Best of 2011

Starting last year, I decided to reflect on my year of travels and create a "Best Of" list pertaining to hotels, airports, destinations, etc.  When so much of your life is spent outside the home, it's nice to remember those places and experiences that make your nomadic life enjoyable and comfortable.


The only problem with last years Best Of 2010 list is that I never published it!  Sure enough I completed it and saved it as a draft, but realized I never actually published it.  So, I will start with 2011 and then copy my post from 2010 that was intended to be published last December:

THE BEST OF 2011!

Best Hotel Room (pertaining purely to the actual room & nothing else)

First Place:  Hotel Monaco in Denver, CO.  Incredible fun & funky room!

Hotel Monaco in Denver

Runner Up:  The Gansevoort Park in Manhattan.  For NYC, the rooms are extremely spacious (very unusual!), the decor is eclectic & fun and it boasts a great vibe throughout.  Staff/service were a weak point. 

*Honorable mention to The Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Amazing room for airport hotel!

Best Overall Hotel Experience (room, location, views, activities, etc.)

First Place:  Hotel Monaco in Denver, CO.  Not only was my room fabulous but the staff were amazing.  Courteous and attentive without being stuffy, kind, helpful and genuine.  Honestly could go on about that stay forever.  They blew me away.  

Runner Up:  The Huntington Hotel in San Francisco, CA.  My fave place to stay in SFO.  Rooms are large and have an old southern charm to them, which is probably why I like it.  Light pastel colors and warm antiques with stunning views looking down on the city or out over the Bay.  Location on top of Nob Hill is perfect for easily hitting all of the top spots in San Fran. (just be prepared for sore calf muscles!) 

Most Disappointing Hotel Room

First Place: Ritz Carlton, Chicago.  Expected more from a Ritz property.  Nothing horrendous, just not up to par for a Ritz in my opinion. (and having previously stayed at The Peninsula, nothing compares!)

Second Place: Fairmont Whistler.  Had high hopes and expectations for this well known Fairmont resort and was quite disappointed with the rooms.  Service & location, however were wonderful.

Best Tradeshow/Event (for business/results)

First Place: Virtuoso’s Travel Mart in Las Vegas, NV

Runner Up: Trailblazers in Whistler, B.C.

Best Tradeshow/Event (for the craic and good times)

First Place:  Virtuoso's Travel Mart in Las Vegas, NV.  Yes, I just said it.  Each year gets better and I have to say, there is just no one that can compete with the Irish.  We know how to get business done and then have a lot of fun.  From a 6 hour sing-song at dinner, to pool parties, to popping champagne in Club Bank at Bellagio, this was the most fun year yet.  Hats off to this years crew!

Runner Up:  SLH Bay Area Roadshow.  Smaller than normal group and such fun people.  Makes a huge difference when you are spending 10 hours a day for 5 days with the same people!  Love you Jeffie & Joanna :)

Best Meal

Rioja in Denver

First Place:  Brunch at Rioja in Denver.  Great little restaurant in LoDo.  I absolutely love Denver and their food scene rivals Charleston, with some incredible restaurants.  This brunch was so unique, flavorful & fun!

Runner Up:  Braised pork steam buns at Jetside Bar in Fairmont Vancouver.  UH-MAZ-ING!!!! (and the Wild Boar the previous night in Whistler was pretty scrumptious as well)

Favorite New City Visited

Venice, Italy

First Place:  Venice, Italy.  Ah-Maz-Ing! Cannot wait to go back with a man. So romantic!

Whistler, B.C.

Runner Up:  Whistler, B.C.  For someone who doesn't ski, visiting in the summer was ideal. The place was crawling with outdoor activities to do, was packed and so so cool.  Definitely will revisit! A summer must for any outdoors lover.


Mostly repeat destinations in 2011 but LOVED both of the above.

Best Airport (considering timeliness and ease of navigation)

First Place: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County in Detroit.  With Delta having bought out NorthWest, a lot of DL's routes are now going through DTW.  While somewhat annoying because ATL is so much closer to home for me, DTW is clean, has loads of restaurant and shopping options (great wine bar!) and a fantastic Delta SkyClub with really lovely staff.

Runner Up:  Hartsfield Jackson in Atlanta.  I've always stood up for ATL and still do to this day.  It is always CLEAN, the shopping and food options are endless, and while the busiest airport in the World, they are very efficient.  So many hate it, but if you were a frequent business flyer, you would see it differently.

Mulling over my lunch choices while sipping a mimosa!

Best Flight


First Place: SNN to JFK (7.5 hour International flight, where I got bumped to first class last minute.  First class on International flights RARELY happens and makes ALL the difference in the world!)
Second Place:  JAX to ATL when our engine exploded after take-off.  NOT!

G-Mac and me

Best Celebrity Encounter              

First Place: Graeme McDowell OBVIOUSLY! Finally meeting him at the PGA Show in January and then getting to converse with him daily at the Honda Classic in March.  My life was made!

Runner Up:  Giada DeLaurentis.  She was very sweet and is TEENY TINY in person.  

AND NOW THE OLD POST FROM LAST YEAR:

The Grand Del Mar

THE BEST OF 2010!

Best Hotel Room (pertaining purely to the actual room & nothing else)

First Place:  The Peninsula in Chicago, IL
Runner Up:  The Grand Del Mar in Del Mar, CA

View from my balcony at La Valencia in La Jolla

Best Overall Hotel Experience (room, location, views, activities, etc.)

First Place:  La Valencia in La Jolla, CA.  One of my fave hotels in America!

Runner Up:  The Grand Del Mar in Del Mar, CA

Best Tradeshow/Event (for business/results)

First Place: Virtuoso’s Travel Mart in Las Vegas, NV

Runner Up: Shout-out to my colleague Jonathan Epstein with Celebrated Experiences.  Had I participated in one of his roadshows I’m sure it would be on the list, but the boss takes those.

Best Tradeshow/Event (for the craic and good times)

First Place:  PGA Show in Orlando, FL

Runner Up:  Tie between Travel Mart in Las Vegas and Tourism Ireland’s California roadshow

Best breaky ever in Prague!

Best Meal

First Place:  Michael Mina at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, NV

Runner Up:  Breakfast at a small cafe in Prague's Old Town. European's do breaky so much better!

The Charles Bridge in Prague

Favorite New City Visited

First Place:  Prague, Czech Republic

Runner Up:  La Jolla, CA

*Honorable Mention goes to Nuremberg, Germany.  Very surprised by it!

Best Airport (considering timeliness and ease of navigation)

First Place:  John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA

Runner Up:  Reagan Airport in Washington DC.  Easiest. Airport. Ever.

Best Flight

First Place: JFK to SFO (6.5 hour flight, first class upgrade, impeccable service!)

Second Place:  ATL to LAS (3.5 hour flight, first class, lovely meal and pleasant Virtuoso agent next to me)

Best Celebrity Encounter              

First Place: Jim Nantz

Runner Up:  Padraig Harrington (several encounters…nicest guy ever!)

*no thanks to Kenny G who gave us the cold shoulder this year!