Planning A Wedding Abroad With Karisma Hotels & Resorts

Weddings, moving house and divorces are meant to be the most stressful things to go through in life and as more brides and grooms are opting to tie the knot abroad, the stress levels are likely to increase.

However, help is available for couples planning weddings abroad via Faith Wishnie, the director of wedding services for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

According to Wishnie, the rising number of destination weddings is down to the changes in todays modern society.

“Awareness of destination (wedding) options has really jumped. This is because of family and friends being spread across the world, people are travelling more now, and the Internet has played a big part because it’s easy to do the research,” she explained.

Beach weddings are a popular option for loved-up couples who are seeking romance and a picturesque setting. Destinations such as the Caribbean are among the favourites due to the large number of all inclusive resorts, tailor-made wedding packages and considerably lower costs compared to weddings in the United Kingdom.

Many of the resorts offer free wedding planners who can take care of all of the details, from the marriage licence and legal documents, to the flowers, photographer, music and catering.

“The trend is (for brides) who want to have the planning simplified and have everything taken care of,” added Wishnie.

Karisma Hotels and Resorts has 12 wedding planners who can help brides and grooms plan their dream Cancun weddings via email and over the phone, plus 15 onsite wedding coordinators who are available at the hotel groups seven properties across Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

The resorts also offer a separate groom’s room, so the bride and groom can both get ready in privacy before the ceremony.
Wishnie offers a couple of tips for couples so they can enjoy stress-free weddings abroad:

Don’t check-in anything that you’ll absolutely need or want for the big day. Carry your dress with you and/or buy anything there that you definitely want for the wedding, she said.

Don’t bring party favours with you. We can work with you to get favours or flowers and decorations cheaper (onsite).”

Top 5 Hotels With Underwater Rooms

Fancy spending a luxury holiday in a room with a view? How about an underwater room? With the establishment of the following luxury resorts, your dreams have been made a reality. Welcome to the modern age, where anything is possible. These are our Top 5 destinations around the world with underwater rooms.

1. Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
For the ultimate in relaxing vacations, Huvafen Fushi resort offers 43 overwater bungalows decorated in sleek lines and minimalist colours.

In 2004 the hotel owners took this concept to a whole new level and constructed two underwater treatment rooms for Huvafen Fushi’s Lime Spa. These treatment rooms reflect the spa’s philosophy, that ‘water is the equilibrium and elixir of life.’ The spa complex is laid out in a series of bungalows, with the underwater rooms accessible via a staircase.

If you can’t manage to get a reservation, don’t panic. Huvafen Fushi’s other spa-treatment rooms have glass-bottomed floors so you can still gaze off into the deep.

2. Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo
The Jules’ Undersea Lodge, named for science fiction author Jules Verne, is the only undersea hotel currently in existence. To enter the lodge, guests must scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface, swimming past all manner of marine life on their way.

This destination is aimed at avid scuba divers. Thus, the decor focuses on functionality, as opposed to extravagance. There are two guest rooms and a common room which doubles as a galley, dining and entertainment area.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the underwater rooms, but for something a little bit extra, guests can request the services of a “mer-chef” who dives down to the hotel to prepare and serve a gourmet dinner.

3. The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa
The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is spread over two islands and is famed for its overwater villas, each a massive 1,600 square feet in size and featuring their own private sun decks and outdoor Jacuzzis. Also available are spa villas, which have their own private treatment room with sea views.

But to truly experience the treasures of the deep guests can book a table at Ithaa, an all-glass, underwater restaurant. Ithaa is situated five metres below sea level. Diners enter from an overwater platform so they never even get their feet wet. The room has a domed glass ceiling and 180 degrees views of the sea, with accommodation for 12 diners.

To cap off a truly aquatic experience guests can head to the spa, which is built on stilts 110 yards out to sea.

4. Hydropolis, Dubai
Scheduled for completion late 2009, Hydropolis will be the world’s first luxury underwater hotel. Architect Joachim Hauser’s futuristic vision is taking shape 20 metres below the surface of the Persian Gulf, just off the Jumeirah Beach coastline in Dubai.

The original idea for Hydropolis developed out of the architect’s passion for the sea. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares.

This undersea resort even features a children’s SeaWorld.

5. Atlantis the Palm, Dubai
Today, the Atlantis holds the prime spot on the outer rim of the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that juts from the coast of Dubai.

The 1539-room Atlantis consists of two towers, a conference centre, a spa, a private beach and the water park. Taking the mythological sunken island of Atlantis as its theme the resort aims for the wow factor right from the start, with terraced water gardens at the entry and an ornate, high-vaulted lobby.

The Neptune and Poseidon suites, which face that three-story aquarium, have private floor-to-ceiling underwater views from the bedrooms. If guests are unable to tear themselves away from watching the 65,000 marine animals, a 24-hour private butler is available to serve refreshments.

Then there are the Lost Chambers Suites – with bed and bath views directly into the underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon.

Finding the Best Hotels Near Disneyland

For many people, visiting Disneyland isn’t complete without staying in one of the official Disney operated hotels. After all, how can you be expected to get the full Disney experience unless you are surrounded by all things Disney around the clock?

The problem with this attitude–which the Disney marketing people would love us all to have–is it gives many people the impression that a trip to Disneyland has to be extremely expensive. The truth is there are a variety of different hotels near Disneyland and many of them are quite affordable. Just note that they won’t all be the full-service, high-luxury resorts like the Disneyland Hotel. It is worth the money if you can afford to stay at an official Disneyland hotel, but if you’re on a tight budget don’t write off the surrounding accommodations as too expensive.

Perks to Staying with Mickey & Friends

There are definitely some luxuries that can be obtained only be staying in-house with Mickey and the gang. You will have access to prestigious concierge services that can help you select gifts for those you love, book reservations at the best restaurants, and find the parades, shows and other fun activities to enjoy in the evening and night hours.

You may also get special deals on the theme parks, such as early admittance to certain top attractions like Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, and Dumbo.

Traveling to and from official Disney hotels can be more convenient than traveling to other hotels near Disneyland as well, as all the shuttles go there.

Disney Discounts

It isn’t easy to find really cheap deals on a Disneyland vacation, but there are always benefits to purchasing vacation packages. These packages will bundle a variety of services from accommodations to transportation to and from the airport and discounted park tickets.

Disney Luxury

If you can afford to pay a bit more for your accommodation, you will probably have a better overall Disneyland experience if you stay in an official Mouse resort. The small details and luxurious resort atmosphere adds to the excitement and relaxation of your vacation and makes every moment more enjoyable. This is even more important if you are traveling with youngsters.

Hotels Near Disneyland that Aren’t Disney

There are many reasons to stay in non-Disney hotels. If there are no openings in the official resorts at the time of your trip, then there is obviously not much choice. You may also choose to go with an independent hotel nearby if you are on a tight budget and every dollar saved counts big time.

You can stay at some certain hotels near the park and get very close to the official Disneyland resort feel when you stay in hotels labeled “Good Neighbor Hotels.” These are special hotels that have passed Disney’s inspection and which are highly recommended. They are your best bets for luxury and comfort when you can’t stay with the Mouse and gang officially. Many are top class resorts that are just a short jaunt down Harbor Boulevard to the official theme park!

If staying in a non-Disney hotel or resort will improve your financial ability to engage in other activities, then by all means go for it! You can still have a great time, relax, and get a feel for the resort vibe as long as you choose your hotel wisely. Do the research, read reviews from others who have stayed at a particular resort, and then make your final decision.

Cheap Hotels Perth Avail Cheaper Accommodation in Perth

Perth is the state capital of Western Australia and today Perth has become one of the most visited and famous holiday destinations among large number of tourists. Whether you have plans to visit Perth for business or holiday purposes, you may have main concern for hotel reservation. But with advancement in technology it is not at a tough job to search cheap hotels Perth.

In Perth you may find a wide range of well constructed hotels that offers all modern facilities and great amenities to its guests. Its excellent amenities may include air conditioned room, television with cable connection, coffee or tea maker, room service, private bathrooms and many more. All Perth hotels prove great hospitality to the tourists along with non-stop best services so that tourists may find their stay relaxed, peaceful and enjoyable.

The cheap hotels Perth is well connected to all major airports of Perth. Some of the best hotels of Perth include big names of Scarborough Observation Resort, Backpackers Inn Freemantle, Grandview B&B, City Stay Apartment Hotel, Mountway Holiday Apartments, The Peninsula, Joondalup City Hotel and many more. All these hotels are classified as budget hotels, family hotels, honeymoon hotels, business hotels and luxury hotels.

