Baby, it’s cold outside, so instead of gallivanting around town ruining your party shoes in the snow, spend the night inside for New Year’s Eve at a luxury hotel in Boston.

The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel and it’s 606 Congress restaurant are hosting a New Year’s Eve package for $299 to ring in the 2010. The “New Year’s Eve Beantown Bonus” package includes:

• Deluxe overnight accommodations for two on New Year’s Eve
• Dinner for two at adjacent 606 Congress on New Year’s Eve
• Breakfast for two at adjacent 606 Congress on New Year’s Day
• Late check-out of 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day
• One $20.10 gift card to Starbucks
• Complimentary use of the health club and lap pool

The package rate is $299 and is based on double occupancy.

View from the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

Make reservations online at www.RenaissanceBoston.com and enter the promotional code EVE. Hint: You must make reservations at 606 Congress for dinner in advance of your stay to secure a table.

Black Friday is over, cyber-Monday has come and gone, and you spent the two best shopping days of the season gorging on leftover turkey and watching “Elf”. We hope you enjoyed your relaxation time, but since you missed the best sales of the year it’s time to kick it into high-gear.

Listen up, fellas: Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a night at the Four Seasons. Think “romance” and book a hotel room.

(Don’t worry, we’ll help you…)

Start with breakfast in bed followed by a few spa treatments and dinner by the in-room fireplace. The best part? You don’t have to plan a thing. Grab a Four Seasons gift certificate and let the concierge at one of the world’s best hotels take care of the rest. The gift cards come in any amount from $100 to $5000 and can be purchased online or at any Four Seasons hotel. And, you can feel charitable about your gift: Four Seasons will donate the cost of one bed kit to Sleeping Children Around the World* for every Gift Card sold between December 1-10, 2009.

p.s. Hotel gift cards are available at most major hotels around the world. Contact your favorite hotel group to find out what denominations are available for purchase. Hint: You might even be able to use your gift card for a holiday stay.

What’s better than a shopping spree at Barney’s? A massage to soothe your tired muscles from carrying all your shopping bags after a shopping spree at Barney’s. Thanks to the Mandarin Oriental, New York hotel, this little slice of holiday heaven could be yours.

The Mandarin Oriental New York and Barney’s New York have teamed up to offer guests two shop-‘til-you-drop nights in a fashionable New York suite, complete with breakfast each morning, one dinner for two at the exclusive Fred’s at Barney’s New York restaurant, and a $250 Barneys New York gift certificate.

Mandarin Oriental Suite

As you might imagine, this chic little package comes at a cost. The ultimate shopping suite hotel package starts at $3,500 and is available through Dec. 31, 2009.

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a holiday shopping spree at Barney’s.

Forget Congress and late-night debates - one hotel is taking the health care debate into its own hands. The Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast in Brattleboro, VT, is offering a ‘healthy getaway’ for uninsured guests.

The Vermont B&B is giving away one free weekend every month – complete with an apple a day - to an uninsured couple in need of some stress relief. If you’ve been struggling with your health care options, or lack thereof, Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast wants to hear from you. The Vermont hotel will give away a two-night getaway every month until a National Health Care Reform Bill is passed.

Tim and Amy Brady, the owners of the Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast, know firsthand the challenges of being without health insurance. In 2007, when they left their corporate jobs to start the Vermont B&B, they couldn’t find a health care coverage option that was both affordable and would cover existing health conditions. Now that many Americans are facing the same problems, the Brady’s are making an effort to give back.

While a vacation can’t replace the current loss of health care, the Brady’s hope a weekend away will alleviate the stress caused by illness and lack of coverage. The B&B Public Option Getaway will include:

• Two nights lodging (Sunday – Thursday, non-holiday) for two people in one room on a space available basis.
• Gourmet two course breakfast prepared with local and fresh ingredients each morning
• Afternoon tea and healthy snacks daily
• An outdoor adventure (hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, etc.) with our friends at Brattleboro Outdoors.
• All gratuities, service charges and taxes • A fresh Vermont apple each day, to help keep the doctor away

Visit the Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast website www.fortyputneyroad.com and click on the “Public Health Care Option” logo to enter online and for all of the details. Online entries are encouraged; however you may also mail your entry to:

Forty Putney Road B&B Giveaway
192 Putney Road
Brattleboro, VT 05301

B&B Public Option getaways will be scheduled no later than December 24, 2010, are subject to availability, and blackout dates may apply.

