The Brando Resort
The Brando is a private resort situated on the atoll of Teti’aroa in French Polynesia. The Brando serves as a research facility, eco-resort, as well as a regulated airstrip. The resort currently has over 80 staff and facilities management personnel.
The name comes from the actor Marlon Brando, who took out a 99-year lease on the atoll.
The only way to get to The Brando is via air travel, with airline Air Teti’aroa flying privately between the island of Tahiti and Teti’aroa.
Construction of The Brando Resort began in 2009 by Teti’aroa Pacific Beachcomber 
SC, with the first phase of building including repairing the runway for smoother plane landings and extending it to meet current aviation requirements. Additionally, a reef dock was added, enabling shipments via the ocean to the lagoon side of the reef. The hotel was finally completed in February 2014, opening for guests in July 2014. Eight of Marlon Brando’s children were involved with the construction project, alongside the Brando Estate.
The buildings of the resort are made using materials that are either local or certified to be renewable or recycled, as well as using an efficient energy generator to ensure lack of waste.
Keith Moon – Holiday Inn, Flint, Michigan
Famous drummer of The Who, Keith Moon, was well known for his destructive habits when visiting hotels, in one particularly famous incident at the Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan, he allegedly drove a Lincoln Continental into the hotel pool. Although there is little hard evidence to prove that this incident ever truly happened, the incident has gone down in history as one of Moon’s most notorious destructive acts.
At the same Holiday Inn, Moon was also allegedly responsible for starting a cake fight, as well
as blowing up the toilet in his room with unknown explosives. Moon was already well-known for the destruction he would cause to hotel rooms, and the band was famously banned from a number of hotel chains permanently.
The particular indecent at the Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan, ultimately led to the band being banned from all Holiday Inn’s across America, and the infamy of the incident making life difficult for the band to be able to book any hotel rooms in the future. It was reported that tour managers had to book rooms using pseudonyms in the future in order to avoid rejection.
Death of Anna Nicole Smith
On the 8th of February, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her hotel room, Room 607 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Smith’s friend, Tasma Brighthaupt, who was also a trained nurse, attempted to perform CPR on Smith for approximately 15 minutes until her husband, Maurice Brighthaupt, took over. She was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival at 2:49 p.m.
Smith’s dead was made famous due to her living her life in the publi
c gaze for years beforehand. There were a number of leaks surrounding her death, including 911 phone calls as well as autopsy reports. A seven-week investigation into her death was performed by Broward County Medical Examiner Joshua Perper, in conjunction with Seminole police. Perper stated on his report that Smith died of “combined drug intoxication”, where she had combined the sleeping medication chloral hydrate as the main drug. It was reported that a total of 11 drugs were found in her system, with a number of them known to negatively compete with each other, and it was ultimately that which led to her death.
The Queen Victoria
Not all famous bars and pubs around the world are places that feature real drinkers. Possibly the most well-known bar in the United Kingdom, the Queen Victoria, is in-fact a fictional pub from the TV series, EastEnders. The pub is often called The Queen Vic, or simply The Vic, and made its first appearance on television on the 19th of February in 1985. The fictional pub sits on 46 Albert Square, Walford, in London, and has had numerous owners and employees over the years.
The fictional backstory for the pub states that Albert Square was originally built around 1860, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Originally the pub was going to be named The Balmoral, but after the death of Prince Albert it was decided that the pub would be called The Queen Victoria as a tribute to the Queen in mourning.
The pub is a central part of many plotlines that take place in EastEnders, and is likely the most haunted pub in the United Kingdom, according to Inside Soap, given the number of people that had died in the pub. To-date, five characters have died on the pub premises, Den, Archie Mitchell, Bradley Branning, Tiffan
y Mitchell, and Tom Clements.
The pub has also been damaged by fire twice during the show’s history, once in 1992 when character Grand Mitchell sets fire to the pub, and once again during a 2010 storyline. The 2010 storyline was an important part of the pub’s redesign, as parts of the interior had to be re-done for high-definition broadcasting and the fire allowed for the redesign to happen without affecting the show’s continuity.
