Hotels in Goa - Choice Of Comfortable Stay

Goa a major tourist hub of India oozes a distinctive charm unique this place. Having been under Portuguese rule for 451 years the state looks visibly different from rest of India. As different is the state such is its tourist population and hotels that come in all shape and sizes catering to all the sections of the society.

For people looking for some indulgence and money is not a matter of concern then they can easily opt for the Five star deluxe hotels that pamper its guests to the tee. Some of these super luxury hotels are the Goa Marriott Resort, Cidade de Goa Hotel, Majorda Beach Resort, Park Hyatt Goa Resort, Taj Exotica and Spa, Radisson White Sands Resorts and many more.

Some of the facilities that guests can look forward to at these lavish hotels are restaurants and bars, banquets, conference rooms, spas, room service, laundry service, car rental, shopping arcade, doctor on call and much more.

Scaling down a little Goa also has tremendous choices in terms of its 5 star hotels. Some of them are Taj Holiday Village, Bambolim Beach Resort, Hotel Goan Heritage, club Mahindra and many more. Some of the standard facilities available with these hotels include multi cuisine restaurant, bars, 24 hr cafe, conference rooms, business center, Money changing, secretarial services, safe deposit lockers, Doctor on call and much more.

There are also wide choices of budget hotels available for tourists traveling on a budget. Hotels under this category also enjoy massive popularity as the majority of travelers to this part of the country are young adults, students and backpackers who do not like to shell too much on accommodation. The budget hotels offer basic amenities and friendly services getting you through the day. Some of the popular budget hotels include Alor Holiday Resort, Hotel Delmon, Ronil Beach Resort, Hotel Villa Sol, Ronil Royale and others.

Facilities at these economy hotels are complete value for money and you will not be disappointed. Some of the facilities available at these hotels generally include multi cuisine restaurant, bar, conference facilities, Foreign exchange, laundry services, communication facilities, doctors on call, Sightseeing assistance and much more.

A word to remember is that Goa is comparatively on the expensive side as per Indian Standards, hence these budget or economy hotels are popular tourist choice and offer great packages. Also do remember to make advance hotel bookings if traveling to this region as rooms are difficult to get during peak tourist season.

An Overview of London Hotels

London, being the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is one of the top tourist destinations in the entire world. It is a melting pot of art, culture, fashion, and society. That is why it should come as no surprise why the city has thousands of hotels and lodging establishments to cater to the sheer demand of people visiting the city.

There are London hotels that cater to the entire gamut of tourists, especially given that the London Development Agency says that the amount tourists spend in London amount to over £15 billion ($23.64 billion) annually. That is definitely a lot of tourists, and that entails a whole lot of revenue. London has all types of hotels that suit all sorts of needs and budgets, ranging from luxury hotels to more affordable bed & breakfasts and even backpacker hostels.

For those who have quite a lot of money to spare, there are only 3 can't-miss luxury hotels: The Ritz Hotel London in Piccadilly, Claridge's in Mayfair, and the Savoy Hotel located in central London's Strand. Staying at these opulent hotels entails a steep price-up to £1,000 (over $1,500) per night.

The prices of accommodations in London largely depend on the location. Those with a good measure proximity to the city's center and nearness to other landmarks and tourist attractions will of course tend to be more expensive. Even 2-star or 3-star establishments can fetch upwards of £150 (nearly $235) per night if the location is right in central London. This scales higher as the stars go up.

Cheaper accommodations can be had, however. As with other major metropolitan areas, London offers hostels and apartments that are highly cost-effective if a tourist isn't too particular about room size, quality of furnishings, and sharing with others (for groups). Sometimes, during the summer when school is out, certain university residence halls are made available for visitor accommodation. This is another option for those seeking budget accommodations.

Here's one good tip for visitors to London who want to save money on accommodations: more savings can be had by staying in a hotel somewhere farther from the central area of the city. Even if the costs of transportation are factored in, there's a big difference compared to the amount one would spend on hotel rooms near the center. What's more, tourists can get to see more places by staying in the periphery.

For those with cash, however, it is safe to simply say "go to town." It would be a shame not to experience the best of the best when it comes to London hotels. A night at The Ritz or at the Savoy would provide a memory to last a lifetime. Moreover, getting to rest and relax at these famous establishments, with all the lavish furnishings and high-end services and world-class dinners, can be an adventure in itself.

With the sheer number and variety of people visiting the UK capital of London year in and year out, it is only natural to have establishments that cater to every possible need of tourists and sightseers. It is only important to determine which aspects of London hotels to prioritize-cost versus convenience and comfort, among other things. Regardless, one should be able to have the vacation of a lifetime.

Nana Hotel Bangkok - Is it Worth Staying In?

The Nana Hotel in Bangkok is arguably one of the most talked about hotels in Bangkok. The major draw to this hotel is obviously nearby Nana Entertainment Plaza, which is a 4 story den of sex and booze, and the parking lot outside of the Nana hotel which is full of freelance prostitutes. There is so many mixed reviews about this place that it almost makes it impossible for anyone to decide whether to stay or not in this hotel. But most will agree, Nana Hotel is one of the most well known guest friendly hotel in Bangkok. This means registered guest do not have to pay an additional fee or joiner fee for bringing in unregistered guest for an overnight stay.

How do I know this? After living and working in Bangkok for over five years I have become the unofficial tour guide for friends and friends of friends and so on. All of them eventually ask me "Is the Nana Hotel a good place to stay in?".

And my honest answer at the time was "I don't know, I live in an apartment." Since I knew I was going to get asked that particular question time and time again I decided to follow along my friends (or guinea pigs) and see personally how the hotel looks from the inside out.

The Nana Hotel is located on Sukhumvit Soi 4, in a mixed commercial zone that doubles as red-light district. Scores of freelance prostitutes congregate in the surrounding areas especially outside of Nana Hotel's parking lot. This is definitely not a place to bring your family especially kids and grandparents. However, I do see them often, mostly Europeans who are not so uptight about such spectacles. You can easily access the Sky Train at Nana BTS station with a 5 minute walk. The Sky Train will easily take you to the other attractions in Bangkok.

Now, I'm not sure when the hotel was built exactly, but it's safe to say the 1970's is the first thing that comes to mind. The lobby is usually filled with backpacker types, young guys looking to sow their oats and a smattering of older folks looking for company that they otherwise never find back home. Once I've seen a group of Australians wearing rugby uniforms. Are they actual athletes is a whole different subject. Obviously a far cry from the days the hotel was first opened. I've read previous reviews about reception staff being rude and obnoxious to guests who are checking in.

After living in Bangkok for awhile I know the reason why. Thai society follows a strict social order and is very class based. The better you look and present yourself, the more respect you get. So if you're checking in dressed like you're heading straight for the pool, forget about that much talked about gracious and beautiful Thai smile. I'm not saying you have to dress like your heading to an important business meeting. A nice clean button shirt, pressed pants and clean shoes and you'll see your respect meter shoot up. You'll even get a better chance of scoring an upgrade or a room in excellent condition. By the way, this is true in any hotel in Asia, actually most likely everywhere.

It works time and time again whenever my friends check in. They don't always get a room upgrade, but they get rooms where they've never had to ask for a room change or find questionable carpet stains.

The rooms here are the absolute bare basics. After-all the Nana Hotel is considered in the budget category. A bed, color television with international channels, mini fridge and a decently clean bathroom is what you get for around 1400 THB including taxes and a free buffet breakfast. A free daily newspaper is a nice added touch. Housekeeping did there job quite well, or as best as they can, after all they have to clean up after piss drunk guests half the time.

The Nana Hotel doesn't offer much in terms of facilities for guest use, just an adequate pool on the fourth floor and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. In the lobby is also where you can find Angel's Nana Disco, a frequent freelance hangout. And since ladies enter for free you're going to find a lot there. Definitely worth a visit.

My final word here is the Nana Hotel in Bangkok is a good choice for you if you want to mess around and have fun. But I wouldn't recommend staying here throughout your entire trip. It's best to stay there for 3 nights, enjoy the nightlife, and shift over to another hotel in a more quiet area. It's what I suggest to friends who come visit me in Bangkok as the unofficial tour guide.

Bangkok Budget Hotel Guide - Travel Tips From an Insider

The great city of Bangkok in the Kingdom of Thailand is one of the most popular exotic destinations in Southeast Asia. To accommodate the millions of tourist a year, Bangkok has hundreds of hotels of that cater to the most pampered tourist to frugal backpacker.

The room rates in all Bangkok's hotels are heavily influenced by the seasons. The high season is typically between November through March, where the weather in Thailand is cooler, much cooler in North Thailand, less humid with less rainfall. The low season is between April which is the hottest month, through October which has the most rainfall.

If you plan to book your stay in particular hotels in Bangkok during holidays such as Christmas and New Years you might have a compulsory dinner charge tacked on top of your room rate. So make sure you check your booking details.

Most people ask me which season I prefer to go visit Bangkok for vacation. My honest answer is any season is fine. If I had to choose I would say low season. During the low season Bangkok's hotel room rates can get reduced by 20%. In most extreme cases room rates in Bangkok can get slashed as much as 40%.

The next question I get asked is do I recommend staying in budget hotels in Bangkok. My answer is yes, I absolutely recommend it. There are many budget hotels in Bangkok that are close to main attractions such as cultural sights, city train stations,  shopping malls and nightlife hot-spots. Most people think budget hotels equate to rooms with blood stained mattresses and bathroom sinks with missing faucets in the middle of nowhere.

So how would you react if I told you that most budget hotels in Bangkok have rooms with LCD TVs, CD/DVD player, free Wi-Fi, electronic room safe, a small swimming pool and gym. All of those amenities and facilities including a great location can be enjoyed in a budget hotel in Bangkok for $40 USD per night including taxes and free daily breakfast.

Now that you know all the good stuff there are trade offs to staying in budget hotels in Bangkok. One is hotel staff may not be highly trained and proficient in English or any other foreign language. From what I've noticed budget hotel owners put most of their money towards the design and functionality of their hotel property and less in qualified staff. This does not mean you'll get poor service. It means be patient with hotel staff. They have a job to do and they will perform it to the best of their ability.

Another trade off is is that not all rooms in budget hotels are the same in quality. Some are better then others in terms of room conditions. Hotel's reception staff know which room gets the most complaints, but there job is to keep the hotel full so management discourages room changes. So here's the biggest tip you should remember. And this tip applies to all hotels in Bangkok. If you ever check in to a room that you don't like for whatever reason, here's a great way to get your room change.

Before you go downstairs to speak to reception or the hotel manager, you should dress as sharp as you can. Put on a nice long sleeve button down shirt, suit pant and shoes. When you're speaking, speak with confidence. Thai society is class based and the better dressed you are the better treatment you'll get as they think you're successful when they see you. If a room is truly available you'll get it. If you're wearing swim short, tank top and flips flops then your request for a room change might be turned down with the answer that there aren't any rooms available, even if there is.

Top 5 Luxury Vs Top 5 Budget London Hotels

London has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit and live in. The best choice of hotel usually involves its proximity. The best budget hotels tend to be in areas like Bayswater, Victoria and Kensington. Victoria is the more ideal location because of its proximity to London's airport and rail networks. Most luxury hotels tend to be found in areas like Park Lane and Mayfair. Therefore people may prefer taste over cost, or people may prefer cost over luxury.

The top 5 budget hotels that offer good hotel deals in London include the following:

Hoxton Hotel, Hoxton - This is luxury-free, which people may prefer. The hotel is very much back to basics - bar, restaurant, WiFi and more than 200 rooms. There are also shower rooms that are clean and with doubles priced at £59 with breakfast thrown in, it is a great example of comfort at a low cost.

Base 2 Stay, Kensington - A low cost experience, but stylish in its own way. It offers good beds, quality showers and reasonably priced broadband and phone connections. Rooms come with kitchen spaces, which is great if you do not want to spend all your time dining out.

Piccadilly Backpackers, Piccadilly - A 700-bed hostel in the centre of London, it has great showers, laundry facilities and an internet cafe. The best rooms on the third level have been rebranded as part of the Hostel Art project. There are also dorms in a Japanese style, ranging from just £12.

The Queen's Park Hotel - A large Victorian-era structure in Queensborough Terrace, offering a Victorian experience without the modern luxury of the Langham Hotel. One thing it will guarantee is a good night's sleep and is good value for its heritage.

The Henley House Hotel, Earl's Court - Located in a hidden side street and near Earl's Court Station with comfortable and well equipped rooms. Also look out over the gardens. It has a welcoming atmosphere and breakfast is served in the conservatory, which gives a hint of luxury.

These are in marked contrast to luxury hotels of London which give a feeling of exclusivity to people who can afford them:

The Montcalm, Park Lane, Marble Arch - This is the newest luxury hotel in London. It has a fresh and contemporary design priding itself on luxury and comfort, and this is reflected in the contemporary designs of the bathroom and bedrooms. Also has a spa, swimming pool and gym, and two high-quality restaurants within it. It is in the heart of London, which means you are close to luxury shopping centres like Oxford Street, Marble Arch and Park Lane.

The Dorchester Hotel, Mayfair - A hotel in the heart of Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park. A contemporary twist on a 1930s character is the height of luxury. Its beautifully designed rooms are notably spacious. The restaurants and bars within it attract the wealthiest of society. The newly-transformed Dorchester Spa offers a truly pampering experience.

The Langham Hotel, Regent Street - This historical Victorian-styled hotel has been newly restored. It has 380 luxury rooms, 15 function rooms, and Palm Court which spawned the birth of afternoon tea. This hotel has entertained royalty, celebrities and high society types since 1865, when it opened as the first Grand Hotel in Europe. Its reputation sets it apart from other hotels, priding itself on heritage values.

The Ritz, Piccadilly - For over a century, this has been one of the most popular and well-known luxury London hotels. Home to many guests like intellectuals, glitterati and celebrities since 1906, The Ritz offers five types of suite with period interiors, and five banqueting rooms for any important event.

Claridges, Mayfair - Known for stunning design and service to match. This sophisticated hotel is known for hosting celebrities, afternoon tea and fine dining. It is both glamorous and elegant and attracts and provides true luxury.

There is marked contrast between luxury and budget hotels. The five budget hotels allow people of any background to enjoy London at a good price and are situated in areas which have access to the centre of the city. These are better value in terms of somewhere to stay than luxury hotels that are more likely for business trips and wealthier people. If you are staying in London for a few days then budget hotels are a good way of saving costs and being able to appreciate the sights of England's capital. These hotel deals make visiting the capital more affordable.

Backpacking in Japan

Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, thanks, largely, to the wealth of things to see and do in the country. For budget travelers and backpackers from the West, Japan has also emerged as a very popular recently - budget travelers flock here to sample its unique culture, excellent food, and impressively cheap accommodation.

Thanks to its mix of bustling metropolises and countryside idylls, Japan is a perfect travel spot for just about anyone. Here, then, is a quick round-up of how to go about spending your time in the country...

Traveling in Japan
There are many ways in which you can travel in and around Japan. The most popular tourist attraction is the bullet train. These trains, though now in use in many countries around the world, were initially made famous in Japan. For tourists from all over the globe, the experience of traveling at speeds of about 300 kilometers per hour is one for the scrapbook. Another great thing about travel in the cities of Japan is that commuter trains have special cars reserved only for women. Especially during the rush hour, when the trains are crowded, these cars offer respite for women travelers who can travel hassle-free.

Cities in Japan
For the budget traveler in Japan, there are a number of cities that veritably scream for attention. Tokyo remains a very popular city with tourists thanks to its cosmopolitan culture and great vibrancy. This is the capital of Japan and it's a city so full of life it inevitably leaves an indelible mark on the minds of those who visit. For those who are more inclined to view the traditional aspects of Japanese culture and society, Kyoto is perhaps the city to be in, as it offers a range of memorable traditional experiences (it's also marginally cheaper than Tokyo, which always helps for those traveling with money on the mind!). Kanazawa is also a city that retains a strong sense of history and any backpacker interested in Japan through the ages would be well advised to include a stay here on their itinerary.

What to see in Kyoto?
Once you are in Kyoto, the Imperial Palace and its beautiful gardens are a must see. Quite simply, this is the stuff backpackers' dreams are made of, featuring beautiful architecture and chilled-out tranquil grounds. The ideal time to visit the gardens is during the spring when the cherry trees are in full blossom, resulting in a riot of colors that make for great photo opportunities.

Things to do in Kyoto:

Meditation is a great thing to do for the backpacker in Kyoto. Meditation is a part of Japanese culture and for those who want to experience it to the fullest, it is a must do. You can try it out in Taizo-in or Shunko-in, which have Zen meditation sessions that are free to attend. All you have to do is to make reservations well in advance.

Make it a point to visit Kyoto during the cherry blossom season. This is the time when you get to see the best of nature in Japan. For the backpacker who is intent on seeing the best sights of the country, the walk along the road known as the 'Philosopher's Path' (from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji) which abounds in cherry trees and shrines, is certainly one worth taking.

Where to stay in Kyoto?
Located close to the Imperial Palace, the Kamo River and the university, the Kyoto Globetrotters Hostel is a cheap and clean hostel for backpackers. It is a Kyoto hostel that is ideal for budget travelers because it offers the basic facilities at a very good price. Among Kyoto hostels, the Urban Hotel Kyoto often proves a popular choice thanks to its facilities and all-round comfort. This is a three-star hotel that nonetheless comes at an affordable price.

Backpacking Information on the Maldives

Population: 338,000 (UN, 2005)
Capital: Male
Area: 298 sq km (115 sq miles)
Major language: Divehi
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 66 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 rufiyaa = 100 laari

Republic of Maldives is the epitome of a dream that is "a sunny side of life." The Maldives islands conjures an imagery of a string of white glorious pearls afloat a cobalt blue of infinity, which is the Indian Ocean. Its paradise beauty is utterly stunning and the shores are in the purest white that it has in the last couple of years earned the prestige of the "World's Most Romantic Destination." The world's true jewel, it is a destination beyond all destinations. Unfortunately, such a paradise that bathed in crystal blue waters and washed in pristine blue waters comes with a price (a hefty one too!) with its appeal almost exclusively affordable to everybody well-heeled. Acknowledged on paper as possibly South Asia's richest country, the locals, however, suffer a different side of life that translates to dark and cloudy. Indeed, the local lifestyle in a land battered by storms, possessing too thin a soil to carry out a harvest, is a far cry from the brochure pictures of honeymoon suites and first class service. But of the multi-billion dollar travel industry, the 300,000 or so islanders reap no benefits. It is the government's battle now to integrate progress within the society.

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

In Maldives, life is a beach, with around 1,190 corals strung afloat a total area of 90,000 km2 in which a greater part of which is water, and only 298 km2 is land mass. The paradise is endowed with the deep blue of the ocean, white of the sands and corals, gold of the sun, and the marriage of colours from different species of foliage and marine life. The terrain of the lowest country in the world is generally flat beaches with the highest point only at an elevation of 2.4 metres on Wilingili Island in the Addu Atoll, thus causing some recent green concerns and policies to surface and be open for dialogue. In truth, it is one of the most vulnerable places, if not the most, to rising sea levels. The Kingdom of A Thousand Isles is on the geographic coordinates (3 15 N, 73 00 E) right in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, sunny as ever with a tropically warm climate and a just-right temperature of 24 °C-30°C balanced out by the cool of the constant sea breeze. As the ultimate "winter escape", the Maldives is heavily-touristed from the months of December to April but a little caution, from the months of February to April, the island is at its hottest in all sense of the word, and from June to August, the monsoon effects on the island with heavy rainfall. Regardless, there is absolutely no wrong time to visit the Maldives. As a nation that prays for future safety among the ocean where it lies, there can never be an exceptionally better time to explore this crown jewel than now when the sun is high and the waters are low.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The small archipelago of South Asia holds a small community of 396,334 (July 2009) Maldivians from the ethnic groups of South Indians, Sinhalese, and Arabs with culture and traditions of their own. More than 300,000 of the population are faithful of Sunni Islam. Adult literacy stands at 99%, and while MALDIVIAN DHIVEHI, a dialect of Sinhala, is the language of the islands, ENGLISH is widely spoken, not only by the elite and government officials, neither for business and state matters alone, but by the general public. The traveller will be amazed at how engaging and conversant the locals are that you can have a chat wherever you are in the archipelago. They aim to entertain as hospitality is comes naturally to the Malidivians.

ATTRACTION

So, no prior visa is required, and a 30-day visa is free upon arrival for all visitors, but the immortal question remains for the independent budget traveller. What is in store for the backpacker, our modern explorers? It ought to be known even at the bottom end, the Maldives still is not cheap. Well, Male has great budget choices coming in midrange at $50 for boutique brands to economically and ecologically sound hotels, and top-of-the-bottom range at $90. The backpackers are a rarity in these parts really, but we're talking a "holiday of a lifetime" and "best value for money". The Maldives archipelago is worth going to more than once if possible before the 23-inch sea level rise (that is almost 2 feet of water). The Maldives is the place for the "package tourist," but getting to know the islands is by going independent. Good planning and a sweet decent financial lubrication will just about do it for the budget traveller. As 40% of Maldivians live on less than US$1 a day, so can you. Tourist policies tend to restrict contact with the locals and the tourists, so it just makes perfect sense to have your authentic Maldives vacation in any of the 200 inhabited islands like Male, if you cannot afford to stay in one of the 80 resort islands. The honeymooner or the sun worshipper may find a paradise in other few inhabited non-resort islands like Viligili, Hulhumale', Thila Fushi and Himmafushi.

FOOD

It is in these non-resort islands you will find a real taste of Maldives. Maldivian cuisine is another word for exotic gourmet, or so they say. The first wave of European travellers did not like the food so the history of a Maldivian-sophistication begun. Traditional Maldivian cuisine, is entirely different from the Maldivian gourmet introduced in hotel restaurants, and is based on fish (tuna), coconut, and rice and other forms of starch. Dessert is another cultural experience because instead of a sweet jam or chocolate filling, fish meat nestles inside a puff pastry. Desserts show a tamer side to Maldivian gastronomy like Foni boakibaa, a baked sweet square dessert made with coconut, rice, flour, water, sugar and rose water. Banana in coconut milk, and watlappan, which is like a coconut custard with nuts are mild and lovely as well.

For more valuable travel information on backpacking and various destinations throughout the world please visit our website Backpacking Addictz.

Josh

Backpacking Addictz
Email: admin@backpackingaddictz.com

Backpacking - The Travel Insurance Debate

When planning a backpacking trip, travel insurance may be the last thing on your mind.

The result is that many backpackers leave the UK without such a policy in place despite carrying an average £600-worth of luggage, according to a survey carried out by one travel insurance company.

In the consumer society we live in it is quite usual for a backpacker's luggage to contain mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops, mp3 player and other expensive items. The minimum value of the gadgets carried by the average backpacker currently stands at £200 - with many carrying far in excess of this amount.

Yet a third of travellers fail to take out any insurance policy, which means these items are uninsured against loss or theft.

Statistics appear to show that one in 10 tourists have found themselves the target of thieves whilst travelling abroad. The average loss in these cases stands at over £100. It may not sound a lot but when you're travelling on a budget £100 can go a long way.

In addition, 8% of travellers have their luggage stolen from the baggage carousel in the airport - without travel insurance in place this can be very hard to replace without using a large amount of the spending money you originally set aside.

Finding travel insurance for a backpacking holiday is not that hard - in fact many companies offer cover aimed specifically at this type of vacation. You will usually find that it is very cost effective, with the average policy costing less than £5 per week on a 12-month trip.

The majority of those who fail to take out cover do so purely because of the cost which is really a false economy. With over £600 of luggage and a 12-month policy costing a fraction of this, they stand to lose a lot if they should become the unfortunate victim of a crime.

It seems that the biggest reason for failing to take out travel insurance is not so much the cost as lack of awareness and understanding. If you take some time to read the key features of a policy you will find you are covered for many eventualities and the benefit of the policy becomes self-evident.

Finding cheap travel insurance is easier than you think, as long as you are willing to spend a little time researching the topic and visiting several sites to get a good spread of quotes. Aim for a minimum of three quotes.

The same applies when looking for hotels and accommodation in advance. There are now many comparison sites that make the process of finding and booking accommodation online considerably easier.

You can usually find an internet café on your travels and you can often book just a day or two ahead. You may find that using this method makes your backpacking trip that little bit easier - and your money stretch further still.