Search Results for: blog hot hotel trends

The Newest Hotel Trend

Who doesn’t enjoy a two-for-one special? The newest trend in the hotel industry is all about twofers, only most of the money saving is taking place on the property’s end, while travelers look to save more time than dough. Several major hotel chains have decided to save money by building two hotels on one property.  Dual-branded hotels are the latest way developers are padding their wallets during these unpredictable financial times. According to hotel industry insiders, by having two hotels on the same lot chains not only save on construction and operational costs by combining amenities such as the pool … Continue reading →

Home Decor Trends go Vintage Too

If you hadn’t noticed, old is new this year in fashion. The same holds true for home decor. While this trend is certainly a side effect from a rough economy, you can’t help but be glad that you don’t have to spend a fortune on fall and winter decor to be in style. If you are looking for some new items to update your home you don’t have to look very far. Here is where you can find decor items for fall and winter 2009. Flea markets: Nicole Humphrey suggests some specific items to look for in Frugal Decorating with … Continue reading →

Celebrity Owned Hotels

I write a lot about actors, actresses, and musicians in the POP CULTURE blog and one of the trends I have been recently taking note of is the huge number of celebrities who are dabbling in other ventures, including real estate. And I’m not just talking about multiple homes, but many A-list Hollywood stars are adding hotels to their real estate portfolios. For instance did you know the B-52’s Kate Pierson owns the Lazy Meadow Motel in New York’s Catskills? And Clint Eastwood is the proud owner of Mission Ranch in Carmel, California? In fact, the award-winning actor enlisted a … Continue reading →

Celebrating the Holidays At My Favorite Hotel in Hawaii

It’s a cross between Disneyland and Fantasy Island. A place where you can swim with dolphins in the morning and dine on world-class cuisine at night. A place where you ride to lunch on a gondola, electric tram or boat. And a place where I make a concerted effort to visit each time I travel home to the Big Island of Hawaii. I’m talking about the spectacular and extremely family friendly Hilton Waikoloa Village. I’ve written about the award-winning resort in previous blogs, but I have never covered the magnificent transformation it undergoes during the month of December. Each winter … Continue reading →

Hotel Tips: Preserving Your Health, Back and Wallet

In a previous blog I shared a tip I learned from travel expert Peter Greenberg (the Today show’s travel editor). It had to do with staying healthy at hotels. Greenberg suggests rinsing the bathroom glasses in hot water for at least three minutes in case a housekeeper was short on time and didn’t replace the ones left from the last guest. The tip itself is handy, though it does make you wonder about the types of living conditions travelers expose themselves to during hotel stays. Not that you need to arm yourself with gloves and a face mask to ward … Continue reading →

Hot Hotel Trends

When I hear the term economy hotel I instantly think of the types of properties that advertise the price of a room in neon lights on a large sign posted out front. When I hear the term upscale hotel I instantly think of the luxury properties that I could only afford to stay at if I won the lottery. And, when I hear the term “upscale limited-service hotels,” I really don’t know what to think. Well, not anymore. I recently got a crash course in what these types of properties offer travelers. Typically, their interiors look similar to the floor … Continue reading →

Travel Trends—“Parents-Only Vacations” Part 2

In a previous blog I detailed the latest travel trend: vacations for grown ups. I wondered how many of you parents go on vacation without your children. We don’t; but that’s just because we are typically visiting out-of-state relatives, so leaving our child behind doesn’t really make sense. I wanted to know how popular these adult-only trips really are so I did some research and found some startling statistics. According to a survey conducted by AAA travel, adults-only trips now make up nearly 70% of the leisure travel market, which was once dominated by family trips. Hotels say the trend … Continue reading →

Travel Trends—“Parents-Only Vacations”

One of my daughter’s favorite books is “The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s.” It’s a cute story about how Brother and Sister bear spend a week at their grandparent’s house while Mama and Papa take a second honeymoon. The first time we read it together my 2-year-old demanded to know why the cubs weren’t going with their Mama and Papa on vacation. The concept is foreign to my daughter: A vacation without her—unthinkable. Compare that to my former colleague’s definition of “vacation.” He doesn’t consider it a true vacation if his three kids are along. No, if kids … Continue reading →

Home Trends—What’s In and What’s Out

I’m used to writing about what’s “in” and “out” in the world of fashion, but I’ve decided to apply the same concept here in the HOME blog. I was inspired to do so after visiting a friend’s home and hearing her ask me if I thought her new granite countertops would ever “go out of style.” (Never mind that she and her husband just forked over more than $40,000 to upgrade their entire kitchen, which included the installation of the shiny granite countertops, new fixtures, and custom made cabinets.) My reply: “If they do, you can send them my way.” … Continue reading →

Celebrity Fashions—Hot Or Not?

When it comes to celebrity fashion beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, whether you think a star’s look is “hot” or “not” it is likely that said celebrity more than likely dished out a ton of cold hard cash for a look that (they at least think) sizzles. The following items have recently graced the pages of fashion magazines—some merely because Hollywood A- listers were spotted modeling them in public. Far Out Frames Bespectacled individuals know even the most mundane frames can be costly. So how much would you pay for a pair of Alain Mikli glasses, … Continue reading →