The 3 Makati City Spots for Christmas Sightseeing Trips

If you've decided to spend the Christmas holidays without leaving Metro Manila, one of your best options would be Guijo Suites in Makati, Philippines. The hotel's restaurant is sure to provide you and your company a sumptuous breakfast that will let you explore the city's main commercial and financial district for the rest of the day. Now,  since it's already the holiday season, expect that some establishments might be closed for the holidays. It doesn't mean, however, that you have less reasons to go around and take in the sights. Remember that the holidays present you with an opportunity to see the city up close without being bothered by the heavy traffic. Try to see iconic high-rise buildings, tree-lined streets, and convenient pedestrian walkways at your own time.

To make the most of your stay, head to these places to enjoy the festive sights and sounds that mark the Christmas season in the country's financial capital.

1. Ayala Avenue

Take advantage of the short breather the season has granted to one of the city's busiest roads by visiting Ayala Avenue and admiring the light sculptures that pepper the sidewalk. Best time to visit would be a little after sunset so you can see how the lights play out.

2. Ayala Triangle

Swing by this lush garden and view the spectacular light show that plays to the tune of well-known Christmas carols. The park is right beside the avenue of the same name. The place is surrounded by dining options so drop by in time for dinner.

3. Glorietta 4 Park

Hit 2 birds with one stone by doing your Christmas shopping at the mall and taking commemorative pictures beside the giant tree at the park. Like Ayala Triangle, the mall also lets you enjoy proximity to restaurants, bars, cafes, and snack shops.

If you chance to drop by Makati on a weekday, sometime before or after December 25, you can also see the many museums and art galleries in the city. Choices close your hotel in Makati, Manila include:

• View artistic collaborations on display at Alliance Française de Manille in Bel-Air II.
• Visit the Ayala Museum at Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park.
• See the paintings and sculptures at Galleria Nicolas, located at 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center.
• And for big artworks, visit Gallery Big at 2/F LRI Design Plaza, 210 N. Garcia St., Bel-Air.

Book an accommodation today at Guijo Suites Makati and bring yourself closer to a stress-free Christmas holiday in the city.

Five Reasons Why You Should Spend Your Holidays in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Magnificent locations and a breathtaking scenery — these are some of what's waiting for you in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The Tourmaline Hotel, is also one of the picturesque accommodations you can find here. And all things considered, the city welcomes visitors with beauty, for Kandy, so-called the last-standing royal citadel, is covered by luscious green hills, and grand religious temples and historical sites.

Here's a list of some of the key attractions to see:

1. Temple of the Tooth

Kandy being a sacred Buddhist city, there are 5 Buddhist temples you should visit. The holiest, locals attest, is the Temple of the Tooth. It is believed that Buddha's canine teeth are enshrined here after the deity was cremated. Although it had been badly damaged through the years, this now-inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site has been successfully restored to feature a golden canopy, ancient wall paintings, and stone carvings inside the chambers. Occasionally, you can also watch Buddhists perform rituals.

2. Kandy Lake

Located at the heart of this hilly kingdom is the tranquil, manmade Kandy Lake. This area offers a nice place for tourists to enjoy a stroll or jog. The locals have tons of legends and folklore about the lake. One of these stories talk about "The Island" in the middle of the lake. Made from palm trees and bamboo thickets, the island was said to have been where the Queen and the ladies of the court bathed.

To add to the beauty of the Kandy Lake, Walakulu or cloud walls have been built around it. These are low, triangular solid fences with triangular holes used for lighting oil lamps during festivities.

3. National Museum

A former dwelling place of royal concubines, the National Museum now houses over 5,000 antiques from jewelry to earthenware that date back to 17th AD. The museum's facade is something you have to see because it has been built to resemble the architecture of the old Kandy period.

No matter where you travel, a good place to start discovering any country is at the museum, and a glimpse of the Sri Lankan culture is about 15 minutes away from commercial establishments and hotel accommodations in Kandy.

4. Tea Museum

During the 19th century, the British occupied Sri Lanka, building plantations particularly in Kandy. The colonizers knew then that the high-altitude region is suited for tea growing. The result is what we now call Ceylon tea.

If you're a tea enthusiast, you have to stop by the Tea Museum. The highlight of this trip is the vintage processing

plant that houses antiquated machinery dating back to the 1850s. At the end of the tour, you are treated to free cups served in the tearoom.

