The latest trend in vacation homes or second homes is the resort condo hotel. According to NAR, investment homes accounted for a quarter of all home purchases in 2004, and vacation home purchases an additional 13 percent. Condo Hotels first started appearing in places like Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. They have increased tremendously in popularity and can now be found in places like Belize and Dubai.

As the owner of a condo hotel unit, you can keep your condo hotel as long as you’d like. Use it as a get-away-from-it-all vacation home if desired, all the while building equity for when you want to sell it. Marketed as a condominium located in a resort hotel, these private residences offer a practical way to own a vacation home, and offset some of the costs when you’re not there.

If you’re seriously considering buying a second home or vacation home consider a condo hotel. Condo-Hotels Statistics show that the market for homes with rental income potential is nearly twice the size of the market for vacation homes that are seldom rented. The typical condo hotel produces higher levels of income than the traditional vacation home (and less headaches), making it all the more appealing to buyers.

Here’s how it works. You purchase a condominium in price ranges from as low as $400,000 to well over $2 million that is located in a resort hotel. After purchasing it, you tell the hotel when you intend to stay in your condo and they reserve those dates for you. When you are not there, your condo goes into a rental program, managed by the hotel, and is rented out as a hotel room.
The beauty of this type of arrangement is that you get a beautiful condominium in a luxury resort, but don’t have to worry about maintenance and upkeep when you’re not there. Another plus is because the hotel is renting out your condo, your vacation home becomes an investment property. Because hotel employees handle marketing and promotion, you don’t have to, and you get the added benefit of having your condo marketed as part of a well-known and respected luxury hotel. Imagine the marketing power behind names such as Ritz-Carlton and Trump! Having your vacation condo promoted under a name like that gives you tremendous exposure.

The condo hotel buyer sees the benefit of owning a vacation property that also has the potential to produce income for them and build equity long term. This is one of the biggest appeals of condo-hotels because the rental income can offset some of the costs of owning a vacation property. With the advantages they offer over time shares, it’s easy to see why so many people looking for a vacation property investment they can also enjoy, when they want to, are now looking at condo-hotels.

These hotels are landscaped and furnished with so much imagination that just touring these hotels can be a vacation activity in itself. There are spas, restaurants, shopping and nightspots.

Another popular option is the fractional property. The original fractional format was started to formalize the sharing of a single family home within a destination resort area like Aspen or Telluride. Traditional fractions now involve condominiums and townhouses as well as single family homes. These fractional properties are usually sold in one-fourth interests, also termed Quarter-shares. Quarter-share owners receive one week of use each month for a total of 13 weeks per year. Variations of the Traditional Fractional include: Fifth-shares with a total of 10 weeks per year and an assignment of use every fifth week, and; Sixth-shares with 8 weeks of use per year and allocation of time every sixth week.
Within each traditional fractional format, the weeks are assigned through a rotational calendar to distribute the most desirable times of the seasons in a fair and equitable manner. The owner may either use or give away their weeks, or they can place their unused time in a rental program and split the revenue with the property manager after costs. Quality of the residence and furnishings is in the 3 to 4-star ranges. Service levels are at the 3-star level, if they are included in the program offering.

Either type of property is an excellent choice for a vacation home. So, when looking into buying a second home, check out these types of property as an option.

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If there’s one thing that the rich and the famous have in common (other than money!), it’s travel. To be successful in business, you have to ensure your company has global status; and equally, to succeed as a celebrity you have to be known the world-over – which means a lot of travelling!



What’s also important to the rich and famous is a setting where they can continue their luxurious lifestyles, remain plugged into their business and celebrity networks, and yet still have the chance to rest and relax. For this reason, chains specialising in luxury hotels have been around since the early 20th century. But with business, celebrity, and travel bigger than ever, the competition between these hotel chains is getting fiercer! So, within this ever-expanding market: Who is the ‘Most luxurious’?



Luxury hotel chain the Four Seasons has won worldwide recognition, and a strong position in the luxury hospitality market, receiving more AAA five-diamond awards than any other hotel chain. Perhaps what best sets Four Season apart is the variety of their vacation experiences. Whether you’re a family looking for cultural exploration and exotic adventure, business partners looking to round off that perfect deal with a round of golf, or a couple looking for a romantic tropical resort, Four Seasons has them all. If you’re looking for a mix of the above, they even offer grand tours that combine several top destinations!



The Ritz-Carlton Company is a chain with a long history of supplying the most luxurious hotel experiences to the most luxurious stars. In the past, a very selective admission process gave the Ritz-Carlton, Boston – the original Ritz-Carlton – a reputation for privacy, discretion and for going above and beyond duty to cater for the whims of their guests, including decorating Joan Crawford’s room with her favourite sweets, and changing the colour of Winston Churchill’s wallpaper to his favoured red!



Offering a blend of Asian cultural luxuries, the giants of the Asian luxury hotel market are Oriental Mandarin. This is most apparent in Oriental Mandarin’s dedication to the ‘spa experience’, their belief that the perfect spa leads to a perfectly rested and relaxed mind, body and spirit. Mandarin Oriental also combine this pinnacle of Oriental heritage with the most modern technological advances, allowing guests to remain (literally!) plugged into their social and business networks, wherever in the world they may be.



However, when one thinks of the most luxurious place on earth, one can hardly think of anywhere other than Dubai. And, despite their varying positive attributes, this is where the above chains must bow down – for in Dubai, Jumeirah is king!



Despite having limited holdings outside of the Middle East (Jumeirah are still growing – and quickly too!), Jumeirah have turned Dubai’s luxury holiday and luxury hotel industry into their own personal paradise, home to the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Bab Al Sham Desert Resort & Spa, the Wild Wadi water park, and the world renowned Burj Al Arab – repeatedly recognised as the ‘world’s most luxurious hotel’.

As is becoming more well known, the UAE is increasingly becoming considered one of the top destination spot for tourists, holiday makers, business men (and women), entertainers and artisans of all walks of life, all of which drawn to Dubai and its wealth of opportunities on offer.

Amidst this positive economic climate, the government has let it be known that they have ambitions for the city, Abu Dhabi. Evidence of this was the unveiling of a report which contains the details of the ‘master plan’ which will see the emirate’s population soar to around 3m people over the next 22 years.

Aptly termed the ‘Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework’, the aim is for the plan to guide development in the emirate over the next two decades.

The report goes on to say that “The plan sets out building heights, transport infrastructure and land use and features guidance for large areas of traditional housing. The newly formed Urban Planning Council will oversee implementation of the plan.”

This plan for economical and financial growth will only be benefited further by the fact that Abu Dhabi Island is to be converted into a financial district. Development is in place for Suwa Island, off Abu Dhabi’s coast, to be developed into a business zone that will eventually become home to the region’s stock exchange.

It is suggested by property portal Amberlamb that “Mubadala Development Co, which manages over $10bn in assets, will fund the construction of the offshore island, which will be developed by John Buck International, a joint venture Mubadala which was formed earlier this year with Chicago-based property firm The John Buck Co.”

Upon addressing this fact at a recent conference, the chief financial officer of Mubadala, Carlos Obeid, said: “It is a multi-billion dirham development and construction has already started. The island will be home to the new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The 570,000sqm development will include commercial and residential buildings as well as a hotel and retail space.” He added that “There is tremendous demand for commercial real estate in Abu Dhabi fuelled by the growth of the economy.”

Not only does Dubai offer the guarantee a standard of quality in service and build unrivalled in most emerging economies, but keeping in tune with the reputation Dubai has created as a contemporary country, the recent eco-friendly awareness to be found in real estate has meant that Dubai also finds itself going ‘green’.

A new $55bn (£28bn) eco town is to be constructed in the centre of Dubai. This new scheme, the ‘Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Gardens’, was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Prime Minister.

He went on to explain how “here we will use a two-stage strategy where the infrastructure will be funded by the company, later on we will engage other developers and market investors for another source of funding”.

This innovative eco-resort will be situated between Al Khail Road and Emirates Road on a plot measuring over 850m sqft. It is planned that approximately 70% of the development will be devoted to greenery and wide-open spaces, while 10% of the land is be allocated to waterways. The general consensus received from international property experts is that the eco-friendly resort proposed is welcomed; as in the words of Paul Greaves, Dubai property manager for sandcastles-property.com said: “The concept looks original and forward thinking and we are delighted to add the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Gardens to our expanding database of properties in Dubai and from across the United Arab Emirates.”

Local property analysts in Dubai are also reacting positively towards the proposed government eco-development. This is evident by the comments made by Hashim Al-Dabal, the chairman of Dubai Properties: “The new green development in Dubai will be divided into four differently themed areas, wisdom, nature, humanity and commerce; with all four having an iconic building as its centre piece as well as commercial, educational and residential property for sale.

One more contributing factor worth mentioning, adding to the positive illumination of investing in Dubai is the fact that Dubai, in particular, Abu Dhabi, is now even more readily accessible.

The recent announcement by two international airlines of a new service to Dubai and Abu Dhabi undoubtedly increases the emirates’ attractiveness as an international destination for businesspeople, holiday travellers and international real estate investors.

As was reported by Amberlamb, “Germany’s Lufthansa Airlines, which already flies to Dubai daily from Frankfurt, announced new service from Munich. Additionally, Indian carrier Jet Airways announced flights to Abu Dhabi from Mumbai and Delhi, and is in negotiations to fly directly to Dubai.” The second airline reported is “Jet Airways will launch two direct daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Delhi on April 23, and is waiting for the negotiations to conclude for launching routes from Dubai as well.” (www.amberlamb.com)

Dubai’s booming real estate industry and expected population growth means huge expected demands on its infrastructure. Of which Dubai is capable of achieving in no uncertain terms – The evidence is proof.

Safety while on vacation or business is a concern for travelers, especially those on Middle East Travel. There are some steps you can take to ensure your well-being the next time you stay at Middle East hotels.

You will need to keep your money safe while traveling. You might want to wear a money belt to hide your funds from unscrupulous eyes. It is a good idea to leave your valuable jewelry at home as well. In general, you will want to spread your money, credit cards, and/or traveler’s checks into different locations. Some might go into a safety deposit box at their Dubai Hotels, while some you might carry with you. That way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you will still have some financial resources to fall back on. Along the same lines, it is wise to have photocopies of important information, such your plane tickets, passport, medical letters and prescriptions in a safe place other than your luggage or on your person, so if they get lost you will still have the information you need to get them replaced.

Luggage can be kept safe with luggage locks and wire mesh packs for suitcases. The luggage locks must be TSA approved for travel within the United States, because going through check points at American airports will require a luggage check, and unapproved locks will be cut off your luggage. With the packs, you can place your suitcase inside, lock it and then attach it to your bed or other immovable object in Dubai hotels, for example, so that no one can access the luggage without the key.

Travel warnings are available from the foreign affairs department in your local city. You can check with them to make sure that it is safe to travel in the area you wish to visit. You will also want to make sure you are covered for health emergencies by purchasing travel insurance before your leave home.

It is best to study the local customs for the particular city you want to engage in Middle East Travel. There are strict rules of conduct during Saudi Arabia Travel, for example, and straying from them can result in dire consequences. Also, it bears remembering that not all countries allow citizens or visitors free speech, so you might need to assume that you are under surveillance at all times you are traveling. Also, check local medication rules for the country in which you will travel. Some medicines that people in the United States can be given with a prescription are considered illegal in some Middle Eastern countries, and not knowing this may result in jail sentences. A little education before you leave home will help you travel safely and well, during your Dubai Travel.

Dubai is known for many things – an impressive skyline, the oil industry, freehold property opportunities and of course, the extravagance in everything they do. High-end technology is another aspect that Dubai is gradually gaining a foothold on, with a variety of technological introductions into everyday life. The GITEX Technology Week, better known as just GITEX, is an exhibition held once a year in Dubai, to introduce the latest technology to residents and visitors alike.

GITEX is the leading international IT trade event organized on behalf of enterprises and small-to-medium businesses in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The exhibition focuses on providing a platform for government, enterprise and small business solution providers to enter into the technology arena with a strong footing. These newly developed solutions are branded under the name “GITEX Business Solutions.” The main objective of GITEX is to provide participants with the opportunity to network with a host of senior and influential information officers and technology managers who grace the event every year.

The GITEX Business Solutions intends to build up on the exhibitions’ status as the region’s biggest IT procurement platform, by offering three definitive sections of technology for presentation. These are Network & Security, Office Technology & Supplies, and IT Solutions. The IT services market in the UAE is set to grow over US$ 1 billion by 2010, and the GITEX exhibition and trade event is held to meet the demands of this rapidly developing market in the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Since thousands of international IT consumers come to Dubai during the GITEX event, it’s best to reserve your Dubai hotel in advance, preferably at least a month ahead. If you are looking for ultimate indulgence and pampering, accommodation at a luxury hotel in Dubai is the best you could ask for.

How to find the best serviced apartments in Dubai cheap.

So you’ve heard that everything in Dubai is expensive. Well if you’ve never been to Dubai then all the news about rising prices and never ending hotel and living costs, will certainly put you off. But how can you live luxuriously in Dubai and not have to spend a lot to afford your visit? Serviced Apartments Dubai has the answer. Serviced Apartments Dubai specialize in serviced apartments and serviced villas in Dubai. You may be asking yourself, what are serviced apartments and what do they offer? Well put in short, although details will follow later, serviced apartments Dubai are residential apartment blocks, whereby the apartments within them are used as hotels or in other words let on a short term basis. Serviced apartments Dubai can be booked for as little as just one night, which means you’re not tied into any lengthy agreements. It’s as simple as a hotel. 

Serviced apartments are rather different to standard hotels. The apartments range from studio (one bed) up to luxury 4 bed apartments. All the apartments come furnished to a high standard, with a lounge(s), bedroom(s) & bathroom(s). Apartment buildings in Dubai have grown in number over of the past 5 years and in their size too. Most apartment buildings such as Marina Diamond & Marina Crown consist of 25 floors plus and offer excellent views of Jumeirah Beach from the balconies.

Serviced refers to the additional services provided in the apartment. These services include PC & high speed internet facilities, provision of bed lined and all kitchen accessories, cooking equipment and utensils as standard. The serviced apartments have all the necessary items you would need to enjoy your stay in the apartment. Serviced apartments are cleaned either on a daily or weekly basis depending on the size of the apartment and its location, however they are cleaned at least once a week. Serviced apartments Dubai serviced apartments provide additional facilities for families and business professionals such as return airport transfers, mobile phone rental with pay as you go sim-card, baby facilities pack if you traveling with young children, printer scanner copier, wi-fi wireless internet access and daily apartment cleaning, which can all be booked on request.

Serviced apartments can be found almost everywhere in Dubai, however there are a few hotspot locations. The most desirable location is definitely Palm Island Jumeirah. It’s difficult to describe exactly what the Palm Island Jumeirah exactly is.  In second place it’s definitely the mighty Jumeirah Beach Residence. Consisting of 40 high rise apartment building along the cost of Jumeirah Beach, provide direct beach access and a range of outdoor pool facilities. Dubai Marina is another favorite location for business professional as well as families, as the serviced apartments here provide a good view of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach. However if your still unsure, let an advisor know at Serviced Apartments Dubai and they will be more than happy to find you a suitable location.

Serviced Apartments Dubai provide an online catalogue of serviced apartments and villas available in Dubai. All the apartments are listed with details of the number of guests that each apartment can accommodate prices, location and a short description of the apartment. If you’re unsure of where to stay, contact Serviced Apartments Dubai and the advisors will be more than happy to find you a suitable location according to your travel requirements. The website offers an online booking system whereby guests can register their details and book apartments online. Special offers are updated on a regular basis, and we recommend that all guests take advantage of these whenever possible.

Serviced apartments prices start at £58 per apartment per night and sleep 2 guests, which works out to only £26 per person per night based on 2 sharing. Families of 3-4 individuals can choose from a range of apartments, and with guests traveling in greater numbers there are apartments that cater for up to 10 individuals. Serviced villas are also available for guests looking for a unique experience however costs can rise slightly. Serviced

villascome complete with onsite parking, private gardens and pools.

I hope this short description has given you an insight to serviced accommodation and its benefits to all those who have always wanted to travel to Dubai.

You can get everything in Dubai, from fantastic tourist sites to brilliant business opportunities, magnificent skyscrapers, ultra elegant hotels, and impressive shopping malls. Dubai certainly is an egressing city of the modern world. Situated on the northeast coast of the UAE, Dubai is really a magnet for tourists, particularly those looking for luxurious & prosperous lifestyle.

Dubai – one of the seven emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula – definitely is a city wallowing in wealth. It is a major commercial hub in the Middle East. The Middle Eastern gem, Dubai is now progressing fast to stand among the major financial centers of the world. After the crown prince’s commitment to allow foreign nationals to own a property within the emirate, Dubai is very much on its way to be a fantastic metropolis of the world.

Consequently, the economic growth of the emirate is gaining momentum year upon year. According to a statement from the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Dubai’s economy grew around 16% in 2005 and is estimated to reach AED136 billion. Dubai is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a growth rate of 8.5 per cent.

Dubai certainly has become hot destination for investors. Offering numerous investment opportunities, Dubai has been attracting investors from all over the globe. You too should consider investing in Dubai. Here are some reasons, why you should invest in Dubai.

Dubai is a major trading hub of the Middle East. It has in fact been acknowledged as an international business centre. It has now become an international business and re-export centre. It has really turned highly diversified international business centre of global significance, with lots of investment opportunities. You should invest in Dubai because it is the city where you can earn high tax-free money.

Often, you find property in Dubai cheaper as compared to other metropolises of the world. For instance, you can buy villa around $1,000 per square meter, but if go to buy it at London Docklands, it would cost you $5,000 per square meter. You can’t find such low priced properties in any other modern city of the world. But as the population is set to rise from 1.2 million to 4 million, the value of the property is going to rise in Dubai.

Dubai really offers you a wide range of properties. Furthermore, the buying process is simple, with no national registration required in the Emirate. You can buy a studio apartment in Dubai Marina for just around £140 per sq ft, and if you are to buy the same studio in Salford Quays, Manchester England, it may cost you over £316 per sq ft.

Dubai is a fantastic travel destination attracting volumes of tourists every year. In 2001, over 3.4 million tourists visited Dubai, but this figure is expected to go beyond 6.0 million by 2010. Investing in vacation rentals is a better idea. These properties fetch you High rental yields in Dubai. The best advantage of investing Dubai property is that, you are granted the right to apply for residency visas with the purchase of property.

Finally, the local currency, AED (Dirham) is fixed with the US dollar (3.675 AED: $1). The recent strength of the pound against the dollar indicated that by investing now, you are going to achieve a 10% – 15% ready equity compared to the same prices a year ago. Thus, it’s high time for investing in Dubai now. The future of investors is pretty safe and flourishing, as investment opportunities are going to increase furthermore.

