by Devon on March 19, 2013
It may not be the Caribbean, but with this view, who on the San Juan Islands could complain about it?
An “island getaway” doesn’t necessarily translate into washing up on the shores of the Caribbean. Plenty of other islands in the U.S. boast the same laid-back, secluded feel that you can find in Barbados or Jamaica, but often come at a fraction of those sky-high all-inclusive rates; you’ll at least save some cash on airfare! For perhaps unconventional, but nonetheless awesome, island stays, check out our top picks for value, sun, and fun!
Tagged as:
Florida,
Goat Island,
Hilton Head,
Long Island,
Marco Island,
Montauk,
Nantucket,
Newport,
Rhode Island,
San Juan Islands,
South Padre Island,
Texas,
Value Hotels,
Vancouver Island
by Kelsey on February 19, 2013
Want to live like a Rockefeller on your next vacation? Or want a voyeuristic peek into the world of the rich and powerful? These iconic resorts across the country — from a Gilded Age Palm Beach estate to a Newport mansion to a Long Island Gold Coast castle — will make you feel like your blood runs blue.
The Breakers Palm Beach
There’s a reason The Breakers’ reputation precedes it. This 140-acre resort, first built in 1896 (and reconstructed in 1926), resembles a Renaissance palace, and it’s seen more than it’s fair share of American royalty over the years; Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, William Randolph Hearst, and various Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts have all walked the halls at this posh spot. No other hotel in Palm Beach can come close to matching the luxury found at this iconic property.
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Tagged as:
Cape Cod,
Historic Hotels,
Long Island,
Los Angeles,
Miami,
New York City,
Newport,
Palm Beach
The iconic Chateau Marmont has been a celeb favorite for years.
1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Lindsay Lohan owes the Chateau Marmont a whopping $46,000 “in minibar charges, cigarette purchases and restaurant bills.”
2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Snoqualmie Falls — which the luxe Salish Lodge & Spa overlooks – is Washington’s second most visited attraction.
3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The price of spending a night in the Tiffany Suite at The St. Regis New York is the same as the price of a pair of platinum Victoria cluster earrings with marquis diamonds from Tiffany & Co.
4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino will be hosting the world’s largest bachelorette party — ever – at the end of the month.
5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The average price of a night’s stay in a double room in Newport, RI is $319, making it the most expensive city in the U.S. when it comes to hotels.
Check out the answers after the jump!
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Tagged as:
Fact or Fakeout,
Las Vegas,
Los Angeles,
Luxury Hotels,
Martha's Vineyard,
Napa County,
New York City,
Newport,
Santa Monica,
Seattle
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes in happier times -- although it looks like she already had her eye on the exit. Photo Credit: Norman Scott/startraksphoto.com
The crash heard round the world, news broke last week that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are yet another celebrity couple headed to Splitsville. Whispers of Scientology schooling for Suri and Cruise’s sexual preference are swirling around the couple’s split, but we here at Oyster are focused more on the duo’s recuperation than the he-said-she-said of it all. A divorcee getaway is in order here — STAT! — and we have the perfect places for Tom and Katie to lay low (separately of course), lick their wounds, and put on a brave face for the public.
Oyster Picks for Katie
Dawson Days: An upgrade from the creek, Watch Hill's Ocean House is a luxurious New England hideaway.
Katie spent a few good years filming popular teen drama Dawson’s Creek. The show may have been set in the fictional Massachusetts town, but The Ocean House — in real-life Watch Hill, Rhode Island – exudes Capeside’s New England charm. Located on a private, white sand beach, the hotel is a great spot for a quiet getaway where Katie and Suri can enjoy the many on-site amenities. With two pools, a full-service spa, a large fitness center, and even a croquet lawn, The Ocean House is luxurious without being stuffy, and the town of Watch Hill is a quaint amalgamation of boutique shops and cafes for the girls to peruse during the day.
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Tagged as:
Bahamas,
Barcelona,
Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic,
Newport
Courtesy of Travel Channel
Last night, Anthony Melchiorri and the Hotel Impossible team (Ed. note: How much do you love Blanche?!) headed to the elegant sailing town of Newport, Rhode Island to help a hotel — one with a confused identity, at that — reclaim themselves as a legitimate, desirable spot to post up while exploring the scenic waterfront neighborhood. And although the city sees three million tourists annually, not many of them were staying at the Newport Inn. At least before Anthony came in! Thanks to his hard work, unique ideas, as well as Blanche’s creative sensibility, the HI crew turned a dilapidated motel into a desirable, quaint inn. See what we loved most about the episode after the jump!
Tagged as:
Hotel Impossible,
Newport,
Television and Travel,
Travel Channel,
Value Hotels
Grounds at Vintners Inn in Sonoma
When the weather gets warm, the daydreaming begins. Lush hideaways. Hidden cottages. Your own secret garden come to life.
These fantasies can very easily become a reality, with an outdoor space and a little elbow grease. We’ve seen a lot of beautiful gardens on our travels, and so we took what we learned to come up these 10 helpful gardening tips.
From sculptures to arbors to lighting, learn about the additions that can transform an ordinary garden into a memorable haven.
Tagged as:
Cape Cod,
Martha's Vineyard,
Newport,
Puerto Rico,
Santa Barbara,
Sonoma County
