The Top Five Ways to Secure Great Hotel Accommodation Deals

June 3, 2010 By

Are you ready for that long-awaited holiday, but you have yet to secure your hotel accommodation arrangements? Fear not, there are loads of last minute deals to be had, both for luxury and budget hotel accommodation.

The following five tips will have you out of town and enjoying your last minute holiday in no time!

  1. Get started with online search engines – There are so many great travel and accommodation search engines available that it has become very convenient and practical to compare accommodation for both luxury and budget hotels. Online travel tools enable travelers to find great deals on airport hotels, city hotels, beach hotels and cheap hotel accommodation from the comfort of their home.
  2. Check hotel prices – Often times, hotels will offer great accommodation rates on last minute travel through their website. Although these special rates typically will not appear on travel sites, many hotels choose to lower their rates in an effort to attract vacationers looking for last minute, cheap accommodation at their favorite hotel. Although you may be taking a risk by booking last minute accommodation, you can often be rewarded in the form of incredible hotel accommodation rates.
  3. Check for lower rates and take advantage of the hotel guarantee – Many hotels offer price-match guarantees on their rooms. In other words, if the price of the hotel accommodation goes lower after you have booked the room for your holiday, you can simply contact the hotel and have the price adjusted for your stay. However, most of these guarantees are only good for a particular time period after you have booked your hotel accommodation.
  4. Call the hotel directly – Many hotels offer great, last-minute travel deals if you call the hotel directly. Many hotels, in an attempt to fill unoccupied rooms, will offer fantastic deals if you book your holiday travel plans last minute. Don’t be afraid to ask for these discount rooms, as most hotels will be more than happy to book these rooms instead of let them remain vacant.
  5. Remain flexible – If you are flexible regarding your holiday travel plans then you may be able to secure a great, last minute rate.

Always remember that pricing rules often do not apply for last minute travel plans! Although your last minute travel plans can be a source of frustration – particularly if you are unable to secure a last minute hotel accommodation – it can prove to be very lucrative if you ask the right questions and go through the right sources.

Whether you’re staying at an airport hotel, city hotel, beach hotel, luxury hotel or budget hotel, there are great discounts to be had for last minute travel! If you want a great discount for cheap accommodation, don’t forget to do your homework and search for last minute travel deals!

Filed Under: Accommodation

Gold Coast, Australia holiday experience

February 3, 2010 By

Gold Coast

Taking your family to the Australian Gold Coast for a holiday or for a vacation can be a great experience for all of you. There are a host of exciting and interesting attractions as well as activities on offer at the Gold Coast, which can be enjoyed by the whole family. If want to go on a budget, or find the best vacation prices whether for luxury or family accommodation, then there are several ways to lower the cost of your holiday getaway.

Going online is just one way to find the best holiday deals for your Gold Coast holiday.  You may want to look at places that offer packages for families at a discounted price. If you are prepared to be flexible about the timing of the vacation this can help.  You could then compare rates and consider special offers and promotions that available around the time you plan to go – to secure a better deal at the most competitive price.

The other way to make it easier to get the best deal on your holiday may be to narrow your focus to a specific location. Concentrating on a particular spot could save you money, because you won’t have to spend extra money for transportation and other related costs. Surfers Paradise is one spot that many people select to go on their visit to the Gold Coast – as it offers a wide range of fun activities suitable for both kids and adults.

If you are looking for some inspiration for exciting and interesting things to do during your time in Surfer’s Paradise, then you will find lots of activities available. Surfers Paradise has great entertainment and amusement for visitors, including parks, tours, and fantastic nightlife. If you want to spend some time looking more at the history of the area and experience the rich culture that is available – then a visit to some of the local museums and buildings may be more to your taste. If you are with the kids and you want to provide them with some educational entertainment, a tour where they can get closer to nature could be just the ticket. These tours help them discover and explore the wonders of nature and see animals in their natural habitat.

If the ocean inspires you to get a bit more adventurous, then you could try surfing in one of the famous beaches or taking a boat ride along one of the lakes and rivers. For the lady who loves to be pampered – the Gold Coast spas and wellness centers are the perfect opportunity for a total body relaxation. Want to stick to a budget? If money is a little tight on your holiday, then planning your daily activities will help you with this. Make a list of the things you really want to see and that fit with your budget, instead of heading to every attraction and tourist spot and spending a hefty amount of cash to do so.

