When family comes to visit in New York, there are three governing factors in choosing a hotel:

· 1. They will constantly bring up price differences between New York and their hometown, so the hotel has to be running a deal.
· 2. Walking more than four blocks is considered extraneous exercise; the hotel needs to be next to or on top of a subway station.
· 3. If you don't take them to visit the World Trade Center site, you will be disowned.

More than fulfilling all three criteria, the Financial District's Millenium Hilton proved just right to satiate temperamental Midwesterners, especially since it boasts an indoor swimming pool.

We listed Brooklyn's Nu Hotel as one of the top five hotels in Brooklyn and ever since it opened, we have felt like it could be a place we wouldn't mind stashing our visiting parents, whether we lived in Manhattan or right around the corner.

Since our parents (or friends) haven't had a chance to check it out for themselves -- hammocks in the rooms and all -- we dropped into TripAdvisor to see what reviewers had to say.

Feedback was mostly positive -- a couple "teething problems," but nothing out of the ordinary for any recently-opened hotel. But what really jumped out to us were the number of reviewers who commented on

It's Friday. You've been working and you've just about had it. Unless you're one of those lucky people already at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver this weekend, in which case: We hate you. Now get off the Internet and buy us a pint!

The fest, administered by the Brewers Association, is a brewers' competition and a tippler's delight with some 1,800 beers. But you can't actually get a pint of any of them--instead, they are served in one-ounce tasting portions more familiar to fans of "Sideways" than, well, "Beerfest."

The show is sold out according to its organizers, but for the dedicated drinker Craigslist shall provide. The party runs through Saturday at the Colorado Convention Center.

Related Stories:
· A 750 Mile Taxi Ride For A Beer [Jaunted]
· Boozy Travel: World Beer Festival [Jaunted]
· Beer coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: duggus]

As if we didn't feel lazy and flabby enough, hunched over our glowing screens, pecking away about the few places we've visited and many places we haven't, we have Tina Turner to make us feel worse.

Not only did she stick it to that of an ex-husband of hers, Ike, by staging an incredible comeback in the 80s, but, 20 years later, she's still touring. Tina Turner Live in Concert hits the West Coast this coming week.

Starting Monday, the only woman who can make Madonna seem sprightly will perform three nights this week in and around Los Angeles before heading up the coast and over to Arizona. Tickets start at $65. Not bad, since Madonna's are usually double that.

Related Stories:
· Tina Turner Live [Official Site]
· Fall Music Travel: Aging Pumpkins Back on the Road [Jaunted]

[Photo: Poster Net]

Yesterday we told you that The Setai in Miami Beach was opening a property in San Diego called Setai San Diego. But guess what? That's totally wrong.

Yes, there is a property called Setai San Diego which will open in December but it has nothing to do with the Miami Beach property. Mad thanks to PatrickSW who tipped us off yesterday with this comment.

According to an article from January, The Setai Group, which created the Miami property, is not happy about the Setai San Diego.

In November, the Setai Group sued 5th Avenue Partners and its principal, Orange County developer Rebeil, alleging that the San Diego project is being falsely promoted as a

Just when things got a little healthier at the nation's theme parks, Burger King announced that it plans to create its first Whopper Bar next spring at Universal Studios Orlando. The new concept located within CityWalk will be about half the size of a usual restaurant and will try its best to be trendy.

These restaurants will feature all the usual fast-food favorites as well as a more customizable approach to the traditional burger that they're calling the Whopper Topper area.

If things go well in Orlando, officials are planning to open several more burger bars in other high traffic locations--like your local airport.

Related Stories:
· BK to Debut Whopper Bar Next Year [NRN]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jurek d.]

Her appearances on "The Hills" this season, apart from one memorable episode, have mostly been limited to asking LC about her drama. Now Whitney Port cashes in with her own series set in New York with herself in the spotlight.

Rumors about Whitney getting her own show have been running rampant for a few seasons--ever since she went to New York and tangled with SuperIntern Emily, really--but the blonde buddy Lauren met while interning at Teen Vogue a century ago finally confirmed the news. She'll be living in NYC and working for Diane von Furstenberg, whose show she was spotted at last month during Fashion Week.

We were hoping MTV would call the show something like, "The Skyscrapers" or "The Rivers" or "The New Jersey," but they've already allegedly decided on the name of the show and it's "The City."

Related Stories:
· It's Official: Whitney Port Gets Reality Show! [US Magazine]
· Post-Super Bowl Travel: Whitney Doesn't Take Sides [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

It's been a bit since we've heard anything out of the "Real World: Brooklyn" kids, but that doesn't mean they've stopped kicking around their nabe. City-centric blog NewYorkology spied the cast at Red Hook's landmark grocery store:

"Real World: Brooklyn" kids filming in the Fairway parking lot... in the backseat of a car.

There you have it: Even when laying low, reality stars are trashy.

Related Stories:
· "Real World: Brooklyn" Spotted Again in Red Hook [Jaunted]
· Chasing "Real World: Brooklyn" Map [Jaunted]

[Photo of Fairway: Live Search]

Just outside Miami lies the City of Doral, a suburb about 8 miles from M.I.A. that -- fun fact! -- took its name from the popular (and famous, we assume) Doral Golf Resort and Spa.

But movin' in on the city's namesake golf resort now is ultra-luxe The Blue, a brand new "urban luxury escape" that will lure the golf-loving travelers out of Miami.

Besides the obvious awesomeness of the name of the golf course the resort overlooks, The Blue Monster, the all-suite property has some baller amenities in every room:

Fully-equipped kitchens, oversized private verandas and marble-tiled five-fixture bathrooms with rain shower and stand-alone Jacuzzi bathtub accompanied with a flat screen television. The room

Are you excited to win a stay in this room?

Chris Shott over at the NY Observer has blogged about some contest that MTV is sponsoring with Marky Mark's new movie, Max Payne. The contest offers winners an NYPD-themed trip to Manhattan that includes a two-night stay at the "luxurious Hotel Pennsylvania." Those are MTV's words, not ours or Shott's.

This is yet another sign that MTV is totally out of touch. Why, they could have put the winners up at the Roommate Grace Hotel, formerly Hotel QT. It's got tiny boutique-style rooms but at least it's a heck of a lot cooler that the Penn. It also has some crazy pool parties and a location