Jetsettersblog

Visits Celebration Of Steam

The Medina Monarch is the world’s smallest commercial paddle steamer and one of only three passenger carrying steamers in the country. We are delighted to announce she will be giving free rides* to visitors at Celebration of Steam in May.

From the River Medina on the Isle of Wight, this 42ft long beauty holds up to 12 passengers and weighs approximately 10 tonnes. She was built 25 years ago and houses a 100 year-old engine which was originally used to pump tar.

She is powered by steam and paddle power alone and visitors will be able to view the entire engine room and speak with the crew. She will be craned out of the Medina on the Isle of Wight onto a low loader and then shipped across to the Historic Dockyard via the Wightlink Car Ferry.

This is the fourth year we have held Celebration of Steam at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and it’s taking place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May. The site comes alive with different types of steam engine and there will be the exclusive opportunity to see the Block Mills, the world’s first complete steam powered factory which is normally out-of-bounds to the public.

Visitors can mingle with Ivor the Engine and friends, enjoy lunch in the sausage and ale festival, meet a cast of costumed dock-workers and view the variety of steam engines and locomotives on display.

Tickets for the event cost adults: £12, concessions: £10, family (up to 5 people, maximum of 2 adults/seniors): £36. Tickets include entrance to all attractions on site: HMS Warrior 1860, HMS Victory, Mary Rose, Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations (excludes Harbour Tours).

For further information please telephone Advanced Sales on 023 9283 9766 or visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk

* Weather permitting

The One And Only Place To Go This Summer

Somak Holidays programmes South Africa’s hottest new hotel

If you want to sleep in the same bed as Naomi Campbell, share a sun lounger with Matt Damon or wine and dine on the same table as Thandi Newton then it can only be ‘One&Only’. The stylish new property in Cape Town has officially been given the celebrity seal of approval.

The resort’s chairman, Sol Kerzner – the man behind Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, welcomed celebrity guests including Clint Eastwood, Sharon Stone and Morgan Freeman as they arrived at the ‘One and Only’ Opening ceremony in April 2009.

‘One&Only’ is now Cape Town’s largest resort hotel with 131 rooms, located in the Victoria & Alfred waterfront. The brand-new resort is already an A-list favorite and boasts captivating views of Table Mountain and the marina.

The perfect place for a gastronomic getaway, Michelin-starred chefs Nobuyuki Matsuhisa of ‘Nobu’ and Britain’s very own Gordon Ramsay will be opening their first venues in Africa on-site. Other facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness centre, beauty treatment rooms, spectacular spa, teen spa and fitness programmes and a yoga pavilion.

From the city’s most exclusive hotel take a drive through to the picturesque Cape Winelands for a stay at the region’s most romantic retreat – Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa.

Set against a backdrop of the Franschhoek Mountains, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the great outdoors during a hike, bike ride or horse ride.

One thing that should definitely not be missed is a visit to the surrounding winelands of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Foodies will be in their element as aside of two spectacular restaurants, Franschhoek Hotel and Spa also offers cheese and wine tasting sessions.

Somak Holidays is offering two nights at the ‘One&Only’ followed by two nights at the fabulous ‘Franschhoek Hotel and Spa’ including car hire and return flight to Cape Town with South African Airways.

Prices start from just £1,445 per person.

For more information or to book go to

www.somak.co.uk  

or call 020 8423 3000.

To watch a video from the star-studded opening of the One&Only please click through the following link

http://www.somak.com/videos

ThinkFlexibility… Flexi Villa Rentals: Any-Day Arrivals And Any-Length Stays With Thinksicily!

With thinkSicily, it is no longer necessary to book your villa holiday by the week or arrive and depart on set days! Flexibility is the name of the game and the advantages are numerous!

Traditional holiday companies tend to shoe-horn your holiday arrangements into prescriptive Saturday-to-Saturday slots, where 7, 14 or 21-night stays are the only option.