One of the excellent ways to get huge discounts on hotel reservation is by booking cheap hotel Perth in advance or in off season when there is less rush of tourists. At that time the prices of hotel rooms is quite low. Moreover, the money saved on accommodation can be used to meet other important purposes when you are in Perth like shopping, eating, hiring car on rent and so forth.

Thanks to the most popular and convenient online medium you can now perfectly avail cheap hotels Perth in an easy, effortless, quicker, safer and reliable manner. Online you may find a cut-throat competition among hotel sites due to which their room prices might fluctuate. For entailing a lower priced hotel deal you are required to make careful comparison. This helps you to get right hotel deal at a right time and at a right price. In this way, without coming out of your home you can book hotel accommodation in an easier way. Online you can even check out last minute hotel deals.

So, make a good research if you wish to save money on hotel reservation by accessing cheap hotels Perth.

Hospitality Industry Hotels Business Current And Future Trends

Hospitality has long been synonymous with the hotel industry. Any changes in trends of hotel business have wide scale implications on an otherwise diverse industry. What might be an opportunity for a traveler can be a matter of survival for hotels? It will not be an oversimplification to suggest that the emerging concepts in hotel industry reveal an atmosphere of stiff competition. Here is a look at a few major issues:

Is Green better?

Amid growing concern over environment friendly services, a majority of travelers now prefer Green and Eco lodgings. Recent surveys by trade associations such as Partnership Travel Industry Association and online retailers like Yahoo revealed that nearly seventy percent of the tourists are willing to pay extra when it comes to environmental friendly lodgings. These surveys further revealed that these guests will pay anywhere from nine to ten percent premium on the already advertised prices.

What can be stated as a welcome relief for the educated traveler might pose real challenges for the hotel business. To better understand the scenario, it should be noted that hotels are presently facing severe shortages in occupancy rates which are at their lowest since 1971. Such a crisis and lack of funds can definitely hamper any efforts to install appliances that comply with the LEEDS standards (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). Some experts agree that a trade off may lead hotels into removing free amenities that include little bottles of shampoos, jams and free basket of fruits; all of which are the hallmark of these eco lodgings.

Where are the Workers gone?

The hotel industry gives employment at a very large proportion of part time workers, who after gaining substantial experience, leave for other lucrative jobs at restaurants and outdoors. Low wages in the hotel industry is one of the primary reasons for low retention rates.

Hotel industry Gurus are already thinking of ways to attract and retain qualified workers by increasing the pay scales and by reducing the long working hours. The top management is now devising constructive methods that will retain the existing workers by sponsoring education and creating attractive career paths.

Mega Hotels

The rising cost of construction and a struggling real estate has prompted hoteliers to deploy the pre-fabricated and cost effective solution in the construction of new hotels. In fact they are fighting back by producing highly efficient designs that utilize a greater proportion of space for revenue generating purpose. Future trends in the hotel construction will seek to maximize the use of building areas by constructing a multi purpose facility that will include Casinos, shopping outlets and Theatres. The stand alone hotel concept is likely to vanish as the new properties will be constructed as a mixed use development to provide guests with facilities such as Church, Hospitals and Theme Parks. Such a variety will ensure that guests remain at one spot which will help generate revenue for the entire hotel complex.

The evolution of savvy traveller

The evolution of internet has given rise to a phenomenon where travelers are becoming ever more demanding. Industry professionals suggest that an increase in a trend, to review properties online, will make travelers less forgiving as they are able to post their travel experiences. Such an overemphasis on web may even lead to stiff competition and price reduction strategies where only large players may be able to survive.

To ward of such threats, the small business owner is now turning towards opening a boutique establishment as an alternate to 70,s style motels. Such niche properties are popping up everywhere by advertising a more personalized “home away from home” kind of experience. The introduction of such boutique properties has also given rise to the popular and widely accepted theme of modern hostels. These hostels are keen to provide a clean and safe environment for budget conscious travelers. Their goal is to wipe out the myths associated with cheap motels and dingy guesthouses.

Whatever may be the case, one thing is for sure that constant remodeling of the hotel industry has made it more functional and practical not only for the guests but also for the hotel owners.