Jetsettersblog

PREMIER INN UNVEILS PLANS FOR
BRITAIN’S FIRST FLOATING BUDGET HOTEL
- GUARANTEED ‘SEA SICKNESS FREE’!

Buying a barge or joining the Royal Navy are no longer the only ways to sleep on the water, as Premier Inn today unveils plans for its innovative ‘Floatel’ (floating budget hotel) – a first for the British budget hotel industry.

Britain’s largest and *best budget hotel chain aims to build the ‘Floatel’ in Hartlepool Marina during 2009. It will be the first time a budget hotel has been purpose-built on water. Premier Inn chiefs say that the planned hotel will offer the same quality and value of its other 556 hotels – but with the added benefit of a waterfront view.

As well as having a ‘Good Night Guaranteed’, guests would be sure to avoid sea sickness because the hotel’s special design means it will float vertically with the tide; while the horizontal movement will be restricted by sleeved piles driven into the marina.

And anyone arriving late at night wouldn’t need a boat trip in order to check-in: the waterfront hotel will be linked to an existing Premier Inn on the quayside by a pedestrian ramp and an external platform lift.

The ‘Floatel’ is needed because there is a growing demand for additional hotel accommodation in the Hartlepool Marina area but little viable building space on-land. The new hotel will have 54 bedrooms, each able to accommodate two adults and two children under 16, and will feature ensuite bathroom, TV and Internet access, as is standard in all Premier Inns.

The proposed development would represent a £XX investment in the local area, contributing to both the re-development of the area, and the creation of XXX jobs. In addition to this, it is also planned to use the area underneath the new Premier Inn as additional space for the local University.

Premier Inn’s Property Director, Mark Anderson, says, “As Britain’s leading hotel company, we’re always looking for new ways to ensure we have great hotels; wherever they’re needed.”

“The new Paris Ile de France” A new year for a brand new Paris

In 2009, Paris has taken the challenge of a face-lift with new events supported through its recent campaign based on famous original artworks.

Paris is one of the most touristic cities in the world thanks to the numerous things to do there.

There is always something to see and the latest Parisian hotspots are an occasion to rediscover this region. You have the choice between more than 300 exhibitions and thousand music venues.

Meet some friends around cocktail at the terrace of a bar in Belleville, applause live music groups in Montreuil, make a rendez-vous with contemporary art at the Palais de Tokyo at or discover the arty side of Versailles…are some possibilities that The new Paris Ile-de-France offers.

In 2009, more than ever, Paris Ile-de-France is synonymous with a cultural and artistic effervescence. Besides, to promote its artistic side, the region has gathered some artists; Jeff Koons and Patrick Blanc; for its new 2008 campaign “The new Paris Ile-de- France».

-A face-lift for some famous places: news spaces are created or renovated to welcome artistic creation and production such as the CENTQUATRE. This 419.792 sq. feet space located in the old Paris’funeral home is an opportunity to see artistic projects during some festivals and exhibitions.

-Museums get dressed with new exhibitions: from Kandinsky in the Centre Pompidou to Renoir in the Galeries nationales du Grand Palais; from Picasso exhibitions to the Berardo collection in the Musée du Luxembourg.

-A new make up for your night life: Paris offers several possibilities to enjoy your evening.

After visiting the Centre Pompidou, eat in a french bistro as Le Petit Marcel and listen to Jazz in a music venue in Châtelet.

A night in Canal Saint-Martin area: eat in a wine bar and discover all kinds of concerts in the Point Ephémère.

You can discover The new Paris Ile-de-France and its cultural atmosphere with the Paris Museum Pass which allows you to visit more than 60 museums and monuments.

The Official Website for Paris Ile-de-France tours: www.new-paris-idf.com

For more information, please contact:
Eugenio Raez: eraez@nouveau-paris-idf.com

A new design-led spa hotel will open overlooking Sweden’s Gullmarn Fjord, set within a nature reserve on the Bohuslän coast, on March 15.

Formerly the Lingatan Hotel, the property has received a complete makeover under the direction of architect Gert Wingårdh (designer of the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C.) and will reopen as a new creation, with its name yet to be decided. Located outside Lysekil an hour from Gothenburg, it will have 151 double rooms and five suites, a modern restaurant and a six-pool spa.

These include separate hot and cold pools, plus forest and flower pools. For more information, visit www.visitsweden.com

Sweden’s first marine national park will open in September. Kosterhavet Marine National Park, the first marine national park in Sweden, will be located on Sweden’s west coast close to the Norwegian border. It centers around the Koster Islands and contains the richest marine biodiversity in the country.

