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HIP TRIPS ![]()
INTRIGUE
MARKS LONDON'S ROYAL HORSEGUARDS HOTEL
For
more than 100 years, The Royal
Horseguards Hotel, London has graced the banks
of the Thames. Built in 1884 in the style of a
French Chateau, its architectural heritage has earned the grand hotel
Grade I
status and made it one of London’s most iconic buildings. Now,
following an extensive refurbishment, this 5-star establishment’s 281
bedrooms
and suites…many overlooking the Thames…are transformed into
state-of-the-art luxury accommodations with all the latest technology.
Room
rates begin at US$333 for two, and a suite reservation entitles
occupants to
food, drinks and other services at the exclusive Guoman Club Lounge. In
spite of the modern façade, Royal Horseguards retains much of
its history and intrigue.
Look for secret passageways and sliding bookshelves created during WWI
by the
British Secret Service to confuse intruders. A blocked doorway in the
wine
cellar connects the hotel through an underground tunnel to many
government buildings. The
hotels’ exceptional views over London, convenient location and award
winning concierge service have quickly confirmed it as one of the
capital’s
most elegant and desirable places to stay. Its location is just yards
from Charing
Cross railway station, while Theatreland, Covent Garden,
the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye are within the immediate
neighborhood. www.theroyalhorseguards.com
NEW YORKER HOTEL RETURNS
WITH REDUCED RATES Manhattan's
venerable New Yorker
Hotel announces a 20% room rate reduction to March 31, and 15% off best available rate
from April 1 to Dec. 31, 2010. This means nightly rates start at $143
per room per person single/double to the end of March, and from $212
per night
thereafter to the end of the year. In addition to new
accommodations
with magnificent views of the city's skyline, guests
enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, flat panel high-definition televisions with
cable
channels and free HBO, an extensive selection of Pay Per View movies,
plush
bedding, iron and ironing board, hairdryer and complimentary access to
the
hotel's Using the New Yorker’s fabulous
location, across the street from
Penn Station, guests step from the lobby right into the heart of
Manhattan--a vacation
playground winter or summer--in the 'city that never sleeps.' Macy’s
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SCALE NEW HEIGHTS… ROCK CLIMB IN You’ve done
all those rock
walls at resorts or on cruise ships. Now it’s time to take things to
the next
level…the rock climbing course offered by Anantara Si Kao Resort &
Spa near
Krabi. Whether you choose the half-day, full-day or three-day course,
safety is
paramount, and trained instructors attend to every individual’s needs
and requirements
to assure personal achievement. The one-day
course costs approx.
$441 to learn top rope climbing and rappelling plus exploration of The three-day
course, at
approx. $1,171, includes all of the above plus self rescue and rope
technique,
lead and multi-pitch climbing, plus a copy of the course booklet,
certificate
and souvenir t-shirt. Anantara Si
Kao Resort is the
ideal place to recuperate with an exhilarating dip in your suite’s
private
pool, or to sip a refreshing drink from your balcony, overlooking the
creative
landscaping designs of this off-the-beaten-path hideaway. www.anantara.com
Glitz &
Entertainment have
always been a big part of Macau SAR. This former
Portuguese
territory south of mainland Recently
opened City of Daredevil
visitors leap off Yes, Macau is
a city of fun, but nothing surpasses the scene
you’ll
encounter when you visit for the city’s greatest event, the Annual Macau Grand Prix held each A weekend
highlight of this
race is the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix, attracting many national
Formula
Three champions and drivers from around the world. The Macau Grand Prix
is
famously known as one of the most demanding internatioinal circuits due
to its
challenging nature…fast straights, amazingly tight corners and
uncompromising
crash barriers. Many current or former Formula One drivers, such as
Michael
Schumacher and David Coulthard, have been prize winners here. Barbados Golf Club, at 6,705 yards par 72, is the
island's
first public 18-hole championship course. Pro shop, practice putting
and
chipping green, warm-up nets, equipment rental, and a bar and
restaurant.
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