Jetsettersblog

Hurtigruten unveiled plans for a Birds of the Nordic Coast theme cruise, which is scheduled to depart on the heels of Lundkommardagen (Puffins Day), when a black cloud of puffins descends on their spring breeding grounds on Lovund. The cruise departs Kirkenes on May 20 and heads south to Bergen.

Among the highlights are a Bird Watching Safari in the North Cape, learning to photograph birds near Tromsø, a Sea Eagle Safari near Svolvœr, and a visit to the UNESCO-listed Vega Archipelago, home to 228 species of birds. The six-day route follows the traditional fjord-indented Norwegian Coastal Voyage, stopping at 34 ports along the way. Prices range from $1,683 to $4,417 per person double.

The cruise will feature bird-watching opportunities, where passengers will have the opportunity to see many species, including puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, Arctic skuas, northern fulmars, Northern gannets and sea eagles. Guests have the opportunity to view 30,000 nesting pairs of puffins, known for their orange bills and feet, on the island of Lovund, while in Honningsvåg, an optional excursion heads of to the North Cape to see gannets and other birds.

An optional Midnight Sun trip in Tromsø takes guests to Prestvannet, a small lake that serves as home to an assortment of birds, including the red-throated loon. A visit to the historic Viking grounds of Lake Laugen offers a look at the colorful Slavonian Grebe and Velvet scoter. And, while en route to Trollfjord, an optional side trip allows for close-up views of white-tailed sea eagles as they swoop in to catch fish thrown to them by the crew. Onboard lectures by experts are designed to provide a better understanding of the birds and the history of their migration. For more information, call 877-301-3117 or visit www.hurtigruten.us

Hilton Worldwide signed a management agreement with Eros Resorts & Hotels Ltd, a company of Eros Group to manage two new properties in New Delhi’s fast-growing business district of Mayur Vihar. The agreement will see Hilton’s fourth Hilton Hotel & Resorts property in India, and the introduction of the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in India.

The properties are part of a twin-tower conversion project located in India’s capital city. Hilton New Delhi Mayur Vihar is scheduled to open within the next few months. The other building, which is currently operating as an unbranded hotel will officially open as DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi-Mayur Vihar soon.

Hilton New Delhi Mayur Vihar is a conversion project in an existing twin-tower complex located in Mayur Vihar, East Delhi. The adjoining tower will be the DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi Mayur Vihar. The complex sits on the intersection of the exit road of DND expressway connecting the east and west sections of New Delhi. It lies between two key Metro stations, further enhancing accessibility to Central and South Delhi.

Once completed, Hilton New Delhi Mayur Vihar will offer 173 guest rooms, including six suites, three food and beverage outlets including a lobby lounge and bar, an all-day dining restaurant and a specialty restaurant. Leisure facilities at the hotel will include a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art health club, a spa and an outdoor pool. There will also be an Executive Lounge, meeting facilities and an on-site car parking facility for the convenience of its guests.

DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi Mayur Vihar is part of a twin-tower complex. The property will have 196 guest rooms, including four suites. Guests will be able to dine at the all-day dining restaurant or a specialty restaurant. The hotel also is equipped with a business center, event space for corporate meetings or social functions for 600 guests, as well as an on-site car parking facility. There will be a fully-equipped health club and an outdoor pool.

Inclusive of these two new properties in New Delhi, Hilton Worldwide expects to open a total of 10 new hotels by 2012, including five Hilton Hotels & Resorts, three DoubleTree by Hiltons, a Hilton Garden Inn and a Hampton by Hilton. These properties are located in key Indian cities and hospitality markets, including New Delhi, Bangalore, Gurgaon and Baroda. For more information, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is expanding its portfolio in Canada. Property owners the Jesta Group and Groupe Canavar have officially flagged the Montreal Airport property a Sheraton, Starwood’s third Sheraton hotel in the Montreal area. The hotel is currently undergoing a multi-million renovation effort that includes all guestrooms and meeting space.

The hotel features 476 guest rooms, 19,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting facilities, and an inviting atmosphere designed to help travelers make connections into and out of the city. The hotel’s multi-million renovation project is currently underway and 170 rooms and suites have already been completely renovated.

The refurbishing of the hotel’s 20 meeting rooms complete with energy efficient LED lighting/floor to ceiling large window giving natural lighting, 20,000 square feet of banquet and convention facilities is also under way. A totally redesigned restaurant by CDID Design will overlook the newly landscaped and expanded garden complete with waterfall and pond ideal for weddings and special events. The hotel also will feature a new Kosher kitchen facility that will be made available to a select number of Montreal’s most prominent and well respected Kosher caterers. Phases two and three will roll out concurrently and will include the renovation of the remaining rooms, the inclusion of suites and the addition of a full service spa.

Located on Côte de Liesse, the Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel sits at the entrance to Trudeau International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Montreal. Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel will accommodate groups of up to 600 people in its 19,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s open air gardens, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, whirlpool, steam room and sauna. For more information, visit www.sheraton.com

To celebrate National Stress Awareness Month in April, several hotels in Santa Fe, N.M., are offering deals. Among them: The SháNah Spa and Wellness Center at The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa (800-732-2240, visit www.bishopslodge.com ) is offering 10 percent off treatments that include the Alpine Luxury Facial and the Purification Polish.

The Eldorado Hotel (505-995-4576, www.eldoradohotel.com ) is offering an 80-minute Spun Gold package that includes five treatments: a dry brushing, a hot stone treatment, a Swedish massage, a chakra stone ritual and application of 24-carat gold infused oil for ionizing properties. The package is priced at $175.

The Spa at Hotel Santa Fe (505-955-7844, www.spaathotelsantafe.com ) is offering a 90-minute Essential Desert Salt Glow and Massage using desert salts and essential oils for $175. For a complete listing of packages and general information about Santa Fe, call 800-777-2489 or visit www.santafe.org

The Morgan Hotel, named after Julia Morgan, the famed architect of Hearst Castle in San Simeon, has announced a 50 percent off sale on all standard and deluxe guestrooms. The offer is valid for bookings made by April 18 and travel completed by May 15. The offer applies to weekday and weekend arrivals, but there is a limit of rooms available each day. The rate includes continental breakfast and wireless Internet service. For more information, call 800-451-9900 or visit www.hotel-morgan.com

The Turks & Caicos’ Ocean Club Resorts is offering vacationers 25 percent off nightly rates for stays of four nights or longer in the summer and fall. Under the offer, rates start at $167 per room per night for stays May 1 through Dec. 15, 2011. The promotion is designed for families, couples and mutigenerational groups

Ocean Club Resorts has suites with kitchens or kitchenettes and washers/dryers. The resorts offer complimentary bikes, fitness centers, swimming pools, tennis courts and tennis equipment. Ocean Club is adjacent to the Provo Golf Club. For more information, call 800-457-8787 or visit www.oceanclubresorts.com

SeaWorld & Discovery Cove in Orland are offering all-new shows, experiences and adventures, as well as value-filled vacation packages and benefits like front-of-the-line access, free transportation and free, all-day dining. “One Ocean” is the all-new Shamu show featuring SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales as ambassadors of the sea and the ocean as the center of the natural world.

“Summer Nights at SeaWorld” is a nighttime spectacular and the only place to celebrate when the sun sets over Central Florida’s theme parks. The park’s daytime favorites change to nighttime spectacles, showcasing the park in a whole new light with Shamu Rocks, a Shamu show driven by a larger-than-life, rock-n-roll beat. Summer Nights also includes a sky-filling fireworks finale, and hottest of all, Manta, Orlando’s most unique roller coaster, under the stars.

The new Grand Reef takes a day at Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive tropical retreat in the heart of Orlando where guests swim with dolphins, hand-feed exotic birds in a free-flight aviary and relax on pristine beaches. The all-new saltwater reef is filled with thousands of tropical fish, eagle rays, zebra sharks and eels in shallow and deeper waters leaving guests to explore where they feel most comfortable. SeaVenture is an underwater walking tour where guests – wearing dive helmets – will feel right at home under the sea, getting up close to sharks and lionfish (safely behind glass), velvety rays and even star fish or sea urchins.

