Author: Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Contemporary Romance writer, voracious reader, movie watcher, tattoo lover & enthusiastic traveler.

Hipmunk Hotels: Spending Fall in Virginia Cities Like Richmond, Harrisonburg, and More

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This post was originally publishing on The Girl and Globe by Becky on September 12, 2016

Fall in Virginia is the best time to visit. The state bursts with natural color, events, weather too good to be true. I’m lucky enough to take advantage of weekend getaways, but it’s worth the trip even if you fly in.

TRICK OR TREAT IN RICHMOND’S FAN

As a former resident of “The Fan” neighborhood in Richmond, I can attest that most area residents are college students or adults without children. You’d think that means Halloween trick or treating is a quiet event…and it is, for the most part. The exception is on Hanover Avenue and Strawberry Street where junior terrors and princesses are high on sugar. The haunted homes, fall harvest scenes, and other elaborate decorations are worth seeing. You’ll want hotels in Richmond in walking distance, like The Museum District Bed and Breakfast.

CHEER ON HARRISONBURG’S HOME TEAM

jmu football

Photo by Smackk via Wikimedia

Football in Virginia is a thing. Until I moved here, I wasn’t aware that college football is so popular. Everyone is loyal to the local schools! JMU — that’s James Madison University, if you don’t follow sports — is in Harrisonburg and definitely a Virginia favorite. If you’re attending a game, be sure to book Harrisonburg hotels in advance. Not only do they sell out, but deals disappear quickly.

SIP YOUR WAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER

Head north to Arlington County, a part of Virginia that visitors can’t tell if it’s a home for D.C.-commuters or Virginia locals (don’t worry, you’re correct either way). With comfortable temperatures in September, it’s the perfect time of year for outdoor movies at the Crystal Screen. Show up at sundown on Tuesday evenings for movies like Bottle Shock,Chocolat, and Sideways. I’ve stayed at a handful of Arlington hotels, and the Hilton Crystal City is my favorite that’s still walking distance to the event.

WASHINGTON D.C. AMENITIES OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL

Reston is this weird part of Virginia that I haven’t figured out yet, but it’s a great base for visiting Fairfax County. Hotels in Reston put you in spitting distance of the Frying Pan Farm Park, for fall carnival weekends and Sunday evening bluegrass. Head east to Wolf Trap National Park for live performances or west to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Udvar-Hazy Center. If you’re the type of traveler who normally heads straight from Dulles airport to Washington D.C., it’s time to take the scenic route.

COME TO ALEXANDRIA WEEKEND AFTER WEEKEND

mount vernon trail

Photo by Discol via Wikimedia

Old Town Alexandria is a treat to visit all year-long, but in fall, I can’t get enough. First there’s the King Street Art Festival (a shopping and decorating paradise for a new homeowner like me!). After that is Mount Vernon’s Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour and a chance to snoop around George Washington’s former home. By the time those weekends are over, you’ll be back for leaf peeping and bike riding the Mount Vernon Trail and ghost tours in Old Town Alexandria. Sounds like a good excuse to be a regular at hotels in Alexandria!

I always think Virginia’s worth a visit, but without a doubt, autumn is a great time to come.

Budget Trip to New Jersey

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I hope I don’t insult anyone, but let’s face it, ever since The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, New Jersey has gotten a bad wrap. It’s not all mobsters and seedy casinos. I found a few cool spots to stay and iconic sites to see all on a budget. Historic or modern, nature or city, boardwalk or beach, New Jersey has it all.

Image provided by Andy Sawieljew via Trover.com.

Historical Jersey

Step into history and book a stay at the Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey. I’ve traveled in Europe and in Asia and never stayed in a 200-year-old hotel. Built in 1816, the Congress Hall Hotel has recently been restored, but stepping through the doors takes you back in time. With comfortable, spacious rooms and all the amenities of any modern hotel, Congress Hall combines the best of the present. Take paddle board lessons as the beach is just steps away or stroll down to the historical society and learn about the origin of America.

Natural New Jersey

Don’t let the fancy name fool you. The Wilshire Grand Hotel is a beautiful but approachable hotel near the famed Verona Park. The hotel is locally owned and a sense of pride for West Orange, New Jersey. It’s a pet-friendly hotel, so bring your dog to explore the walking or jogging trails in the nearby park. If you like water, canoe and kayak in Verona Lake. The park offers educational walks for adult and kids, so it’s a great sport for families. When the weather is good, the park offers outdoor concerts and programs in the gazebo.

