Tagged With "hotel industry trends"
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
Thanks for that note, GarryRF. Ask your daughter to share her information with all of us! A short post about her trip on TravelGumbo would help many out!
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Re: Dollar Strength Making World Travel Cheaper for Americans
Exchange rates, the price of oil - prices in general go in cycles. We've paid more for a time, now Europeans will pay more for a while and then back again. I'm sure many Americans used the "opportunity" to travel domestically. I have. I'm just glad to see it cycle back in our direction for a while so I can encourage myself to head to Europe. How is Canada faring in the current trend?
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Re: Unusual Hotel Rooms
I once stayed at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. It has all kinds of unusual room designs. Believe ours was jungle themed, but it was unusual and made for a fun stay. It's a nice midway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles if you're driving along the PCH. Here's the link: http://www.madonnainn.com/
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Re: How do you use the internet while traveling?
I have not been to Japan, but generally my travel experience with internet access has been much more positive than yours. I've generally had good luck with getting on line in Europe, South America and even Southern Africa. Once in a while the internet might be down at a place I'm staying at, but usually it's quickly repaired. Exceptions to this are very rural areas, like in Patagonia and where I'm heading next week, Yellowstone National Park. There is really not internet available at most...
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Re: May 31, 2016. The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver
What an interesting place. All my trips to Vancouver in recent years yet I never made it to English Bay. Top spot on the itinerary next trip there. Thanks.
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Re: May 31, 2016. The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver
Wow,what a great place! I hope my friends Sonny and Marine are seeing this as thy are new residents of the city!
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Re: Hotel desks disappearing in mobile age
I like having a desk in my hotel room. A sofa or easy chair would work, but I dislike working in bed. I hope we're given some options.
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Re: Delta likes its 'basic economy,' will expand it
I'm excited to fly in a C-Series and will go out of my way to buy a ticket when they start appearing! I also like the trend of one way tickets being less because that opens up lot's a route opportunities
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Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
A sad story, but not unusual. People get attached to ships, maybe why they're called "she" instead of "it". My son was in the Navy, on the magnificent aircraft carrier USS Ranger, CV61, one of several of that name, the first in 1777, commanded by John Paul Jones. The end of his tour was also Ranger's last, after a voyage to the Persian Gulf for a goodbye battle. Retired just afterward (1993) and stored in Bremerton, WA, I read yesterday that as I write this, Ranger is sailing under tow...
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Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
I read some years ago of extensive ship-breaking on the Bangladesh coast, where labor is cheap and regulations scanty...an immense amount of dangerous work, but because the labor is cheap, the scrap profits are high, or higher than they would be if the cost of recovery were high. Which leads me to wonder: what would be the economic value of that long tow to Brownsville as opposed to scrapping the ship on the West Coast? Ideas, anyone?
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Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
There must certainly be profit to the company, International Shipbreaking, that was paid 1 penny US by the Navy to tow Ranger to Texas where they do the work and, presumably, don't do in WA. I toured Ranger but, even so, it's hard to comprehend the size of a ship where 6,000 men (and a few women) work and live, plus 2 decks for airplanes. Lots of steel there, lots of razor blades. I saw an amazing piece, probably on 60 Minutes, about the place in Bangladesh where the work you mention is done...
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Re: World's largest hotel to open in 2017
I know it sounds like sour grapes, but anyway: after experiencing big-hotel check-in at Las Vegas, I don't want to go to this one anyway.
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Re: World's largest hotel to open in 2017
Last night I had what seemed like a very long dream, hanging out with Joan Rivers. Not that it wasn't fun, but I'm as likely to think about staying in a hotel of this size anywhere as it is likely for that dream to come true.
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Re: Islamic State opens 5-star hotel...do you have reservations about that?
Thanks, but I'll pass on staying at this one. So should anyone who is Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, gay, female, or the "wrong" type of Muslim.
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Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
Jonathan, I was in no way suggesting you shouldn't have posted it and was very interested in the information, in fact. It effects us all who travel and as mentioned, I'm surprised it hasn't come to pass sooner. I could have worded my post better. Because the article wasn't fresh I wanted to check the facts as best I could from my computer, to see if the sky really is falling. He mentioned looking for a Barclay's ATM so that's where I went. I have no doubt there are fewer than before. My only...
