Do Your Homework When Traveling
When planning a trip, it is advisable to spend some time doing research even if you are booking through a Travel Agent.
This research could save you a significant amount of money and perhaps prevent a miserable stay in a sub-standard hotel.Many people have moved away from using Travel Agents.
This is understandable due to the availability of cheap fares and hotel rooms through the internet.
However, it is wise to consider the benefits of utilizing a professional particularly when proposing to visit somewhere that you haven't previously been.
Some of the advantages of using a Travel Agent are gaining the benefit of their expertise, experience, personal service, ability and indeed the obligation to clarify and inform you of details in the fine print which you may miss if booking on your own account, their up to date knowledge of the latest deals and their ability to distill and interpret information to hopefully offer you the best value deal for your trip.With that said, it is still prudent to conduct your own research.
The Travel Agent can provide suggestions about a range of airlines you could use and different fares and advise on hotels in good areas within budget guidelines.
At this point you have some great information to work off.
You have not had to start from scratch.
You have an idea as to which are the better priced airlines and the areas you should look at staying taking into account what you're looking to do in a particular place.
Now you can see if there are internet deals that may beat the air fares the Travel Agent has quoted you.
In many cases these days, the Travel Agency will do what they can to equal or beat whatever publicized deal is out there.
It is a very competitive industry.
In the cases of hotels, many of the chains as well as some independents are claiming to have the best internet deals on their own sites.
This is of benefit to both the consumer as well as the hotel.
They don't have to pay commission to a third party and you are dealing directly with the establishment that you are proposing to stay with who can answer any queries that you may have regarding elements of your accommodation as well as possibly saving money.
You will also find that when booking direct off the hotel website that you may be offered upgrades or specials not available anywhere else.
The internet is also a great and up to date resource which can allow you to read reviews from consumers regarding airlines, hotels, sightseeing trips and just about anything that you can think of.
This can be invaluable.
If you go to a site such as www.tripadvisor.com you will find reviews on just about any hotel in the world.
Many of the reviews provide excellent information about the hotel rooms, restaurants, attitude of the staff, cleanliness, activities and pool if they have one.
If looking for reviews on airlines there are 2 particularly good sites ? www.epinions.com and www.carsurvey.org/air Don't underestimate the value of a good Travel Agent but be prepared to put in some time to conduct your own research.
The worst you could do is add to the excitement of planning for a trip and maybe you'll even save yourself some money!.
Go to www.taylortraveltales.com to read more about her travels on a personal basis.Use and distribution of this article is allowed so long as the "About the Author Box" remains intact.
Thailand Hotels
Accommodations are the single most important factor to be considered when planning a trip; a good resort can contribute much to your general holiday mood and sense of well being.
However, the importance of lodgings varies from traveler to traveler. If you have a hectic travel plan, your hotel room may be merely a rest stop in the midst of your experiences and adventures. Or, you may be looking to dissolve into a luxurious five-star stay, replete with creature comforts and a resort spa. Thailand has whatever kind of accommodations you desire. It is crucial to choose the type, style, price, location, class, and amenities that are just right for your requirements.
There are different types of hotels, ranging in extremes from the very basic "Thai" hotel, with never-ending flights of stairs, basic beds, cold water, and squat toilets, to the five-star luxury and efficient services of hotels like The Oriental.
Resort rooms can include basic primitive bungalows...
Thailand Hotels
Hotels > Thailand Hotels
Timeshare Resorts
Timeshare resorts are a good option for people who want a luxurious vacation for a low price. Over the past decade, many major hotel chains have expanded into the timeshare market. In the mid 1980s, the renowned Marriott resort broke into the U.S. market, followed by Disney in 1991. Then came the really posh hotels like the Four Seasons resort and Ritz-Carlton chains, followed by exchange companies like Interval International and Resort Condominiums Inc.
Marriott is the most successful timeshare resort. Every other year, the timeshare owners of Marriott have the right to skip their visits to earn points that they can use at other Marriott hotels worldwide or swap with the timeshare owners of Interval International. Prices for a one-week ownership in this resort ranges from $9,000 to $51,900, depending on the resort and season with the annual fees ranging from $350 to $500.
The Walt Disney World timeshare resort is based mostly on the point system....
Hotels > Timeshare Resorts
Things to remember when renting a hotel
Some people rarely stay at hotels and other people, like "road warrior business people" stay at hotels frequently. Here are some ideas from the road warriors to help your stay go even more enjoyable to employ a little hotel etiquette into your stay.
? Tip. Feel free to tip the bellhop and the housekeeper 5% to 20% for good service, depending on the situation and how frequently they serve you.
? Laundry. Pile your laundry, including sheets into the bathtub when you are leaving. Some people make the bed but housekeeping has to strip the bed anyway, so by stripping the bed instead of making it, you are performing a kind service for housekeeping.
Of course this is not necessary, but a courtesy for them.
? Keep quiet. Many hotels have a quite rule after a certain hour, but you can do all the other guests a favor by keeping quiet all the time.
? Don't be alarming. Turn off your alarm before you leave for the day so that it doesn't ring endlessly...
Hotels > Things to remember when renting a hotel
HotSpot International Switches to ElevenOS™ for Hotel Broadband in Latin America
Portland, Ore. (ContentDesk) September 23, 2005 -- Eleven Wireless, an emerging leader of software for managing public-access broadband networks, today announced that HotSpot International (HSI), a leader in the deployment of high-speed Internet access in the Latin American hospitality industry, has licensed ElevenOS™. The on-demand software solution from Eleven will help HSI better manage its guest broadband networks in hotels. The win is the latest for fast-growing Eleven.After intensive evaluation and testing, HSI decided to change its infrastructure to ElevenOS."ElevenOS gives us the control, flexibility and features that were not offered by our previous software vendor," said HotSpot International CEO Louie Miller. "Features such as bill-to-room through the PMS system regardless of user location in the hotel, group codes and meeting scheduling, along with multi-level access for reports and administration provide the ability to tailor the solution for the requirements of hotel...
HotSpot International Switches to ElevenOS™ for Hotel Broadband in Latin America
Hotels > HotSpot International Switches to ElevenOS™ for Hotel Broadband in Latin America
A New Force in Hotel Representation
HotelREZ is able to offer hotels the opportunity to reduce distribution costs while increasing revenue through sustained promotions and contact with key feeder markets.HotelREZ is active across the international hotel representation sector and has already signed more than 60 independent and group hotel signings across Europe, including Furlong Hotels in the UK.HotelREZ was created by Mark Lewis, its managing director, whose background includes Utell, MyTravel Group and Thomas Cook. Brenda Collin, executive director, formerly of Hilton and Utell, Fulvia Gaiazzi formerly of SRS and Utell.
Wayne O'Dell, formerly of Utell and American Express has joined the company as operations director and company secretary.Mark Lewis, managing director, said: "Our experience in the hotel and demand generation sector has given us a huge insight into the services that independent and small group hotels really need. Our main aim is to increase demand and average yield for each of the hotels whilst...
Hotels > A New Force in Hotel Representation
Things to remember when renting a hotel
Some people rarely stay at hotels and other people, like "road warrior business people" stay at hotels frequently. Here are some ideas from the road warriors to help your stay go even more enjoyable to employ a little hotel etiquette into your stay.
? Tip. Feel free to tip the bellhop and the housekeeper 5% to 20% for good service, depending on the situation and how frequently they serve you.
? Laundry. Pile your laundry, including sheets into the bathtub when you are leaving. Some people make the bed but housekeeping has to strip the bed anyway, so by stripping the bed instead of making it, you are performing a kind service for housekeeping.
Of course this is not necessary, but a courtesy for them.
? Keep quiet. Many hotels have a quite rule after a certain hour, but you can do all the other guests a favor by keeping quiet all the time.
? Don't be alarming. Turn off your alarm before you leave for the day so that it doesn't ring endlessly...
Hotels > Things to remember when renting a hotel