Private charters on the Nivernais canal

Happy New year to you all.

I'm delighted to start the year with a truly fantastic offer on the beautiful barge The Randle.
She cruises on the Nivernais canal, one of the most unspoilt canals in Burgundy and can cater for up to 4 in two cabins.
The master cabin has a double bed, while the second cabin has two good sized bunks.

Already highly competitively priced, we are currently offering a 15% discount for all 2012 cruises confirmed by January 31st.
If you fancy the ultimate romantic break, why not book a private charter for 2, and save an incredible 25%....

Helping fight the Famine in Africa

This year Hotels Afloat will be supporting the work of the International Red Cross famine relief fund for Africa.
For every cruise confirmed before 25th December, we will donate 10€ to this charity.

While our clients save up to 15% by booking early, they will also help save lives.

We have a vast range of both modern and traditional style boats available with models to suit from 2-12 people.
With bases throughout France, there are both river and canals just waiting to be explored at a gentle pace....

So, dont hesitate to contact me early if you are planning to cruise in 2012.

Call me on +33 380 39 29 38 or email me at hotelsafloat@aol.com

Paris in November

Having spent a month up-dating my website at
www.hotelsafloat.com
I felt the need for a break from the office and the 16 hour days! So, here I am in beautiful Paris for a long weekend with my daughter, who is lucky enough to be working in the capital for Ernst and Young...

Day 1 saw the disappearance of the Eiffel Tower! Rebecca lives just 5 minutes from this historic momument so I had the camera at the ready... Fog obscured the top! Amazing!

As we crossed the river Seine, it was great to see the bateaux mouche full, despite it being very cold at Concorde...








Day 2 and beautiful Paris sunshine woke me... A day for walking, boutiques, and eating on the terrace close to the Montparnasse tower... A delightful little bistro, the Paradis aux Fruits...

A litte bijou.... The Randle

I'm delighted to add this new boat The Randle to our website at
www.hotelsafloat.com

The Randle offers half board charters for up to 4 on the breath-taking Nivernais canal in Burgundy.
Soak up the history and sample some great wines in places such as Chablis, Vezelay and Bailly..
Tim and his crew of matelot and cordon bleu chef, are excellent hosts with an infectious affection for the region.

Very reasonable rates for a truly memorable cruise whether you wish to simply sit back and relax, or learn how to pilot such a mejestic boat....

Visit our site for more details or call me on +33 380 39 29 38.

I look forward to hearing from you...

Indian summer!

Much of Europe is currently enjoying an Indian Summer. To celebrate, we are offering a variety of discounts of up to 40% on selected self drive cruises in October!
Come and see the vineyards and woodlands in their autumn hues... Simply stunning on a misty morning as the sun rises.

The Nivernais Loire and the Burgundy canal are both particularly beautiful at this time of year.

With boats to suit from 2-12, we are sure to have something to suit... Why not give us a call on +33 614 250 200 to discuss your holiday plans today.....

I look forward to your call...

Autumn colours....

The wine harvest is drawing to a close and the leaves will soon begin changing colour here in France... The weather is still beautiful... cool, fresh sunlit mornings and warm afternoons...
This is the ideal time to visit the Loire and the Nivernais where the colours are simply outstanding in the autumn.

We are offering discounts of 20% for all September and October cruises with our Nicols fleet, which has a range of modern style cruisers to suit from 2-12...

If you fancy a more traditional boat, why not hire a Euro Classic? These authentic steel barges are based at Vermenton and St Florentin enabling our guests to explore the beautiful river Yonne, Nivernais and Burgundy canals....

Another season of cruising!

Well, I'm ashamed to see that the last time I posted a blog here was in December! That's not to say that I have nothing to share with you, quite the contrary! Just so much work that time has really been tight this year.
You may like to follow office news on facebook... Simply look for Hotels Afloat and like us...

We have introduced some new luxurious, state-of-the-art self drive boats this year and are already working towards the 2012 season with our bookings now open.
With our early booking discounts to help you save up to 20% off the 2012 rates, now is an ideal time to begin planning your cruise.

Other new additions to Hotels Afloat include a one way route on the Burgundy canal, and a much loved America 50 in the Charente region..

For full information, email me at hotelsafloat@aol.com, skype me at hotelsafloat or call the office on +33 380 39 29 38.

Why do people book with Hotels afloat?

We have had some excellent, spontaneous feedback recently from clients booking with us.

Mark Williams is singing our praises :
It is comforting to know that we have booked through an organisation that is "on the ball"
your service, attention and being there outside of normal hours got you the business.
That's a feather in your cap !

He's booked the 1504 for 2012!
Have a look here to see this great boat....


This month we are extending our office hours until midnight, and some clients have managed to catch me in the office even later than that...
You can skype me on hotelsafloat
or call on France +33 380 39 29 38.

With the best of the early booking discounts due to expire on the 30th, it really does make sense to book your cruise before then.

New website for Hotels Afloat

I am delighted to announce that we will be launching a new site soon. The new design will enable you to find which boats are available in each region more easily, see our latest addition, special offers and subscribe to our newsletter.


For those of you who feel that you have 'done' France, we will also be offering a number of other european destinations, including Scotland, England, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belguim, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.

In the meantime, we are of course open for business as usual ie 7 days per week... with a reply time of 24 hours or under.
Visit our site at
www.hotelsafloat.com

Early booking discounts on air conditioned boats!

We are thrilled to announce that we are now offering an incredible 14% off all cruises aboard the America boats and the Escapade Imperiale of the Pavillon Saone fleet.

These modern, air-conditioned cruises are ideally situated in southern Burgundy. Take time to explore the majestic river Saone and the vineyards of the world famous Canal du Centre.

Visit us at Hotelsafloat.com to see the fleet and start dreaming...

I look forward to hearing from you before the end of the year and honouring this discount offer.

A perfect Christmas gift!

Now that we have completed updating our website
www.hotelsafloat.com
we are already confirming bookings for 2011, and even 2012!
For a really unsual Christmas gift, why not present your loved one with a Cruise confirmation pack this year?
We will be happy to help you plan a wonderful cruise to surprise your loved one and promise confidentiality so that you can offer this as a surprise gift at Christmas. How lovely to have a cruise to look forward to in 2011.

With self drives, half board charters and full board luxury cruises, we are sure to have something to please.

And what's more, by booking in 2010 you can save up to 20% on our published rates.
Email me now at hotelsafloat@aol.com for a professional service second to none.

2011 season starts here!

Now that the summer is over, and a very successful one it was too for us here at Hotels Afloat, it's time to plan for 2011.
We are currently updating our website at
www.hotelsafloat.com

Not only have prices changed on most cruises, but we also have some new boats to introduce to you:
The Octo in the Nicols fleet sleeps 8 comfortably, and after her first season has proved so popular that we have now added her to our site.
We are also adding some ultra-deluxe boats in the form of the Le Boat 1500 range. Four models can cater from 2 to 9 guests. All mod cons gauranteed. These are the boats of the future.
Check them out at
http://www.hotelsafloat.com/self/32-320

Nicols self drive holidays in France

Good news for all you bargain hunters out there.
DOUBLE DISCOUNT on all Nicols cruises in 2011 when booking by August 31st 2010.
Not only will you qualify for the 2010 rates, but we will give you an additional 10% discount!

In the Nicols fleet you can find a wide range of boats, from traditional to ultra-modern. All are very competitively priced.
With bases throughout France, and in Portugal and Germany too, we are sure to have an ideal holiday for you.

Visit our site now at
http://www.hotelsafloat.com
to visit the fleet, and then contact us to begin saving yourselves time and money!

Air conditioned boats for comfortable cruising

The season is going so well that it's been nigh on impossible to keep the blog up to date.
We have opened a facebook page though, and you can catch up with all our special offers and latest information there on an almost daily basis.

Despite a late start to the summer, the temperatures are now soaring here in France.
We still have a few air conditioned self drive boats available for hire on the rural Nivernais canal, the historic canal du Midi and the Canal du Centre in Burgundy, home to such wonderful vineyards as Sancerre and Rully.
Whats more, we are offering discounts of up to 20% on some of these boats!
We have both traditional and modern styles to suit from 2-12 people...



If you fancy a great holiday at an even better price, why not give us a call today on France +33 380 39 29 38 or +33 614 250 200 and let me help you find that dream cruise....

The Jubilant: A great way to see Burgundy at an unbelievable price!

The Jubilant is a beautiful barge which has been lovingly restored by it's current owners into a homely but high standard barge.


I visited the boat during the winter: Even in the depths of a Burgundy winter she was invitingly cozy.
The spacious saloon and dining area are ideal for relaxing, while the top decks allow a great view as you cruise along.

And at the end of the day, a comfortable cabin with private ensuite awaits you.




With David as your captain, sit back and enjoy a cruise that can include the Canal du Rhone au Rhin, beginning in Medieval Dole, the river Saone, and the Canal du Centre, home to the vineyards!
Privates charters are available for 4-6 at just £990 per person for a week. This is really too good to be missed.

Why not join the Jubilant for a week at the beginning of September, when the weather should be glorious and the vineyards will be dripping with grapes almost ready for the annual harvest.
Call us on +33 380 39 29 38 or send me an email to hotelsafloat@aol.com
for more information or to book your cruise.

Discount Day coming soon!

We are having a Discount day on April 19th. All clients that contact and book a cruise on that day will receive a 5% discount from us at Hotels Afloat regardless of which cruise fleet is chosen!
Simply select your boat from our selection at
http://www.hotelsafloat.com/self.php
and email us with your dates and preferred region.
We will send you a list of offers by return.
For the 5% discount, simply email us on hotelsafloat@aol.com or call us on France +33 380 39 29 38 quoting Discount day.

The dollar/euro rate is so favourable at the moment that this really is the best time to book a cruise for this year, or even for 2011!

Amazing discounts in May, June and July!

This month we are offering a 10% discount on all Le Boat cruises in the Burgundy Franche Comte region, when booking for May and July, an incredible 15% in June!
This offer applies to all cruises on the river Saone, one of the most beautiful rivers in France, whether cruising on a one way or return basis.
With boats to suit groups from 2-12, there are plenty of boats to choose from whether you are looking for a Luxury model such as:
Royal Mystique for 8, http://www.hotelsafloat.com/self/32-207
OR a traditional boat for 6 such as the Commodore Plus, http://www.hotelsafloat.com/self/32-214
OR a simple, clean but inexpensive boat for 2 such as the Sheba, http://www.hotelsafloat.com/self/32-97

To benefit from these discounts, simply email us at
hotelsafloat@aol.com
or call me on France +33 380 39 29 38.
I look forward to helping you plan your cruise and save money!

The season begins with.... RAIN!

The cruising season has now officially opened. If only I could organise the weather as efficiently as I can find my guests a cruise to suit them!

Since last week, the weather has been decided changeable with some great sunshine, ideal for outside cruising, but also some torrential rain. The Burgundy canal was closed to navigation at the beginning of the week due to high water levels.
I was relieved to enjoy two sunny days, but the rain is back with us again today. Sorry Mr Loren!

Still, to cheer us all up, I have some great offers this month should you be looking for a cruise here in France slightly later in the season.
With Le Boat, I can offer these great discounts:

20% off for any April cruise: It won't rain all month!!

In the Alsace, cruising from Hesse, and in Burgundy Franche Comte : 10% off in May and July, and 15% off in June

In the Midi: 10% off in June and July

In the Nivernais: 10% off in October: This is a great month to visit this rural region to see the fantastic autumnal colours

Email us now on hotelsafloat@aol.com
or call me on +33 380 39 29 38 for information.

April cruises

Spring is here! Beautiful sunshine and flowers a-plenty, the Burgundy countryside is waking up after a long, cold winter.
April is a great time to visit this region, and this month we are offering up to 20% off our standard rates for self drive cruises.
Whether you fancy a romanic weekend break for 2, or a full weeks cruise for up to12, we are sure to have something to suit with literally 100' s of boats at our disposal.
So, treat yourself! Give us a call on +33 380 39 29 38 or email us at
hotelsafloat@aol.com

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you to plan your dream holiday.

Spring cruises in France

Hi would-be cruisers!

Yes, its' here at last. The cruise season opens tomorrow!
Here in Burgundy the spring has arrived after a long winter, and those of you who have already booked your cruise are no doubt now looking forward to it.
For those of you looking for a spring break, why not take a cruise here in France? We can offer weekend breaks, mini breaks and full week cruises in all regions of France, so whether you fancy getting an early tan in the Midi, experiencing the fresh breezes in Brittany or the beautiful spring colours here in Burgundy, why not give us a call?
We have some great deals at the moment which can save you up to 25% on our published rates on self drive cruise.

I look forward to your call on +33 380 39 29 38.
Or drop me an email at hotelsafloat@aol.com