We got in on an incredible hotel suite deal, but food and beverage of the $4.2bn Grand Hyatt Baha Mar resort are the true Pirates of the Caribbean. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Review: Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
With our new Disney Annual Passes, we find ourselves in Orlando but keep searching out the best value for money in the area. Previously, we loved Hilton Bonnet Creek and our daughter favored the bi-level suite at Hyatt Grand...
Man Busted For Using Rodents To Scam Free Hotel Rooms
A Utah man has been arrested for using mice and hamsters on multiple occasions to scam free hotel rooms. Police allege that Ryan Sentelle State, 37, had a go-to plan to secure free hotel rooms. He’d check in to...
My Top 10 Hotel Stays In 2019
As 2019 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on my 10 favorite hotel stays from 2019. As a reminder, this is not a top-1o all-time list nor does...
Review: Aleph Rome Hotel – Curio by Hilton
Rome is filled with low-rise boutique hotels and Aleph Rome Hotel, now part of Hilton’s Curio collection is just one such boutique hotel delivering luxury to the Eternal City. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
What Do People Steal From Hotel Rooms?
Pens, towels, and bathrobes…for sure. But what else do people steal from hotel rooms? A new survey offers fascinating results. Wellness Heaven is a German-based guide for luxury hotels. It surveyed 1,157 four and five star properties to probe...
Hoping For Trump Pardon, Two Turkeys Take Up Residence in Luxurious Willard InterContinental Hotel
Part of the pageantry of the White House is the annual turkey pardoning, which takes place today in the Rose Garden. For the two turkeys vying for one pardon, this has been a relaxing week at the Willard InterContinental...
Hyatt’s “Surprise and Delight” Does Just That
Hyatt began running a “surprise and delight” campaign for Globalist members of the hotel chain’s World of Hyatt program. The promotion is accomplishing its stated goal. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Should Hotels Ban Local Residents?
My knee-jerk answer is NO WAY, but hotels are not totally out-of-line for raising questions about local residents checking-in. The issue was brought to my attention by The Gate, which shared a story about an Illinois couple being denied...
Dear Expedia, Penalizing Resort Fees Is Only The Start…
Expedia, to its credit, will begin penalizing hotels with hidden resort fees by ranking them lower in search results. That may help in some cities, but what about Las Vegas, where every hotel tacks on these bogus fees? I...
My Take: A Clairvoyant Compromise On Single-Use Hotel Toiletries
I’ll admit at the outset that I am not in favor of hotels eliminating single-use toiletries. But, I’ve decided it is not worth losing sleep over. Instead, I’ve decided to bring my own. My two esteemed colleagues, Ben Schlappig...
Review: Chicago Athletic Association (Hyatt Unbound)
The Chicago Athletic Association is a new hotel to the Hyatt family but not a new property in downtown Chicago. Since joining Hyatt, this was our first chance to try the property and we loved it – with one...
Review: Brand New Park Hyatt Shenzhen – Suite
The brand new Park Hyatt Shenzhen perfects luxury high above southeastern China’s Silicon Valley. When given the opportunity to review the property, I couldn’t pass it up. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
21-Year-Old College Student Runs Texas Hotel Alone…For 32 Hours…During A Tropical Storm
Satchel Smith’s eight hour shift turned in a marathon 32-hour effort at a Homewood Suites in Beaumont, Texas. By the time his shift had ended, he was hailed a hero for single-handedly caring for so many hotel guests. Tropical...
Why Do Airlines, Hotels Limit Top Spenders Earnings?
Delta, United and American limit mileage earning on very expensive tickets, hotels stop giving incentives to stay more nights with them. Is this oversight, protection, or stupidity? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
My New Favorite Hotel In Barcelona
I was recently in Barcelona and had the chance to check out two Hyatt properties. One did not impress me at all. But one I fell in love with…and cannot wait to return. I arrived late into Barcelona and...
The Solution To My Orange Juice Woes In Hotels and Airport Lounges
The solution to my orange juice woes was right under my nose…literally. Ok, I think we need a disclaimer to start. This is one of the ultimate first world problems. But that’s what this blog is about, so let’s...
A Maid Walked In On Me…Naked
I really need to follow my own advice on locking the deadbolt in hotel rooms. Here’s another friendly reminder via an unfortunate anecdote. I spent the night at the Sheraton Milan Malpensa, a great hotel if you have a...
A Restful Sunday At The Swanky Shangri-La In Colombo
Warm Sunday greetings from Colombo. It has been a fabulous day of rest here as I take a break before boomeranging back to East Asia on Monday. The Shangri-La has truly impressed me. I realize I haven’t discussed my...
Honolulu Desperately Needs An Airport Hotel!
Oh Honolulu, so quaint in so many ways. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is in desperate need of a proper airport hotel. There must be an opportunity for an enterprising investment firm to construct a lucrative on-site hotel....