Jetsettersblog

Here’s a neat trick we stumbled on: If you have elite status on one airline, others might temporarily match the perks.

This year we managed silver elite status on US Airways. Recently, when making a reservation to Rome on United, we asked, as usual, that the miles be credited to US Airways, a United partner. Airlines are no longer sharing most of their perks with elite fliers on partner airlines, but a helpful United agent suggested asking for matching elite status.

After faxing a request to United, we got matching status, good for 60 days. Plus, if we fly 7,500 miles on United during that period, elite status, which usually requires 25,000 miles, will be extended. We also checked and found other airlines that aren’t even partners but were willing to match.

Big deal, you say, you got through lines quicker and your luggage was tagged priority and you had a special airline telephone number so you wouldn’t be put on hold forever.

No, bigger deal.

First, non-elite fliers weren’t given advance seat assignments. With temporary elite status, not only did we get advance assigned seats, but we were put in the first rows of coach, with five extra inches of legroom. But it got even better.

We checked the flight’s seating chart online and found no coach seats available, suggesting coach might be overbooked. At the gate, we mentioned elite status and volunteered to be upgraded if the airline needed to free up coach seats. Instantly an agent gave business-class seat assignments to us and a non-elite companion.

On the return trip, a gate agent called for elite fliers to report, and handed them and their companions business seats because again coach was oversold.

Our frequent-flier miles to Rome had to be credited to United, meaning those miles won’t count toward elite status on US Airways next year, but it was more than worth the trade-off.

sltrib.com

Buena Park, CA – Buena Park has an abundance of accommodation choices, with 5 hotels and 7 motels offering a combined total of 1800 rooms, all located just 10 minutes from the Disneyland Resort and a short walk from all of Buena Park’s attractions.

Located just steps from the world-famous attraction of Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park is the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel. The hotel and resort includes 320 guest rooms and all-new amenities consistent with a destination resort hotel, such as tennis and basketball courts, a golf pro, fitness center, and sauna. Wireless Internet is available in all public areas and guest rooms for a nominal fee. For meetings or special events, there is 20,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space including an 8400-square foot grand ballroom. The hotel is located within walking distance to Medieval Times and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Complimentary shuttle to Disneyland is available.

Holiday Inn Buena Park Hotel and Conference Center features 248 deluxe guest rooms equipped with hairdryers, irons/boards and voice mail. Holiday Inn also provides free scheduled shuttles to Disneyland and Buena Park attractions, a restaurant and lounge, the area’s largest swimming pool, whirlpool, gift shop, in-room movies, fitness center, three ballrooms, and additional breakout rooms. Free high-speed wireless Internet service is available throughout the hotel. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm packages are also available.

At the Radisson Suites Hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary full American breakfast buffet. All 200 suites come with refrigerator, microwave, wet bar and separate living area with a fold-out sofa bed. Guest rooms open onto a lush garden setting with a heated pool and spa. Radisson Suites also offers free shuttle service to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, and packages to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, Medieval Times and Universal Studios Hollywood. There is also 4000 square feet of meeting space for group meals and meetings, and complimentary hard-wired and high speed wireless Internet is offered throughout the hotel.

Courtyard by Marriott is located two blocks from Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park and 10 minutes from Disneyland Resort. The 145 guest rooms feature the new Marriott standard in bedding and complimentary services such as in-room coffee, refrigerators, remote control cable TV with HBO, separate seating areas, a large work desk, and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Wireless Internet is accessible throughout the lobby, and there is also a business center for guest use. A full hot buffet breakfast is available daily at Courtside Café, and the 24 Market is a convenient benefit to guests, with beverages and a wide variety of snacks offered for purchase.

Hampton Inn & Suites is one of Buena Park’s premiere limited service hotels with beautiful, newly upgraded guest rooms including one bedroom Executive and two-room Family Suites. Complimentary hotel breakfast is offered daily. Recently, Hampton Inn and Suites completed a renovation of its corridors, including new carpet throughout the corridors and guest rooms, new lighting, and improved, stylish signing. Also, the Buena Park property is one of the first to implement a new lobby configuration that will become part of the Hampton Inn brand standard.

Inn & Suites Buena Park, formerly the Best Western InnSuites Buena Park, is conveniently located on Beach Boulevard. Disney Park Hopper tickets with complimentary shuttle are now available for purchase at the hotel. Guests also enjoy free high-speed Internet service, heated pool and spa, a guest laundry, and a children’s playground area.

Buena Park also has some excellent and affordable motels for budget-minded travelers.

Good Nite Inn features complimentary continental breakfast, high-speed wireless Internet access throughout the hotel, a heated pool, satellite television, and in-room iron and ironing boards in its 131 rooms.

Family rooms with refrigerators and two queen beds are also available. Buena Park Travelodge is a 100-room AAA 2-diamond rated hotel and offers complimentary continental breakfast, refrigerators, and coffee makers in all rooms, and a patio area with gas grills for the use of guests. Family Suites, Executive Suites, and Sleepy Bear Dens (children’s rooms) are available. Rodeway Inn is located across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm’s main gate and features rooms with king or queen size beds, guest laundry, refrigerators in every room, heated pool and a free continental breakfast. Rooms with kitchens are also available.

 Super 8 Motel, formerly the Quality Inn & Suites, is under new management. Its amenities include free high-speed Internet access, outdoor heated pool, guest laundry, 45-channel satellite television, and family suites. Complimentary continental breakfast is also offered.

 

Qantas launched a mobile version of the airline’s website qantas.com, especially for the new Apple iPhone 3G.

Qantas Chief Information Officer, Jamila Gordon said Qantas was the third airline in the world and the first in the Southern Hemisphere to introduce the initiative.

“Qantas is the only airline to incorporate an accessibility function that works like the phone itself – using its touch interface, rather than offering services through a website link.”

Ms Gordon said the current features available on the phone for both Qantas and Jetstar would be expanded over time to include a comprehensive range of services.

“Qantas Group customers will eventually be able to arrange their whole travel experience using the iPhone, from searching fares and timetables, to booking flights, selecting seats and on-line check in.” Ms Gordon said that in addition to accessing timetable information for both Qantas and Jetstar, iPhone users would also be able to access a whole range of other features, including lounge locations and airport services.

“Qantas will soon be offering its customers the same services available on the iPhone on other mobile devices such as Blackberry and smart phones”, Ms Gordon said.

“These technological enhancements are part of Qantas’s broader mobile strategy, giving customers access to information and services via portable devices.”

Langham Hotels International has signed a management contract for an all-villa boutique resort at Kalim Bay in Phuket, Thailand overlooking the Andaman Sea. The latest addition to the growing Langham portfolio will be the first boutique resort managed by an international 5-star brand in Phuket. It also puts the luxury hotel operator on track to operate at least five properties in Thailand within five years.

Scheduled to open in early 2010, Langham Place Miora Resort + Spa, Kalim Bay, Phuket will comprise of 78 stunning villas including penthouses set on a hilltop location overlooking Kalim Bay, Phuket.

Designer Resort

The resort’s design is masterminded by renowned Hawaiian American architect, Clint Nagata of Blink, Bangkok, who has developed a number of major hotel and resort projects throughout Asia Pacific. Nagata’s vision is to capture the essence and spirit of the environment in which the project is based.

Langham Place, Miora Resort + Spa, Kalim Bay, Phuket encapsulates this vision. The ‘designer’ resort is surrounded by natural forests and affords total sea views for the majority of villas offering tranquillity and serenity in a distinctive contemporary design environment.

Guests of Langham Place are adventurous, fun seeking and young at heart which is why the Miora resort has been innovatively designed to inspire and stimulate their sense of enjoyment. It also seeks to embrace their desire to be part of the local community while still remaining wired to their own worlds with lively design, technology and engaging attitudes.

Designer Villas

Each villa has been designed to meet the needs of the modern luxury guest seeking a stylish escape in a romantic and stimulating setting.

Each villa will feature apartment-style amenities including private bars and a contemporary entertainment centre. Private plunge pools present retractable floating dining tables as well as day beds and barbecue grills as the resort promises a stunning and rejuvenating retreat for discerning ‘grown-up’ travellers.

Penthouse villas with roof terraces will feature zero-edge pools with bubble beds as well as sail roofs and tanning lawns.

Designer Pool

A key feature of the resort will be a cantilevered swimming pool that extends from the hill to create an infinity-style effect with a Chuan Spa located directly below. The one of a kind pool will also feature a floating tented sala which will be the perfect venue to enjoy sundowners.

Chuan Spa

Chuan Spa will be introduced to Phuket for the first time bringing a signature range of pampering spa treatments based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

“Chuan” in Chinese means flowing water. As the source of life, water represents the re-birth and re-balancing of one’s whole being. Chuan is amongst the very first hotel spas to incorporate principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine into its signature treatments and operational details from ambience, décor, unique TCM breathing ritual, tea, and private-label products.

Beach Club Facilities

The resort will also feature an easily accessible Beach Club on the oceanfront which will include all-day dining, a lounge area and specially designed space for ‘chilling out’ while offering a stimulating range of beach club activities.

Exceptional Dining

The restaurants and bars on the resort will be ultra chic experiences featuring the finest, freshest cuisines with engaging presentations and sparkling service, making them must-visit destinations in their own right.

Dr KS Lo, Chairman of Langham Hotels International said: “We’re delighted to be partners with The Miora Development Company which further establishes our footprint in Thailand.

“Phuket is Asia’s preeminent resort destination which is well serviced by international flights from around the world. However, it has lacked a full-service boutique product from with an exciting international brand which will attract discerning hotel guests looking for a vibrant and innovative getaway,” he added.

Daragh Connelly, Managing Director of The Miora Development Company said: “The Langham Place brand matches our exciting vision of a designer boutique hotel that seamlessly connects with our modern guests to deliver a fun and engaging experience. While we are located close to the tourist hub of Patong, we will still be above it all with a luxury boutique hotel.”

Eight Hotels Australia is proud to announce the re-opening of the Kirketon Boutique Hotel following an extensive refurbishment program to all guest rooms, common spaces, bar and restaurant.

Originally opened in 1999 with a Burley Katon Halliday design, the Kirketon Hotel and associated Salt Restaurant claimed the mantle of Australia’s pre-eminent boutique hotel. With the stark minimalist style of its day and highly inflated room rates the brand flourished but the hotel did not.

Acquired by Eight Hotels in late 2003, the Kirketon maintained its reputation as an iconic boutique hotel while strategically repositioning through a focus on incomparable value and guest hospitality. Under Eight Hotels management, the Kirketon rapidly and consistently achieved 90% + occupancy.

CEO Paul Fischmann recently commented, “After 5 years, Eight Hotels management is delighted to launch the newly redesigned Kirketon Hotel. Our brief to designer Connie Alessi was to create soft furnishing, luxury finish, comfort and practicality while creating individual touches of Sydney Cool”. And also commented, “While maintaining our core values but replacing the hotel’s minimalist style with a stunning sensuous hotel experience, the new Kirketon is reminiscent of both the great Parisian boutique hotels of old and the new wave of New York international properties”.

The hotel’s 40 new suites caters to all accommodation needs and feature ample work desk, in room WiFi flat screen TV with cable channels and DVD player, extensively stocked automated mini bars, premium Kevin Murphy toiletries, luxurious bed coverings, pillows, duvet and linen, laptop size safes and premium brand complimentary tea & coffee.

CEO Paul Fischmann commented, “Eight Hotels is identified for its personalised, professional, and discrete service which will always remain our trademark, and combined with the hotel’s new interiors will ensure the Kirketon regains its reputation as Australia’s coolest hotel”.

In addition to the hotel the recently opened Kirketon Brassiere and Sydney Wine Room located on the ground floor offers guests and locals alike an authentic Darlinghurst culinary and nightlife experience.

The Brasserie boasts contemporary dining inspired and styled after the iconic brasseries of Europe that combines quality service and elegant interiors with mouth-watering cuisine.

The award-winning Kirketon Hotel is located in the heart of Sydney’s most vibrant suburb, Darlinghurst.

Positioned on the doorstep of Sydney’s bar and nightclub district the Kirketon is only a short walk to Oxford Street, Kings Cross, Potts Point, Woolloomooloo, The Botanic Gardens and the city’s CBD.

Maintaining Eight Hotels ethos of quality and value, the Kirketon Hotel remains the most competitively priced boutique hotel in Sydney with room rates starting at $155 per room per night (inc rates & taxes).

Grand Opening September 1st 2008.

A walk through the trees with Ma:Mu

Walk high in a tropical rainforest on the spectacular Ma:Mu Canopy Walkway near Innisfail in Tropical North Queensland.

Located on Ma:Mu traditional land within the Wooroonooran National Park, about an hour and a half drive south of Cairns, the elevated walkway will officially open at the end of August after 15 years of planning.

Visitors to the walkway will enjoy spectacular sweeping views of highland rainforest, wild rivers, mountains, gorges and rapids – all within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area setting.

The 1.5km circuit includes a 1.1km forest floor walk, 400 metres of elevated walkway, and a 38 metre high observation tower.

Ma:Mu is set in the lush rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, the lesser known but no less impressive sister park to the Daintree National Park, and has cultural significance for the Ma:Mu Aboriginal people.

Wooroonooran Rainforest Safaris is one of the first tour operators in the region to offer a day trip incorporating the Ma:Mu Canopy Walkway and other nearby attractions including Lake Eacham, Babinda Boulders and Josephine Falls.

Visit www.epa.qld.gov.au/mamu

A new quad biking adventure is presenting the Gold Coast hinterland to visitors in a new perspective – all terrain style!

Gold Coast ATV Adventures offers tag-a-long ATV Tours of the Numinbah Valley located alongside Binna Burra and the World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park.

The vehicles are late model, fully automatic all terrain vehicles and guests can choose from single rider quad bikes and two seat utility ATVs. The rides follow a range of different trails and also tackle a river. All safety gear is provided and a safety briefing is held before each tour. Gold Coast ATV Adventures runs up to two ATV tours per day, each approximately two hours long. Pickup is available from accommodation and the tours run in most conditions including wet weather.

Visit www.atvadventures.com.au

Take a step back in time

One of Queensland’s largest collections of restored vintage vehicles was officially opened in June at Glenmorgan on the Western Downs.

Montys Garage is a 1940s style auto garage which has been transformed into Vintage Car Museum. Fifteen vehicles from the collection of 70 are put on display each day, and this collection will increase as more vehicles are restored.

This is a working museum where visitors can enjoy looking at the cars on display or browse through their huge collection of auto memorabilia, vintage spare parts and equipment. Visitors can also visit the workshop where an old car or truck will be a work in progress exhibit. Monty’s is open from 8am-5pm daily except on Wednesdays and Sundays. It is also open most public holidays.

Visit www.westerndownsholidays.info

Artists from around Australia and the world will transform Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast this September, installing 50 sculptures for the open-air exhibition known as Swell Sculpture Festival.

This free-to-the-public event will be held from September 12 – 21 and will include a range of imaginative sculptures set up along a 1km coastal walkway with the Pacific Ocean and Elephant Rock providing a beautiful backdrop.

The 10 day exhibition will showcase a range of well-known sculptures including Col Henry, Anna Louise Parson, Frederic Berjot’s, Azari ghale jogh Mansour and Christopher Trotter. Swell Sculpture Festival attracts 200,000 visitors each year and features live music, gourmet barbeques, guided twilight walks, meet the artist talks and kite making workshops for the kids.

Visit www.swellsculpture.com.au

Tamborine getaway casts a spell

A weekend getaway to Witches Falls Cottages on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland cast a relaxation spell on Sue Fuller.

Arriving just before sunset, we slipped across the road from the cottages to watch the Great Dividing Range lit with the day’s last rays before the sun dipped below the horizon.

Asian-style lamps cast a welcoming glow as we checked into Witches Falls Cottages. There are five cottages hidden among lush tropical gardens which have a distinct Asian flavour with their stands of bamboo and peaceful water features.

Owners David Kennedy and his Swiss-born partner Daniela Kuratli have made some thoughtful renovations during the 12 months they have owned the property, which borders Queensland’s first national park, the Witches Falls section of the Tamborine Mountain National Park which this year celebrates its centenary.

Each stone gable cottage now features a bathroom with a glass ceiling and sliding doors which completely open up to a small garden. The conditions must be ideal for plants judging by the “fern wall” flourishing on one side of the spa, adding to the feeling of bathing in the middle of a tropical garden.
Private outdoor courtyards have also been added.

David, who worked for many years in the North Sea oilfields and Daniela, who hails from a small Swiss village, are generous hosts and have added many thoughtful touches to make a stay extra special. The fireplace is set to be lit on arrival, while freshly-ground local Tamborine Mountain coffee is supplied in the well set up kitchen and a decanter of complimentary port and chocolates is ready for after dinner.

On David’s recommendation, we headed down the road to check out their local, Clancy’s Irish Bar & Restaurant. Warm and cosy, Clancy’s has Kilkenny (first brewed in 1710) and Guinness on tap and a tempting menu of hearty fare, including Beef and Guinness pie, Kilkenny beer battered fish and some Irish specialties – Irish stew and breaded mushrooms, all of which were resisted as our dinner awaited back at the cosy cottage.

For an additional $80, David and Daniela will supply a barbecue pack including steak, German sausages, potatoes in their jackets and corn on the cob (pre-cooked and ready to warm on the barbie), plus beautiful salad, dessert and a bottle of good local wine.

The next morning, a breakfast hamper is discreetly delivered complete with a freshly-baked loaf of bread. Guests can choose from continental, or bacon and eggs barbecue hampers. Our continental hamper included orange juice, fresh fruit, yoghurt, as well as local ham and cheeses, which we enjoyed sitting outside in the sunny courtyard.

Perhaps the most indulgent part of the weekend came next with the arrival of two therapists from Ripple Massage. Ripple, which offers mobile massages in the Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Byron Bay regions, has developed a signature Sea Shell massage.

While my husband soon fell asleep during his two hour “blokes massage”, I was treated to a deeply relaxing massage using mainly cowrie shells which were heated and filled with scented oils. The smooth surfaces of the shells are used for a massage that is both relaxing and definitely ironed out some muscle knots.

The two hour treatments all include a full body exfoliation with lime, tangerine and walnut and an organic clay and cucumber face mask. Best of all, you can slip into the shower in your “outdoor bathroom” while the therapists pack up.

Ripple also offers a range of treatments including hot stone massage, ka huna, Vietnamese four hands massages and Himalayan ayurvedic treatments.

The rest of the weekend was spent on equally indulgent pursuits. Food and wine is a big part of the mountain’s appeal and three wineries are within easy walking distance of the cottages.

Don’t miss the chance to sample the exquisite cheeses at the Witches Falls Cheese Company, or to try the international award-winning liqueurs at the Tamborine Mountain Distillery, one of only a handful of privately-owned distilleries in Australia.

Russian-born Alla Ward uses a traditional copper pot still and locally grown fruit to produce an amazing array of liqueurs, schnapps, vodkas and spirits, all beautifully presented in hand painted bottles.

With its focus on fresh air, food and wine and welcoming hospitality, Witches Falls Cottages and Tamborine Mountain are perfect for a weekend “spell”.