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Top of the Town Tipples

Wednesday December 16, 2009

Cocktail culture continues unabated, and now most major cities have at least one bar devoted to the finest hand-crafted concoctions. Here are a couple of my favorites for you to visit on your holiday travels.

In my hometown of Chicago, The Violet Hour is the go-to spot — but if you like bourbon and tequila, you might head across the street to Big Star instead. Recently opened by the same team, Big Star is a big draw for great cocktails paired with incredible Mexican small plates. I recommend the al pastor taco, the phenomenal queso fundido and a Bakersfield Buck to drink. Take a cab from the W Chicago - Lakeshore.

In Boston, Drink is all the rage — so much so that it's beginning to get dinged on Yelp for being unable to handle the crowds. The undulating bar runs the length of the garden-level room. Bartenders stand ready to create a cocktail from memory if you know one's name, or make one up for you based on your personal taste and even hand you the recipe if you like it. Tip: get there early or save it for a weeknight. It's about half a mile from the Westin Boston Waterfront.

New Orleans is a town with plenty of great cocktail destinations, and the latest is Cure, on the up-and-coming Freret Street near the Garden District. The drinks change seasonally and so does the menu of snacks and desserts, so it's already different since I was there in October, but if I were going tomorrow, I'd order the Brown Bunny, a wintry sip. The bar is an easy cab ride from the W New Orleans.

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Experience a Beloved Holiday Tradition With the Boston Pops

Monday December 14, 2009

The Boston Pops is one of the most storied orchestras in American musical history, credited with demystifying classical music for millions of listeners and bringing it to a wider audience. That tradition lives on this December with its Holiday Pops concerts, a month-long series of performances featuring some of the most beloved music of the holiday season. Conductor Keith Lockhart leads the orchestra as it plays such classics as White Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland, The Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker. The series features 35 concerts in all from now to Sunday, December 27, 2009, including six special kids' matinee concerts that include a kids' sing-along and a visit from the big man himself, Santa Claus. Take a seat in the majestic Symphony Hall and feel the music wash over you, or make an evening out of it and enjoy dining during the concert at an orchestra-level table, where a varied menu of appetizers, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages including wine and beer are served. It's a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, so check the schedule and reserve your tickets today. Starwood has hotels throughout Boston, including the new W Boston.

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Enjoy a Grand Opening Special at the New W Boston

Tuesday December 1, 2009

Boston's theater district welcomes a new star with the opening of the brand new W Boston, and a special grand opening offer can make your first visit unforgettable. Located just steps from the city's best shopping, dining, and nightlife, this iconic property is is long on style and comfort, with 235 luxurious guest rooms and suites, a fully-equipped SWEAT fitness center, a soon-to-open Bliss Spa, an exquisite restaurant and lounge, and the W's signature Whatever/Whenever service. With the Boston Uncommon offer, you can savor a true sensory revolution. Rates start at $259 and include in-room welcome cocktails, a Wonderful room with upgrade when available, a Chef-selected dessert at Market by Jean-George, a Limited Edition W Boston Exclusive Cynthia Rowley scarf, and a VIP Insider discount card to Cynthia Rowley, perfect for picking up a high-fashion memento of your visit. Book now for stays through March 31, 2010 and experience Boston's most exciting new destination in style.

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Introducing the W Boston Residences

Thursday November 19, 2009

Housed in an iconic glass tower in the heart of the chic Back Bay neighborhood, the 123 homes in the new W Boston Residences merge nature, design, and culture to create the ultimate expression of sophisticated living. Every one of its studios and one-, two, and three-bedroom units are infused with signature W style, with sumptuous finishes, comfort living, and unparalleled Whatever/Whenever service that can turn your wildest wishes into reality. Your Window to Wow is located in Boston's most prestigious neighborhood, founded in 1857 when a portion of the Charles River was filled and Back Bay was created. Principally situated between the areas of Boston and Cambridge, Back Bay's array of architecture includes the charming 19th century brownstones of tree-lined Newbury Street, renowned for being the Rodeo Drive of the East, and its gleaming, modern skyscrapers lining its south side. With the Boston Common, the Financial District, and the Boston Harbor just minutes away, the fine restaurants of the South End so close, and the shops of Prudential Center and Copley Place nearby, you can almost hear the sizzle. Plus some luxuries are a mere elevator ride away. Discover the W Hotel's Bliss Spa, offering various pampering massage treatments that will relieve you of your stress in no time. The Market by Jean-Georges restaurant, meanwhile, serves world-class cuisine in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Click here to view the residential floor plans, take a virtual tour, or experience a 360-degree view of Boston. The good life is alive and well at the W Boston Residences.

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Destination Spotlight - Boston - Outdoor Ice Rinks In the City

Thursday October 29, 2009

If you're traveling to Boston, consider ice skating, a pastime celebrated by locals as well as visitors. It's a year-round activity here, but when the temperatures drop, a host of outdoor ice rinks spring to life. For glorious outdoor skating in the brisk open air, The Frog Pond at Boston Common (Beacon and Tremont Streets) is a natural choice. Like most of the city's outdoor rinks, it's open from November to mid-March, but has the bonus of being located in the middle of all of the city's downtown action. It's not always cold enough outside to freeze the ice and be operational, but the lagoon at The Public Garden (9 Arlington St.) is another outdoor skating alternative close to major attractions and activities.

If you want to explore areas outside the city's center, Kelly Skating Rink (1 Marbury Terrace) in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood is another good spot to skate outdoors in the winter. As an added incentive, Kelly Skating Rink offers free admission -- just pay for skate rental and you're set. Just east of downtown, in nearby Cambridge, you'll find Kendall Square Community Ice Skating (300 Athenaeum St). These ice skating adventures are all an easy glide from your room at the new W Boston. Jump to the comments section and let us know your recommendations for great places to skate.

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Destination Spotlight - Boston - Neighborhood Watch: The South End

Wednesday October 28, 2009

Among the Victorian brick-row houses that line the streets of Boston's South End, stylish fashion boutiques, quirky antiques shops, gourmet groceries, and a plethora of home decor stores offer a full day's worth of exploration. Adjacent to the Back Bay, and steps from the stunning new W Boston, the South End is dominated by Tremont Street, a thoroughfare that runs parallel to two other bustling streets, Shawmut Avenue and Washington Street, all of which are lined with an array of shops and restaurants.

On Tremont Street you'll find lots of fashion boutiques including Turtle (619a Tremont), an emporium of clothing and accessories by emerging designers from as far off as Iceland and Argentina. A few blocks down, Sooki (505 Tremont) mixes hand crafted jewelry with one of a kind cocktail dresses in a cozy space. Look for the bright blue awnings a few doors down, and step into Uniform (511 Tremont), which stocks a collection of graphic Ts, sporty track jackets, captain's hats, and designer denim all for men. Head across the street for the delightful candy den, overflowing with European chocolates and whimsical antiques known as Olde Dutch Cottage Candy. Pick up an old fashioned lollipop and enjoy its rainbow sweetness as you wander through the charming streets of this landmark Boston district. Lovers of both fine design and historical architecture will feel like kids in a candy shop. Tell us, what wonderful shops have you discovered in Boston's South End?

[Image via Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau]

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Destination Spotlight - Boston - Sushi in a Seafood Town

Wednesday October 28, 2009

When you think of Boston food, what comes to mind? Baked beans, right. Cream pie? OK. How about seafood? Of course, it's a seaport — but I bet you're thinking of clam chowder, not succulent slices of fresh, raw fish. Yep, there's plenty of great sushi to be had in Boston these days. With ready access to the daily catch, supplemented with daily air deliveries, it's easy to find fantastic sushi within easy reach of the new W Boston, which opens this week.

At the top of the list are O Ya and Oishii, both a few minutes from the hotel. They're on such par with each other, it's hard to pick the best. At O Ya, small masterpieces arrive in succession from a sushi bar helmed by an apprentice of Nobu Matsushita. At Oishii, spot-on appetizers lead to creative and perfectly made maki and nigiri. Both feature items on their sushi menu that veer from seafood entirely, with dishes such as foie gras nigiri, in addition to full entrees. Both are also in the special occasion/expense account price range, so take heed.

For something a little more affordable, check out the aptly named Fish Market in Allston, or Snappy Sushi closer to the W, which specializes in brown rice rolls.

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Destination Spotlight - Boston - Island Hopping in Boston Harbor

Tuesday October 27, 2009

If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Boston, head to Long Wharf and catch a ferry to a remote offshore island. Boston Harbor Islands State Park consists of 34 islands and peninsulas in Boston Harbor, all of which provide a tranquil antidote to the urban environment onshore. Bring a picnic lunch and some good walking shoes because most of the islands are laced with ribbons of trails through the forests and along the beaches. Serious hikers should head to Peddocks Island - one of the largest and most diverse islands in the harbor - for a half-day walk on a hiking trail that goes all the way around its circumference. Those just looking to relax should consider a visit to Spectacle Island, a 105-acre gem that recently emerged from a five-year, $180 million renovation and now boasts new park facilities and, thanks to tons of soil from the Big Dig, the highest lookout point in Boston Harbor. History buffs, meanwhile, should hit Georges Island, where Fort Warren once held Confederate prisoners, or Lovells Island, which still has the ruins of Fort Standish, an Army outpost that protected Boston from invasion by sea. Starwood has hotels throughout Boston, including the nearby Westin Boston Waterfront.

[image via directoryofboston.com]

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Starpick the Sheraton Boston Hotel

Wednesday September 2, 2009

September is an exciting time to be in Boston. The start of the fall semester brings students and faculty back to its famed universities, and a new season of cultural events kicks off with an explosion of shows around town. So how about a weekend getaway? The Sheraton Boston Hotel is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so it won't take much to find yourself in the heart of this classic American city. Start with a stroll through Boston Common. With a history dating back to 1634, it's one of America's oldest public parks, and it remains a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Then take a tour of the U.S.S. Constitution, a beautiful three-masted frigate and the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. If you've still got the energy, hit the Museum of Science, an acclaimed institution with more than 500 interactive exhibits, including a giant Van-de-Graff generator that lets visitors conduct their own lightning. It's an electrifying experience. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list for the latest deals.

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Feasting in Boston's North End

Thursday July 30, 2009

In Boston's North End neighborhood — the city's Little Italy — summer means feasts. Nearly every weekend there's another procession led by one of the churches, followed by a street festival and feast. If you're staying at the Boston Sheraton in the next couple weeks, you owe it to yourself to join in the celebration and partake in some amazing food.

This weekend, the St. Agrippina di Mineo feast takes over Battery and Hanover streets. Later in August, St. Anthony's Feast and the 99th annual Fisherman's Feast promises sizzling Italian sausage, gelato and lemon ice, pasta, pizza and fried fish, not to mention plenty of people watching and live entertainment.

Can't stick around for the festivals? You can get a taste of what you're missing at North End Italian favorites such as Pizzeria Regina, Trattoria il Panino (a good alfresco dining option) or Mike's Pastry for some cannoli.

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