Aman Knows the Power of an Idea
Among luxury hotel chains, Aman stands apart by offering much more than just unparalleled levels of service, quality, and detail. First and foremost, each Aman hotel tells the unique story of its setting and surroundings.
Diary of a First-Time Hotel Manager
Rebecca Schönheit is back to share part two of her story about leaving Berlin and starting life over on a tiny island in the North Sea. That’s where she and her husband decided to take on the job of managing a hotel — despite having no prior hospitality industry experience. Nevertheless, they have big dreams of getting their proud little place up to Tablet standards.
Statement Junky’s Mission to Change the World
At Statement Junky, a nonprofit development organization for young women of color, founder Rashell Evans seeks to introduce participants to the benefits of seeing the world — and give them the tools to, ultimately, change it.
It’s Not Unusual to Stay at an Unusual Hotel
At Tablet, when we call a hotel “unusual” it’s the highest form of praise. It means that there are no other hotels quite like it. It’s singular, and it stands apart from the status quo. It’s not unusual to want every hotel to be a little unusual — like the fourteen exciting examples featured here.
A Black American Finds Home Abroad
Stranger’s Guide is a quarterly publication that reveals the intricacies of locales across the globe, through both local and foreign eyes. We’re big fans, and we’re excited to announce that we’ll be sharing some of their stories in the Agenda. We start with a unique perspective on Rome from Saneta deVuono-powell, which can be found in the latest Stranger’s Guide, dedicated to the Mediterranean.
Camp Comfort Revives a German Utopia in Texas
In the 1870s, a group of German expats built an athletic club in the Texas Hill Country. In the current century, the property is home to Camp Comfort — a relaxed, rustic, and rural boutique hotel that’s ideal for the current moment.
Hoxton Is What Higher Standards Look Like
The Hoxton hotels have taken the best bits of the best boutique hotels that came before them and crafted a group of properties that appear poised to stand the test of time. They represent the new normal of boutique hotels. And normal ain’t what it used to be.
The Five Best Stories We Never Published
We’re constantly looking around for interesting travel stories to fill the pages of The Agenda. Sometimes we hit. Sometimes we miss. And sometimes, we abandon the idea entirely. Why? It’s hard to explain. Easier to show you.
A Tech Titan Goes Crazy on a Medieval Farm
The story of Belgium’s Indrani Lodge is the story of a tech titan unimpressed with the status quo. Philippe Brawerman has always done things differently, a quality that took him from being the “crazy” president of Cisco Systems to the proud owner of a yoga-centric hotel and organic farm. As you’ll see, Brawerman’s is the kind of crazy that makes you wonder why anyone would want to be sane.
A Story of Being Stuck Far From Home
In the midst of the global pandemic, stories of stranded travelers, aborted trips, and international uncertainty abound. Based in Manila, our French editor Manon Tomzig describes getting out from under a harsh lockdown in the Philippines only to wind up a trapped tourist in France.
The Roots of Farm-To-Table Dining in America
When Charles Mallory decided to buy the Four Columns Inn and bring it back to life in 2015, he knew the Vermont hotel was historic. He just didn’t know the extent of it. This place — one he’d driven by countless times — was home to what might be the first farm-to-table restaurant in America.
Less Is More in Spain
For the fifth edition of our Staying Small series we look to Spain, the land of tapas, where small hotels throughout the country combine to create a vision of hospitality that’s notable for its clear-eyed focus and lack of pretension.
Hotels Are Ready to Welcome You Back
As hotels reopen, it’s crucial that you know what steps they’re taking to increase cleaning protocols and implement social-distancing measures. That’s why we’re launching a new program to keep you informed about how our hotels are ensuring the safety of guests and staff.
The Most Exciting New Hotels of 2020
When COVID-19 grounded the travel industry earlier this year, we were in the process of adding a slew of terrific hotels to our selection. You might not be able to visit any of them for a while, but we figured you’d still like to see the ones we’re most excited about.
What It’s Like to Begin a New Life
Many people dream of dropping everything and starting a new life somewhere different. Rebecca Schönheit did it. She traded a law career and the familiarity of her home in Berlin for a tiny island in the Wadden Sea. That’s where she and her husband decided to start over as directors of a small hotel — with dreams of getting it up to Tablet standards.
The Price of Perfection on the California Coast
You don’t get a piece of land as spectacular as Big Sur without a lot of providence. And you don’t get to keep it that way without a lot of protection. Big Sur is a success story in many ways, but not without cost.
The Golden Age of Travel That Never Was
Holiday magazine reached its zenith during the Golden Age of travel and publishing. But like everything born out of nostalgia, the “golden age” wasn’t quite as golden as it seemed.
American Small Batch Hotels
Smaller hotels tend to be independently-owned, and with COVID-19’s destructive effects on the travel industry, their futures are less certain than the massive mega-chains. Volume #4 of our Staying Small series gives a little love to some of our favorite modestly-sized American hotels.
A Sampler of Small Hotels in Northwest Europe
It’s no slight to call these hotels slight. Because of their modest size, they’re particularly well-suited to address guest concerns about COVID-19.
Our ‘Take Me Away’ Contest Winners
A little while back, we asked you to tell us which hotel you most dreamed of visiting once you could travel safely again. These were our favorite responses.
Château and Country House Hotels of France
For the second entry in our Staying Small series, we turn to France, a country that’s mastered the art of hotels that are both small and spacious.
A Little Something for Everyone in Italy
If there’s something we can all agree on, it’s that Italy has more charming rural hotels than anywhere else. They’re iconic, and as the country reopens to tourists, they’re exactly the type of lodging people are looking for.
Palisociety Broadens the Meaning of Bespoke
The word “bespoke” conjures up images of intimacy and a high degree of detail. Can it also be used to define a hotel group that’s in the midst of a significant expansion? Palisociety is rising to that challenge.
Memorable Hotels With a Maritime Connection
Grizzled old ship captains tend not to mince words nor waste them, so neither will we. This is a list of hotels that have a seafaring slant. Each of them either connects with, or celebrates, the nautical history of their home port. Some of them even do a little floating of their own.
Thorngrove Manor Rebels Against Replication
When it opened in 1984, Thorngrove Manor was a response to the bland and banal chain hotels of the day. As boutique hotels in 2020 march further into the mainstream, the mission is much the same for this eccentric castle in South Australia.
Shine Some Light on Your Travel Dreams
These days, we’re traveling in our minds a lot more often than usual. Let’s get those dreams out into the light, shall we? Tell us the hotel you most want to visit once you can travel again, and you could win a $50 credit and a year of Tablet Plus.
The Curious Case of Restaurant Hotels
Hotel restaurants are nothing new. Restaurant hotels, however, are another thing entirely. They’re a rarity, and they arouse intense curiosity from anyone who makes food a focal point of their travels.
Les Bains Is Not Like Other Hotels
Les Bains Paris stands apart from the crowd. It was once a spa, and then a nightclub, before becoming the luxury boutique hotel it is today. Through its many iterations, one thing has always remained consistent: dazzling success.
The Coolest Hotels You Haven’t Seen Yet
Some of you, it is certain, have stayed at a few of these hotels. Though with their remote locations or the level of demand for a room, chances are that most of you haven’t. But maybe, after COVID-19, you’ll be inspired to go where not a lot of other people are going, and where you’ll have plenty of room to yourself.
Wythe Hotel Shines a Beacon in Brooklyn
As COVID-19 escalated in New York City, we’d heard heart-wrenching stories of hospital workers sleeping in their cars to avoid exposing their families to the virus. The Wythe Hotel had heard these stories too, and they wanted to help.
Helping Hotels Through Their Online Gift Shops
Being the hotel obsessives we are, we’ve been searching for ways we can help them out while the travel business is stalled. One easy way is by purchasing an item from a hotel’s online gift shop. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite hotel boutiques so you can treat yourself while you #travelinplace.
Hotels Other Architects Wish They’d Designed
Our friends at Phaidon books gathered together dozens of the world’s top architects and had them recommend the hotels that they love best. Many took it a step further and volunteered the hotels they most wish they’d designed — perhaps the highest compliment they could offer.
Hotel Experiences You Can Enjoy From Home
Around the world, hotels are taking to digital media to share insights and experiences with their home-bound clientele — everything from cooking and yoga classes to live feeds at exotic locales and live talks with notable experts. We’ve collected some of our favorites so you can #travelinplace.
15 of Our Favorite Literary Journeys
A somewhat random, completely personal list of books that challenge us to think more carefully about travel, movement, and how we engage with the world.
The Panoramic Vision of the Zannier Hotels
Arnaud Zannier doesn’t just create hotels, he creates panoramas — complete, comprehensive hospitality experiences with all the drama and amusement of the cinema. When the world returns to traveling again, the world will deserve to stay at hotels like his.
Desktop Wallpaper & Zoom Virtual Backgrounds
If you have to be stuck in place, make it an impressive one. We’ve created a series of enchanting hotel scenes that can be used as virtual backgrounds for your Zoom calls and as wallpaper for your computer or smartphone.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of March 30.
A Wedding in the Chaos of COVID-19
Rebecca Schönheit had a big wedding planned for April. Because of the coronavirus, her plans changed.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of March 23.
The Friendliest Pet-Friendly Hotels
The opportunity to travel will come again, but until then — now is the time to sit tight, daydream about future journeys, and look at cute animals on the internet. We can help you with two of the three.
Information About Hotels and Travel
Travelers are rightfully worried about how the coronavirus will affect their travel plans. In a situation that continues to rapidly develop by the day, we want to share with you the information we have now.
The Best Inexpensive Restaurants in Paris
The MICHELIN Guide is famous for its star ratings, awarded to the finest restaurants in the world. But diners should pay equal attention to Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation, recognizing the best inexpensive places to eat.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of March 9.
The Intoxicating Nature of Patagonia
Patagonia is a place of unmatched splendor and magnificence. Unmatched, that is, by everything but its own hotels.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of March 2.
The Incredible Cave Hotels of Cappadocia
Once upon a time, the cave dwellings of Cappadocia were hidden. Not anymore. The ancient residences have been restored by hoteliers who believe the best way to enjoy the odd geology of the region is from within it.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of February 24.
The Growing Popularity of Saltwater Pools
Compared to traditional pools, saltwater pools are friendlier to the environment, healthier to splash about in, and more sustainable in terms of maintenance and cost. They’re also popping up at many of the world’s coolest hotels.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of February 17.
How to Make Travel Meaningful for Children
For many parents, traveling with children is intimidating. Especially daunting are the exotic adventures that were commonplace before the kids were born. Heidi Mitchell, journalist and mother of three, explains how she manages to make it all work, and make it worthwhile… most of the time.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of February 10.
New Life for a Piece of Old Hollywood
Pioneertown was built in the 1940s as a backdrop for Hollywood Westerns, with the idea that it would eventually become something much grander. Cameras stopped rolling decades ago, but the greater goal is finally being realized.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of February 3.
The Wild and Wonderful World of Lodge Hotels
When you hear the word “lodge,” what’s the first thing you think of? You’re probably picturing something a bit different from these hotels, each of them lodges in their own unique way.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of January 27.
The History of Secrecy at Chateau Marmont
Shawn Levy literally wrote the book on the Chateau Marmont. The author checks in with Tablet to explain how the legendary hotel became a haven for celebrity mischief almost immediately after opening its doors.
The Best Inexpensive Restaurants in London
The MICHELIN Guide is famous for its star ratings, awarded to the finest restaurants in the world. But diners should pay equal attention to Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation, recognizing the best inexpensive places to eat.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of January 20.
The New Destinations You Should Visit in 2020
When a location gets its first Tablet hotel, it sends a signal that the place has arrived — that a destination has been born. So when it came time to give our picks for where you should travel in the coming year, it was only natural that new Tablet hotels drove our selection.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of January 13.
Dissecting the Transformation of Tulum
Tulum grew from a remote outpost of counterculture to a global hotspot of tourism. We were curious about how that transformation happened, and what was sacrificed along the way.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of January 6.
It’s Too Difficult to Travel Sustainably
Travel is imperative for a healthy planet — it helps us better understand the world and its boundless diversity. But ‘sustainable travel’ isn’t just a contradiction in 2020, it’s damn near impossible. And that has to change.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of December 30.
The Highest-Rated Hotels of the Decade
The boutique hotel revolution that launched in earnest in the aughts all but exploded in the 2010s. There are now options to meet every taste and budget, and more competition for your stay than ever before. To be one of the best boutique hotels of this particular decade is something special indeed.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of December 23.
2019 Travel Story Contest Winner
Congratulations to Alexandros Yannis, winner of our 3rd Annual Travel Story Contest.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of December 16.
The Best Hotel Bars in Paris
A hotel bar that only attracts hotel guests is fine. A hotel bar that also attracts locals — that’s a sign that somebody did something right. There’s a lot going right in Paris these days.
Les Batignolles Is Laying Low in Paris
Few Parisian hotspots remain exclusively for locals. Les Batignolles, however, a former village in the northwest of the city, is heating up and staying a secret from the sightseers. For now.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of December 9.
The True Cost of Train Travel in America
Train travel in the United States is notoriously difficult. Is that a symbol of stagnation and political gridlock, or a small price to pay for progress in other aspects of American life?
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. This week, we’re diving into the best hotels in the wine-famous Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California.
Lighting the Way Forward in Puerto Rico
As Puerto Rico continues to recover from Hurricane Maria and a disastrous federal response in the storm’s aftermath, help has come from an unlikely source: the island’s first luxury hotel.
Up to 50% Off the World's Finest Hotels
For this year’s Black Friday Sale, we reached out to some of the best hotels in the world and asked them to provide extra-low rates for Tablet guests. They didn’t disappoint.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of November 25.
Dreaming of Venice Before it Disappears
Due to rising sea levels, repeated flooding, and a dwindling population, it’s no longer alarmist to worry about the future of Venice — or wonder how much of one it has left.
The Best Inexpensive Restaurants in New York
The MICHELIN Guide is famous for its star ratings, awarded to the finest restaurants in the world. But diners should pay equal attention to Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation, recognizing the best inexpensive places to eat.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of November 18.
Our Favorite Hotels for a Destination Wedding
A destination wedding can take place virtually anywhere — it’s all relative, of course. But you’re not here to see just anywhere. You’re here to see a list of spectacular hotels in exotic locales, so that’s exactly what you shall have.
The Good, the Bad, and the Destination Wedding
Are destination weddings the best or the worst? We can lay out the facts and the figures, the pros and the cons, but that’s a question you’ll need to answer. And you’re going to get your chance.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of November 11.
A Global Gift Guide from Tablet Plus Hotels
What do you get the world traveler who’s seen it all? This holiday season, we decided to branch out. Instead of giving you our own gift recommendations, we asked some of our favorite Tablet Plus hotels around the globe for theirs.
The 3rd Annual Tablet Travel Story Contest
Do you have a great travel story? Send it to us and you could win $300, a lifetime Tablet Plus membership, and a celebrated place in Tablet history. The deadline is December 15.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of November 4.
Gothic Hotels (and Songs by R.E.M., Part 2)
It’s Halloween, so we’re taking a look at hotels with Gothic architecture, a style synonymous with the mysterious and macabre. Why did we also include songs by R.E.M.? The answer may shock you.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of October 28.
The Remarkable History of Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton was founded in 1885 as an unincorporated mining town, and soon became a ghost town — then it was transformed into Dunton Hot Springs, one of the most remarkably creative hotels you’ll ever see.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of October 21.
Cool Hotels Where Kids Will Never Be Bored
You might find it surprising, but there are hotels out there that meet Tablet’s high standards of design and individuality, and are also incredibly welcoming to children, hosting a smorgasbord of exciting activities just for kids.
A Moment with Chef Abram Bissell from The Modern
There’s great excitement surrounding the Museum of Modern Art’s grand reopening on October 21, so we spoke with Chef Abram Bissell, whose two-Michelin starred restaurant — The Modern — not only sits inside the legendary New York museum, but looks out onto its sculpture garden.
Top Ten Plus Hotels of the Week
Tablet Plus hotels are truly exceptional, providing seamless, VIP-level hospitality to our Tablet Plus members — and “In the Spotlight” is a regular series dedicated to celebrating them. Enjoy the top ten Plus hotels for the week of October 14.
Inside the Battle for Alaska’s Wilderness
Alaska is a wondrous sliver of the natural world. It’s also another stage upon which the battle between environmental conservation and industrial development is being fought. Ilona Kauremszky followed in John Muir’s wake and sailed up Alaska’s Inside Passage to see the situation for herself.
Travel Advisories v. The United States of America
Foreign travel to the United States is slumping. Travel advisories issued by other countries can give a clue as to why. They can also be a bit ridiculous.
Live From a Michelin All-Star Dinner
Michelin’s All-Star dinners are a chance for Tablet Plus members to enjoy unique culinary events at the finest restaurants in the world. Below, our own Lucy Lieberman shares her experience from a recent dinner in Washington D.C.
The Florida Keys You Never Knew
The Florida Keys of the 19th century were nothing like they are today. Before tourism dominated Key West, several adventurous professions made it one of Florida’s most booming industrial cities.
The Eternal Charm of Morocco's Riad Hotels
The courtyard, that noble architectural effort to bring the outside in, is a simple endeavor that never fails to uplift. And nowhere is its use more impressive than in the riad hotels of Morocco.
A Women-Only Search for Gender Equality
Jamie Sims Coakley reflects on women’s rights both at home and abroad, and shares her experience traveling without her husband to a country that’s still struggling with gender equality.
Interview with the Hot Stone Massage Model
There’s no shortage of transcendent spa hotels, but when it comes to spa photography, it can be a struggle to capture the euphoric feeling a spa provides. We spent some time with the woman most responsible for helping spa photos rise to the challenge — plus a look at eight of our most enchanting spa hotels.
Of Ceilings and Sustenance in Spain
Photographer Jane Hu recently visited the Spanish cities of Sevilla, Granada, and Barcelona, where she found her lens drawn up to awe-inspiring ceilings and down to mouth-watering meals.
The Worrying Rise of Doomsday Tourism
If climate change has taught us anything, it’s that nothing lasts forever. As ice caps melt and coral reefs die, tourists are rushing to see the world’s most precious treasures before they’re gone. Those visits can raise much-needed awareness, but the extra attention isn’t always for the best.
Elevated Hotels That’ll Never Let You Down
There’s a lot to love about hotels on stilts. Unlike your past romantic partners, when your hotel room leaves you high and dry, it’ll leave you with nothing but positive memories.
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Imagine a teenager deciding to hitchhike their way from London to Kabul. Now imagine thousands of them. What sounds crazy for 2019 was happening with surprising frequency in 1969, on a route known as the Hippie Trail.
The Story of a Pope and His Elephant
The Vatican is no stranger to scandal. And one shameful legend in particular epitomizes the religious, political, and economic realities of a 16th-century papacy. Hilary Bockham, expert guide with Context Travel, tells the twisted tale of Leo X and Hanno the elephant.
The Bounty Beneath the Streets of Rome
The more you burrow down beneath the surface of Rome, the more history you unearth. Theresa Potenza, expert guide with Context Travel, plunges the depths to show us a city that’s eternal both above ground and below.
Freedom Is a California Cottage Hotel
The American West has always represented a certain freedom of movement. It’s no wonder then that California has so many hotels that offer freestanding accommodations: bungalows, cottages, cabanas, or full-on houses that give guests more privacy, more space, more independence — in other words, more freedom.
How the Vacation Came to Be
Martin Luther King said that “the line of progress is never straight.” When it comes to the history of tourism, the line swerved past 99% of the world’s population before it finally delivered the vacation as we know it today.
Georgia Comes Out From Behind the Curtain
Laurent Vernhes, Tablet’s co-founder and CEO, recently visited the former Soviet republic of Georgia, where he discovered unique wines, incredible mountains, and a country that is finally getting the attention it deserves.
A Quintessential American Finds Ugliness Abroad
Mark Twain wrote one of the 19th century’s most popular travel books. But the ugly ways in which he described the world say more about him — and perhaps America — than the places he visited.
A Father and Son Celebrate Self-Love in NYC
After Paul Fishman came out, his relationship with his dad wasn’t quite the same. So he decided to take him on a father-son trip to Pride NYC for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and to learn the history of LGBTQ+ rights.
Magnus Nilsson Prepares His Next Steps
What do you do after closing the world’s most interesting restaurant? If you’re chef Magnus Nilsson, you go back to where you came from.
Struggling With Our Social Media Obsession
One of the most talked-about trends in travel today is how the pursuit of beauty, or, more baldly, the pursuit of social media cachet, might be destroying the world’s most amazing places.
Concrete Isn’t Just for Brutalists Anymore
The Brutalist architecture movement of the 1950s and 60s grew out of “béton brut,” the French idea that concrete in its raw, unfinished form is a powerful expression of beauty. Quite a few modern hotels agree.
200 Years of Tourism in the Catskills
Twice the pinnacle of American tourism, the Catskills have ebbed and flowed in popularity over the past couple of centuries. But the cradle of modern comedy is standing up once again — for the same reasons as always.
The Year’s Most Singular Hotel Designs
As we near the halfway point of 2019, it’s a good time to look at the hotels that have gotten us the most excited so far this year. Since January, we’ve added a crop of thrilling new hotels to the Tablet selection that are especially remarkable for their diversity and range of styles.
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Moai
For centuries, explorers and archaeologists have tried to solve the riddle: how did Easter Island’s tiny population build the massive, big-headed stone statues known as moai? And how did they move them?
A Mexican Beach Holiday with Tablet Plus
Margaritas, sailboats, dolphins — the beaches along the various coasts of Mexico aren’t a hard sell, so we won’t waste your time. We’ll just say that the only thing that improves on paradise is the perfect hotel to frame it.
The Forgotten Women of Hemingway's Paris
Ernest Hemingway’s time in Paris is the stuff of legend, but key players in his story are often overlooked. Samuél Lopez-Barrantes sheds light on a group of pioneering women who had a lasting influence on the young writer.
What Ever Happened to Space Tourism?
News of an upcoming space hotel obviously got our attention, but it also got us thinking: will space tourism ever live up to expectations?
Sydell Group Is King of Their Corner
It’s hard enough to find success with one line of boutique hotels. To be responsible for three of them, like the Sydell group, is extraordinary.
Portugal’s Cutting-Edge Countryside Hotels
Portugal is one of the world’s hottest tourist destinations, due in no small part to the number of exciting new hotels opening throughout the country.
How to See the City in 24 Hours
It’s not uncommon for our memories from a short trip to be stronger than those from a long one. When a vacation is brief, we want to fill it with as much action as possible. It’s a whirlwind, and it’s how Erika Suban first experienced Lisbon.
Tablet Plus in the 17th Century
When a place survives 400 years and people are still clamoring to get on the grounds, it’s no coincidence. Sometimes it’s the building, sometimes it’s the architecture, sometimes the location just never went out of style. And sometimes, it’s a Tablet Plus hotel.
Tablet Plus on the Left Bank of Paris
The stereotype about Paris’ Left Bank — the six arrondissements south of the Seine — is that it’s where the city “learned to think.” Smaller than the Right Bank, it’s still remembered as the haunt of Picasso, Matisse, and Hemingway, where you can still enjoy the timeless Paris of old.
Art Deco Quietly Returns Again
Art Deco has been back in fashion before, most recently in the 1980s, but its latest return to visibility is quite different from its last.
Ludwig II Was Crazy for Castles
If Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar, it’s because you’ve seen it at Disneyland. The inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s palace was the obsession of a 19th century king whose untimely death is still debated today.
The Shinola Hotel Puts Detroit on Display
Detroit is as much of an icon as the brands that built it. Since the Seventies, it had been a city in steep decline, but hotels like the Shinola are helping to lead a dramatic revitalization by celebrating their surroundings.
The Real Heaven on Earth in Hawaii
In 1933, James Hilton introduced the world to Shangri La in his novel Lost Horizon. Not long after its publication, the “richest girl in the world” decided that it wasn’t good enough for heaven on earth to exist on the page, it also needed to exist in Hawaii.
2019's Most Desirable Art Events
Consider timing your travels for the purpose of attending a major art festival or biennial exhibition. These events are a unique chance to be truly immersed in the local art and culture, and 2019 features an impressive slate of opportunities.
Tablet Plus Takes Over South Beach
In Miami’s most iconic neighborhood, our five favorite Tablet Plus hotels can’t help but riff on the history of the place, building on the omnipresent Art Deco style with smart renovations and modern sensibilities.
When Tablet Plus and Michelin Stars Collide
In basketball, a heat check is when a player takes an extra-difficult shot in order to show off how ‘on fire’ they are. These nine hotels are the hospitality equivalent.
Tablet Plus Relaxes in Indonesia
When you think of Indonesia, the island nation that welcomes some millions each year, your thoughts may drift to scenes of raucous partying on an idyllic beach (especially if you’re picturing Bali). You’re not wrong. But there is another, more relaxing side.
Unique Attractions for Your Next Trip (Vol. 2)
All throughout 2019 we’ll be introducing selections of unique attractions designed to help inspire your next big trip. Volume 2 explores destinations that are worth seeking out in Colombia, Japan, Iceland, and California.
It's Tea Time in London for Tablet Plus
At five of our favorite Tablet Plus hotels in London, afternoon tea means menus packed with gourmet sandwiches, inventive, guilty pleasure cupcakes and the finest imported teas from around the world.
The Overwater Bungalow: At Home in Maldives
The overwater bungalow is one of the most impressive hotel species in the world. The very first were found in Tahiti in the 1960s, but the islands of the Maldives are now their dominant habitat.
Discovering the World Through Cinema
Cinema can take you where you’ve never been. On the eve of the Academy Awards, we’re taking a look at six classic films with powerful perspectives on the towns where they take place.
Tablet Plus Hotels of the Amalfi Coast
The picturesque, cliff-hugging hotels of the Amalfi coast region are already some of the finest hotels in the world. These five hotels are made even finer by the fact that they’re Tablet Plus.
The Family-Owned Hotels of Tablet Plus
When a hotel boasts that they’re family-owned, it guarantees a certain attention to detail, a certain personal touch.
Angkor Wat Is Having Another Moment
In the early 13th century, Angkor was the monumental focal point of one of the world’s most astonishing empires. Eight hundred years later, it’s taking center stage all over again.
A Test Case for Responsible Tourism
Pig Beach is exactly what it sounds like. It’s one of the most intriguing tourist attractions in the world. It also raises some serious questions about how we travel.
Four Unique Attractions for Your Next Trip (Vol. 1)
Throughout 2019 we’ll be introducing selections of unique attractions to consider visiting on your next big trip. Volume 1 explores destinations that are worth seeking out in New Mexico, Australia, Chile, and Zimbabwe.
Southern Hospitality (and Songs by R.E.M.)
For our hotels that sit south of the Mason-Dixon line, “Southern Hospitality” isn’t a cliche, it’s a fundamental expectation (like having a bit of heat in your fried chicken). We’ve decided to spice things up a bit ourselves by pairing some great Southern hotels with songs from a great Southern band.
Liz Lambert Writes About Her Passion
One of the world’s most important hotel developers explains why hotels are so important.
The Most Exciting New Hotels of 2019
These eleven new hotels are breaking new ground with their service and design, and they’re set to break out big in the coming year.
The State of Hospitality in 2019
Hotels have figured out that specificity is the key to success in the modern world of hospitality. As a result, the state of the industry has never been stronger.
Seven Enduring Destinations for 2019
Our favorite destinations for 2019 each have long and lasting histories. They’ve humbled travelers for many years — and they deserve a visit during the upcoming one as well.
Our Staff Imagines the Hotels of Tomorrow
Here at Tablet, we’ve seen just about everything that the hotel industry has to offer — and we also know what it hasn’t thought to try yet. That’s why we asked our staff to imagine the hotels they hope to see in the future.
The Highest-Rated Hotels of 2018
We take a look back at the best-reviewed Tablet hotels of the past year — which would place them high in the running for best hotels in the world.
How Not to Piss Off a Japanese Chef
Japan is a country where the people go to great lengths in the name of hospitality. But there are lines that can be crossed — especially in restaurants. Tokyo-based chef and food blogger Marc Matsumoto outlines the five rules you need to remember if you don’t want to run afoul of a Japanese chef.
12 Gift Ideas for the Traveler in Your Life
It’s important that your holiday gifts make an impact, but what do you get for the world traveler who’s seen it all? We’ve assembled a list of gadgets and artworks that will bring warm feelings to even the most jaded traveler in your life.
Beautiful Books Make the Greatest Gifts
No one makes better books than Phaidon, publishers of innovative volumes on art, architecture, food, travel, and even illustrated books for children. You’ll find all of those subjects and more among our picks for this season’s best and most beautiful books.
Tablet Hotels has been acquired by Michelin, the original travel curators whose iconic guides have led the way to adventure for over 100 years.
A First-Timer's Guide to Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole’s particular confluence of old west and new west has helped it become the wilderness escape of choice for the rich and famous.
Catching Up with the Eclipse Chasers
Year after year, eclipse chasers traverse the globe in pursuit of a high that only comes from witnessing one of the universe’s most mesmerizing events.
Michelin's New Stars in New York City
Michelin recently revealed its 2019 stars for our hometown of New York City. We’re highlighting our favorite restaurants from the list, pairing them with a fine hotel, and taking a deeper look at the history of Michelin’s lofty honor.
2018 Travel Story Contest Winner
I can’t tell you where I am because I could be anywhere right now, but I can tell you I am always with you.
Experiencing the Spiritual Calm of Bali
People visit Bali for a lot of reasons: to surf or sunbathe in the south, to snorkel or scuba dive in the east, to see dolphins in the north, or see the national park in the west. Erika Suban, our Italian writer and travel specialist, had reasons more spiritual in mind.
A First-Timer's Guide to Montevideo
Smaller and calmer than nearby Buenos Aires, the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo is as fascinating a center of culture and history as anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. It also has a lot of meat.
2018 Travel story runner up - Forrest Reid
I proved today how small the world is. Or maybe I only proved how small the circles I run in it are.
2018 Travel Story Runner Up - Trisha Ridinger McKee
Heartbreak is a funny thing. It already takes you out of your comfort zone so that you’re sometimes willing to go even further into the unknown, to try something different, perhaps a little dangerous. Dangerous, at least, to a naive, sheltered young woman.
2018 Travel Story Runner Up - Deborah Lane
My name is Deborah Lane. I am a widow, I live on my farm. My mother Areta also lives with me.
12 Different Kinds of Caribbean Vacation
There’s a certain sameness to many travelers’ vision of a Caribbean vacation: sun, sand, rinse, repeat. But there’s a surprising amount of variety available throughout the region, especially when it comes to hotel experiences.
9 Unusual Foods For Adventurous Eaters
We’ve partnered with Atlas Obscura — chroniclers of all things odd and overlooked — to investigate nine of the most eye-catching, unusual, and fascinating foods throughout the world.
A First-Timer's Guide to Marseille
Besides its enviable Mediterranean geography, Marseille spent the aughts building new museums and revitalizing public spaces. It shows.
13 Hotels in Precarious Positions
Forget haunted hotels, you’ve seen that list a million times. This Halloween, we’re focusing on hotels in scarily precarious locations that are not for the faint of heart.
Why Hotels Continue to Love Modernism
Hotel design has been heavily influenced by Modernism for a couple of decades now, outlasting other trends along the way. It’s easy to see why.
16 Homes by Iconic Modernist Architects
Hotels frequently find inspiration in residential design. With help from Dwell, we’ve selected sixteen influential homes that were designed by some of the 20th century’s most iconic Modernist architects.
Hotel Pools with Awe-Inspiring Views
At many hotels in spectacular locations, the pools are positioned to provide the best possible views of the surrounding scenery. They’re often the star attraction of the property, and as we confirmed recently, Tablet users can’t get enough of them.
A First-Timer's Guide to Bhutan
Bhutan only opened to visitors in 1974, and keeps their numbers limited by charging a daily fee of $250 per traveler. Is it worth the price? Yes, it absolutely is.
The Pure Opulence of Palace Hotels
William Blake wrote that “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.” Conversely, there are few better ways to achieve excess — the good, healthy kind — than through the incredible opulence of a palace hotel.
Cape Town Delivers in Three Distinct Ways
From the city to the coast to the countryside, Cape Town is the kind of place that has something for everyone.
14 Hotels Made From Old Monasteries
Sometimes you need a little rest and reflection. Sometimes you need a little spirited self-indulgence. These monastery hotels are for when you need quite a bit of both.
A First-Timer's Guide to Toronto
Diversity is the word to describe Toronto, both in culture and attractions. It’s a city where you can find any community of people, and almost any kind of activity.
Chiang Mai, Santiago or Cappadocia?
When you work in travel, you’re exposed to a seemingly endless amount of amazing vacation options, and choosing between them can sometimes be paralyzing. Our own Mitchell Friedman is experiencing this indecision quite acutely, and he needs your help. Where should he go next?
How Did You Spend Your Summer Vacation?
Do you have a great travel story? Send it to us and you could win $300, a lifetime Tablet Plus membership, and a celebrated place in Tablet history.
A First-Timer's Guide to Cusco
Don’t just settle for Machu Picchu — Peru’s Cusco region contains far more than that one amazing ancient ruin. It’s also got a lovely and lively capital city.
The Best College Town Hotels
If you’re struggling to decide which college you or your child should attend, just remember, there’s really only one factor that you need to consider: the quality of nearby hotels.
Our Most Exhilarating Hotel Photos, Part 2
The most-liked photos from our Instagram feed showcase an epic group of dream hotels and locations. Vote for your favorite, and we’ll give you more just like it. Part 2 of our series features hotel interiors.
Our Most Exhilarating Hotel Photos, Part 1
The most-liked photos from our Instagram feed showcase an epic group of dream hotels and locations. Vote for your favorite, and we’ll give you more just like it. Part 1 of our series features hotel exteriors.
The Unexpected Side of Chicago
Chicago’s famous attractions are as iconic as the Midwestern reputation for niceness. But things are not always what they seem. With help from Atlas Obscura, we’re exposing a lesser-known side of the city — and its residents.
A First-Timer's Guide to Prague
Prague is 10 centuries old and full to the brim with castles, monasteries, gorgeous Gothic architecture, and of course, a whole lot of delicious beer.
14 Carefully Converted Mansion Hotels
By paying attention to both the past and the present, the brand new owners of these grand old homes transformed them into boutique hotels that are bursting with personality.
Finding Faith in the Parklands of Utah
Utah is overflowing with glorious landscapes and breathtaking scenery. Its backcountry is blessed with numerous state and national parks, monuments, forests, and preserves — and Mark Fedeli spent his honeymoon trying to visit them all. The experience was profound.
Inside the Bush, Outside of Sydney
North of Sydney, a modern house sits comfortably amidst the bushland of a valley estuary. Lucky for you, there’s no shortage of hotels that will immerse you in nature, yet keep plenty of cutting-edge amenities close by.
Minimalism Meets Maximalism in Iceland
Set on a ridge overlooking a deep ravine, this understated summer home in Iceland is surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery, reminding us of how the best way to experience a maximalist landscape is with a minimalist hotel.
