2011/12/31

(Italy) – Romanian Balea Lac Hotel made entirely of ice

Romanian Balea Lac Hotel
Romanian Balea Lac Hotel 1
 
With its frosty furniture and glittering white walls, this Romanian ice hotel certainly attracts visitors keen to experience the unusual surroundings.


A chilly reception_The guests can enjoy a night in the freezing cold hotel in Romania
A chilly reception_The guests can enjoy a night in the freezing cold hotel in Romania

Even the beds are made from ice, so guests best not bring a hot-water bottle.

Carving up the room_Workers make everything by shaving huge block of ice for the unusual building
Carving up the room_Workers make everything by shaving huge block of ice for the unusual building
And they can be certain of having a truly unique stay, as the Hotel of Ice near the glacial Balea Lac in the Romanian Carpathians is rebuilt every year, guaranteeing it never stays the same.

Getting the builders in_Local craftsmen cut ice bricks for the hotel, which is only accessible by cable car in the winter
Getting the builders in_Local craftsmen cut ice bricks for the hotel, which is only accessible by cable car in the winter
 
Every winter since 2005 the Hotel of Ice in the Fagaras Mountains is rebuilt from natural materials.

Romanian Balea Lac Hotel
Romanian Balea Lac Hotel
Local craftsmen painstakingly carve huge blocks of ice that have been cut and removed directly from the Balea Lac to construct the walls and are used to raise the walls and snow from the mountain blocks is packed in to keep the walls together.

We are all going on a...winter holiday_The impressive hotel was the first of its kind in Eastern Europe
We are all going on a...winter holiday_The impressive hotel was the first of its kind in Eastern Europe
 In 2010 the builders constructed an Ice Bar and the Ice Restaurant at the hotel, which typically has between 10 and 14 rooms, which is situated at an altitude of 2,034m.

But this is not a place for those who feel the cold, as the temperature inside is about -4C - although the hotel offers warm and fleecy blankets for the beds.

Wrap up warm!Tourists sit at a table serving warm drinks inside the Balea Lac Hotel of Ice in the Fagaras mountains
Wrap up warm!Tourists sit at a table serving warm drinks inside the Balea Lac Hotel of Ice in the Fagaras mountains
The Romanian hotel - the first of its kind in Eastern Europe - offers visitors a North Pole experience where they even sip their drinks from glasses made of ice - so there is no need for ice cubes to keep the drinks cool.
Yet while it offers pillars, tables and chairs made of ice, those wanting to use the toilet will have to leave the hotel to visit ones nearby as the hotel cannot have them inside the structure.

And it's not just blocks of the frozen stuff - local artists add beauty by carving sculptures in the style of Romanian modernist sculptor, Constantin Brâncuşi, in the hotel.

You'll need gloves for that! A child touches the frosty outside wall of the Balea Lac Hotel of Ice
You'll need gloves for that! A child touches the frosty outside wall of the Balea Lac Hotel of Ice
It even offers a hand-carved ice church nearby.

But arriving at the hotel is not as simple as getting a taxi from the airport to the reception -visitors have to catch a cable car in winter as the road leading to it is inaccessible by road during the winter.
(Daily Mail)

2011/12/30

5 most impressive& luxury hotels in gold in the world

1. Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates

The Emirates Palace (Arabic: قصرالإمارات). Located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates(Abu Dhabi أبوظبي). Magnificent Emirates Palace is a national landmark and one of the most impressive hotels and conference venues ever built. Perfect for corporate and leisure travellers, Emirates Palace offers a variety of luxury services to suit every need, whether you come on vacation with your family or for a business meeting or international conference.

Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
 
Construction
The building was designed by renowned architect, John Elliott RIBA, who was Senior Vice President at Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo, an international firm specialising in Luxury Hotels. It opened in November 2005 but certain restaurants and spas did not open until 2006. The hotel was built by and is owned by the Abu Dhabi government, and is currently managed by the Kempinski Group.
The costs to build the hotel were 1.9 billion GBP or 11.02 billion AED. The Emirates Palace occupies 850,000m² of floor space. Underground parking allows housing for 2,500 vehicles. There are two swimming pools and spas. The hotel has its own marina and helipad. The Emirates Palace is the second most expensive hotel ever built, only surpassed by Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
 
Exterior
Emirates Palace, located on 1.3 km of private white sandy beach and surrounded by 85 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens,with a114 domesthat are 80 meters high. It is only 30 min drive from Abu Dhabi airport and 1.5 hours drive from Dubai airport.

Interior
Many of the suites offered are furnished in gold and marble. The main central area houses an expansive marble floor, balconies and a large patterned dome above, picked out in gold. The topmost floor has six Rulers' Suites which are reserved solely for Emirati royalty and dignitaries. The hotel also contains a large conference centre. In December 2010, it boasted the world's most expensive Christmas tree, valued at over 11 million dollars.

Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
 
Rooms and Prices
Overall, the hotel has 302 rooms and 92 suites. But, the hotel has 16 Palace Suites on the sixth and seventh floors. 22 three-bedroom suites are reserved for hosting Heads of State or Government, recently for example, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Angela Merkel. The cost of staying begins at $400 per night for the Coral Room (floor space of 592 square feet) in the low season; and The Palace Grand Suite (7319 square feet) is the most expensive at $11,500 per night.

Facilities
Set in over 100 hectares of landscaped gardens, Emirates Palace offers 1.3km of exclusive beach, two swimming pools, one designed for adventure and one for relaxation, tennis courts, cricket, a rugby pitch and soccer facilities, fitness suites and a spa, besides water sports.

Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
Emirates Palace – United Arab Emirates
 Facts and Figures
- It approximately costed 3 billion USD to build the property in 3 years with 20,000 workers, designed by Wimberley Allison Tong & Goo of the United Kingdom
- 1 km from wing to wing, 100 hectares total area.
- 1.3 km private beach.
- 394 rooms and suites, ranging from 55 sqm to 680 sqm.
- 40 meeting and conference rooms.
- Ballroom with a guest capacity of 2400 theatre style.
- Auditorium with seated guest capacity of 1100.
- 619 plasma and LCD screens in guest rooms and meeting rooms.
- 5 kg of pure edible gold is used per year for decoration mainly on deserts.
- 128 kitchens and pantries.
- 200 tonnes of oranges squeezed for fresh juice every year.
- 6.4 km jogging trail.
- 114 domes, with the Central Dome at a height of 72.6 metres above ground.
- 8 escalators and 102 elevators, with a maximum capacity up to 55 persons per elevator.
- Marble imported from 13 countries across the world.
- 12 external fountains and 8 indoor water features.
- 1002 chandeliers, the largest weighing 2.5 tonnes.
- 8000 trees set in landscaped gardens.
- 2 wall display carpets, handmade in Thailand, weighing 1 tonne each.
- 818 parking spaces.
- Daily laundry capacity of 6 tonnes.
- 1200 employees from 58 different countries.
- Emirates Palace offers the world’s most expensive one million dollar tailor made suite holiday.

2. Burj al-Arab - Dubai

Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برجالعرب‎,Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship. Sometimes described as "the world's only seven-Star hotel", its star rating has been often debated.

Burj al-Arab - Dubai
Burj al-Arab - Dubai
Site
The beachfront area where Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel are located was previously called Chicago Beach. The hotel is located on an island of reclaimed land 280 meters offshore of the beach of the former Chicago Beach Hotel. The locale's name had its origins in the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company which at one time welded giant floating oil storage tankers on the site.
The old name persisted after the old Hotel was demolished in 1997. Dubai Chicago Beach Hotel remained as the Public Project Name for the construction phase of Burj Al Arab Hotel until Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the new name.

Burj al-Arab - Dubai
Burj al-Arab - Dubai

 
Design and construction
Burj Al Arab was designed by British architect Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. The design and construction were managed by Canadian engineer Rick Gregory also of WS Atkins. Construction of the Island 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 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, London with Big Ben, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country."
The architect and engineering consultant for the project was Atkins. Fletcher Construction from New Zealand was the lead joint venture partner in the initial stages of pre-construction and construction. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts& Al Habtoor Engineering.
The building opened in December 1999.

Burj al-Arab - Dubai
Burj al-Arab - Dubai
Features
Several features of the hotel required complex engineering feats to achieve. The hotel rests on an artificial island constructed 280 m (920 ft) offshore. To secure a foundation, the builders drove 230 forty-meter (130 ft) long concrete piles into the sand.
Engineers created a surface layer of large rocks, which is circled with a concrete honeycomb pattern, which serves to protect the foundation from erosion. It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, while it took fewer than three years to construct the building itself. The building contains over 70,000 m3 (92,000 cu yd) of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel.

Burj al-Arab - Dubai
Burj al-Arab - Dubai
 
Inside the building, the atrium is 180 m (590 ft) tall.
Burj Al Arab is the world's second tallest hotel (not including buildings with mixed use). The structure of the Rose Rayhaan, also in Dubai , is 11 m (36 ft) taller than Burj Al Arab.

Rooms and suites
The hotel is managed by the Jumeirah Group. Despite its size, Burj Al Arab holds only 28 double-story floors which accommodate 202 bedroom suites. The smallest suite occupies an area of 169 m2 (1,820 sq ft), the largest covers 780 m2 (8,400 sq ft).
Suites feature design details that juxtapose east and west. White columns show great influence.Bathrooms are accented by mosaic tile patterns.

Prices of rooms vary from approximately $1,000 to $27,000 per night.

3. Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel– Hong Kong

The size of  Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel is a project of Mr.Lam company and collaborating with several other companies to create a full suite of 7000 square meters to show off their skills and promote tourism in Hong Kong.  The size of  Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel in Hong Kong is approximately 650 meters square, is made by jewelry manufacturers Lam Sai Wing. Mr. Lam decided to create a super-luxury hotels and expensive because of the desire of King Han who want to build a palace and awarded to his wife.

Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel  - Hong Kong
Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel  - Hong Kong
 The dining room is very luxurious and shining, we look like members of a royal when we get dinner there. We eat not just with gold cutlery but we sit on the gold chair. I cannot imagine it, whatever kind of food will taste very delicious there. But i like a legal food, and i like vegetables and fruits. If you want to go to the rest room, we will go there after we meet in this hotels bedroom after this.

Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel  - Hong Kong
Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel  - Hong Kong

Every piece of furniture in the palace, including a sofa and king size bed made of pure gold. Even the bathroom, and closet. It is very amazing and luxurious interiors, i never see like this before. Like in the world of heaven, like in a dream world.

Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel  - Hong Kong
Swisshorn Gold Palace Hotel  - Hong Kong
4. Longxi International Hotel – China’s skyscrape

The Longxi International Hotel is 328 metres (1,082-feet) high and cost $470 million to build, an official in Huaxi told AFP. China is already home to 10 other tall buildings including the Shanghai World Financial Center, the third highest in the world, though they all sit in major cities across the country. Huaxi, is still classed as a village in east China’s Jiangsu province despite having expanded significantly over the years, engulfing nearby villages and its population growing to 50,000 from 1,600 in the 1960s.

Longxi International Hotel - China
Longxi International Hotel - China

200 village households are shareholders in the 74-storey, five-star hotel, each providing 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) in capital for the project.

Longxi International Hotel - China
 
The hotel is expected to accommodate businessmen engaging in the village’s vast industries, officials coming to study the Huaxi model, as well as flocks of tourists visiting the region.

Longxi International Hotel - China
Longxi International Hotel - China
 
The tower will offer its guests a revolving restaurant, a rooftop swimming pool, mall, theatre, spa and an ox made of a ton of gold on the 60th floor.

Longxi International Hotel - China
Longxi International Hotel - China

5. Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam

Located on Tran Duy Hung Street, adjacent to the National Convention Center, Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel is in the heart of the new administration, business and up-scale residential area of Hanoi. With 618 luxurious guestrooms and suites, a variety of restaurants, bars & lounges, excellent conference and banquet facilities as well as an impressive fitness & spa center, we offer every comfort for the discerning business or leisure traveler.

Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam
Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam
Accommodation
Grand Plaza has 618 guestrooms and suites which are designed to give you the best quality, comfort and refinement. Comfortable rooms and the customer-oriented service will make you feel like at home on your business trips.

Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam
Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam

 All our rooms have city view and feature the following amenities: large working desk with executive chair, telephone with IDD line, broadband Internet, additional telephone connection line, power point for computer, voice mail, alarm clock, TV with satellite, well-stocked mini bar, complimentary coffee/tea making facilities, safety box, shaving adapter, hair-dryer, bathrobe, slippers and key card door locking system.

Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam
Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam

Restaurants & bars
Grand Plaza Hanoi serves an array of authentic cuisine in a range of stylish restaurants. Enjoy oriental delicacies at Asia Restaurant with Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai food or taste different Korean and Japanese specialties at Koni Restaurant. Otherwise you could choose healthy food at our Le Jardin Buffet Restaurant. Phoenix Lobby Lounge is the perfect venue for charging up or winding down with an afternoon tea, evening cocktail and live entertainment.

Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam
Grand Plaza Hanoi Hotel - Vietnam
(Wiki, The Rich Traveller)

2011/12/29

Allure of the Seas–A Floating palace

The world's biggest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas is indeed a floating palace.

With 5-star amenities, royal suites, shopping and dining avenues, live performances, 3-D movies, sea spa and fitness centre, a jogging track, gold course, basket ball court, ice skating, rock climbing, cruising across the seas becomes a exciting experience

The $1.4-billion splendid ship has 16 decks and 2,700 rooms. It can accommodate 5,400 guests in double occupancy rooms.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

It is divided into seven distinct themed areas, which include central park, boardwalk, royal promenade, pool and sports zone, sea spa and fitness centre, entertainment place and youth zone.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

It can accommodate 5,400 guests in double occupancy rooms.  

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Allure of the Seas offers a Western Caribbean cruise with seven-night itinerary from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
A cruise costs $749 to $899. Owned by the Royal Caribbean International, Allure of the Seas is the latest addition to the fleet of 22 ships currently in service.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Across the wide variety of venues onboard, the ship has a open-air 'Aqua Theatre' with high dive thrills, Allure ice show extravaganza, ice games on the ship's ice-skating rink.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas entered service in December, 2010

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The Starbucks shop is a big attraction in the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas offers an incredible cuisine with two dozen dining venues onboard the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
There are several retail stores in the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The 3-D movies add a new dimension to entertainment place onboard the Allure, thanks to specially equipped 3-D screens in the ship's Amber Theatre.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The cabins in the ship are elegantly designed.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The rooms are designed to offer comfort and fantastic views of the sea.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
 The ship promises memorable moments with events like meeting with favourite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
At night, the ship turns into an illuminated carnival spot.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Suites are more spacious. Most come with a private balcony. The royal family suite can accommodate up to eight people.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The ship also boasts of a golf course, basketball, volley ball court and an art gallery.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Colorful parades are conducted in the Royal Promenade.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The Central Park has a beautiful garden and pathways for a stroll.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas entered service in December, 2010.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The Royal Casino is one of the many entertainment hotspots in the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
For fitness freaks, this is the place to be. Besides a jogging track and gymnasium, it has a spa as well.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

One of the biggest attractions in the ship is the flashy bar.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
There are entertaining avenues for the adventurous. Rock climbing is one of the favourite options for passengers.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The ship's design ensures that natural light comes in through the two crystal canopy sculptured glass domes in Central Park.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Two SurfRider surfing pools are a delight here.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
It is amazing to see the beautiful carousel spinning live in action.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The spacious interiors and swimming pools add to the ship's beauty.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Here you get a variety of delicious cup cakes. Built in 2010, the ship weighs 220,000 tons and has 2150 staff onboard.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
The pool deck is a non-stop entertainment destination. The H20 Zone pool area has a giant octopus with water-spraying tentacles.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace
(Rediff)