Have you ever topped off your glass of cabernet or pinot noir while saying, “Hey, it’s good for my heart, right?” This widely held impression dates back to a catchphrase coined in the late 1980s: the French Paradox.

The French Paradox refers to the notion that, considering their fondness for cheese and other rich, fatty foods, drinking wine might explain the relatively low rates of heart disease among the French. This hypothesis helped spur a host of beneficial plant compounds known as polyphenols to be discovered. Theoretically, polyphenols, present in red and purple grape skins (as well as many other grapes, vegetables, and nuts), clarify the heart-protecting properties of wine. Another argument stems from the fact that red wine appears in the Mediterranean diet, an eating trend shown to fend off heart attacks and strokes.

Last Updated: 18 May 2021

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Eating out has never been more popular. It’s no longer a special treat, but an everyday delight.

People of all ages are embracing the dining experience, close to home and on vacation. Hotels can capitalize on this right now – but only if they have the right technology and strategy.

Dining out is a vital part of the travel experience

Over the last five years, eating out locally has become part of our daily lives. Not only that, but dining is now a much faster and more informal affair, leading to a boom in both casual and fast-casual restaurants.

Unsurprisingly, this willingness to try local restaurants, experience ‘craft’ foods, make spur-of-the-moment choices, and eat in a more relaxed atmosphere, has altered the way we eat on vacation too.

Last Updated: 03 July 2017

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Eating out has never been more popular. It’s no longer a special treat, but an everyday delight.

People of all ages are embracing the dining experience, close to home and on vacation. Hotels can capitalize on this right now – but only if they have the right technology and strategy.

Dining out is a vital part of the travel experience

Over the last five years, eating out locally has become part of our daily lives. Not only that, but dining is now a much faster and more informal affair, leading to a boom in both casual and fast-casual restaurants.

Unsurprisingly, this willingness to try local restaurants, experience ‘craft’ foods, make spur-of-the-moment choices, and eat in a more relaxed atmosphere, has altered the way we eat on vacation too.

Last Updated: 28 May 2021

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Anyone who’s spent time in Bangkok knows the hotel scene is fairly one-note: Think predictably slick, luxury chain high-rises with expansive city views and, in true Bangkok fashion, swinging rooftop bars. And while we’re all for outdoor drinking just a short elevator ride from our room, we often crave a more intimate, culturally specific stay. Thankfully, private homes are being reborn as boutique hotels (where suites range from around $750 to under $100 a night).

Last Updated: 03 July 2017

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Anyone who’s spent time in Bangkok knows the hotel scene is fairly one-note: Think predictably slick, luxury chain high-rises with expansive city views and, in true Bangkok fashion, swinging rooftop bars. And while we’re all for outdoor drinking just a short elevator ride from our room, we often crave a more intimate, culturally specific stay. Thankfully, private homes are being reborn as boutique hotels (where suites range from around $750 to under $100 a night).

Last Updated: 09 April 2020

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