Saturday, July 4, 2009

Eco Resorts in Central America

With the recent "green movement" eco travel and eco resorts are quickly increasing in popularity. Hotels around the world are adopting "greener" practices like linen reuse programs and energy saving light bulbs. Taking a vacation to an eco resort is just as appealing as an extravagant trip to Paris.

One particularly popular destination for eco travel is Central America. Countries like Costa Rica and El Salvador beckon travelers with lush tropical forests, indigenous animals and plants, beautiful beaches and many other natural wonders to explore. Costa Rica is well known for its exotic environment, but El Salvador is a lesser traveled area that is also home to beautiful scenery and a few charming eco resorts perfect for those who seek to mix luxury travel with eco travel.

La Barra de Santiago is a small town located on the Santiago Peninsula with long sandy banks created by the currents of the estuary. It is not a highly populated area, with only a few locals and surfers enjoying the beach life. The area attracts nature lovers as there is much to see. A short walk will take you to the tip of the peninsula, giving you a view of the volcanic mountain chain from the Volcan de Agua in Guatemala all the way to the Santa Ana and Izalco volcano in El Salvador.

This charming area is home to the eco resort La Cocotera, a secluded beach front hotel in El Salvador. It is a notable eco resort because it was built using local natural materials such as palm fronds, sustainable teak wood, plant vines, natural stone and hand woven fabrics.

What is an Eco Resort?

More than just a haven for the discerning traveler, eco resorts often sponsor eco programs like Turtle Release Programs. With these programs, travelers have the opportunity to aid in safely releasing newly hatched sea turtles into the ocean. Since El Salvador has many endangered creatures, resorts sometimes sponsor species reintroduction program. La Cocotera sponsors one such program for the Scarlet Macaw, a bird that has been extinct in El Salvador for over 50 years.

An eco resort is a hotel or accommodation that is built and operated using natural and/or environmentally safe materials and methods. Typically, eco resorts also support the local people, culture and environment. La Cocotera was built following the "green leaf" system utilized by the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). Some examples of its eco features are the use of solar energy, energy saving light bulbs/ kinesthetic power flashlights, biological (not chemical) waste water recycling treatment plant, environmentally safe products, shampoos, soaps and cleaning products, a recycling program, and ionization pool filtration rather than chemical pool cleaning.

Central America is a highly sought after destination because of its stunning natural environment. While staying at an eco resort in Central America, guests and adventurers not only have the opportunity to relax in an unparalleled environment, they also have the opportunity to engage in exciting activities such as hiking in El Imposible National Park, kayaking, surfing, bird watching and deep sea fishing. Hopefully, with so much to be learned and gained by eco travelers, the green industry will continue to thrive.

Exploring Marco Island Beach Resorts - Find Out What Florida Has to Offer

Finally, the sun is rising earlier, setting later making for longer days, and summer is quickly approaching. If you will include the Sunshine State in your travel plans this year, you'll find that Marco Island beach resorts are top-notch. Three of these, The Charter Club on Marco Beach, Eagle's Nest on Marco Beach, and Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa, are some of the best in the state.

Marco Island is the largest of all the Ten Thousand Islands just off the south end of Florida's west coast and measures four by six miles. Surrounded by the deliciously warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, you'll find these resorts along the pure white sand beaches, which only highlight the area's breathtaking natural beauty.

Eagle's Nest

Right on South Collier Boulevard's beach, you can find Eagle's Nest, which is a timeshare or interval ownership beachfront condo. However, you don't have to purchase a timeshare to enjoy the lazy afternoons hosted by the resort. You can rent a two-bedroom tower unit or a one or two bedroom villa for $255-$395 per day. You can also get special weekly rates.

Vacationers staying at the Eagle's Nest find no shortage of activities or amenities. Large lanais, kitchens, and dining areas make the units comfortable. Options such as the pool, dual spas, sauna, fitness club, beach chair/umbrella rentals, tennis courts, family games, and nearby golf course ensure you can enjoy the beautiful summer sun. If you would like to try out the water, there is tubing, scuba diving, sailing, parasailing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, and a number of island cruises to choose from.

