Internet Endangers Travel Agencies

Independent travel information website, Travel-bite, recently published a tips article with a rather doom-mongering tone in regards to traditional high street travel agents last month.

It stated that the rise of Buy-It-Yourself holiday packages were replacing the work that agencies would carry out in the past. But how exactly is the internet changing how we plan our holidays? And how is it set to change further?

Companies such as travel-bite offer a similar range to each other, varying from hotels and flights as well as transport; which give the consumer the opportunity to shop around quickly and simply - and at their own discretion. These online travel agents have no doubt grown in popularity but if you are looking for an even cheaper deal, it is probably best to go to a specialist airline tickets seller online - to get that lucky last minute deal.

However, when it comes to cheap travel insurance, travel-bite.co.uk goes into little depth other than the importance to shop around, or to consider your local post office.

Interestingly, many companies have jumped onto the cheap travel insurance bandwagon on the web with an immediate ten per cent discount if you purchase online, and a range of travel insurance offers including annual, single trip and additional cover for holidaymakers hoping to hit the piste.

So is the internet really killing off the high street travel agent? A few years ago, The Independent published an article denying that there was a risk to travel agents, arguing that consumers were still willing to plan their holiday, and to pay a little bit more, if they are going to be able to sort it quicker or discuss it with someone face to face.

This was certainly a fair point then, yet with these financially tough times upon us (and its knock on affect on the appeal of some destinations) it might now seem that the pull of finding a good deal on the internet is getting ever stronger. And with more choice on the net, and an improving web-presence of trusted household names, it should only increase the service satisfaction of customers booking their holidays this way during the following winter months.

Cure for Jet Lag?

A new cure for jet lag could be on the market in the next few years after trials show a pill can reset the body's natural sleep rhythms.

Tasimelteon works by shifting the natural ebb and flow of the body's sleep hormone melatonin.

In trials, published in The Lancet, the drug helped troubled sleepers nod off quicker and stay asleep for longer. Experts said the drug would be a welcome alternative to addictive sedatives like benzodiazepines.

Commenting on the work, Dr Daniel Cardinali from the University of Buenos Aires said the findings would be welcomed by millions of people - "shift-workers, airline crew, tourists, football teams, and many others."

Body Clock Trickery

The hope is that if you have shifted your body clock and you've slept well, then you should perform well the next day, said lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Klerman at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston.

In trials on 450 people who went to bed five hours earlier than normal to replicate crossing into a different time zone, those who took the drug enjoyed between 30 minutes and nearly two hours more sleep than volunteers who received a dummy pill.


Top Tips for avoiding Jet Lag

• Top up on sleep before you travel
  
  
• Shift your watch to your destination time zone as soon as you board the plane
  
  
• Avoid alcohol
  
  
• Spend plenty of time outdoors in the daylight
  

Natural melatonin - the darkness hormone which peaks at night - is a popular treatment for patients with body clock-related sleep disorders.

But the researchers say the potency, purity, and safety of melatonin pills is unregulated. Also, there are mixed results about whether they work in shift-workers and people with jet lag.

The US team says more work is now needed to check that their drug, which works on the same receptors in the body as melatonin, actually improves daytime performance and alertness without any carryover sedative effect.

Don't Eat?

A new discovery of a "mealtime clock" in our brains suggests that a short fast from eating could allow people to cope with jet lag and nightshift grogginess.

This food-related clock, which was found in mice, is similar to our body's primary timekeeper called the circadian rhythm, so scientists think the finding could apply to humans.

While the light-driven circadian rhythm is in charge most of the time, the researchers suggest in the May 23 issue of the journal Science that the mealtime clock takes over when food is scarce. By changing animals' behavior patterns so they don't snooze through an opportunity to eat, this newly discovered clock may be crucial to survival. And it could also ward off jet lag in humans.

Clifford Saper of Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and his colleagues discovered the food clock by running experiments in mice that were missing a key biological clock gene. The team restored the gene's function in one part of the brain at a time to see which cells responded to food.

"We discovered that a single cycle of starvation followed by refeeding turns on the clock," Saper said, "so that it effectively overrides the suprachiasmatic nucleus [the circadian clock] and hijacks all of the circadian rhythms onto a new time zone that corresponds with food availability."

In addition to keeping animals' bellies plenty full, the clock has implications for travelers and shift workers.

For example, if you travel from the United States to Japan, your body needs to adjust to a 13-to-16-hour time difference. "Because the body's biological clock can only shift a small amount each day, it takes the average person about a week to adjust to the new time zone," Saper said. "And, by then, it's often time to turn around and come home."

By changing your eating schedules, a traveler might be able to rev up this secondary clock and adjust more quickly to the new time zone.

"A period of fasting with no food at all for about 16 hours is enough to engage this new clock," Saper said. "So, in this case, simply avoiding any food on the plane, and then eating as soon as you land, should help you to adjust."

The research was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service.

Sphere Hotel Concept is Stunning

Amazing hotel designs keep springing up all over the place at the moment. This ?Sphere Hotel' looks so cool and is planned to be located somewhere between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Visitors to the hotel will access it by an aerial route as it?ll be constructed on an artificial island, about 300 meters away from the beach. The Sphere will feature 200 rooms in 14 floors that will comfortably accommodate about 1000 guests, together with public business zones, boutiques, restaurants, bars and numerous other entertainment areas.

The Sphere Hotel is a concept architectural design that aims to promote a healthy and comfortable holiday destination.


Apart from offering a secluded retreat in the very lap of nature, the Sphere will also promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. With moist beach air flowing across the structure, the Sphere will make use of natural air conditioning. While the hotel will exploit the natural light coming through the glass panels to light the rooms during the daytime, on the other, the thermal glass facade will generate adequate solar power to fulfill all energy requirements.

Post Office® Foreign Exchange and Travel Insurance popular as ever

The Post Office� has been named Britain's Best Foreign Exchange Company at the 2008 British Travel Awards - for the second year in a row.

The UK's largest bureau de change provider beat off competition from several major competitors to secure a third* of all votes in the category.

The Post Office� was also voted Best Travel Insurance Company for the third year in a row.

The British Travel Awards is the largest of its kind in the UK. This year more than 90,000 votes were cast by consumers and industry professionals across a range of categories.

Helen Warburton, Post Office� head of travel services, said: "It's an honour to be chosen as the people's favourite travel money provider and travel insurer again this year. We have the largest bureau de change network in the UK handling 14 million transactions annually and issue over one million travel policies every year. We continually review our services to ensure they meet customer needs."

Lorraine Barnes Burton, CEO, said: "The British Travel Awards are highly regarded within the industry and the Post Office� has once again proven that it is a leader amongst travel insurance and foreign exchange providers."

The Post Office� is the largest bureau de change provider in the UK, offering over 72 different currencies with 0% commission on all foreign currency and travellers' cheques. The Post Office� pre-paid Travel Money Card offers customers a secure and convenient way to carry their holiday money.

The Post Office� Credit Card charges 0% commission for all purchases made overseas and also offers customers the flexibility to pay for two large purchases at any time at a discounted fixed rate - ideal for splashing out on holiday!

Customers can buy currency over the counter at over 8,000 Post Office� branches nationwide. The full range of currencies is available on demand at 1600 branches, euros and US dollars are available on demand at more than 2,500 branches and 3,800 branches sell euros over the counter. Customers can pre-order currency for next day collection at any Post Office� branch in the UK.

To find your nearest Post Office� bureau de change branch call 08457 223344 or visit postoffice.co.uk

Dubai - Playground of the Wealthy

Dubai is often featured on this blog, and remains one of the few regions unaffected by the credit crunch, still sailing high on massive oil profits. Flights to Dubai are still available at prices starting from �233 up to �938 for business class.

• Hotels: Luxury is the key word in Dubai, which is home to some of the grandest accommodation on the planet. Perhaps most famous is the landmark design of the Burj Al Arab. Named as the Best Hotel in the World at the World Travel Awards 2007, its sail-like exterior and top class interior offer five-star deluxe treatment. However, more modest facilities are available within Dubai City, such as Grosvenor House and the Grand Hyatt.





