5 chlorinated cool-offs

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino - hotel provided photo

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas: “…The Rio has a wonderful pool area with 4 different pools with waterfalls and I think 3 hot tubs…”

Riu Palace Bonanza Playa - hotel provided photo

Riu Palace Bonanza Playa, Calvia: “…There is a lovely indoor pool as well as a great outdoor pool, and both spots have great views across the bay of Palma…”

The Fairmont Southampton Hotel - hotel provided photo

The Fairmont Southampton Hotel, Southampton, Bermuda: “The hotel has nice indoor and outdoor pools, spa, private beach, tennis and golf facilities…”

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach - hotel provided photo

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Bombay: “…The outdoor pool and seating area is picturesque of “resort India” away from the crowds and cars…”

The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa - hotel provided photo

The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, Lake Buena Vista: “…The resort amenities were great. We played tennis (got our own equipment), table tennis, volleyball, soccer, and to top it all off, dipped into one of their three outdoor pools…”

Are you flocking to a pool this summer?

5 chlorinated cool-offs

Delphin Palace & Spa Hotel - hotel provided photo

Delphin Palace & Spa Hotel, Antalya, Turkey: “…Outdoor pools were mostly for sun-tanners lying around served by the friendly Bar team on skates…”

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - hotel provided photo

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Lake Buena Vista: “…The hotel had an outdoor pool which the kids loved with fun activities going on there most of the day. My kids loved going after a busy day at the park. It had a slide and there were a couple of (very) hot tubs…”

Arjaan by Rotana - hotel provided photo

Arjaan by Rotana – Dubai Media City, Dubai: “…The main outdoor pool area was lovely with sun for most of the day…”

Ocean Reef Resort - hotel provided photo

Ocean Reef Resort, Myrtle Beach: “…Our daughters loved the indoor waterpark/pools. The outdoor pools and beach were also great options…”

Oura View Beach Club - hotel provided photo

Oura View Beach Club – Apartments, Algarve, Portugal: “ …Families would benefit from the absolutely gorgeous outdoor pool. No hotel pool as come close to this one…”

Are you a pool-lover or prefer the ocean?

1. “The home for a great visit to Fort Cochin: Excellent location, delicious (!!!!!) seefood…”
2. “not what we expected: …Sent my steak back 3 times at dinner, and still wasn’t cooked correctly. I’ve seen better breakfast buffets at truck stops.”
3. “Need to learn to actually CLEAN the rooms!: …after checking-in and crawling into bed really late…quite exhausted after a red-eye flight, I rolled over to find a DIRTY SOCK in the bed. DISGUSTED, I switched to the other bed only due to exhaustion and vowed to never stay here again.”
4. “Not recommended: …Rooms were not quiet or sound proof, you could hear your neigbors breathing next door. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. p.s they also had cheap toilet paper.”
5. “Into the Heavenlies …cheaply: …this experience lifted my inner spirit far beyond the room 733 from 4:30 April 28th to 8:00 April 29th.”

Seen or heard anything funny/head-shaking in your travels? Share it!

5 places to spend 3 days

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino – Hotel provided image

• Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas: “Spent Memorial Day week at the Golden Nugget and had a great time. The VIP room in the Gold Tower was worth the extra cost. Room was nice and spacious. Housekeeping did a great job. Only an elevator ride to the csino and all the action on Freemont Street…”
• Iron Horse Inn, Durango, CO: “I stayed there for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on Memorial Day weekend 2011. I was quite impressed with the quality of the room, the space, and the comfort…”

Ellington Resort – Hotel provided image

• Ellington Resort at Wachesaw East a Festiva Resort, Murrells Inlet, SC : “Memorial day weekend 2011. Had a great time. the room was big enough for a family of five. Tv’s and dvd players in each room. Had a nice view of the golf course. “
• Sheraton Chicago Northbrook, Chicago: “Had great time Memorial Day weekend get away. Very nice strip mall across street with restaurant, great Whole foods and shops to browse. Hotel modern, clean, quiet, relaxing, great staff, not stressful…”

Hotel provided image

• Dreams Punta Cana – Luxury All Inclusive, Punta Cana: “Dreams Punta Cana, was a wonderful all-inclusive resort that my sister and godsister went to during memorial day wk. we had a great time. this was our first time at a resort and we really enjoyed ourselves. from the time the shuttle dropped us off at the resort they took care of us…”

Feeling inspired? What are your Memorial Day plans?

5 places to spend 3 days

1. Grand Lucayan, a Radisson Resort, Freeport: “From start to finish our stay was perfect: the hotel staff could not be more gracious or charming. The room was beautiful, the view was fantastic and the facility is impeccably maintained. We had such a good time we came home and immediately booked another trip over Memorial day!”
2. Element New York Times Square West, New York: “I stayed at Element for the memorial day weekend and it was just great, I have stayed in many hotels around the world and this one is one of my favorites , great location , rooms were extremely clean , staff super helpful , I will definitely go back to this hotel anytime”
3. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas: “Best Memorial Day weekend EVER !! It was the Ultimate way to kick-off summer!! The Hotel has alot to offer as far as Gambling & Nightlife,then you include UFC 130 & Wet Republic and then your on a whole different level of fun!! Its a MUST!! Wish we could afford to do it twice a year ”
4. Wingate by Wyndham – Augusta/Fort Gordon, Augusta: “We stayed over Memorial Day weekend and I was very impressed with the quality of the hotel for the price we paid! It was very close to base which was a huge plus for us. My only complaint is that judging by the photos it looked like the hotel had a pool which it did not. It would have been very nice considering it was around 100 that weekend. Overall great stay though.”
5. Polo Towers – a Diamond Resorts International Destination, Las Vegas: “We stayed at the Polo Towers over the Memorial Day long weekend with 2 other couples. Each of us had our own rooms and enjoyed everything about the place!…The roof top pool and hot tub were wonderful. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful without reading our minds!…”

Have a go-to vacation spot for short stays? Share it with your fellow travelers.

1. “excellent location, friendly staff, but tiny rooms: …The room was tiny. shower was in the corner of the sleeping room (should say sleeping area, room is an overstatement). sleeping area and toilet were separated with a curtain, which a novel approach and may cause problems if you are staying with someone not very close…if you are looking for luxury and a room for a pony, this won’t be for you.”
2. “Been there twice first & last.: The reason I wouldn’t stay at this hotel again is because of the resort fee of 25.00 a day. We had a 25.00 bottle of water everyday , we didn’t use any other things that the fee was supposed to be for.”
3. “GIVE THIS ONE A MISS: This place needs a make-over – its past its sell by date!”
4. “good time: very nice hotel but not good toliet paper….how personal is that….”
5. “Avoid this location: …pop machines were frozen”
6. “Comfy and quiet: …We stayed on the top floor, having learned that one will not hear footfalls overhead at night (unless it is Santa Claus, that is)…”
7. “Top notch hotel: …My wife is a clean-freak and she even thought the room was very clean…”
8. “Don’t recommend: …Then there is the unknown floating brown thing in the lazy river, echh”
9. “Its OK – Not the best but you get what you pay for: …found a pair of DIRTY MALE UNDERWARE in the closet laying on the in room safe when we opened it…Water pressure was good in the shower but the fart fan was not working so its steamy in there after a shower – and imagine what happens after USING the rest room…….yep…….share the smell with your room mates!!!”
10. “pleased Canadians: …The only complaint was my wife said I snored but that is hard to pin on the Hotel!…”

Seen or heard anything funny/head-shaking in your travels? Share it!

Parasailer over Negril Beach

School’s out; time for fun. These Expedia guests flocked to warm-weather at the beach. Where will you go?

5 spring stays

1. The Oasis Resort, Negril: “A group of my friends and I stayed at the Oasis Resort for a week during our spring break the first week of March. We knew nothing more about the hotel beyond what we had gathered from the reviews online. The hotel describes itself as Negril’s “best kept secret” and this is a very accurate description. It is definitely tucked away, nestled in a quiet corner of Negril’s West End…I was very happy with the hotel overall. The staff are very friendly and informative. You won’t be disappointed!”
2. Riu Florida Beach, Miami Beach: “I came here during spring break for a short vacation from NY with my girlfriend. We were on a limited budget and it was looking like we would have to stay at a cheap hotel that most likely had dirty rooms and horrible service. RIU Miami was the exact opposite, we couldn’t beat the price and everything was amazing at the hotel. The lobby is amazing and there is a bar in there that serves some real good drinks, the pool area is very nice and its right on the beach…If i came back to Miami with a bunch of my friends and was looking to party though.. I would look for a hotel with a better party scene.. the pool area in the back was more of a relaxation area, which fit exactly what i was looking for. Will be returning.”
3. Coral Beach Resort Hotel & Suites, Myrtle Beach: “Great Spring Break!! Our room was clean and comfortable with new carpet and plenty of linens for only two people. Staff in the lobby were very nice and houskeeping was also very friendly. The hotel had a great selection of pools and hot tubs and the beach was just a few steps out the door. The hotel also had Starbucks onsite, a cafe for breakfast, and a beach/poolside bar for drinks. Would stay again. We had a great expereince at this hotel!”
4. Beachbreak by the Sea, Panama City, Florida: “DURING SPRING BREAK ITS THE PLACE TO BE!!!! PCB 2012”
5. Sugar Sands Inn and Suites Panama City Beach, Panama City, Florida: “9 of my friends and I came for Spring Break. Hotel staff was friendly and rooms were ready ahead of schedule. Rooms came with kitchenette that was well stocked with silverware and dishes. Excellent place to stay for a spring break trip for students…”

Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Costa Rica, Golfo de Nicoya, tour boat at Rainbow Rock

One week off with nothing to do? Here are more Spring Break spots worth visiting.

5 spring stays

1. Tahoe Inn, Kings Beach: “…The hotel itself is nothing fancy but definitely fulfills more than all you need for short spring break trips to the snow with friends and want to save on housing costs…Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to just go skiing and snowboarding for very cheap (allows for a lot more trips ), especially college students…”
2. Be Live Viva Beach All Inclusive, Cancun: “The be live viva beach hotel was amazing we were there for spring break and everything was incredible. The staff was very friendly and the drinks were not bad seeing as it wasn’t top quality alcohol. Definitely can’t wait to go back!!!!”
3. Pacific Park Tamarindo, Costa Rica: “I stayed in Pacific Park with 11 of my classmates on our spring break trip. We spent five nights in two of the three-bedroom suites. The condos were beautiful and modern, boasting plenty of open space, state-of-the-art appliances, large windows, and enormous balconies. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the bathrooms were superb…Overall, our experience at Pacific Park was wonderful. The staff was friendly and accessible, though the office was only open from 10-4 daily and you had to ask there for most things. The facilities and furnishings in the hotel were top notch, though the gym was sparse. However, we definitely didn’t go to Costa Rica to run on a treadmill! I highly recommend this hotel to future travelers, whether going on a family vacation, romantic getaway, or spring break bash.”
4. Ramada Plaza Nags Head Beach, Kill Devil Hills: “my boyfriend and I stayed at this hotel for our Spring Break and it was wonderful! granted, we stayed during the off-season (March) but everything was lovely! the hotel was comfortable and very accommodating…we had an ocean view room on the third floor and it was just right! I’d absolutely stay here again any time! the hotel was close to many restaurants and shopping and was just the right size.”
5. Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach: “Great Experience at Spring Break 2012…There was a great view and I loved watching the strand in the mornings during breakfast. All in all it was a great time. I just wish we could have stayed longer. Also we were kind of far from the shops but it’s never bad to walk!”

What’s better: Spring Break or summer vacation?

5 spring stays

1. Riu Santa Fe All Inclusive, Cabo San Lucas: “Riu Santa Fe was amazing! The food was amazing, the rooms and the grounds were extremely clean and staff was the best I had ever witnessed. Since our stay, we have decided that we will return every year and we will only stay at RIU. We were there for spring break and during this time, I recommend that children NOT stay at this hotel. Any other time of the year it would be perfect for families but not during spring break – it gets a little crazy…”
2. Eldorado Coast Hotel -Torrance-Redondo Beach, Lomita, CA: “I stayed at the hotel with my best friends for spring break, and it was AWESOME! The staff members were very friendly to us and was always there for us…”
3. Maui Coast Hotel, Kihei: “Spring break fun! We enjoyed the live music every night by the pool. Everyone was polite and helpful. The beach across street was very nice. We had a great time!”
4. Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas: “LuXor Spring Break! 2012. THe room was Nice! Had a great View of the Oasis Pool. Nice clubs just down stairs. Would recommend.”
5. Grand Paradise Bavaro Beach Resort Casino & Spa, Punta Cana : “Spring break trip. It was a nice hotel and there is no need to leave the resort at all!”

What’s your Spring Break destination?    

Andaman Seaview poolside restaurant

Andaman Seaview Hotel, Phuket: “…Little details they take care of make you feel special like they give you ice cold, scented towel for refreshing when you first arrive to check in…They give you a nice beach bag with towel prepared in your room…If you are on honeymoon, they decorate your room and give a complimentary cake. I would recommend this hotel to all my friends and family.”

Arenal Nayara - view from room

Arenal Nayara Hotel and Gardens, Fortuna : “It is very wonderful hotel. Clean, comfort, and very nice staff. Also, it gives you wonderful privacy. Food is great too…”

Mountain View - from the front steps

Mountain View Grand Resort, Whitefield: “…The two night stay began with an upgrade to one of the seven rooms with its own private balcony looking out over the best view in the world – the entire presidential mountain range all snow covered! Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, from the bell hop to the front desk people to the wait staff to the farm and equestrian staff…”

Langley Hotel Fort Royal - beach bungalows

Langley Hotel Fort Royal, Deshaies: “The location of low land near Deshaies and most beautiful beaches”

Wynn - casino entrance

Wynn Las Vegas: “There’s a level of elegance and luxuriousness that I haven’t found anywhere else.”