Things You Should Know

Posted on August 2, 2010
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things you should know

Andrew Harper, the most credible resource for unbiased travel intelligence, now has a new travel blog aptly named, Things You Should Know. This latest travel resource from Andrew Harper is packed full of stunning photographs and great information ranging from travel destinations to travel service providers. There is no doubt that Things You Should Know will quickly become the next staple source of travel information for savvy travelers everywhere.

Andrew Harper’s 2009 Travel Memories

Posted on January 3, 2010
Filed Under Andrew Harper, Destinations, Travel, Website Tips | Comments Off

Andrew Harper is the pseudonym of a gentleman traveler who, frustrated by commercially driven travel coverage, began writing his own candid reviews of smaller, unique hotels. The Hideaway Report, which began as a small newsletter for friends and family, is now one of the most distinct voices in luxury travel.

Impatient with pretense and skeptical of passing trends, Andrew Harper has an abiding passion for classic hospitality and refined service amid peaceful surroundings. He is on the road for several months each year, and hotels are his second home.

Andrew Harper’s Indelible Travel Memories of 2009

From the January 2010 edition of Hideaway Report

Driving Along West Dry Creek Road, Sonoma

Just outside Healdsburg, an uncongested road meanders through a tranquil rural landscape. To the west, the terrain is hilly and the vines ribbon upward. Most of the properties along the road are small, and chances are good you will meet the people who actually make the wine. Our favorite is Preston Vineyards, an organic operation where Lou Preston is invariably on hand, ready to pour you a glass of his Sauvignon Blanc and sell you a loaf of the fine sourdough bread he has baked that morning. This year, we purchased a hunk of local cheese, uncorked a bottle, and made an impromptu outdoor picnic in the sunshine.

Shopping at Tamburini, Bologna

Many of the world’s great cities have legendary food shops: Hediard in Paris, or Peck in Milan. But none can compare to Tamburini in Bologna. There, the locals continue to shop daily, so this epicurean cavern, founded in 1932 and still family-owned, is not just a tourist address. Instead, it remains a showcase for the produce from Italy’s greatest gastronomic region, Emilia-Romagna: Parmesan, the best balsamic vinegars from Modena, and every kind of local charcuterie, including 30 different types of prosciutto. And for travelers, Tamburini also has a little restaurant on the premises that is perfect for lunch.

Strolling Through Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor huddles beneath a soaring cliff face at the head of a fjord-like bay that was once accurately described by the poet Byron as “the most beautiful contact between earth and sea.” We arrived on a perfect summer morning to find the market at the city’s main gate brimming with delicious local produce: figs, olives, tomatoes, cheeses, fish and wines. Kotor’s walls were built during Byzantine times, and were reinforced by the Venetians, who made it one of the best-protected ports on the Adriatic. Inside, we discovered an exquisite and unspoiled Balkan town with ivory-colored limestone streets. No one was dressing up for tourists, and its café terraces were filled with Montenegrins catching up with friends over coffee. Kotor is an authentic and dignified place still animated by the ancient rhythms and rituals of local life.

A Wet Day in Madingley, England

It was a raw day in early spring, and hard rain gusted beneath our unruly umbrellas. There was no one else in the cemetery. Impeccable rows of white stone crosses were arranged in graceful curves across the sodden landscape. On a clear day, we might have glimpsed the 12th-century tower Ely Cathedral, but that afternoon, swirling gray clouds obscured the horizon. We had decided to make a little  pilgrimage to Madingley, near Cambridge in southern England. There, 3,812 U.S. airmen and sailors lie beneath the mown turf. The names of a further 5,127 Americans, mostly aircrew whose bodies were never recovered, are recorded on the Wall of the Missing, a 427-foot-long expanse of white Portland stone. We stood, drenched, but oblivious to the rain by now, overwhelmed by a sense of deep respect and gratitude.

Sunset Beside the Zambezi, Zambia

One evening, we were taken for a sundowner on a rocky promontory jutting out into the main low of the Zambezi. The river was perhaps half-a-mile wide and downstream it was scattered with small islands, on one of which a dozen elephants were hard at work, methodically scything the tall grass with their trunks and stuffing vast untidy bundles between tirelessly active jaws. The stately glow of the dark water was broken at intervals by mysterious whirlpools, and behind the dramatic outline of the 2,000-foot Zambezi Escarpment, the sky was streaked with improbable shades of pink and peach. Then, in the far distance, barely audible at first but growing steadily stronger, a lion began to roar. It was one of those moments that make African safaris so impossibly addictive and indelible.

