Jetsettersblog

The Roosevelt New Orleans will reopen the Blue Room and Sazerac Bar this summer. The Blue Room was known for big band performances and headliners like Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong and Sonny and Cher from the 1930s to the 1960s.

It will once again be available for special events, including weddings and carnival balls. In addition, the Blue Room will once again offer Sunday brunch with local specialties, like mascarpone-stuffed French toast with house-made satsuma marmalade and boiled gulf shrimp. The Sazerac Bar again will serve its Sazerac cocktail and Ramos Gin Fizz — both invented in New Orleans and made popular by The Roosevelt — among other cocktails.

 
In addition, the bar will feature Art Deco-style murals by artist Paul Ninas. To book the Blue Room for events, contact Earl Lizana, director of catering, at 504-648-1200 or earl.lizana@hilton.com.

For general hotel information, call 504-648-1200 or visit www.therooseveltneworleans.com

Greektown Casino-Hotel officially opened its new 30-story, 400-room hotel tower Feb. 12. “We are excited and proud of the new hotel tower,” said Randall A. Fine, The Fine Point Group managing director and recently appointed (subject to regulatory approvals) CEO of Greektown Casino-Hotel.

“Greektown Casino-Hotel was a great property before this new addition, but now we have even more to offer our patrons, from luxurious accommodations to fine dining, and outstanding meeting and convention space.

This project not only adds a significant boost to the Detroit economy through the addition of some 300 new jobs, it has also supported the local construction industry as well as local artists and designers.

 The new hotel tower is all about positive growth for Greektown and for Detroit.”

With rates starting at $99, rooms offer views of downtown Detroit, the Detroit River and Canada. There are 29 two- and three-bedroom suites.

Rooms feature plasma televisions, high-speed wireless Internet, work stations with ergonomic desk chairs, iPod docking stations, mini-bars, in-room safe, coffee and tea maker, two-line speaker phones and beds with 300-thread-count sheets.

The hotel lobby boasts an immense hand-blown glass chandelier in the image of a torch flame.

A fireplace extends above the front desk, which is framed by a hanging staircase. Just off the lobby is a business/concierge center with computer access, continental breakfast and coffee, and staff. The hotel also offers a fitness center with workout machines and views.

For more information, call 877-GCH-5554 or visit www.greektowncasino.com

KOSRAE VILLAGE ECOLODGE & DIVE RESORT
CONTACT: KATRINA ADAMS
TEL: +691 370.3483
E-MAIL: katrina@kosraevillage.com
WEB: www.kosraevillage.com

KOSRAE, Micronesia—Kosrae, one of the Federated States of Micronesia, is a pristine island in the South Pacific, with a tropical rainforest jungle and surrounded by stunning coral reef. The island also has a long history – it has been populated for several thousand years and many of the ancient elements are still around today. It is an ecotourist’s dream, and Kosrae Village Ecolodge and Dive Resort is conveniently located so visitors can experience it all.

Little is known about why the first settlers came to Kosrae, but the ruins on the island demonstrate that they came a very long time ago – and allow visitors and archeologists to imagine a world very different from today’s modern lifestyle. Some of the most famous ruins in Micronesia, the Lelu ruins, were built around 1400 AD and consist of a series of walled compounds with paved streets. Lelu is said to have been the home of the royal family. But Lelu is not the only archeological wonder on Kosrae – hidden quietly in a river valley lies Menka, which oral history says was a religious site, and islanders often made the pilgrimage to honor Goddess Sinlaku. The Menka valley was only recently opened to visitors and there has yet to be any formal archaeological excavation of the site, so each visit offers the opportunity for a new discovery.

But history did not stop with ancient civilizations. In World War II, Kosrae was occupied by the Japanese, who also left behind artifacts of their stay. Bunkers and a radio station can be found near Malem, and the 1959 film “Up Periscope,” which features a very young James Garner as a Navy frogman sent to retrieve a Japanese codebook from an occupied island, is said to take place on Kosrae.

A drive around the island will reveal rusting tanks and other war remnants, but visiting the caves and tunnels up close is an active pursuit and require some hiking.

Visitors to the island who wish to explore the amazing ecosystems, culture and history of the island can relax and rejuvenate at Kosrae Village Ecolodge, which offers the “Kosrae Adventure” package for $936 per person (based on double occupancy) that includes six nights and seven days of island exploration, hikes to the ruins, kayaking in mangrove channels, and snorkeling or scuba diving one of the world’s last pristine reefs. Or, guests may choose to stay on a nightly basis, which starts at $119.

More information on packages is available at www.kosraevillage.com/packages.shtml

Kosrae Village Resort is the first and only ecolodge and dive resort in Kosrae, and was eco-friendly before it was the “in” thing. The resort was named a Top 50 Eco-Lodge and a World’s Best Eco-Outfitter of 2009 by National Geographic Adventure Magazine; awarded Islands Magazine’s Global Sustainable Tourism Award in December 2007 and was awarded the 2006 Project Aware Environmental Achievement Award.

