Author: Ethan Caldwell
Ethan Caldwell writes about where to stay and when to go. His work covers hotels and resorts, booking and check-in questions, and seasonal timing for destinations around the world — the shoulder-season math, the weather windows, and the trip-planning details most travelers only learn the hard way. He also maps road-trip routes and RV and travel-trailer logistics.
Snow falls in Sicily more often than you might think, but where and when it happens may surprise you.
A criminal conviction does not always prevent travel to Japan, but the word felony is not the legal test Japan uses. What matters most is the offense, the sentence imposed, and whether a specific ground in Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act applies. Check your position before paying for nonrefundable flights or hotels. Quick Answer Some people with felony convictions can travel to Japan, but Article 5 generally requires refusal of landing for a sentence of one year or more, except a political offense, and for covered drug convictions that resulted in a penalty. A visa does not guarantee…
IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s largest hotel systems, but the company does not own most of the buildings carrying its brand names. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC controls the brand network, loyalty program, reservation technology, and operating standards. Independent investors, private companies, developers, and real estate investment trusts usually own the individual properties. Quick Answer InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns and controls the IHG brand system, but it does not own most IHG hotel buildings. At December 31, 2025, 73% of IHG system rooms were franchised, 27% were managed, and less than 1% were owned or leased…
TRT Holdings, Inc., a privately held Dallas-based holding company controlled by the Rowling family, owns Omni Hotels & Resorts. TRT acquired Omni in 1996 and has continued to invest in hotels, resorts, renovations, and new developments. Omni currently reports 50 hotels in the United States and Canada, about 23,550 rooms, and approximately 20,000 associates. Quick Answer TRT Holdings, Inc., a privately held company controlled by the Rowling family, owns Omni Hotels & Resorts. TRT acquired the hotel company in 1996. Omni currently lists 50 hotels in the United States and Canada, while individual properties may be owned, managed, or franchised…
Keen travelers can uncover Oklahoma’s best scenic routes and travel tips, with surprising stops and hidden gems waiting just around the bend.
Comprehensive guide explains the DTS record locator format and meaning, revealing how to find it and why it matters for your travel reservation.
Luma Hotel Europe guide reveals standout rooms, dining, and amenities, but the key rates and policies may surprise you.
Travel Japan with smart routes and insider tips to unlock Tokyo, Kyoto, and beyond—find out what most visitors miss.
Gaylord Hotels operates six large convention resorts across the United States. Each property combines guest rooms, restaurants, meeting facilities, a full-service spa, entertainment, and a glass atrium in one destination. The locations serve different types of travelers, from families visiting Orlando to convention groups meeting near Washington, D.C., or San Diego. Quick Answer There are six Gaylord Hotels in the United States: Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord Palms, Gaylord Texan, Gaylord National, Gaylord Rockies, and Gaylord Pacific. Marriott International owns the Gaylord Hotels brand and manages the resorts. Five properties are owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, while Gaylord Pacific has a separate…
Walmart can save you a trip to the store when you need groceries, bottled water, toiletries, baby supplies, or other essentials during a hotel stay. However, delivery is not guaranteed at every hotel. The hotel address must qualify for Walmart delivery, and the property must allow the driver to hand over or leave the order. Quick Answer Yes, Walmart can deliver to a hotel when the hotel’s address is inside an eligible delivery area and the property accepts outside deliveries. Enter the hotel address and your reservation name, add clear lobby instructions, and plan to meet the driver unless the…
Alaska is part of the United States, but the documents you need depend on how you get there. A direct flight from another U.S. state is domestic travel. Driving requires you to cross Canada, and many Alaska cruises visit or begin in Canada. Use this guide to choose the right ID for your exact route. Updated on July 25, 2026 Quick Answer U.S. citizens do not need a passport to fly directly to Alaska from another U.S. state. Adults need a REAL ID-compliant license or another TSA-accepted ID. Driving through Canada or taking an international cruise route requires documents accepted…
Last updated: [DATE] · Provider terms checked [DATE]. Turning up at a hotel reception at 16 or 17 and being refused a room can leave you stranded and out of pocket. In the UK, the answer depends less on one nationwide “hotel law” and more on the accommodation provider’s current booking, safeguarding, identification, and payment rules. Check the exact property before you travel. Quick Answer Most traditional UK hotels require the lead guest to be at least 18, so a 16- or 17-year-old usually cannot check in alone. YHA England and Wales is the main exception: unaccompanied 16- and 17-year-olds…