Resorts Island

Most industry insiders are predicting that this year more people will be jetting off on city breaks, inter-railing round Europe and generally heading off traveling in greater numbers than ever before. And they’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the sheer range of excellent accommodation options out there.

Hostels

The number of backpackers hostels and independent youth hostels has surged in response to increased demand for cheap accommodation, as a result of a radical overhaul from the travel industry in the last five years, or so.

The package holiday for so long a staple of summer holidays has become chronically unfashionable, as people increasingly looked to move away from the uniformity that they promoted. And the conventional high street travel agent is feeling the pinch, as people increasingly found they could cut out the middle man and make their own arrangements online.

In light of this, people had to find some form of affordable accommodation on their holidays. And the answer came increasingly from the ranks of the independent youth hostels and backpackers hostels.

Hardly a new concept – youth hostels have been around for years now – the necessary tweaks really started to be made back in the late 90s. In retrospect, it’s hard to see which came first, the great accommodation or the booking sites that drive them. It goes without saying that there couldn’t be one without the other.

But with the internet, and a series of sites who allowed their customers to ‘rate’ hostels came a greater awareness of what travelers actually wanted and needed. Now well-stocked kitchens or cool communal areas boasting libraries filled with travel guides and DVDs, prove the rule rather than the exception.

And just as the hostels have gained in popularity (and quality), so too has the rest of the budget accommodation sector begun to take notice of the numbers of people, and offering an ever-improving service for less than you’d think.

Cheap hotels

The cheap hotel market, so long, seemingly, a slightly complacent force reluctant to really compete on price and relying on their hotel status, has started to really square up to its competitors. Increasingly, owners of small hotels are setting aside a quota of rooms online for the budget traveler, safe in the knowledge that they will be snapped up.

What’s more many small hotels have realized that they can turn their size into a significant advantage. Global travelers are increasingly looking for a sense of uniqueness, of individuality. It’s this desire that has inspired the rise of the boutique hotel, a concept which the cheaper end of the hotel market has embraced.

And there are times when even the most ardent backpacker or roving student traveler wants freshly pressed sheets, a hot shower to themselves and a good night’s sleep. Oh, and perhaps a mini bar…

Bed & Breakfasts

Bed & breakfasts and guesthouses have also experienced a real resurgence in popularity in recent years. Both generally define themselves as ‘homey’ and comfortable with an emphasis on personal service rather than luxury. And their renewed popularity has come as a result of these values being increasingly in demand by footsore travelers.

Like the cheap hotel market they have responded well to a shift in the market, and the recent rise of boutique hotels by radically improving their service.

Apartments

Hovering somewhere between the service provided by a backpackers hostel (with a kitchen and lounge area as a general rule) and a hotel (you don’t have to share your accommodation with anyone else) renting an apartment has become a viable alternative to the usual cheap hotel/B&B/hostel options. The hotels sector has even responded to the demand for apartment-style accommodation with the growth of aparthotels.

The apartment concept can be a winning one, particularly for those traveling in groups or those looking to stay in a town or city for more than a few days. Groups can really fill out an apartment and make it somewhere that they’ll genuinely look forward to coming back to at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, whilst long-stayers can settle in and spread out more than they could in a cheap hotel or hostel.

All in all, things have rarely looked as rosy for travelers with a budget.

If you’re choosing to stay in a hotel that’s been purposely designed to turn your holiday into an experience, you need to make the most of it.

Hotels have come of age in the past two decades. No longer do you have to choose between a huge run-of-the-mill chain hotel and a dodgy guesthouse. Today’s hotels are as varied and interesting as the people staying in them and your room, the bathrooms, the food and the service inside the hotel is as important as what you do outside it.

Every boutique hotel has different ways of distinguishing itself from the competition. Whether it’s a sumptuous breakfast in the morning, or complementary spa treatments, there’s something for you to relish at every one.

Relax

If you’re arriving at your hotel after a long flight, a stressful business meeting or with tired children in tow, then now’s the time to relax. Let the staff tell you all about the hotel and the facilities available to you, so that you can make full use of them during your stay. Accept the offers of drinks or dinner in your room to allow you to relax in private, or ask for a babysitter service or last minute tickets to a show to take your mind off things. There’s no rush to get breakfast the next day, so wrap yourself in the quality linen and cotton bedding and order some fresh coffee and a paper for the morning. Boutique hotels exist to make your stay a memorable one, so take full advantage of what’s on offer.

Ask

Whilst many boutiques excel when it comes to anticipating what a guest needs, there may be some things you need to ask for. Whatever it is, the staff will do their best to help – car hire; restaurant bookings, theatre tickets, sight-seeing tours or just some scrambled eggs late at night. Boutique hotels aren’t the sort of place where you need to worry about asking for something; once you get used to it, you’ll never go back to a chain hotel again.

Use

Make use of the facilities. If your hotel is particularly small, then you’ll only be sharing the facilities with a handful of people, if at all. Massages, facials and other spa treatments often come as part of the package and it’s a waste not to use them. The same goes for food – if the hotel says you can eat on your balcony or on the beach, give it a try. All of the services and facilities have been designed to make guests feel at home whilst indulging in some very non-homely treats, so don’t ignore what’s available.

For many people, a beach holiday is their annual luxury; two weeks in the sun, with long sandy beaches and a tranquil sea is their idea of a perfect trip away. It doesn’t take much imagination to take a step further and turn that annual trip into a real experience by staying in a small, select hotel.

Beach resorts are one of the most ideal locations for boutique hotels. The idea of stepping out from your bedroom onto your own private beach area, or staying in an exclusive location just minutes’ walk from the sea is an attractive one to many. No chic beach resort is like another, however, so it’s worth taking a look at locations and hotels before you decide exactly what type of beach holiday is right for you.

Island getaways

There’s plenty of opportunity for boutique accommodation in the world’s island resorts. From the Maldives in the Indian Ocean to the always-popular Caribbean islands, the lure of white beaches, blue seas and a laid-back atmosphere attracts visitors from all over the world. Beach boutiques on the islands make the most of the natural environment, using colour and texture to bring the outdoors inside and creating relaxing surroundings that enable you to enjoy your beach holiday to the full. Examples of island boutiques include:

• Ostraco Suites, Mykonos, Greece
• Quilalea Island, Mozambique
• Elysian Bali Villas, Seminyak, Bali
• Montpelier Plantation Inn, St. Kitts & Nevis
• The Lone Star Hotel and Restaurant, Barbados
• Fundu Lagoon, Zanzibar

These are just some of the chic island retreats catering for guests who are looking for privacy and tranquillity within a design- and service-led hotel.

Beach resorts

It’s not just the islands that have wonderful stretches of coastline. The larger countries and continents boast hundreds of popular resorts where a boutique hotel can make all the difference to your holiday. Try the Old Quay House in Cornwall, England, where a perfect location, an historic building and sympathetic architecture and design make for the perfect coastal retreat. If you’re a lover of the Spanish coast, then take a look at the Beach House in Marbella, which is one of the coolest hotels in the country. Rio de Janeiro has a stunning coastline and a party atmosphere to match and you can make the most of both by staying at La Maison, which is hip, trendy and just a few minutes from the beach.

1. Do not bring ‘Prohibited Items’ to the airport (common sense items like swiss army knives, lighters, etc)
2. Use carry-on luggage for valuables such as cash, a laptop, and jewelry. Also to be placed in carry-on luggage are cameras and undeveloped film (The X-Ray will not damage film under 800 speed).
3. Tape your personal contact info or business card to the bottom area of the laptop and any other valuable you deem necessary.
4. Avoid wearing metal/foil containing clothing, accessories, and items (such as coins money clips, cell phone, keys, medicine, gum wrappers, batteries, lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc). In the case of things like coins and keys, try placing them altogether in a specified bag so it’s easier to take them out and put them back in later.
5. Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal and/or have thick soles. The reason for this is because shoes do not have to trip off the alarm in order to have their own specific search procedures applied (so nothing can be hidden in the shoes).
6. Sure the Holidays are approaching, but make sure you do the wrapping of the gifts upon arrival, or ship them as opposed to bring them to the airport pre-wrapped as these will be checked by security personnel.
7. Arrive an hour to an hour and a half earlier before your scheduled departure since you will be searched no matter if you plane leaves in 5 minutes or 5 hours.

In light of the recent world events, these increased airport security (and beyond) measures are becoming a fact of life with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. However becoming educated and following a simple system can help you avoid foreseeable hassles along this turbulent journey called life.