Using Hotel Room Amenities Like MacGyver

[trip style = any]

Sometimes travel requires MacGyver moments: using what you have to do what you need. I loved watching MacGyver (1985-92) navigate any circumstance with his eternally optimistic troubleshooting skills---something we often have to do while travelling. Since we can't bring the whole kitchen sink with us on vacation, here are some alternate MacGyver-like uses for common hotel room amenities:

Hotel Room Amenities for Everyday Needs

• The shower: Hang garments on the shower curtain rod or towel rod and run the shower on hot to freshen and de-wrinkle them [preferably you're in the shower so you don't waste water].
• Coffee maker: If you're travelling with a baby, warm or sterilize their bottle in the coffee pot filled with boiling water [a Gadling tip].
• Shoe: No wine bottle opener in the room? No problem. Use your shoe to open the bottle of wine. 
• Laundry bag: Use for dirty clothes or wet bathing suits.
• Shower cap: To cover dirty shoes or protect your phone and/or camera at the pool or beach [see hotelchatter for additional tips].
• Ice bucket: Sans fridge? Use the ice bucket filled with ice to keep groceries, take-out or leftovers cool.
• Vodka in the mini-bar: Does the underarm area of your shirt need a pick-me-up? Mix vodka and water on a washcloth and apply to affected area to freshen the scent. Also apply directly to the armpit if you forget your deodorant. If using the dual-pronged approach, don't be surprised if someone asks if you had a 'rough night' in the hotel elevator.
• Shower gel: Use in place of bubble bath or use to wash undergarments.
• Shoe shine gloves: Clean your dirty laptop or phone screen [a HeatherLovesIt tip].
• Sewing kit: The original MacGyver in-case-of-emergency travel tool.

Hotel Room Amenities for Beauty Needs

• Tea bags: Run under hot water to cool and de-puff your tired eyes [a Jauntsetter tip].
• Hand lotion: Use as a makeshift hair smoother and de-frizzer.
• Conditoner: Forgot your shaving cream? Using conditioner in its place won't dry legs like soap or clog your razor like lotion... yep, I've tried both.

[photo via paramount]

Not all Layovers are Created Equal

A Marathon Ever ran a marathon through JFK, Heathrow or Hong Kong's International Airport?  I have, unintentionally. It's much easier running marathons with workout gear, Gatorade stands and cheering fans versus fully clothed, parched and stressed.

A Sweaty Flight Earlier this year, I arrived at my flight to Istanbul sweaty---awesome way to start a flight---thanks to my race through Heathrow. I didn't give myself enough time. I learned my lesson after begging the Turkish Airways check-in agents to re-open the desk and respectfully dodging the 100-person-long security line-up, followed by a brisk 30 min run from security to my flight---and that's not even half the story.

Not all Layovers are Equal Travel professionals know that not all layovers are created equal. If you're a DIY traveler booking your flight path online, you may not know the ins and outs of layover planning. It's not worth risking a slightly earlier arrival at your destination to try and beat the system of deplaning, customs, baggage and security. If you're about to book an international trip online, heed the timing recommendations below.

Layover Timing Recommendations Small Regional Airports - allow 1.5 hours Domestic Airports - allow 2 hours International Airports - allow 2.5 hours Multi-Terminal International Airports - allow 3 hours

Considerations

• Bigger, multi-terminal airports provide more opportunities for delays
• What are the security regulations for each leg of your flight? For example, Israel's immigration is known for very thorough questioning, so being at the airport at least 3 hours in advance is essential.
• Are you transferring to the same or a different carrier?
• Where are you going?

[photo by chadmagiera]

Travel Trend :: Free Communication

We used to send messenger pigeons. Then we wrote letters. Then we used tin cans connected by a wire. Then we made collect phone calls.  Then we sent faxes. Then we sent emails. Then we updated our facebook status.  Then we tweeted. Then we called for free. Wow!

People long to connect, especially while abroad. Whether it's chatting with locals or updating our friends and family back home, we are constantly sending and receiving messages.

Communicating internationally used to come at a big cost. Now it doesn't. Here's how to communicate for free while traveling:

On your Computer

• Skype: download skype, then talk, video chat, text and leave voice messages for free with other skype users. Want to call someone who's not a skype user, no problem, you're simply charged a minimal fee.
• Google Voice: Direct your phone calls to one master telephone number from whichever phone you want, wherever you may be... keeping the calls local for your peops! (not yet available in Canada)
• Google Talk: Google's instant messaging service also has chatting, video and voice mail function
• MSN: if you've still got friends who use MSN's instant messaging, you can take it to the next level and call them through the service.

*note that all of these services are dependent on a good wifi connection *if your computer doesn't have a built in microphone, or you don't want the rest of the lobby patrons to talk to your grandma, you'll need a headset with mic

On your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad There are multiple apps that offer free chit-chatting on your iPhone, but one of the best and easiest is Skype. It's a free and allows you to make free calls to other Skype users as long as you are connected to wifi. (Note... until the new iPhone OS 4.0 comes out, turn off all notifications prior to making a skype call to ensure your call isn't disconnected).

Yep, you can turn the iPod Touch into a phone. I've done it! Simply attach a headset and follow the same directions as above.  You may need 3.0+ OS for this... but it's well worth the upgrade.

Your iPad also has a built-in microphone and speakers... but if you want to keep your convo private then use a headset.

On your Android Phone If you've concluded that Google is God and Apple is the devil and are rocking a droid-powered phone, then you too can download the Skype app, assuming your phone has wifi capabilities.

On your Blackberry Download the Skype app for your Blackberry, so you too can make free calls like all your cool friends with iPhones. Just remember to enable your wifi and disable your cell network connection if you want to avoid data and voice roaming charges.

On your Cell/Mobile (not free, but cheap)

• you'll need to buy or rent an unlocked GSM tri- or quad-band phone & SIM card (purchased online or in your destination)
• talk and text with local rates (make sure you're on the correct plan for your needs!)
• note that your phone # will correspond with your SIM card

With all this talk of free communication, the irony is, the lost art of letter writing is making a comeback.  Maybe messenger pigeons will too?

Wine Touring 101

[trip style = wine tasting]

Wine tasting season is here! In North America, some key tasting states and provinces include: California, Washington, Oregon, BC and Ontario. To make the most of these unique wine-making regions, a tasting plan-of-attack will help you tour like an apprentice sommelier.  Here's how:

Do

• See a variety of wineries: small, med and big.  This will give you a well-rounded "taste" of wine-making.
• Take time to talk to the Host/Vintner.  Learning from their passion seems to make the wine taste better.
• Vary your experience.  At some wineries take the tour, at others talk at length to the host (if they are not too busy) and at others enjoy the grounds.
• Savor the experience.  Don't just taste to taste, try to learn.  *Usually* the more you find out, the more appreciation you gain for that "zin."
• Heed wine-tasting etiquette.
• Bring cash for your tastings, most cost between $5-20/person. Note that most wineries allow you to share a tasting.
• Consider alternate forms of transport: Limo, Bike, etc...
• Choose your plan of attack - either be spontaneous or plan your journey.  This point is especially true if you only have an afternoon or a short 2-3 day tasting window.
• Eat plenty of food, or bring some---like crackers---with you to eat in between.
• Get recommendations from your hotel's concierge or neighboring wineries about others you'd enjoy.

Don't

• Use wine tasting as an opportunity to drink 'for the sake of it.'
• Only see one type of winery. Further to the tip above, touring different types---region, varietal, size, philosophy---provides an education that deepens your appreciation and understanding for the process of wine-making and drinking.
• Drive after seeing multiple wineries and tasting multiple varietals.
• Drink the 'wine' from the big barrels near the tasting bars: that's wine and spit.
• Wear white clothing.  Due to over-aggressive swirling, I know someone whose pinot noir 'taste' went on their white t-shirt rather than into their mouth.
• Swirl rose or bubbly.

[all pictures my own, taken in sonoma]

Hot for Hotwire

This month we've devoted a few posts to blind booking sites like Hotwire and Priceline, as well as a few other newcomers like Travelocity's Top Secret Hotels and Last Minute Vacation's Undercover Hotels.  Poor Hotwire was lacking some dedicated Trip Styler love, so here are a few of our hottest Hotwire tricks-of-the-trade, but first, a little background: Hotwire Hotwire is a leader in the 'Undercover' travel booking genre, in fact, according to Tnooz (via hitwise), each month it's always jockeying for the leading position in the web's top 10 travel agencies.  The site provides two booking methods: traditional, and blind.  Cars, flights, vacations and cruises fall into the traditional category, and hotels the blind category.

Hotels When 3- and 4-star hotels have unsold rooms, they use Hotwire to fill them. The result? Hotwire makes money and you spend less.  Here's how their hotel bookings work: traveler searches a hotel for the star class and amenities they want, yet can't see its exact location or brand. See example below searching for a hotel in Wailea, Maui for a stay this week: Once you find the hotel selection you're happy with, you book it and find out the name and exact location after you've confirmed the purchase.

Not a Risk Using Hotwire is not a risk, it's an educated risk. Since Hotwire launched some 10 years ago, sites like BetterBidding.com and BiddingforTravel.com have minimized 'the blind' risk by providing Hotwire (and Priceline) enthusiasts the opportunity to enter their 'win' details so that others can figure out what hotel they are probably going to get in that city/area.

The Secret(s) Hotels with whom Hotwire maintains relationships are not random, but predictable. Whether it's a 3-star in Austin, Texas or a 4-star in Vancouver, BC, chances are, there will be precedent indicating the selection you're likely to get. Also, keep in mind that Hotwire tends to work with larger hotel groups, so if you're looking for a boutique hotel, you'll need to book elsewhere.

My Super Hotwire Wins One of my recent Hotwire 'super' wins was in Venice this past fall.  I selected a 4-star hotel for around $100 and got the Hilton Molino Stucky, complete with a lovely room, roof-top pool and water shuttle to and from St. Mark's square.  I know the hotel retailed for MUCH more than we paid.  See the review I posted to Trip Advisor here.

People Who use Hotwire - Is it Right for You? People who like their ducks in a row, aren't always fans of this 'blind booking' travel site because they'd prefer to know their hotel and its exact location on-demand.  Fair enough.  On the other end of the spectrum, suspense-loving, risk-takers don't mind---even enjoy--- the hotel surprise at the end of the rainbow.  I'm somewhere in the middle. Over the past 7 years there are times I've used Hotwire and times I haven't depending on the nature of the trip.  Are you willing to take the educated risk?