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Review of Hilton Times Square

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:37:51 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend at the Hilton Times Square in New York City. It was a magnificent hotel with breathtaking views. You can’t ask for a better location if you want to experience New York City to its fullest. When you enter the hotel, you need to show your room key to the desk on the ground floor before you can take the elevator up to the 23rd floor, which is the main lobby and where the hotel begins. This helps minimize all the noise from the street for a quiet night sleep.

I had a standard sized room for me and my girlfriend and we were impressed by the size of the rooms. Despite being in the middle of Manhattan in a prime location, our rooms were just as big as any other standard room. We had a great view of Times Square and overlooked the bustling theatre district. As we were in the middle of Times Square, you can imagine that there was plenty to do around us. The concierge was extremely helpful with finding us last minute tickets to a Broadway show and even made a dinner reservation for us at a popular restaurant with only an hour and a half notice.

The hotel itself had a great restaurant. As a diamond member with Hilton, I received a voucher for a free breakfast which was delicious. It was buffet style with a make your own omelet station. They had fresh pastries, pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, fruit, potatoes, and the list goes on and on. The breakfast is inspired by a popular chef (I can’t remember his name), and even without a free voucher, was a reasonable price. The bar in the lobby of the hotel was amazing as well. Although drinks were rather expensive, the views from the bar were surreal. We went for a drink before hitting the town for the night and were immersed in a sea of lights below us.

Overall, we had a great time at the Hilton Times Square. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to experience living in one of the busiest places in the world. The one thing to take into account is that, like everything in Times Square, it is expensive to stay there. Additionally, everything around the hotel, such as restaurants and entertainment, is much more expensive than anywhere else in Manhattan. If you are looking to spend money for a once in a lifetime Times Square experience, this is the hotel to stay at!

Bio: Adam Bruk loves to travel and can’t think of a place he wouldn’t want to visit at least once! An online marketing specialist tracking retail trends in men’s sunglasses, he enjoys visiting a new place every chance he gets!

How Do You Know If Your Hotel Room is Actually Clean?

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:40:37 +0000

It doesn’t matter if you have had a look at the brochure, or looked at the pictures on your choice of hotel’s website, you will never really know how clean it will be until you arrive. From someone who has stayed in many a hotel, and knows the difference between what the difference professional commercial cleaning services will do for a room, here is my guide to finding out if the hotel is keeping the standards you need and expect.

Check User Reviews. There is nothing like getting the advice from other travelers. Any of us who travel a lot, will turn to these sites to get the low down on what any place is really like. Good travel sites will mean you need to be a member to comment on any of the hotels and paid accommodation listings. You can check the credibility of these users by taking a look at their profile. We all need to be careful with disinformation when reading so-called user reviews. Many companies will fill them in themselves, or get others to do it for them. If the user reviews are just too good, or the profile is a little dubious, it is doubtful the review is real. Real users who use these sites will normally have commented on more than one location in one city.
Ask the Hotel. Asking the hotel may seem a little extreme, but there are ways of doing this discretely. The better hotels will have a commercial cleaning solution that includes an environmentally friendly approach. Marketing the fact they use organic products or services, is big on the list of many hotels. They will not be surprised if you contact about their cleaning regime and what environmentally friendly practices they use. Most hotels will be happy to explain what systems they have in place for keeping their rooms clean. If you cannot get a clear answer, you know they are probably not doing a good job.
Room Inspection. As you check-in, you can always ask the front desk to check the room before you pay. They may have your booking fee, and this will put you in a better situation, even if you have found the room not to be as clean as you expected. If you think they cannot clean the room after your inspection, it will be a good argument for getting your booking fee back. You can always threaten them with writing an online user review. The more reviews you write, the more you will be believed, and there is nothing they can do about it. Remember to check underneath cushions or under chairs, because if a room is being cleaned with the professional standards you expect, there will be no sign of debris.

There is no excuse for poor cleanliness. You could be risking your health or a lot more by sleeping in a room that is not sanitized. Demand the best or move on.

Family Friendly Hotel La Siesta In Tenerife

traveller — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:03:46 +0000

Whatever you may think before you have children, the reality is that when you start a family your priorities change. If you like exploring a country by roaming from place to place with no fixed itinerary other than getting to the airport for your return flight well, forget it when you have young kids.

The thing is children’s needs aren’t like those of adults. Take food for example, if it’s getting close to lunch time you can easily have a big lunch, a snack, eat early, late or miss it all together. When kids are hungry they have much less tolerance and a warning moan can deteriorate into a major tantrum pretty quickly. Of course it doesn’t stop at food there’s also sleep, toilet, play and other needs to think about. On top of that when your children are too young to speak you often need to guess which need requires attention.

It’s normal so don’t let this put you off starting a family, especially because there are lots of tricks you can use to ensure things don’t get out of hand. Most importantly frame your kid’s day in routine and make certain that they are in a safe environment. Then ensure you have easy access to food, a place to sleep, spare clothes and things they like to do.

To have all of this when you are on holiday your top priorities have to be comfort and convenience, especially if it’s a short one week break when you don’t have much settling in time. For me that is the main attraction of a resort style holiday where the provided facilities put you in a good place to provide for your children’s needs easily. I realise that for some people the idea of pre-packaged days, where for example you eat in the same place between certain times takes much of the charm away but it’s worth remembering that the resort services are only an option. There’s nothing stopping you skipping the hotel food and going out for a meal in that picturesque restaurant you spotted earlier in the day.

In our case we wanted a week in the sun and since our children are under the age of 4 it needed to be as family friendly as possible for us to enjoy our time. If you want sun in February there isn’t a huge choice of destinations and we soon settled on Tenerife because the flight time is reasonable and it was a good fit for our budget. So we drew up a short list of possible places to stay using a good hotel search engine. There wasn’t a great difference between them but when I casually mentioned our planned trip at work I was recommended Hotel La Siesta which coincidentally was also on our short list.

In the end we were really glad for the recommendation because it was a fantastic choice. At Hotel La Siesta the staff were friendly, courteous and never over-imposing, the food was plentiful and very good, the rooms and all common areas were kept clean and in great order and there were regular well conceived activities organised for the kids.

Baby disco at Hotel La Siesta

We thought that the facilities were all good too, these are some of the details that made it comfortable for a young family. Our room was large with a double bed, a double sofa bed and a cot which was more than adequate for a family of our size. The swimming pool had heated water and even though it wasn’t really necessary it does make a difference when little children use it since they tend to be in the water for much of the day. There was a large play room with lots of toys, organised activities and a big soft play area. They had a playground with things like a climbing frame and a slide (actually this is one area that needs updating). To make things even easier, the hotel had full time staff who organised the children activities, they were very good and we felt comfortable leaving our children with them alone.

To sum it up the hotel is very well run with good facilities all round. On top of that it is centrally located, about 10 minutes stroll to the closest beach or to the town centre. You can check Hotel La Siesta availability here.

Tips for Choosing the Best Hotel

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 18:13:48 +0000

Along with your tickets and travel insurance, your accommodation is the most important purchase you will make for your holiday. Get it right and you can have a lovely “home from home” from which to explore. Get it wrong and it can overshadow your entire trip. Whether you like to book everything in advance or prefer to leave the decision until you are on the road, choosing where to stay can be difficult. Here are a few tips to help you pick the right option.

Forget about the penthouse suite

It is usually a far better option to choose a standard room in an expensive hotel than a similarly priced superior room or suite in a cheap hotel. Not only is the standard of finish likely to be as high or higher, but also by booking into the superior hotel you gain access to all its correspondingly superior facilities.

Research your location

There is a temptation always to choose a hotel in the very centre of a town or city, and often that is the best option, but not always. Think about what you want to do while you are staying there and where the best fit is for you. It is not much use having a hotel in the heart of the city if all the attractions you wish to visit are located outside the CBD, leaving you surrounded by banks and office blocks.

Use review sites…with caution

Online travel review sites can be a useful resource and are definitely worth checking out, but you need to be wary of trusting them completely. Always keep in mind that people who feel sufficiently moved to write online reviews tend to be those who have had the most extreme experiences. Look for patterns of criticism or praise, but don’t be persuaded by a single good or bad review.