Not so with thinkSicily, whose guests can arrive on any day of the week and stay as long as they like, paying, in effect, by the day. Indeed, with thinkSicily it is possible, for example, to book a villa for 9 nights rather than 7, or 12 nights rather than 14. In a great many properties, guests may even choose to stay for less than a full week. Flexibility is the key!

What is more, this new, pioneering initiative also means that thinkSicily’s guests can save on air fares by booking mid-week flights and beat the busy weekend airport crowds!

thinkSicily, thinkFlexibility!

Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa Named UK Residential Spa Of The Year (11 Treatment Rooms Or Under) In The Professional Beauty Awards And Launches £80 Spa Package To Celebrate

Jersey’s up-and-coming spa scene has been recognised on a International level, as the Grand Jersey Spa in St Helier is named UK Residential Spa of the Year (11 treatment rooms and under). Announced at a glamorous award ceremony in Central London, attended by over 600 of the UK’s top spa owners, hoteliers and opinion formers, this is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry and the Grand was up against top competition from 5 other shortlisted spas from around the country.

The Professional Beauty Awards recognises excellence in spa venues and therapists throughout the UK and aims to recognise and reward the hard work carried out by spas.

The awards are all the more prestigious as they are judged by a tough panel of beauty journalists and renowned industry experts. Judges commented on its incredibly striking design, innovative treatments and welcoming staff.

The commemorative awards brochure on the evening waxed lyrical about the fact that the Grand Jersey Spa ‘…provides luxury and glamour; enveloping relaxation in one of the most striking relation rooms in the country. The Grand Jersey has created the winning formula for perfect pampering.”

The Spa at The Grand launched just 7 months ago, and was created in collaboration with the award-winning British spa and skincare brand Elemis and with interiors by critically acclaimed designers Trevillion. Named as a ‘cult spa destination’ in Vogue magazine in November 2008, since its launch in July 08 the Grand Spa has received ongoing critical acclaim from press and guests alike for the unique range of beauty brands and treatments that it offers, many of which are exclusive to the Channel Islands.

Not only did the Grand also become the only hotel on the island to offer ghd spa – the world’s first spa treatments for the hair and scalp – but recent months have also seen new additions to its portfolio of beauty exclusives, including BeauBronz tanning rituals.

To help celebrate the prestigious win, the Grand Jersey has launched its Spa Indulgence Package – an exclusive spa experience at an accessible price. Available now and priced at just just £80 per person (based on double occupancy) the package includes:

~ glass of champagne on arrival
~ 2-course dinner in the hotel’s iconic restaurant Victorias
~ the package also includes a ½ hour spa treatment (either a massage or facial) for both guests.

With its hot lipstick pinks, abundance of tactile fabrics, smoky glass screens, specially commissioned black and white photos and curvy, Chanel-esque chaise longues and statement making spot-lit swimming pool, there is certainly an indulgent nod to 1940’s Hollywood glamour in The Grand Spa, making it the perfect place to relax.

Situated in what can arguably be described as the best location in Jersey overlooking St Aubins Bay, the Grand Jersey is one of the finest, most talked about properties on the island, following its multi-million pound makeover in Summer 2008.

With a choice of spectacular sea view suites, the luxurious 8.000 sq ft spa and pool, the islands only private cinema and a number of exclusive dining and drinking options, situated just 10minutes from Jersey International airport, and with flights just 30minutes from the UK mainland, it makes the perfect glamorous getaway.

The Hilton Budapest will open its new restaurant, ICON, with a fantastic Easter brunch on the 13th April 2009.

This contemporary designed restaurant, located in the historic Buda Castle district, will offer spectacular views over the city from its 16 panoramic windows, including the famous Fishermen’s Bastion, the Parliament building and the river Danube.

The restaurant will serve delicious specialities from Italy and France, plus a modern twist on traditional Hungarian dishes. The restaurant will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus brunch on Saturday and Sunday. www.hilton.co.uk/budapest

60 kilometres south from Budapest is the new and exclusive Granada Conference, Wellness and Sport Hotel. The 54 room property is located only a few minutes from Kecskemét in a peaceful area surrounded by forest – perfect for spending time with nature.

The hotel features a wellness and spa centre, including a swimming pool, whirlpool, Jacuzzi, steam bath, Finnish sauna, infra sauna and salt room. www.granada-konferencia.eu

Budapest’s brand-new boutique hotel the Hotel Belvedere Budapest has recently opened. The elegant 4-star art deco-style hotel features 54 rooms, including 10 apartments. The hotel has a wellness section located on the 9th floor with a spectacular view of the city’s Castle District through glass panelled walls. www.belvederehotels.hu

Accor has added its new high end MGallery label to Indonesia, after the repositioning of the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta (formerly Grand Mercure Yogyakarta).

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta becomes the second MGallery in Asia following the opening earlier this month of the Vie Hotel Bangkok.

MGallery is a small collection of highly distinctive, upscale hotels that have an exceptional personality through one or more of four principal elements: Vision, Design, History or Location. Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta has been selected to join MGallery thanks to its remarkable History and refinement.

Today there are 19 MGallery hotels on 5 continents.

Gerard Guillouet, Vice President Accor Malaysia – Indonesia – Singapore commented, “I am very pleased to welcome the MGallery collection to the country, with the transformation of the Grand Mercure Yogyakarta to The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta.

“This historic hotel provided a wonderful blank canvas from which the hotel team has built a service experience through daily rituals and bringing the central Javanese culture to life within the hotel, all within the authentic setting of this hotel that is an instrumental part of the Yogyakarta landscape”.

Elegantly set in the heart of Yogyakarta, close to Malioboro street and the palace of Yogyakarta Sultanate, the majestic building of The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta dates back to the early 1900s.

The setting of the hotel captures the colonial essence enriched with the elegance of Javanese and Chinese decorative features. The ambience is representing a feeling of classical bygone era wrapped in contemporary comfort, an ideal setting for discerning travelers.

The hotel boasts 144 exquisite rooms, including 10 suites and 1 disabled room, each have private balconies overlooking the urban streetscape, maintained hotel grounds or the hotel swimming pool.

An elegant design reflecting the ambience of the area and the spirit of the century-old building echoes throughout the rooms. Modern comforts, including satellite TV, WiFi connection and IDD telephone facilities are integrated into all rooms. The luxurious suites provide ultimate relaxation opportunities with grand bathrooms and spacious bedrooms.

An array of Eastern, Indonesian and Western dishes are offered at Paprika restaurant with the open kitchen showcasing the chefs’ talent in preparing a fusion of flavours.

For a relaxing drink, 1918’s terrace bar is the perfect location, overlooking an open-air courtyard with water features. Its mellow ambience is an ideal accompaniment to an evening cocktail.

For those looking for a faster tempo, head to the trendy Vino Bar with nightly entertainment.

Guests can also enjoy body and mind rejuvenation options at My Spa, where age old Javanese and contemporary treatments meet to retreat from urban stress, and to experience the world of divine wellness – an experience that promises to relax, revitalize and enchant.

The hotel offers a full range of business facilities, including function rooms with the capacity to host events for up to 600 people, WiFi connection access and full secretarial services with modern equipment.

Promotion offer

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta has launched the “Borobudur City Experience” package for a limited period, March 23 – June 30, 2009. Priced at USD 180 (inclusive of service tax), this offer includes airport transfers, breakfast, half day visit to the legendary Borobudur temple, car rental and set dinner for 2 persons at Paprika restaurant.

For reservations visit www.mgallery.com

The MGallery label in the portfolio of Accor brands

With the new MGallery hotel collection, Accor has developed a dependable upscale offer. MGallery combines the excellence of its service offer within individual establishments with a marked personality to make every guest’s stay a unique experience.

The MGallery collection allows Accor to meet the expectations of discriminating clients who want a hotel that is an integral part of their travel experience, or who wish to enjoy a setting that has a history, an identity and a soul.

