The World's Most Outrageous Party Beaches

The World's Most Outrageous Party Beaches

We've come a long way since Beach Blanket Bingo. The wholesome, dopey '60s film series about youth's shenanigans on the shore watches like a Sunday-morning sermon compared to the unbridled debauchery that takes place at the world's wild party beaches of today, where bingo gives way to binge. When the the beat is loud, the bodies are bodacious and the weather's right--and in some places, it's never wrong--a switch is flicked in the wild, animalistic id of thousands that is helpless to the laws of logic, morality or good taste. Whether you're drooling to join in the madness or are just fascinated that these grinding, glistening, Grey Goose-guzzling creatures are breathing the same air as yourself, Where I've Been wants to take you on a tour of some of their most beloved seaside venues to practice vice. And we won't charge a cover at the door, we promise.

Ibiza - Spain

It's seen its share of E! and Travel Channel specials, sure, but Ibiza--dont forget to emphasize that 'z' as a "thhh"--is the reigning champion of beach-side insanity. Like many of the destinations we'll be examining, Ibiza, an island off the Valencia coast in Spain, carries much less in the way of its home country's historical and cultural capital than its counterparts, but sometimes the wild child was meant to wander off to create its own identity. A typical day in Ibiza begins at noon--that's when most partiers first wake up. From there the afternoon might include shopping or eating out, but sluggishness will reign supreme--most of that day will be spent recovering enough from the night previous in order to attack the one forthcoming. Perhaps the hungry reveler will first choose to get their freak on at Privilege, the Guinness record-holder as world's largest nightclub (capacity for 10,000 people), which resembles a miniature Epcot Center and frequently hosts superstar trance DJ Tiesto. Should 10,000 sweaty people wear you down, walk just a bit away to the nearby Amnesia, another Ibiza heavy-hitter famous for its raucous foam parties where some dancers sporting goggles and snorkels are engulfed in white soapy bubbles. Wherever you end up at night in Ibiza, be sure to stake out a good view of the "Disco Sunrise," as most clubs offer a transparent ceiling to heighten the effect of the morning light. Barring destruction of Biblical proportions, Ibiza, or "The Gomorrah of the Mediterranean" as it's known to be called, will continue to thump its bass into the morning every day of the week without a hint of guilt. To quote Where I've Been user Miguel, "I didn't know what I was getting into...but NO REGRETS!"

Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

The old platitude "anything goes" has always been an exaggeration, but Patong Beach might be the closest a place gets to the true meaning of the phrase. Patong Beach is one of the most lively spots for nightlife on the planet and gets dubbed the "party capital of Asia" for a multitude of reasons. Here's a pretty big one: Whether it's your thing or not, the outskirts of Patong Beach thrive on the sex industry--whatever the orientation or fetish, there's probably someone along Patong that has specialized in that craft for 15 years. But if that's, you know, your thing, then by all means. Sex is certainly a subject of focus around Patong (where is it not?), but if you prefer more subtlety to your hedonism you can still find it in abundance. By day, the subtlety takes a more extreme form--Patong is one of the top tourist destinations in Phuket, and while it's a beautiful beach, the shoreline errs more on the wholesome side. When the sky gets darker, droves of randy party-hounds flood locales like Clublime, which piles on the pulsating electro and dance tracks to go along with foam parties and a thrice-weekly booze cruise on their 90-foot boat. There's also the velvet-roped, neon disco swank of Seduction, offering a more traditional club feel, or the old favorite Safari, the open-late dance club with the kitschy jungle theme, outdoor music and rock climbing wall. And there's never a dull moment at the transvestite cabarets like the Moulin Rose. No matter where you are in Patong Beach, follow the music and a sleazy time awaits you.

Mykonos Island, Greece

In case you ever forget where you are, here you can count on the trademark reminder: A deafening foghorn, followed by someone screaming "MY-KO-NOS!" into a megaphone. It'll be hard to forget after that--perhaps it's a method of hypnotism, because most people who return from Mykonos swear by its lifestyle (and loud chant). Epicureanism, the ancient Greek philosophy of total indulgence, finds its home in Mykonos, where white sandy beaches and beautiful scenery also make refuge for beautiful people and loud partiers. Psarrou Beach is where serious action gets bumping by night, with a clothing-optional dress code and some of the world's finest DJs spinning until the next morning, with Paradise Beach offering much of the same. Super Paradise Beach has a vibrant gay party scene and also refuses to pull the cord until sunrise. As Where I've Been users can attest--perhaps as a throwback to the no-shame Greek bath houses of old--nakedness just tends to come easier in Mykonos; past indulgers Jacki and Terrill both claim the island as their first experiences in nude sunbathing. Please make sure to lather as directed. It's time-tested and most certainly not mother-approved--Greece may be some of Earth's most fertile soil to sow the wild oats.

