Designed by Arch Group, a Russian architect firm, the Sleepbox takes the Japanese capsule hotel concept—which, quite frankly, gives me claustrophobic panic attacks just thinking about—mixes in some serious Fifth Element–reminiscent design, and gives you a (tiny) space that could actually be tolerable (and affordable) in a pinch, though definitely for short stays only.
While Labor Day may serve as a sad reminder that the summer is coming to an end, who cares if the days are about to start getting cooler? Don’t let that stop you from booking a fantastic retreat! With that in mind, we’d like to bring your attention to the three new fab getaways being offered at Vacationist.com:
USA TODAY | Unlike most other non-smoking states, Wisconsin in July passed a statewide smoking ban that bans smoking in every hotel guestroom.
In most states that have banned smoking in public places, such as Kansas, the legislation allows hoteliers to exempt a certain percentage of guestrooms.
But in Wisconsin, "there can be zero rooms" that allow smoking in sleeping rooms, Trisha Pugal, CEO of Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association told me in an interview.
And the new law is causing "a major culture change" for hoteliers and guests alike.
After a long, indulgent summer, a carefree respite may be just what the travel doctor orders. That's why this week’s Vacationist deals promise serene surroundings and quiet luxury. But if you’re truly looking for a serious cleanse, we prescribe Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita. Read on for the details.
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita – up to 30% off Puerto Morelos, Mexico Wellness is so integral to this 14-acre Riviera Maya property that its signature Endless Privileges experience includes Hydrothalasso pool and cold plunge access, anti-aging diagnostics, in-room massages, and nutrition consultations. Two bars and three restaurants offer specialties like the Water Cellar... (5 days left)
This year's New York Fashion Week won't be at the iconic tents at Bryant Park but will instead move up to Lincoln Center—a cultural destination all its own. Fashionable hotels city wide are embracing the change.
Wall Street Journal | On the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, tourism in New Orleans is growing at one of the fastest paces in the U.S., but it remains a fraction of its pre-hurricane levels.
In 2004, New Orleans saw a record 10.1 million visitors; in 2006, post-Katrina, the number had dropped to 3.7 million. But 7.9 million tourists visited New Orleans in 2009, and of the 25 top U.S. destinations, New Orleans had the second-highest growth of revenue per available room in the first half of 2010, according to a report from hotel-industry research and consulting firm Smith Travel Research Inc. (...)
Kelly Schulz, a spokeswoman for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, a nonprofit that promotes tourism in the region, says next to rebuilding infrastructure, the biggest challenge the tourism industry faced post-Katrina was "convincing people that it was safe to come back." Photo credit: Philip Scalia / Alamy.
This week it’s a mix of preppy and modern on Vacationist, and both hotels are offering big discounts off their standard room rates. So, if an East Coast getaway is what you’re after now, Vacationist delivers.
Built with the modern yacht-owning crowd in mind, this chic boutique hotel, opened in 2010 on Narragansett Bay, has its own marina with parking for super-sized conveyances. But even if you don't know bow from stern, the bobbing masts make for great views from the rooms, as well as picturesque dining.
The sun may be setting on summer, but a true Vacationist knows the art of getting away anytime—be it slipping off before Labor Day, or planning a proper getaway as fall rushes in. Fortunately, there are plenty of hotel offers and experiences this week to choose, from a posh dalliance on the French Riviera or a retro-chic retreat right in Santa Monica:
Le Cavendish — up to 21 percent off Cannes, France
This sumptuous Belle Époque original was built in 1897 with half-moon balconies and caryatid columns and refurbished in 2001 as the city's first four-star boutique hotel… (3 days left)
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (previously the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower) is reopening on August 15, in celebration of India’s Independence Day, after extensive restorations on the waterfront 1903 flagship property’s Palace Wing.
The 107-year-old heritage wing of the hotel was badly damaged when terrorists stormed the hotel, taking hostages, and burning rooms in the November 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which also affected the Oberoi hotel (the hotel reopened in April). Mumbai, it appears, is starting a new chapter.
Orbitz just announced the release of its revamped search engine, making the process of finding and comparing hotels that much simpler. What new features can you expect to see on the site?
Now when you search for hotels, you'll be able to compare property details on the results page; view an expandable interactive map (which not only plots the hotel, but shows its actual current rate); filter results by star/user ratings, price, and amenities offered; and my favorite: view the hotel via Google Street View (where available), so you know exactly what you're looking for when you show up. (Not to mention, take a look at the surrounding neighborhood.)
Wall Street Journal