Ask for a recommendation

Nothing is better than a personal recommendation. If friends or family have visited your destination before, ask them where they stayed and what they thought of it. They will know your likes and dislikes and should be able to judge as well as anyone whether you will like a particular hotel.

Join an online community

Much like review sites, online travel communities, such as those set up by major guidebook publishers, can be a double-edged sword. They are sources of great knowledge and, used wisely, can be very instructive. It is a good idea, however, at least to browse the community for a while until you get a feel for the personalities of the various contributors before trusting their judgements and recommendations.

Inspect

If you are booking accommodation when you are already on the road, then ask to see the room before you check in, and if it is not what you want then don’t be embarrassed to say no thanks and go elsewhere. Seeing the room before you check in is one of the big advantages you have over people who pre-book, so make sure you use it.

If you follow these tips, choose your destination wisely and find some good cheap travel insurance, you will be all set for a carefree and relaxing holiday. All that is left is to wish you bon voyage!

10 Amazingly Beautiful Hotels

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:06:58 +0000

Most people travel because they want to see a new city, a different part of the country, or a new country. They travel for business or pleasure, and sometimes a little of both. However, there are 10 hotels in the world, 10 amazingly beautiful hotels that offer a vacation in themselves.

Here, then, are 10 hotels worth visiting because of their sheer beauty:

1. New Majestic Hotel in Singapore.
The New Majestic Hotel in Singapore is a work of art you can live in. Designed in a minimalistic style, it has an open floor plan and intricate design and furnishings. Each one of the 30 rooms is unique, custom designed by local Singaporean artists.

2. Semiramis in Athens.
Semiramis is in the heart of Athens. It is a celebration in minimalist architecture, a futuristic design that will take your breath away. The 51 room hotel has 4 suites on the rooftop and 6 bungalows alongside the pool.

3. Hillside Su Hotel in Antalya.
The Hillside Su Hotel in Antalya is huge, with 253 rooms. The sharp lines, muted colors, and geometric shape emanate a pure, clean, and serene ambiance. Pure whites clash with flaming reds and the change in colors and geometry surprise and thrill as you walk into each room

4. Fujiya Inn, Yamagata
The essence of austere Japanese art has been captured by the Fujiya Inn. Located in the Ginzan hot springs region, the hotel design is simple, austere, serene, and tranquil. The open plan rooms have hardwood floors and bamboo walls. Handmade Japanese papers adorn every wall. Visitors can enjoy the sheer beauty of the hotel as well as three natural hot springs famed for their ability to rejuvenate mind and body.

5. DO & CO Hotel in Vienna.
In the center of Vienna is the DO & DC Hotel, another minimalistic marvel with clean lines. Looking out of the floor-to-ceiling windows, you will see the graceful architecture of St Stephen’s Cathedral, which is directly across the street. The floors are made of hardwood. Jacuzzis, futuristic chairs and beds, and many modern fixtures create an urban design.

6. Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Sultanate of Oman
Six Senses Hideaway villas celebrate color and design contrasts and highlight what you can do with minimalistic design. The suites are extravagant, with private infinity swimming pools, wine cellars, private gyms, and other exotic luxuries.

7. Hotel Glo in Helsinki
A minimalistic hotel, the Hotel Glo brings the urban hotel theme to Finland. The 144 room hotel has earth colored furnishings and a warm lighting in all the rooms.

8. Adriana in Croatia
Croatia has always been a favored vacation place because of its natural beauty and the Adiana hotel is urban, chic, and dazzling, with its mix of minimalism and wild color schemes. Mood lighting, comfortable lounge chairs, geometric designs, open floor plans, and quiet elegance ranks it among the best hotels in the world. The rooms have LED mood lighting and urban furniture.

9. Aana Resort & Spa in Koh Chang
Located in the Gulf of Siam, on the Klong Praow Beach, the Aana Resort & Spa Serenity offers exquisite bungalows overlooking the natural landscape. The villas are fashioned out of aged wood, sport huge sun decks, and come complete with Jacuzzis.

10. Hotel 71 in Chicago
Although Chicago has a reputation for beautiful hotels, the 450-room Hotel 71 has got to be the epicenter of luxury and quiet décor. The style is contemporary. The average living space is 1,200 sq. ft. The King Suite costs $500 a night. This luxurious downtown hotel overlooks the Chicago River.

These 10 hotels reveal what can be done with minimalism, urban design, and clashing colors and geometric shapes. They are visual works of art and immediately create a sense of tranquility as soon as you step into them. Staying in them during your vacation or business trip will enhance the pleasure of your stay.

Nicole has been blogs about a variety of topics including eyewear and enterprise social networking.

The Top 10 Craziest Hotels (and What They Have to Offer)

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:37:06 +0000

When it comes to crazy stunts, people are always coming up with something new, from extreme sports to extreme haircuts to extreme homes. But one area that has been fairly standard throughout the annals of history is the hotel. Bed, bath, and food are the usual fare and it has pretty much been that way since, well…since people began to travel. However, with the advent of modern machinery to speed our journeys along, more and more people have turned to travel as a leisure activity, once that practically demands the exotic and novel. And crazy hotels have swooped in to fill the gap. From tubes in Tokyo to tree houses in India, the bold and bizarre of the hotel world are just a trip away.

Exploranter, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-eight rooms, a kitchen and a shower are all provided in this hotel on wheels. Fill the bus with friends for a travelling party that includes stops for wine-tasting and horseback rides.
Capsule Inn, Osaka, Japan. You might just fall in love with these one-person capsules (if you’re not claustrophobic). With dimensions (in meters) of 2x1x1.5, they’ll fit most Americans, and every pod comes with a bed, TV, and internet connection (probably to keep you happy while you’re installed in the matrix!).
Hôtel de Glace, Quebec, Canada. Open only between January and March, this very cool hotel is made entirely of ice (walls, beds, barware, you name it). But don’t worry; the ambient lighting and animal-skin bedding will no doubt inspire you to find ways to stay warm.
Poseidon Undersea Resort, Poseidon Mystery Island, Fiji. Imagine 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea without the prospect of being attacked by giant squid. Oh, and don’t forget the world-class luxury accommodations! Resting at the bottom of a blue lagoon, this hotel puts a very watery twist on the room with a view.
Hang Nga Guesthouse, Dalat, Vietnam. Known locally as “The Crazy House”, this hotel looks to be carved from the base of some ancient tree with curvy walls and slatted windows, but in fact, the five-story structure is made of concrete. Hang Nga, the architect responsible, had other buildings torn down for being anti-social. Luckily, this one remained to house tourists in search of lodgings off the beaten path.
Green Magic Nature Resort and Tree Houses, Kerala, India. 500 acres of tropical rainforest will greet you every morning from your lofty bungalow in the treetops. And with running water and real telephones (not the soup-can and string variety), it’s a step above your average tree house!
Jumbo Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden. This could be considered the greenest hotel in the world. It is made from an abandoned 747 that was refurbished to include bunk beds and eating accommodations. As airport hotels go, it’s pretty swanky.
Das Park Hotel, Ottensheim, Austria. These tubes are slightly larger than the ones found in Japan (they’re made from giant concrete sewage pipes) and they rest in the dirt of a scenic park. Leave your doors open to enjoy the view while you sip cocktails and lounge on the double bed. Just make sure you’re wearing pajamas since passers-by can also look in.
Sala Silvergruva, Sala, Sweden. Aboveground accommodations pale in comparison to the mine suite. It’s one room in an abandoned silver mine. Yes, a bed in a silver mine. Creepy or cool? You decide.
The De Vrouwe van Stavoren Hotel, Stavoren, Netherlands. This strange hotel leaves guests to sleep inside giant wine barrels from France. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse to wake up smelling like wine!

Sarah Danielson is a writer for Pick Up Artist where you can find great tips and advice on dating.

Seattle Hotel 1000 Valentines Offer

First One Million Star Hotel

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:13:26 +0000

Tourists are queueing up to visit the world’s first hotel with a millions stars.

Monika Fritz came up with the idea after cutting a hotel shape into her wheat field – and then putting beds in the middle giving guests an uninterrupted view of the heavens – and what she estimates is at least 1 million stars or more.

But she says: “Although some people are rather sceptical, the breathtaking view at night makes it worthwhile to visit.

“The air is always fresh and there is no street lights around here so nothing to disturb the view of the heavens.”

The price for one night at the hotel located outside the German city of Bad Kissingen varies between 3 and 7 Euros – which Monica says is not one bad value for a millions star rating.

Kempinski Hotel, Croatia. First 5 Star Resort In Croatia

Most Popular Hotels In Wellington With A Swimming Pool

guest — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:22:47 +0000

Wellington offers various types of accommodations to tourists and business visitors to suit all types of budgets. They range from backpackers, guest & hosted, holiday homes, star-rated hotels, holiday parks, exclusive accommodations, and self-contained and serviced staying facilities. The most important star-rated hotels with swimming pools are presented below for guidance to those who wish to visit the lovely city of Wellington, New Zealand.

Intercontinental Hotel Wellington on Grey Street is a 5-star rated hotel having 231 guestrooms, with room charges starting from $151 for day per person. The Museum of Wellington City and Sea and Te Papa Museum are very near this hotel. Apart from swimming pool, spa bath/Jacuzzi, sauna and gym, the hotel also contains a golf course. The restaurant of the hotel, the Chameleon, provides local food items, while the Arizona Bar & Grill is famous for Texas-Mexican drinks and foods.

Duxton Hotel Wellington is a 5-star hotel, located on Wakefield Street, near the Te Papa Museum and Wellington Convention Centre. The hotel offers a complementary breakfast, with a day’s stay costing only $115 upwards. Swimming pool, massage/beauty centre, top floor gym, guest leisure room and a restaurant with bar and café features are the additional features of this hotel.

Museum Hotel Wellington in Cable Street is a 4-star hotel, situated opposite the famous Te Papa Museum. The hotel is also very close to the waterfront and the major attractions of the city. Apart from a swimming pool, day spa with facials, hair styling and body treatments, fitness centre and art collection shop, the Hippopotamus restaurant of the hotel provides genuine French food with variety of wines and mixed drinks. Room prices start from $130.

Bolton Hotel Wellington, another 4-star hotel at Corner Bolton & Mowbray Streets provides rooms at $123 upwards. This hotel is located in the city’s central business district, next to the beautiful Bolton Memorial Park and botanical gardens. Lambton Quay, the Parliament Building and other government buildings are also nearby. Swimming pool with a lap pool arrangement, gym, sauna, spa and laundry facilities are provided by the hotel. The Bisque on Bolton restaurant offers genuine New Zealand cuisine and café Brioche provides hot drinks and snacks.

Quality Hotel Wellington on Cuba Street is 4-star rated, with room prices starting from $117. Holiday Inn Wellington situated in Featherston Street. Room costs are $109 upwards. Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay in Oriental Parade provides rooms for $112 onwards. All these hotels have 4-star ratings and provide swimming pool facilities to visitors.

The other hotels with 3 and 4-star ratings are Ibis Hotel Wellington on Featherston Street, Mercure Hotel Wellington on The Terrace, Brentwood Hotel Wellington on Kemp Street Kilbirnie, Quest Atrium Wellington on The Terrace, Quality Inn Angus Wellington on the Corner Waterloo Road & Cornwall and Central Terrace Heights Serviced Apartments Wellington on The Terrace. Room prices of these hotels start from $90, $74, $98, $97, $105 and $95, respectively for a single person for a day’s accommodation. Mercure Hotel Willis Street Wellington on Willis Street is a 3-star hotel, with the lowest room charges of $42 onwards. All these hotels have swimming pools for tourists to relax.

