Booking a babysitter is very simple. Just visit their website at http://KidSitter.co.uk, register and book securely online, and they will send you a babysitter for the time you request one.

The advantage of this kind of service is that you can go for a romantic dinner or go out dancing or clubbing while your children are cared for by someone trustworthy back at the hotel. No need to worry about interviewing a babysitter or bringing along your nanny with you. Since you are visiting London, your options are limited. Hotels will charge you at least double this amount for a babysitter, so check out this service. With KidSitter, you can book and pay online with a credit card, so you don’t even need to have cash.

KidSitter does NOT charge any booking or membership fees like other agencies. They are not really an agency. Think more an “Uber” for babysitters. So you just pay for the duration of your booking, and no matter how last minute, it is just £12 per hour.

KidSitter – Trusted babysitters in London

In the last 13 years, Dubai has become a city beyond your wildest imagination. Dubai’s feats include the worlds tallest building, the only 7 star hotel in the world, the worlds largest mall, an indoor ski slope, and a lot more. They really have developed man made islands that look like a palm tree from the air, with dozens of man-made beaches, both public and private. Unlike any other middle-eastern city, Dubai is clean, safe, with more foreigners than locals, and a thriving nightlife. It will remind you 0f an American metropolis, with the best hotels, restaurants (including your favorite chains of fast food and coffee) and hospitality that you only expect in the west.

Burj Khalifa

Of course, what this also means is that Dubai has lost its personality somewhat. But no matter; you can get to old and more traditional Dubai from anywhere in the modern part of Dubai in less than 20 minutes by car. There, you will find the old Gold Souk, older buildings and more locals as well as working-class Indians and Pakistanis from the sub-continent.

Back in the modern (new Dubai) section of town, Dubai impresses in that they have developed special commercial zones that bring the right people, companies and perhaps commuters together. For instance, the university and schools are in one area, hospitals, clinics and surgeries are in one area, internet city holds all the internet companies, while media city holds, you guessed it, all the media companies. It is a little surreal, yet refreshing to see so much planning go into a city.

Financial Center – DIFC

Housing has bounced back sharply from the fiasco of 5 years ago when property values fell by 90%. But despite the bounce back, given Dubai’s desirability, prices are still reasonable. While most people drive to Dubai, and given that temperatures tend to fluctuate between warm and hot throughout the year, most people own a car or hail a taxi (which is relatively cheap). But tourists and the working class alike, sometimes use the metro, a two-train system that covers a lot of ground, is impeccably clean and surprisingly easy to use. 

From the airport, it is most convenient to take a taxi to your hotel. The maximum you can expect to pay for a taxi ride from the airport is AED 100, which is roughly £20 or $30. Most rides won’t cost you that much. In fact, AED 100 is about the most you will pay for a taxi, and that too if you go from one corner of Dubai to the other. If you take the metro, your cost will be less than AED 10 per person, but from the airport, that would take a while. At some point during your stay. you should make it a point to ride the metro. It is a very pleasant experience indeed.

For night life, there are more spots than I have room for here. Needless to say, you will have access to anything. In fact, if you think you will be hard pressed to find a drink, you couldn’t be more wrong. It is true that one has to be affiliated or connected to a hotel to serve alcohol, but there are plenty of bars, wine bars and clubs that have done exactly that. So you will find your poison quite easily. It also means that a lot of nice clubs and lounges are at big hotels. The Address in Downtown is one such hotel. There is of course Burj-al-Arab, the Fairmont and many more such hotels with amazing night life.

Dubai at night

Food in Dubai is nothing short of spectacular. If you long for familiar restaurants, you get the best of UK and US. Wagamama, Nandos and Chilis come to mind right away, but more importantly, they have restaurants like Zuma, an upscale Japanese restaurant with six locations worldwide including one in Dubai, Nobu and Buddha Bar, all of which have a few select locations worldwide. Keep in mind, there are plenty of other local, but upscale and expensive restaurants. Bottom line, if you want cheap eats, there are plenty of those, but if you have money to spend, there are plenty of establishments that will help you empty your wallet.

Dubai seems to have become a destination for professionals everywhere to live and enjoy life, earn a fantastic tax free living and explore Asia, Africa and Europe from the hub that is Dubai. If I were in my twenties, I wouldn’t mind locating to Dubai for the same reason. So when you go, prepare yourself. You have no idea how much Dubai will surprise you.

