Jetsettersblog

Sydney-Melbourne Touring is pleased to announce the addition of the Kosciuszko Alpine Way to its formally endorsed touring routes.

Sydney-Melbourne Touring Chairman Ken Hore says, “Sydney-Melbourne Touring is excited about adding Kosciuszko Alpine Way to its touring route offering. This diverse route will bring great benefits for our members and provides an additional link between Canberra and Albury.”

Visitor Centre Manager for the Snowy Region Visitor Centre Penny McLennan says, “The Kosciuszko Alpine Way Touring route is very excited to have the opportunity to work with Sydney-Melbourne Touring (SMT) to promote this fabulous part of Australia internationally.

It has been a goal of ours to be accepted into SMT for the last couple of years and we are very happy to have achieved this. We have a variety of great product to add to SMT’s existing offerings:

from charming B&B’s to cabins in the wilderness, excellent restaurants, wineries,a schnapps distillery and a wide range of activities like mountain biking, horse riding and walking on the roof of Australia.”

The scenic Kosciuszko Alpine Way is an important link between NSW and Victoria, beginning in the town of Cooma in Southern NSW through to the quaint township of Khancoban on the rim of the Victorian border.

This route through the Snowy Mountains boasts spectacular scenery, including the magnificent Kosciuszko National Park with its snow-covered peaks, deep alpine lakes, giant boulder fields and vibrant displays of blossoming wild flowers.

For further information about Sydney-Melbourne Touring visit

www.sydneymelbournetouring.com.au

For further information about Kosciuszko Alpine Way visit

http://snowymountains.com.au/Kosciuszko_Alpine_Way.html

100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences Revealed
Greatest culinary experts in the country decide little-known Tasmanian cooking school top gourmet experience in Australia.

Australian Traveller Magazine has published the list of 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences today, with the top gourmet experience going to the farm-based Agrarian Kitchen cooking school, set up in 2009 by Tetsuya Wakuda’s former apprentice chef Rodney Dunn and wife Severine.

Second place went to another surprise result, the “Bulgari of Butchers”, Victor Churchill in Sydney’s Woollahra. Controversially, Sydney’s Quay was the highest rated restaurant at 3rd, above international icon Tetsuya’s, which placed 7th. Both were ahead of the first Melbourne restaurant, Vue de Monde, ranked 8.

Australian Traveller editor Greg Barton says: “The end result is a marker for where Australian food experiences are in the country right now.”

“Cooking schools have also well and truly arrived. Other key findings were the great interest in heirloom or heritage varieties of produce, which have unique and unexpected flavour profiles.

Kitchen gardens that provide instant organic produce are also well established at most great gourmet experiences.”

“The way Australians eat has undergone remarkable change over the past few decades. We’ve gone from being a meat-and-three-veg society to a country that produces and celebrates some of the world’s finest wine, cheese, meat and produce.

Not only that, we know what to do with it in the kitchen,” Barton concluded.

Methodology

A panel of food experts including Matt Moran, Jacques Reymond, Maggie Beer, Simon Johnson, Matthew Evans, Alla Wolf-Tasker and Michael Ryan decided the Top 100 Gourmet Experiences. The panellists were presented with a shortlist of 300 experiences and asked: “On a scale of 1-10, how strongly would you like to experience the nomination and/or would you advise a friend to experience it?” The answers were tabulated and the Top 100 Gourmet Experiences revealed.

An exclusive Magnetic Island beachfront retreat and a ghost tour that’s a real scream are just two of the newest ways to stay and play in and around tropical Townsville.

Magnetic Island continues to live up its barefoot luxury factor with a new luxury retreat on beautiful Horseshoe Bay offering a world of seclusion and pure indulgence. Lotus House is an exquisite beachfront house catering for up to six adults featuring three spacious bedrooms with ensuites, exotic tropical gardens, spa bath, an oceanfront temperature-controlled swimming pool, expansive upper deck offering uninterrupted sea views and in-house chef options. www.lotusonmagnetic.com

Back on the mainland, hear ghostly tales, tour haunted locations by lantern light, detect spirits of the past and stay overnight in a haunted house with Townsville Ghost Tours.

