Glasgow City guide, including hotels

Glasgow is already a top tourist destination for many travellers in Europe. If you were thinking about going on holiday to Glasgow, you may be excited to learn about Glasgow's world famous art collections. Glasgow has some of the best shopping in Europe. There is a Lighthouse, the Gallery of Modern Art of Glasgow and plenty of museums and interesting entertainments. If you were thinking of taking a holiday in the UK, try visiting Glasgow.
Places of Interest in Glasgow
To get started, let's look at some places of interest that are popular with Glasgow tourists.

Glasgow Cathedral - Glasgow Cathedral was built around the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. During the Reformation period in 1560, it survived the threat of being torn down and is considered to be the only still standing authentic cathedral from that era. Its gothic style structure makes for a wonderful architectural gem to discover on your travels. It is open for viewing through almost any time of the year.

The Lighthouse - The Lighthouse in Glasgow is a national centre for architecture and design. It was once a newspaper office for the Glasgow Herald. Over 700,000 people have already visited it since it opened its door. It now contains galleries, shopping, a couple of cafes and a miniaturized version of "Wee People's City".

The Gallery of Modern Art - The Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow is one of the most popular modern art galleries in the UK. It houses contemporary artwork, most with the theme of addressing social issues. It is open nearly all year long and children are welcome. Ask for a free-guided tour.

Glasgow Tower - For a unique architectural gem, try visiting the Glasgow Tower. It is the first tower ever created that revolved full circle, and not just the top. The entire tower can circle around from the base. There are displays inside about Glasgow's past and displays plans for future developments. From the viewing platform at the top, visitors can see out as far as forty miles.

Things to Do in Glasgow
Shopping and activities in Glasgow make for an enjoyable time while visiting the city. Check out these can't miss features.

Merchant City Area - The area called Merchant City contains all sorts of shops from clothing to books and antiques and more. Not to mention the various restaurants and cafes to stop by for a cuppa.

Clubs in Glasgow - If you are looking for a club for dancing or meeting the locals, try some of the more popular ones. Sub Club is located on Jamaica Street. The Arches is on Argyle Street. The Garage is on Sauchiehall Street. Each one of these clubs offers up unique fun and can be easily found.

Pubs in Glasgow - For a collection of authentic United Kingdom pubs, Glasgow offers a variety of them. Looking for real ale or live music? There are a variety of pubs to fit every preference. For example, if you want a more fashionable crowd, head for Bar Soba on Mitchell Lane.

Where to Eat in Glasgow
A holiday in Glasgow isn't complete until you have a meal at one of the more famous restaurants. Try a few of these suggestions.

Aurora Restaurant - For food fashioned after Scottish cuisine, try Aurora Glasgow Restaurant on 2 Port Dundas Place. All dishes are cooked to order, including delectable delights like roast salsify with shellfish vinaigrette or Gressingham Duck breast. Dinner may cost only ?30 per person.

16 Bryres Road - For a Brasseire menu, you will want to try out 16 Bryres Road. You won't have any trouble finding it, though it is a small restaurant. It is a favourite for locals in Glasgow and for good reason. It was listed as one of the best restaurants in Glasgow in a number of magazines. You can find Confit lamb shoulder, grilled fillet of halibut along with prune and almond chocolate brownies with clotted cream listed on the menu.

Bluu - Bluu in Glasgow offers a European menu for its patrons. Located on 60 Trongate Albion Street, Bluu's menu consists of ravioli with spicy pineapple salsa and delicious Iced Malteser parfait with white chocolate sauce. Bluu's tasty meals will range from ?20 - ?40.

Hotels and Accommodation in Glasgow
After shopping and visiting museums and a nice meal, you'll want to relax in a hotel that continues the Glasgow experience. Try these highly recommended Glasgow hotels.
Carlton George Hotel Dreamhouse Serviced Apartments Express by Holiday Inn Glasgow City- Riverside Alexander Thomson Best Western Fenwick Hotel Glasgow City Charing Cross Premier Travel Inn Rennie Mackintosh Hotel (Central Station) Quality Hotel Central Glasgow City Inn Glasgow Ramada Glasgow City Crowne Plaza Glasgow Victorian House Charing Cross House McLays Guest House Hampton Court Hotel Millennium Hotel Glasgow Buchanan Hotel Atlantic Hotel Townhouse Hotel Argyll Hotel Manor Park Hotel The Belhaven Hotel Albion Hotel Erskine Bridge Hotel Swallow Hotel Glasgow Brunswick Merchant City Hotel Merchant lodge Hotel Busby Hotel Dean Park Hotel The Normandy Hotel Glynhill Hotel and Leisure Club Devoncove Hotel Glasgow Express By Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport Ambassador Hotel Menzies Glasgow Hotel Tulip Inn Glasgow Malmaison Glasgow Corus hotel Glasgow Campanile Hotel Glasgow Thistle Glasgow The Spires Serviced Suites Novotel Glasgow Centre Jurys Glasgow Hotel Jurys Inn Glasgow Radisson SAS Hotel Glasgow Fraser Suites Glasgow Best Western Ewington Hotel Dreamhouse City Centre Artto Hotel The A-List Apartments, Glasgow Euro Hostel Ltd Crowwood House Hotel City Serviced Apartments and Lodges Rennie Mackintosh City Hotel City Apartments Express by Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland City Apartments Glasgow
Entertainment in Glasgow
There is no lack of entertainment for visitors to Glasgow. Check out these can't miss events.

IMAX? Theatre - Located on 50 Pacific Quay in the Glasgow Science Centre, IMAX? Theatre offers entertainment for the entire family. Watch films that explore the world around you. With a huge screen and top of the line technology, the IMAX? theatre is open nearly all year.

The King's Theatre - Located on Bath Street in Glasgow, the King's Theatre opened in 1904. With its most clever design, the theatre plays host to professional and amateur play alike. Find musicals and pantomime and drama performances by visiting the King's theatre.

Glasgow plays host to thousands of visitors on holiday each and every year. Come join in the fun, food and flair that can be found in Glasgow.
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Biography

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

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.

The Case for Condo Hotels

Why the condo hotel industry is booming...

1.) Demographics - 78 million US Baby Boomers that will retire in the next 15 years (the largest population turned 50 in 2004-05, with 50th birthdays occurring every 7 seconds). The under told statistic is that there will be 103 million Empty Nesters in Europe by 2009 and Japan will have 32 million boomers by 2010, in a total population of only 127 million people. 213 million Boomers will compete for a uniquely similar lifestyle in retirement. 2.) Boomers Like Debt - Unlike the previous generation, Boomers have proven that they are willing to pay, and borrow for the lifestyle they want. The boomer generation has innovated everything from disposable diapers to SUV's, they will innovate the idea of retirement homes.

3.) The Wealth Transfer - Not everyone is going to get rich. Boomers are estimated to get the biggest slice of the inheritance pie: $17.8 trillion. Distributed evenly, each of the 78 million US boomers get $228,205. But these inheritance dollars will not be distributed evenly. The 73.5% of the boomer cohort will likely join the wealthier classes. Within the next 15 years, 20.7 million boomers will become over $658,000 wealthier, and 57.3 million people will get less than $72,900 to boost their meager net worth/retirement. 20.7 million people may be able to afford luxury retirement residences if they innovate to fractional ownership, condo hotel, and private residence clubs. Whole ownership is going to be bid farther out of reach by the sheer mass of this population competing for prime property, a trend that is already under way. Boomers will need to get creative by purchasing a combination of a primary residence, Condo Hotel and Fractional and PRC ownership options, to more efficiently use their limited nest eggs and to have active and dynamic golden years. www.vacation-finance.com

Bob Waun , CEO

bwaun@vacation-finance.com

As a VP at Paramount Bank, and while at Wells Fargo, Bob innovated lending for Condo Hotel projects. He holds a Master's degree in finance/economics and BBA in finance from Walsh College and a MI Real Estate Broker's License. He has personally lent over $600+ million in residential loans, and over seen operations lending $1+billion. He has been a professional guest speaker and taught numerous courses/se

Israel Hotels - Best Kept Secrets

Have you been to Israel before? Where did you stay? At a large, well known Israel hotel or smaller tourist hotel? They both have their benefits. The Israel Travel Center, a leading online Israel Hotels website knows ALL the hotels in Israel including some of Israel's best kept hotel secrets. These Israel hotels are often ideally located with excellent accommodations, food and service. There are just less known and therefore may be of interest to you.

A drum roll please.....

David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem - Jerusalem Hotels Overlooking the walls of the Old City, is the Capital's latest, most stylish hotel. The David Citadel is a near Library Bell Park and a short drive to the Israel Museum Yad Vashem, Artist Quarter, etc. a excellent location for your Jerusalem Israel hotel accommodations. David Citadel Jerusalem Hotel offers 384 luxurious guestrooms and suites offer state-of-the-art facilities. Deluxe and Alcove Deluxe rooms, as well as the stylish suites offer spectacular views of the Old City at the David Citadel Jerusalem Hotel.

Dan Hotel Tel Aviv - Tel Aviv Hotels Dan Hotel Tel Aviv is in the middle of everything, yet away from it all. Close to beaches and prime shopping centers, the Dan Hotel Tel Aviv is near nightlife and business districts and ideal for a sun and fun vacation and a high-pressure business trip. Dan Hotel Tel Aviv's luxuriously 186 guest rooms and suites offer splendid sea and city views. Special lounges and services cater to the special needs of the traveling executive. The Dan Tel Aviv welcomes you with luxurious accommodations, fine dining and a spectacular sea view pool and sundeck. Private guest lounge serving refreshments throughout the day.

Haifa Tower Hotel - Haifa Hotels The Haifa Tower Hotel is located in central Hadar HaCarmel is near the city's major shopping, tourist and entertainment centers. Also close by are exciting places to visit such as Stekelis Prehistory Museum, Hecht Art Museum, Bahai Shrine, Druze Village, German Colony on Mt. Carmel, Panorama Center, Stella Maris Church, Elijah's Cave, Akko, etc. The Haifa Tower Hotel offers 100 well appointed rooms facing the beautiful Carmel mountain range and Haifa Bay.

Sharon Beach Resort Hotel - Herzlia Hotels Sharon Beach Resort Hotel Herzlia is located on the Herzlia sea shore just 15 minutes drive north of Tel- Aviv. The Herzlia Hotel is near colorful De-Schalit Square's restaurants and shops. A short walk from the Sharon Beach Promenade, the hotel is near the new Arena complex and Herzlia Marina. The Sharon Hotel Herzlia offers 170 large, comfortable guest rooms, including 24 spacious "Garden Rooms" and five charming Junior Suites.

The Israel Travel Center offers best rates, online availability and excellent service for the David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem, Dan Hotel Tel Aviv, Haifa Hotels, Eilat Hotels, and other cites. Visit the Israel Travel Center for more Israel Hotels.

New York City Hotels

New York is the most populous and bustling city of US as it has got something for everyone. If towering Statue of Liberty charms you then Empire State Building provides you the best view to the city. Being the most renowned tourist spot its hotels are always occupied that too in advance. New York City has the hotels catering every section of people ranging from luxurious deluxe hotels to three stars and discount hotels. This city makes you go berserk by its never ending beauty and you can also enjoy skates at the outdoor of famous rink Rockefeller Centre beautifully lit at Christmas.

Being the best tourist spot New York has world's top rated hotels providing array of facilities. Convenient location, best facilities and superb hospitality make you feel at home. In many cases, especially when traveling to major cities and popular attractions, the closer the hotels to the New York city or attraction the more you can expect to pay. The best way to save money, particularly in large cities, is often to stay in the suburbs.

This makes you spend more time getting to the places you want to visit, and you can spend additional money on gasoline, etc. It is advisable to compute all these costs to make sure that you will really be spending less on a less convenient hotel room. If you're looking for spending more time in visiting places rather than spending time in hotel then cheap New York hotels are best options available.

Furthermore, shopping early for a hotel room can often yield the best deals. Advance bookings give you the chance of earning best deals and discounts, which can save your thousands of dollars. That's why New York hotels are often reserved well in advance. As it is said getting the best hotel room deal is just a matter of time.

Internet is said the best option for checking out booking and room availability and also various facilities. Compare the prices and deals offered by hotels so that you get best out of the lot. It is wise to research well, before zeroing on one hotel as hotel location can be of prime concern. You can also save money on hotels and motels without compromising quality as, a membership in AAA or a similar auto club also entitles you to Discounts New York Hotel rooms, as does military service and senior citizen status. While inquiring about a New York's Deluxe Hotels, Five star Hotels or even New York's Cheap Hotels just delve out the information related to discounts and facilities. So plan your visit in advance and also book New York's best hotel offering best services at competitive price.