Beijing Hotels and the Summer Palace: Homes for Important People

Beijing, China's vibrant cosmopolitan and ancient capital has been home to some of the world's many wonders. You may have already heard of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, but there are still more places to see and things to do when you're in town. What's more promising is that Beijing hotels are located within considerable walking and driving distances, making them more accessible to locals and tourists alike.

In the olden times, the emperor and his court stayed inside the Forbidden City. It was there where the emperors, called 'Sons of Heaven,' made their duties. Owing to the great task that they handled, they were thus subjected to many pressures. This prompted the emperors to build the Summer Palace as a respite from everyday problems of palace life.

Accurately called the 'Gardens of Nurtured Harmony,' the site is generally dominated by the Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. It covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-fourths of which are water. You can find a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures in the Palace itself. Transportation to this place is never a problem since Beijing hotels will take care of these for you.

An important part of the complex is the Kunming Lake which was created by extending a present body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. To build Longevity Hill, the excavated soil from the lake was used.

When the capital was moved near the Beijing area, emperor Wnyn Ling built a Gold Mountain Palace on the site of the hill. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was renamed from Gold Mountain to Jug Hill (Weng Shan). The Qianlong emperor of the Qing Dynasty finally christened the hill with its present name.

Standing about 60 meters high, the hill holds several sequentially-positioned buildings. The front side is abundantly decorated with buildings and halls while the back is maintained in its natural beauty.

In the hill's northern side, you can find buildings of religious and cultural significance. These are the Cloud-Dispelling Hall, the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, and the Sea of Wisdom Temple, among others.

In 1998, The Summer Palace was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since it is "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design," it not only serves as a tourist destination at present but also as a recreational park.

This must-visit site can easily be accessed since Beijing hotels will assist you in planning your itinerary. While staying in one of the hotels in Beijing, allow us to comfort you with the perks just like that of the Summer Palace. Indeed, in Beijing, you will experience a level of comfort that is more than what you have expected!

Author E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works closely with the Fuhao Hotel Beijing and other beijing hotels. Go to his website on the Fuhao Hotel Beijing here.

January 07 2010 | hotels | No Comments »

The Mapes Hotel: Reno’s Lost Art Deco Jewel

On a cold, gray morning in late January 2000, the historic Mapes Hotel in Reno was imploded by 75 pounds of explosives tucked into the art-deco structures support columns. The controlled demolition came despite years of effort by a number of groups within the community and nationally to preserve the building with lawsuits, redevelopment proposals, and grass roots lobbying efforts.

While the logic and necessity of demolishing the Mapes is very questionable, one thing that is certain is that the hotel was an important part of Northern Nevada history. The Mapes opened in'47 and with it ushered in a new era for casino gambling and the state of Nevada. Despite some historical revisionism that suggests that the modern era began in Las Vegas with Bugsy Siegel's famed Flamingo, the Mapes was actually the first building in America to have a hotel, casino and live entertainment under the same roof. The Mapes attracted countless celebrities who'd make it their home when business brought them to Northern Nevada--this included movie stars like Clark Gable, TV stars like the cast of 'Bonanza' and political power brokers like infamous anti-Communist crusader Joseph McCarthy.

In the 50s and 60s it became, along with Lake Tahoes Cal-Neva Lodge the place to be seen in Northern Nevada. The top floor, window-walled Sky Room showcased performances by the legends: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jackie Gleason, Louis Prima, Mae West, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Marx Brothers among others. Subsequent years were not kind to downtown Reno but the Mapes continued to do well during the 60's and 70's. The hotel finally closed in'82, due more to financial difficulties experienced by the Mapes family caused by one of their other Northern Nevada gaming properties than anything else.

While the last twenty years brought an amazing boom in the population and economy of Southern Nevada, the Northern part of the state didn't see much of it at all. For that reason, the urgency of destroying the Mapes is even more questionable. In the Las Vegas area, its easy to justify the demolition of older hotels with simple economics--the older properties simply can't compete in the current mega-resort dominated marketplace. Furthermore, the insane valuation of the land on which they sit makes it financially unfeasible to preserve them as pop culture museums.

This is not the case in Reno, where land and buildings for development in virtually every casino area are abundant. The city argued that the land on which the Mapes stood was necessary for their redevelopment efforts--a somewhat absurd position given the realities of downtown Reno and the lack of any real development on the property since the demolition. Despite receiving a number of viable concepts for the Mapes Building, the City Redevelopment Authority rejected all of them and the Mapes was destined for demolition.

The role of the City Redevelopment Authority was questioned throughout the process. Overlooking the Truckee River, the hotel was on a prime location between the downtown casino area and the riverfront district. A number of sound financial proposals were presented that would preserve the integrity of the structure including condominiums, office space, and perhaps most viable, upscale senior apartments. Oddly, all of these proposals were turned down by the citys Redevelopment Agency which continued to maintain that demolition was the only viable option despite copious evidence to the contrary.

Following the 2000 demolition, the lot remained vacant for over a year until a temporary ice skating rink was hastily constructed the following winter. The site now houses a permanent ice skating rink which, while not a bad use for the land, isn't the sort of game changing improvement suggested by the City Redevelopment Agency and their adamant insistence that the building be demolished. To the contrary, it appears they had no specific plan or even general idea of what to do with the land but for some reason wanted to see the hotel come down. This has led to all manner of speculation, ranging from financial self interest to a rumor that the structure was 'haunted' and needed to be destroyed to forestall future paranormal activity in Washoe County. Whatever the reason, the city of Reno lost a valuable landmark that played a significant part in the economic growth of the entire state.

Ross Everett is a freelance writer and noted sports betting expert. He is also a staff handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook and is in charge of setting NFL lines. He has written extensively on sports betting theory along with a wide range of other topics including fencing, self defense and flower arrangement.

December 21 2009 | hotels | No Comments »

Where To Find Cheap Hotels To Make Your Vacation More Affordable

For a good vacation its necessary to get a good as well as an affordable accommodation. For every vacation trip a major part of the expense will be grabbed by the hotel accommodation, so that its important to get a cheaper as well as good accommodation so that the amount can be utilized for sight seeing and for the purchases there. So most of the vacationers search for the hotel accommodation from where they can get the same facilities of an expensive hotel in a lower budget.

When you or you known think about the vacation, its necessary to search the hotels from where you will get the good hotel deals , which will provide the offerings of an expensive hotels in a lower budget. Now a day the deals can be gathered with the help of internet, so that you can choose the hotel which is affordable to you and those meets the needs of you.

Selection of a hotel should not be in the basis of only cost but you should check about the location and also the services which are provided by them. The major aspect should be the location whether it's near to the tourism area and is there any transportation facility available nearby. Most of the affordable hotels will be located to places where there is transportation facility available as well as shopping area and tourism places nearby.

You should search for the details of the hotels from more than one site as the details of every hotel in an area will not be available with all the sites. You will get the details of special offers from the hotel will be available only in their own website; also if you can search out the newsletter you can get the updated rates also.

By searching the internet you can get the better deal in a lower rate because most of the low budget hotels also provide some additional facilities for their clients other than the accommodation they are providing. These facilities will change according to the hotels and the locations. So verify the deals also when you are choosing the cheap hotel from which you can get better facilities also.

You should search the internet for cheap as well as good deals from the hotels which will fulfill your needs with in your budget. The major part of the vacation expense will be the hotel accommodation expense, so if you can get a better accommodation in a lower rate you can enjoy your vacation by using your major part of your budget by shopping and sight seeing.

Chris Linch has a website that has Great Hotel Rates. If you want to save a lot of money on your booking, follow the tips above and visit his website. They have the low price guarantee and all rooms are prepaid, save 40%!

December 08 2009 | vacation | No Comments »

Travel Packages – A Money Saver

If you searching for a way to get away from your everyday life for a longer period of time; or maybe just a weekend, a value-packed travel package is the best option. You can find travel packages for all the popular destinations like Rome, Paris and London. If you are more into cruise lines (e.g. from Barcelona), this is also possible.

As far as pricing goes, the cost of the travel package is constructed on various things. Something as small as time of the year can be a deciding factor in the price range of your travel package.

In the low season hotels can be discounted up to 50% if you are staying for more than a few days. That gives an agent the possibility to give you a discount. In other cases they have already bought a specific number of seats on a flight, which will make them achieve a smaller charge per passenger.

There are countless amounts and types of vacation travel packages, so you must choose wisely. Some of them includes everything from meal and drinks to tips, while others are only flights and hotel. The choice is yours.

Airfare to and from your destination, hotel during the stay, and transportation is included in most travel packages. Extras can be bus transportation to and from the hotel and/or various attractions. Other options are discounted car rental.

Choose whichever will accommodate you best while on your beautiful vacation. You don't need to worry while on holiday, so pick the package that best suits you. Always consider convenience as well as price. A travel package lets you spend less time finding deals and more time planning what activities you'll be trying out while on vacation.

Look at all the travel package deals and decide if you prefer shark diving lessons or spa treatment. The packages are money savers for another reason; all the perks. A new restaurant opening in France may offer free entre trough a travel package.

Often times, all-inclusive travel packages offer discounts of some kind at various attractions such as Disney while in Paris. Cruises may offer a freebie of some sort as well, such as a boarding picture, first dinner picture, or some other type of keepsake.

Travel packages are great money savers. They can offer you great discounts and freebies; and a high relief of stress. Finding the best travel package can offer you a great vacation without the worries about all the small details.

Morten Elm is writing city breaks in Storbyferie Guiden - a website about storby ferie. Here you can also read about travel to European destinations in weekendophold i London.

December 02 2009 | hotels | No Comments »

Beach Hotels – What To Look For

When it comes to beach and facilities, luxury beach resorts are already the best providers for both. They can already give the ultimate vacation treat for their guests. In fact, the beach resorts that are on top of the list of best resorts are usually the luxury ones.

Beaches that also have lavishing hotels would certainly make the experience of the guests truly enjoyable and memorable. Apart from being able to swim and put to good use the numerous facilities that are readily available at the hotel, you may now also swim and do all other kinds of activities that one may do while strolling down the beach. If you wish to make your stay more quiet yet totally relaxed, then you would surely be able to do so as long as you would be staying at a luxurious beach hotel.

It is beyond doubt, you would be able to do a lot of activities at the beach, like for instance stroll by the beach, or simply listen to the sounds of the big waves nearby, or just lay down on the sand and rest in order to take advantage of the tranquility of the area. By doing so, you would surely get a chance to make your body tanned and beautiful.

Even more, this kind of resort offers different amenities to meet the different needs of their guests. Anyone can enjoy whatever they want at their perusal. If a visitor wants to experience the beauty of nature and spend great time alone, there are some activities that will enable him to experience so. Simply walking beside the shore, relaxation in one of the cottages, or sunbathing can make up his time. When he suddenly feels energized, there are activities like beach volleyball, snorkeling, and water skiing that are available, too. All the equipments for these activities are also provided by the beach resort.

Other than the things already mentioned, there are even much more about this kind of resort. As they promise to give the best services, they also made sure that they can provide comfortable and awesome staying facilities, cuisines that represent different parts of the world, great bars and indoor entertainments, and many other things. You should know that everybody gets the best of everything that they are looking for.

In fact, you can go night swimming, or go boating under the beautiful moon. Such experiences will surely stay with you for the rest of your life.

Some of the exceptional amenities that one would love about this kind of vacation is the bar that is readily accessible by anyone, the wide range of cuisine, together with all the other means of entertainment that you would be able to find inside the hotel.

These simply go to show that a luxurious hotel is definitely more than just making the stay of each guest more personalized. This simply means that people who would get to stay at the hotel would have the means to get the most appropriate kind of accommodation.

Many of these resorts even have beach parties and outdoor dining, especially in the evening. There are spa treatments and massage which allows you to become refreshed and even more relaxed. In short, you get everything you could possibly ask for in a tropical vacation from these luxury beach resorts which will make everything worth it.

Looking to find the best deal on airlie beach hotels, then visit www.airliebeachhotels.net to find the best advice on luxury beach hotels for you.

November 08 2009 | hotels | No Comments »

How To Get Great Hotel Rates

Planning your dream vacation? Looking for hotel rates you can afford and airfare that's a steal? Many people are finding that an internet search can be the easiest and most convenient way to find what you're looking for.

Book as early as possible, three or four months early, if you can. You can get the best rates this way, and can sometimes find travel packages to save you even more.

Do not skimp on research time! Shopping around can get you the best deals online as well as in person. Websites run by travel agents and airlines will have their own prices for the same times, dates, and places, and you don't want to miss your perfect package.

If you can be flexible with your times, dates, and airline preferences, then joining an online auction is the path for you. You may not know any of the companies providing your services until you win the auction and pay for your prize, but you can find some of the best deals on travel packages.

Instead of trying to buy each part of your trip a la carte, buy a whole package online. You can get a much better deal on each part this way, as each corporation tries to keep you within their family of companies. You can especially find the best deals on hotels in these online packages.

Hotel costs vary, there are many customizable packages, and sometimes you can even negotiate your own price. All these things are available to you online. Book early, and have fun on your trip! You can always save money online it is a piece of cake. Just don't overwhelm yourself shopping around, as long as you book in advance at a site with a price match guarantee then you will have no problem securing and keeping the lowest rates. If they fall the place you book will match it if you just simply ask.

Is saving 40% a condition of Great Hotel Rates? I think so, if you agree visit Chris' site and book today for your next trip.

November 03 2009 | vacation | No Comments »

A Brief On Choosing Anaheim Hotels

Most trips to Anaheim take place for one reason: the amusement parks. Disneyland and the others nearby offer a lot of fun that many families feel the urge to check off from their list. To describe all the Anaheim hotels in detail would take forever (and there are websites made already that would do it better anyway). I will give you some ideas to look out for, however, as you consider amongst your many, many options.

If you do plan to visit the parks, you need to think about how easy it will be to access those amusements from the hotel. If Disneyland is a destination, they do own several resorts and hotels right inside the theme park, which will obviously allow easy access. These can be pricey sometimes, so you may want to try to find a deal or a promotion. Other hotels nearby will offer transportation to the park (some for free), and this can save time from long walks in the parking lot. Other hotels will simply advertise a short walk, which won't be too bad if the price is right and if our family also appreciates the exercise.

Also look out for any packages or deals the hotel offers. These hotels have a lot of competition, and they want to make all those nervous dads feel better about their expenses. Look for free or discounted food and extra amenities. The amusement park itself will likely be a similar price no matter which hotel you buy tickets at, but parks are expensive so try to save where you can elsewhere.

Some parks are also all decked out for the family. Some of the resorts and hotels owned by Disney will have all sorts of cartoon-themed decorative touches and actors to make the kids feel special. Other parks might not have the right to do this, but they will often offer amenities and facilities that are very kid friendly.

Don't forget the hotel and room amenities. The theme park is very stressful, and it may pay to have a relaxing place to return to at the end of the day. Make sure that the home-away-from-home you return to is a place where you feel comfortable. Extras like Internet access and media players prove beneficial here (you'd think that a hotel seeing so many family vacationers might have a DVD player, but not all of them do!).

Take some time as you research the Anaheim hotels because you will be spending a lot of your vacation inside one of them. You might not be able to afford being too choosy, but you still want to be as comfortable as possible.

October 11 2009 | hotels | No Comments »

Gay Hot Spots to Travel in Mexico: Isla Mujeres

Its certainly true that there are plenty of gay friendly places all over the world where you could choose to visit on your next vacation. Naturally, not all of these places are the same and some are simply more relaxing places to get away from it all than others.

One of the best and most popular is Isla Mujeres, a tremendous resort area found on the beaches and under the sunny skies of Cancun Mexico. As anyone that has traveled to Latin America will attest to, this part of the world is one of the very best hotspots in that part of the world.

So what is it about Isla Mujeres that makes this place such a wonderful vacation spot? Plenty " read on to see a few of them.

A thriving fishing town, Isla Mujeres offers visitors a sort of glimpse into the past, letting you have a view of traditional Mexican seaside life. Of course, if you happen to be a fisherman, you may have an idea already, but this culture is one of the things which makes Isla Mujeres such a draw.

While still featuring many traditional elements, there are plenty of modern amenities to keep you occupied while you visit. With live entertainment and some of the country's best dining and shopping, you'll never be bored in Isla Mujeres.

Of course, there is plenty to do here as well as to see. Isla Mujeres has the most beautiful coastline in all of North America.

With its incredible blue waters and wonderful beaches, it's a great place to relax " but don't forget about all the surfing, scuba diving and other activities you can do out on the water!

Isla Mujeres is a great fishing spot, so if you'd like to get out on the water for the day and try your luck, there's few other places in the world like it to spend your day fishing and relaxing. There's no shortage of enjoyment here, whether on land or sea.

You can also take part in a Dolphin Discovery adventure. No one should miss out on this one. You can swim with dolphins and get up close and personal with these amazing animals. If you're a nature lover or not, this is a one of a kind experience you'll never forget.

You won't lack for luxury accommodations and world-class amenities here either. Isla Mujeres is home to many four and five star hotels, so you can relax in style on your vacation.

Naturally, there are also plenty of budget conscious choices for lodging here as well, so if you're on a budget there are still plenty of wonderful places to stay. Since you're always within reach of the relaxation and fun to be had on Isla Mujeres, you'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

Those looking for a fun, unique, and restful vacation will surely enjoy a stay in Isla Mujeres. Mexico is a land known for its many resort regions. Out of all of these fine resorts, very few can compare to Isla Mujeres. Keep that in mind the next time you plan your vacation.

September 22 2009 | vacation | No Comments »

Rome Apartments: Up To Half Price & Heaps More Space

Before you start off on your next trip to Italy's capital, you'll need to think about where to stay. Most people end up in motel or hotel simply because they don't realize that they have any other options. However, these options do exist, and hotel accommodations, while easy to find, aren't always the best choice.

If you decide to go with hotel accommodations on your trip to Rome, you'll find that these places all have a few things in common: they're expensive, crowded, and rather small. Everyone stays in a hotel, or so the common wisdom goes, but you don't have to. A holiday apartment rental could let you save money and enjoy more space and privacy, too.

Instead of spending a lot on a suite, or dealing with the cramped conditions that come with cramming everyone into just one room, you could enjoy attractive surroundings and your own space. A hotel stay means that you're going to be experiencing Rome as a tourist, while an apartment lets you do it as a local. Most of us would prefer the more authentic option.

Pick an apartment with an attached terrace and dine over traditional Roman rooftops or the gorgeous skyline. Enjoy the space and comfort you're unlikely to get in a hotel, and the control over your living space you'll only get at home. After all, not everyone enjoys having strangers in to clean their room every day, or people interrupting their quality time in Rome.

Doing your research before you decide which apartment you want is a must, however. You're probably not going to run into exactly the same kind of apartment experience you can expect at home, and that could be a nasty surprise if you're not prepared. On the other hand, if you find out what you can expect from your rental company, you'll be ready, and your stay will be a great one.

You can also avoid having to deal with restaurants all the time by picking an apartment instead of a hotel. There are many wonderful local markets offering some of Italy's best ingredients - why not cook at home? Make eating out a special treat, and stick to home cooked food in your very own kitchen, but don't expect a stocked fridge.

A lot of apartments in Rome also have laundry facilities on site, so you don't have to pack too much, deal with the fees that come with extra luggage, or find a laundry on your own. Bring the clothes you need for a short time, and wash them in the comfort of your own apartment, without any inconvenience or extra cost.

If you're a truly independent traveler, you'll probably enjoy a holiday apartment instead of a hotel room. You get control over the area you stay in, the services you receive, and the day to day activities on your trip. Just book a day in advance if you'd like to try out some of the optional extra services.

If you want to see the real Rome for yourself and avoid the crowding, expense, and inconvenience of tourist hotels, an apartment rental might be just the thing you've been waiting for. Do your research and know what to expect, and you'll soon see that Rome apartments are a great alternative to the ordinary holiday.

Choose from our large range of Rome accommodation for the perfect place to celebrate your wedding or anniversary. At Rome-Accom.com, we offer hand-picked quality apartments, we all speak English, and you'll have the most wonderful Romantic experience of your life.

September 20 2009 | hotels | No Comments »

Gay Vacations in Cancun, Travel Tips

You're going to have a great time on your vacation in Cancun! To get ready, you need to evaluate both the time and the money available to you: You can take a four-day cruise or longer, or you can fly to your destination. If you are going with a friend, be certain that you agree on limitations, and then have fun making plans!

Usually a cruise to Cancun will either leave from Galveston or Miami. Usually the ships are going to leave for Cancun in the evening time. Most of the ships that leave from the western area of the U.S. will end up taking you to Mexican Riviera.

Planning on flying? If you book the flight as well as the hotel together you can really save some money. Using a travel agent is okay, but if you do so, ensure that they lay out all that will be included in the cost you are paying for your vacation.

It's a good idea to figure out whether you are going to Cancun Calica or to Cancun Playa del Carmen. Both are great options. Calica will offer great beaches, a wonderful night life, and tours of historic ruins and interesting nature parks. On the other hand, Playa del Carmen is a town on the beach. You can check out tropical forests, enjoy touring some ruins, or even check out the biosphere reserve.

Buy sunscreen! It's hard to avoid the water in Cancun, and it's best to buy waterproof sunscreen.

Before you leave, talk to your cell phone company to find out if there are roaming fees while you are vacationing in Mexico. This will be important knowledge to know if you want to call back to family or your office.

The large part of your money should be put into traveler's checks. Although places are happy to take American dollars, you may want pesos. If you decide to exchange for them, ensure you go to a good bank. Keep the traveler's checks and the theft info on them separate. Ensure that theft protection is on all your credit cards you have with you. Never tear your pesos or take any that are ripped, since the government won't honor them if they are damaged.

Tip your hotel staff and the wait service at restaurants and night clubs at ten to fifteen percent.

If you are going to travel by cab, let them know where you are going and come up with an agreed upon price. You don't have to tip the cab driver.

When you are walking to your destination, never go by yourself. Remember, pedestrians in Mexico are not given the right of way, so be very careful.

Consider talking to the staff at your hotel to find out great places to visit. For great gay nightlife, the Karamba club is one that is excellent to visit.

It doesn't matter how you are planning to get to Cancun, make sure that you check to see if there are restrictions on luggage you need to know about. This may include weight, size, pieces, and charges for extra. It's a good idea to know boarding restrictions too. Planning your trip is important. You'll have a great time doing it and you'll be sure that your trip goes as planned without any problems.

We really know the significance of your presence. You will find the best attendance, fun, entertainment and all your needs in this event. We have structured a perfectly-done plan covering all elements of your attendance's main objective: to enjoy this unforgettable Latin Hot Party experience! Without a doubt these will be your best gay vacations.

September 16 2009 | vacation | No Comments »