10 Best Romantic Islands Inns and Resorts

Looking for that ideal romantic hideaway this Valentine season? Whisk honey for that ideal romantic retreat at one of these lovey-dovey retreats.

Petit St. Vincent, Grenadines

The two hundred elegantly decorated cottages along the sun-kissed island in Caribbean offer an ideal setting and everything else that you need for that unforgettable romantic getaway.

The Inn on Peaks Island, Maine

The Inn is situated amidst all the fun and excitement of Casco Bay, two miles from downtown Portland. The Inn features six pleasantly furnished suites with fireplaces, private decks and spa tubs.

The Inn at Mama’s Fish House, Maui, Hawaii

Ideally located on Maui’s North Shore, the Inn has in store for couples a handful of cottages, equipped with great amenities.

The Collier Inn, Useppa Island, Florida

The 80-acre island on which the Inn is located is only accessible only by water and can be explored mostly by golf cart, contains neither cars nor roads. The Inn comprises seven antiques-filled suites.

Hotel del Coronado and Glorietta Bay Inn, Coronado Island, California

The beachfront hotel features thoughtfully appointed rooms in both the old and the new style.

English Country Garden B&B, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

The English Country Garden Bed & Breakfast provides comfortable and luxurious rooms which include a tiny, secluded log cottage with a porch overlooking a small lake.

Casita de Maya, Cozumel, Mexico

Casita de Maya provides the perfect headquarters for a getaway. The four rooms at the cottage feature beautifully appointed in earthy colors, open onto a pretty little courtyard with a pool.

MacKaye Harbor Inn, Lopez Island, Washington

The MacKaye Harbor Inn, in a huge restored farmhouse near the south end of the Lopez Island is a great place for your next romantic getaway.

A Water’s Edge Retreat, Kelleys Island, Ohio

The bed-and-breakfast features bright coral-and-aqua exteriors along with traditional and refined rooms.

Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island, Georgia

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel occupies the clubhouse and several other historic buildings, including a couple of the cottages, keeping up the standards splendidly.

Stay in Style at an Upgraded Hotel Room

Forget checking-in into a basic hotel room when you might be able to get a free upgrade? In today’s economic situation, many hotels are upgrading their customers to expensive rooms that too without an extra charge. These upgrades are based on availability and granted by desk clerk at the time of check-in.

The idea for providing guests with an upgraded room is to make the guests happy so they’ll return to the same hotel in better times. Some hotels are offering these upgrades to frequent guests only while others are still restricting who gets a free upgrade.

Get more details…

Hilton Brings Another Extended-Stay Hotel Brand

Hilton Hotels has recently announced that it’s launching a new brand, Hilton Hotels, especially for the young travelers looking for a budget extended-stay accommodation. According to the Homewood Suites, the new ‘Home2 Suites’ is a more affordable offshoot of Hilton’s existing extended-stay chain, Homewood Suites.

The hotel has been aesthetically designed for today’s younger, more design-conscious travelers. The hotel room rates would be around $100 a night in comparison to $120 at Homewood Suites, whose rooms are about 30% larger.

Feast Your Eyes at Hotels with Scenic Views

Stressed out? Looking for break away from the daily doldrums? Yes, you deserve a vacation! Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, professors of psychology at the University of Michigan have found that merely looking at the scenic vistas outside the glass door of the window can relieve you from the stress caused by multiple demands on your attention. By shifting focus on nature can help you restore your capacity to pay attention when effort is required. Keeping this in mind here is a list of some hotels, where you can enjoy some of the most brethtaking views:

Dreams Luxury Suites, Santorini: Sunset lovers can enjoy great views from the suites at this tiny hotel.

Armonia suites, London: The enormous Foivos and two-story Armonia suites in particular offer mesmerizing views of the water from its multiple balconies.

Oberoi Resorts Wildflower Hall near Shimla, India: Perched on a hill 8,350 feet above sea level, The Oberoi Resorts Wildflower Hall is a great vantage point over Himalayas with picturesque natural surroundings.

NamibRand Nature Reserve: The rooms at this 445-acre NamibRand Nature Reserve offer panoramic views of desert dunes, savannahs and vibrant rock-scapes.

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Traveling with a Group? Consider Renting a House

With downsizing economy and rising costs taking vacation with friends of family may seem to be a little too pricey. In such a situation, hotel alternatives such as rental houses and villas can be a good option to help you get a better stay experience. Sites such as vrbo.com, ownerdirect.com can help you find perfect option to fit in your family or the group you are traveling with.

These alternatives offer you more space than the traditional chain hotels. And with amenities such as a full kitchen, you don’t have to compromise with what’s available at your hotel’s restaurant. Everyone gets his or own personal space without being worrying about sharing your bathroom, in case you opted for a hotel.

You can easily hang out with other fellow travelers, anywhere you want; poolside, in the living area or just relax with homemade margaritas on the rooftop terrace. With such flexibility, rental homes are definitely a good option to traditional hotel room. Try renting on your next trip!

Budget Hotels: Check Out Newer and Better options

Most chain budget hotels offer travelers with great amenities as well as are located in the main suburbs, often close to the major chain hotels in the area offering you the best value for each dime spent on booking. In order to pull more travelers budget hotel brands such as Microtel Inns & Suites, Red Roof Inn, Days Inn etc. are offering travelers with better amenities and rewarding policies to make their stay more pleasurable!

Microtel Inns & Suites for example has come up with a chain-wide policy to “surprise and delight” those who check in. Other budget hotels too are offering guests with updated rooms and increased emphasis on personalized service. At a growing number of economy lodgings, free Wi-Fi and breakfast are also being offered. Budget hotel brands like Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn, also are renovating, giving a ’boutique approach to budget lodging,’ says Red Roof CEO Joe Wheeling.

Read out what’s new at chain budget hotels…

Budget Friendly Travel Tips

Budget travel may not be your cup of tea, but, with economy giving everyone a rough time, travelers are looking for more pocket-friendly means of travel. Here are some tips and tricks on planning as well as taking your next trip:

1. Grab hotel deals

In an effort to increase their bookings, many popular hotel chains are offering travelers significant deals. Fairmont hotels, for example, has slashed rates as much as 20 percent at more than 50 of its properties through April 15. Other hotels are also offering discounts such as free nights and savings packages. You’ll find the greatest values in destinations such as Las Vegas, Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico—places where tourism plays a vital role and rooms need filling.

2. Earn rewards for being a loyal customer

Most loyalty programs, including those of Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Wyndham have eliminated blackout dates for points redemption, so you can get free nights even during peak season.

3. Choose an all-inclusive package

Whether its hotels or cruises, choosing an all-inclusive package can mean significant savings. And there are some great bargains to be had out on the water right now. Crystal Cruises, for example is offering perks, such as stateroom upgrades and discounts as much as $2,000 on penthouse rooms on some Asian sailings.

4. Stay at rented house or apartment

For significant savings—and more square footage for your dollar—consider staying in a privately owned apartment or house on your next trip. Rental apartments and homes gives you that extra privacy and space that you don’t get a typical hotel room that too at lower rates.

5. Use your Flyer miles

This is the year to make use of your miles that you have accumulated over the past. With fewer people taking to the skies, your chances for redeeming miles could potentially increase. Most airlines start selling flights 330 days out, so using your miles as far in advance as possible increases the likelihood of getting an award seat. And if a flight isn’t full approximately two weeks before departure, the carrier will turn to frequent-flier customers to help fill the plane.

‘Travel + Leisure’ announces World’s Top Hotels

Travel + Leisure announced its annual list of the world’s top 500 hotel properties chosen by the readers. And the top 25 in amongst these are undoubtedly the familiar names that include: Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Oberoi, and Taj. There are also other familiar places: former maharajah’s palaces in India, chic hotels in the U.S., and the game reserves in South Africa all making it to the top.

Along with these familiar hotels, the list also includes a couple newcomers: the luxury log-cabin retreat of Triple Creek Ranch, in Darby, Montana; and the rustic-yet-posh Treetops Lodge and Estate, set on the volcanic plateau of Rotorua, New Zealand. Others appearing in the list include; Singita Sabi Sand resort in Kruger National Park Area, South Africa; Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Loire Valley, France and Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

See the Slideshow of Top 25

B&Bs Aiming for More Guests with Frequent-Stay Plans

Kendall Tavern Inn, Freeport, Maine

Over the years B&B’s has emerged as a nice and pocket-friendly lodging alternative for travelers on a tight budget. A number of B&Bs are now coming up with programs for rewarding the guests with frequent-stay plans. The Blue Door on Baltimore B&B, recently unveiled it’s a Frequent Traveler Program, one of a growing number of frequent-stay programs offered by B&Bs and inns. For every seven nights at the Blue Door, guests get a free weeknight.

As opposed to earlier, B&Bs are gradually emerging as a preferred destination for business travelers too. Roger Eberlin, the co-owner of Blue Door on Baltimore B&B estimates that around 40% of the guests staying at the B&B are business travelers. That’s not all!  By offering the lucrative Frequent-stay program to guests, they are also aiming at more repeat guests.

Along with  Blue Door on Baltimore B&B, there are many other B&B’s and Inns, trying to achieve much similar results. Following are some of them:

1. Jabberwock Inn, Monterey, Calif. – Get a free night for 10 paid nights

2. Kendall Tavern Inn. Freeport, Maine – On sixth stay, $25 off or $25 restaurant discount

3. Walnut Street Inn, Springfield, Mo. – Get $100 discount for 6 stays

4. The Texas White House, Fort Worth – Guests never pay more than rate paid for first stay

5. The Inn Above Onion Creek, Kyle, Texas – 50% discount every fifth stay

Read Here For More Details

CheapOair Offers Discount Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Bargain hunters can now book and save more on hotels with discount hotel deals on CheapOair.com! Each week, CheapOair receives special deals from around the world. This week you can grab the best ever prices for Las Vegas Hotels. No matter what your travel budget or desired hotel preference, CheapOair has deals for every traveler! So, don’t wait! Book now and save only through CheapOair.com.

Hotels Offer Relief from Stress of Summer Travel

Booming Construction Brings Out Bargains

When Pat Economos of La Grange Park, Ill., went looking for a quick golf getaway this summer, the first thing she did was call the Wisconsin resort she’d stayed at more than a decade ago. Back then, it cost $90 per person per night, which included a room, dinner and breakfast and unlimited golf.

This summer, however, the semi-retired purchasing agent was shocked to discover the rate was $250 per person — that is, until she inquired about midweek prices and was offered a nightly rate of $110. “I’ve always been budget minded,” she says, “and two nights midweek are costing us less than one night on the weekend.”

Welcome to the world of lodging and hospitality circa summer 2008, where being flexible and inquisitive may provide some relief from high gas prices, exorbitant airfares and continuing economic uncertainty. Assuming you can afford to get where you’re going, there are even some deals to be had once you get there.

Read the story about how hotels are offering bargain prices as a result of booming construction and the weaking demand that’s pushing the occupancy rates down.

- source : msnbc.com

Tips for Avoiding Hidden Hotel Fees

Researching for Hidden Hotel Fees

Hotels these days charge travelers of some extra fees which they might not be aware of. The most common fees includes the charges providing airport shuttle, Bellhop/housekeeper gratuities – often known as the service charges, Cancellation fees, Internet charges, Parking, Taxes and other local charges. Here are a few tips to help you avoid these hidden charges:

Do Your Research
Except the taxes, it might be difficult to find out which fees will be charged at a particular hotel or resort before you book. Most of the fees mentioned above is not listed on the hotel sites. So, be sure that you search multiple sites for a better idea of what exactly you’ll pay.

Ask Ahead of Time
Call the hotel and ask what fees will apply to your stay — and whether any of them can be waived ahead of time. Instead of calling the 800 reservations number, call the hotel directly and note the names of any staff members you speak with and which fees they agree to waive.

Don’t Tip Twice
Before you leave a tip for your housekeeper, make sure the hotel isn’t already charging you a housekeeping gratuity fee.

Stock Up
Bring your own snacks and resist the temptation of the minibar of edible “gifts” the hotel offers.

Use Your Cell Phone
Hotel telephone charges can be pricey, so, it’s better to use your own cell phone.

When in Doubt, Ask
Before using the hotel gym, or an extra towel at the pool, ask for any charges, if applicable.

Allow Plenty of Time at Checkout
Don’t just sign the hotel bill in a hurry. Allow yourself plenty of time to check the charges and dispute any that seem unfair.

Know Your Rights
Federal law requires that all hotel fees be clearly disclosed. This usually happens in the fine print — so read the terms and conditions of your reservations agreement carefully.

Making the Most of a Budget Hotel Stay

Traveling is a wonderful experience to break the boring routine of busy life. Many of us would like to get the most out of what we have paid for our hotel room. But it’s not always possible to find luxuries everywhere. Here are a few tips, how a discerning budget traveler can enhance their stay by bringing along a few portable amenities:

MP3 Dock
Portable music players go a long way in killing the boredom. It’s better to bring your own music and videos than trying to find a decent local radio station on a scratchy clock radio or watch overpriced in-room movies. Make sure you carry some extra batteries.

Decent coffee
Most of the hotels supply coffee that tastes downright funky. While heading out for your next trip, you can your pack favorite coffee brand so you won’t have to pay ridiculous room service prices for it!

Wake-up calls
Don’t leave the important tasks like waking you up to catch the flight on the hotel staff.  Instead, use one of the personalized wake-up call services out there. They give you a reliable call and even provide features such as snoozes, weather forecasts, jokes and more at a reasonable cost.

Concierge services
A skill and knowledgeable concierge is a great asset. While you won’t find this type of person at a budget hotel, you can find concierge services online and in most major cities.

Borrow a cart
You might not find a bellman to carry your heavy suitcases in a budget motel. In this case, if you ask the front desk agent nicely, you just might find a bell cart, or some other type of rolling cart.

Upscale toiletries
You might not always like products you find in a cheap hotel bathroom; therefore you can always carry small and portable versions of your favorite high-end products.

Just because you can’t afford a five-star hotel doesn’t mean you don’t deserve five-star amenities.