Miami Beach

Gathering 800,000 properties in 33,000 cities across 192 countries, Airbnb’s growth has been staggering—add to that a recent valuation of $16 billion US dollars. This meteoric rise has sent ripples through the hospitality industry, and hotels are scrambling for a method to combat the noisy newcomer.

Anonymous hotel rooms just won’t cut the mustard anymore, ushered out for more personalized, residential-style experiences. This week, we highlight a number of hotels who have perfected this formula, prompting that all-important home-away-from-home feel.

As 2016 draws to a close, there’s no better time of year for indulging in a little nostalgia. December is known for many things, but its the annual “best of” lists that make the month so enjoyable. It was a year in which some lesser known gems finally received widespread acclaim, while a smattering of old favorites came roaring back into vogue. Herein, 11 of 2016’s hottest vacation destinations, and some of the hotels that helped make them special.

No matter how low the bar is set, having zero expectations for New Year’s Eve is a near-impossible feat. But, good news, science (more like personal trial-and-error) has concluded that the greatest equation for NYE happiness is to get out of town, because going somewhere new is innately exciting. Now, where to go? Easy, herein, seven atypical experiences to celebrate another calendar year.

As the northern hemisphere trudges toward winter, thoughts invariably turn toward escapism. There are those who embrace the cold season and head for the ski slopes, and there are those who’d rather sweat it out on a sandy beach. For the latter category, 11 hotels for achieving warm winter getaway goals.

In her heyday, Mariah Carey reportedly wouldn’t check-in to a hotel until they guaranteed a new toilet seat and gold faucets in her suite. While demands like this aren’t commonplace, the world’s best hotels have long understood going the extra mile. In this week’s blog, we take a look at 10 Kiwi Collection hotels that offer head-turning VIP amenities whether one enjoys celebrity status or not.

Ever since the halcyon days of excess at venues like LA’s Riot House, there’s been a tangible link between hotels and the spirit of rock ’n’ roll. Initially, this manifested itself in juvenile ways such as hurling TVs from balconies or riding motorbikes down hallways. Over time, it began to channel itself down more creative avenues. For example, John Lennon and Yoko Ono chose Montreal’s storied Fairmont Queen Elizabeth as the setting for their infamous "bed in" between May and June 1969. It was here, in the couple’s room, Lennon recorded the anti-war anthem "Give Peace a Chance," which quickly became an anthem for Vietnam War protestors across the United States. Closer to modern times, Room 78 at the notorious Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles played host to the writing and recording of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ famous "By The Way" song in 2001. The venue held a particular meaning for guitarist John Frusciante, who had lived at the Marmont in 1996 while he battled a near fatal drug addiction. These days, musicians don’t need to slum it in their rooms to record hit songs, as a small but growing number of hotels have started to feature their own recording facilities. Read on as we take a look at a number of Kiwi Collection hotels where guests can cut their next (or first) hit track.

It was once the case that hotels would attempt to dazzle with a list of in-room amenities as long as a guest’s arm. However, today’s increasingly savvy traveler expects a little more than lotions and potions underneath the bathroom vanity. This demand is being met in a plethora of ways, but perhaps the most welcome one is the rise of unique experiences that immerse guests in the local environment. Several Kiwi Collection hotels have crafted particularly noteworthy offerings, and we take a closer look at ten.

Anyone who’s traveled with children can attest: if the kids aren’t having fun, no one’s having fun. Also, securing a little parental quiet time on a family vacation is often the difference between coming home rested, and coming home in need of another getaway. Kids’ clubs achieve both aims. Luckily, these clubs are now ubiquitous, so finding a suitably impressive one is easier than ever. Read on as we take a look at some of the more spectacular options out there.

Spring is a time for renewal, for blowing the cobwebs off and emerging into the year ahead with a renewed focus. For many people, a wellness retreat is a central part of the strategy, but the trick is to find the right fit. As hotel spas can come in all shapes and sizes, we’ve provided some inspiration with ten of our favorites from around the globe.