Travel Channel

Samantha, I'm not even sure I can express on just some simple message board how awesome you are. One year ago, I was in college in Atlanta studying video production. I was in an unfamiliar city, and not really enjoying my school or my major. I found the episode of Great Hotels where you went to Disney's Wilderness Lodge one day while channel-surfing, and I became instantly hooked. Flash-forward to today, where I'm now a hospitality/tourism major, and it's all thanks to you. I was miserable studying video production, and eventually realized that I wasn't liking it and it wasn't what I wanted to do. Meanwhile, I was getting insanely addicted to your show. I flashed back to my semester of working merchandise at Disney World (Exposition Hall on Main Street) and remembered my love of visiting the hotels there. I'm now (hopefully) headed back down there in January to work front desk at a hotel. I owe this all to you, Samantha. I'm extremely happy with my major, my career goals, and my life now. I hope to be a hotel concierge, all because of seeing concierges on GH. So, I just have to give you a great big thank you, even though that isn't even nearly enough to show my gratitude.

I think it goes without saying that I would absolutely love an autographed picture that I would completely treasure. My email address is disney711@hotmail.com

And, again, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thanks for making me smile
I have a couple of questions.
Why are there fireplaces in hotel rooms in places like Phoenix and Hawaii? (Do hotels in Alaska have airconditioning?) What is "turndown service", and how can I avoid it? What is the funniest word in the English language?
SO....keep any "souvenirs" from the places you stay? Anyway, keep up the good work and if you are ever out this way and get thrown out of the Great Hotel your staying in, well.... look in the phonebook, I bet there's a Motel 6 nearby.

With all the talk of whoopie pies on this forum, it got me to thinking; are they the same as Moon Pies? Here in Texas and all across the South, Moon Pies are their own basic food group, and they sound remarkably similar to the Whoopie Pies being described. They come in chocolate, vanilla, even banana, and are practically a prerequisite for being a Southerner.

Aside to Brittany-your drawing of Sam is so lifelike, it's scary. It's obvious you've got talent (and good taste in both TV hosts and music; Shakira is also one of my favorites). I've put it up as wallpaper, and it goes really well with my Samantha Brown desktop theme.

RIP Johnny Cash and John Ritter-two major talents the world was lucky to have.

Good morning, Sam. I had a feeling that captuttle would not be able to keep his egregious fingers off the keyboard once I mentioned London! What a high-spirited poster and funny guy he is. And by the way, I watched Charade and he is right about your Audrey Hepburnesque qualities. Local Hero is also a favorite video in my house. We should all listen when he speaks. While you are all snoozing over there, I am well into Monday afternoon here, sipping my peppermint tea and planning day trips. Having been here several times before, I appreciate the Captain's splendid suggestions of things to do that are off the beaten track. I am reading that next weekend in OPEN weekend at many places, so the Ham House is at the top of my list. In my mind, there is nothing better than starting a day knowing I will be seeing a new place, though I am sure that the old familiar snowbanks will look good to me come December. I should mention that last week I was in Salisbury, staring at a rodent-infested brain in a museum. I recall that someone posted the story behind it on this forum last fall. Pretty darned strange coincidence....I share kelvms feelings about that Disney parade. Tearjerker for me, too. Last night I went to the Thames Festival Parade, which seemed similar in an odd way. From my vantage point on the Waterloo Bridge with all of London lighted up around me, I had to remind myself that I was not on the Peter Pan Flight to Neverland ride at Disney World. I hope the travel channel will give the Disney special plenty of air time in December or I will surely miss it. I love that place, and it warms my heart to read posts from people whose lives you have changed forever. You are one magical and powerful woman, Samantha Brown! Thanks, everyone, for joining in. It's been fun.
Mother Orange P.S. I almost had to change my login name to Mother Orange as it took me a long time to finally get my password right as well!

I have never written to any show before but I love the show; I've placed it on season pass, so it tapes whenever your on. I've also checked out some of your hotels and have plans to go to certain destinations. I would love for your show to do a series of Great Hotels that center on the family and family destinations. Ms. Brown continue being yourself, your entertaining as well as welcoming and that definitely invites the viewer to enjoy your moments. Kudos to you!

First let me say that it is just amazign, if not a sign of insanity, that you take the time to write your many fans when you have such a busy schedule, but that zannyness is why we can't get enough of the self depricating Stubby Sam.

So are you ever going to stuff besides hotels? you should do Micheal Palin like travel adventure discovery shows. I've spent the last several years producing multimillion dollar multimedia projects so I decided to take the summer off and travel the entire Rocky Mountain range from New Mexico to the Yukon. I documented the whole thing with a ProSumer DV camera and have written and edited several sections.

It really needs somebody like you to make it funnier. VO can't quite capture the wierdness of disturbing 2 copulating porkupines in the middle of the night because they are making too much noise under your cabin (they sound remarkably human). When you ask for a wake up call at check in at a motel in the middle of nowhere and the guy hands you an electric alarm clock that should be funny (you'd make it so anyway). Amagine you struggeling to ride a bike over Logan Pass in Glacier National Park (something I did this year) while the crew shoots you comfortably from their SUV. It could be entertaining.
Anyway, if you branch out into a different genre you know the audience will be there. Many of us could care less about fancy hotels (not just because we can't afford them) but we watch to see what kind of fun you're going to have where ever you happen to be.

fellow Dallasite
FYI-- spineynorman was the giant hedgehog that Dinsdale (the monty python tv show gangster who "was a cruel man but fair") would see when he was depressed. If he was very depressed he could be up to 800 yards long.

Dear M.O., sounds like you have matters well in hand over there. We're likely to get flattened by a massive hurricane here (if Samantha really wants to see the Outer Banks of NC, she has about 36 hours before they may disappear into the foamy Atlantic).

To get to Ham House, just take the tube or local train to Richmond (I think Waterloo Station if by rail - Paddington's my favorite station; something about Victoria I just don't like) and just head through the lively and cheery business area to the riverbank (some nice little restaurants line it), then follow the riverside path westward for maybe a mile or a bit more and you'll find the house. I was there just before a cataclysmic thunderstorm one afternoon, which had lifted to watery sun by the end of the visit and I suddenly had the gardens almost to myself. Only a pretty mom and her little girl, in straw hat of course, happily running up and down the deserted lavender paths, remained. One of those contented moments that stick in your memory and remind you why you travel.

And I forgot to mention Christopher Wren churches in the City as quiet places to poke about (if they're open). St. Stephen Walbrook, behind Mansion House, is my fav., with its surprising dome inside (supposedly Wren's trial run before St. Paul's). As I'm reading a bio of Wren now, I'm surprised I forgot to mention those.

Theater doesn't look that great this fall, but you can see Rupert Everett in A Woman of No Importance in a couple of weeks (a little Oscar Wilde goes a long way with me, and that's 3 hours' worth), and I checked www.londontheatre.co.uk and see that the Globe for the first 2 weeks of Oct. is reprising the (all male) production of Twelfth Night that I lovingly watched last year. Probably a bit nippy, and certainly dark early for outdoors by Oct., but I highly, highly recommend it, and for just 5 quid you can be a groundling - get there 30-45 min. early and when doors open race to the front and you can quite literally lean on the stage (it's great!).

And thanks for the kind words, Ms. Hummingbird Lady. But remember that Sam only has an hour or so per day to dash off a boatload of replies, making sure to toss out pleasing little nuggets to each of us but lingering on none, whereas I've got plenty-o-time to unleash a single tirade. But where I fall on my face in total dorkishness in Real Life, look at how witty and verbally gymnastic Sam is before the camera (with very few retakes, I gather). Her imaginative ability to visually perceive things in ways few others can do so, and then playfully present them to us (I remember a scratchy woven cane chair she once ingeniously and gleefully announced doubled as a skin exfoliator), is what first drew me (and clearly many others) to her (along with the expressive brown eyes). Lots of people can do bland travel presentations, but Samantha seems to see the world in a rare combination of whimsy and intelligence - quite an accomplishment. So I'm happy with a few quick words from her keyboard every now and then.

And Samantha, since I actually work tomorrow), I can bother you no more this thread , but wish you a pleasant, non-hurricane week, and hope you find new digs in Brooklyn with a view that makes you do your View Thing (i.e., not of cockroaches, or a grotesque neighbor through a gaping hole in the wall).

P.S. I didn't realize you couldn't say 's*cks' on this board - sorry!

Samanta:

Great piece on the Library Hotel in NYC. My husband & I took your advice & stayed there. Great call.

BTW Were you born on March 31? If so, we hasve the same birthday. Yea!

Sue in SF.

well I'm glad you made it there safely. What do you mean Las Vegas needs rain? Didn't you have a flash flood not to long ago? We just got back from Florida's west coast but only did Naples. take care

a tv star? ahhh shucks that's nice. for that type of flattery you will definately receive a picture.

we definately stay at the hotel, the entire crew-all five of us (not in the same room thank goodness) It takes 3 to 4 days to film an entire episode.

I had such a great time with Bruce and his two boys. I didn't know he had his own series. I'll have to check and see if I have the DIY channel.

I don't know the hotel but I know the Beach which is beautiful. Definately go see the sunrise at Haleakula and definately go to Hana-go early to avoid getting stuck behind slow moving tour buses.

We didn't go to Los Angeles this year. Maybe next. Is the Bonaventure a Great Hotel?

where do I begin...

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING WHOOPIE PIES! my gosh just knowing they exist I've gained 5 pounds. I still have to do the Hawaii segment in November (lots of bathing suit scenes ) but after that I can really pack the pounds on for winter and the peanut butter whoopie pie will be my food of choice to do just that. I am definately going to Bova Bakery. I love making pilgrimages for food.

I think that's a great idea for Captuttle. although I don't think I could adopt his lexicon without it being really obvious.

I think I know Congdon's. Wells is just above Ogunquit right? There's a Lobster restuarant there on Rt.1 that has deep dish apple, blueberry and cherry pies. I forget the name but I'll have to add those to my list of things i get to eat once i can burn the bathing suits.

living in London has been a dream of mine. It's a fabulous city. have a great time! and it's nice to talk to you again.

samalama

You have absolutely no will power.

I certainly understand you coming back on for Mother Orange. I'm still reeling from the Peanut butter whoopie pie. I was away from the board for a short while-alot of friends that I have not seen for 3 months and 3 brand new babies that I had to pay a visit to. I loved Guffman, A Mighty Wind not so much.

we didn't make it to the Outer Banks this year. Your suggestions for Santa Fe are excellent. I had a chance to go there last year with my mom so I did a little scouting. We'll be heading there (Great Hotels) sometime after Christmas. have a great time in Richmond.

The Hualalai is by far the most beautiful resort on The Big Island. Go to the Volcanoes National Park. Have dinner that night at Kilauea Lodge. Check out Parkers Ranch
Mandarin Oriental is also a wonderful choice. Also on Oahu check out the Halekulani on Waikiki.

The Hawaii hotels have not been fully approved of so I'm not exactly sure.

Have a wonderful honeymoon

I know when we stayed there the room rates were around 275 a night. I had a friend who got a room there for 150 a night thru hotels.com or one of those types of sites. it's located on 41st and Madison. which is a very good location for all the NY stuff you want to do. MA is the only state of New England we will be visiting. I would really love to do more.

I really don't like being as busy as I am that I have to put things that I enjoy doing on the back burner. So I'm very glad that I am back as well.

I fell in love with Napa Valley. But I knew that would happen. I had a tough time shooting there because all I wanted to do was go on long drives and explore the area. Auberge Du Soleil could rank as the most breathtaking room I have ever had the honor of staying in. The room rate I believe was around $1200 a night. So sad that I will probably never be able to afford it but I'll try

samala and samalama are both names mom calls me

a picture will be on it's way!

Finola is simply one of the most beautiful woman. And so kind. She was a pleasure to finally meet. 2002 must be a mistake. I'll tell them thanks!

hey Rory,

just leave your email address and then I'll get in touch with you for your mailing address.

got your email. It won't happen again. scout's honor. I don't think that was me mainly because my sister had a horse and I had a pony. So I would have ridden on my Pony Eukie.

Hi Sam,
I'd also love to receive a signed photo. My e-mail address is chi.m.lee@nme.com. Thank you!!!

Sam, May I request a photo from you for a friend? I want to surprise him with it. I've already requested one for myself and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Email me when you can!

Melissa
mjurgensen@hotmail.com

Hi Sam,

Thanks for your suggestions on hotels and activities in Hawaii! I know you will be going back there soon... so how do you stay in such fabulous shape? I also love the outfits and swimsuits you wear on the show -always elegant and hip at the same time. Do you get to choose what you wear on air or is it chosen for you?

I may be going to San Antonio, TX in November, and I remember a Great Hotels episode on a beautiful and romantic hotel right on the river there. Which hotel was that? Any recommendations on a particular type of room?

I also wanted to share that one of my favorite Great Hotels moments was when you were in Las Vegas, driving in a convertible along The Strip and you started to sing the Great Hotels theme song at the beginning of the show! That was too funny. Was that your idea? Either way, it was brilliant

I would also love to get a signed photo from you, here's my email: rjsalas8@yahoo.com.
Thanks in advance!