Shop Talk: Chef Sousa of Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro

April 6, 2016.Reading time 8 minutes.

Chef Sousa reflects on gardening with his Portuguese grandfather, the difference between hotel restaurants and independents, and his admiration for simple-yet-perfect dishes like roast chicken with seasonal produce.

What’s missing from your hotel?

April 4, 2016.Reading time 8 minutes.

Answer: a great loyalty program. Gain a marketing channel with proven ROI, real benefits for your guests, a compelling reason to book direct, and more, without the limitations of a franchise agreement.

Travel Less Ordinary Travel Writing Competition Winners

March 24, 2016.Reading time 1 minute.

We asked for your stories about unforgettable trips that exemplify our Travel Less Ordinary mantra, and you delivered. Thank you for your thoughtful submissions and congratulations to the winners.

Travel Less Ordinary: Up in the sky in Albuquerque

March 24, 2016.Reading time 2 minutes.

Lesley Smith wins our first annual Travel Less Ordinary travel writing competition — and 20,000 Stash points — for this glimpse of the picturesque hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Travel Less Ordinary: No reservations, Highway 1

March 24, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Phillip Huckans wins 10,000 Stash points for his story about cruising up the California coast with his wife in his blue Corvette.

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

February 29, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Last week we visited some choice East Coast properties — perfect for sipping hot cocoa fireside after a day in the woods cross-country skiing and identifying animal tracks in the snow or cruising to the nearest mountain for freshly groomed trails. Don’t get us wrong, warm weather retreats are great for those who can’t stand bundling up, but […]

The Beauty of Blending in

February 23, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Less is more. It’s an expression that’s often stated as a guideline for keeping things simple. While it’s viewed as sage wisdom, it’s an adage that’s often lost on many hotel operators. Chain hotels will work extremely hard to stand out in their neighborhood and spend big bucks to garner attention. Picture thick beams of […]

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 […]