Latest news with #WyndhamGrand
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Point Park University to house some students in Downtown Pittsburgh's Wyndham Grand hotel
Some incoming freshman at Point Park University will be staying in a hotel this fall. Point Park says it's anticipating one of its largest freshman classes in history and doesn't have enough room for all of them. A spokesperson for the university says some students will be staying at the Wyndham Grand hotel near Point State Park. "Enrollment has risen enough for the fall semester, particularly with first-year freshmen, and that's what caused us to seek a hotel partner," Point Park University spokesperson Lou Corsaro told the Post-Gazette. The school says the hotel is a five to six minute walk to class and students who stay in the hotel won't have to pay any extra fees. Most students at Point Park are expected to move onto campus between August 16 and August 23. Point Park's placing students in hotels comes as the University of Pittsburgh is also putting freshman students into off-campus hotels and apartments. 400 beds have been reserved for freshman students at off-campus apartments and at the Hampton Inn on Hamlet Street. Pitt says the facilities all meet the universities' standards for safety, amenities, and access to campus resources.
Metro
03-08-2025
- Metro
I found Tbilisi's perfect city break hotel — this is my honest review
Metro Checks In to the Wyndham Grand, a perfectly positioned hotel in the heart of Tbilisi. Of all the colourful addresses of Tbilisi's many micro-districts, there's no better base for exploring than 3 Lado Gudiashvili Street. That's where you'll find the Wyndham Grand, a modern hotel surrounded by the Georgian capital's ancient attractions. The biggest selling point is the location, a two-minute walk from Freedom Square and Rustavelli Avenue, an impressive tree-lined boulevard dotted with museums, an opera house, and Georgia's national parliament. The airport is only a 25-minute drive away, depending on traffic. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Tourist favourites, including the Drybridge Market and Narikala Fortress, are all within easy walking distance. You're also a short stroll to some of the city's best wine bars (Dadi and Snobs are standouts). Check out our city guide to Tbilisi, packed with local recommendations and quirky things to do, here. Opened in 2019 and quickly closed again due to the pandemic, the Wyndham is a mid-range hotel for business and pleasure. It's the sort of place that does what it says on the tin: comfortable and spotlessly clean, though not somewhere you'll spend a lot of time lounging around in. It has a glass-fronted facade, crowned by a globe-shaped atrium with a 22-metre 'Chandelier of Peace' as its centrepiece. Staff are friendly and welcoming. A doorman meets you to carry your bags to reception, and someone is on hand 24 hours a day to give dinner recommendations or order a taxi with a smile. There are 158 rooms (including 17 suites and two presidential suites) spread over seven floors, and a glass elevator that travels between them. The most common category is Deluxe King, which comes with Temple Spa toiletries and robes (always a nice touch), a comfortable bed, air conditioning and a decently sized work desk. Oh, and the WiFi is excellent. All rooms have air conditioning and a kettle with tea and coffee options, though this is limited to instant coffee and powdered milk — a disappointment for a hotel of this calibre. It's also worth noting that TVs don't offer streaming services, so you'll be limited to Georgian language channels (and maybe a bit of Russian). Breakfast is served in a dining room at the back of the hotel. It's buffet-style, with a good selection that caters for a diverse range of travellers. There are pancakes and native fruit salads, chicken sausages and cured meats. A chef is on hand to make omelettes on request. In the evening, a bar off the lobby transforms into the Asia‑themed MING restaurant, serving up sushi and cocktails. It's a popular spot for locals; you can hear groups chatting animatedly in Georgian as you turn in for the night. There's also a Sky Lounge on the top floor, which is often booked out for weddings and corporate events. The hotel has a small indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym and spa. Massages can be booked through reception or in advance. More Trending The focus, though, is on business. The top floor has a sunlit ballroom that doubles as a giant conference hall with room for up to 300 guests. Additional meeting rooms are available on the first floor, along with a smaller ballroom, though this one doesn't have any natural light. Standard Deluxe King rooms start from £155 a night, with