Hotels

The Trans Asia Hotel Colombo

2009-03-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Ayubowan – is a greeting used in Sri Lanka, which simply means we wish you a long and prosperous life, and happiness. It is a uniquely Sri Lankan form of a courteous greeting, spoken with the palms placed together as though in prayers.

Sri Lanka offers a variety of options and visitors never find enough time to explore in totality what the country boasts. Sri Lanka is steeped in a 2000 year historical heritage, incredible scenic mountainous landscapes, waterfalls, and long stretches of beaches all along the coastline. Today, tourism in the country has attracted all walks of life, as visitors do not only come on regular sight seeing tours, but also come to explore the amazing adventure trips that are on offer like white water rafting, mountain trekking, butterfly chasing, visits to virgin forests- the latter which are in its’ original state and of the few remaining in the world!

More to see in this little island paradise are the tea estates both grown in the low and upcountry regions all of which have panoramic views and stately bungalows. Moving into the central region of the country, the soil in certain areas is rich in gemstones sought after by the biggest jewellery buyers the world over. Visiting a “Gem Pit” is a popular stop in the itinerary organized by the various tour operators.

Today, Sri Lanka boasts four major Golf Courses, one in Colombo, one in the new capital Kotte, one in the outskirts of Kandy and the fourth in Nuwara Eliya, which is often compared to the St.Andrews Golf Course in Scotland.

TRANS ASIA HOTEL

As you drive in from the airport to Colombo, tucked away in the city centre is the Trans Asia Hotel which is the capital’s leading city resort. The hotel was designed with this thought and a resort was created within the city by taking advantage of the largest grounds facing the beautiful lake. The Architects designed the hotel using traditional Sri Lankan material including granite from the Kurunegala mountain’s and red cabook stone for the exterior – giving the hotel its unique character, look and feel. The hotel consists of 359 rooms spread across seven floors.

Many world renowned guests, including royalty, heads of government, leading corporate executives, famous artistes, actors and many travellers from all corners of the world, over the past two decades have stayed at the hotel. All of whom have appreciated Trans Asia’s luxurious accommodation, landscaped gardens and some of the best fine dining venues that Sri Lanka has to offer.

Trans Asia is certified for ISO 22000, ISO 14000 and OHSA which is Occupational Health and Safety Assessment.

Ayubowan to a resort within a city, on the shores of a beautiful lake … that’s the promise of The Trans Asia Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka’s leading city resort. Gaze out on the city skyline or the tranquil waters of The Beira Lake. Stroll in the Japanese garden of a landscaped garden suite. Dine at some of the country’s finest restaurants as royalty, heads of government, and celebrities have done and tell us … how would you like us to indulge you?

Hotels in Colombo

2008-11-21T05:07:00.000-08:00

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a busy commercial city where all the activities take place. Being the biggest city,Colombo is a modern and developed city with tall buildings and major places of interest for tourists. Fort district is the historical place in Colombo as it holds many old building from the eras of Dutch, Portuguese and British rule. It is the bustling area with shops, markets, government buildings etc. One of the major shopping complexes, Pettah Bazar, is also located towards the east of Fort. The shops here sell everything from vegetables to gemstone and so on. Other places of interest in Colombo are Galle Face Green, where you can watch sunset and enjoy evening walks. Cinammon Gardens is another place in Colombo, where you can see elegant bungalows and the beautiful Viharamaha Devi Park. Some of the other attractions for tourists in Colombo include museums, churches, bars, restaurants, cafes, kiosks and so on. For accommodation purpose, there are many good hotels and resorts in Colombo that offer lodging for travelers of all kinds of budget. AsiaRooms offer easy Online Booking of hotels in Colombo. AsiaRooms provides lucrative hotel deals of Colombo Hotels at discounted rates. So, go ahead and book your hotel now.

Hilton hotel Colombo

Hilton Hotel in Colombo is one of the finest Hotels in Colombo. An ideal accommodation option for business travelers and holidaymakers, the hotel ranks high among the 5 Star Hotels in Colombo. The hotel is aided with the best possible amenities for the visitors.

The convenient Location of Hilton Hotel in Colombo provides the tourists an easy access to visit the various tourist attractions in this capital city of Sri Lanka. Located near the World Trade Center of Colombo, the hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean and Beira Lake.

The Room Facilities at Hilton Hotel in Colombo promise a luxurious and comfortable stay for the visitors. There are several gracefully decked Art deco-style rooms and suites at the hotel.

All rooms at Hilton Hotel in Colombo are equipped with amenities like -

  -   Seating area with sofa
  -   Marble bathroom
  -   Internet access

Enjoy Dining at Hilton Hotel in Colombo in the 10 restaurants and bars. Most of these restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, catering delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian preparations. You can unwind with a selection of wines and liquors at the well-stocked bars.

There are excellent facilities for Business & Conference at Hilton Hotel in Colombo. You can arrange for a business meet as well as host a grand event at the hotel, buttressed by the latest audio-visual amenities.

