Jetsettersblog

Following the rebranding of the Naples Grande Beach Resort to the new Waldorf Astoria Naples, Hilton Worldwide, the parent company of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, rebranded the Elysian hotel as the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. The hotel, which was recently named the No. 1 hotel in the U.S. by readers of Conde Nast Traveler, was acquired late last year by a joint venture between Hilton Worldwide, an Equity Group Investments affiliate and the Elysian principals.

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is the 23rd property to become part of Hilton’s luxury hospitality brand, with an additional three properties joining the portfolio in 2012.

The property opened in late 2009 in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, just steps off of Michigan Avenue.

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago comprises the hotel, 51 private residences, restaurants, a spa, and event and meeting rooms. The hotel features 188 guestrooms and suites and two restaurants — Balsan, a contemporary bistro, and RIA, a two-Michelin-star restaurant offering modern, seasonally-driven French cuisine. Bernard’s, the hotel bar, is reminiscent of a plush private club.

WestJet will start daily non-stop service between Chicago and Vancouver and between Chicago and Calgary May 14. It will also market the flights it codeshares with American Airlines from Chicago to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Introductory fares start at $149 from Calgary and $169 from Vancouver.

Luxury, Landmark Hotel ‘Holds the Phones’ to Offer a Vacation Haven for Couples with Signature Spa Experiences, Intimate Dessert Tasting and More

CHICAGO – At the JW Marriott Chicago (151 W. Adams St), the luxury, landmark hotel encourages couples to unwind and unplug this Valentine’s Day with the ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ package, available Friday, February 10 through Monday, February 20 to accommodate celebrations on President’s Day weekend.

Reservations for the specialty Valentine’s Day package can be made by calling 312 660 8200 or online with the code ‘LUV’.* Package rates begin at $534 for a savings of over $250.

Upon check-in, guests will have the opportunity to hand over their phones to the front desk for safe keeping before enjoying a weekend without distraction – the hotel will even hold the remote from the room.** After a signature Couples Connection experience at VALEO, the 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center at the JW Marriott Chicago, guests will return to their luxurious suite for an intimate in-room multi-course dessert bites tasting from Chef Michael Reich and Champagne.

The Couples Connection experience offers a unique 2-hour experience with a combination of connecting rituals and the choice of experiences in the Clarity Chamber or Couples Connection suite.

Couples will first reconnect in VALEO’s hot lounge with wine, Champagne or the beverage of their choice while enjoying a foot massage. After leaving the hot lounge, guests will be guided through a 50-minute individual Clarity Chamber ritual or experience in the Couples Connection suite.

The Clarity Chamber is a modern take on an ancient Roman bathing ritual with a combination of exfoliation and massage experiences. The center of the Clarity Chamber features a heated marble “belly stone” where couples will reunite for closing massage together on the “belly stone.”

In the Couples Chamber, guests can select side-by-side experiences including time a customized bathing ritual in the infinity whirlpool tub, under-lit softly by slowly-changing LED lighting. The Couples Connection experience concludes with a closing connection ritual of Champagne and strawberries in the hot lounge.

All of the details for the ‘Disconnect to Reconnect at the JW Marriott Chicago’ are as follows:

• Luxury suite hotel accommodations
• 2-hour Couples Connection experience at VALEO
• Chef’s In-Room Dessert Bites Tasting with Champagne
• Late check-out at 2 p.m.
• Package rates begin at $534; availability from Friday, February 10 through Monday, February 20
* Package and spa experience time based on availability
**Disconnect options: Cell phone held at the front desk and remote removed from room upon request
About JW Marriott Chicago

JW Marriott Chicago, which opened November 2010, is located in Chicago’s historic landmark, the Daniel Burnham-designed Continental & Commercial National Bank building at 151 West Adams Street in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. This luxurious hotel underwent a $396 million restoration blending Burnham’s famous architectural style with elegant, modern surroundings. The property features 610 oversized guestrooms including 29 luxurious suites, 44,000-square-feet of upscale meeting and event space, 36 breakout rooms, the 8,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and 6,000-square-foot Burnham Ballroom. In addition, the property features VALEO, a 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center—an amenity not found in most city center hotels—and The Florentine, a modern Italian, fine dining restaurant. For more information on the JW Marriott Chicago, please call 312 660 8200 or visit www.jwmarriottchicago.com

Two major tour operators are including itineraries for the Great Lakes USA for the first time in 2012. Both North American Travel Service (NATS) and the Vacations Group have joined Virgin Holidays and Complete North America in covering this exciting and diverse area of the mid-west of America.

NATS have included a 14 night fly-drive Great Lakes tour into a two page feature in the new brochure, including a Michigan Lakes and Mackinac Island tour. The tours are being purchased through Tourmappers and Tauck Tours.

The new Vacations Group brochure has an entire section devoted to ‘Great Lakes and Northeast’, with one page covering a Great Lakes fly-drive tour, one for an escorted tour and a six page tailor made section on the area.

These tours are also being purchased through Tourmappers.

Executive Director of the Great Lakes USA, Toby McCarrick, commented: “We are delighted to have major tour operators selling the Great Lakes now. TourMappers produced a number of exciting itineraries for Great Lakes and these are being developed which will enhance the existing product.”

Great Lakes is a popular leisure destination, famous for its many activities in the great outdoors, sightseeing, city life, outdoor activities, water sports and adventurous pursuits. Golfers, anglers, hikers, bikers and sailors are catered for in each state. Plus the latest adventure activities are available including kite-surfing, sky-diving, geo-caching, ice-climbing and kayaking.

