Jetsettersblog

San José, Costa Rica – This summer and fall, leave work and life stresses at home and round up your favourite gal-pal for a Central American girlfriend getaway.

From now through November 15, 2011, Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality is offering new Girlfriend Getaway Packages at five of its Costa Rican and Nicaraguan properties. Known around the world for their highly sustainable and Earth-friendly ways, the hotels and lodges offer a range of outdoor activities for girls on-the-go with on-site amenities for ladies in need of relaxation including: surf lessons, ziplining over a rainforest canopy, rebalancing the sprit with private yoga, learning to make authentic tortillas, and more.

“Our studies show that the dream Girlfriend Getaway often includes an international destination, a long weekend, a pool or beach location, and plenty of fun things to do in the company of their inspirational female buddies,” said Managing Director of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, Andrea Bonilla. “We’ve created our new Girlfriend Getaway Packages specifically around these interests. We set the stage for a fabulous getaway during a time when we can offer great value.”

Perks of the Girlfriend Getaway Packages vary at each of the Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality properties:

Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Costa Rica’s Lapa Rios Ecolodge is set on a private nature reserve spread over 1,000-acres of Central America’s last remaining lowland tropical rainforest. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes five nights accommodation for the price of four, three gourmet meals per day, transfers to and from the Puerto Jimenez airport, a sustainability tour of the Lapa Rios property (includes participating in your own Plant a Tree program) and an on-site, guided tour (choices include bird watching at sunrise, a local medicine walk and exploring the rainforest). The five-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $2,175 US. For more information or to book, visit www.laparios.com.

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

Come stay at the first certified sustainable hotel in Costa Rica, and the only property to achieve a perfect score on the Sustainable Tourism Certification program. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes three nights accommodation, three gourmet meals per day, transfers to and from the airport, a tour of the inn’s organic coffee plantation, a rainforest massage and a head-to-toe massage. The three-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $1,843 US. For more information or to book, visit www.fincarosablanca.com.

Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort

Set on two private white sand beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Espadilla and Playitas, the resort is safe, close to a range of nightlife activities and offers a number of activities, tours and adventures. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes five nights accommodation for the price of four, transfers to and from the airport, breakfast each day, two 50-minute massages (one per guest), a tortilla-making class, a sustainability tour, 25 per cent discount at the gift shop and a choice of tour (explore Manuel Antonio National Park, go bird watching, hike the Biezans Beach, go horseback riding, white water raft or take a surfing lesson). The five-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $1,590 US. For more information or to book, visit www.arenasdelmar.com.

Latitude 10 Beach Resort

Stay in one of the private casitas at this private beachfront resort in Costa Rica for the ultimate in gal pal relaxation and fun. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes five nights accommodation for the price of four, gourmet breakfasts, transfers to and from the airport, a surf lesson, dinner prepared by a private chef with a complimentary bottle of wine and the choice of one of four tours (hike the Montezuma Waterfalls, explore the Malpais canopy, go horseback riding or discover local turtles). The five-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $1,587 US. For more information or to book, visit www.latitude10resort.com.

Jicaro Island Ecolodge

Girlfriends will feel good staying on their own private island at Jicaro Island Ecolodge, Nicaragua, a lodge built with minimum impact to the island and with careful planning in terms of water supply, wastewater treatment and electricity usage. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes three nights accommodation for the price of two, transfers to and from the airport, three gourmet meals per day, two 50-minute massages (one per guest) and a sunrise or sunset kayaking tour. The three-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $1,970 US. For more information or to book, visit www.jicarolodge.com.

About Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality

Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality develops and manages hotels, lodges and other tourism related projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that are committed to the four Ps of sustainability – people, planet, profit and place. It offers solutions and expertise to tourism operators looking to enhance their performance in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Cayuga provides expert responsible travel advice, including full itinerary suggestions for families, adventurers and honeymooners.

