Aruba, Jamaica, Ooohh we wanna take ya…to the Caribbean for $125/night.

Okay, we know those aren’t the exact lyrics, but it’s true: We did some research so we could give you the deets on the best budget picks in the Caribbean this time of year. The price: $125/night. The dates: November 1st through 8th. And we’re off!

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, Aruba: $139/night 

Renovated in 2010, the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort is bright and modern, if a bit plain. The lush garden setting sits alongside a nine-hole golf course and is across the street from the beach. There are three distinct dining options, free nightly entertainment at neighboring hotels, a kid’s club, and two large outdoor pools. We know it doesn’t quite make the $125/night budget, but it’s still a solid deal. And if you’re not sold, check out the Tropicana Aruba Resort & Casino for $116/night — and we’re positive you’ll be fine with the $23/night upgrade.

Negril Tree House Resort, Jamaica: $120/night

With a beautiful location on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, a pool overlooking the ocean, and clean, comfortable rooms, the Negril Tree House Resort attracts families, couples, and groups. Though there are few on-site amenities, there are many dining and entertainment options nearby. Plus a sizable buffet breakfast, yoga classes, and free WiFi in the common areas are included with the price of your room, significantly adding to the value.

Grand Lucayan, Bahamas: $98/night

The sprawling Grand Lucayan property sits on a lovely stretch of white sand beach on Grand Bahama Island. It is centrally located near Port Lucaya and is across the street from the busy Port Lucaya Marketplace. Hotel grounds are scenic, with immaculately kept amenities, and three exceptional pools. There are eight on-site restaurants, but guests complain that some shut down in the off season. But hey, for $98 a night, this place is an outright steal.

Ports of Call Resort, Turks and Caicos: $114/night

One of few budget hotels in Provodenciales, the Ports of Call Resort is a small boutique with a great location, modern decor, bright, clean rooms, and a dedicated beach space. Though it’s not directly on Grace Bay Beach, the hotel offers a free shuttle service, or guests can simply make the five-minute “trek” across the street. Ports of Call has on-site laundry, a business center, a gym, free parking, and free WiFi. It is popular with families because of its kid-friendly features (playground, daily activities, etc), but poolside happy hour and karaoke attract other travelers as well.

Fond Doux Holiday Plantation, St Lucia: $144/night 

Let’s face it, when it comes to Caribbean vacations, St. Lucia is not exactly cheap. So yes, we were disappointed to learn that our budget pick, the Fond Doux Holiday Plantation, is currently asking for an over-our-budget price of $144/night. But our disappointment quickly turned to elation when we saw what Jade Mountain is charging (a whopping $1,100/night). Guests at the Fond Doux will be pleasantly surprised with the property’s lush surroundings, organic farm-to-table restaurants, and 11 free standing bungalows, each with charmingly bright Caribbean decor. However, the hotel is not on the beach, and there is no in-room TV, Wi-Fi, or air-conditioning.

Doubletree by Hilton San Juan, Puerto Rico: $125/night

For a budget chain hotel, the Doubletree by Hilton San Juan is surprisingly sleek, modern, and comfortable. Its large rooms, free Wi-Fi, tropical pool area, and four diverse dining options make up for its off-the-beach location and distance from popular tourist spots. Plus, its neighborhood of Condado is known for its laid-back attitude, upscale shopping and dining, and beautiful (if a bit crowded) beaches.

IFA Bavaro Village Resort & Spa, Dominican Republic: $125/night 

Like many of Punta Cana’s mega resorts, IFA Bavaro Village Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive. This means $125/night includes meals, non-motorized water sports, top-notch spa treatments, and a multitude of entertainment options. However, guests can expect numerous sales pitches throughout their stay, miscellaneous charges, and a lack of a la carte dining options. It should also be noted that this resort, while family friendly, is very popular with spring breakers. So unless you’ve been dying to relive your college days, steer clear during peak spring break months (late February-early April). Visiting during the off-season, like during our dates in November, will also guarantee this lower-than-usual rates.

Flamingo Beach Resort, St. Maarten: $100/night 

With two beautiful beaches, an oceanfront pool, and a lively on-site restaurant and bar, the Flamingo Beach Resort is quite the bargain for $100/night. Sure, the beach gets a little crowded with non-guests and some aspects of the hotel are a bit dated, but the huge, condo-style units (all rooms come standard with full size kitchens) and manicured grounds offset some of the lackluster details.

SEE ALSO: The 26 Best Hotels In The World

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Aspen versus Vail: It's one of the oldest destination rivalries of all time.

And while fans of each will claim that their chosen locale far outshines the other in numerous ways, the two Colorado ski towns are most likely so often at odds with one another because they are actually quite similar.

Both have amazing slopes. Both attract a celebrity clientele. Both are home to wonderful restaurants and shops. 

But we can't help but get in on the "which is best" debate ourselves, so we decided to stage a little face-off between Aspen and Vail in order to finally put this argument to rest (after all, we are the experts, so our opinion should count for something).

In order to dub an overall winner, we matched the two ski destinations off in the following categories: skiing, history, price, celebrity status, getting there and around, dining, and nightlife. Let the games begin, and the victor be declared!!

Skiing

This is perhaps the most important category of all because, well, duh. Although certainly not the only reason visitors flock to Vail and Aspen (some avoid it altogether), skiing is the main attraction in both. So let's take a look at the mountains, shall we?

Vail and Aspen similarly call the Colorado Rocky Mountains home, but the common thread stops there. While Aspen boasts four mountains, Vail has but one. But as we all know, less is often more -- and this proves to be true here. Because while Vail may have just one mountain, it is massive and the entirety of Aspen's slopes could be crammed onto Vail's sole mountain multiple times over. Plus, true skiers prefer Vail's slopes to Aspen's because they are decidedly more challenging (and that's a fact).

 And the winner is...Vail.

History

Aspen will always win this battle because it actually has some history. While Vail was built as a ski resort in 1962, and became incorporated four years later, Aspen began as a mining camp in the 1880s. The Panic of 1893 prompted the town's decline, but the development of nearby Aspen Mountain into a ski destination revitalized the area and turned Aspen into a ski resort of its own.

History buffs can take a walking tour, catch a show at the historic Wheeler Opera House, or even book a stay in an historic hotel -- like Hotel Jerome. 

And the winner is...Aspen.

Price

If you're looking for a budget ski vacation, don't look at Aspen...and don't look at Vail. Both are pricey destinations, whereas mountains in locales such as Vermont and Park City allow for a little more stretching of your dollar. But between the two, Vail offers the better deal. On average, hotel rooms in and near Vail are slightly less expensive than those found in Aspen, as are its restaurants and shops. Our favorite value hotels in Vail include Marriott's Streamside and Austria Haus Hotel, which offers guests free access to The Lodge at Vail's numerous pools. 

And the winner is...Vail. 

Celebrity Status

If you visit Aspen or Vail sometime during peak season (November through March), your chances of spotting a celeb are pretty high. While plenty of stars have homes in other ski destinations (Tom Cruise and Jerry Seinfeld in Telluride, Sandra Bullock in Jackson Hole), these two certainly take home the prize for the highest number of celebrity residents -- with Aspen narrowly beating out Vail.

Vail may be Jessica Biel's hometown, where Lindsey Vonn trains, and the site of one of Michael Bloomberg's many homes, but Vail has slightly more star power; Jack Nicholson, Kevin Costner, Robert Wagner, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Antonio Banderas, and Charlie Sheen all own residences here. 

And the winner is...Aspen.

Getting There and Around

Heated. Sidewalks. No. Joke. Both Vail and Aspen have invested in snowmelt systems, which is great since they quickly clear snow and slippery ice from pedestrian pathways. Both ski towns also have relatively reliable and inexpensive transportation options. But Vail has our vote as being the more easily navigable city, as well as the one that's easier to reach.

Many travelers to Aspen and Vail choose to fly into Denver, as it's the closest major airport and is often much cheaper. While it takes about three hours to reach Vail from Denver, it takes four or more from Aspen, and there are fewer public bus options from Denver to Aspen than to Vail. Plus, while Vail may be able one square mile larger than Aspen, it has about 2,000 fewer residences, many (slightly) fewer crowds and clogged sidewalks than what you'll find in Aspen. 

And the winner is...Vail.

Dining

In order to cater to their well-heeled visitors' refined palates, Vail and Aspen are chock-a-block with gourmet, fine-dining options -- whether they be on the mountain for a delicious ski-in/ski-out lunch or on Main Street for a classy apres-ski, multi-course extravaganza.

Craving Nobu? You'll find an outpost in both destinations. And Top Chef and Iron Chef vet Kelly Liken runs her self-named restaurant in Vail, which has attracted national attention and garnered numerous awards. But Aspen is Colorado's foodie mecca. Ajax Tavern is not only known for its use of fresh, local ingredients, but also its ability to draw a celeb chef clientele; Mario Batali is often spotted here. Plus, the famed Chefs Club, which features a rotation of renowned chefs, rolled out its (very successful) trial run in Aspen, and an outpost of David Burke Kitchen is opening there this winter. 

And the winner is...Aspen.

The Tie-Breaker: Nightlife

It's neck-and-neck. Each destination has been dubbed champion of three categories, so it's down to the nightlife to determine the victor of our Aspen versus Vail face-off. Both locales have plenty of spots to grab an apres-ski cocktail or dance the night away till the early hours, and this one is more subjective than the others, because it depends on your partying-it-up style. But we prefer the more low-key approach to the nightlife in Vail.

While you can sip a fancy craft cocktail with the best of 'em in Aspen, fellow patrons may turn up their noses if you arrive fresh off the mountain, still in your ski boots. But in Vail, this is de rigueur and many skiers -- tourists and locals alike -- prefer to rock their ski gear all night rather than miss the hour or two at the bars that they'd need to spend changing. 

And the winner — and overall champion — is VAIL! 

SEE ALSO: Why Ski Jumpers Hold Their Skis In A V Shape

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We know traveling during the holiday season can be stressful...and expensive. So as part of our bang for your buck series, we wanted to help you jet off to somewhere peaceful, relaxing, and incredibly beautiful; naturally, we thought of Hawaii.

And the time to be thinking about that holiday getaway is now — because a lot of people are thinking the same thing as you are. With a budget in mind we kept the price at $150/night for Thanksgiving week, November 22nd through 29th. So don't store away your bikinis and shorts quite yet!

First up, we're checking out our options in Maui...and then we'll island hop to Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai.

Maui:

Outrigger Aina Nalu: $145/night

Located in touristy Lahaina, the Outrigger Aina Nalu is a refreshed condo property offering studio and apartment-style residences. One- and two-bedroom apartments have full kitchens (so you can still cook your own Thanksgiving dinner), updated bathrooms, and free (wired) internet access. The hotel has two large, uncrowded pools, but there are no swimmable beaches within walking distance and the hotel offers few on-site amenities.

Maui Kamaole, $150/night

Maui Kamaole is a lovely condo property near Kamaole Beach Park III. Individually-owned, apartment-style accommodations have large private balconies, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and full kitchens. There is a mid-sized pool surrounded by well-maintained grounds, and guests have access to a barbecue area (grill your turkey on the big day!), two tennis courts, and free parking. With its awesome location and plentiful amenities, the Mau Kamaole is a solid value.

Oahu:

VIVE Hotel Waikiki: $148/night

The VIVE Hotel Waikiki is an upscale, mid-range option for guests looking to stay within walking distance of Waikiki Beach. VIVE has an eclectic vibe, with stylish decor throughout the hotel. There’s a free continental breakfast each morning and free WiFi, and guests can borrow beach towels, chairs, and boogie boards during their stay. The staff is incredibly friendly, but rooms are on the smaller side, there is no fitness center or pool, and the hotel lacks any sort of Hawaiian flair (which some appreciate).

Shoreline Hotel Waikiki, a Joie de Vivre Hotel: $169/night

Like our other budget Waikiki pick (see above), the Shoreline Hotel Waikiki is within walking distance to its eponymous beach, has helpful, quality service, offers free WiFi, and lacks a “Hawaiian feel.” However, its retro '70s decor, rooftop pool, and slightly larger rooms set it apart from VIVE. It's a bit pricier than $150/night, so if you're keeping a strict hold to your budget , the Shoreline’s sister property, Coconut Waikiki Hotel, is within the limits -- but it's further from the beach, and the decor is less inspired.

The Big Island:

Royal Kona Resort: $129/night

While not glitzy by any means, the Royal Kona Resort offers fantastically affordable rates with a few surprising amenities. Though rooms are small and a bit drab, all are clean and have private lanais. There is a small pool, and a small beach area -- but don’t expect a whirlpool. The Royal Kona is within walking distance to downtown nightlife and shopping, but also has its own restaurant and seaside bar. One special perk is the thrice weekly luau that takes place on premises.

Outrigger Fairway Villas: $145/night

At the Outrigger Fairway Villas, guests can expect clean and well maintained units with all the comforts and amenities of home (washer/dryer, full kitchen, large living spaces, etc). The property is within the gated resort community of Waikoloa Village and is close to shopping and dining. There is a small, but attractive, infinity pool, an open-air fitness center, and impressive views of nearby golf courses. However, the nearest beach is a half-mile away and potential guests should be aware that there is a two-night minimum stay requirement.

Kauai:

Sheraton Kauai Resort: $169/night

Slightly over budget, but chock-full of great amenities and beautiful vistas, the Sheraton Kauai Resort is one of the island’s top-notch properties. Located on a long stretch of Poipu Beach, the Sheraton has an oceanfront pool, two oceanfront restaurants, and a fitness center with ocean views -- so we hope you like looking at the ocean! (And we're worried about you if you don't...) The hotel hosts a weekly sunset luau, but the small spa is unimpressive and there's no kids' club.

Kauai Beach Resort: $139/night

Just 10 minutes from Lihue Airport, the Kauai Beach Resort is a quiet property with large, comfortable rooms and well maintained -- if a bit standard -- hotel decor. There are four kid-friendly pools (one even has a waterslide!), and a free, 24-hour fitness center, but this is about where the amenities stop. Though the hotel’s beach is jaw-droppingly beautiful, it’s rocky and not swimmable. For slightly more money, the Kauai Marriott has better service, better food, a more swim-friendly beach, and more stuff to do.

SEE ALSO: The 20 Best Hotels In America

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Now that it's peak ski season in wintry locales, we're busy deciding on which destination we'll choose for hitting the slopes. But a day spent skiing, snowboarding, and sledding can be exhausting, so picking a hotel that offers more than just a ski-friendly location is a must -- for us, at least!

Some ski resorts offer a variety of amenities -- spa treatments, heated pools, skating rinks, and fine dining, to name a few -- that are great when ski-sore muscles need to recoup.

The 13 hotels on our list are so fabulously filled with features that you may just forget about skiing altogether.

The St. Regis Deer Valley, Park City

The St. Regis offers a true five-star experience for year-round visitors to Park City. The expansive, well-maintained property has a spacious 24-hour fitness center with personal trainers and a yoga and Pilates studio, and a spacious heated outdoor pool and whirlpool. The Remède Spa has 11 treatment rooms, as well as saunas, steam rooms, and an indoor whirlpool. There are three restaurants on-site, in addition to the St. Regis Bar with its own signature Bloody Mary. They also offer various activities such as family yoga. When guests have finally tired of the amenities, they can head to the elegant rooms, complete with modern amenities and spectacular views. The property swells with A-listers during Sundance (as do the prices), which is no surprise thanks to its on-mountain location in posh Deer Valley.

One Ski Hill Place, a RockResort, Breckenridge

One Ski Hill Place is one of the most luxurious lodges in Breckenridge, with attractive condo-style units featuring gourmet kitchens, beautiful bathrooms (almost all with soaking tubs), and moss rock gas fireplaces. Some of the unique features include a two-lane bowling alley, two screening rooms with comfy recliners,  and a billiards room. There's also a lovely indoor pool area with a kiddie pool, small adult pool, water feature, whirlpool, and partial glass ceiling. The outdoor patio area also has a whirlpool, fire pit, and scenic mountain views. Finally, the 24-hour fitness center has several machines, and the sauna, steam room, and "Rejuvenation center" are available for relaxing, which is especially nice after a day of skiing. The hotel has a ski-in/ski-out location right on Peak 8, but getting to Main Street requires a trip on the Breck-Connect Gondola.

Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe

The Resort at Squaw Creek is one of the biggest resorts in Squaw Valley, with more than 400 rooms and so many available services and amenities that it is easily among the most comprehensive in all of Tahoe. Its beautiful location means fine views of the mountains and valley, whether guests are swimming, eating at one of the five restaurants, or simply gazing from thespacious rooms. The spa offers various treatments, outdoor whirlpools, and a plunge pool, whilethe fitness center has modern machines, steam rooms, and saunas. There are a slew of winter activities, including dog-sledding and ice skating, and a ski lift transports guests to Squaw Valley for hitting the slopes when you are in the mood for some downhill fun.

Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain

Not all Westins are created equal, and the Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain is one of the brand's most luxurious offerings. Rooms feature the Westin's Heavenly Beds, fireplaces, and flat-screen TVs; suites also feature kitchenettes and seating areas. Bathrooms -- like the rooms themselves -- are big, and have soaking tubs, separate showers, Bliss toiletries, and soft bathrobes. Top-notch features include the celebrated Spa Anjali, a gorgeous heated outdoor lap pool, delicious restaurant options, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. There is also ski access and plenty of outdoor wintry activities, including many for children. Throughout the property, guests can take in in stunning views of the mountains and Eagle River.

Fairmont Chateau, Whistler

This 550-room Fairmont Chateau is perched amid Bavarian-styled buildings just outside of Whistler Village, with magnificent views and close proximity to ski lifts. The interior decor is typical of a Fairmont, but with a mountain-esque twist -- think crown molding meets exposed wooden beams and stone-tiled walls. The excellent Wildflower restaurant serves contemporary American fare and there's afternoon tea in the lounge. The heated outdoor pool has underwater music and there are four whirlpools and an indoor pool to warm up in after a day in the snow. Other activities include working out in the fitness center, or relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms. Free yoga and Aqua Fit classes are offered, and the Vida spa has a variety of treatments available.

Tahoe Mountain Resorts Lounging, Lake Tahoe

The four-pearl Tahoe Mountain Resorts Lodging offers direct access to Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort, with plenty of nearby upscale shopping and dining found via cobblestone streets. Housed in separate lodges in the quaint Village at Northstar, the spacious, luxe rooms include kitchens, surround-sound TV systems, and fireplaces. A heated saline pool, spacious fitness center, full-service spa, and the beautiful mountain setting are added bonuses. It can be difficult to find a room here in winter, due to on-site perks like the year-round skating rink, shops, and five restaurants.

Hope Lake Lodge, Finger Lakes

The 106-room Hope Lake Lodge is practically a town unto itself. Guests have access to an attached water park (for a fee), and free access to a pool and whirlpools. Ample activities in the area abound, as the property sits next to the highest point in the county -- the ski resort -- which is attached to a year-round adventure center for zip lining and snow tubing, to name a few. While it's easy for kids to stay entertained, adult activities include signature cocktails next to the lobby's cozy fireplace and spa treatments. The property has Northwoods-inspired decor throughout, and many details were crafted from vendors in the area. The staff is made up of family members, students, and long-time locals, and the resort exudes a relaxed, home-away-from-home environment.

Vail Cascade Resort and Spa, Vail

With a beautiful creek-side setting and a private ski lift, the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa is a great overnight choice for those looking to get away and relax with all the amenities of an upscale hotel. Highlights include a beautiful infinity pool with adjacent fire pits and a 78,000-square-foot fitness center and spa. There is plenty to do at the resort, particularly for kids, which is good since it's in a somewhat removed location that is not truly walking distance to any of the Vail Villages. The Aria Spa includes 14 treatment rooms, luxe locker rooms, a relaxation room with a fireplace, an outdoor saline pool, and a whirlpool. The massive fitness club features an indoor basketball court, indoor track, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. The restaurant and bar are popular spots for guests and locals.

Mountain Club on Loon, New Hampshire

Mountain Club on Loon is a mid-range, somewhat dated resort located in the White Mountain National Forest. It's a nice getaway for travelers looking for scenic views and outdoor adventure any time of the year, but it's especially popular with families during the ski season. While the decor in some of the 117 units can be drab, the property's location on the mountain and the amenities are hard to beat for the area. The room rate includes use of the sauna, steam room, whirlpool,indoor lap pool, and heated outdoor pool. During the winter, a ski school, tube run, and skating rink offer fun activities. A climbing wall, a spa, and a beauty shop are open year round. The fitness center has separate rooms for Cybex cardio machines and strength-training equipment. Abasketball court and squash court are also available. One on-site restaurant offers casual dining, while another serves breakfast made with local ingredients (it's open for dinner in the winter, as well).

High Peaks Resort, Lake Placid

Located in the heart of Lake Placid, mere moments from all of Main Street's offerings, this 133-room lakefront resort manages to feel both central and secluded at the same time. Most rooms offer scenic views over Mirror Lake (don't miss the stunning sunrises), as well as modern amenities and noteworthy bathrooms (especially when compared to those at neighboring properties). There's plenty to keep guests occupied on-site, including the Aveda Concept Salon and Spa, four pools (two indoor and two outdoor), and a modern fitness center overlooking the pool courtyard. Guests at the resort's less-expensive sister property, the Lakeview Motor Inn, have full access to the amenities here, so public areas like the pools can get a bit crowded.

Viceroy Snowmass, Aspen

This luxury boutique resort opened in Vail in 2010, and prices are often more than fair for what you get: Beautiful, high-end mountain decor, particularly in the airy lobby and cozy library (no cabin kitsch here); two great restaurants, including the organic tapas bistro Leonora, plus a chic lounge; an outdoor pool; four whirlpools. The 7,000-square-foot spa with a gorgeous relaxation room has separate locker rooms, plunge pools, whirlpools, and six treatment rooms that include a Vichy wet room. The adjacent fitness center is state-of-the-art, with Technogym cardio and strength-training equipment.

Hotel Maribel, Province of Trento

The 24-room Hotel Maribel is a chalet-style property set in a clearing surrounded by woods. Its location in the Adamello Brenta Park is great for exploring the area's natural beauty and there's also easy access to skiing. Lodge-inspired rooms are clean and comfortable, and includefurnished balconies, but there's not much for kids on-site. Maso Maribel gets high marks for style and cuisine. Rates are on the high side, but there's plenty included to make it an astoundingly good value. The hotel features an impressive spa -- a beautifully finished contemporary wellness center with an indoor pool and a variety of relaxation tubs, saunas, and hydrotherapy treatments. Guests have access to all the spa facilities free of charge. The hotel also serves a free breakfasteach morning. There's a shuttle to the slopes and ski storage on-site. A mountain bike loan and Nordic walking guides are also free.

Montage Deer Valley, Park City

The Montage in Deer Valley is a large, luxurious resort with a ski-in/ski-out location. The rooms feel like upscale apartments, with warm wood accents, chandeliers, high-end artwork, fireplaces, and marble bathrooms complete with heated floors, soaking tubs, and separate showers. The hotel has a massive spa (with free access to its pool, steam rooms, and saunas) and several restaurants, one with fine dining and another with a bowling alley -- but pricey hotels have pricey extras, and everything from spa treatments to the kids' club is expensive.

More from Oyster.com:

Vail vs. Aspen: Which Is The Better Ski Destination?

11 Hotels Fit For A Fairytale

11 Cozy Hotels With Fireplaces In Every Room

10 Luxurious Ski Resorts We Love

SEE ALSO: 10 Of The Best Apres-Ski Parties In The World

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With a nickname like Sin City, Vegas is an obvious choice for revelers looking to do a little more than sit on the couch with a glass of wine and wait for midnight to roll around on New Year's Eve.

In Vegas, where the beats of celebrity DJs can be heard until the early morning hours and the premium drinks of high-end bars seem to flow freely (well, actually, quite expensively), you’ll spend your New Year’s Eve like never before. So for those who want to dance on tables, pop champagne, and greet 2015 with a serious hangover -- these New Year’s Eve parties are just for you. 

Tryst, Wynn Las Vegas

On a regular night, a line starts forming outside of Tryst’s doors at 8:30pm, even though the club doesn’t open until 10pm. Typically filled with good looking twenty-somethings ordering bottle service, Tryst is sure to drawn an equally exclusive crowd for NYE. This year, Lil Jon will be hosting, and the club’s website promises a guaranteed sell-out.

Hyde, Bellagio

Ring in the new year at Hyde, the Bellagio’s upscale bar that overlooks the hotel’s famous fountains. The $150 standard admission fee will grant party-goers free hors d’oeuvres from 9 to 11 p.m., and a hosted bar until midnight. Hyde’s outdoor terrace is the perfect spot for viewing Sin City’s famous NYE fireworks, and those dancing inside will get quite the view, too -- hotel heiress turned DJ, Paris Hilton, will be there, as will other celebrity guests.

Vanity, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Jewel-toned Vanity, with its sunken dance floor, intimate VIP booths, and outdoor terrace, is undoubtedly one of the best places in Vegas to ring in the new year. This year’s bash, dubbed The Bootleggers Ball, will be hosted by DJ Pauly D (of the Jersey Shore variety). Admission ($125 for women, $150 for men) includes a hosted bar from 9 to 11 p.m., but women will also receive free drinks at casino bars starting at 7 p.m. It may be a man's world, but sometimes it's the ladies who get the perks...

Lavo, Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino

Spend your last night of 2014 at Lavo, one of the most exclusive nightclubs in Vegas. DJ Khaled will be hosting the night’s festivities and admission ($50 for women, $75 for men) guarantees a premium open bar from 9 to 11 p.m., “heavily passed hors d’oeuvres” from 9 till midnight, exclusive access to Lavo’s outdoor terrace for the fireworks display, a champagne toast at midnight, and entry to TAO at the neighboring Venetian after midnight.

Tao, Venetian

Ready for this one? TAO, an Asian-fusion nightclub located within the Italian-themed Venetian will be throwing a Gatsby-esque,1920s-inspired affair hosted by none other than Snoop Dogg -- so it's naturally entitled "The Snoopadelic Cabaret." Guests are welcome to dress in period attire (pearls and fringe for women, dapper suits for men) and the venue will feature period-influenced entertainment acts. There will be hors d’oeuvres from 9 p.m. till midnight, and a premium open bar from 9 till 11. Admission is $75 for ladies, $125 for gents.

Marquee, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas

The night belongs to the young and trendy at The Cosmopolitan’s posh nightclub, Marquee. Drake will be hosting the evening’s festivities, and the $150-for-men/$100-for-women admission price provides what now seems to be the standard Vegas offerings: a two-hour premium bar, three hours of “heavily passed” hors d’oeuvres, and a champagne toast to ring in the New Year.

1OAK, The Mirage

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will host the New Year’s Eve bash at 1OAK this year. The club opens at 9 p.m., so be sure to get there early as standard admission (which ranges from $85 to $165) only guarantees an open bar for one hour. Throughout the night, 1OAK will be giving away prizes such as flights, hotel accommodations, and dinner at The Mirage’s STACK Restaurant & Bar.

More from Oyster:

Is Your Hotel On Santa's Naughty Or Nice List

Party Like Celebs At These 7 Hotels

What You Get In US Cities...For $200/Night 

SEE ALSO: The Best Las Vegas Hotel For Every Kind Of Traveler

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Venice is absolutely gorgeous: The canals, the architecture, and the quaint local shops and restaurants make it a city worth exploring on foot. But it may be hard to get yourself out of bed if you're staying in one of these amazing rooms! Take a look at ten Venetian hotels that are home to some stunning rooms.

Boscolo Venezia Autograph Collection

A luxurious, 72-room converted palazzo on the northern edge of Venice, Boscolo Venezia Autograph Collection is a quiet retreat from the chaotic heart of the city. The rare, private garden and spa with hot tub, sauna, and steam room are highlights. Rooms are also stunning and have classic decor and Venetian portraits. Upgrading to a Junior Suite gets guests more space and style -- these rooms have high ceilings and intricate crown molding.

Luna Hotel Baglioni

The Luna Hotel Baglioni is a luxury chain hotel with 104 rooms located less than a two-minute walk from the shops, restaurants, and architecture of Saint Mark’s Square. The classic hotel delivers a high level of service in a beautiful setting, and rooms are beautifully decorated in soft colors, detailed with floral wallpaper and fabric-covered headboards for the beds; traditional Venetian furniture completes the scene. There are suites available with varying features like gray marble bathrooms, handmade Versailles parquet flooring, and private terraces overlooking the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Rooms have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels; iPod docking stations are available in suite spaces.

Centurion Palace

The Centurion Palace is a 50-room luxury hotel housed in a 19th-century palace. Its location is excellent, right on the Grand Canal and sandwiched between the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and Santa Maria della Salute. Rooms are chic and contemporary, with dramatic headboards, premium bedding, and high ceilings (some with white or wood beams). They're individually decorated, and some have vibrantly colored walls while others are more neutral. All rooms have quirky, modern touches and stunning bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, as well as robes and slippers. It's worth asking for a canal view, though it does cost more. All in all, the rooms are among the most luxurious in the city, and the contemporary look is rare; most luxury hotels opt for classic Venetian elegance.

LaGare Hotel Venezia - Mgallery Collection

This upscale, charming 118-room hotel on Murano Island in the Venice lagoon is a chic, modern pick with a quiet atmosphere. The hotel (a restored glass factory) has bright, spacious interiors and displays local glass artwork. The 118 rooms at LaGare Hotel Venezia - Mgallery Collection are polished and chic. Decorated in soft earth tones, all rooms have big flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and big, modern bathrooms. Some rooms are lofted suites while others have original exposed brick detail. Some rooms have obstructed views, but others have sweeping ones overlooking the water.

Hotel Palazzo Stern

The boutique Hotel Palazzo Stern is housed in a restored historic building on the Grand Canal, with sections dating back to the 15th century. The room decor is in a traditional Venetian style, with crystal chandeliers and luxurious curtains, but it's not overly stuffy. Amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, and beautifully updated bathrooms come complete with towel warmers. 

Hotel Canal Grande

The luxurious, 22-room Hotel Canal Grande is housed in a centuries-old palace located along the Grand Canal, near the main train station in Venice. Decadent rooms have modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and comfortable beds, but the use of rich patterns in gold and blues, the classic artwork on the walls, and the Rococo-style furniture might be a bit too much to some. Rooms facing the canal have better views (though some have small windows), but those overlooking the lovely square are quieter.

Hotel Principe

Hotel Principe is a formal, upscale 139-room hotel with classic touches in the Cannaregio district on the Grand Canal. Choice rooms come with exquisite views of the canal, especially those withsmall balconies that are almost level with the water. Some of the rooms have more traditional design touches, such as chandeliers, heavy curtains, and decorative wallpaper; the bedspreadsmay feel a tad dated to some. Rooms all come with flat-screen TVs, small desks, safe, minibars, and Wi-Fi (for a fee).

Hotel Moresco

Hotel Moresco is a boutique on a small canal near Venice’s bus terminal. The tranquil bar with library and fireplace provides a welcoming setting where guests can relax with a drink and snack upon check-in. Each of the 23 rooms -- with names such as The Town Crier and The Poet -- is individually decorated with pretty, patterned wallpaper and elaborate chandeliers. Attention to detail is seen in the small touches such as robes and slippers and in the decor including intricate mosaics in the bathrooms. Some rooms have balconies, some overlook the canal, and all get great natural light. Beautiful suites have vaulted ceilings and soaking tubs.

UNA Hotel Venezia

A classic Venetian palace turned 36-room hotel, the UNA Hotel Venezia is located in the charming Cannaregio district near a Vaporetto stop. Rooms are decorated in a classic Venetian style, and each has nice touches including an electric kettle, flat-screen TV, and a work desk and chair. Traditional patterns and formal drapes are elegant, though the rooms decorated in green decormay feel either busy or grand, depending on tastes. Most rooms are spacious and some overlook the canal. Bathrooms are big and modern.

Carnival Palace Hotel

The clean, 67-room Carnival Palace Hotel near the train station in Venice is tucked away in the quiet north of the city, away from the tourist bustle. Each of the 67 rooms is individually designed. Some are understated while others use bold color, patterns, and stripes. Murano glass chandeliers and gilded mirrors provide glamorous touches. Some rooms face the picturesque canal while quieter rooms face the interior garden. Wall-mounted TVs, free Wi-Fi, and big Carrara marble bathrooms are all nice features, but there are no tea or coffee facilities in the rooms and to control the temperature you must call the front desk.

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These days, most people (particularly in the US) down a PowerBar on the go — or skip breakfast all together.

But doctors (and nagging mothers) have long dubbed it the most important meal of the day ... and we'd argue it can also be the most delicious. During our travels, we've used this MD-approved advice as an excuse for getting our fill of tasty eats every morning before a day packed with sight-seeing and exploring.

Here are nine of the world's most delicious traditional breakfasts ... don't be afraid on the ones that are a little more, er, different! (Like #2...)

1. A Traditional English Fry-Up

Speak to any full-blooded English person living abroad and it's guaranteed that a traditional (and cheap) English breakfast will be at the top of the list of things they miss from across the pond. Covering every inch of plate possible, a typical English breakfast — also known as a "full English" or "fry-up"— consists of, well, many of the things that could induce a heart attack.

It's basically fried everything, making it so dang delicious (and a great hangover cure). Next to a collection of fried eggs, fried tomatoes, and fried mushrooms, you can find baked beans, slices of buttered toast, a few rashers of bacon (English bacon is what Americans call "back bacon" and tends to be a bit thicker cut and much less crispy), sausage links, and, of course, tea.

While any English Breakfast tea is passible, to be most authentic make sure to sip a cup of PG Tips or Tetley. Variations of this morning meal can also include chips (a.k.a. french fries), hash browns, and/or black pudding. For a taste of a fancier fry-up,  London's four-pearl Rembrandt provide guests with a free full English breakfast -- a rarity at hotels of this caliber. 

2. Natto in Japan

Many consider Natto -- a dish made of slimy, fermented soybeans -- an acquired (to say it nicely) taste, even in Japan.

But nevertheless, this pungent probiotic punch, often served with rice, is a popular early-morning eye-opener on the breakfast table. If you fear you might not be able to stomach it, you can opt for traditional asagohan items like miso soup, grilled or smoked fish like salmon or mackerel, and/or pickled veggies instead. Can't make it to Japan anytime soon?

Guests at Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki get a taste of Japan with rock garden grounds and a traditional Japanese breakfast menu, while deep in San Francisco's Japantown, Hotel Kaubki not only has traditional breakfast items, but is decked out in traditional Nippon-style decor, too. 

3. Chinese Congee

Congee is a simple Asian dish. While each country has its own take on the gruel-style rice porridge -- it's a known illness remedy in Burma, and is served to babies in South Korea -- and it can pass for a meal any time of day, it's most commonly found featured as a breakfast option.

No matter the case (or hour of consumption), the basics are this: white rice is boiled down in an excessive amount of water until it becomes fragile and soft like oatmeal. It can be eaten plain or with various sauces and/or accoutrements like herbs, meat, seafood, vegetables, or nuts.

In China, it's often paired with fried bread sticks, or youtiao, when served for breakfast. The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino's Chinese restaurant, Noodle Asia, serves congee, so you can check it out stateside next time you're in Vegas.

4. Kaymak, Sucuk, and Tea in Turkey

If you are someone who wants a little bit of everything in the morning, then you are going to love Turkish breakfasts. With a seemingly endless selection of start-the-day dishes — all on one table! — the Turks make sure to fill their tummies with tasty tapas of breads and butter, cheeses, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jam, honey, and kaymak, a traditional water buffalo milk condiment that's creamy and similar to clotted cream.

Don't forget to try a bite of the spicy Turkish sausage, sucuk. If you are a coffee drinker (and believe us, Turkey has some crazy strong coffee), try skipping the cup of Joe for a more traditional cup of Turkish tea. Sound good?  At Turkey's Gorme's Aydinli Cave House Hotel you can pick and choose from the hotel's delicious (and free!) Turkish breakfast buffet, packed full of all the staples. 

5. Brazilian Tapioca Cheese Crepes or Creamy Requeijão (On Anything)

Considering how the country's cuisine is strongly defined by region, typical Brazilian breakfast dishes can vary greatly depending on your locale. While it is safe to say that you will almost always be welcomed with a café-da-manhã, or morning coffee (phew!), be prepared for a menu featuring more lunch-like items than bacon and eggs.

Sliced cold cuts, fresh fruits, couscous, and bread and butter are common breakfast buddies, as are grilled sandwiches. Though some of the traditional breakfast cakes can be a nice treat, we like to get our fill of requeijão — a creamy cheese spread with a similar consistency to melted brie — whenever possible.

Thankfully, it pops up in many of the Brazilian breakfast sandwiches, slathered between two slices, usually with ham or turkey. When we are in the Northeastern regions, we keep a keen eye out for places that serve tapioca crepes filled with butter, fruit, or cheese. Bonus: These delicious crepes are gluten-free!

6. Fresh-baked Croissants and Coffee in France

Apparently missing the memo that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, France opts out of endless buffet options, small plates, and overflowing forkfuls of artery-clogging components in favor of a simpler (but equally delicious) start.

In fact, one bite into a perfectly crusty, yet soft, big-as-your-hand croissant may cause your knees to buckle as you melt into the cafe floor — before the barista can even hand you your coffee! We love the selection at Hotel Original Paris, where you can start your day with scrumptious and fluffy fresh-baked pastries and hot coffee. 

7. A Shot of Smooth Italian Espresso

Similar to the French, Italians traditionally don't put much on the plate for breakfast. In fact, in most Italian households, there is little more than a hot shot of espresso taken in the morning. Those feeling a bit more peckish may add a few sweet, cookie-type biscuits or a pastry to the mix, and fortunately restaurants and hotels often serve a continental-style breakfast with a few hot items and some simple, sweet crepes. The Italian Riviera's Hotel Miramare offers a free Italian-style breakfast on its beach-facing terrace. It may not fill you up, but at least it comes with a beautiful view. 

8. Eggs with Relationship Issues in Mexico

Using the traditional components — like tortillas, beans, rice, queso fresca (fresh cheese), tomatoes, onion, and cilantro — found in Mexican lunch and dinner dishes, many popular, south-of-the-border breakfasts make them morning-friendly by adding fried eggs. While huevos rancheros (corn tortillas topped with fried eggs and a mild tomato salsa, served with refried beans and rice) is definitely one of the most popular, even popping up on menus in diners across the States, we prefer one of the more creatively named dishes.

Perhaps its the cynic or silly in us, but we can't stop laughing and ordering huevos divorciados, or "divorced eggs." What do you get? Two fried eggs, one served under red sauce and the other under green, served separated on the plate. The means of separation varies, but it's most commonly rolled, stuffed, and fried tortillas known as chilaquiles -- or plain ole refried beans and tortilla chips. Guests at Riviera Nayarit's Villa Bella can test out some traditional morning dishes, Mexico style. 

9. Ackee and Saltfish in Jamaica

Widely known as Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish is one of the island's must-try breakfast items — especially if you live in the United States. Because of its possible poisonous properties if harvested incorrectly, the nutty ackee fruit -- which resembles scrambled eggs when cooked up — is banned from import in the States.

The other half of the dish, saltfish, is basically leftover bits of codfish that are heavily salted for flavor and preservation. The two ingredients are mixed with tomato, onion, and Scotch bonnet peppers and usually served with bread dumplings, boiled green bananas, and/or fried plantains.

There's also a starch-heavy, potato-like fruit called breadfruit that is fried and bears an impressive resemblance to dense, sliced bread. If you're heading to Jamaica, Half Moon, a RockResort's Sea Grape Terrace Restaurant has an extensive Jamaican breakfast buffet; guests can sample staples like ackee and salt fish, fried bread dumplings, and boiled green bananas.

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Thailand takes tourism seriously. Hotel owners go the extra mile to offer visitors one-of-a-kind experiences and features that blend Thailand's famous hospitality with the natural beauty of the country's coastline and tropical setting. With a ton of new Thai properties on Oyster.com, we came up with this "best of the best" list to let Thailand show off.

Best Sunset Views

Baba Nest at the Sri Panwa Phuket

Opening every evening just in time, Baba Nest at Sri Panwa Phuket provides panoramic views of the sun setting into the sparkly Andaman Sea. Craft cocktails are served, although visitors should note that non-hotel guests are required to spend a minimum on drinks. Pull up a cushion and get your camera ready for some seriously gorgeous views. 

Best Cooking School

 The Oriental Thai Cooking School at Mandarin oriental Bangkok

Cooking classes are a common activity at Thai hotels, but it's hard to beat the professionalism and setting found at The Oriental Thai Cooking School inside The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. A white-clad chef explains spicy Thai ingredients and techniques before allowing students to experiment by grinding spices and carving vegetables into roses. Of course, eating the creations is half the fun. 

Best for Kids

Kids' Club at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

At JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, kids have the run of the place. The kids' club is a stylish and fun hangout that's more than an afterthought. There are babysitters for little ones and everything from a trampoline, to a pool table, to Apple computers for tweens. Kids' menus at the restaurants and several landscaped swimming pools, plus water sports at the beach, make for happy and entertained families. 

Best Yacht

Andara Resort and Villas Yacht

If being landlocked isn't your thing, check out the private and staffed yacht for rent at Andara Resort and Villas. The 35 meters of Italian designed boat comes with a hefty price tag, but it's a truly fabulous way to island hop off the coast of Phuket. The sunset cruise to Phi Phi Island is popular, or the yacht can be chartered for an overnight excursion to the Similian Islands. 

Best Party

Catch Beach Club at the Twinpalms Phuket

The Twinpalms Phuket is a modern boutique with an Ibiza vibe and not one, but two, beach clubs. Live music and DJ appearances are regular occurrences at this spot that's popular with locals and guests. The vibe is definitely fun and focused on music, but it's more sophisticated than the spring break-style revelry found at Patong Beach. 

Best Villas

The Lagoon Pool Villa at the Anantara Phuket Villas

Luxury villas are easy to come by in Thailand, but it's hard to beat The Lagoon Pool Villa at the Anantara Phuket Villas, which seamlessly combines indoor and outdoor space with a private pool and sunken hot tub. Bathroom walls open up for access to the warm, tropical air. For an over-the-top and extremely private honeymoon in Thailand, we can't think of anywhere better. 

Best Infinity Pool

The Pool at the Paresa

Lots of Thai properties have pretty pools, but the infinity pool at the Paresa is our favorite. Not only is it quiet (all the villas here have private pools, so the common pool is rarely busy) but it's beyond picturesque: thousands of LED lights twinkle in the water at night, making the pool an ideal place for a starry swim. Gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea are almost uninterrupted, and an adjacent bar serves fresh fruit smoothies along with cocktails. 

Best Beach

Beach at The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Phuket

Beaches in Thailand range from meh to wow. The private stretch of sand that meets sparkly blue water at The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Phuket is most definitely a wow, and lacks the red flags and ultra low tide that can make competing beaches unfit for swimming. Guests can borrow sailboats, paddleboards, and kayaks -- or lounge on hammocks on a grassy lawn above the beach. 

Best Spot to Detox

The Sanctuary Island Resort is well-known for its secluded location and amenities that focus on yoga, detoxing, and health. This unique property isn't easy to access (expect a boat ride), but it's secluded and serene. Even if you don't sign up for a colonic, the fresh sea air and vegetarian-friendly food are sure to have healthy benefits. 

Best Breakfast

 180° View & Grill at the Villa Zolitude Resort and Spa

Many resorts and hotels offer a free breakfast, but the quality of both the food and the space in which it's served can vary. Guests at the Villa Zolitude Resort and Spa are treated to a free breakfast buffet that includes a huge variety of hot and cold Western and Thai dishes. Freshly squeezed juice and strong coffee taste even better with 180-degree views of the jungle. 

Best Spa

 The Linger Longer Spa at the Layana Resort and Spa

Even budget hotels in Thailand have small spaces dedicated to massages, but The Linger Longer Spa at the luxurious Layana Resort and Spa goes above and beyond. It has everything for a complete spa experience: salt room, ice room, garden setting, hydro pool, and air-conditioned treatment rooms. Thai massages are obviously popular. 

Best Spot for a Selfie

The Prego Pool at The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket

It kinda looks like the architect who put this cement island smack in the center of the infinity-edge pool had selfies in mind when he/she designed it. Even without a selfie stick, it would be easy to pull off the perfect pout with a tropical background, just right for Instagram, at the Westin's infinity pool.

SEE ALSO: The Best Caribbean Island For Every Type Of Traveler

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President Obama's easing of sanctions on Cuba has been big news for the past couple of weeks, but the new regulations were officially instated last week.

While this move affects trade, finance, and even perhaps baseball, we're of course most interested in what this means for travel to the island nation.

Well, technically tourism is still a big "no-no," BUT you can now enter Cuba for a dozen reasons without having to obtain a special license to do so. Here they are, as outlined by the White House:

SEE ALSO: 21 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Cuba

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It kinda seems like winter's allure disappears with the holidays, right? When Christmas and New Year's have passed, what we once jollily called a "Winter Wonderland" is now less wonderful and more just, well, wintry, with tons of snow, minimal daylight, and freezing temperatures (oh my!).

Fortunately, you can escape these harsh conditions and head to a balmy destination on the sand.Unfortunately, a mid-winter or spring break getaway can get quite pricey, especially because so many travelers have just the same idea, thereby creating a price spike among hotels and flights.

But, fortunately yet again, there are some beach locales that aren't inordinately expensive. Take a look at our picks for this year's most amazing (and affordable) beach destinations for spring break. You'll definitely be surprised by a few (yes, we see Thailand in your future).

1. Corfu, Greece

It's no secret that Greece's economy has been struggling for some time, so the country has found itself on plenty of European getaway lists as of late. But for our affordable beach destination roundup, we're highlighting the Greek island of Corfu.

While most jet-setters head for the better known, more popular, and significantly pricier Cyclades (made up of islands such as Mykonos and Santorini), Corfu is a great pick for those on a budget. Travelers can often score relatively inexpensive flights directly to the island by booking through smaller, regional airlines and once there, visitors will find that hotels, restaurants, and activities can be pretty cheap.

Be wary of hotels advertising four stars (take a look at our photos first!), but even if they aren't quite up to a luxury standard, many Corfu beach resorts offer all-inclusive options and feature numerous pools, a range of dining, and simple, clean rooms.

• Our Hotel Pick: Aquis Pelekas Beach Hotel
• Read our review and see more pics of the hotel here.

2. Myrtle Beach, SC

Continually ranked as one of America's best family beach destinations, Myrtle Beach offers visitors one-of-a-kind nightlife, more than 100 golf courses, and 60 miles of sandy shoreline -- all at affordable prices. Flying there doesn't put a huge burden on the wallet, and it's an easy enough drive from cities such as Charleston, Charlotte, and Augusta.

This locale may be known to get a bit jam-packed, but hotels account for this with massive pools and water park complexes, as well as plenty of meeting spaces and large rooms. In fact, many properties feature condo-style accommodations with kitchens and living rooms.

• Our Hotel Pick: Captain's Quarters Resort
• Read our review and see more pics here.
• N.B. You can score a room here this March for less than $60/night!

3. Puerto Rico

Though it has a tropical, Caribbean vibe, Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth and therefore flights to the island from the mainland are often inexpensive, especially when compared to those to nearby islands such as Turks and Caicos and the BVI.  

In Puerto Rico, huge malls, golf courses, and casinos meet tropical rainforests and beautiful white-sand beaches, while well-preserved 15th-century Spanish forts loom over charming towns with colorful colonial buildings. 

Prices are similar to those in the U.S., and the hotel offerings are varied, from luxury resorts, to government-sponsored inns, to chain hotels. So no matter your style (party-centric or laid-back) or budget (sky-high or tight), you'll find a great beach retreat.

• Our Hotel Pick: The Beach House Hotel
• Read our review and see more pics here.

4. Playa del Carmen

Achieving an affordable vacation to Mexico often mandates sacrificing peace and quiet. Well, this may be the case with Cancun, but if you drive less than an hour from this affordable, party-centric locale, you'll find Playa del Carmen, its more low-key, less crowded sister that, like Cancun, offers plenty of budget-friendly, all-inclusive resorts.

Even though spring break is peak season, many hotels offer deals around this time, and day trips to spots like Cozumel and the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum are relatively inexpensive.

• Our Hotel Pick: La Tortuga Hotel & Spa
• Read our review and see more pics here.
• N.B. La Tortuga is not all-inclusive, but rates are low for the area and breakfast is free.

5. South Padre Island, TX

This island, reachable from the Texas mainland via Route 100, is wildly popular during spring break, mostly because it's so cheap. Co-eds from various Southern colleges flock to its beaches every March, and South Padre hosts a massive annual spring break shindig -- complete with DJs and crowds of nearly 20,000.

Families can also find plenty to do here (there's dolphin watching, water parks, kiteboarding, sailing, and plenty of inexpensive dining options) but the island's main focus, particularly during the spring, is on providing booze-fueled parties for rowdy 20-somethings.

• Our Hotel Pick: La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre Beach
• Read our review and see more pics here.
• N.B. This family-friendly option sits on a quiet stretch of sand.

6. Phuket, Thailand

Getting to Thailand does not come cheap -- although booking your flights as far in advance as possible certainly helps -- but once you're there, you can live like royalty for a shockingly low fee. The beach town of Phuket in particular is home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the world, and yet even the most exclusive properties offer rooms starting around $200/night.

The same stunningly low rates can be found at restaurants, shops, and spas. Naithon Beach is beautiful, and conveniently close to the airport, while Batok on Racha Yai island is arguably even more gorgeous and unspoiled. Patong Beach is also popular.

• Our Hotel Pick: The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket
• Read our review and see more pics here.
• N.B. A true five-pearl resort, the Westin can be booked for just $130/night this March!

7. Jamaica

Many major airports offer direct flights to Jamaica's Montego Bay, where a handful of affordable accommodations can be found. But for those who don't mind a slightly longer airport transfer,Ocho Rios (a couples hours from Montego) is an even more budget-friendly destination. (Some of Montego Bay's resorts can be quite luxurious, and therefore expensive.)

Once a sleepy fishing village, Ocho Rios is now home to numerous all-inclusives nestled among laid-back, local joints offering cheap beers and tasty jerk chicken. It also has beautiful, private white-sand beaches and a famous waterfall park with swimming and hiking.

• Our Hotel Pick: Moxons Beach Club
• Read our review and see more pics here.

SEE ALSO: The Best Caribbean Island For Every Type Of Traveler

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner (consider this your helpful reminder), we thought it’d be nice to share some of our favorite spots for romance. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat along the California coast, or a chic and sexy stay in the Big Easy, we’ve picked out the perfect hotels for couples seeking a romantic rendezvous.

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

The 39-room Post Ranch Inn is one of the most beautiful hotels in the United States -- if not the entire world -- and offers a romantic, intimate stay amid gorgeous natural surroundings. Built into the cliffs of Big Sur, Post Ranch's location makes guests privy to some of California’s most stunning views, whether it be from their decadent, yet eco-friendly, rooms, or one of three cliff-top “basking pools” (kept at a balmy 104 degrees). The acclaimed on-site spa offers unique treatments, and outdoor activities -- think morning yoga, nature hikes, and stargazing -- abound. The hotel restaurant is quite possibly one of Big Sur’s best, and the hard-to-beat views make it the perfect spot for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. 

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Florida Keys

If a private island reachable only by boat or seaplane sounds like your ideal romantic escape, it doesn’t get much better than the Florida Keys’ Little Palm Island Resort & Spa. This luxurious, tech-free resort (no TVs, no cell phone use) is a place where guests come to unplug and unwind. Freestanding bungalows feature rustic South Floridan decor, and have private balconies with water views. The luxurious spa offers a wide array of treatments, and the resort’s tranquil pool is nestled amongst the tropical landscape. With stunning sunset views, there’s nothing more romantic than dinner for two at the resort’s fine dining restaurant.  

The Boulders, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Phoenix

Perhaps one of the most visually stunning hotels in the American Southwest, The Boulders -- and everything about it -- was built to impress. The minimalist hotel blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, while the interiors feature local stone and wood finishes. Private, all-white casitas are warmed by exposed beams, kiva-style fireplaces, and cozy reading nooks; and most rooms have impressive views of the two on-site golf courses. The top-notch Waldorf Spa offers a mammoth menu of treatment options, ideal for couples looking to relax the day away. The hotel’s cuisine is superb, and many dishes feature ingredients from the on-site organic garden. Couples seeking a secluded hideaway will love The Boulders‘ exclusive setting and appreciate its impressive service. 

Planter's Inn, Charleston

Located in the historic heart of one of the South’s most romantic cities, the Planters Inn is a luxury boutique where Southern hospitality and charm are the mainstays. Picture stately oak trees, moss-draped canopies, and brick laden pathways giving way to a lobby where antique chandeliers, freshly cut flowers, and a wood-burning fireplace welcome guests each day. Rooms come equipped with antique four poster beds, Italian hem-stitched linens, and marble finishes, and some have terraces with views of the lovely courtyard. The Peninsula Grill, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, serves renowned Low Country cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere amid antique cypress woodwork and rich, gray velvet walls -- the perfect spot for that romantic Valentine’s Day meal. 

Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, Lanai

On the tiny Hawaiian island of Lanai, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay offers guests exquisite luxury in a setting of unparalleled privacy. Known for its exceptional service and unrivaled beauty, the Four Seasons attracts honeymooners and couples looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway. The calm waters of Manele Bay are great for snorkeling, and many guests report that dolphin and sea turtle sightings are not uncommon. For the ultimate romantic gesture, treat your partner to a massage at one of the spa’s outdoor cabanas overlooking the ocean -- or make it a couple's massage, and treat yourself too!

Auberge Du Soleil, Napa

One of the most exclusive resorts in all of California wine country, Auberge Du Soleil is an unforgettable romantic retreat. Despite its intimate size, it has all the amenities of a much larger resort. There are the exquisite Napa Valley views, the Michelin-star restaurant, a 7,000-square-foot luxury spa, and a gorgeous pool. Clearly, pampered wining and dining is the name of the game at this five-pearl property. Rooms are simple, but elegant, with huge terraces and deep soaking tubs. For romantics looking for a luxurious stay in Napa, Auberge Du Soleil is the ideal spot.   

Della Terra Mountain Chateau, Rocky Mountain National Park

The Della Terra Mountain Chateau is a romantic hotel in the shadow of Rocky Mountain National Park. A 14-suite, adults-only boutique, rooms here are large, with plush sitting areas, deep-set copper soaking tubs, and two-person hot tubs on porches or balconies. The majestic views and remote location make it the perfect place for a snowy Valentine’s Day getaway. And with a free (delicious) daily breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free parking, the Della Terra is one of the more budget-friendly options on our list.   

The Lodge at Sea Island, Georgia

Surrounded by antebellum oaks dripping with Spanish moss and the marshy shores of the St. Simons Sound, The Lodge at Sea Island feels as though it was pulled from the pages of a romance novel. Stately decor -- dark wood paneling, oriental rugs, and tartan furnishings -- and personal butler service evoke a bygone era. Rooms are palatial in every sense, with high ceilings, overstuffed furniture, marble bathrooms, and luxury toiletries. Sea Island is a golfer’s paradise, and all three of its famed courses surround the Lodge. Our Valentine’s Day recommendation? Grab some pre-dinner drinks on the patio and listen to a bagpiper as he plays while the sun sets. After dark, roast some s’mores at the fire pit before heading out on a stargazing stroll. 

International House Hotel, New Orleans

With posh decor, an attentive staff, and a downright sexy vibe, it’s no wonder trendsetters and celebs flock to the International House Hotel while in New Orleans. Luxe, contemporary rooms feature tufted furnishings with marble accents, and though they’re not too large, prices are more than fair for what you get. The popular craft cocktail bar, just off the rose-scented lobby, serves fancy libations by candlelight in an ultra chic setting. The hotel’s location within the Central Business District is convenient for couples looking to explore the city, and is within walking distance of the French Quarter. 

The Setai Miami Beach

Striking, Asian-inspired design, impeccable service, enormous, immaculately kept rooms, three pools, and an awesome location on a posh stretch of Collins Avenue easily make The Setai Miami Beach one of Miami Beach's hottest hotels. But the richly decorated suites, with deep granite soaking tubs and luxury linens, impressive beachside service (expect to be spritzed with a cooling Evian mist), and calming reflective courtyards, also make it one of the area's most romantic. If you can’t make it all the way to Bali for Valentine’s Day this year, The Setai is a romantic runner up that’s much closer to home.

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From Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to Ocho Rios in Jamaica, the Caribbean is full of amazing travel destinations. The warm weather, white-sand beaches, and luxurious resorts may be what the islands are best known for, but they also have some of most renowned golf courses in the world — many of which are found on hotels' properties!

A round of golf amidst palm trees, overlooking gorgeous blue waters is the perfect activity while on a vacation, right?! Even if you end up spending a lot of the time in the sand trap... Of course every golfer knows about the stunning (and stunningly expensive) courses at Sandy Lane (where Tiger likes to play) and Casa de Campo, so we decided to find nine amazing Caribbean golf courses that are slightly more under-the-radar. Take a look -- and then take a swing!

CuisinArt Golf Club at CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla

The CuisinArt, one of the best-known resorts in Anguilla, is a sprawling beachfront property dotted by white, Grecian-like buildings. It's home to an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course, which is the only course on the island. Along the water, golfers have stunning views as they tee off.

After a round, guests can use the expansive spa facilities -- including healing pools, a wet room, and treatments rooms -- or dine at one of several on-site restaurants that offer gourmet meals with a focus on fresh ingredients from the resort's hydroponic farm.

Ocean Club Golf Course at One&Only, Bahamas 

The resort is called One&Only for good reason -- there’s nothing quite like it on Paradise Island, or anywhere in the Bahamas for that matter. Golfers do not have to travel far to get to the adjacent 18-hole championship golf course, set on a peninsula with great views of the ocean.

The Ocean Club Golf Course was designed by championship-winning golfer Tom Weiskopf, and there's a pro shop on-site. The resort is also home to a Balinese-style spa, gourmet restaurants, chic suites, and two outdoor pools. 

Punta Espada Golf Course at Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

The Eden Roc, opened in 2012, is one of the most high-tech properties in the Dominican Republic, and is located in the gated Cap Cana community -- which has a gorgeous golf course, marina, and beach club. 

The beautiful Jack Nicklaus-designed course is open to hotel guests. Nestled between natural grottos and the ocean, the 18-hole course includes challenging holes such as over-the-water shots and tricky greens. The photo opps alone make for a worthwhile experience.

Tucker’s Point Golf Course, Bermuda

No other property on the island has quite the sparkle and shine of this stunning 200-acre resort with immaculate grounds, four pools, four restaurants, a championship golf course, a private beach, a tranquil spa, and spacious rooms featuring million-dollar views. 

Tucker’s Point is a true golfer’s haven, with a Roger Rulewich-designed 18-hole championship golf course, putting green, driving range, and pro shop, as well as access to the adjacent (and extremely exclusive) Mid Ocean Golf Club.

Newstead Belmont Golf Course, Bermuda

The breezy, laid-back Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa is one of Bermuda’s only properties built within the last decade, and modern rooms, gourmet dining, a serene spa, and a spectacular infinity-edge pool prove it has raised the luxury bar for Bermuda’s more seasoned resorts.

A nice perk is the free round of golf at the Newstead Belmont Golf Course that's included in the room rate. The course was designed in 2002 by renowned golf course architect Algie M. Pulley Jr., and enjoys gorgeous views of the water.

Turtle Hill Golf Club at the Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda

Built in the early 1970s, the iconic "Big Pink Lady on the Hill" is easily the most recognizable hotel in Bermuda -- and, following a 21st-century renovation, it’s still one of the nicest. On-site at theFairmont Southampton, guests will find a highly acclaimed 18-hole, par-three golf course.

Additional highlights include a full-service pro shop with equipment rental and storage, membership benefits at the nearby Riddell Bay Golf and Country Club, and even golf-inspired spa treatments at the Willow Stream Spa. 

Sandals Golf & Country Club, Jamaica

Quiet and classy, the colonial-style, 74-room, adults-only (18+) Sandals Royal Plantation snatched a prime patch of beach when it was built in the 1950s. Once the Upton Golf Club -- opened in 1951 as a nine-hole number designed by P. K. Saunders -- the Sandals Country Club (quickly grew to a championship-grade course.

It's free to play for guests, though there are fees for the cart ($40) and caddie ($17 per bag). The 18-hole course rises 700 feet above sea level and also has a practice range, putting and chipping greens, a pro shop, a restaurant, and a snack shack.

The Lakes Golf Course at Barcelo Bavaro, Dominican Republic

The 1,600-room Palace Deluxe is the main resort at the Barcelo Bavaro complex, and features tons of on-site features including an attractive spa, a 24-hour casino, four pools, and 11 restaurants. The 18-hole Pete Dye course at the resort is a major draw for golfers and features well-kept greens and challenging holes.

Though most would argue that it can't compare to the Jack Nicklaus course at Eden Roc in Cap Cana or Dye's Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in La Romana, its one of the best courses in Punta Cana. There's also an 18-hole mini-golf course.

Nevis Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort

This Four Seasons sits on a large, attractive beach on the small island of Nevis. It has an 18-hole golf course that was designed by noted golf architect Robert Trent Jones II and opened in 1991.

It has stunning views of the island and water. There's also a putting green, driving range, and pro shop on-site. There's not much of a discount for Four Seasons guests, but the beautiful setting and outlooks make it worthwhile for any golf fan. 

SEE ALSO: The 24 Best All-Inclusive Resorts In The Caribbean

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One way to ensure a stress-free vacation is to head to an all-inclusive resort where you don't have to reach for your credit card every time you want a cocktail or burger with fries.

And if you really want to up the relaxing vibe of a vacation, limit the possibility of kids running around the property or splashing in the pool by booking an adults-only stay. We found the best of the best adults-onlyand all-inclusive resorts for a booze-filled trip -- whether you're looking to party at the pool or relax on the beach. 

The Caves, Jamaica

Arguably Jamaica's most romantic escape, the Caves' 12 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach). High-quality, locally focused cuisine, a top-shelf bar, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive. 

From the moment they arrive, guests are welcomed with the resort’s signature cocktail, the Cliffhanger, and for the remainder of their stay they’re free to indulge in one of Jamaica’s best all-inclusive liquor selections.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya

With only 90 suites, the Zoetry Paraiso offers a romantic boutique experience in the Mayan Riviera. The pool area and beach are relaxed with double-wide lounge chairs (perfect for couples), and the on-site dining keeps the resort's wellness theme alive with delicious, healthy meals. 

Included amenities not standard at most all-inclusive resorts -- such as "welcome" bottles of tequila, daily bottles of champagne, one-hour Catamaran sunset sails, three-times-daily maid service, and private chauffeured airport transfers -- make this resort a standout among Puerto Morelos' finest properties (though expect the price to reflect that).

El Dorado Seaside Suites, Riviera Maya

El Dorado Seaside Suites is an all-inclusive, adults-only resort located on a secluded beach halfway between Playa del Carmen and the famous Mayan ruins of Tulum.

There are many spots here to relax, including three pools and a total of 12 restaurants and bars. The spacious suites have whirlpools big enough for two, terraces or balconies, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players.

Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort and Spa

Out of the four Princess properties in Punta Cana, this 263-room all-inclusive is the pricier, adults-only option. Sometimes the resort can feel like an adult party, especially considering the afternoon pool scene, lobby entertainment, and 24-hour beach bar.

Those looking for a quieter experience can hit the beach, snag a day bed and have drinks delivered from a server. 

Couples Tower Isle, Jamaica

One of the island’s first resorts and a former playground for 1950s Hollywood A-listers, this 226-room, 19-acre Ocho Rios all-inclusive is still a sophisticated option. The pools are also unexceptional, though they do have ocean views, and one has a swim-up bar.

The gorgeous spa, robust all-inclusive offering, beachfront location, and mellow vibe are the highlights here. Of particular note is Couples’ all-inclusive booze policy, which includes top-shelf liquors in addition to the usual beer, wine, and rum punch.

Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua

The relaxed, tranquil environment of the Galley Bay boutique resort is a major part of its appeal. This isn't Antigua's fanciest property, but it doesn't need to be: simple Caribbean style (picture thatched roofs, stone, and rattan), a truly gorgeous beach, and all-inclusive food that's better than average for the island make for a winning combo. 

All meals, alcoholic beverages, and water sportsare included in the rate. Minibar drinks are included -- until the minibar has to be refilled.

Excellence Riviera Cancun

This adults-only resort lives up to the Excellence name, offering the standard amenities of the luxury chain: multiple attractive pools, dozens of activities like snorkeling or private yacht excursions, and a solid spa with beachside treatment huts. A big pro of the property are the 8 restaurants and 10 bars, which don't require reservations. 

Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, Puerto Vallarta

There are neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta that feel like Palm Springs or Beverly Hills, and theCasa Velas inhabits one of them. Lush, manicured gardens and streets, high-priced, terra cotta tile-roofed houses and condos, and the green grass of a well-tended golf course define the locale.

The 80-room adults-only hotel is perfectly situated amidst this quiet luxury. For dining, options include gourmet Mexican cuisine at Emiliano and Asian fare at the Ocean Club, or 24-hour room service. There are two bars and premium liquor is served at both. 

Desire Pearl Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya

The Desire Pearl is a couples-only, clothing-optional, all-inclusive resort located on a beautiful white-sand beach right outside quiet Puerto Morelos. It draws a range of young and middle-aged couples (strictly heterosexual) looking for some adult fun in the sun. For dining, options are more limited than at other nearby resorts, but the food is more than decent and reservations aren't required.

Drinks are included in the all-inclusive package, and guests can grab a cocktail from the lobby bar, two swim-up bars, or the racy nightclub that opens after dinner. In addition to a welcome drink, snacks are available throughout the day, and the minibar gets restocked daily -- but room service is not included.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall, Jamaica 

The best of the three Iberostar resorts in Montego Bay, this 295-room all-suite hotel is light years beyond its neighbors in terms of decor, food, and features. While some elements remain shared with the lesser Iberostar Rose Hall Beach and Iberostar Rose Hall Suites -- for instance, the spa, fitness center, casino, nightclub, and shops -- guests at Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall get the pick of the litter with free access to all three resorts’ restaurants, bars, pools, and beaches. 

All meals (including specialty restaurants and room service), drinks, and non-motorized water sportsare covered in the rates.

Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun

With a minimum guest age of 18, the 433-room Secrets Silversands Riviera allows anyone looking for a romantic getaway to book without fear of rambunctious kids or noisy families. 

The beach is smaller and rockier than the ones at many hotels in Cancun, but the incredible pools that sprawl the entire property offer ample swimming space. There are nine dining options and eight bars on-site, and premium wines, beers, and other top-shelf beverages are included in the rates.

Club Med Turkoise, Turks & Caicos

As the island's first resort, the 290-room, mid-range Club Med Turkoise has lost a bit of its original sex appeal. But even though its small rooms (with no balconies) are slightly dated, and have begun to show some signs of wear and tear, the hotel's bar still throws some of the island's liveliest parties.

The village-sized property stays packed, thanks to the stretch of pristine beachjust off the back of the hotel, the nightly live entertainment, and the huge variety of water and land activities offered (including trapeze sessions and scuba diving). All food and drinks are included in the all-inclusive rates.

SEE ALSO: The 24 Best All-Inclusive Resorts In The Caribbean

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Hotels aren't always completely honest when it comes to the photos they post on their websites.

Professional reviewers from the hotel review website Oyster visited vacation properties around the world, and the photos they took didn't quite match up with the online fantasy.

If you're thinking of booking a warm getaway to escape the bitter winter cold, let these "photo fakeouts" serve as a cautionary tale against relying solely on hotels' marketing materials. 

Some are so egregious, you'll think you are looking at pictures of two completely different properties.

FANTASY: Guest at the Sandals Carlyle Inn can relax on cozy lounge chairs on a beautiful white sand beach.

REALITY: The beach is actually a tiny patch of sand right off a busy street.

Read the full Sandals Carlyle Inn review.

FANTASY: At Maca Bana in Grenada, you can sip cocktails by a gorgeous pool and soak in the incredible views.

Read the full review at Oyster.

For many, spring break is the perfect time of year to head to the beach or hit the slopes. And while we certainly love classic spring break destinations like Punta Cana and Park City, these six spots are a bit more unconventional — and totally awesome.

From the American Southwest to bustling metropolises a little further north, here are six alternative spring breaks we love — and you will, too. Plus, your spring break stories will be way more interesting than the usual booze-and-sun tales.

Explore the Beauty of Zion National Park

Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Zion National Park, where you can stare in awe of Zion Canyon’s red sandstone cliffs and brilliant blue skies. After spending your days hiking, biking, and exploring the region’s natural beauty, Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens is a great place to crash.

Located in Springdale, within walking distance of the park’s entrance, Cliffrose Lodge is a place where guests can expect incredible views of Zion’s sandstone cliffs, comfortable rooms, and a substantial free breakfast served each morning. Family-friendly amenities -- like a heated pool, playground, picnic area for grilling, and laundry facilities -- make this an appealing choice for those traveling with kids. But adults will also appreciate the property’s free Wi-Fi and access to a sandy “beach” along the banks of the Virgin River.  

Discover Living History in Colonial Williamsburg

Spend your spring break reliving American history in Colonial Williamsburg. As you stroll along cobblestone streets, you can admire the charm of 18th-century buildings and even interact with local “townspeople,” who are Williamsburg employees dressed in period garb.

One of our favorite places to stay is The Historic Powhatan Resort, with its sprawling, stately grounds, and well-preserved historic buildings. Here, spacious suites include kitchens, living rooms, and laundry facilities, but lack the charm and history seen in some of the common areas. There also are two pools (one indoor, one outdoor), kid-friendly activities like miniature golf, a general store that sells gifts and groceries, and an above-average bar and restaurants that serves American comfort food. 

Relax and Recharge in Austin

Lake Austin Spa Resort is the perfect place for a relaxing spring break. Maybe you’ll spend your mornings kayaking on Lake Austin, or perhaps you’ll take a yoga class, join a “discovery program,” or treat yourself to a decadent spa treatment.

Here, serene lakefront grounds give way to cheery interiors with stunning views around every corner. Guest rooms are airy and bright, and some suites even have private patios with whirlpools. There are three large pools, including an indoor lap pool housed in a converted barn. The hotel also serves free daily breakfast in the homey dining room and offers free Wi-Fi. 

Have It All in Vancouver

Often ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities, Vancouver truly does have it all. A cosmopolitan metropolis, Vancouver features one of the most appealing environmental juxtapositions a city can offer: the mountains and the sea. Outdoor enthusiasts will likely appreciate Vancouver's parks, gardens, beaches, and mountains, and those who prefer a classic cosmopolitan experience should check out the trendy boutiques and luxury dining on Robson Street.

The city is also one of Canada’s most culturally diverse and is particularly LGBT-friendly. Vancouver’s relatively mild weather means spring is a great time to visit. The Granville Island Hotel is conveniently located near great shopping, dining, and nightlife. Contemporary rooms have large windows with fantastic Vancouver views, and the on-site Dockside Brewery and Restaurant is a standout.

 Retreat to the Great Smoky Mountains

If you’ve ever wanted to “rough it in the mountains,” but would prefer not to give up creature comforts like, say, well, mattresses and showers, a trip to The Lodge at Buckberry Creek might be your perfect solution. Set on 26 acres at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, The Lodge at Buckberry Creek is designed to reflect luxurious, rustic cabins of a bygone era. Here, guests can have an authentic lodge experience, without sacrificing any of the comforts of home.

Large rooms feature cozy decor, private balconies, and full kitchens; some even have fireplaces. Bathrooms have large walk-in showers and separate whirlpool tubs. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and a free continental breakfast each morning -- try getting that in a tent! There are multiple hiking trails along the scenic grounds, and plenty of decks and lookout points with fire pits for enjoying the spectacular scenery. 

Live the Ultimate City Experience in New York

Let’s face it, there’s never a bad time to visit New York City. It’s the city that never sleeps -- so you know there will always be something good going on. Culture buff? Spend your days exploring the city’s museums. Outdoor enthusiast? Check out Central Park, the High Line, and Battery Park. Lover of show tunes? See a different performance every night, both on and off Broadway.

Food fanatic? This is New York, so you can sample any type of cuisine imaginable. One spot conveniently located near all the action is the Hudson Hotel -- just two blocks from Central Park and Columbus Circle. It's a hip, high-design hotel that aims to be affordable (by NYC standards). Rooms, while on the smaller side, are funky and stylish. But the hotel’s common spaces, like the lobby and restaurants in particular, are awesome spots for gathering.

Be Wowed by Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a large manmade reservoir created in the 1960s when Glen Canyon Dam corralled the waters of the Colorado River. The area surrounding it is replete with red-rock canyons and beautiful vistas. Guests at Lake Powell Resort, just a few miles outside of Page, Arizona, can take in the gorgeous scenery from nearly every corner of the hotel.

Its two outdoor pools overlook the gorgeous lake, and its signature restaurant, Latitude 37, is the perfect spot for sunset dinners. Though rooms here are bland and somewhat drab, they are clean and comfortable, and all have balconies. From the hotel, guests can chart boat tours, or even rent one of their own. 

SEE ALSO: The 10 happiest states in America

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First of all, let's just start out by saying that not every hotel room is secretly swarming with skin cells of past guests, E. coli, and/or unidentified bodily fluids. 

Every hotel has different protocol, schedules, and cleaning staff that determine just how clean your temporary home is going to be. 

But just because your room looks spic-n-span doesn't necessarily make it so. We aren't dumb (and neither are you); we know that not all maids are spending hours scrubbing, buffing, and spraying down every surface and crevice of our hotel rooms.

But after digging, we uncovered some pretty dirty secrets of hotel "cleaning" practices, hiding in the sheets, on your pillows, across the bathroom counter, in the glasses you drink from — pretty much everywhere. Think you're better off not knowing about how dirty the bedsheets are or what infectious bacteria is colonizing on that remote control?

Trust us, it's better to know — and know how to deal with it. And we're here to help.

So what exactly should you be looking out for?

When researching hotel cleanliness, we noticed a few areas of uncleanliness that are legitimately hazardous to your health. Off-the-charts repeat offenders included drinking cups and mugs, remote controls, light switches, faucets and, maybe the most unnerving, bedding. According to the official reports of 2012 and 2013 Canadian hotel room inspections, dirt, mold, and germs get ballsy. They not only hide out in dark, unseen crevices like air-conditioning vents, but can be found unapologetically out in the open. On-the-spot pathogen tests performed in these studies and others found that hotel room remote controls were breeding grounds for thousands of bacteria like E.coli (spoiler alert: that means feces), staph, and the highly contagious — and sometimes deadly — MSRA, along with other dangerous germs. Thanks, but no thanks. 

Don't even get us started on the beds. Investigations done with hidden cameras, the naked eye, and UV lights uncovered some nasty things under the covers: nail clippings, hair, fluffed-but-not-changed pillows, and scores of unidentified fluids (also found on some seemingly spotless drapes). Studies have also found that many frequently touched spots like light switches, telephones, and faucet knobs are rarely cleaned, and thus become popular hosts of pathogen parties. Is it just us or does it seem counter-productive to have the sink area, where we wash our hands, be crawling with bacteria?  And speaking of counters, these were also home to tons of bacteria — and for the same gag-inducing reasons you should probably shy away from those shiny glasses and mugs. 

Is it really that bad? 

Okay, we're all adults here. We can handle it. Here's the nitty-gritty on why your room isn't as clean as it looks. 

Glasses and mugs

Those sparkling glasses hanging out by the sink...chances are they haven't left the room in ages. It seems hotel mugs and glasses are some of the dirtiest and most dangerous item in the room. Why? Because as hidden camera after hidden camera has proven, glasses are too often cleaned in the bathroom sink (with no soap), dried with a towel, and then replaced — sometimes with those pretty little paper tops that make you think they've been appropriately sanitized when they haven't.

And it gets worse. Studies show that a common hotel practice is cleaning glasses with toxic chemicals like window cleaner, or while wearing the same gloves worn while scrubbing the toilets moments before. On top of that, the towels used to the dry the glasses are often dirty.

Some maids have been caught on hidden camera cleaning glasses with used towels in the bathroom, or the same towels used to dry surfaces like the toilet seat. Oh, and a hotel employee confessed on Whisper that some pee in the glasses, dry them, and set them back on the counter. 

Countertops, bathtubs, and other large spaces

We've met a lot of people who refuse to take baths in hotels. Their reasoning? Hundreds if not thousands of people have probably bathed in that same tub. Understandable to a certain degree, but we find it much more disturbing to think about the possibility the bathtub could be cleaned with a toxic cleaning chemical and then only wiped down afterwards, or worse, that it might be wiped down, like the glasses, with a towel used to clean the toilet.

And we aren't going to lie, we've seen a few loose hairs from other guests that didn't quite make it down the drain before our arrival. Another surface that seems like a no-brainer for a necessity of cleanliness is the countertop and sink taps, but in reality, because of the high-risk of cross-contamination from using the same towel throughout the entire cleaning process, these areas are also at high-risk for bacteria and other pathogens. 

Bedding and other linens

We'd like to think that the one safe place in a hotel room is the bed. We spend most of our time in there, between the sheets, cuddled up next to the pillows (ok, drooling on them sometimes). We were shocked to learn that bedding was also something that needed to be addressed. While many hotels change and wash sheets frequently, surprisingly, pillows, blankets, and bedspreads sometimes get left out.

In fact, this unknown hotel's cleaning schedule shows that it only requires bedspreads, blankets, and mattress pads to be cleaned once every three months!  OMGross. What's more, one of the undercover videos showed a maid merely fluffing the pillows, and not replacing them. This has to be one of the most disturbing and unhygienic offenses in the book since our faces — eyes, mouth, and nose — have direct contact with the pillows, putting us up close and personal to any germs, illnesses, or whatever the person before us may have left. Oh, and if you get cold in the night, skip grabbing that extra blanket in the closet. A Whisper confession revealed they hardly (if ever) get changed or cleaned. 

Why is this happening?

While we can't pin down a specific reason substandard cleaning practices are utilized at hotels across the board, we've got a few good guesses. As we highlighted earlier this year, hotel staff wages aren't the best. The housekeepers paid to clean your rooms are usually making a meager salary and often are short-changed on tips. Unfortunately, this could give little incentive for a maid to go that extra mile in making sure the room is 100% clean and sanitary. In a similar vein, housekeeping staff is usually required to turnover several rooms in a short amount of time — particularly in large resorts — causing corners to be cut.

Think about it. If a 1,000-room hotel has even just half of their guests checking out at noon, and new guests start checking-in at around 3 p.m., that only gives a handful of cleaners only three hours to clean roughly 500 rooms. Think you can fully clean a room in under 20 minutes? And let's face it, when we are on holiday, not all of us are minding the messes we make. Even if it's not a large resort, it's probably safe to bet the housekeeping sector is understaffed.

In addition to low wages and possible understaffing, some hotel cleaning staff may not be armed with the most sanitary supplies. We saw several housekeepers with one bucket for all their brushes, rags, sponges, and cleaners, which almost undoubtedly leads to hazardous cross-contamination. In these cases, it's no wonder bacteria is on almost every surface. Furthermore, hotel staff may be poorly trained in the proper sanitation methods, or just ignorant to the actual danger of some of the methods they use to cut corners. 

Clean and simple tips to help you sleep at night:

So you never want to step foot in another hotel room again? Don't be silly. We aren't going to let this stop us from enjoying hotels  -- after all, they're not all particularly unclean. But if you're really worried, you can rest easy if you adopt these methods sure you've got a clean spot to sleep. 

• Try packing a few extras like anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, ziplock bags, and maybe even your own cup and pillow case. 
• Grab the wash cloth from the bathroom and squirt some anti-bacterial hand sanitizer on it. Wipe down all the trouble areas like light switches, TV remotes, door handles, phones, clock radios, taps, and toilet seats. It may sound overzealous, but it actually can get rid of over 80 percent of the nasty lingering germs.
• Use a hand towel to cover the bathroom countertop before putting out your toiletries.
• Throw the throw pillows on the floor. Most likely, that's where they've spent most of their lives. 
• If you are still worried about the remote control, stuff it inside a shower cap or ziplock bag. Voila! 

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Chain hotels often get a bad rap. Admittedly, some of them, with uninspired beige decor, industrial carpeting, and airline-quality breakfasts, have earned it. But they're not all that way.

Some chain hotels are building their brand as hip and stylish, with restaurants that attract foodies and rooms that look straight out of Dwell magazine. Here, we bring you eight chain hotels that may not be on your radar, but definitely should be. Let's get started. 

Buddha-Bar Hotels

The Buddha-Bar brand does avant-garde luxury that combines neo-Asian architecture with traditional western aesthetics. Unexpected chain traits include bold lipstick-red and black decor, resident DJs who spin trance house music, and Buddha statues — obviously. The first property opened in Prague in 2009. Today, there are Buddha-Bar Hotels in three European cities with a fourth property set to open in Armenia soon. 

Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace has a trendy spa, Asian-fusion restaurant decorated with a forty-foot tall Buddha statue, and two late night bars. Location is an important part of the company's trademark, so guests can rest assured that they'll be within walking distance of high-end shopping in trendy neighborhoods. Expect a price tag to match the luxury and convenience. If you can't get to Europe, cafes and spas under the brand's umbrella are sprinkled as far afield as Mexico, Caracas, and Cairo. 

25Hours Hotels

There are seven 25Hours Hotels in five European cities: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Vienna, and Zurich. Each takes design to the next level; the Vienna outpost has a circus theme and roll-top tubs, while the Frankfurt property has teamed up with iconic fashion brand Levis -- but our favorite hotel in the brand is the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin. The theme is, stay with us here, urban jungle meets Berlin zoo.

Rooms are decked out with vintage-inspired, German-made Schindelhauer bikes and can include hammocks and views of the neighboring zoo, too. Stuffed monkeys are found in both the rooms and ultra-trendy lobby, which also includes industrial pipes, a record collection, and a wall of green plants. Berliners and guests hang out at the 10th-floor Monkey Bar and listen to a DJ while nibbling snacks and admiring views of the zoo from floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Joie de Vivre Hotels

Boutique-style and happiness go hand-in-hand — sometimes with the added perk of the beach — at Joie de Vivre Hotels. There's a surfer-chic edge at many of the brand's properties in Arizona, Hawaii, and California, with pops of citrus color that evoke the sun's rays. 

Pacific Edge on Laguna Beach, a Joie de Vivre Hotel offers surf and beach oriented activities at the hotel's beach shack on Laguna Beach, along with chic outdoor seating and a restaurant overlooking the water. Pet-friendly perks include organic beds, water bowls, and treats for canine visitors. Overall, the vibe is young and cheery. 

Room Mate Hotels

The genius marketing idea behind the international Room Mate Hotels brand is to make guests feel as though they are simply staying with a stylish, fun, and in-the-know friend in a great neighborhood. Each of the hotels, with outposts everywhere from New York City to Amsterdam to Granada, is named after a "friend."

Rooms are set with notes from that fictional friend (who is usually pretty sexy — at least on the hotel website), apologizing that they missed you but promising to meet up later. Brand standards include quality breakfasts, designer rooms, and coveted locations. At Room Mate Emma in Barcelona, guests find a funky and futuristic vibe with rooms designed in hot pink. Prices are generally low and some properties are party hot spots. 

Generator Hostels

The design-forward Generator Hostels brand offers a whole lotta bang for the millenium traveler buck in nine European cities. An event coordinator curates music, art, history, fashion, and design for each property to ensure they all have a unique sense of place. They're designed to photograph well and be share-worthy on Instagram and Facebook (we know that made of lot of y'all's day).

Wi-Fi is always free, but breakfast never is. Rooms range from co-ed spaces with bunk beds to stylish private rooms with outdoor spaces and en-suite bathrooms. Generator Hostel Dublin has a rad bar with a whiskey bottle chandelier, a movie theater room, and a free Dublin walking tour. 

TRYP Hotels

TRYP hotels are endorsed by the luxury Wyndham brand, giving a certain sense of gravitas to the hipper, younger brand that states on its website, "We want to wine you, dine you, recline you and Wi-Fi you." Each of the hotels (found everywhere from Uruguay to Australia) focuses on food, rooms with the latest technology, and helping guests feel like they're part of the city. 

TRYP New York City Times Square South is an excellent pick for stylish families. Some of the rooms have bunk beds and Keurig coffee machines. The Gastro Bar at 35th Street serves Mediterranean tapas and cocktails for parents, and chocolate churros for discriminating little ones. 

Hotel Indigo

The Hotel Indigo chain has it going on, with none of the pretension that can be found at some other cool hotels. There's a focus on neighborhood and community, with each hotel designed to emulate its surroundings. When possible, local purveyors supply ingredients at the restaurants and bars.

These hotels are fresh, bright, and approachable. Wi-Fi is always free, and pets are welcome. Hotel Indigo Nashville is known for its dark-stained hardwood floors and colorful furniture in the rooms, and upscale American cuisine at The District Bar and Kitchen. 

Andaz Hotels

From the moment guests step into the lobby at an Andaz Hotel (the boutique offshoot of the Hyatt brand), it's obvious that these properties are very cool. Traditional reception desks have been replaced by friendly hosts who check guests into the hotel with iPads. Luxe common areas and free on-demand beverages encourage guests to mingle, as does an early evening wine reception.

At Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, views from the top floors of the massive skyscraper can be downright distracting. The spa looks (and feels) out-of-this-world, with an organic blend bar and treatment rooms that overlook Tokyo. Rooms include Onsen-style soaking tubs and minibars stocked with free goodies, plus futuristic toilets and seasonally scented toiletries. 

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In a place where over-the-top glitz is the norm, a luxury hotel in Vegas truly has to step it up a notch with special touches — from Michelin-starred chefs to airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce Ghost limousine. Vegas luxury often means enormous rooms, mind-boggling design, beautiful pools, and stunning spas.

But the hotels in Vegas are also much larger (many are over 2,000 rooms) so the level of personalized service doesn't quite match the standards at other American destinations, like New York City or even Miami. In terms of value, though, a hotel in Vegas can't be topped. If the Wynn existed in New York City, for example, it would likely cost you about five times more per night.

1. Encore at Wynn Las Vegas

Opened in December 2008 by famed Vegas developer Steve Wynn, the 2,034-room Encore takes the whim and luxury of its sister, the Wynn hotel (opened in 2005) and improves it with even bigger rooms and a more attractive spa and fitness center. Guests can use Wynn's nearby 18-hole golf course, and the hotel has a classy, adults-only European Pool.

But it's the Encore's rooms — all of which are suites — that make it a cut-above even the very best hotels in Vegas: beautiful lighting via floor-to-ceiling windows, electronic bedside drape control, a comfortable lounge area in even the base-level rooms, and a bathroom that's bigger than the entire room in some New York City hotels.

2. Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas 

With 392 elegant rooms and some of Vegas' best service, the Mandarin Oriental is a quiet haven on the glitzy Strip. 

The hotel lacks the characteristic excess that many people come to Vegas for (including a casino), opting instead for a more restrained approach: a beautiful spa, two fine diningrestaurants, a peaceful pool, meeting space, and the rarest of Las Vegas features — serenity. But the convenient City Center location means easy access to all the excess you want.

3. SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand 

Skylofts is the luxury section of MGM Grand, offering some of the most exclusive accommodations not just within the hotel but in Vegas. All of the rooms are one-, two-, and three-bedroom duplex lofts (they start at 1,400 square feet) with big living areas and sophisticated but understated urban decor; prices are usually upwards of $1,000 a night.

High-end extras include airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce Ghost limousine; a calm, private reception area for Skylofts guests with a separate entrance; in-loft check-ins (no waiting in line!); and access to Skylounge on the 29th floor for cocktails and appetizers. But most facilities, such as the main fitness center and the spa, must be shared with MGM guests.

4. Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino

The Palazzo is an even-fancier extension of its sister hotel, the Venetian, with larger standard rooms that contain a bedroom and a sunken living room withL-shaped sofas; they're a warmer, less masculine version of the rooms at the Encore with all the same top-tier features (the Encore's rooms are just a little newer).

Guests have access to the world-famous Canyon Ranch Spa and a haute-couture shopping mall (featuring Diane von Furstenberg, Christian Louboutin, and its own Lamborghini showroom, among other shops). The Palazzo's restaurants are helmed by the likes of Mario Batali, Wolfgang Puck, and Emeril Lagasse.

5. Bellagio

The Bellagio has all the Vegas-style luxury spectacle, but it still somehow remains classy. With 67 acres, there's space for an indoor botanical garden, a 8.5-acre lake in the middle of the desert, boutiques that include Prada andChanel, and five pools housed in an Italian courtyard. And even with 3,933 rooms, the formal service remains attentive and efficient.

While other hotels draw a young, raucous party crowd, the scene at the Bellagio remains more mature and upscale, with guests dining at Le Cirque or Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Prime Steakhouse, both on-site. Bed linens and pillow-top mattresses (designed by Serta specifically for the Bellagio) are a delight, as are the Italian marble bathrooms with granite countertops and deep soakingtubs. The famous 1,200-plus dancing water fountains make this hotel a must-see for all Vegas visitors.

6. Wynn Las Vegas

Every inch of the 2,716-room Wynn hotel is designed to dazzle -- vibrant art,parasols hung upside down from the ceilings, a surreal nightly light show projected into the "Lake of Dreams" in front of the Strip's only man-made mountain.

Guests have access to the on-site 18-hole golf course, and the hotel is home to Alex, a French restaurant that is one of the best in Vegas. Guest rooms start at an impressive 600 square feet and include the sinfully comfortable king-size Wynn Dream Bed by Sealy and a TV in the bathroom.

7. Delano Las Vegas 

This 1,117-room, 4.5-pearl property is the result of an $80 million renovation, completed in Fall 2014, of the former THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. The revamping brought striking desert-inspired art installations to the lobby and chic, white furnishings in the suite-style rooms.

There's not much in way of entertainment or dining on-site, but it's connected to the huge and lively Mandalay Bay. For guests or business travelers wanting a quiet retreat still near the Vegas hustle and bustle, the Delano is a prime pick.

8. Venetian Resort Hotel Casino

At 650 square feet, the standard rooms at the Venetian are among the largest on the Strip -- bested only by the Encore and Palazzo and a handful of others. Even the base-level rooms contain floor-to-ceiling windows, a king-size pillow-top bed dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets, and a bedroomthat is partially separated from the sunken living room.

A serene getaway from the property's hustle and bustle is its 10th-floor pool deck (open until 10:30 p.m.), which features additional pools, several small Jacuzzis, rose bushes, and the French patisserie Bouchon Bakery. To top it off, the hotel shares the world-famous Canyon Ranch Spa with the neighboring Palazzo hotel. Plus, the property is divided into two towers — the 4,027-room Venetian, and the 1,013-room Venezia, built in 2003 as a more exclusive retreat for high-rolling gamblers.

9. Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas 

This polished hotel is Donald Trump's attempt to, er, trump Vegas king Steve Wynn. Every detail of this property's design and decor was carefully planned and beautifully executed; it looks like it was plucked straight out of New York City, especially in the midst of to the typical flashing lights and kitschy themes of its neighboring hotels. Because the hotel was built in 2008, everything is new: the rooms, the pool, the lobby. No aging tube TVs. Comfort is emphasized with perks such as a fleece-lined Trump robe ($125 to take home). The suites' decor is surprisingly sedate, better designed for the business traveler than the conspicuous consumer. And as with all Trump Hotel Collection properties, guests can make special requests before checking in: anything from stocking the refrigerator to ordering business cards.

10. Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas 

Though the rooms don't contend with the Vegas greats (they're much older and far from dazzling), this hotel makes our luxury list because of its exceptional service. The Four Seasons brand is all about top-notch attention to guests, and that's a rare commodity among the giant Vegas hotels.

Plus, this hotel is a luxury option for travelers who want a little peace and quiet, away from the endless clanging and blinking of slot machines. But, those who get a hankering for that -- along with a giant pool scene, chic bars, and great restaurants — can just walk over to Mandalay Bay, the Four Seasons' sister hotel.

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Memorial Day Weekend kicks off in just a few weeks! Hoards of city dwellers and out-of-towners alike will brave traffic, rowdy crowds, and high prices to enjoy the first weekend of the summer season in the Hamptons.

It takes some truly brave souls to do this, but there is a way to make a holiday weekend in the Hamptons just what you want it to be — whether that's a romantic escape, a girls' getaway, or an all-out party.

Here's our guide on what to do and where to stay for every type of traveler.

If you're ready to party...

A large portion of those who commute out to the Hamptons are young city slickers looking to party it up and hobnob with like-minded ragers who care more about booze than the beach — although, in the Hamptons, you can enjoy both at the same time.

Much to the chagrin of numerous residents (who wear "Save Montauk" shirts in protest), Montauk is considered the hottest spot for those with partying on the brain. After all, it's home to popular day-to-night beach bars such as Surf Lodge and The Sloppy Tuna.

So if you're ready to party, we recommend booking a stay at Sole East — with simple, spacious rooms, it's an easy enough place to cram in a crowd. Plus, it's only a three-minute bike ride from the beach, there's a resident DJ on the weekends, and the on-site pool is a relaxing spot to nurse a hangover -- which you'll likely have come Monday thanks to full days spend at the nearby bars.

If you're bringing the whole family...

You might be surprised to see us suggesting the same Hampton for families as we do for partiers — but we swear there's a method to our madness. You see, Montauk is quite spread out — so while there's an area teeming with bars — there are also numerous resorts with rolling, tranquil grounds and plenty of kid-friendly amenities as well. Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina, for example, is a great pick; it features its own small beach, three pools (one indoors), a free shuttle to various nearby attractions, kid-friendly dining, and beach cruiser rentals. Hartman's Briney Breezes Motel is a slightly more budget-friendly option (relatively speaking, of course, for the Hamptons) that's equally quiet, and also features a pool (with beach views). Plus, there are outdoor grills and all rooms have kitchenettes.

Montauk does, however, make for a longer car ride and it lacks the quaint town vibe of Hamptons with Main Streets that are more geared towards pedestrians. East Hampton is further inland on the peninsula, and thereby takes much less time to reach — especially considering the egregious traffic that backs up on the one-lane-each-way road. Plus, it has a nice downtown area where the Memorial Day Parade takes place. It might make sense to stay in neighboring Amagansett, though, as East Hampton hotels are largely B&Bs with few amenities. Amagansett's Sea Crest on the Ocean is within walking distance of the beach, and has an outdoor pool, tennis courts, a playground, and condos with kitchenettes and full kitchens.

If you're planning a girls' getaway...

Southampton is a great stay for a truly unique Hamptons experience — it has the party vibe of Montauk, but one that's slightly more refined. It has the shopping of East Hampton, but there are fewer boutiques so it's not quite so overwhelming. And it has the easy access to great dining and sandy shores that every area of the Hamptons can boast. Plus, a beloved SoulCycle studio can be found in neighboring Water Mill.

We love the Capri Southampton in particular for a girls' getaway since numerous rooms have double beds, decor is bright and cheery, the outdoor pool — surrounded by cabanas — is a classy spot for cocktails, and there's free coffee and pastries every morning. Rooms lack TVs, but when you've got a gal group, you likely have a break from chatting anyways!

If you're taking a romantic trip...

The Hamptons truly are primed for romance: fine dining, gorgeously manicured streets, and quaint B&Bs (many of which don't allow children) all contribute to the vibe. The Hedges Inn is about as iconic East Hampton as you can find. Built in 1870, it still retains its original Victorian charm while also offering modern comforts such as free Wi-Fi, contemporary bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs.

With a total of 12 unique rooms, this hotel also has several inviting common spaces, including a sunny breakfast room/bar and a bright den area with a computer and jars of sweet treats. A perfectly manicured garden has an expansive terrace and the lobby has a fireplace. The homemade free daily breakfast is creative and top-notch, served with pride by the caring staff. For larger rooms (many with deep soaking tubs) and a pool — although also a location removed from town -- The East Hampton Art House Bed & Breakfast is a great pick.

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There's nothing that will ruin your vacation faster than getting scammed out of your hard-earned money — and even the most seasoned travelers can sometimes get tricked.

(There's no shame in it — I've personally fallen victim to both pickpockets and dishonest taxi drivers, and I do this for a living.)

But "forewarned" is "forearmed," which is why we're letting you in on some of the most common — but still for many, the least expected — travel scams perpetrated around the world. 

Important Preliminary Tip: U.S. citizens should also always read up on their destination on travel.state.gov before they travel.

"Travel.state.gov has a wealth of information about these scams," says Michael Shaw, an American Citizen Services Specialist for the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

He says it's also a good idea to sign up for The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, and let your friends and family know your itinerary in advance.

The Chinese Tea Ceremony Scam

According to Mitchell Blatt, lead author of the Panda Guides Hong Kong guidebook, the most common scam in China is the so-called "tea ceremony scam," in which a young Chinese person asks tourists if they want to experience an authentic Chinese tea ceremony. "Then they take the tourists to a place they have a relationship with, and when the bill comes, it could be a few thousand yuan -- much higher than market price. "This is particularly common in popular tourist cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi'an," he says. 

According to Brent Cumberford, founder of personal finance website VOSA.com, the tea ceremony scam can turn dangerous. A friend of his was drugged during such a ceremony. "Glasses where raised and all the locals drank their tea like it was a shot. My friend only had a sip. They tried to get him to shoot the tea, which he thought was weird since it was hot tea," Cumberford says. "Within a few seconds he started to feel light headed, dizzy, and immediately figure out that he had been drugged." Luckily, Cumberford's friend was able to get away. "He staggered his way to safety and narrowly escaped being robbed, or worse."

So what can you do to avoid this scam? "Be wary of strangers inviting you places," Blatt says. Or opt to enjoy tea somewhere you know is safe, such as the popular, sumptuous afternoon High Tea at The Peninsula Hong Kong. 

The "Temple Is Closed" Gem Scam

In Bangkok, tourists to the Grand Palace should be wary of locals waiting at the entrance who inform them that the temple is closed. This is almost always a trick. One near-victim of this scam, Sourabh Mathur from Bangalore, recounts his experience. "The scamster was standing right next to the entrance so we took it seriously," he says. "He then called a tuk-tuk to take us to another temple which was supposedly open. While traveling in the tuk-tuk I was suspicious and I quickly Googled the palace [hours] and found out I had been tricked."

If Mathur hadn't hadn't gotten suspicious, his drive could have taken him for a ride -- literally and figuratively. This particular con can be elaborate, and involves building up the mark's confidence by taking him to another temple or two, where strangers also involved in the scam will tell him in on a duty-free jewelry scheme that allows him to sell Thai gems at home for a profit. Eventually, the tuk-tuk guide will take the mark to a gem shop to purchase jewelry that is actually fake. 

Avoiding this one isn't too difficult — just make sure you've done your research and know the hours the temple is open. The Grand Palace is usually open every day of the week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Don't listen to anyone who tells you differently! Note that this scam may be practiced at other temples in other cities as well. 

After a day visiting the temple and warding off con artists in chaotic Bangkok, we recommend returning to a hotel with a truly decadent spa, such as the one at the Sofitel So Bangkok. 

Front Desk Credit Card Scam

It's easy to see how people have fallen victim to this one. Imagine that it's late at night in your hotel room when the phone rings -- it's the front desk. There's a problem with your credit card on file, and they need you to repeat the number or provide a different card. "Of course, the call is not from the front desk. It is just from a scammer who uses this as an opportunity to steal your credit card number," says Steven Weisman, author of the blog Scamicide.com and a leading expert on scams and identity theft. There are other sneaky variations on this same scam as well. "A flier under your door that advertises a local pizza delivery service is also phony and just looking to get your credit card over the phone when you call," Weisman says. 

To avoid this one, never provide your credit card number over the phone when you travel. Call the front desk back or go down in person to confirm the request, and only order delivery from vendors recommended and approved by the hotel. Even better, pick a hotel with terrific 24-hour room service from a celebrity chef kitchen, such as The Surrey in New York City, and avoid calling an outside service for delivery altogether. 

Phony Vacation Listing Scam

Yikes — this is a sure-fire way to ruin your vacation: Book your hotel or vacation rental on a fake website. Unfortunately, phony listings seem to be a growing trend. "Consumers are looking at ads from travel companies and being led to websites that look legitimate, but are not. These are rogue vendors using false advertising to the consumer and leading the consumer to think they're actually booking a hotel reservation," Kerry Ranson, Chairman of the IHG Owners Association and President and COO of Expotel Hospitality Services, says. "And there have been cases where guests arrive at a hotel with a confirmation, but it's not the legitimate hotel confirmation and the guests do not have a room available to them." To avoid this one, make sure to call the hotel before you arrive to confirm they have your reservation on file -- and always book through a trusted online travel agency or the hotel itself. 

Vacation rentals are an even trickier proposition, as it can be hard to know if you are truly dealing with the owner. "One good way to protect yourself is to look up the real owner of the property online in the tax assessment listings for the town or city where the property is located to make sure they match the name of the person with whom you are dealing," Weisman says. Or use a reliable vacation rental site such as Flipkey.com (owned by Oyster.com's parent company, TripAdvisor, Inc.), where each owner is verified before being allowed to list. 

Long-Haul Taxi Routes

Most of us are familiar with this one — the taxi driver chooses a longer route, ostensibly to avoid traffic, but in reality to jack up the fare. This happened to me in Las Vegas while I was there covering hotels for Oyster.com; luckily, upon my arrival at the airport, an investigator for the Nevada Taxicab Authority noted by too-high fare and issued the driver a court summons. Most places don't have such organizations, however, and it can be difficult to know when to argue with the driver if you're in an unfamiliar place. 

Kaamna Bhojwani-Dhawan, founder of momaboard.com, had a similar experience in Istanbul recently. "We found that the scheme du jour was taxi drivers telling tourists that there was a lot of traffic so they had to take the motorway, which drives up the fare much quicker," she says. "I ended up paying three times the fare the first time and then wizened up after a couple more taxi drivers tried to pull the same stunt."

If you pay for a data plan for your phone, this can be easier to avoid — check the recommended route on Google maps and you'll feel more confident telling the driver where to go. 

Pickpocketing Scams

I personally was victim of a pickpocket in Rome, when I draped my purse over my chair in a crowded restaurant, and a child ran under the table and cut the strap. The best ways to prevent pickpocketing are to pay attention, particularly in crowded tourist areas, and if possible, keep valuables tucked away somewhere they're not easy to get at, such as in a zippered pocket, attached to your clothes by a lanyard, or in security money belts or travel pouches under your clothes. It's also a good idea to have a copy of your passport printed out and stored separately from your actual passport; it will save you a lot of time at the U.S. Embassy if you need to get an emergency replacement. 

Pickpocketing is almost certainly the most common scam and the one most travelers are subjected to abroad. But pickpockets are increasingly inventive, and you may not be expecting some of the tricks they'll use to get their hands on your stuff. "They’ll often try and stain your clothing and apologize profusely; while they’re doing so someone else will reach into your pockets and bag," says Katie Lara, travel blogger at travelingpanties.com. "I’ve even seen fake dolls thrown into the air resembling babies so that you’ll let your guard down and drop your belongings."

The Presumptive Close Scam

Salespeople around the world use this pressure tactic, often in business transactions — but it is equally prevalent among street vendors. In this technique, the vendor acts as if the target has already agreed to the sale. Anthony Biano, founder of The Travel Tart, experienced this after getting off a ferry from Spain and transferring to a bus in Tangiers. "Tangier is notorious for its hustlers who try and scam money for providing services you didn't want, ask for, or need," he says. One hustler followed him around, giving him advice, and then attempted to charge him for it. "I was annoyed at this and said no, because I didn't ask for his help and didn't use his advice anyway! He then pointed his finger to the sky and shouted, 'Well I hope that my god makes your bus crash and you're the only one who dies!'" he says. "I didn't know whether to be in shock or laugh."

Our advice? Do just what Bianco did and stand your ground — and then take that bus straight to one of the top luxury hotels in Marrakech for some serious pampering. 

The Airport Scam

In the post-9/11 era, many of us would be wary if a stranger asked us to watch a bag at the airport. But unfortunately, there are still plenty of people not quite wary enough. It's not always terrorism you need to fear: In the airport scam, when the owner of the bag reappears, he or she will often be accompanied by someone appearing to be a police officer. "When people travel overseas, they often aren’t accustomed to different kinds of law enforcement uniforms," American Citizen Services Specialist Michael Shaw says. This makes it hard to tell if the uniform is in fact a costume. "The bag will contain drugs or other illegal items and the perpetrators will extort money." 

Shaw says this scam has become especially prevalent in Russia. "We urge travelers to be cautious when traveling in any of Russia’s airports," he says. 

The Grandparents Scam

Many travel-related crimes can occur without any travel actually taking place. The so-called "Grandparents Scam" targets, you guessed it, grandparents, and the scammer will call pretending to be a grandchild. (In other variations, the caller might pretend to be a niece or nephew.)

"The caller sounds upset and typically states that they only have a few moments to talk. They’ve traveled to a popular destination and an accident has befallen them," Shaw says. "They want money and they don’t want their parents to know about it." The accidents can range from getting stuck at the airport to getting stuck in jail, and the concerned grandparents are tricked into wiring money to the scammer. "The perpetrator communicates to the grandparents through an online service like Skype so that the voice can sound somewhat distant and slightly muffled," he says.  He says this scam is particularly prevalent during spring break season. 

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