I didn’t think anything would be able to top our free night at the Park Hyatt this summer, but I admit, I was quite impressed with the Hilton. I’ve never stayed at a Hilton hotel before. The only reason I stayed there this summer was because I was heading to Toronto with a couple of girlfriends and we wanted a nice five-star hotel to bunk down in.

I bid on a downtown Toronto hotel on Priceline and that’s where I was placed. So I guess I have Priceline to thank for a great stay in Toronto and for turning me on to Hilton Hotels.

Our room was great, the service was impeccable, and I loved my stay there. I really enjoyed the modern ambiance of the hotel. The lobby was huge with lots of wood, glass, beautiful lights and tasteful decorations that really made the whole area feel very welcoming.

We were all impressed with the scenic elevator. We whisked our way to the top floor for a great view of downtown Toronto. After we viewed downtown Toronto from a birds-eye view, we headed out into the streets. The location of the Hilton is ultra-convenient. Toronto’s main attractions: the CN Tower, the entertainment, fashion, theater, and financial districts, even the Four Seasons Center of Performing Arts are all within walking distance.

Our room was tastefully decorated with large, comfortable beds and extra dark blinds that plunge the room into darkness when it’s time to sleep. Personal grooming products by L’Occitane made us feel quite extravagant.

We were really impressed with the indoor/outdoor pool. Located on the 2^nd floor, the pool overlooks University Street and there are lots of lounge chairs and plush towels for sunbathing.

The only thing I wasn’t impressed with was the $15 fee for Wi-Fi. However, I found out later that if I had presented my HHonors VIP card, I could have enjoyed complimentary Wi-Fi and access to the Executive Lounge. Ah, well.

All in all, though, we enjoyed our stay at the Hilton. I’d definitely consider staying there again.

The Hilton Hotel in Downtown Toronto, Canada is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Luck has been with me this summer. I enjoyed my first free one-night stay at the elegant Park Hyatt on 4 Avenue Road in downtown Toronto with my girlfriends.

My stay at the Hyatt was provided through a two-night hotel giveaway on Uptake travel ezine. I actually won two free nights, so John and I will be using our other night at the Hyatt in Calgary. John and I are both BIG fans of the Hyatt and we have stayed there often on our travels, so winning a two-night giveaway has been a huge bonus for us.Stay tuned for my update on our next free night at the Hyatt in Calgary.

We couldn’t have asked for a nicer hotel to begin our journey in Toronto with. The service was impeccable, and the understated elegance of the hotel lobby had an immediate calming effect. From our very first steps into the Hyatt’s intimate and refined sanctuary in the heart of one of Canada’s busiest cities, we knew we were in for a real treat.

From signature restaurants to famous pieces of art and luxurious guest rooms, the Park Hyatt is designed to impress the most discerning traveler. We were suitably impressed with almost every aspect of our stay.
Another bonus that we were unaware of until our arrival is The Stillwater Spa, which is known as Ontario’s number one spa experience. What bliss! The prices were almost double what we found elsewhere, but I can’t complain too much given what was on offer.

We also love the beds at the Hyatt. A person would be hard-pressed not to find sleep in these rooms, which seemingly meet every detail needed for a good night’s sleep.

The only thing that we found missing from the hotel was a swimming pool. And while I loved every minute of my experience there, I admit that a swimming pool is usually a deciding factor for me when choosing a hotel, and for this reason, I probably wouldn’t go back.

The Park Hyatt, Toronto is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Are you getting ready to plan a vacation to Orlando, Florida? Accommodations are often overlooked when the bulk of your time goes into planning day activities that will keep the whole family active and interested. After securing your cheap flight to Orlando, there are a number of fun and unusual hotels and accommodations in Orlando that are guaranteed to knock your socks off.

1. Nickelodeon Family Suites (Nick Hotel) by Holiday Inn 

This family-themed hotel with Nickelodeon characters and a giant orange and green water park has everything a kid could ask for. Why bother with Disneyworld when you can have play dates and sleepovers with your favorite Nickelodeon cartoon characters 24/7? Nothing could be more fun for the kids than grabbing some shut-eye in a two-bedroom suite that has been modeled into something that Spongebob Squarepants or Dora the Explorer would love!

The 24-acre complex boasts two interactive pools with waterslides, water jets, a 400-gallon dump tank, climbing nets, a basketball court, a mini golf course, a shaded kids play area, live nightly entertainment, a kiddie mall, a Kids’ Spa, Nicktoons Café, an arcade, and a cocktail lounge for adults. Leave it to Nickelodeon to introduce the whole family to fun without ever having to leave the hotel.

2. The Edgewater Hotel

Staying at this unusual bed and breakfast, located on the second floor of the historic Edgewater Hotel, is like taking a step back in time. At its opening in 1927, the Edgewater was considered to be one of the most technologically advanced hotels of its time.

Since then, the hotel has been painstakingly restored to retain as much of its original state as possible. Guests can enjoy antique furnishings including sinks and fixtures as well as an original 1926 Otis elevator mingle with modern comforts such as wireless internet and climate.

The 22-mile trail located right across from the front door is a great attraction for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. Rent a bicycle, bring your rollerblades, run or walk to your heart’s content.

3. The Florida Mall Hotel

Shop til you drop knowing that you’ve only got to walk few steps before you can sink into bed. The Florida Mall – one of Orlando’s largest indoor malls – is just steps away from the main lobby of the hotel. Shopping on vacation doesn’t get much easier than this.

4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

 Imagine a 33-acre wildlife preserve where over 30 species of animals roam free while you chill out in a lodge with African-inspired architecture and furniture; traditional African handicrafts, and evening campfires with storytelling. If it’s an African safari that you want to experience, look no further than Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 5. Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel

Experience what it is like to live in style in a turn-of-the-century Florida mansion with a modern twist that includes a variety of restaurants and a Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The main attractions are three gorgeous glass atriums have been recreated into environments that echo the Everglades, Key West, and St. Augustine. Likewise, the hotel’s 1,406 guest rooms are all based around these themes.

6. The Grand Bohemian Hotel

Designed with an early 20th century European/Bohemian theme, the Grand Bohemian Hotel sits in downtown Orlando. The hotel is home to one of only two Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano’s in the world. Also on show are over 100 pieces of rare artwork from world-famous artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.

 7. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

If Italy is a place you’ve always dreamed of visiting, you don’t have to look any further than the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Experience the sights and sounds of the Italian Riviera when you stroll through the harbor piazza. The hotel is quipped with three themed swimming pools, a Mandara Spa, and a range of dining options that are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for Italian cuisine.

8. Hard Rock Hotel at Universal

 The “Best Hotel in Orlando to spot a celebrity” is none other than the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando. It has also been voted as one of the “Top 50 Best Family Resorts in the U.S. and Canada”. There’s no better place in Orlando to party like a rock star.

9. Waldorf Astoria

 The first Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Orlando – since the original 1931 Waldorf Astoria in New York City – opened in October 2009. Guests enjoy a championship Rees Jones golf course, luxury poolside cabanas, a spa by Guerlain, signature restaurants, stunning interior design, and impeccable service.

10. Ritz-Carlton

Recreational activities abound at the Ritz Carlton. Tennis courts, a life-size chess board, horse-drawn carriages, fitness center, spa, a zip line and ropes course, and a giant swing are just some of the activities on offer at the Ritz Carlton. Not to be missed are the eco-tours and on site fly fishing.

The Ritz Carlton, Orlando, Florida.

10 Unusual Hotels in Orlando, Florida is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Our Rating: Not Worth It

This is one place we would definitely not recommend to anyone traveling to the seaside village of Sabang. We called three weeks in advance to book a seaside bungalow. Upon arriving – on time I might add – we were told that our room had been given away.

They placed us in a filthy rundown family bungalow with no running water or electricity. The children’s beds had mosquito nets, the big double bed was stained and crawling with insects. There were no sheets. No towels.

The water from the sink ran directly onto the floor. It was just there for appearances. And we had to turn the light on by connected two wires together. They wanted $1500 Pesos for the bungalow. The view, however, is incredible, but the beach property was dirty and unkept.We dumped our stuff and went looking for other accommodations. Based on what we have paid elsewhere in Asia, this is a complete ripoff.

