Jetsettersblog

SEASIDE, Calif. — Two-round overnight special through the winter months. Casa Munras package price starting at $330. California golf vacation package includes a one-night stay, and two rounds of golf at Bayonet and Black Horse G.C. for one person (including cart and range).

For more information, please click here.

Coinciding with the introduction of Virgin Australia’s new business class service to Hamilton Island, two new packages have been introduced.

The new business class service to Hamilton Island — offered for the first time in eight years — offers travelers such amenities and perks as luxury leather seating, gourmet menus, international-style cosmetic amenity kits, priority check-in/boarding and complimentary access to Virgin Australia’s lounges.

The package features accommodations at Hamilton Island’s most exclusive gated resort offering 60 one-bedroom pavilions, Spa qualia, two world-class restaurants and a host of recreational amenities.

Priced from $12,204.40 per person, the package includes roundtrip business class airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney on Virgin Australia; domestic business class flights on Virgin Australia; five nights at qualia resort in a Leeward Pavillon; full breakfast at The Long Pavilion; VIP Hamilton Island airport or marina to hotel return transfers; private beach drop-offs; private golf buggy; four nights at the Sydney Four Seasons in a deluxe city harbor view room; and private airport transfers Sydney.

For those who prefer a boutique-style accommodation, the Beach Club package is priced from $10,754.40 per person and includes roundtrip business class airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney on Virgin Australia; domestic business class flights on Virgin Australia; five nights at the Hamilton Island Beach Club; return VIP airport or marina transfers; bushwalking; use of the fitness center, squash and tennis courts; exclusive entry to the Beach Club bar, lounge, and infinity edge pool; four nights at the Sydney Four Seasons Deluxe City Harbor view room; and private airport transfers Sydney. Both packages include use of non-motorized water sports including catamarans, sailboards, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear as well as Wi-Fi access. For more information, call Aspire Down Under at 877-7-ASPIRE.

The London West Hollywood treats guests to some romance

From London with Love

Create your own James Bond style affair, with a romantic getaway to the Hollywood Hills. Play the part of dashing Casanova or beguiling seductress, with luxe amenities and lavish indulgences available with the From London with Love package.

British sophistication combined with classic Hollywood style results in the perfect dreamy couples retreat.

Enjoy a well appointed suite, complete with luxurious amenities, decadent treats and the ultimate in relaxation at the nearby Carasoin Spa.

Package includes:

Spacious accommodations within a London Suite
Welcome amenity of sparkling wine and Gordon Ramsay specialty chocolates

Two one-hour spa treatments at the Carasoin Spa

Complimentary breakfast at the Boxwood Cafe Breakfast Table

Complimentary overnight parking for one vehicle

Complimentary 2 pm late checkout

Rates start from $499/night

About The London West Hollywood:

Just steps from the legendary Sunset Strip, The London West Hollywood is a fusion of both its namesake cities – smart, modern and evoking the utmost style. Distinctively imagined for LA, interiors are designed by the renowned David Collins Studio, dining by acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay and bath environments by posh purveyor

Waterworks. Highlights include incredibly spacious guest suites with private terraces, a panoramic rooftop pool deck, Alex Roldan Salon, offering hairstyling, nail and makeup, bistro style Boxwood Café, and Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood restaurant, awarded a Michelin Star rating. For more information call (866) 282-4560 or visit www.TheLondonWestHollywood.com

The Saguaro Palm Springs, Joie de Vivre’s first property in Palm Springs, is set to open next month.

The three-story structure, originally constructed in 1977, will feature a pool located in a center courtyard and a restaurant by James Beard award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces, who also oversees food and beverage at The Saguaro Scottsdale. The Saguaro is owned and is being repositioned by The Sydell Group Ltd. Peak season, weekday room rates start at $189 per night. Weekend rates start at $249.

California ski resorts are offering hotel packages. Heavenly on the House’s Ski Free, Stay Free Deals start at $325 per person, per night.

Any booking of three to 10 nights at participating Heavenly Lake Tahoe lodging receives one night of lodging and one day of skiing or riding for free through April 15.

Mammoth Mountain’s Slopeside Lift and Lodging Deal starts at $139 per person, per night.

Guests who stay two or more nights at one of a participating lodging property receive one lift ticket per day for each guest on the reservation through May 26.

The Big Bear Lake Resort Association Weekend Lift & Lodging package starts at $89 per person, per night. It includes a full-day adult lift ticket (interchangeable at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit) and lodging and is valid through April 15, excluding Feb. 18 to 20.

“Now is the time for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels to become immersed in California’s snow experience,” said Caroline Beteta, Visit California president and CEO.

“This past weekend’s snowfall means visitors can find top-to-bottom mountain thrills from Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Mountain to Big Bear.”

Celebrate the Joy of Dance during a Special Week Offered at Renowned Destination Spa Feb 5-12

ESCONDIDO, Calif. – – Golden Door, North America’s premier destination spa, is offering a special Dance Week hosted by Karina Smirnoff, reigning champion for the hit television show “Dancing with the Stars.” Available during Feb. 8-10, Karina will teach a series of exclusive dance classes for guests. Karina will also talk about her inspirational journey and be available for photos during a special evening presentation.

