Study Reveals Most Contaminated Surfaces In Hotel Rooms

by Jessica Festa on

You may never be able to relax in a hotel room again – not without a lot of antibacterial, anyway. A new study done by the University of Houston, with help from Purdue University and the University of South Carolina, looked into what surface areas in hotel rooms were most contaminated. Their hope was to identify “high-risk items,” to help hotels figure out where to spend the most time cleaning.

While certain obvious items made the list, like the bathroom sink and toilet, less apparent surfaces were also indicated, like the bedside lamp switch. The TV remote was the biggest culprit, while the bed’s headboard, the bathroom door handle and curtain rods were found to have the least amount of bacteria.

“Hoteliers have an obligation to provide their guests with a safe and secure environment,” explains Katie Kirsch, an undergraduate student at the University of Houston who presented the study. “Currently, housekeeping practices vary across brands and properties with little or no standardization industry wide.”

Apparently, the current method used to validate hotel room cleanliness is a simple visual assessment; however, this has been shown to be ineffective. Hopefully, this study will begin pushing hotels to up their sanitation efforts.

[image via counselman collection]

The Vine Retreat: An Eco-Friendly Escape In Kep, Cambodia

by Jessica Marati on

Sometimes you just need a hammock and a view. At least that’s how I felt after six weeks of life as an ex-pat in the loud, congested capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

I found respite at The Vine Retreat, a rustic eco-friendly hotel in the southeastern Cambodian province of Kep. There, simplicity is the name of the game. With little to do but relax, read, and enjoy the scenery, The Vine offers a peaceful getaway from inland Phnom Penh, without the drunken beach bum backpacker scene of nearby Sihanoukville.

Tucked away in the rice paddies near the Phnom Vor mountains, The Vine Retreat is constructed from natural, locally sourced materials and powered by an off-grid, low-carbon power system. A highlight of the property is the recently completed naturally filtered swimming pool – a great way to escape the mid-afternoon heat. Meals are taken at a communal table with a revolving menu that includes organic produce from the garden and fresh seafood from the nearby Bay of Thailand. Kampot pepper, widely said to be the best in the world and grown in a small plantation on-site, is always on the table.

%Gallery-158764%The Vine’s rooms are simple, but well-appointed, with canopy beds and handwoven textiles. Hot water is provided by a solar heating system, and the provided coconut-scented soap is handmade by a local women’s cooperative. The guesthouse is also committed to economic development in the surrounding villages. In partnership with a local non-profit, they offer sustainable tourism excursions, including trekking, biking and tours of nearby Chamcar Bei village, and they reinvest all excursion fees into community education and training. I opted for a bicycle tour of Chamcar Bei’s craft cooperatives, which create home and lifestyle items out of coconut shells and recycled plastic bags.

Rooms start from $25/night for basic accommodations, but off-season Facebook specials offer deals as low as $10 (yes, you read that right). To arrive at The Vine Retreat, hire a tuk-tuk (about $8) from nearby Kep or Kampot, or a car from any of Cambodia’s major cities.

4 Hotel Bargains In the Greek Isles at $75 Per Night Or Less

by Dave Seminara on

With the Euro sliding and many tourists avoiding Greece on the faulty assumption that the country isn’t safe, this is a great time to visit the Greek isles. If you can travel outside before outside July and August, you’ll find some amazing bargains.

I’ve spent the last month in the Greek isles with my wife and two young children and these are three of the best deals I’ve encountered for apartment-style hotels suitable for families. Each of these places cost us between 50 and 60€, but if you don’t have kids and need less space, you might be able get by on less if you travel outside the high season. Here are four great deals in Samos, Syros, Santorini, and Patmos.Sirena Hotel/Village– Samos

The Sirena Hotel is a swanky place in the beachside town of Kambos on the gorgeous island of Samos in the eastern Aegean, right on Turkey’s doorstep. Sirena Village is a collection of holiday apartments right across the street from the hotel. We had a beautiful little two-bedroom apartment with kitchen that was very comfortable and full of character. The pool is delightful and my kids loved the turtles that live in the backyard.

