When locals in the charming Austrian lakeside village of Hallstatt staged a blockade of the main access tunnel, brandishing placards asking visitors to ‘think of the children’, it highlighted what can happen when places start to feel overrun by tourists. Hallstatt has just 800 residents but has opened its doors to around 10,000 visitors a day — a population increase of over 1,000%. And it’s just one of a growing number of places where residents are up in arms at the influx of travellers.
Celebrating 25 Years of ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ at the Jamaican Hotel Where the Movie Filmed
22.08.2023 - 21:27 / cntraveler.com / Jackie Kennedy
The ‘90s were a time of all work and no play—at least, that’s how it looked in the movies. Films like Glengarry Glen Ross and The Associate (led by one Whoopi Goldberg) illustrated the strictly business nature of the time. But in the sea of suits and briefcases came 1998's How Stella Got Her Groove Back, which gave permission for people—but especially Black women—to take a break. Angela Bassett starred as Stella Payne, an uptight, divorced stock broker in dire need of an escape from her daily routine and stagnant love life. Encouraged by her free-spirited friend Delilah (one Whoopi Goldberg), the two booked a vacation in paradise: at the five-star Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica. While Stella first inspired Black women 25 years ago, her story reverberates to this day.
Earlier this summer, my friend and I followed in their footsteps by attempting to find our grooves at that very resort. Prior to the trip, Toni (a divorced attorney) and I (an over-scheduled freelance writer) rewatched the movie. It was my first time seeing it as an adult, and with the innocence of youth out of the way I found that my viewpoint aligned with that of Stella's tired executive: We were over the grind—not to mention the nagging misogynoir that came with being divorced by 42. Being jaded fit us too well.
Angela Basset starred as Stella, an overworked executive with a stagnant love life, in 1998's How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
I imagine that, at its start, Round Hill was quite a bit like it is today—classic, quiet. Upon arrival, visitors descend a steep and winding hill to the white-sided lobby building, shielded from the sun by a striped green-and-white awning with glimpses of cerulean waters beyond. The furnishings reminded me of Ralph Lauren Home—preppy and patterned but bright and clean—which made sense when I discovered that Lauren himself, who owns one of the villas onsite, redesigned the hotel rooms (which sit in what's called the “Pineapple House”) as well as the Grill, where photographs of the resort’s hallowed guests adorn the walls. It’s all very Jackie Kennedy-esque— fittingly, as this is where her husband came to write his inaugural speech. This is exactly the soft, quiet luxury that you crave when work is intense and you have the funds to splurge.
Round Hill includes 26 individually-owned villas, some with outdoor showers—separate of the 36-room Pineapple House hotel.
Cottage 11 made the perfect choice for Stella thanks to its ocean views and clean white interiors.
Speaking of a splurge: Toni and I took advantage of every amenity that the resort offered. Our routine was: heading to the beach in the mornings to watching the resort wake up from afar, hitting the spa, and Toni (while I enjoyed
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nationalgeographic.com
07.09.2023 / 10:35
As Amsterdam bows out, what will be the new capital of cannabis tourism?
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breakingtravelnews.com
06.09.2023 / 07:03
Tampa Bay Hotels See Surge in July and on Track to Another Billion-Dollar Year
Following two flat months, Hillsborough County’s hospitality industry saw a large surge in growth in July according to the latest reports from STR, Inc. July’s hotel revenues were up 13.8% while occupancy increased by 3.4% to 70.4%, average daily rate (ADR) up 11.5% to $143.55 and RevPAR up 15.3% to $101.08. July tourist development tax collections for Hillsborough County, which reflect June collections, came in at $4,347,279, bringing the total collection for the fiscal year to $56,732,408. Total taxable hotel revenue through June has reached more than $900 million for the fiscal year-to-date indicating that Hillsborough County will surpass $1 billion for the second continuous fiscal year.
travelpulse.com
05.09.2023 / 18:07
TravelPulse Podcast: On Location in Jamaica at the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat
Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast!
travelpulse.com
05.09.2023 / 18:05
Alaska Cruises Are Getting Longer
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insider.com
05.09.2023 / 10:19
Singapore is obsessed with getting robots to serve you. Here's where you can find them.
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lonelyplanet.com
31.08.2023 / 19:09
The 8 most magnificent beaches in Texas
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breakingtravelnews.com
31.08.2023 / 06:27
Jamaica Wins Big at World Travel Awards Caribbean & The America’s Gala 2023
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travelpulse.com
29.08.2023 / 22:37
Sandals Resorts Again Named Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand
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traveldailynews.com
29.08.2023 / 09:00
Tourism positions SMTEs to meet tourism demand in Jamaica
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett identified the need for three elements to aid the SMTE sector, including training to build capacity, funding for capital development and marketing support.
traveldailynews.com
29.08.2023 / 09:00
US leads global Travel & Tourism rebound says WTTC
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traveldailynews.com
29.08.2023 / 08:58
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