Corina Z. -- Oyster Reporter
When Corina isn't ordering up poolside mojitos in Las Vegas, she can be found in her infinitely more glamorous Brooklyn environs, splayed out on the couch watching choice cuts from Paradise Hotel II and her Janet Jackson video collection. Corina grew up in southeast Texas, and always wanted to look less doofy in a cowboy hat. It's a special skill.
- Hotels Reviewed: 35
- Destination Expert for: Las Vegas, Dominican Republic, New York
- Hometown: Orange, Texas
- Places Lived: Orange, Texas; Beaumont, Texas (right next to Orange); Philadelphia
- Education: B.A. in international relations, University of Pennsylvania
- Prior Experience: Village Voice, VH1, Money Magazine. Contributed to: MTV.com, NYMag.com, Time Out New York, Dazed and Confused.
- My Favorite Hotel: Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, in the Dominican Republic -- for the white canopy beds on the shore.
My Favorite Hotels
1.
Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach
- Pearls: Rating: 3.0 Pearls
- Where: La Romana, Dominican Republic
- Price: $180/night
Quality food, oceanfront bungalows, free trapeze lessons, and beachside canopy beds make this 600-room resort an excellent value. The sexy, 80-percent Italian clientele doesn't hurt either. There are some minor cleanliness issues, like debris in the pool, but the beach has some of the softest sand and clearest water in the D.R. (though there are the occasional coral rocks).
2.
Affinia Shelburne
- Pearls: Rating: 3.5 Pearls
- Where: Gramercy and Murray Hill, New York City
- Price: $254/night
Located in sleepy Murray Hill, the Affinia Shelburne is a bit of a hike from most popular tourist attractions, but the abundance of reasonably priced restaurants nearby -- as well as the hotel’s own rooftop bar and inventive burger grill -- make this comfortable, low-key property a solid mid-price option. The spacious suites recently underwent a renovation that added marble tubs and colorful custom-made furniture.
3.
Washington Square Hotel
- Pearls: Rating: 3.0 Pearls
- Where: West Village, New York City
- Price: $291/night
More than a century old, the once-bohemian Washington Square Hotel now attracts NYU parents and tourists with its prime Greenwich Village location, stunning art-deco-style furnishings, and free continental breakfasts. The rooms are small at this B&B-style hotel, but those who book the deluxe room -- which has significantly more natural light -- come away with few complaints.
4.
The Franklin NYC
- Pearls: Rating: 3.0 Pearls
- Where: Upper East Side, New York City
- Price: $273/night
Located in the quiet, classy Upper East Side -- close to Central Park, but far from NYC's best dining and nightlife -- the 1930s-era Franklin brings old Gotham romance into a modern boutique. Rooms are small but stylish and come with free Wi-Fi and excellent Bulgari toiletries. High-quality free breakfasts make it a great pick outside the tourist zone.
