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Shrek's Swamp on Airbnb, Rosewood takes New Zealand and more hotel news you missed last month

Oct. 01, 2023
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8 min read
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
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It's October, which means the leaves are changing, giant skeletons are taking over suburban lawns and people are apple-picking pretty much anywhere an apple grows.

But while our month slowly faded to orange and yellow hues (or very suddenly, in some cases), the hotel world was as busy as ever. In September, Marriott announced yet another brand, reservations opened for the long-awaited Fontainebleau in Las Vegas and, speaking of Sin City, a cyberattack crippled MGM Resorts.

But in between news of data security and brand openings, some less dramatic news occurred. As I share every month, here's a snackable sampling of some hotel news you might have missed in September.

Rosewood heads to New Zealand

ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has long been known as one of the world's leading luxury hotel brands, but it hasn't had a presence in the Oceania region before. That's about to change with the recent announcement that it'll soon be taking over three properties in New Zealand formerly known as Robertson Lodges.

On Dec. 1 of this year, the lodges will be rebranded as Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, a 6,000-acre estate on the Pacific Ocean with 16 rooms and suites, plus access to three private beaches; Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, a 24-room property on Hawke's Bay on the North Island; and Rosewood Matakauri, a lakeside retreat with just 13 rooms and one restaurant in Queenstown.

At this time, there are no plans to open in Australia, but the company does have a robust pipeline with planned openings in Japan, South Korea, the Maldives, China, Europe and more. Curious what a Rosewood stay looks like? Check out our latest Rosewood review featuring the Rosewood Vienna.

IHG offers 10,000 points for canceled Airbnb reservations in NYC

New York City recently cracked down on Airbnb listings in the city, making most short-term listings illegal. With that, a flood of people with preexisting reservations found themselves without a place to stay. To help soften the blow, IHG Hotels & Resorts is offering travelers who can prove they had their New York reservations canceled because of the ban 10,000 IHG One Rewards points as part of the IHG Vacay SOS Program. The points can be used to help rebook a New York stay or book a future stay wherever the points can be used.

If you were affected, you can have your trip "rescued" by IHG by signing up for IHG One Rewards (if you haven't already) and emailing proof that your New York short-term rental was canceled by the host or short-term rental company to BeAGuestAgain@ihg.com. This program is for cancellations occurring through Dec. 31, and the points will be given to the first 100 people who apply.

A new hotel collection wants you to experience the best outdoor destinations in the US

OUTBOUND HOTELS

For folks who love the great outdoors (or people just getting a taste of the diverse landscapes the United States has to offer), a new hotel collection called Outbound Hotels might have exactly what you're looking for.

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Designed around the idea of "connection," these hotels focus on bringing together local culture, music and the outdoors at properties that are close to a town and close to nature, alongside bars and restaurants and activities ranging from yoga and hiking to karaoke and campfires.

Related: Where to stay when visiting Yellowstone National Park

Properties in the growing collection include The Virginian Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, near Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, and Outbound Mammoth in California, near skiing at Mammoth Mountain. The collection plans to grow with upcoming locations in Stowe, Vermont, and Yosemite Valley, California, and rates start as low as $150 per night.

Live your 'Gossip Girl' fantasy at the Lotte New York Palace

LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS

If you've ever watched "Gossip Girl" (the original, not the failed reboot), you're familiar with the Lotte New York Palace, the iconic New York City hotel Serena van der Woodsen called home. Though it's unlikely you (read: me) will end up living in one of New York's luxury hotels, the hotel is offering a special package for diehard fans of the show. With the "XOXO, The Palace Package," guests can get tower accommodations, Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne turndown service, pink macarons (a la Blair Waldorf), a bottle of Chanel No. 5, a $250 gift card to Saks Fifth Avenue (and a personal shopper if you want) and a discount to a "Gossip Girl"-themed tour of filming locations around the city.

The package requires a two-night minimum and starts at $1,050.

Shrek's Swamp is now an Airbnb

AIRBNB

Airbnb is no stranger to once-in-a-lifetime stays, but there's never been one that's as fairy tale-filled as this one: Shrek's Swamp from the much-loved DreamWorks movie "Shrek." For the first time, people have the opportunity to book a stay at the re-creation of the ogre's digs in Highland Council, Scotland. Highlights of the stay included "earwax candlelight," sharing swamp stories around a fire, fresh waffles in the morning and a bathroom worthy of the movie's eponymous character: Shrek's outhouse.

Only one two-night booking is available from Oct. 27-29 — and it's totally free to the person lucky enough to snag the booking when it goes live Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. British Summer Time. Just note that the booking does not include transportation, but it does include a donation from Airbnb to HopScotch Children’s Charity.

A new 2-story overwater villa is coming to the Caribbean

SANDALS

Did you know you don't have to travel all the way to the Maldives or Bora Bora to stay in an overwater bungalow or villa? Turns out there are actually quite a few overwater villas in the Caribbean. And in 2024, there will be an all-new one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the upcoming Sandals Saint Vincent. Set on a 50-acre stretch of land, the new resort will feature the adults-only brand's first two-story overwater bungalow, offering hammocks suspended over the water, a rooftop lounge with sweeping island and sea views and plenty of space to spread out.

The resort will also offer 16 restaurants and bars, an open-air beach club and bar and all the activities and entertainment Sandals resorts are known for. Reservations are now open, and guests who book through Oct. 27 will receive up to $1,000 instant credit on seven-night stays or longer, $775 credit on six-night stays, $505 credit on five-night stays and $375 on four-night stays through 2026.

A rose cabana is the place to be in Oahu

TURTLE BAY

Lastly, I want to leave you with a place where summer seemingly never ends: the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii. More specifically, Turtle Bay Resort, a luxurious property with seven beaches spanning 1,300 acres. It's a place where you can watch world-class surfers while sipping a bacon-topped bloody mary from shore or spending an entire day getting pampered in the spa.

Related: The best hotels in Oahu

Now, the resort has teamed up with Provence, France-based Chateau d'Esclans to launch a collection of Whispering Angel cabanas filled with custom surfboards, plenty of pale pink and room to spread out for up to six people (or up to 12 people by combining two cabanas). A cabana rental also comes with a bottle of Whispering Angel rose wine, light bites like local fruit and a charcuterie board, and an exclusive menu of other foods and drinks. Cabana rentals start at $600, last for nine hours and can be made online.

What else you should know

Hotels you need to visit

Featured image by ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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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. (Partner offer)

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.