Jetsettersblog

With the first signs of snow dusting the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, skiers and boarders the world over are chomping at the bit to hit the slopes. There’s a palpable sense of anticipation of the pending winter season with more excitement in the fresh alpine air, more buzz in the pedestrian village and more savvy visitors taking advantage of the simply amazing value with Whistler stay and ski packages. Don’t miss out!

Book a Whistler vacation package before November 15 and save up to 35 per cent on accommodation and lift tickets. Plus, families can save even more with the Kids Ski & Rent Free promotion, where kids 12 and under can ski and rent for free!
www.whistler.com  or 1.800.WHISTLER

Whistler Spa Escapes

Until October 31, 2008
Use your Visa card at select Whistler spas and be rewarded with big savings and special offers. Indulge with a relaxing massage, aromatherapy or rejuvenating facial and feel like the million dollar view surrounding you. Full details of offers and participating spas www.whistler.com/spa_escapes

Whistler Creekside Fashion and Lifestyle Market
Until November 14-16, 2008

This market highlights locally made, unique, original clothing and accessories, for men, women, kids and your pets. There is a diverse selection of products from High Fashion clothing, cool T-shirts and hoodies to skateboards, long boards, snowboards, jewelry, hats, belts, glass products, handmade cards, eco products and pet products. All products sold are made in British Columbia!
November 1, 2008

With the children’s Halloween costumes packed away for another year, next it’s time for the adults to play! The Rotary Club of Whistler presents an adult only costume and dance party, with live DJ, door prizes, raffles, silent auction and carnival games. Proceeds go to a number of deserving charities and rotary projects. The party will take place at TELUS Whistler Conference Centre; to buy tickets call 604.932.9598.

Cornucopia - Whistler’s Annual Celebration of Wine and Food
November 6 - 10, 2008

Last year the festival was extended to five days, paving the way for an expanded lineup of delectable wine and food grazing, tasting events, an exciting array of educational and entertaining culinary seminars and chef demonstrations, renowned after-parties, plus Cornucopia’s ever-popular signature tasting event, Crush! - ran on two evenings. The huge demand for Crush! tickets was evident with a sell-out event on Saturday and close to sold-out on Friday. Returning for the twelfth year, Cornucopia celebrates the good things in life and promises not to disappoint.

Two-night accommodation packages include a ticket to Cornucopia’s famous Crush! Gala Grand Tasting and start at just $189 CDN per person through 1.800.WHISTLER.
www.whistlercornucopia.com

ARTrageous
Thursday, November 6, 2008

Whistler’s original art party returns for its 13th year, as part of Cornucopia 2008. Featuring a showcase of emerging and established artists, ARTrageous is a blend of self-expression, interactive artwork and photography, dance, hot funk music, a little food, wine and silk.
www.whistlercornucopia.com  or www.whistlerartscouncil.com

Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains Official Opening Day
November 27, 2008

The day we’ve all been waiting for… Skiers and snowboarders are raring to go, anxious to hit the slopes and dreaming of the perfectly-groomed cruisers, powder-filled bowls and seemingly endless mountain terrain and alpine adventures.

The Whistler Blackcomb Snow Report is your source for snow, weather and operations information leading up to opening day. Any new snow updates or early opening possibilities can be obtained by calling 604.932.4211 or by checking out the website. Once Whistler Blackcomb opens, the Snow Report is updated five times a day providing guests the most accurate, up to date information about weather and snow conditions on the mountains.
www.whistlerblackcomb.com

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola Update
(Ongoing)

Construction is nearing completion on this world-record breaking gondola. Leading up to the grand opening, crews will be in the final stages of preparation. All 28 Sky Cabins are on the line and are being housed in the terminal buildings. Keep your eyes to the sky to see the cabins travelling across the valley.

newsletter and receive regular updates. www.whistlerblackcomb.com/peak2peak

Bizarre Bazaar
November 28 - 29, 2008
Whistler’s original artisan market, offering enough goodies, treats and treasures to complete everyone’s holiday shopping list. Featuring 100 artisans from the Sea to Sky Corridor, Lower Mainland and beyond, the 20th annual holiday fair boasts an array of ceramics, clothing, fine art, wood, glass, metal, jewelry, candles and aromatherapy products as well as Christmas decorations.
www.whistlerartscouncil.com

Feature Vacation Package

Book Early and Save
Book your Whistler vacation package before November 15 and save up to 35 per cent on accommodation and lift tickets. Plus, families can save even more with the Kids Ski & Rent Free promotion, where kids 12 and under can ski and rent for free!

www.whistler.com  or 1.800.WHISTLER

Coming soon….

