Top 10 Hotels in Derry

The Belfray Country Inn
The Belfray Country Inn is a four star hotel located 10 to 15 minutes outside of Derry on the main Belfast to Derry road. It is far enough outside the city to benefit from the stunning Irish countryside, but close enough to access Derry's amenities (providing you have transport). It has the look and feel of a country house, in both appearance as well as warmth and atmosphere. The Belfray Country Inn is the opposite of a cold city center hotel. Rather, it is a home away from home. The rooms are well appointed and modern and there is a choice of dining options, including a bistro and a restaurant. It is also a popular choice for weddings and business functions. Most importantly, however, is how visitors view The Belfray Country Inn. The answer to that question is very highly - 97 percent of visitors rate The Belfray Country Inn as "excellent" or "very good".

Everglades Hotel
The Everglades Hotel is a four star hotel with a high visitor approval rating of 82 percent. it is situated in leafy surroundings overlooking the River Foyle in a location just outside the city center. It is therefore very quiet as it is away from the hustle and bustle of Derry. A taxi into the city center will only cost a few pounds, however. The bedrooms at the Everglades Hotel are comfortable and have all the facilities expected of a four star UK hotel. The lounge, bar and lobby areas of the Everglades are also very comfortable. Food is served in the bar but you can also choose to eat in the fantastic restaurant which is a favorite with many Derry locals. The restaurant is also where you will be served breakfast. Many choices are available, but look out for the traditional Irish options, including porridge with cream and Bushmills Irish Whiskey, the perfect way to start your day.

City Hotel
The City Hotel is located right in the center of Derry's city side. It is on the River Foyle and has fantastic views over the river and Derry's famous bridges. The location is also within a few minutes walk from the main tourist attractions, as well as shops and restaurants. And even though it occupies a city center location, it still has plenty of parking. While it is close to everything Derry has to offer, it is not actually necessary to leave the hotel. Thompson's Restaurant is a great place to have a meal and the hotel's bar is an ideal place to just sit and relax. City Hotel is a four star accommodation with almost 150 rooms and a choice of suites, superior rooms and standard rooms. Three out of four traveler rate City Hotel "excellent" or "very good". Finally, City Hotel also has a fitness suite that contains a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gym.

Waterfoot Hotel
The Waterfoot Hotel is a stylish three star hotel on the outskirts of Derry. It is located on the Waterside of the city on the bank of the River Foyle, close to the Foyle Bridge. The views over the river are beautiful and the location itself is quiet and peaceful. However, it is not far away from the action in the city center, either via a short drive over the road bridge, or a 25 to 30 minute walk over the new and impressive Peace footbridge. City of Derry Airport is just 5 to 10 minutes away by car. Two out three travelers rate the Waterfoot Hotel as either "excellent" or "very good". Almost everyone rates the bar and restaurant highly - both are stunning. WiFi is available throughout the hotel and there is plenty of car parking. The rooms are well appointed with facilities like flat screen televisions, trouser presses and tea / coffee making facilities throughout.

Travelodge Derry
Travelodge Derry is a budget hotel that offers great value for money. Its city center location makes it an ideal choice for those who need to stay in Derry, but want to do so at an affordable price. The train station is 10 to 15 minutes walk away, via the new Peace Bridge. Derry bus station is also a short walk away, as are the amenities of Derry, including tourist attractions like Derry's Walls. Restaurants, bars, cafes and shops are all close by. The twin and double rooms are basic, but clean and comfortable. All have a television and tea and coffee making facilities. Travelodge Derry has a bar and WiFi is available throughout. There is no parking on site so if you are taking a car you will need to park it in a nearby public car park. While Travelodge Derry will not appeal to all travelers, its low cost and simple but clean facilities will be the perfect choice for many.

Beech Hill Country House Hotel
The Beech Hill Country House Hotel is a beautiful country hotel on the outskirts of Derry. It is a favorite of locals and plays host to many weddings of Derry couples. It is a stunning Georgian building set in rolling lawns and gardens. Although it is just 2 miles from Derry city center, it has the feel of a countryside location. Almost 80 percent of guests rate the Beech Hill Country House Hotel as either "excellent" or "very good". The on-site amenities include a range of luxurious and well-equipped rooms, bars and an excellent restaurant. As the location is so close to Derry city center, the Beech Hill Country House is an excellent base for visiting the city - it is close enough to travel in and out of the city by taxi. That is, of course, if you want to leave the hotel itself. Do not be surprised if the comfort, welcoming atmosphere and luxury keeps you at the hotel longer than you planned.

Ramada Da Vinci's Hotel
Ramada Da Vinci's Hotel is on the city side of Derry. City side and Waterside are two descriptions commonly used when describing a location in Derry, indicating which side of the River Foyle one is talking about. Most of the attractions, shops, restaurants and bars Derry has to offer are on the City side, making Ramada Da Vinci's Hotel a great location for accessing Derry's amenities. It is a three star hotel that is rated as either "excellent" or "very good" by 80 percent of travelers. There is ample parking and the staff are very pleasant. The rooms are comfortable and well kitted out with things like an LCD television and WiFi. There is a nice restaurant plus a bustling bar, styled with character in a traditional Irish fashion, something that is not often seen in hotel bars. The bar can be very busy at lunchtime, particularly with locals, as it also serves food.

Best Western White Horse Hotel
The Best Western White Horse Hotel is the closest hotel to City of Derry Airport. The location is about 1km from the airport on the road between Derry and Limavady / Coleraine. Derry City Center's amenities and attractions are easily accessible via a short, 10 minute car journey. There is plenty of car parking on site. It is a small hotel, but it is well equipped with comfortable rooms and a leisure complex. The rooms have features like free WiFi and a trouser press. Suites are also available. The restaurant is award winning and there is also a bar, which hosts live music on weekends. The Bodykneads Leisure Complex at Best Western White Horse Hotel has a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool with children's pool, sauna, steam room and aerobics studio. Best Western White Horse Hotel is rate by about 70 percent of travelers as being either "excellent" or "very good".

Tower Hotel Derry
The Tower Hotel Derry is located in the city center of Derry. Shops, restaurants, cafes and bars are right on the hotel's doorstep, as are many of Derry's tourist attractions, including the City Walls. The contemporary and well-regarded restaurant, for example, overlooks the Walls. In fact, it is called The Walls Bar & Restaurant. Tower Hotel Derry is a four star hotel which rates as "excellent" or "very good" with almost 75 percent of travelers. Given its location and facilities, it is a popular wedding, conference and event hotel. There is a choice of standard or executive rooms, the latter of which are located on the 4th floor of the hotel in order to get the best views over the city. There are also luxury suites which are located in the tower section of the hotel and feature individual entrance halls and breathtaking views out of floor to ceiling windows. All the rooms are comfortable and well equipped.

Broomhill Hotel
The Broomhill Hotel is located on Derry's Waterside. It is a small hotel with just 42 bedrooms. Derry City center can be accessed by either a short drive, or a short walk. Because of the new Peace Bridge, which is very close to Broomhill Hotel, walking and driving takes about the same amount of time - approximately 10 minutes. While it is close to Derry center, its location is also good for accessing other routes, including the road to City of Derry Airport, a journey which will also take less than 10 minutes. Broomhill Hotel sits on its own grounds with its own private parking. The rooms all have a television and tea and coffee making facilities. Broomhill Hotel is a budget option so does not offer the same level of service or the same amount of facilities as some of the bigger hotels in Derry. However, it is ideal for those looking for a quiet, low-cost hotel in Derry.

For more information, travel tips and advice visit Hotels in Derry, the specialist Derry hotel guide.

