We know how hard it can be to try and choose a holiday destination let alone the destination and then a hotel. You look forward to your summer holiday all year and then what if it’s a flop? Or it doesn’t meet your needs?
Luckily, Purple Travel is here to help you find hotels in Kos that you can rely on for an excellent time on holiday in Kos. We’ve chosen these hotels on our list because of their high quality standards of service and the great feedback that we get from our customers.
Mitsis Blue Domes is a newcomer to the scene and opened in 2010. Since then it’s garnered a good reputation among hotels in Kos for the amount of facilities available and its first-class service. Read More
For many reasons some resorts and hotels become abandoned whether due to political or economical situations. Can you imagine what these places were like in their heyday? Occupied rooms, people splashing about in the pool or lazing on sun loungers, a queue forming in the bar or hotel lobby, chatty diners in the restaurants. Now, all the people are gone and all that’s left are the buildings in ruins. While you obviously can’t stay at these resorts there is a growing number of tourists who like to take unusual holidays and travel close to these resorts to explore the abandoned buildings.
1.Bokor Palace Hotel And Casino – Cambodia
Bokor Hill Station in Cambodia was a resort built by French colonists in the 1920s and the epitome of the splendour found there was the Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino. Around 1000 people died during the construction of the hotel, only for the Europeans to flee the area in the 1940s due to political instability. It was used intermittently up until the 1990s when it was abandoned for good. Bokor Hill Station is now a popular tourist attraction and even though not even 100 years old the hotel looks much older than this. Locals in the area won’t enter as it is rumoured to be haunted by the ghosts of those who lost their lives trying to build it.
Find out more about the most amazing hotels around the world with PurpleTravel. Whether you want to sleep in a princess suite, a submarine or a hamster hotel, Purple Travel will give you a night less ordinary. This week, alternative art lovers will be amazed by the Hotel de Glace in Quebec, Canada where you can sleep in an ice sculpture.
What’s the gimmick? Made up totally of ice, the Hotel de Glace in Quebec, Canada is rebuilt every year by its skillful sculptors. Some people call it a work of art – some people just go to feel really cool. Either way you can’t deny how impressive the Hotel de Glace is.
Why stay? The Hotel de Glace is only open for a few months each year, so get in there while you can. It opens on January 5th – March 23rd 2014 and the highlight will be its frozen facade and Nordic Escape-themed decoration. The well stocked Ice Bar should have enough reserves to keep you warm.
The WOW factor! Visitors will have the chance to go behind the scenes and discover the secrets of the hotel’s construction. Tours take place every weekend upon reservation, just be sure to reserve a spot in advance.
The kids are back to school, full season is nearly over, now is the time to get some of the best possible deals for cheap September holidays. Enjoy our Purple Travel guide to cheap September holidays and save money on your next break.
1. Paphos, Cyprus: Average temperature in September 31 0C. Cyprus in September is still hot enough to enjoy dreamy days on the beach or swim a lap around the infamous Aphrodite’s Rock.
2. Antalya, Turkey Average temperature in September 32 0C. The ‘gateway to the Turkish Riviera’ offers a wonderful clutch of beaches along the coast and loads of bars, clubs and restaurants as well as the famous Efes beer. Image via @ Burntime
3. Tunis, Tunisia Average temperature in September 32 0C. Enjoy a taste of North Africa, with the souks, medinas, salt lakes and beaches that make Tunis holidays in September unforgettable. Image via @ WomEOS
4. Valletta, Malta Average temperature in September 28 0C. The island’s capital is tiny – only 1km – but there’s plenty to see and do. Stroll down baroque-influenced streets, and wander narrow cobble-lined lanes or hop on the Sliema Ferry and work on your tan on the rocks. Remember, Valletta itself isn’t filled with sandy beaches, but makes a good base for discovering more. Image via @ Britrob
National Geographic’s 2013 Traveler Photo Contest is on and we’ve been sneaking a peek at some of the amazing pictures sent in from all over the world. Showcasing the natural beauty of the world, stunning portraits of people, spontaneous moments and gorgeous landscapes, it’s a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul.
