6 ways to stay & feel great after your flight!

The weather may be scorching, but that doesn’t mean all the coughs and colds are gone for good. What are the best ways for travelers to stay and feel healthy? 

Here are some expert tips, hints and tricks for staying and feeling healthy after your flight.

1. Once you get off the plane, use the airport toilet and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with plenty of soap. It is also a good idea to wash your face too.

2. Drink lots of water to flush out your system and keep your immune levels high.

3. Take a shower as soon as you can and wash your traveling clothes.

4. Adjust your meal times after a transatlantic flight. Studies have shown that it may help the body recover from jet lag.

5. For a few days after landing, take an aspirin to ward off deep-vein thrombosis.

6. Rest, as much as jet lag and your holiday will allow!

A long flight can wreak havoc on your body, so make sure to stay and feel healthy with these easy, simple steps after you’ve deplaned.

Just arrived at the Airport and need a shuttle service to your accommodation? Contact Airport Shuttle today and we can get you to or from Cape Town International Airport comfortably and safely!

How to stay and feel healthy after your flight

The weather may be scorching, but that doesn’t mean all the coughs and colds are gone for good. What are the best ways for travelers to stay and feel healthy? Here are some expert tips, hints and tricks for staying and feeling healthy after your flight.

1. Once you get off the plane, use the airport toilet and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with plenty of soap. It is also a good idea to wash your face too.

2. Drink lots of water to flush out your system and keep your immune levels high.

3. Take a shower as soon as you can and wash your traveling clothes.

4. Adjust your meal times after a transatlantic flight. Studies have shown that it may help the body recover from jet lag.

5. For a few days after landing, take an aspirin to ward off deep-vein thrombosis.

6. Rest, as much as jet lag and your holiday will allow!

A long flight can wreak havoc on your body, so make sure to stay and feel health with these easy, simple steps after you’ve deplaned.

808 Cartwright Corner is a luxurious, yet affordable self-catering apartment in the heart of the Mother City. Book your stay online or contact us today!

Packing hacks according to what’s in your bag

Packing everything for your next trip can be a bit scary – what should you take? What shouldn’t you take? However the destination and type of holiday makes it easier to plan and determine the contents to take with. Master the art of packing with these helpful packing hacks!

Beach Bum
All your necessities can be narrowed down to good swimwear, high-quality sunscreen, slip slops, sunglasses, a hat, towels and a waterproof camera. Pack in some baby powder to get rid of sand easily and don’t forget Ziploc bags to protect your valuables.

Camping Enthusiast
Planning to spend a long weekend in the wilderness? Make sure you take the right equipment with you, such as a decent tent and sleeping bag. Enjoy easy, convenient breakfasts amongst the trees with sachets of instant coffee and always keep your eggs in a plastic bottle. Did you know that you can make lamps out of jars by placing candles inside, or use deodorant as an insect repellent? Give it a try!

Urban Explorer
Always avoid anything heavy or restricting, so wear your camera around your neck and keep all your valuables, gadgets and tickets in a small bag. A good way to stay hydrated is to buy a refillable water bottle and always keep it with you.

Happy Hiker
Firstly, consider lining your backpack with bin liners to make it waterproof. You can also reduce the weight of your bag by sticking to dehydrated food and placing anything heavy such as water bottles on top. All your necessary clothing should include; robust footwear, a good jacket and make sure you have plenty of pockets.

Pro Traveler
If you are planning a backpacking trip, it can be difficult to pack your whole life into one suitcase, but it is possible! Write a list of all the necessities you won’t be able to live without, and with some simple tricks you can fit everything in. Save space by rolling your clothes, pack all your socks into your shoes and keep a roll of duct tape on hand – it can be used for literally anything.

Whether you’re a beach bum or an urban explorer, these packing hacks will have you covered!

Cant find accommodation in Cape Town? 808 Cartwright Corner is the perfect self-catering apartment, with amazing views of the Mother City! Contact us today and book your stay!

Things we thought we’d be doing in travel by now

We are officially in the future, except there are no flying cars, dehydrated pizza and levitating hover boards. We’re taking a look at the predictions futurists have been making over the years and we’re kind of ashamed that they haven’t lived up to their optimistic standards.

Here are a bunch of travel things we really should’ve sorted out by now:

Hover cars – In 1985, Back to the Future assured us that there would be hover cars as our main form of transport. Well, we don’t and the traffic and potholes are just getting worse. We want our hover cars!

