London

Europe’s Top Attractions: 9 Spots You Can’t Miss

by Carolina on March 29, 2013

We’ve all fantasized about a month-long trip to Europe — but the time to fulfill this dream is not always easy to come by. Fortunately, a ton of time isn’t necessarily required if you want to explore the other side of the pond. With just a few days, you can visit numerous areas of the continent and hit up top destinations, and there are a few attractions you just can’t miss. We’ve picked one in each of Europe’s most popular cities, and paired it with a nearby hotel so you can get the most out of your flash trip. These nine sights are all must-sees — don’t miss out!

Must-See #1: Tower Bridge, London

The Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones in 1884.

Some of you might say, “What about Big Ben (excuse us, the “Elizabeth Tower”)? And the British Museum?” Well, yes, those are top spots of course, but if there is one place that makes London recognizable, it is the Tower Bridge. Built in the late 19th century and painted blue in 1977 for Queen Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee, the bridge is crossed on foot, bike, car and double-decker bus by thousands of Londoners and visitors daily, making it one of the most visited places in all of London. On a rainy day, you can get great views of the bridge from the glass-enclosed City Hall, and on a sunny day, head to the Tower of London for the best vistas.

Stay: Apex City of London Hotel

Spacious rooms have warm lighting and free Wi-Fi.

The Apex City of London Hotel is a contemporary, mid-size chain property located just a 3-minute walk to the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and the tube. All 179 rooms have warm lighting, big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. The sleek interior design continues in the lobby and in Addendum Restaurant, which serves seasonal fare and has outdoor seating. Small touches (such as a rubber ducky for the tub) make this property feel like more than a typical chain hotel.

Tagged as: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, London, Madrid, Norway, Rome, Venice

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From Fish Pedicures to Snow Rooms: Crazy Spa Services

by Kristina on March 8, 2013

Sometimes spa treatments tip over the edge of relaxing and enter the realm of downright strange. From fish pedicures to snow rooms, hotels around the globe are offering unique (and kinda weird) options for guests to indulge in. Some might swear by these alternative services, others may be skeptical — but we at Oyster will try (almost) anything once! Here, we’ve rounded up the craziest spa services we’ve come across during our travels. Take a look and prepare to get pampered in a whole new way!

The Treatment: Sparience Oxygen Bubble

The Spa Hotel: Gran Hotel La Florida, Barcelona

The Sparience Oyxgen Bubble experience is stress-reducing.

At the Zen Zone Spa in Barcelona, guests can try out the Sparience Oyxgen Bubble. Meant to relieve stress and minimize injury recovery time, these bubbles are filled with 99.5 percent pure oxygen, which should induce intense mental and physical relaxation. The sculpted AlphaSphere bed combines color, shape, and light with sound, vibrations, and warmth to increase the effects of the treatment. It all sounds well and good, but doesn’t it remind you a bit of this John Travolta classic? Read More »

Tagged as: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hotel Spas, Las Vegas, London, Los Cabos, Norway, San Diego, Spa, Spa Hotels, Vail

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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’s Fact or Fakeout: Justin Bieber in London, Suspicious Hand-Rolled Cigarettes, and More!

by Carolina on March 5, 2013

The Conservatory at the Bellagio; Las Vegas, NV

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Bellagio is now offering unlimited caviar at The Buffet restaurant with the purchase of a $37.99 dinner.

2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco is now offering a package that includes a private visit to China’s Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the Asian Art Museum, where guests can view the 2,000-year-old statues.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? A woman is suing the Viceroy Snowmass after allegedly having been served a glass of bleach instead of water at the hotel’s Eight K Restaurant in 2011.

4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Justin Bieber was kicked out of the Langham Hotel London after his neighbors complained about the singer’s wild partying with three female friends.

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence was seen smoking a suspicious “hand-rolled cigarette” during her stay at The Kahala Hotel and Resort in Oahu, Hawaii.

Check out the answers after the jump!

Tagged as: Fact or Fakeout, Las Vegas, London, Oahu, San Francisco, Snowmass

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Oyster’s Fact or Fakeout: David Beckham’s Digs, A Hotel Jewelry Heist, and More!

by Jane on February 26, 2013

Hotel Le Bristol has a Michelin-starred restaurant.

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Instead of renting a home, David Beckham and his brood will be shacking up at the luxury Hotel Le Bristol during his five-month stint playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Earlier this month, two thieves (disguised as upstanding citizens — whatever that means) stole millions of dollars worth of jewels from the Four Seasons New York.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? In honor of the royal bun in the oven, New York’s Trump International Hotel is offering a lavish babymoon package which includes a two-night stay and a prenatal massage.

4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Exhale Spa, known for its Pilates-esque bar classes and signature spa treatments, has now opened at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Lindsay Lohan reportedly danced on tables and smoked cigs (which are banned) at The Savoy in London after the Brit Awards last week.

Check out the answers after the jump!

Tagged as: Fact or Fakeout, London, Los Angeles, Luxury Hotels, New York City, Paris

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The Perfect Hotel for Every Profession

by Devon on February 21, 2013

Sometimes our hotels just get us. They know how we like the sheets, take our coffee, and want to wake up to a newspaper at our door. But with so many hotels across the globe to choose from, it can be hard to find just the right one. Luckily we’ve got everyone covered, from financiers to fashionistas. Here are our choices for the best hotels for every (well, almost) profession.

For Politicians: ONE UN New York, New York City

The view from ONE UN New York would excite any government worker.

