Although summer is over, there is still plenty of time to enjoy days at the beach. If you have young children, it can be difficult to find a spot that is safe for them to swim and which offers a playground, toilets and the all-important cafe;/kiosk for coffees and ice cream. Here are some popular and yet to be discovered beaches/parks which are perfect for families with young kids.

Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is located on Sydney’s northern beaches – approximately 10 minute walk from the popular Manly Beach. As the name suggests, you can find plenty of sea shells and children can keep busy for hours collecting them or making sand/shell art right on the beach. Don’t forget to bring a bucket or a container to store all the treasures they find. Shelley beach is protected, so there are no waves and plenty of shade can be found under large trees. There is also a kiosk/cafe for ice-cream, coffees and lunches or bring some sausages and have a BBQ. Shelly Beach has plenty of grassy area and tables where you can enjoy a picnic. Children can ride their scooters or bikes along the footpath. Address: Bower Street, Manly

Little Manly Beach

One of Sydney’s hidden treasures, Little Manly Beach can be found just over the hill from Manly Ferry wharf. This beach has no waves and has a shark net pool. Just above the beach is Little Manly Beach kiosk which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner through the summer months. You can either sit down and enjoy your meal at the kiosk or get a take away sandwich, coffee or ice-cream. Kids’ meals are also available. Little Manly Beach has a couple of swings for young children or if you walk up from the beach to Little Manly Point, you will find a footpath on which children can ride their bikes/skateboards/scooters and there is also a playground. Little Manly beach has spectacular views of the city and is a great spot for family picnics. Address: Stuart Street, Manly

Manly Cove

Manly Cove is located on the "ferry side" of Manly. It has a netted swimming area and virtually no waves. On the northern end of the beach, you will find Manly Oceanworld and Manly Water Works with 3 big slides. Above the beach is a promenade, where children can ride their scooters or skateboards and also large trees and picnic tables. You will also find plenty of cafes and restaurants within a short walking distance as well as great ice-cream shops. Catch a ferry from Circular Quay and enjoy a fun day out swimming and playing in the sand. For older children you can hire a kayak or canoe. Address: West Esplanade, Manly

Clontarf Reserve

Over the past few years, Clontarf Reserve has become a popular family destination because of its stunning location and facilities. The beach has a swimming enclosure and at low tide shallow water, so it is perfect for swimming and splashing around even for young children. Clontarf Reserve has a shaded playground, which is suitable for children 0-12 years of age. There is plenty of parking – paid and unpaid (within a short walking distance) and a kiosk right in the middle of the reserve, which sells not only coffee and ice-cream but hot food as well. You will also find plenty of BBQs, tables and benches scattered throughout the park and toilets/showers near the kiosk. Although the weekends can get busy, during the week, this fantastic spot is very quiet, so if you have young children that don’t attend school, it is the perfect place for a fun day out. Address: Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf

Parsley Bay

Parsley Bay Reserve is located in Sydney’s eastern suburb of Vaucluse. It is an ideal family park that includes a children’s playground, enclosed swimming area as well as picnic facilities. There is plenty of grassy space for children to play ball games or fly a kite or they can go exploring the bushland. The beach has no waves and is quite shallow so children can splash and run through the water. As not many people know about this beach & reserve, it does not get very busy, even during summer months. The beach has a small carpark and toilets and there are plenty of large trees which offer shade during hot summer days. Address: Parsley Road, Parsley Bay

Shark Beach & Nielsen Park

Shark Beach & Nielsen Park are part of Sydney Harbour National Park and are located in Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. The beach is popular for families with young kids as it has a shark net and calm waters. You will also find a cafe/kiosk, which serves hot food as well as coffee and ice cream. Toilets, picnic tables and BBQs as well as drinking water and lots of large trees are all in the area. Enjoy stunning views of the city, while the children play on the beach or in the park, but make sure you get there early as parking is limited Address: Greycliff Avenue, Vaucluse

Carss Bush Park & Beach

Carss Bush Park is located in Blakehurst and overlooks Kogarah Bay. It is an ideal family park, with its large playground, plenty of covered picnic tables, sheltered beach, toilets and a special BBQ area as well as a great cafe/restaurant, which serves not only hot food, but also drinks and coffee. The playground is suitable for both young and older children and a special Variety swing has been installed for children in wheel chairs. Interestingly the beach has brown sand on top and almost black sand underneath and is perfect for building awesome sandcastles. The park can be quite windy, so bring a sweater, especially in cooler months. Free parking is available in a car park across the road. Address: Carwar Avenue, Blakehurst