Download full editions of Hideway Report at www.AndrewHarper.com

Andrew Harper’s New York Holiday Calendar

Posted on November 20, 2009
Filed Under Andrew Harper, Destinations, General, Travel | Comments Off

Andrew Harper is the pseudonym of a gentleman traveler who, frustrated by commercially driven travel coverage, began writing his own candid reviews of smaller, unique hotels. The Hideaway Report, which began as a small newsletter for friends and family, is now one of the most distinct voices in luxury travel.

Impatient with pretense and skeptical of passing trends, Andrew Harper has an abiding passion for classic hospitality and refined service amid peaceful surroundings. He is on the road for several months each year, and hotels are his second home.

These are his personal tips for traveling in New York during the holidays:

By Andrew Harper

In many ways, New York gave Christmas to America. The television spectacles from Rockefeller Center have their roots in the books and broadsheets of 19th-century New York writers and illustrators such as Washington Irving and Thomas Nast. Today, the city plays host to hundreds of holiday celebrations. Here are a few of my favorites.

Window Displays
The holiday window displays in New York’s finest department stores (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Saks) make an excellent excuse for a winter walking tour of Manhattan. Start at Bloomingdale’s (59th and Lexington), then make your way west to Fifth Avenue via Barneys (Madison and 61st) and head south (past Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Saks and Lord & Taylor) to 34th Street (Macy’s). This map details a two-mile itinerary that takes roughly 90 minutes: http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/l/bl_xmaswindows.htm.

Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony, traditionally a very crowded affair, takes place on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving (December 2). That said, Rockefeller Center is a mandatory stop during the holidays, if only to size up the tree (traditionally a Norway Spruce) and take in the general revelry. On Sunday, December 13, at 3:30 p.m. the Ice Rink will host a special performance of “Tuba Christmas,” which has to be seen to be believed.

Radio City Music Hall
Needless to say, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is far more than a few camels and a can-can line. These days the production seems to be taking a cue from the flamboyant Cirque du Soleil affairs, replete with special effects and flashy dance numbers. This dedicated web site features ticket details and a video trailer, as well as information on the national touring production: http://radiocitychristmas.com.

92nd Street Y
One of the city’s most treasured public speaking venues celebrates Hanukkah with a variety of family-oriented events throughout the holiday season, including challah-making, menorah-lighting events and a midday festival on Sunday, December 6. Other light-hearted events include “AcapaJewza — A Celebration of Jewish Acapella Music” on December 12 and a talk on December 20 by New York Times metro reporter, Jennifer 8. Lee titled “Jews and Chinese Food: A Love Affair.” Check the December calendar for more details: http://www.92y.org/calendar/calendar.asp?subject=View+All+Subjects&month=December&year=2009&catalog=92y%5FCatalog&site=Y.

American Museum of Natural History
The venerable New York institution is home to two unique holiday traditions: the annual origami tree and the festively decorated “Holiday Barosaurs.” The origami tree, a museum tradition for 30 years, features more than 1,000 striking paper compositions representing highlights from the museum’s collection. It is on view from Thanksgiving through January 1 in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall on the first floor. The dinosaurs, resplendent in their holiday best, can be found in front of the Central Park West entrance to the museum. For more details, visit the museum’s official site http://www.amnh.org/programs/specials/holiday.

The New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden hosts one of the holiday season’s best-kept secrets — the Holiday Train Show. Dozens of miniature steam engines and trolleys wind their way past more than 140 woodsy and whimsical reproductions of New York landmarks, from the Guggenheim to the brownstones of Brooklyn. The museum also offers a remarkable gingerbread house exhibit featuring creations from well-known bakers. Advance tickets are recommended, as this is always a popular attraction. Check here for more details: http://www.nybg.org.

Lincoln Center
While there will be no Christmas tree this year owing to ongoing construction, Lincoln Center plays host to one of the most popular musical events of the season, the “Messiah Sing-In” (http://www.nationalchorale.org). On December 22 at Avery Fisher Hall, four accomplished soloists and 17 of the city’s best conductors will be accompanied by an audience-chorus of nearly 3,000 singers (participants are asked to bring their own scores). Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in nearby Time Warner Center, hosts the annual “Jazz Jam Red Hot Holiday Stomp” (http://jalc.org/concerts/details309a.asp?EventID=2047) December 10-12, a “Crescent City Christmas Card” featuring a rousing New Orleans take on the holiday classics.

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
This Gothic cathedral near Columbia University is probably one of the most spectacular venues in the city (you can fit the Statue of Liberty inside it). Ensemblist Paul Winter curates one of its most popular annual events, the celebration of the Winter Solstice (http://www.stjohndivine.org/30thWinterSolstice.html). This year’s 30th anniversary performance returns to the main cathedral space after several years and will feature the newly restored Great Organ. Performances run December 17-19.

Holiday Markets: Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park
The holiday markets in New York make for wonderful strolls, depending upon the hour and the weather: Grand Central is perfect for a blustery day (http://grandcentralterminal.com/go/mallEvents.cfm?eventID=2145364365); Union Square  is great on a bright afternoon (http://www.unionsquarenyc.org); and the new market in Bryant Park is magical at night (http://www.ThePondatBryantPark.com). Union Square is perfect for downtown dining and the European-flavored holiday market at Bryant Park features a free skating rink. While it’s much smaller than the other two, you can finish up your browsing at Grand Central with a festive drink in the Oyster Bar or The Campbell Apartment.

Andrew Harper’s Top Ten Tips

Posted on October 4, 2009
Filed Under Andrew Harper, Travel | Comments Off

Andrew Harper is the pseudonym of a gentleman traveler who, frustrated by commercially driven travel coverage, began writing his own candid reviews of smaller, unique hotels. The Hideaway Report, which began as a small newsletter for friends and family, is now one of the most distinct voices in luxury travel.

Impatient with pretense and skeptical of passing trends, Andrew Harper has an abiding passion for classic hospitality and refined service amid peaceful surroundings. He is on the road for several months each year, and hotels are his second home.

These are his personal tips for Securing a Hotel Room Upgrade:

By Andrew Harper

Getting a better room is easier than you might think – and it never hurts to ask.

Most travelers never think to ask for a hotel room upgrade, which is regrettable. During the off-season, large hotels frequently run high vacancy rates, and moving a guest into a nicer room doesn’t cost anything except for some extra laundry expenses. As with so many other things in life, there is simply no harm in asking politely.

An upgrade doesn’t have to mean a larger room. Perhaps it’s an ocean view, a king-size bed or a room in an especially quiet wing. The important thing to remember is that hotel upgrades are mostly about personal relationships, rather than loyalty programs or special credit cards (though those can certainly be helpful).

Upgrades are given at the discretion of the hotel manager or the front desk clerk. These people tend to receive a fair amount of grief from finicky guests on a regular basis, and they appreciate being treated with respect and patience. Acting entitled or being deceitful usually won’t help your case – these are professionals who have seen it all before.

Dress nicely, and be as friendly as possible, even if you’re exhausted after a long flight. Inquire about an upgrade after you’ve given your name, but before you’ve been assigned your room. Do a little research on rooms beforehand, and make a specific request (e.g., “Would it be possible to be upgraded to an executive suite at no extra charge?”).

Simply asking for a “better room” is not as effective as requesting a particular room using the hotel’s terminology (Central Park Suite, Harbor View Suite, etc.). Don’t be disappointed if an upgrade is not possible – this is a matter of availability, after all.

In large-city hotels, upgrades are more likely during the weekend, due to the absence of business travelers. For smaller hideaways in scenic locales, your chances are better during the week. Frequent visitors or members of various hotel reward programs will gain preferential treatment, but more often than not, hotel management is happy to lend a favor to a calm, amiable guest. It’s good for business.

So, here are my top 10 tips to upgrade your hotel room:

1. Contact Management Before You Arrive: If you are celebrating a special occasion, feel free to mention this in an email. A personable and enthusiastic call to confirm your reservation also can help.

2. Book a Mid-Range Room: You’re more likely to be upgraded from a mid-range room than the cheapest room in the hotel.

3. Time It Right: Large city hotels tend to be busier during the workweek. For a smaller hideaway in the country, try for a midweek booking if you have some flexibility.

