Cool Hotels

Castle Venlaw

Staying in a castle can fulfill a number of different fantasies. There's the princess fantasy. The extraordinary wealth fantasy. The mead-drinking fantasy. And my personal favorite, the ghost-hunting/mystery-solving fantasy. (If you can think of others send them along.)

Castle Venlaw, not far outside of Edinburgh, fulfills the extraordinary wealth fantasy or perhaps the princess fantasy. Built in 1742, the gorgeous stone castle was never a castle in the practical sense. Built to look like a storybook castle, it always served as a country getaway for the folks lucky enough to own it. Currently it has twelve rooms and a lovely and cozy library bar. The rooms have everything you'd want for a romantic weekend - four poster beds, etc.

Hotel Safety

One of the things I often hear from cool hotel skeptics is "I'd rather stay at a chain because I know they are safe." While it can be true that chains are monitored by a corporate office, this is no guarantee of safety. How often and how rigorous chains are monitored varies from company to company, and sometimes a brand name (especially a ritzy one) can attract criminals. Sometimes small proprietors know their country or region better and have personal investment in guest safety. Sometimes not. It all depends on the situation.

Savvy travelers simply need to keep their wits about them whatever kind of hotel they choose. Crimes against one's body and/or property can happen anywhere. However, there are steps that can be taken to protect oneself. Check out this handy list from Metlife. No one spends more money or time researching safety than insurance companies (sad to say).

Marfa in the spotlight

With No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood both doing well at last night’s Academy Awards, it has drawn attention to the small Texas town where both movies were filmed. Marfa, famous for its lights, art and being the location where the 1950s semi-classic Giant was filmed, was also recently the subject of a flattering wire article.

So now is probably the time to mention that the Hotel Paisano has just completed its series of renovations. According to a recent letter sent to its patrons, this includes the renovation of the pool and the addition of a gym. As if anyone needed an additional reason to visit Marfa. But still, this is a great year for the little town that draws film buffs, filmmakers, paranormal-ists, artists, art collectors and other assorted adventurers.

Lowes Philadelphia

Okay, the general rule on this site is no chains...blah...blah...blah. Rules were meant to be broken, especially when it involves the Lowes Philadelphia , which kindly hosted and sponsored the Good Dog Gala for the PSPCA last night. Not only is Lowes Philadelphia right across from the Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market, located in a historic modern skyscraper and steps away from Old City - it is one of the most pet friendly hotels anywhere. Not only do they happily allow dogs and kitties to stay in their rooms, they hosted a formal gala in their ballroom to which the attendees dogs were invited. Burmese mountain dogs, newfoundlands, italian greyhouds and PSCPA specials (or mutts as they are sometimes called) mixed and mingled with their glamorous humans. The guest of honor was Etara, a boxer-pit mix who was cruelly set on fire last year. She's doing great now and lives happily with her new family.

If you check into Lowes with your pet, expect to be given the proper treatment, including bowls and biscuits.