Jetsettersblog

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is Australia’s most sustainable tourism attraction, as recognised at the Australian Tourism Awards.

Skyrail Managing Director Dr Ken Chapman, said: “Skyrail is excited and honoured to receive the inaugural Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism”.

“Australia is internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations; to be named the nation’s best, sustainable attraction is an honour not only for our operation, but the entire Tropical North Queensland region,” he said.

“Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is home to two natural World Heritage listed wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforests, and the operators of our region are some of the most sustainable in the country.”

“We are proud to present the Wet Tropics Rainforests of Queensland to our visitors, allowing them to experience and learn more about these ancient forests, on boardwalks and at the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, without impacting on them.”

“Providing a sustainable rainforest experience was the fundamental principle behind the concept of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway when it was first mooted back in 1987. Today, it continues to drive all areas of operation.”

The Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism is a new award, introduced at the state level last year.

Open to tourism operators who exemplify a strong commitment to sustainable and innovative business practices, the award was designed to:

 Recognise and reward tourism businesses that implement the principles of sustainable tourism;

 Inspire other tourism businesses to adopt new sustainable practices;

 Acknowledge tourism businesses that provide a unique travel experience and inspire visitors to promote Australia as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.

As well as receiving the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, Skyrail:

 Was the first tourist attraction in Australia to receive ISO 14001 for its Environmental Management System;

 Achieved Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation from inception;

 Is the only company in Australia to have Green Globe Gold Certification;

 Was the first Australian attraction to win the British Airways “Tourism for Tomorrow” International Environment Award.

Skyrail’s commitment ensures visitors today and tomorrow can enjoy, appreciate and learn about the beauty and culture of the Wet Tropics Rainforests of Tropical North Queensland.

Making its debut in the heart of Shanghai is the city’s first urban resort, The PuLi Hotel and Spa (The PuLi). Managed by Urban Resort Concepts (URC), a Hong Kong based hotel management company, the superb location and unique concept of the hotel forms the basic foundation and vital ingredients towards the success of this luxury urban resort.

Not only does The PuLi benefit from its prime location by NanJing West Road in Jing’an District, it is part of the ambitious mixed-use development project,

Park Place. Developed and operated by Shanghai Cross Ocean Property Development Ltd, Park Place comprises of an international Grade-A office tower, a high-end retail and dining complex, as well as The PuLi.

The concept of “absolute lifestyle” begins at Park Place. With a tranquil Jing’an Park teemed with greenery, this multi-use development boasts the finest natural eco-environment and allows tenants to experience natural comfort and convenience for work, play and life.

Accessibility is a concern for everyone, especially in a bustling metropolis like Shanghai. Park Place provides that solution through its myriad of transportation choices for all tenants and guests with its premium location.

The PuLi’s unique concept is the brainchild of Urban Resort Concepts, founded by seasoned veterans in the hospitality industry, who believe that the running of a luxury hotel is as much an artisan craft as it is a business.

URC’s cohesive management structure embraces the homogenous integration of hotel development know-how and the appreciation of local context, paired with extensive global luxury hotel management expertise to ensure the delivery of a physical and service product previously unseen in Shanghai and beyond.

“Owners who may be looking for an alternative to tying up with multi-tiered and conventional management companies can turn to us to manage their properties, safe in the knowledge that their vision will be listened to.

This leads to a greater degree of trust between all parties,” says Markus Engel, Director and co-founder of URC.

The guest experience at a URC hotel is one that dispenses of the accoutrements of the generic product elements commonly found in conventional luxury hotels. Replaced with contemporary ingredients that exude a sense of understated luxury and elegance, this creates a blend between a contemporary urban space and its state-of-the-art amenities with soothing subtleties and accents of a resort.

“The result is an unparalleled spatial and guest experience, inspiring a personal satisfaction in our guests of knowing they have been touched by the essence of what luxury is meant to be,” says John G Laing, Managing Director of URC.

For more information about The PuLi Hotel and Spa, please contact us:

Proximity Live
Ms. Leona Zhang
Tel: +86 21 2401 8196
Cell phone: +86 136-6197-2918
Email: leona.zhang@proximitylive.cn

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts launched its mobile website, providing guests with the ability to locate and book a hotel, view or cancel reservations, and check in or out through any mobile device. The new mobile site can be accessed on any web-enabled mobile phone, automatically redirected from Hyatt’s homepage at www.hyatt.com

Hyatt guests can now visit the mobile site to take advantage of the following features and more: find and book a hotel by location; Hyatt special offers; view or cancel a reservation; web check-in and check-out; and access Hyatt’s Yatt’it travel tips by country.

