posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 14
Compiled by Hotel Teatro Concierge Carolyn Bartel
Shops
Cry Baby Ranch
Roxanne Thurman opened her doors in 1990 but moved to the north side ofLarimer Streeta few years ago in order to expand her ???homestead.??? Turning the term ???western wear??? on its ear, this boutique offers cowgirl boots, irreverent tees, outerwear and fabulous accessories. From panorama rawhide lampshades to custom jewelry; designer scarves (created by the family of the ???dickie??? inventor!) to vintage cowgirl home furnishings and bath products, this eclectic shop is a treat for the inner-cowgirl in all of us. Catering toDenver???s more upscale visitors, Cry Baby Ranch also does a bang-up business on line and is a favorite for mail orders from Hotel Teatro???s more high profile guests.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 7
The annual Country Brand Index has been released, and Australia is king. At least in the would-like-to-see department. The object of the survey is to find out how nations are performing in the international market. Which country’s best for business? United States. Best value for money? Thailand. Best up-and-comer? Croatia.
New Zealand wins high marks for safety, family-friendliness, and when it comes to admitting where it is we’d like to live besides our own country, the #1 result? Canada. That’s right - we may be adventurous and may be fascinated by the authenticity of China and Egypt and the nightlife in Spain (#1), but at the end of the day, Canada’s where the heart is. (Discuss.)
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Aug 25
There are some occasions when you just have to sleep near- or at- the airport and more often than not, the hotel selection is usually a grim conference site. But if you want to be near LAX, or within a short drive to the business areas ofLos Angeles, book into the very new and very funky Custom Hotel. The building???s exterior is black and gothic, and was originally built by mid-century architect Welton Beckett, designer of the Capitol Records building. The interiors are funky and playful. The lobby area features fuzzy sheep (and why not?) and each guestroom has all the necessary luxuries, like high thread count sheets, wireless internet access and iPod docking stations. Custom Hotel will also soon be opening an in house bistro and pool side grill- and all this comes at a mere $129 a night, going up to $149 in 2008. Custom Hotel,8639 Lincoln Boulevard,Los Angeles,CA90045Phone: (310) 645-0400.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Aug 6
Earthcomber.com – Cheaper than a GPS and just as good.
Don’t think anyone is going to “giva giva you a Garmin” this Christmas? No worries. With the Earthcomber.com services you will have GPS functionality at your fingertips for free. Now you will be able to smile and perhaps even laugh in the face of TomTom using businessmen and Garmin carrying soccer moms.
The Earthcomber.com service is a web based GPS program that works as a stand alone website, but really shines when used with your cell phone. Smart phones, especially the iPhone really make the Earthcomber.com service shine.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Jul 26
WorldMate Live – Put your smart phone to work.
WorldMate Live is a portable app that works on your Blackberry and other smart phones. The portable app is much like portable travel assistant. The WorldMate Live application will help keep your holiday and business travel stress free by alerting you of flight delays, keeping travle of reservations, important phone numbers and more.
Unlike other such services, WorldMate Live is updated in real time. Find out exactly when you flight gets delayed so that you can make arrangements fast. No more waiting till your at the ticket counter to find out about your delayed flight.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Jul 1
London offers a dazzling range of hotels for every taste and temperament. There are shiny mega hotels, mini boutique hotels, and swanky business hotels, all catering to the fussiest of travelers. Hundreds of hotels promise something special — perhaps the best location, acclaimed restaurants, a superb spa, or maybe some whiz-bang technology in the rooms. But when you???re jetlagged, lost, and dragging luggage through the rain at 7:30AM after a red-eye, there???s nothing more important than prompt and intuitive service in a peacful place designed to be as much like a home as like a hotel.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Jun 15
If you passed by WRI’s stand at the last ITB in Berlin, you certainly saw it! The Dublin firm Web Reservations International (WRI) is about to launch a new online travel website that claims to “revolutionise the travel industry and pit it against internet giants such as Google.”
WebReservations International is a well know actor of the online travel industry. They bought the famous Worldres in 2005 and is now at the head of the following major online brands: hostelworld.com, worldres.com, hostels.com and trav.com. Hostelworld provides the hostels product of RyanAir’s website (whereas Expedia provides the hotel product).
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posted by Charles H. Russo on May 18
Rooftop at the soon-to-open Gansevoort South.
Happy Halloween…lets talk hotels…WHICH exclusive New England resort that recently sold out for big money is gearing up for an oh-so-polite power struggle? Media darling and always booked, it doesn’t turn a profit, and the new owners aren’t ‘avin it, ‘enry — not at least long term they’re not…
…WHICH big, expensively PR’d rebranding effort isn’t bearing fruit? Everyone’s talking about the fact that nobody’s talking about the host of faded hotel and resort properties snatched up, revamped and relaunched by a deep-pocketed investment firm as part of a new high-end collection. Joke’s on them, media doesn’t care; may have something to do with the fact that nothing they’ve done seems in the slightest bit innovative…
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posted by Charles H. Russo on May 16
Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, is one of those magical places where time seems to stand still. No one’s in a hurry, everyone has a smile on their face and there’s something unique around ever corner. Stroll the historic downtown area to enjoy an eclectic array of galleries and eateries mixed with Spanish colonial-era heritage and native culture.
If you don’t know where to start, here are a few suggestions:
WHERE TO STAY - Your first order of business is finding a place to stay. Try El Farolito at 514 Galisteo Street. This award-winning, downtown Santa Fe Bed and Breakfast will charm and delight you with it’s authentically-furnished adobe casitas with private entrances and patios tucked into a quiet corner of the historic area. Call Walt Wyss at(505) 988-1631 to make your reservations. This is an unforgettable place for a honeymoon.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on May 15
I’m not gonna lie. I saw this virtual laser keyboard on an episode of CSI. Being a bit of a computer technology junkie, my jaw dropped. From the moment I saw it I was amazed. This virtual laser keyboard is perfect for business travelers, travel writers, and other people who need a portable keyboard.
Slighty larger than a zippo lighter, the virtual laser keyboard is easily portable and a great addition to any portable office. The virtual laser keyboard can be connected to Smartphones, Blackberrys, PDA, PCs, and Macs.
The virtual laser keyboard projects a full size keyboard onto any surface. It works by using optical technology to recognize which key you hit based on the interuption of the laser. The coolest part about the virtual laser keyboard, it comes complete with real “clicking” keyboard sounds! The bad part, it costs up words of $170.
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