Hotels in Hong Kong A General Guide to Accommodation for Different Budgets
Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and a magnet for foreign visitors both tourists and businessmen alike. With a thriving urbanized environment with skyscrapers and people everywhere, it may be quite daunting for new visitors to find suitable hotels here that are easy on the wallet, yet provide excellent accommodation.
This is compounded by consumerism being a way of life and it could be expensive to get by in Hong Kong, especially since it is renowned for being a shopping paradise. This is compounded by consumerism being a way of life and it could be expensive to get by in Hong Kong, especially since it is renowned for being a shopping paradise. However, do not worry, as I shall guide you where you can find hotels in Hong Kong which are value for money with great facilities and accessible locations that are nearby the various attractions and amenities that this vibrant city is known for.
Widespread Availability of Hotels in Different Districts that Cater to Various Budgets
In Hong Kong, you will be able to find good hotels in different districts that cater to various budgets, from less well-known local budget hotels to famous international hotel chains. Generally there are many affordable hotels in every price range. For example four- star hotels in Hong Kong offer rates that are cheaper than similar hotels in other big cities in the world. However, for most hotels here with the exception of the extremely high-end ones, the rooms tend to be smaller than average unless you are willing to spend more to obtain more spacious rooms in higher categories.
Kowloon and New Territories Your Choice for Budget to Middle-Ranged Hotels
If you are looking specifically for budget and middle-range hotels, you would be well advised to search for them in Kowloon and the New Territories. Kowloon in particular is recommended for budget travelers, as the hotels there are not only reasonably priced compared to those on Hong Kong Island, the district is also located in the vicinity of major shopping belts and offers easy access to various popular sites in and around Hong Kong. Furthermore, Kowloon allows you to experience authentic Hong Kong culture and cuisine.
Hong Kong Island Luxury Accommodation with a View and Various Amenities
For those with a larger budget looking for luxurious accommodation, you can check out Hong Kong Island which is home to more luxury hotel chains, many of which are part of big name Western franchises. With the splendid Victoria Harbour, large shopping centres and the state-of-the art Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) located here, this location is an ideal base for big-spending tourists and business travelers.
Getting Around Hong Kong Via the Efficient Public Transportation System
A valid concern you may have is whether it is easy getting around Hong Kong from these hotels. To ease your fears, the comprehensive and well-developed transport network in Hong Kong consisting of the MTR (Mass Transit System), buses, tramways and ferry services will get you around the territory quickly and efficiently.
Hotels in Bangalore Comfertable Accomodation in South India
One of the newest metropolitan cities in India, Bangalore ranks among the well known IT hubs and booming industrial and commercial sectors in the country. Every year, the city experiences the inflow of thousands of people for a wide range of purposes. There is varied a range of hotels in Bangalore where travelers can enjoy accommodation of high standards mixed with warm hospitality.
Being a well known city, Bangalore can be easily reached from the various parts of the country and the world. It is also a major tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and rich culture. Travelers can select their ideal lodging destination from the various types of Bangalore hotels which range from 5 star hotels to budget and economy ones.
The Bangalore hotels are equipped with contemporary facilities and services. Bangalore is home to plenty of 5 star and luxury hotels which offer modern facilities and services. Luxury hotels of well known hotel groups like Taj, Le Meridian, Sheraton and others are located in the city. In addition to the state-of-the-art lodging facilities and services offered in these luxury hotels, guests can enjoy wonderful dining, business and recreational facilities in the hotel. Some of the well known 5 star hotels in Bangalore include Windsor Sheraton, Taj West End, Ista Hotel, Taj Residency, The Le Meridien, Hotel Grand Ashok and others.
In addition to the luxury hotels in Bangalore, there is a wide range of 4 star and middle range hotels. These hotels consist of up-to-date facilities and services to provide travelers with a great stay mixed with style. Most of the hotels are located in and around the main city center and can be easily reached. Some of the popular hotels where you can book a room are St Marks Hotel, Royal Orchid, Luciya International, and The Capitol and so on.
