If you’re looking to get away during the next few months.  Check out the Starwood Sale.  Just yet another way hotels are trying to keep bookings healthy during this economic downturn.

Let us know if there’s any other great deals out there.

Meet Hotel Vertigo and Hotel Frank, formerly the York Hotel and Maxwell Hotel respectively.  We recently had an opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new product, and it’s quite a transformation.  Personality Hotels (Parent to the Hotel Union Square, Hotel Diva and others) has embarked on a new journey by bringing all of their San Francisco properties up to speed with new designs, amenities and comforts.

The Hotel Vertigo is located in the Lower Knob Hill area of San Francisco, just a short walk from Union Square and Knob Hill.  Formerly the York Hotel, the Vertigo is transforming into something so different, that previous guests won’t even recognize that this is the same hotel.  The York was home to Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Vertigo”, so the new name is quite appropeau.  Hotel Vertigo is something you might expect to see in Los Angeles, uber hip, stylish, playful but still exudes San Francisco sophistication. Let’s call it, Mondrian Los Angeles meets Clift Hotel San Francisco, but better.  Guest rooms at the Vertigo are tastefully decorated in orange and brown tones, and boast a contemporary element of style.

The Old:

The New:

The Hotel Frank is located just two blocks from Union Square, making it an ideal location for leisure and business travelers alike.  Formerly the Maxwell, Hotel Frank will be whimsical, modern and sophisticated.  Playing off the “Personality” concept, the Frank is a boutique hotel that offers guests a sense of style in a fun environment.  Guest rooms are sophisticated in style and upscale in feel, something very different from the floral pattern days of the Maxwell.  We can also tell you that the Frank will feature 2 Penthouse rooms, and we got a sneak peek…  Very few hotels in San Francisco offer outdoor space, but the Frank will be the exception.  Both penthouse suites will offer huge outdoor terraces, wonderful for taking in views of the city.  These rooms will also feature unique bathroom configurations, and one of these suites will in fact have a soaking tub right in the middle of the room.

The Old:

The New:

A Sneak Peak at the Outdoor Terraces for the Penthouse Suites:

1. True or False: There are more non-stop flights to Dallas from more U.S. cities than to any other airport in the world.

Answer: True.

a

2. Which famous convenience store opened its first store in Dallas?

A.   Circle K

B.   7 Eleven

C.   AM / PM

Answer: B. 7-Eleven opened its first store in Dallas in 1922

a

3. In 1927 what major invention made its U.S. debut in Dallas?

A.   Household Telephones

B.   Public Flush Toilets

C.   Automatic Traffic Lights

Answer: C.

a

4. Which famous alcoholic beverage was invented in Dallas?

A.   Screw-Driver

B.   Margarita

C.   White Russian

D.   Whiskey Sour

Answer: B.

a

5. Which Two famous Airlines are Headquartered in Dallas?

A.   American Airlines

B.   Continental Airlines

C.   United

D.   Southwest Airlines

E.   Northwest Airlines

Answer: A & D

Attractions:

* The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (JFK Assassination Exhibit)

* Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Food:

* Charlie Palmer at the Joule

* Café R&D

Romantic Getaway – The Mansion on Peach Tree

TripKick Preferred Rooms: Rooms Ending in “06″ or “07″

The Mansion just opened a few months ago and boy does it impress. Each room feels like a private apartment with amazing finishes. Located in Buckhead, a private English garden, and the new 29 Spa; this is the perfect romantic getaway. The corner “06″ or “07″ Executive Balcony Suites have great views of Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta, and a beautiful bathroom. Be sure to stay here on the 4^th of July, great views of the fireworks show from the balcony of these rooms.

Upscale Business Hotel – The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta

TripKick Preferred Rooms: Rooms Ending in “19″

This Ritz-Carlton just went through an extensive room’s renovation where they took great pains to attend to the needs of the modern business man but maintain the elegance that is Ritz-Carlton. The “19″ corner rooms have great Downtown Atlanta City views and 2 windows filling the room with an abundance of natural light.

Hip & Trendy – W Atlanta-Midtown

TripKick Preferred Rooms: Rooms Ending in “02″ or “08″ Fantastic Suites

This new W has become one of the Jewels of the chain and the heart of Atlanta Nightlife. On Friday and Saturday the 3 Bars entertain a rather large party scene. These Fantastic Suites have the preferred Midtown Views and are perfect for those wishing to have a lot of fun. The bathroom is extremey oversized with a soaking tub and a large glass shower that can fit up to 6 (according to a Bachelorette Party we ran into). So reserve this room for your uh…Bachelorette parties.

Quiet & Serene – The Westin Buckhead

TripKick Preferred Rooms: Rooms Ending in “19″

Westin is known for continuity and simple comforts and this Westin is perfectly serene. The “19″ corner rooms are oversized with 2 windows that bring in great natural light and spectacular views of Downtown Atlanta.

