The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• HDMI cables are becoming increasingly important in any home theater setup, and the best intersection of quality and price is the AmazonBasics HDMI cable.

HDMI cables are an important part of any home theater or home office set up. Not only can they connect your computer to your TV or external monitor, but they can also be pretty useful if you game with a console, own a streaming box, and so on.

You might not be aware, however, that not all HDMI cables are equal. There are a few different HDMI standards, and cable quality can have a big effect on how long the cable ends up lasting.

Contrary to popular belief, HDMI cables don’t really have version numbers — their connectors do. That’s to say, while your TV may have HDMI 2.1 connectors, the actual cable that runs between them doesn’t.

There are four types of HDMI cables: high speed with or without Ethernet and standard speed with or without Ethernet. The vast majority of HDMI cables are high-speed with Ethernet.

The other main thing to consider is how long of a cable you need. If you’re running a cable from your PS4 to your TV, shorter 3-foot cables might be long enough, but if you have a cable management system or a longer distance to cover, you’ll want to get a longer cable.

Read on in the slides below to learn why the AmazonBasics HDMI cable is our top pick and why you may also like the Monoprice Active Select HDMI cable, the Rankie HDMI cable, the SecurOMax HDMI cable, and the UGreen 90-degree HDMI cable.

SEE ALSO: The best streaming sticks and boxes you can buy

The best HDMI cable overall

Why you'll love it: The AmazonBasics HDMI cable is inexpensive, available in a range of different sizes, and supports the vast majority of modern devices.

If you’re looking for a standard, run-of-the-mill HDMI cable that should serve you perfectly in 99% of situations, then we think the best choice is the AmazonBasics HDMI cable. Why? It’s inexpensive, high quality, and will do the job perfectly for most situations.

It's is a high-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet, so it’ll support a shared internet connection without the need for a separate cable. It also supports all modern HDMI standards, so whether you’re connecting a 1,080p TV to a cable box or a PlayStation 4 Pro to a 4K TV, it will work just fine.

One of the things we liked most about this cable is that it’s cheap and available in a range of sizes. You can get the super short 3-foot cable for $5.99, or upgrade to longer ones, including a 50-foot cable, for more money.

Most other experts and buyer seem to like the cable, too. The Wirecutter also awarded it the top spot on its guide, and the cable has an average rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon.

Pros: Inexpensive, various lengths, works with any device that has an HDMI port

Cons: Plastic jacket

Buy the AmazonBasics HDMI cable on Amazon for $5.99+ (price varies by length)

The best long HDMI cable

Why you'll love it: The Monoprice Active Select series HDMI cable may be more expensive than others, but it has its own built-in chips to help transmit data over long distances.

Generally speaking, HDMI cables are just pipes for sending data, but they tend to degrade a little over long distances, especially when they’re lower-quality cables. If you’re hoping to transmit a signal over longer distances, then you may need slightly higher-quality cables like the Monoprice Active Select Series HDMI cable.

The cable is able to transmit data more efficiently over longer distances because it has its own chips built in the connectors. It’s also available in a range of distances and supports high-speed data transfer with Ethernet.

No matter which length of cable you need, Monoprice should have you covered. The cable starts at 15 feet but ranges all the way up to 60 feet. The trade-off? It’s a little more expensive than the other cables in our guide.

Pros: Different lengths, great over long distances, long cable

Cons: A little expensive

Buy the Monoprice Active Select cable on Amazon for $13.44+ (price varies by length)

The best HDMI cable under $5

Why you'll love it: The Rankie HDMI cable may not be the fanciest one, but it costs less than $5.

A cable is a cable right? Well, not exactly, but if you simply want an HDMI cable, and don’t need the extra bells and whistles, then the Rankie HDMI cable may be the cable to get. Why? Well, it costs less than $5.

The cable’s connectors are a little bulky and the cable isn’t exactly braided nylon, but when it comes to specs, it looks to be a pretty solid option for most uses. The cable has Ethernet and a high-speed connection, so it’ll work for almost all situations.

It's 6-feet long, though you can get it in 10-foot, 15-foot, and 25-foot lengths, too, for a bit more money. We recommend sticking with the shorter cables, though, and if you do want a longer cable, try the Monoprice cable in the previous slide.

Those who have bought the cable seem to like it, too. It has a 4.8-star average on Amazon.

Pros: Cheap, different lengths, well reviewed

Cons: Slightly bulky connectors

Buy the Rankie HDMI cable on Amazon for $3.99+ (price varies by length)

• Rent the Runway, a fashion company that allows customers to rent and return designer clothing, recently received a $20 million investment from Blue Pool Capital, an investment firm created by Alibaba founders Jack Ma and Joe Tsai.
• Rent the Runway is reported to be valued now at around $800 million. 
• Last year, Rent the Runway renovated its New York City headquarters, and Business Insider got a look inside.

Rent the Runway has been working to democratize fashion since 2009. The startup allows customers to rent articles of clothing from more than 450 designers, with tiered monthly subscription services and items that start at $30 for a four-day rental. 

Last week, it was reported that Jack Ma and Joe Tsai of Alibaba invested $20 million in Rent the Runway through their asset management firm, Blue Pool Capital. With that investment the company is now reportedly valued at a little less $800 million. 

Late last year, Rent the Runway celebrated its eighth anniversary with the opening of a freshly renovated Manhattan headquarters.

The nearly 40,000-square-foot space, which was designed by Hyphen, is adorned in pink wallpaper, and its perks include a meditation room, photo studio, and fitting room for employees to change into their own rentals.

"Even though we're 1,200 people it still feels like it did in the early days when we first founded the company," co-founder and CEO Jenn Hyman told Business Insider.

She added: "That entrepreneurial spirit, the warmth, the friendships, are all there. We wanted the office to reflect that energetic entrepreneurial spirit."

Ahead, get a look around the office and Hyman's favorite spaces.

