Jetsettersblog

LodgeWorks, L.P., a privately held hotel development and management company, opened the doors to Avia Long Beach, the third in a new collection of boutique hotels.

Avia Long Beach offers 138 rooms and suites at Pike Rainbow Harbor in the heart of Long Beach’s waterfront dining and entertainment district and within walking distance to the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, the financial district and the Port of Long Beach, the second-busiest seaport in the United States.

In celebration of the hotel opening, Avia Long Beach guests who book a stay through Oct. 31, 2009 will receive a complimentary $20 dining credit at the Avia Kitchen + Wine Bar. Reference code LBINTRO20 must be mentioned upon booking of reservation.

For reservations or more information, call 866-644-2842, email contactus@aviahotels.com  or visit www.aviahotels.com

The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort, will host the revival of “ReTreat Yourself” women’s getaway, Jan. 6 to 9, 2010.

“ReTreat Yourself” includes a three-night stay at The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort, as well as daily ski and snowboard sessions led by pro-snowboarders Megan Pischke-Porcheron and Barrett Christy-Cummins, and pro-skier Kasha Rigby (three sessions); yoga classes including restorative yoga to calm the spirit, and morning yoga sessions with Forrest Yoga Teacher Amy Baker (five classes); sessions with life coach Linda Kennoy on Manifesting your True Personal Power, Fate and Destiny, and a session on Energy Fields, Magic and Soul Mates (three sessions); daily breakfast at The Osprey, and daily lunch at such exciting venues as Trapper’s Cabin, a private mountaintop retreat; a B4BC (Boarding for Breast Cancer) evening party complete with mini spa treatments, delectable cuisine and wine, and a silent auction/raffle to benefit B4BC; and a “Tea Greeting” welcome reception on Jan. 6 that includes a consultation with a skin esthetician, as well as a final ceremony lunch on Jan. 8, 2009.

“Retreat Yourself” pricing is $1,428.32 per person, based on double occupancy. Resort fees and taxes are included. Single occupancy rates are available.

Lift ticket pricing is not included. Lift tickets will be available at a discounted rate.

For more information or reservations, call 800-752-7920 or visit www.vbcrp.com

The Bilila Lodge Kempinski held its grand opening in July with Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in attendance. The Bilila Lodge Kempinski is the first luxury lodge for Kempinski Hotels in Serengeti National Park and their third property in Tanzania.

The Bilila Lodge Kempinski features 74 rooms fitted with private telescopes for game viewing, all of which overlook the plains of the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world famous for the annual animal migration.

Kempinski is one of several upscale hospitality brands expanding their base in Tanzania. In addition to Bilila Lodge, Kempinski has the Kilimanjaro Kempinski in Dar es Salaam, the Zamani Kempinski in Zanzibar and is building a hotel in Arusha. Movenpick, which has property in Dar es Salaam, is also building a hotel in Arusha; Serena Hotels & Resorts just opened two luxury camps in The Selous.

Peter Mwenguo, managing director of the Tanzania Tourist Board, noted that the expansion of luxury properties in Tanzania by prestigious brands such as Kempinski are a good indication of the healthy investment climate for tourism in Tanzania as well as the continued demand for luxury travel despite the recent economic challenges.

Serena Hotels & Lodges recently announced the opening of two new luxury boutique properties located within the Selous Game Reserve, the largest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

These are Serena’s first properties in what is known as the Southern Safari Circuit.

The Mivumo River Lodge, which opened on July 15, has 12 superior rooms and three premium luxury suites. Each superior room consists of a luxurious bedroom and lounge with a private balcony offering an indoor bathroom, outdoor shower and an intimate plunge pool.

The lodge is located along the mighty Rufiji River, with a magnificent view of the breathtaking Stiegler’s gorge.

The Selous Wildlife Lodge, which opened on Aug. 1, is a luxury tented camp unit located on the Eastern bank of the Simbazi River, a tributary of the Rufiji.

The camp comprised of 12 tents, has a dining area and guest lounge overlooking a natural watering hole which is also lit in the evenings for night game viewings, and an outside viewing deck and swimming pool.

