Jeff Martinez's Article in Destinations

847 SunFest in West Palm Beach Promises Art, Music and Fun Events
Spring makes a great time to be in the sunny, laid-back city of West Palm Beach: Palm trees are swaying in the gentle Florida breeze, shoppers are out in full force at popular venues like CityPlace and Antique Row, and Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival, SunFest, is again set to light up the city’s vibrant downtown. Founded in 1982, the annual event will run April 27 through May 1 and is expected to draw more than 270,000 visitors this year.
Posted on Apr-19-2011

684 Earth Day Travel: Green Hotels
Marking its 41st anniversary on Friday, April 22, 2011 is Earth Day, which will be celebrated once again by millions around the world. If you’re an eco-minded traveler, you’ll be happy to know that a wealth of green hotels are at your disposal, most with programs in place that promote sustainable practices including water conservation and the use of high-quality, environmentally-friendly products.
Posted on Apr-05-2011

623 Reno Offers Top-Notch Hotels, Exciting Casinos and More
Las Vegas may be famous for its glitz and glamour, but some 300 miles northwest of Sin City lies a popular destination in its own right. Aptly dubbed “The Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno holds its own with a vibrant nightlife scene, a bevy of fine restaurants, and scores of casinos sure to please gaming novices and pros alike. Set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Reno is within a one-hour drive of such world-class ski destinations as Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Heavenly.
Posted on Feb-23-2011

805 Top 6 Hip Hotels for 2011
They boast trendy decor, chic designs, and upscale amenities for travelers who take pampering themselves seriously. They’re situated near some of the most sought-after locales anywhere, from sun-drenched beaches to posh bars to elegant restaurants. And luckily for budget-minded consumers, “funky” does not have to translate to “high price tag.” Read on for our top picks of hip hotels that are affordable, ooze style, breathe sophistication and were smartly designed with the hotel guest in mind.
Posted on Jan-20-2011

1127 Halloween Events in the Florida Keys
Looking for the perfect place for Halloween thrills and chills this October? The Florida Keys, made up of more than 1700 picturesque islands about 15 miles south of Miami, feature scores of breezy, tree-laden beaches, fine restaurants and vibrant nightclubs. What’s more, each year they host a wide array of family-friendly events sure to satisfy even the most demanding Halloween reveler.
Posted on Oct-18-2010

682 A Venice Vacation Promises Art, History and Much More
If you’re looking for the perfect way to kick off the fall season, a vacation in Venice, one of Italy’s richest cities both culturally and historically, is sure to hit the spot. Venice is world-famous, among many things, for its beautiful Gothic style architecture, ornate glass work, annual Carnival of Venice (for which participants don elaborate masks and costumes) and Grand Canal, the banks of which are lined with more than 150 centuries-old buildings.
Posted on Sep-20-2010

655 Delight your Palate at Miami Spice 2010
If you think of Miami as the place to be for spectacular beaches, world-class shopping and unparalleled nightlife, you’re spot on. But how about its vibrant dining scene? Here’s yet another great reason to pack your bags and visit the sun-drenched city this month: Miami Spice 2010, a mouth-watering summer restaurant promotion showcasing the very best in Miami cuisine, runs now through September 30.
Posted on Sep-09-2010

650 Wallet-Friendly, Pet-Friendly Summer Getaways
Few would disagree that summer vacation engenders thoughts of unspoiled beaches, sparkling swimming pools, relaxing spas, and fine restaurants in every member of the family – except, perhaps, for those of the four-legged variety. The perfect summer day for Fido or Fluffy would likely include a helping of tasty treats, a relaxing grooming session, and a few hours worth of fetching and biting chew toys before catching some Z’s in a comfy hotel room.
Posted on Jul-12-2010

535 Make a Splash in these Superb Hotel Swimming Pools
Now that we’re over a week into June, it’s almost time to kiss the spring season goodbye. Summer is knocking hard on our doorstep as temperatures the world over – let alone those in such sought-after summer hot spots as Las Vegas, Miami and Orlando – continue to inch upward. There’s no denying a hotel pool is more than just a place to swim laps and shed calories. A pool can be one of a property’s most handsome architectural gems, not to mention a place to unwind, cool off, or...
Posted on Jun-14-2010

690 Sizzling Summer Beach Hot Spots
Summer is fast approaching, and though it doesn’t officially kick off until June 21, most of us regard Memorial Day weekend as the onset of the season. What better way to make the most of your summer than by catching some rays on sugar white sands and swimming in brilliant blue ocean waters? With temperatures on the rise, now is as good a time as ever to hit the beaches for family barbecues, beach volleyball, picnics, diving, snorkeling – you name it.
Posted on Jun-01-2010

619 Summer Travel: Europe’s Great Tourist Attractions Await
There’s no doubt that Europe teems with history and culture, as evidenced by scores of historic landmarks that have stood the test of time and for centuries drawn curious travelers from all parts of the world. You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the unique sites and attractions that make London, France, Barcelona and Florence some of the world’s most coveted destinations.
Posted on May-17-2010

642 Revel in Texas Fun in Houston and Dallas
Planning a trip to the South Central United States this year? Put your cowboy hat on and head to the Lone Star State, the second-largest U.S. state in terms of population and area, and the largest in the contiguous United States. Two of the state’s largest and most popular cities are Houston and Dallas, which are roughly 230 miles away from one another.
Posted on Apr-19-2010

