Romantic Hotels

23 January, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Hotels Combined is the place to find all the best deals for hotels. The website searches all major hotel suppliers online simultaneously to find you the lowest prices instantly. It is the most comprehensive hotel search engine available with more than 700,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. The site also combines millions of hotel reviews, descriptions, images and maps. 

To book a stay at one of these romantic hideaways just follow the links below, use the Hotels Search Box at the bottom of this page or go direct to Hotels Combined to see all the available deals.

For Valentine’s Day, Hotels Combined has picked picks ten of the world’s most romantic retreats in stunning locations from secluded beaches to classically romantic cityscapes, cities of the exotic Orient to tropical havens. The list can be used to treat a loved one to a plush stay or help to inspire the romantic within you.

Top 10 Romantic Hotels

• Jade Mountain Resort
  Soufriere, Saint Lucia
  For nature-lovers
  In a truly romantic and magical setting overlooking St Lucia’s Piton Mountains, the Jade Mountain can be described as “a resort within a resort”. The Jade is designed to blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings, creating a new level of sophistication and luxury in hotels. Each bedroom, living area and private pool merge together to create what can be described as a floating stage that connects with views of the island’s twin World Heritage Pitons and the Caribbean sea. Enjoy dining under the stars on your very own balcony or a swim in your private pool at dusk surrounded by gently flickering candles. 
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Jade Mountain Resort Soufriere
  

• Elbow Beach Hotel
  Hamilton, Bermuda
  For sun and sea lovers
  Located in Hamilton and composed of 235 suites and 104 cottages, this nearly century old grand dame stretches across pink-sandy beach and the turquoise sea of the Atlantic. For the most privacy, book a cottage especially the secluded “Bird of Paradise” which fronts the beach. Book a spa treatment for two as soon as you check in to enjoy the world renowned Asian-style treatments of this hotel group.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Elbow Beach Hotel Hamilton
  

• Pucic Palace Hotel
  Dubrovnik, Croatia
  For culture-lovers
  Mix romance with culture in beautiful Dubrovnik, an old town which juts out into the deep emerald waters of the Adriatic. The Pucic Palace, the city’s newest hotel is an impeccably restored 18th century villa, and the only one within the walls of the Old City. The top choice for style and service in Dubrovnik, this palazzo is both comfortable and well-designed. High beamed ceilings, parquet floors, European antiques, Italian mosaic bathrooms and 24hr room service create a deluxe experience, making it almost impossible to leave your room. If you do venture out, make sure you enjoy romantic strolls through the cobblestoned streets of the medieval city or charter out the hotel’s yacht to enjoy a picnic for two out at sea.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Pucic Palace Hotel Dubrovnik
  

• Thalassa Boutique Hotel Paphos
  Cyprus, Turkey
  For history fans
  Poised above a cliff top not far from the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite “the Goddess of Love”, the Thalassa is well set for romance. Each of the 58 rooms overlook the azure sea and the 1250 B.C ruins of the first Mycenaean settlement on Cyprus. A dedicated butler for every room allows you to fully enjoy your romantic getaway. Serene and contemporary rooms boast polished-wood floors, lush suede sofas and chairs, artesian furniture, marble bathrooms all mixed in with modern comforts. Thalassa’s innovative Anagenisis Spa offers ancient Byzantine, Greek, and Roman therapies for couples and the hotel comes with its own private beach perfect for moonlight picnics, walks and soulful star-gazing.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Thalassa Boutique Hotel Paphos Cyprus
  

• The Chedi
  Muscat, Oman 
  For an Arabian fantasy
  On the Gulf of Oman, The Chedi sits amongst 16th century hill-top fortresses and overlooks the Indian Ocean and rugged mountains of Muscat. Seductive and beautiful, The Chedi is like a scene from The Arabian Nights. Soak in the authentic sights and tastes of the Middle East in Muscat, and at night feel the powerful aphrodisiac of local frankincense permeate the air. Coolly stylish, The Chedi is refinement at its best and at the same time understated elegance.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for The Chedi Muscat
  

• Amanjena Hotel,
  Marrakech, Morocco
  For the self-indulgent
  Designed to conform harmoniously to its surroundings, Amanjena bears a distinct Moorish influence that stays true to the Islamic architecture of Marrakech. Pavilions with domed ceilings and king-sized platform beds, bathrooms in green Moroccan marble with deep soaking tubs create an air of decadence. Each pavilion has a private courtyard complete with gazebo and fountain. Try a “Maison” for ultimate privacy which comes with a private pool, fireplaces, guest bedrooms and around-the-clock butler service. Famous celeb couples Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Victoria and David Beckham, Sienna Miller and Jude Law have all sought out the Amanjena as their exotic hideaway. 
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Amanjena Hotel, Marrakech
  

• Bauer Hotel
  Venice, Italy
  For an Italian romance
  Step out into Renaissance Italy in Venice, home to Italy’s most famous romancer - Casanova. Surrounded by the canals of Venice, and located in the pulse of the city centre near Piazza San Marco, the Bauer offers deluxe Italian-style romance. The hotels plush suites, velvet furniture and brocade upholstery perfectly captures the sense of time and place. Take in the sights of the city with a truly romantic gondola ride and loose yourself in the alleyways to discover wonderful Venetian cuisine and treats.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Bauer Hotel Venice
  

• Aleenta Spa & Resort
  Phang Nga, Thailand
  For the easy-going
  Aleenta Spa and Resort stretches along the coast of the Andaman Sea, on pristine, white sandy Natai Beach. Nurture your relationship with warm sea breezes, sand, sea and relaxation. All living spaces are designed to capture as much of the natural surroundings as possible with ceiling-to-wall windows framing the exotic landscape. Sit back and watch the sun set from the comfort of your own lounge or rejuvenate with luxury spa treatments for two.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Aleenta Spa & Resort Phang Nga
  

• Library Hotel
  New York City, United States
  For art and literature fans 
  Designed to feel more like a private club than a hotel, the Library hotel will make you feel like you are in a world of your own. Each of the 60 rooms are elegantly adorned with a collection of art and books categorized according to the Dewey Decimal system by subject. The collections encompass a wide-range of areas - Literature, Arts, Math, Science and History. The effect is good looking, home-like guestrooms and appealing public spaces including a rooftop bar for a romantic drink under the stars. Not surprisingly the “Erotic Literature” room is the most popular whilst the “Love” room has a terrace. Guests are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast each morning and nightly wine and cheese for free.  
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Library Hotel New York City
  

• Villa Maria Hotel
  Ravello, Italy
  For quiet-lovers
  Ravello is one of the most famed towns of the Amalfi Coast. Perched high above the hustle and bustle of the seaside, Ravello offers peace and quiet. The tranquil coastal town has inspired many great romantic works including Wagner’s opera Parsifal and D.H Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Charming Villa Maria offers its guests the romantic atmosphere of enchanting Ravello. Situated in the heart of the historic old town centre, the Villa provides a wonderful escape for intimacy and privacy. The Villa has preserved the character of an ancient patrician residence but offers comfortable living spaces. It is elegantly furnished with period antiques and possesses a breathtaking panorama of the Amalfi Coast.
  Get more info and check availability and rates for Villa Maria Hotel Ravello

expands across Europe

23 January, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Hotel booking site Hotels.com has started 2008 with the launch of five new European local language sites in Greece, Turkey, Iceland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

This move comes as part of Hotels.com’s continued roll-out across the EMEA region and has seen each of the five sites go live with IP based country recognition, local-language interfaces and local currency pricing.

The company now operates 25 sites across Europe including sites in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Benelux. The launch of the new sites continues Hotels.com’s local language expansion plans which also saw Poland and Russia go live in 2007.

“We have been running successful English language sites in all five new territories, but are aware that it is the local language sites that are key to unlocking these markets’ full potential,” comments Patrik Öqvist, Marketing Director EMEA, Hotels.com. “The online travel sector continues to grow rapidly across the EMEA region and in particular in those markets that are not as mature as our main western European territories. We are confident that the new local language sites in Greece, Turkey, Iceland, Hungary and the Czech Republic will follow in the highly successful footsteps of our existing sites.”

Each of the newly launched sites will reflect the new Hotels.com ‘Wake up Happy’ brand positioning that was launched in the UK in 2007.

from Uruguay to Turkey

23 January, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Sizzling winter and summer destinations from Uruguay to Turkey

	For a glamorous beach escape in a place far and exotic, few of the world’s destinations rival Punta del Este in small but charming Uruguay. Called the Hamptons of South America, this exclusive resort area features miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, a string of luxury hotels, upscale restaurants and glitzy nightlife.
Daniel Caselli / AFP - Getty Images

Book by: ASAP
Travel by: Various through 2008

The deal
Tired of the same old beach holidays where you stay in a cookie-cutter resort trying to avoid tourist packs that spoil the quiet time you’ve been dreaming of? We found four beach destinations that aren’t chockablock with sun-worshippers. In these offbeat locales, savvy travelers can soak up plenty of sunshine and avoid the crowds that plague the more popular beach spots, either due to their off-season lull or their lesser-known status. From Uruguay and Nicaragua in wintertime to Albania and Turkey from late spring through early fall, these places are hard to beat for unsullied beach bliss. Hotel rates start at just $110/night!

Punta del Este, Uruguay
For a glamorous beach escape in a place far and exotic, few of the world’s destinations rival Punta del Este in small but charming Uruguay. Called the Hamptons of South America, this exclusive resort area features miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, a string of luxury hotels, upscale restaurants and glitzy nightlife haunts where global jet-set comes to party in summertime. With the Southern Hemisphere seasons being reversed, that’s our wintertime! So there’s still time to catch some of the action before this season’s out. We recommend a sojourn at the recently inaugurated Awa Boutique + Design Hotel, a stellar showcase of minimalist décor and modern amenities, where breakfast-inclusive rates start at $110/night.

Kiz Kulesi - Istanbul

17 December, 2007 at 5:37 pm

İSTANBUL Kız Kulesi

The Leander’s tower which is one of the symbols of Istanbul dates back to 341 BC. There are several stories told about Kız kulesi which is named “Leander’s Tower” by westerns. The most widespread story is about the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor who was killed by a snake hidden in a basket of figs which was brought to the tower from land. That is why, the tower is named Maiden’s Tower. If we look further into the history we understand that this place was called “Leandros”. Leandros fell in love with Hera who was one of the nuns of Aphrodit. Leandros swam to the Maiden’s Tower to see his dear one. One day he was defeated by the storm and the waves and died. Hera could not cope with this grief and killed herself. Fatih Sultan Mehmet had the tower demolished after he conquered Istanbul and had it erected anew and placed his soldiers here. The tower with was demolished by the earthquake in 1509 was rebuilt. The Tower served as light house in 1600’s. In 1726 Damat Ibrahim Paşa equipped the Maiden’s tower with stone buildings and used the tower as a prison for a short period. It was used as a quarantine station when cholera broke out in 1830. Mahmut II had the tower re-erected. The square shaped big tower was covered with a multi edge , windowed cap raised from a gallery surrounded with a balustrade and equipped with a flagpole. During the Republic period the tower was used to provide sea transport safety. The Maiden’s tower which was restored between 1943-1945 serves today as restaurant and night club. There are daily regular boat services from Salacak to the tower.

Ancient City Of Ephesus Izmir - Selcuk

15 December, 2007 at 4:45 pm

The Agora of Ephesus

 Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor), located near modern Ýzmir, Turkey. As a port city at the mouth of the Cayster (modern Küçükmenderes) River, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) to the goddess Artemis, or Diana, the city was also an important center of early Christianity.

Triumphal Arch (100 - 200 AD)

Probably founded in the 11th century BC by Ionian Greeks, Ephesus was conquered by the Cimmerians in the 7th century BC; by Croesus, king of Lydia, in the 6th century; and soon after, by Cyrus the Great, king of Persia. Later it was a tributary of Athens, but it sided with Sparta against Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC). Sparta ceded it to the Persians, who were driven out by Alexander the Great in 333 BC.

Fountain of Trajan (98 - 112 AD)

Under this Macedonian rule Ephesus flourished, and it was briefly renamed Arsinoë. The city passed to Roman rule in 189 BC and remained an important commercial center. St. Paul established a Christian congregation in Ephesus in the 1st century AD, and it was the site of the third general council of the Christian church, which condemned the Nestorian heresy, in 431.

Temple of Hadrian (117 - 128 AD)

From the frieze, a woman symbolizing fertility

Having been destroyed by the Goths in 262, Ephesus, although rebuilt, never regained its former splendor. Under the Byzantine Empire it declined, and its harbor silted up; it was abandoned in the 14th century.

Scholastikia baths
(the brick pillars held up a marble floor which was heated
 with hot gases from fires lighted underneath)

Excavations at Ephesus, begun in 1863, have uncovered temples to Artemis, public buildings, works of the Greek sculptors Phidias and Polyclitus, and a portrait of Alexander the Great.

The Roman water pipes

The Roman Brothel
(constructed by Emperor Trianus (98 - 117 AD)

Agora

The Library of Celsus

After the death of Celsus Polemaenus in 114 AD
his son started the construction of a monument
and the library, and in his will left a sum of 25,000 denarii
to be used for the completion of the library and the purchase of books

It served the cultural life of the community for 145 years.
It and the books were burned by the invading Goths in 262 AD