Places to Stay: The Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana

Entrance courtyard at the Windsor Hotel New Orleans

By J.C. Thomas New Orleans is one of the world’s most enticing vacation destinations thanks to its totally unique heritage and culture. Formative years as a French, and briefly Spanish, colony shaped the sights and sounds of the city so profoundly that it seems any sense of generic Anglo-American-ness simply cannot, will not, take root. […]

Places to Stay: Hotel St. Pierre, New Orleans, Louisiana

collage of interior and exterior shots of Hotel St. Pierre in New Orleans, Louisiana

By J.C. Thomas There are some vacation destinations for which any decent hotel will do. You just need a clean, comfortable room in a convenient location. New Orleans, especially the French Quarter, is not one of those destinations. This is a singular place of magic and idiosyncrasy, where anything bland or unremarkable simply will not […]

Stay with Sojourn and live like a local during your Washington, D.C. trip

Collage of Sojourn on Q balcony, the US Capitol building and Washington Monument in Washington. D.C.
Photos by California News Press

By J.C. Thomas Anyone planning a trip to Washington, D.C. for any reason—work, an internship, weekend getaway, or family vacation—will find no shortage of accommodation options. Hotels in the nation’s capital span from budget-friendly chains to the most luxurious of global brands. But, give some serious consideration to the benefits of residential-style short-term rentals such […]

Stay at The Plaza Hotel for an Immersive Downtown Las Vegas Experience

Exterior of the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas
The Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas (Photo courtesy of Plaza Hotel & Casino)

By J.C. Thomas An intriguing characteristic of Las Vegas is its compulsion for constant reinvention while always keeping a tight grip on nostalgia. The city will blithely demolish its oldest icons (RIP Tropicana, Stardust et. al.) while enticing tens of millions of annual visitors with the promise of vintage glamor. They come in pursuit of […]

Stay at the Cliffs Hotel and Spa for Pismo Beach Perfection

Oceanfront lawn at the Cliffs Hotel and Spa in Pismo Beach, California
Oceanfront lawn at the Cliffs Hotel and Spa in Pismo Beach (Photo by California News Press)

By J.C. Thomas Pismo Beach is the quintessential Central Coast beach town. Getaway perfection is found in Pismo’s setting, just off Highway 101, midway between LA and the Bay Area, with stunning oceanfront scenery and a relaxed, visitor-friendly vibe. These enticing attributes are all amplified when you stay at the Cliffs Hotel and Spa, a […]

Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach Embraces the Beauty and Bounty of the Oxnard Coast 

A view of the beach and ocean framed by an architectural arch at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach resort in Oxnard, California
Ocean views from Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach (Photo by California News Press)

By J.C. Thomas California’s celebrated coastline is 1,264 miles long, yet there are only a handful of true oceanfront resorts in the entire state. Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach stands out even among such rare offerings – it’s the only all-suite beachfront resort in California. Located on the edge of Oxnard in Ventura County, the […]

Fall in Love With Ojai, California at the Quaint and Charming Chantico Inn & Suites

Mural of mission-style arches at the Chantico Inn in Ojai, California
Courtesy of the Chantico Inn & Suites

By Jon Bogart “Come on… let’s go… let’s get away!”  These words are often spoken, nowadays, while people are craving to go out, to travel, to explore the natural wonders that nourish and renew life’s inspirations. The ability to capture Old World style with today’s modern conveniences provides a treat for the senses. So, escape […]

Looking for a Place to Stay in Moab, Utah? The Gonzo Inn is Our No. 1 Pick

Arches National Park scenery near Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah is a very cool city. It has a trendy vibe, but in a timeless, not-actually-trying sort of way. Moab is also very good looking, with low-slung buildings and artsy accents that don’t bother trying to compete with the high-drama dazzle of its red-rock surroundings. Tourism there is built around cool-people kinds of adventures, […]