ParkSleepFly Posts

Alexa May Be Listening During Your Next Hotel Stay

While it may seem like something you’d read on a conspiracy theory site or even in a science fiction book, it’s true: hotels may be listening in via Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa. Amazon just signed a deal to outfit many Marriot & Westin hotel rooms with their Echo devices to assist travelers in their quest for the perfect vacation. But, there are mixed thoughts regarding this partnership. Some people are thrilled with the convenience of having a personal vacation concierge while others are worried about their family’s privacy. If you’re planning to stay in a hotel anytime soon, read on to get the scoop on this futuristic move! 

 

Why do hotels want to upgrade with Alexa? 

Hotels are trying to keep up with industry standards and are getting increasingly more tech-dependent, so it’s only fitting that hotels would start to implement the tech that we are using in our every day lives to make vacation stays even more magnificent. And despite some patron’s concerns about privacy, most people in the hospitality industry agree that having a virtual assistant in every hotel room would be beneficial not just for the short-term satisfaction of customers, but for the long-term goals of the hotel industry.

Pilot In-Flight Messages Decoded: The Seatbelt Sign & Other Jargon

If you’ve ever been 30,000 feet in the sky (with your anxiety just about as high) and hear the seatbelt sign activate, you know that you’re supposed to stay seated until the sign turns off. But what about when the seatbelt sign flashes numerous times or chimes without the pilot making the “fasten your seatbelt” announcement? Those cues aren’t for the passengers to buckle up but are actually secret codes the pilots use to communicate with the flight staff, along with the codes used verbally via the speaker system. Flying can be a stressful time, and being sky-high with the pilot using secret codes can be confusing. To put your mind at ease and make you feel more in the loop, read on so you can learn all of the airline lingoes you’ve always wanted to know! 

Is it Ok to Talk Up the Person Next to You on a Flight?

No one ever wants to be rude on an airplane. Everyone is stuck together with no escape for hours on end, so you don’t want to make enemies. But what is considered good etiquette when it comes to striking up a conversation? It seems weird to just ignore someone sitting next to you for an entire flight, but it may be a prudent way to avoid hearing someone else’s entire life story. Unfortunately, there is no general rule of thumb regarding talking to your seatmate during a flight.

I’ve met some great life-long friends on flights and I’ve also severely regretted opening my mouth a few times when I’ve gotten dragged into debates or people’s life drama. But, if you’re the type that likes to chat, read on for our guide to talking to the person next to you during your travels. 

How Do You Experience Travel?

Traveling is one of the most subjective hobbies to have. People experience traveling in so many different ways that often what makes a vacation fabulous for one person could be a complete deal-breaker for another. Some people like to unwind and relax in a beautiful setting while being waited on hand and foot while other travelers try to see as much as they can as a native and immerse themselves in the culture of a new area. There is no right or wrong way; a vacation should be enjoyed in the manner that you would like. But, if you’ve ever come home from a trip and felt as though you should have done more (or less,) this article is for you! Read on to find new ways that you can experience your next destination! 

 

1. Stay in One Place 

Tours that take you through a new city every day are all the rage right now, but there’s a lot of downsides to these “land cruises.” Not only are you on the go entirely too frequently, but you never quite get to absorb the vibe of any one spot. Instead of taking a trip that tours from city to city, do your research and stay in one area that really lights your fire and get to know it intimately during your stay. 

Should Airlines Create ‘Kid-Free’ Sections on Airplanes? 

You’re preparing for a long flight: one where you may get some rest or knock out some work if you’re lucky. Then you get to the gate and see a bunch of families lined up waiting for the same flight and you start to panic. Selfishly, you may throw a little hissy fit in your head hoping that you’re seated far from any little munchkins that may interrupt your plans for this flight. We’ve all been there, so you shouldn’t feel guilty.

But what if more airlines started segregating flights to appease both parents and business travelers? Parents with small children don’t want to be glared at for an entire flight, and people wishing to work or rest on flights would appreciate those where children were at a minimum. So, would you pay a premium if you could have a separate cabin that catered to families only? How much more would you pay for a flight that was strictly adults-only to ensure children would be completely absent on your trip? There’s a movement growing in the airline industry calling for separate cabins or whole flights that are child-free. Keep reading to get all of the details on this hot debate.