Category Archives: Hotels

Hotel news, updates & advice on booking a hotel

Warming up to the Idea of Ice Hotels?

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Discover the world’s most beautiful ice hotels, located in Canada, Finland, Sweden & beyond.

What a luxurious vision – sleeping in a warm, soft comforter and gazing with sheer amazement at the walls made of ice, illuminated by the softest colours that soothe and comfort the soul. Ice hotels offer an experience like no other.

Here are some of the world’s most beautiful ice hotels we think will captivate your senses.

IceHotel, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden

The IceHotel in Sweden was the first official hotel on the planet made of ice and snow. Every year, artists from all over the world take ice from the Torne River to build a new hotel that stays intact until it melts one spring arrives. The hotel is located conveniently close to the Kiruna airport (9 miles away), the Kiruna train station, and a shuttle service to Stockholm is available.

Hotel De Glace, Quebec City, Canada

Hotel De Glace Quebec

Since 2001, Hotel De Glace has captured hearts and blown visitors away with its charm and elegance. Claiming to be the one and only hotel in North America made solely from snow and ice, it boasts a 36-room capacity with a café, an ice bar, several outdoor hot tubs and even a sauna! It takes nearly twenty sculptors to come up with a new design each year, and the ice hotel is a mere ten minutes from downtown Quebec City for your convenience.

Snow Village Canada, Montreal, Canada

Snow Village Canada, Montreal

photo by Snow Village

Quebec City’s Hotel De Glace isn’t the only kid on the block when it comes to ice hotels in Quebec, since Snow Village Canada is just a few hours away in Montreal. With a restaurant, outdoor recreation area and even a chapel at your disposal, there is a lot to do at this breathtaking hotel. Not only that, you can get there by the Metro subway system! Talk about convenience. Each year the designs change, depicting a different city in the snow village. The hotel is open from the beginning of January to the end of March.

Snow Village Finland, Kittila, Finland

Snow Village Finland

photo by Snow Village

Finland’s ice hotel named Snow Village Finland is back for the 11th season! With lovely details such as actual beds to sleep in (versus those made of ice) and restaurant tables carved from ice, guests can stroll from room to room in beautiful snowy hallways. To keep the ambiance cozy and friendly, the doorways are covered with fleece curtains. Talk about a stunning, inviting touch! Only a half hour from Finland’s Kittila Airport, there is also a connection to Helsinki available.

Kirkenes Snowhotel, Kirkenes, Norway

Norway is a perfect spot for an ice hotel with all the snow that arrives each year. Kirkenes Snowhotel makes the most of the snowy climate by having beautifully lit ice sculptures created by Chinese artists, gorgeous cavern-style rooms with ice beds, and a wake-up call to witness the Northern Lights! Three-course dinner and a wonderful breakfast is included in the room rates, as well as the sauna and transportation from the Kirkenes’ downtown center. There is a connection to Oslo from the Kirkenes Airport for added convenience.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Alta, Norway

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel Norway

photo by Visit Norway

Another Norwegian ice hotel escape is the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Located at the edge of a river roughly 15 miles from Alta, the architecture and pleasing atmosphere will take your heart away. With 30 bedrooms, lounge areas, an ice bar and a chapel, the accommodations are plentiful. There is also a restaurant, sauna and several hot tubs to be enjoyed at your leisure. For a winter adventure, try the snowmobile tour amidst the crisp, cool winter landscape. Breakfast, transportation to the city center, sleeping bags and sauna use are all included in the room rates. Alta Airport is the closest one nearby, with connections to Oslo available.

Igloo Village At Hotel Kakslauttanen, Saariselka, Finland

Another ice hotel in Finland, Hotel Kakslauttanen takes a slightly different approach to embracing the winter wonderland. Professionally made snow igloos and thermal glass igloos are two of the options, with wool socks and amazingly warm sleeping bags available. Imagine taking in the snowfall from the comfort of your very own thermal glass igloo! Log cabins are also offered for those with a slightly different idea in mind, and the resort is open all year. There are bus rides to and from Ivalo Airport with a connection to Helsinki.

Ice Hotel, Balea Lake, Romania

Get this – you can only access Balea Lake’s Ice Hotel by cable car! How romantic is that? Located high up in the mountains, this very intimate location has no more than 14 rooms designed and built each winter. Another cool (pardon the pun) twist is that each room is designed with a musical theme! There is an awe-inspiring church carved from ice that will have you reaching for your camera the moment you see it! The nearest airport is Sibiu (30 minutes away), or Bucharest (roughly four and a half hours away).

Take your winter experience to the next level by going to one of the world’s most spectacular ice hotels. For a memorable winter adventure you will always cherish, ask your vacation expert for more details about ice hotels.

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12 Awe-Inspiring Hotel Infinity Pools

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Imagine rich, deep blue water as far as the eye can see. Imagine yourself relaxing in this tranquil, surreal setting as you gaze blissfully into infinity. This could be your next dream vacation!

Infinity pools are brilliantly designed with a concealed wall just below the water line and a basin to catch excess water. From the right angle, these pools give the illusion of having no definitive edge, so it’s as if the water is suspended in mid-air.

Join us as we wade through 12 of the most spectacularly awe-inspiring hotel infinity pools from around the world.

12. Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay (Singapore)

Measuring 490 feet, this is the longest elevated pool ever built. The vanishing edge provides a spectacular view of the city. Incidentally, the Marina Bay Sands is said to be the most expensive single resort ever constructed, with a value upwards of $8 billion!The first infinity pool on our list is truly magnificent. The Marina Bay Sands hotel’s gigantic, cruise ship-shaped SkyPark features a swimming pool that towers 55 stories above the Singapore skyline, well over 600 feet above the sidewalk below! If you have a fear of heights, this one might not be for you ;-)

Guests can expect to pay about $300 per night – not a bad price to swim up in the clouds!

11. Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali (Indonesia)

Ubud Hanging Gardens is a luxury resort in the sleepy heart of Bali, Indonesia’s volcanic island paradise. With ancient Balinese temples nearby and spectacular mountain surroundings, it’s the perfect place to commune with nature. And there’s no better place to embrace your spirituality than in the resort’s amazing double-level infinity pool overlooking the tropical rainforest.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more luxurious, each of the hotel’s traditionally styled rooms is also equipped with smaller infinity pools. Booking in advance, a night in one of the resort’s villas costs roughly $300 – $500.

10. Golden Triangle Resort, Anantara (Thailand)

Nestled on a hilltop in the jungles of northern Thailand – in the heart of Southeast Asia – the Golden Triangle is a throwback to classic Asian traditions.

The resort’s infinity pool resembles a natural river—its banks covered in vegetation brilliantly emphasizing the effect.

One of the more expensive on our list, a couple of nights at the Golden Triangle could run you about $915.

9. Jade Mountain (St Lucia)

With terrific beachfront views, Jade Mountain’s individually designed, glass-tiled infinity pools offer the ultimate in relaxation – if you can afford the minimum charge of $950 per night.

The pools range in size from 400 to 900 square feet, and incorporate a shallow lounging area and a deeper swimming section. Situated above the Anse Chastanet resort, on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Jade Mountain has been billed as the island’s most romantic hotel.

8. Dionysos Hotel, Kumlubuk (Turkey)

Perched atop a canyon, surrounded by mountains, dense forest and wild gardens, the Dionysos Hotel offers both seclusion and the world at your fingertips. Gazing down the canyon and out to sea from the hotel’s luxurious swimming pool truly creates an infinite illusion.

The hotel has been designed to replicate a village, with 43 mountainside suites. Each room includes a private terrace offering a remarkable view of the Mediterranean Sea. Beaches are just a few minutes away if you prefer the hands-on experience.

The Dionysos Hotel offers basic rooms, cottages and ultra-swish private pool villas. Prices range from $297 – $645.

7. Hotel Caruso, Salerno (Italy)

Located in Salerno, Italy, Hotel Caruso – a former 11th-century palace – overlooks the hills of the Amalfi Coast, as does the infinity pool, which appears to seamlessly blend into the sky and the sea. An autumn stay in this continental paradise will cost guests $500 per night for a double room.

6. Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, Swaimeh (Jordan)

The luxurious five-star Kempinski Hotel Ishtar in Swaimeh, Jordan, boasts two infinity pools: the Lazy Pool and the Sunken Pool. The stunning amphitheatre-style design and luxurious ambiance of these pools must surely make Kempinski a candidate for the best place in Jordan for some rest and relaxation.

With bed-and-breakfast rates starting at $195 per night, Kempinski is clearly one of the more affordable hotels on this list.

5. La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang (Laos)

Situated above UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang, La Résidence is one of Laos’s premier mountain resorts.

The hotel offers scenic cycling and walking tours, but for those who prefer a slower pace, the resort’s elegant infinity pool allows guests to soak up the natural beauty without lifting a finger. Soft green lighting under the water delicately mingles with the lush canopy beyond.

A room for two at La Résidence starts around $360 per night.

4. Hotel Villa Mahal, Kalkan (Turkey)

This Turkish luxury resort was voted the most romantic hotel in Europe by ratings agency Condé Nast Johansens. With such stunning views over the seemingly endless Mediterranean from its triangular shaped infinity pool, it’s easy to see why.

Among the smaller hotels on our list, the Villa Mahal features only 13 hotel rooms—making it a natural escape for honeymooners in search of some privacy. Prices start at $3,250 per couple for 14 days.

3. Munduk Moding Plantation, Bali (Indonesia)

Located on a working coffee farm, the Munduk Moding Plantation resort offers a combination of natural beauty, freedom to roam, and a gigantic 60-foot infinity pool overlooking scenic hills, mountains and the Java Sea.

Rumour has it on a clear day you can see as far as 30 miles!

At $279 per night, excluding seasonal charges, this resort offers very good value to its guests.

2. Hotel Costa dei Fiori, Sardinia (Italy)

Located on the island of Sardinia, this hotel has one of the most spectacular infinity pools ever created. Just look at that view! From the right angle, guests can sit on the terrace and feel as though they are right next to the Mediterranean.

High-season prices at the Hotel Costa dei Fiori start at about $350 per night.

1. Post Ranch Inn, California (USA)

High upon the cliffs of Big Sur, California, the Post Ranch Inn was originally a homestead owned by some of the first settlers. While still the property of their descendants, the ranch has now evolved into a getaway spot for tourists. It combines the best features of the modern world with the advantages of a traditional mountain getaway: solitude and freedom combined with luxury and comfort.

The Inn has two infinity pools, the Jade Pool and the Meditation Pool (featured above). Prices start at about $675 per night for this luxurious setting.

Now we want to hear from you! Tell us about some of the most amazingly awe-inspiring infinity pools you’ve ever seen.

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15 Most Awesome Themed Hotel Rooms – Part 3 of 3

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Today we’re wrapping it all up with the top 5 of our 15 Most Awesome Themed Hotel Rooms.

5. Disneyland Hotel: Mickey Mouse Penthouse Suite

Disneyland Hotel: Mickey Mouse Penthouse Suite

Image: Disneyland Hotel: Mickey Mouse Penthouse Suite

If you’re interested in sharing a room with one of Disney’s true icons, the Mickey Mouse Penthouse suite in Disneyland, California is what you’ve been waiting for. Covered with rarely seen artwork featuring Walt Disney himself, as well as Mickey, the suite perfectly captures Disney’s magical charm. It also boasts luxury hotel features aplenty – including a shower whose tiles display an image of everyone’s favourite mouse when they’re splashed with warm water. Better watch your wallet though: based on the prices of other rooms at the hotel, it’s going to set you back at least a few thousand dollars a night.

4. Art Luise Kunsthotel: Beneath the Red Horse Room

This next room is decorated in an attractive Mediterranean style, with one feature that immediately jumps out at you – literally: the titular red horse bursting through the wall is like something out of a surrealist fantasy. This playful touch lends an air of artistic whimsy to the room, and at a cost of between 39 and 54 Euros ($48-77) a night, it’s markedly more affordable than many of the other possibilities on this list. The hotel’s central Berlin location also makes it perfect for hitting the city’s tourist attractions, most of which are close by.

3. Propeller Island City Lodge: Space-Cube Room

For something that looks like a set from one of the Saw movies, the sci-fi themed Space-Cube room at Propeller Island City Lodge is actually pretty cosy. It’s equipped with a convertible single/double bed, and the glowing privacy screen in the middle is an optional feature and not, as it might first appear, a terrible descending blade! This modest but comfortable room illuminated in blue will definitely provide a talking point when you return from your vacation – assuming your friends and family have vivid imaginations, so they can work out what it all means!

2. Fantasyland Hotel: Western Room

This rustic little charmer will appeal to any self-respecting fan of John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. And despite the fact that it looks like a frontier home, Fantasyland’s quaint Western-themed room features all the goodies of their other luxury suites, including a large Jacuzzi and a 42-inch TV. It’s yours for a summer price of 388 Canadian dollars a night – though we’re not sure if they throw in some whiskey as well!

1. Hard Day’s Night Hotel: Paul McCartney Suite

If you always wanted to live like the “cute Beatle,” the McCartney Suite in the Hard Day’s Night Hotel should make you very happy indeed. This luxury room includes a king-sized bed, hi-speed Wi-Fi, and, of course, Beatles artwork decorating the walls. As for the price, it will set you back a cool £750 ($1,174) per night. Personally, we don’t think it’s quite as awesome as the room devoted to Paul’s song-writing partner (see above), but what do we know?

That wraps up our top 15 Most Awesome Themed Hotel Rooms! Which one(s) do you like best?

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