For more information, visit www.cayugaonline.com

Landmark Hotel is the Site of U.S. Debut Exhibition of French Artist

Julien Marinetti’s Monumental Doggy John Installation

The newest addition at Palace Gate, the outdoor lunch and cocktail venue located in the courtyard of The New York Palace, is more a feast for the eyes than the stomach. French Artist Julien Marinetti’s Doggy John “sits” atop a steel pedestal, perched eight feet in the air for diners and passers-by to admire and enjoy. The whimsical statue is part of Mr. Marinetti’s first exhibition in the United States. The installation is on view at the hotel through the fall of 2011.

The exhibition also includes 15 smaller 15-inch dogs, also perched on top of pedestals, located throughout the lobby of the landmark hotel. These pieces, priced at $10,000 each, are available for sale.

“Doggy John” by the Numbers

Price: $500,000

Height: 8 feet

Weight: 1500 pounds

Time to Create: Seven Weeks

“The Dogtail”

In celebration of Doggy John, Palace Gate has introduced this canine-inspired cocktail that is guaranteed to become man’s new best friend:

1.5oz Vodka

1oz Pomegranate Juice

.5oz Raspberry Tea Syrup

.5oz Lemon Juice

Served on the rocks

Palace Gate is open for lunch, cocktails and light fare from 1 to 9 pm during the week; and 4 to 10 pm on the weekends. For information, please call 891-8100.

About the Artist

Artist Julien Marinetti was only five years old when he created his first still life oil painting on a tea towel and started frenziedly distorting everyday objects into primitive polychromatic sculptures. Spending his youth in the workshops of great artists and feeding his imagination on cinema, classical music and punk rock, Marinetti also studied academic drawing and sculpture at the “Ateliers de la Grande Chaumire.” After years of oil painting, in 2004 Marinetti renewed his relationship with sculpture, creating his masterpiece, “Doggy John” which has fired imaginations worldwide.. Each “Doggy John” is a unique piece of work featuring an explosion of color and with powerful compositions. Now at 43, Marinetti has a rich and diverse body of work to his name which is sought after by the most discerning collectors.

The very finest in old-world elegance and new-world opulence can be found just beyond the courtyard gates of The New York Palace on the corner of 50th & Madison. With 805 rooms and 88 suites, The Palace is known for unparalleled splendor, spectacular views, sumptuous rooms and exquisite service. Located in the heart of Manhattan — across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and only steps from Rockefeller Center — the Hotel’s world-renowned courtyard incorporates motifs from several 15th-century Italian cathedrals and has served as the entranceway to the historic Villard Mansion since 1882. Today, The New York Palace Hotel gracefully blends The Villard Mansion with a contemporary 55-story high-rise that was completed in 1980. The Towers is a “hotel within a hotel,” featuring 176 luxurious guestrooms and suites and a private club offered exclusively for guests of the Towers.

The hotel’s dining options include the celebrated GILT restaurant, a Michelin Two-Star fine-dining establishment. Guests can book accommodations online at www.newyorkpalace.com  or contact reservations at 1-800-NY-PALACE (1-800-697-2522).

Dorchester Collection – The style of individuality

Dorchester Collection is the successor to the Dorchester Group, originally established in 1996 to manage a portfolio of some of the world’s foremost luxury hotels in Europe and the USA. Dorchester Collection’s Chief Executive, Christopher Cowdray has set out the company’s goal to have between 15-20 hotels by 2015. The current portfolio is managed by Dorchester Collection:

LAS VEGAS – Another season of The Ultimate Fighter is coming to an end, and Cabo Wabo Cantina is the perfect place to watch all the finale action. Saturday, June 4, Cabo Wabo Cantina will host a viewing party for the wrap up of season 13.

