The 10 Most Beautiful Hotels in the World

Source: Ehotelier

As the summer sun continues to beat down on London, it's been hard for us to keep our minds on our work and away from our upcoming beach holidays. As such, we've decided to put together a list of the 10 most beautiful hotels we've come across while dreaming of idyllic getaways. From the stunning Poseidon Undersea Resorts in Fiji to the icy cool Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway, the list takes us all over the world, showcasing the finest places the highly competitive billion dollar hotel industry has to offer.

Above: Hotel Villa Honegg in Switzerland - Located high on the striking Mount Bürgenstock, this early 1900s villa features 23 luxurious rooms, a private cinema, wellness centre, and a heated infinity pool overlooking the picturesque Lake Lucerne - www.villa-honegg.ch

The Oberoi Udaivilas in India - Situated on the banks of the Lake Pichola, the Oberoi Udaivilas is surrounded by the grand palaces of Rajasthan and perfectly encapsulates the splendor of the royal area with gently rippling fountains, reflection pools and lush gardens - www.oberoihotels.com

Amangiri Resort in Utah, USA - Nestled amongst 600 acres of desert in Canyon Point, the resort has been designed to blend in with the natural landscape through its hues, materials, and textures. Inside there is a luxury swimming pool, gallery, library, dining room, and cellar - www.amanresorts.com

Cabanes Als Arbres in Spain - Perfect for nature lovers, this hotel offers visitors the pleasure of being directly in touch with the foliage and ecosystem at all times, sleeping under a starry sky amongst the framework of a large tree's branches -www.cabanesalsarbres.com

Katikies Hotel in Santorini - Perched on the cliffs 300 ft above the perfectly clear waters of the Aegean Sea, the Katikies Hotel was the first luxury hotel on the island with infinity pools and unbeatable views - www.katikieshotelsantorini.com

THere's more… See the remaining five selections on the Huh Magazine website. 

12 Things Successful Women Do Different

Source: The Huffington Post  |  By Emma Gray

Career & Money, The Third Metric, Leadership Secrets, Secrets Of Success, Secrets Of Successful People, Secrets Of Successful Women, Success Secrets, Successful Women, Successful Women Do Differently, What Women Do Differently, Women News

Every woman has her own definition of success. But there are certain traits that most successful women share.

I spend a good part of my work day reading and writing about women who have achieved great things -- and I make it a point to surround myself with women who are well on their way to doing so.

Here are 12 things I've learned that successful women do differently:

1. They are deeply passionate about what they do.
"Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft," wrote dancer Twyla Tharp in her book, The Creative Habit. If you don't love what you do, you're probably not going to be motivated to go above and beyond, to innovate and to stand out in the workplace. But if you're passionate about your career, it will make putting time and effort into it pleasurable, not a chore.

2. They don't expect perfection -- of themselves or those around them.
Research has shown that wasting time and energy trying to be "perfect" only leads to unhappiness. Successful women know that that they can't do everything well all the time. Beating yourself up for your perceived flaws will only dampen your abilities at work, not to mention your mental health. "We each, if we're lucky, will have our chance to leave a mark on the world, but we are trying too hard to be perfect," wrote Barnard president Debora Spar in an op-ed for Glamour magazine. "So don't emulate Wonder Woman; think about what's wonderful to you instead. Then boldly, audaciously, joyfully, leave the rest behind."

3. Often, they become the boss. 
Many successful women have figured out that if you're the boss, you can set your own rules. As editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Joanna Coles said at the Third Metric Conference in June: "The higher you go in a corporation, the easier it is ... The truth is you get more control." And when you're in control, you have the ability to create a more sane, happy and balanced workplace for yourself and your employees.

4. They marry well -- or not at all.
Successful women know the value of a true partnership. As Sheryl Sandberg observed in Lean In: "I don’t know of a single woman in a leadership position whose life partner is not fully -- and I mean fully -- supportive of her career." And many successful women forgo marriage all together. Despite not being wed, women like Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice and Diane Keaton seem to be doing just fine.

