Jetsettersblog

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur has opened in Malaysia, welcoming guests to the PARKROYAL brand of modern comfort, unobtrusive and authentic service.

Strategically located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle – the brand new PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur features 287 studio, one and two-bedroom suites which comes complete with fully-equipped kitchens, home entertainment systems, telephones with IDD/DID and voicemail facilities and complimentary wired and wireless Internet access.

Additionally, the 30-storey property offers a range of business and leisure facilities such as a business centre with secretarial services, meeting rooms, a fully-equipped fitness centre and a rooftop pool which offers panoramic views of the city skyline.

Surrounded by the city’s most sophisticated shopping, entertainment and dining centres such as the famous food street Jalan Alor, Bintang Walk and mega malls Suria KLCC, Starhill Gallery, Pavilion and Lot 10, PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur is a great base for guests to explore their new city.

“Our emphasis is on unobtrusive, uncomplicated and authentic service, while providing local connections to the city, thus allowing residents to enjoy their new surroundings as they please,” said Miss Cheah Chin Kim, PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur’s newly-appointed General Manager.

“We recognise that our guests have unique preferences and at PARKROYAL, we are committed to providing our guests with memorable experiences,” added Chin Kim.

Staying true to PARKROYAL’s promise of providing local connections, the property features a Residents’ Lounge, which serves as an extension of one’s living room, where residents can interact, socialise and network with one another – offering familiarity, connectivity and a sense of belonging.

“Our aim is to allow our guests to settle in as easily as possible as we seek to provide these local connections and that sense of connectedness to help them feel at ease, informed and comfortable,” explained Chin Kim.

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur is the first PARKROYAL-branded serviced suites outside of Singapore for Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

The Singapore-headquartered company currently manages three other properties in Malaysia including Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport, PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur and PARKROYAL Penang Resort.

Wyndham Hotel Group will open the 229-room Tryp Berlin, to be managed by Sol Meliá. It is the first Tryp by Wyndham hotel to open in Germany’s capital city and the 11th property in the country to join the brand. Located in Berlin’s trendy Mitte district and within close proximity to key business centers, entertainment venues and popular attractions, the newly built, six-story Tryp Berlin is designed for both business and leisure travelers visiting the city.

Tryp Berlin’s spacious, open lobby and adjoining bar showcase designer furniture and bold colors.

Guest rooms feature modern, comfortable furnishings and fine wood parquet flooring; wired and wireless Internet access; flat-screen televisions; and artwork from contemporary local artists. Tryp Berlin also offers Tryp by Wyndham’s signature family rooms — guest accommodations appointed with a large bed for parents and bunk beds for children that are well-suited for traveling families.

Guests staying at the four-star, select-service hotel can take advantage of the on-site, fully equipped fitness center which features a Finnish sauna, spa shower and cardio equipment.

The hotel also offers in-room dining, underground parking, business services and convenient access to Berlin’s public transportation systems.

Those guests looking to schedule meetings, conduct business or hold events at the property have access to nearly 1,500 square feet, of meeting and event space that can accommodate up to 130 people.

The hotel plans to expand its meeting space this summer to accommodate up to 250.

Audio visual equipment is also available to event planners and attendees.

Tryp Berlin’s on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Wyndham Hotel Group acquired the Tryp hotel brand from Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts of Spain in June.

Tryp by Wyndham, a select-service, mid-priced brand, currently caters to business and leisure travelers in cosmopolitan cities including Madrid and Barcelona in Spain; Paris; Lisbon, Portugal; Frankfurt, Germany; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Montevideo, Uruguay.

Wyndham Hotel Group announced in October that it signed an agreement to manage the 173-room Tryp New York City-Times Square South, the first Tryp by Wyndham property in North America. The property is scheduled to debut in the second quarter of 2011.

As part of a previously announced strategic alliance, Wyndham Hotel Group and Sol Meliá will work together to develop the Tryp by Wyndham brand globally and market the brand through their central reservations systems and loyalty programs. Tryp by Wyndham represents over 90 hotels and approximately 13,000 rooms across Europe and the Americas.

In 2010, Portugal had double-digit growth in U.S. travelers, their ninth-biggest inbound market and sixth-biggest spenders.

It also saw considerable hotel growth.

The Lx Boutique Hotel is the newest inn in Lisbon, located in the Cais do Sodré district, minutes from Chiado and Bairro Alto.

The grand opening is set for this fall, after an investment of around 7 million euros.

The hotel has 45 rooms, each with a theme related to Lisbon, from the Tejo Persona (Fernando Pessoa lived in the building for some time, and it was the once famed Hotel Bragança), Fado, Seven Hills and Bairro Alto.

With its location near the historic districts of Lisbon, it is ideal for those looking to discover the city.

For more information, visit www.lxboutiquehotel.pt.

The Hotel da Estrela, first hotel of the Lagrimas Group in Lisbon and a new hotel for the School of Hospitality and Tourism of Lisbon, opened on Oct. 26.

Located in the Campo de Ourique, in the historic Palácio dos Condes de Paraty, this building is a redevelopment of the former School Machado de Castro.

The four-star project, designed by architect Miguel Cancio Martins, includes 19 rooms with three meeting rooms, a restaurant/bar, a garden and an event space.

For more information, visit www.hoteldaestrela.com/en

The Oitavos, a new luxury hotel, opened on Sept. 1, 20 minutes from Lisbon.

The hotel features 142 guest rooms, a golf course built around sand dunes, and saltwater swimming pools.

This nature-inspired property is located on the family owned Quinta da Marinha estate, within the Sintra-Cascais National Park.

The new hotel also has a conference center, which can accommodate up to 300 people, plus five additional meeting and boardrooms and catering for up to 150.

For more information, visit www.theoitavos.com

The five-star CS Vintage Lisboa Hotel-Lisbon includes 55 rooms, vintage restaurant, spa, indoor pool and latest web technology.

It is located in the city center, minutes from Avenida da Liberdade. CS Vintage opened in Lisbon on June 1.

For more information, visit www.cshotelsandresorts.com/eng

The Altis Avenida is a new hotel right in Restauradores Square, in Lisbon’s city center and the main shopping district.

All 72 rooms are equipped with the latest technology and designed with a 1940s décor, maintaining the original combination of styles, fabrics and furniture.

The bar and restaurant on the top-floor provide a view over the city.

For more information, visit www.altishotels.com .

The Inspira Santa Marta-Lisbon is a four-star, green-designed hotel in downtown Lisbon.

Located just off of Lisbon’s main Avenida da Liberdade, the hotel has a total of 89 guest rooms designed around Feng Shui themes such as earth, fire, and water.

The restaurant features Mediterranean cuisine and slow cooking, all made with freshly prepared ingredients. Inspira Santa Marta opened on March 15.

For more information, visit www.inspirasantamartahotel.com

The four-star International Design Hotel opened in March 2009 at Rua da Betesga, in Lisbon. Urban, tribal, zen and pop are all design themes exhibited by the hotel’s rooms.

The hotel is located on one of the eldest streets in Lisbon, Betesga, whose origins go back to the 15th century.

For more information, visit www.internacionaldesignhotel.com

A new “boutique hotel” in Belém by the Altis Group is preparing to open in the Lisbon area. It is located near the Bom Sucesso docks, an important tourist area of Lisbon.

This new, luxury boutique hotel features 42 high-quality rooms, and a restaurant serving Portuguese cuisine.

Hotel Altis Belém will also feature a bar and terraced café, spa and several meeting rooms, offering a diversified range of services and facilities.

For general destination information, call 800-PORTUGAL or visit www.insideportugaltravel.com

In November, the new hotel All Seasons Berlin Mitte opened as an independently run hotel with 145 non-smoking and family rooms. The All Seasons Berlin Mitte Hotel is just off Alexanderplatz and the Hackesche Höfe. It offers all-inclusive arrangements, and all rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, beds with special anti-stress bed linen, telephone, closet and bath/shower/WC.

The nearest metro station is right next to the hotel.

For more information, visit www.all-seasons-hotels.com

NH Hotels has converted an impressive 19th century mansion in the arts district of Madrid as part of ambitious renovation plans.

The careful renovation has managed to recover the building which was originally built in 1808 by Jorge Duran, and which was designed in part by Juan de Villanueva, who designed the Prado Museum. The new NH Palacio de Tepa is a luxury hotel located on the calle de San Sebastian with access to the calle Atocha and the Plaza del Angel.

The new NH Palacio de Tepa has 84 rooms which have been decorated by the architecture and design studio of Ramon Esteve in easy grays and beiges to play with the ever-present light which flows in through the large windows and skylights especially throughout the penthouse rooms.

Different interior decoration options are available across the hotel room types, with the rooms on the fifth floor providing a particularly welcoming atmosphere with their mansard roofs and minimalist decoration.

In addition to the Premium rooms on the two corners of the second floor of the building, many of the rooms are duplex suites and all the rooms have views of the streets and squares of the district, which have also been renovated recently.

Lighting is the main feature of the hotel which has been carefully renovated respecting the original domes of the building and its typical balconies. Two whitewashed interior patios, renovated in accordance with their former use as “corrala” yards, allow light to come in through the interior corridors of the hotel.

The hotel also offers several premium services including a butler service, pampering menu, a VIP desk and private transfer.

For more information, visit www.nh-hotels.com

After the opening of the angelo Designhotel in 2008, the hotel group Vienna International has signed a further management contract for a second hotel project in Munich.

The 207-room hotel, which will likewise operate under the angelo name, will be built in direct proximity to Munich’s Theresienwiese, the venue for the Oktoberfest. Construction on the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, will be managed by UMB Realitätenentwicklung AG, Vienna, via its Munich-based subsidiary Münchner Grund Immobilien Bauträger AG.

The construction project is located on the property at Albert-Roßhaupter-Straße 41 in Munich’s Sendling district south of the city center.

Points in favor of the hotel’s location include access by both car and public transport. Underground and metro railway stations are located nearby, such as the Partnachplatz underground station offering a direct link to the city center.

The Theresienwiese, where the world’s largest popular festival is held every year, is easily reached on foot.

The four-four star hotel, which is expected to open by the end of 2012, will feature 207 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a jazz bar with bistro, eight conference rooms, a spacious sun terrace, as well as a sauna and fitness area.

For more information, visit www.vi-hotels.com

ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK, Mich.- When dreaming of the perfect wedding destination many of us picture tropical islands or European cathedrals.

As we get a bit older, and perhaps budget conscious, other unique options begin to present themselves.

Located on an island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is the perfect location for a destination wedding close to home. Picture a weekend of close friends and family bonding on hikes through the park or fishing the peaceful waters of Lake Superior.

Catch glimpses of local moose and grey wolves or set out for one of the island’s historic lighthouses.

On the special day imagine sharing your vows in an intimate affair on the deck of Rock Harbor Lodge, the sun covering everyone in a warm golden glow. As the sun sets and the air cools, guests can follow the newlyweds inside for delicious fresh-caught trout, roasted vegetables, and homemade blueberry cobbler.

Start planning for a one of a kind affair on picturesque Isle Royale National Park.

Lodging: Rock Harbor Lodge has both lakefront lodge rooms and cozy cottages nestled beneath the Balsam Firs and Quaking Aspen.

Getting Here: While Isle Royale cannot be reached solely by car, guests can get to the island via passenger boat or floatplane. Four passenger ferries connect Isle Royale to the mainland in both Michigan and Minnesota. Royale Air Service also provides floatplane flights six days a week.

www.rockharborlodge.com

Alexandria, VA – Anyone who has spent part of their holiday travels with cranky children in tow knows how important patience and preparation can be. So what can frazzled parents do before hitting the road or taking to the skies to make sure their little ones are happy? Check out TravelSense.org, ASTA’s consumer Web site, for helpful travel advice and contact a local ASTA travel agent.

“Traveling with cranky kids over the holidays can make even the merriest parent feel like saying ‘Bah, Humbug’,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo. “Working with a professional travel agent to plan your holiday get-away means parents will have one less thing to worry about when packing up to hit the slopes or visit grandma.”

Among the tips are:

* Keep planning simple: Traveling with kids in tow involves many details. To make the process easier, consider using an ASTA travel agent, who can recommend vacation destinations tailor-made for your family’s interests and budget, find great deals on airfare and hotels, and fill you in on the latest airport security news.

* Make getting to your destination fun: Use time traveling together for zany sing-alongs, family storytelling sessions and scavenger hunts. Parents can draw up a list of things you might expect to see from a car or plane, such as two-toned cows, a car toting a Christmas tree, or a man wearing a red hat, then have the kids vie to see who spots the items first. For the ultimate treat, splurge on a portable DVD player, and watch a new holiday movie in transit

* Pack a fun bag: Assemble a bag for each child containing stickers, paper and washable markers, posable figurines (that don’t have a lot of pieces), magnetic games and puzzles and a pillow. Or, for a special treat or when chaos reigns, consider a portable DVD player just for long trips. If you use these particular bags for trips only, they’ll remain novel, and kids will look forward to the journey.

* Break up the trip with frequent stops:

Playgrounds, indoor fun centers, and family restaurants are good bets.

* Make a memory box: Bring an empty shoebox along to store items you’ll collect along the way, such as seashells, rocks, funny postcards, and marked-up road maps.

When you get home, label the box with the trip destination and date, and you’ll have a great souvenir of your time together.

To locate a travel agent near you, visit www.TravelSense.org’s Find a Travel Agent directory.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism.

ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Do you relish time spent in the wide-open spaces of the great outdoors, but you’re not a big fan of sleeping on uncomfortable sleeping bags in squeaky nylon tents?

“Glamping” provides travelers a welcome option when “roughing it” is simply not an option.

Reminescent of African safari era of days gone by, Far and Away adventures offers unforgettable “glamping” experiences combined with thrilling whitewater rafting on the stunning Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

After days of covering 100 tumbling whitewater rapids and 100 miles of breathtaking wilderness, guests are treated to spacious stand-up tents with all the comforts of home—comfortable beds, nightstands, and enough room to stand up and walk around—no crawling into these tents. Mouth-watering gourmet meals made from organic ingredients are served on fine china.

It’s like a four star resort on the wild of the river.

The American Safari experiences run for 6 days and 5 nights, covering miles of excitement, wonder, and awe on the famed Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

www.far-away.com

* Spending by cardholders will earn free stays in more than 300 hotels operated by Sol Meliá and special benefits during their stay

* The new credit card is an ideal resource for Sol Meliá frequent guests, providing access to a world of American Express exclusive services and protection

Madrid – American Express and Sol Meliá have launched the “American Express mas” card today, an exclusive new product through which Sol Meliá mas rewards loyalty programme members can earn free stays in more than 300 company hotels “twice or four times as fast” just by using their co-branded credit card for their daily purchases.

According to Juan Orti, Director of Sales and Strategic Alliances for American Express, “our market research and experience with co-branded alliances in the travel industry show that there is a strong demand for this type of card thanks to the fact that an increasing number of travellers are looking to get greater value from their business trips through points or gifts which they can later enjoy on leisure trips with friends and family.

There are also other travellers that appreciate the chance to extend their business trips with added leisure time, or others who appreciate access to exclusive services.”

The card is ideal for frequent travellers and for members of the Sol Meliá mas rewards programme.

Using the American Express mas credit card for their daily purchases, cardholders not only get free stays in Sol Meliá much quicker than they would by other means, but they also get access to a world of American Express exclusive services and protection, along with the prestige of belonging to a select club of cardholders.

The American Express mas (blue) card will also provide 10,000 welcome bonus points for new cardholders which can be exchanged for free hotel nights, free flights or other benefits. Every euro charged to the card will earn 2 mas rewards points which can be redeemed in a wide range of products and services. In addition, during the first year cardholders pay no card maintenance charges.

Travellers seeking even more exclusive services may opt for the American Express mas Gold card with even deeper access to the service excellence provided by American Express. Amongst other benefits, new cardholders will receive a 15,000 bonus point welcome gift and 4 mas rewards points for every euro they charge to their card. Gold cardholders also pay no card maintenance charges during the first year.

“Our research shows that, whatever the purchasing power of consumers, they are all increasingly looking for added values when it comes to choosing one or other product,” said Diego Rodríguez, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations at American Express.

“Both business and leisure travellers are constantly seeking added values when they spend.

This new alliance allows us to deliver that added value through access to a strong points programme adapted to their needs, together with a means of payment accepted everywhere worldwide, with great travel insurance, global assistance, limited responsibility for fraudulent use, urgent replacement worldwide and world famous brands with superior customer service.”

According to Gabriel Escarrer, Chief Executive Officer of Sol Meliá, “customer loyalty strategy is one of our company’s most competitive tools, and in recent years we have intensified our focus on alliances and synergies with industry leaders such as American Express so that we can add value for our customers, focus on quality and differentiation, and strengthen our leadership and competitiveness”.

The mas rewards loyalty programme was created in 1995 to provide exclusive benefits and privileges to reward Sol Meliá’s most loyal customers, and has gone on to become a fundamental support for company strategy, now with over 2,500,000 members and its own communication channels.

The programme boasts almost 40 key partners in different industries with which members can redeem points and is also highly committed to sustainable development, working with a number of different community involvement organisations.