For more information or to book a stay at the resort, contact Kosrae Village at +691 370.3483, via e-mail at kosraevillage@mail .fm or visit www.kosraevillage.com

The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is now open and is the fourth addition to a collection of Four Seasons resorts on the Indian Ocean, which includes properties in Mauritius and two in the Maldives.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles features 67 secluded villas and suites arranged high on stilts amongst the tropical canopy, overlooking the private, white sandy bay of Petite Anse (Little Cove). The resort is designed to showcase the island’s culture and Creole heritage.

The hilltop spa offers traditional Seychellois therapies and incorporates indigenous practices and ingredients. The Aldabra function room is located within the tropical jungle and the resort’s exclusive wedding venue,

Foumba (“old house” in Creole) is located within the atmospheric ruins of a traditional Creole house, open to the stars. Standard villa features include large infinity-edge plunge pool, open-air shower, glass-walled bathroom and expansive, private outdoor living space.

The resort also includes 28 Four Seasons Private Residences within its 170-acre expanse.

Other facilities include two restaurants and two lounge bars; an outdoor swimming area that combines four pools in one; a water sports pavilion offering snorkeling, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and boat tours;

a comprehensive fitness center; a jogging trail that circles the lagoon and weaves through the gardens; juice bar; hair salon; library; art gallery showcasing local art and sculpture; and an entertaining and educational program for children featuring “play and spray” pool, play area and Kids Club Kaz.

W Koh Samui Residences, a 17 luxury villa property on Koh Samui’s Maenam Beach, will be completed later this year. A joint venture between Amburaya Hotels & Resorts and Dubai-based Nakheel will feature three-, four- and five-bedroom configurations.

It is among the first W residential projects in Asia. Adjacent to W Koh Samui Retreat, owners have privileged and exclusive access to all hotel facilities and amenities, as well as receive a complete suite of complimentary W lifestyle benefits and services inspired by tropical Zen architecture. W Koh Samui Residences range from THB100 to 200 million, with some of the most exclusive villas already sold.

 The first villa show suite is scheduled to be complete by March 2009.

For more information, visit www.kohsamuiresidences.com  or www.amburaya.com

Hamilton Island announced the six-month countdown to the opening of two new experiences to add to last year’s addition of qualia (Australia’s newest luxury resort) — the Peter Thomson-designed 18-hole Hamilton Island Golf Course and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

The Hamilton Island Golf Course, scheduled for opening in mid-2009, is a par 71 course set on neighboring Dent Island and features panoramic views of the Whitsunday islands from all 18 holes. Designer Peter Thomson is a five-time British Open winner with more than 40 years of experience in golf course design. His partner, Ross Perrett, is a planner and landscape architect and has designed golf courses for more than 25 years.

The course is a five-minute boat ride from Hamilton Island.

The Hamilton Island owner, Bob Oatley, will also be opening the new, multi-million dollar Hamilton Island Yacht Club with 35 luxury villas, developed in partnership with yachtsman Iain Murray.

Gateway to the Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier Reef, the venue will offer facilities for corporate events and weddings, as well as a contemporary restaurant, alfresco bar and casual dining precinct open to guests and the public as well as member-only private dining room, wellness spa, and an indoor, heated pool. Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

Offering a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, bars, pools and shops, Hamilton Island is within a short, direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. Hamilton Island is on the same latitude in the southern hemisphere as Honolulu in the north with an average, year-round temperature of 81F.

For more information, visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Palau recently added three properties: the M&A Riverside Beach Bungalows, Abai Abai House and Sea Passion Hotel. Located in the Chol village of Ngaraard State, M&A Riverside Bungalows is a quiet retreat for those who want to surround themselves with nature. Accommodations feature bungalows that are single rooms with queen size bed, private bath, air-conditioning, private patio, refrigerator/minibar and other amenities. Masks and snorkels are available for rent and kayak tours can be booked for touring through a nearby river or on the shore along the beach.

For more information, call 680-824-1026 or email masingeo@yahoo.com

Abai Abai House is a furnished residential home designed for families or small groups traveling together. Accommodations feature two bedrooms with two beds, two bathrooms and living room as well as an entertainment center, kitchen, garage and outdoor lanai.

For more information, call 680-488-8988 or email kumiko@pleasureisland.me

The newly erected Sea Passion Hotel is situated within one of Koror’s many Rock Island lagoons.

Opened in December 2008, the Sea Passion Hotel offers 72 rooms with a restaurant and bar on premises.

