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William

Ask Oyster: Destination weddings in hurricane season

by William on January 20, 2010

Question: Katie H.

I’m looking for a tropical location to have a destination wedding for 20 to 25 people.  I’m interested in the end of summer or early fall time of the year.  Yes, I know that’s around hurricane season for a lot of the Caribbean, but it’s the best time for getting away from work for my fiancée.  Other preferences include:  sunny and warm, great beaches, lots of activities, not super crowded and touristy.  As one of your previous questions put it, “luxury is not required, but not uncomfortable.”

 

Why you might want to avoid the all-inclusive mega resorts...

Why you might want to avoid the all-inclusive mega resorts...

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor

June through November is the hurricane season for much of the Caribbean. But what does this mean? During these months (August through mid-October, mostly) there is a greater chance that a tropical storm or a hurricane could develop off the Atlantic.

However, “hurricane season” does not translate to “rainy season.” While an off-shore storm can bring some unpleasent weather, the chances of daily rain varies dramatically from island to island (and within the islands themselves). In parts of Jamaica, for example, July is one of the driest months. Read More »

Tagged as: Jamaica

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Down-to-earth luxe: celebrity style, for regular people

by William on December 30, 2009

studio-suite-city-view-the-setai-v134307-576

The Studio Suite, the standard room type, at the Setai in South Beach, Miami

At just under $800 for the average night, a guest room at the Setai is about the most expensive hotel room in South Beach. What do you get for this extraordinary splurge? Mood-lit style; an extraordinary restaurant; a beachfront location; large suites — all this you can find elsewhere, and for a lot less cash.  Largely, you’re paying for a slight but not impossible chance of spotting Giselle lounging by the pool. For most people — anyone without an uncommonly thriving multinational corporation, a blockbuster film, or a royal family — spending this kind of cash for a hotel room is out of the question.

Read More »

Tagged as: Celebrity Travel, Luxury Hotels

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Ask Oyster: Where to spend your Marriott Rewards points this winter

by William on December 11, 2009

Want travel advice from the experts? Ask Oyster! Kate from Washington, D.C. wrote to our editors last night and we selected her question to be a part of our Ask Oyster feature. For help planning your next vacation, just shoot a question over to askoyster@oyster.com.

Question: Kate from Washington D.C.
My husband and I are looking to cash-in on some of our Marriott Rewards points this winter. We’ve collected A LOT over the years while traveling on business, but WE NEED A VACATION! We’re thinking a long weekend – maybe more, if we can afford it – but we’re not sure where we should splurge (somewhere warm, hopefully). Ideas? Thank you!!!

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor

Thanks for asking, Kate. As with any of the hotel rewards programs, sifting through the website’s legal-qualifying jargon can be a nightmare. Your best bet is to take advantage of their travel-package deals, which typically toss in a generous helping of frequent-flyer miles (even if you don’t use the miles for the trip).

The adults-only pool at the Marriott Wailea Resort

The adults-only pool at the Marriott Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii

Read More »

Tagged as: Beach Hotels, Miami, Value Hotels

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Loyalty Traveler reviewed our reviews, and you should too

by William on December 1, 2009

Seen this before? It's at the bottom of our hotel review.

Seen this before? It's at the bottom of our hotel review.

Yesterday, Ric Garrido wrote an insightful review of our San Francisco hotel reviews for Loyalty Traveler, a travel blog that speaks to veteran travelers and, in this case, well-ranking members of the assorted hotel rewards programs. It’s a good read, and especially worth checking out if you’re a Starwood Preferred Guest elite member heading to the Bay Area.

We hope that our readers offer (well, continue to offer) their thoughts and opinions about each of the hotels we review. If you agree with our review, please let us know. If you disagree, also let us know. Anything you write, we read, and we use all of it to better inform our judgments.

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Ask Oyster: Spring break luxe, for a three-year-old

by William on November 9, 2009

Question: Lisa from North Carolina
Hi I need a little help.  I am trying to decide where to take my children on spring break, which will be the last week in March.

Their ages are 5 and 3.  I would like to go to a luxury family beach resort that caters to children.  I would love it to have a great kids club and baby sitting or nanny service.  All inclusive would be nice but I don’t want to compromise luxury.  Since I will be traveling with small children, the flight shouldn’t be more than 3 hours. I live in North Carolina.  I was thinking something in the Caribbean or maybe Florida.  I would also like to able to do more than beach related stuff, just because I get bored with the sand and water after a few days.  I hope you can help.

Just one of the private villas at Half Moon, Jamaica

Just one of the private villas at Half Moon, Jamaica

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor
Lisa, you’re in luck. In truth, there are a lot of options–check out this page if you’d like to do a little more browsing–but to help you out, I’ve narrowed down a list of hotels that fit your criteria. (Also, as I’m sure you know, very few resorts in the U.S. welcome kids younger than four into their kids’ clubs. As such, Miami’s Trump International, Aqualina, Fisher Island, and Fairmont Turnberry are not on this list.)

Option 1: Jamaica

I’ve recommended the regal old Half Moon resort before, and I don’t suspect this will be the last time. Put simply, the place is amazing. Among its perks: two miles of gentle beachfront, incredible dining (opt for the all-inclusive plan), sincere service, its own dolphin habitat, horse stables, a golf course, full-time nannies, a brand new playground, a kids’ club, on-site shopping center, and so many thoughtful little extras—like beach toys for the kids. Also, if you upgrade to the private cottages, you get your own private pool and a private chef who can make just about anything to satisfy a picky eater.

Option 2: Bahamas

A beachfront Disneyland, the 4,000-room Atlantis is hard to beat (at least on paper)—an exceptional water park, a famous casino, three incredible beaches, 11 otherworldly pools, and 21 superb restaurants… but that’s just the tip of the ice berg. This place has a faux-archaeological dig, an aquarium, a model-car building and racing studio, a dolphin habitat, designer shopping boutiques, a pottery studio, and more. And that’s all on-site. Want more? Just take a 10-minute cab or a Nassau water taxi ride to downtown Nassau attractions like the Straw Market, Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation, and Pirates of Nassau.

Read More »

Tagged as: Spring Break Hotels

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Ask Oyster: Unique, friendly, winter escapes that won’t break the bank

by William on October 26, 2009

Question: Karen

I own a restaurant, the only time we get to take a vacation is when we close for the month of January. I would like to know where you suggest going and where to stay. Here are my requirements….SUN, WARM, FRIENDLY PEOPLE. Preferably not a lot of children. We don’t like to just throw away money so luxury is not required, but not uncomfortable. Here are some of the places we have been and enjoyed….Costa Rica, St. Thomas, St. Marteen(eh?), Belize, Florida Keys.

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor

Karen, you sound like my kind of traveler. Presumptive sleuthing suggests that, since you own a restaurant, you care about food. As such, I’m going to rule-out the all-inclusives.

Consider Jamaica. It has the mountainous, exotic beauty of Costa Rica (without the foot-long insects and dangerous tap water), the convenient, well-developed comforts of St. Thomas (without the cruise ship claustrophobia), the distinct local culture of Belize (and more ways to indulge in it), and the good-natured, low-key fun of the Florida Keys (forgiving, partially, Jamaica’s socio-political homophobia).

The Cliffs, in Negril, Jamaica

The cliffs at Catcha Falling Star in Negril, Jamaica

In particular, in the incredibly laid-back hippie haven of Negril, there are a number of unique hideaways perched along its coarse rock cliffs—few of which allow children, for safety’s sake. Of these, take your pick: the Rockhouse Hotel; Tensing Pen; Catcha Falling Star (if the other two are booked). If you’d rather  be on the beach, check out the Negril Tree House (gorgeous beach) or Jake’s (cute, artsy hotel on the remote, uniquely beautiful, black sand beaches of the South Coast, near Floyd’s Pelican Bar).

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Tagged as: Boutique Hotels, Dominican Republic

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Ask Oyster: Ultra-luxury, holiday getaways for a family

by William on October 14, 2009

Question: Mom in NYC
We are looking for the following vacation criteria – thank you in advance for your help!

  • Less than 3-hour direct flight at reasonable times from New York (preference Newark Airport)
  • Likely great weather in December (Christmas-New Years time)
  • Super-luxury  hotel
  • A range of food options onsite
  • Excellent service
  • Short ride from airport
  • GREAT for YOUNG kids (1 and 3 years old)
  • Has many fun activities for kids
  • OK to bring kids to meals
  • Everything in walking distance, or nearby enough that strollers work for the youngest child (1-year-old)

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor
Thank you, NYC luxury mom, for your specificity—this is just the kind of question a hotel expert lives for. To match the efficiency of your request, I’ll forego the wordiness and get right to business:

Option 1: One and Only Ocean Club; Paradise Island, The Bahamas

The private beach at the One and Only Ocean Club

The private beach at the One and Only

The shallow, zero-entry pool at the One and Only Ocean Club

The zero-entry pool at One and Only

Outclassing the already upscale Atlantis mega resort (its sister hotel, right next door), the considerably more intimate One and Only Ocean Club easily fits into that “super-luxury” category—personal butlers, a tranquil spa, a world-class golf course, an exceptional restaurant helmed by the esteemed Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten, and amazing gardens that culminate in a reconstructed 13th-century Augustinian Cloisters (shipped over, piece by piece) are just a few of its highlights. But even with all its peace and exclusivity, it’s also an excellent place to bring a young family, given its superb beachfront, ideal pool, and themepark’s worth of attractions next door.

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Tagged as: Luxury Hotels

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Ask Oyster: Seductive staycation, NYC. What hotel will win you sexual favors?

by William on October 12, 2009

Question: Mr. E., New York City
It’s my lady friend’s bday this weekend, and I’m taking her to the Ballet, and afterward I want to take her to a hotel where I can finally get to second base. I am willing to spend a good chunk of change on her birthday (and live in personal poverty for the rest of the month) because it will allow me to get away with tons of neurotic nonsense for months and months to come. Any suggestions? Think: chic, luxury, romantic. I’m also debating dropping down the price of the night’s stay to allocate money to a spa treatment/food and booze. Help.

Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor
Thank you, Mr. E., for your candor. Here’s your answer, defined by just how much “personal poverty” you can endure.

If you’re willing to sell your blood plasma to pay the phone bill…

Royal Suite at the New York Palace Hotel

Royal Suite at the New York Palace Hotel

In the spirit of ballet, of regal French seduction, of so much silk on skin, the Royal Suite in the New York Palace is like no other hotel room anywhere on this side of the Atlantic. Sure, you might blow a grand on this level of luxury, but in a room this big, you can bring that couples massage up to the room—and afterward, straight into bed. To dine, there’s Gilt downstairs—one of the most revered and elaborate mood-setting eateries in the city. As for putting up with your neuroses, your lady might just tolerate your wearing a tin-foil helmet well into 2010.

Read More »

Tagged as: Manhattan, New York City, Romantic Hotels

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Ask Oyster: Four Seasons Maui vs. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

by William on October 7, 2009

Pool at the Four Seasons Maui

Four Seasons Maui

Pool at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Question:
In Maui, land of over-the-top Hawaiian-style opulence, where do you get the most luxury-bang for the buck? Josh, who is planning a big Maui splurge with his wife and 18-month-old baby this winter, wrote to Oyster asking which hotel, the Four Seasons Maui or the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, is the better option.

Answer by Will Begeny, Senior Editor:
Well, Josh, we’ve got your answer (or three, actually): Location. Location. Location.

Read More »

Tagged as: Luxury Hotels, Maui

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Chow battle of South Beach

by William on August 10, 2009

There’s about to be a new Chow in town with the Aug. 15 opening of Mr. Chow at the W South beach. Gansevoort South restaurant Philippe (above), helmed by chef Phillipe Chow, will have to battle it out with the new competition.

There’s about to be a new Chow in town with the Aug. 15 opening of Mr. Chow at the W South beach. Gansevoort South restaurant Philippe (above), helmed by chef Phillipe Chow, will have to battle it out with the new competition.

Starting August 15, 2009, there will be a new battle for pan-Asian-fusion culinary supremacy in South Beach. No, it’s not Iron Chef, it’s a literal battle of Chows. In one corner, there’s the W’s soon-to-be premier restaurant, Mr. Chow, run by restaurateur Michael Chow. On the other corner (literally, both restaurants are only a block away) there’s the Gansevoort South’s Philippe, run by Philippe Chow — the former head chef at Mr. Chow in New York. If you’re wondering why there are two trendy pan-Asian-fusion restaurants competing with one another on the outer-reaches of South Beach in the midst of a recession — well, it beats me, but I’m sure there’s a joke about Miami in here somewhere (feel free to post one). Even better, this food fight is turning litigious — Mr. Chow (that’s Michael) is suing Philippe Chow alleging that, among other things, Philippe Chow is, in fact, no Chow at all (his given name is Chak Yam Chau).

Tagged as: Miami

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