Lake Chelan - the lay of the land

I always stay at the home of my boyfriend's parents but if you aren't able to rent a house on the lake, I have a few options that may work. First off, Campbell's is probably the most popular spot in town. The resort offers excellent views of the Lake, a full-service spa, sandy beach, pools, rentals for the Lake, etc. They also have rooms that are equipped with a full kitchen, cozy fireplaces and soaking tubs.

For a more intimate stay, check out Watson's Harverene Resort on the south shore of the Lake. It's been in the same family for 4 generations and is definitely a more low-key location than some of the others on the Lake. The Resort has a heated pool and hot tub, as well as its own beach. You can choose from family cottages or poolside units - all have a kitchen and one unit is large enough to sleep up to 10 people. The best part about this spot is that the resort offers guests a short sightseeing trip on their yacht for free! They also offer rentals for the Lake and have been known to have many repeat guests throughout the years. PS - this is also one of the spots on the Lake that has a gas pump so it's always good to know where it is in case you're running low!

For a comparison, the other spot on the Lake that I would recommend checking out is Wapato Point on the north shore. This location has many different resorts and hotels (and homes) and is very popular with visitors. If you're interested, click here to start the search.

It's a Deal!

How fitting that a Lake Tahoe deal was delivered right to my inbox today...Travelocity is advertising rates for Tahoe on flights, hotels and activities. If you are in the process of planning a trip - check out this link: Travelocity Tahoe Deals! You may find just what you are looking for. :)

South Lake Tahoe - home sweet home

Although I know there are a variety of hotels to stay at and I'm sure that they are very nice...I stayed in a house and would highly recommend it if it's possible for you. It's really great to be able to have a kitchen and lots of space. Plus, you get incredible views of the Lake and have a chance to meet your neighbors - which in some cases end up being locals who can point you in the right direction of great places to eat and sights to see. We used Accommodation Station Rentals to search for the houses we stayed in. They have a huge variety of sizes and locations - we were very pleased with our options. The house I stayed at for the majority of the trip was located on Heavenly Mountain with 3 levels, 2 decks both with views of the Lake, a pool table, an old school Pacman game, tons of DVDs, a porch swing and a hot tub. It was wonderful!

If you decide against renting a house (too short of a visit, not enough people, etc.) then I would suggest looking into the hotel below as an option for your trip.

Forest Suites Resort - they are located on Heavenly and are pretty reasonable, it was $106/night when I checked the site but you may even find cheaper rates on the discount travel sites. They also have "Special Offers" on their homepage so be sure to check that too!

And I couldn't help but include this link that I came across. It seems a little more budget friendly for rentals and if you can swing it, it's worth it! Lake Village Resort - they have a big selection of condos, townhomes and cabins available as rentals and the prices are extremely reasonable - starting as low as $139/night. How can you beat that? :)

Napa Valley - you take a napa, you don't move to Napa!

It's not easy to find an affordable place to stay in Napa, so here are my thoughts:

Now of course, if you're really on a budget you can look to the chains like Best Western, etc. And honestly, if that makes it easier for you to be able to spend more money on the enjoyment of the trip itself (wine tours, tastings, nice meals) then by all means, splurge where you will get the most out of it! :) Personally, I wanted the full overall experience so my recommendations are a variety of options on the lower end of the pay scale - because believe me, you can spend a fortune on a BEAUTIFUL room or you can look to the list below for some great choices that won't break the bank.

Old World Inn has gotten rave reviews from both the media and past guests. It's a darling bed & breakfast located in Downtown Napa within walking distance to the shops, restaurants, COPIA (The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts) and the fabulous Wine Train. The rooms start at $139/night which is an amazing deal considering all of the amenities and the location. Be sure to check the Web site, they have great specials!

Wine Valley Lodge is slightly outside of Downtown Napa but it's a great deal and close enough that you can still experience the town - a few blocks farther than Old World Inn. The rooms are rather bland and simple but if you are just viewing it as a place to stay, you will be just fine. It's set up like the old motels where it's all one level and the rooms open up to the pool. The rates are really reasonable, I just checked Expedia and it was only $80/night.


For those who plan to be more in the Sonoma area, check out Sonoma Creek Inn, the rates are as low as $79 in the low season...what a steal!


And just for fun...if you have a group - De Mar House is so charming, I just couldn't resist. It's an adorable Victorian home located in Old Town Napa. It has 3 bedroom suites and rents out the entire home for groups. It holds up to 8 people so it's perfect for a bachelorette party or weekend wine tour. And to give you an idea, it's only $525 per night for 8 people on a weekend night (the higher priced nights) - that's a GREAT deal when you break it out per person. :) Hint to my girlfriends...feel free to organize one of your bachelorette parties or a girls weekend there - I'll be sure to be the first to reply YES.

Rocky Point - siesta time

Now that you're craving some authentic Mexican cuisine...it's only fair that I tell you where to stay so you can book your trip ASAP. :) There are many options as Rocky Point is becoming more known but I always go back to the tried and true. Usually I stay on the Sandy Beach side in a condo - it offers the perks of a kitchen, pool, hot tub and it's right on the beach.

There's a grouping of condo rentals that I can personally recommend - Sonoran Sea, Sonoran Spa, Sonoran Sun and Princessa. They are all located next to one another and are similar in what they offer. Each condo (you can choose from 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms) is independently owned but the complex takes care of renting them out. They are all decorated very well and have all of the comforts of home - and by comforts I'm referring to a blender and wine opener. :) But seriously, they are fully equipped with everything you'll need for your trip, so much so that you'll never want to leave. Each complex has its own benefits.

