The Wandering Disciple

Atlanta, Georgia: Whether you are just laying over on a flight or spending a couple days in Atlanta, Westin Atlanta Airport has you covered.  Located a short drive south of downtown Atlanta, the hotel overlooks Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Westin features 500 guest rooms ranging from the standard 300 square foot guest room through the 1,000 square foot presidential suite.  Each room features amenities like the Westin Heavenly Bed, flat screen TV's, wireless internet and more. The hotel features a fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool and three options for dining.  It also has plenty of convention and meeting space. The Westin Atlanta Airport is located just a brief drive from the airport terminal and they provide shuttle service to help you get to your flight. Proximity to the airport and major roadways makes the Westin Atlanta Airport the perfect place to stay for business or pleasure.

Savannah, Georgia: Located just outside Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, the Country Inn and Suites is just a short drive from historic Savannah and gateway to the city and coastal Hilton Head and Tybee Island. The three story hotel features 82 rooms including some suites. Room amenities include a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, weekday newspaper, wireless Internet and premium TV. The hotel features an indoor swimming pool with hot tub as well as a fitness center. A daily hot breakfast is included as well as nightly wine social on weeknights. To be quite honest, I wasn't sure what to expect.  This was a last minute trip and I was needing to save some money so we opted to stay outside the town near the airport.  This was actually a very good decision.  The hotel was very clean and the price was well worth the short drive into town.  Plus if we weren't so busy exploring Savannah, it would have been a great place to get some plane photos. ...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: An early morning rise got us ready for the second day of our trip. Today we were going to the Magic Kingdom, the best park in Walt Disney World for kids. The day began with a bus ride to the Magic Kingdom. We booked the 8am bus ride on the complimentary bus that ran from the resort to Disney. The bus shared the route with the Animal Kingdom park as well but despite this being the first bus of the day and both parks opened at 9am, the bus was pretty empty. The bus dropped us off at the Transportation and Ticket Center and then we took the monorail from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom. We made it to the park in time for the opening ceremony as we watched Mickey and Minnie arrive to the Main Street Train Station with all his friends to open the park to all the guests that have accumulated at the park entrance. One the ceremony was over and the rope dropped, we headed straight to Tomorrowland. Our first goal once we reached Tomorrowland was to ride the To...

Orlando, Florida: A short drive from all of the major central Florida attraction lies a resort that is an attraction in itself. Whether you want to have fun in the sun or kick back and relax by the pool one thing is certain, at Nickelodeon Suites Resort the entire family will have the slime of their life. The 24-acre all suites resort was opened in June 2005. Located off South International Drive, the resort is a short drive to Disney, Universal and Sea World. The resort features 777 suites ranging from a one bedroom to three bedrooms. The one and three bedroom suites feature a full kitchen while the two bedroom has a kitchenette. The two and three bedroom Kids Suites feature a separate kids room that has Nickelodeon themed rooms featuring SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The rooms are located in fourteen buildings that surround the two water parks, the Lagoon and the Oasis. The highlight of the resort is the water park areas, which there are two of. The main wate...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: On the banks of Bay Lake in the Walt Disney World resort, sits a rustic lodge that seems to be straight from the forests of Yellowstone. While the Wilderness Lodge may look and feel like a true national park icon, it is in fact a deluxe Walt Disney World hotel. Opened in 1994, the Wilderness Lodge is designed to resemble the Old Faithful Inn found in Yellowstone National Park. The focus of the lobby in the main building is an eight story fireplace that towers over the lobby. Everything in the lodge helps tell the story of the Pacific Northwest. A close attention to detail will help enhance the story. From the stones in the fireplace that depict the layers of the Grand Canyon to Silver Creek which begins as a spring in the lobby, flows into a stream and then crashes over a waterfall before reaching the pool. There is even a geyser that spouts water hourly throughout the day. The Wilderness Lodge is a member of the deluxe class of the Disney hotels. It...

Paradise Island, Bahamas: More then a hotel, Atlantis Paradise Island combines world class accommodations with water adventures, marine life, shopping and casino into one of the world’s premier travel destinations. Atlantis is ranked one of the most expensive hotels in the world with the Bridge Suite going for $25,000 a night. Atlantis was developed on Paradise Island by Kerzner International Limited. Seeing the potential of the property, Sol Kerzner purchased the property from Merv Griffin in 1994. The planning and development of Atlantis had begun. It took four years and 800 million dollars for the visions of the mythical city of Atlantis to take shape. The Beach and Coral Towers were first to open. By 1998, the Royal Towers were completed and the resort took on its iconic appearance. Then in 2007, the resort expanded again with the opening of the Cove Atlantis. Today the resort features close to 3,00 guest rooms. The crown jewel of the resort is the aquatic attractions. Fe...

Cape Canaveral, Florida: Just steps from Port Canaveral, blocks from the Atlantic and a short drive to Kennedy Space Center, the Radisson Resort at the Port is an ideal hotel for those visiting the Space Coast. Located on AIA in Cape Canaveral, the resort’s location makes it an great choice for a weekend trip or a stay over before or after a cruise. The Caribbean themed hotel features 284 guest rooms mixed between the standard guest rooms and Jacuzzi suites each featuring the Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort. The hotel is pet friendly and is also certified green by Green Lodging Florida. The lush tropical landscape of the resort is home to a family of parrots. They have come to enjoy the landscape that provides tranquility to the guest relaxing by the waterfall pool. The pool has a separate kiddie pool and a poolside tiki bar to keep everyone entertained. The Flamingo Restaurant features a full menu and a breakfast buffet. There is also a video game room, cocktail lounge, la...

Orlando, Florida: Although the Royal Pacific Airlines dreams of a South Pacific getaway may be a dream of the past, the amenities of the Royal Pacific Resort are still a hit with guests staying at the Universal Orlando resort. The resort features a lagoon style swimming pool that surrounds the waterfront side of the property. The pool features a sandy beach and Royal Bali, an interactive play area for the kids. There is even a poolside bar that features drinks and a limited menu of food. The staff also hosts dive-in movies on select nights of the week where guests can swim in the pool and watch a movie at the same time. For those looking for activities, the resort features several gaming areas. On the outside there is a croquet lawn, shuffleboard court and a sand volleyball court. Inside there is an arcade featuring many of the arcade favorites. Off-site, the resort has paired with Orlando area golf courses to provide a golfing package for its guests. If you are looking to con...

Washington, DC: Two blocks from the White House lies a hotel etched in the history of Washington DC. The Willard InterContinental has entertained thousands of guests including heads of state, writers and average Americans while also serving as a playground for powerful politicians. There has been a hotel on the site of the Willard since 1816. Henry Willard bought the property in 1850 and established the Willard hotel. Willard merged several row houses together to form a 100 room hotel. The hotel began to attract politician including Franklin Pierce. The Willard Hall became a centerpiece in Washington’s nightlife. PT Barnum’s act Jenny Lind performed regularly and attracted many visitors including President Millard Fillmore. The hall was also the first place in Washington DC to see a motion picture. The Willard continued to gain popularity among the political class. In 1859 a ball was held for Lord Napier and over 1,800 guests attended. The guest list included Sam Houston, Jef...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: A mix of elegant mansions and rustic cabins dot the coastline of the Sassagoula River as it winds through the Port Orleans Riverside Resort at Walt Disney World. It is here where rural Louisiana is recreated for a unique Florida resort hotel. The resort opened in 1991 as the Dixie Landings Resort. In 2001, the hotel was renamed Port Orleans Riverside in conjunction with a merger with the neighboring Port Orleans Resort. The two hotels, Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter remain two separate facilities but join together to recreate the Old South from the French Quarter to the antebellum mansion and finally the rustic bayou cabins further up river. Port Orleans Riverside is two resorts rolled into one. The first section is the area closest to the city and thus the more elegant buildings. Magnolia Bend consists of four mansion with over 1,024 guest rooms. The buildings are built to resemble the rich southern plantations. Further up the Sassag...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Nestle among the thrills of the theme parks and the luxury of the resort hotels is a place where guests can pitch a tent and take a break from the hustle and bustle of a Disney vacation. The campsites and cabins of Fort Wilderness brings the joys of camping to the magical world of Walt Disney World Resort. Opened in 1971, the Fort Wilderness Resort features 800 campsites and over 400 fully equipped cabins spread out over 700 acres. The campsites vary from tent only sites to sites large enough for an RV. The cabins sleep up to six guests and feature a kitchen, double bed, bunk bed, Murphy bed and more. The resort features a wide variety of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy. There are two swimming pools, marina with boat rentals, fishing, petting zoo, stable with pony and horse riding, arcades and much more. In the evening, there is a campfire program in which guests can watch a movie under the stars and roast marshmallows on the campfire....

