Jetsettersblog

New luxury accommodation is now available in Castle Combe, courtesy of The Old House @ Home, a traditional freehouse which has branched out into accommodation by developing six beautifully appointed bedrooms.

The Old House @ Home is one of the most traditional freehouses in the Castle Combe area.

The Warburton family has been welcoming visitors to the pub for 25 years.

The new accommodation, which on opening was awarded five stars by the AA, perfectly compliments the pub/restaurant which is located in the heart of the picture postcard Wiltshire Cotswold village of Burton.

Introductory room rates start from only £85 per room, per night and include a full English and/or continental breakfast.

The rooms comprise five doubles and one twin, which is located in its own private building.

Each room enjoys an en-suite wet room, plasma screen Freeview TV and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The pub is available for evening meals or to take advantage of a pint of local Wadworth’s Beer. The menu has a traditional focus offering delights such as venison casserole and sausage sandwiches at lunchtimes through to seabass fillets or duck breast in the evenings. Like to accommodation the food also comes highly commended from the AA.

For further information and reservations visit www.ohhcompany.co.uk  or call 01454 218227.

Peru’s largest and most distinguished hotel group, Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas, will open the 120-room Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, and the 128-room Tambo del Inka Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in December, together bringing the most authentic luxurious Peruvian experiences to less frequented areas of one of Latin America’s most fascinating countries. Reservations can be made by calling 877-778-2281 or at www.luxurycollection.com

Both properties have been designed by the world renowned architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia, who is also responsible of the concept of The Four Seasons Dubai, the Shanghai Information Tower, The Viceroy Santa Monica and Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, among others. Interiors of the two new hotels are being designed by Caparra Entelman & Associates.

Both will also feature restaurants in which guests will be able to drink up the local culture through each destination’s range of epicurean options using organic ingredients from nearby farms and highly trained chefs adept in Novo Andina cuisine.

Hotel Paracas is located directly on the beach just three hours (by car) south of Lima with idyllic access to the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands. Interiors include subtle-yet-striking bamboo and rattan accents to gracefully blend with the beach setting, while the bar, lounge and main swimming pool face directly onto the ocean, inviting guests to relax further as the sun sinks into the Pacific.

The hotel also has a 52-foot yacht and light aircraft to offer guests private excursions to the Ballestas Islands and aerial tours of the mysterious Nazca Lines.

The other soon-to-be inaugurated hotel is Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Urubamba near the mountains surrounding the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The hotel was designed using a trapezoidal concept, giving it the look of a large villa with surrounding picturesque pond and gardens.

The design was adapted to the topography and fashioned in such a way as to allow stunning views of the river or mountains.

Located directly on the Urubamba River, Tambo del Inka’s natural setting, 5,500-square-foot spa, two heated indoor/outdoor swimming pools, common areas, and its own train station for departures to the famous Machu Picchu (which is just three hours away) will undoubtedly make this a “must” for anyone visiting the area.

For more information, visit www.libertador.com.pe

Kamili (www.kamili.co.uk  ), a portfolio of over 40 independent lodges, camps and operators across East and Southern Africa, has unveiled four new additions.

The new gems in the Kamili portfolio include:

• Kunene Conservancy Safaris, Namibia
• Ngerende Island Lodge, Kenya
• Maliba Mountain Lodge, Lesotho
• Outstanding primate encounters at a range of Uganda properties

Kunene Conservancy Safaris, Namibia: A conservation success story owned entirely by the Himba People. Harnessing the expertise of tourism and wildlife professionals but 100% owned by the local communities, Kunene Conservancy Safaris offers visitors the chance to explore off the beaten track north west Namibia, join wildlife releases, track rhino and visit with the Himbas – whilst making a meaningful contribution to conservation.

Ngerende Island Lodge, Kenya: A boutique lodge set within the Masai Mara. Ngerende has been stylishly designed to provide the ideal safari experience where comfort, luxury and outstanding personal service combine naturally with the beautiful wilderness of the Masai Mara. Located within an oxbow on the Mara River, the lodge is surrounded on all sides by water. Perfect for discerning travellers at a surprisingly affordable price.

Maliba Mountain Lodge, Lesotho: A 5 star lodge set in this beautiful and unexplored ‘mountain kingdom’.

Traditionally the realm of pony trekkers, hikers and scenery lovers, Lesotho has until now lacked more upmarket accommodation. Maliba offers an exclusive mountain retreat, located within the Tsehlanyane National Park, in a pristine sub-alpine wilderness valley.
This is the ideal base for exploring the natural wonders of Lesotho, on foot, by horse or, for the more adventurous, via activities such as rock climbing.

