Divorce fast and smoothly using Dutch ‘Divorce Hotel’

Well, this is a very interesting and impressive idea. Though most of the hotels encourage love, there is a hotel concept that helps you… get divorced! It all happens fast and smoothly in the Netherlands: couple meets mediator and lawyers to split assets and the documentation to end marriage completed in two days. Moreover, guests can stay in separate rooms, are treated with care by the staff and everything happens behind closed doors.

For the mediator and lawyers – there is a fixed fee. Of course, the couple must still be talking to each other, for if they cannot understand, they are advised to go to court in order to get divorced.

But for all those wanting a fast and smooth divorce, the concept of “Divorce Hotel” is a perfect one. The entrepreneur Jim Halfens was the one who came up with this idea and he “said he spotted a gap in the market in a country where the average divorce can easily run into five figures and take months to complete.

“When they leave the hotel, all work is done,” Halfens told Sky News. “The only thing that happens then in Dutch law is that they have to show the agreement to a judge in the Netherlands and that takes a couple of weeks.

“They walk divorced out of this door and to make it official takes a couple of weeks.”

He uses a number of high-end boutique hotels around the country, including the smart Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague.” – as we find out from this article.

The concept is so fine that televisions are interested in filming some TV series here.

What do you think of this idea?

There are awards in the travel industry that offer a good reference point for anyone searching for different services. At the 2011 World Travel Awards, Emirates Palace received two of the most important titles: World’s Leading Conference and Meetings Hotel that and World’s Leading Presidential Suite.

Emirates Palace is one of the most famous five stars hotels – considered an iconic figure in Abu Dhabi. From to the official data we find out that, “Located on a 1.3 km stretch of private white pristine beach with 100 hectares of manicured lawns and lush landscaped gardens, Emirates Palace breathtaking surrounds make it the ultimate award-winning choice for corporate entertaining and indulgent getaways.”.

The hotel’s website offers also an interesting image gallery here.

Did you stayed at this hotel?

Are you looking for a hotel that is made entirely from salt – including most of the furniture? Then you must go near Colchani, Bolivia and stay at Hotel de Sal where salt rules .

How is that even possible? Well, the hotel sits on Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. Also, there were some inspired designers and architects. And there you have it. A hotel made entirely out of salt!

Tour guide Pedro Pablo Michel Rocha, of Hidalgo Tours said to DailyMail that “I love it when visitors come to this place for the first time.

They can’t get over the fact that everything is made out of salt and I’ve even seen a few people lick the furniture to make sure!”.

I guess it’s not seeing is believing, is tasting is believing, right?

I think that it is an interesting idea and for sure worth a visit. I was only in a salt mine (Turda – see this article) and I was impressed so if in Bolivia, check this hotel out!

photos source

Maybe you remember KLM’s social media campaign (or image campaign) from April 2011, a campaign that aimed to cover an entire aircraft with faces of fans from its Facebook page. (see the news here)

Now, it’s Melia International’s turn to launch an interesting social media campaign. The idea is simple: there is a special website launched where people (Facebook fans) are invited to tell them their dreams. The company says that a room will be decorated “with a mural based on the best submissions.

The groups’ seven brands will promote the campaign via their Facebook pages over the next 10 days.” (source)

What do you think of this idea? Would you like to stay in that room? To have your message there, on the wall of a bedroom?

118 meters; 299 rooms on 34 floors – this is Scandic Victoria Tower. Sounds interesting, right?

“I want the Scandic Victoria Tower to be a dynamic meeting place, a beating heart of Kista where you can sit and work in the hotel lobby without feeling the need to buy anything. It should exude a sense of being a place where things happen,” says Helena Söderberg, General Manager of the Scandic Victoria Tower. (source)

From the same article, we find out that “the sequin dress inspired building designed by Gert Wingårdh, is clad in over 8,000 panes of triangular shaped glass. The interior of the entire hotel features designs by Vitra, Montana, Flos, Kasthall and Dinesen. The Sky Bar on the 34th floor offers guests magnificent views and Swedish tapas or “Swapas”. “

Comfort is a very important thing at a hotel. Feeling like you simply can enjoy any activity and not being pressured to buy something are also important for travelers. I have to admit that a hotel managing to achieve these goals is a hotel I’d like and appreciate. Let me enjoy my stay in your hotel and I’ll get back, I’ll recommend you. Make my stay miserable or uncomfortable and I won’t get back there and I’ll share my experience. And I know many people share my view.

Here you have the some photos and a description of services included.

You may have items in your hotel room that you don’t use. Also, you may want to stay in a hotel, but at the smallest price possible. Tune Hotels offers you just that: rooms with a bed, shower and security. Want more? Pay extra for each item.

If it’s too hot and you want to use the air conditioning you have to pay. If you want a towel in your room or housekeeping or to watch some TV you also have to pay more.

Now, that’s not really a bad concept. You have what you want – all depending on your budget. The hotel chain is looking for an expansion. Tune Hotels want to offer rooms for prices lower than $100 in main cities and have plans to open future properties in Darwin, Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

It seems that there are many people around the world that like the system offered by this chain. In fact, according to Mark Lankester, Group CEO of Tune Hotels.com, quoted in an article, “<More consumers are demanding a ‘5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price’ so that they can spend their hard-earned income on shopping, dining and recreational pursuits outside the hotel.

Tune Hotels.com’s healthy occupancy figures confirm it has hit upon a concept that resonates with today’s modern traveller.>

More than 500,000 guests have stayed at the hotel chain so far.”.

Now, that’s something!
“There are currently 12 Tune Hotels including nine in Malaysia and two in Bali, Indonesia.

Tune Hotels’ existing hotels are located in Kuala Lumpur, KLIA-LCCT Airport, Kota Damansara, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Bharu; Kuta and Legian in Bali.”.

By 2015, Tune Hotels hopes to have 100 hotels around the world.

What about you: would you stay in such a hotel?

Guest post by Ela Krawczykowska

Namibia, located in the south of Africa, is a huge country to travel. Except of rich culture, it has remarkable natural attractions, such as the popular Namib desert, and many parks and beautiful places. The people of Namibia speak nine different languages, but English is widely spoken, especially in the capital Windhoek, which will be your first destination whether you like it or not (the largest international airport is there).

Namibia’s capital is also the largest city in the country. Most travellers start their trip there, seeing the most popular tourist destinations including the home of the National Assembly, the National Gallery of Namibia and the Christuskirche. Be sure that you check whether you can enter Namibia without a visa – British and American citizens shouldn’t worry, but most Europeans should check before travelling. Also, remember to carry identification with you at all times, as you might be stopped and asked for it on the streets in Namibia.

When you leave Windhoek to travel further, you can be sure to see examples of the finest fauna and flora on the continent. In the northern parts of the country there are rare deserts with elephants. It’s amazing to see those things not only on TV! The country is generally peaceful, but be aware of pickpockets. If you’re looking for nice accommodation in Namibia’s best hotels, there are usually many special offers all year round.

And one more thing – food! Namibians eat a lot of meat, but as a vegan I was happy to find out that Namibia offers tasty fruits and veggies. Tropical fruits are very juicy and veggies are usually served with couscous or rice. Local cuisine is definitely worth trying, but if you don’t like it, you can be sure to find many restaurants with international cuisine in the cafes and restaurants, especially in Windhoek. For more information about Namibia, go to mydestination.com/namibia.

About Ela

Ela is a London-based freelance journalist from Poland. She loves learning languages, travelling, music and exploring different cultures

Adding 36 hotels and residential projects from Morocco to Mexico through 2016

This is the big plan of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. With 100 years of tradition, a great brand consolidated during this time and many visitors each year, the predictions for the travel industry in the next years, the plans don’t sound risky for the company. A $2 billion investment by owners – that’s the estimated cost for this expansion plan.

The locations for these new hotels – some already opened in 2011, some to follow this year and others in the next years – are numerous and you can find them mentioned in the official press release.

Now, what do you think about these plans for the Ritz-Carlton?

Although most people choose to visit the verdant area of Tuscany in the summer, visiting at other times of year promises quieter Tuscan hotels and guarantees a more authentic experience of the real culture, and more interaction with the hospitable Italians themselves.

If you visit in the winter, you will see the area at its most peaceful and intimate. Tourists are in the minority as this is the one time of the year that the locals reclaim their countryside. Local festivals abound and include celebrations of Porcini mushrooms, sweet chestnuts, delicious truffles and freshly pressed olive oil. You’ll find wood fires crackling in grates and you can warm yourself in front of them whilst sampling local delicacies of the season. Expect some sunny days and cold nights, so take warm clothes.

Spring is one of the most idyllic seasons to visit. Mild days with cooler nights will welcome you, at a time when a large variety of local produce will be fresh and in season. If you are looking for a cooking course incorporating fresh, local ingredients then this really is the prime time to visit. As this is the time of the year when everything bursts into life, expect your eyes to be besieged by different shades of green vegetation and a multitude of dancing spring flowers.

The Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort located in Saturina is close to the famous hot mud baths for which the area is famed. It is an exceptionally pretty hotel, with all the facilities you would expect of a 4 star establishment. It also boasts one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The spa includes roman type baths and whirlpools to massage away the tension of everyday life. You can enjoy sumptuous dining in a choice of the hotels restaurants. Off-season, you’ll love to relax in quieter moments and stroll around the grounds undisturbed.

Saturnia outside

Saturnia golf

Wine lovers and partners looking for an intimate gourmet getaway should pick the Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort. Perfect for a romantic getaway, this 4 star resort is in the vicinity of Florence, nestled away on a quiet hillside. Surrounded by olive trees, the cellar of the hotel is given over to the history of olive oil where you can learn about different types and uses in cuisine. Housed in a historic building, with parts dating back to the 13th century, the hotel has 22 rooms shared between the main hotel and adjoining annex. Home grown fruit and vegetables are served in the restaurant and they also offer various cookery courses throughout the year.

Villa Campestri dining

Villa Campestri outside

Guest post by Escapio – Unique hotels

Berlin has a lot to offer during the winter season and is a great destination for a city break. Though it can get rather cold, wrap up warm and be enchanted by the outdoor life – at the end of the night you can look forward to curling up in a cute Berlin boutique hotel. There are many different activities and entertainments on offer over the festive period in particular and Christmas in Berlin is a magical experience. Although Berlin is a massive urban area, due to the former divide across the city many of the main attractions and in walking distance from one another.

Brandenburger hof courtyard lounge

Berlin Christmas fairs
The “Weihnachtsmarkt” is one of Germany’s longest and most popular traditions and in Berlin alone there are as many as 60 individual Christmas markets to visit. The Christmas fair at “Schlossplatz unter den Linden” is a popular choice and starts from the last weekend of November and runs right through to Boxing Day. Here you can find all kinds of festive treats from decorations and Christmas trees through to traditional German treats (gingerbread, Stollen etc) and some wonderful gifts. There are plenty of rides and games to entertain kids while adults warm up with tasty mulled wine.

Weihnachten am Gendarmenmarkt - Christmas

Winterworld – Potsdamer Platz
Get your heart racing with some unusual urban winter sports at the popular Potsdamer Platz ‘Winterworld’ attraction. This generally opens on the first week of November and runs throughout December. On offer are some great activities such as a 70m toboggan run and plenty of hot food and drink stalls.

Ice Skating
There are plenty of skating rings on offer around Berlin during the festive period including the popular ring at the Marlene-Dietrich-Platz (close to Potsdamer Platz) and between the various chalet-like stalls on Alexanderplatz. Hire skates for just EURO 2.50 and the rink is free if you bring your own skates. There are also free lessons offered for children between 4 and 7 years old.

Ice Skating Schloßpark Charlottenburg

Cozy Hotels
There are some lovely cozy hotels in Berlin for you to snuggle up in at the end of a long day of shopping or exploring. There are a number of ultra modern boutique hotels such as Hotel Q! which offers impressive interior design schemes, comfortable accommodation and the latest in fine dining. If you prefer a more traditional luxury hotel then the 5 star Regent Berlin is a magnificent place to stay with one of the world’s greatest Michelin star restaurants on offer and an amazing onsite spa – the perfect rejuvenation in Germany’s most exciting city!

Louisas place room

Guest post by Escapio.com