The pub is featured in nearly every episode of EastEnders, and almost every character has had scenes take place in the pub at least once. There are many ‘regulars’ to the pub, with some of the more criminally minded characters making frequent use of the pub for their dealings. Aside from the fires that have consumed the pub over the years, the plotlines that directly involve the pub have often revolved around the changing owners of the pub. To-date there have been over a dozen owners, something that is quite rare for an actual pub. The current owner of the pub is Lee Carter, who has owned the pub after being able to purchase the pub back from the character Fi Browning, due to financial irregularities of the, at the time, failing pub.
Stonewall Inn
One of the most famous gay bars in the world, the Stonewall Inn, often just called Stonewall, dates back to 1843. The original construction at the site of the bar took place between 1843 and 1846, although at that time the site was constructed as stables. It wasn’t until the prohibition years in the U.S. that alcohol was first served on the premises, with the property functioning as a “tea room”. It was at that time that Stonewall was given its name, being named after the owner, Bonnie.
Stonewall was converted into a restaurant called Bonnie’s Stonewall Inn during the 1930s, later being renamed as the Stonewall Inn Restaurant. It remained a restaurant until the interior was destroyed by a fire that occurred in the 1960s.
Three members of the Mafia decided to invest in the bar in 1966, and decided to turn it into a gay bar. This turned out to be a good move for the bar, as members of the mafia had police connections and were able to mitigate the effects of police raids on gay bars, which were commonplace at that time. The mafia would use tricks such as keeping large reserves of alcohol nearby in case the police seized any alcohol during a raid.
Stonewall was also the site of a famous incident, later dubbed the Stonewall riots. 
The riots were a series of violent demonstrations against the police by members of the gay community in New York City. The gay community were demonstrating against the frequent police raids that took place in gay bars, but it wasn’t until a raid that happened in the early hours on the 28th of June, 1969, that the riot began. The police had raided Stonewall at approximately 1:20 am, but were left outnumbered as reinforcements failed to arrive on time. After the arrest of one of the patrons, who may or not have been Storme DeLarverie, managed to incite the crowd to fight back against the police.
It is still debated whether or not the incident at Stonewall has been a positive or negative for the LGBT community, but it wasn’t until that night that the first gay pride rally took place, a rally that has taken place each year since.
After the riots, Stonewall closed down and the site was split up between a number of new businesses that took over occupation, such as a bagel sandwich shop and a Chinese restaurant. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that a bar stood on the site once more, which was unfortunately closed down due to neglect and gross mis-management. The site went on to find new owners, and a now-successful gay bar and nightclub inhabits the spot, with no signs to close down any time soon.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
The Beverly Hills Hotel, also sometimes called The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, is situated on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. The hotel is one of the world’s most well-known hotels, and is closely associated with Hollywood film stars, rock stars, and various celebrities. The hotel boasts 210 guest rooms and suites, as well as 23 bungalows, each of which were designed in the signature pink and green colours, a trademark of the hotel.
The hotel was established in May 1912, befo
re the city even existed. Originally owned by Margaret J. Anderson and her son, Stanley S. Anderson, who had been managing the Hollywood Hotel. The original architect was Elmer Grey, who designed the hotel in the Mediterranean Revival style. The hotel has changed hands numerous times throughout its existence and is currently owned by the Brunei Investment Agency.
The hotel has been visited by a number of high-profile guests over the years, including Frank Sinatra, who preferred Bungalow 22, and Donald Trump. John Lennon and Yoko Ono were known for frequently staying in the number 10 bungalow that they said suited their personal, simple styles.
Pubs and Hotels
A pub, also termed as a public house or short for a public bar, is a licensed establishment which is legalised to sell alcohol, good food and provides a social atmosphere for a gathering of friends, business colleagues and other acquaintances. Historically, pubs and hotels date back to the arrival of the Roman Empire, when travellers and merchants stopped by at these alehouses and inns to usually obtain accommodation, food and drink. Here is an interesting fact; originally, British pub signboards were made to look vibrant and distinct to draw in illiterate drinkers. Almost 4000 bar-goers in Australia once rioted because a pub was closed. A bar in Northern Canada serves whisky with a frostbitten toe inside the glass. Some Irish bars provide “snugs” for their customers, which is a small room where they could drink in private, adding more meaning to the term “as snug as a bug”.