Team Lesnar will take on Team dos Santos in the Welterweight division and finale. Main card bouts include the Lightweight matchup between Clay Guida and Anthony Pettis as well as the Light Heavyweight matchup between Kyle Kingsbury and Fabio Maldonado. Admission is free and includes access inside Cabo Wabo’s viewing party where UFC fans can catch the season finale. Shown on multiple high-definition television screens throughout the restaurant and bar, guests can watch the fights from the best seats on the Strip while enjoying killer margaritas and tasty Mexican fare.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and include the showing of all matches leading up to the main event. For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Cabo Wabo Cantina at 702.385.2226 or visit www.cabowabocantina.com.

Sammy Hagar’s hard rockin’ dining and live music venue Cabo Wabo Cantina combines the laid back beach-town vibe of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. Blending coastal Mexican and Tex Mex cuisine, the menu offers a tantalizing mix of flavorful food, killer margaritas, and an awesome venue where it is never uncommon to catch the red rocker himself jamming out with a live set on stage. Cabo Wabo Cantina opens daily at 11 a.m., with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights from 9:30 p.m. until close. For more information about Cabo Wabo Cantina, visit www.cabowabocantina.com  or call 702.385.2226. For more information about Hagar and his famous Cabo Wabo Tequila, visit www.redrocker.com  and www.cabowabo.com

SOUTH LUANGWA, Zambia – Norman Carr Safaris, the original safari company established in 1950, announces “Luwi River Trail,” an eight night, privately-guided safari adventure in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in all of Africa. Peak season rates for this unique safari start at $5436 per person sharing and drop to $3636 per person for a group of four. Rates are all-inclusive except for international airfare and $360 per person park fees. Maximum number that can be accommodated: eight.

The Luwi River, a seasonal sand river, meanders through some of the most remote and least-traveled parts of Zambia’s game-rich park, carving its way across the park’s Northern sector through dramatically varying habitats.

There are three Norman Carr camps along the stretch of this beguiling, winding river. The adventure starts at the eponymous Luwi Camp, described as “the best little bush camp in Africa,” continues on to Nsolo, downstream of Luwi, and then on to Kakuli Camp at the confluence of the Luwi and Luangwa rivers. Along the way, safari-goers explore wild places towards the source of the river; areas that are not only unpopulated, but unexplored.

For Day by Day itinerary, visit www.normancarrsafaris.com

For reservations, call +260 216-246025 or email Kapani@normancarrsafaris.com

Summer Feet Cycling
www.summerfeet.net

PORTLAND, Maine—Summer Feet Cycling, a bicycle tour company that specializes in high-quality, once in a lifetime bicycling vacations in Maine, offers independent cyclists a welcome alternative to traditional group bike tours.Summer Feet Cycling offers a selection of self-guided Maine bike tours that offer travelers a budget-friendly and fun way to explore Maine’s beauty at their own pace.

On a self-guided bike tour, travelers choose their own tour start date and Summer Feet Cycling makes all lodging arrangements and luggage transfers, provides detailed route notes and maps, and ensures that guests are dropped off and picked up at the beginning and ending of the bike tour. Guests enjoy a hearty breakfast each day and accommodation in quaint inns and B&B’s. Self-guided tours can be completely customized to meet the needs of the travelers in terms of tour length and daily cycling mileages, with a 5-day minimum. Summer Feet Cycling offers explorations of Maine’s stunning coastal shorelines, Acadia National Park, and many of Maine’s historical and cultural highlights through self-guided tours like these:

Maine’s Gold Coast
This week-long self-guided bike tour explores the best of Bar Harbor and Camden with highlights like cycling through stunning terrain at Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, Islesboro, and Rockport. Other highlights include feasting on freshly-caught Maine lobster, kayaking Maine’s pristine waters, taking a sunset sail on Penobscot Bay, and staying in charming Maine inns and B&B’s. Price: $1500 pp (including bike rental).

