by Zach on January 19, 2012
So, you scored tickets to Coachella? Sweet. Even if the festival is on the verge of becoming overpriced and over-exposed, this year’s lineup is practically too good to pass up. There are your requisite superstars (the Black Keys, Radiohead, and Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg), your high-profile band reunions (Mazzy Star and At The Drive In), indie buzzbands (the Weeknd and Neon Indian), and everything in between. And while tickets and flights may have set you back a fortune alone, the idea of pitching a tent in the desert for a weekend doesn’t appeal to everyone — especially if you’re not 18 anymore. Thankfully, the resort town of Palm Springs is only a 30-minute drive away with more hip hotels than you’d expect from a once sleepy golf town. As die-hard music fans and hotel experts, we’ve rounded up the best hotels and matched them to the fans that fit them best.
The music you love: Radiohead, the Black Keys, Pulp, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dog
The right hotel for you: The Movie Colony Hotel
Pool at the Movie Colony Hotel; Palm Springs, CA
For all the indie and underground music buzz it generates, Coachella still snags a handful of top-tier verified rock stars. This year certainly doesn’t disappoint: we’re some of the biggest Radiohead and Black Keys fans here at Oyster.com. But a huge aspect of the music experience is taking part in the legacy, to be able to say you were there when history was made. For fans like these, we recommend the storied Movie Colony Hotel. The property has played host to some of the greats, including Jim Morrison, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra, and sports a ’60s-inspired decor that celebrates its history. The pool is open 24-hours (albeit a little tiny), so you can feel free to take a dip after a day in the desert. Hitting up Coachella with your fan club in tow? Check out the townhouses, whose living rooms open directly into the pool area. Just don’t pull any old-school-rock “I’m a golden god!” moments and jump in from the roof.
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by Jane on January 12, 2012
Credit: Kyle Rover/startraksphoto/AP
Season 5 of MTV’s Jersey Shore premiered last week, and it’s nice to seem them back in Jerz, with the boardwalk, the beach, and plenty of — or in some cases, too much — booze. But now that each of ‘em rakes in $100,000 per episode, our favorite Guidos and Guidettes can afford to get drunk and trash a place that’s way more luxe than their current Shore digs, so we found hotels where the cast can GTL (for non viewers, that means “gym-tan-laundry”) and enjoy a whole slew of Jersey-approved amenities. After all, you can take Snooki out of the Jersey Shore, but you can’t take the Jersey Shore out of Snooki.
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by Jane on January 10, 2012
Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/startraksphoto.com
Well, we can start considering January 7th a national holiday because from now on because it marks the date of one of the most anticipated births in hip-hop history. If you haven’t checked your Twitter account or listened to the news in the past couple of days, then we’ll be the ones to tell you: Music power couple Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z welcomed their own pint-sized diva, Blue Ivy Carter, this past Saturday night. Sorry, Suri, your relevance just plummeted…because shortly after baby Blue’s birth in New York City at Lenox Hill Hospital (where Jay-Z reportedly rented out an entire floor to ensure his growing family’s privacy), the Twittersphere exploded with congratulations from the couple’s famous friends, all wishing them and little Blue the best. And we bet some of those friends will soon be making trips to the Big Apple to visit the bouncing bundle of joy. But where are these celebs to stay? Don’t worry, Kanye, we found the perfect hotel for you. And you too, Gwyneth. We scoured the city and found hotels suited to each of the couple’s besties, no matter his or her style.
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The main lobby at Bear Hollow Village; Park City, UT
If you’re lucky enough to be heading out to Park City next week for the Sundance Film Festival, you’re gonna need a hotel to set up shop — one brimming with celebs, of course. The festival is probably more known for stars photographed in winter’s finest gear rather than the indie films it centers around, which means that the hotel scene is ripe for an A-list glimpse. Your best bet star search-wise would be to check out the Sky Lodge, a centrally located, upscale property with slick amenities like balconies with hot tubs and top to bottom stylized decor. If you’re hoping to hit the slopes, the 170-room Stein Eriksen Lodge offers ski-in, ski-out access to the powdery mountains of Deer Valley Resort. And should you be traveling with family in tow, look into Bear Hollow Village. With its super-cozy atmosphere (it has mini-condos and townhouses instead of traditional hotel rooms), the lack of Wi-Fi or a flat-screen TVs in some spaces is made up for by washer/dryers, fireplaces and sleek kitchens in every condo. Want more? Read the full guide to the 2012 Sundance Film Festival now >>
by Jane on December 29, 2011
Santa may have thought you were nice this year, but there were probably a few things he didn’t see… So enter New Year’s resolutions — the pledges we make for the new year to atone for our sins of the year before. Maybe you told a few white lies, partied a little too hard, or claimed that Justin Bieber was your baby daddy (actually, we think that may have just been her). But that’s all in the past starting in 2012, the year that’s going to be the best ever! Not only have we started working on our own resolutions, but we’ve come up with a few for some hotels and their wild, raucous — and sometimes home-wrecking — guests. Below, check out our resolutions list that’ll set these hotels (and their notorious guests) on the straight and narrow.
AP Photo/Pool/startraksphoto.com
For Lindsay Lohan at the Chateau Marmont (many, many times): Resist partying it up when you’re on probation.
Lindsay’s had some trouble with the law this year (and the year before that…and the year before that…). In November, she served a four-and-a-half-hour jail stint (better than the 30-day sentence!) for violating her probation. Yet only a couple of weeks later, this party girl was seen making an a.m. dash from the Chateau Marmont in the same outfit she wore the night before! Sources say she can often be spotted late-night at the hotel bar, where witnesses once saw her stumbling to the point of requiring assistance from hotel security. Hopefully she’ll be able to get together for 2012 — we miss the adorable Linds from The Parent Trap.
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by Kelsey on December 20, 2011
Hangin’ ’round the mistletoe may have been a fine pastime in holiday seasons of yore, but these days, a dark bar with dark corners or a trendy nightspot makes a much more exciting locale for a stolen kiss. Celebrities have been spotted canoodling at hot hotel establishments all over the country, so those looking for a hip, modern locale to engage in a little good old-fashioned necking, take note.
Cameron and Diddy were spotted making out at the trendy PH-D nightclub this December. PHOTO by: Erik Jordan/startraksphoto.com (left). PHOTO by: KYLE ROVER/startraksphoto.com (right).
PH-D at the Dream Downtown, New York City
Cameron Diaz and Diddy were spotted making out this December at Dream Downtown’s rooftop lounge PH-D. It’s not the first time these two have been spotted locking lips, but it’s the first time they’ve been spotted here. The amazing city views and rockin’ sound system must have helped set the mood. Read More »
Traveling for business doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. These great hotels offer all the business traveler staples — comfortable beds, up-to-date technology, and solid fitness centers — as well popular after-work or nightlife scenes. Unwinding after a day of meetings doesn’t have to mean room service and reruns (though that’s an option, too); these hotels offer guests a night out on the town right downstairs. So go ahead — have fun like it’s your job.
Bar Basque at the Eventi
Hot Spots: An outdoor BeerParc with gourmet food stands, and tapas and cocktails at the lively, ultra-modern Bar Basque
The Business Staples: Four gourmet to-go restaurants from Jeffrey Chodorow at Food Parc; 20,000 square feet of event space; and room service, a business center, and fitness center open around-the-clock
The Bottom Line: A stylish lobby, big, beautiful rooms with Frette sheets and 37-inch flat-screens, and gourmet to-go fare at Jeffrey Chodorow’s Food Parc make this 292-room Kimpton the best hotel in a developing pocket of northern Chelsea. It offers easy access to the tourist sites, and FoodParc, BeerParc, and Bar Basque are all local hot spots. Read More »
by Hilary on November 22, 2011
These hotels are the most fashionable, stylish, trendy, and the all-around best Vogue-esque vibe you can get.
Trump SoHo
Donald Trump’s first hotel in downtown New York has the attention to detail and hands-on service you’d expect from a Trump property, but the slightly hipper vibe and great SoHo location cater to a younger set. The exclusive, celebrity-filled Kastel bar, pricey Quattro restaurant, luxurious spa, and seasonally open pool are the hotel’s main features.
Trump SoHo
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by Jane on November 21, 2011
We all TiVoed Kim Kardashian’s wedding on E! – wait, you didn’t? Oh, um, us neither – and, just a couple of weeks later, read the tabloids announcing that Kim had filed for divorce. But what of those 72 days of magical (or not so magical) marital bliss? How will we ever know what really happened, what led to the demise of this match-made-in-reality-heaven couple? Well have no fear, C-list celebrity junkies, producer Ryan Seacrest has come to the rescue again. Because just two days after the honeymoon, Kim and Kris jetted off to New York City to film the new season of “Kourtney and Kim Take New York,” premiering on E! on November 27th.
The Gansevoort Park Avenue hotel
Over a few months in NYC, camera crews caught everything that went down between Kris and Kim, who shared a luxurious penthouse suite at the Gansevoort Park Avenue hotel with Kim’s sister Kourtney, and Kourtney’s boyfriend and son. And a lotta the action took place right in their hotel room. Were the close quarters the cause? Or perhaps the hip party scene at the hotel’s bar led one to stray? Whatever happened, we’ll find out soon. But one thing we do know: the Gansevoort Park hotel is where Kris and Kim’s marriage went to die. Check out the scene of the crime below!
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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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