Jetsettersblog

W Hotels Worldwide announced the grand opening of W South Beach and The Residences at W South Beach, the W brand’s 31st hotel property. Owned and developed by Tristar Capital and RFR Realty and executed on behalf of ownership by Related of New York, W South Beach features 408 W-branded residences, including Ocean Suites, Beach Bungalows, and the signature Extreme WOW suite (W’s reinterpretation of the presidential suite);

Wall, an exclusive bar and ultra-lounge operated in partnership with Miami nightlife impresarios and restaurateurs; celebrity dining hotspot Mr. Chow; Soleà, the signature restaurant serving contemporary Mediterranean cuisine; Grove, an outdoor garden; Bliss, New York’s spa, arriving in Miami for the first time;

Wet, with two alluring pools and stylish cabanas;

more than 10,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space; Sweat fitness center; basketball court; tennis court;

and W Hotels The Store, the W brand’s twist on the traditional hotel gift shop.

The unique design of the building positions rooms on a 25-degree angle, providing guests with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The W Living Room (W’s take on the traditional hotel lobby) has been designed by Anna Busta and features artwork from noted collector Aby Rosen’s private collection. Strongly influenced by art deco elements, the Living Room features sleek floors inlaid with bronze and wood with a terrazzo border and a row of white quartzite columns set against a soaring 120-foot-long marble wall.

Furnishings create intimate conversation areas throughout the space, including tufted leather ottomans, sofas imported from Italy, velvet curtains in eggplant purple, modern white and gray sofas complemented by oversized, inlaid horn tables, armchairs covered in white pony or slate velvet, and white pony rugs splashed with gold paint.

A 20-foot-high beaded curtain set off by glass walls ushers guests into the W Living Room Bar, offering views of the Wet pool deck and the hotel’s lush garden known as the Grove.

W South Beach – W South Beach > MIA > 2201 Collins Ave > Miami Beach > FL > 33139>4>From Miami International Airport: Take 112 East onto Indian Creek Drive and turn right. Follow Indian Creek south to 21st Street. Turn left on 21st Street. Holiday Inn South Beach Resort is located on the left hand side. Drive time

&BEYOND Xaranna, Botswana

Set on a secluded island in a 120,000-acre private concession in the heart of Botswana’s famed Okavango Delta, Xaranna Tented Camp serves as an oasis amidst the winding waterways.

The only way to get there is boating through the channels, which are created when elephants and hippos walk through the tall grass.

There are no televisions, phones, cell reception or internet access and guests spend their days exploring the terrain and wildlife and evenings enjoying fine food and listening to the sounds of Botswana.

The region offers some of the world’s best birdwatching and some of the finest game viewing in Africa, including sightings of rare roan antelope, lechwe, tsessebe, elephant, lion, hyena and cheetah. It is a true journey back to another world.

www.andbeyondafrica.com

Ex Officio Insect Shield Adventure Hat – Paddle your canoe next to shore wearing the Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Adventure Hat and enjoy the scenery without swatting at bugs every second.

The Hotel de Charme Les Airelles, situated in the Jardin Alpin in Couchevel, France, announces its “five-star” status, as appointed by FAGIHT (Fédération Autonome de L’industrie Hôtelière Touristique), a respected organization within the French hotel industry.

The chalet is one of 11 luxury properties to be deemed five star by FAGIHT’s definitive standards, and is among the first of their kind to receive such a high ranking.

This exclusive ski resort has been undergoing a 35 million euro ($49 million) renovation over the past three years that will be completed in December.

Séverine Pétilaire-Bellet, Les Airelles’ general manager has overseen the establishment since September 2002, and is one of the few French women within the hospitality industry in such a position.

Today, she is the chief executive officer of a hotel group including the five-star Hotel Les Airelles;

the three-star Hotel de la Loze, Courchevel;

the three-star Hotel Alpen Ruitor in Méribel-Mottaret;

and the four-star Hotel Pan Deï Palais in Saint-Tropez.

For more information, visit www.airelles.fr

King Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu, a descendant of King Chaka Zulu, reinstated Africa’s most dramatic cultural event, a spectacular coming-out party to celebrate the chastity of Zulu maidens. This September, 20,000 certified virgins, each proudly adorned in intricate beadwork, will join the traditional king’s reed dance to the royal compound in the heart of the Zulu kingdom.

