Jetsettersblog

POUSADA MARAVILHA

Located at Sueste Beach in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the island of Fernando de Noronha, Pousada Maravilha was born under a peaceful spirit.

It is the first inn to offer comfort and luxury in the island. Pousada Maravilha is totally integrated to the culture of environment preservation that guides the dwellers of Fernando de Noronha.

It is therefore an excellent choice for those who wish to venture diving in the rich marine ecosystem of the archipelago or for those simply wishing to retire from the world and rest in paradise.

PONTA DOS GANCHOS

Nestled on a private peninsula, surrounded by a fisherman village on Brazil’s south coast and member of Relais & Chateaux, it is one of the most exclusive beach resorts from Brazil.

This romantic getaway – perfect for honeymoons -, is very close to Florianópolis, Capital of the State of Santa Catarina.

Contemporary interiors in 25 beautiful bungalows mix comfort and refinement on a rustic style with a service that is second to none.

TXAI RESORT

This boutique hotel is located 50 minutes from Ilhéus in a paradise called Itacaré, in the South coast of the State of Bahia.

Txai Resorts started off as a small family business and has meandered its way through 8 years of experience to build what is today an eco-friendly, top-notch service oriented, secluded little paradise in the middle of a region which was once the center of the cocoa industry of Brazil.

When you think of Brazil, the Amazon rainforest, magnificent beaches, football and samba beats will probably spring to mind, but Brazil is also recognized as the World Capital of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery.

Evidence of this lies in the fact that, in 2006 alone, more than 50 thousand people from all over the world came to Brazil for some kind of cosmetic or plastic surgery – 65% more than 2004. With about 4,100 plastic surgeons, there is a lot of competition among the Brazilian private clinics.

Thus, many people are taking advantage of the competitive prices, top quality cosmetic surgery expertise and warm hospitable people, to turn their recovery time into an enjoyable holiday.

The bulk of the plastic and cosmetic surgery clinics are located in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Recife – there are more plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures performed in Rio de Janeiro than elsewhere in Brazil. However, clinics are also now cropping up in other parts of the country, for example, in Fortaleza, where clinics offer cosmetic surgery at slightly lower prices than in Rio and São Paulo.

Private clinics/hospitals in Brazil have modern operating and anesthesiology equipment and must adhere to the government’s high standards. Medical staffs who work in the private Brazilian clinics and hospitals do speak English or have qualified bilingual assistants on hand.

The most famous and respected of the Brazilian plastic surgeons is Professor Ivo Pitanguy, from Rio de Janeiro. Many celebrities from all over the world come to Rio searching for the care and discretion of Dr. Pitanguy.

The travel environment for travelers to Honduras’s Caribbean islands — Roatán, Utila and Guanaja — remains serene and inviting.

The Honduras Institute of Tourism wants visitors to know that tourism–related businesses, including hotels and dive operators, are planning to release special promotions and packages targeted to North American travelers.

Unpackaged. Unfiltered. Unspoiled. This is the majesty of Honduras.

From the breathtaking sunsets in Roatán, to the misty green mountains of Pico Bonito, Honduras is a vibrant wonderland, full of adventure and breathtaking beauty.

It is the centerpiece of Central America.

And you will be as awed by the splendor of it’s land as the warmth of it’s people.

“Owners and employees at hotels, tour operators, attractions, restaurants and more are eager to welcome visitors to our country,” said Ana Abarca, Minister of Tourism. “We want them to experience Honduras’ natural beauty, diverse offerings and friendly people.”

For more information, travelers can call 1–800–410–9608 or visit www.letsgohonduras.com

High-end Resort Management Company increases its operations to include the most luxurious and coveted properties in Miami, Florida.

Jet Luxury Resorts, the premiere Resort Management Company that is fast transforming the condo hotel marketplace through a unique business model and evolution of thought, is currently expanding their operations and properties to include Miami, Florida.

Jet Luxury Resorts is able to offer exclusive, luxurious yet affordable inventory to the rental community through honest, lucrative and dedicated service to condo hotel and fractional owners.

The city of Miami, offering several 5 star condo-hotel and fractional resorts, is a natural fit for the burgeoning company.

Jet Luxury Resorts will soon be representing accommodations in multiple 5 Star properties in the Miami area.

By providing a VIP stay within an already VIP property, Jet Luxury Resorts will continue to offer its innovative level of ultra luxurious, personalized service as well as providing the same high end, 4k digital resolution virtual tours for these new property additions.

Expanding on the Jet Luxury Resorts proven business model, Jet Luxury Resorts will also offer management services to owners of condo hotel inventory in the Setai, One Bal Harbour, Canyon Ranch, Fontainebleau and The W Hotel properties.

Over the past eighteen months, Jet Luxury Resorts has energized the condo-hotel industry by bringing owners and renters together to work in the owner’s best interests by providing greater income to the owners to offset their investment while simultaneously bringing high quality, yet affordable product to the marketplace.
With its depth of high-end, exclusive inventory, Miami is the next logical step in the expansion of the growing company.

Richard Brosal, President of Jet Luxury Resorts states, “We were very impressed by the level of quality that exists in South Florida. Not only are there several 5 star properties that will fit our brand, but this is also a highly transient market, much like Las Vegas, where we have already proven our ability to succeed with strong rental revenue to owners and great accommodations to renters.”

Locally, Jairo Fuentes, a talented Miami real estate professional will represent Jet Luxury Resorts. “We are very excited about the potential partnership with this great local contact,” says Mr. Brosal. “Mr. Fuentes and his wife will be fantastic contacts for us as they will be able to provide owner registration and unparalleled customer service for us there on the ground.”

Miami is the latest in a growing number of new markets that is a direct reflection of Jet Luxury’s meteoric growth and success. Other properties recently added to the Jet Luxury Resorts collection include The St. Regis Aspen, The St. Regis New York, The Buena Vista Luxury Villas in Costa Rica and The Aspen Square Hotel and the Limelight Lodge in Aspen, Colorado.

About Jet Luxury Resorts:
Jet Luxury Resorts is the premiere national 4 and 5 star condo-hotel management company that provides truly affordable luxury. Jet Luxury Resorts is able to offer exclusive, luxurious yet affordable inventory to the rental community through honest, lucrative and dedicated service to condo hotel and fractional owners.

Jet Luxury is at nine hotels in five destinations worldwide including New York, NY, Aspen, CO, Las Vegas, NV, Tulemar Beach, Costa Rica and Honolulu, HI. Find out more at http://www.jetluxuryresorts.com

If you’d like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Richard Brosal, President of Jet Luxury Resorts, please call Mercedes Shea at 877-538-7370 Ext. 132 or email Mercedes at mshea@jetluxuryresorts.com  Jet Luxury Resorts can be found on Twitter (Jetset9) and Facebook.

A major reason for St. Maarten’s popularity with meeting groups is a tax initiative that now allows US companies to receive the same tax benefits they receive in the greater US, according to the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.

Meeting planners can choose from a variety of properties including The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino which offers more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space accommodating up to 1,000 people.

Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino offers a more intimate setting for smaller meetings with more than 4,000 square feet of meeting space.

With seven meeting spaces geared for larger meetings and conferences, The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa can host up to 1,000 people in their 10,000 square feet of banquet and meeting spaces.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort located eight miles from Princess Juliana International Airport can accommodate smaller gatherings of up to 36 people. Divi Little Bay Beach Resort offers those booking the event a free room when booking 20 rooms in high season, or 15 rooms in low season.

St. Maarten’s is unusual in that it is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations, the Netherlands and France, creating a European-influenced atmosphere with a Caribbean flair.

It is also known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean with an eclectic array of elegantly-perfected culinary fusion that keeps “food lovers” returning each year. And wit offers more than 300 restaurants.

Snowline is a small chalet specialist with 38 catered ski chalets in Val d’Isère, Méribel, La Tania, Morzine, La Plagne and new for this season Alpe d’Huez!

Known as the Île de Soleil, Alpe d’Huez is famed for its sunshine, making it one of the most perfect places to learn to ski.

Alpe d’Huez caters for every level of skier and boarder, with a large skiing area to rival the best. Nestled in a high-altitude bowl, pistes stretch from the resort as far as the eye can see!

Snowline’s new, exclusive development, ‘Le Village’ is located at the top of town and next to all the main lifts. Built around an atmospheric cobbled courtyard at a giddying height of 2000m and surrounded on two sides by piste, the five chalets of Le Village characterise the ultimate in ski-in, ski-out convenience.

Built of stone, with slate roofs, vaulted ceilings and solid timber floors, each chalet is completed with all the ubiquitous toys that have become Snowline’s trademark; hi-tech entertainment, snappy chic en-suite bathrooms, WiFi, hot tubs, saunas.

Every chalet has a different number of bedrooms, sleeping from 8 to 15, perfectly adapting to large parties of family and friends, as well as more intimate groups.

Each of these bedrooms has a balcony or terrace and the rooms are noticeably larger than the customary Alpine offering.

With the convenience of Snowline’s own ski school, nursery slopes under your balcony, Snowline’s famed nanny service and optional spa treatments, for the first time the discerning skier seeking supreme comfort can enjoy everything that Alpe d’huez has to offer.