breakfast and WiFi included. Time: Georgia is BST +3 hours. Weather: The average daily maximum temperature in August is around 26°C . Adaptors: For travel to Georgia, you will need a Type C or Type F adapter. Currency: The local currency is the Lari (GEL). Major chains accept credit and debit card, but many independent shops and bars are cash-only. Visas: You do not need a visa to visit Georgia with a UK passport. British citizens can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. Check in/check out: 3pm and 12pm. Disability access? Yes. The hotel is wheelchair accessible and there is space for car drop-off at the entrance. Standout feature: The location. Perfect for: Business travellers and tourists on a city break. Not right for: Luxury travellers or anyone looking to spend a lot of time lounging around. MORE: Never mind the Med — I stumbled on real summer magic in the Swiss Alps MORE: I stayed in the Airbnb alternative trying to do things differently MORE: Europe's 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem with £37 flights and 31°C August weather
Metro
21-06-2025
- Metro
The 'Rome of the Caucasus' should be your next city break
'I've cooked for men I should have poisoned,' reads the neon green scrawl on one of Tbilisi's graffiti-covered buildings. Gutsy, ambitious and colourful at every turn, my first glimpse of Georgia's ancient capital is a sign of things to come. Founded over 1,500 years ago, this hidden gem in the South Caucasus is the perfect antidote to Europe's crowded cities, with world-leading wine, a spunky underground scene and a dark but fascinating history. In a 2016 episode of Parts Unknown, the late Anthony Bourdain observed that few people can place Georgia on a map. Almost ten years later, as I explore Tbilisi's enchanting Old Town and the dramatic valley that cradles it, there are moments when I still get the sense of going where no tourist has gone before. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Tbilisi has never been a popular city break for UK travellers, largely because getting there was, historically, a headache — up to 10 hours of flying time and an irritating stop in Istanbul or Kyiv, before the Ukraine war. But reaching the Georgian capital is now a breeze, after easyJet and British Airways launched direct flights earlier this year. Non-stop routes from London, which take around five hours, run Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. In July, return fares start at £465. From Tbilisi airport, the city centre is about 20 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic. Leaving my digs at the Wyndham Grand near Freedom Square on the first morning of my four-day visit, it's immediately clear that Tbilisi is many things at once. Brownstone buildings have been allowed to dilapidate, but they are still used as everything from pharmacies to second-hand clothing boutiques. Inside derelict warehouses with crumbling balconies are trendy restaurants and hipster wine bars. Under wide tiled domes are historic (and reputedly healing) sulfur baths. Hidden in overgrown courtyards are aesthetic cafes full of remote workers, a nod to Georgia's rising star as a top choice for digital nomads. Lonely Planet recently ranked it 8th in the world. It's affordable, by Western standards, and people from over 90 countries can stay visa-free for up to a year. The city feels both small and large; the best way to explore is on foot, weaving in and out of 10 main districts, all with distinct personalities. Like the people who come here to work remotely, I feel I could easily live here. Lela, a local guide with BTL Travel, shows me the best Tbilisi has to offer,starting with a short hike to Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia, a monument erected in 1958 that watches over the city, holding a bowl of wine for friends and a sword for her enemies. The Georgian belief in 'Motherland' is strong. We take photos in the Old Town, of the leaning clock tower and tiny puppet theatre, and rummage through antiques at the Drybridge market. We marvel at the Holy Trinity Church that towers over the city, and scrub our skin soft at the mosque-like Orbeliani Baths. We drink amber wine at the Instagrammable Stamba Hotel and the unparalleled Dadi Wine Bar, and chat over classic Georgian favourites like khinkali (Georgia's giant dumplings) and khachapuri (cheese-filled boats of bread) at Shavi Lomi. English is widely spoken in hotels and restaurants, particularly in the Kala, Mtatsminda, Vera and Chughureti districts. But if you're looking for a locals' only haunt, head to Abastumani Street for the Dezerter Bazaar. The market, named after the Czar's military deserters who sold their belongings there, is a time-warp to years gone by. Raw and teeming with life, I imagine this was what Berlin was like just as the Wall came down. Size-wise, Georgia is comparable to Ireland, but it is astonishingly diverse: a land of lakes, vineyards, mountains and monasteries, where you can be lounging on the tropical Black Sea shore and skiing atop snowcapped peaks in the same two hours. Tbilisi has enough to keep you overstimulated in the best way possible for a solid three days. After that, it's time to explore the regions around it. Whizzing past verdant valleys and remote monasteries, we reach Mtskheta, a Silk Road outpost that was once Georgia's holy capital. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site, with three impressive churches and riverside restaurants that serve excellent lobio (kidney bean and walnut stew). Further along the road to Tbilisi, we branch off down a dirt road to Château Mukhrani, a vineyard and former royal estate that once hosted the Romanov family. In the cobbled halls of the vaulted cellar, we are guided through the ancient art of Qvevri wine-making, where clay vessels of grapes are planted in the 'belly of the earth'. This is world-first stuff — no other country can trace its wine-making history so far into the past. I've never tried Georgian wine before. Why do people know so little about it? 'We drink it all, that's how the saying goes,' sommelier Mariam says. Sipping qvevri-aged red beneath the glittering chandeliers of the orangerie, it's hard to believe such a place exists at the end of an unpaved track. As the sun edges near golden hour, we head for the city with a detour to the Tbilisi Sea (really, a large reservoir) and the Chronicle of Georgia, a bizarre monument open 24 hours that commemorates key figures from the country's 3,000-year history. From its perch on a hillside overlooking Tbilisi, I see sprawling estates of Soviet apartment blocks and snowcapped peaks in the distance. The scale of Georgia's mountains makes me feel like a molecule. On my way down Rustaveli Avenue, a leafy boulevard that is the city's main thoroughfare, I walk past cultural institutions like the Tbilisi Opera and National Ballet Theatre and the imposing high-arched parliament. Its golden walls have seen many momentous events, including the deaths of 19 Georgian hunger strikers at the hands of Soviet troops as the USSR started to disintegrate in 1989. Since November, it has been the site of nightly protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to suspend talks aimed at joining the European Union until 2028. I chat to demonstrators who are unequivocal about their views: they want EU membership, and ties cut with Russia. Sandwiched between Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, this is a place where east meets west in the truest sense. Georgia has been ruled by almost every empire you can think of, from Arabs and Persians to Ottomans and Soviets, but its people have never forgotten who they are — or who they want to be. In the capital of Sakartvelo , the Georgian name for Georgia, there is a more full-throated embrace of the EU than I have seen in any EU country. Along Rustaveli Avenue, there are blue flags with golden stars and street art declaring 'we are Europe'. Down alleyways, but still in plain view, are tags that read 'f**k Putin' and 'Ruzkis go home'. After Putin's 'partial mobilisation' order in September 2022, many Russians fled to Georgia to dodge the draft. While organisations such as Idite Lesom (Go by the Forest) have helped young Russians to escape, the people I spoke to in Tbilisi were unimpressed with their presence, largely due to the impact it has had on the cost of living. 'They came all at once, 10 kilometres of people lining up at the border, it was so long you couldn't believe it,' a barman, who asks not to be named, tells me. 'Rent is much more expensive now. We live like water and oil, we are rarely mixing.' The world is waking up to the treasure that Georgia has to offer. The country welcomed a record number of tourists in 2024, and insiders are already predicting that 2025 will be its biggest year yet, with millions expected to visit Tbilisi and support acts like Batumi and Kutaisi. Tourist spending helps to build much-needed infrastructure and community spaces. But the further I veer off Tbilisi's main track, the more I worry that this is not a place equipped for anything remotely approaching large-scale tourism. On one occasion, my taxi driver mutters profanities after we almost plough into a giant hole spanning the width of a side street next to the Holy Trinity Cathedral. On another, we are forced to reverse half a mile up a dual carriageway to make way for a convoy of trucks coming from Armenia. I ask Lela if she thinks they are ready for an influx of visitors. More Trending 'Absolutely not,' she laughs without hesitation. 