This eco-friendly resort features the ultimate private white sand beach and a stunning lagoon enriched by coral reefs as well as mountain and ocean view rooms, full-service restaurant, evening entertainment, spa, ocean sport center and eco-activities like bird watching, snorkeling, plants and wild life.

For more information, call 680-488 0066, email resv@seapassionhotel.com or visit www.seapassionhotel.com .

Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands with about 20,000 inhabitants.

Consistently ranked as one of the world’s best dive destinations, Palau features the Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake. For more information, visit www.visit-palau.com

Set on Three Hectares of Balinese Gardens with Direct Beach Access,  Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali Sets New Standards for Affordable Accommodation

Bali will become the first location in Indonesia to have a Holiday Inn resort. On the “Island of the Gods,” the beachfront Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is named after Baruna, the Balinese God of the Ocean. Located on three hectares of beautifully terraced tropical gardens and set to open in March, this contemporary, Balinese-inspired resort features 195 guest rooms and suites along a perfect stretch of white sandy beach. The Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is the only hotel in the Tuban area to have a direct access to the beach. The resort is set to provide guests with what they expect from a modern, affordable, idyllic and relaxing resort accommodation.

Appealing to families and couples alike, Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is situated in the secluded enclave of Tuban, a 10-minute drive from the airport, and a short stroll to the vibrant shopping and entertainment area of Kuta. It is also only 30 minutes from Denpasar, Bali’s capital city, and 60 minutes from Ubud, Bali’s artistic centre.

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali will have several categories of rooms which include spectacular ocean-view rooms, garden rooms, family suites, kids’ suites and more. All the rooms will have 32” flat screen satellite TVs and seamless Internet access. The resort will also have a new selection of eateries including “The Beach” – the newest chill-out spot in the area which has a direct beach access with decks where guests can relax and enjoy stunning sunsets to music played by an in-house DJ.

A purpose-built spa, Tea Tree Spa, awaits guests along with a fitness centre, a kids’ club with extensive outdoor play area and many other new products and services that will reflect the resort’s policy to encourage their use by setting reasonable prices. The resort will be its own resort hub which will include a travel desk, mini mart, internet café and concierge.

There will also be a Departure Lounge which provides departing guests with a space to relax prior to their flight. The Departure Lounge offers showers, changing rooms, lockers, safe deposit boxes, a 32- inch plasma TV, refreshments, and reading materials.

“We are raising the bar and redefining the next generation of Holiday Inn Resorts serving the next generation of guests” said general manager Stéphane Varoquier. “A new self-confident generation guests are pushing the boundaries and our resort though its amenities will meet their needs. We provide a relaxing environment with affordable and modern facilities.”

General Manager Stéphane Varoquier has spent the last nine years as IHG Regional Director, Hotel Finance & Business Support, Southern Asia & Korea. His team includes Fiona Redman, Executive Assistant Manager (EAM) for Food and Beverage and Mayoshi Diah, Director of Sales and Marketing who was previously Director of Sales for eight years at InterContinental Jakarta Midplaza.

The opening of Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali signifies IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group)’s commitment to growing its brands in Indonesia. IHG has five other properties in Indonesia – InterContinental Jakarta Midplaza, InterContinental Bali Resort, Crowne Plaza Jakarta, Holiday Inn Bandung and Holiday Inn Batam.

West Virginia Tourism offers a brochure for Civil War enthusiasts following the Civil War Discovery Trail to highlight West Virginia’s importance in American history.

The Civil War Heritage brochure details major events and historic sites related to the Civil War and highlights the formation of the State in 1863, featuring the roles of President Lincoln, Major “Stonewall” Jackson and John Brown.

Twenty-five civil war sites in West Virginia are mentioned and include Camp Allegheny, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, Fort Mill Ridge and Jefferson County Courthouse. Thirteen Civil War cemeteries are included and marked on the state map.

The sites offer visitors an intriguing insight into history inviting them to explore battlefields, historic homes, railroad stations, cemeteries, parks and other destinations that bring history to life. They range from General McClellan’s Headquarters, now the birthplace of the founder of Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, to the quaint town of Lewisburg Historic District which has a Confederate cemetery, a library that was used as a hospital still displaying graffiti on the walls, and a church with a cannonball hole! Visitors can join a National Park Service tour in Harpers Ferry and hear the fascinating summary of the town’s strategic role in the war which has now been restored to the era where brick sidewalks lead to quaint shops and restaurants or check out the Jefferson County Courthouse which was the site for the famous trial of John Brown in 1859, or see him in the John Brown Wax Museum.

The Civil War Discovery Trail, an initiative of the Civil War Preservation Trust, links more than 500 sites in 28 states to inspire the story of the Civil War and its impact on America.

Long ago the sun deck eclipsed the captain’s table as the most sought after place on a cruise ship and where competition for space could be fierce. However a sea change is happening to cruise ship pool areas. The simplistic “one deck, one pool” mindset of the 90′s, with its chair hogs and crowded, rowdy pools, has given way to modern multi-pool complexes and water parks. Now there are private cabanas to be rented, solariums, thalassotherapy pools, adults-only pools, whirlpools, waterslides and even wave machines. Where once entertainment was limited to shuffleboard or deck quoits, sun decks now feature entire sports decks with rock-climbing walls, paddle tennis courts, life-size chess games, mini-golf and even onboard surfing.

Leading online cruise review and news site CruiseCritic.co.uk has compiled its list of the best cruise ship sundecks for 2009.

1. Celebrity Solstice: The newest ship in Celebrity’s fleet features a top-of-ship Lawn Club which is carpeted with actual living grass. Guests can soak up the sun while playing bocce ball on two courts, putting golf balls or picnicking on the grass. Pool areas offer butlers and there are secluded areas for massages and topless sunbathing.

2. Ocean Village (and Ocean Village 2): The ultra-casual line prides itself on giving British passengers a relaxed time at sea. Both ships have two pools on the top deck — one a family pool and the other an adults-only pool. Hot tubs are also available for a quick dip.

3. Norwegian Gem: The sundeck on this latest addition to the NCL fleet offers amazing activities such as rock-climbing walls and waterslides. Certain pools are designated adults-only and kids-only. And, as part of NCL’s fleetwide Freestyle 2.0 program, onboard staff now bring sunbathers chilled towels and spritz them with Evian misters on hot days.

4. Grand Princess: Princess’ flagship (soon to offer ex-U.K. sailings from Southampton) offers both the Calypso Reef and Neptune’s Reef areas midship which feature large pools, hot tubs, bars with plenty of poolside action, entertainment and dining options. But it is the new concept of The Sanctuary, an adults-only haven with pampering services and at-your-deck-chair drink and snack delivery which puts it on our Top 10.

5. Fantasia: Deck 14 on board MSC’s newest cruise ship – which it describes as “the most beautiful ship in the world” – features ‘I Tropici’ (which translates as ‘The Tropics’) with a magrodome – a retractable roof that covers the area so it can be enjoyed even in inclement weather. The 820 meter pool also turns into an Aquagym and features adult water aerobic classes.

6. Balmoral: A recent refurbishment on this Fred. Olsen ship has added a completely new main pool on Deck 11, so the ship now has two pool decks — the original on Deck 7 and the new top-of-ship area. The top-deck pool, with its beautiful tiling, is one of the most attractive at sea and ideal for hard core sun worshippers.

7. Independence of the Seas: This Royal Caribbean super ship (which is based in Southampton during the summer months) features the Sports Pool midship for those cruisers looking for activities. The most daring passengers can try their surfing skills at the FlowRider, a surf simulator, in the far aft area or the rock-climbing walls. Kids can also splash about and enjoy the fantastic H20 water park.

8. Ventura: P&O Cruises launched Ventura in 2008 and it is the largest cruise ship ever built for the British market with three pool areas. We like The Beachcomber, which has a sky dome so passengers can use the deck and pool in all weather. This “main” pool also features hot tubs, bars, silly pool games, musical entertainment and dining options such as Marco’s Pizzeria.

9. Crystal Serenity‘s luxury teak sun deck is furnished with comfortable, padded lounges with as many fluffy pool towels as you’d like. The relaxing pool and Jacuzzis are rarely crowded and the poolside buffets are some of the best around. Plus, Crystal gives a nod to its active guests with paddle tennis courts, shuffleboard, golf driving nets, a putting green and ping-pong tables.

10. Disney Magic: The Disney Cruise Line ’s pool areas (including one shaped like Mickey’s head) are great for kids, naturally, but also stylish enough for adults. The three quite distinctive pool areas — which all occupy the same deck — are targeted at specific demographics. The Mickey Pool is for young kids (it’s got a waterslide); the Goofy Pool, in the centre, is for all ages (and is the site for the major musical entertainment); and the Quiet Cove is for adults only. The entertainment at the Goofy Pool is exuberant and fun — expect to meet up with icons Mickey and Minnie Mouse and, of course, Goofy himself.

For a CruiseCritic.co.uk’s full review of sundecks and comments on emerging trends for 2009 go to http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=189

Said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief at www.cruisecritic.co.uk : “This list represents not only the best of what’s on offer on today’s cruise ships, it also demonstrates how much the sun deck has progressed from a humble collection of deck chairs on the stern deck to a fully integrated leisure and relaxation environment with a wide array of entertainment.”

About CruiseCritic.co.uk
Launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet. It is an interactive, online cruise guide, providing ship reviews and editorially driven cruise-related features, as well as an active community where travellers can share opinions and experiences. Over the past five years, traffic on CruiseCritic.com has grown 350 percent; the site currently attracts more than five million visitors per year.