Celebrity Travel

Fact or Fakeout: Cameron Diaz Sightings, Death-Defying Hotel Stunts, and More!

by Jane on May 21, 2013

Lobby at The Jade Hotel, New York City

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The boutique Jade Hotel may only be a few months old, but it has already has some pretty famous visitors. Last week, Cameron Diaz was spotted getting drinks at the bar and flirting with strangers.

2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Westin St. John is one of three Starwood properties that make up the first shift towards the brand reducing its carbon footprint worldwide. The new green initiative will include the installation of high-tech water savers that will reduce wasted water at the hotel by 50 percent.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Wyndham Hotel Group added Singapore to its destination list this week with the opening of a Days Inn and a Ramada.

4. FACT OF FAKEOUT? The general manager of the Lancaster London, along with numerous other volunteers, scaled up the side of the hotel in order to raise money for Kickstart Programme.

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Room service is pricey no matter where you go, but in a recent study, TripAdvisor found that Denver and Dallas offer the best value as far as room service. Not surprisingly, New York City and Honolulu offered the worst.

Check out the answers after the jump!

Read More »

Tagged as: Boutique Hotels, Dallas, Denver, Fact or Fakeout, Honolulu, London, Luxury Hotels, New York City, Singapore, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

{ 0 comments }

Literary Hotels: Where famous authors have partied, waited arrest, and — yes — even written novels

by Jane on May 15, 2013

Whether they’re on business or leisure, with the family or solo, almost all travelers consider a book (or a Kindle, whatever) a must-have while on a trip. Personally, we love curling up with a good read while we’re jaunting from city to city. But — taking it one step further — we really love enjoying a novel in the exact same place where the author once roamed There’s just something in the air — and p.s. these wordsmiths usually stayed in some pretty nice digs. So we rounded up the literary hotels where famous authors have partied, waited arrest, you name it. Hey, some even wrote while they were shacked up in their hotel rooms. Check out nine spots where famous writers have spent some time.

Cadogan Hotel, London

The Entrance to the Cadogan Hotel

Built in 1887, the Cadogan Hotel has seen its fair share of history within the walls of the stately Edwardian townhouse. In the realm of literary history, Oscar Wilde was a frequent guest, and he caused quite a scandal when he was arrested at the hotel in 1895 (though friends encouraged him to flee the country, Wilde refused).  Poet laureate John Betjeman commemorated the arrest in his poem The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel, and the hotel has renamed the room where the handcuffing went down as the Oscar Wilde Room. At the time of the arrest, it was simply room no. 118.
Read More »

Tagged as: Boutique Hotels, Istanbul, Jamaica, London, Luxury Hotels, New Orleans, New York City, Romantic Hotels

{ 1 comment }

The 9 Trendiest Hotels Right Now: Where Today’s Celebrities Stay and Play

by Kelsey on April 24, 2013

If you’re the type that’s always up-to-date on the latest celeb gossip, or if you have the bucks to travel like an A-lister, you probably aren’t interested in hearing about the hottest hotels from two years ago. You want to know all about the hottest hotels around the world right now, where celebrities have been spotted recently (within the last year at least). We totally understand. Trends fade; cool hotels become less cool. That’s why we did some sleuthing to find out which hotels are still scorching hot — in cities from NYC to Paris to Istanbul.

Trump SoHo, New York City

Paparazzi are frequently camped outside the Trump SoHo Hotel in New York City.

Paparazzi are frequently camped outside the Trump SoHo Hotel in New York City.

Celebs Spotted Recently: The Kardashian clan (Kourtney, Kim, Kanye, and Kris Jenner); Jada Pinkett-Smith; Jessica Alba; Kendra Wilkinson

The Oyster.com offices are located just around the corner from the Trump SoHo, and we can confirm first-hand that it is one of the most star-studded hotels in NYC. We spotted the Kardashian clan only days ago on our way back from lunch, in fact, and it feels like paparazzi are permanently camped outside the hotel entrance. The first Trump hotel in downtown New York has the attention to detail and hands-on service you’d expect from a Trump property, but the hipper vibe and great SoHo location cater to a younger set. The luxurious spa and seasonally open pool are the hotel’s main features. Koi (which draws plenty of celebs all on its own) serves Japanese food in a sleek space.

Read More »

Tagged as: Barbados, Dublin, Istanbul, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris

{ 0 comments }

Celebrity Sighting Hotels in Los Angeles: Track Down Your Favorite Nominees before the Oscars

by Kristina on February 19, 2013

The notorious Chateau Marmont has seen its share of celebrity scandals -- especially during awards season!

The 85th annual Academy Awards is taking place this Sunday at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. And despite some serious snubs and surprises, we are all too excited for the Oscars this year. Rubbing shoulders with the stars is relatively common in Tinsel Town, and particularly with those golden statuettes up for grabs, you can be sure to stumble across some of your favorite celebs this weekend. But if you want to make your stalking stumbling more of a sure thing, then there are a few celebrity hideaways you should definitely visit — and Oyster has the scoop on every one of them. So get your cameras and autograph books ready, it’s time to nab your own award. Meet the nominees at these celeb hot spots in LA »

Tagged as: Academy Awards, Celebrity Travel, Los Angeles, Movies and Travel

{ 0 comments }

In the Spotlight: Revel, Atlantic City

by Jane on February 7, 2013

The lobby has numerous corners for lounging and chatting.

The newest hotel on Atlantic City’s boardwalk, Revel is a pristine luxury property with a smoke-free policy that helps keep its casino fresh and airy. The spacious rooms are top-notch: All feature ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows, sexy bathrooms with double vanities and large showers, and tech-friendly amenities such as massive flat-screen TVs, remote-controlled lights and shades, free Wi-Fi, and even door sensors that let staff know when room service carts have been pushed into the hallway. The resort has everything that other luxury properties in Atlantic City offer, such as numerous celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, several nightclubs, a theater, a pool, and a beautiful spa, but Revel offers a more serene vibe. Plus, it has the celeb factor: Beyonce and Kanye West (who infamously announced Kim Kardashian’s pregnancy during a performance at the hotel), and even Michelle Obama, have all stayed here. Like at other resorts, however, the restaurants are overpriced and there are long lines at the nightclubs, but fist-pumping locals and visiting bachelor and bachelorette parties would argue that it’s worth the wait. See more incredible photos after the jump or read our full review now »

Read More »

Tagged as: Atlantic City, In the Spotlight, Luxury Hotels

{ 2 comments }

Celebrate Chinese New Year Around The Globe

by Kristina on February 6, 2013

San Francisco's Chinatown stands ready to celebrate the Spring Festival.

In just a week, Chinese New Year kicks off! And we want to give you plenty of notice so you can start planning how — and where — you’ll celebrate. Also known as the Spring Festival, this holiday consists of two weeks of feasting, lion dances, lantern lighting, and much more. After all, it is the most important holiday in the Chinese lunar calendar, so festivities necessitate indulgence. Millions of people around the world will celebrate with gorgeous decorations, rich foods, and stunning firework displays — and we here at Oyster can’t wait to get in on the action at some of our favorite Chinatowns around the globe. We’ve got you covered on where to ring in the Year of the Snake, but no matter where you choose to kick things off, Oyster wishes you a prosperous new year or, as they say in Mandarin, Gong Xi Fa Cai! Read More »

Tagged as: Australia, Chinese New Year, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, New York City, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver

{ 0 comments }

Unleash Your Inner Rocker At These A-List Hotels

by Kristina on February 6, 2013

Awards season continues this Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as the biggest names in the music industry strut their stuff at the 55th Grammy Awards. And as we dream about jamming on stage with the likes of  Elton John, The Lumineers, Jack White, and Justin Timberlake (who’s making his return to the Grammy stage after a four-year hiatus from the music scene, swoon), we can’t help but be a little jealous of those who get to do so. Thankfully, some of our favorite hotels understand our musical plight. From on-site recording studios to guitar rental services, these hotels may not promise celeb-studded jam sessions but they’re definitely rocker-approved. And we mean that literally: Everyone from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Stevie Wonder has visited these music meccas of the hotel world. So if you want to drop a beat before the awards or just pick up the vibes left behind by some of your favorite musicians, check out these rock-ready hotels.

Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas, Los Angeles 

The Nightbird Sound Studio at the Sunset Marquis has hosted A-list recording artists for decades.

The Sunset Marquis cost guests just $8 a night when it first opened in 1963 as a motel for musicians playing at the nearby House of Blues, Roxy, and Viper Room, all located within a few minutes’ walk. Today, there are so many celebrities that continue to traipse through the hotel that the staff doesn’t get starstruck anymore. During Oyster’s two-night stay, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Joss Stone, and Roger Daltrey of The Who were all spotted at the hotel, validating the hotel’s “paparazzi diversion tactics” that are offered for a nominal fee.

In addition to its innate rocker vibe, the hotel also offers a state-of-the-art recording studio on-site — Nightbird Sound Studios — designed by renowned acoustician George Auspurger. Accessed via a hidden entrance in the underground garage, the space features (in addition to the usual trappings) a Yamaha Mark IV Disklavier piano, one of only two in America, on which Stevie Wonder has been recorded. Every A-list musician has passed through the studio, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake, and Lil Wayne and Green Day both recorded here within days of Oyster’s visit. High rollers can rent out the studio for personal use, including karaoke birthday parties.

Read More »

Tagged as: Berlin, Grammy Awards, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Music and Travel, New Orleans, New York City, Puerto Vallarta, San Francisco, Toronto

{ 0 comments }

Try these on for size: Fashion Week hotels to suit your style

by Kelsey on February 5, 2013

The whimsical English design at the Crosby Street Hotel is a good fit for celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, who checked in this week.

The whimsical design at the Crosby Street Hotel is a good fit for celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, who checked in this week.

When New York Fashion Week kicks off tomorrow (it runs through February 14th), the city will be teeming with fashionistas from around the globe. Not that it isn’t already, of course, but even more models, designers, and socialites will be packing the streets, restaurants, and front-row seats of New York City. If you’re a part of the fashionable set, or want to be, we’ve picked the perfect hotels to suit your style — whether you’re trying to book a last-minute reservation (no guarantees!) or want to rub elbows with like-minded fashionistas at the hotel bar.

Where to go if you wear…

  • Eclectic boutique finds: If your closet is full of funky, colorful, one-of-a-kind finds, you’ll likely dig the Crosby Street Hotel’s whimsical English style. This U.K. import opened in October 2009, and its decor is sophisticated yet comfortable — a balance that has eluded too many of the monochrome, glass-walled design hotels that have sprouted in the vicinity. Celebrity fashion stylist Rachel Zoe has stayed at this SoHo boutique for Fashion Weeks past, and celebs such as Hugh Jackman have been spotted at the Crosby as well.

Read More »

Tagged as: Luxury Hotels, New York City, style

{ 0 comments }

Before the Inauguration: Obama’s Favorite Hotels

by Kristina on January 18, 2013

In honor of President Obama’s inauguration on Monday, we’re taking a look back at his travels over his last four years in office — and on the campaign trail. The Commander-In-Chief has laid his head in some of our favorite hotels around the globe and, thanks to his refined taste and seriously swanky style (although we’d argue we really have Michelle to thank for that), we’re always eager to see where he’ll travel to next (and, more importantly, where he’ll stay!). Congratulations, Mr. President! May the next four years be full of prosperous times — and plenty of unique hotel stays!

The Hay-Adams, Washington, DC

This decadent junior suite at The Hay-Adams offers White House views.

Four years ago, President Obama moved his family into the Presidential Suite at this historic hotel with White House views after former President George W. Bush rejected his request to stay in Blair House, the White House’s guest residence. President Obama wanted to move to Washington three weeks before his inauguration so that his daughters could start at Sidwell Friends School without missing the beginning of the term, but he was informed that Blair House was already booked (for former prime minister of Australia John Howard and several receptions, as it later turned out). Lucky for him, The Hay-Adams is one of DC’s most luxurious stays. Read More »

Tagged as: Berlin, Chicago, Dublin, Election 2012, Historic Hotels, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Los Cabos, New York City, Obama, Phoenix, Presidential Hotels, Washington D.C.

{ 1 comment }

The Top 10 Richest Hotel Moguls in the US

by Devon on January 15, 2013

Fantasizing about luxurious hotels and faraway resorts is one thing, but fantasizing about owning them is an entirely different concept altogether. Real estate is a high-stakes game that costs big, but, when done right, earns even bigger. And because we are constantly investigating the latest hotels around the globe, we couldn’t help but wonder who plays the proverbial Oz behind the curtain at some of our favorite spots. Check out ten men and women who are serious players on the hotel scene right now — and just how fat their wallets are.

1. Sheldon Adelson

Net worth: $9 billion

The Venetian in Las Vegas is one of Adelson's crowning achivements

He famously lost $150 million of his fortune this year by betting on losing political candidates, but that barely makes a dent in Sheldon Adelson’s billions. Currently the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Adelson began his business career as a mortgage broker and financial consultant before developing the world’s largest trade show, the computer expo COMDEX. In 1989, he purchased the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and developed the Sands Corporation.  As of 2012, the Sands portfolio includes properties across the US and Asia, as well as plans to develop “EuroVegas” in Madrid. His most noted resorts are the Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas, as well as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Read More »

Tagged as: Chicago, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Miami, New York City, Orlando

{ 2 comments }

← Previous Entries