Saturday, December 18, 2010

Hotels Near Jakarta International Airport!

The Soerkarno-Hatta International Airport located approximately 12 miles from Jakarta. This is the major gate way serving the country. Millions of people arrive to this airport every year and their accommodation really becomes a matter of consideration. There has been provided a number of accommodation facilities provided in vicinity of the airport to facilitate Jakarta flights takers. These facilities range from low cost to luxurious one. Any one can get accommodation in accordance with its budget. The holidays are here;

InterContinental Mid Plaza: It 's an elegant hotel with refined elegance. It offers all the style, comfort and amenities of a luxury. The reason why people on cheap flights to Jakarta prefer this hotel is its location and easy access to the business district. It 'a beautiful building, the wood has a sleek modern design and clad in black marble with brown. He has a great set with 321 roomsincluding 74 suites, 50 Club rooms and 1 Presidential Suite. Business travelers of cheap Jakarta flights like to stay here.

Somerset Grand Citra, Jakarta: It is an ideal place to stay for business as well as leisure travelers. In addition to its closeness to convention centre, and business destinations, it offers a wide variety of dining and entertainment areas to amuse those taking flights to Jakarta Indonesia. It offers 203 beautifully decorated accommodation units that are facilitated with modern amenities. This place is conveniently close to the Convention Center, Shopping Centers, Embassies, business destinations, and a wide variety of dining and entertainment.

Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta: This hotel is located at drive of around 40 minutes from Jakarta airport. It has 7 restaurants, 2 lounge/bar to cater to any food preferences, 289 spacious rooms and suites in two adjacent buildings, including a lavish 412 sqm Presidential Suite with its private spa. After your Jakarta flights from UK your stay at this hotel will give you an easy access to many famous places including; National Museum, Monas, Taman Mini, Kemang, Jalan Surabaya arts market. The recreational facilities at this nice place include swimming pool, gymnasium and spa services.

Merlynn Park Hotel: This hotel is popular among both business and leisure travelers alike as it has a perfect mix of individual or business travel choices. With a selection of comfortable rooms, dining venues, recreation and meeting facilities, it has caters every requirement of travelers taking Jakarta flights It has 301 comfortable and well equipped rooms.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Hotel Masterpieces Of A Design Spirit

The basic function of a hotel is to offer lodging for the night and food, if possible, to a traveler, but there are hotels that represent more than that- they became veritable art creations. The Forbes magazine published the list of world's best "design" hotels.

Marques de Riscal (Rioho, Spain)

This is a 43 room hotel, situated in the wine producing region of Spain, and was created according to the project of the architect Frank Gary (the author of Guggenheim Museum in Balboa).

The roof of the hotel is decorated with pink, silver and golden plates. Its interior executed in beige and golden tones outlines due to minimalism, and the two wings of the building are connected by a glass passing.

Winvian (Lchilfield hills, Connecticut, USA)

This hotel occupies an area of 113 acres, where 18 thematic cottages, created by 15 different architects, are situated. One of the most unusual cottages is named"The helicopter". There even is a helicopter in it (35 feet long and 17000 pounds in weight), that was used for the shooting of "Top Gun". There is a wooden tree house at the altitude of 35 feet for the kids.

The Keating (San-Diego California, USA)

The Pininfarnia Company that is in charge of the appearance of Ferrari's and Maserati's cars was dealing with the design of this hotel. The singularity of this hotel begins with its hall with red lacquered walls and high ceiling. In the hotel there are 35 rooms with red brick walls, round windows, plasma TV sets and electronics form Bang & Olufsen.

Inn at price Tower (Bartlesville Oklahoma, USA)

The design of this hotel's room 21 was created according to the project of Wendy Evan Joseph, the architect of Holocaust Museum in Washington (Columbia district). The 7floor building itself made of concrete and coppers is the creation of the famous Frank Lloyd Right- the person who influenced the most the development of western architecture during first half of XX century. There are windows as big as the walls and furniture with copper pieces in every room.

Faena Hotel and Universe (Buenos-Aires, Argentina)

A granary in past, nowadays this building turn into a hotel (the project of Fillip Stark and the fashionable Argentinean designer Allan Faen). Its entrance is framed by a curtain, behind which the El Bistro restaurant and the drawing room, decorated with antic lamps, are located. Among the elements of 110 rooms' design are the red velvet pillows, velvet curtains and XIXth century chandeliers.

Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa (Napa Valley, California, USA)

This hotel, created by Mickey Meningom, amazes immediately - its entrance is decorated by an unusual writhed steel canopy. Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa is na eco-hotel and its name is translated from Greek as "mother land". There are 133 rooms in the hotel with internet connection, cable television, a fridge and a microwave. The hotel is located in the Napa village, well-known fro its vineyards.

New Majestic Hotel (Singapore)

Entering the lobby of the hotel, the guests see the absolutely white walls, the spiral Compton fans and the ceiling covered with cooper. Local painters were dealing with the design of the 30 rooms. In some of them there is a bath right in the center and the beds are suspended to the ceiling. The atmosphere is completed by the old-fashion furniture made of pop-art fresco. The hotel is situated in Chinatown that is the historical region of Singapore.

The Setai (Miami, Florida)

Created by a Malaysian architect- Jan Michel Gati , this hotel that is located on the coast embodies the Shanghai style of Ar Deco. The hotel's facade is absolutely white, but inside the guests You can see all the shades of gray, black with bronze columns and mosaic marble floor in Shanghai.
There are 125 rooms with bathrooms and teak floors. The courtyard was swept by the color orange.

Granados 83 (Barcelona, Spain)

The kitchen has been created for the avant-garde adventures of enthusiastic amateurs good. And 'situated in the old building of a hospital. The columns are covered with the original steel, red marble, glass and iron. And whiteblack rock tiles were used for the floor. Such materials as leather, brick and marble were used for furnishing the 77 rooms. The furniture is covered with a fluorescent iron casing.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Relish Kingly Grandeur at Jaipur Hotels

Jaipur has long been known for snake charmers, mighty palaces, turbaned men, sari clad women and colourful handicrafts, however now Jaipur hotels have given a new dimension to the city. The Pink City of Jaipur renowned for its age old architectural masterpieces has transmitted its architectural splendour to these hotels in Jaipur as well. These properties beautifully showcase prowess and magnificence of Rajputana architecture for which they are admired worldwide. The design and construction of these properties is largely influenced from the age of royalty however the city also avails stay at real princely properties as well. Numerous mansions of erstwhile royalty now renovated into hotels create the category of heritage hotels in Jaipur. With a classic ambiance, sophistication in hospitality and awe inspiring architecture these hotels succeed in appeasing even the most discerning guests.

Choose a category and you will find plenty of options for your stay. Some of the finest Jaipur hotels are:

Jai Mahal Palace: Named amongst finest of the luxury hotels set amidst 18 acres of landscaped Mughal style gardens, Jaipur Mahal Palace is a stunning edifice. The original building dates back to 1747 and display a beauteous specimen of Indo Saracenic style of architecture. Hotel epitomizes luxury with its tantalizing comforts, opulent settings and overwhelming hospitality.

Le Meridien Jaipur: An extravagant property, Le Meridien beautifully pays homage to the magnificence of Indian architecture with its grand style majorly influenced by the palaces built in the past. Sprawling over 25 acres of lush landscape, the hotel offers a haven of serenity and splendor with its world class services. The hotel features a rejuvenating spa, two restaurants with master chefs and their teams preparing finger-licking cuisines, a Penguin Club for kids and state-of-the-art conferencing and banqueting services.

Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel: An opulent design remarkable for the Rajputana finesse Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel is one of the most applauded hotels in Jaipur. The superior quality of rooms is remarkable for they are decked with stunning interiors, upgraded amenities and complimentary fitness centre access and more. Visitors can also choose from a list of four well furnished restaurants to relish dining experience in Jaipur.

Ramada: Located in the business district of Jaipur, Ramada appeases its guests with international standards of hospitality and comforts. Innovative measures to serve the guests and opulent settings make Ramada one of the known Jaipur hotels situated in close proximity to the airport and railway station. Its chic interiors and contemporary designs provide a fresh overlook of the hotels in Jaipur and are considered ideal for the modern traveler.

Rambagh Palace: Another creation of the famous Taj group of hotels, Rambagh Palace evokes images of royal splendor of the yesteryears in one's mind. Fondly called the 'Jewel of Jaipur' the hotel was renovated into a luxury hotel is a stunning example of Rajputana magnificence. Elegant dining and wining places attracts the eyes of the gourmets while the rejuvenating spa matches world-standards and the unmatchable list of recreation and business amenities takes care of all the needs of the visitor.

Stylish and charming luxury hotels in Jaipur provide a peep into the city's historic past, its awe inspiring culture and provide an opportunity to relish the luxuries accessible for royalty only.

Scouring Italy For the Best Hotels

Italy is known to be among the most popular travel destination in Europe. Aside from its attractions, I am very fond of the way Italians live their everyday lives. They've got excellent taste in clothing and superb variations of national cuisines. Tourists will no doubt love the way Italians welcome guests into their country.

When it comes to luxury accommodations in Rome, Aldrovandi Palace is the perfect place to stay at if you like a luxurious and expensive stay in Italy. With its elegant and magnificent edifice, Aldrovandi then adapted its features into one luxurious hotel. The hotel offers 12 luxurious suites and 122 elegant rooms to its to its guests and visitors. It also has a spacious royal suite accommodation that is usually patronized by royal families, famous personalities, and celebrities.

If budget is the problem when it comes to a vacation escapade in Milan, one should check out the Eurohotel for an affordable hotel accommodation in the city. Situated near the Porta Venezia in Milan's historic center, Eurohotel's strategic location is very beneficial for tourists who also prefer the city's shopping highlights. The hotel features more than 20 bedrooms, with 50 beds in all. Each room is refurbished and newly decorated with fine furnitures. Comfy rooms also have air conditioning, direct telephone line, and satellite television. When planning for a budget trip in Italy, always remember that Eurohotel is a perfect place for cheap, yet comfy accommodation in Milan.

Duke Hotel's location is an advantage, too. This hotel is located just between two beautiful and famous public gardens namely Villa Borghese and Villa Glori. From this hotel, visitors can easily go to other attractions like Parco della Musica Auditorium, the Borghese Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Visitors do not have to rent vehicles anymore to reach these beautiful attractions.

Hotel Gray's stylish interior that completely blends well with the Italy's surroundings is another must-see attraction. I am definitely sure that you will be able to notice it once you have seen the place. There is also a bar, a stylish restaurant, as well as elegant and welcoming public areas to make your stay even more fun and exciting. If your Milan trip is getting boring, you must go to Florence where one of the premier hotels in Italy is found, that is, the Hotel Villa La Vedetta, a five-star hotel located in Florence. This hotel is strategically located near Florence's most important historic and artistic venues such as Piazzale Michelangelo and Ponte Vecchio. Thus, this hotel that is housed in a romantic Neo-Renaissance villa will surely impress everyone especially travelers with the most discriminating taste.

These different hotels are truly remarkable because they only did not give us an extraordinary experience, but the have also made a special space in our memory.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Neilson Hays Library Bangkok - the Legacy of Jennie Neilson Hays

The Neilson Hays Library has its origins in early Bangkok in the latter half of the 1800s, when Silom was referred to as Windmill Road. It was 1869, a year into the reign of King Rama V.

In that year, the Ladies Bazaar Association in Bangkok, a charitable organization founded in 1866, raised funds for a library to cater for the reading needs of the increasing English speaking community residing in Bangkok.

Back then, it wasn't called the Neilson Hays Library but the Bangkok Ladies Library Association.

For a start, the books for the fledgling library were stored in a private residence. Later the Protestant Union Chapel in Charoen Krung Road took over this responsibility until 1900. (The Protestant Union Chapel later became Christ Church in Convent Road.) For the next 14 years the library was housed in temporary premises.

In 1881, Jennie Neilson, the lady who was to have considerable influence on the library and the present building, arrived in Thailand as part of the Protestant Mission. Jennie Neilson married Dr Thomas Heyward Hays, Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Hospital in 1887 and they moved to Bangkok.

From 1900 she was actively involved in the Bangkok Ladies Library Association for the next 20 years raising funds through annual bazaars to supplement the subscriptions.

