by Jane on April 23, 2012
Want to take a seat? You have to climb up it first at the Clift in SF.
There are plenty of hotels with over-the-top decor, but some take it to the next level with looks that are literally larger than life. This includes everything from chairs that Big Foot could comfortably recline in to massive chanderliers that we’re not sure how they got through the front door. But whatever their means of use or entry, these pieces are pretty cool. Check out some of out favorite hotel’s gigundo decor, and learn how you can get the look in your own home now.

Tagged as:
Amsterdam,
Atlantic City,
Berlin,
Boutique Hotels,
Las Vegas,
Los Angeles,
Luxury Hotels,
Martha's Vineyard,
Miami,
Resort Hotels,
San Francisco
by Jane on April 20, 2012
Grounds at the Eco-Friendly Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort
Earth Day is on Sunday and if you know Oyster.com, you know that we’re planning a trip to celebrate. We’ll take any excuse to party. And well, Earth Day calls for some tree-hugging and eco-friendly practices. So we’ve picked out ten green hotels around the globe where you can celebrate Earth Day by being kind to Mother Nature. Don’t have a chance to get away this weekend? Pretend by clicking through our slideshow.
–With Additional Reporting by Devon
Tagged as:
Aspen,
Barcelona,
Botswana,
Buenos Aires,
Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic,
Jamaica,
Las Vegas,
New York City,
Sonoma County
by Jane on April 19, 2012
The Living Room in the Macy Two Bedroom at the White Elephant Hotel Residences -- Nantucket
Today marks the reopening of the White Elephant Hotel and Residences for the season in Nantucket. The quaint, former whaling town in Massachusetts attracts numerous visitors throughout the spring and summer with its 100 miles of sandy shores and top-notch dining — with fresh seafood being the specialty, of course. For families and groups visiting Nantucket, the big, luxurious one- to three-bedroom units at the White Elephant Residences are a great choice. Unlike vacation home rentals, these units — outfitted in attractive, nautical decor — come with the perks of a hotel stay, such as daily housekeeping, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a well-equipped fitness center. There’s not much in terms of a communal feel, like you might find at an inn or smaller hotel, but that’s part of the allure for some who seek a private, secluded vibe. As to be expected, however, privacy and luxury don’t come cheap on this island. Wanna know more? Check out more photos of the hotel after the jump or read our review now>>
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Tagged as:
Kid-Friendly,
Luxury Hotels,
Nantucket
by Jane on April 18, 2012
Photo Credit: Nicolas Briquet/ABACA/startraksphoto.com
OH MY GOD, we never thought it would happen! After all, Brad has pledged numerous times that he and Angelina would not marry until all Americans could legally tie the knot. But sometimes, love just can’t wait. So its official –the couple is engaged and Brangelina will become Mr. and Mrs. Smith, er, Pitt, presumably sometime this summer. For the past seven years, they’ve been a Hollywood dream couple that we just knew would stay together forever. [Ed. note: Before them, it was Brad and Jen, but that's neither here nor there...] And whenever there’s a momentous occasion in Hollywood such as this, we like to take a look back at the moments that made it all happen…and of course, the hotels where all of those moments went down. Check out the hotels that led Brad and Angelina to the altar — or at least to their engagement — after the jump!
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Tagged as:
Las Vegas,
Los Angeles,
New York City,
U.S. Virgin Islands,
Washington D.C.
by Jane on April 12, 2012
A little too proud? Who cares! Strut your stuff at the MGM Grand.
We’re taught that we should stay away from vices — but they can be so fun, right?! Get down with your bad self at one of the best hotels for indulging the seven deadly sins. Of course, they’re all in the three wildest, biggest party cities in the states — Miami, Las Vegas, and New York City. And they’re all fabulously luxurious spots, too — after all, it’s gonna cost you to be bad in more ways than one. We dare you to check ‘em out — just don’t look back!