SeaWorld Orlando’s official hotels include free benefits, such as complimentary transportation to SeaWorld, Aquatica (SeaWorld’s waterpark), Discovery Cove and Universal Orlando; Complimentary front-of-the-line access to SeaWorld’s thrill rides; early entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica and exclusive access to the SeaWorld Rescue Tour on select days during peak seasons; and discounts on select food and gift purchases at SeaWorld and Aquatica. All guests staying at an official SeaWorld hotel have access to the exclusive benefits and only need to visit the hotel’s guest service desk for details.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Official Hotels represent a spectrum of lodging types, from affordable “select service” brands, to full-service resorts and even fully furnished vacation villas. Each of the six Official Hotels will offer the exclusive benefits and each hotel is within walking distance of SeaWorld. SeaWorld Orlando’s Official Hotels include the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Doubletree Orlando by Hilton at SeaWorld, Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld, Hilton Garden Inn at SeaWorld, SpringHill Suites Orlando at SeaWorld and the Fairfield Inn Orlando at SeaWorld.

SeaWorldVacations.com is the one-stop vacation shop to find out what’s new, book hotel rooms and purchase theme park tickets. For a limited time only, each trip booked through SeaWorldVacations.com with any of 25 hotel partners includes free all-day dining deals at SeaWorld and an opportunity to buy admission to Aquatica and/or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for only $39 each. Guests buying admission to those parks eat free all-day as well. For more information, visit www.SeaWorldVacations.com

Costa Rica’s Lost Iguana Resort & Spa and Villa Alegre Bed & Breakfast are offering travelers a six-night “No Worries Beach & Jungle Escape” packages featuring three nights each at property. The packages offer deluxe accommodations, private airport and resort transfers, in-room welcome baskets with wine and flowers, breakfast daily and a couple’s massage at Lost Iguana’s Golden Gecko Spa. The packages start at $1,590 per couple, a 30 percent savings off published rates. For more information, call 011-506-2267-6148, e-mail maritzalostiguana@mac.com  or visit www.lostiguanaresort.com

Yotel said it will launch its brand in the United States in June with the opening of Yotel New York located on West 42nd Street and 10th Avenue at Times Square West. The budget hotel will feature 669 stylish “cabins,” the company’s term for rooms.

Guests check in at airline-style kiosks. The hotel also features Yobot, the a luggage robot that stores left luggage and is part of a baggage management system. Yotel’s Premium Cabins, which are under 200 square feet, come with motorized moving beds for saving space; monsoon shower; Technowall with TV, music and power services; workstation; free Wi-Fi; and complimentary breakfast

Eighteen First Class Cabins and three VIP two Cabin Suites, come with private outdoor terraces and hot tubs. Yotel New York also will feature 18,000 square feet of flexible work and entertainment space:

Dohyo, the Japanese word for the Sumo wrestling platform and descriptive of Yotel’s original table sharing concept, is the hotel’s restaurant. Tables lower and raise for Japanese-style seating and a performance entertainment area out of dining hours. A Club Lounge features individual Club Cabins for meetings and private parties, bar and a DJ booth. A Studiyo is designed for meetings, yoga, cinema, events and parties. Finally The Terrace, which the company said will be New York’s largest outdoor hotel space, features two bars, pagodas, fire, and blankets for autumn evenings

Yotel New York can be booked for stays starting on June 15 at rates from $149 per night. A 3D walkthrough of the hotel is available at www.youtube.com/yotel.

Designed in collaboration with the Rockwell Group and Softroom, Yotel was originally conceived by the founder of Yo!, Simon Woodroffe, and realized by Yotel CEO Gerard Greene. “I was lucky enough to be upgraded to first class on British Airways,” said Woodroffe. “I went to sleep with the conundrum of how to create a flexible and convenient hotel experience at an affordable price. The Yotel brand is launching its first city center hotel, I expect Yotel to be in the world’s top 10 hotel brands in the next 10 years. Yotel totally fulfills the holy grail of retailing, a top-end product at a below expectation cost.”

“A solution to expensive and boring hotels, I wanted Yotel to use innovative radical design to create a mixture of luxury, fun, comfort and excitement at an affordable price, turning the hotel industry on its head,” said Greene CEO.

IFA Hotel Investments, a subsidiary of international resort and residential developer IFA Hotels & Resorts, oversees the investment in the Yotel brand. “We’re very excited about the opening of Yotel in New York,” said Joe Sita, president of IFA Hotel Investments. “Yotel is different from other investments we have in the hotel sector and we truly believe it represents the future of the hotel industry. It is a brand that is sure to grow exponentially over the next few years.”

Yotel launched as a revolutionary hotel concept in the summer of 2007, with its first location inside London’s Gatwick South terminal. In December 2007, the brand opened its second airport location inside London’s Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, followed by its third location in the airside transit area at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, in September 2008.

For more information, visit www.yotel.com.

Yotel said it will launch its brand in the United States in June with the opening of Yotel New York located on West 42nd Street and 10th Avenue at Times Square West. The budget hotel will feature 669 stylish “cabins,” the company’s term for rooms.

Guests check in at airline-style kiosks. The hotel also features Yobot, the a luggage robot that stores left luggage and is part of a baggage management system. Yotel’s Premium Cabins, which are under 200 square feet, come with motorized moving beds for saving space; monsoon shower; Technowall with TV, music and power services; workstation; free Wi-Fi; and complimentary breakfast

Eighteen First Class Cabins and three VIP two Cabin Suites, come with private outdoor terraces and hot tubs. Yotel New York also will feature 18,000 square feet of flexible work and entertainment space:

Dohyo, the Japanese word for the Sumo wrestling platform and descriptive of Yotel’s original table sharing concept, is the hotel’s restaurant. Tables lower and raise for Japanese-style seating and a performance entertainment area out of dining hours. A Club Lounge features individual Club Cabins for meetings and private parties, bar and a DJ booth. A Studiyo is designed for meetings, yoga, cinema, events and parties. Finally The Terrace, which the company said will be New York’s largest outdoor hotel space, features two bars, pagodas, fire, and blankets for autumn evenings

Yotel New York can be booked for stays starting on June 15 at rates from $149 per night. A 3D walkthrough of the hotel is available at www.youtube.com/yotel.

Designed in collaboration with the Rockwell Group and Softroom, Yotel was originally conceived by the founder of Yo!, Simon Woodroffe, and realized by Yotel CEO Gerard Greene. “I was lucky enough to be upgraded to first class on British Airways,” said Woodroffe. “I went to sleep with the conundrum of how to create a flexible and convenient hotel experience at an affordable price. The Yotel brand is launching its first city center hotel, I expect Yotel to be in the world’s top 10 hotel brands in the next 10 years. Yotel totally fulfills the holy grail of retailing, a top-end product at a below expectation cost.”

“A solution to expensive and boring hotels, I wanted Yotel to use innovative radical design to create a mixture of luxury, fun, comfort and excitement at an affordable price, turning the hotel industry on its head,” said Greene CEO.

IFA Hotel Investments, a subsidiary of international resort and residential developer IFA Hotels & Resorts, oversees the investment in the Yotel brand. “We’re very excited about the opening of Yotel in New York,” said Joe Sita, president of IFA Hotel Investments. “Yotel is different from other investments we have in the hotel sector and we truly believe it represents the future of the hotel industry. It is a brand that is sure to grow exponentially over the next few years.”

Yotel launched as a revolutionary hotel concept in the summer of 2007, with its first location inside London’s Gatwick South terminal. In December 2007, the brand opened its second airport location inside London’s Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, followed by its third location in the airside transit area at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, in September 2008.

For more information, visit www.yotel.com

AirTran Airways has begun daily nonstop service between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and L.F. Wade International Airport in St. George’s, Bermuda. In addition to this new service from BWI, AirTran next month will add flights to Bermuda from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it operates the world’s largest low-cost carrier hub. For more information, visit www.airtran.com