BEST HOSTELS IN NYC: The Top 15 Places to Stay in August 2019

Posted: 1/10/2019 | January 10th, 2019

1/10/2019 | January 10th, 2019

New York City my be the city that never sleeps, but it’s definitely hard to find a (cheap) place to sleep here.

Accommodation in NYC is not cheap — and it’s often hard to find deals.

That’s (in part) by design.

There used to be a lot of hostels in NYC, but the hotel lobby got the city to use an old law meant to block tenements and limit the number of people that could stay in a single room. This effectively shut down most of the hostels in town, except for a few that were grandfathered in.

Now you’re only going to find a few hostels left.

Demand outstrips supply.

Even though there aren’t hundreds of hostels to choose from, there are enough to make a “best hostels in NYC” post, so you’ll know which are worth staying at (there are a few that are really terrible and to be avoided).

So, without further ado, here are…

The Best Hostels in New York City

1. Q4 Hotel

Q4 Hotel is a recently renovated hotel/hostel property with pretty basic rooms, but the beds are comfy and there’s plenty of light. The common room has a pool table and table tennis, and there’s a small kitchen for cooking. Located in Queens, this hostel is a great launching pad to exploring one of the best food neighborhoods in town! It’s a stone’s throw from the Queens Plaza station, where you can take the E line into Manhattan.

Q4 Hotel is a recently renovated hotel/hostel property with pretty basic rooms, but the beds are comfy and there’s plenty of light. The common room has a pool table and table tennis, and there’s a small kitchen for cooking. Located in Queens, this hostel is a great launching pad to exploring one of the best food neighborhoods in town! It’s a stone’s throw from the Queens Plaza station, where you can take the E line into Manhattan.

Dorm beds from $34. Private rooms from $120.

—-> Book your stay at Q4 Hotel!

2. Broadway Hotel & Hostel

This hotel/hostel is close to Central Park. The dorm rooms are small and a bit cramped, but the showers have great water pressure (and you can’t go wrong with that). It’s a nice place to just hang out: the hostel screens movies daily, and there’s a library (with a cozy fireplace), a lounge with a Nintendo Wii system, and a kitchen. If you’re looking for a comfortable place in a more relaxed environment, this is one of the better hostels in town.

This hotel/hostel is close to Central Park. The dorm rooms are small and a bit cramped, but the showers have great water pressure (and you can’t go wrong with that). It’s a nice place to just hang out: the hostel screens movies daily, and there’s a library (with a cozy fireplace), a lounge with a Nintendo Wii system, and a kitchen. If you’re looking for a comfortable place in a more relaxed environment, this is one of the better hostels in town.

Beds from $45. Private rooms from $90.

—-> Book your stay at Broadway Hotel & Hostel!

3. The Local NYC

This hostel is known for having one of the friendliest staffs in town. They really make it their mission to get people socializing, and you’ll find the common area is regularly used for hosting events, screening movies, or showcasing artwork. There’s also a roof terrace overlooking NYC’s skyline, and a bar with great cocktails (the bartenders are generous pourers). The rooms are clean and comfortable too!

This hostel is known for having one of the friendliest staffs in town. They really make it their mission to get people socializing, and you’ll find the common area is regularly used for hosting events, screening movies, or showcasing artwork. There’s also a roof terrace overlooking NYC’s skyline, and a bar with great cocktails (the bartenders are generous pourers). The rooms are clean and comfortable too!

Beds from $45.49. Private rooms available from $99.

—-> Book your stay at The Local NYC!

4. NY Moore Hostel

Located in the trendy, hipster neighborhood of East Williamsburg, this hostel has a central location as well as a host of nice amenities, including free street parking (which is rare in NYC). I also love how it’s covered in artwork and graffiti, which makes it extremely beautiful. The beds are average, but it’s a cozy hostel to stay at.

Located in the trendy, hipster neighborhood of East Williamsburg, this hostel has a central location as well as a host of nice amenities, including free street parking (which is rare in NYC). I also love how it’s covered in artwork and graffiti, which makes it extremely beautiful. The beds are average, but it’s a cozy hostel to stay at.

Dorm beds from $48 (winter), $58 (summer). Private rooms for three people also start around $80.

—-> Book your stay at NY Moore Hostel!