Pedal the Coast (Light)
This ‘light’ version of Summer Feet Cycling’s popular Pedal the Coast tour offers travelers the opportunity to enjoy an inn to inn bike tour of Maine at a more relaxed pace. Guests can choose between 5 and 9 days of cycling and Summer Feet can also add layover days for more rest and relaxation or activities like kayaking, sightseeing, and hiking to create a more adventurous vacation. The coast of Maine offers stunning diversity as it traverses almost 400 hundred miles from Kittery to the Canadian border. Travelers can get an exclusive look at the best of the Maine coast with cycling along Pemaquid Point, Penobscot Bay, Blue Hill Bay, and Acadia National Park. Prices start at $1600 pp.

For more information about Summer Feet Cycling’s self-guided bike tours like these, visit www.summerfeet.net

The Leela Palace New Delhi is located in the capital’s Diplomatic Enclave, it is the first new hotel to be built from the ground up in New Delhi in 30 years and the most expensive hotel ever built in India, with an estimated cost of $370 million. It is also the first hotel in New Delhi designed to LEED Gold certification. The Leela Palace New Delhi features the largest guest rooms in New Delhi; a $5 million collection of traditional and contemporary Indian art; and a design inspired by the neo-classical architecture of Sir Edwin Lutyens, who planned New Delhi at the turn of the 20th century, and the ancient palaces of Northern India. While there was a soft opening in the fall of 2010, the grand opening of The Leela Palace New Delhi was on April 17.

All rooms and suites are equipped with Bose iPod docks; Sony high-definition LCD TVs with Blu-Ray compatibility; mirror television sets and spa mood lighting in the bathrooms; and additional high-tech amenities.

The 121 Grande Deluxe Rooms are 550 square feet. The 81 Royal Premiere Rooms are 600 square feet and feature spacious seating areas, walk-in closets and marble bathrooms. The 39 Royal Club Rooms are 600 square feet. Royal Club

Rezidor will open the 133-room Radisson Blu Golden Horn Hotel, Istanbul in early 2013. The owner of the building is Dilek Holding, which also owns the Radisson Blu Sisli in Istanbul. “Our core brand Radisson Blu is the largest upper upscale brand in Istanbul — our portfolio now comprises five hotels with 1,000 rooms in operation and under development. Istanbul and Turkey overall are important markets for us as they offer considerable opportunities both within the business and leisure segment,” said Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor.

The group’s offer in Istanbul stretches from the airport (Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel), across the continental divide (Radisson Blu Istanbul Asia), into the upmarket Sisli district (Radisson Blu Sisli), along the Bosphorus (Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel), and finally to the banks of the Golden Horn.

The Radisson Blu Golden Horn Hotel will be located in the trendy Pera neighborhood and will be facing the Golden Horn, the famous inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city. Next to the property is the legendary Pera Palace Hotel, the oldest luxury hotel in Istanbul, which formerly accommodated passengers travelling on the Orient Express train. Rezidor features a portfolio of more than 400 hotels in operation and under development with 88,800 rooms in over 60 countries with such brands as Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the Club Carlson loyalty program for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide license agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the new lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni. For more information, visit www.radissonblu.com or www.rezidor.com

Hilton Hotels & Resorts marked its entry into New Zealand’s South Island with the opening of Hilton Queenstown. The 178-room Hilton Queenstown features the first New Zealand location of eforea: spa at Hilton, the rapidly growing global spa introduced by Hilton Hotels & Resorts in late 2010. Hilton Queenstown joins the 98-room boutique Kawarau Hotel, managed by Hilton in the Hilton Worldwide-managed Kawarau Village retail and dining precinct set within the year-round international resort town.

“We identified Queenstown as a strategically significant location for Hilton Worldwide and feel this project represents a development of the highest quality and world-class design. In addition to our award-winning properties in key gateway cities such as Auckland and Taupo, this development will form an essential part of our growing network of hotels in New Zealand,” said Martin Rinck, area president, Hilton Worldwide, Asia Pacific.