5. They believe that they will be successful.
Not to go all "If you build it, he will come," on you, but believing in your own success -- no matter how crazy your idea might seem -- is integral to achieving it.Kay Koplovitz, founder of the USA Network, echoed this sentiment in a July interview. "You have to be comfortable that you can think your way through and actually execute your way through to the desired outcome," she said. "I expected to be successful." Bottom line? Confidence -- and faith in yourself -- is key.

6. They're not afraid to take risks.
Sheryl Sandberg says that all women should ask themselves the question: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" Affecting change -- in your career and beyond -- requires the ability to stop playing it safe every once in awhile. Successful women don't make reckless decisions, but they do know how to take a calculated risk. Sandberg took her own advice, and wrote the bestseller, Lean In.

7. They know that failure goes hand-in-hand with success. 
"Failure is not the opposite of success but a stepping stone to success," was the advice given to Arianna Huffington by her mother, Elli Stassinopoulos. Successful women know that you can't excel all the time, and that an inevitable part of taking leaps in your career is falling down sometimes. For example, 12 publishers rejected J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book. But that didn't stop her from continuing to send it out.

8. They take care of themselves physically.
"My morning run is when my head is most clear and when I synthesize all of the things that are going on in my head," Jessica Herrin, founder of Stella and Dot, told The Huffington Post. Many successful women have spoken about the value of regular exercise -- not because they are trying to be thin, but because they know that exercise relieves stress, releases endorphins and increases energy. "If I didn't run, swim, or lift weights, I almost certainly would have killed someone by this point in my life," wrote Debora Spar.

9. They know that their to-do lists will never be completed, and they're okay with that.
Sometimes you can be more productive by accepting that you're simply not going to get everything done. Learning to let go of certain goals, responsibilities and tasks can be difficult, but freeing. Arianna Huffington has spoken about how finally allowing herself to cross unrealistic goals off her lifelong "to do" list -- in her case, learning German and becoming an expert skiier -- relieved her of a huge burden. "Getting rid of the anxiety of perpetually unmet expectations was so great," she said.

10. They make sure to schedule alone time.
Research has shown that women tend to prioritize domestic responsibilities such as housework and child care over themselves. Successful women know that they need to schedule alone time the same way they plan meetings, family dinners and networking events. "I’ve found if I don’t literally put pen to paper (or create a Google calendar appointment) and carve out an hour for myself, it never happens,"Mary Kate McGrath, editor in chief of PureWow told The Daily Muse in March. "So that’s what I do. I literally invite myself to manicures or an extra 20 minutes in bed, and I’ve been known to take myself out for a Manhattan once in a while, too. (I’m a great date.) And my new rule: I’m not allowed to cancel on myself."

11. They know how to foster genuine relationships -- and keep them strong.
Having a support network is key to being successful. Keeping up your friendships and forming new ones at every place you work makes you happier and helps your career later on. In 2009, Diablo Cody told the New York Times about the importance of her relationships with fellow female filmmakers Lorene Scafaria, Dana Fox and Liz Meriwether. "They helped me be excited for things when I was kind of shellshocked," she said. "They were the ones who had to literally take me aside at the 'Juno' premiere and say: 'This is fun. You will never forget this. Please enjoy yourself.'"

12. They express gratitude to those around them.
No woman's success happens in a vacuum. Wildly successful women acknowledge those that support them every day -- both in their home lives and at the office. And that graciousness not only makes them better people, but fosters loyalty from their employees. Oprah is one powerful woman who understands the value of appreciating her employees. In 2009, she took her entire staff and their families on a Mediterranean cruise.

Women Travel Tips

Women Travel Tips

By:Sarah Schlichter

Source: http://www.independenttraveler.com/

Would your husband rather sit at home watching football than go globetrotting with you? Are you single or divorced and looking to travel with a group of adventurous, like-minded women? Or are you looking for a girls-only getaway with your daughter or best gal pal?

Women travel together for these and many other reasons -- which is why a growing number of tour operators and travel clubs have formed to cater to intrepid female travelers. These companies have fun, audacious names like Gutsy Women Travel and Wild Women Travel, and they offer a plethora of women-centric trips from hiking excursions in the Rockies to gourmet tours of Tuscany.

Whether you want to take an organized tour or would rather plan your own independent gals' getaway, there's a wealth of resources out there for women travelers. Below are our best safety tips for women traveling on their own, as well as a list of the top female-centric travel sites and vacation providers.

 Single Travel: Tips for Going Solo

General Tips for Women Travelers
Most tips for women travelers, and indeed all travelers, come down to one thing: common sense. It's the kind of stuff your parents told you growing up -- don't walk in strange neighborhoods after dark, lock your doors, don't leave your valuables lying around, be alert.

An intrinsic part of traveling is paying attention and adapting to the cultural milieu in which you travel, which means an awareness of gender roles and expectations. Learn everything you can about the values and customs of a country, and be aware of how you should tailor your behavior to fit into that culture.

Don't do anything you can't imagine a local woman doing (or yourself doing at home) -- like following strangers to out-of-the-way places or accepting lodging or rides from men you don't know. It's also not a good idea to wear flashy jewelry or show a lot of money in public places.

But more than that, be aware of local attitudes toward women in the country in which you are traveling. Do women tend to wear concealing clothes in that country? If so, don't draw attention to yourself with short shorts, plunging necklines or tight tank tops. Many women travel experts recommend wearing long, loose-fitting clothes when traveling internationally, which also offers the added benefit of concealing money belts.

In some cultures, a woman traveling alone is considered to be available. If you want to ward off unwanted advances from foreign men, try wearing a (fake) wedding ring. Avoid eye contact with unknown men, as this may be construed as an invitation.

Know the equivalent of "911" in whatever country you're visiting, and make sure you have a functioning cell phone with you at all times.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member back home and be sure to check in regularly by phone or e-mail. It's also a good idea to register your presence with your home country's embassy when you're traveling internationally. (For more information, see Travel Warnings and Advisories.) Finally, when you leave your hotel, let the front desk know when you should be expected back.

Walk confidently, as though you know exactly where you're going (even if you don't!). Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk to look at a map or rifle through your purse; distracted travelers are easy prey for thieves.

Conceal some cash in your shoe, sock or bra -- enough to pay for a cab ride if you find yourself in a dangerous spot.

If you are attacked, use caution when reporting the crime. In certain countries, police may not be very sympathetic to female victims. Your hotel or embassy can advise you of the best course of action.

Trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or uncomfortable in a certain situation, move on.

 10 Simple Tips for a Smoother Trip

Hotel Security Tips
Choose the right accommodations. Hotels that require room access through a lobby area are infinitely more secure than motels with access from the outside. We also recommend choosing aB&B or inn rather than a large hotel with a cavernous lobby and hundreds of rooms. Loitering strangers are much more conspicuous in smaller lobbies, and many women feel safer and less anonymous at a property where the front desk staff recognizes their face and is aware of who's coming and going.

Before booking a hotel, research the neighborhood. How safe is it? Are there nearby businesses that will be open and busy after dark? It's worth paying a little extra for a hotel in a more secure neighborhood.

Avoid first-floor rooms -- break-ins are less likely on the upper levels of a hotel. Ask for a room near the elevators.

When checking in, ask the desk clerk to write your room number on a piece of paper rather than announce it. If he or she announces it in a crowded lobby, ask for a different room.

When you enter an elevator, position yourself next to the button panel and make a mental note of where the "alarm" or "bell" button is so that you can push it if needed.
If your hotel room comes with a sliding glass door and balcony, always check to be sure the door is locked. Your balcony may be connected to the one next door, granting easy access to your room. You'll want to make sure your windows are locked as well. Check each time you re-enter the room -- housekeeping may have unlocked them for one reason or another. Familiarize yourself with the way the locks on the doors and windows work so you can release them quickly in case of an emergency. If any of your locks don't work, ask for a new room.

 What Not to Do at Your Hotel

Don't open your door for anyone, including "housekeeping" or "room service," without verifying the identity of the person at your door. If you haven't called for room service, call the hotel's restaurant. Do not open the door.

