Monday 21 February 2011

Cheap hotels: what matters and what doesn’t?


Everyone loves a bargain and bagging one of the many cheap hotels which abound in cities and resorts the world over is always a good thing; or is it? If you are looking for a bargain holiday then you will still want it to be a relaxing break and certain luxuries are necessary. What is important in a good cheap hotel and what can we let go as unimportant in our accommodation?  Many people agree on certain things which are a must-have for any holiday, though needs may vary according to whether you are going on your holiday alone, as part of a couple or as a family with children in tow. Some points to consider for those holidaying with children might include the following when booking cheap hotels

  • Are there basic washing facilities in the room?
A room with no sink or towel area can be a real inconvenience if you have small children with you. It is often necessary to hand wash some clothing items quickly and without the bother of finding a laundrette or public sink area. Small children are not known for their fastidiousness and having hot water to hand is useful when it comes to keeping them presentable!

  • Tea and coffee making facilities can be invaluable
Check if there is a kettle in your room before booking with any cheap hotels as boiling water is often needed to access hot drinks or to assist with warming a baby’s bottle. There is nothing worse than waking up and finding no kettle facilities with which to make tea or coffee!

  • Cleanliness is a necessity not a luxury!
Most cheap hotels are of a good standard as far as cleanliness is concerned but of course there are exceptions to the rule! One of the best ways to check out a cheap hotel’s reputation is to look out for online review by previous guests and take heed of their concerns.

Cheap hotels and location
Location is often the key point as to why a hotel is cheaper than others in the city or resort you are planning on visiting. Often cheap hotels may be further away from the beaches or from other attractions, but this need not mean that your stay is impaired. Check out local public transport and how reliable it is. Other useful things to consider is whether there are any restaurants, shops or bars or play areas near to your hotel. Facilities close to your hotel can be a very useful bonus if you want to have a quiet day.

Cheap Hotels and Late Deals
Late deals are a great way of securing a cheap hotel without losing in the quality stakes. If you can be available the day before you book, then you can secure amazing breaks at a fraction of the usual price. Plan in advance and prepare yourself to travel at short notice and you could really benefit from wonderful facilities and a great view without shelling out too much cash!

Friday 18 February 2011

Cheap Hotels Abroad


Cheap hotels in the sun
Booking a holiday is one of those things; it can be fraught with pressure as we all want a great holiday at a knock down price. Cheap hotels are a boon when you want a basic no frills break with plenty of sun, sea and sand; as long as the accommodation is close to the beach then it will all be fine.  Look out for last minute offers in order to take advantage of cancellations or empty spots, be open to your destination and you could be enjoying a great break at a fraction of the original cost. One of the keys to booking cheap hotels in great locations is to stay open as to when you travel. Whilst this is not always easy due to the need to book time off work, it is a good way to ensure a break when money is tight. The likelihood of you managing to book a great holiday at the last moment is quite high these days, holiday companies know there is a demand for this type of break and they are usually well publicised. If all you want is a nice break by the sea, then hold your horses and wait until the last moment...you could bag a real bargain!

Points to remember when looking for cheap hotels abroad
  • Stay open as to your destination
  • Keep your eye on the offers and check regularly on availability
  • Choose a window of time in which you can travel
  • Keep your cool
How do cheap hotels compare to 5 star hotels?
If you are looking for a holiday where you want to spend lots of time indoors, lounging on the bed, using the spa and ordering room service then perhaps cheap hotels are not for you. You may be happier booking a guaranteed 5 star hotel with all of the added extras. If however you only view the hotel as a place to lay your head at night, then cheap hotels are one of your bet options! All you need is a comfortable bed, with good shower facilities that is in a great location. You want to enjoy all that the resort has to offer in the way of beach life, local markets and restaurants so save your cash and book a cheaper hotel. What you don’t want however is to find that your hotel is miles from the beach or near building works, these issues can seriously impair a much needed holiday and one of the best and most simple ways of checking up on your hotel is to search internet reviews. Google maps will also sometimes give a clear idea of an area especially if you utilise Street View and take a virtual stroll along the promenade!

Top tips for being happy with cheap hotels
  • Check out the local facilities
  • Read reviews
  • Look at online maps
All in all it’s as well to remember that a holiday is what you make it. If you are the type who loves to be out and about, then cheap hotels are your best friends. They will save you cash to enjoy later or give you extra spending money whilst you explore the area.


Cheap Hotels and Booking your Perfect Holiday


Cheap hotels and why they’re worth the risk
Booking a holiday or even a short break can be a strain in many ways, not least of all on your wallet! The cost of accommodation is the biggest expenditure next to flights. It’s a sensible thing to consider the cheap hotels when looking for where to stay. Cheap hotels don’t have to be poor quality; in fact some of the nicest hotels are very reasonably priced. They’re just more basic! A holiday is about the chance to experience something new and different, it’s a chance to get out and about and to travel, visit new locations and try new things. A good holiday is not about where you sleep at night!  This is why booking cheaper accommodation is worth the risk as the main ingredients for a great break are a lovely location and the ability to relax. Why worry about whether your room has a sea view or not? As long as you are within walking distance of the beach or town, you will be fine!

Booking cheap hotels in the country
So you fancy a lovely rural break, rolling fields and dappled woodlands are the order of the day. Perhaps you fancy staying on a farm or in a cottage? New way to enjoy a rural break is to look for cheap hotels in rural villages. Often, rural villages will have a pub which doubles as a hotel and these can make an excellent base from which to explore the local area. You will be in a village location with at the very least a decent pub and a post office or corner shop nearby, you can take advantage of the locals who will come in for an evening drink and find out about the area...where is good to visit? What restaurants do they recommend? This is often a wonderful way to enjoy a break and can be a lot of fun when compared to luxury hotels which though plush may lack the personal touch.

Booking cheap hotels in the city
Most cities abound with cheap hotels and it’s often the best way to take advantage of the fierce competition which city hoteliers are party to. Look online for recommendations, there are many wonderful smaller hotels in our larger cities which while they may be basic, are wonderfully run by professional staff and which are also right on the doorstep of all the city attractions you could wish for. Shopping and eating out can be made that bit more enjoyable when you know you have saved cash on your accommodation! Cheap hotels in cities are often in more outlying areas or in slightly bohemian areas...all of which makes for a more interesting stay!

Reasons to book cheap hotels
  • Save your cash for extra days and evenings out
  • Experience areas which you might not otherwise get to see
  • Personal touch
  • Meet the locals

All in all staying in cheaper hotels is a great way to boost your wallet and take a little risk, if you don’t try it you’ll never know!

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Cheap Hotels York and City Locations

Cheap hotels York for city breaks
Looking for cheap hotels in cities is a great way to enjoy all that is on offer in urban areas. There are many ways to being your search and various things to consider before you book anywhere. The main reasons most people decide to take a city break is to benefit from the many attractions which abound in cities. Theatres, museums, bars and nightclubs are all big draws for people and that’s not forgetting the shopping opportunities available as well as the historical aspect of some destinations. Your first step is to decide where you want to visit and then research what attractions most appeal. You may find that some of the best days out are in fact located outside the city’s boundaries and that is something to consider when booking one of the many cheap hotels on offer. A balance is important as you do not want to find that your hotel is miles from the centre of the city as this can negate any savings made as your cash is swallowed up on travelling too and from the hotel and various attractions. Get to know the city through maps and tourist information websites, create a virtual map of your own places of interest and then choose a location which will offer suitable travel opportunities. It stands to reason that a central hotel will often (not always) be more expensive than one in an outlying neighbourhood.
London and Cheap Hotels
London abounds with cheap hotels as it is such a large city that competition is fierce. You may not in fact find it necessary to stay in an outlying neighbourhood if you book carefully and shop around. There are plenty of good but basic hotels within the major districts of London and for some people; the ability to simply walk out of the door and find that London is literally on the doorstep is a great attraction. Having said that, there are also many areas of London which are not central but which are very attractive and have many wonderful things to offer to visitors. Highgate is a pretty area of London and has an “olde worlde” atmosphere to it, with many historical buildings and a good train service it is a great area to consider when looking for cheap hotels. The same could be said of Richmond which lies further outside London but is very simple to get to and from via public transport. Richmond is a charming town with a stunning park and many attractions of its own, including a top quality theatre and some wonderful restaurants. Think outside the box when it comes to finding your accommodation and you will soon realise that there is more to most capital cities than what it is in the centre of it.
Cheap hotels Yorkhttp://www.roomguide.co.uk/search/city/York and luxury breaks
Just because a hotel is not riddled with the little “extras” does not mean your stay won’t be perfect. A clean and pleasant room is all that’s required for a fun and relaxing break, consider taking a few home comforts to make your room more cosy...a special cushion or some extra nice chocolates will make a big difference to your room and the atmosphere. But remember, in a busy city packed with entertainment you probably won’t be spending much time indoors anyway! Cheap hotels are a great way of ensuring that your budget goes further and that means that you will have more to spend on special nights out and shopping! Luxury need not mean expensively decorated rooms with room service on tap, it can mean the freedom to come and go at will in an exciting and vibrant city.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Cheap Hotels in the UK

Cheap hotels and finding the best one for you
Cheap hotels are the best option if you are holidaying on a budget and still want the comfort of a private room, especially if camping isn’t your idea of fun! Wherever you decide that you want to visit in the UK bear in mind that booking low cost accommodation will save you cash.  Saving cash during your stay will free up money so that you can enjoy some special days or evenings out. When you know which part of the UK you would like to spend your break, then you can keep an eye out for cheap hotels which will enable you to get the most of your stay. There are some fantastic hotels in many of the major cities in the UK such as cheap Hotels in York.  Budget options are not always the less favourable choice and it should be remembered that in many case “budget” simply means no-frills. A basic but clean and pleasant room is all that is needed to have a good break. If however, you are someone who enjoys life’s little luxuries then you should remember to look online for last minute deals. Many operators offer fantastic bargains if you book late and you could find yourself in a top-notch hotel having paid a fraction of the price!

Before you book your accommodation, don’t be afraid to ask if there are any offers or discounts which you could take advantage of; check also what local amenities there are nearby, this is especially important if your stay is not in the Summer season as some local attractions may not be open or there could be special events on nearby which are not usually available during the busy tourists season. Consider too what matters most of all to you when booking your cheap hotel. Do you want the certainty of exactly where and when your holiday will be? If you need to know this, then it may be best to opt for a basic hotel rather than wait for a last minute cheap deal in a fancier venue. Remember the following tips when looking for your idea hotel.
  • Budget doesn’t have to mean low quality
  • Bag last minute deals online
  • Make sure you’re happy to go at short notice
  • Holidaying out of season can mean special offers
Cheap hotels in town
Staying in one of the UK’s many pretty and historical market towns is a great experience and a visitor who is new to the country will be charmed by the friendly local pubs and the pretty countryside. Staying in cheap hotels in smaller towns is a great way of experiencing the UK and all it has to offer. Choose your location carefully as you may want to visit other nearby towns, villages or attractions nearby and some areas are perfect for exploring entire regions. Before you book any cheap hotels it’s a good idea to ask your friends and colleagues for any personal favourites as there are some fascinating destinations which may not at first appear to be typical holiday towns.
Cheap hotels: top tips for making the most of your stay
  • Ask friends for their favourite destinations
  • Choose your location carefully
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts
  • Check up on what facilities are available
Enjoy your stay in the UK and take advantage of all the country has to offer as far as cheap hotels and beautiful locations go, there couldn’t be more choice!

Thursday 3 February 2011

New York Hotels and New York Nightlife


New York hotels and theatres
It’s a well known fact about New York that it stays open all hours. Hotdogs at dawn and clothes shopping at midnight are the norm...but another well known fact is that it has some of the most amazing theatre in the world. Staying in a one of the great New York hotels near Broadway is a wonderful experience and the area is certainly a fascinating one with much history attached. Broadway is known worldwide as a major theatrical centre and there are forty theatres in the district each showing top quality shows at any one time. Immortalised in songs and films, Broadway is one of the romantic centres of the city and a newcomer to New York could easily spend hours wandering its sidewalks and taking in the stunning architecture and by night, the thousands of twinkling lights. If you are booking one of the more central New York hotels then you can’t go wrong in choosing the area around Broadway for your base.

New York hotels and evenings out in the city
New York is one of the finest cities for evening entertainment in the world. Packed with famous venues and eateries, the city is wonderful for everyone no matter what your tastes. Staying in any of the great central New York hotels will allow you to explore by night as well as by day and there is certainly lots to take in! If you enjoy seeing the latest live music acts, then the hottest spot is undoubtedly The Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street where live music happens regularly. Not the type who enjoys crowded places or loud music? Then head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where you can enjoy a drink high up on the terrace, with amazing views of Central Park and a peaceful atmosphere this is just the place for an afternoon cocktail, it’s not a well known tourist spot so you can enjoy the feeling of being “in the know” along with your drink!

New York hotels and a memorable walk through the city
A great way to make the most of your stay in one of the wonderful New York hotels is to take a walk which kills a few birds with one stone; a stroll across Brooklyn Bridge will allow you to take in the amazing and unforgettable sights of the Statue of Liberty and also the Empire State Building...and we all know that you can’t visit New York without seeing those properly! As you cross the bridge from the Manhattan side you could easily enjoy a further walk around Brooklyn on the other! Both are of course well known districts and this is a wonderful way to really get a feel for this beautiful city. Booking up on of the best New York Hotels in good time for a short break is a wonderful treat and it’s certain that once you have visited the Big Apple you will be back again for more! A more diverse and exciting city is hard to find.

Wednesday 2 February 2011

New York Hotels and Days Out


New York hotels and some great places to stay
New York is one of the most quirky cities in the world, fabulous New York hotels make it even better! It’s a city that is so full of unusual buildings, places and people you could quite literally spend a lifetime getting to know it and still find a corner you were unfamiliar with. Part of what has contributed to New York’s individual flavour is the haphazard way in which it grew...from a one horse town into an amazing and thriving city with many cultures settling over the years, each bringing their own traditions with them. Staying in one of the great quality New York hotels is a wonderful way to get to know the Big Apple and once you visit this place, you’ll find that you’re pretty much hooked.

New York hotels and quirky places to visit
Staying in one of the top New York hotels can bee a real eye opener in terms of luxury, from incredible views to opulent surrounding you should book carefully to try and bag a great view; the cityscape in new York is arguably unrivalled and what better way to wake up during your stay than to the sight of towering skyscrapers, neon lights and the hustle of New Yorkers as they go about their business? Once you have started your day off in the perfect New York fashion with a great New York style breakfast...think eggs over easy and fresh coffee...then you’ll be well set-up to go on a long day’s exploration of this fabulous place. New York is more than the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty; it’s a place full to the brim of quirky little museums and fascinating corners. Try a trip to Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum in Times Square; this crazy and sometimes stomach churning collection of bizarre and unusual artefacts makes for a wonderful introduction to the odd side of America! If the odd and curious don’t appeal to you then perhaps a tranquil row on the Central Park Lake might appeal? This is available throughout the spring and summer months and the scenery is surprisingly beautiful. A break in one of the many New York Hotels around Central Park would put you in the perfect situation to enjoy the peace and calm of the park when the busy streets get too much. For a taste of the traditional, a visit to Coney Island is not to be missed; this wonderful resort is a monument to days gone by, with its side-shows, fairground and traditional boardwalk you’ll get a real flavour of America’s past. From Burlesque on the beach to tattooed men and bearded ladies this place is an unforgettable experience!

 When looking at which of the many great New York hotels which are best suited to your needs, it’s a good idea to jot down a list of the places you most want to see and experience, then depending upon your time scale you can make a rough itinerary and choose the best location for your plans. Remember to leave a day for aimless wandering though! New York is one of those cities where the best experiences can often be unplanned!

Tuesday 1 February 2011

New York and New York Hotels; a Big State


There’s more to New York than the Big Apple
When thinking of staying in New York and starting to research New York hotels, many people think of New York and simply envision towering skyscrapers, the Statue of Liberty, yellow taxi cabs and Broadway...but of course there is a lot more to New York than the city! New York is an entire state in its own right. New York has eleven different regions including many famous places such as The Catskill Mountains, the Niagara Frontier, the Hudson Valley and the Thousand Islands. All of these amazing places are more than worthy of exploration and anyone who is in the lucky position of planning a holiday in New York should be aware of just how much this State has to offer. Larger New York hotels are often of high quality especially city centre venues, choose carefully according to the areas of this beautiful state that you want to include in your itinerary.

New York Hotels and the Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains have long been a popular haven for city-weary New Yorkers with many wonderful resorts and hotels in the region. In fact it is so synonymous with holidays that the area has featured often in movies which are set in resorts such as Dirty Dancing and Casper Meets Wendy were both set in Catskills resorts and many other movies are made there due to the stunning scenery and quaint villages such as Palenville which is a small hamlet with less than two thousand residents. This stunning village was an important artist’s community during the nineteenth century and a wonderful art gallery and a regular summer festival are still keeping the artistic spirit alive in this special place. New York hotels which allow you to travel to Palenville are a great bet and this is a friendly, pretty place which is well worth a trip.

The Thousand Islands and New York Hotels
Stretching across fifty miles down the Saint Lawrence River are a large number of islands, over 15.000 in number and varying in sized they are a fascinating place to visit if you are staying in one of the many great New York Hotels nearby. Some of the islands are in Canadian territory whilst others are in the State of New York and thus are part of U.S.A. territory.  The islands are very varied in size and whilst some boast a single residence others are forty mile across with a number of homes and other buildings. Many people choose the Thousand Islands for camping trips and it is a great place for water sports. In the last two centuries the islands were very popular amongst rich New Yorkers and grand hotels and homes were built here, one which is open to visitors is the famous Boldt Castle which was built by George Boldt the proprietor of The Waldorf Astoria, he designed an amazing six storey castle which was never completed in his lifetime and which sadly fell into ruins soon after his death. The Boldt Castle was however rescued in the late nineteen seventies by authorities who have invested huge sums in repairing and renovating the building. Staying in any one of the amazing New York hotels in this region will give you access to this beautiful place and boat tours are a wonderful way to take in some of the amazing sights of the Thousand Islands