Orbitz Blog

Articles for ‘Top 10 Lists’ Category

What matters most to summer hotel bookers: location

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

When it comes to summer hotel bookings, location trumps all, according to an Orbitz survey, which also placed Las Vegas first in a list of top 10 summer destinations. Credit: o palsson.

By Valerie Moloney

With Memorial Day Weekend looming — the unofficial start of the vacation season — we wanted to know just how travelers were shopping for hotels this summer. By amenities? Price? Rewards programs? The results, revealed in a USA Today blog post by our very own CEO Barney Harford, revealed location as the no. 1 influencer outside of price. In fact, according to an Orbitz survey of 750 Americans, 21 percent ranked location as the biggest driver in the hotel booking experience. Plus: Harford offers a list of the top 10 summer destinations. (more…)

Top 10 Fourth of July vacation destinations for 2011

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Sizzling in Seattle: The Fourth of July fireworks by the iconic Space Needle. Credit: mr.bmonroe.

By Valerie Moloney

Whether you’re cooing at the fireworks display by the Space Needle or partying on the rooftop of a Sin City hotel, our nation’s birthday is cause to celebrate — and take advantage of a long weekend. It’s time to exercise your patriotic right to roam with a summer vacation.

Orbitz surfaced the top 10 Fourth of July vacation destinations for 2011. From Seattle to New York City, it’s all about the booze, the barbecues and the boom boom pow.

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America’s top 10 beaches for 2011

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Dr. Beach named Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Fla. as the best beach in 2011. Credit: Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau.

By Derek Brown

Dr. Beach, America’s preeminent beach expert, just named the best beach for 2011:  Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Fla. Locals claim it has the finest and whitest sand in the world. Having grown up there, I would most certainly agree.

In his 21st annual ranking, Dr. Beach, who is also known as Dr. Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University, says, “The powdery sand is nearly pure quartz.”  Wide swaths of open beach and gentle waves make it a paradise for anyone.  There’s plenty of room to throw a blanket down and take in the sun’s rays, walk along the water line or play a game of volleyball. (more…)

Top 10 summer travel destinations for 2011

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

The sleeper in Seattle: Orlando may be the perennial No. 1 pick our list of Top 10 Summer Destinations, but newcomer and budget-friendly Seattle soared to No. 3.

By Derek Brown

Pack the swimsuits and sunscreen, count the kids and take off this summer.  Orlando — thanks to its affordable airfare and theme parks — tops our Top 10 Summer Destinations for 2011.  The evergreen contender edged out Las Vegas, which was No. 1 last year. (more…)

A look ahead: 5 hot destinations to hit in 2011

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Stay at London hotels near Buckingham Palace this Spring for the best glimpse at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Credit Rene Ehrhardt.

By Jeanenne Tornatore

What’s new on the travel scene? From the royal wedding to Disney’s newest resort, travelers won’t lack inspiration and ideas to plan a great vacation this year. Here are five destinations to keep on your travel radar in 2011:

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Top 10 Labor Day weekend destinations

Friday, August 13th, 2010
Las Vegas hotels. Caesars Palace.

Nothing says Labor Day like a stay at Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace.

Strut out in your all white cabana-wear for a final summer whirl (last chance before you’ll warrant a ticket from the fashion police!) and head to Las Vegas — the number one destination on this year’s top 10 Labor Day weekend destinations list.

Based on future hotel and vacation package bookings for the 2010 holiday weekend, this Orbitz list takes us to big cities across the country like New York and Chicago, and — not surprisingly — to the East and West coasts with Boston and LA.

See Chicago from atop the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. Credit: theycallmetelly.

Chicago from the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. Credit: theycallmetelly.

Find inspiration for your Labor Day getaway with the top 10 destinations below, including average daily hotel rates.

TOP 10 LABOR DAY DESTINATIONS OF 2010

  1. Las Vegas hotels: $106*
  2. New York hotels: $215*
  3. Chicago hotels: $114*
  4. Denver hotels: $81*
  5. Seattle hotels: $119*
  6. San Francisco hotels: $119*
  7. Atlanta hotels: $117*
  8. Boston hotels: $145*
  9. Orlando hotels: $79*
  10. Los Angeles hotels: $98*

*Average daily hotel rate.