5. Devales

Aside from Buddha, the locals in Sri Lanka worship 4 gods that protect Kandy: Vishnu, Kataragama, Pattini, and Natha.

There's a sacred temple for each deity, and all of them have captivating features such as carved steps, wall sculptures, and a very ancient vibe. You will surely feel the spirituality of the locals here, and you can also send your own prayers or snap souvenir photos.

Stay in TheTourmaline Hotel inKandy for the best comfort or try other accommodations close to these attractions for one memorable vacation.

Greenleaf Hotel Gensan Installs New Booking Engine in its Website

General Santos City, Philippines – The website of the Greenleaf Hotel Gensan in General Santos City, Philippines gets an important upgrade. Powered by DirectWithHotels, it launches a new direct booking engine found at http://www.greenleafhotelgensan.com. This makes it more convenient to secure accommodation for guests seeking a tranquil, close-to-nature getaway.

This latest service enriches the experience of being with the nature-inspired hotel. The ease also supports the Zenlike experience that it offers staying individuals. Indeed, breeziness and comfort are key parts of the brand that it always aims to deliver.

Similarly, this aspect is highly evident in its thoughtfully designed luxurious rooms, fully incorporated with the sophistication of a 5-star hotel, but still with a warm and cozy ambience. Everything is relaxing, from the units to the facilities, particularly the lobby nestled under a canopy of lush evergreens. No doubt, the 6-story hotel at the heart of this first class city in the south combines beauty and function in its amenities, as well as in its new online reservation system.

Specifically, here are the benefits offered by the recently launched booking engine:

Quick booking online – Unlike other hotels and inns in Gensan, there is no need to place calls or even send an email of inquiry to book lodging at Greenleaf. All it takes is a visit to the website of the Greenleaf Hotel Gensan and rates, rooms, and packages can be selected and reserved fast and easy.

Instant confirmation – After a minimal 10% prepayment, instant confirmation is guaranteed, complete with an email notification. This amount will be deducted from the total cost of stay, settled upon check-in.

Secure bookings – The process requires a valid credit card. To protect guests, all deals made directly from the website are authenticated and secured by Trustwave and VeriSign.

Painless modifications – Free modification and cancellation of reservation is accommodated for a specific period of time.

In addition, the integration of the new system at this time of the year is most useful for tourists heading to the area for the “Pasko sa Gensan” month-long event. This features activities such as caroling, singing contests, lantern-making competitions, bazaars, and fireworks displays. For those interested in being a part of this celebration, there is more reason to come as getting a place to stay is made hassle-free by Greenleaf Hotel Gensan in General Santos City, Philippines.


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Greenleaf Hotel Gensan
San Miguel St. cor. J. Catolico St.
General Santos City
Philippines 9500

Phone Number: (083) 552 1111 or (083) 302 1111
Website: http://www.greenleafhotelgensan.com

About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.

3 Secret Spots for a Stress-Free Sojourn in Semiyak, Bali, Indonesia

After you've settled and rested a bit at Bali, Indonesia's Umalas Hotel & Residence, you'll want to check out the scenes surrounding one of the trendiest spots in the island. You can head to the beautiful beaches, or explore the famous spas in the area. But if you're looking for a less crowded tour of the place, you can depart from the list of typical destinations and head to where the locals go. The following activities, while a usual sight on most 'to do' list of Bali visitors, will take you to specialized streets and shops.

1. Shopping: Jalan 66 and Jalan Mertanadi
Bali has always been a haven for shoppers. For a low price, you can easily purchase furniture, clothes, and everything fashionable in this place. If you're willing to practice your haggling skills, you can head to 2 roads to look for the latest clothing trends and cheapest bargains. Jalan 66 offers a feast for the fashion- and budget-conscious visitor. It takes a bit of time and discerning eyes to spot great pieces, but every determined shopper is sure to find something that will fit their preference. Decorators and home improvement junkies, on the other hand, can be found scrutinizing antique and Javanese pieces and haggling over prices at Jalan Mertanadi.

2. Getting Pampered: Jalan Petitenget
A trip to Bali is never complete without a relaxing treatment at the spas that pepper the island. From nail care, to facials, to full body treatments — walk down the street and you're sure to spot an establishment that offers the services or packages you need. Jalan Petitenget, for example, has a shop called Bath which has hand-crafted soap products made from natural ingredients. It's a perfect place to buy gifts since the shop has something for everyone. If you want a little taste of New York City, you can go to Think Pink for a nail pampering session in a shop with an atmosphere that's truly cosmopolitan.

3. Authentic Indonesian Food: Jalan Petitenget
Immerse yourself fully in Indonesian culture by tasting the local dishes. Finding authentic Indonesian food can be a bit tedious since Bali restaurants tend to serve French, Italian, or Japanese cuisine. Worry not, however, as you can easily satisfy your appetite for Indonesia dishes by making a turn at Warung Sulawesi at Jalan Petitenget. Have a taste of the savoury beef rendang and many other Sulawesi offerings, but make sure you come to lunch early as the garden restaurant tends to attract a large number of local foodies.

If you're not feeling up to leaving your lodging, you can easily get to book a hotel accommodation in Kuta, Bali that has its own spa and restaurant, such as Umalas Hotel & Residence. Indonesia's island of the gods, indeed, has a lot to offer the world traveller.

Royal Kancana Villas and Spa in Bali Launches New Direct-Booking Engine on Its Website

Bali, Indonesia – Honeymooners need a long break to refresh after the organized chaos of a wedding. And so the Royal Kancana Villas and Spa in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia has made the process of getting an intimate Bali accommodation faster and easier with the launch of a direct-booking engine on its website. This latest upgrade found at http://www.royalkancanavillas.com/ is powered by DirectWithHotels.

Getting this hotel with lovely villas and excellent spa treatments in Seminyak via this new reservation system is the best option for the following reasons:

Convenient online reservation system – With the recently installed booking engine, securing luxury honeymoon pool villas can be done by clicking a few buttons on your computer or smartphone. Simply indicate your dates of stay on the calendar, select desired room types, provide personal details, and confirm the reservation by submitting 10 percent prepayment.

Instant confirmation – These days, instant is the name of the game and that is exactly what the Royal Kancana Villas and Spa delivers. After the prepayment using a valid credit card, guests receive instant confirmation in their email address. This initial payment will be deducted from the total cost. The balance will be settled upon arrival.

Secure bookings – One of the most common worries with transactions made online is security. But here, peace of mind is assured for the latest website upgrade is secured by Trustwave and VeriSign. Personal and private information remains protected and confidential.

Fuss-free modification and cancellation – If the 3 benefits above are not enough to encourage direct booking using the recently added system, this last one seals the deal: it allows for painless modification and cancellation of reservations. Simply return to the website and adjust as necessary. For a certain period of time, these changes come free of charge, too.

Indeed, there is more time for passion and intimacy with these conveniences when securing accommodation through the bolstered website of the Royal Kancana Villas and Spa in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia. Newlyweds can visit the hotel online and easily enjoy a smooth, hassle-free, and memorable honeymoon like nowhere else.

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Royal Kancana Villas and Spa
Jalan Gunung Jayawijaya
494 Kerobokan, 80361
Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Phone Number: +62 361 8695959
Website: http://www.royalkancanavillas.com/

About DirectWithHotels
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.

5 Good Reasons Why You Should Stay at Cozy Stay Bali Hotel

There are a huge number of hotels in Bali, Indonesia. But not all can provide the things travelers need to have an amazing time. Cozy Stay Bali presents 5 good reasons on why you should make it your accommodation of choice during your visit.

1. Comfortable and stylish guestrooms
The rooms here at Cozy Stay Bali are clean, spacious, and designed to provide a welcoming environment where you can rest and relax. All feature a refreshing ambience highlighted by cream-and-white walls with splashes of green and earth accents that produce a refreshing vibe. These are furnished with amenities that will make you feel at home, such as flat-panel television, air-conditioning, a telephone, coffee/tea making facilities, and a mini-refrigerator. Also found in each room are private toilet and bath, a sitting area, private pantry, mini-garden, closet, safe, and balcony/ lanai/ veranda.

2. Reasonable rates and special promotions
A stay at the Cozy Twin and Cozy Double Rooms each cost IDR650,000 (around USD58.74) per night. But if you are on a budget, you can get huge discounts and receive perks via different types of promos and packages. For example, the Cozy Super Sale offers breakfast for 2 persons, free Wi-Fi Internet access, daily housekeeping, free supply of bottled water, and 24-hour security for only IDR550,000 (approximately USD49.71) per night.

