Region – Americas Public Relations Monthly Report March 2016
FRHI HOTELS & RESORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS - REGIONAL MONTHLY REPORT
Xtend Barre at The London NYC - Posh Partnerships: Hotels & Luxury Brands Team Up ... Page 1 of 2
SEARCH DEPARTURES
HOME
TRAVEL
FASHION
SHOPPING
ART & CULTURE
Flight + 5 nights hotel Boston to London from $1,189*
Book now
Tweet
Submit
Instagram Mobile
DISPATCH Promotions
Log In
*Round trip per person based on dbl occ from BOS to London other cities avail. Travel Apr 2016. Terms apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
Home » Travel » Hotels » Posh partnerships: hotels & luxury brands team up Like Be the first of your friends to like this.
LIFESTYLE Newsletter Twitter
= Exclusive content for American Express Platinum Card® members. ?
March 22, 2016
Posh Partnerships: Hotels & Luxury Brands Team Up By Amanda Pressner Kreuser
8 of 14
Flight + 5 nights hotel Boston to London from $1,189*
AUTOPLAY
Xtend Barre at The London NYC
Book now
The cult fitness craze has officially sunk its shiny, spandex-clad teeth into luxury hotels, with some of the coolest properties getting in on the trend. Devotees of the Pilates-
Courtesy Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
dance hybrid Xtend Barre can get their workouts streamed directly to their rooms at the all-suite The
London NYC (complimentary), or request private instruction in their rooms ($115 for 55 minutes; 151 W 54th St. 212-307-5000; thelondonnyc.com). Can’t get enough of Core Fusion classes from spa innovator Exhale? Starting this summer, you’ll find a brand new outpost at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club in Bermuda, complete with a fully revamped 5,400-square-foot spa fitted with a lap pool, fitness studio, and nine treatment rooms (76 Pitts Bay Rd.; 441-295-3000; fairmont.com). If indoor cycling experience SoulCycle is more your speed, guests of the newly opened 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach won’t have to
*Round trip per person based on dbl occ from BOS to London other cities avail. Travel Apr 2016. Terms apply.
wander far, with a new 2,600-square-foot facility adjacent to lobby ($30 for 45 minutes; 102 24th St.; 786298-2086). ADVERTISEMENT
NEXT SLIDE
Flight + 5 nights hotel Boston to London from $1,189* Book now
*Round trip per person based on dbl occ from BOS to London other cities avail. Travel Apr 2016. Terms apply.
Top Ultra-Quiet Hotels
A Unique Roman Stay: PiazzadiSpagna9
Hotel Safety in a New Age of Travel
Travel News: 15 Openings, Renovations, and New Trips to Book This March
http://www.departures.com/high-design-hotel-collaborations/8
DEPARTURES PROMOTIONS
3/24/2016
COMING ATTRACTIONS
MILLENNIUM PARK
Fairmont Chicago Opening Millennium Park Gastropub to Replace Aria by Ashok Selvam Mar 17, 2016, 2:51p @Shokdiesel
A rendering of Columbus Tap
Fairmont Chicago
Columbus Tap is opening this spring
T
he Fairmont Chicago [0] hotel is opening a new restaurant to replace Aria [1] hoping to compete with nearby gastropubs like The Gage [2] near Millennium Park [3]. Columbus Tap is opening soon, and will also offer carry out options ideal
for those attending events at Millennium Park, such as outdoor movies and concerts.
The kitchen will also stay open until midnight, with a late-night bar menu, said Chef Atticus Garant, a Vancouver native who's worked on other Fairmont projects. The restaurant won't be just for tourists, as Garant said he wants to tap into Chicago's food culture and make his hotel restaurant feel like an independent restaurant.
The menu will serve the standard chicken wings and pretzels on the snacks portion.
There's something they're calling Animal Crackers, a snack made with pork cracklings and a secret spice dust. While not going for full-fledged poutine, fries will be available with gravy. Garant also raves about the burgers made with 8-ounce prime chuck beef patties. There's also a special burger, called The Upgrade, made with a blend of short rib, chuck and brisket.
Sixteen draft beers and seasonal cocktails take care of drinks for the 120-seat space. A news release touted mid-19th Century architectural elements with brass and blackened steel finishes.
Will Columbus Tap be an escape from the business of downtown? Again, they're targeting a spring opening inside the Fairmont Chicago.
Aria [4]
FOURSQUARE [5]
OPEN TABLE []
200 N Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
[]
Map data Š2016 Google
Fairmont Chicago [6] 200 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 565-8000
[]
Map data Š2016 Google
RELATED ITEMS
ATTICUS GARANT,
COLUMBUS TAP
[0] http://chicago.eater.com/venue/fairmont-chicago [1] http://chicago.eater.com/venue/aria [2] http://chicago.eater.com/venue/the-gage [3] http://chicago.eater.com/venue/millennium-park [4] http://chicago.eater.com/venue/aria [5] https://www.foursquare.com/v/4afe2cc3f964a5207f2e22e3 [6] http://chicago.eater.com/venue/fairmont-chicago [7] https://www.foursquare.com/v/4a4a8d08f964a520f0ab1fe3
FOURSQUARE [7]
http://www.vogue.com/13408836/kendall-jenner-nyfw-video-exclusive
Close
Don't call them bellboys - 11 hospitality helpers with unique titles By Katie Jackson
Published March 29, 2016 FoxNews.com
Don't call them bellboys - 11 hospitality helpers with unique titles These people aren't your typical hotel worker. Ken Price, Resident Historian One minute Ken Price is describing the havoc wreaked by the Great Chicago Fire, and the next he’s waxing poetic about the invention of brownies. Both events play an important role in the history of Chicago’s oldest hotel, Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel, which has been operating since 1873. Price, who’s been on the payroll for more than three decades, has held the title of “resident historian” for the past 16 years. He’s the curator of the hotel’s private museum, but he’s best known as the master storyteller behind the hotel’s History is Hott!! tour. And how can you not love a historian who hands out brownies, which Price proudly points out were invented at Palmer House. Jeremiah Ranegar, Bike Manager Look up “go-to” guy in the dictionary and Jeremiah Ranegar’s smiling face should be there. It’s practically impossible to stay at the Hotel Domestique in Greenville, S.C., and not interact with him. The hotel, owned by former professional bicyclist George Hincapie and his brother, Rich, caters to cyclists – hence the need for a bicycle concierge. Ranegar, a skilled soigneur, was a member of the team that won the Tour de France in 2011, but he isn’t one to brag. He’s there for guests who need roadside assistance, bike tuneups (he manages the hotel’s fleet of state-of-the-art Trek rental bikes) and massage treatments. Burak Ozkan, Captain’s Apprentice Unofficially known as the Burak-of-all-trades, Burak Ozkan seems never to have both feet on deck. The energetic 18-year-old is constantly on the go, hoisting sails, cleaning cabins, preparing baklava and even steering the ship – a traditional Turkish gullet – for Mediterranean Fitness Delight Voyages. Born in a small Turkish village famous for its shipbuilders, Ozkan has worked as the captain’s apprentice for three years. His dream is to be a yacht or cruise captain, but for now he’s grateful for the chance to meet guests from all over the world. And there’s no task beneath him. He’ll even step in to help teach the belly dance classes if needed. Trisha Shirey, Director of Flora and Fauna Connecticut has Martha Stewart, and Texas has Trisha Shirey, the director of flora and fauna at Lake Austin Spa Resort, where she has been refining her domestic prowess for nearly 32 years. Her job description goes far beyond planting bulbs and watering the resort’s vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Guests can take her classes in cocktail gardening and aromatherapy or join her for tours of the on-site organic gardens. Shirey also works with the resort’s executive chef to determine which vegetables and herbs to plant for next season’s menu. Marianne van den Broek, Resident Sand Sculptor What’s unusual about Marianne van den Broek is not that she’s an artist. It’s that her canvas is a beach in Key West, Fla. Van den Broek is the resident sand sculptor at Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, where she brings artistic visions to life on the beach. Co-holder of the world record for height, she has been conducting sand sculpture workshops since 2011, wowing guests with everything from sand villages to bars and, of course, the obligatory mermaid. Casa Marina calls on her for special occasions, including concerts, reunions and weddings. Natasha Schlesinger, Art Expert in Residence
Located near Manhattan’s Museum Mile in New York City, The Surrey is one hotel where an art expert in residence is a worthwhile investment. In September the luxury property brought on Natasha Schlesinger – art history aficionado, founder of ArtMuse and a former specialist for Christie’s. While she helps curate the hotel’s on-site collection – the lobby’s focal point is a larger-than-life portrait of Kate Moss – her favorite part of the job is taking guests with young children to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Mary Socci, On-Site Archeologist A day in the life of Mary Socci may include unearthing a 12,000-year-old artifact. Though she’s worked at sites as far away as Israel and Belize, some of Socci’s most fascinating digs have taken place closer to home – at Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, S.C., where she’s been the on-site archeologist for 11 years. Socci leads hands-on excavations for guests amid Bluffton’s multimillion-dollar waterfront homes. Recorded findings include plantation ruins, Civil War memorabilia and stone tools dating back to the Paleoindian period. Guests can also join Socci on Low Country cemetery tours. Anthony Petrina, Duckmaster Anthony Petrina remembers watching a Rubber Ducky Day-themed episode of Sesame Street when he was a boy that starred the Peabody Ducks – the North American mallard ambassadors at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. Today, Petrina is in charge of feeding, exercising and training those ducks’ successors. As the fifth duckmaster in the hotel’s history, he’s maintaining a hotel tradition that dates back to 1933. Gold cane in hand, Petrina ushers the five web-footed celebrities out of the elevator and down a red carpet in the Grand Lobby on their daily march to the marble fountain. When the ducks aren’t in public, they live a life of luxury on the hotel’s roof. John Russo, Beekeeper Most people wouldn’t leave an executive suite in Silicon Valley to become a beekeeper. But John Russo did, leaving the world of software development to heed the call of 60,000 Italian honeybees at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, Calif. Guests can join Russo in the resort’s apiary for weekly beekeeping experiences, including a look into an active hive (protective clothing is provided). In addition to managing the hives, Russo oversees the resort’s 7,500 lavender plants and teaches soap-making workshops. He has a long list of bee jokes, and he can talk about lavender all day. Denise Webb, Fairy Godmother With the wave of her wand and a sincere “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” Denise Webb makes dreams come true for guests at the Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Ga. The resort’s former owner, Prince Hubertus Fuggar, was so impressed with her work as the manager of the property’s restaurants that he said she could have any title she wanted. Seventeen years later, Webb is still making dreams come true as the official fairy godmother. (And, yes, she really has a wand.) Her specialty is casting love spells and creating magical moments for kids (she hosts fairy and wizard-in-training programs) and their four-legged friends. Carly Copley, Canine Ambassador A movie-worthy animal rescue success story, Carly Copley was a no-brainer when the canine ambassador position opened up at Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. Carly has big paws to fill – her predecessor, Catie Copley, had a 12-year-tenure and was the star of two children’s books. But Carly has yet to disappoint in the two years she’s held the job. Her responsibilities include greeting guests (including other dogs) in the lobby and escorting them on walking tours of the city. She’s been known to hop on a bell cart for a ride or a nap, and she lives with the hotel’s doorman and his family. Print
URL http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2016/03/29/dont-call-them-bellboys-11-hospitality-helpers-with-unique-titles.html
Home Video Politics Privacy
U.S. Opinion Entertainment Tech Science Health Travel Lifestyle World Sports
Weather
Terms
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. All market data delayed 20 minutes.
Close
http://skift.com/2016/03/31/the-ultimate-authentic-travel-experience-historic-hotels-are-a-candidate/
LOG IN (HTTP://WWW.FODORS.COM/LOGIN)
Subscribe (http://www.fodors.com/newsletter/signup?source=header)
DESTINATIONS
CRUISES
NEWS & FEATURES
10 Hotel Brands with Outstanding Bath Amenities March 28, 2016 at 5:15:00 PM EDT | Post a Comment (#post-a-comment)
STORE
FORUMS
TRIP IDEAS
BROWSE MORE TOPICS Airlines (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_airlines) Arts & Culture (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_arts-
8 of 12
culture)
TOP
Cruises (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_cruises) Deals (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_deals) Events (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_events) Family (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_family)
Hotels (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_where-to-stay) News (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_news)
NEWS
Outdoors (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_outdoors) 1
Photos (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_photos)
20
Restaurants (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_where-toeat)
Rewards Programs (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_rewards-programs)
Shopping (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_shopping) Spas (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_spas) Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels
Style (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_style) Travel Tips (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_travel-tips)
Featuring: Le Labo
Trip Ideas (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_trip-ideas)
An elite perfume house founded in 2006 in New York City, Le Labo (https://lelabofragrances.com/)
Wine and Cocktails
has garnered international acclaim for its handcrafted, custom concoctions. For one of the line’s
(http://www.fodors.com/news/all_wine-cocktails)
most popular scents, Le Labo summoned the legendary roses of the French Riviera, particularly
New at Fodor's (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_new-
Grasse, France, to create Rose 31 eau de parfum, now found in nearly all of Fairmont Hotel
at-fodors)
Group’s (http://www.fairmont.com/) more than 70 hotels across the globe. The scent is sophisticated and vibrant, featuring 31 ingredients that accentuate the essence of the roses of southern France, with hints of cedar, cumin, and amber. Infused into the hotel room’s shampoo,
Travel Tech (http://www.fodors.com/news/all_traveltech)
Ultimate Things to Do in New York
conditioner, body wash, body lotion, and soap bar, just one whiff of the scent transports guests to
City (http://www.fodors.com/world/north-
the French coast of the Mediterranean. However, it is important to note that you won’t find Le Labo
america/usa/new-york/new-york-
at The Plaza, a Fairmont-managed property (where Caudalie (http://us.caudalie.com/) amenities are
city/experiences/news/photos/20-
set in every room); Fairmont Grand del Mar (with luxe bath amenities created exclusively for the
ultimate-things-to-do-in-new-york-city)
property by Red Flower (http://www.redflower.com/) ); and Fairmont’s three properties in Kenya (Fairmont The Norfolk, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, and Fairmont Masai Mara).
