Hey Sammy,
Thanks for the phone number. I will give it a call in the next few days. I dont really have anything else to say besides I sent the thing I made out to you like three days ago. I guess it should be getting to you shortly (although it was a Jacksonville address). How are you enjoying this misearable day in New York?

sneech416

Good Idea to head there and do some Lodges. I was actually just taking a break from watching the PBS Great Lodges of the National Parks. I have it on DVD. And I'm getting so excited. And I would love to go to Dollywood, even if it was cheesy. I don't think we'll do Atlantic City this year.

pic on the way!

I will have to pick that book up. Hiking is one of my favorite stress relievers. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that are so "head in the clouds" that I never take a map. My attitude is to just go where the day or trail takes me. As you can imagine I've gotten into trouble doing that. I really need to invest in some good guides.

buiscuitnibbler

I believe we're headed to Baltimore so I'll look it up, got your address. pic on the way

Hey Jack,

Y'know we may just look into Southern Ohio. We are trying to branch away some from the Big Cities and major destinations to show off the more subtle places to visit in the wonderful country of ours. Thank you for your suggestions. Pic is on the way

I would like to get a picture also. Here's my e-mail and hope to hear from you soon. gbushman@peoplepc.com

What I love in a hotel room is sunlight. On my downtime I really enjoy long, long bike rides. I'm talking 4 hours long!

We may very well hit Portland Oregon, it's not definate yet but it's only a few hours from Seattle so I know it's a possibility. Glad all those Girl meets episodes helped you out and thank you for joining in on the forum.

Betsey,

It means alot that someone in the hotel industry enjoys the show. I certainly enjoy doing it and I must admit sometimes it's a challenge thinking of a new and exciting way to talk about the bathroom toiletries. I grew up in Derry NH and then moved to NewCastle which is in the Seacoast area. I know Conway well, and I believe there is even a branch of my favorite Hot dog place Flo's there. I am a huge fan of Maine. It's where I plan to retire in my ol days. However, I'm ready to be a salty ol thing now. I'm glad my show makes you laugh out loud. That's the best compliment I could get. Hope to talk to you soon.

you were hidden in a thick forrest of Samantha_brown responses but I found ya, and a pic will arrive in a few weeks.

I would also like to see some shows featuring the midwest. The bicentinnial of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark Expidition have set midwest cities to planning celebrations. I think that they don't start until spring 2004.

Samantha, I look forward to seeing in Seattle. I have seen another show where they featured the city. I enjoy watching your show more. I hope to get ideas for a trip I have been considering but not taken yet.

Sam

I think this had been brought up before, but have you guys given some thought to having you write a “diary” to post to this forum to keep your fans abreast of your travels during your shooting? This could simply be a weekly status report preferably sprinkled with some “Samanthaisms” detailing your life on the road and the crazy things that happen to you. Heck, it would even be nice to see a map of the U.S, showing your previous location (I’m not sure if the TC would want to take a chance on advertising where you’re headed for fear of your groupies descending on the shoot ).

I know the last thing you need is more work, but I hope you think about it. We enjoy your participation in this forum and miss you when it’s closed. This will give us a chance to keep in touch.

Hi Sam(my)-

You are more than welcome for the kind words! They are all true and then some. If you decide to make any personal appearances when you come to the Great Pacific Northwest (esp. Seattle), I would be a happy guy. Do you have any sort of e-mail list I can subscribe to that would keep me informed?

I can understand your frustration with golf. I am a fairly happy golfer most of the time, but I know that it must seem like the biggest waste of time in the universe if you don't "catch the fever". Certainly, it's better for you to do things you enjoy (such as getting spa treatments and walking into stunningly huge bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs).

I am curious...has there been any thought to a "Great Hotels" book? One of those big, honkin' coffee-table things that would perhaps feature your fave hotels of all time, some transcripts of your stellar descriptions, and maybe some extra special Sammy humor! I think it would be a hit - darn it, I'd buy a boatload!

Thanks again for the reply and I look forward to the picture. It will brighten my office as soon as it arrives!

