Jetsettersblog

Back for the 15th consecutive year, the much adored Great Singapore Sale sets shoppers’ hearts a-flutter around the world.

Running  until July 20, this eight-week long annual retail extravaganza offers a sensational shopping smorgasboard with discounts off absolutely everything from designer fashion to streetwear, jewellery to handbags, electronics to toys, music to homewares and everything in between.

Savvy travellers time their Singapore trip just to flock to the event every year to bag exclusive bargains from the many high-end designer boutiques, which offer incredible mark-downs of up to 70%.

Come for pleasure and leave with treasure as you meander through the chic boutiques, techno-havens and mega-malls of iconic Orchard Road, explore new shopping hotspot VivoCity and trawl the street markets of Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Bugis Village for unique souvenirs and knick-knacks.

This year, Great Singapore Sale visitors are invited to obtain a Tourist Privilege Card, which entitles them to additional discounts at a range of popular participating retail outlets, as well as at hip restaurants and leisure attractions. Just show your card which comes with the Great Singapore Sale Tourist Guide together with your passport to enjoy the following outstanding offers*:

The Watch House

Receive a FREE gift* (worth SGD 30) with any watch purchase.

Topshop and Topman

Enjoy up to 50% of selected items  with an additional 5% of your total bill until July 20. Take advantage of the Topshop Style Advisor service at the flagship store at Wisma Atria with no obligation to buy. To book, simply call +0011 65 6235 3195.

Original Levi’s®

Take 10% off regular priced apparel and an additional 10% discount on sale items.

GAP

Receive 10% discount on regular priced items plus an extra 10% discount on sale items.

Spaboutique

Take 20% off all a la carte spa services, plus, take advantage of the special offer Pure Indulgence which includes two hours of blissful treatments including an hour-long massage of your choice, 30 minute scrub and half hour aromatic flora milk bath, all for the special price of SGD 368 – a saving of SGD 132.

BICE Bistro

Dine at elegant Italian eatery BICE Bistro in the revitalised Clarke Quay entertainment precinct and take 20% of your total bill.

Aurum

Designed to look like a cross between a hospital and a disco, at Aurum you’ll sit in golden wheelchairs while dining at stainless steel tables, while the kitchen has the appearance of a mock operating theatre – but the menu offers quality fusion fare. Sample it all at 20% off with the Tourist Privilege Card. And when the wheelchairs are cleared and a glittering disco ball descends at night’s end, hit the dance floor and enjoy the party.

Café del Mar

Save 20% on your final bill at the unforgettably chic, ambient Café del Mar, where you’ll rub shoulders with Singapore’s hip set and dance the night away to the chilled beats of resident and guest DJs.

Chinatown Heritage Centre

Take 30% off the regular admission price (SGD9.80) at the fascinating Chinatown Heritage Centre, and 20% off the purchase price of all items in the retail outlet, besides books.

The Singapore Flyer – Tourist and Transit Hub

Soar above Singapore in the Lion City’s latest international attraction, The Singapore Flyer with 10% off the regular ticket price and enjoy one hour’s use of the Flyer’s Tourist and Transit Lounge absolutely free with one hour on the FunVee Open Top City Trail.

Qantas Holidays is offering a range of fantastic land packages including:

Berjaya Hotel

* 4 nights accommodation at Berjaya Hotel Singapore (3 star rating) for the price of 3
* Includes: Full breakfast daily, late check-out until 4pm and half day Singapore City Tour
* Valid for travel: 23 May to 20 July 2008
* From: $294* per person twin share
* While you are there: Footsteps of Raffles from $41* per person

Parkroyal on Beach Road

* 4 nights accommodation at the Parkroyal on Beach Road (4 star rating)

* Includes: Late check-out until 4pm, 20% discount on ala carte spa services at St. Gregory and half day Singapore City Tour~

* Valid for travel: to 20 July 2008

* From: $440* per person twin share

* While you are there: Uniquely Shop and Eat Tour from $37* per person

Mandarin Oriental

* 4 nights accommodation at the Mandarin Oriental (5 star rating) for the price of 3

* Includes: Late check-out until 4pm and half day Singapore City Tour

Valid for travel: to 20 July 2008

* While you are there: Night Safari Tour from $44* per person

For details on the Great Singapore Sale, log onto www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg or contact the Singapore Tourism Board on (02) 9290 2888

*Terms and Conditions apply

(MIAMI) – When three new Ritz-Carlton hotels, a Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami and The Setai all opened within a few years of each other in Miami, the city’s status as a world-class international destination was confirmed. A slew of new luxury hotel projects, however, are taking the city and surrounding beachside communities to yet another level altogether:

• The Regent Bal Harbour Hotel (www.RegentHotels.com/BalHarbour)  opened in March 2008, is an elegant oceanfront hotel located on the northeastern tip of Bal Harbour Village, with views over Baker’s Haulover Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. The 17-story hotel features 124 spacious guest rooms and executive suites, located in four towers. The hotel’s Guerlain Spa, a 14-room, 10,000-square-foot oasis, is the first in North America.

• The De Soleil South Beach (www.VincciSouthBeach.com)  the Art Deco District’s first top-to-bottom new-build in nearly 50 years, celebrated its grand opening in February 2007. Situated between Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and distinctive for its stunningly “kinetic” architecture, the hotel features 80 guest suites, all with their own over-sized balconies lavishly outfitted for entertaining. 27 exquisite rooftop Terrace suites with awe inspiring ocean view full European spa treatments available in the privacy of your suite or terrace; and signature food and beverage venues Table 8 South Beach and Table 8 Lounge.

• Canyon Ranch Miami Beach (www.CanyonRanchMiamiBeach.com)  is set to open in early 2008. The historic Carillon Hotel has been restored beyond its original splendor and now boasts 150 luxurious guest suites, a wellness spa, fitness center, gourmet oceanfront dining and comprehensive health and healing facilities. It will be the first residential and resort community for the famed wellness center based in Tucson, Arizona.

• Gansevoort South (www.GansevoortSouth.com) a luxury mixed-use development including a 232-room hotel, is scheduled to open the first quarter of 2008 and will be the first extension of the Gansevoort brand beyond Hotel Gansevoort in New York City. The hotel will feature a 22,000-square-foot rooftop retreat with spectacular ocean views, 110-foot-long pool, bar and lounge.

• Mondrian South Beach Hotel Residences (www.MondrianSouthBeach.com)  is also scheduled to open in early 2008. Located on newly fashionable Biscayne Bay with spectacular views of the ocean, bay and downtown Miami, the curvilinear modernist building has 335 studios, one and two bedrooms and penthouses designed by award-winning Dutch designer Marcel Wanders.

