Matador Network's Blog, page 669
April 15, 2021
This app is giving away free first-class upgrades to Las Vegas in honor of “Bridesmaids” 10th anniversary
If you find yourself saying, “Help me, I’m poor” when browsing first-class flight fares, you’re in luck. In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the film Bridesmaids, App in the Air is giving a few users the opportunity to win a free upgrade on their next Vegas flight to the ever-coveted first-class.
From April 12 through April 30, the first five people to book a flight to Las Vegas using the app will be eligible to receive a $1,000 upgrade credit. Bookings must be made for travel dates between May 15, 2021, and December 31, 2021, to qualify.
According to App in the Air, “We’ve polled our users multiple times asking, “what is your favorite aviation movie?’… One of the most unique, and our favorite, votes is for Bridesmaids. That iconic plane scene has kept us laughing for a whole decade. The comedy is celebrating its ten-year anniversary this month, and we are celebrating with first-class upgrades to Vegas. Are you ready to partyyyyyy?”
While we certainly wouldn’t classify it as an aviation movie, the film’s scene where Kristen Wiig’s character Annie tries to join the rest of the bachelorette party in first class on the way to Vegas has inspired many memes over the past decade. And according to App in the Air, “Our users shouldn’t have to sneak up to first-class like Annie, we will send you up there in style.”
App in the Air is a travel assistant that makes it easier to book flights and hotels. It’s one of the first apps to enable direct bookings with certain airlines like United, American Airlines, Southwest, and Lufthansa, and the app also customizes itself to the individual traveler. Its technology uses your prior booking habits to consider travel preferences, like stops, times, amenities, rewards programs, and prices. 
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Pyramids, art, and mole sauce make Puebla much more than a side trip from Mexico City
Like the smog that blankets the urban sprawl and obscures the surrounding mountains, Mexico City itself tends to eclipse other destinations in Central Mexico. Most travelers can only manage to pull themselves away for a day trip or two, but Puebla is worth more than an afterthought.
Approximately two hours from Mexico City, Puebla City is the capital of a Mexican state by the same name. One of the country’s top examples of colonial architecture, its Historic Centre was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The city attracts thousands of day-trippers every year, but they soon realize that a single afternoon in Puebla City is like eating only a spoonful of the creamy, decadent mole served in traditional restaurants throughout the city — just a taste leaves you wanting more. From great shopping to some of Mexico’s best traditional restaurants, here’s why you should dedicate more time to Puebla City.
There’s more to Puebla than meets the eye — literally
Photo: Gianfranco Vivi/Shutterstock
Upon realizing that Puebla City is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country, experienced travelers with a budding passion for Mexico quickly dispel any notions about experiencing all the city has to offer in a few hours. As with the grassy mound that sits under a bright yellow church at the western edge of the city, there’s more to Puebla than meets the eye.
What at first glance appears to be a hill is actually the world’s widest pyramid. The 1,300 by 1,300-foot pyramid is known as Tlachihualtepetl. Erected in honor of the feathered-serpent god Quetzalcoatl, historians believe the civilization that once surrounded it shared economic and social ties to the Teotihuacan community.
You can spend an entire afternoon exploring this famed archaeological site, including a tour of the pyramid’s tunnel system. When you hike up to the church and take in the sweeping views of the city, you’ll see Popocatétl volcano in the distance.
The food scene is one of the best in Mexico
Photo: Alejandro_Munoz/Shutterstock
If you are not sure how to start planning your trip to Mexico, making it a culinary adventure and organizing your route around must-try dishes is a great idea. One of the country’s biggest debates — where do you get the best mole? This debate can be settled easily in Puebla.
That said, we recommend that you don’t dare fill up only on mole poblano — save room for another of Mexico’s most iconic foods and a specialty of Puebla: Chiles en nogada. In colonial times, the nuns of the region were believed to have dreamed up this patriotic dish of poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo and covered with a walnut-based cream sauce. Topped off with pomegranate seeds, the colors of the various ingredients represent the Mexican flag. Although delicious, travelers are sometimes surprised when they take their first bite and find out that chiles en nogada is served at room temperature. Also, note the chiles are only available from July through September.
When you need something to wash it all down, pop into La Pasita to sample the homemade liqueurs. Since 1916, this bar and liquor store has kept patrons very happy with its namesake beverage: A raisin-flavored sweet liqueur. If you’d rather not drink your dessert, visit Calle Santa Clara and check out some of the city’s oldest candy shops.
The city is steeped in history
Photo: BondRocketImages/Shutterstock
Many often mistake the annual celebration of Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day; however, the holiday actually commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. During the war, the battle was a turning point, and Mexico stunned the world when they forced the French army into retreat. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Hundreds of thousands of visitors plan a trip to Puebla around spring to enjoy a 20,000-person civic parade, folkloric dancing, battle re-enactments, and an international mole festival. Because it’s Mexico, you can also expect lots of fireworks, and the city puts on some of the best displays in the country.
Puebla is also famed for having one of the finest libraries, and many claim the first in the Americas. Within Puebla’s Casa de la Cultura, the Biblioteca Palafoxiana houses more than 45,000 books and manuscripts, dating from the 15th to the 20th century. Even non-bibliophiles rave about the entertaining guided tours given by the library’s docents.
Another place to learn more about the history of the city is the Museo Regional de Puebla. It tells the story of the area, including fascinating facts about the Indigenous people who called the area home long before the Spanish even thought to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. The museum is also housed in a former Psychiatric Hospital and is one of the most Instagram-worthy buildings in the city.
Puebla has the best shopping in Mexico
Photo: lunamarina/Shutterstock
Forget kitschy fridge magnets and T-shirts that wind up at the bottom of your closet. Thanks to a long history of artisanal craftsmanship, Puebla is home to some of the best souvenir shopping in Mexico.
Talavera pottery is one of the most important and famous regional crafts in Puebla. There are various professional Talavera pottery workshops to visit, and it’s worth devoting a day to walk around and learn about this tradition and its history. Many offer free guided tours, workshops, and occasional courses. From brightly colored large serving dishes to adorable key holders, the artists create outstanding pieces of art. Viewing their techniques in person will give you a deeper appreciation of the craft. The best place for shopping for the vibrant ceramics is the colorful alley, Callejón de los Sapos. The shops in Puebla also have plenty of experience selling to visitors and will expertly wrap your purchase, so it survives your onward journey.
Puebla has its own must-do day trips
Photo:Eleni Mavrandoni/Shutterstock
You can’t resign Puebla to a side trip from Mexico City because Puebla City has must-do side trips of its own. The mountain town of Cuetzalan is located three hours north of Puebla. On the weekends, “flying men” known as Voladores perform a traditional Mesoamerican dance during which they climb a nearly 100-foot pole outside the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís. Even if you can’t make it on a performance day, Cuetzalan is still worth the trip. There are ample hikes around the town, many of which take you to beautiful waterfalls and natural pools. Roughly 25 minutes outside the town’s bounds is Yohuálichan, an extraordinary pre-Columbian archaeological site and one of the best in Mexico.
Other popular pueblos mágicos (magical towns) — a special designation awarded by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism — in the state of Puebla include Atlixco, Pahuatlán, and Huachinango. Atlixco sits at the foot of the Popocatétl volcano, while Pahuatlán has a rich coffee culture. For more adventurous types, Huachinango offers mountain biking, boat tours, and fishing. With day trips like these, you won’t have any trouble rounding out your Puebla itinerary.
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The Maldives will give vaccines to tourists upon arrival
To help revive its tourism industry, the Maldives will soon begin offering visitors vaccinations upon arrival.
It’s part of the island’s three-pronged (or “3V”) strategy — “visit, vaccinate, and vacation,” CNBC reported. Currently, visitors to the Maldives must provide evidence of a negative PCR test and proof of hotel booking before gaining entry. The vaccine program, however, is expected to change these requirements.
A timeline has not yet been established for the visitor vaccine program, as the goal is to make sure all residents receive their shots first. Once all citizens are vaccinated, however, the Maldives will begin visitor vaccinations. Currently around 51.5 percent of the island’s residents have received their first dose, including 90 percent of front-line tourism personnel.
Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldives’ tourism minister, told CNBC, “I don’t think supply’s a problem in Maldives because our population is relatively small. The quota [of vaccines] we get from the various organizations and friendly nations also will help.”
The Maldives’ economy relies heavily on tourism. Its target is 1.5 million tourist arrivals and 10 million bed nights this year. That’s still not as high as its yearly average, but the vaccine program should go a long way toward helping meet that goal.
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Wildfire burns over 850 acres of Texas’ Big Bend National Park
Parts of Big Bend National Park in Texas remain closed due to wildfires that have been burning for a week. The fires have destroyed over 850 acres so far, and according to a report by the National Park Service (NPS), it was likely started near a popular campsite.
The fire on the South Rim is close to the Chisos Mountains in the southern section of the park. According to the NPS, the blaze has left “a patchy mosaic of scorched, burned, slightly singed, and untouched areas across the South Rim to Emory Peak.”
