‘Jersey Shore’ seeks out hotels for next season in Miami

by Melanie Nayer on

Rumor has it MTV is moving its popular and controversial show “Jersey Shore” to Miami for its second season, but where will the show put its castmates?

According to the Miami Herald, MTV producers are scoping out hotels in South Beach instead of renting a beach house, a la Jersey Shore, season one. But where does one put “The Situation” and “Pauly D”? What hotel says “Snookie”? I’m actually not sure how to approach this…

So far, many Miami hotels including the Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons have rejected the invite to host the castmates. But, others aren’t turning away these raucous guests. The Herald claims The Clevelander, an Ocean Drive hotel that bolts down its beds to accommodate partying guests, and the South Beach Hotel Group, which is known among the party crowd as a ‘crash pad hotel’ wouldn’t mind the Jersey Shore affiliation. And why would they? If the beds are bolted down and the crash pads are stable, why not throw a party worthy of an MTV reality show.

Word to the wise from this hotel reviewer: Claiming your hotel was the spot for season two of the Jersey Shore debacle might not bode well for future reservations. Then again, I’ve never slept in a room where the bed was bolted to the ground.

[via The Miami Herald]

Miami Doubletree (temporarily) changes name to ‘Bud Light Hotel’

by Melanie Nayer on

The Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel Miami-South Beach has changed its name… for the moment…

The hotel will now be known as the Bud Light Hotel South Beach (through Monday) – a creative way to give football fans a different kind of experience at the sold-out hotel during the Super Bowl. In preparation for the Super Bowl, the hotel will put new logos on everything including hotel staff uniforms and name tags, guestroom telephones, laundry bags, do not disturb signs, breakfast menus, note pads and pens, bathroom toiletries, hand towels, pool towels, coffee mugs and more.

This isn’t the hotel’s first foray into the branding spotlight. The Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel Miami-South Beach has been the backdrop for numerous productions and events in South Beach including the transformation of the hotel into Hotel MTV in 2005 for the MTV Music Awards.

Bud Light has planned a full lineup of exclusive events, star-studded live concert performances and sports exhibitions during the Super Bowl weekend.

“Pro football’s culminating event is one of the biggest events on the American sports calendar,” said Mike Sundet, senior director of Bud Light brands. “As the beer of good times, Bud Light saw an unique opportunity to work with the Doubletree Hotel Surfcomber Miami-South Beach to create and offer adult football fans everywhere a VIP experience to the celebration, social scene and special events leading up to kickoff.”

A+ for innovative branding, Doubletree! Now we’ll just have to wait and see who wins the coveted Budweiser Super Bowl challenge…

TripAdvisor reveals America’s sexiest hotels

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s not shocking New York is home to the sexiest hotel in America – it is the city that never sleeps…
According to TripAdvisor, the Night Hotel in New York City knocks the boots off all other hotels for its ‘sexy’ factor.

TripAdvisor editors revealed their sexiest hotel list just in time for Valentine’s Day, (wink, wink). The hotels were rated based on the “sexy index,” which calculated the number of times travelers use the term “sexy” in their TripAdvisor reviews.

Turn down the shades, set the mood and get your groove on at these seducing hotels:

1. Night Hotel, New York City, New York “This modern and monochrome boutique hotel features very little light, making this the perfect spot for a romantic rendezvous with a significant other”

2. Hotel Max, Seattle, Washington “Turn your door-handle sign to ‘please do not disturb’ and enjoy the amenities within, including a “You Got It” button on the telephone, which responds to any whim, and a mini-bar complete with an intimacy kit.”

3. Hotel Palomar, Washington, D.C. “With crocodile-sculpted carpeting on the floors, faux fur throws on the beds and leopard-print robes in the closets, this is an ideal spot for romantics to say “Grrrr, Baby!”

4. Hotel Lucia, Portland, Oregon “This downtown boutique hotel offers modern surroundings, not to mention a “Kiss This” guest-package, including champagne, massage oils and dusting powders.”

5. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada “The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers all the trappings to bring out travelers’ wild sides, including a room service menu featuring an array of lingerie and after-dark accessories.”6. The Setai, Miami, Florida “If money is no object, this stunning oceanfront resort in the heart of South Beach offers a spectacularly seductive spot.”

7. Hotel on Rivington, New York City, New York One TripAdvisor traveler notes, “From the unconventional layout, to the glass curtain walling, to the voyeuristic shower walls, everything about this place screams hedonistic pleasure.”

8. Glenn Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia “Follow the grass-lined hallways to the guest rooms, and travelers will be met with sleek design, comfortable furnishings and a shower featuring a peek-a-boo view in to the bedroom.”

9. The Library Hotel, New York City, New York “Room 800.001 is packed with erotic tomes, including Casanova’s autobiography, while room 1100.006 is adorned with books on love and relationships.”

10. James Chicago, Chicago, Illinois “Guest rooms feature dark wood platform beds and white leather furnishings – and if these (or your partner) aren’t enough to get you drooling, the cookie left on your pillow as part of the nightly turn-down service should do the trick.”

What’s your favorite hotel for setting the mood?

Earlier this month, TripAdvisor launched its top 10 dirtiest hotels list and the Travelers’ Choice awards, which highlights travelers’ favorite hotel from around the world.

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Want a beer with that Burger King burger?

by Amy Chen on

Burger King is expected to open a bar in Miami’s South Beach sometime in mid-February.

The aptly named Whopper Bar will sell beer from 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. seven days a week. Beer ordered at the walk-up window, which stops selling alcohol at midnight, has to be consumed on the patio or inside the restaurant (sorry, Miami is still no New Orleans when it comes to open containers). You can expect a Budweiser or Miller Lite to cost you $4.25 a pop.

More Chipotle than typical fast-food fare, the Whopper Bar will also have an assembly line where you can customize your burger and add toppings such as guacamole, bacon, or steak sauce. Burgers will be available 24/7 inside the restaurant, at the walk-up window, and through some local delivery options.

There are already Whopper Bars in Orlando at the Universal CityWalk and overseas in Munich, Singapore, and Venezuela. New York City, Vegas, and L.A. could be next. With all the amazing bars in those cities, it’s kind of like recommending a McDonald’s in Rome. Then again, who can argue with 4 a.m. cravings or the novelty of it all?

Tip: Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack, which has two locations in New York City, already features an affordable selection of beer and wine. According to the Shake Shack website, five more branches will open this year, including one in Miami.

[Via CNN]

Flea Market Finds: Brooklyn

by Amy Chen on

Finding unique souvenirs these days can be tough. Instead of picking up yet another mug, try scoping out a local flea market.

In New York, for example, the Brooklyn Flea Market has moved indoors for the winter so you can take your time sifting through another person’s junk in search of your treasure.

I recently spent a rainy Sunday afternoon at the old Williamsburgh Savings Bank combing through the racks and tables. Presentation is everything–items that would otherwise look drab seemed more appealing when neatly organized and labeled. Among the vintage jewelry and clothing, I spotted some retro travel bags ($15), including this blue tote from the posh Fontainebleau resort in Miami.

Days later, I’m kicking myself for not buying that bag. I contacted the hotel to see if they might sell any similar totes. A spokesperson tells me that while the hotel only has newer versions right now, they’re looking into bringing back the design of this bag, estimated to date back to the 1950s. Until then, I guess I’ll have to look on eBay.

Details: One Hanson Place at Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays now through March 28.

Tip: After browsing in the main hall, head downstairs into the vault to sample the food: Asia Dogs sells beef, chicken, or veggie hot dogs with unexpected toppings like kimchi, Japanese curry, or barbecue pork belly (from $4).

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