• Solé on the Ocean (www.SoleontheOcean.com) is opening in Sunny Isles Beach in the Summer of 2008. The 250-room hotel will feature a dramatic two-story lobby facing the ocean and contemporary design by world-renown interior designer Stephane Dupoux. The pet-friendly North Miami Beach hotel will boast state-of-theart technology, Kimpton lifestyle luxury services and amenities such as an on-site fitness center and spa services; infinity-edged pool; business center, concierge services and 5,000 square feet of event and meeting space. To keep pace with the new wave of hotels in Miami, established resorts have also poured millions into renovations, upgrading rooms and adding amenities. From beachfront resorts to urban oases, with spas that rank among the world’s best and magical restaurants overseen by celebrity chefs, Miami’s luxury hotels and resorts cater to the world’s most discriminating travelers. Not since Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and their infamous Rat Pack held court at the Fontainebleau has Miami attracted such a parade of well-heeled clientele.

New Luxury Hotels Light Up Miami’s Lodging Scene Among other new additions to Miami’s high-end lodging scene is the 51-story Acqualina Resort (www.AcqualinaResort.com)  which made its debut in Sunny Isles in May 2006. The resort has been receiving rave reviews for the Mediterranean-inspired décor of its 97-room ultra-luxury boutique tower and 188 lavish residences. Guests of Acqualina can enjoy world-class services and amenities, including the elegant Il Mulino New York restaurant, a two-story oceanfront spa, three swimming pools, tropical garden areas and a private beach club.

The Setai (www.Setai.com)  opened in 2005 on Collins Avenue in South Beach. The hotel offers 75 impeccably detailed guestrooms and 50 suites, an intimate spa, three pools at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and ultra-chic restaurants and bars. The hotel recreates the style of Miami Beach’s illustrious Art Deco era, while incorporating highlights from Shanghai’s Art Deco period. A grand lobby is decorated in Shanghai brick, bronze and rich teak, imported stone and exquisite Asian art and artifacts. One-, two- and three-bedroom suites are available, as well as a palatial 10,000 square-foot penthouse with a rooftop pool and sweeping panoramas of the ocean and Miami skyline.

Meanwhile, Ritz-Carlton maintains a major presence in Miami. In no other city worldwide does the company boast three properties in such close proximity — all are ten minutes from downtown Miami. The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach (www.RitzCarlton.com)  opened in January 2004 after a $200 million restoration of the historic 1950s DiLido Hotel. The oceanfront resort, located in the heart of South Beach’s eye-popping Art Deco District, is a showcase for Art Moderne design, with 375 rooms and suites resembling staterooms on a luxury ocean liner.

Many of the hotel’s original design elements by Miami Beach visionary Morris Lapidus have been preserved, including black terrazzo floors. The hotel boasts a 13,000 square-foot spa and fitness center, an elevated central pool and an art collection valued at over $2 million. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne is located just five miles from downtown Miami on the idyllic, laid-back key known for pricey real estate and top-rated beaches. Featuring 402 well-appointed guestrooms and suites overlooking lushly landscaped gardens and the Atlantic Ocean, the Ritz Carlton is home to a 20,000 square-foot ocean view spa. A full slate of wellness classes, including Pilates, yoga and aqua-aerobics, is offered and for the even more ambitious, the hotel has an 11-court Tennis Garden and nearby championship golf. Parents can relax while their children are entertained at the Ritz Kids pavilion with their own pool and beach playground.

Five minutes away, the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove is an intimate boutique hotel (with only 115 rooms and suites) with an astonishing array of amenities that helped earn it the AAA Five-Diamond Award. Taking personal service to a new level, the hotel staff includes Bow Wow butlers to exercise, feed and provide entertainment (doggie videos, etc.) for guests’ pets. Bath butlers organize and draw luxurious soaks from a wide array of bath menus, including a gentlemen’s bath complete with cognac, and fitness butlers will schedule in-room yoga sessions or have exercise equipment delivered from the hotel’s on-site fitness center and spa to guestrooms.

Open in downtown Miami since 2001, the 329-room Mandarin Oriental, Miami(www.MandarinOriental.com)  also holds the coveted AAA Five-Diamond Award, along with its signature restaurant Azul. Blending a cool Asian design aesthetic with sexy touches that reflect Miami’s diverse cultural influences, Mandarin Oriental is a perfect fit in a cosmopolitan, sophisticated city.

Not content to rest on its laurels, the hotel introduced a new private beach at the luxurious waterfront property, the Beach Club. Here guests can enjoy Oriental-style furnishings, while being tended to by beach butlers, who pamper guests with cool towels and mist services. Award-winning Azul boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Biscayne Bay and a stunning white marbleclad open kitchen and raw bar that provides the stage for the restaurant’s Latin/Asian/French cuisine.

A deluxe three-level waterfront spa offers the ultimate escape with 17 private treatment rooms that each use natural textures such as bamboo, rice paper, and natural linens. The Four Seasons Hotel, Miami (www.FourSeasons.com/miami) , a $379 million sleek column that has reshaped the Miami skyline, opened on downtown’s Brickell Avenue in late 2003.

An urban oasis, the Four Seasons offers unparalleled views of Biscayne Bay and the city from a 65,000 square-foot roof terrace complete with pools, sundecks and palm trees. The hotel will install four deluxe poolside cabanas by early 2008. Each cabana will feature a 26-inch LCD television, refrigerator, iPod docking station, day bed and private dining area. The luxurious property encompasses 221 guest rooms, as well as condominium and hotel/condo units. With amenities that include the 40,000-square-foot Splash Spa and salon as well as The Sports Club/LA fitness facility and toprated Acqua restaurant, business and pleasure blend daily.

Just a few doors down is the Conrad Hilton (www.ConradHotels.com) . Opened in summer 2004, this premier luxury hotel for business travelers offers special amenities that include private butlers for guests and spa services brought right to your room. The nearby JW Marriott Hotel Miami(www.MarriottHotels.com/miajw) , a 22-story business hotel and meeting center, was designed to meet the demands of today’s sophisticated traveler with 300 elegantly and ergonomically furnished rooms and a 24-hour business center.

The luxurious Grove Isle Hotel & Spa (www.GroveIsle.com)  located on Coconut Grove’s private island is just minutes away from the city life of Coconut Grove. The only destination of its kind in South Florida, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa is a private island sanctuary, offering a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Miami. The moment you pass through Grove’s gates, you’ll feel as though you have been transported to another era; bougainvillea and tropical flowers beckon you along a fragrant path to your own British Colonial island outpost.

Luxury Resorts on South Beach A mere decade ago, luxury resort hotels were virtually nonexistent on South Beach. As boutique hotels began to signify the Art Deco District’s renaissance, the need for accommodation for discerning travelers accustomed to the conveniences and amenities of larger resort properties jump-started a second wave of renovation and development. Today, a perfect balance of elegant small hotels and luxury resorts make South Beach a popular destination for everyone.