Bangalore,– Accor announces the official opening of the Mercure Homestead Residences Bangalore. Located amidst the serene environs of upmarket Koramangala, the hotel is within 5 kilometres of major corporate businesses and IT parks.

Mercure Homestead aims to appeal to the globally attuned business traveller as Vinay Gupta, General Manager, Mercure Homestead Residences puts it “There is a huge need in Bangalore for truly business class serviced apartments, especially for people opting for long stays. With Mercure Homestead we hope to address this need, by providing first rate serviced apartments, comprehensive leisure facilities and full services.”

Hotel facilities

Mercure Homestead Residences offers 126 luxury suites, including nine – 2 Bedroom apartments and 1 Executive Suite, most with private balconies.

The interiors reflect a regional flavour, a hallmark of the Mercure Brand which seeks to link hotel guests with the local culture.

The hotel offers two high quality restaurants:

The 12th Main is an all day dining outlet, the name stemming from its location. It showcases Mediterranean, Asian and regional cuisines and with an emphasis on freshness & creative plate presentations, distinctively unique in all its offerings.

By The Blue is a Cabana concept outlet, showcasing North west Indian frontier cuisine, including dishes from Awadhi, Goan and Hyderabadi.

Ideal for long stays, Mercure Homestead Residence offers the perfect blend of business convenience and leisure, with a gymnasium, swimming pool and day spa.

The Aristo Spa (by Serena, an internationally reputed brand) is a contemporary spa concept developed for people with hectic routines. Aristo Spa emphasises revitalising treatments, focussing on the individual needs of the guests. Aristo Spa incorporates an array of classic and modern treatments, including massage and beauty.

The Mercure Homestead Residence Bangalore like all Mercure hotels globally, is a distinctive hotel and well connected to the culture of Bangalore and its people. In all Mercure’s you will experience a warm and friendly atmosphere by hospitality professionals, who are attentive and passionate about their work.

Jean-Michel Casse – Vice President Accor India says “We are delighted to be opening the first Mercure hotel in India. We anticipate that the Mercure Homestead Bangalore, will be the first of numerous Mercure hotels that Accor will develop throughout the major cities of India, fulfilling the need for international quality accommodation, for the growing in bound market and the domestic traveller.”

Stay with Mercure Homestead Residence Bangalore until June 30, 2009, and pay for only 6 nights when you stay for 7.

For reservations and enquiries, please visit www.mercurehomestead.com or telephone +91 (0) 80 45 121212 or email Email: H7155-re@accor.com

The hotel is located at; 12th Main – 3rd Block Koramangala 560034 BANGALORE – INDIA

For the first time in over 40 years, Statesman Rail will be operating a regular time-tabled steam-hauled train, departing from stations in Lancashire and offering a 260-mile return day trip along the Settle and Carlisle line.

Virgin Trains’ Pendolino and Super Voyager tilting trains will provide connections to the steam-hauled special train at both Lancaster and Preston.

The steam-hauled train, which will travel from Lancaster and Preston to Appleby and Carlisle via the scenic Settle and Carlisle railway, will operate every Wednesday from July 29 to Sept. 2.

Virgin’s Pendolino trains are fully air-conditioned and have power points to enable passengers to charge mobile phones, laptops and personal entertainment systems. All trains are Wi-Fi-enabled and have enhanced mobile phone reception.

The Pendolino trains are used on most services on the London-Glasgow route. The Super Voyager diesel trains are also fully air-conditioned, have power points for charging mobile phones, laptops and personal entertainment systems, as well as a quiet coach on all trains.

The Super Voyager trains are used on the Birmingham-Glasgow/Edinburgh route and some London-Lancaster trains.

For more information, call 011 44(0)1539-822222 or visit www.golakes.co.uk.

Virgin Trains offers advance fares, from GBP4.50 ($6.63) single between Birmingham and Preston, extending affordable connections to the special steam train.

Fares on the steam special from Lancaster start at GBP56.05 ($83) standard, GBP84.55 ($125) first class, and GBP132.05 ($195) for premier dining.

The Fellsman steam train will leave from Lancaster and then pick up passengers at Preston, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn and Clitheroe and will be hauled throughout by steam giants from the past including the recently rebuilt LMS Royal Scot class 46115 “Scots Guardsman” or LMS Jubilee class 5690 “Leander.”

Seated in carriages from the 1950s and ’60s with a central table and opening windows, passengers will be able to hear and feel the engines working hard to pull the heavy train up the steep gradients of the Settle and Carlisle line and over the impressive 24-arch viaduct at Ribblehead. Journeying through vistas of the three peaks, then on to the summit of the line at Ais Gill and on through the stunning Yorkshire Dales.

Passengers have the opportunity to leave the train at the Westmorland market town of Appleby for a four-hour break, or, carry on through the Eden Valley to the border city of Carlisle for a two-hour break while the engine takes on coal and is serviced ready for the return journey.

“The Fellsman” is aimed primarily at the family market (with prices to match) and is an unashamedly nostalgic glimpse back to the glory days of Britain’s heritage.

Reserved seating is available in standard or first class with a buffet car open throughout the journey for beverages and light refreshments.

For anyone wishing to live it up a little, there is the opportunity to enjoy a freshly cooked full English breakfast and three-course dinner in the opulence of premier class. Freshly prepared on board by chefs in the kitchen car and silver served by liveried stewards, this is certainly the way to travel while enjoying the spectacular passing scenery.

Online bookings will receive a 5 percent discount. There is also a family of four ticket available for any combination of adults and children offering even further savings.

For more information, call 011 44(0)845-310-2458 or visit www.statesmanrail.com or www.virgintrains.com

In A Class Of Its Own

The five-star Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai is one of the most highly regarded deluxe properties of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group. Since it opened in 1998, the hotel has collated several awards and accolades for its fine service and facilities. With the addition of its Grand Tower in September 2005, the Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai has been elevated to a class of its own, recognized the world over.

Comprising two towers – River Wing and Grand Tower – the hotel showcases spacious, well-appointed rooms and suites with views overlooking the historical Bund, the mighty Huangpu River, as well as that of the futuristic Pudong financial district cityscape.

The Grand Tower, designed by New York-based architect Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and unveiled in September 2005, features 375 rooms and suites, including the Premier Room which offers 54 square meters (581 square feet) of comfortable space. Located between the Grand Tower and the River Wing which houses 575 rooms and suites, are a range of trend-setting designer restaurants and bars, comprehensive meetings and conference facilities with two of the city’s largest Ballrooms, CHI, The Spa, two Health Clubs, two swimming pools and a floodlit outdoor tennis court.

All rooms enjoy the full array of Shangri-La amenities, which include broadband, data ports and IDD, satellite TV, tea and coffee making facility and 24 hour room service.

The centrally-located Business Centre offers the business traveler a range of services from secretarial support to PCs and office equipment. There are eight work stations, three meeting rooms, a boardroom and an office for rent.

Taking its pride of place is the Hotel’s second ballroom – the China Hall – which is Shanghai’s largest, with a capacity for up to 1700 guests at cocktail receptions. In addition to the existing Grand Ballroom and 12 meeting room of various sizes, the Hotel’s meeting facilities offer a total of 6,500 square meters (69,965 square feet) of versatile indoor and outdoor event space.

Creating benchmarks in the Pudong and overall Shanghai entertainment scene are Pudong Shangri-La’s 11 cutting-edge designer restaurants, bars and lounges showcasing the works of international award-winning creative mavericks like Adam D.Tihany, Bilkey Llinas Design and Super Potato.

Conceptualized by renowned hospitality designer Bilkey Llinas, Yi Café invites guests on an international culinary journey, where all the kitchen’s a stage – featuring 10 show kitchens set in a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The walk-through market style design, with gourmet showcases and active live cooking stations, presents cuisines from China, Japan, Middle East, India, South East Asia as well as Europe and the West. It is the ultimate food experience offering a vast array of flavors, uniquely combined in one concept.

