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Hotels Accommodation Selecting a Hotel that is Right for You

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One of the most challenging aspects of planning a trip to an unfamiliar destination is the booking of your hotels accommodation. When you try to search for the ideal hotel, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of hotels that vie for your attention.

Selecting a hotel that suits your expectations is important to get the most out of your entire trip, as a good hotel can complement your visit with the right amenities and location. Also, expensive hotels may not always be the best choices when it comes to good service and convenience as there have been great improvements in hotel standards all around. Hence, some research is needed to select the hotel that is right for you, with the following helpful tips below to aid your search.

Setting your hotel budget

Setting a budget for your trip should involve deciding how much of it would go towards spending on your accommodation. This would help you to shortlist an accommodation type which you would be most comfortable with, whether it is cheap budget hotels or more expensive four and five-star hotels. Thus, it would be much easier to continue your hotel search within this smaller field.

Besides looking at the room rates of various hotels, you should also bear in mind their inclusions (or lack thereof) in the room rates to get a more accurate picture of what exactly you are paying for. These inclusions can be meals, facility use, in-house movies or parking fees, to name a few.

Choosing a good location

Choosing a good location for your hotel is essential for getting the most out of your hotel stay. Before doing so, do consider the purpose of your visit. If your visit comprises mostly of sightseeing or business in a certain area, you can consider choosing a hotel in the vicinity. This would help you to save on potentially expensive commuting costs. Staying near public transport networks is also a good idea if you rely heavily on public transport for travel.

Another factor that you may like to consider is the noise levels of the hotels surroundings. If you would like to relax in a quieter environment, do consider a location further from the main traffic and nightlife areas to enjoy an uninterrupted nights rest.

Considering what amenities you need

When booking your hotel, you should also consider what kinds of amenities you need that would be helpful to your trip and which ones you are willing to forego. This will assist in your hotel selection such that you only choose the one that provides you with the most convenience.

For example, you might want to consider a hotel with 24-hour room service if you wish to satisfy your hunger at night without purchasing many snacks. If easy accessibility to the airport or downtown areas is what you need, you might wish to consider a hotel with shuttle services to these areas.

The range of amenities in the hotel should also meet your needs, so be sure to check if it has gyms, spas, swimming pools, conference facilities or other facilities that you need. Lastly, an important consideration when you are bringing your family on your travels is whether the hotel has family-friendly amenities and services such as childrens activity or day care centres and swimming pools for children.

Information Technology In Hospitality Industry

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Traditionally, hotels were largely dependent on cards and paperwork at the front desk to keep in touch with old and current customers. They were largely at the mercy of the desires of vacationers to arrive, and on their own efforts and staff to be ready for potential surges or long droughts of occupancy. Luckily, such inconvenience and old-fashioned methods are long since past, thanks to advances in information technology.

The first area in which information technology became important was in regards to billing. Old-fashioned paper-based book-keeping was time consuming and inefficient, and was not able to quickly tell a hotel owner what the situation of their hotel was. Luckily, advances in modern record keeping allow for a hotel owner to keep track of what they have on hand, how much of it they have, and how much it costs. Accounting is complicated, but advanced accounting software, especially that tailored to the unique needs of the hospitality industry, helps to enable hotel owners to make smart decisions. Services and products that are no longer used can be quickly cut off to save money, while those who show demand can be increased in quantity or modified so as to reduce the heavy usage.

Most hotels are familiar with booking rooms and reservations over the phone, but information technology has expanded well beyond that. Hotels can now work with various online travel companies and booking services to have their rooms booked online, with no need to employ expensive staff. This also allows a hotel to advertise their open rooms and special deals directly to persons who would be most likely to purchase them, instead of wasting lots of money advertising in an unfocused manner. High quality information technology thus allows for better arrangement and management of bookings in order to allow a hotel to better maximize occupancy, and to know in advance when large groups or lean times are approaching. This allows a hotel manager to make plans regarding temporary staff, good times to renovate or expand, or other concerns, because he/she can determine the state of their hotel currently and for the next few months with only a few clicks on the computer.

The advances in information technology extend well beyond booking, however. The internet is essential for vacationers who wish to contact those back home, and for those traveling on business to get in touch with the office. Therefore, wireless internet has become a very common and very useful service for hotels to provide. Many business minded persons even require that a hotel offer internet services so that they can keep working while on the road. Luckily, such services are easy to provide, as all that is required is a wireless router and various devices to ensure the entire hotel is filled with the network. Modern advances in wireless internet also allow for the wireless internet provided for hotel visitors to be used to network the hotel itself. Security cameras, door locks, and other devices essential to hotel security and safety can be wired into the network, so that staff are alerted whenever a door is propped open, a fire alarm goes off or suspicious activity occurs. Though the hotel guests are wholly unaware of it, this sort of added safety and security keeps them safe, and in the event of a problem they will most certainly appreciate the benefits of such a system.

As advanced as it is, information technology in the hospitality industry is still going forward. Intelligent booking systems enable rapid and efficient guest feedback, along with the ability to predict who is likely to use the hotel again and inform them via e-mail or text messages when good deals arrive. Hotels with room service or other guest services can offer their menus online, allowing for quick updates, high-quality photos, and other ways to allow guests to see and order services before they even arrive. There are also advances in terms of payroll and inventory which make information technology a valuable asset for saving money and maximizing profits. The unique nature of the hospitality industry makes it a great place for new and emerging information technology, and forward-thinking hotel owners and managers are always looking for smart equipment and software to invest in.

Hotels Guide – Part 2 of 4

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Classification and hotels reservation

Regarding Italy, law differentiates the hotel services in:

– hotels: receptive services open to the public, with unitary administration providing lodging, possibly food and other accessory services, thanks to the reservation of rooms in hotels; – motel: hotels particularly equipped for the stop and services of vehicles or crafts assuring them repair services and fuel supply; – villages hotel: hotels that, in a single area, give centralized services to users of residence units located in more establishments.

This distinction, besides substituting the traditional structure among hotels, pensions, and inns, cancels the distribution in the traditional categories (from first to fourth), and hold the same rules regarding reservation of rooms in hotels. The law stipulates that hotels be marked, in descending order, from 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 star.

The enclosed denomination “luxury” is also stipulated, for five-stars hotels classified according to typical standards of international class.

Local authorities must fix the criteria for the classification of the receptive structures keeping in mind the dimensions, the structural requirements, the services offered and the qualification of specialists, the criteria and modalities in the reservation of rooms.

The law limited itself to set down the minimum requirements that should have the receptive services to be classified as hotels. They are:

– receptive capacity not lower than seven rooms; – presence of at least a hygienic service for every ten beds; – a bathroom with hot and cold current water for each room; – a room for common use; – technological facilities and an appropriate amount of qualified specialists for the running of the installation.

To determine the categories of hotels, that is, to assign the adequate number of stars, it’s used a punctuation expressing the quality of the best offerings of the facilities, the services the hotels are able to guarantee, the location, etc.

Also in this case, as explained before for travel agencies, local laws are quite uniform and use very similar features, as well as for the reservation of rooms. They dispose, for one-star hotels to have characteristic for which at least thirty points must have been assigned, for two-stars at least eighty points, until the 340 points of five-stars luxury hotels. The private bathroom in all the rooms vouches 30 points, if 90% of the rooms is endowed with bathroom 25 points must be assigned, if the rooms with bathroom are the 70% the points must be 20, etc. The night porter vouches 10 points, as well as the 24-hours room services; direct line telephone in each room gives 8 points, the same thing for the telex; color television in each room accounts 5 points, black and white television 4; for the covered pool 10 points, the uncovered one 5; and so forth.

The classification of hotels is made on the request of the hotel itself, which should indicate, in its application, the punctuation reached, result of the sum of parameters they offer.

World Class Hotels Near Chennai Airport

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Chennai is often termed as the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. Today this buoyant metropolis is a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. One can find number of good cheap hotels in Chennai with all basic amenities such as a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, a safe, a mini-bar with snack foods and drinks. They offer a regal combination of royal ambience and contemporary world class luxury, with a touch of softness and indulgence. The hotels of the city of Chennai provide quick and crisp service for smart travellers seeking hassle-free and contemporary experiences. They provide an array of standard facilities, remarkable services and homely comfort to its guests. The hotel with its intricate design, modern and traditional design creates a unique in-room experience. Business centre with all mega features such as wi-fi, internet, fax and photocopy, video conferencing etc makes your trip surely convenient and successful.

The state of the art facilities of the Hotels near Chennai Airport blend style and comfort to create a memorable event. The easy connectivity to the airport and accessibility to the major corporate offices makes it a popular location for business traveller. A unique blend of conventional and modern thoughts, the hotel is surely a surprise package for travel lovers. Keeping in mind the number of tourist visits the city in a day the staff of hotels are all well behaved and trained. Visitors from far off places are overwhelmed by the warm and pleasant service they receive at the hotel. Few of the hotels have shopping facility displaying special antique, cultural items, handicrafts for gift purpose. The dining options at the hotel provide a great opportunity to savour cuisines from around the globe. The hotels of the city of Chennai provide quick and crisp service for smart travellers seeking hassle-free and contemporary experiences. They provide an array of standard facilities, remarkable services and homely comfort to its guests. The hotel with its intricate design, modern and traditional design creates a unique in-room experience. Business centre with all mega features such as wi-fi, internet, fax and photocopy, video conferencing etc makes your trip surely convenient and successful.

Hotels with good infrastructure and efficient service are easily available across the city within the reach of the tourists. The hotel with its artistic ambience will surely enchant you all through your stay. There are various Ayurveda spa and resort offering an array of spa treatments for the much needed holistic inner peace. Cheap hotels in Chennai also offer facilities like baby sitting, currency exchange, direct dial STD/ISD, and a mini-bar making your trip cherished in true sense. Once you enter the hotel you will be experience the limitless hospitality, the premium characteristics of the hotel. There are various types of guest rooms and suites which allows the valued guests a choice to suit their taste. Hotels near Chennai Airport boasts of world class facilities and amenities that ensure guests of a relaxing and comfortable stay. With cosy accommodations and super warm hospitality, the stay at the hotel will be surely worth remembering.

Top 5 Hotels With Underwater Rooms

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Fancy spending a luxury holiday in a room with a view? How about an underwater room? With the establishment of the following luxury resorts, your dreams have been made a reality. Welcome to the modern age, where anything is possible. These are our Top 5 destinations around the world with underwater rooms.

1. Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
For the ultimate in relaxing vacations, Huvafen Fushi resort offers 43 overwater bungalows decorated in sleek lines and minimalist colours.

In 2004 the hotel owners took this concept to a whole new level and constructed two underwater treatment rooms for Huvafen Fushi’s Lime Spa. These treatment rooms reflect the spa’s philosophy, that ‘water is the equilibrium and elixir of life.’ The spa complex is laid out in a series of bungalows, with the underwater rooms accessible via a staircase.

If you can’t manage to get a reservation, don’t panic. Huvafen Fushi’s other spa-treatment rooms have glass-bottomed floors so you can still gaze off into the deep.

2. Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo
The Jules’ Undersea Lodge, named for science fiction author Jules Verne, is the only undersea hotel currently in existence. To enter the lodge, guests must scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface, swimming past all manner of marine life on their way.

This destination is aimed at avid scuba divers. Thus, the decor focuses on functionality, as opposed to extravagance. There are two guest rooms and a common room which doubles as a galley, dining and entertainment area.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the underwater rooms, but for something a little bit extra, guests can request the services of a “mer-chef” who dives down to the hotel to prepare and serve a gourmet dinner.

3. The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa
The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is spread over two islands and is famed for its overwater villas, each a massive 1,600 square feet in size and featuring their own private sun decks and outdoor Jacuzzis. Also available are spa villas, which have their own private treatment room with sea views.

But to truly experience the treasures of the deep guests can book a table at Ithaa, an all-glass, underwater restaurant. Ithaa is situated five metres below sea level. Diners enter from an overwater platform so they never even get their feet wet. The room has a domed glass ceiling and 180 degrees views of the sea, with accommodation for 12 diners.

To cap off a truly aquatic experience guests can head to the spa, which is built on stilts 110 yards out to sea.

4. Hydropolis, Dubai
Scheduled for completion late 2009, Hydropolis will be the world’s first luxury underwater hotel. Architect Joachim Hauser’s futuristic vision is taking shape 20 metres below the surface of the Persian Gulf, just off the Jumeirah Beach coastline in Dubai.

The original idea for Hydropolis developed out of the architect’s passion for the sea. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares.

This undersea resort even features a children’s SeaWorld.

5. Atlantis the Palm, Dubai
Today, the Atlantis holds the prime spot on the outer rim of the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that juts from the coast of Dubai.

The 1539-room Atlantis consists of two towers, a conference centre, a spa, a private beach and the water park. Taking the mythological sunken island of Atlantis as its theme the resort aims for the wow factor right from the start, with terraced water gardens at the entry and an ornate, high-vaulted lobby.

The Neptune and Poseidon suites, which face that three-story aquarium, have private floor-to-ceiling underwater views from the bedrooms. If guests are unable to tear themselves away from watching the 65,000 marine animals, a 24-hour private butler is available to serve refreshments.

Then there are the Lost Chambers Suites – with bed and bath views directly into the underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon.