Historic Lake Quinault Lodge offering Holiday Celebrations, Winter Specials

Historic Lake Quinault Lodge is offering holiday getaways with rates as low as $101.50 a night and celebrations for Christmas.

“The holidays are a time to enjoy the people you love, not to worry about details,” says general manager Hiedi Olson, “Lake Quinault Lodge’s expansive dining room, cozy guest rooms and warm lobby with a roaring fire can host any size party while still feeling like home. And just like home, we’ll be watching holiday movies but on our 14-foot projection screen.”

Frequently covered by a blanket of soft snow, Lake Quinault Lodge is the ideal winter retreat for Western Washington, whether for a holiday getaway, or for an escape from the day-to-day grind. For rates and reservations visit www.OlympicNationalParks.com and use the promo code LQFALL13 or call 888-896-3818. To stay up-to-date of all events and activities, like us on Facebook.

Upcoming events include:

Culinary & Wine Weekend

When: Friday Nov. 30 – Sunday Dec. 2
What: Culinary weekend featuring Maryhill Winery, 2009 Washington Winery of the Year. Includes cooking demonstrations, recipe cards, a four course dinner with wine pairings and two nights lodging
Price: Package starts at $499 per person. Promo code: CULINARY

Christmas Dinner:

When: Tuesday Dec. 25, 2-7p.m.
What: Christmas dinner served in the Roosevelt Dining Room including the traditional holiday dishes of ham and pecan sweet potatoes as well as local favorites such as bakes salmon and marrionberry cobbler.
Price: Three options priced between $26-$37 for adults, $12-$15 for children
Reservations required, call (360) 288-2900

New Year’s Eve Ball:

When: Monday, Dec.31, 2012
What: The evening includes dancing, party favors, light appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. It is a blast from the past – we will be ringing in the New Year in good old 1920s fashion, so dress accordingly. Guest can enjoy a night stay on the package listed here or just come for the party.
Price: $30 for single admission, $50 per couple. Rooms start at $209 a night

Lake Quinault Lodge has long been a gathering place for Pacific Northwest vacationers. The lakeside lodge is located in the heart of one of only three temperate rainforests in the world and offers hiking, biking, fishing, boat rentals and tours of the lake and rainforest. Lake Quinault Lodge is also home to the Roosevelt Dining Hall, where Franklin D. Roosevelt dined during a trip that would later result in Olympic being named a national park.

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is 922,651 acres of preserved coastal, mountain and rainforest terrain. It is the fifth most visited national park in the United States, drawing 3.3 million visitors in 2010 and is located near Seattle, Wash., Vancouver British Columbia, and other Northwestern population centers. Declared a national park in 1938, the region is also a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Preserve and 95 percent is declared wilderness, a further protection above national park status.

ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK, delivers authentic and memorable experiences at national and state parks, national forests, specialty hotels, museums and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. In partnership with its clients, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations seek to enhance the guest experience by offering industry-leading hospitality, environmental stewardship, recreational and interpretive programs. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and its properties visit www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com. For up-to-the-minute news and information on this, and other ARAMARK Parks and Destinations locations follow on Twitter @ARAMARKParks.

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Sol Duc Hot Springs in Olympic National Park Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Promotions, Special Event

Sol Duc Hot Springs in Olympic National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The resort opened for the season March 29 and will commemorate the anniversary with promotions and a special event.

“Sol Duc Hot Springs has been the northwest’s premier natural hot spring destination for the past century,” says Amanda Lovelady, district manager for ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, Olympic Peninsula. “The resort is deeply tied to the history of this area, and we hope to share that story with locals and our visitors.”

May 5 – 6 there will be a 100th anniversary celebration at the springs. Hosted by the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, the National Park Service and the Clallam County Historical Society, the day will be filled with food, entertainment and a special look at the hot springs’ history. The celebration will include an original Stanley Steamer Mountain Wagon which early visitors rode the last part of their two-day journey from Seattle to visit the hot springs.

Often touted as a ‘natural remedy,’ the hot springs at Sol Duc have long been a source of relaxation and recuperation from life’s stresses. Located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, visitors have traveled from around the world to experience this natural wonder since the first Sol Duc hotel opened in 1912.

Today, visitors can indulge in one of three mineral hot spring soaking pools and one freshwater pool, with temperatures ranging from 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, healing massages and relaxing hikes on the variety of trails in the lush mountains.

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary, Sol Duc Hot Springs is offering a $100 rate for Sunday – Thursday stays for the month of May. Based on promotional availability, blackout dates may apply. There is a $20 upgrade for kitchen-cabins.

To learn more about Sol Duc’s history or to reserve a stay, visit http://www.olympicnationalparks.com.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is managed by ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and is authorized by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public within Olympic National Park. Prices are approved by the National Park Service.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is located 12 miles within the heart of Olympic National Park. The resort, which includes cabins and RV facilities, is surrounded by forested peaks and the babbling Sol Duc River. It features three outdoor pure mineral water hot pools, a freshwater pool, an on-site masseuse, dining options and access to hiking trails. The Sol Duc Hot Springs have been a popular vacation spot for over a century. The resort is a family-friendly destination for those seeking the relaxation and rejuvenation of the mineral pools.

Located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, Olympic National Park offers 922,651 acres of preserved coastal, mountain and rainforest terrain. It is the fifth most visited national park in the United States, drawing 3.3 million visitors in 2010. It is located near Seattle, Wash., Vancouver, British Columbia, and other Northwestern population centers. Declared a national park in 1938, the region boasts World Heritage Site status and is an International Biosphere Preserve. Its pristine nature is preserved as 95 percent of the land expanse is designated as wilderness, a designation above national park status. To join the conversation, like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/olympicnationalpark.

ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK, delivers authentic and memorable experiences at national and state parks, national forests, specialty hotels, museums, and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. In partnership with its clients, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations seeks to enhance the guest experience by offering industry-leading hospitality, environmental stewardship, recreational, and interpretive programs. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and each of its properties, visit http://www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

National Park Foundation, ARAMARK Present ‘National Park Adventure Sweepstakes’

Mt. McKinley, viewed from Mount McKinley Village in Denali National Park. National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations are closing out the summer with a “National Park Adventure Sweepstakes” with one giveaway each week now through Labor Day © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations are closing out the summer with a “National Park Adventure Sweepstakes” with one giveaway each week now through Labor Day. Individuals can win a trip to some of our country’s most spectacular parks from the East Coast to the Last Frontier.

Participating is easy. Enter each week by visiting the links below during the given dates for a chance to win a National Park adventure giveaway. You could win a two-to-four-night stay at one of the destinations listed, access to an activity unique to that particular park, an “America the Beautiful” park pass and more. Alaska Airlines is providing airline tickets as part of the prize package for Olympic National Park and Denali National Park and Preserve.

• Mesa Verde National Park: From Aug. 8 – 14, enter at facebook.com/mesaverde to win a two-night stay at Far View Lodge, cliff dwelling tour tickets and more. Click here for complete rules.

• Shenandoah National Park: From Aug. 15 – 21, enter at facebook.com/visitshenandoah to win a two-night stay at Skyland Resort or Big Meadows Lodge, a horseback riding or rock climbing adventure and more. Click here for complete rules.
• Olympic National Park: From Aug. 22 – 28, enter at facebook.com/olympicnationalpark to win a three-night stay at Kalaloch Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and/or Lake Crescent Lodge, a resort credit to create your own adventure and more. Click here for complete rules.
• Denali National Park and Preserve: From Aug. 29 – Sept. 5, enter at http://www.facebook.com/denalipark to win a four-night stay at McKinley Village Lodge or McKinley Chalet Resort, a white-water rafting adventure and more. Click here for complete rules.

National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations will contact the winner via email and then announce the winners for each giveaway every Monday starting August 15 on National Park Foundation’s Facebook page as well as the individual pages linked above. The winner for the final giveaway to Denali National Park and Preserve will be announced on Tuesday, September 6. For more information, go to facebook.com/nationalpark.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world’s most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites — all protected in America’s nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.

Join – This is Your Land. http://www.nationalparks.org
FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark
Twitter http://twitter.com/goparks

ABOUT ARAMARK PARKS AND DESTINATIONS
ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK, delivers authentic and memorable experiences at national and state parks, national forests, specialty hotels, museums, and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. In partnership with its clients, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations seeks to enhance the guest experience by offering industry-leading hospitality, environmental stewardship, recreational, and interpretive programs. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and each of its properties, visit www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com.

For more travel features, visit www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate 

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

 

Families Unplug and Tune In to the Greater Outdoors at Aramark Parks and Destinations

Let your kids unplug and tune in to the wondrous outdoors at national parks such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Unplugging your kids on summer vacation doesn’t have to be a daunting task for parents. A great way to keep kids interested in what’s happening outside, instead of on their favorite TV show, is to take your family to an area rich with outdoor activities, and free from connectivity. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations can help families do just that through its lodges and activities in some of America’s most beautiful (and often times disconnected) places including: Mesa Verde, Olympic and Shenandoah National Parks, Lake Powell, Lake Tahoe and Northwestern Wyoming.