5. Chelsea International Hostel

This is one of the largest (and most centrally located!) hostels in town. One of NYC’s first, it has an outdoor courtyard, a dining area, and two kitchens. As an added bonus, all the dorms are single beds, so no top bunks here! Breakfast is included, and there’s a free pizza party on Wednesdays.

This is one of the largest (and most centrally located!) hostels in town. One of NYC’s first, it has an outdoor courtyard, a dining area, and two kitchens. As an added bonus, all the dorms are single beds, so no top bunks here! Breakfast is included, and there’s a free pizza party on Wednesdays.

Beds from $35. Basic single private rooms from $50.

—-> Book your stay at Chelsea International Hostel!

6. Blue Moon Hotel NYC

Blue Moon has an awesome location in the trendy Lower East Side neighborhood, which is full of bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s a good, basic place to sleep, but there’s no common area or communal kitchen, so don’t expect to make a lot of friends and socialize here.

Blue Moon has an awesome location in the trendy Lower East Side neighborhood, which is full of bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s a good, basic place to sleep, but there’s no common area or communal kitchen, so don’t expect to make a lot of friends and socialize here.

Beds from $52.25.

—-> Book your stay at Blue Moon Hotel NYC!

7. HI New York City Hostel

This is one of the biggest and most popular hostels in NYC. Located on the Upper West Side, there is a ton of space, an outdoor patio, free Wi-Fi, events and activities, and a huge kitchen. Lots of school groups and families stay here, too. It also hosts comedy, improv, and variety shows in the theater room. It’s the best hostel in town!

This is one of the biggest and most popular hostels in NYC. Located on the Upper West Side, there is a ton of space, an outdoor patio, free Wi-Fi, events and activities, and a huge kitchen. Lots of school groups and families stay here, too. It also hosts comedy, improv, and variety shows in the theater room. It’s the best hostel in town!

Beds from $55.

—-> Book your stay at HI New York City Hostel!

8. Jazz Hostels

These hostels are some of my favorite in New York City after the HI hostel. They both provide friendly environments, kitchens, and comfy dorms. Both places are popular for solo travelers, so you’ll find it easy to make friends. There are two locations:

• Jazz Hostel Columbus Circle – If you’re lucky, you might be able to find a bed as low as $20 — but it’s rare. Double private rooms are also available from $90.
• Jazz on the Park (Upper West Side) – Beds are $65–80, double private rooms are also available from $70.

These hostels are some of my favorite in New York City after the HI hostel. They both provide friendly environments, kitchens, and comfy dorms. Both places are popular for solo travelers, so you’ll find it easy to make friends. There are two locations:

—-> Book your stay at the Jazz Hostel Columbus Circle!

—-> Book your stay at the Jazz on the Park!

9. Harlem YMCA

There are five locations in town, but the only one worth talking about is the Harlem one. That’s the biggest and cheapest location, and it’s close to the train; it has a large common area, a courtyard, computers, and big, comfy dorms. The gym, pool, and group classes are included in the price of your stay.

There are five locations in town, but the only one worth talking about is the Harlem one. That’s the biggest and cheapest location, and it’s close to the train; it has a large common area, a courtyard, computers, and big, comfy dorms. The gym, pool, and group classes are included in the price of your stay.

There are only single and double rooms (with bunk beds). Singles are from $75 (in winter) and from $85 (in summer), plus
a $10 resort fee per night.

—-> Book your stay at the Harlem YMCA!

10. American Dream Bed and Breakfast

This cute, family-owned hostel considers itself a bed-and=breakfast: all rooms are private, and breakfast is free (including the fabulous homemade waffles). Plus, it has a great location near the Empire State Building, Union Station, and the Flatiron Building. The staff is very responsive and helpful.

This cute, family-owned hostel considers itself a bed-and=breakfast: all rooms are private, and breakfast is free (including the fabulous homemade waffles). Plus, it has a great location near the Empire State Building, Union Station, and the Flatiron Building. The staff is very responsive and helpful.

Rooms from $94.

—-> Book your stay at the Harlem YMCA!

11. Freehand New York

This isn’t a hostel, but I put it on the list because the rooms are fairly cheap for Manhattan and the place is just super cool. The décor and artwork by Bard College students give it an upscale feel. There’s a great bar and restaurant that’s popular with locals. The rooms aren’t huge, but they have enough space for you to move around. They are all modern and clean, and offer incredible value.

