HotelChatter

Trump Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Activities / Hotel Ice Skating / Hotel Deals / Twitter / → All Tags

Wanna Skip The Lines At Trump Wollman Skating Rink? Stay At the Trump

Where: 1 Central Park W [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

We showed you yesterday how to click your way to an upgraded room view at Trump Soho. Now, here's a way to parlay your stay at Trump New York into a VIP ice skating session at the nearby Trump Wollman Rink in Central Park.

Guests of the hotel who call ahead will get whisked straight to the skate rental counter upon arrival, bypassing endless lines of whiny children, oblivious tourists and uninformed New Yorkers (we can say that because, as New Yorkers, we try to aim for more, um...time-efficient places to go ice skating). This makes a lot of sense to us. As long as it's in their power, why shouldn't Trump New York try to make things easier for parents attempting a family outing in below-freezing temperatures?

What's that, you say? You want the hotel to throw in free skate rentals too? Now, let's not get greedy...

more ›

Hotel Gyms / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Fitness / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Now You Can Hone Your Boxing Skills At The Mark New York

Where: 25 East 77th St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10021

New York has really cleaned up its act since the 80s, and the likelihood of getting mugged on the Upper East Side is pretty much slim to none. However! If you happen to be staying at The Mark New York, and are looking to beef up your self-defense skills, a good place to start might be the hotel's new martial arts and kickboxing studio, Punch Fitness Center.

The studio, which opened in November, and its owner, Adelino Da Costa, were profiled by the NY Times back in 2008 for introducing the world of boxing to the affluent Upper East Side neighborhood—and with great success. Now, Da Costa has set up on the hotel's second floor to offer his unique blend of Thai boxing, boxing, kickboxing and martial arts conditioning to guests whenever they want it.

more ›

Photo Galleries / Turks and Caicos Hotels / Caribbean Resorts / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

What Do You Do When It Rains In Paradise?

Where: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Summer in the Caribbean. Every day's foreceast was the same: hot with a chance of thunderstorms. Of the four days we spent at Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, it rained just a little on three and a lot on the fourth.

We were lucky to enjoy gorgeous sunny mornings, and dramatic overcast skies that still let us swim at the beach and in the pool. Storms blew over quickly, and we were able to take cover under our beach umbrellas, at the poolside bar (bonus: rum punch and endless UB40!), or on our own balcony, where the view never got old.

Of course, at a resort as luxurious as this, there is always something to do while the tropics do their thing outside. Here are just some of the activities we dabbled during the daily downpours.

more ›

Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Activities / Free Stuff / → All Tags

Gran Meliá Puerto Rico Offers Star Tours Without Leaving the Beach

Where: 1000 Coco Beach Boulevard, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Clear skies above the Gran Meliá resort offer ideal conditions for stargazing

You say Ursa Major, I say Ursa Minor; let's call the whole thing off. Actually, don't, especially not if you're stargazing in Puerto Rico. The country's Gran Meliá resort is capitalizing on its remote location to push a vacation activity that Copernicus would have approved of: star spotting (and we're not talking the Hollywood variety) and astronomy lessons on the beach with an expert to point out everything from Cassiopeia to Orion, and everything in between.

Gran Meliá is a decidedly anti-urban resort that has largely built its reputation on being "green." Located a short drive away from San Juan, the hotel has banned motorized water sports, has trained staff to keep the beach pristine, and they have instituted a conservation program for said beaches. Without towering skyscrapers, apartment complexes, and city smog polluting (pun intended) sky views, spotting constellations is markedly easier than in San Juan proper.

more ›

Carribean Resorts / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Get Your Scuba On In Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Where: Netherlands Antilles

This week, we’re venturing to the diving mecca of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Located in the Southern Caribbean, it’s part of the ABC islands, the others being Aruba and Curaçao. We’re here for "Celebrate Our Planet" week, and so far, it’s been rife with underwater-related action. We were here to witness Karol Meyer break her free diving record attempt (she did at over 90 meters), took a spin through the Caribbean’s only super-high tech decompression chamber (very Star Trek-y), went on a fantastic snorkeling trip to Klein Bonaire via the Woodwind (saw Hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, squid and lots of parrot fish), and tomorrow, Dr. Sylvia Earle, world famous oceanographer, joins the mix.

more ›

Mexico Hotel Reviews / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Kiteboarding and Sand-Biking are Big Attractions at La Zebra

Where: Carr Tulum-Boca Paila Km 86, Tulum, Mexico, 77780

Down on Tulum Beach in Mexico the La Zebra Beach Cantina & Cabanas are adding to their already established repertoire of having retro jungle vibes (and sometimes free tequila) by ramping up their onsite adventure activity sideline.

Combining transport, a workout and a lot of fun, La Zebra is offering guests the use of its special sand-bikes. The sand-bikes are specially geared and have extra fat tires so you can hit the beach in front of La Zebra and ride for miles (or until you want to turn back for more tequila).

And for more extreme adventurers, La Zebra has hooked up with a local kiteboarding school to offer lessons and equipment hire--apparently the wind situation makes this beach an ideal spot for kiteboarding year round.

And at the end of the day there are still plenty of chances to sample some local tequila (including regular Friday night tequila tasting parties) or to eat up a storm with Sunday's salsa fiesta pit roast grill meal. Must be something for everyone with all that mix.

Related Stories:
· Retro Jungle Vibes and Free Tequila at La Zebra [HotelChatter]
· Hotels in Tulum [HotelChatter]

Fiji Hotel Reviews / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Jetskiing By the Dawn's Early Light in Fiji

Where: Nadi, Fiji

If lazing around by the pool or doing some casually calm snorkelling outside your water bungalow is not enough for you on a holiday in Fiji, the Sonaisali Island Resort reckon they have what it takes to keep you amused. With paintball, jetskiing and sports fishing already entrenched on their Adventure Sports activity list, they're now promoting their new dawn jetski "safari adventure".

Along with your Sonaisali Jet Ski Guide, you'll start of by motoring along to some of the best snorkelling places in Fiji; when you've been down below long enough, the guide will take you mountain climbing to get a view over all the islands. Or you can spend a half day surfing on some of the great waves of Fiji.

At the end of these kind of action-packed days then you definitely need a good bed to lay your head in. Air-con and ceiling fans turn up everywhere (definitely necessary), and the best relaxation comes in the beachfront spa bures, where you'll find a private spa on your balcony.

Related Stories:
· Sonaisali Island Resort reviews [TripAdvisor]