Woman’s body found inside a motel bed frame

by Melanie Nayer on

The body of a Memphis mother of five was discovered stuffed inside a hotel bed frame, according to local Memphis news services.

Sony Millbrook, 28, was first reported missing in late January. News reports say Millbrook was staying at the Budget Lodge hotel and was last seen on Jan. 27. A missing persons case was opened a few days after her disappearance, and family members had later come to clean her belongings from the motel.

The case ended abruptly today (March 17) when Millbrook’s body was inside the bed frame in the room she was occupying.

According to MSNBC.com, “Millbrook’s room had been cleaned many times since Jan. 28, workers told police. The room also had been rented out several times since her disappearance.

On Monday, motel staff called detectives after a foul odor coming from the room led to the discovery.

Police said Millbrook’s body had been stuffed in the metal box frame, which sits on the floor. The box springs and mattress also set inside the metal frame.”

[via The Commercial Appeal, Memphis]

Daily Pampering: Oberoi’s take on India

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you’re going to go all the way to India, you need to make the trip worth it. So, don’t waste your time thinking about short stays. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is offering a new deal: “Oberoi Exotic Vacations. From April 16 to September 30, 2010, you’ll be able to spend at least eight nights at one of its properties in India and enjoy breakfast for two every day, an additional room for two kids (free), a car to take you from the local airport or train station to the hotel, yoga sessions and a 25 percent spa discount. Stay at least 10 nights, and you’ll be upgraded to a suite automatically (based on availability, of course).

You’ll have your choice of cities in India. Oberoi properties in New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranthambhore and Kolkata are participating, as well as the Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas. Packages start at $3,050 for an eight-night stay. If you’re paying to go all the way to India, do it big.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Starwood ordered to pay $3m for spying on employee

by Melanie Nayer on

File this under: What were they thinking?!?

Starwood Hotels and Resorts was found guilty of spying on a New York employee and has been ordered to pay $3 million in damages.

Apparently, the hotel set up a hidden camera to watch 46-year-old Moises Mendez, a baker at the Westin Hotel at Times Square, following repeated complaints from Mendez that he was being discriminated by the hotel.

Seems the only way the hotel’s HR department could be certain the claims were legitimate was to install a hidden camera near Mendez’s workstation in the kitchen and watch him. When Mendez found out what was going on, the situation took a turn for the worse.

After a month-long process, a jury found Starwood guilty of unlawful retaliation and ordered the hotel to pay Mendez $1 million for his emotional distress, pain and suffering, and $2 million in punitive damages. After all that, Mendez said in a statement: “I look forward to going back to work today.”%Gallery-67351%

Be sure to check out Episode 5 of Travel Talk TV, which features a Santa Cruz beach adventure; explains why Scottish money is no good; shows how to cook brats the German way; and offers international dating tips!

Daily Pampering: Niagara Falls goes luxe

by Annie Scott on


The Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview has just unveiled their new Presidential Suites, two 50th floor rooms with astonishing views to rival any in the world.

“This new addition to our hotel is extremely exciting,” said Anthony Annunziata, VP of Marketing and Development, Hilton Hotel and Suites. “With the Presidential Suites, we are changing the way people see Niagara Falls, by offering guests superior accommodations, one-of-a-kind views of the Falls and exquisite décor, all of which are unavailable anywhere else in the area.”

The two 1,500 square foot rooms, which offer views of both the Canadian and American Falls, are adorned in chic shades of white, silver and black. The modern palette is made cozy with the use of lush wallpaper, elegant ornamental chandeliers and a king-sized bed with a striking warm brown headboard. Remote controlled blinds and an electric fireplace complete the modern theme.

The entire hotel recently underwent a $150 million expansion to include over 1,000 guest rooms, two new restaurants, and 40,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, as well as a 40,000 square foot recreational pool and spa. The stunning views from the 50th floor presidential suites can only be reserved for private guests or corporate functions by contacting Jim Graham at 905-353-7160.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Aloft Hotels expands global presence in 2010

by Melanie Nayer on


Aloft Hotels, the newest brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, announced it would expand its overseas presence in 2010. The hotel plans to open 10 new properties in 2010, half of them internationally.

Aloft is planning to open three new hotels in India and one in Brussels, in addition to adding hotels throughout the U.S., including two New York City properties – one in Brooklyn and the other in the heart of Harlem.

Aloft was created to offer a low-cost, high-style option for travelers. The Aloft brand has been testing out new technology that aims to ease the hotel check-in process, including introducing wireless check-in service at its Lexington, Massachusetts hotel.

Since launching in June 2008, the Starwood brand has opened 40 hotels worldwide, including China’s Aloft Beijing Haidian and Aloft Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.