I would recommend talking a break from the hot weather at Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. The flavors run from the traditional to the unexpected, and a favorite local treat is shaved ice on top of macadamia nut ice cream.

The Lahaina Fudge Company offers some great chocolate desserts, but you need to line up alongside the locals. Diners flock here for the amazing handmade fudge treats, which features unusual flavors like lava.

When you want something a little more upscale, head to Mama’s Fish House. Locally caught seafood brings the locals out in droves, and depending on when you visit, you might need a reservation.

The Lahaina Grill is another upscale restaurant that appeals to foodies. With dishes like tuna poke and steak on the menu, everyone in your group will find something they love.

Mana Foods is a little more down home, and this takeout restaurant serves dishes that you can use for a picnic with someone special. In addition to prepared foods like energy raw balls, you will also find a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Breakwall Shave Ice Co. is another casual favorite. While it serves hot dogs and sandwiches, most come out for the handmade ice creams and shaved ices.

If you have a sweet tooth, stop by the Pineapple Grill. Best known for its pineapple upside down cake, it serves that cake with ice cream and a delectable rum sauce. Those who love chocolate prefer the Hula Grill, which serves a flourless chocolate cake topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce. The cake is the perfect finish to a seafood or steak meal served with homemade bread.

Maui is also home to a few modern Hawaiian restaurants like Market Fresh Bistro. Led by Justin Pardo, the restaurant serves locally caught and sourced seafood and meats and in-season fruits and vegetables. You can also head over to Mala Ocean Tavern for the extensive wine list and Mediterranean-inspired dishes from Mark Ellman.

No matter which restaurant you visit, you will enjoy some of the best food that Maui has to offer for travelers and locals. However, where you rest your head at night is just as important as your day-to-day activities. So find some of the top hotels in Maui to make your stay just a little more like paradise!

As the city grows more popular among tourists and traveling adventurers, nows the time to visit this gem decorating a peninsula of the Dalmatian coastline. When planning your trip, know when to go, what to see, and book your flight and hotel early because this destination is a growing attraction for globetrotters year-round.

When to Visit

According to the Telegraph website, the most popular time to visit Dubrovnik is in the summer months of June through August. The best time to visit Dubrovnik is between May and June or September and October. During these times, the weather is still warm and it’s beautiful at the seaside, but there are less crowds and travel is significantly less expensive. The low season of November through April can still be beautiful, but the weather is colder and less-reliable and some attractions may not be available.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

What to See

The sights to see in Dubrovnik are endless so, depending on how long your stay is, you’ll have to pick and choose. Old Town is a popular spot for locals and tourists, offering shops, restaurants, entertainment and attractions that showcase the culture and history of the city. If you happen to be visiting in the summer, you will have the pleasure of enjoying the events, entertainment and nightlife of the famous 45-day Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Don’t miss a historical tour of the intimidating 13th-century city walls originally built and re-enforced to protect from invasion. For uncrowded lounging on the beach, take the short half-mile trip to Lokrum Island. This scenic spot is also home to the 19th-century Napoleonic Fort Royal and a Benedictine monastery built in 1023.

Where to Stay

The city is more catered to tourists now than a couple decades ago, and there are accommodations suitable for all preferences. For a luxurious celebrity-like stay, try the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik. This hotel is located on a cliff with spectacular ocean views on Miramare Bay offers first-class service and convenience as it’s walking distance from several popular tourist attractions. For a smaller boutique experience, stay at Villa Dubrovnik, which is conveniently located near Old Town and Lokrum Island.

What to Eat

The cultural melting pot that is this mysterious city makes for some diverse and delicious cuisine choices. Proto is perhaps the most popular and bragged-about restaurant in the city, and for good reasons. This revered eatery has been around since 1886 and has had over a century to perfect its seafood menu. Lokanda-Peskarija overlooks the ocean in Old Port and continually gets rave reviews for its delicious local fare, affordability and amazing views. Speaking of which, for some of the best views in the city try Buzza Bar. Not much food to offer but it’s the perfect place to sip cocktails while sitting atop a cliff above the breathtaking city walls.

