Jetsettersblog

Dylan hotel announces romance concierge in time for St. Valentine’s Day

Dylan, Dublin’s hottest and sexiest boutique hotel, is delighted to announce the appointment of two dedicated romance concierges whose newly created roles will begin at Dylan next February – perfect timing to welcome guests for the most romantic day of the year - St. Valentine’s Day.

The romance concierges will arrange for a dozen roses and chilled champagne to welcome couples on arrival, as well as ensuring that guests’ favourite music is playing when they are shown to their rooms. They will also draw a romantic “Love Bath”, complete with rose petals and candles and bring guests Dylan’s specially designed Valentine’s cocktail for couples to enjoy in the intimacy of their room.

The Dylan romance experience does not stop there! For the ultimate in indulgence and luxury, couples can take pleasure in an exclusive in-room dining experience, relishing the flavours and textures of a special and very private ten course tasting menu, delivered to their suite. Romance concierges will also bring lazy lovers a champagne breakfast-in-bed the following morning, while inside the mini-bar, guests will find a complimentary Karma Sutra book and intimacy kit!

With beautifully appointed rooms, gorgeous frette linen, a sumptuous pillow menu, king size 7th Heaven beds and some of the most stylish interiors in Dublin, the Dylan is the ideal destination for couples to cosy-up and discover each other this Valentine’s.

For those who wish to explore more of the city with their partner, Dylan’s romance concierge can also recommend restaurants and bars for a romantic evening and make reservations wherever the couple decides to go. The romance concierge role will also consist of shopping for valentine’s gifts if required, providing maps and details of romantic riverside walks, as well as arranging beautiful rose petal and candlelight turndowns for when guests retire to their rooms.

“Dylan’s romantic in-room experience”, from just €649.00 and based on 2 people sharing, includes:

- Overnight accommodation in king bedded Style rooms

- Bottle of champagne with strawberries in room on arrival with a dozen red roses

- Love Bath – Romance concierges will run a rose petal bath with candles at a time chosen by guest

- Karma Sutra kit with essential oils

- In-room specially designed Dylan ‘Valentine’s’ cocktail for two

- Champagne breakfast in bed

- In room dining for 2 option of 10 course taster menu from €180.00

‘Enjoy Romantic Dublin with Dylan’, from just €649.00 and based on 2 people sharing, includes:

- Romantic concierge who will take care of booking dinner, recommend romantic restaurants & bars.

- Romantic concierge who will provide maps and destinations for romantic walks and tours of Dublin.

- Overnight accommodation in king bedded Style rooms

- Bottle of champagne with strawberries in room on arrival with a dozen red roses

- Karma Sutra kit with essential oils

- Rose petal turndown

- Champagne breakfast in bed

Siobhan Delaney, General Manager commented: ‘After the huge popularity of our Valentine’s packages last year we thought we would provide our guests with some super luxurious alternatives so they can spoil their loved one this coming February and indeed any other month! Dylan is always trying to introduce new and innovative ways to spoil guests and with the appointment of two dedicated romantic concierges, we aim to look after every couples’ need.’

Your Golf Travel.com is giving trip organisers holiday for free.

Making all the arrangements for a group of friends will no longer be a thankless task as Europe’s fastest-growing golf travel company is giving a free place to anyone making a group booking starting from a party of eight.

Free places are available at more than 50 venues in the UK and Europe and include both accommodation and golf.

Among the destinations available are last year’s Open venue, Carnoustie, and the five-star La Manga Club resort, Murcia.

Your Golf Travel is committed to offering the lowest prices on golfing holidays and breaks on the internet.
For more information call Your Golf Travel free on 0800 043 6644 or visit www.yourgolftravel.com/group-discounts.html

15 Trophy-winning Properties, 4 New Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux

In exclusive partnership with prestigious brands, Relais & Châteaux has just revealed the list of the winners of the Relais & Châteaux Trophies which are awarded every year in recognition of expertise and excellence in the art of hospitality and fine dining.

Welcome Trophy with Moët & Chandon
The art of receiving is one of the fundamental virtues of Relais & Châteaux; ensuring your stay is unforgettable is always the priority in these properties.

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany

Grand Chef Trophy with Taittinger
Amongst the Relais & Châteaux members, the contemporary elite of fine dining are grouped within the family of the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. Passion, creativity, experience and expertise are the essential criteria for admission to the highly select circle of these Grands Chefs.

Firmin & Philippe Arrambide
Les Pyrénées - France

Jonathan Gushue
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa - Canada

Christopher Brooks
Blantyre – United States

Jason Robinson
The Inn at Dos Brisas – United States

Rising Chef Trophy with All-Clad
We single out young chefs whose creativity, imagination and commitment earmark them as the future grand masters of fine dining in the world.

Davy Tissot
Villa Florentine - France

Art de la Table Trophy with San Pellegrino
The arts of the table, atmosphere and decoration are all part of our philosophy of “receiving well”. They reflect the soul of our properties and express their personality.

Ristorante Le Calandre - Italy

Spa Trophy with Laurent Perrier
There are 5 categories of spa: Spas de Charme, Spas de Rêve, Thalassotherapy, Thermalism and Beauty.

Georges Blanc & Spa - France

Woman of the Year Trophy with Pommery
A disciplined approach to work organisation, exacting standards, the giving of themselves and a sense of welcome and detail make these women the flagship ambassadresses of our family.

Johanna Maier
Hotel Hubertus - Austria

Passion Trophy with Hennessy
Launched in 2004, the Passion Trophy is awarded to Relais & Châteaux owners who know how to make your stay truly unique: harmonious setting, perfect service, remarkable style.

Sam Beall
Blackberry Farm – United States

Corporate Trophy with Glenmorangie
Relais & Châteaux launched this trophy in 2005 to single out property owners who have distinguished themselves through their high-performance meeting facilities and the quality of the welcome afforded to business meetings or residential seminars.

Sheen Falls Lodge – Ireland

Lounge Trophy with Grand Marnier
With the Lounge Trophy, Relais & Châteaux pays tribute to the expertise of these friendly settings, a real invitation to tasting.

Eden Rock - St Barthélémy - France

Environment Trophy with Orlane
This award pays tribute to properties which have shown tenacity, commitment, impressive initiatives and respect for the environment and the natural setting.

Longueville Manor – United Kingdom

Garden Trophy with Rozes
This pays tribute to properties which have succeeded in reconciling abundant nature, expertise in enhancing the horticultural heritage and respect for the original beauty of the landscapes.

Las Mañanitas Hotel Garden Restaurant & Spa - Mexico

Innovation Trophy with Nespresso
To guarantee unique experiences and intense moments of discovery, each Relais & Châteaux member must know how to reinvent itself and be innovative.

Thierry Marx
Cordeillan-Bages - France

About Relais & Châteaux

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association’s mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

Combine Dublin Hotels and the Temple Bar Trad Festival of Irish Music and Culture

Running from January 28th until Sunday February 1st 2009, people seeking a true taste of traditional Irish festivities only have few weeks to wait.

People seeking a true taste of traditional Irish festivities have a few weeks left until the annual Temple Bar Trad Festival of Irish Music and Culture begins.

From Wednesday January 28th until Sunday February 1st 2009, the Temple Bar cultural area on the south bank of the River Liffey in Dublin is set to come to life with a range of exciting concerts and feature workshops, musical performances, showcases and much more.

Over the course of the five-day extravaganza, many of the pubs and bars in the historic district - which is internationally renowned for its unique and vibrant atmosphere - will play host to musicians from around the country.

They will take part in trad and folk music sessions, which are completely free for people to enjoy.

 Other free events include street performances.

Initial acts confirmed for the 2009 event include some of Ireland’s most accomplished instrumentalists -

including Sean McKeon, Liam O Connor, Ciaran O Maonaigh and Aidan O’Donnell - as well as talent from overseas, including fluting maestro Michael McGoldrick.

Full details about the festival’s events and ticketing information will be made available soon, but given the extraordinary reputation TradFest has earned over the years, it may well be advisable for people to get their Dublin hotels booked well in advance to ensure they are able to attend.

For visitors in search of accommodation www.LateRooms.com offers over 140 hotels in the Irish Capital ranging from serviced apartments to exclusive boutique hotels.

Standard double rooms can be booked for 78GBP per night at the Temple Bar Hotel - it is a 3 star hotel with an average customer rating of 5/6.

For guests wanting luxurious accommodation the Fitzwilliam Hotel, rated 5 stars, has executive double rooms from 167GBP.

This modern property has received fantastic reviews and has an average customer rating of 5/6.

Also it has been voted one of the top 21 coolest hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine.

The European Open will be held at The London Golf Club for the second consecutive year from May 28-31, 2009, following its successful return to England last season for the first time since 1994.

A world class field, including defending champion Ross Fisher of England, will contest the £2.4 million tournament which can secure precious earnings towards the inaugural Race to Dubai.

Fisher profited most from the return of The European Tour to his native country in 2008 by claiming his second European Tour victory by an emphatic seven strokes over Sergio Garcia of Spain last July.

The European Open will once again be played over the 7,257 yard, par 72 Jack Nicklaus-designed Signature Heritage Course, which is one of two courses - along with The International - at The London Golf Club, near Brands Hatch in North Kent.

