Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach|"Hotels Enjoy Good Business During Holidays"

Source            :    thejakartapost.com/
Category        :   Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach
By                  :    Nurfika Osman
Posted By     :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach

The country’s hospitality industry has enjoyed healthy growth during the Idul Fitri holiday as people use the festivities for traveling with their families.Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairwoman Wiryanti Sukamdani said hotel occupancy rates in popular tourist destinations such as Bandung, West Java; Yogyakarta; and Denpasar, Bali stood at between 80 to 100 percent. Many hotels reached their occupancy peaks on the second day of Idul Fitri. “Occupancy rates increased sharply during Idul Fitri and hotels located close to tourist attractions were fully booked,” Wiryanti said, adding that most families picked budget class hotels for the holiday. “Idul Fitri is one of the seasons of the year when the hotel industry reaps more revenue.”

She said the high occupancy rate was projected to continue until the end of this week in addition to Independence Day, a public holiday, that will fall on Saturday, leading more people to extend their holiday. 

The hotel industry is expected to see normal growth, with rates between 50 to 70 percent, on Aug. 19 when activity returns to normal. Guido Andriano, sales and marketing general manager with hotel firm Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts, said that the company’s accommodation, ranging from budget class under the Amaris brand to luxury class under The Samaya, booked more than an 80 percent occupancy rate during Idul Fitri. “[This is] not only in cities like Bandung, Yogyakarta or Denpasar but also in smaller ones like Cirebon [West Java] and Semarang [Central Java] because they are the perfect places for transit before travelers continue their journey and because these cities have attractions,” Guido told The Jakarta Post.

He said Santika accommodation in those destinations, particularly in Yogyakarta and Bali, had been booked since three days before Idul Fitri, slimming the chances for walk-in guests to get rooms. Its four-star Santika Hotel and five-star Santika Premiere in both destinations reached peak occupancy rates, with almost 90 percent, a day prior to and after Idul Fitri. Santika operates 56 accommodation facilities in major and second tier cities across the archipelago and in Singapore. Similar cases occurred in hotels operated by Archipelago International, previously known as Aston International.

Archipelago International marketing and communications director Febry Anindita said that the company’s hotels would still be full until Sunday. Febry said that Archipelago’s hotels, such as Aston City for the three star brand and Aston for the four star, saw more than 90 percent occupancy rates. “Our budget hotels Fave and Neo in Bandung and Bali also enjoy strong occupancy rates because people who do not get rooms in the three star and four star facilities will seek budget hotels,” she said. She also said that the five star Grand Aston Marina in North Jakarta was fully booked until Sunday by families whose housemaids had left on holiday. In addition, Tauzia Hotel Management spokeswoman Yani Sinulingga said midscale hotels under the Harris brand and budget accommodation under POP! Hotel across Java and Bali had enjoyed up to 100 percent occupancy rates during the Idul Fitri holiday. “Even our Harris Hotel in Batam [Riau Islands] has enjoyed strong growth during Idul Fitri and the guests are not only Indonesians but also Singaporeans and Malaysians,” Yani told the Post, adding that its facilities in Sentul, Bogor had been fully booked since last week. “Demand from customers will still be high until the end of this week.”

Source : thejakartapost.com/news/2013/08/13/hotels-enjoy-good-business-during-holidays.html

Hotels In Carolina|"Most Luxurious Hotels In The World"

Source            :    http://www.charlotteobserver.com/
Category        :   Hotels In Carolina
By                  :    Ann Doss Helms
Posted By     :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Hotels In Carolina

Of the most luxurious, eye-poppingly expensive hotels in the world, most are from Africa and none are from the US. That’s according to a survey released this week out of luxury-hotels.com, which came up with a ranking of the most luxurious hotels in the world after looking at the lowest average rates available. According to those criteria, the private island sanctuary of North Island Lodge in the Seychelles is the most world’s most extravagant.

