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Sunday, June 8, 2008

Are You Looking for a Luxurious Beach Hotel & Resort in Pattaya?

Author: Johan Hedin

Pattaya is well known for its nightlife and beaches and is located about 150 km southeast from Bangkok. By car you would have to spend about 1.5 hours as the motorways are very developed. Starting as a fishing village, Pattaya has grown tremendously the last 40 years. The hotel industry has flourished with lightening speed due to ever increasing number of tourists visiting Pattaya (about 5 million per year). Hence, it’s the most popular and profitable business of this region. For this purpose only, the right hotel with lots of offerings at low rates is very easy to find. Pattaya has a lot to offer for anyone such as theme and amusement parks, golfing, ease of access to beaches, scuba diving, sailing, para-sailing, bungee jumping, go-karts, and a very vibrant nightlife. Pattaya also has a wide variety of international cuisine as well as great sea food at the restaurants along the beach. You can also find some great bargains on clothing in Pattaya. Although not as extensive as Bangkok, it still has some great shopping venues.

The general factor for choosing a right resort at Pattaya would usually be the starting price. You can visit each hotel's official site to see and check their offerings. You can also browse directories and travel sites by price, by class or even by top 10 lists. This can ease your work of finding the right accommodation partner when you visit Pattaya; little bit of searching can get you more than what you invest for the stay.

However, there are few points to be noted before choosing a hotel for your stay. Price should not be the only factor in choosing the right hotel. Other factors like location, services do matter in choosing the right hotel. If you want a cheap hotel yet want to see
the beach from the room, then it’s not difficult job to find one as there are lots of accommodations which offer cheap accommodations.

But, if you plan to stay in a luxurious hotel then you need to decide about the location, as you may be expecting high quality service for the money you spend.

If you have a fair budget and want all the luxuries of a hotel but also want to see the beach from the room of your hotel, then you might consider Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa located between “Walking Street” and Bali Hai pier. This hotel consists of 12-beautifully designed low-rise pavilions are set in acres of manicured tropical gardens and quiet lagoons. You can definitely feel a sense of privacy from your hotel room. Each room has a balcony overlooking the gardens, pool or ocean. This resort also offers six tennis courts for the avid tennis player, fitness room, 20 acres of lush gardens, swimming pool, children’s pool, Jacuzzi, spa services such as Thai massage, full aromatherapy treatment and massage, facials and foot massage, full conference and high speed internet connection. As the life in Pattaya can get a little hectic at times, many people prefer to stay in a serene and private resort located by the beach. Daily tours and arrangements to enjoy beach activities are available and highly recommended if you plan your holiday in Pattaya.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/vacation-rentals-articles/are-you-looking-for-a-luxurious-beach-hotel-resort-in-pattaya-438879.html

About the Author:
Are you looking to find a Pattaya Beach Hotel . You can grab the best deal for your money and find real luxury at this Resort">http://www.siamhotels.com/sbs">Resort in Pattaya