Budget New Jersey

Image provided by Jackie Grenier via Trover.com.
Located minutes away from the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk sits the quaint Royal Lodge. Since your going to lose all your money in the casino anyway, the hotel offers rooms of varying sizes all at a low rate. Choose the number of beds you need, and each comes equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. With just 25 rooms to concentrate on, the staff goes out of their way to make sure the guests enjoy their stay. The rooms are clean, and the hotel is quiet. It’s near to the beach, and the excitement of Atlantic City makes this a great hotel option for the budget minded traveler.

Nightlife New Jersey

Image provided by Joe Vickiana via Trover.com.
You can’t beat the Atlantic City/Absecon area for options for a budget conscious traveler. The Superlodge Atlantic City/Absecon is a small, clean and convenient place for your stay. What makes this hotel different is the staff’s knowledge of Jersey nightlife and evening attractions. They brag on the website how they create the perfect vacation stay for any traveler. They know the best places to eat and the best places to dance, lounge or just people watch.
It may be New York’s ugly cousin, but it has some amazing places to play and to stay. Sometimes Jersey gets a bad wrap, but to me, it’s just another cool city to explore on the east coast. What do you think of New Jersey? 

Unique Destination in California

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California is an anomaly, expensive and a little pretentious, but the amazing weather, the unique destinations, and the cultural attractions make for a pleasant place to visit.

The Gold Rush

 

Image provided by Rick Barlupi via Trover.com.

Casinos have come a long way, and the Gold Country Casino & Hotel has the right mix of old and new. The hotel offers spacious rooms with soaking tubs, a comfortable size for long-term stays. The Casino includes four on-site restaurants, gaming, and meeting rooms. Don’t spend all your time in the hotel. Get out and explore Oroville. The Chinese Temple, built in 1863, is a museum and worship center that celebrates the 10,000 Chinese immigrants that came to Oroville in search of gold. Let’s hope I’m half as lucky in hitting the jackpot.

Beautiful Desert

Image provided by Paige Spee vial Trover.com.

South of Los Angeles, in the middle of the desert, is the wealthy retreat of Palm Springs. Luxury Hotels with high-price rooms pepper the landscape. If like me you’re on a budget, check out the Caliente Tropics Hotel. Besides having a cool name, it boasts a fresh, rustic, beachy, vacation vibe. Enjoy a tropical drink in your own private cabana. Cool down in the resort pools and make time to explore the city center of Palm Springs, a short stroll from the hotel.

Luxury Desert

If you have a little more in the bank, check into the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs. The Hard Rock is a mini version of a Las Vegas casino, with all the same amenities. Their signature restaurant, Simon Kitchen + Bar, focuses on local cuisine. Book some time at the renowned Rock Spa, which combines the music theme with desert rich treatments. The casino is a venue for local and international musical acts throughout the year. Hard Rock is minutes away from the Aerial Tram that offers sky-high views of beautiful Palm Springs.

Relaxing Oasis

On my bucket list is the Coachella music festival, now a stay at this hip hotel brings my dream even closer. A few nights at the V Palm Springs is the perfect pre- or post-festival retreat. A comfortable, yet modern hotel it features calming desert inspired decor and sleek dark wood accents. The sophisticated vibe isn’t fussy or pretentious. With two outdoor pools and the Elixir Restaurant, where non-hotel guests are seeking reservations, the V is a destination.

Beach Retreat

Image provided by Adventure Never Ends via Trover.com.

You can’t go to California and not spend time at the beach. A little out of the way on the 101, sits Pismo Beach. In the middle of Dinosaur Caves Park is Pismo Lighthouse Suites. This hotel is an experience. With its nautical theme and location, you get caught up in the beauty and tranquility of the water. It’s an all-suite hotel, perfect for large families and extended stays. Within walking distance is the Price Historic Park, the perfect place to absorb Pismo history. Most rooms offer a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, and the white sand beach is only a few steps away.

What’s on your California trip list? 

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Hipmunk Hotels: Offbeat Attractions in Flagstaff, Page, Yuma, and more

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

This post was originally published on Tripper by Sandra Henriques on June 29, 2016.

By means of a strange acculturation process while growing up, I’m more connected to the American culture than I am to the Portuguese. As a result, the United States is high on my list of countries to visit (and the list of offbeat attractions grows with it). I’m still in the romancing phase, but I’m already liking my odds in Arizona and in Pasadena. I have my eye on several attractions in these areas and more, and I’m interested in the best hotels in each area.

1. Experience Space, the Final Frontier in Flagstaff (Arizona)

I love a good alien story, especially if it mixes an “X-Files” vibe with some futuristic storytelling like H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds”. However, you can visit some “other-worldly” attractions without leaving this planet. The Lowell Observatory and the Cinder Lake Crater Field are two offbeat must-sees in Flagstaff. I wonder if I can find an alien-themed hotel in Flagstaff? Or at least one with a mysterious alien story behind it.

Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona

Photo by James Jones via Flickr.

2. The Most Famous Canyon in Page (Arizona)

The Antelope Canyon is hardly a secret and it’s very high on my list of beautiful sights. The most photographed rock formation in the American Southwest is one guided tour away when you visit Page. To continue exploring the scenery beyond the Canyon, check with your hotel in Page for tour recommendations.

Antelope Canyon in Page Arizona

Photo by Todd Petrie via Flickr.

3. A Bridge (Not) Over Troubled Waters in Yuma (Arizona)

Do you know the Talking Heads’ song “Road to Nowhere”? Well, in Yuma, things go a little further with a “bridge to nowhere”. No, it’s not a metaphor. The Gila River was diverted in 1968, and today the McPhaul bridge crosses (oddly) over sand and rocks. I have a series of postapocalyptic-themed photos for that bridge in mind, meaning the visit could be emotionally draining. Finding a hotel in Yuma for some well-deserved R&R would do the trick.

4. London Bridge in Lake Havasu City (Arizona)

Did London Bridge really fall down like in the nursery rhyme? Technically, it was sinking due to structural problems, and in the late 1960’s, the City sold the bridge to the highest bidder — a local entrepreneur in Lake Havasu City. Booking a romantic stay at a Lake Havasu City hotel and a stroll on the bridge shipped overseas, block by block, sounds like a great story to tell.

London Bridge in Lake Havasu City

Photo by Ken Lund via Flickr.

5. Doc’s House and Strange Sodas in Pasadena (California)

Hoverboards are not a real thing (yet) but Dr. Emmet Brown’s house is. Fans of “Back to the Future” wouldn’t the Gamble House be an offbeat must-see? This could (probably) only be topped by a Buffalo Wing soda. I’m not entirely sure I would handle the sugar rush at the Rocket Fizz, the place where these strange soda flavors come from. Tasting wouldn’t be a problem; narrowing down the weirdest ones to taste would. How do you top this off? Perhaps with a stay at a Hollywoodesque hotel in Pasadena, where you can pretend to be a star with a quirky taste for strange sodas.

The Gamble House in Pasadena California

Photo by Ken Lund via Flickr.

New York is Always New

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

I’ve been to New York countless times. I’ve seen dozens of shows on Broadway. I’ve people watched in Times Square more times than I can remember. I’ve eaten the famous pizza. I’ve drunk cider in many Irish Pubs between 1st and 6th. No matter what I do in New York, it always feels new and fresh.

The Chaos of Time Square

Image provided by Ai Long via Trover.com.

When it comes to a New York hotel, you have tons of options. There are over 75,000 rooms in Manhattan. When I plan a trip to New York, I have been known to stay at two or three on one trip. Some hotels take on their neighborhood’s personality; you expect that. I discovered the Hilton Times Square Hotel offers a respite from the chaos of the area surrounding it. The hotel has recently been renovated and offers amenities that create a quiet and comfortable hotel. When the city calls you, you only have to walk outside and find yourself in the center of the city’s most active neighborhood.

Midtown East with Character

For the typical tourist, staying in Midtown means the west side and Broadway, but Midtown East and The Lexington New York City, Autograph Collection offer a new perspective on the other side of New York, literally and figuratively. Think New York style with a side of laid back ease. The newly renovated Lexington pays homage to the jazz greats of the past and present. The art deco lobby reminds you of the old New York, but with the modern convenience of a big city hotel. Shop on Madison Avenue just a block away, and continue another block and enjoy 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center.

Chelsea Charm and Flair

Image provided by Alouise Dittrick via Trover.com.

Larger than most boutique New York Hotels, the Chelsea Savoy is a reasonably priced alternative in a unique area of New York. Make sure to take part in the complimentary breakfast before you head out each day. Chelsea Pier, the massive sports complex overlooking the Hudson River, sits a few blocks away from the Savoy. I’ve always wanted to hit a few balls at the driving range or take a class at the gym with other New Yorkers. New York does some amazing things with parks in the cement city, so checking out the HighLine Park is a new experience to enjoy as I explore the neighborhood.

34th Street Entertainment

The 34th Street area of New York is shopping and dining central. While the tourists flock to the area, the locals enjoy the convenience and options as well. Dumont NYC – An Affinia Hotel fits perfectly in the neighborhood. It offers some of the most spacious rooms in Manhattan while providing fantastic views at a reasonable price for the quality and the area. You’re just south of the famed Murray Hill area of New York and close to Macy’s flagship store, as well as other shopping and entertainment venues on the surrounding blocks of the hotel.

It doesn’t matter how many trips I take to New York or where I stay — it’s always new and exciting.

What city can you visit over and over again? 

This article is part of a Hipmunk Travel Series.

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