A word to the wise: Ellen’s Travel and Tours Palawan in Puerto Princesa offers a 2 night/3 day excursion to Sabang that includes roundtrip transportation by air con van, an underground river tour with lunch, and accommodations at either Robert’s Cottages or Taraw. The price of the tour is 6, 200 pesos. We didn’t get a chance to see Taraw Bungalows, but based on what we saw of Robert’s cottages, the tour is a complete rip off based on what we saw of Robert’s cottages.

Robert’s Cottages, Sabang, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

The PADS are a nifty little add-on to the Legend Palawan in Puerto Princesa. These rooms have been designed exclusively for budget backpackers.

We loved the layout of the rooms. Although small, the space has been used really well, providing a hip, cozy alternative for backpackers.

Rooms start at P900 a night with breakfast included. This is a great deal, as the price of the room allows guests full access to the Legend’s facilities, such as the outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, atrium, and restaurant.

The Pads were added on to the Legend Hotel several years ago in response to a growing demand for budget accommodations from backpackers coming to explore Asia’s last frontier.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommend the pads to anyone visiting Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The PADS: Malvar Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Philippines

The PADS, Puerto Princesa, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

Travelers who find themselves in Puerto Princesa on either business or pleasure will surely find the mid-range accommodations at the Legend good value for their money. The hotel is located in the heart of Puerto Princesa, providing an ideal jump-off for various adventures in and around the city proper.

This hotel is full of special touches and homey comforts that will make any traveler feel at ease. The Atrium is an especially nice touch. This compact alley leads into the heart of the hotel, where guests gather to read and enjoy a cold drink. The swimming pool is also tastefully decorated. A rock wall adds charm to the enclosed area. There’s also a nice lounge area for patio events such as pool-side dining.

The Legend Palawan: Malvar Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Philippines

The Legend, Puerto Princesa, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

This is a guest post by Nick Ball, author of Lanzarote Guidebook.

For visitors looking for something just a little out of the ordinary, the Oasis del Risco may well be just the ticket, as this is one of the most exclusive villas in Lanzarote.

The villa is located on the island’s main resort of Puerto del Carmen and designed by an architect for his own private use.

As a result it has many of the tasteful details that separate this kind of dwelling from the usual holiday rental property. Set in a mature tropical garden there are views through the trees and across the countryside to the mountain range of the Atalaya de Femés.

The owner’s love of all things green continues indoors, with an internal covered courtyard offering just one of several areas for relaxation. The delicate palms planted here complement the Moorish feel of this double-height salon.

The interior and exterior blend into each other seamlessly, ensuring guests get maximum enjoyment from the entire property. A semi-circular window in the dining area overlooks the garden, inviting diners to go outside. This is echoed by the curved pergola that provides shade over this spot.

From the master bedroom, patio doors open out onto a private sunbathing area with its own miniature volcanic rock garden. The three bedrooms are all on the lower floor, ensuring a cool retreat from the heat of the sun. Each has an en-suite bathroom with walk-in showers and bath.

Curves are incorporated into every aspect of the design, from the oval swimming pool to numerous round or arched windows that bring the light flooding in to the building. On the upper floor the open plan living space works around the balcony of the internal courtyard garden.

The kitchen can also be found on this floor and is exceptionally well organised, with all the modern conveniences that making dining at home a pleasure. Additional features of this unique villa include a gymnasium with mirrored wall and an office with Internet access for those who cannot leave work entirely at home.

OASIS DEL RISCO, LANZAROTE, THE CANARY ISLANDS is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

OUR RATING: 1/10

Despite being number seven on Priceline’s list of best accommodations in Manila, the Manila Pavilion and Casino was a huge disappointment. If you’re going to spend $72 a night on a hotel, spend an extra $20 and book yourself a room at a well-known hotel chain. The Manila Pavilion is nowhere near being a 4-star standard hotel.

Our room on the 19^th floor was in a dark, wood-paneled corridor that smelled as much of smoke as it did of dust. The room was nasty. Threadbare carpets, uneven furniture that was obviously bottom of the barrel, a bedspread that was as distasteful to look at as it was to sleep on, moldy bathroom fixtures, and an odd smell that was vaguely suggestive of old cheese. We’ve stayed in $8US rooms that were cleaner and better equipped than our room at the Manila Pavilion.

Our disgust with the room was so great that we went down to the front desk to see if we could move. We found out we could upgrade to a room in the new wing of the hotel for an extra $12US. The new wing, however, wasn’t much better than the old wing. We didn’t find the staff helpful at all. We were reluctant to try out the hotel restaurant, and we were frisked going in and out of the hotel.

You wouldn’t be getting any complaints from us if the room had been under $20US, but $72US is a steep price to pay for such shabby accommodations. If you’re staying in Manila, the Manila Pavilion and Casino is one establishment you’ll want to give a miss.

Manila Pavilion and Casino, Manila, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

EDITOR’S CHOICE  - OUR RATING 10/10

Note: Book ahead. This is not a resort that you can walk into and get a room.

Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort gets top marks for best accommodations in Sabang. A basic beach bungalow goes for $1500 pesos per night,  a price that will probably deter most budget backpackers. Given what is on offer here, we felt the price was well worth it. We opted for the deluxe bungalow for some beachside luxury.

The service here is impeccable, and I do mean impeccable. The staff went above and beyond to help us out with any requests we had. One look at the guest book on the counter will attest to the quality of services and accommodations that you will receive with Daluyon. Their guest book is full of positive comments and warm wishes.

Our deluxe beachfront bungalow came equipped with air con and fan, mini fridge, flat screen TV, a front porch and beautifully decorated interiors. Daluyon is also very kid-friendly with loads of activities to choose from. The staff have everything on hand from Scrabble and chess to badminton rackets and volleyballs. If sports and sun-drenched activities aren’t up your alley, and it’s shade you seek, you can settle down in one of many beachfront hammocks.

A poolside bar and a beachfront bar serve all kinds of drinks, including some delicious non-alcoholic concoctions.

The beach is immaculate and the swimming pool has lounge chairs for sunbathing and shaded huts. There’s even a basic children’s play structure located right next to the pool.

The cobblestone walkways are nicely lit up in the evenings, creating a pleasant and romantic atmosphere.

Any number of tours can be booked from Daluyon, including caving, snorkeling, jungle trekking, snorkeling, and of course, Palawan’s claim to fame, the Subterranean River which is considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world.

Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Sabang, Philippines is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here

The Galle Face Hotel

I stumbled onto the platform at sunrise at Colombo station after dizzy and naseous after a 12 hour train ride from Trincomalee.  It had been an unpleasant trip, sleepless on a hard seat winding ponderously through the dark and now presumably-guerrilla free jungles of the Sri Lanka Night.

Colombo was a city I’d never visited and about which I knew next to nothing.  I knew the name of one hotel, the Galle Face, from  a biography I’d once read about Arthur C. Clarke, the Science Fiction writer who had called the hotel home. Though I suspected it would be above my budget, I was too tired to care. I threw my knapsack in the back of a rickshaw and muttered Galle Face.

A distinguished gentleman

Despite my unwashed and slightly dazed appearance, I was treated like royalty from the moment I arrived.  This is how it was done I suppose in the days of the Raj, and at the Galle Face at least, the Raj has yet to end.

“Would you like to check in immediately, sir?  Never mind that it’s only six thirty AM. They’ll be no extra fee. Your day begins now, sir, and ends upon checkout at noon tomorrow sir, or later, should you wish.”

After checking in, I was led up the grand staircase to my room on the second floor, whose high ceilings made air conditioning superfluous (though a/c was, of course, available). I took a long bath in a claw-foot tub that, in contrast to the small tubs found in hotels in East Asia, was almost too long. Afterwards I collapsed in my bed, comforters white as a cloud and soft as an angel’s kiss.

In the afternoon I had high tea in the first floor restaurant after a long swim in the Galle Face’s salt water pool,  Invigorated, I headed out to explore Colombo before returning to the Gale Face for the evening. And while  I can’t claim to have seen Mr. Clarke’s ghost wandering the halls of Colombo’s Galle Face Hotel, I believe I saw him oh-so briefly, from the corner of my eye at sundown. He was sitting on the sea wall and looking out over the Indian Ocean, gin & tonic in hand and note pad in his lap.

Bust of Arthur C. Clarke

The Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

http://www.gallefacehotel.com/

Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka is a post from: Lay Your Head Here

© 2009-2010 Lay Your Head Here