Hotels were initially introduced as establishments which provided lodgings for travellers either for business or pleasure. The oldest hotel in the world was set up in Japan and dates back as early as AD 717, run by forty-six generations of owners. Hotels have now become more popularly known for short-term accommodation, amenities and on-site restaurants, offering both economical and luxurious services.
Pet-Friendly Pubs and Swanky Hotels
There are often pet-friendly pubs and hotels you can visit. Or why not visit some of the swankiest hotels in Switzerland. Once you decide to go on a vacation to visit one of these pubs or hotels, make sure to have a comfortable shoe so you do not get blisters.
Finding the perfect hotel for your vacation can be quite a challenging task, but thanks to the invention of the internet, that well-deserved holiday is just a click away. Several websites help you compare hotel rates, offer discounts and exclusive deals, including tour packages for tourists, as well as suggestions on a variety of restaurants and pubs. Most of these hotels are commonly classified by their quality and service provided. Most of the leading luxury hotels believe in rendering top-notch hospitality services, paying attention to every minor detail from the carpet and curtains to providing personal hotel staff for each of their VIP guests. On an international scale, most countries have luxury hotels, budget hotels, motels, bed & breakfast inns, extended-stay lodges, boutique hotels, micro stay, capsule hotels, and much more. Many ‘speciality hotels’ include unique designs and features such as beach resorts, Bunker hotels, cave hotels, transit or airport hotels, underwater hotels, treehouse hotels, overwater bungalows, and so on. If you are perhaps wondering where to find the world’s largest hotel in terms of capacity, it is unsurprisingly located in Las Vegas.
Pubs and Hotels
A pub, also termed as a public house or short for a public bar, is a licensed establishment which is legalised to sell alcohol, good food and provides a social atmosphere for a gathering of friends, business colleagues and other acquaintances. Historically, pubs and hotels date back to the arrival of the Roman Empire, when travellers and merchants stopped by at these alehouses and inns to usually obtain accommodation, food and drink. Here is an interesting fact; originally, British pub signboards were made to look vibrant and distinct to draw in illiterate drinkers. Almost 4000 bar-goers in Australia once rioted because a pub was closed. A bar in Northern Canada serves whisky with a frostbitten toe inside the glass. Some Irish bars provide “snugs” for their customers, which is a small room where they could drink in private, adding more meaning to the term “as snug as a bug”.
Hotels were initially introduced as establishments which provided lodgings for travellers either for business or pleasure. The oldest hotel in the world was set up in Japan and dates back as early as AD 717, run by forty-six generations of owners. Hotels have now become more popularly known for short-term accommodation, amenities and on-site restaurants, offering both economical and luxurious services.
Pet-Friendly Pubs and Swanky Hotels
There are often pet-friendly pubs and hotels you can visit. Or why not visit some of the swankiest hotels in Switzerland. Once you decide to go on a vacation to visit one of these pubs or hotels, make sure to have a comfortable shoe so you do not get blisters.
Finding the perfect hotel for your vacation can be quite a challenging task, but thanks to the invention of the internet, that well-deserved holiday is just a click away. Several websites help you compare hotel rates, offer discounts and exclusive deals, including tour packages for tourists, as well as suggestions on a variety of restaurants and pubs. Most of these hotels are commonly classified by their quality and service provided. Most of the leading luxury hotels believe in rendering top-notch hospitality services, paying attention to every minor detail from the carpet and curtains to providing personal hotel staff for each of their VIP guests. On an international scale, most countries have luxury hotels, budget hotels, motels, bed & breakfast inns, extended-stay lodges, boutique hotels, micro stay, capsule hotels, and much more. Many ‘speciality hotels’ include unique designs and features such as beach resorts, Bunker hotels, cave hotels, transit or airport hotels, underwater hotels, treehouse hotels, overwater bungalows, and so on. If you are perhaps wondering where to find the world’s largest hotel in terms of capacity, it is unsurprisingly located in Las Vegas.
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The hotel is known for being the fifth tallest hotel in the world, although almost 40% of the hotel’s total height is unusable space. The hotel was built on an artificial island that is 280 metres from Jumeirah Beach and is connected to the mainland via a private curving bridge. The hotel was designed to look like the sail of a ship.
The beachfront where Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel are located was previously known as Miami Beach, with the name changing to give the location more of an Arabic sounding name.
The hotel was designed by the consultancy firm Atkins, with the project led by the architect Tom Wright, who has since gone on to become the co-founded of WKK Architects. The design and construction of the hotel were managed by Rich Gregory of WS Atkins, who is a Canadian engineer. It has been pointed out that the hotel bears similarities to the Vasco da Gama Tower in Lisbon, Portugal, although the designers of Burk Al Arab dispute this. Construction took place over 5 years, beginning in 1994, and at its peak it hired over 2,000 construction workers.
The exact design of the hotel comes from the billowing spinnaker sail of a J-class
yacht. The architect Tim Wright told journalists that the client desired that would become an icon or symbol for Dubai, similar to the Sydney Opera House or London with Big Ben. To that extent, the hotel has become a success.
One of the most visible parts of the entire building is the hotel’s helipad, which was designed by the Irish architect Rececca Gernon who went on to found her own architecture and interior design company, Serendipity By Design, which is headquartered in Dubai.
Numerous complicated construction techniques had to be used during the construction of the hotel, most notably the construction of the hotel’s foundation, an artificial island. To secure the foundation, construction workers had to drive 230 concrete piles into the sand, which were forty metres in length. Engineers then created a surface layer of large rocks to protect the foundation from erosion. The construction of the island took up most of the construction time, with the actual construction of the hotel taking less than two years.
Two of the world’s most notable restaurants are found within the Burj Al Arab, the Al Muntaha and Al Mahara. The Al Muntaha is 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai. The Al Mahara is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage, and the restaurant features a large seawater aquarium, which holds almost one million litres of water.
The Plaza Hotel, New York City
One of the most well-known hotels in New York City, the Plaza Hotel, is famed world-wide for its luxury suites, as well as classic architectural style. The Plaza Hotel is located on 768 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City.
Construction of the hotel originally started in 1883, on the site of the former New York Skating Club. The construction company ran out of money, leading to the New York Life Insurance Company deciding to foreclose and hire the greatest architects of the era, McKim, Mead & White, to complete the construction of the hotel, which was finally opened to the public on the 1st of October, 1890.
Unfortunately the first hotel was far too small to be able to keep up with interest from guests, and the hotel was demolished in 1905 by its new owners, Fred Sterry, Harry S. Black, and the German financier Bernhard Beinecke, all of whom envisioned a much larger hotel. Construction began on the new hotel, a 19 story building in French Renaissance inspired chateau-style building by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. The new hotel was c
onstructed in just 27 months, at huge expense, costing $12.5 million at that time.
The new Plaza Hotel opened on the 1st of October, 1907, with rooms costing just $2.50 a night, equivalent to $67.22 in 2018. The same room cost over $1,000 a night in 2001. The hotel proved to be so popular with guests that a 300-room annex was added from 1920-1921 along 58th Street.
There are a number of facilities available to guests of the hotel, including a butler on every floor, baby-sitting, a shopping centre, as well as numerous meeting rooms, managed by CPS Events.
The hotel has been featured commonly in popular culture, with a number of famous novels using the hotel as a meeting point for characters, such as Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan confronting one another in a suite in The Plaza Hotel in the novel The Great Gatsby.
The hotel also features in over 20 films, notably Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which focuses around the main character staying in the hotel by himself. The hotel is also featured on a number of popular television series, including Friends, as well as a number of episodes of The Sopranos.