Just what Are Damn Cheap Hotels?
Everyone else calls it the "About Us" page. So to break with traditional, we thought we'd call it the "Just What" page. Damn Cheap Hotels™ has been around since 1997 when a single road warrior named Alex decided to start hundreds of his own private reviews of the cheapest hotels in the US. As a self-employed road warrior from Cleveland, Alex was out on the road 5 to 7 days a week. Sometimes he made some sales in his line of work and sometimes he played "hooky" and went fishing instead.
That necessitated that he find the damn cheapest hotels that he could in just about every city in the US that he traveled. At first he created some of his own reviews but later as he built out his website other travelers reviewed more hotels and the damn cheap review system took off. By 2012 the site had matured into a damn good place to find the cheapest hotels on the Internet and even cities all around the world. The original founder Alex lost interest in maintaining the site and Hotelligent of Austin, Texas, stepped in and acquired the business to take it to the next level.
Hotelligent™ Acquires DamnCheapHotels.com
Hotelligent already owns and operates hundreds of travel and booking sites around the world, but they didn’t own the damn cheapest hotel booking site on the Internet. And maybe just for nostalgic reasons we didn’t want to let Alex’s project with thousands of hard fought road miles and first-hand hotel guest reviews return to the web archives with a final closing chapter. We thought, why not continue to acquire hotel inventory and publish the damn cheapest hotels everywhere on the planet? A lofty goal but one that just needed to be done. And add to that a really robust set of hotel guest reviews so that potential guests could find the "best" damn cheap hotels. Trust us, no one wants to stay in the "worst" damn cheap hotels.
Everyone Likes Free Stuff or Damn Cheap Stuff
So we decided to throw some money at the project to revive it and bring it back to life. At first, our Board of Managers said, “What’s the revenue model for getting paid by these damn cheap hotels?” Many of them don’t even offer a commission; they just want a free listing. Sure, everyone wants a free listing, or a free lunch, or free college, free healthcare, or free something, right? But at prices starting at $4 USD per night, we argued to our Board that some of these hotels and hostels can’t even afford to pay a damn cheap commission. And if they gave us even a 5% commission on $4 USD (just 20 cents) room rate, it would cost our accounting department more to manage this damn silly process than we would earn. So free listings for the absolute cheapest of the damn cheap hotels made the cut with the Board.
Help Us Keep The Damn Cheap Hotel Servers Running
Of course there are other hotels in not so damn cheap major markets like Las Vegas, London, New York City, Paris, Barcelona, Hong Kong, and many others that can afford to pay us a damn stingy commission. In Las Vegas anything under $30 a night is damn cheap for a hotel, and we’ll gladly accept their damn stingy $1.50 commission to help keep the damn cheap hotel servers up and running 24/7 to hold our record for the damn cheapest hotels on the Internet. The accounting department also gets to keep their in-office not so damn cheap fancy water distiller and purifier (sign on this “green” water distilling machine states “the pure water you are drinking is paid for through the generosity of Damn Cheap Hotel operators”). And the water from this machine is absolutely excellent. Recall the movie “Waterboy” with Adam Sandler. The water from our in-house H2O distillery tastes like what must have come out of Waterboys’ ethereal blue bottle, it’s some very fine quality H2O.
Hotel Operators Drinking from Blue Bottles?
So something free like tap water contains all the essential qualities to be not just good, or great, but to be exceptional. And at Damn Cheap Hotels™, you’ll find some real hotel operators that might also be drinking from blue bottles and have for one reason or another priced their rooms just too damn cheap. You don’t always “get exactly what you pay for”; sometimes you get a whole lot more (and if you try sometimes, well you just might find, you get what you need"). Sure, we totally ripped that off from the Stones. We got tired of paying for a real marketing department so we need free stuff too.
Hidden Gems in the Damn Cheap Hotel Reviews
Read our damn cheap hotel reviews and look for the hidden gems that don’t make the mainstream hotel booking sites because their commission payments are too small or because they don’t even pay a commission. You’ll be glad you did. And please, if you’re happy with your choices, share our site with friends by hitting the Google Plus 1 button. Help us to preserve the heritage of the original road warrior Alex from Cleveland that tested the good, the bad, and even the ugliest of the damn cheap hotels, which started the damn cheap hotel tradition of making fine quality H2O for our accounting folks and for the Wizard.
