party hotels

Lobby at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC

Gansevoort Meatpacking opened in 2004, so it may be hard to believe that it’s still selling out rooms and people continue to line up at the door to be a part of the hotel’s nightlife most weekends. And yet it’s true, especially thanks to a huge 2012 renovation that has helped the hotel stay on the cutting edge with a fresh makeover (good-bye passé neon, hello sophistication). Sure, the hotel is most popular with the party set, so it may not be best for those who want a low-key, quiet getaway. But amazing rooftop views, an outdoor heated pool, an Exhale Spa offering tons of fitness classes, and delicious sushi at Toy restaurant all help solidify Gansevoort Meatpacking as one of downtown New York’s most luxurious, energetic, and vibrant hotel options. Read more about this hip spot — and see more fab photos — after the jump.

Read More »

{ 0 comments }

Summertime is fast-approaching and we can’t wait till the days of top-down convertibles, cover-ups and flip-flops dress codes, and mini weekend getaways. After all, a share can be great but there’s something about a spontaneous trip to the beach to really make it feel like summer. So whether your home base is New York or Los Angeles, D.C. or San Francisco, or even Boston, we have a beach destination that can easily be reached via a quick road trip. So grab a map, your sunglasses, and some road trippin’ munchies, and make your escape!

Weekend Getaway from New York City: Montauk

Travel time: 2 hours, 30 minutes via car

Visit Montauk before the "too cool" Hamptons vibe has rubbed off on it.

It may seem cliche, but there’s a reason why Manhattanites flock to the Hamptons come summer. Home to upscale restaurants, trendy workout clubs, quirky shops, and of course, beautiful beaches, it offers a nice reprieve from the congestion and smog of the city — while maintaining that cool (and sometimes snobbish) city vibe. Montauk, located at the furthest tip, however, has a more laid-back feel; residents fear that a recent influx of visitors will taint its unpretentious reputation, but for now it’s a nice alternative to the ultra-exclusive vibe of other Hamptons.

Where to Stay: A cool party spot, Sole East attracts a young, beautiful crowd. With a tasty on-site restaurant, a small pool with loungers, and beach cruisers available for rent, it’s a great pick.

Read More »

{ 0 comments }

Las Vegas is wild year round, but it reaches its highest peak of crazy when the cesspools outdoor pools reopen for the spring and summertime crowds. Known for their ever-flowing liquor, bikini bodies, and raucous behavior, Vegas pool parties are some of the most popular places to let it all hang out (literally and figuratively). Pools at hotels such as Cosmopolitan, the Luxor, and the Monte Carlo are all open, but here’s the list of our four favorite Vegas pools that are now open for a wild, warm-weather crowd.

Rehab Sundays at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 

Reopened: April 21st

Sunday Rehab Pool Party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

When people think of Las Vegas pool parties, the Hard Rock’s infamous Sunday Rehab often comes to mind. These parties show Vegas at its finest — or most terrifying, depending on your view. But even people who arrive terrified often feel just finnnnne a few cocktails in. Reopened a few days ago for its ninth season, Rehab features tons of booze, live DJs, and scantily-clad partiers you probably saw at Vanity the night before, who are taking the whole “hair of the dog” saying very seriously. Gents have to hand over $50 at the door (although we”d advise buying tickets in advance) while the ladies get in for just $30. But most claim that it’s worth the price; you just may find that special someone. For those who want to ensure they’ll have to spot to wind down if they need a reprieve from the partying, pricey daybeds and cabanas are available for rent.

Read More »

{ 0 comments }

Spring break is just the kick-off to a season of partying till dawn. You may or may not want to go as crazy as these girls, but either way you’ll want to check out these ten party hotels that won’t bust your budget.

Party Hotel #1: Clevelander Hotel, Miami 

It's a non-stop party at this SoBe landmark.

Built in 1938, the Clevelander has been a South Beach landmark for more than 70 years, known as much for its come-one, come-all parties as for its official duties as a hotel. A 60-room crash pad for fraternity-types, the Clevelander features nonstop parties raging at its three bars and two rooftop terraces all day and all night. The drinks are never watered down and clothing often tends to be optional — or at least, articles have been known to go missing after a few rum runners.
Read More »

{ 0 comments }

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Image by Yuri Kuzin/iStock Photo.

Erin Go Bragh, everyone! (FYI: That means “Ireland Forever.”) With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, you’re definitely in need of a watering hole to throw back a Guinness (or two, or three) this weekend — or at least an Irish pub to fill up on some Black & White pudding. We’re pretty excited about all the beef stew and Bailey’s we plan on imbibing on March 17th; if you still need a place to celebrate, try out one of these Irish pubs in a city near you. From the Emerald Isle itself all the way to the DR, we promise a good time — and at least a few Irish Car Bombs.
Read More »

{ 3 comments }

Spring break is fast approaching — thank goodness! We’re ready to say “goodbye” to the blizzards, tornadoes, you name it, of this winter and “hello” to fun in the sun. Well, plenty of fun in the sun can be found in Miami, where thousands of college spring breakers choose to spend their week off. But whether you’re a crazy co-ed, or of a more sophisticated crowd, there’s a spot for you in scene-y Miami. And why visit Miami if you’re not going to stay in South Beach? [Ed. note: There are actually plenty of reasons why one would choose to stay somewhere like Coral Gables or Fisher Island instead, but Spring Break in South Beach has a nice ring to it, right?] So we’ve hand-picked hotels for every kind of spring breaker: Want a 90%* chance of spotting a celeb? Want to party all night and sleep all day? Want to bring the whole family along? We have a spot for you.

Our Pick for Celebrity Sightings: Delano Hotel

Catch Bradley's eye at the Delano Hotel.

It’s harder to think of celebs who haven’t stayed at the Delano than those who have. Everyone from George Clooney to Beyonce, Sandra Bullock to Matthew McConaughey, Chris Rock to Justin Timberlake have all called the Delano home, at least for a night or two. The most recent sightings to add to the roster? Less than two weeks ago, Gerard Butler (sigh), Leonardo DiCaprio (double sigh), Bradley Cooper (triple sigh), and even Mel Gibson (uh, not so much) were spotted dining together at the hotel’s Bianca restaurant before heading downstairs to the FDR nightclub.

Read More »

{ 0 comments }

In our new series, Oyster Stats, we’re sharing surprising tidbits on a range of topics using data we’ve accumulated from our hotel coverage and site traffic. Our goal is not to provide scientific data but to provide interesting directional insights about travel trends.

The presidential debates have everyone all hot and bothered, and understandably so. As Election Day nears, voters are left questioning their parties and searching for proof that the person they plan on voting for will be the best suited for the job. Well, we here at Oyster.com can’t guarantee that, but we have collected some interesting evidence that may have you looking at the election — and particularly your fellow voters — in a new light. Check out our findings below.

Finding: Swing state residents are swingers.

 

It may come as a surprise to you that those who live in the most indecisive states are also the most likely to decide to dabble in a swing-tastic lifestyle — or it may not. After all, the more options, the better! In our research, we found that a significantly larger percentage of Oyster.com viewers residing in the swing states were checking out hotels on our site that encourage open relationships — such as Desire Resort & Spa Los Cabos, Desire Resort & Spa Riviera Maya, and Temptation Resort & Spa Cancun – than viewers in the red and blue states. So okay fine, we understand that this may not mean that swing state residents are actually more likely to be swingers. But it at least means that they’re more likely to have it on their minds!

Read More »

{ 0 comments }