Roomorama Hunts Down Vacation Rentals for You

May 11, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 5 minute read

It’s a big wide world out there beyond Airbnb. Take Roomorama, for one, where hosts clamor for guests instead of the other way around.

Airlines Flights Hotels Lodging Popular Posts Trip Planning

Long Layover Ahead of You? These Airlines Will Hook You Up With Free Hotel

March 24, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 3 minute read

Suddenly a half-day at the airport can turn into a free four-star hotel stay. Where’s the sign-up sheet?

Airbnb Hostels Hotels Lodging Money Travel Trip Planning

Why Private Hostel Rooms Are Terrible Deals

March 19, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

In fact, more often than not, they’re practically the same price as hotels.

Airbnb Lodging Money Travel

Quick Reminder: Airbnb Rentals Are Negotiable

March 4, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Remember that you can always negotiate with your Airbnb host for a better deal. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Hotels Loyalty Plastic Travel Uber

SPG Rewards Officially Loves Uber

February 25, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

It’s a good thing at least someone loves Uber, because I don’t love Travis Kalanick, who’s possibly the worst human being on earth. But maybe you love Starwood and free hotel stays!

Hacks Hotels Lodging Money Travel

Book Each Hotel Night Separately for the Best Rate

February 25, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Apparently, it isn’t uncommon for hotels to upcharge travelers to the most expensive nightly rate, without them realizing it.

Adventure Hotels Lodging News

The Craziest Hotel Concierge Stories You’ll Ever Hear

February 10, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 2 minute read

There’s a real-life version of the Society of Crossed Keys! At least concierge life is nothing like a Wes Anderson movie… sorta.

Airlines Airports Flights Lodging Trip Planning

How to Travel During a Snowpocalypse

January 27, 2015 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Unfortunately, Arctic dogsledding is not an option for most travelers this week. Here’s what to do if Winter Storm Juno has you trapped under her cold, icy thumb.

Business Hacks Hotels Lodging

The Easiest Ways To Score a Hotel Upgrade

January 26, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 2 minute read

While surprise hotel upgrades have fallen into my lap time to time, they happen most when I’ve taken some sort of simple, strategic step.

Connectivity Hotels Lodging Loyalty Technology

Marriott Rewards Members Now Get Free Wi-Fi

January 15, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Who would have thunk Marriott would give away free Wi-Fi? You don’t even need status because all you need to do is to sign up as a Marriott Rewards member.

Hotels Lodging Money

Trade Housekeeping for Cash? Yes, You Can

January 13, 2015 Sydney Johnson 2 minute read

Starwood hotels are offering compensation for those a little more tolerable of their own pigsty.

Hotels Lodging Travel

What a Hotel Concierge Actually Does

November 26, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 5 minute read

No figure in the hospitality industry mystifies me more than the hotel concierge.

Hotels Lodging Money Travel

Get the Cheapest Hotel Rate With Three People

November 19, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 2 minute read

I’ve figured out how to get the best deal on pretty much any hotel room. It’s not some big secret or new app. It just requires the right numbers.

Lodging Reviews Technology Travel Vacation Rentals

HomeAway Is Vacation Rentals Without Airbnb’s Fees

October 30, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 5 minute read

It’s a big, wide world of vacation listings out there, each with its own set of options, niches and fees. One of the biggest is HomeAway, which likes to deliver without the latter.

Business Hotels Lodging Loyalty

Fast Track Toward Hilton HHonors Status

September 25, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Hilton HHonors seems to be running a promotion where they’re making it easy peasy to gain status. Do I need to dangle the free Wi-Fi carrot again?

Hotels Lodging Packing Trip Planning

Most Hotels Will Accept Your Packages

September 16, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

If you need a package stat, you can often have it sent to your temporary place of abode where they will hold it for you. Mail comes to hotels, too.

Business Hotels Lodging

Are Luxury Hotels Worth Splurging On?

September 11, 2014 Erica Ho 5 minute read

I was trying to play it cool, looking at the countless number of buttons inside the Rolls Royce, when I shot a glance across at my friend. “I just want to play with them,” I whispered to her.

Hacks Hotels Lodging Travel

Postpone Bookings To Kill Hotel Cancellation Fees

September 8, 2014 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Now here’s an ingenious way to pretty much get out of any last-minute hotel reservation without being penalized.

Lodging Travel Vacation Rentals

Read This Before Listing Your Place As a Vacation Rental

August 25, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 3 minute read

The sharing economy is one of seemingly endless opportunity. (Have car, will drive for cash.)

Hotels Lodging Money Technology Travel Trip Planning

Case Study: HotelTonight Is for Last-Minute Splurges

August 11, 2014 Erica Ho 5 minute read

The HotelTonight premise is simple. Mobile users can book empty hotels rooms at the very last minute for awesome savings, which to me is either profoundly brilliant or insane. But how much do you actually save?