South Beach, Miami, Florida

Its clientele is a few shades different from the 80s Miami vice-seekers in pastel-colors--the new-millennium version has evolved into a rich mutant party-beast decked out in Armani. But Miami is still the cultural crossroads of the Americas and South Beach its velvet-roped epicenter, where the currency is a shot of Patron and the language is skimpy, high-priced fashion. What's left of the pastels can be found in the Art-Deco architecture of the surrounding locales, including the hopping night spots. Since the attention span of South Beachers flickers in and out like a dance-floor strobe light, you can count on new clubs spawning and respawning each year along the storied Ocean Drive. Hardbodies currently get flexy at Mansion, formerly known as Level, an obscenely large mega-club where your admission can very well be based on how much you've dressed to impress (or how many strategic cosmetic alterations you've made to your physical appearance). Club Nikki is similarly strict, but VIP rooms at both places at the right time of the year ups your chances of getting a glimpse of a vacationing Kanye West or Lindsay Lohan. Where I've Been fan Claudine nearly had a run-in with beauty Halle Berry, while user Ray got to shoot hoops with the Harlem Globetrotters at Alonzo Mourning's Summer Camp. South Beach is never predictable and its waters glimmer like the stars that frequent its ritzy clubs.

Stunning Travel Mysteries

Stunning Travel Mysteries

Cell phones, GPS and black boxes have prevented modern-day travel disasters from being full-fledged unsolved mysteries--the kind that actually make you lose sleep the night before a trip. But sometimes fate opts to swallow its victims into a black hole of nothingness, leaving only a trail of scant clues and an open door for intricate theories about what might've happened. (Not to, y'know, scare you or anything.) We all know about the Bermuda Triangle and the Titanic, but history has provided us an ample crop of lower-profile legends that still warrant the same shock and wonder. And often there's enough of a trail left over that curious readers can visit the sites in question and investigate the mystery for themselves. From ghost ships to UFOs and disappearing aircraft, gather around the light of the Where I've Been campfire and let us spin you a tale. But proceed with caution.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident
In 1959, a group of nine young, experienced Russian skiers, led by Igor Dyatlov, were to set up a camp in the Ural Mountains with the goal of reaching the most difficult mountain, Otorten. Due to worsening weather and snow storms, they had to deviate from their plans and set up camp on another slope. When weeks passed and their safety telegraph was never sent, their families demanded a search. Authorities descended upon the mountains and finally discovered their abandoned campsite -- and what was found horrified and astounded the search team.

The skiers' tent, now covered in snow, had been torn open from the inside. Left behind in the tent were the skiers' boots and shoes, and authorities followed the skiers' bare footprints to find two of them dead under a tree, both dressed in their underwear, and then three more skiers' bodies in between the tree and the encampment, including Dyatlov's (pictured left). One man had a minor fracture in his skull, but it appeared all were attempting to return to camp and had died from hypothermia. Despite some odd clues, authorities suspected no foul play -- that is, until they found the four other bodies two months later.

Three of these bodies had fatal injuries; one had major skull damage, while two had sustained serious chest fractures -- all of the injuries given with the brute force "of a car crash." One woman was missing her tongue. However, there were no signs of struggle and no other footprints, and the injuries were too forceful to be inflicted by other humans. Additionally, the bodies were found with significant levels of radiation, and some had an unnaturally orange skin color and abnormally gray hairs. Some were wearing patches of clothing from their fellow skiers, suggesting they were taken from the corpses of the already-dead, but every skier was certainly under-dressed enough to suggest they had left in haste in the middle of the night. Investigators, baffled by the circumstances, concluded that the skiers had been killed by an "unknown compelling force." However, government authorities demanded that the investigation be halted and all documents become sealed as top-secret, including this nugget, which became public years later: 50 kilometers south of the incident, around the same time of the tragedy, another group of independent hikers had reported seeing strange orange spheres in the sky.

The cloud of fear surrounding the Cold War era spawned lots of sci-fi alarmism and UFO sightings, but the Dyatlov Pass Incident--its area now named for the ski group's leader--was troubling enough to deserve such panic. While more documents have been released since the event, the mystery behind the incident was never solved.

The Mysterious Death of a Hollywood Starlet

On January 16th, 1942, TWA Flight #3 crashed into Table Mountain near Las Vegas, Nevada, killing all 19 passengers on board. One of them was Hollywood superstar Carole Lombard, the wife of actor Clark Gable. To this day, the crash was attributed to a navigational error by its pilot; however, the series of odd events that led up to the disaster suggest there might have been much more at play.

