This is not the case for the four star central London hotel St Ermin’s. You only have to glance at the hotel on a map to see that it is literally smack-bang in London’s green and historic heart. In terms of sightseeing and accessibility, it couldn’t be more perfectly located.

Beyond the gates of the enclosed, Westminster hotels tree-lined courtyard, you will discover that the surrounding area of St James’s Park and Westminster are quintessentially London. The area’s historic buildings, its parks, and views of Buckingham Palace glimpsed between low-hanging tree branches are all exactly what you’d find on a picture postcard of the UK’s capital, and it’s all right here – on the doorstep of St Ermin’s.

The famous saying goes ‘when a man is bored of London, he is bored of life,’ and it’s truer today than when it was first written. Whatever you want to do, it will be here somewhere, and more than likely not too far away from St Ermin’s.

Do you want to spend it up? London’s most famous shopping streets – including Regent Street, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Carnaby Street and Saville Row – are just a short walk away. Are you looking to tick those famous sights off your bucket list? Well then, the glittering spires of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard can be seen without having to get in a taxi – you certainly won’t be the first to wander down to Westminster Abbey and play the role of Wills and Kate for a few minutes. Or perhaps you’re keen for a night on the tiles? Hit the theatres and stylish bars of Covent Garden, the slick restaurants of Belgravia or the cool clubs of Soho without travelling much distance at all.

If you want to head out to the other parts of this intriguing city, then the nearest Underground station to St Ermin’s is just 100 metres away. If you’re prone to claustrophobia, or just want to avoid the crowds below ground at rush hour, then you could always jump on a ‘Boris bike’ – as the low-cost rental bikes are fondly named by Londoners – from right outside the hotel’s front door to pedal your way around the city instead.

The vast city of London – and the bit of London immediately outside the door of St Ermin’s– is packed absolutely full of famous sights and unexpected surprises that are simply too numerous to list here. Stay at St Ermin’s and the fantastic staff will help you make the most out of your stay.

(photo credit: adforce)

1. The Martinez Hotel, Cannes, France

This is one of the most popular hotels in the world with celebrities, especially during the annual Cannes Film Festival. It’s one of the largest and most elegant hotels in all of Europe not just the French Riviera.

2. Hoshi Ryokan Hotel, Komatsu, Japan

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this sturdy hotel is the oldest on the planet. It was built almost 1300 years ago in 1717 and is well known for its hot springs. The same family has run the hotel for an amazing 45 generations.

3. The Ellis Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

This classic hotel recently underwent renovations to the tune of $26 million. It’s an ideal combination of modern technology and Southern charm. The Ellis hotel is located close to Atlanta’s most popular attractions and there’s a private parlor in its executive suite.

4. The Raffles Hotel, Singapore

The famous drink known as the Singapore Sling was invented in this historic hotel. It’s popular with visitors as it features a museum, theatre, and tropical garden.

5. The Hotel Astoria, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Astoria sits in St, Petersburg’s famous St. Isaac’s Square. It opened its doors for business back in 1912. It also belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World group.

6. The Ritz Hotel, London, England

This historic neo-classical hotel comes with some magnificent decorations and has recently been renovated at a cost of about $70 million. Who can resist dinner at the Ritz?

7. The Hotel Sacher, Vienna, Austria

This magnificent hotel opened for business back in 1876. The hotel was constructed on the former site of the famous composer Vivaldi’s home. There’s also a wonderful art gallery located in the hotel.

8. Hotel Ritz, Paris, France

This Paris hotel is the oldest Ritz hotel as it started receiving guests back in 1898. The hotel has 161 rooms and they usually start at a rate of about 700 euros for a night. The suites typically cost 3000 euros per night.

9. Schloss Cecilienhof Hotel, Potsdam, Germany

This German hotel was constructed in Potsdam from 1914 to 1917. It was originally erected as a Royal Palace, but it’s now a popular hotel and museum.

10. The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA

The luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel is a favourite for entertainment types and other rich and famous guests, It was erected back in 1912 and it didn’t take long for it to become one of Los Angeles’ most famous meeting points.

11. The Waldorf Astoria, New York, New York, USA

This classy New York Hotel is well known for the popular Waldorf Salad, which is made of celery, apples, walnuts, and mayo. The hotel opened up in the 1890s and has its own railway platform. It’s also believed to be the first hotel to offer room service.

