The "Romantic Lighting" was all set when we arrived to our suite.
This is the second part in a series exploring the seedy world of by-the-hour sex hotels. We previously visited the Kew Motor Inn.
When my fellow reporter and I walked up to the Liberty Inn, I was practically in disbelief. I had passed the sordid hotel, set a on veritable island of sorts along 14th street and the West Side Highway, on a near daily basis during my runs along the Hudson River. How could I not have known — for the past several years now — that alongside the Meatpacking District’s row of overpriced shops was an hourly hotel clearly designed for those looking to get laid? Read More »
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New York City
The New Yorker Motel's Patio Pre-Renovation
The New Yorker's Patio Post-Renovation
On Episode 3 of Hotel Impossible, host Anthony Melchiorri took on his toughest challenge yet: the run-down New Yorker Motel of Miami. Calling itself a motel itself was inherently a problem: Did you know that people will pay up to three times more per night just to stay at a hotel over its poor cousin, the motel? However, the moniker was only the beginning of this Miami boutique’s problems. Poop in the toilet (seriously), a poorly designed billing system and a plethora of competition plagued the owners of the New Yorker — who better to whip a motel into a sleek Miami boutique hotel than the boss himself?! Check out the best moments from last night’s episode after the jump!
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Miami,
Television and Travel,
Travel Channel
This morning’s moment of Zen comes courtesy of the Big Island, well, because, that’s pretty much the only place we’d like to be right now. Taken at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, this photo is bliss-enducing thanks to the aqua ocean, pristine white sand, cragged jettys, and pure blue sky. Also on hand at this 4.5 pearl resort? Delicious fine dining, over 10 tennis courts, and an extensive Asian and Pacific art collection. So as we always say, take a deep breath, relax, and soak in your Monday Monday goodness.
Beach at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; Big Island, Hawaii
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Big Island,
Hawaii,
Luxury Hotels,
Resort Hotels
With the spring season in full blast, we spend our days inside…dreaming about the great outdoors. And what better way to experience a beautiful destination, like the San Juan Islands, than on your very own private sailboat? Yeah, we didn’t think you’d have a better answer. Even we — the ones who get seasick — agreed.
Grounds at the Friday Harbor House; San Juan Islands, WA
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San Juan Islands
Even though we may speak of luxury hotels often, we’re suckers for a good deal. Especially on an amazing hotel that feels luxe but lists at a seriously budget price. Check out our six favorite money-saving spots in the video below, then tell us: Where would you want to stay for a sweet deal?
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Domnican Republic,
Jamaica,
Las Vegas,
Oahu,
Phoenix,
San Francisco,
Value Hotels,
Video
Host Anthony Melchiorri (Credit: Courtesy of Travel Channel)
Last night we watched Hotel Impossible host Anthony Melchiorri review, inspect, and fix up a little boutique on Miami’s famed Ocean Drive, the Penguin Hotel. But not only did we get to watch it last night, we were also able to go on location (thanks to the Travel Channel, of course!) and behind the scenes to snap Melchiorri’s renovation. Before the makeover, though, the Penguin was in desperate need of hotel exec’s aid — not only did the hotel require you to walk through a creepy alleyway to get food and drinks, but the rooms were also quite dirty, as was the entire lobby, and the service had serious room for improvement. Thankfully, the Hotel Impossible crew did what they always do best — turned the spot into a chic getaway at a good price. We sent our own Jennifer Garfinkel down to South Beach to shoot the Penguin — check it out in the video after the jump!
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Boutique Hotels,
Miami,
Travel and Television,
Travel Channel
Find out which hotels slash your savings! (Credit: iStock)
Guess what? Taxes are due. Today. And do we have any idea where our money goes? Nope! In a similar vein, some of the most luxurious (and not so luxe) spots charge outrageous fees, additional ones that are tacked onto your original rate. And while we already scoped out three amazing island retreats that are fee-free, we wanted to also let you in on a few hotels that charge up the you-know-what. So before you settle on staying in one of these hotels, learn where your money is really going.
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Bahamas,
Boston,
Las Vegas,
Luxury Hotels,
Miami,
San Francisco,
U.S. Virgin Islands
This morning’s moment of bliss comes straight from the shores of the idyllic Caribbean island of Barbados. Specifically, we took this gem at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion Resort, a romantic, adults-only retreat perfect for those seeking a bit of quiet. And if you’re not a beach creature like we are, the pool also offers incredibly scenery and even some free tea come afternoon. So as we always say, take a deep breath, relax, and soak in the Monday morning goodness that is the beach in Barbados.
Beach at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion; Barbados
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Barbados,
Luxury Hotels,
Romantic Hotels
We just booked our next vacation — and although we’re bona fide adults, we’re super-stoked to be heading to Disney World for their annual Marathon Weekend in January 2013. But in order to get motivated, we figured browsing the attractions we’d see while running couldn’t hurt. And what’s more exciting than Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom? Um, nothing! [Ed. note: In fact, I'll be running through the castle come January 13.] Oh, and in case you’re wondering, we booked the Waldorf Astoria Orlando for our stay.
Cinderella's Castle attracts millions of visitors every year, and I get to run through it!
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Kid-Friendly,
Orlando
We’ve be dreaming about our time in Botswana ever since we left the safari paradise — not only was wildlife spotting an awesome experience, but the &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp proved to have some seriously luxe digs to offer, too. Glamping (a.k.a. a luxury experience in an outdoorsy, camp-inspired setting) has become a seriously popular travel pastime, so we visited Botswana for the ultimate in the experience. Located in the remote Okavango Delta, the “resort” offers spacious tents with plush beds, food that’s rather divine, and all the wildlife you could possibly dream of seeing in a safari setting. But this photo tickled us quite a bit. Had us bellyachin’, if you will. Check out what we had to say after the jump, then enter your own caption in the comments section below!
An elephant's behind at the &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp; Botswana
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Botswana,
Safari
