Jetsettersblog

Expanding Luxury Hotel Group Pioneers

Delhi’s Growing Satellite Business/Shopping Area

Mumbai, INDIA – One of India’s finest luxury hotel groups, The Leela Hotels, Palaces & Resorts recently marked the soft opening of its first property in northern India. Part of an upscale, mixed-use development in New Delhi’s newest satellite business and shopping district, The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi (N.C.R.) has 322 luxuriously-appointed guest rooms and suites and will soon open 90 one-, two- and three-bedroom Residences.

A showcase of Indian contemporary art matched with all the latest advanced technology, the property has four restaurants – one boasting six open kitchens – serving Indian, Italian and international cuisine, a 20,000-square-foot spa offering Ayurvedic treatments, a state-of-the art fitness center with yoga and aerobic studios, a large heated outdoor pool, 26,900 square feet of banquet and meeting space, a Cigar Lounge and a 24-hour business center. Curator Rajeev Sethi has filled The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon with striking sculptures, modern photography and paintings by contemporary Indian and international artists under the theme “evolution.”

A 15-minute drive from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and just over the Delhi-Gurgaon border on the edge of the Rajokri green belt, the hotel adjoins a luxury shopping and entertainment center, the largest in India. Nearby are business parks with tenants such as General Electric, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Siemans and American Express. Leela’s first managed property is the only one in the region offering comprehensive solutions for today’s luxury living.

The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon was designed by the internationally-acclaimed Hirsch Bedner & Associates in a modern minimalist style. The expansive rooms (484 to 559 square feet) and huge suites (818 to 3,616 square feet for the Presidential Suite) have LCD televisions with Blue Ray players, Bose iPod docks, high-speed Internet with 6mbps, Wi-Fi, IP phones and advanced security systems. King and twin beds come equipped with ergonomic mattresses, the marble baths are outfitted with large soaking tubs and rain showers and some rooms have terraces. The Royal Club offers its guests a private lounge and personalized butler service on two floors.

Commenting on the management collaboration, Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, chairman, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “It is a momentous occasion for us to have the first Leela hotel in north India. Our management alliance with Ambience Group, headed by the well-known Raj Singh Gehlot has been an important milestone in the group’s expansion plan. At The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi (N.C.R.) our patrons and guests will experience the same distinguished hospitality as experienced in other Leela hotels.”

The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts has an ambitious expansion under way. With five properties operational, three more hotels opening this year and next, and plans for three more, The Leela aims to be a major force in the Indian hospitality industry with a presence in the country’s major resort and business destinations.

At the opening, Raj Singh Gehlot, chairman, Ambience Group said, “we are delighted to join hands with The Leela and to bring the experience of the foremost Indian hotel group to the city of Gurgaon. The hotel is among several other key luxury projects at Ambience Island. The addition of The Leela Kempinski is an integral part of this mixed-use complex, qualifying the Ambience Island as a luxury destination for residents, visitors and guests.”

About The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. operates The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Kovalam (Kerala), Gurgaon and soon Udaipur. Located in key business and leisure destinations, and charting a pan India presence in the near future, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts are a blend of aesthetic sensibility, modern amenities and truly reflect the essence of India. New hotels will soon open in Chennai (2010) and New Delhi (2010); with future plans to develop hotels in Agra, Hyderabad and Pune. The group has marketing alliances with Germany based Kempinski (Hoteliers since 1897); US based Preferred Hotel Group and are members of Global Hotel Alliance based in Geneva, Switzerland.

For further information, please visit www.theleela.com

Warm Weather, Hot Rides and a Blistering Deal

Extend your summer on the Gold Coast this winter and dip your toes into the best blistering deal around. Buy any 2-Day World Pass and get hopping between Dreamworld and WhiteWater World as many times as you like and we’ll give you 12 extra days free. That’s 14 days of fun for less than the price of a movie ticket each day.

Best yet, we’ve got waves on tap and the only sign of a cyclone is the heart-thumping high-speed rollercoaster that thunders through both parks.

The 2 Day World Pass offers double the thrills and double the fun in one convenient location and is available between April 1 and August 31, 2009 for adults at AUD$102.00, children (4 to 13 inclusive)/pensioners at AUD$68.00 and Families & Friends (2 adults + 2 children) at AUD$306.00.

Get drenched on the maddest water slides at WhiteWater World and then hop next door in your boardies and get dry on the legendary Big 6 Thrill Rides at Dreamworld. Hang with your favourite TV characters at Nick Central or pay $10 more and put yourself in the driver’s seat of the all-new V8 Supercars REDLINE experience. The entire family will warm up with wild encounters at the Australian Wildlife Experience, Tiger Island and Wiggles Bay.

The 2 Day World Pass Unlimited Offer is valid between now and August 31, 2009. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dreamworld.com.au at the main entry gate or through your local travel agent or ticket reseller!

• Buy any 2 Day World Pass and get 14 days unlimited access to both Dreamworld and WhiteWater World. Offer valid from April 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009

• Adults: AUD$102, Children (4 – 13 years inclusive) and Pensioners AUD$68.00

• 2 Day Family & Friends World Pass is valid for any 2 Adults + any 2 Children for AUD$306.00
Terms and Conditions Apply

• 2 Day World Pass entitles bearer to a flexible entry to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World for up to 14 days from the initial visit and is valid between April 1 and August 31, 2009

• Return visits can only be utilised by one individual for all 14 days. A return pass will be issued and must be signed upon initial entry and for all subsequent visits by the initial holder.

• Photo ID of another form of ID may be required to verify signature.

• Return pass is non-refundable, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash and valid for entry to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World only.

Any fraudulent use will result in the return pass being forfeited immediately. Any pass stolen or lost will not be replaced.

After $30 million in enhancements, the long-awaited opening of Couples Tower Isle has finally arrived.

On April 12, 2009, the property, formerly known as Couples Ocho Rios, was officially unveiled.

The new 226-room Couples Tower Isle property raises the bar on luxury and romance with new additions including ocean-view suites with zero-edge walk-in showers; spa with 10 treatment rooms; renovations to the main lobby and historic piano bar, as well as the Terrace, Verandah and 8 Rivers restaurants;

wedding gazebo; vegetable and juice bar and pool grill; updated swimming pool with new water feature; pool with swim-up bar and adjoining dive pool; upgraded gym and aerobics room; photo and gift shops; renovated game room; and floating dock at the resorts’ very own private island.

For more information, call 800-COUPLES or visit www.couples.com

California High-Speed Rail Authority officials have confirmed that the balance of its funding for the 2008-2009 fiscal year has been made available by the state treasurer’s office.

The state’s High-Speed Rail Finance Committee approved the authority’s $29.1 million bond loan request in January, but processing was stalled due to the state’s Pooled Money Investment Board’s decision to freeze disbursements for this and other projects until the successful sale of General Obligation bonds on March 25.

Following the successful sale of the bonds, the state treasurer’s office notified the High-Speed Rail Authority and confirmed at a meeting of the Pooled Money Investment Board that it had issued $29.1 million in commercial paper (short-term loans) to meet the remainder of the authority’s 2008-2009 funding authorization.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is responsible for building high-speed train service covering 800 miles at speeds up to 220 miles per hour. By linking all major cities in California with a new transportation option, California’s high-speed train system will increase mobility while cutting air pollution and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Building the high-speed train system will cost less than half the cost of freeway and aviation alternatives.

Operating the system will create an annual surplus of over $1 billion.

For more information, call 916-324-1541 or visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta announced the city’s first-ever integrated marketing and communications campaign to promote gay travel to New York City, a yearlong initiative to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Through an international and domestic print, outdoor, web, and communications campaign, the Rainbow Pilgrimage will showcase New York City’s vibrancy while highlighting its reputation as a gay- and lesbian-friendly travel destination.

It will emphasize a visit to the destination as a “rite of passage” for the gay and lesbian traveler.

In addition, through a relationship with Travelocity, Rainbow Pilgrimage travel packages, bookable at www.nycgo.com/gay, will be available for the LGBT community to book trips to New York City throughout the year. The announcement took place at NYC & Company’s Official NYC Information Center in Midtown Manhattan.

“New York City is the birthplace of the gay rights movement, and has long attracted LGBT visitors from around the world,” said Quinn.

“As we mark the 40th anniversary of Stonewall this year, there’s even more reason to come celebrate the history of the LGBT community. We’re proud to be working with NYC & Company to launch the Rainbow Pilgrimage campaign, which will help connect visitors with great events, transportation, and LGBT-friendly businesses around the city.”

“New York City is an iconic destination for the gay and lesbian visitor,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “We are eager to invite and welcome even more gay travelers to visit New York City in 2009 not only to celebrate the historical significance of the Stonewall Riots anniversary, but also to take in all the energy, beauty and vibrancy our great City has to offer.”

NYC & Company will launch Rainbow Pilgrimage advertising that will generate more than 300 million impressions in key markets. Digital banner messaging will commence April 13 in markets such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States asking travelers to “Join the Rainbow Pilgrimage and Plan Your Journey.” Outdoor ads will also appear beginning later this month through June in two key international markets, the United Kingdom, the city’s number-one international market, and Spain. A Rainbow Pilgrimage print ad will also appear in the June/July issue of Out magazine, a leading U.S. gay publication, and outdoor media (bus shelters and street banners) will appear throughout New York City to further promote the new gay initiative. All of the media elements are worth $1.9 million in value.

To help more gay travelers more easily plan their future visit to New York City, www.nycgo.com/gay , a new web microsite, featuring original editorial content and a comprehensive five-borough LGBT Calendar of Events, also was unveiled yesterday. Additional elements of the new site include listings of must-see gay landmarks in New York City and gay-friendly spring cultural highlights. A cornerstone event of the year will be the NYC Pride celebration, taking place June 20-28. The annual celebration marks the June 27 anniversary date of the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

Also featured on www.nycgo.com/gay is the trailer of the “Out in the City” documentary, co-produced by NYC & Company and documentary filmmaker George Hickenlooper. The 30-minute documentary, which premiered on LOGO on Jan. 16, celebrates the City’s LGBT heritage, and features individuals sharing their personal experiences and background history on the LGBT community in New York City while showcasing some of the unique and exciting things to see and do in the City. Individuals appearing include both members and friends of the LGBT community, including Isaac Mizrahi, Cynthia Rowley, Murray Hill, Kate Clinton, Florent and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. It will air again on LOGO on May 2 and 3. In addition to domestic travel packages, bookable on nycgo.com/gay through Travelocity, lastminute.com will power packages for travelers from the UK, as will Viva Tours, for travelers from Spain. New York City is the most-visited U.S. destination for gay leisure travel, capturing a 24 percent share, according to San Francisco-based Community Marketing, Inc. The City is also the number-one destination for gay and lesbian business travel, making it the primary destination for the LGBT community in the U.S. For more information, visit www.nycgo.com/gay

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Mubadala Development Company are pleased to announce that they have executed agreements for Rosewood to manage a new luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates currently being developed by Mubadala.

Opening in early 2012, Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be located on Sowwah Island, the core of Abu Dhabi’s new Central Business District between the prestigious commercial development Sowwah Square and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be a landmark five-star high-rise hotel and residences with extensive amenities featuring a variety of signature restaurants that will highlight global cuisine and all day dining offerings. The hotel will also feature Sense, A Rosewood Spa, an 18,000+-square-foot beauty, wellness and fitness retreat.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be the fourth Middle East property managed by Rosewood, the others include Al Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al Khozama in Riyadh and Rosewood Corniche in Jeddah.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi will offer 190 spacious guest rooms and suites. The iconic tower will also include 140 serviced residences, all with access to Rosewood’s world-class service. The inspiration for the Handel Architects-designed tower comes from the glistening Arabian Gulf and the vast desert that surrounds Abu Dhabi city. The 34-story tower will be a dramatic modern structure covered with reflective glass which was chosen for its daytime shimmer and its nighttime luminescence. The curvilinear architecture of the 470-foot-tall building is designed to suggest movement in this vibrant city, and the inspiration for the interiors of the hotel comes from the meeting of land and sea, desert and sky.

The hotel complex will offer restaurants, superb shopping and stunning views of the water.

As with every Rosewood hotel, Rosewood Abu Dhabi will encompass A Sense of Place®, the philosophy of having each property reflect the culture, history and geography of the city in which it exists.

Sowwah Island, Mubadala’s premier commercial real estate development, will feature more than six million square feet of office, hotel and retail amenities. Sowwah Island will be home to the distinctive new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange which will be surrounded by four high rise office towers, totaling more than three million square feet of dedicated office space.

There will be several other residential communities on Sowwah Island perfectly situated to take advantage of the island’s amenities and attractions. Sowwah Island will emerge as the commercial and financial heart of Abu Dhabi and the region by providing a sophisticated environment for leading local, regional and international companies.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi will redefine luxury in the city. The hotel’s interiors, designed by the award-winning firm BBG-BBGM, will warmly welcome guests in the lobby which will be bordered on one side with a flowing water feature and on the other with a dramatic wall of art to draw guests into the space with warm tones, clean lines and sleek materials. The sophisticated design is juxtaposed with comfortable furnishings and flowing fabrics in warm colours reminiscent of a local souk. Throughout the hotel, traditional Middle Eastern textiles and details are complimented with modern lines and sleek architectural elements. The hotel design is a study in contrasts and will set the standard for luxury design in Abu Dhabi.

www.rosewoodhotels.com

Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts International (“RHI”) has established its presence in India with the appointment of the Executive Team for its subsidiary Rendezvous India Hospitality Private Limited (“Rendezvous India”) and has opened its corporate office in Chennai, India.

Mr Patrick Sheehan, a long standing member of the Rendezvous executive team has been appointed as Chief Executive, India. Patrick joins Rendezvous India after leading the Australian and New Zealand business for RHI which consists of 12 hotels in that region. Mr Prem Joseph has also joined the Rendezvous India team as Vice President Development, India. Prem has previously worked with the Oberoi Group of Hotels, Leela Palaces and Resorts, and Taj Group of Hotels.

RHI, under its brands Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts and Marque Hotels, manages iconic properties in sought after destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore and will soon open further hotels in those areas as well as in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Rendezvous India has a goal of establishing a collection of up-market hotels throughout India and in the last few months the Company has gained significant interest from hotel owners keen to explore a partnership with the Company. Supported by their joint venture partner, XS Real Properties (“XS Real”), a prominent property development company in India since 1995, Rendezvous India aims to be a significant portion of RHI’s future growth in the region.

On the day of Rendezvous India’s second Board of Directors’ meeting, Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts International, Chief Executive Mr Alan Featherby, was very up-beat about the opportunities for RHI in the region. “We have been working on establishing this joint venture for some time and it is exciting to see it take shape. India continues to grow in spite of the global economic difficulties and we intend to ensure that RHI develops a collection of excellent properties in the region. With Pat Sheehan leading Rendezvous India and the support of our partners XS Real, I am convinced that we will be successful”.

Mr S.G Prabhakharan, Vice Chairman, XS Real Properties indicated that through its local knowledge XS Real has already been able to introduce Rendezvous India to several owners of hotel properties. “These owners have received Rendezvous India’s presentations very positively and have commented about their professionalism and capabilities”. The market conditions have led to pressure on hotel occupancies and consequently many hotel owners to investigate alternatives to their current management structures.