For more information, visit Tanzania Tourism at www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

Sanctuary Swala Camp in Tanzania is now fully open following a $1.5 million rebuild. The camp now offers guests a completely new safari experience of “luxury, naturally” while causing minimum impact on the local environment.

In celebration of the opening of the camp, Sanctuary Retreats is holding 2009 rates for 2010. Game Package Rates are from $440 per person per night, all inclusive. A special launch offer consists of a third night free with two nights booked. The offer is valid for new bookings made for travel now through Nov. 30, 2009.

The special launch honeymoon offer consists of a half price stay for the bride for any honeymoon stay between now and Nov. 30, 2009.

Developed to the highest eco-friendly standards, the camp is located in a secluded area of Tarangire National Park. Each of the 12 canvas pavilions has been designed to an open plan basis, with large living area, king bed and en suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers.

Floor to ceiling canvas windows lead onto large private lounge decks that overlook the main watering hole which regularly draws lions, leopards and resident bull elephants. An infinity swimming pool has been added and the new main dining and lounge areas feature contemporary African design below traditional thatched roof structures.

The extensive decked area provides the perfect setting for leisurely sundowners and al fresco dining.

For further information, contact tanzania@sanctuaryretreats.com  or visit www.sanctuarylodges.com

Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa is offering Wyndham ByRequest guests two nights free, a $100 food and beverage credit and a VIP value card for discounts throughout the resort. VIP discounts include 25 percent off spa treatments, excursions, golf, water sports and more.

The special requires a four-night stay and is available for booking now through Dec. 20.

Located on 500 acres between Puerto Rico’s El Yunque rainforest and a mile-long stretch of Atlantic shoreline, the Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa features two beachfront swimming pools, a newly renovated casino, two championship golf courses, 11 Har-Tru tennis courts, 11 restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues.

For more information, call 800-4-RIO-MAR or visit www.wyndhamriomar.com

Kai Market, a new restaurant featuring farm-to-table cuisine inspired by Hawaii’s plantation era, has opened at the Sheraton Waikiki. Kai Market will offer breakfast and dinner with food that will provide guests a taste of Hawaii’s different ethnic foods, as well as a look into the culture and traditions of Hawaii’s sugar plantations.

The cuisine was inspired by the “food fair” of plantation tables from more than a century ago that brought an influx of ethnic cuisine to the Islands.

Kai Market will also feature three “living walls” of herbs and spices for chefs to pick fresh.

The interior design is contemporary Hawaiian with the use of earthy colors and a country living flair.

Entertainment will vary, featuring dueling ukulele players who will stroll table to table throughout the evening. Kai Market is open seven days a week, and complimentary self-parking is available with validation.

For restaurant reservations, call 808-921-4600.

For hotel information, call 866-716-8109 or visit www.sheraton-waikiki.com

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki has reopened Serenity Spa Hawaii following a multi-month renovation. Located on the second floor of the Diamond Head tower, Serenity Spa Hawaii features redecorated treatment rooms, the addition of a men’s changing room, and a new menu of services utilizing the environmentally conscious line of Aveda products. The 4,500-square-foot spa offers eight treatment rooms and a menu that includes Hawaiian lomi lomi, hot lava rock, Swedish, sports and deep tissue treatments, as well as body wraps, scrubs, vichy showers and aroma therapies

Couples’ treatments, kids’ packages, and salon services are also available.

Within the next several months, guests also will have the opportunity to enjoy select treatments in a tropical cabana being erected next to the pool. A new retail boutique will also open soon in the Outrigger Reef’s lobby, where guests will be able to book spa services and purchase Aveda products.

For more information, call 866-926-2882 or visit www.serenityspahawaii.com

For general hotel information, call 800-688-7444 or visit www.outriggerreef.com

Wales is promoting its haunted lodgings such as Caerphilly Castle’s Green Lady, colored green because of her husband’s fatal envy; Lady Grey of Ruthin Castle Hotel, named for a woman who was executed for murdering her husband’s lover and was never properly buried; and the former librarian of Raglan Castle who appears as a bardic figure beckoning visitors where the library once stood.

One must-see ghost-spotting locale is Llancaiaich Fawr Manor, a living history museum that transports visitors to the year 1645 and is noted as one of the 10 most-haunted buildings in Britain. The building is said to be inhabited by no fewer than eight former residents including soldiers, children and a maid who freely roam the house and gardens.

Ghost-hunting season runs from October through March.

For more information, visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr

Among the more haunted hotels in Wales is Maesmawr Hall in the Severn Valley near the market town of Newton in Powys, Mid Wales.

A half-timbered house which has been in existence since before 1600, reports of apparitions include sightings of Robin Drwg, half man, half beast, ritually cast into the lake. The ghosts of the Grey Lady and the specter have been seen walking the grounds.

For more information, visit www.maesmawr.co.uk

Gwydir Castle in North Wales is also among the more haunted places to stay. The most significant ghost is a young woman who haunts the North Wing and the paneled corridor between the Hall of Meredith and the Great Chamber.

Associated with the sightings is the drop in temperature and the extraordinary smell in the vicinity. Sir John Wynn is also said to haunt the castle, sighted on a number of occasions on the spiral staircase leading from the Solar Hall to the Great Chamber. Other sightings include crying children, a dog, a short Elizabethan lady in a yellow dress and a night torch-lit procession on the Great Terrace.

For more information, visit www.gwydircastle.co.uk

Virgin America, the California-based airline, announced it will serve Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with daily non-stop flights from the West Coast beginning Nov. 18, 2009.

The South Florida region will be the 10th destination in the airline’s growing network. Virgin America will serve FLL with two daily non-stop roundtrips from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and two daily non-stop roundtrips from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The airline also will offer connecting flights from Seattle, Orange County, San Diego and Las Vegas.

“The South Florida market has always been at the top of our list. It is a world-class destination and an important tourism and business travel market that, until today, was served by little or no non-stop competition from the West Coast,”” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.

“Our business model is focused on population centers where our unique service and amenities resonate with travelers — and we think the South Florida region is a perfect match.

With its central, convenient location and modern facilities, we’re pleased to partner with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to bring our low-fare, upscale service to this growing market.”
Tickets are on sale on Virgin America’s website (www.virginamerica.com) and at 877-359-8474). FLL-SFO and FLL-LAX fares start at $99 one way in Main Cabin, $499 one way in the carrier’s Main Cabin Select premium service, and from $849 in its international-grade First Class cabin.

In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, Virgin America’s First Class cabin features international-grade amenities, including plush white leather seats with 55 inches of pitch and lumbar massagers.

The carrier’s premium cabin option, Main Cabin Select, offers 38-inches of seat pitch, complimentary food and cocktails, an all-access pass to Red’s countless entertainment options, dedicated overhead bin space, and priority check-in and boarding.

“With Virgin America’s four daily flights into FLL, it just got easier for Californians to experience our Blue Wave beaches, exotic Everglades and cruises from Port Everglades, and just in time for Pro Bowl and Super Bowl 2010 in South Florida,” said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. ”

Just hours after a similar announcement by Virgin America, JetBlue Airways said that beginning Nov. 17, 2009 it will offer daily service between San Francisco International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

JetBlue said it has been offering West Coast travelers nonstop service between L.A./Long Beach and Fort Lauderdale since 2003. From Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue has connections to such Caribbean destinations as Nassau, Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

JetBlue’s new SFO-Fort Lauderdale flights will offer travelers a number of amenities onboard, including seats with more legroom and the live TV entertainment, plus unlimited free snacks and drinks. JetBlue’s flight will depart San Francisco at 11:30 p.m. and arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 7:50 a.m. the next day. The return flight will depart Fort Lauderdale at 7:15 p.m. and arrive in San Francisco at 10:35 p.m.

“JetBlue is thrilled to be introducing our long-requested service between San Francisco and South Florida,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s chief commercial officer. “We look forward to further expansion in these important JetBlue cities, and we’re confident travelers will really appreciate JetBlue’s service, in particular our legroom, on this new coast-to-coast flight.”

Overnight flights from San Francisco and all Western U.S. destinations offer JetBlue’s complimentary Shut-Eye Service, featuring a Snooze Kit that includes earplugs and eyeshades, plus unlimited free snacks and beverages and a “good morning” hot towel service. Before arrival, customers will be treated to Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, fruit juice, and bottled spring water.