Hotel Girl

According to the Independent today, the government of Iraq insists the troubled country will soon become a haven for tourists.

Tourist bureaux will be set up in various countries and Iraqi delegations are being sent abroad to study the travel industry. Despite the continued violence in the country, officials are still confident tourists will come if they have a "nice place to stay and a comfortable way to travel".

Good on them for looking ahead to a better time, although I think it will take a huge shift in perception before holidaymakers start considering Iraq a safe place to visit. And this quote from a city official doesn't exactly inspire confidence..

"Tourists should dress like locals and maybe dye their hair. And they should have armed guards and they should be always vigilant."

I was at the official launch of the first Hilton Garden Inn in the UK today. The first hotel has been open in Luton North since July and another is planned for Aberdeen.

From what I've seen so far, it will be a nice addition to the mid-range hotel market. The idea is straightforward - a comfortable, practical place to stay for business travellers with not too much fuss.

A nice touch are the "Garden Sleep System" beds. You can adjust the firmness with a switch on the side. Doubles have controls on each side, so there will no need for arguments at bedtime. Can't wait to try that one out.

Check out a video of the official opening below.

City Inn invited me to see the stage production of the Wizard of Oz at London's Royal Festival Hall last night.

It is difficult to provide the same impact as the MGM movie on stage, but the actors managed to offer a lively and colourful version of the classic tale.

Gary Wilmot is endearing as the cowardly Lion and Adam Cooper shows off some nifty dance moves as the Tin Man. Only Sian Brooke as Dorothy left me slightly disappointed, as she lacked the sparkle and charisma the role needs.

But to me, the star of the show was Bobby, the amazingly well trained West Highland terrier who playes Toto the dog. Adorable.

City Inn is offering a package, including 2 nights at its Westminster hotel with breakfast, a three course meal and 4 tickets to the show, for £249 per adult (children go free). Email: westminster.reservations@cityinn.com

Agents who book high levels of domestic breaks might be interested in news that The Royal Horseguards hotel in Whitehall is to benefit from a £16.3m investment.

The grand historic hotel overlooking the Thames is to have a total makeover to bring it into line with other top London hotels.

Contemporary new facilities such as iPod docking stations and plasma TVs will be standard.

The hotel is to become the fourth London hotel in the Guoman Hotel collection, along with Charing Cross, the Cumberland and the Tower.

If you fancy taking a look at the hotel after its transformation, the hotel is running a large number of fam trips for agents and TMCs next year.

Ever felt guily about asking for more clothes hangers or a late check out?

Take a look at Concierge.com's list of the world's worst hotel guests, and you'll instantly feel much better.

None of us will be reeling with shock when we hear Amy Winehouse is top of the list.

Hotel staff must run for cover when they see her beehive approaching. Reports have inluded Amy throwing a plate of pasta at the wall of her Munich hotel and then, for some reason, cutting up the carpet.

Other horrific hotel guests include Axl Rose, Britney Spears, and less predictably, Salvador Dali. The artist once requested a herd of sheep to be brought to his room and proceeded to shoot them with blanks.

At least he valued the hotel's customer service - he tipped them with lithographs of his work now worth up to $12,000.

Planning a cheeky weekend away? Booking website hotelclub.co.uk has a £25 off voucher hidden away on its website. Go to hotelclub.co.uk/tube. It's only valid on early bookings, not last minute deals. Get in there quickly before everyone catches on and they whip it off there!

Advantage has opened its doors to bed banks who do not act as principal for the first time in more than a year, Travel Weekly reports this week.

Bed banks who act as agents will join a list of 'authorised' rather than 'preferred' suppliers fo the consortium. These are sold by members but not actively promoted.

This seems like an inevitable move by Advantage, since fewer and fewer bed banks are acting as principal. Agents are limiting their options by only booking with those that do. However, booking with a non-principal could leave agents in the line of fire if something goes wrong overseas.

It is essential agents understand their legal position if, as Advantage points out, they are not to be 'hung out to dry'.

It will be interesting to see if other consortia and agents slacken their standards on the principal issue, and what consequences this will have on the industry.

Park Plaza County Hall in London has revealed the funniest moments from its first six months of business.

Not surprisingly, American guests have provided the best clangers. One bright spark asked, how do I turn the lights on in this country? And another wanted to know why they built Windsor Castle in the Heathrow flight path.

Guests wondering round the hotel minus their clothes have also been a common sighting.

"A high percentage of our guests seem to sleep in the nude," says general manager Philip Chambers. "It's only once they realise they're locked out, they sheepishly make their way to the lobby with vases, newspapers or room service trays covering them."

If this has filled you with an uncontrollable urge to book a room, see here.