Adding to these, the city consists of innumerable economy and budget hotels. These hotels are apt for budget travelers which wish to have pleasant facilities and services within the reach of the pocket. The hotels offer almost all types of basic facilities and services. Some well known economy Bangalore hotels are Hotel Geo, Hotel Bangalore International, Harsha Hotel, Nalapad Residency and others.
By providing pleasant accommodation in Bangalore, the hotels in Bangalore add to the charm of staying in the city.
[Top]Luxury Hotels Prague – Luxury Travel Prague
Luxury Hotels Prague
There have been many guides written to Luxury Hotels Prague that detail the merits of individual hotels in the city but we want to deal with just the best areas and to stay within Prague and name just a couple of unbeatable value 5 star hotels.
A luxury hotel means different things to different people. Some people consider luxury as a matter of aesthetics, a beautiful staircase, a Rococo piece of furniture, and high ceilings with wooden beams or even make their hotel choice based on the feng shui qualities of the room. Luxury to other people means not having to lift a finger, a hotel with a wonderful concierge, 24 hour room service and a bell-hop. Others consider luxury as pampering, this group would value a heated indoor pool, perhaps a spa and massage services.
Prague offers hotels that cater to everyone; some hotels in Prague even offer facilities to suit the needs of all the above. Once you have decided what qualities in a luxury hotel are important to you, you must then decide in what area of Prague you wish to base yourself.
Once more, this question can only be answered by the individual travelers. Those wishing to stay in the thick of it, near Wenceslas Square and the main shopping district will want to base themselves in the Stare Mesto. There are hundreds of hotels here, but only around 10 of these would be considered luxury hotels. The luxury hotels of the Stare Mesto are also the most expensive and whilst it is still possible to stay here for far less than the Spanish Steps in Rome for example, there are great savings to be made by staying within a 10-20 minute walk of the Stare Mesto.
If you’re a person who visits Europe mainly to explore the history and architecture then two of the cities district will appeal to you; namely Josefov and Mala Strana. These are also home to several of the most upmarket, boutique style hotels. Josefov, with its famous shopping street Pariszka is by far the most expensive option. Those wishing to go central, historic and five star should choose the gorgeous Mala Strana district. Depending on the time of year, five star hotels in Mala Strana can be found for under 80 a night (the Mamaison Riverside Hotel Prague).
Luxury Restaurants Prague
Finding a restaurant in Prague is as easy as standing outside your hotel and taking 10 steps in any direction. Every street in Prague seems to be bursting with eateries offering as much pork knuckle as you can eat (and if you like that, the best of these is Kolkovna in Josefov). However, if your tastes are more refined and you do not enjoy the Czech cuisine the best spot in town, with the best views, is atop Petrin Hill in the fabulous Nebozizek restaurant. Even though this is one of the best restaurants in town, it is still around the same price as eating at the Strada chain in London.
The ultimate Czech eating experience though is Le Degustation, offering modern fusion cuisine as Western Europe means traditional Czech cooking. Here you can feast on seven courses of traditional Czech food along with wine matches also from Bohemia. Although not the cheapest dining option in Prague, La Degustation provides a culinary experience you will never forget!
Luxury Nightclubs Prague
If your name’s not down… it doesn’t really matter. It is very easy to boogie on down with the rich and famous of Czech society. The Duplex Bar on Wenceslas Square is one of Prague’s most exclusive spots where beer and wine are still far cheaper than a night in London. The Duplex spins with the Czech Republics best DJs.
If you prefer a night of culture there are wonderful events held every week at the Czech Opera House at the end of Wenceslas Square and the Prague National Theatre. Tickets to see the Czech Philharmonic and operatic masterpieces such as Tosca and La Boheme go for as little as 10 each. Prague has a renowned classical tradition with 3 of the best classical composers to ever reach for a piano or violin coming from this tiny country those being Smetana, Janacek and the infamous Dvorak.
The prices in Prague are far from static. We have noticed a 20% increase in prices from 2010 to 2011 so if you want to experience a luxury trip to Prague we recommend you go ASAP before the Eurozone as we know it changes beyond compare!
Best Hotels is the author of this page. If you want to know more about world’s top hotels , please try to visit this link http://www.1in50hotels.com/luxury_hotels_prague_guide_.php
[Top]Christian Entrepreneur Deepak Mahtani – From Hinduism to Christianity via the highway of tragedy
DeepakDeepak Mahtani had everything he ever dreamed of in life: money, a flourishing company, class, and business degrees from Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, and American College, Switzerland. He followed his family’s tradition of serving the Eastern gods and rested assured that he was living life to the fullest. Born into a Sindhi Indian family, Mahtani grew up learning the Hindu scriptures, attending their services and participating in the rituals that come along with the faith. His father was a businessman from Pakistan who fled to India because of tribal persecution. He settled in Bombay with a few rupees and started a business. Not long afterward, he got on a cargo ship and relocated 6,000 miles to Indonesia.
He gave birth to his son Deepak and two other siblings in Hong Kong, and four years later, relocated to Japan. They still practiced their Hindu religion and his father always drilled into the heads of his children that -money and success is all that you need to be happy in life.-
He had no idea that hell was around the corner until an unexpected tragedy struck and changed his life for good. His sister came to visit him in Geneva for two weeks. She had an automobile accident and died instantly. It was a very traumatic experience that left him in severe depression for six months. He lost interest in his business, started smoking, was drinking excessively and suicidal until he met a fellow Sindhi Indian in Geneva who was a Christian. This new friend tried to introduce him to his Christian God but Mathani was adamant. His friend encouraged him not to reject the Christian God, but to focus on the man Jesus and His word. Bathani got a Bible and began reading the words of Jesus in red and gradually started believing in the God of the Bible.
At the age of 12, Mahtani lost his mother to kidney disease. Even though he was the baby of the family, he was determined to succeed at all costs. Upon graduation from school, he started an electronics distribution company that he took from zero to $4 million in four years. His wealth came with a luxurious lifestyle: first-class travel, five-star hotels, nice clothes and money to do whatever he wanted. He was fluent in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and two Indian languages. His busy schedule did not accommodate anything to do with God; he was brutally aggressive about getting what he wanted to the point of pushing people out of the way without blinking an eye. For Mahtani back then, what could be sweeter than the -heaven- he was experiencing on earth?
He had no idea that hell was around the corner until an unexpected tragedy struck and changed his life for good. His sister came to visit him in Geneva for two weeks-then got in a car accident and died instantly. The trauma of her death left him in severe depression for six months. He lost interest in his business, started smoking, was drinking excessively and suicidal until he met a fellow Sindhi Indian in Geneva who was a Christian. This new friend tried to introduce him to his Christian God, but Mahtani was adamant. His friend encouraged him not to reject the Christian God but to focus on the man Jesus and His Word. Mahtani got a Bible and began reading the words of Jesus in red and gradually started believing in the God of the Bible.
After praying without success to other gods for one good night’s sleep, his request was granted by the God of the Bible. That was how he gave his life to Christ. Today, he shares the Gospel all over the world, especially with Hindus and Sikhs and business people. He is actively involved in leadership in his local church and is married to Celia. They have two grown boys–Arun and Sanjay.
When he first converted to Christianity, his family members were unhappy and extremely skeptical. Over time they saw the positive impact of his new-found faith. His act of loving and accepting his family despite their differences in belief caused his older sister and niece to turn to Christianity.
Today, Mahtani is a management training consultant specializing in understanding culture and working with different cultures, especially those of India, Japan, and China. He has coached and trained hundreds of senior managers who are involved in outsourcing to Indian companies and in remote team management around the globe. Most of his clients are FTSE100 and Fortune 500 companies, and he sits on a number of boards.
Apart from his business interests, he is actively involved in a number of charities both in the UK and South Asia that raise funds for health, development, and education in developing countries. He was included in the International Who’s Who of Professionals (2001). He recently participated in writing a book called Sindhi Journeys of Faith–20 stories of Sindhis around the world who have come to know Christ. All 2,000 copies of the book have been distributed, and another reprint is being planned.
-After 20 years of being a follower of Jesus Christ, He has answered my prayers,- Mahtani says, summing up his Christian experience. -Today, I am even more successful than I ever was, not because of money but because of the people I met through my faith as I traveled round the world.-
His message for the world is, -God is a God of love, and Jesus is his means of demonstrating that for each one of his children. He so wants a relationship with each one of us. Don’t think of it as a religion but rather as a love story. Also don’t believe and live the lies that have been spoken over you by the evil one and people who he uses to discourage us.-
Let us lift up Deepak Mahtani in prayer–that the Lord will continue to empower him to reach others with the Good News, in the name of Jesus. Pray that his efforts will not be in vain and unlimited favor will be his portion at all times, in Jesus’ name.
By May Olusola www.mannaexpressonline.com
[Top]Information Technology In Hospitality Industry
Traditionally, hotels were largely dependent on cards and paperwork at the front desk to keep in touch with old and current customers. They were largely at the mercy of the desires of vacationers to arrive, and on their own efforts and staff to be ready for potential surges or long droughts of occupancy. Luckily, such inconvenience and old-fashioned methods are long since past, thanks to advances in information technology.
The first area in which information technology became important was in regards to billing. Old-fashioned paper-based book-keeping was time consuming and inefficient, and was not able to quickly tell a hotel owner what the situation of their hotel was. Luckily, advances in modern record keeping allow for a hotel owner to keep track of what they have on hand, how much of it they have, and how much it costs. Accounting is complicated, but advanced accounting software, especially that tailored to the unique needs of the hospitality industry, helps to enable hotel owners to make smart decisions. Services and products that are no longer used can be quickly cut off to save money, while those who show demand can be increased in quantity or modified so as to reduce the heavy usage.
Most hotels are familiar with booking rooms and reservations over the phone, but information technology has expanded well beyond that. Hotels can now work with various online travel companies and booking services to have their rooms booked online, with no need to employ expensive staff. This also allows a hotel to advertise their open rooms and special deals directly to persons who would be most likely to purchase them, instead of wasting lots of money advertising in an unfocused manner. High quality information technology thus allows for better arrangement and management of bookings in order to allow a hotel to better maximize occupancy, and to know in advance when large groups or lean times are approaching. This allows a hotel manager to make plans regarding temporary staff, good times to renovate or expand, or other concerns, because he/she can determine the state of their hotel currently and for the next few months with only a few clicks on the computer.
The advances in information technology extend well beyond booking, however. The internet is essential for vacationers who wish to contact those back home, and for those traveling on business to get in touch with the office. Therefore, wireless internet has become a very common and very useful service for hotels to provide. Many business minded persons even require that a hotel offer internet services so that they can keep working while on the road. Luckily, such services are easy to provide, as all that is required is a wireless router and various devices to ensure the entire hotel is filled with the network. Modern advances in wireless internet also allow for the wireless internet provided for hotel visitors to be used to network the hotel itself. Security cameras, door locks, and other devices essential to hotel security and safety can be wired into the network, so that staff are alerted whenever a door is propped open, a fire alarm goes off or suspicious activity occurs. Though the hotel guests are wholly unaware of it, this sort of added safety and security keeps them safe, and in the event of a problem they will most certainly appreciate the benefits of such a system.
As advanced as it is, information technology in the hospitality industry is still going forward. Intelligent booking systems enable rapid and efficient guest feedback, along with the ability to predict who is likely to use the hotel again and inform them via e-mail or text messages when good deals arrive. Hotels with room service or other guest services can offer their menus online, allowing for quick updates, high-quality photos, and other ways to allow guests to see and order services before they even arrive. There are also advances in terms of payroll and inventory which make information technology a valuable asset for saving money and maximizing profits. The unique nature of the hospitality industry makes it a great place for new and emerging information technology, and forward-thinking hotel owners and managers are always looking for smart equipment and software to invest in.
[Top]