Hover boards – Hover boards are an even bigger let down than the hover car. Are we not just depriving poor children, not to mention adults, from having serious amounts of fun?

Teleportation – Obviously this would completely get rid of all other forms of transport, we’d probably even use it to get from our bedrooms to the kitchen. It’s probably a good things science hasn’t given teleportation to us yet, we’d probably have become an extremely overweight world.

Food in pills – Transporting sufficient food and water on a long journey can be a hassle most of the time, and most of the time when don’t enjoy the food on flights anyway. Why not just supply food in the form of a pill. Even in first class it’ll be a good idea, lobster is a always a real pain to eat.

All cars electric – Optimistic people thought we’d all be driving around in environmentally friendly vehicles by now. Yes, there are a couple around, but majority of us still use petrol.

Space colonies – We’ve been talking about living in space for a very long time now, but we just don’t seem to be getting anywhere with it. Gravity is such a drag!

Mars for holidays – It’s big and it’s just begging us to visit. So, why aren’t we there yet?

Hyper sleep – Why do we have to sit through economy travel? Let’s just sleep through it already. In sci-fi films aliens always negatively affect hyper sleep, but as long as that doesn’t happen it’ll totally be worth it.

Wormholes – These are supposed to provide handy jumps across time and space into areas of the cosmos.

Time travel – The ultimate form of transport is via time. It allows us to create countless timelines and enter parallel universes.

But, if time travel really does exist someday, the only thing that needs to be done is to go back to 2015 and make the rest of the things on this list available today!

Looking for a great self-catering apartment in Cape Town? Look no further than 808 Cartwright Corner, a luxurious spot nestled in the heart of Cape Town's CBD. Contact us today!

How to not get ripped off when you’re travelling

There’s no quicker way to ruin a holiday or travel adventure than by getting ripped off. It seriously sucks so next time keep these tips in mind…

Beware of the lonely ATM – Stick to a cash machine at a bank, airport, hotel or other public area. To don’t want to fall prey to an ATM scam.

Inform your bank – Before you leave, make sure you call your bank and let them know your dates and destinations.

Make copies of credit cards – Always make a copy of the front and back of all your bank and credit cards that you are taking with you, including the number to phone if they are lost or stolen.

Use the hotel room safe – Laptops, passport, backup credit cards and other important information should be locked up when you’re out and about.

Pickpockets aren’t just in crowds – Everyone knows you should always keep your money close in a crowd. But it’s also not a good idea to hand your bag on your chair in a restaurant or use your phone obviously in a taxi.

Stay organised – This one may seem weird, isn’t a holiday the time to relax? Well, 10 minutes a day spent keeping track of your bank cards, receipts and passports is well worth the hassle.

Don’t lose your vacation mojo by getting ripped off, stick to these helpful tips and you’ll have complete peace of mind.

808 Cartwright Corner is not only comfortable and conveniently located, but it has beautiful views of Table Mountain and the Mother City.

Book online today, or give us a call if you're looking for the perfect self-catering apartment.

The terrible things normal people do on vacation

A survey was conducted to find out the shameful things fellow travelers do when they go on holiday, well the results were quite horrible. It looks like once the clock reaches vacation time, the average traveler turns into a complete monster!

Here are the worst offenses to be on the lookout for:

· 6% of travels sneak on the plane before their row is called

Boarding class C means nothing, right?

· 54% are seat recliners
I guess that poor guy behind doesn’t need any space to eat his lunch.

· 18% get up when the seat belt sign is on
General rules and safety obviously mean nothing when the vacation starts.

· 17% have snuck into a hotel to just use the pool
Act casual and no one will notice!

· 10% lie to hotel staff to get an upgrade
“It’s our honeymoon!”

· 7% of travelers have skinny-dipped in the hotel pool
Never mind the poor people who have to swim in the pool after you’ve had your fun.

· 60% are hotel breakfast buffet thieves
When you’re hungry, sometimes it’s hard to control your actions

· 29% raided the maid’s cart for free toiletries
Because apparently the unlimited bottles in your room just aren’t enough

· 12% of travelers have swiped a towel or robe
Yes, they may bring you clean ones every day, but they’re not free

It’s surprising how often travelers break the rules, sometimes they push the envelope a bit too far though. So, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done when you’re on holiday?

