The greenest city in the U.S. is a perfect mix of laid-back cool and thrilling buzz. An ideal weekend getaway, here are our picks for the City of Roses.

sleep
The Nines is a chic space with an impressive modern art collection.You may find yourself sharing the elevator with one of the L.A. Lakers at this downtown hotel that’s popular among the It crowd. From $159 per night. The Nines, 525 SW Morrison, Portland, 1-877-229-9995, www.thenines.com

shop
A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Portland-based Modi Soondarotok worked for Peter Som, Donna Karan and Armani before launching Idom, her line of colourful, vintage-inspired pieces. We swooned over every dress at her charming boutique.  Idom, 827 NW 23rd Ave. Portland, 503-477-6818, www.idomdesigns.com

eat
Named as one of the “Top 10 Best New Restaurants in America” by GQ, Ping lives up to the hype. Its menu is packed with mouth-watering “multi-Asian” fare. Start with a selection of the skewers (from $2) and you'll be dreaming about the laksa nonya coconut noodle soup ($12) long after the last bite. Ping, 102 NW Fourth Ave., Portland, 503-229-7464, www.pingpdx.com

sip
Portland is known for its coffee fanaticism and Stumptown Coffee Roasters indeed serves one of the best cups we’ve ever had. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, www.stumptowncoffee.com

swirl
When it’s time for a stronger bevy, head to the Doug Fir Lounge where you’ll find hipsters of all ages listening to live acts like Sloan or St. Vincent while enjoying local brews. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 East Burnside, Portland, 503-231-9663, www.dougfirlounge.com

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is India's smooth and sultry gateway city. Herewith, our insider's guide to the bustling metropolis.

spa
At Tahaa Spa, a jewel-like space near the well-shaded, old money neighbourhood of Malabar Hills, therapists trained from the famed Banyen Tree spa in Thailand work out your kinks. Expect your bliss state to survive the city's chaos (well, at least for an afternoon). 69/A, Manisha Building, Napeansea Road, Mumbai, 022 23681001.

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Head straight to the flagship Bungalow 8, an eclectic gallery-shop where Indian design and intricate craftsmanship flaunt a contemporary global twist.  Find Ikat print dresses by Parisian designer Mathieu Leguillon (formerly at Lanvin), jewellery by the owner's mother, artist Jamini Ahluwalia, and accoutrements and furniture that you will want to ship home immediately. www.bungaloweight.com

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Old favourite Indigo, where the Clintons dine on their visits to India, is the opposite of stuffy. Waltz into the chic space in an old Colaba bungalow and sip a glass of surprisingly tasty Indian vino at the long bar, then dine on local oysters and whatever happens to be on the daily specials menu. The food is sublime and the people watching essential. www.foodindigo.com

drink
Hit up Blue Frog, a space-age-esque lounge, bar and restaurant in the city's revitalized Mill District, which features some of the best acoustics in the city. Perfect for listening to a new Indo-jazz band or some indie music. After a mango martini, you'll be humming along. www.bluefrog.co.in

Sure spring break used to mean cheap trips to Mexico with the girls, too many tequila poppers and questionable hookups with frat boys from a fly-over state.

For a more civilized spring break, book into The Modage, a charming and spacious townhouse in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood. Made for a family-size entourage, the eclectic and modern space has two bedrooms, a den, two-and-a-half baths (no screaming matches over the shower!) and sleeps six.

The eclectic and colourful decor mixes vintage pieces with modern must-haves (like flat screen TVs and free internet), and little add-ons like baby equipment rentals and ready-to-cook gourmet meals from Indishspensable make traveling with the clan easy breezy.

Break out the tequila!

For rates and Olympic booking inquiries visit www.modagevancouvervacationrentals.com

The next time your BFF comes into town on business, tell her to tack on a weekend and pack lighter.

