New York short-term apartment rentals to become illegal

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Traveling to New York on a budget? Well, you just lost an option. Governor David Paterson just put his signature on a bill banning short-term vacation apartment rentals in New York City. Unless you’re renting an apartment for 30 days or longer, you’re out of luck. Originally, he said he’d veto the measure.

According USA Today, Paterson says the new law:

“… fixes problems caused by illegal hotels and improves quality of life in traditional residential apartment buildings, while also meeting the needs of visitors. By removing a legal gray area and replacing it with a clear definition of permanent occupancy, the law will allow enforcement efforts that help New Yorkers who live in SRO units and other types of affordable housing preserve their homes.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg came out in support of the law, USA Today continues:

“When housing designated for permanent occupancy is illegally converted into a hotel, unsafe conditions are created, the residential character of City neighborhoods is harmed and the supply of much-needed units of housing is depleted,” added New York Mayor Michael A. Bloomberg. “The bill provides a clear definition of what constitutes transient and permanent occupancy, which will allow City agencies to issue summonses and initiate other enforcement actions against illegal hotels.”

The law is ostensibly designed to protect New Yorkers, but could have an effect on the lower end of the tourism industry here. It takes effect May 1, 2011.

What about everyone else, the tourists coming to visit and looking for cheap digs? You can always find bargain in New York … well, almost. Your best bet is to read Melanie Nayer’s stuff: she always has some great tips.

[photo by Randy Lemoine via Flickr]

Ritz-Carlton Toronto set to open Fall 2010

by Melanie Nayer on

The Ritz-Carlton’s first foray into Great White North will take place this fall with the opening of its Toronto hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto was slightly delayed last month thanks to weather-related issue, but the building seems to be back on schedule and the new open date is set for sometime in the late summer or early fall. So, what can Toronto guests expect?

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto will be within walking distance to entertainment, shopping areas, sports venues, and the city’s business districts. The hotel is surrounded by two parks and all of the 267 rooms will have views of either the city or Lake Ontario. Rooms include floor-to-ceiling windows, Frette linens and luxurious bathroom amenities.

A 23,000 square foot, 16 treatment room spa, referred to by the hotel as the “Urban Sanctuary” will offer an extensive menu of spa services. A fully cardio-equipped fitness center is located on the same floor and features a kinesis center, indoor pool and hot tub.
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The Canada hotel will feature a 120-seat restaurant on the mezzanine level that focuses on “contemporary Canadian cuisine”. Diners will find a glass encased cheese cave, wine display, walk-in wine cellar, open pastry kitchen and a Chef’s table in the kitchen. If the restaurant is too formal, you’ll have the option of lounging in the lobby bar or at the outdoor patio, where a pizza oven and fire pit await.

As part of Ritz-Carlton’s ongoing efforts to support a greener economy, the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto will feature a Deep Lake Water Cooling System, which provides an alternative to conventional air-conditioning. According to the hotel’s website:

The system uses the cool energy in cold water to air-condition our building, reducing the energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional chillers.

For those of you eager to track the progress of this hotel, you can keep up with the construction here.
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A trip through Sweden’s Midsommar festival

by Grant Martin on

In ten short hours I have forgotten Chicago. Sitting outside of Hotel Skepshollmenn on the sprawling, gravel terrace, the pastel, Scandinavian sun reflects off of the yellow building walls and tall, leafy trees rustle in the polite sea breeze. It’s hard to believe that we’ve so fluidly escaped the Midwest heat, let alone that we’re in the center of the largest city in Sweden.

Here in Stockholm it’s Midsommar, the traditional celebration of the longest day of the year, a time when hard-working residents take to their summer cottages out on the archipelago, when the city adopts a quiet, astute functionality and grace. Though the date changes every year, the festival is always held on the weekend closest to the solstice; this year it’s June 24-27.

Volumes of debate swirl around when the best time of the year is to visit Scandinavia. It goes without saying that summer is the best season in which to make your way (as hotel and airline prices will surely reflect,) but around Midsommar, which is celebrated differently in each Scandinavian nation, demand tapers in. With so many residents and workers away for the holiday, much of Stockholm slows down, some of the unique, boutique stores and restaurants button up and the access to the residential, city culture is somewhat restricted.

As a result, visitors might see a dip in hotel prices and other associated costs during the weekend of Midsommar — at the expense of missing out on some of the more organic aspects of Stockholm.

As in any metropolis, however, city life does move on. Gamla stan, the old town and tourist center of the city, becomes the hub of activity, with visitors and the few remaining workers sifting through Irish bars, souvenir shops and cafes. Museums and attractions including the open air Skansen and the new Fotografiska still stay open, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the traditional Midsommar aquavit and pickled herring across the city.

For residents, however, Midsommar is a time for celebration, relaxation and socialization. Observance ranges from traditional to hedonistic (which we’ll get to later) but the underlying theme is all the same: visit with family and friends and enjoy the long happy weekend.

Later this week we’ll get to the particularities of Midsommar celebration and the practicality of designing your own trip. We hope that you enjoy the trip.

Note, some logistical help in executing this trip came from the Sweden tourism board. Itineraries and adventures were our own creation.

Hotels on social media: we’re trying!

by Tom Johansmeyer on

For the properties using social media, the effort seems to be paying off. Guests are using tools like Facebook to score discounted rates all over the country. This shouldn’t exactly be shocking, but since the travel industry lags other businesses, there’s a sort of novelty to the impact of promoting in these emerging online environments.

What’s interesting is that the greatest benefit may not be the booking itself, or the attendant revenue. Rather, it’s the subsequent online chest-puffing involved in telling the world you scored a great deal. Why? It’s electron-based word-of-mouth, which sends people over to the property’s Facebook page creating the potential for more clicks, bookings and braggadocio … to kick the cycle off again.

Vail: Eight free ways to rock snowless slopes

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Your skis are jammed in the closet, and you’re more concerned about traffic en route to the beach than you are about getting out to the Rockies. Well, it’s time to change your thinking. Dash off to Colorado this summer, and you can escape the heat and find some exciting ways to recharge away from home. Oh, and you won’t have to pull out your wallet when you get there.

Check out these free ways to have a blast in Vail this summer without dropping a dime:

1. Music: Enjoy the Hot Summer Nights Tuesday Free Concert series

2. More Music: Tuesday isn’t enough? Get greedy and hang out until Thurday for jazz concerts outside the Arrabelle at Vail Square. If you can’t get enough jazz, linger at the Vail Farmer’s Market on Sunday, too.

3. Ride: Stick your kids on a gondola. It won’t cost you a thing, and you can get them out of your hair for a bit.

4. Play: Try your hand at horseshoes or bocce (among others) at Adventure Ridge.5. Hike: Walk the trails of Vail Mountain with a guide.

6. Serve and volley: Are you into tennis? Pick up a match at the Golden Peak Tennis Courts.

7. Learn: Take advantage of free admission to the Colorado Ski Museum.

8. Park: Yeah, it doesn’t sound like much, but anyone who lives in a city, especially, will appreciate this one. Vail Village and Lionshead offer free parking all summer long.

And if this isn’t enough for you, there are some deals to be had. Both the Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Lodge at Vail are kicking in solid discounts, with rates at the former starting at $199 a night and the latter at $149 a night.