Jetsettersblog

Alaska Airlines has added seasonal service to Mexico and Hawaii. It has begun daily seasonal service between San Diego and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The flights are in addition to the carrier’s existing Puerto Vallarta service from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

The airline also has begun seasonal service between Portland, Ore., and Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The new flights are in addition to the airline’s existing service from Portland to Kahului, Maui, and Honolulu.

Flights operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit the banner below.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of Element New York Times Square West, the first Element hotel to open in New York City.

Element New York Times Square West will be one of the city’s greenest properties and an eco-haven located in Times Square. Element, Starwood’s green trailblazer, continues to make history as the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Element’s energizing, eco-chic environment offers bright public spaces, smart design, and modern touches.

Every Element property is also a high-performance building where sustainable practices reduce waste and conserve resources. Since the first Element hotel opened in 2008 in Lexington, Mass., the brand has continued to trek across the country. Additional properties have opened in Las Vegas, Baltimore, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Omaha and Ewing, N.J.

Element New York Times Square West will feature 411 guest rooms and seven suites, two meeting rooms, a lobby atrium and rooftop terrace with views of The Empire State Building, Hudson River and Midtown Manhattan.

The property will have a wealth of amenities to keep guests active, healthy and balanced when on the road, including complimentary wellness programs and healthy food options.

Rise, Element’s daily complimentary breakfast buffet, includes low-fat breakfast wraps and fruit smoothies, while Motion, the fully-equipped, state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center, allows guests to practice fitness on the go.

From now through March 31, 2011, guests who book Element New York Times Square West will earn 50 Starwood Preferred Guest points for every plastic bottle brought in for recycling and a $20 credit to Element’s Restore gourmet food pantry.

Guest rooms and public spaces feature carpets, furniture and floors made from recycled content.

Wall art is mounted on bases made from recycled tires. Low-VOC paints improve indoor air quality. Energy Star-rated appliances, and recycling bins in each room, make it easy for guests to incorporate green living into their daily routines.

Even the “Do Not Disturb” sign has been replaced with Element’s environmentally-friendly magnet.

For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com

American Express has announced a new national program with consumer and small travel business incentives called “Small Business Saturdays,” which is designed to support small businesses, including travel agents.

On Nov. 27, American Express will debut Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to help small business do more business by driving consumers to local business across the U.S.

According to Donna Flora, vice president, travel industry relations, the business travel community of agencies and tour operators are ideally positioned to take advantage of the opportunities Small Business Saturday offers to them, their clients and potential clients.

“By spreading the word about Small Business Saturday, we can help raise awareness about the critical role small travel companies play in the overall economy — and help drive customers to their doors, at a time when the travel industry needs support the most,” said Flora.

Social media will play a central role in helping raise awareness about the importance of supporting small business and recognizing Small Business Saturday. American Express is launching campaigns on Facebook and Twitter, driving consumers and business owners to www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday  where they can participate in many ways.

For example, American Express is giving a $25 statement credit to 100,000 cardmembers who register their card and use it to shop on Small Business Saturday at any locally owned, independent small businesses that accept American Express. American Express is also giving $100 worth of free Facebook advertising to 10,000 business owners who sign up at www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday  to help build online buzz and drive customers to shop at their businesses on Small Business Saturday.

By simply entering a few pieces of information and clicking a button, these business owners can create a personalized, geo-targeted ad that will run on Facebook leading up to Nov. 27.

Facebook has donated $500,000 in Facebook credits for these small business owners to use in the future.

Small business owners can also download online promotional materials and use a number of social media tools to promote their businesses on the inaugural Small Business Saturday. Everyone also can spread the word about the day and their favorite businesses by giving a shout-out to their favorite local shops and restaurants via Facebook and Twitter.

For every person who “likes” Small Business Saturday on Facebook, American Express will donate $1 up to $500,0003 to Girls Inc. to empower young women to be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

To support Small Business Saturday, American Express is also launching a national advertising campaign. “Supporting local business is more than just a one-day event,” said American Express Chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault, in announcing the national campaign. “And Small Business Saturday is a movement we can all help sustain. We encourage consumers across the country to join us and the many advocates that are already on board.”

