Vancouver

Romantic Eco-Friendly Stays

by Devon on May 16, 2013

The Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa is just one of our favorite eco stays!

For eco-minded couples, choosing the right getaway means finding a spot that pleases both your partner and Mother Earth. Some couples opt for an au natural vibe on their trips, while others just want to practice a clean-conscience approach to travel. For those who love tree-hugging just as much as they snuggling up with that special someone, we’ve found the best hotels for environmentally-friendly duos who don’t want to skimp on the romance.

 

Tagged as: Albuquerque, Aspen, Belize, California, Cape Cod, Eco-Friendly, Jamaica, Los Angeles, New York City, Puerto Rico, Vancouver

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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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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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Oyster Q&A: Popping the Question with a Proposal Planner

by Devon on December 5, 2012

Before "Here Comes the Bride" comes the proposal.

There’s nothing we love more than discovering exclusive services at our favorite hotels. (Why, yes! Foofers and I would love a pawlm reading from your in-house pet psychic!) Though some of these services may be a tad over-the-top, others provide truly unique experiences for their guests — that can be helpful, too! One of our favorite one-of-a-kind guest services comes by way of the Proposal Planner at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver — and she’s not there for your business meeting. As the only  hotel “Engagement Concierge” in Canada, and possibly the world, Kristie Kent is a dream-come-true for any hopeful-grooms needing some help with popping the question.

We recently sat down with Kent, officially called the Fairmont’s Special Event, Wedding, and Proposal Planner, to talk everything engagement and wedding-related. Since taking on the prestigious position, Kent has worked alongside her clients to create completely unique experiences by customizing the hotel’s proposal packages. Options start at just $200, but can go up to $11,000-plus with options such as the “Rock Star” package, which includes a chauffeur-driven BMW, a jeweler visit with a personal shopper, and a candlelit dinner on the rooftop terrace of the Owner’s Suites (a.k.a. the “Rock Star Suite”). The hotel also offers a la carte options for proposals, with romantic amenities such as horse-drawn carriages, private sunset cruises, spa treatments, and more. Check out our interview after the jump. Read More »

Tagged as: Oyster Q&A, Vancouver

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Oyster’s Fact or Fakeout: White-Glove Afternoon Tea Service, Dirt-Cheap Rooms in Vancouver, and More!

by Carolina on December 4, 2012

Deluxe Room at the Hotel Healdsburg; Healdsburg, CA

Deluxe Room at the Hotel Healdsburg; Healdsburg, CA

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Hotel Healdsburg’s Afternoon Tea encourages kids to take part in the service by offering white gloves and fans for girls, and top hats and fake mustaches for boys.

2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The St. Regis Hotel in Vancouver is celebrating its centennial with $10 rooms for bookings between December and April.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Four Seasons Boston’s “Raid the Fridge!” package invites guests to take anything (and everything) they want from the hotel kitchen’s fridge every Saturday evening.

4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? During Ink48′s second annual Santa Paws event — at which pets can sit on Santa’s lap for photo ops — guests can enter a drawing for a free night stay..

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The RIU Palace Macao in Punta Cana will be turned into a women-only hotel in 2013. More RIU properties will follow.

Check out the answers after the jump!

Read More »

Tagged as: Boston, Fact or Fakeout, New York City, Punta Cana, Sonoma County, Vancouver

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The Best Road Trips From: Seattle

by Rachel on July 26, 2012

The Best Road Trips is a weekly summer series highlighting our favorite getaways from major cities all over the United States.

Seattle may be known as the home of grunge rock, Starbucks coffee, and grey skies, but that doesn’t mean its residents are grim. In fact, the city has one of the lowest crime rates in the entire country; and has both beautiful scenery and a bangin’ nightlife scene. But should locals (or visitors!) need a day off the java or a weekend without rain, there are plenty of nearby places to check out. The best part — each of these three trips takes less than three hours to drive, meaning if you only have one day to spend outside of Seattle, you can do it up right. So pack your bags, slather on some SPF (hey, you can burnt when there are clouds!) and hop in the whip — we’ve got some miles to cover.

Road Trip #1: Seattle to San Juan Islands, WA

  • Total Driving Time: 2 hours, 46 minutes
  • Distance Covered: 104 miles
  • Take This Trip If: You’re looking for an island escape that doesn’t require a transcontinental flight.
San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands offer Seattlites a quick break from city life.

The Outlook Inn

The Outlook Inn offers amazing views from its perch on Orca Island.

Bird Rock Hotel

The Bird Rock Hotel is within walking distance of the ferry landing.

The San Juan Islands (a collection of around 800; 600 of the isles are unnamed) are a popular summer getaway for Washingtonians, and have a relaxed, back-to-nature vibe; expect farmlands, evergreen forests, nature trails, whale-watching, and mom-and-pop shops. Popular activities include hiking, wildlife spotting (whale-watching in particular is common, and the Shark Reef trail on Lopez Island leads to a harbor seal hangout), sailing, and kayaking. For those days when it does rain, the islands have several wineries, farms, and museums. Although properties are more intimate than luxurious, the Outlook Inn is a romantic boutique that boasts killer views of Eastsound from almost anywhere you can stand. Service is incredibly personalized, and perks like free Wi-Fi and fresh food from an on-site cafe make this hotel a choice pick. Those with slimmer budgets should check out the Bird Rock Hotel, a charming, 15-room no-frills B&B. The hotel’s central location, though, is definitely the highlight — just a block from the ferry landing, and within walking distance to plenty of shopping and dining in downtown Friday Harbor.