Visiting the beautiful Mother City? Well, if you need accommodation 808 Cartwright Corner is the perfect self-catering apartment for you! Contact us today and book your stay.

6 tiny, yet unforgettable places to stay when you’re travelling

If you’re a traveler who likes to mix it up a bit when you’re adventuring the world, then these offbeat places to stay at should interest you quite a bit! Here are six weird yet wonderful alternatives to generic hotels.

Little Pinky – Texas

This vintage trailer has been renovated to rent out for about R1600 a night, and guess what its only 5.5metres in length! Even though it’s small, it’s really awesome. It is bright pink in colour and located in a desert campground filled with similar trailers, tents and teepees. So you’re bound to meet some eccentric and interesting people!

The Underwater Room – Tanzania

Booking a room at this floating structure should be on your bucket list. It is a cool three-level bunk BELOW the sea, which provides you with amazing views of the ocean life, such as fish, squid, octopuses and many other sea creatures. The cost per night may put a dent in your wallet at about R20 460 a night.

Glass Igloo – Finland

Are you interested in seeing the Northern Lights? This amazing glass dome at the Kakslauttanen Resort will give you a front seat to all the action! The futuristic igloo will cost you about R5300 a night – make sure to book in at the peak season for the lights.

The Bubble Hotel – France

Have you ever wanted to sleep in a bubble? Well, down in France you can book a night in a see-through pod, somewhere throughout the countryside. The bubble is tiny at 3.9 metres, but how many people can say they’ve stayed in a bubble and watched the stars for just R1700 a night?

Treehotel – Sweden

Majority of us had treehouses growing up, but this hotel takes it to the next level! The Treehotel in Sweden is designed to look exactly like a birds nest; at 180 square feet it can accommodate a family of four. It may be small, but it has separate bedrooms, a bathroom, living room and even a retractable starcase, all for R7500 a night and R680 extra per kid!

Capsule Hotel – Netherlands

Get in touch with your inner James Bond when you decide to stay in one of this cool, little hotel. These capsules are actually survivor pods that float on the Hague with hammock beds inside. How much will you pay? Just R955 a night.

What will you pick? A vintage trailer, glass igloo or maybe a Swedish bird’s nest? Whatever it may be, make sure to add these kooky places to stay to your bucket list!

Are you looking for a slightly more conventional place to stay? Well, book in at 808 Cartwright Corner and you wont be disappointed. With amazing views of the Mother City and a modern design, it is the perfect self-catering apartment in Cape Town. 

How to leave your holiday stress behind

Taking time off to travel is a great way to relieve stress and get a break from everyday life. It’s a chance to see new things and explore, not to mention breathe some fresh air into our habits and routines.

But, for a lot of people the thought of going on holiday can trigger the opposite effects. Many travelers say that they feel anxiety and stress when they have to think about all the different aspects of going on holiday.

To help get rid of all that unneeded stress, read through these helpful tips.

Do your homework
We don’t all know how to plan. But it is the key to save precious time and money when you travel. Browse through user reviews to prevent unpleasant surprises and keep an eye out for any discount prices at hotels.

Refine your packing
Packing is sometimes a cruel and unusual punishment. To avoid the mistakes, make a checklist or use ours. If you have a fear of losing your precious luggage, take a picture of the contents so you have a record of what you’re taking, or read here, to learn how to avoid (or survive) lost luggage.

Take your time
A great way to avoid a headache is to simple arrive at the airport early, you never know who could be in front of you in the security check line. Avoiding rush hour and checking traffic beforehand is not a bad idea.

Less is more
When you arrive at your destination, of course you want to make the most of it. It is so easy to get caught up on visiting every tourist sight, every museum and restaurant, but exploring new things can be exhausting. Always remember that holidays are actually the opportunity to catch up on things you never have time for, like relaxing, taking a long bath and binging on bad TV.

Unplug from everything
It can be so hard to switch off from work mode, but remember that your brain does need a break! Don’t bring your office with you, give your boss and colleagues warning that you are going and get all your work done before, so you don’t get phone calls and emails while you are away.

Agree to disagree
Disagreement could be the cause of your holiday stress. Grumpy kids, a friend that drags you to boring activities or a partner that takes forever to get ready – these are all things that can contribute. The best solution is to compromise. Identify your differences and find out a peaceful resolution.

Slowly easy back in
It’s tempting to book your flight for Sunday and go back to work on Monday, but rushing to get everything done can cause even more stress. Take an extra day to adjust, giving you time to do laundry, unpack and reflect on the highlights of your trip.

From boarding your flight on time to keeping everyone happy, traveling can get tense and stressful. These helpful tips can provide you with a fun and stress-free holiday!

Need a break? Cape Town is the ideal place to travel to. 808 Cartwright Corner is a luxurious, affordable self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City. Book online today or give us a call! 

You should always pack these items when you go on a business trip!

Packing for a holiday is easy and exciting, just throw in a few swimming costumes and flip flops and you’re ready to go! But, packing for a business trip is a completely different story. What should you bring and what can you expect??

Here are the items you should ALWAYS pack for a business trip:

1. Business Cards
This one is obvious, you should always pack a few cards at the ready when you are away on business.

 

2. Breath Mints
Don’t let potential clients walk away with your business card and a foul smell in their nose. Always carry breath mints to chew on regularly.

3. Antibacterial Gel
This is a necessity given all the people you’ll meet and all the hands you’ll shake.

4. A Name Badge
Create and laminate a badge for yourself, that way you know you’ll always have one.

5. A Pencil and Pad
This is an obvious item, but you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to forget! Make sure your writing utensils are always close at hand.

6. Pants, Jacket and Shirts
In some circumstances you may need strict business attire.

7. Two Pairs of Shoes
You should always bring a comfortable pair of shoes for walking and a slightly more dressy pair for important dinners.

8. A Charger
You’re definitely not going to forget your cell phone, but make sure you always have a charger.

9. Your Laptop
Your laptop, iPad or tablet is something that you need to have. You shouldn’t rely on the computer or operating system a business centre provides.

10. USB Flash Drive
Keep all your presentations at reports at your fingertips by keeping a handy USB flash drive in your pocket.

Remember that a business trip is a very important time; you need to be prepared for anything! Keep this list close at hand and make sure your trip goes exactly as planned.

Looking for a self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City? Book in at 808 Cartwright Corner for your business trip.

10 things you should never forget on a trip

Is it about time for you to take that holiday you’ve been waiting for? Or maybe you just have to go on a business trip. Either way, all you have to do is throw some clothes in your suitcase and make your way to the airport!

Not so fast. Packing for your trip is important and you need to make sure you don’t forget the essentials.

1. Phone Charger – The good news is that you’ll be able to find a replacement phone charger at the airport. The bad news is that it’ll cost you an arm or a leg.

2. Laptop Power Cord – This is a must have item if you’re bringing your laptop along for the trip.

3. Meds and Potions – Bring enough medication for your entire stay to avoid having to get your prescriptions refilled and make sure you have some handy medications, like headache pills, just in case.

4. Sunglasses – You probably won’t have trouble finding a new pair of sunglasses, but why waste money on a new pair when you can just bring your own.

5. Long-sleeved shirt – Have you ever had goose bumps during the summer because a place decides to put their aircon on full blast? That’s why you should always pack a long-sleeved shirt.

6. Bandages – It’s better to be safe than sorry.

7. Passport or Driver’s License – Don’t risk missing your flight because you have to run back home to fetch your identification.

8. Hand Sanitizer – You’ll feel a lot better knowing you have hand sanitizer when everyone is coughing and sneezing around you in the plane.

9. Extra Cash – You can avoid all ATM fees at your destination by withdrawing enough cash and more before you leave.

10. Snacks – Pack some yummy snacks in your carry-on so you don’t get overcharged at the airport.

No one wants to spend the start of their holiday or trip shopping for all the things they left at home. Be organized ahead of time, make a packing list and enjoy your trip!

For an affordable, luxurious self-catering apartment, book in at 808 Cartwright Corner today!

Travel Hacks that will make your life so much easier

When it comes to travel and advice, there is no such thing as too much. If you love travelling, here are 21 travel hacks that will help you have the best trip ever!

Hack 1: Travel by land
Traveling by land allows you to see more of the country. It is also generally a lot cheaper than flying. Visiting Cape Town? If you find that you’d rather take a shortcut and fly there, contact Airport Shuttle and we can take you to or from Cape Town International Airport – quick and easy!

Hack 2: Leave guidebooks at home
Why lug them around when you can get to know the locals? It is a good way to sharpen your language skills too.

