Jetsettersblog

Acqualina Resort & Spa, in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., debuted its deluxe three-bedroom, three-bathroom oceanfront suite located on the hotel’s 31st floor featuring views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The 2,375-square-foot suite, designed by Miami based Zeke Fernandez, features a double door entreal with wood panels leading to a foyer area.

The spacious room has two lounge spaces including a media area featuring 42-inch flat-screen TV, PlayStation 3 with an embedded DVD and Blu-Ray player and a reading area with custom built sofas, writing desk and a wine bar station.

A fully equipped gourmet kitchen includes a Sub-Zero built-in refrigerator/freezer, designer granite countertops with full back splash, Italian limited edition cabinets, microwave and dishwasher.

There is also a six-person dining area with bay windows and floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The 335-square-foot private terrace boasts views of the Atlantic coastline and provides the ideal place for any sunrise or sunset occasion.

The oceanfront master bedroom features a king size bed, walk-in closet, 42-inch TV, and Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer.

The master bathroom showcases imported marble flooring, his and hers sinks with a custom vanity area, glass-enclosed shower and a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub that couples can relax in.

The suite also includes a family bedroom and a guest bedroom, both featuring a common terrace boasting views of the Miami skyline. This suite is one of the only two accommodations on the 31st floor.

The suite goes for $3,250 per night and can be booked at www.acqualinaresort.com.

South African Airways (SAA) has announced that its popular New York to Johannesburg service will now also operate nonstop from Johannesburg to New York, resulting in the fastest way to travel between New York and Southern Africa.

Currently, flight SA203 from Johannesburg to New York makes a one-hour passenger and refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal.

Starting May 1, flight SA203 will depart Johannesburg at 8:35 p.m. for a nonstop journey to New York that will arrive at 6:40 a.m. the following day.

The change now means that SAA offers nonstop flights both to and from New York’s JFK airport to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The new flight schedule will result in shorter travel times and allow even easier connections from throughout more of Africa.

In addition, when travelers arrive in New York, they will have even more morning connection choices through a number of airlines that can take them to points throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Lindblad Expeditions is offering up to $1,000 off on its “Island Odyssey: Azores, Madeira & Channel Isles” trip. The new itinerary includes three days in Madeira at Reid’s Palace, the legendary Orient Express hotel.

The 16-day expedition will depart May 2 aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer.

The offer features savings of up to $1,000 on select cabin categories, plus complimentary international air based on economy group flights from Newark to Madeira with the return from London to Newark.

Reservations must be made by Feb. 28 and is applicable for new bookings only.

Three days will be spent in the Azores at the height of whale-watching activity.

The journey then will visit the Isles of Scilly to see the Tresco Abbey Garden, Fowey to view the Eden Project, and the Channel Islands.

Onboard, Lindblad’s new Skills@Sea Learning Adventure Program offers workshops on maritime navigation, photography with a National Geographic photographer, cooking and more. For the first time, Lindblad will offer the services of a specialist from Miraval, a destination resort in Arizona focused on healthy and sustainable living.

This special voyage will feature Greg Marshall, a scientist, filmmaker and inventor of the Crittercam, who will share his studies on marine species, and Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, a scientist who will speak on how to improve our brains’ function as we age.

Rates begin at $10,990 per person based on double occupancy.

For more information, call 800-EXPEDITION or visit www.expeditions.com

Windstar Cruises will host Bob Iantosca of Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Carneros Vineyards and Julia Iantosca of Lasseter Family Winery on Wind Surf’s April 24 Barcelona-to-Rome voyage.

Since joining Gloria Ferrer in 1984, winemaker Bob Iantosca has created more award-winning California sparkling wines than any other single winemaker. Julia Iantosca, consulting winemaker for Lasseter Family Winery, has developed outstanding reds for small, premium wineries for 30 years.

The seven-day cruise visits Palma de Mallorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portofino and Livorno, Italy. Cruise rates start at $2,199 per person, double occupancy.

Crystal Cruises’ fall voyages are now on sale with newly reduced fares from as low as $2,400 per person and new Penthouse and Verandah savings up to $8,000 per couple.

Beginning with its Aug. 26 Mediterranean cruise on Crystal Serenity and its first 2011 Canada/New England cruise on Crystal Symphony, Crystal is offering new savings on every one of its 22 fall cruises, including both Christmas/New Year departures.

Guests will still receive up to $2,000 per couple “All Inclusive-As You Wish” shipboard credits and free air from more than 20 North American gateways, now including Honolulu.