On the southern tip of Ocean Drive, the Hilton Bentley South Beach(www.Hilton.com) is located in South Beach’s hottest new landscape – “SoFi” or “South of Fifth.” The hotel recently opened a new restaurant called VIVI Ristorante and new lounge called Jack’s. The acquisition of an attached hotel expanded the number of guest rooms by 10 and new meeting space is also now available.

The Delano (www.Delano-Hotel.com) , South Beach’s epicenter of cool, is small and exclusive, but teeming with amenities that its celebrity clients crave, including the famed Blue Door restaurant and the rooftop spa, Agua. Likewise, The Shore Club(www.ShoreClub.com) oozes with chic and Zen-like calm. Remarkable for its clean cutting-edge design, the hotel is home to Nobu restaurant, a sparkling pool and a rooftop spa offering fruit-based treatments.

Known as “The Art Hotel,” the Sagamore Hotel (www.SagamoreHotel.com)  combines art and design with top-notch service. Simple yet stylish, this Miami boutique hotel offers an elegant art collection from local and international artists, which can be seen in the public areas as well as all guestrooms. An ocean front zero-entry infinity edge pool and the Saga Bar and Lounge, are just a few of its hip amenities. Just a few blocks west, in the heart of the Art Deco district of South Beach, Hotel Victor (www.HotelVictorSouthBeach.com)  captures the glory, beauty and decadence of the 1930’s, set against a backdrop of sophisticated Parisian style. Adjacent to the famed “Versace Mansion” and within walking distance to the area’s hottest nightlife and finest restaurants and shopping, the hotel is a prime spot to see and be seen.

Grande Dames and Old Favorites Miami’s grande dames, the resorts that predate the recent boom, are renovating and innovating, staying current in Miami’s burgeoning luxury market. The National Historic Landmark Biltmore Hotel(www.BiltmoreHotel.com) , overnight choice of presidents and royalty, recently finished a multi-million dollar renovation of its 280 guest rooms and suites.

Tucked away in a residential Coral Gables neighborhood, the Biltmore is a luxurious hideaway appealing to in-the-know guests who enjoy its Old World charms. Some enjoy teeing up at the Biltmore Golf Club, the 18-hole par 71 course that was built in 1925 and received a $5 million upgrade in 2007, while others appreciate relaxing treatments at the elegant new $2.5 million Biltmore Spa. The historic hotel also boasts the largest hotel swimming pool in the continental United States and has recently renovated its private poolside cabanas. Golf is the main event at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa (www.DoralResort.com) , the 650-acre resort that recently completed a $75 million renovation. With 695 guest rooms and suites, the home of the PGA Tour event Doral Ryder Open offers 99 holes of golf, including the famed Blue Monster. Additionally, guests enjoy world- class tennis facilities and the European-inspired Spa at Doral, which completed a $3 million renovation in 2006.

Speaking of golfer’s paradise, the 300-acre Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club (www.TurnberryIsle.com)  in Aventura, is a 395-room property that is a world unto itself. The resort includes a marina, two 18-hole championship golf courses, 19 tennis courts, two swimming pools and a 25,000 square-foot pampering spa. Guests have access to a nearby beach club run by the resort. Other Miami golf resorts that are well worth a visit include The Links at The Fisher Island Hotel & Resort(www.FisherIsland.com)  and Don Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club (www.DonShulaHotel.com)

A Miami Beach landmark since opening in 1954, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach (www.Fontainebleau.com)  is the biggest and perhaps the most famous hotel on Miami Beach. Stomping grounds for Elvis, Frank Sinatra and countless other swinging celebrities during its first heyday and renowned for its whimsical Morris Lapidus architecture and design, the resort recently opened a luxury tower and is in the process of a $1 billion expansion/renovation, which is scheduled for completion in Fall 2008. The 22-acre complex will include 1,504 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 40,000 square foot spa, 11 restaurants and lounges, expansive pool complex and extensive meeting space.

Next door, The Eden Roc, A Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa(www.EdenRocResort.com) is currently undergoing construction of a new 283-room tower to be completed by Fall 2008. The hotel is closed to allow a multimillion-dollar restoration of the existing 349-room tower and is expected to reopen in the Fall of 2008.

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit our website at www.MiamiAndBeaches.com  or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305-539-3000.

Meeting planners may call 1-800-933-8448 (US/Canada only) or 305-539-3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com  Logon now.

ANAHEIM, Calif.– The following is a summary of what’s new and currently on the horizon through 2008. For a comprehensive list of Anaheim and Orange County news, visit anaheimoc.org/press.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Anaheim GardenWalk, a unique outdoor shopping and dining experience set among beautifully manicured walkways, and unique gardens, opens June 14. It includes an array of national restaurant favorites such as Bubba Gump, Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, McCormick & Schmick’s Grille, P.F. Chang’s and Roy’s. This innovative retail, dining and entertainment venue spans 440,000-square-feet. It is conveniently located just steps from the Anaheim Convention Center and Disneyland Resort. GardenWalk also includes “300,” an upscale bowling lounge, and a wide selection of various OC originals. A few of the offerings include: Aveda, Banana Republic, Bar Louie, Harley Davidson, Heat Ultra Lounge, OC Gift, White House/Black Market and XP Apparel.

• Knott’s Berry Farm is on a mission to deliver “First Class” thrills with the opening of their new coaster, Pony Express, Memorial Day Weekend 2008. Named after the famous Pony Express, which promised a faster mail service on the North American continent, Knott’s Pony Express promises a horseback relay at speeds never imagined in the Old West! While sitting astride one of the team’s 16 horses, riders will leave their post with their stead launching them at a speed of 0-38 mph in less than 3 seconds.

• The Muzeo, the new cultural center in Downtown Anaheim includes an exhibit hall, museum space and a history center and is part of the CIM Group’s downtown revitalization project. The next exhibit, which runs June 12-September 4, 2008, is Discovering Chimpanzees: The Remarkable World of Jane Goodall. 

• Disney’s California Adventure® Park will open “Toy Story Mania,“ an interactive feature based on “Toy Story,” and “Toy Story II,” on June 17. The theme park will continue to add several new attractions based on some of the most popular Disney and Disney-Pixar animated features during the next four to five years.

ACCOMMODATIONS

• Through October 2008, the Anaheim Marriott’s $20 million on-going renovation will include upgrades to the Concierge Lounge, guest corridors, and all guest rooms and suites, to feature the Marriott’s new Revive® bedding.

• The Hilton Anaheim is in the midst of a dramatic $70-million dollar hotel renovation. Orange County’s largest hotel, recently opened the first phase of this multi-million dollar renovation with the twin 28,542 square-feet California and Pacific Ballrooms. In the coming months, nearly every other aspect of this 1,572-room hotel will get a contemporary makeover. In total it will be transforming its guestrooms, meeting space, lobby and all other public space, and will feature The Bed by Hilton. The renovation is set to continue in phases through December 2008. Airport recently completed a $10 million renovation at the beginning of the year bringing great enhancements to the hotel including a completely renovated lobby, all new meeting space, a new ballroom, new state-of-the-art fitness center, with the latest equipment, including individual TV’s and MP3 players, and a new Garden Terrace. The result is an elegantly stylish new ambience, facilities and services.  .

• The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has two exciting additions slated for completion in 2008. Pacific Waters Spa is undergoing an interior renovation with the addition of an outdoor co-ed relaxation area with Jacuzzi and fireplace, set to open in spring. Summer 2008 will bring a new activity pool with water slides and a kids’ play area, enhancing the resort’s family-friendly appeal.

• The 314-room, Radisson Maingate-Anaheim, located across from the Disneyland Resort, was acquired by Red Lion Hotels Corporation in 2007. Red Lion plans to spend $10 million on significant renovations to the hotel, including flat panel TVs and granite countertops in guest rooms. The hotel is currently Anaheim Maingate Hotel.

• The recently expanded Hyatt Regency Orange County is set to receive an additional $11 million in enhancements to the property through 2008. The hotel is revitalizing the first floor public space and updating the lighting elements for the Royal Ballroom and Grand Ballroom Foyer in 2007 (summer to year-end). Additionally, the hotel plans to refurbish the North Tower suites and standard guest rooms in 2008.

• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is undergoing an expansion, adding 200 guest rooms and 50 Disney Vacation Club villas set to debut in 2009. The expansion represents a 30 percent increase to the current 745-room property. C

• Located just down the street from the Disneyland Resort, the Sheraton Garden Grove - Anaheim South Hotel will open in Summer 2008 with 285-guest rooms. The hotel will also feature 8,000 square feet of meeting space, including 4 breakout rooms and 5,200 square feet of ballroom space.

ANAHEIM/ORANGE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT

• In 2007, the Anaheim Convention Center unveiled a $4.1 million landscape renovation to the aesthetics of its Katella Avenue entrance, including a new fountain centerpiece that was completed this spring, the Arena’s exterior received a dramatic update incorporating glass elements from the Center’s façade.

• Beginning with the expected opening of “Toy Story Mania“ in Summer 2008, Disney’s California Adventure® Park will add new attractions based on some of the most popular Disney and Disney-Pixar animated features during the next four to five years. An indoor attraction based on “The Little Mermaid” is planned as is an entire exciting new land based on the “Cars” movie. The extensive theme park transformation will also include the retooling of the park’s entrance. The new entrance will have a California-themed shopping plaza with a 1920s look and feel to it.

• CIM Group continues the construction of six mixed-use developments near Anaheim’s Center Street Promenade. This ongoing revitalization of Historic Downtown Anaheim will create a fresh, urban center featuring residential neighborhoods, historic preservation and restoration projects, and a master-planned downtown block for residential and commercial use.

• The Strand, opening late 2009, will be a mixed-use development overlooking Huntington Beach Pier. Four distinct buildings linked by open-air pedestrian walkways will offer stylish retail options and popular dining establishments along with the Shorebreak Hotel, a luxury 157-room boutique hotel by Joie de Vivre.

• Pacific City, a dynamic new development overlooking the Pacific Ocean will offer an array of eclectic boutiques, and exciting culinary and entertainment venues, along with Orange County’s first W Hotel. The 250-room trendsetting property is scheduled to open in 2010. The retail village is scheduled to open late 2009.

• Construction and planning efforts continue in the Platinum Triangle in Anaheim. Envisioned as Orange County’s new downtown, it consists of 820 acres surrounding Angel Stadium and will be a vibrant, 24-hour, mixed-use, urban environment. This includes office, residential and entertainment venues that will open in phases through 2009. Contact: Linda Johnson, 714.765.5139 ext. 5790, ljohnson@anaheim.net.

• Just a short walk from world-famous Disneyland® Resort is developing a new 14-story resort – the tallest ever built in Anaheim. WorldMark Anaheim will contain 253 units, mixing one-, two-, and three-bedroom condominiums with 12 new luxury presidential suites, which will be located on the top two floors of the resort. Trendwest anticipates that WorldMark Anaheim the resort will welcome its first guests in 2008.

ARTS & CULTURE

• May 18, 2008 - October 12, 2008, the recently expanded Bowers Museum will host the United States premiere of Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of the First Emperor - the largest and most noteworthy exhibit from China, including 20 complete life-size soldier figures and new discoveries.

• The Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum officially entered the federal system in 2007. After Congress provides funding for a 15,000-square-foot addition, the National Archives plans to send copies of 4,000 hours of Nixon’s presidential tapes, plus 42 million pages of presidential materials. Additionally, the library tore down the 17-year-old Watergate gallery to replace it with a new 360 degree look at the issue with plasma screens, oral accounts, selections from White House tapes, scanned archives, bits of news broadcasts and footage of the Watergate hearings.

• Mission San Juan Capistrano is now providing its guests with a digital audio tour free with paid admission for adults and seniors, $2.00 per child with parent permission. Experience the Mission through history, music, storytelling, and legends while you relax in the koi-filled ponds, lush gardens, and historical buildings. Tours are available in English and Spanish.

ATTRACTIONS

• The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates its 10th anniversary beginning June 14, with a year-long celebration that will feature new exhibits, live music, special promotions.

• Discovery Science Center has a year of family-friendly science exhibitions in store for 2008. Summer exhibitions run May 23 - September 7, 2008 and include Animal Grossology – bringing the stinkiest, slimiest and downright yuckiest creatures on Earth to OC, and Bob the Builder – Project: Build It – inspiring teamwork and showcasing environmentally friendly building themes.

• The enhanced Disney Magic cruise ship will return to the West Coast for the summer of 2008 to once again offer its popular seven-night Mexican Riviera sailings departing from the Port of Los Angeles. Guests can combine a Disney Cruise Line vacation with the fun of Disneyland® Resort by booking a two-night pre- or post-stay at one of Disney’s three Anaheim Resort hotels.

• Segway® your way through Disney’s California Adventure® Park on a Segway® Personal Transporter. Tour elements include learning the basics of how to ride this innovative two-wheeled vehicle, touring Disney’s California Adventure® Park before its regular operating hours, free parking, an exclusive tour pin and complimentary photograph of your adventure.

• LEGOLAND California opened it’s eighth area of attractions … Land of Adventure, in March 2008. The attraction transports guests into 1920s Egypt with the help of four rides: Lost Kingdom Adventure, Cargo Ace, Beetle Bounce and Pharaoh’s Revenge. Set to open this summer as a separate admission, SEA LIFE LEGOLAND California, will provide educational and interactive dynamic play zones, fun facts and quiz trails designed to be a child’s guide to the life of the sea. The two-story aquarium will encompass nearly 36,000 square feet and will be the 29th SEA LIFE Center to open in the world and the first in North America.

• The Simpsons are coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson will ride along with guests in a new mega-attraction opening in Spring 2008. Guests will experience a mix of thrill rides, dark rides and “live” shows that make up a new fantasy amusement park dreamed up by the show’s Krusty the Clown.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT –NEW RESTAURANTS AT ANAHEIM GARDENWALK

• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. officially opened at the Anaheim GardenWalk. Modeled after the 1994 hit movie Forrest Gump, the restaurant combines a casual family atmosphere with quality seafood, including the house specialty – shrimp, from steamed in beer or fried to scampi, stuffed and more.

• California Pizza Kitchen features an innovative line of hearth-baked pizzas featuring flavors and tastes from around the world, from Thai to Jamaican Jerk and including the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza. CPK also offers a broad selection of made-to-order pastas, creative salads, soups, sandwiches, delicious deserts and an award-winning CPKids menu.

• A unique, upscale casual dining restaurant offering an extensive menu of more than 200 items, The Cheesecake Factory also has 50 specialty cocktails and 40 signature cheesecakes and desserts.

• Bringing more than 30 varieties of the freshest seafood available to the Anaheim GardenWalk, McCormick & Schmick’s Grille, also has a great steak selection. Set in a traditional fish house decor with a lively bar featuring hand-shaken cocktails.

• Fresh, contemporary and consistently outstanding are the trademarks of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. This stylish, high-energy bistro combines unforgettable Chinese cuisine and attentive service to create a unique dining experience at the Anaheim GardenWalk.

• Aloha! Founded by award-winning Chef/Owner Roy Yamaguchi, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine has become well known throughout the world. The restaurant’s exciting, and innovative use of European sauces and bold Asian spices are all deliciously wrapped in a Hawaiian state of mind.

• The Vault VIP Lounge at The OC Pavilion added Friday night jazz to its entertainment lineup. Local, national and international acts perform in the romantic, plush lounge, featuring jazz-inspired artwork, comfortable seating, drink specials and cocktail fare, including a selection of domestic and international cheeses.

• Expect to stumble into Sonoma wine country in the heart of Orange County at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar at the District in Tustin. The hip, vibrant and sophisticated addition to Orange County’s expansive dining landscape features a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled, wine cellar that can accommodate up to 5,000 bottles!

GOLF, SPORTS & RECREATION

• With two Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf courses, the Pelican Hill Golf Club reopened in the fall of 2007, along with the new Pelican Grill restaurant. The state-of-the-art golf club is the first component to open in The Resort at Pelican Hill™, which is scheduled to open the second phase, including bungalow and villa accommodations, a spa, a wedding chapel and a massive Coliseum pool, in Fall 2008.

• The Great Park Balloon ride, the very first feature of the Orange County Great Park, opened last year along with a Visitors Center. The one hundred foot round helium balloon offers passengers a bird’s eye view of park development. The major metropolitan park will be the focal point of redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro and will include a 2.5 mile canyon, botanic gardens, a performing arts venue, an aircraft museum, a sports park, a 974-acre nature preserve and more. The Great Park Balloon and Visitors Center will be temporarily closed to the public during construction of the 27.5-acre Preview Park and in preparation for Great Park Summer 2008. The site will reopen on July 12th, celebrating the Preview Park’s grand opening as well as the Great Park’s 3rd Anniversary.

SHOPPING

• Fashion Island recently welcomed several new establishments, including Luxe Eyewear Dita Legends. In addition to Dita Legends, Fashion Island will also soon add Nordstrom, Dean & DeLuca and Trina Turk to its line-up of luxury and trend-setting designer stores.

• Enjoy the ultimate shopping experience. Available for tour groups and out-of-town guests, South Coast Plaza is now providing complimentary Personal Shopper Services including beauty and skin and hair care consultation by leading professionals. New boutiques open 2008 include ROLEX, Oscar de la Renta, AG Adriano Goldschmied, and Calvin Klein. For more information, contact tourism@southcoastplaza.com  or call 800.782.8888.

SPAS

• Winter 2007/08, Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa plans to build The Green House around its two newest pools to keep guests warm during the cooler winter months and shield guests from the sun’s UV rays during the summer.

• During summer 2007, Spa Montage at the Montage Resort & Spa created a new approach for its daily wellness classes and private training sessions for single guests or small corporate groups of 3-20 people. Three new fitness experience designations – Bliss, Blast and Balance – allow guests to select classes best suited to their personal moods and needs.

• In 2007 The Spa at The Island Hotel began offering organic-like products (an exclusive in OC) and three new facials: the OC Facial Drench, the Oxygenating Facial, and the Time Defier by Darphin, all aimed at keeping the tell-tale signs of time at bay. The spa also introduced facials, massages and manicures exclusively for men in March 2007. mc@mclarkpr.com.

TOURS, TRANSPORTATION & SERVICES

• Lux Bus America is now offering group charter services. Operating all new coaches equipped with leather seats, DVD players, large screen monitors, seat back tray tables and cup holders. Additional amenities include Satellite TV, wireless internet and coach back galleys.

• Experience the beauty of Orange County and its gorgeous beaches with the Anaheim Tour Company’s OC Beach Bus Tour. Stopping at the three most famous OC beaches (Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach), visitors can take in the rich beauty and diversity in a customized classic woody-style beach cruiser.

• Comfort Keepers®, a leading provider for non-medical companion and personal care services for nearly a decade, recently opened an Anaheim office. In collaboration with community partners, Comfort Keepers offers assistance to visitors and their families with special needs while staying in the Anaheim area.

• Dana Wharf Sport fishing recently launched the OCean Adventure, a series of naturalist-guided whale watching and sea life adventure charters aboard state-of-the-art, eco-friendly catamarans. The new charters accommodate up to 49 guests and feature a deli-style galley and full-service bar. Among the catamaran’s many innovations are underwater cameras and a hydrophone, making it possible to see and listen to the whales and dolphins of the Pacific.

• John Wayne Airport plans to bring new services and amenities as part of its Airport Improvement Program to meet the needs of a growing number of annual passengers. The program includes an update to existing facilities, the addition of a 250,000 square foot third terminal (Terminal C), 2,000 more parking spaces, the addition of WiFi in all terminals and more. The first phase of construction to allow room for the new terminal, which began in late 2006 will take approximately two years to complete. The cost of the improvement and expansion will be approximately $652 million.

• Lux Bus America is now offering group charter services. Operating all new coaches equipped with leather seats, DVD players, large screen monitors, seat back tray tables and cup holders. Additional amenities include Satellite TV, wireless internet and coach back galleys. C

Home to renowned beaches, world-famous theme parks and attractions, exciting professional sports, unique shopping, arts and cultural events, and award-winning restaurants, Southern California’s Anaheim/Orange County is a blend of sights and experiences complemented by warm sunshine. For more information about Anaheim and Orange County, visit www.anaheimoc.org or call 714/765-8888.

BOSTON, – Smart Destinations Inc., the premier provider of unlimited admission attraction passes in major U.S. travel destinations, today announced the availability of the new Las Vegas Explorer Pass. The Las Vegas Explorer Pass enables visitors to enjoy the best of Vegas with a convenient, pre-loaded, flexible-savings pass that offers admission to a variety of attractions, shows and nightlife options from which users can customize their ideal vacation. Best of all, the Las Vegas Explorer Pass enables visitors to save between 30 and 50 percent on their Las Vegas entertainment.

With the Las Vegas Explorer Pass, visitors can choose from a variety of Premium and Signature attractions based on the card they purchase, including admission to a variety of Las Vegas shows; the area’s top nightclubs, themed tours and attractions; and the Hoover Dam tour, among many other options. For an additional $35 upgrade fee, visitors can take advantage of the Grand Canyon tour, a $149 value. In addition, the Las Vegas Explorer Pass also includes a guidebook that provides details on Las Vegas deals such as shopping and dining discounts for the ultimate cost-effective destination experience.

“With the Las Vegas Explorer Pass, we created an offering that enables visitors to experience the city’s best attractions in the most flexible and cost-effective way possible, which is particularly appealing given today’s high cost of travel,” said Cecilia Dahl, co-founder and president of Smart Destinations. “Visitors can bet on the Las Vegas Explorer Pass to ensure a winning summer vacation!”

Premium attractions available with the Las Vegas Explorer Pass include: The Gordie Brown Show plus Dinner, V: The Ultimate Variety Show plus Dinner, Toxic Audio – A Vocal Comedy Show plus Dinner, Gregory Popovich Comedy Pet Theater plus Dinner, Las Vegas Mob Tour, Haunted Vegas Tour, Platters, Cornell Gunters Coasters and the Marvelettes Show, Roseanne Barr: Domestic Goddess Live, Vegas Passport Nightclub Sampler (VIP admission to a selection of top Las Vegas nightclubs), Star Trek: The Experience and the Hoover Dam Tour.

Signature attractions include: Stratosphere Tower, Atomic Testing Museum, Springs Preserve, Fashion Outlets Shopping Shuttle, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, Madame Tussaud’s House of Wax, Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden Dolphin Habitat, a $20 food voucher for La Salsa Cantina and a $20 food voucher for Planet Hollywood.

Pricing for the Las Vegas Explorer Pass starts at $69.99 for adults and $64.99 for children. Customers have up to 30 days to use their pass after visiting their first attraction.

About Smart Destinations

Smart Destinations is the premier provider of unlimited admission attraction passes in major U.S. travel destinations. Smart Destinations’ Go Cards offer simplified access to dozens of attractions to individuals, couples and families, for one fixed “per day” price. The Go Guidebook is ready-to-travel and includes fun facts about a destination, access details, and important local numbers. Distributed through major travel services in 25 countries, corporate HR departments and their vendors, as well as on the Web, Smart Destinations’ Go Cards are a “trusted companion” for the best a city has to offer at an unbeatable price point.

(MIAMI) – With a nearly non-stop slate of festivals from May through September, Miami promises to be one of the coolest places on the planet to visit this summer. Among the top events are the Miami-Bahamas Goombay Festival (June 1-2); Zo’s Summer Groove XII Introducing D. Wade (July 9-13), the inaugural Miami Spa Month (July), Miami Spice Restaurant Month (August-September) and festivals celebrating everything from mangoes to Miami’s rich cultural heritage.

Making the destination even more attractive are the great deals that hotels, resorts, spas, attractions and even restaurants are offering. Here are some of the ways to live it up in Miami this summer at a fraction of the cost:

ATTRACTIONS

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County has a thrilling 2008 summer season in store, including four spectacular main stage productions. Summer at the center begins with the beloved larger-than-life characters of “Go, Diego, Go Live!” and culminates with the Miami debut of the visual stage spectacular “Slava’s Snowshow. ” The center will honor the legend of global music icon Celia Cruz and commemorate the five-year anniversary of her death with “CELIA: The Life & Music of Celia Cruz,” set to launch its first international tour in Miami.

The Adrienne Arsht Center will also present the world premiere of its original production “Miami Libre,” a tale of Cuban passion and American dreams narrated through the music of the two-time Grammynominated Cuban music group Tiempo Libre and Miami’s most talented dancers. The summer programming continues in the Carnival Studio Theater with the return of City Theatre’s Summer Shorts Festival and the XXIII International Hispanic Theatre Festival. For more information, visit www.ArshtCenter.org

In celebration of the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Miami Children’s Museum is sending its loveable mascot, Michimu, on an unforgettable Olympic journey. The 2,500-square-foot interactive exhibit, MiChiMu’s Summer Games, runs June 7 through September 7, 2008. Fun for all ages, the exhibition is all about teamwork and fitness.

For more information, visit www.MiamiChildrensMuseum.org

Miami Seaquarium will be offering fun and cool alternatives to beat the heat with its Splashtacular Summer celebration. From June 7 to August 17, 2008, the park will feature daily performances by the All American High Dive Team. This acrobatic and dive show features professional divers from around the country who show off their Olympic diving ability along with hilarious comedic antics. The park will also offer a Kids Water Play Area during the summer where children will be able to enjoy inflatable water slides and wet slip-n-slides. In addition, Salty’s Pirate Playground and the park’s Spray and Play misting stations will provide refreshing ways to stay cool. For more information, visit www.MiamiSeaquarium.com

Sunny Isles Beach, Miami was named the #1 travel destination in the United States by Trip Advisor when it unveiled its list of emerging hotspots for 2008. The beach community will host the inaugural Powerboat Race presented by the Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association on June 20-22, 2008. In addition, the first-ever Sunny Isles Beach 2008 Jazz Fest will be held on October 17-19, 2008.