2
25 Ultimate Things to Do in Los Angeles (http://www.fodors.com/world/northamerica/usa/california/losangeles/experiences/news/photos/20ultimate-things-to-do-in-los-angeles)
You Might Also Like 3
10 Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks (http://www.fodors.com/world/northamerica/usa/florida/orlando/experiences/news/photos/10things-to-do-in-orlando-besides-themeparks)
4
15 Things NOT to Do in New York City (http://www.fodors.com/world/northamerica/usa/new-york/new-yorkcity/experiences/news/photos/15-things-
SUBSCRIBE
PHILANTHROPY
STYLE
TRAVEL
Yes You Can Take a Private Jet to Ski Around the World How the one percent (of the one percent) get their last hit of powder.
by BRANDON PERLMAN MAR 15, 2016
52
Say you just realized we're half way through March and you haven't gotten as much skiing in this year as you'd like. Or maybe you only tore up the slopes at one mountain, and well, you're used to claiming bragging rights over a wider variety of terrain. Oh and you like to fly private. Well, have we got an opportunity for you. PrivateFly and Black Tomato have teamed up to offer intrepid skiers with equally intrepid wallets the ultimate in alpine convenience. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Take off from Teterboro airport (that's in New York City, but if you had to ask, then you're clearly playing private-jet catch up) in a Gulfstream G-IV along with 12 of your nearest and dearest in pursuit of some of the finest powder-strewn slopes at all corners of the world. The week-long trip costs more per person than a Ford Focus, but at least accommodations and ground transfers are included. MORE FROM TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE
T&C BI-MONTHLY HOROSCOPE: APRIL 16 - 30
25 STYLISH DRESSES TO WEAR TO A SUMMER WEDDING
Stop 1: Jackson Hole, Wyoming Flight Time: 4 hours, 35 minutes
THE AMANGANI'S POOL IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND AND KEPT AT 80 DEGREES.
Accommodations: The Amangani Duration: 2 days Known for: Western hospitality and some of the best backcountry skiing in the U.S. Stop 2: Jackson Hole - Whistler, BC (Airport: Vancouver) Flight Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
THE SKI-IN/SKI-OUT FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER.
Accommodations: Fairmont Chateau, Whistler Duration: 2 days Stop 3: Vancouver - Mount Naeba, Japan (Airport: Tokyo Narita) Flight Time: 9 hours, 40 minutes
MOUNT NAEBA IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SKI DESTINATIONS IN JAPAN.
Accommodations: Naeba Prince Hotel Duration: 2 days Leg 4: Tokyo-New York City Flight Time: 12 hours Cost: $18,550 per person All your spring problems solved—don't say we never did anything for you. (To book, contact Privatefly at bookings@privatefly.com or call 866-726-1222. Available through mid-May.)
For more on flying private—without a private-jet budget—read this. Brandon Perlman is the creator of MrLuxuryski.com.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Learn more
MORE FROM
LEISURE
Escape from New York Because even the most loyal New Yorker needs to flee the greatest city on earth (sometimes).
Quebec City
Say aah at a spa The newest addition to the spa scene is Le Monastère des Augustines, a converted 1639 monastery hospital that reopened as a hotel and wellness center last year. You can enjoy massages, meditation and even sleep-therapy evaluations right in the comfort of your room. If you want your spa visit to be relaxing and educational, there are workshops like “The Art of Gratitude” and a museum there, too. 77 Rue des Remparts (418-6941639, monastere.ca)
insider knowledge
Cercle in the trendy SaintRoch nabe for innovative dishes like scallops with bone marrow and braised pork belly, but they stay for the live entertainment. At night, the restaurant transforms into either a club with a DJ, a concert venue for eclectic talent, like the 17-piece Afro-Colombian percussion group Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra, or sometimes a multimedia art gallery. 228 Rue SaintJoseph E (418 948-8648, le-cercle.ca) Milk It Locals are so into dairy, they don’t just eat it—they wear it. For nearly a decade, Québécois have sworn by cosmetic boutique Shamâne’s donkey milk products. (Cleopatra bathed daily in the stuff, so you know it’s good.) The furry suppliers are milked daily on a nearby farm in Charlevoix, and since their milk is thinner than cow’s,
More Cheese, Please No trip to Quebec City is complete without a little fromage, and the place to do it is Château Frontenac’s 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar. As elegant as the castlelike hotel itself, the dedicated cheese room houses the city’s largest selection of cheeses from the province. Order a board of five Quebec varieties, and make sure to pair the sheep’s-milk chèvre with a Niagara sauvignon blanc. 1 Rue des Carrières (418-6923861, fairmont.com) Wine and dine and dance Patrons come to hip multipurpose restaurant Le 68 TimeOut.COM/NewYork February 17–March 1, 2016
Locals give it to you straight.
“Signatures Québécoises is the best spot to shop for local designers’ goods.” —Mariam
Château Frontenac’s 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar
“Visiting massive toy store Benjo will make you feel like a kid again.” —Esteban
skincare products like fresh herb soap and lavender shower milk are extra silky. 975 Chemin Port-au-Persil, Saint-Siméon (418-6381264, shamancosmetiques.com) Quaff a Cold One For truly local beer, head over to La Barberie, where everything is freshly brewed
on-site. Since 1997, the microbrewery has been a neighborhood staple for local beer connoisseurs thanks to its daily selection of eight seasonal beer flights and a daily invitation to BYO lunch. Bar staff will even heat it up for you! 310 Rue Saint Roch (418-5224373, labarberie.com) —Kerry Medina Le Monastère des Augustines
“Nothing beats La Boite à Malt’s homemade beer!” —Yves
“At Le Chic Shack, order the short rib poutine and a salted maple caramel shake. Delicious.” —Matthieu
“Spend a day skiing Quebec’s Mont Tremblant, then soak your sore muscles at the outdoor spa.” —Becca
photographs (clockwise from top): michel roy; courtesy cc/flickr/station mont tremblant; andre olivier lyra
Go BIG-wheeling! Don’t let a little snow stop you from exploring the city. Pick up a fat bike (they look like regular bikes but with extra-large motorcycle wheels jammed on) specifically designed for snowy terrain. They’re available for daily rental at Echo Sports, which also offers guided tours through historical Old Quebec. 35 Rue Dalhousie (418692-3643, echosports .ca). $50/day.
http://nyti.ms/1TY7O1r TRAVEL
Tour and Resort News: Discounts on Historic Hotels; Tulip Trip In Transit By ELAINE GLUSAC MARCH 4, 2016
DEALS ON HISTORIC HOTELS Throughout the month of March, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide will offer discounts of up to 65 percent on over 100 hotels. Travel windows vary by property, but the sale includes rooms at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs from $230 a night, a 40 percent savings, valid on stays through April 30; and the 1927-vintage Hotel New Grand in Yokohama, Japan, from $83 a night, a 65 percent savings, through May 25. Other properties on sale include the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in Sonoma, Calif.; the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Georgia; and the Sagamore in Adirondack State Park in New York. IN PUGLIA, A FARMHOUSE RESORT A southern Italian farmhouse, or “masseria,” will open March 18 as the 19room Masseria Le Carrube, a boutique resort near Ostuni in the Puglia region.
Rooms in the whitewashed stone farmhouse, which dates back to the 17th century, retain their rustic quality with the addition of modern conveniences like air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. Outside, the former sheep pen will be the site of two swimming pools, including one that is heated, and a garden is planted in orange and olive groves. Indoors, an ancient olive oil press resides on the ground floor and the restaurant will serve vegetarian food. The property is the latest from San Dominico Hotels, which runs other intimate properties in Puglia and in London. Rooms start at 140 euros ($153), including breakfast. A GALAPÁGOS SAFARI International Nature & Cultural Adventures is launching a 12-day Galápagos Safari combining eight days aboard the 16-passenger yacht Integrity and three days on Santa Cruz Island in an upscale safari-style camp. On the island, guests will stay in furnished tents set on wooden platforms with access to amenities including a swimming pool. The land stay offers opportunities to hike up the volcanic cone of Puntudo, mountain bike around a crater, see giant tortoises in the wild and visit the Darwin Research Station. The sea portion of the trip visits a series of islands in search of wildlife, and the vessel carries kayaks and snorkeling equipment for guest use. The trip, which includes two nights in Quito, starts at $6,995 a person. IN MICHIGAN, A HEMINGW AY CELEB RATION The 32-room Hotel Walloon, on Walloon Lake in northern Michigan where Ernest Hemingway spent many boyhood summers, is offering a threeday special event in tribute to the writer. Called “The Last Good Country,” it features a reception with Valerie Hemingway, his daughter-in-law and personal assistant, a boat tour of the lake and a fly-fishing demonstration marking the opening of trout season. Named after the writer’s description of the area, the special event takes place April 29 to May 1. Package rates start a $920 for two, including two nights, double occupancy, and all events. CY CLING THROUGH THE TULIPS ...
The cycle touring marketplace Tripsite is offering eight-day Tulip Tours that combine biking and barge cruising through the blooming fields of Holland in early April. From Amsterdam, travelers use one of several barges, ranging in size from about 14 to 20 passengers, as a hotel and jumping-off point for daily cycling excursions. Bikes are provided and used to cycle in the famous Keukenhof gardens, around Gouda, home of the namesake cheese, and the Aalsmeer flower market. Trips start at 985€ ($1,076) a person. ... AND W ITH A CHEF The high-end bike vacation company DuVine is offering a Chef on Wheels cycling tour with the New York-based chef Seamus Mullen in Provence, France, May 29 to June 3. The six-day trip goes through lavender fields, vineyards and olive groves en route to medieval villages and local markets, where riders will accompany the chef in selecting fresh ingredients. Daily rides range from about 18 to 32 miles, and the chef, who runs several restaurants in New York including Tertulia, will prepare several evening meals at the private ninth-century estate where the group will reside when not in the saddle. The trip costs $6,295 a person. NATIONAL PARK S B Y RV The RV vacation specialist Tracks & Trails is offering a new 13-night trip from Las Vegas stringing together all five of Utah’s national parks and the Grand Canyon. The service provides the RV, of course, as well as the campsite reservations, maps and itineraries with suggested adventures. Offered May to October, the itinerary includes Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands national parks in Utah, as well as the Grand Canyon, with an extra stop among the sandstone buttes of Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation. Suggested activities include hiking, rafting and biking. Trips start at $8,600 in a vehicle that sleeps four.
Search
Home / LIFESTYLE / TRAVEL DESTINATIONS / Hotels & Resorts / The New and Improved Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown
The New and Improved Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown By Rahim Kanani on March 29, 2016
“Due to its size and popularity, the Presidential Georgetown Suite is the most requested suite by foreign dignitaries, celebrities and during Presidential Inaugurations,” explained Shane Krige, General Manager for Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown. In an interview, we discussed the property’s $27M renovation to be completed in April, the pure luxury of the Presidential Georgetown Suite, signature dishes and cocktails at the on-site restaurant Juniper, and the perfect weekend itinerary to enjoy both the hotel and all that Washington has to offer.
Tell me a little bit about the history and evolution of the Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown. With the grace and charm comparable to any of the stately embassies of Washington, D.C., our elegant 10-story, 415-room hotel, designed by renowned architect Vlastimil Koubeck, opened in 1985. Currently we are undergoing a $27 million dollar renovation of all guestrooms and suites including the exclusive Fairmont Gold Floor lounge. We are also converting the executive forum amphitheater into a 2,900 square foot junior ballroom. The additional ballroom, will be called The Kennedy Ballroom, and is expected to increase group meeting capacity as well as adding entertaining space for social events and weddings.
This exciting project will be complete by April 15, 2016, enhancing both the guest experience and the hotel’s position as the largest luxury group hotel in the nation’s capital.
What sets the Presidential Georgetown Suite apart from other signature suites? The Presidential Georgetown Suite on Fairmont Gold is tailored for powerful executives and royalty. The contrast of dark-wooded flooring and a neutral palette of taupe and silver, punctuated by deep blue accents and a pop of ochre, creates a chic and luxurious environment. Art work throughout the suite is inspired by the city of Washington and its history. A large living room adjacent to a sophisticated white marble dining table with embossed leather chairs is perfect for entertaining. A grand foyer, butler’s pantry, coat closest and powder room are all part of the spacious and luxurious suite. The large king bedroom has a fully upholstered headboard wall and a relaxing lounge area. A large walk-in closet has meticulously detailed storage and fittings. The two bathrooms include a large shower and a free standing bathtub, adorned by Italian glass mosaic walls. The Presidential Georgetown suite is 1,700 square feet, with the option to add a second bedroom with two queen beds, creating a total of 2,100 square feet of living and entertaining space. The Georgetown Suite enjoys all the pleasures of Fairmont Gold including private check-in, personalized butler and concierge services and access to the club lounge for daily breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres. Due to its size and popularity, it is the most requested suite by foreign dignitaries, celebrities and
during Presidential Inaugurations.
How would you describe the dining options on-site, and what are some of the signature dishes and drinks of the hotel? Juniper Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Weather permitting, guests may also dine al fresco in our flower-filled courtyard garden. Our signature Crab cakes are the best on the East Coast, and the sustainable menu offers both regional and seasonal cuisine. Light fare dining is also available in the lobby lounge and loggia. Our honey walnut bread and BeeMyHoney doughnut are made with our rooftop honey. Our signature cocktail, the BeeTini, includes honey and honeycomb from our rooftop hives.
If you were to advise guests looking to experience the new and improved Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown later this spring, what would be the perfect weekend itinerary? Friday: After checking in to a newly renovated guestroom or suite, guests can adjourn to the hotel lobby overlooking the courtyard garden while enjoying our BeeTini or any of our classic cocktails while listening to live piano entertainment. For dinner, a short walk in to Georgetown offers a variety of great restaurants and window shopping. Our concierge will be happy to make restaurant recommendations and reservations for you. Saturday: After enjoying a leisurely breakfast in bed, I suggest touring the National Portrait Gallery, any of the Smithsonian’s museums and a stop for lunch in city center. After lunch, visit The Phillips Collection—America’s first museum of modern art, where you can view Renoir’s “The Luncheon of the Boating Party” in its permanent home and a selection of Mark Rothko’s famous abstract impressionist paintings. Returning to the hotel for a dip in our in-door pool, or a work out in Balance Gym, is a great refresher before enjoying dinner at Juniper. After dinner, the concierge can arrange a driver and champagne for a moonlight tour of the monuments. Sunday: On Sunday morning enjoy market fresh brunch in Juniper. Before heading home, visit Hillwood Estate and Gardens. The former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post boasts the largest collection of Faberge Eggs among other treasures.
Great Dane Service Dog is Treated With the Greatest Day Ever To celebrate a Great Dane's wonderful service to an 11-year-old girl, George the service dog was treated to a day filled with all of his favorite activities. Bella Burton suffers from Morquio Syndrome and thought she would spend her entire life confined to crutches or a wheelchair. After a year of volunteering at the Service Dog Project, Inc., Bella met George, and the pair made an instant connection, her mother Rachel Burton said. "The first time I walked with George, it was amazing," Bella said in an interview with Barkpost. "It was like I haven't walked in so long, and now I get to do it again." Their special relationship deserved some special treatment, according to Barkpost, which organized a day out for the duo. "We wanted to give him the ultimate day off where he could just enjoy doing his favorite things for the person he loves most in the world," BarkPost producer Laura Hartle told InsideEdition.com.
After a cordial welcome by at the Fairmont Hotel in Boston, Bell and George began their day at the famous burger chain owned by actor Mark Wahlberg and his siblings, Wahlburgers. A video captured George picking past the buns and getting straight to the good stuff when waitresses
brought him a huge tray of their famous burgers. The pair then hit the slopes at the Blue Hills Ski Area to play in the snow, George's favorite activity. And as a real "treat," George and Bella made a visit to Polka Dog, where George feasted at the dog treat bakery. After a long day hitting the town, George and Bella retired to their suite at the Fairmont Hotel, and the two concluded the pooch's best day ever with the best sleepover ever. "George works so hard for Bella," Hartle told InsideEdition.com, saying George helped Bella gain the strength to walk on her own. Now the resilient girl can even ride a bike. "George deserves the world's best day because he had changed the life of my daughter," Rachel added. Related Articles:
SEARCH
AUTOS
AVIATION
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ĦǾMĚ
»
BOATING
HOME & STYLE
TRAVEL
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ
WATCHES
LEISURE
FASHION
ŇĚẄȘĿĚŤŤĚŘ
JEWELRY
REAL ESTATE
ĦĚǺĿŤĦ & ẄĚĿĿŇĚȘȘ
»
ĿİVİŇĢ ẄĚĿĿ
Ŀěǻđįňģ Ěxpěřťș Ǿffěř Ǻđvįčě fǿř Șťǻỳįňģ Fįť ẅħįŀě Ťřǻvěŀįňģ
Ģųěșťș ǿf ťħě Pěňįňșųŀǻ Ħǿňģ Ķǿňģ čǻň ẅǿřķ ǿųť ẅħįŀě ěňjǿỳįňģ pǻňǿřǻmįč vįěẅș ǿf ťħě čįťỳ fřǿm ťħě ħǿťěŀ’ș pǿǿŀ.
Jǻňįčě Ǿ'Ŀěǻřỳ Mǻřčħ 21, 2016
Mǻķě ťħě mǿșť ǿf ỳǿųř șǿjǿųřň ẅįťħ ǻň ěxpěřť ǻppřǿǻčħ ťǿ șťǻỳįňģ įň șħǻpě.
Ģŀǿbě-ťřǿťťįňģ čǻň mǻķě ǻđħěřįňģ ťǿ ǻ fįťňěșș řěģįměň ǻ čħǻŀŀěňģě, bųť șǻvvỳ ťřǻvěŀěřș mįģħť fįňđ ťħěỳ čǻň ŀǿģ mǿřě ťħǻň ťħěįř đǻįŀỳ 10,000 șťěpș ẅįťħ jųșť ǻ fěẅ ťẅěǻķș ǿř ťħǻť ěxěřčįșįňģ čǻň ħěŀp ťħěm șěě mǿřě ǿf ťħěįř ħǿșť čįťỳ. Ťẅǿ pěřșǿňǻŀ ťřǻįňěřș ǻňđ ǻ ẅěŀŀňěșș ěxpěřť fřǿm ťħě Mǻỳǿ Čŀįňįč ǿffěř ťħěįř ǻđvįčě fǿř șťǻỳįňģ fįť ẅħįŀě ťřǻvěŀįňģ. Ťħěșě șįmpŀě ťįpș mǻỳ bě ťħě đįffěřěňčě běťẅěěň ǻňǿťħěř ťřįp ẅįťħ ģǿǿđ įňťěňťįǿňș ǻňđ ǿňě ẅħěřě ỳǿų șťǻỳ fįť—ǻňđ pǿșșįbŀỳ řǻįșě ťħě bǻř. Ǻđvěřťįșěměňť | Pǿẅěřěđ bỳ Qųěřỳŀỳ
Ťħįș Ỳěǻř Ħěǻŀťħ & Fįťňěșș Ǻřě Ħǿť Ťǿpįčș Jǿįň ųș ǻť ťħě șěčǿňđ ǻňňųǻŀ Řǿbb Řěpǿřť Ħěǻŀťħ & Ẅěŀŀňěșș Șųmmįť įň běǻųťįfųŀ Mǿňťǻģě Đěěř Vǻŀŀěỳ, Jųŀỳ 14 ťħřǿųģħ 17!
• İňvěșťįģǻťě ǻįřpǿřťș ǻħěǻđ ǿf ťįmě įf ỳǿų ǻřě fŀỳįňģ čǿmměřčįǻŀ. Mǻňỳ ǻįřpǿřťș ǿffěř ỳǿģǻ șťųđįǿș, ǻňđ șǿmě, șųčħ ǻș ťħǿșě įň Mįňňěǻpǿŀįș-Șǻįňť Pǻųŀ ǻňđ Qųěběč, mǻp ẅǻŀķįňģ pǻťħș ťħřǿųģħ ťěřmįňǻŀș, čǿmpŀěťě ẅįťħ mįŀěǻģě, șǻỳș Ǻňģěŀǻ Mųřǻđ, ǻ ẅěŀŀňěșș
đįěťįťįǻň ẅįťħ ťħě Mǻỳǿ Čŀįňįč Ħěǻŀťħỳ Ŀįvįňģ Přǿģřǻm. Ǻřřįvě ěǻřŀỳ ťǿ řěŀįěvě șťřěșș ǻňđ ģěť ỳǿųř ẅǿřķǿųť įň ǻŀŀ ǻť ǿňčě.
• Řěșěǻřčħ ỳǿųř đěșťįňǻťįǿň fǿř ẅěŀŀňěșș ǿffěřįňģș. Ŀǿǿķ fǿř fįťňěșș ǿpťįǿňș ňěǻř ỳǿųř ħǿťěŀ ťħǻť ǿffěř ťħě ťỳpě ǿf ẅǿřķǿųť ỳǿų mǿșť ěňjǿỳ, fřǿm șpįň čŀǻșșěș ťǿ ǿųťđǿǿř bǿǿť čǻmpș, șǻỳș Řįčķ Ħǻģǻmǻň ǿf Bŀųě Čŀǻỳ Fįťňěșș įň Ŀǿș Ǻňģěŀěș. “Fįťňěșș įș ǻňǿťħěř ẅǻỳ ťǿ ěxpěřįěňčě ťħě čųŀťųřě ǿf ỳǿųř đěșťįňǻťįǿň,” Ħǻģǻmǻň șǻỳș. Ẅħěťħěř ỳǿų ťǻķě ǻ pǿpųŀǻř ŀǿčǻŀ čŀǻșș ǿř ẅǻŀķ ǿř řųň ťħě șťřěěťș, “ỳǿų mįģħť đįșčǿvěř ǻň ěňťįřěŀỳ ňěẅ șįđě ǿf ǻ čįťỳ.” Șťěvě Jǿřđǻň, ǻňǿťħěř Ŀǿș Ǻňģěŀěș–bǻșěđ ťřǻįňěř, řěčǿmměňđș șťǻỳįňģ ňěǻř ǻ pǻřķ ẅħěň pǿșșįbŀě, ǿř ěvěň ťǻķįňģ ǻ čǻb ťǿ ǻ pǻřķ įň ỳǿųř đěșťįňǻťįǿň čįťỳ. “Đįvįňģ įňťǿ ťħě ňǻťųřǻŀ ħǻbįťǻť čǻň přǿvįđě ǿbșťǻčŀěș ǻňđ șčěňěřỳ ťħǻť čħǻŀŀěňģě ỳǿųř mįňđ ǻňđ bǿđỳ,” ħě șǻỳș.
• Ěňŀįșť ťħě ħěŀp ǿf ťħě ħǿťěŀ čǿňčįěřģě. Ǻ čǿňčįěřģě mǻỳ ǻșșįșť įň bǿǿķįňģ șŀǿťș įň șťųđįǿș ǿř přǿvįđě ỳǿų ẅįťħ ǻ řųňňįňģ-ťřǻįŀ mǻp ǻť čħěčķ-įň. Ẅħěň đįňįňģ įň, ǻřřǻňģě ťǿ ħǻvě ťħě čħěf přěpǻřě ǻ ŀǿẅ-čǻŀǿřįě měňų ťǿ ěŀįmįňǻťě ťěmpťǻťįǿňș ǻť měǻŀș.
• Čǿňșųŀť ỳǿųř řěģųŀǻř ťřǻįňěř fǿř ǻ čųșťǿmįżěđ ťřǻvěŀ ẅǿřķǿųť. Șħǻřě ťħě đěťǻįŀș ǿf ỳǿųř ťřįp ẅįťħ ỳǿųř pěřșǿňǻŀ čǿǻčħ șǿ ħě ǿř șħě čǻň čřǻfť ǻ ẅǿřķǿųť ťħǻť měěťș ỳǿųř fįťňěșș ģǿǻŀș ǻňđ įňčŀųđěș ỳǿųř přěfěřěňčěș. İf ỳǿų ǻřě fŀỳįňģ přįvǻťě, ǻșķ fǿř ǻň įň-fŀįģħť řǿųťįňě, șųčħ ǻș pŀǻňķș įň ťħě ǻįșŀě ǿř ťřįčěpș đįpș ǿff ỳǿųř șěǻť.
• Ěxpŀǿřě ťħě fįťňěșș ǻměňįťįěș ǻť ťħě řěșǿřť. Șǿmě ħǿťěŀ ģỳmș ǿffěř čŀǻșșěș ǻňđ pěřșǿňǻŀ ťřǻįňįňģ șěșșįǿňș. Șpěǻķ ẅįťħ ǻ čǿňčįěřģě ťǿ řěșěřvě ǻ șpǿť. Čǿňșįđěř bǿǿķįňģ ǻ čŀǻșș ǿř čǿmmįťťįňģ ťǿ ǻ ťřǻįňįňģ ťįmě běfǿřě ỳǿų ǻřřįvě. “Șěťťįňģ ǻň ǻppǿįňťměňť ẅįŀŀ ģřěǻťŀỳ įňčřěǻșě ťħě čħǻňčěș ťħǻť ỳǿų ẅǿřķ ǿųť,” șǻỳș Ħǻģǻmǻň. Șǿmě ħǿťěŀș, șųčħ ǻș ťħě Fǿųř Șěǻșǿňș Ŀǿș Ǻňģěŀěș ǻť Běvěřŀỳ Ħįŀŀș, ǿffěř įňřǿǿm įPǻđș ẅįťħ ěxěřčįșě vįđěǿș ỳǿų čǻň ťǻįŀǿř ťǿ ỳǿųř ňěěđș. Fǻįřmǿňť Ħǿťěŀș & Řěșǿřťș ẅįŀŀ șųppŀỳ fįťňěșș ǻppǻřěŀ ťǿ įťș Přěșįđěňť’ș Čŀųb měmběřș ẅħǿ bǿǿķ įň ǻđvǻňčě.
• Ģěť ǻň ěǻřŀỳ șťǻřť. Jǿřđǻň řěčǿmměňđș ẅǿřķįňģ ǿųť běfǿřě břěǻķfǻșť. “Vǻčǻťįǿňș ǻřě șpěňť șįģħťșěěįňģ, řěŀǻxįňģ, ǻňđ ěxpŀǿřįňģ ťħě ňěẅ șpǻčě, șǿ ěxěřčįșįňģ ŀǻťěř įň ťħě đǻỳ čǻň bě čħǻŀŀěňģįňģ ǿř đǿẅňřįģħť įmpǿșșįbŀě, řěģǻřđŀěșș ǿf mǿťįvǻťįǿň,” ħě șǻỳș. Ħǻģǻmǻň șųģģěșťș ǻșķįňģ ťħě fřǿňť đěșķ ťǿ pǿįňť ỳǿų ťǿẅǻřđ ťħě fįťňěșș čěňťěř ǻť čħěčķ-įň ǻňđ ťǻķįňģ fįvě mįňųťěș ťǿ șčǿpě įť ǿųť. “Ťħįș ẅįŀŀ ťǻķě ťħě ‘İ-đǿň’ť-ěvěň-ķňǿẅ-ẅħěřě-ťħě-ģỳm-įș-ǿř-ẅħǻť-ěqųįpměňť-įť-ħǻș’ ěxčųșě ǿff ťħě ťǻbŀě,” ħě șǻỳș. “Ǿňčě ỳǿų ħǻvě ťįmě ťǿ ěxěřčįșě, ỳǿų ẅįŀŀ ķňǿẅ ěxǻčťŀỳ ẅħěřě ťǿ ģǿ ǻňđ ẅħǻť ťỳpěș ǿf ǻčťįvįťįěș ỳǿų čǻň đǿ.”
Měěť ǻňđ ťřǻįň ẅįťħ Șťěvě Jǿřđǻň įň pěřșǿň ǻť ťħě 2016 Řǿbb Řěpǿřť Ħěǻŀťħ & Ẅěŀŀňěșș Șųmmįť įň Đěěř Vǻŀŀěỳ, Ųťǻħ, fřǿm Jųŀỳ 14
ťħřǿųģħ 17.
Șťǿřįěș ỳǿų mǻỳ ǻŀșǿ ěňjǿỳ...
10 Techniques to Make Stress Help You Stay Young
See Why Wearable Technology Is a $3.5 Billion Industry [SLIDESHOW]
Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease May Be as Easy as a Good Night’s Sleep
Demand Pricing at Disney and the Best Airports around the World: The View from AFAR
Plus: Slide of terror in Los Angeles, an inside look at turbulence Matt Villano 3.4.2016 W e know, we know, the biggest piece of travel news this week was the announcement that all major airlines will have nonstop flights between the United States and Cuba. But a bunch of other important stuff happened, too! Here’s our rundown of those additional items. As always, if you have questions or comments about anything you read here, please Tweet them to us at @AFARMedia. And please share this with friends! Los Angeles set to open slide made of glass Thrill-seekers will soon have a new spot to get their adrenaline pumping in downtown Los Angeles: a 36foot, all-glass slide cantilevered off the side of an office building, 1,000 feet above the ground. The new attraction, dubbed Skyslide, will connect the 70th and 69th floors of the city’s U.S. Bank Tower on the
outside of the building. Of course the lunacy experience won’t be free; a report in Curbed Los Angeles this week said the attraction likely will cost $8 per slide. Skyslide is not the only addition to the U.S. Bank Tower, which is currently the tallest building in the American West; a $50 million renovation will also give the building a two-floor observation deck with 360-degree views of the city. The renovation should be completed this summer. Disney rolls out demand pricing The way Disneyland prices tickets changed over the weekend, and the cost of admission is now based on when you go. According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, the new approach creates three different admission prices: $105 for “regular” days with average traffic; $95 for “value” days with light traffic; and $119 for “peak” days with heavy traffic. Disney calculates that over a 12-month period, 30 percent of the days will be value days, 44 percent will be regular days and just 26 percent will be peak days. Unfortunately, however, most weekends and school vacations—in other words, the times most out-of-town families visit—will see the highest prices. Park officials said the parks would be adding additional attractions in 2016 to help justify the extra fees. (One of these attractions, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, will open in Cars Land next week.) While Disney is touting the surge pricing as a strategy to manage crowds, one can’t help but wonder if the move is a way to maximize profits. Group lists best airports as selected by passengers Most travelers would agree that the airport experience has taken a nosedive (pardon the pun) in the years of increased security. But some airports still are better than others—at least according to Airports Council International (ACI), which just announced the winners of its 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. The ASQ awards acknowledge the best airports as determined by feedback from more than 550,000 passenger surveys at more than 300 airports in 80 countries around the world. (The survey asks about 34 key service areas including access, check-in, security, airport facilities, food and beverage, retail, and more.) The winners this year are Indianapolis International Airport; Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, Russia; Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador; Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya; Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia; and the Amman Queen International Airport in Amman, Jordan. Hilton drops $50 cancelation fee Hilton Worldwide learned the hard way this week that travelers really don’t like having to pay to cancel reservations. Last November, the company began experimenting with a $50 “Anytime Cancelation Fee,” but last week they killed the new policy. Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta minced no words when he told reporters on the company’s recent earnings call that “customers hated it.” Hilton had hoped the policy would protect them from revenue lost to cancelations. Nassetta said that while his company would no longer pursue an anytime cancelation fee, it would explore other strategies to dissuade travelers from bagging plans at the last minute. “We have to migrate behavior from where it is to where we want it to be,” Nassetta said. “You'll see us start to move customers down that journey of recognizing, yes, if you want total flexibility, there's a price for that, and if you want a better price, then you're going to have less
flexibility.” Stay tuned. New services in the air and on the ground Two popular travel companies added new services last week. First, JetBlue launched new nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale and Quito—the carrier’s first foray into Ecuador. Quito is the fifth South American destination for JetBlue, which already has scheduled services to Lima, Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellín. Second, Uber started rolling out a motorcycle-sharing pilot program for nations where twowheeled vehicles are more prevalent than cars. According to a report on TravelPulse.com, the UberMOTO program debuted last week in Bangkok. Motorcycle drivers will be equipped with a second helmet, live GPS tracking, two-way feedback, and the ability to share trip details with family and friends. Hotel news Florida’s newest hotel hotspot is the Opal Sands Resort, which opened last week in Clearwater Beach, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The property is the latest offering from Ocean Properties Ltd. & Affiliates, and it boasts waterfront views from each of its 230 rooms. Other amenities at the resort include a zeroentry pool, sun deck, fitness center, luxury spa, and a host of restaurants. Room rates start at $339 per night. In other hotel news, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, which is located near the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, outside of San Diego, rolled out two race day packages for the summer racing season. The more exciting of the packages, “Race Day Ready,” includes two nights in a suite, valet parking, breakfast, an in-suite hat-fitting, two mint juleps in the lobby, limo transfers to the track, a barn tour with a trainer, riding lessons for two, and a table with a $250 food and beverage credit at the Turf Club. Prices start at $1,600 per night. Good reads Makoko, a neighborhood in Lagos, Nigeria, is the world’s largest floating slum. In a recent feature for The Guardian, Tolu Ogunlesi writes about life in this sprawling district and explains both the history and culture of the settlement, as well as why residents live in constant fear of eviction and displacement. The story is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. It also provides a fascinating perspective on a place that few people visit but everyone should know about. A recent BBC Travel story by Neelima Vallangi offers an interesting spin on the traditional road-trip narrative. The story documents a journey through the Himalayas, but the “road” in the story actually is the frozen Zanskar River. The narrative takes readers through India’s Zanskar Valley, one of the world’s last bastions of ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture. Details in the piece are riveting and fascinating. Accompanying photos are pretty special, too. If you’ve ever wondered why air travel is so full of turbulence, freelance writer (and friend) Caitlin Kelly has you covered in a recent article for The New York Times. Her piece, titled, “The Challenge of Taming Air Turbulence,” delves into current scientific thinking on what causes turbulence and investigates what airlines are doing to minimize it. The story is a tour de force of reporting. It’s also a great read.
Matt Villano is a freelance writer and editor based in Healdsburg, California. In more than 18 years as a full-time freelancer, he has covered travel for publications including TIME, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Sunset, Backpacker, Alaska Airlines, and more. He is a senior editor for the Expedia Viewfinder blog from Expedia, and writes a monthly food column for Islands magazine. Villano also serves on the board of the Family Travel Association, and blogs about family travel at Wandering Pod. Learn more about him at Whalehead.com.
http://onforb.es/22stvNx
Bill Springer Contributor
I cover superyachts, offshore adventure, luxury travel, and tech. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
LIFESTYLE
3/21/2016 @ 3:17PM 4,376 views
Elegant, Exotic and English: Why Bermuda Is the Ultimate Island Escape
Credit Bermuda Tourism Authority
As a guy who’s been lucky enough to spend more than my fair share of time on exclusive islands around the world, and more specifically, summer getaway destinations in the Northeast— Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, coastal Maine, and the Hamptons—a recent trip to Bermuda has rocked my world.
The pool and palm trees at the Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa provide a peaceful oasis. Credit Bill Springer
In fact, I’m going to come right out and say it. Bermuda is simply the ultimate (and easily accessible) island escape for anyone who lives on the east coast. And it’s a must-visit destination for everyone else. Here’s why. First of all, flights on all the major airlines from the East Coast are generally pretty affordable. And Bermuda is the only gloriously-Britishdrive-on-the-left-hand-side-of-the-narrow-road overseas territory that combines island charm, English sophistication, a temperate climate, palm trees, and impossibly blue water that’s only a short 2 hour flight from NYC, Boston, or Washington DC!
Credit Sam Greenfield/ORACLE TEAM USA
Of course, it has the famous pink sand beaches, exclusive golf courses, high-end resorts, and shopping that this tiny island about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina has always been known for. But as I found out during a recent, 4day-long visit, Bermuda is also the site of the 2017 America’s Cup and is way more hip, and active, and exciting than you’d ever imagine.
Jeff Koons Blue (Monkey)/Credit Bill Springer
In fact, the refreshing “hipness” of Bermuda became apparent when I saw the Jeff Koons mirrored sculpture “Monkey (Blue)” hanging over the fireplace in the lobby the newly remodeled Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club, before I’d even checked in. The hotel also features fanciful work by Andy Warhol, Banksy, and other well-known contemporary artists that complemented the water view from the balcony in my comfortable room overlooking the marina perfectly.
Andy Warhol Camouflage/Credit Bill Springer
The art was a wonderful surprise, but I’d come to Bermuda for more active pursuits starting with the 75-minute jet ski tour we embarked on almost immediately after we got there. I will say the water was a bit chilly (it was early March
when I was there) but well worth it. Our guide brought us out to the wreck of the H.M.S Vixen where the water was teeming with fish, and speeding around the west end on a jet ski was a great way to get oriented to the island. Plus, it sure beat the grey late winter cold of New England that I’d just left only hours before.
Working out with the defending America’s Cup champs is a great way to get the heart rate up. Credit Bill Springer
Bermuda is also a well-known destination for sailors (I’ve actually sailed across the Gulf Stream to Bermuda from New England many times). But now that I’ve toured ORACLE TEAM USA’s base, and even worked out with the guys that are the defending America’s Cup champs, I can say from first hand experience, that the America’s Cup is turning Bermuda into the epicenter of all that is “hip” in the ultra-exclusive world of high-performance hydrofoil sailing.
RC44′s on Bermuda’s Great Sound/ Credit Bill Springer
The America’s Cup is also attracting other worldclass sailors to Bermuda. I had a chance to watch the high-performance RC44 class racing on the
Great Sound while I was there, and many other high-profile regattas are planned leading up to the big event next year. The America’s Cup may be ubiquitous, but I also saw first hand that Bermuda has way more to offer, especially if you’re into exercise and endurance sports, than sailing.
Credit Bill Springer
So, if you’re into stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), Surf SUP Bermuda in Somerset can rent you a board and a paddle. Since we were jumpstarting the summer season in March it was a bit breezy when we went for our SUP tour, but it was still a great work out, and the scenery along the west end of the island is gorgeous.
Credit Bill Springer
If you’re into bike riding, there were plenty of serious, lycra-clad-local cyclists riding on Bermuda’s narrow and hilly roads (usually in groups early in the morning), but I found the ride we did on rented mountain bikes along a portion of Bermuda’s Railway Trail (that runs along secluded trails almost the entire length of the Cshaped island) was much more conducive to safety and sightseeing.
And if you are one of those crazy people who are into Tough Mudder-type obstacle course racing, Bermuda has you covered there too.