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Hotel and Travel News
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‘Brilliant spectacle and atmosphere’: readers’ favourite Christmas concertsThursday the 8th, 2022
The Christmas atmosphere is at its best accompanied by flickering candles, superb choral music, ancient buildings and the odd pub. Our tipsters know where to go. Scroll down to see the winnerThe wonderful Sixteen choral ensemble is about to present its 2022 Christmas programme, featuring a...
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Switzerland’s brilliant new train route: direct from Montreux to InterlakenWednesday the 7th, 2022
The GoldenPass line has long been known for incredible views, but now a pioneering engineering feat has made it even more attractiveAs the train winds up the hillside above Lac Léman’s north shore, leaving Montreux behind, I know exactly where we’re heading because I’ve done this journey...
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‘No lack of wildness’ - a car-free break on the John Muir Way, ScotlandWednesday the 7th, 2022
The East Lothian segment of the coast to coast trail dedicated to the great conservationist, reveals seabird colonies, beaches and historic housesPioneering conservationist John Muir was born in Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland in 1838, and his birthplace is now a museum. He moved to the US...
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Rail journey of the month: Lisbon to Vigo via Porto, past dunes, rivers and the AtlanticTuesday the 6th, 2022
Our slow travel expert enjoys the cross-border Celta train between Portugal and Spain, and not only because it costs just €5.25It should not be that difficult to reach Portugal by train. About 15 years ago, I travelled from Berlin to Lisbon with just a single change of train in Paris. But...
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Tell us about a scenic bus route – you could win a holiday voucherTuesday the 6th, 2022
Done any great bus trips in the UK on public transport, passing great scenery or buildings? The best tip wins £200 towards a Sawday’s stayDespite cuts in rural services there are still many bus routes that pass through great countryside and interesting towns and can form the basis of brilliant...
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A local’s guide to Chamonix, France: great hikes, the Alps and decent sushiMonday the 5th, 2022
With soaring peaks on its doorstep the town is an international hotspot. Mountain guide Julien ‘Pica’ Herry tells us what he loves about the birthplace of alpinismCool Cats in the Rue de Moulins is where I go for an early dinner with my kids, and it’s best in the summer when you can sit...
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Top 10 budget beach hotels and B&Bs on Mexico’s Pacific coastWednesday the 18th, 2015
Enjoy ocean views from rooftop bars or just step out and get the sand between your toes. From Mazatlán to Pochutla, here are 10 charming beachside escapesMexico’s Pacific coast, more than 1,000 miles of it, is renowned for its beaches, as well as the resorts which have attracted Hollywood...
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Top 10 budget beach hotels, guesthouses and hostels on the Yucatán peninsula, MexicoMonday the 16th, 2015
Well-known and deservedly popular for its jungle, coast and ancient ruins, the Yucatán peninsula can be a pricey place to stay – unless you pick one of these brilliant budget hotels and hostelsOn the surface, this mid-size hotel in Cancún’s hotel zone is pretty unremarkable. The...
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Top 10 budget beach B&Bs in the SeychellesMonday the 26th, 2015
The Seychelles islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue may be known for their luxury resorts but there is also a great selection of family-run, more affordable guesthouses just as close to the archipelago’s famous, world-class beachesFor a room with a five-star view, Colibri is hard to beat....
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Top 10 budget beach guesthouses and B&Bs in South Africa's Western CapeSunday the 4th, 2015
From Cape Town and its peninsula to the Garden Route and the West Coast, the Western Cape is a dazzling part of South Africa, and its beachside accommodation doesn’t have to break the bankTop 10 budget beach stays in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Continue reading...
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‘The real life of Athens is here’ – look beyond the Acropolis for the hidden gems of the cityWednesday the 7th, 2022
The Acropolis Museum’s underground lab, the ancient Hadrian aqueduct and an arts festival in an old factory offer a more personal view of the Greek capitalIt’s the most exclusive lost property office in the world. Deep underground, in a thrumming, humidified laboratory, a world-historical...
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A local’s guide to Narbonne, France: late-night dancing, seafood and seaside cycle ridesMonday the 15th, 2022
Winemaker and rugby player Gérard Bertrand on the best 6am steaks, nightlife and coastal action in this relaxed Mediterranean townOur food scene revolves around Les Halles de Narbonne, a splendid covered market and architectural gem from the late 19th century. It is open every day and is...
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When we arrived at 9pm at our hotel in Tenerife it was closedWednesday the 29th, 2022
It was an all-inclusive promotion by Holiday Gems and we’ve been left £1,000 out of pocketIn February, we responded to a promotion by travel firm Holiday Gems for an all-inclusive package to the Bluesea Callao Garden hotel in Tenerife. We paid £850 for a week’s stay in June. On arrival at...
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Hidden Spain: where to stay and what to do off the beaten trackSaturday the 25th, 2022
It is the UK’s favourite holiday destination, but few British tourists explore these stunning tucked-away beaches, sleepy villages and rugged national parksHidden Croatia | Hidden Greece | Hidden FranceA lot of us have been rather surprised to discover how much we like being in nature and all...
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Hidden France: where to stay and what to do off the beaten trackSaturday the 18th, 2022
If you dream of salt pans and chalets on stilts, wild heather-clad hillsides and car-free isles …Hidden … Greece | Croatia | Italy | PortugalFrance, the world’s most popular tourist destination, is getting back on track this summer with a focus (and a €50m government investment) on...
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Hidden Portugal: where to stay and what to do off the beaten trackSaturday the 11th, 2022
Hauntingly beautiful villages, thermal springs, unspoilt beaches, fairytale castles ... Portugal has so much more to offer than the bustle of the AlgarveHidden … Greece | Croatia | ItalyBritain’s love affair with its oldest ally is set to be reignited this summer. The UK is Portugal’s...
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Hidden Italy: where to stay and what to do off the beaten trackSaturday the 9th, 2022
In our third instalment on less-visited corners of Europe, we look at Italy, home to some of the world’s best-known sights, but also plenty of quieter beauty spotsHidden Greece | Hidden CroatiaIt’s now more than two years since Italy was the first western country to declare a nationwide...
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Surfing survivors, friendly sharks and Alaskan plastic: the 2022 Ocean Film festivalTuesday the 20th, 2022
The latest UK tour of aquatic documentaries highlights the beauty and fragility of the blue planet – and human interaction with itThis summer, many families had their first holiday abroad since the pandemic began. But as autumn sets in and the cost of living crisis deepens, that week or two by...
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Peter de Savary obituaryThursday the 10th, 2022
Entrepreneur, yachtsman and hotel owner who once owned both Land’s End and John o’Groats, and took a British challenger to the America’s CupPeter de Savary, who has died aged 78, liked to describe himself as a swashbuckling entrepreneur, adventurer and sportsman. He came to fame in the...
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Britannia named worst UK hotel chain for tenth year in a rowWednesday the 9th, 2022
Which? survey places the group firmly at the bottom, with ‘dire, drab and smelly’ rooms, while Premier Inn retains top spot in spite of price risesBritannia has been named as one of the UK’s worst hotel chains, after coming bottom in a consumer survey for the tenth year in a row.The group...
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Through a Highlands Narnia to a great pub: the Taybank, DunkeldFriday the 4th, 2022
An appetite-inducing seven-mile hike through the woods of the Atholl Estates returns you to the village of Dunkeld, and its renowned, musical localOne of Perthshire’s most photogenic villages, Dunkeld could easily have tumbled out of the pages of a Beatrix Potter storybook – so it comes as no...
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Premier Inn took £226 from me even though there was no bookingTuesday the 25th, 2022
It says there is nothing it can do and a ‘refund’ takes five to 10 working daysI’m trying to get my money back from Premier Inn. The hotel chain has taken £226 even though I have no reservation to show for it.I tried to make a booking on 13 September but it didn’t go through, so I left...
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The plot thickens: why murder mystery weekends are on the riseThursday the 1st, 2022
Gory getaways are all the rage, thanks to glamorous extras, contemporary themes and a taste for escapism. Our writer heads to Berkshire to visit an ‘unhinged heiress’I’m an inch down a flute of buck’s fizz when a journalist careers into a buffet table, clasping her bloodied neck....
