When visiting a foreign country, especially one with an unfamiliar language, grab a book of matches from the hotel where you’re staying as soon as you arrive.
If you get lost in town during your stay, and you know just a little of the language, the book of matches will be a great way to show locals where you need to go, and have them direct you to the right place.
Remember when you woke up and found Mike Tyson’s tiger in the bathroom? Good thing Bradley Cooper was there to keep you calm (he has a way about him, doesn’t he?). OK, it might not have been your bachelor party, but chances are there was one scene in “The Hangover” you could relate to… or at least try to forget.
While you’re searching your brain trying to remember exactly what happened that night, “The Hangover” continues to dominate the movie world and remind men (and their brides-to-be) exactly why what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But for those who can’t let go of that one night, the ultimate bachelor movie remains one of the top rentals in 2009, especially on vacation.
LodgeNet Interactive Corporation announced “The Hangover” took the top spot as the most rented hotel movie last year. The hilarious bachelor movie stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha, on their wild night in Las Vegas. Here are the other movies that topped the hotel download list:
1. The Hangover
2. Taken
3. Paul Blart: Mall Cop
4. Angels & Demons
5. The Proposal
6. Gran Torino
7. Inglourious Basterds
8. Quantum of Solace
9. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
10. The Ugly Truth
According to LodgeNet, in 2009 more than 320 movie titles were ordered on LodgeNet systems, with 41 of those titles each generating $1 million or more in sales revenue. With hotel movies averaging around $14, this means fewer people decided to go out to the movies and opted for a night in with a good flick.
What did you think of the movie titles available in the hotels you stayed in last year? What were some of your favorites?
To get the most out of what you pay a hotel, you may need to work your way into getting a better room. This particular trick really only works for couples. When checking into a hotel make sure to cling to together, be very physical, energetic, and happy. A clerk may ask “Are you here for any special occasion?” You must then say something like —
Any one of these must be said by the woman for it to be more touching and convincing, because the clerk knows that those are very special occasions for her.
Claiming a honeymoon or anniversary may score you a room upgrade. Claiming a birthday may just get something special sent up to the room.
According to online security trade publication DarkReading.com, hackers went after the hotel sector more than any other in 2009. And, they didn’t get caught: it took hotels an average of 156 days to discover a security breach. A study by Trustwave’s SpiderLabs of 218 security breach investigations in 24 countries found that 38 percent hit the hospitality industry, 19 percent for financial services, 14 percent for retailers and 13 percent for food and beverage.
So, why are hackers poking around in hotel systems? Credit cards!
Hackers are looking for payment information that they can steal and use elsewhere. This information that can be converted to cash quickly, says Trustwave SpiderLabs executive Nicholas Percoco. Other sensitive information wasn’t nearly as popular, with the likes of financial, authentication and healthcare information good for only 1 percent of what was stolen.
If you’re going to Esteli, Nicaragua, it’s probably for the cigars. The town is charming, if a bit rundown, but it’s proximity to the fields and factories of some of the world’s premier cigar manufacturers is undoubtedly the main attraction. So, be reasonable in your expectations when choosing a hotel. I spent three nights at Hotel Los Arcos on a visit to the Pepin Garcia cigar operation, and don’t have any complaints. It isn’t a luxury property (and doesn’t bill itself as such), but you will be clean and comfortable during your stay.
Hotel Los Arcos is one of the few hotels I’ve visited in the past few years that actually use keys – real metal keys. Turn it to enter your room, and the experience will vary. Some rooms have two single beds, while others deliver two full-sized. There are a handful of suites with balconies and a bit of extra elbow room, though no guestroom is cramped. The beds and bathrooms are clean but worn, though both would seem better with a bit more of an effort to decorate.
%Gallery-84834%If you’re accustomed to amenities, brace yourself. The rooms do have desks and televisions, but alarm clocks and phones are absent. Also, the desks aren’t near any power outlets. The lack of internet access will drive business travelers to the brink of insanity. There is a faint wireless signal, I was told, but you’ll only find it in a few places (the restaurant is a hotspot). The only alternative is to use one of the two ancient desktops at the top of the stairs to the second floor. They are slow (and in Spanish), so it may take you a moment to adapt.
The bar can get lively, depending on how many people are staying at the hotel, and there is sufficient variety on the shelves. Grab a drink to take with you to your table, however, as you’ll be waiting for a while. The service is in line with the norm in Nicaragua, but guests used to life at a faster pace may become frustrated. Meal quality varies. Breakfast, which consists of a small buffet, is a bit disappointing – far variety, presentation and taste. Dinner is much better, though guests should not expect culinary masterpieces.
Where Hotel Los Arcos succeeds is in its outdoor spaces. A courtyard adorned with a colorful mural offers plenty of seating, and there’s more on the roof, which offers views of Esteli and the mountains beyond it. If you’re traveling with a group, this is a plus, since you’ll have places where you can gather and hang out for a while. Also, I’m told the laundry service does a great job.
Hotel Los Arcos gets the job done. You’ll be clean and comfortable, and the accommodations are better than you’ll find at many of the places you’ll drive by n route. For cigar trips especially, you can’ go wrong with Los Arcos.