Jetsettersblog

The Van Gogh Museum is the first museum on the European Continent to have developed, in collaboration with Antenna Audio, an iPhone application. The application, “Yours, Vincent,” was developed to accompany the exhibition Van Gogh’s letters, “The Artist Speaks” ( to Jan. 3).

The application offers people with an iPhone or an iPod touch the unique opportunity to get acquainted with Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) also at home and even while traveling.

For more information, visit www.vangoghmuseum.nl

CityCenter in Las Vegas has released more details on its hotels and amenities, including Grand Opening dates. The non-gaming, smoke-free Vdara Hotel (866-745-7767, www.vdara.com ), an all-suite property, opens Dec. 1.

Physically connected to Bellagio, the crescent-shaped hotel will feature open spaces accented with materials and colors inspired by the desert landscape. Martin Heierling of Bellagio’s Sensi will serve as executive chef, overseeing Silk Road restaurant, serving modern, trans-ethnic cuisine. The 57-story hotel will offer 1,495 open-floor-plan suites, including 250 corner-end units, ranging from approximately 500 to 1,650 square feet.

Each will feature a gourmet kitchen. Many suites also will include a washer and dryer. Vdara Health & Beauty, an 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness facility, offers 11 treatment rooms and three relaxation lounges. It will offer treatments that use ingredients derived from organic herbs, flowers, fruits, vegetables and essential oils. Bar Vdara, an eclectic lobby lounge, will connect to an intimate outdoor space with a nearby reflecting pool. Vdara will also offer meeting space for 10-400 guests, and the Sky Pool & Lounge, featuring cabanas with semi-secluded plunge pools, and a high-energy bar and lounge. Nightly rates range from $159 to $2,000.

Crystals retail and entertainment district is slated to open Dec. 3 with more than 500,000 square feet of upscale retail and dining. The multi-faceted, glass canopy allows for an abundance of natural light in the three-level structure.

Inside, the design is meant to be an abstracted, 21st century park that will celebrate nature and seasons. A central element of this design is the 70-foot sculptural tree house that will serve as a meeting point for guests and unfold on the second level to surround the terrace seating at Mastro’s Ocean Club.

Crystals also will feature “changeable artwork,” including abstract hanging gardens and flower carpet. Luxury retailers include Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Prada, Christian Dior, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Restaurants opening their first Las Vegas locations at Crystals include Eva Longoria Parker’s Beso and Mastro’s Ocean Club.

They will join a new pub by Todd English and two Wolfgang Puck restaurants, among others.

Opening Dec. 4, the 47-story, non-gaming Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas (702-590-8881, www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas ) will be that brand’s first Las Vegas property, with contemporary interiors. The interlocking glass and metal elements of the façade draw inspiration from traditional Chinese motifs and are designed to create let in natural light.

Situated on the 23rd floor will be the first U.S. restaurant by three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire. Twist by Pierre Gagnaire will combine classic French cuisine with a modern spin, relying on a pairing of flavors and textures.

Guests also can enjoy small bites and high tea rituals at the Tea Lounge; fresh preparations of cuisine at Mozen Bistro; and gourmet pastries and sandwiches and at Amore Patisserie, located on Las Vegas Blvd.

The hotel’s 392 rooms and suites and 227 residences boast floor-to-ceiling windows and offer contemporary design with subtle Oriental touches. Environmentally conscious technology and entertainment systems will be found in every guestroom and suite.

The 27,000-square-foot, two-level Spa at Mandarin Oriental will feature a 1930s Shanghai design. It will offer a menu based on Eastern methodologies with Western applications.

The spa includes 17 treatment rooms, including seven couple’s suites, multiple relaxation and water experiences, a Rhassoul for women and a co-ed Hammam. An expansive fitness center with a yoga and Pilates studio and Technogym cardiovascular and strength equipment also will be available.

Located on the 23rd floor, the 82-seat Mandarin Bar will offer snacks and an extensive cocktail menu. A team of molecular mixologists will be available to develop customized concoctions upon request, and there also will be a separate VIP room, available by reservation.

The hotel also will offer more than 12,000 square feet of event space and a pool facility featuring 20 cabanas and a Pool Café.

