Hoping everyone had the best Christmas ever!!! There are many good things about the holiday season, but with all the running around, shopping, parties, loads of gatherings that occur between the end of September through the end of the year can wear you out and leave you feeling like you ran a marathon and forgot to eat, sleep, and breathe. This week's feature is about the local "staycation" commonly defined as - a vacation taken within a short distance of one’s home. Because we live in such a beautiful state there are many places that can be taken advantage of and that are great hideaways to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
I had the opportunity to schedule my staycation before the Christmas Holiday which was a great decision especially since I had been so busy the last couple of months. As I am a writer as well as a business owner, I just wanted to get away to some place close that would enable me to have the freedom of no scheduling, a beautiful venue, something that was laid-back, not in the mainstream of activity, but something that offered everything I needed to have a productive but restful and peaceful time to recuperate and focus on one of the things I love. Fortunately, I had visited a local restaurant in Phoenix in November that also supports buying local in Arizona. They had this great postcard advertisement at the hostess desk that I noticed. "The Clarendon Hotel" basically was promoting itself as the "staycation" place to be if you want to support the local economy. As I was launching this Buy In Arizona Campaign, it seemed like a perfect fit. So I immediately that following weekend booked my stay at The Clarendon for the second weekend in December.
The Clarendon Hotel turned out to be a gemstone in the middle of the Phoenix downtown area. Easy to get to, great parking, great location. The swimming pool looks just like it does on the advertisement and the website. The roof top lounge area is one of the best places in the hotel. It is great for relaxing, getting some sun, writing, getting a great view of the city and the mountains. You have access to the internet, they provide a candle light turn-down service, bottles of water in the room and many other nice amenities.
In conjunction with the hotel, they have a wonderful restaurant on site called Gallo Blanco Cafe & Bar. What a perfect combination the hotel and restaurant make. They have the freshest margarita's I've ever had made with fresh squeezed juice. The food is delightfully tasteful and too much to enjoy just by yourself. It's a great location to meet with friends for their happy hours and they have special events throughout the week (Wed - Fri) such as flamenco dancing and other parties. Another special note is the artwork that is displayed throughout the restaurant area features some wonderful artistic talent that could also be purchased. This just adds to the atmosphere and makes it even more of an experience while visiting there.
I would highly recommend staying there for your next staycation if you are looking for any of the above. Visit GoClarendon.com or http://www.galloblancocafe.com/ for more information about either the hotel or restaurant. The Clarendon Hotel also supports local companies and recommends those local restaurants and other businesses in the area.
If you are interested in being showcased on this blog, please send an e-mail to BuyInArizonaCampaign@gmail.com with the business website, contact information (e.g. business owner name, phone number and email address), so that a follow up contact can be made to talk with you about your business and what is offered......
Special Note: As a consumer taking action means more than words because there are benefits to the consumer. Campaigns are meant to edify and celebrate others through referrals and genuine support. Often times it’s so easy to find individuals and consumers that don't necessarily see value in every purchase they make or dollar they spend places. And in this economy it really hurts even more when that value is perceived to be lost. But the businesses that suffer the most are the small to medium size ones, because that impact is greatest to them. I have always had the philosophy that if you like, love, or just really enjoy something you buy, food you eat, or something you drink you should show your appreciation for it. It is in that spirit that this blog is being promoted and developed.
