Father’s Day is less than a week away, and after impressing mom last month with some delicious brunches and unique gifts, we can’t forget about dad. More often than not, it can be pretty tricky to find him the perfect gift — fortunately, we have some ideas… Of course your dad is a family man, but this Father’s Day why don’t you give him a little break from the tots and chaos by sending him on a mancation? After all, nothing says “I love you, Dad” like sending him away for a long weekend, right?! We picked out awesome mancations for every type of dad — check ‘em out!
The James New York
He hasn’t been able to get away in a while? If you’ve got some extra dollars to spare, now’s the time to put it to good use. This SoHo boutique — with a stunning rooftop bar and pool, on-site restaurant by David Burke, and hotel art curator — embodies the hip, creative neighborhood it inhabits. Its bright, minimalist rooms are full of thoughtful details to make Dad feel at home — just without the noise. Treat him to luxury, trend, and a happening New York neighborhood for a good dose of relaxation.
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Who doesn’t love a beach vacation? The sun, the sand, and the ocean all come together to make for a relaxing getaway that, when complete, will send you home rested and relaxed – and hopefully with a tan! Where you stay, however, can make a big difference on just how fabulous your beach trip is. That’s why we’ve found the 15 most decadent hotels on the sand to ensure that you enjoy the ultimate beachfront luxury.
Eden Roc at Cap Cana
The Eden Roc, opened in 2012, is one of the most high-tech properties in the Dominican Republic, and is located in the gated Cap Cana community — which has a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, marina, and beach club. The 34 colorful suites are clustered around a small, man-made lagoon and feature elegant decor (picture four-poster beds, intricate floor tiling, and spacious bathrooms). Up-to-date amenities include iPad-controlled lights, sound systems, and TVs with numerous channels in Spanish and English. Suites also come with small pools and golf carts for getting around the property.
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Hawaii,
Los Angeles,
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Maui,
Miami,
Romantic Hotels,
Santa Monica
Getting fit doesn’t have to be on your to-do list after you travel. While many hotels offer state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, we know that treadmills can get downright boring after a while. So we’ve found the hotels that have one-of-a-kind fitness amenities that will add a little spice to your workouts while you travel and below we’ll tell you where to find them.
The Fitness Feature: Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaks at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes
The Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes
Plenty of beach and lakeside hotels offer kayak and canoe rentals, but few offer as many options for your paddling session. For those who prefer a trained professional to accompany them, guided tours at this Ritz include two-hour eco-tours along Shingle Creek ($60 for adults; $30 for children) and excursions on Grande Lake where paddlers can watch the sun rise and set ($20/hour for adults; $10/hour for children).
Other hotels with similar offerings: Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
The upscale Terranea Resort offers myriad activities, including two-hour ocean kayaking tours along the Catalina Channel, where paddlers can spot bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, leopard sharks, and bat rays ($89 per person). Or guests can opt for “kayorkle” — a two-hour excursion where guests snorkel and kayak, also for $89 per person.
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Maine,
Miami,
New York City,
Orlando,
San Francisco,
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The Hamptons
The Flat at the Jasmine house Inn, Charleston, SC
If you’re looking for some old-world charm, check out the Jasmine House Inn, located in a tony downtown area of Charleston, South Carolina. The hotel is actually a converted 19th century mansion, and features 12 rooms with as much vintage allure as there are modern innovations. Think 15-foot ceilings and hardwood floors juxtaposed against flat-screen televisions and fast, free Wi-Fi. Most notable is the highly stylized décor (everything matches), including patterned rugs and floral wallpaper. Freebies include continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres – but parking is not included.
Read the full review>>
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White sand, blue waters -- what more could you want?
We just got back from Riviera Nayarit in western Mexico, known for its 190 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, wonderful resorts, and world-class golf. We went all over — from the hopping south to the remote northern areas — and fell in love with the dozens of small, charming towns that dot the coast, the region’s friendly locals, the awesome surfing spots, and the laid-back vibe.
