Affordable Istanbul Find: Hotel Ada information

In 2006, retired chemistry professor Dr. Dogan Sumengen and his wife opened up Hotel Ada in the heart of Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s old city. My fiancé Josh and I stayed there on our most recent trip. Even in June, the peak of the high season, room rates were very affordable (starting at $83 a night), and the hotel couldn’t have had a better location—a five minute walk to the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofia, and a ten minute walk to Topkapi Palace.

Room interiors were sparse—the highlight being a large Jacuzzi, curiously placed alongside a desk in the bedroom—but any lack of décor was made up by the incredible view. Colorful row houses and cobblestone streets zigzagged down a slope to the Sea of Marmara, where ships spread out over the endless blue. We were right next to a Mosque, so the call to prayer was a part of our daily experience, as it is all over Istanbul.

Best of all, the inn owners were incredibly gracious. Not only did they get out maps and help us plan our daily city schedule, but they also served a scrumptious complimentary breakfast—fresh fruit and dried apricots and figs, yogurt, granola, and honey, cheeses and meats, simit, or sesame bread rings, and French press coffee, Turkish tea, and more.

There was complimentary Wi-Fi, and Dr. Sumengen was very enthusiastic about a Skype line he had recently set up, and encouraged us to use it free of charge whenever we needed to. When we left Hotel Ada for another, high-end hotel, Dr. Sumengen and his wife gave us parting gifts and invited us back for breakfast the next day. We would have taken them up on their offer, if our travel schedule had allowed it. It’s one of those lovely places where you get so much more out of the experience than you expected to, you feel like you’re leaving a family you’ll see again in the near future.

A Street Food Upgrade in LA

This summer, I've been on the lookout for exotic and far-flung experiences within the U.S. And I have another find for you, dear reader: the casual new Los Angeles restaurant Street, where chef Susan Feniger serves up dishes inspired by the food at casual stalls and markets around the globe. (You may know her cooking from LA restaurants Ciudad and Border Grill, but this is her first solo venture.)

When I first visited Street in July, just three months after it opened, I tried the kaya toast (a Singaporean variation on grilled cheese, topped with a soft-boiled egg), paani puri (spiced potato and beans in a puff of dough), Thai bites (baby collared greens with toasted coconut and dried shrimp), and the delectable mung bean pancake (a Korean-style dish with anise-glazed pork belly, scallions, and kimchi). Next time: Catalonian pan-seared striped bass and Turkish doughnuts! And you can't miss the transportation-themed wall murals by London-based design duo Huntley Muir.

But of course, don't stop at dinner. The perfect complement to Street is a late-night movie at the ArcLight Hollywood theater, inside the iconic 1963 Cinerama Dome building just a few blocks away. And for more fun ideas in the City of Angels, go to T+L's Los Angeles destination guide, co-written by yours truly.

Retro-Cool Motel in Dallas

Our photographers are so terrific. They often give us great ideas, because they are inveterate travelers themselves. Recently we sent a new contributor, Peter Frank Edwards, to Dallas to shoot a story for us. His partner, Sandy Lang, accompanied him. Not only did they produce a beautiful shoot (which you will see in our November '09 issue), they also gave me a great tip on a cool affordable motel they found:

Whenever we're in Austin we get to the Hotel San Jose (to stay or for drinks), so wanted to try the Belmont, which is managed by the same company. The Belmont is also a revamped 1940s-50s motor court, with the same kind of retro coolness. Instead of cars parked in front of rooms, there are walking paths and gardens, and the former carports are arranged with patio chairs.

The paint is fresh, the furniture spare and modern, with an airy check-in counter for guests. The exterior is bright white stucco and there's a pool, health club, bar and café... the adjacent Cliff restaurant is being remodeled (it will re-open this fall). One night, there was a good crowd for an opening art reception in the café; and the day we left, there was to be a pool party with Texas barbecue and a rockabilly band.

Trip for Luxe Caribbean Resorts

When you want the perfect view, the best golf course, the gaggle of nannies to take care of the kids, and luxurious touches everywhere you look, including plasma tv's, plunge pools and indoor/outdoor living spaces, look no further than these resorts and villas. If it's good enough for the creator of James Bond, it'll probably do.

What is Boutique hotel?

Boutique hotel is a term popularised in North America and the United Kingdom to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing personalized accommodation and services / facilities.
Despite this definition, the popularity of the boutique term and concept has led to some confusion about the term. Boutique hotels have typically been unique properties operated by individuals or companies with a small collection. However, their successes have prompted multi-national hotel companies to try to establish their own brands in order to capture a market share.^[2] The most notable example is Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide's W Hotels, ranging from large boutique hotels, such as the W Union Square NY, to the W 'boutique resorts' in the Maldives, to true luxury boutique hotel collections, such as the Bulgari collection, SLS Hotels, Thompson Hotels, Joie De Vie hotels,The Keating Hotel, and O Hotel, among many others.

Golden Nugget Hotel with Casino

Hotel Description
1,915 rooms, 22 floors

This classic fixture of downtown Las Vegas since 1946 has undergone a complete renovation. It has kept it's clssic charm, while adding many new modern ammenities and features. It is located in the heart of the Fremont Street Experience, and is approximately six miles from McCarran International Airport. The hotel is home to the Hand of Faith, the largest gold nugget on display, weighing over 61 pounds.

