The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 74

10 Part IV Cos Angeles (States Nov. 19, 1978 TRAVEL AND YOU Hotel Ratings: Class Will Tell BYTOM TAYLOR Macao 'Guarantees' Its Gold, Jewelry MACAO A program offering visitors greater incentives to shop for gold and jewelry in this Portuguese territory has been devised by the Information and Tourism Department (CIT) and the Macao Goldsmith Assn. Thirty-seven of Macao's approximately 50 gold and jewelry shops will participate in a "guarantee" program. They will display a brown and yellow badge in their windows and a certificate issued by CIT and the Goldsmith Assn. Purchases will be accompanied by a receipt bearing a description of the article and details of the transaction.

A printed guide to Macao's goldsmith and jewelry shops explains the guarantee program. For a copy, write Macau Tourism and Information Bureau, co Furman Associates, 3133 Lake Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles 90068. ir BfilW EUROPEAN DELIVERY SPECIALIST WE UVE CALL. CHAM.OTTI OCEM filOTCZS-BMW 213829-3535 RED SEA CRUISE JET 16days Fly to Egypt on British Airways, then oln the MV NEPTUNE to cruise to exotic ports, like Safaga for Luxor, Aqaba for Petra In Jordan, Port Sudan and more along the Rod Sea. Departures: December thru March.

MOROCCO CRUISE JET 1 1 days from $1099. Fly to Las Palmas on Iberia to join MTS GALAXY cruising to the pretty Canary Isles and Morocco, Departures Dec. thru March. XMAS CRUISE JO 17 days from $1598. On December 22 fly to Genoa to board the fabulous T.S.S.

NAVARINO for a fantastic XmasNew Year cruise to Tunis, Alexandria, Haifa, Athens and Rome. MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE JET 15 days from $1658. Fly to Rome on Alitalia to join the luxury T.S.S. NAVARINO to Alexandria, Port Said, Haifa, Istanbul, Athens and Naples. Departures: March thru May.

CALL: 800-221-6006 or 800-221-9848 PLEASE SEND ME A COLOR BROCHURE Name RED SEA The classifications used to describe hotels tend to be similar around the world, but different meanings are often applied to the same words. This can be confusing to the traveler, who often doesn't have a clear idea of the differences, if any, in these classifications. To illustrate, the word deluxe signifies the very best, but what does the best include? And does it include the same elements in Tokyo as in Paris? Similarly, first class to the representative American traveler generally means top grade, certainly including a bathroom where a hotel room is involved. The quality and range of service is an important consideration. Just because a hotel is old or traditional doesn't mean it can't be deluxe or the very best.

Conversely, being called new or modern doesn't necessarily signify the ultimate in hostelries. Opinion of Classifier Remember that what is deluxe, first class or any other classification is very much the opinion of the classifier. That may be the official tourist office of a nation, an auto club, travel industry publication, etc. Sometimes a star system is used, with five stars indicating the best, four stars the next best, and so on; or a class system, first to fourth or such; or letters or numbers. Keep in mind that hotels are sometimes rated more on what is available than anything else.

If you're using a travel agent, ask what he or she thinks of a particular hotel (assuming he has seen it recently) and whether he thinks the property warrants its designation. Ask to see the hotel literature. Call or write the tourist office of the nation involved and get some of the gratis literature. of a I tilk4iiiiUJ Uil Your own journey lifetime. For color brochure, full info, send to: Name Address the Address MOROCCO City XMAS S'ale ZIP MEDITERRANEAN My Travel Agent State Zip WW AT Street, 330 Sul Sutter ncisco 94108 CruiseJet WITH LIB AM AGO P.O.

BOX 2830. WOODLAND HILLS, CA. 91365 145)391 5728 Generally, there are three basic terms used loosely around the world to describe hotels; deluxe, first class and touriststandardeconomybudget, with sub-categories in each area. Here are the classifications and some explanation of what they mean: DELUXE (Best, Five-Star, No. 1).

