The California Zephyr is an Amtrak Superliner — a two-story train with coach seating, bedrooms, roomettes (a private cabin that's about half the size of a bedroom), a dining car, and a lounge car. There are also larger, family-sized bedrooms and accessible bedrooms.

I'd ridden the California Zephyr a year earlier, but I took a shorter trip in a roomette. This was my first time riding the entire route from Chicago to California. It was also my first time booking a bedroom on an Amtrak Superliner.

The couch folded out to form the bottom bunk, and the top bunk pulled down from the ceiling.

The Amtrak bedroom sleeps up to two passengers, though I traveled solo.

The booking also included some perks. Sleeper-car ticket holders get a first-class attendant, priority boarding, lounge access at some stations, and complimentary meals on board.

During the day, the lower bunk was set up as a couch, and the upper bunk was folded up. A single seat faced the couch with a pullout table in between.

The table also had two foldout leaves for more space. I thought this was a smart space-saving hack.

The closet had two hangers inside. I used it to store my coat, sweater, and winter boots.

The sink and vanity had two power outlets and an overhead light. Although the cabinets were stocked with extra hand towels, tissues, and soap, there was still enough space for me to store my own toiletries. The paneled mirror made getting ready in the morning feel a tad luxurious.

Only bedroom accommodations on Amtrak Superliner trains have private bathrooms.

Showering next to the toilet felt odd, but I couldn't deny that it was a clever use of a limited space. And I certainly preferred it over having just a toilet or just a shower.

To use the shower, I set the temperature first. Then I pressed a button to start the water. There was another button on the showerhead itself to turn the water on and off. On the wall above the toilet, I spotted shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

The mirror was not only useful for getting ready — it also made the tight space feel larger.

When I changed my clothes each morning and evening, I pulled my suitcase down to the single seat. Passengers can also store their luggage in a shared space in the sleeper car, but I prefer to keep my stuff with me.

Both sets of controls had a reading light. One had a power outlet and a temperature dial, and the other had an attendant call button and lighting options.

The night setting was a dim blue light, which I thought added a dreamy glow to the space before bed.

When I pulled the top bunk down from the ceiling, I found a ladder on the cot and attached it to the far side of the bunk. There were safety straps that I hooked onto the ceiling.

There was also a mattress topper, soft bedding, and pillows. I used a wall-mounted pouch to store a water bottle and my phone.

I liked sleeping on the top bunk — despite hitting my head on the low ceiling — because I could store my backpack and other belongings on the couch below, which kept the room neat. I got seven hours of sleep that first night.

I pulled a lever beneath each couch cushion to form the lower bunk.

Although the room wasn't as tidy, since I didn't have as much space to store my belongings, I appreciated that the lower bunk was slightly larger than the top cot.

I also liked being right next to the window when I woke up in the morning. I got eight hours of sleep in this bunk.

Unlike most overnight trains I've taken, the bedroom was comfortable enough to actually enjoy spending 53 hours in a confined space. I arrived in California feeling well-rested and squeaky clean.

I wouldn't splurge on a bedroom for just any long-distance Amtrak train. I think the smaller roomette is comfortable enough and worth saving money on shorter overnight journeys. But for rides that are more than 24 hours long, I'll book a bedroom every time.

Today, you can reserve tours on the Bannerman Castle website.

The abandoned castle is visible from the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson line. I took the train from Grand Central Terminal in NYC to the Manitou train station.

There, I met up with guides from the Bannerman Castle Trust, the group that oversees the castle's preservation and maintenance.

Pollepel Island is only accessible by boat. Two guides from the Bannerman Castle Trust met me at the dock.

I crammed into the boat with the guides and a handful of volunteer gardeners who do landscaping work on Pollepel Island.

From the dock, we climbed 72 stairs to reach the island.

My guide explained that the castle's towers are supported by external beams braced with steel. Each section weighs 250 pounds.

But even with this support, there's still a risk that the walls could fall. That's why all visitors must stay at least 100 feet away from the castle.

Luckily, observation decks are set up around the castle at picturesque vantage points.

Francis Bannerman VI, an arms dealer who lived in Brooklyn, bought Pollepel Island in 1900. He wanted a place outside the city to store an arsenal of munitions, according to The New York Times, so he built the fortress and an accompanying harbor.

