Archive for the ‘Hotel’ Category

PostHeaderIcon El Cid Vacations Club: Move Out in Style

Vacations is generally that part of the year when every bit of work that one generally lives to do can take a backseat and that one person looks forward to sitting up with their legs high as they soak in the lack of worry or concern that they may generally have in everyday life. This is generally also one part of the year that they do not wish to spend too much time planning in terms of how to spend it. It is all about enjoying the vacation rather than worrying about which flight or train to take and all other problems related to the idea of a holiday. This is where El Cid Vacations Club turns into the most humble solution to all the problems of the holiday-starved human being.

The most useful fact related to a vacation planned at El Cid Vacations Club is that one gets to choose what they want in their budget in terms of points. Members are allocated a certain number of points to their membership code and then onwards it is a matter of actually exchanging the points with the other benefits that the vacation club has to offer with regards to accommodation, facilities revolving around the accommodation, cruises, sight seeing, party options, food and other benefits. The best part is that the club provides all customers with a unique touch of a holiday experience where every aspect and element is laid out in front of them as if they were dishes on an elaborate platter and then it is a matter of simply choosing the right dishes to make the perfect meal. The facilities they provide are exceptional too. All you need is a little bit of time and patience that will allow you to get a clearer idea of things. Once that is in place and you choose what you want, the entire holiday will unravel itself in front of you like a beautiful adventure just waiting to be explored. That is the beauty of El Cid Vacations Club.

For those, who enjoy being pampered, they will be pleased to know that the staff involved in customer relations is extremely friendly and helpful. They will help customers with almost anything related to the club and also give them a fine understanding of what El Cid Vacations Club is all about. So all you need to do is choose to go on a vacation and the rest of it is a breeze.

PostHeaderIcon Costa Rica Beaches and Travel Guide A quality travel guide to Costa Rica

Costa Rica Beaches and Travel Guide An excellent travel help guide to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is famous among the nations situated in Guatemala which position makes america has tropical climate using the sun stands out the entire country all the year. It isn’t an unexpected then if lots of people using their company nations choose Costa Rica for his or her holiday destination simply to benefit from the warm sunlight there. Aside from the vacationers can benefit from the the sunshine there, you will find several some other reasons why Costa Rica ought to be probably the most suggested places to become visited in holidays. You will find many interesting spots could be visited while you want to invest your precious holidays in Costa Rica but the most amazing factor relating to this country may be the beautiful beaches you’ll find there. It isn’t very hard to achieve the Costa Rica Beaches you will find many accesses to achieve all of them. Beaches you will find very beautiful and special you will not find individuals beaches elsewhere. The Costa Rica Beaches are not only seen ideal for taking pleasure in the nice and cozy sunlight they’re also an ideal choice while you want for taking pleasure in the underwater view or trying some extreme water sport like blueberry boating or parasailing. If you want for that romantic devote Costa Rica, beaches may also be the superb choice recalling you may enjoy the gorgeous sunset or sunrise within the beaches there with your beloved. What you need to do within this matter is matching the type of activity you would like related to the items provided by Costa Rica Beaches.

Among many beaches are available in Costa Rica, typically the most popular the first is beaches at Manuel Antonio. You will find four beaches areas there might be selected and every one of them get to be the primary destination while vacationers visit Costa Rica for his or her holidays. When what you would like may be the beach to get close using the water creatures, you are able to choose Tortuguero and you will have fun with turtles within this place. However, the gorgeous beaches offered in Costa Rica aren’t the sole things required to benefit from the precious Costa Rica vacation. There must be some facilities to aid your holidays. It’s not necessary to become be worried about the resort in Costa Rica, you will find many Costa Rica Hotels situated close to the beaches that you could book before your arrival within this exotic country. Hotels aren’t the sole option for remaining in Costa Rica you will find also many resorts available there. A few of the resorts even provide the direct view towards the beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. The resorts and hotels of Costa Rica provides several facilities and selection of prices, you need to simply suit your choice together with your holidays budget. Its not necessary to become worry the hotels is going to be full in holidays you are able to book your accommodation from now through online. Recalling the truth that Costa Rica is among the top tourism locations in Guatemala, you will find some allow you to book your accommodation online. Then when you ultimately get to Costa Rica, you are able to directly see your accommodation to consider a relaxation before you begin your amazing Costa Rica journey.

It’s a good idea to organize your Costa Rica Travel for many special occasions much like your holidays for families or honey moon because aside from the beaches, Costa Rica also provides you other interesting things. You will find some historic sites you can travel to in Costa Rica which country is another good way when you require the spot to shop with all of shopping malls obtainable in Costa Rica. Additionally you can taste the special meals made there and you’ll satisfy the friendly residents in Costa Rica who you will need to assist you to when you need. If you feel you cannot plan your Costa Rica holiday by yourself you will find some travel specialists to become approached and they’ll be pleased that will help you together with your Costa Rica vacation. For many special moments the travel specialists provide you with the vacation packages associated with the moments you decide to enjoy in Costa Rica. When you wish Costa Rica to become your romantic honey moon holidays, you might pick the honey package from some travel specialists and they’ll provide you with towards the romantic places there. Should you bring your children inside your holidays, the tour operator will highlight the household travel destinations where your children can enjoy there. Everything about Costa Rica holiday is extremely great then there shouldn’t be more doubt to select America as the holiday destination.

PostHeaderIcon Cheap Holidays to Greece Still Provide an Excellent Holiday Experience

Perhaps there are so many cheap holidays to Greece because there are so may fabulous destinations in Greece for a holiday. Not only does mainland Greece have a plethora of interesting destinations, there are many islands that have beach resorts and cultural attractions which draw visitors. There aren’t too many places in the world that can boast beach resorts and cultural attractions and ancient ruins from a civilization that figured so significantly in the beginnings of Western culture.

With the number of tour operators offering cheap holidays to Greece , it can be difficult to select a holiday that you will enjoy and can easily afford. If you stick with the major tou operators you will have the largest selection of holidays as there are several Greek island destinations which provide a excellent holiday experience. Look for holidays on Crete, Kos and Corfu. These are popular islands with tourists so they have a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.

Cheap holidays to Greece , at the the Greek Islands, will be beach holidays. Every island has beaches,some are better for soaking up the sun, others are more suitable for water sports. Most accommodations will be located near a beach resort, this is where you’ll find most of the tourist amenities. Select a tour operator that give you the largest choice of cheap holidays to Greece so you can have a memorable holiday on the island best suited to your tastes.

PostHeaderIcon Hotel Security

Today, more than ever, hotel security has grown to encompass more than just emergency and evacuation plans, a stern visit to a rowdy room, or a security guard at the hotel’s entrance. Like all other large facilities in a post 9/11 world, hotels must protect themselves and their guests against terrorists looking for a high-throughput environment that would draw media and public attention in the case that an event transpires there.

The connotations of contemporary threats translate into several crucial aspects regarding hotel security. First, the risk assessment is no longer an option for hotels, but rather a necessary tool. Secondly, the security manager and his or her team must be professionally trained and qualified to deal with today’s contemporary hotel security threats. Third, hotels benefit from joining an industry organization whereby they can be kept abreast of measures that their competitors are taking in terms of hotel security. Finally, hotels must have an orderly system in place whereby they are periodically updated about the local and/or national security warning level by law-enforcement bodies.

In the case that a hotel is not mandated to undergo a hotel security risk assessment by local or national authorities, it must take this responsibility upon itself. That is, a professional risk assessment will help a hotel identify its assets, the potential threats to those assets, and the magnitude of losses in the event that the threat manifests. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a risk assessment will draw conclusions and provide workable recommendations and countermeasures to be implemented by the hotel management. Although a professional risk assessment prevents a formidable investment for the hotel itself, it is the most imperative investment that the entity can make.

Most hotels have a security manager or chief of hotel security operations who is responsible for a crew of security guards. Today’s managers and their teams must be professionally trained and educated regarding modern threats that face the hotel security industry. In addition to knowing how to properly monitor security technologies such as CCTV, access-control and other integrated hotel security systems, today’s hotel security [http://www.thepsos.com/hotels] managers and officers must be trained in identifying suspicious behaviors, interpreting body language and cris-response intervention.

Thirdly, many countries or states have collective hotel associations that provide a supportive community network for local hotels. Some examples include the IH&RA ( International Hotel & Restaurant Association ), the AH&LA (American Hotel and Lodging Association), the EHMA (European Hotel Managers Association) and the IHA (Israeli Hotel Association). These fraternal organizations are the ideal platform for hotels to gain support in regards to how their counterparts are providing services to their clients.

Finally, hotels must have an orderly system in place whereby they are periodically updated about the local and/or national security warning level by law-enforcement bodies. Many national and/or local law enforcement bodies make this aspect of hotel security a requirement. That is, the hotels in a given area must be willing to have a consistent flow of dialogue between police or state security forces, and themselves. Through updates, and even set standards, these hotels will be better equipped to provide the best to their guests.

PostHeaderIcon The Incredible Value of the New York Pass

If you’re planning to visit New York City it really pays to make the investment in The New York Pass. This pass will allow you free entrance into some of the biggest attractions that New York has to offer in addition to discounts to many more attraction and a 140 page guide book that gives you information about many of the places you won’t want to miss while you’re visiting this great city.

Some of the places that you are allowed free admission by way of your New York Pass include the following: The Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Isle with a free round-trip ferry ticket and gives you skip ahead privileges for the ticket line, free admission to the Guggenheim Museum (though you may need to pay additional fees for special exhibitions), the New York Skyride, and the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. These are just a few of the many places you can go for no additional fees. If you’re planning to fit many activities into your time in New York, this is by far the best way to go.

There are often offers for discounts if you are purchasing multiple days of The New York Pass, the fact remains however that if you are choosing more than two events on any given day you’ll probably be saving money on admission alone by purchasing the pass. If you’re only planning on one paid activity per day then you’re better off not making the purchase of a pass. With all vacations there are simple matters of economics involved. There are two forms of economics that come into play on a vacation-money and time. Time is often the most carefully guarded of the two while vacationing and people forget to pay attention to cast budgets as a result feeling it is better to waste money than to waste time.

I personally like to waste neither. I enjoy the skip ahead privileges that having city passes often allow as well as the knowledge that I’ve already paid for the days activities and can keep a better eye on where the remainder of my funds are being spent.

In addition to the many freebies that are involved as a result of the New York Pass there are also invaluable discounts that you can get on dining, souvenirs, even tours such as the New York Helicopter Sightseeing Tours. And then there are some tours that having a New York Pass will allow you to experience for free as well. Among those are: the United Nations Tour, The NBC Studio Tour, the Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, the Rockefeller Center Tour, and the Tour at Lincoln Center.

The pass will introduce you to museums and zoos with free admission that you may not have otherwise considered and open the doors to extra entertainment for the entire family. If you’re going to be in New York for an extended period of time, 3 days or more, and plan to take a lot of tours and do a lot of sight seeing on your trip, I seriously recommend that you buy the New York Pass and use it every chance you get for free entrance fees and merchandise or food discounts and freebies. This is by far one of the best tips anyone can give you about your visit to New York and your budget. I also recommend tailoring your experience to the free things offered as much as possible and save your money for gifts, mementos, and the wonderful food and shows that abound in this fabulous city. Be sure to pay close attention when ordering tickets and checking to see if you are entitled to a discount because of your New York Pass. Do your best to enjoy your time and try not to fit too many things into one day. There are only so many hours in a day and while New York may be the City that Never Sleeps, we all need to sleep sometime.

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PostHeaderIcon How to Get Compensation For a Bad Hotel Experience

Almost all of us have had a bad experience with a hotel at one point or another. Perhaps the room was not entirely clean, had an odor, or was located a little too close to the ice machine. Maybe the complimentary continental breakfast was only worth what you paid. Or perhaps the 17 year old front desk clerk was too busy on her BlackBerry to check you out, making you miss the next shuttle bus to the airport.

Whatever the case may be, consumers should not just complain to their family and friends after they get home from their vacation or business trip. Raise the issue with the hotel – if done correctly, you not only may resolve the problem but you may receive compensation. Wouldn’t it be great to receive a free hotel stays, room upgrades, discount coupons, or even cash refunds for your troubles? Follow these 3 steps for best results to resolving a hotel complaint:

1. Address the problem right away: When something goes wrong with your hotel stay, the first course of action is to raise the issue with the hotel clerk as soon as the problem is discovered. Simply explain to them how your expectation is not being met and what you would like them to do about it.

Suppose you receive a room that is located near the ice machine and you can hear the machine every time someone goes for ice. Tell the front desk that your room is noisy due to the ice machine, that you are a light sleeper and would like to be moved. When speaking with hotel staff, always remain calm and polite but do not be afraid to assert yourself. For instance, do not hesitate to tell them that you are willing to take a room upgrade but a downgrade is not acceptable.

2. Go to top (but be reasonable): Elevate your problem to the hotel manager on duty. Do not waste your time with the lower level staff if they are not easily willing to resolve the problem or do not have the authority to do so. When you speak to the hotel manager, understand that even the manager not be able to accommodate your request. If it is a different hotel room you are seeking, the hotel may be at maximum capacity. Try to be flexible and think outside the box. If the pool is closed, perhaps there is a nearby hotel whose pool you can use. The point is this – work with the hotel to find a solution.

3. The Letter of Complaint: If the hotel cannot adequately resolve the issue, it is a good idea to write a letter. A good letter of complaint to a hotel starts before you even leave the hotel. Take notes of the dates and times of key events, the name and position of the staff you spoke with, and the nature of the conversation. These notes will come in handy. The letter should be sent to the highest person in the company you can find – even the CEO. Stick to the facts and do not be rude. Most importantly, tell them how you would like to be compensated. Common items received include full or partial refunds, complimentary future stays, hotel loyalty points, and discount coupons.

I travel up to 100 days per year. While many hotels fail to meet certain standards, promises and expectations, I find that most hotels are genuinely interested in resolving problems. Do not hesitate to tell someone when something is not right. You may find the hotel is willing to fix the problem while receiving valuable feedback to improve the stay of future visitors.

PostHeaderIcon The Blessings Of Vacations

There are so many wonderful things to do and see in New York City. It’s hard to imagine that in a lifetime someone could possibly manage to get to them all. The problem is that many of them sound like so much fun it’s hard to choose between the men and select the few. The best solution for me is to stick with things that can’t be done at home. Playing in parks for the most part can be done at home. While none of our parks compare to the many available here, it can still be done at home without traveling thousands of miles in order to do so.

The same can be said for watching movies, fishing, hiking, riding bikes, and roller-blading. While getting exercise is great, there will be plenty of walking while in New York and I can actually roller blade when I get home, right? But if you like doing those things, why on earth would you deprive yourself of doing them simply because the locale has changed? If anything you will have a new shot of scenery to enjoy, new sights and sounds, and perhaps you can get your family, up, out, and active right along with you.

In addition to the physical activities there are so many wonderful shows that can be seen on and off Broadway, there are also some wonderful opportunities to dance yourself as well as to watch others dancing. You can make music and listen to the beautiful sounds that others have made. You also have the wonderful and unique ability to choose from so many bookstore and antique shops. There are literally thousands of things you can choose to do and see within the course of a day in New York City, many of them free and some of them are actually freeing.

It is so important that we remember when vacationing what the actual purpose of a vacation is-to renew ourselves in our commitments to our families, our mates, and our work. In doing this we are supposed to come back refreshed and renewed ready to face the challenges that await us. Find something freeing to do while on vacation. Let your hair down and enjoy the ability to dance without worrying about who might see. Sing karaoke in a tavern, act silly with your kids and go walking barefoot on the beach with flowers in your hair. Remember what it was like to be young and have fun for the sake of having fun and most importantly, remember how to smile.

Your New York Vacation should remind you, if nothing else how fleeting life is. The skyline of this great city has forever been changed and that is something we can never forget, it is not something we need to dwell on, but it is something that should really make us think when we remember it. We should seize each moment with our friends and families for the opportunity it is to not only be blessed but also to be a blessing in return.
Use your vacation as an opportunity to read to your children, sing to your mate, hold hands in the rain, and fall in love with each other all over again. Be romantic and sweet and hold the door open for him. Be silly and make up rhyming songs and tell your children often just how much you are enjoying playing with them and remember all of these things when you return home. That is when you will find that you are truly blessed.

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PostHeaderIcon Hotel Management Job Description – Prerequisites

Whenever a person makes plans to travel, the first thing he/she makes sure is a place to live. And nothing is a better option than a hotel. Hotels are always considered to be a home away from home. Taking a businessman’s point of view, hotels have emerged to be a good field to invest in. There are numerous things that make up a good hotel. One of the most important things is assigning the right job to the right candidate. For this one should have the full knowledge about the hotel management job description.

Hotel management job description is basically a written account of the responsibilities and the duties related to a particular job. This makes easier to choose the right person for a job. Some of the job descriptions define the work of the project manager, computer technician, finance jobs, payroll jobs, IT jobs and others. To prepare the job description, the details to be included are general outline of the job, duties which are to be performed, responsibilities, skills required, experience and the qualification required. There are different types of jobs in hotel management. The job of the vice president is to increase the total revenue. All the departments are looked after by the vice president. They are also responsible for hiring and evaluating the employees. The job of regional manager is to look after the establishments in a particular region. The director of operations is responsible for dealing with the daily activities in the hotel. They direct the staff activities. The role of the general manager is to look after the managerial and administrative tasks. They work with the clients directly to ensure customer satisfaction. The market managers are for publicity of the hotel. The security manager takes care of the security department. Every activities going on in the kitchen are to be taken care of by the kitchen manager. The catering manager takes care of shipping food to required places. The responsibility of the bar rests with the bar manager. The purchase of any item is the responsibility of the purchase manager.

Investing in the hotel management sector is very profitable. But one has to be aware of the various factors for the success of his/her business in this field. Every entrepreneur wants employees with perfect qualifications. It becomes sometimes tedious to assign the right job to the right candidate. In order to avoid chaos, hotel management job description is the best method.

PostHeaderIcon Teens in the City

New York City offers a virtual treasure chest of fun things to do for teenagers. This age group is generally the most difficult to please and appease while vacationing. They are too old for the kid stuff and too young to appreciate some of the more ‘grown up’ entertainment and of course, they don’t want to look like they’re having too much fun. From amusement parks to cyber cafes, from bookstores to malls and video arcades, to sporting events and sporting complexes New York City is a city that was almost made for teens to enjoy.

The trick to enjoying your New York City vacation while ensuring that your teen enjoys his or her time in the city is compromise. Agree to go watch the skateboarding in the park if he or she will suffer through a museum with you. You just might find that you each find something to enjoy about the other’s activities. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in New York. You don’t have to pay a lot of money in order to have a good time as many of these wonderful events are offered free or for very little cost. You can also purchase passes that allow free entrance to certain city attractions for one low fee. You will find that of the freebie offerings there is usually something that will appeal to various members of your family including your teens.

Compromise is a good idea on any vacation with friends or family and it teaches your teens an important lesson-their opinion matters to you. They also learn to compromise, to share time and experiences, and to think critically. They are forced to weight all the things they would like to do and select the things that matter most to them to do. This is a very good thing for people to learn as early as possible and will be an invaluable lesson, as they grow older and eventually begin making their own decisions in life as well. I even try to offer the younger children a voice in what’s going on. I offer age appropriate choices and allow them to select the one that matters most to them.

Teens are often very hard to please or predict and their wants can change between the time it takes to open a pack of pop tarts and the time it takes to actually drop them in the toaster. Be aware of this when making plans with teens and go with the flow. You do not have to let your teen rule your vacation but by allowing him or her a voice in the decision making process you might all learn some important and interesting things about each other.

Girl teens are often easily distracted by shopping-while New York City has some of the trendiest boutiques you may want to see if you can talk her into some of them any consignment or secondhand stores that abound. You can call it ‘vintage clothing’ if you must in order to get her in the doors but you can score some awesome deals on clothes that look barely worn if that and she’ll have some nice additions to her wardrobe for a fraction of their costs if new. There are also some wonderful outlet malls in NYC as well. The trick with shopping any of these stores is to know the prices of things. Some things are excellent bargains while others are not so much.

Teen boys will have a grand time at places such as Game Time Nation where they can play video games for endless hours. You can even try playing games together if you’re brave enough. Fair warning offered here, teens are brutal in their victories and you will never live down your failures in the video game arena with them so study up before hand.

The most important thing to remember about vacationing with your teen is that you’d like them to have some fond memories of your time together, even during their teen years. Take care that you are including them in your plans rather than making their plans for them. It is time they are let into the decision making process to some degree even if it’s allowing either or options or asking them to list a few things they’d like to do and you selecting from those. If you’re having fun it is quite likely that they will eventually join in.

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PostHeaderIcon Avoiding Hotel No-Show Charges

People get sick or injured and can’t travel, they miss planes or connections, weather strands them and they even forget where they were booked and stay at the wrong hotel. If they do not cancel within the hotels allowed cancel period, they would be charged on the credit card that guaranteed the reservation.

It is often erroneously assumed by travelers that hotels will waive a no-show charge when bad weather prevents people from arriving. While some hotels MAY do this, it is far from the norm. Weather is a part of traveling and hotels do not ‘assume’ some people will be delayed because of weather and absorb that responsibility. Otherwise people can simply make up a story about bad weather when they in fact missed their flight. Therefore, the vast majority of hotels do not allow cancellations for weather related travel problems for the same reason passengers would not allow a hotel to charge a higher rate than they were guaranteed if and when they arrived. A guarantee is a guarantee and people make reservations because they want a locked in room at a specific rate – to be able to cancel at the last hour for any reason would render all reservations worthless. The simple workaround to this would be to just not make any reservations and call hotels for a room when or if you arrive.

But if you do want a guaranteed room, get legitimately stranded through no fault of your own and want a way out of the no-show charge, try one of the following tips I offer.

Get documentation from your airline that your flight was canceled. IF a hotel is amenable to canceling your room, they will almost always require something showing you couldn’t fly anyway. This holds true for sickness or injury or even death too. Get a ‘note from the doctor’ or an emergency room receipt – anything to show why you couldn’t travel. You can also reserve rooms at hotels or motels that have a 6pm hold as most people will know well before 6pm whether they are going to make it or not. If you are going to need the same room for the next night (assuming you can travel the following day), try asking the hotel if they will change the reservation to the following day. One last option is to buy inexpensive travel insurance that will reimburse you for any no show charges.

Contrary to what people may think, hotels do not like charging for no-shows. They staff the hotel and price available remaining rooms according to anticipated occupancy and it is not true they like empty revenue rooms over occupied rooms. Empty rooms do not eat in hotel restaurants or use hotel services like parking, internet, in room bars or pay per view TV. And the fact remains that someone would likely have rented a room if you didn’t have a reservation and the hotel cannot absorb vacant rooms when people do not show up when others would have gladly reserved the room. So it is necessary to charge for no-shows, even if weather related because the main option always exists: do not reserve a room if ANY doubt exists that you may not make it. Most airport hotels charge less to you as a walk in anyway than when you reserve in advance so it actually might save you a few dollars to NOT reserve a room.

PostHeaderIcon Shop for Art off the Beaten Path

Art is one of many cultural draws in New York City. There are art galleries in abundance in this great city and almost certainly an artist to fit almost any taste. Art has always been to some degree in the eyes of the beholder and beauty in the city of New York is in abundant supply.

Whether you consider yourself an enthusiastic supporter of art and the arts, it’s hard to deny the fact that New York has a great deal of art to offer those who are willing to seek it. From the graffiti that is so artfully rendered along bridges, buildings, busses, and signs throughout the city to murals and store windows that are so wonderfully made art comes in this city in many forms. You will find artists, sketchers, painters, and those seeking muses wandering around various parts of the city that may be particularly lovely, inspiring, or even forlorn.

The art doesn’t end with sketches, drawings, or paintings. It goes well beyond that. In this great city you will see sculptors with magnificent works that might be inspiring to you and might be utterly and completely unintelligible and you might find art that touches your heart and simply won’t let go. For whatever reason, art for most of us is purely emotional. This isn’t only true for the painter but also for those who witness the beauty of the art that has been created.

There is also pottery, blown glass, metal works, wood works, and literally dozens of other works of art within this city. You can stroll through the many galleries of the city or walk along the streets and through the parks seeking art and the artists that create these wonderful works. You might find the grandest work of art in the hands of the slightest of creatures or in the most unlikely of places. New York is full of surprises that go far beyond the beaten paths.

If you are truly seeking art to bring home from your trip to New York, the best place to look is in second hand or consignment shops. You can generally find nice pieces of art at unbelievably low prices. This is one of the best ways to begin building your collection and there are some second hand shops that specialize in artwork or ‘junk art’. Of course there are galleries that deal with rare second hand art and it is highly unlikely that you’ll find a discount there. Stick to the consignment shops, flea markets and used furniture stores if you are truly seeking some nice pieces that are seriously undervalued.

Keep in mind that the art you choose only needs to speak to you (and hopefully match your dcor to some degree, unless of course you are searching for an excuse to redecorate) and doesn’t have to really mean anything at all. When you do find a piece of art that you feel you must own, price is often not a consideration. This makes the fact that you’re looking in a second hand store a much better way to shop. At least in this instance you won’t have to deal with sticker shock from the massively over inflated price tags you will find in most galleries. Of course that is because they are recovering their commissions off the top so you’re automatically knocking off that much of a discount by shopping second hand and off the beaten path.

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PostHeaderIcon Buying a Hotel Business

So you have always wanted to own a hotel or a motel, in your part of the country. Maybe the area you want to own a place in is in a resort area or a downtown location of a portion of town that is being rehabilitated. How do you go about finding properties that you could purchase and run profitably?

A first step is to consider how much capital you will have for a down payment and for working capital. Then figure that this will represents from 5% to 20% of the total paid for the property. The second part of this exercise is the property must be assumable or the current owner will consider carry the balance above the down payment. You may also look into what a bank would demand to make a deal. Assuming you have good credit and several years of experience in the hotel or motel business you would probably make an excellent prospect to purchase the right place.

Finding properties that meet your qualifications

The first step that you should take is to let brokers that are specialists in hotel properties know that you are in the market and the price range you are looking for. This could begin the search for potential hotels or motels that meet your requirements. You could also check out properties listed on the Net by various brokers There are many listings to look at and the search engine can be made more selective by limiting the sections of the country you are interested in looking at for a hotel or motel. Both of these steps will generate information that can be used to consider what the current market looks like and what type of units are for sale. You could limit searches to properties that are for sale by owner and are in a certain state. The limitation could be further refined to only certain states or cities. If you are interested in a specific resort area you could limit the search to what is available in that particular resort area. The top price you are willing to pay could be put into the search engine, as further limiting criteria.

You can also easily find brokers in the area that you are looking at that limit their listings to hotels and motels. They are experts in moving this type of property. These property experts are excellent sources to get information from and obtain a feel for what the market will bare in the area you are interested in pursuing.

Financing the hotel or motel

There are sources listed on the Internet that specialize in these kind of business loans. The current owner may be willing to take back a mortgage for that portion of the purchase price that you do not have in cash. If the property is a high dollar investment, you may be able to form an LLC with partners and buy the property as an investment. There are many ways to make the purchase work if you have enough of a down payment to make it a worthwhile venture. It will help a great deal if you have a successful history running a business like this. Your personal credit rating will also be a factor. Getting the money needed is always the challenge when buying any business and a solid broker may be able to come up with financing sources. These brokers are invaluable in the deal making if they have the experience under their belt. They also can be used to help in the price negotiating and the terms of the deal. There is always a way for a motivated buyer and seller to come to an understanding that will work for both parties.

If the deal is just out of your reach then you must make that choice. Stretching to make a deal can be part of many purchases, but the stretch still has to be within reason. If the financial stretch is to far and could over time jeopardize the chances of success it may be time to pass on the purchase. You will need money to run the business and you will need more money than you realize to market your facility. In a resort area this is absolutely the case, as most people will make their room reservations before they come to town. The obvious way to get your message out is to use Internet advertising. All of these expenses need to be considered in order to make solid financial decisions. These have to be part of the financing plan when purchasing a hotel or motel.

Other considerations about the hotel business

There are two businesses that a person can own that take care 24 hours a day and someone always needs to be minding the store. The dairy business is one; because cows need to be milked daily and the hotel business as the desk needs to be covered 24/7. An owner of a hotel or motel must come to the realization early in the game how tied down to the desk they want to be on a weekly basis. If they want any freedom at all they will need to hire desk personnel and maids to keep the rooms in order. This is another fixed expense that there is little leeway in managing. You cannot go on the cheap with either employee because both can have a serious affect on your business if not the right person. A poor desk person can lose business for you by the way they handle incoming calls from people looking for a room. This person is your business as far as the person on the other end of the line is concerned. Poor phone technique can cost a lot of money in a year. This area of your business must be properly run or it will cost you more than you will ever realize. Room service is a given to anyone renting a room in your establishment. They fully expect that it will be done right and on time. Remember once you own the hotel you may need to do all of these jobs in order to run the business.

Conclusions

This hotel/motel business category has a very large price range for a buyer to contemplate. Most people will not build one from the ground up. The purchase of a hotel usually requires some financing to complete the deal. Many times the current owner is the source of the financing. Outside sources are also available to the buyer to raise the money to make the sale. This type of loan is based on several factors such as hotel experience, down payment, credit rating and cash flow prospects for the business.

A good broker may be brought in to find a suitable property and help with the price negotiating and maybe even help in finding the financing. The least they can do is bring to your attention a hotel they have a listing on and the asking terms. They will probably have an idea of how quickly the current owner wants to sell the hotel. It is sometimes easier to get a better deal from an impatient owner of a hotel or motel. Ask lots of questions of the broker when you find one that buys and sells properties as a special niche market. They can be of great help.

PostHeaderIcon Relaxation New York City Style

New York City is perhaps the busiest city in the world. The people here are always running to and fro from work to home to meeting to school functions for their children to dinner you name it and most people in this city are constantly on the move. New Yorkers work hard and they play hard and for the most part you will not find a city full of couch potatoes.

As a result of the constant movement and often constant stress of keeping pace in the city that never sleeps there is a huge demand for spas, massages, and a service industry that is devoted to helping these over worked, over played, and over stressed people learn to relax. Of course there are other industries in New York City that are equally dedicated to keeping them awake and alert.

If relaxation is the order of the day you will be glad to know that there is a spa on almost every corner in New York City and if your vacation is one in which you wish to have a relaxing time of things then you may want to select a hotel with a spa on the premises and never walk outside. I can’t imagine being in New York City and staying in my hotel the entire time but for some getting away is the only way they’ll be able to leave work and responsibilities behind in order to truly relax and receive the full benefits of a spa treatment.

In addition to the many spas that are available there are also gyms and sports complexes that will allow you to work out your frustrations or aggressions through physical exertion in addition to the many parks scattered throughout the city that offer places to walk, run, jog, ride bikes, roller blade, and participate in dozens of other physical activities as well.

If the physical activity and the spa treatment don’t help you reach your relaxation goals, then perhaps an evening out is in order. You will find all kinds of ways to spend your evenings in New York City. There are bars, lounges, comedy clubs, dance clubs, and simple hotel bars where you can have a nice drink or two to lighten your mood and then head back up to your room without the worry of how you’re going to get back to your room.

Of course, many believe that laughter without a doubt is the best medicine for whatever might ail you so the many comedy clubs around New York might be the best place to look for a night of fun and relaxation. Chances are if you’re standing in New York City, pretty much anywhere you are kind of near a comedy club. If there’s doubt I can almost guarantee that a bellhop or concierge might be able to help you find one close by and rather quickly.

Then of course, there’s the last resort. Well for some, for me it’s the first thought that comes to mind for relaxation: hot tub and massage. Not necessarily in that order but either or both is a great way to spend the evening. If you are fortunate enough to have a loved one along with you it is a great idea to share both the hot tub and the massage. While giving massages to each other is nice, there is something deliciously sinful about lying beside each other while receiving the royal treatment. You know you will be heading back to reality soon so enjoy this while you can.

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PostHeaderIcon Amenities and Hotel Class – What Can Guests Expect?

Every metropolitan area in the United States offers numerous choices when it comes to hotels and amenities. That’s great news for the average consumer as it means they have options to fit their budget and that hotels are vying for their business. When hotels are competing for guests, prices are more competitive and hotel supplies are more abundant so consumers get more for their money. Additionally, stiffer competition means hotels are more aware of their occupancy rates. This usually leaves hotels and their management teams asking themselves how they can attract more guests and which hotel supplies they could add to please hotel guests and affect occupancy rates.

Even if you only travel occasionally, you’ve likely noticed that all hotels offer basic amenities. Essentially, you pay for a hotel room and, whether it cost you $50 or $2,000, you expect it to have complimentary toiletries, hangers, an ironing board with an iron, an alarm clock and an information binder, among other hotel supplies. When hotels offer you less than the standard basics, it diminishes the perceived value and it affects your opinion of them as well as their occupancy rates. If hotels provide basic hotel supplies but there’s an apparent lack of quality, providing them may be for naught. Hotels strive to please their guests, part of which is offering quality hotel supplies.

Where you can find a decent meal for $5, so too can you find hotels that provide basic amenities with a twist. The twist is typically plush towels that are softer than the standard bath towels, toiletries with luxury ingredients, high quality plastic tumblers and other hotel supplies that, while basic, are better quality than the basics. Serving trays, glass or ceramic bathroom fixtures, shower curtain rods that bow out for extra room and laundry bags are just a few of the hotel supplies and amenities that convey additional value. Mid-range hotels that are more than rest stops but less than full-service resorts often provide higher quality hotel supplies to their guests, in part as a way to affect their occupancy rates with little additional cost or effort.

The amenities hotels offer will vary depending on the class of hotel. The pricier the hotel, the more and better amenities they’ll offer guests. Of course, basic hotel supplies will be offered but ice buckets will be faux leather, serving trays will be wooden or glass, coffee makers will be European or they’ll double as espresso makers and laundry bags will be cloth and part of complimentary laundry service. Room service, custom beds and 320-count sheets are just a few of the wide variety of amenities luxury hotels offer their valued guests.

While there’s a wide variety of hotels with a spectrum of amenities and hotel supplies, all hotels have the same goal: providing guests an exceptional experience. Guest services are an important part of a guests experience After all, a friendly, helpful guest services attendant can turn a negative into a positive quickly and effortlessly. However, offering guests wealth of valuable, useful amenities not only impresses guests, it also helps occupancy rates. Regardless of where you stay or the hotel supplies offered, the, at the end of your visit, the hotel’s greatest wish is that you’ve enjoyed your stay and that you’ll return soon.

PostHeaderIcon Planning your NYC Vacation Makes all the Difference

Whether you realize it or not, planning is the key to any successful vacation. You do not have to be a vacation tyrant that makes your family dread vacations and the boot camp they entail but by having some sort of plan of action for each day of your vacation you can much better stick to a budget as well as assuring you will get the rest and relaxation that is so very important to the renewal of mind and body before returning to work.

Vacations do not have to cost a vast fortune, even vacations in cities that are known for being expensive such as New York City. Most people fail to realize that people of all economic backgrounds live in these cities as well and there are some forms of entertainment that offer a little something for everyone and many of these are free. If you plan carefully you can have two or three activities that are low or no cost in one area of the city each day followed by a restful hour or two in your room during the afternoon and a very nice event for each evening. This gives you budget control, down time each day for you and your kids and (if planned right) activities in one general area each day rather than spending a lot of time and money on transportation.

Most cities have city guides that can be found easily online. New York City is no different. In fact there are several city guides. It would be a good idea to find out the activities you can do for little or no cost, choose several of those activities that interest you or may interest other members of your family and see where they are all located in reference to each other. Try to bunch the several that are geographically central to each other for one day’s activities and doing the same for subsequent days.

Keep in mind that you aren’t marrying the plan and shouldn’t overlook things you happen upon that may not have been in the guide or may not have seemed as appealing in the guide as they do in person. Some of the best trips we’ll ever make in life are detours. Not only that, but if you allowed yourself the cushion of time each day I recommended earlier you have the option of adjusting your schedule slightly and enjoying less rest or skipping one of the less appealing items on your itinerary in favor of this new attraction you found.

Vacations are meant to be fun for the entire family. We often forget that and make plans without getting the input of the family. If you do not allow for open dialog and at least get some input from all family members no one is going to enjoy the vacation. The kids are going to be fussy and irritated, the spouse is going to feel neglected and overlooked, and you are going to feel that no one is sticking to the plan. This is why getting everyone to look over the plan, sign off on the plan, and to compromise is by far the best way to go about things. This way everyone has input, everyone gets something that is important to them out of the vacation experience, and there are no major surprises or upsets involved. Everyone knows what to expect along the way.

It is better by far when you can build happy vacation memories rather than of hours spend in the hot sun with cranky children who feel as though no one is taking their input seriously or spending a day with cranky spouses in desperate need of some downtime themselves. So plan for these times as well as the activities (particularly the more costly activities) in which you will participate. No ahead of time where the bulk of your money will be spent and make it clear that there is only so much money to be spent. Many people don’t keep close enough track of vacation spending and find they’ve spent far more than they anticipated.

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PostHeaderIcon The World’s Most Renowned Hoteliers in the Hotel Industry

Most travelers who have stayed at hotels probably do not even give the hotel owners much thought, much less knew who they were. That is just the way things are; most hotel owners are quite unknown. Still, there are quite a few hoteliers that have managed to be in the spotlight, whether it be willingly or reluctantly. Let us run through some of them.

Perhaps no hotelier has as much fame as Conrad Hilton-both for the things he did and the things his great granddaughter and hotel-chain heiress Paris did. Conrad Hilton started out small, building an inn up with his father. Eventually, he was able to acquire a hotel in Texas. More growth led him to build the state’s first high rise hotel-the Dallas Hilton.

After establishing a chain of hotels in Texas, Hilton was able to expand outside the state and subsequently go international. These hotels formed the Hilton Hotels Corporation, followed by the Hilton International Company a couple of years later.

Although he lost some hotels during the Great Depression, he was able to buy back what he lost-a testament to the savvy of this particular hotelier. Hilton’s accomplishments were credited for fostering American tourism and overseas expansion for business, particularly during the post-war period in the 1950s.

For the contemporary audience, the hotelier with the most recognizable face is perhaps Donald Trump, famous for starring in his own reality show, The Apprentice. The man most commonly known as Mr. Trump also started small, but he already had the kind of background that made him suited for the industry.

After graduating from college, Trump joined The Trump Organization, owned by his father. He started out doing some residential projects, as well as taking the reins in the renovation of The Commodore Hotel, turning it into the Grand Hyatt. He then worked on the Trump Tower in New York City before expanding into several other business ventures, such as the airline industry, gaming (casinos), and real estate.

Today, The Trump Organization owns some of the finest hotels worldwide. A prime example is the 44-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York. He also owns other notable hotel establishments domestically and internationally. In addition, his name was also licensed for Trump World in Korea-being paid just so an establishment can be named after him is a good indicator of just how famous he is.

For the last hotelier on our list, we turn to the founder of some of the most famous hotels worldwide: Cesar Ritz. He founded the Hotel Ritz in Paris and also The Ritz Hotel in London.

In what now appears to be a common theme, Ritz also started small. He began his hotel career as a maitre d’hotel at a restaurant, before being a manager of a hotel in Lucerne and then in Monaco. He gained a reputation for his good taste as well as for being able to entice the wealthy patrons.

He opened a restaurant before being invited to manage the Savoy Hotel, which became a big success. After he was dismissed from Savoy due to his alleged role in a wine fiasco, he was able to open the Hotel Ritz in France in 1898 and then The Ritz Hotel in the United Kingdom in 1906.

Just to gauge how famous this hotelier is, we only need to consider the word ritzy, derived of course from his name and the name of his hotels-something mostly associated with being fancy and luxurious.

These three gentlemen are some of the most recognized figures in the hotel industry, in the past and in the present. They have allowed the industry to gain some momentous strides, and their legacy continues on with the culminating success of the global hotel industry.

PostHeaderIcon NYC National Parks Offer Glimpse of History

If you are considering a vacation in New York, planning ahead is the only way to go. There are simply so many things to see and do that you must have at least a general idea of how you want to spend your days before you can even begin to get started. New York is one of the greatest cities in the world, it didn’t get that way without a reason and it has a long history that is part of its greatness.

If I were to choose how to spend my time in New York and what wonderful things about New York City to introduce my children to, I would choose to introduce them to those things that bore the most historical significance first in order for that to really sink in and not be competing with the Nintendo Store or the really cool keyboard at FAO Schwarz. I would want my children to understand the history of our country good and bad and I want them to someday instill in their own children the importance of that history.

By visiting the national parks first, I will have enjoyed the benefits of the price tag (free is good almost anyway you slice it, particularly when you and your children are getting an education) in addition to fresh minds on which to impart this crucial knowledge about the birth of our democracy. Ellis Island is a great place to visit, but I think I will show them the statue from afar rather than taking the ferry ride out there. There is just so much to do in New York and every second counts. I want them to have a wonderful time as much as I want them to gain some wonderful insights that they can share with their friends at school as well (something other than the latest and greatest new Game Cube game that is coming out soon).

Some of the important national parks I’d like to take my children include: Federal Hall, where Washington was inaugurated, Grant’s Tomb, Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthplace, and Castle Clinton, which was designed in order to keep invaders out. I would also like to take them to Saint Paul’s Church. Not for religious reasons but for Religious freedom issues. I think there is an important lesson to be learned here even today, perhaps especially today.

I think the lessons that can be learned about the history of our nation in New York City are just as important as the lessons that can learned in Washington or Philadelphia. This country has taken many steps along the road to democracy and we’ve stumbled a few times along the way. There would have never been the Salem Witch Trials, the Civil War, or the Civil Rights Movement if he hadn’t but we’ve come so far and still have so far to go. I want my children to learn from our past and to look forward to our future.

I think these are the lessons we can learn from our state parks and those are much more valuable than the lessons we can learn in toy stores and throwing Frisbee in Central Park. I want my children to visit museums and toy stores and see new cultures, I also want them to take home with them a deep sense of the history of our great nation.

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PostHeaderIcon Hotel Booking Systems

Online Hotel Booking Systems

If you decide to manage a Hotel or any type of lodging and are scouting for techniques to improve gross sales an on-line reservation system will benefit your hotel. There are quite a few different options to choose from depending on variables such as; precisely how much someone is willing to pay, your degree of IT, as well as size of your hotel.

Hotel Booking Systems Options

1. Phone enquiry – This assumes that you currently have a pre-existing nternet site or information page on the web however no desktop computer at the actual hotel.

2. Web-based Enquiry – This assumes you by now have an existing website- blog or information page on the internet but you do have a laptop or desktop and e-mail services.

3.Web-based Hotel Extra-net – Run and hosted on a organizations web-site and you log in.

4. Internet based booking system – either purpose built for bigger hotels) or, off the shelf run on your computer system or even directly off of the world wide web

Number 3 and 4 are definitely complex however we will describe in greater detail in the next paragraphs.

Phone. This is the most basic of all of the web-based Hotel booking systems. Not really a legitimate on-line program, yet it is included because people could possibly come across the Hotel Web-site or page you have already established. This involves a call to your Hotel and reserving a room inside a journal. (Still being used by several smaller sized hotels, b&b’s, and also holiday apartments.

Online business Enquiries. Straight forward electronic mail function from your site to your email address. The down-side is e-mail messages could get lost or delivered to your junk e-mail box which could lead to the hotel missing a reservation.This is certainly labour intensive due to the fact you would need to follow up with a telephone call or possibly an e mail to the individual which sent it. Your message could get missed or sent to their unsolicited mail box.

Extranet. A Hotel Extra-net is a good tool for using a somewhat automated process. This kind of application usually involves the Hotel director applying for an account with a firm exactly like “Need To Get Away.” They would then set up your hotel which has an web-based account, put in place room types, rates, load photographs plus talk you thru administration of the product. Suites usually are loaded by use of numbers in the diary while you are logged in. For example a 0 means simply no availability and your specific room wouldn’t be able to sell on line. Any number above zero signifies the quantity of suites to offer for your specified room type like double, single, twin and family room. Basics that the hotel will need is a payment processing machine obtainable when you have created a credit card merchant account. We call this a semi automated method since you manually will have to adjust inventory when a booking to your hotel occurs through by other means.

Online Booking System. This method is much more complex and necessitates clients end up being competent in the program. If you’re not proficient making use of this type of software, an individual won’t operate the program to it’s potential and you may as well stick to an extranet program. Online reservation system works by using a calendar and works with colour codes to distinguish between online and offline reservations and also room close outs. Online reservation systems might possibly utilize affiliate sites or feeder web sites to offer better publicity on the net. The bonus is, the Hotel sells additional rooms with less probability of overbooking. This is achieved through each internet site updating Hotel room availability to the online booking system. Any time a room is reserved on-line or by way of a partner internet site the hotel would be aware of the booking because it would be visible on the main calendar. Full payment or a deposit would have already been taken during the time of booking.

A number of big hotel chains have spent thousands building their particular hotel reservation program which also includes a management program that can track housekeeping, stock, as well as workforce schedules.

During these hard economic times all hotels wish to increase earnings, and that’s where internet presence will be crutial. Not only do some hotels operate an on-line booking system but also maximize revenue through running a number of extranets along side. The upside is the hotel being placed on numerous internet websites improving the possibility of bookings, however the negative thing is the amount of work and likelihood of double booking one of the hotel rooms because the extranets must be updated with the on-line booking system.

Only the most forward thinking hotels can survive.

Take Blackpool Hotels as an illustration. Hundreds of Hotels, Bed Breakfasts and Self Catering properties from which to choose. Aside from refurbishment, what would make some Blackpool Hotels occupied whilst other hotels in Blackpool have low occupancy? Web presence in my opinion with an extranet or on line booking program producing leads. Even if you use one of the options already mentioned, countless hotels still have awful images loaded, outdated property details, and a Hotel that is needing plenty of work. I always ask myself, “Would I wish to stay here?” Whether in a store or on-line, possible customers shop using their eyes first!

PostHeaderIcon NYC Educational Entertainment

Learning opportunities abound in New York City. These opportunities are not all in boring atmospheres or hallowed halls of learning but in interactive experiences that are widely available to young and old alike in many brightly lit and fun to explore corners of this great city. We are never too old for learning and we can never have too much fun. Whether you are young, have youngsters of your own, or are simply young at heart, New York City has a lot of entertaining ways to educate you.

Perhaps one of the neatest things to do in New York City is to pay a visit to the FDNY Fire Zone. General admission is free but if you wish to experience a Fire-Simulation presentation there are nominal fees involved (currently under $5 per person). The Fire Zone is a state of the art facility where fire safety is taught. Kids, big and little alike, enjoy the fact that they can actually put their hands the equipment, try on the gear, and work with parents to establish an escape plan for their homes. Most importantly children to can learn what to do in this situation rather than being paralyzed by fear. This is one place that really should be on your list of places to visit while in New York City, the price is certainly nice and it could save a life.

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art is another great place to spend a few hours and learn about the many different aspects of art, comics, and cartoons and what kind of role they have played in recording the history of our world. They offer different exhibitions at different times so this is a place you could definitely visit often in order to get the maximum enjoyment from the process. The hours for this particular museum are different than the average so be sure to make sure they will open to the public on the day and time you wish to visit. Current admission rates are $3 for children and adults over the age of 12.

Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden is another great place to learn, this time it’s about history. This building is steeped in history and was once the home of the daughter of President Adams. Take a walk through history inside this lovely home turned hotel and then stroll around in the gardens outside. If you feel a need to get away from the big city while remaining in the big city this is a great place to visit and feel the air around you and forget about the fact that the nearest mall is actually very close by.

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is great fun for kids of all ages, shapes, sizes, and nationalities. Fun after all, is a universal language and you will find plenty of that here. The good news is that this particular fun is actually well disguised education. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum was the very first museum of its kind, by that I mean the first museum that was dedicated to entertaining and educating children. It was a wildly successful experiment that is responsible for the 300 children’s museums now located around the world. The admission is very reasonable at $5 per person and children under the age of 1 are free. The museum is closed on Mondays during July and August and on Mondays and Tuesdays for the remainder of the year with the exception of certain public school recesses. It is best to check with the Museum if you are uncertain and hoping for a Tuesday visit.

The New York Hall of Science is another great learning experience that is available here. There is so much to do and see here and most importantly you get to play with many exciting new toys and such. Enjoy activities and exhibits that bring the science to magic and prove that they are not exactly mutually exclusive. Magic is after all, in the eye of the beholder. Exhibitions change frequently and always offer something fun for everyone. There are age appropriate activities for children and the science playground ($3 per person admission fee above the museum admission fee of $11 per adult and $8 per child is required for the playground) is always a big hit. Now you’re off to an excellent educational experience that everyone in your family will think was simply fun.

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PostHeaderIcon Become a Hotel Manager – The Smart Way

Meet George Glover. Practical, quirky, intelligent, down to earth and last but not least, chairman/CEO of BayStar Hotels, a company that develops, acquires, operates and sells hotels in the United States.

In his over 30 years of experience, Glover has worked in several facets of the hotel industry, and has had jobs as a bellhop, desk agent, front office manager, assistant manager, food and beverage director, general manager, regional director of operations and finally, his current position as chairman/CEO.

But, he says, he hasn’t lost touch with what it’s like to be on the bottom rung. “I guess you could say that as I climbed the ladder, I brought with me the knowledge as well as the positioning of the experience, which ultimately made me more cognizant of those who worked with me and the daily trials they were facing,” says Glover. “One of the nicer things said about me one time was, ‘Here’s to being top banana — without losing touch with the bunch.’”

It’s important not to let your sense of self-importance swell once you become a hotel manager, warns Glover. “I have a normal sized ego, I’m adaptable to new techniques and I still see each day as a learning experience.” As far as what it takes to succeed, Glover insists that to become a hotel manager — and a good one — you must be a people person. “Surely the technical side of it is important, but this is a people business — you serve people, you manage people, you listen to people, you solve people’s problems, you try to attract more people to your hotels than the guy down the street. It ain’t rocket science — it’s all about people and getting along with them!” he insists.

So how does a college education come into the picture if you want to become a hotel manager? Glover attests to the value of a degree in securing a management position in the hotel industry. “I believe college is necessary for the business side of the equation, and some of the understanding of basic marketing, branding and the like. Many of the corporate positions come from the ranks of hotel school grads,” he admits.

However, he adds, a degree won’t mean much if you don’t make an effort to understand the people you’ll be in charge of once you become a hotel manager in the hotel industry. “If you’ve never made up a hotel bed [or] cleaned a room upon checkout, there will be a huge gap between [you and] the people who do.” And this, he says, will affect your ability to properly manage them.

So, if you aspire to become a hotel manager, take Glover’s advice — study hard, don’t forget where you came from once you get there, and never disregard the importance of the people working under you — and you’ll be on your way to success.

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