Whistler Film Festival - December 3-7

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola opening - December 12

Fire and Ice shows - special show December 12 to coincide with PEAK 2 PEAK opening, then every Sunday from December 21 to April 5, 2009

First Night - December 31

Celebration 2010 - the one-year countdown to the Winter Games - February 1-28, 2009

Club Med’s Kaarin Gaukrodger is pleased to see Bali back where it rightfully belongs on the hot destination list for 2009.

Flight Centre says Bali is steadily regaining its popularity with New Zealanders and will be one of the places to be seen in 2009 and there are some fantastic deals on offer.

“This is fantastic news and visitors to Club Med Bali next year will be in for a huge surprise because the resort has just been totally refurbished,” says Ms Gaukrodger, Club Med Marketing Manager New Zealand.

“The resort reopens just before Christmas as the trendiest place in Bali with perfect harmony between new trendy design and traditional Balinese architecture. Club Med has appointed renowned designer Marc Enrich to make Club Med the place to stay in Bali.”

The refurbishment includes a new restaurant, Beach Bar and lounge areas, as well as new look guest rooms and spa.

Flight Centre says Bali’s original charm of the ‘Island of the Gods’ is still felt and its smiling people are welcoming people back into their country. In Bali travellers can enjoy what has long been equated with an exotic paradise; a picturesque vision of green rice fields and plantations, soaring volcanoes, cool lakes and rushing rivers, lush forests and palm fringed beaches.

Ms Gaukrodger adds that it’s also great see some of the other destinations where Club Med has resorts on the list as well – Greece, Mexico and Spain.

Other destinations named in the Top Ten for 2009 are Brunei, Croatia, Vietnam, Czech Republic and the United Arab Emirates.

Club Med Hot Deal:

Be the first to experience the new Club Med Nusa Dua Bali - book now and save 25% off the land stay part of your package.

Club Med. Where happiness means the world.

For further information phone 0800 258 263 or click on to www.clubmed.co.nz

OutriggerHawaii.com has launched new features that focus on Hawaii’s culture and local color. Included are new stories and video podcasts, a real-time blog and a calendar of island events. In the website’s new “Learn to Surf” video, surf instructor Mike Kaihe teaches a beginner how to catch his first wave. To complement this video vignette, the website provides information on the best surf spots, local surfboard shapers and stories of real people who love to surf. Other recent additions to OutriggerHawaii.com include a comprehensive calendar of statewide events and an “In the News” section that highlights news about Hawaii.

A new, real-time blog written by the site’s editor, Kim Steutermann Rogers, covers a wide range of topics and issues relevant to Hawaii.

Throughout the rest of the year, OutriggerHawaii.com will feature a suite of stories in celebration of the International Year of the Reef.

 New content will highlight reef voluntourism opportunities, protection and conservation tips, and statewide programs and events. The site also hosts a Hawaii Reef Etiquette public service announcement by underwater filmmaker and environmental conservationist Ziggy Livnat. The PSA, narrated by fish, shares with viewers key do’s and don’ts when interacting with marine life and the coral reefs.

 For more information, visit www.outriggerhawaii.com

Marquis Los Cabos’ Blue Cabo Food, Wine and Tequila Getaway, hosted by leading food and wine expert Anthony Dias Blue, will take place from Dec. 11 to 14, 2008. The three-night “Blue Cabo” is $495 per night, per person, and includes suite accommodations at Marquis Los Cabos, breakfast daily, one massage per person, round-trip airport/hotel transportation and four singular dining experiences.

For more information or reservations, call 877-238-9399 or visit www.marquisloscabos.com

The 14-room Hotel Carl Gustaf, perched high above Gustavia Harbour in St. Barths, is nearing completion of a major multi-million-dollar refit which has transformed the landmark into a true 21st century retreat when it re-opens its doors on Dec. 15. French designer Franck Reynaud and his team are at the helm of the resort’s new look.

Changes at Hotel Carl Gustaf are extensive, and include a newly-designed kitchen, signature restaurant and cocktail lounge; a new reception area; a magnificent new four-bedroom penthouse suite; a new Spa and more. Carita Spa guests will be able to select from an extensive list of exclusive services and treatments. The Spa will feature two treatment/massage rooms; one single and a double for couples. Each will have a private outside deck with loungers; a Hydro Zone with a steam room; a choice of showers, with one offering essential oils; and an outside deck with a Jacuzzi/pool, with a special jet that guests can “swim against” on one side. In addition to chaise lounges, decks sport a special “ice-fountain,” for cold dips when using the Jacuzzi or between steam-room sessions.

