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Interview: Nancy Nie of 4 Banqiao Courtyard Guesthouse

Tanya Schliff — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:16:40 +0000

Nancy Nie of 4 Banqiao Courtyard Guesthouse, located in Beijing, China shares her intimate story of opening the successful 18-room traditional courtyard-style guesthouse and gives us a locals perspective of the magic surrounding the historical and fascinating city.

Tell us a little bit about what it is you do at 4 Banqiao Courtyard?

There are many new friends come to my warm and nice guesthouse everyday. I like to know them and enjoy the funny and beautiful thing with all my friends.

What inspired you to get into your line of work?

The reason is that I am very interested in traditional architecture and Chinese culture, and I chase the joy and originality in my life.

Tell us what makes your property unique.

4 Banqiao locates in Dongzhimen quadrangles protection area, and there are citizensâ€™ residences in the neighborhood, which shows the real life of Beijing people. Old quadrangle, the courtyard which plant pomegranate tree, bright platform, the Chinese traditional furniture are all designed by young designers. Our public lounge is the most distinguished, it mixes with the old house, traditional furniture and modern life together. Guests living here can have tea, coffee, go on line, watch TV and chat with guests from other countries. I always provide the travel suggestions to my guests including food, travel, culture exhibition, art and so on.

What is special about the Location of your property?

Our guesthouseâ€™s location is very unusual, 2 minutes walk to subway station. Subway line 5 south to Tiantan Park, Hongqiao Market, east to Silk Market, north to Olympic Village, west to Old Palace and Tianâ€™anmen Square. It just takes 30 minutes drive to Capital Airport. 10 minutes walk to very famous historical view Lama Temple. 15 minutes go to Nanluoguxiang by bike, west to Houhai, the YandaiXiejie is the place which you canâ€™t miss. The east of 4 Banqiao is Dongzhimen flyover, it is the largest transport center in Beijing, guests can take subway, city train, bus, taxi to everywhere. Before 2008 Olympic Games, the second waiting airplane hall of the Capital Airport will be finished, at that time, it just takes guests 10 minutes to arrive by subway from our guesthouse.

Tell us about your clientele, who are they and where do they come from?

Most of our guests are foreigners, they come from Europe, USA, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Designers also like to live in my guesthouse.

What are a few of your favorite rooms/suites on the property?

Suite 117#,118# are very fit for family which have two children. 117#: Chinese traditional screen divides the room into two space. It is the lane outside the window, in the morning, you will listen street vendors selling breakfast and articles of daily use, itâ€™s very interesting. 118#: The shape of south window is very special, open the window, you can touch the grey roof of neighborhood. See from the 118#, there are traditional architectures and trees around you. Drink tea and have a rest in this room, you may forget you are in the international metropolis -Beijing.

Is there anything not to be missed at your property?

There is a bomb shelter in our guesthouseâ€™s courtyard, people can go down, go through it and come out from another exit. We plan to reserve red wine in it. In our courtyard, you can feed the gold fish and teach the myna to speak.

Tell us something unusual about your property that guests might not know.

The platform is a good place to have a rest. In the morning, you can read book, take a nap, search for internet, or send travel pictures to your friends while drinking coffee. In the evening, you can watch moon and star, they are very nice . I always have the doubt â€œ Am I in Beijing?â€ when I do it.

Beijing is a fascinating city, what is it that you recommend your visitors see and do while they are visiting?

Nanluoguxiang is a walking street, there are many stores to sell artistic products. Yandaixiejie in Houhai is the place you canâ€™t miss. And Gongwangfu(Gong Princeâ€™s Palace) is also a good choice to have a visit. It is located at Lvliuyin Street in Houhai. Which is a intact one among the palaces of princes. In Qing Dynast, it the palace of treacherous court official- Heshen. It has a good geographic house, sophisticated technology,which shows the mixture of royalâ€™s architecture and folkâ€™s style.

To get a real taste of Beijing, what restaurants nearby do you recommend to your visitors?

Donghuamen night market is wonderful for you to have Beijing local snacks. You can go there by subway line 5.

Lastly, If you only had one day in Beijing, where would you go and what would you do

In the morning, you can go to Lama Temple and Confucius Temple. 10 minutes to walk there. Lama Temple is the biggest lama temple in Beijing, which is the treasure trove of Han Nationality , Magol, Manchu, Tibetan Nationalityâ€™s arts and culture. In the first day of lunar new year, the Buddhists wait to prey from 3:00 am. On the opposite of Lama Temple is Guozijian (Imperial Academy), there are lots of all kinds of shops. When you are tired, you could have a cup of coffee in Xiuguan Coffee Shop also could go to Yiyuan to have toast duck. Besides, Guijie has hundreds of restaurants of various styles of cuisines for you to choose. In the afternoon, you could start from 4 Banqiao, take subway line 5 to Tiantan Park, which is the biggest ancient sacrifice architecture complex in China. At the opposite of it is Hongqiao Market. At dusk, you could go to Nanluoguxiang, at which you can have a taste of Chinese cheese and almond tea besides shopping. In the evening, you can eat instant-boiled mutton, and go off to the bright lights. In the summer evening, a boat with red lanterns sailing in the lake, an artist plays the koto at the end of boat, visitors eat, drink and enjoy the beautiful Houhaiâ€™s evening.

That concludes our interview!

Thank you Nancy for sharing and participating in this interview for TravelerWIRE.

Click here to Book your stay at 4 Banqiao Courtyard Guesthouse in Beijing.

Interview: Jim Apple of Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa

Tanya Schliff — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:45:37 +0000

With views of the red rocks, Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, located in Sedona, Arizona is a break from the usual Southwestern architecture. The design inspiration, attentive and dedicated staff and Reds, a fabulous fine-dining restaurant are just a few reasons to put this on your list of places to visit. Jim Apple, owner of Sedona Rouge Hotel & spa, shares his story of this successful 77-room boutique hotel.

Tell us a little bit about what it is you do at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa?

Jim Apple, one of four owners, and the visionary behind the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa visits the hotel monthly. His enthusiasm is contagious and motivating to the staff, sales, marketing and public relations departments. He stays involved and connected with all the employees encouraging them always be personally responsive to the guests of the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa.

What inspired you to get into this line of work?

Jim was traveling to Sedona looking for commercial investments. It was during these visits that he envisioned building a new hotel that was as exotic as the red rock surrounding but very different from the traditional southwest architecture and design normally seen throughout Arizona. Jim travels the world and could visualize a small Mediterranean designed boutique hotel & Spa set in the middle of Sedona. It wasnâ€™t long before he had a group of investors involved and the new hotel opened on June 10, 2005.

Tell us what distinct characteristics set your property apart from others.

The design and architecture are unique. The Sedona Rouge was designed with seductive design elements and influences from North Africa and Spain to create its authentic Andalusia theme. Mediterranean accents include hand carved stone columns lit from the inside that surround the center fountain courtyard; delicate ironwork balconies and courtyard railings that reflect the craftsmanship found throughout Europe; outdoor fire pits enhance intimate moments and a rooftop terrace perfect for viewing the red rock landscape at sunset and for snuggling up by the fire pit and star gazing at night.

A full service boutique full service spa that dedicates itself to your privacy and desires whether it be a 90-minute coupleâ€™s massage, yoga or a psychic reading.

Reds restaurant known for its gourmet cuisine, wines from around the world, delicious comfort food and small plate appetizers.

What is special about the Location of your property?

The Sedona Rouge is set in an urban location central to the finest shopping, art galleries, and site seeing destinations in Sedona. The property is just one mile from Thunder Mountain trailhead (one of Sedonaâ€™s most popular trails).. The design of the hotel affords its guests privacy and intimate sitting areas in which one can just relax and enjoy the fountains, red rock views or a bottle of fine wine together.

Tell us about your clientele, who are they and where do they come from?

