Jetsettersblog

Sol Meliá has opened additional rooms at its Stella Maris Resort complex on the coast of Umag in Croatia with the opening of the four-star Sol Amfora Hotel with 134 apartments. The new apartments complement the existing Sol Stella (apartments), Meliá Istrian Villas (luxury villas) and Stella Maris (camp site), to satisfy the needs of a wide range of different types of traveler.

The Sol Amfora provides four different types of apartment — Classic, Premium, Superior and Family, with one or two bedrooms and measuring up to 61 square meters. The apartments cater for between three and five people, and all of them provide a kitchen, bathroom, lounge and terrace. The Stella Maris Resort also offers a great choice of dining options including two à la carte restaurants, one buffet restaurant and a pizzeria, as well as snack bars and cafés. Amongst the facilities are also a salt-water swimming pool, children’s pool, games centre, supermarket and Internet corners spread throughout the hotel. For more information, visit www.solmelia.com

Hyatt Gold Passport announced a new global campaign and promotion, which encourages members to use their points as opportunities to explore the world. The global campaign reinforces the loyalty of Hyatt Gold Passport to its members and is focused on making travel a reality for members earning and redeeming points.

The campaign, which will run in print and online media, as well as through an interactive “Possibilities” tab on the Hyatt Gold Passport Facebook page, will help bring to life the notion that points are so much more than just points; rather they are endless possibilities waiting to happen. To introduce the global campaign, Hyatt Gold Passport launched a global promotion, which runs through June 30, 2011, and allows Hyatt Gold Passport members to earn 10,000 Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points after every five eligible nights at any Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide, plus an additional 5,000 bonus points for every two nights thereafter up to a maximum of 60,000 bonus points. There are no black-out dates for redemption at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and the bonus points can be used for free nights, upgrades, miles and more.

To earn thousands of Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points, travelers must be a Hyatt Gold Passport member; register for the promotion online at www.goldpassport.com/possibilities; stay five eligible nights to earn 10,000 Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points, plus every two nights thereafter, members earn an extra 5,000 points through June 30, 2011; and provide their Hyatt Gold Passport account number at the time of reservation and check-in. Members can earn a maximum of 60,000 bonus points under this promotion. For full details, including terms and conditions, visit www.goldpassport.com/possibilities. Travelers interested in becoming a Hyatt Gold Passport member can enroll online at www.goldpassport.com, by phone (800-51-HYATT), or at the time of check-in at any Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

To help provide even more opportunities to discover the world, Hyatt Gold Passport has launched the “Picture the Possibilities” Sweepstakes on the Hyatt Gold Passport Facebook page. The sweepstakes will run during the promotional period and will award one entrant every Friday with 5,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points, helping travelers get one step closer to making their travel possibilities a reality. To participate in the “Picture the Possibilities” sweepstakes, or to learn more about the Hyatt Gold Passport promotion, visit the Hyatt Gold Passport Facebook page. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com

Traditional Khmer music, Buddhist monks, Cambodia’s deputy prime minister and apsaras helped announce the grand opening of the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra on March 29. The property, Phnom Penh’s first new five-star hotel in more than a decade, has eight restaurants and bars, meetings facilities, spa, sports club and an executive lounge.

Located on the banks of a canal, with views of both the Mekong River and the Bassac, the Sofitel features a swimming pool and the So Spa, a wellness concept that debuted in London last year. Meanwhile, the hotel’s executive quarters, Club Millésime, and its ballroom are lures to corporate business. The $50 million hotel development is the third in a group that includes the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra and the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra. The Siem Reap (Angkor) property in particular has won international acclaim as one of the finest resorts in Southeast Asia. The hotel’s city-side front is located against Phnom Penh’s old French quarter, itself in the midst of a district-wide residential makeover. Within walking distance is the Royal Palace, the National Museum and Sisowath Quay, an attractive waterfront café scene.

Accommodation ranges across seven classes, from 121 Superior rooms to 45 Luxury, 23 Junior Suites, 11 Prestige Suites and one Opera Suite. Wooden floors, glass-walled baths and classic appointments distinguish every option. More than 150 of the hotel’s rooms overlook the Mekong. Show kitchens anchor several of the hotel’s restaurants. The hotel’s ballroom received a $2 million investment in audio-visual technology. Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 120 addresses, in almost 40 countries (more than 30,000 rooms). For more information, visit www.sofitel.com

La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., has unveiled of newly redesigned guestrooms and suites. The new design features a color palette of blues, greens and terra cotta and inspired by La Costa’s outdoor scenery. The guestroom color palette for the Fairway, Courtside and Plaza guestrooms and suites plays off of the La Costa blue and cream with hints of terra cotta and gold. The color palette reflects the architecture, water and flora found on the property. Many elements in the guestrooms, from case goods to fabrics, also pick up the quatrefoil pattern, as seen in the property’s fountains. The hotel also has added outlets adjacent to the beds and desks for cell phones or laptops, as well as reading lights at the beds and two desk chairs in most rooms.

The resort’s La Costa Rooms have their own color palette of soft greens and creams with hints of Day Lily Gold. Surrounded by palms, birds of paradise and the garden pools, these rooms are designed to blend the outdoors with the indoors, each with a sitting area, a custom-designed desk, and a king or double queen beds. Each marble bathroom features an oversized soaking tub, a separate shower, dual vanities and La Costa Coco Mango spa amenities. Many La Costa Rooms offer private patios. For more information, call 800-854-5000 or visit www.lacosta.com  Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about La Costa Resort and Spa.

The Sukhothai Bangkok has launched its new mobile website, ensuring easy access to hotel information from smartphones. Guests using an iPhone, Blackberry or Android are able to visit the hotel website by going to www.sukhothai.com , where they will be automatically redirected to a mobile version of the website.

A wide range of information is available on the mobile site including accommodation and restaurant information, spa service details, meetings, weddings and other guest services, as well as a gallery of hotel photos are all optimized for mobile users. This new channel also includes useful directions, a map and those all-important instructions for taxis to get to the hotel, written in Thai, together with direct links to call the hotel from within the content. For more information, visit www.sukhothai.com   Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about the Sukhothai.

With more than 350 inches of snow and known internationally for its powder, Steamboat Springs is a skier’s paradise. The Porches, Steamboat’s premier luxury home community, is offering discounts on spring skiing packages. Located at the base of Steamboat Ski Resort, The Porches is offering guests a 30 percent discount on nightly rental rack-rates, starting at $1175. Book now through the end of Steamboat’s ski season, April 10. For reservations or more information, visit www.theporches.com

Several Oahu hotels are undergoing renovations. This spring, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa (800-445-8667, www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com)  will begin making improvements to its Rainbow Tower. The renovation will include new soft and hard goods, including tubs, sinks, counters, beds and televisions. The work will be done in phases, beginning with the top two floors, and is expected to be completed by mid-December.

The Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach (877-995-2638, www.courtyardwaikiki.com)  is currently undergoing lobby renovations that will be completed by June. The lobby will feature additional working stations in the business center, new lobby furniture, The Market, and an interactive “Go Board.”

Beginning this summer, the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki (800-367-5004, www.castleresorts.com/Home/accommodations/ocean-resort-hotel-waikiki)  will undergo a complete renovation, rebranding and repositioning as the Hyatt Place Waikiki, under new owner The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC. The renovation will include a renewed pool deck, a total redesign of the lobby, and a full refurbishment of the guestrooms and kitchenettes. Renovations to the entire property are expected to be completed by April 2012.

The Doubletree-Alana Hotel Waikiki (800-222-8733, www.doubletree.com)  recently completed its $16 million redesign, which included makeovers to the guestrooms, public areas, function space and dining outlets. The 317-room hotel is located at the entrance to Waikiki, close to the beach and the Hawaii Convention Cente

Several hotels and resorts in Scottsdale, Ariz., are offering summer deals. At the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, guests receive 20 percent off accommodations and $20 credits for Alvadora Spa and T. Cook’s restaurant for a romantic getaway, starting at a nightly room rate of $159. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa is offering a romance package for a nightly rate of $199, including a chilled bottle of sparkling wine, daily breakfast for two and access to the Golden Door Spa.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is focusing on families with a nightly room rate of $249 per night for connecting rooms or a suite and a daily, $100 resort credit. Children ages 12 and under eat free at Nellie Cashman’s. Nightly room rates at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North starting at $129, and children will find an age-specific surprise waiting for them upon arrival and can participate in Pajama Jam, where they’re treated to pizza and a movie while parents dine in one of the resort’s restaurants.

For a guys’ getaway, the Sunsational Summer package at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort includes golf at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, a $75-per-night resort credit, 20 percent off services at Amethyst Spa and $10 in free slot play at Fort McDowell Casino from a nightly room rate of $139. The JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is offering a Just Bring Your Swing package. Starting at $279 per night, the package includes unlimited golf for two on Camelback Golf Club’s championship golf courses, unlimited club and shoe rental, golf balls, and a course yardage guide.

For a girls’ getaway, the W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences is offering a $189 nightly room rate that includes a Wonderful Room, a pitcher of mojitos by the pool and a W beach tote with aloe body mist and Chapstick. The Phoenician is offering a fourth night free, a $100 food and beverage credit and a complimentary upgrade for $229 per night. For more information, call 800-782-1117 or visit www.summerinscottsdale.com

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on Hawaii’s Big Island is offering a Room with a View deal, featuring a guaranteed ocean view room for a nightly room rate of $395. Bookings must be made by April 15 for travel through Aug. 31. The hotel is located at the Mauna Lani Resort along three miles of the Kohala Coast. For more information, call 800-637-2323 or visit www.maunalani.com

The Royal Kona Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island is offering a five-night Royal Creations wedding package. Included are an oceanfront suite, daily buffet breakfast, and an ocean view ceremony with flowers, music, photography, reception, champagne, cocktails, wedding cake and DJ service, among other perks. The package is priced is $13,999. Bookings made by Dec. 31, 2011, for weddings held by Dec. 31, 2012, will receive $1,999 off. For more information, call 808-930-3243 or visit www.royalweddingshawaii.com