Dragsholm Castle

Built in 1200, the Dragsholm Castle is not only one of the oldest castles in Denmark, it is also the home to many of the longest-staying guests. Though there isn’t an exact number of spirited figures who still roam the grounds—some believe the number to be in the hundreds—there are three who make a particular impression: the Grey Lady, the White Lady, and the Earl of Bothwell.

Visitors may encounter the Grey Lady in their rooms at night, because even in her death, this grateful spirit still keeps a close eye on the castle grounds to make sure things are in order. When the Grey Lady was alive, she was believed to be a worker who suffered from a horrible toothache, which was cured by someone in the castle. She has been repaying the kind deed ever since.

The White Lady’s tale is by far more tragic, and begins with the discovery, during a renovation in the early 20th century, of a young girl’s skeleton in a white dress hidden within a wall. Legend has it that these bones once belonged to the daughter of the castle’s former owner. She fell madly in love with a commonplace worker, and when her father learned of the affair he had her locked within a room in the castle, never to see the light of day again. Her young spirit has been seen roaming the halls at night, perchance searching for her lost love.

The Earl of Bothwell, James Hepburn, a consort to Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for murder in the Dragsholm Castle cellars, where he eventually went mad and died in 1578. Visitors can see the same pillar where the Earl was once chained, and if they’re lucky, they may even catch a glimpse of the Earl riding into the courtyard with a horse and carriage. Some visitors have even claimed to hear the sound of horses when there’s nothing there.

Today, Dragsholm Castle is a hotel, restaurant, and a museum. Rooms start around $226 USD per night, and include breakfast. The hotel also offers guided tours exploring the castle’s 800-year history.

Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

You may have heard of Lizzie Borden from the playground rhyme, “Lizzie Borden took an axe/ And gave her mother 40 whacks/ When she saw what she had done/ She gave her father 41.” However, the mystery surrounding the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden is much more complicated than a simple child’s game.

For instance, Lizzie was never found guilty for the slaying of her father and stepmother, and to this day, the case remains unsolved. Come decide for yourself what actually happened on the morning of August 4, 1892, by staying in the house in Fall River, Massachusetts, where it all took place. Choose from six rooms, including the one where Abby Borden’s body was discovered. Retrace the gruesome events by starting your morning with a breakfast reminiscent of the ones the Bordens ate as their last meal.

You may even encounter the restless spirit of Lizzie herself. Some who have stayed here have heard giggling. Others claim to feel a chill in certain spots of the house. And, those who snap photos seem to always catch an orb or possibly the faint outline of a face.

Rooms are typically in the $250 to $315 range per night, with prices known to spike during high season. However, if you’d like to learn more about the infamous murders without spending the night, you can tour the property during daylight hours for $30.

Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs, “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies,” has seen many prestigious guests since it first opened its doors more than 120 years ago. In fact, some liked the place so well that they never left.

This is the case with Sam the Bellman, who worked at the hotel for many years. Before his death, Sam joked that he would return to the hotel he held so dearly in the afterlife. Many guests will attest that Sam kept his word.

The first sighting was by two elderly ladies who couldn’t get the key to work in their room door. Feeling uneasy because of the late hour and darkened corridor, they called the front desk for assistance and were told to wait for the bellman. However, when the bellman arrived, the ladies were already safely in their room. When asked how they managed that, they stated that the gray-haired bellman had appeared moments after they called and opened the door for them. The young bellman was bewildered since no one matching that description worked at the hotel. Since that time, the elderly bellhop with a Scottish brogue has been assisting guests and keeping a watchful eye on his hotel.

Visitors may also encounter the spirit of a young bride. Close to the time of the hotel’s grand opening in the 1930s, a groom waited in the library at the top of a candlelit, winding, limestone staircase for his true love to ascend. As she made her way up the stairs, her hem of her dress brushed against one of the candle’s flames and caused her to jump back, which sent her tumbling to her death. Guests claim to occasionally see her, still dressed in her white lace gown, dancing her wedding waltz alone, without her love.

Rooms start at roughly $400 per night, with many in the $500-$600 range, but there are plenty of package deals available to keep your heart from racing.

The Stanley Hotel

Built in the early 1900s, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, has hosted many guests, including the master of horror, Stephen King. While staying in room 217, King was inspired to write The Shining, about a grand hotel in the Rocky Mountains that possesses its guests. Though most of King’s inspiration came from his own twisted imagination, the Stanley is home to a few spirits.

The most notable ghost is the original owner, F.O. Stanley, who has been spotted in the lobby and the billiard room. His wife, Flora, who once entertained guests with her skillful piano playing in the ballroom, still plays to this day. Hotel staff have heard music coming from that room, and have even seen the piano keys moving—though the music stops abruptly once they enter.

The greatest activity, however, is said to take place on the fourth floor, especially in room 418. When the room is empty, strange noises emanate from behind the doors. Guests often report hearing children’s laughter in the hallway at night. The staff has even seen an imprint on the bed, although no one had been sleeping there.

Rooms start at around $250 per night. If you really want to get your supernatural feet wet, book the spirited Night Tour during your stay. For just $30 per person, explore the haunted history of this grand hotel under the cover of darkness.

Gosforth Hall Inn

Built in 1658 by Robert Copley, who was suspected of being a Roman Catholic at a time when that meant death, the Gosforth Hall Inn has long been a sanctuary for lost souls. The inn may not publicly advertise its uninvited guests, but the owners are happy to share their experiences if asked.

And there’s plenty to talk about. Some guests have seen curtains billow in a room with no wind, felt the playful presence of a child, and even met apparitions in their rooms at night.

Room 11 is not only the biggest room at the inn, but it’s also the most popular for otherworldly sightings. The room has what people believe to be a priest’s hole (a hiding place for priests during the Roman Catholic persecution). At night, guests have woken to see a man dressed as a monk or friar, sitting next to the hole. Another guest once encountered a little old lady wearing an off-white dress and hair pulled back into a bun floating above the floor by the window, who vanished the moment the guest spoke.

There’s also the tale that Copley built the upper stories from the timbers of ship wrecks found along the Irish coast. The story goes that the timbers groan in anguish for the men whose final moments were spent clinging to their sturdy wood before the sea claimed their lives. Visitors who listen carefully just might hear a few final pleas for help.

Basic rooms start at £110 (about $122 U.S.; check XE.com for current exchange rates) per night, and include breakfast.

The Marshall House

Savannah has a reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., so it’s only fitting its first hotel would be a premier gathering place for restless souls. Built in 1851, the Marshall House has accommodated yellow fever victims, and was once used as a Union clinic for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.

In the 1960s, the amputated bones of patients were unearthed while renovating the hotel, and hotel guests have been reporting stories of creepy encounters ever since. For instance, some guests wake to the feeling of someone holding their wrist, much in the same way nurses would take a pulse. Others have felt the presence of a little girl rumored to be searching for her father who died in one of the rooms.

Rooms start around $230 for weekday stays during high season. If you’d rather hear the stories than experience them first-hand, you can always schedule a haunted walking tour for $29. You’ll stop at many of Savannah’s eerie establishments, including the Marshall House.

Villa di Corliano

Recognized as one of the most prestigious Renaissance villas in Tuscany, Villa di Corliano‘s luxury and grandeur is more than enough reason to never leave—even after the body has given up the ghost. Built in the 15th century, the building’s exterior is decorated in graffiti typical of the Florentine Mannerist Art and dating back to the 1500s.

The villa has been home to and welcomed many prestigious guests throughout its time. In fact, it is one such person that is thought to remain on the grounds to this day.

By the light of a full moon, guests have encountered a noblewoman, known as the “White Ghost,” lurking in their rooms. Some local peasants even claimed once to see her in the drive of the park leading a six-horse coach, where she stopped at the Ragnaia, or “Cobweb Corner,” to stare longingly at the villa which they believed was once her home. Known also as a good-natured spirit, she is also responsible for moving tapestries and rearranging ornaments, and a slamming door or mysteriously opened window is considered her handiwork. Occasionally the underground passageways beneath the wine cellar ring with giggling or the sound of footsteps. There is also the account of one night when the hall was filled with the thunderous sound of the crystal chandelier crashing to the floor, but when the chandelier was found, it was right where it should be without one crystal out of place.

So, who is the “White Ghost?” Speculative fingers point to the direction of Maria Teresa Scolastica Ottavia della Seta Gaetani Bocca who was married at the villa in 1755, but there is very little to support that claim. For now, her identity remains as mysterious as her presence in the villa.

Rooms start at €85-$140 (about $95-$156 U.S.; check XE.com for current exchange rates) per night, and include breakfast.

The Admiral Fell Inn

With a history dating back to the 1700s, the Admiral Fell Inn once served as a safe haven for sailors while their ships called at Baltimore. The historic hotel still maintains the same home-away-from-home appeal for all travelers today, whether they have a pulse or not.

One of the more notable supernatural occurrences happened during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, when the hotel was evacuated except for a few managers. During the night, merriment and dancing could be heard above the lobby, but the only breathing people in the hotel were on the ground floor. The next night, the noises became so loud that the floor actually vibrated.

Rooms start in the $150-$200 range, but if you dare not spend the night, you can embark on a Fells Point Ghost Tour to see what other apparitions are hiding in this seaside town.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post The 8 Scariest Haunted Hotels in the World appeared first on SmarterTravel.

What To Do In an Emergency on Vacation

Being caught away from home during a disaster can be stressful. Here are some steps to take no matter what type of emergency occurs:

1. Prioritize Safety

The first thing you should do is get somewhere safe. 

Follow evacuation orders: If there is an evacuation order, follow the instructions of local authorities. If you are somewhere you aren’t familiar with the language, get a good translation app and try to find someone who speaks your first language that can help. 

Stay informed: Monitor news reports and official emergency alerts for updates. At the start of the situation, you may not have to evacuate, but that could change. 

Seek shelter: Depending on the emergency, finding shelter is likely a key component for your safety. If you can’t evacuate, find a safe place to shelter, such as a sturdy building or a designated shelter. 

Don’t stay to get the footage: In this day and age, with everyone wanting to get the viral social media post, it can be tempting to hang around and take a video of what is happening. Please don’t do this for your own safety and that of everyone around you. 

2. Communicate with Loved Ones

Let others know you’re safe: Once you’re in a safe location, contact family and friends to let them know you’re okay.

Have a plan: Before you leave, agree on a designated person or place to contact in an emergency. Choose someone with the contact information of others you want to keep informed of the situation so they can communicate. 

3. Prepare for Disruptions:

Have a disaster kit: Carry a basic emergency kit with essentials like food, water, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio. This may be harder if you are far from home, but travel-sized options are available, and it can’t hurt to throw them in your carry-on. This small battery radio, first aid kit, and flashlight will take up no room at all in your backpack, along with typical travel essentials like a sweatshirt, portable charger, protein bars, and a water bottle. 

Be mindful of your surroundings: Pay attention to potential hazards, such as downed power lines or flooding.

Be prepared for power outages: Have a backup power source for your phone and other devices.

4. Seek Assistance

Contact emergency services: If you need immediate help, call emergency services. Be sure to have the local emergency number in your phone before you leave for your trip. 

Reach out to local organizations: Many communities have disaster relief organizations that can assist, and these will typically be listed online once disaster strikes. 

If Abroad, Contact The U.S. Embassy or Consulate: The embassy will be able to help you figure out an escape plan and may even send assistance if you need it. 

5. Plan for Your Return

Check on your home: Once the immediate danger has passed, check on your accommodations to assess any damage and see if you need to secure an alternate place to stay.  If your accommodation is unavailable, seek shelter elsewhere or consider heading to the airport to get home. 

Follow local guidelines: Adhere to any restrictions or guidelines issued by authorities until you can get home. The most important thing is to stay safe and follow the instructions of local authorities.

6. Remain Calm

While it may seem like a no-brainer, remaining calm is essential to your safety and the safety of your family. Panicking may be your first instinct, but we often can’t adhere to protocol when we panic. Try to keep a clear head to get yourself out of the situation and to safety quickly. 

In most emergencies, you can follow these steps to ensure your safety. Still, each type of emergency (natural disaster, man-made emergency, or medical emergency) may have additional or different steps you should take. 

Natural Disasters

While modern technology has helped us determine the impending arrival of some natural disasters (e.g., if a hurricane is predicted to arrive the day after you land, you may want to consider rebooking your trip), there are still many natural disasters that can’t be predicted, like earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornados. 

Disasters that Require Immediate Action

Disasters that require immediate action to stay safe, like an earthquake, tornado, volcano eruption, or tsunami 

Floods – According to the World Health Organization, floods are the most common natural disaster.  According to Ready.gov, if you suddenly find yourself in a flood, evacuate immediately if told to, find shelter immediately, do not swim or walk through the waters, get to the highest level possible, and stay where you are. 

Earthquakes – immediately seek shelter, then follow the above steps. 

Hurricanes and typhoons—If a hurricane or typhoon is forecast to be a direct hit, you may consider leaving your destination early (or not going at all if it is forecast before your trip). These storms can bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding, and you could end up stranded. 

Tornadoes – Tornadoes can occur suddenly, but meteorologists can typically alert the public when conditions could produce one. Sign up for alerts for the area you are visiting so you are able to take shelter if a tornado should occur. In any thunderstorm, you should seek shelter, and for a tornado, get to the lowest floor possible indoors. 

Volcanic eruptions—If you are going somewhere near an active volcano, prepare yourself for a potential eruption. Be aware of areas for shelter and pack long sleeves, a face mask, and goggles for protection from the ash and gases. 

Wildfires – If you vacation somewhere and a wildfire breaks out, obey all evacuation orders. 

Tsunamis: These giant waves can be caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, and areas will typically have a warning ahead of time. Get to higher ground as soon as any warning is made. If there is no warning, try to reach higher ground as fast as possible, and stay away from windows and other objects that could break. Make a plan with your family for a meeting spot after the Tsunami if you get separated. 

Man-made Disasters and Emergencies

Several emergencies can arise due to people causing them- like protests, attacks, or explosions. Most man-made disasters require following the steps mentioned before, but others require additional steps and advice. 

Civil unrest – If there is a sudden, unexpected bout of civil unrest where you are visiting, the steps mentioned above still pertain: find somewhere safe and adhere to any curfews or road closures. Avoid confrontations with protestors or law enforcement, and get inside as soon as possible. If it seems like it is going to escalate and is not a one-time thing, make plans to leave as soon as possible. 

Terrorist attacks- Staying safe is your priority, if you find yourself in the middle of an attack, protect yourself. Get back to your accommodations as quickly as possible, and follow the emergency procedures. 

Medical Emergencies

According to Allianz Travel, the most common medical emergencies while traveling are fractures from falls, cardiovascular problems, trauma and pulmonary/respiratory problems. Illness, injuries, or accidents can require immediate medical attention, and do not hesitate to seek care. Head to the nearest hospital, or in a more serious situation, call an ambulance. 

Medical Emergencies While Abroad

There are a few things that differ when you have an emergency while abroad. 

Travel Health Insurance – If you are abroad, contact your travel insurance company to see if any of your care is covered- as well as your health insurance provider. Please note: Medicare and Medicaid does not cover any health care costs abroad, so purchasing travel medical insurance is important, especially if you have an underlying condition. I was once in an ATV accident while in Canada, I went to the ER to get looked at, and despite having no injuries, was left with a hefty bill. My health insurance covered some of it, but not all, and the process to get reimbursed was a lenghty one. If I had travel health insurance, the process would have been a lot easier and cheaper. 

Contact the local embassy or consulate – they can provide assistance, information, and potentially find you english speaking doctors to ease the situation. 

Get medical evacuation insurance – If you have an underlying condition and are concerned about something happening, before you leave for vacation, purchase medical evacuation insurance, which can help you get back home with medical care. Be prepared – Again, if you have an underlying condition, you should also be sure to learn basic medical terms in the language of the country you are visiting, and carry a card with basic information in the language about your medical condition and any medications you are taking.

The post What to Do If You’re Caught in an Emergency Situation Abroad appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Check for Bedbugs

The very first thing you should do when you enter your hotel room is check for bedbugs. Put your luggage inside the bathroom (ideally in the bathtub), where bedbugs are the least likely to be hiding. Next, follow this easy guide to identifying signs of bedbugs. 

If your room does have bed bugs, you’ll want to know before you settle in, as these pests are extremely easy to pick up and carry with you to your new room—or worse, back home.

Check the Alarm Clock

In-room alarm clocks are being phased out of hotel rooms in favor of smartphone docking stations, but if your hotel room still has an old-school clock, make sure you check to see if the alarm is set. 

If the last guest set a daily alarm for 6 a.m. and never turned it off, you could be rudely awakened earlier than you wanted to. 

Better yet, unplug the clock entirely if possible. This will prevent unexpected alarms and help you sleep better without the glowing light (unless the clock has a battery backup). 

Check Hiding Spots

Before letting your guard down in your locked hotel room, check these hiding spots to make sure you really are alone: under the bed, in the closet, and in the shower. An intruder could have slipped in before you and could be lying in wait—or something more gruesome. Snopes lists a number of actual incidents in which guests checked into a hotel, complained about a horrible odor in their room, and later discovered a human body hidden under the bed or mattress. They had literally been sleeping on top of a corpse. 

Study the Emergency Escape Route

Emergency escape maps are required by law to be posted on the back of the main door to every hotel room. Take a few minutes to orient yourself in the hotel building and to familiarize yourself with the fastest exits (as well as backup routes in case the closest path is blocked).

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use this information during your stay, but in the worst-case scenario of a fire or other emergency where every second counts, these few minutes of preparation could save your life.  

Deadbolt the Door

Mistakes can be made, and it’s not uncommon for someone to be given an incorrect room assignment and the key to your room—meaning another guest could accidentally walk into your room, even if the door is locked. When you’re inside your hotel room, always activate the deadbolt or security chain to prevent intruders (or just unexpected visits from hotel staff). 

Sanitize

Your room may look clean, but that doesn’t mean it’s sanitary. Wipe down germ hotspots (like light switches and doorknobs) with an antibacterial wipe to stay healthy. And be sure to wipe down the television remote control (or better yet, put it in a bag or shower cap) before using it, as it generally isn’t cleaned in between guests. 

Jettison Any Decorative Items From the Bed

It’s a mystery to us why hotels insist on putting decorative throw pillows on beds (that clearly can’t be washed). Make sure your sleeping surface stays clean by removing anything that isn’t obviously laundered when the room is cleaned—including throw pillows and bedspreads. 

Wash Your Hands

You’ve just come from a plane, public transportation, or road trip with rest stops—washing your hands as soon as you arrive in your own private bathroom is a smart move. 

The post 8 Things You Should Always Do When You Check Into a Hotel Room appeared first on SmarterTravel.

This recently renovated hotel offers a low-key coastal retreat in the charming town of West Harwich, Massachusetts. Leave the highway behind, turn down quiet Earle Street, and just before the street dead-ends at the beach, you’ll find Pelham on Earle. The property consists of 27 ground-level hotel rooms facing out into a lush courtyard bursting with hydrangeas. You’ll find a pool, lawn games, and plenty of places to lounge out here.   

The Location

Set on a quiet residential street less than a block from Earle Road Beach, Pelham on Earle enjoys a serene location. If you want to experience a quintessential Cape Cod beach town on your vacation, the livelier village of Harwich Port is less than a five-minute drive away, where you’ll find plenty of small shops and eateries to explore. 

The hotel is a short bike ride to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 25-mile off-street paved path that’s a delight to cycle in the summer. 

Dining

Pelham on Earle has one restaurant, Tides Kitchen & Bar, that is open daily for lunch and dinner. This intimate, airy eatery serves a tightly curated Mexican-inspired menu of tacos, nachos, and quesadillas, along with classic Cape Cod staples such as lobster rolls and local oysters. 

The drinks are innovative and refreshing. Standout favorites included the Shipwrecked Margarita, made with tequila, Bauchant, fresh lime, and agave and topped with a Grand Marnier floater, and the Hydrangea Nectar, crafted with Gray Whale gin, lemon juice, and butterfly pea flower simple syrup.

Guests can also take the hotel’s free shuttle to Pelham House Resort and dine at The Rooftop or Pool House. Be sure to make an advance reservation to snag a table at The Rooftop, a beautiful glass-enclosed, heated deck popular with tourists and locals alike for its stunning ocean views. Come for dinner at sunset, where you’ll enjoy gorgeous scenery against a backdrop of live music.

The Pool House is a great spot for lunch. It is located next to the heated, saltwater pool overlooking the ocean, and you can dine next to the water while in the pool (or relaxing next to it). 

The Rooms

Pelham on Earle’s rooms are all on the ground level, with walkout access to the pool and restaurant. Each room has an Adirondack-style loveseat for guests to enjoy some private space outside.

I stayed in a Pelham King Room with Fireplace, a spacious room with cathedral ceilings. Air conditioning and a ceiling fan kept the room cool despite the summer heat, but there’s also a gas fireplace to make things cozy if nights get chilly. The room was fully stocked with a microwave, minifridge, and Keurig coffee maker. 

Amenities

Earle Road Beach is just steps away from the property and offers plenty of space to sunbathe or frolic in the waves. As a thoughtful touch, all rooms at Pelham on Earle are stocked with a wagon filled with beach essentials, including chairs and towels.

If you’d prefer a quieter beach, guests of Pelham on Earle can take a free shuttle to the larger Pelham House Resort (located a few minutes’ drive away) and utilize the private beach there from 11 am Sundays through 3 pm on Fridays.  

Other amenities include:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Complimentary coffee and tea each morning
• Free yoga classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings
• Nightly beach bonfires Sundays through Thursdays
• Free parking

Price and How to Book

Editor’s Note: Pelham on Earle hosted the author of this story. 

The post SmarterTravel Spotlight: Pelham on Earle Review appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Location: Monticello, New York

The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Water Park is located in the Catskills of New York, in Monticello. Our drive there made it seem like it was in the middle of nowhere, but our hosts informed us that civilization was only five minutes away. It’s about ninety minutes from New York City, just over two and a half hours from Philadelphia, and three and a half hours from Boston. 