The area is one of Sweden’s most visited tourist destinations, receiving 90,000 visitors a year and several visitor centers, including Naturum on South Koster, will act as entry points explaining the coastal habitat and unusual species found here.

For more information, visit www.visitsweden.com

Scotland-Bound Travelers Can Save Time and Easily Find What They Most Want to See With Secret Scotland’s New Downloadable Driving Itineraries

Ayr, Scotland, January 5, 2009 – “What would be the most scenic route to Inverness?” “Where can we see bagpipes being played?” “Which Highland restaurant is the most romantic?” Finding answers to questions like these used to require hours and hours of Internet research for anyone planning a road tour of Scotland. Piecing together all the information about attractions, routes, lodging and restaurants into a feasible itinerary was next to impossible. Now, however, the website www.Secret-Scotland.com provides visitors with carefully researched itineraries and accommodation guides for more than two dozen different self-drive Scotland tours. And if customers still have questions, Secret Scotland Tours answer them with a personal email.

“When some American friends came here on holiday, they had badly misjudged Scottish travel times and missed lots of great places that don’t get mentioned in guidebooks,” says native Scot Mike Peddie, co-founder of Secret Scotland with his wife Aurelia. “We realised the need for self-drive itineraries by locals who knew which places to see and which to skip, the best towns for overnight stays, and realistic scheduling of attractions and scenic drives.”

Unlike travel agents, Secret Scotland Tours have no financial interest in the recommendations made to travelers. And unlike printed guidebooks, their itineraries are frequently updated on worthwhile attractions, travel times, routes, lodgings and restaurants.

“The accuracy of our guides is crucial to us,” says Aurelia Peddie. “We covered thousands of miles checking road signs, exploring tourist attractions and visiting more than 300 B&Bs to avoid tourist traps and recommend the nice little tearooms, cosy bars with log fires, empty beaches, and scenic overlooks that guidebooks never mention.”

For instance, Secret Scotland itineraries include little-visited gems like these:

. Ratagan Pass, a dramatic climb on a road that zig-zags up to a breathtaking viewpoint over Loch Duich and the mountains known as the “Five Sisters of Kintail”
. Mellon Udrigle Beach, a detour of three miles from the nearest main road that brings you to an idyllic beach of white sands, pacific blue sea and a backdrop of mountain views
. Loch Leven Seafood Café, situated on a road to nowhere – an unpretentious little seafood restaurant that serves locally caught lobster, crabs, mussels, etc. with views that no city restaurant can match

Secret Scotland’s more than 25 tour itineraries start from $7 and vary not only according to the starting point (Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness) and the number of days (3 to 14 days) but also according to interests, such as scenery, castles, whisky, seafood, Scottish culture and more. Itineraries come in the form of an instant download from the website, with customized itineraries available upon request for a few dollars more.

All customers receive emailed answers to any additional questions that come up while planning their Scotland self-drive holiday.

People interested in traveling to Scotland for a driving tour can download a copy of the free report, “The 12 Most Memorable B&Bs in Scotland”, by going to: www.secret-scotland.com/department/memorable_scottish_b_bs 

More information on Secret Scotland itineraries is available at www.Secret-Scotland.com or from Mike Peddie at (0044) 1292 886634; mike@secret-scotland.com  53 Maple Drive, Ayr, KA7 3QP, Scotland.

Edinburgh Pass – The Edinburgh Pass, it your passport to explore Edinburgh, allowing you to see and save more. The Edinburgh Pass lets you visit as many attractions as you wish from museums, art exhibitions, fine dining and shopping. Using this electronic smart card is a quick and hassle-free way to see the best of Edinburgh.Every card comes with a FREE guidebook with helpful information on the establishments associated with the card, as well as area maps – BOOK NOW!

Why B&B Norwood? In keeping with its climate, Adelaide, capital of South Australia, has a Mediterranean ambience as it straddles the Torrens River, filled with churches, gardens, civic buildings, sidewalk cafes and a plethora of museums, galleries and festivals catering to culturally inclined.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, December 16, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ — Adelaide city was originally laid out in 1836 by Colonel Light in a square mile (three sq km) grid of wide streets with gracious colonial architecture.

This has resulted in a compact inner city area, geared for easy exploring on foot, allowing the central area to be surrounded with hectares of parklands, walking trails, sports grounds and picnic areas on the banks of the river.

Kent Town Cottage’s quality accommodation service in Adelaide would be a completely outstanding experience for you. Book our accommodation online via our booking form.

Get affordable accomodation in Adelaide at a discount price. If you are looking for an accomodation in Adelaide, Kent Town Cottage would be the best option for you. Great Accommodation at a price that you would love!

