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.
A staycation can give you the break of a trip without the cost and planning of traveling far from home. IHG Hotels & Resorts is a practical option because its portfolio ranges from luxury and lifestyle hotels to family-friendly, wellness-focused, business, and extended-stay brands. The key is choosing the right property instead of assuming every IHG hotel offers the same experience. Quick Answer IHG can be a strong staycation choice because its 21-brand portfolio covers luxury, family trips, wellness, local experiences, business travel, and longer stays. Amenities vary widely by hotel, so compare the exact property’s rooms, pool, dining, parking,…
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that can hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, furniture joints, and luggage. They are not a sign that a hotel is dirty, and even well-kept properties can have them. Because bed bugs are skilled hitchhikers, the best time to reduce your risk is before you unpack: keep your bags away from the bed, inspect the main hiding places, and act quickly if you find physical evidence. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is reddish-brown, wingless, and about 1–7 mm long depending on life stage. Adults are roughly 5 mm long and have a…
Getting a cheap hotel is less about finding one secret booking day and more about comparing the right things. Hotel prices change with demand, dates, room type, cancellation terms, and promotions. A low nightly rate can also become a poor deal once parking, breakfast, mandatory fees, transportation, or a nonrefundable policy are considered. The best approach is to compare the full stay cost, keep your dates flexible when possible, and check both third-party and direct hotel rates before paying. Quick Answer To get cheap hotels, compare several booking channels, test nearby dates, check the hotel’s direct member rate, and compare…
Bed bugs can turn a hotel stay into a stressful problem, but a quick inspection before you unpack can greatly reduce the chance of bringing them home. Bed bugs are small, flat, blood-feeding insects that hide near sleeping and resting areas. They are not a sign that a hotel is dirty, and even high-end properties can have them. The safest approach is simple: keep your luggage away from the bed, inspect the room for physical signs, and know what to do if you find evidence. Quick Answer To check a hotel room for bed bugs, keep your luggage in the…
Hotel room prices can change dramatically from one night to the next, even for the same room at the same property. Demand, location, season, local events, room type, booking conditions, and the number of rooms still available all affect the rate. The best way to judge a hotel price is to compare the complete stay cost for your exact dates rather than rely on a universal “average” price. Quick Answer Hotel room prices have no single fixed average. Rates vary by destination, travel dates, demand, hotel category, room type, cancellation terms, and local events. For context, U.S. hotel ADR was…
Amarillo’s hotel market is expanding, but the old claim that “approximately 10 new hotels” would open by 2025 is not supported by current public records. As of July 25, 2026, the clearest verified picture includes one major recent opening, several registered or proposed projects, and downtown redevelopment plans. This guide separates confirmed openings from projects that are still planned, under review, or awaiting completion. Quick Answer Amarillo has no verified public forecast showing exactly 10 new hotels opening by 2025. The newest confirmed major opening is Everhome Suites Amarillo West–Medical Center, which opened in 2025. Other documented projects include Aloft…
Bed bugs can appear in any hotel, including clean and well-maintained properties. They often travel between locations in luggage, clothing, bedding, and furniture. A quick inspection before you unpack can help you spot warning signs, protect your belongings, and avoid carrying these pests home. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but their bites may cause itching, sleep loss, anxiety, and, rarely, allergic reactions. The most reliable way to identify a problem is to look for physical evidence rather than relying on bites alone. Quick Answer Before unpacking, place your luggage in the bathroom or on an inspected luggage…
Omni Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned hotel brand with roots in the Dunfey hotel business and a current portfolio of upscale city hotels and destination resorts. The ownership history is sometimes reported incorrectly, particularly when the company’s 1958 predecessor, its 1983 brand formation, and its 1996 acquisition are treated as the same event. Quick Answer Omni Hotels & Resorts is owned by TRT Holdings, Inc., a privately held company associated with the Rowling family. TRT acquired Omni in 1996. Omni’s roots reach back to Dunfey Hotels in 1958, while the modern Omni brand took shape in 1983 after…
A safe stay in New York City starts with more than choosing a familiar hotel name or a busy neighborhood. You need to check the property’s license, exact location, access controls, room locks, emergency information, and options for protecting valuables. In this guide, a “safe place” means both a hotel that takes reasonable security precautions and a secure place inside the hotel for passports, cash, jewelry, and other important belongings. Quick Answer A safe New York City hotel has a valid city license, staffed reception, controlled guest access, working room locks and safety latches, visible emergency routes, and clear ways…
Hotels and motels both provide short-term lodging, but they are usually built around different travel needs. A hotel often uses interior hallways and offers more shared services, while a motel is commonly designed for motorists, with easy parking and room access from an exterior walkway or parking area. These are useful patterns, not rigid rules, so the best choice depends on the individual property. Before booking, compare the room layout, location, total price, parking, front-desk hours, accessibility features, cancellation terms, and the amenities you will actually use. A well-kept motel may suit a road trip better than a full-service hotel,…
A boutique hotel offers more than a room for the night. It usually combines a distinct design identity, an intimate atmosphere, attentive service, and a strong connection to its neighborhood or setting. Some occupy historic homes or converted warehouses, while others are modern, purpose-built properties with a carefully developed theme. Quick Answer A boutique hotel is a small or deliberately intimate hotel with a strong design identity, personalized service, and a clear connection to its location or concept. There is no universal room-count rule, and some boutique hotels belong to larger groups. The real test is individuality, thoughtful service, and…
Connecting a PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi is usually simple until the network asks you to sign in through a webpage. Hotels often use a captive portal that requires a room number, last name, access code, or acceptance of the network terms. Because the PS5 has no dedicated web-browser app, that extra authentication step can require help from your phone or the hotel’s internet support team. Quick Answer On your PS5, go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection, select the hotel network, and enter its password. If a hotel login page blocks internet access, follow any…