What to Remember About the Culture

Like any place that’s foreign, remembering and respecting that there are different customs and cultures is important when visiting. Dubrovnik is meshed together with several different cultures from around Europe, which creates a unique and interesting atmosphere. The main languages spoken are Croatian and English but there are influences of French, Italian and even Latin. According to Telegraph, don’t be alarmed by the nudist beaches sprinkled along the coast usually marked by a sign that says “FKK” which stands for a German word (Freikörperkultur) that means “Free Body Culture.” Also remember that the war in this area of Croatia isn’t very old and a sensitive subject among some locals, best not to bring it up.

Contributed by: Amber Sanchez

Antiqua

Antiqua is the perfect destination for couples in love. The island’s romantic, nautical feel is a far cry from other “kid friendly” Caribbean destinations. Honeymooners are sure to enjoy the island’s secluded beaches and upscale, sophisticated resorts.

 Nevis

One of the Caribbean’s smallest islands is also one of the friendliest. Nevis features quaint villages and landscapes ranging from sugarcane plantations to volcanoes. Honeymooners will enjoy escaping to this tropical paradise for a vacation filled with deep-sea fishing, golfing, horseback riding and relaxing on the beach.

Turks & Caicos

This chain of 40 islands and cays is perfect for a quick getaway since it is just a one hour flight from Miami. The area is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, which makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling. Couples may also enjoy kayaking to some of the area’s small, secluded islands.

Anguilla

Anguilla is an ideal vacation destination for foodies. The 35 square mile island offers over 100 eateries ranging from upscale seafood to local specialties. The island boasts a laid-back, casual vibe perfect for relaxing and taking in the local culture. Vacationers will enjoy activities such as bird watching, glass bottom boat tours or watching one of the area’s many regattas.

Curacao

 This tiny island is the most cosmopolitan of the Caribbean islands. Nature lovers will enjoy hiking and biking in Curacao’s rugged landscapes while shoppers will enjoy the island’s high end retailers. The island also boasts quaint Dutch-colonial architecture and a rich historical heritage.

Martinique

A charming mix of French culture and Caribbean landscapes makes Martinique a perfect honeymoon destination. The island’s scenery features lush rainforest, black sand beaches and mountain regions. For a history lesson, tour the ruins of the former capital, Saint-Pierre, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the early 1900’s. After a relaxing day of soaking in the sun and the European culture, travelers can enjoy dining on the island’s French Creole cuisine.

Dominica

This largely undeveloped island is a far cry from the luxury resort of some of the Caribbean island. Dominica is perfect for couples interested in ecotourism. Much of the island is covered in rainforest and pristine national parks which makes it a perfect destination for hiking. Couples in love will also enjoy frolicking in the area’s many waterfalls. Along the coast, Dominica offers some of the world’s best whale watching.

When planning your honeymoon, if you want to skip the tried and true and opt for unique honeymoon destinations, the Caribbean is sure to deliver something special.

Author’s Byline:

Sidney Bankes works in the bridal industry and enjoys using her knowledge to write articles that are helpful for brides. She spends an unbelievable amount of time browsing online wedding resources and travel resources to provide her clients with the best wedding and honeymoon destination suggestions.”

If you are a visitor to London for these Olympics, here are some etiquette tips to keep you from getting some unfriendly glares during the visit

Pedestrians:

If you find yourself on a busy street, and feel the need to stroll, please be mindful that the rest of London is not on holiday and still needs to dash to work or home. So try to be considerate and don’t block entire side walks (foot paths) by walking side by side in groups.

At crossings, unlike in the US (except NYC), you can cross the street even when the Walk sign is red. Just make sure there is no oncoming traffic and remember to look right first.

Taxis:

London cab drivers need to know where you are going before you get in. Notice they roll down their windows as you approach. That is so that you tell them where you are going. They have a right to refuse to take you if they so choose and that is perfectly legal.

Tube (Underground):

It is perfectly understandable that as a visitor to London, you are unfamiliar with tube routes. So naturally, the tube map will be your best friend and there will be times when you will have to consult the tube maps at the stations. However, please do be aware that regular commuters are trying to get to their trains, and by crowding outside entrances to tube tunnels, you may cause them to miss their ride. Please be considerate and make room for those in a hurry to pass by.

When entering or leaving tube stations, have your Oyster card or tickets ready to pass through the tills. Fishing for these once you get to the till is a sure way to get annoying sighs from commuters.

If you follow these small tips, it will make your experience in London better, guaranteed.

My work takes me to Amsterdam frequently. In fact, in the last 6 months, I have been to Amsterdam seventeen times and counting. So I figured I should write a special post on the hotels I have stayed in Amsterdam.

When booking a hotel for work, especially in a city like Amsterdam, I consider the following factors:

1. Location – I like to wind down after work by going out for a quick bite or having a drink at a wine bar or even catching a Champions League match on TV at a local pub. So the hotel needs to be close to some good night life.
2. Price – I want a hotel that doesn’t break the bank. So all the hotels below were less than €175 per night when I booked my stay there, although the Radisson, Grand Amrath, Doubletree, Movenpick and Crowne Plaza are very close to that mark, while the Inntel, Park Plaza Victoria and JL No 76 are closer to the €120 mark.
3. Amenities – Free wifi in your room is a must (not just free wifi in public areas). Only two hotels on this list did not have free wifi and I never went back to them.
4. Gym/Fitness Center – I prefer hotels to have a fitness center, especially when I am travelling for work.

The hotels below are all those that I have stayed at for business. Unless otherwise mentioned, they all have free in-room coffee facilities and large flat panel televisions. In parenthesis, I have included the number of times I have stayed there so far and the score at the end is on a scale of 5.

Crowne Plaza

I stayed here during my first business trip to Amsterdam. It is a very conveniently located hotel, within a 10 minute walk from Centraal station and offers all the modern amenities you can expect from Crowne Plaza. They give you a free bottle of water in your room, which is a rare touch. Rooms are large and clean as is the bathroom. The decor is modern and beds as comfortable as they can be. My only gripe – there is no free wifi in the room. This is exactly why my first stay here was also my last stay, but if you can get past that, I recommend this hotel.

Be warned that this is not the cheapest hotel in the area. Inntel hotels which is next door to it is about GBP 50 cheaper and has free wifi.

Bottom line: For lack of free wifi and high price tag, I give it a score of 3.5 (out of 5).

Park Plaza Victoria Hotel

I have stayed the most number of times at this hotel. But that is not because it is my favourite hotel in Amsterdam. Rather, it is because twice, I had a special offer that included free breakfast and complementary wine and fruit in my room. Also, the hotel is part of Club Carlson, which is a points program I like very much.

Formerly known as the Victoria Hotel, this hotel stands right across from Centraal Station in the heart of Amsterdam. The building is a historic building, which also means it is a bit dated. They have two distinct styles of rooms, the regular and the urban. I prefer the urban rooms with their modern, decor, red accents, dark furniture and fresh feel, despite the smaller space. By contrast, the regular rooms are larger, with dated furniture, creaking floor boards and a more traditional look.

Service at the hotel is average, probably because they are always busy. So if you are looking for personal attention, this place is not for you.

A big plus staying at this hotel is the free high speed wifi. For some reason, you have to “buy” high speed internet from your room and then they take it off your bill at checkout. I find this to be odd and bothersome. During one of my stays here, they forgot to take off the internet from the bill, and I had to call to get it adjusted.

There is a nice swimming pool that guests can use, but access to sauna or fitness center costs extra.

Finally, room service is rather expensive. But this is the case in most hotels in Amsterdam. I ordered a meal that cost €23 at retail price, but they added room charge of €7.50 and another €6.00 in service fee. Before I knew it, my bill was €36.

Bottom line: For the high cost of room service, dated rooms (the non-urban rooms) and lack of fitness facilities, I give it a score of 3.5.

Doubletree Hotel

I must say, that out of the ten or so hotels I have stayed in Amsterdam, this one by far is the most impressive. It used to be the Mint hotel until a few months ago when it became the Doubletree.

A few minute’s walk from Central Station, and Dam Square, the hotel is a little more difficult to reach than some of the other hotels here. But it is worth it to take the extra steps to get here.

You are greeted with a traditional warm chocolate chip cookie at the reception when you check in. If you have a sweet tooth, be warned, that these are some of the most amazing cookies you will ever have. Every Doubletree hotel in the world offers these cookies and they are consistently delicious anywhere in the world.

Doubletree Amsterdam

The rooms are fresh and immaculately appointed with modern fixtures and have a clean layout. The use of space is admirable. I can’t commend Hilton enough for maintaining this hotel and its standards since taking over. Bathrooms are small as well, but well set up with White Company brand of soap and shampoo products.

But the best part about this hotel is that every room comes with your very own iMac! I enjoyed not having to hook up and connect my laptop to browse the web. This is the only hotel I’ve seen this in, so kudos to Mint/Doubletree folks for this awesome feature. Wifi of course, is also free here and room service is round the clock.

Also, the fitness center is perhaps the best I have seen in Amsterdam. Weight benches, presses, yoga balls and cardio machines are generously placed in a well set up fitness room that puts other hotels to shame.

Finally, there is a sky lounge on the top floor with sweeping views of the city while you sip on fancy cocktails.

Bottom line: This hotel really has everything. I think I’ve found my home away from home. I give it a score of 5.

NH Schiller

For some reason NH hotels adorn the city of Amsterdam. Along with Barbizon, Kuprowsky and Carlton, NH hotels are all ideally located, either in the heart of Dam Square or in Rembrandt Square. And for some reason, these hotels are listed as five stars on most sites, but please be aware, these are nowhere near five stars.

NH Schiller is smack in the middle of Rembrandt square. You are a few steps away from great restaurants and some great attractions.

The hotel looks good from the outside and walking in, you get a feeling of the old dutch grandeur. The rooms are quite roomy as well, with great views of the square.

However, there is no air-conditioning in the hotel, so it might not be comfortable in summer. I was there in March and it was hot in my room; hot enough to keep me up at night. The bed is not very comfortable either, so my nights here were quite horrible.  Moreover, my bathroom smelled really bad. I was there for two nights, but I didn’t want to bother changing rooms. I did regret it on the second night, but what is amazing is that the cleaning staff didn’t smell it and address it.

You have to pay for internet wifi at this hotel and a lot. It is 18 euros for one day of internet. Mobile internet (iPad included) is 8 euros. In this day and age, I don’t get how high end hotels continue to charge for internet. This hotel should be even more ashamed of this practice considering that even the TV they have in the room is a small screen TV. I believe it might have been 17” or 19” at best.

While I didn’t order room service (you don’t need to with the Burger Bar, and Wok to Walk a few meters away), the menu didn’t have anything to tingle my taste buds.

I was forced to book this hotel because there was a convention in Amsterdam during this particular visit and all my regular hotels were priced too high. Staying here reminded me of why I prefer not to stay in any of the NH hotels in Amsterdam. Great location, but that is about it. So I advise passing on this hotel. In my opinion, it was not worth it. There are cheaper, better alternatives around.

Bottom line: No free wifi. Lack lustre room service menu. Dated, smelly rooms and no air-conditioning and a small TV, leave me no choice but to give this hotel a score of 1.

Inntel Hotel

Inntel Hotel is a hip looking hotel, standing next to the Crowne Plaza, a few minute’s walk from the Centraal Station. The lobby is a hub of activity and has a 1950’s Hollywood feel to it.

The bar and lounge feels like a cozy watering hole for business colleagues and fellow travellers.

The rooms are standard though, lacking the personality that the lobby offers. However, they are quite comfortable, and provide a welcome sanctuary from your busy day. This hotel has free internet but there is no gym or pool, although there are some happy hour specials in the bar.

Bottom line: Decent, comfortable hotel in a great location and ambience and free wifi and a much lower price than others in this post. That is why I give it a score of 3.5.

Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu is a nice hotel on a quiet corner about 7 minutes walk from both Dam Square and Rembrandt Square. This hotel, like Park Plaza Victoria, is part of my preferred Club Carlson rewards program, hence my frequent stay here.

While it is a good overall hotel with all the amenities one would expect from a five star, it is more of a four star hotel in my opinion. Rooms are a bit dated, and frankly they are a little too dark. If you pick the more expensive rooms, they have Nespresso machines and more TV channels, but for the price you pay, it doesn’t make sense to upgrade. If you really like your coffee (and I do), there is a Nespresso machine in the lobby for guests.

Bathrooms are large and nice, with heated floors. This was a pleasant surprise on every one of my trips and was a welcome feature in winter.

