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Grounds at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole; Jackson Hole, WY

The grounds at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole; Jackson Hole, WY

The 132-room Hotel Terra is a trendy, eco-friendly ski lodge; it may look like your typical Jackson Hole hotel from the outside, but once inside it proves to be a step above — and a touch more  stylish –than many other area hotels. The lobby has fireplaces and the requisite antler-adorned walls, but they’re complemented by bright, modern furnitureaccent walls, and funky light fixtures. The rooms are equally sleek but a tad cozier, with dark wood furniture, moss-green throws, modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi, and organic toiletries in the bathrooms (complete with radiant flooring). Though families are welcome, couples will especially love this romantic lodge for its sexy rooftop Jacuzzi and the delicous Osteria restaurant that boasts an impressive wine list. But perhaps most importantly, the hotel is just a short walk from the slopes. After all, isn’t it always about location, location, location? Check out more amazing photos of the hotel after the jump or read the full review here >>

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5 Super-Sexy Suites in Miami

by Rachel on February 8, 2012

Hey — have you heard? Valentine’s Day is next week. And if you haven’t made plans for your significant other — or just a newer two-some — it’s time to get on it! Our ideal date would simply be a night in a top-of-the-line suite in one of our favorite cities (especially this time of year..brrrr), Miami. We found our five fave rooms to make some sweet, suite love in.

THE HOTEL: DREAM SOUTH BEACH
THE SUITE: JUNIOR SUITE

The Junior Suite at the Dream South Beach; Miami, FL

THE SEX APPEAL: Tricked-out lighting and offbeat decor set the tone at this funky addition to the South Beach hotel scene. Although the sitting and sleeping spaces are actually combined, the oversize, plush king bed makes for a fantastic sleep — and should things get hot and heavy on the couch, it’s not far to the bed. If it gets really hot, there’s even more good news: The Dream has windows that actually open for a delicious breeze. Head upstairs to Highbar for a nightcap on one of their retro wicker lounges before holing up in your suite for the night.

THE PRICE: $995/night

See more photos of the Junior Suite >>

Check out more of our steamy suites after the jump!

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WTF Wednesday: Caption This Photo

by Rachel on February 8, 2012

We know Las Vegas is all about glitter and glitz — especially at an uber-trendy night club like Tao at the luxe Venetian. And although every girl packs at least one sparkly item for a trip to The Strip, it seems these girls forgot to pack a few things. Check out our thoughts after the jump, then write your caption for this photo in the comments section below!

The line for TAO at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino; Las Vegas, NV

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The Wildest Hotel Pool Parties

by Rachel on February 7, 2012

It’s time to get wet, y’all! With Spring Break just around the corner — and the rest of us here dying for a warm-weather vacation — we thought about where we’d wanna party in the sun. Check out the hottest pool parties around the globe, and then tell us: Which is your favorite pool party?

THE HOTEL: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino; Las Vegas, NV

The Pool at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Las Vegas, NV

WHY SPLASH AROUND HERE: Easily one of the most popular with the bachelor-and-bachelorette set, the weekly Sunday Rehab Pool Party is notorious for bringing in huge (but sexy!) crowds. An eight-hour affair (it starts at noon), the party is known to bring in top party DJs from around the globe including Paul Oakenfold and Bad Boy Bill who spin tunes that range from Top 40 pop hits to banging house beats.

Check out more sexy hotel pool parties after the jump!

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We’ve been a bit obsessed with the City of Sin as of late (Maybe it’s because we’re dying to go!), but with its inflated room rates and over-the-top glitz, we can’t afford to always go gamble in Vegas. Thankfully, there are some pretty sweet casinos far off the Strip (and we mean far) where you can still win — or lose — some big bucks. Check out our seven favorites and take a chance at one of these spots.

THE HOTEL: The Trump Taj Mahal; Atlantic City, NJ

The entrance to the casino of The Trump Taj Mahal; Atlantic City, NJ

WHY GAMBLE HERE: Although gaudy and dated in terms of its decor, the Taj offers up a huge casino over 3500 slot machines and 200 table games. There’s also a Baccarat pit, poker room and a Simulcast facility to place your racing bets.  Plus, the hotel has a prime spot on the beach boardwalk and has a wide range of dining options, including the upscale Italian restaurant (and editor favorite) Il Mulino.

Check out more non-Vegas casinos after the jump!

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Pooch lovers, rejoice: The 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is around the corner, airing on February 13 and 14. (Check your local listings for exact times and stations.) And since the many participants need to set up shop in New York for the big show, we figured we’d share our hotel expertise, but this time, we’re matching the dog — not (really) the owner — to the best spots for, well, Spot, to call home. Check out more of our hotel picks for different kind of pups, then vote: Which hotel would you stay with your dog at?

THE DOG: Labrador Retriever
THE HOTEL: Affinia Dumont; New York City, NY

Credit: Courtesy of Flickr.com (dog); the lobby at the Affinia Dumont; New York, NY

WHY IT WORKS: Like its sister properties, the Affinia Dumont offers food and water bowls, doggie sidewalk bags, and even the services of a pet psychic through its Jet Sets program. But the Dumont is also known for its fitness focus, and an athletic dog like a lab needs to get its exercise. You can easily set up some extra walks (at an additional fee), or just head over to the East River path nearby for your own free stroll — or run.

THE COST: $25 surcharge; $250 and up for any pet-related damage after check-out.

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Foto Friday: From Paris With Love

by Zach on February 3, 2012

There’s nothing that can be said about Paris that hasn’t already been said before. No other city on Earth draws as much attention for its romance, vibrancy, culture, and history. But anyone in the know realizes that the tourist traps and cliches help protect the city — and its outrageously gorgeous hotels — and keep it true to itself. It’s a rare case of a city that cares about its appearance inside and out.

The view from Superior Room #45 at the Hotel Duquesne Eiffel; Paris, France

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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 Hotel: Grand Luxxe; Puerto Vallara, Mexico

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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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

Road to Hana, Maui; Maui, HI

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Foto Friday: Dinner With a View

by Zach on January 27, 2012

Say what you will about Rome, but there are few cities that blend the modern world with the ancient quite the way they can. The Palazzo Manfredi is a perfect example of this: most of their rooms have views of the Colosseum and a large part of the old Roman Forum. The structure itself may be almost two thousand years old, but enjoying a meal while basking in the glow of the Roman Empire’s most celebrated architectural gem will never get old.

Aroma Restaurant at the Palazzo Manfredi; Rome, Italy

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