Hotel price comparison and special offers
Archive for December, 2007
Hey Big Spender
Dec 28th
According to recent reports by BBC News, the 80 year old grandfather of both loved and loathed party girl Paris Hilton will be donating 97% of his $2.3 billion net worth, which is roughly 1.6 billion Euros. Although the charitable donation of the Hilton fortune is quite miserable for his million dollar spender, it is wonderful for children in need around the world. As Mr. Hilton states, the main objective of his donations should be to “shelter little children with the umbrella of [the] charity.”
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was set up by Barron Hilton’s father and thus, Hilton would More >
The Savoy Sale
Dec 27th
As Sletoh previously reported, London’s legendary Savoy Hotel held a sale that auctioned off memorabilia so that the never before renovated hotel can undergo a major overhaul in the new year. Amidst all of the upheaval and sourpuss feelings from Savoy regulars, a turnout of thousands made for an auction just as legendary as the hotel itself, which produced double the predicted amount. Total sales equaled an astounding 1.8 million Euros!
Some of the beloved pieces went for prices that were well above the predict price, which greatly contributed to the soaring 1.8millon Euros. The much adored white grand piano, which had More >
Hooray London!
Dec 27th
In a recent HotStats (TRI Hospitality Consulting) survey of ten top European cities, it was found that the London chain hotel market is the best in Europe. The city has had an upward swing lately, becoming a top spring break destination and has always been a popular attraction for those visiting Europe. In comparision to nine other cities, including close runners up Amsterdam and Paris, London chain hotels were the most occupied in all of Europe. Mix that with the lowest payroll costs and London’s chain hotel’s are among the highest profit per available room on the market.
Other curious findings More >
Europe’s Top 10 Converted Hotels
Dec 27th
As announced earlier this December by Trip Advisor, Europe’s top 10 hotel renovations went from unusual structures to luxurious lodging. Each of these conversions keeps the spirit of the original hotel alive while bringing it up to date and into the new year.
1. Hotel Im Wasserturm, Cologne, Germany
This hotel oddly held the title of largest water tower in Europe before it became a hotel in the 1990s. It has a fantastic roof terrace, done in brick, providing sweeping views of Cologne that were once only seen by water tower employees.
Trip Advisor says: “This is a designer’s dream of a hotel, More >
Accor’s Announcement
Dec 21st
Worldwide hotel chain Accor has just announced the sale of 57 properties across France and Switzerland. The price tag: a cool 518 million euro.
Forty seven French hotels and ten Swiss will be sold to a Real Estate Consortium that includes Caisse des Depots et Cosignations and two investment funds, European Hotel Venture and Alternative Property Income Venture, both of which are managed by AXA Real Estate Investment Managers. Part of the hefty price includes 52 million euro for renovations; new owner’s expense. Extensions on several of the properties will be yet another costly 30 million.
Although there are new owner’s in More >
Homeless Feel Right at Home in 7 Star Hotel
Dec 20th
Most homeless never dream of seeing the inside of a 7 Star hotel, much less living in one, except for one group of squatters who made their hotel dreams a reality.
The prestigious Galleria Vittorio Emaneuele II in Milan’s ritzy Galleria Townhouse that calls for exclusive guests to pay $5,000 a night. Little did these guests know that a few floors above them, 10 homeless folks had made a home for as little as $0 per night! Police found a secret apartment in the hotel’s attic; complete with a washing machine, refrigerator and kitchen sink. Police do not know how long More >
Celebration by the Sea at Hotel Lory
Dec 19th
Hotel Lory in Italy is playing host to a New Year’s party on the Sea. The menu is one of gastronomical delight. Hors d’oeuvre’s consist of baked scallops, lobsters, stockfish with cream, octopus and sailor’s mussels and clams. The first course offers a choose of risotto with seafood sides or pasta Lory’s style, also with seafood on the side. The second dish features prawns en brochette, grilled squid or baked dentex with potatoes. Up next, desserts of fruit, lemon sherbet and a choice of coffee, wine or water; we’ll take the wine please!
As if guests won’t be stuffed enough, midnight features More >
London’s Legendary Savoy Hotel Going Under the Hammer
Dec 18th
For the first time in its 118 year lifespan, London’s infamous Savoy Hotel is having a facelift. Since the hotel opened in 1889, locals enjoying weekend relaxation and celebrated rich and famous have intermingled for over a century at the American Bar and ogled the spectacular views of the Thames that the Savoy provides. Yet on December 15, 2007, after much protest from regulars, the Savoy is closing for the first time for major renovations.
Why are the people so upset about this? For starters, many infamous items that house memories, like the baby grand in the restaurant that Frank Sinatra would More >
Weird and Wild Accomodation Requests
Dec 17th
As travel agent Gail Bradley claims, “Guests want the amenities with the pampering… there’s a growing need for unique experiences… and the new rule of thumb is you don’t say ‘no.’”
In the last few years the hotel industry has taken a turn to accommodate the growing number of travelers who want the “perfect” vacation. Many lusty perks that were once saved exclusively for the ultra rich or ultra famous are now available to almost anyone willing to open there wallet. Hotels want their guests stay to feel as special as their chosen destination.
In Italy, Palazzo Magnani Feroni makes their experience memorable More >
Berlin Hits a Homerun
Dec 14th
Known as one of the best destinations in the world to mix business with pleasure, Berlin, Germany is increasingly becoming more and more business oriented. The bustling business area of Dusseldorf recently cut the ribbon on a new Maritim hotel with close proximity to the airport and a conference center that holds nearly 5,200 people! Global Hyatt and Melia are two more of six who are not far behind Maritim in the race to build exceedingly giant hotels in Berlin.
Business-y Dusseldorf aside, nearly fifty, yes fifty new hotels are scheduled to open throughout the city within the next 5 years. And not More >
