As the Hotel-Tell All, Oyster is very well-traveled when it comes to hotels. We’ve seen it all — whether good or bad. Let it be known: after visiting thousands of hotels, the tiny fees, poor service, and mediocre food starts to get irritating.
No parking? Don’t charge through the roof for valet parking. You know it’s our only choice and makes us bitter.
Valet at The Angler's Boutique Resort
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Welcome to our first feature of the new series: Top 8 Mancations. We’ll cover the best hotels for different guys’ needs. Yes, girls’ getaways are — well — girly and fun, but guys deserve some quality time to let loose as well.
First up: Husbands who need a break.
Don’t get us wrong, we’re not encouraging men to jump on a plane after every tiff, but don’t we all need a breather sometimes? These hotels accommodate those husbands who are looking for some alone time, party time (appropriate partying, of course), zen time, and more. Hey guys, escape here for some much needed rejuvenation.
The James New York
Treat Yourself: The James New York
Haven’t been away in a while? If you’ve got some extra dollars to spare, now’s the time to put it to good use. This 114-room SoHo boutique, with a stunning rooftop bar and pool, nightly wine and cheese, restaurant by David Burke, and a hotel art curator, embodies the hip, creative neighborhood it inhabits. Its bright, minimalist rooms are full of thoughtful details to make you feel at home. Treat yourself to luxury, trend, and a happening New York neighborhood for a good dose of relaxation.
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Did you know Mark Twain wrote two of his books in The Willard Washington D.C. hotel? Or that The Plaza in New York City was the setting for Barefoot in the Park, with a young Jane Fonda and Robert Redford? Some of the coolest, most historic hotels still stand today. While some of them have undergone drastic cosmetic alteration, many, surprisingly, have hardly changed at all.
It’ll be hard to find a more interesting historic hotel in the States. It was in this very hotel that Mark Twain wrote two of his books in the early 20th century. A staple in D.C. culture, The Willard used to be referred to as the “center of Washington” by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. created a draft of his “I Have a Dream” speech while staying in a room here. Other notable guests include Charles Dickens, Buffalo Bill, and multiple presidents.
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We’re visiting the best, trendiest hotel bars to find you the tastiest cocktails in NYC. Not only have we got the photos, we’ve got the recipes — directly from the bartenders — so you can make them at home. Grab your martini glass, you’re having a cocktail party.
This week, we’ve got 60 Thompson. Previously, we’ve bar hopped at: The Grand Hyatt, New York XVI at Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, The Maritime, The James Hotel, Hilton New York Fashion District, and The Standard Hotel.
Kumquat Margarita. 60 Thompson
Ingredients:
To make
Combine 1 teaspoon of raw sugar, 6 mint leaves, 4 kumquats and muddle well in a mixing glass. Add 2oz of anejo tequila, .5 oz orange juice, .5 oz lime mix, add ice and shake well. Pour into a wine glass or tumbler. Splash of club soda.
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If every Friday is set aside for the same ho-hum dinner-and-a-movie, “date night” will repeat like Groundhog Day and eventually become a grind. That kind of drudgery can derail even the most starry-eyed-in-love couple (think Prince William and Kate Middleton).
The good news: It’s not that difficult to turn up the heat. The trick, experts say, is finding new and exciting ways to bond with your honey — and trying to be a little spontaneous about it.
Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Our friends from SELF asked Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. (aka “Dr. Romance”), psychotherapist and author of The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again, for five ways to bring back the spark. Oyster experts picked the best places and environments to rejuvenate your relationship, whether you’re on vacation or it’s just another night.
Get nostalgic. Think back to when you were first dating. Go back to the place where you first met, watch a DVD (complete with popcorn) of the first movie you saw together, hit Happy Hour at the bar near your old job or wander through the park with a picnic lunch.