Five of the Most Stylish Luxury Hotels in Paris

guest — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:42:11 +0000

Ice Bar, Kube Hotel

People flock to Paris for the quaint little bistros, croissants and gorgeous sweeps of dove-grey facade, all found in plentiful supply from Maris to Montmartre. But well-trodden stereotypes aside, what’s often overlooked is the sheer quantity of ultra-stylish luxury hotels in Paris tucked away amongst its tree-lined boulevards.

This is Ile de France, the cultural and commercial hub of a nation of philosophers, designers and artists. And whether you opt for a grand dame like Le Meurice or a fashion fabulous boutique hotel like Hotel Bellechasse, you’ll sleep in a place unique, unrivalled and unlike any other.

The selection below shows just a little of the breadth and variety of the most stylish luxury hotels in Paris. All are visionary and all are shaped by the people behind them, be that a fashion designer seeking new ground, a design-savvy hotelier or a manager with decades of industry experience. All are utterly Parisian and completely inimitable.

Kube Hotel

Undoubtedly one of the kookiest luxury hotels in Paris is the Kube, located just north of the Gare du Nord. Stay here and have a drink in the city’s only Ice Bar (be sure to get kitted out in fake furs first; it’s minus fifteen degrees).

From the cube-shaped toilets (geddit?) with accompanying black tissue paper (we did warn of ‘boundary-pushing’) to the anthropomorphic cushions and bubble chairs in the bar, this definitely isn’t a hotel for the straight-laced.

Hotel Bellechasse

Room, Hotel Bellechasse

This is ‘hotel couture’ in its purest form, the second offering from designer Christian Lacroix. The bedrooms are a fantasy land of butterfly-winged men, feather-masked women and romantic murals of the Tuileries, all painted or wall-papered meticulously for dream-filled nights.

Continue your artistic musings at the nearby Musee d’Orsay, or in the wealth of galleries and shops that scatter Saint Germain. And although the hotel lacks a restaurant (in the true sense of a boutique hotel, this place does nothing by half measures) there are plenty of great options close by.

Le Meurice

Who said that palace hotels had to be staid and serious? This venerable old lady – one of the grandest of all luxury hotels in Paris – fell into the creative paws of Phillipe Starck, who decked her out with cupboards full of antique hand-mirrors, ceiling-spanning murals and table lamps commissioned from Salvador Dali’s original sketches.

Dali was one of Meurice’s most infamous former guests. He once let loose a flock of sheep in Meurice’s gilded corridors, something that would surely flutter even the most dignified concierge. Although as the staff here are thought of as the most impeccable in Paris, perhaps not…

Hotel Particulier Montmartre

Curtain of Hair Suite, Hotel Particulier Montmartre

The Particulier can be hard to find, hidden as it is amongst the hilly backstreets of Amelie’s Montmartre. But once settled into one of five sophisticated suites, the slightly odd location makes perfect sense: it exemplifies the micro-hotel family, small in size but significant in personality.

Owners Morgane Rousseau and Frederic Comtet commissioned renowned artists to design each suite. Expect wallpaper that mirrors the trees outside, murals of hair-covered faces stretching over entire walls and painted plaster angels peering out from odd corners.

Trianon Palace

You’ll have to travel just outside Paris for this elegant luxury hotel; the Trianon Palace is located in Versailles, and has hosted world dignitaries and celebs since 1910. Lavish in a thoroughly old-school way, expect crystal chandeliers, Roman arches and stellar service.

There’s more star quality to be found in Trianon’s amenities. The restaurant is headed by Gordon Ramsey, whilst the Guerlain Spa is a destination in itself, complete with a hammam and Grecian-style pool area. It’s a complete sanctuary from the bustle of the city centre.

About the writer: Nadia Latif is Assistant Editor of boutique and luxury hotels specialists TravelIntelligence.com. She counts Hotel Particulier as right up there with the most stylish of all the many, many fabulous hotels she’s visited and reviewed.

Love Hotels – Japan

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:52:14 +0000

A kinky Japanese phenomenon which keep travellers worldwide going back !

The hotel caters for the romantic who can stay in the cleopatra room, role play if thats your thing (costumes on hire from reception) – onto pretty full-on fetish rooms and you can also knock yourselves out in a boxing ring – What ?!?

Japan: Simple Splendor