Board the ghost bus and discover underground dungeons, secret tunnels, cellars, mineshafts, churches, old hospital sites and cemeteries. With a variety of day and night tours on offer you’ll learn how to use a GMF Ghost Meter, hear ghost tales of the past and see Townsville like you’ve never seen it before.

Take your experience to the next level and spend the night in a haunted 1890’s house or participate in a murder mystery night based on real people and events.

Townsville Ghost Tours operate on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and bookings are essential. www.townsvilleghosttours.com.au

For something a little more peaceful, spend Sunday afternoon cruising on the Ross River Dam with Pop Sullivan Tours and Cruises.

Relax onboard the MV Kathleen Mary with some nibbles and drinks as you spot turtles and birdlife and take in the beautiful wetlands of Lake Ross. www.popsullivantoursandcruises.com.au

Q Resorts Itara Townsville Apartments are brand new self- contained serviced one-bedroom apartments in the city centre. The four and half star apartments feature contemporary open plan living, swimming pool, BBQ area, secure underground parking and high-speed broadband internet.

Visit this link.

The Townsville region is also celebrating the recent win of two prestigious 2009 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Noorla Heritage Resort, Ingham took out the Best Standard Accommodation category and Hidden Valley Cabins, Paluma was named the best Hosted Accommodation.

Noorla is an elegant, fully-restored Italian Art Deco building an hour north of Townsville offering a range of accommodation including heritage rooms, camping sites and backpacker rooms. www.hotelnoorla.com.au

Hidden Valley Cabins, located one and half hours north-west of Townsville, is renowned as Australia’s first carbon neutral resort and tour company to operate on 100 per cent solar power. www.hiddenvalleycabins.com.au

For more information on holiday ideas in the Townsville region visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au

Getting There

Townsville is a two hour flight from Brisbane. Virgin Blue offers direct flights to Townsville from Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney. Qantas and Jetstar also fly direct from Brisbane and Sydney with connections available from around Australia.

Traveltrain’s Tilt Train also provides two services a week.

Magnetic Island is easily accessible via a 20 minute ferry ride from the Townsville Breakwater terminal. www.sunferries.com.au

Queensland is home to some of the world’s best spas, including half of the top 10 for Australasia and the South Pacific as voted in the recent 2010 Conde Nast Readers Spa Awards. We list the winners here and share some other special spas which deliver the true meaning of “pampering in paradise.”

A Winning Combination

The Sebel Reef House Spa Palm Cove was voted Top Spa in Australia & in the Top Best 25 Spas of the world, the seventh consecutive year it has received global recognition at the Conde’ Nast Traveller UK – Spa Awards.

Joining it in the top 10 were Palm Cove’s Angsana Spa, Spa Hayman and Spa qualia in the Whitsundays, and Lizard Island’s Azure Spa in Tropical North Queensland.

Visit this link.

Daintree Spa with Indigenous Spirit

The treatment menu at the delectable Daintree Resort & Spa in the wilderness of Tropical North Queensland was developed out of respect and with the approval of the Elders of the local Kuku Yalanji tribe.

The signature treatment, Walbul-Walbul (Buttterfly) incorporates the contrasting sensations of oil and desert salts and uses exclusive Australian indigenous products and massage techniques not found anywhere else in the world. www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au

A True Blue Massage

Award-winning Hayman Island in the Whitsundays makes the most of its beautiful surrounds with its signature spa treatment, The Ocean Massage.

The ultimate sensory experience lasts for 90 minutes, and as the name suggests, takes place on a massage bed placed in the ocean. Guests simply drift away to a world of total relaxation and comfort in tranquil waters surrounded by gentle tides and tropical fish in the warm Whitsunday sun. www.hayman.com.au

Heaven for Chocolate Lovers

This premier massage-to-door operator’s most tasty offering includes a selection of calorie-free chocolate massages on its extensive treatment menu.

Choose from a full body aromatherapy massage with warmed chocolate oil combined with other treatments plus a box of delicious chocolates.

Ripple services Brisbane, Gold Coast and hinterland and the Sunshine Coast. www.ripplemasssage.com

Spas Under the Stars

The Queensland Outback is home to some of the most naturally located and welcoming therapeutic moments you’ll ever experience.

