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I spent $180 on a red-eye flight to Europe. I'd book the same budget airline again, but there's one thing I'd change.

26 December 2024 at 07:57
Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Airlines red eye flight from NYC to Berlin and arrived in Germany feeling exhausted.
Business Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Atlantic Airways red-eye flight from New York City to Berlin.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I took a red-eye flight from NYC to Berlin with Norse Atlantic Airways in October 2022.
  • For $180, I traveled through the night on a nonstop economy flight with a row of seats to myself.
  • Although I thought the flight itself was ideal for a red-eye, I started my trip feeling exhausted.

In October 2022, I took an eight-hour red-eye flight with Norse Atlantic Airways, an airline I'd never heard of.

Norse Atlantic Airways is a budget airline that started flying in 2022 with nonstop trips from the US to Germany, Norway, the UK, France, Greece, and Italy.

The flight from my home in NYC to Berlin kicked off a two-week train trip through Europe. I booked my travels with the lesser-known airline because it was the cheapest nonstop flight leaving from my local airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

I selected an economy-light ticket, the lowest tier available, for $88. The booking included a seat and storage space under the seat in front of me. I also spent $75 for advanced seat selection, and there was a $20 airport check-in fee. The trip cost a total of $183.

In the past, I've appreciated domestic red-eye flights because they give me an extra day at my destination.

But this was my first international red-eye flight, and the long-haul journey through the night left me exhausted at the beginning of my trip. To me, it wasn't worth the day I saved.

I arrived at JFK at 9:30 p.m. for my 12:30 a.m. flight.
The author checks in at JFK airport.
The author checks in at JFK airport.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I could have checked in online for free, but I wanted to print my boarding pass at the airport.

On a late Sunday evening, the terminal at JFK felt quite empty.
Inside the author's terminal at JFK.
Inside the author's terminal at JFK.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Aside from people in line to board an aircraft, I hardly saw anyone.

My flight began boarding at 11:30 p.m.
Travelers board the aircraft to Berlin in October 2022.
Travelers board the aircraft to Berlin in October 2022.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was among the last to board and got situated in my seat right around midnight.

The flight's seating arrangement was three columns with three seats in each row.
People board the Norse aircraft in October 2022.
People board the Norse aircraft in October 2022.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid extra to select a window seat before the flight so that I could lean against the window to rest.

A representative from Norse told Business Insider that economy-light seats are 17.2 inches wide with a 3-inch recline.
The author's seat on the Norse flight.
The author's seat on the Norse flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It felt like a standard plane seat to me.

I thought I had enough legroom, even with my backpack shoved underneath the seat.
The author's legs while seated on a plane.
The author's legroom on the flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The seat pitch was between 27 and 32 inches, according to the representative.

In front of me, there was an entertainment screen with movies, TV shows, and information about my flight.
The screens on the seat back chair.
The screens on the seat back chair.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Although I spent most of the time trying to sleep, I appreciated having the screen.

As the plane prepared for takeoff, I was thrilled that I had a whole row to myself.
The author's row of seats on the flight.
The author's row of seats on the flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In fact, I noticed many of the seats were empty.

My seat back pocket contained a menu of amenities, including earbuds, blankets, neck pillows, and sleep masks, although I didn't buy any.
In-flight menu items.
In-flight menu items.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Amenity prices ranged from $3.50 to $6.50.

After takeoff, the plane was quiet and dimly lit. But I hardly ever sleep well on planes, and this was no exception.
The flight at night.
The flight at night.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I woke several times through the night.

At one point in the night, I went to the bathroom and found it cleaner than most aircraft bathrooms I've been in.
The author uses the bathroom during the flight.
The bathroom on the Norse aircraft.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Unlike most economy aircraft bathrooms I've used, the floor wasn't sticky and the trash can wasn't overflowing. 

In the morning, flight attendants came around with food and beverage service. So I looked at the menu in my seat back pocket.
In-flight service and menu.
In-flight service and menu.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I found that food and beverages weren't included in the price of my ticket, so I decided to skip it.

I landed in Berlin nearly an hour earlier than scheduled, so I was only in the air for seven hours.
The author's aircraft arrives in Berlin.
The author's aircraft arrives in Berlin.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Still, when I got off the plane, I felt completely exhausted due to a lack of sleep.

Despite feeling tired, as I would after any red-eye flight, I was impressed by the budget airline and would definitely book with Norse again.
The author arrives in Berlin.
The author on the runway in Berlin.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The flight was comfortable and clean, and landing early was a nice bonus.

Once in Berlin, I still had a two-hour train journey to my Airbnb outside the city, and I could barely keep my eyes open.
The author takes trains from Berlin to TK.
The author takes trains from Berlin to her Airbnb.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Even after a night of sleep, I found that the exhaustion from the overnight flight โ€” combined with jet lag โ€” lasted for days. This wasn't ideal at the start of a two-week adventure.

My exhaustion wore off within a couple of days of my trip, but I had a lingering thought โ€” next time I fly internationally, I won't mind spending a little more money and a little less time at my destination for a day flight.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I stayed at a 5-star Four Seasons hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My $1,000-a-night room was a skier's sanctuary.

24 December 2024 at 04:02
A composite image of the exterior of a brown cabin-like hotel and the author standing in front of a bed in a hotel room with white walls and wood trimmings
The author's guest room at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole resort starts at about $1,000 during the winter ski season.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I recently stayed at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, a luxury ski-in, ski-out resort.
  • My 550-square-foot room had a private balcony overlooking the slopes.
  • I thought the room's luxury cabin vibe seemed like an ideal accommodation for a skier.

If I ever take a ski trip, I want to retire to a cozy room with cabin vibes and luxury touches. Ideally, it would be in a slopeside, five-star hotel.

Perhaps the Four Seasons Jackson Hole would fit the bill. In September, I spent one night at the ski-in, ski-out resort.

Although the mountains were not yet covered in snow, my room โ€” which has a starting rate of nearly $1,000 a night during the winter ski season โ€” seemed like a peaceful place to rest after an active day of gliding through powder.

When I arrived at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole on a muggy day in early September, I imagined it covered in snow.
The outside of a cabin like hotel with people skiing in the snow in front of it.
Guests ski in the winter at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Jackson Hole

The 63-year-old hotel chain has a luxurious reputation and 133 locations worldwide, each designed to reflect its destination.

"There's a sense of place at every Four Seasons," Kim Cole, the director of public relations for the Four Seasons, told Business Insider.

Cole added that the company describes the Jackson Hole location's aesthetic as "modern mountain chic," catering to hikers, bicyclists, and skiers in the winter.

After checking in, I explored the room with the typical peak-season guest in mind.
A hand holds a wooden hotel key card
The author's room key card was wooden with mountain etchings.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The hotel has 106 guest rooms and 18 suites. The starting rate is $525 in the offseason and $995 in the peak winter season. BI received a media rate for a one-night stay.

There are also 31 Resort Residences on-site, built to serve large groups. These residences have kitchens and as many as five bedrooms. Starting prices range from $4,200 to $11,000, depending on the season.

Cole told BI that in the winter, guest rooms are typically booked with active guests who participate in winter sports, so I imagined how the room would feel as a skier.

I thought my 550-square-foot room blended traditional cabin nostalgia with midcentury modern luxury.
Inside a hotel room with a TV above a fireplace on the left, a green couch on the right, and wood shutters leading to a balcony in the back
Inside the author's room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My room had a king-sized bed, a full bathroom, and a private balcony.

Renovated by Wimberly Interiors in 2022, the guest rooms were designed to bring the outside in, with metal accents, stone finishings, and a soft, earth-toned color palette. This nature-inspired trend, known as biophilic design, gained traction in 2024.

The bed was plush with warm, fluffy bedding and dense pillows.
Inside a hotel room with a green couch in front of a white bed book-ended by nightstands with lamps on them, and a large white headboard with tree carvings on it
The guest room's king-sized bed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The king-sized bed sat between mixed material nightstands with edgy lamps contrasting classic wooden shutters.

With one king-sized bed, the room sleeps up to three adults (or two adults and one kid). The room can also be arranged with two double beds, increasing the maximum occupancy to four adults (or two adults and two kids).

The nature-inspired headboard was a mesmerizing statement piece.
A close up of a wood-framed white headboard with carvings of trees on is
A close-up of the headboard.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The headboard was the standout piece in the room. A cherry wood frame juxtaposed a bright, white image, giving it a midcentury modern look.

The image was a textured carving of trees that I could feel when I brushed my fingers over the branches. A light bar glowed beneath the board, making it easier to see the details of the monochrome image.

The bed was so comfy that I didn't want to get up โ€” and with smart controls on the in-room tablet, I didn't have to.
A wooden nightstand between a bed and shutterd windows holds two brochures and a tablet on a stand in front of a modern lamp
The tablet had a stand beside the bed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The tablet on the nightstand served as the room's control center, commanding everything from the TV to room service. This amenity was added in the 2022 remodel.

The tablet would be especially handy after an exhausting day on the slopes.

The other nightstand held an eclectic shelf of books with a warm white color palette.
A close up of the nightstand shows a bottom shelf with books on it
Books line the bottom shelf of a nightstand.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Few things are more relaxing on a snow day than cozying up with a good book.

Luckily, my room had a small selection of biographies, historical literature, and novels ranging from realistic fiction to young-adult fantasy.

Publishing dates for these books ranged from 2003 to 2020, but I thought they looked much older. They were all sleeveless with a white or off-white binding.

Across from the bed, a large TV was mounted above a stone fireplace.
Inside a hotel room with white walls and wood trimmings, a table and chairs on the right, and a TV mounted above a stone fireplace in the center
A view of the room from the bed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Rustic drawers were to the left of the fireplace, while a modern sitting area was on the right.

I noticed all the seating in my room was soft and cushy, which seemed ideal for sore bodies after an active day.

The room also had a private bar with gold trimmings.
A composite image of a hotel room coffee bar on the left and a stock of water and coffee essentials on the right
The bar and its offerings.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bar had an espresso machine, neutral-toned ceramic mugs, and Four Seasons branded water.

Beneath the bar, a cabinet hid the mini-fridge. It was stocked with alcohol and snacks like peanut M&Ms and gummy bears, which were available for an extra cost.

In the marble bathroom, the oversize tub had a bendy shower head that made me feel like I was in a spa.
Inside a hotel bathroom with beige stone tiling, a marble sink on the left and a bathtub on the right
The tub on one side of the bathoom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bathroom had complimentary Le Labo toiletries.

The bathroom felt large, with a double sink vanity, a sizable shower, and a separate toilet room.
Inside a hotel bathroom with a walk-in marble shower on the left and a toilet in a separate room with a blue wall on the right
The other side of the bathroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The mirrors and vanities were replaced by Wimberly Interiors in 2022.

Across from the bathroom, a spacious walk-in closet held bathrobes, a safe, and some classic, upscale amenities I've only seen in ultra-luxury hotels.
A composite image of a white closet with two robes hanging inside and a wooden built-in below a safe in the same closet
Inside the walk-in closet.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spotted old-school amenities like a shoe horn and shine brush, which I've seen more often in high-end European accommodations than in the US.