The four-bedroom, 2,600-square-foot Royale Suite has a private entrance, an over-sized living room, four separate bedrooms, a large fully-equipped kitchen, separate lounge area and several terraces to maximize the island vistas. The loft-like master bedroom with its king-size bed and multi-jet shower has been specially designed for the ultimate relaxation and comfort. Each of the resort’s 14 harbor-facing suites offer private terraces and plunge pools, marble flooring, tiled bathrooms, mahogany furnishings and kitchenettes.

For more information, call 212-616-5032 or visit www.hotelcarlgustaf.com

The Grand Del Mar resort in San Diego has unveiled its 2008 holiday packages. The two-night Holiday Shopping Spree package includes champagne and chocolates upon arrival, round-trip transportation to the South Coast Plaza or Fashion Valley, and daily breakfast for two with room rates from $995.

The two-night New Year’s Revelry package features champagne and chocolates upon arrival, two seats at the resort’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala, a New Year’s Day breakfast buffet for two and valet parking from $1,560. The Golf and Spa Retreat includes one round of golf for one player with cart and caddie at The Grand Golf Club, one 60-minute spa treatment at the resort’s spa, and daily breakfast for two from $795.

For more information, call 888-314-2030 or visit www.thegranddelmar.com

Island Destinations is offering five nights for the price of four at the luxurious Sandy Lane Barbados, starting at $5,600 per room. Included in the escape is an Ultimate Exclusive value-add offer: $100 resort credit available only when booking through Island Destinations.

Sandy Lane Barbados offers an award-winning spa, 45 holes of championship golf and 24-hour in-room dining service.

The five-night escape also includes round-trip executive airport transfers, a bottle of champagne upon arrival, full English breakfast daily, one candlelit dinner for two, one catamaran cruise for two, one spa voucher of $100 per person or one round of golf in the country club per person with golf cart, and unlimited non-motorized water sports.

Rates for the five-night stay start at $5,600 per room, double occupancy.

The offer is valid for new bookings and travel through Oct. 31. Travel professionals can earn up to 16 percent commission on any new Island Destinations booking for travel through Dec. 15 by referencing the extra commission at time of booking. F

or more information, call 888-454-4422 or visit www.islanddestinations.com

Springboard Vacations and Medtral have partnered to offered medical tourism to New Zealand, a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as being a natural playground for those seeking adventure and excitement.

With many luxury spa resorts, magnificent golf courses, long stretches of deserted beaches and laid back lifestyle, it really is the perfect place for both surgery and recovery.

With a small population, clean air and fabulous fresh food it is a perfect choice. Australian medical options will be offered soon. Steve Nicols, managing director of Medtral; Ruth Grau, president of Springboard; and Sonali Chaturvedi of Tourism New Zealand will conduct an online training seminar about medical tourism.

Find out more about why Americans are going overseas for surgery; what surgeries are available, how costs compare in New Zealand, who the potential clients are, how it all works, and the legal issues and concerns.

For more information, call 866-447-7746 or visit www.springboardvacations.com

Luxury accommodation marketing brand, Select Hotels & Resorts International offers sensational package deals this Spring from several Member Properties across Asia-Pacific. See below for packages from a diverse range of Select experiences including the family friendly Couran Cove Island Resort, Queensland, Spring skiers choice Edgewater Resort, Lake Wanaka and Thailand jewel Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, Phuket.

Couran Cove Island Resort, Sth Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia
Couran Cove Island Resort, located just 40 minutes by ferry from the Gold Coast mainland, is an idyllic holiday destination where you can find your space… your time… to escape, explore, relax and unwind.

Select Special:
Stay for 3 nights and receive a AU$150 cash-card to spend at the resort.

Package Inclusions:
3 nights accommodation in a Marine Deluxe Room
Full buffet breakfast daily
Return ferry transfers
Daily Bike Hire
AU$150 cash-card to spend

Valued from AUD$555.00 per person/twin share.

Terms and conditions:
Promo valid from 01 April - 26 December 2008 and 05 January - 31 March 2009.
Subject to availability at the time of booking.
AUD$150 cash-card is non-transferable and can not be redeemed for cash

Bookings: www.selecthotels.com or charlotte@selecthotels.com

Edgewater Resort, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
The days are longer, sunnier and warmer, just perfect for a September ski holiday in Wanaka. Enjoy the spaciousness of our one-bedroom suites for almost a week. Check the snow reports daily from the comfort of your phone and choose where to ski. Not a skier? No problem in Wanaka with its choice of attractions, boating, walks, golf and fun activities.