Le Chateau (sleeps 15), Alpe d’Huez Le Chateau is the largest of Snowline’s chalets in Le Village, with views across the slopes to Les Bergers in one direction and towards the Rond Point des Pistes and DMC lift in the other.

At ground floor level you will find indoor hot-tub, sauna, boot room and two twin bedrooms complete with en-suite facilities and access to their own terraces.

A grand staircase takes you up to the first floor where you will find the enormous, light living space. An intimate dining area is separated from the kitchen by a breakfast bar and gives way to a sumptuous living area, with log fire and vast flat screen TV.

A twin en-suite bedroom completes this floor as the stairs rise to the second floor with 2 twin bedrooms and one double, all en-suite.

Climbing to the top of the chalet, a double bedroom enjoys spectacular views over the slopes towards Les Bergers whilst across the landing, a single bedroom and bathroom complete this perfect family suite.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C.- Home to six amazing courses, Haywood County offers excitement from tee to green on every hole for golfers of all skill levels—all while surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape of the Smokies.

Whether you’re looking for fun outings with family and friends or for a more serious competitive challenge, whether you’re a scratch golfer or 20-handicap with an unmatched love for the game, pack your bags—and your clubs, of course—and swing into the season in a spectacular setting.

Like the game of golf itself, there are plenty of ups and downs on these mountain courses. The setting for a round of golf is nothing short of spectacular, no matter where you might find yourself on the course.

The golf courses in Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Canton, and Lake Junaluska are among the most unique in the East, with a mix of flat valley fairways, blind tee shots, major changes in elevation, and undulating greens—during the same round.

Best of all, it’s affordable.

“Playing golf this fall in Waynesville and Haywood County will be a great value, even more so than years in the past, with better packages at better prices,” said Jeffrey Young, sales director at The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa.

“What makes Haywood County a unique destination for golf is the weather, the mountain backdrop and the people,” he added. “Golfers can enjoy great fall weather and really get to enjoy the short-range and long-range mountain views while the leaves change color.”

Now’s the time to start planning a golf trip to Haywood County for the fall season, when the mountains and valleys are transformed by the changing leaves into a cornucopia of color—perhaps the only distraction you’ll find on these peaceful courses.

Visitors can choose from on-premises lodging or one of the 180-plus accommodations in Haywood County.

“The combination of natural scenic beauty and expertly designed, well-maintained courses really makes Haywood County a unique golfing destination,” said Lynn Collins, executive director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.

“Thanks to the mountain setting and comfortable, crisp mountain air, golfing couldn’t be more enjoyable and rewarding—a destination for golfers of all stripes.”

The courses include:

• Maggie Valley Club—an 18-hole, 6,500-yard, par 72 course is like two courses in one, with the flat Valley Nine serving as a “warm-up” for the Mountain Nine that features an 800-foot rise in elevation and an increased challenge. (866) 659-4725; www.maggievalleyclub.com

• The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa—a picturesque 27-hole course that features three separate and distinct par 35, 9-hole courses that start and finish at the clubhouse. The Blue Ridge Course is the most mountainous; the Carolina Course is the flattest; the Dogwood Course is the shortest. In any combination, a round here offers everything one might expect from a Western North Carolina course. (800) 627-6250; thewaynesvilleinn.com

• Springdale Country Club—an 18-hole, par 72 course that stretches more than 6,800 yards (from the tips), from the gradual elevation changes of the front nine toward Rocky Face Mountain, to the wide open fairways that await you on the back nine where Cold Mountain serves as a spacious backdrop.
(800) 553-3027; www.springdalegolf.com

• Laurel Ridge Country Club—fast, undulating greens, lush tree-lined fairways and spectacular panoramic views highlight this 18-hole, par 72 championship course. From the back tees, the semi-private course spans 6,904 yards and offers every challenge expected of a mountain course, yet does it with a delicate balance of fairness and playability. (800) 769-1177; www.laurelridgegolf.com

• Lake Junaluska Golf Course—At this 18-hole, 5,034-yard course, length and distance takes a backseat to accuracy and placement. A number of blind shots, especially coming in, makes this a challenging but fun par 68 for the entire group. (828) 456-5777; www.lakejunaluska.com

• Iron Tree Golf Course—this 9-hole, par 35 course features 2,616 yards (from the back tees) in a natural mountain setting that will “test your mental game and keep you entertained!” (828) 627-1933.

Ideally located in the middle of the Southeast, only hours from Atlanta and Charlotte, Haywood County offers golf enthusiasts a complete experience, whether they’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation.

“They can golf in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and have an array of dining and shopping at their fingertips,” Young said. “Or they can kick back on their balconies for some much-needed relaxation.”

Described by Gary Player as the course that will “set new standards for the Middle East region”, the UAE’s first beachfront course, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, is now fully grassed and on track for completion at the end of year, just in time for the European PGA Tour’s Middle East Swing in January 2010.

Final enhancements are being made to this extraordinary golf experience with the highest of expectations. With six golf holes playing alongside the beautiful white sands of the Persian Gulf and eight others offering stunning views of the incredible turquoise water, Gary Player Design anticipates this golf venue to take its place amongst the top in the region, if not the world.

When describing the course, Gary Player Design’s Senior Designer Jeff Lawrence states, ‘Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is truly a stunning course that will no doubt provide a memorable golf experience. Mr. Player loves the contracts, and we achieved such a dramatic color transition between the vibrant green fairways, native dune vegetation, and the white bunker sand.

The essence of the golf course has always been to create a clean, neat and straight forward ‘look’ that emphasizes the crystal blue waters of the Persian Gulf while developing creative and interesting design characteristics.

We can’t wait to get player feedback after the golf course opens later this year.’

The Riu Panama Plaza, Riu’s first Panama City hotel, will open in Panama on Nov. 1, 2010, after an investment of $125 million.

The Riu Panama Plaza will be Riu’s first city establishment and the first in the Riu Plaza line of products.

The property will cater to both business and leisure travelers. The Riu Panama Plaza will be located in the heart of the business and banking district of the city of Panama.

This luxurious five-star, 645-room hotel will offer a tropical setting for hosting events, meetings and congresses.

Guests will be able to enjoy high-speed wireless internet in all areas of the building, including the guest rooms. Hotel guests will have free access to the business center, which will be fully equipped with business travelers in mind.

The 35-story building will house 645 spacious rooms with 24-hour room service, free mini-bar and a living area with a sofa and work table.

Guests will be able to choose among the Arts and Tastes restaurants, Lobby Bar Studio 50, Sushi Lounge and Ibiza Snack Bar Lounge.

Breakfast in the shape of a varied buffet with integral products and live cooking will be free of charge in the Arts restaurant.

The Riu Panama Plaza Hotel will also be equipped with an outdoor swimming pool with an integrated Jacuzzi, health club, spa and wellness center, Turkish bath, hairdresser’s, beauty salon and a pub-nightclub. Panama City, the capital of the Republic of Panama, is a modern, cosmopolitan metropolis and the main shopping, banking and financial district in the Central American region.

The importance of the Panama Canal has made it a strategic and logistical international center and a key zone for flights between North and South America.

Contiki launched its 2010-11 North America brochure, which includes itineraries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, targeting clients who are following the trend of staying near home when they travel.

Contiki specializes in packages for 18 to 35 year olds. With a recent trend towards “nearcations,” (local or near vacations), Contiki provides affordable opportunities to hit the open road. 

“Contiki travel in North America is already up 5 percent,” says Greg “Fish” Fischbein, president of Contiki Holidays. “It is further testament to the resiliency and flexibility of the youth market — a slower economy does not stop them from traveling the world — including the world found in their own backyard.”

In the United States, spend a few in-depth days in Los Angeles or take a 26-day roadie across the U.S. in a state-of-the-art luxury coach, visiting Hollywood, Lake Tahoe, New Orleans, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Central Park, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, Graceland, the Mojave Desert, Times Square and Yosemite National Park. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the New York for New Year’s Eve trip (already sold out for 2009),

Contiki has added two hot new destinations and itineraries for this year, Contiki travelers can spend four days ringing in the New Year in Las Vegas or celebrating Contiki-style in San Francisco.

In Mexico, revelers can soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches of Ixtapa and Acapulco and later tour the Mexican Riviera.

You can explore historical Mexico City by day and make it to an all-night party in Cancun. In Canada, if whitewater rafting, hiking, glacier exploring, zip-lining, canoeing and horseback riding sound like a good time, take a Contiki adventure in Canada.

Challenge yourself in Canada’s dynamic duo of provinces — Alberta and British Columbia.

Their diverse physical beauty, from Whistler to Banff to Vancouver and points in between, features the greatest of the great outdoors. All trip prices include transport, accommodation, sightseeing, breakfast daily and a number of other meals.

While traveling with Contiki you also benefit from experienced tour managers that provide you a “locals only” run of all featured cities. Contiki’s U.S./Mexico/Canada 2009-10 brochure can be found at www.contiki.com/ebrochures

It includes 20 unique tour itineraries ranging in duration from six to 26 days. Contiki offers more than 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. For more information, visit www.contiki.com