There are multiple facilities for Fitness & Recreation at Hilton Hotel in Colombo. Work out at the Fitness Room, or take part in games like basketball, squash, tennis, and billiards to stay fit. Relax at the swimming pool, or go for a sightseeing trip.

The Other Amenities & Services at Hilton Hotel in Colombo include necessary amenities like travel desk, safe deposit locker, car rental, beauty salon, laundry service, etc.

One of the most luxurious Hotels in Sri Lanka, Hilton Hotel in Colombo is the ideal place to spend your holidays in comfort. Stay at this hotel and make your trip to Colombo a memorable one.

Casa Colombo hotel

A Retro-chic hotel with 12 designer suites housed within a grand 200 year old mansion. CASA Colombo’s style is a refreshing blend of tropical chic and colonial elegance. Placed in the very heart of the city with Wi – fi, Hi Fi and all other accoutrements of a personal office our suites are just perfect for those on the go. For the less inclined it’s a quiet escape, secluded from the intrusions of the city.

Three fabulous eateries feature fusion cuisine, Italian and Tapas. Our Pink pool make headlines, whilst our DOMO’s make each guest feel as though they were the only ones staying at CASA Colombo… The hotel that is a Hot Lister of Conde Naste and what Luxe Loves in Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon Grand hotel Colombo

The five-star property in Colombo is the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. This deluxe hotel represents the Cinnamon signature of magnificence. Either you are visiting Colombo with commercial purpose or just with a view to explore the capital city of Sri Lanka then this hotel is the perfect choice for you. Hotels in Colombo in Sri Lanka tender personalized service and modern conveniences.
Location of Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo
Cinnamon Grand is placed in a wonderful background of green gardens. The business travelers find it suitable staying at the hotel as it is not very far from the center of the city. You can reach to the hotel within an hour from Colombo International airport.
Room Facilities at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo
The elegant 501 rooms and suites are best place to spend your holidays. The onsite bathrooms are equipped with basic amenities and the guestrooms feature excellent services.
Dining at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo
Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo offers superior dining experience. The popular Cheers Pub introduces the guests to a wide choice of beverages.
Business and Conference at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo
The business tourists find it convenient to stay at this luxurious hotel. The conference center takes in all the latest equipments and makes seminars and business dealings easier.
Fitness and Recreation at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo
Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo provides you option to expend leisure moments at the well equipped gymnasium. The rooftop swimming pool and the newly opened Angsana Spa welcome the guests.
Other Amenities and Services at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo
You will find amenities such as a shopping mall, currency exchange, 24 hour reception desk and concierge services in the hotel.

Trans Asia hotel Colombo
Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo is one of the prime luxury Hotels in Colombo in Sri Lanka across the world. Set on the west coast this hotel gives a magnificent view of the blue ocean. This 5 Star Hotels in Colombo is one of the choicest places to stay for the guests. The Location of Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo is convenient for getting to any part of the city.
The Room Facilities at Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo are considered to be among the best in the city. The rooms have modern amenities to keep the guests in comfort and luxury. Dining at Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo is unique in itself. The cuisines at this hotel are delicious and from different parts of the world. The innovative chefs whip up scrumptious dishes to pamper the taste buds of the guests.
Apart from the above the facilities of Business and Conference at Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo are world class. Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo has a state of art infrastructure set up in the Business Center. It is equipped with the best audio visual system for the smooth running of the Business Center. Assistance is also provided by the hotel to see to the proper functioning of the program. Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo has a regular affair of product launches, presentations, conferences of the local corporate companies. The Fitness and Recreation at Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo are also quite popular with the guests staying at Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo. It is equipped with all the modern amenities and equipments keeping in mind the needs of the guests.
Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo is one of the most popular hotels in the city. Other Amenities and Services at Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo include ample car parking area, complimentary newspaper, baby sitting services, facilities for the disabled and many more.

Taj Samudra hotel Colombo

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Asia. With extravagant colonial architecture, museums and temples, and its natural beauty, Colombo is a wonderful place to holiday in. There are many excellent Hotels in Colombo, and one of the most popular 5 Star Hotels in Colombo, is the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo. The Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo is truly a treat to stay in.
The Location of Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo is wonderful, and the hotel is situated in one of the most prominent areas in Colombo, the Galle Face Green. Some 30 minutes from the Airport, accessibility to the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo is also convenient.
There are 292 well-appointed guestrooms and plush suites at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo to choose from. These fully-equipped rooms and suites are accompanied by a broad range of Room Facilities at Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, to give the guests a homely feel.
The Business and Conference at Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo includes an excellent conference package. The Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo offers extensive meeting and banqueting rooms, and other ancillary services, hi-tech audio-visual equipment, conference kit, and hotel transfers.
The Fitness & Recreation at Pharaoh's Palace Hotel in Colombo promise the guest a pleasant experience during their stay at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, and include an outdoor swimming pool, a health club, a tennis court and a squash court. The Dining at Pharaoh's Palace Hotel in Colombo is superb, and includes 5 specialty restaurants and 2 bars that offer scrumptious delicacies and some awesome cocktails.
The Other Amenities & Services at Pharaoh's Palace Hotel in Colombo look after the varied needs of the guests, and offer first-rate service. In fact, it is the utilities and conveniences provided by the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo that goes a long way in making the hotel one of the most prominent names among the many Hotels in Sri Lanka.

World tallest hotel

2008-10-29T08:53:00.001-07:00

Amsterdam Hotels

2008-10-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Bilderberg Jan Luyken Hotel

In the cultural heart of Amsterdam lies the Bilderberg Jan Luyken Hotel. In the vicinity you will find the 'Rijksmuseum', the 'Van Gogh Museum' and the 'Leidseplein'. This elegant boutique hotel is a good combination of classical and design elements.
Three beautiful 19th century mansions make up the Bilderberg Jan Luyken Hotel. The interior of this boutique hotel is a tasteful combination of design and classical elements of Amsterdam architecture. Take a moment's rest at the hotel Spa which houses a massage bed, a Jacuzzi, a solarium and a Turkish steam bath. Large towels and lovely massaging oils are available in this relaxation room. The Bilderberg Jan Luyken Hotel is perfectly located nearby several...

American Hotel

The Eden Amsterdam American Hotel is centrally located on the lively 'Leidseplein'. From the hotel you have many options to spend your day: you could go shopping in the 'P.C. Hooftstraat' or the 'Leidsestraat', go on a canal cruise, have a picnic in the 'Vondelpark' or you can visit one of the bars ...

Dubai hotels list

2008-10-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

AL MAHA DESERT RESORT & SPA Special Offers
AL MANZIL Special Offers
AL MUROOJ ROTANA HOTEL Special Offers
AL QASR - MADINAT JUMEIRAH Special Offers
ARABIAN COURTYARD HOTEL & SPA
ATLANTIS - THE PALM
BEIT AL BAHAR VILLAS Special Offers
BURJ AL ARAB Special Offers
DAR AL MASYAF - MADINAT JUMEIRAH Special Offers
DUBAI MARINE BEACH RESORT & SPA Special Offers
FAIRMONT DUBAI Special Offers
GRAND HYATT DUBAI Special Offers
GROSVENOR HOUSE WEST MARINA BEACH Special Offers
HABTOOR GRAND RESORT & SPA Special Offers
HATTA FORT HOTEL Special Offers
HILTON DUBAI CREEK Special Offers
HILTON DUBAI JUMEIRAH Special Offers
HYATT REGENCY DUBAI Special Offers
INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY
JEBEL ALI HOTEL Special Offers
JUMEIRAH BAB AL SHAMS DESERT RESORT & SPA Special Offers
JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL Special Offers
JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS Special Offers
JW MARRIOTT DUBAI Special Offers
KEMPINSKI MALL OF THE EMIRATES Special Offers
LE MERIDIEN MINA SEYAHI BEACH Special Offers
LE ROYAL MERIDIEN BEACH RESORT & SPA Special Offers
METROPOLITAN CITY HOTEL Special Offers
METROPOLITAN DEIRA HOTEL Special Offers
METROPOLITAN PALACE HOTEL Special Offers
MINA 'A SALAM - MADINAT JUMEIRAH Special Offers
OASIS BEACH TOWER Special Offers
ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE Special Offers
PALM TREE COURT & SPA Special Offers
PARK HYATT DUBAI Special Offers
QAMARDEEN HOTEL Special Offers
RADISSON SAS DUBAI DEIRA CREEK Special Offers
RAFFLES DUBAI
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, DUBAI Special Offers
SHERATON DUBAI CREEK HOTEL & TOWERS Special Offers
SHERATON JUMEIRAH BEACH RESORT & TOWERS Special Offers
SOFITEL CITY CENTRE HOTEL & RESIDENCE
THE PALACE THE OLD TOWN
THE RITZ-CARLTON, DUBAI Special Offers
THE WESTIN DUBAI MINA SEYAHI BEACH RESORT & MARINA Special Offers
TRADERS HOTEL - BY SHANGRI-LA Special Offers

The Venetian Macau

2008-10-15T00:13:00.000-07:00

World’s 5 tallest hotels

2008-10-12T05:49:00.000-07:00

Whether by climbing mountains, building flying machines or even traveling to outer space, mankind has always sought to the sky. Things aren’t much different when looking for traveling accommodations, so it’s no surprise that some of the world’s most luxurious hotels are also the highest. Here are the world’s 5 tallest hotels:

5. Baiyoke Tower II

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Baiyoke Tower

Opened in 1998, Baiyoke Tower II became the tallest building in Thailand and the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia. It has a height of 304 meters and it reaches 328 meters if the antenna on top of it is included in the calculations. It has 85 floors and 2060 steps from the ground to the very top which takes more than an hour to climb.

