Which Hotel 4 Me

An Insight into Incredible India

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:12 +0000

Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and diverse countries in the world India is a destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. The seventh largest country in the world in terms of size and second only to China in population, India possesses a mind-blowing array of dialects, cultures, ethnicities and ways of life.

Stretching from the Great Himalayas mountain range of the north to the exotic and tropical peninsular of the south, the country for the first time visitor can be an overbearing assault on all your senses. Raucous, dynamic, frenetic and just a little bit chaotic (in a good way!), India is a place of incredible contrasts and contradictions. This is a country where unbelievable opulence and wealth rubs shoulders with utter desolation and poverty. This is a place where the traditions of 2000 year old classical music and dance are equally as loved as the modern day superstars of Bollywood. It is a place where cricket is a religion and religion is a passion. It is a place like no other on earth.

Whilst it may overwhelm you at first this nation of a billion people will progressively reveal to you scintillating delights. You may find it in the magnificent architecture of its centuries old temples, tombs and fortifications. Or in the exquisite traditions of a remote village. You might find it in the bustle and bustle of one of its many chaotic bazaars, or mouth-watering tastes and aromas of some local cuisine. It may come to you in the throbbing metropolis of a major city. Or you might find it in the picture perfect vista of a serene landscape. However it comes it will come to you.

In years gone by perhaps the biggest concern visitors to India had, apart from contracting the dreaded ‘Delhi Belly’, was where to stay. Whilst the standard of accommodation may not have been too crash hot some twenty or thirty years ago it has significantly improved now. To the point that the horror stories you used to hear with alarming regularity are now as rare as Haley’s comet. Whilst it is definitely still true that you get what you pay for, there is a huge choice of accommodation options in India. From ultra modern, western style luxury hotels in grandiose old palaces to clean, comfortable and safe budget hotels, hostels and bungalows there are now very good options to suit any budget, style or taste.

The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit A Luxury Collection Hotel

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:33:25 +0000

Bangkok has well over 80 five star hotels and amongst the best of them, certainly according to the 2469 verified guest reviews that have been posted on this site, is the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit A Luxury Collection Hotel.

Situated on Sukhumvit Road in the Khlong Toei district of Bangkok the hotel offers 420 delightful guest rooms. Individually decorated with exotic teak wood, gleaming marble, and dazzling Thai silk each room wonderfully showcases the local culture in an enchanting yet relaxing and comfortable way. There are seven types of room in total, from deluxe all the way through to the royal suites, and they all provide scintillating views of the city or adjacent Lake Ratchada. Equipped with all the creature comforts you would expect from a luxury hotel, guests can enjoy the use of air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable/satellite channels, private bathrooms with lighted makeup mirror, separate shower and bath, DVD player, mini bar and in-room electronic safe.

Showcasing a fabulous and signature outdoor pool (complete with Jacuzzi) that is surrounded by lush, tropical gardens the Sheraton Grande Bangkok also offers a broad selection of other features including a swimming pool specifically for children, a world class spa & wellness centre which combines extraordinary treatment combinations, with cutting edge massage techniques and products utilising native herbs and oils exclusive to Thailand. In addition it also runs a fantastic Fitness Club that provides the an innovative range of weight training and cardiovascular machines as well as multiple steam rooms, saunas, and jacuzzis, a fully equipped business center with secretarial and translation services and a shopping mall and beauty salon within the confines of the building. Its onsite restaurant is also well known in the city for the delicious selection of Italian and Thai dishes it serves.

A part of Starwoods Luxury Collection, the Bangkok Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel enjoys a fairly central location in the heart of the city’s business and entertainment districts. Providing direct access from its lobby to Asok SkyTrain which additionally attaches to the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall, the hotel is just a short walk to Sukhumvit subway station. As a result Most of the city’s main attractions are within easy reach either by cab or the direct skylink bridge to the Asok SkyTrain which is just a stone’s throw from the hotel. These include the Emporium, MBK, Central Chidlom, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Siam Paragon, Centralworld and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Siam Discovery and the Siam Center.

Interested? There is alot more to discover about the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit A Luxury Collection Hotel.

The Diversity of the Hong Kong Hotel Scene

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Sun, 12 May 2013 18:29:37 +0000

An extremely popular travel location, millions of backpackers, holidaymakers, businessmen and tourists visit Hong Kong every year. Forming one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China along with Macau, the region is popularly known as much for its fast pace and amazing food as it is for its iconic skyline and beautiful deep natural harbour.

