Category: Hotel

China is a destination that never ceases to fascinate its numerous visitors who are looking for uniquely different experiences. The Oriental charm, vibrant nightlife, interesting folklore, awe-inspiring architecture and yummy gourmet selections are just some of the reasons why many visitors find the “Middle Kingdom” such an alluring place.

The memorable experiences of these visitors are also in no small part attributable to the rapidly-improving hotel industry in the country that constantly seeks to reinvent itself to meet the high standards expected by their guests. In this country, you can expect to find a plethora of clean and safe accommodation options including luxury hotels, inns and guesthouses that suits every budget and taste, regardless of which town or city you visit.

Whichever price category your accommodation fits in, you can expect only the very best in Asian warmth and hospitality during your stay in hotels in China.

From budget to luxury a huge choice of accommodation options at your disposal

The accommodation options in China are as diverse as the country itself, but they have one goal in common to provide a comfortable and pleasant stay to all guests regardless of their star rating. If you are on a shoestring budget, the one- to two-star hotels will not disappoint in providing a relaxing place for you to rest in between your travels. The two-star hotels even have barber shops and stores on site.

In many large cities, the budget hotel chains even go one step further in providing a host of in-room amenities, such as free Internet connectivity and plugs that come with universal adapters that are useful for business executives or tech-savvy travelers. Hence, you may be surprised by what these budget hotels offer that would allow them to stay ahead of their competition by being more in touch with their guests needs.

What about the hotels that are rated three-star and above? In China, the good news is these hotels are comparable in standards and offerings to what you can expect in the West. Concierge services, on-site health, business and conference facilities, bars and a range of restaurants catering to both Western and Chinese palettes you name it, they have it.

Abundance in English-speaking hotel staff

Being a country that is eager to accommodate non-Chinese-speaking foreign visitors, you will be amazed at the quickly-improving command of the language by the staff of many of the hotels. This is especially so with 5 star hotels where the staff are mostly competent in the language, while the cheaper hotels at least have front desk personnel who are able to understand your request and queries, and communicate with you in basic English. However, to be on the safe side, a Chinese phrasebook might be useful to bring along just in case you might need it.

Drinking water in your hotel rooms

Before you turn on your bathroom tap to drink, do be aware that it is generally not advisable to drink tap water in the hotel. You need not worry though, as you are likely to find hot water flasks or electrical boilers at your disposal in your room. You may also want to consider purchasing cheap bottled mineral water, some of which may be provided free of charge in your hotel room.

Some other helpful information

Do note that showing a photo ID, such as your passport, is required when checking into your hotels. Worried about getting lost while wandering outside your hotel? Do not fear, as your hotel room card would contain all the information that is needed to ask for directions and guide you back to your hotel. Hence do remember to bring it with you wherever you go.

Leisure guests at the three Meyer Jabara Harbor Magic branded hotels in Baltimore are typically pleasantly surprised when they receive a phone call a week before their arrival from an “experience specialist.” This concierge extraordinaire is charged with calling each guest to determine his or her needs and interests before his or her stay. When the traveler checks in, the experience specialist calls the room or greets the guest in person to welcome him or her to the hotel and to Baltimore. Going one step further, the experience specialist will provide the visitor with a tailored trip itinerary.

“It’s all about building relationships,” said Ken Conklin, Meyer Jabara’s senior v.p. of destination marketing.

Based on the tremendous success of the program in Baltimore, Meyer Jabara has spent the last three months introducing experience specialists at its other 26 properties nationwide. “Experience specialists go above and beyond [what a typical concierge does],” Conklin said. “That’s why we rolled it out to the whole company.”

“We want to give guests the best experience possible,” said Heather Johnson, a veteran Harbor Magic experience specialist and now a senior catering sales manager.

Several other hotel companies are rolling out concierge services to create personal and memorable experiences for all types of guests. From sleep and fitness concierges to business butlers and engagement gurus, hotels are tapping into travelers’ needs to generate loyalty and enhance business. Hotels also realize that augmenting personalized guest services is critical in order to better cater to discerning and demanding travelers.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, for example, has rolled out its Fairmont Gold concierge level to several of its properties. Guests staying on the Fairmont Gold floors pay extra per night and are pampered with ultra-luxury rooms, as well as a private lounge area where they can enjoy cocktails before dinner and complimentary breakfast. A special team of concierges also is available to meet their every need. The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, which just rolled out its Fairmont Gold floor in April, staffs seven concierges on the Gold level to service guests in 59 rooms, general manager Jon Crellin said.

Gold concierges call guests a week in advance to find out if they have any special requests.

“Our concierge staff makes you feel like you’re a friend,” Crellin said, adding that the employees do whatever it takes to make guests happy.

One concierge, for example, overheard a girl asking her mother for Froot Loops cereal at breakfast. The Gold Floor lounge kitchen did not stock Froot Loops, so the concierge ran out and bought a box for the guest.

“This type of service cascades throughout the building and helps raise the bar for service standards,” Crellin said. A great experience leads to frequent visits as well as referrals, Conklin said. Harbor Magic’s guest scores and repeat business are way up since the Baltimore hotels introduced experience specialists almost two years ago.

Whereas Harbor Magic’s experience specialists help set the tone at properties by providing guests with “magical” experiences in Baltimore, Loews Hotels’ new family concierges are trained to address the unique needs of families traveling with children and provide them with information and the type of kid-friendly trip they are seeking, said Charlotte St. Martin, executive v.p. of marketing and sales at Loews.

The family concierge program was unveiled in June to compliment Loews’ family programs: Loews Loves Kids, T. Loews for teens, and General G for people traveling with grandchildren. Each family concierge, who has undergone a custom training program based on material from Parenting Magazine, calls families before their arrivals. If they need packing advice or tips on traveling with kids, the family concierge will send articles from Parenting. Traveling families also receive vacation planning packages with information on the destination’s offerings and the hotel’s family-friendly activities, St. Martin said.

“Our concierge staff makes you feel like you’re a friend,” Crellin said, adding that the employees do whatever it takes to make guests happy.

One concierge, for example, overheard a girl asking her mother for Froot Loops cereal at breakfast. The Gold Floor lounge kitchen did not stock Froot Loops, so the concierge ran out and bought a box for the guest.

“This type of service cascades throughout the building and helps raise the bar for service standards,” Crellin said. A great experience leads to frequent visits as well as referrals, Conklin said. Harbor Magic’s guest scores and repeat business are way up since the Baltimore hotels introduced experience specialists almost two years ago.

Whereas Harbor Magic’s experience specialists help set the tone at properties by providing guests with “magical” experiences in Baltimore, Loews Hotels’ new family concierges are trained to address the unique needs of families traveling with children and provide them with information and the type of kid-friendly trip they are seeking, said Charlotte St. Martin, executive v.p. of marketing and sales at Loews.

The family concierge program was unveiled in June to compliment Loews’ family programs: Loews Loves Kids, T. Loews for teens, and General G for people traveling with grandchildren. Each family concierge, who has undergone a custom training program based on material from Parenting Magazine, calls families before their arrivals. If they need packing advice or tips on traveling with kids, the family concierge will send articles from Parenting. Traveling families also receive vacation planning packages with information on the destination’s offerings and the hotel’s family-friendly activities, St. Martin said.

“We believe that one of the things that differentiates us is that we’re one of the best hotel companies for families,” she said. “We’re serious about taking care of kids and family concierge is a natural for us.”

While Loews is serious about catering to families and kids, Affinia Hospitality’s The Benjamin means business when it comes to taking care of its Manhattan guests, who, like all travelers, need a good night’s sleep to be productive at work or enjoy their vacations, said Eileen McGill, the hotel’s sleep concierge.

McGill, along with the rest of The Benjamin’s concierge staff, offers guests a pillow menu upon arrival. The staff also explains the hotel’s complimentary sleep amenities, including white noise machines and specially designed beds. Sleep concierges will do anything within their means to ensure that guests sleep soundly, including arranging massages at the hotel’s spa and ordering warm milk and cookies for a bedtime snack, McGill said.

McGill said The Benjamin’s rate of return visitation is phenomenal and she attributes this to its focus on sleep and comfort.

“We tell every guest about the sleep program and they love it,” she said. “It’s ironic that our focus on sleep has become so groundbreaking.”

Sri Lanka will see the development of two new hotels over the next year after ONYX Hospitality Group recently signed management agreements with Sino Lanka Hotels.

ONYX, a Thailand-based management company, will be looking after two stylish hotels that will provide Sri Lanka holidays in Colombo and Galle from late 2013.

Sri Lanka is one of the most vibrant destinations in the Asia Pacific and one that is experiencing dynamic growth in tourism, commented Peter Henley, the president of ONYX Hospitality Group.

We plan to make it a key hub for ONYX going forward.

The two new Sri Lanka hotels will both operate under the OZO brand, which provides stylish and practical accommodation and facilities for travellers.

The Colombo OZO hotel will be located on Marine Drive on the coast and just five kilometres from the centre of the capital city. Guests will be able to enjoy beautiful views from a choice of 160 rooms during cultural Sri Lanka holidays in the country’s capital city, as well a sophisticated rooftop caf and refreshing swimming pool.

Tourists heading to the oceanfront Galle OZO property for beach holidays in Sri Lanka, will be able to enjoy the pristine sandy stretch of beach with its landscaped swimming pool and a selection of dining outlets. The hotel is located two kilometres from the famous Galle Fort and each of the propertys 148 rooms offer stunning views of the coastline.

The chairman of Sino-Lanka hotels, Bob Kundanmal, said: We aim to be at the forefront of hotel development in Sri Lanka in the next decade and we see the OZO brand as an ideal platform for bringing style and innovation to the mid-market sector.

We look forward to working with ONYX over the coming years to bring these first projects to life.

Since the end of the countrys decades-long civil war in 2009, Sri Lankas tourism industry has boomed. Travellers have regained confidence in returning to the island nation for holidays and the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority has been working hard to promote the country as a safe tourist destination in many countries across the world.

The Indian Ocean country is renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes and diverse ecosystem. Tourists can make the most out of their holidays in Sri Lanka by visiting hundreds of sandy beaches and heritage sites including ancient cities and colonial forts, or hiking through wildlife sanctuaries, thriving nature parks, and up majestic mountains.

Marriott International will be making its debut into the Sri Lankan hospitality market in 2014 after signing an agreement with Weligama Hotel Properties Ltd to open a new brand hotel.

The hotel group has announced that it will be opening the new Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa to tourists planning Sri Lanka holidays in 2014 and it will have 200 guest rooms.

“Marriott is delighted to be extending its portfolio and opening a world-class hotel in Sri Lanka,” stated Simon Cooper, the President and Managing Director of Marriott, Asia Pacific.

“Sri Lanka is a destination that has great potential and opportunity and we hope to capitalise on that and establish a strong presence in the country. We are confident that the reputation of Marriott Hotels and Resorts and the power of Marriott Rewards, our loyalty programme, will create great interest from both local and international travellers and be successful in promoting the beautiful area of Weligama Bay, as well as the country itself as this is our first hotel here.”

The new Sri Lanka hotel is located in the district of Weligama, in the city of Matara on the south coast of the Indian Ocean island.

The Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa will cater for both leisure treavellers looking for relaxing holidays in Sri Lanka and business travellers looking for comfortable accommodation and features 640-square-metres of flexible ballroom space and modern meeting rooms. The Sri Lanka hotels facilities also include a swimming pool with pool bar, three gourmet restaurants, a modern fitness centre, and guests will also have access to a stretch of pristine sandy beach.

Mr. Nahil Wijesuriya, the Chairman, East West Properties PLC, the parent company of Weligama Hotel Properties Ltd, explained: “We are among the first companies in Sri Lanka to sign up with an international branded hotel company and to open as early as 2014. The resort is being built according to Marriott International’s five star brand standards, with a beach frontage of 115 meters on the Galle-Matara road in the South-East of the country.

Sri Lanka is famous for its stunning natural scenery and diverse ecosystem comprising miles of white sandy beaches, jagged mountains, wildlife sanctuaries, thriving nature parks, and an array of heritage sites that include ancient cities and colonial forts. Since the end of its 25-year-long civil war in 2009, the island nation has seen a significant increase in the number of international travellers opting to go on holidays to Sri Lanka.

If you want to stay in a convenient location that is busy and exciting then Calgary hotels downtown would probably be a good option for you. After you decide that you want to stay downtown you need to consider several things before deciding on the actual hotels that you will be staying at. All of these considerations are important and will affect how much you enjoy your vacation.

First of all you need to think about how you plan to get around Calgary when you stay there. The way that you plan to travel plays a major role in the hotel that you decide to stay at. Pick the wrong hotel and you will have a hard time traveling the way that you want to which could make your trip more tedious and expensive.

If you plan on using public transportation such as the buses then you need to make sure that there is a bus stop near the hotel that you decide to stay at. This means that you will have to check out bus stop locations and then choose your hotels based on those locations.

If you would rather travel in a taxi instead of on the bus then you have to try and find a hotel that is close to most of the attractions you will travel to. You don’t want to travel too far by taxi because it can be very expensive to do so, so make sure that you are choosing a location carefully.

Some people prefer to walk the entire time they are on vacation. If you are going to be walking everywhere then you need hotels that are very close to the things you want to visit. This narrows your option down substantially, and can make picking a location difficult sometimes.

You also have to think about the prices of the different downtown hotels. They will vary pretty dramatically and you will end up choosing based on the price in many situations. Make sure you know the different prices so that you can make an educated decision when the time comes to do so.

Finally you should consider the amenities of the hotel that you are thinking about staying at. Even if you aren’t going to be in the hotel much it makes sense to find a hotel that is going to be comfortable and have all the things that you will need while you are staying in the area.

Make sure you compare all of these things when you are looking at Calgary hotels downtown. There are plenty of good options to choose from, but depending on your concerns there may just be a few good options for you. Make sure you are getting the right hotel for your vacation and you will have a better time while you are there.

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