It’s no secret women rule the world, but one Miami hotel is making sure the girls know where to go when they need a night off from all the governing. Single ladies rejoice: The Loews Miami Beach hotel is hosting the “World’s Largest Girlfriend Getaway” this April.

In celebration of its recent $50 million renovation, which includes a completely redesigned lobby, guestrooms, porte cochere, new ice cream shop and retail space, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel is offering a special weekend for the ladies to check out the place for upcoming bachelorette parties, bridal showers, college reunions, or simple solo getaways (necessary for all women who rule).

The “Girls Only Getaway” package starts at $399 per person, based on double occupancy, and is available April 16-18, 2010. The price includes a two night stay in a deluxe room, daily breakfast for two at the hotel’s Preston’s Brasserie, nightly complimentary happy hour in its Hemisphere Lounge, a group salsa lesson, beach yoga, Elemis Spa specials, and a special goody bag!

The Loews Miami Beach has “girl-only” floors, which cater to ladies of leisure and allow hard-working world-saving women the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and spend a little time pampering themselves. Go shopping on South Beach, hit the five-star restaurants, party at the best clubs on Collins Avenue or just lounge by the pool.

To book this package visit www.loewshotels.com/sobegirlfriendsgetaway.

Who wants to get cozy in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Good news lovers, the Hotel Indigo opened its doors in downtown Asheville, N.C. (yes, business travelers and families can stay here, too). Located within walking distance from the area shops and art galleries, the newest North Carolina hotel features 100-rooms, and locally-inspired artwork and photography throughout the hotel common areas and in each room.

Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique brand that draws on the local community. From the locally-inspired murals to seasonal menu items, this Asheville North Carolina hotel might be the one-stop location for all travelers.

Each room at the Hotel Indigo Asheville features oversized beds, plush bedding, hard-surface flooring and spa-inspired showers with Aveda products. Rooms are installed with a 32-inch high-definition flat screen TV and iHome/MP3 alarm clock radio. The hotel also offers menu items and a full service-bar at Phi Bar and Bistro, complimentary parking, complimentary wired and wireless high speed internet access, a 24-hour business center and meeting space for business functions or special events. The hotel also features a pet-friendly policy.

It’s that time of year — time to spread your holiday cheer and extend your giving tree, and Kimpton Hotel is helping to get the charity flowing.

“Cocktails for a Cure” pairs Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants with World AIDS Day, which falls on December 1, 2009. From now until Dec. 9, diners can enjoy any of four Red Ribbon-themed cocktails hand-crafted by Kimpton’s own mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout, and a portion of the cocktail proceeds will go to the Red Ribbon Campaign.  Book a hotel room at any Kimpton and enjoy some of these themed-cocktails:

o        Grapefruit Spritz: Ketel One Citroen, Campari and grapefruit juice sparked with club soda;
o        Bad Apple: Don Julio Blanco, Lillet, Angostura bitters, apple juice and ginger beer;
o        Orange Blossom Fizz: Belvedere Orange, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, pineapple juice and sparking wine;
o        Morning Daiquiri: Ten Cane Rum, Grand Marnier shaken with fresh lime juice and orange marmalade

Red Ribbon parties will be hosted at Kimpton hotels in Virginia, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Utah, California, Washington State, and Washington, DC.

To learn more, visit www.kimptonhotels.com/programs/red-ribbon.aspx

You say Monet, we say Manet, let’s call the whole thing off and get artsy at Miami’s EPIC Hotel.

