Jetsettersblog

Broadway.com/Groups, a resource for group theater ticket sales, introduced a new group booking website at www.Broadway.com/Groups that streamlines reservations, providing richer content and downloadable media to help planners market and sell their tour programs.

New features of the site include behind-the-scenes videos and photography, cast photos and show logos designed to help tour operators and planners navigate quickly to find the best Broadway show experience for their groups and to help them market and sell each tour.

And the simpler “How It Works” navigation to buying group tickets at preferred group prices provides three steps to finding and booking the ideal show, along with suggestions to enrich the Broadway experience with Broadway Classroom workshops, dining and even theater walking tour options.

Broadway.com/Groups offers access and great savings for groups to Broadway’s most anticipated shows, including Daniel Radcliffe in “How to Succeed in Business”; Sutton Foster in the revival of “Anything Goes”; “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”; “Sister Act”; and “Wonderland,” the first musical take on the beloved C.S. Lewis tales.

The site has a Group Sales Widget (www.broadway.com/groups/widget ) available in two versions — one for tour operators who package shows with other tour components and one for those who prefer to have their clients book directly at Broadway.com/Groups.

The Widget features a direct link to booking and allows users to create interactive playlists from cast albums of featured shows to help in the decision process.

It also allows users to view and share video footage and production photos, browse show descriptions, age appropriateness and group minimums. Users simply copy and paste the Widget HTML code onto their website.

The Group Sales Widget currently features 18 of Broadway’s hottest shows: “Anything Goes!”; “Billy Elliot”; “Catch Me If You Can”; “Chicago”; “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”; “Jersey Boys”; “La Cage Aux Folles”; “Mamma Mia!”; “Mary Poppins”; “Memphis”; “Million Dollar Quartet”; “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”; “Sister Act”; “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark”; “The Addams Family”; “The Lion King”; “The Phantom of the Opera”; and “Wonderland.”

Broadway.com/Groups also offers the exclusive Broadway Classroom program, a selection of customizable workshops that bring the excitement of live Broadway theatre to team building and skill development activities for corporate and student groups.

For information, call 800-BROADWAYx2 or visit www.broadway.com/groups

At least six historic buildings near the cruise port in Downtown Nassau, Bahamas, were destroyed Monday and others were damaged in a massive fire on Bay Street, causing damage estimated in the millions of dollars, according to local press reports. The wind-swept fire started at about 8 a.m. at the Betty K Agency Ltd., completely gutting six buildings and damaging three others. No serious injuries were reported.

The damaged structures are expected to be torn down.

The building in which the blaze broke out may be the most notable of the several colonial-era structures to fall to the fire.

“There were some beautiful, historic buildings that are burnt down now, especially the Betty K,” Charles Klonaris, a downtown businessman, told the Nassau Guardian. “We looked at [Betty K] as being something unique and very historic,” he said.

AAVacations.com, the exclusive site for American Airlines flights combined with hotel packages, has received a visual redesign to upgrade the travel-planning experience. To celebrate the site redesign, American Airlines Vacations LLC is hosting the $1,500 Vacation-A-Day Giveaway sweepstakes, which gives away $1,500 toward a trip for 21 consecutive days.

Featured in the site redesign are two new features to www.AAVacations.com — the ability to search and browse by destination, and the ability to search and browse by vacation type, such as a family vacation, ski vacation or beach vacation, to name a few examples.

The redesign also highlights a new look that includes larger photos and graphics, along with detailed information about featured destinations.

Members of the AAdvantage program who book online can also earn 500 AAdvantage miles per booking.

American Airlines Vacations has special access to unpublished, discounted fares on American flights and negotiated rates with hotels and resorts around the world.

The $1,500 Vacation-A Day-Giveaway celebrates the redesigned site. Beginning today through March 7, American Airlines Vacations is giving away daily a $1,500 voucher that can be used toward an American Airlines Vacations package. To enter the sweepstakes, register or book at www.AAVacations.com/promo

Participants can receive one entry for registering and one entry for booking.

Full details for entering the sweepstakes can be found at www.AAVacations.com/promo.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts makes a fashionable entrance in the heart of Manhattan’s Fashion District with the reflagging of Fashion 26, a hotel weaving together elements of America’s garment industry to shape unique guest experiences, as Hilton New York Fashion District.

The opening of the chic, boutique-style hotel marks the Hilton brand’s fifth hotel in New York City.

Located on West 26th Street just off Seventh Avenue, where the Fashion District meets Chelsea, Hilton New York Fashion District makes its mark with an inspired fashion theme that nods to New York City glamour and complements an array of four-star services and upscale amenities.

The hotel’s stylish public and private spaces, ranging from elegant and hand-selected, in-room furnishings to a signature wood reception desk that recalls a fashion studio cutting-room table, were created by prominent designer Glen Coben.

The hotel offers 280 custom-tailored guestrooms with modern design elements that feature commissioned photographs that capture the essence of American garment-making.

All of the luxuriously appointed guest rooms feature in-room amenities including Frette bed linens and towels, 37-inch LG flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffee maker, iHome clock-radio and docking station, large work desk with ergnomoic chair and laptop size safe.

Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Rare Bar and Grill, the hotel’s upscale burger concept that features several gourmet hamburgers, poultry, fish, hearty salads, artisanal cheeses and Rare’s famous fried Oreo ice cream dessert.

Rare View is the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge set above the 22nd floor that provides views of Manhattan’s iconic skyline and the Empire State Building.

Hilton New York Fashion District is currently the only Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in New York City to feature a rooftop bar.

Meeting venues can accommodate up to 80 attendees including a conference room and pre-set boardroom, business guests will meet in style at the Hilton New York Fashion District while enjoying the latest communication and presentation technologies available. Rounding out the hotel’s distinctive meeting venues are a semi-private dining room set above the main dining room at Rare Bar and Grill, as well as the rooftop bar, which is open seasonally for special events.

Additional guest amenities include fashion-themed welcome cupcakes presented to guests upon check-in, 24-hour room service, a business center, and a fitness center.

Texas Tourism has added a mobile site and increased its web tools on its website, TravelTex.com. The mobile site, www.m.traveltex.com , is an all-inclusive resource of Texas travel tools with information on more than 400 cities, thousands of attractions and events, and more options to assist travelers in vacation planning.

The mobile website provides access to the Trip Planner interactive planning tool, which allows consumers to plan their Texas vacations and share their itineraries with friends and family, complete with Google maps and directions. The mobile site also features a “Near Me” GPS locator that highlights attractions and events within close proximity of the user.

A search function allows users to find categorized attractions and events.

Users can also explore Texas from their mobile device via free podcast walking tours and Texas videos.

Finally, users can order the free Texas State Travel Guide through the mobile site.

In addition, new, dedicated landing pages on TravelTex.com highlight timely Texas happenings, including special events throughout the winter season (www.traveltex.com/things-to-do/events/family ), celebrations of the 175th anniversary of Texas Independence (www.traveltex.com/plan-your-trip/anniversary ), and tips for planning a getaway in several charming South Texas cities (www.traveltex.com/plan-your-trip/goexploring ).

Moreover, 20 documentary-style Texas videos are featured on the site, offering previews of local hot spots and lesser-known travel experiences.

For more information, call 800-888-8839.

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. is offering post Valentine’s Day “romantic add-ons” including a private, four-course dinner on the beach ($295) or a secluded picnic for two including roundtrip transportation to an intimate island spot for a gourmet picnic for two with champagne, lobster salad, assorted cheese, fruit and bread ($150).

Bolongo Bay has also extended the booking window on its five-night romance package, which offers more than 20 percent off five-night stays through March 31, and includes a romantic sunset cocktail cruise, champagne and rose petals on the bed upon arrival, and three-course dinner with wine at the Lobster Grille.

The package is priced at $1,837, double occupancy, and must be booked by March 15. For more information, call 800-524-4746 or visit www.BolongoBay.com

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Sheridan, Wyo., as one of its 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Sheridan, nominated by Sheridan Travel and Tourism, was selected for its Main Street commercial district, recreational opportunities and authentic Western character, all set “in the shadow of the Big Horns.”

From Feb. 15 to March 15, Sheridan will participate in a public online vote to select the 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations Fan Favorite.

To vote, visit www.preservationnation.org/ddd. For general information on the National Trust for Historic Preservation, visit www.preservationnation.org

For information on Sheridan, Wyo., call 888-596-6787 or visit www.sheridanwyoming.org

The Sands at Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos launched a “11.11.11 Wedding of the Decade Package,” which will offer special packages for two couples seeking to enjoy a “dream destination wedding” on Nov. 11, 2011.

The packages feature 11 separate elements, including an oceanside 11:11 a.m. wedding ceremony on the beach, to private sunset cruise with champagne for up to 35 guests, and a celebratory fireworks display at 11:11 p.m.

All wedding guests receive an exclusive 11 percent discount off resort stay.

The package is priced at $15,000 per couple (based on a wedding party of approximately 60 people), and does not include accommodations or the rehearsal dinner and reception dining, allowing couples to customize their wedding by selecting their preferred suite and length of stay.

Couples can also opt for cuisine from Hemingway’s beachfront restaurant, which offers an array of catering and dining options for the rehearsal and reception dinners starting at $50 per person.

The Sands at Grace Bay also offers wedding and reception services photography and videography, flowers and decoration options, reception DJ and live music entertainment options, and equipment and tent rentals.

The package will be offered on a first-come, first-reserve basis to two couples with wedding parties up to 60 people per couple.

A 50 percent deposit of $7,500 will be required at the time of booking.

All wedding party guests including the bride/groom will receive an exclusive 11 percent discount off the resort rack room rates and will have access to complimentary watersports equipment and bicycle rentals during their visit.

For more information, contact Raymond Yip at ryip@thesandstc.com  or visit www.thesandstc.com

The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino completed a $4 million dollar renovation of its on-property casino.

The renovation includes the new Lounge 101, a sleek contemporary bar located within the expansive casino.

Other new elements include a new floor design, an updated wallpaper design, resurfaced ceilings, new VIP desks and a massive contemporary chandelier. “This renovation and the addition of Lounge 101 further emphasize our goal of enhancing vacation experiences,” said Antoinette van den Berg, director of sales and marketing for Aruba Marriott Resort.

For more information call, 888-PARADISE or visit www.arubamarriott.com.

Sonesta Resorts Sint Maarten is offering travelers a 35 percent off published rates and free breakfast at its two beachfront properties, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino.

Under the offer, rates start at $144 per night at the Sonesta Maho and at $126 for the Sonesta Great Bay, and apply to ocean view category rooms or higher. Travel must be booked by March 31 for travel through April 2, 2011.

For more information call 800-SONESTA or visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten.