United States Travel Guide
Sweet Suites / Haagen Dazs / San Francisco Hotels / Kimpton Hotels / National Ice Cream Moth / → All Tags
Inside the Mouth-Watering Haagen Dazs Suite at the Hotel Triton
Who knew the Hotel Triton in San Francisco had such a sweet suite? (Literally!)
The Haagen Dazs "Sweet Suite" has been open at the Union Square hotel since at least 2007 (we told you to book the suite to get over a bad break-up)-- but it recently underwent a refresh. It still has the "Sweet Spot", which is an ice cream cabinet full of cartons of Haagen Dazs ice creams along with bowls, scoops and spoons. But now there's new furniture and new giant photographs of ice cream and ice cream ingredients (LOL.) Despite the ice cream obsession, the suite is quite stylish with a residential feel. Don't worry, you can still bring the ice cream in bed with you.
In honor of National Ice Cream Month, which is next month, the Kimpton hotel is offering a Haagen Dazs Sweet Dreams package which includes deluxe accommodations in a recently redesigned room, Haagen Dazs ice cream delivered nightly to the room, a groovy ice cream scoop to take home and a signature Triton rubber ducky. Rates start at just $175 a night with a portion going to the Haagen Dazs's charity of choice, The Delancey Street Foundation. The Sweet Suite is a bit more at $350 a night.
[Photos: Hotel Triton]
Fashion Hotels / Hotel Parties / W Hotels / New Orleans Hotels / Starwood Hotels / Hotel Pools / → All Tags
Try Not To Get Your Hair Wet At W New Orleans' Poolside Fashion Show
Summer doesn't officially (like, calendar-wise) begin until Friday, but at W New Orleans, things have been heating up since the beginning of this month, when the hotel kicked off its "Adults/Swim" series—a weekly rooftop pool party with DJs, specialty cocktails and cabana packages.
Fashionistas will want to pay attention to this next part, though: on the last Sunday of each month, the Adults/Swim party will be followed by an exclusive poolside fashion show, presented through a partnership between W New Orleans and Fashion Week New Orleans.
Dubbed "Strut +Swim," the shows will take place on the fourth floor Wet Deck, featuring local designers, boutiques, and hair and makeup artists telling you exactly what to wear, how to wear it, and why it's trendy. (This could be especially helpful for those of you trying to revamp your wardrobe this summer—these guys are experts, after all). Different designers and beauty experts
Hotel Events / July Fourth Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Kimpton Hotels / Hotel Restaurants / Hotel Food / Celebrity Hotels / → All Tags
Catch the World's Fastest Hot Dog Eater At Eventi Hotel
Food has been one of the main attractions over at Eventi Hotel since 2010, when they opened a fancy-pants food court called FoodParc next to the lobby. So it's kind of fitting that the hotel will be hosting a July 4th hot dog eating contest, next month featuring none other than Takeru Kobayashi, the world's greatest hot dog eater.
This is great news for Kobayashi fans who usually have to trek all the way out to Coney Island to watch their hero scarf down wieners (his personal record is 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes).
The event will be hosted at the outdoor plaza in the back of the hotel, where Kobayashi will compete with seven other "acclaimed competitive eaters." We still can't believe that some people make a living in this world as "competitive eaters," but hey, if it pays the bills…
Manhattan Hotels / Killer View / Anti-View / Standard Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Best Western Hotels / Andaz Hotels / Conrad Hotels / Lower Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags
5 Hotels In Lower Manhattan For River Gazing
For most of us, we're just happy that our hotel room in Manhattan doesn't look out onto a brick wall. But for those of you who are particular about your views, we've rounded up the best hotels in lower Manhattan for river gazing. And no, you don't have to spend a fortune to do it, which is another reason to consider downtown versus uptown when planning your stay.
5 SCENIC WATERFRONT HOTELS IN LOWER MANHATTAN
1. It's all about the views at Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, which also took quite a beating during Hurricane Sandy (everything's back to normal now, though). The 298-room hotel often gets overshadowed by its uptown counterparts (Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons New York), but actually this place outshines all of them put together when it comes to fresh sea breezes and plenty of open spaces around the hotel The rooms even come with telescopes!
Rates from $395/night.
Four more after the jump!
