Couples can win a trip to Fiji, courtesy of CheapOair

by McLean Robbins on

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about roses and chocolates. How about a trip to Fiji? CheapOair is playing cupid and giving away a free trip for the couple that wins their “Crazy in Love” contest.

All lovebirds are asked to send in a 30-second video that answers the question “What makes you and your significant other unique?” It could be a hobby or a special talent or anything that shows how the couple is exciting and distinctive. Once uploaded, the video is automatically entered into the contest and showcased on CheapOair’s YouTube Channel. The winner will be announced on CheapOair’s blog and Facebook page on Valentine’s Day.

The lucky couple will win roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles to Fiji, courtesy of Air Pacific, and a 5-night stay at the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island. And if they’re ready to tie the knot, Paradise Brides will even set them up with a wedding coordinator, license certificate and everything they’ll need for their big day.

It’s contests like this one that make us sad we’re not part of a “couple” on Valentine’s Day!

[Image via Flickr user YXO]

U.S. hotels donate hotel room rates to charity

by Melanie Nayer on

It feels good to give back, and at Gadling, we’re always eager to showcase hotels that do good. Case in point: Sage Hospitality. During the first two weeks of February 2011, each of the 53 Sage hotels across the country will run “While You Were Sleeping” promotions, which donate overnight rates on randomly selected rooms to the guest’s choice of charity.

From Feb. 1-14, 2011, each Sage property will choose four guests at random, and each guest’s room rate will be donated to a charity. The guest will be offered the opportunity to select a beneficiary from a list of renowned charities compiled by Sage Hospitality including FoodforthePoor.org, Volunteers of America, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, World Vision and UNICEF.
Hotels participating in the promotion include:

Alabama: Courtyard Mobile Spanish Fort/Eastern Shore in Spanish Fort, Ala.; Fairfield Inn & Suites Mobile Spanish Fort/Eastern Shore in Spanish Fort, Ala.

Arizona: Sheraton Airport Hotel Tempe in Tempe, Ariz.; Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites in Tucson, Ariz.

California: Courtyard Los Angeles Pasadena/Monrovia in Monrovia, Calif.; Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown in San Diego, Calif.; Homewood Suites by Hilton SFO Airport North in Brisbane, Calif.; Del Mar Hilton San Diego in Del Mar, Calif.

Colorado: The Curtis, a Doubletree Hotel, in Denver, Colo.; Courtyard by Marriott Denver Downtown in Denver, Colo.; Hilton Garden Inn Denver South/Meridian in Englewood, Colo.; JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek in Denver, Colo.; The Oxford Hotel in Denver, Colo.; Pueblo Marriott in Pueblo, Colo.; Denver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park in Denver, Colo.; Residence Inn by Marriott Denver City Center in Denver, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Boulder Broomfield in Broomfield, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown in Denver, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Southeast in Denver, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Littleton Southwest in Littleton, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Tech Center in Englewood, Colo.; TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver West Federal Center in Golden, Colo.; The Westin Westminster in Westminster, Colo.

Florida: Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld International Center in Orlando, Fla.

Georgia: Doubletree Hotel NE/Northlake in Atlanta, Ga.; Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center in Atlanta, Ga.; Glenn Hotel in Atlanta, Ga.

Illinois: Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel in Chicago, Ill.; Chicago’s Essex Inn in Chicago, Ill.; Hilton Garden Inn Hoffman Estates in Hoffman Estates, Ill.;

Michigan: Courtyard by Marriott in Brighton, Mich.; Courtyard by Marriott in Lansing, Mich.; The Baronette Renaissance in Novi, Mich.

Minnesota: Crown Plaza Hotel Minneapolis North in Minneapolis, Minn.; Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Duluth, Minn.

Mississippi: Courtyard Biloxi North/D’lberville in D’lberville, Miss.

Nevada: Fairfield Inn by Marriott Las Vegas Airport – Las Vegas, N.V.

North Carolina: Charlotte Marriott Executive Park in Charlotte, N.C.

Ohio: Crowne Plaza Cincinnati North in Cincinnati, Ohio;

Oregon: the Nines, The Luxury Collection, Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Portland, Ore.; Courtyard by Marriott – Portland City Center in Portland, Ore.

Pennsylvania: Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Rhode Island: Renaissance Providence Hotel in Providence, R.I.

Texas: Hilton College Station and Conference Center in College Station, Texas; Hampton Inn Six Flags in San Antonio, Texas; Houston Holiday Inn South Loop in Houston, Texas

Utah: Marriott Ogden Hotel in Ogden, Utah

Washington: Courtyard Seattle in Seattle, Wash.; Hawthorn Suites in Kent, Wash.; Holiday Inn Renton in Renton, Wash.

Wisconsin: Residence Inn by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown in Milwaukee, Wis.

Get more information on While You Were Sleeping

Scientists confirm our worst fear: the super bedbug is here to stay

by Scott Carmichael on

The results from a large bedbug study at Ohio State University have been revealed – and they don’t look good. According to scientists, bedbugs are turning into super bedbugs by becoming resistant to most common pesticides.

Compared to ten years ago, bedbugs are one thousand times more resistant to chemicals that used to kill them – and are less prone to stress from heat, cold and dehydration.

Even more alarming is that bedbugs in New York City are 250 times more resistant to pesticides than bugs from Florida – which explains why New York has such a massive bedbug problem at the moment.

The report from Ohio State is quite complex, but certainly worth a read if you like waking up in the middle of the night from bedbug nightmares.

Check out this article for more tips on how to detect and remove bedbugs – by taking basic precautions, you may be able to prevent spreading the infestation.

[Photo: AFP/Getty Images]

Wear a bathing suit, get a free lift ticket at the Canyons ski resort

by Kraig Becker on

The Canyons ski resort, located not far from Park City, Utah, opens another portion of their multi-million dollar renovation project today when they unveil their new Ski Beach gathering area, complete with deck chairs and lifeguard stands. To commemorate the opening, they’re also offering free lift tickets to anyone who shows up to the event wearing their bathing suit.

Over the past few months, The Canyons has been slowly rolling out a number of new enhancements for their guests, including launching the first heated ski lift in the U.S. back in December. Other enhancements have included 300 more acres of skiable terrain, improved snowmaking capabilities, and a new direct-connect gondola to speed skiers along their way more quickly.

Ski Beach is yet another one of these enhancements that has been designed to improve the experience of guests to the resort. In addition to the deck chairs and lifeguard stands mentioned above, the new gathering area has plenty of food and beverage outlets as well. While lounging on the “beach,” you’ll be able to dine on house-made doughnuts and build-your-own hot chocolates from the Chocolate Bar and gourmet hot dogs and cocktails from the Umbrella Bar, amongst other offerings.

The official grand opening event takes place from 3-5 PM local time today, with complimentary food and beverages for those in attendance. Additionally, anyone who shows up in their bikini, board shorts, or other swimwear, will be awarded a complimentary lift ticket to ski for free at a future date. I can’t think of a better reason to shed those thermal layers and have a little fun.

The Canyons features more than 4000 skiable acres and over 180 trails to run. There are five lodges on site and a number of fantastic eateries as well. With the winter just getting into full swing, there is no time like the present to plan a ski vacation for the months ahead.

Daily Pampering: $15,000 Penthouse Suite at the Fairmont San Francisco

by Melanie Nayer on

In 1926, the penthouse at the Fairmont San Francisco leased for $1,000 a month. Today, the 6,000 square foot of luxury space goes for $15,000 a night.

The Fairmont San Francisco began revitalizing the iconic penthouse (currently valued at $20 million) in August 2009 and a year later, the grand dame of San Francisco suites reopened to guests.

Spanning the entire eighth floor of the historic Main Building of The Fairmont San Francisco, the penthouse offers three large bedrooms, a living room with grand piano, a formal dining room seating 60 people, a kitchen, a two-story circular library crowned by a rotunda where a celestial map is rendered in gold leaf against a sapphire sky, a billiard room covered in Persian tile from floor to vaulted ceiling, and an expansive terrace with views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind bookshelves on the library’s second floor lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite (and used to lead to the rooftop of the hotel for the ultimate in star and skyline gazing).

The penthouse has welcomed everyone from royalty to rock stars, including President John F. Kennedy, Prince Charles of Wales, Mikhail Gorbachev, King Hussein of Jordan, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and Tony Bennett. And why not? For the $15,000 fee a night, guests get a private butler, private chef, private masseuse, private personal trainer, private house keeping and access to an extensive wine cellar featuring some of the world’s best vintages.

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