Just across the street from the famous Biltmore House, a historic 8,000-acre estate that’s a must-see, is the four-star luxury Grand Bohemian Hotel, a boutique hotel unlike any I’ve ever visited before.  With just 104 guestrooms and suites, this new property exudes old-world, rustic charm within an intimate, upscale hunting lodge decor.   One step into the lobby reflects an eclectic combination of mounted deer heads, leather furnishings, imported wood paneling and an amazing collection of original artworks created by an international array of artists.  (The hotel”s art gallery is not to be missed).   In stark contrast however, guestrooms offer an assortment of modern amenities, such as four-fixture bathrooms which include separate areas for vanity, shower, toilet and oversized soaking tubs, down comforters & pillows, LCD televisions with Roomlinx® technology and wired & wireless high-speed Internet access.    And the hotel is in a convenient, central location to all.   I’d go back in a flash.

This is a great resource for the Long Island bride and groom who know precisely the kind of trip they want, but are not tied to a particular place.   So if you are open to any destination, but not willing to pay any amount, check out this site.  How do you do it if it’s by invitation only?

Just for readers of  GettingMarriedonLongIsland.com, I’m sending you this special invitation link:

http://www.sniqueaway.com/invite/GettingMarriedOnLI.

This past week, the Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) partnered with Conde Nast’s Brides.com to promote tourism in Bermuda with a special “Love Truck” celebration.  The adorable truck was seen around Manhattan, where passersby were sampled to Bermuda’s unique island culture and had the chance to sign-up to win a four-night vacation to the island’s Tuckers Point Hotel and Spa.  Have you ever been to Bermuda?  It’s fantastic.  So I say, “Get on the Long Island Expressway and head our way, too, Love Truck!”

Photo Bermuda Department of Tourism

Jumbo Hostel – Stockholm, Sweden – Housed in a grounded Boeing 747, this jumbo jet hostel is fittingly located at the Arlanda International Airport where curious onlookers can grab coffee at the hostel’s Jumbo Café and weary frequent flyers can unwind with a stay in the luxurious cockpit suite.

KUBE Hotel – Paris, France – Described as “an innovative and high tech universe,” the KUBE has a futuristic atmosphere that boasts the invigorating Ice Kube Bar, Paris’ first ice bar. At negative ten degrees Celsius and all on ice, the hotel happily supplies patrons with parkas and gloves.

Gamirasu Cave Hotel – Cappadocia, Turkey – Located in a restored thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat, the twenty-five room cave hotel offers a truly spiritual experience with relaxing body care massages, traditional Turkish cuisine courses and a historical cave church perfect for authentic cultural weddings.

Madonna Inn – San Luis Obispo, California, United States – A landmark attraction on California’s Central Coast, the Madonna Inn has 110 rooms each with a special theme. The rooms range from the bizarre Merry-Go-Round Room and the lively Safari Room to the French-style Love Nest and the deliciously adorned Sugar & Spice.

Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel – Manaus, Brazil – The largest treetop hotel in the world, this amazing hotel is nestled in a canopy of trees above the Amazon River. Guests enjoy 360-degree rainforest views and a variety of jungle activities, including piranha fishing, forest hikes and swimming with rare pink dolphins.

Alcatraz Hotel – Kaiserslautern, Germany – Unlike the former inmates, travelers staying at this converted 100-year-old prison can leave whenever they want. Adventurous guests experience the life of a prisoner with cell-style rooms, barred windows and breakfast served through the hatch of the original prison door.

Elephant Safari Park Lodge – Bali, Indonesia – Situated directly in an elephant sanctuary, this safari-style lodge offers travelers an opportunity to interact, feed, ride, observe, learn, play and stay with 29 beautiful Sumatran elephants. Guests also enjoy elephant chauffeur pick up from rooms and free safari park access.

Wigwam Motel – San Bernardino, California, United States – An iconic landmark alongside historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel village-style arrangement of tepees is reminiscent of the classic American roadtrip. Originally built in 1949, the Wigwam Motel is still a popular destination for the adventurous road warrior.