This isn’t a hostel, but I put it on the list because the rooms are fairly cheap for Manhattan and the place is just super cool. The décor and artwork by Bard College students give it an upscale feel. There’s a great bar and restaurant that’s popular with locals. The rooms aren’t huge, but they have enough space for you to move around. They are all modern and clean, and offer incredible value.

Rooms from $99.

—-> Book your stay at the Freehand New York!

13. The Jane

This historic hotel in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, was actually where the survivors of the Titanic were put up when they landed in NYC. Now it’s also one of the best budget hotels in town, with compact single rooms, comfy beds, and shared bathrooms. There’s a café downstairs and a popular nightclub on the weekends. It even offers complimentary bikes for in-town use.

This historic hotel in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, was actually where the survivors of the Titanic were put up when they landed in NYC. Now it’s also one of the best budget hotels in town, with compact single rooms, comfy beds, and shared bathrooms. There’s a café downstairs and a popular nightclub on the weekends. It even offers complimentary bikes for in-town use.

Singles from $125.

—-> Book your stay at The Jane!

14. International Student Center

This hostel on the Upper West Side isn’t just for students. It’s a pleasant place to stay, with free Wi-Fi, comfy and clean beds, kitchens to cook in, and an awesome common area. The age restriction is 18-35, though; you’re out of luck if you’re older! The location is really the main selling point for this place.

This hostel on the Upper West Side isn’t just for students. It’s a pleasant place to stay, with free Wi-Fi, comfy and clean beds, kitchens to cook in, and an awesome common area. The age restriction is 18-35, though; you’re out of luck if you’re older! The location is really the main selling point for this place.

Beds from $50.

—-> Book your stay at the International Student Center!

15. Brooklyn Riviera

A quaint, friendly hostel within walking distance to the A and C and #3 trains. Each dorm has four beds and plenty of storage, and there’s a nice backyard area where the staff regularly hosts barbecues. The Brooklyn Riviera looks a little rundown, but it’s well taken care of, and it’s comfortable enough for a short stay.

A quaint, friendly hostel within walking distance to the A and C and #3 trains. Each dorm has four beds and plenty of storage, and there’s a nice backyard area where the staff regularly hosts barbecues. The Brooklyn Riviera looks a little rundown, but it’s well taken care of, and it’s comfortable enough for a short stay.

Beds from $25.

—-> Book your stay at the Brooklyn Riviera!

***

After traveling to (and living in!) New York for so many years, I’ve experienced a huge variety of accommodations there. There are a lot of awesome places to stay, but these have become my favorites because of their relatively low prices, stellar locations, and general cleanliness. It’s a shame there’s not more cheap accommodation in the city, but these are the best hostels in NYC. Check them out and save your money for all the other things NYC has to offer!

Want to share your tips and advice? Got questions? Visit the community forum to ask questions, get answers, meet people, and share your tips!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Best Neighborhoods in Stockholm: Where to Stay During Your Visit in 2019

Posted: 6/2/2019 | June 2nd, 2019

Stockholm is one of my favorite cities in the world. I’ve been there more times than I can count, and I even tried to move there many years ago (spoiler alert: it didn’t work out the way I planned).

Made up of over 14 islands, Stockholm is home to incredible architecture, boasts a vibrant history, and has a nightlife that’s hard to beat.

To help you make the most out of your next trip there, here’s a breakdown of its best neighborhoods as well as some suggested places to stay — no matter your budget!
 

The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Stockholm

Best Neighborhood #1: Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s Old Town. It dates back to the 13th century and is the heart of the city. It’s where you’ll find many of the best tourist activities, such as the Nobel Museum and the Royal Palace, as well as all sorts of little shops tucked away down narrow alleys between medieval buildings. It’s touristy, but you can’t visit Stockholm without exploring this part of town. Staying here is a great option for anyone looking to be right in the center of the action.

The Best Places to Stay in Gamla Stan

• BUDGET: Archipelago Hostel Old Town – This hostel is centrally located in a 17th-century building. Though it’s very small, with only a few rooms and a small common area, this place is perfect if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
• MID-RANGE: Castle House Inn – Many of the rooms here have hardwood floors and large and classic wooden furniture, giving the inn a cozy and rustic feel. It’s in a wonderful central location for anyone planning to visit the popular sites nearby.
• LUXURY: Collectors Victory Hotel – This four-star hotel has a classic ambience inspired by its own antique maritime collection. Think antique shop meets bed-and-breakfast and you’ll get a sense of its atmosphere and design. Its restaurant sources local and organic ingredients, and it has a bar on-site, as well as a sauna and pool.