The piling of Baiyoke Tower II runs an extra 60 meters into the ground, the height of a 22 story building. The hotel itself begins at the 22^nd floor and ends at the 74^th, containing 673 rooms. Also worth a visit are: the observatory on the 77^th floor, the Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge on the 83^rd floor and the revolving roof deck on the 84^th floor.

4. Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Jumeirah Emirates Tower

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, right in the center of Dubai’s business district, Jumeirah Emirates Tower has often been referred to as the best business hotel in the world. Ranked as the 33^rd highest building on Earth, this steel and glass masterpiece has 56 stories and a height of 309 meters.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel opened for business in the year 2000 and was remodeled in 2005. It has 400 rooms, 40 luxury suites and over 15 restaurants, bars and lounges. The starting price for a room at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel is 1,100 dollars.

3. Burj al Arab

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj al Arab

The world’s only 7-star hotel is definitely the most luxurious, combining traditional elements with the latest technology available. Burj al arab was constructed in 1999, on an artificial island, 280 meters off shore, offering a great view of the sea and the city of Dubai.

Burj al arab is literally luxury taken to the extreme, over 8,000 square meters of the hotel’s interior is covered in 22-carat gold leaf, while 24,000 square meters are covered with 30 different types of marble.

This jewel of the Arab World has a height of 321 meters and 56 stories. Burj al Arab also has the tallest atrium in the world, which is 180 meters high.

2. Ryugyong

Location: Pyongyang, North Korea

Ryugyong Hotel

Ryugyong Hotel was supposed to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, when construction began in 1987, but due to low quality materials used and the government’s financial problems, construction ceased in 1992. This 330-meters-high, 105 storey-building, dominates the city of Pyongyang and is easily the tallest building in all of North Korea.

With over 3000 available rooms, Ryugyong Hotel is an enormous financial loss, especially if it isn’t ready for business. Realizing this, the North-Koreans resumed work on it in April 2008, after a 16 year break. The future still looks grim for Ryugyong Hotel with tourism in North Korea being virtually non-existent.

1. Rose Tower

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Rose Tower Hotel

Standing at 333 meters into the sky, Rose Tower became the tallest hotel in Dubai and the world. Construction began in 2004 and by 2006 it reached its current height with the addition of spire. It was supposed to be 380 meters high but some modifications to the structure’s design forced the architects to reduce it to 333 meters.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, in Dubai’s financial district, Rose Tower Hotel has 72 stories and it was supposed to open in April 2008, but, to present day, it remains closed. When it opens, it will welcome guests with luxury accommodations, restaurants, shopping and leisure facilities.

Luxury Hotels in North America

2008-10-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

The Point

Saranac Lake, NY, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Tucked Away In The Adirondack Mountains On A Pristine Lake, This Former Rockefeller Adirondack Great Camp Offers The Ultimate Civilized...

The Royal Hawaiian

Honolulu, HI, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Of all Hawaii hotels, only The Pink Palace of the Pacific has remained an icon of luxury and romance for...

Keswick Hall at Monticello

Keswick, VA, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

An Orient-express Hotel, Keswick Hall Is A Country Estate Situated On 600 Acres In The Foothills Of The Blue Ridge...

The Peninsula Chicago

Chicago, IL, United States

Style: Super Luxury

Since its grand opening in 2001, The Peninsula Chicago has been awarded numerous accolades including the prestigious Mobil Five-Star and...

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills, CA, United States

Style: Super Luxury

The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers the perfect, luxurious oasis, set in one of the most prestigious areas of Los Angeles,...

The Peninsula New York

New York, NY, United States

Style: Super Luxury

The Peninsula New York is ideally located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, in the heart of New York City's...

Market Pavilion Hotel

Charleston, SC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

The Market Pavilion Hotel Provides The Ultimate Level Of Service And Sophistication And The Most Picturesque Charleston Location. Nestled In...

The Madison, a Loews Hotel

Washington, DC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

Imagine a place where historic tradition meets sophisticated urbanity and the graciousness of a bygone era is revitalized with absolute...

The Hay-Adams Hotel

Washington, DC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

Welcome to Washington's landmark residence of choice while visiting the nation's capital. The Hay-Adams is as close as anyone can...

The Hazelton Hotel

Toronto, ON, Canada

Style: Classic Luxury

The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto's most exclusive five star hotel, sets a new standard in style, detail and service. Sexy, dramatic...

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya

Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Style: Classic Luxury

The Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Mexico is a luxury hotel and resort set amidst 36 acres of tropical forests, with...

ME Hotel Cancun

Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Style: Classic Luxury

Hotel, designed to raise eyebrows, blur boundaries, tempt, tease and seduce. An experience beyond mere accommodation, The essence of ME...

Cabo Azul Resort and Spa

San Jose del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico

Style: Classic Luxury

Experience everything luxury resort living should be when you choose Cabo Azul Resort & Spa. We have set a new...