The name of the library was changed to Bangkok Library Association in October 1911. In 1914, the association decided to buy a plot of land in Surawongse Road for a permanent home for the library to reduce the strain of rent.

One of the older roads in Bangkok, Surawongse Road was built in 1897 by the excavation of a canal which has since been covered for road expansion. Named after Chao Phraya Surawongse Wattanasak, Surawongse Road was a popular residential area in early Bangkok.

Jennie Neilson was President of Bangkok Library Association from 1914 till 1920 when she died of cholera. Dr Heyward Hays commissioned Mario Tamagno, an Italian architect, to design a building in memory of his wife Jennie.

Tamagno, like Annibale Rigotti, hailed from Turin the city renowned for its School of Architecture. The Italian duo was responsible for the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in 1907.

The other Bangkok landmarks by Tamagno are

Suan Kularb Residential Hall and Throne Hall in Dusit Garden
Hua Lampong Railway Station in 1910.

The new building for the library in Surawongse Road was opened on 26 June 1922 and named the Neilson Hays Library.

What piece of Italian architecture would be complete without the characteristic dome? Tamagno designed a rotunda as the grand entrance to the main building. This entrance is no longer in use and the rotunda serves as a gallery for art exhibitions today.

The stone inscription in memory of Jennie Neilson Hayes high up on the wall of the Rotunda Gallery is flanked by old photos of Jennie and Dr T Heyward Hays.

Originally set up to cater for the recreational reading of the
foreign community in Bangkok, today the Neilson Hays Library caters to a substantial local reading population, particularly children.

Activities are conducted to encourage reading habits among children and a section of the library is dedicated to the Children's Corner. In addition, art exhibitions and meet the author sessions are also organized.

The new Café Gallery has recently been completed though the interior décor and fittings have yet to be finalized. The white single-story building, just beyond the shady courtyard, includes a café and exhibition room with a bright and airy atmosphere.

In June 2006, the Neilson Hays Library commemorated its 84th anniversary. The tradition of volunteers staffing the library continues to this day. The spirit of Jennie Neilson Hays and her fellow members of the Bangkok Library Association live on in the Neilson Hays Library.

To get there, please see the map to the Neilson Hays Library.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Unique Features of Boutique Hotels

When people go on vacation or business trips, they use brand name hotels like the Comfort Inn or the Holiday Inn. While these hotels are good for getting a decent nights sleep, they do not offer much more than that comfortable bed. Yet, there is an alternative if you're looking for something a little more than a bed. A boutique hotel.

If you are looking for a place that offers a bed with friendly hospitality with a feeling of home, then what you are looking for is a boutique hotel. What is a boutique hotel? It is a hotel that is designed in a certain way, designed to a certain theme to give its hotel guests a welcoming feeling.

Boutique hotels can be found anywhere in the world including the United States of America. Although this is the case, many people are not as aware of them. Why? When you turn on your television, you see commercials about families staying at a particular hotel as they travel the US.

If you want to stay in a place that is unique, you'll need to do some searching using the Internet. You may not realize it but many of the antique homes that are fixed up in New Orleans are actually boutique hotels. There are several of them to choose from and many use the 19th century as their theme. These older homes in New Orleans can be used for something more than museums when accented right.

Besides providing all of these amenities, how can a boutique hotel stand out among the high competition of the Holiday Inn, Ramada Limited and even Super 8 Motel? These hotels usually have the same kind of motif but the boutique hotels strive to do something more. Owners have boutique hotels use catchy themes to grab the attention of its guests. Some hotel owners will use the theme of where their hotel is located at, others will use an era or time period to create a unique experience.

In the French Quarter of New Orleans, many owners of the boutique hotels use the 19th century to design their rooms, lobbies and hallways. The Hotel Union Square of San Francisco designs its rooms in a Prohibition era design. The rooms and hallways have a black granite and cream travertine tile. The Whitehall Hotel in Chicago uses a 1920s theme to grab the attention of its guests.

That isn't to say all boutiques base their theme on the local area. The Inn of Five Graces in Santa Fe bases it's theme on the southwest culture and mixes it with Asian culture. There are plenty of boutiques outside of the US, in cities as far away as Moscow and Singapore.

