Jetsettersblog

Located at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa is renowned for its pristine surf beaches, stylish accommodation and dining options, lush surrounding National Park and relaxed coastal lifestyle.

Noosa is one of Australia’s most beautiful destinations and at its heart is famous Hastings Street offering a low rise mix of cosmopolitan cafes, delis, stylish shops, al fresco dining and entertainment venues along the beachfront.

With Noosa National Park within easy walking distance from the main beach, visitors can experience stunning swimming bays and surfing spots, spot a wild koala in a gum tree or look out onto Laguna Bay to spot dolphins year-round or (in season) whales. Noosa offers a range of accommodation from holiday apartments to five- star resorts like the newly-opened Noosa Quay West Resort and Spa.

There are also plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Explore the Noosa River onboard Noosa Dreamboat’s stunning six metre handcrafted mahogany runabout, take in the natural beauty of the river ecosystem with Noosa Everglades Discovery Tours, enjoy a romantic evening with Noosa Gondolas or watch the sun set on a Noosa Ferry Sunset Cruise. Learn how to surf on the main beach or discover nearby Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island, on a luxury four wheel drive tour with Fraser Island Discovery Tours.

http://www.visitnoosa.com.au

www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/sunshine-coast

Visitors to the charming rainforest village of Kuranda now have the chance to take home a piece of the Tropical North Queensland lifestyle by purchasing handmade gifts at Kuranda- made.

Located only 25km north-west of Cairns, Kuranda-made emporium offers original high quality handmade items including jewellery, gifts, clothing, ceramics, creative metalwork, books and artwork that have been crafted by Kuranda residents. Many of the artists use eco-friendly fabrics or recycled materials to craft distinctive and environmentally-friendly products. www.kuranda-made.com.au

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced the first phase of its plans to offer electric vehicles (EVs) at select offices throughout its neighborhood network of more than 5,000 U.S. locations.

Delivery of 500 Nissan LEAFs will begin in January 2011 and will continue throughout the year. In addition to the LEAFs, the company will offer customers electric vehicles from other manufacturers as they become available.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car initially will offer electric vehicles to customers across eight different markets where the infrastructure exists to support the vehicles, including Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.

Beginning November 2010, charging stations will be installed at select locations, including several of the Enterprise “hybrid branches” –

nearly 100 designated locations which offer hybrids and other environmentally friendly rental options in 30 different markets.

Enterprise is rolling the vehicles out to a limited number of branches to ensure that it can properly train its employees to show customers how to use and charge the EVs.

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile is offering the “Nickelodeon Your Stay” package, which includes a free Nickelodeon activity book, silicone bracelet with access to the secret game website,

Nickelodeon bag with sunglasses, Build Your Own SpongeBob, splash ball, turndown service with pillowcase, and bedtime book. Be sure that promotional code NK6 appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 877-NICK-STAY in the U.S. and ask for promotional code NK6.

For reservations or more information, call 312-836-0100, or visit www.marriott.com/chidt

Jamaica’s Devon House Mansion reopened this week in Kingston following extensive renovations and refurbishing.

Originally built in 1881 by Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel, the home and gardens features Georgian-Creole architecture, plus crafts shops, boutiques, two restaurants, ice cream shops and a bakery and pastry shop with Jamaican puddings and desserts.

The refurbishment cost just under $1 million and included renovations to the mansion’s interior and exterior spaces plus landscaping, and improvements to the on-site restaurants, shops, kids area, roadways and parking areas.

“The redevelopment of The Devon House Mansion was a critical step in preserving this significant piece of the island’s history.

“We are pleased with the transformation of the property and proud that this monument still stands as a chief relic of Kingston’s vibrant culture,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s director of tourism.

For more information, visit the Jamaica Tourist Board website at www.visitjamaica.com

In September 2010, The Spa at Woodstock Inn & Resort will debut as the first dedicated spa in the resort’s 218-year history.

From the physical design to the treatment offerings, The Spa will be a celebration of light, nature and harmony, and offer spa-goers a haven within the quaint town of Woodstock.

The Vermont luxury spa celebrates its unveiling with a Grand Opening Package that includes accommodations in a standard guestroom outfitted with charming details such as colorful hand-dyed wool blankets and Vermont original artwork, $100 credit towards spa treatments, and a hearty Vermont breakfast for two in the resort’s sun filled Main Dining Room.

The package is priced starting at $278 per night based on double occupancy and is available Sept. 6 to Dec. 23, 2010, subject to availability (black-out dates apply).

Housed in a 10,000-square-foot LEED-certified structure, The Spa, a $10 million new build, provides a full spa menu.

Each season, a different signature treatment will take center stage among the extensive selection of year-round spa offerings.

Mirroring the four seasons of Vermont, each 100-minute treatment draws upon natural outdoor elements — pumpkin spice, deep forest, vanilla maple and berry bliss.

The Spa’s a la carte selections include massages, facials, body treatments, waxing, and a selection of treatments specifically for men and teens.

The Spa will use organic skin care products from Eminence, Naturopathica and Spa Ritual.