Photo: NPS
The NPS also pointed out that many of the areas currently under threat have not had wildfires for over 70 years. While the region depends on burning to keep the desert woodlands healthy, it’s also home to many species of plants and animals that are endemic to the region, and sadly the current conditions are threatening their survival.
As of Monday, a total of around 70 firefighters were working around the clock to control the blaze.
“It takes a team to fight a fire,” Deputy Superintendent David Elkowitz said in a statement. “I can’t thank this team enough for the amazing efforts of our firefighters, partners, support personnel, and community members.”
The fire has resulted in closures in various parts of Big Bend, including the Chisos Basin and trails, the Hot Springs Historic Area, and the Boquillas Port of Entry. Luckily, weather forecasts promise cooler temperatures over the next few days, offering a glimmer of hope and a respite for the first responders who are currently focusing efforts on the lower Boot Canyon and Toll Mountain areas.
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April 14, 2021
The Midwest’s most stunning islands you need to explore this summer
Deep, turquoise waters. Sandstone cliffs, groves of pine and oak, and long, empty beaches. Miles of trails for hiking, beautiful state parks, and historic lighthouses. You may not get whiffs of saltwater or need to dodge falling coconuts, but you will find incredible island experiences in the Midwest. Here are some of the best.
Washington Island, Wisconsin
Photo: AMCImagery/Shutterstock
A quick five-mile ferry ride across the passage known as “Death’s Door” — shipwreck central some 100+ years ago — Washington Island is known for a few things that’ll convince you to leave the mainland: Schoolhouse Beach, made of polished limestone pebbles, is one of five “sandless” beaches in the world; the fields of lavender at Fragrant Isle could light up your Instagram for weeks, and lunch here means noshing on “lawyer.” (It’s a cold-water fish popular around these parts, but it’s also a great line.)
There are actually 35 islands in the Grand Traverse Archipelago, off the shores of Door County, but only a few are readily accessible. Rock Island — home to Rock Island State Park and its lighthouse and miles of trails — is also a great day trip via the Karfi ferry from Washington Island’s Jackson Harbor.
Madeline Island, Wisconsin
Photo: Hoogz Photography/Shutterstock
Technically a part of the Apostle Islands but not part of the national lakeshore, Madeline Island is just three miles from Bayfield — an easy ferry ride or, come winter, an easy drive across frozen Lake Superior (seriously). La Pointe, a town of 250, comes surprisingly chock full of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and things to do. Don’t miss Big Bay State Park, a stunner by anyone’s definition (picture sea cliffs, cerulean waters, and dense forests for wandering).
Note: To the Lake Superior Chippewa, Madeline Island is a spiritual center. Please treat it as such.
Isle Royale, Michigan
Photo: Mark Baldwin/Shutterstock
45 miles long by nine miles wide, Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior — it’s also one of the least-visited national parks in the country, and not because it offers little in the way of grand views and adventure. With a short season (April-October) and little infrastructure, Isle Royale remains uncrowded and wild, built for avid hikers, backpackers, and paddlers, not window-gazers and park-counters.
You’ll arrive via seaplane or boat at either Windigo or Rock Harbor, staying in the island’s on-site lodge or at one of 36 campgrounds. Post-up in your new island home and take day hikes through the aspen and fir, searching for wildlife, caves and cliffs, or travel by water. Lake Superior is known for its dangerous waves, so if you’re not a pro-paddler, stick to the many lakes, calmer bays, and inlets. There are plenty of spots on Isle Royale for sheer solitude.
South Bass Island, Ohio
Photo: Zack Frank/Shutterstock
This is Key West, Lake Erie style. Put-In-Bay is the island’s family-friendly hot spot, accessible via ferry from Port Clinton, Sandusky, Lorain, or nearby Catawba Island. Once you’re here, you could get around on foot or bicycle, but the best way to see South Bass Island? In a golf cart.
However you hoof it, spend the day out the trails at South Bass Island State Park or work your way between wineries, museums, historic monuments, caves (yep, caves!), and nature preserves. If on land isn’t your speed, rent a jet ski and take in the island’s slight white cliffs from the water.
Beaver Island, Michigan
Photo: Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock
At 55 square miles, Beaver Island is one of the larger islands on this list, and its two-hour ferry journey, the longest. With most of its 600-some population of Irish descent, the island is fittingly and lovingly referred to as the “Emerald Isle.” You’ll see plenty of shades of green here, including up in the sky — Beaver Island is exquisite for star- and aurora-gazing.
