Crewfare’s Wish List Of 8 Luxury Hotels To Escape To With Your Significant Other

Ahhhh. Taking A Couples Luxury Vacation. 

Feels sooo good. Like really, really good.

Especially when life gets crazy and you need to seriously enjoy time with your significant other.

So we did a lot of research and created a wish list of the 8 luxury hotels we want to escape to.

Where we imagine ourselves sleeping in until noon, talking about the future, sipping on cocktails and wine, laying by the pool, being slobs (and also getting all dolled up), and doing absolutely nothing with the person we love.

And now we’re dying to stay at these places. 

In no particular order, these 8 splurge-worthy hotels are on our couples’ dream travel list. 

*BOOK THROUGH CREWFARE to get different payment options and to plan couples or group travel.

FOUR SEASONS BORA BORA

Located on the island of  Bora Bora, French Polynesia

This luxury resort is so major. Get picked up in a boat at the airport, and stay in an overwater bungalow suite. Private beach, spa, and plunge pools. Swim. Unwind. Relax. Connect.

Best time to visit: during the dry season from May to August, peak tourist season and higher hotel prices are in June and July

Four Seasons Bora Bora

VILLA CORA

Located in Florence, Italy

Stunning and romantic. Gilded. Frescoes. Subterranean Spa. 

This hotel is considered one of the best in the world. Built in the 1860s by a German financier, it overlooks the Boboli Gardens in the hills outside of Florence. Relax in your luxe suit until late morning and then easily head into town later in the day with Villa Cora’s private shuttle service.

Best time to visit: between May and September

Villa Cora

SIX SENSE YAO NOI

Located on Yao Noi island in Phuket, Thailand

Barefoot-chic. Take a speed boat to the island and escape to an overwater villa or bungalow.

Best time to visit: November to February

Six Sense Yao Noi

HOTEL CAESAR AUGUSTUS

Located on the island of Capri, Italy

We’re dying to explore this spot. This hotel is perched on the edge of a very high cliff. You’ll be able to see the Bay of Naples, the Vesuvius volcano, the Sorrento Peninsula, Ischia island, and Capri town from your balcony.

Best time to visit: May to October

Hotel Caesar Augustus

BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL 

Located in St. Moritz, Switzerland

Built in 1896 and located in St. Moritz, Switzerland. This one is high on our wish list for winter travel. Why? 

Because we’ve always wanted to go to the Swiss Alps during the snowy months AND we’ve heard how cozy it is high up in the mountains.

Best time to visit: June to mid-October or the winter season

Badrutt's Palace Hotel

POST RANCH INN

Located in Big Sur, California

It’s definitely THE scenic drive, resort, mountains, and coastline we want to take in with our favorite person. 

Best time to visit: April to October

Post Ranch Inn

AMANYARA

Located in Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Secluded. Peaceful. 1800-acre nature reserve. We seriously need to experience this.

Best time to visit: April to June

Amanyara

THE PENINSULA HOTEL BEVERLY HILLS

Located in Beverly Hills city, Los Angeles, California 

Where service is considered an art form. It’s the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star-rated hotel in Southern California. And it’s a 12-minute walk to shop on Rodeo Drive.

Best time to visit: year-round

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

We Don’t Gatekeep: How to Create Your Own Hotel Experience At-Home With These 6 Hotel And Hotel-Inspired Brands

Hello and welcome to our at-home sanctuary. 

When we are at home, in our own space, we want to feel like we’re staying at a warm and inviting luxury hotel. 

This is… our at-home move. 

To re-create our favorite 5-star experience with a few hotel accessories.

Products we can’t get enough of like high-end sheets, soft towels, and a signature scent that make our space feel even cozier. 

Little additions like these are crucial for that PEACE OF MIND feeling we crave. 

Anyways, let’s break this down so you can pick up these items for yourself and transform your space into a 5-star hotel. 

In no particular order, here are 6 hotel and hotel-inspired brands that will help you recreate that unforgettable experience at home. We’ll cover product suggestions and links to each brand’s online shop.

*Access flexible payment options and discounted accommodations when you book through CREWFARE.

**Have you ever asked a friend how they get their space smelling so good? If they avoid answering, that’s gatekeeping. We’re so anti-gatekeeping. Here are Crewfare’s solutions to enjoying a luxury hotel life at home.

HOTEL COLLECTION

Set the mood with their clean Studio Scent Diffuser. It is so great to have because you can customize the level of fragrance intensity.

Link to website: www.hotelcollection.com

Hotel Collection

EDITION HOTELS

Their bath soaps and lotions are so major to getting a soothing, and calming experience. Perfect for feeling like you’re a well-cared-for guest in your own home. Sidenote, they also have a great diffuser. 

Link to website: www.shopedition.com

Edition Hotels

EDITIONS HOTELS COLLABORATION WITH LE LABO

Try Le Labo Santal 33 Signature Detergent. Amazing to keep your laundry, and sheets smelling like a 5-star hotel. 

Tip: stock up whenever they’re in stock because this product sells out fast. 

Link to website: www.lelabofragrances.com

Edition Hotels Le Labo

THE RITZ CARLETON HOTELS

Obsessed with their bed and bedding sets. You can even buy a mattress from them. The bedding is the move here. 

Link to website: www.ritzcarltonshops.com

The Ritz Carleton Hotels

AMAN RESORTS, HOTELS, AND RESIDENTS

So good for any home’s aesthetics (their packaging is designed by architect Kengo Kuma). Amazing all-natural skincare products and treatments. 

Link to website: www.shop.aman.com/skincare/

Aman Resorts

FOUR SEASONS HOTELS & RESORTS

Their bathrobe and slippers are so good for that pampered feeling. Wearing these around really sets the mood.

Link to website: www.shop.fourseasons.com

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Our Fave 18 Hotels That Won’t Break The Bank

Today we’re featuring recommendations on where to stay when you don’t want to break the bank.

Because we’ve realized that there are so many places to see like Miami, Toronto, Denver, Los Angeles, Portugal, and Paris. And stepping out to travel while saving money is the move.

Other obvious reasons we like to stay at budget-friendly hotels is that we just like smoking good prices on hotels (with great perks, doesn’t sound so bad either, lol).

So today here’s a list of 18 hotels in 5 cities that we stayed at and know you’ll like too.

In no particular order:

*BOOK through Crewfare to lock in your hotel and pay over time.

MIAMI

Hilton Garden Inn Miami Brickell South From $275

2500 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA

Hotel Perks: business center, 24-hour convenience store, hotel restaurant, heated pool, fitness center, complimentary shuttle service to get to the Miami Beach Boardwalk, and located approximately 5 minutes from Virginia Key Beach

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Hilton Garden Inn Miami Brickell South

Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown Brickell From $289

1750 SW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA

Hotel Perks: convenience store, fitness center, complimentary breakfast, evening socials Monday through Thursday, outdoor grill area to cook your own meals,  and located approximately 6 minutes from Virginia Key Beach

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown Brickell

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Wynwood Design District

3450 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137, USA

Hotel Perks: convenience store, business center, fitness center, complimentary breakfast, and rooftop pool, and located approximately 12 minutes from Virginia Key Beach

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Wynwood Design District

TORONTO

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown From $219

108 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON M5G 1R3

Hotel Perks: business center, coffee shop and restaurant on-site, fitness center, rooftop bar, and located approximately 29 minutes to Downsview Park

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown

Novotel Toronto North York From $255

3 Park Home Ave, Toronto, ON M2N 6L3

Hotel Perks:  24-hour convenience store, business center, indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, and located approximately 16 minutes to Downsview Park

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Novotel Toronto North York

Embassy Suites by Hilton Toronto Airport From $265

262 Carlingview Dr, Toronto, ON M9W 5G1

Hotel Perks:  24-hour convenience store, business center, indoor pool, fitness center, and located approximately 17 minutes to Downsview Park

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Embassy Suites by Hilton Toronto Airport

DENVER

DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Central Park From $165

4040 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80216, USA

Hotel Perks: business center, indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, and located approximately 9 minutes from National Western Complex Denver

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Central Park

Magnolia Hotel Denver a Tribute Portfolio Hotel From $225

818 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA

Hotel Perks: business center, complimentary coffee and cookies, fitness center, rooftop pool, and restaurant, and located approximately 10 minutes from National Western Complex Denver

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Magnolia Hotel Denver a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection From $295

321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA

Hotel Perks: business center, fitness center, full-service spa, lobby bar, cafe, restaurant, and complimentary afternoon tea, and located approximately 9 minutes from National Western Complex Denver