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Luxury Hotels In Vancouver BC Reviewed

If you want to take a quick vacation in Canada, then you will mostly likely find time to search for the best hotels in Vancouver BC. As you take a vacation in a place that you never been to, your temporary room will serve as your second home and just like your home you need to make sure that it can give the comfort that you want. If you are someone who has all the money to spend for your vacation in Vancouver, then it is recommended to stay in a luxury place in Vancouver if you want to experience everything that a stay here can offer. A stylish and comfortable hotel will contribute to a memorable vacation at Vancouver.

Before you choose one of the best accommodations in Vancouver BC, you need to take a look at your financials to see if you can really afford a luxury hotel. If you think that your financial standing can afford a luxury hotel, then why not. You can choose to stay at luxury hotels Vancouver BC to make your vacation convenient and relaxing. Hotels under luxury hotel in Vancouver are rated as 4 to 5 star hotels. It is better if you aim for the five star hotel, but if your budget does not allow this, then you can choose to stay in a four star hotel in Vancouver. Hotels under this category of luxury hotel have an exceptional accommodation that can pamper anyone.

The facilities, services and amenities that they offer are world-class. The ratings given to a hotel indicate that they are among the very best hotels Vancouver BC has to offer. They are the best in terms of guest service, amenities, facilities and the overall cleanliness of the hotel. Some of the most sought after luxury hotels Vancouver BC offer are the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Sheraton Wall Centre, The Wedgewood Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel, The Pan Pacific Hotel, Metropolitan Hotel, Fairmont Waterfront, Westin Bayshore, The Hyatt Regency and the Listel Hotel. These hotels belong to the best luxury hotels in Vancouver BC.

All of these hotels can offer the best accommodation that can give you a quick access to plenty of tourist destinations and attractions in Vancouver such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, Stanley Park and Aquarium, famous Robson Street and Vancouver Convention Center. It is a smart choice for one to choose a luxury hotel in Vancouver BC for their vacation because everything that you need will be provided by the hotel.

If you want to experience this kind of vacation then you can save more money first and roughly search for possible rates of five stars so you will know how much money you need to save for your vacation in one of the nicest cities in the world. There are so many options for a tourist like you when it comes to choose one of the hotels in Vancouver BC.

If you want to go for a luxury hotel in Vancouver, you need to start your research by searching the internet. Searching the internet for a list of five star hotels in Vancouver BC will help you compare each one of them to find out which one can offer the best facilities, services, amenities and rates. We hope you enjoyed this article about hotels in Vancouver BC, and hopefully you can make the right choice!

My name is G. Geerts and I visited Vancouver quite a few times. I made a site about hotel accommodation in Vancouver, Canada. You can also find discounted downtown hotels in Vancouver [http://hotelsvancouverbc.org/discounted-downtown-hotels-vancouver-bc/] BC if that is what you like. Here is more information about hotels in Vancouver [http://hotelsvancouverbc.org/know-more-about-hotels-vancouver-bc/] in general.

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The Best Hotels Eastbourne Has To Offer

It is the Victorians that made Eastbourne the popular resort it is today. Eastbourne has a timeless elegance and draws many a movie maker to places like the unspoilt promenade, Victorian pier and bandstand. Eastbourne is in East Sussex, tucked away at the foot of the South Downs National Park it enjoys some of the best weather in the UK. Boasting around a hundred hotels, Eastbourne is the ideal place for a holiday, day or business trip.

Eastbourne has many magnificent hotels and here you will find four of the very best that Eastbourne has to offer. They are established hotels that people return to year after year. These hotels offer the very best in comfort and service, they are modern with all the up to date facilities but, once inside you could be forgiven for feeling you had been cast back in time.

The Hydro Hotel.

The Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne is the most westerly and salubrious of the four hotels outlined. Elevated high above the promenade this hotel offers fantastic views across the English Channel and is situated in the rather ' posh ' Meads area of the town. The hotel has been entertaining guest since 1895 and afternoon tea is an experience not to be missed. The lounges are really spacious at this 83 bedroom hotel with its own private parking. The hotel has a long standing reputation for its excellent cuisine and its personal service is second to none. You will not be disappointed if you decide to stay at this hotel.

The Cavendish Hotel

The Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne is the most central of the four hotels. It is very close to Eastbourne's shopping centre and is situated on Eastbourne's Grand Parade. It is directly opposite the Victorian Bandstand. The Cavendish is famous amongst the residents of Eastbourne as it attracts many of the tennis stars and personalities like Cliff Richard. The hotel is also popular with business people visiting the town. The Cavendish is a very clean, modern hotel, with all the facilities you require at your fingertips The bathrooms are excellent at this hotel and for those who enjoy that extra bit of pampering, pop along the corridor to the Pebbles Spa for aromatherapy, massage, manicure or try a workout in the gym. The Cavendish is a 4 star 119 bedroom hotel and very good value for money. Should you be coming to Eastbourne, you will not go far wrong if you seriously consider staying at this lovely hotel.

The Landsdowne Hotel

The Landsdowne Hotel in Eastbourne is now a Best Western hotel but remains in family hands which, becomes very evident with that little extra personal touch when you book into the hotel. This hotel has been in the same family hands for 100 years. The hotel is very close to what in Eastbourne is known as 'theatre land'. Other than the Royal Hippodrome which is some distance away in Seaside, all Eastbourne theatres are literally a minute away including Eastbourne's Winter Garden. The Towner Art Centre is also very close and a flat 10 minute walk will take you to the town centre.

Next door to the Grand, this lovely hotel is situated directly opposite the Western Lawns in Grand Parade and has fabulous views of the English Channel and the world famous Beachy Head. Although this is by no means a cheap hotel to stay at and classed as a three star hotel, its comfort and service is all 5 star. Over the years the hotel has expanded and now offers 101 bedrooms. All rooms are en suite have tea making facilities, plenty of draw and hanging space, hairdryer and modern points. Catering primarily for the older visitor, a stay at the Landsdowne Hotel in Eastbourne will leave you calm, relaxed, rejuvenated and with a feeling of well being. An excellent choice.

The Grand Hotel.

Have you ever heard of Debussy, Charlie Chaplin, Elagar, Winston Churchill? They have all stayed at the magnificent Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. As soon as you see the impressive 200 foot frontage you just know what to expect. You wont be disappointed either, for the Grand is truly a 5 star hotel and is the only seaside 5 star hotel in England. Like the Landsdowne it is situated along the Grand Parade and is opposite the Western Lawns, a stones throw from the seafront and Eastbourne's unspoilt promenade.

Known affectionately by the locals as 'The White Palace' generations have been going to this hotel for time immemorial. The hotel really is at the top end of the luxury scale. Spacious and relaxing is the order of the day. Whether you want to just relax around the hotel or try the Sussex Spa and swimming pool, it is an experience the discerning guest will never forget. Arrival to departure really is a 5 star experience at this hotel, from the well appointed bedrooms to the gastronomic delights of the restaurants, the Grand is the place to stay if you want unadulterated luxury.

Living in Eastbourne, East Sussex for over 60 years I have stayed at just about every hotel in the town. You can find out more about the hotels listed here and others by visiting [http://www.hotels-in-eastbourne.com]

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Machu Picchu Hotels - Our Recommendations to Get the Best Out of a Tour of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is located in an isolated region of the Vilcabamba Jungle 4 hours from Cusco - the nearest major city. Although the citadel can be visited in one day, many people choose to extend the trip by spending a night close to the ruins at either a hotel in Aguas Calientes or at the only hotel adjacent to the ruins - the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel.

The citadel of Machu Picchu is perched on the mountain edge, and there is limited space for hotels at the site. All hotels (except the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel) are located on the valley floor in the small town of Aguas Calientes. The rather unique village of Aguas calientes has no roads, and access to the town is made either by train or on foot. Although Machu Picchu is a world class destination, the village of Aguas Calientes is still typically Peruvian and somewhat lacking in services, quality restaurants and general appeal. Land is at a premium in the village and quality hotel developments have been slow in coming forward, creating highly inflated prices for mediocre service.