Hotel News / Four Seasons Hotels / Orlando Hotels / Disney World Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Florida Hotels / → All Tags
A Year Away, Four Seasons Disney Has Its First Opening Rates
Well, color us surprised. Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World might still be a year away from opening, but hot on the heels of its GM appointment, the apparent interest in the 434-room resort is already so significant that a first series of rates for meetings and groups has been released. Talk about planning ahead.
We’ll get to those rates in a second, but alongside there’s an indication what us normal people will be paying to live it up with Mickey. Unfortunately, the same seems to hold true here as it does for Disney itself these days: bring your wallet. Rooms will start at $595 in September 2014, going up to $645 from October onwards. Family packages aside, with a room and one-day admission for four, you’re looking at a grand a day just like that. Eeeek.
Celebrity Scoop / Amanda Bynes / Atlantic City Hotels / Hotel Hot Tubs / → All Tags
Amanda Bynes Takes Her Wig to the Revel Resort
It's been a rough Monday for us but we're still having a better day than Amanda Bynes's wig. As of late, that poor thing (the wig, not Amanda) has been arrested, thrown in jail, hauled to court and then randomly sent up to Buffalo to engage in some trampolining. All without getting a proper brushing!
And now, Amanda has hauled her weary wig to the Revel Resort in Atlantic City where she let it soak in jacuzzi water while taking pictures with fans. Amanda's #1 wig watcher, TMZ reports:
Sources tell TMZ, Bynes checked in solo at the Revel Hotel ... where she stared into her phone while surrounded by strangers in the tub.
We're told she did pose for some photos with fans -- while wearing her famous blonde wig in the jacuzzi -- but if Amanda didn't like the way she looked, she demanded they be deleted ASAP.
Our heart is breaking for Wiggie. Especially since we all know what happens in the hot tub at the Jersey Shore, thanks to Snooki. We hope Amanda had the decency to treat her wig to a nice blowout at the salon later.
Meanwhile, the Revel Resort's brush with fame continues tonight with an appearance on "The Bachelorette"! Fingers crossed Desiree fares better than Kanye West and Amanda's wig.
Read our review of the Revel Resort RIGHT HERE
[Photos: TMZ and Revel/Facebook]
Chicago Hotels / Hotel News / Aloft Hotels / Hyatt Place Hotels / Langham Hotels / Hotel Opening Rates / → All Tags
While We Hold Out for a Virgin, Three New Hotels Are Opening in Chicago
While we countdown the days until we can sip on cocktails on the roof of the Virgin Chicago, there's three more hotels opening up in the city, all in the next few weeks. Here's what on deck for the Chicago hotel scene:
· Hyatt Place River North Hotel: Opening on June 20, this new Hyatt just north of the Looop will feature a bi-level lobby, rooms with views of the river and all the amenities that come with a Hyatt Place including free WiFi, free breakfast, cozy sofa sleepers in each room and a 24/7 Grab n' Go case and Bakery cafe in the lobby. Rates start at $218 a night for an advanced purchase rate.
· Aloft City Center: Also opening the exact same day is the first Aloft for Chicago proper (there's already one by O'Hare Airport.) And again, all the Aloft amenities will be here as well including the W XYZ River North Bar, the re: mix lounge, the re:fuel pantry and even Arf, Aloft's pet-friendly travel program. Rates start at $239 a night for a prepaid rate.
· Langham Chicago: At long last, the Langham Chicago will open on July 10 and we're nearly giddy over the room amenities which include a 55 in. television, a deep soaking tub and La Bottega Dell Albergo toiletries.There's also a swimming pool in the hotel's Chuan Spa and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine served downstairs at the new Travelle restaurant. Rates start at $356 a night on opening night.
[Photos: Hyatt Place; Aloft and Langham Hotels]
Hat tip to Tony for the reminder!
Sneak Peek / Manhattan Hotels / High Line Hotels / Boutique Hotels / → All Tags
A Sneak Peek at The High Line Hotel in NYC
The other month we teased you with a snapshot of the antique custom embossers found on the desk at the new 60-room High Line Hotel in Manhattan. Today, we've got the full monty and it's a beauty.