Business / Convention Hotel – Marriott Marquis Atlanta

TripKick Preferred Rooms: Rooms Ending in “22″

This Marriot Marquis just went through a $140 million renovation and has transformed into a wonderfully sophisticated mega hotel.  We hope Marriott breathes this new modern design into more of their hotels. The “22″ rooms are quiet corner rooms located away from the elevators and have great views of Downtown Atlanta and Midtown.

Dallas

We want to give a BIG THANKS to the New York Times for noticing us.  They wrote a great article that appeared in the Sunday Travel Section and online, it touched on the very problem TripKick solves.

They note that TripKick is the only website that “offers room-by-room guides for hotels.”

Yup, we’re growing fast!  17 cities and counting, with Dallas and New Orleans coming this month.

Remember Travelers, we want to Hear from you.  Make sure to post your Room Reviews on the “Your Experience Tab” and if you have a great Travel Story that you want us to share be sure to Email Travel@tripkick.com.

Well, just in case you were wondering, we’ve been exploring Minneapolis and St. Paul, in search of the very best hotel rooms. Minneapolis has some exciting new hotels, but we wanted to tell you about two of the newest, and perhaps most exciting choices.

W Hotels has done it again with the W Minneapolis, The Foshay. Housed in the historic “Foshay Tower” the W Minneapolis blends old and new, in one seamless package. The building itself is modeled after the Washington Monument, making this W unique, with 57 different room types. Yep, 57 room types! Each room is a bit different from the next, a feature we think is quite neat. Rooms are impressive to say the least, with contemporary decor and features that you won’t always find at other W’s. Select rooms feature bathrooms with windows, and all rooms have Oversized Glass Showers. The W Minneapolis Lobby or “Livingroom” is one of the largest we’ve seen, and is already “the” place to be in the city. For a real treat, be sure to check out Prohibition, located on the 27th Floor. This “old meets new” bar is one of the hippest in town, and features wonderful views of the Minneapolis Skyline.

The Westin Edina Galleria is another addition to the Minneapolis hotel scene, located just fifteen minutes outside of Downtown Minneapolis. Primarily designed with the business traveler in mind, The Westin Edina is adjacent to the upscale Galleria Shops of Distinction, as well as a host of local businesses. Guest rooms feature Westin’s Heavenly Beds, as well as generously sized bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs. Swimmers will enjoy the Saline Saltwater Pool, a feature that can only be enjoyed in a handful of hotels across North America.

1.  Clift Hotel – San Francisco, CA

You can’t come to San Francisco and not have a drink in the Redwood Room. Historic in age but made modern by the Morgan’s Group touch. A great scene for those looking to party with the who’s who of the Bay Area.

2.  The Standard – West Hollywood, CA

Located on the Famous Sunset Strip, this Retro Style embodies the hipster motif. At night the Lobby turns into a great bar scene, with some attractive models in a glass box behind the check in desk. Behind the restaurant there is a great club, but be prepared to wait.

3.  Thompson Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills, CA

One of the new “It” places of Beverly Hills night life. They just opened their rooftop lounge/pool/bar where you can enjoy drinks by the stars. It has a 70’s flair with the sophistication of the Thompson New York properties which is why we think it’s one of the coolest places in LA.

4.  The Hotel at Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas, NV

Yes, most of the Las Vegas Hotels pride themselves on being Party Hotels, but “The Hotel” is one the most impressive modern hotels in the world. Their Mix Lounge has the most impressive view of the Strip and some of the most interesting designs.

5.  Delano Hotel – Miami Beach, FL

The 2^nd Morgan’s Hotel on our List, this hotel is the Classy Chic hotel of South Beach. Make sure you save your designer clothes, anything else would seem out of place for this high-end party scene.

6.  Hard Rock Hotel – Chicago, IL

The cutting edge of Chicago nightlife is at Rock Bar. The scene is trendy and “hard”. Located on the Miracle Mile of Michigan Avenue, you never know which stars you might see wandering around.

7.  Hotel Solamar – San Diego, CA

Great pool bar, great music, and almost every night in San Diego is a beautiful night…located in the Gaslamp District which has become the heart of the San Diego party scene.

8.  W Atlanta-Midtown – Atlanta, GA

This W just completed their multi-million dollar renovation and it shows. We’ve seen every W Hotel in the USA and this is our favorite so far. Great restaurant, Spice Market, and with three separate bars – it’s very easy to find a scene that fits you. This Hotel has become the place to be on a Friday and Saturday night in Atlanta.

9.  Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Hollywood, CA

This Thompson hotel reflects the old Hollywood charm and the new age pool party scene. There’s always something going on at this hotel, given its location, the quintessential “Hollywood” experience.

10. W Chicago-Lakeshore – Chicago, IL

W Brings their party mood to this lake view hotel. Definitely just as hip as any party hotel, but with more of the zany feel we’ve all come to love from this Starwood brand.

New Orleans    Minneapolis