EPIC, a downtown Miami luxury hotel, is helping art-lovers get a little closer to their craft with some sweet deals, including free nights and a look at the hotel’s in-house art collection.

Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with special exhibitions, parties and events, and brings thousands of visitors to South Florida each year. If you’re hoping for a Miami hotel during the event — Dec. 3-6, 2009 - EPIC has a deal for you:

Book a suite or club level room for three nights at this Miami hotel and EPIC guests will receive the fourth night free. Rates for EPIC’s club level rooms and suites start at $409 per night - with the fourth night free, this means a nightly charge of just under $300/night. To sweeten the deal, EPIC guests will get first-viewing rights of the multi-million-dollar art collection housed at the hotel. The collection includes works of art by James Brown, Roberto Matta, Dario Basso, Fernando DeSzyszlo, Karina Wisniewska, Alexis Gorodine, Gye Hoon Park, and Ola Kolehmainen.

Hotelicopter tip: While you’re here, don’t miss a stop at EPIC’s Area 31, the hotel’s restaurant. Located on the 16th floor, you’ll get great views of the city and maybe even be inspired to paint a scene, or two…

Ah, Thanksgiving… that magical time of year when you cram the kids in the car for the 6-hour car trip to Grandma’s or brave airline security with Baby Bjorns and strollers for the cross-country flight to celebrate the holidays with the inlaws. Maybe the guest bedroom is made up for your stay, or maybe junior is home from college with his new girlfriend so you were booted to the nearest hotel. Hindsight is always 20-20, so before you curse the kid and his sorority gal, and yell at Mom for giving up your room to a stranger, take these tips for making hotels your home for the holidays:

Hotel Deals. It’s impossible not to get a hotel deal right now, but if you’re one of those travelers who waits until the last minute and hasn’t read any of the tips for grabbing deals, allow us to break it down for you:

If you can be flexible with your travel dates prepare yourself for some freebies. For example, stay two nights get the third night free; book a hotel room for three nights and you’ll likely get the fourth night free, etc. In addition, hotels are throwing amenities at guests so don’t turn down the free meal, spa discounts or ‘hotel credits’ that can be used at restaurants or gift shops. You never know when you might need a break from turkey and yams, or when you need a new pair of pants that fit after gorging on Thanksgiving dinner.

When you book a hotel, make sure to check the special offers pages first. Hint: You can book a hotel room online and then call the reservations specialist with your booking reference to barter the price and room upgrades. Don’t wait, though- the closer to Thanksgiving, the higher the room cost.

Hotel Upgrades. While you’re booking your hotel room, why not grab an upgrade? It’s no secret the travel industry has taken a hit this year and hotels are offering some great deals for travelers in an effort to fill rooms. When you check in, ask for an upgrade immediately. If there isn’t one available, request a corner room on any floor. Corner rooms are always a bit larger and have enough room for a rollaway or two, if needed.

Hint: Everyone is sympathetic to family pow-wows. It wouldn’t hurt your chances to tell the check-in agent that you’re using this hotel as a sanctuary and you would be forever grateful if she can help make your stay a little more zen.

Hint #2: Sign up for a hotel’s loyalty program prior to your stay. It is free to sign up and more often than not will get you special treatment (even if you sign up the day before your scheduled stay).

Keeping it Kid-friendly. If you’re traveling with the little ones, keep them engaged in the trip by giving each one a task. Let them help with the packing process, give them each their own ‘space’ in the hotel room by labeling a drawer for each child. To keep things fun, hide little trinkets in the drawer so each time they open it they find something new!

Thanksgiving week is the biggest travel week of the year so preparation is key. Before you get in the car or head to the airport don’t forget:

• Directions if you’re driving; airline tickets/e-tickets if you’re flying
• Check-in online to save yourself money if you’re checking bags
• Double-check that you have all medications and personal items the night before you leave.
• Keep one ‘surprise’ in your bag for the kids — if a meltdown occurs in the middle of bumper-to-bumper traffic, or while you’re waiting in the mile-long line at airport security, a little bribe goes a long way.
• Eat well, give thanks and don’t forget to share a smile with the people on the airplane or at the hotel who are traveling with you to be with their families for Thanksgiving.

From all of us at hotelicopter - have a wonderful feast and a Happy Thanksgiving!

What’s one way to feel good about the environment while traveling to different cities? “Green” hotels are popping up all over the United States - if you’re feeling eco-friendly and want to bring a little bit of green from home on you next trip, book a hotel at one of our top 10 U.S. green hotels.

1. Seattle: Hyatt at Olive8: This city-chic hotel is located in the heart of Seattle and close to all the top tourist attractions, including the famous Space Needle. Each room features light controls, dual-flush toilets and water-reducing showerheads. Can’t quite place the smell after the the cleaning crew has made up your room? That’s because the housekeeping staff uses chemical-free cleaners - which means all natural scents waft through this Seattle hotel.

2. Miami: The Four Seasons Miami Hotel Brickell Key: This five-star hotel is make our list of top green hotels thanks to its efforts to reduce water consumption, and improve indoor air quality through proper air conditioner maintenance and efficient filters. For the environmentally-conscience guests, the Miami hotel also has recycling programs and uses non-toxic cleaners, high-efficiency equipment and low-mercury light bulbs.

3. San Francisco: Orchard Garden Hotel: Sleep well at this San Francisco hotel thanks to ergonomically correct mattresses, feather pillows and 100 percent combed cotton bedding. All of the rooms at the Orchard Garden Hotel are decorated with low emission paint and carpet.

4. Chicago: Allegro Hotel: If there’s one thing we love about Chicago hotels, it’s the plethora of options along the famous Magnificent Mile. The Allegro Hotel - a downtown Chicago hotel - has water recycling programs and uses non-toxic cleaning agents. Need a cup of coffee before you head out shopping for the day? Pick up a cup of organic, fair trade coffee in the lobby.

5. Las Vegas: The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino: Who would have thought the self-conscience kind can find a place in Sin City? If we know anything about Las Vegas hotels, it’s that they cater to just about every type of traveler, even the green kind. The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino is Las Vegas’s first eco-friendly property and the largest LEED-certified building in the world.

6. New York City: 70 Park Ave: One of two New York properties on our list, the 70 Park Avenue hotel isn’t just a fancy address - it’s one of the city’s most green-friendly New York hotels. The rooms feature eco-friendly products including in-room recycling bins and non-toxic cleaners.

70 Park Avenue Hotel Room

7. Portland, Oregon: Avalon Hotel and Spa: There’s something to be said for the fresh air of the West Coast. The open roads, the acres of untouched land and the majestic landscapes make up a portion of the scenery that surround this Portland hotel. The Avalon Hotel and Spa is a 99-room luxury boutique that also features 8,000 square feet of protected green space, which also serves as a butterfly house.

8. Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Hotel Terra: It’s no secret Jackson Hole is one of the most environmentally-friendly cities in the U.S., but we’re happy the Jackson Hole hotels have catered to the area. The Hotel Terra offers eco-friendly amenities including refillable aluminum bottles for bath products, and 100 percent organic cotton mattresses, bed sheets and towels.

9. Greensboro, North Carolina: Proximity Hotel: Traveling on the Eastern seaboard has its benefits, including some of the most glamorous luxury hotels. But when we saw this North Carolina hotel combines luxury and eco-friendly amenities, we couldn’t resist adding it to our list. Each guestroom at the Proximity Hotel features extra-large windows to let in the natural light, which results in efficient air quality circulation and a cleaner space in all the guestrooms.

10. New York City: New York Westin: The second New York hotel on our list, the Westin New York at Times Square is green-seal certified and was the first New York City hotel to achieve the recognition. “Green” features include paperless guest registration, and 100 percent recycled and biodegradable room keys.

Have a favorite eco-friendly hotel in the U.S.? Let us know about it!