The ample size of the bathroom and closet made the room suitable for up to four guests.

The private balcony seated one on a comfortable lounge chair.
A wood sliding door opens to reveal a small hotel balcony with a mountain in the background on a gray, rainy day
A peek at the balcony.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent some time on the deck, but since I imagined it would be less enjoyable in the cold, I appreciated that there were sliding glass doors to enjoy the view without the low temperatures.

Out there, I had a view of the ski lifts traveling up and down Rendezvous Mountain.
Ski lifts go up a green, tree-covered mountain with clouds fogging the top
Rendezvous Mountain is seen from the author's balcony.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From the balcony, I spotted the slopes towering over the resort's courtyard.

Looking down, I pictured the green courtyard in a blanket of snow as bundled-up skiers got their bearings before hitting the slopes.

Read the original article on Business Insider

First time flying first class? Here are etiquette tips to avoid being the most annoying person in a premium cabin

23 December 2024 at 09:36
A bed, slippers, a blanket, a robe, and a sleep mask on a bed inside the first class cabin inside an Airbus A380 at the airbus factories in Hamburg, Germany, Reefrreshments in the background in front of three windows
First class is about indulgence, and business class is about sleeping and working comfortably, a travel expert, Gilbert Ott, says.

Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images

  • First-time flight upgraders should be aware of business- and first-class etiquette.
  • A flight expert shared his top tips for blending in with passengers who often book premium cabins.
  • He said not to ask whether everything is free in first class or expect too much in business class.

When you're flying first class, etiquette is key for blending in with the opulent crowd โ€” especially if you've never been in a premium cabin before. The same goes for business class.

Travelers in first and business class may be spoiled with welcome gifts, multicourse meals, and private seats for lounging. While tickets aren't cheap, credit card and airline rewards programs have made the luxurious cabins accessible for people accumulating points and miles.

If you're upgrading a flight for the first time, Gilbert Ott, who flies an estimated 200,000 miles a year, has a few tips for those who want to blend in with the first- and business-class crowds and avoid annoying more seasoned premium passengers.

Don't ask whether everything is free in first class
A beige First Class Airplane Seat With Tray Of Food
Most first-class offerings are included in the price of the ticket.

imaginima/Getty Images

"I think the etiquette is that first class is about indulgence," Ott told Business Insider.

Ott doesn't recommend asking flight attendants whether each bonus offering is free because everything is complimentary, from meals to sparkling wine.

And there's nothing wrong with "filling your boots" to make the most of the perks, he added.

Don't expect too much in business class
Passengers are sitting in the commercial plane. Cabin crew is take care passengers in the plane.
Business class offers a less personalized experience.

eyesfoto/Getty Images

While first-class passengers often get personalized experiences and are greeted by name, business-class flyers shouldn't expect the same level of attention.

"Business class is about efficiency. It's a comfortable seat where you can sleep or work," Ott said.

Staff members serve dozens of people in business class, while first-class cabins typically seat fewer than 10 passengers, he added.

"There's a lot of work that goes into all those meals and drinks," Ott said. "So if you're looking for an over-the-top experience, then first class is where you can expect staff to make the flight awesome. And that's what you're paying for."

Don't hover over passengers in doored seats
Luxurious seats with doors inside a first-class cabin on a plane
Doored seats offer more privacy for passengers in premium cabins.

jun xu/Getty Images

If you've flown recently, you may have noticed that many business- and first-class cabins have added doors to each seat to give passengers more privacy.

Ott said you shouldn't infringe on another traveler's space to fetch items from overhead bins.

"Don't awkwardly hover over the person because the whole idea of doors is that people can't look in on you," Ott said. "So when you wake up and someone is looking over your space, it's odd."

Don't take up too much overhead-bin space
Empty airplane interior, bag left in overhead bin, side view
Stick to the space above your seat.

Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

BI previously reported that premium-cabin passengers are often entitled to overhead-bin space, and according to Ott, the bins are usually not too crowded. But that doesn't mean you should bring extra bags and put them wherever you want, as Ott has seen many passengers do.

Instead, Ott suggests keeping your limited belongings in the space above your seat.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I stayed in an adults-only hotel for the first time. 6 surprises made it my favorite accommodation.

21 December 2024 at 03:26
the author in a white robe on a balcony in front of mountains
The reporter stayed at an adults-only resort for the first time in Jackson, Wyoming.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I spent one night at Hotel Yellowstone, a luxury, adults-only resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
  • It was my first time staying in an adults-only hotel, and I was surprised by the relaxing amenities.
  • The quiet, calm environment led me to some epic natural sightings of a moose and the auroras.

I love kids, but it's tough for me to relax in a hotel full of them. Peaceful moments by the pool are often interrupted by splashing water. Occasional youthful screams in communal spaces startle me. And sunsets on the balcony may be accompanied by crying children and scolding parents in the room next door.

That's why I decided to check out an adults-only hotel called Hotel Yellowstone for the first time during a September trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The resort, with views of Snake River Valley and Grand Teton National Park, opened in August for adults at least 21 years old, though anyone aged 18 to 20 may stay when checking in with an older guest.

I booked a Grand Teton Suite with a starting rate of $1,600 a night. (Business Insider received a media rate for the one-night stay.)

I expected a relaxing evening but didn't realize how much a kid-free environment would elevate my experience.

When I stepped onto the property, I was immediately taken by the peace and quiet.
Wood units with black roofs on the right of a hillside with mountains on the left
Guest accommodations at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Just 15 minutes from the traffic-filled streets of Downtown Jackson, I didn't even hear the hum of a highway as I stepped out of my cab to check in at Hotel Yellowstone.

On a hill above a valley surrounded by mountains, 10 modern buildings with a cabin aesthetic sat between stone paths. A pond in the middle of the property made it feel serene.

There were no voices or pitter-patters of running feet. I only heard chirping birds and wind rustling the leaves of tall trees.

I didn't expect the pool to be designed purely for relaxation.
A pool under an awning with grass on the left and. a spa on the right
Hotel Yellowstone's Negative Edge Pool.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Most hotels I've stayed in have had at least one large pool where clusters of people lounge by the steps while others swim laps or play games. I typically find them chaotic, noisy, and tough to avoid a splash when passing through.

That wasn't the case at Hotel Yellowstone. This resort's pool, called the Negative Edge Pool, was just 4 feet deep and had jets and heating. It was indoors and overlooked a mountain scene with a retractable glass window. Though shallow, the pool was quite long. I thought it was spacious enough for multiple groups to enjoy simultaneously.

Next to the pool, there was a wood sauna. Both were open 24 hours a day, which surprised me since most hotels I've stayed in have had a pool curfew. I imagine this is partly because no children are on the property.

In my room, I was amazed to see the Tetons from every angle โ€” even while taking a bath.
A composite image of a hotel room with white walls and a bed in front of two seating areas with a view of mountains from a balcony at the back of the room and the same room is shown from the balcony.
Inside the reporter's Grand Teton Suite.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It was instantly clear to me that my room was designed to showcase the views as much as possible when I stepped inside.

The door opened into a short hallway with a bathroom on the left, behind a spacious bedroom and living space. Light poured in from a large window on the left wall and floor-to-ceiling windowed doors to the balcony spanning the back of the room.

Even the bathroom had a sliding door in front of the oversized tub, so I could gaze at the peaks of the Tetons and the valleys below while taking a bath.

"The room layout, windows, wall-to-wall sliding doors, and the beautifully crafted boiserie bathroom door enable guests to fully immerse themselves in the stunning views from every angle of the suite," a hotel representative told BI.

I didn't know the restaurant was so exclusive.
Inside a restaurant with a wooden ceiling and wide windows showing the mountains in the background.
Inside Olivia's, the restaurant at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In my experience, hotel restaurants are typically open to the public, so I was surprised to learn that only guests could sit at Olivia's, a fine-dining establishment at Hotel Yellowstone with an eclectic menu and locally sourced ingredients.

When it was time for dinner, I headed to the lobby and walked down a staircase to the restaurant on the first floor. I was mesmerized by the indoor-outdoor feel provided by the vast windows. Below the wood-beamed cathedral ceilings, the wide view of the mountains looked like a painting.

No one else was dining at Olivia's when I stepped inside, so I could sit wherever I wanted. I selected a spot right by the back window and feasted on bao buns in silence.

I returned to Olivia's for some fruit and steel-cut oats in the morning. This time, one other guest, a solo backpacker, sat two tables away from me. It was a far cry from the clattering plates and blending conversations of a typical hotel breakfast, in my experience.

One of the biggest surprises of my stay was catching a glimpse of the northern lights.
A cabin at night in front of mountains with stars and purple and green aurora lights in the sky
A glimpse of the auroras at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After dinner, I took a peaceful walk back to my room, coated myself in a thick robe, and headed to the balcony. I expected to hear whispers of other guests enjoying the outdoor view, but it was just as silent and peaceful as when I first stepped onto the property.

Sitting in a lounge chair, I noticed a faint flutter of color in the sky and immediately jumped up and leaned on the railing. Purple and green hues danced so subtly that I had to confirm what I thought I was seeing with a long exposure on my camera. And it appears that I was right โ€” I had spotted the northern lights in Wyoming of all places.

Seeing the auroras has been on my bucket list since I knew the phenomenon existed. And no matter where you are in the world, a trip to see the northern lights is never guaranteed. So, I certainly never thought I'd stumble upon them in the US.

I could hardly see them with my eyes alone, and I thought that if the environment hadn't been so free of distractions, I might have missed them.

The other grand surprise of my stay was the last โ€” a moose sighting at breakfast.
A composite image of moose walking on a hillside with a valley and mountains in the background and a similar frame of the same moose
A moose walks across the adults-only resort.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'd never seen a moose before having breakfast at Olivia's.

There I was, dining at a table against the back window, when a moose casually walked along the property just outside the restaurant.

I was stunned, but my server was not โ€” they said the moose hangs out regularly and is often seen swimming in the pond and drying off in the flower beds.

After staying there myself, I could see why. The kid-free environment was calm and quiet. I imagine the serene nature of the resort could make wildlife more comfortable in the human setting.

I thought the adults-only element was key to having these surreal moments with nature without sacrificing comfort and luxury.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Step inside the best hotel room I've ever booked at an adults-only resort in Jackson Hole that costs $1,600 a night

16 December 2024 at 07:15
the author in a white robe on a balcony in front of mountains
Business Insider's reporter booked a one-night stay at the brand-new, adults-only Hotel Yellowstone in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I recently stayed at Hotel Yellowstone, which opened in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in August.
  • The luxury adults-only resort offers views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley.
  • My 600-square-foot room with a private balcony starts at $1,600 a night. Take a look inside.

In August 2024, the luxury ski town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, got a brand-new, adults-only resort.

With unobstructed views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley, Hotel Yellowstone is located five miles from Downtown Jackson and only welcomes guests aged 21 and up. (It does accommodate adults as young as 18 when accompanied by a guest who is at least 21.)

During a September trip to Jackson Hole, I booked a one-night stay at the resort in a room with a starting rate of $1,600 a night.

After seeing and experiencing my room's thoughtful design and luxury comforts, it was easy to see why the price was so steep.

"Hotel Yellowstone's design pays homage to the American West while seamlessly blending influences of modern design," a representative of Hotel Yellowstone told Business Insider. "The intricate design components pull inspiration from Jackson Hole's history, proximity to national parks, and locale on a wildlife refuge โ€” allowing guests to view Jackson Hole's native animals from the comfort of their suites."

Roughly two hours after arriving at Hotel Yellowstone in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I accidentally fell asleep.
A triangular, wood building with a black, sloping roof in front of a mountain range.
The lobby and restaurant building at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Perhaps the serenity of the adults-only resort overlooking Grand Teton National Park and Snake Valley is to thank. It was the quietest hotel I'd ever been to.

I blame the ultra-luxe room.
The author sits on a bed with white sheets and brown fluffy pillows and a bathroom behind dark, wood walls in the background
The author enjoys her room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought it epitomized cozy mountain luxury.

"The overall design style can be best described as a harmonious blend of tranquility, serenity, and modern sophistication," the representative said of the rooms.

The 36 guest rooms are spread throughout 9 buildings on the four-acre property.
Wooden hotel units with black roofs scattered along a stone pathway with mountains in the background
Guest room buildings at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Each accommodation is 600 square feet, sleeps two, and has a private balcony.

Depending on the view, starting rates range between $900 and $1,600 a night. Some rooms offer views of the mountains, while others are positioned toward the valley. Some showcase the pond on the property, and others combine multiple scenes.

As I stepped inside my room, I was surprised by the surplus of natural light that brightened the space.
A composite image of a hotel room with white walls and a bed in front of two seating areas with a view of mountains from a balcony at the back of the room and the same room is shown from the balcony.
Inside the author's hotel room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a room with views of the Teton Range. BI received a media rate for the one-night stay.

Wide, floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the back wall and a portion of the left wall.

"The color palette for the walls, furniture, and bathroom was thoughtfully chosen to highlight the surrounding landscape and the unparalleled views of the Teton Mountain range," the hotel representative said.

When I took off my shoes, I felt the soft give of the cushy carpet beneath me.

Restoration Hardware furnishings filled the room, from a king-sized bed and two cozy sitting areas to Western-inspired decor.
Inside a hotel room with white walls, a lamp on the left, a furry chair on the right, and a bed in the middle
A wide view of the author's room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My room had all the basic amenities you'd expect at a high-end hotel, from an espresso machine to a mini-fridge. A TV hung above a fireplace across from the bed.

I spotted nods to the environment, too. The representative said the floor lamp that resembled antlers came from AntlerWorx, and the furry accent chairs were made from pure New Zealand sheepskin.

"Both pieces showcase natural materials and textures with the Moose Antler lamp serving as a tribute to local wildlife โ€” particularly the seasonal resident moose who frequents the property," they added.

Sliding glass doors at the back of the room led to a private balcony.
Two chairs on a balcony face a view of mountains on a cloudy day
The view from the author's balcony.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The balcony was my favorite part of the accommodation. The spacious upper deck had two cushioned lounge chairs and a side table.

The view of the valley dotted with herds beneath the Teton range was one of the most epic I'd ever seen.

Unlike most hotel balconies I've experienced, the space was quiet. Not even cars on the highway were audible from the resort. And I didn't hear one voice the entire time I was out there.

After checking out the views, I decided to take a warm bath.
A white, marble bathroom with a tub on the left, a glass shower on the right, and a sink and vanity next to a toilet in the background
The bathroom inside the author's accommodation.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm not typically one for baths, but the Calacatta marble bathroom was spa-like. While warm water filled the large, free-standing tub, I turned on the floor and towel heaters to ensure top-tier comfort upon exiting the bath.

The most surprising part of my bath was the mountain views.
A white bathtub with a bed and a balcony in the background
The tub had views of the mountains outside.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bathroom was behind the bed with a sliding door in front of the tub, so I could view the Tetons while bathing.

"The room layout, windows, wall-to-wall sliding doors, and the beautifully crafted boiserie bathroom door enable guests to fully immerse themselves in the stunning views from every angle of the suite," the representative said.

Once cleaned up, I headed to the closet across from the bathroom to retrieve a robe.
A composite image of the Inside of a wood closet with a black backpack and a duffel bag inside and the author in a white robe on a balcony in front of mountains
The author cozies up in a robe from the room's closet.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I always look forward to hotel robes, and this one was more comfortable than most. It was made of thick fabric that felt like soft terry cloth.

Then, I cozied up on the bed, pressed the fireplace button, and turned on the TV.
Two photos: Left: A labeled, black light switch on a white wall. Right: A black iPad with television channels on the screen on a white sheet.
Smart controls in the author's room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once I dried off, I jumped onto the cloud-like king-sized bed that felt endless when I cuddled up in the middle.

I grabbed the tablet on the nightstand with smart controls for the room, from mood lighting and curtains to room service.

With a plan to relax for just a bit, I turned on the TV for one episode of Modern Family.

Minutes later, I was fast asleep.

After an unplanned two-hour nap, I ended the night with a glimpse of what appeared to be the northern lights.
A cabin at night in front of mountains with stars and purple and green aurora lights in the sky
The northern lights glow over Jackson Hole.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I woke up as the sun was setting and promptly headed outside in my robe to catch the end of it.

Once it was dark, I saw something I'd never seen before โ€” and never thought I would see in the US โ€” faint streaks of purple and green glided among the stars. I think it was the northern lights.

I could barely see them myself, but once I took a 30-second exposure on my camera, I was pretty sure I was right.

The northern lights were a massive surprise that made my stay even more meaningful. The quiet, peaceful resort made them even more mesmerizing.

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The best and worst airports for layovers, according to a travel expert who flies 200,000 miles a year

9 December 2024 at 12:31
Left: Visitors walk through the Jewel as a Skytrain shuttles passengers between terminals at Changi Airport in Singapore. Right: Delayed passengers lounge in the atrium of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after a snowstorm in Atlanta, Georgia.
The best airports for layovers have upscale lounges, are easy to navigate, and offer a wide variety of food and activities.

AP Photo/David Goldman, Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

  • Flight expert Gilbert Ott shared insights on the best and worst airports for connecting flights.
  • Dallas and Los Angeles have some of the best US airports for layovers.
  • Atlanta, Georgia, and London are home to some of the worst airports for layovers.

We'd all likely prefer a nonstop flight over a connecting one, as layovers add travel time and opportunities for things to go wrong, from delays to cancellations.

"A lot of the best places worth going to these days do not have direct flights from faraway places," Gilbert Ott, who flies about 200,000 miles a year and shares his insights on his blog, God Save the Points, told Business Insider.

"In any case, you want to be in a place where the airline has a strong presence because you're going to have layers of support," he said.

Still, when it comes to killing time, navigating terminals, and minimizing chances of delays, some airports offer a better layover experience than others.

Ott shared with BI the best airports for layovers, as well as the worst airports for connecting flights.

A variety of upscale lounges and an on-site hotel make Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport one of the best for layovers.
Left: Blue door to American Express to Open The CenturionSM Lounge in DFW. Right: American Airlines plane parked at a gate at DFW Airport, the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the background
The entrance to the Amex Centurion lounge (L) and the hotel's exterior at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Business Wire/AP Images, HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Ott told BI that Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is among the best US airports for layovers thanks to its premium lounges, from Amex Centurion to Delta Sky Club.

"It's one of those places where if you do have a layover and you really need to kill time, there are both top-notch lounges and an airport hotel directly in the terminal," Ott said.

DFW is also home to one of Ott's favorite US airport lounges, Capital One Lounge.

Meanwhile, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, is small, and there's not much to do there.
A Delta Connection-Comair Regional Jet CRJ-200ER aircraft lands at the Blue Grass Regional airport in Lexington, Kentucky
A plane takes off from Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky.

REUTERS/JOHN SOMMERS II

Some of the worst airports for layovers are small regional airports.

"I think there's a just inherent advantage to being a big airport because big airports can attract retail," he said.

As an example, Ott mentioned that he often has connecting flights through Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, which has only two runways.

"I've been there a lot. It's not a fun place to wait for flights," he said. "You have nothing to do."

Those with a tight layover may appreciate that Blue Grass Airport has the shortest walk to the gate in the US at just 0.11 miles.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is ideal for shopping between flights.
An airline traveler walks in view of a 1926 Alexander Eaglerock Combo-Wing airplane displayed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash.
A gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

"I like Seattle-Tacoma Airport because they've done a really good job of cultivating more local stores and Seattle-centric things," Ott said. "If you've got an hour and 45 minutes, it's easy to kill time there."

BI previously reported that the airport's shops pay homage to the Pacific Northwest experience, with stores like Show Pony, Made in Washington, and Discover Puget Sound.

Ott said he'd spent his layovers at the Northwestern airport sifting through records at a music store and sampling Washington state wines at a bar.

"It doesn't feel as sterile and generic as some airports. You actually get a sense of Seattle. It's not just an airport somewhere," Ott said.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has many amenities, but layovers can be brutal due to frequent weather-related delays and cancellations.
An AirTran Airways jet is pulled along a snowy taxiway at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta.
A winter storm at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser

No one wants to put their trip on pause over delays and cancellations โ€” especially in a connecting airport.

According to Ott, this may be more likely to happen when flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia due to frequent storms. And the fact that it's the busiest airport in the world probably doesn't help; the airport has had mass cancellations in summers and winters due to storms.

"I've had hellacious experiences in Atlanta because of the weather," Ott said. "It's a good airport in the sense that there are lots of flights and places to kill time. It's a bad airport in the sense that it's caught up in more storms than most airports."

Ott added that the airport has plenty of amenities but can be overwhelming to navigate.

"There are so many terminals, and you're taking a tram everywhere. They have some nice stuff in them, but it's a hike," he said.

Los Angeles International Airport is among the best for connecting flights because it offers easy access to upgraded terminals.
Left: Passengers wait in esthetically curved chairs and bolsters at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Right: Upscale shops are seen at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport
Elevated terminals at Los Angeles International Airport.

AP Photo/Reed Saxon

According to Ott, some airports don't allow passengers to travel between terminals they're not departing from.

Since many travelers don't leave the airport between connecting flights, waiting to board can be a drag for those flying out of terminals with few shops, restaurants, and amenities. Ott told BI that international terminals typically have better amenities than domestic ones.

The terminals are connected at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is why it's one of the best US airports for layovers.

Domestic travelers "can still go to the international terminal, which has better food, shops, and lounges," he said. "You can kill time at LAX for hours."

LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) was updated in 2023. BI previously reported that the terminal has comfy seating โ€” each with its own power ports โ€” a range of food and bar options, and an exceptional Sky Club.

The upgrade included adding a walkway connecting Terminal 3, which also received an upgrade, to Terminal B. The walk takes five to 20 minutes, so there's no need to catch a bus. This is an especially useful perk for those catching an international connecting flight.

London Heathrow Airport may be the worst place in the world to have a layover because it's challenging to travel between terminals.
A bus used to transport red list arriving airline passengers passes Heathrow Terminal 3 building at Heathrow Airport
A bus in front of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport.

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

"London Heathrow Airport is an atrocious airport for connections โ€” one of the worst in the world, by far," Ott said. Why? Getting from one terminal to another is a journey in itself.

"Some terminals are miles apart, and there is no tram that runs between all of them," he said.

According to the airport's website, getting from one terminal to another can take more than 40 minutes.

For example, Ott said if you land in Terminal 3 with British Airways, you may connect in Terminal 5.

"You have to go through Terminal 3 and take a bus, which can take up to 30 minutes to arrive. Then, you'll take a long bus ride all around the airport to the other side," he said. "And then you may still end up with another tram or bus ride because Terminal 5 has three terminals within it โ€” A, B, and C."

"It's an impossible airport for short connections," Ott added.

Singapore Changi Airport is the best place to spend a layover. It offers local food, on-site hotels, and a ton of activities.
Left: Visitors walk through the Jewel as a Skytrain shuttles passengers between terminals at Changi Airport in Singapore. Right: A movie plays in a dark theater with red seats.
A waterfall (L) and a movie theater (R) in Singapore Changi Airport terminals.

AP Photo/David Goldman, Taylor Rains/Business Insider

"For best, Singapore Changi Airport is just untouchable," Ott said.

Ott added that the best airport for layovers worldwide has a range of shops, hotels, dining, and activities.

"Some of the best local food is at the airport because the famous places in Singapore set up locations there," he said.

While waiting for connecting flights, travelers can access a pool, a movie theater, and a butterfly garden.

The real spectacle, however, is probably the Jewel โ€” a retail and entertainment complex connected to Terminal 1. The Jewel seems like a destination itself with a hedge maze, a topiary walk, and a ropes course. And the centerpiece is the Rain Vortex โ€” the world's largest indoor waterfall spanning seven stories.

"You can spend an hour just looking at that," Ott said of the Rain Vortex. "I would have a layover there any day."

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I toured Culdesac, a Tempe, Arizona neighborhood that banned cars, and found a walkable oasis in the Phoenix suburb

8 December 2024 at 11:57
Culdesac Tempe: An alleyway lined with white buildings with red trimmings
Culdesac Tempe is a carless community in Arizona.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • Culdesac Tempe, a car-free neighborhood in Arizona, opened in 2023.
  • Millennials and Gen Zers are paying more to live in walkable communities.
  • I toured the carless neighborhood and found a walkable community with micro-retailers.

I'm a New Yorker who doesn't drive, and I've always felt like I couldn't move without a license. However, on a recent trip to Arizona, I found I was wrong.

Many millennials and Gen Zers don't want to depend on cars anymore. According to a 2023 study by the National Association of Realtors, they're paying higher prices to live in walkable communities.

Hence, the rise of walkable neighborhoods like Culdesac Tempe in Arizona, the self-proclaimed "first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the US."

Cars are banned from the 17-acre block in the Phoenix suburb that opened in 2023. As of April 2024, Culdesac had 200 residents, and eventually, they hope to have 1,000, a company representative told Business Insider.

I stopped by the car-free neighborhood for a tour of the block and thought it felt like an urban oasis in the Phoenix suburb.

Culdesac is in the greater Phoenix area.
A map of Arizona with arrow pointing to Culdesac Tempe
Culdesac is in Tempe, Arizona.

Google Maps

Culdesac sits on the east side of Tempe, a suburb roughly 10 miles from Phoenix, also home to Arizona State University.

I recently got a private tour โ€” and the chance to chat with the CEO.
Culdesac Tempe: Left: A person in a green shirt stands in front of white buildings
CEO and cofounder Ryan Johnson lives at Culdesac.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

During my visit, I met with CEO and cofounder Ryan Johnson. After years of working in the real estate and transportation industries โ€” and traveling to walkable places worldwide โ€” he was inspired to create a neighborhood free of cars.

From New York City to Budapest, Johnson said his travels launched a passion for cities.

"I saw those places and said, 'Wow, this is a much better way to build a city โ€” with thoughtful architecture, great transportation systems,'" he told BI.

Johnson added that developments in the transportation industry, from ride-share apps to public transit systems and electric bikes, have made living car-free possible in places like Arizona.

Johnson, who grew up in Phoenix and currently lives at Culdesac, hasn't had a car in 14 years.

All around the property, I spotted electric bikes and scooters.
Culdesac Tempe: Two Electric Bikes parked in a floral area surrounded by white and blue buildings
Electric bikes parked at Culdesac.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Visitors and delivery drivers can park their cars at Culdesac, but residents cannot.

The company representative told BI that for residents with cars, "it's regulated through their lease agreement that they won't park on-site or on any public streets within 0.25 miles."

Some residents park their cars elsewhere in Tempe, while others, like Johnson, don't have a vehicle. Residents get around on foot, bicycles, electric bikes and scooters. The neighborhood has more than 1,000 bike parking spots.

One Culdesac resident previously told BI that living without a car can be challenging outside the neighborhood, as the surrounding city was built for vehicles.

However, according to the company's website, Culdesac provides residents with a mobility package worth almost $3,000 annually to make transportation easier. It includes a complimentary Valley Metro pass for the light rail that goes through Phoenix and Tempe and discounts on ride-share apps like Lyft and Waymo, a self-driving cab service.

My tour began in the plaza.
Culdesac, Tempe: A red, brick courtyard with a map in the middle and jumbo Connect Four and shaded tables on the left
The Plaza at Culdesac in Tempe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The plaza, located across from the neighborhood light rail stop, is the communal center of Culdesac. It's marked by a sculpture by artist Matthew Salenger that doubles as a canopy.

Here, there are games, shaded tables, and weekly events.
Culdesac Tempe: A blue ping pong table in a red-brick courtyard surrounded by white buildings
A ping-pong table in the plaza.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Thursday nights at Culdesac light up with a public outdoor night market called Little Cholla. The weekly event features live music, local vendors like food trucks, and dancing.

There's also a two-story gym.
Culdesac Tempe: Inside an empty gym full of exercise equipment
Inside the fitness center.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A two-story building in the plaza with giant windows houses the neighborhood fitness center. It has workout classes and is lined with equipment.

Across from the plaza, there are local shops run by residents.
Culdesac Tempe: A shop with brown doors behind an outdoor table, trees, and shrubbery
A storefront at Culesac.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From thrifted clothing to unique dishware and candles, there's plenty of local shopping at Culdesac.

According to the company's website, there are more than a dozen micro-retail shops, including a market, a laundromat, a medical spa, an art studio, and a plant shop.

These micro-retailers have the option to live in their workspace.
Culdesac Tempe: A storefront with a brown, open door showing inside
A peek inside a micro-retail shop.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The company representative told BI that the small-business owners at Culdesac are residents, and some even live in their stores thanks to a zoning permit that allows them to do so.

All the stores have kitchens and bathrooms, and some have bedrooms.

Steps from the plaza, the neighborhood has a restaurant with outdoor seating.
Culdesac Tempe: A brick courtyard with a restaurant with outdoor seating on the left ad a map on the right
Cocina Chiwas is a restaurant on the property.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In April 2023, Culdesac's Cocina Chiwas opened. It's a family-owned Mexican restaurant serving Chihuahuan cuisine.

As I strolled the communal paths, I noticed that Culdesac didn't feel as hot as the surrounding streets. That's because there's no asphalt on the property.
Culdesac Tempe: a red brick road lined with white buildings
A wide, shaded pathway in the neighborhood.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It's no secret that the Phoenix area is hot โ€” sometimes dangerously so in the summers. So Culdesac was built to keep pedestrians cool without asphalt โ€” a road material that gets hotter in the sun.

In the residential areas, the walkways are narrow.
Culdesac Tempe: A narrow alleyway between two white buildings with green and pink plants on the sides of the buildings
Paths lead to residents' quarters.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Culdesac intentionally placed the buildings close together to create as much shade as possible.

The buildings' color is also no accident. Culdesac chose white because it reflects sunlight rather than absorbs it.

Between residential buildings, there are courtyards with grills, tables, hammocks, and firepits.
Culdesac Tempe: A courtyard with white buildings and a table and grills on the left in front of a colorful mural
A courtyard in the residential area.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

More than half of the entire property is open, landscaped space.

Culdesac has apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom floor plans.
Inside a living room with blue and brown furniture, a mounted TV, and wide windows on the left show a balcony outside
Inside one of the units.

Culdesac

Culdesac currently has 172 units. More will open in the fall, and the neighborhood will eventually have 760 units.

Studios start at $1,300 a month, one-bedrooms are $1,400, two-bedrooms are $2,100, and three-bedrooms are $2,900 monthly.

On the outer rim of Culdesac, there's a bike shop with tune-up services.
Culdesac Tempe: Inside a bike shop with helmets, bikes, clothing, and other accessories on display
Inside Archer's Bike Shop.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Archer's Bike Shop sells manual and electric bikes. And Culdesac residents get complementary services and product discounts.

Culdesac seems like a place where people can live car-free and get to know their neighbors.
Culdesac Tempe: A white building with brown doors behind shrubbery and a small table with two chairs
The Culdesac leasing office.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After my visit to Culdesac, I chatted with Brad Biehl, a 24-year-old resident from Colombus, Ohio. Biehl has lived in the neighborhood for six months. He said one of the best parts of living there is the sense of community.

"We're usually in environments where we walk from our door to our car and from the car into the place," Biehl said. "But here, to go anywhere, I usually pass at least two or three of my neighbors, even when I'm just walking to the light rail right around the corner."

Biehl added that he's optimistic about the future of Culdesac when more residents and retailers come in.

"While there are still not a ton of people here yet, there's way more going on than I would've expected there to be," he told BI. "The number of serendipitous interactions that have taken place with the limited number of residents makes me super excited for what people will experience here."

Read the original article on Business Insider

I stayed in a $1,500 resort and the cheapest hostel I could find during a trip to Jackson Hole. Both felt luxurious.

7 December 2024 at 02:54
A composite image of a room full of bunk beds with white ladders land gray curtains lining either side of the room and a hotel room with white walls and a bed in front of two seating areas with a view of mountains from a balcony at the back of the room
The author stayed in some of Jackson Hole, Wyoming's cheapest and most expensive accommodations.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I stayed at Hotel Yellowstone, a luxury resort, and Cache House, a hostel, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
  • Hotel Yellowstone costs $1,500 a night, while Cache House is a more budget-friendly option.
  • Cache House felt surprisingly luxurious for a hostel, with starting rates as low as $65 in winter.

When I visited the luxury vacation hot spot of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, earlier this fall, I simply had to stay at one of the most expensive hotels in the area โ€” Hotel Yellowstone, an adults-only resort with a starting rate of $1,500 a night.

The biggest draw for me was the location. The resort sits on a hill with unobstructed views of the Teton Range and Snake River Valley. Photos online showed epic landscapes that I had to see for myself. So I booked a one-night stay in September 2024, though Business Insider paid a media rate.

