Top Las Vegas Hotels

Top Las Vegas Hotels

Prior to your trip to Las Vegas - study what the different hotels have to offer - before you make your booking! If it is your first trip - prepare to be truly 'wowed' by the imagination and the magnitude Vegas Hotels and Casinos offer!

The MGM Grand: extremely luxurious accommodation, with the Grand Tower providing Bungalow suites, Celebrity Spa suites, Glamour suites. The Grand Tower has some of the largest rooms - all have black and white marble bathrooms and huge wardrobes. The MGM Grand Casino is said to have the largest selection of slot machines out of all the casinos in town.

The Luxor: is shaped like an Egyptian pyramid and has an Egyptian theme. The elevators that go up to the hotel rooms even go up in a diagonal angle! There are also rides and attractions for children, all of which are Egyptian themed.

The Excalibur: has a medieval theme. The Excalibur has a show that portrays knights jousting, and a midway with carnival games - great if you have children with you.

Circus Circus: another great hotel if you have children. Circus has a midway with many carnival games and circus acts every hour.

Paris Hotel: this Paris-themed hotel features a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. It boasts French restaurants, a casino, and shopping mall resembling Paris street scenes. A formal French garden contains a huge pool - so French, you'd swear you were in France!

The Golden Nugget Hotel: one of the originals - marble and mirrors - very elegant! The hotel uses 550,000 watts of sound and two million light bulbs, - to dazzle the nights- right outside the hotel.

The Flamingo: Las Vegas first casino hotel - centrally located at the famous four corners of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road.

The Sahara: this hotel has an on-site thrill ride - guests can drive simulated race cars at the Cyber Speedway, or ride a roller coaster launched from inside the NASCAR Caf?.

The Mandalay Bay Resort: this hotel has a tropical theme with an 11-acre water complex. It has a complimentary monorail that connects the hotel to the Luxor and Excalibur hotels.

Caesars Palace: with a Roman theme - complete with the Colosseum. Caesars, considered to be the jewel of the strip, opened its doors in August 1966, and although much has changed since then, the essentials remain the same: unsurpassed service, royal surroundings and entertainment maximus.

The Bellagio: an Italian themed hotel - which brings true European elegance to Las Vegas - with glass ceilings admitting natural light; fresh flowers and trees in the Conservatory; detailed tile work; fine art on display throughout the property; luxurious rooms; fine Italian cuisines; and an exquisite shopping center.

The Mirage: timeless beauty and tropical surrounds - it has a breathtaking front desk area featuring a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium that houses 60 species of tropical fish.

The Monte Carlo: with Renaissance statues and cascading fountains - this hotel is a solid fusion of European refinement, American dazzle and true Vegas hospitality.

New York New York: the resort's facade is a replica of the New York skyline including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. The interior features faux trees and streams lining a Central Park-themed casino and a bar in the middle of Times Square, complete with neon and flashing lights.

The Ritz-Carlton: elegance and relaxation along the shore of Lake Las Vegas - an upmarket Mediterranean-style resort, featuring luxurious rooms and suites, a spectacular Italian-inspired spa and fitness center, 36 holes of championship golf, beach and lake activities and Italian gardens.

The Venetian: just like being in Venice - complete with frescos, gourmet food, canals, gondolas and strolling performers. The hotel offers spacious, beautifully appointed suites, an impressive upscale shopping center, a wide variety of gourmet restaurants and Italian-inspired eateries, attractions and more.

Hooters: a tropical-themed resort - the rooms have a Florida casual look and the casino is decorated with Hooters themed blackjack tables and slots.

The Hard Rock Hotel: one of 'the' places to be for the hottest entertainment, restaurants and nightspots - every aspect of the Hard Rock worships the altar of rock.