Property: The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

The Kartrite is a spacious resort with a massive water park included in your stay. Outside the waterpark, there is also a giant arcade with traditional arcade games, a ropes course, VR experiences, and more. 

Amenities include:  

• Free WiFi
• Coffee Makers in every room
• Flat Screen Smart TV’s 
• Free on-site, off-street parking
• Four waterpark passes with every booking

Rooms: Everything You Need for A Comfortable Stay

The Kartrite has 324 of various types to suit your family’s needs. From their basic junior suite to a three-bedroom suite, whatever size party you have, they have you covered. The three-bedroom suite accommodates up to twelve guests- perfect for two families heading to the park together.

We stayed in a Family King Bunk Suite with a bunk room separate from the rest of the suite, perfect for our two kids. The main space was spacious, with a king-sized bed, sleeper couch, desk/table and coffee table. We had a good-sized balcony overlooking the courtyard, facing the water park. Every room has a sleeper sofa for guests, a coffee maker, a mini fridge, a microwave, an HD television, and four waterpark passes for each day of your stay. Three-bedroom suites have a separate kitchenette area with a large dining table. 

The Waterpark: Fun for The Whole Family

The 80,000-square-foot waterpark is massive and has rides and attractions that will satisfy everyone. My two-and-a-half-year-old absolutely loved Puddle Ducks, an area tucked away in a back corner of the water park just for toddlers. The water is ankle-deep, the slides are toddler-sized, and several features, such as spraying water scattered about the wading pool, are perfect for toddlers but not yet big enough for the other attractions. Parents are not allowed to use the slides, which makes it difficult for some kids, but most were able to get over any separation anxiety and have fun. I can’t tell you how many times my daughter went up the stairs and down the slide, over and over. The best part was it made bedtime in an unfamiliar place much easier! My five-year-old son was tall enough for all but one ride (the Nor’Easter) and had absolutely no qualms about going down the slides he was big enough for. I don’t know how many times he made the trek up the stairs to go down the slides (with mom or dad the lucky ones schlepping the mats or tubes up). He even loved the Jiggerty-Jaggerty, the kid-friendly area with a dump bucket, two traditional water slides (that parents can go down), and water spraying everywhere. My husband and I had just as much fun as the kids.

At one point, I suggested we try the lazy river, which was more like the “crazy” river- kids off of tubes, going against the flow, people trying to find a tube, absolute chaos, but my five-year-old loved it, and, admittedly, was one of the kids having fun off of a tube. We were lucky to get a private Flowrider session before the park opened, a stationary wave machine simulating surfing and bodyboarding. This is generally out of my comfort zone, but when I saw my five-year-old mastering it, I decided to give it a whirl, and it was a lot of fun! Only one person in the group (my husband) attempted to surf, and it was a challenge. 

We had a cabana on the second floor, overlooking the waterpark, and I recommend reserving one for your stay- it’s the perfect spot to decompress, get a bite to eat, change diapers, and change clothes. You can even order food and drinks from a server that comes to the cabana. Ground-level cabanas are $179/day, Upper mezzanine cabanas are $229/day, and the Birthday lower Cabana is $329/day. All include a mini-fridge with sodas and chips, as well as towels.

Dining at the Kartrite 

The Kartrite boasts seven unique dining options, from a sweet shop complete with cupcakes and candy to a sports bar—you can probably find it no matter what you are looking for. On the main floor, you’ll find Bixby’s, which serves a pub-like menu and has a separate bar area for delicious drinks. The Highline is also on the main floor and will be your go-to place for coffee, snacks, and a quick breakfast or lunch. It’s only open until 2, so be sure to get your fix in before it closes! Downstairs, you’ll find the sports bar, Harvey’s Wallbanger, where kids can run around and play as grown-ups enjoy a beverage watching their favorite sports team on tv.  Also downstairs is Eat. Eat. Eat., the ultimate breakfast stop with an all-you-can-eat buffet, and Pop’s Sweet, which has candy, ice cream, and yummy baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth. The waterpark boasts the Surfside Grille and Bar Mez, which serve snacks, pizzas, and salads to enjoy between waterslides. 

Price & How to Book

Prices start at $169 and can be booked on Expedia. 

BOOK NOW!

FAQ The Kartrite

Booking and Rates:

1. What are the nightly rates at the Kartrite? At the time of publication, the lowest price available was $169 per night. 
2. Does Kartrite offer any packages or deals? Kartrite does not offer packages, but every booking includes 4 waterpark passes, which are good the day of check-in and check-out.
3. What is the check-in and check-out time at the Kartrite? Check-in is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. 

Amenities and Activities:

4. What if there are more than four people at my party? Do they offer discounts on waterpark passes? Each additional guest over four people can purchase a waterpark pass for $75/night. 
5. What on-site dining options are available at Kartrite? There are seven restaurants, bars, and cafes on-site. 
6. Are there any spa services available at the Kartrite? There is no on-site spa.
7. Are pets allowed at Kartrite? Pets are not allowed at the Kartrite. 
8. Is there free Wi-Fi at the Kartrite? Yes, there is complimentary Wi-Fi. 
9. What if I just want to go to the waterpark and not stay at the hotel? Day passes to the waterpark are available, starting at $35 for a half day (3 pm-7 pm) on a weekday. 
10. What Time is the Waterpark open? The waterpark is open from 11 am-7 pm. 

Location and Accessibility:

11. How close is the Kartrite to New York City? The Kartrite is less than two hours from New York City.
12. Does the Kartrite offer parking for guests? Yes, there is ample parking for guests. 
13. Are the rooms ADA Accessible? Yes, the Kartrite does offer ADA Accessible accommodations.

Editor’s Note: The Kartrite hosted the writer of this story.

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Hidden and Cheap Beach Destinations

Look to the Gulf of Mexico for ultra-soft sand, crystal-clear waters, and surprisingly cheap beach vacations. The following Gulf Coast beach destinations are still unmarred by development, with opportunities for adventure, culture, great food, and, yes, even reasonable prices. Whether you’re looking for cheap beach vacations in Florida or other lesser-known states for tourism, this list of hidden and affordable beach destinations on the Gulf Coast will satisfy your desire for sun and sand—without breaking the bank.

Anna Maria Island, Florida

The hidden beach destination Floridians escape to, Anna Maria Island has somehow managed to keep condo towers, fast-food chains, amusement parks, and glitzy mega-resorts off its shores. In fact, no construction on this seven-mile-long barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is more than three stories tall, and 60 percent of its land is an open beach. And it’s affordable, especially in the summer. You can rent vacation homes with water views and pools for under $1,000 per week and get seafood entrees at beachfront restaurants for less than $20.

“My trip to Anna Maria made me feel in a nostalgic sense what beach vacations must have been like 20 or 30 years ago,” says Tim Leffel, author of Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune, who visited the island with his family. “It has something other destinations have lost. It’s an old-fashioned place where you can just relax and hang out on the beach with your kids, without arcades and other distractions.”

While doing nothing is the island’s prime pastime, there are plenty of options when you want something to do. You can snorkel, kayak, or fish in the Gulf’s clear waters, or explore the island’s three small communities: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and the town of Anna Maria. A free trolley runs up and down the length of the island, making it easy to check out the island’s boutique shops or restaurants. For dining, you can try affordable local favorites such as the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, which is known for its all-you-can-eat pancakes for $5.99, and Star Fish Company, whose dockside restaurant serves up the local catch at surprisingly cheap prices.

Where to stay: Most accommodations on Anna Maria are vacation rentals or small condo resorts. TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has Anna Maria Island rentals priced well below $1,000 per week. If you’d prefer to stay at a hotel or condo resort, reasonably priced options include Tradewinds Beach Resort and Pelican Post.