The Tank is a year-round, three story outdoor swimming pool complete with a live shark aquarium, private cabanas, water slide, and bar. The hotel's 45,000 square-foot casino offers blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, slot and video poker machines, race and sports book, and a poker room. Live entertainment in the showroom includes Gordie Brown and other headline shows. Dining options include Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse, Lillie's Noodle House, the Grotto, the Buffet at the Golden Nugget, Carson Street Cafe, and a Starbucks. Drinks are served at Claude's Bar, and the International Beer Bar. The Golden Nugget Spa offers massages, a beauty salon, fitness center, saunas, tanning rooms, and whirlpools. Other amenities include a gift shop, golf and tennis arrangements, tour assistance, laundry service, dry cleaning, and valet parking.
Hotel Amenities (Additional fees may apply to some amenities)

* Swimming Pool
* Non-Smoking
* Parking
* Restaurant On Site
* High-Speed Internet
* Room Service
* Hot Tub
* Fitness Facility
* Gambling Facilities
* Dry Cleaning/Laundry

* Golf Course
* Spa
* Business Center
* Convention Center
* Meeting Rooms
* Interior Corridors
* Wheelchair Accessible



All 1,907 newly renovated guest rooms have safes, high-speed Internet access, armories, marble bathrooms, and cable TV.

The Willard InterContinental — Washington, DC,

shining jewel in the heart of Washington DC, the Willard InterContinental Hotel gracefully blends tradition and luxury with contemporary amenities and service. Offering a superb location, extensive meeting facilities, and elegant private and public space, the Willard ranks among the world's great historic hotels.

The Willard Hotel combines a majestic decor with all the features expected by today's business and leisure travelers. This award-winning grand landmark offers wireless high speed Internet in all guest rooms and public areas, gift shop, business center and fitness center.

The I Spa at the Willard provides guests with a rejuvenating world class spa experience. Enjoy sumptuous fine dining in the prestigious Willard Room, or casual dining in Cafe 1401 followed by a specialty drink and dessert at the Round Robin Bar. New in 2007 - Cafe du Parc!

The Betsy Hotel,Miami

The Betsy Hotel provides a fitness center with a complete set of equipment for your workout regimen. State-of-the-art cardio equipment features integrated televisions with complementary headphones as well as a full weight-training area.
Spa Facility
Located in a unique rooftop solarium with views of the Atlantic, The Spa offers a carefully selected range of services for guests. Three cabanas allow for personalized spa treatments, providing the perfect sanctuary for total relaxation and rejuvenation. The Betsy Hotel offer a variety of luxurious hydrating facials and pampering body treatments, as well as a choice of healing and rejuvenating massage therapies.
Beach
The Betsy Hotel's beach experience is what every trip to the shore should be and what only an Ocean Drive beachfront boutique hotel can truly provide.

Park Hyatt Sydney — NSW, Australia

In 2004, Park Hyatt Sydney completed its most significant undertaking since opening, with the appointment of newly designed hotel rooms. In line with the select brand of Park Hyatt's worldwide, the direction is an uncluttered timeless style with a strong local flavour honouring the hotel's superb position on Sydney Harbour.

Park Hyatt Sydney offers a sanctuary of privacy and refined unobtrusive service with most of the hotel's 158 guestrooms enjoying private balconies with views overlooking Sydney's spectacular harbour, Opera House and/or Harbour Bridge.

The hotel has an elegant spa, rooftop terrace and pool, a selection of six function areas with seating capacity for up to 150 as well as a hotel business centre featuring a separate boardroom for 12. Whether it be a rooftop wedding, conference, board meeting or product launch, the attention to detail and specialised service of the Park Hyatt Sydney's banqueting and catering staff will ensure that your event is an outstanding success and one that will be remembered by your guests.

The hotel's chic Tony Chi designed restaurant harbour kitchen & bar, takes in the fabulous view of Sydney Harbour through floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors that create a light and airy environment where you can actually hear the water lapping and see the food being prepared by the hotel's executive chef Danny Drinkwater.

Park Hyatt Sydney has two bars, harbourbar, known as much for its fabulous Sydney views as it is for its martinis, champagnes and boutique beers on tap as well as the hotel's more traditional Club Bar offering a warm atmosphere with an open fire, cognacs, whiskies and a Cuban cigar humidor.

Boutique

A boutique, from the French word for "shop," is a small shopping outlet, especially one that specializes in elite and fashionable items such as clothing and jewellery.

The term entered into everyday English use in the late 1960s when, for a brief period, London, UK was the centre of the fashion trade. Carnaby Street and the Kings Road were the focus of much media attention as home to the most fashionable boutiques of the era.

It can also refer to a specialised firm such as a boutique investment bank or boutique law firm. The word is often used to describe a property in the independent section of the hotel market (such as The Rockwell in London) in order to distinguish themselves from larger chains (such as Hilton Hotels). In such cases the idea is that the operation is elite and highly specialised.