The Club has gained considerable recognition on both an international and national scale in recent years since The Bendinat Group acquired the 700 acre venue back in 2004. No stranger to tournament golf, the Club has hosted four European Senior Tour events and, with the forthcoming edition of The European Open next July, two main Tour events since its opening in 1994.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Selecting The London Golf Club to host this prestigious event for the second consecutive year demonstrates our absolute confidence in the quality of facilities on and off the course at The London Golf Club.”

Charles Fairweather, Chairman of The London Golf Club, said: “Everyone at the Club is delighted that the venue has once again been chosen to host The European Open. We were immensely pleased in 2008 by the reaction of Europe’s finest golfers to both the golf course and the facilities on offer at The London Golf Club and we look forward to an equally successful tournament in 2009.”

It will be the 32nd edition of The European Open, which began in 1978 and has previously been won by some of golf’s most iconic names, including Nick Faldo (1992), Retief Goosen (2004), Bernhard Langer (1985 and 1995), Sandy Lyle (1979), Colin Montgomerie (2007), Greg Norman (1986) and Ian Woosnam (1988).

Last season was the first time The European Open had been played in England since it was held at East Sussex National in 1994, with The K Club in Ireland hosting the event for 13 successive years from 1995 to 2007.

For further information, please contact:-
The European Tour
Communications Division
Tel: +44 (0)1344 840400
Fax: +44 (0)1344 840444
email: media@europeantour.com

- Jurys Doyle Hotel Group reveals new name and brand identity for its 11 luxury hotels, in addition to capital investment programme -

Jurys Doyle Hotel Group Ltd has unveiled its new brand identity and has announced the withdrawal of the Jurys Doyle brand from the market with immediate effect. The new International Luxury Hotel Group will be known as The Doyle Collection; a portfolio of eleven truly individual hotel experiences, in six major international cities in Ireland, the UK and the United States.

The roll-out of the new brand identity will see each individual hotel re-named and relaunched.
This announcement is the culmination of an ongoing capital investment programme of more than Euro 200 million, which will see a complete refurbishment of nine of the eleven Doyle Collection properties, as well as the repositioning of the hotel group into the luxury five star category.

Commenting on the unveiling of the new name and launch of the new brand identity in The Westbury Hotel today, Bernie Gallagher, Chairman of The Doyle Collection said:

‘The creation of The Doyle Collection signals a new dawn for our organisation. Building on the Doyle family approach to hospitality, founded by my father PV Doyle in 1964, our new identity reflects a long tradition of excellent service, but also embodies the spirit of the new luxury hotel group we are becoming, delivered in each of our 11 luxury city hotels.

A contemporary design ethos of simple, understated luxury has driven our three year intensive refurbishment programme and, as the physical structures are changing, so too is the way we think about the evolution of service and the positioning of our new brand.’

The company has developed ambitious plans to grow revenues at The Doyle Collection and the Group will compete exclusively in the luxury segment of the market.

Commenting on the Group’s growth plans, CEO Bill Walshe said: ‘Although there is no doubt that the current economic conditions are challenging, we are convinced that our focus on the creation of highly individual, centrally located luxury hotel experiences, built around the evolving tastes of our guests, will be the driver of repeat business and future growth. Each of the hotels in The Doyle Collection has a different character, but all have a common aim – to provide our guests with a modern interpretation of extraordinary hospitality and expert service that only a hotelier with decades of experience can consistently deliver.’

Walshe concluded: “Our membership of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), an alliance of luxury individual Hotel Groups will also contribute significantly to the realisation of our growth plans and positions us among the worlds’ most recognisable luxury hotel brands.’

The new website www.doylecollection.com also goes live today with full reservation functionality and the first Ireland & UK hotels will be rebranded by January 31st 2009, starting with The Westbury Hotel in Dublin and followed by The Marylebone Hotel in London.

Aer Lingus has launched new fare merchandising capabilities which enable the up-sell and cross-sell of flexible fares across multiple routes. The airline’s new branded “flexi” fare reflects Aer Lingus’ strategy to offer innovative price and service options to the customer.

The Datalex Travel Distribution Platform gives Aer Lingus the control and flexibility required to dynamically create fare families with bundled fees and services and management of the PNR. In addition, by virtue of the TDP Business Rules Centre, Aer Lingus has also launched a new ancillary service option for ‘extra weight’ shopping enabling customers to pay for excess baggage online at discounted rates. Aer Lingus has relied on the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform (TDP) to drive its primary distribution channel www.aerlingus.com  since 2002. Today, TDP enables approximately 80 percent of air bookings at lowest distribution cost. Aer Lingus continues to deploy TDP components to drive yield through advanced fare merchandising, ancillary shopping and reservation features, and pioneer new online distribution business models.

Recent deployments of the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform on www.aerlingus.com have included advanced TDP Business Rules Centre (BRC) features to enable fare and tax discounts, pre-seat selection fees, baggage fees, manage booking functionality, integrated flight driven car rental booking process and integrated insurance booking.

