Travel Blog

In life, it’s often the little things that make all the difference. When it comes to hotels, this statement is truer than ever. Great rates, exceptional service, and of course free Wi-Fi make for a great hotel, but it’s those little perks that keep travelers like you coming back for more.

One hotel that executes this idea perfectly is the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. Time and time again this hotel is renowned for phenomenal service, but we’re especially fond of the technology kits and desk kits found in each room. The tech kit features various cables, chargers, and wires, while the desk kit is stocked with items such as a stapler, scotch tape, and scissors.

Music lovers are especially fond of the cool perk found at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, California. When guests arrive at the front desk, they’ll be asked what their favorite genre of music is. What may seem like an odd question at first is quickly turned into a unique experience – when you arrive at your room, you’ll find your ideal music genre playing inside.

This last hotel really takes the cake when it comes to the little things. There are a handful of hotels that provide guests with personalized business cards and/or stationary, but the Conrad Bangkok goes one step further: check in here and your information will be engraved on business cards… made out of chocolate!

Weddings these days can get quite expensive, so much so that newly-engaged couples may be at a loss for how they’re going to afford the perfect honeymoon after all the charges from the big day add up. You want to plan the post-wedding escape that you’ve both dreamt of for years, not one you’re going to be paying off for years to come.

Well, we finally did it – we took a noted luxury resort in a vacation hot spot, cut the price by 65%, and voila! – The perfect honeymoon has been created: a week’s stay at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from just $336 per night.

It may not sound all that exiting, until you consider this frugal fact: the same room that we have on sale for just $336 per night usually costs a whopping $960 per night – that’s 65% off, for a total savings (based on a 6 night stay) of $3,744!

If you or someone you know is tying the knot this year, taking advantage of this sweet deal is an absolute must. This all-inclusive property (yes, the aforementioned rates include food, beverages, and activities) is adult and couples only, so no screaming kiddies running around to ruin your perfect week of romantic relaxation (you’ll have plenty of that in the future). On-site you’ll find 11 dining options from buffets to beachside grills, a four star golf course, and the Caribbean-inspired Red Lane Spa (we recommend the ‘Scents of Love’ Couples Massage).

We could spend the rest of the week listing reasons why you should absolutely take us up on this incredible deal, but instead, we’ll leave you with this: 65% off at a luxury property like Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort is reason enough to get married in itself!

On Monday, we came across a tweet that read:

“Any1 know of great Disneyland deals for Feb that you DO NOT have to be a family of 4 – Some of us are single parents! We deserve a deal too!”

We of course did all we could to suggest great Disneyland area hotels where it was possible to book a room with one adult and one child (the person’s particular situation), because we absolutely believe that single parents, as well as any other “untraditional” travelers, deserve the same deals as a family of four.

Inspired by this person’s plight, we present you with our top tips for single parent travel:

Single supplement fees stink. For those not familiar, this an extra fee tacked on to nightly rates at many hotels when there is only one adult staying in the room. The idea is that when the hotel lists a room at $200 per person, they are banking on the fact that there will be two adults in that room, for a total of $400. When only one adult is staying, hotels add on this supplement, so they can still charge $400 per night for the room. There usually isn’t a way to get out of this, so a solution can be found at resorts like Beaches, who designate certain months as Single Parent Fun months. During these selected time periods, the single supplement fee is waived entirely, and a handful of activities offered cater specifically to single parents and their children.

Aside from the pricing dilemma associated with single parent travel, solo mommies and daddies need to be with their children at all times. Mom can’t decide to escape for a few hours with a relaxing spa treatment, while dad supervises the little ones (or vice versa). Even on family vacations, alone time can be desired. If this is a concern of yours, consider a stay at Franklyn D. Resort & Spa (or their sister resort, Pebbles) in Jamaica, where your family will be assigned a Vacation Nanny. Like a personal assistant to your family throughout your stay, your Vacation Nanny will make sure your children are safe and entertained while you enjoy a massage or a night on the town.

Though this is something that single fathers will experience more often than single mothers (not right, but true), single parents can face problems when crossing borders. You may look like a toddler-toting soccer mom, but if that border official sees things differently, you’re not going anywhere. To make sure parental abduction isn’t expected, it’s important to carry a couple of crucial documents with you, even if you’re told that they are not required. These include a letter from the other parent, giving consent to have their children taken out of the country, a legal custody agreement (if you have one), and proper identification (usually a birth certificate) for all minors. There’s more detailed info on this sometimes delicate topic here.

Earlier this morning, HotelChatter published their three picks for Golden Globes hotels, all of which cost less than $200 per night. We loved their picks so much that we were inspired to do even better. For the celeb-obsessed with the tightest of budgets, here are three LA hotels with rooms under $100 per night during the upcoming Golden Globes weekend:

Ramada Wilshire Center It’s not the Hilton and it may not catch your eye, but for the price, this centrally-located budget hotel makes star stalking feasible for everyone. What’s more, the Ramada has something that many of the more expensive accommodations lack: free in-room wireless internet. If you stay the whole weekend (Jan 15-17), you can take advantage of our ‘Stay 3 Nights, Save 20%’ promotion, which will leave you will a nightly rate of $84.