The knowledge of Dubai Shopping is an ideal purpose to relax you. When you approach hitting on a fair to Dubai for shopping it before long signify that you will have a rock information moments of fun and eagerness in the city and you will by no means come crossways more enthusiasm in any other destination. Notably documented as the shopping paradise of the center East part, Dubai is basically a customer resources and hold world’s shopper attentiveness. Also acknowledged for its roomy and clean infrastructure, to a great extent sized recently constructed shopping complexes, tastier foodstuff and unbelievable hospitality…

Visit by millions of tourist internationally every year, the shopping festival of Dubai is a much required after celebration. The Heavy reduction prices on documented and fashionable clothes, attractively completed jewelry, electrical and technically higher gadgets, the gizmos and machineries are obtainable, lip luscious foodstuff to ravine, mixture with attractive educational events, speculate and awe inspirational fire mechanism in the night…For stay reason tourists are dotted with inexpensive budget somewhere to live in Dubai.

Being a world well-known tourist purpose, the Cancun has be talented to make available the essential communications to provide somewhere to stay the big number of visitors that call each year. This is in particular true with look upon to hotel rooms, as the for the most part recent count show that the Cancun has on the subject of 26,000 hotel rooms for visitors. On the other hand, the large figure of hotel accommodation in Cancun has completed the rummage around for the correct hotel room a small piece additional challenging, as company may have to do a considerable amount of research on most of the hotels to find the correct room for them. This is extremely true, particularly for those look for more sensible options with regard to financial plan accommodation. There are accommodation to fit all budget, but if you are look for really contemptible rooms, make sure you make sure them out cautiously. Circumstances in cheaper accommodation tend to change day to day.

As noted, the majority of the cheaper hotels are situated city center Cancun, absent from the beaches. If you were on familiar terms with some Spanish, you are in fortune, for the reason that you can good deal for better deals in these business district hotels. In order to get business district, you have to be enthusiastic to spend $10 to $20 for taxis from the airport.

You may also think about renting a holiday home or a seashore house. These are a smaller amount expensive than stay at a beach resort. Also look for cancellation in a number of the more luxurious hotels. If there are unfilled rooms, the organization will give a reduction in order to fill the breathing space.

A few of the contemptible hotels in Cancun include the Caribe Internacional, the City Express the Cancun, the Imperial Laguna Cancun, the regal Perlas Las and the Lourdes. Both of them are situated business district or in the Lagoon neighborhood, and a small number of are found near the beach. The standard rate for these hotels is around fifty dollars per night.

For some people, a five-star hotel would mean a luxurious bed, high-end toiletries (preferably the brand names also patronized by celebrities), and large towels. For others, it would mean having at least 200 TV channels, CD and DVD players, and high-speed internet access. While these factors are taken into consideration in hotel ratings, things are not quite as comfortably standardized as we would like them to be.

A hotel rated as a four-star by one online travel guide could turn out to be a dud when it comes to 24-hour service or wireless internet connection. And it could just as well be rated as a mere three-star by another travel site. On the other hand, a one-star hotel could offer charming accommodation with a helpful staff and adequate amenities all for a much cheaper rate.

So why the disparity in hotel ratings? The answer lies in the varying criteria used by different agencies. There simply isn’t a standard rating system that is applied universally. Hotel ratings also vary according to each country and/or city. In European countries, the star ratings are usually given by local governments and private agencies and may include such extraneous factors (as far as the customer is concerned anyway) as the amount of tax that a particular hotel pays. In France, the government-sanctioned rating system only gives a maximum of four stars, that’s for a luxury hotel, and a minimum of one star for a modest inn. Hotels are judged according to room size, amenities, plumbing, renovations, elevators, dining options, etc. Germany and other Scandinavian countries adhere to the one- to five-star scale and the ratings are only valid for a period of three years, after which hotels must undergo another round of inspection.

In the United Kingdom, steps were taken to produce a more uniform hotel rating system and a complete standardization is aimed for by 2008. All grading agencies are expected to adhere to the criteria called the National Quality Assurance Standards, which follows the five-star system and further categorizes hotels into full service formal accommodations, country houses, small hotels, town houses, and metro hotels. Some of the basis for scoring the accommodations are cleanliness and housekeeping, service, common rooms, guest rooms, bathrooms, food quality, safety and security, interior and exterior design, and maintenance.

Hotels in Latin America are also rated according to government-sanctioned rankings. The ratings range from zero to five stars although in some countries such as Mexico, six stars may given to ultra-luxury hotels (read: personal butler, private pool, and limousine or even helicopter service). Unfortunately, these government ratings are often not reviewed periodically so a hotel may still retain a four-star grade and yet deteriorate in quality.

Asian hotels are just as diversely rated as in other continents. In China, the government gives the ratings and includes the English-speaking capabilities of hotel staff in its criteria. In Hong Kong, meanwhile, hotels are grouped according to their respective tariff brackets. Singapore also follows the star-rating system while in the Middle East, two hotels defied standard grading and declared themselves as seven-star accommodations. The first one to do so is the Burj Al Arab in Dubai which currently holds the record as the world’s tallest hotel and is constructed on its own private artificial island. The other one is The Centaurus in Islamabad, Pakistan which is still under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2010. Hotels in Asia generally have a higher staff-to-guest ratio compared with their counterparts in Europe and North America due to lower labor costs.

In the United States, one of the most popular grading body is the American Automobile Association which employs diamonds to express its ratings instead of stars. Its hotel ratings are based on management style, exterior and interior appearance, furnishing and fixtures, security, service and maintenance, ambiance, and supplies. Hotel booking websites and online travel guides also have their own ratings. The more popular ones are Sidestep.com, Expedia, Hotwire.com, Hotels.com, Travelocity, Priceline, Travelweb, and Orbitz.

Though considerably confusing, hotel ratings still function as a guide for travelers and vacationers. They provide an overview of a hotel’s amenities as well as its price range. When combined with other helpful information and a little common sense, these grading systems enable customers to make intelligent hotel booking decisions.

The United States was once synonymous with having the largest incarnation of just about anything you could think of – whether it was the world’s largest ball of string or the tallest free-standing structure on the planet. However, out of the top ten current tallest buildings in the world, Uncle Sam has only two structures, neither of which sits in the top slot. That honour is held by Taiwan, whose Taipei 101 structure measures a lofty 509m in height, almost 70m taller than Chicago’s Sears Tower, the United States’ tallest building.

While Taiwan can claim to have the world’s largest industrial building, Dubai can lay claim to having the world’s tallest hotel. In fact, Dubai is home to three out of the top ten world’s tallest hotels with the Rose Tower – despite still being under construction – the tallest at a height of 333 metres. When construction began, the Rose Tower was supposed to reach 380 metres – the height of the Empire State Building. However, design modifications led to its projected height being reduced, and while it is still under construction, the honour of tallest hotel is unofficial.

Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea is home to what would have been the second tallest hotel, the Ryugyong Hotel. With 105 stories rising to a height of 330 metres, the Ryugong Hotel is a towering, empty concrete shell, which has stood unfinished since 1992. With no windows, fixtures or fittings ever being installed, the basic structure is complete but has never been surveyed for safety and some believe the structure to be unsafe due to the use of poor quality building materials.

As a result, travellers looking to stay in the world’s tallest operable hotels should head back to Dubai, where they’ll be able to stay in the third and fourth tallest hotel structures in the world: the Burj-al-Arab and the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The Burj-al-Arab has 60 guest floors, stands at 321 metres tall and is constructed on an artificial island that is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. Construction of the Burj-al-Arab began in 1994 and was built to resemble the sail of a dhow – a type of Arabian sea vessel.

The Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel is a 56-floor five-star business hotel in Dubai which stands at a height of 309 metres and is the 29th tallest currently-standing structure in the world. The Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel is also referred to as Emirates Tower Two and is connected to the 54-floor Emirates Office Tower by a retail boulevard and together the two structures form the Emirates Towers complex, which is complete with lakes, waterfalls, public seating areas and has ample car parking space for up to 1800 cars.

Although renowned for its sand, sun, and shopping, Dubai is fast becoming world famous for its architectural audacity and breathtaking structures. Today, shiny new skyscrapers reflect the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai while some of the world’s tallest structures – hospitality and industry alike – dominate the Dubai skyline.