Super, Ultra or Superior Deluxe. These are exclusive and expensive and presumably offer the ultimate in standards of service, accommodations, facilities and location with prices to match. Regular, Medium Deluxe, A notch down in every regard, including cost. However, these hotels can really be just as pleasing. If you're not really attuned to some of the finer points, you might not notice the difference, except when it comes time to check out.

Sub, Lesser or Moderate Deluxe. This is where the classifications may start getting even fuzzier. These are deluxe hotels but with certain modifications, like not having some public areas; or these public areas may not be up to snuff or full deluxe standards. Actually, the hotel can be deluxe in virtually every category but location, being placed in a more commercial or business setting. Similarly, the public rooms may have great standards of service but fall down a bit in decor or atmosphere.

Some Deluxe Features FIRST CLASS (Four or Three-Star, No. 2 and 3). Top, Best, Super or Superior First Class. These are fine hotels, some with deluxe features. They generally offer good values.

Whether modern or traditional, old or new, the rooms and public areas are likely to be comfortable and tasteful. Regular or Medium First Class. Basically average, these hotels are comfortable, but offer nothing special in terms of accommodation or public areas. On occasion, they have some deluxe features. On the other hand, sometimes they miss more elementary features such as bathrooms in the rooms, Sub, Lesser or Moderate First Class.

While first class and comfortable, the accommodations and public areas may be on the simple side. Certain features, such as a restaurant or cocktail lounge, may be missing. And the public rooms you do find are likely to be less plush and more functional. TOURIST (Two or One-Star, Standard, Budget, Economy, Inexpensive, No. 3 and 4).

Top, Super or Superior Tourist Class. These are basically budget or economy hotels with functional accommodations. Don't expect much in public rooms or facilities. While often just a place to sleep (which may be all you really want from your hotel), some may have extra features characteristic of its region. Frequently, you can get some really good values, if more luxurious trappings aren't your thing.

Average, Regular, Medium Tourist Class. These tend to be strictly budget places. If you're fussy, you might be better off elsewhere. Inexpensive, Sub, Lesser, Moderate Tourist Class. Very much on the low-budget scale, these hotels tend to be more venerable.

They also might not be in particularly good condition. Best to really check them out before committing yourself. And, of course, there are hotels that fall well below any of these various standards, and we all have our favorite expressions for those establishments. II. I) II JJ JUI II ID Ml i 1 I Depart Sen Francisco.

Visit New Zealand and exotic isles. DINE HONOLULU Continued from 9th Page Regency, with an Italian style all-you-can-eat buffet for a flat $7.50. Highly praised is the bathtub-size pistachio mousse. Hearty eaters might enjoy the daily buffet luncheons served every day at the Canoe House of the Ilikai. It's a bounteous spread, featuring curry dishes, duck and Japanese specialities.

All one can digest for $6.95. For those with gourmet taste and the bankroll to finance it, Honolulu has some of the better dining places in the nation. Still rated No. 1 is Michel's at the Colony Surf, where the excellent cuisine vies with the fine ocean vista, best at sunset. Others in the award-winning class are the Maile Room of the Kahala Hilton, the Third Floor at the Hawaiian Regent and the Trattoria, 2168 Kalia Road, on the beachside of the Edgewater Hotel.

Figure on a minimum tab of $25 to $30 a couple, more if you add drinks andor wine. Another award winner but with a brand-new look is Champeaux, formerly the Top of the I at the Ilikai. This 30th-story aerie has been renovated into a French decor with the menu offering both traditional and the "new French" cuisine. Superb view of Waikiki and pleasant Spanish classical guitar music to dine by. For budget-class travelers, Bill Bachran of United Air Lines believes the best bet is not the small places lining Kalakaua Ave.

and its side streets but ethnic restaurants farther back from the beach. There's no limit; you can dine on everything from kosher deli items to Malaysian satay. But the one I've listed for a try on my next visit is Pancho Goldstein's Taco Stand on Kuhio Ave. Ole! and expert British seamen of jJ E3 ine mosi expenencea cruise line. Depart San Francisco Jan.

28 for the fabled South Seas. Call at Honolulu and Lahaina in the Hawaiian Islands. See fabulous Fiji D. Cruises. 2020 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles.

CA 90067. Please send me information on "Canberra World Cruise" "Oriana Spring Cruise" Name Scenic Auckland, New Zealand. Andl A rare opportunity awaits you this Jan. 28 when largest luxury liner, Canberra, sails for the wonderlands of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific on a portion of her annual world cruise. You II cruise for 18 glorious days aboard our British-registered flagship.

Enjoy the true international flavor of our one-class service. Gracious dining. And lively entertainment. Settle back into a shipboard lifestyle of complete relaxation. And sail with the affable 0 cosmopolitan Sydney Australia.

Or cruise to Europe. Or sail all the way from San Francisco to England. 67 unforgettable days arriving in Southampton April 6. Call a travel agent now. My Travel Agent D-280-11-1SA Taylor, an authority on the travel industry, lives in Los Angeles.

SPECIAL DECEMBER 30 DEPARTURE NEEW CKDD5EE 0 LltjjjJ 'pM UlkS American Express recommends one of the great cruise values. Acapulc6 AatlaX fD (Colombl- Aruba San Salvador VUgSS. mi WW Smith America Caribbean Ifcrican BSviera Cnnnl m.s. Golden Odyssey Panama City 3 Day3 Night Party Cruises Join the party! Two convenient departure! Sunday; April 15 and Thursday, April 19, 1979, Have a ball! JZTt 1 4 From 7-Night Mexican Riviera All-Sea Cruises Contact one of these American Express Cruise Headquarters: Beverly Hills 9878 Wilshire Blvd. (213)274-8277 Costa Mesa South Coast Plaza (714) 540-3611 Los Angeles.

.723 W. Seventh Street (213) 488-1301 Lajolla 1020 Prospect Street (714)459-4161 Orange 500 So. Main St. Suite 20 (714) 547-8857 Pasadena 25 1 South Lake Ave. (213) 684-1237 Santa Barbara 3763 Stale Street (805)687-1306 Sherman Oaks 69 Fashion Square (213)783-5053 Torrance 43 Del Amo Fashion Sq.

Two convenient Sunday departures. Sail April 22, 1979 for Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Or leave April 29 for Manzanillo and Mazatlan. From k4j Fly direct to the sun aboard TIA DC-8, with extra legroom, to join Royal Cruise Line's Greek-registered m.s. Golden Odyssey, the newest luxury cruise ship transiting the magnificent Panama Canal.

Enjoy continental dining, spacious air-conditioned stateroom, superb entertainment and a variety of shipboard activities plus 5 fascinating, sun-filled ports. 71A is a U.S. certificated supplemental air carrier. Royal Cruise Line 7-Night Mexican Riviera Air-Sea Cruises Complete price departing Los Angeles from $1148 Special IZcv Year's departure Dec. 30 Other departures: Jan.7.17.&25 Feb.

4. 12, 22 March 12 Two convenient Sunday departures. Fly to Acapulco April 8, 1979. Cruise IxtapaZihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Los Angeles. Or, sail from Los Angeles May 6 to Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Acapulco and fly back to Los Angeles.

From (213)542-8631 595 J.L As sales agents. SM 14-Day Trans-Panama Canal Cruises Two convenient Sunday departures. March 25 and May 13, 1979. Cruise to these picturesque ports: 1195 Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal, Cartagena, Curacao, From St. Thomas and San juan.

All prices per person, double occupancy, round trip Iron) Los Angeles. Tr.ms-cjn.il cruises include Lire, transfers, port Uxes. Air-sej cruises include air Lire jnd transfer in Acipulco only. jll-sej p.irty cruises do not include port faxes. All cruises on the tss M.irdi Cms, registered in P.in.im.i.

For Information and Reservations oh the tss "Mardi Gras" CALL SINCE 188B ASK MR. FOSTR TRAVEL SERVICE 2040 Avenue of the Stars, Century City 277-7270 tfetiorsa! Amines 0 Oj Western Airlines Also Located In all Robinson's Department Stores fee; SI 'f LmJ Ly st ifl (Lai.