Wagon Stays – Christchurch, New Zealand – An all-natural wagon crafted from untreated timber creates an atmosphere reminiscent of an early settlers’ wagon camp. Guests enjoy unobstructed views across Canterbury farmlands from the cozy interior of their wagons.

Bradford Old Windmill – Bradford-on-Avon, England, United Kingdom – Described as something from a medieval fairytale, this 19th century windmill is now an eccentric bed and breakfast. The windmill’s Victorian spiral staircase, pointed Gothic windows and four-story stone tower give the hotel an old-fashioned romantic feeling.

1. Rustic Luxe with Robert Redford: Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah
Ranked #1 in Sundance, Utah – Average nightly rate: $601
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Romantic Retreat, Honeymoon
Situated at the base of Mount Timpanogos on 6,000 acres of rolling hills and babbling brooks, the Sundance Kid’s retreat has TripAdvisor travelers raving about the resort’s rustic beauty, excellent service, and outdoor activities. “Robert Redford did us all a favor by opening this resort, remaining loyal to nature, and preserving the beauty of the canyon,” noted one TripAdvisor traveler.

2. City Chic with Robert De Niro: The Greenwich Hotel, New York, New York
Ranked #104 in New York, New York – Average nightly rate: $579
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Stylish Décor, Romantic Retreat
Travelers are talking about the understated elegance and complimentary in-room snack baskets found at Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel in New York City. Located on a quiet street in Tribeca, De Niro’s hideaway features 88 uniquely decorated rooms and suites, plus a zen-like indoor pool enclosed in a 250-year-old Japanese bamboo farmhouse. One TripAdvisor traveler commented on the celebrity clientele that The Greenwich Hotel attracts, “We stopped by the drawing room for coffee and were surprised to see that Mel Gibson chose to do the same at the table next to us.”

3. Rejuvenation Retreat with Olivia Newton-John: Gaia Retreat & Spa, Brooklet, Australia Ranked #1 in Brooklet, Australia – Package deals start at $1,825 for two nights, shared accommodation for two people
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Relaxation, Spa Vacation
With only 20 rooms, this boutique retreat features tranquil grounds, healthy food, a full-service spa, fitness center, and relaxing pool. One TripAdvisor traveler said, “The one thing above all else was the incredible feeling of calm I felt as soon as I arrived on the property. It’s almost magical.”

4. In the Jungle with Francis Ford Coppola: Blancaneaux Lodge, San Ignacio, Belize
Ranked #5 in San Ignacio, Belize – Average nightly rate: $317
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Staff/Service, Honeymoon
At Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio, Belize, architecture blends effortlessly with nature. Situated in the northwest corner of the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the lodge’s high-end cabanas and villas enhance the natural surroundings with thatched roofs, open-air living areas, and hammocks. One TripAdvisor traveler noted that, “Blancaneaux definitely provides a luxurious experience – though the setting is rustic, the accommodations are not.”

5. Life’s a Beach with Gloria Estefan: Costa d’Este Beach Resort, Vero Beach, Florida
Ranked #7 in Vero Beach, Florida – Average nightly rate: $320
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Prime Location, Beach/Sun Getaway
One thing guests won’t experience at Costa d’Este, Gloria Estefan’s posh Vero Beach resort, is a diva attitude from its celebrity owner. Costa d’Este boasts a beachside location, pool, spa, and a Cuban restaurant.  As one TripAdvisor traveler revealed, “We had drinks at the pool before dinner and to our surprise Gloria Estefan was there with some friends. We saw many people approach her for pictures and she was as sweet and gracious as could be.”

6. Haute Travel with Donatella Versace: Palazzo Versace, Main Beach, Queensland, Australia
Ranked #1 in Main Beach, Queensland, Australia – Average nightly rate: $538
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Cleanliness, Stylish Décor
High fashion and hospitality join forces at Donatella Versace’s trendy Palazzo Versace resort on Australia’s Gold Coast. All aspects of the resort were designed to reflect the Versace brand, including luxe freebies like mini bottles of Versace perfume. With so much lavishness in one place, it’s no surprise that one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Staying here is like having a taste of what it can be like living ‘rich’!”

