SeatGuru adds search by flight number and route

by Scott Carmichael on

The ever-awesome SeatGuru.com just made life for travelers a whole lot easier. In the past, you’d need to look up your plane type before heading to SeatGuru – but now you can simply enter your flight number or route, and the Guru will instantly present the seat map for your flight.

If you have never used SeatGuru, you’ve probably been stuck in a less-than-desirable seat in the past (or on an airline without pre-assigned seating). The site displays 706 graphical seat maps for 98 different airlines – and each map also provides feedback on the quality of the seat, whether there are downsides (or upsides) to a specific seat and what kind of amenities are available, including the location of power outlets, bassinets and more.

So, next time you are able to pick a seat on your flight, head on over to SeatGuru for their expert advise on the best seat for your trip.

Travelers turn to seller sites for info

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Where do you go to get information on destinations and travel? Well, you obviously come here – at least you did this time. And, we appreciate it. Despite the value of independent sources of travel news and deals, it’s the seller sites that are attracting all the action. Social media is moving the travel market, according to the latest research from industry research firm PhoCusWright, with user-generated content on online travel agencies (OTAs) leading the charge.

In 2008, hotel reviews on OTA sites accounted for only 52 percent of traveler-written reviews, with traveler review sites (not associated with an OTA), such as TripAdvisor, accounting for 46 percent of reviews written. Last year, the OTA sites were good for 74 percent of the hotel reviews that showed up on the web.

“Traveler review sites – led by TripAdvisor – created and drove the growth of the traveler hotel review category, demonstrating the potential role of user-generated reviews in the trip-planning process,” said Douglas Quinby, senior director, research at PhoCusWright. “The travel industry obviously took notice, and the major OTAs have remarkably stepped up their game in capturing reviews from their customers and incorporating the content into their hotel shopping path. Travel companies must keep a close eye not only on review sites such as TripAdvisor, but the growing volume of review content on OTAs as well.”

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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Hostel World names world’s best hostels

by Katie Hammel on

TripAdvisor recently released its list of the best and worst in the hotel industry. Now it’s the hostel industry’s turn. Hostel World just announced the winners of the “Hoscars“, their annual ranking of the world’s best and worst hostels, rated by cleanliness, location, staff, fun, security, and character.

Over 20,000 properties around the world were eligible for the awards, yet because most of the 900,000 or so Hostel World users who may have voted are from Europe, the world’s best top ten seems to be a bit skewed geographically. All ten are located in Europe. Five of the top ten are located in Portugal.

This year’s winner, The Traveller’s House in Lisbon, won last year as well and is the first hostel to win two years in a row.

In other locations – the US, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania – the top three hostels are listed. Additional awards were given out for categories such as best location, most fun, best character, most improved, cleanest, most secure, best small/large hotel, and best chain.

[via Guardian]

TripAdvisor reveals America’s dirtiest hotels

by Melanie Nayer on

You’ve heard about the bed bugs, the dirty sheets and grimy carpets, but have you actually stayed in one of these hotels? Thanks for your fellow travelers you can avoid sharing bed sheets with the guests before you (and before them, and before them). TripAdvisor announced the top 10 dirtiest hotels in America, based on comments from customers and travelers on the popular travel review site.

Grab your antibacterial gel, hold your nose and watch where you step – these 10 hotels are sure to gross out even the most carefree traveler (there’s a reason health codes exist, folks). These hotels just make you just want to scream, eewwwwwwwww and run for the showers (which are hopefully clean, wherever you are).

Here are the 2010 Top 10 Dirtiest Hotels in America, and a few comments from the guests who stepped foot inside the rooms:

  1. Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco, California: “This hotel is like in a horrible horror movie! The bed was a nightmare. It smelled like urine and had strange spots.”
  2. Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Missouri: “If Hell had a hotel it would be something like this.”
  3. Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia: “We called the Virginia Beach health department and filed a complaint. We do not recommend this Place to any human being.”
  4. Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia: “I am still recovering from my stay in this hell-hole.”
  5. Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: “Our room looked like something from a very bad horror movie. I was scared to sleep in the bed. Just looking at it made me want to itch.”
  6. New York Inn, New York City, New York: “We were greeted on our arrival by a cleaner sitting on our bed smoking and watching TV.”
  7. Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach, Florida: “I had been bitten on my chin several times, my hands, forearms, legs and feet. At least 15% of my body was covered in red, burning, bites.”
  8. Capistrano Seaside Inn, Capistrano Beach, California: “We spilled water on the floor and cleaned it, and the towel turned brown from all the dirt on the ground.”
  9. Desert Lodge, Palm Springs, California: “Mold smell and bugs! Unavailable staff. Dirty sheets and bath tub was gross.”
  10. Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida: “I felt more dirty getting out of the shower than getting in.”

Gadling blogger Mike Barish tempted fate at the Hotel Carter, last year’s winner of the dirtiest hotel award. Have a hotel horror story? Share with us the worst place you’ve ever stayed.