Part of what makes the resort so expensive could be due to the fact that guests are helicoptered into the site, which sits 30 km off the coast of the main island of Mahé. The survey was conducted in June and July and is based on double occupancy for the month of August. Resorts surveyed had a minimum 20-guest capacity. With 11 guest villas at North Island, the private paradise is also described as a modern-day ‘Noah’s Ark’ for a massive conservation program which aims to protect and rehabilitate local flora, fauna and wildlife like the Hawksbill and green turtles and Seychelles blue pigeons.

Luxury villas meanwhile, are built using scavenged, natural materials from the surrounding area and invite guests to lounge in “barefoot luxury.” Photos show white sand beaches leading into azure waters, palm tree-fringed villas decorated in sumptuous yet natural materials like stone, recovered wood and wicker furnishings. The most luxurious hotels list is dominated by resorts and lodgings in Africa, remote islands and destinations in Oceania, and a handful of listings in Italy, France and Canada. A hotel in Bhutan—the Amankora—also made the cut.

Source:themalaymailonline.com/travel/article/most-luxurious-hotels-in-the-world

Oceanfront Hotels In Carolina|"Luxury Nightclub Pangaea To Launch Boutique Hotels In India"

Source           :    http://www.charlotteobserver.com/

Category       :   Oceanfront Hotels In Carolina

By                :    Ann Doss Helms

Posted By     :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Oceanfront Hotels In Carolina

American entrepreneur Michael van Cleef Ault and BK Modi-led Spice Global are in talks to launch boutique hotels and a luxury concierge firm under Pangaea, an ultra-luxury nightclub brand.Ault, whose Pangaea Singapore is one of the most profitable super luxury nightclubs in the world, says the future of his business is in India. And the present of his business are rich Indians - he owes his success to rich Indians' urge to splurge come rain or slowdown as seen in their extravagant spending at the tables of his club in Singapore. 

"We get a lot of rich Koreans, Chinese, Swiss bankers, Australians and Americans at Pangaea Singapore, but I must say that the largest, most consistent, loyal and biggest spenders have been Indian guests and most of them are from Delhi and Mumbai," Ault, 50, tells ET. He is in Delhi to check out Pangaea's first nightclub in the country at Ashok Hotel in the capital. The second one will soon come up in Mumbai. Spice Global, which is the major investor in the venture, is also contemplating partnering Ault to open Pangaea nightclubs in international locations such as Dubai and Istanbul. But Ault is most bullish on India. He says the kind of money that flows out of pockets of his Indian guests often amazes him. "You have to look at them twice to believe it," he says. 

"They are mostly billionaires with big businesses and tremendous spending power, and book the centre of the room every night," he says. "These guests frequent the club more than I do!" And unlike most global airlines, Ault says Indian guests are well behaved. "They do not get into fights and are polite to our staff," he says. The average per head spend at Pangaea is anywhere from $400 to $1,000 (about 24,000-60,000), much higher than the top nightclubs in Las Vegas where a guest usually spends a $50-100, says Ault, claiming his club in Singapore is the most profitable one in the world with business of $21 million in the first year of operations. 

"The kind of business we are doing within the 4,000 sqft space is phenomenally higher than other top clubs in the world, including the ones in Las Vegas which are 30,000 sqft big," he says. There have been times like the F1 race in Singapore, when Pangaea has done business worth $1 million in just one week. And Ault is firm on replicating the success in India. "I believe the brand is already very popular here as the top jet Indians have already been to our clubs in Miami, New York, London," he says.

Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/luxury-nightclub-pangaea-to-launch-boutique-hotels-in-india/articleshow/21719256.cms

Carolina Beach|"Deadly Holiday At Carolina Beaches Sparks Rip-current Concern"

Source          :    http://www.charlotteobserver.com/
Category      :   Carolina Beach
By                :    Ann Doss Helms
Posted By   :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Carolina Beach

Officials in Brunswick County will consider adding beach warning flags and lifeguards after a July 4 holiday that saw seven people drown in rip currents along the Carolinas coast – nearly twice the number of deaths in an average year due to the dangerous water condition. One victim was a Fort Mill school employee, and another was a judge who tried to save her. The victims also included a Catholic bishop and an Ohio man who was nearing the end of a weeklong family reunion.“If it brings everyone to the table to try and help the public, that’s at least taking something positive from a tragedy,” said Anthony Marzano, director of emergency services in Brunswick County, where four of the deaths occurred. The area is a popular vacation destination for Charlotte-area residents. Two other drownings happened just south of that county, along the Myrtle Beach, S.C., coast. The seventh was farther south, on Hilton Head Island.

