Alone or not, Kimpton brings deals to NYC for Valentine’s Day

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Kimpton’s offering you two ways to spend Valentine’s Day in Manhattan this year: one if you’re inclined to recognize the holiday, the other if you’re flying solo. Let’s face it; Valentine’s day isn’t designed to appeal to everyone, and the single folks shouldn’t get screwed just because the only way they could get a “date” that night involves several appearances by Benjamin Franklin.

If you’re interested in a more traditional Valentine’s Day getaway, take a look at the “Sweet Savings” deal at Kimpton’s 70 park avenue hotel. For rates starting at a mere $179, you’ll get not only a great room in Manhattan, you’ll pick up a complimentary dessert for you and your guest at silver leaf tavern.

Now, this doesn’t do much for you if you’re alone, unless you really like two desserts. Fortunately, there’s the “Cupid Is Stupid” deal at Kimpton’s The Muse New York. For a rate of $239, you’ll get two free cocktails at NIOS restaurant and a complimentary in-room movie.

So, how do you make this work? Use one of those cocktails to chat up a lonely hottie — she’s hanging out in a hotel bar, it shouldn’t take much more than this. Then, invite her up to your room to enjoy the free movie with you. Choose your movie wisely.

Both deals are open for the entire month of February. The booking code for “Cupid Is Stupid” is PCPL, and the code for “Sweet Savings” is PSSP.

Five new Los Cabos hotels: some open, some coming soon

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Last year was a busy one for the tourism business in Los Cabos, Mexico. Despite the unmistakable impact of the H1N1 swine flu virus on the region’s action in the spring and summer, there were plenty of exciting developments, including the opening of five new hotels. You now have plenty of choices when you head out to Los Cabos, which just happens to be a great place to unwind.

1. Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe
The Barcelo’s doors opened in December 2009, and San Jose del Cabo will never be the same. The resort has 626 luxurious suites, ranging in size from 1,125 square feet to 2,168 square feet … but this just doesn’t compare to the 34 swim-up suites. There are three pools on the property, covering more than 50,000 square feet, and a water park specifically for children. The spa has 16 private treatment cabins and a hydrotherapy room. So, the all-inclusive, all-suite resort is designed to impress.

2. Zoëtry Casa del Mar
There are only 42 suites at the hacienda-style beachfront boutique … and the hotel is designed to make sure the spectacular Pacific sunset is in full view from across the resort. The resort has been open since the first day of December, and it’s main draw might have something to do with the exceptionally large suites with Jacuzzis, Rivolta bedding and private balconies. Access to the Cabo Real Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., probably doesn’t hurt.

3. Capella Pedregal
Open since July, the Capella Pedregal has 66 rooms and residences in its Cabo San Lucas Marina location. Enjoy amazing views of the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean from this resort, which occupies 24 acres of mountainside and oceanfront property. If there’s a view you want, chances are you’ll find it at the Capella.

4. Sirena del Mar (coming in 2010)
This Welk Resort property consists of seven acres of luxury, high on the cliffs above Cabo San Lucas. Every villa has an oceanfront view, and you’ll be able to see whales from December through March. Located in the middle of downtown Cabo San Lucas, you’ll have easy access to the city and nightlife, but it won’t be hard to beat a retreat back to unparalleled comfort and seclusion.

5. Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa (coming in 2011)
The latest venture from Solmar Hotels & Resorts, the Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa is planning to fuse old world architecture with modern style.

Business travelers on the brink of scoring free internet access

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Having to pay for internet access in hotels is nothing more than moronic. If the revenue is such a big deal, hotels should just slap the $9.99 — or whatever it is — onto the room rate and tell us they’re giving it away for nothing. But, nothing’s worse than spending $250 a night and having to pay another fee to connect to the web, which you’re going to have to do even if you’re on vacation, let alone traveling for business.

The slump in the travel business is giving business travelers more negotiating leverage, which they are using to score free access to the web. The need to put heads in beds, and business travelers still command the big budgets. Back in my corporate travel days, I’d spend $1,000 or more simply on the room … every week. Most leisure travelers don’t come near that on an annual basis — and my spend was modest compared to executives with the approval to satisfy more discriminating tastes.