However, in 2012 we are glad to report that the choice of hotels (although still limited) has greatly improved and there are now a handful of hotels that will really enhance your tour to Peru.

The following hotels are our top recommendations:

The Sanctuary Lodge Hotel (Luxury Hotel) - The only hotel located at the citadel of Machu Picchu is the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. A night at the luxury hotel will set you back about $1000, but this includes breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a free bar. With access to Machu Picchu in less than 3 minutes, the hotel is perfect for early risers, keen photographers and people who want to have the flexibility to come and go as they like.

The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (Luxury Hotel) - This large luxury hotel located in the village of Aguas Calientes is set in 11 acres of jungle and cloud forest, and offers guests a selection of high quality accommodations. There are several rooms types available: from the standard entry level room, through to the Inkaterra Owners Suite which has several bedrooms, a lounge and dining areas with a personal concierge. Guests also have the opportunity to hike the many nature trails within the grounds, take a visit to the tea and coffee plantations and also indulge in the superb onsite spa. This hotel is a must for all Machu Picchu luxury tours.

The Sumaq Hotel (First Class) - The Sumaq hotel is a relative new-comer to Aguas Calientes, and is one of the top three hotels in the village. Located on the road to Machu Picchu, the hotel is conveniently located for access to Machu Picchu, and offers guests a comfortable and first rate stay near Machu Picchu. The hotel really excels in the cuisine department, offering guests incredible fresh fusion cuisine created by some of Peru's finest chefs.

The Hatuchay Tower Hotel (Tourist Superior) - Probably the most popular hotel in Aguas Calientes by most travel agents, the Hatuchay Tower Hotel offers guests a good level of service with spacious modern accommodations at the right price. This large hotel is also located on the road to Machu Picchu, and shuttle busses to the citadel stop en-route to collect guests. A buffer dinner is included within the price of the room, so guests are sure to enjoy a good meal without having to leave the hotel.

El Mapi Hotel (Tourist Superior) - Owned by the Inkaterra Group of Hotels the El Mapi hotel is one of Aguas Calientes newest hotels (previously the Machu Picchu Inn Hotel). After extensive renovation the hotel El Mapi gave Aguas Calientes a much needed high quality tourist superior class hotel - that offers clean modern, accommodations combined with great service. For our set tours to Peru the El Mapi Hotel is our first choice for clients who are looking for a good level of accommodations, but mindful of their budget.

Andina Luxury (Entry Level) - This small hotel is probably one of the best entry level hotels in Aguas Calientes, and although at the budget end of the scale, a night at the hotel will still set you back more than US$ 100. The hotel is not particularly well located, but offers guests clean and modern accommodation, perfect for a good night's sleep.

To summarise the choice of Machu Picchu Hotels, we would probably say that hotels are expensive for what you get, however you are visiting one of the World's top attractions. You will probably want to dig a little deeper and pay a little extra to be guaranteed good accommodations near Machu Picchu. Make sure you book your Peru Vacation early, as hotel capacity is limited around Machu Picchu.

Totally Latin America S.A. is a specialist travel agent in tours to Peru and Latin America. From our offices in Cusco - Peru and Panama City our highly experienced travel experts arrange Peru Vacations for clients from all around the world.

Not only do we arrange tours to all major tourist destinations in Peru, we are also specialists in Galapagos Machu Picchu tours and Machu Picchu Luxury Vacations.

Browse our selection of tours of Peru today, or contact a travel professional for free advice and start planning your next Peru vacation.

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Planning Considerations for a Boutique Hotel

Planning to build or make a Boutique hotel? Congratulations for taking the right decision, hopefully you are in the right city and location.

Today many hoteliers or entrepreneurs are opting to go into Boutique segment. I therefore thought it timely to pen down my own experiences of creating Boutique hotels.

Boutique hotels became popular in recent times as it gave an opportunity to even a small property owner with a decent house of three rooms to convert it to a Boutique property and be rightly called a "hotelier". While there is no agreed definition of a Boutique hotel, by and large the industry agrees that these are "small, independent, trendy, lifestyle hotels"; their size ranges between 3 to 150 keys. There are certain distinct characteristics that differentiate a regular hotel to a Boutique property. In the following para's I would discuss these.

Boutique hotels are usually suited to the metro cities, cosmopolitan cities or popular resort destinations. This is because the clientele it attracts is by and large between 20 to 50 years age group belonging to upper middle income segment of the travelling public. Therefore it is important to select the right destination and within that a prime location with good neighbourhood. The target clientele prefers to frequent hotels in downtown or CBD. People argue that this factor is also valid for any other hotel; well there is no denying that location is one of the most important factors in the success of a hotel.

Let's now come to the size of a Boutique hotel. Generally we say small and qualify it with the range of 3 to 150 keys; however some in the industry strongly feel that hotels above 100 keys should not qualify for this segment. Their argument is that 100 keys is the optimum size to have the much desired personalised relationship between the residents, guests, visitors and patrons. There is a merit to this argument as the larger the size the more impersonal is the interaction between the people. Personal yet not familiar interaction is another key character of a Boutique hotel. Selection of people with the right attitude and their training and grooming therefore assumes great significance. A Boutique hotel follows the philosophy of addressing its guests by name and not by their key number.

In the recent past, some of the chains have also jumped on the Boutique wagon and launched their boutique brands. While the chains will have the muscle of their marketing strength, their hotels will definitely have areas of similarity with their remaining properties, diluting the Boutique concept. Boutique hotels are by and large independent hotels with distinctively different personality from the regular hotels. However recently we have seen the emergence of pure Boutique hotel chains, some of them having as few as just eight keys in some of their properties.

Architecture and interior decorator play a major role in creating uniqueness in style and an ambiance of vibrance. The hotels are chic in their character. The stay must become an experience is the slogan. I have recently seen a hotel with over 15 different types of rooms in size, lay out, decor and view. Each time one stays in different rooms, it is a different experience. The atmosphere of a Boutique hotel bubbles with a suspicion of intimacy and class. Such an atmosphere helps the hotel become the happening place in the city or the location. The hotel must reflect the warmth in its style. Boutique hotels are therefore distinctively different than the other hotels not only in their personality but also in their revenue generation potential. A boutique hotel earns a higher per key revenue than the regular hotel.

Technologically, a Boutique hotel is a state of the art hotel with latest in internet technology, DVD's in rooms, interactive flat screen LCD/Plasma TV's, dimmer controls in the room. The hotels are also equipped with video conferencing facility through their business centre. The entertainment possibilities in a Boutique property are far more than the channel music on TV. They extend to trendy night clubs, bars and discotheques.

As part of the product profile, Boutique hotels have at least one, if not two trendy restaurants with different yet unique cuisine. They employ celebrity or known master chefs and serve a very carefully chosen and selective menu. The food is not only tasty but well presented and served in a totally friendly atmosphere. Most of the time the chefs visit the tables to ask about the food, its quality and taste. He is always willing to prepare out of menu items on request. The decor of the restaurants is hip and inviting. The crockery, cutlery and glassware are matching the interiors of the outlet. Service pleasing and smiling and above all quick and efficient.

A boutique hotel sets the tone of style, intimacy, fashion and glamour. It is frequented by the who's who of the city; people who want to be "seen around" or "seen with" are always there to make the atmosphere a happening place.

Within the Boutique there is yet another interesting and promising segment, "The Boutique Heritage". Owners of old forts, palaces, villas and houses are creating fine boutique hotels. These properties reflect old traditional royal living in ultra modern ambiance backed by latest technology and highly personalised service. The restoration and conversion is long, tiring and expensive exercise, but it is worth it. In Northern India, some of there properties are having an ARR of around US$ 1000.00 per night. Basically these properties offer an unforgettable experience of the Royal Raj days. This proves that the concept of product differentiation is the key mantra for creating a boutique hotel.

