Denise Godreau knew next to nothing about Eswatini before 2022.
01.02.2025 - 14:31 / insider.com
Equinox is eyeing a country-wide expansion — not just with its gyms, but its hotels.
The luxury fitness giant operates a New York City hotel with plans to launch 33 more over the next 10 years. At least half will be in the United States, Chris Norton, the CEO of Equinox Hotels, told Business Insider, with properties in Texas, Northern California, and Hawaii already in the pipeline.
Expect a resort on the East Coast to be succeeded by another on the West Coast. Norton called Los Angeles, New York, and Miami "strategic priorities," followed by Nashville, Atlanta, Austin, and Detroit.
Internationally, in addition to an announced resort in Saudia Arabia's Noem development, Equinox Hotels' CEO said the company is now also considering locations in London.
Equinox is best known for its growing collection of more than 110 "fitness clubs," which start at $325 monthly — not including an initiation fee. Despite (or maybe because of) the hefty expense, its fit crowds, eucalyptus-scented towels, and Grown Alchemist-stocked bathrooms have created a cultlike following beloved by investors and affluent fitness buffs.
Expect the same wealthy and healthy tribe at its coming hotels.
At its six-year-old New York City property, guests have in-room supplement mini-bars, daytime and nighttime soaps, a trendy 60,000-square-foot gym, and access to spa treatments such as cryotherapy and IV drips.
Upstairs, they can feast on a fluke crudo and pasture-raised chicken at a trendy rooftop restaurant. Downstairs, they can see and be seen at the outdoor pool with barrel saunas and unfettered views of the Vessel.
"If you stay at the hotel, you can experience this entire universe of a multi-dimensional Equinox experience," Norton said.
The list of amenities has created a five-star go-to for travelers who want to eat, sleep, and breathe (four counts in, four counts out) the lucrative fitness and wellness world.
However, it's also why Norton estimates nine out of 10 of its future properties would have to be new builds.
Not many existing hotels have what the company is looking for: gyms averaging 30,000 to 40,000 square feet with pilates and cycling rooms that might otherwise sit empty between classes.
"The New York hotel has clearly moved and will continue to move Equinox into a luxury lifestyle brand versus a gym brand," the hotel brand's CEO said.
Denise Godreau knew next to nothing about Eswatini before 2022.
Most people commute in and out of New York City by train, ferry, or car. But some in the upper echelons of society can afford to fly above the chaos.
A major Florida airport has an expansion on the horizon. Tampa International Airport recently announced that its new $1.5 billion Terminal D will be anchored by Delta Air Lines, which will have access to at least six gates, and also operate a new airline lounge in the space. Delta currently operates a variety of flights from Tampa, including direct routes to its hubs in Atlanta, Boston, New York (JFK and LGA), and Minneapolis. It also operates an international route to Amsterdam, and will soon launch a direct flight to Austin, Texas.
Breeze Airways will ramp up its flying in a big way this spring and summer. The Utah-based low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced plans to launch service from three new airports by midyear.
Feb 4, 2025 • 14 min read
Planet Hollywood is coming back to New York City.A major tourist attraction in the 1980s and early 1990s, the restaurant was owned by, among others, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.The start power was palpable. But, the allure quickly died off, like many chain restaurants.The doors on 42nd Street opened on Monday. There was a $20 million investment in the new property.According to the eatery, the restaurant redefines Hollywood glamor beneath a 360-degree canopy of state-of-the-art, high-definition screens. Encircling the entire perimeter is an impressive array of over 692 video tiles delivering cutting-edge dining and event experiences through dynamic and interactive displays."We're relaunching Planet Hollywood in Times Square not just as a restaurant but as an all-encompassing sensory experience that magnificently combines innovative technology with the unique flair of Hollywood," said Robert Earl, Founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Earl Enterprises. "This venue is poised to deliver exceptional entertainment and dining in the spirit of New York's celebrated theatrical grandeur."Instead of traditional memorabilia, an all-encompassing audio-visual experience brings Hollywood to life through synchronized video projections, soundscapes, and interactive elements that turn dining into a fully sensory affair. Every detail of the space has been thoughtfully curated to provide guests with a unique dining adventure that feels fresh. The venue is slated to be a hotspot for the late-night scene, with the mood on the second and third floors becoming very different when they transform following dinner service.Culinary creativity remains at the core of the Planet Hollywood experience featuring an elevated, yet approachable variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and entrees. Culinary highlights include Kobe Cheesesteak Empanadas, Prime Rib Sliders, Chicken Caesar Salad, All-American Double Smash Cheeseburger, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, NY Strip Steak, and Lobster Pot Pie. Guests can also enjoy the nostalgic "1993 Icons" section with beloved classics that pay homage to Planet Hollywood’s original menu including the World-Famous Chicken Crunch, Planet Nachos Grande, L.A. Lasagna, and St. Louis BBQ Ribs.The new Planet Hollywood will be within walking distance of other nightclubs and Madison Square Garden.
"New Orleans is a city of mood,” chef Serigne Mbaye tells me one Wednesday morning in September. We've been discussing the merits of Parkway's po'boys and the old-school kitchen at Commander's Palace. While growing up in Senegal and New York City, Mbaye cooked with his mother, and his Uptown restaurant, Dakar NOLA, braids his memories of this time with his haute restaurant experiences and the deep-rooted African heritage of New Orleans.
Touchdown! The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off in the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, a bonanza for special flights to New Orleans.
January was a difficult month for many people across the United States. The country experienced extreme weather, a devastating bout of fires and, most recently, the largest tragedy in U.S. aviation since 2001.
You can now redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points for TAP Air Portugal flights, and there are some great deals to be found in both economy and business class. @findflightsforme first reported this news.
Jan 30, 2025 • 8 min read
Travelers flying with JetBlue Airways now have another option for upgrading their in-flight experience.