Sleep with comfortable shoes and your room key on your nightstand. A small flashlight is a good item to have nearby as well.

Don't give your room number to strangers, no matter how friendly. It's also wise to let men think that you're traveling with a companion who is sharing the room with you.

Unattended hotel fitness centers or pools are best avoided, especially if there aren't many other guests there.

If you take a cab back to your hotel after a late-night dinner or meeting, don't be afraid to ask the driver to wait until you are inside the hotel before he pulls away. Add an extra $1 - $2 dollars to the tip and he'll do so with a smile.

If you are trying to park in the hotel lot late at night and someone is lurking around the lot, park in front of the door in the check-in area and go to the front desk. Ask the clerk to have someone from hotel security meet you in the lot and escort you into the hotel.

Women who feel foolish about asking for extra security are women who endanger themselves. Use your gut instinct. If you feel uncomfortable, scared or threatened, there's probably something wrong. Hotel security is there for a reason. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

 Hotel Safety Tips

Driving Tips
Remember to keep your car doors locked at all times. If you have a breakdown, use your cell phone to call the police and then wait in your car with the doors locked. If you are approached by someone other than the police, stay in the car and crack your window open.

Park in well-lit areas. Do not keep anything in your car that will be an invitation for theft. Lock belongings in your trunk and take valuables into your hotel room with you. Avoid renting a hatchback car -- everything in your trunk will be visible to would-be thieves.

Ask for an up-to-date map when you arrive in a city or rent a car. If you need to ask for directions, ask families or women with children. Say: "Where is X? I'm meeting my husband there."

 The First 10 Minutes of Your Car Rental

Tour Operators for Women
Below are tour operators and travel clubs that cater primarily, and often exclusively, to women travelers.

AdventureWomen: Active trips for women in the U.S. and around the world

Adventurous Wench: Active women-only getaways in the Americas and Europe

Call of the Wild: Hiking, backpacking and other adventure trips for women in the U.S. and select international destinations

Gutsy Women Travel: Women-only tours catering to a variety of interests including history/culture, homes/gardens and gourmet dining/wines

Olivia: Cruises, ecotours, resort stays and luxury vacations for lesbian travelers

Sights and Soul Travels: Small-group, women-only tours of Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, the South Pacific and South America

SWT Tours: Special-interest trips including a selection of European and American tours for women age 50 and up

Wild Women Travel: Cruises, tours and custom vacation packages for women

The Women's Travel Group: Women-only trips around the world

Women Traveling Together: Worldwide tours for women; paid members get tour discounts and a quarterly newsletter

Helpful Tips for Hospitality Students!

Advice to Graduating Hospitality Students from a Seasoned Hotelier

By feature writer Matthew Stephens

Source: http://ehotelier.com/

When I graduated from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, I was hungry to prove that I had what it took to “make it” - determined to become a GM. The Hospitality Industry is one of the largest in the world; it is competitive, full of aspiring GM’s, some willing to support your growth, others wanting to cut you down at every opportunity. Times have changed since I graduated and you can guarantee that change in all areas of the industry will continue to be at the heart of managing a successful business for all of us.

I would like to share a few life lessons and experiences with you today that I have learned since I sat in your graduating seat:

1. Patience
2. Passion and
3. Profit

Lesson #1 – Patience – It’s all about Timing

In my experience, it’s not about forcing open doors, but working hard, demonstrating your abilities and the benefits you bring to the business and a focus on continuous improvement. If you maintain this focus, doors will open in front of you, it’s then up to you to walk through them. Your education paired with experience, a positive attitude and a large dose of common sense will have you rising quickly through the industry ranks. To be a truly great Hotelier it is important to know the details of every area of your business.  Knowing the theory of how to fold a hospital corner will get you so far, however personal experience will provide you with an understanding of the implications on your staff, customers and the bottom line and when you speak from experience, you will earn respect, which is critical in leading a team. Great opportunities rarely present themselves, and when they do – you must be ready.

As a first semester student, I served coffee and pastries on a train from Central to Leura for the official opening of the school in 1991.  At the end of the journey while cleaning the carriages, I found a trench coat on one of the seats and took it back to the school to lost property. 

