hotel

The city that never sleeps expects that the number of visitors this year could top the record 47 million who came in 2008. To cope with the crowds, lots of new budget hotels offering tourist-friendly rates of $200 to $250 have opened their doors.

The technology that's being tested at two US hotels means that guests would not need to check in at the front desk. Instead, they'd download an application that would let them open their room door simply by holding the phone to a sensor.

The number of expected World Cup visitors has been downgraded from 750,000 to 200,000. Tickets have been bought up by the government and given away to South Africans. Expensive accommodation is deterring many football fans from travelling.

When it comes to extravagant hotels, Atlantis The Palm on the man-made Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai is exceptional. You can stay in an underwater suite there. Make a short video, and you could win a trip there and bring nine friends along as well.

Edinburgh may be the capital, but Glasgow has the capital. Well, that's what Glaswegians say. The fierce rivalry between the two cities is based on the contrast between Glasgow's working-class traditions and Edinburgh's ruling establishment.

The Winter Olympics will officially be opened on 12 February by the governor general of Canada, Michaëlle Jean. She is a refugee from Haiti who came to Canada in 1968. The motto of the Games is "With glowing hearts/Des plus brillants exploits".

Valentine's Day, on 14 February, is a great opportunity for a romantic getaway. ANNA HOCHSIEDER presents words to talk about the hotel room you might be staying in.

London is one of the world's most exciting cities, but is it possible to find reasonably-priced accommodation there? Spotlight Online has found seven affordable and charming places to stay in the British capital. We begin in Kensington at the innovative Base2Stay.

 

Rabih Hage wanted to make sure that the bed linen, wine list, furniture, art and the service were luxurious, while the look and feel of the old building that he converted into Rough Luxe remained original.