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Forget the Duck Tour, Explore Boston by Bike With The Ritz

Where: 10 Avery St. [map], Boston, MA, United States, 02111

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common boasts a top-of-the-line fitness center in the adjoining Sports Club/L.A.—complete with a "mind-body concierge"—but get out of the gym and burn some calories in the great outdoors with the hotel's Bike, Bed & Breakfast package.

It gives you a chance to see Beantown from the seat of a bicycle, as seems to be the trend these days. Ride along the scenic Esplanade of the Charles River or pedal to the city's landmarks, like the Bunker Hill Monument. Ambitious athletes can tackle the nearby 50-acre Boston Common park. The park serves as the anchor of the Emerald Necklace, a chain of nine parks and waterways. If you do try the Emerald Necklace, be sure to take a picnic break at the lovely Jamaica Pond.

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'So You Think You Can Dance' Auditions Hit Hyatt Regency Boston

Where: 1 Avenue De Lafayette [map], Boston, MA, United States, 02111

Please re-assure us (er, this writer) and say that there are many people in this world who watch the guilty summertime dance contest pleasure So You Think You Can Dance — and that judge Mary Murphy's awesome catchphrases ("Girl, you've earned yourself a ticket on the Hot Tamale Train!") are endlessly amusing to others. Anyone? Maybe?

Well, how about this: if you're a dancer — you know, if you really do think you can dance (or if you're so exquisitely terrible that you think you can land a 5-second spot on a 'best of SYTYCD terrible auditions' montage — the Hyatt Regency Boston is offering itself up as the HQ to kick off Beantown auditions for sixth season of the show:

The Hyatt Regency Boston welcomes aspiring dancers to audition for the popular original dance show, “So You Think You Can Dance” on Thursday, May 26th at 9 am in their Grand Ballroom. Auditioners traveling to Boston for this open call should make arrangements to stay for at least two days following their initial audition in the event of a callback.

A room block has apparently been reserved for hopefuls that can be booked by calling the hotel directly, but might we suggest just kinda cruisin' around the hotel to check out the hopefuls on the day of the auditions? The people-watching safari is bound to be epic.

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Hyatt Regency Boston's Terrace Opens for Cinco de Mayo

Where: 1 Avenue De Lafayette [map], Boston, MA, United States, 02111

Beantown-ers who need last-minute Cinco de Mayo plans might want to check out the Hyatt Regency Boston, which today opens its Terrace at Avenue One. The outdoor terrace on the hotel’s roof transforms during the summer months into a swanky spot for drinks and apps under the stars (in their words: “perfect for…a night out on the town while mingling with fellow socialites”).

Located smack in downtown Boston's theatre district, the Terrace makes a nice pre-show drinks spot with its lengthy wine list, microbrews, and specialty cocktails. Or, the New England-style menu offers a generous variety of light fare that could easily work for dinner, from crab cakes and clam chowder to shrimp scampi and an English-style club sandwich.

That’s all fine and good, but what really has us wishing we lived in Boston is the lounge’s new Cornhole League, set to start June 2nd and continue every Tuesday night. After all, nothing says summer like socialites engaging in a little competitive beanbag toss — mojito and calamari in tow. (Bostonites can sign up for the league at Socialbostonsports.com.)

The Terrace at Avenue One is open 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

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Ritz-Carlton Boston Common Lures Us With Cupcakes

Where: 10 Avery St [map], Boston, MA, United States, 02111

Summer may still be a ways off, but it's never too early to book a hotel high tea reservation, especially when there are cupcakes involved. Launching a tea menu to set itself apart from other hotels with silver service is the Ritz-Carlton Boston Common, who will serve up "Cupcake Tea in The Gallery" from May 16 through June 27 only.

At about half the price of other hotel teas, the cupcake offering will run only $20 for adults and $16 for children. Brush your sweet tooth good before indulging, because the tea service includes your choice of teas along with a flight of five gourmet cupcakes and your choice of toppings. What are these five chosen flavors, anyway? Only the best for the Ritz-Carlton: tiramisu, boston cream pie, lemon meringue, black forest and irish coffee. We'll take a tiramisu topped with Oreo crumbs and toasted coconut, thank you very much.

Score reservations for the Cupcake Tea at the Ritz-Carlton Boston Common by calling them at 617-574-7176.

[Photo: Ritz-Carlton Boston Common]

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Tossing Our Halloween Cookies at Ritz-Carlton Boston Common

Where: 10 Avery St [map], Boston , MA, United States, 02111

This year, the Gallery restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is toasting the Halloween season -- because that's what luxury hotels do -- with the new "Spirits" cocktail and dessert menu.

The selection, available each Thursday and Friday in October, is truly scary as it features a list of sorority-house cocktails like "Redrum, Redrum," a mixture of orange and pineapple juices as well as Bacardi Gold rum (at least it's not the cheap stuff of well drinks), topped off with grenadine and a Maraschino cherry, Shirley Temple-style.

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Tags: NBA Finals Hotels 2008 / Boston Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Jock Jam Hotels / Celebrity Scoop / → All Tags

NBA Finals Hotels:: The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common Has Rooms Open

Where: 10 Avery Street [map], Boston, MA, United States, 02111

Found yourself one of the few lucky ones with tickets to Game 1 of the Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals? Still need a hotel?

The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common is located between the city's theater financial districts which isn't exactly within walking distance to The Garden. Yet this is Boston, nothing is really far from where ever you are.

As for the hotel, the Ritz just completed an $11 million renovation this year of all guest rooms, suites, and public spaces. It has a fine dining restaurant in the JER-NE restaurant and bar.

Athletes will like this hotel as well since it's directly connected to the 100,000-sq.ft. posh Sports Club/LA gym. And there will be no shortage of celebs there. We hear the hotel has recently hosted such guests as Leonardo di Caprio, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Douglas and Justin Timberlake.

Yet you may need an NBA player's salary to stay here. Rooms are available tonight for $695 for a room with a king or double queen beds. We say just hit up the hotel's Gallery Bar and scope out the scene instead.

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Hotel Points Now Pay for a "Suite 16" Party

Where: One Avenue de Lafayette [map], Boston, ma, United States, 02111

If you've got a spoiled kid nearing 16 years, who isn't spoiled enough to earn an MTV special but spoiled enough nevertheless, then the Boston Hyatt Regency is the place to celebrate.

Yep, here's a new way to use your frequent traveler points--purchase a "Suite 16 Party." A Hyatt concept which we detailed last spring, the package includes use of a limousine and digital camera, an iPod dock, in-room dining, a birthday present, breakfast, in room movie, Cranium board game, an extra a room for the chaperones and more:

The Hyatt Regency is physically attached to Macy's and the department store made a special gift basket full of soaps and perfume samples for the birthday girl. Members of the Hyatt staff also asked Carolyn's parents about her favorite foods and colors to help personalize the experience.

That's right for just $2,500 all these amenities can be for any spoiled 16 year-old and parents can find a new use for their points. Mark Ruffolo recently treated his daughter to the party and claimed it was a "really good investment of my points because it was a memorable moment for my daughter."

This is all cute and dandy but we may have to recommend asking the Botson Hyatt's concierge pre-reservation if there are any Suite 16 parties going on during your desired dates. Unless of course all night gigglefests next door don't bother you.

Related Stories:
· Suite dreams: Hyatt fulfills 16th birthday wishes
[Boston Herald]
· Hyatt Regency Boston Reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Suite Gear: Hyatt Slumber Party [HotelChatter]

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Johnny Damon's Ritz Top Pumpkin Drop

Where: 10 Avery St. [map], Boston, ma, United States, 02111

According to Johnny Damon himself, the Red Sox center fielder and his new wife spent the fall throwing water balloons from their 34th-floor Ritz Carlton condo in Boston.

Oh it gets weirder. Apparently, when the Sox were down 2-0 to the Yankees last October, Damon chucked a stolen pumpkin off the 34th story to try and "change his luck."

I let that baby go and I could see it drop all the way down to the ground, before it smashed into a million pieces. I was sure our luck had changed.

I just did it to check out my accuracy, maybe try to hit a stop sign--I know how I would feel if someone hit my car with a pumpkin.

Guess Johnny is an idiot after all. Is it too late to have him arrested?

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Hyatt Boston: Solid stay, in a good location

Where: 1 Avenue de Lafayette [map], Boston, ma, United States, 02111

If you are looking for a nice basic room in Boston’s Theatre district (as defined by Hotwire), you may want to give the Boston Financial Hyatt district a look.

This hotel has been reinvented itself more times then Madonna (it was Hotel de Lafayette, then the Swissotel, and now the Hyatt), but no matter what company is managing this property the basics stay the same, book a room here and you will get a comfortable stay in a good location.

The rooms are clean, comfy, and rather large, but the interior of the property itself is a bit old and could use a bit of a renovation. You enter the property through the lobby and take an elevator up to the room floors. Once on a room floor, you will see that the property has a cool open atrium effect going for it. Not open air, don’t worry, Bostonians are not that crazy.

If you are a business, or family traveler, looking for a quality Boston bargain, this is the type of property that you could score on Priceline or Hotwire.

We found it on Hotwire.com for a decent price (look for a 4 star hotel in the Theatre District with customer reviews), and some people have even talked about scoring a Priceline room here for $100.