Custom Hotel LAX, A Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel This is the real steal on this list, but you better act fast – rooms start at just $73 per night, but only for the next 72 hours. Perks associated with this boutique hotel include an outdoor pool bar (above) and panoramic views of downtown LA. And yes, they offer free WiFi too.

Holiday Inn Express LAX Airport Nobody wants to stay at an airport hotel, right? What about one with an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and complimentary parking? Rates for this weekend start at $94 per night, and include free shuttle service from Los Angeles International Airport.

Almost two weeks ago today, New York City experienced the single worst December storm since 1947 – right smack in the middle of peak holiday travel. The result, as many learned the hard way, was the cancellation of almost 8,000 domestic flights, leaving thousands of people stranded both in airports and on the tarmac.

Chaos ensued at airports, as airlines struggled to handle complaints and rebook passengers, though many people opted to reach their airline via phone or social media. This New York Times article suggests that Twitter was an effective tool in getting through to airlines, while this piece from travel expert Aurthur Frommer insists that calling the airline beats standing in line any day. So now we have to ask -

You’ve heard a million versions of the same story a million times before: Traveler visits a foreign country, gets in trouble for engaging in a seemingly silly or menial activity, and ends up having to pay the price (jail time, a fine, even physical punishment). We tend to watch or hear about these stories from the comfort of our own homes, quick to forget that U.S. law is not international law when the next vacation is upon us.

When traveling, it’s important to be at least somewhat familiar with the rules and regulations of the country you are visiting, no matter how silly they may seem to you. The best way to do this is to engage in a bit of basic pre-trip research, which can easily be conducted with this incredibly handy country-by-country database provided by the U.S. Department of State. Should you find yourself in any sort of trouble in a foreign country, it’s important to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy immediately (a list of U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions can be found here).

On a much lighter note, here are some of the more interesting rules and regulations found in popular travel destinations that you might want to be aware of before visiting:

-In Thailand, spitting out your gum on the sidewalk can equal a $600 fine

-You could be detained for the possession of over-the-counter products that contain pseudoephedrine (such as Vicks, Sudafed, etc.) in Japan

-Not flushing the toilet in Singapore could equal a modest fine

-In Denmark, you can be arrested for wearing a mask in public

-It is not permissible to use more than 25 pennies per transaction in Canada

1. Money Well-Spent

A national study last year determined that people were not only happier when spending money on experiences vs. material objects, but also that they were more likely to consider their money well-spent and more likely to be satisfied with their purchase years later.

2. Live Longer

After surveying more than 12,000 men, it was suggested that taking a vacation once a year reduces the overall risk of death by about 20%, and the risk of death by heart disease by as much as 30%.

3. De-Stress

According to a 2005 study, women who take frequent vacations are less likely to become depressed, tense or tired, and more likely to be satisfied with their marriages.

4. Be More Productive at Work

In 2008, a study revealed that 39% of Americans reported feeling more productive at work and better at their job overall upon returning from a vacation.

Travelers say the darnedest things. From requesting a luxury suite for the dog, to asking hotel staff to quiet the sound of the sea, there’s no shortage of entertaining stories, questions, and requests from the world of travel.

A member of the Discount Hotels team recently returned from a Caribbean cruise where one of the evening entertainment options was a comedy show in which the comedian addressed some of the most outrageous questions and concerns he’d encountered while working on a cruise ship. Read on for the three most hilarious questions (including the comedian’s responses) from cruise passengers:

1. Has this ship ever sunk? Just once.

2. Is something wrong with the microwave in my stateroom? My food isn’t getting any warmer. That’s because your “microwave” is actually a safe.

3. Does the crew go home at night? What did you think the helicopter pad was for?

Today marks the grand opening of Montage Deer Valley Resort, and we must admit – we’re quite excited. This exquisite property, opening just in time for the winter ski season, is perfectly located in Park City, Utah, just a 40 minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport. So what’s all the fuss about? Here are the three things we like most about this brand new luxury resort:

The Ski-In/Ski-out Access

With three high-speed chairlifts just outside the resort’s front door, Montage Deer Valley Resort provides phenomenal ski-in/ski-out access to the ski area that has been ranked #1 by SKI Magazine for 4 consecutive years

The Stunning Guestrooms

All 154 guestrooms and 66 suites feature an in-room fireplace, picturesque views of Deer Valley, and (our favorite) baths with heated limestone floors.

Their Commitment to Sustainability

Thinking “green” from the start, Montage Deer Valley Resort is committed to sustainable principles that help reduce its overall carbon footprint. A LEED Certified property, the resort even has a Director of Sustainability on staff.