Hyatt’s mobile site provides special features for its Gold Passport members, including joining Gold Passport, logging in and out, viewing account details and reservation, and receiving Gold Passport exclusive offers.

The mobile site gives customers full access to all Hyatt hotel and resort locations in all countries.

Users can also access and preview the mobile site from any desktop or PC by visiting www.hyatt2go.com. Hyatt’s mobile site is powered by Usablenet, a mobile partner for American Airlines, Amtrak, Limited Brands, Nissan and Pfizer. Usablenet Mobile is a fully managed service that leverages the features and functionality of a company’s existing website and extends it to all mobile devices worldwide in less than six weeks, requiring no client IT or web design resources.

For more information, visit www.hyatt.com or www.hyatg2go.com

The Coral Stone Club, Grand Cayman, launched a new Cayman Adventure Camp kids program.

The five-day program to be held July 27 to 31 offers a Caribbean twist on the traditional American summer camp, with a full schedule of supervised day and evening activities and all meals included priced at only $350 per child. Open to children ages seven to 12,

Coral Stone Club’s Cayman Adventure Camp enables kids to enjoy a wide range of familiar summer camp activities – tie-dying, scavenger hunts, obstacle course, ice cream-making and more – under the gently swaying palms along world- famous Seven Mile Beach.

A special highlight of the camp itinerary is a pair of night time activities scheduled at the close of the third and fifth days.

Movie night brings day three to a close, while a very special Luau celebration is planned for the camp’s final evening.

Both nighttime activities stretch from 6 to 10 p.m., enabling parents to break curfew with their kids, or enjoy some private adult time secure in the knowledge that their campers are safe, well-fed and having fun.

In addition to all meals and activities, Cayman Adventure Campers receive a collection of keepsakes that will serve as special mementos of their unique Caribbean summer camp adventure for years to come.

A welcome letter in the form of a treasure map, a personalized Coral Stone Club water bottle, and a personalized pull-string backpack combine with goggles, a towel, and sunscreen to provide kids with everything they’ll need for some summer fun under the warm Caymanian sun.

Located just 15 minutes from the Grand Cayman airport in the heart of world-famous Seven Mile Beach, Coral Stone Club is an exclusive 30- unit vacation rental property offering a uniquely personal alternative for today’s most discerning travelers.

Each of the property’s superb rental condos in Grand Cayman affords generous living accommodations with fully equipped gourmet kitchen, central air conditioning, tiled floors, a magnificent panoramic view of the Caribbean, and more.

Perfect for family and group stays, all of our private condos have three bedrooms, three baths and plenty of room to spread out.

Coral Stone Club is conveniently located near markets, shops, restaurants and spas.

An on-site fitness center, tennis facilities, two hot tubs and BBQ’s are also available for guests to use at their leisure.

For more information, call 888-927-2322 or visit www.coralstoneclub.com

The Palms Hotel & Spa officially open its doors to Aveda’s only luxury beach spa in Florida. The Palms Spa nurtures and rejuvenates by pairing Aveda’s high performance, natural and botanically-derived products with the ancient science of Ayurveda and the latest in spa technology. In celebration of the opening, the hotel is offering a “Stay, Spa & Dine” package.

Guests who book a minimum of three nights can enjoy 20 percent off all spa services and 20 percent off dinner at the recently launched Essensia restaurant and lounge.

The offer valid from May  through July 31 and may not be applied to prior bookings.

The 5,000 square foot spa offers a wide range of massage, skin care, and body treatments, in addition to signature nail care, hair care, waxing and make-up services.

Spa treatment facilities include four indoor multi-purpose rooms, one couple’s suite with experience snail shower, one hydrotherapy room and four outdoor Tiki Cabanas.

Rooms are equipped with docking stations for iPods and individual music channel controls so that guests can customize their sound choice for each treatment.

The spa also has an airy indoor/outdoor relaxation area with a co-ed steam room and custom ice fountain, overlooking a streaming waterfall and connecting to the hotel’s botanical gardens and pool area.

Spa guests are granted full access to the resorts pool, beach, restaurant and bar facilities.

The Palms Spa is also one of only two spas in the area utilizing Hydrotherm’s Time Capsule, named the HydroCapsule at The Palms, a personal pod-like chamber, which allows body treatments to be self-contained for privacy and cleanliness which includes a Vichy shower system to wash off scrubs, creams and essential oils along with steam, aroma, and light therapy features.

