by Jane on February 2, 2012
Beach at Sandy Lane; Barbados
Decked out in its signature pink, the 112-room Sandy Lane is arguably the best resort in Barbados, known for its unparalleled service and distinct touches. Guest amenities run rampant; perhaps the most noteworthy is access to the super-exclusive Green Monkey golf course (so that’s probably why Tiger Woods got married here). Upon arrival (the hotel provides free transportation to and from the airport via its Rolls-Royce), the road winds through beautiful grounds and mahogany trees toward the impressive entrance and marble lobby. Once there, the staff will whisk your luggage away to your room, marked with luxe touches including Italian marble floors, plantation-style designer furniture, and state-of-the-art bathrooms. The top-notch spa, outstanding restaurants, and celebrity sightings are mere cherries on top. Check out more amazing photos of the hotel after the jump or read the full review here >>
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One lucky family from the winning Super Bowl team’s home city will get to go on a “Super Tour” of the losing city, per the terms of the Super Bowl bet announced yesterday between Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Thomas Menino. Each tourism package includes a lot of fun sightseeing, wining, and dining — and most importantly, a two-night stay at one of the city’s hotels. (Fans can enter to win on their city website after the Super Bowl.)
So which fans will score the nicer hotel — Giants fans heading to Boston, or Patriots fans coming to New York? Find out in the hotel face-off below.
The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common
The Grand Hyatt New York
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by Jane on February 1, 2012
On Valentine’s Day, just about anything can get a person in the mood — but there are some things are a sure bet. That’s why we perused our most romantic hotels to find come-hither amenities that could have even total strangers getting hot and heavy in no time. Grab your spouse, significant other, or the eye candy that lives next door and check in to one of these sexy spots.
THE LUSTY AMENITY: The Clothing-Optional Pool
The Clothing-Optional Lower Pool at the Ventana Inn & Spa; Big Sur, CA
The Ventana Inn & Spa is all about creating a zen, holistic retreat with such offerings as yoga classes, discovery walks, afternoon wine and cheese, Japanese baths, and two pools. Forgot to pack your bathing suit? No problem! One of the pools is clothing-optional (read: everyone’s in their birthday suit), so it’s easy to dive in and feel sexy. Check out more super-sexy hotel features after the jump!
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by Zach on February 1, 2012
Welcome to another edition of WTF Wednesday, where we share some of our craziest snapshots. This week’s photo comes to us from the Custom Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, where the decor is arguably some of the weirdest we’ve ever seen. Avant-garde style makes for great art, but when an the elevator ride back to your room late at night involves a stare down with a man who looks like a deranged stalker, we’re less thrilled with its use in hotel decor. Check out our caption after the jump, then share your own!
Elevators at the Custom Hotel; Los Angeles, CA
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If Las Vegas is known for anything, it would have to be its party scene. And if there’s one great American party we can think of, it’d have to be Super Bowl Sunday — it seems that the entire country stops what they’re doing to tune into the NFL Championship game. But why watch on your couch with delivery pizza when you can hit up a sick party on (or off) the The Strip? Since we can’t answer that question, we found the top five hotel super bowl parties to check out in Sin City this weekend.
THE PARTY SPOT: LAVO
LAVO at the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino; Las Vegas, NV
THE PARTY DEAL: Usually a trendy restaurant-nightclub combo, Lavo is opening its doors for a Sunday afternoon of football — at a relatively hefty price tag. Throw down $175 to gain admission to the space — which has over 20 HD TVs set up for the event — as well as access to an open bar and unlimited Italian buffet. You can call ahead for table reservations, but we’re betting that comes at an even higher amount than just a ticket itself.
THE HOTEL’S DEAL: Big, elaborate, and packed with the kind of luxuries you see at the top Vegas resorts, the Palazzo has some of the best and biggest standard rooms on The Strip. Its world-class spa, seven pools, busy casino, and name-brand fine dining all connect to its sister property, the Venetian, via an haute couture mall. Less theme-y than many Vegas hotels, but right at the top of the list in terms of glitz and extravagance.
Check out our other favorite Las Vegas Super Bowl Parties after the jump.
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Here at Oyster we appreciate the art of a fine bath — and how it fits into a hotel room, too, considering it’s our No. 1 way to relax when we’re not at work. We scoured the 2,000+ hotels we cover to find the five most incredible tubs for you to dive into (no pun intended).
