Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Amazing Time-Lapse Video Of Vivid Sydney Light Show]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/24/amazing-time-lapse-video-of-vivid-sydney-light-show/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/24/amazing-time-lapse-video-of-vivid-sydney-light-show/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/24/amazing-time-lapse-video-of-vivid-sydney-light-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

"TIMELAPSE - Vivid Sydney 2013 Launch" from Vivid Sydney on Vimeo.

The video above captures an incredible light show happening at the Sydney Opera House as part of the fifth annual Vivid Sydney festival.

The largest light, music and ideas festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid Sydney features lighting installations around the harbour foreshore, live music performances at Sydney Opera House and over 120 creative industry events.

Part of a tourism push, the festival has grown year over year and is expected to attract 550,000 visitors this year alone.

The artists making up the show come not only from Australia but from the USA, Germany, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, Korea, Poland, Brazil and New Zealand.

For the first time this year, the area's famous Harbour Bridge will also be lit up on its western face, and, with a creative touch, the light show will be controlled by the public from an interactive touch screen, through a collaboration with Intel and with Sydney's 32 Hundred Lighting.

The Darling Harbour is also part of the show, featuring water fountains, water projection screens and light shows.

We love the above video and only wish it was set to music so that we could feel more like we were really there! If you're in the area, please send us your comments below - we'd love to hear how it looks, sounds and feels to be there live!

Amazing Time-Lapse Video Of Vivid Sydney Light Show originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australialight showLightShowsydneyvideovivid sydneyVividSydneyFri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotel News We Noted: May 18, 2013]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/18/hotel-news-we-noted-may-18-2013/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/18/hotel-news-we-noted-may-18-2013/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/18/hotel-news-we-noted-may-18-2013/#commentsFiled under:

Hotel Pain Dei Palais
Courtesy of Hotel Pain Dei Palais
Are you ready for the weekend, "Hotel News We Noted" readers? We sure are - and we can't believe that it's almost the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day! This week is jam packed with your usual hotel news, plus a special addition in some of our favorite packages, promotions and last-minute deals for the long weekend.

If you're a new fan, "Hotel News We Noted" tracks the best, most interesting and downright weird news of the week in the hotel world. We welcome reader comments, so feel free to leave a comment below or shoot us an email.

STEALS N' DEALS: MEMORIAL DAY EDITION
Stay cool with these special offers and packages.
  • Starwood Caribbean Hotels & Resorts are offering great specials with their "Sunsational Savings" package (actually, it's available beyond the Caribbean too, but we find these deals particularly great). We love this time of year in the Caribbean, as it's not as expensive as the winter, but not yet hurricane season either. Starting at $149 per night (a savings of more than 30 percent!), travelers heading to the sunny destinations of Aruba, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will enjoy resort credits, free nights and more.
  • Kick off the summer with a Sazerac at the newly opened Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Iberville. Rates start at just $109, a great deal for a new hotel in the heart of the French Quarter, and the offer is good for stays between now and September 30 if you book before the end of the month.
  • Dive in and chill out at The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel in Washington, D.C. Walk-able to historic Capitol Hill and easily accessible to monuments, museums and more, one of our favorite parts about this hotel is its open-air rooftop pool and bar. Their special package includes two cocktails per adult daily, a morning yoga class and a "Sun Yourself" kit, with rates from $165.
  • The luxe "I'm on a Boat!" package at Kimpton's Hotel Allegro is a bargain, and the weather in Chicago during the summer months is definitely a draw. Enjoy overnight accommodations in three deluxe rooms (10 person maximum), a three-hour private chartered boat ride throughout Lake Michigan, a picnic basket filled with Italian cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Luca Corazzina of 312 Chicago, (a tasty spread of cheeses, charcuterie and wine) and round-trip transportation to the dock, starting at just $2,570. Book this one by calling 1.800.643.1500.

Continue reading Hotel News We Noted: May 18, 2013

Hotel News We Noted: May 18, 2013 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hotel news we notedHotelNewsWeNotedhotelsluxury travelLuxuryTravelmemorial dayMemorialDaySat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotwire Launches TripWatcher.com, Offering Real-Time Price Information]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/hotwire-launches-tripwatcher-com-offering-real-time-price-infor/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/hotwire-launches-tripwatcher-com-offering-real-time-price-infor/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/16/hotwire-launches-tripwatcher-com-offering-real-time-price-infor/#commentsFiled under:

trip watcher
Hotwire
Hotwire is promising to make travel searching even easier with the launch of their new real-time alert system, TripWatcher.com. The site offers up-to-the-moment price alerts for flights - even for unadvertised sales.