655 Travel Back in Time at Historic Hotels
Most travelers are drawn to and book hotels for the wealth of amenities they offer – from spas and swimming pools to complimentary breakfast to award-winning restaurants. However, it is the revered history of the properties themselves that often goes overlooked. While standing the test of time, historic hotels have become deeply woven into the fabric of the cities they grace, many becoming focal points of artistic and literary life.
Posted on Apr-12-2010

637 History Meets Fun in Atlantic City
If you’re planning a trip to the Mid-Atlantic region, you might be thinking New York City is where all the action is. Not so fast. The Big Apple’s cousin to the south, New Jersey, is a great vacation hot spot in its own right. In particular, Atlantic City is steeped in history and teeming with activities, making it a fun-filled destination for couples and families alike.
Posted on Feb-23-2010

554 Hotel Restaurants: Where Good Food is Just the Beginning
There’s no denying that the perfect complement to a great hotel is a great restaurant – one in which mouth-watering food delights the palate, stunning city or ocean views please the eyes, and a pleasant atmosphere makes you feel right at home from the moment you set foot inside. Whether traveling for business or leisure, some travelers opt to venture beyond the property come breakfast, lunch or dinner time. But why leave the premises when good food and service are mere footsteps away?
Posted on Feb-15-2010

584 Myrtle Beach: Beaches and Activities Galore
Looking for a nice east coast vacation spot where a post-card ready beach is your backyard? How about one where tons of fun activities aren’t hard to come by? For travelers who might not consider South Carolina at first blush, it’s likely they’ve never heard about one of the state’s best-kept secrets, Myrtle Beach, which lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Posted on Feb-09-2010

706 Bask in Elegance at an Affordable Price
Luxurious spas. Sparkling swimming pools. AAA Four Diamond restaurants. Elegant rooms and suites boasting fine furnishings and the most up-to-date technology. These are just a few of the many amenities you’ll find at premier 4 and 5 star hotels in major cities including New York, Boston and San Francisco. If this already sounds out of your price range, you’re in for a surprise: Accommodations start as low as $84/night. Kiss the notion that luxury lodging has to be expensive goodbye and read on f
Posted on Feb-02-2010

1175 New Destination Spotlight: Denver, CO
When you picture cities whose snow-filled winters are no less striking than its sweltering summers, which ones spring to mind? Denver, which lies just east of the Rocky Mountains and is Colorado’s most populous city, should definitely be atop your list. The city owes its nickname, the Mile High City, to its unique geographical position: Its elevation is exactly one mile, or 5,280 feet, above sea level.
Posted on Jan-25-2010

609 Big Bowl Games to be Played in South Florida
South Florida is well known among travelers far and wide for its exquisite beaches, tropical temperatures and sizzling nightlife. But here’s yet another reason to visit this sun-drenched mecca for shopping and dining this winter: It will the site of two of the most widely watched sports games in the world!
Posted on Jan-28-2010

610 Notable Hotels for Business and Leisure in 2010
With a new year comes new opportunities to visit destinations you left off your travel itinerary in 2009. Whether you look to start the year in the heart of Times Square after witnessing the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, amid the glitz and glamour of the vibrant metropolis that is Las Vegas, or enveloped in the sights and sounds of San Francisco – from the scenic Golden Gate Bridge to ever bustling Chinatown – the possibilities are endless.
Posted on Jan-04-2010

727 Celebrate the Holidays Amsterdam Style
If you’re looking for a change of scenery this holiday season, Amsterdam – the capital and largest city of the Netherlands – offers loads of exciting things to do and can’t-miss places to see. Sure, the winter is by far the city’s coldest and wettest season, with the sun setting before 5 p.m in mid-December. On the flip side, though, Amsterdam sees the smallest number of tourists this time of year, and this usually translates to cheaper rates on everything from airfare to hotel accommodations.
Posted on Dec-14-2009

695 Madrid: European Hot Spot for Business and Leisure
With the holidays looming on the horizon, many travelers are looking for a change of pace and scenery. Now is as good a time as any to plan a vacation to Europe. In fact, those wanting to get away from it all will find a true gem in Madrid, Spain’s capital and largest city.
Posted on Nov-02-2009

689 Major Cities Play Host to MLB Playoffs
When we think of New York City, towering skyscrapers, busy subway stations, bustling Fifth Avenue, the bright lights of Times Square, the tranquil beauty of Central Park and landmark attractions like the Statue of Liberty all spring to mind. Los Angeles and Anaheim, on the other hand, conjure up images of unspoiled beaches, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, chic Beverly Hills shopping and heart-pounding rides at the Disneyland Resort.
Posted on Oct-20-2009

532 New Destination Spotlight: Phoenix, AZ
The largest city in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix has a hotter climate than any other major U.S. city, making it a welcome haven for travelers looking to evade chilly temperatures.
Posted on Oct-13-2009

803 Information on Movie Giveaway
Jeff here with great news to share on a Free In-Room Movie Giveaway promotion. An avid movie buff, one of the things I enjoy most about staying at a hotel is catching a good flick in the comfort of my cozy room. During my recent trip to New York City, I managed to revisit scenes from my all-time favorite movies, including Scarface (1983) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003).
Posted on Sep-28-2009