While boutique hotels are quite a common phenomena in the West, in Asia it is now picking up at a very fast pace. We see emergence of both independent hotels and a couple of boutique chains at national and regional level.

Now a word of caution, anyone planning to enter this segment will be well advised to go the professional way. Chose the best consultant available in the market to assist in creating a boutique product. One should remember that the difference between a regular luxury hotel and a boutique hotel is in two aspects, the subtle difference in product concept and profiling and the quality of ultimate experience to the user.

You are free to publish this article without any change in the content electronically, in print, in your e-book, or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author resource details are included.

Ram Gupta is a professional hospitality consultant with over four decades of experience in Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Far East. He has been associated with over two dozen hotel projects and a number of state of art wellness spas. His web site can be viewed at http://www.bcgglobal.com

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Pattaya Booking Tips - How To Get The Best Rate Hotel

Are you Searching for the BEST RATE Hotels Booking in Pattaya?

As a traveler, I have been traveled a lot especially to Pattaya. I have checked tons of websites to find the best place that fit my needs with the best rate of the Hotels for my trips. Good vacation starts from good staying place, the place that will let you enjoy what you like without hassle. Here is 10 steps to find the best hotels with the best rates.

1.Make a TO DO list

First of all, you should know what you like to do on your vacation? You may like to enjoy sightseeing to see a new place and spend almost all day outside the hotels, have fun with sport activities on the beach in front of your hotel, shopping, entertainment and nightlife or just relax on the beach or poolside.

You may want to do everything, don't worry, Pattaya can serve all that, you just make a list to make sure that you will get the hotels in the location that serve all your TO DO lists. If you travel as a family, make sure you think about everyone's need.

At this step, when you know what you like to do, now please go to the next step.

2.Pick your Hotel Location in Pattaya

For accommodation choices, Pattaya can be divided into 4 main areas: North Pattaya (Naklua Bay), Central Pattaya, South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach. Different styles of hotels are available - hotels, resorts or guest houses - varying by quality, taste, and budget. Whatever budget you can afford, there is no doubt you will find an accommodation that fit for your pocket and life style.

North Pattaya Hotels. I myself like to stay in this area, it's mainly for relax and poolside sunbath. For water sport, you need to check the hotels facilities as most of the hotels there have private beach. North Pattaya Hotels are quite separate from night life but not too far to reach.

Central Pattaya and the Beginning of South Pattaya hotels are quite the same. Majority is for entertainment and nightlife. If you like to enjoy the beach and water sport activities during daytime, pick the hotel on Beach Road. South Pattaya will give you a plus for street shopping. If you will visit Pattaya with your children and want to stay around here, I suggest not to take them out at night unless you are fine if they will be in the atmosphere of bars and bar girls.

South Pattaya on the Pratumnak Hill, the hotels here is different from other parts of south pattaya, it's perfect place for family and for those who like to have a real relax and spend most of the time at the hotels like Honeymooners. Many hotels here are luxurious and pricy. Anyway, you can still find 3-4 stars hotels which are value for money.

Jomtien Beach Hotels, most of the hotels here are budget hotels or middle class (3 stars) hotels. Good for budget travelers who want to enjoy the beach and water sport activities. This will be another location I would recommend for family trip. There are also some bars here at the beginning of Jomtien Beach, but compare to central and south pattaya, nightlife here is softer. And for the one who love seafood, at the end of Jomtien Beach, there are many seafood restaurants with fresh seafood and very good taste with reasonable price.

So... what hotels location in Pattaya is your choice?

3.Make a "Must Have" Hotel Facilities List

Swimming pool, Gym, Laundry, Internet Access, Spa, 24 hours Restaurant, Cable TV, Family Suite, Honeymoon Suite, Your Language Speaking Concierge, Clean, Friendly Staffs etc.

Of course, you want all those services but please be aware of your budget. So make sure that you separate the "Must Have" and "Nice to Have" lists.

4.Set up your Budget Range

I will guide you about the hotels class and price range. For the standard or superior room price range is 20-30 USD for guesthouse or budget hotels (1-2 stars), 30-60 USD for middle class (3 stars) hotels, 60-100 for upper class (4 stars) hotels, 90-140 USD for 5 stars hotels. Price can go high up to 300 USD for the high-end luxurious Pattaya hotels such as Sheraton Pattaya Beach Resort.

5.Search for What Hotel is Right for You

Use your list from step 3-4 for the search criteria to narrow your search. My favorite is to search from Pattaya map, it gives you a good view of where exactly the hotels located, all hotels in the same time. You can easily find if the hotels are directly on the beach or any interesting places nearby. The best of all is the hotels reviews, many good comments of each hotels from the travelers who stayed there before that will tell you about the hotels services, the cleanliness, the convenience and much more that you will not find in the official hotels page.

This step will take some time, make a list of your choices of hotels, can be 1-3 hotels. Do not book hotels at this step.

6.Search for BEST RATE hotels

I used to spend a lot of time searching for the Best Rate for hotels of my choice in Pattaya and all Thailand destination. I can not say which one is the cheapest because it's different rate in each hotel. For example, Marriott Resort and Spa Pattaya is cheapest in website A because there is special promotion, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya is cheapest in website B....

Be careful when you compare the price, Some websites will show the price that NOT includes Tax and Service Charge so you have to go all the way to almost payment stage to see the real cost, some websites will show you the net price that includes everything without any hidden cost.

7.Don't Forget to Check Special Promotion

Every websites always offer a good promotion, don't forget to look for "Special Promotion" page.

8.Should you book now or wait? When is the best time to book hotels?

Sure you can book now, good hotels always fully booked very quick especially in Pattaya because Thai people also like to have vacation in Pattaya plus many festivals and big conferences always be held in Pattaya.

9.If you find the better rate later after booking and payment already made?

I don't think you can find better rate than this 3 websites, by the way, if you do, some websites offer the guarantee BEST RATE. You can just contact them and send the booking rate from other websites during the same period of stay and same type of rooms and condition. Then they will adjust the rate for you. Please check their policy again.

10.Print out Your Confirmation and/or Receipt to Show When Check In

This is to prevent any mistake that may happen such as the hotel front staff cannot find your booking. This happened to me sometimes, but with the paper, problem will be solved very quick.

Now you get Pattaya Hotel of your choice at the Best Rate, enjoy Pattaya!

PattayaBeachHotel.net

MS - Beach Lover

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Manaschuen_Suebwongpat/43003

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Why Asian Hotels Are Better Than European Hotels

There is great debate between travellers about the standards of hotels around the world. The debate is centred round whether European hotels offer the same value and level of accommodation as North America and Asia.

Now different people have different tastes when it comes to staying in a hotel or any type of accommodation away from home. Some people want everything to be like it is at home. Others value the cultural differences and expect accommodation to be different in other countries. And it also depends on what type of holiday experience you have in mind. The type of accommodation in a ski resort will be different to a beach front hotel in Waikiki. If you are on a European coach tour visiting several cities over a week you will encounter many hotels that are "pit stops" for the night. These hotels have been selected to fit in with the tour schedule and price. And there is nothing wrong with that as you are only "checked in" for the night and leave early the next morning.

However, if you are staying in a hotel for several days or longer you want to make sure you have selected a hotel that meets your requirements of location, accessibility, spaciousness, standard, quality and price. Every city around the world has good hotels and poor quality hotels so it is dangerous to generalise about the quality of accommodation across a continent.

Generally, people who have travelled the world agree that the standard of European hotels is not comparable to North America and Asia. Let's compare.

American Hotels

Generally American hotels are larger hotels and part of a hotel chain whereas many European hotels are smaller family run hotels. Of course there are the large hotel chains in Europe, more hotels are becoming part of chains and new hotels are built.

