Universal's Loews Royal Pacific Resort

As part of a joint venture with Universal Parks and Resorts and Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Loews Hotels co-owns and manages three distinctively themed on-site hotels located at Universal Orlando Resort. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a re-creation of the famed Mediterranean seaside village of Portofino, Italy and offers the utmost in European style and elegance. Loews Royal Pacific Resort transports guests to the tropical enchantment of the South Pacific with a serene orchid garden, sparkling waterfalls and exquisite wood carvings. Hard Rock Hotel features a sweeping California mission-style façade, a palm-lined swimming pool and authentic rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. All three hotels are AAA Four Diamond-rated resorts.

Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Dining options at Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort include 4 restaurants. A poolside bar and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The resort serves breakfast each morning in the restaurant (surcharges apply). Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a health club, a spa tub, and a sauna. Spa amenities include massage/treatment rooms, facials, body treatments, and beauty services. This 4-star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, secretarial services, and technology support staff. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This Orlando property has 85000 square feet of event space consisting of a conference center, banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, and a ballroom. The property has a theme park shuttle, which is complimentary. Business services, wedding services, limo/town car service, and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is available for a surcharge. Additional property amenities include a coffee shop/café, a concierge desk, and a children’s club. Guests have access to a partner property’s outdoor pool, health club, recreational facilities, and business facilities. This is a smoke-free property.

Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel: Dining options at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel include 3 restaurants. A poolside bar and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a health club, a spa tub, and a sauna. Spa amenities include massage/treatment rooms, facials, body treatments, and beauty services. This 4-star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, secretarial services, and technology support staff. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and the resort has an Internet point. This Orlando property has 6000 square feet of event space consisting of a conference center, banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, and a ballroom. The property has a theme park shuttle, which is complimentary. Business services, wedding services, limo/town car service, and tour/ticket assistance are available. Additional property amenities include a coffee shop/café, a concierge desk, and a children’s club. Guests have access to a partner property’s outdoor pool, health club, recreational facilities, and business facilities. This is a smoke-free property.

Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel In addition to 5 restaurants, Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel offers a snack bar/deli and a coffee shop/café. A poolside bar and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. Room service is available during limited hours. Recreational amenities include 3 outdoor swimming pools. Also located on site are a children’s pool, a health club, a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness facility. The property’s full-service health spa has body treatments, massage/treatment rooms, facials, and beauty services. This 4.5-star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, secretarial services, and technology support staff. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and the resort has a computer station. This Orlando property has 42000 square feet of event space consisting of a conference center, banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Business services, wedding services, limo/town car service, and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is available for a surcharge. Additional property amenities include a concierge desk, a children’s club, and an arcade/game room. Guests have access to a partner property’s outdoor pool, health club, recreational facilities, and business facilities. This is a smoke-free property.

An unspoilt paradise

The Indonesian island of Bali lies eight degrees south of the equator, between Lombok and Java, and is separated from the island of Java by the Bali Strait. The mountains that dominate the central area have peaks rising to more than 3,000 meters and include an active volcano, Mount Agung, or the “mother mountain.” The land here is extremely fertile, helped by high levels of rainfall, so agriculture is an important part of the island’s economy. On the northern side of Bali, coffee, vegetables and rice are grown and cattle are reared. On the southern side, in the areas around the capital Denpasar, local farmers mainly grow rice.

In the same way as agriculture is distributed north and south of the mountains, Bali’s beaches are generally of black sand to the north and west, and of white sand to the south, where tourism is mostly concentrated. There are coral reefs surrounding the island, which harbor marine life and are popular with divers, and although there are no major waterways it’s possible to navigate the Ho River in a small sampan boat.

In an area of 2,174 square miles, Bali enjoys a unique ecology with more than 280 species of birds having been identified to date, including the Bali Starling, an endangered species, which is unique to the island. Varieties of swallows, herons, kingfishers and the Sea Eagle are also found here.

Deer and wild boar are still plentiful, plus monkeys, snakes, squirrels and bats. Trees and flowers have been imported over the years and thrive in the accommodating climate, so that the pleasant scent of jasmine and roses fills the air.

Unique sights and sounds

Bali is a popular tourist destination and is well known for its indigenous arts and crafts; music and dance are very popular here, as is craftwork in metal and leather, plus sculpture and painting. One of Bali’s major cultural centers is the town of Ubud, to the north of Denpasar, where the ‘Palace of Paintings’ is a major attraction and the delightful Ubud Villas can be found.

Balinese dance is rooted in religious and artistic expression and is an ancient tradition. Bali has a majority population of Hindus, and in this context dance practice is steeped in re-enacting several standard Hindu scenarios through the use of specific central characters. For example, through Balinese dance the world perpetually dissolves and reforms, and the powerful and benevolent yogi Shiva, or the good lion or dragon Barong, is often pitted against the evil demon queen, Rangda.

There is more than one dance tradition in Bali, and there are epic performances of certain dance dramas, for example, Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Young children, who will have been played Indonesian music whilst still in the womb, are taught expressive hand gestures by their mothers, often before they can walk. Then the eyes, face, arms, feet and hips are coordinated to create the overall effect needed in the dance movements.

Many types of gamelan music are popular in Bali, as is the technique known as kecak – a musical interpretation of the sounds made by monkeys. There is music designed for processions and cremations, and popular contemporary dance music that employs a rich range of instruments, including xylophones and gongs.

Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North

“This property is a real gem and complements our other Phoenix-area hotels located in Chandler and Happy Valley,” said Lisa Peterson, Regional Vice President at White Lodging. “Beyond its fantastic location, it has the type of amenities that appeal to our business guests as well as those vacationing in and around Phoenix and Scottsdale.”

All rooms have free high-speed internet access and a hospitality center equipped with a mini-refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. Plus, for those requesting it, the unmatched comfort of the Garden Sleep System Bed is available. Just off the beautifully-appointed lobby, guests can enjoy a daily breakfast or dinner in the Great American Grill®, have a workout in the fitness center or enjoy some fun in the outdoor pool, Children’s wading pool or whirlpool.

Hotel Video

Here are some guest reviews:
Out of five reviews of the internet, five said it was free
Ten guests mentioned the staff in a review, ten found them helpful and polite
Seven guests mentioned the room cleanliness in a review, seven felt they were very clean
We found nine reviews that said the hotel is in a convenient location
Out of four reviews of the hotel’s restaurant, four recommended eating there
Five mentioned the cost of their booking in a review, five thought it was a fair price

Things you can enjoy at the Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North
The Garden Sleep System™
Suite Dreams® Bedding
Neutrogena® Bath Amenities
Sleeper Sofa or Chair with Ottoman
Complimentary WiFi
Complimentary Remote Printing
Two Speaker Phones
Mini-Refrigerator
Flat Screen TVs with Premium Cable, HBO, CNN, ESPN
Ergonomic Desk Chair & Oversized Work Desk
Iron/Ironing Board
USA Today Newspaper Delivery (M-F)

Places nearby the hotel:
Tournament Players Club
Downtown Scottsdale
Downtown Phoenix
Cactus League Spring Training
WestWorld Equestrian Center
Alltel Ice Arena
Kierland Commons Shopping and Dining
Outlet Mall Shopping
Scottsdale Airport/Airpark
Scottsdale Center for the Arts
DC Ranch

Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North Reservations

San Diego by the sea

Free of the smog that hovers over Los Angeles, San Diego welcomes the famous California sun with clear, bright skies. The extreme tangle of freeways seems to smooth out in this area as well inviting a more laid back approach to everyday life. Its beaches cradle you in white sand until you take a dip in the warm Pacific waters. San Diego just fits the California lifestyle; laid back and relaxing. If you are going to make hotel reservations in San Diego get ready to experience the real California.

Of course one of the main San Diego attractions is its beaches. With a long stretch of California coastline San Diego lays claim to some of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast. If you want to take in a little shell collecting or clamming visit Silver Strand Beach, named for the plethora of clams that are found all over the sand. Take a walk, comb the beach and see what treasures you find. At Pacific Beach you can walk the boardwalk or drop in and have a drink at one of the many surfside bars. Pacific Beach has a lively nightlife and is a popular place with young adults and the college set. At Mission Beach you’ll find a fusion of free-spirited types alongside the corporate types, all vying for a bit of the relaxation that Mission Beach has to offer. Enjoy the beach as well as the funky urban atmosphere of the area.

There’s so much more to San Diego than just beaches however. Attractions like Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are also here. Check out what’s under the water at the SEA LIFE Aquarium. The SEA LIFE Aquarium is home to 200 species of sea creatures like sharks, rays and seahorses. It’s the perfect place to take the ocean lover in your life. For the photo lover browse through the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts and take in over 4,000 pieces of art highlighting the history of photography.  For the Lego fan, a stop at LegoLand is a must. A world made up of Legos can be a treat for kids and anyone who remembers playing with the creative toy.

To take in all that San Diego has to offer make your hotel reservations at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina. This four-star hotel offers scenic views of the waterfront and San DiegoBay. The hotel is modernly furnished and offers all the most contemporary amenities. It’s also only three miles from the San Diego Zoo and five miles from Sea World.

Alternately, stay just a few miles from downtown San Diego at the Vantaggio Suites Broadway. These studios offer a residential setting and come complete with everything you’ll need for a convenient stay in San Diego.

For an even closer stay to Sea World make your reservations at Wyndham Garden San Diego. Make your hotel reservations and pre-buy your tickets to all the biggest area attractions. The 316-rooms at Wyndham Garden San Diego can accommodate any group from the tourist traveling with the family, to the business traveler or even wedding parties. You can even bring your pet because Wyndham Garden San Diego is pet-friendly. Tour the city and then come back to the hotel and relax in the heated pool.

For a vacation in itself make your hotel reservations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. The lodge introduces Craftsman architecture to an indoor/outdoor living lifestyle. Doormen attired in Scottish dress greet you in this 170-room lodge. Fireplaces, large mantelpieces and views of the Torrey Pines Golf Course are there for your enjoyment. Give your feet a rest and kick back in an overstuffed chair by a roaring fire. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is so indulgent you may consider it a vacation in itself.

Do you want to get a feel for the real California? Then forget the smog, traffic and congestion and make your hotel reservations in San Diego.

Canada Hotel Reservations

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls

The Great Wolf Lodge is situated just a few miles from Niagara Falls and Queen Victoria Park. The resort features 406 suites, many of which are spacious enough to house eight guests. The resort features themed rooms that offer separate children’s quarters within the suite. Children will love the large indoor waterpark found within this hotel.

Loews Hotel Le Concorde, Quebec

The Loews Hotel Le Concorde is located near to the historic area of Quebec City. Children can borrow a range of sports equipment from the hotel, including Frisbees and soccer balls, and can enjoy receiving presents upon checking in.

Le Square Phillips Hotel and Suites, Montreal

This hotel is located in one of the most cosmopolitan Canadian cities. The hotel offers babysitting services, family rooms for up to five people, and a large pool.  The rooms are equipped with kitchens, allowing families to prepare their own meals.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Whistler

This resort is renowned for its spacious family rooms that offer breathtaking mountain views. The hotel features a swimming pool and on-site dining. Babysitting is available and, to keep the kids amused, DVD players can be found in each room.

Delta Toronto East Hotel, Toronto

The Delta Toronto East Hotel is a family-friendly hotel located just 11 kilometers from Toronto Zoo. The hotel is home to an indoor pool, squash court, waterslide, and restaurant serving international fare.

Why Canada is Perfect for Your Family Vacation

Canada’s natural beauty is almost unparalleled, yet its appeal extends well beyond the great outdoors. Canada’s clean, friendly and safe cosmopolitan cities offer both natural and man-made attractions that will leave children and adults in awe. Families will find Canada to be an affordable vacation destination that can be visited all year-round. From skiing and snowboarding to exploring vast zoos and hands-on exhibitions, a Canadian vacation offers fun for all the family.

Top Family Attractions in Canada

Calgary Zoo, Alberta

Rated amongst Canada’s top outdoor attractions, Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,100 animals and allows guests to see grizzly bears up close. The Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel is among the many hotels offering special packages to families visiting Calgary Zoo.

Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park, Ontario

Located in Toronto, this amusement park features over 200 attractions and is guaranteed to amuse children of all ages. Try the Comfort Inn Toronto North if you are wishing to visit this attraction.

Creative Kids Museum, Alberta

Situated in Calgary, the Creative Kids Museum is home to hands-on exhibitions dedicated to the arts.  The Best Western Plus Suites Downtown Calgary is located near to the Creative Kids Museum.

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Vancouver

The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is where over 8,000 aquatic animals can be found. The main attraction is its dolphin shows. The Westin Bayshore Hotel, located near the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, offers affordable family rooms.

Cheap Hotels with Expedia to the Rescue

The best part of searching for your vacation this way is the abundance of information and reviews. When choosing cheap hotels with Expedia you have the option to view photos of the hotel, sort through what amenities you require and read customer opinions of the accommodation. Other visitors will rate the hotel based on their experience, provide specific details and recommend or not recommend the hotel. Some destinations offer hundreds of reviews to give you a very well-rounded idea of what to expect on your vacation. This helps you spend your vacation dollars wisely so you get the best possible holiday for your money.

A search filter is a great way to find the hotel that you want within a few clicks. You can enter filters such as “swimming pool” or “pets allowed”. If you plan on renting a car, finding a hotel with free parking is a great idea.

An alternative would be to search for a hotel with an adequate shuttle service. If you are staying in an exciting city such as Orlando, Florida, you will need to look at how to access all of the theme parks – which are not all within walking distance. If you choose to book a car, you can also do that online to save you the hassle at the airport. Plus, you can search for the best rates available from all of the car companies in the area without leaving your seat.

Don’t break the bank on your vacation! Plan well in advance where you want to go and what you want to do. This way you can budget for your trip and set aside money for all of the attractions you want to see. Keep an eye on flight and hotel price fluctuations – check daily and you might see the price start to drop as your vacation date gets near. If you are a risk-taker you can get some amazing deals on last minute trips. Be aware that you may not be able to get your first pick in hotels or flights if you book last minute.

The best vacation is a well-planned one. Be aware of everything that is included in your hotel and air package so that there are no surprises. You may be shocked to find yourself on a 5 hour flight without any meal service. Your hotel may not offer shuttle service and you require an $80 taxi ride from the airport. This is not a good start to a vacation! Check travel alerts to ensure that you are well prepared to pass through airport security screening.

A vacation is a time to relax and unwind. Planning everything ahead of time ensures that your trip goes smoothly. Thoroughly research your trip before booking it. Read through the hotel’s reviews so you know what to expect. If in doubt, call the hotel. Don’t get caught with unexpected expenses such as WiFi or parking. Above all else, make sure that your hotel has a pool so you can at least take a calming dip after a long day at an amusement park!

Hotel Reservations

If your normal travel routine involves packing itineraries and maps or scouring the internet for out-of-the-way B&Bs, say hello to your new best friends. These apps take the stress out of business travel and make your vacations truly memorable.

Trip It

This app, available for several platforms including Apple and Android, allows you to forward all of your confirmation emails to one central email, then forms a custom itinerary for you based on your travel information. Dinner plans, hotel reservations, flight numbers—it’s all available on your mobile device. Say goodbye to paper!

