Tag Archive | hotels

The Top Hotels When You Stay In Tokyo

tokyo_towerChoosing the right hotel can make all the difference to your enjoyment of any journey, whether it is a holiday or for business purposes, and Tokyo has a wide variety of different hotels available.  For such a large city with a significant financial district, many of the hotels in Tokyo do cater to the business market, but we have considered a number of factors when picking out our favorites.  Hotels in Japan do tend to have smaller rooms than can be found elsewhere around the world, with economy of space being especially at a premium in Tokyo.

The Park Hyatt Hotel

This is a hotel that has been made famous due to its appearance in a movie, but it is the high standard of the service and the exquisite rooms that make this hotel one of the best five star hotels in the city.  The hotel itself takes up the top fourteen floors of the ShinjukuParkTower, and standing way above the surrounding streets the hotel is actually quite peaceful considering it is right at the heart of one of Tokyo’s most popular shopping districts.  The hotel also boasts some superb views over the city and beyond, with Mount Fuji visible on a clear day.

The film ‘Lost in Translation’ actually takes place in the hotel, and while the views from the bar in the hotel are superb, the service and fittings are equally impressive.

The Conrad Hotel

Another of the luxury hotels that can be found in the city centre of Tokyo is the Conrad Hotel, and with its exceptional views over the bay it certainly is very attractive in terms of the location of the building.  For those using the hotel as a short stop before exploring the country, its transport links are also great being located very close to the Shiodome train station, which makes it easy to get to the airport.

However, it is the interior of the hotel which is really impressive, and with a stylish look in all of the rooms and a very high quality of furnishings, this is a very nice hotel to stay in.  The hotel also boasts two restaurants run by the famous chef Gordon Ramsay, with one offering formal dining and a second restaurant offering quality food in more relaxed surroundings.

Hotel Sunroute Plaza

Like many other hotels the SunroutePlaza is one that caters to a significant portion of business customers as well as leisure visitors.  Although the hotel is one that is much more competitively priced than the five star hotels above, the rooms are still reasonably sized and are very comfortable for an overnight visit.  The bar and restaurant are both reasonably priced and the food is fine, with an Italian restaurant too for those looking for something a bit different from the traditional Japanese fare.

The key feature with this hotel is that it is located right at the centre of Tokyo with good transport links, making it an ideal stop for those traveling on a budget.

Hotel Yanagibashi

For those who are looking for a real bargain when traveling to Tokyo, the rooms at the Hotel Yanagibashi are available at a very affordable price compared to some of the others on offer in the city.  As you would expect at the bargain end of the market the location of the hotel is a short distance from the city centre, but this can be quickly traveled on the subway.

For the hotel itself the rooms are compact but very comfortable, and because it is slightly out of the city centre it is in quite a quiet location too.  While it may not be the Conrad or the Park Hyatt in terms of luxury, this hotel is as good as you can get on a tight budget.

Amazing Hotels in Southeast Asia

South East Asia is a hive of activity and incredibly infectious hustle and bustle – and that’s why we love it! But now and again when visiting this fantastic region you need a dose of quiet and calm down-time to counteract the craziness. I know I have been feeling this way for a while, Asia can be so hectic with lots of noise and so many people. I decided to do some research on somewhere to get away from it all and thought you would like it. So, for a blissful, out-of-the-way experience, here are three of the best alternative places to stay for a chilled out luxury holiday to South East Asia.

Four Rivers Floating Lodge – Cambodia

Birdview from 4 Rivers Floating Eco-Lodge

Sitting on a secluded river bend and surrounded by pristine virgin forest, Four Rivers Floating Lodge is a place to discover un-spoilt Cambodia at its very best. Just 12 luxurious tented villas sit on the Tatai River – a four hour drive from Phnom Penh – and you can spend your days kayaking along the mangrove waterways and visiting local villages.

Tiger Blue – Indonesia

Tiger Blue

Without a doubt the ultimate way to explore the enchanting islands of the Indonesian archipelago, Tiger Blue is a luxurious 34 metre traditional sailboat perfect for following in the footsteps of early explorers. The boat takes a slightly different route depending on the time of year, taking in the Komodo National Park between March and September and the Spice Islands of the Banda Sea between October and December. There’s always a good time to go to Indonesia.