Here, in a ceremony closed to all except the king, his guards and VIP guests, maidens from throughout the kingdom will present their king with reeds symbolizing their purity.

In exchange, the girls will receive royal congratulations and advice as to selection of a mate and responsibilities to Zulu society. This year, included in the king’s audience will be 14 “abelungu” — white people — invited by the royal praise-singer. Led by Zululand native Dr. Loel Fenwick, they will be on an eco-cultural flying safari expedition with the mission to experience the people, wildlife and natural beauty of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, and to establish a philanthropic foundation to support the renaissance of traditional Zulu culture.

The 20-day, 3,200-mile expedition, which begins in Johannesburg on Aug. 30, will fly in a classic DC-3 airliner to some of the most interesting places in Africa. Restored and maintained to top airline standards, the DC-3 can fly long distances in the comfort of the golden age of aviation, then land at remote places that tourists never see.

From the cosmopolitan cities of the modern South Africa, to living the real Africa of small bush camps, lakes and islands, the expedition will break away from stereotypes to get under the skin of the continent. Staying at some of the best lodges, resorts and tented camps in the world, this is undoubtedly the best possible way to explore Africa, a multi-faceted continent four times the size of the United States. A few openings are still available from $34,900 on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition operated by luxury travel leader Travcoa.

To discover more about this expedition, call Loel Fenwick at 208-610-2589, e-mail Loelf@travcoa.com  or visit www.travcoa.com/itindisplay.asp?itinid=1066&ieid=628884

Ex Officio Insect Shield Adventure Hat -Paddle your canoe next to shore wearing the Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Adventure Hat and enjoy the scenery without swatting at bugs every second.

The safari experts at Africa Adventure Consultants saw firsthand during a recent Rwanda safari that in addition to some of the most accessible gorilla trekking terrain, the country’s location and size make it one of Africa’s newest, emerging safari destinations. With Rwanda working hard to improve and expand tourist facilities and increasing demand for gorilla trekking, now is the time to reserve late 2009 and early 2010 Rwanda safaris.

“With only 56 Rwanda gorilla tracking permits available per day, now is the time to start planning for 2010 Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris,” said Lyndsay Harshman, Africa Adventure Consultants’ director of sales and marketing.

A limited number of gorilla tracking permits also are still available through Africa Adventure Consultants for select 2009 summer dates as well.

New or improved lodges include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge and Gorilla Mountain View Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, the country’s gorilla tracking capital.

There are also lodges being built in Nyungwe and Akagera national parks which will provide better tourist class accommodations in those areas.

Rwanda has embarked on a 10-year master plan for major tourism development, developed in part by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and anticipates the opening of some fantastic new accommodation options, Africa Adventure Consultants urges intrepid travelers to include Rwanda in their safari plans now while the destination continues to maintain a simple, untouched atmosphere.

However, there’s much more to see and do in Rwanda outside of gorilla trekking, including tracking golden monkeys, visiting the world’s largest troupe of white Colobus monkeys, chimp tracking and big game viewing, in addition to cultural experiences. “Rwanda gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is unquestionably the highlight of many of our clients’ visit to Africa and in my personal ‘top five’ African travel experiences,” said Redding.

“It’s now been 15 years since the genocide and this country has such a promising future. While in Rwanda, we were struck by the outstanding advancement the country has made in re-establishing Kigali as a clean, cultural and urban African hub. The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center is a moving memorial to those lost and highlights the strength and unity the Rwandese embody today.”

In addition to Rwanda Gorilla trekking, Denver-based African safari expert Africa Adventure Consultants organizes safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa, with destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Victoria Falls and Ethiopia.

The company sells destinations they know personally and offer guests assurance of strong on-the-ground partnerships with only the best local companies. Africa Adventure Consultants supports a variety of African conservation organizations, community-based tourism programs and humanitarian causes.

And now, the company runs a completely carbon neutral office in Denver and is further committed to carbon neutral safaris by automatically offsetting 50 percent of each African trip they sell as well as offering clients the opportunity to offset the remaining 50 percent. With an eye on personal service, the principals create carbon neutral safaris and customized trips for individuals and small groups.

