Archive for February, 2009

With the 2012 Olympic Games rapidly approaching, the time to prepare your accommodation is now. With London already being the chosen place to host the event, those that are planning on attending are already starting to make provisions, meaning those that do not start soon will not get the first choice of places to stay. When attending the games there are a variety of options in terms of accommodation – from hotels, to camping, to rented accommodation to Guest Houses.

Guest houses are becoming a very popular choice among holiday makers, and especially those that are attending events because of the advantages that they offer. The flexibility that they offer, coupled with the luxury and ease of making a booking make them perfect for anyone to take advantage of during their stay in London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Advantages

When you stay in a guest house the atmosphere will be much different from a hotel, and as such you will not have to alter your plans to cater for the other guest’s needs. If you want to wake up later for breakfast, or enter your guest house later on than the curfew, then they will be happy to accommodate. You may also be able to influence the menu to get the kind of food that you would like the best, rather than your choice from the options available on the menu.

Guest houses are much more private than a hotel and are much more homely too. You will not have to meet hundreds of guests like you would in a hotel; rather, they cater for a smaller amount of guests and deliver a much more personnel service.

When you visit a guest house you can get to know the people who own the guest house, and they will be able to give you great information on the area where you are staying, travel routes and nice places to eat out. This will be especially useful for the London Olympic Games – it can be hard to find your feet in a new city!

Guest houses can work out much cheaper than a hotel because the people who own the guest house live there anyway, meaning there are less costs. Also, because guest houses are a less conventional means of accommodation, there will be less competition as a result of the games being on.

Disadvantages

Guest houses are generally not in the center of the city, and as such it will take you longer to get to the events which will be held in the city center. Because guest houses are generally on the outskirts you will also find that public transport will be less reliable as well.

Guest houses may be uncomfortable to stay in if you do not get on with the owners. The reason for this is that because there are less people staying there, you will have to experience more one on one conversation with them than you would ever have to in a larger hotel where you could easily go un-noticed.

Bruce Abbott
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/guest-house-2012-olympic-games-making-the-right-choice-165315.html

We have visited several Country House Hotels in the Cotswolds in England and trust that the following will help in your search for a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds which is a beautiful part of England with numerous old English market towns and villages.

Broadway is a small town in the Cotswolds whose high street has a number of antique and gift shops and homes built of Cotswold stone. The Lygon Arms can be found in the high street and is one of several character Country House Hotels in close proximity to Broadway in the Cotswolds in England. The restaurant has a Michelin star and there are spa facilities. You can be assured of a warm welcome with roaring log fires in the winter months. This is indeed a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds.

Chipping Camden is a small town in the Cotswolds again with a wonderful high street where you will find The Cotswold House Hotel is a fine luxury hotel in the Cotswolds in England offering service of the highest standard with exquisite food served in both the restaurant and brasserie. This Country House Hotel has been designed inside in a modern theme but full of character with no expense spared.

Lower Slaughter is a small Cotswold Village with the trout filled River Eye running through it. Lower Slaughter Manor is in the centre of the village next to the church. It is one of two Country House Hotels in this Cotswolds village in this tranquil part of England. Personal service of the highest standard is provided. Enjoy afternoon tea in front of a roaring log fire in the winter or on the front lawn in summer. Beautifully decorated and furnished Lower Slaughter Manor is a luxury hotel close to the Cotswolds town of Stow on the Wold here in England.

Please do not hesitate to telephone us on 01562 631682 for further advice about a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds.

Alan Hope
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/country-house-hotels-cotswolds-england-84934.html

Song: Johnny Coppin – Gloucestershire Wassail

“But it is in the old story that all the beasts can talk in the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the morning (though there are very few folk that can hear them, or know what it is that they say).” – from “The Tailor of Gloucester” by Beatrix Potter

Duration : 0:3:27

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If you have watched my ‘Hotel Room In Kufstein’ videos, you will know that I haven’t had the best of luck with some of the holiday hotels I’ve stayed in!
This is a kind of sequel to those hilarious videos but in a good way. See what I have to say about my holiday hotel in Matson near Gloucester and enjoy! HA HA

Duration : 0:2:40

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Technorati Tags: blog, cotswolds, daft, feelings, Gloucester, hotel, humour, laugh, matson, room, silly, sketch, thoughts, Video

http://www.virginiasportingestates.com
Historic, Waterfront Sporting Country Estate Oak Hall a classic Greek Revival Manor Home ideally situated on the North River. 5 bedroom, large Master suite, 4.5baths including guest apt. above garage.

10 fireplaces, many dependencies: Guest house, Office/guest lodging, pool, garden sheds, barn and workshops. Nearly 52-ac, fenced and ready for horses/livestock, Boat Basin (8ft), permit for large dock, deepwater access.

1800 linear feet on the NORTH RIVER! 10 minutes drive from Gloucester.

For more details and a private showing, please call Murdoch Matheson @ 434-951-4185.

Duration : 0:0:43

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Technorati Tags: Boating, charlottesville, Country, Estate, for, Historic, House, residential, Sale, Sporting, Virginia, Waterfront

Broadway is situated at the heart of the Cotswolds. It got its name because of the wide street and has been a traditional coaching stop for centuries. The town is extremely pretty and so very English. The buildings are made from local honey-coloured stone so characteristic of the area.

The main street consists of many curiosities and antique stores. It is very popular amongst tourists and during the summer months it can be bursting at the seams! With a range of excellent accommodation and restaurants, Broadway provides an ideal base to tour the surrounding area.

Lygon Arms
One of the best known inns in Broadway you will not be disappointed if you stay here. The inn dates back to the sixteenth century and is set in three acres of gardens. You can dine in the superb Great Hall with barrel-vaulted ceiling surrounded by oak panelling and heraldic artefacts all lit by the great open fire. Take afternoon tea on the veranda and sleep in a four poster bed.
This is luxury accommodation with prices to match. Famous guests include Oliver Cromwell and Charles 1.

Abbots Grange
Towards the centre of Broadway is a triangular green overlooked by Abbots Grange. Built in the fourteenth century it retains some of the features from that period.

In the late eighteen hundreds American artist Francis Millet lived here and converted the building into a studio. It was frequented by many English and American artists during the ‘Arts and Crafts’ movement. They wanted a retreat away from the grimy cities where they could capture the romantic surroundings on canvas. Writings at the time tell us that they led a bohemian lifestyle that was tolerated if not encouraged by the locals!

Broadway Tower
Overlooking the town is Broadway Hill. This is the highest point in the Cotswolds. The view is magnificent and on a clear day you can see thirteen counties.

Sitting on top of the hill is Broadway Tower, a magnificent English folly. Built by Lord Coventry in 1797, it was used by the leader of the Arts and Crafts movement, William Morris. You can see some of his famous designs which are still housed in the tower.

Dormy House
This seventeenth century building was originally named ‘Willersy Hill Farm’. Originally a farmhouse it was bought by Broadway Golf Club in the 1940’s. The name comes from the golfing term for ‘unbeatable’.

Today this fantastic building is a hotel and conference centre but it has retained all its charming features. It is worth visiting the iron-age burial ground nearby.

Broadway and the surrounding areas prospered as a result of sheep farming and the rise of the woollen industry. The demand for wool changed the character of the English countryside from forest and woodland to enclosed grassy fields with dry stone walls.

The Cotswolds has a unique beauty with Broadway being the jewel in the crown!

Ann Coveney
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/broadway-is-a-jewel-in-the-crown-for-england-71716.html