Jetsettersblog

The first of YTL Hotel’s global expansion, the Muse Hôtel De Luxe officially opens today in Saint-Tropez, France.

Muse is your chic retreat minutes from Place de Lices by car, situated on the Ramatuelle ‘route de plages’ road and nestled within an ecological landscape of terraced gardens. Comprised of 15 suites, 10 with pools, most overlooking the terraced gardens created by Sophie Agata Ambroise, Muse is minutes from the most elegant epicentre in the world.

Each suite is named after one of the muses the hotel has been dedicated to such as ‘Edith’, after Edith Piaf, ‘Catherine’, after Catherine Deneuve and ‘Lauren’ after Lauren Bacall.

Each suite is entirely individual, all however sharing cool stone floors and mamorino wall finishes. A large number has its own spa services room and walk in closet, oversized showers and beautiful, neutral décor along with the latest technology in every suite including a 42” Loewe plasma screen with over 100 channels, a Playstation and an iPad and iPhone.

Exclusive guest services includes Bentley shuttles to the beaches, sun-butlers to administer the best sun creams to your skin, and overall a level of hospitality to match the exceptional quality of the hotel.

Access to the most exclusive restaurants and beach clubs in the area will be delivered by the exceptionally connected concierge team.

The hotel includes a beautiful restaurant ‘M’, inspired by the Slow Food philosophy, where executive chef Nicolas Le Tourmelin – who comes hot from working with Pascal Proyart at One O One at the Sheraton, Knightsbridge, is at the helm along with consultant chef Clement Bruno of Chez Bruno presiding over an exclusive truffle menu.

The menu also includes Royal King Crab Thermidor style, Red Mullet Tart with Aubergine Caviar and Baby Mozzarella, Scottish Beef ‘Aberdeen Angus’ Fillet with Red Wine Reduction and Sea Bass Baked in a Crust of Salt or Flambéed with Thyme.

The unique and stylish bar at Muse has views over the beautiful out-door sunken pool and gardens.

The bar offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and for those with a desire to detox during the day, healthy smoothies and non-alcoholic cocktails such as carrot cleansers, fresh fruit juices and presses are available.

For a drink at dusk, a range of signature cocktails and aperitifs are served with delicious and creative canapés. For pre and post dinner, this is also the place to relax around a perfectly chilled bottle of wine.

Muse – a beautiful hotel with a philosophy that will reflect the art of listening, smiling and pleasing from its entire staff who look forward to your visit. www.muse-hotels.com

With holiday-makers increasingly looking for something out of the ordinary from their summer break, VisitScotland has launched an online accommodation guide with a difference.

The guide presents a range of unique accommodation, many of which are new in the last 12 months, which promise to turn an average holiday into a truly special and unique experience.

From Swedish katas to historic castles with fairytale turrets; traditional island cottages to boutique ecopods; wigwams to converted churches, each place offers something truly distinctive for a magical summer stay to remember. And with a wide variety ranging from wallet-friendly island youth hostels to luxury city centre hotels, there’s something to suit every budget.

VisitScotland’s ‘Unique Places To Stay’ guide can be found at www.visitscotland.com/perfect and is also attached. Some of the newest property highlights include:

• NEW! Alternative festival accommodation in glass fibre ‘kocoons’ with ipod docking systems and king sized beds

• NEW! A unique 5 star Ecopod Boutique Retreat with eco features including wood pellet biomass stoves and instantaneous hot water supply

• NEW! A ‘boatel’ in the heart of Edinburgh complete with sun loungers, fishing rods and fold up bicycles

• NEW! Lighthouse cottages at picturesque Buchanness, whose lighthouse was built by Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather

• NEW! A self-catering cottage that was the birthplace of legendary Scottish folk hero Rob Roy

• NEW! Glasgow’s newest luxury boutique hotel, Blythswood Square, the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club and starting point of the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally

Each accommodation is also matched with a special event or activity in the area taking place  until August, hand-picked to complete the perfect summer experience.

Music fans will enjoy the Shetland Folk Festival, Wickerman Festival, North Atlantic Fiddle Convention or Piping Live! in Glasgow. Nature lovers can spot seabirds on a boat trip from Oban or explore the Perthshire mountains on an awe-inspiring Highland Safari.

Kids will enjoy the first ever Edinburgh International Magic Festival, eco-warriors will love Scotland’s largest eco-festival The Big Tent, while sports nuts won’t want to miss The Open Championship at St Andrews. And that’s just for starters. Scotland this summer truly has something for everyone.

o A limited number of press trips are available to the accommodations featured in the guide.