Discover unexpected treats like the mud soaks in refurbished claw bath spas at the Palm Grove Date Farm and Winery in Eulo, south-west Queensland; the spa ‘tanks’ on Nardoo Station near Cunnamulla and the town spas in Mitchell, Bedourie, Blackall, Ilfracombe and Julia Creek where water comes direct from the Great Artesian Basin, one of the world’s largest underground water reservoirs.

Visit this link.

Relaxation on the Reef

Nature lovers can enhance their Great Barrier Reef experience with a soothing massage. Guests travelling to Knuckle Reef Lagoon with Cruise Whitsundays can book in for a soothing head, neck, back and shoulder massage with “Calm Experience” on their way to or from the reef, or treat themselves to a full body massage or “Skin Soother” while at the reef. www.cruisewhitsundays.com.au/gbra.aspx

Likewise visitors to Fantasea Reef world at Hardy Reef can utilise the massage services available at the Harmony Hut and relax while overlooking the surrounding clear blue waters.

www.fantasea.com.au/page/reefworld/index.html

Vinotherapy Wine Treatment at O’Reilly’s

Nestled within World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland, O’Reilly’s Lost World Spa turns to the grapes grown at O’Reilly’s nearby vineyard for a specialist signature treatment.

The Vinotherapy Ritual incorporates essential ingredients such as grape seed extracts containing some of nature’s most powerful antioxidants and rich in collagen to firm the skin and slow the aging process, introduce healing properties and rejuvenate.

www.oreillys.com.au/the-lost-world-spa

Local Sand Stars in Signature Treatment

Local sand and sea salt are used in the scrub which is a key part of the signature treatment at the Sunshine Coast’s Sheraton Noosa Aqua Day Spa. Nirvana in Noosa commences with the refreshing and skin softening scrub and is completed with a soothing and moisturising massage. www.aquadayspa.com.au

Gwinganna turns Tribal

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland is offering guests a two and a half hour specialty Tribal Dreaming treatment incorporating a forest walk, didgeridoo healing, ochre clay, an intention ceremony and a customised 80 minute massage and the Yin Qi Yang, a four hands massage using two therapists, essential oils and hot stones.

www.gwinganna.com

Rooftop Treatment at Angsana Spa

Overlooking Palm Cove’s idyllic stretch of sand, The Angsana Resort & Spa is like chocolate to spa enthusiasts with its beachfront treatment rooms and open-air, sheltered roof-top Spa Pavilions, both with the soothing sights of the Coral Sea and sand right outside their doors. Each rooftop Spa Pavilion has two side-by-side massage beds and a private plunge pool and therapists are flown in to Palm Cove from the Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket, Thailand.

www.angsana.com

Serenity at Stephanie’s

The $AUD1million retreat at the five star Sofitel Brisbane features seven suites including a twin spa suite for ‘Retreats’ treatments from two to six and a half hours, Thai and Tibetan Massage, Stephanie’s Signature hand and foot treatments and European high performance skin applications.

Situated on level three adjacent to the hotel’s pool deck, the retreat enjoys an open-sky environment at odds with the convenience of its inner-city location.

For more Queensland holiday information visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au

Tropic Sail and Orpheus Island Resort have combined to create the ultimate Great Barrier Reef sail and accommodation package, offering guests the opportunity to sail the reef and spend three nights at the exclusive Orpheus Island Resort.

Guests depart Townsville onboard a choice of luxury vessels – from yachts, to catamarans to your own private luxury motor cruiser. After 3 nights cruising and exploring the stunning local area and reef, guests are dropped off at the exclusive Orpheus Island for three nights and then flown via scenic flight transfer back to Townsville.

Tropic Sail offers luxury boating holidays from Townsville, North Queensland – a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Become immersed in the relaxed laid-back lifestyle of Magnetic Island followed by exploring the other more secluded and uninhabited islands.

Indulge in the privacy that can only come from discovering these remote and true wilderness areas. Tropic Sails’ knowledgeable skipper and guide will take you to untouched hidden wonders that most locals haven’t even seen.