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

LOS ANGELES

Mondrian From $289

8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA

Hotel Perks: Asia de Cuba signature restaurant, fitness center, full-service spa, rooftop pool, and sky bar

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Mondrian

Hotel Erwin From $237

1697 Pacific Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90291, USA

Hotel Perks: high rooftop bar and lounge, walking distance to the Venice Beach Boardwalk

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Hotel Erwin

Hotel Hermosa From $215

2515 CA-1, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA

Hotel Perks: cafe, restaurant, and located less than a mile from the beach

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Hotel Hermosa

PORTUGAL

Studio 17 Atlantichotels From $289

Urbanização Alto do Quintão, R. João Simões Tavares 17, 8500-293 Portimão, Portugal

Hotel Perks: located approximately 4 minutes to Praia da Rocha

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Studio 17 Atlantichotels

Regency Salgados Hotel & Spa From $199

Estr. dos Salgados, 8200-428 Guia, Portugal

Hotel Perks: great location near the beach, hotel restaurant, bar, and lounge, full-service spa, Located approximately 29 minutes from Praia da Rocha

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Regency Salgados Hotel & Spa

Vilamoura Garden Hotel From $225

R. da França 951153, 8125-507 Quarteira, Portugal

Hotel Perks: great location: surrounded by beautiful beaches, fitness center, full-service spa, poolside bar, restaurant and lounge, and located approximately 54 minutes from Praia da Rocha

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Vilamoura Garden Hotel

PARIS

Mama Shelter From $144

Rue de Bagnolet, Paris, France

Hotel Perks: fitness center, and restaurant, bar, and lounge area, rooftop bar

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Mama Shelter

Hôtel d’Orsay From $265

93 Rue de Lille, 75007 Paris, France

Hotel Perks: fitness center, restaurant, bar, and lounge, sauna

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Hôtel d'Orsay

Bourgogne & Montana From $220

3 Rue de Bourgogne, 75007 Paris, France

Hotel Perks: fitness center, sauna, restaurant, bar, and lounge, private balconies 

BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

Reykjavik, Iceland – The Full Rundown On This Bucket List Travel Destination

Perhaps you guys have wanted to experience Iceland, and tick this dream destination off your bucket list. 

And if you are looking for a guide to plan your trip to this perfect destination.

We’ll ta-da here it is. 

Pretty much we’re lovers of this place and want to share our perfect itinerary, crafted around planning your stay in Reykjavik, Iceland. 

Reykjavik is the capital of this Nordic island. The city is just so cozy, with brightly painted houses, and boutique shops, and it’s walking friendly (bundle up though).

The best time to visit depends on what you want to do. 

Summers have more daylight hours and tons of great festivals. Winters are the best time to visit to view the Northern Lights and you’ll experience longer dark nights.

We cover geothermal pools, where to book to see glaciers, towering waterfalls, the world-famous black sand beach, geysers, and restaurants. 

Let’s get down to the details.

Inspired to visit and have not yet booked your trip? *BOOK through Crewfare to lock in your hotel and pay over time.

GEOTHERMAL POOLS

THE SKY LAGOON

Our experience was fab. We spent the afternoon in this geothermal pool with a swim-up bar (the best spot to order a Prosecco Rosé ever!). The pool looks over a clifftop with breathtaking views of the North Atlantic. And if you’re looking for a true spa experience, do what we did and go for their seven-step cleansing ritual.

Book yourself in here

The Sky Lagoon

THE BLUE LAGOON

The Blue Lagoon has been around longer than the Sky Lagoon and is a tourist staple. It’s the best for great views of Iceland’s countryside while soaking in crystal-clear, mineral-rich waters, putting on a mineral-dense face mask, and sipping a crisp drink from the swim-up bar. 

Book yourself in here.

Blue Lagoon

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR TO TAKE IN NATURE

Book your tour HERE!

What you’ll see:

SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL, GLACIERS – walk, walk, walk near a massive wall of ice.

SKÓGAFOSS TOWERING WATERFALLS – prepare yourself to be wowed!!

REYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH -AMAZING scenery.

GEYSERS -yes the scenery and also seeing a geyser is THAT SPECTACULAR

WILDLIFE -hello cuties!

NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR

Tip: Book a trip for your first night. If the weather isn’t great, the trip will be canceled and they will reschedule it for you for free)

Book your tour HERE!

RESTAURANTS 

Check out Laugavegur Street and the following restaurants. 

Laugavegur Street – one of the oldest streets in the city – is where you’ll want to check out shops, cafes, bars, hotels, and restaurants. 

Reykjavik Kitchen

We love this place and they have great Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps)  

Make reservations here

Reykjavik Kitchen

Matarkjallarinn – FoodCellar

The food goes well with a Gull (popular Icelandic lager) or a Reyka Vodka (vodka made with glacial water)

Make reservations here

Matarkjallarinn - FoodCellar

Jungle Cocktail Bar

Go for a small plate of artisanal cheeses and crackers with a Kaldi beer

Make reservations here

Jungle Cocktail Bar

 

5 Places To Travel After A Breakup

We’ve all been there.

You know, crying our eyes out over someone you thought you’d be with for a long time. Or maybe it’s a situationship that ended but that you secretly hoped would turn into more.

And there you are in bed, checking your phone every few minutes to see if a message comes through that says they changed their mind, snot pouring out your nose.

((If you haven’t been there, then you’re lucky and a rare beast.))

To sum up, breakups are absolutely devastating. And you know you need some new perspective because yes at some level you know that you were with the wrong person.

The best way to get over a breakup is to get outside yourself! This is where travel comes in.

It’s time to get out of your head. 

Here are 5 of the best places to travel and get over an epic split from your ex.

We cover the best nature, island, or city life escapes that’ll give you that time away that you need.

Inspired to visit and have not yet booked your trip? *BOOK through Crewfare to lock in your hotel and pay over time.

ICELAND

It’s so spectacular here that it’s guaranteed to get you interested in new things. Hike, float around in the Blue Lagoon, and create new memories while you regain your footing. Check out this blog post on planning your Iceland itinerary here.

Northern Lights

CARIBBEAN

You know your attention will be focused on sunshine and beaches. Try escaping to one of these two Caribbean Islands:

GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS – known as a foodie hotspot.

Book your trip to this island here.

GRENADA – also called spice island because of the nutmeg plantations.

Book your trip to this island here.

Caribbean

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Naha is the capital of the Okinawa Islands and is a great spot to get away! The Makisha Public Market has solo dining stands for when you need a moment to eat and process. 

Spend time in a traditional Japanese onsen and cleanse away your past.

Okinawa, Japan

LONDON, ENGLAND

Spend an afternoon shopping at Harrod’s department store, snack in the Borough Market, grab a seat at a pub and chat with locals. You’re guaranteed to get the perspective you need.

London, England

NORWAY’S FJORDS

Sooth yourself, and spend some time in self-reflection, surrounded by peace in nature.

Norway

How To Save For Event Travel in 2023

Are you getting excited for all the fun events that are coming up in 2023? Whether you’re looking to party on the slopes, wine and dine by the beach, or mine some crypto, there are so many cool festivals, concerts and conferences coming up. It can be very hard to choose, and more importantly, it can be really hard to afford. Even once you’ve gotten tickets to a festival, you still need to get there, get around, feed yourself, and find a way to enjoy yourself without breaking the bank. So what can you do now to make space in your budget for some fun adventures in 2023? We have some ideas.

Psst–before you do any of these things, make sure you know where your money goes! Budgeting tips only work if you already have a budget. You can use an app like Mint or, if you’re a spreadsheet nerd, import all your credit card charges and bills into a spreadsheet and get to sorting. Even though getting to see Wilco in Iceland can feel essential, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got your main bills–rent, food, car, etc.–accounted for first. 

Many small tickets or one big event ticket?

Money for traveling to events and festivals probably comes out of some sort of “fun stuff” or “entertainment” category in your budget, so think about how you want to spend that money. For example, you could spend your fun stuff money in small amounts over time–let’s say several small concerts close to home–OR you could buy a weekend pass to a festival like Rolling Loud where you can see lots of your favorite artists in one go. 

Split travel costs with friends

Any event you want to go to will be even more enjoyable if you share it with your friends. You’ll also then be able to share things like: hotel rooms, taxi rides, meals, and more. If you get enough of a crowd together, you might even be able to investigate group rates (or, if you book through Crewfare, you can skip that step since they’ve already found the best group rates for any event you’re attending).

Economize now to spend later

It can be hard in the moment to decide whether or not any one individual purchase–a night out with friends, a third latte, a new jacket–is worth your money. But if you do your math ahead of time, you’ll be surprised how much money you can move out of one budget category into another. Propose a potluck night at home with friends instead of a dinner out at a fancy restaurant. If you skip your daily latte for a whole month, you’ll find yourself close to enough money for a plane ticket at the end of that month. Remind yourself that an outfit you already own (or one you’ve thrifted!) will look just as cute as a new one in the photos you take at Dreamville

Become a travel-hacker

Travel hacking is a way of smartly taking advantage of hotel, airline, and credit card rewards programs to “earn” upgrades and freebies when you are traveling. Definitely check in on your own finances before you get started (i.e. if you have a lot of credit card debt you’re already dealing with, this probably isn’t your best bet for you). Here’s a beginners guide to travel hacking, if you think this might be a good fit for you.

Fund your event travel with a side hustle

Side hustles aren’t for everyone, but if there’s a skill that you have, a craft you enjoy, or an activity you’re known for doing, see if you can convert that into a few paying gigs. Love dogs? See if there are any pet-sitting opportunities near you. Knit hats? See if there are any buyers on Etsy. Take good photos? See if there are any couples or families looking to do a photo shoot. Put all your proceeds into your travel fund and you don’t have to feel bad about any of your spending on event expenses.

 

Can’t Miss Miami Events In February

In most parts of the country, February is kind of the worst. Sure, there’s Valentine’s day, which is nice and all, but that’s a very fleeting bright spot in a month otherwise defined by darkness, slush, and the distinct ebbing of Holiday Spirits and New Year Energy. In Miami, though, the weather is warm without being hot, the sun is out, and the beaches are open. Here’s our picks for the best Miami events to check out this February and escape the winter doldrums!

SOBE Wine and Food Festival – Feb 23-26, 2023

For fans of good food and wine (or just fans of the Food Network), the SOBE Wine and Food Festival is pretty much a dream come true. With dozens of events ranging from a headlining Burger Bash with Emeril Lagasse to intimate dinners created by Michelin starred chefs to Masterclasses and neighborhood food tours, the SOBE WFF has something for everyone. Crewfare is excited to be partnering with SOBE WFF to bring you the best rates for hotels near Miami Beach. Bring your appetite!

Ground Up Music Festival – Feb 3-5, 2023

Music aficionados who want to branch out their playlists will certainly enjoy a weekend at the Ground Up Music Festival, happening February 3-5. It’s hard to pin down the exact type of music playing at the Ground Up Music Festival–it’s headlined, as usual, by Snarky Puppy, a Grammy-winning jazz ensemble. But it also features pop and blues-inspired artists, as well as acts from around the globe. This year Ground Up will host three days and nights of performances at the outdoor Miami Beach Bandshell in North Beach. 

We Belong Here – Feb 25-26, 2023

If what you need in February is to dance all night (and day), then We Belong Here, happening on Virginia Key Beach February 25-26, is for you. Featuring a 360* dance floor and 3 hour  sets from acts like Kaskade Redux and Lane 8, We Belong Here turns Virginia Key Beach (an Island just 10 minutes out from Miami’s Financial District) into a “pop up beach club”. Check out We Belong Here’s travel hub to get a feel for where you could stay to enjoy a weekend in Miami. 

Coconut Grove Art Festival – Feb 18-20, 2023

The Coconut Grove Art Festival is an almost 60-year-old tradition in Miami. This homegrown weekend showcases hundreds of artists. You can view juried prizes and purchase original artwork that you can add to your budding collection. It’s in a great location, overlooking Biscayne Bay, and you can check out cooking demonstrations and live music in addition to the beautiful art.  

Miami International Boat Show – Feb 15-19, 2023

If you’re a boat lover, the Miami Boat Show, happening February 15-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is the place you want to be. While there are tons of options for boat buyers to test drive and check out the latest models and types of boats, all those same options are available for people who just like to be out on the water on occasion. The boat show includes an indoor portion at the Convention Center and an outdoor portion on the docks, so you’ll get plenty of time enjoying the best of Miami’s sun and water.  This is another event partnering with Crewfare so make sure you check out our travel hub when you’re booking!

Can’t Miss California Music Festivals in 2023

As 2022 winds down and Spotify Wrapped reveals just how many times you listened to the same song on repeat (is it too basic to reveal our top two were Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny?), it’s time to think about what you want to listen to (and what events you want to travel to) in 2023. With so many great festivals happening up and down the Golden State, there’s something for every playlist out there. Here’s our top picks for California Festivals next year:

Rolling Loud LA – Inglewood – March 3-5

Rolling Loud is the world’s largest hip hop festival and its lineup for LA this year is stacked: headliners include Travis Scott, Future, and Playboi Carti and there are ton of well known acts as well as up-and-coming artists making appearances. Hip Hop is such a vital part of LA’s culture so being able to enjoy it with fellow fans in LA makes it that much better. If you thinking of heading out for the festival, don’t forget to check out Crewfare’s travel hub, which will get you the best rates on hotel reservations for Rolling Loud LA.

Coachella – Palm Springs – April 14-16 and 21-23

The classic–two weekends in the desert with some of music’s biggest acts. We couldn’t pick the most incredible of Coachella’s past performances so we picked some starting with the letter B: Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Black Pink, the Black Keys. The lineup for 2023 hasn’t been announced yet (though Frank Ocean, who had to cancel last year, will be there), but no matter who’s performing it promises to be an amazing weekend of listening, partying, and making memories with your friends in the sun.

Bottle Rock – Napa Valley – May 26-28

Bottle Rock is Napa Valley’s big music, food, and wine festival. Their lineups skew towards rock and pop, with enough variety to find something for even the most discerning musical palette. Plus you’ll be in one of the most beautiful parts of California enjoying wines from all the different vineyards and food from some of their award winning restaurants. Sounds like a perfect Cali Weekend to us. 

I Love RNB – Long Beach – May 27

This music festival makes it easy to remember why you love R&B, with Ashanti and Ja Rule at top billing and tons of other amazing R&B artists performing as well. The venue for RNB is the Queen Mary, in Long Beach, which is a super cool spot right on the water. California vibes and good times. Check out the Crewfare travel hub to get the best rates at a nearby hotel. 

Outside Lands – San Francisco – August 11-13

Outside Lands provides three days of amazing musical acts, cool art, great food, wine, beer, and cannabis–pretty much everything you think of when you think of San Francisco. It’s also got the perfect San Francisco venue, Golden Gate Park, right in the heart of SF. Outside Lands has a reputation as the festival all the locals go to, which makes its hometown vibe even more appealing. Don’t be surprised by the cold nights, even in August! 

 

Exciting Events at Echostage in December

Echostage is one of our favorite DC venues–part concert venue, part nightclub, 100% amazing dance music. That’s why Crewfare is so excited to be able to partner with them to provide amazing hotel options for their upcoming events. It’s not too late to plan a night out with some of your besties this month. Think of it as a holiday celebration that is actually fun. Here are some of the events, artists, and sets we’re most excited about this December:

Mersiv and more – December 10

We love Mersiv’s bass music and the way he mixes it with other unexpected melodies and sounds, so we’re super excited to see him perform at Echostage on December 10th. He’ll be in good company too, with Rusko, Minnesota, Canabliss, and Heyz all performing that night as well. Echostage is a big venue, with space for 3000 people, so you’ll be surrounded by fellow EDM lovers through all the performances. 

Sofi Tukker – December 16

Sofi Tukker–the house music duo of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halper–gives one of the best electronic music performances out there. Check out the review of their show this past June at Mission ballroom, which describes the pair as “pushing the genre forward with stylish flair and originality and, occasionally, transforming stages into musical tennis courts.” Wear your polo shirts and bring a visor to be part of the Wet Tennis theme when you come to Echostage.

Black Tiger Sex Machine – December 23

Black Tiger Sex Machine has been honing their act for over ten years so at this point you know they know how to bring the energy live. You might recognize the trio from their robot-cat helmeted, laser and pyrotechnic inflected shows. Or you might recognize them from their two metallic-sounding EDM albums, Futuristic Thriller and New Worlds. If you don’t recognize them at all, believe us when we say this is going to be an amazing live show that will let you lose your mind dancing.