They aren't the first to offer this service - Kayak offers a price tracker, as do several other sites, but as data shows that many travelers search multiple sites before booking, it's an easy-to-use platform that lends another chance for a discount from a reputable name in travel. The technology has existed for some time, actually, but today marks the launch of TripWatcher into a spin-off site.

"We've all experienced it, we look and look for low fares and the day we decide to take a rest, we hear about a lower-priced ticket after it's already gone. So a couple of years ago, Hotwire developed the Trip Watcher tool to alleviate some of the guess work from getting a great deal," said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group in a release. "Using the site, travelers can rest assured they will get up-to-the-minute alerts when prices drop on their ideal flights, giving us all a chance to get the best deal."

A few things we like:
  • The simple-to-use interface, which allows for registration via Facebook or Twitter
  • The ability to be contacted the way you want to - via email, Facebook or Twitter
  • Planning capabilities for weekend, flexible or exact date trips
  • The ability to watch hotel and car rentals (coming soon)
What do you think about this new way to search for discount travel?

Hotwire Launches TripWatcher.com, Offering Real-Time Price Information originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hotwiretravel dealsTravelDealstripwatcherThu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Infographic: Americans Will Spend $84 Billion On Summer Hotel Stays]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/infographic-americans-will-spend-84-billion-on-summer-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/infographic-americans-will-spend-84-billion-on-summer-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/infographic-americans-will-spend-84-billion-on-summer-travel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This summer, Americans are expected to spend a whopping $84 billion dollars on summer hotel stays, with the average traveler booking just over seven nights this season, states new data from Room Key.

What are travelers seeking? Price (72%), hotel amenities (58%) and brand (43%), as well as the ability to earn points and rewards (31%), something we've previously seen travelers pay less attention to. Room Key's survey finds that leisure stays will average $1,134, and most state that this is about what they spent last year. The infographic below details other key facts about summer travel.

Are you in line with the average American's summer travel plans? Leave your thoughts below. summer travel infographic

Infographic: Americans Will Spend $84 Billion On Summer Hotel Stays originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infographicroom keyroomkeystatisticssummer travelSummerTravelsurveyTue, 14 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Snap Your Stay,' A New Way To Review Your Hotel Experience]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/snap-your-stay-a-new-way-to-review-your-hotel-experience/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/snap-your-stay-a-new-way-to-review-your-hotel-experience/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/14/snap-your-stay-a-new-way-to-review-your-hotel-experience/#comments hotel tonight appWe've talked in the past about last-minute booking application HotelTonight, which allows travelers to book discounted, same-night hotel stays in major cities across the country. It's a well thought out application and we generally find that the prices are pretty competitive as well.

The application is back with its newest redesigned version, offering a Price Guarantee functionality that ensures the rates are the same or better than competitors. If you find a lower price elsewhere, HotelTonight offers a booking credit equal to the difference in fare.

But we're most excited about the "Snap Your Stay" feature, which allows users to upload a series of live photos of the hotel bed, bathroom, view, lobby and exterior, plus one cool feature of their choice to the app. Guests get $5 future booking credit ($10 if their photos are good enough to be featured) as incentive. The app isn't the first to showcase live photos to assist in a travel review - TripAdvisor has a similar functionality, but it is the first to do so in a consistent manner (meaning travelers will see all pertinent parts of their stay) as well as in such a way that incentivizes travelers to share.

We'd love to see a live view of the hotel, and hopefully this new feature can help us make our booking decisions even easier.

What do you think? Are you more likely to book a hotel if current photos are live in the app, or are you most concerned with price?

'Snap Your Stay,' A New Way To Review Your Hotel Experience originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apphotel reviewhotel tonightHotelReviewHotelTonighttravel appTravelAppTue, 14 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Summer Travel Idea: Heritage Trips]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/11/summer-travel-idea-heritage-trips/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/11/summer-travel-idea-heritage-trips/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/11/summer-travel-idea-heritage-trips/#commentsFiled under: ,

heritage toursSummer travel season is upon us, and while many consider a week at the beach a worthy summer vacation, we have another suggestion.

The National Park Service's African American Experience Fund (the only nonprofit partner of the National Park Service) offers a number of heritage trip tour itineraries that combine some of the country's best attractions with a vibrant trip through history.

The nearly 50 sites are spread throughout the country, and many are clustered around a single state or region, making it simple to take a single or multi-day driving trip. The website also offers an easy-to-use map and itinerary generator to custom design a trip that suits your individual goals and needs.

We only wish it was this easy to plan heritage travel outside of this particular portion of the population!

[Image Credit: National Park Service's African American Experience Fund]

Summer Travel Idea: Heritage Trips originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 11 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heritage tourheritage tripHeritageTourHeritageTripnatioanl park serviceNatioanlParkServicenational park serviceNational Park Services African American Experience FundNationalParkServiceNationalParkServicesAfricanAmericanExperienceFundSat, 11 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotel News We Noted: May 11, 2013]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/11/hotel-news-we-noted-may-10-2013/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/11/hotel-news-we-noted-may-10-2013/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/11/hotel-news-we-noted-may-10-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

hermitage bay antigua bar pool at nightIt's the weekend, and you know that that means - it's time for "Hotel News We Noted," your annual wrap up of the best, wackiest and downright odd hotel news of the week. Spring has sprung in the hotel world, and we're seeing tons of openings from major brands and boutique properties alike, as well as a slew of packages, many of which incentivize travelers to book early for summer stays. Time is running out for Memorial Day bookings in prime locations, but you'll still find some great last-minute specials in major cities. Of course, don't forget that Mother's Day is this weekend. It's not too late to snag a special at an area hotel there either - Saturday night stays and Sunday brunch offerings abound.

So without further ado, here's the news you need for this week:

Crazy Hotel Package: Cockle Fishing (With your TOES!) at Hermitage Bay in Antigua
We've heard of hotels that will take guests out to "catch" their dinner, but never one quite like this. The ultra-luxe Hermitage Bay in Antigua will escort guests cockle fishing in in a hidden mangrove near the property. What is a cockle, you ask? It's a small saltwater clam that lives in the deep, swampy mud. Desi, the Chef, and a local fisherman named Deon take guests hunting for the sweet things. Guests stand submerged to mid-thigh, calf-deep in mud, and find the clams by wiggling their toes! This sure brings new meaning to the idea of working for your home-cooked meal.

Continue reading Hotel News We Noted: May 11, 2013

Hotel News We Noted: May 11, 2013 originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 11 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiguacockle fishingCockleFishinghermitage bayHermitageBayhotel news we notedHotelNewsWeNotedhotelsluxury travelLuxuryTravelSat, 11 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: China's Abandoned 'Wonderland']]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/video-chinas-abandoned-wonderland/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/video-chinas-abandoned-wonderland/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/video-chinas-abandoned-wonderland/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The video above showcases an inside glimpse into what was supposed to be Asia's largest theme park, dubbed "Wonderland," in China, designed after California's Disneyland. Now, however, the park is being demolished 15 years after construction ceased. Business Insider posted a fascinating photo tour and we're showcasing the last glimpses of this famed unfinished landmark before it becomes ... (wait for it) a shopping mall.

Continue reading Video: China's Abandoned 'Wonderland'

Video: China's Abandoned 'Wonderland' originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Summer Travel Infographic: Scenic Highways And Byways]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/09/summer-travel-infographic-scenic-highways-and-byways/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/09/summer-travel-infographic-scenic-highways-and-byways/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/09/summer-travel-infographic-scenic-highways-and-byways/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's almost that time of year again - road trip time, that is. From a long-haul, cross-country road trip adventure to a weekend warrior trek, planning a road trip takes more than just great company and a killer soundtrack. The scenery must be equally impressive. We're fans of this new infographic detailing some of the country's most scenic highways and byways.

Summer Travel Infographic: Scenic Highways And Byways originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BudgetTravelinfographicroad tripRoadTripThu, 09 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Women Take To The Sky: Infographic Details 80 Years Of Flight Milestones]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/05/women-take-to-the-sky-infographic-details-80-years-of-flight-mi/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/05/women-take-to-the-sky-infographic-details-80-years-of-flight-mi/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/05/women-take-to-the-sky-infographic-details-80-years-of-flight-mi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The infographic below showcases the history of the flight attendant. Eighty years ago, American Airlines introduced the first female flight attendants to the sky, and the graphic below illustrates exactly how much has changed in the past 80 years. From adding the first Male flight attendants to adding (and removing) hot meals from economy class to making sure health and safety devices like AEDs are a standard on each plane, this graphic showcases just how much flying has changed since the days of the Wright Brothers.

