New 'Mini Fashion Bar' Lets You Buy High-Style Clothes in Your Hotel Room—Affordably!

By Jamie Beckman
June 4, 2015
Hotel Fashion Bar
Courtesy Pimkie

The very concept of a hotel room closet filled with new, fashionable clothing you can buy on the spot—just like you would a can of soda from the mini bar—sounds like something only the one percent could afford, right? Wrong!

The Mini Fashion Bar, just launched at the Banks Boutique Hotel in Antwerp, Belgium (rates from about $112 per night), by French fashion brand Pimkie, stocks boutique hotel rooms with stylish women's duds like bomber jackets, statement necklaces, cool jeans, and little black dresses, all hand-picked by fashion bloggers and stylists—and tailored to the weather and your location. The best part: Prices start at less than $6, with clothing averaging about $28 per piece.

The convenience factor—especially for those of us who aren't pros at packing light—is huge, and at relatively guilt-free, non-budget-destroying prices: Forget to pack an umbrella? Grab a cute chevron-print one out of the closet for about $9. Need a pair of black heels for a last-minute dinner on the town? They've got a trendy pair of those too, for about $34. If you need another size, call room service, and the "Fashion Concierge" will hand you one that fits.

Right now, the service only exists at the Banks in Belgium, but it will soon be available in boutique hotels in Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, and Paris.

Now this is what we call affordable luxury.

Plan Your Next Getaway
Keep reading
Inspiration

Do Airport Screeners Know What They’re Doing?

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General had a good idea: It conducted 70 tests of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screeners to see how easily banned items such as explosives and weapons could make it through the screening process. Turns out the answer was pretty darn easy: In 67 out of 70 cases, banned items passed unnoticed. Homeland Security’s report on the tests will be published later this year, but the reporting of details by ABC News and CNN have already let the cat out of the bag, leading to the reassignment of TSA’s current administrator and a statement from Homeland Security assuring the public that the screening process is safer than the 67/70 results may suggest. My favorite quote about this comes from a Homeland Security spokesperson, reported by CNN: “the numbers in these reports never look good out of context.” (On second thought, my actual favorite quote about this came from The Onion: "TSA Agents to Now Simply Stand at Checkpoints and Remind Passengers That We All Die Someday.") My hope is that the “context” is that the 70 tests were targeted to airport screeners already suspected of lax practices. But if that were the case, why doesn’t Homeland Security just say so, instead of reassigning TSA’s leader? WE WANT TO KNOW: The U.S. has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on airport screening. Does this news about inadequate screening practices make you rethink your vacation plans?

FamilyTheme Parks

Hogwarts Comes to Hollywood

The words "press conference" don't exactly send a chill of anticipation up our spines most of the time, but today's announcement by Universal Studios Hollywood is the exception: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a 3D-HD experience that will be the centerpiece of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening in California next spring. The new Wizarding World, essentially a theme-park "land" of its own, is of course modeled after the popular attractions at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan, but the president of Universal Studios Hollywood, Larry Kurzweil, promises a "new, compelling experience" that will be the "next chapter" for the franchise. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will take visitors soaring over Hogwarts, a Quidditch match, a dragon's attack, and a Whomping Willow. The ride will blend robotics, filmed action sequences, and special effects. Guests will don Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles before being swept along an elevated track. The new Wizarding World will also boast a family coaster, "Flight of the Hippogriff," and an array of Potter-themed refreshments at Three Broomsticks, Hog's Head pub, and Magic Neep and Butterbeer carts. WE WANT TO KNOW: Have you visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando? Are you looking forward to checking out its Los Angeles cousin next year?

Travel Tips

Heading to Europe This Summer? Here's How to Beat the Crowds

We've been pretty excited about the prospect of European travel this summer. But the Wall Street Journal is now reporting that the "perfect storm" is gathering for travelers to Europe. With the dollar 25 percent stronger against the euro than a year ago, new mega cruise ships carrying more passengers, great deals on airfare and hotels, and more travelers from Asia exploring Europe than ever before, the continent may be the most popular place on the planet between now and October. In fact, last weekend, the WSJ reports, the Palace of Versailles posted a request on its website that tourists "postpone your visit" if at all possible due to overcrowding. Don't postpone your dream trip! We unblushingly suggest that BT's in-depth coverage is going to come in handy this summer. For stylish steals, locals-only advice, and some quirky off-the-radar destinations you've never heard of, check out: 6 Wild & Beautiful Places in Europe You MUST See Europe's Dreamiest River Cruises Beautiful & Affordable European Cities You MUST See 16 Picture-Perfect Small European Towns 9 Restaurants in Italy That Feel Like You're Eating in Grandma's House

Inspiration

WATCH: Wild Animals in Africa See Themselves in the Mirror and Freak Out!

Can you really blame a silverback gorilla for trying to attack its own reflection? In a fascinating experiment, French photographer Xavier Hubert Brierre placed mirrors and hidden cameras in the Gabon rain forest in Africa to capture the reactions of wild animals, the New York Post reports. Caught on tape: leopards, monkeys, birds, elephants, and a huge silverback gorilla who was none too pleased about seeing a "competitor." Watch how the animals react below, and read on for tips on how you can visit Africa on a budget: Want to go on a safari in Africa without cleaning out your savings account? Go during low season: • East Africa's two rainy seasons are March/April through May/June, and October/November through December. • South Africa's low season is when it's cold and drizzly in Cape Town, May through September. • Namibia's and Botswana's shoulder months are May and November. For more BT safari tips, read How to Find an Affordable African Safari, or check out our current travel deal for five nights in Kenya, including airfare and safaris, for less than $2,400.