Hotels Lodging Money Travel

Keep a Hotel Reservation From Getting Ditched

July 23, 2014 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Don’t bother booking the hotel with Expedia or another site — they’re the first reservations to get dropped if the hotel is overbooked.

Airbnb Lodging Opinion Vacation Rentals

Behind Airbnb’s Latest Branding Redesign

July 17, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Does it look like a pair of boobs to you? For some people, the new logo looks like a butt. I’m actually not here to talk about either.

Business Connectivity Hotels Lodging Money Technology

Surprise! Cheaper Hotels Have the Best Wi-Fi

June 25, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

An actual study has now confirmed what I’ve known all along — that paying for Internet is highway robbery.

Hotels Lodging Money Travel

Book Directly for the Lowest Hotel Rack Rate

May 13, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Is it common sense at this point? Cause it should be.

Budget Lodging

The Rights of Every Couchsurfing Guest

April 28, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Just because someone has opened up their home to you doesn’t entitle them to make you uncomfortable.

Airbnb Food Gear Packing Reviews Trip Planning Vacation Rentals

This Travel Spice Rack is Perfect for Vacation Rentals

April 24, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

At first glance, the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit looks like another pretentious piece of Brooklyn hipster swag. Despite that, its actually a great spice rack if you’re going away for extended periods of time.

Airbnb Hostels Hotels Lodging Opinion Travel Vacation Rentals

Is Airbnb Really Better Than Staying at a Hostel?

March 12, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

In the six years since Airbnb launched, the company has pretty much managed to redefine budget traveling. Since then, I’ve played the role as both host and guest in several countries and cities, with, more often than not, mixed feelings.

Adventure Airlines Flights Lodging Travel

What To Do When Caught in a Weather Delay

January 6, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

There’s nothing like Mother Nature to get extra, extra irritable to remind you that we’re all pawns at her disposal. Snowstorm, fuck you.

Hotels Lodging

How To Override Your Hotel’s Thermostat

May 15, 2013 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Now that just seems sheisty, doesn’t it? That’s not going to stop us from telling you how to do it.

Budget Lodging Travel Trip Planning

The Basics to Couchsurfing Around the World for Free

May 8, 2013 Erica Ho 3 minute read

I know it’s a little bit off-putting sleeping at a stranger’s place, but hey, I’m still alive after surfing and hosting in five different countries.

Hotels Lodging Loyalty

How To Instantly Obtain Hilton HHonors Gold Status

April 17, 2013 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Or basically how to get free Wi-Fi every time you stay at a Hilton.

Adventure Budget Hotels Lodging Travel

Keeping the Power on with Room Key Wall Slots

March 21, 2013 Erica Ho 1 minute read

In today’s blindingly obvious tip of the day, here’s how to keep the lights on when you’re gone. I’ve also been traveling for the past 48 hours, so you can cut me some slack for once.

Hostels Hotels Lodging Travel

Scary Alert! When To Check Your Hotel for Bed Bugs

October 23, 2012 Erica Ho 2 minute read

I tried to find the most ungagtastic picture of bedbugs for you guys possible, but every time I saw a picture of the buggers, I pretty much involuntarily vomited into my mouth. An apocalyptic asteroid could wipe off mankind and bed bugs would still rule the day.

Airports Budget Flights Lodging

Your Guide to Sleeping (but not Snoring) in Airports

August 13, 2012 Erica Ho 2 minute read

In the name of sleep! Whether it’s for a couple of zzs or for a full snore-fest, just don’t take a nap on a baggage carousel.

Gear Hotels Lodging Technology

Forgot Your Power Cord? Ask the Front Desk First

July 10, 2012 Amanda Tong Less than a minute to read

If you’ve forgotten the charger for your iDoodad, before you run out to purchase a new power plug, ask the front desk of your hotel if they have an extra power cord.

Hotels Lodging Packing

Put Shoes in the Safe To Remember Valuables

June 8, 2012 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

My friend calls it the under-the-bed check. I open each cabinet and leave them dangling out, as I pack.

Food Hotels Lodging Trip Planning

Put Your Junk in the Ice Bucket To Keep It Fresh

May 1, 2012 Amanda Tong Less than a minute to read

Luckily, there are no missing kidneys involved in this story. But the ice bucket is a great tool for, well, keeping things cooled overnight if there’s no fridge available.

Hotels Lodging

Remember Your Hotel Room Number Quickly

March 28, 2012 Amanda Tong Less than a minute to read

Am I in 325 or 352? It’s so easy to forget, especially if you’ve been staying at different places each night. And most people probably won’t mistake you for room service.

Budget Hotels Lodging

When It’s Okay To Get Away With Not Tipping the Maid

March 5, 2012 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Watching the wallet a little bit, eh? Thanks to one of our readers, here’s how to skimp on tipping without actually being a complete douchebag.