Jetsettersblog

This autumn, Swissotel The Howard, London, will be embracing the arrival of the early nights with the addition of a traditional Swiss Chalet.

Designed with the traditions of après ski in mind, the chalet will offer a cosseting refuge from London’s dreary winter nights. Handcrafted Swiss furniture especially imported from the Alps to Central London, authentic décor and cheese fondues will set the tone for the long evenings.

Situated in a quiet oasis close to London’s Embankment, the Swiss Chalet at Swissotel The Howard, London, will be available for parties and corporate entertaining from 35 to 250. The hotel enjoys a panoramic view of the city’s iconic landscape which has inspired TLSee, the hotels London-themed afternoon tea concept.

The Swiss Chalet is available until 28th February 2010.

Packages will include: The Swiss Chalet with traditional decoration, 3 course Swiss Menu with Cheese Fondue, Veal Schnitzel, Orange Brulée and Petits–Fours.

• www.temple-place.co.uk

• Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for today’s discerning business and leisure travellers, combining the renowned Swiss touch with a fresh, contemporary and modern design.

Ethos Marketing is delighted to announce its appointment as the UK office for Pakamisa in the heart of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

With panoramic views from its perch on Pakamisa Mountain, this exclusive boutique lodge is perfectly placed for game viewing over the malaria-free private game reserve below.

Exclusivity is the order of the day at Pakamisa – and with only eight spacious suites, personal attention and the highest levels of service are guaranteed.

The Main House is filled with antiques and European artwork that compliments the African setting.

Owner and host, Isabella von Stepski is not only passionate about the local wildlife! Pakamisa is also home to an impressive Arab Horse Stud and stables – and guests are encouraged to take these beautiful animals out to explore the surrounding landscape. Little can beat the experience of game viewing at close quarters on horseback!

ACCOMMODATION

All eight suites offer a bedroom (king or double bed), deluxe ensuite bathroom and lounge with mini bar and tea & coffee making facilities.

Each suite is styled after a different animal and boasts a private large (90 m2) veranda for maximum enjoyment of the surrounding scenery

ACTIVITES

Horse-lovers will enjoy unforgettable rides and horseback safaris through the Pakamisa Reserve on well-trained horses.

Experienced trainers and guides are available for lessons and to take guests out.Tailor made activities include game-drives, bush walks, birding, archery, clay target shooting, or just relaxing around the pool and pool bar. Fun cooking lessons in the bush can also be arranged!Teenage riding weeks are available for teens aged 12 – 16years.Internet facilities are available

FACILITIES

Living room, Hunters Bar, Library, Rock pool with Pool Bar, El Prado Restaurant and Stable Lounge.

DINING

Meals at Pakamisa are an occasion – whether they are served in the elegant El Prado dining room or “Out of Africa” style under the stars.

The restaurant has an exceptional wine list and offers game specialities.

CHILD-FRIENDLY

Children are welcome, but Pakamisa is best suited to “horse crazy” children over the age of 10 years.

Children aged 4 – 10 years pay 50%, whilst infants stay free.

Two single beds can be placed within the lounge area of the suite.

Child-friendly meals at flexible times can be catered for and babysitting facilities can be arranged without prior notice for less than £2 an hour! A cot is available.

LOCATION

A 5-hour drive (480km) from Johannesburg or a 4-hour drive (400km) from Durban.

Private Charters are available as well as Chauffeur driven road transfers from Johannesburg/Durban/Richards Bay airports.

www.pakamisa.co.za

Images:

http://gallery.ethosmarketing.co.uk/gallery/Pakamisa

New Database Sees www.venuefinder.com List Over 8,000 UK & Ireland Venues for the First Time

With the development of a new database driving www.venuefinder.com  new venues are being added each day.

Event organisers now have the opportunity to select from over 8,000 UK and Irish venues as well as over 3,800 international venues on our international channel.

Venuefinder.com the leading venue finding service from Confex Group have developed a new database which means new venues are being added daily. Event organisers now have the opportunity to select from over 8,000 venues within the UK and Ireland as well as over 3,000 international venues.

“We have invested considerably over the last year in developing a new database to run our website.

The development demonstrates a continued commitment to venuefinder.com / blue&green and places us in a very strong position for the future,” comments Kate Hewitt, Associate Publisher.

“Venuefinder.com has also benefited from further investment over the course of 2009 with new features being added.

These include virtual tours, a new content management system, improved statistics for our advertisers and the ability to add editorial features and press releases to the site.

These new developments dramatically improve the experiences of our users, of which we have over 28,000 ABCe audited users each month,” adds Hewitt.

To search for your perfect venue by location, venue style, capacity or price visit

www.venuefinder.com

About Venuefinder

www.venuefinder.com  is the online version of the blue&green directory and is a free searchable database of over 11,800 UK and international venues, an invaluable resource for event organisers planning their next conference, meeting or event.

For more information, contact:

Kate Hewitt, Associate Publisher

Email: kate.hewitt@ubm.com

Under DuVine Adventures Tuscan sun, you’ll ride through some of the world’s most beautiful countryside: gentle green hills, cypress-lined byways, ancient towns perched atop lush hills like medieval crowns.

It feels like a privilege to cycle here among Etruscan villages, medieval fortresses, and Renaissance masterpieces.

But perhaps the greatest masterpiece of this storied land is its wine. Among endless pastures of olive groves and vineyards, we’ll stop to sample the finest Brunello, Super Tuscan, Vino Nobile, and Chianti Classico.

And we’ll delight in the wine philosophy of our friend Vittorio Innocenti during a special visit to his private cantina.

From Montepulciano to Siena to Chianti, some of these famed Tuscan hills will challenge you, but you will be well rewarded with delicious local treats like freshly-rolled pici pasta, pecorino cheese, and garden-fresh bruschetta with local olive oil.

And we’ll close each day in grand luxury. $3895 per person for 6 days. April-October.

Andy Levine, 888-396-5383

info@duvine.com

www.duvine.com

Despite Economic Woes, Boutique Provider of Upscale Culinary Travel and Wine Travel Sees Need at High-End of the Market

CORK & FORK Epicurean Travel, a new boutique provider of high-end luxury culinary travel and wine travel, today released nine sample luxury programs designed for groups of independent travelers comprised of two or more individuals.

These samples are designed to demonstrate the types of customized luxury culinary travel and wine travel experiences CORK & FORK can design for its clients in destinations including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Argentina, California and Oregon.

Sample programs are available at www.corkandfork.net

“Despite a reduction in consumer spending on luxury travel in the past year, the culinary travel market is a growth area and we absolutely see sufficient demand for such customized, high-end offerings,” said Jim Dondero, principal and co-founder, CORK & FORK Epicurean Travel.

“We help clients Travel with Flavor, by personalizing complete culinary vacation and wine vacation programs that include exceptional interactive culinary and insider wine travel experiences along with superb accommodations, cultural touring, private transfers and much more.

Our rich and diverse portfolio of epicurean experiences, strong destination expertise and attention to the most minute detail result in highly-memorable and seamless travel experiences that the luxury traveler expects.”

Popular CORK & FORK culinary travel and wine travel experiences include the following:

- Culinary lessons with Michelin-star chefs or traditional chefs who share authentic recipes and techniques that have been passed down for generations;

- Customized Epicurean Walking Tours in villages, towns and world capitals;

- Private, in-depth visits to artisan food producers and tours of exceptional food markets;

- Insider tours and tastings at boutique wineries with winemaker and estate owner meetings;

- Opinionated dining recommendation that go well beyond simply a list of restaurants for fine dining;

- Private cultural touring; and

- Outstanding accommodations ranging from the leading hotels of the world to boutique hidden gems.

Pricing for these suggested programs starts at approximately $5,000 per person for a seven-day program.

CORK & FORK, the sister company of CORK & TEE  Epicurean Golf Travel, has developed culinary travel and wine travel programs for clients of leading luxury travel agencies that are affiliated with the Virtuoso consortium of agencies.

In addition to the travel agent channel, the company sells directly to the leisure and corporate incentive / corporate hospitality markets.

For more information on luxury culinary travel and wine travel from CORK & FORK, contact the company at info@corkandfork.net  or 919.536.3200.

Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished and recycled modular buildings, has completed a new theatre training centre at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

YORK, ENGLAND – Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust appointed Foremans to provide the new single-storey building to enable staff from across the North to participate in the latest interactive simulated training in clinical procedures.

The scheme comprises 10 pre-owned steel-framed modules which were recycled and refurbished for this project, enabling it to be delivered in just 11 weeks from receipt of order to handover.

This short programme allowed the Trust to bring the facility into use as fast as possible to meet demand, and facilitated access to national funding. The centre is now running at full capacity.

The building features clinical education rooms with a control room for each, seminar rooms, offices, toilets, storage facility and a category 6 containment laboratory.

Foremans also supplied an audio door control system, security alarms and fire detection system, and implemented a traffic management plan to minimise disruption during the building delivery and installation phase.

Commenting on the three recycled modular buildings that Foremans has now supplied at Freeman Hospital, Steven Bannister, the Trust’s Director of Estates and Facilities, said,

“Foremans has been able to provide exactly what we needed for each project, and to challenging deadlines. Timing is critical to the Trust, in order to bring the buildings into use in the shortest possible time, and new manufacture or site-based construction would have taken much longer.”

“The environmental performance of our buildings is also very important to the Trust. The pre-owned modular approach enabled us to offer a higher degree of sustainability with the use of recycled modules. We are very pleased with Foremans’ performance on these three schemes and would have no hesitation in recommending their approach or in using it again.”

Foremans has also constructed a new medical electronics building at Freeman Hospital, which enabled the department to be relocated for the consolidation of clinical services on this constrained hospital site.

The new building, which comprises 14 recycled modules, provides more storage space and a more appropriate working environment for the medical electronics team.

It was delivered in a challenging timescale of just 10 weeks from receipt of order, to fit in with the Trust’s wider development programme.

When the Trust needed to relocate the estates and stores building to accommodate a new data centre, Foremans supplied a purpose-designed two-storey stores facility using pre-owned building modules. This solution ensured continuity of service and the centralisation and more efficient management of the hospital’s stores.

Foremans specialises in the supply of quality refurbished and recycled modular buildings, designed to individual project requirements. In addition to its sustainability benefits, the approach offers a range of other advantages:

A cost-effective alternative to new build

Programme times for high quality temporary or permanent accommodation are reduced by up to 70 per cent

Off-site working is maximised for safer, quieter and cleaner sites and reduced disruption

The buildings can be easily expanded, reconfigured or removed if space requirements change

High quality steel-framed modular buildings are built to last and require fewer groundworks than traditional site-based construction – further reducing cost, disruption and programme times.

For more details on this project and to learn more about the advantages of choosing a second hand modular building, please visit http://www.foremansbuildings.co.uk

The newest addition to the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included family, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas is set along a one-mile stretch of white sand beach and offers 183 beachfront suites and rooms.

The resort will feature five restaurants, including a fine-dining seafood restaurant, an authentic Italian brick-oven pizzeria and a traditional British pub complete with a pool and snooker room.

Among Sandals Emerald Bay’s five bars will be The Drunken Conch, serving both imported and domestic ales, as well as the Vodka & Caviar Bar serving Ciroc, Roberto Cavalli and David Beckham’s vodkas complemented by the best Russian caviar. Additionally, the property will feature three pools, including a new Sandals Signature freshwater pool that will entice guests with a Jacuzzi, swim-up pool bar and fire-pit.

The Sandals Emerald Bay Day Pass also includes access to the new 16,000-square-foot Red Lane Spa with 22 indoor treatment areas and six exotic outdoor sanctuaries offering signature treatments available for an additional cost.

Opening in December, the Sandals Emerald Bay’s Greg Norman-designed 7,200 yard, par 72, championship golf course rivals any Oceanside course in the world — six signature holes hug the perimeter of Emerald Bay’s scenic peninsula. Greens fees are $175 per round and include a golf cart, sleeve of balls and yardage book.

For reservations and inquiries about the Marina at Emerald Bay, visit www.marinaatemeraldbay.com

Island Routes Luxury Adventure Tours offers guests the ultimate in Caribbean destination experiences, bringing together and certifying the premier excursions that spotlight what is unique and beautiful in each of its island locations.

Island Routes is currently available for bookings in Jamaica and is scheduled to launch in St. Lucia, Antigua, Turks & Caicos and The Bahamas by the end of the year.

For more information, visit www.islandroutes.com

Martinique continues to expand and enhance its tourism product for 2010, welcoming two new boutique “hotels de charme,” as well as a new hotel renovation and enhancements to an ecotourism attraction to entice visitors.

La Suite Villa (visit www.la-suite-villa.com ) is a new boutique property across the bay from the capital city of Fort-de-France in the hills above the scenic seaside village of Trois-Ilets.

From here guests enjoy quick and easy access to Martinique’s only golf course (The Empress Josephine Golf Course), the island’s newest casino (Casino des Trois-Ilets), tennis, beaches and the shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife in Trois-Ilets’ Point du Bout resort area.

In addition to the six suites, La Suite Villa offers nine private villas. Available in two- or three-room layouts, the Creole-style villas offer privacy and comfort.

Each villa has its own private garden, covered terrace, outdoor shower, solarium and Jacuzzi. For dining, the La Suite Villa restaurant and bar features French-Creole specialties.

A magnificent infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Fort-de-France is also on-site.

The Pomme Cannelle Village (www.villagepommecannelle.com ) in Martinique’s mountainous northern region in the town of Le Prêcheur, is one of Martinique’s newest boutique “hotels de charme” having celebrated its grand opening in May.

The property works for families, couples and independent travelers interested in exploring Martinique’s nearby rainforest, hiking excursions and other eco-/adventure-tourism pursuits.

Pomme Cannelle Village offers 16 guest apartments, with each including air-conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette, color TV, and high-speed Internet service.

Seven of the 16 total guest apartments are also specially outfitted to accommodate disabled persons.

Guests can also enjoy the property’s cascading infinity pool overlooking the sea below and views of Martinique’s highest peak, 4,582-foot Mt. Pelee.

The Hotel L’Impératrice in the capital city, Fort-de-France, was built in the 1950s and named in honor of Empress Josephine, Napoleon’s wife and one of Martinique’s most famous figures.

Completely renovated in 2009, the property still retains much of its authentic Old World charm with antique furnishings and artifacts outfitting its 24 guestrooms.

The property is located along La Savane, a sprawling promenade currently undergoing its own facelift just off the Fort-de-France waterfront.

This is a city hotel popular with business travelers with balconies overlooking streets, and also among the best spots to experience the full pageantry of Martinique Carnival.

Located in Martinique’s lush central region in the town of Morne Rouge, La Maison de la Nature offers a peaceful, relaxing ecotourism experience with some of the island’s best views of Mount Pelee.

Recently expanded and renovated with the installation of new signage and information kiosks, the facility re-opened on Oct. 10. One hundred species of tropical plants are laid out along a two-mile hiking trail through the rainforest.

A wide range of hiking itineraries are available, stretching from a few minutes to a full hour, allowing visitors to enjoy La Maison de la Nature at their own pace.

Picnic areas and an exhibition hall are also available for special events.

For more information, call 011 (596) 596 52 33 49 or 212 838 6887, email info@martinique.org  or visit www.martinique.org

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will double its presence in Puerto Rico in the next year with the opening of the island’s first W and St. Regis hotels and its second Sheraton. Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel — the first full-service hotel and casino built in San Juan in a decade — opens this month.

Coming on its heels are the W Retreat and Spa-Vieques Island and The St. Regis Resort and Residences Bahia Beach, both scheduled to open in 2010.

The St. Regis also marks a meaningful milestone for Puerto Rico and Starwood as it is the first new luxury hotel to welcome guests to the island since 1997.

The three new Starwood properties will join Starwood’s three existing properties in Puerto Rico — Sheraton Old San Juan, Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel & Casino and Four Points by Sheraton Resort & Casino at Palmas Del Mar.

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel opens next month adjacent to the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan’s newest commercial and residential district.

The new 503-room hotel will accommodate both business and leisure travelers and offer meeting facilities, a full-service casino and resort-like amenities, including a pool, spa and retail space.

The W Retreat and Spa-Vieques Island, approximately eight miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.

The first W property in the Caribbean and the brand’s second retreat property, W Retreat and Spa-Vieques will offer breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, stylish guest rooms, world-class dining, a luxurious spa, flexible meeting and banquet space and two private beaches.

The St. Regis Resort and Residences Bahia Beach will open in the fall of 2010, with views of the sea to the north and the mountainous El Yunque National Rainforest to the south.

The $172 million resort will feature 139 luxurious guest rooms and suites with spectacular ocean views, 25 residences, the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, a world-class Remèdesm Spa, oceanfront swimming pools, 120-seat restaurant by renowned Chef Jean-Georges and a recently opened 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., marking the island’s foray into the five-star-luxury market with its inauguration.

Fo

Above Beirut’s Corniche rises a new standard in service and hospitality now being created by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

The city is renowned for its vibrant social scene and Four Seasons Hotel Beirut will bring the caring, warm, personalised service that has made its name for nearly 50 years. Visitors and locals alike can trust Four Seasons to deliver the finest experience in dining, special occasions and Spa from the moment of booking as staff prepare for the guests’ arrival and assist in planning their stay.

Over 230 terraces adorn the glass and steel landmark, crowned by sky high rooftop pool and characterised by renowned Four Seasons service.

Once at the Hotel, guests will immediately feel the soothing yet energizing environment created by the expansive lobby overlooking the sea and lively promenade.

Set to open in December 2009, the contemporary Hotel features over-sized furnished terraces from all 230 guest rooms and suites, affording sweeping views across the city, the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding mountains.

“As soon as guests are welcomed to Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, they’ll be encouraged to step out and enjoy the sea air, sunset Mediterranean views and the sites and sounds of this cosmopolitan city,” says General Manager Stefan Simkovics. “And there’s more – as warmer weather arrives next May, Four Seasons will unveil a rooftop scene destined to be the talk of Beirut’s summer season.”

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut is located just 15 minutes from Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport, which brings direct flights from throughout the Middle East and major cities in Europe and Africa. Travellers arriving via private yacht will find an accessible marina adjacent to the Hotel.

Atop the 26th floor, the glass-enclosed, sun-drenched pool will be a haven for travel-weary guests by day. As the sun sets, the night sky will light up and the music will begin as the rooftop of Four Seasons Hotel Beirut is transformed into a chic urban cocktail and tapas lounge. Already anticipated by local scene makers and sophisticated travellers as one of the hottest openings of 2010, the rooftop pool lounge will be open to Hotel guests and non-guests alike.

With a nod to Beirut’s long trade and cultural association with Paris, French designer Pierre Yves Rochon has created classic interiors that contrast the Hotel’s contemporary exterior.

Rich materials such as polished maple, bronzed wallpaper, and chinoiserie lamps, together with a warm palette of gold and yellow with brick, black and green, create a welcoming residential-style atmosphere.

Rochon’s impeccable attention to detail includes careful placement of locally-sourced antique brass pieces, carved wooden screens and sculptures.

A restaurant with large terrace and lounge will feature a Mediterranean-inspired steak and seafood grill menu, while a separate bar will offer a cellar of fine wines and spirits, plus cigars. A full-service Spa will also boast a large terrace for relaxation before, after or in between treatments.

Fully-appointed meeting and event spaces include a grand ballroom with pre-function space and outdoor terrace. A curving grand staircase from the main lobby to second floor ballroom provides an appropriate entrance for social events already being booked for 2010, and will likely become a favoured setting for bridal portraits.

“Perfectly situated in the Mediterranean gateway that links Europe to the Middle East, Four Seasons Hotel Beirut is an important addition to the company’s portfolio,” notes Kathleen Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “As the foremost hospitality brand in the Middle East, our presence will continue to grow as we open additional Hotels and Resorts to meet the business needs of the region, and welcome travellers from around the world.”

With a history going back millennia, “the Paris of the Middle East” has recently been experiencing a renaissance of sorts. Strategically located along ancient and modern trade routes, Beirut is also an important diplomatic centre, home to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, and branch offices of the International Labour Organization and UNESCO.

Long an exporter of fine silks (thus capturing French interest decades before the rest of Europe caught on), Beirut is now attracting global attention for its eclectic nightlife, thriving art scene and internationally renowned designers, including Elie Saab, best known as costumer to European and American celebrities. Lebanese cuisine is also finding its way to plates around the world, while gourmands trek to the city to taste the real thing.