Jetsettersblog

Food Trail Tours, Cairns now offer food and wine tours, to the world’s first tropical fruit wine region, the Cairns Highlands (Atherton Tablelands>.

Tours depart Cairns, Queensland, six days a week.

This sightseeing tour to the Cairns Highlands with Food Trail Tours is a day away from the crowds, visiting both the wet and dry tropics, while exploring what the local food, wine, farms and producers of Tropical North Queensland have to offer.

With tropical fruit wineries, macadamia and coffee plantations, as well as a cheeses factory and a hint of chocolate, there is something for everyone.

Clients experience interactive farm tours, meet locals and taste different local food or wine, at every stop.

Visiting, small family farms and being able interact with the owners and family members who work the business, provides a wonderful change of pace, and insights into, Australian country life.

Holidaymakers can be amongst the first to indulge in Australia’s newest luxury resort experience with this great value opening special to Peppers Coral Coast Resort, Airlie Beach. Guests can enjoy the relaxed elegance of the Whitsunday mainland’s first full-service five-star apartment resort from just $179* per night for a one bedroom apartment, valid to 30 November 2009.

Designed by leading architects Gary Hunt & Partners, the resort seamlessly integrates the relaxed tropical maritime splendour of Airlie Beach with the sophistication, style and uncompromising service Peppers is renowned for. Accommodation includes 102 beautifully appointed one, two, three bedroom apartments with spectacular panoramic ocean views and wide breezy verandas maximising the North Queensland tropical lifestyle experience. Peppers Coral Coast Resort offers a multitude of leisure options including the culinary delights of the exceptional Tides Restaurant & Bar, pure pampering and relaxation at the onsite endota spa or simply resting by the stunning wet-edge resort pool.

Phone 1300 967 600 or visit www.peppers.com.au

Sofitel Plaza Hanoi has been designated the 2008 top ranking recipient of the Top Ten five-star Hotels Vietnam Award presented by the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA).

The accolade received is the most prestigious in Vietnam’s tourism industry, presented each year since its establishment in 1999 to honor hotels that have made outstanding contributions to the development of the country’s tourism sector.

This is the first time the association has differentiated the criteria under judgment for hotels of different ratings, from three to five stars, as well as extending the selection of nominees to include top domestic tour operators.

Sofitel Plaza Hanoi is proud to have repeatedly been recognized as the honor prize winner of the 5-star luxury hotels category of the Top Ten Hotels Award in Vietnam.

Discover A|Club at Sofitel, the new worldwide Accor loyalty program on www.a-club.com

Celebrates 10 Years Of Heavenly

BANGKOK – Ten years later, consumers and critics agree – Westin Hotels & Resorts is still the best in bed. Westin turned the travel industry on its head and sparked a hotel bedding revolution with the 1999 launch of the Heavenly Bed®: an icon that inspired countless imitators, ignited the hotel-bed wars, and jump-started the hotel retail phenomenon. In the decade since, more than 75 million guests have tucked themselves into Heavenly Beds at Westin hotels around the world, including U.S. Presidents, Hollywood royalty, and professional athletes; and more than 30,000 beds and 100,000 pillows have been sold.

To celebrate that, The Westin Grande Sukhumvit announced today that is bringing a little bit of Heaven to its guests. Heavenly Getaway Package includes Breakfast in bed each day and a late 4pm check out at a special anniversary rate.

“Westin culture has its values deeply embedded in wellness, and personal renewal. What better way to live up to our expectations, than to offer guests a deep sumptuous sleep in a Heavenly Bed® If you leave a Westin Hotel feeling better than when you arrived, we have achieved our goal.” says Charles Jack, General Manager.

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Heavenly Getaway Package.
Breakfast-in-bed, 4pm checkout and special anniversary rate starts from Baht 5,000++.

There’s plenty to celebrate: the sumptuous, 10-layer Heavenly Bed® has grown from cult favorite to well-loved classic, and Westin has expanded Heavenly into a full-lifestyle brand, with similarly luxurious offerings for the bath.

From Bangkok to Boston, every one of Westin’s 166 properties and more than 29,000 employees will participate in the celebration with special events, Heavenly promotions, and giveaways.

