David H. Urmann asked:


Tulsa is the 2nd largest city of Oklahoma. There are numerous downtown hotels in Tulsa that provide quality accommodation services. And they welcome your pets also.

In the Oklahoma state, Tulsa is noted as the 2nd largest city. It has an estimated population of 384,037. It also serves as Tulsa County’s county seat, extending to Rogers, Osage and even to Wagoner counties.

It was the Creek Native Americans who settled in Tulsa in the 1830s. In the year 1921, Tulsa is noted as the site of the most destructive and largest acts of racial history in US history, the Tulsa Race Riot. During the 20th century, the city became famous as “The Oil Capital of the World,” playing a major role among one of the most vital hubs for the oil industry of the US. Aside from this, it is also considered as the home of “Western Swing” music and the birthplace of “US Route 66.”

Since Tulsa is located along Tornado Alley and thus frequently visited by severe weather conditions. With its location near the Arkansas River by the foothills of the famous Ozark Mountains along northeast Oklahoma, it is also noted as the “Green Country.”

You will find several historical attractions and natural landscapes in this city. In fact, it houses ballet companies, 2 world-renowned art museums, a full-time operational professional opera house and even the largest concentration of “art-deco” architecture. There are also several elegant hotels you can choose from, such as the following:

Hotel Ambassador

Hotel Ambassador in Tulsa is noted for its luxurious accommodations in an Italian Renaissance Villa style. Its location in the midst of uptown Tulsa make it the best refuge from the hustle and bustle of city living. Wedding events, meetings and conferences as well as shopping districts are all in your fingertips in this luxurious boutique hotel.

With modern technology and classic elegance as their main agenda, this hotel provides non-smoking and spacious rooms. Each floor only has 7 rooms, making it more of a residential palace than a hotel. Every room is featured with its very own layout which would include Italian marble bathrooms, triple sheeted beds, custom-crafted furniture and dual line phones. It also has dataports, voicemail features and high speed wireless Internet access.

This pet-friendly hotel also has the Chalkboard Restaurant, private conference rooms and small meeting and secluded executive retreat areas. After a whole day of tours, you can unwind and relax at the Woodhouse Day Spa situated nearby. You can even go there via the hotel’s Lincoln Town car. Aside from the Woodhouse Day Spa, you are also guaranteed with transportation to Cherry Street, Brookside and Utica Square restaurants as well as boutiques.

Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown

This downtown pet-friendly Tulsa hotel is located at 616 West Seventh Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127-8983. It is situated along the central part of downtown Tulsa. In fact, it is the only hotel that is adjacent to the Tulsa Convention Center. There is even a skybridge connecting the two establishments. The Tulsa International Airport is only a 15 minute drive away via the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service.

Their guest rooms are newly renovated, having all the comforts and amenities of your very own home. Each room is equipped with dataports, spacious work areas, high speed Internet, plush-top mattresses, jumbo pillows and high-thread count linens among others. Other amenities and facilities of the hotel include an onsite café, Seven West, which offers an extensive selection of traditional menus and Southwestern cuisines, a fitness center, whirlpool and heated indoor pool.

Doubletree’s conference rooms are also excellent for business travelers. It has approximately 22,000 square feet of space, ballroom areas and convention services that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. After a whole day of meetings and seminars, you can relax at the numerous attractions near the hotel. This would include the Tulsa Zoo, Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum of Art and the Brady Theater.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Tulsa

This downtown hotel is located at 100 East Second Street Tulsa, OK 74103. Check in time is at 3PM while check out is at 12NN. Pets are accepted as long as it does not weigh more than 35 lbs. and they charge $100 for each pet. Pets should also have a leash when going to public areas.

Crowne Plaza Hotel is merely 8 miles from the Tulsa International Airport. They also provide complimentary shuttle services. It is the perfect accommodation for both leisure and business travelers, especially with its close proximity to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, BOK Center Arena, Tulsa Convention Center, Williams Towers and the Bank of Oklahoma as well as to the Bank of America, Deloitte, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ernst and Young.

The hotel’s guest rooms are newly renovated. They have an onsite dining place named Daily Grill Restaurant, a fitness center, housekeeping services, dry cleaning laundry, Wi-Fi, Starbucks Café and outdoor pool. They also have an indoor pool, salon, gift shop, private limousine service and high speed Internet access among others.

Kris Koonar asked:


The Capital City of California, Sacramento is often disregarded by vacationers and tourists who are looking for the perfect luxury vacation in other parts of the state. They dont know what they are missing! Located in a peaceful valley of leafy canopies of trees and beautiful rivers, Sacramento forms a cosmopolitan junction of charming restaurants and bistros, tall, gleaming buildings, delightful Victorians and a virtual cornucopia of art and contemporary art influences, making it one of the most unique holiday destinations in the United States.

With a gilded history that still reminisces about the good old Gold Rush days, this metropolitan city has some of the most opulent real estate properties and hotels that California has to offer. With its plethora of luxury condominiums and villas, Sacramento serves as an exciting destination for all those rich and affluent holiday goers out there.

Sacramento offers a wide range of exciting, historic and educational attractions that will surely entertain anyone and everyone. Old Sacramento, situated on the citys beautiful waterfront, has a large number of fine dining and other luxury restaurants. Besides this, there are a number of luxury hotels and resorts like the Delta King, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, Holiday Inn Sacramento Capitol Plaza, to name a few. However, if you are looking for something different but equally luxurious, luxury villas and condominiums are extremely popular in Sacramento.

With plush gardens and splendid waterfront properties, renting a luxury Sacramento Villa will provide you with that much needed peace and privacy. Luxury villas have different features, depending on the cost. From master bedrooms to personal chefs to Jacuzzis in the garden, your luxury vacation is complete with such extravagance.

On the other hand, staying in luxury condominiums can also make your vacation a very memorable one. Although high-priced, these condos offer exceptional quality and are usually found in a community. From a kitchen to a living room to multiple bedrooms, luxury condos have all the facilities of a house, or rather a palace! Luxury condominiums can add a touch of class to your already lavish vacation.

Apart from staying in luxury properties, there is a wide range of sight seeing attractions for everyone. Wine touring in Sacramento serves as a brilliant way to get familiar with different wines. On wine tours, you will get to visit exquisite wineries and vineyards, experience classy wine tasting sessions with some of the best wine experts in the world, and discover some of the worlds finest, smoothest wines.

Apart from the world famous Napa Valley wines, the local Foothill Winery also produces some of the most exquisite vintages. So, whoever called Sacramento a sleepy little town must have been mistaken! With its exciting nightlife and its lush lounge bars and clubs and its eclectic mix of heady wines and fine dining restaurants, this town is perfect for vacationers who are out to have a good, lavish time. From river rafting to golfing, sporting activities here are abundant. Being the next hottest tourist destination in the world, vacationers who are looking for a bit of pampering and luxury can wholeheartedly agree that Sacramento is the right place to go!

Brian Cliette asked:


Tourism is an industry that has been growing rapidly in the past few decades and that brought about an increasing demand in the requirement for accommodation. This in turn has triggered a new hi-return investment proposition – the purchase of hotels. When we talk here about buying and selling of hotels, there is another emerging trend that is becoming popular as we speak. This is the condo hotel or a condominium that is converted into a three or four star hotel accommodation.

The use of condominiums for vacation accommodation has been around for quite some time – however, the condo hotel is a relatively new concept. This concept has a good number of advantages over a normal hotel and these are:

• A great real estate investment which earns you high revenue and establishes a good business

• An excellent vacation house that is there for you whenever you need or want it

• High appreciation value

• Small establishment – easy to manage, and maintain

• Excellent business opportunity

• The rooms are much larger than in a normal hotel and the ambiance more relaxed and hospitable

• Excellent profit if re-sold

The cost of a condo hotel for sale these days would be in the range of US $100,000 to $ 800,000 depending upon a number of factors such as:

• Location – the higher in demand the location is, the higher would be the cost of the condo hotel; this is directly proportional to the demand of that particular place as tourist destination

• Interior décor – the cost would indeed be influenced heavily by the type and quality of furniture and furnishings you provide; of course, the better they are, the higher clientele it would attract resulting in higher returns

• Season duration – there are places where the peak season is all round the year, while there are places where the peak season lasts for about 2-3 months. Needless to mention here, that the condo hotel that has round the clock demand would be more expensive that the one which has one a few months exposure to tourists.

