Subject: sleep
Image: kelly goodman.
Photo is much better looking, here
As you might have noticed, my recent trip to Aruba was sponsored by the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. As such, I thought it only fitting to give you my thoughts and experiences on the resort itself. When I travel, I don't discriminate against any kind of establishment (although admittedly, cost is usually my deciding factor.) Sometimes I stay in a "mom and pop" B&B and sometimes it's the chain hotel. It all depends on my travel needs and desires for the trip. Price might be my deciding vote, but there are many other factors that come into play when choosing a hotel, and as such, I've chosen a few things to discuss about the Aruba Marriott. I'll break it down, as follows: the room (cause you're sleeping there), the amenities (they can often rationalize the added cost), check-in (it's a good barometer for how your stay will be), and problems (problems, always give you insight, on the hotel or the traveler).
Image: kelly.
I wish I had some lovely photos to share with you from my New York visit, but this single cell phone shot of a cannoli will have to suffice. What can I say, it was hot.
So, you're heading to New York and you've made the difficult decision of what airport to fly into and you're starting to get excited about all the eating, shopping, and sightseeing to be had. The only detail left to figure out is deciding where to stay. I know you're tempted to stay in Midtown, it's just so convenient, you say. Don't get me wrong, Midtown makes sense for a lot of people. At least if you plan on spending your entire trip on Broadway, gawking in Times Square, taking a carriage ride through Central Park or on top of the Empire State Building. But, that's just not New York to me, that's the rest of the world's vision of New York.
Austin and I have talked about this before, we LOVE staying in neighborhoods. (See here or here.) Places where people want to live, eat, and exist. Our usual New York haunt is somewhere between the East Village and Gramercy. We have our favorite breakfast spot, streets to window shop on, and even a favorite late night deli. However, on my latest trip to NYC, I got to try out living in the West Village for a few days while attending the Travel Blog Exchange (or TBEX) and stayed in a sponsored apartment rental from HomeAway.
Apartments are my favorite option when traveling and having the comforts of home always makes for a more pleasant stay. I love having a full kitchen, a communal space to relax in and a closet; those are ALL wonderful things to have when traveling. Our rental from HomeAway was an absolutely lovely apartment, huge by New York standards with two bedrooms, TWO bathrooms and we even had a garden patio, where my roommates and I spent countless hours people watching, relaxing and swapping stories about the day over a glass of wine or a cheese plate from Murray's Cheese. This kind of luxury can come with a high price tag, our West Village digs ran around $600 per night. However, the West Village isn't exactly known for being cheap, and if that's out of your price range, you could easily find an equally vibrant neighborhood to fit any budget. Another point to be made is that said apartment slept up to six people and if you've got a crowd, it's not so far offbase from New York hotel price standards. (Although, pick a crowd you like, cause this apartment was New York City big, but not THAT big.) But, perhaps what I liked best about staying in the apartment was not the apartment and the amenities it offered, but, the ability to stay in an awesome neighborhood and not a Midtown hotel. Getting a taste of living in New York made me fall in love with New York all over again.
Image: telstar.
Art, architecture and lodging in one, the Benesse Art Site in Naoshima allows you to spend the night at the museum. Designed by renowned architect, Tadao Ando, the art complex situated on a small island in Japan's Inland Sea features a luxury hotel complex and two art museums.
Image: jek-in-the-box.
If you love vintage Americana, especially in the form of cool, restored trailers from the 1940s and 50s, a night at the Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona needs to be added to your to do list. With nine trailers to choose (including an Airstream, a boat, and the Tiki Bus seen above) decorated with vintage mid-century modern decor, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time.
Image: Francisco-PortoNortePor tugal.
I've been looking at lots of hotels, apartments and B&Bs lately. And, I've started to think about the process I use to choose where it is I want to stay. When booking accommodation, it's so easy to become overwhelmed with the endless array of options, not the least of which is cost. Unlike choosing where you want to live, a hotel stay can be over and done with before you know it. Some may say that it doesn't make much of a difference then, but I'd argue the contrary. If you've only got a few days to spend in a place, you want it to be perfect for YOU. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by details like amenities, cost, or exact location, even. Get off those booking sites and take a step back and start researching neighborhoods. Just like choosing your first apartment, you want to make sure you choose the right 'hood for your needs.
Image: Stuck in Customs.
Texas. Known for its wide open spaces, larger-than-life nature, and rugged independence, is a place unlike any other. Austin, its capital, stands out from the rest of the state as a bastion for people who stood out from the crowd, the weird ones. Why should you visit this oddball capital? It's home to an overabundance of great food, live music, great parks, and a vibrant culture that might just make you want to stay. With all these reasons to visit, there's no shortage of people coming to visit. But finding an affordable hotel in Austin is possible, just as long as you don't try to visit during South by Southwest.
Image: Jumbo Hostel.
A hostel like no other, Jumbo Hostel puts you back on the airplane as soon as you land. A decommissioned Boeing 747 serves as lodging for over 80 guests just a mere ten minute walk from Stockholm's Arlanda airport.
Image: Arte Luise Kunsthotel.
An art gallery, a hip hotel, or budget accommodation? The Arte Luise Kunsthotel in Berlin is all three.
Image: jasonEscapist.
A great hotel room is easy to find in New York, but a room that's both adequate and affordable, now that's a rarity. Check out some of our picks for a place to lay your head when you're in the Big Apple.
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