RSSJul|16|2010
Banyan Tree Ringha’s Lost Horizon
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Getaways, Hotels, Luxurious, Resorts, Romantic, Spa
Like the Aman-junkies (devoted Aman resort followers who langorously troupe from one luxury Aman resort to another), Banyan-junkies are now flocking to the latest Banyan Tree hotel high up in the mountains of Yunnan, China which opened this month.
Amid a Tibetan-style atmosphere of meditative Buddhist temples, prayer flags and gorgeous mountain views, the hotel is located a gasping (literally) 10,500 feet above sea level in a beautiful part of Sothwestern China in between Tibet, Myanmar and China’s Sichuan province.
The rooms are massive and decorated rather somberly with dark woods and large splashes of Chinese red lacquer and quilted curtains teeming with Tibetan flavour. The smallest room of the hotel, the Tibetan suite sprawls at 2,200 square feet and all the other rooms of the hotel are likewise on two floors.
The bathrooms are equally grand and spa-like in size, with more lacquer and tubs so large that …
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Apr|14|2010
Score Cheap Accommodations
Posted by Noemi as Hotels, Tips
Next to airfare, accommodations usually take up a huge chunk of one’s travel budget. In fact, sometimes, airfares can be cheaper than hotels. This is especially true if you fly on a budget airline. However, there are many ways by which you can find cheap (or maybe even free) accommodations. You just need to exert a little more effort. Here are some ideas.
Be a couch surfer. What in the world is this? If you’re a budget traveler, then you probably have heard of this. I am not into couch surfing, but my friends who are swear by it. The idea is to join a community composed of likeminded people who travel like you do. When you travel, you can look for a host who will offer his “couch” for you …
Mar|11|2010
Accommodations In Saigon (Ho Chi Minh)
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Hotels, Travelogger
Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as more people call it) is full of hotels. Everywhere you look, you will find accommodations. The problem – if you can call it that – is choosing one. You may opt to go the “normal” route and search hotel web sites such as Asiarooms. I tried this before a month before our trip, but ended up undecided. Lucky for me, my friend found two options that were not that expensive.
You see, the countless hotels in Saigon offer good rates – anywhere from USD15 to USD40. The really big names, like Sheraton and Continental, are out of my league. I would have loved to stay at the Sheraton but it was just too much. Anyway, we ended up staying at Blue River Hotel for the first two nights, and then moved to Blue Diamond for the …
Jan|31|2010
The Dirtiest Hotels In US
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Hotels, United States, Website
Trip Advisor is one of the top web sites in the world when it comes to travel tips and advice. It is a big community of people from all over the world who love travel. One of the things I like about them is that I get to read reviews by “real” travelers from different countries. This month, they just released a list of the dirtiest hotels in the United States. According to the web site, the list is based on member reviews.
Are you ready to find out which hotels are the dirtiest? Here goes…
1.Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco, California
2.Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Missouri
3.Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia
4.Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia
5.Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
6.New York Inn, New York City, New York
7.Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach, Florida
8.Capistrano …
Jan|22|2010
The Best Tech Hotels
Posted by Noemi as Hotels
What’s the most important thing for you when choosing a hotel? I really cannot pinpoint a single feature but most of the time, I would mention at least one of these three things: a bathtub, WiFi in the room, or a pool. If you found yourself nodding vigorously while reading the second item in that very short list, you’d love the list that AskMen.com came up with: Travel Picks: Top 10 tech hotels.
Let me pick out the two that interested me the most:
Hotel Sax, Chicago
There’s the free Wi-Fi, massive wide-screen TVs, and the 6th floor Studio Lounge, free for all guests, where you can relax on big sofas or play Rock Band, Wii games and Guitar Hero. Guests each receive a laptop and Zune MP3 player for use during their stay. The hotel also has tech studios and tech …
Oct|13|2009
Are Budget Hotels Worth It?
Posted by Noemi as Hotels, Travelogger
My husband and I are probably the two most different people in the world. Anything one likes, the other one dislikes. Don’t ask me how we hooked up. Anyway, when it comes to traveling, I tend to look for the budget hotels. Naturally, he prefers the more luxurious ones. It’s a good thing that I always end up planning the whole trip, so I get my way.
This brings to mind a question that I hear a lot: are budget hotels worth it? On the one hand, as the name suggests, you do not have to spend an arm and a leg for your accommodations. More so, you don’t really get to stay in your room during your trip. On the other hand, you might not get the amenities that you want in a …
Feb|26|2009
Travel Rates Go Down with the Economy
Posted by Noemi as Air Travel, Backpacking & Budget, Cruises, Hotels, Resorts, Tips, Transport
With the economic crisis pulling everyone’s mood down, travelers at least have something to smile about – travel costs. The travel/tourism industry is feeling the effects of the crisis since vacations and other non-essentials are of course one of the first things cut off from ordinary people’s budget when things get tight. In response to the drop in both local and international travel almost all businesses relying on tourists are giving promos and specials to encourage people to still go ahead with their plans. So before you cancel the family trip or romantic getaway you’ve been saving up for so long check the current rates because even with a smaller budget you might actually get a better bargain.
Sure shot travel options with lower rates include:
Cruises – Whether headed out to the Carribean, going on a European cruise, or want to visit South America …
Feb|11|2009
Refreshing New Jersey
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Backpacking & Budget, Cities, Destinations, Family, Food and Drink, Hotels, Luxurious, Romantic, Shopping, Spa, Tips, Travelogger, United States
New Jersey is known to have one of the most culturally diverse population in the whole US. People of different nationalities setting up shop creating a unique mix of food, culture, history and hospitality like a basket of fruits that all taste good. From the wonderfully relaxing beaches to the many leisure activities that can be enjoyed day and night comes the time when you need a bit of rest form all the exciting offerings the state has to offer.
from the Sea Isles to the other wonderful beaches many hotels and local inns abound to give tired souls a place to relax and recharge for another days adventure. Some of the best Jersey Shore hotels can be found near the wonderful beaches making it ideal for beach lovers and their families to have a relaxing …
Feb|09|2009
Luxurious Valentines Getaways
Posted by Noemi as Destinations, Getaways, Hotels, Resorts, Romantic, United States
Got some cash to spare? Are you yearning to pamper yourself and your partner for Valentines? If so, take a look at some of these luxurious destinations that will surely make both of you happy on Valentines Day, courtesy of About.com.
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Phoenix, Arizona
This resort and spa is one of the cheapest on my list – rates start at $600++ per night. Their Valentine offer is dubbed Escape to Romance and the package includes the following:
• Overnight stay for two
• Rosetta Ridge champagne, chocolate strawberries, or truffles and rose petals delivered upon arrival
• Couples massage
• Dinner for two at AAA Four-Diamond Ristorante Tuscany or the steakhouse
• Breakfast in bed
• 2 p.m. late check out
Inn of the Five Graces
New Mexico
Here’s a cheaper package for $500++. For this price, you can Paint the …
Feb|07|2009
More from New Jersey
Posted by Zahir as Americas, Destinations, Eco-Friendly, Family, Getaways, Hotels, Nature, Resorts, Travelogger, United States
Heard about the wonderful beaches of New Jersey, well there’s more. New Jersey differs from most summer vacation spots due to an emphasis on family and the importance of being together. Need time out from the hustle and bustle of city life, give Sea Isle City a try and you’ll be amazed at what’s been hidden from most of us for so long.
Quiet and pristine beaches where you can wander along in peace. Love water, why not try the marina for some water sports. Golf, they have wonderful golf courses and much much more for the whole family. Most places claim to cater to the whole family but this is rarely the case. Here in Sea Isle City, we revolve around the family. From family businesses to time tested family recipes on our many restaurants. Sea Isle …
