Hotel price comparison and special offers
Archive for May, 2008
Painting the Town Red
May 29th
This phrase becomes literal during Buñol, Spain’s La Tomatina. You see, it all began in 1945, when a group of rowdy youngsters taunted parade participants one hot summer day. One of the ‘giants’ on stilts took a tumble because of the debauchery. He then proceeded to get up and start roughing up the teens. A massive rumble in the village square ensued and luckily for La Tomatina, a nearby fruit stand became an armory as people launched fruits and veggies at anybody standing in their way. Though it was stopped by officials, a group of young people gathered again the following year, and then the year after that, and so on. Officers continued to put a halt to the nonsense until it became the official Day of the Tomato, or La Tomatina, several years later.
Each year on the last Wednesday of August, an upwards of 30,000 people from Buñol, Germany, UK, France, US, and South America wait on the cobble streets for the spirited food fight to begin. Residences hose down the crowd with buckets of water thrown from the balconies above. Soon after carts full of about 100,000 kilos of tomatoes are wheeled in (squashed mind you to avoid tomato pelting injuries) and the crowd goes at it. Afterwards, the crowd is ushered out to wash the food off their faces while the locals rush in and have the whole shebang cleaned up in an hour.
The town is a very small one so your best bet is to shack up in nearby Valencia, which is about a ½ hours ride away from Buñol on the RENFE rail system.
- 2 Star: Hostal Venecia
- 3 Star: Catalonia Excelsior
- 4 Star: Vincci Palace
- 5 Star: Eurostars Gran Valencia
Cameron House Makeover
May 29th
The Cameron House just got a new lease on life. The stunning 15th century chateau, located along Scotland’s Loch Lomond, was recently bought by AHG (the same company that brings us the city wide boutique hotels Malmaison and Hotel du Vin) as part of their De Vere group.
The 96 room house just got one hell of a makeover that includes the opening of a brand new wing called the Colquhoun House. Colquhoun just recently opened, on May 1 to be exact, with six suites and 30 more bedrooms. They’ve also made the leap into today’s technology by adding flat screen televisions, free internet access, and direct dial phones to each room.
Renovation aside, the home has had a fascinating life thus far. The site dates back to the 1400s, when a much smaller Cameron was built here. By the 1800s the shipbuilding and merchant Smollet family had moved up in the world and right into the Cameron House. They lavished the grounds and even introduced bison and bears to the landscape for hunting purposes.
Though you won’t be caught in a bison stampede today, the resort has followed in the Smollet family luxurious footsteps with a new Carrick golf club, contemporary spa, and rooftop whirlpool overlooking the spectacular loch view.
B&B Awards 2008 Finalist
May 29th
The B&B Awards pay homage to those who covet a creative spirit and innovative approach while providing unswerving service and some of the best lodging in London.
To celebrate AA’s 100th year of service, the B&B Awards will be all ‘champagne wishes and caviar dreams’ so to speak in the new Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, a hotel that is sure to see an award in its near future.
This year, top honors go to the following three establishments, who are also the shortlist for B&B of the Year:
The New Linden in Notting Hill
San Domenico House in Chelsea
The St. George in Langham Place
Favorite category, AA Funkiest B&B of the Year, has also announced its shortlist which includes:
Bangors Organic in Bude, Cornwall
Enchanted Manor in Niton, Isle of Wight
Moss Grove Organic in Grasmere, Cumbria
Stay tuned to see who is the funkiest hotel of them all!
German Renovation Frenzy
May 24th
If you travel to Germany in the next few years, you may be hardpressed to find a hotel room. This isn’t for a bad reason. It’s simply because two out of every ten hotels in Germany plan on refurbishing to the highest, most modernized standards that they can muster. So that’s a good thing.
Where did this renovation whirlwind stem from? For starters, hotels have been paying close attention to guests’ wishes, which included clean and well designed rooms. Not to mention, that decline since the smoking ban in restaurants.
In response, many German hotels are upping their ante by providing their guests will the best rooms money can buy and restaurants with mouth watering menus that will attract even the most avid of smokers.
So if planning a trip to Germany, our advice to you is: Try to stay out of the old and go in with the new.
Some of our favorite German hotels that are going on the hammer include:
Hotel Monopol in Frankfurt
Hilton Hotel in Berlin
The Westin Grand Berlin in Berlin
Times are a Changin’ for Southport
May 24th
Once considered a dumpy, schlumpy kind of a place, Southport is sensing the winds of change and keeping its fingers crossed that with these winds will come flocks of tourists.
Nearly £220m has been spent on the place in the last decade. The fruits of labor have recently been blossoming. Another addition golf course, the Royal Birkdale set to open this year, brings the “Golf Coast” total to seven. Sea lovers will be delighted at the new water sports building and twin totems. Kiddies will be screaming their joys atop thrill rides at the £45m Eden Project, an indoor-outdoor theme park. Lord Street has been overflowed with luxuries like the handsome The Vincent, which was transformed from a cinema to a boutique hotel. It’s been house will cost a cool £2,500 a night, which 
speaks volumes about the hopes that rest on 2008’s tourism.
Though this is far from all the changes that have been made, you may want to enjoy Southport soon before the tides change and an influx of extra tourists wash up on shore.
Try:
- 2 Star: Balmoral Lodge Hotel
- 3 Star: Edendale House Hotel
- 4 Star: Bay Tree House Bed and Breakfast
- 5 Star: Cambridge House Hotel
Save Money and Travel the World
May 23rd
Most of us have had a friend or two who up and quits their home life to travel the world. Although we want to join them, most times our nagging senses take hold of us and tell us it just isn’t possible. Yet, it is possible and you can have the best of both worlds. Don’t let responsibilities dampen your travel dreams. Put your sensibility aside and take on some penny-pinching ways so maybe next time you’ll be able to say to that traveling fool “Hey, mind if I come too?”
1. Where are you living? If you really want to take a few months off to travel, then you will really need to save some money. Consider what the biggest money eater in your life is. Most likely it’s your rent or mortgage. If you rent, it’s as easy as sucking up your pride and moving back home or taking on a roommate to help split the bills. If it’s your mortgage, do some research and see if there are any alternatives, like getting a lower interest rate via refinance.
2. Sell it! It’s a pretty well known fact that most of us only use about 20% of what we actually have and the other 80% just collects dust. So dust it off and sell it. Ebay or Amazon is easy ways to go but you can also hold a yard sale too. You might be amazed by how easily you’ll part with things if you keep your end goal in mind.
3. Work Weekends: Along with your 9-5, pick up another side job on weekends. Use the money from your fulltime job for life’s necessities and stock pile the goods from your weekend workplace.
4. Just Say No: One of the most money sucking things are nights on the town. Whether you’re just going to a movie or going all out big style, these are unnecessary expenses that you should cut out until you’ve reached your savings goal. You can pick up where you left off socially when you get back from your exciting trip.
5. Foreign Currency: No matter how hard we try, some of us just have a problem saving money. The best way to nip it in the bud is to change your dollars into the currency you’ll be using on your trip. That way it’s already taken care of plus you won’t be tempted to switch it back since your most likely going to lose money that way.
Although there are plenty other tips out there, these five will definitely get you where you need to go. In just a few months you will reap the benefits and get the ultimate end reward, the trip of a lifetime.
Pullover, this is the decency patrol…
May 21st
Venice has seen an overwhelming amount of tourists for decades now. The city is so crowded that even locals have a difficult time finding breathing room; so much so that the live-in population has continued to dwindle in recent years.
In response, Venice officials have set up a series of guidelines for tourists to follow in St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), also known as “the drawing room of Europe.” These new rules will be enforced by non-other than the, get this… decency patrol.
Yes, you heard correct. The decency patrol wants to keep Venice neat and tidy from every angle, including your clothes! These ballbusters will be shooing snackers into restaurants, asking the shirtless to get dressed, and asking people who are seated anywhere in the area to get a move on.
And if you decide to defy these civilized citizens, be prepared for a fine of up to 500EUR.
Although the decency patrol is on the prowl in St. Mark’s for now, if all goes well, be prepared for these do gooders to inflitrate the rest of Venice very soon.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Do As the Locals Do
May 21st
It’s no secret to seasoned traveler’s that the best way to see the sites and get great bargains is to do as the locals do. Whether you want to shop, eat or site see, find a European local and latch on!
Kick off your people watch by standing out of the way on the sidewalk along your hotel. Observe until you see a surefire local and see where they go. If they duck into a restaurant or shop, keep it in mind for later and then quit following and explore the surrounding area, which is sure to be low key neighborhood.
If you feel like a creep following someone around, then try to hit up some places that they congregate like the outdoor flower, fruit and veggie markets. These offer the best foods for some of the lowest prices and many locals make the market trek daily.
Many European cities also have older sections, also known as the “ring.” These are usually situated outside of the busy tourist areas, yet close enough to enjoy the sites and the sounds of the city.
If you’re feeling particularly bold try talking directly to a local or a shopkeeper. Ask where most of the town’s people go for food, drink, shopping and entertainment. These places are often less crowded, cheaper in price, and will give a true sense of the city.
Here are a few discreet places to stay in major European hotspots.
Paris’ Marais district: This un-commercialized district remains a local favorite. It’s one of the quietest neighborhoods in the city and offers a variety of cuisine and culture to indulge on. Try the Best Western Marais Bastille.
Milan’s Ticinese-Navigli: This quarter is a perfect blend of old and new. It was home to many blue colored workers in the 20th century, whose decedents probably still live in the same home today. There are bars and shopping; just enough to meet locals basic needs. Try the Art Hotel Navigli.
London’s Maida Vale: This neighborhood is home to many affluent people and boasts beautiful Edwardian style mansions. Though it is quieter than other parts of the city it is still a great place to explore due to the canals that earned it the name “Little Venice.” Try the Access Apartments Maida Vale.
Berlin’s Marzahn-Hellersdorf: This sector of Berlin is largely occupied by the middle class. It has many green areas and several little known attractions to explore like that Grunderzeitmuseum. Try the Park Hotel Berlin Schloss Kaulsdorf.
