Le Meridien Offer - 10 hours left

Sorry for the late info, book participating Starwood Hotels in the next 10 hours for validity until January 18, 2010 and you will receive up to 50% off the rack rate.  Sounds pretty good to me so if you planning your December holiday, then dont miss out.

Heres the link

Update: Sale has just been extended to November 17, due to lack of bookings popular demand, Enjoy:)

Durban Airport Customs - Emirates Flight

Emirates Airline launced a new route to Durban, South Africa from the 1st October 2009.  This new service has proven to be very convenient except flights are not very full.  Well Emirates people, let me tell you why:

1.  Emirates is using an old aircraft and an entertainment system that is substandard, not the usual ice entertainment.

2.  The business class passengers are flying economy as the business class comfort certainly does not warrant the fare. The seats are cramped and once again substandard due to the old aircraft.

3.  And heres the biggest problem of all.  Durban Airport Customs are searching through bags for upto an hour after the flight has landed looking for ways and means of making extra money, hence passengers rather fly through Johannesburg (especially locals).

Thats all im going to say right now.  You better up your game Emirates or you will flying out of Durban Airport faster than you arrived. 

PS. For those that dont know, Emirates flies out of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town with a total of 5 flights a day.  Gearing up for the world cup I suppose...

Hotel Review: Marco Polo Hotel - Dubai

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I travelled to Dubai recently and stayed at the Marco Polo Hotel in Dubai.  It is located in Deira Dubai (Old Dubai).  I wouldnt know where to start, this has to be the crappiest hotel I have ever stayed in my life.  It is graded as a 4 star hotel but damn the UAE grading system.  This hotel wouldnt even get a 2 star rating from me.  The room is dirty with a slightly stained bathroom.  Ultra noisy, old decor, bad breakfast and a long list of other negative factors. 

The hotel on a one way street so taxi drivers love to cart you down the road before they can make a u-turn which costs atleast $1-2 each time.  You have to take the taxi across the road everytime you leave the hotel.

I recommend the Sheraton on the same road if you choose the area for any particular reason or the Radisson Blu Hotel situated on the creek, about 5 minutes away.

Travel Tip - Hotel bookings

When looking for accomodation online it can get a bit frustrating as there are many hotels to choose from within a certain radius.  Heres a solution, just go onto a hotel booking site such as http://www.hotels.com/  and key in your information.  When you find what you looking then go directly to the hotel website such as http://www.holidayinn.com/ and make the booking there. 

1.  I prefer making bookings directly with the hotel.
2.  It will be the lowest internet rate guaranteed.
3.  You will save on site booking fees normally exceeding 15% which by the way is only shown just before you input credit card details.
4.  Save on travel agent commission.

Get smart and travel for less. Rather use the extra money for spending.