Crystal’s fall collection includes cruises to the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, Canary Islands including Morocco, Holy Land, Big Band trans-Atlantics, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, Canada/New England, Pacific Coast and holiday cruises to Hawaii and the Caribbean, with Panama Canal highlights.

“CLIA [Cruise Lines International Association] recently reported travel agent optimism for 2011 cruise sales,” said Bill Smith, senior vice president-sales and marketing.

We want to take advantage of this surging market interest with a strong price/value message.

This is a great chance for new, value-conscious travelers to take an introductory cruise and learn why 60 percent of people who book a vacation with us are repeat guests.”

The Condominium Connection is offering the Suite-est Deal promotion at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk through June 15.

This promotion is available in all room categories for stays of five or more nights.

In addition, guests receive $100 in Beach Bucks per room, which can be redeemed at shops and restaurants located at Waikiki Beach Walk.

For more information, call 800-423-2976 or visit www.condoconnection.com

Several San Diego Hotels are offering Valentine’s Day packages.

The US Grant (866-716-8136, www.greystonehotels.com) , a Starwood Luxury Collection property in downtown San Diego, is offering the Cheek-to-Cheek package, valid Thursday through Sunday from Feb. 10 through April 30.

The package starts at a nightly room rate of $355 and includes a one-hour private ballroom dance lesson at Champion Ballroom Academy, private transportation to and from the dance studio, valet parking at the hotel, and accommodations in a Legacy Suite.

The Tower23 Hotel (866-869-3723, www.tower23hotel.com)  in Pacific Beach is offering three Love Awaits packages, valid Feb. 11 to 15.

The Suite Heart package, priced at $699 per couple, per night, includes a Sanctuary Suite with Jacuzzi tub, a bottle of sparkling wine, a bath amenity, chocolate-covered strawberries and complimentary parking.

The Between the Sheets package, priced at $479, includes accommodations in a Surf Pad, “naughty” turn-down service and champagne breakfast for two in bed.

And the Down With Love package, aimed at single girlfriends, is priced at $399 and includes accommodations in a Sky Pad with two queen beds, two cocktails upon arrival, an in-room movie, chocolates, and parking for two vehicles.

The Rancho Bernardo Inn (866-579-8043, www.ranchobernardoinn.com)  in East San Diego County is offering a Champagne & Caviar package through Feb. 28.

Nightly room rates start at $595.

Included are a couples’ caviar spa treatment in a private cabana, champagne and dessert treats, a poolside cocktail reception, a seven-course tasting menu at El Bizcocho restaurant with wine pairings, and breakfast in bed for two.

For a complete listing and more information, call 619-236-1212

or visit www.sandiego.org

British holidaymakers fall in love with Aruba: the island continues bucking the trend in the Caribbean, with year-on-year UK visitors increasing by more than 26 per cent in 2010.

This comes on top of another record year, as in 2009 UK visitors to Aruba went up by 28 per cent, exceeding for the first time 10,000 in a single year.

The Aruba Tourism Authority anticipates that it will surpass the 15,000 mark in 2011.

Although often accused as “too Americanised”, the island seems to be striking a real chord with UK holidaymakers – and those who visit this year will find a series of new and recently renovated hotels:

* Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort is the latest hotel addition on Aruba’s famous Palm Beach. Modern, colourful and striking, it is housed in four eight-storey buildings, adding 140 spacious beachfront studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, with picture windows and large private balconies with sweeping views.

* Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, one of Aruba’s most intimate beach resorts, has introduced newly refurbished Deluxe Ocean and Deluxe Garden View rooms, following a series of extensive renovations. The two-storey Manchebo features just 71 rooms, all with contemporary décor and top-range amenities.

* The Radisson Aruba Resort is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment plan, which is expected to cost more than 20 million pounds.

The renovation project, which will include all guest rooms, is scheduled to be fully completed in summer 2011, however the resort remains open for business during this time.

* The Aruba Marriott Resort has now finished the last phase of its £33 million renovation.

The Resort’s fully renovated rooms are the most spacious (400sq feet) on the island, each offering Marriott’s Revive bedding, contemporary bathrooms, 37” LCD flat-panel TVs and large private balconies.

* The boutique Brickell Bay Beach Club, on Aruba’s Palm Beach, recently completed a major renovation, which saw the upgrade of the hotel’s 100 rooms and suites, the Intermezzo Spa, as well as its fitness and business centres.

Other recent and upcoming developments on the island include:

* Aruba in Style launches in November, with global event management group IMG Fashion, whose portfolio includes the Fashion Weeks in New York and Milan, behind the new annual event.

With some of the best designer retail offerings in the Caribbean, Aruba in Style event is expected to further showcase the island as a chic, sophisticated destination.