American hotels have larger room sizes than comparable European hotels for the same or less money. There are often additional facilities like two queen beds, large bathrooms, kitchenettes and air conditioning. Price is one of the biggest differences between hotels on each side of the Atlantic. Some American cities, such as Las Vegas, have incredibly high standard hotels at very cheap rates. Now these hotels do make most of their money from the casino you have to navigate through before you get to your room. And that's the trick, getting to your room with your wallet remaining in good health.

Another point that many world travellers say is that the restaurant meals in American hotels are larger and better value than in Europe. The quality of the food may vary but I would tend to agree with that too.

Asian Hotels

The main advantage with Asian hotels is that they are considerably less expensive than both American and European hotels for a comparable property. Even backpackers can afford to stay in good hotels in Asia whereas in Europe they are confined to sharing a dorm room with many other travellers.

Asian hotels tend to give much better value than their European equivalent. The average hotel size in Asia is relatively larger with many rooms. The room sizes are larger, bathrooms larger and newer. The facilities like pools and restaurants are usually better. World travellers have indicated they love to holiday in Asia because they can afford to stay in a hotel on the beach or one block from the beach. Dining out every night is inexpensive and makes a vacation more fun.

European Hotels

Unless you book a relatively expensive hotel, 4 or 5 star the standards are less than North America and Asia.

Many hotels in Europe are smaller, family run hotels. Many people find this type of accommodation has more charm and offers local hospitality over a large and sometimes impersonal hotel.

There have been many complaints about European hotels. Some people often complain about the small bathrooms with poor ventilation. Others complain about the poor linen, like in Italy where they give you those very thin towels that are like a small sheet. Others complain about the lack of views from the windows.

What Europe does have is the history and old world charm. Considering that when you are on holiday in Europe you won't be spending much time in your hotel room - does it matter?

Well, yes it does matter. You have paid for a hotel room and you don't want to have your European vacation spoilt by poor quality hotels where you don't feel comfortable.

In many European cities, visitors are recommended to stay in a hotel outside the city centre and commute to the tourist attractions. These hotels tend to be newer, larger and comparable to hotels in the USA and Asia. This is not a problem in most European cities as their public transport infrastructure is very good with wide coverage and easy access to most parts of the city.

For those who are travelling to Australia, the hotel standards are similar to North America.

Check here for more information about hotel booking and cheap hotel rooms

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Wesley_Austin/1005088

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Finding Hotels That Are A Home Away From Home

Marvin Gaye once sang, "Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home". Well, it's easy enough for anyone to lay their hat (or luggage) anywhere in the world nowadays, but you'll find that laying your hat down in a hotel which provides all the conveniences and comforts of home makes for a much more enjoyable experience.

What Makes A Hotel A Home

Whilst hotels, even the most top-end hotels, cannot offer you your own 'pipe and slippers', you may be surprised at how homely even the most generic chain hotels can be. Forget about the pipe, but fluffy towelling robes and matching slippers may not be out of the question.

Here are a few of the things to look for before you book a hotel in an unknown destination.

• Location - When buying a property, the first priority is invariably location, location, location. Although you're not buying your hotel room or apartment, it's still a top consideration for your new 'hotel home'. Being close to all the facilities and attractions you want can save you a whole lot of time and money, as well as being convenient. By choosing city-centre hotels, you may even find that everything you want to see and do is within easy walking distance. This avoids the expense and hassle of using taxis, public transport or rental cars. In most modern hotels, double-glazed windows, insulation and sound-proofing ensure that the noise of the city doesn't disturb your sleep.


• Price - The beauty of booking your hotel online is being able to find great hotel deals quickly and easily and being able to compare prices for similar-style accommodation. After all, there is no point in blowing your budget on your hotel, if you can't afford to leave it.


• Recommendations - Look to the online community to see which hotels they review positively before you book. If enough 'friends' liked it and felt at home there, the chances are that you will too.


• Hotel Services & Facilities - These can really make the difference between which hotels feel like home and which ones don't:


• Friendly staff - Welcoming staff can make the difference as to how you feel about a hotel as soon as you step inside. If you experience a particularly warm or frosty welcome, why not write a review about it, so you can give other people the heads-up or heads-down. Check to see if the reception is staffed 24/7 - great for security as well as convenience.


• Catering - Every decent hotel room should offer you at least a basic tea or coffee making facility as nothing says home like having a decent brew whenever you want it. However, many hotels will also offer apartments or studios with kitchenettes that you can use to cook up almost anything from the Sunday roast to a full-cooked breakfast. If you don't cook at home and don't want to start when you're away from home, check to see if your hotel has a restaurant on-site and what opening hours it has.


• Internet - If you need to log onto the Internet, make sure your hotel offers high-speed, Internet access from its rooms, or can provide computers and access for its guests (preferably in a comfortable lounge).


• Laundry - If the dirty laundry starts to pile up, it can be very depressing. Keep on top of your travelling holiday or business wardrobe by ensuring your hotel offers laundry and ironing services.


• Fitness - If you're staying a while, look for a hotel that caters for body as well as soul. The best hotels offer guests free use of on-site gyms, fitness centres or swimming pools.


• Room service - If you want to take it easy, make sure your hotel offers room service which can deliver food and drink to your door. At a more basic level, your room can include a television, radio/clock/alarm, wardrobe, iron, telephone, chair and desk space.

New Zealand Hotels

If you're travelling to New Zealand, book one of Scenic Hotel Group's hotels . They offer a unique, friendly Kiwi welcome to all their guests and provide a wide variety of accommodation in convenient locations throughout the country. Their hotels offer great prices as well as deals, plus a variety of facilities to make your stay more homely than 'hotel-y'. Take a look at their hotel in Auckland to get an idea of what's on offer.

The Scenic Hotel Group ( http://www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/ ) owns 17 quality hotels located in New Zealand's most popular visitor destinations. The Scenic Hotel Group offers genuine Kiwi hospitality, quality, comfortable accommodation, conference and wedding venues plus excellent value for independent travellers, groups, families and businesses from around the world.

View the New Zealand hotels belonging to the Scenic Hotel Group and find out more about New Zealand and its cities for your next vacation or business conference destination.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephanie_Kendall/1036858

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How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Hotels - 14 Steps You Can Take

Bed bugs in hotels have become a serious concern to travelers. If you have never had them, you can ensure you never get them in the future either. If you are diligent and pay attention to your surroundings, you can prevent them forever, even if you stay in a hotel.

How to avoid bed bugs in hotels:

Since bed bugs can easily attach themselves to your purse or clothing, I would avoid visiting any home or hotel that you know has them.

When you must travel, what can you do about bugs in hotels? You can't be certain whether or not a hotel has them. You would have to use the same precautions as you would at home, and do the same kind of visual inspection. Sadly, bed bugs in hotels have become very common.

It would be prudent if, first of all, you would search online, by name, the hotels in the area where you will be staying. Search for reviews of hotels from former patrons. It's not probable that a hotel would itself reveal it had a bed bug problem, therefore you should look for independent reviews.

Just because a hotel is not listed as having a bug problem, it doesn't necessarily mean it is bug free. Travelers may bring them into a hotel within their clothing or luggage at any time.

How can you prevent getting bugs in hotels if you must stay in one? The way you can check for hotel bed bugs is to do a visual check of the bed linens and mattress. Seek out smears of blood or dried specks of dark brown or black. Those are the critter's droppings.

Take action immediately if you see those common and obvious signs of infestation. You shouldn't have to stay in a hotel with bugs, nor do you want to.

Check the headboard as well as the mattress. If close to the bed, dressers and night stands should also be checked. These insects like to hide in dark places, so drawers are a likely place to find them.

