Jetsettersblog

Mexico plans to develop 35 towns into “Magic Villages” with an investment of $150 million to attract more tourists.

As part of the “Pueblos Magicos” (Magic Villages) program, 1.9 billion pesos ($150 million) will be spent “to transform the urban image, renovate museums and galleries, and restore convents and churches with historical and cultural value,” according to Mexico’s tourism department, Sectur.

The new investment will make it possible “to give each Pueblo Magico its own clearly identifiable personality,” said Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara.

“Pueblos Magicos” have been identified in 25 of the 32 Mexican states and are characterized by the preservation of traditional culture, she said, adding that Indian and colonial influences blend there with reminders of great events in Mexican history.

Some of the locations include Real de Catorce, where Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts shot their movie “The Mexican,” and Dolores Hidalgo, from whose bell tower the Rev. Miguel Hidalgo declared Mexico’s independence in 1810.

Taxco, famous for handcraft silver jewelry, and San Cristobal de las Casas, with a 40 percent Indian population, are also on the list of proposed “Magic Villages.”

For more information, visit

www.visitmexico.com

Pet lovers visiting Walt Disney World Resort can now plan to board the family pet in new accommodations.

Reservations are being accepted for pet boarding stays beginning Aug. 27, 2010, for the new Best Friends Pet Care Resort.

The one-of-a-kind resort comprises more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas, and an expansive private dog park exclusively for the use of pet resort clients and their dogs.

The facility will accommodate up to 270 dogs and 30 cats for both daytime and overnight boarding.

A wide selection of suite choices for dogs includes air-conditioned indoor rooms, 48-square-foot indoor-outdoor suites, and four expansive VIP (very important pet) suites with television, raised bedding and private outdoor yards. Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate “Kitty City” pavilion — away from the dogs — in two- and four-room condos. All suites and condos are designed to provide comfort and privacy and will be cleaned daily with hospital-grade disinfectants.

The resort’s exclusive dog park features a fenced walking trail bordering the natural wetlands around the park.

Inside the trail, guests can choose from a variety of different play areas, including a 3,300-square-foot area covered in artificial turf, a 4,500-square-foot area with shade trees, and a 1,300-square-foot “canines only” water park.

There are several large areas for owners to sit, relax and watch their dogs play. The entire park is secured from outsiders and is illuminated for use after dark.

Other features of the resort include a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets; two 1,100-square-foot “camp rooms” for play group and doggy day camp, each opening onto an outdoor play-yard; and a special facility for the boarding of “pocket pets,” such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets.

Pet parents can choose from a wide range of a la carte activities for pet guests from one-on-one playtimes and social playgroup with other doggy guests, to cuddle time and bedtime stories with staff.

Additional amenities and upgrades include ice cream treats, bottled water and premium/orthopedic bedding. Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites, and treats such as cookies and milk or tuna on a Ritz.

The pet resort is located across from the Port Orleans Resort at 2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.

For pricing and more information, call 877-4-WDW-PETS or visit www.wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com

Montage Residences Deer Valley, 81 private residences atop the 174-room Montage Deer Valley, will open winter 2010-11 on a coveted on-mountain Empire Pass location. Montage Deer Valley will afford owners ski-in, ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort, expansive mountain and valley views, and a host of 24-hour Montage amenities and services, including a residential concierge staff.

The first phase of 15 residences has been released for sale, and sales contracts are in progress. Priced from $2 million, the one- to four-bedroom residences are represented by DV Luxury Resort Realty LLC in partnership with Park City-based Prudential Utah Real Estate. Multiple floor plans are offered in configurations from 1,200 to 6,900 square feet.

A three-bedroom furnished model residence is available for viewing.

Early buyers will enjoy special First Tracks privileges, including a choice of any custom-furnished or unfurnished residence (not limited to the first phase release), and season passes at Deer Valley Resort for the entire family for the first two years of ownership.

Owners will enjoy access to all Montage Deer Valley resort services and amenities, including residential concierge, spa services, private ski instruction and Deer Valley ski ticketing on site and ski and bike valets.

Owners also have the opportunity for membership at the Talisker Club, which provides private access to more than 10,000 acres of private wilderness; outdoor recreational pursuits and admittance to on-mountain members-only facilities. (Separate application and membership fees apply.)

For more information, contact Montage Deer Valley at 435-200-0450.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announced polo player Nacho Figueras as the first St. Regis Connoisseur, offering St. Regis guests access to some of the greatest polo matches and experiences globally. St. Regis will collaborate with Figueras to enhance the brand’s presence in the polo arena as well as to develop an exclusive polo website, curated by Figueras.

In his role as the St. Regis Polo Connoisseur, Figueras will work as a brand ambassador, helping to shape future guest experiences and cultivate the next generation of St. Regis guests.

Additionally, Figueras has worked with St. Regis to develop an exclusive polo website, a dedicated location for all elements of the illustrious sport and the lifestyle of those who follow it.

The site features a global calendar of polo events, information on the fundamentals of the sport, advice on etiquette and what to wear, exciting polo related offers available at St. Regis hotels, and Figueras, first-ever St. Regis Connoisseur, will share insider tips on his personal polo techniques and insights about his travel.

Launched in May of 2010, St. Regis’ new polo portal is closely linked to the St. Regis Aficionado program, designed to provide guests access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences and extraordinary events at the best addresses in the world.

For more information, visit www.stregis.com/polo

On June 17, Thompson Hotels debuted its first international location, Thompson Toronto.

The new hotel features 102 rooms with 18 suites on 16 glass-encased floors.

Guests raised glasses at the Sixteenth Floor, Thompson Toronto’s rooftop indoor/outdoor bar and pool, while events went on throughout the 30,000 square feet of dining and event space, including a 40-seat screening room, as well as the hotel’s lobby, featuring a 125-foot-wide by 12-foot-high hand-painted, three-dimensional mural of Toronto’s skyline by Spanish artist Javier Mariscal.

Bites from signature restaurant Scarpetta by Chef Scott Conant were served, and jukebox crooners performing at the 24-hour boxcar style diner, The Counter.

Thompson Toronto is located in Central King West Village, the center of the city’s art and design communities, and is situated across from Victoria Memorial Square at 550 Wellington Street West, Toronto, close to both the financial and entertainment districts.

For more information and reservations, call 888-550-8368 or visit

www.thompsonhotels.com

Wandering WiFi, a provider of turnkey wireless infrastructure monitoring and management services for Wi-Fi guest access, and Red Roof Inns, Inc., announce the transition of 208 corporate-owned Red Roof properties to Wandering WiFi’s next generation Wi-Fi guest access solution in only four months and with only nominal service disruptions.

This new solution is a key component of Red Roof’s recent introduction of NextGen comfort and convenience features for business and leisure travelers.

Wandering WiFi provides Red Roof guests with free, complimentary Internet access in all guest rooms and lobbies on a 24/7 basis. In addition, Red Roof’s IT department and property managers now have integrated, real-time visibility of their properties’ wireless infrastructure; comprehensive WLAN monitoring; and a flexible reporting portal that includes an extensive library of pre-configured reports as well as the ability to customize any report.

This reporting ensures Red Roof’s management has detailed, real-time access to any aspect of the WLAN’s operation — including usage, performance, broadband management and more — as well as Wandering WiFi’s own performance.

With this solution, Red Roof, in partnership with Wandering WiFi, can immediately and consistently identify and resolve technical issues before they impact the guest experience and Red Roof’s brand; ensure optimal performance and ROI of Red Roof’s networking equipment; minimize and eliminate network downtime; and provide superior on-shore, in-house technical support to their guests and management team from Wandering WiFi’s Network Operation Center (NOC) in Atlanta.

Using its proven implementation methodology and project management expertise, Wandering WiFi’s implementation teams visited each of the 208 properties to inspect, document and reconfigure the existing networking hardware; installed Wandering WiFi’s proprietary monitoring software across the WLAN and then researched, identified and procured low-cost, yet reliable telecom providers.

The Plaza in New York City will offer iPads in all guest rooms and suites featuring the first virtual concierge application available on the tablet devices. The hotel on Central Park South is partnering with Orlando-based Intelity to become the first hotel in the world to provide guests services and amenities using iPads and Intelity’s ICE (Interactive Customer Solution) software solution.

The iPads will feature a multimedia video welcome and provide guests easy, touch screen access to control their entire hotel experience.

Services guests will have at their fingertips include ordering room service, making restaurant reservations, communicating with the concierge, requesting wake-up calls, exploring NYC destination guides, and even checking airline schedules and printing boarding passes.

The devices will also be pre-loaded with leisure and business friendly applications such as newspapers, and guests will also be able to browse the web.

The Plaza first started offering iPads for guests to use while dining in The Palm Court. Hotel managers quickly realized the popularity of the devices with guests, and decided to extend the program beyond the restaurant, into the guest room.

In addition, The Plaza will also offer ICE Mobile, allowing guests to download the hotel’s Virtual Concierge Application on iTunes or www.theplaza.com, with versions for iPhone, Blackberry and Android.

Ideal for guests on the run or future guests who want to get a head start on trip plans, the application will offer the full array of services offered in-rooms on guests’ mobile phones, whether it be setting up a wake-up call, pre-ordering room service, making a spa appointment or simply requesting an extra towel.

The iPads featuring ICE technology will be available in The Plaza’s guest rooms and suites in September 2010. The mobile application will also launch at that time.

For reservations or more information, call 888-240-7775 or visit

www.theplaza.com

Crystal Cruises announced a new online tool to simplify check-in and pre-cruise operations.

Effective this July, the Priority Check-in & Planning Center will let guests complete tasks prior to sailing, such as submitting guest immigration information, making airport/ship transfer requests, and booking spa treatments and shore excursions. Immigration and flight details can be submitted upon initial deposit via the new Priority Check-in portion of the system, which allows guests to request bed configurations, register their credit card for onboard charges, and access partners like Luggage Concierge. Guests can view availability of restaurant and spa reservations, including Crystal’s new Perfect Choice Dining, available in 2011.

Once the Priority Check-in and full cruise payment are complete, the Planning Center lets guests make real-time reservations for the ships’ restaurants, the spa and Vintage Room, pre-reserve shore excursions and sign up for Creative Learning Institute courses.

As the system will only show available restaurant and spa openings, guests will receive immediate confirmation of their reservations, whereas previously, only requests were submitted, and later confirmed onboard.

Another convenient feature allows men to pre-reserve tuxedo rental for formal evenings.

Also new, the Planning Center’s Cruise Calendar organizes daily requests and activities.

The calendar will also advise on dress codes, docking times and port locations for each day of the voyage, and will alert guests to any conflicts between their planned flight itineraries and embarkation/disembarkation schedules. Travelers print their completed itineraries and present them at embarkation for priority boarding.

Famed anglers and TV show hosts Captain Rich Tudor and Captain Tom Rowland oversee backcountry fishing trips at the Florida Keys resort

Duck Key, Fla. – Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys today announced SE Outfitters, which is owned and operated by Saltwater Experience show hosts and well-known anglers Captain Rich Tudor and Captain Tom Rowland, will now manage all backcountry and flats fishing trips and offshore reservations.

“We’re continuing to develop new activities and enhance favorite guest experiences,” said Shay Onorio, Hawks Cay Resort marketing director.

“This exclusive partnership with SE Outfitters takes our backcountry and flats fishing trips to the next level and sets us apart from other fishing destinations. Anglers come to fish the waters around the resort from all over the world, and I’m confident SE Outfitters will deliver a memorable fishing experience for our guests.”

On their weekly series, Saltwater Experience that airs on the Sun Sports and Versus network, Tudor and Rowland depart from Hawks Cay’s marina to fish the surrounding areas for bonefish, tarpon, redfish and snook, among others.

As part of Hawks Cay’s fishing program, SE Outfitters guides bring the captains’ program to life for resort guests by fishing the same flats and backcountry spots, venturing out on Saltwater Experience Yellowfin vessels and allowing guests to use the same Quantum rods and reels as on the show.

“There isn’t a better marina that offers access to some of the best sport fishing spots in the world,” said Tudor. “We know the waters, the hot spots and how to show guests a good time. It’s the perfect partnership.”

For more information on SE Outfitter backcountry and flats and fishing trips and offshore reservations, visit www.HawksCay.com  or call 1-877-FISH-305.

Fishing trips with SE Outfitters start at $450.

For the latest news from Hawks Cay Resort, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/HawksCayResort or follow the resort on Twitter @HawksCayResort

Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key in the Florida Keys is the premier destination in all of the Florida Keys for outdoor fun. Alongside the emerald water of the Atlantic Ocean, guests enjoy world-class fishing, a full-service marina, Dolphin Connection program, Calm Waters Spa, kiteboarding program, kid and teen clubs, diving, five signature restaurants, five swimming pools and more.

All 177 guest rooms and 100-plus two-, three- and four bedroom villas were recently renovated during a $35 million resort enhancement. Hawks Cay is the title sponsor for the Saltwater Experience cable fishing show and hosts several amateur and professional fishing tournaments including the Sailfish Open. Hawks Cay Resort is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

For reservations call 1-888-313-5749 or visit www.HawksCay.com

POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) announces that Jack Frost National, after its first full season, has earned a spot on Golfweek’s coveted “Best Courses You Can Play” list, which appears annually.

Hundreds of Golfweek raters play and rank thousands of courses nationwide on feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management, overall impressionability and similar criteria.

Stretching 7,256 yards from the tips, Jack Frost National plays to a manageable distance of 5,129 from the forward tees.

The Terry LaGree-design is one of more than 35 options – ranging from challenging championship layouts to beginner-friendly par-3s – that proliferate the four-county region. Different than most mountain landscapes, the 18-hole, par-72 course provides wide fairways, easily identified target areas, few uneven lies and no blind shots.

Among the 18 signature holes is the picturesque par-3, 169-yard No. 11 that tests the most skilled golfers. In the middle of a daunting five-hole stretch that can make or break a round, the 11th features an undulating green guarded by bunkers and a demanding back-right pin placement.

“Jack Frost National is an excellent addition to the Pocono Mountains golf destination,” said Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the PMVB. “Being named ‘Best in State’ is a significant award and wonderful reinforcement of the high-quality options we offer players.”

The Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret is home to iconic designs by the legendary A.W. Tillinghast and Donald Ross and modern gems by Jack Nicklaus.

Close proximity to many East Coast cities and value-laden packages make this region a popular choice for discerning travelers.

Away from the golf course, miles of marked and unmarked trails for hiking and biking, rivers and lakes for fishing and boating, luxurious spas, fine dining, shopping, and more await. Whether it is an overnight stay, a weekend trip or an extended vacation, people are increasingly discovering and remembering the Pocono Mountains.

For more information on Jack Frost National and other courses in the Pocono Mountains, call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667), visit www.800poconos.com or www.twitter.com/poconotourism

About the “Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret”

The Pocono Mountains has long been known to avid travelers and mountain aficionados for its lush, relaxing family friendly ambiance and romantic setting, as well as its fall foliage, winter skiing, spring-summer outdoor recreation options and natural beauty.

Numerous lakes, parks and other environmental wonderlands are found throughout the four-county Pocono Mountains region.

Attributes of the golf-and-resort properties and destination include:

* Home to more than thirty-five golf courses with hundreds of holes for beginners and avid golfers alike; close proximity gives golfers chance to play 36 in a day

* Two NASCAR races held annually

* Golden Era of Golf Architecture period designs strongly represented by legendary designers Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast

* Hiking, biking, camping, spas, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and many other activities

* Attractions, festivals and other special events

* Meeting and conference facilities

* Great food at a wide array of eating establishments and resort restaurants

* Bed & breakfasts, country inns and resorts

* Antique shops, outlet malls and other unique shopping venues