Tag Archives: Hotel

April 26, 2013 · 2:57 pm

The Week in Travel (4/26/2013)

The world of travel moves fast!   Let’s keep up–together.   On Fridays,  Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:

I'm too sexy for this country.

I’m too sexy for this country…

*The price of beauty is deportation.   Or so discovered Omar Borkan Al Gala (pictured above) and two other men, deported from Saudi Arabia for being… wait for it… wait for it… too handsome (via Asiantown.net).

*Time to expand your destination wedding options.  On Tuesday, France became the 14th country to allow same-sex marriage (Yahoo).  The next day, the Rhode Island Senate approved legislation to make the “Hope” state the 10th in the U.S., in addition to Washington D.C., to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples (via The Advocate).

*In other sweet news, earlier this month two men married in Africa’s first traditional gay wedding (via Daily Mail).

* In the Navy, yes, you can sail the seven seas, but apparently cannot afford to dock in New York City.  This year, Congress has sequestered the sailors.  Because of federal budget cuts, the Navy’s annual Fleet Week is cancelled (via AMNY).

*More than ever, support Boston with your travel dollars… here are ten reasons why (via PeterGreenberg.com).

*Go big or stay home!  Splurge at a hotel worthy of your holiday (via Conde Nast Traveler).

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.

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January 16, 2013 · 8:00 am

The W Mexico City Satisfies

W Mexico City View

When was the last time someone promised to satisfy your every wish?

The W Mexico City will be your swanky genie-in-a-bottle. Whether you want a mariachi band performing in your bathtub or VIP tickets to a private club, the W concierge will make it happen through their “Whatever/Whenever” service (legally permitting, of course). Located in the Polanco area, steps from luxury shopping, galleries and Bosque Chapultepec, the largest city park in Latin America, the W Mexico is the place to indulge.

With the AWAY Spa and Fitness Center, Whiskey Bar, Solea restaurant at your fingertips–and spacious rooms that feature a hammock in your shower (should you be exhausted from your hygiene regimen)–you may have to force yourself to venture beyond the hotel’s colorfully accented lobby.

W Mexico City exterior

Read my full Mexico City travel article on Edge.

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December 7, 2012 · 9:58 am

The Week in Travel (12/7/12)

The world of travel moves fast!   Let’s keep up–together.   On Fridays,  Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:

Mural of Prince Harry Shirtless in London’s Manbar gay club

*Royal babe, indeed!   Refusing to be overshadowed by his future niece or nephew, a mural of a shirtless Prince Harry now permanently hangs in the London gay club, Manbar  (via Evening Standard).

*Not without controversy, “Europe’s first gay-friendly mosque” opened in Paris this week–welcoming gay Muslims and allowing men and women to pray together (via France 24).

*Need a new place to lay your head?  Stay at the best new hotels to have opened in 2012 (via Fodor’s).

*In gay destination wedding news: on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Mexico ruled unanimously for same-sex marriage to be recognized in the entire country (via Salon); and very early Thursday morning, Washington State began issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples (via Seattle Times).

*Luxury hotels want to serve you during daylight too, offering day-only rates for your business or pleasure (via CNN).

*Tall and tan and young and lovely, the boy from Ipanema goes walking; and when he passes, Grindr, Scruff and Manhunt go…ahhh!  Yes, in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil is unveiling a new Wi-Fi network, offering internet access on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro (via Business Wire).

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.

(Photo via Evening Standard)

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November 13, 2012 · 8:00 am

Mexico City’s Ravishing Renaissance

Big and gritty and complex and glamorous, Mexico City defies categorization. El Distrito Federal or DF, as the city is commonly called, is far more nuanced than many of the country’s famous resort towns, where the tourism bubble stays easily intact.

Here, you are in it; it’s real life in a real, big city. This is where people work, live, eat… and, yes, party. Spending a few days among DF’s 20 million people, you’ll discover a vibrant culture, delicious food, a hoppin’ gay scene, and a colorful whirlwind of unexpected surprises…

*Read my full article published in EDGE by clicking on the photo below:

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November 6, 2012 · 10:11 am

Rock the Vote with Hard Rock Hotel

To help you celebrate Election Day in the United States, the music-inspired Hard Rock Hotels chain is keeping you inspired with a free “Rock the Vote” playlist, made available exclusively to the readers of USA Today (and by proxy, Traveling IQ).  For more information on how to download the free playlist, visit “Hotel Check-in” on USA Today

(Photo courtesy of Hard Rock)

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November 5, 2012 · 9:31 am

Innkeepers Thank Veterans

B&B for Vets

Innkeepers in the United States and Canada are thanking the brave men and women who have served in their country’s armed forces the best way they know how… with hospitality.

On November 11, (Veteran’s Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada), an estimated 1,000 inns and bed & breakfasts in both countries will offer complimentary stays to veterans and current military personnel.

Entering its fourth year, the B&B for Vets program aims to offer a much-needed break to veterans who may not otherwise be able to afford a vacation.   Many of the participating inns and B&Bs are donating guest rooms for free stays on November 11, and others are offering special military discounts throughout the weekend.

Veterans (with military ID) interested in reserving a room should contact the inn/B&B where they wish to stay.