SEE ALSO: Go inside the gorgeous New York apartment where everything is for sale

The offices house around 250 employees, though Rent the Runway employs about 1,200 people in total, including in their stores and warehouses.

In the front lobby are two large closets that have rotating wardrobes hanging inside them. "These closets are in the shape of our logo," Hyman said. "We continuously rotate to feature things that are new. New brands, new arrivals — they're continuously changing to evidence this statement: 'I have everything to wear.'"

On the left wall is what Hyman calls her favorite thing in the office: photos of customers, employees both past and present, and other female entrepreneurs that have used Rent the Runway's services.

• INSIDER spoke to eight experts about mistakes you're making when washing your hair.
• Keep an eye on the ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner, along with what kind of hair type it'll work best on.
• If you've bleached your hair, use purple shampoo.
• Make sure you're shampooing your scalp and conditioning only your ends.
• Detangle your hair before you shower, and wash with warm water and rinse with cold.

Hair washing mistakes tend to be the most obvious when it comes to personal care.

Hair that isn't washed enough, or washed too much, can look stringy or greasy.

If any product is left in the hair for too long, or not rinsed out properly, it can cause build-up and even create dandruff-like flakes.

INSIDER talked to eight experts about the best way to wash hair, along with some product recommendations.

Washing your whole head with shampoo

Shampoo is a detergent used to clean your scalp of bacteria and product build-up, which sits on the scalp.

Michon Kessler, a licensed cosmetologist and owner of Studio M inside Haven Salon Studios in Reno, Nevada, told INSIDER that people often shampoo their whole head, including the hair, when they should focus on the scalp.

"Lathering up the ends is unnecessary, she said. "The dirt, sebum, and dead skin live at the scalp, not 12 inches out on your ends. So lather at scalp only. The shear action of the lather rinsing through your ends is enough to cleanse them."

Putting conditioner in your scalp

Likewise, Kessler said people should only use conditioner on their ends, where the moisture is needed the most.

"Condition the opposite way," she said. "Your ends need all the oil and nutrients, so condition from the ends in toward the scalp.

If you do use conditioner further up the hair shaft, be careful to keep it away from your scalp, which will make it oilier.

Skipping a weekly treatment

A scalp cleansing treatment, like Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt, done weekly will make sure your skin is receiving the tender love and care it deserves.

Likewise, it's especially important when your hair isn't washed frequently.

"If you are skipping washes, which is totally fine, make sure when you arescrubbing you take the time to reallyscrub your scalp," Sarah Rappolt, education director and stylist at Michael Angelo's Wonderland Beauty Parlor in New York City, told INSIDER.

"The danger in product residue building up on the scalp over time is the possible development of dandruff or even fungus. Your scalp is a living breathing organ and needs oxygen to survive."

Rappolt said the process should take three to four minutes for the development of healthy, shiny hair.

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for "Westworld" season two.

"Westworld" fans got a chance to explore the dusty streets of Sweetwater at the SXSW festival.

HBO created an entire theme park set in the American frontier, where "Westworld" fans could experience what it's like to be a guest of the show's park. Actors playing the townspeople lived out elaborate storylines, and visitors interacted with them.

The network spent the last four months refurbishing a real-life ghost town in Austin, Texas, into the sci-fi Western park, complete with gunslingers, fake prostitutes, and booze — lots of it.

Guests who paid close attention may have uncovered several Easter eggs in the experience.

SEE ALSO: HBO created a 'Westworld' experience at SXSW that's like Disney World with gunslingers, women, and booze — take an exclusive look inside

At the back of the town, I came upon a quiet saloon. A dark figure lingered in the window.

It was a samurai!

In the season one finale, we learn that Westworld isn't the only Delos Destinations park.

• North Carolina-based chicken chain Bojangles' is having growing pains after a recent expansion push. 
• The company recently reported negative sales growth, and its CEO stepped down for personal reasons. 
• We visited the chicken chain, and we think the road to recovery is possible — but it'll take some work. 

Regional cult-favorite Bojangles' plans to expand across America are apparently hitting some bumps along the way. 

Last week, after a lackluster fourth-quarter earnings report, the company's stock went on a wild roller coaster ride, plummeting before rallying to its highest price this year. The chain's system-wide sales were down from the previous quarter, and year-over-year sales decreased more than 2%, according to QSR Magazine. 

Plus, in a seemingly unrelated move, the company's CEO, Clifton Rutledge, stepped down for personal reasons on March 5. 

While Bojangles' has some plans for a turnaround — including strategic closings, a new loyalty and payment app, lower prices, and plans to continue remodeling stores in a more modern format — when we visited the chain during a trip to Virginia last year, we found that the chain had a long road ahead of it. 

Bojangles' has been making a major expansion push since its 2015 IPO. As a North Carolinian, Business Insider's Kate Taylor swore she had eaten higher-quality Bojangles' in the past. Perhaps Bojangles' expansion is actually the root of its problems — not the potential sales boost that the chain had hoped for.

It may enjoy fanatical devotion in its home base of North Carolina, but for the chain to make it outside of the Carolinas, some changes need to happen. Here's how our taste test in Charlottesville, Virginia, went: 

SEE ALSO: We tried biscuit breakfast sandwiches from major fast-food chains — and the winner is shockingly clear

ALSO READ: Wendy's is slamming McDonald's as a new weapon emerges in the fast-food wars — and it's clear whose burger is better

Bojangles' beige buttress beckoned from the highway in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The taupe continued inside. The interior had a clean and sterile — yet vaguely homey — vibe, like an old-school New England Wendy's.

The ordering system sets Bojangles' apart from others: The cashier calls orders over a PA system to the kitchen, which springs into action.

• If a road trip packed with roadside attractions is on your bucket list, be prepared for the occasional disappointment.
• Overcrowded sites and underwhelming curiosities are often the reality.
• The Mystery Spot, for example, isn't all that mysterious.
• The famous Stonhenge is generally packed ... and right across from a parking lot.

Natural wonders and oversized objects enliven overseas travel and the great American road trip alike.