Many of these rustic locations are far from cell towers or internet connectivity, making them the perfect places for parents to help their kids withdrawal from electronics—cold turkey. But not to fret, a lack of technology does not mean a lack of fun. To help keep even the most tech-addicted child (or parent) entertained, these lodges feature a number of outdoor activities from guided hikes, kayaking, white water rafting and rock climbing, where kids will forget their digital devices as they drink in the fun of the great outdoors.

Just because these places aren’t connected, doesn’t mean they aren’t sophisticated. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations prides itself on its first-class cuisine, featuring local and sustainable ingredients prepared in unique and different ways. Such acclaimed recipes include Mesa Verde’s Metate Room’s Turkey Napoleon which is a tribute to the wild turkeys that still roam the Mesa, and were a staple of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived on the Mesa 1,300 years ago; and Shenandoah’s Pollock Dining Room’s Chicken Riesling with locally raised chicken braised in Virginia wine with seasonal, local fruit.

Here are some examples:

Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah

The United State’s second largest man-made lake is a boating paradise. With nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, sapphire blue water and red cliffs, it’s easy to escape the digital world at Lake Powell while on a houseboat. Many houseboats do come with a TV in case you need a little digital distraction. Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, 100 Lake Shore Drive, Page, AZ 86040, 888-896-3829.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

In the heart of the West’s “Grand Circle” of national parks, Mesa Verde is the only national park established to protect the work of man. Far View Lodge offers three tours within the park that will show your children how the Ancestral Puebloans, who lived at Mesa Verde from 550-1300 AD, lived before the invention of the wheel—let alone the internet. Rooms at Far View are free of televisions or phones, the lobby does have wifi. (Far View Lodge Mesa Verde, National Park P.O. Box 277, Mancos, CO 81328, 800-449-2288,  602-331-5210

Olympic National Park, Washington

On Washington’s Olympic peninsula, ARAMARK’s three lodges within the national park: Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Crescent Lodge and Sol Duc Lodge are each in a different eco system within this diverse park of rainforest, sub-alpine and coastal bluffs.

All three properties have spotty (at best) cell service and no available wifi. Rooms do not come with televisions or phones. The area is well known for hiking and fishing and also offers beach combing, kayaking/canoeing and hot springs for a relaxing dip.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park was established 75 years ago as a natural retreat for city dwellers, a task it still undertakes to this day. Big Meadows Lodge and Skyland Resort are both historic properties, built in 1939 and 1878, respectively. They lack cell service and wifi, and many rooms do not have televisions or phones. Shenandoah is home to over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The park also offers horseback riding, rock climbing and nearby cultural attractions. ARAMARK Shenandoah National Park Lodging
P.O. Box 727, Luray, VA 22835, 888-896-3833

Togwotee Mountain Lodge, Wyoming

Togwotee Mountain Lodge is the perfect jumping off place for a Wyoming vacation with its close proximity to Wyoming’s top three attractions: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson. In addition, Togwotee is close to a lot of regional outdoor activities from river floats to rodeos, giving you plenty of opportunity to rip your child’s eyes away from the electronics. While Togwotee does boast wifi and TVs in its cabins, you’ll be so busy doing outdoor activities, you won’t have any time to check what’s happening on Facebook. Togwotee Mountain Lodge, PO Box 91 Moran (Jackson Hole), Wyoming 83013, 866-278-4245, Email Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Zephyr Cove Resort, Lake Tahoe California/Nevada

When Mark Twain first saw Lake Tahoe he declared that it was “the fairest picture the world affords.” The high alpine lake, deep in the Sierra Nevada still has this impact on people today. Zephyr Cove Resort features some of the only lake-front cabins on the lake. To entertain your tech withdrawing kids, there is a plethora of beach activities, water craft rentals, horseback riding and scenic cruises aboard the two paddlewheel boats. Some cruises feature entertainment from a Mark Twain impersonator or guitarist. While the cabins do feature televisions, wifi and some cell service, with such a beautiful lake right outside your door, even the most tech-addicted kid will have trouble staying indoors. Zephyr Cove Resort & Lake Tahoe Cruises, 760 U.S. Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448, 775-589-4906.

See also:

Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park make adventure accessible, affordable and slideshow

For more travel features, visit

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin