admin's blog

A couple of weeks ago, we were quoted in a MSNBC article "Do hotels treat you differently when you were a suit"? (would love to hear your feedback on this by the way!) New York gets it. Paris? Forget about it Travel writer Marie Lotode Chandra (@ViaHerLette) writes that dressing to impress is an absolute must in certain cities. "In Paris, if you show up at the Ritz or the Crillon with shorts and (a) t-shirt, they will completely ignore you. I feel that in NYC, for instance, hotel employees are more used to seeing "important" people wearing casual clothes, so they are more careful judging you..." In any case, I thought it'd be interesting to share with you our recent press coverage. We do have a press link at the bottom of our website, but...

In my years of business travel, I have been to a lot of hotels; some good, some bad, most just fine but nothing special. After my last lackluster stop, I started thinking about how I really want a hotel to treat me:  I want to feel special, to have a great night of sleep, to be able to do some work and still feel relaxed; basically a place I look forward to going back to. The closest I’ve ever come to perfection is the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay for a company meeting two years ago. With a fabulous view of the ocean, a huge bathroom with a soaking tub, fantastic food, and a spa onsite, I would go back in a heartbeat. In fact, although I was there for a conference, the hotel was so amazing that by the time I felt as though I had been on vacation. Dreams about Half Moon Bay got me...

What perfume should you wear at the office? Should you wear fragrance on the plane? According to Allure, "one word should be going through your mind right now: imperceptible." They recommend that you "skip any scent that smells full-strength for more than 20 seconds. Better yet, try a lighter scented body lotion instead of a perfume. We like Estée Lauder Pleasures Body Lotion, which smells of lilies, peonies, and jasmine." Have you tried it? Your thoughts?

I always pack lightly and efficiently. I hate the expense and hassle of checking luggage in; whether it’s an overnight business trip, travel for a week, or just travel for fun.  Therefore, I do everything I can to make sure everything fits into a carry-on. For business trips, I tend to always pack the same type of items: sample size toiletries, a few suits, accessories, shoes, and my electronics!  While I’m confident I have a good packing technique, I’m always afraid of forgetting something (iPad charger, contact lenses, etc.). So, prior to each trip I used to create a packing list on a piece of paper that I’d eventually misplace or throw away. Quite a waste of time! This is why I was so happy to find an app that helps me with my packing and make sure I don’t forget anything....

Do you get frustrated in airports? Not sure where the freshest food is or where the closest gift shops are located? Stuck with a long layover only to have a terrible meal? Walking around aimlessly in hopes of finding a good book for your flight or that last minute souvenir for your loved one? Standing on the security line forever only to find your best food options were pre-security? If you can relate to any of these situations, then GateGuru is for you. Since, most of today’s business travelers own either an iPhone or a Blackberry, I have decided to share with you on a regular basis my favorite applications that makes my travel easier (and sometimes more fun!).  With the tons of apps available and coming up every day, it is easy to get lost. The first application I would like to...

If you are traveling to New York (or actually live in the city), there is a great website you can use to book your spa treatments, massages, pilates or yoga classes, etc. Just visit Lifebooker.com to schedule your appointment online. The site has an exhaustive list of salons, spas, and classes in New York that you can book at the last minute and benefit from up to 60% discount. It is particularly convenient if you do not have the luxury to plan your activities days ahead.

Bed bugs? Cigarette buds under the bed? Not the ideal conditions for a productive and comfortable trip. At Via Her, we always think it is a good idea to check your hotel's reputation before booking it. If the city you are traveling to is not listed on Via Her (yet!), you can send us an email and we will look up the information for you (email us at Concierge@Via-Her.com).  However, if you have the time to do some homework yourself, one of our favorite websites is Tripadvisor. A few tips to ensure that you are optimizing the information on the website: Look at the number of reviews: A hotel ranking based on 10 reviews is not as pertinent as a ranking based on 500! Look at who is writing the reviews: tourists on vacation do not have the same expectations in terms of services...

JFK closes one runaway - Expect some delays!According to the AFP, "The main runway at New York's John F. Kennedy International will be closed for four months starting March 1. Millions of travelers will experience delays, including some not flying anywhere near the Big Apple." For more info: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-03-01-jfk-runway-closure_N.htm http://www.travelandleisure.com/blogs/carry-on/2010/3/1/major-jfk-runway-closes-for-repairs Amtrak Switches On Free Acela Wi-Fi Service between Boston and DCMaybe it is time to reconsider your mode of transportation between New York, DC and Boston? According to the AFP, "Amtrak has rolled out wireless Internet access on all 20 of its Acela Express trains between Washington and Boston and in six major stations...

Following JetBlue and USAirways, American Airlines is going to start charging for pillows and blankets on domestic flights. They will charge $8 for a set if you are flying in economy class. Passengers on international flights or in premium class cabins still will be offered complimentary blankets for use in flight (so generous of them!).

A hundred years ago, no self-respecting woman in her right mind would undertake a journey without a few caskets worth of tailored travel wear strapped to the roof of her carriage. Then again, a hundred years ago she wouldn’t have worried about sprinting through international airports at top speed to make a transfer flight leaving from a distant terminal while being practically strip-searched by security checks along the way. Sadly, the days of enormous hat-boxes and portable coat racks are very much over, and though traveling may now be quicker, it’s gotten a whole lot more stressful. So, what does the 21st-century woman traveler need in her 21st-century portmanteau? What kind of travel gear should every professional keep on hand? Here are some tips: Get Yourself a Travel Bag: It...