But the picturesque images you may have in your head don't always align with how things look in real life.

From drab landscapes out west to big crowds at Stonehenge, these photos show the disappointing reality of roadside attractions in the US and abroad.

Hawaii's steam vents create a dynamic landscape.

On Hawaii's Big Island, steam vents give the landscape an otherworldly look. Steam is released when ground water trickles down to hot volcanic rocks. 

But up close, they aren't so impressive.

Without steam, it's just a hole in the ground.

Salvation Mountain in California beckons with its bright colors and psychedelic artwork.

People from all over the country flock to the Colorado Desert in Southern California to explore this colorful religious shrine and work of art.

• Sustained weight loss can be a struggle, but there are practical tips that can help.
• Successful strategies include cutting back on foods and drinks that have been strongly tied to weight gain, and increasing your intake of more nutrient-dense foods.
• Other approaches focus on ways you can set yourself up for long-term healthy eating in subtle, gradual steps.

In a country that eats dessert for breakfast, sustained weight loss can feel like an uphill battle.

Aside from avoiding obvious minefields like stacks of syrup-drenched pancakes and huge muffins, there are several practical guidelines to follow if you're looking to slim down. These tips can be helpful whether you're struggling to lose weight or simply aiming to reboot your eating plan with some healthier basics.

Still, if you're aiming to make big changes to your diet and to your health, it's always helpful to get help from a trained medical professional like a physician, registered dietitian, or family doctor. They'll be able to go over any questions you have about the suggestions you find here.

SEE ALSO: Weight Watchers' new program has 200 'zero-points' foods you can eat as much as you want — including eggs

DON'T MISS: What your daily routine should look like, according to science

Start eating more vegetables — especially greens.

Author Michael Pollan may have condensed all the best nutrition wisdom into one line when he wrote: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."

Dozens of scientific studies have tied diets high in vegetables— especially greens— to better health outcomes, including weight loss and a decreased risk of a handful of chronic diseases. Veggies like watercress, spinach, chives, and collard greens all rank highly on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's list of "powerhouse foods," so find a few you like, and start adding them to your plate.

But don't worry: most of the research does not suggest a need to slash meat, dairy, or fish from your diet. In fact, the best results typically appear to come from diets that combine high amounts of vegetables with healthy sources of protein, which can include seafood, eggs, and meat. Eating plans like these include the popular Mediterranean diet and MIND diet.

Replace soda or sweet tea with sugar-free drinks.

Sweetened beverages like soda and juice can make up a surprising portion of the calories you consume each day, yet they don't fill you up the same way solid food does.

As part of an eight-year study that included nearly 50,000 women, Harvard researchers tracked what happened when people either slashed their intake of sweetened drinks or started consuming more of them. Not surprisingly, the participants who raised their sugary-drink intake gained weight and increased their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In fact, the more people's sweet-drink intake increased, the more weight they gained and the more their disease risk went up.

Those who curbed their intake did not see those negative results. 

So the next time you're looking for something other than water to drink, try seltzer or unsweetened tea. Even diet soda is probably a better choice. Every time you pick one of these over a sweetened beverage, you'll also be cutting anywhere from 150-400 calories.

Swap the white bread and rice in your meals for whole grains.

One of the least healthy components of most American diets appears to be refined carbohydrates, a category that includes white bread and white rice. Refined carbs can also be found in lots of other processed foods — they appear on nutrition labels as "refined flour" or just "flour."

A 2012 study published in the journal Food and Nutrition Research found strong links between diets high in refined carbohydrates and weight gain. One of the reasons for this may be that refined grains are processed quickly and turned into sugar in the body.

Whole grains, on the other hand, get digested slowly and fill you up for hours. The key difference is that whole grains still have their nutritious, fiber-rich outer shells, such as the germ and bran. Those parts get stripped off of refined carbs in a factory before you eat them. 

Roxanne B. Sukol, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Enterprise, said people should think of refined carbohydrates simply as "stripped carbs" and avoid them whenever possible.

• The Costco Auto Program allows Costco members to buy discounted cars through participating dealerships.
• The program makes a lot of the hardest parts of buying a car, like research and negotiation, easier.
• It also limits the customer's choices in some areas.

Shopping for a car can be an overwhelming process.

If, say, you know you're looking for an SUV, you have to determine the brand, model, and model year you'd like, as well as the dealership you want to use, whether you'd like to buy new or used, and whether you want to buy or lease. Where do you start your research? Which sources can you trust? What's a reasonable price for a given model?

The Costco Auto Program attempts to eliminate some of that uncertainty. Costco members can use the program's website to research and compare vehicles, calculate monthly payments, and get a discount at participating dealerships. While the size of the discount varies based on the vehicle's class, brand, and model, a Costco Auto Program spokesperson told Business Insider that the average discount is over $1,000 off a vehicle's average transaction price.

And since the program uses the same customers as Costco's retail operation, it has plenty of reasons to vet dealers and salespeople so their customers don't end up feeling like they were tricked — and putting the blame on Costco. 

"We're not just providing leads to dealers. We're creating a referral," Costco Auto Program senior executive Rick Borg told Business Insider.

Here's how using the Costco Auto Program is different than the average car shopping process:

SEE ALSO: People are obsessed with booking their vacations through Costco — and now there are even more benefits

1. You have to be a Costco member

This may sound obvious, but while non-members can use some of the Auto Program's research tools, you need to be a Costco member to be eligible for the discounted price.

2. Multiple strands of research are condensed into one place

One of the most difficult parts of car shopping is figuring out where to start and end your research, especially if you don't read car news and reviews for fun.

The Costco Auto Program brings reviews, safety ratings, a financial calculator, and vehicle comparison tool under one roof. While it never hurts to compare research from multiple sources, the Costco Auto Program's website gives customers a good place to start.

3. Your choice of dealerships and salespeople is limited

According to Borg, Costco works with one dealership per brand in a defined geographic area around a given Costco warehouse. And at each participating dealership, only a handful of salespeople are authorized to work with customers shopping through the Auto Program. 

