Jetsettersblog

Visit London will launch the first ever London Accommodation Charter for the associations sector. The charter will be launched on Visit London’s stand at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the International Confex trade show (Earls Court, London).

The charter has been created by Visit London’s association team who has worked with 12 major hotel groups to create the charter terms.

The hotel groups represent over 39,598 hotel rooms in London, which is approximately 39 percent of the overall rooms available in the capital. The charter has been created to simplify the process of sourcing London hotel rooms for events that require 1,000 beds or more.

 For more information, visit www.visitlondon.com

Hilton Hotels Corporation announces the addition of three of some of Puerto Rico’s most renowned luxury hotels to the company’s luxury and lifestyle brands portfolios. El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa and El San Juan Hotel & Casino join the Waldorf Astoria Collection on April 7, 2009, while Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino will be welcomed by Conrad Hotels & Resorts on March 12, 2009.

These newest additions mark each brand’s debut in the Caribbean and demonstrate Hilton’s commitment to the expansion of its luxury and lifestyle brands into key markets worldwide. Upon completion of a $120 million property-wide renovation in 2008, El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Waldorf Astoria Collection boasts a complete redesign to all 750 guestrooms and suites, the recently opened Coqui Water Park, an outpost of New York City steakhouse Strip House and the addition of the 21,090-square-foot Grand Atlantic Ballroom, bringing the resort’s total meeting and event space to over 100,000 square feet.

This resort is complemented by Las Casitas Village, an intimate resort within a resort, with luxury villas, a secluded infinity pool, tropical spa services and personalized 24-hour butler service for guests and families seeking a higher level of privacy and pampering.

The El San Juan Hotel & Casino has long been considered one of the Caribbean’s leading hotel and casino properties.

On April 7, 2009, the El San Juan Hotel & Casino joined the Waldorf Astoria Collection following a $52 million renovation completed in 2007. The hotel offers 382 guest rooms and meeting spaces designed by Robert Barry of Barry Design and a pool and beachside experience — Encanto Beach Club. Located on San Juan’s Condado strip, the renovated Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino is a welcome addition to the Conrad line of hotels and resorts.

The Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza will debut on March 12, 2009 showing off a $70 million dollar redesign completed in 2008 which included an intensive refurbishment of all rooms, public areas, an impressive new lobby, and 40,000 square feet of meeting space.

For more information or reservations, visit www.waldorfastoriacollection.com  or www.conradhotels.com

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Simon Property Group announced the opening of Hyatt Place Coconut Point, conveniently located in Estero, between Fort Myers and Naples and adjacent to Coconut Point.

The hotel offers 108 guestrooms, all of which feature a 42-inch HD TV, the plush Hyatt Grand Bed and an eight-foot sectional sofa-sleeper; complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel; complimentary continental breakfast featuring a variety of fresh fruits, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, breads, Starbucks coffee and an assortment of juices; over 1,000 square feet of meeting space; and a complimentary shuttle service within a five-mile radius for transportation to many local businesses and attractions.

The Portal, in the fashionable inner city Spring Hill precinct, is the first new hotel to open in Brisbane this year. It opens its smart doors on 6 March.

Designed by Cottee Parker Architects, the Portal has 7 floors, 84 rooms and a street level bar and restaurant. The O Bar & Restaurant is expected to be an integral player in Brisbane’s cuisine listings.

An early bird opening rate of AUD$99 is available for premiere bookings until 30 April 2009 against a rack rate of $200.

Portal guests will enjoy superb bedding and bathroom amenities, 37′ LCD screens, WiFi & internet access via LCD Screens, iPod docking stations a friendly 24 hour desk, room service, undercover parking, luggage storage, a porter service, lifts to all levels, mini bar packages and even personal trainers

Wireless internet will also be available in the lobby and OBar & Restaurant.

“The Portal is an affordable, modern, edgy 4 star alternative to traditional hotel chains, providing relaxed, affordable accommodation without compromising style and service”, said General Manager Michael Stimpson, Michael has a track record in management and sales in tourism, financial services and food and beverage

“It is your passport to urban living in Brisbane, set in a breezy, tree –lined terrace above and within walking distance of the city grid and river. The Portal allows you to be part of this river city without trying”

The OBar & Restaurant is indicative of the Portal’s style. Designed to be an eating place of choice, rather than of necessity, it will provide an essential service for hotel patrons and Brisbane locals alike. It is under the professional guidance of Dallas Bickle, a successful restaurateur. The personable Dallas has headed a clutch of stand alone restaurants as well as established properties within 4 and 5 star hotels,

The Portal is privately owned. The consortium responsible for its development includes Portal Developments, (owned by leading Queensland builder Scott Hutchinson and prominent property sales maestro Rick Bird) and Rowling Woods Pty Ltd an experienced accommodation provider which acquired the 15 year lease in 2007.

 Rowling Woods Pty Ltd owns Brisbane’s award –winning. up market backpacker hostel “Tinbillly Travellers” on the corner of George and Hershel Streets.

Rowling Woods’ principals are integral to the Portal‘s management – Dugald Woods and his wife Bridget Woods..Bridget has worked closely with the design and fitting out of the hotel and is Operations Manager.

For further media information and famils contact Rea Francis info@rrfmedia.com.au  or 0414250790
For bookings visit the website www.portalhotel.com  email reservations@portalhotel.com.au  or call 1500767825.

Queensland offers some truly magical farm stays that are sure to delight both little and big kids with their fun activities and warm hospitality. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer.

Cedar Glen Farmstay – Nestled in the foothills of the spectacular Lost World section of Lamington National Park, Cedar Glen Farmstay is the perfect country retreat. Full board guests can enjoy country-style meals and picnics, including home-baked bread, organic vegetables, free-range eggs and the farm’s own beef and dairy produce.This family homestead is a traditional old Queensland house of timber construction and was built in 1901.

 It features spacious rooms with high ceilings, wide veranda’s and antique furniture, an open fireplace in the sitting room, where guests can relax before and after dinner. The Stinson Cottage, so named because it looks onto the area of the famous plane crash in 1937, is a 100 year old fully- restored workers’ cottage with breathtaking views of the mountains.

It can be used for self-catering or guests can stay on a full board basis and come into the homestead for all meals. www.cedarglen.com.au

Moorlands Farmstay – 60km north-west of Toowoomba. Moorlands has been operating for 15 years. The 5000 acre property has two large homesteads – both are situated in beautiful gardens with lovely views.

They can house 12 guests between them. The bedrooms are beautifully-appointed and most have reverse cycle air-conditioning.

Guests are treated as one of the family and can take part in all farm activities such as collecting eggs, feeding fowls, calves and alpacas, pony rides for children, quad bike rides, playing with dogs and cats, picnicking on the farm and in the nearby Bunya Mountains National Park. www.moorlands.org

Lillydale – Located 90 minutes from Brisbane and Gold Coast – luxurious four and half star AAA rated farm. The property is overlooked by Mount Barney and offers fantastic views that change throughout the day. Three guest suites are in the lower level of a gracious Queensland house and contain a queen bed, double sofa and single bed plus their own bathroom ensuite and kitchenette facilities. www.lillydale.com.au

Wittacork Dairy Cottages, Maleny – A modern working dairy farm on 300 acres, with more than one-third pristine rainforest. The farm adjoins Lake Baroon and State Forest and is a Land for Wildlife registered property. The self contained cottages are set on a ridge overlooking Lake Baroon and the Obi Obi Gorge National Park and surrounded by rainforest. Guests can watch the cows being milked, feed the calves, collect eggs, bushwalk or laze on the deck soaking in the peace and the views.

The property now has a two kilometres of walking tracks in the rainforest with bridges across creeks and waterfall viewing areas. www.wittacork.com.au

The Hollow Log Country Retreat – situated in the secluded valley of Mount Byron, close to Lakes Somerset and Wivenhoe and just over an hour’s scenic drive from Brisbane.

This fully wheelchair accessible, ‘gentle bush haven’ can accommodate groups or families of up to 12 people in its four comfortable bedrooms and large, unique living area. Set amongst beautiful native gardens and natural bushland it is the ideal country getaway for complete relaxation.

Take leisurely strolls around the gardens and wildlife corridor, walk to the top of the hill for spectacular views, spotlight or stargaze at night, visit the local natural rock waterhole, enjoy gentle farm animals. www.hollowlogcountryretreat.com

If you want something on a larger scale and a bit further afield, “Windermere” is the most recent addition to Queensland’s growing collection of station-stays and has the world famous Lark Quarry and beautiful Bladensburg National Park as close neighbours.

The 30,000 acre working cattle station is located just 15km outside Winton and is located on the Jundah Road which leads to Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways and is adjacent to the National Park. Guest accommodation is in 10 bedrooms in the shearer’s quarters with shared bathroom facilities and all linen supplied.

There are also sites for motor homes, caravans and tents and facilities include a camp kitchen, BBQ area and magnificent open campfire. Guests can self-cater using the camp kitchen or meals can be supplied, even smoko!

All guests are presented a river walk mud map upon arrival guiding them to the nearby Western River which is home to a large variety of birdlife and a great spot to fish for yellow belly.

Guided property tours are also available. Windermere offers a family friendly environment, there are plenty of animals to feed and a Stockman’s Museum has been set up in the original quarters.

www.outbackholidays.info

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed a management agreement for an exclusive luxury resort currently under development on a private island in The Maldives. The retreat is scheduled to open in the next 12 months. Mandarin Oriental, Maldives will be located north of the capital city Male, a journey of 45 minutes by seaplane.

The hideaway is being developed on its own exclusive island, Maavelavaru in the Noonu Atoll. The resort comprises 114 stand-alone villas, including 20 water villas and four Presidential villas, ranging in size from 300 to 1,750 square meters. Each villa is surrounded by landscaping, providing total privacy, while opening onto a private pool and the lush vegetation of a serene garden with sweeping ocean vistas. The largest of the villas have private spa facilities, and the water villas extend over a lively coral reef affording stunning sunrise and sunset views. Mandarin Oriental’s seamless technology and superior entertainment systems, for which the hotel group is renowned, are employed throughout. Alfresco and underwater dining with an eclectic selection of local and international cuisines will be available at seven restaurants and bars, including an all-day poolside café and bar, a beachfront signature restaurant, an alfresco Maldivian grill, a lounge and an underwater wine cellar with private dining room. An authentic Lebanese restaurant and bar, as well as a Japanese restaurant will be built over the ocean. Meeting facilities include a multi-purpose function room, a business center and a well-stocked library. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental will feature 14 expansive treatment villas and six treatment suites, situated around an outdoor Jacuzzi. Each villa consists of four separate pavilions.

The Ko`a Kea Hotel & Resort will open on April 14 after a multimillion-dollar reconstruction. Situated on Poipu Beach, the hotel will offer 121 guestrooms and suites, as well as a new restaurant and a spa.

The property will feature contemporary décor that draws inspiration and color from Hawaii’s native flowers and sea life. Neutral tones will be accented by colors like crimson, turquoise and coral.

The new restaurant, Red Salt, is named for the island’s uniquely colored salt and will feature contemporary upscale cuisine with an emphasis on local flavors and ingredients.

 The Spa at Ko’a Kea will offer five treatment rooms including a couple’s massage room.

To commemorate the opening, the hotel is offering two introductory packages. The Isle See You at Poipu package is priced at a nightly room rate of $299, a 33 percent savings off published rates and is valid April 14 through June 30.

The Room with a View package offers an upgrade at the time of booking from Garden View Room to Partial Ocean View or from Partial Ocean View to Ocean View when booked at regularly published rates, which start at $445.

This package is valid April 14 to Dec. 18.

For more information, call 877-806-2288 or visit www.koakea.com

The sunny isle of Rhodes has long been a holiday favourite amongst the British. 2009 looks set to welcome a new type of guest to the island as the five star Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes opens the most luxurious new accommodation in the area, in the form of 37 dazzling new Elite Suites, on the 1st April 2009 following a 15 million Euro investment.

Located in the picturesque resort of Ixia on the west coast of Rhodes, Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes is set upon a hillside amidst green forests with uninterrupted sweeping views of Ixia Bay. The Elite Suites, which are housed within a brand new annex to the existing hotel, will raise the bar in terms of luxury on the island.

The new Elite Suites are housed within a newly built low-rise wing of the hotel, set apart from the main building. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of the Aegean sea and most suites open onto a large terrace with a large 25 square metre private pool – some even have private garden areas. The beautifully appointed suites offer 44 square metres of space with wooden and marble floors, soft colours, a living area with sofa-bed and fantastic modern bathrooms. Guests staying in an Elite Suite will benefit from VIP privileges including private check-in and check-out in a dedicated reception and lobby area, champagne and strawberries in-suite on arrival, complimentary manicure and pedicure for ladies and pedicure for gentlemen, an exclusive breakfast lounge and complimentary airport transfers. Elite Suites sleep up to two adults and two children or three adults in high comfort.

In addition to the new suites, Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes has also created an impressive new spa below the Elite Suites within the new wing, replacing the old spa in the main hotel. The Amathus Spa & Wellness Centre is the only one of its kind in Rhodes. With a total area of 1,300 square metres it provides a hammam, steam bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, as well as luxuriously appointed treatment rooms. Unwind before your treatment in the three relaxation pools – the reflective pool, the salt water pool and the romantic bath. One luxury treatment room is designed especially for couples while the multi-function massage room is designed for Ayurveda, shiatsu, and Indian head massage. Elite Suite guests are able to waft from the spa to their room with ease as they are a stone’s throw away.

With three restaurants serving varied cuisine ranging from fresh fish and seafood meze to à la carte fine dining options, four lively bars, three outdoor pools, a private tennis court, a host of watersports and a children’s playground, Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes offers a wide range of facilities and activities to suit every taste. Other improvements for 2009 include the expansion of the Varkarola Taverna to include a new à la carte restaurant, the extension of the main swimming pool and the creation of a new artificial beach by the poolside.

Location and getting there:

Unspoilt villages nestled in the hills and centuries-old culture combined with a fabulous warm climate make Rhodes one of the most popular of the Greek islands. Must-see attractions in the area include the Medieval Old Town and the Grand Masters Palace, now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre; the town of Lindos, with its white buildings and ancient Acropolis; and the Valley of the Butterflies in the west of the island. Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes is located 4km from historic Rhodes Town and 10km from Diagoras international airport.

Sovereign Holidays (0871 664 0227; www.sovereign.com) offers 7 nights Half Board at the new Elite Suites, Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes, from £689 per person. Price includes return flights, private in-resort transfers, 24-hour Sovereign Concierge service and free UK VIP airport lounge passes.

Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes

+30 22410 89900; www.amathus-hotels.com

TORINO + PIEMONTE CARD
www.turismotorino.org

This versatile card is available in different versions for every need. The card grants access to over 160 cultural sites, offers the free use of surface public transportation and tourist transportation in Turin as well as the free climb by elevator to the Mole Antonelliana and the use of the cog railway Sassi-Superga. In addition, the card offers rental car discounts. Additional information is available at www.turismotorino.org

PADOVA CARD
www.padovacard.it

The Padova Card is a useful tool to move freely within the city of Padova and its province. The card grants free entrance to historic sites, including municipal museums. Furthermore, the card offers discounted fares on the Riviera del Brenta boats. Starting in 2009, the Asiago Card is delivered for free with the Padova Card. The Asiago Card grants discounted fares for services and stay in the city of Asiago, famous for its thermal baths.

The most stylish campers amongst us are sure to go wild with Eurocamp’s brand new safari tent accommodation when they go on sale this week.

The fantastic tents are exclusive to a small selection of Eurocamp’s most naturally beautiful parcs in France and Italy. They are located in peaceful areas set away from other accommodation, which makes safari tent holidays a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The ultra stylish safari tents offer plenty of living space with authentic wooden flooring throughout the elegant interior, leading onto the large decked terrace which is shaded by a huge canopy. This accommodation is perfect for embracing the best that nature has to offer while enjoying the luxury interior.

Providing the freedom of camping without compromising on comfort and quality, each luxury safari tent offers two bedrooms – a master and twin – as well as a fully equipped kitchen.

Outdoors, quality teak furniture and a barbecue are also provided to make the most of this unique outdoors living experience and help you enjoy the stunning natural surroundings.

Safari tents are located at:

La Croix du Vieux Pont, Berny-Rivière, Paris
A beautifully situated parc in the Ainse Valley – located beside a gently flowing river, housing three lakes and near to the forest of Compiègne.

L’Ardéchois, Vallon Pont D’Arc, Ardeche

Set amidst the Ardèche gorges and on the banks of one of the most beautiful stretches of the Ardèche river and just a short walk from the Vallon Pont d’Arc.

Le Moulin de Paulhiac, Daglan, Dordogne

Situated in the very heart of the Dordogne – with its rolling wooded hillsides, sleepy honey-coloured villages, crumbling old farmhouses and castles in abundance – this verdant, rural parc is set amidst the shade of walnut, oak and apple trees.

Il Collaccio, Castelvecchio di Preci, Lazio

Located amongst the lush splendour and tranquillity of Umbria – the ‘green heart’ of Italy – this parc is surrounded by the wooded hillsides and steeply sloping meadows that the region is famed for.

As well as their natural beauty, each of these Eurocamp parcs also offer their own friendly charm, great swimming pool complexes, a huge selection of high standard free activities and they are also the perfect base for exploring the local countryside.

A seven night break at Eurocamp’s La Criox du Vieux Pont parc in Berny-Rivière (arriving 27 April), for a family of two adults and two children, staying in a fantastic Eurocamp Safari Tent costs just £240, accommodation only.

Alternatively the same holiday during the school summer holidays (arriving 21 August), will cost just £690, accommodation only.

For further information on Eurocamp please call 0844 406 0552 or visit www.eurocamp.co.uk