For more information, call 866-778-1089 or visit www.adventuresinafrica.com/index.aspx

Ex Officio Insect Shield Adventure Hat - Paddle your canoe next to shore wearing the Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Adventure Hat and enjoy the scenery without swatting at bugs every second.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort announced the opening of its new Wedding Shop. Located at The Market Shops at Sandestin, the Wedding Shop is where weddings begin at Sandestin. Sandestin wedding experts provide brides with the information they need in order to pick the best location that fits their needs.

For more information, call 850-267-6736 or visit www.sandestin.com/weddings

The Rezidor Hotel Group announced the opening date for the Park Inn Ulysse Resort & Thalasso, Djerba — the first Park Inn in Tunisia and Rezidor’s 25th property on the African continent.

The hotel featuring 259 rooms is scheduled to open its doors in November 2009.

Located next to the existing Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso, the Park Inn Ulysse Resort & Thalasso offers 259 rooms (all with private terrace or balcony), nine food and beverage outlets including a local Tunisian style restaurant and café, barbeque and grill and beach restaurant and bar.

The resort earns its name from the 3,500-square-meter Thalasso and spa. With indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness area, four tennis courts, kid’s club and beach club, and several water sports options, this resort is a true paradise for the sunseekers.

Further services comprise a hair dresser and three designer boutiques.

Golfers can improve their handicap at the nearby Djerba Golf Club with three nine-hole courses.

Sightseeing options include Houmt-Souq, Djerba’s capital with traditional markets (“souks”), many mosques and the ancient fortress.

Djerba is just a short ferry ride from Tunisia’s mainland.

The international airport of the island is 19 kilometers away from the new Park Inn hotel.

The House, a 34-suite boutique hotel on the west coast of Barbados, is the first hotel on the island to introduce an “ambassador” service.

The service includes everything from a complimentary jet lag revival massage to the afternoon tea (both included at no charge). Ambassador Andrew Braithwaite helps with everything from seeking out a missing cell phone charger to booking the best table and finding the best surf spot. A recent VIP guest found a Snickers bar on her pillow after commenting it was her favorite candy.

For more information, visit www.eleganthotels.com

The Claridge Hotel has become the third hotel in Miami Beach to be invited to join Historic Hotels of America. A program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation,

Historic Hotels of America (HHA) identifies quality hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

These hotels are promoted nationally and internationally to those who prefer historic settings for their leisure and business travel.

Originally built in 1928, the Claridge Hotel was built in a Mediterranean Revival style popular at the time.

This year Miami Beach is celebrating the 30-year anniversary of its designation as a Historic district; that honor is based on the large census of Art Deco buildings in the area.

The Claridge pre-dates the Art Deco Movement by almost 20 years. After a $9 million dollar renovation in 2000, the Claridge has faithfully continued to hold onto its historic roots, while providing guests with the latest technology, comfort and style. Recent improvements to its 50 rooms and suites are a secure wireless high-speed internet access, iHome iPod docking stations, in-room safes, live plants and 300 thread count Egyptian linens.

“The Claridge Hotel is an anomaly in Miami Beach: its history includes a time, after World War II when the newly formed CIA took it over for use as a research center, as well as a time when it was a strict Orthodox apartment building including a mikvah, a bath used for Jewish women’s ritual cleansing.

“We are pleased that the original design and purpose has been faithfully restored,” said General Manager Jeff Lehman.

“In a mostly Art Deco environment, our Mediterranean style is rare and refreshing.”

The Claridge also features a 2,500-square-foot rooftop terrace for events and a 100-seat restaurant with both indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an interior Atrium with a large indoor Jacuzzi.

For more information, call 305-604-8485

or visit www.claridgemiamibeach.com

Stay at the Claridge before or after your cruise from Miami, just click the cruise ship to book your cruise adventure.

AirTran Airways said it has completed installation of Gogo Inflight Internet on all 136 of its aircraft. This milestone makes AirTran the first major airline to equip its entire fleet with Wi-Fi. To illustrate the capabilities of having Wi-Fi on every flight, the airline also hosted comedian Mark Malkoff onboard during the month of June. While setting the Guinness World Record for most flight segments flown on a commercial airliner in 30 days, Malkoff used Wi-Fi to stay connected to family, friends and fans. His exploits are captured at www.markonairtran.com.