For travelers craving luxury on a tight budget, a hotel this expensive may need to be paired with a cheaper stay. That's why I spent another night in the cheapest accommodation I could find in Jackson Hole. For $150, I got a bunk in an upscale hostel, Cache House, though a company representative told BI that starting rates are $110 in the summer and $65 in the winter.

Before staying in both accommodations, I thought my preference for the more expensive one would be obvious. Still, my previous travel reporting has shown me that it's not always that simple.

Hotel Yellowstone and Cache House serve completely different vacationers, but both offer luxury in their own ways.

On a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I spent one night at Hotel Yellowstone, a resort, and another at Cache House, a hostel.
A map of Jackson Hole with points on Hotel Yellowstone and Cache House
Hotel Yellowstone and Cache House are in Jackson, Wyoming.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Cache House is in Downtown Jackson, a walkable neighborhood full of boutiques, restaurants, and, in my experience, traffic.

While Hotel Yellowstone is less than 15 minutes north of the bustling square, it's tucked away in a scenic area with expansive properties. I thought it provided a more isolated experience.

First, I stayed at Hotel Yellowstone, a luxury, adults-only resort that opened in August.
A triangular, wood building with a black, sloping roof in front of a mountain range.
The main building of Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a one-night stay at Hotel Yellowstone about a month after it opened. When my cab pulled up, I could tell it was a brand-new establishment.

The four-acre resort had 10 sleek, cabin-style buildings with wide windows and sloped rooftops.
Two-story cabins behind a lush pond with trees in the background
The pond at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Between buildings, lush, extravagant landscaping framed a glistening pond that attracted wildlife โ€” from ducks to moose.

The resort's interior design showcased modern luxury with Western flair.
Inside a hotel lobby with tables and chairs, a wood ceiling, and a mirror in the back showing a window to the mountains outside
Inside the Hotel Yellowstone lobby.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I entered a neutral-toned lobby with cathedral ceilings to check into the hotel. The space had an array of cozy seating, from fur seats to cushioned rocking chairs.

"Hotel Yellowstone's design pays homage to the American West while seamlessly blending influences of modern design," a representative of Hotel Yellowstone told Business Insider.

Before heading to my room, I sat briefly and stared in awe out a vast window that framed the Tetons.
A large pentagonal window frames a mountain scene
A view out the window.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Hills and mountains layered the distant landscape, and a rich, green valley brightened the foreground. It looked like a photograph.

After checking in, I headed to my Grand Teton Suite.
A composite image of a hotel room with white walls and a bed in front of two seating areas with a view of mountains from a balcony at the back of the room and the same room is shown from the balcony.
Inside the author's room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Hotel Yellowstone had nine guest room buildings with four accommodations in each. Each room was 600 square feet and had a private balcony โ€” the main difference between each is the view.

I booked a room with a balcony facing the Teton Range. It had a plush, king-sized bed, a full bathroom, two seating spaces, and glass doors for nonstop views of the mountains.

The accommodation had basic amenities like a TV, a mini fridge, and a fireplace. I used the in-room smart tablet to close the curtains, ignite the fireplace, activate mood lighting, and change the channel.

The space nodded to the American West, from the lighting to the wall art.
hotel room with white walls and a bed in front of two seating areas with a view of mountains from a balcony at the back of the room
A wide view of the room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

"The intricate design components pull inspiration from Jackson Hole's history, proximity to national parks, and locale on a wildlife refuge โ€” allowing guests to view Jackson Hole's native animals from the comfort of their suites," the Hotel Yellowstone representative told BI.

To me, the bathroom felt like a private spa.
A white, marble bathroom with a tub on the left, a glass shower on the right, and a sink and vanity next to a toilet in the background
Inside the bathroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Carrara marble bathroom had floor and towel heaters. A stand-alone rainfall shower was stocked with Byredo toiletries. A large, deep tub sat behind a sliding door, revealing the outdoor views.

Hotel Yellowstone had a restaurant for guests only.
Inside a restaurant with a marble bar on the right
Inside Olivia's, the hotel's restaurant.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At most hotels I've stayed in, the on-site restaurants are open to the public. Still, Hotel Yellowstone's resto, Olivia's, was exclusively for hotel guests.

It was on the lower level of the main building beneath the lobby. As I stepped down the stairs, I spotted an elegant marble bar with couch seating. Just past the bar was a dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Dining at this establishment that locally sources ingredients almost felt like dining outside โ€” without the discomforts of weather and bugs.

There was also a spa, fitness center, pool, and sauna.
An indoor-outdoor pool in front of a mountain range with a cabin visible on the right
A view of the pool with the retractable

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The pool โ€” open 24 hours a day, along with the sauna โ€” was made for relaxing. Known as the Negative Edge Pool, it was indoors with retractable glass windows overlooking the valley and surrounding mountains.

After my tranquil night at Hotel Yellowstone, I headed to Downtown Jackson to stay at a hostel.
The exterior of a dark teal building with a triangular roof top behind a empty street
Cache House lies beneath the Anvil Hotel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To get to Cache House, I went to the Anvil Hotel, which has existed since the 1950s.

In the 1970s, a bunkhouse opened in the basement of the hotel. Then, in 2020, that bunkhouse opened as the "modern, elevated interpretation of the classic European hostel" Cache House, a company representative told BI.

I checked in at the Anvil Hotel, and a staff member walked me around the side of the building and down an outdoor staircase into the basement.

My key card unlocked the door to the hostel.

Like Hotel Yellowstone, Cache House had a modern design with hints of Western culture.
Inside a brightly lit room with couches, tables, and chairs in front of a wall of records
The communal space in the hostel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The door at the bottom of the steps opened into a massive, brightly-lit room with a mix of midcentury modern and old Western pieces and accents.

Cache House hired Brooklyn-based Post Company to give the room a sleek, functional look.

Geometric-patterned blankets were laid over black leather futons with wooden feet. Modern built-ins displayed albums behind a rustic, wooden dining table. Rugs and throws added pops of color to the space.

My booking included a locker for my luggage.
A composite image of  a hand holding a blue room key card in a white envelope and inside an open locker, there's a black duffel bag and a backpack
The author's key card and locker.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

All Cache House bookings include a private locker for belongings. With just a backpack and a medium-sized duffel bag, there was plenty of space I didn't use.

Unlike Hotel Yellowstone, I didn't have my own bathroom at Cache House โ€” but I had the next best thing.
Two images. Left: Inside a white hallway with concrete floors and tall doors lining either side. Right: Inside a tall, thin shower with white tiling, a shower head on the left, and toiletries hanging on the wall on the right
Stalls of bathrooms with showers in the hostel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The shared space had several private stalls with a toilet, sink, and shower. And like at Hotel Yellowstone, the bathrooms were spotless and had complimentary toiletries from a high-end beauty brand,
C.O. Bigelow.

After freshening up, I headed to my bunk.
Two white ladders lead to top bed bunks with white sheets and gray curtains
Top bunks at Cache House.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The hostel's midcentury modern style continued into the bunk room, where wooden ladders with gold accents led up and down 50 bunks, ranging from twin- to queen-sized.

Beneath each pair of bunk beds were two storage drawers โ€” one for each bunk.

I had a queen-sized upper bunk.
A tiny room with a white queen-sized bed beneath a wood shelf with a fan on the right and a small reading light above
Inside the author's bunk

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I pulled the curtain at the top of the ladder to reveal a nook with a queen-sized bed, a reading light, a shelf, an outlet, and a fan.

It was a far cry from my 600-square-foot haven at Hotel Yellowstone, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the bunk felt like a tiny room. The curtain blocked sound and light, giving me all the privacy I needed.

The mattress was a bigger surprise. Although a tad smaller, the Cache House bed was just as comfy and plush as Hotel Yellowstone's. With linen and wool bedding, I slept just as soundly and woke up just as refreshed.

Cache House doesn't have on-site amenities like a restaurant, a pool, or a fitness center, but there's plenty to do.
An intersection with streets lined with shops
An intersection in Downtown Jackson.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I certainly didn't expect my budget hostel stay to have additional amenities, but since it was centrally located in the walkable downtown area, I thought it didn't need to.

I had dinner nearby and spent the evening strolling around the town square, popping inside various boutiques.

Both accommodations gave me a taste of luxury, and I'd stay at both again.
Wood units with black roofs on the right of a hillside with mountains on the left
Hotel Yellowstone and surrounding views.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Hotel Yellowstone would be ideal for the retreat seeker who craves serenity in solitude.

An adventurer who wants to stay out all day sampling the food, shopping, and culture of Jackson Hole would likely have a better time at the centrally located Cache House.

They'd save a buck and still get a taste of luxury.

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I visited Scottsdale for the first time in the spring. I made 3 mistakes that I'm still thinking about months later.

5 December 2024 at 02:42
The author in a cowboy hat and sunglasses stands smiling in front of cacti and an adobe building in Scottsdale
Business Insider's reporter visited Scottsdale, Arizona, in the spring and made a few mistakes.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I traveled to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona, for the first time in April.
  • The trip included neighborhood tours, fine dining, and luxury hotel stays.
  • I made a few mistakes, from booking to packing and planning, that I'll avoid next time I visit.

In April, I took my first trip to Arizona's desert oasis โ€” the wealthy enclave of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, two Phoenix suburbs known for their high-end real estate and travel markets.

During my two-day whirlwind trip, I packed in neighborhood tours, fine-dining experiences, and two luxury hotel stays.

Months later, I'm still thinking about three mistakes I made when booking, packing, and planning the trip, which I'll avoid next time I want to escape to Arizona's millionaire hub.

When planning my itinerary, I didn't realize how far apart some stops were.
A map of the greater Phoenix area has pins over the author's destinations
A map of the greater Phoenix area highlights the author's stops around Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Google Maps

When I mapped out my trip to Scottsdale, I didn't realize how large the town was.

Downtown Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are quite close together โ€” 15 minutes or less by car, in my experience. However, I couldn't miss seeing the luxurious neighborhoods and fine dining in North Scottsdale.

When I booked my tours and reservations, I didn't realize North Scottsdale was about a 40-minute cab ride from the hub area.

I ended up traveling up and down Scottsdale multiple times a day. Next time, I'll plan to spend one full day in North Scottsdale to avoid wasting time and money on cabs.

When traveling to Scottsdale in the spring, I should have planned for dry, 90-degree Fahrenheit days.
The author stands on a balcony with pools, palm trees, and palm trees
The author regrets packing dark-colored clothing.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For my spring trip to Scottsdale, I expected it to be warm, as the area is known to be throughout the year. So, I packed some cooling, quick-dry attire, like the Under Armour polo above, paired with pants made from a similar material.

It was warmer than I anticipated, and this dark navy outfit made me feel like a magnet to the sun.

The outfit was comfortable in the morning and evening, but I would have packed lighter-colored clothing if I had known I'd be battling 90-degree heat in the afternoons.

I also didn't realize that the heat in Scottsdale would feel drastically drier to me compared to the air I'm used to back home in New York.

I thought I could easily walk around all day in Scottsdale. I planned to spend most daylight hours exploring outdoors and walking from neighborhood to neighborhood. But I got dehydrated easily and ran through my 20-ounce plastic water bottle quickly.

Next time I visit Scottsdale in the spring, I'll pack a larger, insulated water bottle and break up outdoor activities in my itinerary with indoor ones to stay cool and hydrated.

Booking just one night in a mega-resort was my biggest regret.
A resort with pools and palm trees in front of a mountain with blue skies in the background
The pool complex at the Phoenician in Scottsdale.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since I spent two nights in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, I booked one night in each town.

I stayed at the Phoenician in Scottsdale, a 600-acre mega-resort with five pools, a three-story spa, and an 18-hole golf course.

I didn't save enough time in my itinerary for hanging out at the hotel.

I spent most of the day out and about, and by the time I got back to the Phoenician, I was too tired to sit down at the award-winning lobby bar or step into one of the pools.

Before I checked out in the morning, I had just enough time to explore the entire property on foot. I watched others play golf, tennis, and pickleball and longed for another night. This ended up being my biggest regret of the trip because I left feeling like I'd missed out.

After my stay, I realized that a mega-resort is worth the price only if I take advantage of all it has to offer. Since my trip was more about exploring Scottsdale than relaxing, there simply wasn't enough downtime to make it worth booking for just one night.

After getting a preview of the Phoenician's amenities, I'd love to stay again for at least two nights and plan to spend many waking hours there.

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I've spent 400 hours road-tripping 2,800 miles around the US. These are the biggest mistakes I've made.

30 November 2024 at 04:19
A road with trees on either side and mountains in the background on a cloudy day
The author has road-tripped through 30 states around the US and has some regrets.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • Road-tripping around the US can be awe-inspiring โ€” if you avoid making mistakes.
  • I've traveled 2,800 miles on US road trips and had some regrets.
  • In the future, I will spend fewer daily hours on the road and rely less on stops for caffeine.

Road trips can be amazing, awe-inspiring, and annoying.

I'd know โ€” I've spent 400 hours traveling 2,800 miles on the road. I've passed through 30 states around the Southwest and up the coasts. I've traveled from Texas to the Carolinas, New Mexico to Oregon, and twice from Arizona to NYC. I've toured the Northeast in a van with my band. I've slept in more campsites and parking lots than I can count.

So, what makes an otherwise amazing, awe-inspiring road trip feel annoying? Mistakes. And I've had time to make a bunch of them.

These are the six biggest mistakes I've made on the road that I'll avoid in the future.

Bringing my own food on the road saves money and time, but messy ingredients make trips more stressful.
Car Near Greek Beach with Lunch Items on Dashboard
Making food in the car is messy.

Kypros/Getty Images

In the summer of 2015, I took a two-week-long road trip for the first time. Before heading out for the journey from Austin, Texas, to Napa Valley, California, and back, I headed to the grocery store and loaded up the cart with ingredients for meals I could make in the car โ€” sliced bread, deli meats, cheeses, peanut butter, and jelly. And I couldn't forget pickles, mayo, tomatoes, and avocados to make the sandwiches more dynamic.

I imagined staying healthy by skipping fast-food joints to lather and stack these ingredients into custom delights.

But it looked better in my head.

Creating sandwiches on the road was stressful, and making a mess was all too easy. My hands shook as I spread mayo in a moving car. And resealing meats and cheeses to be airtight wasn't as simple as the packages claimed.

By the time I could eat my sandwiches, my hands and parts of the passenger seat were sticky. Since that trip, I have only packed ready-made "meals" for road trips, like protein bars and shakes.

For snacks, I stick to dry items like trail mix that aren't coated in dusty flavors.

Forgetting to pack my own source of caffeine made my trips more expensive.
driving
A driver sips a to-go coffee on a road trip.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

If you're anything like me, caffeine on a road trip is a must.

However, I've taken off for several trips without my own source of energy handy. When this happens, I end up spending an additional $10-$20 per day at coffee shops.

Recently, I've avoided additional stops and expenses by packing MiO, a water flavor enhancer with vitamins and caffeine.

Adding caffeine to my water instead of downing a coffee also helps me stay hydrated.

Spending too many hours on the road made trips less enjoyable โ€ฆ
The sun sets behind a hill with telephone wires connecting to a pole on the left
The sun sets over a country road in Texas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Many of my road trip experiences took place in college, when energy was high and funds were tight.

My friends and I often prioritized covering as much ground as possible with the little bit of cash we had. This meant we spent 12 to 14 hours on the road some days.

Many of these hours were fun, but once the sun went down, so did the energy. Without a view or a sense of place in those later hours, it felt like we could have been driving anywhere.

In my experience, the nighttime road hours feel twice as long as the daylight hours. I would avoid spending more than two hours on the road after dark.

โ€ฆ especially when arriving at campsites after dark.
zion campsite at night
A campsite outside Zion National Park.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After a long day on the road, the last thing anyone wants to do is pitch a tent โ€” especially in the dark.

In July 2017, I took a two-and-a-half-week road trip to national parks and monuments in Texas, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

The budget was extra tight, so we camped or slept in the car every night.

I remember arriving at our campsite outside Zion National Park in Utah. I don't remember how many hours we'd been on the road, but only the stars lit up the sky when I got out of the car.

I wanted to simply lie down and look up, but I had a shelter to pitch. Assembling a tent in the dark is challenging. Even with the car lights on for help, finding the right pieces to connect was difficult.

I'm not sure how long it took to pitch the tent that night, but I went to bed thinking I wouldn't put myself in the same situation again.

Avoiding my phone in the car made me miss crucial stops.
A road sign on NV state route 375, the extraterrestrial highway at the Crystal Springs junction, alerting drivers the next opportunity for gas is 150 miles
Don't miss crucial road signs.

Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

As a cusp millennial, I love to play the game of not using my phone to find food or rest stops and just relying on signs in the present moment.

Well, I used to love it.

The problem with this game is that I'm not only relying on signs to tell me what's coming up but also relying on my attention span, which can be shorter than a sentence.

So, how do you lose this game? You miss the sign that says, "This is the last gas station for 100 miles." I've done it more than once, and it sucks. I've never gotten stuck, but I've gotten close.

My best advice is to find other road games to pass the time and keep your phone handy.

Traveling too fast left me unfulfilled.
The author sits on the edge of a canyon with rich, green canyons in front of her.
The author looks over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When road-tripping from Austin, where I lived in college, the first and last days of a trip will likely just be getting in and out of Texas โ€” Austin is in the middle of the gigantic state.

Because of this, my road trips in college were rushed. I'd travel as far as Oregon and visit as many as six national parks in less than three weeks.

I'm grateful that I've been able to experience so many different natural landscapes and environments around the US, but I don't feel like I've spent enough time in any of them to truly take in each setting.

Now, as an adult, I embrace slow travel.

When I take a road trip unrelated to work, I pick one or two places and stay awhile.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I toured a 4,355-square-foot Four Seasons penthouse suite that costs $11,000 a night. The smallest room was my favorite.

29 November 2024 at 03:18
Inside a penthouse suite living room with wood, cathedral ceilings, windowed doors in the back, two couches between a coffee table in the middle, and a fireplace on the left
Business Insider's reporter got an exclusive tour of a five-bedroom penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • The Four Seasons Jackson Hole offers exclusive penthouse suites for high-paying guests.
  • These luxury suites cater to bachelorette parties and multi-generational families.
  • The Granite Residence provides a home-like experience with ski-in and ski-out access.

In a hallway off the lobby at the five-star Four Seasons hotel in Jackson Hole, there's an exclusive elevator nook for the highest-paying guests.

The elevators lead to the ski-in, ski-out resort's 31 private residences. These penthouse suites with full kitchens and up to five bedrooms commonly host bachelorette parties and multi-generational families, Kim Cole, the director of public relations for the Four Seasons, told Business Insider.

On a recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I got an exclusive tour of one of these suites โ€” the Granite Residence โ€” and it felt more like a luxury home than a hotel accommodation.

The penthouse suite is in the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, a luxury ski resort in Teton Village.
A cabin like hotel behind yellow and green trees with mountains in the background
The Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Jackson Hole

Just beneath the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Four Seasons is well-located for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park visitors.

Cole told BI that while the Four Seasons maintains top-tier service across all 133 locations, each is designed uniquely to suit the destination.

"There's a sense of place at every Four Seasons," she said.

With a "mountain modern chic" brand, this location of the 63-year-old, high-end hotel chain was ranked the best stay in Jackson Hole by US News.

Rates vary by season. In the peak winter season, the Granite Residence starts at $11,000 a night.

The stay includes ski and snowboard rentals for kids under 12 from mid-December to early January.

I knew the penthouse would epitomize Jackson Hole from the moment I walked through the door.
A foyer with a wood door on the left, wooden hooks hanging on the wall on the left, and a painting of a buffalo above a wooden entryway table on the tight
The foyer of the penthouse.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On the ninth floor of the resort, I stepped into a foyer with leather coat hooks and a pair of matching ottomans beneath. A framed, purple buffalo stared me in the face.

I felt like I was in a Western film โ€” and that was the intention, according to Sarah Kennedy, CLB Architects' principal and lead design director of the penthouse suite.

"The majority of people who come to Jackson are really coming here to immerse themselves in nature," Kennedy said.

Cherry-wood cathedral ceilings made the living and dining space feel large and luxurious.
Inside a hotel penthouse with wooden ceilings, white walls, a couch in front of a coffee table and behind a dining table, and a circular, modern chandelier above
The living and dining space inside the penthouse.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When CLB redesigned the penthouse, completed in the summer of 2024, Kennedy said the team maintained the hotel's style while elevating it.

"They had accented it previously with a bunch yellows and warm whites. So in terms of trying to modernize it, we kept the base palette of rich cherries and redwoods and offset it with whites," she said.

CLB selected a neutral color palette.

"The color palette is very simple, with natural textures," Kennedy said. "When we did try to bring color there, it was being inspired from the outside, like the soft blues and the greens of the natural landscape at the resort."

Windowed doors led to a balcony at the back of the living room.
Windowed, wooden doors show a balcony overlooking trees behind a couch.
The terrace at the back of the living room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

"The interesting thing about doing interiors here in Jackson is that the quality of light filtering into the space in peak winter and peak summer is completely different," Kennedy said.

So, CLB selects tones that complement light filtering into the interiors throughout the year.

"For example, I'm looking out the window now, and the amount of yellow and orange from all the leaves that are coming in is crazy," she said. "But you have to make sure that that same palette looks really good when there's a bunch of blue coming in from all the reflection of the snow."

"The subtle picking of these soft blues and neutrals is the way that we allow that palette to really feel immersive in nature but also stand the test of the seasons throughout the year here," she continued.

The dining table seated up to 10 people.
A dining room with a long, black table, a four-light chandelier, artwork on white walls, and wooden cathedral ceilings
The penthouse dining room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When sourcing furniture, Kennedy worked with an approved list of vendors, including Restoration Hardware and more local vendors. Select pieces also came from showrooms around the US.

The kitchen was a small, pentagonal room off the dining room.
Inside a pentagonal kitchen with wood cabinets, marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and an island in the middle
Inside the kitchen.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The full kitchen had a gas stove. Guests can book a private chef to cook meals for them.

Next to it, there was a spacious pantry with an additional fridge, freezer, and other appliances.
Inside a large storage room with a stainless steel fridge on the left and built-in wooden shelves stocked with appliances on the right
Inside the penthouse pantry.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This huge pantry had all the kitchen appliances anyone could need, from blenders to crock pots.

Next to the closet, I came across the smallest โ€” and coolest โ€” room in the entire penthouse.
A composite image of a wooden door leading to the bathroom and Inside a bathroom with white wallpaper sketched with mountains and a sink and toilet on the left
The guest powder room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Nestled in a corner of the penthouse, I opened the door leading to the guest powder room. It was the smallest room, with just a sink, toilet, and counter.

In such a luxurious space, I wasn't expecting to be wowed by the guest bathroom.

But I was wrong.

It was a guest bathroom with a bold wall covering.
Inside a bathroom with white wallpaper sketched with mountains, a painting of a fox on the right, and a sink and toilet on the left
Inside the guest bathroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

"The bread and butter of what we do here is connect people with nature," Kennedy said. "As it relates to pieces within the space, there are some wall coverings, particularly the one in the powder room that's got a mountainous scene."

The bathroom was covered in white wallpaper with simple black sketches of mountains on them. A gold and gray painting of a fox on the right matched the finish of the faucet.

It was a simple room, but every aspect felt thoughtfully considered, which is why it stood out to me.

On the other side of the penthouse was an additional living space with cozy seating.
A living room with white walls, wood trimmings, and a chandelier above a round caffee table surrounded by couches, chairs, and ottomans
The other living room in the penthouse.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Kennedy told BI that the penthouse design is as much about comfort as it is about nature.

"We're giving people the ability to feel like they're living a luxurious experience," she said.

That's why the penthouse boasts two living spaces with cozy seating.

"After you've been skiing all day, you don't really want a super flimsy thin profile chair. You want something that feels like it's hugging you," Kennedy told BI. "There's an element of, 'I'm just going to sit here and sip my hot chocolate and not move for four hours.'"

The second living space led to a hallway decorated with custom Western art.
A long hallway with white walls and nature paintings on either side
A hallway in the penthouse.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Cole told BI that much of the art in the penthouse was custom-made for the space, and guests can purchase the pieces.

The hallway led to the five guest rooms, each with its own bathroom and balcony.
Inside a bedroom with a white bed with a maroon headboard on the right, windowed doors on the left, and wood-panneled ceilings
Inside the master bedroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The master bedroom also had a fireplace.

In all five bedrooms, CLB selected soft colors for the fabrics.

All five had an en-suite bathroom complete with marble.
Inside a white, marble hotel bathroom with wooden cabinets and moldings, a double sink and vanity on the right, a separate door to a toilet on the left, and a tub in the back center
Inside one of the five en-suite bathrooms.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

These bathrooms screamed luxury, with oversize tubs, multiple shower heads, and separate toilet rooms.

There was also a laundry room in the penthouse.
Inside a laundry room with a washer and dryer on the left in front of an l-shaped counter with storage cabinets above and below
Inside the laundry room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought it would be convenient for long-term guests and large families.

Throughout the penthouse, there was a crow's nest view of the mountains surrounding the resort.
A mountain scene on a cloudy day with a ski transportation center at the bottom.
A view of the resort's surrounding mountains from a penthouse balcony.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After I toured the Granite Residence, I thought it screamed Jackson Hole and the Wild West inside and out.

From the walls to windows and terraces, it was impossible to forget where I was while exploring the vast penthouse.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains with a carry-on bag and a backpack. Here are 7 things I regret not packing and 9 items I'm glad I brought.

27 November 2024 at 09:02
the author hold Poo pouri on the left, her open duffel is on the right
The author traveled 60 hours on Amtrak trains. Here's what she did and didn't pack.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I traveled from New York to Miami and back in Amtrak sleeper cars. Each ride was 30 hours.
  • For 60 hours of train travel, I brought a carry-on duffel bag and my camera backpack.
  • I was glad I brought some odor-eliminating spray, but I regret forgetting flip-flops for the shower.

For a weeklong trip to Florida in 2021, I traveled round-trip from New York to Miami on Amtrak trains. Each ride was about 30 hours long, and my tickets included a private room with a bed, access to a bathroom, and complimentary meals.

On my way to Miami, I booked a roomette, a 20-square-foot private space with two seats across from each other, a table that folded out in between, and a bed above the seats that pulled down. The seats also pulled out into a bed. Some Roomettes also include a toilet and sink.

On my way home, I booked an Amtrak bedroom. It's twice the size of a roomette with an additional chair and a shower.

Knowing I'd be staying overnight in sleeper cars, I packed some travel essentials I thought would be helpful for sleeping, eating, working, and relaxing on a train. I tried my best to ensure my duffel bag and backpack included all the items I'd ever want to ensure a comfortable and entertaining 60 hours of travel. But I regretted leaving some items behind.

I packed a duffel bag and my camera backpack, both of which I kept with me on the trains.
The author sits on a wood floor with two bags
The author sits in her apartment with her bags packed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I had the option to check a bag, but I decided to keep all my belongings with me throughout the trip.

Since each ride was an overnight trip, I was glad I packed a comfortable outfit separately from my clothes for the rest of my trip so they were easy to find in my bag.
Clothes for the train on the right and the rest of the trip on the left.
The author's clothes for the train are on the right. The clothes for the rest of her trip are packed together on the left.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed comfy pants and shorts since I was traveling south to warmer temperatures. 

I was grateful I packed various forms of entertainment, especially some that didn't require an internet connection, which could sometimes be spotty.
The author plays a Nintendo Switch on the train
The author plays Mario Kart on the train to pass the time.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I brought a Nintendo Switch, a tablet, and a book to pass the time. I made sure to download a bunch of podcast episodes to my phone in case I lost service and internet at any point during the trip.

I always keep a disinfecting spray with me to make sure the surfaces I use are clean.
The author holds up lysol disinfectant in front of the train window
The author carries a disinfectant spray.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Even though Amtrak sanitizes rooms between visitors, according to its website, bringing my own disinfectant gave me peace of mind and made me feel more comfortable relaxing in my rooms.

Every time I travel, I also pack some Vitamin C for an immunity boost.
Vitamin C is seen in a container with greenery in the background
The author carries Vitamin C with her.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This packing tip comes from my mom. She always brought some sort of immunity-boosting chewable to protect us from germs while traveling. And as Business Insider previously reported, Vitamin C can help your immune system fight off some infections.

One of the most important items I brought was my comfiest pair of shoes โ€” they feel like pillows under your feet.
The author holds up her comfy shoe
The author's shoes were an important choice.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I picked up these memory foam babies at T.J. Maxx for only $20. They slipped on and off very easily, which was great for leaving my room quickly with shoes on.

I tried to make the train feel like home, and at home, I dance pretty much all day, so I'm glad I brought a pair of headphones with me.
The author dances in her room in two side-by-side photos
The author dances to music with her headphones on.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took frequent dance breaks in my room, where I closed the curtains and blasted music in my ears. This, of course, required a pair of headphones. 

While I danced throughout the day, I was glad I could listen to music as loudly as I wanted without bothering my neighbors.

I was especially glad I brought my odor-eliminating Poo Pourri spray with me when I saw that my Roomette's toilet was next to my seat.
The author holds a bottle of Poo Pouri on the toilet
The author poses with a bottle of Poo Pourri.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In some roomettes (mine included), a side table swings open to reveal a toilet. Above, there's a folding sink and mirror. 

I may have had a bigger problem with having a toilet so close to my bed, but thankfully, I had packed some Poo Pourri, a spray that goes in the toilet just before you poop to eliminate odors.

While my train tickets included meals, I was glad I brought my own snacks for the in-between times.
The author holds trail mix on the train
The author's trail mix of choice.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought many of my meals on the train were decent, but there were times, like when I tried and disliked a salmon dish, that I was thankful for this bag of trail mix with my favorite ingredient, coconut chips.

But it turns out that I also missed a few key things when packing. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in Amtrak's cupholders.
The authors water bottle is seen next to a cup holder that's too small
An aerial view of the table shows just how large the author's water bottle is compared to the cupholder.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

An Amtrak attendant brought me disposable water bottles every few hours, but I was still glad I brought my own pre-filled water bottle.

But my bottle was too wide for the provided cupholders, which were just big enough for 12-ounce bottles. So, I wish I had brought a smaller reusable water bottle.

One thing I missed the most on this trip was medication for motion sickness. Both train rides felt as bumpy as a flight when the seat belt sign is on.
Close-up of unrecognizable aged man in casual shirt holding bottle of water and taking dramamine pill in bus
The author didn't bring medicine to combat motion sickness.

shironosov/Getty Images

I figured this would only be temporary, but I thought the whole ride was shaky. I ended up feeling motion sickness for the majority of both trips and kicking myself for not bringing any remedies.

On my way home, I stayed in a bedroom with a private shower. I would have used it, but I forgot my flip-flops to keep my feet safe from germs.
Left: Amtrack shower floor is green with brown marks Right: A pair of gray flipflops
An aerial view of the shower and the author's forgotten flip-flops.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I planned on showering during my 30-hour ride home from Miami, but I decided not to when I realized I had forgotten my flip-flops. I usually wear them in public showers, since it's pretty easy to pick up germs from places where many people have walked barefoot.

Since there weren't many visible outlets in the rooms, I wished I had packed a couple of outlet splitters to charge more than a few devices at a time.
left: outlets on the train right: two outlet splitters stacked on top of eachother
There weren't many outlets in the rooms.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I only saw a couple of sets of outlets in the rooms. With several devices to plug in, I should have brought an outlet splitter or two. 

For the same reason, my portable charging battery would have come in handy had I remembered to bring it.
Left: outlets on the train Right: portable battery
The author forgot her portable charging battery.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I could have sworn I packed this and was so disappointed when I wanted to use it.

I usually bring my neck pillow when I fly, but I didn't think to take it on my Amtrak trek since my tickets came with beds. It would have made the waking hours more comfortable.
The author leans agains a plane wall with a blue neck pillow on
The author uses her neck pillow on a long-haul flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This specific neck pillow wraps around 1.5 times, making adjusting to various long-term sitting situations easy. 

While the train beds and blankets were much more comfortable than I expected, the pillows weren't as cushy as the ones I had at home. So I wish I'd brought my own.
Left: The author lays on the train pillow Right: the author lays on her bedroom pillow
The author thought about her pillows at home.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bed on the Amtrak was firm and slightly cushy on top, just the way I like a bed. But when I was drifting off to sleep each night, I thought of my fluffy, dense, soft pillows at home. 

Read the original article on Business Insider

13 signs of over-the-top wealth and luxury I spotted in Jackson Hole, the Aspen of Wyoming

19 November 2024 at 13:43
the author standing on a wooden balcony with a modern home in the background.
Business Insider's reporter traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a luxury ski town and millionaire hot spot.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I explored Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a luxury real-estate hot spot near Grand Teton National Park.
  • Jackson Hole is known for its wealth disparity.
  • I noticed several signs of extreme wealth and luxury, from the airport to the members-only clubs.

I spent three days exploring some of the most coveted real estate in the US in a 60-mile-long valley on the edge of Grand Teton National Park.

I was reporting from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, one of the most unequal places in America. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the top 1% of residents earn 132 times more than the bottom 99%.

The area comprises the town of Jackson and surrounding suburbs like Wilson, Teton Village, and others.

The Daily Mail recently dubbed Jackson Hole the "new Aspen," as celebrities and billionaires, from Kanye West and the Kardashians to Sandra Bullock and Harrison Ford, have transformed the Wyoming ski town into a vacation home hub.

During my trip, I spotted several signs of extreme wealth and luxury in the Aspen of Wyoming.

The first sign of luxury was landing at Jackson Hole Airport, a popular spot for private jets in the US.
A view out a plane window with the wing on the left and mountains and lakes on the right.
The author's view during her flight's descent into Jackson Hole.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before I flew into Jackson Hole, I assumed the only way I'd ever get an aerial view of a national park was to book one of those expensive helicopter tours.

But as I gazed out my window during our plane's descent into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), my jaw dropped.

We were soaring above Grand Teton National Park, which was lush with green forests. Rocky mountains with bits of snow on top towered above the forests, and bodies of water were dotted with islets.

Business Insider reported in 2023 that JAC is the second most popular small-town airport for private jets after Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

As I deplaned onto the tarmac, I spotted some smaller planes on the runway.

The next came immediately after landing when I entered the airport.
A composite image of travelers walking through a decorative arch designed to look like antlers leading into Jackson Hole Airport and seats inside an airport terminal with wood ceilings
Inside Jackson Hole Airport (JAC).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

JAC doesn't have lounges. It doesn't have an array of stores or restaurants. It doesn't even have more than one terminal.

But it's still the most luxurious airport I've ever flown through.

Located within Grand Teton National Park, JAC is a small airport with windows for walls and supportive pillars made of Douglas fir trees.

Inside, it felt like a luxury mountain lodge. When renovating the space, CLB Architects wanted to give the interior a "living room" feel โ€” and I think they succeeded.

After deplaning, I stepped into the cleanest terminal I'd ever seen. The walls were coated in murals and wildlife paintings, and cowboy sculptures decorated the baggage claim area.

The terminal had a free library bookshelf, one restaurant, a grab-and-go snack area, and two shops, including an official Grand Teton National Park store.

I had one of the most luxurious stays of my life in an adults-only hotel that costs $1,500 per night.
A triangular, wood building with a black, sloping roof in front of a mountain range
Hotel Yellowstone, an adults-only hotel in Jackson.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I stayed at Hotel Yellowstone a month after its August opening. The upscale, adults-only hotel overlooking the Teton Range is in the town of Jackson, but it's so high up a winding hill that it feels secluded from civilization.

There's a reason the company picked this specific spot for the hotel โ€” the property boasts clear views of Snake River Valley and the Tetons.

The scene was more dramatic and awe-inspiring than any other hotel I've stayed in.

I've stayed in many upscale accommodations, but none impressed me as much as this hotel room.
A composite image of a hotel room with white walls and a bed in front of two seating areas with a view of mountains from a balcony at the back of the room and the same room is shows from the balcony
Inside the author's hotel room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My 600-square-foot room had a king-sized bed, two sitting areas, and an elegant bathroom. The most luxurious part was the balcony with unobstructed views of the Teton Range.

The room felt modern and chic but with a Western twist. One seating area had chairs coated in 100% New Zealand sheepskin, and the other had a floor lamp that resembled moose antlers.

The hotel's restaurant provided the most dramatic views I've ever seen while dining.
Inside a restaurant with a wooden ceiling and wide windows showing the mountains in the background
Inside Olivia's, the restaurant at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Dining at Olivia's felt like dining in a luxury restaurant in the middle of the wilderness. With gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows and a cathedral wooden ceiling, the views were the centerpiece of the eclectic restaurant.

During dinner, I watched the sun set over the mountains while munching on bao buns. In the morning, I spotted a moose just outside the window โ€” a regular sighting at Hotel Yellowstone, according to my server โ€” while scarfing down steel-cut oats.

I spent the next night at the Four Seasons and toured a penthouse that wealthy travelers book for $11,000 a night.
Inside a penthouse suite living room with wood, cathedral ceilings, windowed doors in the back, two couches between a coffee table in the middle, and a fireplace on the left
Inside a penthouse at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent my second night at the five-star Four Seasons hotel in Jackson Hole, a ski-in, ski-out resort. Built to highlight the destination, the interiors scream upscale Western chic.

The most luxurious part of this Four Seasons is the 31 private residences. These penthouse suites have full kitchens and up to five bedrooms, and they start at $11,000 per night in the peak winter season.

During my stay, I got a tour of the Granite Residence โ€” a five-bedroom accommodation. Like the rest of the hotel, the penthouse blended American Western culture with modern luxury.

Each bedroom had a balcony, and there was a large terrace in one of the two living spaces.

"The majority of people who come to Jackson are really coming here to immerse themselves in nature," Sarah Kennedy, CLB Architects' principal and lead design director of the Four Seasons penthouse suite, told Business Insider.

I spent my final night at a hostel โ€” the cheapest booking in town. Even that stay felt luxurious.
A composite image of the exterior of a dark teal hotel entrance with an evergreen tree in a gray pot on the left and A room full of bunk beds with white ladders land gray curtains lining either side of the room
Cache House, a luxury hostel in Jackson.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After two nights in lavish hotels, I spent my final night in the cheapest accommodation I could find โ€” a queen-sized bunk in a hostel for $150.

The price seemed steep for a bunk in a room with dozens of strangers. But I quickly learned that this hostel wasn't typical.

A company representative told BI that Cache House is a "modern, elevated interpretation of the classic European hostel."

Inside the mid-century-modern space was a large communal room, 50 bunks, a private locker for each guest, and a large bathroom with sparkling clean shower stalls and Co Bigelow toiletries.

Each bunk had a sound-and-light-proof curtain, a storage drawer, and a lamp, fan, and shelf inside the bunk nook.

The mattress felt like one you'd find in a luxury hotel with wool bedding. It was cozy, and the curtain blocked light and sound so well that I easily slept through the night.

While exploring the most expensive neighborhoods in Jackson Hole, I was impressed by the spread-out mansions on hilly roads.
A mansion made of wood and concrete seen from the drivewat with trees on the left and right
A Jackson Hole home worth more than $10 million.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Local real-estate agent Sam Haack told BI that millionaires in Jackson Hole build ranch-style homes outside the Jackson town center.

I taxied around these ultra-luxe neighborhoods and spotted short, wide homes sprawling across multiple acres.

These homes are coveted, as 97% of Teton County is public land that cannot be built on, according to Haack.

"As a buyer, it is so competitive because of simple supply and demand," Haack told BI. "We have always had much more demand than supply because, well, it's one of the most beautiful places in the US, and the lifestyle is unmatched."

A report by the local real-estate company the Viehman Group found that the average listing price in Jackson from July through September was $6.42 million.

The most expensive home on the market is a 9,100-square-foot, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom mansion listed at $40 million.

I was in awe of the architecture. Most of the homes I saw were made of multiple materials, like wood and concrete, which made for a pleasant contrast.

I also had the luxury of spending two hours exploring one of these swanky homes โ€” a vacation home worth more than $10 million that buyers co-own through Pacaso.

I spotted an outdoor water feature that reminded me of a museum courtyard.
A composite image a wooden and concrete mansion with a small man-made pond out front and  an outdoor patio with a short waterfall and thin trees on the right and a table with benches on the left
The vacation home's water feature.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On the top deck of the vacation home, I turned on a fountain that looked like a mini waterfall. The water flowed down a concrete barrier into a shallow, boxy pool on the first floor.

I thought it looked modern and sleek. From inside the house, wide windows in the foyer provided a stunning view of the pool and surrounding mountains. It reminded me of water features I've seen at art museums in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas.

The layout and interior design of one of these homes seemed to bring the outside in without sacrificing luxury details.
A living room with two white couches surrounding two wood coffee tables, a blue fireplace on the left and wide windows showing a mountain scene on the right and back walls
Inside the top floor of the vacation home.

Courtesy of Pacaso

Inside, the vacation home was three stories, including the basement. The top two floors were lush with natural light, as floor-to-ceiling windows graced every room.

On the top floor, between the living room and the kitchen, there was a gigantic blue structure that looked like an oven, but I later learned it was a double-sided fireplace. It was easily the largest fireplace I'd ever seen.

On the first floor, every bedroom had access to a long patio lining the water feature.

"When we set out to design it, we wanted to create a minimalist aesthetic that would let the stunning landscape take center stage," Lauren Farrell, the vacation home's principal designer, told BI.

"Every detail was carefully considered, from the use of organic textures to the way the architecture seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings, creating a harmonious connection between the home and its environment," Farrell added.

The same home had a sauna in the basement.
Inside an empty wooden sauna
The sauna in the basement of the vacation home.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I found a wood sauna in the basement and felt a twitch of envy. What's more luxurious than a spa treatment in your own home?

I imagined sliding my boots off after playing in the snow and cozying up in here.

I also visited members-only clubs where affluent residents pay more than $100,000 to join.
A large, cabin-like clubhouse behind a pool and a fire pit
Shooting Star, a members-only club in Jackson Hole.

Courtesy of Shooting Star

I visited two members-only clubs during my trip to Jackson Hole โ€” the Mountain Club for skiers at the Four Seasons and Shooting Star, a golf and ski club that Golf Digest has praised for its 18-hole course sprinkled with streams and lakes beneath the Teton mountain range.

Residents dish out loads of cash for these memberships.

At the Mountain Club, the starting rate is $9,000 a year, along with a $100,000 initiation fee, according to the Four Seasons.

It's unclear what membership rates are at Shooting Star today, but the club's president, John Resor, said in a 2015 interview that the annual fee was $100,000 when it opened in 2009.

In Downtown Jackson, I spotted several high-end shops.
Inside a western store with brick walls, hats and boots on shelves lining the walls, racking of clothing, and display cases of knives, jewelry, and other accessories
Inside Kemo Sabe, a Western apparel store in Downtown Jackson.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The streets surrounding the town square were filled with luxury retail stores.

There seemed to be a fine art gallery and an upscale furniture store on every block. I peered through the windows and saw chairs coated in fur hides, tiered chandeliers, and canopy beds with wool blankets.

Elevated luxury wear, from bespoke leather products to plaid vests, was draped over mannequins in the retail windows between art and furniture stores.

I stepped inside one of these shops, Kemo Sabe, the celebrity-loved Western brand that started in Aspen about 35 years ago.

Kemo Sabe sells boots, belts, clothing, knives, and other accessories, but it's famous for its cowboy hats, which can cost up to $895. Each is hand-molded, and additional accessories like extravagant bands can cost thousands apiece.

My three-day trip was loaded with luxury.
The author on a balcony facing the mountains with two hotel units in front of her.
The author enjoys a balcony view at Hotel Yellowstone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From top-tier travel offerings to mountainside mansions, I could easily see why the ultrawealthy flock to Jackson Hole.

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