Room service menu is a little plain at this hotel. But again, with its location, you can walk a few minutes to satisfy your senses. Meanwhile, wifi in the room is free and fast, and bathrobes and slippers are standard in every room.

Finally, the fitness room is quite decent here, and the sauna is a nice touch, but small and can get crowded with two people.

Bottom line: This is the most expensive hotel on my list, and the free wifi, heated floors and Nespresso in the lobby don’t make up for the price. I give it a score of 3.5

Grand Amrath

A classically and decidedly maritime looking hotel, The Grand Amrath has a very distinct feel to it. The building is an old remnant of the Dutch maritime culture. In random corners of the hotel, you will see paintings, sculptures and glass work that remind you that you are indeed in the Netherlands.

I stayed at this hotel once, and the aspects I loved were the Nespresso machines in every room, the extremely large bathroom, free wifi and the free mini-bar, something I have not seen anywhere else. Even the curtains could be drawn with the click of a button.

The down side, was that my room was not cleaned, which was the first time it has ever happened in all my travels. When I asked the front desk about this, they said I didn’t put the sign on the door to clean the room. But I would argue that a clean room is what we expect, so we don’t think to ask for it. In any case, this was a bit of a turn off, and despite my complaint, they didn’t send anyone to clean. I am certain this was a fluke and one should not expect this to happen again.

The fitness center downstairs is hardly a fitness center. An old treadmill and a couple of other machines do not qualify it as such. However, the pool, although small, was nice, and the sauna and steam room were very impressive.

Bottom line: This is a great hotel, with extravagant amenities and traditional Dutch ambience and luxury. But it does come at a price. I give it a score of 4

Movenpick Hotel

I didn’t know what to expect from this hotel. One of the more expensive choices around Amsterdam, I figured I should give the Swiss chain a try.

The location of the hotel is not the best. While not too far from Centraal station, it is hard to get to and you definitely need a car. I cannot imagine walking from this hotel to Dam Square would be less than 30 minutes, if not more.

The hotel is a typical of a chain hotel. Rooms are comfortable with nice views of the canals, there is a good room service menu and service is quick and courteous.

Some notable things about the Movenpick: they have the largest selection of TV channels and the most number of English language TV channels that I have seen in my travels to Amsterdam. Second, the flat panel TV’s have ambience lighting, a feature associated with the more expensive models. Finally, the room service food, while average, has excellent presentation, almost like a gourmet restaurant. Moreover, their food prices are slightly lower than some of the other hotels. And if you order ice-cream, of course, the Movenpick Hotel serves the delectable Movenpick ice-cream.

Fitness center is better than most, although I still prefer the Doubletree hotel’s fitness center. I believe the main feature is the sauna, the ice shower room and relaxation rooms, which are rare in business hotels.

Bottom line: This is a good hotel for business travellers looking for comfort, luxury and service. It lacks some personality but packs a few pleasant surprises. I give it a score of 4

Hotel JL No76

A boutique hotel in the museum quarter of Amsterdam, this hotel lies almost hidden, on a quiet, unassuming, residential street. This is a small hotel, with personalized service and a treat for the whimsical. So do not expect a fitness room or a swimming pool here.

The decor is minimalist, with white being the central focus. There are Nespresso machines in every room, as well as free internet.

Beds are very comfy and the rooms are larger than they would normally be in a boutique hotel. The hotel lobby has snacks available by the honour system. You eat what you want, and let them know what you took.

If you are looking to stay in a run-of-the-mill 4 star hotel, this is not for you, but if you want something different, exciting, with a more personalized feel to it, look no further than Hotel JL 76.

Bottom line: If this were closer to central Amsterdam, I would be staying here all the time. For its great value, personal touches and decor, I give it a score of 4.5.

Albus Hotel

Steps from the Rembrandt square and the Floating Flower market, Albus hotel is a boutique hotel that might have at one point in time been cool. Now, it begs for maintenance, and a reality check. Not by any means cheap, the hotel’s entrance is nice enough. The lobby and lounge area boast of gentle but flaming light through decorative motifs.

My room was in the basement. A rule of thumb to you hotel operators. Please don’t assume that a guest is ok to be in the basement. At least have the decency to ask. As you can guess, I wasn’t asked. I was told my room was in the basement and that I had been upgraded. So I went down the aging elevator to my room. The furniture had an almost plastic feeling to it. The room was so crowded that I found it difficult to walk. It had three twin beds, so clearly this was a larger room, but with no natural light, bumping into walls and furniture became all the more likely.

