Hotel Reservations’ blog

We at Hotel Reservation.com aren’t here to pump you with more false optimism; we’re here to save you money.  As you read the news and watch the tube, you hear more and more people telling you the economy is getting better.  Now I’m no economist, but I’m not about to let you book another expensive trip, just to realize it was a mistake during this economy.  Instead of taking a risk like that, I encourage you to take a staycation.  What’s the buzz about staycations anyway?  Listen, for too long taking local vacations around the U.S. has been taboo.  Let me guess, too many retirees, too many kids, too many foreign tourists?  This is a new era and I assure you flying across an ocean is not the best way to get away and relax.  The airports are a mess, it’s more expensive than any domestic trip, and you’ll find more tourists in Europe than in any city in the United States.  So take a local vacation that is stress free on travel time, cheaper, and familiar.  Furthermore, going overseas just forces you too waste three of your days off on just the flying alone.

Myrtle beach

Today being the first official day of summer, let’s start our staycations on the Atlantic summer coast.  Our first destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Myrtle Beach is annually one of the top ten tourist destinations in the continental U.S.  With over 14 million visitors a year, there are plenty of accommodations and activities waiting for you to take advantage of.  With over 60 miles of sandy beaches there is plenty of room for you and your family to find “your” plot of land at this popular destination.  Myrtle Beach accommodates every part of the family. There are Golf courses nearby, designated resort areas for the children, beach service for the ladies and a very active club and party scene for those traveling during the twilight of their youth.  Myrtle Beach is famous for being a college getaway spot, but because the community stretches so far down the coast the high energy is never overwhelming.  We’ll visit three other destinations this week to jump start the summer season.  So come back and get your calendars ready before these summer hot spots are all booked up.  Safe Travels from all of us at Hotel Reservations.com.

College Spring Break is quite frankly the most anticipated holiday known to man; maybe not that big but its darn close.  In order to help you plot and plan we thought we would start with a popular standby Spring Break destination: Cancun.

Party On:

Oasis Cancun

Cancun may be popp'n at night but Spring Break is known for its 24hr run and if you prefer to get your day started right then be sure your at the Oasis.  If you aren't staying there you can get a day pass for some extreme partying, celebrity sightings, free drinks, free food and "classic" Spring Break contests.  Oasis Cancun is all party all day boasting the quarter mile pool!  This hot spot is prime time for Spring Breakers so you can be confident that you will be surrounded by hundreds of your soon to be closest friends.

Cancun Beach Tips:

SUNSCREEN!  I'm lookin' at you whitey, all the booze may make you feel invincible but a sure fire way to ruin your Spring Break vacay is a gnarly, skin blistering sun burn.  The suns rays are at its strongest between the hours of 10am and 4pm so keep that in mind and a bottle of SPF 15 at hand.

LIPS BURN TOO:  You can get it anywhere so before you hit the sand be sure to arm yourself with some SPF 15 lip balm.

LIQUOR AND SUN= DEHYDRATION, DEATH AND PARTY FOULS:  We all know you want to party hard but the extent of the heat especially mixed with alcohol can cause severe dehydration and heat exhaustion.  Be sure to keep a water bottle on hand, camel backs are my personal favorite (those backpacks with a sack of water and a straw).  If you have a group a cooler is a great way to go; plus you have a convenient spot for the empties.

MOST POPULAR PUBLIC BEACHES:

All of the beaches in Mexico are theoretically public which means you are free to roam around at will.  However they

Oasis Cancun Beach

are dotted with resorts, many of which will not allow you to use their facilities unless you are a guest; something to keep in mind when you are plotting your attack on the Caribbean.

BEACHILICIOUS:
Playa Langosta
Playa Tortugas
Playa Caracol
Playa Chac Mool
Playa Ballenas
Playa Delfines
Playa Nizuc

DON'T DROWN:

Caribbean water conditions have a habit of quickly changing creating potentially dangerous situations.  Get familiar with the Cancun water-safety flag system and FOLLOW IT:

White: Excellent
Green: Safe
Yellow: Use Caution
Black or Red: Unsafe

There is nothing like a beautiful long walk among the pristine greens, shimmering water and subtle breeze...all to be ruined entirely by a little white ball.  Those of you golfers know exactly where were coming from and if you are some of the lucky few that scored tickets to Augusta the anticipation must be approaching insatiable.

August Amen

Amen Corner, Azaleas and all of golf’s greatest scenery will be displayed in all its glory while the best of the best prepare to tee-off for the first of four major championships in Augusta Georgia.  Practice rounds begin Monday April 6th through the 8th in preparation for the four-day Tournament play starting April 9th with the final round ending on Sunday April 12th.  Over 16 million people watch the Masters on television in eager anticipation of who will take home the PGA's most coveted prize - The Green Jacket.  By doing so, golf’s greatest champions are forever immortalized as Masters Champions (though the prize money isn't too bad either which topped $7.25 million in 07.)

The green jacket is more than just a fashion statement as well.  The Augusta National golf course is a highly prestigious and private club with only 300 members at any given time and every member of Augusta National receives a green jacket- a sport coat with the club logo on the left breast.  The idea of the green jacket originally came from club co-founder Clifford Roberts, who wanted to be able to distinguish visiting patrons from members.  The winner of each years Masters Champions become an honorary member and thus receives a Green Jacket presented by the previous years winner.  The jacket may only be worn on club grounds with the exception of the current Masters champion who may wear the jacket off grounds for one year- after that the jacket hangs at the club.

If you are one of the few lucky patrons who scored tickets to even just the practice rounds of this years Masters tournament, chances are you're looking for a place to state and reservations are certainly filling up fast.  Here are a few solid stand by's near the Augusta National golf course.

The Partridge Inn: Starting Around $129 p/night

Patridge Inn Hilton

For more than a century, The Partridge Inn has served as a tranquil retreat for heads of state, captains of industry, international celebrities, and other luminaries. Established in 1892, this historic, full-service choice among Georgia hotels has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation -- perfectly blending its richly vibrant past with the modern comforts and amenities you've come to expect from a luxury property. With 145 distinctive guest rooms, studios, and suites, an award-winning restaurant, and a secluded outdoor pool, we offer the ideal Augusta hotel accommodations for business and leisure travelers. In addition, we're only minutes from the alluring sights and attractions of downtown. Witness a bold new chapter in the history of “The Grand Hotel of the Classic South,” situated in a peaceful hilltop setting.

More Hotels Near Augusta...

March Madness consistently brings out the gambler deep inside of all of us  and the the office and buddy pools reach an all time high.  But if you're new to the experience here are a couple of tips and how to's to make sure your pool is the best (and most fair) out there.

There are really two main styles to the March Madness Pool

The classic March Madness pick style is the standard 64 team bracket with 63 games, which means 63 chances to bring home the bacon or fail miserably in a puddle of March Madness shame and disappointment.  The catch to this style is...All 63 picks must be made before the  game 1 tip-off of March Madness.  So make your picks and forever hold your peace.  This style is widely used but doesn't allow too much room for error and is better designed for the veterans and hardcore fans.

The second style is the progressive "Daily Pick'em" style that allows you to pick each game before its respective tip-off.  This means that if you chose the University of Oregon to lose in the the first round and they win, you can still pick U of O in the second round.  This is a nice way to play if you are going to be on top of every game and want if few more chances to to hedge your scores.

The Scoring!

There are several different scoring methodologies that can be used and people will be arguing the best ones until the

March-madness

end of time.  But here are some quality methods that work well and are relative standards.

Standard round scoring:

Round 1 picks: 1

Round 2 picks: 2

Round 3 picks: 4

Round 4 picks: 8

Round 5 picks: 16

Round 6 picks: 32

This method of scoring is a pretty traditional stand-by but you'll notice its a little heavy on the final four rounds and also doesn't take into consideration any type of seeding.  For example if you took a risk and picked a low seed team to go all the way and they do, you should be rewarded for taking the risk.  To compensate for the late round point mongering you can change the scoring to 2-3-5-8-13-21.  If you want to reward people for braving the odds and going with the underdog then you can add an additional point stipulation: Round # x Seed #

Happy Pooling

The Hallmark laden month of February is slowly coming to an end closing out the final days of  winter and swiftly rolling into the crisp sunny days of Spring.  Along with spring brings every college sports fans Holy Grail, March Madness 2009 is quickly approaching and were going to give you tips on tricks on how to get to as  many games as possible.

NCAA March Madness 2009 begins with selection Sunday scheduled for March 15th where top college teams are paired off to do battle for the NCAA Championship.  And until then its pretty much anyone's guess who gets invited to the Big Dance.

Opening Round Game: March 17, 2009

First Round: March 19-20, 2009

Second Round: March 21-22, 2009

Third Round: March 26-27, 2009

Fourth Round: March 28-29, 2009

Final Four: April 4 & 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Top 5 Hottest Dubai Nightlife Spots
The Dubai clientele is well known for its business acumen but the old adage “work hard and play harder” definitely has some roots in Dubai.  Though drinking a pint could land you in jail in other parts of the Middle East, Alcohol is certainly tolerated in Dubai.

There are no particular “nightlife” districts; leaving many of the best bars and nightclubs to occupy the tourist hotels.  But if your are a little more adventurous or looking for a cheaper alternative be sure to check out the assortment of bars that are dotted around town.

(Tip: You may be overseas in the Middle East but the drinking age is still 21 and bars and clubs are required by law to close by 3am.)

Bourdoir: Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa

Marine Beach Resort and Spa

This classy venue brings some serious Parisian chic to the Dubai club scene.  With the crowd consisting of the swankier type be sure to come dressed to impress and keep it classy.  With an assortment of ‘Ladies Nights’ where women generally get free cocktails or free champagne ALL night, Bourdoir is a cheap yet sophisticated destination especially for our xx chromosome counter parts.

Apartment Lounge Dubai: Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Jumeirah Beach Hotel Beach

For hotshot trendsetter’s designer jeans and one of a kind kicks are no stranger to the Apartment Lounge in the one of a kind Jumeirah Beach Hotel.  One of the most ‘exclusive’ Dubai clubs this two-room ‘Apartment' features a swanky martini style lounge on one side and a raging dance floor on the other.  With an assortment of music ranging from Latin rhythm, R&B, house and a mix of local and international DJ’s the Apartment Lounge is the go-to to be seen and to be someone.  And ladies, typically free drinks are served before midnight.

The Peppermint: Fairmont Dubai

The Fairmont Dubai Rooms

Entry pass in hand or in line you shall stand.  Another super trendy Dubai hotspot the Peppermint showcases world-class DJ’s and world-class clientele.  This nightclub will introduce you to not only the best known faces in the Dubai social circuit but some of the best know celebrities as well.  Located in the uber chic Fairmont Hotel this desirable night spot isn’t one to be missed.

Trilogy: Madinat Jumeirah Hotel & Resort

The Madinat Jumierah-Beach

This Moraccan style club of decadence features Seb Fontain, also known as DJ Scale and rocks this 3-story party Mecca.  Downstairs partygoers can jam one out on the exuberant dance floor or try and chat it up at the bar.  If you’re looking for hip scene then jet to the second level where wannabe mixers have their crack in the studio.  But if you want to be more intimate or just need a place to cool down, then head straight to the top tier of Trilogy to the open-air Rooftop.

Atlantis: The Palm Hotel

The Palm Hotel and Resort

Disco fever baby.  Located next to the Hard Rock this popular dance spot gets crackin’ around midnight; perfect for you night owls.  The Atlantis throws off some serious dance vibes with loud thumping music that ranges from dance, techno, trance etc.  And in true exotic flair there are plenty of live performances including dancing girls and drum masters that add to the club atmosphere.

There’s ladies night Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays with the crowd generally being composed of young, hip expatriates and locals with a popular Russian following.

Booking a hotel overseas can occasionally be somewhat of a jarring task.  But fear not, we have established some of the top hotels in Dubai and the United Emirates to ensure the hotel you book is exactly what you expected.

Layia Oak Hotel & Suties
A beautiful new hotel situated in the Al Barsh area just opposite the Greens the Layia Oak Hotel & Suites boasts modern design and spacious suites at a reasonable price.  Hop a taxi and head five minutes to the Mall of Emirates, Media City or get wet at the famous Wild Wadi Water Park just four miles out.

If you are looking to be a little more self indulgent and cast business slightly to the wayside; then you may spend more time at the outdoor pool and spa, raiding the snack bar or relaxing on your 14th floor balcony.

Arjaan - Dubai Media City
The Arjaan is located smack in the middle of Media City Dubai just a few kilometers from the Mall of Emirates and the Wild Wadi Water Park.  The most appealing aspect of the Arjan is that it was designed to resemble an Arabic Palace.  The Arjaan stands a colossal 30 stories high with distinctive cupolas, arcs and domes and is a true architectural site.

Arjaan Dubai

Offering contemporary Arabian styling and beautiful furnishings the rooms offer up a lovely aesthetic and a wide range of modern amenities.  Each apartment includes luxury bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and a private balcony with stunning views over the Marina, Palm Island or the City.

With a salon and spa on the premises the Arjaan prides itself on quality service whether it it’s assisting you with your taxi or arranging tours for the day.

Tip: The hotel is relatively new and some taxi driver’s may not have heard of it, a good landmark to get you back to the Arjaan is “Media City behind the Radisson Hotel.”

Crowne Plaza Festival City
Located on the banks of the Dubai creek this 5 star hotel features 316 rooms and suites including a massive outdoor lap pool, 3 spa pools, a children’s splash pool, and 24-hr gym.  If that isn’t enough for you leisure types; two 18-hole championship golf courses are located just minutes away.

Crowne Plaza Festival City

All of the Crowne Plaza rooms offer scenic views of the Dubai creek or the city skyline and is directly joined to the 38,000sq ft event center which makes it ideal for business travelers.  

The Crowne also has three superb restaurants- Zaytoun (‘Olive’ in Arabic), which is all day dining, Mazar Lobby Lounge and the authentic Belgian Beer Café; all with stunning creek and city views.

The hotel is also directly connected to the Festival Waterfront Centre, a luxury shopping center with over 550 retail outlets, 90 restaurants and cafes and a 100 berth Marina making the Crowne Plaza the perfect home base during the famous Dubai Shopping Festivals.  You also have easy access to the Burj Al Arab, record breaking Burj Dubai, Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates and the beautiful Dubai beaches in Jumeirah and Mamzar.