4. Arrive During Mid-Afternoon: Checking in between 3 and 5 is optimal. The front desk clerk will have a better sense of the day’s bookings and cancellations.

5. Look the Part: Dress appropriately. A nice jacket can make a world of difference. If you’re traveling with tired children, it probably won’t hurt to have someone mind them in the lobby while you’re at the front desk.

6. Be Personable: Ask nicely. Mention that you’d be happy to reference the counter clerk’s name in customer evaluations.

7. Be Specific: For example: “Would it be possible to be upgraded to an ocean view?” If you have a preferred room that you’ve stayed in before, feel free to mention it.

8. Mention Relationships: If your company does a lot of business with the hotel, feel free to mention it. If you use a travel service or a credit card that has a “special relationship” with the hotel, by all means, pipe up.

9. Take Advantage of Minor Misfortune: Laundry gone missing? Noisy neighbors? Kindly let management know that an upgrade will wipe the slate clean.

10. Leave On a Happy Note: A nice tip for the doorman. Smiles for the concierge. A note of approval to the manager. Every little bit helps, especially for the next time around.

Andrew Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Andrew Harper, Inc.

Boutique Hotels You Haven’t Heard Of

Posted on July 19, 2009
Filed Under Andrew Harper, Destinations, Travel | 2 Comments

By: Andrew Harper

Andrew Harper is the pseudonym of a gentleman traveler who, frustrated by commercially driven travel coverage, began writing his own candid reviews of smaller, unique hotels. The Hideaway Report, which began as a small newsletter for friends and family, is now one of the most distinct voices in luxury travel.

Impatient with pretense and skeptical of passing trends, Andrew Harper has an abiding passion for classic hospitality and refined service amid peaceful surroundings. He is on the road for several months each year, and hotels are his second home.

These are his recommendations for Boutique Hotels :

The Goring
Location: Central London, near Buckingham Palace and Victoria Station

Andrew Harper’s take: “The 71-room Goring Hotel (view slideshow) is a delightful small property within a stone’s throw of the Queen’s back garden at Buckingham Palace. You won’t find a pool or a high-tech gymnasium here, but if you’re an Anglophile, you’ll be delighted by the property’s winningly frumpy country-house decor: cream and lemon diamond-pane wallpaper over painted wainscoting, bronze damask curtains, mahogany headboards, and ginger-jar lamps. I once enjoyed a classic English lunch of roast beef with horseradish and bread sauce, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, and Brussels sprouts here. It’s almost impossible to find a meal like this in London anymore.” Cost: Doubles from $340

Masseria Torre Coccaro
Location: Puglia, a region of southeastern Italy that’s still being discovered by visitors

Andrew Harper’s take: “Set in the midst of a stone-walled grove of olive and almond trees, the heart of the 39-room Masseria Torre Coccaro (view slideshow)is a 16th-century fortified farmhouse originally designed to ward off the depredations of Saracen pirates. Accommodations are decorated in a rustic-elegant style with whitewashed walls, gauzy cotton curtains, and wool carpets. No contemporary comfort is lacking: There is a spa, a beach club, and several rooms have plunge pools and Jacuzzis. I particularly recall the smell of the olive-wood logs that were supplied to make a fire one chilly June night here.” Cost: Doubles from $340

La Résidence
Location: Hue, in central Vietnam, the country’s former imperial capital, known for its ornately carved buildings and monuments

Andrew Harper’s take: “Anyone making the journey to Vietnam and passing on Hue would be making a serious mistake. La Résidence (view slideshow) is a superb small hotel housed within the former governor’s mansion. Set beside the Perfume River, it is a handsome white structure, with two new wings embracing a central garden and exceptionally inviting pool. The interior of the hotel has been refurbished in an Art Deco style, and many of the 122 rooms and suites offer fine views of the river. After a day spent hiking up, down, and over ancient tombs and temples, it’s a joy to sink into the cool waters of the hotel’s gorgeous pool.” Cost: Doubles from $230

Madrona Manor
Location: Healdsburg, the hippest town in California wine country

Andrew Harper’s take: “Healdsburg’s Madrona Manor dates from 1881, when it was the estate of a wealthy businessman. The fine three-story Victorian house has intricate gingerbread details and a handsome mansard roof, as well as charming period-piece interiors. The 22 rooms and suites are housed within five buildings, including the old carriage house and the school that once educated the children of the estate. Adding greatly to the Manor’s appeal is its excellent restaurant. The food is first-rate, and chef Jesse Mallgren uses fresh produce from the hotel’s own gardens.” Cost: Guestrooms from $220

The Alexis Hotel
Location: The heart of downtown Seattle

Andrew Harper’s take: “After an extensive and much-needed $10 million renovation, the lovely Alexis Hotel now enjoys a solid position in the ranks of Seattle’s best hotels. Its First Avenue location puts it within convenient walking distance of Pioneer Square’s art galleries, the bustling waterfront, and all the pleasures of Pike Place Market. Inside, the Alexis embodies solid comfort with a contemporary cast—stainless-steel beds and exposed brick walls, for instance. I particularly appreciated the afternoon wine reception for guests, which provided a nice capper to a day of active exploration around town and the civilized prelude to a terrific dinner at Union.” Cost: Doubles from $299

Convento de São Saturnino
Location: Sintra, one of the prettiest and most historic towns in Portugal

Andrew Harper’s take: “Located in Sintra, about a half-hour’s drive from Lisbon, the Convento de São Saturnino is a rambling warren of Mediterranean-style buildings that was once a derelict hamlet. Every room is furnished with flea-market finds and objets d’art from around the world. You won’t find televisions, telephones, Web access, or air-conditioning, but you will be treated to truly remarkable ocean views. I woke up here one morning to the cries of seagulls, a soft salt-tinged breeze, and one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen—a green valley funneling toward the Atlantic Ocean. A very peaceful place.” Cost: Doubles from $235

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Location: Paris’s 18th arrondissement, perhaps its most romantic neighborhood

Andrew Harper’s take: “This handsome late-18th-century house, now the five-room Hôtel Particulier Montmartre (view slideshow), is hidden away in a little-known part of Montmartre that is every bit as elegant and worldly as better-known districts such as the 6th or 7th arrondissements. A perfect choice for those who want to get away from the madding crowds and who also appreciate contemporary design, the Hôtel Particulier is one of the most romantic addresses I’ve found in Paris for many years. I woke from a nap one Indian summer afternoon here and listened to the sound of the boules cracking at the Montmartre boulodrome (bocce court) just outside. No place in Paris better channels what the city was like during its Belle Époque heyday.” Cost: Junior suite from $540

The Inn at Abeja
Location: Walla Walla, the seat of southeastern Washington’s wine (and onion) region

Andrew Harper’s take: “Abeja’s relaxed hospitality starts with a glass of the estate’s excellent cabernet sauvignon, offered when you check in at the carriage house, behind sliding barn doors. Five rustic cottages constitute the accommodations here, and the only activity on-site is a leisurely wine tasting, by appointment. This haven of tranquility is usually booked far in advance, and reservations for special weekends are assigned by lottery! One afternoon, I enjoyed a peaceful creek-side stroll here past gardens, vineyards, and wheat fields.”  Cost: Cottages from $215

Gregans Castle Hotel
Location: County Clare, Ireland, near the Burren, an area strewn with limestone caves and ancient ruins

Andrew Harper’s take: “In many ways, Gregans Castle is the embodiment of the perfect Irish hideaway. It’s not really a castle at all but a gracious country house dating from the 1750s that has been gently updated over the years. Wide bow windows look out across 15 acres of flower gardens to the shimmering expanse of Galway Bay. And this being Ireland, Gregans has a very congenial bar, which was particularly welcome after a sodden day on the mystic Burren. The perfect antidote to the wet chill was a restorative pint and a pleasant interlude of lively chat.” Cost: Doubles from $270

Hacienda Los Lingues
Location: Central Chile’s Colchagua Valley, a wine-growing region that’s been touted as “the next Napa”

Andrew Harper’s take: “Owned by the same family for more than 300 years, Los Lingues, a lovingly preserved 17th-century retreat, captures the essence of rural Chile. Located about two hours south of Santiago via the Pan-American Highway, the 18 comfortable lodgings in the 350-year-old hacienda are outfitted with hand-carved furnishings, Oriental rugs, and old-fashioned baths. I particularly recommend a horse ride through the vineyards at sunset.” Cost: Doubles from $225

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