After the wedding comes the best part: the honeymoon! Here's a wedding we snapped in the D.R.

We truly believe the old saying “opposites attract.” I mean, check out all the oddball celebrity couples out there — on the surface, at least, they seem to have different opinions on everything. Travel included. Found yourself in a similar jam while planning your honeymoon?  Put the boxing gloves down — you needn’t argue anymore about where to go. Our comprehensive honeymoon guide features four hot spots with a little something for every kind of couple. Easy, right?  Now all you need to figure out on your own is where to live, how to raise your children, and with what frequency you visit the in-laws…

Honeymoon Spot: Barcelona

Pool at the H10 Marina Barcelona Hotel

The Ideal Couple for the Destination: When the bride seeks culture and the groom longs for the beach, Barcelona is the perfect spot for both. Barcelona is Spain’s coolest and most modern city. Tourists pour from every corner of the world to experience the town’s vibrant nightlife, excellent cuisine, beautiful Gothic and one-of-a-kind Modernist architecture, and cutting-edge design scene. But that’s not all — the Catalonia capital is also home to a nice city beach with a hopping waterfront.

Where to Stay: The H10 Marina Hotel is perfect for those looking to split their time between the beach and the streets. The hotel is within walking distance of sights such as the Picasso Museum, the La Barceloneta beach, and the gorgeous Gothic Quarter. Highlights include a lovely rooftop pool with city views and a bar, a romantic spa with great treatments, and a Mediterranean restaurant with a solid wine list.

Honeymoon Spot: Maui

Scuba Pool at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa -- Maui

The Ideal Couple for the Destination: Couples have to balance each other out — especially when one likes to live on the edge — so Maui is for the couple in which one is a thrill seeker and the other prefers to play it safe. Maui is an adventurer’s paradise; there’s windsurfing, surfing, road and mountain biking, and, perhaps best of all, scuba-diving. Molokini Crater, one of the island’s most famous dive locales, promises sightings of eels, rays, massive schools of fish, and even occasional sharks or whales. But while the adventurer dives deep to check out these predators up-close, the more timid one can enjoy snorkeling along the water’s surface instead.

Where to Stay: The beautifully designed, 780-room Grand Wailea is awe-inspiring in its scale: It’s got the best pool in Hawaii, one of the top U.S. spas, and a prime location on one of the best beaches in the states. Plus, the on-site dive shop offers a full range of dive trips and a PADI certification program. For the one who plays it safe, he or she can eventually work up to joining their better half on one of the more adrenaline-spiking dives by taking free daily introductory scuba lessons in the separate scuba pool.

Honeymoon Spot: Botswana

The Safari Tent at the &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp -- Botswana

The Ideal Couple for the Destination: For couples in which one likes to rough it and the other prefers to sit in the lap of luxury, it used to be hard to find a middle ground — until “glamping” came around, that is. Thanks to this hybrid of glamor and camping, couples with differing takes on what constitutes a fun vacation can now agree on something. Botswana is an excellent choice for newlyweds looking to merge the rugged with the luxe. Numerous companies offer safari-like adventures where guests are taken to secluded jungle locations to experience nature firsthand. But rather than staying in lackluster DIY tents, guests stay in beautiful tents prepared for them by the staff and feast on large, gourmet buffets.

Where to Stay:  The ultra-remote, luxurious safari lodge at &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp isn’t a hotel, it’s an experience, where everything — including the excellent food and the guided excursions (game drives, bush walks, river cruises) — is included in the price of the stay. Guests can get up close to exotic wildlife on both land and water (think: lions and hippos), and even arriving to the property is an adventure, requiring transport by small plane, safari vehicle, and a boat. The nine safari “tents” are fully screened in and thoroughly high-end, with huge soaking tubs, four-poster beds, lots of wood, and private pools.

Honeymoon Spot: Phoenix

Golf Course at The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa -- Phoenix

The Ideal Couple for the Destination: Some (read: most) want their honeymoon to be relaxing. But for some active types out there, it isn’t relaxing unless some activity is involved. These couples may be a bit rare but we wanted to help them out too — if you’re a couch potato who is marrying an exercise fanatic (or vice versa), Phoenix is a great spot to honeymoon. With an average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, Phoenix features hundreds of superb golf courses and some of the best resorts in the U.S. The town’s fabulous golf courses are a main draw, but the surrounding desert, with its amazing views and beautiful trails, is also a tourist-magnet. Visitors have a wide array of hotels, resorts and spas to choose from, either in Downtown Phoenix or in the suburbs (known as a whole as the Valley of Sun). So while one of you hits the links or the dusty trail, the other can chill by the pool or indulge in a lavish spa treatment.

Where to Stay:  Arguably the most scenic resort in the Southwest, The Boulders is built to impress. Its spa remains one of the most beautiful in the country, and its two golf courses, gym, tennis facilities, and numerous restaurants all vie for the title of best in Phoenix. But the grounds, dotted by cacti, an organic citrus orchard, and the region’s famous boulders (some bigger than houses), might just be the resort’s most impressive highlight.

RELATED LINKS:

• Maui Wedding Hotels
• Romantic Boutiques
• Jacuzzi Tubs for Two

Myrtle Beach sees its share of partiers each year, and these gal pals are no exception. The South Carolina hot-spot boasts 60 miles of beach, and nearly that much in bar space. Because of its long-standing (or rather, passing out), late-night partying reputation, we were surprised to see these vacationers awake during daylight hours. So this week we’re raising our glass to this spirited duo, who keeps the party going with a few mid-day cocktails at the Tiki Bar of the Sea Watch Resort. It’s five o’clock somewhere!

Read our caption after the jump, then enter your own in the comments section below!

The Tiki Bar at the Sea Watch Resort -- Myrtle Beach

Oyster.com says: “Heeeey! Now that the sun’s up, I can find my shoes!”

Now share your caption!

• Myrtle Beach travel guide
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Image courtesy of Travel Channel

If you’ve been following our recaps on Oyster of Hotel Impossible, you know one thing for sure: We really love Anthony’s no-bullsh*t approach. But last night was a particularly touching episode for us to watch as not only did we get super emotional over the family-owned property, but Anthony did as well — he spent a whole night pouring over the hotel’s financials. And while burning the midnight oil, he discovered ways for the hotel to increase revenue dramatically while only dropping their prices slightly, with requisite beautification projects as well, natch. Check out our five favorite moments from last night’s episode after the jump!

1. The sweet receptionist — and her stockpile of papers.

OMG, how cute was she!?! Stephanie, the front desk staffer on hand, explained the area so well — but with a file folder’s worth of papers and pamphlets. I’m sure the background music only added to the awkwardness, but we couldn’t help but feel sorry for said staffer. Melchiorri was incredulous by the time she finished explaining everything, and rightfully so, considering the vast amount of literature provided. And while the La Jolla Cove Suites does so because they have extremely limited on-site amenities, let’s just say it was, errrr, a bit much.

2. Learning about salt water and its effect on metal.

I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I’m not a maintenance gal myself, but I was simply impressed when Melchiorri pointed out how salt water — and the air that comes off of it — expedites the rusting of metal, causing rapid deteriation as well as more than a few stuck doors. But what had me the most dumbfounded was the simple solution suggested to fix the problem: Maintenance just has to paint over the metal, and on a frequent basis at that. Not that I live by the ocean, but when I do, I’ll keep this tip in mind.

3. The “bed test.”

Not that I’m rushing to test my own bed — or any of those *nasty* hotel comforters — but Melchiorri’s self-coined “bed test” is applicable to use on both hotel stays and your own home bed. Basically, when you fall head first into/onto a mattress, the shock of your body should be absorbed and you should remain practically face-melted into your bed. But if you snap right back up, as Melchiorri did last night, your mattress is crapped out — which the ones in La Jolla definitely were. Plus, what’s up with the double beds in a Deluxe Suite? Where’s my king, baby?

4. The hotel owner, Krista, and her two kids’ resolve to re-tile the front entrance.

This episode had me bust out the Kleenex because the hotel was a true family affair — it had been the current owner’s grandfather’s, that was built from scratch after he came across the Atlantic and through Ellis Island. Anything involving family property is sticky business, but Krista had resolve to preserve the entrance’s tiling completed by her mother and uncle. Stepping up to the plate were her two sons. It was freaking amazing. I want kids like that.

5. Blanche Garcia’s custom moldings.

Listen, we sometimes debate the merits of Blanche’s choices before they’re executed, but we are almost always pleasantly surprised with the outcome. She truly does have an impeccable sense of style and color. But what really stood out was the custom job Blanche and her team busted out for La Jolla Cove Suites. The wall color was gorgeous — an ethereal pale blue — and the moldings were simply outstanding. Blanche, wanna come re-design my shoebox-sized apartment in Greenpoint?

Follow Anthony (@AnthonyHotels) and Blanche (@BlancheGarcia) on Twitter!

RELATED LINKS:

• Travel Advice Straight from HI host Anthony Melchiorri
• Oyster’s Travel Guide to San Diego
• All Hotel Impossible Coverage

Dying to be under that palapa right about now.

Vitamin D does wonders for our health. Better known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” because our bodies produce it from the sun’s rays, Vitamin D regulates blood pressure, reduces muscle tension, and prevents cancer and various other diseases. Luckily for us, some of our favorite spa hotels have just the the right treatments. Whether they boast ocean-side cabanas or secluded rooftop hot tubs, these outdoor spas really know how to make us feel good — all while we’re soaking up the sun, of course.

Star Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park; New York, NY

1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn recently bought The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park’s Penthouse, which spans two floors and has an 800-square-foot closet, for $70 million.

2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Several Lower Manhattan hotels are looking to boost their weekend stays by offering free tickets for tourist cruise tours when booking a two-night stay.

3. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Hilton San Francisco Union Square has decided to close the hotel fitness center and provide in-room equipment instead to cut costs.

4. FACT OR FAKEOUT? The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas fired an employee for saying “bye bye” on the phone to a guest instead of “good bye”.

5. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Kanye West booked an entire floor at The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel while on a romantic getaway with new girlfriend (and our fave reality starlet) Kim Kardashian.

Check out the answers after the jump!

1. FACT! The tycoon’s new apartment also boasts 26 windows gazing out at Central Park, a 900-square-foot ballroom, and several terraces. Not bad.

2. FACT! Participating hotels include the Andaz Wall Street, the Cosmopolitan Hotel, the Gild Hall, the Millenium Hilton and the Smyth Hotel.

3. FAKEOUT! Hilton Hotels is testing the Yoga and Cardio Rooms, which include workout equipment, at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square and the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, but the fitness centers will remain open.

4. FACT! The plaintiff says it’s merely a pretext and that she had been subject to harassing conduct because of her pregnancy.

5. FAKEOUT! Kanye did book an entire floor at the hotel, but that’s because he was playing a show in London. The Kardashians just happened to be there while shooting their show’s new season. Yeah, right.

We’re experts on practically everything hotel-related here at Oyster, and exposing awful hotels is our forte. Recently, we went out of our way to to cover a part of the industry we hadn’t dared to explore yet: the seedy world of by-the-hour sex hotels. We went undercover at three spots: The Kew Motor Inn, busted in a police sting the week after our visit, for promoting prostitution; La Semana, known for its mentally unstable clientele; and The Liberty Inn, a cheesy love den with free porn and a vending machine full of lube. Although we’d done our research ahead of time, nothing could have prepared us for what we found. We arrived armed with a camera, tripod, and enough hand sanitizer to fill a heart-shaped whirlpool tub, and left with shocking photos, as well as the overwhelming desire to scrub clean our bodies — and memories — of all we’d experienced.

After the jump, we’ve compiled a list of the most noteworthy things we learned while out in the field.

If it has a surface, it can have a mirror! From The Kew Motor Inn, New York City

10.) At a by-the-hour hotel, you might actually die. Talk about unsafe sex…

Two of the hotels we visited had reputations for not only being disgusting but actually downright dangerous. We had heard clientele  described in such vivid terms as “drug-addled,” “mentally unstable,” and “violent.” Someone had even locked himself in his room after believing the front desk manager had been shot. Knowing all of this beforehand, we weren’t surprised to find barbwire-covered windows, exposed wires, and guests who were blatantly sex workers (more on that later).

9.) “Exercise pads” are not for Pilates.

The Liberty Inn provided a special exercise pad, which, according to the note, “is designed to position the body comfortably while maximizing the performance of some of your favorite exercises.”

8.) Vending machines are for lube, not soda.

Investigating the world of sex hotels sure can make a person thirsty. Unluckily for my fellow reporter, Rachel, the vending machines at The Liberty Inn carried lube, condoms, and batteries rather than drinks.

7.) Subtlety does not exist in the world of sex hotels.

I thought I would get a drink after all when she saw that The Liberty Inn had a room service menu. Some of the choice cocktail options included “Butt Naked,” “Bend Me Over Slammer,” and the oddly placed (and extremely alcoholic) “Obama Pick Up.” The menu wasn’t available until later in the day, though, which in retrospect, was almost certainly for the best.

How did President Obama make this list? From The Liberty Inn, New York City

6.) Sex hotels are very protective of their remote controls and ashtrays.

Want to steal this ashtray on the Liberty Inn's Jacuzzi tub? Well, you can't. It's glued down.

The remote controls and ashtrays were consistently tied down in place to prevent theft. Not items that struck us as desirable to steal in the first place (what would someone do with a non-functioning remote?) but the sex hotels know what’s important to them, we guess.

5.) Cigarette smoke is expected and encouraged.

Not a single hotel didn’t reek of cigarettes, and at the Liberty Inn in particular, ashtrays were always on hand — including the two that were glued to the Jacuzzi tub.

4.) Plastic flowers are the height of style.

Dust-covered plastic bouquets were absolutely everywhere in the sex hotel world. Even at the dangerous and dingy La Semana, plantings of plastic flowers guarded the entrance.

Please, have a seat! From The Liberty Inn, New York City

3.) The beds may seem dirty, but the walls, tables, and chairs are dirtier.

Through use of a black light, we found the beds certainly showed signs of…uhhh…use, but as with anything that can be thrown in a washing machine, nothing over the top was exposed. On the other hand, the walls, shower stalls, doorknobs, and counter tops were so filthy they would make a Greyhound bus station look like Versailles.

2.) The check-in staff are more protected than most bank tellers.

The rooms may be porno-cliche attempts at romance, but the lobbies of your run-of-the-mill sex hotel are locked down tighter than a bondage collar. Standing behind double plates of glass without so much as a hole to speak through. Although we can’t imagine people are here to make friends with the staff.

1.) Politely avoid any eye contact with pimps, especially while they are shaking down Johns.

In what was simultaneously the most surprising and least surprising part of our investigation, my fellow reporter and I were able to witness a pimp angrily confronting a John (whom we had seen book a room about an hour earlier). We were powerless to move, waiting for the glacially slow elevator with a camera around my neck that made me look like an undercover cop. I was convinced I was about to have my memory card smashed. Eventually, he stopped pounding on the door and looked over in my direction. “How’s it going today, folks?” he politely asked with a smile and a nod, just seconds before screaming “IF YOU DON’T OPEN THIS DOOR, I AM GOING TO [redacted].”

 

The Villa Montana Beach Resort; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

What’s more relaxing than hearing the sound of the waves gently lapping against the fine golden sand while you snooze under a palapa?  (Answer: Nothing. Duh.) Whether planning a family trip, a romantic tryst, or a long weekend away with friends, choosing the best beach is probably as important — or more — as booking the right hotel for your vacation. But nobody said it was easy to decide, with the many gorgeous options we’ve curated just for your (rainy day) viewing pleasure.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a posh, romantic beach resort where lush greens are as abundant as is the white sand, thanks to the island’s jungle-to-beach terrain. And while most rooms virtually spill out onto the sand, some also come with dreamy extras like private pools, Wii game consoles and full kitchens. With the weather as gray and gloomy as it is today in New York City (we just saw lighting from our tenth floor HQ), we wanted to share a bit of the British Virgin Islands‘ sunny skies for your Monday a.m. goodness. So as we say every week, sit back, relax, and soak in the goodness that is the Rosewood Little Dix Bay.

Beach at Rosewood Little Dix Bay

RELATED LINKS:

• Read the full review of Rosewood Little Dix Bay
• See hundreds of photos of Rosewood Little Dix Bay
• Check out more hotels in the British Virgin Islands

These destinations will have you ready to flaunt your bikini body in no time.

It’s getting down to crunch time (literally) — Memorial Day Weekend hovers in the near-future and soon you’ll be showing off your bikini, whether you’re ready to or not. So at least on your long-weekend holiday, you can kill two birds with one stone by finding a destination where you can work it and work out. Whether you’d prefer to take a quick jaunt to the Hamptons or escape for a longer break to St. Martin, whether you enjoy a hike in the rain forest or hanging ten, we have destinations and activities for you to get fit — check them out after the jump »

The Destination: The Hamptons

Bicycles at C/O The Maidstone -- East Hampton

Why: A retreat for city dwellers, the Hamptons is a great spot to get back in shape. Sure, it offers fabulous restaurants that may be tempting but it is also home to outposts of Soul Cycle and Exhale. If everyone who’s anyone heads to the Hamptons in the summer, everyone who’s anyone has caught the Soul Cycle and Exhale bug. While Soul Cycle is a trendy, pump-you-up spin class, Exhale offers pilates-like core fusion barre and yoga classes. They’ll set you back a bit but if you’re vacationing in the Hamptons, you probably don’t care.

Where to Stay: C/O The Maidstone appeals to the stylish Hamptonite crowd with 16 rooms/suites and three cottages decorated in Scandinavian design. Owned by a Swedish entrepreneur with 20 hotels around the world, this one is just steps from the village and a bike ride from the beach (free beach cruiser loaners are available) so you can do some spinning without having to spend a lot of cash. Plus, the hotel has a Buddha garden where yoga classes are held.

See more photos of C/O The Maidstone »

The Destination: Costa Rica 

The Yoga Platform at the Lapa Rios Ecolodge & Wildlife Reserve

Why: This small Central American country is home to hundreds of diverse habitats, making it easy to enjoy beach days, eco-tourism, and outdoor adventures in the same trip and without having to travel long distances. The geography is infinitely varied, ranging from rugged coastlines and bustling towns to misty cloud forests and active volcanoes. Costa Rica is particularly known for having great spots for hiking and windsurfing.

Where to Stay: Lapa Rios, located in the remote coastal rainforests of the Osa Peninsula, is Costa Rica’s original luxury eco lodge. This is the opposite of a Cancun-style beach resort — guests come to the upscale Lapa Rios to enjoy the spectacular surroundings, learn about sustainable tourism, and re-connect with nature. The hotel offers yoga classes, 1,000 acres of rainforest and hiking trails, and is only a 10-minute walk from the beach.

See more photos of the Lapa Rios Ecolodge »

The Destination: Los Angeles

Fitness Equipment at the Beach at the Loews Santa Monica

Why: Though people often picture scene-y nightclubs, iconic Rodeo Drive, and high-end restaurants when they think of L.A., Los Angeles has plenty to offer active travelers (after all, everyone there seems to be in great shape). From the beach to the mountains, the city boasts activities such as swimming, surfing, and hiking. But we recommend dusting off your rollerblades and hitting up the boardwalk at Venice Beach (you can also rent rollerblades there). Crowded with bikers, fortune tellers, fire-eaters, and magicians, the boardwalk is a must-see — and rollerblading is great exercise! You can even roll by the famous Muscle Beach, where uber-tan and uber-jacked muscle men pump iron (and where Arnold Schwarzenegger got his start).

Where to Stay: The Loews Santa Monica is right across the street from the beach, where fitness equipment is set up on the sand. But when you’ve had enough of rollerblading, swimming, and surfing (we’d be surprised if that happened, but you never know), you can visit the hotel’s gym — one of the best in L.A. The spacious, sun-bathed fitness center has a separate spin class/yoga/aerobic studio, free fruit and fruit-enhanced water, and a locker room with a sauna and steam room. The Technogym cardio equipment features personal TV screens and iPod docking stations.

See more photos of the Loews Santa Monica »

The Destination: St. Martin/St. Maarten

Pool at The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten

Why: With nearly 40 beaches to choose from, the small  island — split between the Dutch and the French — is a great spot to perfect your bikini body while simultaneously showing it off (in fact, St. Martin has several nude beaches if you’re really ready to fault your, er, assets). For those looking forward to jumpstart their vacation — and their workout regimen, the island is known for adventure sports such as parasailing, jet-skiing, and windsurfing. Though windsurfing is perhaps the most intense workout, you’d be surprised how toned your arms, abs, and legs can get from holding onto a jet ski for dear life!

Where to Stay:  Guests staying at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa enjoy a prime location right on the beach, where they can rent everything from kayaks to windsurfing equipment to sail boats to bikes. But this hotel also offers a special ready, set, RunWestin program, where guests are lead on group runs around the island. For those who’d prefer to jog solo, the hotel offers running maps and an expansive fitness center.

See more photos of the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa »

RELATED LINKS:

• Best Spots to Get Healthy
• Blog Articles about Active Travel
• Five Celeb Workout Spots

Summer is creeping up on us and we can’t wait to head out to The Hamptons to celebrate. The Long Island vacation spot is synonymous with East Coast luxury, with everything from 50-foot yachts to high-end soirees. One of our favorite places to stay is the laid-back Montauk Yacht Club Resort — just thinking about the views of the attached marina, bobbing with boats galore and crowned by a white lighthouse, has us looking forward to next weekend. Plus, our fave reality star, Bethenny Frankel, often stays at the hotel.

The Marina at the Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina

Related Links:

• Full review of the Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina
• Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in the Hamptons
• Mad Men Hotels