Marriott Announces Plans to Build Hotel in Haiti

In the devastating aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, all that was left was destruction and the indomitable hope of the Haitian people to move their country and their people beyond the wreckage. Now, a year later, Marriott has announced its plans to help the country rebuild by erecting a new tourist hotel in Port au Prince.

Inspired by Marriot staff of Haitian descent and partnership with Digicel, Haiti’s largest telecommunications provider, the hotel marks the dawning of a new era in Haiti, one of restored commerce, normalcy of life, and rejuvenated culture. With a planned opening in 2014, the hotel will afford travelers the opportunity to experience Haiti renewed.

In a statement, Anne Sorenson, Marriott International’s president and chief operating officer had this to say:

This hotel is one more signal that Haiti is open for business. That's what we're telling the world today as part of our announcement. Of course, this is a long-term goal with tremendous needs [that] still need to be met, but we believe we can make a difference in Haiti by injecting capital, creating jobs, and developing the human talent that can help lift this country over time back to its rightful place as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean.

Visitors to the hotel can expect to find all the traditional amenities the Marriott brand of hotels is known to provide, including high-speed Internet access, premium bedding, and meeting space. For reservations at this and other Marriott properties, visit www.marriott.com.

Watch the Marriott video.  

Capital City Cheesecake

Just minutes from downtown Washington, DC, lies Takoma Park, Maryland. Easily accessible by metro, the downtown area features local farmers markets, restaurants, and plenty of local shopping options. A stroll from the metro to the far end of downtown leads you to Capital City Cheesecake. This coffee house and cheesecake bakery is well known in the local area for its sweets, but it is also a quaint place to start the day with a hot breakfast or have a quick lunch.

The menu includes items such as hot egg and cheese sandwiches, grilled cheeses, turkey sandwiches, and bakery favorites like cookies, sticky buns, and, of course, cheesecakes. It isn’t the sort of place most people would think of coming to for a meal, but its variety of offerings make it a surprisingly good choice for travelers looking for something quick in a clean and comfortable setting. Just blocks away full-service restaurants abound, but for simple fare without a lot of pomp, Capital City Cheesecake is a good alternative.

Nearby is the Eden Park Guest House, a bed and breakfast inn. If you are there and have the opportunity to tour the local neighborhood, stop by Capital City Cheesecake in the early evening to pick up dessert. Recommended are the cheesecake in all of its wonderful flavors and the apricot glazed pound cake. The sticky buns, while topped with a delightful sweet sticky sauce, have a doughy taste in the center. Avoid those. Its collection of other bakery treats is quite satisfying.

Capital City Cheesecake

7071 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Eden Park Guest House

7063 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals

Here are the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals that have come across my desk this week. This post will be updated as any new deals and offers become available.

*Southwest Airlines is getting into the early black Friday trend with the start of annual black Friday deals now being made available beginning the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Travelers who book a flight and a Las Vegas package for travel between November 23, 2011 and January 31, 2012 will receive 50% off their hotel stay at an MGM Resort location. Visit Southwest Airlines for more information. 

 *Funjet Vacations is offering a special doorbuster promotional code for their Facebook visitors and e-mail subscribers. The first 100 people to use the code on Funjet.com will receive additional savings on top of already listed prices. Visit www.funjet.com for more information.

*Fans of art and music visiting the Seattle area in early September 2012 will want to take advantage of the Black Friday discount offer from Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival. On November 25, 2011, a passcode for a service and processing fee discount will be released to those who have updated their Bumberfan profile by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Fans must visit http://onereel.org/newsletters to participate. Holiday ticket sales to the general public will begin on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 and will include all regular service and processing fees.

*Loews Hotels is offering 20% of its best rates for bookings made on Cyber Monday. In addition, those who reserve will receive free in-room Internet access during their stay. Only hotel bookings made at www.loewshotels.com apply.

*Warwick International hotels is offering a four-day sale on bookings at its hotels. Beginning on Black Friday, hotel visitors can save up to 30% on Warwick hotels when they stay in the U.S. between now and February 2012. Qualifying hotels include those in the following locations: New York, Melrose Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle.