Selecting The Right Hotel

Posted by Matt in Hotels, Travel Tips | 0 comments

So you’re going abroad, you’ve chosen your destination and now you have to choose a hotel. Ten years ago, you’d have probably visited your local travel agent and trusted the face-to-face advice you were given by the so called ‘experts’. The 21st Century way to select and book your hotel is of course on the Internet, by using travel websites.

But how do you sift through the amazing choices on offer? And more importantly, do you really trust the photographs and descriptions of the hotels that they have awarded themselves with the motivation of getting bookings?

Traveler reviews can be helpful, but you need to exercise caution. They are often biased, sometimes out of date, and may not serve your interests at all. How do you know that the features that are important to the reviewer are important to you? Then there’s the problem of the reviewer’s motivation. The more reviews you read, the more you notice how they tend to cluster at the extremes of opinion. On one end, you have angry reviewers with axes to grind; at the other, you have delighted guests who lavish praise beyond belief.

You’ll not be surprised to learn that hotels sometimes post their own glowing reviews, or that competitor’s line up for the chance to lambaste the competition with bad reviews. It makes sense to consider what is really important to you when selecting a hotel. You should then choose an online hotel directory that gives up-to-date, independent, impartial information that really matters.

Here are some of the key facts you should bear in mind:

1. Location: if it matters that your hotel is, for example, on the beach, close to the theme park, or convenient for the airport, then location is paramount. Any decent directory should offer a location map of the hotel and its surroundings. There should be distance charts to the airport offered as well as some form of interactive map.

2. Style: it is important to choose a hotel that makes you feel comfortable – contemporary or traditional furnishings, local decor or international, formal or relaxed. The ideal hotel directory should let you know of the options available.

3. Restaurants, Cafes and Bars: local color is great but the hotel’s own restaurants and bars can play an important part in your stay. You should be aware of choice, style and whether or not they are smart or informal. A good hotel report should tell you this, and particularly about breakfast facilities.

4. Bedroom Facilities: you should always carefully consider the type of facilities you need from your bedroom and find the hotel that has those you consider important. The hotel directory website should elaborate on matters such as: bed size, Internet Access (its cost, whether there is WIFI or wired broadband connection), Complimentary amenities, views from the room and luxury offerings like a Pillow menu or Bath menu, choice of smoking or non smoking rooms etc.

These things really do matter and any decent hotel directory should give you this sort of advice on bedrooms – not just the number of rooms which is the usual option!

5. Children’s’ Facilities: more important to the family traveler than the business traveler, you should find out just how child friendly the hotel is from the directory and make your decision from there. One thing worth looking for is whether the hotel offers a baby sitters service. For the business traveler wishing to escape children this is of course very relevant too – perhaps a hotel that is not child friendly would be something more appropriate!

6. Leisure Facilities: the site should offer a detailed analysis of leisure services within the hotel – spa, pool, gym, sauna – as well as details of any other facilities nearby such as golf courses.

7. Special Needs: the hotel directory site should advise the visitor of each hotel’s special needs services and accessibility policy. Whilst again this does not apply to every visitor, it is absolutely vital to some.

Finally and most importantly, the quality hotel directory inspection team should have visited the hotel in question on a regular basis, met the staff, slept in a bedroom and tried the food. They should experience the hotel as only a hotel guest can and it is only then that they are really in a strong position to write about the hotel.

Oxford City guide, including Oxford Hotels

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Oxford, UK is a holiday destination to which the traveler can happily return again and again. One could spend days wandering through Oxford’s myriad cultural treasures which boast some of the world’s best exhibits. The winding streets are full of restaurants ranging from inexpensive local fish and chips shops to world class gourmet dining. Opportunities for recreational pursuits abound; all of this in a city which can easily be traversed on foot.

It should be noted that Oxford is a haven for the pedestrian. The center city is virtually car free. Public transportation is highly advised as it is frequent and inexpensive. Visitors who may be used to long commutes in many holiday towns will find that Oxford has literally dozens of interesting locales within blocks of one another and each side street holds its own jewels ready for discovery.

Oxford is a bonanza for the history lover. Museums and storied historical buildings sit on almost every corner. Trip after trip could be made here and there would still be cultural vistas to explore.

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Architecture an arm of University of Oxford. Established in 1683 it is one of the world’s oldest and finest museums. Admission is free although donations are accepted and appreciated.

Sheldonian Theatre. This magnificent structure offers unparalleled views of the city. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built over a four year period from 1664-68. Self guided tours available at a modest cost.

Bodleian Library. Dating back to the fourteenth century and housing more than six million texts, the Bodleian is one of the premiere libraries in the world.

Christ Church. Founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1524, Christ Church is the oldest college in the Oxford University system and serves as Oxford’s Cathedral. The site is familiar to many tourists via its connection to Lewis Carroll and the Alice books and more recently its appearances in the Harry Potter movies. Lines can be long but the galleries and gardens are well worth the wait. Admission.

Museum of the History of Science. This unusual museum is devoted to the history of scientific instruments and its collection of almost 10,000 of these instruments is without peer. Rotating exhibits, many with free admission.
After mornings spent in cultural endeavors, a tourist will find a wide variety of activities to fill the rest of the day. No visitor should leave Oxford without at least a short water excursion.

Have a punt. Located on the Thames River, known as the Isis within Oxford proper, Oxford is home to legendary rowing teams. While rowing is a sport not learned in an afternoon, most people can manage a punt with a short lesson and a little effort. Try picking one up at the Magdelen Bridge Boathouse.

Picnic on the river. The banks of the Isis make for cool and inviting picnic locales and many shops are available for impromptu food purchases to fill a basket.

Self guided architecture tours. Walking the streets of Oxford is a feast for the eyes. Be sure and find the Bridge of Sighs on New College Lane and heads up for the gargoyles which can be found on almost every historic building.

Oxford Covered Market. Don’t miss this walk through center. It features stalls full of items from tourist kitsch to upscale as well as quick eats and groceries. Be advised that skinned animal carcasses hang from many meat market displays.

Hop a sightseeing bus. Although Oxford is totally foot travel friendly those who have only a short time in Oxford might enjoy a trek around town on a bus. This is also a good way to get an overview of the abundance of things to see and do in town. Tours are reasonably priced, easy to hop and make frequent stops.

Alice’s Shop. The small shop is the true inspiration for the shop in “Through the Looking Glass” and the real “Alice”, Alice Liddell, was a frequent visitor.

A quick stop at a pub will leave one refreshed for an afternoon spent on foot exploring Oxford’s side streets. Pubs can also be a fun atmosphere for an afternoon or evening spent watching football or rugby. Multi course gourmet meals of almost any cuisine are also readily available at fine restaurants throughout Oxford.

Eagle and Child. This pub was for years a favorite haunt of both C. S. Lewis and Tolkien and remains largely authentic.

The Exeter Hall. A lively venue further out than most, Exeter offers pool, two bars and a growing reputation for live music.

The Jack Russell. Open to both dogs and children this family friendly bar is also largely handicapped accessible.

Rosamund the Fair. This cruising restaurant specializing in distinctly British cuisine requires advanced booking but offers excellent food and a varied wine list.

Head of the River. This busy outdoor restaurant is a favorite of students. It has heat lamps for cool evenings and a few hotel rooms for evenings spent with beer in hand.

The Navy Oak. Located north of the Ring Road this restaurant may take a little effort to find but a reasonably priced and tasty menu make the hunt worthwhile.

Oxford Hotels & Accommodation
As a university town, Oxford offers lodging running the gamut from bed and breakfast to the most luxurious of accommodations. However, the wise traveler will begin booking early as the city is busy year round and any sort of hotel or self catering establishment can be difficult to find on short notice.

The FEATHERS
Westwood Country Hotel Ltd
The Oxford Hotel
Cotswold Lodge Classic Hotel
A Lakeside Town Farm B & B
Holiday Inn Oxford
Victoria House Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Oxford Kassam Stadium
The White Horse
The Bat & Ball Inn

For those seeking a little nightlife, Oxford has several lively venues including The Zodiac and Oxford Brookes Student Union. Most name acts visiting Oxford will be found at one of these sites. If the play’s the thing try New Theatre located on George Street or the Oxford Playhouse across the way from the Ashmolean. Oxford also has four cinemas with currently popular offerings as well as foreign and art house fare.

Those who make a first visit to Oxford may well find that there are drawn there many times over. History, food and pleasant recreation are all to be found within easy walking distance. Couple these advantages with hospitable people and climate and Oxford becomes a destination of choice for almost any holiday.

Greek Hotels – a home in the Med

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Greece is full of hotels. Its Mediterranean location is an ideal holiday spot, and it is still seeing tourism increase year after year, even though it has been steadily increasing by 10% a year for decades. The Olympics in 2004 only boosted its popularity further, as did the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest – there’s no sign of a decline any time soon.

As tourism is such an important industry in Greece, hotels are everywhere: they just can’t build them fast enough to meet all the demand. As a result, the quality of hotels in the country varies widely. Rather than being ranked with stars, hotels in Greece have been put into categories, with ‘category A’ being the best. However, as the category system is numerical, based on things like the sizes of rooms, it can often be deceptive – many category B or C hotels are actually better than some category A ones, or at least most people would consider them superior.

There are lots and lots of things you should look for when choosing a hotel. What are the facilities like? Is there any building work going on? Can you bring children? What kind of rooms are there? Is it close to what you’ve come to see? And so on. The best way to get all these questions answered is to use a site that reviews or compares hotels, so that you can see all the features of each hotel laid out in front of you.

One thing you do need to realise is that, as an English speaker, you may find you are only able to book at quite big hotels. Smaller hotels will often rely on agencies to act as a go-between and translate into Greek for them, which can push up the cost of staying there.

One last thing to note is that it is essential to book before you go to Greece rather than trying to find a hotel once you’re there. The exceptionally high demand means that in peak season all the decently-located hotels can easily end up full, leaving you to wander around aimlessly for hours trying to find something. It’s much easier to just book in somewhere before you ever get on the plane.

Nottingham City Guide, Including Nottingham Hotels

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If you are seeking an interesting and relaxing holiday, try visiting Nottingham. There are many things to see and do. For instance, a tour of Nottingham Castle is sure to delight tourists young and old. There are caves, galleries and plenty of entertainment. Also try out some shops, pubs and other fun.

Places of interest

Galleries or even a castle. Nottingham is filled with things to do. Take a tour of some of these prime destinations.

Angel Row Gallery – When it opened in 1991, it instantly acquired a status as a sort of flagship of contemporary art. Living artists have created all the artwork displayed at Angel Row Gallery in Nottingham. Exhibitions are shown throughout the year. Angel Row Gallery makes for a delightful tourist destination for those visiting Nottingham.

Nottingham Castle – Nottingham Castle is also a museum and art gallery as well. Located on Castle Road in Nottingham, Nottingham Castle used to be a Duke’s mansion back in the 18th century. Learn the story of Nottingham and visit the gardens, exhibitions and don’t forget to stop into the café and museum shop.

Brewhouse Yard Museum – For something of a change in your Nottingham adventure, visit the Brewhouse Yard Museum on Castle Boulevard. It is officially called the Museum of Nottingham Life. If you want to learn about culture, you can get a glimpse at what life has been like for the people of Nottingham through a history of over 200 years.

Things to Do

After the museums and castles, there are many things to to occupy yourself in Nottingham. Hang out with the locals in popular clubs or do a bit of shopping in Nottingham’s popular shopping districts.

Dogma – Hang out with locals in a friendly club called Dogma in Nottingham, located on Byard Lane. It has a friendly atmosphere that is slightly sophisticated. Most locals consider it a great place for live music and dancing the night away.

Old Market Square – For plenty of shopping and entertainment, visit Old Market Square in Nottingham. It has plenty of shops and photographic architecture to capture the spirit of Nottingham. Don’t forget to check out the Angel Row central library or the Bell Inn located in the Old Market Square.

Pubs – You can’t visit the United Kingdom without spending one evening in a pub with the locals. Try some of the more favourite pubs in Nottingham. Some of the more popular ones are Chaplins Bar, Tynemill Ltd., and Admiral Rodney.

Food & Drink

After all the entertainment and excitement of exploring Nottingham, you will want to relax and experience a nice meal to complete the evening. Try one of these highly recommended restaurants.

Moog – Located on Newdigate Street in Nottingham, Moog offers a top quality bar and restaurant for hungry tourists and locals alike. Its unique atmosphere makes it an enjoyable place for a rack of lamb or anything else you would like. The food starts at £10 a plate.

Vision Restaurant and Café Bar – In Nottingham is a unique restaurant and bar called Vision. It opened in 2001 by Trevor Cummings. You can meet him at the restaurant most nights, as he is often found in the kitchen, as he is a long time chef. Try some Honey Roast Half Duckling or Rump Steak. Dinner starts at just £20 per person.

World Service Restaurant – World Service Restaurant and bar in Nottingham offers a different flavour for tourists. With three dining rooms, you can eat in elegant style while sampling some of the finest food. A restaurant award winner for three years on a row, World Service Restaurant offers a menu consisting of roast breast of chicken, grilled cod and grilled fillet of beef. Dinner may start at £30 per person and up.

Hotels and Accommodations

There are no shortage of fine hotels in Notingham. Try a few of these favourite Nottingham hotels.

Premier Apartments Nottingham
Village Hotel Nottingham
City Centre Welbeck Hotel Nottingham, Nottinghamsh
Park Inn Nottingham Formerly Nottingham Moat House
Crowne Plaza Nottingham
The Strathdon Hotel
Ramada Nottingham / Derby
Novotel Nottingham
Best Western Westminster Hotel
The Saffron White and Green Hotel
The Nottingham Gateway Hotel
Holiday Inn Nottingham-Castle Marina
Comfort Hotel Nottingham (city centre)
Citilodge Nottingham
Rutland Square Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Nottingham City Centre
The Dakota Hotel
Jurys Inn Nottingham
Nottingham City Centre (Goldsmith St) Premier Trav
The Britannia Nottingham Hotel
Colwick Hall Hotel

Entertainment

After a cosy night’s sleep, you may want to experience more of what Nottingham has to offer. How about these selected entertainments!

Galleries of Justice – Inside Nottingham is the Galleries of Justice. For fun, you could be arrested, sentenced and executed all in an afternoon. The building was originally a court starting in the 1700’s. Don’t miss out on murder mystery nights and ghost tours provided by the staff of the Galleries of Justice.

Theatre Royal – A journey to Nottingham would not be complete without a little bit of theatre. Visit Royal Centre where you can see drama, comedy and more preformed by some of the best groups in the world. It was built in 1865 and has since house some of the best entertainment. Located on Theatre Square, it is highly accessible to tourists visiting Nottingham.

With everything available to you in Nottingham, you can have fun by yourself or with your entire family. There is plenty to see, taste and feel while on your holiday. Visit Nottingham for fun, excitement and adventure.

Finding the Best Hotel Deals

Posted by Matt in Hotels, Travel Tips | 0 comments

When it comes to hotels, things boil down to a tradeoff between low cost and convenient location. In many cases, especially when traveling to major cities and popular attractions, the closer the hotel to the city or attraction the more you can expect to pay. The best way to save money, particularly in large cities, is often to stay in the suburbs.

Of course, this means that you will spend more time getting to the places you want to visit, and this will mean spending additional money on gasoline, etc. It is important to compute all these costs to make sure that you will really be spending less on a less convenient hotel room.

There are of course a number of ways to save money on hotels and motels without compromising quality. For one thing, a membership in AAA or a similar auto club also entitles you to discounts on hotel rooms, as does military service and senior citizen status. When inquiring about a hotel room, always inquire about discounts that may be available.

In addition, shopping early for a hotel room can often yield the best deals. That is because hotels often reserve a block of low cost rooms, and when they are gone they are gone. Thus, the last room at a hotel may be much more costly than the first. Getting the best hotel room deal is often a matter of timing.

Of course getting a great deal on a hotel will mean nothing if the place is a dump. Shopping for a budget hotel should not mean settling for a hotel that is dirty, poorly run or in an unsafe location.

Fortunately, finding a good budget hotel has been made much easier with the help of the internet. What used to take weeks or even months to research can now be done in a matter of hours or even minutes. Many hotels, even budget properties, feature pictures of the property and the surrounding area, so be sure to research the property you are considering if you have never stayed there before.

It is important to research the area in which the hotel is located as well. Be sure to check out things like restaurants and attractions within walking distance of the hotel. Doing research on the area will help ensure you do not end up staying in a dangerous neighborhood just to save a couple of bucks.

The internet also provides a number of review sites where those who have stayed in various hotels share their experiences and their impressions of the hotel properties. These review sites can be very useful for travelers, particularly those traveling to a new location for the first time.

In addition, the internet hosts a number of comparison web sites where travelers can easily find and compare hotel properties for their individual dates of stay and destinations. These web sites offer a number of ways to search, including distance from a particular tourist attraction, price, star level and more. The only caveat to consider when using such a web site is its independence. Some comparison web sites feature only properties that pay an advertising fee, so using a comparison site does not necessarily guarantee the best price. It is best to use a number of such web sites to get a true picture of the lowest prices available.