FRHI Regional Coverage Report, Americas January 2016 by Hadley Schroll

Region – Americas Public Relations Monthly Report January 2016

FRHI HOTELS & RESORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS - REGIONAL MONTHLY REPORT

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016

// V. 91

TRAVEL UNITES

WHERE TO GO

2016

THE WORLD

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

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A hotel marketer s new best friend SUSAN KRASHINSKY MARKETING REPORTER

LAKE LOUISE ALTA

Marcus the room Part is ofworking a solicitous team working to create an impression of accommodating luxury he greets guests in the plush lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Lake

Louise A ripple passes through the teeming crowd of winter holi daymakers One by one their heads turn sometimes mid con versation the way the atmos phere can change in a room when a celebrity passes through it Marcus is handsome with a sol emn and kindly mien Guests fawn over his deep brown eyes his soft coat and his floppy ears A yellow Labrador retriever Marcus is one of roughly a dozen canine ambassadors working through out the Fairmont Hotels

Resorts

Inc chain in Canada the United

States and Kenya Since the pro gram began as an experiment in Vancouver in 2001 the ranks of four legged employees have been growing steadily Fairmont is not alone among luxury hospitality companies employing pets to give their premises a more homey feel The historic Algonquin Hotel in Man hattan has had cats for about 90 years dating back to a stray who wandered in off the street in what may be the greatest rags to riches story of the feline world We have people who have heard about the cat and come

over just to see her said Alice de Almeida chief cat officer at the hotel

More recently Kimpton Hotel Restaurant Group Inc has brought dogs into some of its lob bies each of whom is known as director of pet relations Hotels Page 7

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Hotels Lobby pets can be a valuable form of marketing are taken of the animals every day It s free publicity when visi canine ambassadors a Bernese tors post pictures to Instagram Mountain dog named Belle and or Facebook Bachelor a Saint Bernard The Animals in general are great proliferation of animal life in for marketing said Hayat lobbies speaks to the changing R Ghif a spokeswoman for Le nature of luxury hospitality For Bristol in Paris where two Bir man cats Fa Raon and Kleo years hotels communicated their status through excessive patre reign over the lobby Le formality and white glove treat Bristol does barely any paid ment But increasingly consum advertising focusing instead on ers seem to prefer less stilted marketing through social media

The Ritz Carlton Hotel Co

resort in Colorado has two

There are certainly places where a more formal experience is appropriate Return on kibble investment

Having a lobby pet isn t cheap Some hotels cover vet bills as well as costs for additional

training or grooming But the investment can pay off We do believe it drives repeat visits said Mike Taylor a cor service e mail and its website Photos of porate spokesman for Fairmont They want quality but they the cats appear in those digital By next year Mr Taylor predicts don t want it delivered in a channels They are a fit with Le as many as six more hotels in stuffy formal way said Pam the chain could have dogs Bristol s brand They are beau Gilbert director of sales and At the Algonquin guests can tiful cats from a good breed book a Friends of Matilda marketing at the latest Fairmont they are white and pristine so to bring in dogs in Scottsdale package that includes a wel they fit well with the decor Ariz They want an experience come letter from the cat a Fairmont works with local that allows them to relax guide dog associations to adopt plush doll that looks like her There is a reason that the In

ternet is dominated by cat vid eos and fluffy puppies The

the dogs

which have received

and a book of cat health and

beauty tips It is one of the hotel s most popular packages

hundreds of hours of training The cat s worth a million dol but were judged unsuitable for guide work lars said Nicholas Sciammarel Hunter a three year old yellow la manager of marketing and also help hotels to cultivate cus tomers affection And animals lab and new recruit is still on e commerce at the Algonquin Hotel probation in Vancouver are popular fodder for social At first true to his breed he media where photos shared by At Fairmont each dog has its friends are more compelling own e mail address where peo would follow guests into the than traditional paid advertis ple often request reserved walk elevators He is learning the ing Lobby pets can be a valu times or just write to say hello rules able form of marketing It used to be back in the day In those cases owners such as Ms Wild reply in the voice of that there were cookie cutter The Instagram effect hotel luxury experiences Those their dogs It s amazing to see somebody days are gone said Steven Holt If I had 25 cents for every pic looking sort of harried and you a spokesman for Ritz Carlton ture that was taken with Beau and owner of Bachelor a yellow know they ve been through I d be retired said Debbie Wild lab who used to be the lobby security checks and baggage a concierge at the Fairmont dog at the Ritz s Bachelor Gulch problems and everything else Hotel Vancouver and owner of The moment they see the dogs resort in Colorado He is skepti the yellow lab who works in the cal however about dogs fitting they reach out and you see lobby five days a week It s the stress just come right off in at other luxury hotel loca been a great marketing tool them said Ms Gilbert in Ari tions It made sense in Colo Hotels say dozens of pictures zona rado because it s dog country irresistible emotional connec tion that animals create can

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At luxury hotels, pets provide soothing experience – and a marketing opportunity

Published Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 5:30PM EST Last updated Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 5:46PM EST Marcus is working the room. Part of a solicitous team working to create an impression of accommodating luxury, he greets guests in the plush lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A ripple passes through the teeming crowd of winter holiday makers. One by one their heads turn, sometimes mid-conversation, the way the atmosphere can change in a room when a celebrity passes through it. Marcus is handsome, with a solemn and kindly mien. Guests fawn over his deep brown eyes, his soft coat and his floppy ears. A yellow labrador retriever, Marcus is one of roughly a dozen “canine ambassadors” working throughout the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. chain, in Canada, the United States and Kenya. Since the program began as an experiment in Vancouver in 2001, the ranks of fourlegged employees have been growing steadily. Fairmont is not alone among luxury hospitality companies employing pets to give their premises a more homey feel. The historic Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan has had cats for about 90 years, dating back to a stray who wandered in off the street, in what may be the greatest rags-to-riches story of the feline world. (One early cat was named Rusty, but the actor John Barrymore disliked the name so much, the hotel staff changed it to Hamlet, to honour the character Mr. Barrymore was playing while he stayed there. Seven cats have been Hamlets. The last three, all female, have been called Matilda.) “We have people who have heard about the cat and come over just to see her,” said Alice de Almeida, chief cat officer at the hotel. More recently, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group Inc. has brought dogs into some of its lobbies, each of whom is known as “director of pet relations.” The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. resort in Colorado has two “canine ambassadors,” a Bernese Mountain dog named Belle, and Bachelor, a Saint Bernard.

The proliferation of animal life in lobbies speaks to the changing nature of luxury hospitality. For years, hotels communicated their status through excessive formality and white-glove treatment. But increasingly, consumers seem to prefer less stilted service. “They want quality, but they don’t want it delivered in a stuffy, formal way,” said Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing at the latest Fairmont to bring in dogs, in Scottsdale, Ariz. “They want an experience that allows them to relax.… The ability to genuinely connect with the customer has always been part of what true luxury was.”

Marcus serves as Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s ‘canine ambassador.’ (Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Handout)

There is a reason that the Internet is dominated by cat videos and fluffy puppies. The irresistible emotional connection that animals create can also help hotels to cultivate customers’ affection. And animals are popular fodder for social media, where photos shared by friends are more compelling than traditional paid advertising. Lobby pets can be a valuable form of marketing. The Instagram effect “If I had 25 cents for every picture that was taken with Beau, I’d be retired,” said Debbie Wild, a concierge at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and owner of the yellow lab who works in the lobby five days a week. “It’s been a great marketing tool. When the Olympics were here, there were pictures of them all over social media. There’s huge attention.” Guests have told Ms. Wild that they choose to stay because of the dogs. When Joe Biden was in town, he would not come through the lobby without patting a dog. The hotel includes information about the dogs in promotional packets for conference attendees. Hotels say dozens of pictures are taken of the animals every day. It’s free publicity when visitors post pictures to Instagram or Facebook. “Animals, in general, are great for marketing,” said Hayat R’Ghif, a spokeswoman for Le Bristol in Paris, where two Birman cats – Fa-Raon and Kléopatre – reign over the lobby. Le Bristol does barely any paid advertising, focusing instead on marketing through social media, e-mail and its website. Photos of the cats appear in those digital channels. They are a fit with Le Bristol’s brand. “They are beautiful cats, from a good breed, they are white and pristine so they fit well with the décor.” One guest was so taken with them, she adopted a cat from the same breeder. Good manners and Gucci collars Animals may be more welcome in high-end places, but they still must meet a certain standard. At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona, the dogs’ teeth and fur are brushed every day. At the Fairmont in Vancouver, the yellow lab Beau has a Gucci collar, and Mavis – who retired last summer after a 12-year career but still makes special appearances – wears Louis Vuitton. Most hotels say allergies are not a problem, since the lobbies are regularly cleaned, and the animals usually don’t bother people who move away from them. For some, no amount of preening or cleaning will make a dog a welcome sight. On occasion if someone is fearful, staff keep the animals on a leash or behind a desk when that guest is in the lobby.

At the Algonquin Hotel in New York, guests can book a “Friends of Matilda” package that includes a welcome letter from the cat, a plush doll that looks like her, and a book of cat health and beauty tips. It is one of the hotel’s most popular packages.

Fairmont works with local guide dog associations to adopt the dogs – which have received hundreds of hours of training, but were judged unsuitable for guide work. (Often they were too friendly, or unable to learn a crucial skill such as being willing to lead on a walk. Others had hip problems that made them unsuited to pound the pavement as a guide all day.) Hunter, a three-year-old yellow lab and new recruit, is still on “probation” in Vancouver. At first, true to his breed, he would follow guests into the elevators or into the Dior shop. He is learning the rules. “It used to be, back in the day, that there were cookie-cutter hotel luxury experiences. Those days are gone,” said Steven Holt, a spokesman for Ritz-Carlton and owner of Bachelor, a yellow lab who used to be the lobby dog at the Ritz’s Bachelor Gulch resort in Colorado. (Another Bachelor has now taken over.) He is skeptical, however, about dogs fitting in at other luxury hotel locations. “It made sense in Colorado, because it’s dog country. … There are certainly places where a more formal experience is appropriate.”

Home life While cats are usually content to stay put, the dogs mostly have owners with whom they go home at night. Many require the time off after a day of affection, socializing and walks. This setup means that personnel changes sometimes affect the canine world as well: Smudge the yellow lab recently moved from the Fairmont St. Andrews in Scotland to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton, when her owner, general manager Garrett Turta, made the move. At some Kimpton hotels, lobby dogs left when their owners also moved to other jobs. At other locations, such as the Hotel Palomar San Diego, the employee-owners bring in their dogs whenever they like. That can be a big morale booster for the dog owners, who don’t have to leave their pets at home all day, as well as the other staff – those who like dogs, anyway. “It’s a huge stress release for staff,” said Ms. Gilbert at the Fairmont in Arizona.

Gibbs (right) and Bixby, a Labrador and a golden retriever, are the newest addition to Fairmont’s collection of “canine ambassadors" at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona.

Return on kibble investment Having a lobby pet isn’t cheap. Some hotels cover vet bills, as well as costs for additional training or

grooming. But the investment can pay off. “We do believe it drives repeat visits,” said Mike Taylor, a corporate spokesman for Fairmont. The head office does not install “ambassadors” – it usually begins with staff at the hotel who push for it. More and more are doing so. By next year, Mr. Taylor predicts as many as six more hotels in the chain could have dogs.

Beau, a yellow lab, works in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver five days a week.

In Arizona, the Fairmont saw its J.D. Power rating rise 11 points in the past year, and Ms. Gilbert believes the dogs contributed to that. At the Algonquin, guests can book a “Friends of Matilda” package that includes a welcome letter from the cat, a plush doll that looks like her, and a book of cat health and beauty tips. It is one of the hotel’s most popular packages. She has nearly 10,000 Facebook friends, and more than 1,000 Instagram followers. “The cat’s worth a million dollars,” said Nicholas Sciammarella, manager of marketing and e-commerce at the Algonquin Hotel. A children’s book has even been written about the cat; there are also books about the resident black lab, Catie Copley, at the Fairmont in Boston. Another book is in the works, about Bixby and Gibbs in Arizona,

which the hotel plans to sell on site. It is also planning a special section in the hotel shop with dog merchandise, such as plush versions of the pets, and T-shirts with their pictures.

At the Le Bristol in Paris, Birman cat Fa-Raon and his partner Kléopatre welcome guests, especially children, from their favourite perch at the concierge desk. The pair wear jewelled collars designed by Goyard.

The emotional link it creates with customers goes above and beyond the usual touches hotels use to appeal to customers. Nobody has ever been moved to write a children’s book about a particularly lovely room service spread. At Fairmont, each dog has its own e-mail address, where people often request reserved walk times, or just write to say hello. In those cases, owners such as Ms. Wild reply in the voice of their dogs. “It’s amazing to see somebody looking sort of harried, and you know they’ve been through security checks and baggage problems and everything else. The moment they see the dogs … they reach out and you see the stress just come right off them,” said Ms. Gilbert, in Arizona. “We even have guests get right down on the floor with them.” Follow Susan Krashinsky on Twitter: @susinsky

http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/finedining/24-restaurant-openings-were-most-excited-forin-2016/ss-AAgr67P#image=3

http://www.latimes.com/travel/california/la-trb-aaa-five-diamond-hotel-ratings-20160118-story.html

Fairmont Hotel Takes Modern Approach to Classic Cocktails by Brad Japhe January 29, 2016

The Right Word There's a reason why the classics become classics. They're timeless, and they're damn good. In the realm of cocktails, familiar names like Martini, Old Fashioned, Boulevardier, Manhattan, immediately come to mind. If you're going to tinker with drinks like these, you best be careful, lest you unleash an uproar. Recently, the Fairmont hotel took on the precarious task with the introduction of its "Classics, Perfected" menu. Eight simple standards, tweaked ever-so-slightly, to reflect a modern approach. Here are the standouts worth heading up the hill for. If you've never been to the Polynesian-themed Tonga Room in the lower terrace level of the Fairmont, you're missing out on a serious segment of local cocktail lore. It's cheesy, touristy, kitschy, and undeniably awesome. It's also a setting destined for Mai Tais and tropical Punch bowls. Although you can find the new drinks down here,

they're better suited to the elegant lobby bar, Laurel Court, just upstairs. Settle in between the large marble pillars, and have the barkeep fire up a Right Word, a floral variation on the venerable Final Word. With Bombay Sapphire Gin as its base, the ensemble of Lillet Blanc and St. Germain liqueur sculpts juniper berry into a calming symphony of herbaceousness. Bright, and slightly acidic, it takes on a greater degree of accessibility than its anise-laden progenitor.

The Perfect Martinez Invented in San Francisco, the Martinez is a play on the Martini, introducing maraschino cherry liqueur into the fold, for an added layer of sweetness. At the Laurel Court, they've opted to replace cherry with orange liqueur â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Cointreau, to be precise. Poking through the saccharine cloud is a dry gin from The Botanist, along with multiple types of vermouth. Its a balanced, if somewhat light-handed approach. To plumb bolder depths of flavor, seek out the VSOP Boulevardier, uniting Remy Martin Cognac with the time-tested combination of whiskey, Campari, and fortified red wine. Bitterness, herbal tones, oak, and grape must, are the main actors competing for attention here. Served in a rocks glass with a lemon garnish, the elegant sipper is unnervingly drinkable given its exclusively alcoholic list of ingredients.

VSOP Boulevardier An Old Fashioned, as its very name implies, is an ode to a bygone era. It's bedrock. Permanence, personified in a glass. It's...Got rum in it?! It does at the Fairmont. What was once a straightforward synthesis of American whiskey, sugar, and Angostura, has been reimagined with Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum to unexpectedly wondrous results. It's certainly not your father's Old Fashioned, but the oak-heavy notes of Woodford Reserve bourbon, alongside a vanilla-rich rum â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itself aged in bourbon barrels â&#x20AC;&#x201D; resonate harmoniously. A lengthy, spice-filled finish solidifies the drinks alluring complexity. It's expectedly blasphemous to some, but purists be damned. This is a tasty tipple, one worthy of repeated encounters. Slated as a permanent shift to the menu, the updated drinks debuted in December. Timeless cocktails in a peerless setting should, theoretically, be priceless. Back in reality, all eight of the entries will set you back $16. You've got to pay to play in Nob Hill.

http://m.sfweekly.com/foodie/2016/01/29/fairmont-hotel-takes-modern-approach-to-classic-cocktails

THE HOTEL MOGEL BY LARRY MOGELONSKY LARRY MOGELONSKY, FOUNDER, LMA COMMUNICATIONS INC., TORONTO

It’s January so let’s talk weddings Weddings are often viewed as an orphan kid of our industry, and special attention to this stream is only given at a narrow set of dedicated properties. Lest I remind you, however, that weddings are "recession proof" whereby every bride wants her day to be as immaculate as possible. But it takes time and commitment to develop a successful weddings program, and to this end there’s no better place to look for inspiration then a 5-star, 5-diamond hotel with a stellar reputation in this arena. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a majestic, sprawling property tucked away in the foothills north of San Diego. When I first visited the resort, I instantly noticed how important weddings were as a major source of revenue. And so I reached out to the director of catering and conference services, Charles Stuart, to elucidate some key details as to what makes their wedding program special. As always, there’s learning for all.

Charles Stuart

Give us an idea as to the size of your wedding facilities. All told, we have 25,000 square feet of usable outdoor space and 20,000 square feet of indoor banquet space. The marquis space is our Elizabeth Ballroom which is 9,700 square feet with 20-foot ceilings and a built-in recessed stage, able to accommodate up to 550 people. Padded, gold-framed air walls can divide this space into three separate ballrooms if needed. Our Manchester Salon and Terrace has 2,250 indoor and 1,925 outdoor square feet, with 13-foot ceilings height and accommodating up to 120 people. Meanwhile, our Capella Room is 3,070 square feet and accommodates up to 160 people with a recessed dais. The unique feature of this space is its dual purpose; it can be used for the reception dinner and dances as well as the inside venue for wedding ceremonies. The dĂŠcor is that of a traditional chapel with high wood ceilings, inlaid marble walls and floors, stained glass windows and removable ornate wooden pews. Our outdoor spaces include the Aria Lawn at 8,160 square feet, which overlooks the golf course and canyon with a unique Mediterranean-themed pavilion. The area is used for the outdoor ceremonies and can double as a space for pre-dinner receptions as well as the dinner venue itself. Next comes our North and South Reflection Lawns and Gazebo which are located around the reflection pool and fountains. These offer another outdoor venue for the smaller ceremonies up to 120 people as well as for predinner receptions. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the typical wedding like? The wedding business accounts for a significant proportion of the local catering business and the weddings range in size from 120 to 550 guests. When quoting an approximate amount, one should budget for between $300 to $375 per person plus service charge and tax. This would cover the food and

beverage requirements; décor, entertainment and guest room needs would be in addition to this figure. Great skill is needed in balancing and managing the two families’ needs and who is paying for what, along with the bride and groom’s plans. Our job is to calm and reassure; that everything is under total control and the day is going to be a picture perfect day. How many room nights does the average wedding yield? The number of weddings varies each year (and whether it is a destination wedding, for instance), based on available space but they have averaged between 40 and 45 – our peak year was 48. We have seen events where as few as 10% of the guests will stay all the way through to an almost-total buyout of the hotel over the whole weekend, when there are multiple events that are planned in association with the wedding, such as rehearsal dinners prior and farewell brunches the following day. What changes have you experienced in the weddings over the past years? The booking window has shortened to between six and nine months. Leads are now coming in from all types of vendors these days – in particular photographers, indicating that brides are securing their photographer before other vendors or even the venue. Interestingly, wedding planners are no longer the main source of vendor referrals for weddings. People are getting away from the old traditions and are customizing their weddings to exactly what they want. With the influx of social media sites such as Pinterest, more brides are becoming their own planners; they have greater access to all the ideas that are trending, and are often looking to incorporate these into their special day. Our specialty is in knowing which concepts will work and which will not when recreating a small snapshot of an idea for a large event. SoCal has quite a few five-star, five-diamond wedding venues. How do you differentiate your product from a marketing standpoint? Our venue is unique in every sense of the word. Still relatively a new hotel (eight years as of October 2015), the old-world design and décor of the property, landscape and manicured grounds, and the intimate internal ambiance all create a world away from other Californian properties. Many guests liken

us to being at a family estate in the Mediterranean; couple this with the unbeatable weather of San Diego and you have a venue like no other. We focus our efforts on relationship building with other top industry professionals. Much time is spent networking with high-end planners and vendors to build this personalized relationship where understanding and trust is key. In addition to these one-on-ones, we host a memorable FAM trip for these professionals each year where they will be our guests for a couple of days and experience firsthand our level of service and quality of food and beverage. It’s fun; it’s a blast; we all let our hair down, and they experience what’s trendsetting and what sets us apart from the other venues. All this leads to word-of-mouth recommendations from some of the top planners in the country and Europe targeting the marketing at guests who are looking for an exceptional venue with the best service. Can you convert wedding customers to leisure or other segments? Yes, we have found that many guests who have stayed with us over a weekend and attended a wedding will return for a special getaway, be it for their own engagement dinner and subsequent wedding or a special occasion such as an anniversary weekend. The brides and grooms tend to be the most frequent returning guests, celebrating their anniversaries each year with a night or weekend stay. Often we will recreate part of their dinner menu or a tier from their original cake for them. One of the main reasons for this is due to the great amenities we offer including golf, spa, tennis, world-class dining and offsite activities. With all these options, we can offer a different celebration for each year and for every visit. 1/29/2016 - See more at: http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/Blogs/Details/63614#sthash.jkXx9b3e.dpuf

A toboggan ride heads toward the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

Quebec City has long drawn admirers to its historic district — the famed ramparts, quaint cobblestone lanes and handsome stone houses. Get swept up in this squint-and-you’re-inEurope charm, however, and you risk missing out on the Canadian city’s most compelling attractions. Over thelast few years, a gradual revival has spread from one outlying neighborhood to the next, ushering in a wave of new boutiques, bars, bistros and more. But can hip and historic coexist? Quebec’s capital, now alive with cultural and culinary enticements for all demographics, says, mais oui!

Rétro Bordello, a quirky boutique. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

Friday 1.MEMORAB L E SOUVENIRS, 3 P.M.

The most exciting district to explore right now is revitalized St.-Roch (san-ROCK), a onceseedy neighborhood northwest of the historic center where a bunch of cool secondhand and design shops have bloomed. The souvenir hunt starts at Si Les Objets Pouvaient Parler, a curios shop filled with vintage finds and conversation starters ranging from old typewriters to Polaroid cameras. Next browse nearby Rétro Bordello, a narrow boutiquethat recently stocked zany mushroom lamps and hockey pennants for the former hometown Nordiques team. Then visit Bois & Cuir, a sleek year-old home-furnishings store selling unconventional pieces like metal trunk desks and birdcage chandeliers. 2.SAVORING SAUVEUR, 6:30 P.M.

The gentrification of St.-Roch has begun spreading westward into the St.-Sauveur neighborhood, where a two-block stretch is now home to some of the city’s most interesting dining establishments. Begin at Kraken Cru, a raw seafood bar that opened in

June with nautical décor and a seashell-studded counter. The best order here is a dozen oysters chosen from the chalkboard menu’s lengthy list of fresh, mostly Canadian bivalves (25 Canadian dollars, or $18.35 at 1.35 Canadian dollars to the United Statesdollar). Then proceed up the block for a proper dinner at Patente et Machin, a convivial bistro with a few tables and an inventive menu, which recently included a spectacular croquette de chèvre, a ball of meltingly tender goat meat drizzled with syrup on a bed of tomato sauce (11 dollars). 3.ROCH THE NIGHT, 10:30 P.M.

No DeLorean is needed to transport you back to the ’80s if you head back to St.-Roch and into the Macfly Bar Arcade. This two-room bar, which actually opened in 2014, has an electrifying orange color scheme, craft beers and vintage arcade games that are all free to play. Order a bottle of citrusy Saison Du Tracteur from the outstanding Québécois brewery Le Trou Du Diable to sip between games of Ms. Pac-Man and Double Dragon. Later, sidle up to the bar at the nearby Brasserie Artisanale La Korrigane for an only-in-Quebec nightcap: a pint of the microbrewery’s Croquemitaine, a seasonal beer made with maple syrup.

Poutine is the thing at Chez Gaston. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

Saturday 4.POUTINE PARTY, 2 A.M.

A late-night debate with a Quebecer about the best poutine is akin to arguing about cheese steaks with a Philly native, so bite your tongue and trythe faithful rendition prepared at Chez Gaston. This St.-Roch hole in the wall is no-frills, but the piping-hot poutine is spot on: crisp fries with crunch and curds with squeak, all doused in gravy (5.65 dollars). For more comfort with your comfort food, try the city’s first location of the small Canadian franchise Poutineville, which opened in an airy, brick-walled space last summer. Here all ingredients are customizable, but the house specialty (10 dollars) substitutes crushed potato chunks for fries and adds a pile of braised beef to Canada’s so-called “national dish.” 5.OUTSIDE WAL L ART, 11 A.M.

The wonderfully preserved Basse-Ville (Lower Town), between the fortifications and the waterfront, dates back over 400 years and is not where you’d expect to find daring artwork. But for the last two years, the Exmuro Arts Publics organization has enlivened this historic area during warmer months with outdoor art installations. This temporary “Quartier Création” has previously featured neon-hued, tactile works and playful sculptures like three giant pigeons inspecting a huge Campbell’s Soup can by CookeSasseville, the moniker of two stars of the local art scene. If your visit doesn’t coincide with another series of installations, instead stroll these quaint streets until you encounter the area’s two massive trompe l’oeil murals — Fresque des Québécois and Fresque du PetitChamplain — whose depictions of prominent Quebecers and life in the Cap-Blanc harbor district double as local history lessons. 6.ST.-J EAN SNACK , 1 P.M.

On bustling Rue St.-Jean, a delicious, light lunch can be cobbled together along the street’s less-trafficked western end. Begin at Le Paingrüel, a tiny artisanal boulangerie where the

fresh-baked goods — buttery croissants (1.85 dollars), spiral orange-flavored pastries (2.60) — are among the tastiest in the city. Then head northeast two blocks to Cantook Micro-Torréfaction, a micro-roastery and third-wave coffee shop. The gorgeously designed interior has a vaguely Pacific-Northwestern atmosphere (dark wood ceiling, decorative antlers) in which to savor a single-origin espresso. 7.L IMOIL OU L OOT, 3 P.M.

The northern working-class neighborhood of Limoilou, with its tree-lined blocks of threestory, multiunit houses fronted by curving staircases, is nowhere near the typical tourist trail. But it’s worth the trek across the St.-Charles River to explore 3e Avenue, one of Limoilou’s main arteries. Start at Article 721, a funky boutique stocked with an eclectic mix of jewelry, clothing and design objects, many from Québécois artisans and designers, like adorable onesies with kangaroolike pouches from Electrik Kidz and T-shirts emblazoned with colorful pockets from Poches & Fils. Continue to the kitchenware shop La Folle Fourchette, if only to admire the handmade ash-wood pepper mills from Pierre Chayer Artisan. Then dip in to Le Lièvre & La Tortue, a serene teahouse that opened in September, to join hip patrons alternating MacBook clicks and sips. 8.NEW OL D WORL D, 8 P.M.

Quebec’s Old World culinary ties are being spun today into creative new directions. For a dinner that riffs on the tastes of southern Italy, head to the two-year-old Nina Pizza Napolitaine, a stylishly minimalist pizzeria that pulls chewy, perfectly blistered pies from its black-and-white wood-fired oven. Don’t miss the salsiccia e pistacchio pizza (17.50 dollars), featuring a creamy pistachio base topped with fine rabbit sausage, hazelnuts, Parmesan and mozzarella. Or savor the flavors of France at nearby Le Renard et La Chouette, a cheery, unfussy buvette that opened in 2014. Expect groups of friends laughing over glasses of Beaujolais and Gallic-inflected small plates like torchon de foie gras adorned with diced ginger and sea buckthorn berries (16 dollars).

Le Projet Spécialité Microbrasseries. CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

9.RUE OF STRANGE B REW, 11 P.M.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better street for surveying the province’s craft ciders and beers than Rue St.-Jean. For apple-based tipples, visit Le Projet Spécialité Microbrasseries, a bustling bar with an elegant interior. Try the Citron Sunrise from Les Vergers de la Colline — an appealingly tart, lemony cider — or the winelike rosé “ice cider” from La Face Cachée de la Pomme. There are also about 20 area craft beers on tap, but serious beer connoisseurs should instead ascend the foreboding stairs toward the metalheavy soundtrack reverberating from Bateau de Nuit. This dimly lit bar, which occasionally hosts improv comedy nights, has 10 rotating taps from Quebec’s best microbreweries, like Les Trois Mousquetaires and Le Castor. For more soothing tunes, follow the street into historic Vieux-Québec,where an alleyway leads to Bar Les Yeux Bleus, a cavelike bar with (gentler) live music.

36 Hours in Quebec City Explore street view, find things to do in Quebec City and sign in to your Google account to save your map.

Sunday 10.SHOUTS AND MURMURS, 11 A.M.

Start the day with a scream while whizzing down the toboggan slide, 200 feet high and 800 feet long, that runs along Terrasse Dufferin toward the magnificent castlelike Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel (3 dollars). Then follow the charming cobblestone lanes of Vieux-Québec to the peaceful Monastère des Augustines, a former monastery dating from the 17th century that served as one of the first hospitals in Canada. Reopened recently as a wellness hotel and spa, the building also has an on-site museum that is a contemplative space arrayed with curious artifacts from the sisters’ healing efforts (10 dollars). 11.FAL L S AND CL IMB S, 2 P.M.

Thirsty for the outdoors? Ride bus 800 to the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, about seven miles from downtown, to explore the park’s majestic 272-foot-high waterfalls — taller than Niagara’s. Organized climbs up the cliff face adjacent to the falls and a new zip line that shoots nearly a thousand feet across the cascades were introduced last summer. Thoseadrenaline-pumping adventures are limited to warmer months, but the waterfalls are breathtaking in every season. For proof, cross the suspension bridge spanning the falls

to the north side, which is also the best vantage point for sweeping vistas of Île d’Orléans and beautiful Quebec City beyond.

Lodging Outside the historic center, Hôtel Le Vincent (295, rue St.-Vallier Est; hotellevincent.com; from 149 Canadian dollars) is a 10-room hideaway with comfortable rooms featuring bare brick walls, generous breakfasts and a convenient location for exploring St.-Roch and beyond. The historic Vieux-Québec, a Unesco World Heritage site, has several hotels in old structures with modern amenities. Beyond the famed 611-room Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1, rue des Carrières; fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec; from 139 dollars) in Haute-Ville, two options in Basse-Ville with elegant, stylish interiors are the 28-room Hôtel Le Priori (15, rue du Sault au Matelot; hotellepriori.com; from 139 dollars) and the 60-room Le Germain Hôtel Quebec (126, rue St.-Pierre;legermainhotels.com/en/quebec; from 199 dollars). http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/13/travel/what-to-do-in-36-hours-in-quebeccity.html?WT.mc_id=SmartBriefs-Newsletter&WT.mc_ev=click&_r=0

1/22/2016

Stay: Fairmont San Francisco Million Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package - What to Do in San Francisco During Super Bowl Week | Departures

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January 20, 2016

What To Do In San Francisco During Super Bowl Week By Brittany Shoot

7 of 10 AUTOPLAY

Stay: Fair m ont San Fr ancisco Million Dollar Fantasy B ig Gam e 50 Package The iconic concrete monolith on tony Nob Hill has played host to scores of world leaders, including the 1945 assembly that resulted in the formation of the United Nations. Add one more elite guest to the list: you, if you book the opulent Million Matthew Millman / Courtesy Fairmont San Francisco Dollar Fantasy Big Game 50 Package in the Fairmont’s three-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot luxury Penthouse Suite. Invite 22 of your nearest and dearest to enjoy the pigskin play-by-play from the Levi’s Stadium Gold Suite on game day. The lavish package even includes a philanthropic gesture: a $150,000 donation to the 50 Fund, which benefits low-income youth in the Bay Area. $750,000 for four nights; February 4–8; 950 Mason St.; 415772-5489; fairmont.com.

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Finally, later that night we reached our final destination: the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Stepping into the lobby of the hotel I felt as if I was Charlie from the Santa Clause stepping into the North Pole for the first time.

Amsterdam Banff

http://airplanesandavocados.com/from-calgary-to-lake-louise-sleeping-with-the-fairmont-hotels-and-resorts/

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1/7/2016

From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

You could feel the magic in the air the second you stepped through the golden revolving doors. Everywhere you turned there were eager children dashing past their parents juggling hot chocolate, or families smiling together

Beauty

in front of the lobby Christmas tree, and couples squeezing hands tight to warm up. The cheer was spread

Berlin

throughout the property like a holiday virus.

Destinations Europe Fashion Fit Travels Health Hotels Inspiration Lake Louise Lifestyle Maui North America Oahu Prague Recipes Reviews Rome Student Life Sunday Spark Top Tens Travel Tips Veganism Workouts

Once again we were greeted by welcome treats, but what I wasn’t expecting was to be greeted by this view. Photos will never do beautiful Lake Louise justice, but waking up to this everyday certainly turned me into a morning person real quick.

http://airplanesandavocados.com/from-calgary-to-lake-louise-sleeping-with-the-fairmont-hotels-and-resorts/

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1/7/2016

From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

The highlight of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was the extensive amount of carefully planned holiday activities that would put the cherry on top of any winter vacation. Whether you prefer to enjoy a magical sleigh ride around the lake or snow shoe your way across it, there is something for everyone. The hotel rents all the equipment to their guests including skates and sticks, which we took advantage of to play Canada’s game on the most scenic rink I’ve ever seen.

http://airplanesandavocados.com/from-calgary-to-lake-louise-sleeping-with-the-fairmont-hotels-and-resorts/

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1/7/2016

From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

http://airplanesandavocados.com/from-calgary-to-lake-louise-sleeping-with-the-fairmont-hotels-and-resorts/

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1/7/2016

From Calgary to Lake Louise: Sleeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Airplanes & Avocados

The hotel also offered a variety of indoor family activities for those who needed a break from the cold, including storytelling and movie nights. On top of the many activities on the property, guests can also rent ski and snowboard gear to take up to the Lake Louise ski resort, or arrange a day trip out to the famous Johnston Canyon. With all the extra holiday activities being offered the property was lively and packed with people, as most of the hotel amenities are opened to outside visitors not staying in the hotel. (Note that guests still receive priority for dining reservations and activities.) I noticed the service was a lot slower than my previous experiences with Fairmont hotels and resorts, most likely due to the high volume of people and being understaffed through the holidays. Nonetheless, being able to ring in 2016 under a clear sky full of stars and faint Northern Light action was a truly unforgettable experience. And the complimentary hot chocolates weren’t a bad touch either.

http://airplanesandavocados.com/from-calgary-to-lake-louise-sleeping-with-the-fairmont-hotels-and-resorts/

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One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation. “Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.” Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier. 1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995. See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information. 4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details. 5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

With the loonie dropping below 70 cents U.S. this week, Canadians are foregoing winter sun vacations and hunkering down for the season until winter ends or the exchange rate improves -- whichever comes first. Even favourite Canadian pastimes like cross-border shopping and flying are on the decline as the price of American vacations, flights and goods could end up costing us 30% more with the current value of the dollar. One solution? Don't leave Canada for your vacation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,â&#x20AC;? said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;sOuter Shores

Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.” Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier. 1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995. See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

(Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto) 2. Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is offering a new package for men in the Gentlemen's Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa's popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5 hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple's massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto for a full spa menu. 3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of

the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information. 4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details. 5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information.

http://www.canoe.com/Travel/TipsTrends/Trends/2016/01/13/22592757.html

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information. 4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details. 5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.edmontonsun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information. 4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details. 5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

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Any suggestions for a luxe Canadian Valentine’s Day getaway? John Lee Special to The Globe and Mail Published Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 12:33PM EST Last updated Friday, Feb. 05, 2016 3:58PM EST

If that Valentine’s card you made last year from twigs and dried pasta didn’t go down too well, it may be time to prove your love with a swish sleepover. Luckily, Canada is crammed like a fancy chocolate box with sweet choices – the kind of swoon-worthy resorts perfect for popping the big question (don’t forget the ring). And don’t fall into the trap of thinking that a swanky sleepover should only happen when Hallmark Cards tells you. Many resorts offer pampering couples’ packages year-round and you may find better prices and more welcoming weather at other times. Read on for inspiration and plot accordingly. On the wave-licked west coast of B.C.’s Vancouver Island, the indulgent and ever-welcoming Wickaninnish Inn [http: //wickinn.com/] near Tofino offers two-night B&B specials for two, from $692.50. If all goes well, you can rebook for the Elopement Package at a later date – cake, photos and wedding witnesses included. On the island’s east side, top-notch spa treatments can be added to the Rediscover Romance overnight package at Tigh-Na-Mara [http: //tigh-na-mara.com/], from $365 a couple. Deeper seclusion required? Aim for April’s season opening at tranquil Poet’s Cove [http: //poetscove.com/] on Pender Island, where elopement packages are also available. For a memorable alternative on mainland B.C.’s rustic Sunshine Coast, snuggle up in a luxe, cliff-side tent suite at the intimate Rockwater Secret Cove Resort [http: //rockwatersecretcoveresort.com/]. Two-night Valentine’s packages (from $979) include massage, dining and in-room wine with choc-dipped strawberries. B.C. is a hotbed of additional temptations – the Okanagan’s Sparkling Hill Resort [http: //sparklinghill.com/] and the magical Echo Valley Ranch & Spa [http: //evranch.com/] both lure retreat-seeking couples – but heads are also turned by the drop-dead-gorgeous Albertan Rockies. Among Fairmont’s old-school Canadian resorts, Jasper Park Lodge [http: //fairmont.com/jasper] delights those who love cozying up before roaring fires in mood-lit cabins. From $599 a person, the two-night Romance Package includes breakfast in bed, sumptuous dinner, spa treatments and lakeside strolls perfect for furtive PDAs (Public Displays of Affection). Alternatively, the Romance Package at Canmore’s popular Solara Resort & Spa [http: //solararesort.ca/] starts at $294 a couple a night – with the added bonus of great skiing nearby. The rest of the Prairies isn’t a passion-free zone either. In Saskatchewan, February is Elk Ridge Resort [http: //elkridgeresort.com/]’s Month of Romance, with couples’ overnight packages from $499, including spa and dining credits. Over in Manitoba, leapfrog the Valentine’s wooing and go straight to the two-night Honeymoon Package (from $495) at Elkhorn Resort [http: //elkhornresort.mb.ca/] near Riding Mountain National Park – an idyllic sunset-watching spot if you still need a place to go down on one knee. True romantics, though, may view La Belle Province as the perfect spot to assert their ardour. The Laurentians’ outdoorsy-focused Fiddler Lake Resort [http: //fiddlerlakeresort.com/] serves sauna-equipped log cabins where you’ll want to get snowed in. Need some flirtatious Quebec alternatives? Try lakeside Quintessence Resort Hotel [http: //hotelquintessence.com/] or the grand Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu [http: //fairmont.com/richelieu-charlevoix]. Craving an Ontario escape instead? On the edge of Algonquin Park, adults-only Couples Resort [http: //couplesresort.ca/] adds activities such as snowshoeing and horseback riding to its spa and dining options – see website for packages and late-breaking deals. For a deluxe alternative, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House [http: //niagarasfinest.com/properties/harbourhouse] is a lovely retreat where local wine exploring is always on the menu. Over in the Maritimes, Nova Scotia’s super-friendly Oceanstone Seaside Resort [http: //oceanstoneresort.com/] serves several Valentine’s Packages, including a chef preparing dinner in your cottage (for an extra $125 per person). But if three’s a crowd, try PEI’s gable-roofed charmer, Dalvay By The Sea [http: //dalvaybythesea.com/] instead. With an April season opening, its cycling package entices couples with energy to spare. And with no in-room TV’s, you’ll also be forced to talk to each other – you have been warned. OUR READERS W RITE If you are in Toronto you can’t get more swank than Langdon Hall. Less than an hour away, it has a luxurious spa, silverware, beautiful rooms with cozy wood fireplaces, soft linens and great food and wine. Not cheap, but well worth it. There will be romance! Peter Keleghan Not a resort, but those ‘tree bubbles’ in Qualicum, B.C., [freespiritspheres.com] seem awesome for couples. @seanminogue You cannot do much better than the spectacular Fairmount Le Chateau Montebello in Montebello, Quebec. A unique log structure oozing with ambience, especially in winter, sitting around the massive fireplace in the main lobby. You can go cross country skiing, dog sledding, curling or stay indoors and go swimming, to the spa or play indoor tennis. And the food is fantastic. R. Ludlow Oceanstone [oceanstoneresort.com] in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia – but I don’t want to give away the secret. @jennlmtaylor If money is a problem, do not go in over your head. Instead, choose a lower-priced hotel but in a location with romantic character (e.g. Quebec City). Then, exceed her expectations with a ‘surprise’ bottle of champagne at a bistro or a trip to the spa. John Grimley My suggestion would be a spa retreat at Sparkling Hills resort in the Okanagan. It is the perfect blend of luxury and relaxation. The spa complex alone would be worth the trip. Dine by a sparkling crystal fireplace and retire to a room and view that would inspire romance in the ice queen. A few days at Sparkling Hills is like a quick escape to Europe without the overseas flight. Karen Leahy Tofino has many fancy resorts and Long Beach to boot. Try looking up the Long Beach Lodge as well as others on the Internet. The Wikkinninnish Inn is

“Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” said Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’sOuter Shores Expeditions, in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.” Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier. 1. Go on a cruise... on Canada's west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions offers cruising packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archaeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for six-day, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995. See outershores.ca for more details and cruise options.

experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information. 4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details. 5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

2/9/2016

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Promotes Karen Wilson : TravelAge West

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Promotes Karen Wilson January 17, 2016 Wilson appointed regional director of sales and marketing for Canada’s Western Mountain region By: Michelle Juergen

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has appointed Karen Wilson as regional director of sales and marketing for Canada’s Western Mountain region. Wilson, who has more than 20 years of hospitality experience, most recently served as director of sales and marketing for Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta.

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3. See the stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta's Jasper National Park is one of the world's largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium's state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper for more information. 4. Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place once again this year. New is the Passeport MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourismemontreal.org for full details. 5. Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg's new F-scapes winter package. A guide will escort guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at ThermĂŤa Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg's certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends like spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg for more information. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/01/13/one-way-to-beat-the-loonie-stay-in-canada

2/10/2016

FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

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FR HI Hotels & R esorts I ntroduces N eqta Hotels – A N ew Lifestyle Hotel Brand For Today’s Chinese Traveler Thursday, January 21, 2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, today announced the debut of Neqta Hotels (诺阁雅 Nuo Ge Ya), a new brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located in some of FRHI Hotels & Resorts the most in-demand destinations across China.* The inaugural hotel to fly the Hotels & Resorts Neqta flag opened today in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, close to the city’s World Expo site, and a second state-of-the-art hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing. “With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China,” said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI’s senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. “Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic.” Neqta Hotels will have high appeal to tech-savvy travelers who want seamless integration of work and life while away from home. Lifestyle will also play a key role in the guest experience with hotels featuring open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs. These well-appointed public spaces will be multi-functional, incorporating innovative dining concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge in the evening. Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand. Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free wifi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions. “It’s the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product,” said Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture. Soh, a Singapore native who will be tasked with brand growth and development, brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor. “Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop http://www.buyerinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38393

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FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land’s predominantly mixed-use developments. With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest,” added Soh. ### * Operated by FRHI and guided by the leading hotel management company’s world-renowned approach to service and standards, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI’s collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands. About FRHI Hotels & Resor ts FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) is a leading luxury hotel management company that operates more than 130 hotels and branded residential offerings globally under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company’s distinctive portfolio of luxury and upper upscale hotels features celebrated icons, world-class resorts and stylish city center hotels. Some notable hotels include Fairmont Dubai, Raffles Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Fairmont San Francisco and London’s The Savoy. Focused on growing its distinctive hotel brands, the company is also developing new hotels in key locations around the world including exciting projects in China, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company also manages Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information visit frhi.com. About J iangsu G olden Land Established in 1994 with headquarters in Nanjing, Jiangsu Golden Land is a prominent real estate developer in Nanjing, Shanghai and Suzhou. The company’s landmark commercial complexes of office buildings, five-star hotels, serviced apartments and shopping malls include the KIC International Center in Nanjing and the super high-rise KIC International Suzhou currently under construction. The group also owns Fairmont Nanjing, one of FRHI’s four Fairmont hotels in a China portfolio that also includes Fairmont Beijing, the iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan. For more information visit jddjt.com.

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2/11/2016

You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

Fido Fridays At PayScale HQ (Seattle, WA) • Photo Courtesy PayScale

Generational conflict in the workplace (Millennial employees vs. Gen X, Boomer employees vs. Gen X, and so forth) has become a growth industry lately for consultants, speakers, and authors. But I’m doubtful that this industry’s central premise–the idea that everyone in a generation acts essentially like everyone else in that generation, and that it’s possible, therefore, to “generationally manage” your workforce–is the most useful way to think about your workforce. Here’s an alternative view of your workforce: Although there are, on average, differences between generations, they are dwarfed by the sharper distinctions you’ll find between individual human beings. And individual human beings, rather than generations, are what make up a workforce. Doug Carr of FRHI speaks eloquently to this point: For an organization to go out and say ‘millennials are this way’ or ‘Gen Xs are like this’ is too broadbrushed. Across all three of our brands, we stick to the approach of ‘Select the best,’ based on the characteristics we feel are best for the position. We don’t muddy the waters by saying “when you’re hiring a millennial, look for X,” because, whether you’re 22 years old or you’re 50 years old, if it’s in you to give heartfelt service, we want you working here. Psychologically, all such high performers, http://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2016/01/26/everything-youve-heard-about-millennial-employees-is-baloney-heres-the-truth-and-how-to-use-it/#7b…

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2/11/2016

You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

according to the methodology we use in collaboration with Gallup, are going to have very similar profiling characteristics. In regard to millennial employees in particular: I’m going to disappoint some readers by refusing to join in with the very vocal chorus that’s been ranting about “kids these days,” kids who, so the silly talk goes, “expect medals for just showing up.” Not only am I not interested in piling on, I don’t think “kids these days” are deserving of any such pile-on. Millennial employees represent the best-educated (the most schooling, the highest SAT scores, computer coding and other advanced skills learned as early as middle school) and most thoughtfully-raised (more about that below) cohort in history. And, regardless of whether you agree with this assessment of millennial employees, you’d best get used to them being around; it’s predicted that by 2025 three quarters of workers globally will be millennials. Having said this, it’s true that different generations tend to bring different expectations to the workplace, and that there’s value in understanding these expectations and fulfilling them to the best of your ability as an employer. As far as millennials in particular are concerned, here are four of these employee expectations, with suggestions for how to address them. 1. They want to share responsibility–so find ways to let them. Millennials, in many cases, have grown up under a style of parenting that supported individual empowerment, where the kids were almost always included in family decision-making. Now, as they enter the early stages of their careers, millennial employees are often getting a bad rap for coming into the workforce with an immediate sense of entitlement. While that’s a gross overgeneralization, it’s fair to say that millennials are looking for a feeling that they’re more than a cog in a massive machine. So as an employer, “try to create opportunities that give Millennials the chance to take responsibility and find success on a micro level before they move on to larger roles,” says Jay Coldren of EDITION. For example, continues Coldren, “Make one small team of employees responsible for handling the ordering and stocking and determination of par levels [the quantity an item needs to fall to to trigger a reorder] of the office supplies. In a restaurant, a small team can be made responsible for ordering the wines, while others are deputized to handle the stocking and ordering of the serviceware, and so forth. Offering up such areas of micro-responsibility will keep your new workers engaged outside of the normal scope of their day.” Millennials also may expect a timetable for career advancement that comes off as unrealistic to their managers; as one company leader said off the record to me, “Great people are coming into our industry who are highly educated and who all want to be directors of everything immediately.” The most successful response to this is a simple one: compromise. Make it clear that advancement isn’t possible on the millennial’s idealized schedule, but that if they make a commitment to their current position and department that may seem long to them (yet is shorter than the previous norm in your company), they will be rewarded with additional opportunities for growth on a timetable that they can depend on. 2. Support their desire for work/life balance. Millennials have often shared with me their unwillingness to sacrifice their off-work time or to make other lifestyle compromises in return for financial http://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2016/01/26/everything-youve-heard-about-millennial-employees-is-baloney-heres-the-truth-and-how-to-use-it/#7b…

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2/11/2016

You've Got Millennial Employees All Wrong; Here Are The Four Things You Need To Know Now - Forbes

compensation. It’s been argued that millennials’ inclination in this regard relates to them having watched their boomer parents delay happiness in return for career advancement, a worldview they’re not willing to buy into for themselves. Regardless of the reason for this attitude, it needs to be taken into consideration by employers today. Shelley Meszoly, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at Fairmont Southampton (Bermuda): “My younger staff will work their rear ends off for me when they’re here, but they’re also all about having their nights and weekends entirely free and clear.” There’s no silver bullet solution here that I’m aware of. Humane scheduling is a challenging question that has been stumping even mighty Starbucks, which, after The New York Times shined a light on the issue, has committed companywide to coming up with more compassionate scheduling approaches. A start is to accept that the millennial desire for work-life balance is admirable and that any scheduling solutions you make in this regard will also benefit your overall workforce; the desire to have time for a life outside of work is not exclusive to any one generation. 3. Let them work for an ethical organization–by being one. Just like millennial customers, millennial employees (and potential employees) are concerned with organizational ethics and social responsibility. The extent to which you can satisfy these concerns will determine a significant part of your success in recruiting and retaining your pick of employees. Doug Carr: [In recruiting], we work very closely with schools such as Cornell. The students who’ve been coming out of university for several years now are very focused on the social responsibility profile of any organization they’re considering working for. They want to know your company’s stance on the environment, on community involvement and social responsibility, whether your company wins awards for its eco-tourism or green lodging. All of this plays a large role in whether or not they’re interested in coming to work for you. 4. Yes, they want feedback. So give it to them. Many millennials have received adult feedback throughout their earlier years; they’ve often had close involvement from parents in their education and close support and encouragement from teachers and mentors at school. The contrast can be jarring when they arrive at their first professional position and suddenly have nobody who’s interested in telling them how they’re doing. One recently-hired millennial told me “this was the first time in my life that nobody cared about the quality of my work–or if they actually did care, I couldn’t tell. The quality of my work could be great, or just o.k.; the response I received was the same either way.” The solution here is obvious, and is an organizational win regardless of generation: provide more input. Not just via formal, periodic performance reviews, but through informal responses daily, or weekly. Your employees will appreciate this, and you’ll get more out of them to boot. http://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2016/01/26/everything-youve-heard-about-millennial-employees-is-baloney-heres-the-truth-and-how-to-use-it/#7b…

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2/10/2016

FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

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FR HI Hotels & R esorts I ntroduces N eqta Hotels – A N ew Lifestyle Hotel Brand For Today’s Chinese Traveler Thursday, January 21, 2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, today announced the debut of Neqta Hotels (诺阁雅 Nuo Ge Ya), a new brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located in some of FRHI Hotels & Resorts the most in-demand destinations across China.* The inaugural hotel to fly the Hotels & Resorts Neqta flag opened today in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, close to the city’s World Expo site, and a second state-of-the-art hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing. “With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China,” said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI’s senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. “Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic.” Neqta Hotels will have high appeal to tech-savvy travelers who want seamless integration of work and life while away from home. Lifestyle will also play a key role in the guest experience with hotels featuring open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs. These well-appointed public spaces will be multi-functional, incorporating innovative dining concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge in the evening. Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand. Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free wifi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions. “It’s the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product,” said Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture. Soh, a Singapore native who will be tasked with brand growth and development, brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor. “Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38393

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2/10/2016

FRHI Hotels Resorts Introduces Neqta Hotels A New Lifestyle H

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2/10/2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts & Jiangsu Golden Land Group Launch Neqta Hotels January 21, 2016 9:58am Share

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE--(Jan. 21, 2016) - FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China's Jiangsu Golden Land Group, today announced the debut of Neqta Hotels, a new brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located in some of the most in-demand destinations across China.* The inaugural hotel to fly the Neqta flag opened today in Shanghai's Xuhui District, close to the city's World Expo site, and a second state-of-the-art hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing. "With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China," said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI's senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. "Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly

http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/frhi-hotels-resorts-jiangsu-golden-land-group-launch-neqta-hotels

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Hotel Online

attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic." Neqta Hotels will have high appeal to tech-savvy travelers who want seamless integration of work and life while away from home. Lifestyle will also play a key role in the guest experience with hotels featuring open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs. These well-appointed public spaces will be multi-functional, incorporating innovative dining concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a vibrant cocktail bar and lounge in the evening. Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand. Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free wifi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions. "It's the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product," said Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture. Soh, a Singapore native who will be tasked with brand growth and development, brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor. "Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land's predominantly mixed-use developments. With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest," added Soh.

* Operated by FRHI and guided by the leading hotel management company's world-renowned approach to service and standards, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI's collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands. Tags: frhi hotels & resorts (/latest_news/tag/frhi+hotels+&+resorts/), jiangsu golden land group (/latest_news/tag/jiangsu+golden+land+group/), neqta hotels (/latest_news/tag/neqta+hotels/)

About FRHI Hotels & Resorts FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) is a leading luxury hotel management company that operates more than 130 (http://www.frhi.com/)hotels and branded residential offerings globally under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company's distinctive portfolio of luxury and upper upscale hotels features celebrated icons, world-class resorts and stylish city center hotels. Some notable hotels include Fairmont Dubai, Raffles Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Fairmont San Francisco and London's The Savoy. Focused on growing its distinctive hotel brands, the company is also developing new hotels in key locations around the world including exciting projects in China, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company also manages Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information visit frhi.com (http://www.frhi.com/). Contact: Mike Taylor mike.taylor@frhi.com (mailto:mike.taylor@frhi.com) / 416-874-2457

About Jiangsu Golden Land Established in 1994 with headquarters in Nanjing, Jiangsu Golden Land is a prominent real estate developer in Nanjing, Shanghai and Suzhou. The company's landmark commercial complexes of office buildings, five-star hotels, serviced apartments and shopping malls include the KIC International Center in Nanjing and the super high-rise KIC International Suzhou currently under construction. The group also owns Fairmont Nanjing, one of FRHI's four Fairmont hotels in a China portfolio that also includes Fairmont Beijing, the iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan. For more information visit jddjt.com (http://www.jddjt.com/). (mailto:)

Related News AccorHotels to Acquire Three Iconic Hotel Brands - Fairmont, Raffles, Swissôtel (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/accorhotels-to-acquirethree-iconic-hotel-brands-fairmont-raffles-swissotel) Dennis Clark Appointed General Manager of the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/dennis-clark-appointedgm-fairmont-mayakoba) Swissotel Hotels & Resorts to Break Ground on New 300-room Hotel in Guayaquil, Ecuador (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/swissotel-hotelsresorts-to-break-ground-on-new-300-room-hotel-in-guayaquil) FRHI Hotels & Resorts Unveiled as Challenge Provider to the Upcoming Young Hoteliers Summit 2014 (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/frhihotels-resorts-unveiled-as-challenge-provider-to-the-upcoming-young-ho) Swissotel Hotels & Resorts to Manage New Build 400-room Swissotel Hangzhou, Expected to Open 2018 (http://www.hotelonline.com/press_releases/release/swissotel-hotels-resorts-to-manage-new-build-400-room-swissotel-hangzhou-ex) Development Begins in China on the 300-room Fairmont Hangzhou Slated to Open in 2017 (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/developmentbegins-in-china-on-the-300-room-fairmont-hangzhou-slated-to-ope)

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1/22/2016

HOTELSMag.com

NEWS

FRHI, Chinese partner launch Millennial brand

By Jeff Weinstein on 1/21/2016

FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, on Thursday announced the debut of Neqta Hotels (Nuo Ge Ya), a new brand and hotel portfolio consisting of upper mid-scale hotels located across China. Operated by FRHI and guided by the hotel management company, Neqta will be marketed apart from FRHI’s collection of Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands. The inaugural hotel to fly the Neqta flag opened Thursday in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, close to the city’s World Expo site, and a second hotel is expected to debut soon in Nanjing. “With domestic business travel on the rise and market research indicating Chinese consumer spending will more than double over the next five years, we see this as a remarkable opportunity to further grow our footprint in China,” said Wayne Buckingham, FRHI’s senior vice president of operations, Asia Pacific and chairman of the new joint venture. “Guided by extensive research and our own customer insights, we have designed a contemporary hotel brand that will be highly attractive to both property developers and the Chinese consumer, in particular the millennial business traveler in the 22 to 40 age demographic.” Joseph Soh, the recently named managing director of the new joint venture and a Singapore native, will be tasked with brand growth and development. He brings extensive lodging experience in China to his new position having held several senior executive roles with major hotel groups including Starwood, Hilton, Millennium & Copthorne, IHG and Accor. “It’s the perfect time to be developing a dynamic, new hotel brand in China; the travel market in China has matured greatly over the last decade and there is now significant demand for this type of hotel product,” Soh said. “Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land’s predominantly mixed-use developments,” Soh added. “With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28 to 32 square meter (300 to 350 square http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/News/Details/64040

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HOTELSMag.com

Exterior rendering of a Neqta property in China

feet) range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest.â&#x20AC;?

Neqta guest room rendering

Neqta Hotels will feature open and stylish lobbies that will serve as social hubs, incorporating dining http://www.hotelsmag.com/Industry/News/Details/64040

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HOTELSMag.com

concepts that will see a breakfast and coffee shop by day transform into a cocktail bar and lounge in the evening. Modern amenities, contemporary design and warm and efficient service will be hallmarks of the Neqta brand. Notable hotel features will include ergonomically designed and uncluttered guestrooms with comfortable beds, rain-showers, large Bluetooth-enabled LED televisions and free Wi-Fi and high-speed internet. Business travelers will also enjoy a one-stop arrival service catering to their individual needs and access to a selection of smaller and smart meeting areas that will have the flexibility to be converted for different uses and occasions.

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thank you, il learnd about, but millenium? FRID AY, JA NU AR Y 22, 2 01 6 | PHILIP P M A A S

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2/1/2016

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

http://nyti.ms/1RGYAWf B USINESS DA Y

I TI NERARI ES

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries By M AR THA C . W HITE

JAN. 11, 2016

Joshua Reeves, the co-founder and chief executive at the payroll and benefits management start-up Gusto, rented a house for a week in 2013 with his roughly 10 colleagues for what he called a “workation.” One part reward for the long hours they worked, one part brainstorming marathon, the retreat allowed the group to cook together, hike and plan the fledgling company’s next steps. “The two main goals we had were to bring the team together, take a step back and have a chance for community time and connection,” Mr. Reeves said. “Physically going somewhere else can actually be a great catalyst for introspection.” Although Gusto now has 300 employees in San Francisco and Denver, retreats are still part of the company culture. Recently, its human resources department took a four-day trip to Los Angeles that included a trip to Disneyland to observe and gather ideas for how to scale up their operations. Staff members from both of the company’s offices attended.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/hotels-company-retreats.html?src=twr

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2/1/2016

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

“We really love the time we’ve spent on retreats,” Mr. Reeves said. Today, companies not generally given to embracing start-up corporate culture are finding retreats to be an effective way to accomplish seemingly conflicting goals: Getting people to relax and to work harder. And hotels have been eager to accommodate companies’ increased willingness to reward hard work with off-site getaways. “Over the last 18 months, we’ve been seeing a really encouraging uptick,” said Alison Taylor, senior vice president of global sales at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which has had an approximately 12 percent increase, yearover-year, in reward and incentive travel, including retreats. And by all accounts, that business is growing — especially among younger workers. “We definitely have seen the reinvestment of corporations back into those,” said David Peckinpaugh, president of Maritz Travel Company and Experient. “We saw, in particular, from 2014 to 2015, a significant spike,” he said. Last year, he said, his company had roughly 30 percent more corporate incentive programs. “I think we typically see it as synonymous with a growing economy,” said Andrew Flack, vice president for global marketing at Hilton Worldwide, where requests for corporate retreat bookings have increased by a double-digit percentage. “Also, companies in particular are looking for how to sustain growth, and that’s a lot of what they talk about.” The trend dovetails with a push in human resources management to reward more while paying less. “I’m seeing more off-sites that fall under the category of culture-building and team-building,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at the recruiting firm Robert Half. Although Labor Department data show wages slowly creeping up, many companies see an advantage to giving employees bonuses or other rewards because this lets them avoid adding a fixed amount to their bottom line, as pay

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2/1/2016

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

raises would. Still, even as companies try to hold the line on pay, the labor market has tightened sufficiently, especially in some high-tech and professional services fields, that companies recognize the need to keep employees happy as well as hardworking. “I think the most important thing that corporate America has found is that they need their employees to perform,” said Christine Lawson, senior vice president of sales and catering at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “They understand that engagement is absolutely essential to their productivity.” Ms. Lawson said more than half of her brand’s corporate business, which is up roughly 10 percent year-over-year, consisted of retreats. As retreats grow in popularity, traditional incentive programs are incorporating more retreatlike elements even as they expand beyond perks for top sales executives or dealers. “Incentives are being opened up,” Ms. Taylor said. “The incentive business has morphed now to be about community.” Hotel companies welcome the broader scope of the programs because that means more business for them. Another change is the incorporation of brainstorming or high-level strategy sessions among the recreation and bonding activities. “We’re seeing either a half-day or a full-day working session,” said Mark Sergot, senior vice president for global sales at FRHI Hotels & Resorts. Like many other aspects of both corporate culture and business travel, the growth of retreats and the evolution of incentives are being driven by Generation Y, people like Mr. Reeves of Gusto: young and with the mentality of a Silicon Valley start-up. “They really like to feel like they’re part of something, and that’s why we’re seeing the increase,” Mr. McDonald said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/hotels-company-retreats.html?src=twr

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2/1/2016

In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries - The New York Times

“Millennials expect that,” Ms. Taylor said. “They want to have that interaction with the C-level executives, and incentives are a very nice way to do that, to make them feel included.” Ms. Lawson of Kimpton said the brand, which is based in San Francisco, has a long history of catering to the high-tech industry’s casual, quirky meeting style. “Tech has always come into our hotels in jeans and T-shirts and wanted their room to have beanbags and couches,” she said. Only recently, she said, have other industries started following suit — forgoing the suits and boardroom presentations for more intense but more intimate sessions of brainstorming or strategizing. “Generally, we don’t see boardroom-type retreats anymore,” Mr. Sergot said. While this might be new territory for groups in buttoned-up fields like insurance, professional and financial services, even start-ups can take time to get the hang of the laid-back retreat. At Gusto’s first retreat in 2013, Mr. Reeves recalled bringing in the components of workstations: desks, tables, PC monitors. They went unused. “As it turned out, everybody spent the whole week on the couches with their legs up,” he said. A version of this article appears in print on January 12, 2016, on page B4 of the New York edition with the headline: In Retreats, Start-Ups Find a Way to Recharge Workers’ Batteries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/hotels-company-retreats.html?src=twr

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Just Announced: AAA Five-Diamond Hotels This Monday, AAA (and CAA) released their Five-Diamond awards for hotels and restaurants. (AAA dispenses diamonds, Forbes stars.) Here's a closer look at some of AAA's 118 top honorees in the US. Next week: Five Diamond hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada.

Karen Tina Harrison Luxury Travel Expert

Rancho Valencia: SoCal Stunner Rancho Valencia, in the fragrant hills above San Diego, is a perfect getaway: beautiful, delicious, social, and active. Rancho Valencia possesses Five Stars from Forbes as well and is a member of Relais & Chateaux. Writer Nikki Neu answers the question: how deluxe can a boutique hotel get? (Pic: the property's spa.) READ NOW

Fairmont Grand Del Mar: Cali's Best Resort? Fairmont Grand Del Mar is considered the top resort in the Golden State. (My travel-editor cronies think so.) Its restaurant, spa, golf, grounds: all spectacular. And, says writer Max Jacobson, the place looks like a Moroccan king's palace. I wil add: a king who thinks pink. READ NOW

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Can We Top These in 2016? So long ago -- in 2015 -- Luxury Travel reported on these spectacular hotels and resorts (and a best-of-the-best wellness retreat). Here's a look back at these ultra-fivestar properties, and a wish for as upscale a new year. Karen Tina Harrison Luxury Travel Expert

Enchantment Resort in Magical Sedona, Arizona Enchantment Resort is stunningly set in a redrocks "box canyon" that's more than just looks. The canyon sits atop an energy vortex, Sedona's famed (and actual) phenomenon. People experience lifealtering dreams an visions are a regular occurrence. But writer Lois Friedland says that Enchantment's scenery and spa are heavenly on their own. READ NOW

Inn of the Five Graces, Stunner in Santa Fe, New Mexico The Inn of the Five Graces promises an equally stunning Southwestern getaway. Upscale Santa Fe, New Mexico is chockablock with fine hotels, but Inn of the Five Graces is the ultimate place to stay. My story will show you what (besides amazing mosaic bathrooms) makes this Relais & Chateaux inn one of America's best-regarded hotels. READ NOW

Fairmont Grand Del Mar, California's Most-Honored Resort This elegant estate resort near San Diego, a nod to South Florida's fantasy hotels of the early 2oth century, reminds many visitors of 1,001 Arabian Nights. Its sheer beauty aside, Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers guests the Michelin-lauded Addison restaurant, a fantastic spa, luscious pools, and onproperty golf, tennis, horseback trails, and more. No wonder the property possesses the rare Forbes Five Stars and AAA Five Diamonds, plus more bestin-show awards than any other California resort. READ NOW

Golden Door in SoCal, World's Most Exclusive Wellness Oasis Golden Door, in the wooded hills outside San Diego, is considered the top wellness getaway in the United States and, say many, the world. The level of one-on-one attention here is phenomenal: you have your own schedule manager, fitness coach, swim coach, yoga master, masseur, facialist, and kitchen consultant. I spent a week here, indulged in delicious, healthy chow, and still lost five pounds. READ NOW

Eau Palm Beach, South Florida's Elegantly Playful Resort If you think of Palm Beach in South Florida as the nest of frosty Social Register snowbirds from Park Avenue and Greenwich, Connecticut, you are partially right. Society types still winter in Palm Beach. But the young-at-spirit set have taken to Eau Palm Beach Resort. If the ladies are wearing

pearls, they're bikini straps. Sophisticated Eau Palm Beach is the model of a modern luxury resort. Its rooms were redone by Jonathan Adler, its spa features an adult playground with private nooks and overwater swings. The club level lounge flaunts playful monkey-laden wallpaper and the kids' and teens' clubs are "fleek." (A stylish 14-year-old supplied the word.) READ NOW

Ladera Resort: Romance on Luscious St. Lucia in the Caribbean Ladera is the only Caribbean luxury resort ever rated #1 in the World on CondĂŠ Nast Traveler's "Best of the Best" list. And its Dasheene restaurant is one of the most acclaimed dining spots in the entire Caribbean. More to love: Ladera pioneered the "open fourth wall" tropical resort concept. Al the better, says writer Eric Weiss, to marvel at Ladera's view of the turquoise Caribbean and lush green volcanic peaks of the Pitons.l READ NOW

Auberge St. Antoine in Quebec City: Canada's #1 Boutique Hotel Quebec City does not lack for luxury hotels. Yet Auberge Saint-Antoine runs away with the awards. This is Travel + Leisure's choice of #1 City Hotel in Canada. Simply put, this stylish yet authentic-feeling boutique hotel hosts an unforgettable stay in Quebec City. And one of your best-ever meals north of the border too. READ NOW

Gleneagles: Scottish Palace with Iconic Golf & Single Malts Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland is a true resort legend for many good reasons, including fabled golf. Writer Joseph Reaney says: "this 'palace in the glens' provides a complete escape for luxury travelers seeking relaxation, recreation, and Scottish charm...oh, and exquisite single-malt Scotch too." READ NOW

Featured Articles • Tahiti's Most Luxurious Overwater Bungalows • Save the (Rainy) Day: Things to Do in LA When It's Pouring • 5 Things Nobody Tells You About Staying in Hostels • In Fiji, a Submarine With Your Hotel Room • What's T.C.B.? • Stop doing these things in your hotel room! • A 5-step Process for Complaining About Your Hotel Stay • How to Never Wait in a Customs Line Again

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Fairmont Grand Del Mar Jacqueline Maddison Travel & Lifestyle January 27, 2016

One of the top ten must-have experiences as a Los Angeleno is to take the Amtrak south to San Diego because the last memorable hour is by the blue Pacific with hopeful sightings of gray whales breaching and pods of frolicking bottlenose dolphins. When you travel to San Diego itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a unique and refreshing experience. The air is sweeter and the sun just seems to shine at the perfect temperature. Disembark at the Solana Beach train depot and with advance reservations, a chauffeured car will whisk you to the Grand Del Mar, newly acquired for the Fairmont luxury hotel collection. This

sun-drenched palace is nestled within the native white sage of Los Penasquitos Canyon Nature Reserve.

Addison Mizner, a famous architect, whose style of Mediterranean resorts during the 1920s, inspired Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s design. Amidst the surrounding rolling hills, championship fairways and greens, it’s easy to imagine the elusive bobcat padding through. Tom Fazio probably never considered that his design would be used as a wildlife corridor in the glowing sunset. GDM has been awarded the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Triple Five-Star Resort: Hotel, Spa and Addison (fine dining), AAA Five Diamond Award: Hotel And Addison, #1 Luxury Hotel in California: TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice and Travel + Leisure World’s Best Resorts.

Fairmont properties are in 19 countries and its flagship landmarks include The Plaza in New York and The Savoy in London. Since 1907, Fairmont has been made famous by visitations from British royalty such as Queen Elizabeth in 1969; the staged Bed-In for Peace by John Lennon and Yoko Ono; Claude Monet’s muse of London at the Savoy; and many of the hotels served as movie locations. “Papa” Doug Manchester, former publisher of the UT San Diego newspaper, still retains a minor role in GDM. He originally developed and built the luxury resort seven years ago, sparing no expense. A true luxury travel destination that allows you to step into a whole new world when you enter the property. At Amaya’s epicurean exchange, along with the 29 pages of European and California varietals on Amaya’s detailed libations list, sommelier, charming Ryan Winnegar shared GDM tidbits such as, “An Italian family of artisans, one of only three left in the world, hand-carved our

fireplace from a single piece of marble. Marble is used in archways, flooring and walls along with real gold leaf on some of the more intricate wrought iron.”

Things To Keep In Mind •

Pups under 25 lbs or less are welcome

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Four heated pools: an adults-only relaxation sanctuary, including one for children with a wading area and another with an outdoor pool bar

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Spa treatments range from multi-tiered to wraps to facial therapies

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Nail & hair salon, Gentlemen’s Spa and salon services, Children’s services, Bride to be services

•

Fitness & Movement Studio: Zumba, Pi-Yo Strength

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Self-guided scenic trails

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Horseback Riding through the Reserve

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Tennis courts

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Weather permitting, shuttle and full beach accessories offered for GDM guests at the pristine Del Mar Beach (comparable to Malibu)

•

Attraction tickets: San Diego Zoo, Legoland

Unlike the wine list, the single page-dining menu had select gourmet offerings. I chose the deboned, fresh Grilled Idaho Trout served with my preference of head and tail in tact, topped with succulent Lump Crab, crisp Haricot Vert and sublime Brown Butter. ”This dish was culled from a 150-year-old recipe,” said Amaya’s manager, Chris Sadelack. “It is still being served in a very exclusive bistro called Le Comptoir in Paris.”

One word: delicieux. The next morning, I felt spellbound by my golden slumbers. Like the storybook Princess and the Pea, I am sensitive to loud noise and inferior beds so GDM is my official thumbs up for quiet and profound rest. Apparently, there are other enchanted guests seeking the Fairmont Stearns & Foster bed and the 100% Egyptian cotton, 300 thread count, sateen linens because they are available for purchase online.

Ten minutes late, I arrived in a somnolent state to the elegant 22,000 square feet spa for my Signature Touch Therapy. Therapist Sarah Zimmerman was the perfect blend of small talk, no talk, and commanding hands of strength. As she banished the dragons of tension with essential oils, I sleptâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yet again.

Afterward, subdued with bliss, I savored guilt-free bite-sized, boneless fried chicken on handcrafted mini waffles at the Clubhouse Grille before reluctantly departing. Heading northbound reminded me that a staycation of fresh air and opulent deep rest is sometime just what you need. By Jeanne Ferris Fairmont Grand Del Mar 5300 Grand Del Mar Court San Diego, CA 92130 T: 858.314.2000 Fairmont.com/San Diego

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1/26/2016

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club to Wrap Renovations in June | Luxury Travel Advisor SEARCH

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Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has announced that it will complete its $100 million renovation project this June. Over the course of the two-year process, the 400-room property has added 43 new suites designed by Botelho Wood Architects, three new restaurants, an exhale flagship spa, gym and boutique fitness studio, a private beach club, and a 60-berth marina. For meetings and events, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club offers more than 22,000 square feet of newly restored indoor and outdoor event space. Custom-tailored programs meet the needs of busy groups and offer opportunities to positively impact the community such as Eco-Meet, an exclusive green conference planning option that lessens the environmental impact of a meeting through reduced resource consumption.

Three new culinary venues include Bermuda’s first and only celebrity-helmed restaurant, Marcus’. The 3,000-square-foot venue is led by internationally-acclaimed Chef Marcus Samuelsson, the force behind the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Red Rooster Harlem in New York City. The focal point of the open-air restaurant, created by New York interior design firm Parts and Labor, is a colorful subway-tiled 30-seat bar lined with teal high-backed stools, surrounded by mid-century wood tables, leather banquettes and a private dining alcove decorated with Warhol portraits of Mick Jagger. A menu created by Samuelsson celebrates the island’s vibrant flavors, freshlycaught fish, and locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, with signature dishes such as Cheddar Baked Bermuda Onion, Fish Chowder Croquettes and Trout Roe Tacos. The new 1609 Bar & Restaurant, a harbor-side cocktail bar and grill situated on the hotel’s new marina, is a 2,500-square-foot open-air space with waterfront views from every vantage point. It has a marine-inspired interior with clean, simple lines and a natural sandy palette of teak and Spanish cedar. Named after the year the survivors of the Sea Venture shipwreck arrived in Bermuda as the island’s first settlers, the open-air dining structure offers a laid-back social atmosphere and a menu that includes charcuterie and flatbread pizza, as well as classic Bermudian cocktails such as the Rum http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/bermuda/hamilton-princess-beach-club-wrap-renovations-june-16436?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm…

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1/26/2016

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club to Wrap Renovations in June | Luxury Travel Advisor

Swizzle and Dark & Stormy. Crown & Anchor is an informal dining option with historic maritime paintings and hardwood tables. It serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. The new marina, which is the only full-service marina in Bermuda, houses up to 60 berths, ranging in size to accommodate vessels, pleasure craft, tournament fishing boats, as well as super yachts. A water sports facility outfits guests to tour the island on jet ski tours, pontoon rentals, Boston whaler boat rentals, kayaks, Hobie cats, paddle boards, private boat charters and snorkeling tours. The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has teamed up with lifestyle and wellbeing brand exhale to create a new 5,400-square foot spa and fitness center overlooking Hamilton’s harbor. Opening in June, exhale Bermuda will include nine therapy rooms, four manicure stations and two pedicure thrones with an adjoining Zen lounge and wellbeing boutique. A Mind Body Gym and fitness studio will offer Barre, Yoga and Cardio classes. The spa experience extends outside into a new spa pool and poolside yoga pavilion, while an adjacent 2,150-square-foot fitness center spans two stories with state-of-the-art equipment by Technogym. Five cabanas will be featured at the beach club. The newly renovated negative-edge infinity pool overlooks the harbor on the western shore of the resort. Sun loungers shaded by two towering palm trees are perched on island-like pavilions that float just above the pool’s water, with decks made of Syrian limestone and azure blue-glazed tiles. The Princess Beach Club, which opened during the summer of 2015, is a short ride from the hotel by private jitney where it is located on the South Shore along a sheltered turquoise swimming cove that meets a crescentshaped stretch of soft white-sand shoreline. 0 Comments  Recommend

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The Toronto Sun n Wednesday, January 20, 2016

More bang for your travel buck NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network

With the loonie recently dropping below 70 cents U.S., many Canadians are foregoing sun vacations and hunkering down until winter ends or the exchange rate improves — whichever comes first. Flying and favourite Canadian pastimes such as crossborder shopping are on the decline as the price of U.S. vacations, flights and goods end up costing us more than 30% extra with the current value of the dollar. One solution? Vacation in Canada. “Our 2016 bookings already show that discerning Canadians recognize that they are going to get the most value from their travel budget by exploring Canada this year,” Russell Markel, founder and president of B.C.’s Outer Shores Expeditions, said in a statement. “The beautiful thing is, by wisely choosing to experience their own country this year, Canadians aren’t limiting their travel experiences.” Here are five new experiences in Canada for 2016, sure to satisfy the travel itch and keep your bank account a little happier.

Cruise ... on Canada’s west coast: Outer Shores Expeditions has cruise packages aboard a classic wooden schooner, with destinations including Pacific Rim National Park, Haida Gwaii Archipelago, Gulf Islands

joel lemay/sun file photo

Only in Canada: Outer Shores Expedition sails in remote waters off the shore of British Columbia. Montreal’s Lumiere Festival, top, is one of many events in included in that city’s new Passeport MTL Culture pass.

National Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. On select sailings, a photographer, archeologist or ecologist will be aboard to offer insights to passengers. Rates for sixday, five-night cruises around the Pacific Rim National Park start at $2,995 per person. See outershores.ca for details.

Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the RitzCarlton, Toronto has a new

package for men in its Gentlemen’s Power Hour, which includes one of three express treatments: Waxing, nail buff and file, anti-inflammatory eye treatment or therapeutic foot massage. Another option is the spa’s popular Beer and Blokes package, a 2.5-hour service including hand treatment, facial, full body massage and a bottle of Mill Street organic lager. A couple’s massage, facial or pedicure is highly recommended for partners who

wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto.

See stars... in Jasper National Park: Alberta’s Jasper National Park is one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves and a top place in Canada to star gaze and see the Northern Lights. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering a new travel experience at the Jasper Park Lodge, where guests join experts at the Jasper Planetarium for

an indoor, nighttime tour of the Rockies in the Planetarium’s state-of-the-art domed theatre before drifting off to sleep in a Fairmont room. Rates start at $918 for two nights for two people. See fairmont.com/jasper.

Get your festival on... in Montreal: Montreal is a city of festivals, with the Montreal en Lumiere festival, Igloofest, Nuit Blanche, International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy festival and Osheaga music festival all slated to take place again this year. New is the Passe-

port MTL Culture pass, which gives visitors 24 or 72-hour access to the top festivals, museums and music events in Montreal, plus offers deals on tickets and public transit. See tourisme-montreal.org.

Take a tea break... in Winnipeg: Embrace winter on the edge of the Prairies with the Fairmont Winnipeg’s new F-scapes winter package. A guide will lead guests on a skate down the Forks River Trail, followed by a warm up in the thermal pools at Thermea Spa. Back at the hotel, enjoy a tea-tasting with the Fairmont Winnipeg’s certified tea sommelier and discover how winter blends such as spiced apple cider and peppermint hot chocolate are created. Guests receive two boxes of tea to take home. Rates start at $369 per night for two people. See fairmont.com/winnipeg.

Myrtle Beach: U.S. for less NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network The limping loonie has meant trouble for U.S. destinations that rely on Canadian visitors. The Canadian Press recently reported that tourism to the States was down 9% in 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Myrtle Beach is one of those destinations that relies on Canadian tourism dollars to inject millions into the local economy. So many of us visit the South Carolina destination

each year, it hosts an annual Canadian-American Days Festival with special events just for visitors from north of the border. In light of the weak loonie, the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a new promotion to attract Canadian travellers and help them save. With the Dollar for Dollar Deals promo, select Myrtle Beach hotels are offering savings of up to 60%, while select restaurants and attractions are offering up to 30% off. Travellers must

show Canadian ID to get the discounts, which are available through April 30. “We have been welcoming Canadians to the Myrtle Beach area for decades and hope this promotional solution will help overcome any financial hurdles caused by the exchange rate,” Susan Phillips, marketing director for the Myrtle Beach Area CVB, said in a statement. The 55th-annual CanadianAmerican Days Festival (March 12-20) will take place during the deal window. See visitmyrtlebeach.com for full details.

Myrtle Beach has a new Dollars for Dollars Deals promotion for Canadian travellers.

1/14/2016

Maui’s Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani launches energetic wellness program | Examiner.com

LEISURE / SPA & BEAUTY / SPAS

Maui’s Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani launches energetic wellness program January 13, 2016 12:22 PM MST

Outdoor massages at Fairmont Kea Lani's Willow Stream Spa Richard Pietschmann

Maui’s heavenly Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani now keeps guests stimulated with its new Inspire Your Energy, a curated fitness and wellness program designed to motivate movement. Led by the resort’s Energy Ambassador, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer Ty Roberts, the program enforces the wellness concept with a series of daily fitness classes that complement the hotel’s serene setting. Classes include yoga, Mind Body Barre, Boot Camp, Meditation Breathing, Aqua Fitness and more. Personal training sessions with Ty and a team of professional instructors are also available to provide customized experiences as are seasonal well-being excursions including Floating Yoga. For a http://www.examiner.com/article/maui-s-moroccan-style-fairmont-kea-lani-launches-energetic-wellness-program

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1/14/2016

Maui’s Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani launches energetic wellness program | Examiner.com

complete wellness retreat, complemented by award-winning wellness inspired food and beverage offerings, guests can also re-balance their energy with restorative treatments at the Willow Stream Spa. “Fairmont Kea Lani has long attracted travelers looking to recharge and enjoy the inspiration and energy of Wailea, Maui,” states Ty Roberts, Energy Ambassador at Fairmont Kea Lani. “Through our new Inspire Your Energy program, we are able to provide an integrated approach to wellness by inspiring the body, mind and soul. Inspiration is highly personalized and comes through challenge (Boot Camp), overall fitness (personal training), mindfulness (Yoga and Meditation), as well as through calming, restorative experiences (Willow Stream Spa). Our goal is to connect our guests to their passions, distinct mana (power or energy) of the islands and unique culture of Hawai‘i.” Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Kea Lani is a sanctuary for pampering and wellness spread out on 9,000 square-feet of luxurious space. Treatments are simply heavenly and use locallyinspired techniques and products to accomplish pure relaxation and other goals. Signature services include the Nalu (Wave) Suite, with a state-of-the art wave massage table, the Wailele (Waterfall) Suite offering Vichy Shower treatments with infrared technology, full sensory experience showers inspired by Maui rain, steam and sauna, and a soothing pālolo (mud) bar. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Kea Lani effortlessly blends sophistication with tradition and science with nature. The stunning stark, white Moroccan-style Fairmont Kea Lani is the only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort on the island located on idyllic Polo Beach among 22 acres of seaside land. Last year the hotel underwent a $70 facelift that included a $7 million investment in the Willow Stream Spa and $5 million worth of renovations to its signature restaurant Kō. For reservations or more information, call 866-540-4456.. The chilly weather in Los Angeles, and other parts of the US, makes a trip to Maui sound like just what the doctored ordered especially combined with Kea Lani's new wellness program-which is an ideal way to jump start that New Year's resolve to get fit.

SUGGESTED LINKS  Fairmont Kea Lani's Ko restaurant reaps top restaurant award  Fairmont Kea Lani long-time chef Tylun Pang wins well-deserved award  Fairmont Kea Lani brings a taste of Napa to Maui with Chateau Montelena dinner

Patti Pietschmann

http://www.examiner.com/article/maui-s-moroccan-style-fairmont-kea-lani-launches-energetic-wellness-program

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Published on The Daily Meal (http://www.thedailymeal.com) Home > Travel > Trip Tips > Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac.

Alexis Steinman

Á Québec or au Québec? The French pronouns delineate between city and province, but both share the same name. My grammar reference is intentional, for Quebec is Canada’s only province whose official language is French. More than words, Quebec’s French influences are everywhere, from cuisine to culture. Yet, there is also an easygoing, casual charm that is clearly Canadian. Quebec is French, not France, as I discovered during my recent visit. A fervent Francophile, I’ve spent ample time in France. A teenage exchange in Biarritz spawned junior year and numerous adult trips to Paris. I’ve also often traveled to Montreal, where my father was born. With my French and family roots, I was delighted to finally explore the heart of Quebec City. I also ventured north to the agricultural Eden of Charlevoix. Naturally, there was food involved.

I touched down in Quebec City the first weekend of November. The former capital of New France — the North American territories first colonized by the French in the sixteenth century — remains true to its French roots. In this “Paris of the North,” French is spoken in the streets and written on shop signs; more than 95 percent of the population are native speakers. Old Town, the UNESCO World Heritage site within the city’s ancient walls, is as picturesque as a Provençal village, with winding, cobblestone streets lined with lovely seventeenth- and eighteenth-century buildings. The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late nineteenth century, this luxury Fairmont hotel [1] is an architectural stunner with turrets, towers, and a copper roof. This magical castle is not to be missed, whether strolling the esplanade along the St. Lawrence River or sipping champagne at the 1608 Bar. Better yet, stay the night, as I was lucky to do. More than mere lodging, the hotel is awash in history that enriches the sumptuous experience. In 1943, the Frontenac hosted the Quebec Conference, where Churchill and Roosevelt met to strategize for World War II. Like France, Quebec City is infatuated with food. Less formal than the French—Canada has no Michelin stars—Quebec cuisine is rustic and hearty to combat the long winters. Classic dishes include tourtiére (meat pie), cretons (rillette-like pork spread), and poutine (cheese curd & gravy fries). Maple comes in all shapes and sizes; don’t miss maple pie or maple butter-lined ice cream cones. Many menus have sharing plates, like Le Renard et La Chouette’s [2] duck cassoulet, illustrating the Québécois’ affection for communal eating. Stuffed? Quebec City’s famous staircases allow for post-meal workouts while exploring the town. To taste Quebec cuisine close to its source, a trip to Charlevoix is a must. An hour and a halfhour drive north of Quebec City, along the St. Lawrence River, Charlevoix is home to more than 40 farmers and is dubbed the Flavour Trail [3] . Nibble pork pâté at Les Viandes Biologiques [4] , sample goat cheese at the Chèvrerie de Charlevoix, and sip white ale at the Microbrasserie Charlevoix [5] . You can amass quite a picnic from the dozens of delicious foodstuffs. Luckily, the Charlevoix brims with outdoor beauty like the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviére-Malbaie [6] . Named a UNESCO World Biosphere in 1989, Charlevoix is nestled between sea and mountains, which in the winter, provides stellar skiing, both cross-country and downhill. I got to taste Charlevoix terroir at the Grand Gala des Chefs [7] , an annual, epicurean weekend hosted by the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu [8] . Each November, the hotel invites prominent chefs and local purveyors to cook up culinary workshops and bountiful meals. The other guests and I were able to interact with both chefs and farmers, making for an atmosphere that was both refined and rustic. Visiting Quebec City and the Charlevoix make a fine pairing for savoring both the urban and rural side of Quebec. Though the city is a year-round destination — Canadians aren’t afraid of negative temperatures — I enjoyed the calm of my early-November trip, which occurred between the busier times of fall foliage and winter snow. Regardless of season, I’ll be sure to return to this place so close to my linguistic and ancestral heart. Like the slogan on Quebec’s license plates — “Je me souviens” (translation: “I remember”) — I shall not forget. Source URL: http://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/tasting-french-canadian-charms-quebec-city-and-charlevoix Links [1] http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec/?cmpid=google_lcf_search-branded-us_branded-e-

2/1/2016

Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/)

Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City by TO DD & DIAN E ( H TTP : / / WH ITEO N RICECO UP LE.CO M/ AUTH O R/ TO DD‑DIAN E/ )

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

We weren’t exactly in Europe, but it sure felt like it. The cobblestone streets, history and artchitecture reminded us of the moments it felt like to be walking in Europe yet we were still in North America. Every corner of Quebec City had something to see, hear, taste and absorb. Thank goodness it was cold outside because the hearty foods we consumed kept us warm every walking moment of the day.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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2/1/2016

Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

We were in the land of of poutine: french fries topped with gravy and cheese. Oh geez, we couldn’t stop thinking about our next bite. But the charm of this city goes way beyond classic poutine and has evolved to an incredible food community of dedicated artisans and Chefs bringing to life their local produce and food traditions. {Video} Join us on our journey and culinary discoveries with Fairmont (http://45.gs/ymch) through Quebec City:

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Hello from the amazing view of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://45.gs/ymch) !

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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2/1/2016

Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Nestled along the St. Lawrence River in the Eastern Canadian provence of Quebec, Quebec City is historic, gorgeous and brimming with food customs. It was such a treat to be partnering with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts on this amazing journey to taste, sip and document all our moments in images and film. Fairmont has an impressive list of locations all over the world, including historic icons and world‑ class resorts. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Fairomont on our very first and epic food culture journey in Quebec City at Le Chateau Frontenac (http://45.gs/ymch). Our 15th floor suite had incredible views of Old Quebec City & St. Lawrence River

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Peaceful mornings catching up with the world

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Our hotel suite doubled as our office for the week.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Great coffee was always ready in the Fairmont Gold Lounge and they have hand roast small batch coffee from the top 3% beans in the world. Here’s more about their one‑of‑a‑kind artisanal coffee partnership (http://45.gs/9dw4). It’s impressive. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Upon arriving to Quebec City we came during an early winter heat spell. Instead of their usual blanketing of snow, the temperatures were soaring in the daytime to the low 40’s F. Even without the iconic snow adorning the landscape, our destination was gorgeous. Particularly in Vieux‑Québec (Old Quebec) where http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

the warm, cozy beds and charismatic staff of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac helped make our travels unforgettable. They helped connect us to the very best of Quebec City destinations and collaborated with us on a truly memorable travel itinerary. It’s hard not to love a place when you haven’t even left your hotel yet and are already inundated with great food and cocktails. From the stylish and fun Le Sam Bistro, to the swank Bar 1608, and crowning off with the sophisticated Champlain restaurant, the meals and cocktails are stunning. Even the morning buffets were great as we sat with our cappuccinos and planned out our adventures. Le Chateau Frontenac had mind‑blowing food and cocktails. Wow.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Talented mixologist Jean‑Felix led us on this mixology workshop (http://45.gs/fgvy). A drinking class? Oui. And he hand carves round ice cubes from a block of ice. Witnessing this was incredible. You can see it too here on this hand‑ carved ice video (https://www.facebook.com/78892690210/videos/vb.78892690210/10153708308875211/? type=2&theater) we made. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

This carbonated negroni cocktail was a work of art. Watch video here on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/78892690210/videos/10153737163280211/).

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/Fairmont‑Le‑Chateau‑Frotenac‑Bar‑1608‑Cocktails‑1.jpg)

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/Fairmont‑Le‑Chateau‑Frotenac‑Bar‑1608‑Cocktails‑4.jpg) How can you not love a place that takes the time to hand chip ice cubes to make a perfect cocktail? And where you can find dishes ranging from perfectly prepared Arctic Char to Poutine with Pulled Pork to Grilled Wagyu Sirloin. They even have their own honey from the bee hives they keep on their roof. The http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

attention to details and embracement of the local cuisine and culture within their restaurants made it hard to leave the hotel. Fairmont is dedicated to showing the best in local cuisine and maintaining connections to local producers and purveyors.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Assistant Chef Alexi Jegou of Champlain restaurant took us shopping for ingredients at the Quebec farmers market and we cooked together in the restaurant kitchen. He taught us how to make incredible French dishes inspired by his family heritage.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Fairmont has their own bee hives on the roof!

http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

Lunch at La Planque with Chef Kevin

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

But being travelers, our souls pined to explore outside the magnificent walls of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. With the help of their attentive and thoughtful staff, we set out to explore the city and its wonderful offerings. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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Pulled Pork Poutine Inspired by Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - White on Rice Couple

When you’re in the city of Poutine, it’s hard not to indulge in this decadent dish. For those of you who are new to poutine, you’ll definitely have to treat yourself and splurge in this simple dish: french fries topped with gravy and Quebec “squeaky” cheese. There are many variations of poutine, including some topped with some very innovating toppings. We were most inspired from Bistro Le Sam Bar’s pulled pork poutine and though we didn’t have all the ingredients, there’s 4 basic ingredients that still make it great. Here’s a poutine video inspired from this trip: The 5 Steps to a great pulled pork poutine:

00:38

Discovering the city’s jewels, artisan Chefs and food purveyors was wonderful and we barely touched upon what the city had to offer. It would take multiple trips to see it all, but the the memorable finds we experienced while exploring Quebec City are here for you when you visit, eat and drink. Champlain Restaurant (http://45.gs/rhh5) – Our dinner here was one of the best we’ve ever had and the service: welcoming and impeccable. Their local Quebec cheese and charcuterie collection is phenomenal. Bistro Le Sam (http://45.gs/l5im) – The pulled pork poutine was inspiring! Bar 1608 (http://45.gs/rx9r) – Their hand‑crafted cocktails are like works of art and taste amazing. Le Clocher Penché (http://45.gs/eimj) – Outstanding seafood dishes and their parsnip soup is to die for. Restaurant Legende (http://45.gs/2nxy) – Their fantastic menu is focused on purely local ingredients and that’s not easy to do in Winter! La Planque (http://45.gs/kc5o) – The apple pie dessert is to die for. Order two. Buffet de l’antiquaire (http://45.gs/ttak)– A classic destination for locals filled with classic Candian eats. http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/le-chateau-frontenac-trip/

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1/26/2016

Carbonated Negroni Cocktail with Gin, Triple Sec

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/)

Carbonated Negroni and More Cocktails to Celebrate a Great Year by TO DD & DIAN E ( H TTP :/ / WH ITEO N RICECO UP LE. CO M/ AUTH O R/ TO DD‑DIAN E/ )

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/carbonated‑negroni‑cocktail‑1.jpg) Gosh, time flies. Another year has passed in a blink and many thoughts wizz through our heads. The people, friends, clients, laughs, tears and so many more moments helped define our year as …. amazing. It isn’t just the

everyday work that anchors this year as truly memorable, but the new friendships forged and old relationships that we hold close. As we reminisce on precious moments, we can’t deny that you all have had an incredible impact on our lives. We’ve always said that our blog is a hobby and takes up about 15% of our time. The rest is working with clients on numerous projects that we enjoy tremendously. But it’s this happy blog place that we look forward to coming back to when we can. http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/carbonated-negroni-cocktail/

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1/26/2016

to coming back to when we can.

Carbonated Negroni Cocktail with Gin, Triple Sec

Sometimes we’ll go a while without updating or sharing a new recipe. That’s when we realize how much we miss the creativity and the conversations we have with you all, our dear readers. So to thank you all, we’ll be toasting and drinking to you for another awesome year passing and new journeys ahead. We’re really looking forward to what the new year brings with stories, recipes and daily tidbits of life. Hope you all have a safe and fabulous New Year’s. To help be a part of your celebrations, here’s some of our favorite cocktails (http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/beverages‑cocktails‑recipes/) that we’ll be mixing up to ring in the new year:

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/New‑Years‑Cocktail‑Recipes‑1.jpg) We’ve shared quite a collection of both alcoholic and non‑alcoholic drinks for friends for the years. Here’s the complete list of cocktails and beverages (http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/beverages‑cocktails‑recipes/) for all types of folks to enjoy. There’s something for everyone here.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/carbonated-negroni-cocktail/

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1/26/2016

Carbonated Negroni Cocktail with Gin, Triple Sec

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/new‑years‑cocktail‑recipes‑1.jpg) We made a Video: The most amazing Negroni Cocktail we had at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://34.gs/my49):

00:42

One of our favorite cocktail moments of 2015 was a few weeks ago in Quebec City at 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar (http://34.gs/bhkl) in Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://34.gs/my49). This isn’t your everyday carbonated Bianco Negroni cocktail. Watch how dehydrated grapefruit adorns the outside glass and carbonation is added to give this drink the perfect amount of effervescence. The last brush of grapefruit zest essence makes this the best Negroni we’ve ever tasted. Thanks Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (http://34.gs/my49) and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (http://34.gs/3zmc) for partnering with us and for sharing your recipe! This is just a sneak peak. Well have more stories and cocktail recipes from our trip to come in 2016. Happy New Year All! ‑todd and diane

Carbonated Bianco Negroni Cocktail YIELD: 1 COCKTAIL TOTAL TIME: 10 MIN This is a carbonated grapefruit negroni. Make sure to finish the cocktail with the fresh grapefruit zest. It will perfume the hand and glass with the oils of the grapefruit as the cocktail is enjoyed. Recipe provided by the Bar 1608 at the Fairmont Chateau Le Frontenac, Quebec City.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/carbonated-negroni-cocktail/

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Published on The Daily Meal (http://www.thedailymeal.com) Home > Travel > Trip Tips > Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

Tasting The French-Canadian Charms of Quebec City and Charlevoix

The crown jewel of the Old City, and Quebec City’s skyline, is the Château Frontenac.

Alexis Steinman

2/4/2016

Winnipeg doorman hangs his hat after almost half a century of service | CTV Winnipeg News

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Winnipeg doorman hangs his hat after almost half a century of service

The hotel’s lobby ambassador Jim Woo will retire at the end of February.

Katherine Dow, CTV Winnipeg Published Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:39PM CST

A beloved fixture of the Winnipeg Fairmont is hanging up his hat after 45 years. The hotel’s lobby ambassador Jim Woo will retire at the end of February. “I almost cried but then again, it’s just that the time has come and I have to do it. It was a tough decision,” Woo said. A Chinese immigrant, Woo started working at what is now the Fairmont Winnipeg back when it was the Winnipeg Inn. He was hired to help get the business ready to open. That included hauling furniture up flights of stairs and ironing bedding. “I told my friend, I’ll be here for six months, maybe a year, two years at most. And here I am. I’m still here after 45 years. Unbelievable,” Woo said. Woo‘s been the man opening doors, hailing cabs and carrying luggage from when the Winnipeg Inn transformed into the Westin Winnipeg to its current Fairmont ownership. He’s served the biggest stars to come through Winnipeg, from Justin Bieber to the Queen. “The way I look at it, I treat everybody the same anyway. If they’re nice to you, they’ll be just as welcome as anybody else,” he said. That endearing attitude has made Woo a beloved fixture at the Fairmont. Since news of his retirement, management has been flooded with emails wishing Woo well, and sharing memories of the Fairmont’s recognizable gatekeeper. “Jim is one of a kind,” explained the Fairmont’s general manager Drew Fisher. “Jim is an ambassador to this hotel, and he means so much to our team. He means so much to our guests, and we’re definitely going to be sad to see him go.” Woo said he’s retiring to spend more time with his family and to travel. But when Woo punches out for the last time, it won’t be goodbye, only see you soon. “I’m going to come back to the hotel every so often. From time to time, I’ll be here.”

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The Toronto Sun n Wednesday, January 20, 2016

More bang for your travel buck NICOLE FEENSTRA Postmedia Network

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Be pampered... in downtown Toronto: The award-winning Spa My Blend by Clarins in the RitzCarlton, Toronto has a new

wish to join their gents for an afternoon of pampering. See ritzcarlton.com/toronto.

Myrtle Beach has a new Dollars for Dollars Deals promotion for Canadian travellers.

2/9/2016

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2/9/2016

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya | Golf Digest

TIGER TURNS 40

Seven Tiger Stats That Will Blow Your Mind

PLANET GOLF

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya Golf options are plentiful—if you'll just leave your resort By Peter Finch

Think a short iron is all you'll need for El Camaleón's 155-yard 15th hole? If the wind is coming off the water, think again.

y wife and I love it here," says Frank, a retired auto-parts salesman from Texas as he prepares to tee it up at Playa Mujeres, a Greg Norman course at the Secrets resort just north of Cancun. "She likes to camp out at the pool and read her books, and I play golf. We never leave the premises."

This is probably what a lot of tourists do in the Cancun area, and that's understandable. Many of the resorts here, like Secrets, are "all-inclusive," which discourages off-campus forays because all meals and drinks are part of the room price. But that's a shame, because in addition to the many amusing and historical touristy things you can do in the region, it's also home to 15 golf courses. Why confine yourself to just one? http://www.golfdigest.com/story/planet-golf-the-best-of-the-best-in-riviera-maya

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2/9/2016

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya | Golf Digest

Cancun sits in the Southeast corner of Mexico on the Yucatán Peninsula, a little more than four hours by plane from New York or 2½ hours from Dallas. The area is known as the Riviera Maya, and it stretches about 75 miles from the high-rise bustle of Cancun down to the far quieter village of Tulum, famous for its Mayan ruins (below). Nearly all the golf courses are right along the main highway, Route 307, running between the two towns.

Photo by Getty Images

The most famous course is El Camaleón Mayakoba, a Greg Norman design that hosts the PGA Tour's OHL Classic in November. It's everything you would expect from a top resort course—immaculate conditions, memorable 18 holes, solicitous service—and the price tag that comes with it. A round here is $199 if you're a guest at one of Mayakoba's three hotels and $299 if you're a visitor. In truth, nearby Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club might be as enjoyable as El Camaleón. What this fun P.B. Dye course lacks in gulf views it makes up for with huge undulations—in its fairways and its greens—and tons of visual variety. It's definitely worth buying a yardage book here because the course holds many mysteries for first-timers. The green fee is $89 for resort guests and $199 for visitors. Note: Don't mistake this one for the similarly named Iberostar Cancun Golf Club, which is a muny-type course in the busy downtown "hotel zone." The area's southernmost course, at Tulum's Bahia Principe resort, is also excellent. Known as Riviera Maya Golf Club, it's a splashy Robert Trent Jones Jr. design with a lot of water, dramatic stone-lined fairways, and greens of smooth paspalum, a saltwater-tolerant grass. The fee is $115 for resort guests, $230 for visitors. You'll probably pay less at the area's other courses, especially those without an official resort affiliation. The high-season rack rate at Nick Price-designed El Tinto, the first of two planned courses at the Cancun Golf Club near the airport, is $180. But one thirtysomething group that played it in the afternoon last fall paid $55 each. They'd come over from a nearby hotel whose concierge had a line on discounted tee times. For an extra $20, they got round-trip transportation. Mayakoba is a popular spot for golfers to use as base camp. It has three hotels, The Fairmont, Rosewood and Banyan Tree, and sits almost halfway between Cancun and Tulum. Plus it's a quick drive from Playa del Carmen, a fun little beach town with shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Parking is easy and cheap there, and its walking-only Fifth Avenue is a lively strip that's great for after-dinner drinks and people-watching. Apart from lounging on the beach or by the pool, the most popular local activities are touring the Mayan ruins and snorkeling the many coral reefs. The natural limestone sinkholes, known as cenotes (say-NO-tays), are big with the snorkeling and scuba crowd, and beginners are definitely welcome. If you have a few hours to spare, take the 45-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel. There's a modest golf course there, if you're so http://www.golfdigest.com/story/planet-golf-the-best-of-the-best-in-riviera-maya

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2/9/2016

Golf in Mexico: The Best of the Best in Riviera Maya | Golf Digest

inclined. But this trip—roughly $10.50 each way—is more about the journey. The views are world-class, and if you're lucky, when you return to Playa del Carmen the upper deck of your boat will feature a super-energetic band rocking out to '50s and '60s classics. No need to request "La Bamba"—they'll get to it.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BEST SCENERY No. 15 at El Camaleón is 155 yards and runs alongside the Caribbean, offering stunning views of the beach and Cozumel. The 16th at Playa Mujeres, a short par 4 that plays into the wind, nearly touches the surf at its green. BEST CHALLENGE The aptly named Hard Rock Golf Club will wear you out. It features narrow fairways, sharp doglegs and small greens. Oh, yeah, and there are six lakes. Note: Until recently this was known as Playacar Golf Club. BEST COURSE (BEGINNERS) Grand Coral Riviera Maya Golf Club has only one forced carry from the forward tees, so it's easy to keep it in play. The rest of the tees aren't so forgiving. Designed by Nick Price, it's home to a stop on the Mexico Golf Tour. BEST CENOTE The sixth hole at Riviera Maya is a narrow par 4 guarded by a yawning 27-foot crater that's about twice the size of the green. It's a popular spot for mosquitos, so don't linger. BEST EMERGENCY 18 Vidanta is a Jack Nicklaus-designed par-3 course. Formerly known as El Manglar, it'll take you three hours at most. Eight holes feature some form of water hazard, and No. 18 is an island green. BEST ALL-INCLUSIVE GOLF Stay at Moon Palace Cancun, home to three Jack Nicklaus nines, and you get a resort credit of $1,500 or more. You can spend it on golf, the spa, off-site tours, etc. Forego the credit, and you get unlimited golf for cart fees only ($38 for your first round, $19 for others). BEST FOR GETAWAYS El Tinto, Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts and Puerto Cancun Golf Club are high-quality courses within a short drive of the airport, making them ideal for a preflight round. BEST WARNING Stapled to the scorecard at Cozumel Country Club: "WARNING. There are CROCODILES found in ALL water features... CROCODILES can launch themselves twice their body length out of the water." —Peter Finch

HOW'S THE WEATHER? If sunny and warm is what you seek, Mexico's three biggest golf destinations will not disappoint. In short, it's never too cold to play. Los Cabos is the warmest and driest, but its desert-ish climate can mean temperature extremes from 100 in the summer to highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s in January. It doesn't get as hot at the Riviera Maya or Puerto Vallarta, but the tradeoff is more humidity and rain in the summer months. Expect a rain shower or two on more than half the summer days. It rains in Los Cabos, too, but we're talking about four inches for an entire summer month and virtually nothing the rest of the year. — Ron Kaspriske

MORE ON THE BEST GOLF IN MEXICO Puerto Vallarta: Ten courses and tequila Los Cabos: Golf South of the Border has come a long way

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Where to Splurge and Save in the U.S., Central America, and Mexico | Travel + Leisure

Where to Splurge and Save in the U.S., Central America, and Mexico by Kate Donnelly / FWx

January 14, 2016

Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

This article originally appeared on FWx. Whether you are in need of the ultimate escape or just a quick break on a tight budget, you don’t need to travel far from home. We have rounded up the best luxury hotels throughout the U.S., Central America and Mexico that will fit any. Spend a ton or keep it reasonable. You are guaranteed to come back feeling totally relaxed and rejuvenated from these travel hot spots.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/luxury-budget-us-central-america-mexico

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Where to Splurge and Save in the U.S., Central America, and Mexico | Travel + Leisure

Splurge: Mayakoba There’s no shortage of accommodations at Mayakoba (meaning “village of water”), an ecological paradise along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, connected by a network of canals with three luxe hotel brands, spas and first-class restaurants. The jet set settles at Rosewood for the quiet, refined, mod villas on freshwater lagoons. The Asianflared Banyan Tree caters to couples, vacationing cronies and family-friendly Fairmont provides ample water and outdoor activities.

Budget: Thompson Hotel Expect playful, clean midcentury design at the new downtown 92-room boutique Thompson Playa Del Carmen. Sign up for beach day or visit the sprawling roof deck with underwater living rooms and submerged loungers while sipping a margarita. Later, stretch out for some yoga at the freshly christened Beach House with its share of cabanas, pools and sparkling Caribbean views. Related: 12 Secrets of New York's Central Park

Nicaragua

Courtesy of Jicaro Island Ecolodge

Splurge: Jicaro Island Ecolodge A quick boat transfer from the colonial town of Granada whisks you to the eco-savvy Jicaro Island for a relaxing, sustainable, upscale paradise. This all-inclusive lodge is peppered with verdant trees, tropical foliage and set on http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/luxury-budget-us-central-america-mexico

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Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

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Grilled Avocado Salad with Corn Pico de Gallo & Chimichurri Dressing by TO DD & DIAN E ( H TTP :/ / WH ITEO N RICECO UP LE.CO M/ AUTH O R/ TO DD‑DIAN E/ )

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/grilled‑avocado‑salad‑1.jpg)

Hello Friends. Greetings from Mexico along the gorgeous Riviera Maya coastline. The ocean is so blue, it’s like living in a postcard. This week has been tremendous, filled with lovely weather and we’re sending lots of warm sunshine to all of you in the cold, blizzard areas of the US. We definitely think of you when we see all the snow you’re getting! Wish you could join us along with so many other East‑Coasters who are escaping the cold. To help you warm up a bit, we’re popping in to share a recipe we’ve been in inspired by this week. http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/grilled-avocado-salad-corn-pico-de-gallo/

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Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

We’ve been here for the week working with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (http://9nl.me/9n09) on some new video stories, recipes and photos to share with you all. Fairmont Mayakoba (http://9nl.me/i4ok) is where we’ve been photographing and filming. We’ve devoured so many incredible local dishes but there’s one simple salad….oh geeez…. it’s so good, we’ve been obsessed. Have you ever eaten something, go to bed thinking about it, then wake up with the experience still in your head?

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This grilled avocado salad with corn pico de gallo is out‑of‑this‑world amazing, filled with crisp lettuce, smoky avocado and bright pico de gallo, all topped with a fresh chimichurri dressing. It’s like the worlds perfect salad all in one bite with Mexican flavors we all adore. We couldn’t wait to share it with you all and really, wanted to share it NOW, like impatient eaters who haven’t eaten for days. The lovely folks at Fairmont were so accommodating all our creative ideas and allowed us to film their recipe being made. They also passed on the recipe for you all to enjoy.

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Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

(http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipe/images/grilled‑avocado‑salad‑2.jpg) Salads don’t have to be boring and this grilled avocado salad is probably one of the best vegetarian salads we’ve ever had. Now that we (and you) have the recipe, we can all duplicate it at home to enjoy, especially now that it’s coming into avocado season. It’s perfect for any season, for a crowd or anyone who loves to eat a ton of avocado in their salad. Hope you enjoy the video and recipe. We’ll be back soon to share more adventures from this part of the world. Have a great week! ‑diane and todd

We’re in partnership and collaborating with Fairmont (http://9nl.me/9n09) on some awesome travel stories. All opinions are our own. Hope you enjoy them and more to come!

Grilled Avocado Salad with Corn Pico De Gallo YIELD: SERVES 3‑4 TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES This vegetarian salad is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. If youʹre an avocado lover, youʹll love this salad to death. The chimichurri sauce can be optional. It adds great additional flavor, but the salad is still delicious without it. Here is a nice chimichurri recipe options here (http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chimichurri‑sauce‑2). Avocado salad and corn pico de gallo recipes compliments of Fairmont Mayakoba (http://9nl.me/i4ok). Watch the recipe video on our post. The corn pico de gallo and chimichurri will make more than needed for the salad. Both keep well for a few days in the fridge use for other recipes.

ingredients:

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2/1/2016

Grilled Avocado Salad Recipe with Pico De Gallo

ingredients: for the grilled avocado salad assembly:

2 large Avocados, halved and seeds removed. Do not remove skin. olive or cooking oil, for brushing sea salt, to taste 3/4 ‑ 1 cup (180‑240ml) corn pico de gallo ‑ see recipe below 3 cups (710m) chopped fresh lettuce chimichurri sauce (http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chimichurri‑sauce‑2), optional about 2 Tablespoons (30ml) chili oil, optional directions: 1. Make the corn pico de gallo and optional chimichurri sauce. Heat grill on high heat. Slice avocados in half and remove pit. Brush each half of avocado with oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Place avocado cut‑ side down on grill. Cook for about 2 minutes or until avocado is charred. Remove from heat and set aside. 2. Place about 1/4 cup of corn pico de gallo on plate. Top with a handful of lettuce, place 1 or 2 avocado halves o top of lettuce. (optional) top with chimichurri sauce and drizzle of chili oil. Add additional salt to taste. Repeat with remaining avocado halves. for the corn pico de gallo: 1 1/2 cups (9oz or 250g) corn kernels, cooked or charred 2 large tomatoes, minced 1/4 cup (60ml) red onion, minced 1 Tablespoon (15ml) chopped cilantro 1 small jalapeño chile, minced (or to taste) about 1 teaspoon (10ml) lime juice (or to taste) pinch of sea salt, to taste 1. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Stir together then refrigerate until ready to use. RECIPE SOURCE: WHITEONRICECOUPLE.COM. (HTTP://WHITEONRICECOUPLE.COM)

hello! all images & content are copyright protected. please do not use our images without prior permission. if you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or simply link back to this post for the recipe. thank you. recipe note for salt: all recipes containing salt are based on kosher or sea salt amounts, not table salt. if using table salt, reduce the amount used to taste.

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Bloomberg Businessweek {Main} Monday 18, January 2016 74,75

COPYRIGHT: This cutting is reproduced by Gorkana under licence from the NLA, CLA or other copyright owner. No further copying (including the printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction or forwarding is permitted except under license from the NLA, www.nla.co.uk (for newspapers) CLA, www.cla.co.uk (for books and magazines) or other copyright body. Article Page 1 of 3

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2/3/2016

Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path - Bloomberg Business

Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path Crowds on the slopes? Ski Hawaii or Morocco instead. Maridel Reyes Reprints January 14, 2016 — 2:01 PM EST

Forget Park City. Hit the slopes this winter at these six emerging ski destinations.

Lyngen, Norway

Inside the Arctic Circle on Norway’s Lyngen fjord, skiers and splitboarders can hike up mountains and ski down to the beach. (Snowboarders, alas are not allowed.) The peaks rise directly from the fjord, and you’re pretty much guaranteed first tracks on untouched powder. Apr ès-ski: Refuel with afternoon tea, soup, cakes, and waffles at Lyngen Lodge, then alternate between the sauna and outdoor hot tub like a seasoned Scandinavian. Wher e to stay: Book a six-day, seven-night Summit to Sea package at the lodge. From November to March, depending on weather conditions, you might see the Northern Lights from your room. $4,345 per person, meals and transfers included; lyngenlodge.com

Mauna Kea, Hawaii http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path - Bloomberg Business

Photographer: Getty Images/Perspectives

This is for serious skiers only. There are no resorts, lifts, or ski patrol, and at 13,796 feet, the courses are extreme. Hire a driver from Mauna Kea Ski Corp., or rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to haul yourself to the summit and ski down the “pineapple powder,” with its particular crumbly texture. Apr ès-ski: The altitude, dry air, and isolated location make the area ideal for stargazing. The Maunakea Visitor Information Station hosts free nightly viewing sessions from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wher e to stay: Indulge in a traditional Hawaiian lomilomi massage at the Fairmont Orchid. Take a beachside stroll in the afternoon, when sea turtles come onshore to bask in the sun. From $321 per night; fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii

Yongpyong, South Korea

Photographer: Shin Woong-Jae for Bloomberg Businessweek

The biggest ski and snowboard resort in Korea, Yongpyong will host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Nestled in http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path - Bloomberg Business

the Baekdu-Daegan Mountains a two-hour drive east of Seoul, the resort offers a glimpse of the Sea of Japan on a clear day. Apr ès-ski: Carnivores should check out Hanwoo Town, a Korean barbecue restaurant, to sample the country’s specialty: tender, fat-marbled beef from cattle raised on beer-enriched feed three times a day. Wher e to stay: Yongpyong’s Dragon Valley Hotel is just steps from the slope. Request an odd-numbered room in the renovated wing to face the mountains. From $270 per night; yongpyong.co.kr

Oukaïmeden, Morocco

Photographer: Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

See the dunes of the Sahara shimmering in the distance from the Moroccan ski resort of Oukaïmeden, 45 miles south of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains. The resort has all the amenities you’d expect—rentals, ski school, and restaurants—at dramatically lower prices than in the U.S. or Europe. Trails aren’t wellmarked, so hire a guide. Apr ès-ski: Sun yourself on the terrace and order French fare and cocktails at the fireside bar at Hotel Le Courchevel, which overlooks Mt. Jebel Attar. Wher e to stay: Oukaïmeden’s hotels are fine, but those in Marrakech, only an hour away by car, are much nicer. The new all-suite Mandarin Oriental Marrakech is spread across 50 acres of gardens and olive groves only 10 minutes from the markets of the medina. From $707 per night; mandarinoriental.com/marrakech

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path - Bloomberg Business

Photographer: John Elk/Getty Images

This 242,188-square-foot indoor ski area is located inside the massive Mall of the Emirates. A 25-story “mountain” has five slopes, including a freestyle area for snowboarders and sledders and the world’s first indoor black diamond run. Apr ès-ski: Visit the penguin habitat, where, once a week, two lucky adult guests can swim with the creatures for 10 to 15 minutes for $35 each. Wher e to stay: An over-the-top ski trip in the desert calls for a stay at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the opulent, all-suite hotel famed for its fleet of Rolls-Royces, full-size Hermès bath amenities, and celebrity guests. From $2,103 per night; jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab

Brasov, Romania

Photographer: Getty Images

The town’s resort is called Poiana Soarelui, meaning “sunny glade,” and you’ll see a lot of them as you http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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Powder Play: Six Ski Destinations Off the Beaten Path - Bloomberg Business

whoosh around through the sunlit conifer forests of the Carpathian Mountains. French, German, Italian, and Swiss families have been coming for years to this budget ski destination, a three-hour drive from Bucharest. The runs are well-groomed; plus, the resort has two 262-foot ski jumps and a skating rink. Apr ès-ski: You’re in Transylvania, so plan a visit to nearby Bran Castle, which inspired Dracula’s haunt in Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Wher e to stay: Ana Hotel Sport & Spa at the foot of the slopes is a sleek, Alpine-style property backed by forests with mountain views—and a four-minute walk to the chairlift. From $160; anahotels.ro/sporthotel/default-en.html If your winter season is alr eady a bust, you can ski next summer in Lesotho, Afr ica’s “Mountain Kingdom,” and New Zealand, wher e you can car ve tur ns on an active volcano. Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal.

• Ski • Winter • Travel • Etc

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-14/powder-play-six-ski-destinations-off-the-beaten-path

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2/1/2016

Big island golf and exploration options abound! | Examiner.com

AXS ENTERTAINMENT / RECREATION / RECREATIONAL SPORTS

Big island golf and exploration options abound! January 7, 2016 9:39 PM MST

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The Orchid sports its' own lagoon and beach within easy walking distance of every room. Fairmont Orchid

The attraction of the Big Island of Hawaii is the diversity of travel and recreational opportunities on essentially the largest mountain in the world. If you measure from the sea floor to the top of Mauna Kea, it will reach 33,500 ft. (10,200 m), taller than Mt. Everest. Your choice in going to this spectacular island is to stay primarily at one resort and bask in that special glow and culture, or become the road warrior and make the car rental company try to figure out how you put on all those miles in just ten days. When you land, you see sand, rock, vegetation, two primary volcanic mountains and http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Big island golf and exploration options abound! | Examiner.com

everything in between. This is the kind of place you need to spend ten days, especially if you want to stay at one resort, and gallivant to all the interesting sites and wonders. The things to do can be recreation, nature, dining, and culture. The exact mix is all up to you, and to a certain degree, your travel trail determines which items are in proximity to one another. Proximity a relative term here.

Cameron Brooks

For example, if you want just to circumvent the island by car, count on 8-11 hours. Step one; download map, print, start putting notes in the spots so you can plan excursions. Plan those trips carefully, and bundle two or three stops/attractions in one excursion. The ideal mix is a beach day, excursion day, and golf day with beach, repeat. Part of the plan at making the Big Island an encompassing trip is to find the right resort/hotel for your blend. Moreover, there is no shortage of options here as there are mega resorts where you can stay on the property for the entire time and others that offer a springboard to the activities, but a tranquil refueling and rest oasis. The largest resort on the Island, comprising 65 acres, is the Hilton Waikoloa. This area is known as the Kohala coast and has earned a reputation for excellent beaches, water activities, and cooling breezes. Decked with an Asian/Oriental theme, the property is so large it has its boats and trains to get around. Pools abound, and while it is big, you can go there even as a single or couple, and feel some privacy if you carve out your little enclave on the beach or at the pool. Because of the size, it is likely a large corporate group will be there in some fashion, but you are likely not to notice. An extremely friendly place for kids and families, with their dolphin experience and extensive children’s programs. The secluded spa is in the lower level of one of the main buildings, adjacent to fitness facilities, so while one sweats off the poi, the other can have wrinkles fade with a Hawaiian touch. The Kamuela Provision Company, their signature bar and restaurant offer to dine right up to the ocean with a large variety of steak and seafood options. The sunset view from this one spot is worth the trek to the Big Island. Off property, but just a short hop away is the Lava Lava Beach Club on A-bay. Open air dining and bar, and nifty island fish dishes and entertainment most nights. A wide assortment of drinks, great Pu pus and island fish creations abound. If in doubt, get the LLBC’s Macadamia Nut Fresh Catch with Waimea strawberry-habanero salsa, grilled heirloom tomato, herb jasmine rice. You think it is bar food, but far above any restaurant on the mainland. http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Big island golf and exploration options abound! | Examiner.com

Convenient to the Hilton is the Waikoloa Kings & Beach Courses. The Kings’ course travels through ancient trails in the black lava. Akin to playing golf on the moon with ample vegetation on each hole makes this visually stunning. The Beach Course is colorful with its vast swaths of emerald-green fairways boldly marked by that nasty black lava. Gardens of tropical flowers and bordered by numerous lakes and the Pacific Ocean. A little bit further north, the Mauna Lani Hotel & Bungalows is a classic style Hawaiian hotel. About 23 miles north of the Kona International Airport, this resort spans 30 oceanfront acres and three miles of magnificent shoreline. The resort includes Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Mauna Lani Spa and the Francis H. I’i Brown Golf Courses. Each room is adorned with dark wood accents, art, and most importantly, a lanai that faces outward. What is great about this property is the size – not too big, not too small. If you want to get lost in a corner, you can. Want to hang 10 with new friends at the bar, an option as well. Everything is close, the pool, the restaurants, the beach and the kids club. Flip flop walkable for sure. The spa features a “Lava Watsu”, a form of bodywork in the water where the participant is passive, and the therapist gently moves them through warm water. The graceful and flowing movements are a combination of massage and meditation, which relaxes the body and takes the mind to another place. Dining ranges from the Bay Terrace to the signature oceanfront Canoe House where you get Hawaiian plantation-style cuisine with an ocean view. Activities include water sports, catamaran sails, scuba, snorkeling, fitness and cultural activities. If golf is in the plans, the Mauna Lani North & South Courses offer everything you could want and used to be home to the Senior Skins. Lava rock, perfect conditions, ocean views and a sense of golf aaa hh hh on every hole. On the same property area, the Fairmont Orchid is a luxury oasis. The best option is the Gold Floor. You have your own personal assistant, a special breakfast each morning and snacks in the p.m. Imagine a hotel within a hotel. The Fairmont Orchid aims to turn moments into memories by anticipating guest needs. The Vulcan mind meld meets hospitality. No second ukulele dining here, you have ample options. The top of the chart is Brown’s Beach House, an AAA Four Diamond award-winning oceanfront restaurant serving Hawaii Islandinspired fresh seafood and produce. If you have to get a sushi fix, then it is Norio’s Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. A little more casual and right next to the pool and ocean is the Hale Kai Restaurant for lunch and dinner. Pools circle the area like secret coves, so each pool feels a little secluded. The Spa Without Walls features secluded and lush outdoor treatment areas with water features. Go local with http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Hui Holokai Beach Ambassadors providing daily Hawaiian cultural activities and water sports including outrigger canoe rides, net throwing, stargazing, historic hikes, and Hawaiian lore. Tommy Bahama is most known for their clothing, but their restaurant in the Mauna Lani shops is button down good food. The floor above the clothing shop features windows everywhere, an intimate bar and outside dining where sunsets fade into the trees and ocean. The food? Signature cocktails include the cucumber smash, with interesting food twists such as cauliflower & chive mashed potatoes, sashimi tacos and the enduring pleaser, coconut shrimp. Under the Bodhi Tree is the place to go in the Mauna Lani shops if you want to go vegetarian. You can eat something delicious and feel good about it. Started by Chef Stephen Rouelle, a former chef at the Orchid, this is his personal journey about food and health. A veggie Ruben or a homemade veggie burger will leave you satisfied. It will not moo or oink, but it is tasty nonetheless! Merriman's is the restaurant that at least in Hawaii defined farm to table. Peter Merriman's vision over 25 years ago is still going strong in his place up the hill in Waimea. As one of the rainiest spots on earth, Waimea grows an amazing array of produce that makes its’ way to your plate. Creative salads, fish and beef entrees that have been going strong for over two decades. About 15 minutes from Waimea, are the Mauna Kea and Hapuna golf courses. These courses are connected to the Mauna Kea and Hapuna Prince hotels but do offer non-guest rates. The Hapuna Golf Course is an 18-hole championship golf course nestled in the dramatic natural contours of the land from the shoreline to 700 feet above sea level. Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay envisioned a links-style course offering spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific Ocean, and it delivers. The most spectacular course on the Big Island is the Mauna Kea Golf Course. Made famous by hole #3, a 267-yard par 3 over the water into a cliff side mist and breeze, Mauna Kea offers stunning golf beauty with every hole and direction change. Think you are the big kahuna? Well, how about a slope of 144 and a 76.6 rating? Beauty meets ultimate challenge on this golf course. As you go over the saddle in the Volcano, or around the Island, you will come to Hilo on the east side, home of Moon & Turtle. Now here is Asian cuisine worth driving for! Moreover, make a reservation. The menu for lunch or dinner sports five appetizer choices combined with five entrée choices. Fewer choices mean they can hone in excellence in both preparation and presentation. http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Big island golf and exploration options abound! | Examiner.com

Sig Zane is a Hawaiian shirt company like no other. Some the resorts use his designs as he weaves culture into modern wear-ability. Each shirt is a story of some part of Hawaiian life for that particular area of the island. While on the Hilo side, get to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens. It has been called a museum of living plants. The Garden's 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera, are found in this one-of-a-kind garden. As you walk the 40-acre valley, you discover it is really one big greenhouse that has incredible soil and little wind. You experience a tropical rainforest complete with waterfalls, streams and ocean views. Learn how the weather and atmosphere are measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory/NOAA. Yes, it is a drive up a harrowing road, and tours have to be arranged, but if you want to go where they measure climate change from all over the world, this is the place. They monitor everything including methane, CO2, carbon monoxide and ozone. Volcano National Park, 45 minutes south of Hilo is where you get hot to trot, at least from the lava. You can see the actual caldera, and get close enough to get a whiff of creation before your eyes. The park is huge, over 330,000 acres and the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Hike, see petroglyphs and take a tour on your own, or with one of the park rangers. Just a short drive from the national park is the Volcano Winery. This is not the only winery on the Big Island, but it is unique. Their diverse productions include the Volcano Red and the Macadamia Nut Honey wines. Yeah, it is not Sonoma, but it does have a volcano, and that soil has some unique properties that make these wines very different. As you circle back around through Kona, Ultimate Burger has the focus on food, good food. Everything on the menu is local with the exception of the potatoes. Besides the interesting burger combinations, they make their black bean patty for their burgers. Add grilled pineapple and jalapenos for some zest, with a wash down of house made lemonade. It is fresh, tasty and great for lunch on the go to your next attraction. The Fishhopper is the place in Kona if you want a large variety of seafood cooked to perfection with a view of the ocean at sunset. Moreover, don’t think it is just for lunch or dinner, they do breakfast with seafood options. The incredible happy hour with the three punch mai tai is the starting point combined with their award winning Ahi Poke pu pu. Entrées are creatively tasty as exemplified by the local Monchong and creamy risotto. Desert is above expectations, and it gets its’ menu with creations made in-house such as the sweet potato haupia pie. Another park with a historical and cultural connection is Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National http://www.examiner.com/article/big-island-golf-and-exploration-options-abound

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Big island golf and exploration options abound! | Examiner.com

Historical Park. Pu’uhonua means “place of refuge.” This is the area where Hawaiians that broke a kapu or law went to avoid punishment, as well as defeated warriors during times of battle. Their bad is now your good as the park features archeological sites including temple platforms and royal fishponds to the “Hale o Keawe”, a Hawaiian temple that has been restored. One of the few parks where you can learn about Hawaiian customs and history, then go snorkeling. The prime water entrance is only 175 feet from the park entrance! For golf clubs, a smart way to get them there is Ship Sticks. They will pick them up; have them delivered to your accommodations before you arrive, guaranteed. It is a long flight and accounting for golf clubs into your transportation after a six or seven-hour flight is not that much fun. Canopy Airport Parking provides the best valet service out of DIA. Pull up, drive in, and the environmentally friendly facility comes to life with a bustling staff that tends to the luggage and whisks you to your plane of choice. When you return, the car is waiting and warm for the trip home. Moreover, with their free day/anniversary offer, another reason to use this great service.

Neil Wolkodoff

Denver Golf Examiner

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style January 14, 2016 - By Neil Wolkodoff

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For most people getting to Hawaii takes a good deal of travel time, so the Ooh and Aah factor of where you stay and what you do have to match the travel time. The Big Island has resort options that blend the allure of the islands with lavish appointments and island charm. It is the kind of destination where focusing on a particular area yields the best travel experience. The Kohala coast, north of Kona, offers a bevy of resorts that combine beach, dining, stunning golf and relaxation in one of the most idyllic settings. Plan on staying 10 days, especially if you want to stay at one resort, and then gallivant to cultural sites and wonders that span recreation, nature, and dining. The exact mix is best combining activities that are close in driving distance. If you need to blend your stay plus give the children oodles of energy burning activities, then the Hilton Waikoloa Village might be the place. The entire property, all 65 acres is splashed with an Asian/Oriental theme. Pools abound, and while it’s big, whether you go in a small or large group, you can find your own little kingdom on the beach or at the pool.

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style

The Hilton Waikoloa is an extremely friendly place for kids and families, with their dolphin experience and extensive children’s programs. The tranquil spa is in the lower level of one of the main buildings, adjacent to fitness facilities so sweat can pour while the skin gets radiant. The Kamuela Provision Company, their signature bar and restaurant offer dining with a prime ocean view at sunset with a large variety of steak and seafood options. The resort might seem a little Disneyesque at first, but the wisdom of the activity and geography is there when the children sleep all through the night. The two Waikoloa courses, the Kings, and Beach, are adjacent to the Hilton; so good golf is really close. A little northward on the Kohala Coast, the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows exemplifies the classic, Hawaiian resort. Each room enters through a garden foyer, has Koa wood accents and art, and has an outward facing lanai. The operative concept here is an understated luxury with a feeling of not being overcrowded at any venue at the resort. It’s buzz at the right level.

Take it up a notch with the Ocean Bungalows that feature seclusion with easy access to the hotel lobby. A gated driveway ensures privacy and private access to the beach. Each bungalow sports 4,000 square feet of relaxation space, with two master bedrooms, three baths, a private swimming pool, whirlpool spa, full kitchen and an opulent lanai. The CanoeHouse restaurant is a place you can dine multiple times because of the menu variance. The Francis I’l Brown North & South golf courses on the property are stunning, the former site of the Senior Skins Game. The pool circles like a cove just in front of the Terrace restaurant, and then it is just a few feet to the beach and covered chairs. In paradise, you don’t have to walk far to get from one part of heaven to another. In the same coastal area, the Fairmont Orchid, a former Ritz-Carlton, has a little different feel similar to a grand plantation estate. An understated entrance expands into a stunning view of the ocean and pools just inside the door.

While the Orchid has two sides to the rooms, each is easy walking distance to the pools, beach, and restaurants. The luxury option here is the Gold Floor, 32 rooms with a personal concierge. The lounge area for this option has their own deluxe breakfast with an ocean view on the private lanais. High tea in the afternoon and attention to your requests make this the best choice.

Just a short hop north is the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, originally commissioned by Laurence Rockefeller in 1965 to compliment the noted Kauna’oa Bay & beach. This resort is a little smaller with 252 various rooms, but the plus is excellent golf or ocean views with classic ambiance.

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Big Island: Re-charge Hawaii Style

The newly renovated Copper Bar respects tradition while adding new twists in a setting with magnificent ocean views. The beachside Hau Tree restaurant features a weekly clambake that might bring back Elvis, it’s that good. And, the former Kauna’oa Bar & Grill is now the Kauna’oa Ballroom, so the Mauna Kea can now accommodate meetings and indoor events.

And, don’t forget the golf here as two varying course styles please any golf pallet. The Hapuna course rises from the ocean to over 700 feet elevation, with just about every hole having natural topography twists and overlooks of the ocean. The Mauna Kea course is a little lower and lush, with the signature par 3, 267-yard over water, up a cliff, into a mist to get it on the green. Culinary diversions are relatively close, and it’s nice to get somewhere different during the stay. The Lava Lava Beach Club on A-bay features an open-air dining and bar, a weekend Bloody Mary brunch, excellent island fish dishes and entertainment most nights. Combine shopping and dining at Tommy Bahama with a shirt, a cucumber smash cocktail and coconut shrimp. Go vegetarian with Under The Bodhi Tree, started by a former chef at the Fairmont. If you want to go where farm to table began in Hawaii, head up to Waimea and Merriman’s. For over 20 years, they have been growing their own produce, and it goes right to the table with authentic Hawaiian dishes. If something natural is in the activity plans, then go towards Kona and the NELHA Grand Tour at the Natural Energy Lab where they turn sea water into energy. For the adventurous, consider a trip up to the Mauna Loa Observatory/NOAA weather and climate station. Climate change is measured and coordinated from this site so your scientific curiosity can get stoked from one of the scheduled tours. Neil Wolkodoff, PhD, is a Sport Scientist in Denver, Colorado who has worked with golfers over the last 15 years. During off times, he travels to interesting golf destinations to see how golf, culture, adventure and local geography mix in different locales. He authored for Colorado Avid Golfer, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Examiner and Everett Potter.

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2/2/2016

The Butler Can Do It

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The Butler Can Do I t

P ersonalized Service Can Help Give Lux ury P roperties A Com petitive Advantage. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Steve Pike

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You’ve heard the old movie mystery phrase, “The butler did it.” Well here’s a twist on it that fits a growing number of luxury hotels and resorts: “Let the butler do it.” Butler service is one of a hotel’s most personal and unique amenities. A good butler, male or female, attract highend business and leisure travelers and help seal the deal for repeat business. A good butler, said Adam Knight, resort manager at the Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, CA, “is someone with developed skills in terms of anticipatory service, connecting with others, articulate, reading body language and showing passion for what they do. “A butler must be ready to serve guests by providing the highest level of personalization, while taking care of each guest's requests. We aim to exceed expectations by providing anticipatory service. Exceeding guest expectations and creating memorable experiences for our guests creates loyalty and generates repeat business,” he said. In other words, a good butler is more than just a glorified go-fer. He or she is a guest’s liaison with the hotel – a problem solver, schedule maker and confidant. “Usually butlers are high performers from different departments, who are experts when it comes to service. Also, butlers are usually found in other luxury properties,” Knight said. At the St. Regis Aspen, the butler is the first contact for guests as the hotel’s butler service extends to the Aspen/Pitkin Sardy Field Airport where a butler greets an arriving guest or guests and provides complimentary concierge and shuttle service. St. Regis hotels and Sandals resorts each are well known for their butler services, but other properties also offer the butler experience, including The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour in north Miami, The Lodge at Sea Island in http://www.buyerinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

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Georgia and New York’s famed Plaza Hotel, managed by Fairmont. Sandals Resorts uses butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, who among other services, escort guests to dinner and serve guests daily lunches at the beach and pool. At The Plaza, a butler is available to draw a bath based on a guest’s preferences – and uses complimentary bath salts, pearls and lotions. Need somebody to tie your tie? That’s a specialty of the butlers at The Lodge at Sea Island, the 40-room mansion-style hotel that overlooks the resort’s famed Seaside golf course and St. Simons Sound. The Lodge has employed most of the same 10 butlers since it opened more than 10 years ago. “They fit the ambience of The Lodge and are very good for (attracting) returning guests,” said Parra Vaughan, chief marketing officer for the Sea Island Company. “Is it a ‘core’ driving factor for people choosing the Lodge? No, but once guests become aware of them, it becomes a tipping factor.” Meanwhile, at The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, “(Butlers) help us create the experience that’s worth the money our guests’ pay to stay here,’’ said Winfred van Workum, hotel manager of the 124-guestroom oceanfront property that began its butler service this past fall. “We’re an expensive hotel, so it’s slightly more reactive. When we charge those prices, we have to be at that level. We want to make sure we have excellent service and that our butler experience be a difference maker. We want to really grow our rate and add value to that from a service level.” “I also think that because we have such a small boutique hotel, two rooms per floor, we really have an opportunity to create much more of a residential feel with the butler experience. And because we are a smaller hotel, there is an efficiency model in there for us. We are combining quite a lot of functions, such as housekeeping, guest services and even dining functions.” He added, “The butlers are cross trained in many different areas. They spend time in housekeeping, in room service and with our guest relations team doing pre-arrival. And they spend time with the concierge team. So they’re very well cross-trained and able to perform all of those functions.’’ The most important thing, van Workum said, is the “technical” butler training, such as packing and unpacking for guests.“We’ve actually hired a butler expert to do our training,” he said. “For us, we’re looking for people with the right attitudes. We’ve had great success in finding candidates from the European hotel schools. That’s created a win-win for the graduates and for us.” And great personalized experiences for guests.

Strategy Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

Credit Steve Pike

Hotel Interactive Editorial Division B io: Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early

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1990s as the first Golf Business Editor for Golfweek magazine and later at Golf World and Golf Shop Operations magazines for Golf Digest. Pike further pioneered this genre at the PGA of America and Time Warner as the golf business writer and editor for PGA.com. He started in newspapers more than ... more

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The Butler Can Do It

Close Window

The Butler Can Do I t

P ersonalized Service Can Help Give Lux ury P roperties A Com petitive Advantage. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Steve Pike

Print Now

bookmark this

We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

You’ve heard the old movie mystery phrase, “The butler did it.” Well here’s a twist on it that fits a growing number of luxury hotels and resorts: “Let the butler do it.” Butler service is one of a hotel’s most personal and unique amenities. A good butler, male or female, attract highend business and leisure travelers and help seal the deal for repeat business. A good butler, said Adam Knight, resort manager at the Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, CA, “is someone with developed skills in terms of anticipatory service, connecting with others, articulate, reading body language and showing passion for what they do. “A butler must be ready to serve guests by providing the highest level of personalization, while taking care of each guest's requests. We aim to exceed expectations by providing anticipatory service. Exceeding guest expectations and creating memorable experiences for our guests creates loyalty and generates repeat business,” he said. In other words, a good butler is more than just a glorified go-fer. He or she is a guest’s liaison with the hotel – a problem solver, schedule maker and confidant. “Usually butlers are high performers from different departments, who are experts when it comes to service. Also, butlers are usually found in other luxury properties,” Knight said. At the St. Regis Aspen, the butler is the first contact for guests as the hotel’s butler service extends to the Aspen/Pitkin Sardy Field Airport where a butler greets an arriving guest or guests and provides complimentary concierge and shuttle service. St. Regis hotels and Sandals resorts each are well known for their butler services, but other properties also offer the butler experience, including The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour in north Miami, The Lodge at Sea Island in http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article_print.aspx?articleID=38324

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Strategy Follow us on Twitter @hotelinteractiv

Credit Steve Pike

Hotel Interactive Editorial Division B io: Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early

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From a sweat lodge to a mini-putt course, what’s on the roofs over Toronto heads | Toronto Star

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From a sweat lodge to a mini-putt course, what’s on the roofs over Toronto heads A hockey rink isn’t the only treasure Toronto roofs hold. Tweet

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The rooftop of 120 Adelaide Street West has had a hockey rink constructed on it. Molson is involved, but not much more is known.

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By: Sarah-Joyce Battersby Staff Reporter, Published on Thu Jan 07 2016

If Molson Coors can build a hockey rink on the roof of an Adelaide St. W. office building, what other surprises tower over Toronto? Here’s a look at some gems found high above the ground. Sw eat lo dge

120-year-old woman celebrates birthday in style

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Cities house more than 50 per cent of Canadian indigenous people, but the rooftop sweat lodge at Yonge and College Sts. stands alone. “Can’t say I’ve heard of one anywhere else in the world,” says Kelly Hashemi of Native Child and Family Services. The lodge, atop the service’s 30 College St. building, hosts traditional ceremonies almost every week, including some open to the general public. It’s vital for indigenous people who seldom leave the concrete jungle to connect with the land, Hashemi said.

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From a sweat lodge to a mini-putt course, what’s on the roofs over Toronto heads | Toronto Star 2 dead, 3 injured in downtown Toronto shooting 120-year-old woman celebrates birthday in style

S HO P P E RS O NA L I ZE D G I FTS WI TH FRE E MO NO G RA MMI NG + G I FT WRA P › ANDREW FRANCIS WALLACE

The rooftop sweat lodge at Yonge and College Sts hosts traditional ceremonies almost every week.

B ee h o tel The Fairmont Royal York may have hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but the buzz is all about the 14th floor. 100 Front St. W. houses hundreds of thousands of bees at a time in hives and temporary nesting spots. Since 2008, honeybee hives have generated an average of 450 pounds of honey a year. And the hotel diversified its hospitality offerings in 2014, opening a “bee hotel” to house weary pollinator bees seeking a rest during long voyages.

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100 Front St. W. houses hundreds of thousands of bees at a time.

Fo rd Mo del T track Built for the Ford Motor Company of Canada in 1914, the roof of 672 Dupont St. was once a place to burn rubber in Model Ts. Each floor of the building, from the first-floor showroom to the fifth-level paint shop, was designed specifically for housing, assembling and showcasing the cars. Two freight elevators delivered them to the reinforced roof for testing. The building still stands, but the elevators are bricked up, so no cars have been racing around the roof of late.

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 01.18.2016 |

You can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

San Francisco (http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/) is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multistarred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman’s Wharf (http://www.visitfishermanswharf.com/) . And with the Super Bowl (http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/50) heading to nearby Santa Clara (http://www.santaclara.org/) , the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be among them — whether you’re looking to dine on one of the city’s iconic standbys or venture into cuttingedge http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

cuisine — here’s a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them.

BEER Anchor Brewing (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when midcentury Americans developed a taste for mass produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a firstperson look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required; you can make them here: anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours) . Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (http://21st amendment.com/therestaurant/) (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub.

CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They’d toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day’s catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. — along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region’s culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare

(http://www.sottomaresf.com/Sotto_Mare_Seafood_Restaurant/Home.html) (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (http://www.tadichgrill.com/) (240

California St.) also is a good choice.

COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual (https://www.ritualroasters.com/) , a pioneer in the craft caffeine http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/) , which began across the bay in Oakland (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/webster street) , has a spot in San Francisco’s Ferry Building (https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/ferrybuilding) . And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe (http://thebuenavista.com/index1.html) in Fisherman’s Wharf (2765 Hyde St.).

CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman’s Wharf (http://www.fishermanswharf.org) . For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (http://thanhlongsf.com/) (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deepfried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (http://rnglounge.com/) (631 Kearny St.).

STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid (http://offthegridsf.com/) , a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants.

OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (http://www.waterbarsf.com/) (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar (https://hogislandoysters.com/) in the Ferry Building.

SOURDOUGH The region’s tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or “mother” dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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Boudin Bakery (https://www.boudinbakery.com/) , established in 1849 — according to bakery history the original “mother dough” was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman’s Wharf location (https://www.boudinbakery.com/Bakers_Hall/Wharf) (160 Jefferson St). It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (http://www.tartinebakery.com/) (600 Guerrero St.).

TEA Whether you’re parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square (http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/) or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus

(http://www.neimanmarcus.com/en ca/stores/san%20francisco/ca/san%20francisco) is a fun spot to enjoy

the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge (http://www.samovartea.com/) at Yerba Buena Gardens (http://yerbabuenagardens.com/) (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24.

TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room (http://www.tongaroom.com/) is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler’s Cove (http://smugglerscovesf.com/trapdoor/) , which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.).

VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant (http://greensrestaurant.com/) is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/your+gourmet+game+guide+francisco+iconic+dining+drinking/11661783/story.html

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highend spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets (http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php) held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (https://www.eatsa.com/) (121 Spear St.). There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wallmounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order’s ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoavegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan.

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 06:00 AM MST

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CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice. COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco's Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman's Wharf. CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman's Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long. Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown. STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants. OY STERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar. Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building. SOURDOUGH The region's tradition of sourdough -- bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or "mother" dough -- dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 -- according to bakery history the original "mother dough" was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake -- has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman's Wharf location. It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery. TEA Whether you're parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens. English tea service starts at $24. TIK I If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel's Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel's indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at. Another option is Smuggler's Cove, which has more than 400 rums. VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it's a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa. There are no waiters or cashiers

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking Get your gourmet game on BY MICHELLE LOCKE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JANUARY 19, 2016

You can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.

San Francisco is a city with serious food game, whether playing as multi-starred cuisine served in a white tablecloth hush or a simple crab cocktail eaten amid the boisterous clamour of Fisherman’s Wharf. And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky enough to be among them — whether you’re looking to dine on one of the city’s iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine — here’s a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and where to find them. BEER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=

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2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required; you can make them here: anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours. Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant (563 2nd St.), which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub. CIOPPINO This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They’d toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day’s catch — crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. — along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region’s culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare (552 Green St.). Tadich Grill (240 California St.) also is a good choice. COFFEE This is a fully caffeinated city with coffee shops on just about every block. For something out of the ordinary, try Ritual, a pioneer in the craft caffeine movement. The flagship location is 1026 Valencia St. in the Mission District. Blue Bottle, which began across the bay in Oakland, has a spot in San Francisco’s Ferry Building. And for coffee with that little extra kick, try the famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe in Fisherman’s Wharf (2765 Hyde St.). CRAB You can pick up a traditional crab cocktail at one of the many vendors lining Fisherman’s Wharf. For a different take, try it roasted and served with garlic noodles at Thanh Long (4101 Judah St.). Like your crab crispy? Get it shelled, battered and deep-fried at the R & G Lounge in Chinatown (631 Kearny St.). STREET SCENE For meals on wheels, check out Off the Grid, a roaming event featuring food trucks, carts, tents and live entertainment. Download the app to get information on schedules and participants. OYSTERS Oysters on the half shell are a longstanding San Francisco tradition. For an elegant take with a great view of the Bay Bridge try Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero). Starting Jan. 30 dinner will be accompanied by a free light show with the return of the Bay Lights, a display that flashes nightly on the west span of the bridge. Also on the waterfront, Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building. SOURDOUGH The region’s tradition of sourdough — bread leavened with a wild yeast starter or “mother” dough — dates back to the Gold Rush. Boudin Bakery, established in 1849 — according to bakery history the http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=11661783&sponsor=

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2/9/2016

Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

original “mother dough” was saved in a bucket during the 1906 earthquake — has a veritable shrine to sourdough at its Fisherman’s Wharf location (160 Jefferson St). It includes a museum and demonstration bakery. Another good place to try this crusty creation is Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero St.). TEA Whether you’re parched from purchasing Pradas and other goodies from the boutiques of Union Square or simply resting up from an afternoon of window shopping, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus is a fun spot to enjoy the elegant refreshment of afternoon tea. Set under a stained glass dome with views of Union Square, the restaurant serves teas, starting at $45, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (150 Stockton St., Level Four). Or try the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens (730 Howard St.). English tea service starts at $24. TIKI If you like Tiki bars, a stop at the Fairmont Hotel’s Tonga Room is mandatory. Set around what used to be the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, the bar features rain shows, live music and more kitsch than you can throw a tiny paper umbrella at (950 Mason St.). Another option is Smuggler’s Cove, which has more than 400 rums (650 Gough St.). VEGETARIAN Into veggies with a vista? Greens Restaurant is not just a vegetarian restaurant, it’s a high-end spot that has been nominated for best overall restaurant in America in the James Beard Awards and is set in historic Fort Mason Center with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (2 Marina Blvd., Fort Mason Center Building A). You also can find bountiful produce at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets held Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. For a futuristic take on food, try Eatsa (121 Spear St.). There are no waiters or cashiers here. You place your order on wall-mounted tablets, then wait for one of the illuminated cubbies lining one wall to display your name in lights, indicating your order’s ready. Eatsa specializes in quinoa-vegetable bowls in myriad combinations. All are vegetarian and some are vegan. Previous

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Top 10 guide to San Francisco's iconic dining and drinking

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1 / 10 In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, bartender Paul Nolan holds up Irish Coffee drinks at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. The drink has been made at the popular bar since 1952 and up to 2,000 are served a day. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

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And with the Super Bowl heading to nearby Santa Clara, the hungry hordes hankering for a taste of the local food scene won't be disappointed. If Park City, Utah isn't you're lucky enough to be among them -- whether you're looking to dine on only for the Hollywood one of the city's iconic standbys or venture into cutting-edge cuisine -elite here's a guide to 10 foods and drinks San Francisco is famous for and (http://www.canoe.com/Travel/USA/2016/01/08/22591133.html) where to find them.

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B EER Anchor Brewing and San Francisco have a history that goes all the way back to 1849, when German brewer Gottlieb Brekle arrived with his family. The brewery weathered earthquakes, fires and Prohibition just fine, but almost went under entirely when mid-century Americans developed a taste for mass-produced beer. In 1965, Fritz Maytag saved the place from bankruptcy, bringing back Anchor Steam Beer and writing a new chapter in suds history. You can get a first-person look at the brewery via tours available most days except holidays. The tours cost $15 per person, take about 90 minutes and conclude with a tasting. Reservations are required (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/tours). Another option is the 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant, which has a selection of house beers served with traditional pub grub. CIOP P IN O This is the fish stew created in San Francisco by Italian fishermen in North Beach in the late 1800s. They'd toss into a pot whatever seafood was left from the day's catch -- crab, shrimp, clams, fish, etc. -- along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, wine and herbs. Italian restaurants started serving the dish and soon it was part of the region's culinary lexicon. A solid bet in North Beach is Sotto Mare. Tadich Grill also is a good choice.

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