Balmoral Beach

Balmoral Beach is located in the Sydney suburb of Mosman. The beach has no waves and so is suitable even for young kids. Children can ride their bikes, scooters and skateboards along the promenade or play at the playground. Build a sandcastle or dig a giant hole… the kids are guaranteed to keep occupied for hours. And when it’s time for lunch, you will find plenty of cafes and take away shops nearby. The beach has spectacular views of Middle Harbour and plenty of trees that offer shade. You will also find toilets and showers in several spots. This is a very popular beach especially on the weekends so get down early to make sure you find a parking spot. Address: The Esplanade, Balmoral

Chinamans Beach & Rosherville Reserve

Chinamans Beach is located at Middle Harbour, not far from Balmoral Beach. The beach is right next to Rosherville Reserve, which has a great playground and modern shower/toilet facilities. There is plenty of grassy area for children to play on and large trees offer shade during summer. Although weekends can be busy, during the week, this spectacular beach and reserve is almost deserted, making it perfect for a day out with young children. The beach has rock formations which can be fun for children to explore and there are no waves. The only thing that is missing is a coffee shop, so pack a picnic and drinks. Address: Parriwi Road, The Spit

Robertson Park & Beach

Located in the centre of Watsons Bay, Robertson Park is a popular family destination. The beach is sheltered so there are no waves and its large enclosed playground offers hours of fun for young children. There are also footpaths on which children can ride their scooters or skateboards and plenty of grassy areas suitable for picnics. You will also find park benches and public toilets as well as cafes, take away shops and restaurants. Parking can be difficult to find, so get there early or catch a ferry to Watsons Bay Ferry Wharf. Address: Marine Parade, Watsons Bay

So if you are wondering about what things to do with the kids this weekend, why not pack a picnic lunch and head to one of the great Sydney beaches.

Source by Ivana Katz

Las Vegas clubs have so much to offer you – but only if you know where to go! So, here it is: the insider’s scoop on the most indulgent and decadent clubs in Sin City:

#10: Rain

Rain is a completely unique venue amongst the other Las Vegas nightclubs. The fountains and waterfalls really add energy and coolness to the club. The abundance of water everywhere reflects the lights and cushions the sound waves to a deep resonating vibration that you feel deep in your stomach and chest. Rain is a true oasis in the desert of Las Vegas. The crowds are lively and always ready to party hard! The VIP skyboxes are excellent as are the private cabanas. Special effects such as lightening, fog and fire will all add to your electric experience. George Maloof, the owner goes on the philosophy that if you have the women at a club – you also will have the men. That’s what Rain delivers: loads of hot women and excited men looking for and finding some of the best times in Vegas.

#9: Ghostbar

From the very second that you enter the Ghostbar, you sense an eerily entertaining and frightening sexy change from anywhere else you have ever been. It’s located high in the Vegas sky atop The palms Casino Resort. The Ghostbar offers its guest the best views of Vegas. This is true because you can go all around the outside deck and view Sin City in all directions from a Gargoyle’s vantage point. The crowd here is playful and they just love to shake the nights away. The entire club is thematic and the decor utilizes lots of mirrors, glass and stainless steel to bring out the macabre in all patrons. The music is an energetic blend of several popular styles – making sure to please everyone as the nights progress. The Ghostbar is definitely one Las Vegas nightclub that you will want to visit – if you aren’t too afraid of really good times.

#8: OPM

OPM is hot. There’s no doubt about it. It’s located directly above the wonderful restaurant, Chinois inside Caesars Palace. OPM presents its guests with a sensual blending of eastern and western cultures. Modern American decor is meshed with Asian elements to bring out the mystic in all of us. A full menu of Wolfgang Puck dishes are serves every night until 3 am. Electricity and eroticism are the central characteristics that hit you when you enter OPM. It’s like going into the dream of every man and woman combined. Sexy meets classy here and the crowds are open to a lot of different activities and ideas. Leave your inhibitions at your hotel room because they will be smothered in free expression here at OPM. The Go-Go girls really shouldn’t even bother wearing any clothes at all considering the amount that they wear. Over a million AOL voters have dubbed OPM as the #1 nightclub to visit in Vegas. It will be obvious to you as to why when you visit OPM!

#7: Voodoo

Hot bodies and Las Vegas’s most original cocktails await you at the Voodoo nightclub. On top of the 51st floor of the Rio Hotel located at 3700 W. Flamingo Blvd, this upscale nightclub caters to all of the needs of it’s sophisticated yet funky guests in grand style. Vegas’s hottest DJs, live bands that truly rock out and a vast array of some of the most scorching dancers in Las Vegas will act in conjunction to mentally transport you to another world. The Voodoo Lounge offers you a bird’s eye view of some of the most desirable Go-Go girls in the business. They will dress up for you in tight fishnet stockings accompanied by slick, black vinyl boots and shake it like there’s no tomorrow! These beauties are not paid so well to be shy.The bartenders act with fantastic showmanship as they whip up the most exotic beverages in Vegas. They hold nothing back here and of course, there is a centralized theme to these uniquely delicious love liquids. Try a Witch Doctor or a Zombie! Your mouth will no sooner forget them than your eyes will forget all that they are feasting on.

#6: Pussycat Doll Lounge

The taboo-defining nightlife in Las Vegas is epitomized at the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. Hot, steamy, sexy women playfully perform cabaret acts for visitors every day from 4 p.m. – 4 a.m. The nightclubwas originally formed in LA and quickly gained international notoriety as “LA’s hottest cabaret ticket of the year” as stated by People Magazine. The Pussycat Dolls Lounge now resides inside of theCaesars Palace Hotel. The PURE Management Group takes good care of the Dolls as they continue to thrill voyeuristic visitors from all over the planet – both celebrities and common folk alike, both men and women combined. A visit to Las Vegas wouldn’t be complete with experiencing the sultry flavor of the Pussycat Dolls! These hip-shakin’, underwear-poppin’ beauties take visitors on a sexy medley of two dozen musical numbers – all perfectly grooved, grinded and lip-sinked. Your mind will race and your eyes will widen in hope as the Pussycat Dolls spread their legs wide and drop from their scantly-clad waists forward time and again showing you what you cannot have (unless you are “The Hef” himself!).

#5: Forty Deuce

Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce striptease nightclub makes its home inside of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino at 3930 Las Vegas Blvd. The nightclub itself has a sexy feel form the front door on. As you enter, you will transcend your robotic existence and melt into the vibe of the club. The Forty Deuce is renowned for its capacity to provide you privacy – making you feel as though every dancer in the house is specifically there for your pleasure and enjoyment. The chairs are plush and low. All patrons are seated at their own cocktail table that has a small lamp centered – casting just enough glow to accentuate the already perfect ladies in the house. The Forty Deuce in Las Vegas is a very popular choice of the stars as well. Regulars include George Clooney, Aston Kutcher, Sting, David Arquette, Brad Pitt and Mick Jagger. It’s not the men either: Jennifer Aniston, Uma Thurman, Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts have also repetitively shown up as unexpected guests. This is one of Vegas’s hottest nightclubs for a lot of good reasons – and all of them love to take their clothes off for you. The underlying goal of the Forty Deuce is to entice you, seduce you and leave you with several new lifelong fantasies and exquisitely beautiful memories.

#4: Tao

Inside of the Tao Asian Entertainment Complex housed in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada is the Tao nightclub – one of the most sensual and erotic clubs comprising the Vegas nightlife scene. The club is BIG – 10000 square feet of big! The floor plan is divided into two separate rooms: The Temple and The Emperor’s Ballroom. Each have their own air of Asian mystery – their designs reminding patrons of the Shanghai opium houses of the past. There is also a 40 foot outdoor terrace that will blow you away with its stunning views of the Vegas strip. Inside of the Tao Asian Entertainment Complex housed in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada is the Tao nightclub – one of the most sensual and erotic clubs comprising the nightlife scene. The club is BIG – 10000 square feet of big! The floor plan is divided into two separate rooms: The Temple and The Emperor’s Ballroom. Each have their own air of Asian mystery – their designs reminding patrons of the Shanghai opium houses of the past. There is also a 40 foot outdoor terrace that will blow you away with its stunning views of the Vegas strip. The lighting and sound systems at the Tao are unparalleled anywhere in Vegas. They are state-of-the-art and top-of-the-line to say the least. They have been honed to perfection from a highly technical and skillful staff. These guys know how to rock you hard and deliver the goods! Beautiful servers cater to your every need. They really bend over backwards (or frontwards!) to bring you what you desire. It’s an organized state of sensual chaos here at the Tao – and patrons love every second of it. Take the time to enter into a realm of Asian bliss – complete with all of the dirty little features that you secretly hope for.

