Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

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Summer is here! And it's got us dreaming of a long (island) weekend to kick things off in style. But when heading to Long Island for a little fun in the sun, visitors have to make a choice between staying at an uber-luxe spot and staying at a nice spot that's not quite as pricey.

Our first option is the gorgeous Panoramic View hotel in the Hamptons, where rates for Memorial Day weekend start at $175 per night. The hotel has a lovely pool overlooking its stretch of private beach, and great views from the in-room balconies and patios. The slightly more upscale Allegria Hotel on Long Beach also boasts ocean views from its stunning pool and spacious rooms, but charges almost $400 per night on the same holiday weekend.

Can you tell which view is from which hotel? Take a guess in the comments section below, and then find the answer after the jump!

Option 1

Option 1

Option 2

Option 2

Option 1 is the pricier Allegria Hotel, and Option 2 is the luxuriously less expensive Panoramic View.

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Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

See recent posts by Devon Antonetti

We're dreaming of heading out to Monterey County for a little R&R, and what better way to enjoy the Golden State than in a room with a view! We checked out our options, and found that plenty of stays along the coast offer phenomenal ocean views. Some hotels charge an arm and a leg for a peak at the Pacific waters, while others offer pretty reasonable rates for a breathtaking view. But sometimes it can be hard to tell which is which…

The Inn at Spanish Bay is a luxurious resort on Pebble Beach, with top-notch amenities including a sprawling golf course, five on-site restaurants, a spa, and spacious guest rooms. But visitors pay for this level of luxury, with standard Ocean View Rooms setting you back about $930 per night.

Not too far from the Inn at Spanish Bay is the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, which comes with much less sticker shock. While still a gorgeous, luxurious stay, a standard Ocean View Room at the Monterey Plaza Hotel will cost about a third (roughly $350 per night) of what Spanish Bay asks for. And Monterey Plaza doesn't skimp on the extras, either: The hotel boasts a rooftop spa, a beautiful outdoor restaurant, and large, elegant guest rooms.

Can you tell which view is which? Check out the rooms each hotel offers by clicking on the links above, take a guess in the comments section below, and then find the answer after the jump!


Option 2


Option 1

Option 1 is the less pricey Monetery Plaza Hotel and Spa, and Option 2 is the more expensive Inn at Spanish Bay!

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Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

See recent posts by Devon Antonetti

Another Spring Break has come and gone; we're still lathering up on the aloe and washing the sand out of our clothes. For Spring Break, families, couples, and co-eds travel around the globe to find some fun in the sun, and the Florida Panhandle is a popular choice. Some go luxury and some go value, but it can sometimes be hard to tell which is which...

A value option is the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand. It's not right on the beach, but enormous room windows provide great views of the Florida landscape, and the sandy beaches aren't too far from the hotel. Rooms also have great modern amenities, and the hotel has a stocked on-site library. Best of all, rates after often about a cool $120 per night.

On the other end of the spectrum, are the luxury beachfront digs of the WaterColor Inn & Resort. This resort boasts modern in-room amenities, property perks such as pools and bike rentals, and great views. But the standard room costs about four times as much as standard rooms at the Crowne Plaza, at nearly $400 per night. Can you tell which is which? Check out the rooms each hotel offers, take a guess in the comments section below, and then find the answer after the jump!

Option 1 is the pricey-but-stocked WaterColor Inn and Resort, and Option 2 is the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand value stay!

Option 1

Option 1

Option 2

Option 2

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Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

See recent posts by Devon Antonetti

Spring (and St. Patty's Day!) are just around the corner, and there's nothing we look forward to more than lush greenery, open skies, and a nice wool sweater, making Ireland the perfect place to experience the new season. Before going on our Irish adventure, however, we have to find the right place to stay for our budget.

Ireland may have some gorgeous hotels, but for a truly Gaelic experience, visitors can stay in a number of historic castles. Two of the best options on the island are the Ballynahinch Castle in Connermara and Ashford Castle in County Mayo. Even though both are great options, they come at two very different prices. Ballynahinch is located along a stunning river and has homey, country decor. The 18th-century castle also boasts gourmet on-site cuisine and plenty of modern amenities inside its comfy rooms. Ashford Castle, another historic, unspoiled property, also sits along a lovely riverfront location, a spa, and gorgeous rooms with views to match. Even though Ballynahinch may not have the luxury touches that Ashford Castle has, the price can't be beat!

Can you tell which is which? Ballynahinch's high-end rooms start at €135 per night, whereas same-level Ashford rooms start at a steeper €655 per night. Check out the rooms each hotel offers, take a guess in the comments section below, and then find the answer after the jump!

Option 1

Option 1


Option 2

Option 1 is the steal-of-a-deal Ballynahinch Castle in the serene Connemara countryside, and Option 2 is the ritzy Ashford Castle in gorgeous County Mayo!

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Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

See recent posts by Devon Antonetti

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we're getting in the mood for love and we've been gearing up for that perfect romantic getaway. When planning our trip-for-two to Paris this month, we took a look at two gorgeous and unique hotels in the City of Light, one bursting with over-the-top luxury, and the other more toned down and intimate.

The lavish Hotel Plaza Athenee is a classically Parisian hotel, with luxurious guestrooms, a chic location in the Golden Triangle, and stunning Eiffel Tower views. But the more intimate (and far less expensive) boutique Hotel Joyce, with funky interiors, a quiet-but-convenient location in the 9th Arrondissement, and gorgeous French balconies, is also a fine option for couples. So while the Athenee costs upwards of $1,160 per night, the equally romantic Hotel Joyce starts at a cool $190. Both would make the perfect love nest, but one is fraction of the price. Which is which? Check out the rooms each hotel offers, take a guess in the comments section below, and then find the answer after the jump!

Option 2

Option 2

Option 1

Option 1

Option 1 is the charming Hotel Joyce, which offers free breakfast, organic toiletries, and a cool glass-roof lounge. Option 2 is the stylish Hotel Plaza Athenee, with six restaurants and bars, marble baths, and beautiful Art Deco decor.

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Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

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Inauguration day is approaching, and we're ready to hit Washington, D.C. in style! When searching rooms in the area, we looked for comfort, convenience, and any special extras that might entice us. Luckily we found two great hotels -- one luxury and one value -- with all our of must-haves. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown is located in the charming historic neighborhood, close to transportatio, as well as great shopping and dining. The "ritzy" King Room accommodations include up-to-date technologies and refined decor, all for about $830 per night during Inauguration weekend. But nearby, the Embassy Row Hotel offers similar classic elegance (if not quite as upscale), a great historic location near Dupont Circle, and a lively lobby bar. The value option even offers its own spacious King Room with modern amenities, at only $340 per night. Which is which? Check out the rooms each hotel offers, take a guess in the comments section below, and then find the answer after the jump!

Option 1

Option 1

Option 2

Option 2

Option 1 is the budget-friendly Embassy Row Hotel and Option 2 is the luxe Ritz-Carlton Georgetown! They may both have a similar understated charm and spacious living areas, but the Embassy Row King Room is available for Obama’s second Inauguration weekend at a fraction of the Ritz King Room price that same weekend.

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Foto Friday: Name Your Price!

See recent posts by Devon Antonetti

We're gearing up for our annual ski trip, and Breckenridge is one our favorite places to hit the slopes. While checking out the rates (and not to mention the views!) for our winter outing, we came across a two-bedroom residence at the One Ski Hill Place, which includes a private kitchen, fireplace, and balcony with spectacular views. Not too far down the road we found a three-bedroom condo at the Village at Breckenridge Resort, which also boasts a private kitchen, fireplace, and balcony with equally amazing views. But one of these units books for $830 per night, while the other books for only $340 a night. Which is which? Check out the views each hotel offers, then find the answer after the jump!


One Skill Hill, a Rockresort


Village at Breckenridge Resort

If you guessed higher rates at One Ski Hill, then you’re correct! Though both have great amenities, ski perks, and balcony views, One Ski Hill is a tad more luxurious. Sure, the Village rooms aren’t as glam (the resort is rated three-pearl while One Ski Hill is four) but we love the idea of saving a pretty penny without having to skimp on great resort offerings and amenities! However, with an extra room, you won’t have an excuse for leaving the in-laws at home!

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