Jetsettersblog

The recently opened The Vine is the only hotel on the Portuguese island of Madeira to exclusively offer Vinotherapy treatments containing Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet grape varieties. Known for its anti-aging properties, a Vinotherapy treatment is said to take back the years. The Vine’s spa spans over 3,000 square feet. All treatments are carried out with TheraVine products, one of the most renowned Vinotherapy brands.

In the spa there is a relaxation area with a Jacuzzi and steam room as well as five treatment rooms — three rooms for classical treatments, one room with a hydro-tub featuring integrated massage functions and a “Vichy Shower” room in which guests are sprayed with smooth water jets from various shower heads as part of their massage.

A further highlight is the spa area on the roof terrace. With panoramic views over the sea and the island’s capital of Funchal, guests can have treatments in the open air followed by a sundowner cocktail or a glass of Madeira wine at the bar.

The spa at The Vine offers a range of treatments featuring everything from facials with ground grape seeds to anti-stress body massages to relaxing body wraps. Each treatment follows a fixed ritual and all products are ecologically sourced.

The most popular treatment is the “Red Wine Divine Bath” involving a full body peel, followed by a bath of grape oils, full body massage and a glass of red wine. Those guests who favor utter privacy can choose an in-room spa treatment, which ensures they will be totally undisturbed. A further highlight is The Vine’s gourmet restaurant UVA, headed by Antoine Westermann, who has been awarded three Michelin stars.

For more information, call 011 49 (0)30-8849 400 32 or visit www.designhotels.com

According to Scotland’s Evening Times, Glasgow has overtaken London to become Britain’s international conference capital.

The city welcomed 20,000 delegates last year, more than any other British city.

The conferences, held mainly at the SECC and Royal Concert Hall, boosted the city’s economy by £131 million ($216 million). Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said, “We have a deliberate strategy of targeting large international meetings with high numbers of delegates that deliver real economic value for the city.”

For more information, visit www.seeglasgow.com

According to Michael Ryan, the developer of Grand Cayman Island’s Dragon Bay, the development’s principal design concept is based on movement by water, or paths and roads along the water’s edge, to and through several community clusters stretching across Grand Cayman Island.

From The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and the resort itself to Harbour Village at the eastern end of the island, all residences are oriented to the water and, in most cases, have immediate access to boating. Every amenity and facility can be reached by water.

Three principal communities anchor the Dragon Bay plan: the mixed-use Harbour Village with its marina; the Cayman Country Club, highlighted by the Greg Norman-designed Blue Tip Golf Course currently under expansion to create a championship 18-hole course; and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, situated along Seven Mile Beach at the western end of Grand Cayman.

Initial residential offerings at Dragon Bay include The DeckHouses, featuring 19 five-bedroom, five-bath gated single-family homes, each on a private island; Secret Harbour, 125 one-bedroom to four-bedroom residences, Harbour Lofts, Skyhouses and Bridge Residences surrounded by the waterways and golf course with expansive views of the North Sound; and The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, featuring 69 oceanfront homes.

For more information, visit www.dragonbaycayman.com  or www.ritzcarlton.com

The Maldives’ Huvafen Fushi launched an innovative new package aboard its exclusively designed Dhonis.

Guests staying in one of Huvafen Fushi’s ocean or beach-front bungalows now have the option to reserve their own 24-hour service Dhoni for an additional $1,821 a night.

The cost is in addition to the room rate and can be booked for one or all of the nights during the stay. Each 65-foot Dhoni is serviced by a dedicated crew and private chef who are ready to set sail, cook a meal or turn down your bed at a moment’s notice. The additional fee includes full board on the Dhoni, making it easy for guests to enjoy grilled seafood on a deserted island or a cocktail cruise under the stars.

The Dhonis are modeled after traditional Maldivian sailing boats. The interiors are designed to match the Huvafen Fushi resort proper. The handcrafted vessels are equipped with luxury trimmings but presented in a distinctly Maldivian format. Each Dhoni features a bedroom with king-sized bed and Frette linen, Bose surround sound, i-Pod, DVD player and LCD screen; a fully equipped kitchen with a well-stocked Smeg fridge; and a spacious Philippe Starck-designed bathroom and living area. Located in the North Malé Atoll, Huvafen Fushi Maldives is a pristine island resort offering 43 naturally modern bungalows and home to the world’s first underwater spa treatment rooms.

For more information, call 011-960-6644 222, email reservations@huvafenfushi.com  or visit www.huvafenfushi.com

Following an extensive two-year renovation and refurbishment, The Oyster Box in South Africa will again open her doors for business on Oct. 1, 2009. Over 30 staff have been retained from the old Oyster Box and, in preparation for the opening, have undergone extensive training both internationally, with the Red Carnation Collection in Europe, and locally, at sister hotels within the Red Carnation Hotels Collection, the Twelve Apostles in Cape Town and Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Spa in the Cederberg Mountains.

The hotel has 90 rooms and suites, eight Garden Villas, each with its own private pool, and a 450-square-meter Presidential Suite, complete with private pool. Children are welcome with special facilities and a Kids Club provided.

From the revolving door at the entrance, which has welcomed so many guests in the past, to the reception with its carved antique marble clock, which once graced the lobby of Christie’s of London, many of the hotel’s original features remain unchanged.

The familiar wrought-iron balustrade and original hand-painted tiles are still intact. The restored Ocean Terrace patio overlooks the rim flow pool and ocean beyond. The Oyster Box’s art collection has been carefully selected over a three-year period and comprises works by European and South African artists; it also includes paintings by local KwaZulu-Natal artists.

The Clock Library will house a collection of antique clocks collected from around the world, as well as provide a quiet area to relax, read or play a game of backgammon. A host of gathering spots include the familiar Chukka Bar, the new Lighthouse Bar situated on the rooftop overlooking the lighthouse and the marbled Oyster Bar, serving freshly plucked oysters from the hotel’s own oyster beds. Executive Chef Kevin Joseph and his team oversee the casual Ocean Terrace, complete with pizza and Tandoori ovens, serving seafood and authentic curries, to the Dinner & Dance in ‘

The Grill Room. For that special occasion, the sunken wine cellar, with its glass ceiling and impressive wine list of local and international wines, allows for private functions for up to 10 persons. Guests can enjoy a traditional High Tea with all the trappings at the new Oyster Box. Savor the freshly prepared, home-baked, cakes, biscuits and finger sandwiches daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the conservatory-like, palm-lined Palm Court, resplendent with chandeliers purchased from The Savoy Hotel in London. Each one of the four banqueting rooms is individually decorated. The hand-blown, crystal Venetian chandeliers in the mirrored Pearl Room, combined with the adjoining Shell Room, can accommodate up to 170 people seated for a dinner function.

In addition, the new property boasts a 24-seat movie theater, offering special dinner, hot popcorn and movie packages for hotel guests and private hirers. A fully equipped business center with complimentary high-speed Internet facilities is on hand. Other features include a spa, Hammam and gym, as well as water features and ponds, a second swimming pool and antique bird aviary, and Victorian-style gazebo. For more information or reservations, call 27315612233, email reservations@oysterbox.co.za  or visit www.oysterbox.co.za

Eurostar, the provider of high-speed, carbon-neutral rail journeys between the U.K. and the continent, welcomed on board newlyweds Suzanne Goodall (28) and Tom Croft (28) from Greenwich, together with their full wedding party.

They tied the knot at the Chelsea and Kensington registry office before moving to St. Pancras International to enjoy a glass of champagne with their guests at the Champagne Bar, the longest in Europe.

They then boarded the Eurostar to Brussels for further celebrations. The party travelled in style: the bride was wearing her full wedding dress accompanied by her bridesmaids in full-length dresses, together with the groom and his groomsmen wearing their morning suits. Travelling in Leisure Select, they enjoyed more champagne on board the train and received a meal served at seat. For more information, visit the banner below.

For the fifth straight time the city of Vancouver, British Columbia snagged the most livable city in the world spot in The Economist’s illustrious poll.

“I’m not surprised,” Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson told The Vancouver Sun. “There’s often focus on our challenges and negativity, but when you look at the big picture, Vancouver is a remarkable place to live and work and it’s great to be recognized for that.”

The ranking scores each city (140 were polled) from 0-100 on thirty factors spread across five areas: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Vancouver’s average score was 98—0.8 less than last year—but the margins at the top are all tight, with the best ten cities scoring over 96. The city’s only challenges were “petty crime and availability of good-quality housing.”

The world’s eyes will be on the most livable city on the globe next February when it hosts the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The report placed Vienna in second standing, followed by Melbourne, Toronto, then Perth, while Sydney fell in at ninth. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was judged America’s most livable city (in 29th place). High-scoring cities tend to be mid-sized and located in developed countries with a low population density. This means they can benefit from the availability of both cultural and recreational attractions, but with lower crime levels and fewer infrastructure problems than are often found among large populations. Vancouver’s population is approximately 2 million people.

In addition to the European designer label and local designer shopping, and world-class culinary experiences that Vancouver boasts, British Columbia’s varied climate makes it possible to find the best of a wide range of outdoor activities within the city—it is possible to alpine ski, hike, and golf in the same day.

But if visitors were recommended to do one thing in Vancouver, it would be to cycle or stroll along the Stanley Park seawall, a paved 10-kilometre loop with every moment of it privy to magnificent mountain, ocean, forest and city views.

For more information about Vancouver visit www.BritishColumbia.travel

Voted the Best In Uganda

In the world of African travel, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) is synonymous with excellence. It is then with much pleasure that A&K announces that the readers of Twende, East Africa’s premier travel magazine, has voted Gorilla Forest Camp the Best Tented Camp in Uganda.

Abercrombie & Kent’s Gorillas of Bwindi experience is unforgettable: remarkable encounters with the rare and endangered gorillas of Bwindi, Uganda.

This unique journey is a trek for two days through the forest to locate one of the four habituated gorilla families.

Once there, visitors spend time observing these awe-inspiring primates interacting in their forest surrounds – a powerful experience on many levels.

Whilst relishing the chance to observe these rare animals in their natural habitat, travellers will learn about their food regime, survival tactics and strong, unfaltering companionship.

After spending precious time with these inspirational creatures, guests retire to the impressive Gorilla Forest Camp, located in mountainside rainforest within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Sanctuary Retreats’ five-star deluxe tented accommodation surpasses all expectations and offers a soothing and unique oasis in this compelling environment.

Sujata Raman, A&K’s Managing Director says, “We are thrilled to be awarded this honour by the people of Africa. Geoffrey Kent’s passion for Africa inspired him to found A&K back in 1962 and it is humbling indeed that A&K has been recognised in this way.

Gorilla Forest Camp is the epitome of the Abercrombie & Kent experience – the perfect blend of an up close and personal experience of nature delivered in an award winning, elegant environment.”

Paying homage to its original Edwardian and Art Deco design,

The Savoy will once again lay claim to its long-standing status as London’s premier social destination when it unveils the culmination of a circa GBP100 million restoration programme in early 2010 – the most expensive hotel refurbishment in London’s history.

Encompassing the entire building from the courtyard and famed American Bar to the public areas and 268 guestrooms, the responsibility for this extensive restoration is being handled by the renowned designer, Yves Rochon, who has earned special recognition for his work on other landmark hotels such as the George V in Paris and the Hermitage in Monaco.

The programme heralds a number of notable highlights including the addition of a luxurious new two bedroom Royal Suite, the complete remodel of the legendary River Restaurant and the re-launch of the 58 River Suites with their iconic views over the River Thames.

In addition, The Savoy Grill will return again under the operation of Gordon Ramsay Holdings. New to the hotel will be The Beaufort Bar and Savoy Tea Shop, the first an opulent new venue to enjoy champagne and cocktails and the latter, a bijou teashop selling Savoy branded tea products, patisserie and other goodies.

Within the Thames Foyer, the re-introduction of a stunning winter garden gazebo beneath an ornate glass dome will provide the perfect ambience for afternoon tea.

For those who wish to continue their fitness regime on the road, there will be a contemporary, glass enclosed fitness gallery and rooftop swimming pool – one of only two in the city.

Room rates at The Savoy will start from around GBP 350 per room per night and we will be taking reservations 3 months prior to reopening.

Please visit www.the-savoy.com  for further updates on the restoration.

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces the Al Muna Karim Radisson Blu Hotel in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

The 322 rooms-property is scheduled to open in Q3 2009 in time to welcome its first guests during the Holy month of Ramadan, the hotel is Rezidor’s second hotel in the town – the group is also developing the Al Madinah Paradise Radisson Blu Resort which will welcome its first guests in Q4 2010.

“This new hotel is our 10th hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and underlines the importance of this market for us”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. Other key markets with Rezidor hotels in the country are Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Al Khobar and Yanbu.

The Al Muna Karim Radisson Blu Hotel will be located in the heart of the city– just 200 meters from the city’s most important landmark, the Prophet Mosque which contains the Tomb of the Prophet Mohammed and is situated only 15 minutes from Al Madinah International Airport.

The hotel will feature 322 guest rooms, an all day dining restaurant, a meeting room and a shopping arcade. Due to its prime location and high standards, it will be the perfect choice for the millions of religious tourists who visit Madinah annually, particularly during the Hajj and Umrah period.

Madinah is the second holiest city in Islam after Makkah. Besides the Prophet Mosque, other important landmarks include the Islamic University of Al Madinah, King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quraan, the Quba Mosque (the oldest mosque in Saudi Arabia), and many archaeological attractions. Madinah was home to the Prophet Mohammed and his followers after the Hijra migration in 622.

Saudi Arabia has launched a massive campaign to increase its capacity to welcome religious tourists. Changes have included easing of visa restrictions and large-scale infrastructure projects including airport expansions, new rail lines, and highways.

Despite the current economic climate and global financial downturn, 2009 is set to be Rezidor Hotel Group’s biggest year to date in terms of Middle East openings,

Rezidor are set to launch its first ‘Hotel Missoni’ this summer in Kuwait, as well as introudcing its Park Inn brand to the region.