How to: Get a five-star stay on a budget

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Things to know from industry insiders

04:46 AM Apr 16, 2011

Shane O'Flaherty, president and CEO of Forbes Travel Guide: Besides the great physical aspect of a property, a five-star hotel experience is one you get when employee service is passionate, confident and intuitive. The employees are also very genuine in helping consumers. They make you feel at home the moment you step in, are able to anticipate the needs of each and every guest - and they do this in a seamless way, across the different departments.

This, coupled with the consistency of being able to deliver this on a daily basis, is the "wow" factor that truly differentiates a five-star hotel.

While staying in a five-star hotel isn't always cheap, there are certain factors you can take note of when you're on a budget, such as destination. In the United States, you'll find five-star properties in second-tier cities at reasonable rates. Also, during off-peak seasons, the rates differ and you are able to get better value for money.

An example would be ski resorts during the summer where they transform into hiking resorts - the rates are much cheaper but you still get an amazing experience.

My advice is to always do your research before a trip. Find out if the hotel is suitable for you, your needs and your inclinations, and what kind of offers it may have.

To me, location is key in a five-star hotel experience. Picking the right hotel to make the most out of your experiences abroad is ultimately more worthy of your money than paying less and risk ending up in an unsuitable hotel that mars your holiday.



Forbes Travel Guide Singapore was launched on Tuesday, making it the fourth country to get the guide after the United States, Canada and China.

The list of Forbes Travel Guide rated four- and three-star hotels in Singapore is available on www.forbestravelguide.com. The list of winners in Singapore will also be published in the May issue of Forbes Asia.


Taken from TODAYOnline.com; source article is below:
How to: Get a five-star stay on a budget

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Packing Travel Tips For the World Traveler

This is an Ezine article original. I've been putting in some travel destinations, but not articles like this, so hopefully, this will help as much as it can to get the world traveller prepared to go - anywhere in the world!
Read on...

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One of the worst problems that a world traveler can experience is to arrive at your destination only to find that you are missing several key items that you need for your trip. To avoid these problems you should consider these packing travel tips for the person that travels around the globe.

You need to ensure you have your passport and other travel documents with you. Keep a copy of these records in case something happens to your originals. Pack a first aid kit to ensure that you do not have to deal with unexpected problems. Do not carry all your credit cards, debit cards, traveler checks, or cash in one location. Divide it up in case something happens.

Make sure you pack enough clothes to allow for at least two changes of clothing for each day. You do not have to pack a great deal of clothes, but you should make plans to pick items that can be worn with different outfits to give you extra choices. Accessories such as scarves, sweaters, or jackets can provide you with more options. When choosing your clothes, try to pick wrinkle-free clothes to avoid having to worry about ironing the clothes each day. Choosing darker colors can help you to avoid showing dirt and stains if they should happen.

Learn what the weather is expected to be like when you make plans to visit a certain area or country. This will allow you to pack the right clothes to cover your needs. You can always pack a couple of extra outfits that can deal with unusual or unexpected weather. One of the most important travel tips is to pack good comfortable shoes that you will be able to walk in. Create a travel checklist to make sure you have everything you need. Plan for the unexpected and you will be able to enjoy your trip no matter where you choose to go.

Aren Williams
Site Representative
10minutetravel.com


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