Hotels in USA in statistics

With pound standing strong against the dollar more people consider taking their holidays in US. So what can you expect from an average hotel in USA? According to American Hotel & Lodging Association :

• 91% offer Internet (15% hotels charge for it, and of those, 75% to 91% of them fit into the luxury to up upscale category)
• 82% have refrigerator in the room
• 75% have a computer in the lobby for guest use
• 70% offer a free newspaper
• 67% have weekend specials
• 66% offer healthy meals
• 58% have outdoor swimming pools
• 56% allow pets, and of those, 67% charge extra for your four-legged family member.
• 48% offer vegan meals
• 47% have indoor swimming pools
• 43% have flat-screen TVs
• 40% have only non-smoking rooms
• 25% have allergy-free rooms

On the other hand, there was a 9% drop in hotels offering free breakfast compered to last survey carried out two years ago and more hotels are charging for late cancellation.

New York City Waterfalls

Tourists visiting New York this summer have an unique chance to admire four waterfalls by Danish artists Olafur Eliasson. 90 to 120 feet tall structures are located along the East River waterfronts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The New York City Waterfalls will be disabled in October. More information can be found on
The New York City Waterfalls website

Skyway robbery

The American Airlines has joined other major U.S. airlines in charging a fee for checking a second bag on domestic flights.

Charges range from $25-$50 for the second bag, depending on the airline, also charges for oversized bags - such as surf boards and golf clubs - and heavy (over 50 pounds) have risen.

U.S. Customs helps to sink Hawaii cruises ?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has proposed a rule change which would force foreign-flagged cruise ships calling at more than one U.S. port to extend their usual visits in foreign ports from four- to 12-hour to 48 hours. It also recommends that the ships should spend more than half their port time in foreign ports and passengers have to be given the opportunity to go ashore.

The impact of the new rule could prove a downfall for cruises from US ports to Alaska, Canada, New England and some to the Caribbean.

James P. Walsh, an attorney representing the Holland America Line, Princess Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, said cruise lines would have to change all itineraries to meet the proposed rule.

"For example, cruises that call temporarily at Alaska ports will have to move to Vancouver, British Columbia, and away from Seattle," said Walsh, who estimated Holland America's economic impact on Seattle at $400 million in 2006.

source USA Today

The ugliest hotel 4 - Idaho, U.S.

After a glorious weekend I have another nominee for the quest to find the ugliest hotel in the world.

Welcome to the Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho, U.S. Established in 1997, it boasts to be a home to the biggest beagle in the world; Toby, a 12-foot tall beagle statue and Sweet Willy, the bed & breakfast guesthouse.

The Dog Bark Park Inn ‘s guests enter the body of the beagle from a private second story deck. Inside, they will find twenty-six carved dogs on the queen headboard, a loft room in the dog’s head, an alcove in the muzzle and dog-shaped cookies on the pillow.

Even if one can get over this barking mad idea, honestly… it is not pretty, is it?

U.S. substitutes

With increasing number of travel restrictions to United States, The Sunday Times has offered some fantastic alternatives.

Hong Kong instead of New York – both cities are buzzing and unforgettable. Flight to Hong Kong might be longer, however there are no queues or extensive questioning at immigration.

Disneyland Paris in place of Disney World Orlando – closer, cheaper and smaller carbon footprint.

Gauchos versus Cowboys – for true experience of harmony between horse and its rider in the middle of wild pampas try Argentina.

Forget Las Vegas, try Macau – just 55 minutes ferry trip from Hong Kong, Macau offers the largest casino in the world – the Venetian Macao with top class entertainment, just to name The Police concert in February.

St Moritz before Aspen - classier and posher, with over 100 years more tradition, St Moritz in Switzerland offers ample snow with over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Switzerland famous for chocolate, cheese and… spas!

The TripAdvisor’s readers named Top Ten World Spas. Among them there are 5 European spas with 3 of them in Switzerland, the other four are in USA and one in Bali.

"Situated in stunning environments with luxurious accommodations, these top spas offer a truly exceptional experience, enabling travelers to completely unwind and rejuvenate," said Michele Perry, spokeswoman for TripAdvisor.

The full list is as follows:

1. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai, California
2. Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken, Switzerland
3. The Lodge At Woodloch, Hawley, Pennsylvania
4. Les Sources de Caudalie, Aquitaine, France
5. Como Shambhala, Bali, Indonesia
6. Canyon Ranch Lenox, Lenox, Massachusetts
7. Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, California
8. Lausanne Palace & Spa, Vaud, Switzerland
9. Hotel Le Mirador Kempinski Genfer See, Vaud, Switzerland
10. Schlosshotel Buehlerhoehe, Buhl, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

More U.S. travel restriction?

In yesterdays BBC interview, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff names Europe as the “platform for terrorism”, recommending even further security steps.

Chertoff suggested an advance travel authorisation system, which would require travellers to America to register their intentions online prior to their journey to allow authorities to clear them in advance.