#3: Pure

Stop in for an evening of pure adult fun at the Pure nightclub in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada! You won’t find a hotter spot in all of the strip. Pure is located inside of Caesars Palace and spins a fine selection of the day’s freshest hip-hop, rock and house -remixed tunes. They are delivered at maximum levels of bass-pumping pulsation for you to groove to all night long. The capacity at Pure is 2400, so there will be loads of beautiful patrons to try to hook up and shake it with every night. That’s a lot because the club is huge! There are three unique and energetic sub-environments within Pure totaling over 36000 square feet of bliss. Pure’s center strip location at Caesars yields thousands of visitors nightly – all of them shakin’ like they should be breakin’! A group of Hollywood’s elite celebrities were responsible for the launch of this mega-club. That makes it quite likely for you bump shoulders with them while at the club. Some of the best strip views are seen from here. Also, the Terrace Room offers an ovular dance floor, private cabanas and a never-ending scenario of bar activity. If you are looking for a nice, relaxing evening – then go watch Cher. If you want to get down with the professional party people – get you money-maker on over to the Pure nightclub!

#2: Body Language

At the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, there is a smokin’ hot nightclub called Body English – as if you haven’t already heard of it. What you may not know though is that this nightclub was designed and is operated for the sole purpose of expression: bodily expression! This place is for the good-lookin: good-lookin bartenders, good-lookin dancers, good-lookin waitresses, good-lookin patrons and a good-lookin environment for you to shake it in until the sun rises again. There are two stories and 7600 sq. ft of devious thrill space here. The lower tier features cavelike booths where you can find a lot of privacy. If you need more than that, there are also private rooms available. The experience at Body Language is distinct and unique when compared to other nightclubs. Body Language epitomizes luxury and sensuality. The music is classier than at most nightclubs too. After all, this is the Hard Rock Cafe we are talking about! You will not be subjected to the endless droning of Techno. Energetic elegance is a good way to describe what you get at Body Language. There are 41 VIP booths (be rich if you want one) that are catered to by two deliciously decorated self-contained bars. Body Language emcompasses all of the desired attributes of Las Vegas in one hot club!

And #1: The Playboy Club!

When you mix the planet’s sexiest women, a flare for indulgent eroticism and the casino mentality of Las Vegas, you get a perfect mixture of adult fun called the Playboy Club. No visit to Las Vegas would be completed without going there. Playboy is a firm fixture of American heritage. The magazine, the art, the bunnies, Hef: they all have a place in the minds and hearts of every man and women. Playboy has an enduring reputation for representing the beauty of women with class and dignity. So does the Playboy Club in the Palms! Seated high in the Vegas sky, atop The Palms Fantasy Tower, the Playboy Club pulsates and grinds with exotic activity every single day from 8 pm until 4 am. The pages of the iconic magazine come to life inside the Playboy Club displaying huge flat screen monitors presenting classic and modern cover and feature photos. The wallpaper is also Playboy centerfold based in design. Ceiling-to-floor windows offer you spectacular views of the Vegas strip. The Playboy Club is original in another sense as well: you can get your gamble on in here! That’s right, you can have a bad little bunny bring you a drink, do a private little dance for you or deal you a lucky hand of Blackjack. Of course, bunnies are also in complete control of the roulette tables that dot the club. The sounds are pumpin’ and the lights are flashin’ while you and hundreds of other beautiful, happy people get down in true Vegas style!

Wherever you decide to visit, make sure that you dress fashionably and have your ATM card handy. Vegas is all about hot women, good times, partying hard and living like the king that you dream of being. Take full advantage of the nightclubs of Las Vegas by leaving your inhibitions at home!

Source by Kevin A. Clarke

When you go out for coffee do you ever sit and watch the people around you? I do, especially if I don’t have something to read.

It was during one of these occasions that a mother and daughter of about 7 years came to my notice. They were evidently having a mother and daughter day over the Christmas period. But to me they were demonstrating an interesting, and quite common, child behaviour issue.

They’d come to the cafe for afternoon tea and there was plenty to choose from. Cookies with Christmas icing, cakes with sprinkles – you can imagine. I watched the little girl as she looked into the display case filled with sugary treaties. I listened as the mother asked her what she wanted to eat. After a couple of changed choices she decided upon a cookie with a Christmas tree.

As her Mum went to order it, the little girl changed her mind. She told her Mum about her changed choice. As the girl sat on a chair the Mum asked what she wanted to drink. She was given about 5 choices to which she shook her head to all.

Eventually she told her Mum what she wanted. Upon receiving the treaties for herself and the girl, the Mum sat down. The girl was given her special afternoon tea, and she started to eat. I watched and I listened.

There was a lot of ‘darling’ type words used from Mum to daughter, and mostly grunts and nods from the girl back. I listened for some words of thanks from the little girl or a comment to show her appreciation but none came. She munched and slurped as Mum sat and stared.

The notion of ‘child worship’ came to mind. You know, where the child is placed in such a position of awe that their behaviour shows their god-like position. The Mum was so concerned about giving her little daughter the goodies she had forgotten to give her the best – some manners and gratitude.

I compared this to another family shopping for Christmas; two young girls with their Granny looking for a couple of special outfits for their little sister. So many beautiful clothes to choose from! Yet not one word asking for themselves. And when they were asked to choose a sun-hat to wear that sunny day, they carefully compared how each hat felt before they decided on the one they liked the best. And both little girls, without prompting, thanked their Granny for their gifts.

Someone else noticed their behaviour too and commented at the checkout counter what thoughtful, grateful behaviour they had displayed during the shopping spree.

So, which of the two categories would your children come under? And be honest. Or don’t you really 100% know because you haven’t listened to see if they use the words and behaviour of gratitude? Sometimes we are so busy trying to make sure our children feel loved and happy we forget we are also teaching them behaviour skills – good or bad.

Watch and listen to your children as an observer and decide if they are using behaviours of gratitude or acting ungrateful. Are you worshipping them with your behaviour or teaching them beneficial life skills? If you do notice absences of appreciation remember it’s never too late to start their ‘gratitude training’.

Source by Carolyn Cutforth

There are many different types of hotels and just as many styles of furniture to help create the desired ambiance. So what are the top 5 hotel furniture designs?

1. Worldly

   Artwork and Parisian rugs combined with the right furnishings can create a splendid old world look. It should consist of a mix of urban and chic furniture as well as pieces that look well traveled just like the traveler that is staying there. Leather styles work wonderfully and they also outlast many other materials. If you want to add a little European flair you just add a few unusual more unique pieces that will give you that fresh look. Worldly is a lot about wood and weathered wood is certainly an added charm. Think non traditional and hand crafted too.

2. Futuristic

   One might not have thought futuristic would be a top furniture design but it really is becoming popular especially in the new upscale smaller but very functional hotel spaces that are complete with internet hook ups and everything a busy life might need. Think of the Jetsons and you’ve got the futuristic furniture you’d find in these great hotels. Chairs are often one of the first pieces to take on the new flare. In this case think of the work of Team Johanason. If you aren’t familiar with it you should be. You’ll find contemporary and comfortable chairs like the DJ Comet 01-46.

3. Contemporary

   This is a furniture design that never goes out of style. Don’t confuse contemporary with trendy. Contemporary has the lines of feel of modern with the quality of traditional. You get a great mix of woods and metals and designs of today that are linear, warm, and inviting. Headboards will often be leather and desks are often accompanied with a comfortable desk chair that’s designed to work at. Stefano Giovannoni is a great example of a contemporary comfortable office chair. This GM Bombo chair SD116 is a 5 base swivel chair with adjustable height and you get all kinds of great color choices

4. Trendy

   There’s another group of hotels that cater more to the younger, trendier crowd. Here you’ll find furniture that’s more like Timo Pehkonen’s great looking sofa, the 3D Avenue 42. Combine it with the trendy chairs and the right tables, and you’ll create the ambiance that’s needed.

5. Traditional

   Okay traditional has been around a very long and it generally lands up being a bit of a mix between contemporary and traditional as pieces are replaced. Heavier furniture, lots of wood, maybe some brass, and comfy chairs to sit and relax with a good book or your favorite television show. Consider the Alessio Pozzoli table that’s available in 8 top colors. Traditional lines and yet a touch of today – perfect for a traditional hotel room. Another choice is the Andre V696 which is beechwood with a satin glass center.

Source by Andy S Baker

In any hotel setting towels are the items that guests use the most and most intimately. After they enter the room, the towel is often the first thing they touch and then the last before they leave. This article will briefly look at what defines quality in towels and what can be useful to know in buying them for hotel use.

Origins and Quality

Pure Egyptian cotton usually provides the best feeling of quality as it is softer than most other cotton. Cotton fibres originating in the ‘Nile Delta’ are longer and produce threads that are finer and able to be woven tightly together in 2-ply yarns that make for soft, strong and resilient towels. Whilst more expensive, in a trade environment these qualities can save money in the long term.

Turkish cotton towels are also produced using long fibres and are understood to be very absorbent and can provide more practicality. Pima Cotton has its origins in Peru, but now refers to a premium cotton largely from the Americas. The fibres here are usually not as long as with Egyptian cotton but Pima cotton is also known to be very absorbent, strong and long lasting.

Whilst not common practice, perhaps Egyptian cotton is better suited to the use by hand and face; whereas Turkish and Pima cotton are perhaps more useful for bath and beach towels.