Getting there: A pair of bridges connects the island to the mainland. Anna Maria is about an hour’s drive from the Tampa airport and 45 minutes from St. Petersburg.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

When most Americans think of Alabama, sugar-sand beaches and palm trees aren’t the first things that come to mind. Many forget that Alabama’s heel nudges onto the Gulf of Mexico, its coastline a natural extension of the Florida Panhandle. In fact, this region, Gulf Shores, has miles of enviable waterfront real estate. The ignorance of others is a boon to the enlightened traveler.

The area has tried to make itself into a laid-back beach destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts, without the flash of theme parks, swanky resorts, and college spring break action. Most visitors come to spend a week relaxing on the beach with occasional forays out to visit the attractions. Nature lovers can explore Gulf Shores’ protected wilderness areas including the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Gulf State Park. Those interested in learning about Alabama history can check out Fort Morgan State Historic Site, a Civil War-era fort. Playing golf at one of Gulf Shores’ championship golf courses and fishing are also popular pursuits.

Where to stay: The vast majority of accommodations in Gulf Shores are rental homes and condos. TripAdvisor lists hundreds of options. I found weekly rates in August starting under $1,000.

Getting there: Gulf Shores is located about an hour’s drive from the airport in Pensacola, Florida, and about 90 minutes from the airport in Mobile, Alabama.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Just five miles east of Biloxi is the quiet coastal community of Ocean Springs, where small-town charm meets gorgeous white-sand beaches for an affordable Gulf Coast getaway. Outdoor activity options include stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The town is popular with art lovers, too, thanks to its many shops and galleries, as well as the Walter Anderson Museum of Art downtown.

The town is near the Davis Bayou section of Gulf Islands National Seashore, where visitors can go fishing, hiking, or bird watching in a protected marshland area. Admission is free.

Where to stay: There were dozens of vacation rentals on TripAdvisor under $1,000 a week for the dates I checked, and hotels are equally affordable. Most of them are familiar chains, such as the Holiday Inn Express Biloxi-Ocean Springs, but you can also stay in independent properties like the Gulf Hills Hotel & Conference Center.

Getting there: Ocean Springs is just a 10-minute drive from Biloxi and about 90 minutes from New Orleans.

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Tucked away on the Florida Panhandle between Pensacola and Tallahassee is a beach town where the waters are a perfect turquoise and the sand feels like soft, finely ground flour between your toes. Visit Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to try your hand at freshwater fishing, hike through well-preserved wetlands, or relax on quiet white sand beaches. You can hike or bike on the trails at Point Washington State Forest, which protects a range of coastal ecosystems.

You’ll find numerous shops and restaurants in the historic downtown area, including plenty of cheap eats. One local favorite is The Meltdown on 30A, a food truck specializing in grilled cheese.

Where to stay: Hotels in Santa Rosa Beach are relatively limited, with most visitors choosing vacation rentals instead. TripAdvisor has numerous listings, with summer rates starting below $1,000 a week. For budget hotels, your best bet is to stay in nearby Destin, which has a variety of affordable chain properties such as the Home2 Suites by Hilton Destin.

Getting there: The closest airports to Santa Rosa Beach are Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City, each about an hour away.

Navarre Beach, Florida

Navarre Beach on Santa Rosa Island is a 12-mile stretch of pristine white sand, offering plenty of space to spread out and relax. If you’re looking for activities beyond sunbathing, you can go fishing on the pier, explore the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, or go camping at the Navarre Beach Camping Resort. 

Navarre Beach offers a variety of activities perfect for families, as simple as building sandcastles on the beach, swimming in the gentle waves, or exploring the nearby Navarre Beach Marine Park. For actitivies away from the beach, the Gulf Breeze Zoo and the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge are short drives away and provide fun opportunities to see various animals. 

Where to stay: There are plenty of places to stay for around $1,000 a week, but for a truly unique stay, stay in an Airstream FC 30 at the Santa Rosa Waterfront RV Resort, just minutes from Navarre Beach across the Santa Rosa Sound. Springhill Suites by Marriott is directly on the beach and a great family option.

Getting There: Located about a half hour from Destin, Florida, and an hour and a half from Mobile, Alabama.

Caladesi Island State Park, Florida

One of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island State Park is accessible only by boat. This adds to the island’s charm, keeping the crowds thin and the atmosphere serene. The island is part of the Pinellas Suncoast Aquatic Preserve, making it a great spot for kayaking and paddleboarding. While kayaking or paddleboarding through the mangroves, you will spot blue herons and other birds. Real kayak and paddleboard enthusiasts can take the longer 3-mile paddling trail that takes you to Scharer Homestead Ruins, dating back to the early nineteenth century. 

The beach at Caladesi Island State Park is consistently ranked among the best in the country. Dr. Beach ranks it as the number four beach in the nation. The beach boasts three miles of soft, white sand and crystal-clear waters. No high-rises or developments on the beach make it a true escape.Where to Stay: Since Caladesi Island State Park is a day-use park, no camping is allowed. However, there are several hotels and resorts located nearby in Dunedin and Clearwater Beach. Hammock Beach Resort & Spa is a luxurious resort on a barrier island just north of Caladesi Island. It offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and various amenities, including swimming pools, a spa, golf courses, and tennis courts. There are cheaper stays available as well, I found several on Expedia for less than $1500 a week. Getting There: To get to Caladesi Island State Park, you must take a ferry departing from Honeymoon Island State Park. Departures are hourly, beginning at 10 AM, and a round-trip ride costs $18 for adults, $9 for children ages 6-12, and free for children five and under. It’s about fifteen minutes from Clearwater and forty-five minutes from Tampa.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 15 Beach Bag Essentials You Need for Summer
• The Best Sun-Protective Clothing for Summer
• 10 Wrinkle-Resistant Summer Travel Dresses Perfect for Packing

Editor’s note: Sarah Schlichter also contributed to this article.

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Bedbugs can be found in hotels and vacation rentals worldwide, plaguing both luxury hotels and budget motels, regardless of cleanliness. But where are bedbugs most likely to be found in the United States? 

Pest control company Orkin has released its annual list of the worst cities in America for bedbugs. Orkin ranked the cities based on where the company performed the most bedbug treatments from December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2023. 

When booking a hotel in any of these cities (or anywhere, really) you might want to search the Bedbug Registry first to see if the place you’re considering has been reported for bedbugs. Also, consider searching TripAdvisor and other hotel review sites for the words “bedbugs” and “bites.”

To avoid bedbugs when traveling, place your luggage on a tile surface (such as inside the bathtub) as soon as you check into a hotel room or vacation rental. Then, thoroughly inspect the mattress, box spring, and headboard of your bed for signs of bedbug infestations, such as actual bugs or spots of blood. Read our full guide to spotting bedbugs in your hotel here.

If you spot evidence of bedbugs, immediately alert the front desk and ask to be moved to a room on another floor. When you return home, isolate your luggage outside or in a sealed bag, and wash and dry all your clothing at hot temperatures to eliminate any potential stowaways. 

The Worst Cities in America for Bedbugs 

According to Orkin, these are the cities with the most bed bugs.

1. Chicago, IL
2. New York, NY
3. Philadelphia, PA
4. Cleveland-Akron, OH
5. Los Angeles, CA
6. Detroit, MI
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Indianapolis, IN
9. Charlotte, NC
10. Champaign, IL
11. Columbus, OH
12. Cincinnati, OH
13. Atlanta, GA
14. Grand Rapids, MI
15. Denver, CO
16. Baltimore, MD
17. Richmond, VA 
18. Greensboro, NC
19. St. Louis, MO
20. Youngstown, OH
21. Pittsburgh, PA
22. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
23. Flint, MI
24. Raleigh-Durham, NC
25. Milwaukee, WI
26. Charleston, WV
27. Greenville, SC
28. Norfolk, VA
29. Davenport, IA
30. Nashville, TN
31. Tampa, FL
32. Toledo, OH
33. Dayton, OH
34. Knoxville, TN
35. Las Vegas, NV
36. Omaha, NE
37. South Bend, IN
38. Houston, TX
39. Cedar Rapids, IA
40. Ft. Wayne, IN
41. San Francisco, CA
42. Buffalo, NY 
43. Harrisburg, PA
44. Seattle, WA
45. Miami, FL
46. Orlando, FL
47. Minneapolis, MN
48. Oklahoma City, OK
49. Louisville, KY
50. Lexington, KY 

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The Best Hotel Booking Sites for Comparing Prices

For most travel planning, the best overall strategy is to compare prices from multiple sources including the hotel’s own website, as it will sometimes offer deals not shared with third-party sites, or offer the same rates as third-party sites minus pesky booking fees. Hotels sites will also offer package deals—bundled amenity inclusions and the like—that aren’t shared with third-party sites.

Bottom line: Whether you search with a hotel site on this list or a preferred hotel search engine of your own, always check the hotel’s actual website as well, or call its reservations line, to make sure you really are getting the best hotel deal. Don’t forget to check the cancellation policy as the best hotel booking site is one that has a flexible policy in case your plans change.

If you’re trying to figure out how best to search for cheap hotels: First, scan this quick list of the best hotel search sites, in no particular order. Then, scroll down to read in-depth summaries of each or click to jump to a particular site.

• Booking.com
• Kayak
• Priceline
• BookingBuddy
• Hotels.com
• HotelsCombined
• Expedia (which owns Travelocity and Orbitz)
• Agoda
• Tripadvisor
• Trivago
• Google
• Hotwire
• Mr. & Mrs. Smith

No list of the best hotel booking sites is exhaustive, but these 14 represent a combination of great crowd favorites mixed with some newer, similarly performing hotel search options that you might not know about.

All of them fared well in tests: Prices for the same dates and destinations were fairly consistent from site to site, but the volatility of results may vary based on your destination, how far in advance you’re looking for the best hotel deals, and the time of year you visit (i.e., high season vs. low).

With that in mind, here are the best hotel booking sites to compare prices with for your next trip, plus the best feature of each one.

Booking.com

• Insofar as keeping your options open goes, Booking.com returns the most eclectic search results by far, with a healthy mix of hotels, motels, b&bs, apartments, and hostels. But whether this is a good or bad thing depends entirely on your preferences. If you’re not a fan of hostels, for example, hotel search results like this mean that you have to filter them out, creating an extra step that other hotel booking sites don’t require. That said, Booking.com offers something for everyone. 
• Its handy hotel search engine displays the total cost up front (except taxes) which is helpful when comparing cheap hotel rates; being able to see the total hotel cost up front helps you quickly determine which hotels actually fit into your budget.
• Its filtering options are extensive, from price, cancellation policy, sustainability, specific neighborhood for that city, fun things to do nearby, amenities, room accessibility and much, much more. With this filter feature, you will be able to find exactly the kind of accommodations you want. 

Kayak

• Like its flight search, Kayak‘s hotel search offers a clean, easy-to-use interface with many available filters.
• Shows other hotel booking sites’ rates so you can compare them all in one place. But the first hotel price result is often higher than better rates farther down the list, unless you specifically filter by price. Kayak’s hotel search results are automatically sorted by the vague factor of what’s “Recommended,” which is true of many hotel booking sites. Often, higher rates populate first while scrolling results, and sometimes that lead price is much higher than other comparable hotel options. Be sure to change sorting to price, so you can find the best deal. 
• It’s search calendar is color coded to show you cheap, average, and high prices, which comes in handy if price is your number one priority when booking a hotel. 
• If you are someone who likes to book by ratings, each hotel page on Kayak has the rating in a large box just next to the hotel pictures. It’s easy to find, and may help you to make your decision quickly. 

Priceline

• Priceline has one of the more visually appealing design layouts of the major hotel search engines, and is definitely among the easiest hotel sites to navigate. None of these hotel search sites is dramatically different from the others in terms of rates or price comparison, so usability can go a long way toward improving the experience of searching for the best hotel prices.
• Unsurprisingly, Priceline’s prices are on par with the other online travel agencies (OTAs), and its results are largely focused on downtowns and tourist-friendly areas. A big draw of Priceline is their “Express Deal” option: a flash deal that hides the name of the hotel until after you book. While somewhat gimmicky, this hotel search option can offer significant savings.
• The handy map that is featured on each hotel page, which will show you other hotels in the area and the prices. This is particularly useful if you want to stay in the city center, by a specific landmark, or are visiting friends or family and want to be nearby where they live. 

BookingBuddy

Editor’s note: BookingBuddy is owned by SmarterTravel Media, SmarterTravel.com’s parent company.

• Compare multiple hotel booking sites with one click to find the cheapest hotel stays on BookingBuddy. This site lets you quickly compare prices of as many other search sites (like VRBO or Trivago) as you want, without having to do a bunch of different searches. Simply select which hotel/vacation rental search sites you want to compare, and BookingBuddy opens up a new tab with your selected hotel stay dates and destination already filled in.
• You can sign up for an alert for when prices drop. If you are in no rush to book, you just may find a super deal if you sign up for an alert! 
• Like other sites on this list, BookingBuddy pulls in and displays the best deals from various booking sites and OTAs on their own search results page. However, BookingBuddy also lets travelers directly compare entire search result pages across multiple sites, allowing them to toggle between the pages from a lefthand navigation menu.

Hotels.com

• Hotels.com helps you find the best hotel deals via tons of filters that let you narrow down your search. Its initial results tend to show a healthy balance of lower- and upper-end hotels, mostly in or around city centers. That’s what most travelers want in a hotel search engine: a robust, easily refined list of well-located options. Prices were on par with other OTAs.
• Like many cheap hotel websites these days, Hotels.com includes lots of non-hotel properties too, including condo hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts.

HotelsCombined

• HotelsCombined is a meta search tool that searches a wide range of sources to find the best hotel deals, including OTAs, as well as the hotels’ own sites. 
• You can also toggle between nightly base price, nightly price plus taxes/fees, or total stay plus taxes/fees. There is no option to display the total price of the stay without taxes/fees.
• Easily see if your travel dates are during peak travel times with their color coded calendar showing you if your dates have “Cheaper, Average,” or “Higher” prices. 

Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz

• Short of the color scheme and fonts, you’d be hard pressed to find much difference between these three legacy hotel booking sites. Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz are all owned by Expedia Inc., and all three use the same layout, with a few minor tweaks. Interestingly, the hotel search results do vary slightly. 
• The top hotel result for each test search was the same on Orbitz and Travelocity, but the order of the list of hotels below it varied. Interestingly the top search result on Expedia frequently differed, although the top result from the other two sites was typically still high on the list. Prices, of course, were the same, since they’re all powered by Expedia. These perfectly fine hotel search engines are not all that different from Hotels.com.
• Keep an eye on these hotel sites’ deals and limited-time offers, which is when any of these three hotel search engines are more likely to substantially beat their competition.
• With these sites, you can easily add a flight or car rentals to your accommodation booking, making for easy one-stop-shopping. 

Agoda

• Originating as a hotel booking site with a focus on Asia and later expanding to offer U.S. properties, Agoda delivers a hotel search experience that matches some of the best hotel sites on this list. 
• There are even instances when Agoda had better hotel deals than its competition, including one hotel search result in which the total booking cost was more than $200 less than the same hotel on Priceline (with a coupon code). Don’t expect that sort of result every time, but it shows that Agoda, like all the rest of these hotel booking sites, is well worth checking for the best hotel deals.

Tripadvisor

• Like HotelsCombined, Tripadvisor‘s hotel search displays some of the very best hotel deals from a range of sites. The tool is built right into Tripadvisor’s general search function, letting you browse the site’s vast library of reviews, then begin your hotel booking seamlessly. The initial list of hotel search results is sorted by “best value” and shows the source of the given price, so that you know where (off Tripadvisor) your hotel booking is going to happen. 
• Tripadvisor searches most of the major hotel booking sites, as well as some lesser-known ones; when applicable, it also includes the hotel’s own website. You can also book directly with Tripadvisor.
• Sort your search by traveler ranking, so you can see the hotels travelers just like you prefer. Guest reviews often include pictures of hotel rooms taken by the guests themselves, not clouded over by staging, so you can see what the rooms actually look like before you book. 

Trivago 

• Another aggregate hotel booking site, Trivago did surface that low price coupon found on Agoda. However, it did not lead with that price, choosing instead to prominently display a higher price from Booking.com in large, green text. Odd. The lower-priced Agoda deal was listed second in the hotel search results, displayed in small gray text along with several others. In fact, Trivago found multiple hotel deals lower than that Booking.com price, but none received top billing for some reason. This happened in several other cases too, where the lead price ended up higher than best hotel prices that Trivago could find.
•  The good thing about conducting a hotel search on Trivago is that Trivago searches several lesser-known hotel booking sites, including Agoda, in addition to the usual suspects like Expedia, Priceline, and Booking.com. But travelers should take a close look at Trivago’s hotel search results to make sure that Trivago isn’t hiding a better deal farther down the list.

Google

• Google’s hotel search engine works by simply entering “hotels in (insert city here)” right on Google.com. (You can also go straight to the Google Hotels page.) This feature is integrated into Google Maps, which makes it very different from any of the other hotel booking sites listed above. On Google, hotel locations are marked by prices on a map, rather than by name or any other identifying characteristic. 
• From there, Google’s hotel search tool is fairly price-forward, which is what metasearch should be. Clicking on a price displays the hotel’s name, features, and booking options. Overall, it’s no surprise that Google offers a powerful, no-frills hotel search engine for travelers who don’t want all the hard-sell aspects of cheap hotel sites and more commercial hotel search engines. (And yes, Google did surface that low-with-coupon hotel deal from Agoda.)

Hotwire

• One of the best hotel booking sites for last minute deals and “Hot Rates,” which hide the hotel name in order to give you a better rate (similar to Priceline’s Express Deals), Hotwire is a great option if you don’t mind a limited-details final booking; and you probably don’t if it’s short notice. 
• Hotwire’s Hot Rates descriptions feature so many details about the property, as well as a pretty narrow location radius, that you can sometimes figure out the hotel you’ll be booked in, although it’s still somewhat of a gamble. Hotwire is also partnered with reliable global hotel brands like Kimpton and Hyatt, so you can be more confident that you won’t end up with a ramshackle property.
• The savings vary depending on the destination, but Hot Rates are consistently much more competitive than the standard Hotwire rates, which aren’t always the best price compared to other hotel booking sites. The main qualm that most customers have with Hotwire is their “24/7 support,” which apparently can be pretty unhelpful despite always being available to you.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

• Their price match feature goes above and beyond the usual. If you find a lower price elsewhere, they will not only match it, but you will also receive a $50 voucher. 
• You must become a member to book through Mr. & Mrs. Smith, however, entry-level membership is free. Members receive “Smith Extras” upon arrival to their hotel—anything from a bottle of champagne to a spa service! 
• Hotels must be invited to join this website, as they are carefully vetted by “undercover tastemakers” before being added to the site. 

Which Hotel Booking Site Is Best for Me?  

Consider what type of trip you are taking. If you are open to the type of place you want to stay at, then consider a site with more diverse options. If you are torn between a hotel or vacation rental, BookingBuddy is the site for you, as it will search for both to help you make your decision. If you rely heavily on peer reviews, then go with TripAdvisor. Check our best features of each site above to decide which site is best for you to make your hotel reservation. For 

What is the Difference Between an Online Travel Agency (OTA) and Metasearch Engine? 

An OTA allows you to book directly through them, and does not send you outside of their site to make your booking. a Metasearch Engine (also known as an aggregator) searches multiple sites including OTA’s, and will send you to a site outside of the aggregator to finalize your booking. 

Is It Cheaper to Book Directly with a Hotel or With a Hotel Booking Site?

It might be cheaper to book directly with a hotel, but this option really only makes sense if you already have a hotel you love and you want to book. Otherwise, the fastest, cheapest way to book a hotel is going to be by using one of the hotel booking websites. You will waste a lot of time calling hotels to see if you can get a better deal, and who has time for that these days?! 

When Should I Book My Hotel?

This really depends on your flexibility. If all you want is the best deal, and you aren’t picky about where the hotel is, waiting until the last minute (one to two days before you travel) could probably get you the best deal on your hotel. But, you might not want to risk that—I know I wouldn’t when planning a vacation! If you are booking for travel during peak times, book early so you don’t end up far away from where all of the action is, as hotels can book up quickly, especially during school vacation times. 

Bottom Line

What is the Best Hotel Booking Website?

These days, we are inundated with choices, including the number of accommodation booking websites there are out there. These sites should all make your booking easier, but some will make it even easier. Our clear winner is HotelsCombined.com. It’s easy to read, you can choose from hotels and rentals, and its ability to search hotel sites gives it the edge over other sites. Booking.com is solid runner-up, as they appear to have the other sites beat as far as the volume of hotels goes. 

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Best Mother-Daughter Trips

By the time your mom or her mom reaches her golden years, you really start to appreciate the chance to travel together, because it’s easier to recognize the moments passing. Though there may be some comical generational differences in travel style, there’s no better way for women young and old to bond than traveling together on a mother-daughter trip.

Here are some of the best mother-daughter vacations to delight moms and daughters of all ages, no matter when you travel together.

Jolly Trolleys and Golden Gates: San Francisco, California

Everyone should see the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge at least once, and a mother-daughter trip to San Francisco is the perfect excuse for doing so. Bike or walk across the bridge to get out of the fog, and have lunch with a view in the whimsical town of Sausalito.

Pair a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with a CityPASS, which includes admission to some of the most popular Bay Area attractions, like the California Academy of Sciences and the Aquarium of the Bay, and the option to add on a cable car pass.

While roaming around Pier 39, have a bread bowl of clam chowder at Boudin Bakery, made with San Francisco’s famous sourdough bread—you won’t regret it. Nor will you regret the decadent chocolate sundae you’ll have at Ghirardelli Square after.

Where to stay: Book a room at Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf for a memorable stay central to the city’s most famous attractions.

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Vinos and Velos: Cycling from Dijon to Beaune, France

For an active vacation paired with exquisite wine and a whole lot of grandeur, try a mother-daughter bicycle tour through the Burgundy region. Explore the French countryside at your own pace while stopping along the way to taste a sampling of France’s finest fermented grapes.

Start in the historical town of Dijon at the Place de la Liberation. Pedal past rolling vineyard hills and storybook chateaus on your way to the charming town of Nuit-Saint-Georges. Take a break while you’re there to appreciate a taste (or two) of the region’s Premier Cru red wines, made from Pinot Noir grapes, and go truffle hunting at one of the local farms.

End your bike tour in the fairy tale town of Beaune. Its main square has been hosting an unmissable Saturday market since the early 13th century.

Where to Stay: Kick off your stay at La Cour Berbisey, a hotel built inside a 17th-century building in the heart of Dijon. After you’ve had your fill of biking, end your journey at Abbaye De Maizieres, a 12th-century cistercian Abbey converted into a boutique hotel.

Sipping, Sampling, and Shopping: Denver, Colorado

With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Denver is becoming such a popular destination for mother-daughter trips. If you want to shop, dine, partake in a libations tour, take in the arts, or do all of the above, you can do it in Denver.

The city’s most popular area for strolling and shopping is the neighborhood around 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square. You can dine your way around Denver with stops at Rioja, Tamayo, Avanti, and North Italia, and then drink your way around on a boozy tour. There are plenty of guided tasting tours that will take you to places like Laws Whiskey, The Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery, Colorado Cider Company, and Denver Beer Company.

Where to stay: At the MOXY Denver Cherry Creek, you’ll enjoy a fun and modern stay. The space encourages guest interaction with a full bar and an impressive assortment of lobby games, from shuffleboard to Hungry Hungry Hippos.

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Relax and Rosé All Day: Calistoga, California

While Napa may get all of the shout-outs, the best place to stay in California wine country is Calistoga. It sits at the base of Mount Saint Helena, about 25 miles northwest of the town of Napa. In Calistoga, you can do all of the iconic things mothers and daughters daydream of doing on a mother-daughter trip, like getting daily spa treatments and drinking Rosé all day.

Volcanic ash, mud, and mineral baths are the specialty spa treatment of this town. What better way to celebrate the unique bond between a mother and daughter than taking a mud bath? You can also get a proper massage treatment at Calistoga Spa and Hot Springs and the recently renovated Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa. Basically, you can walk from one end of town to the other in spa flip-flops, getting one treatment after another, and no one would blink an eye.

Take off your shoes and get stomping at Grgich Hills Estate, which offers daily grape stomping during the harvest season. Go for a royal tour and wine tasting at the Castello di Amorosa, a medieval-inspired Tuscan castle that features barrel-tasting and a torture chamber. No trip to Napa would be complete without taking a ride on the famous Napa Valley Wine Train. Book the Vista Dome for one of the most memorable meals you’ll ever have. The three-hour journey includes a gourmet meal and wine, of course.

Where to stay: You’ll find a stay at Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort to be reasonably priced and wonderfully retro.

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Shamrocks and Smiles: Road Tripping Around Ireland

Haven’t you always wanted to take a mother-daughter trip to Ireland? Want to kiss the Blarney Stone, drive the Ring of Kerry, or perhaps behold some sheep roaming lush green hills of the countryside? Take a road trip from Dublin that passes through Cork, Killarney, Dingle, and Galway, and you’ll delight in exploring these sights.

Visit the nearby town of Kinsale and take the easy hike to Charles Fort. Spend a day in Killarney National Park, and make time to visit the historic sites of Dingle before heading to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, which is known for its traditional pubs and live Irish folk music.

Where to stay: Stop by the Hayfield Manor in Cork for a quintessentially Irish stay, complete with gourmet dining and afternoon tea service.

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Melissa McGibbon’s travel accomplishments include circumnavigating the globe on a ship, having dinner at Fidel Castro’s house in Havana, skiing steep chutes in Canada, and downhill mountain biking in Peru. Follow her on Twitter @mcmliss.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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Don’t Use the Remote Control

Study after study has confirmed what germophobes everywhere have long believed: Hotel rooms are disgusting, fetid pools of fecal bacteria. We won’t get into the specifics just in case you’re reading this on your lunch break, but suffice it to say, you wouldn’t be out of place wearing a hazmat suit inside your room. And while there’s no shortage of filth-ridden surfaces to be wary of, the nastiest culprit by far is the TV remote control. You’ve got a few options here: Bring some antibacterial wipes with you, download a smartphone app to control the television, or just avoid TV altogether. Oh, and while we have your attention … don’t sleep on or under the quilt, either. Just trust us on this one.

Don’t Leave Valuables Lying Around

Perhaps this seems obvious, but we’ve heard enough stories of hotel-room thefts that we think it bears mentioning: Hide your valuables. Put them in the safe if you can (even if that means paying a small fee—it sure beats the cost of replacing that nice watch or fancy earrings). If there’s no space available, and you don’t want to carry them with you at all times, stash your valuables in an inconspicuous place, such as inside an empty vitamin or aspirin container. Hotel thieves know all the usual hiding spots, though, so an even better plan is to leave all or most of your valuables at home.

Don’t Forget to Put up the ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign

People tend to get frisky in hotel rooms. Maybe it’s just the natural aphrodisiac of being someplace new. Who knows? The point is, it happens—a lot. But here’s the thing: Your hotel room isn’t exactly private until you put up the “do not disturb” sign. So if you want to be alone, make sure everyone knows it first. Otherwise, Murphy’s Law suggests your intimate moment may not be so intimate after all.

Don’t Reveal Your Room Number

Don’t say your room number aloud at check-in, at a restaurant, or to that friendly stranger you’ve just met. It’s just not a good idea. If you want to meet up with someone new, agree to meet in a public space—preferably one that’s not even at your hotel. The last thing you want to deal with on your vacation or business trip is a break-in.

Don’t Open the Door

It’s an automatic reaction for some people: There’s a knock at the door, so they answer it. Not a good idea. Make sure you know who’s there before you open the door—even if you’re expecting someone, like room service. Similarly, don’t leave the door ajar if you leave to get ice or, in some places, use the bathroom across the hall. You might return to find your room ransacked. Or worse yet, you might catch an unexpected guest waiting for you. And as long as we’re on the topic of leaving your room for ice, don’t do it au naturel either, or you may end up a hilarious Internet sensation like this guy.

Don’t Go Anywhere Near the Minibar

The good old days of perusing the minibar “just to see what’s in there” are long gone at many hotel chains. Those exorbitantly priced snacks are now more booby-trapped than the golden idol at the start of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Even jostling the Snickers bar a little could trigger the sensor, and just like that you’ve run up an automatic charge on your room bill.

Don’t Forget to Look for Bedbugs

They’re small, they’re nasty, and they’re pretty much everywhere these days—even at high-end hotels. Bedbugs are the world’s first (and worst) souvenir: They love coming home with you. Look for the incriminating signs of these little creepers before you put your bags down on the hotel bed or furniture for any lengthy period of time. Keep an eye out for the critters’ blood or fecal stains on your sheets or mattress and for the little buggers themselves on the mattress, headboard, couch, chair, and any other furniture.

Don’t Drink the Tap Water

Did you hear the one about the nice British couple who noticed a funny taste in the drinking water at a downtown Los Angeles hotel? It turns out the couple (and the hotel’s other guests) had been drinking from a corpse-tainted water supply for weeks. You read that right: There was a dead body floating around and decomposing in the rooftop water tank. And while this may be the most extreme case of tainted water we’ve heard in a while, it’s certainly not the only story of good water gone bad. Our advice: Don’t drink the tap water, no matter where you’re staying. Nothing good ever comes of it.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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