The Countdown has begun. One week until the shooting of Great Hotels Season Three begins and normal life as I know it ends. I've been given all my travel dates from now until February so I can turn down social events months in advance. My conversations go something like this: "Can you come to my baby shower in June?" No. "A group of us our going camping in upstate N.Y. in August" - sorry can't make it. "Your mothers birthday is coming up" Mom who?

Last week everyone involved in GH met for a production meeting to do a marathon discussion about this past season of shows, the good and the
bad, and how Season Three will change. For starters I will now have a cartoon sidekick who will join me for all those dinner scenes that I
usually appear in alone. It has been brought to our attention that a lot of people view that segment as sad since I am always eating by
myself. We have talked to Scooby-doo's agent (my first choice) but he's much too expensive however we have heard thru the grapevine that JabberJawz from Laff-A-lympics is very interested. I really hope no one believes me.

The major change for Season Three is spending more time in the city of the hotel doing touristy kind of stuff. Oh! and we all agreed that
after 90 hotels we no longer have to show the check in process. Nice.

Oddly enough, even though we know WHEN we are going to travel we don't quite know where. Actually we do have a good idea of the
destinations just not the great hotels in these destinations.

That's where you come in. You knew it wouldn't be long before I put you all to work. So here they are, some of the destinations we're looking at for Season Three. I would love to have your opinion of where I should stay and what I should do:

-Napa and Sonoma Valley, Calif. (I've been begging for this one for years)
-San Diego, Calif.
-Boston/New England area
-Savannah, Ga.
-Jackson Hole, Wyo.
-Santa Fe, N.M.
-Baltimore/Eastern Shore area
-Outer Banks, N.C.
-Seattle, Wash.
-National Parks
-Bermuda
-Vancouver, Canada

(I may come back with more destinations next month.)

Samantha, You need to visit the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA and tour Harvard Square. You have a tremendous following at Harvard Law School...show us some love and come to Cambridge!

Also, I saw on a previous post where you would send a photograph if requested. I would love for you to send pictures to me and my friend, JK. Here's our address:

Cody Partin
7313 HLS Holmes Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138

Thanks Samantha. Keep up the good work.

[This message was edited by codypartin on 04-22-03 at 10:24 AM.]

Welcome back to the forums! I wrote a post under "Samantha responds" because I saw other people doing it and thought that would be the new way of communication rather than one chat monthly. ANYWAYS... what national parks will you be at? They are all over the U.S. haha. I have pictures of various national parks, but because I went camping, I dont have any hotel suggestions. I did some research for you though! I found a few interesting hotels up by Muir Woods National Park in California.(They are really beautiful but $460 a night!! )I am not sure I am allowed to post links here so I will wait until your approval! Take care!

[This message was edited by xashleykristenx on 04-22-03 at 10:26 AM.]

Hey, sister.
Thanks for the photo - it's really a good picture - very soft/artsy/romantic. My mom saw it and said, "Oh my God she is pretty!"
Yes please let me know whenever you are in Reading again I would love to meet you. How often do you get here?
My mom grew up with a lot of Browns she says. Can you say here what your father's first name is and your moms full maiden name? I'll ask if it rings a bell.
Kathy
BTW, you really know how to rock with a cow bell

(just saw that one. too funny. fun to see you bringing your sketch comedy talent into the show)

Samantha, I think this is a dynamite idea, and I'm confident I speak for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts when I ask - Are you single? and how do I go about getting this autographed Photo Cody speaks of - See you in Mass! - Doug

Samantha:
First of all I would like to say thank you for the autographed picture you sent me! You are so pretty!!!! My brother, who is six and is also a fan of yours, saw it and said he wanted one also. Could you send him one? His name is Kevin and if you need our address again I will put my e-mail address below.

So, how have you been since you were last here? What have you been doing? I have been anxiously awaiting your return.

If you ever go back to come back to Florida and are in the Orlando (Disney World) area, I would definately reccomend the Double Tree Resort Suites right across the road from Downtown Disney. It was excellent; definately one of the best hotels my family and I have ever stayed at.

I know season three will be the best season yet and I can't wait for it!!!! Well, talk to you soon.

greathotelsfanatic42

My e-mail address is greathotelsfanatic42@alltel.net

Hi Sam,
Went to the auto show in NYC last sat. Hoped to run in to you. You will really flip over the 2005 Mustang! Were you arms akimbo when your Alma Mater won the 2003 National Basketball Championship? Did You hang out on Marshall St. when in Syracuse or did you behave yourself?
Love "Great Hotels". The show is terrific but would be no where as good without you. your "Perky" presence makes the show so much fun to watch. Sure helped me last sept-oct. when i was home recovering from a Hernia repair. Thanks for being such a sweetie!
Bill
p.s. I'd like a photo from you as well. However the process goes to get one?
wnichol@twcny.rr.com

Hi Sam,

This is my first time checking out your discussion site and I was glad to see there was a way to let you know how great of a host, entertainer and overall funny person you really are and I am sure you have heard this before. I really enjoy all of your shows, but you seem to have the most fun on the great hotel series. You obviously have a beautiful heart, because it shines through when watching all your shows, along with that great smile you have. :O)

Like you, I am originally from the New England area and not to far from where you grew up in NH. Since I know the Boston area fairly well, I am working on sending you some fun places to visit when you and the crew come to the Boston area. Currently I am living in Northern California and I actually live very close to the Sausalito Houseboat show you did on Great Vacation homes a couple years back, good show by the way. Do to my current location, I can also offer you a few great places around the Napa and Sonoma Region as well to check out, try not to spend all your per diem on the wine. :O)

Well, since most of my family is back East, I can't wait to check out your show from the Boston location and of course all of this seasons shows. I know you will put your classic funny spin on the entire Boston area, you really do have a great sense of humor, please keep up the improv.

Well, I need to run, but I will definitely return to pass along the list of places to check out when your in Bean Town and Napa.

Take care Sam and have a great season...

Jack

Sam, this is the fellow that suggested the "cheap and expensive" show with you and Ian of "Lonely Planet" last month. Great to get a response from you!

I live in the Seattle area, and I can think of several fascinating hotels here that you would enjoy.

-- Inn at the Pike Place Market (I think that's the name). It's adjacent to the famed market/tourist attraction, the home of the fish throwers. I believe it's designed as a B&B, and it's so boutique not a lot of locals know about it.

-- Edgewater Inn. This one is definitely known by the locals. It's built on a pier between downtown Seattle and the Seattle Center. Their gimmick is "Fish From Your Window", and a lot of guests do dangle poles down from their window into Puget Sound.

-- Sorrento Hotel. It's halfway up "First Hill", home of many hospitals and near the Broadway/Capitol Hill area, Seattle's version of Greenwich Village. The few blocks around it aren't the most inspiring, but I understand it's a lavish hotel with a multi-star restaurant, The Hunt Club.

-- The Four Seasons. This is one of our superstar hotels, where celebrities stay and where black-tie events are held. It's smack in the middle of downtown, which depending on your view has been either revitalized or gentrified (Niketown, GameWorks, etc.).

-- The Westin. Another superstar hotel, on the northern edge of downtown and near emerging Belltown. It's notable for two circular towers housing the rooms. My high school prom was held there, and there are many other functions there, too.

-- If you want to go outside the city, there's an in right on Snoqualmie Falls, several miles due east in North Bend. The falls are a spectacular sight, and the inn is right on a cliff next to the falls. It's famous as a brunch and honeymoon site.

-- Heck, in my suburb of Kirkland, there's the Woodmark Hotel, set in an affluent marina/business complex. The notable feature I've heard they've had in the past is a "run of the kitchen" on certain late nights, when guests could raid the restaurant kitchen and make or order whatever they want. Right up your alley, I'm sure!

If you're going to visit our "neighbour" to the north, Vancovuer -- which I think may very well be North America's classiest city -- there are several great hotels in the downtown peninsula. I know there's a giant one on the north part, next to Canada Place (I think that's the name) and the cruise ship terminals. Vancouver is easily walkable, has terrific food and nightlife, and Stanley Park on the western end of the peninsula is terrific.

Or, better yet, take the ferry to Vancouver Island and visit Victoria, the provincial capital. It's got the big British thumbprint, plus there's the huge Empress Hotel. The Empress' afternoon tea is an institution.

Hope this helps, and looking forward to welcoming you to my neck of the woods!

-- Mike Ligot

Dear Samantha,
Thank you so much for the picture. I posted this in the Great HOtels discussion but no one seemed to be interested. My wife and I did the first few nights of our honeymoon at the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, CA. It's a little north of Santa Rosa in WIne Country. There are some beautiful Vineyards nearby and Healdsburg is a beautiful little city. THis place was just fabulous. There is the main Manor which I believe was built in the late 1800's and has several cottages around which were probably built a little later. My wife and I did not stay in the main part of the Manor, but we did peek at the really gorgeous rooms upstairs while they were being cleaned. All the rooms in the Manor are a little different from eachother, and all the cottages are probably amazing as well. The restaurant is one of the finest in all of WIne country. I know it's gotten several awards and has a killer wine list ofcourse. ALl of the vegetables are produced in their gardens out back which you can go through. This is truly a unique place and really worth checking out. I can give you any other information if you needed it.
Also, when is "Great Hotels" going to go to Disneyland???????????!!! "The Grand Californian" is just a fantastic a place as the WIlderness Lodge is, and I think you'd have a lot of fun at "California Adventure" and "Disneyland". It's very different from Disneyworld, but I still think you'd love staying at the Grand Californian.

What! No more “Sam checks in” scenes? No more “We’ve been expecting you Miss Brown?” (BTW, does a hotel really need to tell you they’ve been expecting you? Isn’t that implied in the reservation process? Though I have to admit, I can’t ever remember a hotel clerk telling me they’ve been expecting me. Normally, they look me up and down and ask if I’m sure I have a reservation HERE).

I suppose next you’ll be telling us you’re doing away with the “Sam kicks off her shoes and bares her pretty feet” scenes which I must say I, ahem, always look forward to (God, I’m so exposed). I’m of the opinion that your man Stan is responsible for those and if so he deserves an Emmy!

And speaking of Emmys, I happened to check out the Academy’s web site and was amazed at what I saw. Are those the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Service Show Host? Steve “Couldn’t carry Bob Villa’s toolbelt” Thomas? Emeril “If I hear him say ‘kick it up a notch’ again, I’m gonna scream” Lagasse? Martha “Too famous to do anything wrong” Stewart? And Christopher “I don’t even know who the heck this is” Lowell? Hey Academy, since you only saw fit to nominate 4 hosts how about making room for someone who’s really deserving and talented? HOW ABOUT SAMANTHA BROWN!

Congratulations on your Orangemen. Here’s wishing you safe travels and fabulous hotel rooms.

Hey Sam,

Thanx for the pic, It was kind of ironic when I received it the same week GVH aired at Blue Mountain Beach, which is only a few minutes away from where I live .

Anyway, I was quite surprised you did not have any Las Vegas Hotels on your Great Hotels III list. More specifically, Rio Hotel, Caesars Palace, and the BIGGEST hotel...MGM Grand.

A couple other suggestions are the Atlantis Hotel, Bahamas and Hyatt Hotel in Niagra Falls, Ontario, where you can catch an "up close" view of the falls riding on the "Maid of the Mist" boat ride or just minutes down the road you can ride the rapids on a jet boat..(Ive done both and it was AWSOME!! LOL what a laugh..)

Best of luck on Great Hotels III

Paul

Why not take your veiwers to a place that no one goes to, Hartford, CT. The city could use the exposure as well as the boost in it's economy. Hartford has 1 decent hotel but not much else. There are two casino hotels in CT that will rival just about anything you could find in Vegas or the like. Fortunately Connecticut is so small you are less than 2 hours from anywhere in the state, (provided you don't get stuck on I-95. My wife (Sue), daughter (Megan) and I look forward to your programs every week. We sing your praises to everyone who will listen. You even have a seat near the head of the table at the Dinner With The Ten People We Would Love To Meet, (you sit between Tom Brokaw and Samuel L. Jackson). If you could send an autographed photo it will make me a hero again to my family. Many thanks and keep that pretty smile shining.

I think for Seattle either the Edgewater
or Snoqualmie Falls.
Thanks for the picture, that's a good one
of you too.
Hey, I think Truly Madly Deeply was a great movie. The actors were great. She's a good actress amd it was pretty touching. You know what, I think Best In Show was better than Waiting For Guffman though, I had more laughs.
I bet you were in theater so that's why you
dig it.
Have you ever seen Elling? That's one of my favorite movies.
You know what, here's someone who looks like
you (if she had shorter hair) Buffy The Vampire Slayer!!!
Have a great day

I HAVE A HARVARD LAW SCHOOL FOLLOWING! you don't know how indirectly intelligent I feel by your viewership. Just last Wednesday syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell remarked in his column how much he enjoyed the show. I looked him up on the internet and turns out he's got a PH.D in economics from the University of Chicago and a A.B. in economics, magna *** laude Harvard. And now you! Well, I am so flattered and will absolutely call on you for any legal representation I may need in the future. You know when I trash my hotel room and punch photographers in the face-when celebrities go bad kind of representation.

hey sweetheart,

the forum was a bit confusing at the beginning but I think it's all been worked out. we'll probably concentrate out west for the National Parks Hotels. However, the Muir Woods we'll definately look into. Can you believe that $460 is the normal rate for the hotels we feature on the show? Unbelievable! Hope all is well. say hi to your karate kickin bro.

Sam,

I want to reccomend the "Sheraton Hotel" in Niagra Falls, not the Hyatt as mentioned in my previous reply. (see website below for reccomended hotel)

http://www.fallsview.com/

Also, the best time to visit the Falls is during the summer months

Good Luck !!

Paul

Glad you like my picture. I have to get new ones seeing that my hair doesn't look like that anymore but the resemblance is still there. I was in Reading recently. Me and my mom's favorite thing to do is to take long car drives through-out the country side and hit some diners and ice cream stands along the way. My Dad is around 56 and my mom is 55 (at least she thinks she is, she doesn't keep track anymore) Is your mom around that age and would she had gone to Reading High?

It's quite easy to get a picture. Just send fifty dollars to Sama...i'm joshing. Leave me your email address on this site (if you feel comfortable with that) then I'll contact you to get your address to send a picture to. I'm very excited to be coming to Boston/Cambridge. Growing up in Southern N.H we used to visit alot. I haven't had Pizzeria Regina in like fifteen years. I also enjoy the Pizza at The European (is that still around) and Figs. It's all about the food.

I will most definately send your brother a picture. We are going back to Disney this season to do a Christmas at Disney World one hour special. DO I HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD OR WHAT! I'm trying to convince my sister to let my nephew Corey, he's thirteen, take a week off from school and join me and possibly be in the show. As for what I have been up to... I've been taking advantage of some downtime before Great Hotels begins again. I visit all the museums here in NY, see theatre and meet with friends so that they don't forget about me.

You know I always forget about the car show. I would love to go. Did they change the Mustang radically? I was very happy with SU championship win although, I don't usually watch much sports because I get too worked up. Within five minutes of watching two teams I have never seen before play I become emotionally involved and am reduced to screaming at the tv and hiding my face in a "i can't look" way. Then I can't go to sleep. A picture will be on the way next Monday.

Ms. Brown,

I am also a "1L" at Harvard Law. Watching your show provides just the escape I need from Torts! My friends and I skip class twice a week just to watch your show (more rewarding and certainly more educational).

I had a quick suggestion for a hotel in B.C.: The Aerie on Vancouver Island. It is a member of the Relais & Chateaux and is extremely beautiful.

In Cambridge, please check out The Inn at Harvard. In addition to its location in the heart of "The Square," my friends and I will make you and your crew believe you are shooting an episode of "TRL" or ESPN's "College Gameday" with all the enthusiastic screaming behind you.

Best,
J.K.

jgivens@law.harvard.edu

WELL WELCOME TO OUR MONTLY CHAT! glad you could join us.

For a newcomer you've started out on the right foot-abundant praise of Travel Channel host. It always makes me like you right away. I'm kidding although it was still very nice to hear and much appreciated. Please keep me posted on some Boston destinations as well as Wine Country. We never have it in the budget to visit these places before we show up at their doorstep so we rely heavily on great word of mouth.

Mike, would you possibly take a job in producing? Your list is incredible and I'm just going to copy and paste the entire thing to our research crew. I think we definately want to try some quirkier hotels this year and Seattle strikes me as a place to find them. I came to your home town about ten years ago and absolutely loved it. I looked up Snoqualmie Falls for last season, the area looks breathtaking. Hopefully we'll do it this year.

Madrona Manor sound right up our Alley. That's how I picture experiencing wine country anyway-in a cottage or Inn type atmosphere with an incredible restuarant that picks all it's vegetables from their own garden. Very Alice Waters. I heard a blurp about going to DisneyLand but I don't know if we'll have time. How close is it to San Diego?