Celebrate 2010 with the ghost of Charles Melville Hays (Source: Vince Alongi)
Welcome to a new decade: the 2010’s. Sure its no 2000 but on the bright side, there will be no over-hyped Y2K fears to dampen our spirits. So it’s time to start planning on where to experience such a momentous event, and to get the best view of 2010’s first sunrise, its also time to start booking.
1) The Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Canada $250 and up
Named for Sir Wilfred Laurier, the Prime Minister of Canada during construction (1909-1912), the Château Laurier grew in importance due to the wealth of its 2nd owners, the Canadian National Railway. So many of Canada’s elite had stayed at the hotel it was called “the Third Chamber of Parliament”. Charles Melville Hays, who commissioned the construction of the Château Laurier, is reported to haunt the hallways after he died on the Titanic, 12 days before the hotel opened.
2) Ulleung Marina Tourist Hotel, Ulleung-do (Ulleung Island), South Korea $90 and up
The two Dokdo Islands are the easternmost territory of South Korea, and locals flock here every New Year to catch first light and bring good fortune. The islands have been the center of controversy for hundreds of years between South Korea and Japan (referred to as Takeshima islands). The islands provide important fishing water boundaries that support the livelihood for the natives of both countries. South Korean police are currently stationed there. There are no hotels on the islands, and only 4 hotels on nearby Ulleung-do. Stay at the Ulleung Marina Hotel so you can participate in the annual New Years ferry to Dokdo Islands. The ferry operator usually features an animated film of a giant robot fighting off Japanese invaders. I highly recommend booking your room and the ferry ride as soon as possible, because some locals do so as much as a year in advance.
Visit the controversial Dokdo Islands for the 2010 sunrise (Source: fass6832)
3) The Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates $600/night and up
Sail into 2010 at the famous Burj Al Arab. Everyone knows how they promote themselves as the world’s only 7-star hotel. But did you know it took 3 years to build the island base and 3 years to build the hotel? If you have the dough and enjoy being waited on hand and foot, book now. Like 99% of the world, the UAE has been hurting for tourism, so you should be able to negotiate down from last year’s sky-high rates.
Everyone knows the Burj Al Arab. Just make sure you get a view facing East. (Source: jonrawlinson)
4) The Yurt at Bogus Basin, Boise, Idaho $125/night
The Yurt, like those of the same name, is a 27 foot diameter mongolian style tent set atop a large deck. The access road is closed when snowed in, but it’s a short 2/3 mile hike from the Frontier Point Nordic Lodge.
Rental will include an outhouse (porta-potty style), firewood, gray/waste water system, 3-burner propane cooking stove,propane lanterns, table & chairs, bunks and futon, dishes, utensils. All minors must be accompanied by an adult (21 years of age). No groups of minors are allowed at the yurt without adult supervision.
The yurt is primarily a “pack-it in / pack-it out” facility with guests bringing their own food, drinking water, sleeping bags, and propane gas for the lanterns.Propane is provided for the 3 burner cooking stove. Staying in a yurt is a perfect “easy” camping experience; a shelter with wood heat, no electricity, or running water – yet much more comfortable than tent camping! User groups should be prepared to deal with the many variables that can present themselves in any outdoor adventure.
Reserve Bogus Basin’s Yurt for an unforgettable ski experience (Source: Peg Havlovick)
After you get set-up, head over to Bogus Basin for their beautiful bowl skiing and snowboarding. There are two accounts as to how Bogus Basin got its name, but both involve gold prospectors getting swindled out of their hard-earned cash. In 1998, Bogus’ general manager Mike Shirley was credited with starting a ski industry revolution with deeply-discounted season passes, dropping the price from $500 to just $199. Almost 4x as much revenue was generated and hill managers across the country scrambled to follow suit.
Wow. Your view on the way to Boise to stalk @aplusk and @mrskutcher.
(Source: jmcarver)
5) Timberline Lodge, Oregon $100/night and up
Located on the south-east face of beautiful but potentially treacherous Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge is the quintessential place to stay for a winter getaway. Just because the movie “The Shining” was filmed here doesn’t mean you should be too scared to enjoy this Great Depression era treasure. Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the lodge in 1937 as another great achievement of the Works Progress Administration. Visit Timberline Resort and ride the historic (and renovated) Magic Mile chairlift. When this lift was constructed in 1938 it was the longest in existence and heads so far up the glacier on Mt. Hood it has to close on windy days. Don’t miss the other Mt. Hood must-dos: the breathtaking Heather Canyon at Mt. Hood Meadows and America’s largest night skiing area at Mt. Hood Skibowl.
Timberline Lodge basks in majestic beauty atop Mt. Hood (Source: Jesse Estes)
6) The Buccaneer Hotel, Christiansted, Virgin Islands $350/night and up
The Buccaneer was founded in the 17th century and is the Caribbean’s longest running resort. This fall and winter they are featuring 20% off several rooms. The Buccaneer’s location makes it a great place to stay if you are to be the first people on U.S. soil to see the 2010 sunrise from Point Udall. The point was named for JFK and Lyndon Johnson’s Secretary of State Stewart Udall. For trivia’s sake, the westernmost U.S. soil is off of Orote Peninsula, Guam, and also called Point Udall for Stewart’s brother, Mo Udall. Bring a headlamp and flashlights, as the pre-dawn hike is a bit rugged in the dark.
Be the first on U.S. soil to see 2010. Just don’t yell “First!” (Source: Mr. Usaji)
7) Trump International Hotel and Tower, New York City, New York $400 and up
The 52-story hotel will provide breathtaking morning-of 2010 views through floor-to-ceiling windows IF you book a room facing Central Park. The hotel was originally constructed as the Gulf and Western building in 1971 and the Trump Organization finished the current renovation in 1997. Located on the south-west corner of the park, I envy anyone that throws a party long enough in that locale to watch the first sunrise over a snow-dusted New York City. You might be able to negotiate some decent rates before they start their latest renovation, appropriately starting in January of 2010.
Come play in New York City’s Central Park (Source: James Trosh)
8) Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu, Peru $900 all inclusive
Even though the Incan year is believed to have begun in December, visiting the Lost City of the Incas is a breath-taking experience. If you can afford it, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient citadel. Their packages are all inclusive and sometimes offer special photographic privileges after the other tour buses leave. The perfect view over Machu Piccu is from Huayna Picchu, which is normally closed during evenings. More power to you if you can see first 2010 light from there, otherwise you should try your luck at the Sun Gate. Either way, if this trip does not top your list of favorites you might consider never boarding a plane again!
Few places are more magical to start the 2010s than Machu Picchu. (Source: Ivan Mlinaric)
Here’s to planning ahead and have a Happy New Year everyone! As I wrote in Accommodation Game Changers: The 14 Most Influential of this Decade, make sure you always check for Twitter Deals before booking. Please let me know why other locations might also be epic hotels to celebrate the new decade in the comments section below. Finally, if you want to make your New Year celebration extra special, order a room theme package for New Years from Überoom.
