Jetsettersblog

Marriott Cancun Resorts Opened

CANCUN, MEXICO − Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) today celebrated the official re-opening of the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort after last year’s Hurricane Wilma.

Marriott President and Chief Operating Officer William J. Shaw, along with Felix Arturo Gonzales Canto, governor of the state of Quintana Roo, and other Marriott executives, associates and distinguished guests, were on hand to mark the re-opening of the JW Marriott and CasaMagna Marriott resorts.

“I am extremely proud of our associates and the hundreds of people who worked around the clock to fully open our resorts in time for the peak travel season,” said Mr. Shaw. “We are grateful to the Government of Mexico and to state and local officials and the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau for their swift action in restoring this beautiful resort destination. At the same time, we want to recognize our ownership partner in Cancun, Mr. Isaac Saba Raffoul, for his unwavering support throughout the process.”

The 448-room JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and the 452-room CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort were closed to guests for eight months while undergoing extensive renovations, which included upgrading the exterior windows in both properties to withstand Category Five hurricane winds. Guest rooms at both resorts have been fully renovated to include new 32” flat-screen TVs and Marriott’s new widely acclaimed bedding product.

At the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, the pool area has been redesigned and the lobby bar has been refurbished. At the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, visitors will experience a remodeled children’s playground area and a newly renovated pool and outdoor area. The resort’s fire system has also been upgraded.

Marriott International began operations in Mexico on Oct. 18, 1990, with the opening of the CasaMagna Marriott Resort in Cancun and the CasaMagna Marriott Resort in Puerto Vallarta. Today, Marriott International’s presence in Mexico is represented by 11 hotels, offering 2,905 rooms and spanning six lodging brands. Marriott is currently scheduled to open five

Wisconsin Water Parks

Let’s face it. A 17-year old with a brand new snowboard is looking for something totally different to do in the winter than his parents, who might think a romantic weekend at a charming B&B is the just the right therapy for that inevitable cabin fever. But whether you’re five or 55, male or female, like your winter snowy and outdoors or cozy and inside, Wisconsin offers all the options you want, no matter who you are.

Got Little Kids? We’ve Got Ideas

Four-story waterslides, high-speed vortexes and cavernous wave pools may intimidate smaller children. That’s why several resorts have created their own niche with waterparks catering just to the discriminating younger traveler. Wisconsin Dells (1-800-223-3557; www.wisdells.com) is home to a number of smaller and moderately priced waterpark resorts that offer whimsical themes and interactive areas geared toward pre-school or younger school-age kids. At the Howard Johnson Hotel & Antiqua Bay Waterpark, the 10,000 sq. ft indoor water area and zero-depth entry allows parents to keep easy tabs on little ones. Resorts such as The Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center and the Carousel Inn & Suites welcome kids under 10 with special goodie bags and Kids Club Cards that feature discounts to area attractions. The Atlantis Waterpark Hotel & Suites recently added two-room King Neptune suites.

Several downhill ski areas offer ski classes and snow-tubing for kids as young as age four. Cascade Mountain (1-800-992-2754; www.cascademountain.com) welcomes kids of any age on their snow-tubing hill. Kids can choose among five chutes and a magic carpet lift to whisk them back to the top for more fun. As long as kids are 42 inches tall, they can experience the 10-story drop and 40 mph speed of Sunburst Ski Area’s (262/626-8404; www.skisunburst.com) snow-tube chutes and lifts.

They’re not too young to learn how to ski and snowboard at Mt. LaCrosse’s Snow Bears Day Camp (608/788-0044; www.mtlacrosse.com), where kids ages 5-10 can get a taste of the downhill sport with a package that includes lunch, lift ticket, lesson and equipment rental for under $40. Wilmot Mountain (262/862-2301; www.wilmotmountain.com) offers a Winter Wonderland ski and play area for children four to eight years old that incorporates ski fundamentals such as balance, walking, sliding, turning and stopping into supervised activities.