* The largest linear park in the Caribbean began construction this month. Stretching from Aruba’s International Airport and along the north coastline, it will welcome visitors with a fully landscaped 10-mile corridor of green zones, walking and bike paths and supreme ocean vistas. The first phase will be completed within six months.

* Already recognised by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world, Bucuti Beach Resort has now introduced an adults-only policy.

Refined, sophisticated and designed with romance in mind, Bucuti’s peaceful atmosphere sets it apart from Aruba’s larger resorts, which are more family orientated.

* Work is underway on the luxury Ritz Carlton, Aruba’s new exclusive 320-room oceanfront resort.

The seventh property in the brand’s portfolio in the Caribbean, the hotel will bring a new level of elegance in accommodation and amenities to the island and is projected to open in late 2012.

More than 30 UK tour operators now feature the island, including Kuoni, Thomas Cook Signature, Hayes & Jarvis and lastminute.com, while as of last October Aruba is also available through British Airways’ website, as part of the airline’s increased partnership with American Airlines.

For more information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com

Dolce Hotels & Resorts’ Ravella at Lake Las Vegas, which is set to open Feb. 11, has launched a promotion through Facebook and Twitter that lets followers offer discounted room rates to friends while earning rewards for themselves.

The Ravella at Lake Las Vegas Escape promotion gives participants a personal booking code for a 30 percent room discount that they can offer to their Facebook and Twitter followers.

The more their unique code is used to book rooms, the greater their own rewards.

Ten unique bookings on the participant’s code grants a free weekend stay; 15 unique bookings earns a free weekend stay plus breakfast for two; 20 unique bookings grants all of the above, plus dinner for two; and 30 unique bookings earns all of the above plus an upgrade to a suite.

This promotion is not open to travel agents, and all bookings are non-commissionable and non-refundable.

The personal codes are valid until Feb. 28. Nights available for bookings are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and all free stays must be used before Dec. 31.

All bookings under a single reservation name over the course of a weekend counts as one booking.

The discounted rate includes Wi-Fi, parking and two water bottles. Resort fee and taxes are not included in the promotion.

This promotion cannot be combined with any other offers.

Dinner is capped at $150 for two people. The booking of the free stay is based on hotel availability. To obtain a personal code, tweet @ravellavegas.

For hotel information, call 888-810-0440 or visit www.ravellavegas.com

New York State’s Erie Canal corridor has been welcoming world travellers since 1825. In recent years, the efforts to preserve the natural beauty and safeguard the numerous historic locks, aqueducts and lifts along the canal have redoubled, resulting in the areas’ designation as a Nation Heritage Corridor in 2000.

Today the Historic Erie canal, which stretches across upstate New York from Lake Erie in Buffalo to the Hudson River in Albany, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, boaters and history buffs.

The Erie Canal was North America’s most successful and influential public works project. Built between 1817 and 1825, the 365 mile long canal was the first all-water link between the Atlantic Seaboard and Great Lakes serving as a vital transportation and trade route for more than a century.

A day along the tranquil waters of the Erie Canal reveals untold cultural treasures and spellbinding scenery.

The 365 mile Erie Canalway Trail, a popular destination for day-trippers and active families, supports an array of outdoor adventures such as cycling, hiking and wildlife watching.

For adventures on the water, the canal offers a myriad of activities from canoeing and kayaking to fishing and narrow boating.

The natural and scenic beauty of the canal corridor can also be experienced by meandering through the scenic villages and towns along the waterway.

Historic communities such as Little Falls and Sylvan Beach afford visitors the opportunity learn about the importance of the former commerce route and experience the pleasure of canal cruising for themselves.

Culture vultures can delve into the history of the Erie Canal at the New York State Canal Barge and Marine Museum in Oswego New York.

The museum features a collection of Great Lakes artefacts and regional paintings www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com

The Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse New York is also a must see attraction for boating enthusiasts.

The hands-on museum educates visitors about the history of the Erie Canal and features a reproduction of a canal boat, changing exhibits, and children’s activity centers. www.eriecanalmuseum.org

For visitors who seek more city-culture than country-calm, the Erie Canal also bisects major metropolitan areas such as Buffalo, Rochester and Albany.

For more information about adventures along the Erie Canal visit: www.eriecanalway.org

About New York State

New York State features 11 beautiful regions with exciting attractions that span from landmarks such as Niagara Falls, and Allegany State Park to family friendly treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the Museum of Glass in Corning.

Whether it’s stimulating outdoor activities, culinary wonders or the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies, New York State offers diverse and dynamic activities and attractions for all travellers.

For more information visit www.nylovesu.co.uk