Travel Tips

1 Trip, 5 Ways: Jamaica

by Jane on April 5, 2013

Jamaica is a popular Caribbean getaway, with brilliant reggae, delicious jerk chicken made in an oil-drum pan, beautifully rugged cliffs, blue lagoons, and overwhelmingly pleasant — if a bit flirtatious — locals. We’ve found just the spot to stay for almost every kind of traveler, so whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or want to take the kids along, Oyster has a hotel for you. We brought them to you all week on Captivate elevator screens, so see the full roundup below!

Hotel for Families: Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Playground at the Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Playground at the Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Partnered with Sesame Street, the Beaches brand of resorts offers Muppet-led activities for kids. Beaches Negril comes with a great water park, a pristine, calm beachfront, an extensive, supervised kids’ club, and enough entertainment to keep kids totally occupied.

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1 Trip, 5 Ways: Turks and Caicos

by Jane on March 29, 2013

With the motto “Beautiful by Nature,” it’s no wonder that Turks and Caicos‘s tourism focuses on the islands’ quiet, natural beauty. A 37-mile chain of islands, Turks and Caicos radiates a particular Caribbean-ness, with dreamy blue waters, golden beaches, excellent snorkeling, and bioluminescent glow worms lighting up the water at night. We’ve found just the spot to stay for almost every kind of traveler, so whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or want to take the kids along, Oyster has a hotel for you. We brought them to you all week on Captivate elevator screens, so see the full roundup below!

Hotel for Couples: Point Grace

Beach at Point Grace

Beach at Point Grace

Its remote location on the point of the beautiful, 12-mile Grace Bay beach makes this hotel the perfect place for couples to escape. Property highlights include a lovely, tranquil pool, personal beachfront service, a small but spectacular spa, and one of the Providenciales’ most romantic dinner spots.

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We’ve all fantasized about a month-long trip to Europe — but the time to fulfill this dream is not always easy to come by. Fortunately, a ton of time isn’t necessarily required if you want to explore the other side of the pond. With just a few days, you can visit numerous areas of the continent and hit up top destinations, and there are a few attractions you just can’t miss. We’ve picked one in each of Europe’s most popular cities, and paired it with a nearby hotel so you can get the most out of your flash trip. These nine sights are all must-sees — don’t miss out!

Must-See #1: Tower Bridge, London

The Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones in 1884.

The Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones in 1884.

Some of you might say, “What about Big Ben (excuse us, the “Elizabeth Tower”)? And the British Museum?” Well, yes, those are top spots of course, but if there is one place that makes London recognizable, it is the Tower Bridge. Built in the late 19th century and painted blue in 1977 for Queen Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee, the bridge is crossed on foot, bike, car and double-decker bus by thousands of Londoners and visitors daily, making it one of the most visited places in all of London. On a rainy day, you can get great views of the bridge from the glass-enclosed City Hall, and on a sunny day, head to the Tower of London for the best vistas.

Stay: Apex City of London Hotel

Spacious rooms have warm lighting and free Wi-Fi.

Spacious rooms have warm lighting and free Wi-Fi.

The Apex City of London Hotel is a contemporary, mid-size chain property located just a 3-minute walk to the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and the tube. All 179 rooms have warm lighting, big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. The sleek interior design continues in the lobby and in Addendum Restaurant, which serves seasonal fare and has outdoor seating. Small touches (such as a rubber ducky for the tub) make this property feel like more than a typical chain hotel.

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1 Trip, 5 Ways: Hong Kong

by Jane on March 22, 2013

A collection of islands, Hong Kong attracts tourists with its many things to do; from shopping to eating to visiting museums and historic sights, visitors are always busy. We’ve found just the spot to stay for almost every kind of traveler, so whether you plan on bringing the kids along or want to take a bite out of the best Asian cuisine, Oyster has a hotel for you. We brought them to you all week on Captivate elevator screens, so see the full roundup below!

 Hotel for Foodies: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental

Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental

With not one, not two, but three Michelin-starred restaurants on-site, the Mandarin Oriental is the ideal spot for foodies. Guests can also munch on tasty bites at the hotel’s bakery and popular lounge.

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1 Trip, 5 Ways: Cancun

by Jane on March 15, 2013

Thousands of spring breakers, honeymooners, older couples, families and young groups of friends flow into Cancun every year, making it one of the world’s top beach destinations. Its turquoise waters, beautiful stretches of sand, and night-long parties are a main draw here, but there’s plenty of culture to be had as well. We’ve found just the spot to stay for almost every kind of traveler, so whether you plan on bringing the kids along or hope to have a romantic getaway, Oyster has a hotel for you. We brought them to you all week on Captivate elevator screens, so see the full roundup below!

Hotel for Couples: Excellence Playa Mujeres

Excellence Playa Mujeres

Excellence Playa Mujeres

This adults-only luxury resort offers a nice all-inclusive experience with tons of variety. There are multiple dining options, several beautiful pools, a gorgeous spa with great treatments for couples, and dozens of wonderful activities perfect for unwinding with your significant other.

