Resort tips

Originally a laid-back hippie town, Tulum has fast become a go-to destination for more than just bohemians. Celebrities have flocked to the resort-lined jungle on the Caribbean coast, while the wild beach clubs and restaurants are now a huge draw for partygoers. 

The Midwest isn't known for tropical temperatures or stunning beaches, but it is home to the "water park capital of the world": Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

The first overwater bungalow had a thatched roof, a window peering into the ocean, and a ladder leading into the water.

Minutes ticked by while my friend and I waited for a boat to take us to Thatch Caye, an all-inclusive resort on a private island in Belize.

As a boat picked my friend Katie and me up on the beaches of Dangriga, Belize, we had about 25 minutes to bond with the other guests traveling to Thatch Caye resort.

If you’re daydreaming of swaying palms, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters, we’ve got the getaway for you. We’re giving one lucky winner and their guest a chance to trade in chilly winter weather for a blissful 4-night escape to the sun-drenched Caribbean island of Aruba.

With a piña colada in hand, my friend and I crawled onto a bungee-cord hammock hanging above Belize's strikingly clear waters.

Belize's coarse sand dug into the back of my legs as I sat on a beach and considered the four days behind me.

It was the middle of winter in Australia when my friend and I decided to embark on a tropical getaway. There was just one problem — we didn't have the money to stay at a resort.

My 2-year-old daughter and I spent three nights at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive luxury resort in Mexico that was featured on seasons one and five of Netflix's "Love Is Blind."

As an annual passholder at Universal Orlando and a theme-park journalist, I've learned the value of staying in a hotel on the property.

As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels, I try to stay at as many Disney resorts as possible so I can speak to their quality and amenities.

I've been visiting Dollywood regularly for over 10 years.

On Thursday, Disneyland Hotel opened The Villas, one of the most luxurious additions to the property. 

For my first trip to Alaska this summer, I decided to forego the typical cruise and instead stayed at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. The all-inclusive wilderness resort is located 60 miles northwest of Anchorage and accessible only by ski plane. 

How much will you be charged for that hotel stay? The answer, of course, should be obvious: You’ll pay the published rate, plus government-imposed taxes and fees. Whatever that total turns out to be is your price.

Vegas has come a long way, baby. No longer a Mecca for gambling and other less licit activities, the city has become synonymous with family fun, world-class dining, and big-name entertainment.

For U.S. News & World Report, the road from weekly news magazine to publisher of company rankings has been a long and winding one. The key, though, to its shift toward data-driven ratings of companies and institutions was its 1983 publication of “America’s Best Colleges.”

As expected, following approval by Chinese regulators, Marriott this morning completed its acquisition of Starwood, creating what the company’s news release touts as “the world’s largest and best hotel company.”

Yoga retreats are a perfect way to rejuvenate yourself while simultaneously satisfying your travel itch and desire to go somewhere new and beautiful. But if you’ve ever Googled “yoga retreat,” you probably realize there are thousands upon thousands of options, some of which might not even be legitimate.

Enter the SmartSource.com “New Year, New You” sweepstakes by February 29, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-night trip for two to Freeport, the Bahamas, including air, hotel, and on-premise meals.