Our neighbor was Giannis, the owner’s dad, who lives in one of the villas in the summer (see photo above). Giannis likes to stroll the grounds, watering trees and chomping but not smoking cigarettes. He and the rest of the family make you feel incredibly welcome. We stayed for a week and didn’t want to leave. We had an evening ferry on our last day there and when I asked about check out time, they said, “Don’t worry, stay as long as you like.” I could live at this place.

Lila’s Guesthouse– Syros

Syros is an underrated little island – popular with Greeks – that has a bustling, non-touristy port city, great food and beaches. It’s also a ferry hub, so you can make day trips to more expensive islands like Mykonos with no problem.

My love affair with Lila’s Guesthouse started even before we arrived. I booked via email and Lila asked what ferry we were arriving on. I told her we were coming in from Samos at 2:30 a.m. but she still offered to come pick us up. And sure enough, she was there, bleary eyed, in the middle of the night waiting for us as we got off the boat.

Sometimes hotel websites can be very misleading, but what you see is what you get at Lila’s. The place used to be the French consulate and the rooms are beautifully renovated and tastefully decorated. We had a one-bedroom loft with incredibly high ceilings, two balconies, all kinds of windows and light and a small kitchen. As beautiful as the place was, the best part about this place is the hospitality.

Lila and her husband, Dimitrios, are amazing hosts. One morning, I asked Dimitrios to recommend a Laundromat.

“Why?” he asked. “We’ll do it for you.”

“How much will that cost?” I asked, showing him a huge bag of dirty laundry for a family of four.

“No, no, it’s free,” he said, and three hours later he brought up our laundry, all neatly laundered and folded. I’ve been traveling the world for twenty years and no one has ever, ever washed my clothing for me for free. God Bless the Lila Guesthouse!

Rena’s Rooms & Suites– Santorini

Santorini is easily the most expensive Greek island, due to its spectacular setting, so finding a high quality place here at a low price is a bit trickier than on other islands. But Rena’s Rooms & Suites is a very pleasant surprise. The place has some negative reviews online, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the rooms were completely renovated in 2011 and it’s like a brand new hotel.

We have a very stylish two-room suite with a terrace and access to a lovely pool that serves big frosty mugs of Fransiskaner Dunkel Weiss for 3.5€. Best of all, the owners left a whole slew of toys for my children in the room, which were a huge hit.

Hotel Australis- Patmos

Patmos is another gorgeous island in the eastern Aegean that has it all: history, great food, beaches and stunning scenery. We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment at the Hotel Australis for a week, and at the shoulder season (cash only) bargain price of 50€ per night, it was a steal. The apartment was functional, not fancy, but we practically lived on our terrace, which had an amazing view of the port.

The family that runs this place is wonderful. They brought us a bottle of wine when we checked in, and fresh baked goods every day. If we needed a ride somewhere, Peter was always there to help us, and before we even checked out, we were Facebook friends. Right around the corner from this place, you’ll find the trailhead for a great hike up to Patmos’s ancient Acropolis.

NOTE: Room rates will vary based upon time of year, occupancy, number of persons in the room and other factors.

(Photos and videos by Dave Seminara)

Hotel News We Noted: June 15, 2012

by McLean Robbins on

We’re almost officially into summer, friends, and it’s time for this week’s “it’s almost summer” edition of “Hotel News We Noted.” As always, feel free to email us tips and thoughts for next week’s edition.

Luxury Hotels: Four Seasons & Trump
If you’re a Trump hotels fan, you’re in luck. The brand has closed a deal on the Doral Resort & Spa in Florida and planned a $200 million renovation of the property. Four Seasons has also assumed management of a luxury favorite, New Mexico‘s former Auberge property, Encantado. They will rename the property Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe.

Awesome Amenity: Art Concierge
We’ve seen watch butlers, pet sitters and soap concierges, but now Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is taking personalization a step further with their new Art Concierge, who helps guests engage with the local public and community by facilitating interactive arts education and language classes. We’d ordinarily find this a strange service, but the San Miguel de Allende area has long been known as one of Mexico’s premier artist communities.

Hotel Package: Fourth of July in the Nation’s Capital
We may be biased because of our “Washingtonian” status, but we can’t help but think that the Nation’s Capital is a pretty great place to spend the Fourth of July. Starting Thursday (June 21) book rates at DC, Maryland and Virginia Kimpton hotels for $109 to $159 per night, a savings of more than 20 percent off. These boutique chic properties are the perfect home base from which to explore the museums, monuments and more. We’d highly suggest coming for July 4 and catching the famous fireworks show on the National Mall. Book here (the page goes live on Thursday) with code: BOOM. This exclusive sale is only 72-hours long, so book fast.

Hotel Visits: NYC’s 6 Columbus and The Standard East Village
We spent a quick weekend in New York City where we checked in and checked out of two boutique hotels in different areas of the city – 6 Columbus, a Thompson property, as well as The Standard East Village, formerly the Cooper Square Hotel. We loved the boutique vibe of both hotels – spare and minimalist but with luxe touches – Frette linens (both), designer bath amenities (Red Flower for The Standard, Kiehls for 6 Columbus) and piles of hard-to-find design and shelter magazines (both) for our in-room reading pleasure. Worth noting at 6 Columbus: in addition to chic restaurant Blue Ribbon Sushi, which was hopping even at nearly one in the morning, we loved the FourSquare special, which waived the $15 Wi-Fi fee for those who “checked in.” We were particularly interested in the new Standard, which is slowly renovating its public spaces and rooms from the old Cooper Square property. They’re not quite there yet – a room mishap at check-in took more than an hour to rectify (and required a few firm phone calls) – but fans of the Meatpacking property will be pleased to know that this hotel also offers floor-to-ceiling windows. We’re not sure if this was intentional, given the other location’s infamy for peep show like performances from guests, but we can say that we’re looking forward to seeing more changes down the road throughout the year.

Celebrate ‘National Lobster Day’ With These Great Lobster Dishes Across The Country

by McLean Robbins on


Seeking a decadent dinner? Look no further than the king of the crustaceans, Lobster. Friday (June 15) is National Lobster Day – check out these great spots around the country serving up some of our favorite lobster dishes in preparations that range from the traditional to the totally out of this world.

The Veranda at The Chanler– Newport, Rhode Island
Lobster BLT

Enjoy breathtaking ocean views from Newport’s coastline on The Chanler’s outdoor patio restaurant, The Veranda, the only hotel with direct access to the city’s famous Cliff Walk. Dine on the signature Lobster BLT. Prepared with whole chick lobster, cherry smoked bacon, fresh avocado, vine-ripened tomatoes, radish sprouts and topped with a mouthwatering crème fraiche, The Veranda’s Lobster BLT at the Chanler is a lobster dish to be reckoned with. Care for dinner instead? Try the hotel’s Spiced Pear restaurant, where the Butter Poached Lobster entrée is a decadent treat.

The Mediterranean Room at La Valencia – La Jolla, California
The Lobster Roll

For a lighter and equally delicious lobster-fix, La Valencia’s famous Lobster Roll with lettuce and tomato is the sandwich to try at the hotel’s charming Mediterranean Room. Dressed in a tasty tarragon sauce and served with house-made chips, the Lobster Roll is the perfect dish to enjoying a lovely evening overlooking the beautiful La Jolla Cove.

The Lobster Roll – Amagansett & Northside, Long Island
The Lobster Roll

Known affectionately as “Lunch” because of its gigantic sign of the same name, this roadside restaurant is one of the area’s best for lobster rolls. Made with 100 percent pure cold-water lobster meat, this packed sandwich draws crowds each and every day during the summer months. If you’d prefer, the restaurant also serves steamed lobsters and lobster salad, as well as a variety of other seafood options.
L’Auberge del Mar – San Diego, California
Lobster Potato Skins
Smoked bacon, black truffles, and cheese fondue make these traditional game time treats a decadent delight at this San Diego luxury hotel and restaurant. Order these as an appetizer or go “claws and all” and have it for a splurge-worthy dinner or lunch.

The Fairmont Battery Wharf – Boston, Massachusetts
Butter Poached Lobster Flatbread

For those who love lobster so much that simply eating it isn’t enough, Fairmont Battery Wharf offers the opportunity to experience the only Lobster boat tour in Boston. Guests head out on a private excursion aboard an authentic lobster boat to learn how to bait, drop, and haul in lobster traps. In between how-to sessions, fledgling first mates can enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling Boston Harbor and learn more about its great history. After a day at sea, guests return to the hotel’s restaurant, Aragosta, where guests can dine on a butter poached lobster flat bread with basil leaves and pecorino or have the Chef prepare lobster to their liking.

