Being the most tech-savvy of them all means going above and beyond. And so London hotel, Eccleston Square has done just that. Claiming to be the first hotel in Europe with an iPad2 in every room and offering what they call ’007-smart wizardry,’ Eccleston is allowing customers to easily manage every conceivable function, gadget and gizmo from one device. An app is available for guests’ mobile devices and includes tools like temperature, lights, curtain control, restaurant reservations, room service orders, spa reservations, housekeeping, along with helpful tips on the hotel and the city area.

The gadgetry doesn’t end there though. The rooms also come equipped with docking stations for iPhones & iPods, 46-inch 3D plasma televisions, Blu Ray DVD players, VoIP phones, HD television screens in the bathroom and ‘smart glass’ bathroom walls. WiFi is also free, which in many hotels can be an added expense.

Of course the hotel comes at a price and the price isn’t pretty. Rooms start at £250 a night. Even at this price, they should do a great job of enticing the tech-savvy bunch. And this could usher in a whole new crop of 21st Century high-tech boutique hotels.

Set to open August 1st

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Photos of Eccleston courtesy of Eccleston Square Hotel

Flights
Deals on travel to Dubai are few and far between, especially if you are coming from the US. Your best bet is to save a visit to Dubai for when you are already going to be in the Middle East, North Africa or Western Europe as a flight from there will cost much less than direct from the US – and your wallet will thank you for treating a stay in Dubai as a side trip of only a few days, rather than the main event of a two week trip. If you’re set on Dubai though, compare the cost of buying the whole trip on one airline vs. buying tickets to Europe and then on to Dubai. It may cost less to book piecemeal, and you can take a day or two in Europe to break up the long trip.

Hotels
If you don’t have the salary of an oil baron, don’t even think about staying at one of Dubai’s famously lavish hotels. But that doesn’t mean you’re left with a dingy hostel as your only affordable option. There are actually many mid-range hotels that are clean, basic, conveniently located and only cost $80-$100 per night.

Dining
Dining in Dubai is another activity that seems – based on the glossy images of tourists dining in elegant hotel restaurants – to be prohibitively expensive. But back away from the resorts and head to where the locals eat. At unpretentious, family-owned restaurants all over the city, you can find local foods like shwarma for under $2US. You’ll also find casual chains serving Lebanese, Middle Eastern and even Italian food that won’t break the bank.

Though many of Dubai’s attractions are pricey, it doesn’t cost a dime to hit the beach, do some window shopping, or simply wander the streets of this rapidly changing city.

By Katie Hammel of BootsnAll

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Image by: Sakena

The Merlion landmark

This sought after luxury, pop-up hotel will consist of a single room, temporarily constructed around the Merlion, a well-known tourist icon and mascot of Singapore. The eight-metre tall fountain sculpture of a lion-cumfish (imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish) sits in a park near the mouth of the Singapore River.

Fully-fitted with a double bed, bathroom, luxury amenities and personalized services such as a dedicated Merlion Hotel butler, acclaimed Japanese designer Tatzu Nishi didn’t skip a beat. Part of the Singapore Biennale 2011, called ‘Open House,’ the exhibition will feature 60 artists from 30 countries spread across four exhibition venues.

While bookings for the Merlion Hotel are only available for one night per couple, if you don’t manage to score a reservation, don’t fret – you can still enter a competition judged by Tatzu, the designer of the Merlion Hotel. The competition includes submitting a hundred-word story explaining why you deserve that special one night stay.

Bookings and the competition can be found at http://www.singaporebiennale.org/ or more information on Singapore Biennale

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Are you an adventurous traveler, looking for somewhere interesting to stay while visiting London? A room with a view, perhaps?

Nothing would be more exciting, unusual or even poetic than staying in a ‘boat’, perched atop the Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank Centre. Commissioned by Living Architecture and Artangel, two of Britian’s leading cultural organizations, A Room for London is a unique installation that will be a part of the London 2012 Festival.

An iconic location in the capital, designers David Kohn Architects and artist Fiona Banner built A Room for London with the intention of offering guests a place of refuge, unique perspective and a reflection amdist the cities flow of traffic. Whether you are sitting atop the lower or upper deck, by day or night, extraordinary panoramic views can be expected, stretching from Big Ben to St Paul’s cathedral.

The boat is full of nooks and crannies to explore, leaving guests with plenty to do. Climb ‘aboard’ and a nautical flag will be raised to indicate occupation. ‘Passengers’ aka guests will be invited to fill in a logbook on a ‘bridge.’ The logbook will detail their adventures aboard, not to mention their fresh perspective of London. Contemporary architecture has never been so playful, thought-provoking and interactive.

Guests will be able to spend a night in A Room for London from January to December 2012. Bookings for the room are currently available.

Need a travel guide while visiting London? Click here.

Photo credit: Theresa Simon & Partners Ltd.

In keeping with the hotels decor, Ryu Kosaka, original creator of the 37th floor restaurant is focusing on sophistication, fine oriental touches and traditional Japanese Hanchiku techniques. Using granite floors, onyx walls and a stage-like arena for the grand sushi chef, guests will be enthralled by their much-anticipated sushi-eating experience.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Sushi Chef, Yuji Imaizumi will dazzle his guests while he works atop his stage-like arena, preparing sushi to his own exacting standards; simple and authentic yet totally delicious. With his newest creations and regular interactions with local fisherman and merchants of Tsukiji fish market, his guests have but one choice: to indulge only in the freshest sushi!

Dubbed the birthplace of sushi, the Nihonbashi neighbourhood does not disappoint – especially in the Mandarin Oriental. Superb sushi cannot be sampled properly unless against a stylish backdrop with breathtaking views overlooking skylines of the Metropolis and Tokyo Sky Tree.

Planning a trip to Tokyo? Download mTrip’s Tokyo Travel Guide

Gansevoort is set to open beginning of August.

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Centurion Palace

Palazzina Grassi

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Can it really get any ritzier than this?
Tell us after your next stay!

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From £25 to £69 – Varying on location

Address: 10 Norfolk Place, 
Paddington
, London
 W2 1QL

07951 440134

For more locations click here

HUTTONS is also in a prime location, only a five minute walk from Victoria station. The hotel has a lot of repeat guests due to the enjoyable experience and friendly service provided. All rooms have en-suite facilities, making this a good choice for individuals, families and small groups visiting for business or pleasure.

From $124

Address: 53-57 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 2BB

+44 20 7834 3726

For more information click here.

UMI LONDON is a pleasant, clean and well-maintained hotel for its class. The inexpensive rates make Umi an ideal choice for those traveling on a budget. The location is central, situated in Leinster Square in the heart of Bayswater. Nearby you will find Bayswater and Queensway underground stations. Nearby attractions include Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Portobello road Antiques Market and Kensington Palace.

From $119

Address: 16 Leinster Square, London W2 4PR
+44 20 7221 9131‎

For more information click here

TRAVELODGE offers extremely low rates if you book early enough. There are over 15 hotel locations and each room has a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, color TV, and tea and coffee-making facilities.

From £45, varying on location and time of booking

Address: Langdon Court, Flat 23, City Road, London, EC1V 1LH

0871 984 8484‎

For more locations click here.

TAVISTOCK HOTEL has an art deco entrance and 343 rooms. The location is great, free Internet is available in the lobby, there’s a bar on ground floor and some rooms overlook beautiful private gardens.

From £61
Address: Tavistock square, London WC1H 9EU
+44 20 7636 8383

For more information click here.

THE RIDGEMOUNT HOTEL is family-run, situated in Central London near the Bloomsbury area. All rooms have central heating, color television, and hair dryers. The hotel prides itself on good service and return guests year after year.

Shared facilities from £43, En-suite from £55

Address: 65-67 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HJ

+44 20 7636 1141‎

For more information click here.

PREMIER INN has over 20 branches in London and is the UK’s biggest hotel chain. The hotel has standard, clean rooms, each with a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, TV and almost all have WiFi.

From £50

Address: 11 Knaresborough Place, 
London, SW5 0TJ

0870 238 3304

For more locations click here.

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Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abelcheung