The competition is open to professional or amateur photographers who can submit their own entries until June 30th. See all the pictures from this years competition here, in the meantime we’ve picked out a couple of our favourites below.
Photo and caption by Fevzi DINTAS. This photograph was taken at Lipe Island in Thailand. Long exposure used and selective colours adjusted. Location: Lipe-Hat Yai, THAILAND
Photo and caption by vafa adib. Carpet for sale by beach vendor. Location: Mexico, Puerto Vallarta.
Photo and caption by Jennifer Holmes Beamer. While traveling through Tasmania, we took a detour to find this spectacular lavender field. After a soothing meander among endless fields of fragrant lavender we were ready for a nap in the red soil. Location: Tasmania Australia.
Photo and caption by Jasminder Singh Oberai. A boy in Nandgaon was playing Holi with his friends. I alongwith some friends was shooting the village side during holi and spotted him. He ran inside his house trying to avoid us. We stayed right outside his house waiting for him to emerge. Patience paid off very soon and he peeped from behind the door, smiled and vanished again. This moment was enough for us to capture this portrait. Location: Nandagaon, Uttar Pradesh, India
Photo and caption by Paul Oeschger. At the end of my last day of snorkeling in Kauai, I came upon this green sea turtle. It was the most amazing turtle I saw all week. Not only did it seem unfazed by my presence in the water, it actually kept swimming up to me, almost as if it was asking to have its portrait taken. I love underwater photography, something I didn’t discover until 25 years after I first picked up a camera. It’s a joy to experience the beauty of the sea and the life in it through snorkeling and photography. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors. Location: Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Photo and caption by Pei-Chen Sung. She’s lying easily on the grass, within her mind’s absence, I captured this beautiful portrait. Location: Domaine de Boisbuchet, France
Photo and caption by Herschel Pollard. Amelia Island, Florida Camera: Zero Image 69 Pinhole, f/235 Film: Expired Kodak Portra 100T Exposure: About 5 seconds. Location: Amelia Island, Florida.
This is a guest post by Faria Ahmad at heidi klein.
Like all aspects of fashion, swimwear trends change year on year and this year is no different, as we are once again spoilt for choice with a huge range of bold and bright, girly, boho and classic styles. Get the inside track on the best bikinis for summer 2013 from the experts at heidi klein.
Bold & Brights
Expect to find sleek black swimsuits, but with a neon twist. This extra detailing is fun and flirty for the summer season as well as super flattering. This darker palette can also be spotted with funky white chevron patterns for a little poolside punk rock. Classic styles like the one piece will also have a makeover this season, with vintage 50s inspired prints and watercolour effects. Could it be the Mad Men effect?
Keep an eye out for digital prints this season too – they’re everywhere, taking inspiration from spring and summer outerwear trends. Expect to find floral and animal prints alongside skylines and other bold images. Mixing and matching your prints oozes an eclectic, fun summer vibe.
It’s nice to see the return of flirty and feminine swimsuits – ruffles, checks, bows and hot pinks come as standard at the beach this season. Ruffles are also super flattering for curvy frames as they highlight silhouettes in all the right places. Expect to find pink neon crochet too, combing girly trends as well as a tick in the bold and brights box.
With style and function the classic convertible bandeau is great for switching from water sports activities to bathing without the fear of tan lines. Again, reflecting some of the other season’s trends: muted greens paired with green crochet fabric makes an appearance as well as baby blue girly bows, lending a sweet touch to classic bikini cuts, alongside, the all American red, white and blue one-pieces.
Of course, boho wouldn’t be boho without the tie-dye! Make sure a tie-dye bikini is at the top of your packing list this summer. They are making an appearance in all the classic bikini shapes, so mix it up a little with lots of light floaty layers.