Credit Bill Springer
After getting acquainted with part of the Bermuda Triple Challenge obstacle course that runs through the island’s stunning South Shore Coastal Nature Reserve I can report two things: 1. Running through beach sand and climbing over plywood obstacles is wicked hard. And 2. The Bermuda Triple Challenge (that just took place) may be the most aesthetically beautiful obstacle course race in the world!
Credit Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Southampton
Thankfully, Bermuda is also home to more than a few spas, and any of the soreness I acquired during our runs, and rides, and SUP tours, and workouts with America’s Cup teams disappeared after my wonderfully restorative deep-tissue massage at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Southampton.
Credit Bill Springer
And last but not least, no trip to Bermuda would be complete without a discussion of Bermuda’s national drink. The Rum Swizzle. Bermudians love their “Swizzle.” It’s made with Bermudabased Goslings Rum and most of the locals have their own distinctive recipe. So, while I was sad to leave this wonderful island and its welcoming people, I was grateful to be able to stop at the famous “Swizzle Inn” on my way back to the airport. Because, you see, Swizzle is not only a drink, it’s also a pen name I use from time to time.
Credit Bill Springer
Please, just do yourself a favor, go to Bermuda and tell them “Billy Swizzle sent me.” I know I’ll be going back soon and you’re going to love it. When he’s not sailing or pushing a baby stroller all over New England, Bill Springer covers superyachts, offshore adventure, luxury travel, and technology. Follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn. RECOMMENDED BY FORBES
Daily Escape (/destinations/us/wa/seattle/daily-escape/space-needle)
(/destinations/italy/daily-escape/borgo-egnazia-resort)
Photo by Oyster.com (http://www.oyster.com)
Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya, Mexico .
Sleek, white lounge chairs and shady umbrellas border this extensive pool, one of 5 at the beachfront Fairmont Mayakoba in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. The Caribbean resort has 401 tropical chic rooms, many of which have soaking tubs, dark-wood shutters and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook long white-sand shores or the cenote, a freshwater lagoon framed by limestone walls. Golf lovers can tee off at the Mayakoba's Greg Norman-designed El Camaleón course, which hosts the only PGA tour event outside of Canada and the US. TAGS
MEXICO (/DESTINATIONS/MEXICO)
NORTH AMERICA (/DESTINATIONS/NORTH-AMERICA)
BEACHES (/INTERESTS/BEACHES) ROMANCE AND HONEYMOONS (/INTERESTS/ROMANCE-AND-HONEYMOONS)
More Daily Escapes
Neil Patrick Harris’s Twins Channel Eloise with an Adorable Day at the Plaza Hotel
Andrew Toth/Getty Images Judging from Neil Patrick Harris’s adorable Instagram, his twins Harper and Gideon live a pretty charmed life. Between epic family Halloween costumes and adorable Valentine’s Day crafts with dads Harris and David Burtka, family time is always an adventure with these cute 5-year-olds. So when their dad spent a day filming in the Plaza Hotel, the resulting photos did not disappoint.
Harris filmed a “secret” project at the famous New York hotel on Friday, and the staff let his kids stick around after filming to enjoy an Eloise-inspired day. “When we wrapped, they let us stay in a fancy penthouse suite and have tea in the Palm Court,” he wrote. “The kids were blown away (as was I). Thanks, @theplazahotel, for spoiling my children.” In the adorable collection of photos, Harper and Gideon look longingly at trays of sandwiches and baked goods, and snuggle up in matching robes. Gideon poses with the hotel’s larger-than-life chandelier, while Harper stands next to the heroine’s framed portrait, matching her sassy pose. The fun didn't stop there: The adorable family took advantage of the warm weekend weather with a walking tour of N.Y.C.'s Greenwich Village restaurants. Harris and Burtka posted adorable photos from the delicious-looking outing, cookies in hand. With the Burtka-Harris clan, life is always an adventure.
TRAVEL
Where to stay on the Big Island, Hawaii By To n i Salam a
Chicago Tribune Staff Reporter
A
ll of the Big Island's resorts come in pairs and are found on the west coast between Kawaihai on the north and Keauhou on the south. Each of the resorts in this corridor are located on or near a beach and are designed with vast airy lobbies that frame panoramas of tropical
landscaping, exotic pools or waterfalls and, of course, the ocean. Their grounds are lush. Their public spaces serve as art galleries, displaying museum-quality paintings, sculpture and historic artifacts. They all offer non-motorized water sports and can arrange adventuresome day trips. Golf courses are next door if not on property; most have tennis courts, a spa or both. At each, the standard guestrooms are oversized, elegantly comfortable and vary in decor only by degree: They're all furnished with warm woods against a palette of contemporary neutrals; accents come in earthy tropical tones. While none of these properties is especially new, they go beyond providing luxury and relaxation; they inspire a sense of privilege and of having arrived. MAU NA K EA AND H AP U NA Just south of Kawaihae, the beaches at Mauna Kea and Hapuna are the best on the island. These wide crescents of sand are clean, powder soft and golden hued. No wonder that one of the Big Island's most respected resorts, Mauna K e a Be ach H o te l, was built here. Unfortunately, the earthquake of Oct. 15, 2006, left structural damage that caused the hotel to close its rooms indefinitely for repairs. Even so, the Tuesday luaus and Saturday clambakes ($84 each; 808-882-7222; princeresortshawaii.com) continue; and the Mauna Kea Golf Course and Seaside Tennis Club remain open. For the time being, anyone wanting a resort stay in this area will have to check in at the H apuna Be ach P r ince (888-9-PRINCE; princeresortshawaii.com). This hotel is best appreciated by those looking for rest and seclusion. Although Hapuna Beach proper -- and every Hawaii beach, for that matter -- is open to the public, this beach is a long one, and the resort has sequestered itself at the northern end, away from the day-use crowd. Beyond the resort's 32 acres, there are no attractions, restaurants or shops within walking distance. The place seems particularly wheelchair-accessible. One of the most pleasant pastimes here is to start the day at the breakfast buffet ($29/person, tax included) in the Ocean Terrace. The open-air restaurant overlooks the grounds' mature, terraced landscaping down to the pool and, beyond that, to a flock of beach umbrellas set in the sand. Room specials that include buffet breakfast, rental car or $100 in resort credits start at $295/night; most are good through Dec. 22. No resort fee. Parking is free.
MAU NA LANI South of Hapuna Beach are the resorts of Mauna Lani, a complex that includes shops and restaurants - Tommy Bahama and Ruth's Chris Steak House, to drop a couple of names -- and a hike to see ancient petroglyphs. The Fair m o nt Or chid (800-257-7544; fairmont.com/orchid) fosters Hawaiian culture through its beach-boy-led activities -- outrigger and double-hulled canoe sails, the making of traditional crafts -and established its place in the luxury firmament with services such as oceanside massages in its seminal Spa Without Walls. One of the best ways to spend an afternoon on these 32 acres is to stretch out under a clamshell umbrella after snorkeling, possibly with Hawaiian green sea turtles, in Pauoa Bay. Room specials that include buffet breakfast, guided adventure treks, golf or spa services start at $395/night; most are good through Dec. 20. No resort fee. Self-parking is $9; valet is $15. Also at Mauna Lani is the Mauna Lani Bay H o te l (800-367-2323; maunalani.com). The welcome mat here comes close to disappointing: a central atrium and weary-beige lobby that feel vacuous, as opposed to spacious. This design trespass is most easily forgiven from the private terrace of the private pool of a private bungalow (from $5,500/night) that comes with airport limo, breakfast, afternoon hors d'oeuvres, an open bar and 24-hour butler. Clearly, this resort has put its money into its private spaces. Guests staying in the ordinary rooms -- and these rooms aren't so bad, either -- can stroll the beach or wander these 29 quiet acres to find the shark and sea-turtle ponds. Room specials that include breakfast, golf, scuba, helicopter tours, spa services or honeymoon elements start at $415/night; most are good through Dec. 19. No resort fee. Parking is free. W AIK OLOA RES ORT From Mauna Lani, the next resort complex south along the coast is W aiko lo a Re s o r t, not to be confused with Waikoloa Town, which is about 6 miles inland and at a higher elevation. In addition to golf, the complex includes the busy-and-still-expanding Kings' Shops plaza, where familiar names such as Starbucks and DFS Galleria keep company with trendy restaurants such as Roy's and Merriman's. H ilto n W aiko lo a Village (800-HILTONS; hiltonwaikoloavillage.com) is Las Vegas without the casinos, Orlando without the mouse ears. Its grounds -- covering 62 acres -- are vast enough to encompass 1,240 rooms scattered among three buildings, a snorkeling lagoon, 18 restaurants and bars, three swimming pools, various waterfalls and a Dolphin Quest. It's a good choice for families or adults looking for a livelier scene. There's so much here that many guests may not realize that there's no beach, or even miss having one. Part of the fun is exploring the place by canal boat and tram, both of which operate from one end of the resort to the other. But the sheer size of the place is also a drawback: It can be daunting to actually get off the property for shopping and dining; and long waits for the tram (now
under renovation but still operational) combined with high prices at in-house restaurants are frustrating -- and make room service an attractive alternative (an order of quesadillalike chicken wraps and a fruit plate, each enough to serve two people, costs $46, tax and gratuity included). Room specials that include parking, discount vouchers, resort credits, golf, meals or spa services start at $289/night; most are good through Dec. 20. No resort fee. Self-parking is $9; valet is $17. Settled on the fringes of the historic Anaehoomalu Fish Ponds and Beach, the 15-acre Mar r io tt W aiko lo a Re s o r t & S pa (808-886-6789; marriott.com) rests on one of the island's most idyllic bays, known for outstanding snorkeling. Now the hotel itself (still under wraps when I was there in January) should be more equal to its setting when it emerges from a comprehensive renovation of its 555 rooms and lobby. An infinity pool is part of the improvements, as is a Mandara Spa. Room specials that include fifth-night free and daily breakfast start at $425 and are good through Dec. 22. Parking is included in the additional $15 resort fee. K AU P U LEH U Between Waikoloa Resort and Kailua-Kona, very near the airport, a massive construction project is under way. Behind the construction clutter is K o na Village Re s o r t (800-367-5290; konavillage.com), a collection of 125 luxuriously appointed thatched-roof bungalows, built in the style of various Polynesian islands. They're anything but huts. These 82 get-away-from-it-all acres include a fitness and spa center, fish ponds and a small beach. Activities include petroglyph walks and watching manta rays swim by night. One-room bungalows start at $625, a price that includes three meals a day, nonmotorized water sports and special events such as the Friday night luau; 2007 rates are good through Dec. 20. Resort fees and parking also are included. People who like to mix mainland hobbies with tropical ones will find a rock-climbing wall and a private snorkeling lagoon at Fo ur S e as o ns Re s o r t H ualalai at Historic Kaupulehu (888-340-5662; fourseasons.com). The hotel and its 600 acres are otherwise geared to relaxation. On its narrow beach of peach-colored sand, even the sea turtles come ashore to rest. Paying guests may best achieve the same thing beside the classical pool or the naturalistic lagoon, drink in hand. One thing about the lagoon: It's formed from and surrounded by black lava that amplifies the sun's energy; the only refuge is under the shaded chaise longues. Room specials that include a full-size rental car and valet parking start at $726 and are good through Dec. 18. No resort fee. Self-parking is free; valet is $12. K EAU H OU Past Kailua-Kona, well south of the town's cluttered bay front, are the resorts of Keauhou Bay. This area is quiet, populated mostly by condos and golf greens. The gift shops and restaurants of Keauhou Shopping Center are a bit of an uphill hike -- a short one from the Outrigger, a long one from the
Sheraton. The name of Outr igge r K e auho u Be ach Re s o r t (800-OUTRIGGER; outrigger.com) is a bit misleading; it's not on a beach, at least not a sandy beach of the sort that most vacationers expect. Kahaluu Bay Beach Park -- good for snorkeling but still not a real beach -- is next door. However, the hotel's western elevation juts out over the water, so anyone finding themselves in the first-floor bar or the guest rooms above it would be in a good position to supervise the surf breaking over the reef. These 13 acres encompass tide pools, ancient Hawaiian ruins and a replica of the cottage where King David (the Merrie Monarch) Kalakaua once vacationed. There's also a spa. The hotel's 309 rooms are pleasantly above average but not luxurious; it makes this list because of its setting and grounds. Room specials start with a fourth-night-free deal from $169 that's good through Dec. 21. No resort fee. Parking is $5. S he r ato n K e auho u Bay Re s o r t & S pa, (808-930-4900; sheratonkeauhou.com) follows the black lava flow on which it rests with its own flowing architecture in contrasting white. Its 22 acres encompass a manta ray program, pools with a water slide and a waterfall, and cliff walks that come as near to the pounding surf as safety permits. The air here smells sweetly of passion fruit and plumeria, and the real treat of its 521 renovated and oversize rooms are the balconies: spacious, and furnished with bar-height table and chairs. Anyone wishing to dine on property after 11 p.m., though, had better bring their own provisions. By that hour, the hotel's restaurants and room service have closed, so has the local pizza delivery, and all that's left is the pop from the vending machines. Room specials start at a best-available online rate of $179, good through Dec. 31. No resort fee. Self-parking is $5; valet is $10. K AILU A-K ONA Stroll, shop or eat your way through Kailua-Kona, but have a care where you spend the night. The waterfront Ro yal K o na Re s o r t (800-222-5642; hawaiianhotelsandresorts.com) has remained open during ongoing renovation. If you get one of the north-facing refurbished rooms like I did, Alii Tower room No. 614, you'll have a fill-it-yourself mini-fridge and a balcony that overlooks town, the entire bay, breaking waves and any cruise ships that might be in port. I stayed two nights at $194/night (all prices include tax and -- for hotels -- parking) and enjoyed the Old Hawaii feel of the place, although I thought it was overpriced. Royal Kona Resort guests who don't get an updated room may not find their stay so pleasant. Either way, don't eat at the in-house Don the Beachcomber restaurant (repulsive breakfast, $16.62) and maybe everything will be OK. At the other end of town, the younger-but-aging-badly K ing K am e ham e ha's K o na Be ach H o te l, at the far end of Kailua Bay, smelled of mildew the moment I entered the lobby, an odor that dogged me to West Tower room No. 566. I paid $143.07 for a view of the town and part of the bay; no extra charge for the fill-it-yourself mini-fridge whose condensation had been dripping who-knows-how-long into the
carpet. To err on the side of caution I avoided the in-house restaurants, used the in-room safe even as I slept, covered the pillow with a towel, slept in my clothes and checked out as soon as possible. I wish I'd had a chance to spend a night at the modest K o na Is lande r Inn & H o te l (800-244-4752; konaislanderinnhotel.com), across Alii Drive from the waterfront and right in the center of Kailua shopping and bar hopping. Not only was I unable to get a reservation before I left, but the place was so busy after I arrived that I couldn't even take a peek at the rooms. As fate would decree, some Californians I ran into -- actually I backed into their rental car in the parking lot of the Painted Church -- said they were staying at this place and found their room to be clean and comfortable, and quiet once the revelers next door checked out. At the very least the Kona Islander Inn's lobby is tidy and its small pool and garden seem well-tended. Rates run $100. Its exterior has a good paint job, sports gingerbread balcony railings, and the roof looks relatively new, which is worlds more than I can say for the nearby U ncle Billy's K o na Bay H o te l, where the outside looks so crumbling and moldy that I sped up to get away from it. However, I would be willing to take a chance on the K o na S e as ide H o te l (800-560-5558; konaseasidehotel.com). I spent a couple of nights at its sister property in Hilo (the Hilo Seaside Hotel, which I'll detail later), and found it simple but clean. Standard rooms start at $104. AW AY FROM TH E COAS T A nostalgic favorite is up at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In recent years, several inns and B&Bs have opened a few miles away in the village of Volcano, but there is only one hotel that sits on the very rim of the caldera: Vo lcano H o us e (808-967-7321; volcanohousehotel.com). It has the curb appeal of a vintage roadside lodge in the mountains, and a grandmotherly charm right down to the rocking chair in Crater View room No. 26. I paid $223 for the chance to sleep like a kitten a dozen strides from the precipice. Because of the 4,000-foot elevation, I kept the room's electric space heater running all night to fend off the chill. Even in its current incarnation -- there have been several predecessors -- Volcano House feels historic. Mark Twain marveled at an earlier version: "The surprise of finding a good hotel at such as outlandish spot startled me considerably more than the volcano did." Meals here are unusual, too. Buffet breakfasts ($12) or full dinners ($40 for moonfish and sides, dessert and coffee) proceed with picture-window views of Kilauea Crater from the Ka Ohelo Dining Room. In Capt. Cook, everyone recommends the Manago H o te l (808-323-2642; managohotel.com), which of course is the reason it was booked solid when I dropped by. Double rooms with private bath start at $62. For about $20 more you can reserve the Japanese Room, set with traditional Japanese bedding-on-thefloor.