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We can’t help but get a little nostalgic when thinking of Disney World; after all, it’s where dreams come true! And whether you’re six or sixty, a pair of Mickey Mouse ears never looked so good as when you’re spinning in a teacup or roaming the theme park grounds, cotton candy in hand. However, one thing that decades of Disney experience can change is where you want to stay on the massive property. A resort with a pool teeming with tots, waterslides, and floaties? Great for families, not so fab for couples looking for a bit of romance — you catch our drift. So we’ve done some digging into Disney’s digs and have found the resorts that’ll best suit all types of Disney-bound Disney fanatics. Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway or a family vacation, Disney World can be just the spot to relax, reconnect — and most importantly – have the time of your life. So without further adieu, first up: Disney for families.

 Disney Digs Best Suited for the Fam: Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

Kids love the long, winding slide at the pool at the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Kids love the long, winding slide at the pool at the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Have some rambunctious kids on your hands? Twenty minutes at the playground will wear them out.

Have some rambunctious kids on your hands? Twenty minutes at the playground will wear them out.

Modeled after an East African safari lodge, with giraffes and gazelles that freely roam the grounds, the 762-room Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of Disney’s most unique resorts — and is arguably the best option for families looking to have highly-entertained tots. Though it’s a bit more removed from Epcot and the Magic Kingdom than other properties, the resort is adjacent to the Animal Kingdom theme park and features a massive pool, a playground, a great kids’ club, and numerous free activities — such as cookie decorating and African drumming — throughout the day. Older children can enjoy the on-site arcade.

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Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

There’s a lot to love about Ireland. The lush green landscape, the charming small-town pubs (serving up plenty of Guinness, of course), the sheep that can be found roaming the hills, and the narrow winding roads. And now that St. Patty’s Day is nearly here, we’re dreaming about all things Irish — specifically, about all of our favorite things to see on the Emerald Isle, from the Ring of Kerry to Kylemore Abbey to the Giant’s Causeway. These 10 attractions are must-sees for any lover of Ireland — even if you’re only able to visit them through your computer screen.

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1 Trip, 5 Ways: Hawaii

by Jane on March 1, 2013

Offering some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and most stunning natural wonders, virtually endless recreational opportunities, year-round temperatures that hover around 80 degrees, and a well-organized tourism infrastructure that creates a mostly seamless vacation experience, Hawaii attracts some seven million tourists each year. What’s more, the best of Hawaii — its natural attractions — can be enjoyed at little cost. But whether you’re on a budget or you’re looking for luxury, Oyster has found just the spot to stay for almost every kind of traveler and has a hotel for you. We’ve teamed up with Captivate Network to bring you five ways to stay in Hawaii. Check it out below and next week, check out your Captivate elevator screens for 1 Trip, 5 Ways: Rome!

Hotel for Foodies: Marriott Wailea Resort

Marriott Wailea Resort

You can’t visit Hawaii without going to a luau, and the Marriott’s three-hour extravaganza is the best in Wailea. The meal is delicious and doesn’t forgo any of the essential luau elements, including traditional food like poi and kalua pork.

 

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Let’s face it: Traveling can bring out the inner germaphobe in even the most adventurous of us, and for good reason. There are lots of health risks encountered in your hotel room that you won’t necessarily find at home, from mold to industrial cleaning product residue. Didn’t even cross your mind ’til now? Well, fear not — more and more hotels are offering solutions, so your next hotel stay can be cleaner and safer than ever before. Read on to find out what to be wary of — and what you can do about it.

The Orchard Hotel in San Francisco uses chemical-free cleaning products.

The Orchard Hotel in San Francisco uses chemical-free cleaning products.

The Risk: Chemical Cleaning Products

The chemicals in cleaning products used in many hotel rooms can make you sick — and routine exposure (road warriors, take note) can be life-threatening. Exposure to the carcinogens in cleaning products can increase cancer risk, while endocrine disruptors found in many pesticides, detergents, and disinfectants can confuse body hormones and cause fertility problems or even miscarriages.

The Solution: Chemical-Free Cleaning Products

Eco-friendly hotel initiatives are growing increasingly popular, and these days many hotels are being recognized for their efforts by organizations such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). So don’t be afraid to ask hotel staff about the cleaning products they use, or check out our research here. One of our favorite LEED-certified hotels is The Orchard Hotel, which was at the forefront of this movement. Among the very first LEED-certified hotels in San Francisco, the Orchard uses chemical-free cleaning products — among many other impressive green practices.

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It’s true that every traveler is unique, and our mission at Oyster is to find the best hotel for each one’s specific needs. But most travelers can agree on one thing: wanting the best hotel for the lowest possible price. And we can certainly help with that, too. We used some database wizardry to discover the least expensive four- and five-pearl hotels on Oyster, and layered on our editorial expertise to select which of those were also truly awesome hotels. The result? Take a look!

Southwestern Gem: Hotel St. Francis, Santa Fe

  • Price: $110 and up
  • Pearls: 4
Hotel St. Francis, Santa Fe

Hotel St. Francis, Santa Fe

This 81-room upscale boutique, housed in a historic building two blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, underwent a complete renovation in 2011 and now features simple, mission-style decor inspired by the principles of St. Francis of Assisi. The elegant, minimalist rooms have original wood floors, sturdy wood furniture made by local artisans, and a color scheme of gray and white — but, as in many historic buildings, they’re small. The hotel features a fine dining restaurant serving New Mexican cuisine, as well as a bar, with outdoor seating available, that offers appetizers and cocktails. But there’s no pool or Jacuzzi, and guests will have to pay a daily fee for parking. If a pool is a priority, consider the nearby Inn and Spa at Loretto. Read More »

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