When I handed it in to the Principals secretary, she took one look inside the collar and said to me “do you know who this man is?”  I had no idea he was the General Manager of the Sebel Townhouse, one of the premier five-star hotels in Sydney.  The Principal called me into his office and taught me this lesson.

Matt, you should take advantage of this opportunity.  Call Mr Hall, and offer to hand deliver his trench coat back to him personally – but make sure you meet him and hand it to him.  When you meet him, explain that you are looking for student placement and would he consider you within his property.   Yes, I got the job!

Having spent 8 years working for Rydges Hotel group under one of my industry idols, the iconic hotelier David Seargeant, my wife and I decided to move to the UK.  I accepted a position at The Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales as MIS Manager, hoping to take a break, travel and experience Europe for a couple of years.

After 6 months working closely with the Owner and his sister, explaining my vision they asked me if they thought I could manage the resort?

Celtic Manor is one of the largest 5 star conference resorts in Europe, with 400 guest rooms, 42 function rooms, 2 leisure clubs, 2 Spas, 8 restaurants, and probably more notably, 3 championship golf courses, 2 club houses and 2 driving ranges – one indoor and heated – which is a good thing in Wales! Celtic Manor is the home of the Wales Open Golf tournament, and in 2010 hosted the Ryder Cup – the third largest sporting event in the world.

At 27 this incredible opportunity presented itself and ultimately led to financial success for the resort, as well as a stream of personal achievements for me, including meeting and hosting Royalty, Prime Ministers and a never ending stream of sporting greats and celebrities.

Lesson #2: Passion – It’s about commitment and determination to succeed

Passion is at the root of success in our industry – Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver, Marco Pierre White and also many of the iconic hoteliers. However, I thought, that work/life balance was for wimps and was not high on the agenda for a young, aspiring General Manager.

Your passion for your new lifestyle may become intoxicating; an addiction to success that drove me and I hope will drive you too early on in your career. At times I work up to 16 hours a day 7 days a week – not because I have to, but because I love it.  I thrive on success, doing more, achieving more, ensuring my guests, staff and owners are happy. However, your addiction can overtake your life and that can lead to personal sacrifice and in my case damage your personal relationships – so beware of the balance.

Building a network of contacts throughout your career will ensure you will always have someone to ask for advice, support or just to crack a bottle to celebrate your successes. One of the most passionate people I know, I met day 1 in the industry, green from High School my very first lesson, 8am Monday morning. As an Executive Chef within great hotels of the world, this person taught me the basics of knife skills, how to make a roux, the dreaded Veal Blanquette, and the reason you don’t sit on the bench in a kitchen.  Sometimes with inspiring one-on-one guidance, other times with Ramsay-esq direction that could be heard in the Park Hyatt in Sydney.  Make use of your alumni colleagues and friends many who are passionate and have learned the lessons you will face, lean on them too!

Lesson #3 – Profit – It’s all about the bottom line   

The simplest lesson to learn in my experience but often camouflaged by warm and fuzzy objectives, I cannot recall a long term successful hotel that I believe was not profitable. 

Have you ever walked into a property and thought it felt comfortable?  I believe the secret is in establishing reliable efficient processes and training your people rigorously in these processes. It creates standards, structure and therefore reliability as your people will be confident in their roles and responsibilities.

Combine this with a passionate, motivated team, and this will translate through the service they deliver.  You will be well on the way to happy customers and a healthy bottom line.

I hope you will relate to my experiences and the lessons I have learned:

• Have patience and run through open doors,
• Be passionate but remember to have a balance
• Don’t forget the profit.

In closing, congratulations and welcome, fellow Hoteliers to your new lifestyle - the Hotel Industry, may your skill; experience and passion drive you to great success!

Hotels Adapting Fitness Trends

Kimpton Hotels NYC Roll Out An Urban Outdoors Menu

By:  KarenLouise  Source: Hotelchatter.com

Hotels keep trying to get us to exercise. With the fitness amenities, 'healthy hotel' concepts, and travel fit kits, we're starting to feel that they may be trying to tell us something.

