The temperatures may still be cold in some places, but we’ve got some
hot travel news to share. Spring Break is on the mind of many right now. Myself, included. Where will your travels take you this year? Now is the time to decide your travels, and we’ve got some news that may help you.
Travelocity’s Spring Break Insights
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Hawaii
The traditional spring break travel period in the United States falls between March 1 and April 15.
Travelocity released its annual spring break travel data this month, which indicates a 14.7% increase in domestic airfare from last year, while international airfare for spring break remains the same. From a top destinations standpoint, Travelocity reveals that Hawaii, South Florida, and Las Vegas are the top places for travelers are searching for on their site. This is the first year that Hawaii has made the Top 10 list.
This might be the year to venture abroad for Spring Break. Several international destinations have been trending in popularity over the past three years including Belize City, Aruba, San Juan, and the Netherlands Antilles.”
explains Courtney Scott, senior editor at Travelocity.
San Juan leads the International destinations as the most economical for flights and it is trending as number 18 on top-searched destinations.
The most awarded Hotels
The Grand Del Mar Hotel in San Diego
Tripadvisor named its
best hotels for 2014 based on traveler reviews. The no. 1 spot goes to The Grand Del Mar Hotel in San Diego, California followed by The French Quarter Inn in Charleston, S.C. which has been on my list to stay for years. The popular review website also lists top hotels for smaller properties, budget properties, and for B & B’s and Inns. I noticed that several
Country Inn and Suites across the country made the Top 25 list in the budget category. I recently visited the hotel brand in Springfield, Illinois to take a look at the new hotel design for future properties. After staying in that new upper-midscale hotel property, it’s not a surprise to me that Country Inn and Suites made the list.
U.S. News & World Report’s annual
Best Hotels in the USA rankings also came in this month. The Top 10 hotels include in order: The Lodge at Sea Island (Sea Island, Ga.), The Inn at Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, S.C.), The Allison Inn and Spa (Newberg, Ore.), Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele (Lanai,Hawaii), Amangani (Jackson Hole, Wyo.), The Grand Del Mar (San Diego), Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Big Island, Hawaii), Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) and Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
Since Tripadvisor’s reviews are based solely on traveler’s reviews while the U.S News and World’s Report list is based on an
unbiased methodology, only three hotels made both lists for the Top 10.
The more the merrier for family vacations in New England
Castle Hill Resort and Spa in Vermont
The growing trend in travel is family vacations with a huge emphasis on
extended family. The New England Inns and Resorts Association is putting the welcoming mat out for family reunions this year with
special packages and promotions. Two inns that caught my eye are the
Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont and
The Castle Hill Resort and Spa in Ludlow, Vermont.
Yes, that Trapp name sounds familiar, doesn’t it. That’s because hotel was established by the von Trapp family, the very same family depicted in the award-winning musical, “The Sound of Music.”
The Castle Hill Resort and Spa is a Small Luxury Hotel of the World, and no doubt the photos of this property makes me want to check-in quicker than I can say, “Family Reunion.”
Ritz-Carlton opens Japan’s first urban resort
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto in Japan
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto officially opened this month. Located in the heart of a city famed for its Zen temples, palaces and gardens, the riverside resort brings the unsurpassed elegance and renowned service of The Ritz-Carlton to Kyoto, while honoring the cultural heritage of the city through design.
We are honoured to open our fourth Ritz-Carlton in Japan, in the beautiful city of Kyoto. Our customers are always looking to explore evocative, new and inspiring destinations and have long expressed a desire for us to offer in this incredible location. I believe this hotel offers a timeless window to Japan and complements perfectly 85 other Ritz-Carlton properties around the globe.”
said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton.
This new Ritz property sits on the gentle banks of the Kamogawa River in Nijho Ohashi, close to Kyoto’s popular downtown areas including Gion and Kawaramachi-dori, the city’s retail and entertainment districts. The hotel’s luxury guestrooms and suites offer full views of the river and the Higashiyama Mountains.
W Hotels celebrate three years in Bali during special March celebration
W Retreat and Spa Bali-Seminyak
The
W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak is turning three in March, and to celebrate the award-winning resort is throwing a month long party entitled A New Scene Unseen. A brilliant line up of events spanning across all things food, fashion and music will take place.
For the past three years the W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak has tantalized guests with its famous afternoon
T-PARTY in the
W LOUNGE, and from Thursday, March 6, 2014, it will be getting a makeover from Australia’s most celebrated pâtissier, Adriano Zumbo. As the birthday month March draws to a close, on Sunday, March 23, 2014, the ever-popular FIRE will turn into the HAWKER HOUSE – Street Feast, a new brunch replicating a bustling South-East Asian market place. Internationally acclaimed UK chef,Peter Lloyd, Executive Chef of W London – Leicester Square and Spice Market London, will cook up a South-East Asian fare with a Balinese twist for the launch, where you can wander through trader stalls, food carts and drink festival-style pint-sized cocktails in the bazaar.
Happy Birthday to W RETREAT & SPA BALI. Honestly, I would love to see that Big W in person on that beach. Amazing.
I live like a tourist in my hometown and my dream is to travel the world one luxury hotel at the time. If you love traveling as much as I do,
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