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LUXURY SUMMER LIVING IN SAVANNAH

06.12.11

By Sheryll Alexander

Steeped in history and haunted folklore, blessed with the natural beauty of azalea-filled parks, and graced by the Southern charm and hospitality of its local residents, Savannah in the summer may be one of the best-kept travel secrets in America.

Think about it: Where else can you be a history buff by day and a ghost hunter by night? And where else in the United States can hot summer nights be part of a city’s charm?

Many travelers say Savannah’s summertime sultriness is part of what makes them repeat visitors to the city. The warm summer air, they say, gives vacationers an excuse to spend the afternoon on the porch of an 1800s mansion, quenching their thirsts with an icy glass of sweet tea or a quintessential southern Mint Julep.

The heat is what draws people to spend time at Johnson Square, the historic River Street, or Tybee Island where coastal breezes are legendary. And summertime is what gives a couple on a romantic getaway an excuse to take a long, leisurely stroll under 300-year-old towering, moss-covered ancient oak and magnolia trees that shade Savannah’s cobblestone streets.

Savannah is also a living history lesson. The city’s historic downtown area is one of the country’s largest national historic districts and includes countless sightseeing opportunities.

The Old South literally comes to life by overnighting in one of Savannah’s most elegant and fabled mansions. Luxury Living Savannah, a boutique hotelier that restores historic homes to their original design and charm, adding modern amenities and luxurious surroundings, offers vacationers the chance to experience Savannah’s past up close and personal in one of its five luxurious, antiques-filled mansion rentals.

The Wedding Cake Mansion: This 1869 Second Empire Baroque home features a main house with four to five bedrooms, 5.5 lavish bathrooms, a formal living space and dining room a gourmet kitchen, a courtyard with fountain, a two-bedroom, two-bath garden suite, and a one-bedroom, one-bath carriage house. Accommodation options are available for up to 20 guests.

http://www.luxurylivingsavannah.com/wedding-cake-collection.html

The Forsyth Park Mansion: This four-bedroom home has five spectacular bathrooms, a formal living and dining room, a gourmet kitchen, rambling side porches and a garden with fountain. There is also a two-bedroom, two-bath garden suite and a two-bedroom, one-bath carriage house. Accommodation options are available for up to 20 guests.

www.luxurylivingsavannah.com/forsyth-park-collection

The Washington Square House: This award-winning home has four bedrooms, four luxurious bathrooms, a formal living and dining room, a gourmet kitchen, sun room and a courtyard with fountain. There is also a charming two-bedroom, two-bath carriage house. Accommodation options are available for up to 16 guests.

www.luxurylivingsavannah.com/washington-square-collection

The Jones Street Suites: Lovingly restored, each of these five unique suites within the home are adorned with modern kitchens and baths, Persian rugs, antiques, art, side porches and a quaint courtyard with fountain. One-, two-, and three-bedroom suites can be rented separately or the property in its entirety. Accommodations options are available for up to 22 guests.

www.luxurylivingsavannah.com/accommodations_jones

The Cathedral Inn: Beautifully decorated, each of the three suites that comprise the Cathedral Inn feature spacious living areas with flat screen TVs, working fireplaces and romantic views of the cathedral spires. One- and two-bedroom suites can be rented individually. Accommodation options are available for up to 14 guests.

www.luxurylivingsavannah.com/accommodations_lafayette

The Luxury Living Tybee Collection: For those looking for a fabulous beach vacation, Luxury Living Tybee offers upscale beachfront vacation house rentals 18 miles from Savannah on Tybee Island. Each house is fully furnished and is ideal for individuals, couples, families, wedding parties, groups and corporate travelers. Past guests rave about Luxury Living Tybee’s attention to detail in each of its houses, including granite kitchen countertops, fine linens, spacious decks, Jacuzzi tubs, private beach access and scenic ocean views. Three, four-, and six-bedroom houses can be rented individually. Accommodation options are available for up to 16 guests.

www.luxurylivingtybee.com/accommodations_tybee

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.

COOL FAMILY GETAWAYS TO SAN FRANCISCO!

06.11.11

By Sheryll Alexander

Ready for some family-friendly fun and adventure in scenic San Francisco? The Westin St. Francis is located in the heart of San Francisco directly on Union Square with a cable car stop in front of the hotel, which makes this legendary property a perfect spot for family getaways.

This summer, The Westin St. Francis is offering two family packages:

The San Francisco Family Fun package includes overnight accommodations at The Westin St. Francis, “City Walks with Kids in San Francisco : 50 Adventures on Foot” deck of cards, a complimentary movie (one per night) and a complimentary children’s meal with the purchase of a paid adult meal (one child per adult; valid for kids 12 and under). Rates start at $215 per night (excluding tax and based upon availability).

The San Francisco Experience Package features overnight accommodations at The Westin St. Francis and two adult San Francisco Explorer Passes valid for two days. Rates start at $220 per night (based upon a three-night stay and excluding tax). San Francisco Explorer Passes for children can be purchased for $28 each through the hotel. All children ages 12 and under receive daily breakfast with the purchase of a San Francisco Explorer Pass.

The San Francisco Explorer Pass is an attraction pass that offers entrance into more than 20 of the Bay Area’s top attractions, activities and tours. Visitors can choose entry to one “premier attraction” and two “signature attractions,” plus enjoy discounts and special offers at local companies such as Macy’s, Westfield Centre and PIER 39. Some of the “premier attractions” include a Golden Gate Bay Cruise and a California Academy of Sciences. Each pass comes with a brochures, map, activities and an overview of the attractions.

For reservations, call 888-627-8546 or visit [url=http://www.westinstfrancis.com]http://www.westinstfrancis.com[/url].

About The Westin St. Francis

Opened more than a century ago in 1904, The Westin St. Francis maintains its preeminence as San Francisco ' s center of social, theatrical and business life. Renowned for luxury accommodations and excellent service, the hotel completed an extensive $40 million transformation in 2009 that preserves its rich history and elegance while enhancing the guest experience with fresh, innovative concepts. The only hotel located directly on San Francisco’s famous Union Square, The Westin St. Francis is situated right on the classic cable line and is just steps from first-class shopping, world-renowned dining, award-winning theater and a bustling arts district.

For reservations and more information, please call 415-397-7000 or visit www.westinstfrancis.com.

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