Top 10 travel spots in the United States

by Tom Johansmeyer on

So, Orbitz noted when we like to travel … but where do we go? The top 10 destinations in the country were mostly predictable, with big tourist-magnet cities dominating the list. There were a few surprises, according to the information supplied by Orbitz: Boston, for example, didn’t make the list, after having ranked ninth in 2009. Los Angeles, fifth in 2009, also fell off in 2010. New Orleans and Honolulu debuted last year.

In the top 10 U.S. destinations last year, average daily hotel rates rose, yet some spots, like Las Vegas and San Diego, still offered great bargains, with rates well below 2008 levels still.

So, which cities are among our 10 favorites? Let’s take a look below!

1. Las Vegas, Nevada: Vegas was hit hard by the financial crisis – expect to see some deals there for a while

2. New York, New York: how can the Big Apple not be an ongoing favorite?

3. Chicago, Illinois: the top city in the Midwest just had to make the list!4. San Francisco, California: forget Los Angeles, this is the place to see out west

5. San Diego, California: again, this is a great alternative to Tinseltown

6. Orlando, Florida: remember that there’s more to Orlando than the theme parks

7. Honolulu, Hawaii: if you’re going to spend some time on the beach, do it right

8. New Orleans, Louisiana: it may have taken a while, but the recovery following Hurricane Katrina is definitely under way

9. Washington, DC: the allure of the nation’s capital can never be resisted

10. Miami, Florida: where else can you see and sample so many great bodies in one place? You have to check this out!

[photo Fabrizio Monaco via Flickr]

MGM Resorts launches hotel loyalty program for Las Vegas hotels

by Melanie Nayer on

Las Vegas lovers: get ready to earn back what you lost at the tables.

MGM Resorts just announced it will launch a hotel loyalty program that includes room upgrades, casino credits, and dining and shopping rewards.

Called M Life, the program will launch Tuesday and, according to Travel Weekly, will expand into a full loyalty program later this year recognizing guest spending on hotel stays, shopping, dining and gambling.

The introduction of the loyalty program competes with MGM’s rivals on the Las Vegas Strip, many of whom offer loyalty programs and players clubs, thanks to association with larger brands. The Cosmopolitan resort (part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection) and the Venetian and Palazzo (both part of the InterContinental Hotels Group system) currently allow customers to earn loyalty points and redeem rewards at various hotels and retailers. However, MGM Resorts’ program goes beyond traditional hotel loyalty program, by introducing gaming and the casino into the mix.
The program will have four tiers (Sapphire, Pearl, Gold and Platinum) and allow “players” to gamble their way to hotel benefits including free rooms and upgrades, pre-sale tickets to concerts and shows and VIP services. The Express Comps feature will enable guests to use their card anytime to instantly redeem rewards.

According to Travel Weekly, “For instance, if a guest is playing at a slot machine and gets hungry or wants to buy a show ticket, they can instantly redeem rewards at participating venues, said MGM Resorts. Express Comps appear as dollars, making redemption transparent and simple.”

The M Life program will cover Las Vegas hotels Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Excalibur, Luxor, Monte Carlo and New York-New York.

Bellagio hotel cancels $25,000 casino chip

by Melanie Nayer on

In a move that might even make Danny Ocean rethink his plans, the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas just announced it would cancel its $25,000 casino chips in an effort to thwart thieves who hit the casino a few weeks ago.

Associated Press reports the luxury Las Vegas casino and hotel is canceling the high-roller chip to send a message to thieves: the chips are worthless if they aren’t redeemed by April 22. Apparently, a man in a jumpsuit stole $1.5 million in chips from the casino and made off on his motorcycle two weeks ago. AP reports the majority of the stolen money was in the form of $25,000 chips.

The hotel also advises guests who might have $25,000 chips lying around to cash them in now, before the chips are out of commission.

We’re just wondering: If you had a $25,000 chip from the Bellagio, would you have it just lying around in your coin jar?

Daily Pampering: Las Vegas hotels break out the mega-suites

by Melanie Nayer on

Admit it: You have always wanted to live like a high-roller, at least for one night in Las Vegas. There’s no shame in it – we all secretly have the desire, and it’s hard not to say no when Las Vegas hotels create suite packages and deals that make you feel like you’re top royalty.

At Las Vegas’ Rumor Boutique Hotel, however, the luxe life is little more in reach (well, depending on how many friends you want to share it with). The hotel recently announced their new mega-suites – The Swinger, The Gossip, The Camouflage, and The Diva – each one with a unique selling point. Whether you choose to whoop it up “Hangover”-style or unleash your inner-diva, you won’t be disappointed. But for the purposes of this Daily Pampering, we’re focusing on the bathroom: Every suite is also equipped with an “ultra-lounge/party bathroom” featuring a 10-person, open shower with two rain showerheads and a plush u-shaped couch that comfortably seats 10.

That’s right. You and 9 of your closest friends (or new friends you picked up that night in Vegas) can get cozy and clean under the rain showerheads of this “suite” bathroom. In addition to the sexy shower, each suite is 1,000 square feet with iPod docking stations, wet bar, mini refrigerator, four-seater high boys with a glass top, two custom-made couches, 60-inch plasma in the bedroom/living room area and a 32-inch plasma in the bathroom.

The price for this Daily Pampering: Weekday rates start at just $350 and $500 on weekends. Our suggestion: Tell your friends to bring their own soap.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Las Vegas gets first Steak n’ Shake

by McLean Robbins on

Get excited, Steak n’ Shake fans: the first brand outpost in Nevada will open today at Las Vegas‘ South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa.

Sardar Biglari, Chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings, owner of Steak ‘n Shake, commented that “The opening of Steak ‘n Shake in Las Vegas is a historic milestone because, after 76 years, we are expanding into a western state and an urban area, which epitomizes action and excitement.”

The restaurant will feature an open grill and milkshake fountain, both dating back to the historic tagline of the establishment, “In Sight It Must Be Right.”

Sadly, South Point Casino is not located on the strip, so, like other Las Vegas burger fave In N’ Out, you’ll have to cab over to get your fix.

*This article originally stated that the Las Vegas location would be the first branch outpost west of the Mississippi. We have been informed that locations in Missiouri exists and regret the error.