Sam

I know you've heard this a millon times but I thimk I might want a career in the hotel industry, maybe like yours. I would love to have your job!! Do you have any pointers to help me get started? I want to get a job in the hotel industry because I want to love my job and I am such a big Great Hotels fan and this would be the kind of job that I would love to come to everyday!!
What exactly is your daily schedule when you are filming Great Hotels? I would definately love to have your job!! (Who wouldn't? )

I don't know if you ever e-mail your fans personally, but if you ever need someone to chat with my e-mail address is greathotelsfanatic42@alltel.net

Keep in touch!!- Steven

How are you? Do you plan on doing any shows in Boston? I'm from MA and I'd like to know A good place to stay(feel like I'm on vacation). Where are you from?(New England right) You can e-mail me if you want JOHN71476@aol.com I hope to hear from you soon!! I just missed you by less than A day!! Have fun and keep on smileing!!

The hotel I am recommeding is a bit south of the Outer Banks...Bald Head Island is about an hour south of Wilmington, NC. You take a ferry over from Southport. There is a great Bed and Breakfast called Theodosia's or the Marsh Harbor Inn. You can check out Bald Head information at www.BaldHeadIsland.com...you can check out Theodosias at www.Theodosias.com

The idea of the island is similar to Mackinak Island (no cars) although, in my opinions this place is better (I am a fan of the south)...The island is incredible..subtropical climate, relaxing, and beautiful.

Thanks!
Jenn

Hey Sam

My last chance this week to say hey! Good chatting with you (although briefly).

Nice to see that you like to ride a bike. For some reason, I (and 10,000 other crazy people) pedal across Iowa every July. No hotels to recommend, we camp. My dad and I go every year and it has become a sanctuary away from the hospitals and MRI's and a good way for us to bond. Would not miss it for the world.

Have a good month travelling and we'll look forward to hearing all the dish next time! Stay safe and don't do anything I wouldn't!!

Take Care, Kelly

An addendum-

Sam, if/when you do come to the Emerald City, we have an awesome bike trail! Are you into road bikes or mountain? The Sammamish River Trail starts in Redmond, joins up with the Burke-Gilman trail, and eventually feeds you right into the University District and Husky Stadium. If you love long, long bike rides, this is a beauty. Awesome, pastoral scenery and immaculate trails (once you get past the "powerwalkers" in Redmond). It's like one big half-day meditation! Highly recommended.

Hi Samantha,

I am so glad to hear that you are going to start a new season of Great Hotels. I cant wait to see the new episodes! Its one of my favorite shows on the Travel Channel. I wish I could help you out in advising of which hotel to stay at in the new destinations but I have never been to any of those places. But maybe you can help me!
My parents and I are moving to Las Vegas, hopefully by next month and we are taking a 3 week savatical to get there. We are planning on staying in New Orleans, San Antonio, and a few other stops on the way like in Arizona.
Could you reccomend fun places to visit while staying around these cities?
I would appreciate any info that you may have!
Could you also send me an autographed picture? Hopefully I will recevie it before I move {lol}.

My email address is:
angeleyes_180@msn.com

Thanks a Bunch and Keep Up The Good Work!

Stacy

(such a quiet weekend here, please forgive me) Sam, on the biking front, surely you know about the wonderful movie "Breaking Away", the little film (late 70s?) that became a huge hit, got various oscar nominations, I think launched the career of Dennis Quaid, and is probably the most charming of all bicycle movies (can't be very many of those anyway). And I know you're writing all these suggestions down. (glad I finally discovered these emoticon dealies) I won't even get into talking about England's amazing network of public footpaths that criss-cross the rural countryside and coastlines dating back hundreds of years to an era when slogging by foot from point A to point B was anything but a hobby... but they're wonderful (and can be printed out on your home pc from the Ordnance Survey website). But of course I won't do that. Thanks to you and any other patient readers who've put up with my drivel. A glorious day here in VA, and I'm going to do some running out there of my own this afternoon. OK, I'm really out of here this time.

Hey you. I wanted to tell you that our local paper, The Reading Eagle-Times, just had an article about the travel channel. It was written by someone locally I know, Charlie Adams. If his name sounds familiar it’s because he has been on the travel channel for the ghosts/haunted places shows. He is an expert/author on the subject and would like to write a book with me. Not only because I’m also an author but because of all the paranormal experiences I’ve had myself! Anyway, his article went on and on complaining about how the travel channel doesn’t have enough on travel anymore - Short People convention, Tatoos, Best Bathrooms, Las Vegas ****er Bets…at one point he said The Vegas Channel, ooops, I mean the Travel Channel…
The only positive thing he noted was about you! He said you are a delightful and funny hostess. Thought you’d like to know what’s being written about you - put that one in the scrap book for the grandkids
Hey, everyone really seems to like you - you are becoming America’s Sweetheart (it was time for Mary Tyler Moore to step down anyway)
Sister Kathy

Samantha

My opinion of eating alone in some of your segments ..........it is that, one of power---I sometime eat alone in a restaurant and I know what it takes !!!!!! Of course, you always have a camera and camera man looking at you !!! You are not alone.