You probably already know about Kimpton Hotels' brand-wide yoga program but, in New York City, they are taking it further with a new Urban Outdoors Menu that launched last week.

Kimpton's four NYC properties, Eventi, Ink48, 70 Park Avenue, and The Muse, are offering guests a bounty of health and wellness options including picnic baskets, healthy breakfast items, and complimentarycherry-red PUBLIC branded bicycles -- the concierge can even arrange to transport your bicycle to a less crazy part of NYC if you don't feel like tackling the traffic.

The individual hotels have their own thing going on too: such as complimentary morning fitness classes at Eventi, runners' amenity kits at Ink48, custom juice service at The Muse, and a "Cocktails and Conditioning" package at 70 Park Avenue -- guess which one we'd pick.

Looking for More Reasons to Build your Hospitality Career?

Why the Leisure and Hospitality Sector Is Booming

By Carmel Lobello

This year, the leisure and hospitality industry has been adding the lion's share of new jobs to the U.S. economy.

Since April, hotels, restaurants, bars, and other leisure businesses have created an average of 50,000 jobs a month, double the rate from 2012, and more than any other industry. In June, 75,000 of the 195,000 new jobs created in the entire economy were cooks, waiters, bartenders, etc.

Traditionally, a booming leisure industry points to a healthy economy: When people have more money to spend and confidence in their jobs, they treat themselves to more food, drinks, and vacations. But that's probably not what's happening here. The Wall Street Journal says many of the new jobs are part-time, which could be a direct reaction to ObamaCare.

The Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time workers to provide affordable insurance to employees working 30-plus hours a week. If employers don't pay for insurance, they will pay a fine instead.

Anticipating the pinch, some businesses are shaking up their staffs - cutting back on full-time workers, and adding part-time workers.

That's partly why the Obama administration recently delayed implementation of the provision to 2015, from 2014.

The data indicates that the entire job market - not just leisure and hospitality - is shifting toward part-time employment: Of the 753,000 jobs created since the beginning of the year, 589,000 were part-time, says the Department of Labor. "For the entire U.S. workforce, employers have added far more part-time employees in 2013 - averaging 93,000 a month, seasonally adjusted - than full-time workers, which have averaged 22,000. Last year the reverse was true, with employers adding 31,000 part-time workers monthly, compared with 171,000 full-time ones," said the Journal.

And even though 195,000 new jobs were added in June, the U6 - a broader measure of unemployment that includes people with part-time jobs looking for full-time work, and those who have abandoned their job search - actually rose to 14.3 percent, from 13.8 percent.

So why is leisure and hospitality adding more jobs than other industries? One reason may be that a high turnover rate lets employers replace full-time jobs with part-time jobs more quickly. Other factors: Restaurant chains are adding new locations, and as growth in other industries lags, jobless Americans are more likely to take restaurant jobs that used to be filled by undocumented workers, and thus weren't reported.

However, part-time workers also stand to benefit under the Affordable Care Act. In a recent column, the New York Times's Casey B. Mulligan wrote:

The part-time employee has to pay for his own health insurance, but the new law limits his premiums to $2,149 (the new law pays the other $12,658 from the United States Treasury) and limits his out-of-pocket health costs to $2,193 (the new law pays the other $2,907; by design the new law increases deductibles and co-payments but uses subsidies to offset those increases for low- and middle-income families)...

By taking a part-time position, the employee can have comprehensive health insurance coverage and make almost the same money as he would in a full-time position. Thus the two traditional deterrents to part-time employment are disappearing. [The New York Times]

But that could put a greater strain on the nation's safety net. "Shifts from full-time to part-time work will be remarkably more attractive for employers and employees than they used to be," Mulligan wrote, "and taxpayers will be picking up the tab."

About the author

Carmel Lobello Carmel Lobello is the business editor at TheWeek.com. Previously, she was an editor atDeathandTaxesMag.com and the style editor at Death + Taxes Magazine. She once made a pretty good living as a car insurance telemarketer.  

Source: The Week