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By Fred Wright, Jr. |
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’Gators Up Close and Personable
Gatorland in Orlando, one of the state’s enduring tourist attractions, has introduced several new adventure tours. The theme park’s Gator Wrestlin’ Arena allows visitors to have a “Rookie Wrestlin’ Experience” with hands-on interaction, and the “Adventure Hour” takes guests on a behind-the-scenes tour of Gatorland’s Breeding Marsh, where 130 of the snapping animals live. To get a glimpse of Gatorland before your visit, the attraction’s Website features a Gator Cam. For more information, call 800-393-JAWS or go to www.GatorLand.com.
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Boo! Big Time
The annual West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnival returns for the 19th year this October 31. An estimated half-million people attend each year for the live music and entertainment. Free or inexpensive weeklong events lead up to the Halloween party, including a youth carnival, a pet-costume contest, “drag” races with male participants dressed in female attire, including stiletto heels, a pumpkin-carving contest and more. For more information, call 800-368-6020 or go to www.westhollywoodhalloween.com.
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Picture Yourself
If you book yourself into the Langham Place Hotel in Hong Kong, you might find yourself face to face … with yourself. With your up-front information, the hotel will program the in-room phone with home photos and frequently dialed numbers, putting your family at home a simple push of a button away. The phone can also be programmed with your personal stock profile, and your favorite radio stations and news preferences. Returning guests can update their personal profile online anytime. For more information, go to www.LanghamHotels.com.
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Green Rewards
As more and more hotels compete for guests, the amenities become ever more creative. For example, the Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Hotel has launched a reward package for guests who drive up in a hybrid vehicle. Each guest will get a complimentary parking spot and a pair of Chicago Transit Authority passes (to encourage the use of public transport and to encourage walking around the Windy City), as well as a cup of Starbucks green tea. Nightly room rates start at US$ 109. For more information, call 800-HOTELS-1 or go to www.renaissanceohare.com.
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Go Pottery?
One of only a few museums dedicated exclusively to folk pottery opened this September in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, just 4 miles southeast (6.4 km) of the alpine-inspired town of Helen, and a two-hour drive from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Folk Pottery Museum of North Georgia features the ongoing tradition of 19th century ash- and lime-glazed stoneware. The museum’s collection of about 200 pieces dates from the 1840s to the present. The museum is open daily. For more information and directions, call 706-878-3300 or go to www.FolkPotteryMuseum.com.
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Hip, Cool & Costly
Start saving for this one: Three Mandarin Oriental hotels — in New York City, Miami and Washington, D.C. — are offering a one-of-a-kind couples package, between January 1 and May 31, 2007. The package features luxury services and amenities, including three nights in each hotel’s presidential suite, private jet service, a shopping tour in Miami, three nights of theater in New York and an insider’s tour of Washington in a private limo. The package also includes spa treatments, celebrity-style gift bags, round-trip helicopter and limo airport transfers, and even a commemorative New York iPod loaded with songs from performances the guests will be attending. Cost for the couple? A mere US$ 220,000. For more information, call the individual hotels or go to www.MandarinOriental.com.
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