The Charter Club

For a fee that ranges between $286 and $463 per day, you can enjoy the Charter Club also located on South Collier Boulevard. Another of the Marco Island beach resorts with timeshare ownership, this resort feature relaxing two-bedroom condo units.

The Charter Club was created with the entire family in mind. There are a variety of family games, an adult and children's pool, spa, dual tennis courts, golf, beach chair and umbrella rentals as well as numerous water sports rentals.

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort And Spa

With daily rates ranging from $2,000 to $239, the Hilton has a room to fit almost any budget. You have your choice of two-bedroom penthouse suites and a number of rooms with stunning views of the gulf or junior gardens.

Three restaurants located right there offer fine dining, light breakfasts, and even casual poolside lunches. With a belly filled with the area's delicious tastings, you can enjoy an afternoon on the links at the local golf course, enjoy the pool and luxury spas, water sports, and get the children involved in some of the locally held activities.

All of these Marco Island beach resorts are conveniently located next to many of the area's favorite activities including shopping, fine and casual dining, world-class golf courses, and recreation for everyone regardless of age. When you choose to stay at Marco Island beach resorts, you know there is nothing but tropical Florida fun and golden sunshine in your future.

Monaco - Cheap But Trendy Hotels in Monte Carlo

Monaco is a spectacular country in Europe located between the Mediterranean and foot of the Southern Alps. It is the world's smallest French-speaking country. Monaco is the place where a number of cheap hotels are located. One of its administrative areas is Monte Carlo.

Monte Carlo is an ideal destination for a romantic vacation where many tourists choose to stay on cheap hotels but with superb accommodation. Below is a list of inexpensive hotel options in Monte Carlo.

Port Palace Hotel - The Stein Group Hotels
The Port Palace is a boutique hotel overlooking Monte Carlo harbor. It is a six storey white colored hotel with 50 rooms and suites. Hotel interiors were made by Leila Manchari with light, bright fabrics and contemporary furnishings.

General room amenities include a minibar, DVD player, rollaway beds, housekeeping, hypo-allergenic beddings, multi-line phones, and a private bathroom. Other personal amenities are walk-in showers, spa tubs, bathrobes, designer toiletries, sewing kit, slippers and a desk.

The hotel has a contemporary restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can enjoy wines, snacks and cocktails in the lobby bar via 24-hour service. Healthy options include a fitness room, yoga class and a Turkish bath or sauna.

Businesses traveler are able stay connected via wireless internet access and by availing of the conference rooms for meetings and functions. Other services are currency exchange, 24-hour front desk, valet parking and dry cleaning.

Port Palace has two different museums; one is for the collection of early and vintage automobiles and the other for paraphernalia of the environment, culture and Cote d'Azur's inhabitant's lifestyle.

Hotels' nearby attractions are the Monaco Harbor (300 meters), Musee de Anthropologie Prehistorique (450 meters), Casino (450 meters), Jardin Japonais (500 meters), Prince's Castle (700 meters0 and the Jardin Anumalier (500 meters).

Hotel Terminus Monaco
The Hotel Terminus Monaco is an eight story building located in 9th Avenue, Prince Pierre. The place is alongside the harbor and 500 meters away from the Prince Palace.

The hotel has 54 guestrooms designed in a Provencal-style furnishing with safety box for security. Bathrooms are equipped with showers and tubs. Guests are provided with bathrobes and slippers.

Diners can enjoy delicious foods at La Sarriette and La Corail bar. Business amenities offer an audio-visual equipments and conference facilities that accommodate 60 persons. Currency exchange and shoe shine are also available.

The hotel is close to main transports such as the Old city, the train station at 50 meters, Nice Airport at 25 kilometers, Japanese Garden and Casino at 1 kilometer.

