Crushed Hooters

It seems staying in a Hooters-themed inn isn’t for everyone. Or really, for much of anyone at all. After pouring $1 million into its Lakeland, FL inn back in 2002, the owl-loving restaurant chain demolished the Hooters Inn Motel over the weekend. But fear not, ye traveling fans of buffalo wings and hot pants, the adjacent Hooters Restaurant along Interstate 4-U.S. 98 remains. Phew.

Emeril Does Vegas… Again

Come January 2008, celeb chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse will open a Table 10 restaurant at The Palazzo, which is currently being built by the Las Vegas Sands Corp next to the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino. The new dining destination will be Lagasse’s third in Sin City.

Up, Up in the Air

Last week, Frontier Airlines began the first non-stop service between Denver and Sioux City today, something we are sure plenty of traveling Iowans will consider a pretty Sioux-weet development.

Southwest Plays Fashion Police Again

This time, the airline objected not to a woman’s skimpy outfit, but to a fishing enthusiast’s t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase, “Master Baiter.” The passenger changed his t-shirt, but not before protesting that the airline’s request infringed upon his First Amendment right to free speech. Of course, then he sat down and shut up so he could make it home on time. In other news, Southwest officially has the sense of humor of a British governess. From the 1800’s.

Sustainable Tourism Made Simple

Travelers these days are always looking for ways to “do good,” whether it be buying carbon offsets or heading on volunteer vacations. But there’s a much simpler and more concrete way to do good the next time you head to the airport: actually tip your skycap. Most baggage handlers who perform curbside check-in make the majority of their money in tips. Fork over a buck or two per bag. Consider it good travel karma.

In the Pink

As the Informed Traveler blog notes, the Kor Hotels group, which operates posh spots like the Viceroy Santa Monica, is offering special Think Pink rates, special pink cocktails and pinked-themed gifts at its hotels this month in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At the aforementioned Viceroy Santa Monica, the Think Pink package for a Saturday night in October starts at $379/night and includes overnight accommodations, pink velvet martinis for two and a fleece picnic throw (also known as a tiny blanket). Ten percent of the proceeds from your stay will benefit the UCLA Breast Cancer Center.