Posted by Andrew Hickey on Feb 7, 2010 in
Travel Site of Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints v. Indianapolis Colts
I am going with the Saints to win tonight over the Colts 34-31
Tags: dolphin stadium, florida, indianapolis colts, miami, new orleans saints, super bowl xxiv
Posted by Andrew Hickey on Oct 13, 2009 in
Travel 
Well it is about time. That was my first reaction when I visited the website Oyster Hotel Reviews (which launched earlier this year). For years now I have been telling people that hotel websites and companies like Travelocity, Priceline, and Expedia have been kind of deceitful and misleading to the basic travel customer.
These sites will showcase properties with those stock photos that include absolutely perfect lighting, scenic touch-ups (like a deserted beach instead of a crowded one), and at times fake or altered window views. This is obviously done to woo customers and generate sales. While there is nothing wrong with trying to garner new business, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of travel writers like yours truly. I prefer to honestly show people what they are spending their hard earned cash on when they take that next family getaway or business trip.
So that is why Oyster has become one of my new favorite online travel resources. Unlike hotel review websites like TripAdvisor which rely heavily on customers feedback, Oyster is actually paying professional writers to go and check out various properties (anonymously) and provide readers with detailed reviews, pictures and feedback. I love it!
As a self-professed hotel nerd, I found this website to be a great place to check out various places to stay in my own backyard of New York. In addition to the Big Apple, Oyster currently offers hotel reviews in Aruba, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Jamaica, Las Vegas, and Miami. They plan to debut Los Angeles and San Francisco in November and even more cities in 2010.
So who writes for Oyster Hotel Reviews? Over the last 19 months, experienced journalists that have worked for such publications as the New York Times, The Village Voice, and Conde Nast Traveler have all gone undercover (fake mustache and all) to various hotels in order to properly evaluate each property in great detail.
One of the great features on the site is that readers can search through the hotels by category, price, special amenities, and various other features chosen by the Oyster reporters. Oyster includes “best-of” list as well for each location. Taking a look at the New York hotels section, I was able to browse through a wide range of options that included “Best Value Hotels”, “Best Happy Hour Hotels”, “Pet-Friendly Hotels”, “Quietest Hotels”, and my personal favorite “Thanksgiving Parade Views.”
While the website is still in the early stages and has many cities to add both domestically and internationally (Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, Montreal, London, and Dublin instantly come to mind), it is truly a breathe of fresh air in what has become quite a stagnant state of affairs when it pertains to online hotel review sites. I was kind of getting tired of reading about good hotels receiving 1-star reviews from disgruntled customers due to inane reasons like bad weather upon arrival or because the man at the front desk did not smile wide enough when handing over the key card.
In addition to the great hotel reviews on Oyster, the website provides detailed area guides and absolutely stunning photography of the properties and destinations. I spent a few hours one day just looking at their collection of amazing shots taken in Miami before even diving into the actual hotel reviews!
I highly recommend checking out Oyster Hotel Review. Oyster has become such a favorite of mine that I even plan on using some of their photography in upcoming hotel reviews that I showcase right here on my site.
Tags: aruba, dominican republic, hawaii, hotel, Las Vegas, miami, new york, oyser hotel reviews, Travel
Posted by Andrew Hickey on Aug 3, 2009 in
Travel 
Travel + Leisure Magazine just released it’s list of the United State’s “Best & Worst Airports” for 2009. They compiled information on flights that departed more than 15 minutes late from the country’s airports between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 courtesy of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
There are some notable highlights from this year’s list of aviation hub angels and offenders. We have a new number one “worst” in ‘09, Seattle (SEA) dropped off the top 10 “best” list, Chicago (MDW) fell from the “worst” list, and it should come as no surprise that all of the New York area airports made an appearance (…and not a good one). Here are this year’s winners and losers:
Worst Airports:
#1 – Newark (EWR)
#2 – Chicago (ORD)
#3 – Miami (MIA)
#4 (tied) – Dallas (DFW)
#4 (tied) – New York (LGA)
#4 (tied) – New York (JFK)
#7 – San Francisco (SFO)
#8 (tied) – Washington DC (IAD)
#8 (tied) – Atlanta (ATL)
#8 (tied) – Philadelphia (PHL)
Best Airports:
#1 – Salt Lake City (SLC)
#2 – Portland (PDX)
#3 (tied) – Washington DC (DCA)
#3 (tied) – Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
#5 (tied) – Los Angeles (LAX)
#5 (tied) – San Diego (SAN)
#5 (tied) – Tampa (TPA)
#5 (tied) – Detroit (DTW)
#9 (tied) – Phoenix (PHX)
#9 (tied) – Orlando (MCO)
So what is your favorite and least favorite airport? If you want to vent and share some airport horror stories, feel free to comment below.
For more information on this list, check out TravelandLeisure.com.
Tags: arizona, atlanta, california, Dallas, detroit, florida, georgia, jfk airport, los angeles, miami, michigan, minneapolis, minneapolish-st paul, minnesota, new jersey, new york, newark, oregon, orlando, pennsylvania, philadelphia, phoenix, portland, salt lake city, San Diego, san francisco, tampa, texas, utah, washington d.c.
Posted by Andrew Hickey on Jul 3, 2009 in
Travel Before you head out to a packed airport or major traffic on the highways, check out a great collection of some of the country’s best firework displays. Have a safe and happy Independence Day and see you back here on Monday.
Also be sure to check out the Saturday and Sunday Travel Shots this weekend while you are preparing for your big barbecue party or before you head out for a day at the beach.
Chicago, Illinois
Portland, Oregon
Denver, Colorado
San Francisco, California
Miami, Florida
Boston, Massachusetts
San Diego, California
St. Louis, Missouri
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Seattle, Washington
Austin, Texas
Keystone, South Dakota (Mount Rushmore)
New York City
Tags: austin, boston, chicago, colorado, dakota, Denver, florida, illinois, massachusetts, miami, missouri, mount rushmore, new york city, oregon, pennsylvania, philadelphia, portland, San Diego, san francisco, seattle, south, south dakota, St. Louis, texas, washington
Posted by Andrew Hickey on May 22, 2009 in
Travel 
For the first time in the company’s history, British Airways is giving customers the opportunity to receive a “2-for-1″ deal with their Club World Business class to London. You think times are tough for BA? Simply book by this Tuesday May 26 and receive some extra luxurious perks like:
- Club lounges
- Fully flat beds
- Food inspired by top chefs
- Expertly sourced wine
- 200+ entertainment choices
.
This offer is available for outbound travel from USA between June 1 and October 31, 2009. You must travel with your partner on the same flight in order to receive the “2-for-1″ deal. Here is a list of the cities included in this sweet sale:
- Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington DC. Click here for full details.
By the way, while we are talking deals and saving cash when traveling. Head on over to HavePack.com today. I am featured in an article called “3 Travelers Share Their Favorite Budget Destinations.” You can also follow him on Twitter, @HavePack.
Tags: air, atlanta, baltimore, boston, british airways, chicago, Dallas, Denver, houston, los angeles, miami, New York (JFK), newark, orlando, philadelphia, phoenix, san francisco, seattle, tampa, Travel, Washington DC
