being removed from the time you stepped into the shuttle and continuing during your entire stay.

Walking out onto the back lawn one was immediately aware of the stunning view of the Nantucket Bay. An array of wicker chaise lounges were available on the lawn for relaxing in the sun, napping in the afternoon, or reading.

All you had to do was ask and cushions were brought out to you for the lounges and even blankets. Everyone staying at the Inn came out for the daily sunset, almost as it if was a ritual not to be missed. Once the sun set, they were all gone as fast as they came out.

As the afternoon moved towards evening, every staff member we encountered said to be sure to take in the sunset, that it was going to be beautiful. So we headed to the lawn, got extremely thick cushions put on out chaise lounges and enjoyed the sunset. They were right, it was one of the most amazing and unobstructed sunsets I have seen.

After freshening up, we headed to Topper’s for dinner. Just like the inn staff, the staff at Topper’s was attentive and pleasant.

We decided to have the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which consisted of seven courses using fall seasonal ingredients. They willingly substituted some items from the vegetarian menu for Wendy so she could try the Butternut Squash Soup. The meal started off with bread, and then moved through each course at a perfect rate, not too fast or too slow. We never felt rushed during the meal. The portions were appropriate for a seven course meal.

The Local Lightship Diver Scallop, Oxtail Ragout, Cipollini Onion, Potato, Espuma, topped with green apple.

Actually, it turned out to be a nine course meal as we were given shooters of soup and dessert during the meal and a tasting of a sparkling dessert wine, Niades (brachetto d’acqui). We finished this exceptional delicious meal with a nice cup of coffee.

We found out that Topper’s tries to use as much local seafood and vegetables from the island as possible. It’s great when a restaurant supports the local markets and vendors.

Topper’s meets the claim: “best overall restaurant on island, awarded by the Zagat Survey.”

The Sea Urchin Risotto, Truffle, and Maine Rock Shrimp

Before retiring for the evening, we strolled around the grounds, enjoying the peacefulness in the air and took a walk down the road under a moon lit night. I understand why people return to The Wauwinet, especially those who may have stressful and busy lives and jobs. You come here to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you want to sleep, eat, and read a book, staff will make sure you enjoy your stay and are not bothered.

In the morning, we casually got ready and then journeyed down to enjoy the Continental breakfast on the covered patio. As we enjoyed the fabulous breakfast, we could also enjoy the view of Nantucket Bay. Unfortunately, I did miss the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

After checking out, we learned that we had just missed the shuttle back to town (actually we were going to the White Elephant to test drive a BMW), so the front desk supervisor offered to drive us. Other resorts we have visited would have us wait for the next shuttle, not The Wauwinet. As we were driving back and chatting with the staff, she explained the history of The Wauwinet to us. She also stated that they have a high staff to guest ratio to make sure that guest needs are readily met. She also stated that guests return year after year because of their level of service and dedication to the individual client. The Wauwinet with all of its charm and stunning sunset view would be an exceptional location for a sunset wedding.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Wauwinet. I believe they achieve and exceed what they state: “A sense of the exceptional distinguishes The Wauwinet, which is dedicated to providing an unmatched guest experience. Here, you’ll find a gracious and attentive staff that is second to none. You’ll also find a wealth of special touches and complimentary activities that add exceptional value to your stay.”

Disclosure: We were invited to come and stay at the Wauwinet Inn as part of a media weekend. We were not compensated and all opinions, and photographs are our own.

Nantucket Hotel Review