Jetsettersblog

What began as an exclusive interior décor project for Al Maha Desert Resort has resulted in one of the largest private collections of regional antiques, artefacts and artworks in the UAE. As the property celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, Al Maha now boasts a unique collection of over 2,000 authentic Arabic treasures.

This is just one of the many ways a property can become an Eco Luxury member. In Al Maha’s case, their outstanding contribution to preserving their country’s history and culture is to be admired.

They have spent a decade carefully selecting the Al Maha collection of artefacts which is a huge cultural and historical asset for Dubai. Painstakingly sourced by Al Maha with assistance from local experts, the collection reflects the wider history of the UAE – from the years of the desert tribal nomads, to the domestic, social and military history of the Gulf region over the 1800’s and 1900’s.

The collection creates a ‘sense of place’ for its visitors, while preserving an essential record of the region’s history.

Ornate wooden chests, old clay honey and date pots, brass coffee pots, camel bags and traditional silver jewellery, are amongst many other pieces displayed throughout the resort, with the main reception area alone boasting items such as ancient camel saddles and a unique 260 year old wool Bedouin tent wall hailing from the Kara Kuma Bedu.

Each suite displays at least 8-15 antiques for guests’ close up appreciation, providing a taste of what life was like in the desert many years ago.

Al Maha, which nestles within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) was designed and built following the principles of environmentally sustainable development. It also aims to preserve the UAE’s history and heritage through careful assessments of typical desert settings and Bedouin lifestyles.

The architecture, design concepts and layout of the resort are based on this principle and on careful research throughout the Gulf region.

Recreating a Bedouin encampment, guests can also experience desert-based activities organised by Al Maha Field Guides.

These include falconry demonstrations, camel safaris, horse-riding over the dunes, archery with traditional wood bows and nature walks.

Al Maha has been instrumental in creating the conservation reserve within which it is set. Large scale habitat rehabilitation programs are ongoing, including the propagation of over 6,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses and the re-introduction of the regions first free-roaming herds of endangered Oryx.

Al Maha is a haven of protection, with an ever-growing diversity of wildlife.

For more information about exclusive trips based around Eco Luxury principles, please visit www.ecoluxury.com

Longwood Introduces Makadi Bay To Their New Season Brochure

Longwood Holidays, the independent Red Sea experts, have once again expanded their Egypt programme with the introduction of two new Red Sea resorts in the brand new 2010-2011 Egypt, Jordan, Morocco & Israel brochure.

Makadi Bay is an increasingly popular resort in a peaceful location near Hurghada. A long sandy beach fronts the resort, with a spectacular house reef just off shore and over 60 dive sites available in the area. Longwood is offering three hotels within the Madinat Makadi development, which also includes the Souk Makadi shopping and lifestyle complex.

Ain Sokhna, the northernmost Red Sea resort, is uniquely located near Cairo, making it an ideal place to relax and recuperate after experiencing the intensity of Egypt’s largest city.

“Ain Sokhna has long been a favourite seaside retreat for affluent inhabitants of Cairo and the resort is fast becoming popular with international guests who enjoy its peaceful location, calm waters and upmarket atmosphere”, says Tara Bradberry, Longwood Holidays’ Marketing Manager.

“Both new resorts are bound to attract golfers; Makadi Bay boasts the longest golf course in the region and an on-site academy, while Ain Sokhna’s four different tee locations make play enjoyable for both low and high handicapped golfers”, adds Dan Lion, the tour operator’s Golf Product Manager.

Always on the lookout for new top quality hotels in Red Sea destinations, Longwood Holidays have introduced to the new brochure several 5* properties, including Sheraton Dreamland Cairo, 5* superior Sofitel Old Cataract Aswan and Iberotel Aswan, as well as two properties in Amman, Jordan: the Marriott and the Crowne Plaza.

The new season brochure also sees the tour operator take the full advantage of its status as a destination specialist with a new range of multi-country itineraries.

“With over 25 years experience in the region, we are in an unique position to be able to offer holidays that combine highlights of several countries on a single trip, for example ‘Israel & Jordan combined’, ‘City Highlights’, incorporating Jerusalem, Petra and Cairo, or ‘City Sights and Beach Delights’, including Jerusalem, Cairo and Sharm el Sheikh”, said Bradberry.

