Last Minute Labor Day Road Trip Ideas

by Chris Owen on

If a Labor Day road trip sounds like a good idea, you’re not alone. Over 30 million Americans will be hitting the highways for the long weekend, traveling across town, from state to state or around the nation. Like that idea but have no plans? Here are some must-stay places along some of the best American scenic drives that are not just a place to park, but also a way to extend the journey and experience the destination.

Hana Highway in Hawaii is a winding path with ocean on one side and jungles on the other that leads to one of Maui’s best kept secrets of quintessential Hawaiian tradition and charm, the town of Hana. Warning: With over 600 curves in the road from just east of Kahului to Hāna, virtually all of it through lush, tropical rainforest, you may have a hard time keeping your eyes on the road.

Where to Stay: Travaasa Hana, an oceanfront resort that features experiential programming based on five pillars – adventure, culinary, culture, fitness and wellness – inspired by Hana tradition. Guests can partake in net throwing classes (a revered Hawaiian skill), traditional Hawaiian spa treatments and meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

Trail Ridge Road in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest continuously paved road in North America. With more than eight miles lying above 11,000 feet and a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, Trail Ridge Road provides a stellar view of Rocky Mountain National Park’s golden aspen leaves and autumn mountain scenery.

Where to Stay: The Della Terra Mountain Chateau has 14 romantic suites, each with its own private balcony hot tub, amazing mountain view and warm breakfast for an authentic Colorado mountain experience.Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most visited sections of the National Park System, and features 469 miles of stunning views with old farmsteads, mountain meadows and one of the world’s most diverse displays of plants and animals. The parkway connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0), with Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469).

Where to Stay: The Carolina Inn is a historic property located on the campus of the University of North Carolina that allows guests to enjoy a variety of activities and experiences both on campus and in downtown Chapel Hill.

The Montana Scenic Loop spans the Northern Rockies in a nearly 400-mile long loop, featuring spectacular mountain vistas and abundant wildlife and wilderness within several National Forest lands. At the heart of the 400-mile loop is the Bob Marshall Wilderness flanked by the Great Bear Wilderness on the north and the Scapegoat Wilderness to the south.

Where to stay: Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, is a year-round resort in Montana’s Rocky Mountains located close to Yellowstone National Park. Moonlight Basin features a world-class spa, and a variety of dining options and luxury accommodations that are perfectly suited for families or couples to create a well-rounded Montana vacation.

Labor Day travel will see upwards of 33 million people hitting the road for the long weekend, noted AAA in a USA Today report this week. That’s an almost three percent increase from last year, the highest Labor Day road trip travel volume since 2008, and the trend is expected to extend through the fall and winter.



Flickr photo by Stuck in Customs

Unique Accommodations: Yankee Ferry

by McLean Robbins on




Looking for unique accommodations in New York? How about a former Ellis Island ferryboat, re-imagined into a boho-glam five room “boatel.” Yankee Ferry is the brainchild of married artist couple Victoria and Richard Mackenzie-Childs, who renovated the ferry and now rent it by the room.

The ferry was originally put into operation in 1907 and has served, by turns, as a shuttle for the wealthy to Maine’s Calendar Islands, a WWI Navy vessel, and a ferryboat to Ellis Island, the Daily Mail reported.

The 16-bunk ferry technically has five bedrooms (but just one and one-half baths) and can be rented via Airbnb from $599 per night.

The stunning photos were captured by Navid Baraty (find him also on Facebook and Twitter) and depict a boho glam existence – complete with chickens roaming the deck.

Would you stay here?
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Hotel News We Noted: August 25, 2012

by McLean Robbins on

It’s hard to believe summer is almost over! Next week, we’ll bring you a selection of great Labor Day getaways, but for now, we’re tracking this week’s industry news on Hotel News We Noted.

Hotel Package: Get In Touch With Your Inner Dinosaur at Hotel ZaZa
We’ve long wanted to stay at a Hotel Za Za (mostly just so we can say the name and feel very glamorous), but we also love the idea of an “art focused luxury hotel.” The ZaZa in Houston has partnered with the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s new Paleontology Hall for a “Texas Triassic Tour Package” with overnight accommodations, admission for two, dinner, valet parking and Internet for just $249, a discount of 40%. No bones about it, this sounds like a good deal.

Hotel Package: Fast Cars and Fancy Resorts in the Cayman Islands
Ever had a fantasy that you were a racecar driver? Here’s your chance – spend five nights relaxing at the luxe Cotton Tree Grand Cayman, a sponsor of the Blancpain European Sports Racing circuit. After you’ve gotten your fill of the Caribbean, fly to Spain for a two-day race in October, where you’ll get VIP treatment in the team’s pit. For $6,500, this seems like a great deal for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hot Hotels: In Memory of Marilyn
It’s the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death this month. If you’re a lover of the film icon, plan a stay at the historic Hotel del Coronado, the location for Monroe’s 1959 comedy, “Some Like It Hot.” Vacation like a star by staying at the ornate Victorian hotel where Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Monroe dazzled audiences in what is regarded as the number one comedy of all time by the American Film Institute.