Burj-Al-Arab




• Attractions: If you can drag yourself away from the hotel spa, take time to see some of the sites which are located around Dubai City. Although the area is primarily associated with the modern, local history is very accessible in the shape of the Dubai Museum, the Heritage and Diving Village and the old district of Bastakiya.





Dubai Museum




• Shopping: If you've a hankering for designers galore, then Dubai is for you. All the major labels are represented, with many contained in department stores such as Harvey Nichols and within a selection magnificent malls. Local goods are also available, such as traditional textiles in local markets or the Deira City Centre. You may also be tempted by the gold products which are a hallmark of the area - try the Gold Souk for the best designs in various carats.




Deira city center



• Excursions: Nature beckons beyond the confines of the city. Tours can take you by 4x4 into the depths of the desert, some of which is a unique conservation reserve. To make the most of the trip, stay overnight in hotels such as the Al Maha Desert Resort, located in the heart of the region. Desert safaris can offer a package deal with dinner and entertainment.




Al Maha Pool at Sunset



• Family: The Wonderland Family Fun Park is next to the Al Boom Tourist Village, and includes water attractions, camel rides, rollercoasters and indoor games in an air-conditioned centre if the hot weather gets too much.




Al-boom



• Getting Around: Cars are available for rental, either from the airport or from a variety of outlets in the city centre. Most hotels will be able to book tours which run to excursions, while the city area can be walked or taxis taken for longer distances. A local bus service also runs, with details of routes available locally.




Dubai Traffic

Luxury Hotels in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the mecca for playing casino games.

One of the most visible aspects of Las Vegas' cityscape is its use of dramatic themes. The theme of luxury hotels and casinos on the Strip has established the city as one of the most popular destinations for tourists and gamblers.





Due to the number of hotels, choosing a luxury themed hotel can lead to lots of decisions, including:

• The theme
• The Price
• The Location
• Casinos Available
  

There are lots of luxury hotels, but here are a few to view:

Venetion Hotel

Experience the romance of Italy in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Beauty and grace surround you at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, where every detail has been carefully designed to provide you with a memorable stay

The Palazzo Casino Hotel

Each suite at The Palazzo is specifically fashioned with your comfort and convenience in mind. A sunken living room decorated with a distinctly modern European design. Marble-appointed baths with oversized bath sheets










Bellagio Hotel

Contentment and opulence are the hallmarks of your Bellagio luxury hotel experience. A retreat unto themselves, the 3,933 Guest Rooms and Suites are an extension of our AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Las Vegas hotel.

Can't Afford the Luxury?

Of course, if you can't afford the flights and accommodation but still want to play casino games like the ones in Vegas, why not try some online casinos.

Saddam Hussein Luxury Yacht

The government of Iraq is selling the yacht of its former leader Saddam Hussein, Itar-Tass reports. The existence of the 80-meter-long Basra Breeze yacht (formerly known as Qadisiyah Saddam and Ocean Breeze) has been classified for a long time.

It was moored in the south of France along with millionaires? vessels, and is currently expecting its new owner in Greece. The starting price for the floating palace is $20 million.

The floating palace, originally named Qadissiyat Saddam, after a famous Arab victory over the Persians in 637 AD, was made by Danish shipbuilders in 1981, telegraph.co.uk reports

The yacht, now renamed Ocean Breeze and moored off Nice, is an astonishing testament to the playboy lifestyle enjoyed by Saddam and his entourage.

It is decorated throughout with fine mahogany, gold, silver and marble, and was described by its builders as "lavish in every detail and very Arabic in style".

There are bathrooms with gold taps, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, hi-tech entertainment suites and games parlours, including table tennis and pool tables, and flat-screen TVs in almost every cabin.

The yacht was built for Saddam Hussein by Danish engineers. The vessel was complete in 1981. Outwardly, it does not look so modern anymore, although the interior of the yacht was created to meet Hussein?s royal requirements. Gold, marble and other expensive materials along with mahogany furniture were used in the decoration of the luxury yacht. The Basra Breeze also has a secret passage, which allows the owner to access a motor boat and escape in case of emergency. The yacht is also outfitted with two surgery rooms and a special operation room. To crown it all, the yacht was equipped with a ground-to-air missile system, which is not going to be auctioned.

The yacht legally belongs to the incumbent government of Iraq. Organizers of the auction say that it would be na�ve for them to think that the auction market has not been affected with the global economic situation, although they hope for success.

Travel Deals from Recession Fears

If there?s one upside to a downturn, it?s that the consumer suddenly has new power: it?s a buyer?s market. Paradoxically, the eve of a recession might be just the time to consider that long-promised long weekend away because now, more than ever, those hard-pressed hotels want your business. So, in this season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and monetary meltdown, hunt around for a bargain.

Luxury hotels may not slash their rates by half, but there will be special seasonal offers and they?ll often reduce their guests? bills in other ways such as free room upgrades, free meals or free spa treatments. The mantra is: Don?t Hesitate to Negotiate.

Many of Luxique?s selection of 60-odd luxury Paris hotels, for instance, have special offers and packages. Le Meurice, which has a fine location on the fashionable rue de Rivoli, has a range of special offers including honeymoon and family deals as well as a Da Vinci Code package. This includes a private visit to the Louvre Museum with expert guide, a gift book about the Da Vinci Code and free access to the hotel?s sauna and fitness centre.

At another of the luxury Paris hotels, the Plaza Athenee - located between the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower - there?s a string of special offers. They include a festive winter trip that features ice skating and a tour in a horse and carriage. Fans of Sex And The City will know that part of the last TV episode was shot at the hotel, so it?s no surprise there?s an SATC package, promising a Carrie cocktail, a chocolate shoe made by the hotel?s renowned pastry chef and a ?must have? shopping booklet.

Even the smaller boutique hotels Paris are urging you to enter their elegant portals. The Hotel de Vigny, part of the Relais & Chateaux group, just wants you to wallow in the romance of it all. Its special offer is for a one-night stay with champagne, flowers, buffet breakfast, gourmet dinner for two and ?a prestigious jewel.?

Visit the Luxique website for a great selection of Luxury hotels http://www.luxique.com

By the way, one of the great attractions of Paris is a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, about ten miles from the city centre. It?s been undergoing a refurbishment and the latest section to be restored is the Petit Trianon, the mini-chateau where Marie Antoinette escaped for some rest and relaxation.

The neo-classical building has been renovated to recreate its intimate atmosphere. Curators said their intention was to avoid a stuffy museum feel, making it seem instead as though the 18th century queen and her entourage had ?just stepped away for a moment.?

Holidaymakers Fall For Rome

Rome in high summer can be uncomfortably hot, but the Eternal City can offer a delightful long weekend break in the shorter and cooler days of autumn and winter. The current economic situation means belt-tightening for many travellers, but the trip need not cause you to stretch too far.

Flying to Rome has never been easier or cheaper. Like every other commodity, airline ticket prices have started to fall, giving the tourist the option of flying from New York to Rome for about $800 (�440 or 570 ?), while the low cost carriers such as RyanAir are practically giving away seats from London Stansted at �50, ($90 or 64 ?) round trip.

Nearly all the luxury Rome hotels offer special packages but don't hesitate to negotiate. Free upgrades, free spa use, free meals - these are all possibilities when hotels are feeling the pinch as much as the rest of us.

The Eden, for example, a chic hotel situated close to Rome's Spanish Steps, has a winter offer that includes an upgrade depending on availability, a welcome gift and free admission to the Picasso exhibition until January 31st 2009.

The Westin Excelsior, another luxury Rome hotel, is offering what it calls its 'Fall For Rome' package, with a deluxe double room, American breakfast, free extra bed or cot for a child up to 12 and free access to the pool and Jacuzzi. The Hotel Britannia is another that has special rates through October and November.