Where to do it: Picnicking in New York’s Central Park is something special, anyone who has done it will tell you. The beautiful escape in the middle of a bustling metropolitan city has a unique and exciting feel; the setting ignited an appreciation for life’s simple things. Perfect for surfacing old memories that make you both smile, Central Park has got it all. The Excelsior Hotel on the city’s Upper West Side is just a block from the park, located in a quiet, residential neighborhood.
Central Park, New York
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Some crave steep snowy peaks. Others bask in a bustling metropolis. And some want a labyrinth of reefs, streaked in bright blues, yellows, and reds, swarming with bizarrely beautiful undersea creatures. For those aqua-oriented souls, we’ve compiled a list of Oyster’s top scuba diving destinations (note: more to come in the near future!).
Don’t let Costa Rica’s small size fool you. It’s packed with spectacular marine life and an abundance of diving spots. Its beaches boast some of the sea’s most colorful creatures, both big and small. With cooler, nutrient-rich waters, divers often see dolphins, whale sharks, and humpback whales. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, Cocos Island, an uninhabited island more than 300 miles off the coast, is one of the world’s most-treasured diving spots, with oodles of Hammerhead, ray, and dolphin sightings. It’s normal to see dozens or even hundreds of these animals on every dive. If you’re traveling between December and mid-April, make sure to pack some exposure protection, as water temps have been known to dip relatively low.
Playa Virador at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Where to stay:
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa
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Want to dine, indulge, and bask in Giada’s favorite hotel restaurants? You got it.
We found out where Giada’s favorite hotel restaurants are in various cities across the USA, and now we’re salivating. Here are the best dishes from this star’s go-to hot spots.
Bonus: read on for a secret recipe from a top chef in one of Las Vegas’s best restaurants.
Restaurant: The Bazaar at SLS Hotel, Los Angeles
Giada’s take: “Jose Andres who has restaurants in Washington, D.C. Great traditional and modern Spanish tapas.”
Best dishes:
The Bazaar at SLS Hotel, Los Angeles
The Bazaar at SLS Hotel, Los Angeles
The Bazaar at SLS Hotel, Los Angeles
The Bazaar at SLS Hotel, Los Angeles
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Walking on water is an uncommon ability. I think we can all agree on that.
However, ever since Stand-Up Paddling (that’s “SUP” to you!) hit the scene, the sensation of gliding along a liquid surface is more accessible.
Everyone who is anyone — and many of us who are not featured regularly in tabloids — is climbing atop these big boards and paddling her way towards blissful serene summer moments, not to mention an amazing total body workout.
From our friends at SELF.com, here are 5 reasons why you should run — don’t walk (even on water) — to the nearest SUP session to try this surfing/canoeing hybrid:
1. Celebs Love It:
If Kate Hudson jumped off a bridge, would you? Well, maybe if there was a bungee attached. This new water sport has an insane amount of A-list traction: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner, Owen Wilson, Matthew McConaughey, Cindy Crawford, Adrian Grenier, Rihanna, Denise Richards and Ben Harper are just a few of the hard-bodied celebs spotted getting their SUP on.
Where to SUP: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
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With New York’s recent legalization of gay marriage, same-sex couples from all over are flocking to tie that much-anticipated knot. Ironically, one of the most important aspects of getting married is what comes the week or so after you say “I do” – the honeymoon. Here are some of our top honeymoon destinations and hotels, LGBT style.
San Francisco just happens to be one of the most romantic cities in the U.S. and one of the country’s leaders in equal rights. The pastel houses sprinkled on the hills lead to a breathtaking view of the Bay, which is encased in steep mountain crests. This foggy city has long been famous for its liberalism and political activism, as it’s the epicenter of gay rights movements. With a multiplicity of gay-owned businesses and households, it’s difficult to find a street without a rainbow flag being proudly displayed.
Where to stay:
Also:
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Let’s just accept that it’s impossible to stay cool lately. Here are 5 ways to try to chill off.
Pool Day
Gansevoort Park Ave, New York City
Plunge, a bar at the Gansevoort, has an outdoor heated pool with views of Empire State Building.
Gansevoort Park Ave South, NYC
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