Jetsettersblog

The Grand Lodge at Brian Head has opened in southwestern Utah as a year-round mountain resort.

The lodge features 100 guest rooms and suites, a bar, a spa, a steakhouse, an indoor pool with a cascading waterfall, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a fitness center, meeting rooms, an arcade and a gift shop.

For more information, call 877-505-6343 or visit www.grandlodgebrianhead.com

Miami-based Desire Hotels will add a new property to its boutique collection, The Cliffs Ocean Resorts, which will be located between Puerto Plata and Samaná along the north coast in the Dominican Republic.

The project is the first of its kind in the DR and will include LEED Certification. The resort is set to open in summer 2011.

Room amenities of this eco-chic hotel will include large living areas, private terraces, and breathtaking views, surrounded by tropical landscape.

For more information, visit www.TheCliffsOceanResort.com

&Beyond relaunched Forest Lodge at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and plans to open a new mobile tented camp in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve in September 2010.

Forest Lodge at &Beyond Phinda has a new look — interactive kitchen, new split-level guest areas, boma with innovative gabions filled with gum poles and 16 refurbished glass suites.

 Using only local artisans and labor, the metamorphosis of the Lodge took place at a slow pace to protect the natural surroundings of the rare dry sand forest.

&Beyond Moremi Under Canvas mobile tented camp will be opening in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve this September.

Positioned at exclusive semi-permanent campsites throughout the vast floodplains, open grasslands and thick forests of the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, the camp will offer an authentic safari experience for a maximum of 10 guests.

For information, visit www.andBeyond.com

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham announced its expansion into Africa with the opening of its newest extended-stay hotel, the 108-room Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Abuja in Abuja, Nigeria, the country’s capital city. Owned and operated by Abuja Shelter Suites and Hotels Limited, the hotel is also the first Wyndham Hotel Group property to open in Nigeria.

The newly renovated Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Abuja is located at 1 Uke Street, less than a kilometer from the Abuja International Conference Center and the National Arts and Culture Center.

Property highlights include free high-speed wireless Internet access, complimentary hot breakfast buffet, business and fitness centers, shuttle service and swimming pool.

A full-service, on-site restaurant is also available, specializing in a variety of international cuisines.

Standard amenities at Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham hotels include complimentary high-speed wired and wireless Internet access, expanded cable television, complimentary hot breakfast buffet, daily newspaper and Wednesday evening social hour. Select properties allow pets and offer meeting and fitness facilities, swimming pools, guest laundry, convenience store items, valet and grocery services.

Half-price ski holidays
Ski Power reduces the prices to all its hotels by 50%

The tailor made ski holiday specialists Ski Power, has reduced the prices to all of its chalet-hotels this February by 50% – allowing savings of up to £345 per person.

For example, nestled in pine trees and just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Val D’Isere, The Hotel Gelinotte has just been completely renovated. With views overlooking the town centre, the chalet-hotel is ideal for those looking to get away for a relaxing break (facilities include a sauna).

A week’s stay, commencing  27 February, now costs just £345 pp – reduced by £345 pp.

Also available for discounted stays this February is the Hotel Chanrossa, located right in the heart of Courchevel 1550.

A chalet hotel built in the traditional savoyarde style typical to this region of the alps, the hotel is situated just 150 meters from the foot of the slopes, and the main Telecabine linking 1550 to Courchevel 1850.

A week’s stay, commencing 27 February, costs just £299 pp – reduced by £299 pp.

Prices are based on two sharing and include seven nights’ catered chalet-hotel accommodation (daily breakfast and a five-course evening meal six days a week).

Flights (departing Gatwick) and transfers are extra and can be added from just £154 pp.

Plus, all Ski Power guests pre-booking a week’s ski hire 48 hours before their holiday starts will only pay 37.50€, for the entire week – allowing a saving of 50% per person.

To take advantage of this offer, readers should call Ski Power on 01737 30 60 29.

Further details of the hotels and other special offers can be seen at www.skipower.co.uk

Peruse finest French produce with local purveyors at Dorchester Collection property’s 2nd annual seasonal market

When professional chefs peruse produce for their kitchens, what attracts their eyes? The answer – and insider access – will be waiting at the 2nd annual Alain Ducasse Market at Hotel Plaza Athénée in the heart of Paris on April 13, 2010.

The renowned Executive Chef, who opened Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in September 2000, has arranged for his 15 favorite food suppliers throughout France to display pick-of-the-season produce and other provisions in the garden courtyard of the Dorchester Collection address on Avenue Montaigne.

A feast for the eyes as well as the palate, the Alain Ducasse Market is open to the public and will unfold as a dream destination for foodies and gourmets.

Market-goers will have access to local purveyors as they pay homage to the brilliance of French produce and the freshest products including butter, cheeses, mushrooms, wild strawberries, fish, poultry and a range of fresh-grown vegetables.

The market will be displayed in the hotel’s courtyard amid a glorious setting created just for the event by Pascale Benhamou, who redesigned La Galerie des Gobelins at Plaza Athénée.

While nothing will be sold at the Alain Ducasse Market, there will be plenty of opportunity to rejoice in the celebration of sustainable food, with tastings and tips on cooking and preservation to bring out the best in the kitchen.

Attendees will also receive the purveyors’ addresses where they can directly purchase the freshest products in France.

It’s just the opportunity to scribble down the contact information of the same farmers, butchers, poulterers, fishmongers and cheese sellers who supply Ducasse himself.

The 2nd annual Alain Ducasse Market at Hotel Plaza Athénée will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The event is complimentary and open to the public.

Spring rates at Hotel Plaza Athénée begin at 750€ in a superior room accommodation.

For more information or to make reservations, please call (800) 650-1842, or visit www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

Lombok’s traditional Male’an Sampi festival may appeal to people visiting Balinese resorts such as Seminyak.

SEMINYAK, INDONESIA — A visit to Bali could provide travellers with an opportunity to witness Male’an Sampi, a traditional celebration on the neighboring island of Lombok.

Taking place during April, this annual event is held at a waterlogged race track on which prize cows from across the region are brought to race by their breeders.

The cattle races are just part of the event, however, with various parties and celebrations taking place at the site throughout the day.

As Male’an Sampi traditionally takes place just before the planting season begins on Lombok, it is viewed by the Sasak people – the native islanders – as one of their last chances for major enjoyment and socialising before a long period of hard work.

Exploring Lombok is becoming increasingly popular among people using accommodation in Seminyak and other resorts on Bali, as the island has its own distinctive character that ensures it stands out from its neighbour.

One major difference between the two islands is that the Sasaks, unlike the Balinese people, are predominantly Muslim.

The tourism industry on Lombok has also not developed as quickly as that of Bali, so the island is attractive for people seeking rural retreats and remote countryside.

Sekaten Muludan is an important religious festival in areas of Indonesia such as Surakarta.

BALI, INDONESIA – The festival of Sekaten Muludan offers people using accommodation in Bali an opportunity to experience another aspect of Indonesian culture.

A celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, the event is observed by Muslim communities across Indonesia, making it an interesting alternative to the version of Hinduism practised by most inhabitants of Bali.

By leaving the island and heading over to Java, travellers will find special events arranged as part of Sekaten Muludan in many towns and cities.

The festival takes place in March every year and is marked by religious services in mosques around Indonesia.

One particularly popular event is the Sekaten Fair, held in the city of Surakarta in central Java.

This is a celebration of Javanese culture and religious identity, with a spectacular procession through the city, local handicrafts and many traditional performances ensuring a memorable experience for visitors.

The fair takes place in the North Square of Surakarta’s Kasu Nanan Palace, where crowds gather to receive gifts from the sultan on Grebeg Maulud – the final day of the celebrations.

Known locally as Solo, Surakarta is also famous for large textile markets such as Pasar Klewer, where traditional batiks can be purchased.

This important religious festival falls on the first day of the lunar new year and is marked by spending time at home in silent self-reflection, fasting and meditation.

UBUD, INDONESIA – People spending time in Ubud hotels this March are likely to be in Bali during Nyepi – the day of silence.

This important religious festival falls on the first day of the lunar new year and is marked by spending time at home in silent self-reflection, fasting and meditation.

Anything that could interfere with these activities is forbidden during Nyepi, so people visiting Bali should not be surprised to find shops and restaurants closed for the duration of the day.

Nyepi is primarily a Hindu event, but people of other religions usually also observe the day of silence as a mark of respect.

Visitors to Bali will also be asked to regard the island’s traditions and will be required to stay inside during the festival.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs recently advised people travelling to Bali to be aware of Nyepi and reminded them to consider the local customs.

This year, the holy day will begin at 06:00 local time on Tuesday March 16th and finish at the same time on March 17th.

The day after Nyepi is known as Ngembak Geni and sees the resumption of social activity in Bali, with families gathering to perform certain traditional rituals.

Royal Caribbean International is launching Daily Reservations, an online reservation system for guests enrolled in the My Time Dining program. Through Daily Reservations, My Time Dining guests can make nightly reservations in the main dining room for themselves and guests at their table.

Guests can access, request and review their Daily Reservations in advance of their sailing through the Pre-Cruise Planner or Cruise Enhancements section of www.RoyalCaribbean.com. Daily Reservations is currently available for Oasis of the Seas sailings and will be deployed fleetwide throughout the spring.

Dinner reservations can be requested for a table for two to 10. Guests can request reservations for the same time with the same people nightly or a different time every evening with different companions.

If a particular time is unavailable, Daily Reservations will suggest an alternative time that is closest to the request. Guests can then review their daily dinner reservation details in a calendar view, as well as request changes.

My Time Dining lets guests dine in the main dining room whenever they wish during dining hours. Guests choosing My Time Dining will not have a pre-assigned table, but will be seated in the main dining room and order from the same dinner menu.

To ensure a smooth and undisrupted experience, no additional guests will be seated at a table once dinner service has begun. Guests choosing My Time Dining must prepay gratuities and enroll in advance through www.RoyalCaribbean.com  their travel agent, or the cruise line’s reservations department.

Guests also can make dinner reservations in four of the ship’s specialty restaurants, including Chops Grille steakhouse.

Oasis of the Seas also features new specialty dining concepts that require reservations, such as Italian family-style dining in Giovanni’s Table, healthier fare in the Solarium Bistro, or the sophisticated experience of 150 Central Park.

Other select Royal Caribbean ships offer the signature Portofino Italian restaurant. For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit www.cruisingpower.com  or www.RoyalCaribbean.com/MyTimeDining