It is not necessary for you to go for condo hotels that have been already built by somebody else. You could always go for buying a pre-construction condo hotel and have it custom-made to your liking. The construction of a condo hotel would be somewhere between one and two years but the wait is well worth it because you can get exactly what you wanted in it.

While buying a condo hotel there are a few things that one should keep in mind such as:

• The projected yearly revenue in terms of occupancy and tariff that it would command

• The projected yearly expense – this would include the staffing, the maintenance and the condo hotel at the level that you want to operate it, i.e. three star, four star, etc

• Solid research on the property for sale – do not take the word of the real estate agent for it – on price, type of property and other such factors.

Jeb Maxwell asked:


Vacation time may be several months away, and you may be starting to think about where and what might be the perfect vacation this year – the beach, golf resort, SCUBA diving, skiing, maybe just sight seeing? And you think about places you have been – and the problems you have had. You cannot forget the time you went on vacation and discovered that the rooms that were really too small, or the room service was bad. There was also the time that the people in the next unit were loud and obnoxious, and the primary reason you had taken a vacation was to find peace and quiet. If only you could have the comforts of your home magically transported to your fantasy destination, then you could have had the perfect vacation.

Well, your dream arrangement is (almost) possible – you just have to look at vacation rental of a home, condo or cabin instead of hotels, motels and resorts. If you’ve never tried a vacation rental, there is a whole world of opportunities out there, just waiting for you to discover them.

Lots of people have vacation homes or condos that they use only part of the year. Many of these people rent out their places when they know they aren’t going to be there to use it themselves. The process is a little different than pulling up in front of a Best Western or Holiday Inn, but the principle is the same – you get to use a room or set of rooms where you are able to reside, for the length of your vacation.

Normally hotel, motel or resort rooms are relatively small. So things can get a bit tight, particularly if the kids are along, or if are there or two, three or four couples who have a routine of vacationing together. By renting a vacation home or condo you will get more space, some privacy, and you may be able to get luxury features you haven’t been able to install yet under your own roof. Another thing – you can find vacation rental units of practically all kinds, practically anywhere in the country – or, for that matter, in the world.

There are literally thousands of places available that are private homes, condos, cabins, etc., available for vacation rental. And, the facilities available in these rentals range from rustic to lavish, comfortable and spacious.

There are thousands of companies around the world acting as agents for owners. Many of these agents have listings in every state of the United States, plus Mexico and the Caribbean. They are really just booking agents, but they have information on a huge number of properties in a large number of locations. They have listings in Central America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the South Pacific. Unless you had your heart set on a vacation in Antarctica, it doesn’t seem like there can be much of anywhere that you will not be able to find vacation rentals.

Most agents found online and offline have vacation rental homes in US destinations, and many also have access to international listings. On the Internet, you will be able to find listings provided by agents – and vacation rentals by owner. At most websites that cater to the vacation rental industry, listings will contain a full inventory of what a particular property has to offer the vacationer and most of those listings contain several photographs, including interior and exterior photos.

Many vacation home rentals can be found near the center of major tourist areas, such as Disney World in Florida, or near beaches – perhaps even on the beachfront – in many coastal states. Other vacation rental homes are located out in the boondocks, such as in the wooded and mountainous regions of Arkansas, Colorado or Tennessee.

For instance, there is the 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, lakeside, log home at Presque Isle, Wisconsin, located on the shores of Presque Isle Lake, an hours’ drive south of Lake Superior. The property is a rustic wilderness stone and log cabin on top of a ridge, with sleeping space for up to 14 people. Overlooking the 1500-acre, crystal clear waters of Presque Isle Lake in the North Woods, this log cabin receives guest’s year-around. During the summer, many families enjoy the swimming off of the cabin’s lakeside dock, and anglers enjoy an ample supply of trophy Muskie, Walleye and Bass from the dock and by boat.

Let’s say you are thinking about taking the family to Breckenridge, Colorado for a week of skiing or snowboarding fun. A short search on the Internet will give you a sizable list of resorts or hotels to choose from. They have nice rooms, food service, probably a pool, and transit service to the slopes. But what is available in a vacation rental?

There are more than two-dozen vacation homes available in Breckenridge, Colorado. You can access descriptions and photographs of many of these homes. Facilities range from units that sleep 6 to exclusive townhouses that provide sleeping quarters for up to 22 people. Rates start at $70 per day to $20,000 per week. That would seem palatial to me. I wonder if the rates are negotiable?

Finding exactly the right-sized home, with the desired amenities, for the price you are willing to pay will take some searching. You should really take the time to decide what kind of a place you really want, the amenities, and how many people will be going with you, before you start going though lists. Of course, some people go to Breckenridge in the summer, rather than during the winter for the ski season, and rentals are available, even during the off-season.

With a vacation rental you get more space and special amenities compared with a conventional hotel, motel or resort. The cost per square foot is usually less, but the amount of space is usually more. You have more privacy, but you will probably have to do your own cooking and wash your own dishes. As with everything else, you have to decide how you want to spend you time and your money – what do you value and how much is it worth to you?

Picking and booking the right vacation home may require some time, but it is also time well spent with people you love. Compared to the hotel experience, a vacation home rental is an excellent option that you should consider for your next vacation. It might create that perfect memory you have been looking to achieve for your family.

Suppose, instead of Breckenridge and skiing, you are interested in a week at the beach, a weekend in the woods, or a week following your favorite NASCAR event. On January 20th, 2008, it is estimated that four million people will be in Washington D.C. for the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. Hotels were sold out weeks ago… but there are still plenty of vacation rentals in the greater D.C. metropolitan area, looking for renters. Some people are even renting their homes to visitors coming in for the inauguration and taking the opportunity to visit grandma, while someone else is renting their home.

Jim Johnson asked:


For those people who are looking for a trip of a lifetime; consider Cape Town, South Africa. It is a truly gorgeous place and one that you will not see on an average vacation.

Think about where Cape Town is located. There is a barrier of mountains that separates Cape Town from the other parts of South Africa. It is also a city of contrasts, old oak trees, streets made from cobblestones, and buildings built in a British-Georgian style. In the valleys, grapes are grown as well as wheat and fruit.

The city has an interesting history and a wonderful blend of people both culturally and racially. If you are interested in this aspect of Cape Town you should visit the South African Museum where you will get a glimpse into the various cultures of the area. This museum is the oldest one in South Africa. You can find the South African Museum in Cape Towns Company Gardens at the top of Adderley Street. This is the place to see many exhibits depicting much of the natural and cultural history of South Africa. There is also a planetarium on the grounds.

The Dutch East India Company has a fascinating history and this was the group of people who designed the Cape Town Companys Gardens. These folks established the Company Gardens so that the sailors who were traveling to the East would have a place to stop and take care of any health problems they incurred during the first part of the journey. There are also amazing buildings in the Gardens including a museum and the Anglican St. Georges Cathedral.

While you are in the area you may want to visit the office of South Africas State President and the Houses of Parliament. The most famous hotel in Cape Town is the Mount Nelson and it is located at the southernmost point of Government Avenue. This hotel has a very special and formal afternoon tea and was built in a beautiful colonial style. You will be able to see Table Mountain from the hotel, too.

On Adderly Street you can walk toward the harbor and see the oldest church in South Africa, Groote Kerk. Be sure to take a look at the ornately carved pulpit. Here you can view the statues of Jan van Riebeeck and his wife, Maria. Close to these attractions is the Castle of Good Hope which is the oldest surviving intact structure in South Africa.

You may want to search out Greenmarket Square which is the heart of the old city. There are flea market stalls, shoppers and buskers galore. The Old Town House is a beautiful baroque building that dates back to 1761 and holds the Michaelis Collection of Dutch and Flemish art. There are also Victorian buildings that house pawnshops and boutiques.

There are many museums and galleries in Cape Town. Most of them operate under the umbrella of Iziko Museums of Cape Town. The museums offer diverse exhibitions in lovely settings. You can even tour a collection of old city houses that have been restored.

Visit Cape Town, South Africa for a trip you will never forget.

Darren Mcdemott asked:


If your new home is not ready for your planned relocation date, or you require a temporary solution before finalising your new house purchase, Space can undertake a rental accommodation search amongst all the properties available, not just the few advertised on the internet. We will help locate a suitable, long or short term place for you and your family to live, not an expensive holiday let or a house in an unsafe area.

For this service we charge a fixed fee of R19,850. Our service includes lease checking (all leases are different, depending on the agency) and price/lease negotiation.

The process is very similar to the Home Search Service, and ensures that all quality properties in appropriate areas are reviewed. As with a home purchase, it is difficult to get an honest, independent appraisal of a property from someone who is keen to rent you that particular property. Space will review all the possible localities, from all the agents, and find the right home for you. A detailed brief is taken, and colour brochures are sent to you showing the short-listed properties, which match your criteria. If required, the booking is made in advance of your arrival for you to move into when you reach South Africa. Rental property since early 2007 has become increasingly scarce due to a number of economic factors. For a good sized family home in a nice neighbourhood, it is now likely that a shortlist would regularly consist of properties around R25,000 per month. More and more property is being sourced through personal contacts and private connections than ever before, and much of the property advertised on the web has already been taken. Therefore, it will be useful to be flexible on area and realistic on budget to ensure that you have as wide a choice as possible.

Further examples of rental options:

Fresnaye. 5 ensuite bedroom, modern home with small garden and swimming pool. Excellent security, double garage and open plan living with travertine flooring and under-floor heating plus air conditioning throughout. Asking price 40,000 ZAR per calendar month. Tamboerskloof. Four bedroom family home with study, furnished or unfurnished in a small security complex. Table Mountain, city and harbour views. Small pool and a number of balconies and terraces as well as covered patio. Asking price 36,000 ZAR per calendar month Upper Green Point five bedroom town house style property with sea, stadium and city views. Open plan neat living with small terrace and plunge pool, additional courtyard and large master ensuite bedroom with dressing area. Heating and air-conditioning. Asking price 35,000 ZAR per calendar month. Hout Bay. Five bedroom, three bathroom property in top security estate with extensive valley and mountain views. Open plan living with two undercover entertainment patios, small pool and a small garden. Modern open plan style with TV lounge and central fire place. Monthly rental 35,000 ZAR.

David H. Urmann asked:


The Downtown Gatlinburg Hotels are mostly the finest hotels in town which offers excellent world class services to its valued guests. These hotels are ideally situated where visitors can have an opportunity to relax while adoring the natural beauty of the area.

Gatlinburg invites tourists with an alluring stretch of the Great Smoky Mountains, with the splendid river banks at the Little Pigeon River right at the base of Mount Le Conte. Gatlinburg is one of the most famous resorts in the country, with mountainous setting which is an ideal place to escape away from the pressure of a city life.

Downtown Gatlinburg Hotels provide its guests affordable rates which consist of more than 20 hotels strategically located at the downtown area of Gatlinburg. These hotels have the highest standard in providing the needs of a traveler. Whether you are on family vacation or having a business trip, you can always find the right choice from these hotels.

Howard Johnson Gatlinburg

The Howard Johnson Gatlinburg is one of the hotels that offer great packages to its guests. It is situated a block a way from the heart of the town which is overlooking the Smoky Mountain. Because of its location, hotel guests can visit all major attractions in the area, just a walking distance from the hotel.

The property is consists of a 4- storey building with a total of 102 guestrooms. Some of the guestrooms come with Jacuzzi or a fireplace. Standard rooms include refrigerators, hair dryer, coffee makers, iron, ironing board and 34- inch colored TVs with HBO.

The hotel house restaurants that provide 15% discount for hotel guests. An outdoor pool offers a relaxing experience after a long day of journey to Gatlinburg’s hiking trails.

A fitness room is also available for guests who want to have a workout. It is equipped with modern equipments and gym instructors are readily available to assist with your exercises.

The whole area of the hotel has a high- speed wireless Internet so you can always be connected with business clients while enjoying your stay.

Best Western Twin Islands

Best Western Twin Islands was built in 1941 and has been serving millions of tourists since it started. It is a two- storey building with a total of 90 guest rooms. It is strategically located in Gatlinburg’s downtown area. The hotel is near Smoky Mountains so guests can enjoy the astonishing view. Mountain streams surround the whole property which offers its guests an opportunity to go fishing right at the hotel vicinity. The gushing waters of the stream provide a relaxing ambience ideal for relaxation while refreshing you with the cool breeze.

Guests can visit the renowned Hard Rock Café and the Ripley’s Aquarium which is just neighbors of the hotel. Walking distance shopping malls, restaurants and museums are abundant where you can buy souvenir items as a remembrance from your Gatlinburg travel.

The hotel includes balconies where guests can indulge themselves for sightseeing pleasure of the beautiful surroundings. An outdoor seasonal pool and a children’s playground are added features of the hotel for a fun and enjoyable experience both for adults and children.

Hotel amenities include the following:

•Outdoor pool, heated

•24-hour front desk

•Ice/vending machines

•Guest laundry

•Free parking

•Meeting facilities

•Fax services

•Photocopy services

Best Western Twin Islands is composed of 112 guestrooms housed in a two- storey structure. Guestrooms are equipped with coffee maker, hair dryer, cable TV plus a high- speed wireless Internet.

Best Western Zoder’s Inn

The Best Western Zoder’s Inn boasts its caliber as one of the best resort which is situated next to many mountains covering the whole area with a peaceful ambience.

Guestrooms are well- equipped with all the needs of its guests plus features which will surely satisfy a traveler’s taste of comfortable place to spend the night.

Besides hospitable and excellent service, the hotel offers many privileges to its valued guests such as a complimentary breakfasts, reception with wine and cheese, high- speed wireless Internet, laundry services, free parking, 24- hour front desk and many more great features that a high- class hotel can provide.

The hotel also provides accessibility features for people with disability. Special rooms are provided for disabled guests.

Hotel guests may also enjoy activities like fishing, play sports, or have a picnic with family and friends and enjoy some tasty barbeque right within the hotel’s premises.

Boris Ralston asked:


Are you in the process of planning a trip to Hawaii? If you are, you may be interested in booking a stay at a Hawaii vacation rental. While you will find some variances, Hawaiian vacation rentals are known for their beauty and their privacy, especially when compared to traditional hotels and vacation resorts. Those are just a few of the many reasons why vacation rentals in Hawaii are increasing in popularity.

As you likely already know, you will have a number of different options when it comes to making reservations for a vacation rental in Hawaii. The phrase “vacation rentals,” is often used to describe a number of establishments, including vacation homes, vacation apartment rentals, vacation villas, vacation cottages, as well as vacation condos. As nice as it is to have a number of different options, in terms of booking a stay at a Hawaii vacation rental, your options may seem overwhelming. To assist you, five tips that can help you, easily find, the vacation rental of your dreams for your next Hawaii trip are outlined below.

1 – Know What You Want

Knowing what you want is one of the best ways to find the perfect vacation rental in Hawaii. In fact, knowing what you want is the best way to have a great vacation in general.

When examining your vacation wants, it is important to examine the purpose of your vacation. For example, if you are taking a Hawaii trip with your family, you may want affordability and convenience. On the other hand, if your Hawaii trip has romantic purposes, you may be looking more for beauty, elegance, and privacy.

2 – Research All of Your Vacation Rental Options

As previously stated, the phrase “vacation rentals,” describes a number of different establishments. In Hawaii, you will find vacation homes, condos, villas, cottages, and apartment rentals available for the taking. It may be a good idea to examine all of your options.

What is nice about researching and examining all of your options is that it is easy to do with the internet. A number of online travel websites, especially those that deal specifically with Hawaii trips, allow you to quickly find a large number of vacation rentals. You can examine pictures and other information to see if you should stay at a Hawaii vacation home, Hawaii vacation condo, villas, cottage, or apartment rental.

3 – Research Some More

In addition to researching each type of Hawaii vacation rental you come across, like vacation homes and vacation villas, it is extremely important that you thoroughly research and examine your final choices. For example, although many vacation home rentals are similar in nature, they are different in a number of ways. That is why it is important that you examine all Hawaii vacation rental listings to see if the rental in question is the perfect match for you. Pay close attention to size, rental costs, additional fees, features and amenities, and any rules or restrictions that may be imposed.

4 – Examine Nearby Activities

Unfortunately, many individuals believe that the most important part of choosing a Hawaii vacation rental is choosing the rental that is the perfect size or price for them. While these are all important factors that should be taken into consideration, you will also want to examine nearby Hawaii attractions and activities. For example, if you are interested in spending your Hawaii trip surfing, boating, or swimming, a beachfront or beach view rental may be your best option and so forth.

5 – Make Your Reservations Early

As soon as you find a Hawaii vacation rental that you would like to book a reservation for, it is important that you do so right away. As previously stated, Hawaii vacation rentals are a popular choice among tourists. If you do not act fast, you may later find that your first choice Hawaii vacation rental is already booked for your intended travel dates.

The above mentioned tips are just a few of the many that can help you find, choose, and book the Hawaii vacation rental of your dreams. While you may not necessarily think about it at the time, your overnight accommodations can have a significant impact on the success of your next Hawaii trip.

Andre Skowronski asked:


Copyright (c) 2008 Andre Skowronski

Many tourists have sent me questions and concerns about renting vacation apartments in Rio. Frequent questions include payment options, best neighborhoods, included amenities and average prices. For this reason I decided to write a simple guide on how to chose an apartment rental in Rio.

The first thing you need to know when renting a vacation apartment in Rio is that it’s a legal well established business within the tourist industry in Brazil. Many Brazilians and even foreigners buy apartments in Rio exactly for this purpose. Investors commonly buy used apartments and renovate them to offer the best comfort as beach rentals. Let’s now discuss the main points you should be note when selecting an apartment.

Prices: prices in vacation apartments in Rio can vary significantly. Generally the more luxurious, the more expensive are the apartment prices. Beachfront apartments also carry a premium in their prices. Another rule is obvious, the greater number of rooms, the pricier it gets. If you travel with a group of friends, price per room can decrease substancially. Renting apartments with more than 3 rooms can be a wise option.) Prices are normally charged by number of nights. That is, if an apartment costs US$ 100.00 p/day, 10 nights will be US$ 1000.00. Discounts can be considered above 30 days rentals. Prices per day can decrease for longer periods, since a longer stay will be booked. How much per day? Usually fair apartments can be found starting at US$ 90,00 a day. Two bedrooms apartments in Ipanema, Lagoa and Leblon, all beach neighborhoods can vary from US$ 150 to US$ 300 a night, on average. If the apartments are located in high floors, if they have private pools and/ or hydro massage bath tubs, prices can rise significantly.

Locations/ Neighborhoods: Like any other major city in the world, prices vary by per different neighborhoods and zones. Most expensive apartments are all found on the South Zone (called “Zona Sul” in Portuguese), specifically in the following neighborhoods: Ipanema, Leblon, Lagoa, Copacabana, Flamengo and Botafogo. Barra da Tijuca, once a separate beach neighborhood, also offers some very luxurious flats and residence services, but you need to have a car to drive around since public transportation is limited there. Ipanema, Lagoa and Flamengo have been considered the safest neighborhoods, since prostitution is heavily combated in those areas. Copacabana is a universe on its own, with a many apartments to choose from. Copacabana is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Rio, with night-clubs, beach and lot´s of culture. Need some one liner neighborhood highlights? Here they are: Ipanema: Fashion shops, trendy restaurants, and gorgeous beach. Leblon: upscale shopping mall, excellent restaurants and bookstores. Lagoa: nice park, tranquil night kiosks around lagoon; Copacabana: wide apartment selection, public transport, eclectic environment. Flamengo: family type neighborhood, Flamengo Park, famous street bars. Barra: beautiful beach, Miami hype constructions.

Rental Agencies: The most popular way to find a rental agency is through the web. The are innumerous rental agencies to choose from in the wonderful city. The great majority of vacation rentals in Rio are serious in their business, delivering what they claim. Most of them display a list of apartments they own or represent, either by neighborhoods or by number of rooms. They present up to 10 pictures of the rentals and a small description of the amenities and apartment surroundings, so you can familiarize with the region. When you are choosing the apartment, first try to identify yourself with the neighborhood you are staying in, as well as your budget. This will save you time and help in the selection process. Once you know what where you want to stay and how much you can afford, browse through the apartments list and see if there is anything you like.

Once you see something you like, send an e-mail to the company stating which apartment you have in mind, and a second or third option, case that apartment is taken. (Many rentals offer an on-line bookings calendar view, which may save you time as well.). To find a list of rentals agencies in Rio, type in Google “Vacation Apartment Rio” and check the results. You will find more than 10 agencies only in page 1 of your search.

How are Payments made: Most Rental agencies in Rio take Pay-Pal, money wires, credit cards and cash. A reservation deposit is necessary to secure your apartment reservation. Companies have different reservation deposits policies. Reservation deposits can vary between rental agencies. Once the rentals agency identiofies the reservation deposit, an e-mail confirmatin should be expected. The amount due should be then paid upon apartment entrance. Most companies however do not return reservation deposit for Carnival and New Years holidays, due to great demand. Check the cancellation policy in company’s website or via e-mail.

Amenities: Vacation apartments in Rio also vary a lot in terms of their included amenities. By default, basic included amenities include cable TV, complete kitchen, and Internet access. This would be the minimum acceptable. One level above, rentals can provide CD/DVD player, clothing washing machine, coffee machine, and safe. Luxury apartments in Rio and residence service flats additionally can offer hot-tubs, private pools, and even gourmet kitchen utensils.

Do´s and Don’ts: Another fundamental tip when selecting an apartment is to be attentive in the reservation process. Once you have decided for the rentals agency and the apartment in mind make sure you have all your questions and concerns promptly answered. It is the agency’s obligation to make sure you feel comfortable with your choice. Your rentals contacts should be courteous and receptive. If during the reservation process you are not satisfied or comfortable with your rentals contact, be sure to change your agency. If you have any friend in Rio de Janeiro, ask him/her to visit the apartment. This procedure is pretty common. Another tip would be to try to plan ahead. As soon as you have your travel dates secured, start your “apartment hunting”. Be sure to ask for a contract as well, and read all of the buildings do´s and don’ts.

Observing these tips and hints, you will not regret having selected an apartment rental instead of a hotel. I truly believe Rio is a city full of wonders and hosts the friendliest people on earth. Buy the latest fashion trend bikinis and flip-flops, but remember that the best vacation apartments in Rio get filled up very quickly especially during New Years and Carnival. So make sure you book well in advance.

B2B Marketing Consultant asked:


It is evident that in this competitive business environment both big corporate houses and even small companies have global reach to deal the international business demand. As a result their corporate professionals and executives have not only to focus on regional markets but to focus all worldwide markets. This often involves extensive traveling and relocation not only to cities, states but many-a-times across the globe.

These relocations can be as short as for a few days, weeks or a few months. For this period corporate professionals or executives have to feel comfortable at new locations to give their best at work. For this they have two options either go for some Five or Seven star hotel (and that would be great but not for longer times say for weeks or months). As we know this is the crunch time and all companies big or small are finding ways for cost-cutting, thus they would not like to pay hefty bills. So, what’s the way out? We know that extended stay must be comfortable and should have homely atmosphere. Thus, there is only one rescue – Luxury Apartments for Rent.

At present Luxury Apartments for Rent is the best available option that saves the companies from paying hefty bills. Above all, corporate executives and professionals can enjoy homely environment as these Luxury Apartments for Rent are providing world class luxury facilities and amenities including well furnished and equipped kitchen, home-like living and bedroom, laundry facilities, etc. Luxury Apartments for rent provider companies offer numerous options and attractive packages. Companies and corporate executives / professionals don’t need to look out for Luxury Apartments for rent provider companies physically. As there are plenty of options available on Internet. You can directly contact a Luxury Apartments for rent Provider Company or a realtor that deals in the Luxury Apartments for Rent through the respective websites.

Few positives you will find in Luxury Apartments for Rent:

The comfort extended is nothing short of a five star retreat, plus it comes with a dash of personal, home-care. That’s what you call an ideal stay for short term. You can cook your meals themselves as these Luxury Apartments for Rent have fully furnished kitchen. Thus saving your belly and pocket from unhealthy and expensive restaurant food. In addition, Luxury Apartments for Rent also a self-contained laundry unit where the relocating staff can wash their clothing just like home.

Thus, without compromising on comforts and quality of life for your valuable corporate executives and professionals, who travel to a foreign land to generate business, the Luxury Apartments for Rent are an ideal cost-effective solution for all big and small international business houses who are looking for ways to cost cutting.