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Category Archives: Hotels
Tip: Scan Foreign Sources for Hotel Finds
It’s automatic for me to scan US news sources and travel planning sites when I’m looking for new hotel or trip inspiration. But it’s always so refreshing when I find an insightful international resource, too, like this Brides Magazine UK listing that brings up a bunch of international hotels not necessarily on the American radar. Here are a few of the hotel finds that made the magazine’s list of best international venues for having a wedding (or just going on a dream vacation, I say!):
- The Shore at Katathani has oceanfront suites on a secluded cove in Phuket, Thailand.
- In Puglia, Italy, the absolutely stunning Masseria Torre Coccaro is surrounded by fields of poppies and olive groves.
- Conjure your own Arabian nights at Maison MK, a luxury riad in Marrakech’s old city in Morocco.
- And claim your island paradise among the 74 luxury villas at Cotton Bay Village in St. Lucia
Hotels For Solo Travelers
Ever had a dream destination in mind but couldn’t drum up a partner in crime willing to go with you? Don’t deprive yourself. More and more of today’s travelers are venturing out into the world solo–in fact, solo travelers now account for 11 percent of the US leisure travel market according to stats on the US Travel Association’s website. Here are a few hotels that cater to your solo sojourn:
- Spa and wellness sojourners look to Red Mountain Resort for as much solitude or companionship with other guests as they desire. Dragonfly Solo rooms are luxuriously sized for one. At the three-meals-a-day-included Canyon Breeze Restaurant, join the community table for new friends and conversation, or dine solo with a good book. Last-minute spring deals for April and May were just announced.
- Treat yourself to a wellness vacation at Body Holiday, St. Lucia, a health-oriented resort with a month-long September Solos fitness package targeted for solo travelers and running Sept. 2 – 30, 2012. Among the inclusions: champagne concerts, exercise classes, daily spa treatments, zipline tours and a ton more.
- If you’re traveling solo to the ultimate city of singles, Manhattan, check out The Pod Hotel, New York’s Single Pod twin rooms designed especially with one guest in mind. The hotel organizes a “community blog,” where single guests can link up with others staying alone at the property to head out for dinner, drinks and events.
- And across the pond in the lovely city of Copenhagen, the recently opened Bella Sky Comwell has a women-only hotel floor perfect for ladies traveling alone. Rooms on the hotel’s Bella Donna floor have feminine touches such as makeup mirrors, fresh flowers and extra hangers in the closet for skirts and dresses.
Do I need to tell you you’re worth it?
Image of hiking at Red Mountain Resort courtesy Charlyn Keating Chisholm
Hotels are Rolling with the Food Truck Craze
Move over, Portlandia! Here in Orlando, the food truck craze is in full swing, too. And according to a recent story from USA Today hotels are climbing aboard the food truck bandwagon with their own mobile outposts. From hot dogs made with wagyu beef served at the beachfront food truck at The Setai in Miami Beach to a pop-up barbecue restaurant slated to open from late-April to late-June outside The Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC and lobster rolls proffered from a food truck belonging to The Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City, it’s all about good food on the move these days. What hotel restaurant would you like to see hit the streets with a food truck?
It’s Spring! Cherry Blossoms in DC
Ugly political campaigning aside, our nation’s capital is at its best this time of year, when those pretty pink blossoms that come from Japan send perhaps the most indisputable message that ever comes out of Washington DC: Spring is here! Here’s where to stay next year if you want to be close enough to feel the cherry blossom pollen nearly tickle your nose:
- The Renaissance Mayflower Hotel is DC’s longstanding grande dame.
- The hip W Washington DC has a sleek rooftop bar, POV.
- The more classic Hay Adams is known for its rooftop terrace, too.
- The Hotel Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square is right near the White House and just a short stroll to the National Mall and onward to the cherry blossoms.
Happy Spring!
