At least five hotel companies have raised the award price for free hotel nights, according to business travel columnist Joe Brancatelli.

Brancatelli said Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, Wyndham and InterContinental Hotels Group have made changes to their frequent-guest programs that reduce the value of accrued points.

"Nightly rates are up, demand is up and we also offer more hotels in more segments in more places around the world than ever before," a hotel executive told Brancatelli.

I have a confession: I didn't go to a press event in New York to unveil more details about the "Titanic II." And I regret it.

Because then I would have heard, firsthand, Australian tycoon Clive Palmer talk about his vision of recreating the Titanic. And it sounds … well, it sounds …. well, it sounds like the ship would be a pretty near replica of the original Titanic, though without steam propulsion and with air conditioning, and without balconies and probably without Internet (N.B.: how are they getting that majestic oak staircase past Safety of Life at Sea standards?). And passengers get to wear Edwardian-era clothing. AND it is called the Titanic. Cue the press bonanza. 

Here are just a handful of the 1,000-plus articles on the web today with the term "Titanic II" in them.

From Forbes: "Palmer is not making a contemporary cruise ship that happens to look like the Titanic. Oh, no, he is making the first full-scale reenactment of the 20th century. Passengers will be supplied with authentic period costumes appropriate to their ticket class (first, second and third) and they will eat and socialize with others of their caste."

From USA Today: "The Australian businessman, who owns an Australian mining company and other businesses, said he has received an overwhelming response from prospective passengers who want to travel on Titanic II. He predicted that it 'will be a real financial bonanza' so successful that he will 'have to build Titanic III.'

"Some Titanic and cruise-ship experts doubt the Titanic II, which Palmer says will regularly sail across the North Atlantic, will be able to attract enough passengers after its maiden voyage. Some also question whether the new cruise ship desecrates the memory of those who died on the Titanic."

From Mashable: "It will make its maiden voyage on 2016 from Southhampton, England to New York, carrying 2,600 passengers in 850 cabins. It will employ about 900 crew members. The length will be three inches longer than the original at 883 feet and include 18 lifeboats — enough for everyone on board."

From ABCnews.com: "When asked about the original ship sinking and what makes his design different, Palmer said, 'Anything will sink if you put a hole in it. I think it would be very cavalier to say it. I think people in the past have done that and lived to regret it.'"

From Reuters: "Titanic II will be built by Chinese state-owned CSC Jinling Shipyard, which is already building four ore carriers for Palmer's mining business, he said. The contract to build Titanic II has not yet been signed, Palmer said.

"'Oh, probably next week, something like that,' Palmer said, when asked when that would happen. 'Most things I say I'll do I do.'"

Beating the winter blahs has taken on a whole new meaning in a former Soviet aircraft hangar turned Caribbean-themed park called Tropical Islands.

The hangar, the size of three-plus football fields, first opened in 2004 south of Berlin. Every year since then, the park has added rides and pools and spas and now a 200-room hotel that’s packing in those chilly Germans.

Artificial sunlight, balmy temperatures in the 80s, drinks with paper umbrellas, waterslides, 13 bars and restaurants, a beach, a rainforest and a miniature golf course keep guests warm, happy and entertained — while the weather outside is frightful.

This little bit of tropical paradise in the middle of Europe also features seven spa zones inspired by different areas of the world, including Africa and Thailand.

A park like this somewhere south of Chicago or east of Pittsburgh might be the perfect February antidote to snow and sleet.

— Gay Nagle Myers

 

Visitors to New York City today are experiencing Valentine's Day love-in festivities, part of the Times Square Alliance's "Free Love in Times Square" initiative that features activities and deals inspired by the most romantic day of the year.

In Times Square, couples will renew their vows on the iconic Red Steps at 6 p.m. A licensed wedding officiant will lead the ceremony, which will be broadcast live on a giant digital billboard and webcast at TimesSquareNYC.org.

During the day, the Aruba Tourism Authority is giving away free trips as visitors lounge on a heated "pop-up beach," complete with sand brought up from the island.

Passersby can stroll through Situ Studio's Heartwalk, a wooden heart-shaped enclosure fashioned out of New York and New Jersey boardwalk materials salvaged after Hurricane Sandy.

Heartwalk will be on display until early March.

Just before midnight on Feb. 14, a visual valentine will appear on more than a dozen of Times Square's largest digital billboards.
 

— Gay Nagle Myers 

Music, giveaways and an atmosphere filled with love turned St. Maarten's Princess Julianna Airport into a love fest on Valentine's Day.

Starting at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14, passengers and the entire airport community were serenaded by virtuoso saxophonist Connis Vanterpool in the departure hall, while the pianist from the Sopranos Piano Bar in Phillipsburg took to the stage in the arrivals hall to treat passengers to love ballads.

Airport firefighters are donning Valentine's apparel to distribute chocolate and roses to arriving and departing passengers.

Concessionaires are joining in by giving away various items, including gift baskets from Penha Perfumes and jewelry from AMA Jewelers.

Air Sunshine donated tickets for two for the destinations it serves, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, San Juan, St. Kits, St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua.

Sopranos will offer four dinners, and there is a Valentine's booth with candy, flowers and teddy bears on sale.

"Valentine's Day is celebrated all over the world, and we want to make sure that all the users of the airport feel the love on this special day," said Kalifa Hickinson, airport manager of marketing and communications.
 

— Gay Nagle Myers 

Musical legend Bob Marley loved his 1977 Series III Land Rover and was often seen tooling around Kingston, the city that inspired such hits as "No Woman, No Cry," "Three Little Birds" and "I Shot the Sheriff," with his Wailers band on their way to a gig.

Although the car fell into disrepair following Marley's death in 1981, it was on display for several years in his home-turned-museum at 56 Hope Rd. in Kingston.

ATL Automotive in Montego Bay, a sister company of Sandals Resorts International, took on the job of restoring the car to mint condition, including locating a replacement engine from an Ethiopian military vehicle that perfectly matched the original engine.

The car is being dismantled piece by piece and new wiring and electrical components are being installed.

The body panels and the Rover's chassis, drive and power trains will be replaced or returned to original condition.

The car's interior will be redone by Cedella Marley, the musician's first-born daughter, who is a fashion designer and musician herself.

She is personally designing and upholstering the Land Rover's three-seat bench.

Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals and ATL, said the project had been a long time in the planning.

"There are few people in the world who Bob Marley hasn't inspired through his music so it is only right that we ensure that his legacy continues for years to come."

The renovation is expected to be completed shortly and will be returned to the public eye in the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
 

— Gay Nagle Myers