Jetsettersblog

JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. announced that effective April 1, 2010, the company is implementing a new mileage program for JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) members. All 58 hotels managed under the company’s two brands, Nikko Hotels International and Hotel JAL City, will participate in the program. Under the company’s current mileage program, a guest earns 600 miles per stay at any of Nikko Hotels International properties and 300 miles per stay at any of Hotel JAL City properties, regardless of the length of their stays. However, the new mileage program will allow a guest to earn miles for each night, ranging from 200 to 2,000 miles per night. In order to earn the eligible mileage, a guest has to be a JMB member and needs to make a reservation with accommodation plans called J-SMART plans, which has five categories: J-SMART 200, J-SMART 400, J-SMART 600, J-SMART 1000 and J-SMART 2000. Reservations can be made online at www.jalhotels.com , by calling each hotel or through the Nikko Hotels International Reservation Centers. Toll-free numbers to the Reservation Centers around the world are available at www.jalhotels.com/inquiry/phone.html . For more information about the J-SMART plan, visit www.jalhotels.com/information/miles_renewal_e.

Welcome to the Whitsundays! Home to 74 stunning tropical islands and the vibrant Whitsunday Coast in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. There is simply no better place to get your creative juices flowing for your next conference, business event, meeting or incentive.

WHY THE WHITSUNDAYS?

Aside from the gorgeous backdrop? The Whitsundays can cater for business events from 1 – 1000 delegates in a range of world class facilities. A huge range of accommodation styles (on islands and mainland) caters for all corporate budgets and demographics – from 3 star, to luxury, to Club Med’s all-inclusive, to self catering options. There is easy, direct access from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and excellent connecting access from other Australian capital cities and international destinations. The Whitsundays is one of the few Australian destinations that has continued to inject funding into new business event facilities in the region over the past 18 months and as a result is one of Australia’s most exciting and enticing destinations for business and leisure.

WHAT’S NEW

VENUES

Two new multi-million dollar venues have been officially opened on Hamilton Island in late 2009 – the Hamilton Island Yacht Club and Golf Course. Golfers are teeing off on the Peter Thomson AO CBE-designed course, which has already been tipped to quickly gain a reputation as one of the best courses in the world. The 6,083m, par 71 course sits on its own island, just a five minute ferry ride from Hamilton Island and features panoramic views of the Whitsundays from all 18 holes.
The Yacht Club was designed by renowned Australian architect Walter Barda alongside famed yachtsman Iain Murray. Housed under an iconic starfish-shaped copper roof, the venue features an indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar jutting over the marina, wellness facilities with high-tech gymnasium, indoor lap pool and saunas, as well as numerous meeting spaces. 35 multi-million-dollar Yacht Club Villas are currently being completed nearby.

Hamilton Island has also undertaken $180 million worth of transformations to its key resorts. The iconic Reef View Hotel’s extensive refurbishment included a new pool, revamped restaurant, bar and reception area and upgrades to all rooms. Meanwhile, qualia, the island’s world-class luxury resort, completed its final stage of development with 33 new pavilions opening as well as a resort heli-pad. www.qualia.com.au and www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Airlie Beach’s first full service five-star apartment resort, Peppers Coral Coast opened in June 09. Overlooking the Coral Sea, the resort offers beautifully-appointed one, two and three bedroom apartments, panoramic views, a stunning wet-edge resort pool, fine-dining restaurant and brand new Endota Day Spa. The brand new conference facilities cater for up to 110 delegates theatre style. www.peppers.com.au/coral-coast

Waterline on Shingley is Airlie Beach’s newest fine dining and conferencing facility. Located on the marina’s edge at gorgeous Shingley Beach (just a five minute walk into Airlie Beach town centre), Waterline on Shingley offers conferencing facilities for 110 delegates theatre style. The onsite restaurant means delegates will be dining in style, with a thought provoking view throughout their conference, and this space is also bookable for private functions. The poolside location also provides a beautiful opportunity for pre or post conference drinks. www.waterlineonshingley.com.au

NATURAL ENCOUNTERS

To experience the Whitsundays on a journey over land and sea, the Whitsundays Ngaro Sea Trail is the perfect option, opened in December 2009. The Sea Trail is the latest of Queensland’s ‘Great Walks’ and is the first to combine land and water elements. Named after the traditional owners of the Whitsundays, the Ngaro people, this latest walk will allow visitors to follow in the indigenous peoples’ footsteps and experience a remarkable journey on Hook, Whitsunday and South Molle Islands. Visitors can travel by commercial boat, sailing vessel or canoe and trails will range from short and easy to long and challenging. This product is not brochured, which is naturally enticing for the business events market when looking for something different! www.epa.qld.gov.au/greatwalks

Handfeeding stingrays is the newest attraction at Daydream Island Resort and Spa’s Living Reef, one of the world’s largest man-made coral reef lagoons. The island’s new 45-minute Stingray Splash offers small groups of up to four people the opportunity to walk knee-deep into the man-made reef to hand-feed resident stingrays, sharks and barramundi plus pat the stingrays.

Also being celebrated at Daydream is the remarkable birth of three shark pups to ‘Bonnie’, the largest blacktip reef shark at the resort’s spectacular Living Reef lagoon. The pups, born in late January and each measuring approximately 59cm long, have become the first known blacktip reef sharks ever to be seen born in an open air aquarium like Daydream Island’s, which is itself unique and very close to their natural reef environment around the island. www.daydreamisland.com

The Whitsundays has a newly accredited tour operator, guaranteeing guests will experience a genuine and authentic tour which looks after and cares for the environment. Cruise Whitsundays’ Great Barrier Reef Adventure is now Advanced Ecotourism Certified and an Accredited Tourism Business Australia. The accreditation confirms the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and contributing to the conservation of our delicate environment. Private use of the reef pontoon facility is available for conferencing, team building or incentives. www.cruisewhitsundays.com.au

FOOD & WINE

From the ‘paddock’ to plate in a matter of hours – now that Daydream Island Resort & Spa has secured the region’s first commercial fishing license for a resort, this will be a reality for lucky diners on the island. Fresh Coral Trout, Tuna and Spanish Mackerel are just some of the Whitsundays’ local specialties being served so fresh the flesh is falling off the bone. Daydream adheres to the strict regulations governing fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area and does not catch any protected or endangered fish species.

Internationally acclaimed chef, Tetsuya Wakuda, will be the first featured chef at the launch of the new Great Barrier Feast Series, taking place on Hamilton Island in March, 2010. He will be joined by renowned wine critic, James Halliday, who is selecting all the wines for the Series and former MasterChef presenter, Sarah Wilson as emcee. Historically an annual fixture on Hamilton Island’s calendar, this exclusive food and wine event is making a welcome return with a slight variation to its original concept. The series will now comprise of three “Chef’s Table” weekends which will be held in March, July and November of this year. The exclusive events promise to showcase the finest food and wine within a world class setting.

ON THE WATER

Sunsail has introduced new boats to their fleet, adding new opportunities for team building and conferencing events. Sunsail’s range of yachts, catamarans and power cats make for a great sailing race which can be organized around any theme suited to your business needs. The brand new Sunsail384 is solar powered providing a truly eco conscious option.
www.sunsail.com.au

COMING IN 2010……………………………………………

Hamilton Island’s Yacht Club Villas are almost completed and permanent residents will move in soon. A select few villas will be available for holiday let, so you will be able to impress clients for a small meeting or incentive.

IN OTHER NEWS………………………………………………

Have you seen the Coca Cola ad yet? You know, the one where they bounce up through the big Coca Cola bottle and land in the ocean? It was filmed right here in the Whitsundays late in 2009…
http://www.facebook.com/CocaColaAustralia

An Award Winning Destination
Queensland’s Friendliest Beach 2009 | Queensland’s Cleanest Beach 2008 | Queensland’s Most Beautiful Beach 2008 one off award| Australian Winner Resource Recovery 2009 | News.com.au’s Green Town 2008 | Trip Advisor’s Top Hotel in the South Pacific 2010.
The list goes on! Come and discover our amazing natural paradise in its natural pristine condition for your next business event!

HERE TO HELP………………………………………………….

I’m Paula Boucher, Tourism Whitsundays’ Business Events Manager and Manager of the Whitsundays Convention Bureau. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your individual event requirements and provide specific information on any of our resorts, products and services to ensure your business event is a success. This is a free service.