Top 10 celebrity hotels plus affordable alternatives from Orbitz and OK! Magazine

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

By Nina Kokotas Hahn

The outdoor rooftop lounge at celeb favorite, The Peninsula Chicago.

The rooftop lounge at celeb favorite, The Peninsula Chicago

Today Orbitz and OK! Magazine are excited to reveal the world’s 10 most exclusive celebrity hotels, alongside affordable, alternate hotels featuring many of the same swanky options for less. Whether you’re looking to rub shoulders with A-listers like Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Ashton Kutcher, or whether you simply want to live it up like a celebrity on a luxurious vacation, this is definitely the list to get your hands on.

See it now:  Top 10 Celebrity Hotels and Affordable Alternatives from Orbitz and OK! Magazine

Nina Kokotas Hahn is a Writer-Editor at Orbitz Worldwide. Globetrotting since infancy, she’s also the daughter of a travel agent and knows a thing or two about finding great travel deals.

Top family-friendly, 4th of July celebrations

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Washington_DC_4th_July_muohace_dc

Fireworks above the Washington Monument, D.C. Credit: muohace_dc.

Not sure where to venture for your 4th of July family vacation? We talked with our best experts on family travel — the Orbitz Parent Panel — and got their top destinations for 4th of July celebrations. Whether you’re seeking adventure, history, fun, or sun, let one of these excursions inspire the traveling patriot in you.

Washington, D.C. – Chris U.
I grew up in the DC area, and when I was a kid we would take the Metro down to the Mall. There’s nothing like watching 4th of July fireworks over the Washington Monument and shimmering off the reflecting pool.  It’s something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. Make sure to get there early to stake out a seat and be prepared to battle the crowds. There are also great views across the Potomac River in Arlington or Rosslyn, or at various scenic spots along the river.

Los Angeles, California – Abby S.
The Hollywood Bowl in LA is hosting the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular. It’s the perfect spot for bonding with family, friends and other fellow Americans. It’s always an amazing evening with patriotic music, a picnic dinner under the stars, and performances from stars like this year’s country great, Vince Gill.

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Top 10 New Orleans vacation ideas for families

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

By Christie Crawford

St. Louis Cathedral with Andrew Jackson Statue. Courtesy Richard Nowitz. Photo courtesy New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau

Don’t let those crazy Mardi Gras stories overshadow the fact that New Orleans is packed with family-friendly activities and attractions. Here are my top 10 places to stay and play if you’re traveling with the kids to my hometown of NOLA:

1 New Orleans hotels: Find “Kids Eat Free/Kids Stay Free” packages and refreshing pools at Holiday Inn Chateau Lemoyne and Hotel St. Pierre, both located in family-friendly sections of the French Quarter.

2 The Audubon Insectarium: Visit the largest free-standing museum in the country dedicated to bugs, bugs, and more bugs. (more…)

Top 10 summer travel destinations for 2010

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Desert, schmesert. Las Vegas, with its hopping pool scene and cool casinos, once again tops our list of Top 10 Summer Destinations.

We looked at future hotel and vacation package bookings on Orbitz to gather this year’s most popular summer destinations. Vegas and eight other hotspots returned to the list, while San Diego appears as the lone newcomer.

Budget-minded travelers will be happy to know that hotels in these Top 10 Summer Vacation are offering significant savings compared to last year, with nightly rates averaging $150.

One of Aria's hosts three newest, swankiest pools on the Las Vegas hotel scene

On the Las Vegas hotel scene, one of Aria's three newest, swankiest pools

TOP 10 SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS of 2010

  1. Las Vegas, Nevada: $75*
  2. Cancun, Mexico: $183*
  3. Riviera Maya, Mexico: $242*
  4. Orlando, Florida: $86*
  5. Chicago, Illinois: $120*
  6. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: $189*
  7. New York, New York: $183*
  8. Oahu, Hawaii: $130*
  9. San Francisco, California: $114*
  10. San Diego, California: $136*

*Average daily hotel rate