12. Hotel Chelsea, New York, New York, USA

This hotel has had some famous guests over the years and is one of the city’s most popular with musicians. Some of its residents and guests over the years included Thomas Wolfe, Mark Twain, Dylan Thomas, and Jack Kerouac. The hotel was established in 1883 and it’s now an official New York City historic site.

13. The Hotel de Paris, Monaco

It’s believed that the Crepe Suzette was invented at this elegant hotel. It has a total of 74 suites as well as 187 rooms and a famous wine cellar.

14. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, India

This historic and famous Indian hotel is well over 100 years-old and is popular with celebrities and entertainers. Past guests include Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Jackie Onassis, Prince Charles, and the Beatles.

However, there are still some historic railway hotels operating in Canada and these are some of the most popular and historic.

(photo credit: teepi)

1. Chateau Montebello, Montebello, Quebec

This fantastic hotel is known as the biggest log cabin in the world. It opened for business back in 1930 as a club for the wealthy. It was originally built after the Canadian Pacific Railway built a special track which allowed supplies and logs to be delivered to the hotel site. The chateau was sold to Canadian Pacific Hotels in 1970 and was then turned into a popular resort.

2. Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario

This famous Toronto landmark which was constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railway opened up in 1929. It was built in an ideal location right across the street from Union Station. When it first opened it was actually Toronto’s tallest building. It was also the third different hotel to be erected at the site on Front Street.

3. Digby Pines Resort, Digby, Nova Scotia

This resort is seasonal and was sold after the First World War to the Dominion Atlantic Railway. It was used as a relaxation center for the railway’s passengers. The property was later sold to the government of Nova Scotia when the railway started to sell off some of its many properties.

4. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta

This great hotel is actually situated inside of Banff National Park. It was constructed in the early 1900s and was used to attract rail visitors to the West of Canada.

5. The Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Calgary, Alberta

This is another western hotel that was built in the early 1900’s, in 1914 to be exact. It was constructed originally for the Canadian Pacific Hotels chain which was associated with the Canadian Pacific Railway.

6. Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia

The Empress is one of Victoria’s oldest and most popular hotels. It opened for business back in 1908 and was designed as a resort by Canadian Pacific Hotels. It was actually built as a hotel for steamship passengers in the West coast province.

7. Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Quebec

The Chateau Frontenac is one of the world’s best known hotels. It was constructed for the Canadian Pacific Railway. The elegant hotel opened its doors in 1893 to lure upscale visitors to the region.

8. Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia

This hotel was built in 1939 by the Canadian National Hotels chain. In 2001 the company changed its name to Fairmont. The Fairmont is the third hotel in the city to be known as Hotel Vancouver.

9. Fairmont Algonquin Hotel, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
This hotel was erected in 1899 in what is known as Canada’s original seaside resort destination. It was built by a wealthy American when the New Brunswick Railway served the area. The railway was then sold to Canadian Pacific Rail. The hotel is well known for its popular salt baths.

10. The Lord Nelson, Halifax, Nova Scotia

This classic hotel opened up in 1927 close to the city’s train station. It was built when the Canadian Pacific Railway needed a hotel for customers of its Dominion Atlantic Railway division.

11. Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta

This is a former railway hotel which opened up in 1888. It was originally built for the Canadian Pacific Railway. However, it had to be rebuilt after a fire in the 1920s.

12. Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan

This luxury hotel now belongs to the Radisson chain. It was built in a chateau-style, which was a popular design of Canadian Pacific’s early railway hotels.

1. Wahanda

First Wahanda has a complete “Spa Breaks” section where you have a variety of destinations to choose from. Under “Top Spa Break Deals” on the home page, the most affordable getaway is at the Titanic Spa for a one-night special spa break, starting at 49.50 pounds.

When you click on a deal, the page redirects to a full description of the location, Google map with directions, customer reviews, and other special features and things you want to know also great 2for1 spa deals can be had on the site.

The Titanic is a fantastic getaway where you will stay in a serviced apartment, breakfast the following morning, a lavish two-course evening meal, and the Titanic Heat and Ice Experience! The Titanc Heat and Ice Experience is series of experiences where the body is heated and cooling by bathing.

The site claims “the heat experience area guides your body through a sensory journey with the ultimate aim of inducing deep relaxation.” Guests also receive full access to all spa facilities, along with robes and slippers for ultimate comfort.

2. Best Loved Hotels

Second, Best Loved Hotels gives you a wide variety of results for UK Spa Hotels. The best spa hotel for a break or holiday is The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate, located in St Austell, Cornwall. Having opened in spring 2010, it is one of the newest spa hotels available.

