Birmingham City Guide, Including Birmingham Hotels

Britain?s second biggest city after London is Birmingham. Birmingham is the cultural centre of the West Midlands and offers the casual visitor an enormous range of exciting opportunities and things to do. Offering an unsurpassed range of shops and shopping centres, and literally hundreds of activities and things to do, Birmingham is the ideal tourist destination; a city that is always guaranteed to keep you occupied.

As a city, Birmingham is packed with places to visit, enabling you to get a real taste of the city?s culture. Just a few of the places include:

Birmingham Cathedral: Built in 1725, this is one of the city?s most beautiful historic buildings, complete with four Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows.

The Royal Air Force Museum: Treat yourself to a stunning display of aviation history and witness over seventy aircraft situated within three separate wartime hangars. You?ll see Spitfires, Hurricanes, Vulcans and more.

Cadbury?s World: One of the country?s biggest and most popular museums. You?ll find out about the history of chocolate, and how it originated in South America, as well as seeing a genuine production line. Of course, a visit isn?t complete without sampling the produce?

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: Witness a huge variety of exhibits that range from spooky Egyptian mummies to a wooden toy collection for the kids. Treat yourself to some culture and examine the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens: An astonishing fifteen acres of beautiful gardens are available for exploration, as well as four glasshouses containing exotic plants.

When it comes to finding something to do, you?ll find that Birmingham has it covered. Some ideal places for pursuits include:

The Ackers: If your family?s into sport, then enjoy taking part in a variety of activities including climbing, canoeing, skiing, snowboarding and more. Occupying over seventy acres and located just two miles from the city centre, The Ackers couldn?t be more convenient.

Second City Canal Cruises: Enjoy cruising down the Birmingham canals and buy gifts from the souvenir shop.

The National Sea Life Centre: Witness over sixty displays of exotic marine life, and find yourself enthralled by the undersea world. See giant turtles, reef fish and sharks too.

Newbrook Farm Experience: Visit a working farm and keep an eye out for the many rare breeds of animals that include cattle, hens, pigs, ponies and goats.

Woodgate Valley Country Park: The perfect place for walkers, with mile upon mile of tracks to explore. There?s something for the kids too, with a farm, play area and a fun pony-trekking centre.

If you?re feeling hungry after touring Birmingham, you?ll discover that Birmingham is renowned for its culinary diversity ? meaning that you?ll find the right meal, no matter what variety of food you?re looking for. Within the city, home-cooked traditional British food goes hand-in-hand with exotic cuisine from India and China, and all of Birmingham?s eateries are in easily accessible locations. Whichever end of the scale interests you ? whether it is a simple takeaway or a slap-up three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant ? Birmingham has it covered. Here?s a small selection of the city?s eating-places:

City Caf? Birmingham: Service, style and ambience are on the menu at this top-rated restaurant that offers a la carte menus, a famous Sunday lunch buffer and a vegetarian garden. Enjoy a live Jazz band every Thursday evening.

Metro Bar & Grill: Free-range meats are the order of the day here, along with a comprehensive fish board that changes daily. Metro also serves a range of sandwiches and simple snack foods if you?re looking for something quick.

Peppers: Birmingham?s top-rated Indian restaurant has every kind of Indian dish imaginable, and you?ll be spoilt for choice when you see the menu. The restaurant?s ethos is value for money.
San Carlo Ristorante: Authentic Italian food is what this restaurant offers, with many of the ingredients imported directly from Italy. The chefs and the management bring real individuality to the menu.

Opus Restaurant: Seasonal and regional are the keywords for this eatery?s menu, which offers genuine British meals with the ingredients locally sourced.

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Birmingham, the only problem you?ll experience with Birmingham is the amount of options available ? so many, in fact, that you?ll be spoilt for choice! Short breaks and long stays are catered for in hotels and guesthouses in the city centre or on the outskirts. Further, the prices range from the immediately affordable to more expensive and luxurious rooms. If you?re looking for an alternative, then you?ll find that Birmingham has plenty of options ranging from campsites to self-catering accommodation. There are also special packages available, such as the spa break, where you?ll find yourself pampered into luxury.

When you?ve finished exploring Birmingham by day, you?ll discover that the city comes alive at night with some of the coolest pubs and nightclubs around. Whether you?re looking for a relaxing sit down and drink, or want to party away the small hours, you?ll doubtlessly discover the ideal venue. The Nightingale Club, located in the heart of the city centre, has three levels incorporating numerous bars, discos, a restaurant and a games room. Meanwhile, The Jam House is a nightclub supported by music maestro Jools Holland, and holds up to 600 people. Alternatively, Rick?s Garden Caf? & Bar in Birmingham offers you the opportunity to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine under the stars.

The above information should give you some idea of just what Birmingham has to offer as a city. There?s something to keep you occupied whatever your interest, with a whole range of different cultural activities. If you?re traditional, you?ll enjoy visiting the city?s many museums and art galleries, and learning about Birmingham?s history. If you?re part of a family, you?ll discover attractions that have proved to be popular with thousands of children while in Birmingham. Eating, shopping, seeing and doing? all four bases are covered when you come to Birmingham.

Hotels in Birmingham

Birmingham NEC/Airport Premier Travel Inn
City Inn Birmingham
Campanile Hotel - Birmingham
Copthorne Hotel Birmingham
Birmingham Great Barr Hotel
Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport
The Norfolk Hotel
Portland Hotel
Ye Olde Station Guest House Birmingham, Shustoke
Days Inn Birmingham East
Britannia Hotel Birmingham
Macdonald Burlington Hotel
Best Western The Westley Hotel
Central Guest House
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Castle Bromwich
Heath Lodge Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham NEC
Novotel Birmingham Airport
Hagley Court Hotel
Apollo Hotel
Corus hotel Birmingham South
Bridge House Hotel
Fairlawns At Aldridge(Best Western)
RAMADA BIRMINGHAM (FORMERLEY DAYS HOTEL)
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Oldbury M5, Jct.
Novotel Birmingham Centre
Paragon Hotel
Thistle Birmingham City
Birmingham Edgbaston
Jurys Inn Birmingham
Premier Apartments Birmingham
The Edgbaston Palace Hotel

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

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

4 Star Hotels

Everyone wants to go on a nice, relaxing, and quiet vacation every once in a while, but not everyone has the kind of money that can buy a 5-star hotel stay for the weekend. In that once every few years chance that you have saved just enough for a lush weekend trip, you have the choice to go all out on a first rate hotel and have little left for going around town, or to pick a more reasonably priced 4 star hotel and still have a good budget for seeing the best that the hotel?s surroundings has to offer.

No matter what popular tourist destination you go to, there are 4-star hotels that are more than capable of competing with the first class hotels in the same town. Despite the difference in ratings, it is possible that the only disparity that counts between 4-star hotels and their 5-star counterparts is the price range, especially if you?re one customer who is only slightly particular about the kind and range of services offered in the hotel you choose to stay in. Some 4-star hotels even offer a wider range of amenities than some 5-star hotels at a lower price. Also, some 4 star hotels are considered the best in a certain region, as a 4-star rating is the highest for the hotel grading body ruling that area.

However, notice that the prices also differ according to the hotels? respective distances from the center of the city or town; the prices reduce as the location moves farther from the center. The factor of how much of the city center you want to see should therefore play a role in planning your luxurious weekend getaway. After all, what you save in accommodations could easily turn into expenses when you need to spend more on transportation between the hotel and tourist spots you intend to visit.

Four-star hotels are also suitable for business travel, as business centers and conference halls are available in most. The business traveler can also benefit from the luxurious service a 4-star hotel offers, as the hotel can easily cater to a mix of business and pleasure. Some can even be a source of inspiration and tranquility, particularly those with extra provisions for privacy, such as soundproofed rooms, and wellness facilities, such as room massage service and a Zen garden.

