The American Cruise Lines fleet is growing again: Less than a week after announcing it had purchased four former American Queen Voyages ships, American Cruise Lines has revealed that it’s building two additional ships.
20.03.2024 - 16:09 / forbes.com
I typically fall into two camps when it comes to booking places to stay: full-service luxury hotels and independently-owned boutique properties.
But after a recent jaunt to Columbus, Ohio, I’ve added reclaimed motels to the mix. They’ve boomed in popularity in recent years—especially during the pandemic, when American roadtrips and contactless travel ruled the roost—and are a smart alternative for those who appreciate nostalgia and affordability, and don’t require a laundry list of perks.
Built in 1959 and reborn in the summer of 2022 after years of neglect, South Wind Motel resides in the charming and hip neighborhood of German Village. As the first commercial lodging project by Kelley Companies, a local and family-owned real estate development firm, the 22-key property respects its roots. “We’re a true motel,” says partner Michael Kelley. “But we thought a lot about how to surprise guests with that’s inside and give them the kind of experience we look for while traveling.”
To that end, Kelley Companies preserved many original features —note the cedar panels and stones nodding to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style as you pull up—to lend a sense of history, and punched up the interiors to maximize modern-day comfort for a memorable stay. “We paid attention to even the smallest things to make an emotional connection with guests,” comments Kelley.
The guest rooms and suites are colorful, spacious, and heavy on retro vibes. Kelley Companies collaborated with an interior design firm to source vintage Herman Miller tables and chairs—which you’ll find in all the accommodations—and an area furniture maker for the custom-made walnut pieces. Among the other considered touches are turntables with 1960s vinyls, Chemex pour-over coffee makers, refillable toiletries from Columbus eco-friendly brand Koko, and sleek beds done up in Parachute linens. Forgot to pack any essentials? Pop by the check-in desk. Here, you’ll find a reclaimed card catalog chock-full of gratis necessities such as ear plugs, toothbrushes, and stain remover—it’s such a welcome gesture in a time when even the nicest hotels seem to nickel and dime you for everything—along with a water bubbler and microwave.
Other details that make South Wind Motel such a wonderful stay include solar panels on the roof and energy-efficient HVAC. And unlike other accommodations that cut housekeeping corners to save costs, every room undergoes four meticulous checks for cleanliness. In addition to the eye-catching design and caring management, South Wind Motel’s address on High Street is tough to beat. “One of our best amenities is being walking distance to everything,” explains Kelley, of the proximity to some of the city’s coolest places to eat and drink, like
The American Cruise Lines fleet is growing again: Less than a week after announcing it had purchased four former American Queen Voyages ships, American Cruise Lines has revealed that it’s building two additional ships.
Holland America Line is celebrating a pair of sustainable seafood certifications—one from the Marine Stewardship Council, and the other from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
Having guided extensively in the American West for the past 15 years, Andrew Roberts knows his national parks. He can pinpoint the best trails in Yellowstone and the prettiest vistas in Zion, and he's fluent in the logistics of getting visitors into and out of the parks. He also knows how difficult it can be to find the right lodging. Campgrounds inside the parks have amazing access, but they tend to be filled with RVs, noisy generators, and crowds, not to mention the fact that park campsites and lodges can easily book up a year in advance or have limited availability.
LiveWell by Zurich and BODDY partner to provide seamless access to digital & physical wellbeing experiences on the go.
Most tourists from outside Europe visit more than one European country during their trips, and because the residents of countries with restricted currencies can’t use their home currencies in Europe, any tax refunds made digitally means they can’t spend that money in Europe or the UK.
The EU ban is effective immediately.
Visiting Ireland is a cinch if you’re visiting from a country that requires no visa or with whom Ireland has a visa waiver agreement. If you are visiting from a country with a visa requirement, then things can get a little more complicated, but here’s what you need to know to get you started.
Visitors to the Denver Zoo will quickly find out that the flamingos are local celebrities. Collectively, the 70 American and Chilean flamingos are known as flockstars and they’re each named after famous musicians. But recently, one of the zoo’s most endearing flamingos, Amott (named after Guitarist Michael Amott, a heavy metal rocker out of Sweden), gained some new fans far and wide after going viral on TikTok for hugging zoo guests.
First invented in 1965 on Washington’s Bainbridge Island, pickleball has morphed from a casual backyard sport to a global sensation that’s taking the world by storm—and in the mid-2020s, this beloved activity is gearing up to become more popular than ever. While the sport has been popping up at world-class resorts all across the United States, courts have extended to some of the east coast’s most cosmopolitan cities as well, with the New York-based CityPickle leading the charge. Established in the summer of 2021, this lavish lifestyle brand made waves by opening Long Island City’s first indoor pickleball club, with multiple seasonal popups spanning from Brooklyn down to Philadelphia.
Some of the shiniest luxury tools in Accor's brand toolbox are overseen by Omer Acar, the CEO of two of Paris-based Accor's glitziest brands: Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Spirit Airlines is bringing more affordable domestic flights to popular destinations this summer.
Two Holland America Line cruise members died as a result of an accidental steam release aboard Nieuw Amsterdam on Friday, reports USA Today.