Hack 3: Pack less
Do you really need to pack all that stuff? Be honest with yourself and only pack the items that you need. You will have a lot less to carry around and more space to fit souvenirs.

Hack 4: Go vegetarian on the flight
By going for the vegetarian option, you will get a fresher and healthier meal. This can have a positive uplifting effect, plus it can also help with jet-lag.

Hack 5: When searching for flights browse privately
Many travel companies use cookies to monitor your browsing so that they can raise prices. You can get cheaper flights by setting your browser to private ort using another internet connection.

 Hack 6: Bring a hoodie
This item of clothing has multi-purposes. A good example if to fold it up and turn it into a comfy pillow!

Hack 7: Dummy wallet
Take a spare wallet with old bank cards and a bit of cash. This is a great way to get the better of muggers and turn them into dummies.

Hack 8: Eat like a local
Not only will you avoid the over-the-top tourist prices, but you will generally get better quality food and have an authentic cultural experience.

Hack 9: Get a room on the second floor
The second floor of your accommodation is optimum. It’s more difficult for people to try break in and you will have much better views of the scenery. Book in at 808 Cartwright for an affordable self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City.

Hack 10: Use a local Sim card
Roaming costs are extortionate! By using a local simcard in your smartphone, you will save so much money.

Hack 11: Smart sandwich bag
If you are going to visit the beach, store your smartphone in a sandwich bag. This is a smart way to protect your phone from sand and water.

Hack 12: Fragile
If you luggage is labelled as fragile, people will be more likely to handle it with care. This means one less headache for you.

Hack 13: Save space
Roll your belt into your shirt collar and put all your socks and underwear in your shoes, these nifty tricks are a great way to maximize luggage space.

Hack 14: Depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday
Save yourself some money. Research shows that flights are generally cheaper on those days.

Hack 15: Learn the best way to pack
There is an art to packing. Master it and you will get rid of any suitcase headaches forever.

Hack 16: Weigh your luggage
Avoid the nightmare of being told your luggage is too heavy. Way it before you leave and guarantee yourself a smooth check-in.

Hack 17: Pack necklaces in straws
Bringing your favourite necklaces along? Put them inside drinking straws, this is a great way to prevent them from becoming tangled up.

Hack 18: Take advantage of free WiFi
Don’t go and pay crazy internet café prices. Simply find out the WiFi hotspots and check your emails for free.

Hack 19: Pack an empty bottle
Don’t pay rip-off airport prices for mineral water, take an empty bottle with you and fill it up with water on your own.

Hack 20: Charge your phone
If you’ve broken or lost your charger, this is a great way to keep your smartphone powered up. All you need is a USB cable that connects to your device.

Hack 21: Dryer sheet in your suitcase
This will keep your clothes smelling nice and fresh on all those long journeys.

Knowing the tricks of the trade and mastering these inside skills will always get you a lot further, plus you will have the best experience ever.

12 Packing Problems only a woman will understand

Sometimes they packing problems that women encounter are just about enough to make you want to stay at home! Yes, going places and travelling the world is great and all, but THE PACKING! WHY!?

1. You feel the urge to pack for every conceivable situation. You’ve never worn that long fancy dress before, but what if you want to go to a really nice dinner? What if some millionaire wants to take you dancing on his yacht? It could happen!

2. You have to squeeze your purse into your carry-on tote so you can actually bring three bags on board.

3. You have to fit all your cosmetics into that little toiletries pouch. Insane. Unrealistic. How are you supposed to live?

4. You can't abide by those ridiculous liquid container size restrictions. What? Do they think there is a bomb inside your moisturizer? The airport security jerks are totally just trying to steal your cosmetics!

5. You realise that you need to do laundry before your pack. But also, you realise that is just not going to happen.

6. You have to figure out how to keep your suitcase from weighing more than 50 pounds. The only thing worse than paying the excess baggage fee is paying the excess baggage fee after unpacking your bag in front of the entire airport, a fistful of underwear in your hand, in a vain attempt to transfer those last 4 pounds to your already stuffed carry-on.

7. You have to pick a different outfit for every day. Stress. And you know deep down that you will never stick to any of the choices you've made.

8. You want to leave room for the extra stuff you plan to buy on your trip, but you're completely unable to do so. You have to fill every available inch of suitcase space or else you're just inviting a fashion disaster to happen while you're on vacation.

9. You try to pick a "packing style" in order to get as much stuff into your bags as possible. Are you a roll packer or a vacuum packer? What if you can't re-vacuum your stuff when you come back? Maybe if you sit on your suitcase for a while, it will magically make room for more things.

10. You know your bag is technically too big to be a carry-on, but you also know that you have gotten away with it in the past. What if today is the day they make you check it? And then, what if they lost it? There you’ll be, stranded in some foreign country, naked and alone!

11. Weather denial. You don't care what the forecast says, it's supposed to be warm where you are going and you are packing accordingly. Stupid weathermen are wrong most of the time anyway. You'll dress for the weather you want, not the weather you have.

12. Wrinkles. So. Many. Wrinkles!

No matter how hard women try, they will always have a tough time packing for a trip!

Need a place to stay if you are travelling to Cape Town? Book in at 808 Cartwright Corner today, for an affordable, self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City.

What should you bring on your family holiday?

What is your ideal family break? Take a look at the ideas for family holidays and use the tips and tricks to decide what to bring along.

     ·         Returning to Nature

Bird feed & Binoculars
With the forest literally on your doorstep, it is the perfect time to see local plant life and animals up close.

Wellies, warm coats & waterproofs
The weather could possible get wet and chilly, so make sure you’re prepared! Enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings wrapped up and ready to jump in a few puddles.

Home Comforts
Unwind with your favourite mug and snacks. Relax into the evening, while still enjoying the nature around you.

     ·         Relaxing & Unwinding

Art Friendly clothing
Creative and crafty activities are a fun way to spend the day indoors. Pack something comfy that you won’t mind getting a splash of paint or two on.

A Good Book
An absorbing read is a great way to wind down, and it’s even better if you’re curled up beside a fireplace on an autumn evening.

Home Comforts
Relax for the rest of the night with something tasty to eat. And, of course, your favourite mug.

     ·         Getting Active

Trainers & Tracksuit
Sportswear is essential if you’re looking ti get stuck into some energetic games and activities. You can never pack too many socks!

A Swimsuit
A must-pack item! Ride the rapids and flumes, stay on the go with water fitness, or just relax in the spa pools.

An Appetite
Get stuck into the restaurants and cafes, whether for a hearty evening meal or if you just fancy something indulgent.

     ·         Thrill Seeking

A Sense of Adventure
Let your inner adrenaline junkie go wild, whilst protecting yourself and your belongings. Zip lock plastic bags, water bottles and a repair kit containing safety pins and a sewing kit are a must for the adventurous.

A Swimsuit
Yes, your trusty swimsuit is vital if you’re going to be getting wet during your adventure.

An Appetite
You’ll definitely have a huge appetite on this family holiday. Find a local eatery to enjoy a tasty meal after an action-packed day of adventures.

Things to keep the kids entertained
- An easy to use disposable camera
- Ideas for car games like “I Spy”
- Stories on CDs or MP3
- Favourite toys, games and blankets

Packing tips and tricks
- Roll your clothes up to prevent creases
- Keep your toiletries in sealed bags
- Plan outfits in advance to save space

If you find yourself in the Mother City, make sure to book yourself in at the luxurious, affordable, self-catering apartment - 808 Cartwright Corner.

More bad habits of ineffective hotels

Last week we looked at the bad habits of ineffective hotels, but it seems like there is more to the list that was previously discussed. Cheap hotels shouldn’t get a free ride just because they are considered to be budget accommodation, so here are more habits of ineffective hotels – the budget version.

#1 Mini-bar – Having a fridge in your room is great, but having a mini-bar – not so much! Although some people sneak a snack or two and then put it back before anyone notices, some hotels actually charge you for the item even if you put it back.

#2 Hygiene – Who ever said that a small bathroom doesn’t matter obviously hasn’t seen some hotels where the toilet is literally inside the shower! Yes, it’s great not to share a bathroom, but if you can’t even manage to fit through the bathroom door then the benefit doesn’t really count.

#3 Outlets – Perhaps the only thing that is possibly worse than a lack of electrical outlets in the room, is electrical outlets that look like they could kill you if you touch them.

#4 Plastic – Plastic wrap on the head board of the bed? Plastic wrap on the couches or chairs? Well, that’s one way to make you feel cheap when you book in at a hotel that costs barely anything.

