Report: Summer forecast improves for hotels

by Melanie Nayer on

Summer has always been the peak travel season for U.S. travelers. While the past few summers have kept more Americans at home than usual, the summer of 2010 is shaping up to be a much better travel season, especially for hotels.

According to STR’s revised 2010 summer forecast, the U.S. hotel industry is forecast to end the summer with increases in all three key performance metrics in year-over-year comparisons – occupancy, daily rate and revenue.

For the months of June, July and August, STR – a worldwide leader in hotel benchmarking and research statistics – anticipates hotel occupancy to increase 4.3 percent to 64.4 percent; the increase in average daily room rate will rise 0.1 percent to $97.17; and revenue per available room will increase 4.5 percent to $62.60.

This is a successful jump from the summer of 2009, when STR reported occupancy fell 9.1 percent to 61.7 percent; average daily room rates dropped 9.6 percent to $97.15 from the previous year, and revenue for available room was down 17.8 percent to $59.96.

What’s this mean for travelers? The economy is still on the up-and-up and travelers are starting to resurface and indulge in their favorite travel traditions. If you haven’t already booked a vacation, it’s time to make some buying decisions. As hotels start to book at occupancy, less rooms will be available for discounts or upgrades. Want a few tips? Check out: Ask Gadling: Getting the most (hotel) bang for your buck.

[via HotelMarketing.com]

Pianos being installed at NYC landmarks

by Jason Heflin on

Those who love to tickle the ivories will now be able to spread that love in a much more public way thanks to the “Play Me, I’m Yours” project. Sing for Hope has coordinated a public art project which is installing 60 pianos at New York City landmarks. Each instrument was decorated uniquely by local artists. The pianos are located in parks streets and public areas across the city and are open to the anyone from today until July 5th. Maps are available online for those wishing to visit the pianos.

The public will be allowed to play the pianos from 9 AM until 10 PM each day at iconic spots such as Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge. An attendant has been assigned to keep an eye on each instrument and cover them with a tarp in case of inclement weather.

British artist Luke Jerram conceptualized the idea. Before New York, he brought his idea to other cities around the globe such as Sao Paulo and London. In an interview Jerram said, “There’s going to be a huge amount of talent here. The piano’s actually a blank canvas for everyone’s creativity, really, so I just hope that the city enjoys it.”

Billings Rimrock Auto Arena shredded by tornado

by Jason Heflin on

The MetraPark Entertainment and Trade Center in Billings, Montana was ravaged yesterday by a monstrous tornado. Several businesses in the Heights neighborhood also sustained heavy damage. The MetraPark’s Rimrock Auto Arena is a major concert and event venue in the region and draws tourists from across Montana and Wyoming.

The storm struck around 4:30 PM yesterday and was accompanied by heavy rain, hail, and lightning. The arena was scheduled to host the Antiques Roadshow this coming weekend and several other events throughout the summer. Yellowstone County Commissioner John Ostlund toured the area Sunday and said, “A total disaster, absolutely nothing is left of it.” The is no word yet on when the arena will reopen or if events will be moved elsewhere while repairs are made.

*Warning, this video contains profanity.

Buccaneer Bob flies the skull and crossbones aboard the Chicago Wacky Pirate Cruises

by Scott Carmichael on

Mercury’s Chicago Skyline cruises are a fantastic way to see (what I consider to be) the best skyline in the world. Thing is, young kids are usually not all that interested in hearing how Daniel Burnham designed the lake front, or the history of the Museum Campus. So, between now and August 21, kids can board a pirate ship from the Wacker Drive Pirate Cove and learn fun facts from a real pirate.

The pirate ship departs Friday mornings at 10:30 am and Saturdays at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm from the lower southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

Once on board, Buccaneer Bob combines fun architecture facts with maritime history and helps kids learn the Wacky Pirate Oath. At the end of the cruise, all kids receive a certificate of survival (except those that had to walk the plank). The certificate also provides discounts at a local restaurant.

Tickets for the Wacky Pirate Cruise are $23 for adults and $13 for kids (2-12 years old). Tickets can be purchased at the dockside box office, from www.wackypiratecruise.com or at (312) 332 1366.

Video: The weirdest hotels in the world

by Gadling Staff on

Want to try something different this vacation? How about staying in one of the weird hotels in the world? Whether you want to unleash your inner mermaid or spend time repenting your sins in prison, these hotels offer everything for the truly strange-at-heart. On the flip side, at least you don’t have to worry about showing your friends boring old vacation pictures…

Do you ever wonder how Tarzan and Jane felt swing though the trees? Well wonder no longer! At the Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel in Brazil you live in the tree tops. This hotel is actually built in the tree tops of the Amazon Rainforest.

Ever wonder how it would feel to live like a caveman? Well now you can! The Madonna Inn Hotel in San Luis Obispo, Calif., features a caveman room equipped with it’s own waterfall and caveman mallet.

If being a caveman or cave-women is not your style, how about an igloo? At the Icehotel in Sweden, everything is made of ice, well, ice. As you can see in the video, even the furniture is made out of ice. Make sure to pack your wool socks!

Want all the amenities without breaking the bank? Are you okay with small spaces? Then this hotel is for you! It is a Japanese capsule hotel and it has everything you need: TV, alarm clock, and radio.

If the capsule hotel is not for you, how about a concrete tee-pee? The Wigwam hotel in Arizona features tee-pees instead of rooms. This hotel definitely gives you the feel of being in another place and time.

Ever wonder how the little mermaid felt living under the sea? Well now you can at the Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Florida. You are promised a great view!

Guilty conscious? No fear! Alleviate your suffering by spending time in the Alcatraz hotel located in Kaiserslautern, Germany. You even get your own prison-striped pajamas!

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Think you might have been a rock star in another life? The Hard Days Night hotel in Liverpool, England is the world’s only hotel devoted to the Beatles. You can play the piano in the John Lennon Suite. Sorry, screaming fans not included.