Cotton blends with polyester fibres are cheaper and sometimes more durable, they are particularly useful in having less wrinkles after laundering. But they are rarely as soft or as absorbent as pure cotton and will inevitably give the impression of economy to the guest as they ‘feel’ the room for the first and maybe last time.

GSM and Combing

GSM stands for grams per square metre and indicates the weight of a towel. A high GSM number means a heavier towel which will absorb more moisture. 800 GSM is often cited as ‘hotel quality’ – where a luxurious feel is implied – but GSM of around 500 is commonly used in trade environments.

‘Combing’ is a production technique which removes the shorter fibres so that the towel will maintain its shape and structure – helpful in towels that will be used only briefly then laundered.

Sizes:

The three most common formats for towels are (approximately):

Hand Towels – 50 x 90cm;

Bath Towels -70 x 140 cm;

Bath Sheets – 100 x 150.

There are also leisure or ‘beach’ towels which can be useful to provide for guests if there are swimming facilities and should be of the hardest wearing quality, sized either to that of a bath towel or a bath sheet. Similarly, there are spa towels. Provided where there are gym/spa facilities on site.

Header Bars

Laundering towels is an essential part of housekeeping. Towel header bars are the strips across the tops of the towel where the weave is different from the rest of the fabric. Along with the general look and feel of the towel, these bars also provide an important means of quickly identifying towels. The number of bars can be used to rapidly identify what size towel is being taken from the wash. This speeds up laundering time, storage and placement in the hotel room. One bar for hand towels, two bars for bath towels and three bars for larger towels. The specific weave of the towel header bar can also be used to give the specific hotel towels an in-built label. So if out-sourced laundering mistakes occur, the towels belonging to a specific hotel can be identified.

Source by Nate Rodnay

Want to renew your outdoors by changing your furniture? Many businesses in the hospitality industry like hotels, restaurants and resorts spend a lot of effort when furnishing their gardens and patios. And they are not wrong. Getting new outdoor furniture should be well thought of as they represent the business in many ways. Therefore, when you decide to remodel your outdoors, the first decision to make is whether to go for custom garden furniture or stick with ready-made.

Here are 4 interesting reasons that will make you customize your outdoor furniture:

Having unique and exclusive designs

Usually, hotels, restaurants and resorts constantly work on beating the competition by providing new and unique services. When you buy ready-made furniture from your outdoor furniture supplier, most probably, other businesses have also seen and purchased the same collections. But when customizing your own sets, you will be deviating from what is available in the market and creating patio furniture that can only be found in your hospitality business. For example, with customization you will have the opportunity to create a pattern by engraving your business logo on every piece produced and by choosing your brand’s colors.

Setting furniture that perfectly fits in the outdoor space

Whether you have enough space or not, your outdoor living area will probably be limited.

Sometimes, this surface is automatically set due to other factors like swimming pool, greenery, decorations or others. So finding ready-made collections that fit in your dedicated space and that match your need can be a hassle. So, customizing your outdoor furniture will be less painful as you will have the liberty to choose the sizes of the pieces, their orientation, and even combinations.

Adding your personal touch:

The greatest things in life are our own personal achievements. Customizing your outdoor furniture feels almost the same, as you will be the “creator”. The most important advantage is the fact that the collections will completely be a mirror of your taste and needs. You will have to choose the structure’s materials, the covering, size, colors… well every little detail.

However, if you have limited knowledge, make sure to take your supplier’s advice regarding the technicalities to maintain your outdoor furniture during different weather.

Controlling the quality & setting the standards:

When ordering custom garden furniture, you will have control over every aspect. Usually, you will want high quality furniture, and will never settle for less. Therefore, when designing and creating the furniture, you will be able to monitor the production and set the standards you want your furniture to meet. And the manufacturer will have to follow your requests and recommendations

In conclusion, customizing your outdoor furniture can be a fun process, as you will be working closely with designers, and giving your own input in every detail.

Source by Manuel S

Paris is the capital of France situated on the River Seine at the heart of Ile-de-France region. It is one of the most popular cities in the world with about 45 million tourists visiting every year. Paris has nearly 1,500 hotels and 75,000 hotel rooms.

Hotels around Paris offer massive discounts with quality accommodations. People could choose from a wide selection of discounted rates where taxes are included in the price. The hotels also offer direct sales with great customer services.

Below are the hotels that offer discounted room rates in Paris.

2-Star Hotel: Astor Surenes Hotel

Astor Hotel is an internationally acclaimed 2 star hotel that offers quality accommodations for a cheap price. The very calm, warm and friendly atmosphere of the hotel makes it an ideal place for most tourists who are looking for cheaper rates. It is located at the center town opposite the town hall. Astor is just 5 minutes away by rail to the business center and close to the fortress of Mont Valerien.

