New York Hotels: Fun, Not Cheap

Thousands of people from around the world visit new York City each year for a taste of a completely unique culture and setting. Something about the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple attracts people to spend a great deal of time and money just to have a short experience in this small, yet huge city.

Staying in New York hotels can be fun, but it is generally a very expensive endeavor. Rooms seem to always be limited, and therefore, hotels are able to charge high rates, especially during the holiday and high-travel seasons.

One thing you must expect when staying in a hotel in New York is even if you are paying big bucks, chances are you will still be getting a relatively small room.

Staying in the big high-rise hotels such as the W in Times Square can be a little creepy if you think about it. Maybe looking down forty stories from your hotel window doesn't bother you, but look around when you are changing clothes. Other high rises are nearby and you can often see right into the windows of those neighboring buildings.

Don't expect anything to be cheap or free. Bottled water served in your room can cost as much as twelve dollars a bottle. My advice? Bring a few refreshments in your carry-on bag.

Lots Of Choices In Choice Hotels

For months I worked a worked a job that required a lot of traveling; driving a couple of thousand miles through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Trips would take a few days, and finding a comfortable hotel to rest my head in was essential. Since costs for hotels came out of my pocket, finding an affordable hotel was necessary as well.

In the end, after some trial and error, I found myself staying primarily in Choice hotels. You might be surprised to know that Choice includes the following hotel chains: Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Mainstay Suites, Cambria Suites, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn and Suburban Extended Stay. My personal favorite became Comfort Inn; they always seemed clean yet affordable.

One important lesson I learned when shopping around for a last-minute hotel late at night. When you are looking for one of these Choice hotels, and you find one that you just don't like, see if there are any others in the area. I found two Comfort Inns about five miles from each other, with maybe a ten dollar price difference, that were worlds apart in quality and cleanliness. So if you find a hotel that you think is just a little too disappointing, ask the clerk for any others that may be nearby. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Interpretation of Eagles' Hotel California

The Eagles' Hotel California is an enormously popular and overall awesome song. I could listen to the Hell Freezes Over version a million times over and not get sick of it. The song invokes certain imagery in me; a magical place where you can see and feel and smell all the song describes.

But the song is about more than just imagery. One must know by listening to it that it is a metaphor, an extended series of symbols representing something else. There are all kinds of myths and theories out there: that the Eagles members were on drugs, were into Black Magic, all kinds of crazy stuff.

The most likely and believable theory is that the song is about the materialism and excess associated with California and making it big in Hollywood. It describes and gives the impression of the dark side of success and popularity.

Some interesting facts about the lyrics of the song:

1. The line "warm smell of colitas rising up through the air," is supposedly a reference to marijuana. “Colitas” in Spanish can be translated to "little buds."

2. Hotel California's lyrics came with the album. The line "she's got the Mercedes Bends" is spelled this way intentionally, as this portion of the song describes a woman who has sold herself out to wealthy men.

Hotel California is one of the Eagles' most popular songs, and has brought them loads of fame, success, and fortune. Listen to it yourself and you will understand why the song will never die.

Pet Hotels Are The Perfect Solution

There are some vacations you just can't take your pets on with you. You love your pet and want to leave it in good hands, but you also want to live your life and experience great things without letting your responsibilities constantly hold you back.

There are times you even need somewhere for your pet to go while you are at work during the day, especially if you work long hours. So the question is, where can you take your pet where it will be safe and well cared for?

Pet hotels are great places to take your pet when you aren't going to be around. They are definitely not the same as a kennel, that terrifying place that you fear will traumatize your pet.

Pet hotels often offer long walks for your dog, play time, special toys and treats, and social time with other dogs. Cats are also given more attention and more room to move around and stretch their legs. Rather than being put in a cage, your pet can take a vacation of it's own while you are out experiencing your own world. That definitely takes the guilt out of traveling!

What We Can Learn from Hotel Rwanda

There are a lot of disturbing films out there. Some are made just for the shock factor, like the great number of horror movies coming out in theatres lately. Yet there are still some films that knock us off balance for a reason; they actually serve a point, teach a lesson.

Hotel Rwanda is one film that leaves a lasting impression; not for it's violence but for it's heart-wrenching message about the dark side of humanity, and the ever-prevailing existence of hope.

The film is based on a true story about a man who saved over 1200 refugees in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, when over a million people were killed in a one hundred day time period.

Paul Rusesabagina is that man, and worked directly with actor Don Cheadle to ensure that Don understood the character he was playing and what the experience was like when it occurred in real life, making the film even more realistic.

Rusesabagina is still alive today, trying to raise awareness about human rights and the importance of saving lives. His message is especially relevant today because of the genocide that has been going on in Darfur.

He travels all over the United States to spread his message. This week on Thursday October 18, he will be speaking in Springfield, MA. Hopefully his teachings will help the rest of the world to wake up and take a stand against global atrocities.

Hotel Jobs Are The Best

For a number of reasons, some of the best job opportunities are with hotels. Hotels have an enormous variety of positions for every level of work experience, making it possible for people of every skill level to find a good job.

One reason hotels are great to work at is that they are usually pretty nice environments. Hotels are clean and often decorated nicely. The best hotels are always in cool places, too, so you can find yourself with a view of the ocean from your desk or the mountainside from the windows.

Another excellent bonus to working hotel jobs that not many people are aware of is all the great perks: the employee discounts. A lot of the larger hotel chains will allow their employees to stay in any of their hotels around the world for a flat, low "employee rate".

That means you could stay in a four hundred dollar room for something closer to forty dollars. Any city, any time of year.

On top of that, hotel employees often get discounts on food. Fifty percent off of an expensive meal at the hotel restaurant is a lot of money saved. Saving that kind of money on food and lodging makes traveling a whole lot easier.

If you are working one of the many hotel jobs that work off of commission or earn tips, you have the opportunity to make a lot of extra money on top of your own salary.

Working the right hotel with the right kind of people can be like taking a vacation yourself. So pick a location and see which hotels are hiring!

Pet Friendly Hotels Really Do Exist

One of the main reasons why we choose not to go on some vacations is that we have to leave our pets behind. I know when I want to go hiking in the cool fresh air at a destination where dogs aren't allowed, I can't bring myself to go. How could I justify being in a place he would love without him?

The same goes for traveling around the country. It isn't always easy to find pet friendly hotels, but they are essential if you want to bring your furry friends on vacation. It is definitely not worth getting kicked out of a hotel and paying fines because you tried to sneak your pet through the back door.

So do pet friendly hotels really exist? Or are they just a myth?

A lot of hotels out there will actually let your pet stay there with you. It is important, however, to check with the concierge first. A lot of hotels will let you have your pet, but you might have to pay an extra cleaning fee and let them know what kind of pet you have.

My personal best experience staying in a dog friendly hotel was at a Loews Hotel in Tucson. It was a beautiful room, and not only were pets allowed (with prior consent), but there was even a gourmet pet room service. You could order your pet it's own special dinner to the room when you order your own. Talk about service, huh?

Not all hotels ask a ton of money for a deposit, either. Try the smaller hotels, and the bed and breakfast establishments. You will sometimes be surprised at how reasonable these lodgings can be.