Hospitable Sri Lanka Hotels

Author: Nancy Eben
For a small island located in the Asian continent in the Indian Ocean, it packs in so much that every region of the country is seeped with a tourists delight. One of the pearls of the Indian Ocean as it is popularly called has breathtaking beauty that it made Marco Polo say that the island is the finest island of its size in the world. The Paradise of Isle Sri Lanka has a long history at its back and abundance of natural, cultural and scenic tourist attractions, which draws tourists from all over the world. This island is a nature’s gift and has everything that the visitors look for a holiday. From the world famous beaches, mountains, wildlife, ancient cities, national parks and reserves, to cool climate and pleasant people the country have made the country increasingly a hot Asian tourist destination. The country’s natural wealth is an asset and finds many admirers, of which the significant ones need a mention. World Famous Beaches Long unspoilt beaches of Sri Lanka are the reason why tourists head to the country for a holiday. And why not as it has some of the best and most picturesque beaches in the world. Sri Lankan beaches are world famous for its long stretches of coastlines, unspoilt golden sands giving it the name of golden beaches. The island has over thousand kilometers of beautiful coastline encircling it. Sri Lanka never runs out of season for a beach side holiday as the warm, calm waters invite for a swim or a simple stroll by its side. Sri Lanka beach hotels and resort offer with the finest of facilities and services. During the holiday, it is an excellent chance to indulge in various activities and relish the seafood. Ancient cities- A Treasure Sri Lanka has an immense historical wealth passed from generations as the Sri Lankan civilization is twenty centuries old. The ancient cities of the country have today made a place in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Today the sites of the ruined cities, temples, palaces, paintings, and sculptures are the testimony to the ancient civilization. Some of the important sites are Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy, which have become the tourist hub. Within an easy reach from Colombo city and a good standard of Sri Lanka hotels makes it a popular choice for the tourists from across the globe. Wildlife As a small island, Sri Lanka has an extensive and diverse fauna and flora, which treasures many rare species. The country has worked towards conserving and protecting the beautiful, rare wildlife in the numerous national parks and sanctuaries. The visitors both local and the overseas, will find the wildlife parks and reserves spread all over the country, which are very popular. Moreover, these nature reserves provide with a great opportunity to get a feel and sense the nature’s beauty. Ruhuna, Uda Walwe, and Wilpattu national parks are amongst the most popular and visitors get to watch the animals in their natural habitats, roaming freely. With excellent facilities for the tourists like the arrangement of covered vehicles for visiting the reserves, accommodation in the form of bungalows and hotels in Sri Lanka, tourists are in for a real treat. Waterfalls- Nature’s gift Waterfalls are the nature’s most fascinating phenomenon and Sri Lanka abounds with waterfalls. A small country like Sri Lanka has a record number of waterfalls with more than hundred. Many of the waterfalls are still hidden and unknown. The reason for the splendid waterfalls is the due to geographical factors like the numerous rivers which are fed by monsoons twice yearly, the topography of high and steeply pen plains, and river beds of hard metamorphic rock, all lead to the right ground for the formation of waterfalls. The striking beauty of the waterfalls charms the visitors and the water rushing down the rocky mountains can send anybody in an ecstasy. With the tourism playing a key role in the country’s economy, efforts have been made to provide with world class Sri Lanka hotels that render excellent services. The range of accommodation available is wide and the visitors will find an international standard hotel, to Sri Lanka beach hotels and low cost budget guesthouses, apartments and home stays too. The hotels in Sri Lanka guarantee a comfortable and a warm hospitable stay to its guests.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/hospitable-sri-lanka-hotels-440239.html
About the Author:Nancy Eben is an associate editor of http://www.quickbooker.com/ . The website offers exclusive information of Hospitable Sri Lanka hotels and Sri Lanka hotels . We also provide online hotel reservation of hotels in Sri Lanka .We appreciate your feedback and queries at nancy@quickbooker.com

Sri Lanka Holidays - Excellent Tourist Destination

Author: Nancy Eben

The most scenic islands in the world – Sri Lanka, have been alluring visitors on Sri Lanka holidays not only lately but from ages. Sri Lanka is a land blessed with enormous natural wealth that has made it a much sought after destination. Located in the center of Indian Ocean, the Sri Lanka map forms a teardrop shape, right at the southern tip of India. A rich colorful country welcomes its visitors with all the warmth and an opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of this island. A small island it has around twenty million people inhabiting it. Though, the country has increasingly become a popular for beach holidays, but there is much more that interests tourists. Besides the beautiful beaches, there is this spectacular scenery, historic temples and a rich culture to experience and explore. Sri Lanka holidays are an excellent way to explore the country’s beauty, and scenic sights of the beautiful island. Most of the regions fall under the tropical zone and thus enjoy a pleasant climate with temperatures hovering around 27 degree C. A bright, sunny and warm is what a typical day in the country is like, with no off-season in particular. However, the monsoon months if avoided is best as it becomes very humid. The upper areas on the Sri Lanka map are cooler in comparison and temperatures get low as 16 degrees C. The county has many opportunities for the tourists where they can visit the tea plantations, colonial cities, and the historical traditional villages. Moreover, each Sri Lankan city has its own feel and uniqueness that play an important role in the country’s tourism. While some cities occupy historical importance, then there are some cities that are popular pilgrimage centers and some strike magic with their breath taking beauty. Tourists are welcomed with open arms and a well-developed infrastructure goes hand in hand. Of the many cities in the country, Colombo Sri Lanka is the biggest city and the commercial center of the country. Located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, is the perfect starting point to other tourist places. The city is also one of the biggest and busiest ports of the country and over a million people reside here. It is no longer the country’s political capital after it was shifted to Sri Jayawardene Pura, it still witnesses the country’s hustle and bustle. The city finds travelers, which who only make a small stopover, but the city has its share of tourist places comprising of the national museum, temples, churches, and the old parliament building. Colombo is worth a stay with its tourist places and the climate that is consistently hot and humid all through the year. It does not make a difference when you decide to come; the climate is temperate all through with no major variations. The commercial capital Colombo Sri Lanka is a lively metropolis that is a colorful and attracting city, providing a look to the country’s rich and varied culture. The city has an array of accommodation choices to choose from that does not hurt the pocket. There are hotels of international standards, guesthouses, service apartments and quite popular home stay providers. The dining places and the variety of cuisines served is varied and extensive. Entertainment options abound with numerous theatres, cinemas, parks, art galleries and museums. A city that holds memorable holidays.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/sri-lanka-holidays-excellent-tourist-destination-440262.html