Women Take To The Sky: Infographic Details 80 Years Of Flight Milestones originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 05 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american airlinesAmericanAirlinesflight attendantsFlightAttendantsflyinginfographicSun, 05 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Covetable Commodes: Washlets At NYC's The Kitano]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/02/covetable-commodes-washlets-at-nycs-the-kitano/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/02/covetable-commodes-washlets-at-nycs-the-kitano/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/02/covetable-commodes-washlets-at-nycs-the-kitano/#commentsFiled under:

s300 washlet by totoWe all know that the Japanese make many products we Americans covet, including cars and electronics. But did you know that they also make the world's fanciest toilet?

The Washlet S300 by Toto is the preferred Japanese toilet of choice, and discerning tushies can find this particular porcelain throne at The Kitano, New York City's only Japanese-owned hotel.

The Kitano is the first hotel in the city with a Washlet S300 in each of their 149 guestrooms. While Washlets are commonplace in Japan, they are often considered indulgences in the U.S. and are often only installed in major hotel suites or penthouses.

What exactly does this super fancy waste-gatherer do? It features five warm water cleansing modes; a warm air dryer; an adjustable cleansing wand; a wireless remote; a heated SoftClose(R) seat; and an automatic air purifier.

Don't think you can live without one of these babies in your home? It will set you back between $800 and $900. That's a three-night stay in a Superior King Room, by comparison.

We would caution, however, that this isn't the world's most expensive commode - that honor belongs to a solid gold model in Hong Kong.

So what would you rather have? A weekend in New York or a super fancy toilet? Weigh in in the comments.

[Image Credit: Toto]

Covetable Commodes: Washlets At NYC's The Kitano originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commodehotel toilethotel toiletriesHotelToiletHotelToiletriesnew york cityNewYorkCitythe kitanoTheKitanotoiletwashletThu, 02 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Underwhelming Tourist Destinations - Do You Agree?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/29/top-underwhelming-tourist-destinations-do-you-agree/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/29/top-underwhelming-tourist-destinations-do-you-agree/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/29/top-underwhelming-tourist-destinations-do-you-agree/#commentsFiled under: ,

hollywood walk of fameA new thread on reddit has tackled the world's most "remarkably underwhelming" destinations. The thread captures reader comments from the self-proclaimed "front page of the Internet" website that allows readers to submit feedback to threads in a variety of categories. Here's what readers are saying. Do you agree?

The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
"The Hollywood walk of fame is a dirty, tacky *!)P&%$! and has the highest concentration of even worse gift shops in the entire world." - A-punk

The Mona Lisa at the Louvr
"It's much smaller and less impressive than you might think." - IAm_Fhqwhgads_AMA

Honolulu
"Honolulu reminds me of Detroit with palm trees. Waikiki Beach is just a 40ft deep strip of sand bordered on one side by the Pacific and the other by dozens of high-rise hotels. There are beautiful places in Hawaii, but those are not them." - Panic_Azimuth

Plymouth Rock
"Plymouth Rock is about 1% as exciting as it sounds, it doesn't sound very exciting." - nicolewasnthere

The Alamo
"The Alamo for sure. I always thought that it was out in the desert, but it turns out it's just in San Antonio...like 200 feet from a Motel 6." -helloyesthisisblank

Continue reading Top Underwhelming Tourist Destinations - Do You Agree?

Top Underwhelming Tourist Destinations - Do You Agree? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lame tourist destinationsLameTouristDestinationsreddittourist destinationsTouristDestinationsunderwhelmingunderwhelming tourist destinationsUnderwhelmingTouristDestinationsMon, 29 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Survey Shows Just What Travelers Would Give Up For Vacation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/28/new-survey-shows-just-what-travelers-would-give-up-for-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/28/new-survey-shows-just-what-travelers-would-give-up-for-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/28/new-survey-shows-just-what-travelers-would-give-up-for-vacation/#commentsFiled under:

hotel amenitiesA new survey by Marriott's SpringHill Suites brand reveals key statistics about Americans and their vacation habits, and some of what we learned from the report might surprise you. Travelers are more budget conscious than ever, and increasingly inspired by what they're finding in hotels.

Here's what we learned:

Vacation Time
While it's no shock that we could all use a few more vacation days, the survey reveals that, on average, people would like 17 more paid vacation days, and that 22 percent of people don't get any vacation days at all.

Packing and Planning
If you procrastinate and pack at the last minute, you're not alone. Around 50 percent of people wait to pack until the day of or day before, with 12 percent just throwing items in a suitcase and hoping for the best.

Bargain Hunters
Flash sale sites and frequent hotel discount codes have made travelers hungry for a good deal. If they could get 25 percent off their hotel, travelers say they would:
  • give up alcohol (54%)
  • forego hotel housekeeping (40%)
  • give up mobile device access (26%)
  • forgo a camera or ability to document their trip (13%)
Bringing Vacation Home
Over four in five (84%) Americans would miss at least one convenience offered at a hotel after leaving. As a result, two in five Americans have liked something (amenities, sheets, etc.) so much that they purchased it for home use.


We'll turn the questions back to you, readers. What would you do to have a good vacation? Do you need more time off? A great discount? Leave your comments below.

[Flickr via travel.executive]

New Survey Shows Just What Travelers Would Give Up For Vacation originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>marriottspringhill suitesSpringhillSuitesSpringhillSuitrssurveySun, 28 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Luxury Travel: Abercrombie & Kent's New Lifestyle Club Gives Travelers A Taste Of The Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/27/luxury-travel-abercrombie-and-kents-new-lifestyle-club-gives-tra/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/27/luxury-travel-abercrombie-and-kents-new-lifestyle-club-gives-tra/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/27/luxury-travel-abercrombie-and-kents-new-lifestyle-club-gives-tra/#commentsFiled under: ,

abercrombie and kent villa tuscanyDespite a lagging economy, the growth of the ultra luxury sector in the travel and hotel market is hotter than ever. Travelers are increasingly seeking personalized, customized experiences and high-touch service above and beyond what traditional luxury hotels can provide. As a result, many companies have new or improved specialized programs to cater to this new breed of traveler.

One of the newest is Abercrombie & Kent's A&K Lifestyle Club.

What makes the club interesting? Abercrombie & Kent has been offering ultra luxury tours and travel experiences for more than 50 years, but this is their first membership model.

The new A&K Lifestyle Club offers travelers (and their partners) a personal Travel Consultant and access to a network of 50 offices on seven continents to plan custom, high-end vacations, as well as a 24/7 global concierge service.

For a $3,750 joining fee and an annual cost of $10,500, members get a personal Lifestyle Manager who will act as the local knowledge and "fixer" both at home or wherever in the world they are. They will advise and help with lifestyle requests, from sending flowers to organizing restaurant reservations or gaining access to exclusive clubs and sold-out events. In addition, members gain instant access worldwide to logistical, medical and security advice around the clock. These team members are available whether or not you're traveling with A&K. In addition to the travel benefits and special member's only discounts, travelers also get gratis airport lounge passes and two free nights at A&K villas each year.

Want an even higher end experience? They're relaunching their popular private jet journeys in 2014 with special African safari trip, booking here now for a 19-day trip at about $80,000 per person.

Can't even dream of dropping $80k on vacation? They've also launched a more affordable travel product, dubbed "Connections," where groups of up to 44 travelers enjoy similarly customized trips and high-end hotels at a much lower price point.

What do you think? Would you buy into this exclusive club, or are you apt to try to put together these types of trips on your own?

[Image Credit: Abercrombie & Kent]

Luxury Travel: Abercrombie & Kent's New Lifestyle Club Gives Travelers A Taste Of The Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abercrombie and kentAbercrombieAndKentLuxuryTravelultra luxuryUltraLuxuryultraluxury travelUltraluxuryTravelSat, 27 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotel News We Noted: April 26, 2013]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/26/hotel-news-we-noted-april-26-2013/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/26/hotel-news-we-noted-april-26-2013/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/26/hotel-news-we-noted-april-26-2013/#commentsFiled under:


Welcome to this week's edition of "Hotel News We Noted," where we discuss the best trends, openings and news of note in the industry. We love to hear from you, so please leave comments below or alert us to tips via email.

Kimpton Gets Quirky With Wellness Marketing
Hotels across the country have jumped on the wellness marketing trend, but Kimpton does it better than most, offering fitness rooms and gratis workout equipment for guests. We love the new video (shown above) featuring a day with Mat. It's not necessarily groundbreaking, but it is clever and creative!

