Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Hilton HHonors advance paid rates

Hilton HHonors has a promotion to get away with your girlfriend You can save up to 15% off select rates when you book your stay 14 or more days in advance.

Trouble is that Advance Purchase Rates are non-refundable. I am always so afraid to make a full payment when booking, incase plans change and I hate it when my credit card is charged immediately for the entire stay but I have to pay for incidentals on a sepeaate tab. It just makes my bookkeeping more difficult and the other reason that I am reluctant to pay up-front is that it has been my experience that they don't give free elite upgrades on Pre-paid rooms.
The Hampton Offer ends on September 30, 2009 but the Girls getaway is valid to book by 12/31/09 and stay by 1/1/10.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Christian Hotel owners arrested & no vehicles in NYC or Amsterdam

Christian hotel owners were arrested after defending their beliefs in discussion with Muslim guest as reported by the Daily Mail in London, U.K. The Bounty House Hotel in Liverpool, had a Muslim guest that was upset by a discussion about Christian religious beliefs and requested that the police arrest the hotel owners, Mr. and Mrs. Vogelenzang, were shocked that their comments were construed as anything more than a polite discussion, explaining beliefs
Neil Addison, a prominent criminal barrister and expert in religious law, said: ‘The purpose of the Public Order Act is to prevent disorder, but I’m very concerned that the police are using it merely because someone is offended. ‘It should be used where there is violence. Free speech should be respected and those that don’t agree can just walk away.

In The Netherlands today, all cars were banned from the down town main cities and in Amsterdam,free taxi rides were provided for Muslims, paid by Dutch taxpayers as reported in de Telegraaf. This sparked a fairness debate that Christians are never given taxi rides at Christmas time by the government, so some feel that people of the Islamic faith should also use public transport during Ramadan.
New Yorkers have been car free in Times Square for several months now and the ban on motor vehicles will probably continue next year. Most people in Holland own a bicycle and were not greatly inconvenienced by the Auto free Sunday. Tourists can rent bicycles from most hotels and can even take sightseeing tours on two wheels. (Though I would be happier with 3 wheels or training wheels). They say that you never forget how to ride a bike but I am the exception. Perhaps I did not have a very good instructor when I was 5 years old.