Let me tell you when I first went to the website and saw the icon "Talk about Samantha" my stomach rolled and my hands started to shake. I had visions of the cool girls in High School talking about me in the locker room. To read that there were so many people that enjoyed the show and my sense of humor was really overwhelming and I am looking forward to participating in these forums on a regular basis.

To the people who find me annoyingly perky or maybe a bit too excited about a jacuzzi tub let me just say there are times that I completely agree with you. Sometimes when I see the shows I think "well I completely overreacted on that one" or I wondered why nobody told me what a dip I was being. But since it is a cable show where there is no script and I never get to review takes as they do in network TV or movies. It's just something I have to shrug off as "nobody's perfect."

In response to giangu on me sliding down the bannister at The Palmer House. It was actually the General Manager who suggested it -- no kidding. I would say that 90 percent of the upscale resorts want us to debunk the myth that only the wealthy and proper stay there. They absolutely do not want to be perceived as stiff. So when I arrive at a hotel, the staff usually comes up with ideas that will show the property off in a fun and entertaining way that they couldn't achieve in a brochure or a website.

To gryffgirl The Boulders is in Carefree, AZ. It's one of my personal favorites. They were quite smart when they thought to put all the cars out of sight. That way you walk to your room which is in an individual casita through the desert among the massive boulders. In the morning I would hear wolves howl. Tell them I said hi if you go.

We are just about wrapped for season two but instead of showing the entire season separately I believe The Travel Channel is just going to pepper them into the already existing shows. We have already started talking about a third season concentrating on Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada.

I am really looking forward to answering your individual questions.

Samantha

Isn't it amazing how much access the "net" can grant? Wow.

JS

Hey,Sam,how are you? When I saw that I could reply to you personally,I was like wow, that's great,but I am a bit nervous typing this so if my punctuation is a bit off,I hope you will understand.I think you are the most charming and attractive woman I have ever seen,television or otherwise! I have to admit I do watch the shows just for you,but when I visit my friends in Phoenix,I will have to book a room at the Boulders! So what do you do when you are not taping shows? Do you have somewhat of a normal life,and while I feel funny about asking do you have a boyfriend or are you married? Whew! that was the tough question! I hope I didn't sound too corny and I hope to hear from you!!

Samantha,
My girlfriend and I are planning to go away for a few days around the begining of January. Since we both recently graduated from college money is tight and I was wondering if you could give me some good ideas for places to go. We live in the South Florida area and thikn we have done all there is to do in the State of Florida. Maybe you could suggest a nice quiet get-away.

wow, this is somewhat overwhelming. But, I'll adjust.

Umm, I enjoy your travel show because it gives me the wonderful opportunity to watch a lovely lady - yourself - who appreciates life, history, and hershey's chocolate bars. Ohh, and, I love your sense of fashion. At the Bacara Resort, your attire was impeccable, and a delight. Then, at the Boulder and Mohonk, I realized that this woman looks rather nice in a pair of jeans, too.

Oh, in addition, I noticed that you're a dynamo - mountain climbing, canoeing, flyfishing. And, you enjoy chess. Well, at this point, I'm a bit awestruck.

Hmm, I enjoyed the pics on your company's homepage. They were sweet.

Well, I'm glad you took the time to read this, thanks.

Count me as a fan.I see that you graduated Syracuse University with a background in musical theater and a piece on Zap2it refers to you as an actress; I was just wondering if there are any other works other than your work for the Travel Channel that you can be seen in and are there any other projects in the near future.

Sam,
I wanted to say that I'm a fan of all your shows they are very entertaining I watch them as much as I can. Do you know if their will be a show about Texas really about Houston we not all cowboys and cowgirls Houston is a pretty big city with alot of Hotels(HOUSTONIAN) vacation spots.Well I thought it was great that we could send you an email and hopefully you'll get to it keep up the great work.

p.s. I think your a babe a hottie with a body. bye bye jesse joe jjnava_2000@yahoo.com

Ms. Brown,

I have been a fan of your show for the past year or so, and have visited a few of them in my past, but i have never visited such an eclectic hotel as the one that just re-opened in my hometown, the davenport hotel. The history, ambience, world class service, and dining makes this hotel a rare jewel in the Pacific Northwest.