Carole Lombard was a successful socialite as well as actress, and up until the time of her death her major venture had been the raising of over $2 million for war bonds, as she was an important face for World War II rallying in the United States. Stationed in her hometown of Indianapolis and about to return to California, she opted at the last minute to take TWA Flight 3 rather than her normal train route. The flight had been routed from New York to Indianapolis and had been scheduled for one more stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before arriving in Burbank, California. After Lombard (pictured right) boarded, the pilot announced that the plane would be landing in St. Louis and delayed due to inclement weather. The weather around St. Louis was perfectly clear at the time, though, and passengers were confused as to the true reason why the flight would be delayed the next two hours.

Finally, the plane departed; however, when it arrived in Albuquerque, passengers were oddly requested to relinquish their seats to a number of army pilots, which was rare at the time and particularly strange when one of the passengers was as influential as Lombard. Albuquerque's proximity to Area 51 in Roswell also aroused suspicions later on. The flight crew was also replaced in Albuquerque, and Lombard insisted she keep her seat; however, another unscheduled stop had to take place, this time a re-fueling mission near Las Vegas. After completing the re-fuel, the experienced pilot inexplicably took off nearly seven miles off course and far lower in altitude than necessary. The bizarre errors led to the explosive crash into Table Mountain, which incinerated all evidence within the plane.

In 1985, about 100 classified FBI documents were released to reveal that UFOs were sighted near the same area as the crash site, and evidence suggested that the Army pilots from Albuquerque were put on the plane to go investigate the occurrences, and Ms. Lombard might've been caught in the conspiracy. Lombard would later be considered the first female casualty of World War II, and to this day the event is still considered a freak accident.

The Sinking of the S.S. Valencia

After watching Capt. Jack Sparrow fight off CGI skeletons in Pirates of the Caribbean, it became a bit easier to laugh off the idea of a "ghost ship" trolling the seas. But ask scraggly sailors and maritime veterans in Vancouver about the S.S. Valencia disaster, its crash site known as "The Graveyard of the Pacific," and it won't be as easy to crack jokes.

Until the cinematic demise of the Titanic, it was the tragedy of the S.S. Valencia that haunted the minds of travelers mulling sea voyage. The ship, carrying 164 passengers on a route not normally traveled by the crew, embarked off the coast of San Francisco and set off for the port of Victoria when strong winds and low visibility of stars caused crew members to lose track of their positioning and sight of land. As they tried to maneuver through Vancouver Island, known for its jutting rocks, the ship slammed into a reef that slashed a massive hole into the ship's hull. As water flooded in overnight, the captain attempted to steer the ship toward shore only to hit more rocks. Against his orders, lifeboats were lowered--improperly. In the confusion, some rafts flipped upon lowering, knocking all of its passengers into the water, while two others capsized and at least one--number 5--disappeared. All women and children died, many of them never identified, clinging to the ship cold and terrified as it slowly descended. Some lifeboats that had embarked successfully with survivors were never found, including lifeboat number 5.

A shroud of mystery entered after the investigation. Months after the event, sailors spotted a ship near Vancouver Island that resembled the Valencia, seen with a number of apparitions holding on to the mast in horror. Similar sightings were reported in the years after the event, often by shipmates not known to fabricate. Various fishermen off the Vancouver coast reportedly spotted lifeboats carrying skeletons that had drifted into a cave, but they were never found. Twenty-seven years after the disaster, when the case was all but in the back of the minds of sailors, the stray number 5 lifeboat was found drifted ashore, its paint still in very good condition, with no passengers aboard. Part of that lifeboat is currently on display at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.

Ritz-Carlton Glitz In Palm Beach, Florida

Ritz-Carlton Glitz In Palm Beach, Florida

Sep 18, 2009 16:27 - By: Barbara Weibel

It had been more than 15 years since I had stayed at a Ritz when The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach Resort invited me to be their guest for an evening. Because the resort has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star awards, I knew I was in for a treat. But I was also apprehensive. When I abandoned my corporate life to become a travel writer three years ago, I traded my stressed-out life of luxury for a happier, albeit poorer existence. My wardrobe these days consists mostly of khakis and, since a laptop is an absolute necessity, I carry a backpack rather than a purse. Although I eagerly accepted the resort’s gracious offer, as the date approached I began to worry about being under-dressed, unaccepted, and judged.

Oceanfront pool at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach

Perhaps more than any other hotel group, Ritz-Carlton has a tradition of unparalleled guest service that dates from its original Boston hotel, built in 1927. The Boston Ritz-Carlton, which was regarded as a private club for the very wealthy, was not shy about serving up a side of ostentation with its pampering. Up until the 1960s, the hotel was very formal. Guests were regularly checked to see if they were in the Social Register or Who’s Who and the hotel sometimes went so far as to examine the quality of writing paper on which the guests wrote to the hotel requesting reservations (if it wasn’t of high enough quality, they were refused). Dress codes were enforced for all guests, in great part due to the formality of Boston society. Restaurants were also very stringent with regard to whom they admitted. Women were not allowed to lunch alone and unescorted women were not allowed to enter The Ritz Bar until 1970. I wondered if things had changed in recent years, or if I would feel terribly ill at ease.

Temple Orange Restaurant

I need not have worried. From the moment I set foot on the property, every single member of the staff smiled and greeted me warmly, putting me instantly at ease. By the time I sat down to dinner, word had circulated that I was a travel writer and the royal treatment began. The majority of the hotel guests that evening were conference attendees who were dining at a private function, thus I had the restaurant to myself. For nearly two hours I was pampered by three servers, a chef who came to my table to discuss my vegetarian preferences, and the restaurant manager, who eagerly provided me with background on the resort.
Drawn by its natural beauty, Henry Flagler, a founder of Standard Oil and real estate mogul, established Palm Beach more than 100 years ago. From the beginning, this resort community was legendary playground of  the rich and famous. When it opened in 1991 The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach reflected the corporation’s time-honored tradition of old-world elegance and formality. Decor featured dark wood and a massive lobby fireplace blocked the view of the ocean from the lobby. Employees were trained in the firm’s scripted approach to managing guest outcomes, which ensured a loyal affluent clientele but also resulted in a formal atmosphere not particularly compatible with the “playground” image of Palm Beach.

Oceanfront Cabana

Beach and water sports equipment

It was a successful formula, until demographics began to shift. Recognizing that the guy sitting in the lobby wearing torn jeans could be a rock star worth millions of dollars, the firm implemented a new guest relations program that was a radical departure from the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. Dubbed “Mystique,” this computerized customer-relationship management system collects information about guests. In my case, the information that I am a vegetarian was recorded; the next time I stay at any Ritz-Carlton, anywhere in the world, staff will automatically know about my dietary preferences. Simultaneously, management took a fresh look at its individual properties, which led to an initiative called Scenography. Every property was told to come up with a unique theme around which “scenes” or guest experiences could be built.

Candles, crystals, and precious art adorn the lobby

Lobby Lounge

Fire pit on the terrace is lit each night at sundown

As I tucked into a delicious baby arugula salad with goat cheese, poached pears, and citrus vinaigrette dressing, the restaurant manager described the Scenography of The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach: “Fire and Soul of a Modern Life,” which conveys the spirit of a traveler who has collected art, furnishings, and attitude from around the world. The project took nearly two years and $100 million, but the result was an extraordinary new design. The fireplace was relocated to one side, providing guests with sweeping views of the ocean the moment they walk through the front door and into the open-air lobby, and the dark wood was painted in light, beachy colors. The new design has brought new traditions: each evening, the fire pit on the outside terrace is ritually lit during a Resort Turndown ceremony, as are hundreds of votive candles scattered around the lobby. As darkness falls, scarlet outdoor lights reflect on the pool’s shimmering turquoise surface like glowing, red hot coals. In the morning, a crimson sun rises over the azure sea…..fire and soul absolutely, but definitely not stuffy or ostentatious.

Standard guest room

Oceanfront suites have private cabana terraces

Each of the resort’s 310 guestrooms and suites were also transformed during the renovation. My oceanfront room featured a marble bath with large tub and separate shower. Exotic lemongrass-scented toiletries lured me into the shower, where I luxuriated under the rain shower head. Finally, guilty over my excessive use of water, I dried off with an enormous Egyptian cotton towel and snuggled into a thoughtfully provided bathrobe. Hopping into the oh-so-soft bed, I slid between 400-thread count sheets, plumped up goose down pillows smothering the bed, pulled the duvet up to my chin, and clicked through the channels on the 32″ LCD HTDV flat screen TV. All rooms are equipped with the essentials: DVD player, fully stocked refreshment bar, hair dryer, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, desk with Ethernet connection and telephone, and WiFi access. Every detail has been thought out – the alarm clock even had a built-in iPod dock! And this is just a standard room; suites are much more elaborate, featuring two bathrooms, ocean view stone soaking tubs, multi-jet oversize showers, and two TV/DVD’s.

