Cool Hotels

The Liberty Hotel

Last year, The Liberty Hotel, which is a phenomenal example of repurposing historic architecture, opened in Boston to a flurry of publicity and romanticism. Once the notorious Charles Street Jail, the building now offers guests from around the world luxury boutique accommodations.

If only my great Uncle Francis had had such an experience. He died there, not as a guest, but as an inmate nearly sixty years ago. Why was he there? Apparently, a proto-beat nik, he stole a car when hitchhiking didn’t pan out. How did he die? Officially an accident. Possibly a suicide. Some thought murder. I’ll never know, but I do know that I am not the only person who will now be able to explore unfortunate family history while enjoying the hotel – and that’s pretty cool.

Best Budget Hotels

Okay, now I'm not a regular reader of Travel & Leisure Magazine. This is primarily because I would have to sell my house to pay for most of their featured trips. But, as a true sign the economy is in a major downturn, they have produced a nifty slideshow of budget-friendly hotels.

Some of them I agree with, some I don't. But the list sure is worth gazing upon.

Must See Documentary

The Chelsea Hotel, admittedly, is not everyone's cup of tea. I wouldn't stay there with my mom. (Although, she's said she's game on more than one occasion.) But it must rank as one of, if not the most fascinating hotels in the world. The scene of murder, mayhem and all manner bohemian self destruction, the New York landmark is the subject of a documentary that recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. So, if you're not up for actually staying there, the doc might be the next best thing.

Travel Mythbusting!

So, yahoo posted an awesome article debunking some travel myths. I'm not sure which of the debunkings was my favorite - the one that says that recirculated air on a flight won't make you sick or the one that says that it's neither illegal or dangerous to use a cell phone when you fly.

Except for one thing, cell phones are annoying. Can you imagine a planeload of people on an airplane chatting on their phones for the whole flight? It would be worse than a New Jersey transit train. My theory? The airlines keep the bogus rule to keep people from annoying each other or giving out too much information.

Eco-Confession Time

I've been thinking more about greenwashing, and while I can't do much about hotel green exaggeration and outright fraud, I can look at my own behavior and make things better. And I can look back fondly at some stuff I will probably never do again.

1) I will never use all the towels in the room, just because.
2) I will never fill the specially designed bathtub at Loft 523 all the way to my chin. Nor will I request the room with the special double shower heads.
3) I will never turn the in-room thermostat down to 60 degrees, especially in Tuscon.
4) I will never take every shampoo, conditioner, lotion and little soap home, only to have them collect dust in my bathroom drawer.

So, anyone else want to confess something?

Greenwashing Hotels

I love traveling, and I just love a fun, interesting hotel. I wouldn't run this blog if I didn't. I also love my Prius, my canvas shopping bags, my stainless steel reusable coffee mug and my recycle bin. And I know very well that hotels are almost never green enterprises, despite the appearance of eco-friendly shampoo/conditioning products and little placards telling one to reuse towels. Even the most tony eco-resorts have been busted for making sham claims about their greenness - because we all know it sells. Just check out this article.

However, that's doesn't mean I hate hotels or I think that they are all liars or that eco-programs should be scrapped on the basis of hypocrisy alone. But I do think hotel executives and owners need to take a hard look at their claims and what's realistic for them to actually do, and guests need to make themselves more responsible. Drink water in a reusable glass. Reuse the towel. Don't take a three hour shower just because you can. And believe me, I've been guilty of using ten towels in the past...just because I could. Because isn't that part of the pleasure of a hotel? I'm not knocking pleasure, but I am saying shift that pleasure to the lovely "I'm doing the right thing for the earth" feeling that has become so marketable in the last few years. Because you can't be sure those sheets are really organic cotton.

The Sexiest Hotels

Well, we know magazines loves lists. And Forbes Traveler is no different. They've got a list of the sexiest hotels in America, all luxury properties, natch. Nonetheless, I think it's a good list - albeit with some vague criterion. After all, sexy is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe you'd prefer creole sexy or modern sexy or maybe cozy sexy. Who knows? Maybe you think sexy is that suite Clark and Lois had to share in Superman II?

Hotel Safety

One of the things I often hear from cool hotel skeptics is "I'd rather stay at a chain because I know they are safe." While it can be true that chains are monitored by a corporate office, this is no guarantee of safety. How often and how rigorous chains are monitored varies from company to company, and sometimes a brand name (especially a ritzy one) can attract criminals. Sometimes small proprietors know their country or region better and have personal investment in guest safety. Sometimes not. It all depends on the situation.

Savvy travelers simply need to keep their wits about them whatever kind of hotel they choose. Crimes against one's body and/or property can happen anywhere. However, there are steps that can be taken to protect oneself. Check out this handy list from Metlife. No one spends more money or time researching safety than insurance companies (sad to say).

Marfa in the spotlight

With No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood both doing well at last night’s Academy Awards, it has drawn attention to the small Texas town where both movies were filmed. Marfa, famous for its lights, art and being the location where the 1950s semi-classic Giant was filmed, was also recently the subject of a flattering wire article.

So now is probably the time to mention that the Hotel Paisano has just completed its series of renovations. According to a recent letter sent to its patrons, this includes the renovation of the pool and the addition of a gym. As if anyone needed an additional reason to visit Marfa. But still, this is a great year for the little town that draws film buffs, filmmakers, paranormal-ists, artists, art collectors and other assorted adventurers.