This year Longwood have also bolstered their programme with the introduction of the 5* superior Movenpick Lily and combining – for the first time ever – the river Nile and Lake Nasser during one cruising holiday.

“Nile and Lake Nasser Cruises are the perfect way to experience the fascinating history of Egypt and there is no better way to experience this from the comfort of one our deluxe cruisers”, explained Bradberry.

As usual, the company has negotiated some great special offers including Kids’ Specials, Honeymoon Offers, Early Booking Offers and seasonal savings.

The 2010-2011 brochure has a new, improved design with clearer layout, but it has kept its informative style with plenty of in-depth information about the resorts on offer and hotel facilities. A ’Red Sea Diving’ brochure will also be available soon, highlighting the best options for divers in the popular Red Sea region. They are both available to view online, making them even more accessible for clients.

To view the brochure or order a print copy, please go to www.longwoodholidays.co.uk  where you can also find more information on Longwood’s offer and book your holidays online.

Longwood’s specialist Reservations Team is available on 020 8418 2525, ready to offer guidance, advice and holiday related information.

AKA has launched a new way to stay and pay at the extended-stay brand’s eight distinctive residences.

Guests can pay for four one-week stays in advance at the monthly rate, a savings of up to 30 percent.

Travelers will have flexibility to distribute their time in different cities, or properties within the same city, one week at a time, over a one-year period.

All of the AKA properties in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are participating in the Monthly Stay Program.

The AKA experience can also be given as a gift, as the weeks are transferable. By pre-paying, an AKA stay can be presented to the graduate pounding the pavement on job interviews or to celebrate one of life’s milestones (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.).

Pre-pay reservations must be made in increments of one week and paid for in advance of the first stay.

Monthly rates for each location (based on time of stay) will apply and start at $235 per night.

For reservations, contact monthlyinquiry@stayaka.com

For additional information, call 866-AKA-9999 or visit www.hotelaka.com

“King Kong 360 3-D” created by Peter Jackson celebrated its premiere on the famed Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, combining a ground-breaking use of Surround Digital 3-D film and thrilling visceral effects to create a next-generation theme park experience. The new attraction will open to the public July 1.

In the new attraction, guests aboard Studio Tour trams are given special 3-D glasses as they enter an enormous soundstage larger than a football field.

Once inside, the trams are enveloped within enormous screens, their size equaling an area equivalent to 16 conventional movie screens and rest atop steel platens that provide a powerful motion base.

Through the magic of Surround Digital 3D projection, guests are transported deep into a tangled jungle location.

There, they survive a close encounter with a swarm of hungry raptors, only to be confronted by the terrifying presence of 35-foot tall dinosaurs.

Suddenly, the 25-foot tall Kong gorilla appears.

The trams roll and shudder as the guests find themselves caught in the middle of a titanic struggle between the great ape and carnivorous reptiles.

The arrival of the new “King Kong 360 3-D” experience coincides with major enhancements to the Studio Tour.

The most extensive backlot construction ever in the history of Universal Studios, which includes re-creations of Hollywood sets and the introduction of new shooting locations, was recently completed.

For more information, visit

www.universalhollywood.com

The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago will introduce U.S. guests to the upper upscale Radisson Blu brand in the fall of 2011. This $125 million development marks a key turning point for the Radisson brand as it enhances its guest offerings in the U.S. as part of Carlson Hotels’ Ambition 2015 growth strategy. Housed in the Aqua skyscraper, the hotel features unique aqueous architecture with flowing balconies and ultramodern interiors.

The building is located on four acres of the $2 billion, 28-acre Lake Shore East development.

The brand has also made its debut in Asia Pacific. Located in the Philippines, the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu signifies Carlson Hotels’ entry for Radisson Blu in this region and is part of Radisson’s portfolio of 69 hotels in Asia Pacific.

Located in Cebu’s premier information technology hub and set to open this September, the 400-room Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, owned by SM Investments Corporation, will be positioned as the city’s leading international upper upscale hotel designed to appeal to both the business and leisure traveler.

For more information and reservations, click the banner below.

Mohegan Sun and SeaStreak, LLC announced a partnership to quickly bring patrons from New Jersey and New York City to Mohegan Sun.

