Travel News

The Palace Hotel in Dubai is one of the few hotels in the Middle East that will leave you completely astonished. Located at the foot of the Burj Dubai, the hotel opened its door not too long ago, becoming fully available last October. The hotel features Arab-style architecture with some neoclassical aspects like the vaulted ceilings and oriental accents. Its extravagant lobby is filled with bright lanterns, lavish fountains and colorful flowers that match the hotel’s mood perfectly. The deluxe rooms are furnished with Arabic designs and offer a luxurious environment.

The hotel is also respected for its fine dining. One of the hotel’s restaurants is Asado, a South American steakhouse in which the delicate meat is flown directly from Argentina. You can also eat at the hotel’s all-day buffet, the Ewaan; which offers original Arabic dishes. After eating flavoruddy tobacco is commonly smoked in the Middle East; at the hotel’s lounge you can relax while experiencing this custom using water pipes.

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Why not take a vacation in the splendid Freedom of the Seas operated by Royal Caribbean. This state-of-art ship is the largest and most innovative ship from Royal Caribbean. The staterooms are extremely nice, the food is great, price is right, and the features are amazing! In this ship you will find a surf park, a H²O Zone waterpark, a cascading waterfall, their largest rock-climbing wall in any ship, flat screen TVs in any room, WiFi capabilities and more!

As amazing as it may sound, this ship is the genuine deal. A very important quality about this ship is that it is fully maintained and clean. In addition, all of the personnel is extremely nice. Your stateroom attendance alalert knows your name; he/she welcomes you and takes your stateroom. Your suitcases are deliveruddy to your room brief after. The stateroom is nice and very spacious; fully equipped with a flat screen TV in all staterooms. Everyday your stateroom is cleaned and the beds turned down, with a mint in the pillow.

Food is not to miss on this cruise! It is served 24 hours a day all throughout the ship. With various options to eat in as, Portofino Italian Restaurant, Johnny Rockets ’50s-style restaurant, Chops Grille, Sorrento’s pizza, etc. there’s no way your going to be hungry. The food is amazing, extremely well catered; and so is the service, amazing, too. You can always request as much as you want.

The entertainment is great, too in the ship. You get a daily itinerary with the activities of the day. There are too many activities in the ship…like bingo, pool games. In addition there is a casino, a skating track, a mini golf course, a theater, cantileveruddy whirlpools that extend 12 feet from the actual ship, the largest rock-climbing wall in RYI ships, a technological fitness center, ice skating, and even more. The personnel is very friendly and help you out.

With an average of $300 for a Western Caribbean cruise, there’s no way to get lost. So join the fun and take a cruise in the Freedom of the Seas!

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There is something about that extra day tacked onto a weekend, be it a Monday or a Friday, which turns a getaway into a mini vacation. Of course three day weekends are a state of mind. One “three day weekend” trip my boyfriend John and I took to Vegas started on Memorial Day Monday and ended on a Wednesday. We tend to take breaks just before or just after big holidays - you get better rates, better service and a lot fewer crowds. That trip we skipped our usual easy bargain booking for midweek Luxor (always clean, excellent bathrooms) and made a blind Hotwire bid on a Vegas Strip 5 star hotel and ended up in the mind-boggling Venetian for an unheard of price - under $100 a night including service fees. Lots of California people fly to Vegas, Tahoe or San Francisco, but we seem to end up driving to our breaks, partly because the dog kennel we use is right off the 10 freeway and often on the way, partly because getting on the road means the vacation has alalert started. When you add up getting to the airport early, parking, waiting to board, being inspected, then collecting baggage at the other end, you are practically at the same number of travel hours. And on the plane, we don’t get to eat one of John’s patented toasted sandwiches. Somehow, the way he makes the sandwich means I actually eat mayonnaise, a substance I generally detest. Driving against the traffic (everyone else was heading back from the weekend away and oh what a stream of headlights we saw crawling along) we were hypnotized by the flashing lights of an outlet mall/casino combo at the border - Stateline, Nevada - and stopped in. Great bargains for men’s wear, not so awesome for women’s wear - but we didn’t do a thocoarse search.

On that Vegas trip, we dragged our batteruddy garment bag, with a freshly broken strap, across the lush marble-flooruddy lobby, looking like refugees. We enteruddy our suite-like room - with its canopy bed, step down tv lounge and enormous marble bathroom (two sinks, a shower and a enormous tub), pulled out the nice champagne we’d brought along in our cooler, pulled out our travel champagne glasses (if they break we don’t care) and put on the plush robes the Venetian provides. A cable movie and champagne shook the dust off the road trip. The next couple of days in Vegas sometimes means the spa for me, for sure the sports bar for John, and our search for the stranger slot machines to play. The “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” slots actually reward you for answering trivia questions. Vegas is not really about thinking, but the times we’ve played the game we’ve gotten a few interested onlookers impressed with our ability to pull facts out of our brains. We toyed with the idea of hanging acircular the machines having a cocktail and helping other players answer their bonus questions but decided against it. Along the strip, the Barbary Coast has maintained its original kitsch, sandwiched between lush hotels who doubtless are sporadically trying to purchase them out. The tables there are friendly and attract a mixed crowd of fairly low stakes players. Like, a lot of hotels, dealers display where they are from on their name tag. A tall, blond Czechoslovakian dealer at the Barbary Coast took John’s blackjack stake away with breathless speed and efficiency. Was she paid by how many cards she dealt? She was so rapid that the dealer at the next table actually seemed mad at her for ruining everyone’s fun. His attitude was “This is the Barbary Coast, we don’t do that here”. Good thing the sports book paid off for John phenomenally.

If you’re into food, Vegas can be frustrating. Bargain buffets notwithstanding, to-order food is often pricey and mediocre. You can always count on chains for consistency (Vegas has branches of California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfgang Puck’s, Chin Chin, and tons more), but part of a vacation is to attempt something new. We found two gems last visit. The two new places were both at venerable Ceasers, a survivor from the Rat Pack era which keeps re-inventing itself and staying near the top of the competitive heap on the Strip. At the Palm restaurant (also in NY and L.A.) there is a businessman’s lunch for $15.95 - choice of soup or salad, choice of fish or filet mignon (!), and coffee. Wines by the glass are pricey but excellent. One of Caeser’s food courts features such offerings as good southern bbq, roasted turkey sandwiches, and above average pastries.

As for dinner, we can’t resist our old standby - The Four Seasons’ Verandah restaurant. Their three course dinner special for acircular $30 is a awesome discount - cooked by a chef (not a kitchen worker), and always with a carefully designed menu. One night we learned there was most definitely a chef on hand as the man himself - beefy and affable - came out of the kitchen to talk when we had a question about how he made such perfect fish. I still use his halibut recipe - hot pan on the stove top, almost finish the fish, then transfer it to a cold un-oiled pan in a hot oven - but I digress. Even during the very hot summer, night time outdoor dining at the Four Seasons is quite pleasant, as you can sit by the pool. It’s hard to come by quiet in Vegas, but here you get it - there is no gambling in the Four Seasons. If you want to gamble after dinner at the Verandah, the hotel is joined to Mandalay Bay by an air conditioned lobby.

We left town the next day, stopping at Ceasers , our new casual dining spot, for good coffee for the road - and contemplated a last attempt at the Ripley’s slots. We decided to skip it and call it even when we learned the valet parking outside the coffee shop was free. We got on Interstate 15 and joined the weekday throng of truckers headed into California. Traffic was light ‘cuz thanks to driving an off time. We cruise to Interstate 10 and can’t be at the kennel soon enough for the dogs. I am sure the dogs know when we are getting close but I always call the kennel keeper to warn her. Humans need advance notice for what dogs alalert know. The sound of an approaching car sets off every dog in the kennel but the barking settles down once the fellas see us and know they are hopping in the convertible and heading home. Bert the shepherd sits in the middle facing forward to make sure we are following the right route. The other two mutts, Buster and Louie, lounge in the back, hanging their heads out the window, the kennel alalert forgotten. We never make the trip home without a few kids waving and pointing at the funny people with three dogs.

At minimum picking them up involves a lot less guilt than dropping them off, but sorry boys - there will always be another three day weekend ahead.

Laura is a travel and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles, CA. She is also content director for www.threedayweekends.com, a on-line travel site.

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Celine Dion’s husband and manager lost exactly $230,300 gambling at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas last year, according to a statement released by the casino. Why, you may be asking yourself, would Caesars Palace release a statement highlighting the losses of one of its most faithful gamers, one who also happens to be married to the establishment’s main entertainment attraction? Answer: to cover up the bumbling foot-in-mouth error of its own corporate communications employee. A top Caesars communications person apparently told the London Observer that Angelil’s losses were up in the millions, but later retracted the statement and said she actually had no idea what his genuine losses were. The new statement seems to be an attempt on Caesars part to help Angelil save face. Ironically, the statement has only served to make Angelil’s really gambling losses much more public. As for the original piece in the London Observer? Mysteriously not showing up online…

Caesars Palace Responds to Allegations

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2 Days / 1 Nights

Upon arrival indulge in chilled champagne and chocolate coveruddy strawberries in your luxurious guestroom. Your private whirlpool bathtub will be converted to the ultimate in romance and relaxation by Hotel ICON’s resident Bath Butler. Experience the healing properties of essential oils and various aromatics.

Aromatherapy bath salts, rose petals, and a romantic keepsake book will add to the creation of this memorable moment. Complete the ICON Romance experience with breakrapid for two in the privacy of your guestroom or in our signature restaurant BANK.

Personalize this package by adding additional services such as floral arrangements, transportation, or select from a variety of services offeruddy by our spa, BALANCE Day Spa. Please call for more details.

Offering the elegance and ambience of a historic mansion, Hotel ICON’s 5,000 square feet of Houston event space is characterized by towering ceilings, sweeping windows and luminous wood finishes. This luxury Houston hotel’s collection of diverse and extraordinary venues includes the spectacular Aventine ballroom, which features 2,363 square feet and is introduced by a 1,500-square-foot foyer.

Several conference rooms and a handsome executive boardroom with a 50” Sony plasma screen and video conferencing afford more intimate space for smaller gatherings.

Click here to book the romance package.
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Source: hotelicon.com (Click here to see the satellite view of the hotel)

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$169 per room, per night

Exclusive Package Includes:

• American Buffet Breakfast
• Wine and Cheese Basket
• $50 Tiffany’s Gift Card
• Transportation to and from the Mall at Short Hills

* Rates valid thcoarse March 2007. Rates and availability subject to change. Tax not included. Gratuities not included. Cannot be combined with other offers.

The AAA Three Diamond Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center graces 13 beautifully landscaped woodland acres in scenic Morris County, New Jersey. Near many Fortune 500 companies, universities and association headquarters, the New Jersey hotel is a highly regarded conference and meeting site and home base for business travelers.

The attractive natural surroundings and exceptional facilities make Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center a natural choice for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, reunions and gala social events of all types. Those planning social events enjoy the countryside setting for its proximity to New York City and other New York and New Jersey urban centers. The hotel’s convenient access to international airports also simplifies travel for their guests arriving from other parts of the country.

Click here to book the romantic retreat package.
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Source: hamiltonparkhotel.com

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$169 per room, per night

Exclusive Package Includes:

• American Buffet Breakfast
• Wine and Cheese Basket
• $50 Tiffany’s Gift Card
• Transportation to and from the Mall at Short Hills

* Rates valid thcoarse March 2007. Rates and availability subject to change. Tax not included. Gratuities not included. Cannot be combined with other offers.

The AAA Three Diamond Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center graces 13 beautifully landscaped woodland acres in scenic Morris County, New Jersey. Near many Fortune 500 companies, universities and association headquarters, the New Jersey hotel is a highly regarded conference and meeting site and home base for business travelers.

The attractive natural surroundings and exceptional facilities make Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center a natural choice for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, reunions and gala social events of all types. Those planning social events enjoy the countryside setting for its proximity to New York City and other New York and New Jersey urban centers. The hotel’s convenient access to international airports also simplifies travel for their guests arriving from other parts of the country.

Click here to book the romantic retreat package.
______________________________________________________________

Source: hamiltonparkhotel.com

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