Check it out! http://www.davenporthotel.com/

I would love to see the pride and joy of spokane featured on your Great Hotels show!

Good luck, and happy travels!

CDT Fassieux

[QUOTE]Originally posted by samantha_brown:
Let me tell you when I first went to the website and saw the icon "Talk about Samantha" my stomach rolled and my hands started to shake. I had visions of the cool girls in High School talking about me in the locker room. To read that there were so many people that enjoyed the show and my sense of humor was really overwhelming and I am looking forward to participating in these forums on a regular basis.

To the people who find me annoyingly perky or maybe a bit too excited about a jacuzzi tub let me just say there are times that I completely agree with you. Sometimes when I see the shows I think "well I completely overreacted on that one" or I wondered why nobody told me what a dip I was being. But since it is a cable show where there is no script and I never get to review takes as they do in network TV or movies. It's just something I have to shrug off as "nobody's perfect."

In response to giangu on me sliding down the bannister at The Palmer House. It was actually the General Manager who suggested it -- no kidding. I would say that 90 percent of the upscale resorts want us to debunk the myth that only the wealthy and proper stay there. They absolutely do not want to be perceived as stiff. So when I arrive at a hotel, the staff usually comes up with ideas that will show the property off in a fun and entertaining way that they couldn't achieve in a brochure or a website.

To gryffgirl The Boulders is in Carefree, AZ. It's one of my personal favorites. They were quite smart when they thought to put all the cars out of sight. That way you walk to your room which is in an individual casita through the desert among the massive boulders. In the morning I would hear wolves howl. Tell them I said hi if you go.

We are just about wrapped for season two but instead of showing the entire season separately I believe The Travel Channel is just going to pepper them into the already existing shows. We have already started talking about a third season concentrating on Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada.

I am really looking forward to answering your individual questions.

Samantha[/QUOTE]

We've come a long way baby!

Kapgator-that's a tough one. As you can tell by the show I stay in very expensive hotels which I couldn't afford to stay at either. I know you want to get away from the South Florida thing but since you are only going away for a few days I think your state has a lot to offer. I highly recommend the new Miami Mandarin Oriental. When I was there last year they had a special Florida resident price of I believe $150 a night which is an incredible deal for the quality of guestroom. It would be very romantic. I also had a great time at Hotel Biba in West Palm. Young, hip crowd, funky bedrooms (comfortable beds) and rooms start at $75 a night. It's a converted motor lodge so it has that vintage retro appeal. Have a great time.

Karld- when I get home I cook! When I am traveling I'll buy cooking magazines and plan meals and grocery lists for when I get home. Room service is okay but how many Turkey Clubs can one girl eat.

kingspawn39

I love it when I get to do outdoor activities which depending on how the show is cut it can look like I'm really really good at them or really really bad. Things I can't fake 1. GOLF I'm so bad it's humiliating 2. Scuba or Snorkeling-I am quite intimidated by the ocean. my poor crew has to film me very quickly before I start to panic.

Travel Channel has got me pretty busy for now. Just so you know there is another Samantha Brown. She has done quite a few movies however she is African American so not to many people mistake us. What's funny is that I didn't know there was another Samantha until I was sent some scripts meant for her. I thought to myself -I don't care how good of an actress I might be, I just don't think I am right for this part.

Thanks for the recommendation. You don't know how I have begged and pleaded with the powers at Travel Channel to let us go to the Pacific Northwest. I have never had the fortune to go to that part of our country but the pictures make it look drop dead gorgeous. Who knows maybe in season three. Got any more for that area?

I'm a Texan! well, i was born in Dallas and only lived there for a year but that makes me a native. We did go to Texas this year however not to Houston. We did Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

Thanks for the reply.FYI there are four Samantha Browns listed on IMDB.COM (Internet Movie Data Base) three of them actresses and one a makeup artist.There is also another travel expert named Samantha Brown that comes up on various search engines (yes I sometimes have too much time at work to research these things) who is domiciled in Thailand.In any case I'd just like to say you have great prescence on camera and keep up the good work.Let us know as new things come up.

Hi Samantha, I love the Great Hotels show and just saw the Girl Meets Hawaii and decided to see if you were involved in any other projects. While doing so I found this site http://www.amiannoyingornot.com/view.asp?ID=4956 I think you are hilarious and thought you'd find it funny that you were up for a vote on that site and liked to hear your response too My next big trip is next month to Prague...any tips? Haven't seen any of your shows in Europe but I know you've been to Europe at least. Keep up the great work and that razor-sharp wit I love.

Just wanted to tell you that I love the show. You might say I am addicted. I recently had a baby so I am home a lot. I try very hard to get him down for a nap at 12:00 and 5:00

What I love most about the show is that you focus on what I believe to be very important stuff. The first thing I look at in a room is the bathroom and the toiletries. I don't know why it matters, but a good bathroom is important. The next thing I look at is the bed. By the way, the Four Seasons Maui has the best bed I have ever slept in. I believe you have previously commented on the Four Seasons bed. My husband and I went there for our honeymoon. We even stripped the bed to find out what the mattress was only to learn that it is made for the Four Seasons. I guess I should've realized that. We spent quite a bit of time in the stores trying to find a similar mattress. Without the sheets and down blanket though it just isn't the same.

I think you and your personality make the show as entertaining as it is. I am looking forward to seeing more new shows and planning my next vacation.

I like the idea of you making yourself available to your fans! Shows you really do care! I want to know (and I can't believe no one has asked this) how it was that Great Hotels came to be and how you landed that job. You're absolutely perfect for it but I've always been curious about that, as has my daughter - who (while her lifelong ambitions change from day to day) has said numerous times that she wants to do what you do when she grows up. She's almost 12. Any advice?
Oh yeah and one question: any plans to do thetwo original WDW properties, the Polynesian and the Contemporary?

Hi Sam, OUr cable channel just changed all our channels around (for the 10th time in 3 years, I think)..but this time it worked out for us cause I rediscovered the Travel Channel...I work a kinda split shift...7-11:30 and 2-4:30, so I get to go home at lunch and watch your noon shows and THEN go home in the eve. and catch your 5-6 shows too....I'm hooked! And you are so great as a hostess....I don't think you overreact at all...it's great to see someone who really loves what she is doing and yet gets as excited as we would if we got to go to all those places and see all those things!! We wanna take you home! Anyhow, besides the comments, I had a question for you....we LOVE Disney World and at the beginning of your shows you are always at the Grand Floridian and when that was on, of course, we were still searching for the new channel lineup, and missed it......is there any way to find out if and when that show might replay?????
We REALLY, REALLY wanna see it.....thanks Samantha and keep up your enthusiasm....you're great!!!!

Oh, I love your personality. I recently saw your visit to Dancing Bear lodge. Ok, what was in that jar. I think it was labeled "walt's water". From your reaction, I must presume it wasn't water, he he.

At the Casa Monica, I thought your black dress was delightful. And, I loved the sweet little powder blue dress you wore at the Reliant hotel.

Hmm, I find your sense of humor to be a pleasnant surprise. For, it does have an endearing quality to it. Oh, I loved your visit to the Hotel Hershey.

Well, I'm glad you took the time to read this, thanks.

Hi Samantha, It is such a pleasure to be able to write you. You and your shows have made a real impact on the way we,(my fiance and I) travel. We are from Seattle and always wonder why in all our years of watching your many shows you have never visited Washington state (If you have and we missed it, I apologize) . We personally love the Salish Lodge and spa overlooking Snoqualmie Falls and would love to see your show visit there sometime on a future show, we know you would love it. Thank you for your public service, you make traveling fun and exciting.

Hi Samantha!

I started watching Great Vacation Homes while in college and just love the new Great Hotels program. I guess you could say I've been following your shows for about 4 years now. I'm a complete travel buff (love going anywhere and just about have been anywhere....matter of fact, myself and a friend are going on a cruise tomorrow!) and have always thought I would love to be doing something similar to your job. Would you mind telling me how you got where you are and any advice on how I might get there? Let me know if you'd like to email my hotmail account and I"ll post it in a reply. But I'd really appreciate anything you could let me in on because right now, I know absolutely noone in the biz!

Thanks a bunch,

Kimberly

HELLO MS. BROWN I LIKE YOUR SHOW ABOUT THE GREAT HOTEL. ILIKE WHEN YOU SAT IN THE TUB AND OULALA.THAT IS A GREAT SHOW .TELL ME HOW DID YOU GET GREAT INSIGHT ON THE SHOW. I LIKE YOU IN A BIKINI INHAWAIIAND IN THE HOTEL INFLORDIA. YOU HAVE A GREAT BODY. THAT WHY I LOVE YOUR SHOW TO WATCH YOU. SO KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. THAT YOU ARE DOING. I LOVE TO SEE YOU IN ST.LOUIS DOING A SHOW HERE. I HOPE THAT YOU SELECT ME TO GO FOR THE RIDE TO SEE YOU AT YOUR BEST.TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS. TOMMIE

Hi Samantha, you have a persona that I couldn't figure out why I keep watching your show until now. It's your charm and perky style. So what city has been your favorite to visit?
signed,
Bill.

For the the last 4 years it has been an extreme pleasure to watch the programs you have put out. Not only are you beautiful, intelligent and very funny. But you have made shows that had the capability of being medicore, into shows that are very addicting. You put the fun into the pfunk. Keep up the excellent work and I look forward to many more years of excellent entertainment.

Samantha,
We love your shows on the Travel Channel and watch
them everyday. You could be one of our four daughter, with all of the pleasant and happiness you show each day..We just love you. We always love the Disney World show, because we go at least twice a year. We are going in two weeks again.
You did a great show while you were in Chicago.
We both grew up there.
While in Vegas a while back we saw you while you were filming at the Belaigo.
Keep up the wonderful job you are doing.
The Powaga's

Hello,
Just want you to know that we used your Hawaii shows to aid in planning our trip there last March for 9 days.

I wrote the Travel Channel and informed them that you should have a really substantial salary increse . My wife and I watch the reruns of your shows just to see you again. Love your humor, style, and on-screen personality (I'm a behavior specialist and notice the little things as well). Anyway, I informed them that you are as good as gold and they should jack up that pay and benefits so that you will stay and not leave for a sit-com offer with another channel. You are great deal more humorous than most of the sit-coms on TV that have hired writers.

Keep up the very good work. We can't wait to go with you to some other destinations, hotels, and homes (I prefer the hotels and destinations).
Tell you the truth, I'd watch you do phone ads.

You are so delightful and refreshing! My girls (ages 13 & 17) and I love to watch your shows while we are on the treadmill at the gym. Watching you on your adventures inspires us to get fit so we can go on our own adventures. It doesn't hurt to see you eating the chocolates and yummy desserts either. It makes the time slip by and we feel like we've gone with you. It's the ultimate inspiration. I love to see you be so down to earth and unpretentious as well as gracious. Keep up the good work and we look forward to many more shows!

Good morning Sam! This is great to be in touch with you. I love your shows. I live in Phoenix so when I saw that you visited our area, I was thrilled. Isn't Sedona beautiful too? And I get so many ideas from you. And keep letting us know that even though some hotels are very expensive, they need not be stuffy. Hope you can visit California soon. I love the Pismo Beach area. Would love for you to show their hotels on your show. Well, great talking to you. Keep up the great work.

Hi Samantha,

Just love watching your shows. I been watching since the beginning and find you very interesting to watch. You have a wonderful sense of humor and a way of making the home viewer feel at home or should I say "on foot with you". The hotels you visit are so grand and fun. I have traveled in the past but always stayed at a resort. The only hotel I have stayed in and for an overnight stay was the hotel in Florida with the ducks that walk around the hotel. Keep up all the fun work and come to the board when you have exciting updates to tell.

First and foremost -- I have to compliment you on your shows. Last year I was out of work for about 8 months and one of the things that really kept me going was living vicariously through your shows. Your humor helped brighten my day - not to mention drooling over the amazing places you were visiting.

I think the best aspect of your show is how down to earth you are and how you debunk the myth that all high end hotels are for the "snooty." My wife and I have stayed in several of the hotels you have reviewed -- Princeville, Mohonk Mountain House, Arizona Biltmore -- and every time we walk into the room we are always swept away by the sheer beauty of the rooms, the hotel, the views, and the food. We feel like little kids, flopping on the bed all giddy with excitement. And when I watch your show I see the same sense of excitement and that's what makes it such a pleasure to watch. Oftentimes the people that can afford to stay in these hotels never stop to appreciate what a wonderful experience it is -- that's why it is so refreshing to see you jumping on the bed, standing and giggling in the Jacuzzi, and drooling over the presentation of the food you ordered.