Le Meridien Beach Plaza
Le Meridien Beach Plaza is a four star hotel located close enough to the Mediterranean waters. The hotel features 403 guestrooms and 66 of them features a stunning view of the sea. White marbles and blue crystal sculpture features the main lobby.

Rooms are decorated in a Mediterranean style with a contemporary design. All rooms contain desks, minibars with sliding door balconies that overlook the Princess Grace Avenue. Pets are also welcome.

Savor the delicious foods at the L'intempo restaurant that offers Mediterranean dishes made by Chef Emmanuel Lehrer. Champagnes and cigars are available at L'intempo Bar and the Le Sea Club that accommodates up to 2,000 people.

The hotel also features in-house facilities like the outdoor pool, fitness center, saunas, gym, a gift shop, a beauty salon and business center.

All these hotels offers an air conditioned rooms with cable TV, hairdryer, an internet access and services like babysitting, wake-up calls and electronic keys.

Monte Carlo is the most remarkable jewel that offers a rich history and trendy designed hotels. These hotels are among the best choices for families with a tight budget.

Cancun Rental Vacation Home in Mexico

If you think getting a hotel room in Cancun, Mexico is an expensive affair during the holiday season, then rental vacation homes can be a better option for people with limited budget. And what can be better than a home away from home, equipped with well-furnished kitchen and all the other basic amenities, that even assures you and your family much needed privacy.

1) These Vacation Rental Homes in Cancun, Mexico are preferred because of their privacy. Guests don't have to adhere to the hotel timings which can come in their way of enjoyment & relaxation. After all, you are on vacation and don't want to be bound to a clock.

2) If you have planned your vacation along with your friends or family and relatives, a vacation rental home in Cancun can be the best and a practical option. The cost of staying can be split amongst group and you can enjoy the best time of your life with your near & dear ones.

3) Generally, a home is situated in a residential neighborhood. Thus, the ambience & setting makes you feel like a local resident. Whereas, a hotel may not exude the charm & culture of Mexico.

4) In comparison to a hotel, where you have to shell money for every room, entire vacation rental home is booked for a flat fee. Hence, a vacation home is much more economical than a hotel for large groups.

5) Usually a resort is vast and expansive and keeping an eye on your family members, especially kids can ruin parent's peace of mind. A rental vacation home is in contrast is much more secure compared and private.

6) A Vacation rental has a living room, bedrooms and other spaces like private pool, balcony, lounge etc. assuring you more space and hence freedom. However, these features are not available in hotel rooms.

7) Most vacation rental homes have kitchens equipped with stoves, oven, micro-wave and refrigerator enabling you to cook your favorite meal. Whereas in a hotel you will have to depend on room service or hotel restaurants for food and beverages. Therefore, hotel can be an expensive proposition.

8) Since a vacation rental home is just like a second home, you can enjoy the exotic destinations, without being straddled with the responsibilities of house keeping chores.

9) There is a wide range of choice available. A guest can choose from Villas, Condos, Cottages, condo hotels to budget homes, while selecting your vacation rental home in Mexico. You can go for best option depending on the area, location, amenities etc.

If you have in past tried just hotel rooms for your stay in Mexico, I will definitely advise you to give Cancun Vacation Homes Rental a try. I am sure they will provide you an experience that you and your family will never forget. Rental vacation homes are just like home but the crucial difference is that you are in an exotic destination and can relax away from city's fats paced life and bond with your wife and kids.

Author: Tom Budniak

Affina Hotels in New York

Affina hotels are specially designed to suit modern lifestyle and all kinds of travel preferences. All these hotels in New York are conveniently located and are easily accessible for all. These hotels provide contemporary business facilities with comforts and luxuries of home.

Some of the best Affina hotels in New York are:

1. Affina Manhattan Hotel

This hotel is located near the Ex-Southgate tower opposite Penn station. This hotel is just a few minutes away from Madison Square Garden on the west side of Midtown Manhattan. It provides incomparable access to transportation, famous city attractions, shopping centers and Broadway Theaters. This hotel offers several world class services including a fitness center, a business center and meeting facilities. They provide you with spacious rooms furnished with some of the finest conveniences and the custom designed beds to provide you with absolute comfort and relaxation. Normal services include air conditioning, hair dryer and cable TV.

2. Affina Dumont hotel

It is located in New York City. This is like a heaven for those who have ever dreamed to live in a paradise apartment. This is a posh New York apartment. Staying in this hotel is like a homely experience for all. They have large suites to accommodate five people. They have best of products in their washrooms. The hotel is absolutely super clean without any sort of trash items. If you love the local cuisine then the on-site restaurant is a great choice for you and your family to have the all three meals of the day. Everything they offer you is for an affordable price. The hotel is nearby empire state building which is a famous place for all the tourists.

3. Affina 50 hotel

The hotel is centrally located and close to a number of famous attractions of New York. The famous attractions located nearby are 5th Avenue Building and United Nations Building. The hotel provides a great link for all kinds of transportation facilities and is easily accessible to famous bars and restaurants. All the guestrooms are relaxing and comfortable with an endless list of free services. A custom designed bed is one of the best features of the luxury suit in this hotel. This paradise hotel is an ideal destination for both vacation and business travelers.

If you are in the New York City don't forget to check out the Affina hotels which can really enhance your fun and comfort level!

Hotels in Las Vegas - A Brief History

Back in the early days of Las Vegas and long before it became one of the most popular tourist destination in the world, hotel choices were few and far between. Today, all that has changed. And it has changed in dramatic fashion.

Each new resort that sprouts up on or near the Las Vegas strip has to offer something spectacular in order to compete with all the others. All or competing for your business, so it's best to check out several before settling in on one.

The earliest period of growth for Las Vegas as a tourist destination happened back in the 1930's and 40's. That was when major hotels in Las Vegas began to dot the landscape here.

On what has since become the famous Vegas strip, there were those early casino resorts like the Dunes and the El Rancho. Later, along Fremont Street, along came the Golden Nugget, the Mint, and Binion's Horseshoe. Next in line and back on the strip was the Flamingo, Sahara and Frank Sinatra's favorite hangout, the Sands Hotel and Casino, which remained open until late November 1996.

These days the Vegas resorts are bigger and better than ever. As Las Vegas continues to grow in popularity as a vacation destination, so too have the resorts. They've increased in number and size, as well as in the range of choices available.

You could choose from the many accommodations on and around the strip and have a great time. But the hardest decision to make today is settling in on one resort. The best choices these days for comfort and amenities in a beautiful and luxurious setting include the Bellagio, Wynn, Encore, Venetian, Palazzo, Trump, Ceasars Palace and Mandalay Bay. But there's also the MGM Grand, Luxor and Mirage that are right up there too.

The major Las Vegas hotels of today are massive in size, which leads to an almost never-ending variety. Most have multiple bars, coffee shops and restaurants. The MGM Grand for example, features 17 different eateries, including those carrying the names of world-class chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck.

Resort casinos are spacious, elegantly-decorated rooms with plush seating in a comfortable environment. Every major hotel also boasts at least one pool, relaxing spa, exclusive shopping and an unequaled quality of entertainment.

There is little doubt that when you think hotels Las Vegas - you are thinking of much more than just a place to sleep. These mammoth resorts one of the big reasons why Vegas has become such a popular destination for vacation and business travelers alike.

A Simple Guide to Blackpool Accommodation

Visiting Blackpool is something everybody born in the UK has or will do at least once in their life. You are simply not British if you have not been to Blackpool, bought a stick or rock or eaten chips walking down the Promenade. However if you are young and your parents have never taken you well don't worry because your bound to end up in a holidays in Blackpool on either a stag night or hen night. In the USA these are called bachelor or bachelorette parties and usually end up with copious amounts of alcohol being consumed and everyone having a great time whilst the 'intended' celebrates their last few nights of freedom.