For more information, visit www.SunnyIslesBeachMiami.com

HOTELS

Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach: For families traveling May 27 through September 28, 2008, Acqualina Resort & Spa is offering a special “Escape to Family Offer” with discounted room rates beginning at $375 for stays of two nights, $350 for stays of three to four nights, and $325 for stays over five nights in an Intracoastal Room, inclusive of continental breakfast for two adults at Il Mulino New York. The resort also offers a variety of activities and amenities perfectly suited for children, including:

• “Benvenuto Kids!” Children under 12 eat like kings at Il Mulino New York, with the restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner for the cost of each meal equivalent to the child’s age. For example, a 4-year-old child would pay $4 per meal.

• The hotel’s innovative AcquaMarine program is designed for children ages five to 12 years old to teach the basics of marine biology through fun and educational activities.

• Complimentary cribs and children’s robes

• A special amenity just for kids—their own backpack with coloring book, crayons, and sunscreen

• Nanny service available 24 hours, 7 days a week to provide a much-needed break for Mom and Dad

• Dinner and a movie (complete with popcorn) in the privacy of the guest’s room or suite.

• Hourly arts and crafts

• Zero-entry pool perfect for toddlers and young swimmers.

For more information, call 305-918-6777 or visit www.Acqualina.com

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront: Whether it’s a couple’s getaway, singles retreat or family vacation, this hotel knows how to ensure fun and sun with a variety of special packages:

• The ‘Escape ! Romance’ package beckons newlyweds and longtime lovers to get away with a king bed, bottle of champagne on arrival, and breakfast for two in the Courtyard Cafe starting at $169 per night. For a more decadent encounter, • The “Escape ! His ‘N Her’ package is a sweetheart deal for $350 per night with a king bed, one hour couples massage in an oceanfront cabana, and breakfast for two in the Courtyard Cafe.

• The “Just the Girls” package offers two queen beds, champagne upon arrival, breakfast for four, and a 25% discount off in-room spa services for $175 per night.

• For the fashionista, the “Escape ! Shopping” package starts at $159 per night with a king bed guestroom, breakfast for two, and shopping discount coupons for nearby Aventura Mall and Macy’s.

• “Fun Under The Sun” starts at $180 per night and includes a king bed, two beach chairs and umbrella on the Atlantic Ocean, and two signature drinks at the Surfside Tiki Bar.

For information, call 800-503-1432 or visit www.CourtyardMiamiBeach.com

Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club is offering an “All the Best” package from May 28 through September 30, 2008. With rates starting at $144.50 per person, the package includes luxurious oversized accommodations; overnight valet parking; breakfast buffet daily in the new Cascata Grille restaurant; $50 resort credit per room, per night, to be used on property at choice of restaurants, lounges, golf courses, pro shops and spa services; unlimited admission to the Willow Stream spa including fitness center and classes (excluding extra services;) and complimentary shuttle service to the Ocean Club and Aventura Mall. Room tax and resort fee included.

For more information, call 305-932-6200 or visit www.Fairmont.com/TurnberryIsle

Fisher Island Hotel & Resort: This exclusive resort offers a “Fun in the Sun Package” with nightly rates starting at $1,220 for a Junior Gardenview Suite in the Vanderbilt Guesthouse. The daily rates, coupled with the daily Fisher Island Club membership fee of $60 per person per room, gives guests a daily $500 spending allowance on incidental club charges; full access to dining and recreation amenities; champagne or mimosa greeting at check-in; housekeeping services; daily newspaper delivery; one golf cart for island transportation; and concierge services.

For more information, call 305-535-6000 or visit www.FisherIslandClub.com

Four Seasons Hotel Miami: Visitors can take advantage of exceptional “Miami Getaway” rates to enjoy a weekend in Miami for relaxation, shopping or to simply reconnect with a loved one. A two-night stay starts at $250 per night and a getaway of three or more nights starts at $225 per night. The package is available April 29 through September 30, 2008.

For more information, call 305- 358-3535 or visit www.FourSeasons.com/Miami

Grove Isle Hotel & Spa: The hotel’s “Fun in the Sun” promotion offers Florida residents 25% off hotel rates, services at SpaTerre and its restaurant, Balenee, from May 1 to September 29, 2008.

For more information, call 305-858-8300 or visit www.GroveIsle.com

Loews Miami Beach Hotel: This South Beach hotel is offering “SummerFest” – the perfect getaway for the entire family. Guest can enroll their youngsters in the hotel’s Sobe Kids Camp, take part in activities like beach yoga, scavenger hunts and face painting, treat themselves to a spa service at Elemis Spa and Fitness Center, visit the new Kids Concierge, or just enjoy some poolside pampering with Evian misting, frozen grapes and chilled towels. Book a three-night minimum stay for travel dates of June 1 through September 30, 2008 at Loews Best Rate and receive a $75 hotel credit. Credit is valid for hotel spa, restaurants (excluding Emeril’s), bars and/or lounge and must be used during the stay.

For more information, call 877-604-1601 or visit www.LoewsHotels.com

Mandarin Oriental, Miami: Situated on the waterfront enclave of idyllic Brickell Key, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami is offering Florida residents the “Fantastic Florida Escape” package, which includes luxury accommodations; daily breakfast for up to two persons; 10% off select spa treatments (80-minutes minimum, Monday through Friday only) and 20% off select spa treatments (110- minutes minimum, Monday through Friday only); and complimentary valet parking. Rates are from $299 per room per night from Sunday through Thursday and $319 on Friday and Saturday. Package is valid from May 26 through September 30, 2008. Rates apply to Florida residents only. Spa offer is available from June 2, 2008 and is not valid during holidays (4th of July and Labor Day).

For more information, call 305-913-8288 or visit www.MandarinOriental.com

The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of Miami: From a wonderful city experience to sizzling beach adventures in a tropical paradise, three Ritz-Carltons in Greater Miami are offering a special “Reconnect Package” this summer that provides ideal settings for guests to reconnect with loved ones and enjoy a luxury experience:

• The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami: The area’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel, this 115-room Italian Renaissance-style boutique property is within minutes of the Biscayne Bay, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and area attractions. The Summer Reconnect Package is available until September 2008 starting at $309 per night weekdays and includes deluxe room, breakfast for two, valet parking and a $25 daily resort credit to be used towards food and beverage, The Spa or Spa Boutique.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne: An award-winning oceanfront resort and spa and the only AAA Five Diamond resort in Miami, The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne is on a secluded island just minutes from the city’s cosmopolitan center, yet feels like a secluded destination with its lush tropical gardens, pristine beach and infinity views. The Reconnect Package is available until December 2008 starting at $589 per night weekdays and includes deluxe room, breakfast for two, valet parking and an Island Treasure Chest with an array of amenities and gifts.

Close encounters with dolphins walking on water and Lolita the killer whale jumping though hoops are part of the seafaring adventure brought to life this summer with a second package offered by The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne. Now through October 31, the hotel’s Discover Miami Seaquarium package starts at $229 per night and includes deluxe resort view room accommodations, a gift upon arrival and two admission tickets to the popular 38-acre Miami Seaquarium (1 adult and 1 child), where guests can enjoy a fun-filled day of education and eight different marine animal shows.

• The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach: This luxury oceanfront hotel in the heart of South Beach’s famed Art Deco district is a complete restoration of an original 1953 Morris Lapidus-designed landmark hotel. The Reconnect Package is available until December 2008 starting at $449 per night weekdays and includes deluxe room, breakfast for two at Bistro One LR, valet parking and The Sobe Cool Pack with an array of tanning amenities and gifts.

For more information about The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of Miami, call (800) 241-3333 or visit www.RitzCarlton.com

Sagamore – The Art Hotel: An upscale and intimate collection of 93 boutique accommodations, the Sagamore is offering a number of creative packages this summer, including:

• Patron’s Art Package – Even if travelers don’t have a gallery of their own, they can act as if they do, while on a private tour of the Sagamore Collection and Miami Beach’s finest Museums (The Bass and MOCA). The package includes a two-night stay in a deluxe suite; breakfast for two daily; valet parking; private art tour of the Sagamore collection; exclusive tours at Bass Museum and MOCA; and Miami Contemporary Artists Book by Paul Clemence and Julie Davidow. Rates begin at $730 and are based on double occupancy.

• International Jetsetter –This package has everything needed for the international playboy, including a seven-night stay in a private bungalow or penthouse suite; airport limousine pick up and return service; bottle of chilled champagne; one post-flight massage; VIP passes to selected South Beach clubs; exotic car rental (Lamborghini for a day); daily breakfast for two; and one pre-flight massage. Rates for the seven-night package start at $5,990 for a private bungalow and $26,820 for the penthouse suite.

For information call 877-242-6673 or visit www.SagamoreHotel.com

Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove: The hotel is offering guests 10% off the best available rate when they stay for two nights this summer and 20% of the best available rate when they stay for three nights. The hotel is also offering groups a special summer meeting package of $69 per person per day, plus the guestroom rate. This package includes Continental breakfast, mid-morning and afternoon breaks and lunch; wireless Internet in the meeting room; screen and flipchart.

For more information, call 305-529-2828 or visit www.Sonesta.com/CoconutGrove

The Tides South Beach: Newly re-launched with a glamour that reclaims the iconic hotel’s legendary status, The Tides South Beach invites guests to bask in its high-design amenities with a new “Summer Serenity” package. Recline along the exquisite art deco-inspired pool terrace, share cocktails in the chic new bars of the magnificent lobby, enjoy breakfast amid the stunning interiors of La Marea restaurant and relax before serene ocean views in a spacious Kelly Wearstlerdesigned Studio Suite. The package includes: one night accommodation in an Oceanfront Studio Suite, refreshing rum summer cocktail for two upon arrival and full American breakfast for two. The $390 package is available for stays from June 1 to September 30, 2008, Sunday through Thursday night stays only. Blackout dates are May 22 to 27 and June 23 to 27, 2008.

For more information, call 866-891-0950 or visit www.TidesSouthBeach.com

For more special offers at Miami hotels, visit this link. 

SPAS

Miami Spa Month: Renowned for its luxury spas that are consistently ranked among the “Best Spas in America,” Miami is launching its first-ever Miami Spa Month this July 2008. Nearly 20 of Miami’s premier spas will offer $99 treatments – normally valued at $199 and above – during the inaugural event. Organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau along with Presenting Sponsor American Express, Miami Spa Month is believed to be one of the only events of its kind where a destination offers a month-long special price incentive for visitors and locals alike. Treatments offered by each participating spa from July 1 to July 31, 2008 are detailed on a special website: www.MiamiSpaMonth.com

RESTAURANTS

Coral Gables Restaurant Week: Downtown Coral Gables is launching its first ever Coral Gables Restaurant Week where participating chefs will offer three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus from June 2 through June 8, 2008. The week will serve to celebrate the great international chefs and venues which make Downtown Coral Gables one of the finest culinary destinations in the heart of Miami, with 23 Zagat-rated restaurants. Participating restaurants include:

Cacao, Caffé Abracci, California Pizza Kitchen, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine, La Cofradia, La Dorada, Ortanique on the Mile, Caramelo, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, Sushi Maki, Benihana, Artfish on the Mile, Two Sisters, Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, Hoja Nueva Restaurant, JohnMartin’s and newly-opened Por Fin Restaurant. For a complete list of participating restaurants and menus, visit www.CoralGablesRestaurantWeek.com

More than 80 of Miami’s top restaurants will offer $22 lunch and $35 dinner prix fixe menus during Miami Spice Restaurant Month this August and September.

Presented by American Express and organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), the highly popular summer restaurant promotion has more than doubled in size and scope since it launched in 2001. Each of the restaurants participating in Miami Spice will include an appetizer, entrée and dessert as part of the fixed price, which offers an average discount of 30-60 percent off the regular value. For more information on participating restaurants, sponsors, pricing and special menus, visit www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com

Prezzo Restaurant & Martini Bar: This Aventura eatery is offering two recessionproof choices. The $12 “Lunch Express” includes a choice of hamburger or cheeseburger, sandwich, entrée salad or entrée of the day, including a side salad or fries and non-alcoholic beverage. “Prix Fixe Tuesdays” offers a complete dinner for $30, including appetizer, entrée, dessert and a glass of champagne or wine. For more information, call 305-931-5775 or visit www.Prezzofl.com

SHOPPING

Bal Harbour Shops is offering a new “Little Black Book” full of privileged, one-of-akind offers exclusively for guests of The Regent Bal Harbour and the Sea View Hotel Bal Harbour. Within walking distance of both hotels, the upscale shopping “hall of fame” boasts 100 of the world’s most desirable names in fashion, from Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent. A sampling of the luxury brands featured in the new Little Black Book includes: anchors Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, Celine, Chloè, Emilio Pucci, Ermengildo Zegna, Intermix, Judith Ripka, Luca Luca, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and Tourneau. Bal Harbour Shops’ bistros and outdoor cafés – including Carpaccio, La Goulue, Lea’s Tea Room and Bal Harbour Bistro – spice up the Little Black Book with tempting dining offers.

Resort cuisine at The Regent Bal Harbour and the Sea View Hotel, plus spa treatment upgrades at The Regent’s Guerlain Spa round out the Little Black Book experience. For more information, visit www.BalHarbourShops.com

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an independent notfor- profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions.

For a vacation guide, visit our website at www.MiamiAndBeaches.com  or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305-539-3000. Meeting planners may call 1-800-933-8448 (US/Canada only) or 305-539-3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com