The bathroom in a one-bedroom suite at the Grand Luxxe; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The Tale Behind the Tub: Grand Luxxe is the most posh of a group of Mayan timeshare resorts located in the Puerto Vallarta area. The huge rooms and suites (complete with gigantic private terraces) are designed with some serious flair — including each of the bathrooms, natch. Check out the tub, above, in a 1-bedroom suite: The free-standing unit comes equipped with a little wooden stand for all your bath-time essentials, and should it get a little stuffy, open the folding French doors to take a peek into what’s going on in the other part of your suite.
CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR FAVORITE TUBS >>
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Credit: Mark Savage/startraksphoto.com
- Momma Kris Kardashian spent the weekend with her ducklings Kim, Kourtney and Robert at the W Dallas, where Khloe and hubby Lamar Odom (above) are renting a suite. [HotelChatter.com]
- Starting on January 26, all airlines are required to include “all mandatory taxes and fees in the advertised fare” in order to comply with a new U.S. Department of Transportation rule. Plus, passengers can now put a reservation on hold for 24 hours without having to pay for it. [FoxNews.com]
- To fight the “TSA regulations limiting liquids in carry-ons”, Rosewood Hotels is introducing the 24-hour fragrance butlers, who will offer guests a wide range of perfumes to choose from. [USAToday.com]
- Alaska Airlines is putting an end to 30 years of prayer-card distribution among its first class passengers. But Sarah Palin isn’t too happy about it. [LATimes.com]
- Downton Abbey fans, start packing: Highclere Castle, featured in the Emmy-award series, has opened its doors. You and three others can explore and dine at the estate for $12,000. [Vagabondish.com]
There’s nothing like a classic New York versus Boston sports game: There’s the always-dueling Red Sox and Yankees; the formidable Celtics and decent (?) New York Knicks; and of course, the new rivalry of the New England Patriots and New York Giants. This year’s Super Bowl also marks a rematch of 2008′s Big Game . But if you couldn’t afford to jet out to Indianapolis to catch your favorite football team in play (and who could, with hotel rates in the city hovering around $450/night), hole up a hotel bar local to your team. Not only will you have the camaraderie of fellow fans, but you’ll also be able to watch in style, too. Bonus? If you get too drunk, you can stay in one of the hotel’s available rooms. Just saying.
The Bar: Champions
Champions Bar at the Boston Marriott Copley Place; Boston, MA
With 44 HD TVs strategically positioned throughout the bar, a 12’X24’ viewing screen, 36 beers on tap (we recommend one of the Dogfish brews) and a long list of cocktails, the Champions Sports Bar at the Marriott is one of the best places to catch the game. Whether you sit at the bar over a drink and a small bite, or at one of the tables enjoying a full meal — order the Boston Lobster sliders — you’re sure to get a good view of the screens. Plus, you’re within a stone’s throw of Fenway Park and the TD Garden — two venues that’ll make any sports afficionado feel right at home. (At least a Boston fan.)
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If you haven’t found “the one” yet, but are planning on taking out someone new (and maybe special) this Valentine’s Day, some serious impressing is in order. Hotels exude sexiness on any given day, and these bars don’t disappoint: Each of them has its very own get-into-his-or-her-pants kind of charm.
The Bar: Kittichai
Kittichai at 60 Thompson; New York City, NY
Why We Love It: The trendy NYC ambiance simply rules. Although the food — which is thai — is only so-so on a good day at this combo bar/restaurant, the romantic atmosphere makes up for its over salted fare. Eclectic music (think French renditions of silly American nursery rhymes) adds to the quirky-chic vibe, just be prepared to shell out a few bucks: Everything’s more expensive in Manhattan.
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Even though Hawaii is known for its breathtaking beaches, the 50th state actually offers much more than just a swim in crystalline waters and great waves to surf. Discover the archipelago’s wonders — away from its sandy stretches — with this selection of activities we’ve come up with for you. From the soaring cliffs of the Waimea Canyon in Kauai to the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Oahu, Hawaii will win the hearts even of those who are allergic to relaxing on lounge chairs under the sun. Check out the best sun-safe activities to do while visiting any of the islands — just make sure to slather on some SPF first.
Road to Hana, Maui; Maui, HI
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