Travel Less Ordinary: Leaving Las Vegas

March 24, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Tina Severance-Fonte wins 10,000 Stash points her story-within-a-story about a trip to Vegas, interrupted by an unexpected visitor and derailed into an exploration of the Southwest.

Behind the Scenes: Bizarre Requests From Hotel Guests

March 21, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

Thanks to the saintly and at times heroic hotel staffs of the world, guest requests come welcomed and well executed. Suggestions on local activities and worthwhile eateries, a spare toothbrush, and sewing kits are easy to arrange and fairly standard. But how about getting a daily supply of Kobe beef for your dog or a sleep-sitter to watch you while you sleep because you have trouble with sleep walking?

Cures for Cabin Fever (East Coast)

February 20, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Warm weather retreats are great for those who can’t stand bundling up. But for those among us who enjoy sipping hot cocoa fireside after a day in the woods cross-country skiing and identifying animal tracks in the snow, for you powder hounds taking lap after lap up and down the mountain before relaxing in an outdoor hot tub […]

5 Tips for a Romantic Hotel Room Makeover

January 27, 2016.Reading time 7 minutes.

You already know what you’re doing. You’ve got this. We know. But just for fun, here are some reminders of how to romantically transform your hotel room for a special night with your special one.

Resolution Reboot: A guide to healthier living from the pros at Movara Fitness Resort

January 27, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Here it is, a month into your New Year’s resolutions and you’re hitting every mark. Keep it going. You’re an inspiration. Or maybe, just maybe, your best laid plans to eat a more balanced diet, exercise more regularly, and travel less ordinary by staying at Stash partner hotels have fallen by the wayside. Yeah, us too. Well, not that last part — we can’t get enough of our partner hotels. At any rate, we’ve asked the lovely and talented pros at Movara Fitness Resort for tips on how to revive those health-conscious goals.

The Insider’s Guide to the Gateway City

January 5, 2016.Reading time 6 minutes.

Notwithstanding my love for Rick Steves, the best travel experiences aren’t found in guidebooks, but rather, via word of mouth. While guidebooks often land you in phony restaurants serving tourist-friendly versions of regional and national cuisine, word of mouth gets you in the side door and invited to glasses of cab franc with the owner after hours.

Winter Is Coming: The Best Beachy Getaways (Part 1)

November 30, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

For many of us, the slushy, bundled-up daily commute is unavoidable for a few dark months per year. And sadly that time of year is upon us. So, the next time you find yourself scraping the windshield in polar vortex conditions or Googling “How to remove salt stains from shoes” imagine barefoot beach combing for seashells and sipping margaritas for lunch while listening to Jimmy Buffett, the sun and sand a warm reflection in your shades.

Winter Is Coming: The Best Beachy Getaways (Part 2)

November 30, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

In part one of this two-part series we lauded the warmth and benefits of 4 sunny mainland destinations from San Diego to Miami Beach. Now, we explore 4 off-shore getaways sure to cure the wintertime blues.

Hotels That Score Big in College Football Towns (Part 3)

November 6, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

We conclude our three-part College Football Towns series by highlighting hotels and college football culture in the West. If you missed it, our Southeast region roundup included Auburn, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, and Notre Dame, and our Big Ten roundup included Michigan, Penn State, Minnesota, and Northwestern. Hotel 43, Boise, ID Boise State Broncos Did you know Broncos football plays […]

Hotels That Score Big in College Football Towns (Part 2)

November 3, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

Every year when autumn rolls around, small towns like Ann Arbor, Michigan buzz with excitement. Solo cup sales soar as entrepreneurial residents turn their front lawns into tailgating parking lots for out-of-towners. For four months per year, Saturdays belong to college football. And whether you cheer on your team because it’s your alma matter or you live nearby, the […]