By Frances Cha: It's a tough life, being one of 36 anonymous reporters for Conde Nast Traveler magazine's annual Hot List.Evaluating hundreds of new hotels around the world, testing rooftop pools, drinking signature cocktails and flickering a judgmental eye over superlative properties. Yet again this year, that indefatigable crew managed to get through the job. The magazine's 17th annual Hot List Issue rounding up the best new hotels of 2013 hit newsstands on Tuesday.

By Chadner Navarro: Whether you need a recovery trip on the heels of spring break or a haven from other people's cranky toddlers, some hotels and resorts remove that unpredictable variable of youth and allow for a special kind of exclusivity: adults-only properties.

By Dana McMahan: If you think professional photographers only tail the glitterati, think again. A luxury that wouldn't have occurred to most travelers a few years ago, vacation photography is growing in popularity to capture the trip of a lifetime.

By feature writer Chris Martin: There's a growing push for hotels, resorts, and other hospitality properties to become more environmentally-friendly. Not so long ago, that meant shelling out precious cash to purchase energy-efficient equipment and supplies without seeing any financial benefit from these investments. But now, the "green industry" has evolved to the point where conversion project costs can be recouped quickly and energy savings can significantly affect a property's bottom line. Here are several ways to go green and save money in the process.

By feature writer Alan Campbell: We have come a very long way and learned some valuable lessons along the road. Let’s not lose sight of the reason we decided to enter into this business. If it were not for customers, we (the hotels) would not be here today.

By feature writer Sarah Boisvert: Booking hotel rooms online is now a website feature all travelers expect. But the difference of getting a booking without a professional salesperson in the process and losing a customer means the booking process has to sell itself. One important aspect of successful online sales for the hotel industry is making it simple for your customers to book a room online. Here are a few guidelines to help you ensure your booking process is easy to use.

By Tiffany DeShazo: A second opinion is often recommended when a doctor has made a diagnosis.  It’s incredibly valuable in writing too.  Even if your second opinion’s fresh set of eyes doesn’t find any mistakes, you will feel more confident when sending out your e-mail or document.  A fresh set of eyes can make all the difference in avoiding unnecessary errors and helping your message effectively come through.

By Martha C. White: For years, most hotel restaurants could easily be dismissed as unremarkable and unsurprising, their menus seemingly unchanged from year to year. But lately, they have been following the lead of upscale restaurants and offering ingredients grown or produced nearby.