Spend your daylit hours paddling the Beaver Island Water Trail, golfing, gazing up at lighthouses, fishing the inland lakes, wandering the state forest or open beaches, or taking in the island’s history. It was once ruled by a king.
Peacebunny Island, Minnesota
Photo: Peacebunny Island
Near mile 832 on the Mississippi River, rabbits roam free. Well, in the warmer months, at least. Peacebunny Island is a 22-acre summer camp for comfort bunnies, a training ground before they go off to spread joy across the Minneapolis — St. Paul area. Peacebunny also works to prevent abandonment, focusing on rare heritage breeds, like American white and blue rabbits.
The island’s technically open to the public, but access is limited: you can score a visit either by volunteering or by winning contests and auctions via Peacebunny’s social media. Once here, you’ll simply lounge in a hammock with a ball of fluff in your lap — a peaceful island getaway that never goes out of style.
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8 things Airbnb guests do that hosts hate, according to hosts themselves
A few years ago in Iceland, I accidentally slept in an Airbnb I hadn’t actually booked. When it’s dark out, and the directions say “second valley, third farm on your left,” it’s easy to get a bit lost. Believe it or not, having to kick out confused strangers with a bad sense of direction isn’t the worst thing that happens to Airbnb owners. My incident was an honest mistake, but not all infractions are so innocent. Whether it’s leaving behind gross personal items or using the accommodation as a murder hideout, guest offenses range from careless to straight up criminal.
My story ended with an embarrassing 4:00 AM departure. Others have ended with broken marriages, calls to the police, and very negative reviews on the guest’s Airbnb profile. According to several Airbnb hosts from around the world, these are the things you’re doing that they absolutely hate.
1. Putting hosts into uncomfortable positionsHosts sometimes find themselves wearing hats they didn’t expect. Erika, an Airbnb superhost in Mexico City, describes an incident where she found herself playing therapist.
“The booking was made from a man’s account for two people,” she says, “and he asked if we could put some flowers on the bed for when they arrive. His wife contacted us a week later, crying, telling us she knew her husband had rented our flat to cheat on her. She asked us what we would do, if we were in her position. We did give her some advice in the spirit of women empowering women.”
2. “Urgent” requests for small thingsAn Airbnb host is more than someone who leaves a key under the mat and prays you don’t throw a party while they’re gone. They’re jacks-of-all-trades, often serving as host, cleaner, tech support, customer service, and sometimes even therapist. While some Airbnbs are managed by companies with staff and extensive resources, most are independently owned, meaning the host has a lot on their plate.
According to Jake Cohen, an Airbnb Superhost with six Airbnb units, owning an Airbnb “takes someone with the right personality and the ability to solve problems on the fly.”
The lack of support staff means hosts are often tasked with addressing issues on their own, and being constantly on call for guests.
“For most small property hosts, this is something we do on the side of a regular job,” Cohen said. “We don’t necessarily have someone who can respond 24/7 because a guest can’t turn on the TV.”
Airbnb as a popular side hustle means hosts aren’t always at your beck-and-call. While it’s reasonable to expect your host to address issues within a practical timeframe, it’s not reasonable to expect them to drop everything they’re doing to help you figure out how to access Netflix.
3. Leaving a messHotel guests often fall into a common mindframe that goes something like this: “I probably don’t have to clean that — that’s what the cleaning staff is for!”
That way of thinking has its own issues, but in Airbnbs, the cleaning often falls to the hosts themselves. Obviously no one expects you to shine the windows, but treat the place like a home, not a Motel 6.
According to Stephanie Prater, who owns an Airbnb in Pensacola Beach, Florida, leaving behind dirty dishes is one of her guests’ top offenses.
“Someone left a dirty skillet on the stove that they cooked a whole dozen eggs in,” she says. “My husband had to scrub for 30 minutes to clean it. I’m really surprised he didn’t throw it away.”
Even worse than dirty dishes is leaving behind items of a more *ahem* personal nature.
Kathleen Porter Kristiansen, Airbnb Superhost and blogger, says that “underwear in the sheets, condom wrappers, lube, edibles, a (positive) pregnancy test, and an enima are just some of the items frequently found by our cleaning staff.”
If she could get guests to internalize one thing, it would be to “put your trash in the large trash can rather than the bathroom trash, or better yet, the outside dumpster. And above all, do not leave underwear in the sheets.”
4. Not respecting the hostBeing a good Airbnb guest really comes down to being a decent person. If someone invites you into their house, do you break their appliances, overstay your welcome, and bring additional uninvited guests? Probably not. The same rules of courtesy apply in Airbnbs.
Jonathan Groper, an Airbnb superhost, said one of his biggest pet peeves is when guests “break washing machines, burn circuits, damage kitchenware, and then try to berate me or my assistant that we cannot get a repair person to come in fast enough.”
He also has little tolerance for guests who show up with larger parties than allowed. “When I rented out my yacht,” he says, “guests would ‘invite friends for drinks’ and four people became 20 or more.”
5. Asking for a different check-in and check-out timeFor other hosts, asking for late check-outs or early check-ins is the bane of their existence. It not only exhibits a failure to understand how Airbnbs operate, but also shows a lack of respect for the host’s time.
Daniel Rusteen, who worked at Airbnb for three years and now consults for current hosts, knows all too well what it feels like when guests try to take advantage.
“My favorite is when the guest asks for both an early check-in and a late check-out on a single day reservation,” he says. “For example, recently one guest wanted to check in at 7:00 AM (normal check in is 3:00 PM). These requests are rather annoying.”
There’s nothing inherently wrong with requesting an early check-in or late check-out, as long as the request is reasonable and given in a timely manner. Just to be clear, asking to check-in before sunrise is probably a no-go.
6. StealingThis one should go without saying. Unfortunately, it often does not. Some guests take the “my house is your house” thing a little too seriously, and literally claim the host’s property as their own. Whether it’s pilfering granola bars from the supply closet or cramming the television into your trunk, stealing happens more often than you’d think.
“I was laying in my bed one morning and looking at the window,” Prater says, “and something seemed off. I walked over to the window and realized someone had stolen two of the four curtain panels. Who does that?”
Kleptomaniacs. That’s who.
Lisa T, an Airbnb host for 12 years, had a much more harrowing experience.
“On the guest’s checkout date,” she says, “my cleaning lady arrived to clean up for upcoming guests, and we found the unimaginable. I was robbed. They kept the keys and stole everything, leaving only the furniture, a cigarette smell, and a mess. They broke my bedroom lock and took a property title, social security card, checkbooks, savings, electronics, clothing, shoes, jewelry, family keepsakes, towels, sheets, even all my undergarments.”
Jerry Han, a digital nomad who Airbnbs his house when he’s traveling, found himself inconvenienced in a slightly different way. He rented his house out to a 70-year-old woman who “had so many bad reviews that I should have paid more attention,” Han says. “When I went in to clean her room after she’d left, I realized she’d stolen the towels, a pillow, and even a side lamp! Everything else, she’d hid inside the closet for some weird reason. This experience definitely taught me to take past reviews quite seriously!”
7. Expecting things to be the same as their homeTodra Payne, a former Airbnb host and guest relations manager for an Airbnb superhost, said culture shock was actually one of the most common guest complaints.
According to Payne, “I had a guest from China complain that the kitchen in a NYC Airbnb rental did not come equipped with the ‘basics’ like a rice cooker. If you’re renting in a culture that does not normally use that as a standard, pitching a fit about it only makes you look entitled and uninformed.”
So don’t be the American whining about the different-shaped power outlets in Europe or the lack of a free continental breakfast.
8. Inconveniencing the host for no reasonIt’s a host’s job to make sure the property comes as advertised, and that you’re as comfortable as possible. It’s not their job to be your personal 24/7 concierge. Mar, who owns an Airbnb on the coast of Spain, once had to do a wellness check on a guest who was unresponsive.
“One evening a couple went out partying,” she says. “One of them returned to the flat, sat on the sofa and fell asleep while the other one continued partying. He returned to the apartment in the early hours of the morning and without the key so he proceeded to ring the bell over and over and over hoping to wake his partner, and when he realised he was not responding, started to panic and call my mother, who is in charge of taking care of guests. My mother lives in Barcelona, about a 30-minute train ride away from the apartment, so, without public transportation, she took a taxi. It must have been 4:00 AM when my mother opened the door with the spare key and found the partner on the sofa, fast asleep but alive. My mother turned around in the taxi and went back to Barcelona.”
Safe to say, if you pass out drunk on the couch, it’s not your host’s job to serve as your personal wake-up-call.
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Studio Ghibli theme park to open
Fans of Hayao Miyazaki rejoice — the celebrated Japanese animator is getting a theme park in his honor. Set to open in 2022, the Studio Ghibli theme park will celebrate the creator of some of the world’s most beloved animation masterpieces, as reported by AFAR. The park will open on the site of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute city, just outside of Nagoya.
After three years of waiting since the project’s initial announcement, fans are finally getting a first look at what they can expect.
Photo: @ohmura_hideaki/Twitter
Notable features of the Studio Ghibli theme park will include a replica of the antique shop from Miyazaki’s smash hit Whisper of the Heart and a gate area built to look just like the set of Howl’s Moving Castle. The grounds will include five separate areas, each resembling a different piece of Miyazaki’s work. They will aptly be named Youth Hill, Ghibli Large Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Dondoko Forest, and Witches’ Valley. There will, of course, be a theater onsite for visitors to get their fix of Miyazaki classics, along with event spaces and what is certain to be among the world’s most epic gift shops.
Photo: @ohmura_hideaki/Twitter
AFAR reports that a replica of Howl’s castle is also said to be in the plans.
Photo: Studio Ghibli
The park will also feature rides, though nothing like you’d find at Disneyworld or Six Flags. The park’s aesthetic is designed to be more nature-based and fantastical than flashy and gaudy, to reflect the elements found in many Studio Ghibli movies.
A version of this article was previously published on December 31, 2019, and was updated on April 14, 2021, with more information.
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New cinema hotel in Paris lets you enjoy a private screening from bed
The first-ever cinema hotel just opened its doors in Paris, allowing guests to enjoy movies in the comfort of their private room. The new Hotel Paradiso has a total of 36 rooms, each one equipped with a screen projector. Located in Paris’ 12th arrondissement, the hotel is the perfect place to visit for dedicated cinephiles. Created by brother Elisha and Nathanaël Karmitz, Hotel Paradiso opened its doors in March and is already highly sought after.
“This is a direct homage to ’60s Hollywood. There’s a solid relationship between hotels and cinema. Not only do you have a lot of hotels in the movies, but also in L.A., a lot of movies are being made. You meet in hotels; you produce in hotels,” Elisha Karmitz told Travel+Leisure.
Photo: Hotel Paradiso/Facebook
By using an iPad to select a film, guests experience their room turn into a bona fide movie theater with a nine-foot screen that comes down from the ceiling as lights go dark. Some of the hotel’s rooms even allow guests to watch movies from the bathtub on a PlayStation 5. And for those who enjoy karaoke, there is a La La Land-themed karaoke suite with a selection of over 10,000 songs to perform with the help of a state-of-the-art surround sound system.
“It’s a way to tell foreigners this is the real Parisian way of living — come to the East and see all the artists. See the lifestyle when you are interested in culture and cinema,” Elisha added.
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The best Airbnbs in Vancouver, from a skyhigh loft to a beachside cabin
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay, and listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Vancouver is one of the most popular, busiest, and ethnically diverse cities in Canada. When it comes to tourism the city has a unique advantage geographically: shielded by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the North Shore Mountains on the other it is a top destination for hikers, snowboarders, and road trippers alike. Vancouver is also home to many wonderful restaurants, museums, and concert venues.
The downtown core can be easily explored on foot, by Skytrain, or even using water taxis. As a visitor, you can spend a few days delving into the local craft beer scene, go on graffiti tours, eat your heart through a diverse variety of cuisines, or simply make it a temporary home for a change of scenery. No matter your reason for visiting, these Airbnbs put you close to the action.
Stunning Gastown loft in Vancouver Downtown
Photo: Vintage
This spacious one-bedroom loft is located in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, Gastown. The building is surrounded by boutique shops, trendy restaurants, close to concert venues, and is only a few steps away from the historic Chinatown. The loft itself has exposed brick walls, large windows, and a private rooftop deck with a fireplace making it a perfect location for a fun, romantic weekend.
One bedroom, two guests
Price: $150 per night
Photo: Vintage
Another stunning Gastown loft, well suited for a couple or for solo remote work travel. This space is fully stocked to be your home away from home, beautifully decorated, with large sunny windows, and a hotel-style cozy, clean bedroom. This is an Airbnb Plus and the host offers a 15 percent weekly price discount.
One bedroom, two guests
Price: $184 per night
Photo: Vintage
Lovely modern house located just off of Main Street and about two and a half miles from downtown Vancouver. Main Street is one of the best destinations for shopping, strolling, and eating desserts. Surrounded by cool coffee shops, boutique retail, and small restaurants you can easily spend an entire weekend here, taxi over to downtown or drive to Kitsilano Beach for some relaxation. The house is ideal for a small group of up to four people; there are two separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a nice backyard.