Borg said Costco picks dealerships based on their prices, customer satisfaction index (CSI) scores, and reputations on social media. And authorized salespeople are also evaluated based on their CSI scores and must work at their dealership for at least six months before being eligible for the program. 

But the limited number of dealerships and salespeople makes things a little more difficult for customers who don't end up satisfied with the first dealership Costco recommends to them. While Borg said Costco can point customers to other participating dealerships if they don't like the first one they're sent to, they may not be geographically convenient.

• Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, married Melinda French in 1994.
• They met at Microsoft when Melinda was brought on a product manager — she initially turned down Bill's request for a date at a company picnic.
• Today, they run the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has an endowment of $40.3 billion.

Melinda French was less than impressed when her boss asked her out on a date.

It was 1987, and the recent Duke graduate had just joined Microsoft as a product manager. CEO Bill Gates approached her at a company picnic and asked if she'd be interested in grabbing dinner in two weeks. She responded, "That's not spontaneous enough for me,"Fortune reported in 2015.

Fast-forward three decades, and Bill and Melinda Gates are married with three kids, worth $92.2 billion, and run a namesake philanthropic enterprise boasting a $40.3 billion endowment.

Here's a look at their marriage.

SEE ALSO: A look inside the marriage of world's richest couple, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos — who met at work, were engaged in 3 months, and own more land than almost anyone else in America

DON'T MISS: Inside the daily routine of billionaire Bill Gates, who loves cheeseburgers, tours missile silos, and washes the dishes every night

At the picnic, Melinda gave Bill her number and told him to call her closer to the day he had in mind.

Source: Business Insider

Instead, he called her up later that night with a wry question: "Is this spontaneous enough for you?" Turns out, it was.

Source: Business Insider

Melinda and Bill dated for seven years before they wed. Melinda told Fortune her mom didn't think that seeing the CEO was a good idea in the beginning.

Source: Business Insider, Fortune

A new "Super Smash Bros." game? Yes, a new "Super Smash Bros." game! And it's planned to launch this year on Nintendo's excellent Switch game console!

This is very exciting news.

Nintendo announced a new entry in the long-running "Super Smash Bros." franchise last week, and debuted a brief teaser alongside it that offered a surprising amount of information.

Having watched the teaser far too many times, and being a "Smash Bros." superfan, I've gleaned as much information as possible. Here's what I've got.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo just announced 13 new games coming in 2018 for its wildly popular Switch console, including a new 'Smash Bros.'

First things first: What is "Super Smash Bros."?

"Super Smash Bros." is a fighting game series from Nintendo that features the company's most iconic characters like Mario, Link, and Donkey Kong. 

The first entry in the series debuted in 1999 on the Nintendo 64, and every Nintendo game console since has gotten a major "Smash Bros." entry. It's become a standard of Nintendo's gaming portfolio, alongside nostalgia-laced hits like "Mario Kart." 

Rather than focusing on complex, expertly executed fighting moves, the "Smash Bros." series uses one control template across a massive list of characters — if you learn how to fight as one, you're able to control all of them.

Each character has different sets of moves that correspond to their gaming personas. Mario shoots fireballs, Link wields the Master Sword, Samus shoots balls of energy, etc. 

The game has a devoted, hardcore following — but it's also a delightfully accessible game for the most casual of game players.

The next entry in the "Smash Bros." franchise is headed to the Nintendo Switch — but is it an entirely new game?

In Nintendo's press release announcing the new "Super Smash Bros." game, the language is extremely careful: "The Super Smash Bros. series comes to Nintendo Switch in 2018."

Whether the game is an entirely new entry in the series is unknown — the Nintendo Switch has a handful of major games that are updated re-releases of games that already came out on the Nintendo Wii U, the failed console Nintendo replaced with the Switch. 

Last year's incredible "Mario Kart" game on the Switch, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," for instance? It was similarly incredible when it came out three years earlier on the Wii U.

It's entirely possible that Nintendo could do the same thing with "Super Smash Bros. for Wii U," the excellent "Smash Bros." game that launched on the Wii U in 2014. Considering how few people owned Nintendo's last console, re-releasing major Wii U games on the Switch makes a lot of sense — most Switch owners haven't played the games being re-released.

That said, the last major "Super Smash Bros." game also launched on the Nintendo 3DS — the outrageously popular handheld game console. And plenty of people played it there (just shy of 10 million copies were sold, according to Nintendo's own numbers) — about half that number got the game on Wii U.

Nintendo hasn't clarified whether "Super Smash Bros." on the Switch is an entirely new game or not, and a rep declined to comment.

We know of four characters so far, and we've got some strong guesses for the others.

In the teaser that revealed "Super Smash Bros." as coming to the Nintendo Switch, a handful of characters are shown.

Nintendo is direct about four of them: Mario, Link, and two inklings from "Splatoon" (in the foreground).

The rest are shown only as silhouettes in the shadow of a massive, burning "Super Smash Bros." logo. But we're talking about Nintendo characters here — it's pretty easy to pick out the shape of, say, Bowser from a silhouette.

So, starting from the left, here are the shapes we're able to pick out with certainty: Pit (from "Kid Icarus"), Donkey Kong, Kirby, Marth (from "Fire Emblem"), Mario, Link, Samus (from "Metroid"), Bowser, and Pikachu. Additionally, the two inklings from "Splatoon" are likely new characters.

There are also a handful of shapes that aren't sharp enough to say with certainty who they represent. Our best guesses put those shapes as Ness and Lucas (from "Earthbound"), Captain Falcon or Ganon (from "F-Zero" and "The Legend of Zelda," respectively), Little Mac (from "Punch-Out!!"), Princess Zelda, and Jigglypuff.

• The Plaza Hotel in New York is one of the most famous luxury hotels in the world.
• The Beekman was recently named the #1 rated hotel in New York by U.S. News & World Report.
• We stayed at both hotels to see which deserves the title of best hotel in New York City.
• The Plaza offered a more seamless luxury experience for a vacationer, while The Beekman was better suited for business travelers. 

New York City is one of the most popular cities in the world to visit, and it's only becoming more so. In November, NYC & Company, the city's tourism agency, estimated that the number of tourists visiting the city last year had increased to a record 61.8 million people.

It is expected to be the eighth straight year that tourism hits a new high in the city.

As a lifelong New Yorker, it's little surprise. Few other cities conjure the same starry-eyed gaze no matter where you are in the world. As author Joan Didion once wrote, New York is "no mere city. It was instead an infinitely romantic notion, the mysterious nexus of all love and money and power ..."

There are few places in New York that evoke that romantic ideal more than The Plaza Hotel, called when it opened in 1907 "the greatest hotel in the world." Even today, tourists from all over the globe come to stay at The Plaza for a taste of old New York luxury. 

But as the city has developed, so has the hotel scene. In February, U.S. News & World Report announced that The Beekman, a boutique downtown hotel that opened in 2016, was the #1 hotel in the city. 

I recently stayed at both hotels to see how they stacked up. While there are any number of ways these two hotels could be compared, we settled on: location, overall decor and style, architecture, communal spaces, check-in process, bedrooms, bathrooms, shower, bed, hotel bar, dining options, gym + amenities, internet, in-room entertainment, and attention to detail.

Keep reading to see which hotel emerged as the winner.

SEE ALSO: Here's what it's like to stay at New York City's No. 1 ranked hotel, which has a dynamite cocktail bar and beautiful decor

SEE ALSO: I stayed at New York’s most iconic luxury hotel that charges up to $50,000 a night and was once owned by Donald Trump

There are some 250+ hotels in New York City, but The Plaza is by far the most iconic. The unabashedly luxurious hotel has been featured in dozens of movies and books, and was for decades the place in Manhattan to see and be seen if you were rich or famous.

The Beekman opened in 2016 after a multi-year effort to renovate and restore the historic Temple Court building. Since its opening, it has received rave reviews.

The Plaza is adjacent to Central Park in midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile, The Beekman is located in the heart of the Financial District. Business travelers will appreciate The Beekman's proximity to Wall Street, while vacationers will no doubt be taken with The Plaza's view of Central Park. I give a slight edge to The Plaza because Wall Street is a ghost town at night.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• If you don't have a fenced-in yard or you just want a safe playpen for your puppy, it's a good idea to have a dog pen. The IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen is our top pick because it's easy to set up, durable, and a good size for most dogs.

Dogs need plenty of exercise to remain healthy. It also doesn’t hurt that making sure your dog burns off all that energy will reduce the risk for problem behaviors at home. If you aren’t blessed with a fenced yard, however, it can be tricky to give your dog the exercise he needs without spending hours a day walking him. The perfect solution to this problem is a dog exercise pen. A dog exercise pen can be used to keep your puppy or dog safely contained outdoors so he can play.

When shopping for a dog exercise pen, there are a few things to look for. First, it needs to be made from high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability. If you plan to use it outdoors, it needs to be weather-resistant as well. A dog exercise pen should be large enough that your dog can play freely but not so large that it becomes cumbersome to transport or store.

Exercise pens for dogs come in all sizes and materials, so it can be difficult to choose the one that is right for you and your dog. Lucky for you, we’ve weeded out the duds to bring you our top picks for the best dog exercise pens.

Although the IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen is our top pick, we also recommend the MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Exercise Pen, the Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen, the BestPet Heavy Duty Playpen, and the EliteField 2-Door Soft Pet Playpen.

SEE ALSO: The best grain-free dog treats you can buy

The best dog pen overall

Why you'll love it: The IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen is our top pick overall because of its durability, versatility, and ease of use. 

The IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen is made from heavy-duty molded plastic for durability but is still lightweight enough for storage and transport. It features 8 panels that are 36 inches high, though you can add up to two more for a total of 21 square feet of space.

The pen is weather-resistant and rust-proof for outdoor use, but it also has rubber feet to protect your flooring if you choose to use it indoors. It even has an access door for dogs. It's a great all-purpose dog pen that can work anywhere you want to use it. It's also quite durable and sturdy.

In its review, Rover notes that the pen folds flat for storage and add-on panels can be used to increase the size. The Spruce also reviews this pen favorably, commenting on its portability as well as the ten color options. Thoroughly Reviewed also likes this pen because it is made to last.

Not only does the IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen have more than 1,800 reviews on Amazon and a 4.3-star rating, but it also carries an Amazon’s Choice award. Dog owners love the durability and portability of the pen, though there are some comments that the panels may be too high to step over.

Pros: Heavy-duty molded plastic construction, high-impact capable, weather-resistant and rust-proof, 8 panels with optional add-ons, up to 21 square feet of space, ten color options, indoor and outdoor use

Cons: Panels may be too high to step over, plastic caps on metal rods may come off, may not contain dogs that can jump, access door is for dogs only

Buy the IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen on Amazon for $55.69 (originally $65.95)

The best budget dog exercise pen

Why you'll love it: The affordable MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Exercise Pen is available in many heights with eight panels, so it works for almost any size dog.

If you only plan to use an exercise pen once in a while, there is no sense in spending a small fortune on one of the larger, more heavy-duty models. A simple wire pen is a great choice for puppies and less rambunctious dogs to keep them safely contained outdoors. Our top pick for the best budget exercise pen is the MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Exercise Pen.

The MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Exercise Pen may not be the most heavy-duty pen, but it performs very well for the price. Made from wire panels coated with a black Electro-Coat finish, this pen is surprisingly durable while still being lightweight and easy to assemble or disassemble. 

The pen features eight 2-foot-wide panels that can be arranged in a ring to provide 16 square feet of space. You can also hook it directly to a MidWest wire create. Best of all, it comes in five different heights ranging from 24 inches to 48 inches higher.