Here are some snapshots from inside a High Line Suite which is meant to evoke a "a romantic and eclectic 19th century guest house with a separate tranquil sitting area." These rooms also have a king bed, one-of-kind furniture from throughout the U.S. large windows (with black-out shades), bathrobes and slippers and our fave, free WiFi. These rooms also overlook the Close, a private garden open only to hotel guests.
Gay Hotels / Hotel News / Jeff Klein / Naked Hotels / Clothing Optional Hotels / West Hollywood Hotels / → All Tags
Jeff Klein's New Hotel Will Let Guests Be Naked Whenever They Want
We've always wanted hotelier Jeff Klein to open more hotels. After all, his Sunset Tower Hotel is one of the best hotels in LA, loved by celebs like Jennifer Aniston. Not to mention, with his City Club Hotel in New York City, he was a firm believer in offering free Wifi to his guests at a time when most hotels were still sending folks down to the business center to get online. But we're not quite sure about his latest acquisition.
Curbed LA reports that Klein has recently purchased a "a clothing-optional gay motel" in West Hollywood that's more known for being a drug haven. Eeek. The place is also adjacent, ironically, to a rehab facility called Klean. (Yes, that is correct.) But while Klein plans to keep the clothing optional aspect of the inn, he has now enforced a "zero tolerance" drug policy. Thank god.
However, he still has his work cut out for him. Check out this recent review of the inn on TripAdvisor reviews:
Photo Gallery / Santa Monica Hotels / Avi Brosh / Palihotels / Pali Group / → All Tags
Palihouse Santa Monica Is Now Officially Open
When we toured the Palihouse Santa Monica a few months back, the hotel was still in the middle of transforming the old Embassy Hotel Apartments near Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade into hotelier Avi Brosh's vision for "Palihouse at the Beach."
But now the hotel is ready to show off its incredible design.
Here's a bunch of photos we've received from the hotel of the lobby and a guestroom. Take a minute and browse through these shots. We think you'll like.
Room categories are classic rooms, studio suites and one and two-bedroom "residences." Rates range from about $350 to $1,500 per night. But remember, that includes free WiFi, AppleTV, Dean & Deluca minibar treats and finally, a chic and sophisticated place to stay in Santa Monica.
[All photos courtesy of Palihouse Santa Monica]
Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Deals / Hotel Rooftops / Hotel Breakfast / Shakespeare Hotels / → All Tags
Get Thee To The Kimberly For NYC's Shakespeare In The Park This Summer
To stay, or not to stay—that is the question. At a hotel, that is. And this summer, The Kimberly Hotel is making the decision a whole lot easier by offering guests exclusive access to performances of Shakespeare In the Park, a popular NYC summer tradition of high-quality, free theater in Central Park.
As the official hotel partner, the Kimberly has launched a Shakespeare In the Park travel package that makes a serious case for battling through the unpleasant summer crowds. Starting out with a two-night stay in a one-bedroom suite (it's worth noting that all suites come with marble bathtubs and balconies overlooking the Manhattan skyline), the deal also covers breakfast on the hotel's rooftop (another, lesser-known, but equally pleasant NYC summer tradition), and, finally, two tickets to a Shakespeare play of your choice.
And just so you know what you'd be getting yourself into, this summer's Shakespeare In The Park lineup includes two featured plays: 'The Comedy Of Errors' (May 28-June 30) and 'Love's Labour's Lost, a New Musical' (July 23- August 18).
Virgin Hotels / Hotel News / Chicago Hotels / Hotel Hype / Virgin Clubhouses / → All Tags
The Virgin Chicago Hotel Will Have a Rooftop Bar and a Virgin Clubhouse
We will soon be drinking way up there.
When we first heard there would be a Virgin Hotel opening in Chicago, we speculated about it having a rooftop pool. Well, that won't be happening but what will be happening is a rooftop bar and lounge.
We found this exciting bit of info on the website for Lionstone Development, the developers behind the hotel. We also got a look at a rendering for the entrance, although you should know that renderings don't always look like the finished product. Still we're digging those Virgin logos next to the front doors, not to mention what looks like an outside dining spot. (Update: Virgin Hotels said the rendering is not accurate and it will be removed from the Lionstone website.)
But most intriguing are the plans for a Virgin Clubhouse.