Albus Hotel

The bathroom was dingy as was the wall paper in the room and the carpet. It really was a depressing room and I was happy it was just for one night. The only pleasant thing about the room was the Nespresso machine. Even the free internet was disappointing. It was low speed and you had to pay more to get high speed – a sham in this day and age.

The room service menu lacked variety, and in any case, the appearance of the room did not inspire much appetite so I ate out.

Bottom line: Great location, but dated and crowded rooms and slow internet for the high price tag means you have much better options elsewhere. I give this hotel a score of 3.

To book any of these hotels, get the best Amsterdam Hotel rates here!

As London gears for the Olympics (visit official London 2012 site here) this summer, visitors coming to London to soak up the atmosphere and the grandeur of the Olympics, will need all the help you can get to navigate the grid that is London. Below, I have outlined options and recommendations for travelling to London, travelling within London and hotel options.

Pairing the Right People

Travel companies have found the demand to create packages that best suit the needs of the individual. That is why they have started creating adventure itineraries based on the activities that are unique and uncommon compared with traditional bus tours. This means that if you want to go on a vacation and dig up fossils, it’s a simple Google search away! A company out there (probably a handful) will design a travel package that takes you and a group of other people to an archeological dig.

Find the Perfect Roommate

There is nothing worse than having to bunk with someone that you have nothing in common with. The awkward silences and disagreements can make a long trip unbearable. Travel clubs have come up with a solution to this problem. They now pair people with a roommate who will be compatible. This means that the people who share a room can have common interests & living habits. Often they form bonds and friendships and may even plan trips with one another in the future. Instead of being stuck with someone that you do not like, you may make a friend for life.

Custom Itineraries

One of the hardest parts of travel is deciding what to do. There are so many interesting things to see at each location that it’s sometimes hard to choose from all the fun activities. But taking a vacation with a group will eliminate this problem all together. The travel organization takes the time to create an itinerary for the duration of your stay. This means that all the stress of planning a trip is gone. All you need to do is check the schedule for the day and have a great time!

Traveling solo used to be a lonely experience for people who like to see the world. They would have to see amazing sights alone and endure the stress of planning the vacation (of course this can be fun too but it always comes with baggage (no pun intended!). This is no longer the case. Gone are the days of group tours that only offer cookie cutter bus tours and suck the culture and adventure from the most exciting countries. Travel clubs have made it possible to fly around the world with a small group that has similar interests. This may be the most exciting way to travel the globe. Check it out!

But when it comes to travel, I seriously question any deal that flashes across on my screen, be it from Groupon, Living Social or KGB Deals.

More often than not, if you price out their offering on your favorite travel site, you will find that you could get the deal at the same price or sometimes even cheaper if you price it yourself. Don’t believe me? I will prove it.

Today, I got an email with a KGB deal offering a trip to Budapest for £199 per person including return flights from London (Luton) and a 3-night stay at Lion’s Gate Hotel. You have to buy two vouchers since the price is based on double occupancy. So, this deal costs £398 for two people.

Now, if I price this out using Hotels.com, I get a rate of £144 for 3 nights (double bedroom) from Feb 10-13 (which is within the dates the coupon must be used).

Now, if I price the tickets from Luton using Easyjet, I find that two tickets for a direct flight from Luton to Budapest cost £236. In fact, if I prefer British airways (which I do), the fare is £322 for two round-trip tickets. See screen shots below:

So you see, if you go with Easyjet, you can get the entire package of hotel plus airfare for two for £380 which is cheaper than the price of two KGB Deals vouchers, while the more expensive British Airways option is £466, which while higher than the £398 KGB Deal, is still only 15% more than the KGB option. This is no where near the “up to 50%” discount they claim to be providing. Also, while this is just one example, I have done this calculation on many travel deals over the last few weeks, and have noticed a pattern, which then prompted me to write this post.

Keep in mind, the “deal” comes with restrictions and you might not even get the dates/times you want once you buy the deal. So please be aware that while these travel deals from sites like Groupon et al look attractive, they really are not.

Safe travels!