Spa experience begins by lighting a votive candle, making a wish, and setting it afloat on the spa pond

Jacuzzi features multi-color rotating lights

Eau Spa indoor lounge features chandelier made of crystal stemware

Self-Centered Garden at the Eau Spa

Perhaps best of all was my visit to Eau Spa, a glamorous on-site retreat where I opted for a facial. After changing into yet another cushy robe, I was directed to the Eau Zone, an indoor lounge with sumptuous furniture, diaphanous seafoam green floor-to-ceiling drapes, and a “cut glasses” chandelier made entirely from stemware. At the appointed time, my esthetician led me to a treatment room, where I selected my preferred lighting color (purple), aromatherapy (sandalwood for grounding), and settled in for a half-hour of pure pampering. Guests can spend the entire day at the spa, availing themselves of the steam room; sauna; jacuzzi with its column of falling water; or the Self-Centered Garden, where mod metal hanging chairs are suspended over ankle-deep warm water, fragrant plants attract butterflies, and a stone waterfall bench sends warm water cascading over sore muscles.
By the next morning, everyone was calling me by name. How are you today, Ms. Weibel? Did you enjoy your spa experience Ms. Weibel? Leaving us today, Ms. Weibel? It’s a shame you have to go so soon; you’ll have to come back and visit us again (I was mystified until the Public Relations Director confessed that she had sent my photo out to the entire staff). Even so, I am convinced that I wasn’t treated with special deference; I repeatedly witnessed this same type of interaction between guests and employees. The only problem is that I am forever spoiled. The Ritz-Carlton is the standard against which I will measure all hotels from this day forward, and I suspect all others will suffer in comparison.

World’s 10 Most Expensive Hotel Suites for 2009

World’s 10 Most Expensive Hotel Suites for 2009

Did you know that prices at the best hotel suites have gone up by 10% this year? Apparently, the super rich have a lot more free time on their hands, what with the recession and all. And do you know which are the 10 most expensive hotel suites in the world this year?

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

As per Wealth Bulletin’s 2009 survey, the Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva is the world’s most expensive hotel suite at $65,000 per night.
The President Wilson Hotel won out over last year’s winner – The Ty Warner Penthouse on the 52nd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, which charges $35,000 per night and offers 360-degree view of the city.
And here’s the full list of the world’s 10 most expensive hotel suites for 2009:-
1. Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva ($65k/night)
2. Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York ($35k/night)
3. Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia ($34k/night)
4. Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome ($31k/night)
5. Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo ($25k/night)
6. The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas ($22k/night)
7. Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt, Vendôme, Paris ($20k/night)
8. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai ($19.6k/night)
9. Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva ($18.9k/night)
10. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow ($16.5k/night)
Here’s a  few more gorgeous pictures of some of these expensive suites and the 10 hotels which house them.
 The Royal Penthouse, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva - Offers dramatic views of Lake Geneva through bulletproof windows and complete privacy including your private elevator.

Penthouse Suites - Presidential Wilson Hotel Geneva & Ty Warner, Four Seasons New York

Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York – Magnificent 9-room suite atop New York’s tallest hotel with cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows offering a breathtaking 360 degree view of the City.

Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia

 Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia – Located in the hotel tower, this multi-level Presidential Suite boasts 250 square metres of light-filled space with 2 living rooms, 3 bed rooms and 3 bathrooms, and also your own private swimming pool on the rooftop terrace.

The Westin Excelsior, Rome

 Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome – Seven terraces, a selection of  160 imported wines while relaxing in the magnificent tapestry-hung drawing room, and a study/library covered in hand-carved wood paneling and featuring numerous original works of art.

Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

 Presidential Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo – 3300 sq ft of pure luxury with a stunning four poster bed in the master bedroom. The suite is located on the 53rd floor of the hotel with a spectacular view of Tokyo including Imperial Palace outer gardens and Roppongi Hills.

The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas

The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas –  16 stories high and bridging the distance between the Royal Towers, this suite offers sweeping views from an 800 square foot balcony, with a 360 view of the water, lagoons and pools in Paradise Island.

Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Paris - Vendôme

 Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, France - A 2nd floor palace all by itself, the Imperial Suite houses a full featured in-suite spa with whirlpool bath, steam room shower and a dedicated massage table.

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai – The last word in luxury with a marble and gold staircase and leopard print tufted carpets, this 25th floor suite has it’s own private elevator, a private cinema, and a master bedroom with a rotating four-poster canopy bed.

Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva

 Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva – The floor-to-ceiling bullet-proof windows are surrounded by beautiful terraces which offer stunning views over Lake Geneva, the Alps and Geneva’s Old city and the Cathedral.

Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow

 Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow – Floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Christ the Savior Cathedral.  Classic Russian Imperial furnishings and a spacious living room with a grand piano and dining area, library, office room and boardroom.

10 Worst Hotels in the United States

(based heavily on TripAdvisor reviews)

1. Hotel Carter – New York, NY

I can only imagine that Hotel Carter remains open because it offers $107 rooms a block from Times Square.  But what they make up for in location and price, they lack in basic housekeeping.  The Hotel Carter has been rated one of the dirtiest hotels in the United States 3 years in a row.
Previous guests at the Hotel Carter said:

• “The lobby smells like something dead, and the people there are fairly sketchy.”
• “We go into the rooms right we open the door a A VERMIN across the floor.  In the bath tub we found 4 INSECTS actual THINGS in the sheets”
• “Avoid.  Sleep in the subway or join the homeless fellow on the sidewalk just outside the Carter.”

The first time I see a rat run across the floor, I’m out of there!

2. The Plaza Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada

Again, a great location and a low price leads to disaster.  The Plazz Hotel & Casino is located across the street from the Freemont Experience and offers rooms for less than $50 a night.  You get what you pay for, and apparently what you’re paying for is bloody sheets.
Previous guests at The Plaza Hotel & Casino said:

• “There is one way for the Plaza to improve and its called implosion followed by sterilization.”
• “It’s old and the carpet is starting to peel off the wall. The bathroom ceiling was sagging and the tub was stained.” (I’m sorry – carpet on the WALL???)
• “The first night we were so tired we didnt even bother to notice when we went to bed that there was BLOOD on the flip side of the pillow.”
• “the bathrooms are worse than gas station bathroom”
• “If there was a drive by here I would not be surprised.”

3.  Continental Bayside Hotel – Miami Beach, FL

Continental Bayside Hotel one of the Worst Hotels in the US

Do we have to have the talk about location and price again?  It seems a great room in Miami for less than $100 per night really is too good to be true.
Previous guests of the Continental Bayside Hotel said:

• “we had to go and buy sheets and towels because the room was soo filthy”
• “I had bed bug bites all over me!!”
• “Our room had wallpaper pealing from the walls and there were black dirty smears on the painted areas of the walls.”
• “… the cabby laughed when we asked him to take us there!”

4. New York Inn – New York, New York

The bathroom door at the New York Inn, one of the worst hotels in US

Of the 140 reviews of the New York Inn hotel on TripAdvisor, 110 gave the hotel the lowest rating of “Terrible”.  Complaints covered service and cleanliness… and rodents.
Previous guests of the New York Inn said:

• “The place was absolutely CRAWLING WITH MICE – you could literally watch them scurrying around the hallways and i woke to found one chewing on our (threadbare) carpet.”
• “Receptionist had to be called from Subway next door for checking in”
• “we had to buy a mouse trap at 2′ in the morning”
• “As soon as they took us up to our room I burst out in tears.”

5.  Eden Roc Motel – Wildwood, New Jersey

I’m not sure why people are taking family vacations to New Jersey in the first place, but surely even New Jersey offers better than the Eden Roc Motel.  $135 a night should buy you clean linens at the very least.
Previous guests of Eden Roc Motel said:

• “The rooms were dirty. The bathrooms were atrocious. The lady managing the place fought with most of the guests.”
• “Don’t even think about it, if I had to do it again, I would pick sleeping on the beach instead.”
• “The pillows had stains on them and the blankets on the bed were damp and smelled. we used our beach towels to cover the beds to sleep on them.”

6.  Airport Plaza – Brook Park, Ohio

While the Airport Plaza is near the Cleveland Airport, you’ll need to consider how you’re going to get the required can of RAID through airport security if you stay here.  It seems to be located next door to a topless bar – whether that’s a plus or minus, of course, is a matter of perspective.
Previous guests of Airport Plaza said:

• “the chairs had spiderwebs and spiders all over underneath them, as well as on the wall”
• “the sheets had some red spots on them and I found out it was blood droplets from the Bed bugs that were taking over the place..when my bags started to move around, I thought it was time to leave.”
• “One of the beds was broken and propped up with a stack of Bibles.”
• “Once you get past the prostitutes and drug deals going on in the parking lot, the hotel itself is a run-down, falling-apart dump.”

