What We’re Reading: Can a Hotel Room Cure a Cold?

Can a hotel room cure sick travelers? And why has Walt Disney World suddenly become a boozier place? We tackle the tough questions in our weekly roundup of travel news.

Would You Fly American?

That’s the topic of the week on one of our favorite travel blogs, The Cranky Flier. Last week, we reported that some analysts were warning flyers not to book with American, since the airline’s been suffering from a spate of cancellations and delays. Travelers have since been sounding off on the subject on The Cranky Flier, sharing their experiences and arguing for and against the legacy airline; it makes for an interesting read.

According to one Cranky reader, “Book away from these guys. There’s no reason you want to get involved with AMR’s [the parent company of American] messy (and getting messier) situation. This is a great example of why competition is so important.”

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Ends Booze Ban

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The Magic Kingdom’s alcohol ban is ending this November, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The Walt Disney World Resort park, home to Cinderella’s Castle, was previously dry. But come November, beer and wine will be served at Be Our Guest, a new French restaurant based on “Beauty and the Beast.”

Maribeth Bisienere, vice president of food and beverage for Walt Disney Parks, told the Sentinel, “You cannot walk into a French restaurant and not get a glass of wine or beer. It made more sense to do it than not to do it.”

Can a Hotel Room Cure a Cold?

If the dreaded vacation virus comes down on you, try to get a room at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The New York Times reports that the property has created 41 designated StayWell rooms, which feature “extra soundproofing, ventilation that purifies and humidifies the air, and filtered water on tap.” The rooms are cleaned with hypoallergenic products. There’s an alarm clock that wakes guests by simulating the light from the sun at dawn. And there’s even a vitamin-C infused shower. Booking one of these rooms is a far better strategy than cramming piles of Emergen-C and Cold-EEZE you in your bag.

Would you book a StayWell room?