Such features have been fundamental to the substantial growth in ancillary revenues. Datalex also completed the deployment of a TDP e-interlining solution in support of the JetBlue and Aer Lingus partnership.

This partnership opens over 40 destinations on the JetBlue network in the U.S. to passengers booking online at aerlingus.com. Aer Lingus can now easily extend its use of TDP to develop supplementary business rules for branded fares and other innovative ancillary products and services during specified promotional periods across specified routes or route groups.

For more information, visit www.datalex.com

Rail Europe, a distributor of European rail products in North America, announced the launch of Trenitalia’s new Milan to Rome high-speed rail link. The new line shaves an hour off the route, connecting Italy’s political and financial capitals in 3 hours and 30 minutes. The new route establishes Milan as Italy’s main point of connection with Europe’s high-speed larger rail network for the benefit of business and leisure travelers alike. Milan is currently served by Artesia trains from Paris, Cisalpino from Basel, Bern and Geneva, Riviera from Nice and Elipsos overnight trains from Barcelona.

Trenitalia’s ETR500 AV Red Arrow Train, which will service the new route and will be available for reservations on www.agent.raileurope.com in January, was designed by Italian automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Giugiaro was recently named Automotive Designer of the Century for his achievements in designing for Audi, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, Volkswagen and others. The Red Arrow reaches a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, offering rail travelers in Italy an equivalent level of speed, service and convenience as other European countries.
Passengers can order from a menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections from the restaurant car, as well as snacks and beverages from the bar car. TrenItalia’s InterCity Plus and Eurostar Italia trains, offer speedy connections between Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna and Naples and convenient access to many smaller Italian towns. Rail Europe offers a full range of TrenItalia tickets that can be tailored toward each traveler’s individual needs.

To book any of Rail Europe’s wide range of economical railpasses and point-to-point tickets on trains throughout Europe, call 888-382-7245 or visit Rail Europe’s website at the banner at the right.

Exciting 2009 Season

A boating holiday is not just a form of transport but your passport to the real history and culture of your chosen destination and with a brand new fleet for 2009, EBH are cruising ahead with development plans despite the current economic downturn. Holiday-makers will be spoilt for choice with a range of new routes, bases and boats added to the already impressive portfolio of boating adventures.

With a fleet of 400 Penichettes, 50 Europas and 28 bases across France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Ireland and Poland, EBH is at the forefront of modern day boating. With no experience required, couples, families and groups of friends can wind along the scenic waterways of the most enriching areas of Europe, seeking out local treasures and sampling the authentic cuisine of each region.

Traditionalists will love the classic Locaboat Penichette; a boat packed with charm and character, lending itself perfectly to the European countryside and environmental enthusiasts. More than three new models have been added for 2009 cruises. For those wanting a luxurious alternative, the Cardinal Europa’s sleek design will appeal to travellers who appreciate the finer things in life. The new ‘Europa 700’ will take to the waterways next spring sleeping a crew of up six with 20% more space than previous models boosting Cardinal’s luxury credentials.

2009 is set to build on the achievements of the previous year, notably the successful launch of the new routes in Poland – perfect for an Eastern European adventure off the beaten track. With bases located in the North-East of Poland close to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Mazuria – the “land of a thousand lakes” – is an expansive network of lakes, canal and rivers hemmed by great forests of pine, oak and silver birch.

France and Ireland offer the perfect escape closer to home. With 19 bases in France, boaters can explore some of most famed regions of the country through new eyes – the perspective from the water is like none other. Marvel at the colourful church steeples of Burgundy or bike along the tow-paths that line the famed ‘Canal du Midi’, watch the rolling hills go by in the Loire Valley or simply relax on the sun-deck under the Mediterranean sun.

EBH can be booked by calling 0845 450 5229 or enquiries made online at
www.locaboat.com  or www.cardinalboating.com

flyLAL“ - Lithuanian Airlines are delighted to announce today that its 2009 flight schedule will include direct routes from London and Dublin to the Lithuanian summer tourist resort Palanga which lies on the Baltic coast.

After successful inaugural service in 2008, flyLAL resumes the flights from April 2009: three weekly flights and will continue throughout the summer months. Flights will be operated from London Gatwick and Dublin International Airports.

“Direct flights from the UK & Ireland to Palanga have proved to be very convenient for many Lithuanians and Latvians visiting families and friends as well as the increasing numbers of international travellers who are discovering the exceptional beauty and secret white sand beaches of the UNESCO-Protected Curonian Spit” – states „flyLAL“ representative Jolanta Gerdziunaite.

Tickets are to go on sale immediately both online at www.flylal.com and through travel agencies enabling travellers to book their travel arrangements in advance.
Schedules and flight information can be found at www.flylal.com