Take the opportunity whilst in the presence of a professional to learn the basics of sailing or operation of a power boat or just sit back and relax and leave it to your skipper.

Spend days filled with lingering tropical breakfasts anchored offer deserted beaches, snorkelling over vibrant coral beds, relaxing on the deck, exploring the many secluded islands and bays, fishing your dinner, hailing down a passing trawler for fresh prawns, and sipping cocktails at sunset. The possibilities are endless and personalised itineraries are created to suit your individual tastes and interests.

The privately-owned Orpheus Island Resort is an exclusive sophisticated hideaway nestled amidst the coral-fringed Orpheus Island Marine National Park.

With a limit of 42 pampered guests, privacy is assured with the exclusion of telephones, televisions, day-trippers, nightclubs or children. Dining is an unforgettable affair with the sensational seven-course degustation evening menu. Orpheus is renowned for its premium yet personalised and friendly service.

At Orpheus, your every need is anticipated and taken care of with maximum care and minimum fuss.

A careful and ecologically sensitive program of activities that are relaxed and educational is offered – everything from picnics on secluded beaches to snorkeling, kayaking, guided walks and sunset cruises – or you can simply laze by the pool or on the beach and soak up the sun.

And the perfect end to your 6 days – a scenic flight transfer back to Townsville. Marvel and reflect as you capture a birds-eye view of all the beautiful and hidden gems you have discovered over the past week!

Cost for the seven-day (6 night) package starts from AUD$3,169.00 per person twin share (6 passengers) including three nights onboard your own private luxury vessel and three nights in a beachfront Orpheus Retreat room on Orpheus Island; and scenic flight transfer to Townsville.

Full package inclusions as follows:

Tropic Sail:

• 3 nights accommodation on fully equipped luxury vessel of choice (Sunbeam 34 Monohull, Fusion 40 Catamaran, Conquest 1200 or Riviera 48 Platinum)
• Transfers from airport to Tropic Sail vessel
• Meet & greet with fresh fruit cocktail

• Vessel familiarisation (30 minutes)
• Free Marina night onboard vessel if required the night before commencement
• Fully dressed cabins with all linen, bathroom & standard gallery equipment
• Safety equipment on board all vessels to comply with Qld Maritime Safety Standards
• Use of snorkelling equipment, bird watching packs, beach cricket sets, vessel DVD’s & CD’s, motorised dinghy, spa (on Conquest 2000 only)
• Fully qualified skipper / Interpretive guide
• Transfer to Orpheus Island Resort

Orpheus Island Resort:

• 3 nights in private beachfront Orpheus Retreat accommodation
• Meet & greet with fresh fruit cocktail
• All meals (a la carte breakfast, alfresco dining or picnic hamper lunch & seven course degustation evening menu
• Unlimited use of motorised dinghies, paddle skis, catamarans, canoes, snorkelling equipment, local snorkel trips, fishing gear, tennis, bushwalking and selected interpretive activities on Orpheus Island.
• One way scenic flight transfer to Towsville

For further information phone (07) 4777 7377

or visit www.orpheus.com.au

and www.tropicsail.com.au

The Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Resort is relaunching its KidZone kids club, with even more activities daily and to celebrate is offering a special KidZone package that includes overnight accommodation for the whole family, free breakfast and dinner for the children and one three-hour morning or afternoon session at the Kids Club from just $149 per room per night or from $209 per night for a two-bedroom apartment.

Just some of the activities on offer at the KidZone include games in the pool, snorkelling lessons, pirate treasure hunts, mini Olympics, team-building activities, parachute play, mask and puppet-making, pottery classes, team sports and more, as well as Playstation and Wii games – all under supervision of fun, friendly and professionally trained carers.

With the kids taken care of in the KidZone the parents can enjoy a cocktail by the pool, catch up on some reading, indulge in a treatment at the beauty salon or play a round on the resort’s 9-hole golf course.

The spacious and contemporary 4.5-star Novotel Rockford Palm Cove is ideal for family getaways with a range of rooms including self-contained apartments, all just a short stroll from the beach and the charming village of Palm Cove.

The resort boasts numerous swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, gym, sauna and more.

