A Hotel Inspired by a Restaurant?

I've got Hawaii on the brain. I recently wrote about the best places to see on the island of Oahu, the can't miss attractions of Maui, and recommendations for visiting the Big Island. Now here are my tips for things you shouldn't miss on the island of Kauai. Visit Waimea Canyon, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific"The western side of Kauai is home to Waimea Canyon, about an hour's drive on scenic curvy roads that offer views of the nearby island of Ni'ihau (only accessible to native Hawaiians) and gorgeous views of the mountains, valleys, and the bluest ocean you've ever seen. "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" features many of the same geological traits as its namesake—think crested buttes, deep gorges, and colorful rock formations—and is more than 3,600 feet deep, measuring 14 miles long by one mile wide. Stay on Waimea Canyon Drive and keep driving until you reach the Waimea Canyon Overlook. Honeymooners—Elvis fans—shouldn't miss a trip to the Fern GrottoIf thoughts of Kauai have you picturing scenes of The King in Blue Hawaii, the Fern Grotto is a spot you shouldn't miss. Entry to the grotto used to be forbidden to all except Hawaiian royalty, but nowaways anyone can catch a 40-minute cruise down the Wailua River to the site for about $20 per person ($10 for children ages 3-12) and take in views of one of Kauai's greatest natural wonders. Folks have been known to get married or renew their vows here, and if you're engaged, newlyweds, or celebrating a wedding anniversary, be prepared to come forward for a slow dance to Elvis Presley's Hawaiian Wedding Song—the Hawaiian lyrics in it were sung here long before the film. Hike, kayak, camp, and explore Kauai's secluded Na Pali CoastIf you're an outdoorsy person, nature lover, or just want to see some of the best views on the island without dealing with the tourist crowds, make sure you visit Kauai's beautiful Na Pali Coast. There are no roads on the westernmost side of the island, making it one of the last isolated, untouched, natural places in the Hawaiian Islands. Determined travelers can view the rocky terrain from the air with any number of helicoptor tours, or view the coastline from a boat tour or guided kayak trip, while more adventurous types can try hiking the 11-mile Kalalau Trail from Kee Beach to Kalalau Beach—the full hike is best broken up into a two-day trip, and camping permits are available for $20 per person per night (with a five night maximim stay) thorugh the Hawaii State Parks Department. Kokee State Park offers more challenging hiking trails, like Awaawapuhi Trail, that lead to scenic overlooks while other hikes like Cliff Canyon and Black Pipe Trail are better suited for family hiking trips. Drive up to a beautiful waterfallKauai is home to a number of impressive waterfalls, two of which are accessible by car alone. Wailua Falls is located just a few miles from downtown Lihue and can be viewed from the road, so there's no need to hike for a great view. Just drive north from Lihue to Ma'alo Road in Halamaulu, and follow the road uphill for another three miles. Another beautiful waterfall, Opaeka'a Falls, is viewable from Kuamo'o Road, but those wanting a closer look can brave the tough half-hour hike from the two-mile marker past the lookout point on Highway 580. Get a slice of Hawaiian historyHanapepe Town on Kauai's southwest coast is home to a bustling Hawaiian art scene, with an art celebration every Friday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. when the town's painters, sculptors, and other artists open their gallery and studio doors to showcase their work. Those seeking an authentic trip into Hawaii's past should visit the museums and historic sites along the Koloa Heritage Trail—visit the Kihaha'ouna Heiau (an ancient Hawaiian temple), Poipu Beach Park (home to the island's endangered Hawaiian monk seals), and other sites dating back to Kauai's former days as a sugar plantation hotspot. The Kilohana Plantation in Lihue is a 16,000 square-foot restored plantation estate that offers a chance to see what life was like in Kauai during the 1930s—also on-site is the Koloa Rum Company, where you can sample the island's best rum every half hour on the half hour beginning at 10 a.m. daily. Located on Kauai's North Shore about a 45 minute drive north of Lihue is the historic Kilauea Lighthouse, great for stunning views of the Pacific and access to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a safehaven for a number of native bird species found on the island including the endangered state bird, the nene goose.

Many flyers lament the bygone glamour of air travel, when people wore their Sunday best and midflight meals were served on silver trays. Thanks to a menu posted from the New York Public Library's archive, we can now also wax nostalgic about what it was like to dine at the airport back in 1941. The La Guardia Coffee Shop was operated by the Hotel New Yorker, an Art Deco hotel in midtown that still stands. There were likely few other options at the airport at the time, since it was just an airfield in the 1940s, not the behemoth hub it is today. The menu is a treasure trove of outdated dishes (who ordered the diced tongue omelette?). But what really caught my eye were the Budget Luncheon specials, including a veal shoulder meal with vegetables, potatoes, fruit, and jello topped with whipped cream (it also came with coffee and bread and butter). This could be yours for all of 45 cents. According to the inflation calculator offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45 cents in today's money has the same buying power as $7.08. You'd be lucky to get a soggy sandwich at the airport for $7 these days, let alone a full hot meal. The other great tidbit was the classic cocktails. You can almost see the bartender shaking up Airway Cocktails (apple jack, gin, and lemon juice) for weary travelers stuck on a long layover or nervous about their first flight. Those cocktails didn't come cheap, though. They cost a relatively pricy 25 cents.

With over 4,000 properties, it's one of the biggest hotel chains in the world—chances are, you've stayed in a Best Western at one time or another (or at least considered it after running an Expedia search). When it comes to such a big franchise, it can be tough to distinguish one outpost from another. When I hear "Best Western," the images that come to my mind tend not to be converted historical buildings, opulent furnishings, or so-close-you-can-almost-touch-it beach views. But these are exactly the features that distinguished the winners of Best Western's first Fan Awards. After over 30,000 votes were cast, the crème de la chain ranged from a more than 125-year-old converted barracks on the banks of the French Riviera to a skyscraper in Shenzen, China whose interior walls are adorned with dragon carvings. Take a look at the winners, listed below: how many of them would you have guessed were chain hotels? Situated on 28 picturesque acres in Warwickshire, England, The Best Western Studley Castle Hotel was named Most Unique. The BW Solar Porto de Galinhas is located right on the sand in one of Brazil's most famous beach towns. It took the top spot in the race for Most Beautiful Hotel Setting. Housed in a building that first operated as an inn in the 13thcentury, the more than 800-year-old BW Angel & Royal Hotel in Grantham, England was tough competition for the title of Most Historic Hotel. The family-run, 64-room Best Western Hotel Prince De Galles is located a hop, skip, and jump away from one of the world's premier playgrounds for the rich and famous: Monaco. Voters in the BW poll considered it to have the Best View from a Hotel Room. Shenzhen, China's BW Shenzhen Felicity Hotel scored the top spot for Most Impressive Lobby with its muli-story, gilded entryway. A golden clawfoot bathtub in a Best Western? The brass soaker, along with floor lighting and a four-poster bed, earned the BW Plus Swan Hotel in Wells, England, the Most Impressive Guest Room title. With skylights and a modern, split-level layout, the BW Hotel Spring House in Rome was deemed to have the Most Unique Guestrooms. Do boutique-style touches have an effect on your opinion of chain hotels? MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 26 Gorgeous Hotels You Won't Believe Are Under $150 10 Most Visited Cities in the World IKEA Will Build 100 Budget Hotels in Europe

Museums aren't always just about the art. Case in point: the new museum that just opened in Italy devoted to all things gelato. We found five museums in the works around the world that hold artifacts from musical groups and historic battles. And ok, yes, there is one art museum in there as well. Carpigiani Gelato MuseumAnzola Emilia, Bologna, ItalyEating is probably the number one tourist activity in Italy. And rightfully so. The new Gelato Museum was created by a gelato machine company and looks at the history of the frozen treat (it's said to date back to the 1530s). The museum is free to visit, but reservations are required. Alas, no free tastings are offered, but there is a gelato shop on site serving gelato based on recipes that are more than 200 years old.  Jorge M. Pérez Art MuseumMiami, FloridaSet to open next year with a focus on Caribbean and Latin American art, this new museum in Miami will be housed in a 200,000 square-foot building designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Outside will be sculptures and gardens, plus views of Biscayne Bay. The museum will anchor a 29-acre museum complex that will include a science museum, set to open in 2014. Seminary Ridge Museum Gettysburg, PennsylvaniaNext year marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, and this new museum will open on July 1, 2013 as part of the commemoration events. Located in a grand brick building that served as a field hospital during the war, the 20,000-square-foot museum will be filled with exhibits on the soldiers and nurses and artifacts like letters, medicine containers, and even bullets. There will also be walking trails around the museum with historical markers. ABBA Museum Stockholm, SwedenThe quintessential 70s group is a national treasure in Sweden, and a museum devoted to the quartet will be part of the Swedish Music Hall of Fame when it opens next spring in Stockholm. Look for elaborate costumes, lyric sheets, and videos about the group. M/S Maritime Museum DenmarkElsinore, DenmarkThis museums isn't technically new-the original dates back to 1915 and is housed in the town's Kronborg Castle. But the extensive collection of maritime artifacts will be housed in new digs starting in June 2013. The bulk of the new building, fittingly, will be underground at Dock 1 in the Elsinore Shipyard and the exhibitions will spiral downward.