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New York Post Blogs

May 02, 2007

SLEEP AROUND: The St. (Regis) Bernard



We've heard of cathouses (yes, heard) and doghouses (we've been in 'em) but a dog hotel? Only in, er, Nantucket, where so-called “Woof Hotel” -– a stand alone extension of the island's Harbor House Village -– has a dozen units especially designed for man’s best amigo (owners are also allowed to bunk up, too, if Rover so permits: King sized beds, pine furnishings, granite bathrooms included).

The real amenities? Try Frisbees, squeak toys, doggie treats, water & food bowls, a little doggie bed, and a fenced-in park designed for canine meet-n-greets.

Activity-wise, there are dog-runs, boat tours, and “Yappy Hour” socials every Friday from 6-8 p.m ("Hair of the Dog" beer for the bipeds) during the summer. Plus, don't forget, leashed dogs are allowed on Nantucket’s beaches before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

Rates start at $180/room/night –- and dogs fly for free on Cape Air.

Posted by Chris Bunting on 03:23 PM | Comments (0)

AIR SUPPLY: Look ma, no stop!



By the time Nov. 18 rolls around, baseball will be over, the NBA and NHL will already be in the throes of next season, and college football will be knee-deep into rivalry week.

But, when you consider that there’s never been a nonstop flight from New York to St. Kitts since, well, forever, it won’t feel so far off. So, mark your calendars for 11/18, the day when American Airlines launches nonstop service from JFK to Bradshaw International (previously we had to fly via Miami or San Juan –- let us never speak of it again).

This new nonstop -- offered twice weekly, Wednesdays and Sundays -– is another sign that the industry is feeling bullish on St. Kitts, which has only recently woken up to the potential for tourism -- see the print story from earlier this year.

All this begs the question: Is little sister island Nevis next? Better put their airport on growth hormones, first.

Posted by Chris Bunting on 09:20 AM | Comments (0)

CORRECTION: Tahiti nonstop


Tahiti: Closer to you

In the article entitled "BUNGA-LOW" that appeared in today's travel section, see where it says that the nonstop flight between JFK and Papeete on Air Tahiti Nui takes 17 hours? It doesn't. Yes, that's right, friends: the flight takes between 12 and 13 hours. There will be beatings. (Oh yes, there will be beatings.)

Posted by Chris Bunting on 09:01 AM | Comments (0)

May 01, 2007

TRIPS: Bachelor weekends


In the good seats at PETCO Park

The last taste of freedom is definitely something you don't want to miss - but does the typical bachelor party has to be so, well, obvious? We'll spare you the details, but it's possible that nobody even needs them, in fact, you're envisioning the scene in your head right now, and it is most definitely NSFW.

Sure, debauchery has its place, but you can debauch anywhere -- no sense wasting time on a plane to Vegas. For those interested in going against the tide and doing something, well, gentlemanly, we've got you covered. Don't worry - no spas. We promise.

#1 BASEBALL AND FISH TACOS
San Diego
Ballpark lovers get all tingly the first time they see PETCO Park, aka the Padres' new (well, new-ish) home. Well-integrated into the downtown neighborhood, the views in are countless, far exceeding the few, famous roof decks overlooking sainted Wrigley Field. And don't forget the huge park behind the outfield ($5 on game day), and the scores of $8 bleacher seats. Excellent.

Do: Go to a game, of course (info and schedules here). For afters, you're handy to all that's happening in the bustling Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego's famed nightlife and entertainment district. Far more appealing, though, are the beach neighborhoods - head over to Mission Beach to play the jukebox and sample from the beers on tap at local fave the Liar's Club. Oh, and about those fish tacos -- asides from neighboring Baja, this is the capital, so they're everywhere. If we had to choose one, we'd go with the mahi taco at Ocean Beach Bar & Grill for about 3 bucks.

Stay: Downtown gets all the buzz with new hotels opening constantly, but frankly, New Yorkers should stick to the hills or the beaches - we do urban much better, back home. Instead, head for the little piece of Miami Beach that is Tower 23, a modernist jewel box overlooking the old Crystal Pier and (bonus!) steps from breakfast burritos at Kono's.

Continue reading "TRIPS: Bachelor weekends "

Posted by David on 01:45 PM | Comments (0)

STRATEGIES: Destination weddings


image courtesy of Four Seasons Nevis

Welcome to value-added Tuesday. Today's fun kicks off with some helpful tips for those interested in destination weddings, the subject of this week's cover story. This afternoon, look for our roundup of 5 unique and interesting bachelor weekends. (It's not what you think.)

Thinking of taking the plunge and getting married on a beach somewhere? Who better to go to for advice than someone who’s gone before you? We called up Liz Scott, a 29 year-old Manhattan resident we know who just went through the planning of a Florida wedding. This morning, she takes the reins here in blog-ville in order to share some helpful tips for brides-to-be.

1) SEE THE SITES
Don’t make the decision on a site without seeing it first – preferably, pick a destination you already know and like well. Also, your site visit is not a vacation – don’t expect to have a lot of fun visiting churches and reception halls.

2) KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE
Before you commit, make sure you check flight schedules to see what options are for your next destination – the honeymoon. Your first choice may get waylaid if there aren’t direct or single connection flights to the destination. That could mean honeymooning in St. Louis instead of St. Thomas!

3) THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH...UNTIL YOU’RE THE ONE BUYING
Don’t assume that your gesture of inviting lots of people at your destination wedding won’t be appreciated – I was surprised to see how many people suddenly got in the mood to fly to Florida with the promise of a free meal and a discounted hotel room.

Continue reading "STRATEGIES: Destination weddings"

Posted by David on 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

LIVEBLOG/DUBLIN: The life organic


Good-for-you bread at Avoca/Mark Ellwood

Organic anxiety may only be trickling onto menus in New York, but for a farm-heavy economy like Eire’s, it’s not even news - it's just done. Here, restaurants - even pubs - have a healthy obsession with gunk-free ingredients – all organic, fresh fixings are easy to track down.

For locally sourced ingredients, wine bar-restaurant Ely was one of the first to offer an all pesticide-free menu: of its two branches, try the one in Customs House Quay, the gleaming, glass-heavy financial district. The restaurant has awesome views of the River Liffey from its terrace. The chicken and pine nut burger on foccacia or more traditional bangers and mash are both standouts and cost about $20.

To take home some Irish organic goodies, duck into café-store Avoca, an emerging chain across Ireland which sells Dean & Deluca-style fixings with an Irish accent, as well as bright colored, folksy homewares (the rooftop garden’s a lovely place to linger).

Nothing, though, beats Fallon & Byrne. Open less than a year in Dublin’s boutique heavy equivalent of Nolita, this understated three-storey (housed in a former telephone exchange) is brasserie, food hall & basement enoteca all in one.

Arguably the hottest table in town, it serves superb fresh fish, local oysters and even that British institution, the Knickerbocker Glory -- think an ice cream sundae with fewer preservatives/chemicals and fresher fruit. Also think around 80 euros a head for dinner.

Posted by David on 11:21 AM | Comments (1)

LIVEBLOG/DUBLIN: Sparkle, sparkle


Caught in the act of shopping at Louise Kennedy/Mark Ellwood

There’s a welcome surfeit of swanky Georgian townhouses in Dublin’s city center and several have been co-opted and converted into galleries or cafes or even Chinese restaurants. No wonder, then, that Dublin’s dueling duo of high fashionistas Jen Kelly and Louise Kennedy each snapped up a standalone townhouse as showrooms-cum-stores for their pricey threads.

Kelly’s is on the working class north side, and operates as sign-free appointment-only atelier (expect lots of velvet from the man behind Riverdance’s jig-friendly outfits). Kennedy’s HQ sits on the posh south side, on bucolic Merrion Square: she lives above the two-storey store, crammed with her designs (think a Celtic Tory Burch with jeweled tunic a staple) plus Tipperary crystal and homewares by Lord Linley.

But if Kennedy and Kelly’s five figure gowns are out of your budget, head over to Henry Street for an affordable alternative: it’s the site of jeanswear store Pull and Bear. P&B;’s is owned by the same company as Zara, but it’s like a funkier, cheaper option, essentially the clothing conglomerate’s Euro take on Abercrombie & Fitch, and sold generally in second-tier markets ranging from Bucharest to Guadalajara (possibly so people like us don't just go around referring to it as a cheaper Zara). Though, its logo-emblazoned sweatshirts are a secret budget alternative to yet another A&F; hoodie.

-- Mark Ellwood

Posted by David on 10:04 AM | Comments (0)

April 30, 2007

LIVEBLOG/DUBLIN: East Greenpoint


What's all this: At the polish market in Dublin/Mark Ellwood

Ireland, long known for its enthusiastic emigration, has become one of Europe’s strongest magnets for immigration – down to the economic boom, its English-speaking population and its lax immigration rules after all, it's not like anyone was clamoring to get in and the laws had to be changed).

Most newbies have come from Eastern Europe, notably Poland, and their impact on the city’s visible in frequent all-Polish grocery stores – tagged Polski Sklep or Polish Shop – that sometimes sit barely doors away from a SPAR corner shop (thats the Isles’ answer to a bodega).

Go Polish and you'll find unusual treats – a huge selection of frozen pierogis, cheap jars of red peppers – but that’s not all: picky Polish expats can get Rice Crispies in a Polish-language packet or even Mars and Snickers bars (the price and taste are on a par with the Irish versions). The only problem – not a single item, from price to label, is translated into English, so it’s a risky pick and mix if you deviate from anything easily identifiable.

-- Mark Ellwood

Posted by David on 07:55 AM | Comments (0)

LIVEBLOG/DUBLIN: No room at the inn


Beget the sun in Eire: Outdoors at Dylan, Dublin/Mark Ellwood

Dylan (no “the” thank you very much) is Dublin’s newest boutique hotel. It’s a swanky spot in the Georgian historic district, all red flocked walls and high backed chairs; its side street locale makes it the ideal celeb-friendly hiding place (Colin Farrell’s been propping up the bar for most of the last week, just so you know). Enjoy while fresh - this looks likely to be the last new hotel to open for quite some time.

Blame the economic boom nicknamed the Celtic Tiger: When Irish inflation was bubbling four years ago, the government here created up special savings accounts for citizens, offering a whopping 25% interest if they left the money in the bank until 2007. Now, as those accounts mature, cashed-up Irish yuppies are splashing out on cars, clothes and, of course, rapidly appreciating property.

Demand for apartments in Dublin far outstrips availability and already two enormous hotels, Jury’s Ballsbridge and the Berkeley Court have been sold for condo conversion and will shutter in August. Add to that a planned new conference center, intended to bolster and boost Dublin’s docklands area financial hub, and the city’s hotel room capacity is set to be squeezed from both ends. The result? Expect London prices, even though you're paying in euros.

-- Mark Ellwood

Posted by David on 06:46 AM | Comments (0)

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