Capella Ixtapa

Ixtapa, Mexico

Style: Classic Luxury

One of Mexico's most exclusive resort destinations will soon have its crown jewel, when Capella Ixtapa opens in Summer 2008....

River Inn of Harbor Town

Memphis, TN, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

In October 2007, River Inn of Harbor Town opened its doors, offering Memphis visitors an entirely new lodging experience. Situated...

The Point

Saranac Lake, NY, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Tucked Away In The Adirondack Mountains On A Pristine Lake, This Former Rockefeller Adirondack Great Camp Offers The Ultimate Civilized...

Woodlands Resort and Inn

Summerville, SC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Nestled in the splendor of palmettos, moss-draped oak, and towering magnolias is a place of elegance, comfort, and gracious hospitality....

The Royal Hawaiian

Honolulu, HI, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Of all Hawaii hotels, only The Pink Palace of the Pacific has remained an icon of luxury and romance for...

Keswick Hall at Monticello

Keswick, VA, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

An Orient-express Hotel, Keswick Hall Is A Country Estate Situated On 600 Acres In The Foothills Of The Blue Ridge...

The Point

Saranac Lake, NY, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Tucked Away In The Adirondack Mountains On A Pristine Lake, This Former Rockefeller Adirondack Great Camp Offers The Ultimate Civilized...

Woodlands Resort and Inn

Summerville, SC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Nestled in the splendor of palmettos, moss-draped oak, and towering magnolias is a place of elegance, comfort, and gracious hospitality....

The Royal Hawaiian

Honolulu, HI, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Of all Hawaii hotels, only The Pink Palace of the Pacific has remained an icon of luxury and romance for...

Market Pavilion Hotel

Charleston, SC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

The Market Pavilion Hotel Provides The Ultimate Level Of Service And Sophistication And The Most Picturesque Charleston Location. Nestled In...

The Madison, a Loews Hotel

Washington, DC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

Imagine a place where historic tradition meets sophisticated urbanity and the graciousness of a bygone era is revitalized with absolute...

The Hay-Adams Hotel

Washington, DC, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

Welcome to Washington's landmark residence of choice while visiting the nation's capital. The Hay-Adams is as close as anyone can...

Campton Place Hotel

San Francisco, CA, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Campton Place Hotel offers the sophisticated executive traveler an elegant, quiet, and intimate atmosphere. Our restaurant is one of the...

Liberty Hotel

Boston, MA, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

Built in 1851, the Charles Street Jail was thought to be one of the best examples of the "Boston Granite...

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

Tucson, AZ, United States

Style: Classic Luxury

Located On 93 Acres In Tucson's Catalina Mountain Foothills, the Ventana Canyon resort features 398 Luxury Guest Rooms And Suites...

Loews Hotel Vogue

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Style: Classic Luxury

Special Offer: For Five Star Alliance Guests

Among the bustling business district where cafes, shops, and museums line the streets, is an enclave of luxuriousness yet to...

Burj Al Arab

2008-10-09T03:16:00.000-07:00

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, literally, Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.^[2] However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), will take away this title upon its opening.^[3]^[4]^[5] The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

Construction

Construction of Burj Al Arab began in 1994. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. The architect Tom Wright^[6] said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country." ^[7]

The architect and engineering consultant for the project was Atkins, the UK's largest multidisciplinary consultancy. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts.^[8] The hotel cost $650 million to build.^[9]

Features

Several features of the hotel required complex engineering feats to achieve. The hotel rests on an artificial island constructed 280 meters offshore. To secure a foundation, the builders drove 230 40-meter long concrete piles into the sand.^[10]

Engineers created a surface layer of large rocks, which is circled with a concrete honey-comb pattern, which serves to protect the foundation from erosion. It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, but less than three years to construct the building itself. The building contains over 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel.^[10]

The world's tallest atrium

Inside the building, the atrium is 180 meters (590 ft) tall. During the construction phase, to lower the interior temperature, the building was cooled by one degree per day over 6 months. This was to prevent large amounts of "condensation or in fact even a rain cloud from forming in the hotel during the period of construction." This task was accomplished by several cold air nozzles, which point down from the top of the ceiling, and blast a 1 meter cold air pocket down the inside of the sail. This creates a buffer zone, which controls the interior temperature without massive energy costs. ^[7]

Burj Al Arab characterizes itself as the world's only "7-star" property, a designation considered by travel professionals to be hyperbole. All major travel guides and hotel rating systems have a 5-star maximum, which some hotels attempt to out-do by ascribing themselves "6-star" status. Yet according to the Burj Al Arab's official site, the hotel is a "5-star deluxe hotel". It is the world's tallest structure with a membrane facade and the world's tallest hotel (not including buildings with mixed use) and was the first 5-star hotel to surpass 1,000 ft (305 m) in height.