We investigated some of Riviera Nayarit’s top hotels and snapped almost 12,000 photos. And you definitely won’t want to miss our prestigious awards lists and editor’s expert recommendations — including kid-friendly, value, and luxury hotels — based on our recent inspections. Check out more awesome pics after the jump.
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new on Oyster,
Riviera Nayarit,
Romantic Hotels
Trust us, we here at Oyster get it more than most people — going on vacation is freakin’ awesome. Vacations are all about fun, relaxation, and the “what happens here, stays here” vibe, and when you’re on a vacay, it feels like nothing can get ya down. But some hotel websites go a little too far and market their properties by showing “guests” in absolutely euphoric (and unrealistic) states. To the point where we’re pretty sure that that kind of happy can only be reached if you’ve been dabbling in some recreational, er, “fun.” And depending on the destination, maybe you have been. But still, when we’re deciding where to stay for our winter getaway, we usually don’t base it on how happy the “guests” on the website seem to be. Nonetheless, those photos can be pretty entertaining. Last time, we rounded up a bunch of marketing photos where the guests just couldn’t seem happier. And this time, we’ve done the same thing — but focused on those hotel couples that just seem so in luuuurve. We’re sorry, but even if we were married to Ryan Gosling, we wouldn’t be smiling that big! Check out some of the most hilarious hotel couples we found!
1. Your room or mine?
“What about one final fling before you marry that old ball and chain?” (Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah)
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Washington D.C.
Las Vegas hotels are known for being over-the-top, and that includes everything from the casinos to the restaurants, from the pools to the ensuite bathrooms. Whether they’re larger than the average New York City apartment, or have gilded accents everywhere, Las Vegas bathrooms do not disappoint. Check out the most luxe bathrooms we’ve seen during our travels in Sin City.
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Legalization supporters in the U.S. have been abuzz (excuse the pun) in recent weeks, ever since Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. So it’s safe to say that heading west is a good call these days if you’re planning on toking up. But heading east to our friends in Europe isn’t such a bad idea, either. For example, despite the recent tourist drug ban in the Netherlands, tourists and locals alike can continue to openly smoke in Amsterdam’s cafes. And numerous neighboring countries where weed is decriminalized have loose policies when it comes to the drug’s recreational use. So we’ve come up with a list — here are some of the best spots to smoke weed in Europe.
View from The Dylan Amsterdam
Though recent steps within government policies have made it seem like the Netherlands will become less tolerant towards marijuana use, Amsterdam’s mayor has promised that the city’s over 200 coffee shops will continue to serve locals and tourists. After all, many of the city’s 1.5 million tourists visit Amsterdam solely because of its lenient policies. Marijuana use is officially decriminalized in the Netherlands, and laws banning its use are rarely enforced.
Where to Stay: The Dylan Amsterdam
The Dylan is a stylish, upscale boutique centrally located in the Canal Ring. The 41 rooms are split into six different styles, ranging from lofts with cathedral ceilings to all-white rooms to Asian-inspired spaces. All rooms have high-end amenities including Bose sound systems, stocked minibars, and Zenology toiletries. A cozy lounge, two bars, a brasserie, and a lovely courtyard with heat lamps are all draws, but the real highlight here is the Michelin-star Vinkeles restaurant, which serves contemporary French cuisine in an exclusive space with just a handful of tables. Talk about a swanky spot to cure the munchies!
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Geneva,
Madrid
‘Tis the season for annual awards lists, but if you think you know what’s coming, guess again. Oyster’s awards aren’t like the other guys’ — we’re not like the other guys, so why should our awards be? You can find lists of the world’s best luxury hotels in a dozen other places, but only Oyster digs deep to learn every hotel’s secret quirks. Our hotel investigators trot the globe and visit every hotel in person so we can bring you the unvarnished truth, and this year, for the first-ever annual Oyster Hotel Awards, we’d like to show you the wackiest, coolest, weirdest, and most interesting things they came across in their travels. We are thrilled to present the 2012 selection of Oyster’s Most Interesting Hotels in the World. Are you ready for this?
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Virgin Gorda