According to the description, there are a number of ways one can relax and rejuvenate: The Clearing Spa’s infinity pool with walled garden, five wet and dry treatment rooms, as well as the sauna and aroma steam room.

There are a number of great discounts available.

3. Spa Seekers

Finally, Spa Seekers has a wide array of spa breaks at multiple locations. A five-star guest-rated spa was De VereCarden Park, located in Cheshire, North West UK. Their 196-room facility boasts of 20 treatment area spa with two relaxation rooms.

Treatment areas are candlelit, and their 40 treatments include facials, reflexology, waxing, nails, and more. Carden’s wonderful and soothing Spa Therapists will suit anyone’s spa needs during your stay. Other spa attractions include the 20-meter pool, sauna, and great grounds to explore.

Heading out of town on vacation and looking for the perfect location for your travel retreat? If you’re a green traveler, then we have got the list of green hotels for you!

Whether you’re looking for a tropical hideaway, a mirror pond, or a hot beach, we’ve got 8 of the most tranquil and beautiful green hotels in the world to choose from.

1. Banff Park Lodge

Lover of mountains and outdoor adventuring? Looking for a challenging hike or to just sit beside a brilliant blue, calm lake? Fancy a quiet canoe trip with your sweetheart? Then you’ll want to check out Banff Park Lodge in Alberta, Canada.

They’re Canada’s first EcoLogo Certified Hotel, but also sport affiliation with Green Key Hotels and iStayGreen.org. They’ve taken measures to reduce their environmental impact by reducing waste, developing a green purchasing policy, making recycling facilities easy and accessible, and more.

2. Hotel Monaco

As a Green Seal Certified Hotel,  the Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City is one of the green hotels for anyone looking for a playfully eclectic luxury stay in a buzzing urban center.

Get a complimentary chair massage and glass of wine each evening, then relax with a treatment or two from their spa – in your very own room! Their green initiatives include eco-friendly cleaning supplies, green printed materials, water conservation, organic food offerings, and more.

3. Alaska’s Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge

Get away from it all at Alaska’s Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge. It’s been voted one of North America’s top ten green hotels by Natural Home Magazine, partly because of their involvement in programs such as Green Star Hotel Rating and the Green Globe certification program.

Do some bird watching, spend some time watching whales go by, take a berry-picking hike, or venture out on some horseshoes. It’s a rugged paradise.

4. Cheli & Peacock

Immerse yourself in the adventures of Africa with a stay at Cheli & Peacock. As an innovator in the green hotel community and a member of Green Star Hotel Rating, this accommodation scores big on sustainability, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental scales.

They hire mostly locals to work in the hotel and specialize in giving you an authentic, breathtaking wildlife experience.

5. Kerala Houseboat

If you’ve always wanted to go to India, then perhaps an Eco Trails Kerala Houseboat trip would be just the thing. Known as “God’s Own Country,” Kerala is an experience in and of itself with its rivers, beaches, wildlife, and more.

You’ll ride your houseboat through the backwaters of the area, seeing rustic homes, coir villages, lush paddy fields, and other enchanting sights. Dine on this green boat as you enjoy all the sounds and flavors of India.

6. Inn by The Sea

If seaside life is more your thing, then check out the Inn by the Sea in Crescent Beach, Maine. Registered with several green hotel organizations, this property offers tranquility that can only come from spending time near the ocean.

They use biofuel for heat, warm the pool with solar energy, and take measures to project the local monarch butterfly. Spending time in the Spa or at the Spa Glass Dining restaurant will further enchant you.

7. Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach

For beach lovers, there’s always the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic.

Hang out by the pool, eat in one of the many on-site or local restaurants, spend time on the water skiing, snorkelling, or fishing, play some tennis or bocce ball on the beach, or learn how to scuba dive. And you can do it all knowing that they’re rated well in iStayGreen.org.

8. The Atami Hotel

With a three-star green hotels of the world rating, the Atami Hotel is a spectacular choice if you’re looking to travel to the Middle East. Located in Bodrum, Turkey, this boutique hotel is situated on the undisturbed Paradadie Bay surrounded by natural beauty.

But you’ll also find luxury here, with beautiful water for swimming and snorkeling, yoga classes, ikebana lessons, a Mediterranean garden, and much more. They’ve received very good ratings in many environmental categories, including energy and water use, disposal practices, environmental projection, and so on.

However, there are several great resorts that are more geared towards nature than beaches. These are some of the best.

1. Sonora Resort, Sonora Island, British Columbia
This secluded resort is an ideal place to get in touch with nature. You can enjoy things such as fly fishing, bear watching, and kayaking in the outdoors.

While indoors, you can use the mineral pools, gym, spa, and wireless internet service. The resort offers three daily meals as well as appetizers, snacks, wine, beer, liquor, and non-alcoholic drinks.

2. Kipawa Lodge, Kipawa, Quebec
This is an excellent fishing destination. All of the cottages include transportation on water from the village of Kipawa. Along with wonderful accommodations, you’ll receive breakfast, a boxed lunch, dinner, a motor boat to get you to Lake Kipawa and fishing bait.

3. Irwin Inn, Lakefield, Ontario
Irwin Inn offers plenty of activities, such as a nine-hole golf course, horseback riding, and private hot tubs in your waterfront suite. You’ll be served breakfast and dinner along with an optional a la carte lunch.

4. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Tofino, British Columbia
This resort place offers something, a little different, as your accommodations are in a luxury tent. You’ll also get return airfare from Vancouver as well as snacks, meals, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Massage treatments are available and you’ll be able to spend some time watching the whales go by.

5. Grey River Lodge, Shoal Harbour, Newfoundland
The lodge is so remote that you can only get there by a sea plane or helicopter. It’s an ideal place for larger groups as some of the lodges come with several bedrooms. Meals are included and there’s plenty to do outdoors, such as wing shooting, big-game hunting, and fly fishing.

These are some of the most popular destinations around the world for vacationers who prefer to stay in all-inclusive resorts.

1. The Caribbean
This has long been one of the most popular destinations for lovers of all-inclusive vacations. Most Caribbean islands have numerous resorts to stay at. The most popular of these islands for all inclusive vacations are the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba. All of these nations offer top-rate resorts, white sandy beaches and excellent scenery.

2. Mexico
The North American nation of Mexico attracts millions of visitors every year to its fantastic ocean-side resorts. Some of the most popular places include the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playacar, and Cozumel as they all offer dozens of resorts to choose from in all price ranges.

3. Spain
Spain is one of the top European destinations for all inclusive resorts. It’s also one of the newest as it attempts to keep up to the competition. Some of the most popular locations are Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca, Benidorm, Lanzarote, and Tenerife.

4. Turkey
Turkey is starting to become a very popular spot for all inclusive holiday, especially with vacationers from Britain. The country has a lot to offer, such as excellent weather, a rich history and culture, fantastic beaches, and delicious cuisine.

5. Greece
Greece can always be depended on for a great all inclusive vacation. The country is filled with scenic islands, a long and rich history, stunning landscapes, and amazing beaches and food. Some of the most popular destinations are the islands of Corfu, Kos, Crete, and Rhodes, along with the Greek mainland. A lot of the hotels have spas in them along with entertainment for children and families.

1. Phuket, Thailand

This wonderful island is where the famous Thai massage originated. It’s a mixture of new and old traditions and treatments that include steam compresses and herbal remedies. There are numerous resort spas on Phuket. One of the best is Banyan Tree Phuket where therapists have to take 300 hours of treatment training before they can give massages. The Six Senses Spa and Evason Phuket offer some amazing views of the sea as well as relaxing treatments.

2. Palm Springs, California, USA

This splendid city is filled with numerous resorts, natural mineral waters, and spas. It’s located in the California desert and is a great place to relax while enjoying treatments such as hydrotherapy and body wraps, etc.

3. Mallorca, Spain

The popular holiday island of Mallorca is well known for its sandy beaches and nightlife, but it’s also an ideal place to relax. The La Residencia Spa which is located in the Hotel La Residencia is generally considered to be one of the best spas in all of Europe. It’s a great place to treat yourself to full body massages, manicures, and aromatherapy facial treatments, etc.

4. Banff, Alberta, Canada

The city of Banff is set in the mountains and is known as one of Canada’s best resort and skiing towns. There are natural baths of spring water at the Willow Stream Spa which is located in the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. It’s a great way to unwind after hitting the ski slopes.

5. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Las Vegas, which sits in the desert in Nevada, is home to the new CityCenter complex. This means there’s plenty more to do in this famous city than just gamble and see shows. It’s becoming an ideal spot to unwind and relax. A couple of the best places to do this are the Encore Resort Spa and the Spa at Aria.

