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| Hotels with windows that open |
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| Written by Karen Kingston | ||||||
| Monday, 05 November 2007 | ||||||
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I've been travelling for the last few months and right now I'm in the USA, where the biggest challenge is finding hotels to stay in that have windows that open. How I wish that someone would create a website listing these increasingly elusive places! I've heard that the main reason hotels seal their windows these days are because they qualify for lower insurance premiums if they do - something along the lines of suicidal jumpers not being able to do their thing, and sealed windows making it easier to control outbreaks of fire. The problem with sealed windows is the lack of circulation of air, the toxifying effects of the chemicals used in air-conditioning units (refrigerants, anti-bacterial and anti-mould agents, etc), and the toxic chemicals used in cleaning products which build up in the space. There is also the constant drone of the machinery, which deeply affects a person's quality of sleep because it keeps you 'wired' all night long. The higher the pitch of the sound of the fan, the worse the effect. And of course meditating in a room with no fresh air is almost a complete waste of time. A good circulation of chi is an absolute 'must' for both high states of sleep and high states of meditation. One way I've found to search out hotels with windows that open is to enter city name + hotel + balcony into a search engine. These rooms cost more but it's a sure bet that wherever there is a balcony, there will be a door that can be opened to let in fresh air. Feel free to post here if you know of good hotels anywhere in the world that have windows that open. I'll be happy to post a list of them on a page on my website. Copyright © Karen Kingston, 2007 Quote this article on your blog or website | Views: 2724 | Print | E-mail
In the Latin Quarter, Paris, France, approximately 2 blocks from Notre Dame, we stayed at Hotel Minerve, on Rue Des Ecoles. Fabulous! A little balcony with geraniums & two chairs & table. Magnifique! And reasonable for Paris. On Sunday morning we woke up to the sounds of the bells of Notre Dame & then other churches chimed in. Wow! Next door is the Hotel Familia which is a sister hotel & a little cheaper. Fresh Parisian air!
We have just come back from Thailand and lovely hotels but only air conditioned. I must admit I felt the lack of fresh air, and every night-time was a drag because of the drone of the air-con. I will keep in mind this article when I travel next time.
Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang, Malaysia, has wonderful windows facing the Sea. Unfortunately the moisture really condenses on the walls as the rooms were cooled too much. And they don't have wire mesh.
Thank you so very much for this comment. I was wondering if I am the only one who cannot sleep well in rooms with closed windows and gets a headache. Recently we spent a short vacation in Siem Reap, Cambodia and choose to stay in a guesthouse (www.greengardenhome.com). They had aircon but we used it sparingly, opened the windows which were protected with wire mesh and had a good night's sleep.It was lovely and charming and I was glad that we had not chosen one of the big hotels. But we had to insist on not spraying "Raid" followed by air freshener!
What do you suggest for those of us who live in hot and humid climates such as Florida where an air conditioner becomes a necessity much of the year?
Karen Kingston: See my blog posting 'Living with air conditioning' on Jan 19, 2008. Goodwood Park Hotel in Singapore has quite a few rooms that have windows that open, but make sure you insist on this detail.
KK: Sadly, this wonderful hotel has now sealed most of its windows. The only way to get a room with any fresh air is to get a ground floor room with doors that open to a courtyard, and sleep with mosquitoes buzzing in and out all night. Write a comment
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