Best Neighborhood #2: Norrmalm

Norrmalm is the modern heart of Stockholm, home to its central station as well as the massive shopping street, Drottninggatan. You’ll find everything here, from restaurants and shops to the Royal Opera to several lovely city parks. It’s a great place to stay if you want to be in the heart of town, and it has more affordable options than Gamla Stan.

The Best Places to Stay in Norrmalm

• BUDGET: City Backpackers – This is my favorite hostel in Stockholm. Its mattresses and pillows are super cozy, and it has a huge kitchen, tons of common space, a free sauna, free pasta, and laundry facilities. It’s a very popular hostel, so book in advance!
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Terminus – This is located right across from the central station, from which you can make it to the airport in as little as 20 minutes. You’re also just a short walk from Drottninggatan. The rooms here are soundproofed, so you don’t need to worry about all that city noise either.
• LUXURY: Scandic Grand Central – This charming hotel is located in a building from the 1880s but boasts a fitness center, sauna, and also bike rentals.

Best Neighborhood #3: Vasastan

You’ll find plenty of green space in this part of town, and it’s much quieter and less touristy than neighboring Norrmalm. While there isn’t a whole lot to see or do nearby, it’s easy to get around from here, and accommodations are still quite affordable.

The Best Places to Stay in Vasastan

• BUDGET: 2Kronor Hostel Vasastan – This hostel is located in a historic brick house built in 1865. It’s a good option if you want something more upscale, as the rooms are quite spacious (many also have regular beds as well as bunk beds). The interior design has that classic Nordic minimalist feel, balancing rustic touches (like exposed stone and brick) with modern amenities. It’s a bit quieter too, making it a great place for anyone not looking to party late into the night.
• MID-RANGE: August Strindberg Hotell – With a cozy dining hall complete with a fireplace, as well as an outdoor garden area, this hotel is a great option for anyone looking to shop or explore the downtown area. Located in a charming building from the 1880s, it’s is located right near the major shopping street of Drottninggatan. It also serves a great buffet breakfast.
• LUXURY: Best Western Plus Time Hotel – This is the perfect option for anyone looking for unparalleled luxury in the heart of the city. Located on a quiet residential street, almost every room boasts a sauna, a relaxation room, a heated bathroom floor, and a balcony.

Best Neighborhood #4: Östermalm

This is one of the more posh areas of town, known for its high-class shopping district and affluent residents. It’s also the place to party as well, with tons of great bars and nightclubs calling the neighborhood home. If you plan on indulging during your stay, this is probably the neighborhood for you!

The Best Places to Stay in Ostermalm

• BUDGET: STF Gärdet Hotel & Hostel – This budget-friendly hotel has more of a hostel feel, with a fully equipped kitchen and common areas. There is free Wi-Fi and breakfast as well. It’s not right in the center of Stockholm, but that just means you’ll be away from the crowds and have more space to explore.
• MID-RANGE: Pärlan Hotel – This family-owned, three-star hotel has a classic feel with a modern twist. With wooden floors, fireplaces, and quaint balconies, it really does emulate the charm of Stockholm. And it’s just a couple metro stops from Gamla Stan too.
• LUXURY: Elite Eden Park Hotel – Boasting a gym, a sauna, free Wi-Fi, and an Asian-inspired restaurant run by Swedish chef Melker Andersson, this hotel is a great option for anyone looking to indulge. The breakfast buffet is incredible, and the staff are helpful and incredibly professional.

Best Neighborhood #5: Kungsholmen

Located across the water from Norrmalm, this is more of a laid-back area. It’s growing in popularity and offers plenty of restaurants and cozy cafés. It has a lot of green space, including some walking trails. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for something a bit quieter away from the busy city center (yet still convenient enough to get anywhere with ease).

The Best Places to Stay in Kungsholmen

• BUDGET: Lodge32 Hostel – This is a simple, eco-friendly hostel with a no-frills atmosphere. It’s a short walk to the central station and great for anyone on a tight budget who doesn’t need anything fancy.
• MID-RANGE: Hotell M/S Monika – This is no average hotel, as it’s located on a refurbished ship from 1908. It may be cozy, but it’s absolutely charming and one of the most unique accommodations in town. There’s a huge breakfast each morning too!
• LUXURY: Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm Kungsholmen – Next door to Rålambshovsparken, a spacious park, the Courtyard is a stylish choice for anyone looking for luxury but also some peace and quiet. The rooms are spacious, and there’s free Wi-Fi and a fitness center to help you relax and enjoy your stay.

Best Neighborhood #6: Djurgården

After Gamla Stan, this island is probably the most popular area of the city for visitors. It’s home to the Vasa Museum, the ABBA museum, and Skansen (an open-air historical museum), where there are live concerts throughout the summer. There is even an amusement park on Djurgården too (Gröna Lund).

The Best Places to Stay in Djurgården

• BUDGET: There aren’t too many budget options on Djurgården. Your best bet is to try Airbnb or stay in a nearby neighborhood like Gamla Stan or Östermalm.
• MID-RANGE: Pop House Hotel – This hotel is actually located in the same building as the ABBA Musuem (hence the name). It has a chic modern design and is just a five-minute ride from Stockholm’s center.
• LUXURY: Hotel Hasselbacken – This beautiful hotel is right beside Skansen and Gröna Lund. It has a spa and fitness center, as well as a great restaurant with both traditional Swedish cuisine and international fare. It also has a kids’ playroom with toys and movies if you happen to be traveling with children.

Best Neighborhood #7: Södermalm

Södermalm (usually just referred to as Söder) is the artistic heart of Stockholm. You’ll find all sorts of shops and boutiques here, as well as some great cafés. It’s generally a bit more affordable and is a favorite district of locals. It’s also the area of Stockholm made popular by the Millennium Series (which includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

The Best Places to Stay in Södermalm

• BUDGET: Skanstull Hostel – Skanstull is my second-favorite hostel in Stockholm. It was remodeled a few years back and has a brand-new, larger common area and kitchen (one of the nicest I’ve seen in a hostel in a long, long time).
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Söder – This hotel doesn’t look like much from the outside, but you’ll be surprised once you arrive. It’s modern and cozy, with comfortable beds and tons of great restaurants nearby. The Swedish breakfast here is delicious too.
• LUXURY: Clarion Hotel Stockholm – With a spa, fitness center, and some great views of the islands, you’ll be able to kick back and indulge at the Clarion. It has a top-notch restaurant that boasts an impressive menu of Central and South America cuisine, and there’s a terrace where you can eat and relax in the summer.

***

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or looking to indulge in a little Scandinavian luxury, Stockholm will have something to keep you entertained.

While it’s not the most budget-friendly city in the world, it has a lot to offer. No matter what your interest or travel style, you’ll be able to find a neighborhood that suits your needs — as well as an amazing place to stay to help you make the most of your time in one of Scandinavia’s best cities.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Stockholm!

For more in-depth coverage of Stockholm, my 80-page guidebook is perfect for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries; budgets; ways to save money; on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do; non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars; and much more! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Stockholm: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone has been left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use it all the time. It’s my favorite website!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Stockholm?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Stockholm with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: Solis Invicti, Daša, 5, Manuel Menal, Wikipedia, 8

How to Travel Better: A T+L Master Class

It's not January, but that doesn't mean you can't make a resolution — to be a smarter traveler.

And there's no better time to commit to improving your travel skills than right after summer vacation: Think back on the trips you took — or didn't take — this summer. Did you get a great deal on flights? Pay too much for a hotel? Did you avoid the crowds? What could have been better, if you did it all again?

Related: 'Operation Vacation' Exclusive Travel Deals and Discounts

Because every traveler has room to improve their travel skills, Travel + Leisure has put together a resource that can be your definitive source for traveling smarter.

This is T+L's travel master class, where you'll find insider tips and expert guidance. So if you want to know how to get the cheapest airfare, how to save on a last-minute hotel, and how to find the perfect travel shoe, you're in the right place.

Bookmark this page. You're going to need it.

Here's How to Book The Safest Room in a Hotel (Video)

Originally published March 29, 2016.

Safety is at the forefront of most travelers’ minds, not matter how short or rote the trip. How well can you protect yourself? What steps should you take to better ensure your safety? Travel + Leisure first tackled this topic with a post on the safest seat on the airplane—and now we've got intel on the safest room in a hotel.