Select Ski Package

Package includes:
Six night’s accommodation in a one bedroom suite
2 continental breakfasts per day package
Children 12 and under stay FOC when using existing bedding.

Price: NZ$1,600.00 per suite includes GST

Terms and conditions:
Valid until 31 October 2008.
Subject to availability at the time of booking.

Bookings: www.selecthotels.com  or charlotte@selecthotels.com

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, Phuket, Thailand
The elusive pleasures of traditional Thai calm and elegance are often advertised and rarely found. But cordoned off from the crowds of Phuket is an exception, a true sanctuary of Thai style: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Platinum Royale Package

Package includes :
8 days 7 nights Accommodation in our Beach Wing Suite
Airport round trip transfer by a private limousine
A complimentary Villa Royale selection Wine in suite
Daily Royale breakfast
Two Thai set dinner per Guest at Mom Tri’s Kitchen
Two hours of Villa Royale Thai massage per Guest at Mom Tri’s Spa Royale

Price: THB 48,500 (double)

Terms and conditions
Valid until 31 October 2008.
Subject to availability at the time of booking.

Bookings: www.selecthotels.com or charlotte@selecthotels.com

For Media Information:

Kate Gilfillan
kate@davcomm.com.au
+61 (0)2 9907 0020

Celebrate Spring with Select Hotels and book today!

Select Member properties for 2008 are:

AUSTRALIA: Q Station, Sydney; The Observatory Hotel, Sydney, NSW: Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, Katoomba NSW; Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley, NSW; Kims Beach Hideaway, Toowoon Bay, NSW; Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island, NSW; Meadowlake Lodge, Milton, NSW; Hotel Lindrum, Melbourne, VIC; Select Burnham Beeches, Dandenong Ranges, VIC; Hotel Pension Grimus, Mount Buller, VIC; Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat, Kangaroo Island, SA; The Lodge at Tarraleah, Tarraleah, TAS; Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island, QLD; Paradise Bay Eco Escape, Whitsundays, QLD; Lindenwarrah, Milawa; Lindenderry

NEW ZEALAND: Carrington Resort, Karikari Peninsula, Northland; Kourawhero Country Lodge, North Auckland; Mangapapa Petit Hotel, Hawke’s Bay; Select Braemar Lodge and Spa, Hanmer Springs; Grasmere Lodge, Arthur’s Pass; Huntley House, Christchurch; Millbrook Resort, Queenstown; Fiordland Lodge, Te Anau; The Points Villas, Lake Taupo; Queenstown Park Hotel, Queenstown

PACIFIC ISLANDS: Toberua Island Resort, Fiji;

ASIA: Saman Villas, Bentota, Sri Lanka; The Regency Wing of Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, Phuket, Thailand; Veranda Resort and Spa, Hua Hin, Thailand; Wanakarn Beach Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand

CHINA: 88Xintiandi Executive Residences, Shanghai

MIDDLE EAST: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, UAE

Choice Hotels Australasia (CHA) will introduce Econo Lodge as its new economy brand in Australia to meet the need for a more affordable accommodation option in the CHA portfolio.

Announcing the new brand at CHA’s annual conference in Sydney today, Managing Director David Bayes said Econo Lodge was one of the leading economy brands in North America, with almost 1000 properties open or under development.

“We are bringing Econo Lodge to Australia to complement our existing Comfort, Quality and Clarion brands at a time when challenging economic times are encouraging many travellers to look for broader accommodation options,” Mr Bayes said.

“Our Econo Lodge hotels will typically offer between 15 and 30 rooms and be 3 or 3.5 star rated.

They will not directly compete with our existing brands, for facilities, standards, services and rates.”

Mr Bayes said the first Australian Econo Lodge is expected to come online early next year. No plans were in place to launch the brand in New Zealand at this stage.

Reviewing the year, Mr Bayes stated that properties in the CHA network continued to outperform properties outside the group, due to the group’s diverse distribution channels and significant growth in internet bookings.

“Latest figures show that online bookings are accounting for almost 20 per cent of all CHA accommodation revenue in Australia, well ahead of the reported industry average of 13.2 per cent,” he told more than 300 delegates at the three-day conference at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

“Another measure of our ongoing success is the number of properties we are continuing to sign to our three key brands in this region.

Since our last conference in Cairns we have added 29 new properties, giving us a total portfolio of 280 hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.”

Themed Charting Your Course to Business Success, the conference includes a range of keynote speakers and business workshops, and a Market Place of more than 60 preferred suppliers showcasing products and services available to CHA franchisees.

Caption: CHA Managing Director David Bayes launches the Choice Annual Conference at Darling Harbour today.