Barbeques. Chilled Beer. A three-day weekend. These are standard things associated with Labor Day, and while we appreciate a mellow respite from the work week as much as anyone else, we prefer to use the holiday as an excuse to scour for killer hotel deals.

It's said that Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and, that being the case, we consider it time for one last hurrah before settling into fall's more humdrum pace. We found one holiday rate that we'd normally file under "Too Good To Be True," if the New York Times hadn't been the tip source. ]]> Heidi Atwal 2009-08-18T16:14:42-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/8/10/165141/377 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/MargaritaTrolley.JPG" class="top"><p> It's no secret that we love margaritas at HotelChatter although we have been branching out as of late to try some of the great <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/summer%20cocktails">summer cocktails</a> that hotels have been putting forth this summer. Yet, when a hotel introduces a <b>Margarita Trolley</b>, it's kind of hard to think about anything else.<p><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Grand+Velas+Riviera+Maya/ian/307615"><b>The Grand Velas </b></a> in Mexico, an all-inclusive resort, has just announced their Margarita Trolley in the hotel's Frida restaurant. Here's how the heavenly service works: <blockquote><p> The Margarita Trolley is wheeled to the dinner table where diners choose from a selection of top Tequila brands - Don Julio, Herradura, Frida and Milagro - and margarita flavors. Tropical mango, tamarind, guava, cucumber and traditional lime juliana 2009-08-10T16:53:43-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/3/16/131127/901 <![CDATA[<p><p><p><i>Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? <a href="mailto:tips@hotelchatter.com">Send it in</a>.</i> <p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/banyantreebedroom.jpg" class="top"> <p>March 1st marked the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/25/123316/683/hotels/The_Banyan_Tree_Riviera_Maya_Wants_You_to_Forget_the_Recession">opening</a> of the brand new <b><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Banyan+Tree+Mayakoba+/ian/279248">Banyan Tree Mayakoba</a></b> on the Riveria Maya, the first South-of-the-Border property from the chain of super-luxe retreats. With its 132 pool villas and a indulgent Banyan Tree Spa, this hideaway offers a bit more of an adult experience than the boozey Spring Break frat-storm of Cancun &#151; but the Jenna 2009-03-16T13:32:46-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/25/123316/683 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6193/BanyanTreeMaya.jpg" class="top"> <p>Just in case you still enjoy daydreaming about tropical resort vacations, we've just heard that the luxurious line of <b>Banyan Tree Hotels</b> is prepping to open their first Mexico property on the Riviera Maya on March 1st. Joining the Mayakoba development with other hotels and the first PGA tour golf course outside of the US and Canada, the <b><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Banyan+Tree+Mayakoba+/ian/279248">Banyan Tree Mayakoba</a></b> serves as an indulgent getaway option far from the cheap thrills of Cancun. <p>If the picture above and the fact that they'll have <b>132 pool villas</b> and a complete Banyan Tree Spa get your motor running, then we'd advise you to jump on it now as they begin with an <b>opening special rate of $495 JetSetCD 2009-02-25T14:04:22-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/