Tagged as:
Las Vegas,
Miami,
New York City
by Jane on April 12, 2012
Agua restaurant at the One & Only Palmilla Resort -- Los Cabos
The One & Only Palmilla is easily one of the most luxurious resorts not only in Cabo, but in Mexico. Every single feature here has an upscale touch to it, from the exclusive spa, to the wonderful restaurants helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, to the beautiful pools – and certainly the rooms are nothing less than lavish, with contemporary and traditional Mexican accents, and high-tech amenities (like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi). The included extras — such as luggage unpacking, daily fruit and cocktail snacks delivered to rooms, an aromatherapy turndown menu, and 24-hour shared butler service — set this property far above the competition. Just be prepared to shell out the green — all of this comes for an exorbitant price. Wanna know more? Check out more photos of the hotel after the jump or read our review now>>
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Tagged as:
Los Cabos,
Luxury Hotels,
Romantic Hotels
Pool at the Fowl Cay Resort -- Bahamas
The luxe Fowl Cay Resort in the Bahamas has a beach-y, laid-back feel — it’s all about the sun and the sand here, not the scene. Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort, where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches; only six villas, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, comprise Fowl Cay’s accommodations. Each villa includes its own fully stocked kitchen, spacious living room with massive flat-screen TV and DIRECTV, and multiple private terraces and decks. While the villas are clean and feature authentic island decor, quality varies from villa to villa. But personal boats for daily excursions, on-call service, and a host of all-inclusive activities such as free use of kayaks and snorkel equipment make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas. Plus, guests love congregating at the Hill House, located on the highest point of the island with stunning views of the sunset. Hill House hosts cocktail hour starting at 6:30 every night in the pub, and many guests eat dinner on the veranda. Wanna know more? Check out more photos of the hotel after the jump or read our review now>>
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Tagged as:
Bahamas,
Luxury Hotels,
Resort Hotels
Brunch at Atrio at the Conrad Hotel -- Miami
Spring has sprung and that means Easter is just around the corner! And while it may not mean gifts under the tree, we at Oyster believe it brings something arguably better — Easter Brunch. Who doesn’t love the combo of booze and food on a Sunday afternoon? And when it’s in the name of all that is holy — well, that’s just an extra perk! A chic hotel is often just the place to find a perfect Easter brunch spread, so check out our slideshow of the top ten hotel Easter brunches and dig in.

Tagged as:
Atlanta,
Boston,
Chicago,
Los Angeles,
Miami,
New York City,
San Francisco,
Spring,
Washington D.C.
by Jane on March 30, 2012
Credit: Norman Scott/startraksphoto.com; Tony DiMaio/startraksphoto.com; Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com; Norman Scott/startraksphoto.com
Sure, there have been some celebrity breakups that have devastated us — but there’s not just bad news coming from Tinsel Town. In fact, some of our favorite celebs have recently gotten engaged. Declaring their undying love — and their belief that “this time it’ll work” — stars including Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, Halle Berry and Kristen Bell have all vowed to say “I do.” And we couldn’t be more thrilled — we want to celebrate with them! So we figured if we did the legwork of finding the perfect spot to play host to each of the celebs’ bachelorette parties, then they’d have to send us an invite, right? Even if we don’t snag a coveted offer from one of the ladies, at least we’ll have some inspiration for planning our own fetes.
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Tagged as:
Bachelorette Party,
Boutique Hotels,
Costa Rica,
Jamaica,
Luxury Hotels,
Nature and Travel,
Palm Springs,
Paris
by Jane on March 28, 2012
Guide at the Selinda Canoe Trail -- Botswana
The Selinda Canoe Trail is a four-day, three-night trip that takes place along the Selinda Spillway in Botswana, offered from May to October. Camp is set up each night in secluded spots along the water — far from modern conveniences such as electricity and flushing toilets, but as luxe as camping can get, with great meals and an attentive staff that does all of the setting up and packing up for you. Plus, our guide Cliffy was top-notch; he does an excellent job leading this “safari-on-water.” The trip’s highlights happen during the day, when you’ll be able to spot incredible animals including elephants, hippos, and giraffes. But winding down under the stars, cocktail in hand, with the sound of Africa all around you, is pretty hard to beat as well. To schedule a trip, e-mail Cliffy at clintonphillips@live.com. Check out more amazing photos of what a day on the trail is like after the jump or read our full review here >>
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Tagged as:
Botswana,
Nature and Travel