From around the web: Hotel chain offers a room at the inn for Marys and Josephs

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Josephs and Marys in search of a room at the inn this Christmas are being made an offer they can't refuse.

A British hotel chain is promising free accommodation to couples who share their first names with the couple from the Christian Nativity story.

Almost 30 Josephs and Marys had already signed up for the free night's stay at the Travelodge, said Shakila Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the hotel chain.

"The 'gift' of a free night's stay is to make up for the hotel industry not having any rooms left on Christmas Eve over 2000 years ago when the original 'Mary and Joseph' had to settle for the night in a stable," the company says on its Web site.

The offer is good at any one of the chain's 322 hotels in the United Kingdom, the Web site says. The couples must bring proof of identity and must prove that they are in a long-term relationship.

"If you satisfy the criteria, you get a free night in a family room for two adults and two children," Ahmed said. "There's also parking space for a donkey if needed," she joked.

Ahmed said the offer, which will run from Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night -- December 24 to January 5 -- had been very well-received.

"We've had a lot of interest. I think people like the fact that it resonates with the Nativity story at a time when the actual meaning of Christmas often becomes forgotten in festive overkill," she said.

Couples can register their names at a special e-mail address set up by Travelodge, which has hotels across the Britain, Ireland and Spain, Ahmed said.

Guest Blog: The many faces of Johnny Depp

Today I'd like to welcome a guest author -- someone near and dear to me: my wife, Jamie! :-)

Haven't yet got her own blog going, so for now, I'll present her writings here. They won't necessarily be travel-related, so it should make for a nice change of pace.

So, without further interruption: The many faces of Johnny Depp


Johnny Depp, undoubtedly one of the most versatile actors in today’s Hollywood, is blessed with the ability to not only portray any role placed in front of him, but can also find humor in spoofing himself. Some of his most notable and memorable roles stem from his collaborations with Tim Burton.

Two to date come to mind when I think of Johnny Depp. The first of these was his portrayal of Ichabod Crane in “Sleepy Hollow”. Ichabod is a most memorable performance showcasing the awkward literary legend as only awkward in behavior, not appearance. I loved how Depp was able to capture the passion of the magistrate’s love of science, along with his instability in doing so. As when he goes to “operate” on the late Widow Winship, he clearly can understand like no other what he is looking for but seems to hardly stomach it.

Another notable collaboration with Burton is that of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” as the eccentric Willy Wonka. Depp captures the naïve boy in Wonka, while learning what he’s been missing in a family for so long. But who can truly not laugh when the excited Wonka declares he “has transportation!” and turns to slam face first in the glass elevator? Self humor at its best!

The soon to premier “Sweeney Todd” showcases yet another collaboration between Depp and Burton, and promises to please for all who love the team! I know I’m excited to grasp this new eccentric character so masterfully portrayed by Johnny Depp, being led by Burton, on another adventure! To learn the quirks of Sweeney Todd that can only be conveyed by the masters of the craft!

Bring it on Johnny and Tim!!



Editor's note: You can visit Sweeney Todd on MySpace or visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site.

Google gadget mania!

Howdy, folks!

I know I've only had some "From around the web" posts lately, but we have been busy here at Resideo, so I'm sure you'll forgive me!

One thing I have been working on is creating some unique and useful Google Gadgets. Now, Google Gadgets are pretty nifty, and allow designers to include all sorts of interesting things that can be included on your Google customized home page and any other site you maintain.

So far, I've created 3 fairly simple gadgets:

Hotel/Destination/Activity Search
Allows you to search for a hotel name, city and/or activity ("Snow Ski Vail", "London hotels", etc.). We return the most relevant results right there in the gadget box.

Random Hotel
Admittedly, not very useful, but pretty darn cool if you ask me. This gadget displays a different property each time it's loaded -- randomly from over 30,000 hotels and resorts from all over the world.

Recent Hotel Q&A
My very first Google Gadget, this widget displays the most recent questions that have been posted by site visitors.

Anywho, feel free to take a look, add them to your site and/or Google homepage, and let me know what you think!

Until next time...

From around the web: Where do those used bars of soap go?

Well, at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, those slivers of soap are turned over to a local company called Laboratoire Dermoderm, which mixes them with volcanic stone to make a cream that removes substances such as paint, grease, tar and ink from the hands of artists, gardeners and mechanics.

read more | digg story

From around the web: 14-ounce bottle of water: $42

a 14-ounce bottle of New Zealand mineral water priced at 21 British pounds (about $42) at London's luxurious and legendary Claridge's hotel. It's on the hotel's new water menu that includes rare H20 from around the globe.

read more | digg story

From around the web: The world’s biggest hotels

The Forbes Traveler list of the world’s biggest hotels...

MGM Grand, Las Vegas
First World Hotel, Genting Highlands, Malaysia
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki
Venetian, Las Vegas
Excalibur, Las Vegas
Paris, Las Vegas
Palazzo, Las Vegas
Luxor, Las Vegas

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From around the web: $4.00 cup of tea at Hyatt Regency San Antonio

"'That’ll be $8.65.'"I stared at the two paper cups of hot water, the two packaged tea bags and told the waitress in the lobby bar at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio that there must have been a mistake, since all I’d ordered was two cups of tea. 'It’s $8.65,' she repeated.

read more | digg story