Elegant Hotels In Barbados Close The Colony Club Hotel For Refurbishment Works

The Colony Club hotel in St James, Barbados has just announced to future guests that it will be closing temporarily for general updating and maintenance works to be carried out throughout the entire property. The hotel, already a favourite among tourists seeking family-friendly Barbados holidays, will be closed for one month only, starting 1st September and finishing on 30th September 2012, when all renovation works are expected to be completed. The resort will be officially reopening and welcoming back guests on 1st October 2012.

During this time of closure scheduled for the end of summer 2012, the resort will be conducting general maintenance and repairment works all around the resort as well as carrying out improvements and enhancing existing infrastructure throughout the entire hotel property. The upgrades are expected to build upon Colony Club’s recent renovation works, which had focused primarily on the resort’s outdoor dining areas and will now extend to other equally important areas.

The popular family resort in Barbados had also recently added a new contemporary outdoor island lounge area, as well as giving a refreshing update of the seating area in the Laguna restaurant. For the delight of all sun-bathers and pool loungers looking forward to lazing around the pool or beach during their Barbados holidays, the Colony Club all sun-deck furniture has also been entirely replaced with a more modern and stylish design.

In addition to all this, there have also been many subtle upgrades to individual guest rooms and the reception area, while new ambiance lighting has been installed throughout the property and gardens.

The additional works to be carried out throughout September 2012 will put the Colony Club hotel among some of the most modern and recently updated Barbados hotels with the refreshing makeover expected to have a positive impact among new prospective guests and past repeat guests at the resort.

Gayle Talma, General Manager of the Colony Club said, “The temporary closure of the hotel allows us to focus on completing the upgrades as quickly as possible without disruption to our guests.”

“Our goal is to give the hotel a fresh, new modern look while retaining the classic Bajan ambiance that Colony Club is known for. We know our loyal guests will be pleased with the end result and look forward to welcoming them back to one of the Island’s best loved hotels”.

Ways To Get A Free Hotel Upgrades In Texas

Ways to Get a Free Hotel Upgrades in Texas.

There is no secret formula for getting a guaranteed hotel upgrade. Why settle for a single when you can have the penthouse suite! Here is a list of tips for getting your hotel free room upgrade which are sure fire ways of landing the best possible room at no extra charge.

Tip #1: Ask Three Times. Make your reservation by phone and ask the operator for a free upgrade. A few days before arrival call to confirm the room, this makes the operator look at your reservation and has the ability to make a change. Now on arrival ask yet again.

Tip #2. Look the part. On arrival make sure you do not look like you’ve just come out of the dump, looking sharp gives the reception clerk reason to give you a free upgrade.

Tip #3. Be Nice. Each interaction you have with an employee at the hotel should be pleasant, go out of your way to be nice to them, if you don’t get a free hotel room upgrade you’ll sure to get good service.

Tip #4. Invite reason for a special occasion. When you call and go to reception be sure to talk about your special occasion, anniversary wedding or otherwise. Don’t say it’s your birthday unless your birthday is really close or just past because they have your details on file.

Tip #5. Play the sympathy card. Explain that your anniversary you wanted to be special and get a good room but couldn’t afford to get it, by doing this the person at reception feels sorry for you and might just upgrade your hotel room for free.

Tip #6. Don’t go when it’s busy. On busy nights chances are the rooms are full and you can’t get an upgrade because there is no room to upgrade you in.

Tip #7. Only stay one night. By only staying one night the hotel doesn’t have to worry about you tying up the room for so long, the hotel wants one night guests for upgrade because when and if the traveller wants to extend chances are they won’t change rooms and they’ll want the expensive room.

Tip #8 Be Loyal. On your first night join the hotels loyalty program, by being a frequent guest you get discounts and free upgrades for your loyalty.

Tip #9 Suck up to the hotel manager. The person with the most power to get you a free room is the hotel manager, find the hotel manager and make sure you tell him how fantastic your stay is and how much you love this hotel and that he is doing a fantastic job keeping the hotel up like this. You never know he might just put a note on your file and next time you get a free hotel upgrade.

Tip #10 Write them a letter. After your stay at the hotel come home and write the hotel a letter, thanking them for their service and the room. It’s not un-common that people receive and email back with coupons discounts and hotel room upgrades.

Tip #11 Be persistent. If you keep trying out tips 1-9 you will get a free hotel upgrade. Texans are really nice people and if you show your gratitude they are sure to pay you back.

So how do you get something for free when other people are paying good money for? By following these tips your sure to get a good upgrade. If you’re looking for a hotel room in Texas where it’s possible to get a free hotel room upgrade check the Hotels in Texas site for more information on hotels that give free upgrades.

What amenities are standard in Orlando hotels

The Orlando area has more than 400 local Orlando hotels. Each one offers a range of amenities to secure a comfortable and convenient stay for each guest.

So what are some of the standard amenities you might be interested in when staying at a hotel in Orlando?

Complimentary shuttles. Since so many Orlando hotels are located just minutes away from theme parks, you will find that many of them offer free shuttle transportation. Some Orlando hotels also provide transportation to Orlando International Airport. Be sure to ask about this if you dont have a car with you.

Pools. Most of the hotels have pools. Some even have waterslides. Others have acouple of pools and slides. And youll even find Jacuzzis. What better way to enjoy the Orlando sun than to splash around the hotel pool?

Concierge services. Many local provide customers concierge services. If you need assistance booking dinner reservations, finding the best spa or getting advice on which Orlando theme parks to visit, the concierge can help you out.

