Category Archives: Travel
My Experience at Hotel Carmel in Santa Monica Beach, CA
As many of you know I attended a social media conference just over a week ago in Los Angeles. Since this was my first time visiting the area, I decided to arrive 2 days early and check out the Santa Monica Beach area with my friend Nicole Rosen. In searching weeks before arriving in the area, I was on the hunt for a boutique hotel that was inviting and made me feel at home.
I found that home away from home and it was Hotel Carmel, located just 1.5 blocks from the Santa Monica Beach, Pier and Pacific Park.




Once arriving at Hotel Carmel, we were greeted by very welcoming valet staff that took our bags and lead us into the beautiful, warm, rich feeling lobby where the front desk staff made us feel at home. Not to mention, the exquisite decor found throughout.


After checking in, hotel staff kindly lead us to our room. Upon walking into our room, we were amazed at the layout and the beautiful style of wooden furnishings. The room came complete with a separate living and bedroom with work desk and flat screen TV on each wall.


After waking up the next morning from experiencing our room, we felt so refreshed and like we had never left home. For the duration of our stay, we received constant attention from all the hotel staff ensuring our stay was the best ever. Nicole and I thank you Hotel Carmel and your staff for a superb hotel experience. The location of the hotel was in the perfect location as we were able to walk 1 block to Third Street Promenade to enjoy shopping, Starbucks coffee and experience Santa Monica Beach at it’s finest. Evidence is clearly shown that the hotel owners take pride in making everyone’s visit a special and memorable one.
Thanks again!
Wordless Wednesday: The Sights I Discovered Walking Downtown L.A.
Hikers Paradise on Hollywood Hills in California
I had the pleasure of visiting the Los Angeles area a week ago to attend a social media and blogging conference. After the conference was over, I decided to spend an extra day checking out the Hollywood area. While having coffee at a local coffee shop in West Hollywood, I asked my server, “Where is the best place to check out the Hollywood sign?” My server replied with, “Hollywood Hills Loop of course.”
I then set out on my journey to the Hollywood Hills Loop. The Hollywood Hills Loop is a 4.5 mile hike up hill and starts at Griffith Park’s ridge. As I began to walk up hill, I immediately felt like I was in a desert while still being in the city. 

I was greeted by a beautiful presence of the moon
and spectacular views of the surrounding downtown LA and Hollywood areas.
The time had finally came when it began to get dark and I began to reach my destination of capturing the Hollywood sign.
Little did I know I would find a new paradise in Hollywood while being able to experience hiking in a desert like setting with tranquility and peaceful city views around me.
Thank you Hollywood California for the amazing discovery of a hikers paradise.
My Travel Journey During BlogWorld Expo in LA – Part 1
I wanted to give you a preview of what to expect from me on Social Media the week of Nov 1-6. On November 1, I will be leaving the East Coast and traveling to the West Coast in Los Angeles for 7 days to attend BlogWorld Expo 2011 conference. The purpose of my attending the conference is to gain additional knowledge needed to grow in the social media and blogging world. As I attend each session, you can expect me to put you there virtually as I plan to be live tweeting content from @JasonPromotesU. Content will entail tips about SEO, Travel, Blogging and New Media. Basically, content to help you better understand certain areas of the Social Media world and grow.
In addition to attending the conference, I am taking this opportunity to arrive 2 days early to promote the Los Angeles area. My promotions will be live on Twitter and my personal Facebook page including pictures and video from Pacific Park Amusement Park, the Tweetup I am hosting from my Suite at the InterContinental LA Hotel and my stays at Hotel Carmel and MayFair LA Hotel. In addition to my live content tweeting and promotions, I have a few extras and secrets for you such as my experience of driving the 2012 Acura TL SH AWD for the week in which I want to thank @Acura_Insider for the amazing opportunity.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JasonPromotesU and my Facebook page to get in on the value and fun I will be sharing as I will be putting you in the middle of all the action. Once I return from the conference, I will be doing a second post to give a more detailed insight of what I experienced.
Have a great day!
Jason Houck
Wordless Wednesday: First Snow of The Season In The NC Mountains
Wordless Wednesday: Fall Season Has Arrived in NC
Summer Beauty in Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah is known for its rich history in silver mining that dates back to the mid 1800′s. As time has progressed, the city has blossomed into a beautiful area encompassing a unique landscape unlike any other city or town. The area has also become a popular destination for snow skiing along with the ground breaking hosting of the 2002 Olympics.
Although, the Winter months is a popular time to define beauty in Park City, the true beauty lies within the Summer season.
The Summer beauty begins in Park City on Main Street at the elevation of 7000′ with the mountains being displayed in the distance as you travel through the city of various color.
As you travel down Main Street you are embraced with a hometown feel and distinctive old style buildings entailing small vintage and specialty shops, inviting restaurants and bars.
As you travel up in elevation the beauty continues to greet you with snow capped mountains depending on the time of year. (Pictures below reflect the month of July)
Once up in elevation the gondolas offer an amazing outdoors experience by allowing you to see the city off the mountain along with magnificent views of all the mountain tops all combined.
In addition to experiencing the views of the city and mountains around you, the resorts and parks beauty await you such as the area where the 2002 Olympics were held.
Some of the resorts you will find include Deer Valley Resort, Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort. All resorts are transformed during the Summer into fun and engagement by offering activities such as an Ziplining, an Alpine Coaster and a rustic lodge complete with your favorite food, snacks and beverages.
After experiencing Park City, Utah, during the month of July, I definitely recommend this time of year to visit as the weather is perfect, views are clear and enhanced and no need trying to keep warm.
No matter where you are in Park City, Summer beauty greets you at every corner inside and out with endless views, common courtesy and a hometown welcome from the locals.
To learn more about the Summer season in Park City, Utah, I invite you to check out Visit Park City.
Welcome To The Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta Georgia
Recently, I had the chance to travel to Georgia and check out the Coca Cola museum in Atlanta. I had heard so much about the museum and couldn’t wait to get inside to experience in person all the great things I had heard. Once I arrived and bought my ticket I was lead into the lobby where I was greeted with a tour guide along with a group of other visitors. In the lobby, I began to see some amazing artifacts and art work resembling different country styles and immediately knew this was going to be amazing.
The tour guide lead us to various rooms showcasing unique history pieces while continuously conveying to us history facts about the Coca-Cola brand.
I was amazed at some of the facts I learned, such as the idea of Coca-Cola was born from an Atlanta pharmacist, first servings were sold for 5 cents per glass and first slogan read, “The Pause That Refreshes.” While the guide was still conveying history facts and information, we were lead into an area where different unique styles of bottled Coca-Cola from all over the world was showcased.