Exterior

The front of the tower is made of teflon-coated fibreglass

The building design features a steel exoskeleton wrapped around a reinforced concrete tower. Notably the building is shaped like the sail of a dhow, with two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast". The space between the wings is enclosed by a Teflon-coated fibreglass sail, curving across the front of the building and creating an atrium inside. The sail is made of a material called Dyneon, spanning over 161,000 square feet (15,000 m²), consists of two layers, and is divided into twelve panels and installed vertically. The fabric is coated with DuPont Teflon to protect it from harsh desert heat, wind, and dirt; as a result, "the fabricators estimate that it will hold up for up to 50 years. The whole design in itself was originally put forward to the design committee by Edah Yllib, a Scandinavian designer. It took great mathematical thinking by this designer, but in the end proved very successful."^[11]

Helicopter landing pad at the top of the Burj Al Arab

During the day, the white fabric allows a soft, milky light inside the hotel, whereas a clear glass front would produce blinding amounts of glare and a constantly increasing temperature. At night, both inside and outside, the fabric is lit by color-changing lights. During the period of mourning following the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in January 2006, the light show and some water features were turned off.

Near the top of the building is a suspended helipad supported by a cantilever. The helipad has featured some of the hotel's notable publicity events. Irish singer Ronan Keating shot his music video Iris on the helipad. In March 2004, professional golfer Tiger Woods hit several golf balls from the helipad into the Persian Gulf, while in February 2005, professional tennis players Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played an unranked game on the helipad, which was temporarily converted into a grass tennis court, at a height of 211 meters. The helipad has no borders or fences on the edges and if a player hit a winner the tennis balls would plunge down to the ground.^[12]^[13]

Interior

The lobby with the sail

The interior was designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International. Other projects by Khuan Chew include the Sultan of Brunei's palace, Dubai International Airport, Jumeirah Beach Resort Development, Madinat Resort and much more.

The Burj Al Arab features the tallest atrium lobby in the world, at 180 meters (590 ft). The [atrium] is formed between the building's V-shaped span. The atrium dominates the interior of the hotel, and takes up over one-third of interior space. It can accommodate the Dubai World Trade Center building, which, at 38 stories, was the tallest building in Dubai from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.

While the exterior of the Burj Al Arab is expressed in terms of ultra-modern sculptural design, the interior guest space is a compilation of lavish and luxurious architectural styles from both the east and the west. The hotel boasts 8,000 square meters of 22-carat gold leaf and 24,000 square meters of 30 different types of marble.

In the mezzanine lobby, a fountain creates a "three-dimensional Islamic star pattern."^[14] Pointed arches throughout, found in one of the hotel’s three restaurants, corridors between guest rooms, and at the top of the atrium recall a classic Arabian architectural design form.

Rooms and prices

One of the hotel suites

It is managed by the Jumeirah Group. Despite its size, the Burj Al Arab holds only 28 double-story floors which accommodate 202 bedroom suites. The smallest suite occupies an area of 169 square meters (1,819 sq ft), the largest covers 780 square meters (8,396 sq ft). It is one of the most expensive hotels in the world. The cost of staying in a suite begins at $1,000 per night; the Royal Suite is the most expensive, at $28,000 per night.^[14]

Suites feature design details that juxtapose east and west. White Tuscan columns and a spiral staircase covered in marble with a wrought-iron gold leaf railing show influence from classicism and art nouveau. Spa-like bathrooms are accented by mosaic tile patterns on the floors and walls, with Arabian-influenced geometries, which are also found elsewhere in the building.

Restaurants

Al Mahara

One of its restaurants, Al Muntaha (Arabic meaning "Highest" or "Ultimate"), is located 200 metres (660 ft) above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai. It is supported by a full cantilever that extends 27 metres (89 ft) from either side of the mast, and is accessed by a panoramic elevator. The main chef there- Edah Semaj Leachim, was awarded Chef of the Year 2006 and also owns the restaurant, in accordance with the Burj Al Arab hotel.

Another restaurant, the Al Mahara (Arabic meaning "The Oyster"), which is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage, features a large seawater aquarium, holding roughly 35,000 cubic feet (over one million litres) of water. The tank, made of acrylic glass in order to withstand the water pressure, is about 18 centimetres (7.1 in) thick. The restaurant was also voted among the top ten best restaurants of the world by Condé Nast Traveler. They have recently hired acclaimed chef Kevin McLaughlin.

Reviews by architecture critics

Burj Al Arab at sunset

The Burj Al Arab has attracted criticism as well as praise, described as "a contradiction of sorts, considering how well-designed and impressive the construction ultimately proves to be."^[15] The contradiction here seems to be related to the hotel’s extreme opulence. "This extraordinary investment in state-of-the-art construction technology stretches the limits of the ambitious urban imagination in an exercise that is largely due to the power of excessive wealth." Another critic includes the city of Dubai as well: "both the hotel and the city, after all, are monuments to the triumph of money over practicality. Both elevate style over substance."^[15] Yet another: "Emulating the quality of palatial interiors, in an expression of wealth for the mainstream, a theater of opulence is created in Burj Al Arab … The result is a baroque effect".^[15] Sam Wollaston writing in The Guardian described the Burj as "...fabulous, hideous, and the very pinnacle of tackiness - like Vegas after a serious, no-expense-spared, sheik-over". ^[16]

Hotel

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A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging, usually on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning or climate control. Additional common features found in hotel rooms are a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, and Internet connectivity; snack foods and drinks may be supplied in a mini-bar, and facilities for making hot drinks. Larger hotels may provide a number of additional guest facilities such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare, and have conference and social function services.

Some hotels offer various combinations of meals as part of a room and board arrangement. In the United Kingdom, a hotel is required by law to serve food and drinks to all guests within certain stated hours; to avoid this requirement it is not uncommon to come across private hotels which are not subject to this requirement.^{[citation needed]} In Japan, capsule hotels provide a minimized amount of room space and shared facilities.

In Australia and Canada, hotel may also refer to a pub or bar. In India, the word may also refer to a restaurant since the best restaurants were always situated next to a good hotel.

MGM Grand Las Vegas

The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip, which opened as a Hollywood themed resort. The MGM Grand Las Vegas is the second largest hotel in the world and second largest in the United States behind The Venetian^[1]^[2]

Owned and operated by MGM MIRAGE, a publicly-traded company, the 30-floor main building is 293 feet (89 m) high and features five outdoor pools, rivers, and waterfalls that cover 6.6 acres (2.7 hectare),^[3] a 380,000 square foot (35,000 m²) convention center, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, CBS Television City, and the Grand Spa. It also houses numerous shops and night clubs, 16 restaurants, two food courts, and the largest casino in Clark County, which occupies 171,500 square feet (16,000 m²).

The hotel rooms are located in several buildings including:

The main hotel building, with 5,044 rooms (4,293 rooms and 751 suites)^[4]
The three The Signature at MGM Grand towers each with 576 suites
SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand with 51 lofts
The Mansion at MGM Grand with 29 villas

It is one of the few large hotels in Las Vegas that has a 13th floor.

Located on the Tropicana - Las Vegas Boulevard intersection, pedestrians are not allowed to cross at street level. Instead, the MGM Grand is linked by overhead pedestrian bridges to its neighboring casinos: to the south across Tropicana Avenue, the Tropicana, and to the west across the Strip, the New York-New York.

History

In 1990 Kirk Kerkorian bought the Marina Hotel to obtain the site that would become the home of the MGM Grand. During that time, the Marina was known as the MGM-Marina Hotel. The Marina closed on November 30, 1991, and ground was broken on October 7, 1991.

On February 23, 1993, MGM celebrated a "topping off" ceremony with the placement of the last panel of emerald green glass hoisted onto one of the 30-story hotel towers. A total of 5,005 green balloons were released, each containing a gift certificate valid for one complimentary stay in one of the rooms.

When the latest MGM Grand opened on December 18, 1993, it was owned by MGM Grand Inc. At that time it had an extensive Wizard of Oz theme, including the green "Emerald City" color of the building and the decorative use of Wizard of Oz memorabilia. After entering the casino's main entrance, you would find yourself in the Oz Casino and facing the "Emerald City". Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion were seen in front of the city. The "Emerald City" attraction featured an elaborate yellow brick road walk through. Complete with a cornfield, an apple orchard, the haunted forest as well as audio-animatronic figures of the Scarecrow, Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. It would end at the door of the city, leading inside for a performance of "The Wizard's Secreats". The Oz Casino also featured the "Emerald City Gift Shop" and the "Oz Buffet". When the MGM Grand began its extensive refurbishment in 1996, the Oz Casino was the first to go. The Emerald City was completely demolished, the "Oz Buffet" became the "Grand Buffet", and the "Emerald City Gift Shop" was moved to a new shopping section of the casino. The store remained open until early 2003.

The MGM Grand was the home of the long-running production show EFX from 1995 until 2002.

Originally, the main entrance on the Strip was inside the mouth of a giant cartoon-like version of MGM's mascot, Leo the Lion, but this entrance feature was changed to a more traditional entrance; many Chinese gamblers avoided the casino or entered through the back entrance, due to the feng shui belief that entering the mouth of the lion was "bad luck." ^[5] In 1998, a large bronze statue of Leo was added above the entrance to keep with the MGM Lion theme, while not scaring away their more superstitious guests. The statue weighs 50 tons, and at 45 feet (14 m) tall, on a 25-foot pedestal, is the largest bronze statue in the U.S. ^[4]

Leo, the MGM lion bravely guards the entrance to the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

When the MGM Grand opened, the intention was to create the first true destination hotel in the Las Vegas area by including the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park behind the casino. The plan was to make the Las Vegas Strip more family friendly by providing activities for children who were too young to be allowed to linger inside the casino. The theme park performed poorly, and did not reopen for the 2001 season. On December 5, 2002, MGM Mirage announced that the former theme park would be developed as a luxury condominium and hotel complex called The Signature.

A monorail was built to connect the MGM Grand to Bally's in 1995. The coming out party for the monorail on behalf of Bally's consisted of showgirls and guys from Jubilee helping the groups to the monorail. Characters from the Wizard of Oz greeted the groups on the MGM side. The track was later updated to became the southernmost section of the Las Vegas Monorail. The station was refurbished, the trains were replaced with Bombardier M-VI's, and the track was extended beyond the southern station to provide for track switching for the trains as well as a starting point for a potential future southern extension to the monorail line.

MGM Grand today, with sign promoting it as The City of Entertainment

In 2000, in an attempt to appeal to a more "mature" clientèle, the hotel underwent a major renovation and almost all traces of the "Oz" theme were removed. The theme is now more of the Art Deco era of classic Hollywood and the hotel started billing itself as The City of Entertainment. More recently, the resort has used the phrase, "Maximum Vegas" referring to the vast amount of activities MGM Grand offers its guest.

On April 26, 2000, MGM opened a new satellite registration/hotel check-in center at the McCarran International Airport. This is the first of its kind opened by a hotel company at any United States airport.^[6]

In 2005, MGM opened the West Wing.

Film history

Imitating the film Coyote Ugly, bartenders dance on the bar at Centrifuge besides the Sports and Race Book.

The MGM Grand was featured prominently in the 1996 boxing comedy The Great White Hype.
The MGM Grand was one of the casinos that Danny Ocean and his crew robbed in the 2001 film Ocean's Eleven. A staged unification match between heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko was prominently featured in the film.
Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family play a game of Keno in the final scenes of Vegas Vacation alongside a character played by Sid Caesar. Keno is no longer offered at the casino.

Media

A parody of the MGM Grand was featured in the BMX video game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2. Leo the Lion was replaced with dragons.

The MGM Grand was among many casinos the MIT Blackjack Team gambled at in the book Bringing Down The House.

Signature attractions

The Lion Habitat in the MGM Grand

MGM Grand features a glass-sided lion habitat inside the casino area, in which up to six lions are shown every day. A see-through tunnel runs through the habitat for close-up viewing. The lions are owned by Keith Evans, a trainer of exotic animals, and do not live at the habitat, but at his ranch 12 miles (19 km) outside Las Vegas.^[4]
The resort is home to Cirque du Soleil's production KÀ.
Crazy Horse Paris, renamed from La Femme in 2007, a production which "celebrates the artistry of the nude"^[4] from the Crazy Horse in Paris, has its own theater at MGM Grand. All 13 ballet-trained dancers in the show are members of the original Paris troupe.^{[citation needed]}
Studio 54 (Las Vegas), a recreation of New York's Studio 54 nightclub.
the Hollywood Theatre, home to America's first showing of Jerry Springer the Opera in 2007
From 1996 to 2000, professional wrestling event WCW Halloween Havoc was held at the Garden Arena.

SKYLOFTS at the MGM Grand

SKYLOFTS occupies the top two floors of the MGM Grand's main building. While it operates semi-independently of the main hotel, it effectively serves as the Grand's ultra-luxury penthouses. It is independent enough of the main hotel that the AAA Five Diamond Award^[7] was bestowed exclusively on SKYLOFTS rather than on the MGM Grand as a whole. It is also independently a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World. Amenities include a private elevator, a personal concierge and butler, a large entertainment system that extends throughout the loft, and a luxurious bathroom including a spa-like bathtub and a steam shower.^[8]

Signature at MGM Grand

Signature at MGM Grand is a condo hotel project, at the MGM Grand, by MGM Mirage and Turnberry Associates teamed up to build the first three Signature at the MGM Grand towers which are now open. A maximum of five towers will be constructed on the site. The 38 story 475-foot (145 m) tall structures have 576 units each and were priced from $450,000 to $1.5 million. Signature is located on the property where the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park once stood. Each tower will have access to MGM Grand pools included.

Show Venues

KÀ Theatre
Crazy Horse ParisTheatre
Hollywood Theatre
MGM Grand Garden Arena

Hotels

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St. Regis Hotel & Residences, Mexico City	Dariush Grand Hotel, Kish Island, Iran	A hotel in Adams, New York which has preserved its 1890s exterior and interior	The Manor House Hotel at Castle Combe, UK, originally built in the 14th century
H.Top Calella Palace in Spain	A state hotel in Cienfuegos, Cuba	Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya in Moscow	Hotel NH Barbizon Palace in Amsterdam
The Oberoi Udaivillas in Udaipur, India.	"Hotel Woerthersee" in Klagenfurt, Carinthia, Austria	The Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, Swiss Alps	Grand Hotel Dolder in Zürich, Switzerland