Top 5 Most Luxurious Hotels and Resorts

Top 5 Most Luxurious Hotels and Resorts

by Florin Costache

So you want to take the holiday of your life, and to make that even more special you decided that there will be no expenses spared. If you still don't know where to go, here are 5 places that will surely rock your boat!

1. Altamer Resorts (Anguilla) - the 3 exclusive villas in the Altamer Resort are some of the finest in the world. Well, at $80,000 a night (this price was charged in December 2006 through January 2007, and is the most expensive) it really should be that way!

Each villa has its own private swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, home theater, an office with high speed internet access and wireless connection in the villa. You also get a personal butler and 8 dedicated staff, including a chef if the meal plan was selected.

There are also 2 tennis courts that double as basketball courts and a volleyball court that are common for the 3 villas. If that won't satisfy you, the pristine beaches of Shoal Bay West will be what you are looking for.

2. Burj Al Arab (Dubai) - if you're visiting the United Arab Emirates this is the only place to stay! At around $4,000 for a 2 bedroom, 3605 square feet suite, it is not as expensive as other accommodations but it isn't exactly cheap either.

Each suite has an office area complete with laptop, Internet access, private fax, printer and copier. Some of the advanced technologies that are at your disposal in a Burj Al Arab: lighting, curtains and air-conditioning at the touch of a button; 42 inch plasma screen, video on demand, DVD and a wide variety of cable channels.

3. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows (Kohala Coast, Kona) - this AAA 5 Diamond Award Winner is located on the big island's Kohala Coast, Hawaii's sunniest coastline.

The only way you can benefit the full Mauna Lani experience is to take a tour of the island by helicopter: search for active lava flows, lush rain forests, deep valleys and waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, whales, hidden beaches and much more.

The top of the line in accommodation is the 3 bedroom villa that features a master bedroom/bath suite and 2 guest rooms for up to 6 people. It includes daily housekeeping service, spacious private lanai and state of the art kitchen, fully equipped laundry facility and a designated parking stall. The Prime Villa goes at $1,920 per day plus tax with a minimum stay of 3 days.

4. Le Meridien Bora Bora (Bora Bora, French Polynesia) - this tropical paradise can be one of the most romantic escapes for couples in love, especially with Le Meridien's offer: a Premium Overwater Bungalow will set you back a little bit over $1,000 a day.

You might wonder why the bungalows are called "Overwater". Well, that's because they are... over water. Imagine being in a room that has a glass floor (it's a thick pane of glass, don't worry) that gives you a clear view of the clear turquoise water below. Plus, a ladder even lets you take a swim in the lagoon's warm water!

5. Dromoland Castle Hotel (County Clare, Ireland) - sometimes the beaches and white sands become a little too, dare I say it, boring. A change of scenery, from the beaches to the greenest grass, from the ocean to the mountains, add a little variety and spice to life.

Dromoland Castle is one of the few castle hotels that can trace its ownership back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. Blending old world elegance with modern day comforts, it is one of Europe's most desired destinations.

A one bedroom suite will offer its 2 guests all the amenities that one expects from a $1,350 per night service: internet connection, cable TV, audio system, movie service, messaging services, 24 hour room service and a lot more!

These are only 5 out of hundreds of dream locations that you can visit and then say that you had the vacation of a life time. Still, next time you are planning a trip, take another look at this list and consider visiting a place that will forever be with you!

Beach Vacations - The Perfect Way To Spend Your Summer Holidays

Beach Vacations - The Perfect Way To Spend Your Summer Holidays

by Brooke Hayles

"We're going to the beach!" The phrase brings back memories of being children and building sandcastles out of wet sand and letting the waves chase us up and down the coast.

As we grow, the beach never quite looses it's magic. In fact, it gains more magic as we discover beach vacations have more to offer than just sandcastles and waves. Nothing soothes us after a long work year like the sun tanning us, the water lapping at the shore and knowing there will be a clam bake later on tonight and a bonfire past that. With little doubt, beach vacations are among the most relaxing vacations you can take.

The Caribbean Island of Delos Santorini seems to be almost custom made for the explorer in all of us. They are full of history and they have even preserved a town ravaged by a volcano. You can go through and almost touch history as you explore how ancient people lived.

If you are a frequent surfer and are looking for the best surf spot in the world, you will want to check out the Canary Islands, they have recently been given this honor. Whether you are looking to check out ancient ruins or surf the curl, beach vacations are for you.

You will find there is far more to do than in days gone by. While the image of the beach back when you were a child may have involved sandcastles and people in the shade under big umbrellas sitting on towels or lawn chairs, today, they have become full-blown resorts. You can get a message, have room service send up a tropical drink and then walk on the beach at sunset. You can relax your day away or fill up every moment of it.

The typical tropical beach vacation is about two weeks.

Accommodations on the beach have also undergone a big change over the years. No more with the motel that is 3 hours away. Now there are hotels right on the beach that offer more than just a place to sleep. With room service, beautiful views and other amenities, you may be too relaxed in the room to make it to the beach some days.

Another option on some beaches is to get a bungalow right on the beach so you get the feeling of never having to 'go home' while on vacation.

The great thing about beach vacations is they can truly be anything you want them to be. Deep sea fishing, shopping at the local shops, surfing, laying on the beach, rock climbing, cabana boys serving drinks as you work on your tan, swimming, clam digging, bonfires, etc. Very truly anything you want. Lately, Greece has become a very popular destination for a lot of celebrities looking for a beach vacation. Thanks to the incredible, full flavored foods and ancient ruins like the Parthenon, this area seems to draw a variety of people.

Your local travel agent can help you plan the perfect beach vacation, if you are unsure or overwhelmed with the choices. Simply tell the agent what you want and they will put together a beach vacation package for you. You will not have to worry about getting your hotel room or flight arrangements - they will do it for you. They will provide you with information of the area such as restaurants and attractions. Basically, they will take care of the stressful part so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy it! Summary:

No matter you age, activity level or interests, beach vacations are going to hold whatever you want to do. Activities range from staying on the beach and working on your tan to deep-sea fishing and rock climbing. No longer is it just some place to go when you have a weekend you don't know what to do with, but more of a designation when you want to spend some time in a special place.