World-renowned Japanese design house Super Potato placed its signature style on the Nadaman Japanese restaurant and the Sushi Bar by Nadaman. In June 2006, Nadaman at Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai was honoured with the Hospitality Design Award in New York, in recognition of its fine design.

Backed with more than 175 years of Japanese hospitality and culinary expertise, Nadaman brings the finest Japanese dining experience to Shanghai.

For a fashionable selection of high quality pastries, specialty breads, cakes, chocolates and ice cream, the Gourmet takes the cake, with its boutique décor, ideal for a tête-a-tête, indoor or alfresco.

For an afternoon or evening drink with a snack and a view to the great outdoors, The Lounge is just the place.

After a long day, Pearl Bar is perfect for a business drink or for lingering over a favourite whiskey and cigars, amidst a sophisticated, sultry setting.

A dazzling combination of innovative cuisine, dramatic design and stunning views, is Shanghai’s iconic restaurant – Jade on 36 – the hotel’s signature restaurant. Guests appreciate the unique architecture and design by award-winning Adam D. Tihany, with panoramic views of Shanghai and the famous Bund from Level 36, where celebrated Chef de Cuisine Paul Pairet, showcases his avant-garde – culled from an extensive international culinary experience and fuelled with a passion for cutting edge technique. Paul Pairet brings an unrivalled food concept level to Shanghai in his true personal style, ahead of culinary trends. Recognized for his design versatility, Adam D. Tihany has conceived innovative restaurant concepts around the world’s cosmopolitan cities which include Per Se for Chef Thomas Keller in New York and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Restaurants.

Drinks at the Jade on 36 Bar – also designed by Adam D. Tihany – in the likeness of a jade jewel box with a plush soft interior – is an experience to behold, with bartenders extraordinaire, a panoramic view of the Bund and Pudong, and the perfect play of light and sound.

Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai’s signature Chinese Restaurant – Gui Hua Lou – serves a variety of Cantonese, Shanghainese and Sichuanese cuisine. Opened in January 2006, diners may choose to be seated in the main dining area with views to the Bund, or have the option of dining in one of 5 private rooms. It has won several accolades and the restaurant’s cuisine is featured on board Lufthansa flights from China to Europe, in the Star Chef programme of its First and Business Class sections.

In addition to these new dining and entertainment options are the Hotel’s Lobby Lounge, the Fook Lam Moon restaurant from Hong Kong, which is sought after for its famed Cantonese delicacies such as Shark’s Fin, Abalone and Bird’s Nest.

Shangri-La’s signature CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, made its China debut at the Pudong Shangri-La, in late 2005. Featuring some of the largest and most luxurious private spa suites in the city, creating a ‘spa within a spa’ atmosphere, it has been voted as one of the “TOP TEN HOTTEST HOTEL SPAS” by Forbes.com and the “SPA INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR” at Baccarat AsiaSpa Awards. A sanctuary of tranquility inspired by the legend of ‘Shangri-La’, CHI offers a range of specialized body, water, massage and facial therapies based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies and rituals of China and the Himalayas.

In addition to regaining one’s equilibrium at CHI, there is the option of recreational activity. Choose from two swimming pools, two Health Clubs and an outdoor floodlit tennis court.

To complement the Pudong Shangri-La’s deluxe level of facilities and services, a brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom and two stretch Mercedes limousines have been added to its fleet of limousines.

Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai is located in the Lujiazui finance and trade district of Pudong (or East Shanghai), which is being developed to become the country’s business hub. The hotel is ideally located on the eastern bank of the famous Huangpu River, overlooking Shanghai’s legendary waterfront strip, the Bund. A historic landmark famous the world over, the Bund was Shanghai’s financial center in the early nineties. Today it is a showcase of turn-of-the-century architecture.