I think you should consider visiting The Greenbrier Hotel and Resort located in West Virginia and The Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN

Please take these wonderful and grand Hotels into consideration, I have !!!!!!!!

Sam,

I love when you visit the Disney Hotels. Are there any plans to visit the Polynesian or the Contemporary resort at Disney World? What about the moderate and value resorts, even though they are not exspensive they are truely unique. Also, are you planning to visit any of the Disney Hotels in CA? I would love to see what they look like.

I also have a suggestion. My mother is handicapped, but we love to travel. Is there anyway that the show can highlight the hotels accessibility for Handicapped people? I think that this would interest many Americans. It is sometimes hard to travel if you don't know if the hotels is accessible.

I love the show. You have to be the luckiest person to have such a great job.

HELLO SAMANTHA, I enjoy watching you on the travel channel where ever you are. You are just beautiful!!! I would love to meet you. Please come to WEST VIRGINIA, Just a few minutes away is Jessica Lynch's home or well drive over and have lunch at the GREENBRIER. I very much enjoy traveling and have been at a few of the places you have hit. Waiting to meet the beautiful SAMANTHA!!!
TURBO
1117 LAKEVIEW DRIVE
Parkersburg, WV 26104 304-481-3652

Sam,

With all the TV air time your programs get, you are quickly becoming the American Icon for not only the Travel Channel but the whole Travel industry. !! YOU GO GIRL !!

Anyway, I noticed you are going to NAPA Valley, CA.for GH III, I dont have any Great Hotels to reccomend, however, I would like to give a plug to Inglenook Winery. They give a Great tour of there vinyard.

Also, Not far away from Napa Valley is Yosemite Natl Park and Lake Tahoe. These are 2 GREAT places I would reccomend for GH III.

HAVE FUN!!

Paul

p.s. I know its a bit early in the ballgame, however, when will GH III start airing on tv?

Hey!
Could you do a hotel in San Francisco? We're going there in Christmas and I need an idea.
Thanks!

Samantha, have you ever considered putting together a book about your adventures at the hotels? I for one would buy it. It could be sort of a guide book for those of us who dream of staying in expensive hotels but because of one reason or another (mine being two boys under six) have not yet gotten around to it.

I live in Pittsburgh and would love to see you do a show from here. Keep up the good work!

Your biggest fan in the Burgh,
Nancy

What you could do when you have dinner, is have the chef, or concierge or general manager join you. Then it could be a game - you tell them they have until you're done eating the entre to talk about the hotel. Could be amusing, then again, could be messy!

Also, I was wondering and not to be a pest, but could I get a picture? It would be for Mom; she would think of it as such a hoot to get a pic from "TV people". That's if she believes me it's from you...when my brothers and I were young, we would rip pictures out of People magazine of people my mom liked, and then sign and frame them. She hung them up and thought she had these priceless autographs, until one time she noticed a page number and "People Magazine" at the bottom of Burt Reynolds' photo. It was a good joke, though, while it lasted.

Thanks much, and thanks for taking time out of your schedule to pop in!

sneech416@hotmail.com

dejardin,

We have already talked about that and we are going to try it out. Not sure what it will be yet.

dfarrar777,

I've never thought of a book. I guess I'll start with the on-line Diary and then go from there. Who knows. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hey Steven,

If you love the hotel industry you should go to school for it. I believe your major is called the Hospitality Industry. You would take classes in everything from beverage management (how much wine, beer and soda you should order) to Foreign Languages. I know that Cornell University has one of the best programs in the United States. Good Luck.

johnbarrette,

I'm fine thank-you. Yes, we will be making our way to Boston by I have no idea where we'll be staying. Any ideas? I'm from New Castle NH. It's right next to Portsmouth.

jennkd,

Thanks for the info. If we don't get to do it on the show I'm going to head down there myself for my own vacation. I love Macinaw Island especially for the no cars. But Macinaw is really tough to get to for we northerners so Bald Head Island has me very intrigued.

keldvm,

Have a great time with your dad. I just got back from a 6 hour bike ride myself. It's such a gorgeous day that I set out on my bike at 11:00am and just kept riding. I ended up in Englewood NJ (a place far, far away) There's nothing like a good bike ride. It was wonderful talking to you. See ya next time.

dfarrar777,

funny you should ask if I like to ride a bike (see posting above to keldvm) I have a hybrid but I would guess it couldn't stand up to any serious pounding. Thanks for the tip sounds right up my alley.

angeleyes,

In New Orleans I would try to stay at Maison de Ville. Real New Orleans flavor. Also check out Jeremy Davenport at The Ritz Carlton. He's a fantastic jazz musician that I really enjoyed while I was there. In San Antonio I absolutely loved The hotel San Jose. It's a funky place not for everyone. Look it up on the internet to see what you think. I hope this helps. I got your address. Thanks

Kthynoll,

I hadn't heard. Do you know what day that article ran. I'd love to have it and show it to my bosses at Travel Channel

hinerm,

We are trying to go there. And just so you know I enjoy eating alone for real not just on camera.

There's always plenty to do at Disneyworld. Don't know if I would want to do the Polynesian. After spending so much time in beautiful Hawaii it would be hard to accept the man made version. I maybe wrong about this but I thought all hotels and businesses for that matter had to be wheel chair accessible. I know all the hotels we do have rooms with special bathrooms-lots of bars to assist. I remember Loew's hotels even have a peep hole that is wheel chair level on the door.

boy would I love to be a travel icon! Thanks for the Napa info. I will definately check out Inglenook. Season three episodes should start to air (and I'm just guessing here) around late October.

We did many hotels in San Fran and loved them all. Really the entire city is absolutely enchanting. But here are some suggestions. Westin St. Francis, The Fairmont, and The Hotel Serrano(lots of fun). Look them up and have a great time. I'm jealous you're going there.

y'know you're the second person who has brought up the book idea. I don't know I'm starting to warm up to it. At least there would be two people who would buy it. My mom and Dad would buy two as well so that makes it four. New York times best seller here I come!

How could you pick on your mom like that! Actually that's a really cute story. Pic will be on the way shortly.

Hi Samantha,
I have been to the Four Seasons Aviara in San Diego, its wonderful!I suggest you go there for an episode. We were going to go to Hotel Coronado, which I here is beautiful also.
Good luck on season 3!

You can still crank out 15 posts after a 6 hour bike ride! Very impressive. You are probably hungry, and I would surely get those wings to you if I knew how. It sounds like elton-ny has some kind of plan, though. You certainly deserve all the good things that come to you in life. I really enjoy reading the great tips that show up in this forum, and I hope captuttle does not retire. I've put Spaghetti Hale on my list of places to eat before I die. I just hope American Airlines doesn't go under before I do, taking my frequent flyer miles with it. My favorite Oahu restaurant is Genki Sushi at 900 Kapahulu Ave. The conveyor belt with multi colored plates is something you just don't see in these parts. Next month I will share with you the results of my extensive research on New England whoopie pies, so that you can track down the best one when you go to Boston. Thanks again for keeping us smiling, take care, and don't burn yourself out. No reply necessary.The woman has done enough!

Samantha-

My husband works in Bermuda a lot and has stayed at most of the hotels on the island. None are what I would call extravagant, but there is one little hotel with quite a lot of personality- it is called Waterloo House. I posted the name to the producers thread as well. Bermuda is pretty laid back, but there is plenty to do- even without golfing!

I posted earlier about a Seattle area hotel, but I think it got lost in the list of posts, so here is the information on it again-

I would like to recommend the Willows Lodge in Woodinville, WA for an upcoming show. I stayed there once, while enroute to an Alaskan cruise and loved it.

They have a website:http://www.willowslodge.com/

I love the show, keep up the great work!

Wanted to say Bye, have fun, good luck, be well, stay safe and all of that before you hit the road for the big season three!
I'm sure you'll be spreading your good karma all over the US
The newspaper article you were in was in the Travel section of the April 6 Reading Eagle. I could try to get a copy to you or find out if the article is available online.
BTW,I want to thank you for scheduling this forum to be open for my birthday (today). Too kind of you to plan your life around my birthday
Thanks for your enchanting info on Enchantment resort. It was very helpful.
Hmm..feel like I should end with a good question for you - ok what was is like doing that indoor skydiving? That looked rough! (but fun)
Take care,
Your twin (demented ) sister from Reading,
Kathy

It's a good thing you can't see me, because then you'd know how nervous I am right about now. It's not every day I can chat with a famous TV star, but you seem so down to earth and approachable to fans that I may be worrying about nothing (at least, I hope so!). I've recently had my hours cut down at my radio station job due to the war, so obviously the smaller check is a downer, but the upside has been my rediscovery of Great Hotels. I used to watch GMH and GH while I was on the air when it came on at 4pm; I was disappointed when it was moved earlier, but now that I get in at noon daily, I can once again experience your joie de vivre and disarming personality (not to mention really cool hotels) for one hour every day. (Of course, the fact that you're drop dead GORGEOUS doesn't hurt either! )
I enjoyed your GH about the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; when were you there? I ask because I was in the Springs last June visiting family. I'll probably return this summer; it's an absolutely marvelous place to visit, what with Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.
Unfortunately, I can't think of any Great Hotels in the areas you mentioned (mainly because I've only been to a few of them, and it's been more than ten years since my visits there). I would like to recommend, though, if you return to Miami, the Fontainebleau Hilton. It's a world famous spa and resort on Miami Beach that has been celebrity central for over 50 years. Movies like "The Bodyguard" have been shot here, and its art deco style is renowned worldwide.
Something else I'd like to ask, seeing as how you're a Syracuse grad: what are the places and sights to see in that city? My family and I are going there over the 4th of July weekend for a wedding, but aside from the university, I don't know much about the area. We're planning a visit to Niagara Falls on that Sunday, and I hope to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but time probably won't let me take advantage of the latter. I trust your opinion and am safe in the knowledge that anything in Syracuse that earns "Samantha's Seal of Approval" will not disappoint.
OK, I've gushed and blustered enough. But like just about everyone else, I'd be honored to receive a picture from you. I'm at: bptmario@hotmail.com. Here's hoping that Season 3, wherever it takes you, treats you as well as you deserve, and most importantly that you stay as humble and beautiful as ever. It's those two qualities that will keep me tuning in as long as there are Great Hotels to be discovered and you to help us discover them.

Mother O, thanks for the sympathetic plug. Capt. Tuttle isn't really likely to retire unless he gets too impertinent or overbearing. Actually, I truly did retire almost exactly 3 years ago at the tender age of 47 - I'd spent about 15 years working with books and college kids at A Very Major Central Virginia University library that sort of lost its luster. (naturally, 4 days after I quit the stock market tanked 680 points in an afternoon and never looked back; since then it's been just a tad dodgier than Finance Lady led me to expect, but I'm still retired in that sense.) Curiously, not too long after, while glissandoing up the cable tv scale one listless morning (you can't read English history every hour), I ran into Great Vacation Homes and was immediately enchanted by this Samantha Brown who was cheerfully bouncing around people's houses with unkempt (then brown) hair, flying onto people's beds, peering into their bathrooms, and generally utterly charming everyone (even with bad puns), and I couldn't help but keep watching. Since then Sam has blossomed before our eyes, wonderfully articulate and perceptive and still the adorable girl next door but now with more than a dash of femme fatale (oh, that little black evening gown...) - a killer combination to be sure, and she's just so fun to watch even if I'm never going to a Vegas or Disney hotel as long as I live(Williamsburg is only 2 hours away, though, but I can barely do Motel 8s right now in good conscience). So when I found this website, I couldn't resist that either. I'm evidently not one of Sam's particular favorite posters , but then this isn't a site for self-centered pen pals and my rants quickly verge way off the pertinent subject of hotels, so Capt. Tuttle has to watch his decorum (And Sam, PAY NO ATTENTION to this posting as I swore I was retired for now and I stick by that statement ). But there you have it, Mother Orange, and I must say I for one greatly enjoyed your posts this week as well (but what is a New England whoopie pie?). Congrats on the basketball championship at Syracuse, by the way (I'm a huge Duke fan - when I was there it was virtually the only time they were terrible so I always had great seats in the student sections - but it's a wonderful feeling, isn't it, and Jim Boeheim deserves it). I've never been Upstate NY, but I know it's lovely in the summertime (well, maybe not Syracuse proper, but Finger Lakes for sure), and have known some great people from Syracuse/Rochester. Do keep up the witty banter here, and my apologies to Samantha for momentarily hi******* her forum (she's confessed to her readers about her temper now, and I suspect she can plunk someone in the ribs with a hefty paperweight with decent accuracy at up to 20 yards so I carefully keep my distance). I think I'll abstain from May entirely as penance, so I guess I really am retired again for a while. Hope our glorious spring here makes it up to you. Hey, it's almost noon!