My Photo's

Certified from FORTE GRAND, Dubai

MOHAMMAD INAAMULLAH


How To Improve Your Supervising and Leadership Skills
In organizations we must work with and for others. To be able to mutually achieve our goals we must be able to relate to others effectively. These ideas will help you be a better supervisor and leader.
Catch people doing things right and then let them know that they are doing things right.
Use feedback to stay informed about what other people are doing in your area of responsibility and authority.
Have regular, focused meetings regarding the projects that you are responsible for.
Provide adequate instructions. Time is lost if things are not done correctly.
Train others to do jobs. You cannot do them all, nor can others do them if they have not been trained.
Expect others to succeed. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when you believe others are loyal, dedicated and doing a good job.
Help others see how they will benefit from doing a job. This is when they truly become motivated.
Do not avoid talking to a poor performer. It hurts them, the organization and yourself if the situation is not dealt with.
Do not over control others. It is frustrating for them and time consuming for you.
Focus on results, not on activities or personalities.
Reward people for the results that they produce.
Manage by walking around. See what people are doing and listen to what they have to say.
Make quality an obsession, especially on smaller items.
Send thank you notes and memos.
Provide workers with open, direct, and immediate feedback on their actual performance as compared to expected performance and they tend to correct their own deficiencies.
Practice naive listening. Don't talk, just let people explain why they are doing the types of things that they are doing. You will learn many things.
Manage by exception. When things are going well, leave them alone. When a problem occurs, then help.
Never seek to place blame. Always focus on the problem.
Never ignore a concern of one of your people. While it may seem trivial to you, to the other person it is a problem that will continue to destroy their train of thought.
Make it a personal rule and a challenge to respond to someone within 24 hours of hearing their request.
Keep memos on bulletin boards to a minimum. People will spend less time standing there reading.
Give employees an opportunity to speak their opinions and suggestions without fear of ridicule or reprisal.
When you are going to make a change that affects others, get them involved before making the actual change. This increases commitment to make the change work after it is implemented.
Put key ideas on small posters to hang around the office.
When the environment and your sincerity permit, give the person a hug or a touch.
Employees are the only organization resource that can, with training, appreciate in value. All other resources depreciate.
People want to be involved in something important. Give them a whole project or a significant piece of the project to work on.
Have salary tied into performance appraisal and accomplishing of objectives.
Consider sharing distasteful tasks to reduce resentment and hard feelings.
Ask, "Will you please do this for me" instead of telling someone just to do it.
Eliminate private secretaries in favor of shared secretaries in order to make it easier to even out the work load.
If you give employees a basic employee handbook, you will not be interrupted with their questions.
Pay attention to small details, the big ones are obvious and get taken care of.
Stay open in your thinking. Be open to all new ideas. Do this and you will not be setting up barriers that do not exist.
Avoid asking others to do trivial personal items for you.
Say thank you to those with whom you associate.
A warm smile and strong handshake break barriers.
Smile. It helps you feel better and is contagious. The whole organization shudders when the boss is frowning. Likewise it smiles when the boss does.
Keep things "light" and have fun rather than being too serious. Seriousness blocks productivity.
In order to fly with the eagles you must "think lightly."
Work with each person to create standard operating procedures for their specific job. It will eliminate repetitious questions.
Let people know why they are doing something. It then becomes more meaningful when they recognize their part in a greater vision.
Provide soft, lively background music not slow and not rock.
To get a disorganized coffee drinking crew started off more efficiently, begin each day with a 5 to 10 minute meeting just at starting time. They will be focused, set in the right direction and can get right to work.
Practice the golden rule in business: Do unto others the way you would have them do unto you. Fairness will then be in your business.
Practice the platinum rule in interpersonal relationships. It is "Do unto others, the way they want to be done unto." They will be more apt to stay comfortable when interacting with us when we are able to do things their preferred way.
Get others to commit to deadlines by asking, "When can you have that for me?"
Nail down commitment by asking, "Do I have your word that you will have that for me then?"
Set the stage for cooperation from others by:1) Introducing the idea; 2) Continual stimulation by talking about it; and 3) get others to make an investment by having them participate in the planning.
If you are unable to reach agreement or get a commitment from another person in a meeting, agree to disagree, but summarize your understanding in a confirming memo.
Giving people recognition generates energy within them. They will then direct that energy toward increased productivity.
Tap the potential of those working for you by giving them opportunities to think things through for themselves instead of just telling them how to do something.
Always give people the benefit of the doubt. They may not be the cause of a problem. The cause may be beyond their control.
Admit it when you do not know the answer to a question posed by a staff member. Then challenge the staff person to research and decide what the best answer is. It will help this person grow.
Be persistent and follow up.
When you were away and some of your people did an exceptional job, call them at home in the evening when you find out and personally thank them for what they did instead of waiting until the next time you see them.
If you know that a person will respond angrily to a particular comment, avoid bringing it up. It is nonproductive and bad for the relationship. In other words, "never kick a skunk."
When you appreciate what someone has done, let them know and put it in writing. This can then be added to their personnel file.
Have an opinion survey done to determine how people view the organization. That way you can catch any problems while they are still small.
Encourage periods of uninterrupted activity such as a daily quiet hour in your department or work group.
When asking someone to do something, let them know what is in it for them and the organization. Do not focus just on what is in it for the organization and yourself.
The boss is the strongest model the employees have. Be a positive model as people are watching to see how you behave. They will reflect this in their own behavior. Lead by example.
Be a member of the 4 F club with others. Be seen as Fair, Firm, Friendly and having Foresight.
Do not help others unless they need and ask for help.
Encourage your people to come up with new ideas and ways to do things. Give them credit and recognition for the idea.
If a new idea won't work, at least praise the effort of the person so they will come up with future ideas.
Once a month meet with each staff member to catch any problems or concerns the person may have as soon as possible before they become a crisis.
Be the kind of a person that others want to help out and work for.
Be flexible and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Remember it is results that count, not activities.
Generally speaking, getting something done perfectly is usually not as important as getting it done. Perfection has a high cost and it may not be worth it.
When giving or receiving information, don't hurry. Take the time needed to truly understand. It prevents future problems and misunderstandings.
Whenever you are having an important discussion with a person, before parting, set a specific follow-up date and time and write it in your calendar.
Never criticize an employee in front of others. Have all discussions of a corrective nature in private.
Hire people with specific skills and interests that match what the organization needs to have accomplished. The better the match, the better the productivity and the more motivated the person.
Treat people as people-not things.
Flaring in anger will drive others away. If not physically at least mentally,
Keep a "warm fuzzy" file for each person a place to keep track of the things you have already complimented them for, and want to compliment them for.
Have regular performance review and goal setting sessions with each of your employees at least every three months.
Have regular "development discussions" with each of your people in which you discuss only how the individual may grow personally and how you and the organization may be able to support them in doing this.
Low morale in workers may be an indication of the boss only talking about negative things or what's wrong. Be sure to balance negative comments with more frequent positive comments.
Let your people know you are there to help them not to harass them.
Telling people what you plan to do, and when, can be a catalyst for getting objections and input which you might not otherwise receive.
Form an action team to address people's problems right away rather than letting things drag out and perhaps get worse.
Instead of saying to another, "What can I do for you?" ask them "What can you do for me on this project?"
Do not hold back from discussing the need to improve performance with one of your people.
Encourage others to develop their plan of action and give you a detailed explanation.
Encourage individuals to compete against themselves to achieve more. Let it be a personal challenge to become better as an individual-not competing with others but self.
Check the ratio of positive comments to negative comments that you make to your people. Purposely make more positive comments.
Demand accountability.
Do things for others. They will be more willing to do things for you.
Consider using time off as a reward for getting things done ahead of time.
Set up an orientation training program for all new employees. It will help them learn their way around as well as teach them where things are kept and why.
Stay informed of subordinates' needs and interests. Projects can be more effectively designed and rotated when you are well informed.
If individuals needs some encouragement in taking action, ask them, "What if..." questions to help them see what choices of action are available.
Let people know that you know they can do it.
Ask questions creatively so the action to be taken is suggested by the person who is to take it.
Set up incentives that reward desired performance.
Ask others for their estimate of how long it will take to do a project. When possible, agree and hold them accountable for that goal.
Take on someone else's routine so they can do what you need done without interruption.
Just as with family members, break large chores up into small, fun activities and enjoy doing them with team members.
Before an employee leaves on vacation agree on a "must do" list of activities to be completed.
Do not be quick to judge others. Learn to listen carefully before coming to conclusions.
Consider sharing ideas and responsibility with others rather than just getting someone to do it for you or just doing it yourself.
Inspire others to new levels of achievement by using positive encouraging feedback and ideas.
Don't just ask someone who is busy to get things done for you; look for the busy person who is getting results. This is a doer, not simply a busy wheel spinner.
Believe in the good of people.
Do not be a "baby sitter" of others, constantly taking care of them and telling them what to do. Challenge them and help them learn to think and do things for themselves.
Consider an incentive plan to reward productivity gains.
Don't do what you can get someone else to do by simply asking.
Clearly communicate who you want to do what, by when and at what cost. Then identify who needs to know about it and when they are to be informed.
For people you relate to regularly, keep a list of things you need to talk to the person about. Then when you meet with or call them, you can review all the items that have accumulated on your list.
Recognize you are not the only one who can do a job right. Trust others to do things for you.
Organize, deputize, supervise.
Meditate for one minute before starting a new subject or project.
Don't worry about who gets the credit for completing a project. Focus on the task to be accomplished and do it.
When credit is given to you for completion of a project, be sure to give it to all who were involved. This will nurture the relationships and provide motivation to support you in the future.
Be sincerely interested in the people working for and with you.
Help others recognize their own importance.
Keep a list of birthdays, marriage and work anniversaries and other special dates. Provide recognition to your people on each of these dates. Mark your calendar prior to the actual date so you have time to prepare for it.

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL COOKERY

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL COOKERY
The cost per year of R18 400.00* includes:
• Annual Tuition and Examination Fees
• Textbooks and National Qualification workbook
• Personal Equipment – i.e. knives (1st year only)
• Student Diary
• Tutorial uniform shirts
OR The cost per year of R22 000.00* includes:
• Annual Tuition and Exam Fees
• Textbooks and National Qualification workbook
• Personal Equipment – i.e. knives (1st year only)
• Two Culinary Workshops
• Student Diary
• Tutorial Uniform shirts

First Aid Kit/Bag,

Before you pack a first aid kit/bag, it helps to look for a sturdy well-built bag that can handle the riggers it will be put through. A bag that has a water-proof pouch provides the added benefit of keeping liquid items from accidentally spilling on other contents in the bag or leaking.

• A first aid manual may have tips to help deal with common illnesses and minor emergencies.
• A pair of scissors, tweezers, nail clipper and file can help with splinters, broken nails, and other minor problems if you are flying. For a handy travel kit go to Kids Travel Products First Aid Products.
• If travelling with an EpiPen see Travel Tips - Children with Severe Allergies for tips on flying.
• Bandages of assorted sizes, including compression bandages and bandages that can hold together cuts
• Pain relievers for all members of the family. Don't give adult pain relievers to children.
• Syrup of Ipecac - Follow Directions - this is a must for any family first aid bag. To learn more about the use of Ipecac
• Any allergy medications and Antihistamine - These also help in the event of a bee sting. If a bee allergy exists, seek medical attention immediately and talk to your doctor before going on vacation. Make sure to have the medication readily available.
• Ointment or Spray for cooling insect bites or sunburns - cool water is still the best treatment. See Sun Safety Tips for more first aid tips about sunburns.
• Athlete's foot powder see Pool and Beach Safety Tips for tips about how to avoid Athlete's foot.
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Dramamine for motion sickness for children over 2 years of age - check with doctor first.
• Cough medicine or throat lozenges - Talk to a pharmacist about this as some cold medications have recently been recalled.
• Thermometer (additional rectal if required for baby). Digital Thermometers work quickly and are easy to read.
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Teething medicine and mouth pain medication
• Large plastic bag or airsick bag - Be extra careful with plastic bags around young children.
• Menstrual medication
• Medication for upset stomach - see Hotel Fun 4 Kids™ Travel Tip below
• Anti-bacterial ointment
• Feminine Hygiene Products (just in case)
• Nasal Aspirator (if infant will not blow nose yet)
• Tissues for unexpected sneezes, cuts.

• Anything else you think you might need

How to stay Healthy

• We suggest that a before any extended out of town/country vacation, you check with your doctor and have a checkup for the kids. If a dentist visit is due, attend to this also before you go on holidays. Prescriptions should be updated and talk to your pharmacist about any special concerns for medication that may be used on holiday. Some antibiotics require you to remain out of direct sunlight and require refrigeration.
• Keep all medication and medical bags out of reach of children. Know what to do in case of Poisoning - see First Aid Tips from St. John Ambulance about the Dangers of Poisoning for Young Children
• See Keep the Bugs at Bay, Eight Tips for a Bug Free Summer
• Ensure children under 3 and children that put toys in their mouths do not have small toys - see Safety tips for Buying Safe Toys and Using Toys Safely.
• Make sure everyone maintains a healthy diet, which will help everyone adjust to new locations.
• Drink plenty of fluid when travelling - you may want to stock up on bottled water or purchase bottled water at your destination. Watch ice and salads if concerned about water quality.
• Be as careful as possible at all times. See other safety sections for additional tips.
• Know what poison ivy looks like and what to do if someone touches it - See Poison Ivy.
• Stomach upsets are one of the most common travel related illnesses. If the restaurant or food does not look clean and fresh, don't eat it. Consider avoiding hamburger.
• Get plenty of rest. Although you might want to pack in as much each day as possible, remember that children need their rest and the best rest is between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Maintaining a normal bedtime for children means happier, well rested children that can enjoy the activities planned for the vacation. Tired children are more apt to be susceptible to illness. Parents need their rest and quiet time too. Plan on an early night every other day to keep up with sleep.
• Be aware of family allergies - see Travel Safety Tips - Severe Allergic Reactions
• Wash hands often - keep premoistened antiseptic wipes handy and use before eating. See Petting Zoo and Animal Exhibit Safety Tips for tips on reducing the risk of exposure to E. Coli bacteria
• check with Hotel/Resort Staff for any dangerous plants or animals to watch out for - See Seasonal Holiday Safety Tips about poisonous plants at the holiday season.
• Do research about your destination - check with local health department for health concerns to be aware of. Check this site http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ destinations/menu_e.htm for health advisories before you travel.
• Store food and drinks properly. Bottles need to be washed with soap and hot water. Don't reuse water bottles while travelling - bacteria can start to grow as soon as your mouth contacts the water. Get fresh bottles everyday. Leftover babyfood should be discarded if baby is fed directly from jar. Untouched babyfood should be refrigerated or discarded

First Aid Tips

Wherever people work there is a chance that they may need access to first aid.
First aid facilities can include first aid kits, staff that have first aid training and
even first aid rooms in some circumstances.
It is the employer’s duty to identify what level of first aid is needed for their
establishment, and to make sure it is always available


Better be safe than sorry, if someone is ill or seriously hurt - seek medical attention - especially infants and young children.
Most hotels and resorts will be able to assist you in the event that someone in the family becomes sick or requires medical attention, including providing names of local health care providers. Some Hotels/Resorts, like Club Med, have doctors on site, others, like Walt Disney World® Resorts, have a clinic available for guests.
If a family member has a special medical condition, check with your doctor to obtain references for a physician to contact at your destination if a problem occurs.
If your medical bag (see section below) doesn't contain anything to help with the illness, check with a local pharmacy for assistance.
Your pharmacist may also be able to advise you on the best medications to take with you for the ages of the family. Chewable pepto bismol type tablets are a convenient, effective treatment for mild stomach upset. It works quickly and some feel that it also treats common bacteria that may cause stomach aches.
Fever is something that should be treated aggressively while on holiday - tepid baths, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for each member of the family should be readily available.
Hotel Staff may also have a supply of medicines for guest use.
Keep your medical bag with you and readily available when travelling.
Have saltine or plain crackers handy and some flat ginger ale should help with upset stomachs.
use a clean pad or towel with compression to stop or reduce bleeding, until medical attention is obtained if bleeding is severe.
If possible, clean all scrapes and cuts and then treat with an antibacterial ointment to help avoid infection. See First Aid Tips for Cleaning, Treating and Protecting Minor Wounds and First Aid Tips for Cuts
Always have bandages available - while they may not be necessary to cover a scrape, they sure make kids feel better.
To remove bandages easily, soak cotton swab in baby oil and apply to all sides of the bandage - wait five to ten minutes and the bandage should come off much easier.
For nosebleeds, apply pressure and pinch the nostrils closed for about five minutes and it should stop.
For burns - seek medical attention immediately if severe. If mild, immerse in cool water and see Sun Safety Tips for tips on sunburns.
In an emergency try to remain as calm as possible.
In the event of a bee sting, watch for severe reactions such as hives on the body, headaches, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing - see medical attention immediately. To remove stinger, gently scrape area with a finger nail, wash or wipe area with clean cloth or antiseptic wipe, apply cold compress. An antihistamine may be given to relieve minor symptoms - Hint - you can also apply a liquid antihistamine externally directly to the bite to relieve some pain and swelling. If the bite occurs in the mouth, give an ice cube to suck on or a popsicle and seek medical attention at the first sign of any swelling. See First Aid Tips for Insect Stings.
For insect bites, try not to scratch and apply calamine lotion. Watch for allergic reactions.
Watch for tick bites - there is a risk of contracting lyme disease from these bites. Ticks can remain in the bite - which can look like a little bump - remove the tick with tweezers by pulling upwards evenly and steadily. Try not to twist or crush the tick. Lyme disease is a possibility in the Northeast United States from deer ticks. To avoid catching this, keep kids out of wooded areas and tall grass. Check their clothing and bodies after outdoor activities for bites. Clean any bites thoroughly and contact a doctor if a rash develops.
Apply a cold compress to minor bumps, it should relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. If pain continues, give some age appropriate pain killer.
If a head injury or bump occurs, watch for symptoms of a concussion, which may include loss of consciousness (even for a second or two), persistent vomiting, lethargy, sleepiness or unequal pupil size.
If someone comes into contact with Poison Ivy wash contaminated skin carefully with soap and water - be careful not to spread the oil or touch anything else- where gloves if possible. If a reaction develops - seek medical attention. Rash usually disappears within a week to 10 days.
To ease the removal of a splinter dip a cotton swab in cooking oil and rub on splinter area, then apply ice to numb area and remove with a tweezers

Fire Training Radison SAS

While it is vitally important to ensure all staff are aware of the procedures to be followed ‘in the event of a fire’, this philosophy presumes that a fire is going to happen, yet successful fire prevention can reduce this likelihood significantly.
Educating all staff in the prevention of fire is probably the most effective way of preventing fires in the workplace, yet as most fire prevention measures are common sense this important subject is often overlooked. Learn - Don't Burn looks at the causes of fire and how they can be prevented. This 20 minute video is ideal for induction and regular training sessions.
Learn - Don't Burn is supplied with electrical 'Pocket Guides' which give information on selecting the correct fuses and calculating the fuse rating of any appliance.

To most people a hotel is somewhere where they go to have a meal, relax, or just to get a good nights sleep. The last thing that they will be thinking about is what they would do if a fire broke out. fires happen in hotels around the world, often claiming the lives of both the guests and staff.
In the United Kingdom, law requires hotels, to ensure that all staff receive regular fire safety training. For day staff this must be carried out every six months and those staff who work nights this training must be carried out every three months.
A WARM RECEPTION was filmed on location at a modern hotel

Regardless of other responsibilities (Manager)

the management of employees in a hotel setting is the most crucial and the most difficult. Knowing how to care for your employee leads to excellent care of customers, and these hotel management tips for general managers will help to steer you in the right direction to care for your employees needs properly.

Your education and experience provided you with a structured picture of what the business end of your hotel requires, and you continue to enrich yourself through additional training, seminars and workshops.

Employee needs are much more basic, and while your first idea may be to give your employees raises and benefits to make them happy, employees expect only respect, honesty, recognition, job enrichment, and feedback to feel fulfilled. Employee morale is emotion based. Here are some management tips to help you as general manager.

Get out of your office. Employees need to feel connected to their managers, and it is difficult to create this connection and trust with someone who is always behind closed doors. It is important to be visible!

Don't wait. Don't put off important discussions, meetings, or the elimination of employees. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to face the challenges that you've been putting off.

The right qualities make the right hires. Do not hire employees who do not suit the job you are hiring for. It becomes a waste of your time and theirs and can jeopardize the morale of others.

Problems are opportunities! Every obstacle you face can lead to amazing breakthroughs, so never see issues as a problem. Looking for the opportunity to learn and grow from it.

The skills you need for a career as a Hotel/Restaurant Manager

* Marketing and Sales
* Hospitality Accounting, Cost Controls,
and Legal Aspects and Insurance
* Menu Planning, Food Preparation,
and Restaurant and Banquet Service
* Food Service Sanitation, Purchasing and Storage

With the right credentials, you can:

• Work for an established hotel or restaurant.
• Work for a chain of hotels or restaurants and have the opportunity to travel.
• Enjoy the fringe benefits that come with such an exciting job.

Demand for Hotel/Restaurant Managers is on the rise. The more people travel, the greater the need for Hotel/Restaurant Managers. As operations become more complex, employers are putting more emphasis on specialized training.

A Hotel Management Career Might Be For You

A career in hotel and restaurant management might be for you if you like to make important decisions, hire staff and run the day to the day operations of your business. It might sound like fun stuff but it is hard work. As a manager, you will be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. All responsibility will fall on you. The perks of being in hotel and restaurant management business, however, can be great.
As a manager, you are responsible for everything that goes on in your hotel or restaurant. You need to have food orders in on time, make sure guests are accommodated for and ensure that your staff respects and listens to you. You must be a great communicator and leader to succeed in hotel and restaurant management.
It's a great time to become restaurant manager. The U.S. Department of Labor cites the field of restaurant management as an emerging industry, and predicts it will continue to do so. As a restaurant manager, you are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. Not only must you have a love of food, you must also have a background in management.

Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai. UAE (2 yrs)

Dates 1992 till 1994
position held Security Guard

Name and address of employer Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai. UAE

Winner of numerous awards, including "Best Business Hotel the Middle East", for two consecutive years the Hotel Inter. Continental Dubai offers unparalleled service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The hotel is renowned for its harmonious blend of genuine hospitality and courteous service, set against a backdrop of five stars comfort and style.

Highland Hotel, Dubai. UAE

Occupation or position held Night Manager
Main activities and responsibilities
Name and address of employer Highland Hotel, Dubai. UAE

a) Handling Night Operations
b) Proper takeover of the shift
c) Checking House Occupancy
Checking
d) Availability
e) Expected Arrivals
f) Expected Departures

Le Royal Meridian Hotel & Spa, Jumeira Beach. Dubai

1994 till 1997
position held Airport Representative

Dubai is the second largest emirate in UAE having the largest population. Oil is the main source of revenue in Arab Emirates. But Dubai unlike other emirates in UAE earns maximum of its revenue from Jebel Ali Free Zone which is an economic zone with profitable business and tax
benefits to business firms and from tourism. You will find a number of luxurious hotels and resorts in Dubai that offer you quality service and modern facilities. Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa in Dubai is such a magnificent hotel among 5 star hotels in Dubai,UAE.

Safi Landmark Hotel & Suites, Kabul-(2 Years)

Dates February 2006 till August 2008.
position held Human Resources & Security Manager

a) Handling Night Operations
b) Proper takeover of the shift
c) Checking House Occupancy
Checking
d) Availability
e) Expected Arrivals
f) Expected Departures
g) Reservations
h) Visas
i) Guests Registration Cards
j) Rates
k) Rate Codes
l) Market Segment
m) Traces
n) Handling guest complaints
o) Incident / Accident reporting
p) Handling guest enquiries
q) Printing Night Reports
r) Compiling DRR
s) Patrolling of the premises

Capsule hotels

Capsule hotels are a type of economical hotel that are found in Japan.

Ice and snow hotels

Main article: Ice hotel

The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, and the Hotel de Glace in Duschenay,­ Canada, melt every spring and are rebuilt each winter; the Mammut Snow Hotel in Finland is located within the walls of the Kemi snow castle; and the Lainio Snow Hotel is part of a snow village near Ylläs, Finland.

Garden hotels

Garden hotels, famous for their gardens before they became hotels, include Gravetye Manor, the home of garden designer William Robinson, and Cliveden, designed by Charles Barry with a rose garden by Geoffrey Jellicoe.

Underwater hotels

Some hotels have accommodation underwater, such as Utter Inn in Lake Mälaren, Sweden. Hydropolis, under construction in Dubai, will have suites on the bottom of the Persian Gulf, and Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida requires scuba diving to access its rooms.

Other unusual hotels

• The Library Hotel in New York City is unique in that each of its ten floors are assigned one category from the Dewey Decimal System.
• The Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, built on an artificial island, is structured in the shape of a boat's sail.
• The former ocean liner RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California uses its first-class staterooms as a hotel.
• The Jailhotel Löwengraben in Lucerne, Switzerland is a converted prison now used as a hotel.
• The Luxor, a hotel and casino on The Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States due to its pyramidal structure.
• The Liberty Hotel in Boston used to be the Charles Street Jail.

Resort hotels

The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, a resort hotel serving an attached casino.

Some hotels are built specifically to create a captive trade, example at casinos and holiday resorts. Though of course hotels have always been built in popular desinations, the defining characteristic of a resort hotel is that it exists purely to serve another attraction, the two having the same owners.

In Las Vegas, Nevada there is a tradition of one-upmanship with extravagant themed hotels in a concentrated area known as the Las Vegas Strip. This trend now has extended to other resorts worldwide, but the concentration in Las Vegas is still the world's highest: nineteen of the world's twenty-five largest hotels by room count are on the Strip, with a total of over 67,000 rooms.^[1]

In Europe Center Parcs might be considered a chain of resort hotels, since the sites are largely man-made (though set in natural surroundings such as country parks) with captive trade, whereas holiday camps such as Butlins and Pontin's are probably not considered as resort hotels, since they are set at traditional holiday destinations which existed before the camps.

Railway hotels

Frequently, expanding railway companies built grand hotels at their termini, such as the Midland Hotel, Manchester above St Pancras railway station, the Chiltern Court Hotel above Baker Street tube station and Canada's grand railway hotels. They are mostly, but not exclusively, used by those travelling by rail.

Motels

Main article: Motel

A motel (Motor Hotel) is a hotel which is for a short stay, usually for a night, for motorists on long journeys. It has direct access from the room to the vehicle (for example a central parking lot around which the buildings are set), and is built conveniently close to major roads and intersections.

World record setting hotels

Largest

In 2006, Guinness World Records listed the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, Malaysia as the world's largest hotel with a total of 6,118 rooms.^[2]

Oldest

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hotel still in operation is the Hoshi Ryokan, in the Awazu Onsen area of Komatsu, Japan which opened in 717.^[3]

Tallest

Burj Al Arab is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.^[4] However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), will take away this title upon its opening.^[5][6][7]

Unusual hotels

Chicago's Magnificent Mile has hosted many skyscraper hotels such as the Allerton Hotel.

Many hotels can be considered destinations in themselves, by dint of unusual features of the lodging or its immediate environment:

Treehouse hotels

Some hotels are built with living trees as structural elements, for example the Costa Rica Tree House in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica; the Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park, Kenya; the Ariau Towers near Manaus, Brazil, on the Rio Negro in the Amazon; and Bayram's Tree Houses in Olympos, Turkey.

Cave hotels

Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy, South Australia and the Cuevas Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (named after the author) in Guadix, Spain, as well as several hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey, are notable for being built into natural cave formations, some with rooms underground.

Historic hotels

Some hotels have gained their renown through tradition, by hosting significant events or persons, such as Schloss Cecilienhof in Potsdam, Germany, which derives its fame from the Potsdam Conference of the World War II allies Winston Churchill, Harry Truman and Joseph Stalin in 1945. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai is one of India's most famous and historic hotels because of its association with the Indian independence movement. Some establishments have given name to a particular meal or beverage, as is the case with the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, United States where the Waldorf Salad was first created or the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, Austria, home of the Sachertorte. Others have achieved fame by association with dishes or cocktails created on their premises, such as the Hotel de Paris where the crêpe Suzette was invented or the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, where the Singapore Sling cocktail was devised.

Hôtel Ritz in Paris

A number of hotels have entered the public consciousness through popular culture, such as the Ritz Hotel in London, UK, through its association with Irving Berlin's song, 'Puttin' on the Ritz'. The Algonquin Hotel in New York City is famed as the meeting place of the literary group, the Algonquin Round Table, and Hotel Chelsea, also in New York City, has been the subject of a number of songs and the scene of the stabbing of Nancy Spungen (allegedly by her boyfriend Sid Vicious). The Waldorf Astoria and Statler hotels in New York City are also immortalized in the names of Muppets Statler and Waldorf.

The luxurious Grand Hotel Europe in Saint Petersburg, Russia achieved fame with its inclusion in the James Bond film GoldenEye.

Hotel Classification

The cost and quality of hotels are usually indicative of the range and type of services available. Due to the enormous increase in tourism worldwide during the last decades of the 20th century, standards, especially those of smaller establishments, have improved considerably.^{[citation needed]} For the sake of greater comparability, rating systems have been introduced, with the one to five stars classification being most common^{[citation needed]} and with higher star ratings indicating more luxury. Hotels are independently assessed in traditional systems and these rely heavily on the facilities provided.^{[citation needed]} Some consider this disadvantageous to smaller hotels whose quality of accommodation could fall into one class but the lack of an item such as an elevator would prevent it from reaching a higher categorization.^{[citation needed]} In some countries, there is an official body with standard criteria for classifying hotels, but in many others there is none. There have been attempts at unifying the classification system so that it becomes an internationally recognized and reliable standard^{[citation needed]} but large differences exist in the quality of the accommodation and the food within one category of hotel, sometimes even in the same country. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and their affiliated bodies use diamonds instead of stars to express hotel and restaurant ratings levels.