Six Senses Con Dao – Vietnam

Ocean_Front_Villa_pool

When you think of Vietnam you don’t always think of fantastic, un-touched beaches, but you should! Our favourite place to hide away in total luxury is the new Six Senses Con Dao resort located on the idyllic Con Dao Islands, a breathtaking archipelago featuring white powder beaches and warm crystal seas. Brilliant location, excellent food and high eco-credentials – what could be better?

Hotel in Olu Deniz

olu deniz

Olu Deniz is a fantastic holiday destination for families, couples and groups of all ages but it’s important to pick your hotel carefully; you don’t want all night parties next door while your children are trying to sleep or kids running around, dive-bombing the swimming pool on your romantic getaway. So we’ve put together a compilation of some of the best hotels in Olu Deniz to help you book the perfect accommodation for your Turkey holiday.

Hotels for families
The most popular family-friendly hotel in Olu Deniz according to TripAdvisor is Lykia World Olu Deniz. Not only is it a five star luxury hotel in a stunning area of the resort but reviewers have also commented on the amazing quality of the restaurant’s food, the beautiful hotel gardens and the 19 swimming pools so there’s something for all ages! Sometimes family holidays need to be a little less luxurious but still packed with action and this is where the Karbel Sun Hotel comes in. It’s just 300 metres from the famous Belcekiz beach, 100 metres from the centre of Olu deniz and the beautiful Blue Lagoon is only 10 minutes’ walk away so it’s perfect for being right in the centre of the resort and there’s a childrens’ pool and play area too so you can relax whilst the kids keep busy.

Hotels for groups
The best accommodation for lively groups is in the centre of the resort so hotels such as Tonoz Beach hotel (just 30m from the beach), Hotel Asena (100m from the beach) and the ATA Lagoon Hotel are great choices. TripAdvisor reviewers have picked the Belcehan Hotel as one of their top choices for groups and it’s easy to see why with its large pools, snack bar, restaurant and beautiful surroundings but if you want something a little quieter, the Olu Deniz Resort Hotel is worth a look.

Hotels for couples
LykiaWorld is also a popular choice for couples as the beautiful rooms, massage services, adult pools, quality restaurants and its position right next to the beach make for a perfect romantic holiday in the stunning Turkish sunshine but if you need something a little less pricey, the villa-style Dorian Hotel is a great choice. It has everything you need including large pool, beautiful gardens and entertainment programmes, but without the hefty price tag.

An Alternative to Hotels

holiday villa

Instead of booking an expensive hotel for your next holiday, consider saving money and booking a self-catering apartment or villa holiday as an alternative. An excellent rental option for long stays, group bookings and families, holiday apartments and villas are affordable and can help travellers feel at home away from home. Homey furniture, extra living space, privacy, kitchen facilities and private bedrooms make accommodation comfortable and these arrangements are usually cheaper than traditional hotels.

Some private residences come with private pools, recreation facilities and beachfront living. They can be as urban or as secluded as desired. An affordable and popular accommodation option in Europe, self catering apartments and villa options are becoming more and more common in the Caribbean, North Africa, and some parts of the United States.

Listings for apartments and villas are everywhere, from holiday house websites, to worldwide classified websites and even local newspapers for local holiday stays. Rural holidays, such as staying in restored farmhouses remodelled for holiday purposes in rustic areas, called agritourism lodges, are especially popular in Italy.

To make finding and renting apartments and villas even more affordable, Home Exchange allows the exchange of holiday rental property so registrants can swap holiday houses and go on holiday anywhere in the world. The Home Exchange network allows both parties to temporarily rent each other’s home at no cost, and can be a very creative and economical way to get free accommodation. Take precautions and develop a mutual trust relationship first before surrendering any keys.

If you are considering doing like this it is important to get references as the photos often look better than the home and it can be a bad experience if you arrive off a plane with jet lag and arrive to disappointment. It is also recommended to have an emergency number just in case the keys do not work or you have any difficulties.

But apartments and homes can be a great alternative to hotels and well worth exploring.