“I am proud to be appointed as Chief Executive of such a dynamic regional company” said Patrick Sheehan, Chief Executive, Rendezvous India Hospitality Private Limited. “It is challenging to establish a new entity however we have a very experienced and dedicated team that is up to the job. Rendezvous India presents a real alternative to many independent Indian hotels and small groups that lack the sales and marketing reach and operational processes that Rendezvous India offers.

RHI’s sales network and representation at all major international and regional trade shows and events, ensures access to significant leisure and corporate accommodation programs. Via its partners, they also offer connectivity to more than 600,000 travel agents worldwide, with seamless display to Global Distribution Systems, plus online booking with all of the global and regional online travel sites, as well as
www.rendezvoushotels.com   or www.marquehotels.com

Tuscany The Heart of Italy

Sweeping Grandeur … Intimate Mystery
A holiday in a hillside home in a quaint little town is your chance to truly live in Tuscany, to get to know the people and their traditions, to experience the richness of the region.

The fresh air, the vineyards, olive groves and winding roads through many small communities where the landscape has changed little in the five centuries since the Borgias summered here.

A Breathtaking View

The Tuscan landscape can be panoramic and inspiring, with vineyards, olive groves, fig trees, hilltop towns in the distance… Or it can be intimate and mysterious, with old farmhouses, churches and palazzos, maybe a Roman, or even Etruscan, ruin…

You’ll feel a part of the landscape as you dine al fresco. The cuisine is fragrant and flavorful, made with impeccably fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown locally and purchased earlier in the day at the farmer’s market.

The local wines are glorious. Classics from Chianti, robust Brunellos from Montalcino, luscious Nobiles from Montepulciano, and the Super Tuscans, such as the Bolgheri Sassicaia.

Sunday afternoon, visit the piazza and take part in the traditional passegiata. Watch the square transform as people of all ages stroll and socialize. You’ll find the Tuscan people welcoming and generous, with a genuine desire to introduce you to the things they love.

Everything is within easy distance

When you’re ready to explore you’ll find all the riches of Tuscany are no more than a day trip away.

Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany, is a panoply of culture and commerce, history and modern Italian style, Tuscan charm and European sophistication. The choices for sightseeing are many so be sure to ask for an itinerary that lets you experience the city at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

For sun and sea with a cosmopolitan flair, visit Forte de Marni and Porto Santo Stefano on Tuscany’s coast. If you prefer a more rugged terrain, explore the unspoiled wilderness of the Apennine Mountains. Travel to Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca, Siena. And of course you’ll visit the old villages that dot the landscape, including the ones high atop the hills, where they’ve perched safely for centuries.

Shop, Sightsee & Relax

Tuscany is the marketplace for some of the world’s best leather goods, silks and other textiles, antiques and religious art. Italian designers such as Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada and Armani have boutiques in Tuscany — there are fabulous designer outlet stores, too. Antiques fairs and music festivals are held in Tuscany throughout the summer.

And in the evenings, enjoy a leisurely meal prepared with care and perfection. You might consider a wine tasting, adding a sommelier to guide you and your guests through the local vintages. Or go out for the evening to enjoy one of the many classical and traditional concerts, operas and theatrical performances you’ll find even in the small Tuscan towns.

Everyone Thrives in Tuscany

Tuscany is an ideal setting for a multi-generation family holiday. Small children enjoy the simple pleasures of playing outdoors in a natural environment. Older children enjoy seeing history come to life as they encounter Renaissance palaces and relics from ancient empires. Teenagers make new friends quickly in the convivial atmosphere of the piazza. And while there are many walking and biking paths, everything is accessible by car or train, so no one need be left out of the fun.

Tuscany villa rentals from Homebase Abroad

Homebase Abroad have an extensive Portfolio of Tuscan luxury rental villas. Visit www.homebaseabroad.com.au to view villas in Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como and Umbria.

Inconjuntion with Homebase Abroad, Latitude Vacations are offering Villa and Car packages. Prices start from $1,516pp for 1 week at Villa La Torre, based on 14 people sharing 7 bedrooms and 1 weeks car rental BMW 3 series with air-conditioning for all bookings between June & September 2009. Latitude Vacations can also team packages with return Business or Economy class airfares x/ Australia.

Angsana Velavaru, located in the pristine South Nilandhe Atoll is set to unveil new standards in resort living. In July 2009, it will launch the first standalone collection of water villas in the Maldives that is not on an island.

This exclusive cluster of 34 InOcean Villas, together with a dedicated Italian restaurant and bar, is located one kilometre away from the island of Velavaru. A first in the Maldives, the “floating resort” is perched in the middle of the Indian Ocean, creating a unique castaway experience where guests never need to venture far from their retreat to enjoy the Maldives. Introductory rates start from USD 750++ per night per villa, inclusive of daily breakfast for two.

Arrive in Style

Angsana Velavaru is accessible via either a scenic 40-minute seaplane journey or a leisurely eight-hour cruise onboard a Turkish Gulet originating at Malé island. Upon disembarking, a quick speedboat ride will bring guests to the dedicated jetty serving the InOcean Villas, where they will be warmly welcomed by the resort hosts. Meanwhile, colourful reef fish dart underneath the boardwalk connecting the jetty and reception area to the InOcean Villas.

A Series of Pleasurable Discoveries Await

Ranging in size from 175 square metres to 290 square metres, each of the spacious 20 InOcean Villas, 11 Premier InOcean Villas and three Sanctuary InOcean Villas offers guests an intimate oasis for blissful enjoyment and unparalleled solitude.

Upon entry, guests will be greeted by a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean through the sliding glass doors along the living, sleeping and bath areas. Reminiscent of stylish city lofts and accented with contemporary coral designs, each two-storey villa comes with a spacious outdoor deck, an infinity pool of at least 21 square metres, and a hammock suspended over water. The Premier InOcean Villas and two-bedroom Sanctuary InOcean Villas also feature an extended deck into the ocean, complete with a cosy pavilion for leisure lounging or yoga practice.

On the upper deck, guests can bask in the warm sunshine on the sun beds or take shelter and read a book in a plush sofa lounger. For further relaxation, indulge in some pampering Asian-inspired massages deftly delivered by the resort’s skilled Angsana Spa therapists. In the evening, wine and dine under the stars or indulge in hearty Maldivian curries as the sun dips into the horizon.

Modern amenities to complement this resort chic lifestyle include a flat screen TV, stereo system with iPod docking station, a full-sized bath tub, and wireless Internet connection. Considerate touches include two sets of snorkelling gear placed in the villa for marine exploration whenever desired, as guests are mere steps from the clear lagoon waters and its colourful inhabitants.

Guests who wish to take meals outside of the villa may walk over to Azzurro, the gourmet Italian restaurant and bar located towards one end of the InOcean Villa cluster. Aside from delectable Italian classics, Azzurro will offer an extensive international wine selection showcased in floor-to-ceiling wine racks.

A Unique Two-In-One Proposition

Guests staying at the InOcean Villas also enjoy complete access to the facilities and services available at Velavaru island where there are 79 beachfront villas. Whenever desired, guests have the option to retreat to the discreet privacy of the InOcean Villas or enjoy the convenience of full resort services and amenities at the main resort.

At Angsana Velavaru, the facilities and services on the island include:

• Eclectic dining options at Funa and Kaani restaurants, and exotic cocktails at Kuredhi Bar
• Chef’s culinary classes
• Angsana Spa treatments in an outdoor spa pavilion or air-conditioned treatment room
• Kids’ Club – open from 10am to 8pm
• A dedicated Marine Lab which organises hands-on eco activities like coral planting, reef cleaning, and marine biology class
• Water sports like diving, guided snorkeling safari, wakeboarding
• A selection of local crafts and spa amenities at Angsana Gallery

For reservations and enquiries, please contact Angsana Velavaru at +960 676 0028 or email reservations-velavaru@angsana.com  One-stop reservations at the best rates can be made online at www.angsana.com 

About Angsana Velavaru

Known also as ‘Turtle Island’ in the local Dhivehi language, Angsana Velavaru is feted for its turquoise lagoon and spacious pool villas, being one of the few resorts in the secluded southern reaches of the Maldives. The resort is a scenic 40-minute seaplane journey from Malé island, and provides guests with a back-to-nature experience complemented with a wide range of activities for friends, loved ones and the whole family.

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Cocotinos Dive Resort – Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia *Group Special 5 Paid /1 Free + comm
A small beach resort in picturesque Wori Bay, North Sulawesi is a dynamic new beach resort, Cocotinos in the heart of Kima Bajo, a fishing village, overlooking Bunaken National Marine Park.

Atlantis Resort – Philippines – SUMMER SPECIAL

20% com for group travel + Group Special 9 Paid/1 free or 14 Paid /2 free *travel June -Sept 1st, 09 & 2010

Built by divers for divers, It is often quoted that Atlantis Resorts are not only the most outstanding dive resorts in the Philippines but possibly anywhere in the world.

Kasawari Lembeh Resort (Lembeh, Indonesia) * Group Special 3 Paid/1 Free + comm *Specific travel dates only

Kasawari Lembeh Resort, only one-and-a-half hours from Manado Airport, is located right in the center of the Lembeh Strait, giving visitors easy access to most dive sites in the area within minutes, whether for muck, reef or wreck diving.

Maratua Paradise Resort (Indonesia Borneo) *Group Special 5 Paid / 1 Free + comm

Just off the coast of Kalimantan, there lies the chain of atolls and islands that offer some of the best diving to be found throughout South East Asia. Unique Offerings: the Island of Sangalagi, Derawan Kakaban and Maratua archipelago.

Casa del Mar (Cozumel) Group Special 10 Paid / 2 Free + Comm & bonus’s Hotel Casa del Mar is a charming Mexican Hideaway facing the magnificent Caribbean Sea. The property is surrounded by beautiful and exotic garden area with a Mexican town feeling.

Borneo Divers Mabul Resort – Malaysia – Sipadan & Mabul *15% comm + Group comps

Offering a variety of diverse ecosystems it is no wonder Diving at Sipadan & Mabul is rated as amongst the best in the world with good reason. Sipadan’s vertical topography and abundant marine life make it one of the world’s most desired destinations.

Mango Inn (Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras) – *LOW SEASON SPECIAL 10 Paid / 2 Free or 7 Paid / 1 Free + 15% comm + Bonus’s

This charming small resort is based in Utila, the smallest and least visited of the Bay Islands of Honduras.

Divi Flamingo ? Bonaire *Free room upgrade and Free daily 3rd boat dive with purchase of 2 tank package. 10 Paid / Free + comm & free room upgrade & dive upgrade Colorful & charming, the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino mirrors the underwater rainbow of Bonaire?s marine life. Bright sunshine, hues of pink and ocean blue greet guests at the Divi that defines itself by relaxation and world-class scuba diving.

The Nautilus Explorer Giant Mantas & Doliphins of Socorro Island & the Great Whites of Guadalupe – 15 % comm & Group Special 10 Paid / 1 free Luxury liveaboard scuba diving expeditions from Alaska to Mexico and beyond. Join us to cage dive with great white sharks at Guadalupe Island. Or get closer than you ever imagined to the giant manta rays, dolphins, sharks or even humpback whales of Socorro/Revillagigedo Islands
Turquoise Bay Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras – Group Special 10 Paid / 1 Free + comm + free nitrox & $50pp Resort Credit

Roatan is the up and coming island in the Caribbean. Still years away from the huge hotel chains, guests are able to enjoy the Caribbean as it once was and should be.

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