Rob Walker, head of information and analysis for travel security at London-based International SOS, told the MailOnline Travel which rooms are the best to book for a better chance of survival in the event of a fire, attack, or disaster. If traveling in the United States, his suggestions include choosing a room above the first or second floors yet lower than the sixth or seventh floors. The reason? Those rooms are out of harm's way in terms of burglars, but low enough that you could survive a fall if you needed to jump. It’s also within reach of most fire department ladders.

“We also recommend travelers request rooms on the side of the building further away from the lobby, which is likely to be the main entry point for any attacker,” Walker said. “It is preferable to also choose the side away from other public areas, such as hotel restaurants, as those areas can be a target area, and rooms that are not easily accessed from the street, so as not to be an easy target for criminals. Yet, ideally it is good to be near the emergency exit stairs.”

Along with having things like an emergency evacuation plan ready to go, Walker recommends keeping a few other things in mind:

• Avoid rooms with interlocking doors if possible.
• Choose hotels that are not in high crime neighborhoods.
• Make sure your room has the following: deadbolts, an eyehole, and evacuation procedures.
• Pack a doorstop.
• When you enter, prop your hotel room door open with your luggage and do a quick sweep to make sure there are no intruders.
• Have a grab bag of essentials including your passport, water, and phone charger prepared in advance.

Responsible Travel

Tourism as a whole has deep a impact on the world: on the one hand, it can, and does, contribute waste, reduce natural resources, and disturb precious ecosystems. On the other, the tourism industry plays a vital role in community development, conservation efforts, and promoting cultural heritage. While we may never completely erase our human footprint on the world’s landscapes, we can make efforts to embrace responsible travel and combat those negative effects.

The Rise of Ecotourism

Every choice made by the travel industry affects the environment, but traveling responsibly is never out of reach, thanks to more and more companies prioritizing sustainable practices. Hotels are implementing careful construction, leaving land undeveloped over a highly manicured lawn. Airline carriers are turning to alternative fuels that absorb carbon and allowing customers to buy carbon offsets with frequent flier miles. Even cruise lines are beginning to see change, from outsourcing food from sustainable fisheries to funding coral-reef restoration projects. Year in and year out, more and more companies push the envelope for responsible travel, through sustainability, community development, conservation, and cultural preservation. Each has a unique global vision to protect and preserve the place we travel through. Lightening one’s footprint begins by reducing the energy used—in hotels or airports, reinvigorating declining urban centers with edgy, art hotels, creating extraordinary experiences that introduce travelers to local causes, caring for (and restoring) threatened habitats. 

How can I be an eco-friendly traveler?

Above all, consider your own impact. Some simple solutions you can incorporate on any trip: turn down your hotel room’s AC (or better yet, turn it off), reuse hotel towels, pack lightly, rent a hybrid car, take a shorter cruise, stay in a LEED-certified hotel, walk instead of jumping in a quick cab, and carry your own water bottle. 

Celebrity Travel

There’s something about the lives of superstars that keeps the world enraptured, especially when comes to the topic of celebrity travel—they’re on the move more than most of us, and there’s something irresistible about watching their every move: where they go on vacation and their over-the-top honeymoons, the airport of their latest on-camera melt-down, what latest designer bag they toted on the way to that hot-hot-hot restaurant du jour. Thanks to rabid paparazzi and the powers of Instagram, we know when our favorite stars of stage and screen take lavish trips to exotic destinations. 

Celebrity Vacations

Ever want to rub elbows with the glitterati, or just increase your chance of a celebrity sighting? Certain destinations have serious star power—Hawaii and Barbados for the holidays, Aspen for the ski season, Los Cabos for the luxury resorts. From their favorite beach destinations to hotels, T+L stays on the pulse. From celebrity photos, the industry gleans where the hot scene is (or is about to be) and informs the world of what fashions one should wear in transit, at the airport, and by your hotel pool. Of course, privacy to them is paramount, which is why they flock to hotels offering seclusion and quiet. Fashion fames love Paris’s Hotel Plaza Athénée for its romantic vibe and jaw-dropping city views, while movie stars head to the isolated Caneel Bay Resort in the USVI for some blissful r&r.

Peeking into lives above our own—of endless glasses of rosé, leisurely midweek lunches, five-star hotels—feeds our hunger for living a life above our own means. Though we may never be able to afford renting out entire hotels or even islands, it’s easy to tour the world like the stars—even if it’s from your own living room. Check back here for the latest news and sightings.