Novotel is putting families first with its new Family&Novotel promise which provides a range of benefits to make domestic family holidays more attractive.

Novotel Rockford Palm Cove guests receive family-friendly benefits such as 20 minutes’ complimentary internet access, use of the resort’s Kapla kids play area which incorporates some arcade style games and Wii, a free soft toy for children up to 6 years old, a music download for kids up to 16 years and complimentary Nickelodeon cartoon network. There is even late checkout on Sundays so the family can fit in more fun on their break.

Located just 20 minutes from Cairns International Airport, the resort offers easy access to an abundance of tropical North Queensland attractions including the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Cairns Tropical Zoo, Atherton Tablelands, Skyrail, Kuranda markets and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

*Based on a 4 day minimum stay and valid for travel until 31 July 2010. Accommodation packages are available for all families, Children ages 3-15 years. Children must be accompanied with an adult for breakfast, dine from Novotel’s ‘kids’ menu and use existing bedding. Free Kids zone session is available for one 3 hour session per child, aged 4-12 years old. Subject to availability. The offer is valid for one child per adult, and a maximum of two kids.

For more information or to make a booking call 1800 606 761 and quote “KidZone” or visit www.rockfordpalmcove.com.au

How does your facility conserve water?

Many of Las Vegas Sands’ properties are in areas where there are limited natural resources. Our property in Las Vegas is a good example. Being located in the middle of a desert makes us keenly aware of how important it is to conserve natural resources, such as water, not only for today, but for the future as well.

To save water at The Venetian, The Palazzo and the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sands Corp. replaced natural grass areas with artificial turf, and remaining plants are watered using a subsurface drip system that avoids wasteful evaporation. In addition, we created sophisticated central irrigation control systems to monitor outdoor air temperature, relative humidity, wind, solar intensity, rainfall and soil moisture content to ensure plant and tree health is maintained without excess irrigation.

Even making small changes can make a big difference. For example, in guest suites at The Venetian and The Palazzo, the water fixtures save 20 percent over the standard fixtures. Along with other water-saving initiatives, the Las Vegas property, including the Sands Expo and Convention Center, has reduced consumption by about 100 million gallons of water annually without impacting guest and employee experience. The water saved every year can supply the annual needs for more than 580 average American households.

We also look for ways to incorporate water conservation into our building. At Marina Bay Sands Singapore, rainwater will be collected on the roof of the Museum in a rain harvesting system and will cascade into a pool below. The water collected can be recycled in the museum’s washroom flushing system.

But Las Vegas Sands Corp. also takes into account not just water conservation, but ensuring that discharge water does not harm the environment. For example, at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pa., Las Vegas Sands Corp. created an extensive storm water management program that will provide cleaner discharge to the Lehigh River, one of Pennsylvania’s designated Scenic Rivers.

How does your facility conserve energy?

Energy conservation is an important goal, if we are to preserve natural resources and protect the environment for future generations. However, as the owner and operator of 5-diamond resorts, Las Vegas Sands must reconcile our energy conservation with the exceptionally high standards of excellence we maintain for our guests. Sounds daunting, but all it takes is some innovation and collaboration.

To minimize energy usage, The Palazzo in Las Vegas uses energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs, whenever possible. However, we wanted to still create the warm environment our guests expect when visiting us. We worked closely with our lighting manufacturer to create better lighting solutions, so we can conserve energy, but not impact our guests’ experience.

In addition to lights, sensors are installed in the suites at our Las Vegas property to adjust the temperature automatically according to guest occupancy. In fact, the entire Las Vegas resort uses a sophisticated building automation system that monitors and optimizes heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting levels to maintain optimal conditions, while using energy efficiently.

Further, Las Vegas Sands is proud to own the largest solar thermal system in the United States, which is mounted on the roof of the meeting rooms and provides hot water for swimming pools, spas and a portion of domestic hot water. Overall, the Las Vegas property saves about 73 million kWh annually. This is enough to power more than 6,500 average American households for a year.

How can your guests contribute to sustainability efforts?

It’s as simple as flipping a switch! The Palazzo’s suites feature a master power switch enabling guests to conveniently turn off all lights when leaving.

Guests also can assist in Las Vegas Sands’ water-saving efforts by participating in the Eco-Linen program, in which multiple-night guests choose when to replenish their linens and towels to save water, saving more than 11 million gallons of water and 170,000 gallons of detergent per year.

Many guests ask about how they can maintain their recycling habits during their stay. Our guests can enjoy their leisure time with us, knowing that we take care of that by sorting the waste at our onsite recycling center. Las Vegas Sands recycles more than 55 percent of its solid waste, making it the largest property recycler on the Strip.

How does your facility recycle and keep material out of landfills?

At Las Vegas Sands Corp., we know that many of our guests are deeply committed to recycling in their personal lives. We share this commitment and want to reassure our guests they will continue to recycle while staying with us.

Our commitment starts even before our guests visit us. During the construction of The Palazzo, the steel used averaged more than 95 percent recycled content, while the concrete contained 26 percent recycled content, including fly ash from coal-burning power plants. Additional effort was made to procure materials from within a 500-mile radius of the construction site to minimize the negative environmental effects of transporting those materials.

And our recycling continues once construction is complete. Both The Venetian, The Palazzo and the Sands Expo in Las Vegas recycle more than 55 percent of solid waste, such as glass, plastics, aluminum, cardboard and paper, making Sands Las Vegas Corp. the largest property recycler on the Strip. Furthermore, more than 75 percent of food waste is recycled, either as animal feed at a local farm or as compost. We also employ a team of 14 full-time staff work to sort waste for recyclable and reclaimable items seven days a week for The Venetian, The Palazzo and the Sands Expo and Convention Center, recovering an average of $7,000 of materials each month.

But we also wanted to ensure that our construction materials are recycled. For example, during The Palazzo’s construction, about 70 percent of waste materials were recycled, diverting nearly 42,000 tons from landfill, which is equivalent to a stack of cars approximately 23 miles high.

Sands also includes recycling into the products we use every day through our Sustainable Purchasing Policy. Our offices utilize office paper, office equipment, furniture and building materials which incorporate recycled and salvaged material, rapidly renewable materials, or local materials. Cleaning products, disposable janitorial products, and trash bags have recycled content or low VOC (volatile organic compound) levels.

How does your facility aim to influence/educate other industries about what you have learned?

Las Vegas Sands Corp. wants to share our key learnings, practices and technologies in the area of sustainability with other businesses and governments. If more organizations adopt the technologies and methodologies we have developed and adopted, we can have a much greater impact on the future of the environment.

Already, Vice President of Development Nicholas Rumanes has co-authored a chapter for the book, Hotel Asset Management: Principles and Practices (American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, 2009), titled “Lessons from the World’s Largest LEED-Certified Hotel: The Palazzo.” Mr. Rumanes is currently co-authoring a new chapter of a book about sustainable development, partnering again with Professor A.J. Singh, his co-author for the chapter in Hotel Asset Management.

Are any “green” costs passed on to customers?

Absolutely not! There are no costs passed onto guests because the cost of Sands Eco 360° have been offset by the savings generated. In fact, for every $1 Las Vegas Sands has invested into sustainability practices and programs, the company has saved $4, proving that what is good for the environment also is good for business.

The former Lagon Resort Vanuatu, an owned member of the Warwick International Hotels’ Collection, has been renamed and is now called Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Vanuatu.

Elected “Best Resort” by the Vanuatu Tourism Office in January 2010, Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Vanuatu is one of the best resorts in the South Pacific.

“As an owned member of Warwick International Hotels for more than six years, we wanted to offer our clients consistency.

This communication strategy will improve our positioning amongst our competitors,” said G. Paul LeBlanc, vice president of sales and marketing for Warwick International Hotels.

The resort completed a number of major upgrades that have occurred during 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. The three Lagoon Villas have now been totally renovated, providing accommodations, extra large bathrooms and a separate sitting area, which directly overlook the Erakor Lagoon.

The resort offers 140 guest rooms, bungalows, villas and suites including Classic rooms, Garden & Lagoon Superior rooms, Garden and Lagoon Bungalows, Lagoon Villas and four spacious over-water Island Suites with their own sundecks.

All the resort’s rooms, bungalows, villas and suites offer tranquil garden or lagoon views with accommodations opening out onto a furnished patio or balcony.

The Family and Lagoon Superior Rooms have a balcony or patio, a very large marble shower and dual basins in the bath. For larger families, a limited selection of these newly renovated rooms can be combined with inside inter-connecting doors.

One room would have two double beds and the other a queen bed and two single beds. Trinity rooms do not have a cot but have one queen bed and a true single bed.

Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Vanuatu has three restaurants and bars on premise. All three restaurants offer a wide variety of foods, from local seafood, to Asian and Chinese cuisine served in the Wild Ginger Asian-fusion restaurant.

Facilities at the resort include multiple swimming pools, two tennis courts, a 12-hole golf course, fully equipped gym, snorkeling, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, beach volleyball, local weaving lessons, bon fires, table tennis and Bislama lessons.

The resort’s glass-bottom boat, “Reef Lady,” takes daily tours and coral viewing trips around the lagoon. The new Oasis Spa opened in January with five well-appointed treatment rooms and a large private dipping pool. Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Vanuatu offers a Kids Club for children from 3 to 12.

For more information, visit www.lelagonvanuatu.vu

On April 15, Ithaa, the world’s first all-glass undersea restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island celebrated its fifth anniversary.

And to celebrate, the resort is offering guests the chance to spend the night underwater by turning the restaurant into an exclusive suite for two, complete with private champagne dinner and breakfast in bed.

Sitting five meters (approximately 15 feet) below the waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a coral reef and encased in clear glass, the restaurant has hosted over 43,800 diners, 151 under-sea “Renewal of Love” ceremonies and been witness to the consumption of over 14,235 bottles of the “house wine” champagne since opening.

Diners at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant experience a set-menu composed of 23 different dishes over four courses; from reef fish with grape, almond and saffron reduction to Maldivian banana and chilli mascarpone cream with refreshing crushed basil.

A three-course lunchtime menu is also offered.

Dinner is priced from $320 per person and lunch $195 per person.

At lunchtime, it is so bright inside Ithaa that diners and waiting staff need to wear sunglasses. The resort keeps extra sunglasses handy in case a diner forgets to bring theirs and offers a sunglass cleaning service during lunch.

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island combines three distinct resort experiences on two islands, linked by a bridge and surrounded by a coral reef and lagoon.

Accommodation includes 50 Water Villas in the country, 79 Beach Villas and 21 Spa Water Villas.

For more information, visit www.conradhotels.com

The new Taj Cape Town is located in two historic buildings (the 1896 Board of Executors and the original 1932 South African Reserve Bank buildings) in the center of the city.

Seventeen new stories have been added, offering views of the city and Table Mountain. It is set in a precinct steeped in history, from the neighboring Slave Lodge to St. George’s Cathedral, where Nobel Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu stood against apartheid.

The lobby is dominated by a massive skylight, supported by four fluted marble columns, all of which have been restored. Even the clock, which first kept banking hours in 1932, has been polished and repaired.

The 177 rooms include Heritage Rooms, blending old-world grandeur and modern amenities.

The Tower Rooms combine contemporary luxury and mountain and city views.

On the top floor is a two-bedroom, split-level Presidential Suite with its own massage and steam rooms, fully equipped kitchen, office, gym and a top-floor deck for outdoor entertainment.

A Taj Club floor, a feature of all Taj hotels, includes a private lounge served by a dedicated butler team, providing breakfast and evening canapes and cocktails. Conference, meeting and banqueting facilities include seven meeting rooms, the largest of which can accommodate 110 people.

There are three restaurants — Mint, an all-day dining restaurant with a grill menu; the Bombay Brasserie, a fine-dining Indian restaurant modeled on its famous namesake in London; and The Twankey, a seafood and champagne bar offering seafood tapas and a selection of South African wines. Other facilities include a formal lounge, cocktail bar, cigar bar, a gym and a Jive Grande Spa.

The Jiva Spa concept is unique to Taj Hotels and draws on Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing tradition, to offer a number of signature treatments, yoga and meditation.