Guests can now enjoy scenic water views aboard SeaStreak’s high-speed ferries as they travel just under three hours to the best gaming and entertainment destination in the Northeast.

The high-speed ferry company will begin runs from New Jersey and New York City to New London, Conn. each Saturday and Sunday beginning July 3.

SeaStreak will have ferry service available once per day from the Conners Highlands Pier in New Jersey and Pier 11 (Wall Street) and the East 35th Street Pier in New York City.

From there, guests will arrive at the New London Pier and be provided complimentary transportation to and from Mohegan Sun.

The ferry can hold up to 400 people and will feature various food and beverage options, as well as a full service cash bar.

All guests will also be provided a $20 food voucher and a $20 free bet coupon, both for use at Mohegan Sun. Tickets are available for $69 round trip or 59 Mohegan Sun Player’s Club points and can be reserved by calling 800-BOATRIDE or by coming in the Atlantic Highlands office.

For more information, visit www.seastreak.com  or visit www.mohegansun.com

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa, on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, has extended its Aqua Park hours of operation to feature three additional hours for families and children to slide down 17 water slides and splash around in a variety of water play areas.

The new hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., allow families to kick back and relax poolside while children enjoy an endless range of activities underlifeguard supervision.

A variety of water play areas include “raining” palm trees, a large water bucket area and water spouts throughout the park.

As a daily activity, all children that are enrolled in the complimentary Kids Club will enjoy a trip to the Aqua Park under the supervision of the Sandos Animation staff.

The Aqua Park features a pool bar as well as the convenience of showers and bathrooms.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

All guests of Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa and the Sandos Select Club area are permitted to use the facility as part of an all-inclusive vacation.

For more information or reservations, call 866-336-4083 or visit www.sandos.com

The Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, Calif., has opened a hotel, spa, pool and bars and expanded its casino.

The property, owned by the United Auburn Indian Community, is located 30 miles east of Sacramento.

It offers 200,000 square feet of gaming space including more than 3,000 slot and video machines, 125 table games and a live poker room with space for 160 players.

There are 14 restaurants and bars highlighted by the new High Steaks Steakhouse; the Koi Palace; a 500-seat Feast Around the World Buffet and Thunder Café. Bars include the Mingle Bar, the Falls Bar, the Thunder Bar and the High Steaks Bar. Also on property is a new, 3,700-space parking structure that leads directly into the casino and hotel.

The expansion includes a new, 17-story hotel with 297 rooms including 40 suites.

Inside is a 10,000-square-foot banquet and entertainment hall, meeting rooms, bars and a gift shop.

The hotel has an expansive pool that includes private cabanas and Coconut, a poolside bar.

The Spa at Thunder Valley will feature a wide variety of treatments, including the 24-Carat Gold Leaf Facial.

Call 877-468-8777 or visit www.thundervalleyresort.com

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa has introduced a self-guided cultural preserve tour. The tour brochure invites guests to learn more with the Hawaiian greeting “E pili mai” welcome, come connect and feel Keauhou.

Beginning at a storyboard in the cultural preserve area, visitors will see a large platform that was most likely a Hawaiian fishing shrine called a Kanikanikaula Heiau.

Indented stones found in the area were used for collection of sea salt called paakai, a much sought after commodity of Keauhou. Stacked stones found along the way are remnants of a cattle pen and a canoe shed, and they form a platform where a home stood long ago. As guests continue along the pathway beyond the cultural preserve area, there are signs naming many of the exotic plants that flourish at the resort.

Call 866-716-8109 or visit www.sheratonkeauhou.com

Superclubs is re-branding Jamaica’s famous Hedonism III resort as the SuperFun Beach Resort and Spa.

Hedonism III, in Runaway Bay, will close in August 2010 and any guests with bookings after that date will be accommodated at Hedonism II in Negril. The SuperFun Beach Resort and Spa will launch in October 2010, offering an experience that is “SuperFun, but not hedonistic”.

The SuperFun Beach Resort and Spa will offer 210 rooms and 15 suites for adults on an all-inclusive basis. Prices include all meals, snacks and selected drinks at a choice of restaurants and bars; use of beaches, pools and other leisure facilities; daily activities and night-time entertainment; and more. Mirrored ceilings in all bedrooms will be Hedonism III’s most noticeable legacy on the SuperFun Resort…

www.superclubs.com