Travel News

It has been described as "best situated to discover Berlin", "first class" and "one of the best in Germany" by guests. Last week the messages left on online guest books were made concrete by the results of a vote from 167,000 tourism officials from 200 countries at a World Travel Awards ceremony held in Poprad, Slovakia.

The Swissotel Berlin won Germany's Leading Business Hotel at the awards ceremony. Members of staff at the hotel, which has long been considered one of the best hotels in Berlin, speak several different languages, including English and French. There is enough room for an entourage of cars in the underground 150-space parking arena and it is near several of the major attractions in Berlin, most notably the shops.

President of Swissotel Hotels & Resorts Meinhard Huck said the award came in addition to five other accolades gleaned from the Asian edition of the World Travel Awards. "These recognitions emphasize our company credo 'a passion for perfection', which stands for warm Swiss hospitality combined with quality, efficiency and reliability," he explained.

Shop along the Kurfurstendamm

This shopping street by Swissotel Berlin stretches for 3.5km. Kurfurstendamm was partly destroyed in the second world war and therefore has several different architectural styles. From 1883 to 1886 it was laid out as a boulevard. In the 1920s, Berlin's intellectuals met here and Marmorhaus, which has since closed, became the first film theatre. It is also the home of the internationally renowned Cafe Kranzler, which gained a reputation for being one of the finest eateries in the capital city after being founded 175 years ago. Check out the other hotels along the Kurfurstendamm for a definitive list.

See the Gedächtniskirche

This is a church in the heart of the commercial district, which was built in the late 1800s by Kaiser William. The tower, or 'hollow tooth', survived Allied bombing and it remains ... read more

A hotel chain is on the verge of opening accommodation within the new and improved South Stand of Twickenham. Like other stadium-side accommodation, this latest offering will have a bird's eye view of the pitch, including player warm ups and other match preparations.

Marriot Hotels have scheduled the London Marriott Hotel Twickenham for completion this winter, in time for the Six Nations rugby tournament. For other hotels next to sports grounds, look through this definitive list.

New hotel offers welcome drop after the kicks

Not only will you be able to see the hallowed turf from super rooms, entitled Grand Slam Suites, but you will also be able to get married here after taking advantage of Twickenham's civil wedding licence.

As well as four-star bedroom facilities, restaurant 22 South Chophouse is scheduled for completion this winter alongside Side Step Bar on the ground floor of the hotel. When it is finished the London Marriott Hotel Twickenham is expected to be one of the best hotels in London, ready for the matches that make up the Six Nations rugby tournament, which starts with England versus Italy on February 7th. It will rival even the best hotels in Rome with its facilities.

Improved facilities for the 6 Nations competition

When the 156-bedroom hotel opens it will be part of a new and improved South Stand, doubling the conference and banqueting capacity available. This will include 400-seat The Live Room performing arts centre and 800-person Rose Suite. Ten separate meeting rooms will also be provided in the refurbishment with Twickenham Experience providing the service.

General manager of London Marriott Twickenham Paul Davies said: “ curly Our hotel will be the best of its kind within the UK. We are confident it will fast become a leading destination for business and sport."

England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Wales all compete in this tournament at a venue poised to rival the read more

Luxury chain Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is expected to open a new hotel in Turkey next month to compete with the best hotels in Istanbul. The company prides itself on sophisticated facilities for business and tourist travellers with gourmet dining, expert concierge and high-end meeting facilities.

Turkey has been proving such a popular destination among travellers that last year the local parliament decided to put Istanbul forward for European Capital of Culture for 2010. As well as staying in one of the best hotels in Istanbul, city highlights include the Cagaloglu Hamami Turkish baths, which have been described as one of the things you must do before you die in a book on the New York bestseller's list.

Taking Turkish baths to the next level

A building that dates back to 1922 in Istanbul's most fashionable area to eat, shop and schmoose Macka Palas will open as a Park Hyatt hotel in November. The baths in each room could almost rival the world-famous Cagloglu Hamami in Istanbul as each of the 90 bedrooms will have no less than five baths for guests. The Macka Palas takes Turkish baths to the next level. A total of 25 of the rooms will have authentic Turkish baths with heated stone seats, dressing and vanity areas with filtered hot and cold water and refrigerated cosmetics and medicines to hand 24 hours a day.

In addition to first-class Turkish bathing, the art deco building will sport a multi-level pool, which doubles as a bar area, showing off wild bamboo, private cabanas and a babbling brook. The spa, which is exclusively for hotel guests, is separated for men and women and includes two steam baths, a relaxation room and a treatment area for gold star pampering. Better than some of the best Istanbul hotels at the moment.

Sink back in steam bath

If you cannot wait, there are more hotels in Istanbul that offer Turkish steam bath facilities. Part of the outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre at read more

There have been concerns traditional public houses are dying out under a mountain of chain pubs, restaurants and bars. Visit our recommendations for the best places to stay and eat in Belfast, Dublin and Cork.

Read more about where to go when you visit the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in The Irish Pub by Turtle Bunbury and James Fennell, published by Thames & Hudson.

Folk haunt in Cork

Instruments from the rich and famous adorn the walls of this rustic pub, which has largely been left intact by owners Bobby and Eileen, according to the Guardian's synopsis of the Irish Pub. De Barra's in Cork boasts a bass guitar belonging to the former Jimi Hendrix bassist, Noel Redding, who was a resident of Clonakilty, where this pub lies. There's a mandolin, which was played by Paddy Keenan and the Bothy Band as well as flutes, pipes, saxophones and bodhrans on display. The pub is home to the De Barra folk band - some of whom are members of staff.

Stay at the Gresham Metropole in Cork, which is close to the city centre and transport to Clonakilty. The 112 bedrooms rival the best of the affordable accommodation in Cork. If De Barra's is not to your taste, Noel Bridgeman cooks up a storm in this hotel's Riverview Restaurant, and there are the drinks served at the Met Bar. This hotel is also near Cork's many galleries, shops, theatres and boutiques.

Joyce, Collins and Tarantino drank here

Drink where the celebs once went shoulder-to-shoulder on stools with barristers, journalists and tourists in The Stag's Head in Dublin. It's a landmark and a trip to Dublin would not be complete without it. As well as rising to family through the hands of James Joyce, Michael Collins and Quentin Tarantino, this mahogany also featured in Wildean film A Man Of No Importance. Dark oak whiskey casks are fixed onto the walls and there is a long - very long - mahogany bar with walnut and ebony running up one side. Watch out for the students from nearby Trinity College and some very interesting old souls th ... read more

There will be more places to stay as the best hotels in Aberdeen just got better by expanding. New hotels are also set to come on board a major facelift for the town centre.

Multi-million makeover

According to the blueprint for the area, several multi-million pound developments are going to come on line in the coming years, including several luxury and cheap hotels in Aberdeen. A chain already boosting bedrooms in the town, includes Holiday Inn, which recently opened an Express version.

Other planned hotels in Aberdeen include a new 164-bedroom Park Inn, inside a £75 million commercial development, a 203-bedroom Jury's Inn as part of a £250 million Union Square development and a 100-bedroom Ibis in a £30 million City Wharf leisure and entertainment centre development.

Malmaison in the West End is also part of the facelift, having a £7 million refurbishment, accentuating the quality of the best hotels in Aberdeen. In separate news, there are also plans for a 222-bedroom Radisson near the exhibition centre.

Estimates from experts are that Aberdeen's hotel capacity will grow by 25 per cent from 6,000 bedrooms by next year.

New Aberdeen festival

Brand manager for Aberdeen City and Shire, Emma Watt, said: "We will not only have a fantastic supply of accommodation to welcome homecoming visitors in 2009, but also those tourists wanting to experience our beautiful mountain and coastal scenery, enjoy a sports-based or activity holiday, explore the castle trail and coastal villages, or take in the delights of Aberdeen city itself."

Homecoming 09 is a new festival taking place next year to celebrate everything Scottish, ranging from poet Robert Burns - who celebrates his quarter of a millennia anniversary next year - to the country's golf courses and whisky.
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