If you're looking for a stay with something extra, consider Casa Howard, a designer
bed and breakfast in two locations with individually decorated rooms. It feels less like a hotel, more like the pied-a-terre of a rich friend with a keen eye for style.

Rome is beautiful and historic, but has just earned an unwelcome label - the most dangerous city in Europe for traffic accidents. The London Daily Telegraph's correspondent, Nick Squires, reports that more than 230 people died in accidents in 2006 in the Italian capital, 'where motorists thunder down narrow cobbled alleyways, swerve around pedestrians on zebra crossings and disregard road signs.'

Renowned travel writer, Bill Bryson, had much to say on the subject, such as: "You turn any street corner in Rome and it looks like you just missed a parking competition for blind people." And: "Romans park their cars the way I would park it if I'd just spilled a beaker of hydrochloric acid in my lap."

So, take extra care on that special winter weekend, but relax and enjoy.

By Andy Moreton, professional travel writer and luxury hotels in Rome expert. If you want to book a luxury hotel then visit http://www.luxique.com

Mile High Building

Mile high building brings mile-high challenges! So they?re building a mile-high tower? Well, billionaire prince and owner of The Savoy: al-Walid bin Talal, is planning to at least. The building will leave the Burj Dubai, Taipei 101 and The Gherkin in the dust. So what are the logistical issues for building such a colossus?

It?ll be 5,250 feet tall and take up 5.3 million square metres of room, therefore construction may well be a little difficult. First of all, and presumably because there aren?t any mile-high cranes available, helicopters will have to be used to transport materials to the top. Additionally, builders will have to be flown to work also, after all, it would seem a little unfair to make them walk all the way up those steps in the morning.

Once the tower is built, bin Talal is also planning to install a super-advanced electro-magnetic lift system, as opposed to the traditional cable driven type. This will mean that a single shaft within the building will be able to accommodate several elevators, and the speed of the ascent to the top will be an awesome 1,010 meters a minute and take a record-breaking two minutes.

There is also the small matter of visitor sickness. As exemplified by the 1,670 feet tall Taipei Tower, shortly after construction, visitors to its 101st storey were experiencing sickness because of the way it swayed in the wind. To stop this, the world?s largest ever damper sphere (essentially, a 660 metric ton ball) was attached to the 92nd floor to act as a counter to the winds. Of course, bin Talal?s building is going to be just a little taller than the Taipei Tower and will have to withstand even stronger winds.

The builders will also have to take into account the erratic weather changes that occur in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the top of the tower will have to withstand scorching heat by day and freezing temperatures by night.

The current budget for the project stands at $10 billion and will be built in conjunction with a bigger development of schools, offices and homes in the area. Despite its impressive and advanced nature, it has been met with mixed responses in regards to its high costs, and I have to admit that window-cleaning costs probably won?t be pretty either, let alone house insurance prices in the shadow of a swaying mile high one-of-a-kind!

20 New York Facts

20 Cool facts about New York. Did you know that in New York City, more than 26,000 people live in each square mile? Or that the island of Manhattan was purchased from Native Americans for about $24? In fact, New York City is not only the largest city in the United States, but is made up of five separate boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan. If you think you know everything about the Big Apple, think again.

Here are my top 20 Interesting Facts About New York City, some you might have heard and others I guarantee you haven't.


1. Dutch explorer Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan (really its southern tip) from the Algonquin tribe for trinkets and tools worth about $24.

2. The first known name for Manhattan was New Amsterdam, which referred to the southern tip of Manhattan, a Dutch trading port.

3. New York City was the U.S. capital from 1789 to 1790

4. New Yorkers travel an average of 40 minutes to work each day.

5. More than 47 percent of New York City's residents over the age of 5 speak a language other than English at home.

6. New York's Central Park is larger than the principality of Monaco.

7. The New York City Council consists of 51 members and is the legislative branch of city.

8. According to Crain's New York Business, the average sale price of an apartment in Manhattan during the 4th quarter of 2007 was a whopping $1.49 million.

9. New York's Yellow Cabs are yellow because John Hertz, the company's founder, learned from a study that yellow was the easiest color for the eye to spot. He was right.

10. The Federal Reserve Bank on New York's Wall Street contains vaults that are located 80 feet beneath the bank and hold about 25 percent of the world's gold bullion.

11. In 2007, 46 million international and domestic visitors came to New York City. They spent approximately $28 billion while there.

12. The average daily room rate in New York hotels in 2006 (the most recent year surveyed) was $267.

13. More than 250 feature films are shot on location in New York City each year.

14. An average of 4.9 million people ride the New York City subway each weekday.

15. The New York City subway system runs 26 routes with 6,200 subway cars that stop at 468 different subway stations.

16. More than 12,700 licensed medallion taxis work the streets of New York City.

17. More than 18,600 restaurants and eating establishments do business in New York City, and the average cost of a dinner in 2006, according to the Zagat Survey, was $39.43. That includes a drink, tax and the tip.

18. As of the 2000 Census, 8,008,278 people live in New York City.

19. Approximately 790,000 companies operate in New York City.

20. Although many legends exist about the origin of New York City's nickname, the Big Apple, most historians agree that it can be traced back to a writer who covered horse racing in the 1920s. In The Morning Telegraph, he wrote that stable hands often referred to New York as the Big Apple, meaning that any thoroughbred that raced in New York had reached the pinnacle of racing.


New York highlights video



For those looking for luxury hotels in New York then visit http://www.luxique.com/boutique-hotels/united-states/new-york-city/

Atlantis The Palm Hotel, Dubai

The Atlantis Hotel in Dubai is the latest word in Gulf excess - a sprawling £800million resort boasting a £13,000-a-night suite and dolphins flown in from the South Pacific, all housed on a palm tree-shaped island. This stunning luxury hotel opens today and here are some pictures in all its glory.

The 113-acre resort on an artificial island off the Persian Gulf coast is among the city-state's biggest bets that tourism can help sustain its economy once regional oil profits stop flowing.
Much of the focus at Atlantis, modelled on a sister resort in the Bahamas, is on ocean-themed family entertainment.

The resort contains a giant open-air tank with 65,000 fish, stingrays and other sea creatures and a dolphinarium with more than two dozen bottlenose dolphins flown in, amid controversy, from the Solomon Islands.

But the hotel's top floor aims squarely at the ultra-wealthy. A three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite complete with gold-leaf 18-seat dining table is on offer for £13,000 a night.

Dubai's development has long been criticized by environmental activists, who say the construction of artificial islands hurts coral reefs and even shifts water currents. They point to growing water and power consumption.

An 1,800-seat theatre nearby will house a permanent Cirque du Soleil show beginning in summer 2011. 'Palm Jumeirah in and of itself will become one of Dubai's major tourist attractions,' said Joe Cita, chief executive of Nakheel's hotel division.

Boosting the number of attractions on the island will not only entice more visitors, he said, but also persuade them to spend more time and money in the city. By 2010, Dubai aims to attract a staggering 10 million hotel visitors annually, up from about 7 million in 2007. Atlantis alone will increase the city's hotel capacity by 3 percent.

Visit the Atlantis Palm Hotel website

Visit Luxique to view luxury hotels around the world and for more cool travel stories and tips visit travelphant.com

10 Stunning Boutique Hotel Suites

Here some of the coolest boutique hotel suites, rooms, and villas around the world that are designed around the idea of minimalism. Less if certainly more in these hotels!

Lute Suites, Amsterdam
These luxury boutique suites are created by Marcel Wander.

There are currently a total of seven 18th Century cottages that have been transformed into one-of-a-kind suites set along the Amstel River and all command spectacular views of both the river and the beautiful Amsterdam skyline. Each suite features a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom.
The Lute Suites are each an individual work of art with eye-catching wallpaper designs, huge windows, modern designs, and unique furniture throughout. One thing that can be said for sure about these suites is that they are unlike any hotel in the world.


The Racha, Racha Island
This premier island hideaway features 70 luxurious villas set on a pristine stretch of beach on Racha Island.

Even though The Racha Hotel is located far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, each villa is equipped with all of the modern conveniences and furnishings that you?d expect to find in a hotel located in a more urban setting.
Large spa tubs, brightly lit rooms with tons of natural lighting, sleek design schemes, indoor and outdoor showers, and even a private infinity pool in some cases, can be found at The Racha.


The Emperor, Beijing
This urban-themed hotel is one of China?s first, and it sits adjacent to the Imperial Palace.

The 55 rooms here feature a very pleasant facade which consists mostly of minimalistic stylings and modern furnishings. Much of the furniture is unlike anything else in the world with its smooth and curvy lines, which adds greatly to The Emperor Hotel?s overall impressive interior design.
The bright colour scheme and strategically placed mood lighting gives the hotel a very clean and almost futuristic feeling.


The Royce Hotel, Melbourne
The five star rooms here at The Royce represent luxury with a capital L.

The best of the best is the Royal Suite where there?s a 42? plasma, spa tub with LCD TV mounted on the wall, marble floors, huge spacious room, sleek contemporary furnishings, and much more. This room screams urban design with its sleek lines and its ?less is more? feeling throughout.

Hotel Unique, Sao Paulo
Hotel Unique?s 85 rooms and 10 suites are truly one-of-a-kind in terms of architecture and design.
The hotel uses smooth lines and geometric shapes throughout the design of this urban-themed establishment. From the curved wood flooring that resembles a skateboard halfpipe to the red tinted swimming pool, this hotel truly lives up to it?s name in every way.

Oscar Hotel, Madrid
This 75 room hotel in the heart of Madrid is decorated with colourful paint and fun furniture.
The rooms here are as smooth as silk, and the comfort level is always high. Each room sports a great view of the Plaza Vazquez de Mella. The Oscar Hotel is the definition of an urban, chic hotel.

Hotel Sezz, Paris
With an outstanding view of the Eiffel Tower high upon its hilltop location, Hotel Sezz is a classic hotel with an artsy facade and contemporary interior.
This hotel has managed to make it onto plenty of top 10 lists over the years, and for good reason. The design of Hotel Sezz is unparalleled with its chrome and leather-filled interiors, and its sharp lines and colours that do an awesome job of blending the past with the present. The high-end Paris hotel has a total of 27 guestrooms, and an unlimited amount of style.

Seekoo Hotel, Bordeaux
This cool hotel was opened in 2007, and the word ?Seekoo? means ?iceberg? in the Inuit language.
This modern hotel in the Bordeaux countryside is laced with clean lines and clever mirror effects, such as the black lacquer ceilings and clever inscribed writings on the bathroom mirrors. The white, black, and chrome minimalism throughout the rooms are accompanied by warm wood tones, slate, and soft chenille materials. The bed is even cool, as it?s in the shape of a circle.

Jeronimos 8, Lisbon
Jeronimos 8 Located right at the center of town near Lisbon?s major museums and monuments,
Jeronimos 8 is Lisbon?s first ever design and urban resort. One of this hotel?s minimalistic features is its colour scheme throughout the design, which features three main colours: Chocolate brown, Carmine red, and a relaxing cream colour.

All of the 65 rooms here have a calm, tranquil feeling about them. Lots of natural light, marble floors, calming water flowing outside, and awesome views of Lisbon from the sun deck are some of this hotel?s greatest features.

Puro Urban Oasis Hotel, Majorca
This chic hotel is located in the heart of Gothic old town and attracts guests in the jet-set, creative demographic. The elegant rooms here are very minimalistic in every way.
From clean lines, smooth geometric shapes, tranquil colour schemes, and lots of in-room state of the art technology, this place has got everything needed to be considered as one of the most slick and hip hotels in all of Majorca. Puro Urban Oasis has been described as a ?funky urban boho-asis for party people and hippy-chic fantasies? - if that?s not enough to tantalise the senses, then I don?t know what does. Rates here start at about 170 EUR.