Where To Stay On A Budget For The 2012 London Olympics

by Jessica Festa on

From July 27 to August 12, London will host the 2012 Olympic Games. During this time, sporting events will be held all over the city, like at Olympic Park in east London, Regent’s Park in central London and Greenwich Park in south east London. To help you enjoy the Olympic Games on a budget, here are 10 affordable accommodations.

Hotels

Falcon Hotel

Located in central London, Falcon Hotel is a bed and breakfast hotel that provides clean rooms and personalized service. Rooms are all fully equipped with comfortable mattresses, large plasma screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi. Attractions like Hyde Park, Madame Tussauds, Marble Arch and the lively Oxford Street are nearby. Furthermore, the accommodation is conveniently located within a few minutes walking to Paddington Station, making it easy to get to and from the different event venues of the Olympics.

Rates start at $130 per night. Click here to book.Jury’s Inn Croydon

Twenty minutes away from central London by train, Jury’s Inn Croydon is a comfortable accommodation in south London, located near excellent shopping, beautiful parks, historical sites and fun nightlife. Some nearby attractions include the Tate Museum, Wimbledon Stadium and Lloyd Park. All rooms are air-conditioned with spacious bathrooms, high-speed Internet and wheelchair access. And for $31, you can get upgraded to a Superior Room.

Rates start at $144 per night. Click here to book.

Paramount Hotel London

Located in Kensington, Paramount Hotel London features 30 well-equipped rooms in a renovated Victorian building. Upon arrival, guests receive a welcome tray, which includes coffee, tea, milk, mineral water and biscuits. The accommodation is a short walk from many sites, like Kensington Palace, the Natural History Museum, Hyde Park, Harrods and The Science Museum. To easily get around the city and get to all the events of the Olympics, Earls Court Tube Station is only five minutes away by foot. When spending time in the hotel, guests can enjoy the onsite garden, free Wi-Fi and cable and satellite television. Moreover, to help with budgeting, there is a communal kitchen so guests can make their own meals.

Rates start at $151.54 per night. Click here to book.

London Visitors Hotel

Located in central London in the trendy area of Kensington and Chelsea, the London Visitors Hotel is a beautiful Victorian accommodation featuring 28 comfortable rooms. Guests of the hotel are in close proximity to the excellent restaurants and shopping of High Street Kensington, the picturesque Holland Park, the nightlife of Shepard’s Bush and the tube station, to help travelers easily get to different areas of the city. And best of all, a complimentary continental breakfast is included in the stay.

Rates start at $119. Click here to book.

Warwick Lodge

The Warwick Lodge is a family-run guesthouse featuring comfortable rooms, flat screen televisions and coffee and tea making facilities. Likewise, the proximity to the city center makes it very convenient for exploring London. As it’s a B&B, they offer a delicious breakfast of cereals, eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, toast and juices. The staff here is extremely friendly, and will go out of their way to make your stay pleasant.

Rates start at $125.30. Click here to book.

Cedars House Hotel

For those looking for a charming and friendly accommodation, Cedars House Hotel is a great option. Less than a mile from Croydon Station and a two-minute walk to the bus stop, you’ll be able to get to central London in 15 minutes. Furthermore, complimentary offerings like Wi-Fi, free child stays, tea, coffee and breakfast make this a great accommodation for travelers on a budget.

Rates start at $127 per night. Click here to book.

London Guest House

London Guest House is a reasonably priced bed and breakfast in west London. It is easy to get to the city center, as there’s a bus stop right next to the property with buses to the tube station running every six to eight minutes. Alternatively, you can walk to the station, which takes about 15 minutes. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and rooms are clean and feature comfortable beds. Moreover, there is a delicious breakfast set out each morning of muffins, toast, coffee, juices, cheeses, tea, jam and fruit, all served in a brightly-colored breakfast room.

Rates start at $136 per night. Click here to book.

Hostels

New Cross Inn Hostel

The New Cross Inn Hostel is a cheap, friendly and fun hostel located in south east London. Guests will receive free perks like breakfast, Wi-Fi, hot beverages, linens, towels, luggage storage and ear plugs. Moreover, a common room with Sky TV, mini-library, plush sofas, two kitchens and in-room refrigerators make this a very comfortable hostel. Their largest room is an eight-bedroom dorm, but for more privacy you can opt for a four-person room.

Rates start at $50.96 per person, per night for an eight-bedroom mixed dorm. Click here to book.

St. Christopher’s Inn

Personally, this is one of my favorite hostel chains for traveling in Europe. In London, I stayed at the London Bridge – the Village location, although St. Christopher’s Inn has various properties around the city. The Village was named “best hostels in London,” and is centrally located on the energetic Borough High Street. This is great for when you’re not watching the Olympics and want to explore the other things London has to offer. The hostel is within walking distance to the Borough Market, the Tate Modern, the London Eye and the Thames River. While this location tends to be a bit of a party hostel, you can find a quieter reprieve at St. Christopher’s Inn on the same street. The biggest room is a 14-bed dorm, and private rooms are also available.

Rates start at $78 per person, per night for all dorms. Click here to book.

The Walrus Waterloo

The Walrus Waterloo is a centrally located hostel near Big Ben, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Waterloo Station, making it convenient to get to and from the Olympic Games. Guests will enjoy free perks like Wi-Fi, linens, a free city tour and an expansive breakfast. For those who want to socialize, there’s an onsite bar with discounted drinks and a lively atmosphere. Moreover, this is one of the best hostels for customer service, and staff can provide great tips and itineraries for exploring London. Depending on what you like, the property offers a range of rooms, from 16-bed dorms with en suite showers to private rooms.

Rates start at $51.72 per person, per night for 16-bed dorm. Click here to book.

Hotel News We Noted: June 1, 2012

by McLean Robbins on

It’s finally Friday (short weeks always feel the longest, don’t they?) and this week’s edition of “Hotel News” is unusually full! This week, we discuss a number of hotel acquisitions, openings, and planned openings – it was a busy week in the hotel world. If you have tips or news, please email us for consideration.

Hotel Ownership: Gaylord Sells to Marriott
Gaylord Entertainment has sold the rights to manage its four massive hotels to Marriott for a whopping $210 million, as well as its plan to convert to a real estate investment trust. Gaylord hotels are currently in four cities – Nashville, Tennessee, Kissimmee, Florida, Grapevine, Texas, and National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of DC. What does that mean for Marriott? Good news for its meetings portfolio – the four hotels are known for their massive amounts of conference space. Marriott beat out three other hotel management groups for the title, although the hotels will still operate under the Gaylord name. Executives are hopeful for future development, but a planned project in the Denver area has been put on hold indefinitely. For the full story, visit Hotels Magazine.

Coming Soon: Bulgari London
Opening just in time for the London Olympics will be the third hotel in the Bulgari portfolio, Bulgari London. The 85-room hotel will be the first new luxury hotel build in four decades in the city of London. Two other properties (operated under the Marriott name) are currently open in Bali and Milan.

Hotel Openings: Ritz-Carlton Montreal and Japan
The Ritz-Carlton announced two hotel openings this past week on opposite ends of the globe. Its historic Montreal property (shown above) re-opened after a nearly four-year, $200 million renovation. The property was North America’s first-ever Ritz-Carlton and originally opened in 1921. In the Far East, the Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa opened its doors as well, making it the first luxury property on the Japanese island.

Hotels on TV: Rosewood Tucker’s Point
Never mind that strange Hotel Catalina, the luxe Rosewood Tucker’s Point in Bermuda is playing host to a reality series of its own this week. The June 4 episode will feature the cast of “The Bachelorette.” The Point, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, will be the backdrop for a one-on-one date, and the private beach club and its famed pink sand as the group date location. We wonder if the bachelors or bachelorette got to use the spa’s crazy $100,000 shower?

Private Parties: Soho House Gets Five New Locations
Private members club Soho House has announced additional expansion with new openings confirmed for Toronto, Mumbai, Chicago, Istanbul and Barcelona, all of which will open by the end of 2014. The private members club was founded in London in 1995 and has long been an exclusive retreat for the film, media and creative elite.

Luxury Travel: Go ‘Glamping’ In NYC

by McLean Robbins on

Want to get your glamp on? We at Gadling have had our fair share of fun with the term “glamping” and its addition to the travel lexicon, although we’ll admit that our experience actually practicing the technique last summer was quite fun.

But now, travelers don’t have to head to Adirondaks or Montana to camp, luxe style. AKA New York is launching the second “season” of its “Sleep Under the Stars” experience, where travelers can “glamp” on the hotel’s rooftop between now and Labor Day.

Set on the 17th floor, the 1,000-square-foot wraparound terrace will be home to a plush queen-size bed set in front of a wood-burning fireplace, complete with:

  • Cocktails using A Vod, AKA’s signature vodka
  • Midnight snacks of gourmet Jacque Torres s’mores, cheese and crackers, strawberries and Champagne
  • High tech flashlight and camping lantern
  • Outdoor mood music and scented candles to enhance the “celestial ambiance”
  • State-of-the-art telescope for stargazing
  • Nook Simple Touch e-reader loaded with campfire stories
  • 42-inch plasma screen TV and DVD player with a selection of classic black and white movies
  • Breakfast with coffee or tea at a.cafe

We note it does not come with earplugs for the city noise below but, at $1,999 a night, we’re pretty sure you can request them.

Hotel News We Noted: May 25, 2012

by McLean Robbins on

We hope everyone is off to a very happy long weekend. Here is our recap of this week’s best news, notes and trends in the hotel world.

Hotel Trends: Starwood Temporarily Relocates Headquarters to Dubai
As part of Starwood Hotels & Resort’s globalization and cultural training efforts, the hotel group plans to relocate its senior leadership team for a month-long management event in 2012. The team will move from their current Stamford, Connecticut, headquarters to Dubai. We’re curious to see if anything notable comes out of this move, other than the frustration of top execs who end up away from their families for a month.

Hotel News: Paramount Lends Name to Hotel Brand
Bloomberg reports that Paramount Pictures is lending its name to a new brand of luxury hotels that will be themed after Hollywood and California. “We will offer something unique,” Paramount Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer Thomas Van Vliet said in an interview in the hotel-management company’s Dubai headquarters. “In addition to luxury and services, our hotels will add Paramount entertainment and technology as well as elements of the California lifestyle.” The hotels are tentatively slated for Brazil, the U.K., the Caribbean, Russia, Qatar, Oman, South Africa and Indonesia and may be part of tourist attractions or theme parks. Hotels will also have private screening areas so that guests can watch (shock) Paramount films. We’ll keep you up to date on this as hotels and official plans are announced.

Coming Soon: Four Seasons Toronto and Shanghai
Four Seasons is continuing global expansion with a planned June opening for its new Pudong, Shanghai property (you’ll recall Ritz-Carlton has two properties in the area already, beating them to Shanghai, although Four Seasons has had hotels in China since 2002) and an early October opening of its new Toronto property in the city where Four Seasons calls their corporate headquarters. The original Yorkville Road location closed in March, and we reported last week that many of its contents are now up for auction.

Discounts Galore for Servicemen and Women
If you’re in the service, this is the weekend to pull out that military ID. We’ve had dozens of hotels write in with their special offerings – so many that the suggestion we’re going to give you is “call and ask” instead of listing them all. One cool package we’d like to draw your attention to, however, is that at The Jefferson in Washington, D.C., available this weekend, July Fourth and Labor Day. They’re offering a special tribute to service men and women. Book an overnight ($295) at the Relais Chateaux property and you’ll get a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol to take home. That’s a parting gift to remember.

Social Media
Shoutout to Omni hotels: their #campomni family travel Twitter chat became a national trending topic yesterday afternoon.

[Flickr via Dannymac15_1999]

Make Father’s Day Special With One Of These Packages Offered By Hotels Around The US

by Jessica Festa on

Dad’s special day is just around the corner. To help make this Father’s Day memorable, check out the unique packages and manly programming being offered by hotels around the country.

Travaasa Austin
Austin, Texas

This Father’s Day, the Travaasa Austin is celebrating by featuring a full lineup of manly programming at their nature-immersed property. Some activities dads can expect include:

  • Male Bonding: Texas-Style
  • Beer Making 101
  • Grilling and Smoking with the Travaasa Culinary Team
  • Beer Tasting Experience
  • Discover Your Six Pack: Core Fitness
  • Conquer the Prickly Pear Challenge Course

The hotel will also be featuring a new spa menu and line of products, specially designed with men in mind.

Rates for Travaasa Austin begin at $113 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. Programming is included in the rate. Click here to book. Travaasa Hana
Maui, Hawaii

Like its sister property, the Travaasa Hana is offering a lineup of special programming for dads to help them focus on their physique, palate and pastimes in a local way. Some of the activity options will include:

  • Machete Madness Coconut Husking
  • Throw Net Fishing
  • Private surf lessons
  • Hanging in Hana
  • Martial Arts Conditioning (Lua)
  • Chief’s Archery
  • Master’s of Mixology

The spa will also be featuring special treatments and products created with men in mind.

Rates for Travaasa Hana begin at $175 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. Programming is included in the rate. Click here to book.

St. Julien Hotel and Spa
Boulder, Colorado

For fathers who want a laid-back and tasty experience, St. Julien Hotel and Spa is offering a beer-themed package for dads. Being home to four of the nation’s top 50 breweries, Colorado is the perfect destination for brew-loving fathers. The package includes a one night stay for two people, an Urban Oasis spa facial or massage designed specifically for men, a beer of choice before the spa treatment and a Father’s Day cookout with beer can chicken, baby back ribs, corn on the cob, mountain-cured charcuterie and, of course, unlimited Fat Tire brews.

Package rates start at $619, based on two adults.
Click here to book.

Resort at Squaw Creek
Lake Tahoe, California

For outdoorsy dads, Resort at Squaw Creek is offering a “Father’s Day Getaway” package this holiday. Participating guests will receive two nights accommodation in a deluxe room, a 3-hour fly-fishing tour on the resort’s private ponds led by Matt Heron and a gourmet trout dinner for two at the Six Peaks Grille. To compliment the package, the property is also offering a buy-one-get-one-half-off special on rounds of golf. And after the game, players will receive a voucher to receive one meal of equal or lesser value free with the purchase of any meal at Sandy’s Pub.

Package rates begin at $389 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. Offer valid June 15 to June 17. Click here to book.

Hotel Terra
Jackson Hole, Wyoming

During the entire month of June, Hotel Terra is helping dads celebrate their special day with a “Dad’s Days Off” package. Participating guests will receive three nights of accommodation in an eco-friendly boutique room, 18 holes of golf at JH Golf and Tennis including cart and driving range for two and a full-day fly-fishing trip for two.

Package rates start at $529 per night, based on double occupancy. Click here to book.

Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst, North Carolina

During Father’s Day weekend, June 15 to 18, the Pinehurst Resort will be offering a special package revolving around the U.S. Open. The deal includes:

  • Three nights of accommodation
  • Two rounds of golf
  • A night of golf stories and legends presented by Jim Dodson, bestselling author of “Final Rounds and Faithful Travelers,” and Sidney Matthew, author of “Life and Times of Bobby Jones”
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • The chance to watch the U.S. Open on a big screen television in a dedicated room

Package rates start at $795 per person. Click here to book.

The Sanctuary Hotel
New York, NY

For those looking to spend Father’s Day in the Big Apple, The Sanctuary Hotel is offering a special package from June 14 to 18. Dads will receive a $100 gift certificate to Lure Fish Bar in SoHo, a day of spa pampering at John Allan’s, which includes a scalp massaging shampoo, a conditioning treatment, hot towel, haircut, shoeshine, manicure and beverages and two $30 gift cards to The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers.

Package rates start at $479 per night, based on double occupancy. Click here to book.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Scottsdale, Arizona

This Father’s Day, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is hosting a “Barbecue Basics” class on Saturday, June 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dads can learn the secrets of sauces, rubs and grilling, while enjoying cold beers and specialty hand-rolled cigars and learning golf tips from experts. Moreover, Executive Chef Mel Mecinas and Executive Sous Chef Jesse Hansen will lead cooking demos. This will be followed by a delicious BBQ meal, complemented by homemade ice cream and whiskey floats. And to help you remember what you learned, participants receive a recipe book, sample sauces and rubs and a cigar.

Class is $75 per person and reservations are required. Participants who stay overnight will get a free room upgrade and complimentary parking by mentioning promo code “DADBBQ.” Click here to book.

The Ocean House
Watch Hill, Rhode Island

For dads who love a bit of adventure, The Ocean House is offering a fishing safari weekend from June 15 to 17. Fathers can learn the fundamentals of fly-fishing during a time when the environment is perfect for catching fish. Participating visitors will receive accommodations in a water-view room, a cocktail reception, a seminar on fly-tying and equipment primer at table stations with lunch provided, an afternoon fly-fishing excursion at the Ocean House East Beach, dinner in Seasons Restaurant featuring participants’ catch of the day and a jazz brunch.

Package rates start at $1,200, based on double occupancy. Click here to book.

Cambria Suites
Traverse City, Michigan

The comfortable and affordable Cambria Suites will be offering a “Father’s Day Weekend” package from June 15 to 17, to help dads celebrate their special day. Package includes two nights accommodation in a King Suite, a $50 gift card to Boones’ Long Lake Inn, two $25 gift certificates for a Micro Brew Tour and 18 holes of golf with cart for two on one of five championship golf courses.

Packages are $559 including all taxes. Reservations must be made by June 12. Click here to book.