Notting Hill Hotels

Sunday, January 16th, 2011 | Comments Off

Notting Hill, located in West London has a fantastic array of hotels to choose from and you are sure to find something that suits your budget both in the Summer and Winter seasons. To help you make the right selection for your visit we have prepared the following short hotel, but concise travel guide.

Boutique Hotels

This type of Notting Hill hotel can be described as intimate, usually luxurious and can often found with a quirky, super stylish interior. The building style itself often appears as modern or Period.
Price guide per night £150-300

Contemporary Hotels

The majority of the building will be in a modern design style, usually purpose-built as a hotel. Interior furnishings are usually traditional or contemporary in style, Notting Hill has many to choose from.
Price guide per night £100-300

Townhouse Hotels

Medium to small style hotels with a focus mainly on bedrooms, suites and good quality friendly service. Townhouse hotels proves to be a popular choice for West London visitors, with costs that are not going to break the bank.
Price guide per night £80-120

Heritage Hotels

A historic (over 100 years old) small, character style hotel style with modern and up-to-date facilities, Notting hill has a few great ones to choose from.
Price guide per night £80-130

Period Elegance

A Large period type building, usually Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian or Regency in style. Interior furnishings are often found to be traditional or contemporary in décor.
Price guide per night £120-190

All of the above hotels styles fall under the UK Hotel star based standards which can be summarized as follows-

- One star: A simple, practical, no-frills hotel
- Two stars: For well-presented and well-run hotels
- Three stars: Providing a good level of quality and comfort
- Four stars: Excellent standard throughout the hotel
- Five stars: Exceptional and luxurious hotels

If you need some reasons to visit Notting Hill, the following list of facts should help whet your whistle for a true taste of West London life-

Take a peek at some of celebrity’s houses including Richard Branson, Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams, George Orwell, Damon Albarn or visit the hotel where Jimi Hendrix overdosed or perhaps the recording studio where Bob Marley recorded the album Exodus or visit an authentic, large scale Banksy graffiti piece. You could also check out Audrey Hepburn’s Notting Hill ballet school, shop in Sienna Millers fashion boutique, check out a James Bond film location or Notting Hill’s famous blue door and that rather well known bookshop.

If these reasons are still not enough to sway you into a hotel visit then perhaps a visit to the world famous Portobello Road on a Saturday morning, followed by a lunch in Trendy Notting Hill Gate with a lazy afternoon spent in the glorious Hyde park, just a few minutes walk away.

The hotels that are located in Notting Hill also have the added benefit of being only a short 15 minute cab ride away, or a 10 minute tube ride from all of the major tourist attractions that can be found Central London itself.

Middle East Travel ? Travel Tips

Thursday, January 13th, 2011 | Comments Off

One of the world’s most fascinating and rewarding travel destinations is the Middle East. If you are planning a visit there, you have to overcome complications that may come your way. There is spellbinding landscape scenery from seas of sand dunes and palm fringed lakes and stunning mountains of the north and the underwater world of the Red Sea. This is a land full of ancient history, vibrant cultures and unfortunately sometimes conflicts.

When you plan the trip, there are so many travel tips you have to know.

WEATHER

Autumn and spring are the best months to visit the Middle East. I.e. Visit September to November and also March to May. If you are a sun worshipper and water sports freak, the months of June to August should be definitely avoided.

COSTS

Travel in the Middle East is cheap and travelling is comfortable.

TIPPING

This is always there in the Middle East. The term given to tipping is “baksheesh” This is more than just a reward for having rendered a service.

MONEY

The larger banks have ATM’s and they are linked up to one of the international networks like Master Card, Cirrus, Visa or Global Access Systems.

NIGHT LIFE

Night life is safe and there is a wrong idea that it is insecure. Except in the conflict zone, everything is peaceful.

FORBIDDEN PLACES

Mecca and Medina are only for Muslims. Tourists should not try to enter these unless they are Muslims. Mosques are out of bounds for tourists. Never try to take either illegal or offensive for Muslims like Alcohol, books and magazines of an explicit sexual nature.

GIRLS

Girls and women are beautiful and lovely. They are a mixed race with a long history of the area. All women are really beautiful.

AFFECTION

You should not demonstrate affection for a spouse or friend of the opposite sex, when in public.  Saudi’s never do this and find such behavior unacceptable. Unmarried persons should not have sexual relations and it is against the law in Saudi Arabia. During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public. A dog should not be petted in front of a Saudi. You should dress modestly in public. Men should wear long pants and a shirt and women should wear long, loose dresses with high necklines and long sleeves. A person’s photograph should not be taken without his permissions. No theft takes place in the Kingdom.

CONCLUSION

The people of Saudi feel they are superior as all are Muslims and they look down on non Muslims. In Arabia they feel that they are more superior to non Arab Muslims and as Saudis they feel are superior to all other Arabs and this vicious circle never ends.

Tourists are not treated as they would treat a national and even the law enforcing agencies are like this.

List of Hotels in Yangon

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 | Comments Off

Hotels in Yangon exist in all variations for different types of tourists to Myanmar, ranging from budget 3 star hotels to extravagant 5 star hotels. Also, if you’re considering the location of the hotel as a factor, some hotels are closer or in the center of downtown Yangon and some are further away. Sule Pagoda is considered the downtown area, and the hotels that are closer to the center of the city are more convenient since you can walk around as most shops and restaurants are nearby. Breakfast is included at all hotels, which can be a combination of Western dishes and local Myanmar dishes.

Here is a list of recommended hotels in Yangon:

Central: located in downtown, 3-star hotel, this is a good, clean budget hotel. You can get a quality room for $20 per night.
Grand Mee Ya Hta: located in downtown and across from Central, 4-star hotel, every room has a kitchen.
Inya Lake: located on Inya Lake, 5-star hotel.
Kandawgyi Palace: located near Kandawgyi lake, 5-star, which is a few miles away from downtown.
Micasa: Apartment like rooms with a kitchen, 5-star hotel, located further away from downtown.
Park Royal: located in downtown, 5-star hotel, upscale rooms and hotel amenities.
Sedona: located further away from downtown, 4-star hotel.
Strand: known for its history since the British colonial times, expensive and overpriced. It’s listed as a 5-star, but eecommended to spend your money elsewhere to get your money’s worth.
Summit Parkview: located about 5 miles away from down, known for its staff and quality service, 4-star hotel.
Trader: located in downtown, 5-star hotel, this is a hotel for businessmen and NGO’s.
Yuzana: located about 5 miles away from downtown, large 3-star hotel.

Based on the quality of the hotel you would like and also, the distance away from the downtown, there are a wide variety of selections for hotels in Yangon.

International Travel Tips For A Cancun Vacation

Sunday, January 9th, 2011 | Comments Off

Combine glitzy Vegas-style resorts, turquoise waters, spectacular marine life and ancient Mayan ruins, what do you have? A Cancun vacation! Enjoy this weeks International Travel Tips as a teaser for perhaps your next vacation.

With Cancun’s varied offerings, visitors of all interests are bound to find a perfect spot in this tropical paradise. The vibrant excitement that pulsates all throughout Cancun makes it difficult to imagine miles of dunes, mangroves and jungles that Cancun was four decades ago.

Intentionally built to become a tourist hub, Cancun was transformed from an uninhabitable wasteland to a world-class holiday destination. Dunes and marshes are now replaced by miles of golf courses, theme parks and luxury hotels.

Before heading off to the nearest Cancun attraction, pass by the mangrove jungles of Cancun first to imagine how the island was like forty years ago. You can take a boat tour, ride a canoe or horseback your way through the mangrove jungles.

Explore the fantastic array of corals and tropical fishes while you’re at it. After you have freshened up, proceed to La Torre for a bird’s eye view of the island. La Torre is a rotating tower located at the entertainment complex of El Embarcadero at Paseo Kukulkan, to see the dramatic progress of the island in less than half a century.

Beachcombing and sunbathing is ideal in beautiful Isla Mujeres where its turquoise blue waters are also warm and inviting. Although literally translated as Island of Women, it is open for all to enjoy. Located a short 11 kilometers off the shores of Cancun, you can just lay back on the pristine white sand of Isla Mujeres and enjoy a good book while you soak in the sun and work on your tan.

For an exciting water adventure, visit Parque Nizuc, a marine theme park with pools upon pools of wild water slides and rides. Tired of the modern amenities of the Cancun strip? Take an hour drive to the southern Cancun and explore the ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization in Tulum. Nearby is a secluded beach where you can take a breather after an exhausting stroll around the ruins.

For nature lovers, a visit to the ecological parks of Xcaret and Xel-ha is highly recommended. Keep yourself cool under the shades of its verdant flora while you watch butterflies and birds frolic around its impressive aviary. If you feel a little more daring, you can explore the underground rivers or you can feed the sharks in gigantic tanks with their favorite snacks.

Take a short ferry ride from Cancun to the busy town of Playa del Carmen and test your haggling skills in its many market stalls. Nearby is Cozumel where the amazing splendid coral formations and countless schools of colorful fishes abound.

This just goes to show that a trip to Cancun can be a laidback sunbathing experience on the shore, a luxurious pampering in a hotel, an awe-inspiring visit to ancient ruins or an adrenalin pumping exploration of the wilds. It all depends on how you like it to experience your Cancun vacation.

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How to Choose the Right Hotel Accommodation

Saturday, January 8th, 2011 | Comments Off

Whether you’re on a business trip, honeymoon or just taking a break to relax and unwind, choosing the right hotel is one of the most important decisions that can make or break your travel plan. The most vital consideration is to strike a balance between quality and price. It is quite a task to figure out the right sort of accommodation that fits into your budget, offers the quality and amenities you’re looking for and is centrally located.

Online Hotel Booking – A Convenient Option

Selecting a good hotel from a multitude of options is never an easy process. However, the internet has revolutionized the searching and booking of hotel rooms. Many hotels run promotional schemes exclusively for online booking, available on the hotel’s website. Traditional travel agencies are becoming a thing of the past. Within the convenience of your home or office, scores of hotels can be analyzed and reviewed before making a decision on which one to book for your next trip.

Before choosing a hotel, read the reviews of the property that can be found online easily. Numerous travel sites host impartial reviews and write ups of various hotels. Previous guest views on the hotel accommodation always provide a more in-depth view to what is on offer.

Location and Amenities – Key Factors

Perhaps one of the most critical criteria when selecting a hotel is its location. It’s always better to choose a hotel that’s both centrally and conveniently located to all the major city sights and close to shopping malls and convenience stores. Its also beneficial if the hotel is located close enough to the airport and rail station.

Check the amenities that the hotel provides. If you will need WI-FI or handicapped facilities, make sure they have them available. Check if breakfast is included in the tariff and if they have coffee/tea-pot inside the room. Most hotels have seasonal offers on their rooms that include breakfast as well. Also ask if they offer free pick-up and drop from and to the airport or railway station.

If you’re looking for a decent hotel accommodation in the city of Pune, India, you may be overwhelmed by the large number of options available. Hotel Studio Estique, Pune offers perfect accommodation options both to the domestic and international business travelers & for family trips, making guests feel at home right from the time they step in. Next door is a shopping complex with a Multiplex. Centrally located with well designed rooms, backed by complimentary internet usage and international cuisine, this hotel in Pune is great value for money. Email reservations@studioestique.com for the latest deals and packages.

Hassle Free Bus Travel Tips

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 | Comments Off

I don\’t know about you, but I think there\’s some old-world charm about long bus trips that you cannot find in an airplane flight.

Although it is true that traveling time can be shortened to a few hours, even minutes, in one short plane ride, but doing so will deprive you of the scenic montage of vast cornfields, picturesque country roads and colorful villages when you take the bus.

Bus travel remains a practical alternative to long distance trips and it can be an enjoyable experience if you know how to avoid the common glitches associated to it.

The buses of today used for long distance trips are no longer the same cramped and uncomfortable tin foil of a vehicle of yesteryear\’s.

In fact, some buses have been transformed into luxurious forms of land travel that can rival that of any airline\’s first class seats. Reclining seats, linens, overhead reading lights and climate controls are no longer uncommon among modern buses. Some of these buses even offer free Internet connection to make sure that passengers can stay connected all through out the trip.

With the current cozy condition of buses used for long distance trips, traveling in comfort is no longer impossible. You just have to take care of a few details to make sure that your ease and comfort are not disturbed all the way to your destination.

Do keep in mind that there is more than one bus company servicing any one route. Thanks to free trade, there are several options available for you. So, before you purchase your ticket, research on what choices you have and choose one that will give you the most comfortable trip possible.

When comparing buses, consider seat sizes, allowed baggage size and weight, bus fare prices, number of stopovers and expected travel period for your route. Also, do note that some bus lines give generous discounts for early birds. So, you might want to prepare for your trip early for this.

Buses now require their passengers to check-in at the terminal at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure. They will not wait for you so be sure to arrive on time; the same rule applies for stopovers. Carry-on baggage should be small enough to fit inside the overhead rack. Do check the placement of your bags on the overhead rack to ensure that they will not fall down on you once the bus is in motion.

You want to choose a seat that will give you the most freedom to do things that you want. If you are the kind of passenger who can\’t remain seated for longer than an hour or who needs to go to the toilet every now and then, you are better off in an aisle seat.

If you are the opposite, choose a window seat so that you will not have to stand up every time the person beside you needs to go. Also, you may want to avoid the back row because they do not recline. If you need to have a reading light, avoid front row seats because these fixtures are not usually available for this row. You also want to sit a little farther from the bus toilet for contingency measure, if you get my drift.

The Globe Cheap Travel Guide reveals how anybody can take advantage of Discount Travel Tips, through travel secrets previously only known within the travel industry.

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