Give and get back, especially at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. If you’re looking for a Bahamas hotel and seeking an extraordinary deal, shed your winter coat and get a free night at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

The hotel is kicking off its 2nd Annual Winter Coat Drive in support of the ‘One Warm Coat’ Organization and its ‘Warm Coats Warm Hearts’ Drive, which provides winter coats to people in need.

Book a hotel room at the Sheraton Nassau and donate your winter coat at check-in for a voucher good for one free night on your next visit to the resort (limit of two vouchers per room). The coat drive will run through March 19, 2010, and all coats will then be shipped to One Warm Coat.

You won’t need your winter coat while you’re enjoying the three freshwater pools with flowing waterfalls, a swim-up bar and oversized whirlpools, six restaurants and lounges at this Bahamas hotel. Why not share the warmth with someone in need?

Boston luxury hotel XV Beacon is more than just a pretty building - it’s now the place to be for Boston business travelers.  Travel + Leisure recently named XV Beacon the best business hotel in the U.S. ranked it fourth in the world, in the magazine’s World’s Best Business Hotels 2009 survey.

The Beacon Hill hotel is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary at the stroke of midnight, January 1, 2010. To honor this new award, XV Beacon is offering their valued business guests the “Business Meets Pleasure” package.

XV Beacon’s new “Business Meets Pleasure” package also provides the following:

• A luxurious room and late check-out at 2pm
• Two cocktails at Mooo Bar
• Daily XV “Bacon” Breakfast
• Airport drop-off in Lexus sedan
• Local and toll-free calls and complimentary faxing

The XV Beacon’s “Business Meets Pleasure” package is available through year-end 2010, with package rates starting at $310.

In addition, all business travelers receive complimentary personalized business card with direct dial phone number; 24 hour pressing and laundry services; city sedan services; complimentary newspapers, WiFi, printing and copying.

Standard rates at XV Beacon begin at $250 - $575 for “Classic Rooms” per night/double occupancy, based on availability.

Looking for an Arizona hotel? Southern Arizona welcomed its newest luxury property, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, this week. Located in Marana (northwest of Tucson), the 250-room resort is spread out over 850 acres of the Sonoran Desert.

Guests at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain will stay in one of the 250 rooms, play on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and enjoy the spa on site. The hotel also features adventure programming, world class hiking, and is host to the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships each spring in its striking canyon setting

For the remainder of the holiday season, the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain will offer a series of events for the public to enjoy including a Christmas Eve Sweets and Treats Pastry Class for children and Christmas Eve dinner or brunch at CORE Kitchen and Wine Bar. The hotel’s New Year’s Eve gala will benefit the Angel Charity for Children, Inc.

If you’re going to do New Year’s Eve properly, you might as well do it celeb-style — head to one of these Los Angeles hotels and ring in the new year in style.

Beverly Hilton Hotel: At the Beverly Hilton Hotel, hang poolside at Trader Vic’s Lounge starting at 5 p.m. with an appetizer buffet and one Mai Tai for $45 per person. A live DJ will play music until 1 a.m.

Beverly Wilshire: At the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, guests can ring in the New Year at the hotel’s world-class restaurant, The Blvd. An early seating will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will offer a three-course tasting menu for $75 per person. There will also be a Gala Dinner beginning at 8:00 p.m. that will offer a five-course tasting menu along with a champagne toast at midnight for $250 per person.

Crowne Plaza: The Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel is hosting an elegant New Year’s Eve Gala in the hotel’s San Pedro Ballroom. The gala, beginning at 6 p.m., will include dining, dancing and a live DJ for $99, including a hotel room.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: Head over to Hollywood, guests can check out the 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Bash at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel which will be celebrated throughout the hotel lobby, the Blossom Ballroom and Tropicana Pool.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel: The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel’s restaurant, Ocean and Vine, will ring in the New Year will live entertainment and a four-course pre fix menu with choices including white asparagus cappuccino, caramelized Mano de Leon sea scallops, and Beaumes venise poached pear. The 6 p.m. seating is $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The 9 p.m. seating is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

A special “New Year’s Eve” package includes luxury guestroom accommodations, a Champagne welcome amenity, preferred dinner reservations in Ocean and Vine (a $320 value), complimentary parking and a 2 p.m. late checkout time. Rates start from $725 per couple.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel: At the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles guests have the opportunity to choose from two dining options on New Year’s Eve. An elegant four-course menu is featured at the hotel’s Rendezvous Court or head over to Sai Sai for a tapas buffet of fresh Asian seafood, robata and sushi. Dinner includes tickets to the annual New Year’s Eve Gala in the hotel’s majestic Crystal Ballroom where there will be live DJ music followed by champagne and a shower of balloons from the ballroom’s ceiling at midnight. After an evening of celebrating, head upstairs to your hotel room and enjoy a late check-out on Jan. 1.

Omni Los Angeles Hotel: The Omni Los Angeles Hotel is offering a “Standing Ovation” package for New Year’s Eve along with a three- or six-course dinner at the hotel’s elegant Noé Restaurant. For those guests celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Music Center, STAPLES Center or the NOKIA Theatre, the Omni Los Angeles Hotel will provide sedan transportation to the destination along with deluxe accommodations, a $100 credit to Noé Restaurant, overnight valet parking and breakfast for two in Grand Café. The three-course dinner is $60 per person while the six-course dinner is $100 per person or $160 per person when paired with wine.

It’s that time of year - time to pop the champagne, make your resolutions and find the perfect party to ring in the New Year. One of our favorite options is an overnight hotel stay complete with a party at midnight, so we found a few Hollywood hotels hosting some New Year’s Eve parties, complete with overnight hotel stays in the price.

Petit Ermitage: New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball in Hollywood, California

Celebrate the New Year with a palm reader, magician, DJ, & a burlesque performance while enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & a decadent midnight champagne breakfast! It’s $200 to attend - ALL INCLUSIVE - and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the local non-profit Good Shepherd Shelter. RSVP at petitermitage.com by Thursday, December 24th. Masks and mask painting complimentary. The black tie party starts at 9 p.m.

Mondrian Hotel: New Year’s Eve Party at Skybar at Mondrian Hotel

The theme at this Hollywood hotel is Skybar Speakeasy and DJ Joe Greto is hosting the event for $150. The price includes open bar and champagne toast at midnight. VIP table reservations available.

The London West Hollywood: The New Year’s Eve Celebration Package includes cuisine from famed Chef Gordon Ramsay, a champagne toast in the privacy of your own suite, dinner for 2 in the Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood Restaurant, and a 7 course menu seating between 8pm - 10:30pm.

Whatever your choose, book your hotel rooms in advance so you have a place to end the night!

Feel like placing a few bets this New Year’s? Book your hotel room and stay the night at southern California’s Pechanga, the largest casino and hotel in the Western United States. These New Year’s Eve hotel packages include everything from deluxe accommodations to black tie events.

David Cook Packages at the Pechanga: Includes Overnight Deluxe accommodations, 2 golden tickets to David Cook performance on NYE at 10:30pm (Includes Countdown announcement at Midnight) and a NYE amenity. $559

Gala Packages: Includes Overnight Deluxe accommodations, 2 tickets to Black tie Gala (includes lavish buffet dinner, live music & entertainment, drink specials and midnight countdown) and a NYE amenity. $579

10 Silk Packages: Includes Overnight Deluxe accommodations, 2 tickets to Silk (includes express line privileges) and a NYE amenity. $499.

Foodies unite! The Biltmore Hotel in Miami is offering a Culinary Boot Camp for guests this January. The week-long or weekend program includes everything from basic training in knife skills, using herbs and spices, cooking Italian-style, and working with meats, seafood and poultry and grains. Hotel guests will study along side Chef Philippe Ruiz, who oversees the resort’s Palme d’Or.

Book classes with this Miami hotel and you’ll get behind-the-scenes access to the hotel’s 700-square-foot kitchen and attend classes in the academy’s kitchen lab. In addition, special tracks like wine tasting will be offered.

“Intense hands-on training is the best way to learn the culinary arts,” said Lourdes Castro, the Culinary Academy’s director. “Our boot camp is the perfect option for the enthusiast who is looking for a comprehensive curriculum taught by working chefs in a dedicated professional kitchen without the commitment of enrolling in culinary school.”

The culinary boot camps are offered to hotel guests and Miami residents and include up to 37 hours of instruction. The all-inclusive program, including rooms at the Biltmore Hotel, is priced at $3,750 for the week-long camp on January 18th to 22nd and $2,175 for the weekend camp on February 5th to 7th. (Miami residents wanting to attend the classes but not stay over can call the hotel directly for alternate prices.)

The Biltmore is located in Coral Gables, Florida and features an 18-hole, 71 par championship golf course, tennis courts, private poolside cabanas, a European spa, and a fitness center (good for working off all the calories you’ll consume during class).

Looking for a luxurious hotel to warm up in while you ski your way through winter? Good news snow-lovers, the Ritz-Carlton just opened their newest hotel, Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe. According to people on the scene, Northstar-at-Tahoe received over 24-inches of snowfall, setting the stage for a perfect ski season.

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe will offer ski-in, ski-out access with mountain concierge services; a resort-restaurant, Manzanita, created by chef Traci Des Jardins; a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center; and all the luxuries you’re used to from the Ritz-Carlton.

The new Highlands Gondola will also open on December 9 and will connect guests between the nearby Village-at-Northstar and The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe resort. Perched slope-side within a 15 minute drive of both Lake Tahoe and the historic town of Truckee, the year-round destination includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences and 25 Ritz-Carlton Club fractional ownership residences.

The Lake Tahoe hotel has 170 guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences and 25 Ritz-Carlton Club fractional ownership residences.

Promoting a “cowboy cool” image is only half the story for this Austin hotel. The Starwood family is welcoming a W Hotel in Austin, currently scheduled to open its doors on Dec. 9, 2010.

This will be the second W Hotel in Texas (Starwood currently welcomes guests to its W Dallas hotel) and like the other W Hotels, the W Austin will include everything from a first-rate restaurant to a Bliss® Spa or and the always entertaining WET® bar. The W Austin will feature 250 rooms complete with the signature W bed, a Munchie Box, state-of-the-art technology and in-room entertainment systems.

Grab your 10-gallon hat, boots and belt buckles for your next stay at this Texas hotel (ok, it’s not just for cowboys, but it’s fun to dress the part).  The new hotel is located on the vibrant Second Street, and will be a perfect spot for those visiting the hot-spot city when the SXSW music festival comes into town.

Why should Fido miss out on the family vacation fun? More hotels around the country are welcoming pets of all shapes and sizes (within reason), allowing you to travel with your pet and ensure the safety of your furry friends. We combed the country and put together this Top 10 Pet-Friendly Hotel list, so you can ensure your pet travels in style.

1. Nine-Zero Hotel, Boston: This Kimpton hotel offers a pampered pup package, including biscuits and beds! This ultra-chic Boston hotel caters to your pooch by offering “pillow menus”, food and water bowls, and a welcome goodie-bag of toys and treats. Bonus for pet-owners: Nine-Zero hosts a “Mutts and Martinis” night, so you and your mutt can strut your stuff.

2. The Colonnade Hotel, Boston: Along with pet beds, pet bowls, various brands of dog and cat food, and pet toys, The Colonnade Boston Hotel offers pet walking services for your furry friend.

3. Ritz-Carlton, Boston: Boston certainly tops our list as one of the most pet-friendly cities and we’re glad to see the luxury hotels are getting into the game. The Ritz-Carlton’s “The Pampered Pet Package” includes deluxe accommodations,  
fruit and cheese 
Doggy biscuits, a keepsake pet bowl and a 
custom dog tag. Need a spa day? So does your pet! The package also includes an 
hour of pampering - a massage for you and a grooming hour for your pet.

4. The Envoy Club, New York: If it’s important that your furry friend feel at home, consider this all-suites boutique New York hotel. The Envoy has an exclusive pet program and includes views of Central Park, so your pooch can watch over his pet friends.

5. The SOHO Grand, New York: Let’s get right to the good stuff - the SOHO Grand offers a pet bar in the lobby, and its staff is equipped with snacks and treats in their pockets at all time.

6. Paw House Inn, Vermont: The name says it all - the Paw House Inn in Killington caters to your pet with custom-sized dog beds and  handmade doggie pillows. This Vermont hotel comes complete with a doggie day care center!

7. Sheraton Crescent Hotel, Phoenix: P-E-T spells ‘pampering’ at this Phoenix hotel. The Sheraton Crescent allows pets under 25 pounds and provides a doggie package including treats, dog bed, bowls and a coupon book for pet-friendly stores so your pooch can shop with you.

8. The Diva Hotel, San Francisco: If your pet is the diva in your household, this hotel is perfect for your next San Francisco trip.
Your pet will receive a box of toys and treats at check-in and, yes, the hotel will even cater to you, too.

9. Sofitel at Lafayette Square, Washington, DC.: Back in the day, the Sofitel would hand guests a fresh-baked French baquette when you checked in. Now, the hotel is handing out fresh-baked treats to pets! (Don’t worry, they still have human food). Pets of all sizes are accepted, and you’ll love the location of this Washington DC hotel: only a few blocks from the White House, you and your pet will enjoy a few very scenic walks.

10. Hotel Monaco, Denver: Another member of the Kimpton family, this Denver hotel provides a map of local dog parks when you and your pooch check in.