The Ahwanee, Yosemite National Park
Nothing man-made can rival Mother Nature at her finest. For those who love the great outdoors, the most memorable vacations aren’t at massive mega-resorts — they’re at hotels that bring you closer to some of the world’s natural wonders. From an historic landmark hotel in Yosemite National Park to a lodge at the top of a massive waterfall to luxury tree houses nestled among California’s redwoods, these 10 hotels have natural settings that are truly jaw-dropping.
Tagged as:
Bermuda,
Botswana,
Costa Rica,
Jackson Hole,
Lake Tahoe,
Sedona,
St. Lucia,
Travel Inspiration,
Washington
The Geejam in Port Antonio, Jamaica
Going to the beach is nice and all, but there’s something about hiding away in the jungle that really gets our travel juices flowing. The lush scenery, the wildlife spottings, the chorus of birds and insects, and the gorgeous rustic-luxe retreats all help rejuvenate us like nothing else. For those still craving a little sun and sand, plenty of our rainforest and jungle picks are on or near the beach. So go ahead — take a walk on the wild side.
Tagged as:
Belize,
Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic,
Guatemala,
Jamaica,
Riviera Nayarit
Ackee and saltfish in Jamaica
If you’re a foodie, cuisine plays an important role in your vacation. We can relate. Luckily, we’ve gotten to sample a lot of great food while off investigating hotels across the globe, and we’ve particularly enjoyed discovering various destination’s specialties, from smoked salmon in Norway to macarons in France. There’s a lot of food out there, to be sure, but these seven local dishes ranked among our favorites.
Tagged as:
Costa Rica,
Hawaii,
Jamaica,
Maui,
Mexico,
Northern Ireland,
Norway,
Paris,
Riviera Maya
by Jane on March 28, 2013
During our travels around the globe, we have stayed in some pretty gorgeous rooms. But a beautiful room means nothing if it looks out at a brick wall. On the other hand, a drab room can be seriously lightened up by an amazing view. So we rounded the 10 best hotel room views we’ve ever seen.
Hotel Duquesne Eiffel
Hotel Duquesne is a comfortable 34-room hotel in the 7th Arrondissement within walking distance to Left Bank tourist sites, such as the Musee d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. Some rooms even boast exceptional views of the iconic structure, built in 1889 by on the occasion of the World’s Fair in Paris.
Read More »
Tagged as:
Amsterdam,
Bermuda,
Costa Rica,
Jackson Hole,
Lake Tahoe,
Los Cabos,
New York City,
Paris,
St. Lucia,
Turks and Caicos
The Marriott Wailea Resort is a romantic honeymoon locale on Maui.
Honeymoons must be two things: romantic and memorable. Any old trip to the beach is just not going to suffice for a couple’s post-nuptial getaway. But thankfully, there are plenty of unique and luxurious properties out there for newlyweds. Remote jungle hideaways, cozy mountain lodges, luxe European grand dames, and gorgeous beachfront properties are waiting with a bottle of champagne at the ready to toast your “I dos.” These romantic hotels around the world are perfect honeymoon locales; go ahead and swoon over them in this slideshow.
Tagged as:
Austin,
Big Sur,
Botswana,
Cape Cod,
Carmel Valley,
Costa Rica,
Destination Weddings,
Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,
Guatemala,
Hawaii,
Honeymoons,
Hong Kong,
Ireland,
Jamaica,
Lisbon,
Maui,
Paris,
Rio de Janeiro,
Romantic Hotels,
Rome,
San Juan Islands,
Singapore,
Washington,
Yosemite
Tanque Verde, a quintessential Western dude ranch
Sometimes, the journey is about the destination. Because the destination is so special, your whole travel experience is wrapped up inside it. We’ve traveled the world and have been to some pretty special spots. From a western dude ranch to a Florentine palazzo to an African canoe excursion, these 11 trips offer a far richer experience than your typical overnight stay.
Tagged as:
Boston,
Botswana,
Costa Rica,
Florence,
Jamaica,
Lisbon,
Long Island,
Rome,
St. Lucia,
Tucson
by Jane on February 22, 2013
As we’ve said before, a vacation just isn’t a vacation without delicious food and delicious views. And when you can have both together, well, that’s a match made in culinary heaven. Back in August, we gave you a peak at five hotel restaurants with scrumptious food set against amazing backdrops — and now we add eight more restaurants to that list. Dig in!
Lounge at the La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences
It doesn’t have to be fancy to have great views – and delicious food. This luxury golf resort in Guatemala is surrounded by four volcanoes, two of them being active. While the Sky Bar and the upscale restaurant also have views of the volcanoes, we love the laid-back, al fresco lounge, where diners can grab a burger and sip on a smoothie (the lounge’s specialty). During the weekends, the lounge often hosts Guatemalan buffets and barbecues.
Read More »
Tagged as:
Big Sur,
California,
Costa Rica,
Guatemala,
Napa Valley,
New York City,
Venice,
Washington D.C.,
Whistler
At this point in the season we’re all more than ready for some sun and high temperatures. You only need to check your friends’ Facebook statuses to know that you’re not the only one who’s feeling a little cranky about the recent cold snap. Heading to Miami, or an island in the Caribbean, may be the easiest way to escape the winter chills. But we tend to forget that the U.S.’s winter season can be the best moment to visit tons of great destinations in the Southern Hemisphere and just above the Equator, where the sunny, warm days are in full swing and the dry season starts to kick in. Whether you’re looking to trek to the top of a volcano or discover historic sites in a big city, we’ve got the destination for you. Check out our top picks for escaping the cold, and start packing!
For the Adventurous Type: Costa Rica
The Arenal Volcano is one of the top attractions in Costa Rica, and it is still possible to see some fumaroles activity.
Costa Rica can be anything from a peaceful oasis to a crowded and touristy spot depending on the time of the year and the region visited — but it’s still far less developed than most popular beach destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean. December through April is the best time to visit, as rainfall drops to a minimum, and days are long and sunny. The country is home to hundreds of diverse habitats, making it easy to enjoy beach days, eco-tourism, and outdoor adventures all in the same trip, and without having to travel long distances. The geography is infinitely varied, ranging from rugged coastlines and bustling towns to misty forests and active volcanoes.
Rico Tico Bar & Grill boasts gorgeous ocean and jungle views.
A staple in the beautiful Manuel Antonio resort area, the 58-room Si Como No is carefully built into a lush hillside, which means great views and winding paths surrounded by colorful flowers and wildlife. The amenities are a main draw here: two pools, two restaurants, a spa, a movie theater, and a wildlife refuge across the street. Unplugged rooms aren’t particularly luxurious, but you’ll want to be spending your time outdoors anyways.
Read More »
Tagged as:
Belize,
Buenos Aires,
Costa Rica,
Rio de Janeiro,
Sydney
Ever dreamed of sleeping in a castle? Check out all 15 of Oyster's bucket list stays.
If you’re like most of us, you probably have a dream trip tucked in the back of your mind — the improbable fantasy hotel stay that will happen one day down the road when you have the time/money/etc. Maybe. But now that we’ve all survived the Mayan apocalypse and are busy working on New Year’s resolutions, Oyster has a resolution challenge for you that you probably won’t mind keeping. In 2013, don’t put off that trip you’re planning to do before you die any longer. Because if the Mayans taught us anything, it’s that we could be dead tomorrow, right? To help you take the plunge, we’ve compiled 15 incredible and utterly unique hotel stays that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Tagged as:
Belize,
Big Sur,
Botswana,
Brooklyn,
Costa Rica,
Ireland,
Jackson Hole,
Jamaica,
Napa Valley,
New York City,
Paris,
Riviera Nayarit,
San Juan,
Sedona,
South Carolina,
Turks and Caicos
Courtyard at The Greenwich Hotel; New York, NY
1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Robert De Niro, The Greenwhich Hotel’s co-owner, had Russell Crowe arrested after the actor spent several nights in the hotel’s courtyard singing with some friends till the wee hours.
2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is offering a $60,000 New Year’s Eve package that includes three nights in the hotel’s Presidential Suite and a couple’s treatment to detox after the NYE revelry.
3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Peninsula Chicago has unveiled plans to open a 1,200-square-foot ice rink on the hotel rooftop on Friday, December 21st. Admission will be donation-based and proceeds will go to charity.
4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Starwood just announced plans to open a 36-story, Petra-inspired W Hotel in Costa Rica in 2016.
5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Element New York Times Square West is now offering free loaner bikes that double as iPhone chargers. All Element hotels will also feature the offer soon.
Check out the answers after the jump!
Read More »
Tagged as:
Chicago,
Costa Rica,
Fact or Fakeout,
Las Vegas,
New York City