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: The first of Disney’s value resorts is still one of the resorts most popular choices amongst families and youth groups. Adorned with larger then life sports relics, the All-Star Sports Resort has been a hit for over 15 years. Opened in 1994, the All-Star Sports Resort features 1,920 rooms among 10 buildings. The building are decorated with a sports theme and pay tribute to surfing, basket ball, tennis, football and baseball. The rooms are 260 square feet and feature two double beds or one king bed and the basic amenities to get you through your trip. The resort features plenty of stuff to do onsite while your taking a break from the theme parks. There are two pools, Surfboard Bay and Grand Slam. There is also the Game Point Arcade and several outdoor play areas throughout the resort. And if your hungry, stop by the End Zone Food Court for a meal or just a snack. Plus there is a gift shop called Sporty Goofy Gift and Sundries where you can pick up a so...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: From the 50’s through the 90’s, our culture had seen some major changes in pop culture. The fads of these decades come back to life at Walt Disney World’s Pop Century Resort. In typical Disney style, they are brought back larger then life, in some cases more then 30 feet tall. The newest of the value class of Disney resorts, Pop Century opened in 2003. Like the other value class hotels, Pop Century is themed with oversized icons. The theme here is pop icons from 1950-1990. Each section of the hotel features color, phrases and items from the era on a very large scale. The hotel is divided into four periods: 1950’s: themed with large bowling pins, juke boxes, characters from Lady and the Tramp and a bowling pin pool. 1960’s: psychedelic colors with large yo-yo’s, play-doh container, characters from the Jungle Book and a flower shaped hippy pool. 1970’s: large eight track tapes, Mickey Mouse rotary phone, larger then life foosball game dominate this area of the...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Off the beaten path and tucked away in the Animal Kingdom region of Walt Disney World, the Cornado Springs Resort brings elements of the Mexico and the Southwestern United States and drops them right in the middle of Central Florida. Opened in 1997, the Coronado Springs was Walt Disney World’s first moderate hotel and was built with the business traveler in mind. The resorts convention center is the largest on the Disney property with over 220,000 square feet of meeting space. The resort features 1,915 guestrooms in three distinct villages surrounding a 15 acre lake. The rooms are in the moderate class and are 314 square feet and feature moderate class amenities like a flat screen television, coffee maker, table and chairs and a small refrigerator. In 2009, the resort added club rooms that feature the above amenities and add a DVD player, personalized front desk service, turndown service and a lounge features a continental breakfast, snacks and evening w...

Orlando, Florida: Located along International Drive in Orlando, the Sheraton Vistana Villages is located just a short drive from the major central Florida theme parks and attractions. The fully furnished villas allow you to enjoy the comforts of home at a vacation resort. The resort features two and three bedroom villas located in ten multi-story buildings situated on 95 acres. There at over a thousand rooms in total; all featuring kitchens/kitchenettes, washer/dryer and Sweet Sleeper beds to help the villa feel more like home. Some of the rooms also even have a whirlpool tub in the master suites. Despite being close to all the attractions, there is more then enough amenities at the resort to keep you busy. There is a water complex by the main building featuring a large pool, water play area, hot tubs and a kids pool. The resort also features a walking trail, fitness center and basketball courts if you wish to be active during your vacation. The Flagler Station Bar and Grill is ...