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
Hi Doc Over the years it seems I've joined so many of these programs, but I really don't travel enough on business and I tend to use airline reward credit cards...I guess I have gotten free nights before with Hilton and Starwood.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
The main usefulness that I have found for these loyalty programs is not the tangible rewards. The staff just seems to be more attentive and accommodating when they see that I am a regular with their company. There have been times when the extra attention has made a big difference in an otherwise harried trip.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I'm a Holiday Inn Express or La Quinta member. On my most recent road trip, I did get upgraded at the HIE for being a member. The free nights are always great too and that's the main goal. I've used many La Quinta free nights when I do workshops out of town. With HIE, I usually use the points for a discounted rate in expensive areas, like Sonoma or Paso Robles - wherever a vineyard may be!
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
That's what I do, too, SayMoi. I think it's a good plan. Use my rewards for expensive cities. Pay in lower priced cities and built up more points there. It is nice to get little upgrades and free nights for being a member of a program. Plus I like having a place of consistent quality I can count on. I like knowing what kind of room I'm going to get.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
Using the points for the expensive properties works well. We have stayed at the Marriott very close to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It was a treat just to see the Leidesplein and Vondlepark from our room . We have used points to stay at the Hotel George V in Paris, just around the corner from Champs-Élysées . Why stay extra nights in Des Moines when you can be in Paris ? Not knocking Des Moines - but, hey, Des Moinesians would go to Paris, too.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I've heard that in the US, the favorite destinations for people to use their rewards for free rooms are (drumroll.......)...............1) New York City..........2) Maui. No big surprises there.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
Interesting to see this many people actually using hotel rewards programs for...hotels! I always looked for ones whose points could be traded for airline miles...not as easy as it used to be!
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
We have used the points for hotels from time to time. We did not really want to use them for hotels, but it seemed complicated to do anything "out of the system".
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Re: Hotel-Malls; Shop 'til You Drop
It's hard for me to imagine liking shopping that much. To the point I can't leave the mall and have dinner and a night's sleep somewhere else. But to each his own. It must meet a consumer demand in that market, so more power to them!
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I like the Holiday Inn Express hotels. And I'll go out of my way to stay there when I can.
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Re: Experience with hotel bidding sites?
Hotwire.com has a generic "star rating" hotel, unknown to you as to which brand and exact location, at discounted prices. I've use them a few times and been satisfied with the results. For example, I got 4 star rooms in downtown Montreal for less than eighty dollars a night, probably a quarter or less of their rack rate. Generally I do like to know where I'm staying, but good luck. Let us know how this works out for you.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 11, 2014: Hotel Tadoussac, Quebec
What a charming and colourful Hotel DrF ! Reminds me - again - of some of the vast distances you travel in Canada. My Canadian cousin drives 200 miles for a night at the Theatre ! And 200 back ! Did you venture into the hotel for a few photos ? And definitely worth a few snaps in the snow. 200 miles in most directions and I'd be swimming around the UK.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 11, 2014: Hotel Tadoussac, Quebec
It is a great place, Garry, and no, I didn't get inside (was traveling with my then younger children who weren't interested in going in, much to my regret). But I expect the lobby will be every bit as appealing as the exterior. And I'm not sure looking at those white walls in the snow wouldn't blind you.....
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 1, 2014: Marsaxlokk
More blue boats.....I believe I'm seeing a trend, here, PM. Do you dream of blue boats?
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Re: Paris Looking Down: A View from the Eiffel
Great pics. We were there this past August and were very impressed with the Eiffel Tower. It was truly fantastic accomplishment and the views are spectacular. The day we were there we had pre-purchased our tickets online, but did not use them. The morning of our scheduled day it was pouring down rain and we were tired, so we stayed in bed. Later in the morning the skies cleared and we went over to the tower. Since we missed our time we had to purchase another two tickets. it was still worth...
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Re: Paris Looking Down: A View from the Eiffel
Thanks, Pheymont. Even we who imagine we know the city have gotten a whole new perspective. Point of view is everything! And, having been up the tower once long ago, I'm again struck by how much higher it seems looking down than it appears from the below or from a distance.
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Re: Paris Looking Down: A View from the Eiffel
Thanks! Certainly true also about how different it can appear at different angles from below, as in Dr. Fumblefinger's blog here the other day!
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Re: United Campaign: Enforce carry-on limits, reduce complaints and crowding
I hope this effort is a real and continuing one and that other companies follow. Carrying everything onto the plane, to my way of thinking, is like any trend where if enough people say it's a good idea, even when it's not, hoards fall right into step, like lemmings. If I was offered valet service for a nominal fee to have someone carry my suitcase for me and I wouldn't have to touch it from the time I arrived at the airport until the time I was leaving at my destination, I'd jump at the...
