Category: Travel

Hipmunk Hotels: Boutique Hotels for Tourist in New York City

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

Boutique Hotels for tourists in New York City via @DishOurTown

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Finding accommodations in New York City can be daunting for a tourist. As a New Yorker, I believe that location is most important, especially for first-timers and families. Don’t pay for transportation when you can situate yourself with a place to stay where it’s convenient to get to most top tourist sites.

 

Some of the best Hotel offerings are in the Boutique Category. Often you will get Five-Star Service and accommodations for a price much less than you would from the more renowned names in the industry. Below are some top picks:

 

The Iroquois Hotel

 

As one of the Top Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this gem of a hotel, located near the Heart of Times Square, lives up to its billing. Upscale service and amenities include Frette Sheets, turndown service with some Le Belge Chocolates, Molton Brown Bathroom Products, and complimentary coffee/tea and an afternoon beverage in the lobby. Theatres, Top Restaurants, Shopping right outside your front door. Starting at $116/night. WiFi and Fitness Center.

 

The Shelburne

 

Those who are looking to travel as a family, this hotel is a top choice. Located near Grand Central Station, The Empire State Building and Macy’s. The rooms are a nice mix of 60’s retro and modern design. Suites have a kitchenette, and the hotel offers “kid-friendly” amenities, such as board games and a shop for children’s sundries. For adults, there is a wonderful rooftop bar to enjoy a post-sightseeing or pre-dinner drink. Suites start at $132/night. WiFi and Fitness Center.

 

Club Quarters Midtown

 

Few are better located than this lovely boutique hotel. Just right off World Famous Fifth Avenue, staying here brings the guest within walking distance of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and some of the best shopping in the world. The rooms are well appointed, affixed with luxurious leather and wooden features. There are unlimited chilled bottle water and complimentary in-room coffee. Starting at $149/night. WiFi and Fitness Center.

 

The Benjamin New York

 

This hotel prides itself on client experience. Upon walking in, one can’t help but admire the beautiful photography hung throughout. The service is impeccable and the rooms luxuriously appointed with lush beds and high thread count sheets. The aesthetic is muted, with relaxing neutral colors. There is a fine restaurant connected named, The National Bar and Dining Room, created by renowned chef, Geoffrey Zakarian. A great getaway, especially for a romantic one. Within walking distance to all major sights, which include the Museum of Modern Art and Central Park. Rooms start at $179/night. WiFi and Fitness Center.

 

Ink48 New York

 

With a high energy lobby and a popular rooftop bar, this is the fashionable choice. This very stylized hotel is located in, the now popular, Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood. Views of the Hudson River from most rooms. Set within the center of the Theatre District, this hotel is a treat for a culture seeking traveler. Starting at $199/night. WiFi and Fitness Center.

Hipmunk Hotels: Outdoor Adventures in Santa Fe, Flagstaff, Henderson, Laughlin and Boise

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle5 Comments

I spent a lot of time in the Southwest; Las Vegas, Phoenix, Lake Tahoe, but there are so many little towns near these big cities that are filled with adventure. And, if you know me, you know I love new adventures. Whether in the mountains, lakes, or rivers, these cities offer the best of outdoor activity all year long.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Everyone in Santa Fe, New Mexico hikes; or at least is seems like it. One look at the scenery, you’ll see why. The red dirt mountains and valleys behind the blue sky make for an incredible backdrop. Near every hotel, you’ll find trails for hikers of all skill levels. And, if you dare, you can try rock climbing at Camel Rock. I’m not that adventurous, but the rock formations are something to behold.

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Flagstaff, Arizona

Located in the northern part of Arizona, on the Colorado Plateau, sits Flagstaff, Arizona. This laid back town in the forest is far from lazy. In fact, the city has an extreme adventure streak, where people come from all around to push their limits. In the mountain and forest landscape, they have zip lining and rope courses. I can spend the day swinging from tree to tree like Tarzan.

Henderson, Nevada

For my water adventure, a stop at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada is next on the list. The area has some amazing resort hotels, as it was a planned community deep in the desert. The artificial lake offers fantastic scenery and the water is beautiful. You can take a boat trip to check out the houses of the famous residents like Celine Dion, Chris Tucker, and Natalie Gulbis (she’s a golfer). The lake offers all sorts of water sports such as paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and skiing. Just outside of Henderson is the Hoover Dam.