The newly built properties are the only ones in Queenstown positioned directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Both Hilton Queenstown and Kawarau Hotel managed by Hilton have views of the lake or surrounding mountains, including the landmark The Remarkables Mountain Range. Each Hilton Queenstown guestroom includes Schist fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling window, a separate lounge area and private balcony or deck. There are 12 Relaxation Rooms featuring hot tubs on private lakefront decks, and 18 one bedroom Suites.

Hilton Queenstown offers four dining options. Signature restaurant the Wakatipu Grill, overlooking the lake and helmed by Chef Peter Thornley features an open kitchen and rotisserie, two circular fireplaces and outdoor fire pit. Cru Wine Bar & Lounge is for après ski or an intimate evening. Beyond the hotel, Kawarau Village has restaurants, cafes, bars and specialty stores at your doorstep and is where guests will find the hotel’s The Lake Counter (specialty grocer, café and deli) and Stacks Pub. For more information, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com

Shopping & Malaysia are synonymous with each other. Malaysia has been declared as ‘Duty Free Shopping Destination’ this year by the Goverment.

It marks the country’s efforts to be a heaven for shopping. With emphasis placed on the implementation of tax exemptions on a wider range of goods. The import tax is waved off on more than 300 products so you have the widest of variety to choose from.

Who says shopping is associated with women only? Duty Free Malaysia has got the best buys for Men too. From the most expensive fashion labels, Jewellery to trendiest of gadgets, sports equipments both can indulge in a spendthrift shopping as per your individual taste. Malaysian Ringgit’s exchange rates are always more reasonable as compared to any other currencies of the world so much so as to inviting you to Malaysia solely to shop.

Kuala Lumpur is the most popular shopping destination at the base of the Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC, houses a great selection of leading international brands. Starhill Gallery, The gardens and Lot 10 have more glamorous brands, while Berjaya Times Square has its own amusement park, with roller coasters looping past the stores. The Jalan Petaling street market in Chinatown is good for inexpensive souvenirs, and quality handicrafts can be found in the eye-catching Central Market. The islands of Labuan and Langkawi are duty-free zones as well.

SINGAPORE – Shower Dad with love by treating him to a sumptuous buffet spread this Father’s Day! Concorde Hotel Singapore is offering a special Afternoon Tea Buffet spread and a sumptuous International Seafood Buffet Dinner on 18 and 19 June 2011. What’s more, when you book a table for 3 or more paying adults, Dad dines for free! Every father will also receive attractive door gifts in our goodie bag giveaway, and stand a chance to win a prize including a hotel stay for two in our grand lucky draw!

You can choose to indulge in long, leisurely conversations with Dad while savouring Afternoon Tea Buffet with delights such as Lobster Bisque and Roasted Black Pepper Sirloin with Red Wine Sauce. Wrap up the afternoon with popular desserts such as Coffee Mousse and Blueberry Cheesecake. 

Alternatively, spoil Dad with a smorgasbord of fresh, succulent seafood at our International Seafood Buffet Dinner, where each diner gets a complimentary serving of half a lobster (200 gms) while enjoying fresh Oysters, Tiger Prawns, Scallops, and Crabs & Mussels with Condiments, and much more!

Father’s Day Afternoon Tea Buffet & International Seafood Buffet Dinner

Lucky Draw Prizes

Grand Prize: Two nights’ stay with breakfast for two in a Premier Suite

2nd Prize: Two nights’ stay with breakfast for two in an Executive Room

3rd Prize: Two nights’ stay with breakfast for two in a Deluxe Room

Afternoon Tea Buffet                        International Seafood Buffet Dinner

Dates: 18 & 19 June 2011                    Dates: 18 & 19 June 2011

Time: 12 noon – 5 pm                           Time: 6.30pm – 10 pm

Price: Adult: $40++                              Price: Adult: $48++

*Child: $20++                                      *Child: $24++

(* Between 3- 12 years old)

For reservations, please call 6739 8370 or 6733 8855 ext. 8133

Email: spices.chs@concorde.net

Website: www.singapore.concordehotelsresorts.com  

++ Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 7% GST