7. On a Mission with Clint Eastwood: Mission Ranch, Carmel, California
Ranked #2 for Specialty Lodging in Carmel, California – Average nightly rate: $200
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Location, Culture/Sightseeing
When celebrated actor and director Clint Eastwood purchased the historic Mission Ranch in 1986, he saved 22 acres of prime real estate on Carmel’s Monterey Peninsula from impending development.  Eastwood, who owns a home nearby, is still spotted on occasion at Mission Ranch, a cozy farmhouse with 31 unique rooms, ocean views, and sheep grazing in the meadow. One TripAdvisor traveler offered, “We admit it – we wanted to stay at ‘Clint’s place.’ It was worth every penny.”

8. Camp Fever with Kate Pierson: Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel, Mount Tremper, New York Ranked #1 in Mount Tremper, New York – Average nightly rate: $150
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Location, Pet-Friendly
After jet-setting around the world as a lead singer for the B-52s, Kate Pierson caught cabin fever and decided to open Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel near Woodstock, New York. Visitors have their choice of kitschy 1950s camp cabins, or vintage Airstream trailers. While guests note that these are not luxury accommodations, one TripAdvisor traveler wrote, “Kate’s has an aura of ‘cool’ and you feel cool because you’ve stayed there.”

9. Counting Sheep with John Malkovich: The Big Sleep Hotel, Eastbourne, United Kingdom Ranked #8 in Eastbourne, United Kingdom – Average nightly rate: $92
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Stylish Décor, Pet-Friendly
TripAdvisor travelers admit that they were attracted to Hollywood heavyweight John Malkovich’s Big Sleep Hotel because of the budget-friendly prices, seaside location, and trendy reputation. While many travelers praise the hotel’s overall value and excellent free breakfast, opinion is divided on the funky décor, including photos of John Malkovich and furry curtains. One TripAdvisor traveler sums it up, “Cheap and comfortable with a wee bit of cool and trendy.”

10. Rockin’ Out with Bono and The Edge: The Clarence, Dublin, Ireland
Ranked #74 in Dublin, Ireland – Average nightly rate: $270
Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: Young Singles, Nightlife
Purchased in 1992 by world-famous rockers Bono and The Edge of U2, The Clarence Hotel in Dublin, Ireland is adjacent to Temple Bar, a popular nightlife area. Although most travelers praise the hotel’s location, some cite the evening noise as a problem. As explained by one TripAdvisor traveler, “The rooms are stylish and comfortable. The location is excellent, but note that due to the location in the Temple Bar district, it can be a bit noisy.”

Located on a 20-mile peninsula, the resort features seven swimming pools, eight restaurants and eleven bars.   The property is expansive, so we never felt crowded and never had to reserve a pool or beach lounge, as there are so many areas to lounge in that privacy and complete relaxation is found throughout.  But there are also daily scheduled activities, such as volleyball games and salsa dancing lessons.   Then of course there’s the amazing on-site Miile Spa…

As for the accommodations — four poster beds, a pillow menu, flat screen TVs, balconies, showers built for two …. Take a look here for more details, as I could go on and on.   Then call one of our travel agency sponsors — If you’re on the South Shore of Long Island, call Travel Solutions by Marcia at (516)223-1123.   On the North Shore, do call Burr Travel Bureau at (631) 757-8500.  Tell them Claudia sent you!

Excellence Resort, Photography by Glen Ames

Among the top reasons for having a cruise wedding — couples want to combine a wedding with a honeymoon.  It’s cost effective, in a highly romantic setting!

If you’re considering a cruise wedding and/or cruise honeymoon, do call our excellent sponsors.  On the North Shore of Long Island? Call  Burr Travel Bureau.  On the South Shore, Travel Solutions by Marcia.

* Subject to availability. Excludes certain suites.