Thursday, August 20, 2009

Vacation Rental Fraud on the Rise

Scottsdale man convicted of defrauding travelers in the US. Read more here http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/08/19/20090819sr-rentalfraud0821.html


Related articles:

Dana's Tips on How to Avoid Vacation Rental Fraud
Top Ten Things Vacation Rental Owners Won't Tell You

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Travelers Drunk on Deals

CNN International
To keep customers coming, hotels, resorts and even vacation rentals have offered freebies, in addition to discounts. From spa services, free meals, ...read article on CNN

JetBlue announced its All-You-Can-Jet Pass. Through August 21, a person can pay $599 for unlimited travel on the airline for an entire month, starting September 8.

Scottsdale just $850 a week ! Luxury, smoke-free vacation rental on the golf course. Aug/Sept only. $1850 a month. Call (602) 686-6313

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Perseids Meteor Shower Tonight, Get Outside



Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would become religious overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead the stars come out every night, and we watch television. --Paul Hawken

Perseid Meteor shower is tonight, get outside.

In Transit: Vacation Homes That Don’t Lie


By Michelle Higgins
Published: August 10, 2009
What happens if the vacation rental you booked online turns out to be a dump?
Read more in the NY Times

Related article: Top Ten Things Vacation Home Owners Won't Tell You

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Top Five Reasons to Go Smoke Free on Vacation


More than 8,000 lodging properties went smoke free in the United States last year, according to AAA and that number continues to climb this year.

"Studies have found that nearly 90 percent of travelers now prefer a smoke-free hotel," says Dave Janicke, FreshStay.com's CBO - Chief Breathing Officer. "For some it's just a preference. But for others, allergies or medical conditions require them to avoid the dangers of secondhand smoke."

That is why no smoking is permitted at my vacation rentals, not even outside. We were smoke and fragrance free long before it was trendy or legal.

TOP 5 REASONS To Go Smokefree

1. Satisfaction. You won't have to complain about rooms that reek of smoke, whether lingering from previous guests or wafting in from nearby smoking rooms.

2. Support a smoke free workplace. It is healthier for lodging staff and makes their jobs easier by eliminating the time and effort to clean up ashtrays and cigarette butts.

3. Property Protection. Furnishings, linens, carpets and other amenities are last longer they are not being damaged by smoke or cigarette burns. Your clothes and luggage will go home clean if you stay in a place that doesn't have lingering tar and toxins.

4. A Break for Your Lungs. Second-hand smoke is responsible for aggravating nearly a million children who suffer from asthma. Taking a break from smoke is good for you and those around you.

5. The Prestige. Smoke-free lodging is cheap and chic. You'll find some hip, off-the-beaten track places to stay when you go smoke-free.