The main near our great accommodation Adelaide cottages boulevard is North Terrace, along which are the restored Mortlock Library, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum with its spectacular whale skeleton and collection of Aboriginal natural history. Aboriginal culture is also catered for at Tandanya, a multi-arts cultural centre that has galleries, performance areas and a caf serving native cuisine.

All B&B Norwood visitors who have had enough of culture can take a cruise or gondola ride on the Torrens River, or ride a vintage tram to the nearby seaside town of Glenelg with its magnificent white, sandy beach, popular despite the occasional rumour of sharks. Adelaide’s Central Market is the destination for ‘foodies’. Among the noisy, colourful atmosphere and wondrous smells are fruit and vegetable stores and a large selection of meat and fish along with gourmet specialities introduced by the waves of immigrants who call Adelaide their home.
Also popular with visitors is the Adelaide Zoo and Cleland Wildlife Park, which features local birds and animals including koalas and kangaroos. You are very much welcome at our holiday accommodation Adelaide, Australia. Visit us at http://www.kenttowncottage.com.au or www.kenttowncottage.com.au/accommodation-adelaide

About Kent Town Cottage

Located on Flinders Street, Kent Town and only minutes from the centre of beautiful Adelaide. The cottage is within walking distance of Rundle Street with its’ boutique bars and eclectic shopping, and the cosmopolitan Norwood Parade, home to fabulous cafes and restaurants. Only minutes away are the spacious Parklands, whilst transport is coveniently located down the street.

Marriott International, Inc. opened the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, a 658-room hotel attached to AsiaWorld Expo exhibition center at Hong Kong’s International Airport. Operating under a management agreement with Union Sky Holdings, the hotel is Marriott’s fifth branded property in Hong Kong. The general manager is Bob Jensch and director of marketing is Maxine Howe. In celebration of its opening, the hotel is offering an introductory package priced at HK$1,688 for a double occupancy. The promotion runs through March 31, 2009, excluding Chinese New Year, and includes welcome drinks for two at the lounge, full buffet breakfast for two at SkyCity Bistro, complimentary shuttle service to Tung Chung shopping outlet, complimentary airport transfer to Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott and Airport Express tickets for two. The package also allows up to two children for free.

During the Chinese New Year, between Jan. 22 and Feb. 8, 2009, double occupancy rooms are priced at a special rate of HK$888 based on double occupancy. Reservations can be made by calling 800-968-3218 or through the hotel directly on 011-852-3969-1888.

Three of the hotel’s 14 floors are designated executive levels with three private meeting rooms, fully equipped to serve the needs of business travelers and conference attendees. The hotel has 11 meeting rooms, totaling more than 1,300 square feet of event space. With six restaurants, guests at the hotel can select from a variety of cuisines to satisfy their every taste and mood. Velocity Bar and Grill is a modern sports bar featuring hamburgers and chicken wings accompanied by a large selection of beers on tap.

Chinese delicacies can be found at Marriott’s famous Man Ho Restaurant offering Shanghai and Peking specialties as well as private dining rooms upon request. Asian fare such as seared Japanese beef and soba noodles can be found at the Red Zen Noodle Bar while the Sky City Bistro offers all day dining of international favorites such as pastas, pizzas and prime rib. Relax at The Lounge with entertainment and a stunning view of the South China Sea while sipping drinks and snacking on pastries and tapas. For caffeine enthusiasts, Java+ is open for breakfast and lunch and has quick take away treats to accompany an espresso or latte.

Queensland’s wine capital, the Granite Belt, has recently launched the Granite Belt Nude Food Trail. The trail map shows visitors how to find 20 local producers and highlights fresh produce, local meats, savoury staples, sweet moments and events, as well as a list of what produce is being harvested during spring, summer, autumn and winter. Keen foodies will love the ‘wild things’ and hunt out wild asparagus and wild fennel, saffron and truffles.
www.nudefood.com.au

Flying Fish Lands In The Fiji Islands : Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announces Partnership With Esteemed Flying Fish Restaurant In Australia

Starwood Hotels & Resorts today announces the partnership with Flying Fish Restaurant in Australia, with the launch of a Flying Fish restaurant at the newly refurbished Sheraton Fiji Resort. Guests staying at Sheraton Fiji Resort can now enjoy the inspirational menu of fresh seafood and seasonal delights of Flying Fish Restaurant right at their door step.

“We are thrilled to announce the partnership with Flying Fish. Flying Fish is well known for its exemplary delivery of the food and beverage experience. This, coupled with the accommodation and services provided by our hotels, is certainly a great synergy and will go along way to creating a memorable hotel experience for our guests,” commented Martin B Jones, Managing Director, Food and Beverage for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.

Renowned internationally for its creative culinary dishes and stunning ambience, Flying Fish brings with it inspirational flavours, which will be uniquely blended with a wide array of fresh seafood, for which Fiji islands are famous for.

Stunningly situated on the waterfront with the resort’s new lagoon pool meandering through the heart of the restaurant, this unique undercover beach setting combines a spacious deck with private booth seating to capture the beauty of the Fijian sunset, creating a spectacular ambience for any occasion.

The development of the new Flying Fish restaurant in Fiji has been under the close guidance of Peter Kuruvita, renowned restaurateur and co owner of the famed Flying Fish in Sydney.

The kitchen team is headed up by Stephen Seckold; while maintaining the best Flying Fish signature dishes Steven has also brought his own touch to the menu. The result is a superb combination of light contemporary seafood in a wonderful setting.

The partnership with Flying Fish is part of Starwood’s strategy to transform the food and beverage experience at its hotels. Working with various experts in the food and beverage industry including designers, chefs, food journalists and consultants has provided Starwood with great insights into the creation of an outstanding food and beverage experience, and these insights go a long way to helping the hotel giant chart the path for Starwood’s food and beverage movement.

Established since January 2003 Flying Fish is surrounded by breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, and has been constructed from an original heritage wharf site and blends a contemporary mix of design highlights to deliver a new and unique Sydney dining experience.

Situated on picturesque Denarau Island, Sheraton Fiji Resort is an idyllic, tropical playground where guests can experience an array of dining and leisure activities. Located 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport and five minutes from Port Denarau Marina, the resort provides great access to families and vacationers to enjoy everything Fiji has to offer. Creating a stunning new look for Sheraton Fiji Resort, the six-month refurbishment project resulted in significant upgrades to guest accommodations, restaurants and bars, as well as the introduction of new recreational facilities.

Winds Of Change Blow Through Wilpena Pound Resort In 2009

Following the recent acquisition by new Australian travel company, Anthology, Wilpena Pound Resort in the Flinders Ranges will soon undergo an extensive refurbishment program of all 60 guest rooms.

Accommodation at the resort is currently in four different room types, including a self-contained option, designed to suit individuals, couples and families. These areas will all be upgraded to a 4-star category and will be completed in time for Easter, 2009.

“Wilpena Pound Resort is an iconic Australian property, visited by thousands of travellers each year. We are excited to have this opportunity to breathe new life into the existing accommodation which, along with our campsite facilities, will round out the offering to our visitors,” said Anthology CEO, Grant Hunt.

The property will remain open during the planned renovations, as the work will be done in stages to minimise the impact to guests. During this period guests can take advantage of a “Book three nights and pay for two” offer.

The brief for Pike Withers, the interior designers appointed to handle the refurbishment program, was to bring the red, ochre and green tones found in the Flinders into the rooms through new décor and furnishings.

Located on the banks of the Wilpena Creek, the resort is the perfect base to explore the Flinders Ranges National Park. Encompassing some of the most spectacular scenery in South Australia, the park was made famous by the paintings of Sir Hans Heysen, and is world-renowned for its geological history and impressive fossil remains.

The appeal, for many visitors, is the unique beauty of this landscape with its indigenous history, ancient geological formations, rich colours and textures, open spaces, clear air and abundant wildlife. The Flinders Ranges area is home to nearly half of South Australia’s plant species, with many wildlife species endemic to the area.

Set amidst the vibrant colours of the 800 million-year-old quartzite and limestone outcrop that is the Flinders Ranges lies Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre 17km long and 7km wide. Located just to its east, the Wilpena Pound Resort, offers generous outback hospitality and plenty of ways for guests to explore this diverse region with numerous surrounding walking trails, 4WD adventures, mountain bike trails and scenic flights.

For guests staying from April 2009, accommodation is available from $195 per room per night, twin share. Wilpena Pound Resort is a five-hour drive north of Adelaide and is accessible by sealed roads. Transfers can be organised with the resort prior to arrival. Regular air services operate to Port Augusta (160 kilometres away). The Indian Pacific and Ghan rail services also operate through Port Augusta on a regular basis.

The Wilpena Pound Resort is the most recent acquisition for travel company, Anthology. Anthology currently has four experiences in the collection, including Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain Huts Walks and heritage estate, Quamby with the goal to build a portfolio catering to the growing demand for premium quality experiential tourism with distinctive Australian experiences.

For more information or bookings for Wilpena Pound Resort contact Anthology on 08 8648 0004 or visit www.anthology.travel