#5 Mattresses – It would be nice to know how many hoteliers have actually slept in their own beds. Many are completely worn out or damaged. The worst thing is arriving in your room and having to flip your own mattress because budget hotels rarely do it.

#6 WiFi – A lot of budget hotels advertise free WiFi, which is great compared to the luxurious hotels that make you pay extra. The thing they don’t tell you is that you will probably have to stick your laptop out of the window just to get a connection.

#7 Storage – Some hotels aim to make you pay extra for every little thing. And this includes storage. Charging extra for leaving your bags with them for those few hours before your flight seems to be the trend with budget hotels these days.

It seems like with budget hotels these days, simply having a roll of toilet paper and free WiFi is a luxury. What other bad hotel habits have you noticed in your travels? 

For an affordable, self-catering apartment with none of these bad habits - book in at 808 Cartwight Corner!

The bad habits of ineffective hotels

If you travel a lot you have obviously noticed that there are many exceptional hotels, self-catering apartments, B&B’s etc. BUT you have probably also noticed that some are just plain weird, and their bad habits are odd as well.

Here are the worst hotel habits that you may have encountered as a traveler…

#1 Telephones – You would be shocked at the amount of hotels that can’t get their own phone systems right. There’s nothing worse than pressing the “Wake Up Call” button and then getting directed to the reservations call centre instead. And then still getting charged for the call! Let’s not forget about when you wait on the line listening to the busy signal for 20 minutes, maybe next time it would be better to rather send out a carrier pigeon!

#2 Internet – Everyone enjoys lying in bed, watching TV and surfing the net. But, all this is pretty hard to do if there is no wireless connection. Having to run a LAN connection to the other side of the room is just not cool at all.

#3 Hidden Charges – Hotel tax, convenience charge, gratuity, local tax, room service, mini-bar, hospitality fee, tourist tax, internet access fees, charges for phone calls – it all adds up, and its super annoying! It’s not great when you find a decent hotel or accommodation and then all the extras kill the vibe.

#4 Temperature – The water is too hot, and the room is too cold, or the water is too cold and the room is too hot! There are always issues with temperatures in the shower; the goal here is that you just want to wash your body – it doesn’t have to be as complicated as sterilizing medical equipment!

#5 Laundry – When you stay in a hotel, guest house or self-catering apartment you need to do laundry! It’s just one of those things and hotel laundry prices are out of control. Imagine having to pay more to get your socks cleaned then you did to buy them.

#6 Photos – Choosing your hotel is a lot like internet dating. It’s extremely rare that what you get in real life actually looks like what was on the internet. Sometimes, on a rare occasion you may be pleasantly surprised, but that doesn’t happen often. Trip Advisor is a great place to find real photos from real photos.

#7 Signs – Isn’t it the worst when you have to work overnight to mirror business hours, or you just simply do not want to be disturbed and then the staff members insist on bothering you. Surely Do Not Disturb means what it says; you’d think it was a no brainer.

Have you ever experienced any of these truly annoying hotel habits? What are you hotel pet peeves?

Book in at 808 Cartwright Corner for an amazing self-catering apartment in Cape Town with Table Mountain in full view. 

8 tips to stay healthy while you travel

When we travel for work or for a vacation we have to put up with a lot of health-related things: Recycled airplane air, fatty foods, fancy cocktails and copious amounts of hidden germs! All these things can put strain on our immune systems, so here’s how to stay fit as a fiddle no matter where you are travelling.

Stay hydrated – In order to keep all your systems going you need to drink your daily water requirement. Travelling can be dehydrating for your body, so if you can try to stock your car, backpack or hotel room with nice cold bottles of water. Always bring water wherever you go!

Avoid the minibar – Alcohol, sweets, chocolates and fizzy drinks, this is basically all you will find majority of minibars. Not only are these things extremely unhealthy for you but they are also ridiculously overpriced. Instead of getting sucked in by the minibar’s stock of unhealthy treats, pack your own drinks and snacks.

Pack snacks – Always carry back-up snacks in case you’re travelling and can’t find anything healthy to eat. Stick to fresh or dried fruits, protein bars, cereal etc. You will save money and you won’t be tempted to buy MacDonald’s or any other fast food ever again.

