Agoda.com Highlights a World of May Specials

April 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Agoda.com, Asia’s global hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed priceline.com Inc. , today announced hotel promotions to tie in with some special events during May.  

May is a good time to travel for a variety of reasons. For many destinations, May falls in the shoulder period when seasons are changing and the weather is temperate. Across Europe and the northern hemisphere the days are warm, while in Australia and New Zealand the autumn brings crisp, clear days that are perfect for sightseeing.  

During May, hotels in many destinations also drop their room prices. Rates generally ease from their peak season highs and travelers booking early can find significantly reduced rates. For those considering a May vacation, here are some more great reasons to get traveling.

Mother's Day
What better excuse to take a quick break than to spend some time with mom. Mother's Day in many countries falls on the second Sunday of May (May 8) and families usually show their appreciation by sending flowers and cards or having family get-togethers. Another great way to pay respect to mom is by treating her to a day of pampering in a luxury spa or by taking her on a city break to a five-star hotel. A day of shopping or beauty treatments can be followed by fine dining and family time in a great hotel restaurant.

Hong Kong: Langham Place Mongkok, from USD 214 per night.
Singapore: The Fullerton Hotel, from USD 291 per night.
Taipei: The Landis Taipei Hotel, from USD 137 per night.
Melbourne: Art Series The Cullen, from USD 180 per night.  


Buddha's Birthday
Falling on the first full moon of May (May 10), Buddha's birthday – also the anniversary of his enlightenment and death – is celebrated across Asia. Most countries honor the day with a public holiday, the biggest and brightest festivals happening in Sri Lanka and Nepal. In Colombo and Kandy (Sri Lanka), elaborate lighting displays depict scenes of the Buddha's life and colorful lanterns are hung throughout the streets. Buddhists worldwide commemorate the day by visiting temples and giving alms, meditating or attending a reading of the dharma. For travelers in east Asia, it's an opportunity to witness and take part in one of the region's most important religious events.

Colombo: Casa Colombo Hotel, from USD 164 per night.
Kandy: Jetwing Hunas Falls, from USD 95 per night.
Kandy: Hotel Hilltop, from USD 48 per night.

Beatification of John Paul II
Rome will be busier than ever this year with the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II taking place on May 1. The event is set to draw an estimated two-and-a-half million visitors to Rome as pilgrims flock to the Vatican to pay homage. St Peter's Square will set the scene for the beatification mass, to be led by Pope Benedict XVI from 10am on May 1. The beatification coincides with the Labor Day holiday in Italy and hotels in Rome are expected to completely book out. It's especially important to book accommodation early if traveling during this time.

Hotel Derby, from USD 148 per night.
Cicerone Hotel, from USD 242 per night.
Hotel Augusta Lucilla Palace, from USD 297 per night.
Hotel Genova, from USD 299 per night.
Boscolo Aleph Luxury Hotel, from USD 443 per night.


Cinco de Mayo
Spanish for 'May fifth', the Cinco de Mayo holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture and tradition. The date itself commemorates the defeat of the French army in the 1862 Battle of Puebla, but today's festivities are more about American Mexicans celebrating their heritage.  Across the United States, street fairs and fiestas take place during the first week of May, giving Americans of all ethnicities a chance to enjoy Mexican culture. Mariachi bands, parades, folk dancing, food stalls and Latino music create a lively party atmosphere.

Las Vegas: Trump International Hotel, from USD 125 per night.
Las Vegas: Tahiti Village Resort & Spa, from USD 141 per night.  
San Diego: Western Inn Old Town San Diego Hotel, from 70 per night.
San Francisco: The Pickwick Hotel, from USD 102 per night.  


About Agoda Company Pte Ltd:
Agoda Company Pte Ltd (http://www.agoda.com) is a leading Asia-based, online hotel reservations company, which specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices. Agoda.com is part of Priceline.com . Agoda's network includes more than 160,000 hotels worldwide. The multinational staff of more than 600 professionals, located throughout the world, provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at thousands of hotels around the globe, at any time. A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda's aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.