7.  Travelodge – Bangor, Maine

I like the idea of staying in chain hotels, because I assume there is a parent company making sure some basic standards are maintained.  Unfortunately for the Travelodge family, their Bangor property is falling down on the job, and dragging the Travelodge name down with them.
Previous guests of the Travelodge Bangor said:

• “the toilet was stained with brown; not to mention it was cracked”
• “The bathroom had silverfish on the floor, looked like human feces smeared on the back of the bathroom door, and they left their pet spider in the corner(maybe it was there to catch the siverfish (sic)).”
• “the only thing keeping the ceiling up in the bathroom was the green and black mold”

8. Velda Rose Resort Hotel – Hot Springs, Arkansas

Um. Ew. Dirty feet from the dirty floors at Velda Rose Resort.

This hotel is one of the highest rated hotels on the list.  The average “star” rating is about a 3 – which should suggest a bug free zone.  And yet, 80% of the hotel reviews were squarely in the negative column.
Previous guests of the Velda Rose Resort Hotel said:

• “The ceiling leaked, ants every where”
• “Dark, dirty, abundance of mildew, old furnishings, musty odors abounding. The town itself is shabby enough; this hotel seemed to be the crown jewel of the rather sad, got-passed-by town.”
• “I think  Velda died in our room.”

9.  Ramada Plaza Hotel JFK Airport – Jamaica, New York

Another hotel with location, name brand recognition, and a modest star rating on its side.  However, the Ramada Plaza Hotel near JFK Airport charges full price for dirty sheets.
Previous guests of the Ramada Plaza Hotel JFK Airport said:

• “The hotel is dirty and smelly, I didn’t even turned down the bedding, afraid of what be under it! The front desk staff were unfriendly.”
• “The problem with this hotel is that 90% of the people that stay there are from cancelled (sic) airline flights. You have to deal with bus loads of people coming in all at once from cancelled (sic) flights. Everyone, especially the hotel personnel, is pissed off.”
• “We stayed here because our American Airlines flight had been canceled and the airline gave us a voucher. We had stayed here about nine years ago–same reason, delayed flight. The place apparently had not been cleaned between these two stays.”

10.  Beaches Oceanfront Resort – Daytona Beach, FL

The word “resort” brings to mind luxury and relaxation.  Everyone knows that. Sadly, the people at Beaches Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach didn’t get the memo.
Past guests of Beaches Oceanfront Resort said:

• “If you consider Hell a resort, then this is a resort”
• “The carpet was so dirty and wet we had to ware socks all the time. There were wall plates missing, elect outlets lose, wall broken away from the A/C, wallpaper peeling with mold behind it, the bath tub was not clean, paint peeling from the celling (sic).”
• “if you like a hotel with filthy carpets, stained and dirty bed linen, smoke detectors hanging from the ceiling, exposed wiring, paper thin walls and roaches then this is the place for you.

Is there anything better than a bitter hotel reviewer with a healthy sense of sarcasm?

Best Las Vegas Hotels

Best Las Vegas Hotels

Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Here is our list of the best hotels in Sin City.  Find out where the best places to stay and play are. We’ve chosen seven of the top hotels based on elegance and luxury as well as style and comfort.

The Venetian – Take a trip to Italy without leaving the States.  The Venetian is a romantic experience that surrounds you with the feelings of Venice.
From the moment you walk through the doors of The Venetian you will immediately look up at the magnificent artwork that is very tastefully displayed on the ceiling.  The suites are luxurious and elegant from the plush beds to the over sized baths available in the Venetian Piazza Suites.
Experience the Canal Shoppes and 19 remarkable restaurants including the world famous Tao.  Enjoy an infused margarita at Taqueria Cañonita while overlooking the Canal and listening to the Italian Opera Singers. Watch the street performers in the Grand Canal and forget that you are actually inside.  The ceiling in the grand Canal area is a sky and makes you feel like it’s the afternoon no matter what time of day it is.
The Venetian offers two pools, Tao Beach (for 21 and older only), more restaurants and shopping that you could frequent in a weekend.  The atmosphere at The Venetian is all elegance all the time.

