Have you booked for your next holidays in Spain? In case you already have there are certain things that you have to deal with before your arrival. Before you start planning on what to take with you, follow our top 3+1 tips that might save you a great deal of inconvenience when roaming around the sunny shores and cities of Spain.
It can often be hard to try and do all the things we want to do and see all the places we want to, especially if it means organizing travel plans with friends. There’s only one thing for it sometimes – travelling alone. For women, sometimes we’re even more hesitant to venture out on our own on a solo adventure. Some of us might be a bit scared that it’s not safe while others don’t know what they would do alone or don’t know where they would go. But really travelling solo is not as hard as you think once you’ve taken that first step and travelling solo can give you a new found sense of freedom, strength and thirst for adventure that you never had before. In this guide Purple Travel gives you the low-down on places you can go for solo female travel where you’ll feel safe and secure on your own.
We love to take a look at some of the best, weirdest and most wonderful hotels in the world. A night less ordinary is all about hotels with an extra special something, like a revolving roof, a night with giraffes or a panda themed hotel. This week, we take a look at the Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro home to the England World Cup Squad at least on a temporary basis!
The basics: As you read this, the England squad is already ensconced in the Royal Tulip Hotel on the Sao Conrado Beach in Rio de Janeiro in preparation for the 2014 World Cup kicking off on June 12th. The hotel can host up to 3,000 guests in a variety of rooms. There are 418 apartments boasting private balconies, with sea or mountain views. The outdoor pool will probably be more use than the bar, as will the two tennis courts, gym and sauna.
The WOW factor: Superstars like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney are already enjoying the luxurious rooms at the hotel which finished a multimillion pound revamp just in time for the arrival of the England squad for the World Cup. Its reported the FA has asked for a dedicated games room with three TVs so the team can watch its potential opponents in all the group games. The hotel’s manager George Durante, told the Mirror that the 64 rooms that are home to the team for the next few weeks have brand new furniture, beds, floors, balconies and air -conditioning. Sounds like the team has everything they need to win the Brazil World Cup 2014! 
Details: Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro Av Aquarela do Brasil – 75, 22610010, Rio de Janeiro. See Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro reviews on TripAdvisor here. Rooms from €150.27 per day. 
For something really special, why not enjoy a night less ordinary. We scour the world to find the most amazing and unusual hotels all over the world. Whether you’re interested in a night with some giraffes, or you want to pretend to be James Bond for one night only, we’ve got you covered. This week, a revolving hotel room. Enjoy a night less ordinary at the Marmara Hotel, Antalya.
The WOW factor: The Revolving Loft Room. It’s the extra special touch that we thought made the Marmara Antalya worth featuring in our series of great hotels. 24 rooms are built into the revolving roof of the hotel give you a view that changes by the hour. A full revolution soaking in every view takes seven hours, just don’t blame us if you never want to leave! Soak up the atmosphere as you gaze across the sparkling water of the Mediterranean and the breathtaking views of the Bey Mountain range.
Our weekly series: A Night Less Ordinary is all about finding the most weird and wonderful hotels all over the world. From a James Bond hotel room, to sleeping underwater expect the unexpected. This week, we take a step back in time for a night on a cabin in the Jane Hotel New York.
What’s the gimmick? Lovingly renovated, the Jane Hotel’s rooms are themed around the cabins on a ship, complete with galley style bunk bed rooms, brass fittings, warm colours and big mirrors, storage under over beds and buckets of bohemian history. A stay in the Jane Hotel, with its retro-uniformed staff and period design is filled with character and one that makes the most of the NYC experience.
Want to know a little more about the weirdest tours ever? Every week, we take to twitter to get some cool info about cheap holidays, travel, things to do and gadgets as part of #TTOT. We submitted a question this week and couldn’t believe some of the replies! Burlesque shows, toilet tours and leaf peeping… Find out more in our Travel Talk on Tuesday Storify of weird tours and activities and add your own in comments below! In the meantime you can learn all about the Travel Talk on Twitter community here.
Our weekly series: A Night Less Ordinary is all about finding the most weird and wonderful hotels all over the world. From a James Bond hotel room, to sleeping underwater expect the unexpected. This week, we have a night less ordinary at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya.
The WOW factor? The Giraffe Manor which is part of the Tamimi Group lets you get as close to a giraffe as you’re ever likely to get in your life. The Manor is a luxury hotel with its own herd of Rothschild Giraffe who wander around the property, nudging at your breakfast and generally being super cool new friends. The nature trail around the hotel goes through forests and dry lands and as well as giraffes it’s a natural habitat for warthogs, hyenas, different species of birds and every so often a leopard, so you’ll get up close and personal with all kinds of animals.
Find out more about the most amazing hotels around the world with Purple Travel. We travel the world to find the most night less ordinary. Whether it’s sleeping in a fox hotel, or in a Marie Antoinette themed room, we want to give you a look at some of the weirdest but most wonderful hotels in the world. This week, indulge in debauchery in the Rockstar Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana.
What’s the gimmick? Everyone knows those stories about celebs living it up in hotel rooms, whether it’s bathing in champagne, chucking TVs or rocking out in your room. This hotel offers that by the bucket load. Channel your inner Mick Jagger or Courtney Love with a guitar room service, sprawling terrace with spa, or in-room bar. This Rockstar Hotel Room is one to get excited about.
Why stay? This is much more than your average hotel room. Complete with a dedicated butler surround sounds, a fully stocked bar, a hangover kit, a baby grand piano and a guitar “room service”, you can live it up in style without even having to leave your suite. If you do decide to explore outdoors, you’ll get a chance to visit the Rock Spa, onsite Casino, and exquisite restaurants and bars.
The WOW factor! Not only is this hotel about rockstar living, but it regular attracts rock stars for you to rub shoulders with! Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, Fabolous and Juanes are just some of the celebs who’ve visited recently.
You should read… A night less ordinary: Hamster Hotel
All images via @ Hard Rock Hotel & Facebook.
Find out more about the most amazing hotels around the world with Purple Travel. We take a look at a night less ordinary, whether it’s sleeping in a fox hotel, or in a silver mine, we want to give you a look at some of the weirdest but most wonderful hotels in the world. This week, a delight for that special lady in your life, let her eat cake at the Marie Antoinette Suite Paris in the Hotel 7 in Paris.
What’s the gimmick? Have a little taste of the Palace of Versailles at this incredible Marie Antoinette Suite Paris. Created with the indulgence of aristocracy at the French Court it has every luxury you can imagine and creates the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable weekend away in the City of Lights.
Why stay? Featuring a clawfoot hot tub, canopy bed and a voluptuous lounge, it’s made for fun and games and a feeling of utter decadence.
All images via @ www.sevenhotelparis.com
The WOW factor! Really, a themed hotel in the heart of Paris, built for heavenly levels of extravagance make for a perfect dirty weekend. If you feel like spoiling someone special check out the Marie Antoinette Suite Paris at the Hotel 7.
Prices start from 367€ per night.
See what it looks like in this video:
Read more: A night less ordinary Hamster Hotel
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.
All images via @ Xdachez.com
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.
Prices start from £250 per person