Uganda: Described by Winston Churchill as the “pearl of Africa”, Uganda offers outstanding primate encounters. Kamili has added a range of mid-market lodges to its portfolio, aimed at travellers wanting to enjoy a reasonably priced primate safari. Covering the main safari circuit Kamili’s partner lodges are in the prime wildlife areas including Kibale, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and Lake Mburu.

Each 4 and 5 star partner in the Kamili portfolio has been hand-picked, personally visited and appraised, in order to ensure that every one provides the same high level of service, quality and value for money. Accommodation is intimate, small scale and sensibly priced, the ‘top end of mid market’, with a handful of more luxurious properties.

For further information on the Kamili portfolio please visit www.kamili.co.uk

Tour operator packages for any property in the Kamili portfolio are available on request.

Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges debuted Market by Jean-Georges at the W Boston when it opened Oct. 29, 2009.

Located in Boston’s theater district on Stuart Street, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Market will introduce diners to a casual family kitchen drawing upon the simple elegance of the setting.

The multicultural menu, featuring French, Asian and Italian inspirations, will emphasize fresh, locally produced ingredients from the New England region artfully blending Jean-Georges’ most exceptional dishes.

Dishes crafted with seasonal market ingredients and local fish, can be selected from enticing categories on the menu such as Simply Raw, Fish, Meat and a Market tasting menu to enliven the senses and satisfy any craving.

Culinary Concepts has appointed the talented Christopher Lee Damskey as Chef de Cuisine at Market.

B.R. Guest Restaurants and President Stephen Hanson announced the official opening of the Postcard Inn on The Beach, an affordable refuge and a beachgoer’s escape in St. Pete Beach (2007 World’s Best Beach by Dr. Beach).

The newest property from Stephen Hanson, president of B.R. Guest Restaurants and creator of the James Hotel, the Postcard Inn on The Beach features PCI Beach Bar, which offers beers and spirits to sip poolside, plus gulf views, live music and rich local color; Wildwood BBQ & Burger hits the spot after a day of catching waves.

From sun-up to sundown, Pit-Master “Big Lou” Elrose serves up world-class ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Reminiscent of surfers’ digs, each room offers quirky decor elements including vintage light fixtures, refurbed surf gear and cozy bedding.

Co-designed by B.R. Guest Design Director Tara Oxley and SL Design Founder Chris Sheffield, the Postcard Inn on The Beach offers rooms that overlook the gulf, the garden, or pool. Select rooms boast private poolside patios, bringing the cool gulf breeze and rocking pool party right up to guests’ doorsteps.

Every room comes equipped with a work-station, flat-screen television and desk, but no two rooms are exactly the same.

The Postcard Inn on The Beach offers several dining options, available throughout the day. For a quick bite on the way to surf lessons, the hotel will offer guests a complimentary hot and cold continental breakfast, served adjacent to the lobby. During lunch and dinner, Wildwood BBQ & Burger serves up slow-smoked BBQ favorites like ribs, brisket and pulled pork.

Wildwood BBQ & Burger comes to St. Pete Beach via New York City, where it has received raves for its authentic BBQ and lively atmosphere.

For drinks, PCI Beach Bar is the Postcard Inn on The Beach’s watering hole, where guests and locals mingle at the bar, catching local sports on the TV over beers and admiring the paraphernalia adorning the walls from its storied past.

For poolside snacks and bites, the PCI Snack Shack offers burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and other short-order dishes.

For more information or reservations, call 800-237-8918 or visit www.postcardinn.com

The new Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan, Honduras, will introduce a new elevated chair lift that will offer a roundtrip transfer between the dock and Mahogany Beach.

The new cruise facility will make its grand opening next month. The Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, which encompasses 20 acres of waterfront property and includes a two-berth cruise terminal, is a joint project of Carnival Corp. & plc and Roatan businessman Jerry Hynds. Unique to the Caribbean, the “Magical Flying Beach Chair” will be the first chair lift that transports riders from a cruise ship terminal directly to the beach.

The chair lift will be one of the marquis features of the $62 million Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, which will welcome its first cruise ship, Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend, on Nov. 20.

Guests board the chair lift at the facility’s Welcome Center and are dropped off directly on Mahogany Beach, a 10-acre private island featuring an 825-foot-long, white-sand beach with lounge chairs, floats, a beach volleyball court and myriad watersports opportunities.

There are also eight cabanas for rent offering private beach access. The chair lift will give cruisers a six-minute ride across nearly 1,200 feet of cables suspended 67 feet above a canopy of trees. Accommodating four riders each, the galvanized steel beach lift chairs are available to cruise ship guests for a $5 fee, which includes unlimited rides throughout the day.

Chair lift passes are also included in pre-sold beach activity on board the cruise ships calling at the port.