Connecting with Grandchildren

In these busy times where families may be separated by distance, vacations have become an increasingly common way for generations to connect. Milwaukee spans the generations with several new attractions that would make a weekend getaway appealing for kids of all ages and those who consider themselves “kids at heart.” The younger generation will love getting their hands wet at the brand new Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin (414/276-7700; www.discoveryworld.org), while the grown-ups will appreciate the depth of learning opportunities at this “aquatarium.”

This brand new facility features both world-class freshwater and saltwater aquariums and plenty of interactive areas that explore the Great Lakes and other technological wonders. Go from oceans to prehistoric terra firma with a jaunt over to the Milwaukee Public Museum (414/278-2700; www.mpm.edu), where you’ll find everything from the “Third Planet” exploration of geology and paleontology to the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater, the largest dome theater in Wisconsin. Don’t miss your chance to walk among hundreds of live butterflies in the indoor “Puelicher Butterfly Garden,” a year-round exhibit featuring butterflies from Central and South America, Africa, the Philippines and Malaysia. Also coming soon is the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides are a classic winter favorite in Wisconsin and a good choice for grandparents and their charges. Palmquist’s “The Farm” (1-800-519-2558; www.palmquistfarm.com) offers a country-style sleigh ride complete with soft hay and warm blankets. Hot apple cider, Russian tea, or hot chocolate are waiting for you when you return or keep the outdoor fun going with a snow-shoe hike, cross-country skiing or ice-skating right on the farm.

What Teens and Twentysomethings Want

Wisconsin may not boast Alpine peaks or monster surf breaks, but it does have opportunities galore for serious boarders, ski jumpers and even surf and water sports freaks throughout the winter months. One of the first states to embrace snowboarding, Wisconsin’s downhill facilities utilize some of the most advanced snow-making equipment in the world, so runs and terrain parks are generally in excellent condition. At Devil’s Head (1-800-472-6670; www.devilsheadresort.com) in Merrimac, shredders can go off at the AirPark, which features a variety of half-pipes, table-tops, spines and gap jumps. Other notables include Mt. Horeb’s Tyrol Basin (608/437-4FUN or 608/437-4SKI; www.tyrolbasin.com) which has hosted several state and regional snowboard competitions; Wausau’s Granite Peak (715/845-2846; www.skigranitepeak.com), which has the state’s highest vertical drop; and Montreal’s Whitecap Mountains (1-800-933-SNOW; www.skiwhitecap.com) which boasts 43 runs on three peaks and averages more than 200 inches of snow per year. Teens and twentysomethings are typically interested in the unusual and offbeat, so dog-sledding might be right up their alley.

Dog-sledding isn’t just limited to Alaska or the Yukon; a number of outfitters in Wisconsin offer day trips and overnight adventures for both the experienced and the novice. Based in Bayfield, Trek & Trail (1-800-354-8735; www.trek-trail.com) leads group trips to the Apostle Islands and the western portion of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Mushers can practice on specially marked, groomed trails spanning hundreds of miles at the Log Cabin (715/627-1848) near Elton, where dog-sled racers are the primary winter clientele. Wolfsong (1-800-262-4176; www.wolfsongadventures.com), another Bayfield outfitter, offers a popular weekend trip that provides one day to learn the ropes and a second to use your new skills starting at $425 per person.

If you’ve got a teen that prefers to face extreme G-forces and vertical drops in an indoor environment, the famous indoor waterparks of Wisconsin Dells (1-800-223-3557; www.wisdells.com) won’t let them down. At the Kalahari Resort, the nation’s largest indoor waterpark at 125,000 square feet, the guests can surf standing up or boogie board indoors 365 days a year on the FlowRider or check out the Master Blaster uphill water rollercoaster waterslide. Nearby, at the Great Wolf Lodge, visitors can ride the world’s first enclosed “Howlin’ Tornado,” a six-story funnel of extreme tubing, or hurtle downward four stories on the nation’s first enclosed, head-first mat race slide. Also in Wisconsin Dells is the Wilderness Resort, which features the Hurricane, the Dells tallest multi-person raft ride, and Chula Vista Resort’s Lost Rios Indoor Waterpark, home of the world’s longest and fastest indoor water coaster, the Fly’n Mayan.