It has 50 furnished and well equipped rooms with scenic views of the hotel’s surrounding landscape. All rooms feature a private telephone, cable TV and hair dryer.

This attractive hotel includes luggage storage, an elevator, parking areas and a 24-hour front desk. Services offered include Internet services with Wi-Fi LAN, meeting facilities with fax and photocopier as well as room services and laundry/dry cleaning facilities. Guests can bring their pets along. Nearby attractions are Parc des Landes, forest of Boulogne and the town center. The discounted price rate is 37 euros.

3-star Hotel: Hotel Murat

Hotel Murat is located at Porte de Saint-Cloud in the 16th district of Paris. It was built in 1850 with Parisian Haussman style architecture. The hotel is close to the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero and Champ Elysees. Nearby areas of interest are the Parc des Princes stadiums, Pierre de Coubertin and Porte de Versailles exhibition halls.

The whole hotel is designed with wood paneled walls, huge epic battle frescons and carved furniture. Guests can stay at the lobby’s lounge area and seating areas. There are 28 soundproof rooms with simple and twin rooms to choose from. All rooms have a private bathroom with bathtub. Rooms also have direct dial telephones, televisions with satellite channels, alarm clocks and a mini bar.

The hotel also has a friendly staff that accommodates any booking requests and other services. Checking-in and out are handled quickly at the reception desk. The hotel has a private bar that serves a variety of beverages and a buffet breakfast. The lounge is used for business purposes along with a fax and photocopying machine.

There are direct buses from the hotel to Faubourg St Honore, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Grands Boulevards and the Opera House. The hotel offers a weekend rate at 45 euros.

Four-star hotel: The Pergolese Hotel

The Pergolese is a boutique hotel designed with a warm and contemporary atmosphere. It is located near the Louvre Museum, Les Galeries Lafayette Department Store and Le Printemp. The hotel is just a 7 minute walk from Champ Elysees.

This hotel has 40 air conditioned and soundproof rooms. The classic, superior and Pergolese rooms are equipped with satellite TV, a minibar, Wi-Fi access and 24 hour room service. Guests can also enjoy watching in-house movies.

Other amenities include a business corner at the reception area, a breakfast room, lounge and bar. The Mahogany Bar is designed with decorated rugs and paintings. Pet lovers can enjoy being with their pets at the hotel premises.

The Pergolese hotel offers a modern feel of their accommodations with a reasonable price range, fitting everyone’s budget. It offers a free night accommodation at a discounted range of 71 Euros.

Source by David Urmann

If you have ever holidayed in rural France you may have admired some of the wonderful old wooden furniture in many of the hotels, gites and holiday apartments there. Magnificent wardrobes, beds, dressers – many of these pieces are solid oak and have beautifully ornate carving. The type of thing that is often seen spruced up and, sadly, often painted in chic, expensive French-style interiors shops in the UK.

Much of this wonderful, solid, heavily carved wooden furniture can be purchased at “trocantes”, such as those that abound in Normandy and Brittany. Trocantes,for those not familiar with this wondrous French invention,are a great concept where sellers display their surplus or unwanted furniture, or other household goods, for sale in huge warehouses. The trocante owner then takes a commission on the profit when an item is sold. The concept is so successful because buyers can view a massive range of good quality wooden furniture of a type unavailable in the UK except at expensive specialist shops. And the seller is more likely to sell because visitors will come from many miles around, even from different countries to view and buy.

And it isn’t just authentic French wooden furniture that you can find; typically, there will be a melange of furniture, paintings, china, crystal and bric-a-brac in such a refreshing change to the all too familiar furniture chains in the UK. You might even come across such gems as a marble fireplace, brass bed frame, antique bathtub or Art Deco armoire. Everything in trocantes is interesting, nothing is too expensive and their stock changes frequently. Because stock changes so regularly, you can never predict exactly what you might find in any given trocante, but it is sure to be unusual and you just might find a hidden treasure.

Trocantes exist throughout France but are particularly common in Normandy and Brittany. The name trocante, comes from the words “troc” to exchange or barter and “brocante” which is like something in between a flea market and an antiques market. They are also sometimes referred to as “Depots Vente”. Although there are now trocante “chains” such as “La Trocante” don’t let this put you off visiting as each one is independent and, by their very nature, stock a unique range of items for sale.

Different trocantes specialise in different items but you will find furniture, antiques and bric-a-brac in all of them. One of the reasons that such good quality furniture is available so relatively inexpensively is that it is often very large and can appear old-fashioned to many French people. However, this type of authentic French furniture in an English house immediately takes on the appearance of something chic and unique.