Bannerman's sons took over the business when he died in 1918.

This shattered the castle's windows.

It eventually became part of the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, according to the park's website.

After that, Pollepel Island was deemed unsafe and declared off-limits by the State of New York.

The group raised money to restore the island; Caplan is its executive director.

Today, it serves as a theater, museum, and historical site.

The facade of the building also serves as the backdrop for the theater's stage.

Modest exhibits explain the site's history and the castle's construction. Drawings and documents are framed on the building's distressed walls.

The center also has a gift shop that sells art and T-shirts.

According to the Bannerman Castle Trust, much of the castle's shell collapsed one night in December 2009. Then, just a month later, more walls fell during a winter storm.

From the water, we caught glimpses of other pieces of the abandoned fortress, including its deteriorated harbor.

The combination of medieval architecture and overgrown trees and foliage makes Bannerman Castle a place worth visiting up close.

The 65-year-old hotel chain has a luxurious reputation and over 130 locations worldwide, each designed to reflect its destination.

Kim Cole, the director of public relations for the Four Seasons, told Business Insider that the company describes the Jackson Hole location's aesthetic as "modern mountain chic," catering to hikers, bicyclists, and skiers in the winter.

The hotel has 106 guest rooms and 18 suites. The starting rate is $525 in the offseason and $995 in the peak winter season. Business Insider received a media rate for a one-night stay.

There are also 31 Resort Residences on-site, built to serve large groups. These residences have kitchens and up to five bedrooms. Starting prices range from $4,200 to $11,000, depending on the season.

Cole told Business Insider that in the winter, guest rooms are typically booked with active guests who participate in winter sports, so I imagined how the room would feel as a skier.

My room had a king-sized bed, a full bathroom, and a private balcony.

Renovated by Wimberly Interiors in 2022, the guest rooms were designed to bring the outside in, with metal accents, stone finishings, and a soft, earth-toned color palette. This nature-inspired trend, known as biophilic design, gained traction in 2024.

The king-sized bed sat between mixed-material nightstands with edgy lamps that contrasted with classic wooden shutters.

With one king-sized bed, the room sleeps up to three adults (or two adults and one kid). The room can also be arranged with two double beds, increasing the maximum occupancy to four adults (or two adults and two kids).

The headboard was the standout piece in the room. A cherry-wood frame juxtaposed with a bright-white image gave it a midcentury modern look.

The image was a textured carving of trees that I could feel when I brushed my fingers over the branches. A light bar glowed beneath the board, making it easier to see the details of the monochrome image.

The tablet on the nightstand served as the room's control center, commanding everything from the TV to room service. This amenity was added in the 2022 remodel.

The tablet would be especially handy after an exhausting day on the slopes.

Few things are more relaxing on a snow day than cozying up with a good book.

Luckily, my room had a small selection of biographies, historical literature, and novels, ranging from realistic fiction to young adult fantasy.

Publishing dates for these books ranged from 2003 to 2020, but I thought they looked much older. They were all sleeveless with a white or off-white binding.

Rustic drawers were to the left of the fireplace, while a modern sitting area was on the right.

I noticed all the seating in my room was soft and cushy, which seemed ideal for sore bodies after an active day.

The bar had an espresso machine, neutral-toned ceramic mugs, and Four Seasons-branded water.

Beneath the bar, a cabinet hid the mini-fridge. It was stocked with alcohol and snacks like peanut M&Ms and gummy bears, which were available for an extra cost.

The bathroom had complimentary Le Labo toiletries.

The mirrors and vanities were replaced by Wimberly Interiors in 2022.

I spotted old-school amenities like a shoehorn and a shine brush, which I've seen more often in high-end European accommodations than in the US.

The ample size of the bathroom and closet made the room suitable for up to four guests.

I spent some time on the deck, but since I imagined it would be less enjoyable in the cold, I appreciated the sliding glass doors that let me enjoy the view without the cold.

From the balcony, I spotted the downhill trails towering over the resort's courtyard. Looking down, I pictured the green courtyard blanketed in snow.

In the winter, I imagine the biggest luxury of this $1,000-a-night room is hitting the slopes just outside. If I ever visit Jackson Hole during peak season, I'll only splurge on a Four Seasons stay if I'm taking a ski trip.