Nestled on China’s south coast where it is surrounded by both the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, Hong Kong ranks as one of the world’s most densely inhabited areas with upwards of seven million people crammed onto a land mass of only 426 square miles. Despite its compact nature, according to the United Nations and World Health Organisation Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy of any region in the world.

A former colony of the British Empire who handed over control to the Chinese in 1997, Hong Kong has frequently been referred to as the place where ‘East meets West’. Possessing over 1200 skyscrapers, comfortably the most in the world, the area comprises of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and over 200 islands offshore, of which Lantau Island is the largest.

In terms of places to stay there are well over 400 hotels in Hong Kong catering to the needs of the 40+ million visitors the region receives every year. Integrating the full gamut of accommodation choices from exclusive luxury hotels to cheap one star hostels and guesthouses the overall standard of services, facilities and amenities is very good. Particularly amongst their five star establishments which are all truly world class. One of the best places to book a hotel in Hong Kong is the district of Tsimshatsui, which offers excellent opportunities to shop and eat, as well as a happening nightlife, though North Point and Causeway Bay offers some great options too. Business travellers should bases themselves in the financial zones of Admiralty and Wanchai which also have a significant number of splendid hotels for corporate travel.

As a price point the cost of holiday accommodation in Hong Kong can fluctuate wildly depending on what you book. At the top end some plush hotels offer standard rooms from around $500 per night. Some of the most popular ones include The Upper House, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.

At the mid-range you can expect to pay between $150 – $200 a night for a three or four star hotel. Some of the better ones include the Lanson Place Hotel, East Hong Kong Hotel and Hotel Marriott Courtyard Hong Kong.

If you are visiting on a strict budget you can pick up some very basic, yet reasonably comfortable rooms for less than $20 a night. The Oi Suen Guesthouse Hong Kong, Dragon Hostel Hong Kong and Yesinn Causeway Bay are often recommended.

London Marriott Hotel Kensington Undergoes Major Refurbishment

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Sun, 12 May 2013 05:21:10 +0000

The London Marriott Hotel Kensington, one of the city’s premier luxury hotels will soon be finalising a complete upgrade of all its guest rooms and hotel suites. The renovation of this impressive hotel, whose 7 storey glass facade dominates the local skyline, is expected to cost somewhere in the region of GBP 1.8 million.

Boasting 216 spacious and well equipped guestrooms, the refurbishment, which is scheduled for completion very shortly will impart fresh and stylish new decor, as well as the installation of new lighting and the uniform additions of soft furnishings and a luxurious Marriott bed in each room.

‘We are delighted to announce the next chapter of our substantial investment plans for the hotel’ said John Laird, General Manager of the hotel.

‘Upon completion of this work, our entire bedroom stock will have been upgraded and will provide our guests with a fantastic new experience — offering a fresh and modern hotel to stay, in the heart of the Royal Borough of Kensington’.

You could be forgiven for thinking that such a major renovation will cause major disruption to guests but according to Laird, the room refurbishment is being carried out on a floor by floor approach to minimise this risk and ensure The London Marriott Hotel Kensington continues to meet the high standards of operation it demands.

Where To Stay During The Ashes Series

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:30:49 +0000

Image Taken from http://www.emirates247.com

England entertain Australia this summer in a five test match series to decide the Ashes. The home side, who are the current holders of the trophy, are the bookies favourites to retain the urn they won convincingly in 2011, with some pundits predicting a 5-0 whitewash.

With the first four days of each test match long being a complete sell out, the highly anticipated series is expected to be watched at each venue by thousands of fans, many of whom would have travelled from Down Under. If you are one of them, or simply just a cricket fan and intend to attend one or more days play at any or all of the test match, the chances are you will need to book a hotel at some point during the series. If you will this list of where to stay during the Ashes Series is something you should check out.

Unusually for test cricket in England the first match is due to start at Trent Bridge on Wednesday 10th July. If you have tickets for any of the days play and need overnight accommodation the Harts Hotel Nottingham or The Nottingham Belfry Hotel are solid choices.

Four days after the schedule finish of the first test match the second will start at Lord’s on 18th July. London has a huge range of hotels to choose from, many of which might be fully booked out. However if you can make a hotel reservation at the Covent Garden Hotel or The Halkin we would highly recommend you do so.

After a 9 day break the third test match starts at Old Trafford on Thursday 1st August. A potentially series winning, or at least defining match, the SACO Manchester Hotel and DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly will provide you with plenty of comfort and stress relief it the pressure of watching the game gets too much to bear.

Another four day gap separates the end of the third test and start of the fourth match of the series at the Riverside in Durham. A wonderful place to explore, if you have the time to do so, the Durham City Apartment or Premier Inn Durham North represent good levels of comfort and value for money.

Should the series still be on the line the final test match at the Oval is bound to be a fantastic occasion. If you fancy staying somewhere near the ground, to savour as much of the atmosphere as possible then the Dreamhouse Apartments London Vauxhall or MoLi St. George Wharf Apartments could well be good choices for you.

New Boutique hotel set to open in Perth

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:14:18 +0000

A new $15 million boutique hotel featuring a striking illuminated exterior has been proposed for construction in Perth, Western Australia.

The 15-storey hotel, which will be built in Wellington Street should the project get the go ahead, would form part of the Oaks chain who already have over 30 hotels across Australia. The project will be recommended for approval at the next City of Perth planning committee meeting.

It is expected approval for the hotel will be a formality as council planning officers have already confirmed it would complement nicely the existing City Link project that is currently underway, as well as contributing to a ‘lively, colourful’ environment of Perth.

Architect Ron Jee, of Design Inc, believes the hotel would become a significant landmark in the city on account of its unusual aesthetic, which will feature LED lights and vertical metal ‘fins’ designed to provide shade and create a ripple effect.

‘The inspiration came from nature, like ripples in water’ he said.

‘It’s going to be like a beacon, especially at night when it will be lit up in different colours’.

The hotel is due to include a lobby and dining facilities on the ground floor, as well as a health club, pool and conference space. Levels four to 15 will have 88 guestrooms in total.

Construction is planned to finish towards the end of 2013.

‘It’s very exciting. It’s going to be central to the City Link development, the location is perfect for a boutique hotel development’ said Mr Jee.

5 Greek Island Getaways You Simply Gotta Do!

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Mon, 06 May 2013 04:14:59 +0000

Despite opinions on the number of inhabited Greek Islands varying significantly between 166 and 227, depending on who you are talking to, the one thing everyone agrees on is that it simply is not possible to experience the many wonders of this scintillating region in one trip. (Unless of course you take a year’s career break to do so – and even then you will still struggle).

If you are thinking of visiting the area and would like some advice on where to go this selection of 5 Greek Island Getaways You Simply Gotta Do is something you should definitely consider. Listed in no particular order, you probably still won’t be able to go to them all on one holiday but they should at least be able to give you a good shortlist to work with.

1. Santorini

The one Greek island everyone should visit in their lifetime Santorini is championed for its exceptional views of the surrounding caldera as well as the gorgeous sunsets you can see in Oia. Rightly and consistently topping most lists of the best Greek islands to visit, the island features those iconic whitewashed houses with deep blue domed roofs, red hot beaches made of black and red volcanic sand and a lively dining and nightlife scene in its capital of Fira. The kind of place where a week could easily fly past, Santorini has a certain magic which no other island can replicate.

2. Keffalonia

The most sizeable of all the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia is located on Greece’s western coast. Located between Lefkada and Zakynthos it enjoys pleasant temperatures for most of the year. Made famous by the Nicholas Cage movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin the island is renowned for its many fabulous beaches which feature fine powder like sand and turquoise waters, scenic hamlets and it stunning National Park.

3. Amorgos

Featured in the Luc Besson’s film ‘The Big Blue’ Amorgos lies on the easternmost edge of the Cyclades group of islands. The closest inhabited island to the neighbouring Dodecanese chain Amorgos is for most of the year a sleepy island which makes a perfect romantic getaway or tranquil escape. Best known for its spectacular monastery, the Panagia Hozoviotissa, which is the side of a cliff the island offers great food and spectacular panoramic views which can be best seen by hiring a scooter and riding round it.

4. Paros

The second biggest island in the Cyclades, Paros is well regarded for its excellent beaches, great nightlife and overall high standard of accommodation. Possessing a charming first century cathedral (Panayia Ekatondapiliani)as well as the lovely village of Lefkes, Paros is perhaps best known for its fine white marble which comes from the local Marathi Marble Quarries. Beautiful in places with unique rock formations and colorful water the island also features the wonderful getaway of Antiparos. A small and tranquil get-away-from-it-all retreat just minutes away on a local boat.

5. Symi

Possessing one of the most picturesque harbours in the world Symi is part of the Dodecanese island chain. Situated some 41km from Rhodes it actually lies within the geographical embrace of Turkey, which lends it a different feel to other Greek Islands. Possessing numerous small bays with secluded beaches and a picturesque bosky interior , its port town, Gialos also contains a fascinating labyrinthine of narrow streets and dilapidate archways which makes it one of the more absorbing Greek Islands to explore.

