Category: Hotel

The environmentally-friendly Blue Flag award has been given to three Barcelo Hotels & Resorts properties in the Dominican Republic.

The prestigious eco-label was awarded to the three properties for the groups commitment to preserving the Caribbean coast and providing safe and clean beaches and ocean waters for tourists concerned about the preservation of the environment and seeking eco-friendly Dominican Republic holidays.

Blue Flag is operated by the non-profit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and the distinction is awarded to beaches and marinas in 46 countries across the world that meet high environmental standards across many areas including water quality, safety and services, environmental management and environmental education and information.

The three Dominican Republic hotels that were awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award were Barcelo Puerto Plata, Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort and Barcelo Punta Cana.

Claudio A. Zboznovits, the vice president of sales and marketing for Barcelo in the United States, commented on the awards: Were delighted to see our resort beaches recognised among the worlds most beautiful eco-friendly beaches.

“A commitment to sustainability is a valued company practice for Barcelo Hotels & Resorts. Our hotel beaches are proud to be recognised for our green efforts as we continue to provide a quality experience for guests while protecting our surrounding environment.”

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts is a Spanish family-owned company with a portfolio of over 160 hotels and resorts throughout 17 countries across the world.

The group owns and operates several hotels in the Dominican Republic in the popular tourist areas of Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Juan Dolio and Santo Domingo.

The Blue Flag-awarded hotels are among the leading properties providing all inclusive Dominican Republic holidays with luxury accommodation and facilities for guests of all ages.

The Barcelo Punta Cana is located on the beautiful stretch of white sand Playa Arena Gorda beach which is close to the Bvaro Lagoon and the tropical East National Park.

The resort features Spanish-influenced architecture and design and 798 guest rooms that boast beautiful views of the ocean and beach. During Punta Cana holidays, guests can enjoy facilities including seven gourmet restaurants, a casino, a full-service spa, a kids club and several swimming pools. The hotel was also ranked among the top five green resorts by Travel Agent Magazine for its eco-friendliness.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort is an adults-only Dominican Republic hotel that is located next to the family-friendly Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe. Bavaro Beach has a P.B Dye-designed 18-hole golf course, a full service spa, a Vegas-style theatre, a nightclub, a 24-hour sports bar and casino, several bars and restaurants, and a small shopping promenade with 16 shops. The two resorts are situated on nearly two miles of pristine soft sandy beach.

Barcelo Puerto Plata is located on the soft sands of Playa Doradas Golden Beach. The resort has 585 guest rooms and suites and during holidays in the Dominican Republic, tourists can enjoy beach volleyball, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking, and scuba diving. Facilities include eight restaurants, five bars, a nightclub, and an 18-hole Trend Jones-designed golf course.

Ways to Get a Free Hotel Upgrades in Texas.

There is no secret formula for getting a guaranteed hotel upgrade. Why settle for a single when you can have the penthouse suite! Here is a list of tips for getting your hotel free room upgrade which are sure fire ways of landing the best possible room at no extra charge.

Tip #1: Ask Three Times. Make your reservation by phone and ask the operator for a free upgrade. A few days before arrival call to confirm the room, this makes the operator look at your reservation and has the ability to make a change. Now on arrival ask yet again.

Tip #2. Look the part. On arrival make sure you do not look like you’ve just come out of the dump, looking sharp gives the reception clerk reason to give you a free upgrade.

Tip #3. Be Nice. Each interaction you have with an employee at the hotel should be pleasant, go out of your way to be nice to them, if you don’t get a free hotel room upgrade you’ll sure to get good service.

Tip #4. Invite reason for a special occasion. When you call and go to reception be sure to talk about your special occasion, anniversary wedding or otherwise. Don’t say it’s your birthday unless your birthday is really close or just past because they have your details on file.

Tip #5. Play the sympathy card. Explain that your anniversary you wanted to be special and get a good room but couldn’t afford to get it, by doing this the person at reception feels sorry for you and might just upgrade your hotel room for free.

Tip #6. Don’t go when it’s busy. On busy nights chances are the rooms are full and you can’t get an upgrade because there is no room to upgrade you in.

Tip #7. Only stay one night. By only staying one night the hotel doesn’t have to worry about you tying up the room for so long, the hotel wants one night guests for upgrade because when and if the traveller wants to extend chances are they won’t change rooms and they’ll want the expensive room.

Tip #8 Be Loyal. On your first night join the hotels loyalty program, by being a frequent guest you get discounts and free upgrades for your loyalty.

Tip #9 Suck up to the hotel manager. The person with the most power to get you a free room is the hotel manager, find the hotel manager and make sure you tell him how fantastic your stay is and how much you love this hotel and that he is doing a fantastic job keeping the hotel up like this. You never know he might just put a note on your file and next time you get a free hotel upgrade.

Tip #10 Write them a letter. After your stay at the hotel come home and write the hotel a letter, thanking them for their service and the room. It’s not un-common that people receive and email back with coupons discounts and hotel room upgrades.

Tip #11 Be persistent. If you keep trying out tips 1-9 you will get a free hotel upgrade. Texans are really nice people and if you show your gratitude they are sure to pay you back.

So how do you get something for free when other people are paying good money for? By following these tips your sure to get a good upgrade. If you’re looking for a hotel room in Texas where it’s possible to get a free hotel room upgrade check the Hotels in Texas site for more information on hotels that give free upgrades.

Want to have exciting recreational holidays? Choosing a charming beach with a resort is a great holiday destination for families, groups, wedding parties, couples and singles. You can choose from many exotic beaches. These beach holidays are perfect for a personalized vacation in a soothing locale.

One of such kind resorts is Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort. It is located less than 500m off the northeast shore of Phuket, Thailand. Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort will be situated on the shores of Koh Raet, an untouched tropical island located just 500 metres offshore from Ao Po Bay, north east of Phuket Island in Thailand, providing easy access for guests to the main tourist areas of Phuket Island. The resort can be reached by a four minute private motor yacht ride or island ferry from the access point on the mainland which is located just fifteen minutes from Phuket International Airport. The Jumeirah Private Island Phuket Resort features 65 lavishly appointed deluxe pool villas, each with a private infinity pool and Jacuzzi, and 12 three-bedroom luxury residential villas.

Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai based luxury international hospitality group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

Jumeirah Island is surrounded with natural scenic beauty. These Phuket villas offer impressive facilities of a six-star hotel, including a world-class Spa and restaurants, its excellent location that gets you the Phuket’s first-rate infrastructure, including shopping and entertainment facilities, schools and hospitals.

Phuket is famous for its tourism and Thai culture of hospitality. It also provides you international cuisines. Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resorts are the most exclusive with 5 star boutique hotel, spa and wellness centre, marina and private berth with maximum sea views. Jumeirah island villas offer ample source of recreational activities. There is an option to stay in a residential estate or in a beach villa. These luxurious beach villas are with a yatch club membership, and also lifetime membership at Blue Canyon Golf and Country Club. Jumeirah beach villas offer direct beach access and open sea views, and are set in their own luxurious tropical grounds with private pool.

If you are thinking to start to start your own hotel business, it is better to plan your business priorities first. It will help you to know what exactly you need in order to achieve your business objective. Every business needs a robust business plan before it gets started whether its matter of raising funds or to run the business. Here are few steps to enable you to start your hotel business successfully.

Raising Funds
Every business needs money to be invested in it to function properly and when you are starting a new hotel, money is the critical element of your planning. Whether you are planning to buy an established hotel or constructing your own from the scratch, you need strong financial planning for it. The best source to raise funds is taking a business loan from a bank. You can approach to any bank of your choice but before that keep your business plan ready. Nearly all banks need a business plan as an integral part of your loan application

Location of Hotel
A right location matters a lot for your hotel to get success. For example if your hotel is located in an area where competitors are unable to fulfill the requirements of travelers your hotel can touch the heights of success and if your hotel is located on a walking distance from the main tourist attraction but there is lot of competition your hotel might not get enough guests. If you hotel is located near to airport or railway station or bus stand, you will get many guest without doing any thing. You also have to think that shopping places and entertainment places are easily accessible from hotel.

Strategy
Business strategy is the foundation of successful hotel business. Your strategy should be very clear in concept without any confusion. It is better to plan your business strategies in advance. Just ask few questions to yourself like How you will fulfill the requirements of families, kids, honeymoon couples, business travelers and international tourists. And What kind of services you will offer to your guest. A good strategy is always a key to success in any business.

Hospitality Experience
If you are new to this industry you might face lots challenges to gain success. You must know How you want your guests to be treated in your hotel. Every guest in your hotel needs highest level of attention and service whether its a family or business traveler. It is better to first get a job in a hotel, learn some basics of hospitality industry and then start your own hotel.

Marketing
Once your hotel is up and running, you need customers. If you will not get enough guests in your hotel your business will fail. To attract guest you must run effective marketing campaign and you must advertise your hotel. You must contact travel agents and franchise to get bookings in your hotel. There are many online hotel booking websites, you must register with them. Your hotel must have an effective website of its own with online hotel booking facility so that your customers can make direct booking with you and you dont have to pay commission to travel agent. You can pass this saving to your guest by lowering down your tariff or by providing then additional services.

Looking for a new and exciting destination in which to get married but need not be expensive? Want a beach, sunshine and an English speaking location but don’t want to travel miles away? Want your closest friends and family to attend your Big Day without burdening them with the huge cost (and embarrassment) of travelling transatlantic?

Then consider getting married in Gibraltar, just a short 2 and half hour flight from the UK and with year round sunshine, a choice of up to five beaches and being a duty-free tax haven, Gibraltar is fast entering the top ten bracket of favourite places in the world in which to get hitched! Unlike the Caribbean, it is not expensive and unlike Las Vegas, it is not crass! You can get married in Gibraltar within 24 hours of arrival without the residency requirements of other countries. Apart from the traditional registry office or church, you can get married al-fresco in a picturesque Italian garden with fountains and a magical backdrop of a waterfall and tropical flowers or even on a rose bedecked terrace overlooking the blue azures of the Mediterranean.

Extremely competitively priced flight and hotel packages are available by booking online at http://www.mygibraltar.co.uk who also offer a fabulous one-stop Wedding service where they even match the colour of the bridal bouquet to the colour of the dress! You even get a 5.00 per person discount and free night offers when you book online!

Famous celebrities who have chosen the lush backdrop of palms and fountains in Gibraltar for their Wedding Day have included John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Sean Connery (married twice here!) and Roger Moore. Further 007 connections include the filming of -Living Daylights’ starring Timothy Dalton on The Rock itself.

Andrew writes about “Flights, Hotels and Gibraltar Weddings”. Collect More Information at http://www.mygibraltar.co.uk