The tour had almost come to an end but not the excitement. We were lead into a 3-D theater room called “Happiness Factory Theater” which consisted of a 6 minute cartoon of inside of a vending machine.
After we left the theater, it was time to say, “Goodbye” but not before we got to sample dozens of Coca-Cola flavors from different countries all over the world.


The World of Coca-Cola Museum is truly a unique experience and great way to learn about a piece of history you may never learn anywhere else. The museum offers excitement and learning for adults and children. In addition to the tour, theater experience and tasting, the museum also encompasses a 4-D Secret Formula Theater and a meet and greet with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear where kids can have their picture taken.
I definitely give the World of Coca-Cola a 2 thumbs up for an amazing experience. Thank you Coca-Cola.
Be sure to view the slideshow below to see the other artifacts I captured along the tour.
Ink 48 Hotel in New York City
The Ink 48 Hotel is a one of a kind urban retreat that inspired me to make my own mark in the world after spending 2 nights in the luxury they entailed. The hotel underwent a transformation from the 1930s style while still keeping the structure of the old printing building. The services and amenities I found are designed to address the multi-faceted moods and desires I encompassed. The guest rooms offered unobstructed views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline which gave me all more reason to fall in love.
After a 25-30 minute ride from the airport, I arrived in the historic Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood where Ink 48 is located. With the desire to explore air and space, I was thrilled to learn I was only blocks away from the Intrepid Air and Space Museum where lots of history is found. In addition to the Air and Space Museum, I immediately learned I was also within walking distance to boutique shopping and world class dining.
Once stepping into my 600 square feet spacious room, I was graced with a constant relief of escaping to relax. This was done by the room consisting of a color scheme of ruby red, snow whites and chocolate browns with large scale artwork over the bed.
Amenities found in my room included a coffee maker, WEB TV, Aveda and Bath products, stone tiled bathrooms and iHome Sound System.
In addition to experiencing relaxation in the accommodations, I was able to make an impression and relieve stress at the Ink 48 Fitness Center. It was located on the second floor, open 24/7 for convenience and came equipped with two treadmills, one elliptical machine, one AB X bench, one recumbent bike and one functional bike along with a spacious area for that morning yoga session.
Towels, plenty of water and a delicious red apple were also offered.
Ink 48 Hotel is distinct in location and luxury while offering the me best in NYC. In addition to location, accommodations and relaxing my mind and spirit, the hotel offered a wide array of fine dining. The most memorable impression I was left with when checking out was the customer service all the staff members had to offer.
Thank you, Ink 48 for a remarkable experience.







