6. Budapest, Hungary

The majestic and historic city of Budapest has been known as the city of spas since the 1930s as it’s filled with medicinal and thermal water springs. In fact there are close to 120 springs in the city and they produce thermal water at the rate of 70 million litres a day. There are also 15 thermal baths open to the public in Budapest as well as numerous private spas in some of the city’s luxury hotels.

7. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is often referred to as the Spa Capital of Asia since it’s home to over 200 of the country’s spas. These spas utilize natural healing products and methods, such as tropical plants, marine algae, and exotic fruits.

8. Mauritius

This beautiful island lies in the Indian Ocean and is an ideal spot to relax and take in the scenery. Mauritius is home to several top-notch spas, such as the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa and the Beau Rivage Hotel’s spa.

9. Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

This town has been known for its hot springs since way back in the 1500s. The mineral-rich water is considered to be excellent for people with metabolic and digestive ailments. Karlovy Vary was very popular with Russian czars and other elite people in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Many people drink the water and enjoy aqua therapy.

10. Napa Valley, California, USA

This famous American wine region is also home to quite a few spa resorts. One of the most famous is the Spa Terra, located at the Meritage Resort. This spa sits underground in a huge wine cave.

Find a place you will like. If you are attracted by the crowd, the name or the air, pick a bistro which tempts you and keep in mind that you don’t have to go for the one recommended by the hotel.

Look for the bistro menu and see if it is available in other languages than French. If you cannot tell if the place serves what you would like to eat it is better to look farther.

After you make up your mind about the place find a free table and sit. If you are dining by yourself make sure you get a book or a newspaper to read while you are at the table. It is something very common to see Parisians reading during meal time; so relax and enjoy the experience.

Ask the waiter about the menu. Many bistros offer special menus which include wine, appetizer and desert along the main course. So you will have to pay less than if you order them separately.

Of course, you will have to make sure you can afford the meal and the tips. As the tip goes you don’t have to leave a very generous one unless you were really pleased by the service. In Paris, many bistros have a special service tax which includes the tip.

Choosing the right place to eat in Paris has a lot to do with the service too. No matter how amazing the place looks at the first glance, it is better to walk by it a few times before deciding. There are many reviews online discussing the arrogance of the French waiters and the not so delightful feeling of being treated with superiority.

You have to keep in mind that every bistro has its very own personality so it is better to choose one that fits yours.

When choosing the bistro, you should consider one that is not very crowded. This way the waiter will have more time to spend with you while you order; this is important if your French is not that good.

If you don’t like something – whether related to food or treatment – do not be afraid to complain. Bad food is something that has nothing to do with language or culture; and bad behavior should not be tolerated either.

When it comes to good food, New York surely can offer a lot of it. The city has nearly 23,000 restaurants and it can be called the food capital of America. Yet, it’s not that any restaurant offers good food, wine and dessert.

In case you want something really refined, you should visit the French restaurant Pe Se, where the food is more than just an experience. There you will taste seafood prepared in an unusual way, as well as typical French desserts. The wine here gives another reason to dine at this place.

In case you are already in New York, don’t miss out the seafood restaurant La Bernadine. If you are hungry for ethnic meals, then the Little Italy, Chinatown and Koreatown are the best spots to visit.

Surprisingly the second best town for dining is San Francisco. Here you have amazing choice, when it comes to classy restaurants with good food list. Visit the so called French Laundry, where you will find a new definition of desserts and sweets.

The Gary Denko’s cuisine offers traditional meals, but the wine list is so rich that there are nearly 1200 wines in the menu. The Chinatown is yet another popular dining spot, for it offers not only Chinese food, but international cuisines as well.

Chicago is the third city that can be called a real adventure for the lovers of good food. Here the restaurants and the dining spots surely can beat the New York ones, but the difference is that Chicago offers good food at affordable price.

Stop by the popular molecular gastronomy of Alinea, which is a restaurant that offers extremely tasty meals made in untraditional methods. In case you want something different, then Charlie Trotter`s restaurant is the right place for you. Here the chef never serves the same dish twice and the food is always original.

If you want to dine in a romantic style, then bring the Paris restaurant close to you by visiting the 40^th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, where the pizza is unforgettable. Chicago is different when it comes to pizza and Italian meals. The Pizzeria Uno is the most visited Italian dining spot, for it serves only the local specialties such as deep-dish pizza.