Travel Tip

Whenever you arrive in any country, whether it be by boat, plane or whatever you are vulnerable. You have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment. It is even worse if you have never been there before and look like you haven’t, there are always people who are willing to “help”. Every precaution you take will help to avoid any potential problems. After all you do not want someone to “help” themselves to your belongings, when you have just arrived. Here are a few tips that should help.

Before leaving for your trip, try to get some prior information as to the rough layout of the airport where you will be arriving. This will help, to have a vague sense of where you should be going and where the taxis are located etc.

Whenever possible, especially in certain countries we recommend taking either the airport limousine, or a hotel pick up.

Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.

Try to keep your wallet and valuables safely secured in a handbag or in one of your hand luggage.

Change some money into the local currency before you depart. This gives you one less thing to worry about, and will stop you from pulling a large amount of money out at the airport arrivals.

Keep a small amount of this local currency, easily accessible in a pocket or something, and away from the majority of your well earned money. You will need sufficient for the ride into town, a tip (perhaps) and a little for unforeseen needs like toll ways or a bottle of water.

If you have not been able to find anything out about the airport that you are visiting then ask one of the airline staff, or the government tourism booth (if they have one at the airport) for some assistance, or tips on the best way of travelling.

Most countries really are very safe, but in others it is really very advisable to take to take as many precautions as possible. No matter what, the most important is that you have a great holiday.

DoubleTree by Hilton Introduces New Global Brand Identity

Article from BusinessWire:

Hilton Worldwide today introduced a new brand logo and name for DoubleTree by Hilton (currently Doubletree) in front of more than 1,900 hotel owners, operators and corporate executives at the company’s first-ever Global Partnership Conference in Orlando. This first phase of a renewed DoubleTree by Hilton business strategy has been developed to further reinforce the brand’s relationship within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels and the company’s continued commitment to the future growth, expansion, and evolution of DoubleTree by Hilton within the hospitality industry.

“The introduction of our new DoubleTree by Hilton global identity communicates, with a new unified worldwide look, the brand’s proud Hilton Worldwide affiliation and acts as a stronger symbol for current and future customers to associate today’s DoubleTree by Hilton with its highly positive brand attributes”

The DoubleTree by Hilton logo and name officially will be launched during the first half of 2011, as part of a comprehensive rebranding initiative that will feature new advertising, marketing and communications campaigns, as well as new amenities and services for guests at DoubleTree by Hilton’s fast-growing collection of 240 hotels on five continents.

Design features of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand identity include:

* Addition of “by Hilton” to the brand name in proper theme and variation, to create a more direct affiliation and distinction between DoubleTree and its parent company, Hilton Worldwide;
* Introduction of a modern, sophisticated, stylized illustration of the brand’s signature two trees;
* Integration of new, contemporary fonts and color palettes custom-designed for the brand

“By celebrating a modern, updated look and feel for DoubleTree by Hilton in logo, product and services, we hope this new brand strategy will enhance name recognition and consumer preference and energize these outstanding hotels’ natural and welcoming characteristics for many months and years to come,” said Paul Brown, president – global brands and commercial services for Hilton Worldwide.

About Doubletree Hotels
To make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers can visit our website at www.Doubletree.com, contact their preferred travel professional or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada.


DoubleTree by Hilton

Have you seen our NEW LOGO?!

If you haven’t heard yet, Doubletree Hotels are working on an entire Rebranding of all Doubletree Hotels in 2011. Doubletree Hotel San Jose, now named ‘Doubletree by Hilton San Jose’, is one of the first that has officially completed the new rebrand.

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Tell us what you think!

Downtown Campbell Third Friday Artwalk

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The Downtown Campbell Third Friday ArtWalk is a casual, “tour-on-your-own” style art walk. It’s a great opportunity to visit with the artists and view their new works in a friendly, casual atmosphere. Guest artists are hosted each month and are located in the shops, boutiques and galleries throughout downtown. Grab a map and brochure at any of the participating galleries: The Art Beat, Bruni Gallery, Gallery of Dreams, Debbie Marie Gallery, Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery, Stone Griffin Gallery, Itty Bitty Boutique and Sonoma Chicken Coup.

