Millionaires and Pancakes in Amsterdam

Everyone keeps talking about something or other "Crunch" - must be a new breakfast cereal?! No idea what they mean, I'm a strictly Weetabix man myself*. Anyway, people have also been talking about tightening their belts and saving money. Well, I'm all for saving money, which is why I've been looking into living the luxury life for as little money as possible!

My greatest discovery so far has been Amsterdam. They have a Millionaire's Fair "Miljonair" - http://www.millionairefair.com/ - where, for just 35-75 Euros, you can experience true luxury lifestyle. With exhibitors in this world tour of exhibits including: Cartier, Maybach, Bentley, Chopard, Remy Martin and Bang & Olufsen, you can tell that this is going to be how the other half live!


My recommendation - enter EVERY competition there is! Imagine what you could win! And sample all the delicious treats on offer!


I've always firmly believed that with a little careful consideration, you can lead a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget. Why miss out on those little treats? Life's too short!


Whether you go to the Millionaire's Fair or not, Amsterdam has built a reputation as a perfect weekend/short break. Being close to home, it takes just 1.5 hours by plane or 5 hours in the comfort of Eurostar to the centre of Amsterdam. There are all the usual touristy yet satisfying things that you should do if this is your first time in the city: river cruises are a nice way to get acquainted with the city; bike riding; the Van Gogh Museum; Anne Frank's House. Not to mention pancakes... mmmm!

For something a little bit different, try out the flower auction - it is said that almost every cut flower sold in the world (from the sublime, to those garage forecourt ones) come through this enormous auction house at some point. It's an early start, but the sheer number of flowers and the excitement of the bidding is worth it. http://www.vba.nl/

We've got great deals on popular Amsterdam hotels this December, and as usual, all these hotels have been personally inspected by me and the team to make sure that they are what we say they are. Not many do this, but we do, because it makes sense.


Family owned, the 3 star Citadel Hotel Amsterdam's location in the centre of the city (just 8 minutes from the Central Station) make it highly popular. The hotel has simple, clean, comfortable rooms. With a cosy bar and lounge and yummy Dutch breakfast, this hotel is a great budget option. Friendly staff and atmosphere.



The Citadel Hotel Amsterdam has a nice choice for all bargain hunters - 4 nights for the price of 3 £141pp or 3 nights for the price of 2 £94pp throughout November and December.



The 3 star Avenue Hotel Amsterdam consists of 9 buildings, some parts dating back to the 17th century. There is a nice personalised service here. The rooms are pretty much all unique in decor. A lovely little touch is the activities ideas that the staff leave for you at breakfast. Great location for sightseeing and for local restaurants and bars.

Get a night free at the Avenue Hotel Amsterdam throughout November and December. 3 nights for the price of 2 from £94pp.




Leidse Square Hotel Amsterdam is perfectly located for Amsterdam nightlife, but is conveniently tucked away in a peaceful little street. The 'Museumplein', with Holland's most renowned museums, is just down the road and music venues such as the 'Melkweg' and 'Paradiso' are located around the corner from the hotel. Rooms are of a good size and nice and cosy - great for a winter break.




You can get 3 nights for the price of 2 at the Leidse Square Hotel Amsterdam in December, from £98pp.



*other breakfast cereals are available

Christmas Markets - the new way to Christmas shop!

Christmas???? What???? I can't believe we're using that word already but how time flies when you're having fun and boy have I been having fun. Following my little Irish trip where I must admit I did indulge a little too much in my favourite tipple Guiness, I have now set my mind to the up and coming yearly excitement of Christmas Markets!

Now you know when people say that it's just as rewarding buying the presents as receiving them - well I always thought that was absolute tittle tattle. I always much preferred getting those lovely knitted wonders from Great Auntie Beryl than seeing her sour face when I gave her her traditional pair of socks (I thought she liked socks). Anyway I soon learnt last year that actually when I visited a Christmas Market in Prague, and gave her something a little different - a hand made necklace - her whole face changed and I was suddenly her favourite great nephew. Plus old cousin Hamish was pretty grateful for the slivovice plum brandy - a Czech deliciously warming tipple - I bought him. Got me in the good books I must say and actually I did feel all warm inside watching them open them and getting such a surprise.

So, that all goes to show - Christmas Markets really are a fantastic treat - treat for you and for your friends and family - you get to go on a little trip, all to find your loved ones that original festive giflt and hopefully have a pretty good holiday while you're there. Often the prices at the markets mean you save a whole load on Christmas shopping too - it's a great place to find some bargains.

Last year, as I mentioned, I went to Prague. There are two - one at the Old Town Square and one at Wenceslas Square. You'll need to take a warm coat and a scarf, but that all adds to the Christmas atmosphere and I honestly felt like Father Christmas was just around the corner. Lots of brightly coloured stalls with oodles of ideas for you. And while you're there you can warm yourself up with hot food & drinks from the stalls there too. Prague Christmas Markets start on 29th November and we have plenty of cosy hotels for you to relax in after all that shopping! The Residence Mala Strana Prague - a 3 star superior - a great base to discover all the attractions of Prague - all rooms are tastefully decorated and all have a kitchenette - although the hotel also has a breakfast room. There is a special offer on during the Christmas Markets too - 3 nights for the price of 2 from £56pp. Valid from 1 nov - 25 nov. Pretty good!
Another good value for money hotel is the Kavalir hotel Prague - with trams just outside you can get to the centre of Prague in just 15 mins. From £16pppn.

The Duo hotel Prague is an excellent option - it's well known in Prague for it's low prices and amazing facilities - with a swimming pool, bowling alley, hairdressers, shop, internet desks & lobby bar. From £18pppn this is a real find.

Honestly I recommend these Christmas Markets - they're fab and they have so many lovely hotels in these cities they are really worth a visit! Choose from antwerp, berlin, bratislava, bruges, brussels, budapest, copenhagen, dusseldorf, frankfurt, stockholm or even london and manchester plus loads more. See here for more details.

Happy shopping!!!

Kicking up the leaves in Ireland

You know how I'm always planning ahead? Well I've been thinking about a nice Autumnal break in Ireland. The leaves are starting to turn, there's a certain nip in the air and I'd just like to get out into the country and kick leaves around - I like it because it's a little destructive but people you're with will just think you're a big kid at heart. Little do they know that really you've got a thing against those pesky leaves...

Anyway, enough of my irrational hatred of leaves... At the moment the other guys in the office are looking at best kept secret hotels, and this got me thinking. Where are some of the best little gems (and don't say in Sainsbury's with the other lettuces, it's not funny) in Dublin and Belfast? I'm after great value weekends away. Fab little bases from which to explore the glorious Emerald Isle. And I did pretty well (did you expect anything less dear reader??).

From 2nd - 5th October in Belfast Botanical Gardens are putting on "Enchanted Evenings" - performance artists, puppeteers, lights, and music. Think I'll wrap up warm and see if I can get a hot chocolate at that one! Anyone in need of a laugh should head down to the Empire Music Hall in November, this long-running comedy club has a host of comedians. And the Giant's Causeway is a spectacular natural feature of the area. So where to stay in Belfast....?

The 3 star Days Hotel Belfast is extremely popular with guests for its great value and . It is modern, has a nice historical element - you can see one of the wall murals that Belfast is famous for. Great hospitality and a nice hearty breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. Sounds good to me!

The Days Hotel Belfast also has a special offer in November - 3 nights for the price of 2 from £78pp. Bargain!

The 4 star Europa Hotel is also well recommended - if it's good enough for Bill Clinton...! Very good standard of rooms and places to sit and 'be' (a very nice pastime!) - the lobby bar, Piano restaurant and the brasserie. Located right in the centre of Belfast, all the major sights are within walking distance. Very stylish rooms too - with Ralph Lauren fabrics.... oooh!