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Re: Ever wonder what the inside of the A380 looks like
I'd like to try the A380 someday...but only in economy. It's not that much wider than many other wide-bodies (3-4-3 seating compared to 2-5-2 or 3-4-3 on others) and it's divided into sections that keep the perspective comfortable. But it appears that the big trend these days in first-class and business is seats that are practically cocoons, and separate the adjoining passengers with consoles, tables and who-knows-what-else. What happened to sitting companionably with your spouse, maybe even...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 12, 2014: Mokelumne Hill, California
I find stories of Gold Rushes to be absolutely fascinating! One that always gripped me was the Klondike Goldrush in the late 1800s. This was the last major one because after this telegraph and eventually phone lines change the world by providing more accurate information in a timely way, but in the late 1800s, everything was still word of mouth. It was at a time when stories of gold made 100s of thousands of people give up their lives, sell everything they owned, and head out to get their...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 12, 2014: Mokelumne Hill, California
My gg grandfather was a 49er, headed west with his brother and cousin, then returned by ship, Panama and Cuba, to Missouri where they farmed and eventually supplied the army at Ft. Bridger in Wyoming as well as working as guides on the Oregon Trail. It was the next generation, my grandparents and g.grandparents that settled for good in California. So the stories of The West have always been the lore of our family. More places in the coming weeks.
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Re: Pancakes, Bacon & WiFi: what travelers want
I'm not very surprised that free breakfast and free wifi are important to travelers. Given a choice, I'd rather have the wifi than breakfast. I use my computer a lot and the freedom wifi gives me to go about my business is critical to my travels. I don't book rooms that lack wifi anymore.
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What changes in European hotel booking could mean to you...
You may soon have a real reason to use a "metasearch" site such as Kayak or Travago to find your European hotel room, rather than an actual booking site such as Booking.com or Expedia. Up to now, almost all prices have been the same; that may be about...
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Going to Jukkasjärvi? There's a VERY cool new hotel there.
In fact, what's just opened in this Swedish town is the 25th annual seasonal ice-hotel, crafted fro hundreds of tons of ice and snow, to accommodate 16 suites. The designs, different for each room, come from 42 artists from around the world. For...
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Hotels.com: Most mobile bookings are last-minute
Hotels.com, one of the leading on-line bookers, reports that over 60% of its mobile app users are booking same-day. It also reports that mobile app users tend to shorter stays than traditional customers. CLICK HERE for more.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 30, 2015: Mission Inn, Riverside
In many respects, Riverside, California, is a forgettable city -- one of dozens you drive by on the freeways of the sunny Southland. Besides its university, it does have one interesting landmark, known for its beautiful Spanish...
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AirBnB continues its growth spurt
AirBnB continues its impressive growth. It is estimated that AirBnB will, in time, surpass hotel reservations. This might not be in the distant future, as AirBnB bookings are expected to exceed those of even the large hotel chains in the...
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Marriott, Hotel Lobby, drop request to allow WiFi jamming
Marriott, which last year was fined $600,000 for blocking private WiFi hotspots at a convention hotel (forcing participants to pay up to $1000 for hotel service) has withdrawn from a petition it started (along with the American Hotel and Lodging...
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South Beach Miami - A walk through Art Deco History
South Miami Beach is probably one of the most photographed cities in the United States. It is home to what may be the densest collection of art deco architecture in the United States. It is hard to find something new to say, in fact, when I...
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Most hoteliers still ignoring the AirBnB threat to their business
Seems the folks who run hotels in large cities still aren't too worried about AirBnB -- but maybe they should be. AirBnB, which has experienced enviable growth and market penetration these past few years, doesn't concern those who run hotels in...
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Skyscraper hotel planned for Swiss valley
A 100-suite luxury hotel, the same height as the Empire State Building, is planned for a tiny Swiss town of only 1000 residents. Room rates would run from just under $1000 a night to nearly $25,000 a night. It's aimed at (VERY) wealthy guests from the...
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Marriott on track to reduce water consumption by 2020
Marriott hotels has set a corporate goal to reduce it's water consumption significantly. Year 2014 over 2013 saw the giant hotelier reduce water use by 5.3%, and 16% since 2007. The company set a target in 2007 to reduce its water...
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Major Cruise Lines Expanding Adventure Travel Options
According to a George Washington University study,adventure travel is a $263 billion market that is growing at a rate of 65% annually .Major cruise lines are jumping on the trend by expanding their adventure travel options. Princess Cruises,...