W Maldives Resort and Spa

W Hotels Worldwide, the world’s fastest growing luxury hotel brand, will open its first Retreat & Spa, W Maldives today. A sophisticated luxury playground set on the private, exotic island of Fesdu, in the North Ari Atoll, W Retreat & Spa-Maldives offers exclusivity, escape, and indulgence in a pristine seaside sanctuary. W Maldives features 78 private villas-each with its own plunge pool and sundeck; six gourmet eateries and cocktail bars, including 15 BELOW, the region’s only subterranean grotto bar, literally located 15-feet below Island surface; a wonderland of ocean exploration and adventures; and an over-water AWAY(R) spa for ultimate rejuvenation.

Guests arriving at Male’ International Airport are invited into an exclusive W Lounge where they will begin their journey into paradise before boarding a seaplane and flying to the private island of Fesdu. Upon arrival to the Retreat, guests are greeted with a Ceremonial Welcoming Cocktail, a special initiation to the exotic island featuring W’s signature passion fruit-fresh mint iced tea and uniquely flavored ice cubes.

“With the launch of W Maldives, the first of many of our retreat product, W continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design,” said Ross Klein, President, W Hotels Worldwide. “From Minneapolis to Milan, Hoboken to Hong Kong, W Hotels is going global as the influential and innovative lifestyle authority.”

Escape on a Beachfront Haven

Surrounded by white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and breathtaking reefs, W Maldives luxury villa accommodations consist of 46 over-water “Ocean Oasis” retreats, perched above the lagoon with glass floors for underwater voyeurism; 28 bi-level “Beach Oasis” retreats with unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean; three luxurious two-bedroom “Seascape Escape” retreats with oversized infinity plunge pools; and a lavish, two-bedroom “Ocean Haven” retreat with an oversized infinity-edge plunge pool, wraparound sundeck, and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Adding opulence to style, each retreat features lush outdoor lounging areas with private decks for basking in the sun, endless ocean views, individual barbeque stations for private dining, circular custom-made daybeds for island lounging, outdoor tropical showers, spacious indoor living areas, W signature beds, deluxe Bose(R) sound systems, 42 inch plasma televisions, and wine refrigerators to chill the bubbly.

Indulge in a Private Island Paradise

Guests can fulfill their epicurean desires with six gourmet restaurants and unique after-dark escapes. FIRE, the Retreat’s outdoor jungle barbeque restaurant, offers a serene, romantic and casual mood for beachfront dining. Guests can watch the sun go down with a cocktail in SIP before heading to FISH for freshly caught seafood prepared with an Asian flair. WET, the Retreat’s pool bar, offers guests the opportunity to swim up to the bar and order from a menu of creatively delicious island concoctions. KITCHEN, a modern interpretation of bistro fare, offers the perfect start to an evening of dancing and frolicking at the Retreat’s unique 15 BELOW bar, a truly unique, underground nightlife experience offering the largest selection of vodka in the Maldives.

Explore the Exotic Playground For adventurous guests wishing to dive deep into the crystal blue ocean or explore the private house reef, WAVE is the ultimate water sports facility fully equipped with latest state-of-the-art equipment including Nitrox compressors, top-quality Scubapro diving gear, underwater scooters, and high-end underwater photo and video equipment. Guests can explore the endless turquoise waters with activities such as kite surfing, water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, snorkeling, catamaran sailing or wake and knee boarding. W Maldives also offers a variety of dive courses and access to the islands most incredible lagoons and breathtaking reefs. ENERGY, the Retreat’s activity center, offers aqua aerobics, pool and beach games, and circuit training.

W Maldives also offers guests 24-hour access to SWEAT, a state-of-the-art Technogym with cardio, strength and free-weight exercise facilities overlooking the beautiful blue expanses of the Indian Ocean. Other amenities include a 24-hour Welcome Desk, wireless high-speed internet access in W’s Living Room, complimentary ocean side yoga, access to iPod(R) accessories, and cellular telephone rental. W Maldives also offers guests 24-hour access to SWEAT, a state-of-the-art Technogym with cardio, strength and free-weight exercise facilities overlooking the beautiful blue expanses of the Indian Ocean. Other amenities include a 24-hour Welcome Desk, wireless high-speed internet access in W’s Living Room, complimentary ocean side yoga, access to iPod(R) accessories, and cellular telephone rental.

Whatever/Whenever/Wherever

W brings its unique service philosophy to the most exotic locales around the world with Whatever/Whenever/Wherever, taking resort service to unprecedented new levels of wish fulfillment. In addition to its signature services, such as inspiring wake-up calls and “W2GO” in-flight meals, W Maldives will offer whatever, whenever and wherever necessary to grant guests’ wishes 24-hours a day. Whether a luxury speedboat ride to a private beach with a sunset dinner for two, lessons in the Maldivian language of Dhivehi, or an intimate private island commitment ceremony, W’s Whatever/Whenever/Wherever agents are dedicated to fulfilling the ultimate island dreams of every guest.

Westin Extended Stay Elements Hotels

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today unveiled its new extended-stay hotel brand: ELEMENT, a brand extension of Westin Hotels & Resorts. ELEMENT, formerly known by its working title Project ESW, will redefine extended-stay hospitality, incorporating smart design, modern style and a social environment into a category often associated with look-alike brands and generic features. The hotel has been designed to help guests to live their best lives on the road. The ELEMENT name, new logo and website, www.elementhotels.com, were unveiled this week at the 2006 Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

“With Westin, we recreated the upper-upscale segment in the hotel industry. Strategically, ELEMENT fits into this mold–it is about creating a new category from the ground up,” said Starwood’s Chief Executive Officer Steven J. Heyer. “We know that Starwood’s guests are hungry for a new kind of extended-stay experience, and ELEMENT fills this white space in our portfolio perfectly. The name ELEMENT really gets at what we are aspiring to–a new approach that will offer guests a brand experience, not just a hotel.”

ELEMENT will feature several signature flourishes that evoke nature. A dramatic multi-story window-wall will flood ELEMENT’s lobbies with natural light. Public spaces in the hotels will also include a tranquil water feature and design touches inspired by nature. ELEMENT will also incorporate an outdoor haven, with a courtyard and patio where guests are invited to socialize and relax by an outdoor fire pit and barbeque. During their stays, guests will discover smart design features that will make their stays easier, from modular furniture designed to encourage multi-tasking and productivity, to swiveling flat-screen televisions.

“The name ELEMENT really evokes the spirit of the brand,” said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President of Westin Hotels & Resorts. “This brand is about smart design, features inspired by nature, and creating space where guests can be ‘in their element.’ We asked our associates for ideas for the name, and two independently suggested ELEMENT, which we feel describes the brand’s attributes beautifully.”

To bring the ELEMENT brand philosophy of “a space to live your life” to fruition, Starwood eschewed traditional hotel design shops and partnered with leading residential architect, Costas Kondylis, and interior design firm AvroKO, considered innovators in smart space living. The result includes large kitchens with stainless steel appliances, custom-designed closets, in-room offices and gourmet pantries.

ELEMENT is inspired by the Westin hotel brand. Guests will sleep in the famed Heavenly Bed(R) and experience the large, state-of-the art fitness facilities for which the brand is well known. Westin was the first hotel chain to go smoke-free in North America, and every ELEMENT hotel will open smoke-free as well. Other touches will remind guests of Westin, from the signature scent in ELEMENT lobbies to the renewing touches spread throughout the hotel.

One million Starwood guests stayed in an extended stay hotel in the last year, enough to support over 150 ELEMENT hotels nationwide. As a result, even before its name was unveiled, ELEMENT has been attracting significant developer interest. In fact, Starwood anticipates that there will be 500 ELEMENT hotels worldwide. Plans call for the first ELEMENT to open in Lexington, Massachusetts in early 2008.

“The level of developer interest–before the brand even had a name–is unprecedented,” said Raymond L. “Rip” Gellein, Jr., President of Starwood’s Global Development Group. “The large market for the concept and the brand’s efficient design, coupled with the strength of Starwood’s marketing platform and Westin’s history of innovation, have generated significant attention.”

The ELEMENT prototype is a fully documented turn-key solution for owners and developers. Fully developed design development plans, pre-determined design packages and fully specified and sourced furniture, fixtures and equipment add up to an industry leading development toolkit. From ground breaking to grand opening, the ELEMENT development process is supported by architecture, design and operations professionals experienced in helping developers succeed.

The ELEMENT growth strategy targets locations in proven markets - urban centers, corporate business parks, airports, resorts and lifestyle centers. The brand will be introduced in major destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South America, and North America. Travelers will soon be able to find the space to live their life…wherever there travels take them.  

Mirage Onda Wine Lounge

Located at the entrance to Onda Restaurant, the new Onda Wine Lounge at The Mirage provides a perfect casual spot for a pre- or post-theater cocktail. The Italian-inspired lounge features a large selection of wines available by the glass, bottle or individual flights. Providing the perfect accompaniment to a classic Chianti or crisp Chardonnay, guests also may choose from an assortment of artisan cheeses and meats to round out their experience.

The 58-seat lounge features family-style seating in a classic Italian-kitchen décor. Wines also are available by the case and can be shipped to the guest’s destination of choice.

MGM Grand SKYLOFTS Music Butlers

A rare and private sanctuary of sleek, elegant two-story accommodations, SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand sits high above the spectacle that is the Las Vegas Strip. These sophisticated lofts provide the utmost in personalized service and amenities – from Spa and Sleep Butlers to SKYTRAVEL, offering fabulous meals packaged and ready to take on the flight home.

So what important need would the fabulous service staff of SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand next fulfill? Why the need for personalized music, of course! Introducing the SKYLOFTS’ Music Butler; a butler team specially trained in iPod technology to assist guests with all aspects of SKYLOFTS’ sophisticated new music system. Beginning this month, guests can plug their iPods into SKYLOFTS’ customized Bang & Olufsen music system and play their personal music choices across the entire loft.

Left the iPod at home, or still determining the best unit to buy? Guests without their own may use a SKYLOFTS’ iPod for the duration of their stay, in room and on the go, at no additional cost. A Music Butler will even load it with your personal selections from SKYLOFTS’ own compilation lists, 24 hours a day.

Pearl Seas Cruises Launched

American Cruise Lines, a U.S.-flagged small-ship company, has created Pearl Seas Cruises as an offshore affiliate to operate international itineraries. Pearl Seas Cruises has signed contracts with Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to build two ships that will accommodate 165 and 210 passengers.

The first ship is scheduled to begin cruise service in July 2008 and the second in June 2009. The first ship will cruise in the Canadian Maritimes, Newfoundland and New England, as well as the Caribbean. The ships have been designed for the luxury market, and will be about 9,000 gross tons so they can slip into smaller, less-visited ports. Pearl Seas’ ships will include a spa, a dining room big enough to seat all passengers at one time, several lounges, and a library. There will be an elevator to all decks, and three observations decks. The ship will be stabilized.

The suites will be 240 to 510 square feet and will all feature private balconies with large picture windows that open. Every stateroom will be outfitted with flat-screen satellite TV and a DVD player, individual climate control, Internet access and other conveniences and amenities. They will be registered in the Marshall Islands.

For more information, call 203-453-4211 or visit www.pearlseascruises.com  

Royal Caribbean Raises Drinking Age

Royal Caribbean International, which amended its alcohol policy in late summer, announced that the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International ships is 21.

However, on cruises departing from European and South American countries, where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent who is sailing with sons or daughters age 18-20 years can sign a waiver allowing them to consume alcoholic beverages. The 18- to 20-year-olds must agree to comply with Royal Caribbean’s policies, including not providing alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age.

Passengers are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard. Alcoholic beverages purchased ashore or from onboard shops will be stored and delivered to staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (such as water or soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean’s guest vacation policy says any guest who violates the alcohol policy may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense.

Violations include over consuming alcohol, providing alcohol to people under age 21, irresponsible behavior, or attempting to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points. As far as the line’s gambling policy, passengers age 18 years and older can in the ships’ casinos.

However, on Alaska sailings, guests must be 21 years of age to gamble on the ships.

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