HEAVENLY: A HISTORY

Ten years ago, Westin received a wake-up call from travelers, who said in a survey that the most important service a hotel can offer is a good night’s sleep. Westin spent more than $30 million to create the perfect night’s sleep and introduce 52,000 new Heavenly beds in its 39,500 guest rooms, becoming the first hotel brand to take sleep seriously.

In fact:

• There are now more than 97,000 Heavenly Beds in over 65,000 Westin guestrooms worldwide.
• Westin jump-started the hotel-retail phenomenon after receiving hundreds of inquiries from guests who wanted to know where they could purchase their own Heavenly Bed.

• The company has sold more than 30,000 Heavenly Beds, 100,000 pillows, 32,000 sheets, and 13,000 shower heads to consumers hoping to bring home the Heavenly experience. Items are sold through a partnership with Nordstrom and online at www.westin.com/store

• The Heavenly Bed was such a success that every major hotel brand followed suit with the development of signature beds—affecting more than 5 million hotel beds across the globe.

Following an overwhelming guest response and unmatched media attention, “Heavenly” soon became synonymous with “Westin.” Over the next 10 years, Westin introduced several additions to the Heavenly portfolio, including the Heavenly Crib in 2000, Heavenly Shower in 2001, Heavenly Dog Bed in 2002, and Heavenly Spa brand in 2008.

After introducing the bed that changed it all, Westin continued to look for other ways to strengthen its commitment to guests’ wellness, pledging to “help guests feel better when they leave than when they arrived.” Wellness-inspired offerings introduced over the past decade included several more industry firsts: Breathe Westin (a commitment to a smoke-free environment), a signature White Tea scent, and a SuperFoods breakfast menu.

Most flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Thailand are now operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a two-class Business and Economy configuration and inseat personal entertainment systems for all passengers. THAI’s Royal Silk Business Class offers 163% lie-flat capsule style seating with all the latest in-seat facilities and amenities.

And of course, all seats come with the award-winning, unique inflight Thai hospitality and service. Perth services will be operated by the new Airbus A330-300 from August 2009. Check with travel agents or THAI for the latest information : 1300 651 960 or email reservations@thaiairways.com.au

Westin Hotels & Resorts continues its expansion momentum in Asia-Pacific, announcing that Westin will introduce its first resort in Thailand in early 2010. Owned by Phuket Garden Cliff Co Ltd, The Westin Siray Bay Resort, Phuket will be the newest international 5-star property to open in Phuket and will offer travelers a sensory-rich environment to renew and recharge.

“We are excited to introduce the first Westin resort in Thailand! The soon to open Westin Siray Bay Resort will also further strengthen the position of Starwood as one of the largest international upscale hotel chains in the Thailand and Indochina region (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos),” commented Miguel Ko, Chariman & President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.

“We are looking forward to offering travelers to Phuket a retreat from the rigors of travel, with our signature Westin services, products and amenities that will allow them to relax, rejuvenate and recharge during their stay,” added Ko.

The Westin Siray Bay, Phuket will be located on Siray Island, in a private cove overlooking Siray Bay and will offer private beach access. The new-build resort will offer 258 stylishly appointed guest rooms, suites and villas decorated in warm tones with modern furniture. Each room enjoys breathtaking ocean view, Westin Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly , flat screen LCD television and high speed broadband access.Bath® Several guestrooms and villas will also have their own plunge pools.

“Our exclusive location on the east side of Phuket coupled with the private white sandy beach, crystal clear water and abundant greenery around will make this Westin resort a perfect retreat for our guests to recharge and rejuvenate” remarked Greg Findlay, General Manager of The Westin Siray Bay Resort, Phuket.

Travelers seeking a personal, enriching experience and healthy lifestyle will also be able to experience a range of Westin products and services including the signature Westin Heavenly Bed, Westin WORKOUT and Heavenly Spa. Other facilities in the resort include 6 food and beverage outlets, 3 outdoor pools, Westin Kids Club®, a business center, 4 meeting rooms, totaling 725 square meters with all pre-function areas enjoying ocean views.

The Siray island is connected to the Phuket mainland via a bridge. It is an 8-minute drive from Phuket town, 45-minute drive from Phuket International airport and boat ride from a cluster of world renowned islands including Phi Phi, James Bond, Similan and Maya islands, which are famous for their white sandy beaches, pristine waters and abundant marine life.

450 of Geelong’s leading business men and woman gathered to see Four Points by Sheraton Geelong win the 2009 Business Excellence Tourism Award for Best Accommodation.

The Awards event is the highlight of the Geelong business community’s calendar and recognises outstanding achievements and excellence in performance, marketing, sustainability and vision.
Bryan Dennis, General Manager at Four Points accepted the award saying “Everything we do is based around providing honest, uncomplicated, comfort to each and every guest that walks through our doors. We are honoured to be held in such high regard and seen as the premier conference, corporate and leisure Hotel in Geelong”.

Just a short flight from Australia’s East coast (3.5 hours from Sydney, 2.5 from Brisbane and 4 from Melbourne) a holiday to Vanuatu has the perfect balance of resort style relaxation and authentic cultural discovery, and with 13 flights a week with Air Vanuatu and Pacific Blue it has never been more accessible.

Vanuatu offers all the South Pacific island splendor expected – coral reefs, waterfalls, crystal clear turquoise ocean and abundant fresh seafood. Add to that fascinating tribal life, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, one of the world’s best diveable shipwrecks and according the happy planet index in 2006 the world’s happiest people – and it is little wonder the country is a favorite among Australian travelers.

In the cosmopolitan capital Port Vila, you can spend time relaxing and pampering yourself at a range of resorts, eating some of the finest food and fresh organic produce in the South Pacific and shopping in the town’s local markets or stores.

Although it may be tempting to sit by resort pools sipping cocktails, Port Vila is also about getting out and about, exploring all the islands have to offer and discovering the captivating Melanesian Culture. There are a range of adventures to entertain all tastes from cultural village experiences and sightseeing tours to abseiling down waterfalls, guided off-road buggy hire, horse riding and cycling. Not to mention diving, sailing, fishing, surfing and all other water based pursuits.
Vanuatu is an easy place to travel solo if you’re one who likes to explore and discover a country on your own.

In Port Vila most accommodation is located around 15 minutes from the town centre and there are local mini buses which will take you anywhere for approximately $1.25.

You can also explore on foot, catch taxis or hire a car.

Port Vila is lively at night time too. There are 68 restaurants and a range of night clubs so there are plenty of options for a romantic meal or night out. Kava drinking is also a popular past time for the local Ni-Vanuatu people and a visit to a Nakamal (Kava bar) for a ‘shell’ of Kava can prove an interesting start to an evening.

However, if it is real, authentic adventure you are after, getting out to one of Vanuatu’s outer islands is a must.

There are 83 islands in the archipelago and combining at least one of them with your visit to Port Vila can give you a taste of what remote island life is really like.

The most popular outer islands to visit in Vanuatu are Espiritu Santo and Tanna. Both offer exceptional once-in-a-life time experiences and a chance to see a very different side of Vanuatu.

As one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes, the fiery Mount Yasur attracts travelers to Tanna. Standing on the rim of this powerful volcano watching lava explode into the air is certainly worth the trip.

However, there is also fascinating culture to discover with interesting cargo cults such as those that await the arrival of mystical John Frum or the return of Prince Phillip.

 A visit to a custom village where locals have rejected western ways of life and still live traditionally, offers you a peep into the past. As with all these beautiful islands, there are also amazing landscapes with waterfalls, underwater caves, coral reefs and beautiful Port Resolution to explore.

The water surrounding Espiritu Santo has long been a Mecca for divers and snorkelers and enthusiasts travel from all over the world to explore historical relics from the island’s days as an American base in WWII. Popular sites include world’s most accessible ship wreck, The SS President Coolidge and coral covered American wrecks and war relics at Million Dollar Point.

However, the destination has recently become much more of a holiday paradise. Air Vanuatu has recognised this potential, launching direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney to Santo in 2007. For adventure seekers Espiritu Santo offers a myriad of activities including trekking to Millennium Caves, visiting villages still living in the traditional way and kayaking from one idyllic island to another.

For those who prefer to relax, they can lay back and take in the surrounding white sands and blue water of this island paradise made famous in one of the most popular books in history, Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Days can be spent picnicing and relaxing on one of the islands magic white sand beaches such as Champagne Beach or by a blue hole where crystal clear blue water is filtered through limestone and coral to create an idyllic inland pool.

A visit Pentecost Island is also becoming a popular side strip. Every Saturday in April to June visitors flock to the island to see the Naghol Land Diving ceremony. This awe-inspiring ceremony sees boys as young as eight and men build towers up to 20 meters high and jump from them as a show of strength and to encourage a good yam harvest. Villagers dance and stomp their feet below making the atmosphere electric as nervous visitors watch and hope that the diver will survive the dive into the ground below.

With 83 islands there are countless adventure options and experiences in Vanuatu. There are regular cultural festivals and events on islands where you can visit villages and see a totally different way of life, happening so close to Australia.

For further information visit www.vanuatu.travel

It’s official. The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay is New Zealand’s best city hotel.

The Westin has taken out honours in the 2009 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards being voted the top New Zealand city hotel in the Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific region and ranked 4th overall.

Travel + Leisure readers select their favourite hotels around the world judging them on the quality of their rooms and facilities, location, service, restaurants and food, and value.

‘We are extremely proud of this achievement,” says General Manager Marcus Reinders.

“It certainly reflects our commitment to giving our guests a truly Westin experience in New Zealand, which is all about making them feel better than when they arrived.

“To be recognised by Travel + Leisure, which is a true authority in its field – with the largest and most affluent audience of any travel magazine – is a real thrill.”

This accolade confirms The Westin’s status as one of the regions premier hotels.

The Westin was also recently named in the Top 100 World’s Best Hotels in the Expedia Insiders List.

Quest Serviced Apartments opened its doors in Shepparton on July 6, spending $13.5 million on the new development and providing much-needed corporate accommodation to the town’s agricultural visitors.

The new complex will service the accommodation needs of the local farming and food production industries, but also welcomed technology, government department and bank guests travelling to the town for business in its first two weeks of operation.

Quest Chairman, Paul Constantinou, said that during construction, the project generated 200 jobs and brought an estimated $8 million to the region, supporting local suppliers and providers in the process.

“Opening up a new property in Shepparton made a lot of sense. The area is a fast growing business hub and Quest is positioned to provide travellers with the right accommodation option,” Quest Chairman, Paul Constantinou, said.

Quest Shepparton is a modern property, featuring 69 studio, one, two and three-bedroom serviced apartments spread over four levels, with an anticipated 4½ Star AAA Tourism rating. The property includes on-site undercover car parking, gymnasium and conference facilities that can cater for up to 70 people.

Located close to the centre of town at 177-183 Welsford Street, Quest Shepparton boasts fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, plus broadband internet access and Austar. It will also offer chargeback at a selection of local restaurants.

“Quest will have everything the business traveller needs. It will suit people staying for shorter periods and will feel like a home-away-from-home for those who want to stay longer,” Mr Constantinou said.

The property has been purchased by franchisees Robert Sumpton, Peter Sweetland and Sonya Boaden. Robert and Peter are returning to the region after previously running a motel in Shepparton some years ago.

Sonya previously held the position of National Operations Manager at Quest head office and will partner with Peter to run the property on a daily basis.

Quest Shepparton is the fifth property to be opened this year by the serviced apartment group, which continues to expand despite today’s tough business conditions.

At a glance

Construction started: June 2008
Cost of development: $13.5 million
Date opened: 6 July 09
Number of staff employed: 15
Accommodation type: Anticipated 4.5 star serviced apartments
Address: 177-183 Welsford Street, Shepparton
Business structure: franchise

About Quest Serviced Apartments

Quest has become Australasia’s largest provider of serviced apartments, with more than 120 properties across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Established in 1988, Quest offers stylish, well appointed and spacious apartments designed with the business traveller in mind.

With separate bedrooms and living areas, fully equipped kitchens, additional amenities and high service standards, Quest provides flexible accommodation that allows its guests to work or relax in complete comfort.