Gay Redmile is the webmaster of several travel sites. Although an Aussie - she has travelled extensively throughout the United States. She considers Las Vegas to be a most fascinating city - and certainly one worth visiting! For more important information, news and articles on Las Vegas visit her site at http://www.gettolasvegas.com

Cardiff City Guide, Including Cardiff Hotels

Introduction:

The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is really a city on the move. Home to over 350, 000 people, this city underwent a tremendous and progressive development over a period of time. It is home to an impressive coal empire and has evolved into one of Europe?s most beautiful maritime cities, embraced by lovely countryside. Of all the major reconstruction that the city has witnessed, a prominent mention should be given to the impressive appearance of the Millenium Stadium, which greets you as you come out from the railway station. The Millenium Stadium dominates the skyline on the western edge of the city center and is home to many major sporting and entertainment events.

If you visit Cardiff, you are sure to be impressed by the peaceful and carefree life that greets you. The city is famous for its quality of life. Though most of its residents live in the suburbs, they have to travel only for 10 or 15 minutes by public or private transport to get to the city center. The suburbs have a unique charm akin to villages and hamlets that dreams are made of.

Places of interest:

Cardiff Castle: Also known as Castell Caerdydd, Cardiff Castle was founded in Roman times and became the foothold of the Norman Empire. Even now you can see the ruins of the Norman Empire here. The Victorian look of the castle was the brainchild of the third Marquis of Bute (1848-900). He employed an architect called William Burges who decorated the ornate interiors of the castle with murals and added neo-Gothic towers with murals, stained glass windows and decorative carvings. The castle also has two military museums and massive grounds. The famous Bute Park came into existence from the grounds of the Cardiff Castle.

Millennium stadium: This 72,500-seater stadium is one of the most modern and luxuriant sports stadiums in Europe. You can take advantage of the guided tours to visit the pitch, the royal box, the dressing rooms of the players and other areas.

Cardiff Bay: This beautiful place introduces you to some of the finest architectural work in Cardiff. The Cardiff Bay barrage was open to the public after June 2001. This led to a creation of a fresh water lake and a 12 km long waterfront with parks, shopping complexes, entertainment centres, bars and restaurants. Techniquest, a science museum, and Norwegian Arts church arts centres are the other prominent landmarks here.

Museum of Welsh Life (Amgueddfa Werin Cymru): This beautiful museum is set in 104 acres of Parkland, in St. Fagans, west of the city centre. You would be impressed with the extensive collection of precious Welsh literature, works and craftsmanship. There is a collection of historic Welsh townships, farms, tannery, pottery, Victorian schoolrooms etc, which have been purchased from different places in Wales and rebuilt in the huge grounds of the museums. Another notable image would be of the Iron-age Celtic village.

Things to do:

Travel- The public transport in the city is provided by the bus. The main provider is the Cardiff Bus. The buses have an operation time of 0530-2330 hours. The buses have reduced hours during the public holidays and the weekends. Alternatively, you can hire the services of a taxi. They are either black hackney cabs or cars with company logos that indicate that they are used for public transport. There are companies like Black Cabs, DragonTaxies and Central Taxis, which can help you hire the services of their taxis. Visitors are expected to pay about ?4.00 for a trip across town. The traffic is quite heavy during the peak hours, which would be Monday through Friday 0800-0900 and 1700-1800. If you want to rent a car, then you would have to own a valid driving license. It could usually be a national driving license. If you are a tourist, then you may also do with an International Driving Permit. You need to check the kind and the grade of insurance given to you along with the car hire.

Eating: Follow the gradation of the restaurants as per the prices, if you plan to eat out at any of the restaurants in Cardiff: Assuming you eat a three course meal accompanied by a half litre of wine, then you should expect to pay the following prices for different grade restaurants: **** (over ?40) *** (?25 to ?40) ** (?10 to ?25) * (under ?10) The prices usually include taxes and tips.

Shopping: You can shop till you drop in the specialist shops and boutiques within the seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades situated in the city centres. Important departmental stores such as Howells are open from 9am to 6pm, although this is not a rule. There are some shops that are open on Sundays too.

Special activities: Wales is home to a lot of Eisteddfod festivals around the country. You can feel the ancient Celtic heritage in their music and movies. You can purchase the tickets to the cultural events in Cardiff through phone, box offices or online. The city is famous for the male choir voice, which is the hallmark of the Welsh pride.

Food & Drink:

Tiles: This is an internationally acclaimed part of the St. David?s hotel. The restaurant has the best seafood in Cardiff and you could also have a breathtaking view of the Millennium Waterfront as you savour the seafood with a tasty glass of wine.

Underdeb: This is one restaurant that is so popular that you would have to reserve seats for the place days in advance. Home to some creative and tasty dishes; this place would keep you craving for more.

LeGallois: This hotel is famous for some interesting and distinctive French food with a Welsh twist. You also get the best customer service and a pleasant ambience.

Izakaya: This trendy Japanese restaurant at the Millenium Quay has the best Japanese Sushi food (more than 70 varieties) in Cardiff.

Dorothy?s: You get the taste of local food to make you feel like a red-blooded Welsh with the best fish and chips you could find. The chicken curry is one more dish you cannot miss.

Benedicto: You have the best of Italian dishes here. The wine tastes amazingly fine and you can have a gala time here. However, you would have to keep away from smoking if you want to enjoy the food and the ambience.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Cardiff has an abundence of beautiful hotels with excellent accommodation facilities. The hotels could be classified into 4 different pricing categories:

**** (over ?150)
*** (?100 to ?150)
** (?50 to ?100)
* (under ?50)

The prices listed above are for a double room per night, including tax and breakfast.

Here are selection of hotels in cardiff:

Cardiff Park Plaza
Angel Hotel
Thistle Cardiff
Millennium Lodge
Cardiff Sandringham Hotel
The Royal Hotel
Macdonald Holland House Hotel
The Big Sleep Hotel
The Lodge by Macdonald
Novotel Cardiff Centre
Village Hotel Cardiff
Cardiff Moat House Hotel
Quality Hotel Cardiff
Future Inn Cardiff Bay
Campanile Hotel Cardiff
The Copthorne Hotel Cardiff
Manor House Hotel
Tadross Hotel
VALE HOTEL, GOLF & SPA RESORT
Best Western Mount Sorrel Hotel

Entertainment:

The New Theatre Park Place, founded in 1909 and refurbished in the 1980s, is a premier venue in Wales for hosting popular plays, theatres and dances. The New Wales Millennium Dance Center is another famous place for international choreographers and native dancers to exhibit their talents. Mary Ann Street, Capital Odeon and the Millennium Plaza are important venues to screen mainstream movies.

Cardiff is a city that is still growing. With the Welsh getting its due as a nation in its own right and the city completing its 50 years as the state capital last year, Cardiff is the perfect resort for any tourist who wants to witness a city on the road to progress and prosperity, albeit retaining its strong Celtic roots.

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Name: Maria Williams - Website: http://www.sleepuk.com - Biography: Maria writes for Sleep UK - providers of cheap uk hotels

Pet Friendly Hotels ? More Popular Than You Would Expect

Many people cannot imagine placing their pets in a kennel while they are on vacation. The thought of their beloved pet cooped up while they are on vacation is just unimaginable. Most people consider their pet as part of the family, therefore their pet goes with them on vacation. If you have decided to take your pet with you on vacation, then there are things you need to consider, the first would be finding a pet friendly hotel.

Making Your Reservation

When making your travel plans, check with the reservation clerk at the hotel to verify that they do accept pets. You should also indicate the breed of your dog, as some hotels have restrictions on the size and breed. You should also ask about any additional costs or deposits that may be necessary if you bring your pet. Another question would be if you were allowed to leave your pet unattended in the room. The bottom line is to be sure you understand the hotel's pet policy so there is no misunderstanding when you get there.

Packing For Your Pet

For your pet's sense of security, pack your pet's favorite toy and food. Just like packing for yourself, pack any medications or vitamins that your pet may be taking. In addition, be sure to have your pet's vetrinary phone number on hand just in case there is an emergency.

Pet Identification.

Emphatically you would not leave home without any identification neither should your pet. Your pet's identification tag should have the pets name, contact number, and immunization tag if applicable. Never let your pet out of your sight, tying them up outside while you shop inside could be detrimental for you and your pet. Someone could steal your pet, or even antagonize your pet to the point that they may bite.

Consider a Transportable Kennel

A portable kennel for your pet will offer a comfortable and secure place for your pet while you are out. In addition, it will eliminate any mischievous behavior and possible damages to the room. A portable kennel will put your mind at rest knowing your pet is safe and so is the hotel room.

Research Your Vacation Locale

Many attractions are pet friendly. Research your vacation area for these pet friendly tourist sites either online or through the local chamber of commerce. It is worth your while to know what attractions in the area allow pets before you travel.

For more information about a pet friendly hotel, visit http://www.petfriendlyhotelinfo.com

3 Star Hotels

Finding a hotel that suits your budget comes easy when you take into consideration the activities that you will be busy with, or what you want to achieve during your stay. If being extremely pampered and totally worry-free comes last on your list, then you?re welcome to try a 3-star hotel. This is not to say that 3-star hotels do not offer any degree of comfort or luxury; it just seems impractical to be paying for lavish amenities when you won?t have the chance to take advantage of them.

If you?re a business traveler, who intends to be primarily engaged in, well, business matters, and not that concerned with having a fun and relaxing time, then a 3-star hotel with provisions and facilities that are useful for conferences and business correspondence would be a good recommendation. Furthermore, the affordable price is more attractive if you intend to keep the business expenses low. Also, an in-house restaurant, bar or lounge eliminates the need to go elsewhere for lunch or dinner meetings, and thus saves you time that you can spend preparing for presentations instead.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the tourist spectrum, a weekend traveler who has a planned itinerary can find good value in a 3-star hotel that is within minutes of a popular tourist destination, such as Paris or Amsterdam. Just because you?re visiting a top tourist spot doesn?t mean you have to spend a lot on accommodations. For instance, three star hotels like the Hotel Windsor Opera in Paris (only over a kilometer away from the city center) even offers services such as a business center facility, room service, and a fitness center, with rates that are at least about fifty percent lower than the best hotels located in the heart of the city.

While 3-star hotels may be expected to offer more than basic accommodations, it may be best to assess them and make a choice according to your expectations and needs. For instance, you may deem access to a fitness center more important than room service, or prefer Internet access and a business center to availability of a swimming pool. Whatever you prefer, be reassured that you can consult with an online guide and make sure to ask the right questions that will ultimately lead to a pleasant 3-star hotel experience.

Here are other 3-star hotels that may be of interest: the Hotel Sylter Hof in Berlin, which prides itself as a good location for business functions, and is immediately accessible to the city?s major airports; the Hotel Diplomatic in Rome, which is within close range of the Spanish Steps and the Vatican, and boasts of a fitness center, a swimming pool, and impeccable service; the Kensington Close Hotel and Healthy Spa in London, which offers an indoor swimming pool, beauty treatments, a health and fitness club, and three restaurants; and the Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is a family oriented hotel that offers live circus act performances and boasts of the Grand Slam Canyon theme park.

Welcome to our travel Blog ! Read our great member reviews on their own travel experiences, which travel insurance, travel agent they used plus much more to help you plan your own holiday or city break. Reviews on cities and hotels in cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome plus many across all continents can be found right here. Travelcubic can help you find flights, train tickets, ferries, cruises, buses, taxis and car hire. please visit http://www.travelcubic.com

Southend-On-Sea City Guide, Including Hotels

Southend-on-Sea is Essex?s largest town and its close proximity to London makes it a popular tourist destination year after year. Better still, it is located in the south east of the country in an area widely regarded as the driest part of Britain.

The town is chock-full of interesting attractions which are aimed at all the family, whether you?re looking for local history, the arts and culture, or family-oriented activities to keep you occupied. Some of Southend-on-Sea?s most popular attractions are:

Southend Pier. Measuring in at 1.33 miles, Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the entire world! Built in 1830, it has recently been refurbished and hosts an RNLI lifeboat station and an exclusive Pier train. Nowhere will you experience better sights of the beautiful coastline of the Thames Estuary.

Central Museum and Planetarium. If you?ve never visited a planetarium then now?s your chance; there are live presentations throughout the day. Meanwhile, the museum reveals plenty of secrets about Southend?s eventful history.

Jubilee Beach. This sand and shingle beach stretches from the Pier to Thorpe Bay; there are also regular pleasure boat trips available.

Southend Cliffs. If you appreciate the beauty of nature, you?ll love these ornamental gardens, which also offer amazing views of the south east coast.

Prittlewell Priory. An excellent museum with the focus on educational activities, housed in the remains of a 12th century priory.

When you arrive in Southend-on-Sea you?ll discover a myriad of activities and things to do, just waiting to be discovered. The town is packed with a mixture of shops, making it one of the most popular shopping areas in the entire southeast, and there are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants where you can rest your legs and take a break. Just a few of the things to do include:

Shopping at The Royals Shopping Centre. Overhead, you?ll see a beautiful glass dome, which protects from the elements whilst letting the sun in. Down below, you?ll find shops ranging from Debenhams to Ottakars, Evans, Sarah Beth and more.

Visiting Adventure Island. This exciting theme park is host to more than forty rides and attractions that will appeal to the kids, as well as the inner child in all of us. Not only that, but the low rates make it one of the best value theme parks in the country.

Checking out Kursaal on the Eastern Esplanade. Here you?ll find an astonishing thirty lanes of ten-pin bowling, many themed restaurants and bars and a unique Mardi Gras play area. Better still, admission is free!

Taking a trip to the Sealife Centre. Lovers of nature will be in their element when visiting this marine centre, which offers an authentic voyage beneath the ocean, where you can glimpse colourful and spectacular marine life in a huge aquarium.

Take part in the Carnival! If your visit coincides with the month of August, you?ll find the annual Carnival in full swing. Events include special processions, fancy dress competitions, fairs, arts festivals, fireworks and more.

As you?d expect, Southend-on-Sea boasts a wide variety of places to eat. The scale ranges from the simplest caf?, where you can sit down with a sandwich and a cup of coffee, to the finest restaurant establishment, where you can enjoy a range of courses. There are also plenty of takeaways enabling you to grab a bite to eat and enjoy it as you stroll down the beach. Here are just a few of the choices:

The Waterfront Caf?. Choose from a wide selection of favourite English food ? fish and chips, roast dinners, or steak. Fish is freshly prepared on the premises and is cooked to order. Many other choices of meal are available, including scampi and lasagne.

The Golden Lion. Plenty of traditional English fare is on offer in this friendly pub, which also caters for special diets.

Camelia Restaurant. Offers French, Italian and English meals with a range of different specials every day. Fresh fish is a speciality; the restaurant also offers pleasant sea views to take in whilst you eat.

Mr Ping. This Chinese restaurant offers two options, eat-in or takeaway. In 2003, it was a ?Restaurant of the Year? finalist.

The Grapevine of Tuscany. An Italian restaurant serving up a la carte menus, pizzas and pasta. You?ll get a choice of eating in or a take-away; fresh homemade pasta is The Grapevine?s speciality.

As Southend-on-Sea is such a popular tourist destination, there are lots of hotels and guesthouses located in and around the town, with many of the finest quality. The good news for the visitor is that all the hotels are vying with each other to offer the most competitive rates, which means you can guarantee quality and value in equal measure. Alternative accommodation ranges from campsites and caravan parks to self-catering cottages, traditional inns and plenty more besides.

Essex County Hotel
The Gleneagles Hotel
The Westcliff Hotel
Ilfracombe House Hotel
Camelia Hotel
Tower Hotel

Southend-on-Sea has plenty of entertainment going on, meaning you?ll never get bored. The town is packed with pubs and nightclubs, enabling you to while away the long twilight hours. For the family, the Odeon Cinema is a massive multiplex that shows all the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Meanwhile, if your tastes are of a theatrical nature, then you?ll no doubt enjoy the Palace Theatre, which consists of a modernised Edwardian building hosting professional shows and entertainment. Alternatively, if you enjoy big spectacle, then the Cliffs Pavilion will be for you; this massive theatre has a huge programme of concerts, ballet, performance artists, musicals and more.

Visitors flock to Southend-on-Sea all year round and it?s easy to see why. With hundreds of things to do, ranging from numerous attractions, family-focused fun and more, it?s impossible to find yourself at a loose end. Alternatively, the town itself is close to places like Leigh-on-Sea, which offer quieter fare, so if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, you can explore the surrounding villages and countryside. No matter what your tastes, age or needs, Southend-on-Sea is sure to provide exactly what you?re looking for as a tourist destination.

Name: Maria Williams Occupation: Traveller Website: http://www.sleepuk.com Sleep UK are an online hotel booking engine for uk hotels

City Breaks in Prague with cheap Hotels and Flights

Nowadays short, weekend and city breaks have rapidly become one of the most popular holiday choices for travelers. Cities such as Lisbon, Prague and Berlin are filled throughout the year by tourists enjoying a short break.

A visit to Prague is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. When you travel to the Czech Republic there are so many things to see and do so make sure that you plan your trip in advance. Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and lies on the banks of the Vltava River. Its medieval centre is dominated by the 1100-year-old castle of Prazsky Hrad. A short holiday gives visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of Prague, wander the old winding streets and bridges of this wonderful city. This breathtaking city combines the very best in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles. At every turn, there is something to take your breath away. For great value city breaks Prague is unrivalled, and with the cost of living so low your holiday money goes much further.

Bustling with life in summer and beautiful in winter, Prague entices visitors throughout the year. Visit galleries both modern and traditional and sample the delights of long established beer halls and fashionable cocktail bars. We are pleased to offer a range of Prague city breaks featuring a wide selection of hotel options.

For an alternative summer holiday destination, look to the beautiful city of Prague known as the city of a hundred spires, Prague contains a number of architecturally important buildings remarkably unscathed by war or conflict. Prague castle, built in the 9th century, is possibly the city's most remarkable attraction. Another of Prague's most famous architectural structures is Charles Bridge. Prague also has a thriving social scene, complete with first rate beer. Visitors will find much to enjoy in this vibrant ever evolving city.

Pawanraj is working as freelance article writer for various categories like Tour And Travels.For more information, visit these sites: http://www.myprague.net

Paris Hotels: How To Reduce Your Risk Of Being Disappointed

Are the mentions "2 star" and "3 star" hotel on travel websites reliable? Should you rely on the French rating system? Written by the Senior Editor of a renown Paris guide, this article clears up the issue, and suggests 4 proven steps to increase your odds to pick the right hotel.

Travel forums are gold mines of information if you care to review the postings of enchanted and disgruntled travelers coming back from abroad.

As Senior Editor of Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, I often peruse these forums to find out about the concerns voiced by fellow travelers headed to the 'City of Lights'.

Among the postings which keep coming back, one stands out from the crowd: what does a 3-star rating really mean? Travelers tend to be confused by the many star-rating systems in use. I felt the subject called for an educated explanation.

The meaning of stars in the US

First of all, let's be clear: there is absolutely no relationship whatsoever between the number of stars commercial travel sites award to hotels, and the hotel rating system in use in France.

The core business of commercial travel sites is to sell you hotel rooms, flight tickets, car rentals, and cruise packages. They purport to guide your choice by awarding stars to the products they peddle.

When you book a room on such sites, a significant portion of your money goes to the travel operator which presents the hotel - up to 50% on well-known websites.

For this reason alone, you could reasonably ask yourself: are these ratings unbiased, or tainted by corporate greed?

To make matters more complicated, each travel website uses its own rating method. Consumer Reports published an enlightening article on the topic in its November 2005 issue.

In other words, the number of stars awarded by commercial travel sites is not a fully reliable yardstick for selecting a hotel.

The meaning of stars in France

The French hotel rating system works on a completely different set of rules.

1. It is a standardized system: meaning, all hotels across France are categorized on the same unique basis.

2. The rating system was not born out of mercantile purposes: it was framed by the French lawmakers without any concern for profit.

3. Last but not least, the French hotel rating system does not measure quality. Instead, it uses 22 measurement criteria to assess the presence or absence of certain features in the hotel.

Among the main criteria used:

- Room sizes and numbers
- Room soundproofing
- Heating and air-conditioning
- Design of bathroom facilities
- Phone system
- Electrical equipment
- Elevators

Each requirement varies from one star category to another.

You can download the full list of criteria and a clear explanation of each at Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com.

Subjective quality vs. objective quantity

The French rating system does not take into account subjective quality criteria.

And because of this limited approach, it does not guarantee your expectations will be fulfilled.

First, there are keen differences in perception between populations. For example, American travellers are used to larger sizes of rooms and beds than the average room and bed sizes offered in Parisian hotels. This can be a source of disappointment.

Moreover, the French rating system does not measure service quality - cleanliness, absence of smells, staff attitude, speed of service, etc.

It may thus be chancy to base your hotel choice solely on the French rating system.

The safer bet

To afford the best chances to pick the right hotel in Paris I recommend the following 4 steps:

- Have a basic understanding of the French rating criteria (see above link to download them)
- Check guests' reviews on www.travelocity.com
- Visit the hotel's own website
- Do not hesitate to e-mail your questions to the hotel.

Many travellers use Travelocity.com to write reviews on the hotels they stayed at. No hotel satisfies 100% of its guests throughout the year, so both extreme judgments and moderate opinions can be found on this open forum. My advice: favor moderate reviews with some flesh on the bones. They will usually give you a useful picture of what to expect from the hotel - good and less good.

Visiting the hotel's website will usually allow you to see multiple views of its rooms and bathrooms. I insist on visiting the hotel's own website since it usually is the place which offers the greatest number of photos.

Lastly, e-mailing your questions to the hotel owners may or may not get you an answer, usually depending on the proficiency of the receptionist in your language. Receiving informative answers to your questions is a good sign that the hotel cares for his prospective guests.

Following these 4 steps should help you minimize the risk of being disappointed during your stay in Paris. This is no guarantee though. Remember that cultures differ from each other, and your expectations of service might not be fully understood. In such case, communicate with the owner. They are usually keen on serving you to the best of their means.

Have a safe and pleasant trip to Paris! Phil Chavanne and his team of Parisian writers share the goods on Paris and Paris hotels with travelers who wish to prepare well for their trip to the French capital. Meet the team at http://www.Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, a Paris guide full of inside information on Paris and Paris hotels.

How To Select Your Preferred Bali Hotels

Bali is a wonderful island situated in Indonesia, the ultimate tourist destination in Asia, is worth a visit. Most people come to Bali for its beach, waves, sun, some come for business, some come for its undying art and culture, some come for its breathtaking landscapes and some for pure relaxation.

Choosing Bali for your holiday destination, of course you should select and decide your preferred Bali Hotel which would match your interests. There are myriad of accommodations to choose from in Bali, from five-star luxury hotels to budget accommodations.

Bali Hotels by locations: Accommodations by the sea (has beach front), in town and hotels are situated in countryside. Or Bali Hotels by interest (boutique hotels, villas, small hotels in traditional Balinese style bungalow and big or leading Bali Hotels).

Every place has its own attractions and features:
Sanur: Famed for its white sandy beach, sun rise, sea activities, close to other places of interest. Is for gracious living, peaceful and quiet. More ?international? but somehow far less cosmopolitan than frenetic Kuta. There are so many excellent hotels here that you can scarcely go wrong.

Kuta: Frenetic, sometime chaotic, noisy, lots of hype, but a great playground. Originally what drew visitors to Kuta was the wide beach and the surf. It still has best sea front on the island. Kuta also famed for its shopping, dine and night lives. Though there are now many first-class hotels and home stays, caters best to the economy traveler who likes to be in the thick of things.

Legian & Seminyak: Lie at the north end of Kuta Beach strip. This is the place to stay if you want the best of both worlds. Conveniently located within 15 minutes from the center of Kuta, yet safely removed from the nerve-wrecking intensity and hype. The villages are perfect for extended vacations. There are several first-class hotels, a great number of intermediate-range bungalow, and inexpensive accommodations.

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa: The area is rather isolated from the rest of Bali. Nusa Dua is providing a ?total? hotel environment, everything you could possibly ask for is available on the premises. White sandy beach and a wide range of sea activities.

Jimbaran bay: Has nice and wide beach, good sunset (weather permitted), and close to Airport. There are two leading hotels, good villas and nice hotels in Balinese style bungalow.

Ubud & environs: The heart of arts and cultures of Bali. There are many small resorts deluxe and intermediate accommodations, most blend of typical Balinese and modern amenities. Situated either in town or in the countryside, most have wonderful gardens and views. Ubud is a paradise for shopping too.

The east: Offer more restful vacation.
Nusa Lembongan: Is a surfing, snorkeling and diving paradise. There are some excellent hotel resorts and some inexpensive hotels.
Balina beach: Buitan Village, this is spacious, gorgeous white sand beach, is one of the major scuba diving centers of Bali. There are a deluxe hotel and some intermediates and budget hotels.
Candi Dasa: The beach (at low tide, at high tide there IS no beach) because it has been eroded by the waves, but Candi Dasa offer restful vacation. There are first-class, intermediate and inexpensive hotels. You will be treated here with the utmost of graceful service.

The North:
Lovina beach: A northern beachfront alternative to Kuta and Sanur, this is a serene and infrequently visited vacation spot. Black sand beaches and quite waters nestles inside of extensive coral reefs distinguish this idyllic beach. Snorkeling is superb here and the reef is close enough that even children and beginner swimmers can feel comfortable here. There are first-class, intermediate and inexpensive hotels.

Western Beaches:
Up along this coast north of Kuta and Legian lies a stretch of black sand beach with a dangerous reef and heavy undertow, these beaches are not ideal for swimming and beginner surfers. At Canggu there are some luxury hotels. Yeh Gangga boast a small luxury resort Waka Gangga is facing the Indian Ocean. Tanah Lot boast a leading hotel Le Meridian and a world championship golf course with breathtaking view of famous Tanah Lot temple and sunset.

Western Interior:
Bedugul: This mountain resort is famous for its air, restful and serene. There are a number of places to stay here, from luxury hotels to budget accommodations (losmen).

The quickest and easiest way to select your preferred Bali Hotels is to go online and visit hotel reservation website. Do a search for the city or place (Indonesia, Bali, Hotels) you are traveling to and you will be presented with a list of available hotels in that area. There are also more information about hotel?s and room?s facilities. Most luxury hotel has excellent spa facilities.

The wide choice can be confusing ? especially for first-time visitors ? and it?s sometimes difficult to select the right accommodation. So still go online and click travel. Choose your reputable travel agent (contact him by e-mail). Just let him know your personal needs and preferences that he can recommend those hotels he feel suit you best.

My immense thanks to you readers. Made Dertha was an English and Italian tour guide for many years in Bali, writes for Bali Turista where he is the Managing Director now. Visit www.baliturismo.com & www.baliturista.com