Mosaic prints are in vogue at the moment, so getting your hands on one of these bikinis will definitely help you to stand out on the beach this summer in all the right ways. We love a mosaic print as an alternative to the florals that we saw during Spring/Summer 2012.
If you’re after original, keep an eye out for side cutouts in tribal prints – this cut lets you show a bit of skin whilst keeping to the silhouette of a traditional one piece. If you want to tone the hippy vibe down a little, opt for a classic strappy cut in mosaic prints.
Author Bio:
Article written by Faria Ahmad, Ecommerce Executive at heidi klein. heidi klein is the one-stop destination holiday shop offering the perfect holiday wardrobe from luxury swimwear to designer kaftans and maxi dresses.
A hotel in Washington DC, USA is planning the ultimate in hotel stays for the political animal who really has everything. For just $47,000, you’ll get a personalised tour of the city, with 22 of your closest friends, a couple’s massage, a private car and driver and the piece de resistance, oh and a dedicated social media butler. All in the luxurious surrounds of The Madison Hotel.
Victoria Devine of Anchor Media will take charge of all your pinning, tweeting, instagramming and facebooking needs and ‘chronicle your inaugural experience so your friends and family can follow your adventures.’ You have the choice of Victoria trailing you on your inaugural weekend, or you can simply give her your details so she can post directly. However she says she’s not really sure what format it will take, whether she’ll need to come up with witty tweets on the spot, or if she’s allowed think about it for a while.
The full package is as follows:
Four night stay in one of The Madison’s Presidential Suites
Dedicated Social Media Butler, Anchor Media’s Victoria Devine to chronicle your Inaugural experience so your friends and family can follow your adventures on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. The Social Media Butler will post on all of your accounts so you don’t have to fumble for your phone to catch that perfect Facebook profile picture!
Private Presidential Inauguration tour for you and 22 of your friends. Listen to the stories and see the scenes of past Presidential Inaugurations, with stops for photos at the south side of the White House, the East side of the Capitol, and the memorials of President Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War memorials, and Arlington Cemetery with a visit to the John F. Kennedy gravesites. This tour is created exclusively by Cultural Tourism DC
A $5,000 shopping experience at Brooks Brothers to perfect your town and country wardrobe
Personal town car and driver for the length of stay at The Madison and to Lansdowne on January 22
Once at Lansdowne, our guest will experience their signature Presidential Treatment which includes:
Accommodations in one of Lansdowne’s Presidential Suites
Every week we look for hotels with a twist so you can have a night less ordinary. We go around the world to find the most beautiful, weird and wonderful hotels from nights in a cave to sleeping in a converted prison, expect the unexpected. This week, it’s a hotel with no reception, no room keys and, eh, no locks on the doors at the Blow Up Hall 5050 Hotel.
The Blow Up Hall 505o Hotel in Poznan, Poland,is one with a difference. We know we say that a lot, but trust us on this one. Entirely decked out in black and white, and taking its style inspiration from the 60s cult film Blow Up, it’s an old brewery transformed into hotel/shopping centre/art gallery.
What’s the gimmick? Where do we start? The interactive hotel’s 22 rooms are decked out in the finest in artistic experimentation. Guests are given an iPhone on arrival, so instead of meeting a friendly receptionist, the device guides them to their room and gives information on the local area. Oh and there are no room numbers, the iPhone looks after that too.
Why stay? The hotel is really an eyeful, in a good way. The monochrome décor is cool, while the trendy bar is a hotspot for hipster locals and visitors alike. The black lift, lack of room numbers and complete commitment to technology means this is one for the super cool amongst us.
Ever come back from holiday only to discover that you’ve left behind your favourite book, mobile phone or even your credit card at the hotel?? What about your prosthetic leg? Did you leave that too? You may be shocked, but that is one of these 10weird things found in hotels Check the list to find out more..
