Tag: Google Earth Hotels View All Tags
Tags: Intercontinental Hotel Group / IHG Hotels / Hotel Technology / Google Earth Hotels / → All Tags
InterContinental Hotel Group Wants You To Google Earth Your Hotel Plans
The InterContinental Hotel Group might have failed at Facebook but when they got their hands on Google Earth, they did a lot better.
If you head to the IHG Google Earth page you can download their file and pop it into Google Earth and suddenly the globe is populated with IHG brand hotels.
Well, not entirely populated--you can easily see the concentration of hotels across North America and Western Europe--but you get the idea. Little green Hs pop up for Holiday Inns and the rest of their logos scatter in between them, until of course you zoom in and start seeing hotels at street level. It's all linked in to their booking system and is technologically pretty clever, we think.
But. (Always a but). Their idea is that you'll actually look for a hotel by Google Earth-ing your way around. We love seeing the logos pop up all over the place but we're not sure if we'd use this as a hotel research method. Maybe once we'd found a hotel in the right city we could check it out here to see what's nearby ... or maybe we're just not geeky enough. Yet.
Tags: Honeymoon Hotels / Island Hotels / Google Earth Hotels / Windward Islands / → All Tags
Google Earth Hotel Reviews: Petit St. Vincent Resort
Where: Petit St. Vincent, Saint Vincent & Grenadines
If you live here in the Northeast, you woke up to freezing rain and general malaise inducing weather this morning. It is times like these where we thank our lucky stars for Google Earth, which has a habit of transporting us to a far away place like Petit St. Vincent Resort, a island resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
This maritime, on the edge of kitsch, resort was conceived by Hazen K. Richardson. As we understand it, Hazen was living in New England and made a habit of escaping to the Caribbean every winter. He made a living sailing blue blooded rich dudes around the Windward Islands on his boat during the winter months. In the middle of one voyage, he pointed out an 111 acre island to a particularly wealthy client and made an off handed comment about what a great resort the deserted island would make. The monie-up New Englander almost challenged Hazen, suggesting he put the money up for Hazen to create and run such a resort. Mr. Richardson, not one to let golden opportunities slide by, jumped at the offer, and with the help of architect Arne Hasselquist, created a unique self-contained 22 cottage colony paradise.
The stone cottages are peppered throughout the island, some on hillsides, some tucked behind private beaches, and most with great views. Each cottage has plenty of space, an outdoor deck, and a hammock. Most importantly, every cottage comes equipped with its own flagpole. Raise the red flag and the golf cart traveling staff won't go anywhere near your cottage, raise the yellow flag and the staff will drive up and fulfill most any request. Kind of puts a luxury twist on the old sock on the door policy does it not?
The only way to reach PSV and the resort is by boat, where Mr. Richardson and his wife will personally greet you and hand you a drink when you arrive on the lone island dock. The owners also are likely to invite you up to their gorgeous island home for a drink at some point during your stay.
The resort is all inclusive and each meal can be enjoyed in a common area, up in your stone cottage, or delivered to you on the beach. While the food is not five star, and you aren't going to find any flat screen televisions in the cottages, this is the kind of place where if you fall for it, you will fall hard, wanting to return over and over again. Count us among that set.
Tags: Maldives Hotels / Google Earth Hotels / Overwater Bungalows / → All Tags
Google Earth Hotels: Full Moon Obsession
It is gonna take more than some silly TomKat spat to kill our travel crush on the Maldives.
Our latest Google Earth flyover has us thinking we found our Maldives overwater bungalow destination Full Moon, not that we are going anytime soon or anything.
Why? Well this resort was completely rebuilt after the tsunami, so it has that new resort smell. Add to the fray a five star spa connected to the island by a wooden footbridge, a split-level infinity pool, and brand new overwater bungalows. Usually we don't even look at the price tags on these places, because we know we can't afford 'em, but this one seems reasonable--from €110? Really? We aren't math wizards, but that works itself out to under $300, doesn't it?
Drawbacks? It is close to Malé and the airport, so you probably have to endure some fly overs, but it is a freakin' island, not like the resort is on the runway. Plus after that long haul flight to Malé you just might think proximity to the airport is a blessing rather than a curse.
If you have been to Full Moon, feel free to burst our bubble by posting a review on the hotel page.
Related Stories:
· Ful Moon Resort [Google Maps]
· Full Moon Resort reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Google Earth Hotels / Elvis Hotels / Memphis Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
Google Earth Hotels: Guitar Shaped Hotel Pool
The Days Inn Graceland is your run-of-the-mill motel. Most hotel mavens will not want to spend one more minute here than they have to, however, Elvis freaks feel a whole lot different.
This hotel is a two minute walk from Graceland, and more importantly has a guitar shaped pool you can see from space, er, at least from Google Earth.
Related Stories:
· Days Inn Graceland on Google Earth [maps.google.com]
· Days Inn Graceland [GoogleSightseeing]
Tags: Fiji Hotel Reviews / Google Earth Hotels / Island Resorts / → All Tags
Google Earth Hotels: Go Where The Aussies Go
What is the closest thing to travel dogma? Hangin' with Australians is usually a good time.
Since Nadi airport is a relatively quick four hour flight from Sydney, many Australians turn to Fiji when they are looking for a little island fun, which they tend to pronounce Fay-gee.
One Fijian resort we have recently heard Australian's praising is Castaway Island Resort in the Mamanuca group of islands.
Castaway sits on a 174 acre tropical island complete with thatched beach front bures, and a palm tree surrounded pool where you can get fruity booze drinks.
While there are plenty of island type activities here (scuba, sailing, Teivovo island hoping) the overwhelming Castaway theme is relaxation.
One cultural tip: Fiji is a very catholic society and so unwed couples sharing a villa may get some glares. On the other hand, children are apparently extremely well received here.
After you fly in Nadi, there are three ways to get to Castaway, sea plane, helicopter, and boat. It goes without saying what mode of transport we would choose--you know we have a serious sea plane fetish over here.
Related Stories:
· Castaway Island Resort Reviews [Google Maps]
· Castaway Island Resort Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Google Earth Hotels / Dubai Hotel Reviews / Desert Resorts / → All Tags
Google Earth Views: Al Maha Desert Plunge Pools & Dry Heat
Each of the 40 Bedouin-style suites at the Al Maha Desert Resort comes complete with plunge pool and 180 degree views of the dunes. The kind of place Luke Skywalker and his moisture-farming family would have developed on Tatooine if the Rebels paid him well for all his hard work.
Oh, and according to a tipster, it is a dry heat:
We went during at the hottest time of year, however the humidity is far less than it is in the city and beach and with your own infinity pool to cool off in during the heat of the day and a buggy that will pick you up from your suite and take you anywhere you want to go the 44 degrees heat seemed strangely bearable!
This tipster must be from Phoenix. Those Arizona folks are always talking about this mysterious dry heat.
Check out Al Maha on Google Maps below, walking home drunk from Dubai center doesn't look like an option.
Related Stories:
· Al Maha Desert Resort [Google Maps]
· Al Maha Desert Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Google Earth Hotels / Maldives Hotel Reviews / One and Only Resorts / Island Resorts / Overwater Bungalows / → All Tags
Google Earth Hotels: One and Only Kanuhara
Ok, so this week we are seriously addicted to Google Earth Maldives flyovers.
Just spotted the One & Only Kanuhura in all its overwater bungalow glory.
These water villas come with large outdoor decks, plasma televisions, and an outdoor shower.
Why would you need giant plasma tvs to ogle during your stay in paradise? It makes paying $8 for a tiny bottle of water at the beach more acceptable. Wait a second, not it doesn't. Free the water One & Only. Your resort is obviously paradise, and you can charge a pretty penny for a week in paradise, so free the water--it aches to be free.
24/7 babysitting is also available at Kanuhura, which means family travelers can rejoice, while couples should not expect the resort to be free of little ones.
After the jump we have included One & Only Kanuhura's official resort map to prove how kick ass we are at finding things on Google Earth. Yeah, it is sad. This Google Earth thing is becoming an addiction.
Related Stories:
· One & Only on Google Earth [Google Maps]
· One & Only Kanuhara Reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Google Earth Hotels / → All Tags
Google Earth Hotel: Aussie Crocodile Hotel
Sometimes a guest's hellish review ends up actually more curious about a hotel.
Here is what one tipster recently said about the Holiday Inn Gagudju Corcodile Hotel in Kakadu National Park in Australia's Northwest Territory:
This place really is shaped like a crocodile.
Do not come here if you want a life - it is full of pensioners - albeit very nice ones. The restaurant and all signs of life close down at 9pm.
Breakfast with one toaster, one coffee machine and about 100 people was also interesting.
Rooms are clean but that's about it.
C'mon. How many times in your life can you say you stayed inside a crocodile and shoot friends the Google Maps url to prove it? Bring on the one toaster breakfast.
Related Stories:
· Gagudju Crocodile Hotel View [Google Maps]
· Holiday Inn Gagudju Crocodile Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Google Earth Hotels / → All Tags
Disney's Polynesian Resort on Google Earth
Even though Disney World is the fakest place on earth, the view of the Polynesian Resort from Google Earth is pretty impressive. The South Pacific themed hotel sits on the South shore of the "South Seas Lagoon" where you can rent speedboats and do all sorts of water activities. But the resort itself is impressive as it tries to recreate a South Pacific isle with white-sand beaches, thatched roofs, koi ponds, volcanic rocks and "more than 75 species of indigenous vegetation." All this in Orlando's gatorland is amazing indeed.
Related Stories:
· Disney Polynesian Resort reviews [TripAdvisor]
Tags: Vegas Hotel Pools / Google Earth Hotels / → All Tags
Google Casts Shadow on Venetian Pool
While the Venetian all suite rooms are among our favorite on the Strip the Venetian pool has never been a favorite. Why? Every time we are there it seems that we spend most of our "Vegas sunning hours" (think 12 - 5) mostly in the shade created by the shadow of the Venetian.
Looking at the Venetian on Google Earth really appears to illustrate our point. We don't know any eagle scout tricks, like how to tell time by the sun, however, our guess would be the fine folks at the pool on the day Google shot this satellite photo would vouch for our shady theory--if asked an hour or two after this photo was taken--dontcha think?
Related Stories:
· Venetian Coverage [HotelChatter]
· Venetian reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Venetian Map [Google Maps]
Tags: Hotel Pools / Views / Google Earth Hotels / → All Tags
Poor Man's Mandarin Oriental Miami Happy Hour View
We tracked down the Mandarin Orietal Miami on Microsoft's Local Live. This hotel is home to Kabbalah water, er at least it was back in 2004. Now that Brit ditched the 'balah, we bet the Mandarin will let it go as well.
Aside from the Kabbalah, this hotel is really known for having a hotel pool with a stop-you-in-your-tracks view. From the Mandarin pool you can kick back with your sundowner and soak in the Miami skyline. Très decadent. Of course, until there is a chaise with our name on it at the Mandarin we will have to resort to zooming out on the satellite photo and taking the view in that way. Poor man's solution indeed.
Related Stories:
· Mandarin Oriental Miami Coverage [HotelChatter]
· Mandarin Oriental Miami Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Mandarin Oriental Miami Hotel Views [local.live.com]
Tags: Google Earth Hotels / Hotel Views / Marriott Hotels / → All Tags
Marriott is 'Dangerously' Close to Niagara Falls
We got a kick out of perusing some of these pictures of the Niagara Falls Marriott which looks like someone at the place has been having a bit too much fun with photoshop.
When you head to the bookings page, you can select from a variety of room choices which all conveniently have thisclose views of the falls and a pretty little rainbow too.
We decided to put our Google Earth obsession to investigative use and check out how close the hotel is to the Falls.
Our photo analysis after the jump
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