Puerto Rico

Oyster’s Fact or Fakeout: $87,000 Spa Packages, Election Day Flash Sales, and More!

by Carolina on November 6, 2012

The Madison One-Bedroom Suite at The Mark; New York, NY

The Madison One-Bedroom Suite at The Mark; New York, NY

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Emma Stone, Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts, Jonah Hill and Marc Jacobs were all spotted hanging out in The Mark’s lobby during Hurricane Sandy.

2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino will offer a free weekend stay in the property to every guest that posts pictures on the hotel’s Facebook or Twitter pages proving that he or she voted today.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? P. Diddy recently crashed his car right outside The Beverly Hills Hotel after another driver swerved in front of his Cadillac Escalade.

4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Four Seasons’ $71,000 Around-the-World Tour By Private Jet package includes a stop at the Four Seasons Hualalai, which was selected due to its convenient on-site landing strip.

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta is offering an $87,000 spa package that includes stem cell treatments and hair transplants.

Check out the answers after the jump!

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Tagged as: Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Big Island, Fake or Fakeout, Hawaii, New York, Puerto Rico

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Post-Sandy Caribbean Rundown: How Your Favorite Islands Fared

by Kelsey on October 31, 2012

If you have an upcoming vacay booked for the Caribbean, don’t despair — plenty of resorts are up and running after the storm. And even if you don’t have a trip planned, we know many travelers grow attached to their favorite hotels and vacation destinations; a reader wrote us just the other day asking how her favorite resort in Jamaica was doing post-Sandy. So Oyster.com decided to let her — and all of you — know how each of your favorite islands in the storm’s path fared, and share the recent social media updates from some of our favorite resorts in each place.

Jamaica

Sandy did make landfall in Jamaica as a Category 1 hurricane, and the island suffered one death and $16.5 million worth of worth of damage (crops such as coffee, bananas, and coconuts were all impacted). But tourist resorts for the most part were only minimally affected.

Half Moon had no damage aside from a few fallen tree limbs and debris and is fully operational.

Half Moon is fully operational, and had no damage aside from some fallen tree limbs and debris.

Oyster’s Post-Sandy Resort Pick: Half Moon, Jamaica

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Tagged as: Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico

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Monday Morning Ahhhh: Villa Montana Beach Resort

by Rachel on August 13, 2012

This morning’s mini-break comes courtesy of Villa Montana Beach Resort, in the Puerto Rican town of Aguadilla. Although it doesn’t have the glitz that hotels on the Condado in San Juan may share, it offers an incredible stretch of secluded beach, several gorgeous outdoor pools with bars, and a more romantic, quiet vibe. Who needs nightlife when you can hang out one of those amazing, coral lounge chairs — sunrise, all day, and well past sunset. So as we always say, take a deep breath, sit back, relax and soak in the goodness that is Villa Montana’s beach.

The beach in Aguadilla is way quieter than some of Puerto Rico's more party-oriented hotels located in San Juan.

 

Tagged as: Monday Morning Ahhhh, Puerto Rico, Romantic Hotels

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Hang Ten, Brah: The 5 Best Places to Surf this Summer

by Carolina on June 11, 2012

It happens to us every morning — as we’re commuting to work, we doze off and imagine we’re part of the strings of tanned, lean bodies flocking to the beach, surfboard in hand — instead of on the subway. Well, it’s time to stop daydreaming, get your boss to approve your time off, and catch the next flight out of town — we’ve shared our favorite spots to practice the most popular and coolest summer sport. And whether you are an experienced surfer or just looking to learn, rest easy: we’ve got you covered.

1. OAHU, HI

Sunset Surfing in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

Sunset Surfing in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii is known as the Mecca of surfing, but Oahu’s North Shore is the icing on the cake. It’s probably not for amateurs, though, as waves are a good size and are better enjoyed with a little practice (not that we’d be the ones to to tell you). Some of the world’s top surf competitions take place here, and anyone who’s ever been on a surf board will recognize names such as Pipeline, Log Cabins and Waimea Bay — home to some of the best waves around. Granted, the island can get crowded, but few places in the world boast waves like these.

Best Spot to Surf: Turtle Bay, Radz and Graters are arguably the best, as they are all open to the swells of the northernmost spot on the island. All are for experienced surfers and close to each other.

Best Spot to Sleep: Turtle Bay Resort is a 448-unit resort on the scenic, isolated North Shore with an unbeatable array of amenities — two 18-hole golf courses, a stable, helicopter rides — plus five miles of shoreline with wonderful waves, and great restaurants.

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Tagged as: Boutique Hotels, Costa Rica, Luxury Hotels, Oahu, Puerto Rico, Riviera Nayarit, San Diego, Water Sports

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Some of the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches

by Carolina on May 21, 2012

The Villa Montana Beach Resort; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

The Villa Montana Beach Resort; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

What’s more relaxing than hearing the sound of the waves gently lapping against the fine golden sand while you snooze under a palapa?  (Answer: Nothing. Duh.) Whether planning a family trip, a romantic tryst, or a long weekend away with friends, choosing the best beach is probably as important — or more — as booking the right hotel for your vacation. But nobody said it was easy to decide, with the many gorgeous options we’ve curated just for your (rainy day) viewing pleasure.

Tagged as: Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Miami, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos

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Secret Gardens: 10 Ways to Transform Your Sanctuary for Summer

by Kelsey on May 3, 2012

Grounds at Vintners Inn in Sonoma

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

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Spring Break Spots for the Modern Man

by Zach on March 5, 2012

Ah, Spring Break: Those booze-fueled glory days you spent partying in Cancun, Panama City, and Lake Powell feel like they were just yesterday. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to convince yourself (and those around you) that someone beyond the age of 22 should still be hitting the beaches with throngs of college kids. Luckily, there are plenty of places for the mature, modern man to take a spring break of his own without feeling like a seventh-year senior. These party spots offer more than just shooter girls and wet t-shirt contests.

Palm Springs, California

The Swim Club Pool at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club; Palm Springs, CA

Not so long ago, Palm Springs was a sleepy desert town that catered to geriatrics. Then a little festival called Coachella was born and the scene hasn’t been the same since. The cool kids flocking from L.A. on the weekends have supported the rise of an awesome nightlife scene in a town that caters to everyone from dirty hipster to rock god.

Hotels to Check Out: Just like at its sister properties, the parties at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club are the stuff of legends. The two pools host music events each weekend (usually with well-known DJs), and rooms are decked out with amenities like turntables and iPod docks.


Check out more Spring Break spots after the jump.

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Tagged as: Amsterdam, Montreal, Palm Springs, Puerto Rico, Spring Break Hotels, Whistler

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Foto Friday: An Artsy Retreat

by Hilary on August 19, 2011

The Gallery Inn, Puerto Rico

The Gallery Inn, Puerto Rico

Owned by the same couple for decades, the historic Gallery Inn is run like an informal B&B — guests are greeted by name, much of what the restaurant serves is grown in the garden, and no two rooms are the same (though they do share lots of Spanish-style charm). Also like a B&B, the hotel lacks amenities such as TVs and a fitness center. The property’s main draws include the convenient Old San Juan location, ocean views from the wine deck, and the artsy, laid-back feel. The innkeepers are both artists, and it’s evident they put thought into every detail of the restoration — expect beautiful old-world details like brick floors, wood beam ceilings, rich rugs, sculptures, and antique knickknacks.

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Tagged as: Foto Friday, Puerto Rico

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