Ryan Galiotto

Posts Tagged ‘reservations’

Going to Disneyland is the greatest dream every child or even an adult could ever wish for. Disneyland is one of the coolest vacation destinations and is the most famous theme park around the world.

If you are a traveler then finding for cheap Disney World vacation packages is definitely your main goal in searching for ways in going to that world-renowned park at a cheaper rate.

Fortunately, a lot of travel agencies have provided different packages exclusively for those who want to feel the Disneyland experience. However, cost effective fees and packages going to Disneyland entails extensive research.

Also, you need to identify how much you are willing to spend; this means stretching your financial budget for the whole trip. Being in Disneyland would really require you to spent a great deal of money.

One way of doing this is through proper analysis of the total cost of cheap Disney vacation packages. This mainly comprise of food allowances, lodging and a pocket money for shopping souvenirs and other unexpected expenses.

Another good way to find cheap Disney world package deals is to go online. Many online travel sites will often have promotions from time and time and some of the Disney vacation packages are actually a lot cheaper than what you can bargain for in travel agencies.

Formulating a good plan prior to your trip is necessary. This means figuring out which attractions you want to visit before your trip and determine the cost as well. Most online travel sites provides an overview of the various attractions and the entrance fees.

Going off-season is a lot cheaper and economical compared to peak seasons. Therefore, I highly recommend going during off season peaks if possible.

Most importantly, looking for cheap Disney vacation packages need not be strenuous for this is the best time to relax and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.

Chicago is probably the first place many think of when they think of Lake Michigan. It certainly has to have a few hotels in this list. So, in no particular order, let us count down the top 10 luxury hotels on Lake Michigan.

1. Ritz Carlton Hotel Chicago

How can you not include the Ritz? It gets highest marks from anyone who stays there. Situated a few blocks from the lake off Chicago Ave., try taking in stunning views of both Lake Michigan and Chicago after eating in one of the award-winning restaurants. Relax with a sauna or expert massage in the spa. This hotel has everything, and does it just about better than anyone. It doesn’t cost over $500 a night for nothing.

2. Hilton Hotel City Center Milwaukee

You won’t regret your stay in this hotel. The service is exemplary and you don’t have to be a millionaire to afford rates starting at $119. The features make this hotel a choice destination. You’ll have hours of fun at the indoor waterpark, Paradise Landing. You’re right in the middle of Milwaukee and thus the best shopping and city attractions are walking distance, as is the waterfront.

3. The Courtyard by Marriott Benton Harbor

This hotel in Benton Harbor, Michigan combines a quiet town near the east shore with large, suite rooms. The service and ambience make it well worth it.

4. Sofitel Hotel Water Tower Chicago

Also off Chicago Avenue, this is probably the hippest designed hotel in Chicago. The architecture, the dining rooms, the bar, the rooms, the fitness center, etc. Everything is hip, colorful, clean and luxurious.

5. Boyne Highlands Resort Harbor Springs

You will find a wonderful, quiet luxurious vacation far from the big city with plenty of activities here on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan. Snow skiing, dog sledding, fishing, golf and more all are on the table depending on the season. Spacious condos and even townhouses are available in this pristine environment.

6. Blue Harbor Resort Hotel Sheboygan

Want a room with a fireplace and a whirlpool and a hotel with a waterpark and beautiful, sandy beaches? Then stay at this resort hotel in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

7. Deer Path Inn Lake Forest

Located in N. Illinois, experience English luxury in a mansion styled hotel modeled after a manor home in Kent, England. A great place for a wedding, you come here for the historic, antiquated atmosphere and English courtyard, as well as the wine.

8. InterContinental Hotel Milwaukee

The interior color design lets you know you are in Wisconsin, but the amenities let you know you’re in luxury.

9. Orrington Hotel Evanston

Historic, renovated luxury next to the vibrant Northwestern University campus north of Chicago.

10. Peninsula Hotel Chicago

Near Michigan Avenue, it’s elegant, immense and grand. It has to be. It’s the Peninsula.

And that concludes the list of the top 10 Lake Michigan luxury hotels. Hopefully you can experience at least one in your lifetime.

The current Las Vegas tourist slogan of “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” is being heard everywhere at this juncture in time. While this sentiment is all well and good, you need to get to Vegas in the first place before you can really enjoy everything that this magical city has to offer. If you are like most people, you really are dictated to by your budget. Therefore, while you may be dreaming of an amazing trip to Vegas, you need to find a way in which you can take make the break in the most affordable manner possible. With this in mind, you definitely should check out what discounts are available to you in the way of Las Vegas coupons.

Because gambling and gaming makes up the foundation upon which Las Vegas exists (to say the least) the folks in Vegas know that you want you to come and play and they are more than willing to offer you special deals on many different “things” to entice you into town. For example, have a look for Las Vegas coupons and you’ll soon find you can reduce the cost of your vacation to sin city as there are discount coupons for everything from meals to lodging.

The fact is that through the use of Vegas coupons, you will be able to get food and lodging during your stay for amazingly affordable prices.

Entertainment is also a major part of any trip to Las Vegas. In this regard, if you plan ahead, you will be able to access a variety of different Las Vegas coupons that will save you money on a wide array of different entertainment options and attractions.

This includes the major shows and major points of interest that really are “must see” opportunities when you are on the strip.

Simply put, hotel classifications are not a unified system. Many big chains, from budget options to luxury hotels, are allowed to apply their own classification systems based on the size and facilities of each of their establishments. They are not monitored by anyone except their own internal managers. And to make things more confusing, even chains change their “star criteria” from country to country!

As there are variations worldwide in the quality, size and design of different hotels the classification systems vary from nation to nation. This often means that what one would expect from, say, a three-star hotel in one country may be very much under-achieved by a similarly-rated hotel in another. Five-star hotels, for example, are expected to have the very finest of every facility made available, from restaurants to spas and other amenities, a high ratio of staff to guest and a superior location. However, France – arguably the greatest supplier of fine hotels in the world – doesn’t even have a five-star rating as even the Ritz and similar “palaces” stick to the four-star rating to avoid heavy taxes! Not to worry, as President Sarkozy is coming to the rescue of holidaymakers in Europe at least…One of his goals is to standardise the hotel rating system to ensure fair judgement and balance decision making.

Broadly speaking, star ratings should break down something like this… five star hotels (or most four and all four star luxe in France) are, as mentioned above, expected to provide everything you need at any hour of the day or night, four stars should mean formality and quality but without the very height of opulence, three stars should mean good, clean service, two stars are generally privately-owned and forgiven their faults and one star should not be considered unless you’re desperate to get inside! There is only one record of a zero star hotel, which is a converted nuclear bunker in Switzerland. We would only recommend staying there in a “dire emergency/when you hear the three-minute warning!”

But can you ever trust these ratings if they are, at best, locally judged and, at worst, self-awarded? How can you guarantee that a luxury hotel really is aluxury hotel ? A number of bodies rate accommodation providers, including the AA, the RAC, the tourist boards of various nations and, of course, independent travel guides such as Michelin, Gault Millau and Mobil. But, we’ve all had experience of disagreeing with what we’ve read or even basing our choices on reviews which are dangerously out of date.

The two paths left to the discerning traveller on the hunt for the truth are as follows. The first is to cross-reference every piece of literature you can find on the subject of each hotel, comparing the reputation of the brand (if applicable) with the designations for their rating and coming up with a fair picture of what kind of quality you are to expect. The second is so obvious that we need not even say it…Recommendations. Whether this comes from a friend or an agency doesn’t matter, as long as you trust the source. Agencies that specialise in luxury hotels and the upper end of splendour, base their reputations on customer satisfaction and separating exceptional establishments from the pretenders. As it’s in their financial interests that you are content with their choices, you’re almost certain to be directed to the experience you want, whether it’s a no- expense-spared five-star+ to the relaxed charm of a family-run chateau. To summarise, until the system changes, forget the stars and go with what you know you can trust. Or else be ready to “gets what you pay for”.