So, you’d think hotels would want to keep business travelers happy, right? And since internet access is what’s most important to this group of hotel buyersSome upscale hotels, like the new Andaz chain from Hyatt, are rolling internet access into their rates, while major chains such as Hilton, Marriott and Starwood are giving in to business traveler demands but not changing their policies (to avoid setting a precedent they’ll be stuck with when the market recovers).

For the hotel business, giving up the internet money isn’t easy. The industry is at its 20-year low point, with revenue per available room-night (RevPAR) off 17 percent last year. The top properties suffered RevPAR declines of 24 percent. So, when Toni Hinterstoisser, general manager of the Andaz Wall Street, calls internet access charges “an easy way to make money,” it’s clear that the fee is a hard one to give up. Easy money is the best kind when the travel market is in the tank.

Hotels for the not-so-adventurous adventure traveler

by Melanie Nayer on

The term “adventure travel” has many definitions, and each one varies based on the traveler. I’m not adverse to adventure – I’ve hit the rapids in what seemed to be nothing more than a floatie device I’d find in my parents pool; I’ve jumped from a tall building with only a cord and a little spring keeping me from face-planting into concrete; I’m about to take on one big bridge in Sydney next month. But there’s one difference between me and the other adventure travelers out there: I wouldn’t do it again.

OK, never say never. Truth is, I’ll be the first one to safari walk with lions and tigers, and as soon as I collect $200,000 I’m buying a seat on the first Virgin Galactic flight to space. But in the meantime, I’ll get my kicks by staying at some of the most adventuresome hotels in the world. No, not the kind of adventure that includes bed bugs and dirty bathrooms, and violates every health code in the system. These hotels add a little excitement to your stay, which can be the perfect dose of adventure for the not-so-adventurous traveler.

1. One by the Five, Paris: The floating beds add excitement to this hotel. Too much champagne at dinner and you’ll fall right off in the middle of the night, but the design technique that keeps the bed ‘floating’ is pretty spectacular. (The ‘floating bed’ concept could add a little spice your late-night, too…) If Paris is too much love-not enough adventure, Berlin’s Propeller Island City features similar rooms with ‘magic mirrors’ that create various illusions, including one room with a flying bed.

2. Loisaba, Kenya: Talk about unleashing your animal instincts… If sleeping with the animals sounds exciting, but a little too dangerous for your blood, the “Star Bed” in this Kenya resort might be the perfect compromise. The beds are on raised platforms (complete with mosquito nets) so you can watch the stars, or gaze at the animals roaming in their natural habitat. Reviews note that most people don’t get a good night’s sleep the first time they take on these beds, thanks to the unfamiliar sounds from wild kingdom just meters away from where you sleep.3. The 727-suite at the Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica: Some people can sleep on planes, some choose to sleep IN a plane. The fully outfitted two-bedroom executive Boeing 727 fuselage suite at the Hotel Costa Verde allows travelers to sleep in a refurbished 1965 Boeing 727. This hotel rooms adds a whole new meaning to the mile-high club.

4. Park Hyatt Shanghai: The bedrooms on the 88th floor of the Park Hyatt in Shanghai are not for the faint of heart. If you want to conquer your fear of heights, this is the place to stay. One piece of advice: don’t look down when you wake up in the morning – the drop might be too much for your decaffeinated brain to comprehend. The Park Hyatt Shanghai was the tallest hotel in the world until the recent opening of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. We’re not sure what type of views the Burj has but it’s a good bet they’ll rival the Park Hyatt.

5. Magic Mountain Hotel, Panguipulli, Region X, Chile: What’s so magic about this hotel? It’s built under a waterfall, which makes walking into the hotel an adventure in and of itself. Located in the heart of the Huilo Huilo nature reserve, this hotel was built with Mother Nature in mind- miles of walkways that snake through the forest and a mini-golf course 40 feet above the ground give this hotel its dose of adventure.

Be safe in overnight trains – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When traveling on overnight trains…

1.) Put your backpack/travel bag in a pillowcase while you sleep on it on an overnight train. It provides an obstacle for thieves.

2.) Also, set up the Coke-can warning system on your compartment door. Put some pennies in a drink can and tie it to the door.