Holidays in Blackpool can be range from a day trip to a holiday lasting a week or even a fortnight. However we would like to make sure that visiting Blackpool is a pleasant visit and not ruined by you Blackpool accommodation or area your staying in.

For Families & Older Couples
Families with kids no matter what age should ALWAYS stay in south shore. This is seen as the quieter end of Blackpool and is to be honest where the world famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach is situated. The central part of town is seen as the party capital of England with its various pubs, bars and disco's open until early in the morning. If a Blackpool Short break is what your after or you have kids.

However don't think that because you are in South Shore you are going to miss anything. A tram or bus will get you into town at anytime day or night to see the other piers and Blackpool Tower, alternatively you can stroll the promenade perhaps the most famous in the world and certainly the first to be lit by electric light and be in central Blackpool in 20 to 25 minutes. South Shore still has its own pier though with a number of white knuckle rides even more outrageous than the Pepsi Max big one and there are plenty of dining options including 3 large pubs where families are welcome these includes one Wetherspoons outlet called The Auctioneer famous for its low prices and good value food and drink.

Couples
The above applies equally as well to couples unless you are seriously into the clubbing scene in which case you should opt to stay in central or North Blackpool. This will afford you the flexibility of a short stagger from your entertainment venue to your bed in the wee hours of the morning.

If you are looking for some quiet, romantic quality time then consider South Shore, as within it and a short walk from all accommodation is the world famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach, South Pier and the Sandcastle Waterpark complex. 3 Of the most popular attractions in Blackpool if not in the whole of the United Kingdom.

You can always hit the nightlife In the town centre either central or north shore and grab a taxi back where you can pretty much guarantee a quiet night's sleep. Alternatively two of Blackpool's three casino's are located in South Shore one of which the G Casino has an award winning dining experience where children are very definitely not admitted. Unlike the James Bond films you won't be expected to wear a dinner jacket for entry neither will you have to bet thousands on the tables. In the G Casino for example you are welcome to drink at the bar observe what goes on at the gaming tables or watch the sports channels on the huge screens. There is no pressure for you to gamble if you choose not to. The bar has a wide selection of beers and wines from around the world and quality vocal entertainment is often laid on over weekends or holiday days.

The Stags and Hens
If you are down for a stag night or hen night or maybe a load of you want to escape for the weekend then you should aim directly for Blackpool accommodation up in centre of town. This is because you will probably get a better deal and you will more than likely get accepted to stay. In the last few years these sorts of parties have created a bad name for Blackpool with some loutish and overtly sexual behaviour in front of minors and subsequently have a low tolerance level amongst the townspeople and the Police. As such the more quality establishments will refuse to accommodate large all male or female or even mixed parties. There are specific travel operators in the town that will deal with these types of parties and will search you out suitable accommodation and or daytime activities such as go carting, paintball or a multitude of others.

Simply use your old friend Google with the search term 'stags and hens in Blackpool' and you will be spoilt for choice. Don't forget if you deal with a specialised travel firm then you will have a much greater chance of your party all being accommodated together.

When Booking Your Accommodation
When you are on the phone to the B&B in Blackpool or Guesthouse or even your hotel make sure you ask the following questions.

Are there any meters in the room? (Some places still have electricity meters)
Do you have to pay extra for the Television? (Does it have a meter)
Is their Tea & Coffee making facilities? (and are these included in the price)
Is the Room En-Suite? (With shower or bath you would be surprised the number of providers in Blackpool who do not provide the basic necessities)

What time is Breakfast? And when do you have to check out by?

Also enquire if they are able to provide you with a parking space. Many B&B's cannot and where they can may charge you for this service. Public car parks in Blackpool can cost up to £12 sterling per day.

We hope this information is of some use to you and that you will take our advice and book carefully.

Hotels Accommodations:

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