Tag: Lists

View All Tags

/ / / / / / / / /

There's Still Time for Some Spring Break Fun

March 29, 2012 at 12:04 PM | by | Comments (0)

The Sun Palace, Cancun

We at HotelChatter know Spring Break exists even though our school days are long gone. March and April seems to be the months when kids from elementary to college age are let loose upon the world, meaning vacation time for some lucky adults too. So you know what? We decided we want in, too. There’s still enough time to book a getaway, so with that in mind, here are some vernal equinox escapes, in case you want to get on the bandwagon.

more ›

/ / / /

5 Hotel Openings We're Excited About in 2012*

January 5, 2012 at 11:06 AM | by | Comment (1)

*The first part of 2012 at least. So many good hotels are opening this year!

As the first week of the new year draws to a close, we've already been pleasantly surprised by some great hotel news like the start of a new brand in China from IHG as well as a new mid-market brand for the U.S., an opening date for NYC's first gay hotel, more Tune Hotels in the UK, the impending arrival of a third Bulgari Hotel (in London) and the Trumponian technique of the upcoming Trump Toronto.

But gosh, there are so many openings to look forward to in 2012. We are hard at work on our Master Hotel Openings List but here's something to keep you satiated for a bit--5 Hotel Openings We're Excited About.

more ›

/ / / /

CNN Names the Fifteen Hotels to See Before You Die

October 18, 2011 at 6:30 PM | by | Comments (0)


The Akköy Evleri Cave Hotel in Turkey

Remember that best-selling book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die? Back when it was first published in 2003, it seems like everyone either bought one for a little light travel reading or gave one as a holiday gift. Regardless, the theme of "_______ to see before you die" is a popular one, and hotels are no exception. Just today, CNN came out with their list of the 15 Hotels to Stay In Before You Die.

Before you assume they're all $800 per-night mini palaces stocked with private pools and personal butlers, know that it's actually a well thought-out collection, if you ignore the two entries we'd rather class as bed & breakfasts than legit hotels.

Here's a partial list:

more ›

/ / / / /

Light Up With Abandon at These Three London Hotel Cigar Bars

September 30, 2011 at 12:30 PM | by | Comments (0)

A smoking ban took effect in England in 2007, with nicotine-loving Brits grumbling about having to take their activities outside since. Being relegated to tiny patios may have led to the increased frequency of "smirting" (that's "smoking" and "flirting"), but even an upsurge in this mating activity isn't enough to make up for the lost luxury of lighting up indoors.

more ›

/ / / /

The 5 Sexiest Hotel Bathrooms in Miami

Where: Miami, FL
September 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM | by | Comments (3)

Miami is full of sexy hotels, we know that. But what about sexy bathrooms? You know, the kind that offer more than just your run-of-the-mill shower. A place to cool off after a day at the beach or to steam things up with your special someone.

Here are the Five Sexiest Hotel Bathrooms we've seen in Miami.

1. Soho Beach House (above)
Sexy Details: A soaking tub, full-sized Cowshed products, a comfy visitor's chair next to the tub--all in a pretty, sun-splashed bathroom the size of many Ocean Drive hotel rooms.

more ›

/ / / / / /

5 All-Inclusive Resorts That Don't Feel Like All-Inclusive Resorts

August 31, 2011 at 9:35 AM | by | Comments (0)

All-inclusive Resorts used to be a cheap, spring break vacation where you sipped sugary drinks in plastic cups and shuffled through buffet lines filling up on nachos, burgers and something exotic called spaghetti bolognese. Looks like those days are a-changin’.

In a time where people (even the well-heeled) are demanding more bang for their vacation buck, many all-inclusives resorts are making a comeback, and bringing their A game.

Today you’ll see gourmet restos, free golf and even spa treatments added into the mix to lure discerning travelers to their now well-manicured grounds.

Check out these five luxury resorts that are so sleek, you’d barely know that one-price-pays-for-all.

more ›

/ / /

Five Essentials To Pack For A Week At The Space Hotel

Where: Space
August 19, 2011 at 12:37 PM | by | Comments (0)

In other space news this week, a Russian company is opening the world's first space hotel, located 217 miles above ground. Which will certainly make for great travel photography—but maybe not so great for, you know, 'exploring the neighborhood.'

CNN reports on the float-el, which is scheduled to open in 2016 under the name Commercial Space Station. Gee, how romantic. If you're game—and the £100,000 hasn't spooked you yet (not to mention the £500,000 cost just to get there)—here are some tips on what you'll need to bring with you.

more ›

/ / / / /

5 Things Not to Ask the Concierge

August 9, 2011 at 11:47 AM | by | Comments (17)

He's known as @ConciergeCorner on Twitter who's not afraid to dish on all the crazy things that guests ask concierges. But he also might be the concierge fielding your requests during your next hotel stay and he's got a few tips on how to get the most out of your concierge contact. So without further ado, we present 5 Things You Should Not Ask the Concierge as told by @ConciergeCorner. (And no, that's neither @ConciergeCorner or his hotel in the photo above.)

 

1. Don't ask for the hottest new hotspot in town. When a guest requests I recommend the hottest, newest, sexiest restaurant, it is apparent he/she has no clue what he/she actually wants. Just because something is new does not make it good.  So please, ask for what you really want, not just what’s new. On a related note, when I recommend a great local (nearby) steakhouse and then see/hear that you have gone to one of the many chain steakhouses simply because it was a few blocks closer, it breaks my heart!

more ›

/ / / / /

How to Stay at The 10 Best Hotels in Miami for Less (Big Hint: Go Offseason)

August 2, 2011 at 5:07 PM | by | Comment (1)

Everyone loves Miami (except maybe Cleveland Cavaliers fans) but not everyone can do it up J.Lo style paying $1,000 a night without a glance inside their Fendi wallets. So there's only one way to do it--go in the offseason which is conveniently happening now.

We found totally doable rates for people with champagne tastes but limited budgets. And these are the deals you can get directly from the hotel. No Groupon, Private sale or Hotwire roulette needed.

However, what you will need is a little cash flow. The best hotels in Miami (HotelChatter approved, that is) aren't going to bottom out completely just because it's August and hurricane season is nearing. So expect to pay about $300 a night. Hey, it still beats a $1,000, right?

more ›

/ / / /

The Best Geek Hotels in the World for 20.11

May 25, 2011 at 3:27 PM | by | Comment (1)

Congratulations fellow humans, we've made it to the second decade of the new millennium. We've not only survived Y2K but also, The Rapture and each year, we've acquired new tech skills and gadgets.

We've cycled through countless cell phones (Sidekick anyone?), we've read books without turning a page, everyone and their mother now knows how to text and we're not afraid to put our junk on the internet -- actual junk thanks to Craigslist and eBay, and emotional junk thanks to Facebook and Twitter.

The same tech trends can also be applied to hotels. Wireless internet is practically a compulsory amenity (whether it's free or not is a different story), flat-screen TVs are commonplace, and putting an iPad on the nightstand is not unusual.

So if all these are the norm for hotels in 2011, what makes a hotel geek worthy this year? SciFi decor, keyless entry, karaoke cabins, an underground suite and a Batmobile, to name a few. Go ahead, let your geek flag fly and take a gander at this year's Best Geek Hotels. It is Geek Pride Day after all.

more ›

/ / / /

The Top 10 Rooftop Hotel Bars to Visit in NYC This Summer

May 18, 2011 at 1:02 PM | by | Comments (0)

It's that time of year again--hotel rooftop season!

Remember all those places we mentioned last year? Forget about 'em. There's a new batch of bars to try.

We've sorted through all the outdoor hotel bars that New York City has to offer, and organized them into a comprehensive, best-of list. We admit that some of them aren't actually on the roof—but as long as there's fresh air and an empty seat, who's complaining?

If you feel we've left out one of your favorites, let us know which ones in the comments below!

· Gansevoort Park Rooftop—It was almost a year ago that we first introduced photos of the Gansevoort Park's 3-tier pool deck and lounge area—aptly named the Gansevoort Park Rooftop—which borrows its design from Plunge, its Meatpacking District sister bar. Killer skyline views, outdoor fireplaces, and regular DJ nights define the 20,000 square foot pleasure palace, which sits 20 stories above the lobby and offers an express elevator straight up from Park Avenue South.
What you'll get: enjoy DJs from around the world by the naughty lady pool.

more ›

/ / / /

10 New Year's Resolutions We'd Like Hotels to Stick To in 2011

December 27, 2010 at 1:05 PM | by | Comments (4)

The New Year is practically upon us and while we are furiously scribbling our own list of New Year's Resolutions (#1. Take down the Justin Bieber poster, #2. Learn to interact with people IRL, not just on Twitter) we thought we'd lend a helping hand to hotels with their own list of New Year's Resolutions. We know, we're too kind!

10 Resolutions We'd Like Hotels To Stick To in 2011

Free hotel WiFi on our iPad (#hotelgeekwetdream)

1. Free WiFi: You know how we feel about free WiFi--it should be free in all hotels, not just the budget motels, and it should be working. There's nothing we hate more than booking a hotel because it has free WiFi, only to find out it doesn't work. (Ugh and don't even get us started on pay-for WiFi that doesn't work.)

2. Reasonable Rates: There's been a lot of talk lately about hotel rates creeping back up after the economic crash down of 2008/2009 but we're hoping that hotels can restrain themselves from overeager price-gouging. After all, we've been having so much fun staying in hotels the past two years because rates were so doable. Please don't take that away from us!

3. Clean Rooms: Because we're getting tired of finding dark hairs in the bathtub. Really.

Keep reading for more New Year's Resolutions for Hotels!

more ›