Jetsettersblog

Now through Dec. 31, 2010, Loews Hotels is rewarding travelers who book 45 days or more in advance with an Advance Purchase discount of 20 percent.

The discount applies to business or leisure stays in all room categories at Loews 18 properties in the U.S. and Canada, including web exclusive rates on www.loewshotels.com

Advance Purchase reservations must be paid at time of booking, are non-refundable and cannot be changed.

The Advance Purchase discount is available online at www.loewshotels.com and by calling 800-23-LOEWS.

The discount cannot be combined with any other promotional offers or rates and is not available at the Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando.

Traditional reservations can still be made at rack rates with normal cancellation policies.

For reservations or more information, call 800-23-LOEWS or check www.loewshotels.com

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is ushering in the New Year with savings for travelers that stay grounded in 2010.

More than 30 of Kimpton’s nearly 50 hotels will offer 15 percent off the best available rate when guests book the “Ride the Rails” rate code in advance and show their train ticket at check-in.

Participating Kimpton hotels are located in Alexandria, Arlington, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cambridge, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Starting rates vary by market and reservations must be made in advance by calling 800-KIMPTON or at

www.kimptonhotels.com/promotions/ride-the-rails.aspx  

by navigating to the hotel of choice, and entering RAILS in the rate code box.

Funjet Vacations launched a Sunsational Sale with vacations starting from $239.99.

All destinations from all departure cities are on sale for bookings through Feb. 18 for travel Jan. 30 to Aug. 31.

Special hotel offers may include free nights, free value-added inclusions and free guaranteed room upgrades, in destinations like Cancun/Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Puerto Vallarta, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Orlando.

In select destinations, Funjet Vacations is offering buy one get one free tours and excursions and 20 percent off National and Alamo car rentals.

Sample vacation package and pricing include: Cancun — Flamingo Cancun Resort, all-inclusive, three stars, suitable for families, three nights reduced from $799.99 to $499.99, kids stay, play and eat free; Riviera Maya — Gran Bahia Principe Coba, all-inclusive, four stars, suitable for romance, three nights reduced from $964.99 to $579.99 with honeymoon inclusions; Punta Cana — Iberostar Punta Cana, all-inclusive, four stars, suitable for families, three nights reduced from $799.99 to $529.99. Jamaica — Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, all-inclusive, four stars, suitable for beach lovers, three nights reduced from $999.99 to $579.99; Oahu, Hawaii — Aston Waikiki Beach, three and a half stars, suitable for families, three nights reduced from $709.99 to $659.99, including two-for-one Luau and kids stay free; and Las Vegas — Circus Circus Hotel & Casino, three stars, suitable for active travelers, three nights reduced from $299.99 to $239.99.

Funjet Vacations Mexico and Caribbean hotel-only and air/hotel vacations include roundtrip/airport hotel transportation and in Cancun/Riviera Maya, Vallarta, Los Cabos, Jamaica or Punta Cana. Vacationers will receive a free “Experience More” Card with exclusive discounts and offers at participating retailers.

Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark Travel Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee.

Funjet Vacations is celebrating 36 years of business in 2010.

Individual and group Funjet vacations are via nonstop charters and scheduled airlines to hundreds of destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Florida and Europe.

Travelers can choose from air-inclusive, hotel-only or air-only vacations and add tours, attractions and shows to their vacation package for added value and convenience. For reservations click the Funjet banner above.

Two Luxe Hotels Los Angeles properties are offering a Deluxe Eat and Sleep package Feb. 1 through March 31. Included are a welcome amenity, a $25 food and beverage credit, morning newspaper and overnight valet parking from a nightly room rate of $229 at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard and $279 at the Luxe Rodeo Drive.

For more information, call 866-589-3411

or visit www.luxehotels.com

Tahiti Tourisme North America is promoting the world premiere of “The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D” film for IMAX theaters, which features nine-time world champion Kelly Slater and Tahitian surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer surfing one of the most challenging waves, Tahiti’s Teahupo’o.

The night will kick-off with an invited guest screening of the film and a Tahitian-style after party.

There will be a live performance by Mason Jennings and DJ Chris Holmes in addition to multiple performances by Nonosina, a Tahitian dance troupe based in Southern California.

The event will take place at Los Angeles’ California Science Center on Feb. 8.

“An IMAX theater film in 3D is the perfect vehicle to showcase how spectacular our beautiful islands are,” said Al Keahi, managing director of Tahiti Tourisme North America.

At the heart of the film is wave formation science that allows viewers to understand the genesis and growth pattern of waves such as Tahiti’s legendary Teahupo’o, that deliver the highest energy density of any renewable resource.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided scientific consultation for the film and will be offering a series of film-related community activities about the care and protection of the world’s oceans.

The film officially opens to the public at the California Science Center’s IMAX Theater on Feb. 12.

For more information, visit www.ultimatewavetahiti.com  or www.tahiti-tourisme.com

Horizon Air is offering Double Miles for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who travel on Horizon’s new direct flights between San Jose or Sacramento and Spokane and between San Jose and Sacramento, March 26 through May 31.

Mileage Plan members who register for this offer will earn 1,302 miles each way between Sacramento and Spokane, and 1,493 miles each way between San Jose and Spokane.

Because Mileage Plan members earn a minimum of 500 miles each way, the Double Miles total between San Jose and Sacramento is 1,000 miles each way.

Horizon will operate two daily flights between the three cities.