Report the problem to the front desk. Speak with a manager. He may not even be aware of the problem. It won't necessarily help you to change rooms because they can easily spread from room to room. For your peace of mind, just leave and find another hotel without bed bugs.

A good idea in advance of traveling is to get information on several hotels in the area. Thus, if you find your hotel has bugs, perhaps the next one will be bug free. It's best to plan ahead so that you have a choice between staying in a hotel with bed bugs and staying in one that does not. Have a list of hotels as a backup so you don't feel pressured.

Take the following precautions even if you don't see obvious signs of these insects in your hotel room. Avoiding them is far preferable than trying to get rid of them.

I would bring along a bug killer spray when traveling. I advocate only the use of non-toxic pest control products. Small travel size sprays are available for use in hotels and motels for getting rid of them.

Do not put your suitcases on the floor. Put them up on a dresser or bureau. If the hotel has supplied a luggage rack, be sure to use it. Neither should you put your purse or discarded clothing on the floor because bed bugs can climb onto them undetected. Your purse should be hung in the closet or off a shower rod if possible.

After undressing for the day, place the clothing you won't be wearing again in plastic bags if possible. Use plastic bags that you can seal tightly. I have found that Hefty makes some extra large zip bags in which travelers may seal clothing for protection from bed bugs. This is so great! Like extra giant baggies, they are eleven gallon bags that zip shut, effectively sealing out bugs and giving you complete protection from them.

By using the Hefty bag you have contained any bugs you may not have known were in the hotel. When you return home it will be easy to put your clothes in the washer and then dry them on hot, just in case.

You may wish to be even more cautious about avoiding bed bugs in hotels, so when you remove and bag up your clothing, take it to a laundry mat the following day for a wash and dry. A laundry service is sometimes available at hotels. This procedure assures you that should you have unknowingly gotten bugs on your clothes from the hotel or motel, you will have contained and killed them.

You should always check your luggage prior to leaving. If I wanted to be super cautious, I'd use a non-toxic bug spray on my suitcase, inside and out. Please use only safe, natural bug sprays, thus avoiding contamination of your personal items with toxic pesticides. There are various types of bed bug travel sprays that are convenient and easy to use, as well as non-toxic.

I would rest easier using a product that states it is safe around pets and kids, such as Green Rest Easy Travel Spray. It comes in a twin pack of two ounces, perfect for carrying in your suitcase. Scented like cinnamon, it does not have a nasty chemical odor that toxic bug sprays do. At the end of this article you can find a link where you can purchase this spray.

Place your hanging clothing in dry cleaning bags in the closets if the hotel supplies them. Your clothing should be kept far away from the bed as possible, and off the carpets. Plan ahead and bring your own dry cleaning bags, thus protecting your clothing from hotel bed bugs.

Personally, I would undress in the bathroom and hang my clothing in the shower if possible, thus avoiding contact with the floor altogether. If you travel frequently, it would be a good idea to bring hangers along. If need be, then you can hang your clothes off the shower rack. As an extra precaution, bring your own clear plastic bags as well, and hang your clothes inside them.

If, to your horror, you return home from a trip where you stayed in a hotel and find that you have bed bugs in your suitcase, what will you do? You can throw your clothes in a dryer because heat will kill them. But, how do you eliminate bugs from your luggage?

Amazingly, something is available for this exact problem. It is the Pack Tite Portable Bed Bug Killing Heater Unit, designed expressly for this purpose.

From eggs to adult bugs, the PackTite Bed Bug Heater Killer will kill them all at any stage of development. There are no chemicals used, and you may set the timer for a heating time of up to six whole hours! I'm certain that's enough to steam kill any bugs in your luggage.

Though this device may not be needed for the casual traveler, for someone who travels often, this may be necessary to avoid those hotel bed bugs.

To summarize, following is a list of fourteen steps to prevent getting bed bugs in hotels:

1. Check out the hotel online prior to leaving on your vacation to see if there have been complaints filed against it for bed bugs.

2. In the event that you need to change hotels, make a list of names, phone numbers, and directions to other hotels in the area.

3. Be sure to pack a non-toxic bug spray, and several large Hefty sealable bags.

4. Prior to putting your clothing in your suitcase, pack them inside the Hefty bags. Even if bugs manage to enter your suitcase, this ensures you won't get them on your clothes.

5. Just in case you need them, pack extra hangers so you can hang your clothes in the shower.

6. If you suspect an infestation you may need to do an emergency wash, so be sure to pack some quarters and laundry detergent.

7. Only bring things you absolutely need into the hotel room.

8. When you arrive at your hotel or motel, do a visual inspection of your room before you even bring your bags inside. Be sure to check every place that hotel bed bugs can hide.

9. Using only non-toxic spray, keep bugs at bay by spraying your suitcase on the outside.

10. Bag up your purse if possible, and keep it and your luggage off the floor.

11. Do not put discarded clothing on the floor. If you won't be wearing it again bag it up immediately, using a resealable Hefty bag.

12. Before you leave in the morning, wash yourself well with hot water.

13. Before returning your suitcase to your car, spray the outside again with the non-toxic spray.

14. When you arrive home, dump contents of all Hefty bags into a very hot wash, and dry on high heat. Before bringing your suitcase into the house, spray it again.

Now you know you took all possible precautions to prevent getting hotel bed bugs.

Check out my natural pest control website, and you'll find all the products mentioned in this article and a link directly to a place to purchase them.

Donna believes in living a natural lifestyle with minimal use of chemicals. Whole, organic foods and natural remedies are part of her daily life to maintain good health. Donna only uses natural pest control methods and home-made, non-toxic cleaning products in her home to assure optimal health for her family and pets.

Check out her other articles on the dangers of pesticides.

For where you can find all the products listed in this article, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/14-tips-to-avoid-bed-bugs-in-hotels

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Donna_Masi/1050900

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New York Hotels With Pools and Family Friendly New York City Attractions

New York City is a superb travel destination for families with children. There are many attractions and activities for kids. However, like most families travelling with children, a hotel with a pool is a major priority. As every parent knows, a nice swimming pool is not only great fun for the kids but it also serves an important benefit for parents as well... like stealing a few moments of peace. Of course, when it comes to New York City, finding New York hotels with pools is a bit more challenging, because there are surprisingly few hotels with pools. This may seem odd given the immense number of hotels in the Big Apple, but New York real estate is so expensive few do and in some cases they are literally small lap pools. Nonetheless, there are a few good choices. Below, we have listed some good family friendly New York City hotels with pools that are worth considering.

New York Hotels with Pools:

• Sheraton Manhattan Hotel - Best Family Friendly New York Hotel- 790 7th Ave & 51st St, New York, N.Y. This New York Hotel is the best choice for families by far based on overall value, location and its pool. The Sheraton Manhattan Hotel offers a 4 lane, 50 foot pool which is the largest true hotel owned pool in New York City, even if it is diminutive by normal standards. For parents looking to relax, there is a good pool deck lounging are to steal a few moments of relaxation. The Sheraton Manhattan also claims the benefit of being relatively close to Broadway and Times Square.
• Crown Plaza Time Square Hotel - 1605 Broadway & 49th Street, New York, N.Y. - Located in the heart of Times Square, the Crown Plaza Hotel in Times Square offers 4 lane, 55 foot pool in association with the New York Sports club. The seating and lounge deck area is limited but usable. Usually, 2 lanes are reserved for lap swimming and the others for leisure swimming, which reduces the usable size of the pool. But, this New York hotel is a good alternative choice for families that are vacationing in New York City and want to be right in the Broadway/Times Square area. Also, the Crown Plaza is a good choice for those on tighter budgets.
• Le Parker Meridien Hotel- 119 W. 56th Street, New York, N.Y. - This midtown Manhattan Hotel offers a 45 foot, 3 lane pool with a very attractive and relaxing pool seating area. The views from the pool look out on to Central Park. This New York Hotel pool is small and sometimes it can get crowded, but it will do the trick. It is a good choice for families looking for an upscale family friendly New York Hotel.
• Mandarin Oriental New York- 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, N.Y. - The Mandarin Oriental is a luxury New York hotel and its pool facilities are equally sumptuous. The Mandarin Oriental probably offers the best New York City Hotel pools in terms of luxurious atmosphere. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows provide superb views of New York City. The pool lounge area is at the Mandarin is impeccable and elegant with plush lounge chairs. Despite being the best in town, it may not be the best for a family with very "active" kids.
• The Peninsula Hotel New York- 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th street, New York, N.Y. The Peninsula New York is another luxury New York Hotel with pool facilities that rival the Mandarin Oriental's. Located on the 23rd floor of the hotel, there is a glass enclosed pool area with a chic décor that is calming and quite relaxing. At night, excellent views of the city provide an enchanting atmosphere. The pool with serve the kids well, but the parents will certainly appreciate the fine lounging area.
• Millennium UN Plaza Hotel- One United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. - Located in the United Nations Plaza area, this New York Hotel has a 3 lane, 44 foot pool. The Millennium Plaza Hotel is a deluxe level New York Hotel located right near the United Nations Building on the east side of Midtown Manhattan. The Hotel's pool is located on the 27th floor and provides impressive views of New York. The pool's lounge area is a bit a little on the tight side, and is not one the more relaxing pool lounges areas available.

For those seeking more information on New York Hotels with pools, including pictures, locations, prices and real up to the minute hotel availability, a link to a web information page specific to New York Hotels with Pools is listed in the Resource section following this article.

Family Friendly New York City Attractions:

Beyond finding a family friendly New York Hotel with a pool, there are some excellent activities for kids in New York City. Rather than suffering through endless pages of listings in travel guides with questionable value and accuracy, we suggest these sure to please recommended friendly New York City attractions.

• America Girl Shop -For little girls who love dolls, the American Girl store is a pure fantasy land. Resembling a high-end boutique with the latest American Girl clothes fashions, it is a shopping paradise. The American Girl Store sports a Beauty Salon for American Girl dolls with real hair stylists, salon chairs and beauty stations with the works. Upstairs, there is a Doll Hospital where you can take your Doll for any repairs or other "procedures" which might be necessary. Finally, the American Doll Store offers its own tea and dining room which is very popular for young girls celebrating their birthday in style with friends and family. The American Girl Store also used to have live theater productions themed around the American girl stories. Sadly, this closed thanks to some corporate weenie with green eye-shade. But, all in all, we think this is one of the best experience based kid stores in New York City (sorry boys, although the NBA store is probably a close second.
• The Bronx Zoo - Bronx River Parkway and Boston Road, Bronx, N.Y. 10460 - {Looking for one of the world's best zoos? Look no further than the Bronz Zoo. This New York zoo has an outstanding collection of exotic animals from around the world, including elephants, gorillas, giraffes, bears, rhinos and leopards. Getting to the Bronx Zoo from downtown Manhattan) is easy. Trains from Grand Central Station on the Metro North Line stop at the Zoo. There are also express buses that make stops along Madison Avenue which go right to the Bronx Zoo. Look for the BXM11 Buses on Madison.
• The Central Park Carousel - Central Park, New York, N.Y. - The carousel in Central Park is a beautiful old fashion carousel. Continuing a tradition that remains ongoing since 1871, situated in Central Park is a beautiful 57 horse antique carousel. Ornate carved wooden horses await rides from youngsters within an old fashioned carousel building that warmly greets you on your approach. It offers a simple pleasure from times long since passed, and is a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the day. While you are there, take advantage of the paths, garden areas and sculpted ponds inside the park. It is a wonderfully relaxing and expansive setting and leaves one wondering how such a serene pace can exist in one the largest cities in the world.
• Dylan's Candy Store - 1011 Third Avenue, New York, NY - What Willy Wonka did for the imagination; Dylan's Candy Store does in reality. It's a veritable wonderland of candy which will have the kid's wide-eyed and mouths wide open with awe. New York City candy store is an absolute must visit, and parents we apologize for the post candy sugar rush that follows.
• Ellen's Stardust Dinner - 1650 Broadway, New York, N.Y. - Located in the Broadway Theater District, the Stardust Diner is a fun experience for kids and adults alike. The dinner is a retro 50's drive-in theater theme, but the real treat is the singing wait staff. Comprised of aspiring Broadway actors, the staff will break out into a fully fledged Broadway style singing performance. The wait staff is incredibly fun and very friendly and willing to kibitz. The kids will eat it up.
• Empire State Building - 350 Fifth Avenue, 33rd & 34th Street, New York, N.Y. - Visit the Empire State building and go to the observatory level for a panoramic view of New York City. A Gorilla, ala King Kong, will greet you at the entrance line to the observatory. Even though the views and sheer height are sure to be an exciting experience, it also worth trying to take a picture of the entire building from street level...keep on backing up. For a really fun time, the night before your visit bring along a DVD of the original King Kong Movie for a family movie night and then bring the kids the following day. It adds to the fun and mystique.
• FAO Schwartz - 767 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street, New York, N.Y. - FAO Schwartz is the mother of all toy stores in New York's City. Located across from Central Park, FAO Schwartz is a child's dream come true. Offering the latest and greatest in toys, this store has something for everyone. But, perhaps the part we like the best is the extensive stuffed animal collection. A virtual Noah's ark of stuffed animals of every kind sprawls across the main floor, including amazingly huge stuffed animals (although one wonders how you could ever transport them home). If you do venture into FAO Schwartz keep in mind you have zero likelihood of escaping without buying something and prices are not at a discount.
• Grand Slam - Times Square, Broadway between 46th and 47th Street, New York, NY. - Grand Slam is a cornucopia of New York souvenirs ranging from the popular FDNY tee shirts and caps to all things you can possibly imagine that can bear a New York Yankees logo. This store is aimed a tourists but is still loads of fun for sports minded kids.
• NBA Store - 666 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street, New York, NY. - For the kid who loves basketball, this is your 3-story hops heaven. Authentic NBA merchandise is served up, including great NBA jerseys and basketball shorts. NBA players often make appearances at the NBA store and will sign autographs.
• Manhattan Children's Theater - 52 White Street (380 Broadway), New York, NY. - The Manhattan Children's playhouse is a children's theater that puts on child appropriate productions based on popular fairytales and children's stories such as Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Brothers Grimm stories. These are high quality productions for youngsters, and they will captivate them.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art - 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. - The Metropolitan Art Museum is one the world's greatest art museums. With an extensive collection containing many of the most famous paintings and artworks ever produced, the Museum will captivate many children, especially those with an interest in painting and art. The Egyptian, Arms and Armor, Medieval and European Painting collections will be enjoyed by the kids.
• Museum of Natural History - Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, N.Y. -The Museum of Natural History is loaded with fun collections and interesting exhibits which will surely capture the fancy of any child, as well as the parents. From Egyptian mummies and sarcophagi, giant stuffed Elephants and wild beasts, dinosaur skeletons (including the now famous "Rexy" from the movie Night at the Museum which greets you at the front door), American Indian relics, totem poles and more. The Museum of Natural History is an outstanding attraction for families.
• SONY Wonder Technology Lab - 550 Madison Ave. & 56th Street, New York, N.Y. - The Sony Wonder technology Lab is a wonderful interactive computer exploration environment for kids. The exhibits include creative interactive applications with cutting edge technologies, such as virtual surgery stations, animation workstations, and nanotechnology and robots stations.
• Theaterworks - 121 Christopher St, New York, N.Y. - Located in Greenwich Village, Theaterworks is a highly acclaimed family oriented theater production company. Shows are available only on weekends, but the performances are top notch and highly acclaimed. Performances cover children's classics such as Charlotte's Web, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Seussical.
• The New Victory Theater - 209 West 42nd Street, New York, NY. - Located in the Broadway district, the New Victory Theater is a youth theater with a little more edge to it, and probably better suited to teens and more mature children. Performances run from the macabre to the more juvenile avant garde style. The interior of the theater is stunningly ornate and with just 500 seats viewing is spectacular.

Resources and Links:

The Author is a contributing editor to New York Hotels by RoomRate.com. RoomRate is a leading provider of online hotel booking with no fees and bargain hotel rates direct from hotels around the United States. For more information on New York Hotels with Pools please visit: New York Hotels with Pools.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nathan_Tolland/643865

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Detroit Travel - The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel - Legendary Luxury Has Been Reborn

One of the main reasons I had come to Detroit was the fantastic architecture that this city has to offer. Detroit celebrated its heyday in the early 20th century when the automobile industry took off, and car ownership became available to everyday people. Witnesses to this boom are the many stunning historic skyscrapers in Detroit, particularly from the 1920s, buildings that still define one of the most recognizable skylines in the world.

Of course the Great Depression of the 1930s put an end to this exuberant construction activity, but to this day Detroit features a great collection of architectural treasures. One of the most well-known landmarks is the former Book Cadillac Hotel, which at its opening in 1924, was the tallest building in Detroit and the tallest hotel in the world.

The Book Cadillac was developed by three brothers who intended to turn Washington Boulevard into the "Fifth Avenue of the West". They commissioned prominent Detroit architect Louis Kamper to design their hotel property which was to be built on the location of the earlier Cadillac Hotel, a property dating back to 1885. With big fanfare this grand hotel opened in 1924, featuring 1,136 state-of-the-art guest rooms. The Book Cadillac Hotel was Detroit's most luxurious and venerable hotel property for many years. The first five floors of the original Book Cadillac had three ballrooms, a spacious lobby and retail stores on the ground floor. Even a radio station was located on the top floor.

In 1931 finally, caused by the financial crisis of the Great Depression, the Book Brothers lost control of this property, and it was then run by the National Hotel Management Company. In May of 1939 Lou Gehrig, the New York Yankees' famous first baseman, collapsed in the grand staircase of the hotel. He took himself out of the lineup which ended up breaking his string of 2,130 consecutive games played. Later of course, he was diagnosed with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which also became known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The script to Frank Capra's 1947 movie "State of the Union", starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, made several references to the Book Cadillac. Although filmed on a movie set, a shot of the actual front entrance marquee of the hotel appeared in the movie. Over the years, many other celebrities stayed at the hotel, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Ronald Reagan and Herbert Hoover all spent nights in this landmark property. Dr. Martin Luther King spent a night here in 1968, shortly before he was assassinated.

From the 1950s onwards the Book Cadillac was owned by the Sheraton chain which finally sold the hotel in 1975. This era was particularly unkind to this historic property as furniture and paint schemes were changed and the grand marble staircase was ripped out and replaced by an escalator. The hotel's name changed to the Sheraton Cadillac as the Book Brothers' name disappeared altogether.

Following the 1967 Detroit riot, tourism declined in the city and many businesses closed. Many of Detroit's grand historic hotels could not survive and were shuttered. This sad fate befell the Fort Shelby Hotel, the Hotel Statler and the Hotel Tuller. The Cadillac did briefly benefit because it ended up with some chandeliers and other pieces from the Statler Hotel. The cult film "Detroit 9000", made in 1974, highlights this era of the hotel.

Sheraton finally sold the hotel to Herbert Weissberg, a prominent New York Hotel owner, who renamed it the Detroit Cadillac. After his foreclosure the property changed hands to the Radisson chain which also implemented a number of unsuccessful renovations. After several additional sales, the hotel was turned into a mixed-used property during the 1980s that included office space. In 1984 it finally closed its doors for renovations but did not reopen as planned due to economic problems. Almost all the hotel's contents were sold at fire-sale prices, including original Book Cadillac china, beds, linens and other items.

As a matter of fact, the Book Cadillac became an abandoned property and over time became a victim of vandalism and urban scavengers. Initially, a security guard protected the property from 1986 to 1997, but once the guard was removed, the formerly splendid hotel was ravaged, and many of the architectural details were stolen or destroyed. Graffiti was sprayed all over the property, the historic plasterwork destroyed and the entire interior was in shambles.

The historic Book Cadillac, the grande dame of Detroit, was a former shadow of itself until the Cleveland-based Ferchill Group decided to take on this historic hotel and renovate it from top to bottom. With costs of around $200 million, the historic Book Cadillac has become a Westin Hotel property that also features 67 condominiums residences on the higher floors. The Westin Book Cadillac reopened its doors at the beginning of October of 2008 and a grand opening gala evening on October 25, 2008 will officially celebrate the restoration of this historic landmark hotel. I was absolutely fortunate to witness this stunning architectural rebirth just a few days after it became accessible to the public.

On this sunny Monday morning I met with John Timko, the sales manager of the hotel, who started our tour with a trip to the rooftop of the hotel. Work crews were still working on the top level luxury condos which gave us a chance to go out on the rooftop of the hotel. 31 stories up and without any protective railings, this was a slightly hair-raising yet exhilarating experience.

I was enthralled by the ziggurats, the hotel's crowning touches, which have been completely restored with new copper cladding since the original copper pieces had been stolen. The view of downtown Detroit and the Detroit River with Windsor on the other side of the Ambassador Bridge was simply breathtaking. Even more amazing is that once the condos are finished, there will not be any further access to the rooftop. I counted myself really lucky to have experienced the rooftop of the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel.

John continued the tour with the historic ballroom level which includes three ballrooms, including the Venetian Ballroom that was restored back to its 1924 glory, the true pride and joy of this property. The Italian Garden Room and Crystal Ballroom round out the historic meeting spaces that are located on this level. We also had a look at a variety of corporate meeting rooms as well as the Executive Center on the 19th floor. The Westin Executive Club floor with the concierge lounge is for the use of hotel guests and offers a fabulous view. The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel certainly offers everything a business or leisure traveler would ever want.

We also had a look at the Boulevard Room restaurant on the second floor which will be joined by "Roast", a restaurant run by celebrity chef Michael Symon. The Motor Bar on the second level features cocktails and snacks in a beautifully restored high-ceilinged lounge area. Another restaurant, 24grille, will open in late January of 2009, and the WBC Grab & Go coffee shop, due also to open in January, will provide a casual bistro atmosphere.

After a visit to the large brand-new Woodward Ballroom which can be subdivided into three segments, we had a sneak peek at the almost completed exercise and pool area. Only the most modern workout equipment awaits exercise-hungry hotel guests. We finished our tour with a view of the front facade of the hotel on Washington Boulevard which illustrates the grandeur of this Art Deco beauty. The Westin Book Cadillac certainly presides again regally over this grand avenue.

Afterwards we headed into the Boulevard Room restaurant to enjoy a delicious sampling of dishes provided by the expert chefs at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel.

Under the Westin Hotel & Resorts brand, the historic Book Cadillac Hotel has been completely resurrected in all its glory, successfully combining a tasteful historic restoration with the most modern 21st century amenities. The two nights I spent in the hotel made me appreciate the ideal location of this landmark property that lets you explore all of Detroit's downtown sights on foot.

The Westin Book Cadillac is a great example of the transformations that Detroit and many of its buildings have experienced over the past. Despite Detroit's checkered history and economic challenges, the restoration of the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel is one of the greatest examples of successful architectural preservation and rejuvenation in the entire United States. Now the grande dame of Detroit hotels reigns supreme again on stately Washington Boulevard.

Susanne Pacher is a Travel Journalist specializing in Unconventional Travel you can get tons of great unconventional and unique travel information and tips if you Click Here.

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