photo credit - www.bellagio.com

The Bellagio – Famous for its daily fountain show, The Bellagio raised the bar on the Las Vegas Strip when it became a AAA Five Diamond Award Winner.  With almost 4,000 hotel rooms and suites the Bellagio will not disappoint.
If you are looking for an upscale resort, the Bellagio is mostly recommended for the 18 and over crowd.  With an 18 and over policy in place, The Bellagio is not for the young children.
The Bellagio also offers a breathtaking Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The Bellagio employs 140 horticulturists to maintain the gardens and their theatrically arranged gazebos and ponds that are displayed to fit each season of the year.
The nightlife at The Bellagio offers sophistication and style with six nightclubs to choose from.  Enjoy fine dining or casual eats at The Bellagio before you venture off to watch “O” Cirque Du Soleil.
The Wynn – Upon entering the Wynn you will be greeted by a lovely lit gazebo that tourists seem to line up to take pictures in front of.  There is a welcoming Parasol Bar located just outside the registration area with some of the best martinis in Vegas. There is also a Parasol bar located downstairs where you can watch the nightly show that takes place with fun music, lights and a large frog.
The suites at the Wynn are amazing to say the least.  There is a lot of red in the decor and the best thing about the Wynn is that there are two sinks in the bathroom, a tub and a shower.  The Wynn is located across from the mall and has walkways easily accessible for tourists to cross the street and do some shopping.
The Wynn is home to Blush and SW Steakhouse which are two of the best night clubs and steak houses in Las Vegas.
In addition to nightlife, The Wynn offers an 18 hole golf course which includes a club house, practice green, caddies and golf carts.
The Palazzo – As the newest neighbor to The Venetian, The Palazzo hit the Vegas strip in early 2008.  Located directly across the street from TI and in between the Wynn and The Venetian, there is no lack of luxury surrounding it.
Home to a 20,000 Lamborghini dealership and a Turkish Bath House, The Palazzo offers some unique activities that are not found in other Las Vegas Resorts.
The suites at The Palazzo are luxurious and comfortable.  You can expect to find elegant touches such as a comfy bath robe and slippers, a jetted tub in The Palazzo Siena Suites and an flat screen TV in the bathrooms.
The Palazzo takes pride in its effort to be green.  In April of 2008 they earned a LEED certificate (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).  Some environmentally friendly features include the one touch master light switch as you exit your hotel room. Guest suites with built in sensors to know if you are in the suite or not that adjust temperature automatically. An expansive solar heating system for the pools tops the list of the environmentally friendly hotel.
With all the shopping and restaurants The Palazzo offers along with its key location on the Las Vegas strip, you really can’t go wrong by staying and playing here.

photo credit - www.mikesparr.com

THEhotel – THEhotel at Mandalay Bay is an all suite addition to the Mandalay Bay.  With 43 stories and suites approximately 700 square feet, THEhotel surpasses sophistication and as perfect for both business and pleasure.
You can expect to find plasma TVs in each room, tile entry ways and over the top detail everywhere you look.  There is a spa, gym and billiards lounge for guests to play and rest in.
The Foundation Room, one of the best steakhouses in Las Vegas, is located atop the Mandalay Bay and has a patio that gives guests a view to die for.
Feel like enjoying the Las Vegas sunshine? Check out the Mandalay Bay Beach with over 2700 tons of real sand on 11 acres, THEhotel guests will feel like they are getting the best of both worlds while frolicking on the beach and then resting in one of the 100 rentable cabanas.

photo credit - www.tandfprop.com

The Palms – The Palms Casino has become synonymous with Hugh Hefner and his Playmates.  It is likely to be the most sultry hotel in Las Vegas.
Located off the strip, the Palms has themed “fantasy” suites available to rent for anywhere from $3000 to $40,000 dollars per night.
Want to party like a rock star? Get yourself invited to one of these outrageous parties and enjoy your evening in rooms themed after the Playboy Club, a bowling alley, a basketball court, a strip club and more.
The Palms has the Playboy Club Casino located at the top of the hotel and actual wading pools that hang over the edge of the hotel in the Playboy suites.
Rain in the Desert is located at the bottom of the Palms and the music and entertainment there is perfect for a company or conference party or event.
At the top of the Palms guests can enjoy the view from the Ghost Bar.  Try dancing on a large sheet of plexiglass on a dance floor that hangs over the edge of the hotel and looks straight down.
There are two towers in the Palms and all of the fun stuff is located in the new one.  An evening in one of the fantasy suites will be sure to be a night you will never forget.

photo credit - theweddingnetwork.co.uk

Caesars Palace – Discover the treasure of the Roman Empire and live like kings at Caesars Palace.
The guest rooms offer options for a variety of suites including the spa suite which has a real infinity spa tub overlooking the Las Vegas strip.  There is also the Absolut® Vodka suite.  This is a 1300 square foot beauty of a room inspired by the six flavors of Absolut Vodka.  With 20 foot windows and a dance floor, this is an excellent place to dance the night away and celebrate ala Las Vegas style.
With over 120 shops in two extremely ritzy settings a guest can easily enjoy a shopping trip of a lifetime. With a recent addition of 175,000 square feet of shopping levels that extend out to the mall on Las Vegas Boulevard, The Forum Shops are the creme de la creme for shoppers in Las Vegas.
From contemporary French cuisine to Sushi Roku, Caesars offers some of the Las Vegas strip’s most tasty and tantalizing meals.