Jetsettersblog

Motel 6 announced its partnership with the American Kennel Club (AKC) to offer AKC registered dog owners a discounted price on Motel 6 and Studio 6 room reservations across the country.

To reserve a room and activate their discount 10 percent, all AKC registrants can log on to www.motel6.com and enter access code CP542764 for Motel 6 and visit www.staystudio6.com and enter the access code CP542765 for Studio 6 reservations.

For more information, visit www.motel6.com

Willow Stream and Fairmont spas announce “SoSpa” offerings around the world. The SoSpa Solo allows guests to enjoy any signature treatment (60 minutes or more, excluding salon) and take pleasure in their choice of a free express manicure, pedicure, facial or massage.

 Willow Stream’s Signature experiences include those like the Balance Body which begins with a footbath and exfoliation and continues with a hydrating body scrub and full body massage. SoSpa Romance allows couples to book individual treatments for two (60 minutes or more, excluding salon) or a couples experience, each will receive a free bento box meal and choice of comfy spa sandals to take home with them.

Willow Stream Couples experiences available exclusively at Willow Stream Spas include the Ritual of Two experience, Hip Honeymooners or The Rose Renewal, with many available in our signature couples suites.

At SoSpa Parties, the Spa Concierge will create a special package based on group’s unique wants and needs.

During SoSpa, when groups of four of more book multiple treatments (minimum 60 minutes, excluding salon), they will receive a special VIP reserved gathering space in the spa, free bento box lunches, a visit by a spa expert to answer spa questions and take home spa gifts.

For starting rates, full terms and conditions and additional information, visit www.willowstream.com/sospaatfairmont.

For more information on Fairmont Hotels, call 800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com

Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront and the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront opened for business, and to celebrate Toga Hospitality has announced special opening rates for both properties.

Guests can enjoy an opening rate of Aud$159* per night at the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront, an amazing 30 percent saving, and a special rate of Aud$149** per night at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront which represents a 25 percent discount.

Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront offers 121 studios and one bedroom apartments incorporating the Medina qualities of apartment accommodation, space, style and home conveniences. The one bedroom apartments will feature separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchen and laundry and a grocery delivery service.

The 120 room Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront offers guests the chance to trade in traditional accommodation for a fresh, viberant alternative with a contemporary edge.

In line with the ‘Vibe’ style, every aspect of Vibe Hotel Darwin has been designed to mirror a great lifestyle – the rooms are stylish, the menu in the Curve restaurant is tempting and the location provides easy access to the best that Darwin has to offer.

Both hotels feature prominent indigenous Australian artworks from Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands as well as two major public art pieces integrated into the fabric of the building by Australian artists Mandy Ridley and Matt Huttlestone.

The hotels also offer shared lifestyle facilities including a pool, gym, parking and an on-site restaurant and bar named ‘Curve’.

Rachel Argaman, CEO of Toga Hospitality said “We are very excited to be opening both our Medina Apartment Hotel and Vibe Hotel in Darwin on 9 March 2009. We invite you to experience our hotels first hand with our fantastic opening specials of Aud$159* a night at the Medina Grand Darwin Waterfront and Aud$149** a night at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront.”

To take advantage of these great opening rates visit www.medina.com.au  or www.vibehotels.com.au

*The opening special for Medina Grand Darwin of Aud$159 is for overnight accommodation in a studio room and is valid from 9 March until 31 April 2009.

Excludes peak periods and is subject to availability.

*The opening special for Vibe Hotel Darwin of Aud$149 is for overnight accommodation in a standard room and is valid from 9 March until 31 April 2009. Excludes peak periods and is subject to availability.

An exclusive luxury eco resort, Dugong Beach Resort, situated in the remote Groote Eylandt Archipelago north of Darwin is offering adventurous guests and keen anglers an opportunity to experience a pristine paradise only recently opened to tourism.

Dugong Beach Resort is situated on 25 hectares on the coast of Groote Eylandt and comprises six Executive Bungalows, 20 Deluxe Bungalows and 34 Business Suites in addition to a luxury ‘fishing village’.

Situated on the island waterfront, the $18 million, four-star resort opened in 2008 and is the first major tourist venture for the area as the archipelago is designated traditional indigenous land, with Groote Eylandt under the management of its traditional owners, the Anindilyakwa people.

Guests to this exclusive and remote establishment can now witness a culture which is hundreds of thousands of years old while enjoying the unique tranquillity of the island.

Dugong Beach Resort is equipped with modern conveniences, including a large reception and restaurant, conference and gym facilities, a cultural building and large in-ground swimming pools, all connected by timber-decked boardwalks and landscaped tropical gardens designed to preserve the natural surroundings.

A separate ‘fishing village’ known as the Escape Sport Fishing & Wilderness Lodge is a unique part of the resort, accommodating up to 24 guests in twin or double luxury safari-style cabins, each air-conditioned with ensuite facilities and its own private deck complete with stunning water views.

The Lodge is run by Australian Rugby League legend Andrew Ettingshausen.

Day fishing tours allow guests to experience the thrill of catching many different species – one day can be spent targeting Barramundi in estuaries; the next day targeting game fish such as the majestic Sailfish and the mighty Black Marlin offshore. Popper Fishing, Jig Fishing, Reef Fishing and Fly Fishing are all available from the resort.

Dugong Beach Resort is also working with the Anindilyakwa people to further the cultural experience for guests and enable them to better understand this ancient and wonderful indigenous culture. The Cultural Centre, a key feature of the resort, allows guests to view local art including paintings, basket and mat weaving, jewellery, didgeridoos and carvings, or to meet with local artists. The Cultural Centre also plays host to local musicians and dancers, who entertain resort guests.

Prior to the opening of the resort, non-residents were discouraged from visiting this remote paradise. Now accessible to resort guests, the island is fast becoming renowned for its fine aboriginal rock art sites, art and crafts and outstanding sport fishing including Barramundi, Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Queenfish, Coral Trout, Sailfish and Marlin.

For enquiries and reservations, contact (aus only)1800 877 077 or email reservations@dugongbeachresort.com.au

Brisbane-based French travel specialist France at Leisure has started the New Year with extraordinary interest in France as a leisure destination, with enquiries well up on previous years, according to Managing Director Christian Blondeau.

“We are seeing a rebound in top-end travel bookings, and in fact have already sold out the annual 7 night Anzac Day Tour departing on 21st April 2009 to the great war battlefields of The Somme and Flanders”, Blondeau continued.

“With great snow falls in France this year, enquiries have been solid for ski holidays in France for 2010. High altitude, plenty of dry snow and an amazing atmosphere of gastronomy and naturally the après ski of the French Alps is a huge drawcard for a holiday in the ski-fields of France,” Blondeau said.

Mr. Blondeau said indications are that a viable international leisure market is still present, with a particularly good level of inquiries and more importantly confirmed bookings coming in over the past 6 weeks, to the point that we are increasing our staff to meet client demand.

According to Mr. Blondeau, the performance of France at Leisure in the current climate has been the result of being able to offer flexible packages and getting to the market quickly with responsive new products.

“Customers are looking for a customised travel experience that they can share with family or friends – a holiday that is tailored to their particular interests or needs,” he said.

The trend to tailor content of packages and integrate experiential content is now evident in the more adventurous 50+ baby boomer traveller.

France at Leisure has a growing collection of travel experiences listed on the website with enhanced interactivity between clients and the specialised French-speaking team of consultants.

“In particular we have had a strong response to our selection of bicycle or walking tours, a move away from a passive holiday to a meaningful journey that draws visitors into the beautiful rural villages of France. Regional gourmet cuisine, fine wines and culture are on the menu as they bicycle at their own pace, whilst the luggage is automatically moved to the next overnight stop on their behalf,” he explained.

France at Leisure has turned its attention to customising a client trip based on their interests and goals, or even intergenerational holidays that bring children, parents and grandparents together.

FRANCE is still in the top 5 aspirational countries to visit, and harsh economic conditions have done little to deter this interest, he said.

Lighthouse Bay Resort, a private island getaway in Barbuda, Eastern Caribbean, a 15-minute flight from Antigua, provides its guests with an up close and personal encounter with the world’s largest frigate bird sanctuary.

Reachable only by boat and 15 minutes from Lighthouse Bay, the nesting grounds are home to more than 5,000 frigate birds and 170 other bird species.

The one-hour excursion is priced at $54 for two people and $10 for each additional person.

 In mating season, from September to April, the male frigate bird displays a huge red breast to attract a female mate.

They lay on one egg on a nest, built precariously in the mangroves. Frigate birds cannot walk or swim. They soar high in the clouds, live solely on fish and often steal fish from other birds.

Lighthouse Bay Resort features nine ocean-front guest rooms and suites with private balconies, highly personalized service from a staff of 25, resident gourmet chef and masseuse, 24-hour concierge, roof-top restaurant with 360-degree ocean views and 14 miles of pristine white and pink sand beach.

All rooms and suites include leather and mahogany furnishings, flat screen TV with satellite reception, iPod compatible surround-sound stereo, wireless Internet and in-room laptop, personal safe, bathrobes, illuminated make-up mirror, hair dryer, original watercolor paintings from local artist Stephen Murphy, daily housekeeping and evening turn-down service.

For more information, call 888-836-5427

or visit www.lighthousebayresort.com

Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge is giving guests a glimpse into the world of exotic nocturnal animals with its new after-dark wildlife viewing tours.

Traversing the jungle in quiet Polaris Ranger vehicles and equipped with night-vision goggles and LED spotlights, local guides uncover the mysteries of the night pointing out creatures with nocturnal tendencies such as the kinkajou (also known as the honey bear), the tapir and the jaguar, among others. Machaca Hill’s location on the 11,000-acre Laughing Falcon Nature Preserve puts guests right in the middle of all the action, no matter the time of day.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in each of the resort’s 12 treehouse lodges provide for intimate encounters with rainforest creatures including howler monkeys, toucans and iguanas.

The resort also offers a variety of other eco-minded excursions abounding with wildlife including boat adventures on the Rio Grand, trips to the Santa Cruz Falls in Rio Blanco National Park and hiking through the Blue Creek Cave, home of the ancient Mayans. Just a few of the sightings guests can expect are that of ocelot, coati (a member of the raccoon family) and the peccary (a member of the swine family.) With easy access to the Caribbean Sea, guests at Machaca Hill can also snorkel and dive in several marine protected areas or set out by boat in search of the elusive West Indian manatee.

 Local fly fishing guides are available to take guests on a hunt for the best bonefish, snook and tarpon in the area. Situated on the 11,000-acre private Laughing Falcon Reserve in Belize’s Southernmost Toledo District, Machaca Hill is an all-inclusive adventure getaway for active travelers looking for an eco-retreat; the lodge is comprised of just 12 luxurious tree houses, restaurant, bar and numerous tours and excursions.

The lodge is located 10 minutes from Punta Gorda Town, which is one hour by plane from Belize City.

For more information on Machaca Hill, call 501-722-0050 visit www.machacahill.com

Choice Hotels Australasia (CHA) has unveiled 21 new properties in Australia and New Zealand in its new-look accommodation directory for 2009.

In its 46th year, the directory showcases new hotel sign-ups in areas as diverse as Bathurst, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Yanchep, Launceston, Melbourne, Toowoomba and Christchurch (see full list below).

The 2009 directory is available in a handy new custom DL size, ideal for the glovebox, briefcase or handbag.

Other features include a spacious layout, bigger images and extensive property profiles, full-colour regional touring maps and colour-coded destination breakdowns.

“We are delighted to introduce 21 new Choice properties to our new-look 2009 directory,” said CHA Managing Director David Bayes.

“The CHA directory is the perfect travel companion, providing all the necessary details and contact information for more than 280 Comfort, Quality and Clarion properties in Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific.”

“It also details a range of user benefits, from CHA’s airline partnerships – with Velocity Rewards, Qantas Frequent Flyer and Air New Zealand Airpoints – to our Choice Privileges Rewards Program for frequent travellers so guests can be sure they’re getting the most out of their stay with us even before they check in.”

Page, Ariz.,-based Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by Aramark Parks and Destinations, has unveiled a new line of luxury-class houseboats to its fleet.

Available for rent in May at Wahweap Marina, the vessels in the 62-foot Journey sleep up to 16 people. They are designed for smaller parties who want a luxury houseboating experience but for about 30 percent less than larger luxury vessels.

Each Journey houseboat features an open cabin, plenty of storage and an upgraded kitchen.

There are three staterooms with queen beds, one lower berth, two three-quarter bathrooms, a convertible dinette table, and a convertible sofa with cushions on the upper deck for sleeping under the stars.

Other amenities include an eight-person hot tub, an LCD TV and home theater system with a tracking satellite system, an upper-deck TV with satellite feed, a CD stereo system, an electric inverter system, a remote toy tank for carrying extra fuel for power boats and PWCs, a GPS, and an outdoor gas grill.

In addition, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is adding 14 more Expedition houseboats to its fleet. One of the most popular and affordable boats on the lake, the Expedition sleeps up to 10 people and is designed for single families, couples and groups of friends.

This spring, the company will complete the redesign of its lobby and retail store. The lobby renovation entails an upgrade of the reception area, providing guests with a single location designed to cater to all of their Lake Powell vacation planning needs.

The retail store will be expanded by a 1,000 square feet with a larger Native American handicraft section emphasizing cultural interpretation. The retail outlet also will feature interactive elements like sample music tracks, digital signage with live weather updates, news feeds and resort specials.

For more information, call 888-486-4665 or visit www.lakepowell.com

Follow In Billy Connolly’s Footsteps

Dive into Nunavut culture with a home stay and long-distance dogsled race.

Curious about everyday Inuit life in the North? It may not be the igloos or sod houses of yore, but signing up for a home stay with a local family and getting an insider’s look at the workings of a typical Nunavut hamlet (Kimmirut, NU) is definitely an intense cultural experience. Think eating traditional “country foods” (AKA caribou and Arctic char), dropping in on carvers at work, ice fishing, scanning for seal and whales at the ice-floe edge and learning to navigate the Inuit’s quirky sense of humour.

Time it right in March, and you can combine a home stay with the third annual Qimualaniq Quest, a challenging 320-km (199-mi) dogsled race from Iqaluit to Kimmirut and back. It was started by Iqaluit’s culturally savvy Association des francophones du Nunavut and the Mayukalik Hunters and Trappers Association of Kimmirut, with the mission of keeping dogsledding traditions alive on Baffin Island.

While you’re with your family, the dogsled teams begin to arrive. Mingle with mushers and enjoy the rare chance to join a big, down-home community feast in the high school gym. Locals will be sawing seal meat with their half-moon-shaped ulu knives and slurping caribou stew with fresh bannock bread. Dig in! With daylight lingering as the midnight sun moves in, there’s plenty of time for drum dancing and throat-singing. Elders are into storytelling. And someone always shows up with a fiddle.

www.nunavuttourism.com
http://www.kimmirut.ca/about/Accomodations.html