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…)
Our favorite politician this election season isn’t a Democrat or Republican—it’s Walt Arnett, the candidate of the Orbitz Vacation Party! The competition was steep, but Walt clinched our Facebook election with his hilarious campaign video and staunch pro-vacation stance. So far Walt’s visited Miami, Las Vegas and Chicago on his cross-country tour; for a complete schedule (as well as the chance for you to win a swanky trip to one of his campaign stops), visit the Orbitz Vacation Party headquarters at www.orbitzvacationparty.com.
We caught up with Walt to see how things are going on the campaign trail. (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…)
The new duty-free shopping area at Chicago's O'Hare airport is just one name-brand airport retail option.
By Mark Chesnut
Looking for a last-minute gift to take home to your significant other, or perhaps an emergency wardrobe upgrade for an urgent business meeting? Look no further than the airport where you’ve just landed. Well-known upscale brands are more visible than ever on the concourse — making it easier than ever to be prepared for whatever awaits at your destination.
Drink up: Sheraton Hotels has introduced a new Social Hour and Wine Menu.
By Mark Chesnut
From creative cocktails to a new social hour, from private wine rooms to a new sparkling water lounge, hotels around the nation are finding new ways for guests to make a toast, whether they’re teetotalers or connoisseurs of the spirit world. (more…)
Shop talk: L.A.'s International Pow Wow hosts hundreds of travel reps this week.
By Mark Chesnut
More than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations and nearly 1,200 foreign travel companies, tour operators and other industry insiders are wandering around Los Angeles this week for International Pow Wow, the U.S. Travel Association’s big annual tourism conference. And while the focus is on selling the good old USA to travelers from other countries, the event — which takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center — always produces worthwhile news of interest to any traveler. (more…)
Connectivity: an in-airport sample of the Lobby Zone at the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago O'Hare.
By Mark Chesnut
Travel isn’t what it used to be, and neither are hotel lobbies. Among the latest examples of the evolution of lobby design is Courtyard by Marriott, which has introduced a new concept for its public spaces, in what the company says is a reflection of changes in how people want to experience hotels. (more…)
The United-Continental merger brings a host of changes, including a renaming of lounges and frequent flyer tweaks.
By Mark Chesnut
United and Continental Airlines passengers looking for a quiet respite from the airport hubbub are ducking into a lounge with a new name. The Continental Airlines Presidents Club and United Airlines Red Carpet Club have been renamed United Club, as the latest step in the merger process between the two airlines. The newly dubbed lounges feature the same amenities as before, including free drinks and light snacks, free Wi-Fi, workstations and conference room access. (more…)
Pleasing palate: a PUBLIC Chicago hotel guest room
By Mark Chesnut
The Windy City will get a fresh injection of hotel style on Oct. 11, when PUBLIC Chicago opens its doors. Ian Schrager, the hotelier known for his luxurious boutique properties, is recasting the former Ambassador East Hotel and its Pump Room restaurant into what developers hope will become a trend-setting icon among Chicago hotels.
With his new Chicago hotel, Schrager — who opened his first boutique hotel some 25 years ago — is taking aim at the uniformity that he says has afflicted the boutique hotel concept since it became one of the hospitality industry’s fastest-growing segments. PUBLIC Chicago will feature social areas including the Living Room and Library, which will have a coffee and dessert bar, and the Backroom, which doubles as a screening room for private meetings and events. (more…)
By Mark Chesnut
Few people would choose to vacation at an airport hotel, but when it comes to convenience, these strategically placed properties are among the best options for anyone looking to catch a flight or make a quick business trip. But not all tarmac-adjacent guest rooms are created equal. Here are a few of the best choices around the nation.
Aloft Denver International Airport
Starwood’s relatively new aloft brand, which aims to combine style elements from W Hotels with value prices, offers a fresh-faced option for travelers stopping in Denver. The property features the brand’s trademark cheery colors and contemporary, loft-style decor, as well as 1,500 square feet of meeting space. (more…)
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.
Check back often for fresh insight from Orbitz staff and contributors about cool places to visit, fun things to do and smart ways to save.
