Travel Roundup: Hostels As Boutique Hotels, United Drops Fees, Hilton's Roosevelt Hotel Reopens and More

Hostels now more like boutique hotels — The term “youth hostel” maybe not be correct anymore, since most now seem like boutique hotels catering to families wanting low-cost, informal-style lodgings. And the demand keeps growing, a spokesman for the Western Canada for Hostelling International reported. One of the new hostels includes the Painted Turtle Guesthouse, a 20-room hostel in Nanaimo, British Columbia, owned by Bruce and Angie Barnard. The hostel keeps costs low by limiting amenities: no artwork, no phone, no television. Its shared bathrooms have locking, private facilities with showers and each floor has wi-fi. [Source: Seattle Times]

United to drop frequent flier fees — United Airlines said Monday it will drop most fees to redeem frequent flier miles for flights booked after July 30. Previously, passengers who wanted to use last-minute travel on United had to pay $100 for an award ticket within six days and $75 for travel within seven to 20 days. Now those trips can be booked without penalties. United doesn’t charge fees for flights booked 21 days or more in advance. Still, Mileage Plus members must pay a $25 fee if they redeem by phone or a $30 fee if cashing in at a ticket counter. [Source: Chicago Tribune]

New Orleans’ Roosevelt Hotel finally reopens after Hurricane Katrina — The Roosevelt Hotel has finally reopened in downtown New Orleans, four years after Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane flooded 80 percent of New Orleans, crippling its tourism industry. Although most of New Orleans recovered within months, several places remain closed like the Six Flags amusement park and the Hyatt. But now because of a $145 million renovation, the Roosevelt, first built in 1893, is a milestone for the city. Previously owned by the Fairmont hotel chain, it was bought in 2007 by the Hilton Hotel Corp. for $19 million and added to the company’s Waldorf-Astoria brand. [Source: Associated Press]

Yellowstone Club sold for $115 million — Montana’s posh Yellowstone Club was bought for $115 million by CrossHarbor Capital Partners of Boston. Eight months ago, the millionaires-only club was on the brink of bankruptcy due to a bitter divorce between its founders, Edra and Tim Blixseth and reports that both had drained millions from the resort, pushing it into more than $400 million of debt. Microsoft Corp.’s Bill Gates and hotel magnate Barry Sternlicht were members. [Source: Associated Press]