Jetsettersblog

Hawaii Superferry has extended the Buy-One-Get-One offer to military and their dependents through March 31.

The offer includes a free roundtrip on the Alakai with the purchase of one roundtrip fare and applies to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard members and reservists. The offer was originally announced on Nov. 20 and was valid through Dec. 15, 2008. Members of the military and their dependents also receive Hawaii Superferry’s $10 military discount when purchasing the first roundtrip. Passenger and vehicle fares do not include applicable taxes and fees. The fuel surcharge is waived for these special fares, and rates are subject to change.

To redeem this promotion, military must contact their respective MWR/ITT travel desks. For more information, call 877-443-3779 or visit www.hawaiisuperferry.com

Vail Resorts Inc. announced that the company’s five mountain resorts — Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado and Heavenly in California and Nevada — are rolling back multi-day lift tickets to 2007-2008 prices as a way to make it easier for skiers and snowboarders to take their winter mountain vacation this season. “We recognize these are challenging times for many of our guests and we have taken numerous steps to make it easier for them to visit our world-class mountain resorts this season by addressing various components of a ski and snowboard vacation,” said Rob Katz, chief executive officer for Vail Resorts. “We are offering our best lift ticket and season pass products to our most loyal guests. We began last spring by introducing the new Epic Season Pass at $579 for adults, for unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding all season long at a fraction of the price of a previous season pass. We’re now offering our best lift ticket prices this season to accommodate those who weren’t able to take advantage of the Epic Season Pass.”

The company’s five mountain resorts are offering last season’s prices for both PEAKS advance ticket purchases and PEAKS window ticket purchase for all multi-day lift tickets for three or more days of skiing and riding. This season’s best pricing is available when guests purchase a three or more day PEAKS advance ticket seven days in advance. Three-day adult rates include $249 ($83 per day) for Breckenridge and Keystone, $267 ($89 per day) for Vail and Beaver Creek and $228 ($76 per day) for Heavenly. These rates represent up to $27 off of the lead single-day window rate which is $92 for Breckenridge and Keystone, $97 for Vail and Beaver Creek and $82 for Heavenly.

Guests can purchase the discounted multi-day rate online at www.snow.com  through Vail Resorts Central Reservations, or at the resort ticket window. Advance lift ticket purchases are automatically enrolled in PEAKS Rewards, the free loyalty program for Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly.

Tickets will be loaded onto a PEAKS Reward Pass and guests can go direct to the lift when they arrive at a resort. Plus, they earn and redeem points on lift ticket purchases.

For more information, go to www.snow.com/peaks. For more details on all Vail Resorts mountain vacation packages and snow reports, call 800-404-3535 or visit www.snow.com

Kalahari Resort, located in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., which is known for its concentration of 18 indoor waterparks, unveiled a 110,000-square-foot Indoor Theme Park, which features a wide array of indoor activities including: a six-story Ferris wheel, multi-level go-cart track, a carousel, laser tag, ropes course and much more.

The addition adds to Kalahari’s plethora of indoor attractions, which include one of America’s largest indoor waterparks. The new Indoor Theme Park, which was opened with live appearances from Justice and Siren from NBC’s hit show “American Gladiators,” connects Kalahari Resort and Convention Center — which currently features a 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, 742 guestrooms and suites, eight dining options, Spa Kalahari and Salon, three shopping outlets and a 100,000-square-foot convention center — to Damon’s Grill and the 15-screen Desert Cinema via an indoor walkway to continue to offer distinctive “under-one-roof” entertainment.

Kalahari Resort’s Indoor Theme Park includes a Ferris Wheel over six stories high; 24 lanes of state-of-the-art Brunswick bowling; hundreds of arcade games, simulators and redemption games; 18 holes of mini golf with a 25-foot waterfall; LaZer Runner Laser Tag and 3,500-square-foot Battle Arena; 28-foot African-themed carousel; climbing walls; five private party rooms; 1,000-square-foot interactive dry play structure; 430-foot, two-story elevated adult and kiddie go-cart track; 20-foot high Sky Trail ropes course Two Full Swing golf simulators with HD screens; sports bar including a dance floor;

Camp Kalahari Activity Center; and a wide array of food and beverage offerings. All day Indoor Theme Park admission is $19.95 for resort guests and $29.95 for non-resort guests. Day passes do not include bowling and golf simulators. Guests can also purchase individual attraction passes.

For more information, visit www.kalahariresorts.com/wi

For reservation and guest information, call 877-525-2427 or visit www.kalahariresorts.com

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel celebrated a soft opening Dec. 20 marking the return of the Laurance Rockefeller-built beachfront hotel and resort on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. Two years after being forced to close due to earthquake damage, the Mauna Kea reopened with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and welcomed its first guests to experience a multi-million dollar investment in redesigned, spacious guest rooms, new restaurants, a new spa, and an extensive makeover of the legendary golf course complete with a new clubhouse. The flagship property of the Prince Hotels and Resorts international portfolio, Mauna Kea will have its “official” Grand Opening in March.

The hotel’s classic exterior architecture design remains the same as before, with the most dramatic changes taking place inside the guestrooms. The total room and suite count has been reduced from 310 to 258 due to the enlarging of rooms in the main building. The Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa suites are a spacious 1,610 square feet (including lanai) and the Junior suites measure just under 1,000 square feet, while the regular guest rooms on the remodeled floors have been expanded to 550 square feet. With luxurious interior furnishings, upgraded bedding, oceanview bathrooms, and a host of the latest in entertainment amenities, the guestrooms have never been more comfortably modern while staying true to Rockefeller’s vision of “understated elegance.” The new oceanview bathrooms are sure to be popular, with the super-size baths, wall-less “rain showers,” soaking tubs, and private lanai.

Other new attractions at the hotel include a Mandara Spa offering an array of exotic treatments, and enticing new culinary experiences directed by Resort Executive Chef Piet Wigmans and Executive Chef George Gomes, who has returned to Mauna Kea following a distinguished career in some of Hawaii’s finest restaurants.

Also opening this week is the “new” Mauna Kea Golf Course, which has been completely renovated from tee-to-green over the past year. Overseen by Rees Jones, son of the original course designer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the world class Mauna Kea Golf Course has been upgraded and redesigned to USGA standards featuring new grass throughout the course layout, rebuilt bunkers, and a new irrigation system. The renovation includes a newly constructed Clubhouse with Pro Shop and locker rooms, as well as a restaurant that can serve as another dinner option for resort guests.

Many popular resort activities are also back, including the 13-court Seaside Tennis Club, the Salon at Mauna Kea, play-while-you learn children’s activities, Hawaiian cultural experiences, the Art & Garden Tour, yoga and exercise classes, and enhanced beach services and cabanas. The fabled manta rays are expected to return for their nightly feeding forays off Manta Ray Point.

For reservations or more information, call 866-977-4589 or visit www.maunakeapreview.com

NYC & Company, the city’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, said nine luxury hotels, all part of the Signature Collection, will launch a third night promotion this winter. The program gives visitors a complimentary third night free at nine participating hotels after booking and paying for two consecutive nights. The promotion runs from January 9 to February 27, 2009. “Now more than ever, visitors are looking for great value. The Third Night promotion will give visitors access to some of the world’s most distinguished hotels, with New York City as the backdrop,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company.

The luxury hotels participating in the program this winter are: Jumeirah Essex House, Loews Regency, the London NYC, the New York Palace, the Sherry-Netherland Hotel, Trump International Hotel & Tower, the Plaza, the Waldorf Towers and the Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel. NYC & Company also announced that luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue has confirmed its participation for the Third Night program this winter by offering a VIP shopping package at its New York flagship store in Manhattan to Third Night guests.

The package includes an exclusive personal shopping experience in the Fifth Avenue Club, a special offer to save a percentage on any regularly priced purchases made and complimentary coffee and dessert in Saks Fifth Avenue’s Café SFA.

The Signature Collection is a collection of 17 luxury hotels in New York City, including: the Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel; Four Seasons Hotel New York; Jumeirah Essex House; Loews Regency Hotel; the London NYC; Mandarin Oriental, New York; the New York Palace; the Peninsula New York; the Pierre New York; the Plaza; Hôtel Plaza Athénée New York; the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park; the Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park; the Sherry-Netherland Hotel; the St. Regis Hotel, New York; Trump International Hotel & Tower; and the Waldorf=Astoria. The program was initiated in 2001 through the efforts of NYC & Company.

For more information, visit www.nycgo.com/thirdnight

The 320 Guest Ranch has announced Exceptional Value Meeting Rates for 2009, from $59 per person, per night. The rate includes a hot breakfast each morning and basic meeting facilities and amenities.

The rate is available for meetings and events booked through April 15 with a 10-room minimum purchase. Accompanying the 320’s Exceptional Value Meeting Rate is the complimentary use of the ranch conference center, a 2,409-square-foot meeting facility located at the center of the property. Wireless Internet access and basic meeting support, including pencils, pads and flip charts, as well as conference service support, are also included. Audiovisual equipment costs extra.

For more information, call 800-243-0320 or visit www.320ranch.com

Two Northern California hotels — CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort in San Martin (Santa Cruz foothills), and Hotel Healdsburg in wine country — are offering low-season packages, valid Jan. 4-11.

The three-night 2009 Anti-New Year’s Resolution Getaway at CordeValle includes a Villa Suite with a fireplace, a steam shower, a jetted tub, a private patio and an enclosed patio with a private whirlpool spa; a 90-minute fireside couple’s massage provided in room; a couple’s game night including Wii station, board games, gourmet pizza, popcorn, beverages and other in-room snacks; a kit for making s’mores, plus a grill set up on the private patio and blankets and wraps; and an in-room, tasting dinner for two next to the fire prepared by CordeValle Executive Chef Luca Rutigliano.

The package is priced at $2,009 excluding resort fee and taxes. For more information, call 888-767-3966 or visit www.cordevalle.com

Hotel Healdsburg is featuring a Winter Dead Week package which includes a private wine tasting session with Charlie Palmer’s sommelier at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen; a Honey & Wine wrap and massage in the couple’s suite at the Spa at Hotel Healdsburg; and private wine tasting at Healdsburg wineries (a different winery each day). The package is priced at $395 per room, double, per night, excluding taxes and gratuity.

For more information, call 800-889-7188 or visit www.hotelhealdsburg.com

Skiers and snowboarders booking flights to Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), serving the Kootenay Rockies “Powder Highway,” who book before Jan.15, 2009, will receive deep savings on airfare. One-way tickets from many major U.S. cities are priced from $139 to $159. “These are great savings for those who want to experience all our area has to offer,” said Laurie Reed, coordinator of Air Partner Programs. “Travelers booking flights now will save on airfare into 2009 and find numerous other ‘Delta Deals’ upon arrival.” To take advantage of great seat sale rates, book tickets through Delta’s website at www.delta.com. Travel agents can also access great rates. Flights to Canadian Rockies International Airport are available through April 5, 2009. All flights go non-stop through Salt Lake City (SLC) and flight time from SLC to YXC is just under two hours.

The Kootenay Rockies’ “Powder Highway” is home to eight world class lift-serviced ski resorts including Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Panorama Mountain Village, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Whitewater Winter Resort, Red Mountain Resort and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Additionally, the region is home to a multitude of helicopter and cat-skiing operators and has been a favorite powder-skiing destination for years. Other great non-ski activities in the region include dog sledding, snow shoeing and snowmobiling and or soaking in one of the regions many natural hot springs.

For more information, visit www.KootenayRockies.com/deltadeals

The Hotel Galvez, A Wyndham Historic Hotel, will host the 24th Annual Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball, “An African Adventure,” as part of Mardi Gras Galveston 2009. Proceeds from the ball will benefit Help4Galveston a program dedicated to rebuilding and restoring the city post Hurricane Ike.

The Hotel Galvez is offering a two-night package that includes accommodations, two tickets to the ball on Feb. 21, 2009, and parade viewing of the Momus Grand Night Parade. The package price is for Feb. 20 to 22, 2009, and starts at $1,100. Ball tickets, sold separately, are $350 per couple and include an open bar, dancing, parade viewing, a dinner buffet, and a breakfast to complete the evening.

For more information, call 409-765-7721, email mgreservations@wyndham.com or visit www.wyndham.com

Air Berlin and NIKI flights to Russia for summer 2009 are available for booking now. The daily non-stop service from Düsseldorf to St. Petersburg is a new addition. Furthermore there will again be a daily flight from Berlin-Tegel to St. Petersburg next summer. In addition to the daily morning flight, Air Berlin passengers will have the option in summer 2009 of an evening flight from Berlin-Tegel to Moscow six times a week (every day except Saturday). The service between Düsseldorf and Moscow, as well as between Munich and Moscow will have an additional flight on Saturdays and Sundays respectively. In summer 2009 NIKI will again be operating a flight six times a week (every day except Saturday) between Vienna and Moscow.

Air Berlin currently operates nonstop service from Miami and Fort Myers to Düsseldorf. In April, Air Berlin will operate four flights a week from New York and beginning in May increase it to daily service. In addition, three flights a week from Los Angeles and Vancouver also begin operating in May. All passengers using Air Berlin or LTU will be able to accumulate miles with, and redeem miles for all of the companies belonging to the Air Berlin Group when enrolled with Air Berlins TopBonus mileage program. At present, the Air Berlin Group includes Air Berlin, LTU, dba, Belair and NIKI. The summer timetable starts May 1, 2009, and ends Oct. 31, 2009. For more information, call 866-266-5588 or visit www.airberlin.com