ReeHart – Blogging from the Heart

Posts Tagged ‘hotels’

The Caribbean islands are traditionally known as the West Indies, and cover over 7000 islands. The Caribbean islands are one of the worlds most sought after tourist resorts. The beaches, the jungles, and the different ecosystems of these islands attract countless tourists mainly from United States, Europe, and Latin America. The Caribbean islands prosper on the tourism commerce, and one thing that the West Indians recognize is how to have fun.

There are a number of festivals and carnivals that are celebrated through out the year on the Caribbean islands. Some of the islands were colonized by the British, others by French, Dutch, Spain, and America. Aruba is a part of the kingdom of Netherlands, and on April 30- they celebrate the birthday of queen of Netherlands. The present queen of Netherlands, Queen Beatrix was actually born in January, but it is the former queen Juliana whose birthday is celebrated on 30th of April. Interestingly, in Holland also the queens birthday is celebrated on April 30 as January is a lousy time to party and celebrate.

It is not just in Aruba that on April 30 is celebrated the queens birthday. Other Caribbean islands also have stated it as a public festival. So, going to the Caribbean islands on April 30 means participating in a grand birthday party. Musicians play on the streets and on the seaside. Besides the dancing, kite flying competitions, and numerous other activities are carried out.

No one who happens to be on the Caribbean islands as a tourist can miss out on the celebrations that happen Remember May 1 is Labor Day, so the birthday party which start off on April 30 run over to the next day also. Even prior to the Caribbean islands commenced focusing on developing tourism, one thing that they knew was to party.

Everyone is calm, and whether you would like to chip in the celebrations or not you are going to be bitten by the party bug. Wherever you go, there are contests, dances, music blaring, and much more. One thing you should not overlook is that some of the finest rum is prepared in the Caribbean.

Hotels, villas, and every place that is up for rent are rented out on this cheerful time. Visiting the Caribbean during the queens birthday is also a fine plan. The climate is perfect as it is prior to the rainy season, and in addition the winter season’s crowd of visitors has gathered back home.

The cafs, hotels, bars, and houses are bedecked with flags streamers and balloons. Music from a range of sources load up the air and each one take part in the gala. It’s an amazing experience to behold a ruler who is living across the ocean having her birthday party with extraordinary gusto.

If you plan on visiting the Caribbean on April 30, then make sure to get your holiday bookings done well in advance. Some people come here annually on the queens birthday to participate in the competitions and others come just to party around and have fun. On April 30, you might even need to get dinner reservations! But, you are going to enjoy this huge birthday party at the Caribbean islands.

Simply put, hotel classifications are not a unified system. Many big chains, from budget options to luxury hotels, are allowed to apply their own classification systems based on the size and facilities of each of their establishments. They are not monitored by anyone except their own internal managers. And to make things more confusing, even chains change their “star criteria” from country to country!

As there are variations worldwide in the quality, size and design of different hotels the classification systems vary from nation to nation. This often means that what one would expect from, say, a three-star hotel in one country may be very much under-achieved by a similarly-rated hotel in another. Five-star hotels, for example, are expected to have the very finest of every facility made available, from restaurants to spas and other amenities, a high ratio of staff to guest and a superior location. However, France – arguably the greatest supplier of fine hotels in the world – doesn’t even have a five-star rating as even the Ritz and similar “palaces” stick to the four-star rating to avoid heavy taxes! Not to worry, as President Sarkozy is coming to the rescue of holidaymakers in Europe at least…One of his goals is to standardise the hotel rating system to ensure fair judgement and balance decision making.

Broadly speaking, star ratings should break down something like this… five star hotels (or most four and all four star luxe in France) are, as mentioned above, expected to provide everything you need at any hour of the day or night, four stars should mean formality and quality but without the very height of opulence, three stars should mean good, clean service, two stars are generally privately-owned and forgiven their faults and one star should not be considered unless you’re desperate to get inside! There is only one record of a zero star hotel, which is a converted nuclear bunker in Switzerland. We would only recommend staying there in a “dire emergency/when you hear the three-minute warning!”