One flight from Spokane will operate nonstop to Sacramento and continue on to San Jose, and a second flight from Spokane will operate nonstop to San Jose and continue on to Sacramento.

This new service includes two daily roundtrip flights between San Jose and Sacramento, facilitating same-day business trips in each direction between the two cities.

Fares between San Jose or Sacramento and Spokane start at $120, while fares between Sacramento and San Jose start at $29. All flights will be operated with 76-seat Bombardier Q400s.

Paso Robles, located on the Central Coast of California, is a region known for wine tourism.

“While more and more wine enthusiasts are discovering the 200-plus wineries of Paso Robles, families and travel fans are also finding the fun in Paso,” said Maryann Stansfield, marketing director of Travel Paso Robles Alliance, an alliance of 19 hoteliers formed so that travelers can discover the Authentic California experience of the Central Coast.

“The really exciting news is that travel fans can get insider news and updates through our TravelPaso Twitter, Facebook, Blog, and other social media channels.”

Located mid-way between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, Paso Robles is a tank of gas away for most Californians and a convenient flight to San Luis Obispo airport for the rest of the country.

Paso Robles has already revealed its calendar of events for 2010.

Here are a few highlights:

Pacific Cutting Horse Association Derby, March 6 to 14;

Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 19 to 21;

Kitefest, April 17;

Balloon Festival at River Oaks Hot Springs, April 23 to 24;

Hospice du Rhone, April 29 to May 1;

Avila Wildflower Triathlon Festival, April 29 to May 2;

Paso Robles Wine Festival, May 21 to 23;

Paso Robles Festival of the Arts, May 29;

Lavender Festival, July 10;

California Mid-State Fair, July 21 to Aug. 1;

Olive Festival, Aug. 21;

OAKtoberfest, Sept. 25;

Harvest Wine Weekend, Oct. 15 to 17;

and Christmas Light Parade, Dec. 4.

For more information, visit www.TravelPaso.com

Several Palm Springs-area hotels are offering Valentine’s Day deals.

The Riviera Resort & Spa’s Be My Valentine package (valid Feb. 12 to 14) includes a prix-fixe dinner at Circa 59, breakfast in bed, a couple’s massage and a chocolate box turndown for a nightly room rate of $499.

Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is offering savings of Save 30 percent on all stays, plus 50 percent on the third night of a stay.

The Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa’s More for Amour package features champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries on arrival, breakfast in bed, late check-out and an upgrade to a golf course or pool view room from $279 per night.

For more information, call 800-967-3767 or visit www.palmspringsusa.com

Renaissance Hotels has partnered with Dylan’s Candy Bar to create the Escape! Romance Valentine’s Day package, available at participating Renaissance Hotels throughout the United States and Canada.

The package is available for stays from Feb. 11 to 15, 2010.

To launch this Valentine’s Day package, Dylan’s Candy Bar created an exclusive fantasy candy land suite with over 300 pounds of candy at the Renaissance New York Hotel 57, which will be available this Valentine’s Day as well. Renaissance Hotels Dylan’s Candy Bar Sweetest Suite features accommodations in the “Sweetest Suite,” available at the Renaissance New York Hotel 57 for two nights only, Feb. 13 to 15. for $2,500.

The package includes an edible candy wall, white chocolate fountain, cotton candy machine, over 300 pounds of candy, and gumballs and chocolate in every draw.

Other Valentine’s Day packages are offered for $169 at Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, $199 at Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel, $169 at Renaissance Houston Greenway Plaza Hotel, $159 at Renaissance Atlanta Downtown Hotel, $349 at Renaissance New York Hotel 57, $529 at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, and $289 at Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel.

The “Escape! Romance Valentine’s Day” package includes a complimentary bottle of champagne; late check-out; $100 Renaissance savings coupon towards a future two-night stay; Dylan’s Candy Bar three-pack of special Valentine’s Day treats including gumballs, gummi bears and chocolate-covered cookie-dough; and Dylan’s Candy Bar chocolate candy heart on the bed.

For more information or reservations, call 212-651-3205 or visit www.RenHotelsRoamnce.com

Presenting its’ 8th annual California Ghost Hunters Conference, the Ghost Trackers are bringing more exciting, new attractions for anyone who wishes to experience what it’s like to be a ghost hunter, to join with others and learn from others!!

– The Ghost Trackers Paranormal Research Group will be holding its’ 8th annual conference in Hayward, California. This year we are having John J. Oliver, professional psychic/medium and STAR of “Haunting Evidence” as our guest speaker.

We are pleased also to be having a seasoned veteran in the paranormal community, Gloria Ramirez (Young) bringing a comprehensive lecture dealing with ghost hunting, photography and equipment. This is a chance to learn everything they know and your chance to get all your questions answered from two people who have been in the business for almost 20 years.

Our bonus attractions this year are investigations in two historic and HAUNTED venues – the Meek Mansion and McConaghy Mansion as well as the San Lorenzo Cemetery. These two magnificent mansions are currently being renovated allowing for better odds of hauntings and have great history.

Registration should be made quickly due to limitations at the venue at:

www.ghost-trackers.org/2010_conference.htm

This will be another great year for information and investigations and you shouldn’t miss out!!

About Ghost Trackers

The Ghost Trackers Paranormal Research Group in affiliation with The Center For ParaPsychical Research based in Northern California and being the established, most active paranormal research group in Northern California regularly hold seminars, lectures and a yearly conference to educate the public regarding paranormal activity and research.