The Spa is designed to maximize light and the surrounding views with indoor and outdoor relaxation and contemplation spaces, including the “Great Room” where guests can relax pre- and post- treatments surrounded by double-height, vaulted ceilings, custom furnishings and a wood-burning fireplace.

The outdoor meditation courtyard will have a sauna, fire pit, hot soaking pool and a flowering tulip tree that will mark the passing of seasons. In the 10 luxurious treatment rooms, guests will relax on treatment tables adorned with organic cotton linens and Vermont organic wool blankets.

Steam rooms will be infused with seasonal aromas.

The luxurious “Natural Gatherings Suite” will be a space for small groups and special occasions and feature a private bathroom with generously sized shower facilities, a wood burning fireplace, deluxe treatment tables and an oversized traditional Japanese cedar soaking tub.

For more information, call 888-481-8802 or visit

www.woodstockinn.com

Wyndham Worldwide announced its partnership with Samsung as the sole endorsed television brand for Wyndham Hotel Group, Wyndham Vacation Ownership and RCI affiliates worldwide.

This partnership works in concert with Wyndham Worldwide’s strategic sourcing group whose objective is to leverage global purchasing to achieve savings, support brand standards and further enhance the guest experience.

Wyndham Worldwide properties and RCI affiliates have the ability to reduce energy consumption by utilizing Samsung’s eco-friendly Energy Star efficient HDTV products, which generate better power saving benefits.

Samsung products will be distributed through Hotel Solutions, the largest distributor of hospitality televisions in North America.

The company is solely owned by privately held Groupe Dumoulin Electronique.

Carlson announced the further expansion of its India portfolio with the opening of its 30th hotel, the 201-room Radisson Hotel Indore.

Situated in the business hub of Indore, the hotel is a 20-minute drive from the Devi Ahilyabai airport and 25 kilometers from the industrial centers of Dewas and Pithampur, one of Asia’s largest industrial areas.

This is also the 12th Radisson hotel operating in India.

Owned by strategic partner Bestech Hospitalities Private Limited in India, the Radisson Hotel Indore is one of four projects Carlson is partnering on with the group in the country. Carlson currently manages the Radisson Suites Gurgaon and Park Plaza Noida, and will also manage the Radisson Hotel Nagpur scheduled to open in the first half of 2011.

Featuring 18 suites and 183 rooms, the Radisson Hotel Indore offers a contemporary setting for the modern day business or leisure traveler.

The hotel features several dining options, including The Creative Kitchen, an all-day restaurant serving global cuisine; The Great Kabab Factory, an Indian specialty restaurant offering a unique dining experience;

The Lobby Bar, an ideal venue to unwind, offering an array of international spirits and wines; and The Cakewalk, presenting the finest cakes and pastries.

The Radisson Hotel Indore features a 38,000 square feet area for conferences, meetings and social gatherings, and can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

Another key highlight is the extensive wellness facilities located on the hotel’s landscaped roof top, offering a breathtaking view of the city and comprising a swimming pool, gym with yoga room and a world-class spa offering a range of therapies.

The hotel is also convenient to several attractions rich in history, such as the Holkar Palace or Rajwada, a seven-story facade built over two centuries ago; the Lal Baag Palace on the banks of the River Khan, and the Central Museum.

The Villa Group, one of Mexico’s largest privately owned hotel groups, will open Villa del Palmar Loreto, a $60 million resort featuring 171 villas, all with views of the Sea of Cortez, tennis courts, free-form multi-level swimming pools, several restaurants and five-star amenities.

Villa del Palmar Loreto will open the first phase of its resort facilities in January 2011, including all villa accommodations, a 35,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and three restaurants, including a fine-dining ocean-front restaurant, a sushi and seafood eatery and an international buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Set in a spectacularly secluded area along the Sea of Cortez, Villa del Palmar marks the first property in Villa Group’s 1,800-acre development named “Danzante Bay.”

The master plan calls for a five-year timeline at the end of which Danzante Bay will feature seven resort hotels including a Villa La Estancia, 240 home sites, additional restaurants and a Rees Jones golf course — all with Loreto’s little-known collection of islands in the Sea of Cortez as their ocean-front view.

For more information, call 800-565-6143 or visit www.VillaGroupResorts.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Owned and managed by VJ Management, the newly constructed 119-room hotel will delight business and leisure travelers with terrific service, comfortable and stylish guest rooms and everything guests need to travel the way they like for a great price.

As a newly built hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Saskatoon exemplifies the brand’s revitalized look, showcasing the Four Points signature classic yet modern style.

The hotel’s lobby offers complimentary Internet terminals in the family room.

The guest rooms and suites feature a work area, flat-screen television, free bottled water and free high-speed Internet.

And guests can get a great night’s sleep in the brand’s signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed featuring a plush mattress, assortment of pillows and stylish duvet. Jacuzzi suites include more room to work and relax, plus pull-out sofa beds.

All-day dining is available at Ric’s Grill, while local craft brews are served at Ric’s Lounge, courtesy the brand’s signature Best Brews program.

Additional amenities include a beer and wine outlet, indoor pool, whirlpool and waterslide, state-of-the-art fitness room, and approximately 1,100 square feet of meeting and conference facilities.