But can you ever trust these ratings if they are, at best, locally judged and, at worst, self-awarded? How can you guarantee that a luxury hotel really is aluxury hotel ? A number of bodies rate accommodation providers, including the AA, the RAC, the tourist boards of various nations and, of course, independent travel guides such as Michelin, Gault Millau and Mobil. But, we’ve all had experience of disagreeing with what we’ve read or even basing our choices on reviews which are dangerously out of date.

The two paths left to the discerning traveller on the hunt for the truth are as follows. The first is to cross-reference every piece of literature you can find on the subject of each hotel, comparing the reputation of the brand (if applicable) with the designations for their rating and coming up with a fair picture of what kind of quality you are to expect. The second is so obvious that we need not even say it…Recommendations. Whether this comes from a friend or an agency doesn’t matter, as long as you trust the source. Agencies that specialise in luxury hotels and the upper end of splendour, base their reputations on customer satisfaction and separating exceptional establishments from the pretenders. As it’s in their financial interests that you are content with their choices, you’re almost certain to be directed to the experience you want, whether it’s a no- expense-spared five-star+ to the relaxed charm of a family-run chateau. To summarise, until the system changes, forget the stars and go with what you know you can trust. Or else be ready to “gets what you pay for”.

My family and I would go to Jekkyl Island during a period when it was not hot enough for my comfort anyway. This is one place to plan for summer holidays, or at least closer to the summer such as May for turtle watching, or June.

Originally an island get-away for rich vacationers, Jekkyl Island’s former patrons left lingering real estate of their lifestyle, as seen by the Victorian mansions, known as summer homes. To experience a taste of that life, the Jekkyl Club Hotel is an example of this bygone era. The hotel rates in the top 500 resorts in the world, not bad for an island in Georgia. With comparable rates, you might want to consider this hotel.

Jekkyl Island might have been named Sea Turtle Island, due to the female sea turtles arriving from the sea each May to crawl up on shore and lay eggs in nests they dig. This protected species is monitored by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and guided walks to observe this yearly ritual are available. This is a good time to keep younger or hyper children away from the turtles, as they cannot be disturbed during their period of egg laying.

For speed lovers who need another diversion, check out the Golden Isle speedway, 25 minutes away from Jekkyl Island, in the town of Waynesville. They have a website for race dates and prices.

Driftwood Beach is known for the successful shelling, better some say then beaches in Florida. There is the Villa By the Sea hotel with comparable rates, a pool, playground, and horseback riding available at Victoria’s Carriages nearby. Watching dolphins swimming in the water will only make this experience more enjoyable.

Summer Waves Waterpark can be an excellent diversion for families when wanting to leave the beach for a while. The rates are very good and the Pirates Passage ride is an experience very popular for children and adults. Enjoy the wave pool here, and other activities that can be seen on their website.

Bike riding – there are 20 miles of winding trail to ride on, and bikes can be rented for approximately 11.00 per day at Mini Bike and Golf Rentals.

To top off the day, enjoy the Low Country Boil Buffet on the harbor, with enormous meals catered by SeaJay’s Waterfront Cafe. Adults are 15.00 and children are 7.50 for ages 10 and under.

Sightseeing in Portugal is a boundless adventure. From ancient castles to elegant cathedrals, this sunny land contains an unending supply of diverse cultural influences. Its natural geographical advantages make it the perfect vacation spot for golfing, water sports and hiking.

To discover Portugal, Lisbon, the capitol and largest city, is the natural place to begin. Touring millennium-old castles, exploring legendary cafes and art nouveau shops, and relaxing on the fabulous sunny beaches are wonderful ways to experience the flavor of this unique European country. But don’t stop there. Be sure to include a few side trips to areas with quaint villages and stunning historic monuments and monasteries.

