A Night with Oscar

Join us this coming Sunday night for A Night with Oscar. The Retro Suites Hotel and the Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar have put together a Hollywood-themed event with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the United Way of Chatham-Kent. The evening’s menu is a tribute to Oscar, with all items named after the 81st annual Academy Award nominees. You can choose from the à la carte menu or bring a friend and you can both dine for $81. The show will be broadcast live from the banquet hall, so you won’t have to miss a minute of the action. Don’t forget to have your photo taken by the paparazzi, as you arrive on the red carpet. Activities will include the Oscar pool, trivia, silent auction, and awards for the most glamourous gown and the most distinguished gentleman. Select suites, priced at $81, still remain. Check out the Oscar event for copies of the menu and Oscar pool. For reservations, call the Chilled Cork at 519.354.7818. A special thanks to Eve Chocolatier for the chocolate statuettes, to Enchanted Affairs for the décor and to Phil Beard for snapping the pics.

Hotel Amenities

This week, it's all about hotel amenities. I know when I visit hotels (and I've been to a few), I look forward to the king-sized bed and the bedding. It's simple stuff, but they both dictate whether or not I'll have a great night sleep. I know others may prefer some finer details, like feather pillows, or chocolates on those pillows, or docking stations for MP3 players and IPods. What do you desire, in terms of extras, when you're choosing a hotel?

What's Your Favourite Hotel Experience? Present Company Excluded.

When we take a vacation or head out on a business trip, one of the first things to consider is where to stay – and it’s probably the most important. A lot of factors go into that decision: price, quality, comfort amenities, etc. Some people may stick to a certain brand, like the Hilton, the Crowne Plaza or the Double Tree. Myself, when I travel, I usually seek a Marriott property. The rooms are clean and modern. But when there is no Marriott in sight, it is an excellent opportunity to try other accommodations. Like most, I traveled through much of Europe this way, and the hotels, bed and breakfasts, and inns were really memorable. I’m sure you have come across similar experiences during your travels, so what’s your greatest hotel experience and what made it stand out?