A surge of water coming in from storms and tourists arriving for the Independence Day holiday created a death toll that shocked long-time coastal residents. “After we’ve had this rash of things happening, anything’s on the table,” said Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith, a lifelong resident who said she can’t recall the last ocean drowning in her town, which has 7 miles of coastline. The Myrtle Beach area has lifeguards, but Brunswick County, with six municipalities responsible for more than 40 miles of coast, does not. Nor do any of the Brunswick County beaches have flags to warn visitors when there’s a high risk for rip currents, which can quickly and unexpectedly pull swimmers out to sea. “It’s always been kind of ‘swim at your own risk,’ ” said Smith, who says the gently sloping beach and calm waters generally keep the risk low. Town officials from Sunset and Holden beaches, Brunswick County towns that also had drownings, could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

The risk was high on Wednesday and Thursday, when the N.C. deaths occurred, Marzano said. But visitors would have had to go online or watch local TV to know that. “As a tourist, you’re not going to spend a lot of time watching the news while you’re on vacation,” Marzano said. “We don’t see a lot of problems with the local public. It’s the transient population.”

Chris Brewster, president of the California-based U.S. Lifesaving Association, said the Brunswick County scenario sounds like a case of “irresponsible local governments,” which promote profitable tourism but “are unwilling to provide safety services that are necessary.”

It often takes tragedy to bring change, says Brewster, whose group is a nonprofit association of beach lifeguards and water rescuers. “The biggest mistake is to have these kind of incidents and take no action.” 

The unusually high number of rip current deaths resulted from the same weather pattern responsible in part for the rainy weather inland across the Carolinas, one meteorologist said Monday. Dave Loewenthal of the National Weather Service office in Wilmington said a high pressure system over the Atlantic allowed a southeast wind to blow for hundreds of miles before reaching the Carolinas coast. “We call that a long fetch,” he said. “The waves aren’t super big, but there’s a lot of water coming in.” Scientists say rip currents are nature’s way of returning water from the shore to the open ocean. Small channels develop from the shore to deeper water, pulling the water out at speeds up to 6 mph — faster than an Olympian can swim, according to Marzano. Signs at beach access points warn swimmers how to respond: Swim parallel to the beach to escape the currents, rather than risk exhaustion trying to fight the current back to shore. But that’s hard to remember in a panic situation, Marzano says.

The first three drownings came Wednesday, as the holiday began. William Nicolaro, a 72-year-old Apostolic Catholic bishop from Florida, drowned while spending time with family members at Ocean Isle Beach.

The same day, two people died at Sunset Beach, which borders Ocean Isle on the southwest. Maryanne Galway, a 55-year-old school attendance counselor from Waxhaw, began experiencing trouble in the water. Mitchell McClean, 54, a District Court judge from Wilkes County since 1998, jumped into the surf to help. Both people died. Galway’s husband, who also tried to help, was caught in the current but survived. During a 5-minute 911 call obtained by the Observer, a woman tells the dispatcher that a man had just been pulled from the water. That man said two others were still “in the water drowning,” according to the caller. Minutes later she reports that two people are being pulled out of the water. “They’re giving CPR on the woman,” she said. “The woman is not breathing.” Sunset Beach police Det. Joe Smith said there are a number of water rescues annually on his island, but he said, “It seemed like the rip currents were worse last week. I’ve lived here a number of years, and that was worse than usual.”

