Kentucky’s hippest hotel, just voted by Conde Nast Traveler’s readership as #1 in the country (and #6 in the world) for 2009, announced plans Wednesday to debut a new sister property just upriver in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 21c Museum Hotel, an upscale boutique which opened on downtown Louisville’s Main Street in 2006, has played a key role in revitalizing Derby City’s art scene. The renovated 19th-century tobacco & bourbon warehouse has drawn national acclaim for its high-style halls packed to the brim with whimsical paintings, abstract video art, photos and sculptures (like the lobby’s army of red penguin statues) – all from this millennium. The hotel’s 90 rooms feature custom touches, from furniture to pewter mint julep cups. Popular restaurant Proof on Main has become renowned for its modern twists on locally grown, regional cuisine (ahem, gourmet Bison burgers). Read the rest of this post »

Most of us have wondered what it would be like to travel for more than the standard two-week block of vacation time typically allotted each year. I know I still wish I had taken a few months after college to gallivant around Europe. Well, if you’ve ever wished you had the means or the moxie to spend a year abroad traveling, you should enter Hyatt Hotels Big Welcome Contest which will award three winners (one per region in North America, Europe and Asia) 365 free nights at any Hyatt Hotels worldwide and 1 million frequent flyer miles to help get you to your chosen destinations; both valid through June 30, 2014. So whether you just want to live the hotel life for a year or host a big destination wedding or event, why not do it with Hyatt for free. To enter the contest, enter your Hyatt Gold Passport number or enroll in the program and submit a 250-word essay answering the question: How would you spend 365 free nights at Hyatt to create an unforgettable experience? You can also send a video or audio photo to compliment your essay. Entries must be submitted by May 13, 2009, with the final grand prize winners announced on or around June 12, 2009. For more information and to enter click here.

The winner of the Big Welcome content was announced in June: Bill Jolly took the prize with his video entry. See it here.

You may have thought you rocked your final vote in the ‘08 presidential election or maybe it was last Tuesday to try and save cast off American Idol contestant, Alexis Grace, but, nope, you have yet another opportunity to work the polls. The nominees this time around: Names and logos for a new New York City boutique hotel in the Flatiron District. Located on the corner of Madison Avenue, the hotel, formerly known as The Madison (how typical) is undergoing a major facelift and is scheduled to showcase its new look, and name, this June. The “You Name It, We Claim It” campaign allows voters to pick their favorite moniker and logo, and will also award one lucky voter a free three-night stay for two, including airfare, to any of the Desires Hotels in Miami, San Juan, New York, Milwaukee, or St. Louis; second and third place winners get an iPod Touch or iPod Nano, respectively. Polls are open now and close March 31. The winner will be chosen on April 2. Go to vote.desireshotels.com to cast your vote today!