To enquire please contact Minty Woolgar, UK Consumer PR, VisitScotland, tel. 0131 472 2337, email

minty.woolgar@visitscotland.com

IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has reopened two of its Majorcan hotels after an extensive renovation project. Both hotels were part of a 2010 international expansion plan; the €50 million program aims to provide its customers with a premium holiday experience and benefit the local tourism industry.

IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts continues to focus on product differentiation and innovation in order to exceed customers’ needs and requests.

To keep in line with this strategy, both hotels are tailored to different markets.

The IBEROSTAR Cala Barca is a hotel that is ideal for families while the IBEROSTAR Royal Cupido is a semi-urban, adults-only hotel in the lively Playa de Palma.

IBEROSTAR Club Cala Barca

Built in 1989 and renowned for its authentic Mediterranean characteristics, the hotel is the largest IBEROSTAR hotel in Majorca.

IBEROSTAR invested € 18 million into the refurbishment of the IBEROSTAR Club Cala Barca, renovating its reception areas, parks, leisure areas and bedrooms.

All bedrooms have been modified, making each room much more spacious than before. Through this process, the hotel has reduced its number of bedrooms from 779 to 651, including junior suites and suites.

The complex is divided into 25, two-storey high buildings located on the eastern coast of Majorca and only a few meters from the beautiful Mondragó Natural Park.

IBEROSTAR Club Cala Barca offers guests with a wide programme of sports and open air activities organised by a team of professionals.

The hotel has four swimming pools (one heated) and a diving school.

The hotel’s diving school allows guests to enjoy the depths of the Mediterranean Sea and tuition is given in English, German and Spanish and is suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.

Outdoor facilities include four tennis and paddle tennis courts, golf, archery, billiards and horse riding.

The hotel also has mountain bikes and motorcycles available for rent that guests can use to explore the island. Experts from the Mallorcaxperiences Senderismo are also on site to give guests a tour of the island, ranging from completely flat routes to mountain paths.

Ideal for families, the IBEROSTAR Club Cala Barca also offers a new kids’ club that offers a full program of entertainment for children.

The club now has activities for all ages: the MiniClub (for children aged 4-8 years); the MaxiClub (for children aged 9-12 years) and the Teenieclub (for teenagers aged 13-17).

As part of IBEROSTAR’S ongoing commitment to offering guests a premium holiday experience, IBEROSTAR has added the Zen SPAce area to the hotel, a new concept in wellbeing and spa facilities imported from Asia.

At the IBEROSTAR Club Cala Barca’s Zen SPAce guests can choose from a wide range of services including massages, face and body treatments, and individual wellbeing programmes which are all given by a professional team of therapists.

Spacious dining areas have been re-designed at the hotel, with dishes ranging from Italian to traditional Majorcan cooking. Cocktails can also be enjoyed at the hotel’s Beach Bar or in the Lobby Bar. The hotel also features an outdoor shopping area, five bars, a pizzeria, a buffet and grill.

IBEROSTAR Royal Cupido

The IBEROSTAR Royal Cupido, an adult-only hotel has been re-designed with modern and chic décor, making IBEROSTAR a true pioneer in the adult-only market in Playa de Palma.

The four star Royal Cupido hotel is exclusive to adults, making it an ideal choice for couples and guests looking for pure elegance in a social and vibrant environment.

Thanks to its prime location, the hotel is the perfect choice for those looking for a hotel that is close to the bustle of Majorca’s city-life but also the tranquility of the beach.

The Royal Cupido refurbishment has not only modernised and redecorated its 168 rooms, but it has improved the exterior of the hotel, reception area and all of its dining areas.

The main restaurant, combines high-quality cuisine, while the main feature of the Salon Royal Bar is its extensive menu of drinks and cocktails. The hotel also boasts a snack bar, pool-terrace and chill-out bar.

Adults can relax in the hotel’s 400 m2 Zen Space area. The Zen Space offers guests, three massage rooms, a manicure and pedicure room, a sauna, a relax room, outdoor and indoor Jacuzzi’s with hydro-massage jets, swan-neck showers and hydro-massage loungers.

IBEROSTAR’s professional team of therapists are also fully trained to give massages, water treatments and meditation sessions.

For guests that like to stay active, the Royal Cupido offers a range of activities such as, sailing, diving, horse-riding, squash, pedalos and windsurfing. Furthermore, the IBEROSTAR Royal Cupido hotel is located close to one of the island’s best golf courses. The hotel’s landscape and unique natural beauty makes Majorca and the Playa de Palma the perfect place to walk and cycle.

This year, Germany is celebrating the historic occasion on 7 December 1835 when the Adler locomotive first chugged its way along 7.5 kilometres of track from Nuremberg to Fürth. 175 years on, numerous high-profile events are being held throughout Germany to commemorate this landmark event.

Nuremberg is the main venue for the anniversary celebrations. The city in northern Bavaria is steaming ahead until the end of the year with a broad-ranging programme of events.

These include exhibitions on a huge range of railway-related topics, one-off trips in a faithful replica of the Adler and many other historical trains, and themed guided tours. All of this is making 2010 a railway year for more than just enthusiasts (www.nuernberg.de/internet/bahnjahr2010).

One highlight is the Planet Eisenbahn (Planet Rail) exhibition, which runs from 7 July 2010 to 27 February 2011 at the Deutsche Bahn Museum in Nuremberg and tells the story of the world’s railways.

Who financed the construction of the rail networks in America and Asia?

Who pioneered high-speed train travel in France and Japan?

And what does the future hold for railways?

These questions and many more are answered by a multitude of fascinating exhibits and exciting installations.

The Deutsche Bahn Museum will also be home to the ‘Adler, Rocket & Co.’ exhibition from 6 August to 31 October 2010.

Trailblazing locomotives from all over Europe will be on display (www.dbmuseum.de).

The anniversary is also being celebrated in other German cities. In June this year, the German railway provider Deutsche Bahn embarked on a commemorative national tour.

Until the beginning of November, the tour will be stopping at 16 major train stations across the country and inviting people to join in the celebrations for one whole Sunday.

Visitors can expect a packed programme of fun and games and information about the railways (www.deutschebahn.com).

The full anniversary calendar is available at www.planet-eisenbahn.de. Hamburg, Aachen, Osnabrück and Berlin are among the main venues.

But in all regions, Germany’s railway heritage is being brought to life in new and exciting ways until the end of the year.
Beyond the anniversary celebrations, however, there is still plenty on offer for enthusiasts at year-round museums and exhibitions.

The Eisenbahnwelten (Railway Worlds), for example, in the resort of Rathen in eastern Germany has a fine display of LGB model railways for all ages to enjoy.

Most of the landscapes through which the miniature trains run are typical of those around Dresden and the Saxon Switzerland mountains.

The 25 to 30 trains in constant operation have to climb around 4.2 metres in total (www.eisenbahnwelten-rathen.de).

For all holidaymakers in Hamburg, a visit to the Wunderland miniature world is a must. Since opening in the year 2000, the model railway exhibition has established itself as a favourite among tourists in the Hanseatic city.

Currently, some 830 model trains whizz around on 12 kilometres of track in an area covering 1,150 square metres.

The whole operation is controlled by a total of 40 computers, while 185 members of staff ensure that everything runs smoothly.

The trains pass by miniature versions of Hamburg’s main attractions and take visitors on a scaled-down journey of discovery around the continents (www.miniatur-wunderland.de).

For more information visit: www.germany.travel

Surfing the Menu presenter, author and Executive Chef Ben O’Donoghue’s new restaurant is a delicious addition to the Brisbane dining scene.

The recently opened South Bank Surf Club overlooks Streets Beach and provides a relaxed beach vibe and a mouth-watering menu with a strong focus on Queensland produce and seafood from a sustainable source. Visitors can expect to taste some of Ben’s signature dishes from his books plus a few surprises including fresh shucked oysters from the Crustacean Bar, sensational seafood platters and destination dishes like Thursday’s chilli crab with XO sauce and crispy noodles.

The weekend menu is a little different with an emphasis on family dining with good seafood, excellent fish and chips and a rolling brunch menu.

www.southbanksurfclub.com.au

Maggies Beachfront Apartments, located on beautiful Horseshoe Bay, is the latest luxury accommodation option on magical Magnetic Island.

The three bedroom, two bathroom fully self-contained apartments sleep up to six guests and provide stunning indoor and outdoor living areas offering spectacular views of Magnetic Island’s national park and the sparking blue waters of Horseshoe Bay.

Each apartment features large decks with outdoor settings and private BBQ, gourmet kitchen, washer and dryer, sound system, DVD player and multiple televisions with pay TV.

The apartment complex also has a heated pool and spa, secure parking and lift access. With cafes, restaurants, convenience stores, water sport activities, bus stops and a stunning secluded beach at your doorstep, Maggies Beachfront Apartments are the perfect accommodation option for couples, friends and families. www.bestofmagnetic.com

Discover marine fossils from a coral reef that existed 390 million years ago on a new geotour at the Capricorn Caves, the multi-award winning ecotourism attraction near Rockhampton.

The new ‘Journey of Discovery’ guided geotour showcases marine fossils dating back millions of years to the Devonian era, rare fauna and flora and a geological dig site located in the unique system of above-ground limestone caves.

Visitors will be able to literally look back in the time to see how these magnificent caves were formed and see some of the native plant and animal life that lived in the area during this era.

The tour comes after Palaeontologists from the Queensland Museum discovered the remains of mega fauna including the jaw bone of a Diprotodon, a giant carnivourous wombat the size of a four wheel drive.

The two hour interactive tour also offers an element of adventure caving and is available daily at 10am (bookings essential).

Recognised as one of the 50 Australian green travel leaders, the Capricorn Caves also offers a range of accommodation options including tent camping, a caravan park and four star cabins.

www.capricorncaves.com.au

Enjoy overnight “couple’s detention” in a renovated 1960’s schoolhouse and indulge in a pampering mud bath at a stylish rural retreat just outside Mackay.

Located 60km west of Mackay in Australia’s largest sugarcane producing area, the Old Schoolhouse offers sleepovers for grown-ups in one of three ‘classrooms’.

‘The Detention Room’, ‘Year 1-3 Room’ and ‘Year 4-7 Room’ offer beautifully presented accommodation for three couples complete with stylish furnishings and modern ensuites which include a personal spa bath or a double shower.

The original Library has been converted into a comfortable lounge and dining area featuring a blackboard which serves as a ‘guest comment book’.

The Old Schoolhouse also boasts an onsite Mud Bath Retreat where guests can relax and bathe under thatched Balinese Gazebos and soak in 100 per cent natural Australian mud.

Guests are provided with a continental breakfast basket or ‘cook your own breakfast’ hamper and BBQ packs and evening meals can be prepared on request (additional costs).

There are plenty of activities in the area to enjoy during your stay including fishing and picnicking at local dams, four wheel drive tours, walks in the nearby National Park, swimming at the Wheel of Fire Waterfalls, tennis, bird watching and platypus spotting.

www.oldschoolhouse.com.au

Escape to a tropical island paradise without getting your feet wet and enjoy a gourmet picnic on a private beach with a new day tour available from Castaways Resort & Spa Mission Beach.

Start your picnic in spectacular style as the amphibious marine craft Sealegs emerges from the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea onto the beach just metres from the newly-redeveloped Castaways Resort & Spa Mission Beach.

Passengers and gourmet picnic onboard, Sealegs lowers its wheels, drives straight into the water and whisks you away for a magical day on a secluded island.

The Sealegs Island Picnic Tour includes pick up from Castaways, return trip to one of six secluded islands in the Family Group and a personalised picnic hamper prepared by the resort’s Bibesia Beach Club.

Guests can choose from a menu including champagne, gourmet sandwiches, tropical fruit and fresh local seafood.

Hampers can also be tailored for specific needs or a special occasion.

www.castaways.com.au

Best Western is pleased to announce a new addition to its range of self-contained apartments – Best Western Ascot Serviced Apartments in Western Australia.

The beautifully furnished serviced apartments are conveniently located 10km to the City of Perth, less than five minutes from Perth Domestic Airport and about 15 minutes from Perth International Airport.

The area boasts great shopping, the world class Ascot Race Course, a cinema complex, a variety of dining options and local recreation facilities such as the The Belmont Oasis- Sport and Recreation Centre, the State Tennis centre and nearby golfing and entertainment options of Burswood, about 15 minutes away.

The Best Western Ascot Serviced Apartments offer a selection of modern self contained, air-conditioned, serviced apartments, and is the ideal accommodation choice for business, leisure or transit guests.

Studio rooms offer terrific value with kitchenette facilities and en-suite bathrooms, while the one and two bedroom apartments feature separate bedrooms with adjoining en-suite, full size kitchen, laundry, and a spacious well-appointed living room.

All apartments feature large, private balconies, cable TV, CD and DVD players, and high-speed wireless internet. The property also features an outdoor swimming pool and BBQ facilities with a large common area for relaxing.

For more information or, to book accommodation at the Best Western Ascot Serviced Apartments, call 131 779 (from Australia), 0800 237 893 (from New Zealand) or log on to www.bestwestern.com.au/ascotapartments