Having Campbell only minutes away for The Doubletree San Jose, makes it easy for all guests to enjoy events, big and small, around the area. Stay with us at The Doubletree Hotel San Jose and experience this fun (and free) festival!

Harlem Globetrotters in SAN JOSE

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The Harlem Globetrotters are coming the the HP Pavilion THIS FRIDAY (January 14th) and SATURDAY (January 15th)

For 84 tremendous years, the Harlem Globetrotters have thrilled audiences around the world. Today, a new generation of stars carries on this storied tradition with timeless basketball exhibitions. Some of the most recognizable names in basketball history have entertained audiences in the Globetrotter uniform. The Globetrotters have played more than 25,000 games, entertaining everyone from Presidents to Popes.

The Doubletree San Jose is only minutes away from the HP Pavilion! Book a room, grab a ticket, and make it a fun weekend getaway!

2011 Silicon Valley International Auto Show

The Silicon Valley International Auto Show has been at the San Jose Convention Center for more than a decade. This consumer tradeshow is the highest attended tradeshow in San Jose, showing off the latest cars, crossovers, trucks and more. From ultra high-end exotics to the latest alternative fuel vehicles, this automotive extravaganza is bigger, with more makes and models than last year, and offers something for families, car fanatics and consumers in the market for a new car.

Today – Sunday, Jan. 9 @ San Jose Convention Center

Tickets range from $5-$9, cash only.

For more information, click here.

Come for the Auto Show and stay with us, DoubleTree San Jose. We are only minutes away from the convention center, along with tons of other businesses (restaurants, bars, etc).


NYE almost SOLD OUT!!

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We are running out of Tickets for both New Year’s Eve at Club Max and Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops!!

If you are wanting to come to either of our New Year’s Eve events we suggest you reserve a ticket asap!

Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops has already booked many reservations, only a few seats left. This dinner is a delicious 4-Course, prix fixe meal! You do not want to miss out on this romantic meal to bring in the new year!

Club Max is the place-to-be this New Year’s! We are almost at our max for selling tickets, so call and reserve a ticket now at 408.437.2199

For those of you who have already reserved a ticket, be prepared for a amazingly memorable night! See you all there!

Awesome NYE Package!

The Doubletree San Jose has a great deal for New Year’s Eve! For a great value of $229 you and another can get a standard hotel room, 2 tickets to our Club Max party, AND a welcome glass of champagne at our 2050 Lounge & Bar.

This is a great deal for ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Make reservations today at 408.437.2199

The Nutcracker

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The San Jose Center of Performing Arts is showing a holiday favorite, The Nutcracker!

These last 2 weeks are the last times to see this amazing performance. Have a romantic night or a family night with dinner at Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops before the show. Or make a weekend out of it and stay at the Doubletree Hotel San Jose!

Performance times:
Fri Dec 17 (7:30pm)
Sat Dec 18 (1:30 and 7:30pm)
Sun Dec 19 (1:30pm)
Tue Dec 21 (1:30 and 7:30pm)
Wed Dec 22 (1:30 and 7:30pm)
Thu Dec 23 (1:30 and 7:30pm)
Fri Dec 24 (1:30pm)
Sun Dec 26 (1:30pm)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


Teaching Kids to CARE

Last week, the Doubletree Hotel San Jose‘s Teaching Kids To CARE program, had a fun-filled day with Bachrodt Elementary School’s second grade class. The children had been working hard the last few months collecting canned food for low-income families and the Doubletree San Jose staff wanted to reward the children for all their accomplishment.

The excited second grade class came to the hotel and was shown around by the staff to different parts of the hotel (such as, where the delicious chocolate chip cookies are made, one of the guest rooms, and much more) and finished the day with a delicious lunch.

The kids learned a lot about world hunger, along with CARE, and had a blast doing it.

For every item collected, Doubletree will donate $0.10 to Second Harvest Food Bank, where kids will be helping other kids in need around their community.

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Sandy Piazza and Chef Nicki Rohadfox teaching the children about our delicious chocolate chip cookie!

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The Doubletree Staff welcoming the enthusiastic second graders