So you’re shipping off to Boston to cheer on the Bronx Bombers for one of baseball’s most storied rivalries? Fear not – even in enemy territory! As the Official Last-Minute Hotel Booking Partner for the New York Yankees (get the app here), we’ve got your back for where to stay, where to eat and where to celebrate when your team wins.

Pro tip: qualified bookings score you access to HT Pros, our real-live, in-app concierge. Hit up your HT Pro to ask for anything from extra pillows in your room to a rec for the best whiskey bar nearby.

STAY HERE

Heads up that hotels on the app are always changing based on availability. These are a few of our favorite spots to stay in the city, but we’d recommend anywhere you find on the app (we screen all of our hotels and show you the best deals at the best places). One more pro tip: you can tap the map in the app, scroll to a specific neighborhood or area and hit “Redo Search” to see hotels there.

Hotel Commonwealth
Neighborhood: Back Bay

 Hotel Commonwealth is the Yankees’ home away from home when they’re on the road in Boston. It’s classic Boston, with luxuriously comfortable rooms, exceptional service and classic elegance. And the location knocks it out of the park – it’s two blocks from the ballpark, in the heart of Back Bay.

The Verb Hotel
Neighborhood: Fenway

This vintage hotel was given a hip makeover with bright pops of color, pop art and music memorabilia. There’s a fun pool and it’s just a couple minutes to Fenway by foot.

The Liberty
Neighborhood: North End/Beacon Hill

Formerly a jail housing Boston’s most infamous criminals, it’s now notorious for its fun nightlife, great restaurants and sleek style that marries historic details (like cell bars) with swanky modern updates.

The Eliot Hotel
Neighborhood: Back Bay/Fenway

Built in 1925, it’s got an air of historic elegance with contemporary European rooms and a wicked Back Bay location next to the Harvard Club and steps from Newbury Street shops and restos.

Copley Square Hotel
Neighborhood: Back Bay

Part old school, part modern and urban, this spot is both comfortable and cool. It’s also got an ace downtown location near Newbury Street.

Revere Boston Common
Neighborhood: Back Bay

Classy and modern, with a rooftop deck, a fun lounge and a great location right off Boston Common.

Boston Park Plaza
Neighborhood: Back Bay

This classic landmark two blocks from Boston Common recently underwent a great modern renovation. It’s sleek, classy and historic.  

The Lenox Hotel
Neighborhood: Back Bay

Property is historic and elegant, but fitted out with mod cons. Great cocktails at the bar, and a sweet location one block from Copley Square.

Envoy Hotel
Neighborhood: Seaport

This one’s not so close to Fenway, but the hip Fort Point waterfront spot is worth the trip. It’s got a sweet rooftop bar overlooking the river and swanky, tech-savvy rooms.

EAT HERE

Eastern Standard, in Hotel Commonwealth’s lobby, is on the short list for best cocktail joints in Boston, and there’s a rotating late-night menu from 11pm to 1am. You might just see one of your favorite sluggers grabbing a post-game bite before retiring upstairs for the night.

You won’t find any Nathan’s Famous hot dogs at the Boston ballpark. Might as well head in a different direction with all the savory pig parts you can handle at the Salty Pig. It’s all about charcuterie and stinky cheese paired with a solid wine and cocktail list at this neighborhood joint.

Head to Hojoko to immerse yourself in Japanese pop culture and enough Izakaya-style eats, frozen cocktails and sake to make you forget that you’re in hostile territory. You’ll know you’re there when you see Hojoko’s drunken baby logo.

Once you have your room key at the Liberty, there’s really no reason to leave this former lockup. There’s an abundance of options – from seafood at Clink to The Alibi for cocktails and a fun scene. If you’re dying to escape, take a short walk to Union Oyster House, a seafood spot that’s also Boston’s oldest restaurant.

You can agree to disagree about baseball, but there’s no denying that Boston has some excellent options for seafood. Atlantic Fish Company is a haven for award-winning New England clam chowder, fresh catch of the day options and a raw bar.

STRIP by Strega in the lobby of the Boston Park Plaza has great steakhouse eats and a Vegas-style atmosphere where the house lights don’t turn on until 2am.

For hearty Bavarian-style eats and a beer hall experience, head to Jacob Wirth. Jake’s has everything from schnitzel to Boston clam chowda, and yes, boots and buckets o’ beer.

Outlook, the rooftop bar at the Envoy is perfect for those who prefer their locally-sourced eats with a side of killer skyline and harbor views.

Visiting for the big games? As the Official Last-Minute Hotel Booking Partner for the New York Yankees (get the app here), we’ve got the inside scoop on where to stay (and what to eat) along the 7 Line to Citi Field.

Pro tip: qualified bookings score you access to HT Pros, our real-live, in-app concierge. Hit up your HT Pro to ask for anything from extra pillows in your room to a rec for the best whiskey bar nearby.

