Marilyn Anderson & Dennis Lanning’s
ROMANCE ON THE ROAD
The “BEST OF” our Cross-Country Romantic Spots
These days travel can be overwhelming, especially if you’re taking planes. There’s crowding at the airports; weather delays; flight cancellations; baggage restrictions; and charges for luggage, food and drinks. There’s even a rumor that one airline is imposing a restroom charge! And, like us, if you want to take the family pet, it’s even harder.
So this holiday, we opted to drive cross-country from Los Angeles to Florida, making frequent stops to vacation in some wonderful places. We think these are the best spots, and we’ve categorized the special things about each into a “Best Of” list for each location.
Check out our list and then read the full articles for lots of delightful details. Try one or try them all; it’s a grand way to spend a romantic getaway any time of the year:
The Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, LA
Monmouth Plantation, Natchez, MS
The Inn at Entrada, St. George, UT
The Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, NM
Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
…. and a few other delicious hot spots.
The “BEST OF” List
Best Place to Wake Up Feeling Like Scarlett O’Hara : Monmouth Plantation
(With a fabulous canopy bed and sumptuous drapes; if only I could sew myself a dress!)
Best Bed: The Inn of the Five Graces
(I felt like the Queen of Sheba in their magnificent bed. A separate pillowtop was lush, plush and wonderful)
Best Doggie Bed: The Inn of the Five Graces
(Boomer had never slept in his own bed before: but he loved this so much, we went out and bought him one. Now we get to sleep alone at home!)
Best Doggie Toy: The Driskill Hotel
(They treat your pooch as royally as they treat you! With a bed, a dog toy, and snacks. Boomer loved the rubber ball on a rope. And it’s lasted longer than the stuffed toys he chews apart.)
Most Beautiful Bathroom: The Inn of the Five Graces
(Exquisite hand-tiled mosaics from crushed urns make each one unique and splendid)
Best Bathtub with Jacuzzi: Monmouth Plantation
Best Bar: Dragon Room at The Inn of the Five Graces
(Look for artists, writers, tourists, celebrities and locals.)
Best Piano Bar: The Driskill Hotel
(A crowded place most every night, with everyone having a ball.)
Best Revolving Bar: Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone
(Legendary and beautiful.)
Best View from Room: The Inn at Entrada
(A luscious panoramic desert and mountain scene right outside your sliding glass door.)
Best View from Restaurant: Mix at Mandalay Bay
Best Show from Window in Restaurant: The Lake of Dreams from Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn
Best Steak: The Pink Adobe at The Inn of Five Graces
Best Christmas Eve Walk: Canyon Road, Santa Fe
(Art galleries galore for almost a mile; lit with thousands of luminaries along the entire route.)
Best Long-Term Stay Place: The Inn at Entrada
(It’s like having your own beautiful condo. Great for families.)
Best Antiques in Room: Tie: Monmouth Plantation; The Inn of the Five Graces
Best Place for a Destination Wedding: 3-way tie: Monmouth Plantation, Hotel Monteleone; The Inn of the Five Graces
Best Place for Antebellum House Tour: Natchez, Mississippi
Best State Capitol Building with Art: Santa Fe, New Mexico
(Paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted furniture everywhere in this magnificent building.)
Best place to Buy Art: Canyon Road, Santa Fe; Rue Royale, New Orleans
Best place to Win $150: Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas
Best Illusionist: Criss Angel in BELIEVE at the Luxor Hotel
Best Entertainment: Blue Man Group at the Venetian Hotel
Most Pride in their Community: Natchez, Mississippi and Santa Fe, New Mexico
Best Duck Dinner: Monmouth Plantation
Best Hot and Crunchy Trout: Louie 106, next to The Driskill Hotel
Best Lobby: The Driskill Hotel; Hotel Monteleone
Best Warm and Cozy Lobby: The Inn of the Five Graces
Best 5 Course Prix-fix Dinner: Monmouth Plantation
Best Place for a Discreet and Elegant Stay: The Inn of the Five Graces, Monmouth Plantation
Best Place for All your Senses: The Inn of the Five Graces
Best Show for Sheer Wonder: Blue Man Group at the Venetian
Best Show for MTV Watchers: Criss Angel BELIEVE at the Luxor
Best Breakfast: 3-way-tie: The Inn of the Five Graces; Monmouth Plantation, Hotel Monteleone
Best Place to Make your Own Meals: The Inn at Entrada
Best Robe: Monmouth Plantation; The Inn of the Five Graces
Best History: Hotel Monteleone; The Pink Adobe at The Inn of the Five Graces
Best Self-Guided Audio Tour: Hotel Monteleone
Best Premises Tour: Monmouth Plantation
Best Author’s Suites: Hotel Monteleone
Best Downtown Locations: Hotel Monteleone; The Driskill Hotel; Hotel Plaza Real in Santa Fe
Best Spa: Mirage; Wynn; Venetian; The Inn of the Five Graces; Hotel Monteleone; etc.
(Any and all Spas are my favorite! Duh, just give me a massage and I’m in heaven.)
Best Chocolate and Cherry Wrap at a Spa : The Spa at the Mirage
(You heard it, Chocolate and Cherry. They smear it on you and you feel like a million! Also try their “Hot as Fire Wrap” to go with the Volcano theme.)