It sounds backwards, but not if she stays at the Georgian Court Hotel, which in its recent renovations added the Orchid Floor suited solely to the needs of female travelers. For no additional charge the 18 rooms include a flat iron, curling iron, ample-sized Aveda toiletries and a ladies-only emergency kit stocked with neutral nylons, sewing kit, hair spray, nail polish remover and all important products for that time of the month.

There are even style magazines and a yoga mat, so she can multitask picking her Proenza Schouler Spring 2010 with posing in Sun Salutation.

From $127 per night, Georgian Court Hotel, 773 Beatty St., Vancouver, 1-800-663-1155, www.georgiancourt.com

Sometimes charm trumps square footage. Herewith, our favourite boutique hotels.

With gold-leaf mahogany beds, French tapestries and Louis XV-glam, it’s impossible not to get the lovey doveys at Auberge Pierre du Calvet. Built in 1725, celeb fans include Aidan Quinn and Benjamin Franklin. From $295, www.pierreducalvet.ca
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

The perfect hotel for party people and culture vultures, Toronto’s Drake Hotel hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s hipper than ever with ‘What’s in the Box,’ a Boxing Week music festival that celebrates the best of 2009. Five bands, five nights, five bucks. From $189, www.thedrakehotel.ca
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

The 15-room Hotel Deseo in Playa Del Carmen is beachy minimalism at its best. And it’s the little touches that make it magical, like classic Mexican movies projected on the exterior wall and the phrase ‘away from you’ that reflects up from the bottom of the pool. From US$178, www.hoteldeseo.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

For understated luxury check into the Hotel Raya on Italy’s Aeolian Islands. Playing briscola and sipping Campari on a whitewashed terrace at sunset is pure bliss. From $450, www.hotelraya.it
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

For its warm ambiance and fine design, Le Petite Hotel is an ideal spot to hide away and forget about the world with your man. From $140, www.petithotelmontreal.com
Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor

In preparation for a new year of globetrotting, we’ll be watching Up in The Air (Clooney giving us travel tips? Yes, please) and investing in new luggage from the Claire Newell collection.

The travel expert regularly seen on Global TV, Newell has poured her years of packing and frequent flying into a slick collection of premium bags, suitcases and accessories that’s made of leather from the same factory where Prada gets its goods. We love the travel wallet ($99) designed with all the right compartments for all your documents that doubles as a great going-out clutch. And the tote bag ($399), which comes with a pen, business card holder and key chain, works equally well as a carry-on, weekend overnighter or everyday laptop bag.

Looking this good is liable to get you bumped up to business class.

At www.cntravelcollection.com

Trade winter’s chills for sunny thrills with our luxe (for less bucks) itinerary.

stay
With up to 1,900 square feet, a new private villa at The Hyatt Grand Champions may be bigger than your apartment—only it's got butler service, an outdoor Jaccuzzi, and mountain views. Two bedroom villa from $409, www.grandchampions.hyatt.com

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Explore the romantic grounds of La Quinta, a 1920s health ranch turned hotel (note the casita where Frank Capra wrote You Can’t Take It With You). Sit outside at the authentic Mexican Adobe Grill and sip one of their famous organic margaritas. It’s good for you, really. www.laquintaresort.com

spa
Plan to spend the whole day at the Spa at Desert Springs, with its own outdoor saltwater lap pool and loungers overlooking the golf course and mountains. Listen to classical music and order a light lunch from the spa restaurant between trips to the two steam rooms and spa treatments using local dates and cacti. www.spa.desertspringsresort.com

do
Grab the girls and attend one of the daily $20 golf clinics at the soothing and scenic Westin Mission Hills. The strapping pros have the patience of Job as you hit dead air or divot their green, but it’s amazing how quickly you can improve with their simple pointers. www.westinmissionhillsgolf.com

Looking for more luxe for less bucks? Check out our recent Palm Springs itinerary.