Two bedrooms, four guests
Price: $112 per night
Photo: Vintage
This house is situated in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley, a quieter residential neighborhood close to a range of provincial parks, walking distance from the famous Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, as well as boutique shops and restaurants. The space has three separate bedrooms, two baths, a bbq, and is fully equipped for a fun group hangout. From this location, you can easily reach downtown, bike or hike through a nearby park, or hop on the Sea-to-Sky Highway for a scenic adventure.
Three bedrooms, six guests
Price: $169 per night
Photo: Vintage
This space has the potential to suit many needs: a romantic weekend, girl’s trip, or remote work location for anyone who likes the higher pace of downtown living. Yaletown is one of the city’s most bustling neighborhoods, featuring rows of outdoor terraces, cocktail lounges, and boutique decor shops. From here, you can catch a train to explore the outskirts, hop on a water taxi to spend the day at Granville Island, or go on a long explorative walk across the city. The apartment has a lovely bedroom with a queen bed, day and sofa beds in the living room, and a full working desk setup.
One bedroom, six guests
Price: $319 per night
Photo: Vintage
A bright and spacious condo, centrally located to downtown Vancouver and the main transit line. The 20th-floor suite offers an unobstructed view of False Creek, Science World, and Mount Baker. Regardless of what the goal of your stay might be from here, you can quickly get to the Rogers Arena, a wide range of restaurants, walk over to Gastown and Chinatown, or take the Skytrain to a further destination. The space is fully equipped for short and long terms stays and the host offers a 10 percent weekly discount.
One bedroom, four guests
Price: $70 per night
Photo: Vintage
A true log cabin home with double-height beamed ceilings, wood finishes, and a central stone hearth fireplace. Located a brisk walk from Locarno Beach, the cabin is a luxury cottage stay a short drive away from the city core. You and six friends can spend the entire weekend at the beach, cooking meals together, going out on hikes, or dress up and taxi over downtown. The house has three separate bedrooms, two full baths, a spacious dining room, and two outdoor decks.
Three bedrooms, seven guests
Price: $622 per night
Photo: Vintage
Centrally located between Yaletown and the Downtown Business District, this loft is a perfect spot for exploring the city, alone or with a friend. From here you can walk to Canada Place, Sunset Beach Park, bike to English Bay beach, or even hit Coal Harbour. Being in the heart of the city, the loft is perfectly situated for those looking to explore Vancouver nightlife. Aside from tall ceilings and stunning views directly from the bedroom the unit also has a 360-degree rooftop deck from which on a clear day you might see the mountains.
Price: One bedroom, two guests
Price: $169 per night
Photo: Vintage
This clean and bright modern apartment is located in Coal Harbour, one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. The building is within walking distance of Stanley Park — the city’s largest urban park with multiple beaches, hiking trails, and direct access to the Seawall. When looking at the map of Downtown Vancouver this home is located opposite of the entertainment areas (Gastown and Yaletown) but even those areas can be easily reached by local transit or taxi. The apartment is well suited for a couple or a solo traveler looking for a piece of serenity and easy access to nature.
One bedroom, three guests
Price: $127 per night
The post The best Airbnbs in Vancouver, from a skyhigh loft to a beachside cabin appeared first on Matador Network.
Best seafood in Rhode Island
If you love fresh seafood, you probably already know that New England is a must-visit destination thanks to mouthwatering lobster rolls, fried clam strips, shucked oysters, and other delicacies. But of the six states in the region — Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island — the latter often gets overlooked when it comes to seafood offerings.
Don’t let that deter you from embarking on a seafood crawl through Rhode Island, which is appropriately nicknamed the Ocean State. In fact, our nation’s smallest state is home to some of the best (and freshest!) seafood, including clams, lobster, shrimp, clams, and more.
In Rome, you do as the Romans do; likewise, in Rhode Island, you follow the locals to track down the best seafood dishes in town. From farm-raised oysters and deep-fried clam balls to calamari (the state’s official appetizer), there’s a seafood dish out there that’s sure to appease even the pickiest of eaters.
Here, seafood is more than just a meal. For many residents, it’s quite literally a way of life and a way to make a living. Locally sourced, sustainable seafood and fishing have been a vital part of the economy for decades.
The best way to support the Rhode Island economy? Indulge in decadent seafood. According to Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management, the fishing industry brings in millions of dollars per year for the state and its residents, which leads to over $200 million in annual sales. The DEM explains that Rhode Island is also home to over 100 species of fish. Intrigued yet? These are the best seafood staples in Rhode Island, plus where to try them.