Joining American Express OPEN, the company’s small business unit, in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday, is a group of more than a dozen advocacy, public and private organizations.

“The 3/50 Project is pleased to be joining American Express OPEN on Small Business Saturday,” said Cinda Baxter, founder of the 3/50 Project. “According to a recent survey, 90 percent of consumers are willing to pledge support for a buy local small business initiative. So, I ask everyone to pledge their support for Small Business Saturday and to shop exclusively with independent stores on Nov. 27.”

The 3/50 Project encourages consumers to pick three locally owned, independent brick-and-mortar businesses they can’t live without, and commit to spending $50 per month across the three businesses, in addition to all of the other spending they do. “When we invest in small businesses, we are investing in Main Streets — the places that give our towns and cities a unique sense of place,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which includes the National Trust Main Street Center.

“By celebrating Small Business Saturday and shopping at independent businesses, everyone can play a part in strengthening our economy and supporting revitalization on our Main Streets.”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center is a preservation-based economic development program that helps more than 2,000 communities nationally revitalize their historic and traditional commercial districts by leveraging local assets.

For more information on the movement, visit www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday  or www.smallbusinesssaturday.com

Walt Disney World Resort said work will soon begin on a completely re-imagined and renamed Pleasure Island and other unique experiences at Downtown Disney. Combined, the projects are expected to create an estimated 1,200 new jobs over the next three years in Central Florida.

“We have made great progress since first announcing our vision to bring new shopping, dining and entertainment experiences to Downtown Disney, many of which can’t be found anywhere else and have already become guest favorites,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “We look forward to providing even more ways for our guests to enjoy Downtown Disney, while at the same time creating new jobs for Central Floridians.”

A nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier will change Pleasure Island into “Hyperion Wharf.” By day, the port district will draw guests in with boutiques and innovative restaurants and by night thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.

Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will feature a lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. Its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

“Hyperion Wharf will offer guests of all ages a vibrant atmosphere and new experiences that can be enjoyed by day or by night,” said Bradford. “Whether looking for a great place to dine with the whole family or a place to relax and enjoy live music, Hyperion Wharf will provide the perfect setting for guests to make new memories with us.”

In addition to the new wharf district, numerous other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including: an extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies; enhancements at AMC that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a paradigm-shifting Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Combined, these projects are expected to create an estimated 600 construction jobs, 500 restaurant, retail and entertainment jobs and support 100 vendor and supplier jobs. Other recent additions to Downtown Disney include new entertainment, such as the Characters in Flight tethered balloon ride, the ETX theater at AMC and an enhanced outdoor performance area; unique shopping experiences like D-Street, LittleMissMatched, Ridemakerz , Trend-D and Disney’s Design-A-Tee; and immersive dining, like T-Rex and Paradiso 37 and the recently opened Pollo Campero and Fresh A-Peel, a new quick-service restaurant combining authentic Latin-style chicken and side dishes, as well as fresh, healthy creations such as salads, wraps and gluten-free desserts.

AdventureSmith Explorations next year is introducing two flexible itineraries through the Hawaiian Islands aboard the 36-passenger Safari Explorer.

The eight-day “Hawaiian Seascapes” cruise visits Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Molokini and the Big Island of Hawaii. Low season rates begin at $4,995 per person, double occupancy. Departures are scheduled from late October into May with special family dates available.

The 11-day “Hawaii’s Traditional Shores” itinerary visits the same islands but adds an emphasis on snorkeling or diving, marine mammal observation and visits to cultural and historical sites.

Rates begin at $6,495 per person, double occupancy.

The departure dates are Oct. 26, Dec. 8, 2011, and May 11, 2012. Those who book an eight-day winter cruise by Nov. 30 will save $500 per person.

The 145-foot Safari Explorer will anchor each night in a different harbor or inlet so guests can explore coves and shoreline by foot, kayak, paddle board, sailboat, mountain bike and motor launch.

The vessel’s amenities include a hot tub, a sauna, complimentary massages, exercise equipment, a book and video library, a swim step for ease in boarding kayaks and inflatable shore boat, mountain bikes and a bar with premium wine, beer and spirits.

All staterooms feature heated tile floors in the bathroom, Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattresses, flat-screen TV/DVD, and an iPod docking station. All staterooms have view windows.

While visiting Lanai on either cruise itinerary, guests can choose to play either The Challenge at Manele Bay or The Experience at Koele championship golf courses.

For more information, call 800-728-2875 or visit

www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the debut of St. Regis’ first resort in China and first-ever luxury resort in Tibet, with the opening of the St. Regis Lhasa Resort. Standing on the “Roof of the World” at 12,000 feet above sea level, the St. Regis Lhasa Resort offers luxury accommodations in an exotic location.

The resort features spectacular views of the Himalayas and the Lhasa Valley from each of the 162 guest rooms, suites and villas which feature distinctive architectural details and décor that entwine modern luxury with traditional Tibetan elements.

The resort embraces its natural surroundings and breathtaking mountainous views of Lhasa.

It offers the signature St. Regis Butler Service and features three restaurants, a signature tea room, wine bar and an expansive 11,700-square-foot Iridium Spa with an ornate gold-tiled pool and Meditation Garden for yoga, Pilates or meditation.

“We are proud to debut the first St. Regis Resort in China with the opening of The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, offering our discerning guests access to the distinguished St. Regis legacy with the highest expression of personalization, refined elegance and uncompromised guest experiences,” said Paul James, global brand leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts.

“With the region’s unrivaled natural beauty and enchanting cultural heritage, Lhasa is one of the world’s most coveted destinations for global travelers, and The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is destined to be an unparalleled way to discover Tibet.”

“Lhasa is one of the most intriguing and beautiful cities in the world,” said Magdy Anis, general manager of the St. Regis Lhasa Resort.

“We are honored to be opening Tibet’s first luxury resort, offering global St. Regis guests the opportunity to experience Tibet’s mysterious traditions and stunning beauty while enjoying St. Regis signature amenities and services.”

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort features 150 guest rooms and 12 spacious villas and suites, including the Presidential Suite. The property has been designed from the ground up with sustainable features, including solar panels, locally sourced produce and herbs for the resort’s restaurants, and an underground water recycling system. Guest accommodations feature residential interiors, custom-designed furniture and spacious marble bathrooms in addition to luxurious linens and amenities such as high-speed Internet and plasma televisions in room.

St. Regis will also premiere its new spa brand, the Iridium Spa at the St. Regis Lhasa Resort. Iridium Spa allows guests to renew and refresh mind, body and spirit with a completely customized experience including traditional Tibetan herbal treatments and aromatherapy services using locally cultivated herbs and plants such as cypress and azalea leaves.

It features an ornate gold-tiled heated swimming pool and Meditation Garden for yoga, Pilates or meditation.

Guests can enjoy all-day dining at the resort’s signature restaurant, Social, featuring with a wide selection of international cuisine, or dine at Si Zi Kang, the first gastronomic Tibetan restaurant to feature authentic Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine in a sophisticated and relaxed setting. For Cantonese and Sichuanese cuisine, guests are invited to Yan Ting with six private dining rooms and a diverse menu.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort also offers Decanter by Haut-Brisson, the first wine bar in the region serving over 140 labels of wine, liquors and aged cigars. Also the first of its kind, the Tea Room will offer guests a relaxing afternoon with different blends of local and imported teas, and serving vintage teas aged from 10 to 25 years.

The resort is close to Lhasa’s most important cultural landmarks, allowing guests to explore all of the city’s treasures, including Jokhang Temple.

Guests also can rent a hybrid vehicle from the hotel for a short drive to the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka and the Drepung Monastery. Other scenic Himalayan destinations such as the Heavenly Lake Namtso and Yandra Yumtso Lake also surround the resort.

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

Swain Tours is launching an escorted tour program in Australia for the 2011 season, targeting sophisticated travelers who want an exclusive, fully-guided Australia experience.

The program will host a maximum of 12 guests per departure.

Five departures will operate from Melbourne in 2011, on March 11, April 15, Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Nov. 8, timed to take advantage of the ideal seasons of fall and spring.

The 15-day/14-night Australia in Style itinerary begins with a two-night stay at Crown Towers in Melbourne, with a welcome dinner, a wildlife experience and time to explore the city’s culture.

Next is a visit to the world’s oldest living rainforest, the Daintree; two nights in a Riverhouse at Silky Oaks Lodge; followed by two nights in tropical Cairns, where there are opportunities for Aboriginal cultural encounters.

From here, the tour will head to the Whitsunday Islands for three nights at the five-star resort of Hayman.

Traveling from the beach to the bush, the tour heads to the Blue Mountains with a two-night stay at the classically elegant Lilianfels Resort and Spa.

The grand finale takes place in Sydney at the Four Seasons with three spectacular nights in a Harbour View Premier Room, with fabulous sunset harbor cruise dinner and a memorable performance at the Sydney Opera House to round out this special Australian experience.

Pricing starts from $10,500 per person/twin share or $15,450 for single travelers.

Departures are guaranteed with minimum four travelers.

The package includes services of a professional tour director and guide, all accommodations in upgraded room categories, hotel porterage, touring and transfers, a total of 32 meals (14 breakfasts, six lunches, 12 dinners), including several highlight dinners, and a host of special Swain touches throughout.

The package is suitable for travelers who have always wanted to visit Australia but would prefer to do so in a smaller group rather than independently or as part of a large coach tour. Swain specializes in personalized travel to Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Africa, Asia and India.

Their team of experts is from, or has traveled extensively through, the destinations Swain serves.

For more information, visit

www.SwainTours.com

Splendia Luxury & Character Hotels is further expanding into the Asian market.

The Splendia website is now featured in 10 languages, following the recent addition of Japanese, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and Korean to its existing six languages.

The customer service team has also been reinforced to allow customers to speak to Splendia travel consultants in these languages.

The expansion opens opportunities in the Asian market where Splendia has a growing customer base.

“Top destinations for Splendia’s Asian clientele are the old metropolises of Europe; Paris and London are in the top three for customers from China, Korea and Japan.

In addition, more Chinese customers are choosing luxury hotels in New York, while Korean and Japanese prefer to stay in design hotels in Stockholm and Berlin, respectively,” said Splendia CEO Elie de Coignac.

“The company is also acquiring more hotel partners in Asia for customers who want to travel to this part of the world.

Continually popular destinations in Asia include Bali and Koh Samui, with spa hotels in Seminyak being a particular favorite with Splendia customers.

Design hotels in Singapore are also hugely popular, along with boutique hotels in Bangkok — providing an alternative to the more common beach resort holiday in Asia.”

Splendia is a global leader in online bookings for luxury and character hotels. Representing more than 5,000 properties across 130 countries,

Splendia guarantees the best rates with no hidden extras, exclusive guest benefits and an unquestionable quality service 24/7. Launched in 2004,

Splendia has a team of 100 people with a head office in Hong Kong and branch offices in Barcelona and Miami. Alven Capital, investor in Splendia since 2006, was joined by Crédit Agricole Private Equity in 2008 to support international development.

Action Sport Asia is fast becoming the leading portal for wakeboarding in Thailand. Action Sport Asia promotes wakeboarding in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Rayong, Koh Tao and now wakeboarding in Koh Phangan.

BANGKOK, THAILAND  — International wake boarder’s are making Thailand a common stopover thanks to the stunning backdrops, fun nightlight and abundance of wake parks to enjoy.

Not only is the recognition growing internationally but also with locals and expats taking up this amazing sport.

Wake Up! Wakeboarding is a wakeboarding operator on the island of Koh Phangan run by professional wakeboarders. Wake Up! Wakeboarding offer the latest equipment and the best boat on the market for wakeboarding – Mastercraft XSTAR for the best possible wakeboarding conditions.

Wakeboarding in Koh Phangan is a relatively new experience as the island attempts to shake off the image of being a stop over for revelers for the full moon parties. The fact is Koh Phangan offers so much more and Wake Up! Wakeboarding intends to bring wakeboarding in Koh Phangan to the world!

Prices start in the region of 1,000 THB per set depending on the type of boat used and being located off Chaloklum Bay the conditions are just right for wakeboarding.

Action Sport Asia is aiming to be the leading wakeboarding information resource in Asia and is teaming up with wake parks throughout the region. Wake Up! Wakeboarding is the latest partner to join forces with Action Sport Asia to promote wakeboarding in Thailand.

For more information please visit: THIS LINK.About Action Sport Asia

Launched in 2009, Action Sport Asia was born from a desire to exploit the incredible opportunities for adventure sports in Thailand.

Designed for people who want more from a holiday than just relaxing by the pool, we aim to be your first stop on the road to a fantastic Thai holiday. Whatever you are looking to do, from wakeboarding in thailand to rock climbing in krabi and so much more, our site will help you tailor your holiday to your needs.

For more information, please contact
Dan Wallace, Founder and CEO
info@actionsportasia.com
http://www.actionsportasia.com

Launched in 2009, Action Sport Asia was born from a desire to exploit the incredible opportunities for adventure sports in Thailand.

Designed for people who want more from a holiday than just relaxing by the pool, we aim to be your first stop on the road to a fantastic Thai holiday. Whatever you are looking to do, from scuba diving to rock climbing and so much more, our site will help you tailor your holiday to your needs.

Enjoy the perfect romantic escape this festive season at VIE Hotel Bangkok. Our Enchanting Festive Escape packages include accommodation in our spacious Deluxe Suite, Duplex Suite, VIP treatment privileges, exquisite festive dinner and a romantic reflection spa experience for two.

The Enchanting Festive Escape package includes:

Pre-festive Package

The package rates are Baht 5,900 nett per room per night for accommodation in a Deluxe Suite for 2 persons, and Baht 16,900 nett per room per night for accommodation in Duplex Suite for 4 persons. Rates include:

Grand breakfast at VIE Wine & Grill
60-minitue VIE Balancing Massage for 2 persons
Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival
Complimentary festive turndown gift, sweet, fruit and flower
Valid December 1-30, 2010

Christmas Eve Deluxe Package

The package rates are Baht 7,999 nett per room per night for accommodation in Deluxe Suite for 2 persons, and Baht 21,999 nett per room per night for accommodation in Duplex Suite for 4 persons. Rates include:

Grand breakfast at VIE Wine & Grill
Welcome cocktail at VIE Lounge
Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner at VIE Wine & Grill
A complimentary drink at VIE BAR
Complimentary festive turndown gift, sweet, fruit and flower
Valid December 24-25, 2010

New Year Eve Deluxe Package

The package rates are Baht 8,999 nett per room per night for accommodation in Deluxe Suite for 2 persons, and Baht 22,999 nett per room per night for accommodation in Duplex Suite for 4 persons. Rates include:

Grand breakfast at VIE Wine & Grill
Welcome cocktail at VIE Lounge
New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at VIE Wine & Grill
A complimentary drink at New Year’s Eve ‘Hollywood’s Great Gatsby’ Themed Countdown Party at VIE BAR

Complimentary festive turndown gift, sweet, fruit and flower

Valid December 31, 2010 – January 1, 2011

VIE Hotel Contact Details

Address: 117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Telephone: +66 (0) 2309 3939

Facsimile: +66 (0) 2309 3838

Website: www.viehotelbangkok.com

www.mgallery.com