What's Hot

    Tuesday, October 20

    Author: Ethan Caldwell

    Avatar photo

    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.

    Getting a cheap hotel room is less about finding one secret booking day and more about comparing the right things. Hotel prices can change with demand, events, room availability, cancellation rules, and the booking channel. Planning early can improve your choice of rooms, but flexible dates, member rates, direct-booking offers, and careful total-price comparisons can matter just as much. Quick Answer To get cheap hotel rooms, compare the same room and cancellation terms across hotel sites and comparison tools, shift your dates when possible, check free loyalty-member rates, and compare the total stay cost rather than only the nightly price.…

    Read More

    Complimentary hotel rooms are rarely handed out with no conditions. Most travelers earn them through hotel points, free-night certificates, targeted promotions, elite benefits, or a service-recovery gesture. The smartest approach is to compare the full cash price with the award cost, book through an eligible channel, and read the cancellation and fee rules before confirming. Quick Answer To get complimentary hotel rooms, join hotel loyalty programs, earn or transfer points, use free-night certificates, register for promotions, and ask about direct-booking offers. Always compare the award with the cash rate and check taxes, resort fees, deposits, expiration dates, and cancellation terms…

    Read More

    IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company whose portfolio ranges from value-focused hotels and extended-stay suites to premium, luxury, and resort properties. As of March 31, 2026, IHG reported 7,014 open hotels with 1,035,589 rooms across more than 100 countries. Travelers can also join IHG One Rewards to earn points, access member rates, and receive benefits that depend on their membership tier and the individual hotel. Quick Answer IHG Hotels & Resorts is the company behind 21 hotel brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Kimpton, Staybridge Suites, and Six Senses. Its hotels serve many…

    Read More

    Traveling with a dog is easier when you know exactly what a hotel means by “pet-friendly.” Some properties welcome dogs of nearly any size, while others limit the number, weight, breed, room type, or length of stay. Fees, unattended-pet rules, and access to common areas can also differ between properties in the same hotel chain. The demand is substantial. According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2025 National Pet Owners Survey, cited in its 2026 State of the Industry Report, 95 million U.S. households own a pet. That helps explain why more hotels now publish pet policies, provide dog-friendly rooms,…

    Read More

    The Las Vegas Strip offers everything from large casino resorts and all-suite towers to quieter hotels without casinos. Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, MGM Grand, and Wynn are among its best-known names, but they represent only part of the current hotel lineup. The best place to stay depends on the part of the Strip you plan to visit, your total budget, and whether you value pools, shows, dining, nightlife, or a calmer atmosphere. Quick Answer Major hotels on the Las Vegas Strip include Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian and The Palazzo, Wynn and Encore, MGM Grand, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan, Paris,…

    Read More

    IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s largest hotel companies, but the naming can be confusing. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is only one luxury brand within the wider IHG portfolio, which also includes Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Kimpton, Staybridge Suites, and many others. This guide explains the company’s history, current brands, amenities, loyalty program, global reach, and what travelers should check before booking. Quick Answer IHG Hotels & Resorts is the hotel company behind 21 brands ranging from luxury resorts to extended-stay and essential-service hotels. As of March 31, 2026, IHG reported 7,014 open hotels…

    Read More

    An all-inclusive hotel bundles your room with a defined selection of meals, drinks, activities, and resort services. It can make vacation planning easier and help you predict a large part of your trip cost before you arrive. However, the words “all-inclusive” do not mean that every service at the property is free. The exact benefits depend on the resort, rate plan, room category, number and ages of the guests, and sometimes the dates of the stay. Checking the package details is therefore just as important as comparing the room price. Quick Answer An all-inclusive hotel combines your room, meals, drinks,…

    Read More

    There is no single best hotel in Vegas for every traveler. The right choice depends on whether you value large rooms, fine dining, pools, nightlife, family attractions, balconies, or a lower total price. The Venetian Resort is one of the strongest all-around luxury options, especially for travelers who want spacious suites and a large collection of experiences under one roof. Quick Answer The Venetian is a top choice for spacious all-suite rooms, restaurants, shopping, gondola rides, convention access, and events at Sphere. However, Bellagio may suit fountain fans, Wynn may appeal to travelers seeking a more refined atmosphere, and The…

    Read More

    A motel and a hotel both provide short-term lodging, but they are usually designed for different travel needs. Motels commonly serve road travelers with convenient parking and simple room access, while hotels more often provide interior corridors, larger common areas, and a wider range of services. The best choice depends on the individual property, not only the word on its sign. Quick Answer A motel is usually a smaller, car-oriented property with parking close to the rooms and doors that may open directly outside. A hotel more often has interior hallways, a staffed lobby, and services such as breakfast, meeting…

    Read More

    Motels and hotels both provide temporary lodging, but they are usually designed around different travel needs. Motels traditionally make parking and room access easy for motorists, while hotels more often provide interior corridors, larger common areas, and a wider range of services. However, the name alone does not guarantee a particular price, room size, quality level, or amenity package. Quick Answer A motel is usually designed around car access: rooms often open toward the parking area, services are limited, and highway locations are common. A hotel more often uses interior corridors and offers broader amenities and staffing. These are common…

    Read More

    Hotels do not rely on one universal pillow. Most properties choose a practical mix of feather-and-down, down-alternative fiber, and sometimes foam pillows so guests can select a softer or firmer feel. The “hotel pillow” experience usually comes from the full setup: balanced loft, durable construction, a smooth cotton cover, a protective encasement, and several pillows on the bed. Quick Answer Hotels commonly use feather-and-down chamber pillows and polyester or microfiber down-alternative pillows. Luxury brands often favor a supportive feather core with a softer down outer layer, while down-alternative options are popular for easy care and feather-free rooms. Many hotels also…

    Read More

    Luxury hotel amenities are about more than marble lobbies, large rooms, and expensive décor. The best high-end properties combine comfortable facilities with attentive service, thoughtful design, quality dining, wellness options, and personalized assistance. What is actually available can differ significantly from one hotel to another, so knowing what to look for can help you compare properties more accurately before booking. Quick Answer Luxury hotel amenities typically go beyond a nice room. The best properties combine attentive, personalized service with high-quality dining, spa and wellness options, pools, fitness facilities, refined in-room comforts, concierge support, and convenient transportation or event services. Exact…

    Read More