A massive transformation is underway at Hyatt, and it’s boosting the company — which is behind brands like Alila and Park Hyatt — into major profitability.
The company reported this week a hefty $522 million profit, riding high on recent real estate sales and strength across leisure, group and business travel. It’s more than just Wall Street success keeping things busy at the Chicago-based hotel giant, though.
Hyatt leaders this week touted various successes like growth of the newly integrated partial — and growing — portfolio of Mr & Mrs Smith luxury and boutique hotels. Further, the brand is riding high on swelling travel demand, in part due to the world’s most famous singer; it also could even take on another brand acquisition.
“While we expect year-over-year growth rates to moderate, we are significantly above pre-pandemic levels and are not seeing signs of consumers reducing their leisure travel,” Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said on a Thursday earnings call. “We remain focused on enhancing our network effect by expanding our offerings in new markets and across more price points for our guests and customers,” he later added.
One of the ways Hyatt is looking to expand its offerings is via Mr & Mrs Smith — the booking platform of luxury and boutique hotels Hyatt acquired last year. The first batch of more than 700 Mr & Mrs Smith hotels appeared on World of Hyatt earlier this month, just as Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World entered its last days.
Hoplamazian emphasized that Mr & Mrs Smith will deliver more options for Hyatt customers and that many more hotels will enter the World of Hyatt ecosystem by year’s end.
“We now have more than twice the number of properties previously available through our alliance with Small Luxury Hotels with offerings in 25 additional countries and hundreds of new markets,” Hoplamazian said. “We expect to have approximately 1,000 Mr & Mrs Smith properties available through Hyatt channels and World of Hyatt by the end of this year.”
It appears Hyatt leaders think there are opportunities to bring these hotels into the brand fold even further.
Later in the call, Hoplamazian noted thousands of room nights have already been booked since the first batch of Mr & Mrs Smith hotels entered into the Hyatt orbit. There is significant traveler interest in Europe, where Mr & Mrs Smith has a major presence.
Hoplamazian said:
The vast majority are in Europe because that’s where the critical mass is for Mr & Mrs Smith, but I was surprised to see a number of U.S. markets in which there were very, very unique hotels in markets in which we are underrepresented or not represented. I think it’s very clear based on the hotel owner feedback in the Mr & Mrs Smith network that they are likewise very happy and maybe a bit surprised at the traction that we’ve gained already.
He later noted that some hotel owners in the Mr & Mrs Smith network might even decide to take on a deeper relationship with Hyatt — presumably indicating an opportunity to convert some of these independent hotels into established Hyatt brands.
Taylor Swift (and other factors) boost Hyatt
Hyatt kicked off the year with increasing demand across all three major travel types: leisure, business and group meetings/events.
Leisure travel revenue was up 7% for the first three months of this year, and all-inclusive demand in the Americas region is pacing for a 4% increase for the current quarter ending June 30. Group business was up 6% for the first three months of the year, while business travel demand was up 6%.
The wild figure out of all this is how worldwide business travel demand kicked off the current quarter at Hyatt: Global business travel demand was up 21% compared to a year ago. This is a sign even more travel demand is coming back to life, which will certainly push up hotel rates.
“Of course, we have to mention Taylor Swift, who continues to grow GDP for the world now,” he said. “So, she is having an effect on every market in which she shows up. I see a lot of data and a lot of data points, and I can’t remember when we’ve seen all three segments [leisure, business and group] going so well.”
Hyatt is in the middle of a transformation process where it behaves more like Hilton and Marriott; in other words, it doesn’t own many of its hotels and instead licenses to hotel owners the rights to use its brands. This “asset-light” strategy is why Hilton and Marriott tend to see significantly larger profits than competitors that own a lot of their own buildings.
Hyatt shed billions of dollars in real estate in recent years, including recent sales of a Hyatt Regency in Aruba, the Park Hyatt Zurich and the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk. While the properties may no longer be under Hyatt ownership, they do remain under Hyatt’s oversight; each of the new owners continued the relationship with Hyatt by entering into management agreements with the company.
Moves like this enable Hyatt to focus less on day-to-day real estate ownership and instead pursue growth. This growth comes from beefing up its network with new brands and offerings that attract more customers to the loyalty system.
For example, Hoplamazian noted that while the average Dream Hotel Group customer fit the typical spending power profile of a Hyatt guest, they tended to be 20 years younger on average. Lindner Hotels also had a similar guest profile as Hyatt but brought significantly more reach into Germany than World of Hyatt previously had.
Expect more strategic, selective plays like this going forward — as long as it doesn’t mean getting back into the business of actually owning a lot of hotel real estate.
“With respect to what’s out there, yes, there are some brand opportunities,” Hoplamazian said. “They tend to be narrower, and so we are seeing some activity in that regard, but they’re going to be fewer and further between. It’s just not a very large universe of things that would make sense for us.”
With lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and, of course, world-class surfing and fishing, Costa Rica is a dream destination for adventure travelers. We even included it on our list of the best places to visit in 2024.
Luckily, United Airlineshas an excellent sale on flights toCosta Ricathis summer. Some routes are more than 50% off the usual prices. It’s a great time to book an inexpensive getaway and enjoy the environmentally diverse Central American nation.
Rainforest waterfall in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. LAYNE KENNEDY/GETTY IMAGES
Departure cities for this sale include Fort Lauderdale, New York City and Washington, D.C. The best deal may be out of Newark, where nonstop flights to San Jose are available for just $202. It’s mainly for travel in June, but you can also find some discounted fares in early 2025. If you’re interested in this deal, jump on it before the best prices are gone.
You know the drill by now: Unless otherwise specified, this deal is for basic economy tickets. With United, that means you get a free personal item, but a carry-on bag will cost you around $40 each way. It may make more sense to just pay $5 to $10 more to check a bag.
Airline: United Airlines Routes: From Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York City, Newark and Washington to San Jose How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline Travel dates: Limited dates in June, also January and February 2025
This deal was originally sent out by the deal alert company Going. Sign up for Going to get up to 90% off select flights via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $69 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite tier for $199 per year for access to all the Premium deals, plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.
Let’s start with the sole nonstop route in this offering, which also happens to be the best deal. There is good availability in June for flights from Newark to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica’s capital city for only $202 round-trip.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
According to data from Google Flights, this flight typically costs more than $500. If you’re able to travel light, this is a true steal.
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We also found many options for flights departing from Washington, D.C. You can fly from DCA to SJO in mid-June for just $206 round-trip. Please be aware that the return flight in this example has a rather long layover.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
You can book a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Costa Rica for $256 round-trip.
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In case you’re looking to lock in a good price for a flight further down the road, we found flights from New York City to Costa Rica in January for $257 round-trip. There was good availability at that discounted price from LaGuardia.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
Once again, the best prices we found in early 2025 were out of the Garden State. We found round-trip flights from Newark to San Jose on United for $222, with a nonstop return flight. That’s a solid price.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
Maximize your purchase
Be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
Costa Rica is the ideal destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers and anyone who wants to soak up the sun. Luckily, United is offering major discounts on flights there from U.S. hubs. Check out our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the country before you start planning your trip.
Regent Santa Monica Beach opened for bookings for stays beginning Sept. 3, TPG can exclusively reveal. The hotel marks a return of the Regent brand to the U.S., and it’s the first time it will operate a hotel stateside following IHG’s takeover of the brand in 2018. The ultra-luxury brand has wowed Regent fans and newcomers alike under IHG’s tutelage with openings of hotels in Vietnam, the French Riviera and Hong Kong.
Travelers planning a trip to Regent Santa Monica Beach can book their future stay at the hotel’s booking page here. Guests can also book a stay via the IHG One Rewards app and use IHG One Rewards points to book a stay.
Starting cash rates or points redemption values were not provided before the reservations system went live. Younes Atallah, general manager of Regent Santa Monica Beach, said in a statement:
“The opening of reservations marks an exciting milestone for Regent Santa Monica Beach, our community, and future guests. This moment represents a new chapter in ultra-luxury hospitality along the Santa Monica coast and the long-awaited opportunity for guests to book their stay and soon experience the exceptional service and exquisite amenities that await them. We eagerly anticipate celebrating the return of the Regent brand to the Americas and warmly welcoming our guests to their beachside personal haven that is Regent Santa Monica Beach.”
Regent Santa Monica Beach is offering future guests a 24% discount on reservations booked through the end of this year. Guests will also receive a $240 credit to use at any of the resort’s restaurants and bars, at Guerlain Spa or toward resort fees and parking.
The package requires a nonrefundable deposit of one night’s stay. While the reservation must be made by the end of this year, the booking can be for stays through May 31, 2025.
IHG
Regent Santa Monica Beach will wow
The Santa Monica property is slated to feature a restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Mina, a 10,000-square-foot Guerlain Spa, an oceanfront pool deck and beach butler service. Following a more than $150 million gut renovation to what was formerly a Loews hotel, Regent Santa Monica Beach is expected to be Regent’s flagship in the Americas region.
The vibe is California chic: A palm-lined lobby with white furnishings and marble floors practically begs to be the backdrop of a Nancy Meyers movie (should the director ever decide to come out of retirement and get back into the business of filming fabulous aspirational architectural backdrops).
Spacious is an understatement regarding Regent Santa Monica’s 143 guest rooms and 24 suites. Entry-level guest rooms start at 720 square feet — larger than many city apartments.
The entry-level room category, dubbed 720 for its spacious starter square footage, comes in seven different configurations and can range from 720 to 895 square feet. Options include pool, city and ocean views, as well as rooms with private patios and fire pits or balconies.
Regent Santa Monica one-bedroom suites come in five different configurations and range from 950 to 1,400 square feet. Options include pool, city or ocean views, plus corner suite options like the Malibu Oceanfront Corner One-Bedroom Suite King.
The ultimate splurge will be Regent’s Signature Suites, which come in six configurations ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 square feet. These include the Poolside Townhouse, the Oceanfront Corner Terrace Suite, the Pacifica Oceanfront Suite, the Oceanfront Two-Story Atrium Suite, the Malibu Sunset Suite and the Santa Monica Presidential Suite — which includes four Juliet balconies and a game room.
IHG
IHG’s hidden ultra-luxury gem
The upcoming opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach is a major milestone for IHG — and there’s a lot riding on the brand getting it right.
IHG acquired Six Senses and Regent to fill a void in the ultra-luxury space above InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, which had been IHG’s most luxurious brand prior to the dual acquisitions.
Six Senses still doesn’t have a hotel open in the U.S., so Regent Santa Monica Beach will be the debut of one of the new ultra-luxury tools in IHG’s toolkit to woo American travelers. Regent Phu Quoc, Regent Hong Kong and Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, have wowed guests with their respective openings in the past couple of years.
Regent’s standards — like “personal havens” (luxurious rooms and suites that are as much attractions as the hotel’s surroundings) and “with compliments” (giveaways like complimentary minibar offerings or free laundry and pressing services) — have made the brand IHG’s viable competitor to bigger ultra-luxury hotel offerings like Four Seasons and St. Regis.
Regent’s interactive Taste Studio has a following of travelers booking stays just to enjoy the one-of-a-kind dining experience at Regent hotels worldwide. Think of it like the Regent culinary version of Aman’s legion of followers, known in the travel orbit as “Aman junkies.”
Regent will face a hefty mix of ultra-luxury competition in Southern California, but it arrives on the shores of Santa Monica Beach with unique offerings and a prime location overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
That combination should make the brand’s U.S. homecoming one that will elevate the hospitality game in Greater Los Angeles.
Amex Offers can add extra points or savings to your upcoming purchases.
We’re seeing savings with popular brands like Lululemon, Delta, Best Buy and Hertz. The bonuses and savings range from earning up to 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent to up to $50 back.
Lululemon and Sephora: Earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. (TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents per point, so this equates to a 10% return on spending.)
Hilton: Spend $180 or more and get $40 back.
Delta: Spend $180 or more via Amex Travel and get $40 back. (You have to book through Amex Travel for this offer, where prices may be higher than booking directly with the airline, so make sure to do your research.)
JetBlue: Spend $200 or more and get $50 back.
Hertz: Spend $150 or more and get $40 back.
Cardmembers can go to the Amex Offers section in their account and activate these offers. The purchases must be made on your Platinum card to receive these bonuses and savings.
Although there are targeted offers on your Amex cards all year, we’re seeing great offers specifically for Platinum cardmembers to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Whether you’re buying clothes, beauty products or taking a family vacation, these offers should help you save money or earn extra points on your purchases right in time for summer.
Check your Amex Offers regularly to see if any are relevant for you and pocket those savings for travel in the future.
Apply here: Amex Platinum card. Check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an up to 175,000-point welcome offer (after meeting minimum spending requirements). These offers are subject to change at any time.
Head to the Travel tab in the Bilt Rewards app to link your Hilton Honors account with your Bilt account and transfer points in increments of 1,000. Bilt elite members can transfer as few as 1,000 Bilt Points per transfer, but Bilt Blue tier members must transfer at least 2,000 Bilt Points per transfer.
A Bilt spokesperson told TPG via email that members should watch for “additional benefits and promotions between Hilton Honors and Bilt Rewards as this week is just the start of our partnership.” To celebrate the kickoff of this partnership, Bilt members who transfer points to Hilton Honors by June 8 will get 1,000 bonus Hilton points on their first transfer.
Of course, just because you can transfer Bilt points to Hilton Honors doesn’t mean you should. TPG’s valuations peg the value of Hilton points at 0.6 cents each and Bilt points at 2.05 cents each. This means that for every Bilt point you transfer to Hilton, you’re losing about 1.45 cents in value.
As such, most Bilt members will get more value from transferring their points to higher-value transfer partners such as World of Hyatt when they want to book a hotel. That said, transferring Bilt points to Hilton could make sense if you need a few more points for a Hilton redemption or you’re booking a high-value Hilton award stay. Remember, though, that there are many other ways to earn Hilton points.
It’s always good when a transferable points currency adds more transfer partners. Bilt has added to its transfer partner roster several times within the last year. However, most Bilt members will get more value when transfering their points to other Bilt transfer partners.
Two of the best travel rewards cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, both currently have sign-up bonuses of 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. There are many ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but you’ll usually get the most value when you transfer your rewards to one or more Chase transfer partners.
To illustrate the types of trips you could book with these new sign-up bonuses, two TPG staffers and I each went on trips using 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I opted to book flights and an all-inclusive resort for a last-minute weekend escape to Mexico with my husband. Here’s how I did it and what our trip was like.
How I planned this trip
When the opportunity to redeem 75,000 Chase points for a last-minute trip dropped into my lap, my schedule was already pretty full. But we could fit in a long-weekend trip in mid-April. So I started looking at what type of getaway I could book that would cost 75,000 Chase points or less for both of us.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
World of Hyatt, which is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, has drastically expanded its Inclusive Collection of all-inclusive resorts over the last few years. But I’d yet to find an opportunity to visit any. So, I checked whether I could stretch the 75,000 points into a weekend trip to a Hyatt all-inclusive resort for my husband and me. I was willing to go anywhere in North America as long as I could fit round-trip flights for two and a few nights at a resort into my points allotment.
As it turns out, I was able to put together the perfect last-minute Cancun trip.
I was amazed when I found a nonstop flight from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Cancun International Airport (CUN) on my desired Friday departure date bookable for just 2,905 Southwest points plus $48.23. The negative: This flight departed Houston at 6:45 p.m. and arrived in Cancun at 9 p.m. That’s a particularly late arrival if we were going to only spend a few nights in Mexico.
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The slightly more expensive Wanna Get Away Plus fare allows for free same-day flight changes starting at midnight on the day of travel if space is available. So, after having been on many Southwest flights recently that either went out with empty seats or cleared many standby passengers at the gate, I decided to book a Wanna Get Away Plus fare for my husband at 4,565 points plus $48.23 in taxes and fees with the hope we’d be able to use a same-day change to take one of the two earlier nonstop flights.
You might be wondering, “That’s just one ticket. What about your flight, Katie?” The reason I only needed points for a single ticket was that my husband earned a Southwest Companion Pass in early 2023 that’s valid through the end of 2024. So, I could add myself to his flight for no additional points, instead only paying $48.23 in taxes and fees for the second ticket.
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No space was available on either earlier flight when the same-day change window opened at midnight on the day of our flight. But I woke up at 7 a.m. to check availability again and snagged two of three available seats on the 9:25 a.m. departure. This same-day flight change meant we arrived in Cancun nine hours earlier than we would have on our original flight, albeit with a little less sleep than is optimal!
The downside of our same-day flight change: We got C17 and C18 boarding positions. We expected this and planned to buy Upgraded Boarding, as our Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card reimburses up to four Upgraded Boarding purchases each anniversary year. However, no Upgraded Boarding positions were left for our flight when we checked in.
We assumed these mid-C boarding positions would put us in middle seats near the back of the aircraft. But although we were some of the last passengers to board, we were surprised to find empty window and aisle seats near the front of the plane. We each sat next to couples and found the approximately two-hour flight comfortable.
46,000 points for 2 nights at a Hyatt all-inclusive resort
Hyatt award availability in Cancun was limited when I booked my stay about two weeks before departure. But, out of the options available, Dreams Jade Resort & Spa stood out for its Preferred Club — which I could access as a Hyatt Globalist member — and its beachfront setting just 30 minutes from CUN.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Dreams Jade Resort & Spa is a Hyatt Category B property that costs 17,000 points on off-peak nights, 20,000 points on standard nights and 23,000 points on peak nights. Unfortunately, both nights of my weekend stay were peak nights, so I had to redeem 46,000 points for my two-night stay. If I’d paid cash, I would have needed to pay $1,088 for the same room — giving me a solid redemption value of 2.37 cents per point.
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Besides its beautiful beachfront location, the highlights of Dreams Jade Resort & Spa are its friendly staff, excitable guests and good-quality food. I was impressed with most dishes I tried, including the ceviche at Castaways Cafe, the Preferred Club Pool Cafe fish tacos, and the Spice salmon.
Fish tacos, a burger and fries at the Preferred Pool Cafe. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
I also absolutely loved the swings and hammock chairs at the beachfront bar — this was my favorite place to chill.
I was impressed by the good attitudes of my fellow guests, many of whom could be found cheering for others in pool activities, chatting to strangers at the bar and learning new dances.
Hyatt elite perks on-site, outside of Preferred Club access and a higher-floor room with an appealing view, were limited. But the only timeshare sales pitch I got was at the airport while waiting for my hotel shuttle.
View from my room’s balcony. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Finding a modestly priced award flight from Cancun to Austin on April 14 proved difficult — especially since we booked within two weeks of departure and wanted to leave later in the day to maximize our time in Mexico.
I booked what is likely the most expensive Southwest award flight I’ve ever reserved for my husband: a nonstop Cancun-to-Austin flight for 23,074 points plus $77.58 in taxes and fees. This nonstop flight was perfect, though, as it let us enjoy the morning and even have lunch and a few final drinks at the resort before leaving for the airport.
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As with our other Southwest flights, I could add myself as a companion after booking my husband’s flight. My cost with his Companion Pass was just the taxes and fees.
SOUTHWEST.COM
We checked in for our flight exactly 24 hours before departure and got B15 and B16 boarding positions. We snagged a window and aisle seat in the same row near the back of the aircraft. The flight departed with no empty seats, but a woman seemed happy to sleep most of the flight in the middle seat between us.
I wasn’t sure whether traveling to Mexico for only two nights would be enjoyable. But we had a nice long weekend, especially since we had nonstop flights and could spend over 48 hours enjoying the all-inclusive resort. We loved the energy of the guests and staff at Dreams Jade Resort & Spa and spent the weekend relaxing. Knowing what I know now, I’m happy we took this trip.
My Hyatt Globalist status gave us a nicer experience at Dreams Jade, including a high-floor room with sweeping views across the resort and access to better-quality drinks in the Preferred Club lounge.
Having the Companion Pass made Southwest a compelling option for booking round-trip flights for my husband and me, especially since Southwest operated nonstop flights on the routes we needed. Taking advantage of a same-day flight change for our Houston-to-Cancun flight was also extremely valuable.
That being said, I normally wouldn’t transfer Chase points to Southwest. After all, I like to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for at least 2 cents per point. For reference, we got 1.79 cents per point on our outbound flight, 2.37 cents per point on our Hyatt all-inclusive stay and 1.35 cents per point on our return flight (assuming you put the points cost of my Companion Pass flights at zero).
It was fun to show how one sign-up bonus — and some cash to cover the taxes, fees, tips and airport transfers — could get us a last-minute getaway to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve offering 75,000-point sign-up bonuses, now is a good time to apply. This story focused on how I redeemed 75,000 points for a getaway, but you could use the 75,000 points in many other ways. For example, you could transfer 75,000 Chase points to Hyatt and redeem for up to 21 off-peak Category 1 Hyatt hotel nights.
I will come right out and say it: Ultra-low-cost airlines have gotten a bad rap.
Yes, you have to pay for a cup of water and overhead bin space for your carry-on bag, but if you know what to expect with a budget airline and plan accordingly, you can travel all over the U.S. — and even to a few international destinations — without busting your vacation budget.
Flying with a low-cost carrier can be as enjoyable as it is affordable … as long as you know these seven important tips.
Know what to expect at booking and on board
Seating on Frontier’s Airbus A321neo. DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
If you book a base ticket with an ultra-low-cost airline, you are booking a seat on the aircraft (including space under the seat in front of you for your personal item) and nothing else. Add-ons like water or soda, snacks, Wi-Fi, printed boarding passes and seat selection are not included in the cost of your ticket.
You can pay an additional fee for drinks and snacks, inflight Wi-Fi, checked and carry-on baggage and the option to choose your own seat. However, those fees can add up quickly. For example, bringing a checked or carry-on bag can add nearly $80 to your ticket’s cost each way, negating the point of purchasing a low-cost ticket.
You will have roughly one or two fewer inches of legroom than the industry average of 30 inches. Depending on the carrier and aircraft, you may be surprised that your seat doesn’t have a seatback pocket or full-size tray table. Economy seats aren’t exactly known for being as comfortable as your favorite recliner at home, and truthfully, seats on low-cost airlines don’t feel much different from a seat on any other airline.
None of these details should discourage you from booking with a budget airline; you just want to be prepared with everything you need for a comfortable flight before you step on board.
Pack everything in a personal item
Frontier Airlines carry-on sizer. CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
There is only one way to avoid baggage fees on ultra-low-cost airlines: Pack everything into an appropriately sized personal item bag. A personal item is a small bag — like a purse, briefcase, duffel bag, small backpack or small hard-sided suitcase — that can slide all the way under the seat in front of you.
Most budget airlines require that your personal item not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches (including handles and wheels). If you bring a bag larger than that, you may be required to pay for your bag at the gate, and the fee will be higher than if you had prepaid.
Whether the gate agents actually check the size of your bag depends on the airport and the day. Some agents are better about checking bag dimensions than others, but they can verify the size of your bag at any time, so it’s not worth risking it.
Some hacks, such as putting some of your items in a stuffable neck pillow like the DreamShore Stuffable Travel Pillow for $19.99 (normally $35.99), can help you save space. However, the gate agent may count it as a second item, in which case you would need to be able to stuff it inside your bag. So, make sure you don’t stuff it too full.
Regarding which bags are best, the Take Off Luggage Personal Item Suitcase for $99.99 (normally $119.99) is a space-saving, hard-sided suitcase with removable wheels designed to fit under your seat. For a soft-sided option, you can search for “Spirit Airlines personal item bag” on Amazon to find several options in different shapes and sizes that meet the size requirements.
You can do a few things to ensure everything fits in such a small bag:
Only bring the shoes you wear on the plane, if possible. Shoes can take up a lot of room in your bag.
Wear your bulkiest clothing items (like a hat, sweater or jacket) on the plane.
Do laundry at your destination so you can pack less.
Don’t bring a hair dryer if there will be one at your hotel.
Bring a water bottle and snacks
Spirit Airlines inflight menu. SPIRIT.COM
Depending on the length of your flight, you may be able to get by without a drink or snack. Air travel can be dehydrating, though, and sometimes a little snack can cure an upset stomach caused by turbulence, so we think it is best to always have food and a drink on hand.
To save money on drinks, bring a water bottle from home and fill it at one of the bottle-filling stations after you pass through airport security. You can pack a few snacks like protein bars, chips or crackers in your personal item bag. You can even pack an entire meal if it’ll fit in your bag.
Bring your own entertainment
Download music, movies, books or podcasts before your flight. JOEL GUAY/GETTY IMAGES
Not all ultra-low-cost carriers offer inflight Wi-Fi. For example, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines and Frontier Airlines do not offer inflight Wi-Fi or entertainment. Spirit Airlines does offer Wi-Fi, though it’ll cost $3.99 for basic Wi-Fi and $6.99 for streaming-quality Wi-Fi.
If you are stuck on a flight without Wi-Fi or want to opt out of add-on fees for inflight internet, download entertainment options before your flight. You can download books, games, movies, podcasts or music to your smartphone or bring a good old-fashioned book or magazine.
Charge your devices and pack an external battery
Charge your devices before you get to the airport. FRAZO STUDIO LATINO/GETTY IMAGES
If you want to use your phone as an entertainment source during your flight, ensure it is fully charged before you board. Budget carriers do not offer USB or standard outlets at your seat, and books and movies can drain your battery quickly.
In addition to bringing a fully charged device on board, it’s also smart to bring a portable charger that can help keep your device at 100% when you land. Whether or not you use your phone on board, you will probably need it after your flight to pick up your rental car or call a ride-hailing service.
Join the airline’s loyalty program
Spirit Airlines airport counter. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
If you want to check bags or select seats, you can do so by joining an airline’s loyalty program. Each one works a bit differently, but once you spend enough with a given airline, you will reach an elite status level that comes with certain perks.
For example, Spirit’s Free Spirit program is free to join and allows you to earn points for every dollar spent with the airline. Once you earn 2,000 status qualifying points, you will earn Free Spirit Silver status; it comes with free add-ons like complimentary exit row seat assignments and shortcut boarding. You can reach Free Spirit Gold status after earning 5,000 SQPs; it comes with additional perks, including one free checked and carry-on bag, free seat selection at booking and a free inflight snack and beverage.
The Frontier Miles program works similarly to Spirit’s. The four status levels are Elite Silver, Elite Gold, Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond. Each comes with its own set of perks like free seat selection, priority boarding and free bags, based on how much you spend with the airline.
Allegiant’s Allways Rewards program is even simpler to use. Once you join, you earn points for every dollar spent and can redeem them at a rate of 100 points per dollar for flights and add-ons.
Have the right credit cards
TSA PreCheck security lane. PATRICK T. FALLON/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
If you fly ultra-low-cost airlines like Spirit or Frontier often, you may benefit from signing up for one of their cobranded credit cards to earn annual flight vouchers and elite qualifying miles.
But that isn’t the only way to make your budget flight experience feel more luxurious. If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can use the card’s up to $200 airline fee credit toward add-ons with several airlines, including Spirit. You have until Jan. 31 each year to enroll and choose your airline for the year. After enrolling, you will automatically receive up to $200 in statement credits for add-ons like seat assignments, upgraded seats, checked and carry-on bags, and inflight food and beverage purchases throughout the year.
Credit cards can also help you fast-track your way through airport security with statement credits that will cover the TSA PreCheck application fee. Once enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, these cards will reimburse the fee you pay for new applications and renewals.
A handful of credit cards also cover a $189 annual Clear membership, which can further shorten your time in the security screening lane. Clear is an expedited security program that utilizes biometric data to verify your identity. Clear members go through a separate security lane with dedicated kiosks rather than waiting for a Transportation Security Administration agent to review their license or passport.
You may not be able to get free snacks and drinks on your flight, but you can get them in an airport lounge if you have the right credit card. Several credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access so you have somewhere to eat, relax, charge your devices and freshen up while you wait for a flight.
For budget-conscious vacationers, low-cost airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant and Avelo have opened up a world of travel that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Other travelers prefer how cheaper flights leave more money in their travel budget for a hotel stay, meals and activities once they reach their destination.
Regardless of the reason, I’m a big fan of budget airlines because they get me where I need to go without breaking the bank.
Universal Studios Hollywood has decades of history as a working movie studio and is home to more than a dozen rides and attractions that make you the star of your favorite film franchises. But there is one thing it doesn’t have yet — a high-speed, outdoor roller coaster.
That won’t be the case for long, though.
On May 3, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that its first-ever high-speed, outdoor roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, will open in 2026.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
As you may have surmised, Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest installation draws inspiration from the blockbuster “Fast & Furious” series. There are currently 10 installments in the “Fast & Furious” saga, with an 11th action-packed movie on the way. The original film, released in 2001, pulled up the curtain on the world of illegal street racing but has since evolved to include high-stakes heists, undercover spy operations and, of course, family.
When Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opens in 2026, you’ll become a part of that lightning-fast family as you zip over and around the park on a winding aerial track. The coaster will utilize a state-of-the-art ride system with 360-degree rotating vehicles that recreate the sensation of “drifting.” Universal has not yet announced a top speed for the coaster, but we can only assume it will be both fast and furious.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s small size is likely a factor as to why the park has waited until now to add an outdoor coaster. Though the destination is now part-movie studio, part-theme park, the space was originally founded in 1915 purely to create films — a coaster of this scale wasn’t in the plans at the time. Additionally, the property sits on a relatively small lot and is beholden to local noise regulations. (Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will utilize sound reduction technology.)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
“As a premier entertainment theme park destination with a rich history in immersing guests in incredible rides based on today’s most inspiring movie, television and gaming properties, we are excited to introduce our very first, high-speed outdoor roller coaster,” Scott Strobl, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, said in a press release. “As Universal Studios Hollywood continues to evolve, the arrival of ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ will be a powerful game changer that will infuse a new level of thrill into our already dynamic theme park, and we look forward to welcoming guests when it races onto the scene in 2026.”
This won’t be the park’s first roller coaster. That honor goes to Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride, though that ride’s top speed of 45 mph doesn’t have the same thrill factor that this upcoming attraction is rumored to have. The “Fast & Furious” franchise is already represented at Universal Studios Hollywood as part of the Studio Tour’s “Fast & Furious — Supercharged” experience. It’s unclear yet whether “Supercharged” will be replaced or remain as it is today.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is one of several projects in the works right now for Universal Destinations & Experiences. Other projects include the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, DreamWorks Land opening this summer at Universal Orlando and the Epic Universe theme park coming to Universal Orlando next year.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be located on the park’s Upper Lot along with attractions like the Studio Tour, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Stay tuned to TPG for further details on this ride as the opening date draws near.
Gourmet French dinners, $5,000 cocktail experiences, serene infinity pools and penthouse suites that cost thousands of dollars a night might not be the first thing you think of when someone mentions a Disney cruise. But you’ll find it all on Disney ships.
I sailed with the line for the first time more than a decade ago, and I didn’t want to take the assignment. I’m a child-free adult, I’m not a particularly over-the-top Disney fan, and all I could imagine was a theme park at sea — characters everywhere, souvenir shops galore and, of course, tons of kids.
Simply, I was wrong.
Disney Wish docked at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
What I found was an absolutely wonderful experience on an elegant ship with superb service, phenomenal entertainment, delicious food and just enough subtle magic to instill a bit of childlike wonder without making me feel immature.
Disney Cruise Line has maintained its four older ships exceptionally well, and its newest vessel, Disney Wish — its first new-build in 10 years — is also pretty great. Across the board, my opinion still stands: Disney cruises aren’t just for kids. So, if you’re trying to find a Disney cruise for adults, don’t worry — they all fit the bill. Here are five reasons why you’ll love the experience, even as a grownup.
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You control how ‘Disney’ you want it to be
Formal ears at Enchante on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Let me allay your fears: When you sail with Disney, you won’t be overwhelmed by Mickey and friends the way you might be at the brand’s land-based amusement parks. However, that experience is available should you choose to seek it.
The subtlety with which Disney manages to incorporate branded touches on its ships is commendable and classy. You’ll find nods to various Disney animated movie classics as you move between decks — a pumpkin on the carpet here, a snowflake on the wall there — but you’re likely to find it more tasteful than obnoxious.
If you’d like to avoid a largely Disney-fied ambience, it’s easy to do. If, instead, you prefer a more immersive cruise, you’re also in luck, as the ships host scheduled character meet-and-greets, themed dining experiences and more.
The Cove adults-only sun deck on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Grownups who wish to keep strictly to an older crowd will love the adults-only venues on all Disney ships.
On Disney’s four older vessels — Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy (which is my pick for the best Disney cruise ship for adults), Disney Wonder and Disney Magic — adults-only bars and nightclubs are clustered into one area, known as The District. After 9 p.m., nobody younger than 18 is permitted inside, allowing the more mature set to let its hair down sans kids.
On Disney Wish, the age-limited spaces are more spread out, a purposeful layout designed to help alleviate crowding and improve traffic flow. Personally, I prefer The District’s setup, but the watering holes on the new ship are, frankly, the most impressive in the fleet to date.
What’s impressive about these offerings is that most other ships don’t have them. Apart from Virgin Voyages, Viking, P&O Cruises and Saga Cruises, all of which sail adults-only vessels, the most other lines offer is an adults-only sun deck or pool here and there. Even where those areas exist, age limits aren’t always strictly enforced, and sometimes you have to pay for access, none of which is the case on Disney ships.
Even the least expensive accommodations are elevated
A balcony cabin on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Disney cruises are a cut above the sailings you’ll find with most other mainstream lines. When it comes to accommodations, even the most basic feel elevated. All have two bathrooms; one has a shower with a tub (rare on cruise ships) and a sink, and the other has a toilet and a sink.
Disney provides its own brand of toiletries in cabin bathrooms. The products are so popular — they smell divine — that the line sells them in its onboard gift shops.
All rooms also offer a dividing curtain that creates two separate areas. Although these features were designed with families in mind, they’re also convenient for friends traveling together, adding to the argument that a Disney cruise could make for a perfect girlfriends getaway.
The master bedroom in the Tower Suite on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
On the high end, the line sells a variety of suite accommodations. New on Disney Wish, the Tower Suite is the most coveted and most expensive, carrying a price tag of several thousand dollars per night.
Located in the ship’s fake funnel, the suite is two decks high and includes three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a large living room area. Its understated nautical decor pays subtle tribute to “Moana.” Unfortunately, because of the layout, there’s no balcony, but you’ll still be spoiled beyond belief if you book a stay there.
You can also choose to book concierge-level staterooms, which offer perks like priority boarding and disembarkation, access to a dedicated lounge with free drinks in the evenings and dibs on booking the best spa appointments and shore excursions.
Delicious dining options range from basic to gourmet
Disney Cruise Line’s dining options allow you to either join the masses (where there will be children, so take heed) in the free dining rooms, head to the buffet or open-air food court, or opt for an adults-only added-fee option.
On all of the fleet’s ships, standard dining is rotational, which means you’ll move to a different main dining room each night but with the same table number, tablemates and waitstaff.
In my experience, dining across the board on Disney ships has been absolutely scrumptious and well prepared, regardless of where I chose to eat and how much extra I paid.
The 1923 main dining room on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
On Disney Wish, 1923 is a throwback to the golden age of animation. Split into two parts, it offers a more intimate setting than what you’d find at Royal Court, the more understated free dining venue on the line’s other vessels.
The “Worlds of Marvel” dining room on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
For more immersive and somewhat gimmicky meals that are fun but often loud, adult passengers on Disney Wish will want to check out Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The former brings Ant-Man and The Wasp tableside (via prerecorded broadcast) to show off their new discovery — a Quantum Core, with which Ant-Man unwittingly shrinks the ship down to the size of a toy boat. During the latter, you’ll find much singing and dancing to celebrate the engagement of Anna and Kristoff, two of the main characters from “Frozen.” In line with the theme, the menu is largely Norwegian.
On the four original ships, immersive options include Animator’s Palate, where “Finding Nemo” characters talk with you as you eat; Enchanted Garden, which feels a bit like a scene from “Alice in Wonderland,” where you can watch as the scenery slowly turns from day to night; and Rapunzel’s Royal Table, where characters from “Tangled” make an appearance.
A nod to “Beauty and the Beast” at the entrance to The Rose bar and Palo restaurant on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Also on the original vessels, Palo is an adults-only Italian eatery. On Disney Wish, it has been transformed into an elegantly styled steakhouse that exudes “Beauty and the Beast” vibes. This is the perfect option for anyone who wants something less casual than the buffet but also wants to avoid crowds and noise in the main dining rooms without paying a fortune.
Before you go in, stop at The Rose bar, which is perfect for tasty pre-dinner cocktails.
Gourmet French restaurant Enchante on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Enchante and Remy are two of the most expensive alternative dining options at sea for any cruise line. Both feature French cuisine and are reserved exclusively for adult diners. The latter appears on older DCL ships and was inspired by (and named after the main character in) “Ratatouille.”
Enchante is new as of the debut of Disney Wish. It offers a completely revamped menu by chef Arnaud Lallement, who’s also the mastermind behind the menu at Remy. Enchante allows for a la carte dining, or you can choose from one of two experiences: Passion, a seven-course meal for $125, or Collection, a selection of surprise courses curated by the chef for $195. (Wine and Champagne pairings cost extra.)
The kids clubs are fantastic
Mickey & Minnie Captain’s Deck on Disney Wish. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
“But, wait,” you’re thinking. “I thought this was an article about why Disney Cruises are great for adults.” You’re exactly right, and that’s why this one is so important.
The Oceaneer Club offerings on Disney ships are so fun, engaging and technologically advanced that kids often don’t want to leave. So, whether you’re a parent looking for some downtime or a child-free adult who doesn’t appreciate little ones pushing all the elevator buttons or teens clogging up stairwells, you won’t have to worry about a barrage of younger passengers.
From babysitting for infants, kids and tweens to phenomenal play areas (think: themes like princesses, Marvel superheroes and “Star Wars”), the line’s childcare services are a cut above those provided by all other cruise brands. In fact, they’re so cool you’ll wish you could spend time there yourself — and you can during designated hours on each voyage.
Bottom line
Although you won’t be able to completely avoid children on Disney ships, you can still enjoy the magic of The Mouse in several adults-only spaces found on all of the line’s ships. The onboard experience will make you feel like a kid again but in luxurious surroundings and with the excellent service and attention to detail that have become hallmarks of the Disney brand.
With ever-growing cruise ship capacity, car traffic, hotel development, jet fuel, food waste and suitcases full of fast fashion, it’s safe to say that travel and tourism take a significant toll on the environment. And the numbers don’t lie: 8% to 10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions were a direct result of the travel industry in 2021, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Some studies put it closer to 12%, now.
Given that the positive effects travel has on society are well demonstrated, too — and given that we, here at TPG, love travel — we’re not suggesting skipping out on well-earned vacations. Rather, we’re advocating traveling smarter, starting with booking more sustainable hotels. These days, accommodations of all types, from off-grid glamping spots to luxury resorts with spas, pickleball courts and infinity pools, are making it easy to make your getaway a bit more earth-friendly.
Here are 14 hotels that go so much further than in-room recycling bins. Think on-site composting, solar energy, turtle releases, apiaries, monthly beach clean-ups, zero-waste menus, invasive species removal, biophilic design, coral nurseries and shower timers.
Coulibri Ridge: Soufriere, Dominica
COULIBRI RIDGE
A masterclass in maximizing surroundings to minimize the impact on the environment — without sacrificing luxury — seemingly every inch of the 285-acre Coulibri Ridge, the brainchild of late founders Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand, has a sustainable origin or purpose, down to the stone quarried from within the compound and hand-chiseled by only local laborers, the recycled wood and aluminum, the slants of the rooftops and the angle at which the buildings were placed on a lush hillside of the Caribbean isle. The latter was chosen to soak up the most hours of sunlight with solar panels as well as optimize rainfall capture to power the Beyond Green member’s 14 suites, two restaurants, a spa, conference rooms, an office and heated pools. And speaking of pools, minimal chlorine is used because the water is purified using copper ionization.
Two wind turbines, in a shape believed to reduce the impact on birds and bats, also power this off-grid nirvana. The walkways, terraces and stairs collect rainwater, which is used for landscaping and Coulibri’s farm, which provides 20% of the produce used on the property for nice touches, including daily fresh-squeezed juice, in-room fruit baskets and regional treats like guava cheese. Another 60% is sourced on the island. The dining rooms refrain from serving red meat or non-locally caught fish, and everything is composted. Guests are even invited to get in on that action with countertop collection bins in the ensuite kitchen and reusable Keurig K-cups.
Rates at Coulibri Ridge start at $700 and include breakfast. I Prefer Hotel Rewards members receive a discounted rate and other benefits, including free Wi-Fi and complimentary room upgrades.
1 Hotel San Francisco: San Francisco
1 HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO/FACEBOOK
Even city hotels are leveling up their pro-planet game. Take this newish 200-room San Francisco treat on the Embarcadero waterfront. Driftwood sculptures, handwoven rugs, a lobby floor made from 7,000 square feet of reclaimed barn wood, elevator landings built out of salvaged Bay Bridge redwood, “do not disturb” stones and a ceiling composed of preserved plants are easy on both the eyes and the environment.
Rooms are full of sustainable details, from the wooden keycards and drinkware made from recycled wine bottles to five-minute shower timers to keep bathers mindful of the Golden State’s recurrent drought. Low-flow plumbing and infrared HVAC systems that shut off when occupants aren’t present don’t add to the aesthetic but are still important. The 1 Less Thing initiative motivates guests to leave behind gently used clothing for donation to a regional charity.
The same goes for the farm-to-table restaurant Terrene, where the chef prioritizes organic and seasonal goods from purveyors within 100 miles of Highway 1. He even grows his own greens in a rooftop garden with beehives. Not to be outdone, the beverage director narrows the ingredient field to within 50 miles and uses citrus scraps and spent coffee grounds to infuse spirits and garnish glasses.
Margaritas, mariachis, Mexican food, massages, Mayan ruins, mysterious cenotes! You can have all the usual (and beloved) trappings of a Riviera Maya vacation while simultaneously making a difference by staying at the sprawling Fairmont Mayakoba, a 594-acre, 401-key community plopped in the middle of a mangrove jungle and on the sandy shores of the aquamarine Caribbean.
At the corporate level, both Fairmont and parent company Accor were early adopters of sustainable building and operations and have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The success of sustainability initiatives, such as installing air conditioning that cuts off when doors aren’t closed properly or providing reusable water bottles and filtered water, is vouched for by the numerous certifications they’ve earned from organizations like Preferred by Nature, PROFEPA (Mexico’s version of the Environmental Protection Agency) and Spain’s Green Building Council.
More interesting are the moves being made at the local level. The resort, which features multiple pools, crystal-themed cocktails at a rooftop bar, outdoor yoga classes and boat tours along its meandering wildlife-filled waterways, began collaborating with Oceanus in 2015 on a coral reef restoration. Snorkeling excursions take guests to see the three nurseries. The annual Reef Week kicks the education element up a notch with daily talks with biologists working on resuscitating reefs. Following the ideals of the Slow Food and KM 0 movements, the restaurants source as much as they can from ecological producers within a 100-mile radius.
Keeping bees is also a Fairmont brand standard, and Mayakoba has three hives in its care, including one at the recently revamped spa. But they aren’t just any ol’ bees. Melipona bees are minuscule, stingless and endangered vital pollinators believed to be sacred by the Mayans. Visit them between munching on vegan bites, a copal cleanse and a sweat session in the temazcal.
Rates at the Fairmont Mayakoba, which belongs to the ALL — Accor Live Limitless loyalty program, start at $499 per night.
Vermejo: Colfax County, New Mexico
Ted’s Suite. JEN JUDGE/VERMEJO, A TED TURNER RESERVE
Vermejo — a 550,000-acre collection of pinon pine forests, snowcapped mountains, streams, picturesque meadows (inhabited by 1,200 of the most genetically pure bison in the world) and 19 fishable lakes — is one of three Ted Turner Reserves with lodging in the Land of Enchantment on a mission to “save everything,” as the ubiquitous branded merchandise in the gift shop will remind you. In almost three decades under the former media mogul’s stewardship and that of his charitable foundations, the rugged retreat (which is 45 minutes away from the closest town) is off to a good start with too many pro-environment programs to name here (including ecological preservation, habitat restoration, native species reintroduction and wildlife protection). Many pertain to returning the former cattle ranch to its natural bucolic splendor via sustainable methods like designing water-smart roadways, removing fencing to promote animal migration, stopping river bank erosion, building riparian enclosures to aid vegetation recovery, and managing the number of large ungulates and grazers to align with the landscape carrying capacity.
To achieve its biggest goal — encouraging guests to care deeply about nature by immersing them in it — Vermejo offers wildlife safaris, horseback riding, bike and UTV adventures, fishing, and hunting. There’s a scenic conservation-themed tour that gives you a closer look at the scientific studies and restorations and the opportunity to build the aforementioned enclosures. Once back at the main hub of hospitality, kids make crafts with found objects or ice cream using only hand power. Foodies tour the greenhouse to learn about growing techniques like using old beer and potatoes as pest control and get a sneak peek at what might appear on that night’s menu alongside the freshly caught Rio Grande cutthroat trout or bison fillet. To go farther into the wild, bunk at the more remote LEED Silver certified Costilla Fishing Lodge or the new hike-in Bernal Lake cabin with a gas fireplace and outdoor cedar soaking tub.
Rates at Vermejo start at $1,650 per night with a two-night minimum and include accommodations, meals and all activities.
Hotel Marcel: New Haven, Connecticut
HOTEL MARCEL/FACEBOOK
The former Armstrong Rubber Company headquarters, a 1970s masterpiece by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer, has been reimagined as a climate-crusading member of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Creatively reusing an existing office building means less need for new materials and less construction impact on the land and air. The 165-room concrete giant has racked up a number of accreditations in its first two years of operation, including being the nation’s first Passive House-approved hotel (PH rates air tightness and energy consumption) and one of only 10 U.S. hotels to score LEED Platinum certification. The all-electric, fossil fuel-free spot is awaiting a net zero recognition as well.
Hotel Marcel’s solar panel array and microgrid power the efficient electric internal systems (i.e., heat and air conditioning, water heating, and laundry) as well as 24 electric vehicle-charging stations and the all-electric induction kitchen for its all-day eatery, BLDG, and event catering. No single-use plastics are used in either food-and-beverage output (or the caramel-and-sky-blue midcentury modern rooms, for that matter). To make her Latin, Italian and steakhouse specialties, the chef sources ingredients from within 250 miles, changes the menu seasonally and composts the leftovers. When it’s time for goodbyes, an electric shuttle will zip you back to the airport.
Hotel Marcel‘s starting rate is $135 a night. Hilton Honors members can book with 44,000 points per night.
Vida Cayman: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
VIDA CAYMAN/FACEBOOK
Just opened in March, this property in West Bay has already proven that getting some R&R in paradise can be both planet-positive and exceptional. Eco-friendliness was built into the blueprints of the 12-suite beachside boutique, which resulted in only acquiring materials from ethical vendors and making architectural and design choices to minimize pollutants and reduce energy expenditures. Even interior temperatures are controlled with sustainable methods including shaded balconies, breezy walkways and sun-shunning insulation. To encourage biodiversity and preserve habitats for area critters, the landscaping team saved existing endemic flora and installed turtle-friendly lighting.
The local products and green choices continue when it comes to room details, bathroom amenities and the reusable water bottles handed out at check-in. Dishes at the in-house restaurant Nourish — several of which are vegetarian, vegan or dairy-free — are spiced from the living herb wall and filled with produce grown on the island. Food waste, including that collected in room garbage cans, is sent back to the farmers to compost.
In between sunrise kiteboarding, reading in the hot tub, cooking classes and sound bowl meditations, guests can help release turtles with the Cayman Turtle Centre or tour the mangroves. (To offset its carbon footprint, Vida donates to a national fund that protects the critical ecosystem.)
Room rates at Vida Cayman, which include breakfast, start at $550 per night.
Saffire Freycinet: Coles Bay, Australia
SAFFIRE FREYCINET
You wouldn’t know by looking at this peaceful plot of east coast peninsula on Tasmania’s Great Oyster Bay, but it was in dire straits in the fairly recent past. The previous tenant, a caravan park and backpackers’ accommodation, caused erosion, degradation and a whole lotta plant murder. Today, however, it’s home to a 20-suite seaside sanctuary and pampering spa where yoga on the beach, courtyard hammocks and hyperlocal cuisine are commonplace.
Before building this undulating outpost that brings the outside in through the extensive use of stone and timber and floor-to-ceiling windows that gaze out on the pink granite Hazards mountains, they rehabbed the grounds with 30,000 native plants. Then came a green design plan with double glazing, energy-efficient lighting and insulation, and water collection.
The hotel, a Luxury Lodges of Australia member, has an on-site apiary, partners with the Raptor Refuge bird rescue and maintains a 2 1/2-acre free-range Tasmanian devil enclosure and breeding program in an attempt to keep the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial from going extinct. Stuffed devils made in a nearby knitting mill that employs people with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disorders are sold to raise money for Wildcare Tasmania’s Nature and World Heritage fund.
All-inclusive (lodging, meals, select beverages, daily experiences and complimentary minibar) stays for two people at Saffire Freycinet start at $1,735 a night with a two-night minimum.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: Maui, Hawaii
THE RITZ-CARLTON MAUI, KAPALUA/FACEBOOK
If you’ve spent even a single hour in Hawaii, you’ve become very familiar with the term “aloha.” If you’ve paid attention, you’ve probably picked up “mahalo,” too. The Ritz-Carlton on Maui’s northwest coast wants you to add another important Indigenous word — “malama,” which means “to care for” — to your vocabulary to honor the long legacy of land and sea stewardship among Native Hawaiians.
As showing is better than telling, the posh 468-room playground has instituted several sustainable initiatives, ranging from a solar canopy that generates 60% of the resort’s needed power to complimentary reef-safe sunscreen at the pool and beach. The seven on-site dining outposts cull ingredients from the organic garden. (Don’t sleep on the Sissy, Sassy and Richie salsa trio in the club lounge.) And water-filling stations can be used in conjunction with sleek aluminum Path bottles guests are invited to use while swinging through the two golf courses, walking the clifftop labyrinth, attending the luau, playing tennis or listening to the shockingly talented employee band while sipping a mai tai in the lobby bar.
For those who prefer to learn by doing, edutainment experiences abound. The property is one of only six Ritz-Carlton hotels with a chapter of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment. Well-educated guides take groups on snorkeling trips, bicycle tours and coast trail walks, and chat about everything from invasive species to how ancient Hawaiians used various flora and fauna while you explore the local area. They also host weekly volunteer efforts (beach cleanups, invasive plant removal and native seed planting). During the annual Celebration of the Arts, groups can join the effort to reforest the Puu Kukui Watershed, which was severely damaged under Dole’s ownership.
The starting rate at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is $900 a night. Marriott Bonvoy members can book from 65,000 points per night.
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel: Rome
ROME CAVALIERI, A WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL/FACEBOOK
Perched in a park high above the Eternal City, the 345-room, 25-suite Rome Cavalieri walks the sustainable walk (probably in a leather Gucci loafer, given its well-heeled style) and has five coveted Green Key certifications to prove it.
In conjunction with the usual suspects — like eliminating single-use items, planting 74,000 trees, recycling half-used soap, and installing systems and fixtures that save water and reduce fossil fuel consumption — the elegant property has set its sights on reducing food waste, which is responsible for 8% of all global carbon emissions. Considering the hotel has multiple restaurants, including Rome’s first and only three-Michelin-star restaurant, La Pergola, and the farm-to-table concept Uliveto, it’s a serious undertaking. Through a partnership with Equoevento, wedding and banquet leftovers have been repurposed as more than 18,000 hot meals for those in need. Surplus bread is donated to Birrificio Vale la Pena, a brewery that uses the carbs for beer fermentation. And cooking classes start with a foraging adventure in the Umbrian countryside.
Re(F)use is another outing that gives discarded items a second lease on life. Guests hop in an electric Fiat Spiaggina and visit Carmina Campus, a design workshop that creates pieces from materials that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill, including the pouch each guest takes home as a souvenir.
Sustainability has been a Six Senses brand standard since this premium provider of wellness-forward hospitality was founded in the mid-1990s. So some green measures — organic bedding on handmade mattresses, bottling its own water in glass, biodegradable cleaning products, composting to make natural fertilizer for gardens and passive cooling — are found across all of its 23 properties in 18 countries. But individual properties, like this high-altitude hideaway, put their own spin on saving the planet as well.
Crans-Montana’s first line of eco-defense is the one-two punch of mindful architecture and efficient engineering. Heating is powered by recovered carbon-neutral wood pellets. Things such as double-glazed windows, waste heat recapture and LEDs probably go unnoticed but definitely enhance the experience when you’re taking a dip at the indoor and outdoor UV-filtered pools, biohacking at the spa, or checking out the apres-ski DJ set.
The Earth Lab hosts zero-waste workshops where participants learn actionable skills to take home, such as upcycling used kitchen oil into candles or making flying seed bombs. The hotel partnered with a horticulturist to create a fruit tree seed bank that identifies and stores heritage varieties from the fertile Alps valley it calls home. Through OPPAL (Organization Pour la Protection des Alpages), the hotel also helps train volunteers who tend the sheep flocks being shepherded on the mountainsides at night to prevent wolf attacks.
The Six Senses Crans-Montana‘s starting double rate, which includes breakfast, is $745; IHG One Rewards members can stay for 180,000 to 361,000 points per night.
Tides Inn: Irvington, Virginia
KATE THOMPSON/TIDES INN
“Sustainability, but make it preppy,” could be this 70-room refuge’s motto, given its propensity to decorate with nautical blues, brass and wood buoys, and dedication to shoreline restoration to the tune of $3.6 million. The boat-shoe crews can even sail the Chesapeake Bay, park at the 27-slip marina and sign up for a day of volunteerism planting trees or wetland grasses with Friends of the Rappahannock to stop erosion and increase wildlife and aquatic habitat.
Guests can also help out on-site, planting oysters on the inn’s reef while learning about the keystone species and their water-filtering skills from the resident ecologist. He also runs similar excursions about area birds and the world-famous blue crabs. The staff horticulturalist, who oversees the pollinator gardens, vegetable garden and bee meadow, gives tours of those areas and leads a foraging journey on the mushroom trails while the beekeeper lets guests in on the secret life of bees at the apiary — kooky costume and tasting included.
CHRISTOS DRAZOS/BLUE PALACE/SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD
Quiet luxury meets conscious hospitality at the female-led, family-owned boutique on the jagged shores of sunny Crete. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, bijou private beach (which is Blue Flag certified), alfresco dining, calm azure waters, and 47 airy bungalows and villas fresh off a refresh and stacked across three floors like a Cubist masterpiece, the whole resort has a romantic honeymoon vibe.
The Small Luxury Hotels of the World member derives 91% of its power from renewable solar and geothermal energy, using green-as-can-be detergents and disinfectants concocted from sugar beets and bran, practicing worm- and micro-composting, and installing four-seasons glass, LEDs, sustainable flooring and even a minilodge for cats whose neutering they fund.
The hotel is particularly proud of its agricultural and dining measures. Phaea funds a progressive program to supply resources and training to resort staff members to encourage them to stay on the island and work the offseason as environment-friendly farmers. Then, it buys the bounty to serve at the hotel along with the honey harvested from Blue Palace hives and the house-made and -bottled olive oil. All that is combined with items from the property’s edible landscaping and organic gardens to create a mostly vegetarian menu — seafood is procured from the fishing village down the road — to lessen tourist impact. Guests can book an opportunity to harvest veggies from the garden with the farmers, cook them with the chef, feast alfresco at a communal table and wash it down with organic Greek wines.
Off-grid and eco-conscious resorts are par for the course in Costa Rica. One of the newer adults-only options that cares for the earth almost as much as it cares for the guests is this 12-villa property set atop a 58-acre rainforest reserve. It’s bursting with biophilic design elements like living walls, open architecture to better see the surrounding emerald canopy and, the piece de resistance, the lobby’s rain-fed water feature made of local stones.
The living areas take up less than 8% of the acreage, and guests are encouraged to wander the jungle trails to commune with nature and see some of the types of trees planted through a partnership with One Tree Planted. If you’re truly lucky, you might even see some of the creatures that benefit from the reforestation, including white-faced Capuchin monkeys, yellow-throated toucans, glass frogs and giant anteaters. For every night of your stay, the hotel will plant one tree somewhere in the country’s highlands, lowlands or mangroves.
Also in practice here: grey water reuse, irrigating with collected rain, green cleaning products, biodegradable bath products by Costa Rican company Raw Botanicals, a no-pesticide policy, and a food-and-beverage program that is locally sourced, organic and sustainable.
Turns out you can teach an old lodge new tricks. The 5,000-acre, 784-key grande dame of the Rockies opened in 1918, obviously long before anyone built hotels to combat carbon footprints, deforestation or melting polar ice caps. Or even worried about them, for that matter.
The Broadmoor, to its credit, has built a fairly robust sustainability plan to see it through its second century despite retaining its stained-glass ceilings and towering stone fireplaces. It started by upgrading existing details, including its 30,000 light fixtures. Now, it features natural gas boilers, low-flow commodes, minifridges that use nearly 80% less energy, full-size bathroom toiletry dispensers, and shopping bags and boxes made from recycled materials in the shops.
With 20 restaurants, cafes and lounges, dining is a giant part of the Broadmoor business, and many of its sustainable practices involve growing produce in the property’s gardens and greenhouses, harvesting honey from its hives, and raising wagyu beef at the owner’s ranch. It also leads Food Rescue, which sends untouched, uneaten food from buffets and banquets to Springs Rescue Mission.
Another big draw is the tennis and pickleball center, and The Broadmoor has come up with a clever way to extend the life of tennis balls — donating them to senior living facilities for walkers and chairs, and local humane societies and dog parks for pet play. Not only that, but the two golf courses are certified Audubon sanctuaries. How’s that for green?
The starting rate at The Broadmoor is $336 or 75,000 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points per night.
