My Hotel Life on EightWest

My Hotel Life: woodtv.com

So much for my little break...but this is too special not to post. I was interviewed by EightWest anchor, Rachael Ruiz and Matt Kirkwood about my blog (yes, this one) and my column on Shore Magazine, The Good Life. Here's the clip.

A big thank you to Rachael for reaching out and promoting my work. You're the best, Rachael!

Holiday Chill

My Hotel Life is going to take a much needed chill-time to refresh for the upcoming year. Thank you to all for following my blog this past year. It has been an epic year and it wouldn't been possible without all your support and encouragement. Have a wonderful Christmas break with your family and close friends. MHL will be back on New Year's Eve. GA

Top 23 Gifts for the Renaissance Man in your life

It's the week before Christmas and you still haven't found that perfect gift to give to your renaissance man. Renaissance Men are hard to shop for because they are more picky than your vegan friend at the office holiday buffet. Look no further because My Hotel Life has done the shopping for you compliments of my favorite gift boutique in the

Cheese, Swine & Wine

The Purple Pig's signature Bone Marrow

The buzz about The Purple Pig in Chicago is deafening. It's one of the restaurants my foodie friends blurt out automatically as a recommendation for a dining destination. Not to oppose a friends advice, I reserved a nice banquette

The Veuve Party

The Winter party season officially kicked off as Grand Rapidians toasted glasses of champagne at the 2nd annual Veuve Clicquot Holiday Celebration at the Amway Grand Plaza hotel. Jus like the inaugural event, the party inside the Pantlind Ballroom was hopping from the moment the first cork of champagne popped until the last drop of juice

P90X and the Holidays

Read about what happens when you mix P90X and the holidays in this article I wrote for the West Michigan Tourist Association. For the original article, click here.

The Winner of the Best Buns Go To...

The winning pork buns from Gilly's at the B.O.B.

I have been on this pork buns mission after seeing chef David Chang's pork buns last year in his beautiful cookbook, Momofuku. While I have had my share of Asian pork buns, chef Chang's taco-style presentation is new to me. It also helps that the popularity of Asian tacos among food trucks from Portland to New York have influenced many

Baubles, Bangles and Bublé

Michael Bublé walked to the center of the Van Andel Arena to the delight of the
nosebleed section. 

This town isn't the same Grand Rapids it once was. Gone is the sleepy town with empty downtown streets and mediocre restaurants (at least the few that were around). Grand Rapids has taken on a whole different flavor especially with all the happenings last weekend. Last Friday evening saw the tree lighting ceremony at Rosa Parks Circle, the opening night of the Grand Rapids Ballet's Nutcracker, Peter Pan at the Civic Theater and of course, Michael Bublé in

Pho' or Faux?

Pho vs. Faux from Brian wilcox on Vimeo.

If you're like one of the millions of people out there who mispronounce pho' as faux, here's a little lesson courtesy of my brother Brian. He made this funny video commercial for one of his favorite restaurants in NYC, An Choi Vietnamese Eatery. Spread the word.

The Good Life

It's official!

Life is good. Really good. 

When I started My Hotel Life blog in April of 2009, I never imagined that my hobby or my third shift job (as my wife fondly calls it) would ever result into an actual job offer to be a columnist for a magazine. Dreams do come true, and as of this month, I am officially a staff columnist for Lake Michigan Shore magazine. Shore magazine is a regional