NevadaImage provided by Luis Torres via Trover.com

Laughlin, Nevada

Ninety miles south of Las Vegas is Laughlin, Nevada. It sits on the Colorado River where you can partake in more water activities, but I want to check out Laughlin’s nine casinos. Where the Las Vegas casinos are, in two words, enormous and crowded, the casinos in Laughlin remind me how the casinos used to be in the heyday of Vegas. For my adventure, I want to rent an ATV and take a tour of the Black Hills or watch a reenactment of the Old West in nearby Oatman, Arizona.

Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho is known as the City of Trees, which probably means a lot of people outside enjoying them. For a small town, you might not think of action and adventure, but you’d be wrong. The city has great outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, and the weather is great in the spring and summer. One of the most popular locations for hiking is Camel’s Back Park. The park has trails that wind through the small hills and offer a spectacular view of the capital city below.

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Hungry in Spain

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

Visiting Spain is a new addition to my bucket list. I recently learned more about the rich history and cultural significance of the country when I worked with a woman whose family is from Spain.  I’ll admit that it was over a margarita and food that I fell in love with Spain, and my trip to Spain will be a culinary exploration.

San Sebastián, Spain

San Sebastián, Spain, is the second largest city in Spain. It is a food mecca. It boasts more Michelin Stars per capita than any other place in the world. For those of you who don’t know, winning a Michelin Star is like winning an Oscar in the culinary world. San Sebastián is a beach town, and the restaurants use the local seafood to create the popular tapas style of dining. Because San Sebastián’s people are social and love tourists, the tapas service, which includes small plates meant for sharing, encourages people to enjoy their company as well as the food.

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Calvia, Spain

I love the cities that embrace the old traditions along with the new and modern. Calvia, Spain, has the best of both worlds. It is a beach town as well, but unlike San Sebastián, it has a thriving business district. Calvia is the melting pot of Spain. Its residents come from all over Spain and the world. Mallorca cuisine is popular in this region of Spain.  Mallorca consist of the finest-quality meats and fish, all locally sourced. With its generous portions of garlic and olive oil, the Italian influences are evident in Mallorca cuisine.

Mogan, Spain

Part of the Canary Islands, Mogan, Spain, is an upscale but relaxed and laid-back region of Spain. It is a popular holiday spot for Spaniards and Europeans. Its culinary focus is all over the map to accommodate the many visitors from all over world. Mogan is also a thriving fishing village. It supplies seafood for the entire island and for other areas of Spain as well. I’m up for anything that comes from the sea, and I can’t wait to try the oceanic fare the city has to offer.

Mogan

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Arona, Spain

Arona, Spain, is another island in the Canary Islands. It’s a culinary anomaly. It’s known for its rustic, family-style cuisine. With many of its inhabitants originating from India and East Asia, Arona has some of the best authentic Indian food outside of Mumbai. Traditional Indian dishes often incorporate seafood, creating amazing food that offers the best of both cultures.

Ibiza, Span

Ibiza, Spain, is an island off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea.  It boasts seafood dishes that are traditional to the island, but the dishes have spread across all of Spain. Fish hot pot is a hearty, rustic meal that includes fish, seafood, and vegetables, all cooked at the table in a thick stock and eaten right from the pot.  Seafood paella is an Ibiza staple featuring rice in a tomato-based sauce with fresh shrimp and shellfish. I also want to try a dessert called Flao that has many versions all over Spain but originated in Ibiza. It is a circular-shaped dough or bread filled with sheep or goat cottage cheese and anise, served hot.

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What to Do in Japan in the Springtime

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I marked Japan off my bucket list a few years ago. I spent four glorious days in Tokyo. In those four days, I kept saying to myself, When can I come back? The people are kind, the city is pristine, and the residents take pride in their city. The mix of old world and modern strikes the perfect balance. I had only four days to explore the city, so on my next trip, I’m going to hit the following spots for sure and continue to fall in love with Japan.

Osaka, Japan

Osaka, Japan, is the second largest city in Japan, behind Tokyo, with 19 million residents. It is known as the food capital of Japan and manufactures the best sake in the world. In the springtime, Osaka holds the Osaka Asian Film Festival, where movie makers from all over Asia show their films in search of notoriety and distribution. Although Osaka is a modern city, I also want to check out the many shrines and temples. I love cherry blossoms, and the Osaka Castle houses an enormous cherry blossom garden. Spring is the perfect time to catch them in full bloom.

Osaka

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Kyoto, Japan

Whereas Osaka is the food capital, Kyoto, Japan, is known as the cultural capital. Not a modern city like other cities in Japan, Kyoto is more culturally significant to Japanese ancient history. The city houses over 20% of the most popular shrines, castles, and temples in all of Japan.  In the spring, Kyoto holds a festival called Aoi Matsuri. The festival has been a tradition in Japan for over 1,000 years. The festival consists of a procession and the shrine rites. Another popular attraction in Kyoto is the Sagano Bamboo Forest. CNN called it one of the top places you need to see before you die. I can’t think of a better endorsement than that.

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Kyoto

Sapporo, Japan

When I visited Tokyo, I drank enough Sapporo to drown a fish. It’s one of my favorite beers, and even thought it’s no longer brewed in Sapporo, Japan, it originated there, and the company sponsors the city’s annual beer festival, which takes place in the summer. In the springtime, I would make a stop at Odori Park and check out the Sapporo Snow Festival. In 2016, it was the festival’s 66th year. Food stalls serve food and drinks from all regions of Japan, and the snow sculptures feature recent pop culture themes, such as Star Wars.

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Fukuoka, Japan

My Japan adventure would end with a bit of literary history, Japanese style. Every spot I visit, I try to find a place to get inspired for my writing, and what better place for inspiration than the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The Umasake Clan built the shrine over the grave of Michizane, a gifted student who composed poems but was exiled by the Kyoto royal family to Fukuoka, Japan, in 905. Upon his death, the royal family mysteriously perished in a fire started by lightning striking the castle. Perhaps it was payback for the student’s exile. Later, the Fukuoka government named Michizane the god of literature. Now, how’s that for a story?

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Hipmunk Hotels: Strange sites in San Luis Obispo, Carlsbad, Marina Del Ray, Monterey and Costa Mesa

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

I stumbled upon some interesting, strange, and weird sites in my bucket list research, all in California. I haven’t ventured into California a lot, but with finding these crazy things, I have to move this state back to the top.

San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo, California is a small town, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Spanish Missionaries founded the city in 1772, making it one of America’s oldest communities. I want to check out the eccentric Madonna Inn, a stop on Season 14’s The Bachelor. Bubble Gum Alley is another strange spot. Since 1960, people have stuck their used chewing gum to the walls of the alley. Locals have made several attempts to clean it up, but people continue to visit and contribute to the collection.

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Carlsbad, California

Situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, Carlsbad, California is a quaint, but active seaside town. It’s home to the world famous La Costa Golf Resort and is the headquarters for several golf club manufactures such as Calloway and TaylorMade. If golf isn’t your thing, maybe Lego is. For the Star Wars geek in me, I have to check out the Star Wars Miniland at Legoland California with replicas of ships, figures, and people from the famous science fiction franchise.

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Marina Del Ray, California

Marina Del Ray, California is a unique attraction in itself. The unincorporated community houses the largest man-made marina in the world. It took from 1887 to 1965 to complete the construction of Marina Del Rey. A vision of real estate developer M.C. Wicks, he wanted the Marina to be a viable commercial harbor. With millions of visitors per year, many hotels, from budget to resorts, sprung up to support the thriving business.

Monterey, California

In Monterey, California, you’re just as likely to see a sea lion, harbor seal, and bat ray, as you’re to see people. I’m hoping to see one of the city’s famous residents, such as Clint Eastwood or Herman Edwards, a former NLF coach and player. It was also the home of John Steinbeck, who based his famous novel Cannery Row on the Cannery Row area in Monterey. I can’t wait to walk in his footsteps and absorb the city he loved. The many seaside hotels make it easy to enjoy the sites of Monterey.

Costa Mesa, California

Every year in the spring, Costa Mesa hosts the Orange County Fair, which started in 1890. Many hotels have cropped up in Costa Mesa to accommodate the millions of visitors each year. The fair has evolved over the years from a three-day festival with races and livestock exhibitions to a twenty-three day festival with big name performances, competitions, exhibits and rides. The bizarre culinary offerings are one of the most unique features of the fair. No where else could you get a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sloppy Joe. I can’t wait to sample the offerings from the many food trucks that make Costa Mesa their home for the twenty-three day festival.

Costa Mesa

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