Tag: hotels
Should you take a villa vacation?
Whether it’s at the city or beach, a villa vacation has many appeals over conventional hotels and resorts.
Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel: A good night’s sleep without frills
Originally built in 1976, the four-star Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel has 764 renovated rooms spread over 31 floors, many with views of the Seine River and some even offering a peek at the Eiffel Tower. Contemporary in décor and design, the hotel has a relaxed feel, with a lobby that always seems to be bustling.
A peek at the Mandarin Oriental Paris on Rue Saint-Honore
Inarguably, the location of the Mandarin Oriental Paris is exceptional. The hotel is situated on Rue Saint-Honoré, one of the oldest streets in the city, which is dotted with 17th and 18th century mansions. The street is home to upscale boutiques and rows of fashion houses with recognizable names: Hermes, Gucci, Longchamps, Chanel, Tom Ford, Jimmy…
Guest Post: A grownup girlfriend getaway to the Beverly Hills Hotel
If you are in the vicinity of Los Angeles/Hollywood, go all out for a night or two at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel. Expensive? Yes. But the service and ambience makes it worth every piece of gold you have to sell to get there. Cut corners on dining and forget spa services, but treat yourself to this A-list experience once in your life.
A sybaritic weekend in Paris: Memorable but costly
When our 30th anniversary was approaching, my husband and I realized we had never been to Paris as a couple. We decided that this milestone was a good as any excuse for planning an over-the-top weekend celebration. Paris is so rich and monumental—in terms of history, cuisine, art and culture—that mapping out an itinerary, particularly…
Upscale hotel toiletries too good to leave behind
Some of the miniature toiletries at upscale hotels and resorts are so beautifully bottled, fabulously scented and downright seductive they seem to dare guests: Try me. See if you can resist taking me home! Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts partnered with Salvatore Ferragamo Parfums to place an exclusive line of Tuscan Soul amenity products in…
Guess what’s in the hotel minibar now?
Once upon a time, hotel minibars were generic. All the mini-fridges looked the same; typically had the same offerings (soda, beer, liquor miniatures, and some candy and nuts)—and consistently induced a case of acute sticker-shock when guests located the price list. Even as a chocoholic, I had to be desperate to grab a candy bar…
9 Tips: How to save on restaurant and travel flash sales
Everyone loves a good deal, especially when it comes to luxuries such as vacations and eating out. Online marketers know that too. That’s why you’re seeing seductive invitations for online flash sales for travel and restaurant meals. The Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research, in a research snapshot from August, reported that flash-sale travel deals…
All-Inclusives are coming of age
The design and decor of the Secrets Marquis Los Cabos exude high-end luxury. A dramatic open-air reception lobby, with an arc-shaped roof, frames an expansive view of the Sea of Cortez. Each of the 235 ocean-view suites and casitas has a balcony overlooking three infinity pools and the sandy beach. In addition to a 15,000-square-foot…
Saving money on vacation rentals
A growing number of websites are cropping up linking travelers directly with private individuals who rent out their homes, apartments, or spare bedrooms for short periods of time. Peer-to-peer vacation rentals attract value-conscious consumers because they don’t involve hefty brokerage fees and help them avoid more costly hotel stays. Another benefit: They allow travelers a…
Cozy up for afternoon tea: Six cities, Six different blends
Pausing for a relaxing afternoon tea service in an elegant setting can be a delightful indulgence, whether you’re in your hometown or visiting another city. The Duchess of Bedford started the tradition in the mid-1800s when she began inviting friends to share tea and a snack in-between the two meals a day customarily eaten by…
Upscale hotels flirt with hourly rates
With the economy tanking, upscale hotels are taking advantage of the daytime hours by offering tourists a place to rest, wait, prepare or snuggle —at hourly rates. Manhattan’s posh Le Parker Meridien has rooms that overlook Central Park. Understandably, the hotel’s spicy promotion just before and after Valentine’s Day raised eyebrows — $150 for a four-hour…
Traveling with multiple cameras, we try not to miss any what-once-were Kodak moments. My husband and travel companion, Jerry, took most of the photos on the site using a 
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