The chair-lift system has the capability of transporting up to 1,500 passengers per hour.

The “Magical Flying Beach Chair” was designed and installed by Rain Forest Trams, a company that owns and operates five adventure parks in Central America and the Caribbean.

Rain Forest Trams also operates Mystic Mountain in Jamaica.

The beach chair was manufactured by Salt Lake City-based Dopplemayer, a leader in ropeway engineering. The Mahogany Bay project can accommodate up to 8,000 passengers daily.

The facility is expected to host more than 200 cruise ship calls and more than 500,000 passengers annually.

The Mahogany Bay Cruise Center also offers a wide range of retail outlets, including two themed bars, a restaurant and several shops.

A transportation hub will accommodate taxis, rental cars and tour buses, as well as a range of shore excursion opportunities.

For more information, visit www.mahoganybaycc.com

The company that owns upscale American Safari Cruises is launching a less expensive adventure line in Southeast Alaska called InnerSea Discoveries.

The new company hopes to begin accepting bookings in March for voyages starting in May 2011. The company will operate the 80-guest Wilderness Discoverer and 66-guest Wilderness Adventurer, which were previously part of the fleet at now-defunct Glacier Bay Cruiseline.

The expedition ships have shallow drafts and hull design make it possible to get as close to Southeast Alaska’s wildlife-rich shores and glacially fed inlets as possible.

The new company is a sister to American Safari Cruises, which in January 2009 was acquired by the corporate entity, InnerSea Discoveries, the same name as the new brand. The company will continue to operate under the leadership of Dan Blanchard and Tim Jacox as well the professional onboard captains and crew. With headquarters in Seattle at the historic Fishermen’s Terminal, the company is passionate about delivering life-enriching yacht adventures.

InnerSea voyages are described as the “un-cruise” because they won’t have crowds, long lines, “herd mentalities,” bus trips and stops at cruise-ship-laden ports.

Instead, small-group excursions are offered, such as kayaking among icebergs, hiking trails and observing whales from inflatable boats.

The ships will carry a fleet of sea kayaks, fishing equipment and other activity gear. A fully equipped fishing boat travels with each small ship. The two vessels will undergo interior make-overs with contemporary colors meshed with the wilderness environment, brushed metals, and staterooms with Tempur-pedic mattresses.

InnerSea Discoveries adventure trips are priced from $2,500 to $3,000 per person per week with some higher category staterooms available at about $5,000 per week. A few single-priced staterooms are also available, enabling single travelers to avoid the single supplement.

All fares include accommodations onboard, all meals, adventure activities, guides, expedition equipment, port charges, taxes and transfers. The company also offers charters for special occasions such as family reunions, milestone birthdays and anniversaries.

For more information, call 888-862-8881 or visit www.innerseadiscoveries.com

From Dec. 9 through Christmas Day, Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris will transform its Andalusian Patio into an outdoor snow bar.

The 8,600-square-foot space, one of the largest open-air hotel gardens in Paris, will feature snow-covered Christmas trees and a chalet bar.

Cocktail waitresses dressed in fashion forward Santa outfits will serve canapés and a variety of drinks at holiday happy hours.

With the Festive Package, guests can also enjoy additional seasonal indulgence at the deluxe Art Deco hotel, including complimentary access to Spa Mosaic. Nightly rates for the package start at 295 euros ($443).

Valley restaurateur Joseph Gutierrez brings his extensive culinary background of more than 30 years to SouthBridge, planting three new restaurants in the no-chains-allowed district. Gutierrez was trained at La Gastronome in the Basque region of France and Spain and his experience includes working at resort restaurants such as the Fairmont Scottsdale and the Ritz-Carlton in Spain.
The first in his trio is Tutto, which opened in Digestif’s former space in July 2009.

Offering traditional Italian cuisine, Tutto is open for dinner daily and serves hand-made pastas and pizza. Dine on menu items ranging from fisherman seafood stew to parpadelle pasta with braised rabbit.

Mixing food, fashion and entertainment is Acua , which opened August 2009 in the former digs of Canal. The new late-night spot is open until 2 a.m. daily and serves a fusion of French-Asian cuisine.

Savor mouth-watering eats like chile- and coffee-crusted diver scallops with artichoke flan, while enjoying fashion shows on the restaurant’s runway.

Acua also boasts an indoor and outdoor bar, DJ booth, fire pit and VIP lounge.

The last in Gutierrez’s trio is Spanish restaurant Tapas Papa Fritas, expected to open this month.

The restaurant’s cuisine, which includes Paella and house-made Sangria, won’t be the only draw for diners yearning to experience a touch of Spain in Scottsdale. Servers will don the same attire worn during the running of the bulls and live Flamenco shows will take place every Wednesday thru Sunday.

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