The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe last year into six of the biggest online hotel booking sites, Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com, ebookers and trivago over concerns that the websites were giving false impressions to customers.
The CMA's investigation discovered this to be true!
0 Comments
At the beginning of August, the New Orleans City Council passed a ban on short term rentals of whole houses not occupied by owners. New Orleans is not alone in this measure with similar regulations in San Francisco, Santa Monica, and New York City.
Many laud these new restrictions since Airbnb-style rentals have been found to increase property taxes, have negative effects on historic neighborhoods and tend to push out working-class citizens who have long called the area home. Others are outraged by these new laws, saying that short-term rentals provide a new source of income in a gig economy and more affordable options for travelers of different financial backgrounds. When it opened earlier this year, Bungalows Key Largo, triggered excitement throughout the travel industry. Located on 12-acres just 63 miles south of Miami, the luxe property represented the first all-inclusive resort ever to set-up shop in the Florida Keys and travelers far and wide took notice.
But within months of welcoming its first guests, a fire at the resort which impacted its restaurant building caused the property's indefinite closure. Travelers have since been waiting eagerly for Bungalows Key Largo to come back online and it looks like the wait may soon be over. This ultimate Half Moon Cay guide shows you the best things to do on Carnival’s private island in the Bahamas.
Looking for some Half Moon Cay tips? You’ve come to the right place. There are some must-try activities on this island and some things you can skip. To enjoy the magic of the holiday season travel agents offer 10 suggestions for trips to these incredible Christmas-themed destinations in the U.S.
Few circumstances can ruin a vacation like experiencing a security breach of your finances or hacking of electronic devices. Preparing ahead of time and being vigilant while traveling can help you avoid these catastrophes. Utilize our tips and feel 'secure' and confident during your travels.
Those overwater bungalows (or as Sandals likes to call them over-the-water bungalows) are spreading like wildfire. Sandals South Coast just welcomed its first guests to 12 new over-the-water bungalows, which opened on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Tourists flock to Texas wineries for tastings, tours and maybe a bottle of wine shared with friends. Few know that some Texas wineries and vineyards will put you up for the night. Turning a winery visit into an overnight trip allows time to relax, take in the scenery and enjoy more activities.
SURROUNDED BY THE TRANQUIL TURQUOISE WATERS OF RIVIERA MAYA'S EL DORADO MAROMA BEACH The adults-only El Dorado Maroma resort in Riviera Maya, a member of the Karisma Hotels & Resorts collection, will be home to Latin America's first overwater bungalows this fall. Set to open September 1st, these elegant Overwater Bungalows offer breathtaking ocean views and luxurious accommodations. Every Bungalow offers extraordinary views of spectacular sunrises and stunning sunsets uniquely situated just off the white sands of Maroma Beach - voted by Travel Channel as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The property is a Gourmet Inclusive resort. The price includes in part: 24-hour room service, gourmet cuisine, premium drinks, personalized on-demand butler service and activities. Rates start at $665 per adult, per night. Each Overwater Bungalow Features: Glass bottom floors Private infinity pool Direct ladder access to the ocean The romantic “Aguas del Amor” outdoor shower Indoor jacuzzi for two Oversized deck with wooden lounge chairs SPECIAL SERVICES AND AMENITIES UNPARALLELED LUXURY AND SERVICE KNOW ABSOLUTELY NO BOUNDS WITH THE PALAFITOS Services Include: 24-hour room service exclusive beach beds customized beach picnics full butler service on-demand pre-arrival requests packing and unpacking reservations delivery of complimentary sunscreen reading materials refreshments and gourmet bites (whether lounging in, at the pool or beach) Serve in-bungalow full breakfast daily Serve pre-dinner drinks and gourmet bites Liaise with housekeeping on servicing of the suite Dressing service before dinner The Travel Channel named Maroma Beach one of the 10 best beaches in the world. El Dorado Maroma sits right in the heart of it. The resort is scaled to provide the utmost in intimacy yet only a short stroll across the beach is the main resort. Here guests can enjoy a choice of three gorgeous pools, a Sky Massage under a thatched-roof beach bungalow at the spa, six world-class restaurants and four bars. There are also complimentary activities ranging from dancing, yoga and cooking lessons to kayaking, bocce ball, and volleyball on the beach. YOUR UNFORGETTABLE STAY IS JUST A CLICK AWAY... Reservations for the Luxurious Palafitos - Overwater Bungalows can only be made exclusively through Karisma Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultants. MyFuncations Cruises & Family Travel, a part of KHM Travel Group, is part of this exclusive network of agents. To book your unforgettable overwater bungalow experience at the award winning El Dorado Maroma Resort, call MyFuncations at 903-705-2043 or complete the Book Me Now form on our website, MyFuncations.com. There’s something truly relaxing about a top-notch hotel experience—fresh sheets, thoughtful amenities, great views, and room service fit for a king. But there’s a fine line between having the stay of your dreams and