  • Top Driving Tip: In peak season (summer), the ferries fill up fast — so you’ll need to arrive early in order to ensure you get on board, as the lines can take hours to get through. You can find the latest ferry schedule here.

Read More »

Tagged as: Boutique Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Portland, Road Trips, Romantic Hotels, San Juan Islands, Seattle, Value Hotels, Vancouver

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The Top 10 Sexiest Nude Beaches

by Jane on February 6, 2012

Sun and sand is great and all, but some (us included) would argue that a beachy setting gets better when the clothes come off. Think of a nude beach as your new and improved wingman — its mere presence allows you to skip the whole how-do-I-get-him-or-her-out-of-their-clothes predicament. So come and get the skinny on our favorite nude beaches.

The Nude Beach: Haulover Beach; Miami, FL
The Best Hotel for the Beach: ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa

The Beach at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa; Miami, FL

The beach at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa; Miami, FL

WHY WE LOVE THE BEACH: Though Miami is topless-friendly just about everywhere, Haulover Beach is the only true nude beach in this spring break hotspot. The waters are crystal clear, the soft sand is debris-free, plus there are tons of on-beach amenities. Haulover has lifeguards (in swimsuits, unfortunately), food and drink vendors, and plenty of organized activities like birthday-suit volleyball, although we recommend not going for the save.

WHY WE WANT TO STAY HERE: Less than a 5-minute drive from Haulover Beach, ONE Bal Harbour has a prime location for seeing some skin. Plus, this luxury resort has massive suites, a 10,000-square-foot spa, and over $4 million dollars worth of modern art.

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Tagged as: Costa Rica, Hawaii, Jamaica, La Jolla, Miami, San Francisco, St. Barths, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Valentine's Day, Vancouver

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A Non-Skier’s Guide to a Ski Town

by Jane on November 30, 2011

Everyone promised that you would have skiing down in no time, right? Instead, you got stuck on the “Magic Carpet” and could barely manage the “pizza” while ski-clad tots were gracefully whizzing past you. Trust us, we’ve been there. But after many failed attempts at tricky ski maneuvers like getting off the ski-lift without face planting, we’ve learned a new trick: how to find the coolest non-skiing activities in ski towns. In fact, ski towns have a lot more to offer than just the slopes — we promise! So for those of you who got roped into a ski-centric vacation, check out our favorite non-skier activities in nine ski destinations below.

Vail

The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort

The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort

Ice-skate: If you’d rather not hit the slopes, ice-skating is a great way to still get outdoors and get your heart rate pumping. There is an ice-skating rink right out the front door of The Arrabelle in Vail Square, with views of the slopes, the village, and the massive Christmas tree.

The Sebastian - Vail

The Sebastian - Vail

Go on a Dogsled Tour: While your friends are out enjoying the fresh powder on the slopes, you can be too — but in the comfort of a horse, er, dog-drawn sleigh. Winterhawk Dogsled Adventures runs daily tours in Alaskan husky-drawn sleds; the basic tour explores the expansive grounds of the historic 4 Eagle Ranch, while adventure tours run across more remote terrain at a higher altitude. The concierge at The Sebastian can arrange a tour for you, even ahead of your stay.

Read More »

Tagged as: Aspen, Breckenridge, Ice Skating, Jackson Hole, Lake Placid, Park City, Salt Lake City, Vail, Vancouver, Whistler

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8 Rugged Mancations For The Urban Gentleman

by Hilary on November 2, 2011

If you’re citified but like to hike, a foodie but ride your bike more than your car, or use your Patagonia Solar Wind Jacket for a city blizzard, you can consider yourself Urban Rugged by Oyster’s standards.

These destinations and hotels are rustic-chic with lots to do, whether it’s hiking, cycling, shopping, going to art galleries or eating in top notch restaurants. At these eight hotels, you can always tap into your natural — and metropolitan — side.

The Travaasa Hana, Maui, Hawaii

The Travaasa Hana hotel overlooking Hana Bay delivers rustic luxury in the middle of Maui’s lush, secluded east coast. It has incredible service, a long list of stuff to do and only 70 rooms on acres of uncrowded property. The rooms are large, clean, sleekly furnished — and stripped of TVs, clocks and radios. Though it’s hard to reach, it’s worth the trip. The gorgeous, secluded location near hikes, waterfalls and beaches, excellent cuisine using local products, one of the most beautiful spa facilities on the island and unmatched personalized touches make this hotel one of your best choices in Hawaii.

Travaasa Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Travaasa Hana, Maui, Hawaii

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Tagged as: Hawaii, Maui, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Sedona, Vail, Vancouver

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