1. Clams
Photo: Iggy’s RI/Facebook
Whether you prefer them fried, grilled, or stuffed, there’s no wrong way to enjoy clams — and with over 200 varieties of clams, you have plenty of options. Ultimately, the best clam dishes are briny and, most importantly, fresh. At Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House, diners can choose from an array of indulgent options served casual-style in styrofoam containers. The no-frills mom-and-pop establishment is most famous for its clam cakes. The deep-fried clam balls are a Rhode Island specialty. If you enjoy fried, greasy seafood goodness of any kind, Iggy’s is the spot for you.
Where to try Rhode Island clams: Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House 889 Oakland Beach Ave #9616, Warwick, RI 02889
2. Lobster
Photo: Hemenway’s Restaurant/Facebook
Rhode Island may not be as renowned for its lobster as Maine, but you’ll find that the Ocean State offers its fair share of mouthwatering lobster dishes. There’s creamy lobster bisque, gooey lobster mac and cheese, seafood-stuffed lobster, plain ol’ boiled lobster — best enjoyed with warm butter and fries, of course. For a more upscale dining experience, Hemenway’s in Providence offers some of the best, freshest lobster in the area served in a number of ways, including mac and cheese baked inside a lobster shell. Remember: Sharing is always optional.
Where to try Rhode Island lobster: Hemenway’s 121 S Main St, Providence, RI 02903
3. Oysters
Photo: Matunuck Oyster Bar/Facebook
Oysters are an indulgent summertime staple up and down the East Coast, and it should come as no surprise that Rhode Island is home to some of the best in town. The state is home to more than two dozen species of oysters, and the state also has some of the best regions for oysters in the country. For a pond-to-table — or boat-to-table — experience, dine at a restaurant that offers its own farm-raised, freshly shucked oysters. Matunuck Oyster Bar attracts locals and travelers alike and offers about a dozen different types of oysters, all of which are grown and harvested onsite. Some of the dining tables overlook the oyster farm right outside the window, giving guests an intimate look at their dinner — and a beautiful view of the water.
Where to try Rhode Island oysters: Matunuck Oyster Bar 629 Succotash Rd, South Kingstown, RI 02879
4. Squid
Photo: Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock
Calamari has been Rhode Island’s official state appetizer since 2014, so you can rest assured there’s no better place to enjoy the popular starter. Calamari is best enjoyed fried (as long as it’s not too oily) and dunked in piping hot marinara sauce. While there are dozens of restaurants across Rhode Island that claim to serve up the best calamari, Simpatico is home to one of the tastiest. Here, the calamari is lightly breaded yet still crispy, so it’s crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside — exactly the way it should be. The restaurant’s antipasto version is served along with hot peppers, olives, onions, spinach, bell peppers, salami, and capicola.
Where to try Rhode Island calamari: Simpatico 13 Narragansett Ave, Jamestown, RI 02835
5. Chowder
Photo: The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar/Facebook
Chowder — or chowda, depending on where you’re from — is associated with restaurants all over New England, and there are four distinct types of chowder. New England-style chowder typically includes clams, potatoes, onions, and, of course, lots of cream and butter. In Rhode Island, several renowned restaurants have taken the staple that is New England chowder to the next level by offering innovative twists on the classic soup. The best versions, however, are all creamy, hearty, and comforting. At The Mooring, diners can savor the signature, award-winning chowder that combines fresh scallops and sweet corn. The unlikely combination of flavors is a delightful mix of textures and briny, saltwater flavors. The dining room overlooks Sayers Wharf, offering pristine views of the water in sunny weather.
Where to try Rhode Island clam chowder: The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Sayers Wharf, Newport, RI 02840
6. Shrimp
Photo: Quito’s Restaurant/Facebook
Shrimp is a menu staple throughout Rhode Island, and you’re likely to find it featured at many restaurants. But to try the best shrimp in the state you need to know what to look for. The best shrimp dishes are juicy, tender, and oh-so-subtly sweet. When prepared right, the standard shellfish transforms into an anything-but-basic dish that can easily be dressed up with spices and herbs. Plus, they’re just as delicious fried as they are grilled, broiled, or seared — there’s no need to mask the flavor by dousing shrimp in breadcrumbs and vegetable oil (but there’s nothing wrong with fried shrimp, either). At Quito’s, you can dine on locally sourced shrimp that hit all the right culinary notes.
Where to try Rhode Island shrimp: Quito’s, 411 Thames St, Bristol, RI 02809
The post Rhode Island is an underrated bastion of New England seafood. Here’s where to try it. appeared first on Matador Network.
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