Orlando, Florida: Crossing over the canal you can catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean style buildings across the lagoon. As you reach the piazza filled with Italian sports cars and Vespa scooters, the sound of Italian ballads fill the air. No you are not on the Italian coast but rather the luxurious Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Opened in 1999, the Portofino Bay Hotel was the first of the Universal Orlando hotels. The hotel features over 750 guest rooms featuring Italian style furnishing, marble finishing and much more. It is the most luxurious of the three resort hotels with amenities the whole family will enjoy. The hotel features three pools to help cool off from the heat. The Beach Pool is the main pool featuring a waterslide, poolside activities and two Jacuzzis. There are three beach cabanas available for rental as well as a weekly dive-in movie. The Villa Pool is more laid back and designed for relaxation. It features sixteen cabanas and lounge chairs perfect for r...

Orlando, Florida: The Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando is one of three Loews Resorts on the property. Themed to look like a hotel in the south seas, the resort features some of the properties best dining options. The menus are tailored to match the cuisine of the south Pacific while still accommodating the taste buds of all who visit. The cornerstone of the resort’s restaurants is Emeril’s Tchoup Chop. Inspired by the cuisine of the master chef Emeril Lagasse, the menu features meals of Asian and Polynesian cuisine topped with the flair that only Emeril can provide. Some of the items on the menu include: • Furikake Crusted Salmon • Thai Basil Mahi Mahi • Pepper Grilled Yellowfin Tuna • Mongolian Barbeque Pork • Roasted Duck Breast • Tofu • Sushi The resort also features the Islands Dining Room. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Island Dining Room mixes Pacific Rim cuisine with traditional American dishes. For breakfast, the dining room features a menu of all th...

Strasburg, Pennsylvania: In the quiet Amish countryside sits the Netherlands Inn and Spa. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the inn provides the opportunity to kick back and relax in quaint, county accommodations. The Inn was opened in 1973 and designed to resemble to country inns of the 18th century. The five buildings of the complex are named after notable people of Strasburg history. Building one is named after George Hoffman, the builder of the first home in Strasburg in 1733. Building two is named after Francis Asbury who began the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1795. Building three is named after one of the original grantees of land in Strasburg, Martin Kendig. Building four is named Musselman House and because the name is very common in the region, it is not sure which prominent towns member the building is named after. Finally building five is named after Senator John Carpenter who was the director of the Strasburg Philosophical Society. The hotel features ...

New York, New York: Soaring 44 stories over Midtown Manhattan, the Times Square Hilton is right in the middle of the Times Square district of New York City. Located amongst theaters and shops on 42ns Street, the prime location make it a popular choice for those visiting the Big Apple. The hotel was opened in 1990 right in the heat of the revitalized New 42nd Street area of Time Square. The modern hotel features the largest rooms in its class in midtown. Since the rooms only begin on the twenty second floor, all feature sweeping views of the city. The lobby of the hotel is located on the twenty-first floor. An express elevator takes guests from the street to the lobby with no stops in between. Also located on the lobby floor is the hotel’s restaurant. The highly rated Restaurant Above is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering great food with great views. Located between floors 22 and 43 are the 444 guest rooms of the hotel. The rooms in the hotel are decorated in modern...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: As you enter through the wrought iron gates and pull up to the sounds of jazz fills the air as you approach the main building. No you are not in the heart of New Orleans, but rather the Port Orleans: French Quarter resort at Walt Disney World. It doesn’t take long to feel like your not in Florida anymore. Opened in May 1991, Port Orleans was designed to reflect the architecture of the French Quarter of New Orleans. The three story buildings feature the ironwork that is known to the French Quarter, giving the look and feel of the Big Easy. The resort featured just over 400 room when it first opened. Since then it has expanded to seven three story buildings featuring 1,008 rooms total. The resort is a moderate resort, meaning its room are slightly larger at 314 square feet each and feature side by side vanities and a sitting area. Another perk to being a moderate hotel is the amenities. The swimming pool features a serpent water slide as well. There i...