Hotels in London Must Shape Up for 2012 Olympics
London is the most expensive place to stay in Europe, according to a recent survey, and that news has emerged at the same time as tourism minister Margaret Hodge has warned that hotels in the capital must shape up in order to be ready for the 2012 Olympics.
The average cost of staying in a London hotel has leapt by a staggering 12% since April, and now averages £119 per night across the capital. Although not as expensive as New York or the world’s most expensive place for a one-night stay, Moscow, the rates are remarkably high considering that two-thirds of all London hotels are unrated. The figures show that even relatively meagre two-star accommodation in London averages £88 per night and guests have to typically stump up £109 to stay in three-star rated hotels.
Tourism minister Hodge is worried that the combination of highly priced accommodation and the large percentage of non-rated hotels will damage the reputation of the city, and is keen for the hotel industry to get itself in order. She said: “If the tourist industry is to reap the potential £2.1 billion from the 2012 Olympic Games, then 85% of London’s hotels must be accredited before then.â€
Hodge is concerned that many people attending the 2012 Olympics will be coming to London for the first time and therefore wants their experience of the city to be a positive one. She added:
“Hosting the 2012 Olympics is a huge opportunity for London and the UK tourism industry. In five years London will welcome millions of first-time visitors and we will want them to come back time and again – hopefully bringing their family and friends. It’s all about creating a lasting and positive legacy for the capital.â€
But, the government doesn’t expect the capital’s hotels to do it all by themselves. A recently unveiled multi-agency strategy entitled: “Winning – A Tourism Strategy for 2012 and Beyond†has been drawn up by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport aided by Visit Britain, Visit London, and an assortment of Regional Development Agencies, aiming to give positive advice and limited financial assistance to the hotel industry throughout London and the UK.
Now that the gauntlet has been thrown down for hotels in London to make significant improvements, it is important that they respond positively if they are to fulfil the government’s aim of making the 2012 Olympic Games the start of a lasting legacy.
Are the most expensive restaurants in the world worth their price tags? – Part 1
September 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
No, the most expensive restaurants are probably not worth the prices they charge to partake of their wares. But here is perhaps, an answer to why people do spend money at the most expensive restaurants on earth.
One does not “eat” at an expensive restaurant, one does rather “dine”.
People rush to such restaurants to be tempted by the offerings of the super-chefs who have spent years perfecting their culinary talents.
If one were in London, he might get a reservation to Petrus where in 2001, six bankers spent over 44,000(pounds)on wine eating a single meal. Per chance to hear Chef Gordon Ramsey’s voice ringing over the sound of the crowd, no-doubt reaming out some poor sub-chef for ruining the “F- – -ing monk fish!”
Another popular and expensive place is Pierre Gagnaire’s “Sketch” in London. A single meal with only a glass of wine averages 101(pounds), around $176.00 in American currency.
So why would one long to sit elbow to elbow with the cream of the exclusive crop? Why shell out beauchoup bucks to eat a meal in one of these elite, elaborate restaurants?
Why not? If one can afford to do so, why not? This is assuming that the rest of their lives are spent doing equally outrageous things. Why not continue the lifestyle? Is there a reason for someone to NOT spend fabulous amounts of their money dining or even purchasing grand foods?
Can I say Food Boutiques? Oh yes, they are the most chichi places to buy the foods used by Chefs and to prepare food for Chefs, these are also open to the public.
At these food boutiques you may(you name dropper)choose:
*Acetaia Bellei, Fig Preserve with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena costing $12.95 for 10.15 oz.
*Charcuterie, (Specialty meats) such as Greci Folzani Prosciutto Di Parma, $500.00 for 19 lbs.
*Fattoria Estense Balsamic Vinegar Aged 12 Years costing $54.95 for 250 ml
*Garrison Confections Ultimate Hot Cocoa, $16.95 per 16 oz. package
*SerentipiTea Organic Tea White Tea Yin Zhen, at $20.99 for 6 oz.
*Farrah’s Clotted Cream covered in Fudge costing the Gourmand a mere $18.95 for this fudge offered in a beautiful Art Nouveau tin.
Of this snobish food it could be asked; is it not fun to purchase what others cannot? Is it not garish to sit and dine where the frolicking crowds can’t? I mean really, this is what it is all about, being what others aren’t, doing what others can’t! Is it not?
Opinion: To do so is to thumb ones nose at the huddled masses and ignore all critics. To live in the opulense you so deserve.
It is really no ones business if another, who has the money, wants to spend that money dining on the easy to swallow, buttery rich and uppity, upper-crust. Or is it?
Information on Cheap Accommodation and Hostels in Scotland
Scotland is one of the most scenic and historic places in Europe and has always been a popular tourist destination. The country is small in size but had a wide variety of attractions and places that are well worth a visit.
Perhaps best known for whisky or castles, this country has hundreds of historic castle ruins and sites as well as distilleries throughout. But there are also some fantastic landmarks such as the mysterious Loch Ness and the bustling shops of Glasgow.
Britain can be an expensive place for travellers from Europe or America and so it is important to try and find value for money accommodation during your stay. There are hundreds of hostels around Scotland with the Scottish Youth Hostel Association being the biggest hostel chain in the country.
For people who have never stayed in a hostel before they will find the accommodation basic but suitable for a place to stay. A standard hostel will have dorm rooms with 4-12 beds in each room and usually have linen supplied. Depending on the standard of hostel some also offer some excellent facilities such as Internet access or free breakfast.
The rates for a hostel are by far the cheapest for accommodation with prices ranges from £8-£15 per night. These hostels often have city or town centre locations as well making them ideal for seeing the main sights. Most people who stay here tend to be travelling to multiple destinations sometimes around the world and this is an ideal place to meet new people.
There are also budget hotels throughout the country which offer a higher standard of accommodation and more privacy. These often have basic facilities and are not always as central as hostels, usually being located on the outskirts of main cities.
Many of the hotels are rated by the Scottish Tourist Board and a one or two star establishment tend to be the cheapest options. You can get a room at one of these hotels for as little as £25-£35 per night.
If you don’t fancy a hostel then a guest house or bed and breakfast might be a more suitable alternative. These often offer compact rooms but are usually clean and comfortable and with central locations. They are also a lot more personal service and can be of a higher standard than budget hotels and hostels. These are more suitable for travelling families or older travellers and some have facilities that equal high quality hotels, the owners are also usually a good resource for getting tips on local attractions and general information.
The final option for accommodation is a self catering flat, if you are travelling in a group of 6 or above then these can turn out to be quite cost effective as the price of the flat is fixed so the more people you have the cheaper per person it is. Another advantage is that you get privacey for your group and also self catering facilities so you dont have to eat out each night, which can save you quite a bit of money also.