GRiZ – December 27

GRiZ has put out an album almost every year since 2011, so he’s got a lot of amazing tracks to pull from for his set at Echostage on December 27. His August release of Rainbow Brain gave fans a treat as he pulled his dubstep beats together with groovy instrumentals and lyrics. GRiZ is known for his ability to keep his fans and crowds interacting with him before and during his concerts, so if you haven’t started listening to his music yet, there’s still time! This event will be the perfect capstone to the GRiZmas season.

Above & Beyond – New Year’s Eve

 

The best way to ring in the new year is to dance so hard and for so long that you don’t know whether it’s yesterday, today or tomorrow. While everyone else is singing Auld Lang Syne you and your friends should be on the floor at Echostage listening to Above & Beyond. The trance trio (Jono, Tony and Paavo) has been working on their craft for over twenty years and has the albums, remixes, and Grammys to go along with it. In other words, Echostage is bringing out the big guns to ring in the new year.

January Bonus: Deadmau5 – New Year’s Day

Idea for a New Year’s Resolution: dance more. You can get started right away by going to see living legend Deadmau5 on New Year’s Day at Echostage. Deadmau5 needs no introduction: he’s an EDM heavy hitter, with multiple grammys and a long discography (plus a Masterclass). His music is multi-layered, and his live performances are full of energy and perfectly synced light shows. Don’t miss out!

 

Tips on Planning Your Next Trip to The Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes, a Grade I stakes race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, is the second jewel of the Triple Crown. It is held every year on Armed Forces Day Weekend in May.

If you have the time and money, attending the Preakness Stakes every year is necessary, especially if you love the thrill of horse racing and being a part of the Triple Crown experience. You’ll come to exquisite lodgings, fine food, and a seat at one of the world’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse races. Here are some pointers to help you plan your vacation to the Preakness Stakes.

Our Insider Tips

When you’re heading to the Preakness Stakes, follow our trusted tips so you’ll have an amazing time. 

Tickets

The party on the iconic Preakness infield is well-known, and musical performers usually perform to add to the ambiance.

On race day, infield tickets are the only ones available at the track, so plan ahead if you want to be there and be able to buy a ticket for the infield. Tickets are also available for the Mug Club, an infield section that provides unlimited alcohol. These tickets sell out faster and are more expensive than standard infield tickets.

Seating tickets go on sale in October of the calendar year preceding the race. The better seating locations necessitate purchasing tickets for Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan, the weekend’s premier filly race, in conjunction with Preakness tickets. The most costly ticket package costs several hundred dollars; however, reserved seating is available for a lower price. You can get into the grandstand for less than $50 if you don’t mind not being assured seats. TicketFly.com sells reserved seating tickets for the Preakness.

Where Are You Staying

Because the Preakness is a local event, hotel prices in and around Baltimore are reasonable. Days Inn, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Renaissance, and Sheraton are just a few of the well-known hotel groups in downtown Baltimore. 

Feeling a bit overwhelmed as to where to stay? Not to worry, we can help. Crewfare is a corporate travel agency that is your best bet for locating hotels because it can provide an aggregated search of available hotels and high-quality reviews from prior guests.

Appreciating the Beauty of Baltimore

If you’re visiting this area, try some of the famous Maryland crab cakes. Faidley Seafood, Gertrudes, and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood are three excellent choices to get a bite of these tasty morsels. 

Not into seafood? The area has a number of other well-known eateries. Chaps Charcoal Restaurant has decent Baltimore-style barbecue, Barcocina serves excellent Mexican cuisine, and Union Craft Brewery, which opened in 2012, offers a refreshing change of pace. The taproom keeps drinkers happy on Thursday and Friday nights when the parking lot is filled with music, cornhole, and food trucks.

If you’re looking for the perfect cocktail, book a table at Bookmakers Cocktail Club on Federal Hill. So many incredible options!

 

CREWFARE MAKES GROUP TRAVEL ULTRA-EFFICIENT

Interested in attending next years’ Preakness Stakes but not sure where to start? We can help! Book your next trip with Crewfare and get the best accommodations at the Preakness Stakes. Our corporate travel software offers flexible payment options, 24/7 customer support, and easy check-in/check-out. If you choose to stay in a hostel during your travel, there are many other benefits to choosing one. Hostels are usually cheaper than hotels and guesthouses, have friendly staff and better facilities, and are more social places for guests.

It’s time to plan your trip to the Preakness Stakes. The biggest event of the year is almost here! Get your crew and go.