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'Twas The Day Before The Day Before Christmas

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Just a note: Yes, we are publishing tomorrow but only about half of our regularly programmed stories. If you plan on staying at hotel over the holidays, let us know how it's going. Otherwise, here are some bite-sized hotels news for your enjoyment.

· The Best NYC Hotels: The list of the Best Hotels in NYC from Forbes has some predictable picks. Except for The Mercer, the only hotel not within walking distance to Central Park. [Forbes]
· Aloft Beijing Issues Gas Masks: True story! A blogger for the Boston Globe checked into the Aloft Beijing and the room amenities include a Mylar gas mask. [Boston Globe]
· Standard Alternative in the MeatPacking District?: The Liberty Inn just started taking overnight reservations and the rooms include jacuzzis! Of course, it's totally gross and right next to the West Side Highway. How long before Sean Mac or the Ace Hotels dude snap this up? [Curbed]
· Teddy and Me at the St. Regis Houston: Little kids meet up for Teddy Bear Tea and get to pet the Christmas Bunny (above.) [Houston Chronicle]
· Bernie Madoff Scandal Causes Hotel Suicide: Sad sad sad news. An HSBC banker tied up in the Bernie Madoff scandal committed suicide at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge. [Gawker]

Tags: Hampton Hotels / Bernie Madoff / Hotel Parties / → All Tags

No More Madoff Parties at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel

Where: 727 Old Montauk Highway [map], Montauk, NY, United States, 11954

Last week's shocking news that investor Bernie Madoff was running the biggest Ponzi scheme ever, in which losses totaled about $50 billion, is still sending aftershocks throughout communities around the world. And the Beachcomber Resort Hotel in Montauk is just one of many affected. While the Beachcomber did not invest with Madoff the hotel was the site of the Madoff company's huge Fourth of July Parties each year. The East Hampton Star reports:

According to a longtime employee of the hotel, who asked to remain anonymous, Mr. Madoff would rent the entire hotel for "anybody from the mail room up to the top executive," and was diligent about checking in to make sure "his people" were well cared for. The weekend typically included a dinner at the Montauk Yacht Club followed by a catered bash on the beach across from the Beachcomber the following day.

"He was a wonderful man," said the hotel employee, who was surprised to hear of the allegations. "He took care of everything. He was very generous to his employees and everybody spoke very highly of him."

How heartwarming it is to hear how generous he was with someone else's money. Hopefully the Beachcomber can find a new Fourth of July party host. Rates in the peak summer season start around $255 a night. The rooms are spacious but the decor is a little outdated. Not quite fit for a billionaire, even a fake one.

[Photo: Telegraph UK]