3. Great facilities and reliable services
This Denpasar hotel also offers facilities for leisure and other pursuits. The I Lounge at the second floor is a perfect place for mixing business and pleasure. It has an interactive community board and versatile business center if you need to check-in at work. The outdoor O Lounge, on the other hand, is a relaxing venue for gatherings and intimate parties, while the C Lounge is pleasant area for conversations and a cup of coffee. You will also be delighted with services that will make life a little easier during your visit. That includes free laundry service and free Wi-Fi Internet access in public areas.

4. Excellent location near myriad places of interest
This hotel in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia boasts a great location along Jalan Gunung Soputan, just a short distance of many establishments such as restaurants, shops, salons, boutiques, and different offices. It's only 30 minutes from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, and easily accessible to destinations like Tanah Lot, Denpasar Town Square, Seminyak and Legian, Kuta Beach, and Nusa Dua.

5. Easy reservations with instant confirmation
Making arrangements here is very easy because of its online booking system that is powered by DirectWithHotels. Just log on to the website of Cozy Stay Bali and click on the “Book Now” button. From there, you can select travel dates and room types, and confirm the reservation by providing your personal details and 10% prepayment via credit card. Once done, you will receive your payment status via email. The remaining balance must be settled directly at this hotel in Bali upon check-in. All transactions are monitored by Trustwave and VeriSign.

Raybow Hotel in Takoradi, Ghana Now Accepts Direct Bookings On Its Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Takoradi, GHANA – Raybow International Hotel, a prime accommodation near Takoradi’s STC Station, has just added a direct-reservations engine on its website at http://hotelraybow.appspot.com/. Booking directly from this channel yields instant confirmation for the best available rate online. Potential guests will also be offered exclusive promos.

The business hotel in Takoradi, Ghana offers standard guestrooms with queen or twin beds, suites, and apartment units perfectly suitable for corporate travellers staying in the city for an extended period. All rooms have free Wi-Fi access, 48-channel DSTV, water heater, air-conditioning, refrigerator, electric kettle, reading lamp, safe, and bath amenities. Complimentary daily breakfast is provided. All spaces feature architecture but infused with African fabric, wicker furniture, and colonial-style accessories.

When guests reserve their accommodation at Raybow Hotel using the website’s booking engine powered by DirectWithHotels, they get to enjoy the following benefits:

Instant Confirmation

Every booking is guaranteed instant confirmation, so guests will never have to wait for feedback from the Front Desk if the rooms they want are available. The reservation system requires a prepayment of only 10 percent of the total room cost.

Security and Privacy of Personal Accounts

The booking engine is supported by Trustwave and VeriSign. This ensures that all credit card and personal information are protected and handled securely.

Exclusive Promos for Discounts and Packages

DirectWithHotels’ efficient reservation system allows Raybow International Hotel to give the best available rates online. Be it discounted prices or the most value-filled packages, guests will gain access to special offers not offered anywhere else. This in turn empowers them to spend their money on enjoying their stay in the city. They won’t have to limit their budget to commuting between meetings and instead be able to explore leisurely things to do in Takoradi, Ghana.

Easy-to-understand Process

The whole booking process can be customized to a specific language. Rates can be shown in a particular currency as well.

When travellers have finalized their booking and submitted their prepayment, the system sends an email reporting of successful transaction and reservation for easy reference.

For a better view of town, guests checking in can pick an upper floor room with a balcony overlooking the pool. The hotel also serves African and Ghanaian dishes at Birago's Kitchen, its al fresco restaurant.

Book Raybow International Hotel in Takoradi, Ghana directly from its website at http://hotelraybow.appspot.com/.

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Raybow International Hotel

332 Anita Mensah Avenue

Beach Road Residential Area

Takoradi, Sekondi-Takoradi

Ghana

Phone Number: +233 31 2022072

About DirectWithHotels 
DirectWithHotels is in the business of making selling online simple and more profitable for hotels. Since 2005, we’ve helped over 1000 Hotel Partners (and counting) in 50 countries worldwide increase their direct bookings online. We attract visitors and drive traffic direct to their hotel websites with tactical online marketing, convert these visitors into bookers with a top-performing booking engine, and manage increasing reservations with an easy-to-use web interface. All this at a fixed, performance-based fee of just 10% for every direct booking.