Fabulous Florence Hotel Deals on Hotelbook

On 1-3 March, the Balloon Arts Convention Italy (BACI) will hold their annual educational festival in Florence. Those attending will demonstrate their knowledge among other colleagues from Italy, Germany, Belgium and the United States.

I have said before that Florence is my ultimate vacation destination. The food, the culture and the amazing scenery presents the perfect city for romance and adventure. Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius.

A visit to the Balloon Arts Convention Italy is best enjoyed at one of our hotelbook recommended hotels. For instance, the Machiavelli Palace Hotel is conveniently located in the city centre and is within walking distance of all the most popular Florence attractions. Guestrooms with terra cotta floors and wood-beamed ceilings add to the hotel's Florentine charm.

The Paris Hotel is also located in the Florence city centre, just steps from the Cathedral and the main museums. The structure was built in the 16th century and still portrays it's original elegance with amazing frescoed ceilings.

Check out more fabulous Florence hotels on hotelbook.com.

Hotelbook Comments on the 2009 Wanderlust Travel Awards

The inspirational travel magazine, Wanderlust has announced their 2009 Travel Awards. If you haven't heard of this award before, the Wanderlust Travel Awards have been presented since 1999 and have become quite reputable in the UK travel industry. The winners are a result of reader voting and represent an accurate barometer of what is trendy in global travel, as well as what destinations, airlines, tour operators and websites are delivering the most innovative products and the highest standards in customer service.

This year, the city rated as the top travel destination by Wanderlust readers is... Japan.

"After years of neck-and-neck jostling between New Zealand and Namibia, this year’s winner has shot into the top ten like a bullet (train). And perhaps that’s appropriate, because it’s Japan’s unique combination of wild unpredictability and smooth efficiency that has made it your top country this year."

So why was Japan the Wanderlust choice? Well, the country is known for extreme high-tech hotels boasting "unbelievable levels of style and comfort." Most people know that a trip to Tokyo is a an overwhelming exercise in sensory overload. Additionally, Michelin rated Tokyo as one of the best places for foodies to go, as the culinary choices are varied and often first-class.  The country is also filled with beautiful mountain scenery, amazing temples and breathtaking gardens.

Check out some of the great Hotelbook choices in Japan. We have plenty of fantastic boutique hotels in Tokyo as well as other Japanese cities.

Enjoy History at New York Hotels

The city of Manhattan is famous for its various attractions, shopping and amazing dining. However, New York City is also filled with historic hotels that hold many lifetimes of interesting stories.

For instance, the Roosevelt Hotel has been open since 1924. Located on famed Madison Avenue and 45th St., the historic property was named, of course, for President Theodore Roosevelt. After opening in 1924, the hotel quickly became known for its gloved porters guiding pampered guests through a private underground pathway from Grand Central Station. It was also the first hotel in the city touting extravagances such as its own wellness institute, hospital, spa and pet hotel.

The Roosevelt was put on the map when cherished Canadian bandleader, Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, formed in 1924 and began the TV broadcast of "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's Eve 1929. The band played at The Roosevelt Hotel from 1929 to 1959, and their New Year's Eve broadcasts became a paramount part of New Year's celebrations across North America. Today, the Roosevelt continues to entertain while serving as a backdrop for popular movies including Maid in Manhattan, Boiler Room, Quiz Show, Wall Street and The French Connection.

The truly historic Warwick New York Hotel in Manhattan was designed as a hideout and plush playground for celebrities in the 1920s and continues to maintain its decadent service today.
Built in 1926 and commissioned by William Hearst for his mistress Marion Davies, the Warwick New York Hotel offers luxury, European-style elegance with a residential atmosphere.

In 1927, Michelangelo Hotel was known as the Taft Hotel and was the famed haunt of big-band leader Vincent Lopez. Among the stars that began their career with Lopez at the Taft Hotel are  Artie Shaw, Xavier Cugot, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Tony Pastor. Today, The Michelangelo Hotel is recognized by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the top 500 'Greatest Hotels of the World' and has been placed on the 'Gold List' for the "Best Place to Stay in the World" by Condë Nast Traveler.

Hotels in New York are attractions as opposed to just places to sleep. Check out more New York hotelbook choices and get a taste of history.

2009 Trip Advisor Travelers Choice Award Winners on Hotelbook

The world's largest travel community, Trip Advisor, has announced the 2009 Travelers Choice Awards.Unlike any other hotel awards programs in the world, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based millions of unbiased hotel guest reviews.This year's Travelers Choice Awards are the biggest ever, as 443 hotels are being honored in the seventh year of the competition.

Hotels received awards in the following categories: Best Bargains, Best for Families, Best Hidden Gems, Best Inns & B&Bs, Best for Romance, Best Luxury, Best Service, Best All-Inclusive and Best Brands. Hotelbook is proud to feature many of these award-winning hotels, and have listed them below so you can have a look.

Top 100 Best Bargains
No. 10 – Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, Venice, Italy
No. 82 – Hotel Silencio del Campo, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

Top 10 Best Bargains – Europe
No. 6 – Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, Venice, Italy.

Top 10 Best Bargains – Central and South America
No. 6 – Hotel Silencio del Campo, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

Top 10 Best Hidden Gems – Europe
No. 2 – Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic.

Top 10 Best for Romance – World
No. 10 – Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand

Top 10 Best for Romance – United States
No. 2 – Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kamuela, Hawaii

Top 10 Best for Romance – Europe
No. 8 – Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo, Venice, Italy
No. 10 – Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic

Top 10 Best for Romance – Asia
No. 3 - Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand.

Top 10 Best for Romance – Caribbean & Mexico
No. 7 – Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Best in the Top 25 World Cities
No. 9 – Al Ponte Antico Hotel, Venice, Italy
No. 15 - Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic.
No. 18 – Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Best Service – World
No. 3 - Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic

Best Service - Europe
No. 2 - Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic
No. 10 - Al Ponte Antico Hotel, Venice, Italy

Top 100 Best Luxury
No. 1 – Aria Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
No. 10 – Quinta da Bela Vista, Funchal, Portugal
No. 33 – Ventana Hotel Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
No. 38 - Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand
No. 41 – Hotel Le Palais, Prague, Czech Republic
No. 73 – Soneva Gili Resort & Spa, North Male Atoll, Maldives
No. 79 – Real Palacio, Lisbon, Portugal

Top 10 Best Luxury – Europe
No. 1 – Aria Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
No. 5 – Quinta da Bela Vista, Funchal, Portugal

Top 10 Best Luxury – Asia
No. 5 - Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand