Jetsettersblog

The Pacific nation of Palau has created the world’s first officially-recognized shark sanctuary, a biological sanctuary to protect great hammerheads, leopard sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and more than 130 other species fighting extinction in the Pacific Ocean.

Johnson Toribiong, president of the island republic, said, “Palau will become the world’s first national shark sanctuary, ending all commercial shark fishing in our waters and giving a sanctuary for sharks to live and reproduce unmolested in our 237,000 square miles of ocean.” Toribiong’s announcement on the commercial shark-fishing ban came on Sept. 25 at the United Nations General Assembly.

“The strength and beauty of sharks are a natural barometer for the health of our oceans,” he said.

During his address, Toribiong called for a global ban on shark-finning and rallied for other nations to join the cause. Through his actions, along with those of the Palau Shark Sanctuary, Toribiong has put Palau on the map in terms of global efforts to protect sharks.

Shark populations are in danger of demise because of limited protective measures, to date. Shark fishing has grown rapidly since the mid-1980s, because of the rising demand for shark fin soup, a highly coveted expression of wealth.

Sharks, in general, have a long life span and low fertility rates, which makes them vulnerable to extinction. As a result,

Palau formally established a protective zone to help preserve the predatory fish by protecting its 135 Western Pacific species of sharks and rays, considered endangered or vulnerable.

For more information, visit www.sharksanctuary.com  or www.visit-palau.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the debut of the St. Regis hotel brand in Hawaii with the opening of The St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai.

Following a multi-million dollar renovation, the resort has been transformed into an elegant reflection of its island home, paying homage to the land and culture.

Redesigned in collaboration with hotel design firm WATG and local Hawaiian architecture firm Group 70, the St. Regis Princeville Resort features 252 guest rooms, including 51 premium ocean view suites, the elegant Halelea Spa, Prince and Makai Champion golf courses by Robert Trent Jones II and Kauai Grill by world renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

“We are proud to debut the St. Regis brand in Hawai‘i with the opening of The St. Regis Princeville Resort, featuring the iconic luxury, unmatched privilege and bespoke services for which the St. Regis brand is renowned,” said Paul James, global brand leader for St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts.

Formerly a part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection brand, The St. Regis Princeville Resort has been revamped to accentuate a sense of relaxed yet refined island luxury and timeless beauty.

Bringing a residential feel to the interiors and reflecting Hawaii’s natural surroundings, the resort’s redesign was inspired by the Hawaiian concept of Ahupuaa, a philosophy of living in balance with nature.

The grand lobby will be distinguished by a dramatic point of entry, including a cascading chandelier comprised of over 4,000 pieces of Murano glass representing the waterfall of Na Molokama Mountain, a coffered ceiling of natural woven raffia, palm wood floors and soaring glass panels that open to the sea and the spectacular sunsets of Mt. Makana.

Each of the resort’s four distinctive dining venues feature fresh seasonal ingredients locally farmed or produced on Kauai. As the resort’s signature restaurant, Kauai Grill will feature spectacular views of Hanalei Bay and a menu of internationally influenced cuisine using the freshest fish and ingredients indigenous to the islands, exclusively developed by Chef Vongerichten and his team.

The 10,000 square foot Halelea Spa offers individualized spa programs for body and mind inspired by Native Hawaiian healing rituals.

Each treatment room is enriched with custom millwork of native Hawaiian woods, palm wood floors, natural fiber drapery treatments and a custom Murano glass plumeria flower chandelier.

An ideal destination for weddings, meetings and social events, the St. Regis Princeville’s newly transformed meeting spaces features 12,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor space and the latest in computer and audio visual technology.

Among the resort’s signature features is a unique infinity pool situated on the ocean overlooking beautiful Hanalei Bay. The pool deck will also feature Nalu Kai Restaurant.

For those in pursuit of sports and recreation, guests can experience Princeville’s two premiere 18-hole golf courses — the Prince and Makai designed by Robert Trent Jones, II.

The championship Makai Course is undergoing a major renovation to be completed in winter 2010. The St. Regis Princeville’s Young Guest Program also caters to families with a private club boasting an array of Hawaiian cultural activities and adventures.

The St. Regis Princeville is built on legendary grounds beside the emerald green Hanalei Valley and overlooks the Napali Coast.

The area was named the “City of the Prince” after a royal visit by Hawaii’s Prince Albert, son of King Kamehameha IV in 1860.

Princeville’s breathtaking natural setting has made the area among the premiere destinations in the world. The resort is surrounded by five majestic mountains, a patchwork of taro farms, a wildlife refuge, equestrian paths, hiking trails, ancient sea caves and lagoons.

For more information on the St. Regis Princeville, visit www.stregis.com/princeville

Design Hotels opened The Elysian Villas Bali with 26 villas, each featuring its own eight-meter pool set in a lush walled garden.

The self-contained units are grouped around a main pool with linen-draped cabanas and an open pavilion, which houses the reception, the spa, as well as the restaurant and bar.

All villas feature an open-plan living space and bedroom with either king or twin beds. Bathrooms are equipped with showers sunken in the ground and open glazed skyline slits provide a feeling of being outdoors.

Interiors are dominated by a soothing palette of earthy tones. The use of natural materials such as volcanic stones, raw teak, timber and slate pay homage to the building traditions of the island.

The Elysian provides round-the-clock room service for guests who don’t want to leave their private retreat. In addition, a private chef can also be booked for a romantic dinner or barbeque feast.

Gadget geeks and television junkies are kept happy as well with a pre-loaded iPod and Bose sound system, a DVD/CD player, 40-channel television and WiFi.

A well-stocked mini bar, complimentary water, tea and coffee are available all day long. Villa rates start from $240 and include two-way airport transfers, daily breakfast, a welcome drink upon arrival, a fruit basket, complimentary mineral water, coffee and tea as well as complimentary beach drop off and pick up.

For more information, call 800-337-4685 or see www.designhotels.com/elysian

Design Hotels’ newest member, The Scarlet hotel in Cornwall, was created by three sisters as an eco-luxury hotel on the English seaside.

Its 37 rooms are arranged over five levels and each one features its own private outdoor space either as a balcony, private garden or rooftop pod.

Cornwall has a mild climate year round thanks to the Gulf Stream.

The hotel features two outside log-fired hot tubs and a natural, reed-filtered swimming pool.

With a Michelin-starred chef, a stylish interior and an innovative spa, the hotel not only has the features of a top-end hotel but a personal, warm feel throughout, from the salt pots hand-made by the general manager to local Cornish art.

The hotel also boasts solar water heating, natural air conditioning and more.

For more information, call 800-337-4685

or visit www.designhotels.com/thescarlet

Edge of World Retreats is operating a volunteerism program called Practicing Authentic Love: Multicultural Engagement in Tanzania, East Africa, a 14-day journey scheduled for Feb. 15 to 28, 2010.

EoWR is partnering with the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) to share participants’ skills and talents directly with Tanzanian youth and adults.

If you’re a teacher, carpenter, artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone who enjoys working with people and making a positive difference in their lives, the journey should offer rich rewards through community service.

The program will be led by Harriet Tubman Wright, a program manager, wellness coach, ritual artist, poet and entrepreneur. Her background includes extensive work with community development projects in West, East and Southern Africa to help improve the quality of life for rural villagers.

The package includes roundtrip airfare from JFK Airport, all tours as indicated on the itinerary, facilitation by Harriet Tubman Wright, service of an Edge of World Retreats Guide, ground transportation in Tanzania, airport transfers, meals as indicated on itinerary, accommodations as indicated on itinerary, community service component with UAACC, Maasailand Safari and Ngoma Performance. Full itinerary details can be found at www.edgeofworldretreats.com/africa.html

The program is priced at $2,950 per person double occupancy, not including airfare to JFK, airport taxes, incidentals, tips/gratuities, meals not mentioned on itinerary and optional tours/admission. Those departing San Diego should contact Edge of World Retreats to book the air component.

For more information, call 619-887-6720 or visit www.edgeofworldretreats.com

The 10,000-square-foot Spa at Blythswood Square was designed by Jim Hamilton of Graven Images as a haven for the hotel’s residents and day guests.

The spa will house a number of exclusive features including the U.K.’s first indigenous Scottish treatments designed by Spa Director Matt Laird in conjunction with luxury organic product house, ila.

The spa will also feature Scotland’s first seaweed bath complete with organic seaweed sourced direct from the Hebrides, and a dark pool where guests will be able to relax in warm waters under the gentle light of a crystal chandelier.

A grand hydrotherapy pool provides centerpiece for the marble heat suite which offers a range of heat and ice experiences including an elevated glass fronted laconium overlooking the relaxation pool.