Grab your bikini and your besties, we’re off to Palm Springs for a retro retreat!

stay
The Parker is where Angelina lays her head come film fest, noshing at French brasserie Mister Parker’s and perhaps bowling on the pea gravel boules court near the “adult” lemonade stand. Boasting a stately spa called the Palm Springs Yacht Club (PSYC) in Givenchy’s old haunt, this luxe, sprawling property feels more like the private estate it once was. “Parker Princesses” rate from $99. 4200 East Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-321-4620, www.theparkerpalmsprings.com

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Art Style Innovation is a brand new design store opened by the L.A. event design duo behind The Oscars and Grammys. Find stunning creations in every shade of acrylic imaginable (think transparent fluorescent trays and vases) plus custom chairs that turn your house into gala central. 668 North Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-322-3344,  www.artstyleinnovation.com

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Stock up on Minnetonka Moccasins at amazing prices ($25-$50) but beware the Japanese girls buying 20 pairs at a time. This season’s hot style is the “Tramper.” 182 North Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, 760-320-2339.

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Rent a beach cruiser from the new Bike Palm Springs and follow one of their free touring routes or explore the surrounding movie colony neighbourhood where mid-century star-chitecture abounds. Look for Frank Sinatra’s estate (now owned by Vancouver’s Jimmy Pattison). $25/day. 625 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-832-8912, www.bikepsrentals.com

A flight to San Francisco may leave a sizeable carbon footprint, but there’s a hip hotel that can put you back in Mother Earth’s good graces.

In the burgeoning SoMa district, The Good Hotel is light, bright and socially conscious.

Rooms feature reclaimed wood beds, chandeliers crafted from reused water bottles, blankets made from recycled soda bottles and bookshelves for "bookcrossing"—the practice of leaving a book for a future guest to take.

Other cool touches include a Ready Made Magazine vending machine in the lobby with repurposed goods inside, free loaner bicycles, and a retro photo booth.

Doesn’t sound good enough? During your stay pick-up the philanthropy concierge phone that connects to One Brick, a volunteer program, and at checkout, directly offset that carbon footprint with a small donation to Carbonfund.org.

Green looks good on you.

From $109 a night, Good Hotel, 112 Seventh St., San Francisco, 415-621-7001, www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/good

There’s nothing quite like autumn in New York. Take a bite of the best of what’s new with a week in the Big Apple.

stay
The Ace Hotel has drawn its fourth Ace. Its newest property in Midtown is a masterful mix of character vintage and custom touches, like clothes hangers embossed with the phrase “You look good in that.” Slip into your jersey robe and raid the well-stocked Smeg fridge in your room or head downstairs and sip Stumptown coffee with fellow dwellers. From $229 a night, Ace Hotel, 20W 29th St., New York City, 212-679-2222, www.acehotel.com/newyork

eat

Take in a leisurely breakfast at funky Five Leaves and pay tribute to Heath Ledger. The actor began work on his Greenpoint café-restaurant just before his death, and today his friends and family run the place in his memory. We had the tasty house-made granola with fruit and let the Bob Marley playing on vinyl soak in. Five Leaves, 18 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, 718-383-5345, www.fiveleavesny.com

drink

Whether it’s a manic Monday or celebratory Saturday, raise a glass at The Monday Room. At this cozy wine bar in Nolita you get your own personal wine steward who serves up unusual wine flights paired with equally unusual canapés like glazed eel with soft boiled quail egg. Its brick-walled interior and black leather banquettes reminded us of a law library (in a good way). The Monday Room, 210 Elizabeth St., New York City, 212-343-7011, www.themondayroom.com



do
Put on your stylish winter coat and take a walk on The High Line. The elevated railway has been re-purposed as a park, and its first phase stretching from Gansevoort to 20th Street is complete. Along the path you’ll find pretty gardens, wood chaises for stopping at and cool views of the city. On our stroll we passed by America's Next Top Model's Nigel Barker. The High Line, 212-500-6035, www.thehighline.org