If you have the space for such items, they really are individual and very unusual in the UK. But don’t expect to get anything worth having in the back of your car or on the roof rack. These pieces are often very large. So if you are serious about adding a French-style theme to your home with unique pieces of oversized statement furniture then consider hiring a van before you go. Although trocantes will ship pieces back to the UK, the costs are often prohibitively expensive.

It is far easier and cheaper to hire a van locally in the UK and take it on Eurotunnel or one of the many cheap ferry crossings to France. You can then shop to your hearts content without the worry or expense of transporting the items back home. In fact there are so many interesting and unusual items to bring back from France you might find yourself becoming a well known face at your local van hire company.

Source by Michelle Symonds

Going by the fact that most human beings spend more time in bed, it is importance to ensure that our sleep is comfortable and stressed free. Other than bed choice, the type and quality of the mattress are also a contributing factor. A mattress is not like a piece of cloth that you buy and use for a short while before discarding, it is therefore important to buy material that is durable and of good quality. To ensure that the mattress you purchase is of high quality, it is important to consider the following 6 tips on picking the perfect mattress for your use;

Your height

A good mattress should be at least six inches longer than the person sleeping on it. The choice of the mattress should give an allowance to your feet.

Do some homework before you start shopping

Do ground work on the choice of the mattress you want to buy. Do enough research about the type, the quality and the size of the mattress you really want to purchase? For example, you can try to remember of that day you slept in lodge or rather a hotel or a friend’s house and had good sleep. That can serve as beginning of making good choice of a mattress. You must have a starting point.

Choose the right type of store that deals with the mattress product

Choose the best sleep specialty store that sells mattresses. In this particular store, it is highly possible to get the best-quality mattress. Go for a dealer or a retailer who provides you with the right information about the mattress as well showing concern over the mattress that meets your needs and desire. You can as well ask from a friend of any dealer he/she knows in case you do not know of any. Stores that specialize in mattresses usually have the whole training on matters to do with good sleep and sell a variety of mattresses.

Make use of retail sales person or associates

Always work with a knowledgeable sales people who can help and guide you through bedding choices. Ask him or her questions that you need answered. Ask the dealer if he does offer the comfort guarantee of the mattress before you buy. Ensure that you understand the details that are contained in it, for example, know whether you can return the mattress within a certain time frame if it doesn’t satisfy your needs.

Test drive your mattress

After you have made your choice of the mattress, try the S.L.E.E.P. test. This involves lying on the mattress on different position to find out whether the mattress meets your needs. Spend some extra time to the position you normally sleep. This will make you feel the true support of the mattress. That is, are you feeling the comfort you want the mattress to provide?

Other tips to look at include

number of coils or turns in a mattress, your sleeping lifestyles, a note on the lifespan of the mattress and warranty, time to use the mattress, among other things to consider.

Make your sleep as comfortable as possible by simply buying the right mattress. Make a wise choice from the various stores that deal with the sales mattress. You don’t need to have backache and sleepless night because of the mattress choice.

Source by Karin Sharp

Those who own hotels big or small ones would have to go shopping for furniture to have them placed either on hotel rooms or the hotel lobby. Because of the wide variety of options when it comes to choosing a supplier, one could find it challenging to find the right one, but with enough research, you will surely be able to get the right furniture that suits your expectations.

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to shopping for the right kind of furniture. Aside from the usual issue with affordability you may also want to keep in mind the quality of the hotel furniture that you will be getting as well as its affordability. When it comes to affordability, it does not mean that you should go for what is cheaper. Instead you should keep in mind that you are getting good quality furniture even if it is cheap. You do not want your hotel guests complaining that their seats are not comfortable enough or the furniture does not suit them that much.

As you search for a supplier the first thing that you should look into is the reputation of the supplier. If the supplier is capable of guaranteeing that the furniture you would be getting from them is made from high quality materials that is durable enough in the long run, the supplier would definitely be a good choice. Durability is important because you do not renovate hotels every time. This means that you will have the same furniture to be used by your guest from time to time, so to make sure that you do not have to spend money purchasing new ones frequently, you should look for hotel furniture providers that is capable of providing you furniture made from high quality materials.

Your options for such furniture would depend on the theme of your hotel, wither if you want it to look simple or elegant looking for your guests. If you want to get more details regarding your options, you may opt to search for furniture suppliers online. They have a wide gallery of furniture that they offer as well as the prices that come with them. From here you will be able to decide which furniture would be best for your hotel, order them in bulk for shipping, and have them placed accordingly in your establishment.

Source by Amy M. Miller