wasting money on a subpar experience, and the difference depends more on your actions than you might realize. Here are the 10 biggest hotel mistakes you can make, and how to avoid them. Forfeiting an Upgrade Oftentimes the biggest travel mistake isn't what you do, but what you don't do. Seasoned hotel-dwellers know that free or cheap room upgrades are common enough that you should always ask for one at check-in just in case. It's not unusual for bookings to fall though, and the rise of sharing-economy options like Airbnb means great rooms can go completely un-booked. So be sure to ask (politely) if there are any room upgrades available. I once lucked out and received a complimentary upgrade from a basic room with shared showers in the hall to a suite with its own private bathroom. This vastly improved my experience, and I doubt the staff would have offered me the room if I hadn't inquired about an upgrade. Worst case? They say no. But sometimes you can get a lot more just by bringing it up. Skipping the Safe Hotel theft might seem uncommon, but hotel rooms aren’t exactly secure. There are master keys floating around that could get into the wrong hands, and it's easy enough for someone to slip into a room that's being serviced or is temporarily left open. Locking up your valuables or electronics is a safety precaution you should definitely take seriously. If you're worried about forgetting the items you put in your room's safe, set a reminder in your phone to grab everything out of it before you leave. It's better to know your stuff is secure than to have it out in the open. Trusting the Mini Bar Those refreshments in the fridge or on the mini bar can be tempting, but take a glance at the ridiculous prices before you indulge. Even if you don't plan on taking anything, be wary of moving items around—some hotel mini fridges have sensors that will charge you for items once they're moved, even if they're not consumed. So think twice before shoving your dinner leftovers in with the tiny, $15 liquor bottles. Assuming the Room is Clean It's no surprise that rooms used by so many different people quickly become cesspools of germs that can get you sick—but surfaces that are easily cleanable are some of the dirtiest. There's no need to re-clean your entire room after housekeeping visits, but it's not a bad idea to take some disinfecting wipes to the light switches, the television remote, and the bedside phone; plus drawer, sink, and toilet handles. The grossest thing in the room is probably the bedspread that hotels sometimes drape over clean sheets and blankets—it's heavier than sheets and therefore probably not washed often (or at all), but sees plenty of dirty towels, clothes, and who knows what body parts. If your room has one, fold it up and stash it where you won't have to touch it. Getting sick on your relaxing vacation is the last thing you want. Missing Out on the Amenities Did you see what amenities your hotel has to offer, or did you just book it on a whim for the price, location, or rewards points? Gyms, pools, spas, laundry, and game rooms can go completely unnoticed in large hotels if your room isn't near them. Take a look at the hotel's website or a brochure to make sure you take advantage of services you may not have known about—especially if there's free breakfast. Not Locking the Door Like using the safe, locking your room from the inside with the chain or bar above the door handle is often overlooked. This isn't just to prevent theft—mistakes can be made and staff with a master key can enter without realizing the room is occupied. Whether someone's trying to gain entry or somehow accidentally gets access, having that lock on while you're in the room could prevent some major grief—or simply an awkward moment. Ignoring the Emergency Route We're all guilty of this one, but it's never too late to fix it. When was the last time you actually read the emergency-route map on the inside of your room's door? It's pretty important information if you're forced to suddenly evacuate, especially if it happens while the power is cut and the building is dark. Buying Toiletries You Forgot Before you set out for a drugstore to replace all the travel-sized items you forgot, give the front desk a call and check the bathroom vanity kit. Hotels often have spare razors, toothbrushes, mouthwash, soaps, lotions, and combs available for free. It varies, but you might be surprised by what they'll give you. Not Checking for Bed Bugs Doing a quick check for bed bugs is never a bad idea—even high-end hotels can fall victim to these unwanted visitors. It's easy enough to spot bed bugs and the blood they leave behind on a mattress (gross, I know). You definitely don't want to bring any creepy crawlies home with you, so a quick check could be the difference between a truly nightmarish experience and your peace of mind. Here's how to check for bed bugs. Leaving Things Behind Those pesky chargers hiding behind furniture, the shoes tucked away in the back of the closet, valuables you locked up in the closet safe: There are plenty of spots to leave stuff behind in a hotel room, but a quick sweep can ensure you grab everything. Before you close your suitcase and rush to reception for check-out, do a thorough walk through. Open all the drawers and closets, check the shower, and look under the bed, behind the curtains, and on every table. It takes about 20 seconds, and could save you from forgetting your favorite clothing items or your one and only phone charger. Source: http://bit.ly/2em8y2T |
AboutMyFuncations Travel Blog provides timely travel news, latest deals and promotions, travel tips and hacks. Bookmark our page for ease of returning to check out our latest posts. Categories
All
Archives
February 2020
|