F
airmont Chicago Unveils the Ultimate Way to Say “I Love You”

Do you want to make the ultimate gesture for Valentine’s Day? Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Hotel is offering a package that every starry-eyed couple will remember for a lifetime.

Their $100,000 Romantic Getaway Package includes everything your heart could desire.

Guests will be transported to and from the airport for a luxurious 2-night stay in the Presidential Suite. Upon arrival at the hotel, guests will be welcomed with a “Charming Rose Petal Red Carpet”, a trail of roses from the foyer to the bed of roses as well as six dozen roses throughout the Presidential Suite.

After getting nestled into the room, the couple may choose to start the weekend with a “Fairy Tale Moments” bubble-bath-for-two, which includes Cristal Champagne and strawberries prior to a lavender-filled bath with rose petals surrounded by romantic candlelight. After a one-of-a-kind bubble bath, slip into cozy personalized robes and soft slippers.

What Chicago trip would be complete without a little retail therapy? Guests will receive a $10,000 gift card to Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago and a VIP personal shopping experience in their exclusive Fifth Avenue Club.

In addition to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, your lucky lady will receive a stunning 18 karat white diamond and sapphire necklace from Marshall Pierce & Company.

This jaw-dropping piece of jewelry features sixty two oval cut sapphires (22.54 carats) with pave diamond halos around each sapphire weighing at a total of 5.83 carats of diamonds. After roaming the famous shops of Michigan Avenue, the couple will seclude into peace and tranquility by receiving an in-room 90 minute massage-for-two.

Guests will also receive two amazing dining experiences, one of which is a Chef’s Table-for-Two at aria.

A Breakfast Du Jour in Bed is provided each morning as well as full use of your own private butler throughout the entire 2-night stay.

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Hotel’s One Enchanted Moment is offered at $100,000 (plus tax) and is available February 10-14, 2012.

About Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park is a AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel located in downtown Chicago. With 687 guestrooms and 62,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel provides contemporary elegance and gracious hospitality.

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park is also home to eno wine room and aria restaurant and bar, taking guests on an “east meets west” culinary experience. In addition to uniquely inspired dining and stylish accommodations, the hotel features an exclusive lifestyle spa. mySpa affords eight treatment rooms and provides the perfect urban sanctuary from the busy and bustling Chicago streets. For more information please visit www.fairmont.com/chicago

Chicago Neighborhood Tours is marking its 15th anniversary with 15 new excursions, including “Pubs & Micro-breweries,” “LGBT Chicago,” “Historic Hotels of Chicago” and “The Great Chicago Fire.” The 2012 season of Chicago Neighborhood Tours extends from February through November and now features 28 excursions. Visitors can choose from two types — the Neighborhood Tours, which travel across the city for unique sightseeing opportunities, and the Taste of the Neighborhoods Tours, a selection of five culinary journeys.

To book a tour, call 312-742-1190.

Take in the Sights and Sounds of the Windy City During the Holiday’s

It may be the most wonderful time of the year for a weekend getaway or vacation, but it can also be a great time to see some of the best Chicago has to offer without the pre-holiday crowds. If the Windy City is your home for the holiday’s this year, below are some festive activities to enjoy near the end of the season.

See a Holiday Show: From the Chicago Theatre’s showing of “A Christmas Story” to the Goodman Theatre’s rendition of “A Christmas Carol,” there are plenty of plays to get in the spirit of the season. Beat the State Street bustle and pick a show when even the stragglers have wrapped up their holiday shopping.

Score a Hard-to-Get Restaurant Reservation: Now’s the time to snag a table at a talked about hot spot or a top tier restaurant. Most restaurants have reservations open for prime dining hours as well as a selection of holiday specials.

Stay Downtown at a Discounted Rate: Tis the season… for a great deal! Hotels like the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel is offering discounted rates through the end of the year. Reserve a “Last Minute Weekend” for rates as low as $129.00.

About Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago at State and Wacker, the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel is a premier Chicago hotel just steps away from the financial and theatre districts. The hotel features The Great Street Restaurant and Bar, a contemporary restaurant overlooking the Chicago River, a rejuvenation center offering indulgent spa treatments and state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and Bar Novo, a modern, intimate space with booths and communal seating.

For more information visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chisr-renaissance-chicago-hotel

American Eagle will start daily roundtrip flights on June 14 between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and the Region of Waterloo International Airport in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The service will enable day trips to Chicago from the Waterloo region, according to Gary Foss, managing director of network planning for American. Ken Seiling, Waterloo regional chair, said that the service will provide both convenience and encourage investment in the community.

“Daily jet service to Chicago is what our business community asked us for, and we are pleased to be here today announcing just that,” said Chris Wood, general manager of the Region of Waterloo International Airport. “There are almost 800,000 passengers a year traveling between Waterloo Region and the United States who will now be able to fly through Chicago to cities like San Diego.”

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has chosen American Eagle to fly daily roundtrip flights between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City and Waterloo Regional Airport in Waterloo. Service will start this spring.

“Connecting Sioux City and Waterloo air service through O’Hare will improve the flying options for travelers, while, at the same time, create and preserve jobs in both areas,” said Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, who worked to support the inclusion of new cities into the Essential Air Service Program.

Aeromexico is starting flights three days a week between Chicago and Zacatecas, one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities. Zacatecas, which has been certified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is known as the city “con rostro de cantera rosa y corazón de plata,” or “with a pink stone face and a heart of silver,” because of the natural, pink stone that makes up many of its buildings and the silver that spurred the city’s development and history.