Here?s a list of 4 star hotels that may be worth spending a weekend in someday: the Sofitel Paris Porte de Sevres, which also offers wireless Internet access in some rooms, 3 restaurants catering to different tastes, and the option to stay on one of its eight non-smoking floors; the Hotel Forum in Rome, with a roof-garden restaurant overlooking the Venice Square and the Colosseum; and the Elite Hotel Praha in Prague, which is located in a quiet, yet scenic part of town, and features a day bar with a small leisure garden and a grill club that showcases the best of French, Argentinian and Spanish cuisines.

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

Sleeping In Style: Luxury Hotels

No matter what type of vacation you prefer, there is a luxury hotel awaiting you! One of the benefits of staying in a luxury hotel is that, even if you choose a rustic vacation setting, you can return at day's end to comfort and pampering that makes a vacation truly enjoyable. Whether you're hitting the mountains for hiking or skiing, heading to the ocean beach, or visiting a foreign country, luxury hotels abound.

Why stay at a luxury hotel? It's great to be pampered. Four and five star hotels offer a level of service and hospitality that can't be found in other establishments. You are guaranteed a beautiful setting, and the additional services offered in a luxury hotel are often enough that you don't even need to leave the hotel to enjoy a fabulous vacation!

Many luxury hotels are perfectly situated in areas of high interest for the vacation traveler. When seeking a hotel for vacation purposes (rather than business, for example), determine the location and nearby attractions. Many hotels offer an array of accommodations, such as those included in resort settings or combined with a city's downtown entertainment.

When traveling with children, it's important to determine ahead of time a hotel's policy for young travelers. Some do not allow children under a certain age, while some luxury hotels cater to families. Many offer childcare and children's clubs, so the parents can get a few hours away while the kids enjoy learning something new such as archery or rock climbing.

For those seeking a vacation experience, it is also wise to find out if there are any conventions or other large events taking place while you are there. Hotels located in areas where multiple activities take place (such as in a city as opposed to a resort) are more likely to be busy, so find out ahead of time. This won't guarantee that something won't be booked, but you can lower your chances of booking your stay during a large event. Also, find out if any large tour groups are scheduled for the same time.

Traveling during the off-season is a great way to minimize crowds and maximize your experience. Rates are lower during this time, and many hotels offer package deals. These may include multiple nights or combining local activities with your stay. Be sure to inquire about any promotional offerings when you book your stay. Determine whether the hotel chain offers any promotional memberships or price matching guarantees. If you travel frequently, this can be a money-saving option. Your frequent flyer program may also have specials with certain hotels. Also, find out if any organizations to which you belong have any programs that include travel.

When planning your vacation, do some research yourself before seeking the assistance of a travel agent. Many people prefer to book their own travels, and this is fine, as long as you use a reputable source. For those who travel often, this is a good way to go, and many deals can be found online that are not available elsewhere. When traveling to a new destination, however, it may be wise to use the help of an agent when booking the trip.

Staying in a luxury hotel is a luxury that you'll definitely appreciate. Enjoy your vacation and sleep well.

Luxury Hotel Facts Facts is an information site that contains articles, a directory and other Luxury Hotel Resources. It can be found at: http://www.luxuryhotelfacts.com

Pet Friendly Hotels

If your travel companion happens to have fur, or walk on four paws instead of feet, then you will probably need to locate a few pet friendly hotels for your travels. Most hotels will not allow you to bring your four legged friend in for a nights stay, so its important to call ahead to any hotel you plan on staying in to make sure that except pets as well as people.

You can find pet friendly hotels in almost any area, and at almost any price range. Pet friendly hotels are typically just like your normal hotels. You can visit a bed and breakfast, or a spa; all with your cat or dog right there beside you. Since pet friendly hotels are a rarity, the will often book up a little quicker than other similar hotels will. For that reason it's important to call ahead and book your room early if you know you will be traveling with your pet, and be in need of accommodations. Particularly if you are traveling to a cat or dog show in a particular area, the rooms will book up exceptionally quickly in a pet friendly hotel, so you will want to be sure to secure yours before they are all gone.

In many pet friendly hotels the hotel will set aside certain rooms of the hotel specifically for use by pet owners. By setting aside a room specifically for pet owners, they allow other hotel guest to be able to spend their stay in the hotel in a room free from pet dander, as well as the hassle of running into, or hearing other people's pets. For dogs, many pet friendly hotels will sometimes have a special place for you to take your dog outside to relieve him or herself, occasionally the better pet friendly hotels will have some sort of dog park or recreation area as well where you dog can have the opportunity to get some exercise and socialize with the other dogs who are also staying in the hotel.

Hotels that are not only pet friendly, but also those that have the pets in mind with things such as recreation areas and pet friendly dining are usually some of the best to take your pet to. In these situations you pet is often invited to do everything that you are in the hotel, and the hotel sometimes s will offer addition activities for the pets as well, such as a dog day camp that can allow you to go out on the town and have fun, while leaving your dog behind having fun as well.

In most cases be prepared to pay a little extra for your pet to stay in the hotel along with you. While pet friendly hotels do allow pets, most require some sort of supplement for the privilege of having your pet stay along with you in the same room. The supplement is usually not as expensive as having another person stay along with you, but it can get a little expensive depending on the hotel that you select.

Before traveling to any pet friendly hotel do your research. Talk to friends who also travel with their pets that have gone to the area and visit a hotel that they particularly enjoyed. Your friends are often your best resource in locating the very best places to visit. If you know you are traveling to a certain location and want to stay in a particular hotel then book your room as advance as you can. In most cases the earlier you book your room the less expensive it will be, and the better your chances of getting the room and location that you want. Booking your hotel room late or at the last minute could mean that all of the pet friendly hotels are booked up, and you will have to leave your pet at home.

Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.

City guide to Oxford, including Oxford hotels

Introduction

Oxford is a city and local government district in Oxfordshire, England, with a population of 134,248 (2001 census). It is home to the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of the university buildings. The Oxford suburb of Cowley has a long history of carmaking, and still produces BMW MINIs.

History

Oxford was first occupied in Saxon times, and was initially known as "Oxenaforda". It began with the foundations of St Frideswide's nunnery in the 8th century. The University of Oxford is first mentioned in 12th century records. Oxford's earliest colleges were University College (1249), Balliol (1263) and Merton (1264).

During the English Civil War, Oxford housed the court of Charles I in 1642, after the king was expelled from London, although there was strong support in the town for the Parliamentarian cause. In the 19th century the controversy surrounding the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Church drew attention to the city as a focus of theological thought. Oxford's Town Hall was built by Henry T. Hare, the foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1893 and opened by the future King Edward VII on 12 May 1897. By the early 20th century Oxford was experiencing rapid industrial and population growth, with the printing and publishing industries becoming well established by the 1920s.

Places of Interests

Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions, many belonging to the university and colleges. As well as several famous institutions, the town centre is home to Carfax Tower and a historical themed ride, The Oxford Story. In the summer, punting on the Thames (sometimes called the Isis as it flows through Oxford) and the Cherwell is popular.

Other notable attractions include:

Christ Church Cathedral The Church of St Mary the Virgin (the University Church) Martyrs' Memorial Ashmolean Museum Pitt Rivers Museum Museum of Natural History Museum of the History of Science Science Oxford University buildings The University Parks The University Botanic Garden Cornmarket Street, Oxford Turl Street, Oxford Little Clarendon Street Oxford Covered Market Westgate Shopping Centre

Museums and Art Galleries

Oxford has a large number of museums and galleries open for public. Following are the world famous and a major tourist spot in Oxford:

Ashmolean Museum, Britain's oldest museum Pitt Rivers Museum Museum of Natural History, home of (the remains of) the Oxford Dodo Museum of the History of Science, in Britain's oldest purpose-built museum building Museum of Oxford Museum of Modern Art Science Oxford

Shopping

Golden Cross, an arcade of first-class shops and boutiques, lies between Cornmarket Street and the Covered Market. Parts of the colorful gallery date from the 12th century. Many buildings remain from the medieval era, along with some 15th- and 17th-century structures. The market also has a reputation as the Covent Garden of Oxford, with live entertainment on Saturday mornings in summer. In its way, Alice's Shop, played an important role in English literature, it functioned as a general store (selling brooms, hardware, and the like) during the period that Lewis Carroll, at the time a professor of mathematics at Christ Church College, was composing Alice in Wonderland. It is believed to have been the model for important settings within the book. Today, the place is a favorite stopover of Lewis Carroll fans from as far away as Japan, who gobble up commemorative pencils, chess sets, party favors, bookmarks, and in rare cases, original editions of some of Carroll's works. The Bodleian Library Shop, specializes in Oxford souvenirs, from books and paperweights to Oxford banners and coffee mugs. Castell & Son (The Varsity Shop), is the best outlet in Oxford for clothing emblazoned with the Oxford logo or heraldic symbol.

Food and Drink

Oxford offers European and Middle-East and Asian cuisine. Some of the restaurants are:

Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant Gee's Restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons Rosamund the Fair Al-Salam Browns.

Except these restaurants Oxford hosts some Traditional and historic pubs

The Eagle and Child The Turf Tavern The Lamb and Flag The Bear

Education

The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Events and organizations and institutes officially connected with the University include:

Worcester College, Backs of medieval cottages The Oxford Union Society The Oxford University Press, the world's oldest and largest university press The Bodleian Library Major Research Libraries (including the Sackler Library) Oxford University Department for Continuing Education The Taylor Institution The Oxford University Student Union Oxford University Newman Society -- Catholic speaker society The OICCU, the undergraduate Christian union The Oxford University Museum of Natural History (sometimes called The Oxford University Museum) The Pitt Rivers Museum The Ashmolean Museum The Bate Collection Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum Oxford University Sports Federation Oxford University Boat Club The O'Reilly Theatre Moser Theatre Rothermere American Institute Said Business School The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art Computing Laboratory Isis Innovation

Sports

Oxford City FC and Milton United FC among others are two famous football club and play regular club and league matches. Oxford Cavaliers Rugby League Club is the rugby club playing for Oxford city. Drayton Leisure Golf Driving Range is the golf course with 9 HOLE (PAR 3) COURSE and 6 HOLES FLOODLIT. As a city in UK it has a number of cricket teams and hosts tournaments like Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup, National Cricket Club Championship, The Cricketer National Village Championship etc

Tours and Sightseeing

There are a number of tour operators in Oxford. The tourist information center is also very helpful to find out a way to enjoy the visit of Oxford.

Hotels and Accommodations

Accommodations in Oxford are limited, though recently, motels have sprouted on the outskirts -- good for those who want modern amenities. In addition, if you have a car, you may want to consider country houses or small B&Bs on the outskirts of town

Some of the notable hotels are:

Victoria House Hotel Cotswold Lodge Classic Hotel Westwood Country Hotel Ltd Holiday Inn Oxford The Oxford Hotel Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel Express by Holiday Inn Oxford Kassam Stadium The Bat & Ball Inn The Upper Reaches Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel Oxfordshire Inn Days Inn Hotel Oxford The Plough at Clifton Hampden Marlborough Arms Hotel The FEATHERS Macdonald Bear Hotel White Hart Hotel

Transport

Oxford is located some 50 miles (80 km) north west of London; the cities are linked by the M40 motorway, which also links northwards to Birmingham.

Rail connections include services to London (Paddington), Bournemouth, Worcester (via the Cotswold Line), and Bicester. The city also has regular train services northwards to Birmingham, Coventry and the north. The railway service connecting Oxford and Cambridge, known as the Varsity Line, was discontinued in 1968.

The Oxford Canal connects to the River Thames at Oxford.

Oxford Airport at Kidlington offers business and general aviation services.

Local bus services are largely provided by the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach South Midlands.

Biography

Name: Maria Williams Occupation: Traveller Website: www.sleepuk.com Biography: Maria writes for Sleep UK - providers of discounted hotels to make your stay in the UK as comfortable as possible.

Fractional Ownership, Private Residence Clubs, Condo Hotels - Buying Options

You're seriously considering buying a second home or vacation home. What are your options? Is whole ownership the right choice? What about fractional or shared ownership? What's more important to you - investment or enjoyment? This report answers these questions and more.

A second home is something many aspire to own and enjoy. You're not alone. In fact, people are buying second homes like never before. Second homes tend to be held for seasonal and occasional use or whose usual occupants live elsewhere.

The expansion of second home growth has had two driving forces behind it: increased wealth and favorable demographics. With tax laws that benefited the transfer of wealth, the stock market boom in the 1990's and renewed house price appreciation, average household net worth has risen dramatically. These demographic changes coupled with the recent languishing stock market have intensified second-home demand and contributed coincidently to the extreme rise in prices within destination resort areas. Second-home purchases are most commonly made by middle-aged heads of households in their prime earning years.

In 2004, the second home industry in North America achieved record sales volumes. A total of 2.82 million second homes were sold in the U.S., up 16.3% from 2.42 million sales in 2003. This growth trend is attributed to several factors:

* The US economy recovered from a deep recession.
* Cash in money markets languished with the lowest interest rates in decades.
* Confidence in the stock market remained and continues to remain low with consumers seeking out alternative investment opportunities.
* Consumers in the US and Canada saw second home real estate as a safe haven for investment appreciation with the opportunity to also enjoy the use of their new asset.
* Second homes also provide investment diversification, which has become a critical concern among consumers since the stock market crash in 2000 and 2001.

New Ownership Options Available to Meet New Market Demands

In response to growing demand, the resort industry has undergone substantial change in the last five years. In order to broaden market appeal, developers have crafted new second home real estate products to better respond to people's needs and desires. The most recent innovations in the second home industry are the introduction and rapidly increasing popularity of luxury fractional real estate and the condominium hotel - two of the fastest growing segments of the real estate industry today.

Fractional Real Estate and Condominium Hotels are primarily purchased for lifestyle enhancements. The variations between these products tend to be in how the owners plan to use their residences and what they hope to gain from their ownership. To better understand these differences it is important to note the two primary motivations for owning a second home - as an investment and enjoyment from use of the residence.

Similar to whole ownership purchases, fractional and condo-hotel owners are granted ownership by fee-simple deed with title insurance. Since Fractional Real Estate and Condominium Hotels are backed by deed and title, these purchases are considered equity-based investments as opposed to the non-equity based multi-site destination clubs also popular in today's market. And, just as you can with a primary dwelling, the deeded fraction or condo-hotel real estate may be resold or bequeathed.

Fractional Ownership

Fractionals are very upscale fully furnished second home properties usually located within renowned destination resort areas or select urban settings where cultural, dining and shopping experiences are extraordinary. More important to the consumer is that resort fractional projects are being located within destinations that have been family favorites for generations. These residence programs normally include superior resort services such as concierge, valet parking and personal gourmet chef services for in-home dining, as well as the use of first class quality amenities and a variety of recreational activities.

Common settings for fractional properties are ski and golf resorts and beach communities. Popular destinations include Aspen and Telluride in Colorado as well as the Caribbean. "Fractionals are typically found in resort areas where prices for second homes are very high and/or there is a scarcity of available real estate," says Richard Ragatz, president of Ragatz Associates, a hospitality market research and consulting firm based in Eugene, Oregon.

Carl Berry, CEO of Scottsdale-based Star Resort Group, notes that the luxury fractional or private residence club concept has become attractive because property values in popular resort areas has skyrocketed out of reach of all but the wealthiest buyers.

For example, Mr. Berry notes that $1 million now buys a tear-down cabin in Aspen, Colorado, whereas a fractional there costs $200,000 to $500,000, "which is chicken feed compared to what these properties are going for." Nowadays, $200,000 will buy a piece of a $1.5 million property, according to Ragatz, who notes that this concept has been around a long time. "People have been investing in second homes with relatives and friends for years, but divided-ownership property was never a true product until recently."

I like to emphasize that the popularity of the second home fractional is that it makes sense to purchasers who simply could not justify the purchase that they might only use for a few weeks out of each year. With a fractional, owners have the asset and all the advantages of second home ownership without the cost or year-round maintenance obligations. Professional management relieves owners of the worry and anguish that often accompanies second home ownership. When coupled with superior hospitality service levels, the fractional purchase is an exciting and sensible alternative in the second home marketplace. Fractional choices are broadening as developers continue to design programs that truly allow owners to use their second home as they prefer at a fraction of the cost.

What Types of Fractional Ownership Are Available?

There are several different types of fractionals that serve divergent interests. The most popular categories include Traditional Fractions and Private Residence Clubs.

Traditional Fractional
This original fractional format was first formulated in the 1980's to formalize the sharing of a single family home within a destination resort area. Traditional fractions now involve condominiums and attached townhouses as well as detached single family homes. These Traditional Fractionals are usually sold in one-fourth interests, also termed Quarter-shares. Quarter-share owners receive one week of use each month for a total of 13 weeks per year. Variations of the Traditional Fractional include: Fifth-shares with a total of 10 weeks per year and assignment of use every fifth week, and; Sixth-shares with 8 weeks of use per year and allocation of time every sixth week.

Within each traditional fractional format, the weeks are assigned through a calendar that rotates to distribute the most desirable times of the seasons in a fair and equitable manner. The owner may either use or gift their weeks, or they can place their unused time in a rental program and split the revenue with the property manager after costs. Quality of the residence and furnishings is in the 3 to 4-star ranges. Service levels are at the 3-star level, if included in the program offering.

Private Residence Club (PRC)
A Private Residence Club (PRC) is designed to meet the needs of the same affluent buyer that would normally consider purchasing a luxury wholly owned second home. The purchase decision is primarily based on the buyer's motivation to enjoy the residence and the resort area, although potential value appreciation is a factor.

Affluent purchasers recognize they have limited leisure time and are looking for real estate that is price proportionate to actual use. The Private Residence Club ownership model follows a "pay for what you need and want" philosophy in an intimate, exclusive community together with highly personalized service and a wide range of amenities. As in the Traditional Fractional, owners purchase a share or "fraction" of a Private Residence Club home. They receive a deed with title insurance.

Private Residence Clubs comprise a high-end luxury product sold on a one-seventh (1/7) to one-thirteenth (1/13) share basis. Quality of the residence and furnishings is in the 4-star to 5-star ranges. Service levels are superior with every need or request by an owner accommodated by an attentive staff.

As pioneered by principals of Star Resort Group, the defining quality of the Private Residence Club is in the owners' ability to access their time in a flexible manner and literally as often as they want, similar to a golf country club and subject to the project's Reservations Policies and Procedures.

Dave Hanna, President of Star Hospitality and a member of the first PRC development team explains, "In the Private Residence Club program, the owner's use of the residence is on his schedule and not controlled by a calendar. Generally, ownerships are granted a set amount of time, termed 'Pre-planned Vacations', to guarantee each owner access to their residence during peak seasonal times. In designing a particular use plan, we consider the length of the peak season and set a ratio of owners to each home that allows enough flexibility so owners can be assured of securing the times that they want each year. Spontaneous visits by owners are accommodated through a 'Space Available' reservation program that allows for use as little as one night at a time and up to seven nights per reservation. Some owners may use the program less in certain years, making more time available at the resort for the other owners."

Carl Berry adds a note on hospitality service levels: "Certain Private Residence Club projects prefer to promote their program with "5-star service" levels. When compared to the rating system utilized by the hospitality industry for luxury hotels, residence clubs that do not provide fine dining alternatives, butler service and other requisites that earn the 5-star rating are at 4 to 4.5-star levels. That is not to say that the service isn't excellent, for it is. It's just not 5-star by hospitality industry definitions. Owners at Star Resort Group projects appreciate the tradeoffs between having a 24-hour butler staff versus having to pay for that convenience in their annual fees."

PRCs are seldom rented, since the owners generally prefer to keep unused time available for the owners while maintaining exclusivity. The Homeowners Association supports their thinking by not facilitating or encouraging rentals. Should owners decide to rent any of their guaranteed weeks to friends or associates, the renters are treated as the owner's unaccompanied guests.

Condo-Hotels
Statistics show that the market for homes with rental income potential is nearly twice the size of the market for vacation homes that are seldom rented. However, both markets are growing rapidly in double digits. As expected, the typical buyer is at least partially motivated by investment and rental income and may be younger and less affluent that the luxury whole ownership second home buyer.

A Condo-Hotel unit is a condominium sold on a whole ownership basis with the intent of the owner using some of the time when they wish, while placing the balance of their unused or unscheduled time into a hotel rental program. An operating hotel with attendant services is critical for this program to be successful. The appeal of a condo-hotel ownership to prospective buyers is that there may be an opportunity for rental income to cover yearly operating costs. Strict rules apply toward representation of the condo-hotel product as an investment. It is first and foremost a real estate product predicated on the owner's planned use.

Although most condo hotels are sold as whole ownership, some condo-hotel regimes have structured a hybrid fractional overlay model into the mix of products in order to reduce the price point and diversify the market. Aside from the prevalent whole ownership condo-hotel model, traditional quarter shares or fifth shares tend to be the most popular hybrid within the condo-hotel platform.

Whole Ownership Second Home Options
For those who choose to use their resort residence for longer periods of time, or are inflexible in their use times, or for those who simply prefer not to share and are willing to pay the price, whole ownership of a second home is the only acceptable format.

You're One Step Closer to Your New Home

Now that you're armed with all the facts, the next step is to start shopping for your new second home. And now that you know all about your fractional ownership options and all of the benefits of only paying for what you need, you just might find yourself owning your dream home sooner than you thought possible.

For more information on fractional ownership in private residence clubs and on condo hotels, including listings and photos of available properties, visit the Star Resort Group website at http://www.starresortgroup.com

John R. Kazanjian, is Executive Vice President of Star Resort Group. He is a co-founder of The World's Finest Resorts and has served as CEO of Resort Development & Advisors. His 30-year career has focused in fractional ownership resort real estate and vacation ownership development. Visit the Star Resort Group website at http://www.starresortgroup.com for more information on fractional ownership in private residence clubs.

Hotels in London, England

Looking for hotels in London? As with most major cities of the world, you have a wide array of choices. Five-star hotels like the Ritz Hotel and the Intercontinental London Hyde Park, all the way down to 2-star hotels like the Regent Palace Hotel and the Dover Hotel that simply give you a place to stay, but still with basic services. Prices, as could be expected, would vary -- from GBP 135-250 ($250- $450) for the five-star hotels, down to GBP 30-60 ($50- $100) for cheap London hotels.

Cheap price does not mean poor choice, though. You still get excellent, though somewhat more informal service, a place to eat with a good selection of dishes, and a room with at least a television. The more expensive hotels just provide added perks, like formal service, antique and/or more luxurious furniture, several restaurants with various food offerings like Italian, Indian, or Thai food, modem lines in each room, cable television, even babysitting/child services and a doctor on call. Your choice of the London hotel to stay in can be based on more than just the amount of money you are willing to spend.

Your trip might require you to have internet access, or an international direct dial phone connection, or a safety deposit box. Or, you might want to select your hotel based on its location: from Central London, from the nearest coach and rail station, or from the many tourist attractions that you plan to visit. Whatever these factors are, you have a lot of options to make your stay in London, England, exactly as you want it to be.
Mike Yeager
Publisher
http://www.my-hotel-4me.com/