As I read in one of your posts, you are heading to Canada among other places for season three. May I suggest a wonderful boutique hotel located in Montreal's Old Port, called Auberge du Vieux-Port. My wife and I had the pleasure of staying there earlier this year and we would rank it as one of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at. You should have your producers schedule you a visit and I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

It's so great to see you go to such great hotels. watchyou all the time just to see where you'll be going next. I even watch ones i've sen before
Which hotel is your favorite? any plans on doing some more from DISNEYWORLD?

My wife and I watch you all the time. Love your sick sense of humor at times, *LOL*. It is what makes life go around I guess. Lets the inner child come out I always say, hehe. We travel a lot in the NW, Oregon, Washington State and BC.
We saw 40 or so Orcas on our last trip to San Juan Island. It was so awesome, was our first whale sighting ever. You are beautiful and keep up the big smile you have. Your boyfriend is a lucky guy. We love to cook also and trying out new things in travel and cooking. Last thing and I'll quit, hehe. Please try to do a show on Houston, Texas. We have a lot to offer and often gets dissed by the media.

hugs to ya gal,
Bill and Mavis

I think it's great what the Travel Channel is doing with these forums and having you respond is fantastic but how about updating the pics on the website - even if it is just screen captures from the shows.The video highlights from Great Vacation Homes was cool and it would be nice to have more of that kind of thing


Thanks aqain

How come every single time you check into a hotel, the room is ALWAYS ready, they mostly give you a complimentary upgrade, and they are just sitting there, waiting for you to arrive?

How do I get service like that?

Hey Samantha,
You really are a cute girl; I like the perky! Are you single? Can you take me along on one of your adventures sometime?

Samantha, For some reason I'm not seeing my favorite program "Great Vacation Homes" in the mornings. I sure miss seeing you!

I do have a question -- I've emailed Discovery directly and they suggested (because they were unable to help) they I post it on the forum. You visited a couple in rural Montana that had two old log cabins that they had purchased and reconstructed on their property. I would like to contact those people and stay where you stayed if possible! I just can't locate them. Can you help??

P.S. Do you need an assistant to help you with visiting these places and just keep you company??

You are such a treat -- you really liven up the day! Thanks Samantha and may you have a blessed day!

Denise

Hi Samantha,
Really enjoy watching your show and the reruns of your show. You must have a great time on your job. I am sure it is tougher than you make it look so I appreciate all you and your crew must do behind the scene to present the show as if we are walking along as friends into new adventures.
Thank you!

Sam,
Your shows are the only ones that my husband will watch. I am a travel channel junky and he refuses to watch with me unless you are on. Just wanted to say hi and let you know how much we enjoy your humor and enthusiasm. If you ever need an assistant or someone to help out on the show please let me know. I would love to be a part of the travel channel team. Keep up the good work.

Katie S.
Aurora Colorado

Hello Sam,
I'm writing to you from Colorado and I think that it would be an excellenbt idea if you stayed at the Brown Palace which is located in the heart of Denver. This hotel has been around since the turn of the century and was started by Molly Brown, you know the famous unsinkable one. Check it out I think that you would like it.


Lots of love and regards,

Arlette

Hey there, Samantha! I am another travel bug who just happens to feel the same way Arlette [cowboyjesse] does in regard to visiting The Brown Palace in Denver. I got really excited thinking I would post about this extraordinary historical hotel, and the very last post was Arlette's, and I don't even know Arlette!
My husband's company is holding their Christmas party at the hotel in three more weeks, and as a bonus, we are staying for two nights as a little weekend getaway--something this midwife has been needing for a long time. I am so looking forward to going there even though we live just an hour's drive north of Denver. In my line of work, vacations are a rarity, so we make occasional mini-trips to find time alone. I do hope you can pursuade the show to include this fabulous place in the program for next season. I'd love to say I've stayed somewhere noteworthy of the show.
BTW--you remind me of our youngest daughter in a lot of ways, because you exhibit many mannerisms I really enjoy. Keep up the good work and way to go...Happy Trails, Lynda

[This message was edited by midwife00 on 11-15-02 at 08:26 PM.]

Hey there, Samantha! I am another travel bug who just happens to feel the same way Arlette [cowboyjesse] does in regard to visiting The Brown Palace in Denver. I got really excited thinking I would post about this extraordinary historical hotel, and the very last post was Arlette's, and I don't even know Arlette!
My husband's company is holding their Christmas party at the hotel in three more weeks, and as a bonus, we are staying for two nights as a little weekend getaway--something this midwife has been needing for a long time. I am so looking forward to going there even though we live just an hour's drive north of Denver. In my line of work, vacations are a rarity, so we make occasional mini-trips to find time alone. I do hope you can pursuade the show to include this fabulous place in the program for next season. I'd love to say I've stayed somewhere noteworthy of the show.
BTW--you remind me of our youngest daughter in a lot of ways, because you exhibit many mannerisms I really enjoy. Keep up the good work and way to go...Happy Trails

I watch the travel cahnnel all the time. But mostly with Samatha Brown. I tell my son,and husband...I want her JoB. Now I see everyone wants it! Sam is so ennergetic, funny,and so darn likeable. O.k. TRUTH...I only watch her show now. I'm hooked. I even watch re runs.She does a great job showcasing hotels, places in general. I like it when she tells the price...thats not tacky sam.It's good to know.anyway I like traveling with ya. Keep up the good work.
gael

Ah. It's so nice to finally have an outlet for my "TV Crush" and to read that so many others feel the same way about you. Its all been said already -- you're charming, beautiful, witty, and unpretentious -- all of which keeps me watching, rerun after rerun. I'm glad to hear that there will be some new shows with new adventures.

I was wondering if you collect anything from your trips like postcards, shotglasses, t-shirts (not hotel towels, of course) Something to remember the places by other than their granduer.

Oh, and could you perhaps come and visit Upstate/Western New York? There must be at least one "great hotel" around here -- maybe in Niagara Falls?

Anyway, thanks Sam, for providing us with some fabulous television and for making eye contact with the camera -- it really makes the whole show seem so personal and your jokes that much funnier.

Hi Sam,

I really enjoy your great hotels. The show on San Fran and Fairmont was GREAT! You ever been to the Hilton over looking Lake Michigan in Chicago? The filmed “The Fugitive” shot on location here and downstate. The hotel has a history that goes way back. There are other great hotels here. Some deep in history and traditions, while other brand new and with its own style, color and flair like the “W” on Lake Shore Drive and at CityCenter. Let me know when you plan to visit the “Windy City”. I can show you around “My Kind of Town…” ;-)

[This message was edited by chicagojoe on 11-16-02 at 02:42 PM.]

Samantha- We first caught your show because of the Grand Floridian (we love it there). Since then, I think we've seen about every episode. Yours is one of the few shows we catch ourselves laughing out loud. I will look at my wife after one of your humorous "comments" or "observations" and she'll be trying her best to hold it in. Are there any "great hotels" in South Carolina on yours upcoming schedule?

Did you know that you can buy the four seasons bed. I believe it's around 1500 to 2000 dollars however if you think about it that's really just a 4 night stay at one of their luxury hotels. What a bargain.

I auditioned. Travel Channel was looking for someone who was likable but who also had good improvisational skills since there was no script. The Production company PineRidge were the ones that found me through some commercials I had done. A funny story: They had me fly down to Florida where the production company is based to audition and I had this impossible flight connection to make. The first time i missed my second leg. The second time they booked me on the exact same flight and this time I sprinted as fast as i could to the other terminal. When I got to my gate the clerk said to hurry since she had already announced final boarding. Now the connecting flight was just a puddle jumper that you walked out onto the tarmac to get to. When I was walking towards the plane a man yelled "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!" I told him i was on that flight he told me too bad, the plane had already been cleared for take-off. I begged him to let me on telling him that i was trying to audition for a really great job and this was my last chance. I was close to tears because my lungs were burning from having to run hard for ten minutes. So he told me he would have to ask the pilot. I saw the man walk up into the plane to the cockpit . It was at this point that i threw my bags down, ran up to the nose of the plane and yelled "PLLEEEAAASSSE!!"
The pilot gave me the okay sign and honestly at that point i knew i had the job.