Thoroughly Reviewed likes that the Electro-Coat finish increases the pen’s durability and makes it more resistant to corrosion and rust. In its review, The Labrador Site praises the convenience of the 8-panel design which allows for numerous configurations.

The MidWest pen not only has more than 7,000 reviews on Amazon, but it also carries a solid 4.5-star rating. Dog owners love the affordable price and versatility of the pen, though there are some comments that it could be more durable and that larger dogs may escape from shorter models.

Pros: Electro-Coat finished wire panels, eight 2-foot-wide panels for versatility, 16 square feet of space, can attach directly to a wire crate, available in heights from 24 to 48 inches, folds flat for storage, lightweight and easy to transport, quick to assemble/disassemble

Cons: Less durable than some options on the market, larger dogs may jump or climb out of shorter models, dogs should not be left unattended

Buy the MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Exercise Pen on Amazon for $27.53

The best puppy play pen

Why you'll love it: The Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen is durable yet lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for puppies and small dogs.

When it comes to choosing a playpen for your puppy, there are a few things to consider. First, the pen needs to be durable enough to withstand some chewing but still lightweight enough for storage and travel. It should be high enough to contain a rambunctious puppy but not excessive in terms of size. It also doesn’t hurt if it can be used indoors and out or if it offers extra features. Our top pick for the best puppy playpen is the Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen.

Though the Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen looks like it is made from wood, it is actually constructed from heavy-duty molded plastic, which makes it an excellent choice for an outdoor playpen. Durable enough to withstand some chewing, this playpen is also lightweight and easy to transport or store.

It comes in 4-panel and 6-panel options, each with a convenient walk-through door and a generous 36-inch height. Best of all, this playpen can also be used as a room divider or freestanding pet gate both indoors and out.

A review from K9 of Mine comments on the durability and versatility of the pen's 3-in-1 design. Stop That Dog liked the lockable walk-through gate and the weather-resistant durability for outdoor use.

With more than 100 reviews on Amazon and a 4-star rating, the Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen also carries an Amazon’s Choice award. Though it may be a little pricey, this playpen is well constructed, versatile, and easy to setup and take down.

Pros: Made from heavy-duty molded plastic, 4-panel or 6-panel options, 3-in-1 function, walk-through gate for convenience, generous 36-inch height, durable enough to withstand some chewing, safety lock to prevent escape, can be linked with a second unit

Cons: More expensive than most options, may not withstand prolonged heavy chewing, not recommended for larger dogs, some dogs may learn how to open the door

Buy the Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen on Amazon for $169.59 (originally $250)

Day One

10:30 a.m. — I justify sleeping this late because I'm fighting off a near-constant sinus infection. For breakfast I have a bowl of overnight oats, which I make in bulk most weekends. This week's huge batch contains blueberries, bananas, chia seeds, oats, coconut yoghurt, almond milk, and leftover flax seeds. I eat while sitting in front of my SAD lamp (for Seasonal Affective Disorder). I'm prone to Vitamin D-deficiency, so I've borrowed my mum's light to see if it helps me feel better in the winter.

11 a.m. — Today is Book Day. Most weeks, I work on a self-imposed schedule of three days freelance copywriting followed by two days of work on my novel. Without it, it can be all too easy to neglect the novel, as it (currently) doesn't make me any money. This week, I moved my book days to the beginning so that I can work on sending chapters to an agent before the end of the month – eek! Before I start, though, I have a bit of wedmin (wedding admin) to do. My boyfriend and I have been engaged for five-and-a-half years and have finally decided to get the wedding ball rolling. I bought a dress last week, and we're trying to tie down a venue now.

2 p.m. — Time has seriously run away from me. After some heavy wedmin, a chat on the phone with my mum, and lunch consisting of a big bowl of roasted veggies, quinoa, and hummus (homemade in bulk; our hummus consumption is too vast to justify buying it), I finally make my way into my pseudo-office. Then, I Uber to the dry cleaners with the aforementioned wedding dress. (It was a sample sale purchase, so it was recommended that I get it cleaned). $16.36

3 p.m. — Get to the dry cleaners and it turns out it's going to cost over $190 for the clean! This is more than double what the bridal store estimated, but I saved so much on the dress that it should still work out as a good deal over all. I hand over my card, feeling a little sick and a little too flustered to question the cost. On the way out, I decide I'll bring it up when I collect the dress. $196

3:30 p.m. — Stop to grab coffees for me and my boyfriend. I get access to the shared workspace that I use as an office through his work (and it's free!), and his office happens to be in the same building. We chat for a couple of minutes after I give him the coffee, and then I settle in for some writing while munching on a homemade cookie. (I used a cookie recipe from Lucy Watson's cookbook and was initially skeptical of buying a cookbook written by a reality TV star, but these cookies are SO GOOD. They're vegan but they don't taste it). $7

6 p.m. — Multiple breaks throughout the afternoon for snacks (lentil chips and then peanut butter and banana) and random internet browsing.

6:45 p.m. — Meet my friend for salsa class. We signed up a few weeks ago, inspired by our New Year's resolutions. As a socially awkward person with no coordination, dance class is a challenge for me, plus it's an additional expense, but it's good for my mental health. It's actually quite fun and I get see to see my friend on a weekly basis, which is lovely. I have a splitting headache when I arrive but hope I'll forget about it once we start.

8:30 p.m. — Head home after an hour of dancing very close to people I don't know and making awkward small talk with a fellow classmate. Still, it was fun and my headache is gone. My friend and I walk to the Tube while discussing how nice it is to spend time in class where you can't check your phone or really think about anything other than the choreography. We hug and make plans to hang out in a week or so. I spend the rest of the journey thinking about the bagel I'm going to make when I get home while also indulging my inner emo teenager by listening to 30 Seconds To Mars. (I recently discovered I love them. Jared Leto is a beautiful man. I have no shame.) $8

9:30 p.m. — I mooch about the house while I wait for my boyfriend to get back from football – I said I'd wait for him to eat, as he hasn't had dinner yet either. Chuck a load of washing in and feed Gerty, my sourdough starter. We were given a sourdough class for Christmas, and it was there that Gerty was born. For the next week, I have to feed it water and flour before I can use it (her? - the teacher heavily anthropomorphized her own starter, and now I feel the need to as well) to bake. My boyfriend gets home and we have bagels — his with avocado and goat's curd, and mine with avocado and vegan cream cheese. We watch old episodes of Travel Man while we polish off the last of the cookies, and then get to bed around 11.

Day Two

Day Three

6 a.m. — My boyfriend's alarm goes off at an unholy hour, but I barely even register it. All I notice is the vague buzzing of the sound trying to break into my comfy-ness and the fact that it's still dark outside. I'm pretty sure he showers, but either he's gotten very good at getting ready quietly or I've gotten great at sleeping through the noises, as I hear nothing.

Although there are many laws and procedures in place to prevent it from happening, the truth is that sometimes innocent people get convicted of crimes they didn't commit.

It's a terrifying thought, but some unfortunate people even lose their lives for crimes they were not guilty of. The reasons they get charged as well as exonerated are all pretty surprising — even infuriating.

Read on to learn about some of the most fascinating exonerations ever.

Joe Arridy

Joe Arridy's murder conviction wasn't a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Chances are, he wasn't at the scene of the crime at all.

In 1939, Joe Arridy was put to death for the grisly rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Pueblo, Colorado, according to Westword. Known as the "happiest man on death row," the 23-year-old with an IQ of 46 spent his prison time playing with toys trains. He requested ice cream as a final meal and did not even appear to understand the finality of his execution.

72 years after he was put to death, Joe Arridy was formally pardoned by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. In addition to the potential for a forced confession, it's likely Arridy was not even in Pueblo at the time of the murder, according to the press release about the pardon from the Death Penalty Information Center.

"But the tragic conviction of Mr. Arridy and his subsequent execution on Janunary 6, 1939, merit such relief based on the great likelihood that Mr. Arridy was, in fact, innocent of the crime for which he was executed, and his severe mental disability at the time of his trial and execution," Governor Ritter's executive order read.

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and John Artis

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was a professional boxer training for his next match in 1966 when he was arrested for the triple homicide of three diners at the Lafayette Bar & Grill in Paterson, New Jersey. 

He and a man named John Artis were charged because they fit the description from an eye witness: "two Negroes in a white car," according to Biography.com. But they ultimately were let go because they were not positively identified by a survivor of the attack. 

The state later produced two eyewitnesses — who received reduced sentences for their own crimes and later recanted their testimony — who identified Carter and Artis, and the men were arrested again and charged with the triple homicide. They were convicted and sentenced to three life prison terms. 

Carter was a fierce advocate of his own innocence while in prison, refusing to wear a uniform, writing his autobiography while behind bars, and even meeting with celebrities like Muhammad Ali and Bob Dylan, who would eventually write the song "Hurricane" about him. 

The men were eventually released and given a retrial, only to be resentenced again in 1976, according to The Guardian. They returned to prison until 1985, when the conviction was finally overturned and both men were released because a judge felt they were not given fair trials. 

The 1999 film "The Hurricane" starring Denzel Washington was based on these events. 

Rubin died in 2014 and Artis was with him when he passed away. 

Darryl Beamish

When 22-year-old chocolate heiress Jillian Brewer was killed by a tomahawk and scissors in 1959, the blame fell on Darryl Beamish, an 18-year-old man who is deaf and mute. Originally given a death sentence, Beamish spent 15 years in prison before his release, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. But when he was finally exonerated in 2005, Beamish did not even seek reparations for his time in prison.

"All I ever wanted was truth and justice. I have just wanted everyone to know for sure that I did not kill anyone. Now they know," said Beamish, as further noted by The Sydney Morning Herald.

At this time, it is believed that Brewer was murdered by serial killer Eric Edgar Cooke, based on evidence from Cooke’s gallows confession, according to The Age.

Some cities are known for being friendly, while others are sought-after travel destinations, but these 30 US cities are the happiest places to settle down.

To rank cities by levels of happiness, WalletHub compared 182 of the largest cities in the US across 28 metrics under three main umbrella categories:

• Emotional and Physical Well-Being (life expectancy, depression rate, sports participation)
• Income and Employment (poverty rate, job satisfaction, share of households earning over $75,000)
• Community and Environment (separation and divorce rate, weather, access to parks)

Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale (100 being maximum happiness). WalletHub determined the weighted average across all metrics to calculate a total score for each city.

A whopping 11 out of the top 30 cities are located in California — including Fremont, the happiest city in the US.

Keep scrolling to see where the happiest people in America live.

30. Garland, TX

Total score: 65.57

29. Anaheim, CA

Total score: 65.58

28. Cedar Rapids, IA

Total score: 65.62

It's still winter in most of the United States, but spring television shows are quickly coming our way, which means that no matter how much better the weather gets, you still have plenty of valid reasons to stay inside. 

We put together a list of all the notable new and returning shows coming in the next couple months, and let you know whether or not you should watch them.

The lineup for spring 2018 is pretty promising, but thankfully isn't overwhelming with shows you must watch. Some of the best dramas are starting new seasons including HBO's "Westworld," Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale," and the final season of FX's "The Americans."

Spring 2018 isn't bringing us that many new shows to be excited about, besides  FX's drama "Trust" starring Donald Sutherland, Brendan Fraser, and Hillary Swank. It's a show about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, but unlike "All the Money in the World," Christopher Plummer will not be replacing anyone in it at the last minute. 

Here are all of the notable shows premiering in Spring 2018, and whether or not you should watch them:

SEE ALSO: 'The Last Jedi' crew set fire to a nearly 60-foot high model tree for that Yoda-Skywalker scene — 30 times

March

"Rise"— NBC

March 13

Should you watch it: If you like musicals and shows that toy with your emotions like "This Is Us," yes. 

"For the People"— ABC

March 13

Should you watch it: Skip it. There's a lot of legal dramas, and this one doesn't stand out. 

Activists lined up 7,000 pairs of empty children's shoes outside the US Capitol on Tuesday.

The stunning display commemorates the estimated amount of children killed by guns since a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

The display comes just one day ahead of a planned nationwide school walkout honoring the victims of last month's shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Students across the country plan to walk out of their classrooms for 17 minutes to commemorate the 17 students and staff members who were killed in the February 14 massacre.

The memorial was set up by Avaaz, a group that mobilizes activists largely through online campaigns and petitions. Here's what it looks like on the lawn:

SEE ALSO: 'Please help us': A letter to the business community from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors

DON'T MISS: A new gun-control measure could temporarily seize people's firearms if they raise 'red flags' — and a growing number of Republicans are on board

Dozens of activists stood in front of the shoes on Tuesday, holding signs with slogans like "#NOTONEMORE" and "7000 KIDS KILLED"

Source: Reuters

Researchers have estimated that 1,300 children in the US die each year after being shot, and another 5,790 are injured.

Source: Pediatrics

Avaaz came up with the 7,000 figure by multiplying the estimated rate of fatalities by the five years and three months that have passed since the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012.

Source: NBC 4 Washington

• Waymo showed a video at SXSW that chronicled recent adventures in its fully driverless vehicle.
• The Google/Alphabet spinoff has been using Chrysler Pacifica minivans to ferry riders around Phoenix.
• The company plans to start a ride-hailing service using the tech.

At SXSW in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, Waymo showed a short video of its fully driverless car pilot program, currently underway in Phoenix, Arizona.

The video was part of a talk given by Waymo CEO John Krafcik, an auto industry veteran who joined the company several years ago, back when it was still known as the Google Car project.

The Waymo driverless experiment has been underway in Phoenix since last year, using Chrysler Pacifica minivans outfitted with Waymo's laser-radar-based self-driving technology.

The big change, documented in the video, is the disappearance of the actual driver. For months, a human backup has been behind the wheel, but the company recently got the okay to let its cars chauffer people around without a human backup operator. 

Check it out.

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

SEE ALSO: Waymo CEO John Krafcik explains why systems like Tesla's Autopilot could be a 'big problem'

A Waymo Pacifica, in sunny Arizona, considered by most automakers to be a nearly ideal environment to test driverless cars. Great weather and big, wide streets are a plus.

Waymo said that it has 600 Pacificas in service now, with plans to add thousands more.

That's right, no human at the wheel.

People are amazed.

"Members of the public have been using an app to hail our self-driving cars to get to work, school, and run errands, since early 2017," Waymo said in a statement.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

It's a hypothetical question asked by anyone who has ever dreamed of winning a massive fortune. Hitting the jackpot can open a world of possibilities for lottery winners, who may finally be able to buy a new house, find a new job they are passionate about, or create an organization focused on a cause they care for.

However, landing the jackpot can also take a turn for the worst.

In fact, many lottery winners end up blowing it all. There may also be privacy concerns, as with a woman who won a recent Powerball lottery of $560 million but wished to remain anonymous. Winners also don't walk away with the full jackpot due to taxes, prize splitting, and lump sum payments.

Read on to see what these lucky (or unlucky) folks spent their millions on: 

Kathleen Elkins contributed to a previous version of this story.

SEE ALSO: 21 lottery winners who blew it all

SEE ALSO: We did the math to see if it's worth buying a Powerball or Mega Millions lottery ticket

John Kutey built a water park.

After cashing in a $319 million Mega Millions jackpot for a share of $28.7 million in 2011, Kutey and his wife Linda decided to donate a portion of the winnings to building a water park in honor of their parents.

They donated $200,000 to construct Spray Park in Green Island, New York, The Albany Times Union reports.

Louise White created a trust and named it after her lucky dessert.

In 2012, 81-year-old Louise White of Newport, Rhode Island, bought rainbow sherbet at Stop N Shop just before purchasing a lottery ticket that would end up being worth $336.4 million, ABC News reports.

In honor of the lucky dessert, she created "The Rainbow Sherbert Trust," a trust that would benefit her family.

Bob Erb advocated marijuana legalization.

Canadian pot activist Bob Erb became $25 million richer in 2012 after buying a lottery ticket on the way to his father's funeral in Calgary, The Huffington Post reports.

He'd been buying tickets for 43 years.

The seasonal construction worker planned to continue working and donate his wages to the food bank. He also directed $1 million of his winnings toward 420 Day, an annual event supporting marijuana legalization.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

With its many gleaming rows of beauty products, Sephora is a makeup lover's heaven. But it can also be a nightmare — with so many options, it's hard to know what's really worth spending money on.

To narrow down the beauty chain's must-have products, INSIDER asked store employees, as well as Sephora Collection's national makeup artist, for the single item they can't stop wearing.

The staff members we spoke with, including cashiers and personal shoppers, recommended everything from a $6 sheet mask to a $95 beauty oil made with real gold.

Here's what they're obsessing over.

SEE ALSO: A child reportedly destroyed over $1,000 of makeup at Sephora — and the photos are horrific

Sephora Collection — 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation

Cost: $20

Sephora employee Kayon told INSIDER she wears this $20 foundation every day. "It's lightweight, smooths over fine lines, and adjusts to my skin tone," she said.

Find out more about Sephora Collection 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation here >

Tom Ford — Soleil Lip Foil

Cost: $53

Makeup artist Helen V. wears this foil lipstick in Seadragon whenever she wants to achieve a glam "metallic look." She said it's made of three different types of oil, which keeps her lips hydrated, too.

Find out more about Tom Ford Soleil Lip Foil here >

Anastasia Beverly Hills — Brow Wiz

Cost: $21

This eyebrow pencil and brush "works for me everyday," Sephora employee Iffat said. "It's the only thing I use on my eyebrows. It stays on all day long."

Find out more about Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz here >