Karen Brown, the well-known author of dozens of informative travel guides, understands the need for a well-rounded plan when traveling. On her website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has listed a comprehensive collection of regional itineraries that include maps, attractions and wonderful inns and hotels specific to Portugal. Her readers have rated the following inns and hotels as exceptional places to stay:

If it’s romance you seek, you will surely find plenty of it in Portugal. This is especially true at the Quinta das Sequoias in Sintra, which rests in the hills above Lisbon. The spectacular views and amazing grounds are just one reason why a visit here is magical. Guests can stroll amongst the 40 acres and enjoy gardens and sea views or take a relaxing swim in the hotel’s pool. With just a half-dozen rooms so there is plenty of privacy and peace. The rooms are richly furnished and all offer a pleasing view. Guests can take part in a photography workshop, hike or mountain bike, or even enjoy an astronomy lesson. The inn was named by Karen Brown readers as Portugal’s “Most Romantic” lodging choice.

At Casa de Casal, exceptional hospitality is the order of the day. The charming boutique inn was the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Portugal’s “Warmest Welcome.” Spectacular mountain and Douro River views add to the charm of a stay at this family-owned inn, which dates to the mid-17th century. Guest rooms are tastefully furnished with French doors that lead outside where you can enjoy the view. The inn is located on the outskirts of the small village of Pinhao, part of the Porto wine country.

The inn chosen as offering the “Greatest Value” in Portugal by Karen Brown readers is the charming Albergaria Vila Lido, snugly seated in the middle of craggy cliffs with immediate access to the cerulean blue sea. The guest rooms offer a stunning sea view or contain private patios with access to the gardens. Nearby, you will find very good restaurants, quaint shops and a casino as well as a golf course for the sports minded visitor. Breakfasts are luscious, served in an European atmosphere with carved ceilings, a fantastic fireplace and hand painted tiles.

The Bussaco Palace, nestled in a woodland reserve, is the place to stay when desiring luxury, great amenities and fabulous dining. Designated as the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Portugal’s best “Splendid Splurge,” this ornate palace was built in the 19th century by a Portuguese king. Rooms are tastefully decorated and the paintings and stuccoes in the lobby are unbelievable. The details that define the Bussaco Palace are meant to spoil and please its guests. The fabulous gardens offer the opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Dining on the outdoor patio, which offers stunning views of the surrounding woodlands, is a treat in itself.

Venica, called Veneizia in Italia is very beautiful city in the world. Created on a lagoon, the city is almost identical as it was roughly six centuries ago. The only modification that has taken place is in the figure of tourists which are attracted towards it. Furthermore, the number of sightseers is continuously growing with every passing year. Summer is the most terrible period to go to this city as it is extremely hot, and the canals become pretty smelly also. Spring and fall on the other hand are much better period to visit the city as the climate is fairly lesser.

The best way to see all the churches without going low on budget is to buy the church pass. One of the churches that you should definitely see is Saint Mark’s Basilica. This church is on the Piazza San Marco, and is a must-see church in Venice. The church is a popular tourist attraction, so you should be prepared to wait for five hours or even more before you get entry. Another way to save your time and avoid the hassle of standing in the queue is by advance booking. In this way, you just have to show the print of your reservation and you get the entry. You should also visit San Giovanni e Paolo which is a very large Dominican church. The church has quite a lot of tombs (of Doges), and shares its courtyard with the Scuola San Marco.

Before visiting the museums, make sure you buy the museum pass. The Doge’s Palace and Correr Museum are a must visit. Doge’s Palace has a guided tour “Secret Itinerary” which takes you through the old city administration offices as well as the jail where Casanova was kept. Correr Museum has a very interesting collection of globes which dates back to 16th century. You can also enjoy yourself at the art caf which has tables on the San Marco square.

If you are curious about the history then you should also have a tour to the Jewish Ghetto which was the foremost “ghetto”. But, make certain that you don’t go there on Saturdays because that is Sabbath, however any other day is a good day to visit the synagogues.

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum includes the delicate modern art collection of Peggy Guggenheim who was an American and married to Max Ernst (a modern painter). In this museum you can notice works done by famous painter Picasso, Dali, and various others. The Clock Tower is a tower at Saint Marc which collapsed in the 20th century but has been restored. It presents gorgeous views of central Venice.

You should also visit the Rialto market and Rialto Bridge. This bridge has become one of Venice’s best known symbols and has a history of over eight centuries old.

If you want to see how gondolas are made, then go to the Squero which is a small ship yard. You can find it across the canal near San Trovaso Church. Here you can see the mechanics of how a gondola is constructed.

Venice is a very striking city; make sure you enjoy a lot during your stay.

Australia truly epitomizes diversity. From the Outback, to the beaches, to the almost surreal scenery, one is astounded at the breadth of experiences available in Australia.. One reason to visit is to enjoy nature and sports. Australia offers everything from skiing to surfing and diving. Another reason is for the cultural richness from urban Sydney to Aboriginal adventures. There is something for everyone in Australia.

When is the best time to go? It can be very warm in the summer (winter for those of us in North America) but there is always the beach. Australia is so vast that you can almost always find something in the climate you most prefer.

Sydney is Australia’s largest city, and one of the images of Australia familiar to us is the famous Sydney Opera House sitting in its Harbour. Sydney is the ideal spot to start your Australian adventure.

All of Sydney’s attractions lie within easy reach of the city center. Sydney’s harbour is its playground, and a prominent factor in so much of what the city has to offer. The city has a dynamic cultural life, vibrant food scene and a colorful cityscape of outstanding contemporary and colonial architecture. Stunning beaches and accessible national parks deliver unforgettable experiences.

Getting Around Sydney is easy

1)Ferries: Ferries are the most unique form of public transportation for the visitor. Every errand is a harbour cruise. There is regular service to over 37 wharves, including Manly, Parramatta, Balmain, Watsons Bay and Taronga Zoo.

2)Buses: Buses service is frequent, inexpensive and easy to use.

3)Trains: The CityRail network is a quick and convenient.

4)Monorail: Sydney’s Metro Monorail an above-ground rail systems. The route goes around Darling Harbour.

5)Light Rail: The Light Rail is environmentally friendly way, and travels all over the city. Just hop aboard.

Where to Stay

1) The Four Seasons Sydney is an elegant hotel with contemporary styling. The rooms and suites overlook Darling Harbour and offer views of the Opera House.

2)Park Hyatt Sydney – Elegant hotel built on the harbour directly under the Harbour Bridge. Offers spacious rooms, outstanding service, and spectacular views.

3)The Observatory Hotel- 100 room hotel located in the fashionable Rocks district. Easy access to the Kings Street Wharf, restaurants, bars and the Opera House. A long-time Sydney favorite, the Observatory Hotel offers luxurious, beautifully appointed, and spacious rooms and suites.

Great food, plenty of things to do, energy, enthusiasm, and exuberance mark Sydney as a city worth visiting at any time, any season.

Australia is one of the most attractive countries to visit for a holiday. This wonderful country is so huge that each of its corners has something exceptional to offer to its holiday-makers, and all of its cities are extremely well planned and good-looking, which makes them a place to visit at least once. With many natural wonders, wide open lands, deserts, forests, grassy vistas, mountains, and beaches, this island continent has a great deal to offer. Cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra also provide a range of sightseeing choices for tourists.

You will love Sydney because of its well planned streets and many other offerings counting fashion, food, art, and design. The Sydney Opera House is one of the wonders of the contemporary world, and is a renowned building of Australia. It is also one of the most eminent performing arts venues in the world, and here you can enjoy world’s famous theatrical, musical, and dance performances.

The Australian Museum is also located in Sydney. Here you can observe natural history and anthropology and saunter through one of the oldest museums in the country at the same time. You can gaze at collections of vertebrate and invertebrates, zoology, palaeontology, and anthropology on a stay here.

Melbourne is the spot to go if you are searching for a culinary holiday, or looking to dip yourself in culture or sport. It is said to be the most civilized city in Australia, and has beautiful Victorian architecture, museums and galleries, theatres, and parks. Brisbane needs to be another destination on your Australian adventure, as this is where you will enjoy shopping, strolling along the boardwalks, and revelling in the remarkable nightlife.

The Great Barrier Reef, off the coastline of Queensland, is another must-visit site in Australia. It is one of the natural wonders of the globe and a tremendously admired visitor destination. Here you can get pleasure from scuba diving and boating in the warm clear waters.

The Gold Coast is a coastal area of Queensland, and is called a Surfers Paradise. It has a luminous atmosphere, immense surfing beaches, and a good-looking skyline. With its active nightlife and many traveller spots, this is another must see spot in Australia.

You should also have a stopover at the Belair National Park near Adelaide, as here you can witness the Old Government House, Park Nursery, Playfor Lake, and the Adventure Playground. You can also go to Daintree National Park, which is home to tropical birds, reptiles, and countless species of wildlife. The fauna in Australia is distinctive, and you will observe species that you will not see somewhere else in the world, only perhaps in a zoo. You can see wallabies, kangaroos, and koalas, and will come to know and recognise what they look like in their natural habitat.

Australia is a big country, so it will be not viable to see all in one go. But aim and cover one coast during your trip. Moreover, make sure you see all of the above stated spots as they are some of the incredibly best that the country has to offer.

Looking to plan that special getaway? Choosing to stay at a West Coast inn, bed and breakfast or boutique hotel is a time-tested recipe for romance. You and your sweetheart are sure to feel pampered and refreshed after a few days of unparalleled hospitality.

Popular travel writer Karen Brown has explored both California and the Pacific Northwest and found some of the best and romantic inns and B&Bs in these two areas. Her website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, is filled with helpful information about the West Coast, as well as exciting destinations around the world. You’ll find detailed trip itineraries, maps, and listings for hundreds of exceptions inns and hotels.

Karen Brown’s readers have voted and chosen the following lodging choices as the “Most Romantic” and best “Splendid Splurges” in California and the Pacific Northwest. For a romantic getaway, the following is a good place to begin your search:

Carmel, a stunning seaside village on California’s Central Coast, is an ideal catalyst for romance. The area boasts some of the state’s best scenery, as well as plenty of excellent shopping, gourmet restaurants and world-class golf courses. Tickle Pink Inn, a fanciful bed and breakfast located just south of Carmel near the edge of Big Sur, offers couples privacy and amazing scenery. Each of the rooms boasts a balcony, most have a stunning ocean view, and many have a wood-burning fireplace, as well. The most elegant suites also include a whirlpool tub. King beds are topped with Egyptian cotton and down comforters. In the mornings, a lavish continental buffet is served, which you can enjoy along with an amazing view on the Cliffside Deck. In the evenings, a reception featuring local wines and an assortment of cheeses and fresh fruit are served. Tickle Pink Inn was named the “Most Romantic” lodging in California by Karen Brown readers.

Just a few steps away from galleries, exquisite restaurants and shops, The Inn Above Tide in Sausalito was given the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the best “Splendid Splurge” in California. This luxurious boutique hotel offers amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and Angel Island. Enjoy wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa, just a quick drive to the north while staying here. The rooms are definitely posh, offering luxurious linens, soft robes, DVD players and Bvlgari bath products. Many of the rooms are equipped with a wood-burning or gas fireplace and private decks. Enjoy a tasty continental breakfast as well as an evening wine-and-cheese reception. The Penthouse Suite will please even the most demanding guest with its glass-enclosed whirlpool tub that overlooks the bay. This romantic suite includes a fireplace and wonderful deck for enjoying the evening lights.

The recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Most Romantic” lodging in the Pacific Northwest is the Channel House. Located on an oceanfront bluff in Depoe, Oregon, the inn offers privacy and unparalleled beauty with ocean views and stunning countryside vistas. This charming inn exudes comfort and elegance and offers tastefully decorated rooms with hot tubs and fireplaces. Start your day with a marvelous continental breakfast before heading out to do a bit of whale watching. Or, check with the helpful staff to assist you in planning your daily adventure.

One of the highlights of lodging in beautiful British Columbia is the elegant boutique hotel, the Sooke Harbour House, which is nestled on the Whiffen Spit Beach in the village of Sooke. Winner of the Karen Brown Reader’s Choice Award for best “Splendid Splurge” in the Pacific Northwest, this charming boutique hotel overflows with ambiance and elegant accommodations. Each room offers a fireplace, balcony or terrace and fabulous views of the restless ocean. Perfect for a romantic getaway, the Sooke Harbour House boasts a fanciful room named the Kitchen’s Garden, which includes a shower surrounded on three sides by stained glass. Or, check into the Passion Flower Room, which includes a bed with a headboard that resembles wooden doors opening onto a mural of a garden path. Each room is artfully decorated with a different theme, and the gourmet restaurant with its excellent wine cellar is a treat to not be missed.

Give your guests a taste of bed and breakfast hospitality during their visit. Use these four innkeeper tricks of the trade to recreate a little country inn ambiance in your house.

Innkeepers always remember the little details, so be sure to stock your guest rooms with plenty of amenities. There are many low-cost ways to add ambiance to a room. Place a basket of helpful items on the dresser and include razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion and other toiletries your guest might have forgotten. Fresh flowers or a basket or pretty vase filled with potpourri are other welcoming additions. At Casa Laguna Inn & Spa in Laguna Beach, California, the innkeepers place fluffy robes in the closet and top the beds with fine, hypoallergenic linens and fluffy comforters, as well as stocking the room with CD and DVD players. Consider providing your guests with interesting reading materials and maybe even a selection CDs or DVDs.

While you might not be able to afford placing a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom, such as they do at several rooms at Beazley House in Napa, California, you can provide soft fluffy towels and luxurious bath products. The innkeepers at this historic Napa inn also keep the bathroom stocked with good quality shampoos and conditioners, as well as a hairdryer. In addition to these ideas, keep extra toilet paper and Kleenex in a pretty basket. Frame a few vintage postcards and add a little charm to your bathroom walls.

Breakfast, is of course, the center of any good B&B stay. You don’t have to train at the Cordon Bleu to impress your guests. At Fairthorne B&B in Cape May, New Jersey, the innkeepers set the table with fine linens and china to create a special atmosphere. Freshly squeezed juice and homemade breads and muffins are an easy first course, and can even be purchased and heated in a warm oven. At Fairthorne, in addition to the home-baked goodies, guests are treated to a special daily entre. You can do the same by preparing pancakes or a breakfast casserole. A buffet with fresh fruit, toasting breads and muffins, served along with coffee, tea and juices is another option.

Another fun option is to provide a light afternoon tea or provide refreshments in the early evening. At the Captain’s House Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts, afternoon tea is an institution. Their daily Cream Tea includes a selection of fine loose teas, as well as scones, cookies and sweet cakes. This Cape Cod inn also offers an English Tea with sandwiches, savory items and all the aforementioned sweets. Your afternoon treats could be as simple as a glass of vermouth with a lemon twist or as elaborate as the Captain’s House’s tea. Even providing a plate of homemade cookies and tea, coffee or hot chocolate will make your guests feel special. You could also purchase a bottle of local wine and offer some light snacks, such as cheese, crackers, mixed nuts and gourmet olives.

More ideas and some great innkeeper recipes are available at iLoveInns.com, the premier source for all things bed and breakfast. This detailed website includes listings for more than 19,000 country inns, B&Bs and boutique hotels. The site also offers printable gift certificates, a quick, easy and thoughtful gift option.