The Palms Spa also features a full service beauty salon and retail area, offering the complete line of Aveda hair, skin, lifestyle and make-up products, along with the vegan luxury nail care line SpaRitual.

Spa guests can further enhance their experience with specialty spa menu selections from the recently launched Essensia restaurant & lounge, featuring natural gourmet cuisine and spa-friendly dishes.

For spa reservations, call 305-908-5460.

For more information on the hotel, visit www.thepalmshotel.com

Launches Its Five-Star 2009 Wine & Dine Calendar

South Africa, Cape Town, Newlands, May 2009; SINCE opening two years ago, The Square Restaurant & Sushi Bar at the deluxe Vineyard Hotel & Spa has become synonymous with fine international cuisine and an ambassador to showcasing the Cape’s best wines.

Already known for their popular wine and dine evenings, The Square Restaurant launches its 2009 calendar that includes a five-star selection of vineyards that are either singular events or that have been matched to create a theme.

The Square Restaurant Gourmet Wine Evening Calendar for 2009:
• Friday 1 May 2009: Paul Cluver Estate
• Friday 8 May 2009: Cape Point Vineyards & Morgenster Wines
• Friday 22 May 2009: Fleur du Cap
• Friday 5 June 2009: Dornier Wines
• Friday 19 June 2009: Pinotage Event with Beyerskloof, Kanonkop, Kaapzicht & Simonsig
• Monday 22 June 2009: Rugby Legends Event with Schalk Burger, Hempies du Toit & Jan Boland Coetze
• Friday 3 July 2009: Klein Constantia Estate
• Friday 31 July 2009: La Motte
• Friday 14 August 2009: Jordan Winery
• Friday 28 August 2009: Nederberg Auction Wines
• Friday 4 September 2009: Backsberg
• Friday 11 September 2009: Organic Wine Event
• Friday 25 September 2009: Tokara Winery
• Friday 9 October 2009: Meerlust Estate
• Friday 16 October 2009: Cabriere Estate
• Friday 23 October 2009: Constantia Valley
• Friday 27 November 2009: David Frost Vineyards

These special evenings are priced at R225.00 per person including a four-course gourmet dinner and wine paired with each course.

The Constantia Valley Event on 23 October 2009 will however be a five course paring at a cost of R275.00 per person.

For bookings contact the Vineyard Hotel and Spa on (27) (21) 657 4500,

email eat@vineyard.co.za
or visit www.vineyard.co.za

Celebrating its 115th birthday this year, the Vineyard Hotel & Spa was originally the home of Lady Anne Barnard who acquired a farm that already had 22 000 planted vines and named the property, the Vineyard. In celebration of 350-years of winemaking in South Africa this year, the hotel has re-planted a symbolic vineyard in association with five family-owned Estates namely; Meerlust, Warwick, Simonsig, Waterford and Klein Constantia.

The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is privately owned and family operated. It is a world-class deluxe hotel situated in Cape Town’s suburb of Newlands and offers 175 recently refurbished and stylish rooms, an award winning conference venue, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and Angsana Spa, the Square Restaurant and now Myoga. The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is also a mere 15 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town International Airport and the city centre.

Travel industry pundits are predicting a record year for domestic tourism, as families forgo overseas trips in favour of UK destinations. And what better way to see the best of British than in a classic Volkswagen camper van, courtesy of hire company CampinaVDub.co.uk (http://www.campinavdub.co.uk 

The Surrey-based company has three retro-style VW campers available for hire, all stylishly ‘pimped’ with the sort of facilities usually found in a boutique B&B.

The three campers are 2009 Type 2 bay window VWs imported from Brazil, equipped with everything from outdoor furniture to a full stereo system, to add comfort and style without losing the soul of the classic camper van experience. And the brand new body and water-cooled, fuel-injected engines ensure that – unlike the originals – they won’t rust or break down.

Fiona Walker, MD, CampinaVDub.co.uk, says: “So many people have fond memories of childhood holidays in the family camper van, but most of the originals – like my own 1972 VW – haven’t lasted the distance. Now, the retro campervan holiday is having a resurgence with the noughties generation who want to enjoy the Great British outdoors without slumming it in a tent!”

The falling value of the pound against the euro and the dollar is driving the demand for domestic breaks, with British campsites braced for a bumper summer. The Camping and Caravanning Club reports that bookings are up 27% on last year.

Fiona says: “The British holiday is booming as the crunch bites – consumers are cutting spending abroad in favour of home-grown holiday destinations. Our chic and comfy campers are ideal for injecting some glamour into your summer festival season, romantic countryside mini-break or family camping holiday – simply turn up, climb aboard and hit the open road.”

The campervans can also be hired for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, prom parties and hen nights. Each van has been eclectically styled to give it a distinct personality: ‘Patsy’ is the good time girl of the family, ideally suited for the Bridget Jones of the camper world, ‘Wilf’ is a cheeky adventurer, whilst tomboy ‘Daisy’ loves to explore the countryside. Champagne girl Patsy is already booked for Royal Ascot and Wilf and Daisy have been reserved for Glastonbury!

The vans come fully fitted with bedding, kitchen utensils and dining sets, outdoor furniture including air beds and awnings, a Tom Tom navigation system, drop down TV/DVD with Freeview, and a full stereo system with USB Ipod connector. Campers even get the use of an Ipod fully loaded with tracks.

Each vehicle has full AA cover and membership of The Camping and Caravanning Club, and the vans are equipped with electric hook up, fire blankets and extinguishers, and internal heating for all year round camping. Two of the campers are canine friendly, all come with free unlimited mileage and, for the eco-conscious camper, the modern VW goes the extra green mile: its Flex engine can run on unleaded or bio fuel.

The easy-to-navigate website allows users to check availability and book online, and hire costs are all inclusive with no hidden extras. Prices start from £150 for day hire to £750 for a week in high season.

CampinaVDub.co.uk will be at Dubs in the Park on 17 May 2009, helping to transform the grounds of Victorian mansion Easthampstead Park in Berkshire into a family VW festival. More information can be found at http://www.dubsatthepark.co.uk

Translated Jom Makan means ‘Let’s Go Eat’ and that simple statement is the very ethos behind this no nonsense, minimal restaurant delivering fast, fresh, Malaysian cuisine to your table.

The restaurant offers a menu packed full of exciting dishes that appeal to both adventurous and conservative tastes.

Remaining true to their roots – with Malaysian food at the very heart of the kitchen – Jom Makan features dishes that reflect the street food vendors and family kitchens of the true Malaysia.

The style is modern and the accent is on fast and fresh – so perfect for a quick lunch or supper after work with friends. Signature dishes include the ubiquitous chicken and beef Satay, aromatically spiced Nasi Lemak – a melting pot of coconut milk rice, beef rendang and fried anchovies and Assam Laksa – tamarind infused egg noodle broth with boiled egg and lime.

JOM Makan in Pall Mall East, right next to Trafalgar Square is one of only a handful of Malaysian restaurants in the UK and is set to be the first in a group of modern Malaysian eateries intending to awaken the British palette to the exciting flavours of Malaysian food.

Equally impressive is its location and interior, with the contrast of its architecturally grand exterior with the airy and contemporary space inside, complimenting the welcoming environment for all to enjoy.

Bringing the unique aromatic flavours of Malaysian food to the bustling streets of London, JOM Makan is the perfect cultural ambassador for this significantly underrepresented cuisine.

You don’t often see ‘Hawaii’ and ‘boutique hotels’ in the same sentence.

Yes, this is a state of uncompromising beauty, history and culture with nature in abundance however ‘boutique retreats’ are not considered commonplace, yet look a little deeper and the intrepid visitor will be rewarded by a number of secret gems scattered across these tropical islands.

The key islands for a boutique experience tend to be The Big Island, Maui, Kauai and Lanai.

Larger than all of the other islands combined, Hawaii’s Big Island holds most of the ‘Biggest’, ‘Tallest’ and ‘Most active’ records in the world – it is vast enough to hold 11 of the world’s 13 climactic zones — from sandy beaches to snow-capped mountains.

Its two volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are taller than Mount Everest, when measured from the seabed to their summits whilst Kilauea, infamous for the iconic images of its melting lava steaming into the ocean, is the most active volcano on Earth.

The Big Island also holds the record in Hawaii for its number of boutique hotels. The majority are in the farming hills of Waimea, near Volcanoes National Park, or amongst the tropical rainforest of Waipio Valley.

There’s a historic ranch estate once owned by the Rockefellers featuring luxury suites and a chapel www.jacarandainn.com; others are home to private waterfalls and wildlife reserves; whilst some claim to be the best place to whale watch and star watch.

Experiential-led activities are on the menu at most of these boutique properties, some offer cultural interaction with local artists; swimming with dolphins; spa treatments; or ask you to get your hands dirty helping out on the farm.

One of the most recent openings is The Hawaii Island Retreat, www.hawaiiislandretreat.com a sustainable eco-lodge and destination spa set in 50 acres. Built in the open-air elegance of a royal Hawaiian palace, this is boutique at its most opulent.

The second largest of Hawaii’s islands, Maui, is home to some of the best beaches in the world – perfect vantage points for the Humpback whales migrating off Maui’s shores every winter.

The world-class golf courses, art galleries and restaurants found on this island make it a mecca for the rich and famous, yet it is off the beaten track that visitors can find old art colonies, deserted beaches and a stunning coastline filled with waterfalls and lush flora.

Examples of boutique hotels include the Maui Hotel & Luxury Honua Spa www.hotelhanamaui.com on the eastern coast with cottages on the beach; and the Aloha Pualani, www.alohapualani.com  a hidden gem with just six suites.

Considered the greenest isle in Hawaii, Kauai, is graced with dramatic topography, thunderous waterfalls, pristine crowd-free beaches and the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ lending itself to being the location of choice for film directors worldwide.

Many of the key boutique hotels on Kauai offer spa facilities and include Hanalei Colony Resort www.hcr.com  on the North Shore, (off the beaten track featuring 48 two-bedroom suites or condos); Waimea Plantation Cottages www.waimea-plantation.com near the Napali Coast, with simple cottages dating back to when the estate was a sugar plantation; and the recently renovated, Koa Kea www.koakea.com  on Poipu beach.

Here guests can find 121 luxury suites and an extensive spa whilst the new Executive Chef comes highly rated from the three-star Michelin starred El Bulli in Spain.

Lanai is the most remote and smallest of all the inhabited Hawaiian islands, yet this is a haven for visitors seeking to escape in style – and there isn’t a single traffic light on the island to stop them. Along with some of the best preserved rock paintings in the archipelago, turtle watching and diving, this is an island for the well-heeled with some of the most prestigious golf courses and two luxurious boutique hotels to relax in.

One is a charming hillside retreat, Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele, reminiscent of a hunting lodge of days gone by; whilst the second hotel is a luxury beachside resort, Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay www.fourseasons.com/lanai

In Hawaii, history buffs, culture vultures and wildlife seekers stand side by side (and occasionally swap sides) with adrenaline junkies, sun worshippers and spa lovers. And now with a range of boutique hotels on offer, authentic Hawaii is waiting to be re-discovered.

Cleartotravel.Com For Persons With Serious Medical Conditions

Blue Insurances, is delighted to announce the launch of a new travel insurance solution for people with pre-existing/terminal medical conditions from Friday 24th April 2008. The new website is called www.cleartotravel.com and is also available through Blue Insurance’s network of Travel Agents.

Blue Insurance recognises the specific need for people seeking cover who may have serious pre-existing medical conditions or a terminal prognosis and the difficulty there is currently in obtaining this cover. Some people may be unable to obtain cover on their standard travel insurance policy for a variety of reasons ranging from age limits imposed, length of trip duration or medical conditions.

Joint Managing Director Ciaran Mulligan says “We have found that many people who may have been unable to obtain cover previously could have travelled uninsured due to the lack of availability of quality cover at present. Obviously that is a serious worry for people who may be travelling and one which we hope to now ease. Our aim is to provide comprehensive travel insurance cover to individuals who may otherwise have difficulty obtaining cover due to serious or terminal illness, trip length or higher age. The policy also covers seniors travelling worldwide on a single trip policy up to 94 days””

Underwritten by AXA Insurance UK Plc, cover will be available on either a Single Trip or Annual policy basis for persons aged up to 79yrs. Consumers can declare their medical conditions directly through the website or over the phone to the trained medical screening operators.

The policy cover includes Cancellation, Medical Expenses, Personal Accident, Personal Liability & Baggage.

Included within the Baggage Cover is cover for emergency replacement of medication / Medical Aids or loss of Prescribed Medicines.

Cover is also provided up to a limit of €2,000 for accidental loss / damage to Medical Aids i.e. Wheelchairs, walking frames, other equipment designed to provide mobility.

Cover can be easily arranged through the website www.cleartotravel.com, over the phone on 0818 286276 or by speaking to your local Travel Agent selling Blue Insurance.

Full policy details are also available online.

Blue Insurances, Ireland’s leading Travel Insurance Supplier, also offer other Insurance products such

www.carhireexcess.com

www.weddinginsurance.ie

and www.breakdowncover.ie