Hawaii

Romantic Honeymoon Hotels around the World

by Kristina on March 21, 2013

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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

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7 Weird Things that Hotels Give Away

by Jane on March 15, 2013

Everyone knows that we here at Oyster.com love freebies. After all, we talk about them a lot — and we mean a lot. But when you’re shelling out hard-earned cash for your hotel room, it’s nice when the hotel recognizes that and throws in some perks “just because.” We’ve already gone through the freebies we love, and honestly kind of expect, but we’ve yet to go through all the freebies that really took us by surprise — and sometimes even made us laugh! Some you can bring home with you, some are just on loan, but all of these amenities are funky, looney, and downright fabulous.

Toys for Adults at Hotel Avante, Silicon Valley

Have fond memories of your childhood at Hotel Avante.

Get your mind out of the gutter. Those are not the kind of toys we are talking about — and we would definitely not be okay with them if they were on loan! Instead, Hotel Avante offers adult guests good old-fashioned toys in each room. Called “executive toy boxes,” they include toys such as Slinkys, yo-yos, Etch-a-Sketchs, and Rubik’s cubes, and are meant to be used as inspiration — or even just distractions — for business travelers burning the midnight oil. But if you’re a leisure traveler, we won’t tell — go ahead and have some fun!
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Tagged as: Austin, Big Sur, freebies, Hawaii, Lanai, New York City, Palm Springs, Portland, Silicon Valley

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9 Underrated Beach Destinations

by Jane on March 13, 2013

Some destinations always come to mind when people think of beach getaways: Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, Miami’s South Beach, and the crowded sands in Cancun. Some spots, however, are often overlooked and it makes them that much better. Fewer people, untouched nature, you name it; underrated beach destinations are hidden gems that can be just what you’re looking for. Check out our list of nine underrated beach destinations — and make a trip before the secret is out!

Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

Vieques Island is surrounded by gorgeous, clear waters.

This unique little island offers travelers pure, undeveloped land, mainly thanks to the US Navy’s former use of a good portion of the island. The Navy left in 2003, however, and the land it once occupied is now a national wildlife refuge. Tourists to Puerto Rico often don’t leave the mainland as it takes an extra puddle-jumper to get to Vieques and there are few tourist attractions. Instead, attractions are nature-oriented: The island’s stunning, untouched white-sand beaches and famous bioluminescent bay are the highlights, but it also features walking trails, 300-year-old trees, and some of the top snorkeling spots in the country.

Where to Stay: The quaint Inn on the Blue Horizon is a smaller, more affordable option compared to the nearby W Vieques. The inn features phenomenal ocean views, pretty Mediterranean-style architecture, and wild horses roaming the grounds.

Tagged as: Bal Harbour, California, Florida, Hawaii, Jacksonville Beach, Lake Tahoe, Lanai, Long Beach, Luxury Hotels, Maine, Miami, Montauk, New York, Puerto Rico, San Juan Islands, Value Hotels, Vieques Island

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Pretty Potty Talk: Hotel Bathrooms With Amazing Views

by Devon on March 6, 2013

One Bal Harbour Resort bathrooms have some of the best views in the Miami.

Some people prefer to read a magazine in the restroom, but we’d much rather gaze out over a stunning view. There’s nothing we love more than exotic sights, no matter where we’re taking in the view — the shower, tub, or elsewhere. From Hong Kong to Miami, Boston to Barcelona, here are our favorite hotel views from the best seat in the house.

Tagged as: Atlanta, Barcelona, Boston, California, Cancun, Carmel, Denver, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Kauai, London, Los Cabos, Luxury Hotels, Madrid, Mexico, Miami, New York City, Puerto Morelos, Rome, San Diego, Santiago, Singapore, Stockholm, Vancouver

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Oyster Half-Dozen: Coolest Hotels for Kids

by Jane on March 5, 2013

Every so often, our editors curate the best of the best — or as Oyster likes to call ‘em, our Half Dozen. Today, we’re bring you our top six picks for kid-friendly hotels. From massive water parks to on-site zoos, from trapeze lessons from circus performers to roller coasters, these hotels are sure to keep the kids happy.

Watch more Oyster videos here »

Tagged as: Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Jamaica, Kid-Friendly Hotels, Las Vegas, Orlando, Oyster half-dozen, Video

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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.

Tagged as: Hawaii, Maui

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Oyster Half-Dozen: What to Do and Where to Stay in Hawaii

by Jane on February 14, 2013

Dreaming of spring break in Hawaii? If our gorgeous photos of the 50th state don’t already have you packing your cutest bikini and flip-flops, get inspired by our Oyster half-dozen video, which tells you the best things to do and best places to stay!

Watch more Oyster videos here »

Tagged as: Hawaii, Oyster half-dozen, Video

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You Lucky Dog! 10 Cute Pups On Vacation

by Jane on January 29, 2013

Dogs love chillin' during vacay as much as humans do!

Dogs are man’s best friend, so it can be hard to part with our pooches when it’s time to go on vacation. But some find it literally impossible, so instead choose to bring Fido along — and we fully support this. After all, you may have been working like a dog but so have they! So it’s time to let them enjoy some fun in the sun, too. Here are some of our favorite pics of dogs enjoying a little getaway.

Tagged as: Bahamas, Boston, Hawaii, Jamaica, Miami, New York City, Oahu, San Francisco

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Honeymoon Hotel of the Week: Marriott Wailea Resort, Maui

by Kristina on January 16, 2013

Set off into the sunset at the Marriott Wailea Resort in Maui.

Situated on a (large) rock between two beaches, the 22-acre, 546-room Wailea Marriott has panoramic ocean views and a serene vibe that’s often missing from some of Maui’s more crowded, neighboring resorts. Renovated in 2008, the Marriott’s spiffy rooms, gorgeous adult-only infinity pool, reputable spa, and popular restaurant make it the best mid-range option in ritzy Wailea, especially for newlyweds looking for indulgent romance without busting their wedding budget. The Marriott has consistently been considered one of Oyster’s best Hawaiian hotels for a destination wedding and honeymoon thanks to its gorgeous setting, great amenities, and reasonable prices.

Honeymooners might consider booking the hotel’s “Experience Romance — Wailea Style” package during their stay. The package offers couples a stay in an oceanfront room with breakfast-in-bed each morning, and champagne and chocolate covered-strawberries upon arrival. Check out more honeymoon-inspired photos of the Marriott Wailea Resort here »

Tagged as: Beach Hotels, Destination Weddings, Hawaii, Honeymoon Hotel of the Week, Honeymoons, Luxury Hotels, Maui, Resort Hotels, Romantic Hotels

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The Top 10 Richest Hotel Moguls in the US

by Devon on January 15, 2013

Fantasizing about luxurious hotels and faraway resorts is one thing, but fantasizing about owning them is an entirely different concept altogether. Real estate is a high-stakes game that costs big, but, when done right, earns even bigger. And because we are constantly investigating the latest hotels around the globe, we couldn’t help but wonder who plays the proverbial Oz behind the curtain at some of our favorite spots. Check out ten men and women who are serious players on the hotel scene right now — and just how fat their wallets are.

1. Sheldon Adelson

Net worth: $9 billion

The Venetian in Las Vegas is one of Adelson's crowning achivements

He famously lost $150 million of his fortune this year by betting on losing political candidates, but that barely makes a dent in Sheldon Adelson’s billions. Currently the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Adelson began his business career as a mortgage broker and financial consultant before developing the world’s largest trade show, the computer expo COMDEX. In 1989, he purchased the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and developed the Sands Corporation. As of 2012, the Sands portfolio includes properties across the US and Asia, as well as plans to develop “EuroVegas” in Madrid. His most noted resorts are the Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas, as well as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
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