Hotel Patrol

Roll the dice, pull the lever and envision Elvis, Sinatra and Jimmy the Greek - you got it - we're in Vegas, baby! The celebrities may have changed, but the action and excitement is still there plus more.

Speaking of unique places to stay that are also pet friendly, the two shepherd’s huts at Wriggly Tin in Hampshire certainly fill the bill. Being a herding dog, Susie is especially interested in the possibility of her and Beau or her European buddies to stay in a place where she can once again say, “Where are the sheep?”

Wines from the United States are getting more and more recognition and they're not just from California. Case in point is the Wine Country Farm in Dayton, Oregon. They are located about one hour from the city of Portland in the beautiful Willamette Valley. This historic Bed and Breakfast is a 100 year old estate that sits at the top of a hill with gorgeous views of the Valley and the Cascade Mountains. You are right in the middle of their vineyard and within walking distance of several other wineries in the area.

When I mention Florida, do your thoughts go to the southern part of the state? Most people do, but if you haven’t explored the northeastern region, you’ve missed a lot of history and beauty.

Did you ever get your kicks on Route 66? If you’re a Baby Boomer, you are bound to have traveled this iconic road at some point in your life. Taking summer vacations with your family in the car somewhere between Chicago and Los Angeles – this road, which first opened in 1926, started what we soon began to know as the summer road trip. Route 66 was one of the original highways in our U.S. system.

Here are 15 items that we would like hotels to have as we make our selection for places to stay.

If you're up for adventure with a hint of relaxation, Costa Rica is the place for you. This is the country in Central America whose catch phrase is “Pura Vida”, which translates to mean pure or good life, and that is what you will experience in this country of “Ticos”, the term they use to refer to themselves. They are outgoing and friendly and most people speak English.

West Baden Springs Hotel is a world-class spa built around a mineral springs in the middle of rural Southern Indiana. Built in 1902, it consists of a six-story domed atrium that is 200 feet in diameter. When you first see this unique structure, you are sure to wonder how and why it is located in Southern Indiana. 

Every now and then hotels reach out to us when they have special offers for our readers. I’m happy to share with you just such an offer from a wonderful property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Located 20 minutes from the Orlando airport between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the resort offers complimentary Disney transportation.

This hotel is honoring Grandparents with a special rate in September in recognition of Grandparent’s Day.

The “Violino d'Oro”, which translates to “The Golden Violin”, is that gem in Venice that you just wish someone would share with you. That's how I found out about it. Friends of mine who own a time share in Venice and travel there every year told me to be sure and check it out for my clients.

I feel like I need to whisper about this property, because it's a secret that I'm about to reveal. Assuming you have traveled to Rome in the past and have stayed in the center of it all, here’s a real jewel about 30 minutes away from the action. The Villa Urbani is nestled on a residential street about 15 minutes from the Trastevere area. It is a Villa that dates from the 1900's and is still a family residence that has been partially converted into a Bed and Breakfast.

No trip to Germany would be complete without visiting the romantic city of Heidelberg. You should take 2-3 days and enjoy the sights. The nearest airport is Frankfurt which is about 45 miles away and well worth the side trip. Stop by the Rail Station or Tourist Information Office and purchase a Heidelberg Card. You can get a 2 day Pass for around 10 Euros which will include the Castle, 12 museums, public transportation, a walking tour of Old  Town, a City guide and additional discounts.

Located about one hour by car from Milan's Malpensa Airport, sits one of the most majestic hotel properties I've had the privilege to stay. Villa d'Este sits on Lake Como as the Grande Dame of hotels. With its 16th century history and all the grandeur that evokes, this hotel is a must for your Bucket List. It has been host to royalty, aristocrats and stars of stage and screen. The hotel roster lists notables such as Mark Twain, Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcok and Clark Gable to Madonna and Ralph Lauren.

Well, here's one for the guys and for the ladies who love their cars. The V8 Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany is located in the old former Stuttgart airport building near Meilenwerk, where classic cars are available for viewing or purchasing – this was the airport hangar from the 1920's. There is not much in the immediate vicinity, but it is right by the Autobahn and 10 minutes from town. The bottom line is to come to this location by car and  there is ample free parking at the hotel.

The Pet Patrol rolled into Erie around 6:00 pm on Friday, May 31 after the long drive from Louisville ready for a good night’s rest before proceeding on their journey to Camp Gone to the Dogs.  For those travelling to this hotel, be aware that the street address is misleading, so a typical GPS will not know that the actual hotels in this area are behind the shopping center on the main road which has the address. The TownePlace Suites is located behind the other hotels in the corner of the property.

The top ten "don'ts" for hotels.

Well, I finally found a hotel that truly caters to our demographic, the Baby Boomers, because they actually have a “Baby Boomer Rate!” I was so excited to see this and even more excited to get in on the fun of this retro property.

Susie has found another great place to stay in the United Kingdom in another area of the beautiful British countryside.  The Traddock is located in Settle in Yorksire around 40 miles almost due north from Manchester. The Traddock has a country house charm giving the traveler a wonderful base to explore the Dales and other sites of northern England.

The Oxford Hotel in Bend, Oregon is a boutique hotel that focuses on making your stay a memorable experience. Bend is located 128 miles east of Eugene in the central part of the state, right in the middle of Oregon mountain country and near to Mt. Bachelor. The hotel offers amenities not found in the other hotels in the area. The Oxford is located in the middle of the downtown historic district of Bend.

Ah, summer time, and the living is easy! Well, if you’re on Cape Cod and staying at The Mansion at Ocean Edge that certainly appears to be true. The Cape is full of laid back activities that will remind Baby Boomers of vacations we took in our youth. Not many high rise hotels, water parks and fast food restaurants, just nature, family and fun.

Who says you have to have palm trees to be on a beach? Well, it certainly is a plus, but there are many ways to enjoy summer fun on the water when you are on a lake and not on the ocean.

If you want to stay at a very unique property with loads of atmosphere, the Inn of the Five Graces fills the bill. The five graces refer to the five graces of Tibetan philosophy – sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. The inn was formed from a group of abandoned adobe structures to create a very unique hotel.

Susie is always looking for great places for pets to stay and one of her friends told her about this great bed and breakfast in West Central Massachusetts. Restful Paws really got her attention because it might be classified as people-friendly because it is geared to pets first. Susie said what with “Great Name!”

Have I got a surprise for you! Who says you have to go overseas to stay in a charming bed and breakfast that also gives you cooking classes? Don't get me wrong, going to Italy, France, Spain, etc. is amazing, but if you don't want to break the bank, go to Cincinnati! Yes, I said Cincinnati, as in Ohio.