Marriott International opens Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:07:18 +0000

Marriott International has recently confirmed the official opening of the Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe.

Adjacent to Pearl River New City and centrally located in the heart of the Tianhe business district, the hotel is the latest addition to the signature Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand. Specifically designed to cater to the needs of event professionals, business and luxury leisure travellers the hotel features 319 well-appointed guest rooms, most of which offer deluxe city views. In addition it has four unique restaurants, 895 square meters of multifunctional event space, three expansive atriums, a health club and heated indoor pool amongst its many highlights.

‘With its unbeatable location on Tianhe Road and Marriott International’s commitment to delivering exceptional service, we expect Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe to raise the benchmark for upscale accommodations in this key region’ said Henry Lee, Senior Vice President for Marriott International in Greater China.

‘The popularity of the Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand continues to grow in China, and we are delighted to partner with Guangzhou Grandview Enterprise Co. Ltd, the hotel’s owning company, to strengthen our presence in the country’s third-largest city with this landmark new opening’.

Next door to the Grandview Mall, one of Asia’s largest shopping centres, which contains 750 shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities, including an indoor ice skating rink, 3D cinema and arcade games centre, the Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe is situated just five minutes away from the Guangzhou East Railway Station and 15 minutes from the Guangzhou Pazhou International Exhibition Center.

Deconstructing the Dubai Hotel Scene

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:18:58 +0000

As one of the hottest and fastest growing vacation spots in the world, Dubai provides a large selection of hotels and holiday rental choices for the visitor. Infact within the boundaries of its city limits there are well over 500 accommodation options to choose from incorporating everything from major resorts and exclusive luxury hotels to more affordable budget listings. And this list is ever growing. (Hotel construction is big business in the UAE with hundreds of developments currently underway).

If you are planning a visit to Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, the question of where to stay is one that can seem quite daunting at first. For most people the romance of staying at the Burj Al Arab, which is acknowledged by some as the world’s only 7 star hotel is a thought that will pop into their head. Erected to resemble the billowing sail of a ship this sumptuous hotel towers 321 meters above the Arabian Gulf on an artificial island some 280 metres from Jumeirah Beach. A prominent and iconic structure, its presence on Dubai’s seacoast can be enjoyed throughout the city, especially at night where it emanates a stunning array of colours.

If you can’t afford its nightly rates, some of which run into the thousands of dollars per night, but still want to indulge yourself in some five star elegance at a more affordable price, there are, believe it or not, well over 100 properties to choose from including the One&Only The Palm Dubai, the Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah and the Grosvenor House Dubai. Given this level of competition you can often pick up a bargain by searching through today’s best hotel deals for Dubai.

If a 5 star property is beyond your reach Dubai possesses a huge variety of mid ranged hotel types including those that fall into the exclusive, boutique, themed, family and resort categories. Amongst the most popular at the 3 and 4 star range are the Al Manzil, the Qamardeen both of which are situated in downtown Dubai and the BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana which offers stunning panoramic views of the city as well as a rooftop pool.

Although it doesn’t really do budget hotels as such the city does have a number of perfectly good cheaper establishments that fit into the 1 and 2 star range including the XVA Hotel, the Arabian Ranches Golf Club Hotel and the Ahmedia Heritage Guest House, the latter of which is only a five minute walk from the Dubai Gold Souk.

Again you can often pick up a bargain by searching and comparing all current Dubai Hotel deals.

Gary Neville’s Plans For A Hotel Approved

Which Hotel 4 me.com — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:35:45 +0000

He was one of the most accomplished right backs to have graced the premiership but now Gary Neville, the recently retired Manchester United and England footballer, is turning his attention to the hotel industry.

Despite objections from his former club on the basis that the development would undermined the ‘holistic vision’ of its ‘strategic plan’ for the area , Neville has been has been given official approval to build a £20m hotel near his old employers at Old Trafford.

The project, which has been designed by AEW Architects, is planned to be built on the site of a former lard factory on Sir Matt Busby Way. A joint venture between Neville, who will be using most of the proceeds from his testimonial game, and the Manchester United supporters club, the development will include a 139-bed hotel, bar, restaurant and shop.

Although a club spokesman said it was ‘disappointed’ with the result, Neville was absolutely delighted.

‘The hard work begins now to deliver this exciting project and development to the fans’ said Gary.

Building work is expected to start in January 2013 with the hotel opening scheduled for the start of the 2014-15 season.