Hotels in the Headlines: Taylor Swift Kicked Out of Fairmont Copley Plaza
Or so the rumors go. Apparently (according to the Daily Mail, anyway), Swift and beau, a member of the Kennedy clan, were attending a wedding of Conor Kennedy’s cousin and were politely asked to leave because Swift’s fame was causing a scene that upstaged the bride. Rumor has it that Swift was very polite, but returned again later that night to dance at the reception. What do you think? Was she wedding crashing in poor form or is the notoriously nice country singer just getting a bad rap for perhaps outshining the bride on her big day?

Virtuoso’s Travel Week Highlights New Luxury Travel Trends

by McLean Robbins on

Earlier this month in Las Vegas, leading luxury travel agency Virtuoso conducted the largest meeting of luxury brands in the travel industry, Virtuoso Travel Week.

While we sadly were stuck on the East Coast for this event, we kept close tabs on the “meetings of the minds” out West and were intrigued by what emerged as conference trends.

Bhutan: A Bucket List Destination
Closed to outsiders for centuries, the Kingdom of Bhutan recently emerged as a “must” on savvy travelers’ bucket lists. The first country in the world to measure its success by the “Gross National Happiness” of its citizens, Bhutan attracts travelers with a social conscience and those seeking a spiritual journey like none other.

Cruising: Not Just For Oceans
River cruising is poised to continue growth in the luxury travel market, particularly as disasters and discontent with larger ocean-going cruise lines continue to make waves in national headlines. These typically smaller ships are able to offer a higher-level of service and see areas that big ships can’t reach.

Ecuador: A Hot Spot In South America
Offering something for everyone, Ecuador boasts a beach culture along the Pacific Ocean, the mountainous Andes, exotic Amazon and, of course, the gateway to the Galapagos Islands (a short 1 hour, 35 minute-flight). Announcing its new tourism concept called “Conscious Tourism,” Ecuador is the first nation in the world to include the Rights of Nature in its constitution, and the country will forgo some 846 million barrels of heavy crude reserves to protect the biological diversity and indigenous people of the Yasuni National Park, in turn becoming the first developing country to propose an effective, quantifiable and verifiable carbon abatement model. Now it will be easier to visit Ecuador, as the country is the first in South America to use the U.S. Dollar as its national currency, it shares a time zone with the U.S. minimizing jetlag, and soon will open a state-of-the-art international airport to welcome visitors from around the world.

Luxury Travel Thrives: Travelers Help Market Bounce Back
Virtuoso says an outcome of the financial crisis is the changing consumer mindset, where uncertainty has created a greater desire for stronger personal connections and enriching experiences, both of which can be achieved through travel. Virtuoso points to its network’s 51 percent increase in production since 2009 at the height of the U.S., and subsequent global, economic recession as proof that the industry is thriving. Since early 2010, the travel community has contributed to 7.2 percent of overall job growth, outpacing the growth of the rest of the economy in employment recovery.

An Exclusive Look At The View From America’s Tallest Hotel Building

by Jessica Marati on

Last year, Marriott International made waves with the announcement that its latest New York City property would be the tallest stand-alone hotel building in Manhattan. But now, about 17 months into construction, it has become clear that the new Nobutaka Ashihara-designed skyscraper will not just be the city’s tallest hotel, but the tallest stand-alone hotel building in the entire United States.

The new property, located at 1717 Broadway and 54th Street, consists of 68 stories extending nearly 753 feet into the midtown Manhattan skyline. It will house the new Courtyard by Marriott-Central Park on floors six through 32 and the new Residence Inn by Marriott-Central Park on floors 36 through 64. Earlier this week, we were able to get a sneak peek at the construction of the new property, including the jaw-dropping, 360-degree view from the top.

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At elevations that high, the city is quite literally at your feet. To the west, you can see straight across the Hudson River to New Jersey. To the south, you have the heart of midtown Manhattan, including a clear view of Times Square, and to the east, you can look down at iconic structures like Carnegie Hall and the Hearst Tower. Northbound, you can see the whole of Central Park spread straight up through the tip of Manhattan. It’s a sight that will take your breath away (if your breath wasn’t already suffering from the high altitude).On the bottom chunk of the building, the Courtyard will contain 378 rooms, each providing the brand’s trademark “refreshing business” environment to help guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Up top, the 261 Residence Inn suites will provide comfort to guests on longer stays, offering full kitchens and home-style comforts. The 34th floor will house a shared fitness center, while common spaces, restaurants and retail space will take up the five-floor “pillar” of the building.

The building owners, Granite Broadway Development, and building contractor, CNY Builders, will celebrate the completion of the skyscraper’s structure this morning with a commemorative topping out ceremony, followed by the hauling of the final bucket of concrete to the top floor. From here, contractors will work on building out the interior of the hotel to Marriott specifications. An opening is slated for the end of 2013.