STAY HERE

Heads up that hotels on the app are always changing based on availability. These are a few of our favorite spots to stay in the city, but we’d recommend anywhere you find on the app (we screen all of our hotels and show you the best deals at the best places). Pro tip: you can tap the map in the app, scroll to a specific neighborhood or area and hit “Redo Search” to see hotels there.

Bryant Park Hotel
4-minute walk to 5 Av, 7 Line 8 stops to Mets-Willets Pt Station

Iconic Art Deco building that overlooks – you guessed it – Bryant Park, with swanky glam decor in the common areas and sleek minimalism in the rooms.

The Gregory
11-minute walk to 5 Av, 7 Line 8 stops to Mets-Willets Pt Station

Just a block from the Empire State Building, this convenient spot fuses historic grandeur (think stained glass and marble) with sleek, modern comfort.

The Tuscany
7-minute walk to 42 St, 7 Line 7 stops to Mets-Willets Pt Station

Central but quiet, on a tree-lined Murray Hill Street, with bigger rooms than you’ll typically find in Manhattan.

The William Hotel
8-minute walk to 5 Av, 7 Line 8 stops to Mets-Willets Pt Station

Vibe is bold and contemporary, with a bright, monochromatic color palette and eye-popping original pieces from artist William Engel.

Dylan Hotel
7-minute walk to 42 St, 7 Line 7 stops to Mets-Willets Pt Station

A mere block from Grand Central, with an understated Beaux Arts style and modern rooms.

The Roosevelt
8-minute walk to 5 Av, 7 Line 8 stops to Mets-Willets Pt Station

This historic landmark is also just steps from Grand Central. Cozy rooms combine classic style with contemporary touches.

EAT HERE

Miss Korea BBQ is 24/7 Korean BBQ spread over three different floors. You’ll probably want to skip the business-focused second floor and go straight to the marinated ribs on the lively first or third.

For a legit old-school New York diner experience, swing by Scotty’s. It’s open ‘round the clock and serves up a little bit of everything (except booze). The breakfast griddle specialties are an especially good choice any time of day.

Slide into all sorts of Japanese deliciousness at Sake Bar Hagi, which offers one of the most authentic experiences for Izakaya-style dining. That means as many grilled and fried small plates as you can handle, washed down with copious amounts of beer and sake (natch).

Head to The Ginger Man for an elevated pretzel and hot dog experience, but that’s not the main attraction. The tap room features a changing selection of 70 beers on tap and more than 150 bottles. There’s enough bar, bench and table seating to let the good times roll until the 2am closing time.

Uncle Paul’s Pizza, a neighborhood fave, serves hot pies and other Italian standbys 24 hours a day. It’s a great stop for a late-night snack or breakfast pizza (no judgment). 

Greg Peters has what many people would consider a dream job: Director of Brewing and Cellaring at Saint Archer Brewery in San Diego. We chatted with him about the craft brew movement, his band Dead Feather Moon, and what it’s like to travel for beer.

So, what do you do?

My title is Director of Brewing and Cellaring. I’m in charge of the brewhouse, the cellar, the lab and the barrel program. My duties involve quality control, managing people and occasionally I get out on the floor and get my hands dirty. I still do all of the barrel work, which includes developing recipes, filling barrels, racking barrels, blending and that kind of stuff.

How does being on the road inspire your work?

We do two big trips every year, the Craft Brewers Conference and the Great American Beer Festival. I think the most important reason to travel is networking and talking to friends who are brewers on the other side of the country. That’s probably the most amazing thing about the craft brewing industry, the community aspect is so strong and everybody is willing to share their ideas. We’re all in it together. Everybody is trying to make the best beer that they can.

How does it feel when you are out there meeting people from all over the country?

I think the greatest part about visiting Great American Beer Festival is when you first walk into the floor of the festival. It’s such a huge room and there’s this roar that comes from the sea of people. There are hundreds of breweries and tons of people drinking beer. It’s one of those magical feelings that puts what you do on a daily basis into perspective. You realize you are not just grinding along making beer every day for no reason. There are people out there that absolutely love it and appreciate what you do. It gives purpose to your work.

When we are out there, we also go out and visit as many breweries as we can in our free time. We typically take 10 to 15 people, and we rent a big van to go from brewery to brewery to look at different approaches and techniques. Of course, the most important thing is sampling all the different types of beer, as well. It’s inspiring when you try something that you never thought of brewing before. You come home and try to put your own spin on it.

What do you hope your legacy will be at Saint Archer and within the craft beer industry?

When I started brewing in San Diego, there were about 15 breweries and everybody knew each other. Those 15 breweries were run by what we consider the first generation of craft brewers in San Diego. I feel like myself and my contemporaries are the second generation of San Diego craft brewers. There are now close to 150 breweries in San Diego, which is just absolutely insane.

I guess my legacy would be the third generation. I’m just about 40 years old, and almost our entire brewhouse staff and seller team is under 30 years old. I’m guiding them, but also letting them do what they want to do because they have different ideas about how beer is supposed to taste and smell. I try to let their creativity shine through, but I also show them the practices and philosophies that were instilled in me.

You also sometimes travel as a member of the band Dead Feather Moon (tip: they’re playing at the Casbah next weekend). Does travel influence how you create music and your approach to making craft beer?

Absolutely. Going out of town and playing with other bands is just like going to Great American Beer Festival and visiting other breweries. You look at other bands’ equipment, how they approach songwriting, what their influences are and how they can influence our performance or songwriting.

The more you see, the more influences you have and the more adventurous you tend to get. If you spend too much time just brewing beer and drinking beer in your own town, you don’t have a chance to expand your little bubble. It’s the same with music, if you are only writing and performing in your own town, your bubble doesn’t have a chance to grow. It’s important to get out of town and experience different approaches.

As the Official Last-Minute Hotel Booking Partner for the New York Yankees (get the app here), we’re your go-to not only for a great place to stay, but also for where to eat, drink and be merry while you’re in town for the big games. Here’s what we’d do, if we were you. 

STAY HERE

Heads up that hotels on the app are always changing based on availability. These are a few of our favorite spots to stay in the city, but we’d recommend anywhere you find on the app (we screen all of our hotels and show you the best deals at the best places). Pro tip: you can tap the map in the app, scroll to a specific neighborhood or area and hit “Redo Search” to see hotels there.

6 Columbus
3-minute walk to 59 St, B Line 12 stops to 161 Street - Yankee Stadium Station

This futuristic-meets-retro spot is just off Columbus Circle. Less crowded than Times Square, the area still has plenty to offer, including Central Park (a two-minute walk).

Dream Midtown
4-minute walk to 7th Ave, B Line 13 stops to 161 Street - Yankee Stadium Station

Perfect for a dreamy stay: modern yet colorful, stylish but comfortable. The vibe is boutiquey with a dash of Euro-club.

Park Central
3-minute walk to 7th Ave, B Line 13 stops to 161 Street - Yankee Stadium Station

Modern, neutral and soothing rooms get a splash of personality from the bold wall art. And it lives up to its name with a super-central location.

Viceroy Central Park
9-minute walk to 59 St, B Line 12 stops to 161 Street - Yankee Stadium Station

Masculine, modern ship cabin vibe heavy on the leather, brass and exotic woods. Cruise into the tech-savvy rooms equipped with smartphone remotes and a Beats by Dre sound system.

Le Parker Meridien
6-minute walk to 7th Ave, B Line 13 stops to 161 Street - Yankee Stadium Station

Classy vibe with quirky touches – it’s Uptown, not uptight. Hit up the impressively huge gym with the works (or don’t; you do you), plus check out the enclosed pool with killer Central Park views.

Hilton Garden Inn Central Park South
4-minute walk to 7th Ave, B Line 13 stops to 161 Street - Yankee Stadium Station

A classic done right. Convenient, comfortable and central. Extras like microwaves and fridges save you time – and cash.

EAT HERE

For a true old school NYC hot dog experience, head to the original Gray’s Papaya on 72nd and Broadway. But prepare for a debate if you dare to put ketchup on yours – some say true New Yorkers only put spicy mustard and sauerkraut on their dog.

Steps from the Viceroy is Quality Italian (that’s its actual name… Who’s On First?). A modern take on the traditional old school Italian-American steakhouse from the same people that run Quality Meats (a mainstay on the midtown dining scene since 2007).

Burger Joint in the Le Parker Meridien is still a NY classic. No-frills burgers and fries with an old school 70’s NYC vibe. Just look behind the curtain in the main lobby and you will find the neon burger sign… and you can’t miss that burger smell.

From street cart to brick-and-mortar joint, Halal Guys has been serving up stellar fast-casual Middle Eastern/Mediterranean eats since 1990. Be wary of imposters, and don’t skip the world-famous white sauce.

The MFG group (Carbone, Sadelle’s, Dirty French) recently took over an old iconic NYC space (former site of The Four Seasons restaurant) and opened two of NYC’s hottest new restaurants, The Grill, The Pool and Pool Lounge. It’s on on the pricier side, but worth it.

When you hear the term “road warrior” what comes to mind? Bad airport food and efficiently packed rolling bags? Stale hotels and conference rooms? We’re challenging the idea that all business travelers wear suits – and chat with emerging musicians about their life on the road.

Life on the road can be a bit surreal for David Alexander, the mastermind behind Swedish dream pop act Summer Heart. Days on tour sometimes turn into an alternate universe of music venues, hotel hallways and beds. He tallied more than 200 days away from home last year, with extended visits to New York, a muse for his new album 101. We caught up with Alexander in a phone interview from Sweden to find out more about what inspired his new single “Hotel Beds,” his travel essentials and how he makes the most out of a busy travel schedule.

What inspired your new single?