The unusually high number of rip current deaths resulted from the same weather pattern responsible in part for the rainy weather inland across the Carolinas, one meteorologist said Monday. Dave Loewenthal of the National Weather Service office in Wilmington said a high pressure system over the Atlantic allowed a southeast wind to blow for hundreds of miles before reaching the Carolinas coast. “We call that a long fetch,” he said. “The waves aren’t super big, but there’s a lot of water coming in.” Scientists say rip currents are nature’s way of returning water from the shore to the open ocean. Small channels develop from the shore to deeper water, pulling the water out at speeds up to 6 mph — faster than an Olympian can swim, according to Marzano. Signs at beach access points warn swimmers how to respond: Swim parallel to the beach to escape the currents, rather than risk exhaustion trying to fight the current back to shore. But that’s hard to remember in a panic situation, Marzano says. The first three drownings came Wednesday, as the holiday began. William Nicolaro, a 72-year-old Apostolic Catholic bishop from Florida, drowned while spending time with family members at Ocean Isle Beach. The same day, two people died at Sunset Beach, which borders Ocean Isle on the southwest. Maryanne Galway, a 55-year-old school attendance counselor from Waxhaw, began experiencing trouble in the water. Mitchell McClean, 54, a District Court judge from Wilkes County since 1998, jumped into the surf to help. Both people died. Galway’s husband, who also tried to help, was caught in the current but survived. During a 5-minute 911 call obtained by the Observer, a woman tells the dispatcher that a man had just been pulled from the water. That man said two others were still “in the water drowning,” according to the caller. Minutes later she reports that two people are being pulled out of the water. “They’re giving CPR on the woman,” she said. “The woman is not breathing.” Sunset Beach police Det. Joe Smith said there are a number of water rescues annually on his island, but he said, “It seemed like the rip currents were worse last week. I’ve lived here a number of years, and that was worse than usual.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/08/4153428/7-rip-current-deaths-in-carolinas.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/08/4153428/7-rip-current-deaths-in-carolinas.html#storylink=cpy

Hotels In Carolina|"Boutique Hotel In South Carolina"

Source         :    http://www.gadling.com/
Category     :   Hotels In Carolina
By              :    Kraig Becker
Posted By   :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Hotels In Carolina

Former professional cyclist George Hincapie, who rode in the Tour de France an impressive 17 times, has announced plans to enter the hotel business along with his brother Rich. Their small boutique hotel, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, promises to mix old world charm with contemporary sophistication.

The aptly named Hotel Domestique is set to open in August and will feature 13 rooms each with their own individual style and flair. The hotel will showcase French and Mediterranean influences and the comfortable rooms will include designer furnishings, flat-screen TV's and their own fireplaces. The intention is to provide travelers with a sophisticated and unique place to stay that is also warm and inviting.

Domestique is located near Traveler's Rest - just 20 miles north of Greenville, SC – and is situated atop a lovely hillside that provides spectacular views of the surrounding region. The hotel includes a fantastic patio that overlooks the 29-acre grounds and vineyard, with the beautiful Blue Ride Mountains offering a dramatic backdrop.

True to his cycling roots, Hincapie hopes to make the Hotel Domestique a popular place to stay with active travelers. The winding country roads that surround the place make for fantastic cycling and running, and a fleet of road and mountain bikes will be available for guests. The hotel will also keep a bike mechanic on staff to adjust bikes to the proper fit and assist riders with all their cycling needs. Additionally, a new 25-meter swimming pool will provide a refreshing dip following an energetic ride or allow the traveling-triathlete to maintain his or her training in style.

Hotels In Carolina|"Boutique Hotel In South Carolina "

Source        :    http://www.gadling.com/
Category     :   Hotels In Carolina
By               :   Kraig Becker
Posted By   :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Hotels In Carolina

Former professional cyclist George Hincapie, who rode in the Tour de France an impressive 17 times, has announced plans to enter the hotel business along with his brother Rich. Their small boutique hotel, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, promises to mix old world charm with contemporary sophistication.

The aptly named Hotel Domestique is set to open in August and will feature 13 rooms each with their own individual style and flair. The hotel will showcase French and Mediterranean influences and the comfortable rooms will include designer furnishings, flat-screen TV's and their own fireplaces. The intention is to provide travelers with a sophisticated and unique place to stay that is also warm and inviting.

Domestique is located near Traveler's Rest - just 20 miles north of Greenville, SC – and is situated atop a lovely hillside that provides spectacular views of the surrounding region. The hotel includes a fantastic patio that overlooks the 29-acre grounds and vineyard, with the beautiful Blue Ride Mountains offering a dramatic backdrop.

True to his cycling roots, Hincapie hopes to make the Hotel Domestique a popular place to stay with active travelers. The winding country roads that surround the place make for fantastic cycling and running, and a fleet of road and mountain bikes will be available for guests. The hotel will also keep a bike mechanic on staff to adjust bikes to the proper fit and assist riders with all their cycling needs. Additionally, a new 25-meter swimming pool will provide a refreshing dip following an energetic ride or allow the traveling-triathlete to maintain his or her training in style.

Oceanfront Hotels In Carolina|"Seven Places to Visit on the Grand Strand"

Source      :    hotelscheap.org
Category   :   Oceanfront Hotels In Carolina
By               :   hotelscheap
Posted By :   Hotels Carolina Beach NC

Oceanfront Hotels In Carolina

The Grand Strand stretches along the Atlantic Coast for more than 60 miles.  White sandy beaches, pristine Oceanside communities, and plenty of things to do make the Grand Strand a haven for visitors searching for the perfect beach destination.  Divided into six main areas, you can choose which locale suits your vacation style.  Ready to learn more about South Carolina’s Grand Strand?  Read on.  Myrtle Beach is the heart of the Grand Strand.   With fun family beaches, over 100 championship golf courses, tennis courts, outlet malls, specialty shops, live musical theatre, nightclubs and a wealth of family attractions, it is the place to be for convenient access to all Myrtle Beach activities.  Plus, there are over 100 lodging options to choose from, including plenty of oceanfront resorts.



 For a more laidback vacation, stay in North Myrtle Beach.  The quaint, historic town is made up of communities like Windy Hill, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive and Cherry Grove.  Fishing, boating and waterfront dining are highlights of North Myrtle Beach, as are attractions like Barefoot Landing.  North Myrtle Beach has wide, sandy beaches that can be a bit less crowded than the ones located in Myrtle Beach. Family-friendly and easy-going, staying in Surfside lets you enjoy part of the Grand Strand that is less developed.  You won’t see high-rise hotels here, although there are plenty of oceanfront beach houses, condos and hotels.  Oceanfront restaurants and piers, as well as less crowded beaches, make a visit to Surfside pleasant and pleasing to Grand Strand vacationers.

The historic fishing village of Murrell’s Inlet is known as the “Seafood capital of South Carolina” because of the fresh seafood drawn from its waters and served at the many restaurants lining the waterfront.  You’ll want to head to the Marsh Walk to enjoy some of the seafood specialties, as well as enjoy breathtaking views of the waterfront.  Many outdoor activities are available in Murrell’s Inlet including deep sea fishing charters, boat tours, individual boat rentals, scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing and jet skiing.  One of the best attractions in the area is Brookgreen Gardens, as beautiful sculpture and garden park highlighting the beauty of the Carolinas. 

Named after the 18th century Litchfield Plantation, Litchfield Beach has a quaint, modern atmosphere.  Lovely mossy oak tree lined settings surround eclectic shopping and dining opportunities, while miles of wide sandy beaches and world-class golf courses add to the things to do in picturesque Litchfield.  Only one oceanfront hotel is available – the Oceanfront Litchfield Inn – but a variety of beach houses and condos can be rented. 

 One of the oldest resort areas on the east coast, Pawley’s Island has a distinct southern feel.  Four miles of sandy beaches and a relaxed atmosphere make this laidback island a perfect retreat.  Village-style shops, wonderful golf courses and top-notch dining create an undeniable appeal for visitors. 

Garden City Beach:  Garden City offers the best of both worlds as visitors can enjoy quiet solitude or happening hot spots.  With access to both the ocean and the inlet, the area is great for fishing, crabbing and water sports.  Beach houses and condos are the norm in Garden City.  A new Creekwalk spans the salt march and is a pleasant place to take in the sights of the area.