Our clients come from around the world. The Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa is renowned for its romantic and exotic ambiance and attracts couples of all ages, for all occasions. Within the US; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, NYC, Minneapolis, and Tampa. From the world; Canada, France, England, Germany and Japan.

What are a few of your favorite rooms/suites on the property?

The hotel has 77-guest room accommodations all designed with rich colors, textures and fabrics. The rooms feature sumptuous beds with luscious linens and comforters. Many of the guest room offer fireplaces and spacious walk-in showers, with duel overhead rain shower sprays. Other amenities include 32 flat screen TV and wireless internet. In the spa, there are six spa guest rooms and one spa suite with sunken soaking tubs in the living areas. The hotel features three Andalusia suites with separate living and sleeping areas. The furnishings are Mediterranean in design including a chest from Morocco decorated with mother of pearl inlays.

Is there anything not to be missed at your property?

The signature spa treatments such as the Pas de Duex couples massage; the rooftop terrace for full views of expansive red rock scenery, and reds lounge for apple martinis and small plate appetizers.

Tell us something unusual about your property that guests might not know.

Guests can order gourmet picnic basket lunches for their red rock hikes.

Guests experiencing the Pas de Duex will be left alone after their massage to enjoy a candlelit bubble bath.

To get a real taste of Sedona, what restaurants nearby do you recommend to your visitors?

Coffee Pot restaurant only open for breakfast but world renowned for its 101 Omelets.

Lastly, If you only had one day in Sedona, where would you go and what would you do?
I would order a gourmet lunch picnic basket and take in the views from a comfortable spot on Thunder Mountain while enjoying a glass of Sedona Rouge wine and gourmet cheese.

That concludes our interview!

Thank you Jim, for sharing and participating in this interview for TravelerWIRE.

Interview: Devora Wise of Villa del Faro

Tanya Schliff — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:43:31 +0000

Devora Wise, owner and manager of Villa del Faro, located just north of San Jose del Cabo, tells us a little bit about the charm that surrounds this eco-friendly, family-run hotel that keeps the guests coming back for more. Once just rugged desert overlooking the Sea of Cortez, Devora and her family built Villa del Faro with loving and nurturing care. Now that all the children are grown up and have left to make homes of their own, they decided to share their beautiful slice of heaven.

What inspired you to get into your line of work?

We began building here in 1989 and built the houses one by one as more family members came down. Many of our older children lived here and helped to build. By now they have started families of their own and we are left with these beautiful empty houses to fill. We always thought someday we might possibly turn this haven of ours into a hotel.

Tell us what makes your property unique.

Twelve acres of desert right on the beach, overlooking the ocean, with mountains behind us. Incredible privacy and quiet. Beautiful food. A private and intimate atmosphere. Long walks along secluded empty beaches. Swimming. Snorkeling . . . in short this is paradise!

Is there anything new that your property is working on?

We have just finished adding a little bar-restaurant and are working on re-landscaping its patio and gardens to include a fountain and a lovely place to have drinks. Everything here is an ongoing creation.

Tell us about your clientele.

So far our clients have been really lovely people and, perhaps because we are hard to find, everyone who has discovered us has loved it here and wants to come back. We have been very lucky. Here are some of our guestsâ€™ comments:

“Joe and I came here for complete solitude and we found it in the most luxurious way. We felt like movie stars from the 40′s on a secluded getaway. The food, the people, the grounds, were all so very wonderful. Villa del Faro is like heaven on earth.”

“Everything here is so well done & tasteful. And everyone is so gracious & welcoming. Truly, the photographs do not do justice to the magic that is Villa del Faro. We will be returning soon. Thank you for everything.”

“Our stay with Villa del Faro was an experience that we will never forget. We were welcomed into their family and felt right at home. The accommodations are first class and the grounds are breathtaking. It was a lovely experience. Villa del Faro is a gem on the East Cape!”

What are a few of your favorite rooms/suites on the property?

They are all equally beautiful in very different ways. Each house has been a labor of love. The Casa Alberca with an exquisite palapa roof and total privacy, its own kitchen and the fact that it opens up onto a 60 foot tiled swimming pool overlooking the ocean, might be the most spectacular. But, as each house is its own unique world, itâ€™s hard to choose.

Is there anything not to be missed at your property?

The beauty.
The isolation.
The ambience.
The gourmet food.
Sunset from the gorgeous pool overlooking the ocean.
The white sand private beach.
A glass of wine watching the night hawks dive as the orange moon rises over the ocean.
The craftsmanship and attention to detail in every room.
The sound of whales puffing and slapping all night.
The sound of waves rolling into the shore at night.
The spectacular dawn.

Other than your own property, tell us about one or two of your most memorable stays?

Our favorite place to visit is the Campo de Cortez up at Laguna San Ignacio. As opposed to us, this is not an elegant destination. It is a place where you sleep in a wind-blown tent and spend your days on a boat touching and hugging whales.

Lastly, tell us something unusual about your property that guests might not know.

What is really unusual is that we are totally off the grid. We live in an area that is totally undeveloped. You can walk for miles and not see another soul. Twenty years ago when we began to build here, we mixed cement in a hole in the ground and carried it in buckets to pour the roofs. All the tiles, balustrades and details of this property were made here on site by our artists and a team of fabulous Mexican craftsmen who still live here.

We are powered by solar energy and we are a green hotel. We have tried to build this property with respect for the natural world around us. For example, we build around a venerable 300 year old cactus instead of moving it. This is a very delicate place where the desert meets the sea and many migrating birds pass through. We use as little water as possible and have managed to make an unbelievably civilized oasis on a wild coast where there are nothing but miles and miles of empty beaches.

That concludes our interview!

Thank you Devora, for sharing and participating in this interview for TravelerWIRE.

Interview: Anne Mulder Founder of Book-a-Castle.com

Tanya Schliff — Wed, 16 May 2007 13:01:46 +0000

Anne Mulder is the Founder and Managing Director of book-a-castle.com, where a personal selection of fine castles, manors and stately homes found in France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium are showcased.

Tell us a little bit about what it is you do at Book-a-Castle.com?

I am an intermediary and advisor on castles and stately homes only. I am permanently working on publicity & promotional opportunities, I handle day to day reservations, I advise my clients for castle trips. And of course, I keep the website up-to-date and therefor I am in close contact with the castle owners

What inspired you to get into your line of work?

As a child and student I always visited castles as much as I could. They are my passion, they inspire me. I am sure I was a princess in a former life!

I have a friend who owns an impressive castle with bed & breakfast in the heart France. Together with my interest in starting an internet business I created this concept.
In 2005 for the Dutch market: www.kasteelovernachtingen.nl, in 2007 for the international market: www.book-a-castle.com and www.bookacastle.co.uk

Also I will MAKE custom castle trips.

Tell us, what makes your line of work unique?

My castles are a personal selection of the most wonderful places to stay. I visit them on a regular basis to make sure they fit into my concept. The castles that are on my website work with the principle of Bed & Breakfast on a high and professional level. Together with my clients we create unique arrangements or packages. This means our guests will experience a personal and unique stay at our castles. You get to have dinner with the owner, or have a drink with him or her around the fireplace. Or you rent the entire chateau for a group. We only hold castles that are in perfect condition! We do basically everything we can to make it special for our guest. The memories will be priceless!

Do you have anything new that you are working on?

I am working on an interactive map of France in order to find the castles easier. Also I will custom made castle trips.

Did you travel growing up?

As a child I spend every summer in France. As a student I started to travel by myself (United States, North Pole, Sri Lanka etc.). I spent 3 years living in France and traveling a lot through the country while I lived in Paris.

Must have carry-on/travel item(s)?

I need to stay in contact with the internet at places where there is usually no Wifi, so I always carry my laptop and UMTS datacard!!! I try to take my own pillow, as mine sleeps best. And of course my camera, to take pictures of all the lovely places I visit.

Two or three of your most memorable stays?

