Jetsettersblog

InterContinental Hotels Group announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express Staten Island, located near New York City’s three major metropolitan area airports and Interstate 95.

The new hotel features a meeting room and business center as well as a Nordic Track Fitness Center, and is designed to meet the needs of travelers visiting the area on vacation or on business.

The hotel features high-speed wireless and wired Internet connections in each room, plus meeting space that can be used as a classroom, boardroom or auditorium for up to 70 people.

A state-of-the art fitness center, 24-hour business center and breakfast facilities featuring complimentary hot breakfast buffet is also available.

Guest rooms feature 35-inch flat-screen televisions, upgraded 100 percent cotton terry towels and a custom line of cinnamon-scented bath products.

The Holiday Inn Express Staten Island is owned by HIE Staten Island Holdings and managed by M&R Hotel Group under a licensing agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

For more information, call 800-HOLIDAY or visit www.hiexpress.com  or click the banner at right.

IHG, whose roots in the Colombian hotel market stretch almost six decades, has signed a 15-year management agreement for a new-build, full-service Holiday Inn in Cartagena, Colombia.

The Holiday Inn Cartagena, scheduled to open in June 2011, will be IHG’s seventh property in Colombia, and the 46th Holiday Inn brand property within the company’s Latin America & Caribbean region (38 open, eight under construction). IHG currently has two Holiday Inn hotels in Colombia: the Holiday Inn Express Bogota and the Holiday Inn Express Medellin.

The hotel is owned by Sundacer S.A.S., a division of Cartagena-based Conceptos Urbanos S.A., a respected real estate development firm in Colombia. It will be IHG’s second project in Cartagena, the other one being the 280-room InterContinental Cartagena, currently under construction. Boasting panoramic views of the city, the 12-story, 140-room Holiday Inn Cartagena will be located in the northern section of the city, five-miles from the Rafael Núñez International Airport and seven miles from the Old City of Cartagena.

The oceanfront hotel will be nestled within Los Morros, a luxury residential complex and one of the most upscale portions of Cartagena.

To the north, the hotel will overlook the Caribbean Sea. Directly South lays the famous water canyon, Cienaga de la Virgen, boasting spectacular views to protected indigenous mangroves.

To the west, the hotel will overlook the Old City of Cartagena, named an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value.

The property will showcase the brand’s new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program.

The Hertz Corporation continues the expansion of Hertz Local Edition, its U.S. off-airport car rental business, with 60 new locations opening during the remainder of year. By the end of December, Hertz will have opened more than 250 new locations in 2010.

The openings are part of a company-wide strategy to accelerate expansion in the off airport car rental market servicing the replacement, leisure and business customers in this segment.

“Our revenues continue to expand at a double-digit rate in the off-airport market, and we are increasing our investment to meet anticipated demand,” said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and chief executive officer for The Hertz Corporation. Since the beginning of the year, he said, Hertz has opened 192 new locations and it is committed to an additional 60 location openings before year’s end. Hertz is partnering with key local businesses which generate car rental demand.

For more information, visit www.hertz.com

The Napa Valley Destination Council has launched the Visit Napa Valley iPhone application, designed as a mobile guide to help travelers plan and their Napa Valley vacations.

The app features a visitor guide, a searchable winery guide, interactive GPS-enabled maps, an events calendar, weather reports, information on special events and wine tastings, access to exclusive offers, and a favorites section.

The app is free and can be downloaded from Apple’s iTunes Store or by visiting www.legendarynapavalley.com.

For more information, call 707-226-5813.

Amtrak began work to improve Union Station in Chicago and relieve some Amtrak passenger overcrowding by nearly doubling the seating in its general passenger lounges, increasing the number of public restrooms and by providing air conditioning in the Great Hall for the first time since the early 1960s.

The $40 million project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

In concert with these passenger-related improvements, Amtrak is moving forward to create a redevelopment plan for the historic station’s Headhouse Building and has selected Jones Lang LaSalle to conduct a feasibility study on the best plan for its use.

“We want to make improvements to benefit our passengers and position the building with a marketable plan as the economy recovers, with more vitality than ever in our West Loop neighborhood,” said Bruce Looloian, Amtrak assistant vice president, real estate development.

He noted Amtrak ridership in Chicago has grown in the last dozen years by more than 40 percent, topping 3 million passengers in 2009.

“This major construction project will put Illinoisans back to work and help Union Station give visitors to the city of Chicago a welcome befitting the Land of Lincoln,” said Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who held a news conference at the station to commend Amtrak.

“New high-speed passenger rail service will bring thousands of visitors to downtown Chicago, boosting our tourism industry and supporting Illinois’ continued economic recovery.”

“The federal funding that has helped make the improvements to Amtrak Chicago Union Station possible will pay immediate dividends by creating or sustaining 100 construction jobs.

 Those are good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

“Less crowding, easier connections and a comfortable waiting area will help Amtrak keep its customers happy and keep them coming back through town.

“Having those updates made by the time the first high-speed trains come rolling through town will serve Illinoisans well.”

Last fiscal year, Amtrak carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company’s history.

With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day to more than 500 destinations.

For more information, call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.Amtrak.com

Malta’s stunning, five-star Phoenicia Hotel and the fabulous Casino Di Venezia are offering guests the chance to experience an ultra-glam casino package with a luxury three-night stay, daily buffet breakfast and a
complimentary casino welcome pack, with playing chips, welcome drink and venue transfers for just £85 per person sharing per night.*

One of the island’s finest, the Casino Di Venezia is set within the historical 17th-century Capitan’s Palace on the Port Cotonera Marina and offers guests a selection of games including Roulette, Punto y Banco and Blackjack.

The renowned casino boasts an entire floor dedicated to poker as well as fine dining at the in-house Ristorante Panoramico offering breathtaking rooftop views of the Grand Harbour.

After an exciting evening at the tables guests can return to the luxurious Phoenicia which stands majestically at the gates of historic Valletta.

With 136 elegant rooms and suites, boasting either cool contemporary or classic Mediterranean design, this stunning hotel offers an ideal retreat, just a short walk from the shopping and sights of the capital.

Guests can enjoy award-winning cuisine in The Phoenix restaurant or The Palm Court Lounge, relax with a cocktail at the refined colonial-style Club Bar or simply soak up the sun at the Bastion Pool Deck; tucked away into the city walls and reached by a stroll through exquisite mature gardens which are perennially in bloom.

It’s no surprise that this hotel has long been a favourite hideaway of A-listers and royalty and it continues to attract modern movie stars like Pierce Brosnan and Rachel Weisz.

With great flight deals from across the UK and direct routes from 16 departure airports, Malta is less than four hours away – perfect for a long weekend or an Autumn break.

To book call 0808 238 1710 or visit

www.phoeniciamalta.com

*Based on a minimum stay of three nights The Casino Breaks package includes daily buffet breakfast, full use of the resort facilities and a casino welcome pack with match-and-play voucher, complimentary drink on arrival and €10 chips when you exchange your first €10, plus a 50% off voucher for the Ristorante Panoramico, as well as free transfers between the hotel and casino.

For great flight deals to Malta visit

www.airmalta.com

www.easyjet.com  

www.ryanair.com

As consumers shun archaic payment methods for more convenient debit cards, Caxton FX warn that slipping into ‘default mode’ and using your bank card whilst abroad is costing Brits £144m in unnecessary fees.

Latest data from the UK Payments Council has linked a £21.5bn decline in the use of cheques to the 12.4% increase in debit card spend in the last year.

With total UK debit card payments reaching £7.9bn Brits are spending £144m in unnecessary fees whilst using their plastic abroad. Such fees could be avoided by using a fee-free prepaid currency card such as the dollar and euro card from Caxton FX.

Michelle Slade, analyst at www.Moneyfacts.co.uk, explains,

“In the UK we are so used to ‘free banking’ that many people assume things will be the same when they go abroad.

“This can be a costly mistake as additional charges may well apply; both for taking money out of a cash machine and for making purchases in store.”

Rupert Lee-Browne, CEO at Caxton FX says,

“To avoid being stung by high fees and unnecessary charges, prepaid currency cards are a must have for anyone travelling abroad. With a Caxton FX prepaid currency card there are no overseas ATM fees or transaction charges and competitive exchange rates.”

Not only does using your bank card abroad come with financial dents, it also presents a security risk.

If your card is stolen then you risk losing a large sum of money as your debit card is linked to your current account, but by taking the appropriate measures you can ensure the safety of your funds.

With a Caxton FX prepaid currency card, if your card is lost or stolen, a block can be placed on it immediately and a replacement sent out to you. As your card separate from your bank account it minimises the risk of identity theft.

Caxton FX’s cards are all prepaid MasterCards®, which means you keep the convenience of using regular plastic while taking your break.

Available in euros, dollars and sterling (Global

With memories of summer holidays fast fading and thoughts perhaps turning to next year’s getaway, Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire has introduced the ‘Puffin Plan’ a scheme designed to spread the cost of a 2011 holiday.

To take advantage of the Puffin Payment Plan, bookings must be made at least six months prior to the holiday and a 15% deposit paid.

Direct debit payments are then taken from the holidaymakers’ bank account on the first of the month.

For large groups – or families who wish to share a property – the company is happy to arrange for equal payments to be taken from each party via direct debit so the payments are split.

New houses on offer from the company in 2011 – which features more than ?? cottages throughout Pembrokeshire -

include ‘Courtlands’, a detached property (sleeping six) in the pretty seaside hamlet of Wiseman’s Bridge where, for example, a week’s holiday in early May costs £448, increasing to £878 in peak season.

Reservations: 01437 772760,

www.coastalcottages.co.uk

The IBEROSTAR Marbella Coral Beach is the latest hotel to join the IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts chain, becoming the company’s first hotel in one of the UK’s favourite holiday destination, Málaga.

The hotel will have a grand reopening in April 2011, just in time for the start of the Spanish holiday season.

The hotel will become every couple’s dream getaway, offering them relaxation and luxury and a wide range of exciting activities to keep them entertained. Activities on offer include golf and for those who want to unwind in the Spanish sun.

The idyllic IBEROSTAR Marbella Coral Beach, with its exquisite Arabian and Spanish design influences, boasts 170 spacious and comfortable rooms, each offering a balcony with breathe taking views of the sea, hotel gardens and swimming pool.

The hotel also offers a range of facilities for guests including a restaurant and snack bar serving authentic Spanish food, a beach club bar for you to enjoy a cocktail whilst soaking up the sun, a wellness centre and gym for those looking to keep fit whilst on holiday and meeting rooms ideal for hosting corporate events and special occasions.

The IBEROSTAR Marbella Coral Beach is located on the coast of the popular Costa del Sol. It is also within easy reach of the VIP luxury destination Puerto Banús, a favourite hotspot for A-List celebrities, and only a short
distance away from Málaga International Airport.

This autumn VisitWIltshire has published ten off-road cycling routes through the county enabling exploration of the glorious largely undiscovered countryside.

As the popularity of cycling increases, the demand for safe all off-road cycle routes with fully tested instructions and maps also increase and Wiltshire now provides such facilities.

Visitors will be able to cycle in rolling hills or through prehistoric sites and wooded valleys using the downloadable route guides from VisitWiltshire’s website.

Each route varies in length and difficulty from a relatively short six mile option through to a more challenging 31 mile route which takes in some of the main points of interest to the west of Salisbury, providing outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.

Included on the maps are locations of points of interest, facilities and pubs with village shops never far away to supply all daily needs.

The Wiltshire Cycleway connects many off-road routes providing easy access to many of Wiltshire’s attractions and scenic towns and villages like Stourhead, Lacock, Longleat and Marlborough.

Accommodation ranging from luxurious hotels or bed and breakfasts through to campsites and pubs with rooms can be found in a guide available from the tourism partnership.

VisitWiltshire’s website also highlights a choice of accommodation providers which actively welcome cyclists and provide helpful overnight safe storage for bikes and other equipment.

Visitors who have completed the routes are encouraged to post their comments onto the VisitWiltshire website and share their cycling experience with other enthusiasts.

For details of the cycle routes, maps and accommodation visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk  The maps are free to download.