Airbnb

Looking for a quaint bed and breakfast, or maybe a countryside castle for the night? Airbnb connects people with room to share with travelers looking for lodging. The app, available at the Apple store, lets you browse on the go for last-minute travel plans.

Kayak

This popular travel search engine is the go-to site for savvy travelers looking for a good deal. Now you can search for a cheap flight or a discounted hotel room on your mobile device with the Kayak app, available for many platforms including iPhone, Android and Blackberry.

FlightAware

Get the latest information on your flight anywhere in the world with the new FlightAware app. Available for Apple, Blackberry, Windows and Android users, this handy app keeps you informed of delays, cancellations, gate changes and flight connections before you even get to the airport.

Google Translate

Forget typing foreign phrases into your laptop for translation—the Google Translate app, available for Apple and Android platforms, lets you speak directly into your mobile device, then translates your words into one of more than 60 languages. World travelers rejoice!

Online Hotel Reservations

Airfare: Cost of tickets for airplane travel. Keep in mind that most airlines advertise a one-way base ticket price, which in reality is more expensive when one pays for a round-trip airfare with taxes and additional fees.

Amenities: The facilities and features of a hotel or resort property. Everything from cable TV, free Wi-Fi for Internet, fitness facilities, and complimentary continental breakfasts are considered standard amenities at most hotels.

Banquet room: A large room at a hotel or convention center, which can also be expanded with removable panels, that is available for rent for a public function such as conferences or wedding receptions. Food is typically catered for such a function.

Concierge: A concierge is a hotel employee charged with providing advice and additional services to the guests. This service is mostly available in popular travel destinations, large cities and major resort hotels.

Connecting flight:  A flight that requires a passenger to change from one plane to another in a location other than the city of origin or the destination city. Connections aren’t necessarily made along the quickest route from point A to point B but based on availability.

Continental breakfast: A breakfast including fresh pastries, cereal, fruit, juice, coffee or tea that is often provided on a complimentary basis by hotels and motels. Some continental breakfasts include waffle making stations and hot entrees like scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon.

Direct flight: Airplane travel with no layovers between the originating city and the destination city. Direct flights offer the shortest amount of travel time.

Hotel: Any establishment that offers overnight accommodations, and usually includes additional amenities such as continental breakfasts, cable TV, fresh linen changes, etc. In the United States most hotels are operated by chains such as Hilton, Marriott, or Starwood.

Lobby: Entryway to a hotel, motel or resort building, where guest check-in and check-out takes place. Larger hotels and resorts offer concierge service, continental breakfast and dining establishments in the lobby area as well.

Motel: A type of hotel in which parking is provided at or near the room and the room door leads directly to the parking lot. The word is a combination of motor and hotel, and motels are more likely to be independently run with lower prices but fewer amenities.

Off-peak: A period of time when there is less travel or demand, as it pertains to airline fares or hotel rates. The period between summer vacation and the holidays and after the holidays and before spring break are considered off-peak seasons in many regions.

One-way: A plane or train ticket covering the cost of travel from point A to point B without a scheduled return trip. Such tickets are best when the return date is open-ended, there will be travel to multiple destinations, or point B is the final destination.

Peak: The busiest travel seasons when prices for airfare, rental cars and hotels tend to be highest. In most areas, the peak travel seasons are the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Spring Break, and Summer Vacation.

Rental: A service usually required for transportation, but rentals can refer to vacation properties and equipment needed for recreational activities, from surf boards to ski gear. Rental prices usually increase during peak travel periods.

Resort: Resorts are high-end hotels with an abundant amount of amenities and onsite restaurants, swimming pools, and other recreational activities. Many resorts host special seasonal events and offer Kids’ Clubs for families. Well-known resort chains include Waldorf Astoria, Hyatt and Ritz Carlton.

Round-trip: Airfare for a journey that begins and ends in the same city, although the route might be different due to the availability of flights on any given day.

TSA: In the United States, TSA refers to the Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for airport security include metal detectors, body scans, and baggage inspection.

Time share: A form of shared property ownership in which a purchaser acquires the right to occupy a piece of property for a specific period of time each year. The properties are usually condominiums in a beach or ski resort area and the length of time allowed on average in two weeks out of the year.

Tipping: A gratuity offered to a waiter, waitress, skycap or bellman for their service. Tipping is a common practice in the United States, and ranges from 15% – 20% of the total bill depending on the level and quality of the  services provided.

Vacation property: A house or condominium owned by individual(s) or a property management company that rents out the property to visitors during certain times of the year. Vacation properties tend to be in regions where there is a high demand for tourist travel.

Wi-Fi: An abbreviation for Wireless Fidelity, and an increasingly common amenity in hotels and resorts that allows guests to connect their laptops to the Internet, wirelessly. It is usually available in common areas and guest rooms.

Zero-depth entry pool: A feature of newer resorts in which guests can walk into the swimming pool inside of stepping or lowering themselves into it on a ladder. It is a popular feature for families with young children who need to play in shallow water.

Swim up bars

A real vacation is spent far away from home, preferably somewhere tropical or adventurous. Whatever your fancy, anyone can appreciate the luxury of a beautiful pool with a swim-up bar.

Swim up bars are an amazing feature of many tropical destinations that are growing in popularity. These bars require no waiting for service staff and no leaving the warm comforts of the water. Enjoy the luxury of a fully-stocked bar without stepping too far away from your water polo match.

Luckily, there are swim up bars in some of the most luxuriously beautiful destinations world-wide. There are accommodations offering these bars to suit various budgets. Punta Cana, on the Eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, offers a more affordable vacation for North Americans. There you will find Dreams, an all-inclusive resort with a large hut-like swim up bar.

You can stay even closer to home and enjoy the unbridled lavishness of a swim-up bar. North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina has one at the North Beach Plantation. New York even offers one amongst a stunning backdrop of color and class in the Room Mate Grace. However if a tropical paradise is what you are after, you can take a trip to Mexico, where you will find a quaint little swim-up bar nestled within the beauty of the Excellence Playa Mujeres (in Playa Majeres). Mexico is usually among the most affordable in tropical destinations.

For a richer experience, travel a little further and spend a little more money. You won’t regret it when you feel the warm sun of Turks and Caicos. This is the perfect holiday destination for the whole family. While you unwind at the swim-up bar, your kids can enjoy a massive water park or even a teen disco. Even Greece offers a fun family holiday – their Holiday Village Rhodes in Kolimbia has both a swim up bar and amazing nightly entertainment.

For a romantic getaway, the beauty of Riu Touareg in Boa Vista, Cape Verde will inspire the romantic in anyone. This best kept secret is a remote resort with wonderful staff, food and cocktails. Don’t forget – you can swim right up to those cocktails! Riu Touereg is the ultimate in relaxation and service.

Hotel Mountain Paradise in La Fortuna de San Carlos is a true paradise. Nestled amongst native birds and lush landscape, this swim up bar is set against the most stunning of backdrops – a volcano.

If Jamaica is on your itinerary, you can swim or float up to the bar in a tube after a long day of golf. This resort has plenty of amenities for the kids too. Situated in Montego Bay, the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa has fantastic nightly entertainment, a lazy river and offers plenty of beach front activities for the whole family.

If a 5-star trip is within budget, you absolutely can’t go wrong at the Padma Resort Bali at Legian in Indonesia. Their pool bar is only one of the fine services that this top-rated resort offers. The food is touted as among the best in the area and the staff and service is second to none.

You owe it to yourself and your family to take a break from the daily stressors at home and at work. A vacation is the time to bond with loved ones and unwind. A tropical destination with a swim up bar is the ultimate in escapes. When planning your next dream vacation, pick a resort that offers the comfort of a swim up bar.