ANOTHER VIRGIN?

Might have just found out some of the best news ever. Well...sort of. Virgin will soon be opening Virgin Hotels. That's right, the same service, quality and innovation that we've come to love with Virgin America, Atlantic, Trains...will now be in the hotel sector. First stop? Chicago in 2013.

Virgin Hotels has purchased the Dearborn Bank Building, a Chicago landmark. It was one of only two office buildings designed by famous theater architects Rapp & Rapp. Virgin Hotels will keep the outside as it and accent it's architectural splendor inside. A sigh of relief for such a great company like Virgin to come in and preserve the landmark as opposed to gentrifying/tearing down. We love this idea of keeping the skyline as is and simply making the inside 2011, if you get my drift. I'm a much bigger fan of the nostalgia than I am the gleaming metal and glass that has come around as of late.

We expect that Virgin will do exceptionally well in their hotel venture. Some hotels will open prior to the 2013 opening of the Chicago property, but it remains to be seen as to where they will be.

I mean...Virgin America, but on the ground? Alright.

-Justin

A DEFINITE LOCAL FIND

Stash Hotel Rewards

So Lindsey and I always talk about staying local. We talk about it, of course, because we love it. It's our favorite thing. My favorite thing are the hotels. Hands down. My dad introduced me to the glitz and glamour of hotels (mainly never having to clean up after yourself) back when I was little and he was working at Hilton. Ever since, I've been pretty obsessed with hotels. BUT I DIGRESS!

About 2 weeks ago, Lindsey and I met an incredible woman named Sarah Mann at the TBEX LA Convention(Travel Blog Exchange). Actually...we stalked Sarah ahead of time and when we met it was love at first...um...meet? I guess? Why you ask? Because Sarah works for Stash Hotel Rewards. An independent hotel reward system. I'm sorry...what?

Exactly...NOW, you have zero excuse for not staying at an independent hotel. Stash is revolutionizing the hotel marketplace by creating a points system for travellers who LOVE to stay local.

Telluride Hotel on Stash Hotels

Here is the deal, you sign up at Stash Hotel Rewards and then, by exploring all the hotels that they have partnered with, you can chose where you'd like to stay to earn points. It's a pretty good list of hotels right now and while only select cities are currently participating, that's changing everyday. You usually earn 5 points for every dollar you spend. So if you book a hotel room at $202 a night, for 2 nights, you would earn 2,020 points. You can then redeem those points for free nights at other hotels within the Stash Network. I've seen rooms redeemable for as low at 8,000 points.

Also, they have a "Specials" section that I'm addicted to. Discounts and double points off tons of hotels. Going to be bankrupt much? Cause I will.

Here is the best part: Sarah hooked us and you all up with a 500 point jump start on a free stay. Click here to be taken to The Localphiles Stash Rewards sign up page. Enter your info and you're
on your way.

All in all, it's a great way to stay at your favorite independent, local hotel, support a local business and get rewarded with free stays all over the country in the end.

-J.