Check out the hotel gym – Hotels, apartments and guest houses have definitely gotten into the fitness craze recently! When you are booking yourself accommodation check first to see if there is a gym available, that way you can spend some time on the treadmill – your body will thank you later! (Contact 808 Cartwright if you are in need of a quality, comfy, self-catering apartment - with complimentary gym access!)

Steer clear of airplane germs – Before you settle into your seat get out your disinfectant wipes and do a quick wipe down of the cushions, armrests and the table tray. If it is possible avoid the in flight restroom at all costs!

Stretch – Are you planning a long 12 hour flight with no layover? Well here’s how to avoid DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or painful leg cramping by exercising your foot and calf muscles regularly:

        ·      Bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes when you are seated.

        ·      Increase the blood flow to your legs by pressing the balls of your feet down hard against the floor.

        ·      Take a walk up and down the aisle

Avoid the Top Ten tainted foods – There is a new report that lists the tainted foods that are most likely to make you sick, sadly these include some of the best foods! If you buy them organically or from an upscale restaurant you will probably avoid getting sick:

       ·   Berries

       ·     Sprouts

       ·     Tomatoes

       ·       Ice cream

       ·       Potatoes

       ·       Cheese

       ·       Oysters

       ·       Tuna

       ·       Eggs

       ·       Leafy greens

Choose a quality hand sanitizer – Hand sanitizers and soaps kill as many as 40 000 germs per hand! So when it comes to fighting bacteria when travelling and you can’t get to a sink, hand sanitizers are your best bet. When you choose a hand sanitizer try to buy one with at least 60% alcohol in it.

As fun as travelling is, it can also be an unhealthy experience for you, so always try to choose the healthier options and cut your immune system some slack!

Airport Shuttle in Cape Town can provide you with a reliable, affordable shuttle service too and from Cape Town International Airport, contact us today!

Written By: Christine Romans

Most important travel trends of 2015

Remember when you actually had to go to an airport check-in counter to get your boarding pass? When calling home from abroad cost an unreasonable fee (hat tip, Skype), or when catching a shuttle service meant waiting for hours on end? (hat tip, Airport Shuttle). So what’s on the horizon for 2015? Take a look at the trends that are changing the way we move through the world.

Your rental will look more like a hotel
Have you heard of Airbnb? Well it’s a sign of things to come. Take the new Drift San Jose in Los Cabos, Mexico; you won’t be able to book through a website, but only through Airbnb! So it’s becoming clear that the line between hotels and rentals is becoming more and more blurred.

Airports will follow your every move
If your phone starts buzzing the next time you’re in an airport, it could be location-specific alerts enabled by nearby “beacons,” low-frequency Bluetooth sensors that can tell you which currency-exchange counters have the best rates, how long it’ll take to reach your gate and other useful tips. The amazing technology is already being used in airports from San Francisco to Amsterdam!

You’ll sleep better on the road
Las Vegas may be the best place to rest up right now! At the MGM Grand in 171 rooms there have been enhancements in lighting and furniture design in order to help you sleep better at night. Here’s what hotels are using to improve your bedtime routine:
- Stay Well Dawn Simulator
- Noise-reducing headboards
- Healthy mattress
- Sleep monitors

You’ll take a new route overseas
The latest way to get to Sydney is via a Qantas A380 from Dallas, the longest flight in the world! It is 8500 miles and almost 16 hours door-to-door. This is one of the many new flights launched by top-notch international carriers that are making extremely long travel more appealing for people. Here are some additions in 2014 and 2015:
- Cathay Pacific: Boston to Hong Kong
- Japan Airlines: Los Angeles to Osaka
- Emirates: Chicago to Dubai; Boston to Dubai

Your phone will become your wallet
Mobile transactions are going to become the new normal! Sync your credit and debit cards with Google Wallet or Apple’s Passbook and you’ll be able to buy things simply by placing your phone in front of a sensor at checkout.

You’ll be tempted by a new class of seats
Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it will introduce this so-called fourth class of seating later this year, Japan Airlines has also completely revamped its version, so it’s easier to see the appeal: friendlier fares paired with business-style perks and amenities, including greater seat pitch, better meals, privacy dividers and airport lounge access. So it’s a sign that premium economy is here to stay.

The changes ahead for 2015 are more than just improvements; this will be a year of expanding horizons.

For a self-catering, affordable apartment contact 808 Cartwright. so you need a fast reliable shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle.

Written By: Christine Romans