Image courtesy Getty Images CR: Patrick Yuen
Non-beachy Bali: Surrounded by Rice Paddies at the Viceroy Bali
Bali is certainly known for its beaches. But any sojourn here–whether it’s your honeymoon or your own little rendition of Eat Pray Love–has to include a visit inland to see the terraced rice paddy landscapes around Ubud (not to mention find your own healer here a la Julia Roberts in the Hollywood movie). Check out this view from a Deluxe Terrace Villa at the Viceroy Bali, on the outskirts of Ubud. Despite its name, the hotel is not affiliated with the Viceroy chain. This intimate boutique property with just 25 private villas is owned by an Australian family. And it’s five-star service and amenities all the way here. Each villa has its own infinity plunge pool (some larger than others) overlooking the Petanu Gorge where, most mornings and evenings, you can enjoy a dip while watching monkeys swing through the thick palm forest below. Pedal the hotel’s bikes through surrounding rice paddies to watch farmers harvesting the grain and mother ducks leading their ducklings for a morning paddle. Or take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service into Ubud to shop for silver jewelry and handicrafts. Who needs the beach with that ocean of green?
Image courtesy Chris Jackson
One Amazing Hotel Bar
Hotel bars are as diverse as the resorts and inns that house them. They can be intimate and old world in flavor or prone to pumping lounge music and full of high-design details. But if you ask me, any hotel bar with an ocean view is where it’s truly at. And right now, I’m in love with these images taken at the Rock Bar (http://ayanaresort.com/rockbarbali/) at the Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali (http://ayanaresort.com). Sure, Indonesian’s Island of the Gods is a long way from almost anywhere. But where else are you going to find a multi-tier bar built into a cliff overlooking the crashing Indian Ocean surf and–get this–accessed by a steep funicular ride down from the terraced resort property. Cocktails made with refreshing Southeast Asian ingredients–think lemongrass, ginger and passion fruit–are the perfect antidote to the tropical heat. And that there’s a designated line for the funicular for hotel guests and tables with the best views reserved just for them (Rock Bar is one of Bali’s hottest spots for nightlife that rages long after sunset) makes a stay at Ayana all the sweeter.
Image courtesy Chris Jackson
Insane Base Jumps from Two Luxury Hotels
I’m all for skydiving, but base jumping scares the bejeezus out of me. To celebrate the recent Leap Day, members of the Red Bull Airforce Team performed legal base jumps off the 36-story tower of the Conrad Miami Hotel; and from the very vertiginous Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. Can you imagine being ensconced there in your room and seeing a flying human fall past your window? The photos are amazing. Have a look!
Image courtesy Red Bull
Vote for Your Favorites in the 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards!
Sure, the news has been all about the Republican primaries recently. But here at the About.com travel channel, we’ve been abuzz with heated races that are much more fun to debate: the 2012 Readers Choice Awards. It’s been fun to watch from the sidelines as hotels in the running pull out all the stops in their campaign to be named a reader’s favorite. From Four Points Sheraton LAX’s #beer strategy on Twitter to a nail-biter in the Favorite Family Resort in New England category, some races are going to go right down to the wire.
It’s not over yet–there’s still time to cast your vote. Hotels are competing in categories across the network this year; here are a few:
- Favorite Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort
- Best Luxury Hotel or Resort in Greece
- Favorite Hawaii Hotel/Resort Company
- Best Los Angeles Hotels
- Favorite All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico
- Best New England Ski Resort
- Favorite Family-Friendly New York City Hotel
- Best Honeymoon All-Inclusive Resort
You can vote in all the Travel categories. And from Best iPhone App to Best TV Dad, there’s still time to cast your vote in all the 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards!
Classic Virginia Hotel to be Reborn This Summer
More than 22 US Presidents–including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson–have made appearances at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA, one of the country’s most storied resorts that first opened its doors in 1766. I visited the property with my parents as a child, and I’ve often wondered how it has fared over the years. So I was excited to learn the The Homestead is undergoing a rebirth of sorts that will see the iconic property emerge this summer after some million in renovations. Set in the rolling green hills of the Allegheny Mountains, the resort is surrounded by geothermal springs and all sorts of outdoor attractions–the kind of place that just screams “Summer family vacation!”
Here’s a peek at what’s new for Summer 2012:
- A new 18-hole mini golf course to complement the resort’s existing Cascades Course and historic Old Course
- New dining options including the Jefferson’s Grill restaurant, with an exciting farm-to-table menu with food from local ranchers and cheesemakers.
- The new Allegheny Springs attraction, a two-acre waterpark with three 100-foot water slides, a lazy river and more.
- A new spa and wellness center incorporating geothermal spring waters and a spa garden.
Just tell them George Washington sent you!
Image courtesy The Homestead
