Jetsettersblog

If West Wales’ renowned Blue Flag beaches are not enough for ‘water-babies’, Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire has added more properties with swimming pools for 2010.

For example, Rumours is a detached house set on a hill above Saundersfoot harbour and five minutes walk from the beach. However, if that stroll is too much of an effort the house also boasts a terrace with heated outdoor pool overlooking the sea.

The main property sleeps eight-rental price from £1051 for a week – and also has an adjoining apartment sleeping two – from £358 – so can accommodate parties of 10.

In addition Hermons Hill House is set in two acres of landscaped gardens in the county town of Haverfordwest. Sleeping 13, this Grade II listed house also boasts a heated outdoor swimming pool and summerhouse and is a few minutes drive from the coast. A week’s rental ranges between £893 and £2322.
For smaller properties with swimming pool access the company offers the Ivy Tower Holiday Village near Tenby. Here there are 19 privately-owned cottages sleeping between two and 12, plus a shared heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and outdoor children’s play areas and a tennis court.
A week’s rental of, for example, Groom’s Cottage (sleeps five) leads in at £376 in low season, rising to £943 in peak summer weeks.

Reservations: 01437 772760, www.coastalcottages.co.uk

With some of the worlds most exciting cities just a short hop away, city breaks offer a fantastic option for a memorable holiday, whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, family holiday or last minute weekend break. For those seeking a vibrant, authentic spot to holiday, HomeAway Holiday-Rentals has compiled a list of the Top 10 best properties for a cosmopolitan city break.

Head to Paris, the capital of romance and enjoy the high life in a lavish apartment in St Germain des Pres, or explore magnificent Rome from your own luxury penthouse. Take your pick from these or any of the eight other stunning homes in urban hotspots across the world and you’ll be in for an unforgettable city stay.

In addition, www.HomeAway.co.uk  lists over 10,500 other city centre properties around the world, from cute compact studios to large luxury lofts. So whatever your budget there’s a huge range of chic city pads to choose from in Europe and beyond. What’s more, renting a private apartment works out much cheaper than a similar standard hotel and you get so much more for your money than just a room. Holiday rentals also provide separate living spaces, bathrooms and kitchens too. Even in studios or smaller apartments, kitchenettes are provided, enabling you to save money by having some meals at home so you have extra cash to splash on shopping and souvenirs.

Click here to view the Flickr photo album of our top 10 chic city pads.

Prices quoted are per property and correct at time of going to press.

HomeAway Holiday-Rentals favourite top 10 city pads:

1. LONDON

Penthouse apartment with views across London and Hyde Park
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7. £2,995 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p414907  - Situated in the Lancaster Gate area near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, this gorgeous, bright apartment is perfectly located to make the most of buzzing London. Featuring large floor to ceiling windows in all rooms and a large reception area with baby grand piano and design furniture, the property also has a balcony decorated with trees and flowers, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of sunsets and the nearby area.

2. NICE

Charming antique apartment close to the beach and promenade
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4. From £600 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p415038  - Located in an impressive Bourgeois well-maintained building on the 2nd floor with a lift, the apartment features a unique and full of character living room, with access to a small balcony. In addition, a large French Louis XVI armoire provides hanging and drawer space with a beautiful antique art deco lamp adorning the space above.

3. ROME

Penthouse located in the historic centre, with magnificent views of Rome
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4. From £1,316 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p405802  - Within the historic centre, a stone’s throw from the Spanish Steps, this property offers magnificent views of Rome. The penthouse features a spacious living room with floor to ceiling windows leading onto the large terrace. From North to South East, the view spans over 180 degrees from the gardens of Villa Borghese, to Villa Medici and its gardens, to the towers of the Church of Trinità dei Monti, the dome of St.Peter’s and the dome of the Pantheon. The building was built in the late 1880s and enjoys the luxury of facing only parks and gardens in the immediate vicinity.

4. PARIS

Lavish apartment in St Germain des Pres
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4. £2,303 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p406436  - Situated in one of the best locations of Paris in the 6th Arrondissement, this apartment offers ample living space with a luminous living area, comfortable bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and two modern bathrooms. It is adjacent to the Jardin du Luxembourg and was completely renovated to contemporary standards in early 2007.

5. BARCELONA

Antique apartment in the heart of Barcelona
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £1,228 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p69641  - Fabulous, antique apartment refurbished with exquisite taste for your stays in Barcelona in an incomparable environment, located in the city centre, the heart of the tourist area of Barcelona near Las Ramblas Plaza Reial, Palau Guell and Plaza Catalunya. The property features spacious living and dining rooms and three nicely furbished bedrooms, along with three individual balconies.

6. NEW YORK

Magnificent loft-like apartment in ‘Plaza District’
Studio, Sleeps 4. £1,316 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p416000  - Designed by AIA award winning architect Richard McElhiney, this condo has been renovated to perfection. This upscale, spacious, high floor alcove studio combines the best of boutique condominium building and beautiful apartment living in the hearth of Manhattan. You enter into the living space with its luxurious modern design, where a wall of windows South facing provide steady dawn to dusk light with city views. The property also features a separate kitchen with granite counter tops and state of the art appliances, marble bath, dining area, exposed brick wall and dark hardwood floors.

7. LISBON

Stylish apartment located in Campo de Ourique
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4. £66 per night
www.homeaway.co.uk/p83922 – This is a charming newly restored Lisbon apartment, just a few steps from restaurants, shops and the famous 28 Tram that covers all historical Lisbon.The property is well equipped, featuring a comfortable living area and two colourful bedrooms.

8. AMSTERDAM

Beautifully renovated and totally restyled apartment in historical building
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. From £1,452 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p225701  - This beautiful spacious apartment is part of a 17th century house located in the oldest part of historical Amsterdam. Admiral Michiel de Ruyter was once the owner of this beautifully restored house. The property is located along the IJ-harbour where the proud ocean traveling vessels were anchored while preparing for their next voyage to the Indies.

9. PRAGUE

Classic apartment located in the elegant Vinohrady district
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4. £1,216 per week
www.homeaway.co.uk/p530179  - This is an exquisite property featuring antiques that blend with modernity and unique Prague photo prints. The muted poppy and pistachio tones create a relaxed mode, to reflect Vinohrady, with its attractive townhouses, terrace cafés and antiques bazaars dotted around the quiet streets which slope down towards central Prague.

10. BERLIN

Chic apartment in Tiergarten Berlin
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 3. £74 per night
www.homeaway.co.uk/p425145  - Considered a top location for the travellers, this luxurious one bedroom apartment is located in the diplomatic and embassy quarter in the centre of Berlin.The very light and surrounded by glass apartment is located on the first floor and is accessible by elevator.

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Asia’s original and best destination spa, Chiva-Som launches its brand new golf clinic. The new Chiva-Som Golf Clinic incorporates a thoughtfully designed series of all-in-one packages to suit all levels of golfer, from beginner to advanced players. Tailored to individual golfers’ skills and requirements, the packages will be offered in conjunction with nutritional consultation and analysis.

Chiva-Som’s resident professional golf coach will analyse the player’s game and technique, helping to fine-tune their swing and eliminate any slice or pull, in addition to giving expert tips on how to manage the game as players move around the course. Integral to the golf clinic packages are sessions on golf biomechanics, providing advice for guests on increasing their strength and flexibility, and opportunities to vastly improve handicaps through vital targeted fitness.

Guests returning from the fairway will experience a soothing Deep Tissue Massage delivered by one of Chiva-Som’s world-class specialist physiotherapists, designed to ease the common golfing ailment of tight, overworked muscles. During the second half of the course, players’ legs can feel heavy and tired which can result in more bogeys than pars. Chiva-Som’s renowned nutritionists will help put this right, giving expert advice on food intake to ensure optimum energy levels right until the 18th green. Balanced nutrition will provide core muscles with the requisite energy to perform and recover, bringing a positive effect to guests’ ongoing health and lifestyle, during and beyond their visit to Chiva-Som.

All Chiva-Som golf clinic packages include one 55-minute professional golf lesson at one of Hua Hin’s leading courses, including Royal Hua Hin, Banyan Golf, Black Mountain, Spring Field Golf and Palm Hill; one 55-minute biomechanics session; and one 55-minute Deep Tissue Massage.

Elegant Resorts (01244 897 538; www.elegantresorts.co.uk) offer seven nights at Chiva-Som from £3,110 per person, based on two sharing an Ocean View double room. Price includes three Chiva-Som spa cuisine meals per night of stay; daily massage; individual health and wellness consultation; use of the water therapy suites; and participation in the daily fitness and leisure activities. Price also includes return flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow and onward private car transfers. Based on 9 July 2010 departure.

Golf Clinic packages are priced from THB11,887.70 (approximately £228) per person. The packages can be booked in advance through a UK tour operator partner or in resort.

Learn to cook … Cayman-Style!
The National Trust of the Cayman Islands has commenced cookery classes to teach budding Caribbean cooks how to create delicious traditional dishes such as pawpaw heavy cake, custard topped corn bread, Christmas beef stew, fish and fritters, conch stew and fried land crab or lobster. Historically, due to the availability of fish, conch, Caribbean spiny lobsters, sea turtles and whelks, these dishes were an everyday occurrence on dining tables, with beef being a delicacy at Christmas time. While many restaurants on Cayman offer an excellent selection of international dishes, the authentic Caymanian way of cooking has become a precious skill. The cooking classes are held the second Wednesday of every month, costing CI$20 (approximately £15) per person. www.nationaltrust.org.ky

Deep See Cayman – A new way to explore the deep ocean
Deep See Cayman is a new one hour tour that takes visitors out to explore the wonders of the deep ocean. Guests take a rib out to a 41ft stabilised luxury yacht “DEEP SEEKER”, where the interactive unmanned submarine (ROV) “Little Tyche” transmits real-time pictures from the deep sea. Little Tyche goes deeper than the height of two Empire State buildings and guests can marvel at the amazing HDTV screen images from the exploration of the sea bottom. You, the pilot and crew are involved in a voyage of discovery of the least viewed part of our planet. www.deepseecayman.com

US Submarine Rescue Vessel to create first dive site of its kind in Grand Cayman
There is much excitement surrounding the sinking of the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue vessel, due to be sunk off Grand Cayman in summer 2010 to create an artificial reef. The vessel has undergone a deep cleaning process to remove all environmentally harmful materials. Although a Russian warship was sunk just off Cayman Brac ten years ago, this is the first time that a US vessel has been sold to a foreign country for this purpose and comes after five years of delicate negotiations. The USS Kittiwake will be just 15 feet from the surface meaning she will provide many decades of enjoyment for divers and snorkelers alike, and provide a huge boost to the long-term protection of Cayman’s acclaimed marine environment.

New Uber-chic restaurant opens in West Bay – Osetra Bay
After its pre-Christmas opening, Osetra Bay has fast become one of the most chic restaurants in Grand Cayman. Located in a stunning waterfront setting in Morgan’s Harbour, diners can relax in ten intimate cabanas surrounding a central gazebo covered in Bora Bora leaves, two indoor champagne lounges and one outdoor cocktail lounge. The seasonal menus focus on local seafood, oysters, ceviches, caviars and high quality meat dishes. www.osetrabay.com

The Kitehouse opens at Kaibo
Kaibo Yacht Club on the funky beach bar in the tranquil north western tip of Grand Cayman se on the calm waters of the North Sound now offers kiteboarding lessons, paddleboats, kayaks, sailboats, wakeboards, volleyball instruction and much more. A day or watersports or an evening bioluminescence kayak, combined with lunch or dinner either at the Kaibo Yacht Club or its sophisticated upstairs restaurant, ‘Upstairs at Kaibo’ will be a highlight of any Cayman holiday. www.kaibo.ky

Turtle Sports wakeboarding adventures off Seven Mile Beach
Turtle Sports is now offering wake boarding and wake surfing off seven mile beach. Guests can choose a one and half hour adventure or half and full day charters. www.caymanwakeboard.com

New Orchid Garden under creation at the Botanic Park
The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park will open a new Orchid Garden during this year’s Orchid Show from the 13th & 14th February. Thanks to sponsorship by HSBC, Cayman National and the Caledonian National Bank, the 400 ft boardwalk is being introduced through mature woodland and over the following months thousands of orchid plants including many o Cayman’s 28 endemics, will be attached to the surrounding trees. It is expected to take two to three years for the orchids to get established and start blooming. www.botanic-park.ky

Cayman Islands to sponsor City Racing Challenge
The Cayman Islands will be sponsoring the first ever City Racing Challenge where Companies from across the city of London and Canary Wharf will compete on the water in state of the art Laser SB3’s. There are four different regattas held across four separate weekends: Insurance and Asset Management (9th to 11th April), Legal (30th April to 2nd May), Banking (25th to 27th June), IT (9th to 11th July). The finals will take place from the 17th to 19th September.

Race Cayman – Youth Olympic Qualifiers and J/22 International
The Cayman Islands Sailing Club is proud to be hosting one of the most prestigious sailing events to come to the Cayman Islands. Race Cayman takes place the 10th to 15th March. The event will include the Youth Olympic Qualifiers for the North America and the Caribbean and the highly successful J/22 International Invitational Event. For further information on this event visit www.bytechamps.org

For more information, contact the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism – 020 7491 7771 or www.caymanislands.co.uk
Copyright-free images are available from www.fotoseeker.com

Holiday park specialist South Lakeland Parks will be opening Todber Park in the Ribble Valley for 12 months of the year from March 2010, allowing greater flexibility for owners. Furthermore the company is also offering new buyers a deal of no site fees or rates to pay until 2011!

Todber Park is usually open for ten months each year, closing during January and February for annual refurbishments. However in a new move to accommodate those who want to visit in the winter months and especially during February half-term the park will open year-round.

Caroline Guffogg, marketing manager commented: “This is a great opportunity for both new and current owners who can now enjoy the benefits of holiday lodge ownership all year. To coincide with this great news we have a range of new lodges available on the park with prices starting from just £65,000 for the super chic and stylish two bed Regal Autograph lodges. Furthermore in 2010 we are also including all fees and rates so it’s a great time to purchase.”

Todber Park in the picturesque Ribble Valley is a popular option for buyers with a keen interest in the outdoors as the park is nestled into a semi woodland location offering spectacular views of Yorkshire’s mighty three peaks.

The luxury lodges come fully furnished complete with central heating, fitted kitchens, double glazing, en-suite bathroom, dining suite and lounge suite. Also included are beds, curtains, decking and many other fixtures and fittings.

Facilities at Todber include a family bar and lounge, football field, basketball and volleyball nets, launderette, café, new outdoor children’s play area, amusement arcade, shop and wi-fi hotspots.
For a brochure or to arrange a viewing visit www.slparks.co.uk  or call 015395 69834.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts announced its expansion in China with the addition of three luxury hotels in the key markets of Shanghai, Changsha and Hangzhou. Joining the brand’s prestigious Wyndham Grand Collection are the 523-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Oriental Shanghai, overlooking the Yangpu Bridge on the Pudong; the 316-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Furongguo Changsha in Hunan’s capital city; and the picturesque 283-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale West Lake Hangzhou on the shore of the West Lake adjacent to the city’s center. All will be managed by Greater China Hospitality (H.K.) Limited. The announcement strengthens Wyndham Hotel Group’s position as the largest U.S.-based hotel company in China, with 207 hotels representing 33,336 rooms in primary and secondary cities under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada, Howard Johnson, Days Inn and Super 8 brands. The three new hotels also join the newly constructed 588-room Wyndham Xiamen, the brand’s first hotel to open China, and the 337-room Wyndham Baolian Hotel scheduled to open in 2011.

Four Seasons’ plans to increase its presence in China significantly in the coming years, with openings scheduled in Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Suzhou and two planned properties in Sanya. The first to open will be Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou, slated for the third quarter of 2010. Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou is a resort-like enclave located on the edge of China’s West Lake, located about 90 minutes from Shanghai by bullet train. The hotel will have 78 guest rooms and three villas with views looking to the Chinese traditional garden or the lake. It will also have a spa that uses traditional Chinese and Asian therapies with nine treatment rooms, including three couple’s spa suites and an indoor pool with lounge-seating daybeds and an outdoor heated pool. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com

Kempinski, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel brand, will open the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok in June. The city resort with 303 rooms and suites is located adjacent to a royal palace in the centre of Bangkok. All rooms overlook tropical gardens interspersed with extensive water features. Twenty-two rooms have direct private access to the pools in the garden. The Siam Kempinski will showcase Brasserie Europa, for European fine cuisine; the Sra Bua (“Lotus”) Thai restaurant; the T Lounge, serving teas from around the world as well as cocktails and champagne; and the 1897 bar, named after the year that Kempinski first started business in Berlin. The new property in Bangkok will also feature an executive lounge on the 17th floor, a 900-square-meter pillar-free ballroom, a rooftop spa, a kids’ club, business center and four suites including a Royal Suite with a private rooftop garden.

Afternoon fashion shows are being planned for the T Lounge. In a Kempinski tradition, a “lady in red,” a guest service officer in a flowing red dress, will always be available to advise and assist guests. The grand lobby area with a 14-meter ceiling will feature two spiral staircases. The Siam Kempinski will also include 98 serviced apartments called the Kempinski Residences Siam, which will have its own Bistro restaurant. The property will display 1,500 pieces of art, including over 200 original paintings and sculptures by Thai artists commissioned by the property. For more information, call 011 66 2 162 9000, email reservations.siambangkok@kempinski.com  or visit www.kempinski.com.

Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa is set to partially open March 19. The first international upscale hotel brand to open on the beach in Vietnam debuts with six food-and-beverage outlets, a full-service spa, qne an infinity-edge swimming pool overlooking the sea, with ocean views from all 284 rooms. It is 30 minutes by car from Cam Ranh Airport, which offers daily service between Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang. For more information, visit www.sheraton.com/nhatrang.

Sonesta Collection has introduced a new luxury property, Le Royale Sharm El Sheikh. Featuring 165 rooms and suites, this boutique resort located in the heart of Naama Bay, overlooking the Red Sea and South Sinai dessert and mountains. Designed by Depa International, an interior design firm, the resort incorporates Carrera and Calcutta marble, hard woods, fountains and lush landscapes. Each oversized guest room and suite features marble bath, fine European linens, imported silk curtains, and offers an environment where high tech meets high touch. All rooms offer a private balcony or terrace. The resort is located in Sharm el Sheikh, just 10 minutes from the international airport and an easy 50-minute flight from Cairo. For more information, call 800-SONESTA or visit www.sonesta.com