A top choice among UN diplomats, the ONE UN New York sits right across the street from the UN headquarters in New York City. The hotel boasts an indoor Har-Tru tennis court (after all, politicians love their back and forth), tasty (and schmooze-worthy) breakfast at Ambassador Grill, and the private Skyline Club, with stunning city views, snacks, and cocktails. But really, with a location steps away from the world’s most powerful decision-makers, politicians can’t really ask for more. Read More »

Tagged as: Amsterdam, Hong Kong, London, Monterey County, New York City, Paris, The Hamptons

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day: Our Picks for a Romantic Getaway

by Jane on February 14, 2013

Love is in the air. After all, February is the month of love and Valentine’s Day is the day of love, so we can’t help but daydream about romantic getaways: Over-the-top luxury in Paris, quaint beachfront boutiques in Jamaica, sexy spots in New York City – they all mean romance to us. It may be a little late to be booking a romantic stay for this Valentine’s Day, but it’s never the wrong time to start planning your next romantic vacation à deux (especially if you’re in the doghouse for forgetting about today — this should help you out). Get inspired by our picks for the 10 most romantic hotels in the world, below or at USA Today.

Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris

This Eiffel Tower view is the perfect backdrop to a romantic night in.

You can’t think of romantic getaways and not consider Paris. The City of Love is full of romantic hotels, big and small, but Hotel Plaza Athenee outshines the others in setting the mood for couples. Nothing says romance like a view of the Eiffel Tower from your luxurious suite, and that’s just what you get at this iconic hotel. The 146 rooms and 45 suites are decorated in classic Art Deco style — picture draped curtains, gilded wall panels, and crystal chandeliers — with modern touches like flat-screen TVs and marble baths. And the top-notch Dior Institute spa features tons of couples’ treatments. Finish the day with a romantic meal at one of the six distinct restaurants.

Tagged as: Anquilla, Big Sur, Cancun, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, London, Napa Valley, New York City, Romantic Hotels, St. Lucia, Valentine's Day

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Celebrate Chinese New Year Around The Globe

by Kristina on February 6, 2013

San Francisco's Chinatown stands ready to celebrate the Spring Festival.

In just a week, Chinese New Year kicks off! And we want to give you plenty of notice so you can start planning how — and where — you’ll celebrate. Also known as the Spring Festival, this holiday consists of two weeks of feasting, lion dances, lantern lighting, and much more. After all, it is the most important holiday in the Chinese lunar calendar, so festivities necessitate indulgence. Millions of people around the world will celebrate with gorgeous decorations, rich foods, and stunning firework displays — and we here at Oyster can’t wait to get in on the action at some of our favorite Chinatowns around the globe. We’ve got you covered on where to ring in the Year of the Snake, but no matter where you choose to kick things off, Oyster wishes you a prosperous new year or, as they say in Mandarin, Gong Xi Fa Cai! Read More »

Tagged as: Australia, Chinese New Year, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, New York City, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver

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Unleash Your Inner Rocker At These A-List Hotels

by Kristina on February 6, 2013

Awards season continues this Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as the biggest names in the music industry strut their stuff at the 55th Gram my Awards. And as we dream about jamming on stage with the likes of Elton John, The Lumineers, Jack White, and Justin Timberlake (who’s making his return to the Grammy stage after a four-year hiatus from the music scene, swoon), we can’t help but be a little jealous of those who get to do so. Thankfully, some of our favorite hotels understand our musical plight. From on-site recording studios to guitar rental services, these hotels may not promise celeb-studded jam sessions but they’re definitely rocker-approved. And we mean that literally: Everyone from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Stevie Wonder has visited these music meccas of the hotel world. So if you want to drop a beat before the awards or just pick up the vibes left behind by some of your favorite musicians, check out these rock-ready hotels.

Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas, Los Angeles

The Nightbird Sound Studio at the Sunset Marquis has hosted A-list recording artists for decades.

The Sunset Marquis cost guests just $8 a night when it first opened in 1963 as a motel for musicians playing at the nearby House of Blues, Roxy, and Viper Room, all located within a few minutes’ walk. Today, there are so many celebrities that continue to traipse through the hotel that the staff doesn’t get starstruck anymore. During Oyster’s two-night stay, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Joss Stone, and Roger Daltrey of The Who were all spotted at the hotel, validating the hotel’s “paparazzi diversion tactics” that are offered for a nominal fee.

In addition to its innate rocker vibe, the hotel also offers a state-of-the-art recording studio on-site — Nightbird Sound Studios — designed by renowned acoustician George Auspurger. Accessed via a hidden entrance in the underground garage, the space features (in addition to the usual trappings) a Yamaha Mark IV Disklavier piano, one of only two in America, on which Stevie Wonder has been recorded. Every A-list musician has passed through the studio, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake, and Lil Wayne and Green Day both recorded here within days of Oyster’s visit. High rollers can rent out the studio for personal use, including karaoke birthday parties.

Tagged as: Berlin, Grammy Awards, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Music and Travel, New Orleans, New York City, Puerto Vallarta, San Francisco, Toronto

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Oyster Half-Dozen: Best Hotels for High Tea in London

by Jane on January 31, 2013

There’s really nothing more English than afternoon tea, so we’ve rounded up our six favorite spots to indulge in London. We found scones, clotted cream, and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, of course, but a few surprises as well — from poetry tea readings to a tea made specially for chocolate lovers. Pinkies up, please!