Jetsettersblog

WATERSOUND, Fla. — The St. Joe Company announces that The Origins Course at WaterSound - an innovative “concept” course designed for families and beginners by Davis Love III - will offer unlimited golf for $40, walking and $60 with cart January 1 through March 15, 2009.

Local golfers and visitors to the area can take advantage of the innovative facility to fine tune their games, or to enjoy a day of affordable fun with the entire family. Those without the time to devote to multiple-rounds can take advantage of The Origins Course’s nine- and 18-hole rates, $25 and $35 walking, respectively, and $35 and $50 with cart.

“The Origins Course is truly a local treasure and one of the most affordable and fun options for golf in northwest Florida,” says Camp Creek and Origins Course manager Will Hopkins. “The forgiving and flexible course configurations appeal to both novice and experienced players.”

Origins Course is one of the only golf facilities of its kind in North America, allowing for three distinct course setups: a six-hole layout with regulation par 3s, 4s and 5s, a nine-hole executive course with par 3s and 4s, and a 10-hole par-3 course. The nine-hole executive configuration will be available during the winter-rate period.

Junior golfers age 15 and under play free with a paying adult, perfect for families wishing to expose their children to the game in a supportive environment. Origins Course is very “walker friendly” and at just over 1,800 yards, a round of golf takes less than two hours. Golfers can enjoy lunch and refreshments at the nearby WaterSound Café located just off Highway 30A at the WaterSound Gatehouse.

Located at Watersound, Origins is eight miles east of WaterColor and 11 miles northwest of RiverCamps on Crooked Creek. For more information, call 850.231.7600, or visit www.orginsgolfclub.com

About The Origins Course at WaterSound

The Origins Course at WaterSound’s mission is to make golf more fun, accessible and attractive to families, beginners and casual golfers. A six-hole regulation course that alternatively plays as a nine-hole executive course and a ten-hole par 3 layout, The Origins Course was conceived with the “short course” concept at its core. Designed by Love Golf Design, founded by PGA Tour player Davis Love III, the course is consistent with the Scottish origins of the game, in which six, nine and 12-hole courses were commonplace. The Origins Course appeals and caters to novices via its non-penal design and manageable distance of approximately 1,800 yards. Yet its regulation-length holes and traditionally wrought green complexes provide enough challenge and strategy to retain the interest of experienced golfers. Turfed with “Sealsle Supreme Paspalum,” which requires fewer chemicals for weed and pest control and can be irrigated with salt water, The Origins Course supports St. Joe’s commitment to environmental sensitivity and preservation.

About Troon Golf
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf is the world’s largest golf management company, overseeing operations at more than 200 courses located in 31 states and 31 countries. Additionally, 36 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Oneida Golf and Country Club, Green Bay, Wis.; Talking Stick Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.; The Clubs at St. James Plantation, Southport, N.C.; Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif.; Playa Mujeres Golf Club, Cancun, Mexico; and The Grove, London, England. For more information about Troon Golf, visit www.troongolf.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach announced its Inauguration Escape package. The Inauguration Escape offer includes accommodations in an ocean front room with access to the Club Level and Club Lounge, as well as: invitation to the resort’s inauguration festivities, including a big screen showing of the ceremony accompanied by President-elect Barack Obama’s favorite Chicago-style fare; two specially crafted, red and blue “electinis” on Inauguration Day; one half-hour spa massage; and a copy of Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.” Guests booking the Inauguration Escape and staying in the hotel’s Presidential Suite will receive a custom-designed shoe created exclusively by Miami-based artist Robert Tabor.

The souvenir or gift is in line with the suite’s wall of shoe art. Inauguration Escape starts at $569 per night for ocean front rooms and $6,000 per night for the Presidential Suite (exclusive of tax and gratuity). Guests staying five nights will receive a $200 resort credit per stay, and those staying for seven nights will receive a $400 resort credit per stay. Offer valid at time of booking only for guests checking in Jan. 15 through Jan. 24, 2009. Maximum guest capacity is two adults and two children per room.

This package cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts.

 For more information or to make reservations, call 561-533-6000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/palmbeach

 

Il Lugano, a luxury hotel and resort located along the Ft. Lauderdale Intracoastal Waterway, announced special rates for guests attending any of the two South Florida BCS bowl games in January 2009. The 105 all-suite hotel and resort will provide a discounted rate of $239 per night for single or double occupancy. There will be a minimum two-night stay for the Jan. 8 national championship game between the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners.

There will be no such requirement for the Jan. 1 game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Cincinnati Bearcats. Il Lugano amenities include fully equipped kitchens, full-sized refrigerators, microwaves, washers and dryers and luxurious Bvlgari Bath amenities. Guests also enjoy complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access and can relax in the luxuriously appointed suites that feature two large flat-panel television sets, Bose Sound systems and iPod docking stations. Il Lugano offers the da Campo Osteria, a brand new Italian restaurant launched by internationally renowned chef and restaurateur Todd English.

To take advantage of the special BCS bowl game rates, football fans will be required to request the college bowl game discount during the reservation or check-in process.

For reservations or more hotel information, call 954-564-4400 or visit www.illugano.com

Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort is coming to the aid of the average traveler with its own $1 million rescue plan. The Consumer Bailout South Florida vacation package gives guests a nightly resort credit to save on out-of-pocket expenses during their stay.

Those booking the package for stays from Jan. 31 through March 21, 2009, will receive a $100 credit per night while those who book stays from March 22 through April 17 receive double the allowance at $200 nightly. This special offer will add an estimated $1 million bonus to travelers’ budgets.
Nightly Marco Island accommodation rates start at $499.

There is no limit to the number of nights, or resort credits, so five nights could translate into $1,000. Marco Island Marriott Beach also introduced Passport to Paradise.

As a passport-free destination, the Naples luxury hotel developed a program offering 10 to 20 percent off select spa services, 30 to 50 percent off tee times at The Rookery and discounts on dining, recreation and more. Guests are encouraged to travel around the resort and utilize the discounts in the passport to earn stamps. Completed passports with all pages stamped will receive a complimentary gift.

For the Consumer Bailout package, call 800-GET-HERE for reservations or visit www.marriott.com/mrkfl and enter promotional code LRW. For resort information, visit www.marcoislandmarriott.com

NOH, KYOGEN, KABUKI, BUNRAKU… AND KOBE

ORLANDO, FL – There are four major forms of traditional Japanese theater that are famous around the world: Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki, and Bunraku, or puppet theater.

Now comes a fifth: Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar.

Kobe’s mission is to offer diners a fun, exciting Japanese dining experience. Specialties include teppanyaki-style steak, chicken, and seafood dinners, all prepared at your table by Japanese chefs in an entertaining display of flashing knives, and exotic aromas. Every meal is a culinary and performance delight that you are sure to enjoy. Servers and the rest of its friendly staff help create an authentic Japanese ambience. Guest comments like these are common:

“… I’d like to thank you very much for your people. The chef was so great with preparing proper steak & other sea food. Especially, I’d like to thank you very much for (the) nice service & kindness. Once I have another opportunity to visit Disney World, I’ll definitely be there and have a Kobe meal again. Thanks a lot!”

“From start to finish, the experience was perfect! Your employees… were excellent and made our event wonderful! Thank you again for a great evening…”

“I think you have a great restaurant and excellent customer service… Your chef was great at the table making everyone laugh and have a good time… I am so glad to be a VIP member and always recommend Kobe’s to all my friends and family. Your Manager… is very respectful and a great person. I truly enjoy watching him with all the guest that come in. He makes sure everyone is satisfied and happy.”

“Each of the restaurants is renovated often in order to keep each location looking bright and fresh,” says Chau Nyugen. “We strive to keep the image as authentic and upscale as possible. Our restaurants are not necessarily ‘hang out’ places, but a great place for great food and unique and exciting dining experiences for all of our guests.”

ABOUT KOBE

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar restaurants are located throughout Florida, in Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Kirkman Road, International Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee, Clearwater and Tampa.

Visit us at www.kobesteakhouse.com

Club Med Great Members, Club Med’s new loyalty program, will launch in early 2009 for North American clients.

Guests can achieve three different Great Member loyalty levels: Turquoise, Silver or Gold. Silver and Gold members will have access to exclusive booking opportunities, private sales, best offer guarantees for early bookers, personalized transfers, upgrades to a superior category room and priority check-in at the resort. Exact amounts or room nights for membership have not yet been determined for the U.S., however, based on Europe, Club Med estimates automatic enrollment with guest’s first Club Med stay for Turquoise level; $10,400 per household or 80 hotel days per year to achieve Silver level; and $41,600 per household or 180 hotel days per year to reach Gold level.

For more information, visit www.clubmed.com.us

United Vacations is giving clients an instant $100 off their vacation price if agents book with the promo code WARM. In addition, clients also receive money-saving specials such as free night stays and kids stay free specials at select hotels listed below. And that’s in addition to United Vacations Best Price Guarantee, everyday bundle savings and 24-hour expert assistance.

This sale is valid for bookings made by Feb. 28, 2009, for travel through March 31, 2009. A vacation package of five nights or longer is required. Examples of hotels throughout Florida featuring more money-saving deals:

Orlando: All Disney Resort Hotels — three free nights, three free days of tickets and up to a $200 Disney Gift Card. All Universal Orlando onsite hotels — 25 to 30 percent savings on hotel rates. Regal Sun Resort — fourth night free for Sunday arrivals, free transportation and kids stay free. Fort Lauderdale: Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel — fourth night free, seventh night free and kids stay and eat free. Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa — fourth night free, seventh night free, $50 resort credit and kids stay free. Key West: Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa — fifth night free, free room upgrade, free breakfast and kids stay free. Naples: The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club — fourth night free and kids stay free. Tampa: Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel — third night free and kids stay free.

United Vacations flexible package options offer the ability to add theme park tickets, rental cars, travel protection and much more to a reservation. This not only saves time and money, it provides that extra bit of reassurance that the attractions you want to see are secured before you leave. For a complete Florida vacation experience, United Vacations recommends the following: Must-sees:

The Walt Disney World Resort, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Blue Man Group, SeaWorld/Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Sightsee Cruise of Biscayne Bay. Must-haves: Disney’s Magic Your Way Tickets, SeaWorld/Aquatica Ticket, Orlando and Miami Go Cards.

PGA National Resort & Spa, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., announced a new partnership with the top two golf instructors in the world, Dave Pelz and David Leadbetter. The result, the “PGA National Golf Academy” will be a first-of-its-kind golf instruction program.

The two golf leaders will both be opening schools on the grounds of the 2,340 acre resort complex this fall. PGA National will be the first location to be home to both of these instructional programs. Pelz, an authority on the short game and putting, has been relied upon by top playing professionals including Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Mike Weir. Pelz Golf Institute Research has proven that golfers lose almost 80 percent of their shots to par inside of 100 yards from the hole. Leadbetter has also taught some great players, including Ernie Els (2008 Honda Classic champion), Nick Price, Trevor Immelman, Greg Norman and Charles Howell III. With the first academy opened in 1983, the David Leadbetter Golf Academy now provides amateur golfers access to instruction in 13 countries around the globe.

Both top coaches employ a team of instructors who have completed the teaching legends’ training and certification programs. For more information, call 800-633-9150 or visit www.pgaresort.com

Universal Orlando Resort has created a special Holiday Getaway opportunity for Florida residents, including accommodations and theme park tickets. The Florida Resident Holiday Getaway Offer features two nights of accommodations at a hotel near Universal and two days enjoying both Universal Orlando theme parks for two people — all at a special rate starting at $75 per person, per night. Starting at just another $25 per person, per night, Florida residents can upgrade and stay at a AAA Four-Diamond on-site hotel at Universal and enjoy all the advantages that come with it, including complimentary Universal Express access, which allows guests to skip the regular lines at most theme park attractions. Florida residents can book their Holiday Getaway packages now through Dec. 30 and can begin travel now through Jan, 1, 2009.

Rates are based on double occupancy for a two-night stay. Other conditions may apply.

For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com

United Vacations is offering a discount of $75 off per reservation on vacations of three nights or more to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla., booked with promo code CITY. In addition, select hotels are offering additional money-saving deals such as free nights and free room upgrades.

These deals are available for bookings through Dec. 31 for travel through Oct. 31, 2009. Choose from the following best picks for family-friendly resorts: Tradewinds Sandpiper Hotels & Suites (seventh night free); Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach; Alden Beach Resort (third night free plus upgrade); and Doubletree Beach Resort Tampa Bay/North Redington Beach (sixth night free).

Choose from the following best picks for romance inspired resorts: Tradewinds Island Grand (seventh night free); Sheraton Sand Key Resort; Don Cesar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel; and Sandpearl Resort. United Vacations’ America, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and Ski programs are operated by The Mark Travel Corporation in Milwaukee, one of the largest vacation companies and operators of private-label brands in the United States.

For more information, call 888-328-6877 or visit www.unitedvacations.com