Jetsettersblog

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts expansion plans in Tunisia are another milestone for the Swiss company, offering guests a unique experience in the thriving capital of Tunisia.

The Swiss premium hotel company has just signed a management contract with the owning company, Consortium Tuniso-Koweitien de Développement, with the official opening scheduled for spring 2010.Gammarth is a modern and prosperous suburb of Tunis.

The Mövenpick Hotel Gammarth Tunis will be the perfect choice for travelers who look for quality and contemporary facilities.

The new upscale property enjoys a prime location on the shoreline of Gammarth and is only a 15-minute drive from Tunis-Carthage International Airport and Carthage Golf Course.

 The Mövenpick Hotel Gammarth Tunis features 102 rooms and 15 suites most offering stunning sea view, and will be an important addition to the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts portfolio in Tunisia, by complimenting the services of the Mövenpick Resort and Marine Spa Sousse scheduled to open in November 2009.

Guests will be able to indulge in culinary treats offered in three different restaurants where guests can enjoy a diversity of choice to satisfy the most demanding palate while surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Tunis.

Further key features of the property include a spa with its indoor swimming pool, a modern health and fitness club and a wide selection of treatments in six rooms with an authentic hammam and beauty salon, in addition to two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a 300-meter golden sandy beach. For business travelers, the hotel offers a perfect location, both for conference and meetings, a modern conference and banquet hall for over 350 participants, as well as three executive boardrooms.

Carnival Cruise Lines has installed a kids’ play area in the Port of Miami cruise terminal so they have somewhere to amuse themselves while waiting to board.

The first “Fun Zone” features toys, games and activities. Located on the upper level of the facility, the “Fun Zone” includes indoor playground equipment, video game consoles, board games, coloring books and more. The line plans on adding “Fun Zones” to other year-round homeports in the future.

Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort, a luxury beach resort located on the southern Brazilian coast, was named Resort of the Year 2010 by the travel guide Guia 4 Rodas.

This prestigious award caps off a year of accolades for Ponta dos Ganchos, having received the “Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway — South America” award from Condé Nast Johansens in February and being named a “World’s Sexiest Beach” by Concierge.com in July. Guia 4 Rodas refers to Ponta dos Ganchos’ dedication to creating privacy and intimacy for guests, 25 bungalows with Egyptian cotton linens, fireplaces, Wi-Fi Internet, flat-screen TVs and large wooden decks with sea views — and a private island where one couple can dine per night.

Located 25 miles from Florianopolis, Ponta Dos Ganchos can be reached via a 55-minute flight from Sao Paolo, an hour and thirty-minute flight from Rio de Janeiro or a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires.

In order to maintain an atmosphere of complete tranquility, minimum age requirement at Ponta dos Ganchos is 18 years old.

For more information, visit www.pontadosganchos.com.br

A new Getaway Card now offers discounts for visitors to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches.

Available for easy download from My Getaway Card, the free card provides discounts on nearly every feature that makes the destination so popular, including entertaining attractions, world-class golf, accommodations for every taste and budget, outstanding shopping, and upscale dining.

The Getaway Card is now welcomed throughout the destination — from the historic attractions of St. Augustine to the luxurious seaside resorts of Ponte Vedra.

By going to www.mygetawaycard.com  , visitors can plan their vacation to the area by identifying discounts that match their individual or family preferences for an ideal vacation in a place which features the Spanish architecture and Old World charm of the Nation’s oldest city, 42 miles of spectacular Atlantic beaches, some of the world’s most famous golf courses and the World Golf Hall of Fame, luxurious resorts, acclaimed bed and breakfast inns, plus great shopping and dining.

In addition to listings on the website, hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions offering discounts to card holders are easily identified by the Getaway Card logo in their windows.

The Getaway Card is particularly timely for those planning to visit the area for some outstanding upcoming events including the 12th Annual Greek Festival and 21st Annual Colonial Folk Arts & Craft Festival (Oct. 9 to 11); the 24th Annual Great Chowder Debate (Nov. 1); the inspiring World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies (Nov. 2); and the always-popular Ponte Vedra Winefest (Nov. 6 to 8).

For more information, call 800-653-2489 or visit www.Getaway4Florida.com

Grand Pacific Tours, the New Zealand Luxury Coach Holiday specialist, recently hosted the staff of RACT Travelworld to get a glimpse of the brand new Catamaran – Ipipiri, which is currently being built in Hobart and shall be the largest overnight cruising ship permanently based in New Zealand.

The vessel is being built by Richard Devine Marine Constructions and will be operated by Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.

The two day, one night cruise through the historic Bay of Islands will showcase the past and the present of New Zealand’s finest sub tropical and maritime destination.

The Name Ipipiri (E-pip-e-rey) is the original Maori name for the Bay of Islands, and means to ‘raft up’ or to ‘bring together’.

This scared Maori name for the Bay of Islands was gifted to Fullers GreatSights for use on this Overnight Cruise vessel by the Tangata Whenua of Patu keha and Ngati Kuta, the two hapu (sub-tribe) in whose tribal area the vessel will spend most of its time.

Vessel Information

Ipipiri, at 46 metres is the largest cruising ship permanently based in New Zealand, and provides a truly impressive cruise experience in one of the most spectacular regions of New Zealand. Spread over four levels this catamaran includes 30 king state room a spacious sundeck with 360 degree views and a 70-seat restaurant and bar. Cruising at 12 knots through the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands, the vessel has been designed to provide maximum stability and minimum wake.

The King State Room

Ipipiri features 30 identical king state rooms, spread over two decks.

All state rooms include a full sized ensuite and panoramic sea views.

Grand Pacific Tours have been given the exclusive right to incorporate the vessel in a tour series from Australia. The overnight cruise is part of their 19 Day Rail-Coach Holiday to New Zealand.

For more information contact Grand Pacific Tours on 1800 622 768 or visit www.grandpacifictours.com

The much anticipated Sheraton Incheon Hotel officially opens its doors this week. The opening of the hotel was graced by The Honorable Ahn Sang-soo, Mayor of Incheon, Chairman Park, ChanBub of KUMHO Asiana Group and Mr Lothar Pehl, Regional Vice-President, Starwood.

The opening is timely as it coincides with debut of one of the largest conventions at Songdo City, which takes place at Songdo Conventia, right next to Sheraton Incheon Hotel.

Sheraton Incheon Hotel sits at the heart of Korea’s most exciting business development: the Incheon Free Economic Zone. Sheraton Incheon Hotel celebrates its opening today with a number of ‘firsts’ in the industry in Korea:

Songdo’s first international deluxe five-star hotel,

the first LEED rated (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotel in Korea.

the first fully non-smoking hotel in Korea and – the entire hotel is built using eco-friendly methods

The Sheraton Incheon Hotel’s opening celebrations also includes welcoming its first check-in guest on August 1.

The guest is presented with a commemorative framed photograph of his visit to the Sheraton Incheon Hotel.

“We‘re extremely excited to introduce this brand new Sheraton hotel in the heart of Incheon Free Economic Zone’ said Alain Rigodin, the General Manager of the Sheraton Incheon Hotel. He added: ‘Songdo, once a sleepy island, is now set to become the world’s most beautiful, functional and environmentally-friendly city. The Sheraton Incheon offers deluxe service and facilities that welcome business executives to a comfortable, eco-friendly and completely smoke-free environment.”

The Sheraton Incheon is also unveiling Sheraton brand’s signature ‘Link@Sheraton™’ for the first time in Korea. The Link – at the heart of the hotel lobby – is designed as a communal space where guests can socialize for business or leisure, work or simply relax. As well as being a social environment, The Link also allows guests to check their email, research local attractions and even print boarding passes.

In addition, the first Sheraton Fitness facility in Korea makes its home at the Sheraton Incheon, and it is part of Sheraton’s initiative to bring its community alive. Designed to be more than just a hotel fitness center, Sheraton Fitness operates 24 hours and offers themed workout programs (designed by Core Performance) that provide all the facilities for business travelers on the go.

Exuding modern sophistication and equipped with the state-of-the-art technology – and with the Songdo Conventia and the city’s green oasis, Central Park right next door – the hotel is only 20 minutes away from Incheon International Airport via the new Incheon Bridge – which opens later this year.

The design approach to the Sheraton Incheon was based on the notion of a ‘Return to Utopia’ with its style a delicate blend of the modern Sheraton language, traditional Korean patterns and graphics and the meaning of Songdo: “pine tree island.”

Over 300 non-smoking guest rooms offer our famous Sheraton comforts including the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and ‘rainforest’ shower, and a Sheraton coffee maker. Amenities and facilities are designed to meet the needs of every traveller and each room features high ceilings and large windows as well as a 32-inch LCD television, a generously-proportioned work desk and high-speed WIFI and broadband access.

The Sheraton Incheon is offering special packages from August 1 until October 31.

For more information and reservations, visit www.sheraton.com/incheon

Alyeska Resort opens to skiers and snowboarders in late November, and with the addition of brand new terrain, extended night skiing, special packages and Alaska’s first superpipe, the 2009-10 season offers something for everyone.

Located 40 miles south of Anchorage, Alyeska Resort features 2,500 vertical feet of skiable terrain, and, after this summer’s trail work, boasts an additional five ski runs.

The new Alyeska Pipeline Superpipe — used by advanced skiers and snowboarders for stunts — measures 300 feet long, 55 feet wide and with walls 18 feet tall.

This winter, Alyeska will extend night skiing operations for an additional two weeks (through March 27), allowing spring breakers more hours to ski under the stars. Special packages at Alyeska highlighting the resort spa and other amenities are available online.

Alyeska Resort sees an average annual snowfall of 750 inches and boasts the longest continuous double black diamond ski run in North America.

For more information,

visit www.alyeskaresort.com

The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, recently announced the establishment of the Marine Sanctuaries Project and creation of two new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the north and south coasts of Jamaica.

Further establishing the foundation’s commitment to the Caribbean and the overall environment, the MPAs will first and foremost provide opportunities for the growth of the fish population of the region, and serve as an avenue of education about the value of marine life preservation and sustainability.

MPAs are increasingly recognized by experts as an essential approach for conserving Caribbean marine eco-systems and for generating income and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

Experts estimate that the ideal target would be to have 30 percent of the coastline designated as MPAs, and the recent involvement by The Sandals Foundation is a step in the right direction, which will hopefully encourage the creation of additional and larger protected areas.

For more information, visit

www.sandalsfoundation.org

Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa on South Africa’s famed Garden Route has added the private castle complex, perfectly positioned overlooking Noetzie Beach.

Actually three separate castles with five spacious luxury suites, the complex features sumptuous bathrooms, vast living areas, private terraces and breathtaking views of the beach, sea and rugged coast. Each castle features a resident chef, housekeeper and butler.

A fully equipped gym, heated outdoor pools and a thatched gazebo complete the extraordinary facilities.

Tip: A three-night Castle of Dreams package includes rooms, helicopter transfers from the airport, meals, South Africa wines, a daily spa treatment and sports for up to ten guests (ZAR 342,000 or approximately US$43,235). The ultimate house party! www.pezulaprivatecastle.com

La Casona, Cusco’s first boutique hotel, reflects the city’s mélange of cultures and traditions.

This striking 16th-century mansion–perhaps the first Spanish construction in Cusco–was once occupied by the first Conquistadores and their mestizo descendants.
A national monument, it is now an exclusive hotel located in the beautiful Plaza Las Nazarenas, at the heart of the historical Andean city of Cusco.

INKATERRA has meticulously created an 11-suite manor house, maintaining the original design and architecture around two open terraces.

Colonial furnishings and original murals blend with lavish contemporary comforts in suites with open fireplaces, heated floors and extra large bathtubs.

Tip: A three-day/two-night Vintage Cusco package includes transfers from the airport or train station and visits to key Incan sites at an easygoing to moderate pace that helps guests adjust to the high altitude.

Rates start at US$996 per person with breakfast and dinner.

www.inkaterra.com