The single is part of my new LP that is coming out later this summer, 101. The whole LP is about my love/hate relationship with music. Music is my life, and I love it, but sometimes I hate it. Every song on the LP is a little love story about my life with music.

The song “Hotel Beds” is about touring. I spend a lot of time on the road. Last year, I was away for about 250 days. Most days, I travel and stay in a new hotel bed. It’s going from town to town, not knowing what day it is or where you are. It’s a weird feeling; you get detached from reality when you are touring. It’s nice, but it’s also a bit scary. That’s where the inspiration comes from.

What are some of your travel essentials?

When I first started touring, I took way too many things. Now, I only bring the clothes I really need and a good book. There is so much waiting on tour, and you’re hanging out with the same four people all of the time. It’s nice to switch environments into the fictional world for a little bit.

I also like to bring my camera. I had the idea to take a photo of every hotel room I stay in, so I started doing that.

Do you have any travel tips?

There’s one thing that I think makes life easy with headphones, chargers and lots of small items. I always try to organize them inside a hard sunglasses case.

How does being on the road inspire your music?

Traveling is a big part of being a musician and an artist. It’s inspiring when you are on tour because you meet a lot of positive people, and people who actually want to meet you.

Seeing different cultures and new places, you learn a lot about the world and also realize that the world is kind of a confusing place. It’s inspiring when you start to think about how everything works and why things are the way they are. You also learn about yourself. When I am in Sweden I don’t feel really Swedish. But when I travel, especially to other continents, I feel very Swedish and European. That’s nothing I had thought about before I started touring.

You kind of become a national representative when you are on the road.

Yeah, when I go to the U.S., for example, I often hear people say, “You’re so European.” I feel kind of European when I’m there, but I don’t feel that in Europe because it’s such a broad spectrum of different things.

You also kind of become a different person when you switch languages. It’s more difficult to express things in words. It’s nice to be able to do that with music, instead.

What’s the last city you fell in love with?

I really like New York. What a cliché, isn’t it? Beyond that, I like Budapest, Hungary. I had a couple of days off earlier this year and decided to go there. We stayed for two weeks, walked around and visited local bars and coffee shops. I spent a lot of time writing poetry and lyrics, and gathering my thoughts. It was a really nice city; I can definitely recommend it.

Is it true that New York also inspired your new album 101?

101 is definitely a New York album for me. A lot my time off last year was spent in New York, staying with friends and observing. I wanted to make something different than my debut album. It was nice to go to another continent, collect my thoughts and put them into 10 songs. Changing environments is really important for me. 

When you hear the term “road warrior” what comes to mind? Bad airport food and efficiently packed rolling bags? Stale hotels and conference rooms? We’ve teamed up with Culture Collide to challenge the idea that all business travelers wear suits – and chat with emerging musicians about their life on the road.

Whether it’s adventures with rock royalty in the Rust Belt or a bucket list destinations overseas, life on tour with New York vocal duo Overcoats is like a new road trip each day. “Our new album came out, so we’re just riding it out,” says Hana Elion during a stop in Louisville, KY, with collaborator and co-pilot JJ Mitchell. After eating an amazing brunch, the duo took a break to share travel tips and hotel stories with us.

You don’t have a show tonight on your tour. What is your favorite off-night activity?

JJ: We are pretty boring. We don’t really go out and party.

Hana: Maybe something celebratory that we would do is go bowling, but usually it would be hanging out in a hotel room reading, watching TV or doing face masks.

What are some of your travel essentials?

JJ: We have some weird essentials. We always bring rose oil with us. It’s one of the classic staples that makes us feel really good on tour. We also bring face masks, lots of sneakers and athletic clothing.

Hana: We always have arts and crafts supplies—little water-color sets, knitting and stuff to keep us occupied on long drives.

Do you ever create art in hotel rooms?

Hana: Definitely! We have card stock that we use for drawings. We often do those in hotels, sitting in bed.

What’s the last city you fell in love with?

Hana: I’d say Louisville. It’s so cool, and everyone is so sweet. We just had the most amazing brunch.

What destination is on your travel bucket list?

Hana: Definitely Berlin, Germany.

JJ: Mexico City.

Hana: We want to visit Frida Kahlo’s house.

What’s the coolest item you have found at a truck stop or roadside stand?

JJ: This small sloth that has bendy arms. It’s attached to our steering wheel right now. Whenever you turn the steering wheel, the sloth turns with you. It makes driving really fun and awesome. His name is Rupert.

What do you love most about traveling?

Hana: It’s pretty cool to go to different places and see the country, and cities I would otherwise have no reason to visit.

JJ: Basically, I’ve spent my whole life on the East Coast. It’s been crazy to go to so many different parts of the country. It’s like a new road trip each day for two months.

Where do you plan on using HotelTonight?

JJ: I think we we are going to use it in Cleveland and Berlin. In Cleveland, we want to see the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and we want to be posted up somewhere nice where we can enjoy the city. I think we are in Berlin for a couple of days. We want to see all the art and museums, and also go clubbing!

What’s one occasion where you wish you had known about HotelTonight?

JJ: There are so many times! We often do part of the drive to the next city right after our shows. Once we discovered HotelTonight, It was a life-saver. I can look it up on the app while Hana is driving.

Hana: Like every night!

JJ: No more sketchy hotels for us!

When you hear the term “road warrior” what comes to mind? Bad airport food and efficiently packed rolling bags? Stale hotels and conference rooms? We’ve teamed up with Culture Collide to challenge the idea that all business travelers wear suits – and chat with emerging musicians about their life on the road.

Oakland’s Melina Duterte is the mastermind behind Jay Som, a solo DIY bedroom recording project that has emerged as a full-fledged band with fans around the world. Sincere, guitar-driven songs with lingering melodic hooks led to Jay Som’s debut album release in 2016, followed by this year’s Everybody Works, and a robust tour schedule. Below, Duterte shares tips and stories from her latest travels.

You have a big trip to Europe coming up. What are some essentials that you pack when you are heading out on tour?

Definitely Q-tips and lots of underwear, but not that many clothes because you end up buying clothes along the way. Otherwise, you are packing really heavy. Also, a neck pillow, but they are very easy to lose.

What’s your favorite thing to do on an off night on the road?

I definitely love to eat, and also sleep and take naps in an actual bed. A lot of people think musicians like to get crazy all of the time, but a lot of us just like to rest.

What’s the most awesome hotel you have stayed at recently?

It was somewhere in the Midwest—maybe Minneapolis. We got a really good deal on a hotel. It was the biggest room I’ve ever been in and it kind of reminded me of the Twin Peaks aesthetic. It was super mysterious, but everything was really high tech, too.

When are you planning to use HotelTonight next?

Probably in London. We’ll be there on tour, and it’s always nice to be in a hotel.

What’s one of the last cities you fell in love with while traveling?

I really, really like Chicago. There’s just something really special about that place. I really like the people, the food and everything you can do there. They have my favorite music venues and it just seems like a very chill place.

What’s on your travel bucket list?

Definitely Paris! I haven’t been there yet. I’m trying to get swept off my feet and fall in love… or whatever happens in Paris.

What’s in heavy rotation on your travel playlist?

Andy Shauf, for sure. I love, love, love his album The Party. It’s a low key concept album about a party and the things that are happening around him. I’ve also been listing to a lot of Bay Area hip-hop lately. E-40’s old-school hyphy stuff really hypes me up.

Do you have any guilty pleasures while traveling?

I don’t know if it’s a guilty pleasure, but I like to buy really bad bumper stickers and those dumb keychains with quotes on them. I just found a couple in my bag from the last tour. One says “Party Girl” and another one is actually on my guitar right now. It says: “Silly boy, trucks are for girls.” They’re like collectibles.

And maybe a few life lessons?

Exactly! You learn a little something new every day.

What are your favorite venues to play at?

New York - Baby’s All Right. Hotel nearby: The Williamsburg 

San Francisco - Rickshaw Stop. Hotel nearby: Hotel Zeppelin 

Los Angeles - The Echo. Hotel nearby: The Line Hotel

Chicago - Lincoln Hall. Hotel nearby: Thompson Chicago

When you hear the term “road warrior” what comes to mind? Bad airport food and efficiently packed rolling bags? Stale hotels and conference rooms? We’ve teamed up with Culture Collide to challenge the idea that all business travelers wear suits – and chat with emerging musicians about their life on the road.

Molly Burch’s recently-released debut album Please Be Mine feels like a perfect fit for open highways, dusty pit stops and new adventures on summer road trips. The collection of songs occupies a space at the crossroads of indie rock, American roots music and soulful country ballads (à la Patsy Cline). The Austin-based singer/songwriter is clocking in some serious hours on the road with her band this year. We caught up with the Scorpio and avid watcher of RuPaul’s Drag Race at home during a short break to find out her travel tips and favorite local haunts.

What are some of the essentials that you always take on the road?

Dry shampoo is a big one, and my daily planner. I’m very obsessed with staying on top of things. Also, my cell phone, lipstick and a bathing suit, just in case!

What’s your No. 1 travel secret or hack that you don’t usually share?

It’s not a secret, but taking care of yourself and getting enough sleep is important. I sleep as much as possible, and I don’t drink too much. Sleep is really important. I’m always paranoid about being sick on the road.

Is it inspiring musically to be on tour?

Touring is pretty new for me. My album came out in late February and we’ve been touring the U.S. ever since. Everything is new, and being able to meet so many people in all these different cities is inspiring.

Did you have any life lessons on the road in those first few months?

I definitely had some bumps in the road. I got into a car accident right before we started the tour. Starting off the first two months of the tour with such an unfortunate incident really taught me that I could get through something that feels like a huge disaster. If something happens to us, we’ll be ok and we’ll get through it.

Have you had any other surprises on the road? Maybe an occasion where you wish you had HotelTonight?

Every night (laughs)! We’ve been really lucky, and have a lot of friends and family in the U.S. cities where we travel. I’m too embarrassed to talk about the nights that were unnecessarily bad, but usually we’ve been pretty lucky.

What’s the best hotel you have stayed at in recent memory?

We have been staying mostly with friends, so it’s definitely a treat. The Driskill in Austin is a really beautiful hotel. It’s really old and haunted, apparently. I really love old, historic hotels.

Also, the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif. All of the rooms are unique and themed.

Do you have any guilty pleasures on the road?

Just bad snacks at gas stations. It’s so hard avoid getting junk food on the road, especially when you are driving all day and your options are slim. I get Diet Coke, M&M’s with peanuts and popcorn. Those are my go-tos.

What’s the last city you fell in love with?

I really loved Portland, Ore. I didn’t spend much time there, but we had a day off and got to go to the Japanese Garden. It’s a really nice city.

Do you recommendations for people visiting Austin?

Barton Springs, when the weather is nice, is one of my favorite places ever. It’s a really large swimming pool that is filled with natural springs. It’s such a great place to go swimming in the summer. Cheer Up Charlies is one of my favorite bars, and it’s a great music venue.

Food-wise, one of my favorite places is this taco place called Veracruz All Natural. Another great taco place is Tyson’s Tacos. I think the best restaurant here is Dai Due. It’s basically an upscale butcher shop. Everything they make is from scratch and locally sourced. Everything is from Texas, so it’s a really special place.

When you hear the term “road warrior” what comes to mind? Bad airport food and efficiently packed rolling bags? Stale hotels and conference rooms? We’ve teamed up with Culture Collide to challenge the idea that all business travelers wear suits – and chat with emerging musicians about their life on the road.

Travel is simply a way of life for Gutxi Bibang, the emerging rocker who grew up in Spain’s Basque country before decamping for London, which serves as a home base when he’s not gigging in Europe and the U.S.

The singer and guitarist is injecting new energy into rock with his pounding single “System of the Gun,” a preface to his forthcoming album that wouldn’t feel out of place alongside Band of Skulls or an early Zeppelin track on your summer playlist. We caught up with him during a call from London to learn about his travel tips and recent adventures on the road.

What are some of your travel essentials?

Headphones, my sunglasses and a backpack so I can carry my cameras, magazines and everything.

Do you have a travel secret you don’t usually share?

I always travel with an eye mask and tea. Lip balm is really important for me. I always have really dry lips, especially on long flights. Without lip balm, I can’t sing and I can’t talk. I get mad if I forget it.

What’s the most awesome hotel you have stayed at in recent memory?

The Ace Hotel in London was amazing. The room was nice, and the views were really inspiring. There was a record player, a guitar and a rock climbing wall. That blew my mind.

You are living in London now. What are some must-see stops for visitors?

Chinatown is amazing. I love the streets, getting lost around the little shops and trying new things. I also love going to Hackney Marshes. It’s always empty and it’s so beautiful. I love being surrounded by nature and going for a walk. I find it inspiring and relaxing.

What do you love most about traveling?

It’s part of my job. Meeting new people and going to new places, you never know what to expect. You get to see how other people live their life and different cultures. I think that is really important, and I learn a lot.

What’s the last city you fell in love with?

The last city I fell in love with is Paris, the city of love (laughs). I really like the streets, shops and the vibe there. Everybody used to tell me that Paris is so special, but it really is. We like fashion, art and music, and you can find really artsy places there and nice shops.

What’s on your travel bucket list?

I like surfing, so I would like to go to Hawaii. Everyone says it is beautiful, and there is nice food there. I would also like to go to Kyoto. I can’t wait to go there, hopefully next year.

What’s the strangest night you have had on the road recently?

It was probably at SXSW, getting lost in Austin, Texas, trying to find the hotel. It’s crazy with over 2,000 bands playing, there are people everywhere and every street starts to look the same.

How many gigs did you play there this year?

We did six gigs. It was amazing. One of my favorite things to do is watch festivals on YouTube. I always imagined playing there, and we went there finally!

When is the last time you traveled to a festival as a fan?

That’s a good question. Lately, I find myself playing more than watching. In 2013, I went to Fib Festival near Barcelona. It was kind of a spiritual thing. I was with my best mates that I have known since I was nine years old. It was such a great experience—the sunshine, going out and drinking at night, watching bands.

We have lots of festivals this summer. I will be at Isle of Wight, and a couple of more that we are waiting to confirm.

Favorite venue you’re played at?

London - Old Blue Last. Hotel nearby: The Hoxton Shoreditch 

When you hear the term “road warrior” what comes to mind? Bad airport food and efficiently packed rolling bags? Stale hotels and conference rooms? We’ve teamed up with Culture Collide to challenge the idea that all business travelers wear suits – and chat with emerging musicians about their life on the road.

It’s hard to avoid 90s references with Charly Bliss. On stage, the New York-based foursome offers glimmering guitar-driven power pop that has earned comparisons to early Weezer and The Breeders. Off stage, vocalist and guitarist Eva Hendricks stays occupied on long road trips with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and fantasies about Full House-style Hawaiian vacations. We caught up with her during a break from touring to learn more about her travels and travel essentials.

What are your travel essentials?

Lately, a new essential has been Febreze. We usually have to go a long time before we can do laundry. It’s not even so much having a ton of dirty clothes, it’s just from being in the van and everything smells kind of crappy. I have also become obsessed with Listerine mouth wash. The common thread is, when we are on tour, I always feel kind of dirty. I like anything that makes me feel clean.

I also recently bought an iPad, which has been really helpful for traveling. I watch a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the van.

What’s your No. 1 travel secret or hack?

For me, it’s all the things I can have to make me feel as clean as possible, and things that bring some sense of normalcy while we are on tour. We have a band member who snores really loudly, so ear plugs are another travel hack. I also use the meditation app Headspace for when we are in the van. It makes me feel better!

What are some life lessons you have learned on the road?

When you spend a lot of time with the same people, you learn a lot about yourself. You have to learn a great deal of patience and understanding. You can’t be totally self-absorbed and you have to put the group before yourself. I think that extends beyond being in a band.

What are some of your favorite venues?

San Francisco - Rickshaw Stop

New York - Baby’s All Right

LA - The Echo

Chicago - Beat Kitchen and Schubas

Boston - Paradise Rock Club

San Diego - Soda Bar

What do you love most about traveling?

It’s amazing. Growing up, I didn’t have the travel bug. I’m grateful that touring has forced me into that. I love seeing new cities. Everyone in the band really loves food, and we get so much joy out of figuring out the great places to eat wherever we are.

Also, meeting so many nice people, it gives you hope, especially in certain areas of the country. It’s amazing to learn about so many different parts of the country.

What are some meals in different cities that stand out for you?

I would say, the avocado BLT at The Oaks Gourmet in LA.

In Portland, we love chicken kati rolls at Bollywood Theater, followed by my favorite thing to eat in Portland—or anywhere, really—Salt & Straw ice cream. Their strawberry balsamic black pepper ice cream is the best! I spent $150 shipping some to my dad in Connecticut for Christmas this past year. It was so not worth it, but definitely also worth it.

There’s also a burrito in La Jolla, Calif., at Rigoberto’s. It’s totally ridiculous. I get the steak super burrito with French fries and all sorts of crazy things. It’s always amazing.

It sounds like the West Coast is winning the culinary battle.

When we are on tour, once we get to the West Coast, it’s like every city has something we’ve been looking for.

What’s the most awesome hotel you have stayed at in recent memory?

Hands down, it was The Gwen in Chicago. It was insane and so beautiful. We posted an amazing picture of Dan and Spencer wearing matching bathrooms. It was such a treat at The Gwen. We felt like Cinderella after running there from our show. We totally felt that we should not be allowed in there (laughs).

What’s on your travel bucket list?

Recently, I’ve become obsessed with the idea of going to Hawaii. I want to have a very cheesy Hawaiian vacation, Full House-style. I also really want to go to Australia.

Summer is comin’ in hot! Here are some of the coolest hotel pools to dip your toes into.
Viceroy Riviera Maya - Playa del Carmen - Lounge by the lagoon pool or in a palapa-roofed cabana on the beach.
La Villa Des Orangers - Marrakesch - Chill...

Summer is comin’ in hot! Here are some of the coolest hotel pools to dip your toes into.

Viceroy Riviera Maya - Playa del Carmen - Lounge by the lagoon pool or in a palapa-roofed cabana on the beach.

La Villa Des Orangers - Marrakesch - Chill poolside or fireside for afternoon mint tea and local pastries – and come back later for a late-night cigar.

Canaves Oia Hotel - Santorini - Sea-view pool (and pool bar, natch) call dibs on your day.

Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas - Rhodes - Stunning seaside location. Take it all in from the infinity pools.

Belmond Reid’s Palace - Funchal - Not one but three pools, two of which are filled with seawater, and all of which have great views.

Carmel Valley Ranch - Carmel - Bask by the plethora of pools –  two are adults-only, complete with an infinity hot tub, and the other is family-friendly and Olympic-sized.

It’s officially summer in 6 days… and we’re dying to kick off the season at one of these Hawaiian hot spots. And with rates in Hawaii starting at just $134, what’s to stop you? Grab the app, tap, tap, tap and your tropical oasis awaits.
Pictured:
The...

It’s officially summer in 6 days… and we’re dying to kick off the season at one of these Hawaiian hot spots. And with rates in Hawaii starting at just $134, what’s to stop you? Grab the app, tap, tap, tap and your tropical oasis awaits. 

Pictured:

The Laylow - Take the name quite literally – this place is an urban oasis designed for full kick-back mode. Saltwater pool and lounging spots galore.

The Modern - Slick-meets-surf urban design that’s part LA, part Miami, part chic – not kitsch – Hawaiian style. Two killer oasis-like pools, with bars, plush chaises and lush landscaping (bonus: one of ‘em’s adults-only). At 7pm, the lobby bookshelf swivels to reveal a swanky, art-infused lounge, and guests get free entry to the hotel’s Addiction Nightclub.

Lotus Honolulu - Balinese-inspired décor sets a tranquil, ultra relaxing tone for your stay. Welcome to Hawaii time. All rooms have private lanais and views of Diamond Head volcanic crater. Free yoga classes. Free beach cruisers. Free wine, every night. Take us with you?

The Royal Hawaiian - Dubbed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” for good reason: everything from the iconic pink stucco exterior to ceilings to wallpaper is rose-tinted. Access to multiple pools and hot tubs, plus water slides and (of course) the right-there beach, complete with beachside bar. Bring on the little umbrellas.

Moana Surfrider - Oceanfront. Ocean. front. Oceanfront! Loads of beach vacay activities to partake in, but if you opt to just chill by the pool or Pacific, we ain’t mad at ya.

You’ll want to spend a night (or five) in these hotels right on the beach!

Inn at Laguna Beach - Laguna Beach, CA - Dreamy location, perched right on a bluff overlooking LB’s sand and surf.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso - San Jose Del Cabo - Can’t-be-beat en suite perks include a tequila welcome (!), private patio, a telescope for stargazing, marble deep soaking tubs & an adobe fireplace.

Atlantic Hotel & Spa - Fort Lauderdale, FL -  Can’t decide between the pool and the beach? Don’t. Lounge poolside while gazing at the Atlantic.

1 Hotel South Beach - Miami Beach, FL - Beach rooftop views with a side of signature cocktails or poolside loungin’ with champagne? Your call.

Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel - Théoule-sur-Mer, France - Private beach or public? Easy access to both. Plus, beachfront restaurant for sunset cocktails – sweet!

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa - Pearl Jumeira, Dubai - The buzzy, beachfront al fresco area’s really the star of the show here, boasting ultra-plush loungers, a sparkling pool & killer cocktails.

Resort at Pedregal - Cabo San Lucas - Every room’s an oasis with an ocean-view plunge pool, fireplace, kitted-out terrace & a bathroom that’s basically a mini-spa.

Viceroy Riviera Maya - Playa del Carmen, MX -Lounge by the lagoon pool or in a palapa-roofed cabana on the beach.

Hawks Cay - Florida Keys, FL - Full array of beach resort amenities in a secluded island setting.

Here’s how blogger/actress Courtney of Pretty Little Fawn used HT on a recent trip to San Diego. Inspired to visit the California sunshine? Download the app to get started.

With a last-minute stay on the books for San Diego, I had less than 12 hours to make a hotel reservation. Not being familiar with the area, I happened upon the Lafayette Hotel on the app. I was looking for something fun and hip, knew that I needed a pool, and also wanted something a little vintage to be able to shoot photos. This hotel ticked all the boxes for me, and upon check-in I knew I had made the right call. I lounged poolside in the afternoon, visited the bar on site, and was amazed to find that the room we booked had two bathrooms. Talk about a win-win! It was a comfortable stay in a cozy room, and was walking distance to a few places I wanted to try. All in all an easy trip, and a great last-minute decision. 

Hotels are our fave spots for gathering home decor inspo. The patterns, the fabrics, the unexpected pops of color! Warning: the hotels above will probably make you wanna redo your whole house. But even if a redesign isn’t in the cards right now, you...

Hotels are our fave spots for gathering home decor inspo. The patterns, the fabrics, the unexpected pops of color! Warning: the hotels above will probably make you wanna redo your whole house. But even if a redesign isn’t in the cards right now, you can still spend a night (or five) in design heaven.

B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa - Zurich - Contemporary rooms in this former brewery building feature funky lighting and complimentary minibars.

Le Parker Meridien Palm Springs - Palm Springs - Jonathan Adler-designed property sprawls over 13 acres and feels more like a hip private estate than a hotel.

The Knickerbocker - New York - Fabulous Beaux-Arts façade on the outside and a posh, historic interior; created by famed New Yorker John Jacob Astor a century ago.

Boundary Hotel - London - Original brickwork, huge windows – meld with new additions like reclaimed fixtures and custom-made furniture.

Palihouse - Santa Monica - Takes full advantage of the Moorish-influenced architecture, complete with a lush courtyard and impressive airy lobby.

Calamigos Guest Ranch - Malibu - In-room vibe is rustic elegance with deets like maple wood ceilings, uber-plush beds & marble bathrooms.

Ham Yard Hotel - London - Quirky modern style is unique in every room.

1 Hotel South Beach - Miami - Design mag-worthy décor is a rustic-beach & modern mashup.