“I have been a fan of Golden Door for years and I couldn’t be more excited to do my DanceFIT program here!

We’re going to dance, get in shape and have a ton of fun! It’s a perfect FIT for the start of 2012!” says Karina. Beyond being an incredible teacher and world champion, Karina is dedicated to helping people lead healthier lives, and will be sharing her exclusive DanceFIT program and dance moves, designed for all fitness levels (private sessions offered as well for an extra fee).

In addition, a variety of other dance classes will be offered by our skillful staff.

As a form of self-expression and communication, dancing is a powerful emotional and spiritual outlet. As exercise, it provides all the essential components of a complete aerobic workout, improving endurance, balance, strength, flexibility and core stability.
Learn from the best while you enjoy a transformational getaway and practice your favorite dance steps to build strength, burn calories and have fun.

Also included in your week is a customized Golden Door stay of massages, beauty treatments, organic garden-to-plate cuisine, fitness at your level, skin care products, camaraderie, and attentive service in the secluded rolling hills of Northern San Diego.

The original Golden Door Spa, founded by Deborah Szekely in 1958, is home to one of the most innovative, integrative and transformative luxury retreats in the world today. Winner of SpaFinder Reader’s Choice Award in 2011 and Travel & Leisure’s 2011 World’s Best Awards, it is known for customized fitness and wellness programs, 20 miles of private hiking trails, Japanese-inspired architecture, plus a staff-to-guest ratio of 4:1. Golden Door Spa is part of the LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels collection, a dynamic collection of resorts and hotels dedicated to an entirely new definition of luxury.

For information and reservations contact Golden Door Spa (800) 424-0777 or reservations@goldendoor.com.  To book online go to www.goldendoor.com/escondido

Immigrants have made Los Angeles a melting pot of diverse cultures, traditions and best of all foods. These not-to-be-missed top food tours are ideal for any LA sightseeing experience and can be fully customized for groups.

Foody Field Trips offers tours of Old Town Pasadena, a National Register Historic District, and of Culver City, which is rich in filmmaking history. In Pasadena, guests take a walking tour and taste delectable eats from such diverse restaurants as Korean, Argentinean, vegan and a cupcake shop.

The three-and-a-half-hour guided tour will take guests to six tasting locations. Along the way, participants will learn about the unique history of Pasadena.

In Culver City, visitors can learn about the city’s moviemaking past, while stopping at restaurant locations to taste some of the artsy, avant-garde cuisine cooked up by some of the area’s innovative young chefs and restaurateurs.

Guest will sample such cuisines as Lebanese, Korean fusion, nouveau American and Italian at five locations for 20 tastings.

www.foodyfieldtrips.com

A tour of mid-city Los Angeles’ Farmers Market at 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue introduces eclectic tastes from Brazilian to French to Japanese from Melting Pot Food Tours.

Participants can visit restaurants, cafes, gourmet grocers, bakeries, unique specialty shops and little known haunts frequented by celebrities.

The tour company also has an Old Pasadena walking tour and an East LA Latin Flavors tour, which takes guests aboard the Metro Gold Line to travel to a kitchen where hand-made tamales are made.

Also included is a stop at a tortilla factory followed by a sumptuous lunch.

The tour ends with Mexican chocolate and pastries. www.meltingpottours.com.

Six Taste Food Tours takes food fans to Santa Monica for beach eateries, Downtown LA for historic cafes, Little Tokyo for authentic Japanese dishes, Chinatown for Cantonese delicacies, Thai Town for pad Thai noodles, and Hollywood to try restaurants along the Walk of Fame. Each tour lasts about four hours. www.sixtaste.com.

Want the inside scoop to Hollywood and Santa Monica? TOURific Escapes specializes in these two locations, and tour participants can explore them through each city’s famous restaurants. Santa Monica Sites & Bites gives seven tasting stops at ethnically diverse eateries while visiting the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Canals and the Third Street Promenade. Hollywood Sites & Bites tour visits six eateries along with stops at trendy shops along Melrose and the Sunset Strip, the Capital Records building and the Kodak Theatre where the Academy Awards take place. www.tourificescapes.com

Bubbly & Extra Sweet Package, Special Seasonal Spa Treatments, Cocoa Lounge Returns and
Seductive Palm Terrace Valentine’s Menu

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – What better place to whisper sweet nothings than at Island Hotel Newport Beach? And this Valentine’s Day, the acclaimed AAA Five Diamond luxury hotel features a very sweet deal: a special package offering a bit of the bubbly, as well as a visit to the resort’s oh-so popular Cocoa Lounge dessert buffet – offering an array of “to-die-for” chocolate delicacies – now open for a month of romance.

In addition, Island Hotel will offer delicious spa treatments, as well as a special Valentine’s Day menu developed by the resort’s new executive chef David Man and served at Palm Terrace Restaurant & Lounge.

BUBBLY & EXTRA SWEET AT ISLAND HOTEL NEWPORT BEACH

Available February 10 & 11 and 17 & 18 (based on availability).