'We are vulnerable. We're not like Turkey, they have resorts. We can't deal with huge numbers.' A 10-year development plan aims to help travellers navigate the country solo, without joining a tour group, by improving public transport, international sign-posting and building new roads. Georgia wants tourists, but Lela is adamant that it only suits a specific type. 'This country is for seasoned travellers. People come here after they've been everywhere else. 'It has so much to tell, but it reveals itself slowly. If you don't have the patience or the attitude to receive it, then it's a waste of time.' Day 1 Walk or take a cable car to the Mother of Georgia and Narikala Fortress Expore the Old Town, stopping for photos at the Meidan Bazaar, the clock tower and puppet theatre Have lunch at Prospero Bookshop cafe, and grab a second hit from Kvarts Coffee (if you're willing to queue, they'll draw your face on the cup) Stroll down Rustaveli Avenue, stopping at the parliament (not open to the public) and the Georgian National Museum Grab dinner at Craft followed by a glass of wine on the balcony at Snob's Wine Bar Day 2 Grab a coffee at BNKR and rummage through antiques at the Drybridge market Take a taxi to the Holy Trinity Cathedral followed by the Dezerter market, for a taste of authentic Tbilisi Have lunch at the Stamba Hotel and relax in the courtyard Unwind at the Orbeliani Baths (sulfur hot springs) Dinner and drinks at Dadi Wine Bar (make sure to grab a table outside) Day 3 Go on a day-trip to Mtskheta, taking in the Jvari Monastery and a wine-tasting at Château Mukhrani Have dinner at Lasamani and an early night Day 4 Take a taxi to the Chronicle of Georgia and swim in the Tbilisi Sea Explore the trendy Vera and Chugureti neighbourhoods, stopping at Vintage Hub (for second-hand designer clothes) Eat at Shavi Lomi followed by sunset drinks in the courtyard behind Fabrika hostel and Zevit-Kvevit, a speakeasy and gastro bar MORE: Historic 'hidden gem' Turkish destinations get new UK flight routes MORE: The 'enchanting' UK town with five beaches that's only 58 minutes from London MORE: World's 'most liveable city' for 2025 revealed — knocking Vienna off the top spot
Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Telegraph
Live out your high-seas fantasies in Barbados at Wyndham Grand
Set next to the Georgian mansion once owned by legendary buccaneer Sam Lord, Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle is the perfect spot to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. This sun-soaked retreat, just a short drive from the airport, is blessed with a white-sand beach and is also home to exquisite restaurants and five pools. Designed for families, and featuring more than 150 connecting rooms, this is a contemporary resort where floor-to-ceiling windows flood rooms with light, offering ocean or resort views, and gorgeous gardens are dotted with pools fringed by sunbeds and a swim-up bar. The premium all-inclusive concept means you'll enjoy everything from al fresco dining and cocktails at the Burnt Cask rum bar to beachfront yoga, kids' clubs and tennis. An ocean oasis Each room and suite is designed to offer a haven of calm. Deluxe Rooms come with one king-sized bed or two queens, as well as a choice of sea or resort views. Then there are the vast suites, which come with separate living rooms and two balconies. Step outside and the lush gardens lead you down to the beach of powdered sands and the renowned Sam Lord's Castle, now a shell of a building following a devastating fire. As the story goes, Sam Lord made his fortune by illuminating his house at night to lure sailors onto dangerous reefs and rob the resulting shipwrecks. Cocktails and culinary delights From the 150 rums available at the glamorous Burnt Cask Rum Bar to the casual buffet of the Mediterranean Market – which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – the culinary options are second to none. Grab a snack of plantain chips from Lucy's Lounge to take with you as you explore the island, before returning to a new-world feast at Sam Lord's Grill, which serves up a range of elevated American and Mexican cuisine. A burger or quesadilla at lunchtime can be followed by steak in the evening, with patties and seaside cocktails flowing at the pool bar Lantern. Those wanting more local flair on their plate will appreciate the Castle View restaurant, which specialises in gourmet cuisine with a Caribbean twist. Here you can sit and take in the view over the picturesque remains of Sam Lord's Castle, enjoying fresh seafood or grilled meat in fine-dining style. Wellness and activities Looking for something a little more indulgent? The Island Essence Spa is the perfect retreat. With seven treatment rooms and a pool, you can treat yourself to body scrubs and prescriptive facials and finish off your pampering with a manicure or pedicure. More active guests can enjoy a game of tennis or pickleball under the sun, head to the fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre or take classes such as yoga. If you'd prefer a more leisurely alternative to sunning yourself on a lounger, you can go beachcombing for wrecks in a nod to Sam Lord's nefarious past. On selected days, the resort offers shuttles to the Barbados capital of Bridgetown and Carlisle Bay, and you can explore further afield with a shuttle to the village of Oistins, which hosts the Fish Fry, a lively weekend street market and party. The complimentary kids' club also offers the little ones a range of daily activities to keep them occupied, including nature walks, dance classes and crafts, letting you get on with the important business of lazing in a cabana by one of the five pools. British Airways Holidays packages include a generous checked baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your all-inclusive holiday to Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*. *Full balance due seven weeks before departure for long-haul holiday bookings. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
Book brilliant luxury beach resort breaks in the Caribbean and Mexico
If you're daydreaming of a picture-perfect break, it's time to book a trip to the Caribbean with British Airways Holidays – and turn your dreams into reality. Dazzling white sands, sapphire waters and swaying palms are just half the story – from Mexico's dreamy coastline to verdant tropical islands and the fine gold-hued sands of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, you'll find incredible variety across the Caribbean. Barbados bliss A breathtaking all-inclusive resort on the southeastern coast of Barbados, Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle is a picturesque retreat steeped in history and adventure, set next to the Georgian mansion built by legendary 18th-century buccaneer Sam Lord. Today it is a luscious family resort, its more than 150 airy, interconnected rooms resplendent with floor-to-ceiling windows, gorgeous gardens and sea views. While it is a short drive from the airport, it is the perfect Caribbean sanctuary, one that has something for everyone, whether that's pools with a swim-up bar, morning sessions of beachfront yoga, an action-packed kids' club or tennis. You can also savour world-class culinary experiences at its range of fantastic restaurants. Castle View's elegant art deco interiors and exquisite Mediterranean cuisine are a treat for the senses. The Mediterranean Market offers delicious family favourites while the bustling Burnt Cask rum bar features over 150 rums and vibrant themed nights featuring live music. Need some pampering? You'll be in heaven with the luxurious spa and wellness offerings. And themed nights invite you to enjoy live music and authentic street food. Sublime Saint Lucia Romantic retreat or fun-filled family adventure? Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa blends the best of both worlds, delivering an unforgettable holiday for couples and families alike. The Harmony Wing is all about serenity, intimacy and luxury, tailor-made for couples. Think double hammocks, shimmering adults-only pools and massages for two beside the ocean. Make a beeline to the other side of the resort and you'll find family paradise at the Splash Wing. Saint Lucia's largest waterpark is the star attraction; add the fantastic Kidz Klub and the kids will enjoy an unforgettable adventure. Out on the beach you can enjoy the Caribbean sun or enjoy non-motorised water sports at Saint Lucia's only kitesurfing facility or, if you prefer the pool life, try aquacise and pool volleyball at the expansive outdoor pool. Indulge in a whole host of culinary delights, including tucking into classic jerk chicken dishes while perched above the trees at The Jerk Treehouse, and a delicious buffet at main restaurant Coconut Walk Marketplace. Captivating Costa Mujeres Famed for its fabulous beaches, serene waters and year-round sunshine, Costa Mujeres is an idyllic stretch of shore just north of Mexico's Cancun region. With Mayan pyramids, expansive sands, incredible culture and an ever-emerging collection of luxury hotels, it's slowly becoming one of the Caribbean's dreamiest destinations. At Family Selection at Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres, Mexico, you can enjoy a specialised luxury offering within a five-star resort. This VIP family hotel combines beautiful beaches, coral reefs and a whole variety of exclusive facilities, from beach areas to pools. Kids and adults will love the range of culinary