Filed Under: Gold Coast, Qld Tagged With:

Great Barrier Reef Holiday

April 15, 2009 By

To fully grasp the magnitude of the beauty and vastness of the Great Barrier Reef, one would need to take a step back. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, encompassing 1800 miles of more than 2900 reefs and 900 islands. Located off the coast of Queensland and in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef is the visible from space and is the largest single structure made by living organisms. The Great Barrier Reef is home to various marine animals and is inhabited by more than 400 species of coral. Every year more than two million people visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

View the reef at its best
Hamilton Island is the premiere location to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef and is located in the Whitsundays off the Queensland Coast. Hamilton Island offers daily tours to the Great Barrier Reef, amongst a number of other activities that you can enjoy while on holiday. Hamilton Island is the destination of choice for Australians on holiday and vacation. Although the island is privately owned, it is open to the public and features its own airport for easy travel access by travelers. There is also a number of accommodations available on the island, including apartments, villas, and hotels. Try a Hamilton Island Holiday for your next family vacation!

All the Great Barrier Reef has to offer
The Great Barrier Reef is home to not just millions of coral but is a breeding ground for humpback whales which migrate there every winter, home to green turtles, whales, birds, dudongs, and dolphins. You can view the Reef by air, taking a cruise, scuba diving, or snorkeling. You can also enjoy yachting and fishing in specified areas of the reef.

Just as the Great Barrier Reef is endangered by ecological threats and requires protection, so do you when traveling there. Purchasing travel insurance can make sure that your vacation is not postponed or ruined by medical emergencies, lost baggage, or trip cancellation.

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a great family trip that offers you the chance to view one of nature’s largest displays of grandeur and beauty. Travel to the reefs is restricted to a certain number per year and should be booked well in advance, in order to ensure that you are able to visit the reef when you’d like to.

Filed Under: Qld

Things To Do On The Gold Coast

April 15, 2009 By

There’s no shortage of things to do while visiting Australia’s Gold Coast. No matter what your idea of fun is, there’s something on the Gold Coast to keep you entertained. While there are literally hundreds of activities that you can enjoy, here’s a list of just a few activities and tourist attractions that are guaranteed to make your trip to the Gold Coast an experience to remember.

Visit Q1
Let’s literally start from the top! Q1 is the tallest residential building in not only Australia, but the world! Visit the observation decks on the 77th and 78th level and enjoy the panoramic view of Surfer’s Paradise, Brisbane, Byron Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. The view is beautiful anytime of day or night!

Learn to surf
Catch a wave at Surfer’s Paradise. Once you come down from your high of visiting Q1, enjoy the beach below and learn to surf. Surfing lessons are available for kids and adults alike and are available as single lessons or packages.

Be thrilled at an amusement park
The Gold Coast has a variety of amusement parks. Sea World, Dreamworld, and Wet ‘n’ Wild all provide a great place to just let your hair down and go wild, Aussie style! Gold Coast amusement parks are great place for the entire family to enjoy seals, roller coasters, and water rides!

Shop ‘til you drop
Pacific Fair, Harbour Town, Oasis Shopping Center, and Chevron Renaissance are just a few of the places where you can purchase everything from fine jewelry to footwear. If shopping is your game then the Gold Coast is just the place to load up on bargains and souvenirs.

Explore the rainforest
Just a short drive from the beaches of the Gold Coast is one of the most magnificent rainforests in the world, at hinterland. The Gold Coast hinterland is comprised of several national parks and landmarks that are sure to help you escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Take a tour
If you can’t decide what to do or if you want to do a bunch of things, then take a tour! If you can name it, there’s a Gold Coast tour for it. Ecotours, kayaking, scuba diving, hot air ballooning, bush walking, and sailing are just some of the tours you can enjoy on your vacation or holiday.

If you are visiting Australia’s Gold Coast on a tight budget, no worries! Visit the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame or City Art Gallery, enjoy the beach, visit the Regional Botanical Gardens, or enjoy the boardwalk at the Gold Coast Spit.

No matter where you visit on the Gold Coast, make sure that you have the travel insurance you need and deserve. Making sure that you are protected in case of accidental injury or loss is just as important to your vacation as having fun.

Enjoy all the golden opportunities for fun that the Gold Coast has to offer today!

Filed Under: Gold Coast

Australian and Gold Coast Holidays In The Current Economic Climate

April 14, 2009 By

Most of Australia’s best holiday destinations are on its east coast. With the bulk of the country’s population living in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, it is really convenient to travel to the closest destinations, especially during the current credit crisis and while the Aussie dollar is low against the greenback. Queensland travel destinations like the Whitsunday Islands and the Gold Coast are showing a marked resilience to the current drop off in tourist numbers. Gold Coast accommodation has been in high demand over the Christmas and New Year periods despite predictions that there would be high vacancy factors. There has not yet been many signs in the domestic travel market in these regions that a recession is looming.

The main tourist areas on the Gold Coast like Surfers paradise, Broadbeach and Main beach have been fully booked over the Christmas, New Year break. Reports from tour operators on Fraser Island say that conditions are actually booming. Managing director of the Fraser Island co. Mr. Shane Boyd said they were experiencing their busiest holiday period for over five years and there were still plenty of inbound group bookings out of Europe, well into the New Year. The level of the Australian dollar against the Euro was obviously having a positive effect, he said. The Whitsunday Islands are always a popular tourist destination for Australians because it is so easy to get to. With a domestic airport on Hamilton Island you can fly right to the resort and it can’t get any easier than that. Regular daily flights operate from all southern capitals.

While the immediate future of the economy is still running into uncharted water, it is still a little uncertain how levels of participation in the travel industry will be affected however a low Australian Dollar is positive for both domestic and international visits alike so hopefully the impact in 2009 will not be as dire as some pundits have been predicting.

Filed Under: Destinations, NSW, Qld, Vic Tagged With: , , , ,

The Casual Beach Atmosphere of Broadbeach

April 8, 2009 By

As part of Australia’s fabulous Gold Coast, Broadbeach is the destination for vacationers seeking a laid-back, casual beach holiday.

This popular Queensland vacation spot is situated next to Surfers Paradise, yet boasts a less hectic, more casual atmosphere. Many visitors of Surfers Paradise enjoy visiting Broadbeach for a break from the hustle and bustle; likewise, vacationers of Broadbeach enjoy heading to Surfers Paradise for an evening of excitement.

Wherever your Gold Coast holiday plans may take you, make sure you include Broadbeach on your itinerary. This fabulous beach community boasts all the pleasures of a Gold Coast holiday, including sandy beaches, fantastic water sports, exciting day trips and tours and, of course, the warm, tropical waters and the warm, Australian sunshine.

However, don’t mistake the laid-back atmosphere of Broadbeach for a lackluster vacation; on the contrary, this vibrant, progressive, beach community features a fantastic nightlife scene, Conrad Jupiter’s Casino and loads of family entertainment. The boardwalk is family-oriented, as well, as it features picnic areas, barbeque grills, a children’s playground and even a duck pond.

Holiday on Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland

Holiday on Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland

The cuisine of Broadbeach is also fun and causal. Many, great restaurants can be found along Albert Avenue in Broadbeach, where it is common to find a fantastic variety of alfresco restaurants, cafes, gelato bars and coffee bars, just to name a few. The local and international cuisine of Broadbeach is well known in this region, and is why so many visitors appreciate the dining found here.

Broadbeach, in keeping with its family-friendly atmosphere, also hosts many fairs and festivals throughout the year. It is also a great place for both upscale boutiques and casual retailers, thanks to the wildly popular Pacific Fair Shopping Center, which includes over 250 stores.

The accommodation found in Broadbeach can be both casual and high-end. This beach community boasts budget-friendly hotels, family-friendly resorts and luxury accommodation.

From high-end holiday rentals to cheap accommodation deals, QLD Travel can pair you up with quality accommodation for your next Broadbeach holiday. Cheap deals and holiday rentals are plentiful and easily accessible when you use QLD Travel.

Filed Under: Gold Coast Tagged With: , , ,

Family Accommodation Meets Resort Splendor on Daydream Island

April 8, 2009 By

Day trippers and vacationers alike will find something to love while on Daydream Island. As the closest island of the Whitsundays to the mainland, a day trip or a holiday to Daydream Island is both easily accessible and convenient.

Many tourists and Australians choose Daydream Island as their holiday destination of choice because of its close proximity to Shute Harbour on the mainland at Airlie Beach, its great, outdoor recreation, its fabulous accommodation and its accessibility to the rainbow-colored coral of the Great Barrier Reef.

This family-friendly island of the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland is a great place to engage in lively water sports, from mild to adventurous, including swimming, reef fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and parasailing. The dense, tropical forests of Daydream Island are also a fabulous spot from which to experience the beauty of the surrounding bushland.

The natural surroundings of the Whitsunday Islands are spectacular, and like no other in the world. This is the place to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor, family entertainment and recreation!

Take a Holiday on Daydream Island, Whitsundays, Queensland

Take a Holiday on Daydream Island, Whitsundays, Queensland

Many visitors of Daydream Island also choose to spend their time enjoying the beautiful variety of birds and wildlife, including the annual migration of the humpback whales. There are many day tours, including seaplane and helicopter rides, which enable visitors of this tropical destination to understand the immense beauty and diversity found here.

Loads of family fun can be enjoyed on Daydream Island, as well, thanks to the great variety of entertainment choices, including miniature golf, an open air cinema, a kids’ club, a gymnasium, a kids’ jungle-themed playground, tennis and croquet courts and three swimming pools.

The Daydream Island Resort and Spa, which is the centerpiece of the island, is a family-friendly resort that includes some of the finest accommodation on the Whitsundays. Some of the amenities of this luxury resort include spacious suites and expansive balconies with panoramic views.

If you are looking for cheap deals on your next Daydream Island vacation in Australia, then look no further than QLD Travel. QLD Travel can find a great deal, travel package or vacation package for a splendid Daydream Island holiday.

Filed Under: Qld Tagged With: , , , ,

Hayman Island Luxury in the Whitsundays

April 8, 2009 By

There are 74 islands of the Whitsundays, yet for those seeking the finest in resort living, there is only one.

Hayman Island is the destination for resort splendor and spectacular surroundings, and is arguably the finest island for a Queensland vacation destination. Hayman Island, as part of the Whitsunday Islands, is located just off the North Queensland coast of Australia. It is an absolutely breathtaking island where the warm waters of the Coral Sea meet the powder white beaches, and where the most discriminating of visitors come to unwind and refresh.

The exclusive Hayman Island is considered to be of the most luxurious destinations in the Whitsundays, if not all of Queensland, for many reasons. The sandy beaches of this resort island blend beautifully with the natural bushland to create a spectacular, tropical locale. Over 14 hectares of tropical gardens, secluded bays and pristine beaches surround the lovely Hayman Island Resort, which is the only development on the island. For many, there is simply nothing that can compare to a Hayman Island Holiday.

Take your next holiday on Hayman Island, Queensland

Take your next holiday on Hayman Island, Queensland

As a member of the exclusive organization called The Leading Hotels of the World, the Hayman Island Resort is an exceptional hotel for those individuals who demand the highest luxury and finest service.

Guests of the Hayman Island Resort, in addition to the outstanding accommodation, enjoy a wide range of upscale amenities, including swimming pools and lagoons (which wind throughout the property), tennis courts, manicured gardens, a kids’ club, six restaurants, a marina, a spa and trendy bars. A shopping arcade further exemplifies the resort atmosphere, and provides visitors with everything they need for a perfectly rounded vacation.

Visitors to Hayman Island, in addition to indulging in the resort’s amenities, may enjoy walking the many trails of the island, diving and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and engaging in a wonderful array of water sports, including sailing, game fishing and scuba diving.

QLD Travel can arrange great Hayman Island Package Deals, and can even arrange a variety of cheap deals for those seeking a Hayman Island vacation on a budget. If you want to travel Australia and explore its superb destinations, then QLD Travel can help.

Filed Under: Qld Tagged With: , , ,

Exciting Australia Holidays Begin in Surfers Paradise

April 8, 2009 By

If you’re looking for a Queensland holiday destination where you can stroll along pristine beaches, engage in some of the wildest adventure sports, dance the night away at the hottest nightclubs and partake in spectacular, annual celebrations, then Surfers Paradise is the place for you.

Surfers Paradise offers what few other spots along the Gold Coast do; excitement, beauty and adventure, all rolled into one, spectacular resort town.

If you’re bringing the family and the kids, you’ll flip, over Surfers Paradise amazing array of theme parks. Exciting days spent screaming down a roller coaster or sliding down a wild water slide can be found in Surfers Paradise, at Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Brothers Movie World and Wild Water World, just to name a few!

If you simply want a laid-back, relaxed beach atmosphere, then Surfers Paradise is perfect for you. From its pristine beaches to its casual cuisine and beachfront markets, Surfers Paradise is a hot spot along the Gold Coast for a truly relaxing holiday getaway.

 

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland

 

 

Surfers Paradise is also the spot for those seeking electric excitement and a trendy atmosphere. Its hip nightclubs and trendy bars are a great source of nighttime entertainment while staying in Surfers Paradise.

Nature lovers and sports enthusiasts also find Surfers Paradise to be the Australian destination of choice. Backpackers, surfers, water skiers, snorkelers and swimmers will all find the exceptional surroundings of the Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise to be a fine example of the natural beauty found along Queensland’s coast. The amazing surf of Surfers Paradise has drawn surfers to this area for years!

Other outdoor enthusiasts will find that the four-wheel-driving adventures along Surfers Paradise are a fantastic way to soak in the splendor of this resort destination. Day trips and guided tours are also a popular site in Surfers Paradise.

Surfers Paradise accommodation ranges from quaint villas to high-end, luxury resorts, thereby accommodating many types of budgets, lifestyles and desires. QLD Travel can show you the varied accommodation of Surfers Paradise, as well as travel package deals and cheap deals, to make your Surfers Paradise vacation a truly memorable one. A holiday rental in Surfers Paradise is made easier through QLD Travel.

Filed Under: Gold Coast Tagged With: , , ,

The Allure of the Whitsunday Islands

April 8, 2009 By

There is no secret why so many visitors choose the Whitsunday Islands as their ultimate holiday destination. Comfortably situated along the backside of the mainland’s tropical rainforest, the Whitsunday Islands offer the best of resort living and some of the finest natural surroundings along the Queensland Coast.
The islands of the Whitsundays share a close proximity to one another, which means that island hopping and cruising along the islands’ many passages and lagoons is a popular treat for vacationers of this magical land.

During a Whitsunday Islands Holiday, the first thing you’ll notice is the spectacular, powder-white beaches, which practically beg to be strolled and frolicked along. The beautiful stretches of pristine beach lend themselves to the serene, almost surreal, surroundings of these superb, Queensland islands. Just a few of the sought-after destinations of the Whitsundays include Airlie Beach and Whitehaven Beach. Whitehaven Beach, in fact, is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

If the coastline doesn’t draw you to the Whitsundays, then the close proximity to the exceptional beauty of the Great Barrier Reef certainly will. The Whitsunday Islands are located in the heart of this spectacular natural wonder of the world, which thereby enables visitors to explore the rainbow-colored reef in many different ways. From snorkeling to diving to sailing, there are many tours which depart every day from the Whitsundays to the Great Barrier Reef, thereby enabling visitors on holiday to experience this truly magnificent natural gem.

 

Holiday in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Holiday in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

 

Although the Whitsundays are comprised of 74 islands, there are a few that stand out from the crowd. The first of which is Hamilton Island, which is the largest island among the Whitsundays, and the most popular, as well. Hamilton Island provides easy access to the Great Barrier Reef from its harbour, from which many day trips and boat tours embark every day. Sailing the Whitsundays from Hamilton Island provides a fantastic cruise journey to the Great Barrier Reef.

Hayman Island is another popular spot in the Whitsundays, mainly because of its luxury accommodation. From upscale cuisine to trendy boutiques, Hayman Island is the place to be for the most discriminating of guests. Daydream Island, on the other hand, is geared towards family resorts and hotels.

The Whitsunday Islands provide a great array of fantastic travel packages, budget hotels and luxury accommodation, and QLD Travel can find them all for you. If you’re looking for a Whitsunday Islands Package Deal, then look no further than QLD Travel.

Filed Under: Qld Tagged With: , , ,
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