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Happy holly days: 10 of the best Christmas outings across the UKSaturday the 26th, 2022
Light trails, sparkly castles, pantos, vintage cinema and even a solar-powered ice rink … We pick dozens of events to get you into the spirit of ChristmasWe all need a bit of cheer at this time of year, when nights are long and days are often dark – maybe now more than ever. Luckily, the...
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Our honeymoon in Mallorca – with a screaming toddler, dodgy stomachs and no loo rollWednesday the 16th, 2022
It wasn’t the romantic getaway this couple had planned but could Mallorca still work its magic on them?“It’s your turn … she’s awake”Heavy, loaded, silence. Continue reading...
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Witch hunt: a Halloween trail through Scotland’s haunty pastMonday the 31st, 2022
Combining hard-hitting history and hands-on adventures, a new trail reveals stories of sorcery and the healing powers of natureThe tourists crowding into Edinburgh Castle can be forgiven for overlooking a small fountain and plaque near the entrance; it is easily missed. But we have come here...
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Steam trains, shipwrecks and Peter Pan’s garden: 10 great UK family days out for half-term and autumnThursday the 20th, 2022
Exploring ice tunnels, apple pressing and dolphin spotting are just a few of our ideas to keep kids happyThe famous engine will be 100 years old next February, and to kick off celebrations marking its centenary, the locomotive will be steaming up and down the heritage Swanage Railway during...
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Dig in: a family adventure in the caves of North YorkshireWednesday the 19th, 2022
The caves near How Stean Gorge are particularly suited to young explorers – especially when a day of gorge-scrambling is topped off with an underground feast and chalet stayThe road to Upper Nidderdale is a road to nowhere. Somewhere ahead of us, the ashphalt runs out and farm tracks take over....
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‘A marvellous spot to give into temptation’: readers’ favourite literary bars, pubs and cafesThursday the 1st, 2022
From Robinson Crusoe to Dr Faust and Laurie Lee, our tipsters enjoy a tipple with literary leanings. Scroll down for the winnerCafé Iruña in Pamplona, Spain was a favourite of Hemingway when he visited the city for the annual running of the bulls. With high ceilings and wooden panelling, the...
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Tell us about the best carol concerts in the UK and Europe – you could win a holiday voucherTuesday the 29th, 2022
Handel’s Messiah in Versailles, Christmas Eve Vespers in Dresden or the Hallé in Manchester – we’d like to hear about your favourite Yuletide concertsThere’s nothing like a good carol to get you in the mood for Christmas, especially when accompanied by crisp conditions, a mince pie and a...
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‘Festive joy and genuine excitement’: Readers’ favourite independent UK shopping streetsThursday the 24th, 2022
Brilliant delis, art shops, cafes and more exuding the Christmas vibe from Penzance to Glasgow, delight our tipsters. Scroll to the bottom for the winning tipRather than spend an afternoon in the crowds of Manchester why not jump on a tram and ride 20 minutes to the trendy south Manchester suburb...
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Send us a tip on a literary bar – you could win a holiday voucherTuesday the 22nd, 2022
Tell us about your favourite drinking spot in the UK or Europe where you enjoy a drop with the ghosts of writers past How many times have you had to rely on the company of a book while waiting for a friend who has a loose concept of timekeeping? Choose your bar well, however, and you could be...
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Orient Express to Open Hotel at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in VeniceWednesday the 4th, 2022
Orient Express, part of the world-leading Accor group, has signed a partnership agreement with Italian hospitality group Arsenale S.p.A to open the second Orient Express hotel in Italy at the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice.
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Los Cabos Records Historic Tourism Growth in Q1 of 2022Wednesday the 20th, 2022
Los Cabos Welcomed Over 800 Thousand Visitors in Q1 of 2022, an Increase of 13 Percent Over 2019; Record Hotel Occupancy and Average Daily Rate Bolsters Los Cabos' position as Mexico's Top Luxury Destination
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Corona Island to Open Late Spring in the Heart of the Caribbean SeaThursday the 10th, 2022
The number of guests will be strictly limited as part of Corona's efforts to ensure the island operates with a minimal environmental footprint.
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Egypt, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Other Major Destinations Get the WTTC Safe Travels StampMonday the 22nd, 2020
More destinations recognised by the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp
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Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Announces Plan For Reopening Tourism SectorWednesday the 3rd, 2020
Bahamas Preparing to Resume International Tourism on July 1 with New Health & Safety Protocols in Place
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Paradise Island JA Manafaru Maldives Transforms Into All-inclusive ResortThursday the 5th, 2020
Guests now benefit from an all-inclusive meal plan which offers a culinary journey of 7 restaurants and bars, complimentary experiences and premium beverages from 11am-11pm, as they embrace island life on the magnificent lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll at the northern tip of the Maldives.
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InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Reveals Multi-sensory Experiences in Seven Cities Around the WorldWednesday the 26th, 2020
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts unveils some of the most authentic ways to experience New York, London, Dubai, Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Shanghai, inspiring and redefining travel in some of the world’s most famous cities in 2020
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Top Destinations to Visit in 2020Monday the 13th, 2020
At the beginning of every year, it’s great to have a look at the destinations that are making a statement for your next adventure!
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How Overtourism Killed Spontaneous Travel - CNNWednesday the 20th, 2019
Picture the scene. You're on vacation. You've had a slow morning wandering round, a long lunch and a stroll around the city. You realize you're near that gallery you've been meaning to visit -- so you walk over. Even five years ago, you could probably have sauntered in... -
Construction Begins on Detroit's First Cambria HotelMonday the 4th, 2019
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) and Koucar Management celebrate the official start of construction on Detroit's first Cambria hotel: the Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown. Slated to open in 2020, the modular-construction, six-story, 158-room upscale hotel will become the... -
Top Sunny Isles Beach ResidencesThursday the 31st, 2019
Sunny Isles Beach is a gem, with a far-flung Oleta River State Park, filled with outdoor activities opportunities, including jogging, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and much more, and world-renowned restaurants, bars, and clubs.
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Tourism in the Balkans: Raising the Bar for EuropeMonday the 28th, 2019
Amidst relatively modest growth in visitor numbers across Europe during 2019, the Balkans region has been this year’s stand-out success story for the tourism industry. Ask anyone that has experienced the area’s rugged mountains, glittering coastline and UNESCO World Heritage sites... -
Nashville the Most Expensive US City for Hotels, Survey ShowsThursday the 10th, 2019
Nashville is the most expensive city in the United States for accommodation, according to a survey by Cheaphotels.org, which compared hotel rates across 50 urban destinations.
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Thousand Hills Golf Resort Joins Ascend CollectionWednesday the 9th, 2019
Located at 245 S. Wildwood Drive within the Ozark Mountains, Thousand Hills Golf Resort is just blocks from Branson's Country Music Highway 76, which features dozens of live-performance theaters, over 100 restaurants and many other family-friendly attractions.
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Will 2019 Be Another Record Year for Montenegro's Booming Tourism Industry?Monday the 7th, 2019
Figures released in July pointed to 2019 being another boom year for the industry, with tourist arrivals during the first six months 20% higher than the same period last year. Hoteliers have continued to report exceptionally high occupancy during the remainder of the summer, particularly in... -
A Hotelier's Mission to Create a Slice of Classic Venetian LuxuryWednesday the 25th, 2019
Venice is a city synonymous with opulence and romance. Nearly 30 million people flock to the floating city each year to explore its beautiful canals, romantic bridges, labyrinthine alleyways and ancient architecture. But with tourist numbers soaring in the summer months - sometimes topping a... -
7 of the Quirkiest Hotels You Want To Stay On Your Next TripMonday the 10th, 2019
Depending on the type of traveler you are, sometimes a hotel is just a place to rest after a long day of exploring the surroundings of your destination. For others, the right hotel is part of what makes the travel experience an interesting one. We have found some of the quirkiest hotels around... -
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Features Underwater WeddingsMonday the 13th, 2019
Make a statement with an underwater wedding. Your altar is a coral bed, your rings presented in a white shell. Exchange vows with a dive-certified minister your witness, each moment captured by a underwater photographer.
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Business Travel Surges in MallorcaTuesday the 12th, 2019
Palma Convention Centre managed by Meliá Hotels International presented its Activity Report for 2018 today, its first full year of operation after opening in April 2017. Over the year , the Convention Centre and Meliá Palma Bay Hotel hosted 226 events with 76,678 attendees,...