Well, I know we can all rest a little easier knowing that Britney Spears has escaped the hotel celebrity banning trend that seems to be hitting Hollywood. While the Internets were abuzz on Friday when Brit showed up to dine at the Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills and was denied entry to a private parking area she apparently had used before, subsequent reports have squashed rumors that Brit was no longer welcome at the hotel. In this TMZ.com video, you can see the Gimme More singer getting turned away by hotel security.

While some jumped to the conclusion that the Four Seasons had banned her from the hotel because of unpaid bills or too much paparazzi mayhem, others on the scene caught the final outcome. After pulling out of the parking area she was trying to enter and driving to the hotel’s front entrance, Spears drove her white Mini convertible into yet another parking area. This time, she was allowed to enter the hotel as security guards pushed back the paps with cameras a-snapping. If you’re so inclined to watch Britney’s eventual admittance to the hotel, where she frequently goes for meals, you can do so at Britney Banned from Four Seasons? Nope!

Over the weekend, I landed in Beaver Creek, Colorado for a little pre-holiday snow. There’s just nothing like downhill in the Rocky Mountains, even if it’s 14 friggin’ degrees. (That, by the way, was the high.) While there, I had the chance to snoop around a bit. Here are my picks for some of the best this resort area has to offer:

Best ski-in, ski-out hotel: For sheer location and proximity to the lifts, the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa can’t be beat. The hotel sits literally at the base of the ski area - not across a road, not via a shuttle. It’s right there. After braving the c-c-cold Colorado temps all day, guests can sidle up to the outdoor bonfire for s’mores in the afternoons or get the blood flowing again with a visit to the Allegria Spa.

Best luxury splurge: Spa day at the Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Don’t miss the Grotto, which I blogged about during a visit there earlier this year. Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch: The Grotto on the TravelPost.com Insider

Best airport shuttle service: Colorado Mountain Express. Sure, it’s one of the only options for shuttle transportation to and from Vail-Eagle County and Denver International airports, but it’s a reliable company with friendly service. And it’s much cheaper than hiring a private car service. I also like the fact that the drivers take time to introduce themselves, tell passengers where they are from and offer up insider advice on area attractions and activities.

Best romantic dining: Mirabelle. We’ll elaborate on this pick tomorrow.

Beers with buddies: The Dusty Boot Steakhouse & Saloon. If you’re looking for a place to knock back a few after a long day on the slopes, this cozy little spot is one of the most convenient options. Located in Beaver Creek village, this bar and restaurant fills up in the afternoons with patrons seeking a casual spot to refuel. Wooden stools flank the long bar, which offers frozen Margaritas, a solid selection of beers on tap and even some decent wines by the glass. Eats are typical Americana, Tex-Mex options and on the cheaper side - relatively speaking, of course.

Massage you can actually afford: Simply Massage. While hotels can easily charge over $100 for a 60-minute rubdown, this Avon massage destination prices its hour-long massage at $60 and its 90-minute massage at $90. You won’t find marble soaking tubs, steam showers or body wraps here - just massages. If you’re looking for the full day spa experience, head to one of the resort hotels. But if you’re just looking for a good massage to work out the kinks, this is the place. Same day appointments are also often available.

Best wine shop: Beaver Liquors. Yes, the name is somewhat obscene, and, yes, they sell copious t-shirts flaunting that fact. But head downstairs in this Avon, CO liquor store for an extensive inventory of wines from around the world. Being a fan of the often hard-to-find pinotage varietal, I was please to see a sizable selection of South African wines. The staff is also ready with plenty of suggestions if you need them. Another bonus: Order $100 or more from the store before your trip, and they’ll stock your condo before you arrive.

Where to rent: Christy Sports. This is the ski and snowboard rental choice of many a regular Beaver Creek visitor. And for Internet-savvy travelers (which I assume you are if you’re reading this), the shop offers 20 percent off rentals made online at least three days in advance. And with locations in Avon, Beaver Creek, Vail and other nearby ski resort areas from Breckenridge to Snowbird, you can get service on your rentals pretty much anywhere your mountain adventures take you.

For East Coast early birds, a free one-day lift ticket valid at Vail and Beaver Creek could be in your future. Here’s the deal: Anyone who flies into the Vail-Eagle County airport and has confirmed lodging in Valley Valley can take their boarding pass and lodging confirmation to Vail or Beaver Creek ticket windows for a free same-day lift tickets. It’s a good deal if you a) can snag a flight that lands you at the airport before noon (preferably before 10am) and b) don’t mind hauling snow bunny ass to the resort area. Yes, the airport is only 25 to 40 minutes from the major ski resorts (depending on your destination), but getting checked bags, checking into hotels and changing can eat up valuable time on the mountain.

The deal is valid through April 13, 2008. And because you can only get one lift ticket per lodging confirmation, I think this deal is probably best for couples or families with only one die-hard snow nut - while one of you deals with the logistics, the other could hot-foot it to the mountain.

2007-2008 Fly-In Ski-Out Promotion

Wanna spend New Year’s Eve at New York’s Hotel Gansevoort with celebrity blogger Perez Hilton? He posted the following on his blog today (So Much to be Thankful for):

And, if you wanna spend New Years Eve at the best party in New York City, then call (646-432-5947) to purchase tickets to the ultra exclusive soiree Perezzz is hosting at the Gansevoort Hotel. Lots of celebrities are expected to attend!

This was the lovely sight I woke up to this morning in Beaver Creek, Colorado. It’s snowing that fine kind of small-flake snow that looks as if it’s so light it will never make it to the ground.

Insider tip of the day: Carbs allegedly help ease the effects of altitude sickness. As I was chowing on a bowl of pasta last night with two doctors, they admitted that the tactic isn’t as reliable as, say, popping a pill for a headache. But the idea that carbohydrates can alleviate or prevent the symptoms of altitude sickness is hardly an old wives’ tale, either. The science behind the carb-packing idea goes like this: when you travel from sea level to altitudes of around 8,000 feet or more in a single day, your blood has less oxygen flowing through it. Once in your body, carbs help transport oxygen through your bloodstream. While it may not be a fix-all for everyone and certainly should not be relied upon if you’re climbing to extreme altitudes, going for the carbs on your first few days on the mountain is one of those tricks many snow fans rely upon to before they hit the mountain.

Speaking of which, I’m off to eat pancakes.

This just in from Flyersrights newsletter:

Sarah Kershaw of The New York Times is working on a story about how travel hassles may be affecting and changing holiday plans. She wants to hear from any of you who are deciding not to travel over the holidays, or perhaps if you driving a shorter distance or postponing a reunion. Any and all tales are welcome. You can call or email her using the contact information below:

Sarah Kershaw
The New York Times
kershaw (at) nytimes (dot) com
212-556-1101 voice
206-992-6862 cell

In recent years, airports have begun acting on a truism that lies at the base of the American consciousness: bored people really, really like to shop. Give us an hour, and we just might fork over as much as we paid for our plane ticket among the ever-growing throng of airport shops, services and restaurants.

But here’s another equally as important axiom of the airport shopping experience: all air malls are not created equal. When you’re looking for more than a Hudson News and a Laptop Lane to while away the hours and minutes until your next flight, we hope you find yourself in one of the following airports, which together comprise our list of The Best U.S. Airports for Shoppers.

Philadelphia International Airport

Overall, we give Philly’s own airport top props for offering travelers not just airport mall staples like Brookstone, Radio Road and Spirit of the Red Horse, but a variety of retailers less common to airports, including Gap, Swatch and Bose.

But what we love most is that the airport has its very own Airport Magic Shop (Concourse B). For those times when you really wish your delayed flight would disappear with you in it, we suggest heading here. Perhaps they can help you out. Philadelphia International Airport Shops and Restaurants

What to Buy: Bose Quiet Comfort Earphones

John F. Kennedy International Airport

While we can’t give this airport the winning slot overall, it does house what is, in our estimation, the most luxurious collection of retailers concentrated into one terminal. Clustered around Gate 4 in the airport’s Terminal 1, specialty shops from Bulgari, Hermes, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tumi, Mont Blanc, L’Occitane and the New York Dufrey Toy Store do their part to tempt travelers out of their hard-earned cash.

Unfortunately, the rest of the terminals at JFK contain a lackluster selection. When you’re stuck in another terminal with spare time, we suggest hopping on the AirTrain to Terminal 1. A full loop with stops at each terminal takes about eight minutes. John F. Kennedy International Airport Shops and Restaurants

Pittsburgh International Airport

While it doesn’t house nearly the number of retail destinations found in some others on our list, the Pittsburgh airport wins points with us for complementing airport usual suspects like Brookstone and The Body Shop with a well-rounded selection of less-common, but oh-so useful shops, including Victoria’s Secret, Creative Kidstuff, Clinique and GNC. Pittsburgh International Airport Airmall

What to Buy: A Victoria’s Secret Passport Cover

Portland International Airport

If there’s one thing every conspicuous consumer should do in Oregon, it’s taking advantage of the state’s lack of sales tax. Yup. The price marked on the tag – that’s the actual amount you’ll end up paying. So even if your travels leave you little time to explore and a lot of time in the airport terminal, you can still enjoy this shopper’s perk.

But absent sales tax is not the only reason to shop at the Portland airport. Unlike most airports around the country, this one leans heavily towards local and regional products. Hey, we all love playing with the massage chairs at Brookstone, but there’s something quite refreshing about being able to hunt for wares from Pacific Northwest artists at the Real Mother Goose Gallery, shop at the independent bookseller Powell’s Books, take a turn through the Nike store and explore the state’s top products at Made in Oregon. Portland Airport Shops

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Another airport where travelers can happily shop tax-free? There’s no sales tax on apparel in Minnesota, so even travelers who’re just passing through can score deals on plush wearables from Naturally Cashmere and men’s shoes from Johnston & Murphy. Find both stores in the airport’s Main Concourse. For the tykes, head to Creative Kidstuff in Concourse F for classic toys from the Little Engine That Could Train Set to the Karito Kids. Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport retailers

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Sea-Tac does not, by any means, offer the most comprehensive airport shopping around, but it does have three stores that scored the airport a spot on our illustrious list. First, there’s ExOfficio, a great destination for apparel that can keep up with even the most frequent and active travelers. Then there’s Fireworks, an airport outpost of the small local chain of galleries that sell house wares, art and home accents made predominately by artists and artisans hailing from the Pacific Northwest. And last but not least, the Discovery Channel Store is one of those places that’s always fun to hunt around in – no matter what your age. Sea-Tac Pacific Marketplace

What to Buy: The ExOfficio ExO Dri Tee

Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport

Next up on our list is this Texas behemoth. While the retail offerings here include a slew of airport regulars (think Brooks Brothers, Rosetta Stone, etc.), the sheer volume of offerings makes this a great airport for retail therapy. What’s more, travelers have a plethora of automated shopping options. Sure, product vending machines are common in airports around the country (and the world), but rarely does one find so many in one place. This airport boasts automated shops for a bevy of retailers, including Apple, Proactiv, Sony, Elizabeth Arden and Motorola.

If your inner shopaholic craves a more traditional retail experience, unleash your inner Tony Romo at the Official Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop in Terminal E or fight off layover boredom with a spree through specialty shops like Fossil, L’Occitane and Mont Blanc in Terminal D and Terminal A’s Brighton Collectibles, Landau and the Jethro Pugh Western Shop. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Shops

Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport

The Southern Belles must have voted when this airport was collecting retailers. Not only does this busy airport have a Bath & Body Works in Concourse B and The Body Shop in the Atrium, but it also houses a Bare Escentuals retail outlet in Concourse T. That last one is a popular purveyor of mineral makeup, often thought to be much healthier for the skin than mainstream cosmetic products. Atlanta Hartsfield International Shops and Restaurants

Check out this video expose we found on Divine Caroline. But beware: you’ll never look at hotel drinking glasses the same way again!

Sounds like a pretty counterproductive way to score $5 more per booking, but USAirways has tacked a $5 surcharge onto tickets purchased on its own web site despite the fact that its official policies promise not to charge booking fees. We read the news at View from the Wing.

By adding the fee, the airline is actually giving travelers a reason to shop elsewhere, as the Cranky Flier shows in great detail. Yes, it’s only $5, but it’s the whole idea of slipping a fee onto tickets and, at the same time, telling travelers that you don’t charge a booking fee that smacks of shadiness. I don’t think travelers care so much about an extra $5 here and there, but they certainly get the hate on for companies that say one thing and do another….

Any frequent traveler will get a laff from Long or Short writer Johnny Debacle’s musings on Thoughts As People Attempt to Put Their Carry-On Luggage In Overhead Bins on Commuter Flights. For example:

Wait…why does he have wheels on that thing? There can’t be anything more than a laptop in that and maybe some paper. If there was a way to sterilize him I would, for the sake of mankind. A bag has to be the size of half a golden retriever in order to have wheels. Man that would be horrible, how would you cut it in half, lengthwise or widthwise? Maybe it’s not the best measurement. I’ll use a bear head instead. Grizzly bear head. This is the new FAA bag size regulation measurement unit for the retention of manliness and balls. If a bag isn’t as big as a grizzly bear head, you cannot have wheels on it and pull it. Done.