For a complete list of participating inns and B&Bs visit http://www.bnbsforvets.org (U.S.) or http://www.bbcanada.com/bbforvets (Canada).

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November 2, 2012 · 11:30 am

The Week in Travel (11/2/12)

The world of travel moves fast!   Let’s keep up–together.   On Fridays,  Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:

Sandy floods NYC

*It has been a rough week for the eastern coast of the United States.  Much of the region devastated by Hurricane/ Superstorm Sandy is still without power and is reaching an economic damage pricetag of $50 Billion.  (via USA Today)

*For those still trying to coordinate travel during the aftermath, every major U.S. airline is waving changing fees (via USA Today), and though the hotel situation in New York is grim, one website guides you through the options.  (via Hotel Chatter)

*In other news, the U.S. is electing its next president on Tuesday.  Take a politically inspired trip to get you in the spirit (via CNN), or escape the sound bites, talking heads and potential four years of horror–after voting, of course–by burying your head in warm sand.   (via CNN)

*Your vacation album will be the envy of all your Facebook friends after posting pictures from these top photography destinations.  (via Lonely Planet)

*Navigating a new city can be challenging, your iPhone can help.  (via AupairJobs.com)

*When it all just becomes too much to handle, escape to one of the “World’s Most Sensational Spas.”  (via Passport)

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.

(Photo via AP/Sandra Rose)

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October 26, 2012 · 11:50 am

The Week in Travel (10/26/12)

The world of travel moves fast!   Let’s keep up–together.   This week,  Traveling IQ celebrates Halloween with some spooky stories  from the past week:

*Be afraid, be very afraid as you travel to the terrifying island of mutilated dolls in Mexico, a witches market in Bolivia, or the the site of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine.   (via MSN)

*Feed your nightmares.  Stay in a remote Swedish earthen hut surrounded by wolves.  Or stranded on an island off Croatia where the seas are too choppy to escape at night.  Or at any of the “World’s Creepiest Hotels.”  (via ARTINFO)

*How’s Casper as a friendly bedfellow?  Spend your night with guests who refuse to check out of these haunted hotels.  (via Conde Nast Traveler)

*From Provincetown to Copenhagen, gays find tricks and treats this Halloween.  (via Gaytravel.com)

*If you’ve ever wanted to sleep on the dissecting table of a morgue, Tasmania has the hotel for you.  (via Conde Nast Traveler)

*From Salem witches to the Headless Horseman, the Northeast is a scary place.  Spend your Halloween exploring some of the spookiest spots in New York and New England.  (via NY Times)

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.

(Photo via MSN)

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October 19, 2012 · 2:53 pm

The Week in Travel (10/19/12)

The world of travel moves fast!   Let’s keep up–together.   On Fridays,  Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:

*When the Skyfalls in the Thunderball will Dr. No employ his License to Kill on the Octopussy, or will his GoldenEye realize that The World is Not Enough?  Retrace the travels of James Bond, and explore the iconic locations of the 007 franchise.  (via CNN)

*Not to be eclipsed by Felix Baumgartner, the daredevil who free-falled 24 miles from space, Sarah Brightman, the “Angel of Music” known for creating the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, intends to be the first professional musician to sing from space.  (via Playbill.com)

*The days of carrying luggage may be behind us.  Literally, in fact, with the self-driving, robotic bag that follows you to your gate.  (via The Telegraph)

*Hola.  Bounjour.  Buon giorno.  Ohaiyou Gozaimasu.  Learn a foreign language in a new cool place.  (via CNN)

*New York City hotel rooms can be exorbitantly priced, yet the Frugal Traveler finds seven Manhattan rooms for around $150.  (via NY Times)

*You thought New York City’s High Line was a cool way to traverse a city?  Put on your swimsuit because two London architects have proposed revamping the city’s Regent’s Canal into a swimming commute lane.  (via Atlantic Cities)

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.

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September 28, 2012 · 12:20 pm

The Week in Travel (9/28/12)

The world of travel moves fast!   Let’s keep up–together.   On Fridays,  Traveling IQ curates the highlights from the past week:

“Let me help you with that”

*Sometimes you just want need a young man to lather up the sunscreen on hard-to-reach spots.  Going beyond the complimentary shampoo and conditioner, hotels are enticing with free amenities like a personal tanning butler in South Beach, a pet goldfish in San Francisco, and a Rolls-Royce in Beverly Hills.  (via USA Today)

*According to Claire Danes, Israelis “work very hard, worry very hard and play hard and well.”  The recent Emmy winner talks about filming “Homeland” in Tel Aviv, and poses for photos throughout Israel’s party capital.  (via NY Times)

*Results are in:  more international visitors are coming to the United States and UK gay men travel twice as much as their straight countrymen.  (via eTurboNews and Unicorn Booty)

*You can now leave your flask at home, Princess.  For the first time since opening forty years ago, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will serve wine and beer.  (via USA Today)

*Explore the coral reefs of Australia, the Philippines and Hawaii without getting wet.  Google launches underwater Street View as a new virtual map of the oceans.  (via Boing Boing)

*The phrase “Nice rose bush!” can have several meanings when 600 people explore nature au naturel during clothing-optional days at Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, England.  (via NY Times)

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.

(Photo: The Ritz-Carlton via USA Today)

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