About the Author:
Nancy Eben is an associate editor of http://www.quickbooker.com . The website offers exclusive information of Sri Lanka holidays - Excellent Tourist destination and Sri Lanka map . We also provide online hotel reservation of Colombo Sri Lanka .We appreciate your feedback and queries at nancy@quickbooker.com

Five Star Hotels in Singapore are Lined Up on All Prominent Online Hotels Booking Websites

Author: Nancy Eben
Singapore is a trend setter example for those ones who are always looking for some excuses for hiding their weakness. It does not have natural resources but remarkably established itself as a prominent regional hub for international trade, shipping and air transport. Most of the fortune multinational companies have established their office in Singapore. The prominent industries in Singapore are electronics, chemicals, financial services, petroleum refining, food processing, ship repair, offshore platform construction, biotechnology and entrepot trade.

Such fine business centre needs high end luxury hotels. Hence, numerous five star hotels in Singapore are lined up on all prominent online hotels booking websites. This cosmopolitan city is friendly for every community. Major religions in the country are Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Almost all people regardless of community and religion have high level of disposable income compared to other Southeast Asian country people. Such statistic also encourages Singapore 5 star hotels for their further expansion.

Domestic and international telecommunication services in Singapore are the best in the world which is an essential component of being world class business spot. Even transportation system is excellent here. The country magnificently manages sea and air carriers. The major trading partners of the country are Malaysia, US, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea. Exported goods include electrical and electronic products, machineries and equipments, processed foods, consumer goods, chemicals and mineral fuels. Similarly, major imported goods are machineries and equipments, mineral fuels, chemicals and foods.

Star hotels Singapore is perfectly aware with the needs and sentiments of the guest as most of guests are business persons who frequently come into the country. Usually, these person belongs to Malaysia, US, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea and star hotels always keep prepare themselves for all sorts of demands like conferencing facility, meeting rooms and so on. Even, prominent online hotel booking websites also may offer several special packages for frequent business persons. Numerous discounted offer packages and deals from foremost hotels turned them into good quality budget hotels which attract wide range of middle income group as well.

One can be benefited with several ways while booking their accommodation through these websites. Apart from discounted packages and deals, numerous special offers may be available here for students and senior citizens. Few additional benefits also may be offered like airport transfer facilities, tickets for events and shows and so on. Hence truly, time has arrived to embody your dream tour to Singapore.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/five-star-hotels-in-singapore-are-lined-up-on-all-prominent-online-hotels-booking-websites-440401.html

About the Author:
The website offers exclusive information of online reservation of Singapore Hotels . We also provide information about reservation of Five Star Hotels in Singapore

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Friday, May 23, 2008

Boomers and Condo Hotel: Why the Trend is just beginning

by Bob Waun, MSF
The A.A.D.D. (Adult Attention Deficit Disorder) Effect - Applied to Housing

This author believes that baby boomers will not want to settle on just one retirement residences and will be willing to get creative to try and afford multiple residences, even if this means haring or renting some portion of their second or third residence. The timeshare industry pioneered his concept, the fractional jet and yacht industries are perfecting it. Savvy people have learned that the saying "why buy a whole pie, if you only want a piece" works for automobile leases, in that you only pay for the first 2 years on a new car. Many industry skeptics in the early 1980's, when 79% of all new cars were purchased and only 21% were leased, predicted that auto leasing could not expand to the general public. And who would have believed that so many people would find value in a 1/16 share of ski condo?

The A.A.D.D. Effect (coined by this author) says that today's consumer doesn't want to be limited to just one place if they can afford to own more. Further, they can afford to own multiple residences if they buy only the piece of the property they need. Condo Hotel, Fractional Ownership, Private Residence Clubs, and Multiple-Timeshare are just the first wave of innovations in achieving a treatment for the A.A.D.D inflicted consumer.
(Admission: This author has AADD, he's cheap and wants more for less money)

New Options to Make Multiple Residences Affordable. Timeshares: When you only want what you want In recent years annual timeshare sales have topped $5.5 billion, according to the American Resort Development Association, or ARDA. "People typically buy one or two weeks," says Ed Kinney, a vice president at Marriott Vacation Club International. "The time can be used at your home resort, or traded back to Marriott for reward points, or exchanged for time at any of 2,000 locations around the world with which Marriott has an exchange program."

The average buy-in cost of a Marriott timeshare is $23,000 a week. Industrywide, the average buy-in cost is $14,500, according to an ARDA spokesman, with annual maintenance fees and taxes of $385.

Fractionals: A Piece of Ownership is Plenty
Fractional ownership of vacation homes, is a relatively new concept that allows you to enjoy up to three months of home ownership privileges but at a fraction of the cost of whole ownership. This type of real estate arrangement is ideal if you want the benefits of owning an impressive second home complete and located in an exclusive community but can't justify the investment because of limited use. Part of the appeal of fractionals is that they are more hassle free than a whole ownership second home. To date there have been very few fractional resort developments. You pay a one-time purchase price and then a yearly upkeep that covers all of the expenses associated with property ownership and its use and services. Fractional ownership costs more than time share to purchase, but on per square foot (or other such matrices) resembles traditional real estate more than timeshare. Fractionals are considered more exclusive and may include more luxury amenities and services than timeshares. They tend to be larger homes, usually three to five bedrooms. Timeshares are typically for one to two weeks per year. Fractionals offer from two to 13 weeks, with potentially more freedom of use. Financing a timeshare with a bank or mortgage company loan is difficult. Rates are higher, regardless of how good your credit, fractional financing is also more rare than "whole ownership" loans but since there is a real estate value that can be more easily securitized, fractional interest rates are considerably less than timeshare. With fractionals, more of the buyer's dollar goes to high quality
finishes and "bricks and mortar" vs. sales commissions which can be as high as 40%-50% with timeshares. Furthermore, industry experts say timeshare resale values have historically been poor because of the large number of timeshare resales on the market and a continuous stream of new developments. At the same time, the secondary market for timeshares has been slow to take off. Conversely, there are a limited number of fractionals on the market. Most likely, that number will stay small because of the emphasis placed on building in only the best, and highly desirable locations. Condominium-Hotels: Condo Hotels/Resorts

First a short history. Hotel condo is a century old, wealthy families owned suites in hotels like The Plaza in NYC and Paris around the turn of the century. Sinatra owned his room(s) in Palm Springs and famous people throughout the ages have opted for the pampered living of an inn over the hassles of single family ownership when they could afford to do so. Condotels (condo motels) on the contrary sprung up most recently in the early 1990s as a creative way to sell off under performing motels to the general public as an easy way to circumvent the timeshare securities rules. The latest trend of Condo Hotels, coined by this author as Condo Resorts, is something completely new. Yes, these are real estate sales/purchases, but there is a lifestyle component (services, location, panache) more than square footage being purchased by today's buyers. Pride of ownership, and an "ownership experience" is part of the package. Strip away the ADR, and occupancy rate because one of the more important features of a Condo Resort purchase is the "feeling of being an owner" of "my own resort". The owner doesn't want bragging rights to owning at the Motel 6, so boutiques and hotels with historical significance have broad appeal. In this latest wave, the common areas matter as much as the fit and finish. Along with ownership comes privileges and freedom of use. A restrictive schedule of when you can use your condo, would not appeal to the buyer of these properties. Unlike timeshare and fractional buyers, condo hotel buyers acquire full ownership of a residence. Condo hotels are usually more comfortable than hotels, they're maintained for you and they offer an equity stake -- with a mortgage-interest deduction.

The Differences between Traditional Condominiums and Hotel Condos

If you plan to "live in" your second home for extended periods of time, i.e. months on end, traditional condos have an advantage in cost and often size. But if renting your unit in your absence is important, and hassle-free living, service and amenities are more important that raw square footage, then a condo hotel will prove superior. Price of Condos vs. Condo Hotels Typically condo hotel units include furniture, fixture and equipment selected by professional designers, which are included in the price of your unit. In a traditional condo/second home, you will need to hire a decorator or purchase all these items on your own. For this reason, most condo hotel units are more expensive on the surface than a traditional condo. Condo hotels/resorts also cost a premium because they include many features such as spas, room services, maid services and communal areas that most traditional condo projects could only dream about. Lastly, condo hotels by their nature, should be in the best locations. They are professionally furnished and fitted with commercial grade fixtures. For both these reason, condo hotels cost more per square foot of condo space. Rental Income Potential in Condos vs. Condo Hotels Hassle-free rental income is the key to the higher cost of a condo hotel vs a traditional condo. If you must hire a management company for your traditional condo, and are limited to weekly rentals (which should generate less on a per night use than nightly rentals) your net rental income should be higher for a condo hotel, with less hassle on your part. Your time and money invested has a value that should be used in your determination of the value of your purchase. www.vacation-finance.com

Article Source: Boomers and Condo Hotel: Why the Trend is just beginning