HOTELS A Weekend at The Merrill Hotel & Conference Center in Muscatine, Iowa Posted on May 26, 2026May 26, 2026 The Merrill is a polished riverfront hotel in Muscatine, Iowa that blends modern design, rooftop Mississippi views, and walkable small-town charm into one surprisingly relaxing Midwest getaway. Using Marriott Bonvoy points made the stay even better, but the real surprise came from how connected the hotel feels to Muscatine’s history, riverfront, and downtown atmosphere. Read more
HOTELS What You Need to Know About the Pendry Chicago: A Perfect Rainy Weekend Escape Posted on May 15, 2026May 15, 2026 Pendry Chicago blends Art Deco charm with modern luxury in the historic Carbide and Carbon Building. Located on the Magnificent Mile, it offers elegant rooms, upscale dining, and a striking lobby that draws architecture lovers. It’s a refined stay in the heart of downtown Chicago, perfect for style-conscious travelers. Read more
HOTELS How to Maximize the Marriott Bonvoy Spring Promotion Before It Ends Posted on May 7, 2026May 27, 2026 Marriott Bonvoy’s Spring 2026 promotion offers a practical way to earn extra points on the short trips many of us already take. Registered members can earn 2,500 bonus points per eligible paid stay between February 25 and May 10, 2026. Marriott also adds one bonus Elite Night Credit for every different hotel brand you stay during the promotion period. Registration closes April 26, 2026, so timing matters if you want the extra rewards. Read more
HOTELS Why You’ll Love the Stay: 5 Hotels with Water Views Posted on February 25, 2026February 27, 2026 One of my favorite vacations involves water, shorelines and the sound they make when they come into contact with one another. While hotels and resorts have long leaned on Mother Nature to capture the imagination and attention of its guests, few have the capability of those with a water view picture window outward to the sea and beyond. Here are my top 5 favorite hotels with with a water view. Read more
HOTELS Affordable Luxury at Seahorse Hostel Danang: What You Need to Know Before Booking Posted on February 12, 2026June 7, 2026 If you’ve ever wondered whether you can have comfort, style, and value in one stay, this spot in Da Nang might surprise you. I booked Seahorse Hostel Tropical expecting something simple. Instead, I found a space that blurred the line between hostel and boutique hotel. Read more
HOTELS The Bad Reviews That Actually Matter When Choosing a Hotel Posted on December 16, 2025April 7, 2026 This post explains why reading hotel reviews with care matters more than ever. Travel has changed, and many hotels charge more while offering less, which makes it harder to know what you’re walking into. I break down the reviews that deserve your attention and the ones you can ignore. I show how tone, patterns, and real guest experiences reveal far more than the polished photos hotels and influencers share. By learning what to look for, you’ll choose stays that feel worth your money, your time, and your peace—and skip the places that no longer try. Read more
HOTELS Always Read the Reviews: Fishermen’s Harbour Urban Resort, Phuket Posted on December 9, 2025February 23, 2026 This post breaks down how 5-star Fishermen’s Harbour Urban Resort has changed over the years and why recent reviews now rate it closer to a 3-star stay. It also outlines which guest complaints truly matter when choosing a hotel. The message is practical: always read current reviews because a property can shift in ways marketing and old memories won’t reveal. Read more
HOTELS Why We Chose the Village Albert Court Hotel in Singapore Posted on November 27, 2025March 16, 2026 Little India drew me in with color, movement, and everyday life, and the Village Albert Court Hotel gave me a calm place to take it all in. The hotel carries the same British colonial style found in Singapore’s luxury icons like Raffles Hotel, The Fullerton Hotel, and Goodwood Park Hotel, but in a quieter, budget-friendly, more intimate way. Read more