Russian firm reveals plans for a “space hotel”

by McLean Robbins on




The newest hotel plans in development are far out … literally. Russian firm Orbital Technologies revealed plans for a space hotel at a conference in Moscow this week. The hotel has a predicted 2016 opening, the Daily Mail reports.

Initial data suggests that a five day stay will cost around £100,000, not counting transportation costs of £250,000+.

The “hotel” will be “far more comfortable” than the International Space Station, says Orbital CEO Sergei Kostenko, and will feature seven guests in four cabins. The hotel “pod” will occupy 706 cubic feet and feature massive windows 217 miles above earth and be accessible via Russian Soyuz rockets.

Beds will have a horizontal or vertical option as well as sealed showers.

“Our planned module inside will not remind you of the ISS,” Kostenko said. “The hotel will be aimed at wealthy individuals and people working for private companies who want to do research in space.”

Kostenko aims to have his project finished before that of Virgin exec Richard Branson.

What do you think? Would you visit the space hotel?

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Marriott developing tallest hotel in NYC

by McLean Robbins on

Marriott’s newest planned hotel will be a new fixture in the New York City skyline for more reasons than one. According to a deal signed last week, the new hotel venture will combine the Courtyard and Residence Inn brands to form a single 752 foot tall hotel, the tallest of its kind (without office or residential space) in New York.

The hotel will also have retail and restaurant space with a main entrance and on 54th Street.

According to an article on Boston.com, the Courtyard hotel will have 378 rooms on floors six through 32, while the Residence Inn will occupy floors 36 through 64. The hotels will share a fitness facility on the 34th floor.

Don’t get too excited, however. The hotel isn’t opening until late 2013.

Video: The worst youth hostel ad you will ever see

by Melanie Renzulli on

Youth hostels. You don’t expect too much from them except a bunk, a breakfast, and a budget-friendly rate. A hostel in Sydney, however, is betting it has every amenity that a backpacker could want and has mashed them together in this god-awful video.

From the 2001: A Space Odyssey intro to the autotune at the end, the video for 790 on George has managed to make what seems to be a perfectly nice hostel in downtown Sydney into a hellhole full of explosions and honking horns. Then there’s the Michael Cera look-alike giving the thumbs-up at every turn.

The whole production is a train wreck and is enough to scare away this traveler. But I’m sure there will be a small segment of backpackers that will want to stay at 790 on George for the ironic value. Let’s hope that an uptick in guests will enable the hostel to increase its advertising budget next time around.


Five days, five diamonds at The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas

by McLean Robbins on

We’re not normally ones to report on PR stunts, but when the prizes are diamonds … well, we can’t resist. Las Vegas‘ The Venetian and The Palazzo are celebrating the honor of being named AAA Five Diamond resorts with a five-day scavenger hunt taking place this week.

Each day, guests and visitors will search and win prizes, hoping to ultimately find one of the diamond pendants hidden each day in the resorts.

From restaurants and lounges to the resorts’ amenities and attractions, the ‘Five Day, Five Diamond Scavenger Hunt’ will test guests’ knowledge of the world’s largest resort complex. Contestants must follow The Palazzo on Twitter at @PalazzoLasVegas and The Venetian at @VenetianVegas to receive the resorts’ clues posted daily. To enter, contestants must take a self-photo with the diamond and properly include the resort’s Twitter username and the #5day5diamond hash tag.

Winners will be randomly selected each day and announced via Twitter. Possible prizes available to win include a two night stay at The Venetian or The Palazzo, show tickets to one of the resorts’ acclaimed shows, dinner for two, a private gondola ride, a gift certificate to The Grand Canal Shoppes and The Shoppes at The Palazzo and an 18 karat white gold pendant with round white diamonds and white diamond center stone from jewelry designer Simon G..

Top ten Labor Day destinations compiled by Hotwire

by McLean Robbins on

Travelers looking to make Labor Day reservations are fast approaching a crossroads – should they book now and hope for cheaper fares (particularly with advance reservation discounts and lower air prices outside of the 14-day window) or wait and see if a last-minute deal arises?

If you’re considering a variety of cities for your last hurrah of summer, Hotwire has compiled some interesting data on the top ten cities (based on room rates) booked by customers for the September 1 – 6 window.

Thankfully, all of the most-booked destinations have affordable hotel options, with the average prices in most cases well under the $200 mark.

These destinations are:
1. New York, NY, $195
2. Boston, MA, $129
3. Chicago, IL, $90
4. Las Vegas, NV, $95
5. San Francisco, CA, $135
6. Toronto, ON, Canada, $93
7. Vancouver, BC, Canada, $116
8. San Diego, CA, $94
9. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, $59
10. Washington, D.C., $89

Where will you be traveling this Labor Day? Or are you sticking close to home?

[Flickr via Leo Newball]