For example, Sonoran Sea has 3 pools to choose from with one offering a swim-up bar. Additionally, the bartenders are friendly and love their jobs and will play any music you want which blasts to the entire pool...talk about party!

On the other hand, Princessa has a large beach area with palapas for sun worshipers and they are located within steps of the water.

If you recall from my food posting, I also mentioned Playa Bonita. If you are looking for a hotel option in the area, then this would be my recommendation. I, personally would go with a condo but this hotel is a great option for those not wanting/needing a condo. If you have a larger group - then definitely look into renting a house...the best ones are on the Las Conchas side...although there are a few on the Sandy Beach side. Just be sure to really research it to make sure you know exactly what you are getting! :)

Siesta Key - hit the hay

Ok usually I provide information on different hotels that are affordable and provide more for your money...however, on Siesta Key, I recommend finding a house or condo to rent. I can't imagine staying in a hotel while on the island, there's so many great rentals with incredible locations and amenities - it seems silly not to take advantage of it. Plus, rentals allow you to visit the local farmer's market, etc. and stock up on food for while you're there, saving your money for fun nights out and activities while out exploring the island.

One place that my family has visited for many years is Gulf & Bay Club, located right on the beach (Gulf side - my preference) and not to be confused with Gulf & Bay Bayside. Now the main site requests a minimum of one month rentals but you can find many independent options by owners that are for less time. It's definitely not cheap but I can't say that there's anywhere that's super cheap on the island - this is more of a splurge option or go in on a house with a group of people a block inland to save a few dollars.

On that note, I know of a fantastic home a couple of blocks from the beach that is owned by a great couple. It's beautifully decorated, two bedrooms but sleeps 6, has a pool, hot tub, lanai, pass through bar area for relaxing meals on the screened patio and all the comforts of home. If you are interested in looking into this option, click HERE.

No matter where you choose to "hit the hay" you'll get a peaceful sleep and wake up to the sound of birds and rolling waves, I can't think of a better way to wake up! There are many rental options on the island and even though I didn't touch on any hotels, there are those as well. Additionally, if you want to save some money overall - look into staying in Sarasota and just driving over the bridge to Siesta Key and spend your days on the island and use your room as just the place you sleep. :)

Holbox Island - give it a rest

Since this location is (luckily) still relatively unknown to tourists, the accommodations are pretty reasonable. The best places on the island run between $100 to $275 for the nicest rooms (depending on the time year). I happened to also come across a nice, little find where rooms range from $50 to $180 so it's a considerable savings.


The hotel I'm referring to, or I should say "hotelito" is Casa Las Tortugas. It was originally run by a mother (Greta) and daughter (Francesca) who moved to the island from Italy but is now run by the daughter and her fiance. My descriptions will never do it justice but I can say that it's definitely worth consideration for a reasonable price and great location! They offer rooms ranging from doubles all the way up to bungalows in ancient Mayan tradition featuring wooden supports and woven thatch roofs. One of the best parts - upon request, they offer A/C (which is rare among the island hotels, usually it's just ceiling fans). Especially with this being a low-priced location, it's a definite perk! I really urge you to check out the site, it's the most charming little place and I can't imagine anyone having an experience that's anything but wonderful.

Additional accommodations are included on the list below, and if you are looking for more feedback, visit Trip Advisor.

• Hotel Posada Mawimbi
  
• Villa Los Mapaches
  
• Villas Paraiso del Mar
  
• Villas Delfines
  
• Hotel Faro Viejo
  

Bora Bora - rest your head

This week I've been researching all of the fantastic places to stay on the island - what a rough life! ;)

Here are my picks for "affordable" (and I put that in quotes since it's very relative) and a touch of luxury. There are many in between that would be great options but I figured these will help to separate the pack. Since I always travel on a budget, my focus will always be on the more affordable options but it is fun to explore what the other half experiences!

Low-end but still very nice, Le Maitai - I'd say it's about 3 stars or so. It's definitely the most affordable option on the island. The overwater bungalows (what Bora Bora is famous for) are around $650. If you aren't heart-set on staying out in the lagoon, then the island rooms at the hotel are only about $250. They also have a nice compromise - beach bungalows (about $475), they are right on the beach and offer great views. They are the next best thing to an overwater bungalow and can be a bit more private. Any of these will provide a beautiful view so it's just a matter of weighing the type of experience you want. Personally, I would go for one of the bungalows (probably the overwater) since it's one of those things that is so unique that it warrants the extra spending (make sure to research that they are - in fact over the water, some are half on the land and what's the fun in that?!). If you choose the bungalow option too, I would recommend looking into markets near your hotel to stock up on bread, cheese, fruit, etc. and make your own little picnics. You can splurge on a delicious dinner or relaxing massage and know that you aren't breaking the bank. Another point of note - alcohol is not cheap there! Depending on how thrifty you want to be, you may want to pick up alcohol before you leave to bring on your trip with you for drinking in your room and purchase mixers when you arrive. To give an idea, a bottle of Jack Daniels is about $20-$25 here and is around $65 there. A six-pack of beer is around $5 or so here - around $20 there. Just something to prepare for. :)

On the luxury side, I'd recommend Hotel Bora Bora. Although you can also choose from St. Regis, Starwood and Le Meridien...I really love the amenities and beauty of Hotel Bora Bora. Seeing as how it's the high-end pick, the rate for the over water bungalows is around $1100.

Personally, because I'm not in a position to spend a fortune on vacations but love the idea of experiencing new places - I'd go with Le Maitai...the way I look at it, the money saved can pay for even better meals, wine and fun excursions like a catamaran or water safari. :)