1. Marriage License
What a way to start a marriage! The important new document was found by the cleaning staff in the Hyatt Regency Columbus. The certificate was quickly returned to the newlyweds. No word as to whether the pair has since left their wedding rings behind.
2. License Plate
In one of the rooms in Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa, in Goat Island, the maid came across a Connecticut license plate, which surprisingly, none of the guests ever attempted to reclaim.
3. False Teeth
The famous golf resort Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale has discovered a set of false teeth, while cleaning a guest-room bathroom. Luckily, the hotel was able to overnight the dentures back to their embarrassed owner.
4. A Wig
The next most common items left behind after false teeth are wigs. Not necessarily strange, though it does make you wonder how someone can forget something so crucial behind, especially if they checked in the mirror before leaving.
5. Prosthetic Legs
Socks and shoes are one thing to leave behind but an entire leg is a whole different story. Such was the case for one hotel staff member at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Quebec, who found the prosthetic limb after checking underneath one of the hotel beds.
6. A Shark
If you thought finding a tiger in your bathroom, a la Hangover was crazy, try finding a shark in your bathtub. That’s the surprise hotel cleaners at The Tivoli Marina Vilamoura in the Algarve faced when they found a weakened shark in one of the room’s bathtubs — swimming in tap water when it was in desperate need of salt water.
7. 6K in Cold Hard Cash
Leaving a tip for house cleaning is a customary practice. Leaving a zippered bag filled with $6,000 in cash? Not so much. Still, the exorbitant find by Jeanne Mydil, a house keeper at the Miami International Airport Hotel, wasn’t enough to tempt the mother of three. Mydil returned the money to her employers who then returned it to a missionary group.
8. A Bird
The Gran Hotel Bahia del Duque hotel in Tenerife once found a caged cockatoo in a room. The owners subsequently asked for it to be flown back to them in a private jet. Which makes you wonder: if they cared that much for it, why forget it in the first place?
9. Expensive car keys
Leaving car keys behind seems to be another common occurrence – but when you drive a Ferrari, it’s inexcusable. At the Hesperia Tower hotel in Barcelona a guest left behind the keys to their Ferrari Testarossa. Upon finding them the staff ran to the parking lot to check if the car was still there – it wasn’t It’s anyone’s guess how the guest got away without his car keys.
10. A baby
Forgetting your pet might be forgivable even if it happens to be a horse, but your own toddling flesh and blood? A forgotten baby earns the number one weirdest thing to forget in a hotel room title. In this instance it was a couple with way too much luggage who had to leave in separate taxis – a classic case of “But I thought you had the kid!?!”
From Wendy houses to dens made from fresh laundry, childhood lodgings required big imaginations. However, the latest trend in the hotel industry is set to turn these youthful dreams into a reality. Enter the tree house hotel; a marriage of the unique and the familiar, returning us to treasured childhood memories and allowing us to indulge in our adventurous side. And with many creeping up on the five star mark – who said luxury was limited only inside four walls?
No longer solely occupied by young boys and Ewoks, tree houses now offer audacious travellers an experience, which stands apart, particularly in an age of roadside hotel chains and Mediterranean high-rise apartment buildings. So, forget the stale continental breakfast and stark, inpersonal room and opt instead for a treetop retreat. Here’s our pick of the best tree house hotels around the world – go ahead, branch out…
Tsala Treetop Lodge
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
The impressive Tsala Treetop Lodge has ten secluded stone-and-glass lodge suites, with breathtakingly views of the lush Tsitsikamma Forests, extending across rolling valleys towards distant hills. Decorated in an Afro-baroque style, the Lodge boasts floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows, a log fireplace in the living room, a private deck and an infinity-edge pool. The décor appears to emulate the monumental ruins of an ancient central African civilisation, with earthy colours, rich textures and handcrafted fittings. In fact, the entire Lodge mimics the diverse cultures of Africa, from the exotically appointed dining room to the intimate glassed-in lounge, or the large open decks high above the forest floor.
Cedar Creek Treehouse
Ashford, Washington
After climbing up a winding stairwell, reaching 50-feet up in the air in a centuries-old Western Red Cedar tree, you will discover the Cedar Creek Treehouse. Bordering Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cedar Creek boasts stunning views, which are even greater when seen from the recently added observatory – 100 feet up a nearby fir tree – which looks out on magnificent Mount Rainier. The tree house features sleeping space for five, a kitchen, and an observation deck with indoor hammock. A night in the cabin includes a tour of other structures on the property, including the “Stairway to Heaven,” “Rainbow Bridge,” and the glass-enclosed observatory.
Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel Brazilian Amazon
Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel is one of the largest commercial tree house hotels in the world. The eco-friendly Hotel was built in 1987 by Dr. Francisco Ritta Bernardino under the inspiration of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, who made it his quest to preserve the fragility of the magical Amazon Jungle. Located around 35 miles from the Amazon gateway city of Manaus, accommodations include the President Lula ‘Tarzan House’, built at canopy level with its own private balcony, plunge pool, and Jacuzzi and on site are two 150-foot-high observation towers, offering clear views of the jungle. While staying, why not take the chance to navigate your way round the Amazon River, swim with rare pink dolphins and trek through the rainforest?
Tranquil Resort
Wayanad, Kerala, India
Tranquil Resort islocated in southern India on a private 400-acre estate, complete with a working coffee and vanilla plantation. The main lodge and its eight well-appointed rooms occupy the Kerala rainforest, a supreme spot in which to place the 500-square-foot tree house. Built from coffee wood and equipped with a king-size bed, a full bath, veranda, and the trunk of a flowering Royal Poinciana growing through the bedroom, the Tranquil Resort tree house is a peaceful escape in stunning surroundings.
Hinchinbrook Island Resort
Hinchinbrook Island, Australia
This 96-acre national park presents idyllic beauty, with lush rainforests, rugged mountains, and untouched sandy beaches. The Wilderness Lodge, a secluded oasis hideaway with 15 roomy timber tree top bungalows, complements the natural environment of the Island. Each tree house has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, its own small kitchen, a private balcony and a bath tub for extra relaxation. Easy beachfront access means exploring one of the island’s eleven secluded beaches has never been easier, while in the evenings guests are welcomed to relax at the Wilderness Lodge bar.
Tree House Lodge
Limón, Costa Rica
The 10-acre beachfront property, located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, features a sustainably built tree house composed of fallen trees. Built upon tall stilts, submerged by the forest, the house is reached via a sloped wooden suspension bridge leading to its front door. Inside it’s split level: upstairs, a double king size bed and a small ensuite toilet; downstairs, a second double bed, a single bed and a kitchen. Why not snorkel or kayak off the nearby Punta Uva Beach during your stay?
Maravu Plantation
Matei, Fiji
Maravu, which sits on Fiji’s 168-square-mile Taveuni Island, features a tree house built in an ancient rain tree, enjoying panoramic views of the sapphire South Pacific. Inside the bring-you-back-to-childhood house are a myriad of creature comforts, including leather and palm-wood furniture and an outdoor courtyard with an open-air shower and Jacuzzi pool. While staying, guests can relax at the resort’s spa with a massage or a hydrating coconut scrub, or explore nearby Bouma National Heritage Park’s pristine rainforest and 65-foot waterfalls.
Alnwick Gardens
Surrounded by the vibrant, lush Alnwick Gardens is a colossal tree house – the Alnwick Treehouse. The garden, created by celebrated garden designers’, Jacques and Peter Wirtz, has a beautiful landscape that includes England’s largest collection of European plants. The tree house itself complements its environement and serves as a restaurant as well as an activities centre. If you don’t feel like spending then night, the restaurant is open for meals throughout the day and serves organic and local meat and fish, as well as offering performances of live music.
