| Luxury hotels for travelers can be a great option, but | | | | cultural immersion... once in a while, a luxury place can |
| there are also drawbacks as far as we're concerned. | | | | make for a nice refuge from the chaotic streets of a |
| It's a little hard to define the pluses and minuses | | | | foreign city... and a little break from diving right into |
| because what might be a plus for you could be | | | | the local culture. |
| something that would turn another traveler off. | | | | The uniformity and sheltered feeling are also among |
| Luxury hotels will probably be the most expensive | | | | the downsides of staying in a luxury hotel. Aside |
| option for holiday accommodation. They're great for | | | | from costing you more than staying in a small local |
| business people on an expense account, but harder | | | | hotel would... luxury hotels DO cushion you from the |
| on the average travel budget. One thing to consider | | | | culture that you traveled to see... maybe too much. |
| here is that when the global economy takes a | | | | That really nice room could be anywhere in the |
| downturn, these luxury places suffer along with | | | | world.... That uniformity can be a little TOO much the |
| everyone else. They start offering discounted rates | | | | same. |
| or upgrades. | | | | Our advice is if you find it expedient to stay in a |
| So if you'd love to stay in a luxury hotel, but you | | | | hotel like this... at least get out on the street for lunch |
| think your budget just wouldn't allow it... you might | | | | and dinner. They might have a great restaurant, but |
| want to check for special offers before you settle | | | | you'll get something much more authentic, and |
| for something less. Another way to save is to head | | | | probably more reasonably priced, in a restaurant |
| for these places on weekends or holiday periods | | | | down the street among the locals. |
| when the business people who generally occupy | | | | Most of these hotels do not include breakfast in the |
| them are home or on holiday themselves. | | | | price of the room, but they do have coffee and tea |
| Most of the time you will find those luxury hotels in | | | | in your room... So grab a cup as you get dressed in |
| cities. They offer a uniformity... You know exactly | | | | the morning, then skip the expensive breakfast |
| what you're going to get. They will have phones and | | | | buffet and wander out onto the street to find |
| TVs and Internet connections. (Though interestingly | | | | breakfast. Stand up at a pasticceria (a pastry shop) in |
| enough, those Internet connections often come at a | | | | Italy for cappuccino and biscotti... |
| surprisingly high price!) | | | | Find a little local restaurant in Budapest, grab a table |
| You will get lots of lotions and shampoos and luxury | | | | outside and order Kifli (a traditional Hungarian pastry) |
| fluffy towels. There will be a restaurant in the hotel... | | | | with cheeses, cold cuts or jam and honey... Have a |
| sometimes two or three. You'll get front desks that | | | | Danish pastry and coffee in Denmark. Anything local |
| are staffed 24/7 with multilingual desk clerks, and | | | | will cost you less and be more fun. |
| you'll get a concierge and doormen. | | | | Luxury hotels serve a great purpose for all kinds of |
| Maybe you opt for that luxury place because you | | | | travelers at different times during their travels... look |
| want that central location. Even if you're the type of | | | | at your itinerary and travel goals, and decide when |
| traveler who prefers small local places with lots of | | | | one works for you. |