Euro Travel & More

So the summer is here.. and school is out .. and the wife wants a vacation .. just because it is the summer.  But with summer rates or what we called peak periods – the hotels are asking for an arm and a leg for your room rates.   When one usually pays like $85 + taxes for a room other than the summer period.. they are now asking for $155.  Almost 50% more.. ??!!!??  Now you asked yourself,  it is like the wife choosing Black Friday to go shopping.

So you asked .. what is the difference right..?? it’s the same room, same amenities.. same location.  So you try to speak with the Front Desk Manager.. and she wouldn’t budge.  So no vacation..??  Well.. the peak period is actually the only money making season for the hotel, therefore all hotels charges premium.. and some will even block some rooms away.. for their VIP guests.  Does it make any difference if you booked earlier or later..?? nope not exactly but having said that.. if you are a regular guest at the hotel or you have a corporate rate with the hotel, you might be able to negotiate for a better rate.

Back home in Asia, if you know another hotelier, your chances of a long staying rate is definitely a plus but don’t forget the front desk manager needs to meet her quota and the sales team needs to make sure that they are selling their rooms like hot cakes… else they are answerable to the share holders.  So when it comes to peak periods.. or the summer rate.. you pretty much need to fork out that amount.  But if i managed to negotiate anything better this summer.. i’ll  be sure to let you know.

In my many years in the hotel industry ..  the late check outs had been requested often enough and it is at the discretion of the front desk clerk to approve or not approve the late check out.  Truth be told, the only reason why the hotel demand that you check out at 11am is because of housekeeping purposes and the turn over of rooms.  In case of high occupancy.. you need to have the rooms prepared for the next check-in.

One can definitely understand from a hotelier’s stand point but what about you as a guest in the hotel who has a flight at 11.55pm…?? what are you gonna do from 11am – 11.55pm..???  afterall, you can only do the city tour for a certain hours.. and you would wanna go shower.. and refresh yourself before going on the plane right..??  i completely  understand you .. and if you don’t want to fork out half the room rate for another few hours… this is what you do.

If you are a business traveler, try to use the same hotel everytime you stay in that city because as a long time guest of the hotel, you do get special priviledges.  And if you are not a business traveler, try to be nice to the front desk ppl or better yet, drop your business card to make sure the hotel manager knows that you will recommend other clients and your co-workers or employees .. to this hotel.. even though you are currently not on business.  The free late check outs.. are entirely at the discretion of the front desk clerks.. so do be nice to them.  They don’t really have to give an explanation for giving out free late check outs.. especially if it is not peak periods.

I had to laugh out loud when i saw the hoteliers in Mexico trying this tagline .. well not in those exact words.. to lure tourists to Mexico after the swine flu scare.

Hotels on Mexico’s Caribbean coast on Tuesday offered free vacations for three years to any tourist catching swine flu while on holiday there, in a bid to counter swine flu’s blow to the industry.

I wouldn’t go to Mexico even if they offer me .. a lifetime free stay .. at this moment.. until .. i can be sure .. that there is no more epidemic in Mexico.. or anywheres around the world.   But desperate situation requires desperate measures.. and I do applaud the Hoteliers in Mexico for coming up with something so innovative .. and you can’t really blame them for trying right.

So you have a reservation at a hotel .. but when you arrived.. you are told they are fully booked.  So what do you do ..?? at 9pm .. in a cold winter nite..??  You are upset of course.. and the hotel receptionist doesn’t give you much explanation.  And they wouldn’t give you a room even if you have mesothelioma. So what do you do..??

As an insider who had been working in the hotel industry for 15 yrs .. I’ll have to tell you that hotels usually over booked themselves.. in hope to fill up as many rooms as they can.  It’s in their way of doing business to cover the no shows.  But once they have no rooms.,. they farm them out to another hotel of the same comfort but for some, they just farm them out to whatever hotel they can find room.

So where do you stand now..?? what do you do..??  If you stand firm.. not rude.. you will get either an upgrade.. or they will have to find you a room.  If you refuse the hotel they provide.. they have to give you something that you are satisfied with.  No hotel wants to upset their customers .. and if you are still not happy, i suggest you make an appt to speak with the General Manager .. and make sure you know the share holders names as well.

When ppl hear the word hostel .. they kinda think that they are only for back-packers .. meaning.. not good quality accommodation. Just the basic is what is to be expected.. but little did i know.. that Hostel Inn In Puerto Iguazu would take my breath away. Lined along the swimming pool were tall palm trees .. and a very well maintained pool – it was a packed place alright.  But everyone that was at the pool looked so relaxed.. and had a drink with them.. lounging.. enjoying the sun.. and breeze.

This was taken at nite .. by the pool.

I knew we came to the right place.. after seeing the pool.. the interior of the hostel was quite nice too.  Marbled floors and air conditioned lobby with friendly front desk staff.  Check in was efficient.. and nothing like some of the hostel i stayed in .. when i was in Europe.  The front desk receptionist gave us some info about breakfast.. and some places of interest.. and how to get to the Falls the next day as well.. without us asking for that info.  Really nice.

The rooms were spacious.. and clean and if you are like me who needs to be on the internet .. at least a few times a day.. you will be glad to know that they have free wi-fi here.  I had good connection even from my room.. it was awesome..!

This was where we got our breakfast, a kind of dining area almost like a canteen.  One can get your ice creams, cold drinks, snacks and even wine by the bottle. Leather sofas for sitting and some pool tables and internet access here.  Next the Iguazu Falls.

This wasn’t exactly the room i stayed it.. but it was similar size .. and almost similar decorations and wallpapers. Mayfair Hotel is at the heart of Paris between Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome, A 4 star hotel and going rate per nite is about $150 €, which not many people like us can afford unless you are on a business trip like me.

My bosses stayed here.. and didn’t think it was convenient for me to stay in another .. with another co-worker. A luxurious hotel .. Mayfair is.. and expect professionalism.. and extended hospitality .. once you become a house guest. The front desk takes time to remember your name. In my whole time there.. they called me by my family name. Each room has it own unique decoration and reflects the unique Parisian style.

The hotel has room service .. but not 24hrs.. a business center, concierge to make those special dinner arrangements for you. Cable TV, Hair Dryer ( you need not bring yours) . .safe in the room and of course air conditioning. For those traveling with children, you will be glad to know that they have a day nursery as well. Call either the Concierge or Housekeeping for arrangements.

The breakfast room serves continental and buffet breakfast from 7am to 10.30am daily. We didn’t eat here.. because we usually have breakfast meetings in another hotel.. or the office in Paris.

Like anyone traveling for business or going on vacation, looking for the right place to stay is very important.  For us, we were usually traveling because of business and we sometimes have meetings and late conference calls to our head office, from our hotel room, which sometimes can be not feasible at all.  Hotel rooms are kind of small but if we choose to stay in an apartment like those offered at Amsterdam Short Stay Apartments, you can understand why we choose an apartment over a hotel.

Conveniently located, these apartments are spacious, have equipped kitchens and are fully furnished from living room to bedrooms.  Here we don’t have to cram into a small room for our meetings and conference calls and it certainly wouldn’t look weird to invite an office associate to the apartment.  As in a hotel, most of our guests need to register at the front desk after 9pm, which can be a real hassle.

Rental is as low as € 105.00, therefore it is very cost effective for those of us who were traveling in groups. Check the availability online or you can contact them by phone or thru’ their contact form online.  Why pay an arm and a leg to book an extra conference room for your meetings when you can have the whole apartment to utilize as you wish.

The Merchant Court Hotel, located of course in Singapore this one has a special place in my heart. Really owned by the Raffles group. and then they changed their brand name, Merchant Court Hotel is what we called the no frills budget hotel .. with class. Don’t be fooled about the no frill budget hotel thingie .. because Merchant Court has all the amenities that most hotels have, albeit the room being a tad small in my opinion.

The owners are mostly chinese .. as far as I am concerned. Headed the hotel was Jennie Chua .. the then General Manager of the Raffles Hotel and Westin Hotel in Singapore. With 400 over rooms to boast about, Merchant Court Hotel has the club floors as well for their long staying guests.

The Merchant Court has bell services, concierge and a front desk with a salon opposite the front desk. Many ballrooms are available .. for private functions.. and they do have a bar, a coffee shop.. and 24hrs room service. I hear that you can even get rooms as low as $100/nite at the Merchant Court Hotel. Although they are not located strategically in town.. they are right in front of a MRT station. which brings you to town.. within a few mins. A hotel like Merchant Court, I am sure wouldn’t need any used cisco equipments .. but one never know eh. More on Merchant rooms later.

Photo credits:  Only exclusively travel

Having dinner here with someone you love very much is very possible you know.  While many may think that it must be expensive, I think that it is worth every penny you pay.  Your personal butler and about 3 service staff just for one room, you and yours never have to wait for anything you need while here. Luxury Holidays may not be for everyone but when it comes to a honeymoon or a very special occasion then I think this island and the folks at the Le Saint Geran Mauritius can make your dreams come true.

AlthoughI liked the Le Saint Geran Maritius a lot, I feel that it is more for the business crowd and older guests.  The Le Touessrok Mauritius is more my kind of style and if you are like me you would fall in love with this place over and over again.  Truth be told I didn’t want to leave.  Did I also mention that we stayed in the Ocean Suite?  It was huge, extremely comfy and had a very, very awesome bath and shower with 2 plasma TVs and DVD players and even a Playstation (that was in 2005).

I finally got the tan I had wanted for years and the beaches were really nice, they had loungers everywhere and you got served with bottled water, lots of fresh fruits on sticks, and sorbet.  And since we don’t drink we didn’t worry too much about the wine selection even though they had a good wine list and champagne by the glass.  If you never played golf before that’s ok, just go for the cart ride, it’s an excellent way to spend the mornings; with quiet talks and whisper sweet nothings.  I cannot say how happy you will be, regardless if you want rejuvenation, a reminder of how love once felt or to celebrate an anniversary, this is the perfect place to be. As dreamy as it can get, Mauritius Island.

Park Hyatt, Toronto was one of the first hotels that I’ve stayed in while visiting Toronto for both business and pleasure. It is a wonderful hotel albeit abit expensive. For those not on business.. at $200 per nite per room.. it can be a wee bit costly. I usually stay for a few days.. i think 5. But Park Hyatt is conveniently located downtown, so it is walking distance to alot of places.. and shopping centers, the Royal Ontario Museum, CN Tower, Skydome, Hockey hall of fame and the famous theater district.. just as long as you do not go during the winter.

The rooms are between 300-400 sq ft and are furnished for the businessmen and women. I had a king size bed. The bathroom are very nice.. with shower/tub combination. And the room i was in was decorated in warm forest green.  Highly commendable were their concierge and reception services. Very accommodating.. and really helpful.. and they do try to make your stay as comfy as possible.. without intruding.