I once did an anonymous visit of a castle and ended up having a bat in my room in the middle of the night. I was so scared I left at 02 am in the morning. No one to help me. Not a castle that I would put on my website. Although bats are a sign of clean air!!!

I spend some time in a castle in Burgundy that was left by the former owners about a hundred years ago. Together with the current owners we found the most spectacular belongings and even hidden rooms. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep!!!

Most memorable dining experience?

I had the most wonderful dinners in the Burgundy area, with Sauternes wine that looked like gold! I once was in one of Alain Ducasses’s restaurants in Paris.(World famous chef)
Tip: go there for lunch, you will enjoy the incredible sensation of eating his food longer. I didn’t like other food for 3 days!!! Truly worth every euro.

Have you ever encountered a celebrity during your travels?

Our guests appreciate the privateness of the castles and therefore it is difficult for me to talk about this. I can tell you that our Dutch Queen stayed in one of the castles, but I cannot tell you which one.

It is public knowledge that Liza Minelli stayed at Les Rosees in Mougins. I don’t blame her!

Best travel tip?

Leave your Blackberry and Laptop at home and ENJOY & EXPERIENCE your holiday. Our castles provide the perfect atmosphere for your perfect stay.

Where are you headed next?

In June I am headed towards France in order to visit 15 or more castles and a priory. I will be traveling about 5.000 km throughout the country on my own (!) I will visit Brittany, Loire, Dordogne, Provence, Burgundy and the Champagne. I really love my job, which was created by myself.

That concludes our interview! Thank you Anne, for sharing and participating in this piece for TravelerWIRE.

Take a peak at the following properties featured at Directory of Hotels:

Chateau de Normandy, France
Chateau de Burgundy, France
Chateau de la Loire, France
Chateau de Bretagne, France
Masia de Barcelona, Spain

BlueTraks – For The Discriminating Road Warrior

Tanya Schliff — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:48:50 +0000

The CES show brought us to this new and exciting after-market product from BlueTraks. The first of its kind to incorporate multiple technologies in an in-dash system for your car. This product features touch screen color display, Bluetooth handsfree mobile phone calls, hardwired connection for your ipod player that charges, GPS navigation guidance, satellite radio and works with existing in-car stereo system. Installaion required. Release date April 2007. Retails for about $1200.

Interview with Alex Nagy, President, BlueTraks, Inc.

Q. Tell us a little about this product and what it is for?

A. BlueTraks, Inc. innovates in-vehicle telematics systems ideal for most late-model vehicles that are ready for upgrade to an integrated system that features Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone, iPod playback, satellite radio, and navigation guidance. An authorized BlueTraks dealer installs the system which works to complement an existing audio system in the vehicle.

Q. How did you come with this product?

A. Consumers demand convenience in technology. Portable devices such as mobile phone, GPS navigators and digital media players are converging into multi-functional single devices. Such portable devices have a short 18 month product lifecycle while similar in-vehicle technologies have a longer product lifecycle. A study by Newspaper Agency Corporation reports, on average 53% of consumers plan to own their vehicle for 5 years or more. In attempt to integrate their handheld portable devices in their vehicle many consumers are forced to buy on-dash docks that actually make the interior of the vehicle appear more cluttered exposing the vehicle to theft and adds the inconvenience of storing their technology devices, cables, and other installation wiring away every time they leave the vehicle. At BlueTraks, we believe that owners of mid to high end automobiles want a factory installed look and feel for this kind of equipment.

Q. Who is this product marketed for?

A. Our products are for the consumer automotive market and targeted to consumers who want to complement their own in-car audio system with a supplemental unit that enables them to have Bluetooth hands-free mobile communications, iPod playback, satellite radio, and satellite navigation guidance.

Q. Where can we buy this product?

A. Dealers and distributors in USA provide sales, installation, service and support of BlueTraks products.

Q. What is your favorite car?

A. My personnel favorite car is the original Shelby 427 Cobra. Impractical perhaps, but still my favorite.

Thank you Alex, we look forward to the future of BlueTraks!