Atypical Events

Taliban Attacks Hinder Tourism in Pakistan’s Swat Valley

Posted by jessie under Amusement, Hotels

The Swat Valley is a lush, green and historic place situated in the region where South Asia, Central Asia and China meet.

Located just a few hours from the capital, Islamabad, Swat Valley used to be a prime tourist destination, with trout streams, golf, trekking trails and the only ski resort in the country. Considered to be the Switzerland of Pakistan, many were drawn to its breathtaking natural beauty until Taliban militants took over.

Last year, militants came into the area, halting tourism and business. Fighting and unrest in the area has led to a loss of tourism to the Swat Valley, including the closure of the popular ski resort at Malam Jabba.
read more »

10 Best Hotels in America Announced

Posted by bobbyb under Hotels

Not sure where you should be staying on your next vacation? Well we got you covered.

Expedia has recently announced the World’s Best Hotels and we wanted to showcase the American ones.

1. Sofitel Chicago Water Tower in Chicago, Illinois

read more »

America’s Most Haunted Hotels

Posted by jessie under Hotels

Slamming doors, cold gusts of wind, strange noises and flickering lights are all signs that you might not be alone in your hotel room. If you’ve ever been to any of these haunted hotels, you’ll know what I mean.

The Stanley Hotel-Estes Park, CO

The Stanley Hotel may be best known as the inspiration for the “Overlook Hotel” in Stephen King’s famous novel The Shining. Built by Freelan Stanley (of the Stanley Steamer), the Stanley Hotel has several permanent guests.

Freelan Stanley has been spotted in the lobby and the Billiard Room, his favorite room when he was alive. He has also been seen strolling through the bar, disappearing when the bartender tries to cut him off at the kitchen.

His wife, Flora, can still be heard playing the piano in the hotel’s music room and the piano keys can be seen moving. However, as soon as someone steps into the room to check it out, the keys stop moving and the room goes quiet.

Guests of room 418 might be a little taken aback by the strange noises that emanate from it, and the impressions left on the bed when no one has been in the room.

There have been reports of children playing in the hallway at night when no children are checked into the hotel, and some have claimed to have seen a red ball moving up and down the hallway like it was being passed between two kids.

Stephen King supposedly even witnessed the apparition of a child calling out to his nanny on the second floor. He stayed in room 217, which is a popular request of guests who stay at the hotel.
read more »

Locals Fight to Preserve Historic Luxury Hotel

Posted by jessie under Hotels, News

The historic Dallas Statler Hilton Hotel is now officially endangered. The 52-year-old structure in downtown Dallas was named one of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places” on the annual list put out by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Dallas Statler Hilton was considered to be very cutting-edge when it opened in 1956. At 20 stories tall it had 1,001 rooms and carried a price tag of $16 million to build. Its innovative architecture and features were ground-breaking and the hotel attracted many famous guests like Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley.

It was the first hotel to have many state-of-the-art features that are now commonplace in hotels today, like television in every room, modern conference facilities, a rooftop pool, and even elevator music.

Local preservationists are fighting to save the hotel, which closed in 2001.

read more »