Coffeemakers and ironing boards. Most Orlando hotels offer these amenities, this way you can be sure to start your mornings off free of any stress. In addition to coffee makers, many of the hotels in Orlando FL even provide complimentary coffee to guests.

Cleaning services. This is probably a given. Youll find daily maid service and staff members who will assist you with any housekeeping concerns you may have.

Gift shops. At the themed hotels and resorts, youll find themed gift shops. But at most of the area hotels, youll find some kind of Orlando souvenirs.

Dryers and washers. Not all of the local hotels will have washer & dryer units, but some do. And some are even free. This is certainly worth looking intoespecially if you are planning on staying in Orlando for a few days. Also, some hotels offer dry cleaning services.

Lounge and restaurant. Most Orlando hotels have a lounge and restaurant. Some even provide happy hours, complimentary cocktail receptions or complimentary breakfasts.

Fitness centers. Whether its a small gym or a larger fitness center, most hotels in Orlando FL accommodate guests who desire to stay in shape. The facilities are usually free to guests but it never hurts to double check with the hotel before booking your room.

Wake-up phone calls. These are usually offered free of charge.

Each hotel provides unique amenities, but these are the main ones that you will see at each hotel. If you are seeking something specific, do not forget to inquire about it before getting your reservation.

Starwood Hotels To Open New Westin Resort For Punta Cana Holidays In 2013

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is planning to build a new resort in the Dominican Republic after it signed an agreement with development partner Grupo Punta Cana. The Westin Puntacana Resort is expected to open to tourists taking Dominican Republic holidays in late 2013 in the Playa Blanca area of the Puntacana Resort and Club complex.

The new resort will have 204 luxurious rooms including 16 suites, and guests going on holidays to the Dominican Republic can enjoy facilities such as a large swimming pool, full service spa, fitness centre, 24-hour business centre, meeting and wedding rooms, children’s club, walking trails, lobby bar and a poolside grill.

Brian Povinelli, the Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels and Resorts, commented: “The Westin Puntacana Resort is a highly anticipated addition to our growing resorts portfolio, offering travellers a refreshing, island retreat on one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean.

“The new resort will offer all of the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities, designed to inspire wellbeing and send guests home feeling better than when they arrived.”

During holidays in the Dominican Republic, travellers staying at the new resort will also have access to first-class amenities at the Puntacana Resort and Club, such as championship golf course, nine gourmet restaurants, a Six Senses Spa, a 1,500-acre ecological reserve and three miles of pristine white sand beaches.

The resort is the first of two Dominican Republic hotels that Starwood Hotels and Resorts is planning to open over the year or so. The first property, Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village, is due to open in October, 2012 and is also being developed by Grupo Punta Cana.

Punta Cana is situated on the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean and travellers from all over the world head to the region every year to experience tropical Punta Cana holidays amid stunning natural scenery that is made up of white sand beaches, turquoise ocean waters, lush green landscapes.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to be able to share the Puntacana experience with even more travellers as they visit the Dominican Republic,” stated Alberto Abreu, the Executive Director of Hospitality at Puntacana Resort and Club.

He added: “The Westin Puntacana Resort will allow even more visitors from around the globe to experience the one-of-a-kind beaches, weather, and activities available in our country, and at our resort. We look forward to welcoming more guests into the Puntacana family as we move forward with this project.”

Hotels Accommodation Selecting a Hotel that is Right for You

One of the most challenging aspects of planning a trip to an unfamiliar destination is the booking of your hotels accommodation. When you try to search for the ideal hotel, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of hotels that vie for your attention.

Selecting a hotel that suits your expectations is important to get the most out of your entire trip, as a good hotel can complement your visit with the right amenities and location. Also, expensive hotels may not always be the best choices when it comes to good service and convenience as there have been great improvements in hotel standards all around. Hence, some research is needed to select the hotel that is right for you, with the following helpful tips below to aid your search.

Setting your hotel budget

Setting a budget for your trip should involve deciding how much of it would go towards spending on your accommodation. This would help you to shortlist an accommodation type which you would be most comfortable with, whether it is cheap budget hotels or more expensive four and five-star hotels. Thus, it would be much easier to continue your hotel search within this smaller field.

Besides looking at the room rates of various hotels, you should also bear in mind their inclusions (or lack thereof) in the room rates to get a more accurate picture of what exactly you are paying for. These inclusions can be meals, facility use, in-house movies or parking fees, to name a few.

Choosing a good location

Choosing a good location for your hotel is essential for getting the most out of your hotel stay. Before doing so, do consider the purpose of your visit. If your visit comprises mostly of sightseeing or business in a certain area, you can consider choosing a hotel in the vicinity. This would help you to save on potentially expensive commuting costs. Staying near public transport networks is also a good idea if you rely heavily on public transport for travel.

Another factor that you may like to consider is the noise levels of the hotels surroundings. If you would like to relax in a quieter environment, do consider a location further from the main traffic and nightlife areas to enjoy an uninterrupted nights rest.

Considering what amenities you need

When booking your hotel, you should also consider what kinds of amenities you need that would be helpful to your trip and which ones you are willing to forego. This will assist in your hotel selection such that you only choose the one that provides you with the most convenience.

For example, you might want to consider a hotel with 24-hour room service if you wish to satisfy your hunger at night without purchasing many snacks. If easy accessibility to the airport or downtown areas is what you need, you might wish to consider a hotel with shuttle services to these areas.

The range of amenities in the hotel should also meet your needs, so be sure to check if it has gyms, spas, swimming pools, conference facilities or other facilities that you need. Lastly, an important consideration when you are bringing your family on your travels is whether the hotel has family-friendly amenities and services such as childrens activity or day care centres and swimming pools for children.