Olympic Gold medalist Misty Hyman, swim coach at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, offers travel fitness tips.
By Mark Chesnut
Combining business travel with a fitness regimen is always a challenge, and when you throw in the festive holiday season, it can be even harder to stay in shape. So here—just in time for that list of New Year’s resolutions—are some travel tips for feeling good the road. (more…)
Living it up: The penthouse suite at the InterContinental New York Times Square.
By Mark Chesnut
Even if you’ve never stayed in one, you’ve heard of them: Those dreamy rooms at the very top of the hotel. Whether they’re called a penthouse or the presidential suite, these are the accommodations to indulge in countless amenities and luxurious style. And business travelers take note: Many suites can also be used for business meetings, private cocktail parties and events, making it easier to justify the expense. To get your travel imagination going, here are a few great places to check into the top of the hotel. (more…)
The Sheraton Malpensa hotel offers day rates and extra amenities for air travelers.
By Mark Chesnut
In many parts of North America, it’s the time of year when travelers may find themselves spending more time in the airport than they’d like, thanks to winter storms, flight delays and cancellations. But relief may be closer than you think, when you check into one of the new generation of airport hotels that help passengers relax, rejuvenate and even conduct business, often without stepping a foot outside the terminal building. (more…)
Unique holiday shopping: The Ace Hotel New York has interesting gift ideas.
By Mark Chesnut
It’s that time of year. Busy travelers are suddenly realizing that they’ve got tons of shopping left to do, and very little time to do it. But fear not. Road warriors may find an array of unique holiday gift ideas right in the lobby of the next hotel where they check in. Here are some noteworthy examples to help you shorten your holiday list. (more…)
Gild Hall Hotel in New York has its own restaurant, but the Food Truck Concierge offers even more options.
By Mark Chesnut
Gourmet cuisine has always been a big draw at luxury hotels that cater to business travelers and upscale vacationers. But in recent years, hotels have gotten even more imaginative in how they connect travelers with great food. (more…)
The ‘L’ station at O’Hare Airport in Chicago offers easy access to downtown. Photo: Chicago Transit Authority
By Mark Chesnut
Hate driving around in unfamiliar cities or getting caught in a pricey taxi during a traffic jam? In spite of our nation’s love affair with the automobile, several cities offer viable mass transit options that whisk visitors from airports to downtown without having to pay a single taxi fare. Here are a few of the best places to hop on board, and hotels close to mass transit. (more…)
Ready to roll: The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles has a high-tech Mercedes van for meetings.
By Mark Chesnut
Staying connected is getting easier than ever at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts—with mobile meeting space, Wi-Fi–equipped limousines and even Skype-assisted check-ins among the latest offerings. (more…)
Fresh style: The Mandarin Oriental San Francisco is a recently renovated luxury hotel in the city by the bay.
By Mark Chesnut
With a slew of hotel renovations, upgrades and expansions, business travelers headed to San Francisco—as well as anyone looking for an upscale California vacation—will find an impressive array of accommodations that can suit just about any taste, from funky to fancy. (more…)
Let’s meet: The new Workspring at Marriott concept targets small meetings with high-tech touches.
By Mark Chesnut
Marriott Hotels & Resorts is aiming to attract more tech-loving travelers with a new series of hip events and the debut of new tech-friendly meeting space targeted at younger business travelers.
Through December, the hotel chain is hosting a series of events in conjunction with Wired magazine. Its monthly “Wired + Marriott Culturazzi” series aims to help guests connect more efficiently with technology and also make better use of the company’s increasingly high-tech and social public spaces. (more…)
The Queen Mary—bigger and more impressive than the Titanic—served as a transatlantic cruise liner for the rich and famous from 1934 until it retired in 1967; it’s now a gorgeous floating hotel in Long Beach, California. The ship is currently featuring the Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit, which showcases a priceless collection of evening gowns, dresses, personal accessories, photographs, heirlooms and other cherished memorabilia associated with Princess Diana and the Royal Family. To keep the British mood going, visitors can also stop by the ship’s Tea Room to enjoy British tea time, anytime. This holiday season be sure to check out Chill, a family-friendly mega exhibit that includes holiday-inspired scenes made from more than two million pounds of sparkling ice, as well as ice tubing, ice skating and much more. Thinking about staying aboard? Check out the Queen Mary page on Orbitz.com.
We love to travel, and we love to talk about it. The Orbitz Blog is another way we can share our expertise, advice and the occasional random thought.
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