Europa Hotel Belfast from £53pppn

And if, like me, you sometimes want lots of luxury and peace and quiet, the 4 star Slieve Donard Hotel County Down will fit the bill. This imposing red brick Victorian hotel effortlessly mixes old and new. The lobby, reception and restaurant are traditional, while the spa, bar and breakfast room are strikingly modern. The rooms are a happy blend of both. Venture outside and be overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the County Down countryside.

Slieve Donard Hotel County Down from £70pppn

You're probably more than aware that Dublin is the 'home' of Guiness, so pop into the Guiness Storehouse, which will tell you everything you need to know (and don't) about Guimess! Or soak up the atmosphere at the nightly performance of Irish music, song and dance, with optional dinner! Sounds like a nice way to spend an evening, that doesn't involve Guiness (don't worry, you can have some with your meal!).

Above all, get out in the fresh air and do a tour of the Dublin Castle and Bay to work off all those calories from all the Guiness you'll have quaffed. I like Guiness. Can you tell?

Lots of bargains to be had at Dublin hotels too. My pick of the best are (cue Top of the Pops style intro music):

Cassidy's Hotel Dublin is a 3 star superior, family-run establishment housed in 3 traditional red brick townhouses. Inside the decor is that lovely mix of contemporary and classic. Bedrooms feature flat screen TVs (so cool!) and really comfy beds. I love the bar here - very classical styling with wood panelling. Very chic.

Cassidy's Hotel Dublin 4 nights for the price of 3 (from £165pp) in October, and in November you can get 3 nights for the price of 2 (from £94pp)

If you're looking for a longer break - there are plenty of things to do in the area, so I can promise you won't get bored - try The Morgan Hotel. A boutique hotel in a central position. A very sophisticated hotel. The bar's really trendy, which I like. Great if you're after a bit of nightlife as well as country walks.

The Morgan Hotel Dublin 7 nights for the price of 6 from £534pp

And as a wildcard, check out the exotic reception at the Trinity Capital Hotel. I think the designers had obviously been on a time travel world-tour - colonial meets eastern with safari inspired furnishings and spicy colours. A real feast for the eyes. Rooms are more toned down (thank goodness!) with a very high standard of furniture - walnut and leather desks anyone? Plasma screen and a welcome tray of goodies. I don't think I'd want to leave the room!

Trinity Capital Hotel Dublin from £60pppn

Tennis ball biceps inspire a trip to NYC!

Glued to the set I was last night.

Andy Murray.

Muzza.

A-Mu.

The Scotsman with the tennis balls in his biceps...

is in the final of the US Open.

He beat Rafa Nadal - who in comparison has rugby league sports equipment for biceps. But see where that gets you huh? Oh yes, us chaps with the slim physiques know that it's not just all about muscle it's also about technique.... sorry, I digress....

I was watching the game, on the edge of my seat, swiping at every ball for Murray, pumping my fists and cheering, and I, it must be said, got a real hankering for New York.

Why? Well, I'm sure it's a mixture of a few things. Jealousy of my cousin Hamish going over there... Hamish said he was going to hit a few balls with a friend of his as a favour... and also just seeing Flushing Meadows on television has reminded me what a great city New York is.

So, on a whim, I'm nipping over there for a few days. I'm booked to stay in the New Yorker Hotel.

It's a great three star, at a great price.

I'm all for 5 star hotel stays, but there's no need when the New Yorker is on offer.

It's just across the road from Madison Square Gardens - central central location!! And the building itself is a local landmark. It has 40 stories of classic art deco architecture and gives guests (me!!) fabulous view across the city.

You can book it here - with a 5% discount if you book online.

Bring it on. And hopefully with a nice British victory to go with it.

Not that I am one to who likes to brag, but I may have to get onto the courts myself to show those New Yorkers that we Brits can play tennis with the best of them!!

Laters

Secret Agent

Rum punch on the beach

7 world records in swimming, 3 in running... and a world record for amount of hours spent thinking I'm as good as all these athletes, running around poor unsuspecting hotels pretending I'm Michael Phelps (I'm not by the way, my secret identity is not a cover up for being a world famous record breaking athlete, why would I cover that up? Think it through readers! Tsk!)

I was amazed by the sporting prowess of Usain Bolt. 3 races, 3 world records. He comes from Jamaica you know. And did you also know that my employers (the great people at HotelConnect) have just launched top destinations in the Caribbean, including Jamaica? I went on a top secret mission last week to the Caribbean (I know, it's a hard life) to check out these destinations.

My first stop was Jamaica where I sampled life at the 5 star Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, which proudly calls itself the tourist capital of Jamaica. It's been popular with celebs and us hoi polloi for many years, and with good reason. The beaches are spectacular. I fed a hummingbird at the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, and did my best Bond impression at the casino. Staying at the Half Moon Resort is a real treat - it has 51 pools, yes fifty-one swimming pools. This is utter luxury. The resort has even had the royal seal of approval. HRH Queen Lizzy II has stayed here. I felt very much at home and so will you! With HotelConnect you can get 7 nights for the price of 6 from just £582pp. If you have an anniversary/wedding/honeymoon/a holiday that needs the wow factor, look no further. Seriously, put your feet up and relax, everything will be 'irie' here.

The other fabulous destinations in the Caribbean include Barbados (altogether now, "Oh.. I'm going to Barbados...!". I liked Barbados a lot. Great food, great people, and a natural beauty to the place. The Bajans are fun! And yet so polite. There were hugs all round when I eventually managed to extract myself from a beach BBQ! Try the 3 star Barbados Beach Club - 7 nights for the price of 6 from £324pp all inclusive.

Feeling slightly worse for wear after rather a lot of rum, I decided to try St. Lucia. Somewhere I've always wanted to go and explore. It really is like stepping into the Pirates of the Caribbean. Lush rainforest and unspoilt beaches. I did my best Jack Sparrow impression with my hangover! The 2 star Bay Gardens Hotel is a gem! Comfy pastel rooms with a balcony or terrace. The traditional buildings surround the lovely pool. From £35pppn.

The Bahamas were flat - an odd introduction I know, but it stuck in my head! - and colourful and everyday seems to be a celebration of life. Lots of little islands make up the Bahamas, and each one has something to offer. I was on Grand Bahama Island, where I stayed at the all-inclusive 3 star Wyndham Fortuna Beach Hotel. It had a great beach and because pretty much everything is included I barely had to move! From £52pppn all inclusive.

I decided the next stop was going to be more energetic as I'd indulged a little too much at the Wyndham. I whizzed off to Antigua, and the Jolly Beach Resort. Jolly by name, jolly by nature! Here I took full advantage of the 8,000sq ft fantasy pool, for swimming lengths. And because the non-motorised watersports are all free, I managed to tone up ready on the Antiguan beach to get back to HC Towers and show off my tan. From £69pppn all inclusive.

Olympics? Nice!

I love the Olympics.

I of course had my aspirations shattered of becoming an Olympian through a bizarre and unfortunate accident with my bike, a toaster and a world atlas. I don't want to go into it too much - but let's just say that the shattering was not just of my dreams!

I've been watching a lot of it from Nice, as I've been sent here from work to um... well - I'm not really sure why. One person told me it was to look at some of our hotels, someone else said that it was to 'get the French perspective on the hotel industry', whilst my manager said it was to 'get you out of the office, you do my head in when the Olympics are on with your banners, bunting, cheering, shouting and obssessing the whole time you're here'.

Ha ha! He cracks me up - such a sense of humour!

I have taken the opportunity to check out some of the hotels in Nice. I have been told that it will be a £1 penalty for every time I describe anything as nice. In Nice. Which I still think is funny, but it always brings out plenty of eye-rolls in the office.

The Plaza hotel in Nice really dragged me away from the Olympics coverage with it's beautiful terrace with views of the sea.

The terrace has a lovely restaurant and bar, and I've whiled away many an hour daydreaming of being on that top step, and ducking my head for that gold medal.


The Park hotel in Nice is surrounded by lovely greenery, and even has a cute indoor fountain.

It's just two minutes walk from the beach too, which is perfect if you fancy not just a bit of swimming, but also a romantic stroll along the promenade.

It's also handily close if you forget anything... like your towel, or um, swimming trunks... whilst you're in the middle of getting changed.

I'm back off home tomorrow, but I think I'll come back (in my own time!) maybe a bit later in the year.

Nice is nice (nearly!) great when it's hot, but I've been told by the others in the Sports Bars that in the cooler months it's not so crowded, and feels a lot more 'French' (their words for - not so many tourists!).


When I come back, I'll definitely stay in the Nice Riviera Hotel. It's central - close to everything and it has an indoor pool and beautiful spa.

Everyone reckons that it's the best value 4 star in the city. All of the bathrooms are done out in marble too.

Nice. (doh!)

Laters,

Secret Agent

New York....watch out!

Well what a week I've had entertaining all my friends who've been visiting me - we've been all over London, exploring, eating, drinking, exploring some more, watching outdoor films, visiting museums, irish dancing, and visiting Twickenham - so much so that I am in need of a holiday!

So Great Auntie Beryl, who came over last week, was overhearing me recommending all these hotels to my friends and has decided she's onto something. She's told all her friends about my skills and I keep getting calls from the likes of Mavis, Gertrude and Iris from her bridge class, all asking me to recommend hotels for them depending on their preferences (mainly chess, golf and bird watching). I like to think I can find something for everyone so I'm being put to the test but think I'm doing OK so far.

She went back to sunny Edinburgh a few days ago (my place is only just recovering from her stay - I keep finding tea cups in all sorts of obscure places - in the bath, behind the tv, in the cat's bed....). Her gossip spreading is renowned throughout Scotland for the speed at which it travels and as a result I had an interesting call from cousin Hamish just this morning. Some say he looks like me.... I prefer to think not.


He's heard about these new US entry requirements that mean that all those travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme (most British Citizen passport holders) are required to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. This is known as an Electronic Travel System or ESTA. The system is now up and running on a voluntary basis but will become mandatory as of 12 Jan 2009. See here for more info: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/travel/esta_factsheet.xml

Anyway, I digress... Hamish, hearing I'm a "travel guru" (as the gossip goes) has asked me what this means about his trip to New York & can I help him book a hotel there which he has failed to do yet despite the fact he's leaving next week. So......I told him - log onto the ESTA website and follow the instructions to fill in this new ESTA form before he goes - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and as for hotels - on those I can be of help.

So I began enthusiastically suggesting a few of my favourites: There's the New Yorker hotel - a 3* - centrally located in midtown Manhattan and has a mini gym and a bar open until 1am (he's keen on the odd whisky before bed) - from £91pppn. Or the Helmsley Park Lane 4* - very grand, luxurious , has a huge ballroom and a peaceful open air garden cafe - from £95pppn.

At this point Hamish said "och aye - what would I need with a ballroom? Unlikely I'll be taking a kilt and showing off me reeling skills!. Give me some more...."

Now a little scared, I offer the Park Central Hotel New York - midtown Manhattan again - very near the bottom of Central Park for those early morning runs he enjoys (so he can eat as much as he likes all day and not feel guilty). That's from £98pppn.

If he fancies seeing a show or two, I suggest - there's no better than the Ameritania hotel New York - a 3* - just off broadway. Very trendy & cool - in an art deco style and there's a stylish twist lounge bar within the hotel where he can hang out & see if girls dig his weird accent.

I can tell that his eyes light up (phew!) and I think that's a winner - but just in case he's not convinced I hit him with the Jolly Hotel Madison Towers New York 4* - a beautiful Italian style hotel with plenty of handcrafted furnishings imported from Italy. Plus it has an Asian spa AND a bar called the Whaler bar which puts on popular Jazz nights.

"well you've only gone and bl**dy done it cousin" he says. "Only problem now is I'm not sure whether it's more important to choose girls or jazz....thanks for the tips" and he hangs up.

Well I'm here to help. Good luck New York is all I can say....