The property’s two lap pools are in the shape of long blades, symbolic of blades on the Mandarin’s signature Fan logo. There will also be 227 luxury condominiums for sale.

The Aria Resort & Casino (866-359-7757, www.arialasvegas.com ) will open Dec. 16 in two breathtaking curvilinear steel and glass towers.

Dining includes establishments by several celebrity and award-winning chefs, including Masayoshi Takayama, Shawn McClain, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Sirio Maccioni, Jean-Philippe Maury and The Light Group. Entertainment will include 1,840-seat theater featuring a Cirque du Soleil show featuring the musical legacy of Elvis Presley.

Within Aria’s 4,004 guestrooms, including 568 suites, will be floor-to-ceiling windows, modern décor, luxury amenities, and entertainment and next-generation technology.

Aria will feature the most technologically advanced guestrooms in the country. As guests first enter, curtains open, lights turn on and the TV displays a menu of preferences.

Guests can wake up through controlled temperature, preferred music or TV channels and the opening of curtains. One touch can make-over the entire room: the “good night” button turns everything off — from TV and music to lights — as the privacy notification turns on. Aria’s 80,000-square-foot spa features treatments based on salt, stone, earth, fire and water.

The two-level Spa will feature 62 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, a fitness center and Las Vegas’ first co-ed spa balcony, featuring an outdoor therapy pool and views of Aria’s poolscape.

Aria will feature 10 bars and lounges, including Haze Nightclub by The Light Group, with large, hanging props over the entryway that will draw guests to a grand staircase that leads to a mezzanine level.

The club also will feature a dance floor, a wall of interactive projection screens, and a performance structure where impromptu acts by world-renowned artists will regularly take place.

Aria will also offer 300,000 square feet of meeting space on three levels and a 215,000-square-foot pool deck with three primary pools, including Liquid, an adults-only pool.

Aria’s casino features natural light in 150,000 square feet of gaming. High-limit gaming salons also will be available. Nightly room rates range from $179 to $799; suites range from $500 to $7,500.

For more information on CityCenter, visit www.citycenter.com

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa opened its doors for the first time to visitors on June 1, 2009. Spread across 35 acres of tropical gardens, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is the sole destination resort on Natadola Beach, the only stretch of natural, white sand beach on the main island of Fiji, Viti Levu.

Protected by a reef to create an aqua-blue ocean-facing lagoon, Natadola Beach was voted by Forbes Magazine in 2008 as one of the 25 best beaches in the world.

“This is a pristine location that InterContinental Fiji will protect, celebrate and share with the world,” said the Resort’s general manager, Neil Houghton.

In addition to its illustrious setting, the Resort boasts Fiji’s first international competition standard, par 72, 7,000 yard golf-course, a full-service spa, five restaurants and bars with locally inspired and international cuisines, four swimming pools, an on-site dive center, a recreation and beach activity center, volleyball, a full gym and fitness center and on-site shopping and tour facilities.

Room rates for the resort start at F$280 per night, subject to availability through 2009.

Information: www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/fiji

Famed Chef Brings New Game Day Destination to the Las Vegas Strip

LAS VEGAS – Chef Emeril Lagasse and The Palazzo today announced Lagasse’s Stadium – a ground-breaking new place to dine, watch and play – opening this fall at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino. Sports fans will be in the center of the action while enjoying Chef Emeril’s world-famous cuisine and warm hospitality in this new state-of-the-art venue.

Inspired by two of Chef Emeril’s lifelong passions – cooking and sports – Lagasse’s Stadium marks a new dining standard for a sports and entertainment venue. Custom sports viewing walls consisting of nearly 100 high definition screens will provide unprecedented access to nearly every major college and professional sporting event, including must-see bowl games, track races, tournaments, and championship match-ups.

Lagasse’s Stadium will be Lagasse’s third project with The Palazzo and adjoining Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. The other two endeavors include the acclaimed Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian and Table 10 at The Palazzo.

As a long-time season ticket holder, on big game days you’ll find me tailgating with friends and supporting my favorite teams,” says Emeril Lagasse. “I’m happy to team up again with our friends at The Palazzo to create the ultimate sports establishment. At Stadium, we’ll be serving serious food for serious fans.”

There will be plenty of culinary action to keep fans engaged, even on non-game days, redefining how guests eat, drink and root for their favorite teams.

The menu will feature Lagasse’s play on game-day favorites; a few of Emeril’s “New Orleans” style dishes, plus some surprising re-inventions of American classics.

Lagasse’s Stadium will be the ultimate sports bar and restaurant on The Strip,” said Rob Goldstein, president and COO of The Palazzo and The Venetian.

“With its accessible location and unique design it will provide sports enthusiasts a great location to kick- back, relax, and enjoy great food and beverages while watching their favorite sporting games and highlights on the big screens.”

Renovation of the 24,000-square-foot space, formerly occupied by The Sportsbook Bar & Grill, began in June.

The club also features premier access to a street level outdoor space bordering Las Vegas Boulevard.

Spectators can enjoy impressive views of The Palazzo and the Las Vegas Strip while dining in a unique open-air setting. The location will feature lounge and stadium-style seating, and luxury boxes for exclusive private events.

India’s Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts joined forces with Lufthansa, the European airline offering the most flights to India, to provide authentic Indian cuisine to travelers.

For the next two years, First and Business Class passengers on Lufthansa flights to and from India can have Indian cuisine prepared by two chefs of the Leela group as part of the airline’s Star Chefs program.

Lufthansa passengers can dine on prawn curry masala with thalimpu sadam or lal mans, a Rajasthani meat dish, or Alleppy fish curry.

For vegetarians the menus offer an appetizer of moong dal pakoda chat with Imli Chutney, followed by khade masale ka paneer (cottage cheese) with jeera rice and dal tadka, and for dessert kacha golla.

With over 36 years as a chef at some of India’s finest luxury properties, Corporate Master Chef Farman Ali has distinguished himself as a pioneer in preparing fine Indian cuisine and presides over the kitchens at the group’s flagship Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore.

One of India’s leading culinary ambassadors, Surender Mohan is Corporate Sous Chef at The Leela Kempinski Mumbai where he is at the helm of the award-winning Jamavar.

He trained in the royal kitchens of one of India’s Maharajas and was a gold medal winner at the China Gourmet Expo.

With 54 weekly flights during the summer, Lufthansa is the number one European carrier to India.

This year the airline is celebrating 50 years of operations in the country and was voted “Best International Airline in India” at the CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards in 2009.

Lufthansa is also the largest carrier from its 21 North American gateways to India with one-stop service via Frankfurt or Munich to seven Indian destinations:

Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Globally, Lufthansa flies to 206 destinations in 78 countries.

The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance.

For more information, visit  www.theleela.com

In anticipation of its latest resort opening, all-inclusive hotel company Barceló Hotels & Resorts, a 75-year-old company with more than 180 properties in 17 countries, wants to know what the hotel of your dreams looks like.

In preparation for the Dec. 17, 2009, debut of the Barceló Los Cabos Palace Deluxe, the company launched a campaign asking consumers to share their visions of a “dream hotel.”

On a new site dedicated exclusively to the resort’s launch, www.TheHotelofYourDreams.com   travelers can enter by registering with a name and email address, users can select their responses to such questions as “What kind of relaxing atmosphere do you value most?” at which point they will be entered to win “the room of your dreams.” Everyone who enters is an automatic winner, earning deep discounts, up to 20 percent.

Additional site features include a space to read other dreamers’ descriptions and a real-time stream offering construction updates leading up to the big reveal, direct from the resort’s architect.

The campaign is also plugged into the popular social media website Twitter, offering five percent off every time a user shares his or her dream via a “tweet.”

For more information or to experience the campaign, visit www.thehotelofyourdreams.com

Tucked between the Mediterranean Sea and the Southern Alps, Palais Stéphanie has reopened following the most extensive renovation of any hotel in Cannes in decades.

The 38 million euro renovation has completely transformed the hotel. The hotel is located in the center of La Croisette steps from the beach, with views of the Bay of Cannes and the Lerins Islands. Palais Stéphanie sits on the original site of the Palais des Congrès, where the first Cannes Film Festivals were held until the new Palais des Festivals was inaugurated in 1983.

The redesign of the hotel pays tribute to the film stars of festivals past, such as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor.

A “Palme d’Or” sculpture acts as a focal point as guests enter the lobby, and the use of contemporary furniture, muted creams and contrasting colors define the hotel’s new look. The renovation extends to the 261 rooms and suites each having been completely redone.

The rooms now feature hand stitched leather accents, upholstered walls, and black and white portraits of iconic film stars. Rooms have also been upgraded with flat screen TVs and high-speed Internet access.

The rooftop at Palais Stéphanie offers a heated swimming pool and Jacuzzis, with views over the Bay of Cannes, the Lerins Islands and the Esterel Mountains. Le Panorama Rooftop Bar offers a retreat for those seeking an oasis from the city.

The menu serves cocktails and an organic selection of snacks and homemade pastries.

A full casino offers 150 slot machines and 19 gaming tables.

For more information, call 011-33 (0)4 92 99 70 00 or visit, www.PalaisStéphanie.com

The Strand, debuting this October in Manhattan’s fashion district, welcomes guests with its grand opening package that includes an iconic print from the hotel’s collection of vintage Condé Nast photos that adorn the lobby and all 177 guest rooms.

Guests who book The Strand’s “Room With a View” grand opening package will receive their choice of a framed 17-by-17-inch black and white vintage print from the Condé Nast archives, by photographers John Rawlings, Clifford Coffin or Henry Clarke (valued at $200).

Priced at $595 from Oct. 15 to Dec. 18, 2009 and $495 from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2010, the weekend package includes accommodations for two in a superior guestroom, one framed Condé Nast print and drinks for two at the hotel’s new open-air rooftop lounge.

The “Room With a View” package is based on availability and black-out dates apply.

The package rates do not include taxes.

For more information or reservations, call 212-448-1024 or visit www.thestrandnyc.com

Primland, a new lodge in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, has opened its doors.

Focal point of the property is the new 72,000-square-foot lodge that overlooks the first tee and the 18th green of a golf course and takes advantage of the property’s scenery.

There are 26 rooms and suites on nine floors. Primland consists of 12,000 acres of land that meanders through the 10-mile-long property which includes more than 90 miles of roads and trails.

Lodge amenities include an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, recreation area, a ballroom, Elements dining room, golf shop, locker rooms, a fully outfitted board room and theater.

The 19th Pub overlooks the 18th green and 10th tee and serves casual meals and beverages either mid-round or afterwards.

The Great Room also provides distant views, matching fireplaces and is in close proximity to the two-story glass-walled wine room.

Three two-bedroom fairway cottages with views of the 10th and 18th fairways are also available. The Cardinal, the largest with two separate suites, one with full kitchen, living room and one-and-a-half bathrooms can be booked alone as a one-bedroom suite or with the adjacent deluxe room.

The Woodpecker, with the same amenities as The Cardinal, can also be rented as a whole or as two separate entities.

The Sparrow is identical in size to The Woodpecker with all the same attributes and rental opportunities.

All the cottages have been designed with trendy European modern furniture, large LCD TVs, wireless high-speed Internet access, natural gas fireplaces and top-of-the-line appliances.

In addition, all have wrap-around porches with outdoor furniture to take full advantage of all the scenic surroundings.

In addition other sporting pursuits include horseback riding, mountain biking and ATV tours on 90 miles of trails.

There is also a venue for corporate groups with meetings rooms and conference facilities capable of hosting up to 60 delegates. 

Prices for accommodation ranging from $250 to $775 a night for the mountain cabins; from $275 to $650 for a fairways cottage; and, in the lodge, from $199 a night to $1,200 for the Pinnacles Suite.

For more information, call 866-960-7746 or visit www.Primland.com

New attractions opening in Orlando, the world’s king of theme parks, include:

SeaWorld Orlando unveiled a new roller coaster called Manta, where guests will experience underwater animal habitats, soar face-down in a horizontal position to nearly 60 miles per hour and come within inches of the “ocean.

Universal Studios Florida plans soon to open Hollywood’s Rip, Ride, Rocket, described as the “most technologically advanced roller coaster in the world.”

Walt Disney World opened Characters in Flight, a giant tethered balloon developed by Aerophile.

International Heli-Tours opened on International Drive, offering aerial tours of different parts of the city. Celebrity house sightings, theme parks and wildlife rides are among its various offerings. Tours start at $25.

Group rates are available for most attractions.