Let us help you with:
• Locating suitable venues and accommodation;
• The preparation of formal bid submissions and gaining event quotations;
• Conference planning, organisation and budgeting;
• Providing information on venues, accommodation, attractions, and activities;
• Suggestions for social programs and accompanying person programs;
• Assistance and advice with specialised incentive itineraries;
• Providing Pre- and Post-stay touring options;
• Postage of collateral (images and brochures) to assist with conference proposals and invitations; and
• Provision of general information on the Whitsundays region.

Warm Whitsunday regards,
Paula Boucher
Tourism Whitsundays

www.facebook.com/WhitsundaysQLD
www.twitter.com/WhitsundaysQLD
www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

What do Pamela Anderson, Mayor Bloomberg, Michael Schumacher and Sarah Ferguson all have in common? They have all spent time with Steve Sims, CEO and founder of BLUEFISH – the world’s premiere concierge company. Sims, a affable larrikin and A list human rolladex, knows all the right people, and can make any dream come true. Now Steve is bringing BLUEFISH and his (not so) little black book to Australia.

From an underground status as a secret society in the 90’s, to an unprecedented blunt-edged and bold-faced attitude BLUEFISH is a lifestyle sought the world over. BLUEFISH’s impressive pedigree involvement with such high profile events such as The Grammy Awards, The Kentucky Derby and New York Fashion Week, has ensured that over the past decade they have secured the reputation as THE premiere lifestyle, concierge, and travel service to the rich and famous.

Unique, once-in-a-lifetime memories that are beyond imagination are the BLUEFISH trademark. From supersonic military jet flights in Russia, to submersible dives in the Atlantic Ocean to view the Titanic, from taking in the tennis with Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, to walking the red carpet at the Oscars, to a spectacular flight into space, the BLUEFISH team of experts give their clients an astonishing life experience.

For your next indulgent mini-break, Port Macquarie has some new tours, packages and pampering experiences in coastal NSW. Just a 40minute flight from Sydney, and with its stunning natural beauty, Port is an idyllic place to unwind and spoil yourself.

For accommodation, ethically minded travellers will love the new ‘O-Zone’ package at the 4.5 star Observatory, or enjoy some rural luxury with Telegraph Retreat’s ‘Stress Release’ package.

The region’s best new restaurant has opened at Cassegrain Wines; get pampered with African inspired treatments at Port’s award-winning day spa; Hastings Five Star Limousines launches scenic tours in an immaculate stretch Dodge Nitro; and take a breathtaking sun-set scenic flight with Australia by Seaplane.

Food and Wine
* The Restaurant – Port’s newest dining spot has opened at Cassegrain Wines, the region’s largest winery. ‘The Restaurant’ focuses on regional produce and offers a food and wine degustation, or an la carte menu, overlooking the rose gardens and vineyards www.cassegrainwines.com.au

Tours and Experiences
* Hastings Five Star Limousines – from 15 April the most stylish new way to travel on the North Coast is in an immaculate stretch Dodge Nitro with Vineyard Tours to six local wineries, Scenic Tours down the coast and transfer to Port’s best restaurants. Tours cost from $100 pp www.hastingslimousines.com.au
* Australia by Seaplane – after a smooth take-off from the Hastings River, enjoy the most spectacular views of the region from a seaplane. The new Lakes Innes Ruins flight begins soon, with landings at this historic site. Or book the popular scenic flight over Lighthouse Beach, Lake Innes Ruins and town from $90 for adults www.australiabyseaplane.com.au

Indulgent Accommodation – choose from a luxurious rural or coastal location
* The Observatory’s ‘O-Zone’ Package – for just $20 extra on bookings, this is perfect for ethically minded travellers who want to relax at Port’s most awarded 4.5 star hotel overlooking Town Beach. For an additional $20, the package includes:
o Green tea, green coffee and fresh sushi on arrival
o Nintendo Wii Fit, exercise fit-ball, weights and stretch equipment to work out in your room
o Environmental leisure-time reading – award-winning environmentalist and scientist David Suzuki’s inspiring autobiography (and books for junior green warriors too)
o Complimentary use of backpacks with picnic sets to take on Port Macquarie’s Coastal Walk
o A family pass to Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
o Plant a tree with Landcare – with each booking staff will plant a tree and guests receive a certificate for helping the local environment www.observatory.net.au
* Telegraph Retreat’s ‘Stress Release’ Package for Couples $680 – stay in Port’s most luxurious 4.5 star rural retreat for two weekend nights in a self-contained spa cottage, enjoy two body massages at the on-site aromatherapy suite, a two-course dinner for two, and hearty country breakfasts both days www.telegraphretreat.com.au

Massage and Health
* Port Macquarie Day Spa – try the new African body treatment at Port’s award-winning day spa, the ‘Kyanya African Balance Treatment’ includes special types of massage, stones and crystals to revitalise energy, and leaves supple, conditioned skin. Cost $150 for 75mins www.portdayspa.com.au

Art and Culture
* New Regional Gallery offers Artist ‘Coffee Mornings’ – visit Port’s new Regional Gallery at The Glasshouse and meet guest artists, curators and academics at ‘Coffee Mornings’, part of a new program. Cost $5 and dates are 26 March, 30 April and 28 May. www.glasshouse.org.au

Greater Port Macquarie is a 4.5 hour drive north of Sydney and is serviced by regular Qantaslink, Brindabella Airlines and Virgin Blue flights, from just 40minutes from Sydney.

To make your booking and receive more information contact the Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre on 1300 303 155 or book on-line at www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au

The ultimate in boutique properties has arrived at Sunshine Beach, near Noosa, offering an alluring, private couples-only retreat.

Designed and created by renowned Istania design trio Tania Hindermarsh, Charles Moore and Scott Rippon, the two Weyba Street apartments boast cutting-edge architecture combined with a rich fusion of natural materials, furniture and fittings from around the world. Located just minutes from Sunshine Beach, the properties feature tropical gardens, a private plunge pool, 42 inch flat screen TV complete with sound system and iPod dock, spa bath, stacked stone fireplaces and a fully-equipped kitchen with a built-in coffee machine. Extras available include a private chef, in-house massages, fine chocolates and champagne. http://istania.com/

Jump aboard the state-of-the-art “Reef Sprinter” for an adrenalin-pumping reef experience to remember!

Sprint to the reef in just 15 minutes from Port Douglas on this new snorkelling adventure tour. Reef Sprinter offers 14 guests the perfect reef snorkelling experience for the time poor. The two-and-a-half hour tour travels to the Low Isles’ official green zone, a protected World Heritage site only a handful of operators are permitted to explore because of its vast coral gardens and abundant fish life. Getting there is half the fun aboard the 500 horse power enviro speed boat reaching speeds of more than 40 knots. Reef Sprinter tours operate three times a day from the Port Douglas Slipway jetty. Cost is $100 per adult and $80 for children aged five to 14 years. www.reefsprinter.com.au

Gold Coast-based Ride On Tours is offering two great Queensland surfing adventures, one at North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane and the other at iconic Surfers Paradise.

The ‘North Stradbroke Island Adventure’ includes daily surfing lessons with the Straddie Surf School, all gear including boards and wet suits, accommodation, healthy, homemade meals and transfers between the Gold Coast and the island. Prices start from $465 per person. The three-day Experience Surfers Paradise includes daily surfing lessons with World Champion Pro Surfer Cheyne Horan’s School of Surf, all equipment, accommodation and meals. Prices start from $295 per person. Five and seven day packages are available for both, snorkelling and diving activities are available and each can be tailored to suit all styles and budgets. www.rideontours.com

A laneway adjoining Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall and Albert Street is leading the way in new inner-city dining experiences.

Albert Lane is fast becoming the hot spot for lunch, dinner and afters as foodies flock to Vapiano, Little Singapore Uptown and The Tea Centre. The Brisbane Vapiano is the first to open in Australia, and featuring tasty, modern and award-winning Italian-Australian dining. Little Singapore Uptown has opened its fourth restaurant in the lane, offering guests the popular tasty traditional dishes originating from Singapore and Malaysia for which it is famous. The Tea Centre is a second retail outlet for the famous Brisbane Arcade store and is also a cosy café serving a range of more than 180 teas. www.visitbrisbane.com.au

Crown will celebrate its thirteenth birthday in May and there will be much cause for celebration. By the time Crown reaches this milestone, Crown will have unveiled the 658 room Crown Metropol hotel, a new day spa, Isika, as well as opened the doors to Gordon Ramsay’s maze and maze Grill restaurants. These new developments will launch just a few short months after the successful opening of the AUD $30 million extension to the Crown Conference Centre.

Crown Metropol
With the opening of the 658-room AUD $300 million Crown Metropol, Crown is now able to offer guests, conference organisers and event planners over 1600 rooms and suites from which to choose. Australia’s newest property is already attracting interest from international leisure guests as well as global convention and conference delegates. The architecturally striking design developed by award-winning, Melbourne-based architecture firm, Bates Smart, includes a stunning, futuristic podium entry, a spa located on the top floors of the hotel, a sky bar and terrace on the hotel’s highest floor, four meeting rooms and a retail precinct showcasing brands previously unavailable in Australia.

Later this month, one of the world’s most famous chefs, Gordon Ramsay, will open two new restaurants, maze and maze Grill as well as a bar. Guests of Crown Metropol will also be able to enjoy an in-room dining menu designed by Gordon Ramsay. Crown Metropol’s experienced general manager is Crown Towers’ former general manager,Harley Moraitis.

Crown Conference Centre
In early February 2010, Crown officially opened an extension to the Crown Conference Centre. The purpose-built hotel convention facility caters for large residential conferences,meetings, product launches and exhibitions. The spectacular extension enables the centre to later for conferences up to 840 delegates with 20 concurrent rooms,all on one site.

Crown Introduces Real-Time Online Booking for Meetings and Conferences
Guests have been able to book a hotel room online for many years. However, it has been a different tale for the events industry. Crown is pleased to announce that event organisers can now book meetings at the newly opened Crown Conference Centre online at crown.asdoo.com. To date, three events have been booked using this new, innovative service. The most popular feature of the booking system is the “book and hold” option where clients can make a tentative booking. Clientele also report that the easy-to-use “book and pay” feature is a welcome addition to the event management process. Customers can book, review and modify their bookings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This appealing functionality is proving especially popular with clients based overseas.

Awards
Since last year’s AIME, Crown has won a number of awards, including in excess of 12 new accolades for Crown Towers alone. Most recently, the readers of MICE.net magazine voted Crown Towers “Best Hotel in Australia” which has been announced just this week at AIME 2010.

Crown Towers
The enhancement of Crown Towers continues with the final touches being added to a recent refurbishment of the hotel’s luxurious Crystal Club lounge. The lobby of the hotel is currently being remodelled with the new look to be unveiled in stages over the coming months.

Crown Entertainment Complex
Crown Melbourne has completed a substantial enhancement of the complex. Over the last five years approximately AUD $250 million has been invested to refurbish and expand the main gaming floor. The enhancements include the addition of new gaming floor restaurants and entertainment venues as well as a refreshed colour palette,furniture and lighting.

Crown Spa continues to set benchmarks to which others aspire. The spa is an ideal venue for partner programs and incentives. Crown is a unique incentive destination that offers participants everything from spa treatments, high-end dining, luxury retail and gaming to relaxed and fun activities such as bowling, the Gold Class movie experience and live entertainment all under one roof.

The city of Melbourne has long been recognised as Australia’s dining capital. Since AIME 2009, Crown has opened an impressive new dining precinct located at the West End of the complex, including Lagerfield Bar & Beer Garden, an inviting cocktail bar named Lumia, Emporio Della Pasta, Kitchen Workshop, Cantina dell’Emporio and Caffe dell’Emporio.

In December 2010, the highly anticipated The Atlantic will open. The Atlantic will comprise a brasserie-style eatery, featuring an extensive oyster bar boasting over a dozen oyster varieties, while the restaurant will focus on the best of the premium seafood market. Crown continues to offer guests and visitors an unsurpassed experience with a myriad of choices for dining, events, entertainment and accommodation.

Noosa’s newest luxury resort, Quay West Resort & Spa Noosa, will welcome its first guests on March 18.

Located just three minutes drive from Hastings Street and overlooking Noosa Sound and a protected conservation sanctuary, the apartment-style resort offers accommodation in deluxe studios and one, two and three bedroom apartments. All contain luxurious fittings and fixtures and have either private, furnished courtyards or balconies. The resort’s stand-alone day spa, Mii Spa, has six treatment rooms and a treatment menu including exclusive signature rituals. Other facilities include Restaurant Aroona serving contemporary Australian cuisine, a bar, fully-equipped gymnasium, lagoon swimming pool with man-made beach entry, tennis court, eco walking track and bicycle hire. There is also a seasonal kid’s club for families staying at the resort. www.mirvachotels.com/quay-west-resort-noosa