Pamper the one you love with a romance-filled package, including:

• One-night luxurious accommodations
• One visit to Cocoa Lounge for two for sweet indulgences (closed Sundays)
• Bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne
• Complimentary valet parking for one vehicle

Rate starting from $265. All rates are exclusive of tax and gratuities; subject to availability. For reservations, please call, toll-free, 1-888-321-4752 or reserve online at www.theislandhotel.com .

SWEET SPA TREATMENTS AT ISLAND HOTEL

To book an appointment or arrange to give as a Valentine’s Day gift, please call 949-759-0808.

New Peppermint Chocolate Scrub – Available During January & February

Start 2012 off by treating your skin to a luxurious cleansing, featuring an uplifting, stimulating exfoliation accomplished with a secret mixture of organic sugar scrub, cocoa, peppermint, and lemongrass and coconut-vanilla organic oil.

Price: $90 for 30-minute Scrub; $230 for Scrub followed by 60-minute massage (tax and gratuities not included).

Chocolate Indulgence Experience – Available During February
Be pampered by a 60-minute spa treatment at the award-winning Spa at Island Hotel, followed by a decadent sweet finale at Palm Terrace Restaurant’s Cocoa Lounge. Choice of: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Deep Cleansing Facial, Gentlemen’s Fact Therapy, Aromatherapy Facial, Honey Hibiscus Hydrating Facial, OC Facial Drench, or Organic Carrot Vitamin Facial.

Price: $130.00, including Cocoa Lounge Dessert Buffet (tax and gratuities not included). These 60-minute spa treatments are normally $140, so this is a sweet deal.

COCOA LOUNGE AT ISLAND HOTEL

When: Feb. 3-March 3; 6 to 10 p.m., closed Sundays & Mondays

What: Back by popular demand, Palm Terrace’s Cocoa Lounge Dessert Buffet will be serving up chocolate decadence galore.

Why: Executive Pastry Chef Michael Owens will offer scrumptious creations that include Banana Chocolate Mousse Cake, White Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake, Triple Chocolate Cupcakes, Double Chocolate Fudge S’mores, Manjari Obsession in Chocolate Cups, plus lollipops, peanut caramels, port chocolates and coconut almond bars, and much more – served among displays of chocolate statues and chocolate velour.

Price: $24 per person, tax and gratuities not included.

VALENTINE’S DINNER AT PALM TERRACE RESTAURANT

Fri., Feb. 10; Sat., Feb. 11; Tues., Feb. 14; Fri., Feb. 17; and Sat., Feb. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m.

New executive chef David Man and Palm Terrace’s sous chef Roberto Hernandez have collaborated with pastry chef Michael Owens to create a luscious four-course Valentine’s dinner for food lovers. $95 per person, not including tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call 949-760-4920.

To Start
Chilled Seafood Tower with Tender Greens and Tarragon Dressing

~~~

Goat Cheese and Ash Ravioli, Mushrooms, Parsley Root and Golden Sage Tea Froth

~~~

Sous Vide Lobster with Mushroom Ricotta Gnocchi, Steamed Crones and
Lemon Grass Beurre Blanc
or
Seared New Zealand Lamb Loin with Braised Fennel Arugula-Mint Gelée and Caponata
~~~
Cocoa Lounge For Both
Endless Array of Chocolate Delights

Where: Island Hotel Newport Beach
690 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Toll Free: 866-554-4620
Phone: 949-759-0808
www.IslandHotel.com

New Eco-Conscious Hotel Announces Valentine’s Day Offers for a Romantic Beachside Getaway

Shore Hotel, the new oceanfront LEED-registered hotel in Santa Monica, features cutting-edge environmentally-conscious amenities and technologies. Located on Ocean Avenue, Shore Hotel affords guests stunning, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and an abundance of beachside amenities including an outdoor pool and terrace and private balconies. Additionally, Shore Hotel is in close proximity to a variety of Santa Monica restaurants, bars, and attractions including the Santa Monica Place shopping center, perfect for a last minute Valentine’s Day gift.

WHAT: Shore Hotel is honoring Valentine’s Day by hosting a Twitter contest to win the ultimate romantic beach getaway. Starting January 17, Shore Hotel invites fans to tweet their best love poem to Shore Hotel (@ShoreHotelSM) for chance to win a one-night stay during the month of February.

The fan with the most unique and creative poem will be announced by Shore Hotel on Twitter on February 1.

In addition, Shore Hotel also invites guests to enjoy an eco-friendly getaway for Valentine’s Day with the “Pink Goes Green” package. The “Pink Goes Green” package starts at $469 per night includes:
• Overnight accommodations
• Two bicycle rentals for the duration of your stay
• Bottle of organic wine or champagne upon arrival
• 60-minute couples massage at Tikkun Spa
• $50 credit to The Lobster Restaurant, located on the Santa Monica Pier

Guests who wish to book the “Pink Goes Green” package can call Shore Hotel reservations at 800.599.1515.

WHEN: The “Love Poems by the Shore” Twitter contest runs Tuesday, January 17 – Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

Shore Hotel’s “Pink Goes Green” package is available for stays February 1-February 29, 2012.

WHERE: Shore Hotel
1515 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
800.599.1515