New York City

More than ever, travelers desire immersive experiences. To satisfy that craving, hotels are curating cultural environments, with art as a significant ingredient. Many local artists, galleries and museums now partner with hotels as a way to create a dialogue between destination and traveler. Whether it’s waking up to a celebrity portrait by the legendary Andy Gotts or a conversation with an artist-in-residence, guests depart with a resounding connection to place that goes beyond the traditional hotel experience.

As crime and austerity swept through the Big Apple in the early 1970s, New York City’s Mayor John Lindsay took to a podium to declare a “War on Graffiti.” During this time, the city’s subway system was creaking at the seams, barely functioning and covered in graffiti tags from the city’s burgeoning street art scene. Over the coming years, New York City Hall spent an estimated $300 million in an attempt to keep subway trains and stations free of graffiti, forcing artists to work under the cover of darkness while creating ever more elaborate works.

The Best Mom Ever deserves The Best Weekend Ever. But you don’t need months of planning to make it a memorable Mother’s Day, you just need a good idea and we’ve got five. City, country, beach, desert or mountain—pick her fave setting and set off.

Inexpensive and good for both one’s health and the environment, cycling has never been hotter. The rise in ridership has lead to bike share programs and dedicated lanes, making many cities much easier to navigate on two wheels rather than four. In tune with the trend, innovative hotels are offering bike-friendly amenities and services to help guests better explore their surrounds—be it beach towns or wine country.

Over the next four weeks, the world’s elite fashion houses occupy New York, London, Paris, and Milan to exhibit their designs for the coming year. For attendees, looking the part is a must, and Bo Derek had the right idea when she remarked, “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” In this week’s blog, we take her words to heart as we look at where the locals shop in each of the Fashion Week destinations, alongside some hotel inspiration.

To most, Christmas dinner at KFC doesn’t sound particularly appealing, but it’s a holiday tradition dating back several generations in Japan. In this week’s blog, we’ve clad ourselves in the tackiest of festive sweaters to take a look at fascinating folklore and holiday traditions around the globe, as well as where to stay along the way.