Reno News: Westin Hilton Head Is Ready For Summer
A $30 million renovation at the Westin in South Carolina's Hilton Head has put the property in tip top shape, just in time for summer guests. Highlights include a new lobby, six enhanced restaurants, three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a spa just named the #1 in South Carolina (and one of the 100 best in the U.S.).

Continue reading Hotel News We Noted: April 26, 2013

Hotel News We Noted: April 26, 2013 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hotel news we notedHotelNewsWeNotedhotelsFri, 26 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Delta's New T4X Pop-Up Celebrates New Terminal Opening At JFK]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/24/deltas-new-t4x-pop-up-celebrates-new-terminal-opening-at-jfk/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/24/deltas-new-t4x-pop-up-celebrates-new-terminal-opening-at-jfk/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/24/deltas-new-t4x-pop-up-celebrates-new-terminal-opening-at-jfk/#comments
Delta is celebrating the launch of JFK Airport's new Terminal 4 (opening May 24) with a SoHo-based pop-up dubbed T4X. The high-design concept will showcase elements of the new terminal, as well as offer some perks for visitors.

Open Tuesday though Sunday each week, the building at the corner of West Broadway and Broome will serve four $4 daily sandwich and salad offerings created by Chef Michelle Bernstein, consulting chef for Delta's International BusinessElite flights. Playing on the pop-up's terminal theme, a flight information screen will display the daily menu and a baggage claim style conveyor belt will deliver the food in a mini Delta suitcase. The lunch items are inspired by the many international destinations Delta services from JFK, including London, Rome, Istanbul, Athens and more.

The second level of T4X features the Delta Sky Club where visitors can recharge their mobile devices and relax. An adjacent Sky Bar area offers TVs, reading materials or simply a place to enjoy a T4X international lunch.

Visitors will also experience a re-creation of The Sky Deck, the distinctive rooftop terrace to be located at Terminal 4's new Delta Sky Club, created in partnership with Architectural Digest.

The space at T4X will feature video projections that capture the essence of looking out to the JFK tarmac from the Sky Deck. Similar to the actual terminal experience, T4X will feature travel-related retail essentials, both complimentary and for-purchase. Complimentary items include passport holders, luggage tags and mugs, while those for purchase include the popular Beats headphones, iPhone cases and amenity bags.

The pop-up runs from May 1 through May 22.

Gallery: Delta T4X Pop-Up



[Image Credit: Delta]

Delta's New T4X Pop-Up Celebrates New Terminal Opening At JFK originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deltajfkjfk airportJfkAirportt4xWed, 24 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Man Builds, Rides Gigantic Bicycle: Dumbass Or Daredevil?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/man-builds-rides-gigantic-bicycle-dumbass-or-daredevil/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/man-builds-rides-gigantic-bicycle-dumbass-or-daredevil/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/man-builds-rides-gigantic-bicycle-dumbass-or-daredevil/#commentsFiled under: ,


The video above depicts a man riding a hand-built, 14.5-foot-tall bike that he built himself. The video, entitled "STOOPIDTALL," indicates that the man, identified only as Richie, intends to build an even taller model to break the record of the "World's Tallest Bike" and says he configured the monstrosity in under 12 hours.

What do you think? Is the guy a daredevil or just a dumbass who is looking to injure himself or others?

If you're looking for more ridiculous bike news, we have this post here, too.

Man Builds, Rides Gigantic Bicycle: Dumbass Or Daredevil? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bikingvideoviral videoViralVideoTue, 23 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Drive Nacho Drive: Bloggers Navigate China By VW Bus And Kickstarter Campaign]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/drive-nacho-drive-bloggers-navigate-china-by-vw-bus-and-kicksta/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/drive-nacho-drive-bloggers-navigate-china-by-vw-bus-and-kicksta/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/drive-nacho-drive-bloggers-navigate-china-by-vw-bus-and-kicksta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

brad and sheena van orden with nacho the carWe've heard of camping excursions and perhaps the occasional extended road trip in retrofitted buses, but what about an around-the-world adventure? That's exactly what's planned for Brad and Sheena Van Orden, an Arizona couple who has already trekked from the United States to the southern tip of Argentina and are now somewhere in Southeast Asia, plotting their journey west towards Greece in their faithful Volkswagen Vanagon, Nacho.

Here's the quick and dirty: Brad and Sheena wanted a grand adventure before settling down to live the rest of their normal lives together. They saw a magazine article that extolled the virtues of traveling the country in a van. They bought one - enter Nacho - and plotted out a plan to save enough money for the trip.

Why are they asking me for money now? Traveling through China requires a pricey guide and special permits, a cost that will total nearly $20,000. So they've started a Kickstarter campaign. Find it here.

Why do they want to travel through China? If they skip China they'll need to head through Iran and Pakistan, areas that are known to be dangerous to foreigners.

What do I get in return? The couple has written an e-book, and their Kickstarter campaign, which already has more than $7,000 in funding, promises everything from shoutouts and postcards to a personal visit with dinner and drinks, plus your selection of stops along the route, if you decide to contribute $5,000 or more to their fund.

Thanks to Autoblog for the tip. If you have some time, take a look through the post and the associated audio interview.

[Image Credit: Kickstarter]

Drive Nacho Drive: Bloggers Navigate China By VW Bus And Kickstarter Campaign originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinakickstarterroad tripRoadTripsilk roadSilkRoadTue, 23 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How To Spend Your Airport Delay: In-Airport Online Dating]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/how-to-spend-your-airport-delay-in-airport-online-dating/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/how-to-spend-your-airport-delay-in-airport-online-dating/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/23/how-to-spend-your-airport-delay-in-airport-online-dating/#commentsFiled under: ,

airport barIn today's digital age, online dating is almost commonplace. Match.com even purports that one in five relationships now begin online.

But what about meeting someone in the airport? Sure, we've seen "Up In The Air" and know that some trashy women and men avid travel enthusiasts will even give travel dating websites like MissTravel a try, but would we actually plan to meet a date at the airport?

Dating website MeetAtTheAirport.com seems to think that they have a market and, judging by the 80,000 people signed up for the site, apparently many people agree.

Rachel Greenwald, dating strategist and author of the book "Have Him at Hello," agrees. She told CNN that niche dating sites have "become increasingly specialized in the last five years or so" and "airport dating could be very efficient."

With airport furloughs kicking in this week, we suspect that many travelers will be quite delayed and might have some time for a little layover loving.

Members on the website are from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Germany, so you can even take your conquests international.

What do you think? Would you test this for yourself? Let us know if you would - or already have - in the comments below.

[Image Credit: khym54]

How To Spend Your Airport Delay: In-Airport Online Dating originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>meet at the airportMeetAtTheAirportonline datingOnlineDatingtravel datingTravelDatingTue, 23 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotel News We Noted: April 19, 2013]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/19/hotel-news-we-noted-april-19-201/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/19/hotel-news-we-noted-april-19-201/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/19/hotel-news-we-noted-april-19-201/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

the graham roof deck As we bring you this week's "Hotel News We Noted" column, we must first take a moment to share our thoughts with the people in and affected by this week's events in Boston and in West, Texas.

If you're joining us for the first time, "Hotel News We Noted" is a weekly column bringing readers the best, oddest and most interesting news of note from the hotel world each week. We welcome reader tips via comments and email, so feel free to send us a note!

Hotel Security: Hotels In Boston Tighten Security
Earlier this week, we shared some basic safety tips for travelers both home and abroad, but we also have word that hotels in the Boston area have tightened security in response to the bombing earlier this week at the Boston Marathon. Hotel Management has reported that the Mandarin Oriental underwent a forced evacuation and, due to an "abundance of precaution," Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Starwood, Loews, InterContinental and Westin have upped security measures. Nearly all hotels have waived last-minute booking fees as well. Hotels in New York and Washington, D.C., have also upped security to some degree.

Unique Hotel: World's First "Chocolate Hotel" Opens
A 13-room hotel in Bournemouth, near Dorset, has opened, featuring cocoa-themed rooms, cooking classes and a chocolate bar serving boozy cocoa-inspired cocktails, the Daily Mail has reported. The family run hotel is dubbed perfect for "hen nights and girlie get-togethers." Guests paint their portraits with chocolate and enjoy sugar-high inducing amenities like chocolate fountains installed at the foot of each bed. The hotel is relatively affordable as well - £170 gets guests the "best suite" and single rooms start at just £65.

Continue reading Hotel News We Noted: April 19, 2013

Hotel News We Noted: April 19, 2013 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostonchocolate hotelChocolateHotelgeorgetownhotel news we notedHotelNewsWeNotedthe goringthe grahamTheGoringTheGrahamFri, 19 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST