WHERE DO WE STAY
 

Hi. We are from Australia and planning a trip to the U.S. next April/May (2004). As our trip is planned around the New Orleans JazzFest in April, we already have a booking for accommodation in New Orleans (you have to get in early!). However, we have no other accommodation plans and would like some suggestions. Our itinerary is Santa Fe, Washington DC, Savannah, New Orleans and Las Vegas. We will be flying between all destinations with the exception of Washington to Savannah, when we will rent a car and take a couple of days to get there. Our accommodation price range is around $200 per night (incl. tax) and, as this is a second honeymoon, we would prefer to stay in romantic places with a bit of ambience. We love B & B's or smaller hotels, so all you wanna-be travel agents out there, can you suggest some places which may meet our requirements? Any other tips about what we should see/do/definately not miss gratefully accepted. Thanks and regards

You certainly book early! I doubt you'll find any B&B's in Las Vegas, but all the others will have them. If Vegas does have B&B's they certainly aren't the majority, but in Savannah they are.
The Kehoe House, The Granite Steps, The Gastonian, The Ballastone, and the Foley House are all nice.

Driving from DC to Savannah you'll pass by Williamsburg, Virginia which I think would be of interest. Youll also go by Charleston-Beaufort-Hilton Head, South Carolina which I'd also recommend the last two being about an hour from Savannah.
Jon-Eric, New Orleans, La

Venetian-Las Vegas for romance!

For lodging in Santa Fe, you might like LaFonda. It's packed with southwestern charm and just off the historic plaza... Some friends just went there for their anniversary and I believe they stayed in a special suite.
Here's the website:http://www.lafondasantafe.com/

Venentian, Bellagio or Caesars Palace would be nice for a second honeymoon in Vegas.

On weekend nights, they are probably out of your range but if you arrange your Vegas stay for a Sunday - Thursday stay, I bet you'll be able to get either one for under $200 a night.

I never stayed at CP but have stayed at the Venetian for $139 and Bellagio for $129 on Sunday nights.

Good luck and have fun!

In Savannah you must stay at the Ballastone. My husband and I were just there in June. The best place we ever stayed. These people are the best. I can not say enough good things about the Inn!!!!

If you want romantic B&B with ambience in D.C. area, you should consider the Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria. I've put up out of town guests there, and had romantic dinners with my husband in their nice restaurant. Old Town Alexandria is only about 15 min from the heart of D.C.'s Smithsonian, monuments, etc. You can take the Metro Rail from Alexandria to get into D.C. or take a cab (about $15). Old Town Alexandria has a lot of character, old quaint shops, restaurants, and a nice park and boardwalk on the Potomac River.

p.s. I was glad to see some good comments on the Ballastone Inn in Savannah. That is one of our planned stays on our upcoming vacation there in Sep. We are also going to Charleston and Hilton Head.

It may be expensive to rent a car in Washington, DC and return it in Savannah. Some large rental car companies have special rates to rent a car in Florida in the spring and return it to a city farther north. This is because they rent many cars in Florida in the winter and need people to drive the car back to New York, Chicago, or other city after the winter.

mich55: when at the Ballastone you will LOVE the lemonade. The best my husband and I have ever tasted.
When a room is not booked they leave the door open so that you can peak around... I really didn't see a room I wouldn't want to stay in.(ok there was one little tiny room )
The chef there Ruby was wonderful. Not only was she an excellent cook but she was so nice. My husband went to see her every day down in the kitchen. We even have pictures of them working in the kitchen.
The two inkeepers were there off and on and were great to talk to and so nice. The other folks were also the best. we had so much fun with them. We stayed there 5 nightsand got to know them a little bit. They were great to ask questions of because they really knew the city!! Especially the guy... I can't remember his name right now but he has been there for years. Wasn't a question he could not answer.

When you go... ask about Nelly.... she seems to be the ghost that is from next door but comes every now and again to visit the Ballastone. LOL
Have a great time!!! I know we did!!!

Just heard that the Ballastone Inn will be featured on the Today Show on August 14th as the best inn to stay at in Savannah.

Michelle, I loved The Ballastone when I stayed there in 1995, I had Rhetts Retreat on the second floor. It wasn't cheap then, but now its outrageously priced since changing hands. Unless I picked a special events time period and the rates were particularly high, but I dont think so? Its funny about the Lemonade when I was there it was the iced tea I loved and they do have a ghost of their own too! :)

Ballastone and Granite Steps both sounded good to me and looked very inviting from the outside walking by, but we stayed at Foley House Inn. It's one of my favorite B&B's or Inn's ever. I can't say enough. The staff was delightful. It was last year so it may have since changed. Very charming and romantic. You won't be disappointed here. Insist on the best courtyard room. (The internet pictures don't begin to do it justice unless they have changed. I'll look.) It is less expensive than most of the others and far better IMO. We looked inside many of the other more expensive rooms.

You should make time to spend even more time in Charleston if possible. We stayed at "Two" Meeting St. Inn (not to be confused with Meeting St. Inn). Can't say enough about it either. Third floor room was plenty sufficient unless you need lots of room and about $100 cheaper than below. Have a great trip!

bandkh,

Is that $200 US OR AUS?