If you find a boutique hotel you are interested in staying in, you should realize that a short notice reservation is likely not going to work. Most boutique hotels have a limited amount of rooms. They average out around 25 to 50 rooms. There are some boutique hotels which have over 100 rooms and others that have only three or four rooms to stay in. These small number of rooms allow employees to get to know their guests. Be sure to put your reservation in as soon as you know when you will be leaving on your vacation/business trip.

While mainstream hotels offer plenty of extras, boutique hotels provide more. Even though most buildings are old, they are retrofitted for modern conveniences such as high speed Internet access, spas, swimming pools and even a fitness center. Boutique hotels, larger ones especially, will offer guests a bar and restaurant inside to enjoy.

While the commercial hotels are media branded and make you think about their particular image, sometimes a little research finds you staying somewhere you never even thought about. You should realize that you pay for what you get. A boutique hotel is not cheap but well worth the cash you spend. With all the amenities you get, theres no need to stay anywhere else.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

London England - An Interesting City

London England is one of the largest city in the world and the most captivating city too. a visit to the city is a complete delight and is the reason that millions of visitor's visit it every year. Considering the fact that London is a cosmopolitan city, people from different nationalities and cultures live here and one will get to hear all languages here. Everyone wants to visit here and have their own set of ideas before they come here. From the

Big Ben, the shopping streets, to the exciting history all exists to be explored. Of the various beautiful and interesting places, which the England map dots the London museums are the envy of the whole world.

The vibrant and exciting capital city London on the map of England is home to a huge selection of museums, about 300 to choose from and really there is one every taste and interest. The awe-inspiring museums large or small are example of the city's culture and life. The London museums cover all aspects of life from design, science, natural history, fashion and many more. With so much on offer, it would takes years to take a round of all, but its really fun checking some of them when visiting London. There is a lot in store, all waiting to be discovered in the London Museums.

· Museum of London

The name of the museum lets in, as the museum displays the changing times of the city, the various eras from the pre-historic times to the present times. A walk will take one in the Roman, medieval and Tudor eras. The museum starts with the roman relics, which are quite remarkable, and the real gem is the exhibitions, lectures, and walks that are organised in the museum all the year round.

· The British Museum

Of all London England museums, the British museum is the most popular and the most visited tourist attraction. Located in the Great Russell Street, London each year million of visitors pay a visit here. The museum has on display the culture history of the world and one will find everything under one-roof collections from Greek, Roman, China, antique works, coins, drawings, etc. The museum's highlight is its Reading Room, mummies on display from Ancient Egypt, the Great Court designed by Norman Foster. The museum is huge with 2.5 miles of galleries.

· Science Museum

Without doubt, the Science museum is one of the best museums in London. Spread out on seven floors, visitors can See terms from all areas of the right of the medical science, aerospace, chemistry, computer science in the field of photography. The museum is fun, with interactive exhibits and guided tours conducted in the museum.

· Museum of Natural History

The queues outside the museum shows the popularity of the Museum of Natural History, which has on display attractions that answers many questions about the same: What is an earthquake? Why are dinosaurs extinct? The museum islocated in South Kensington near Hyde Park. The Curators certainly deserve all the praise as they have put up with wonderful shows. There are real life exhibits on display like the housefly's life cycle. The highlights are the ecology gallery, Mineral Gallery, Mammals gallery an Earth's Gallery.

· Imperial War Museum

Imperial war museum holds the wartime experiences from the First and Second World Wars, located in South London. Visitors come face to face with the wartime accounts; can see variety of military weapon display, tanks, one- man submarine and a human torpedo. Be amazed when you look at a mustang, spitfire, an atomic bomb casing and a fishing boat that hold witness to the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. One interesting fact about the museum is that until the year 1930, this place was a lunatic asylum.

· Design Museum

The design museum displays the best in international modern design Products from a selection of vintage cars utensils from home. The museum is an elegant white building, which has a program of temporary exhibitions. The first floor of the Museum "Review Gallery" presents new ideas and runs temporary exhibitions, while the upper floor is the "Gallery Collection", which is growing all the time.