Paresa Resort– Phuket, Thailand
Local Phuket Lobster BBQ

For the ultimate summer BBQ, the Paresa Resort in Phuket, Thailand, offers a private dining experience where a personal chef will work with the guests to create an incredible menu made up of local Phuket delights including fresh local Phuket lobster. The lobster is barbequed to perfection by the chef on the Villa BBQ and served with a fresh Thai green peppercorn, garlic and a tasty cilantro sauce – perfectly Thai and with just the right amount of spice!

Holsteins– Las Vegas, Nevada
Lobster Mac n’ Cheese and the Maine Lobster Roll

Combining two traditional American favorites, Holsteins in Las Vegas offers a delectable Lobster Mac n’ Cheese served in a creamy taleggio-mascarpone sauce served with juicy Maine lobster topped with a flavorful black truffle sauce. Also try the crowd favorite, Maine Lobster Roll, prepared with fresh cooked lobster, tossed in a tasty chive aioli and served in a mini hot dog bun with coleslaw.

Wit & Wisdom Tavern in the Four Seasons Baltimore – Baltimore, Maryland
Lobster Corn Dogs

Chef Michael Mina’s first tavern concept, Wit & Wisdom Tavern in the new Four Seasons Baltimore offers sustainable seafood specialties in a casual yet upscale environment. We couldn’t get enough of the signature lobster corn dogs (served with a spicy dipping sauce) during a recent visit.

Muse at The Vanderbilt Grace– Newport, Rhode Island
Lobster Bisque and Butter Poached Lobster

For an appetizer not to be missed, Jonathan Cartwright’s Lobster Bisque from Muse at the Vanderbilt Grace is a savory started for any lobster lovers. Served with crispy lobster wontons and a creamy cognac crème fraiche this bisque is a delicious kick-start to a delicious dinner. For an entree try the rich Butter Poached Lobster prepared with spring vegetable ragout and finished in a cognac coral sauce.

Blue Ribbon Sushi at 6 Columbus – New York, New York
Spicy Lobster Roll

Prefer your lobster raw? Try the spicy lobster roll at top-notch sushi joint Blue Ribbon. The restaurant offers two NYC locations, one in SoHo and the other in the chic Thompson hotel 6 Columbus, located just off Central Park in Columbus Circle.

Veranda at The Rancho Bernardo Inn– San Diego, California
Friday Night Lobster Boil

Every Friday night Veranda hosts a traditional lobster boil: Boiled Maine Lobster, baked russet potato, sautéed broccoli and local carrots. The lobster is boiled in salted water with “sachet depices” herbs, peppercorns, garlic, shallots. In addition to the lobster boil guest enjoy a trio of tasty pies: Apple Streusel, Lemon Meringue and Blueberry.

Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar– La Jolla, California
Lobster Ravioli

For a mouthwatering pasta and lobster dish, Roppongi’s asian-infusion Lobster Ravioli prepared with Maine lobster, confit tomatoes, organic chive, mascarpone, yuzu-vanilla butter sauce by Chef Stephen Window is a must-have at the swank La Jolla Restaurant.

Flavor Del Mar– Del Mar, California
Lobster-Prosciutto “Bouillabaisse”

With incredible ocean views and a savory menu, Flavor Del Mar delivers with their famous Lobster-Prosciutto “Bouillabaisse” with sweet shrimp, squid fennel, spinach served with grilled sourdough. Enjoy the beauty Del Mar Coastline while dining on one of their savory dishes.

The White Barn Inn Restaurant at The White Barn Inn– Kennebunk, Maine
Steamed Maine Lobster

For a delicious spin on a traditional lobster dish, Grand Chef Relais and Chateaux Jonathan Cartwright’s signature dish, Steamed Maine Lobster nestled on a bed of homemade fettuccine with carrots, ginger and snow peas in a savory cognac-coral butter sauce is a customer and critic favorite at this Forbes five-star restaurant.