options, including à la carte restaurants and family-focused eateries. There are also dedicated kids' clubs, water sports and evening shows providing entertainment for the whole family. Seeking something just for the grownups? TRS Coral Hotel, Costa Mujeres, Mexico, a serene couples' retreat, blends high-end wellness experiences with fine dining, exquisite service and dazzling entertainment. Luxury suites offer sweeping views, balconies or terraces and a butler service. Head to the sprawling two-storey spa for whirlpools and hydro-massage baths, take tennis classes at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center and enjoy state-of-the-art fitness facilities. A Dominican Republic dream The dazzling Caribbean sun casting light and warmth across the soft pale sands of Bacaro Beach in Punta Cana is a sight to behold, especially when you have just checked in to the luxe, adults-only TRS Turquesa Hotel, and are only now perhaps checking out its bar options. There are six to choose from across the hotel, as well as four restaurants, three pools, and the hotel's own private VIP section on Bavaro beach. Suites come with butler service, day and night, with either a balcony or a private terrace, and en suite bathrooms with a jetted tubs. You can opt for pool, garden or Caribbean sea views – the choice is yours. For ardent romantics, the Jacuzzi Terrace Suite Beachside comes with its own double Jacuzzi, while the loved-up can steam up the windows of the Romance Suites with their own in-room hot tubs. The hotel's main pool is by the beach, with all the bells and whistles you'd expect – whirlpool tubs, hammocks, a fabulous swim-up bar – and two more are nestled in the hotel's lush tropical gardens. You can find your own state of bliss in a hammock or daybed out there on the hotel's own private section of Bacaro Beach, or you can hit reset at the luxurious Zentropía Palladium Spa & Wellness centre, that comes with a hot and cold Jacuzzi, ice room, sauna, steam room and hydromassage baths. This is one spa that's so relaxing it could unwind a Swiss watch. Further afield, the opportunities for sailing, surfing, snorkelling or plain old-fashioned swimming abound, along with a smorgasbord of sports ranging from tennis to golf to badminton. And you have the chance to dine, drink and entertain at family-friendly sister hotel Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino. For the evening, the fine dining at both hotels encompasses Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Spanish and French cuisine, as part of the hotel group's Dine Around offering, and for late nights, reserve yourself a table at Chic Cabaret for live shows incorporating dance, acrobatics, music and fine dining – and a night you'd really, really like to remember. Riviera Maya magic Mexico's Riviera Maya, with buzzing Playa del Carmen at its heart, is renowned for its white-sand beaches, vivid blue waters and lush tropical landscapes. The Fives Hotels & Residences offers two stunning hotels on these pristine shores, each featuring à la carte delicacies, luxury suites bathed in Caribbean sunlight and heavenly wellness offerings. And all wrapped up in the immersive, multi-sensory vibe of its All Senses Inclusive concept. Set between the white sands of Playa del Carmen and lush tropical forests in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, Essence at the Fives Beach, Mexico is a charming beachfront beauty delivering a luxury Caribbean experience. Suites are spacious, sensuous and light-filled, while its Joy & Wellness programme offers up to 150 pampering and fitness activities. Dive into your choice of eight pristine pools or sink your toes into sugary sands, gaze out over limpid turquoise waters and sip signature cocktails as the setting sun trails its colours across the Caribbean. Your senses come alive at adults-only retreat The Beachfront by The Fives, Mexico, whether that's sinking your toes in the pristine sands of Xcalacoco Beach right in front of the hotel, or sampling ceviche at the chic, ocean-side Santa Sirena. The Beachfront brings an exclusive boutique feel to the coast, surrounded by lush greenery, the elegance of its suites heightened by hints of boho-chic and heavenly views of the Caribbean's turquoise waters, while blissful beachfront infinity pools come with poolside service. Head to the rustic beach club for handcrafted cocktails and enjoy being pampered with complimentary daily hydrotherapy sessions. Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Palladium Resorts, Fives Essence and Fives Beachfront with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*. *Full balance due seven weeks before departure for long-haul holiday bookings. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply
