RESORTING - American hotels - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included - Review

Travel America, May, 2001

Chicago in Style

The 417-room Wyndham Chicago, just a block off North Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile," is a high-rise haven for visitors who come to shop the city's toniest retail district. A gleaming glass edifice originally built as an office tower, the upscale hotel (opened in 1999) boasts spacious guest rooms with nine-foot-high ceilings and such amenities as a coffeemaker, hair dryer, ironing board, three telephones, and Egyptian cotton bathrobes. Public facilities include a fitness center with an indoor pool. The hotel's Caliterra restaurant offers a lively blend of "Cal-Ital" entrees influenced by the cuisine of Northern California and Tuscany, Italy. Contact: Wyndham Chicago (TravelAmerica Magazine), 633 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 573-0300 or (800) WYNDHAM; www.wyndham.com.

Hawaiian Islands

Take advantage of savings offered by Aston Hotels & Resorts Hawaii. The "ASTONishing Free Deal" gives a free fifth night; discount booklet with coupons for dining, shopping, and golf; and a "buy one get one free" admission to a traditional Hawaiian luau. Other packages are available for seniors, couples, and families. With 37 properties on four islands, Aston offers everything from affordable hotels to luxury condominium resorts.

Contact: Aston Hotels & Resorts (TravelAmerica Magazine), ANA Kalakaua Center, 2155 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815; (800) 922-7866; www.astonhotels.com.

Suite Life

Nearly three out of four Americans believe that having enough personal space is important, according to a "Space Survey" recently commissioned by Embassy Suites Hotels. For example, more than half of the frequent travelers surveyed felt that too many hotel rooms today are "the size of a shoebox," and nearly half of the respondents said they become claustrophobic in small places.

Embassy Suites is the largest all-suite, upscale hotel chain in the United States. It offers two-room suites with separate living room, private bedroom, and mini kitchen. Call (800) EMBASSY or visit www.embassysuites.com.

New in Alaska

Princess Cruises and Tours has announced plans to build a $10-million lodge next to Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge will have approximately 100 rooms. In keeping with its dramatic location--with spectacular views of Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Drum, and Mt. Blackburn--the lodge will combine architectural elements of historic national park lodges with those of old Alaskan mining buildings. Public areas will include a restaurant, lounge, and mountain viewing room. The lodge is scheduled to open for the 2002 summer season.

Arizona Desert Jewel

Marriott International, Inc., recently confirmed plans for Marriott's Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Aflzona's largest resort and spa hotel, expected to open in November, 2002. The 950-room resort will be located within Desert Ridge, a master-planned community in the northeast Phoenix desert. It will offer state-of-the-art amenities in a setting with majestic views of the McDowell Mountains. Guests will enjoy 10 distinctive dining experiences, a luxurious 28,000-square-foot spa, an eight-court tennis pavilion, and world-class golf on two 18-hole championship courses (the Arnold Palmer-designed Wildfire course and a second course to be designed by Nick Faldo).

Contact: Marriott's Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Pre-opening Office, (TravelAmerica Magazine), 14500 N. Northsight Blvd., #321, Scottsdale, AZ 95260; (480) 905-0004.

South Florida

Marriott's BeachPlace Towers, located on popular Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, is offering off-season values. Deluxe guest rooms are $179 per night; one-bedroom villas $219; and two-bedroom villas $330 from May 7 through October 18. Located above an oceanfront shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, Marriott's BeachPlace Towers offers an exercise facility with steam room, swimming pool, and two spas. The resort is within minutes of shopping at BeachPlace Mall, Las Olas Boulevard, and Sawgrass Mills. All villas feature a kitchen, living and dining areas, master suite with whirlpool tub, utility room with washer/dryer, and balcony. Guest rooms include a wet bar with microwave, mini-refrigerator, king bed, sleeper sofa, and private balcony.

Contact: Marriott's BeachPlace Towers (TravelAmerica Magazine), 2100 S. Atlantic Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316; (800) 845-5279; www.vacationclub.com.

Dreams Come True

Embassy Suites Hotels, the national brand of upscale, all-suite hotels, is teaming up with the Starlight Children's Foundation to help make dreams come true for hundreds of seriously ill children whose wishes are to take family vacations. As the official hotel of the Starlight Children's Foundation's Wishes Program, Embassy Suites Hotels is providing 2,000 complimentary suite nights to Starlight wish families during 2001.

Culinary Hotspot

In the heart of downtown Chicago's Randolph Street theater district and attached to the Hotel Allegro, 312 Chicago is an oasis of contemporary Italian cuisine and Old World charm. Orchestrated by Executive Chef Dean Zanella, one of the city's most acclaimed culinary maestros, the two-level restaurant is accented with antique bureaus and buffets, wrought iron fixtures, and mahogany and oak woods. Cozy booths on the perimeter provide great views of the city, and there's an exhibition kitchen.