An 'Aladdin' suite in Times Square, flying with Four Seasons and other hotel news you missed
Every month when I sit down to write my monthly hotel news column, I ask myself the same question: Where did the last month go? And now, with the Fourth of July past us, I'm unnerved by the thoughts of summer — and summer travel — coming to an end.
But even though time stops for no one, I can't complain because the last month afforded me a trip to Cabo to review two of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in the area — look out for those stories coming soon. I also spent long, sun-drenched days in the Texas Panhandle visiting my family.
During that time, though, hotel news kept trickling in. The biggest news is likely to annoy World of Hyatt diehards: MGM's partnership with Hyatt is being replaced with a new contract with Marriott that will see Bellagio Resort & Casino join the Luxury Collection, Aria Resort & Casino and the Cosmopolitan join the Autograph Collection, and Park MGM join the Tribute Portfolio.
Outside of the big breaking news, there's still some fun, smaller stories worth digging into. And that's exactly what you'll find here.
Four Seasons announced shorter Private Jet Experiences for 2025
For travelers with deep pockets, one of the most over-the-top travel experiences comes in the form of hotel hopping around the world on Four Seasons Private Jet. While there's very limited space left on 2023-24 journeys (with a staggering starting price of $130,000), the luxury hotel chain announced some shorter, more compact itineraries for 2025.
Two new itineraries are currently available to book, starting with the African Wonders experience from Dec. 29, 2024 to Jan. 10, 2025. That trip takes guests from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece to the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt across the African Continent to the Serengeti, Rwanda, Victoria Falls and Johannesburg. Plus, a stop for sun ocean fun at the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita.
The second trip, Asia Unveiled, from March 3 through the 18th, hits some of the best Four Seasons properties in the East with stops in Tokyo, Bali, the Maldives, Hoi An (a true fan-favorite of the TPG hotels team) and Bangkok, plus the chance to visit Bhutan and the ancient remains of Angkor Wat.
And speaking of Four Seasons, there's a lot else happening with the brand, including the announcement of a new property with residences set to open in 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. And in Costa Rica, the Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo will close from August through October to complete a multi-million dollar renovation that will usher in a new beach club with an infinity pool, dining options and private cabanas, as seen above.
A lifestyle hotel is going all-inclusive
Accor, the dark horse of the hotel world, and its lifestyle company Ennismore are heading to the Aegean coast with the 2024 opening of Hyde Bodrum in Turkey. A brand rooted in style with festival-like atmosphere (think: live music, bold cocktails and Instagrammable lobbies), Hyde is taking that particular resort in a new direction: all-inclusive. The resort will feature 211 rooms, four villas, six restaurants (ranging from a buffet to a French bistro), a beach club and plenty of parties.
All-inclusive resorts are really having a moment, so I'm personally excited to see how Hyde, along with the help of Ennismore, famous for its restaurants and social settings, help reshape the identity of the all-inclusive experience as a whole.
There's a magical new suite in New York City for fans of 'Aladdin'
There's nothing like seeing a Broadway show in New York — and it's even better when your hotel room is designed to bring that show to life even after the curtain closes.
At the Hilton New York Times Square, right at the center of all the action, guests who book Aladdin's Times Square Palace Suite can feel the energy of Agrabah in a room decorated with Moroccan rugs, lots of textiles and even a special lamp with a little neon magic.
With the suite, which starts at $599 per night, guests also get two Genie-themed cocktails (or mocktails), a wake-up call from Genie actor Michael James Scott, breakfast for up to four people, and up to four Premium Orchestra tickets to see "Aladdin the Musical" right down the block. Considering ticket prices for Broadway shows these days, plus sky-high hotel rates, this package is a pretty great deal for a truly special night experiencing an incredible and lively show.
Available to book through Oct. 31, the suite can be booked online, by calling (212) 913-9488 or emailing NYCTS-SALESADM@hilton.com.
An NYC Kimpton wants you to surf in the city
It might come as a shock to you, but New York City is a surfing city and has lots of beaches where folks can hit the waves.
At the Kimpton Hotel Eventi, guests can now book a special package, Sand & The City, that helps wannabe surfers get in on the action. The package, available to book through September 21, includes a two-hour surf lesson at Rockaway Beach, two beach chairs, beach towels and a tote bag, cocktails to take to the beach, $10 subway cards to get you to Rockaway Beach, early check-in and late check-out (when available) and a $100 dining credit at L'Amico, The Vine or Skirt Steak.
Rates for Sand & The City start at $379 per night. The package requires a two-night minimum stay and must be booked seven days in advance.
Related: The top Kimpton Hotels across the world, according to IHG Diamond members
Sensei and The Little Nell team up for a hiking retreat in Aspen
The Little Nell is one of the best hotels in Aspen, which is one of the best ski resorts in the United States. But it's also a great place to visit all year long. This fall, The Little Nell is teaming up with luxury wellness brand Sensei for a five-night, six-day hiking retreat led by celebrated mountaineer Ted Mahon, that will encompass various hikes, beautiful leaf peeping, group wellness workshops, movement and recovery practices and meals from the hotel's culinary team.
Potential hikers can learn more about the retreat on this dedicated website or calling Sensei at 310-627-2589. Rates, including accommodations and select meals, start at $1,590 per night for single occupancy or $2,160 for double occupancy.
In other news...
- This new 'Dis-loyalty' program can save you money on stays, food and coffee at lifestyle hotels
- A chic motor lodge in Napa Valley just joined World of Hyatt – and it even has a spa
- How Disney renovated more than 22,000 hotel rooms in 5 years
- Barbie, Indiana Jones and Wes Anderson fuel summer offerings at these hotels
- What's next for Fairmont? Expansion, renovation and all-inclusive resorts
Hotel reviews you need to read
- What it's like staying at The Venetian Las Vegas
- Meet Hotel La Compania, Hyatt's historic hit in Panama City
- What it's like staying at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas
- Dubai's most lavish property to date: What it's like to stay at Atlantis The Royal
- Magic in the Mara: Reviewing the new JW Marriott Masai Mara safari lodge
And if that's not enough, check out our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.