There will be nine treatment rooms including a double suite where guests will be able to enjoy a full range of face, body and holistic treatments from ila and haute couture specialist Anne Semonin.

Blythswood Square’s Signature Treatments are centered around a “turus” (Gaelic word for journey), which combine the natural benefits of Scotland’s purest ingredients including Scotch thistle extract, seaweed and sea lavender, with healing therapies to provide a complete body and mind experience.

The Spa at Blythswood Square also houses a Rasul, a choice of wet and dry relaxation rooms and a spa lounge where guests can peruse the spa menu and choose from an array of beautifully presented, locally sourced, organic dishes created by the hotel’s award-winning Executive Chef Daniel Hall.

Blythswood Square is situated in the heart of Glasgow on one of the city’s few remaining green space. The hotel will have 100 rooms including four suites and a top floor penthouse complete with rooftop hot tub.

It will also house a restaurant, bars, a private screening room and event facilities. Blythswood Square will be one of Scotland’s most environmentally friendly hotels through the incorporation of renewable energy technologies to achieve reduced carbon emissions.

Blythswood Square spa packages start from £135 ($214) for a spa day and £285 ($452) for a one night spa break.

For more information, visit www.blythswoodsquare.com  or www.thetownhousecollection.com

White Lodging has opened a two-in-one hotel in the Phoenix area: the Courtyard by Marriott and the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Phoenix/Chandler Fashion Center.

The property is the first combination hotel in the area. Among its amenities are a fitness center, business centers, meeting rooms and a common plaza, where each hotel has a separate covered entrance. For more information, call 888-236-2427 or visit www.marriott.com/courtyard  or www.marriott.com/fairfieldinn

Hammocks and rocking chairs on wrap-around porches, cosy quilts, antiques and memorabilia, lace tablecloths and warm, hearty, old fashioned American hospitality add to the ingredients of a driving holiday along the country roads of West Virginia.

The Vacations Group arrange Fly Drive itineraries to the region including these 3 top Bed and Breakfast Inns in West Virginia:-
The North Fork Mountain Inn
North Fork Mountain Inn
Cabins, WV

Often described as “an outpost of luxury in the wilderness” – staying here is like journeying back in time to a slower, simpler paced world.

After a sumptuous breakfast, spend the day hiking in the Monongahela forest adjacent to the inn or enjoying the spectacular view of the mountains and valleys from a rocking chair on the Inn’s wraparound porches. Wildlife, wildflowers, birds, smallmouth bass and trout are available in this protected wilderness area while majestic views of the Smoke Hole Canyon are readily available from the porch!

The Inn is convenient for exploring the area.

Nearby are the Seneca Rocks and Caverns, Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Blackwater Falls and Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. There are also the steam rail trips, such as the Cass Scenic Railroad and the Potomac Eagle Train while star gazing is highly recommended at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

The Thomas Shepherd Inn
Thomas Shepherd Inn
Shepherdstown, WV

Nestled in the scenic lower Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River and located in downtown Shepherdstown, in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, close to restaurants and speciality shops.

The Thomas Shepherd Inn is only minutes away from Civil War landmarks such as Antietam Battlefield and Harpers Ferry and outdoor activities such as hiking on the Appalachian Trail, biking on the C&O Canal Path or activities on the Potomac River.

The Deerpark Country Inn

Located in Buckhannon, central West Virginia, the Deerpark Country Inn offers two suites and one bedroom in the Inn and three bedrooms in the Lodge.

Each bedroom has its own private bath, telephone, television, and air-conditioning, Hiking and fishing are key activities in the area as well as local fairs and festivals, hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, skiing antiquing and exploring historical sites. Whitetail Deer, wild turkeys, mallards, and Canadian geese swimming on the ponds are other visitors to the Inn.

The city of Rio de Janeiro, with its array of beaches for all tastes, is world famous, but many people don’t realise that just a short hop from Rio de Janeiro, there are stunning towns and villages, offering unique experiences in the middle of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest.

Highlights include Paraty, with its rich colonial architecture, the secluded islands of Angra dos Reis plus buzzing Buzios.

Parati – Colonial buildings, cobblestone streets and pretty beaches – like the ones in Vila de Trindade, formerly hippie and now fashionable – are the highlights of this beautiful old town. In Parati you will find all kinds of beach fun: natural pools, calm waters and good waves for surfing. After day bathing under the sun it is worth paying a visit to the historic center.

If you happen to be in town in the month of July, take a look at Flip, Parti’s International Literary Event, and attend to one of the busy lectures delivered by the renowned national and international writers whoa are invinted every year.

Angra dos Reis – The best Andra has to offer is at the seashore and in its luxury resorts. Make the most of your day by sailing out on boat tours and having lunch in the picturesque restaurants located at the many nearby islands – people say there are 365 islands in the bay, one for each day of the year.

At night, get some rest at a comfortable resort suite or enjoy the on going parties that, during the summer, take hold of some of the islands.

The transparent waters full of ship wrecks and rich in abundant sea life (sea turtles, rays, lobsters, seahorses, angelfish and corals) highlight Angra as an excellent diving place.

Two of the most well known island are Ilha da Jibóia and Ilha Grande.

Búzios – It is the state’s most visited destination after the capital – it is not by chance that Buzios has an overall structure of 400 hotels.

Inside the village there is night time excitement all year round. After the beach everybody goes to Rua das Pedras to enjoy its bars, restaurants, stores and travel agencies.

There, the excitement concentrate at places with live music for all tastes, wich can range from authentic MPB (the acronym for Brazilian Popular Music), to rhythms as jazz, rock and blues.

There are even stylish club options with varied rooms, dance floors and top DJs.

The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa are delighted to announce the launch of Parisian beauty experts, Anne Semonin as their new ‘Haute Couture’ beauty brand on the 13th October 2009.

Following a £1.2 million investment, the Verbena Spa opened at the Feversham Arms Hotel in October 2008 and has enjoyed an extremely successful first year, which is continuing with the launch of the new luxury product house, Anne Semonin.

Reflecting the country chic ambiance of the Feversham Arms Hotel, the Verbena Spa offers a relaxed spa experience with a cosy, rather than clinical, atmosphere.

Complimentary iced tea, book reading and relaxation areas, spa-tisserie and spa-tapas are some of the touches that make this spa truly special.

Guests can relax in the South-facing spa garden before relaxing in the Outdoor Hot Tub. The spa has 7 treatment rooms, including a Double Treatment Room, a Salt Vapour Room, Aromatherapy Room, Ice Cave, Monsoon Feature Shower, Saunarium, Outdoor Hot Tub and Outdoor Heated Pool.

Founded in 1986 by Madame Anne Semonin, the brand has developed a series of treatments representing a personal holistic approach to beauty. Anne Semonin products use only natural ingredients at their maximum concentrations and are designed to be combined in a way that enables every client to find their own personal beauty prescription, according to the needs of their skin and lifestyle.

Lisa Batty, Spa Manager at the Verbena Spa commented “Making sure we have the correct range and quality of treatments for our guests has always been key to the development of the Verbena Spa. Working with Anne Semonin has allowed us to design a range of luxury treatments that are completely bespoke to each guest. This puts the onus on the relationship between the therapist and the guest, something that is becoming increasingly important as spa goers invest in results driven treatments.”

Bringing the full range of Parisian spa treatments and beauty products to Yorkshire for the first time, Anne Semonin has designed a bespoke spa menu for their Northern flagship, the Verbena Spa, including a number of new exclusive signature treatments, such as the ‘Verbena Black Sand Exfoliation Experience Massage’, ‘Bubbling Mud for Boys’, and the ‘Royal Miracle Ice Facial’.

Anne Semonin’s famous attention to detail can also be seen in new touches such as the deliciously refreshing Verbena sorbet served at the end of the guests’ Spa treatments.

In accordance with the new partnership and to celebrate the first anniversary of the Verbena Spa, Anne Semonin will be exclusively launching the ‘Express Radiance Ice Cubes for the Eyes’ at the Verbena Spa on the 13th October. These are part of a new generation of cosmetics known as neurocosmetics, which calm the skin’s nerve endings and restore the skins natural balance, ensuring that the skin is moisturised, cooled and tightened increasing radiance and enhancing long lasting make up wear.

Owner of the Feversham Arms and Verbena Spa, Simon Rhatigan commented “Increasingly, sophisticated spa consumers require results-driven skincare, individualised to their own needs – and it’s this that is at the heart of our partnership with Anne Semonin. As well as designing some unique treatments to expand the range of spa experiences we offer, the ability to make skincare products for each guest is something that I know our guests are going to love.”

For further press information on the Feversham Arms and Verbena Spa, hotel and spa images, or to arrange a media visit, please contact :

Cath Couzens at cath.couzens@perception-uk.com  / 0845 293 2552