In the cowboy town of Waimea, which also goes by the name of Kamuela, there are a couple of momand-pop hotels. This is Parker Ranch country, where the topography has more in common with Montana than with Waikiki. I didn't have a chance to personally inspect either hotel here; one was booked solid and the other's parking lot was inaccessible because of construction. But for what it's worth: The K am ue la Inn (800-555-8968; hawaii-bnb.com/kamuela.html) is a motel that bills itself as a B&B; rates start at $66 for a standard room with no air conditioning -- though that may not be necessary because of the town's higher elevation. I'd have a hard time giving W aim e a Co untr y Lo dge a chance; its affiliate in Hilo smelled too much of mildew for my taste. H ILO When I win the Lotto, one of the things I dream of doing is buying up the hotels of Banyan Drive: the Hilo Hawaiian, Hilo Bay Hotel and Naniloa Volcanoes Resort. I'll either bulldoze them and start from scratch or put them through the sort of gut/detox/rehab that is bringing post-Katrina New Orleans up to standard. No, these places haven't been submerged recently, just allowed to molder for years on end. Room H-320 in the H ilo H aw aiian, at $106, smelled only slightly less of mildew than the hallway outside my door. But that was much to be preferred over the wet-dog odor of the room I was shown at Nanilo a Vo lcano e s Re s o r t hotel next door. Asking price: $179 for the night, walk-up rate. I walked, and passed up the overgrown H ilo Bay H o te l on my way. There is a better choice on this end of town: the unassuming H ilo S e as ide H o te l (800-560-5557; sand-seaside.com/Hilo_Seaside.aspx?HotelID=2). I spent two nights in room No. 256, a partial ocean view whose balcony overlooked a koi pond, for $91. Nothing fancy, and I'm still trying to forget the glimpse I got of the backside of the complex. But the sheets were clean, the TV worked, I felt secure enough to sleep with the windows open, and its adjacent restaurant, the Coconut Grill, served a perfectly decent Belgian waffle with coffee ($6.50). I'd stay there again for the price and for the koi pond. Or I'd check in again at the D o lphin Bay H o te l (877-935-1466; dolphinbayhotel.com), located in a residential neighborhood within walking distance of downtown. I was able to score only one night at this oft-recommended spot, which looks like it was an apartment building in a former life. And, in fact, Superior Studio No. 3, for which I paid $110, turned out to be a spacious room with galley-style kitchen. Coffee and fruit in the breezeway gave a "welcome home" cachet to the place and made all the maneuvering in the tiny parking lot seem less irritating. One final budget choice is the H ilo Bay H o s te l (808-933-2771; hawaiihostel.net). It is located on the second floor of a vintage building in Hilo's historic downtown. Translation: creaky floors, thin walls and
ceiling fans instead of air conditioning. But private rooms with bath ($72) are clean and tidy and offer a bit of cheer in the Hawaiian-style quilts that cover the beds. TH E RENTAL ROU TE If you are going to rent a condo on the Big Island, more than likely it will be on the Kona or Kohala coasts. A condo stay is worth considering because you'll have a larger space, can save on meals by doing some of your own cooking and -- the best reason, I think -- can pretend for a few days you actually live there. You can up the ante by renting an entire house. Keep in mind that each house or condo unit will be privately owned, and individually furnished and decorated. So be sure to ask about the smoking policy; linens and maid service; size and number of beds; the presence or absence of TVs, VCRs, phones, ceiling fans, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, ovens, toasters, blenders and washer/dryers; beach accessories like snorkel gear, boogie boards and inflatable rafts; outdoor grills; nearest swimming pool; and whether guests have golf or tennis privileges. And, a cultural note: When Hawaiians enter a home, they leave their shoes at the door. You should, too. A dir e cto r y o f r e ntal age ncie s can be found through the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (800-464-2924; gohawaii.com). Copyright © 2016, Los Angeles Times
This article is related to: Rentals, Rooms and Sublets, Hotels and Accommodations, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Sports, Personal Service, Lifestyle and Leisure
REAL ESTATE
New York's Plaza Hotel Up for Sale in Foreclosure Auction Hui-Yong Yu
March 16, 2016 — 5:41 PM EDT Updated on March 16, 2016 — 8:49 PM EDT
Billionaire Reuben brothers said to foreclose on mortgage Plaza's main owner, India's Roy, has been jailed since 2014 New York’s Plaza Hotel is poised to go on the auction block next month, potentially ending two years of uncertainty over ownership of the storied property off Central Park. Billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben hold the mortgage on the five-star hotel and have scheduled a foreclosure auction for April 26, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be named because the sale hasn’t been made public yet. The Reubens bought the loan from Bank of China Ltd. after a default by the property’s current majority owner, Sahara India Pariwar, last year. Sahara is controlled by Subrata Roy, who was imprisoned in India in early 2014 for defrauding investors.
The Plaza Hotel Photographer: Jonathan Fickies/Bloomberg
The chateau-like Plaza, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, has changed ownership many times over its 109-year history. Presidential candidate Donald Trump bought the Plaza in 1988 and married his second wife, Marla Maples, there. Trump sold it to a group including Prince Alwaleed bin-Talal of Saudi Arabia, who then sold it to Israel’s Elad Group, which converted some of the hotel rooms to condominiums. Bin-Talal retains a minority stake in the Plaza, as does an entity tied to hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal. For sale are the Plaza’s hotel rooms, its restaurants and retail space, according to the person with knowledge of the matter. It’s being sold in a package with the Dream Downtown hotel, a trendy property in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood that is located one block from the elevated High Line park, the person said.
Loan Collateral The two hotels serve as collateral for the Bank of China loan and are cross-collateralized with the Grosvenor House hotel in London. The Dream hotel is owned by Sahara’s Roy and Chatwal. The combined mortgages for the New York properties total about $500 million, the person with knowledge of the matter said. Alexander Bushaev, a spokesman for the Reuben Brothers, declined to comment on the foreclosure auction. Calls and emails to representatives of Roy and Alwaleed sent after regular business hours in India and Saudi Arabia weren’t immediately returned. The sale of the Plaza -- the site of the 1985 signing of the historic Plaza Accord to devalue the U.S. dollar -comes at a time of strong investor interest in trophy real estate. China’s Anbang Insurance Group Co. last year paid $1.95 billion for Manhattan’s landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel, and this month agreed to buy Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc., an owner of luxury properties, for about $6.5 billion, according to people with knowledge of the matter. It also has made a surprise $12.9 billion bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal.
Read this next Manhattan Luxury Rents Slide as Condo Buyers Seek Tenants
(/)
(https://www.facebook.com/FoodNetwork) (https://twitter.com/foodnetwork) (http://www.pinterest.com/foodnetwork/) Blog (http://blog.foodnetwork.com)
Magazine
(/magazine.html)
Sweeps (http://www.foodnetwork.com/features/articles/sweepstakes-and-contests.html?ic1=utilitynav)
Shop
(http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/?CCAID=FNPTONP
Search SHOWS (/SHOWS.HTML) CHEFS (/CHEFS.HTML) RECIPES (/RECIPES.HTML) Recipe Box RESTAURANTS (/RESTAURANTS.HTML) VIDEOS (/VIDEOS.HTML) Find Recipes, Videos & More
LOG IN
(/restaurants.html) Home (/) / Restaurants (/restaurants.html) / 10 Afternoon Tea Spots Across the Country
10 Afternoon Tea Spots Across the Country By Cameron Curtis
From tea and finger sandwiches served in the traditional English style to cakes and scones with a Mediterranean twist, here are some of ... More CATEGORY: Tea (/topics/tea.html) 2 of 12 ⬅ PREVIOUS NEXT ➡
THUMBNAILS
New York City: The Palm Court Feel like Eloise in The Palm Court at the legendary Plaza Hotel, where afternoon tea has been served for more than 100 years. Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian is the culinary director for this elegant meal that features custom tableware and Bernardaud china made exclusively for The Plaza. The spread includes lox and bagels with pickled cucumber, cream cheese and house-cured pickles, as well as deviled organic egg salad with dill pickle relish. One thing that has changed since tea service began? Vegan and gluten-free menus are now available for tea lovers with dietary restrictions. Photo by Daniel Krieger » More About: The Palm Court (http://www.fairmont.com/the-plaza-new-york/dining/the-palm-court/)
Advertisement Continue to Next Photo
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE (http://www.interesticle.com/fitness-and-health/eat-and-lose-weight-10foods-that-help-losing-weight?
SEARCH DEPARTURES
HOME
TRAVEL
FASHION
SHOPPING
ART & CULTURE
LIFESTYLE Newsletter
= Exclusive content for Platinum Card® and Centurion® members from American Express. ?
DISPATCH
Instagram Mobile Promotions
Log In
Home » Travel » Hotels » Amazing hotel penthouses Like Be the first of your friends to like this.
Tweet
Submit
ADVERTISEMENT
March 02, 2016
Amazing Hotel Penthouses By Marnie Hanel, Nikkitha Bakshani
17 of 18 AUTOPLAY
Penthou se, The Fair m ont San Fr ancisco, San Fr ancisco The 89-year-old grand dame had a facelift in 2009 but retains its timeless splendor. In an architectural wonder that would be nearly unthinkable now, this penthouse valued at more than $20 million spans the entire length of the rather large building, offering panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline through its 6,000square-foot interior. Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John are among the guests who may have played the grand piano in the living room, while JFK or Marlene Dietrich may have browsed the penthouse’s signature two-story circular library, topped with a gold-leaf rendition of the night sky. There’s a secret passage hidden amid the bookshelves. $18,000 per night;
Courtesy of The Fairmont San Francisco
fairmont.com. —MH
NEXT SLIDE
SPONSORED CONTENT BY EMIRATES
The B est B r u nches in Du bai Delicious, decadent and luxuriously dramatic, brunch time in Dubai is all about extravagance.
5 Gro wn-Up Easter Egg Hunts
W o rth No ting: Fo ur Seaso ns R eso rt Co sta R ica at P apagayo
A Unique R o m an Stay: P iazzadiSpagna9
New in Co sta R ica: Hacienda AltaGracia
The unmistakable Audi Q5 Visit your local New England Audi dealers.
Find your Q5
NEWSLETTER
DESTINATIONS
Tweet
FOOD & DRINK
Lik e
ATTRACTIONS
SPORTS & LEISURE
FRANÇAIS
ADVERTISE
CONTESTS
CONTACT US
EVERYTHING ELSE
0
Five Canadian Golf Courses in the Mountains Take in a round of golf among these impressive peaks MARCH 30, 2016 - BY ANDREW PENNER
Book a flight Round trip
One way
From To Date to leave 1 adult 7+ guests?
Date to return 0 children 2‐11 years
Get flights
Greywolf Golf Course There’s something righteous about rareᴀ밄ed air, dramatic drops and panoramic, mountain-ᴀ밄lled vistas. For golfers seeking solace among the peaks, the options are many. From Alberta’s Rockies to Quebec’s Laurentians, the joy of blasting balls among the rising rocks never gets old. Golden Golf Club, Golden, B.C. Thanks to Golden’s location at the western edge of the Mountain Time Zone, twilight golf lingers long at this course. So wait until 4 p.m., pay your $35.70 (Monday to Thursday) and play the pristine fairways that roll along the Columbia River and the spirited waters of Holt Creek. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course, Jasper, Alta. With the classic routing relatively unchanged since Stanley Thompson laid it down in the 1920s, this course is relatively short by contemporary standards. In other words, it’s a doable test that even beginners can appreciate. Adorned with majestic mountain views, one-of-a-kind holes and a perfect ᴀ밄nish along the lake, Jasper hits all the right notes.
0 infants Under 2 years
WESTJET
Big Sky Golf Club, Pemberton, B.C. Big Sky is a lush, 18-hole oasis that sits gracefully in the shadows of Mount Currie. Just minutes from Whistler, it will exceed your expectations on every level. True, the three courses right in Whistler are excellent, but Big Sky— thanks to its conditioning and sublime setting—is exceptional. Greywolf Golf Course, Panorama Mountain Resort, B.C. “Exhilarating” is an apt way to describe a round of golf at Greywolf—the cliᴀ洅side greens, rolling fairways and elevated tees are legendary. “Exhilarating” is also appropriate when describing the mountain biking, whitewater rafting and hiking options in the surrounding Columbia Valley. Fairmont Tremblant, Tremblant, Que. Loving life in the Laurentians is easy to do—especially if you’re staying at the Fairmont Tremblant and playing golf at Le Diable and Le Geant, two of Quebec’s ᴀ밄nest courses. Featuring red-sand bunkers, beautifully carved mountainside holes and gorgeous fairways that dip and dive through the mixed Laurentian forest, Tremblant is truly a treat.
WestJet Magazine 7,473 likes
Like Page Be the first of your friends to like this
STAY CONNECTED
LATEST ARTICLES
LINKS
Sign up to get all the latest WestJet Magazine travel news
Four Ways to Explore Hispanic Culture in San
Book a Flight
Diego
Privacy Policy
©2008-2016 RedPoint Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.
Four Hiking Holidays How to Save on Sanibel Island Where to Watch Baseball in Toronto A Guide to Canadian Craft Distilleries
Advertise Write for Us WestJet Customer Service Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to RSS Feed
DESTINATIONS
Sign Up
Canada's 10 best ski destinations We asked readers and ski aficionados for their favourite ski destinations in Canada, and then we factored in some of our own preferred resorts. Whether it’s alpine, cross-country or heliskiing, there’s something for everyone at most ski resorts – even for children and non-skiers. By Doug O'Neill
2013-01-03 02:51:31
1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia: Together, the adjacent Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer more than 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers over 3,200 hectares of incredibly beautiful terrain. For the non-skier: dog-sledding, tube park, zip trek, snowcat tours, and visits to the trendy shops and eateries in Whistler Village. For the kids: in addition to ski lessons catering to all levels and ages, there are special kids and teen programs and the Whistler Kids Snow School. Plus, there’s also outdoor skating at Olympic Plaza and the thrilling Coca-ColaTube Park. For more information visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com. 2. Sun Peaks, near Kamloops, British Columbia: At 1,500 hectares, Sun Peaks is the second largest ski area in British Columbia and is the third-largest in the country. This destination is popular with families and seasoned skiers with its opportunities for alpine and Nordic skiing. For the non-skier: Sign up for a guided mountain tours of any of the 124 trails with a local Sun Guide or with Olympic ski champion Nancy Greene. Other options for non-skiers include snowboarding, snowmobiling, tubing and snowshoeing. For the kids: skating, dog-sledding, aqua centre programs, ski lessons and time on the special bungee trampoline. Teens enjoy the Mascon Hangout at Sun Peaks Sports Centre where they can entertain themselves with Xbox, Wii and movies. For more information visit www.sunpeaksresort.com. 3. Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta: Skiers have long been coming to this region in the heart of the Rockies where the skiing is offered in three main resorts: Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort. Banff National Parks is a UNESCO World Heritage site popular with tourist year-round, though in winter it becomes a 6,641-square kilometre playground. (Lake Louise alone offers 139 runs.) For the non-skier: winter trekking, dog-sledding and tubing top the list. Lake Louise in winter morphs into a 2.5 km-long skating rink. Plus, there are plenty of culinary and spa opportunities in and around Banff. Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a popular way to warm up on a winter’s day. For the kids: almost all area lodges have kid-friendly programs and activities, including snowshoe tours, tobogganing, bonfires, winter hiking and trivia nights. For more information visit www.banfflakelouise.com. 4. Mount Tremblant, Tremblant, Quebec: This busy ski destination is nestled in the Laurentian Mountains about 130 kms from Montreal. Most of the skiing revolves around the well-appointed Mount Tremblant Ski Resort. For the non-skier: non-ski options include tours of nearby Quebecois villages, tubing, dogsledding, spa treatments, Scandinavian baths and snowboarding. For the kids: younger children (ages 1 to 6) enjoy the special programs at the Kidz Club, located in the Sommet des Neiges Hotel in the pedestrian village. For more information visit www.tremblant.ca. 5. Le Massif, Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec: Le Massif in Charlevoix is the highest point east of the Canadian Rockies. Picture a 770metre vertical drop. There are 40-plus runs, the longest of which is about 5 km long. The best way to get there is a leisurely onehour train ride from Quebec City, during which passengers can enjoy incredible views of the St. Lawrence River. In addition to alpine, there-'s cross-country, snowboarding, ice-climbing and lots more. For the non-skier: You must try rodelling, which is a form of sledding, on the specially designed 7.5 km trail on Mont à Liguori. There are also gourmet tours of the Charlevoix area, plus excursions to the art scene in Baie-Saint-Paul. The culinary delights at La Ferme are without equal in the region. For the kids: The Youth Program offers a beginner package that includes a ski lesson, day lift ticket and equipment rental for the entire day. For more information visit www.lemassif.com.
Markets Overview
World Markets
Market News
McClatchy-Tribune 03/02/2016 9:12 PM ET
text size: T | T
What happened to this top hotel's ranking? [The San Diego UnionTribune] March 02--Just two San Diego County hotels this year -- the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort -- have made it onto the Forbes Travel Guide's prestigious list of five-star lodging properties, scattered throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Noticeably absent from the annual ranking is the Grand Del Mar, which was sold last year and is now being operated by the Fairmont hotel chain. However, the hotel's well regarded fine dining venue, Addison, and its spa did receive five-star designations in the separate restaurant and spa categories. Addison is one of just 56 top-rated restaurant winners, and the spa remains among an elite group of 47. No other San Diego County restaurant or spa received five stars. For several years in a row, the Grand Del Mar, a luxury 400-acre resort located in Carmel Valley, has received a Forbes five-star designation. As is customary with the Forbes rating system, a hotel temporarily loses its rating when it undergoes a change in its branding or management and it is then re-inspected for a possible new rating. In the case of the Grand Del Mar, Forbes did re-inspect the property last year following the change in ownership, but the Travel Guide is now classifying the hotel only as "soon-to-be-rated," meaning that the rating process remains incomplete, said Amanda Frasier, senior vice president of ratings for Forbes Travel Guide. Frasier pointed out that Forbes has what she called a global partnership program, of which the Grand Del Mar is a member. It is operated independently of the ratings program, but one of the benefits for partners that previously have not received a star ranking is the ability to review their inspection reports. At that time, they have the option of not making their rating public. Fraiser would not confirm whether that was in fact what happened with the Grand Del Mar for this year's release of rated properties. The next rating announcement will not be made until January of next year, she added. Grand Del Mar general manager Christof Luedi was unavailable for comment on Wednesday, but hotel spokeswoman Claire Kunzman said, "We look forward to the resort being rated later this year."
This year marks the second time the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad received a five-diamond award, and the Rancho Valencia resort in Rancho Santa Fe has received the ranking three years in a row. They were among 17 five-star properties in California. Forbes Travel Guide works with a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties using as many as 800 defined standards for determining ratings. It describes five-star resorts as "outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities." Typically, inspectors stay two nights at each hotel as part of the ratings process. San Diego County properties receiving four-star Forbes ratings were the Lodge at Torrey Pines and the US Grant. Four-star restaurants are A.R. Valentien at the Lodge and Veladora at Rancho Valencia. The spas at those two hotels also earned four stars, as did Park Hyatt's spa. lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg
Acquire Media
Additional content provided by Acquire Media
Luxury Daily Home >> In-store, Industry sectors, News, Travel and hospitality >> Article: Four Seasons Maui improves on selfies with photo ambassador Receive the latest ar ticles for free. Click here to get the Luxur y Daily newsletter s.
Four Seasons Maui improves on selfies with photo ambassador By Staff reports March 4, 2016
Four Seasons Resort Maui Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, HI, is elevating guests’ vacation pictures with the addition of its first official photo ambassador. Self-taught photographer Scott Miles will be on-hand to capture guests using their own cameras, taking shots requested and also guiding them to ideal locations to shoot key moments, such as the Hawaiian sunset. Travelers typically take matters into their own hands for vacation photography, but group shots can be difficult to frame, making this complimentary amenity at the property a practical and likely appreciated service. Preser ving memor ies Mr. Miles, known as “Smiles” throughout the hotel, started at Four Seasons as a security guard. As he was on duty, he noticed that guests were gathering for group shots at key moments, including the sunrise and sunset. Mr. Miles would help get everyone in the picture and offer to take these photos for the guests. Now, based on overwhelming appreciation from guests, Four Seasons has named Mr. Miles its official photo ambassador, offering his photo-taking service by request.
Four Seasons Maui After he takes a few photos, Mr. Miles will wait to make sure the group got the shot they wanted. Adding to the experience, the employee has an outgoing and friendly personality, making him willing to share the best backdrops with guests. In an effort to safeguard guests’ memories, other hotel chains have created services that eliminate the need for selfies. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is partnering with Flytographer to take a burden off the hands of travelers. Guests at 35 of the brand’s hotels can how hire professional photographers to take their pictures for everything from planned birthdays to surprise proposals, as well as more standard tourism fare. With vacation photography taking off with the rise of the selfie and social platforms like Instagram, Fairmont’s initiative shows that the brand remains committed to providing great service for consumers (see story).
Like this article? Sign up for a free subscription to Luxury Daily's must-read newsletters. Click here!
« Previous article Next article »
Order Commande: 162119
The Globe and Mail (Toronto, ON) Date: 03.03.2016
Page: B05
Circulation: 132051 1 / 2
Page(s): ECONOMY
Banff helping to offset Alberta s slump Sliding loonie is one factor in tourism spike taking place in the oil driven province JEREMY VAN LOON
Onwestern Albertaedge s mountainous champagne powder hot springs and ever green forests are helping the Ca nadian province cushion the pain of an oil induced recession
careful to develop at a slower pace Established in 1885 the park is home to about 80 grizzly bears elk and alpine wildflow ers
It has been slowly introducing new adventures for tourists At
tendance is expected to rise 7 4 per cent to 3 86 million visitors for record attendance this year in the year ending March 31 as Canada s oldest park adds 2016 after a 10 per cent rise in new attractions such as heated the previous year according to ski chairlifts and ladders to help Parks Canada projections That s climbers scale the peaks Nearby the most since at least 2000 the storybook castle that s home when the federal agency to the Banff Springs Hotel is changed the way it counted visi tors packed with tourists from around the world It s a rare Alberta s provincial govern source of positive news in a Ca ment is looking to tourism to nadian province whose economy help offset a devastating oil and is forecast to shrink for a second gas slump aiming to boost reve year in 2016 nue from visitors to the province The mountain parks are by by about 25 per cent to more far the busiest parks with Banff than io billion by 2020 Tou by far having the most signifi rism accounts for about 4 3 per cant tourist use Daniel Watson cent of the provincial economy chief executive officer of Parks with much of the activity hap Canada the federal agency that pening in Banff oversees the world s largest park Alberta s tourism marketing system said by phone from agency is looking to the United Ottawa Canada has truly some States Quebec and China to of the most remarkable places bring more non Albertan tour on the planet ists to the province said Royce With Alberta s oil driven econ Chwin chief executive officer of omy suffering from thousands of Travel Alberta The recession is job losses billions of dollars of certainly a risk but it depends foregone investment and little on how long it lasts he said prospect of a return to the boom The recently installed via ferra days of the past decade a 17 ta a system of ladders on cliffs per cent slide in the Canadian on Mt Norquay allows the ski dollar over the past two years is hill to bring in summer guests in stoking tourism and the long addition to winter skiers who standing debate over develop benefit from the region s light ment versus conservation in powdery snow because of the Banff a UNESCO World Heritage cold dry climate Site It was amazing said Michael Unlike Alberta s main oil White a 52 year old tech worker industry which accounts for a from nearby Calgary whose trav quarter of the provincial econo elling bug has taken him to my and has attracted more than national parks in Asia and Afri Banff National Park is on track
ioo billion in investment over
the past decade Banff has been
ca He tried the via ferrata short
ly after it opened in 2014
Now I
and global businesses are taking notice
take all my friends who come to visit
Brewster Inc a tourist com
pany started by two brothers in 1892 to guide visitors through the mountains and now owned
by Phoenix based Viad Corp opened the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park in 2014 The glass deck stretches over a 280 metre cliff 918 foot and gives views of the Rocky Mountains About 288 kilometres from
Banff it s become another hit among tourists Brewster which has had high single digit annual growth in visitors since 2009 aims to in crease repeat visits by constantly updating the interpretive experi ence similar to museums while
the increasing number of visitors to the park New construction such as the via ferrata and the
Skywalk has prompted oppos ition from environmentalists
arguing for the protection of grizzly bears Greater reliance on tourism in
Alberta means the government has to promote other parts of the province to ensure Banff s environment doesn t become
compromised said Peter Poole a conservationist who has worked
with indigenous groups to pro tect land and runs Arctos
Bird
a Banff based project manage ment firm A core element has to be con
servation
he said in an inter
view in the town
If we are
maintaining the same develop ment footprint David McKenna who heads the travel company said by phone Visitors can come back every three to five years and find something new to re engage them in the area he
selling visitors a false hope and they come to the park and it s all being turned upside down from development pressures the visitors are going to leave dis mayed and won t come back In addition the town of Banff said has been plagued by a shortage Global businesses are taking of housing as growth comes up notice Accor SA the French against limits imposed by Parks Canada which sets the rules for hotel operator agreed to take over the brand and management growth in national parks That s of the Banff Springs Hotel one been partially alleviated by the of Canada s oldest and architec release of lands by the park for turally most beautiful resorts new housing Ms Sorensen said last year Visits to the hotel have For now business is booming remained steady and the hotel is And unlike the oil and gas gearing up for the busy summer industry which is struggling in season said Angela Moore a foreign markets because of a spokeswoman lack of pipelines or liquefied Future expansion of tourism in natural gas facilities Banff is al Banff will be based on the cre ready winning Asian and Euro ativity of the providers said pean customers Karen Sorensen mayor of the town of Banff 10 minutes down Bloomberg News the hill from Mt Norquay s via ferrata
A shift in tourism is
that you don t just come here for sight seeing you come here for sight doing Not everyone is happy with
© UNLICENSED REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED / REPRODUCTION INTERDITE SANS PERMIS ©
BALAJ
8174
RefNo: bc7383
Jump to main navigationJump to main content News Search News Enter a term, stock symbol or company name Search by eluta.ca Search Jobs at eluta.ca Jobs Enter job
Enter location
Login Register Select City Calgary Halifax Montreal Toronto Vancouver More Cities Subscribe Help AdChoices Home News Opinion Business Investing Sports Life Arts Tech Drive Real Estate National Politics British Columbia Alberta Toronto World Video Try Globe Unlimited - 1 month for just 99¢ And get unlimited access on all your devices
Search
See my options! Home» News» Alberta
The fireside lounge at The Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff, Alta. CHRIS BOLIN/FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Diamond dining in the mountain rough Though dining can sometimes be bleak in the tourist town, some mouthwatering options reward those who look, writes Dan Clapso n DAN CLAPSON Special to The Globe and Mail (includes correction) Last updated: Monday, Mar. 14, 2016 2:58PM EDT
0 Comments
183 Shares
eneath the snowy peaks and the crisp air of the Rocky Mountains, Banff’s dining scene can be a
B
little bleak. Like too many ski resort towns, the community is dotted by chain eateries and casual watering holes, catering mostly to family-friendly dining.
But with a little exploration, there are plenty of diamonds in the mountain rough Take, for example, Three Ravens. Perched on the third level of the Banff Centre, Three Ravens works its magic with contemporary flavours and local ingredients in dishes such as elk tartare with smoked mascarpone cheese and puffed rice – in a dining room with a jawdropping background. Then there’s Eden, located inside the Rimrock Resort Hotel, one of the country’s only five diamond-rated restaurants – a Canadian restaurant rating system similar to Michelin stars, but on a much smaller scale – where the whimsical tasting menu by chef Abraham Mannakuzhil produces plates that are powdered, dotted and tweezed to look like little pieces of art. Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts has properties peppered across Alberta that all emulate a cozy cabin feel, with big fireplaces filled with piles of wood aflame and crackling, and taxidermy quietly gazing from above. Among those is Buffalo Mountain Lodge, where there’s not only attention to detail with a true mountain lodge experience, but with its menu as well. Elk shank served osso buco-style or seared caribou with goat cheese potato gratin are just as rich and comforting as the snowy surroundings.
The Buffalo Duo featuring grilled striploin, braised short rib, celery root and mushroom hash, rosehip game glazet is featured at the Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff. CHRIS BOLIN/FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Buffalo Mountain Lodge’s executive chef, Kelly Strutt, says he’s able to get high-quality ingredients, despite the remoteness that comes from working in the mountains. The result, he says, is a menu that includes local animals such as bison and elk, as well as berries and grains from the Prairies. “We are really fortunate that we have reliable suppliers coming out of Calgary, including smaller growers and organic suppliers,” Mr. Strutt says. “On the odd occasion, when weather is inclement and transportation is limited due to the snow, we are able to adjust our dishes to use the ingredients we have in-house for that short period of time.”
Apple almond streusel with roasted apple, blueberry compote, maple gelato, pistachio brittleat is offered at the Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. CHRIS BOLIN/FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Chef jW Foster of Fairmont Banff Springs, who has given a complete facelift to the hotel’s take on cuisine over the past couple of years, bucked the stale-dated hotel dining experience and is offering up multiple chef-driven concepts on the property.
“The wildlife of this amazing national park have inspired our menus to include game meats like venison, bison, elk, wild boar and rainbow trout,” Mr. Foster explains. “All of these ingredients are able to connect our guests to the destination in a passionate and inspiring way.”
The he feature menu at the Grapes Wine Bar in the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. CHRIS BOLIN/FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Of any landmark in the Banff area, this epic castle boasts the most square footage by a landslide. Up winding staircases and down corridors, you’ll find Mr. Foster’s re-envisioned concepts, which include 1888 Chop House, a homage to the hotel’s year of construction, as well as Grapes, a wine and charcuterie bar that is putting out what is arguably the best charcuterie board in the entire province. “I met so many passionate producers in Alberta [when I first arrived here], as well as staff with a natural passion to cure and preserve a range of items that just fit together seamlessly,” Mr. Foster says. “Grapes wine bar has created a unique dining experience for people. It’s one where they can sit, eat and have a face-to-face conversation with the chef who’s made these items from scratch, while he prepares it for them. It is a great learning experience and it connects the diner to the food they are enjoying.”
The charcuterie board at Grapes Wine Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. CHRIS BOLIN/FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL
In a small stone-walled room, you’ll find 20 or so seats in the wine bar, but, as Mr. Foster mentions, the best ones are front and centre with Grapes chef Tyler Thompson. Watch while he prepares boards of cured meats such as coppa or double-smoke spec sliced paper thin and stacked gently beside chunks of pungent Canadian blue cheeses, smears of house-made chutneys, and mustards and scatterings of candied nuts for a little texture. Sharing one of these boards over a glass of wine with friends is well worth the drive to Banff alone. Being situated in the middle of the mountains, food transportation isn’t the easiest, especially in the winter – and lands for growing in the warmer months are, well, rocky at best. Still, you’ve got to make the best of it. “Honestly, the only item we can’t really get up here easily is seafood. However, we do use Alberta rainbow trout,” Mr. Foster says. “Being here in this beautiful landscape, we often find that our diners are much more intrigued to try something truly local.” Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the chef of Eden, which is located Rimrock Resort Hotel, as David Hassell. In fact, Eden’s chef is Abraham Mannakuzhil.
Life & Style / Travel
Family travel five: 5 locations to spring to for a family vacation
5 locations to spring to for a family vacation (Soul / PR NEWSWIRE)
By L yn n O'Ro urk e H ayes The Dallas Morning News MARCH 14, 2016, 2:05 PM
S
pring is upon us, and it's time to move forward with family-travel planning. Here are five ideas to consider:
1 Del Mar, Calif. Immerse your family in Old World, Mediterranean-inspired luxury when you check into the familyfriendly, 249-room Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Lounge beside one of four heated pools, check out the equestrian center, sign up for a guided hike into the adjacent canyon preserve, or consider a motherdaughter spa treatment. Get in the swing of things on the Tom Fazio-designed golf course or pile into the free shuttle for a day at the beach. For an extraordinary dining experience, indulge in an adults-only evening at Chef William
Bradley's Addison, Southern California's only five-star, five-diamond restaurant. Contact: fairmont.com/san-diego; addisondelmar.com. 2 Get My Boat These days, the sharing economy is about more than transportation and sleep spots. Now you and your family can float, paddle, sail or ride personal water craft in more than 154 countries for as little as a few hours without investing in your own boat or committing to a weeklong charter. And you can arrange it from your smartphone. Water craft owners list their boats, you peruse the options and then set sail in the Caribbean, power-boat around Miami or sleep aboard a floating B&B in Bali. Choose from options that include a guide or captain, or hone your skills in waters around the world. Contact: getmyboat.com. 3 South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, Fla. Is someone in your clan a seashell lover? If so, you'll want to take advantage of a beach walk with the resort's designated shelling concierge in this famed southwest Florida beach community. Later, opt for kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, family birding tours, or scout out the Points of Discovery within the on-site wildlife preserve. Play beachfront golf, enjoy a spa treatment or simply relax within the 330-acre beach resort. Kids can learn about marine conservation, snorkel in sea grass and discover where manatees live. Ask about the fifth-night-free promotion, which is available now through the end of May. Contact: southseas.com. 4 Hollywood, Calif. Harry Potter fans from around the globe are expected to flock to Universal Studios in Hollywood with the April 7 opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Inspired by J.K. Rowling's groundbreaking tales, the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, will entertain in detailed, hyperrealistic 3D-HD with Hogwarts Castle as the focal point. While in town, consider a Warner Bros. Studio tour for a behind-the-curtain look at how Hollywood creates magic. Travel through back lots and onto soundstages, and visit the Archive, where costumes, props and even Batmobiles are part of the memorabilia. Don't miss Stage 48: Script to Screen, a new interactive soundstage where you can learn about the production process of a film or TV show, and visit
the set of "Friends." Contact: discoverlosangeles.com. 5 Greenville, S.C. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this South Carolina city has more than just Southern charm to entice families. Craft your crew's itinerary from award-winning urban bike trails, an 80,000-square-foot Children's Museum, water parks, hiking trails, baseball-theme museums and sporting activities, programs at the Roper Mountain Science Center and free trolley rides. You'll want to create your own scavenger hunt and search for the nine bronze mice statues hidden along Main Street, an installation inspired by the book "Mice on Main." Contact: visitgreenvillesc.com.
(Lynn O'Rourke Hayes is the editor of FamilyTravel.com. Email her at lohayes@FamilyTravel.com.)
(c)2016 The Dallas Morning News Visit The Dallas Morning News at www.miamiherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Copyright © 2016, Chicago Tribune
This article is related to: Warner Bros.
(http://adserver.adtechus.com/?adlink/5115/2686971/0/864/AdId=6330250;BnId=5;itime=578773258;key=key1%2Bkey2%2Bkey3%2Bkey4;)
(http://adserver.adtechus.com/?adlink/5115/3637803/0/0/AdId=-3;BnId=0;itime=578773491;key=key1%2Bkey2%2Bkey3%2Bkey4;)
The Perks of Being an Agent
(http://www.recommend.com/destinations/europe/the-perks-of-being-an-agent/) written by Web Reporter (http://www.recommend.com/author/webreporter/) | Posted on March 1st, 2016 Read:
NOW
L AT ER
P R IN T
E M A IL
Journese, a member of Pleasant Holidays’ portfolio of luxury brands, has launched its Exclusive Perks campaign offering agents the opportunity to extend their clients a range of value-added amenities, from resort credits and complimentary nights to spa treatments and complimentary cabana use at select premier resorts. The new campaign, available on new bookings made by April 30, 2016 for travel through April 30, 2017, features exclusive added values such as a complimentary Thames dinner cruise for two at ME London in England; a $300 spa credit, complimentary bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a Bourma waterfall excursion at the Qamea Resort & Spa in Fiji; and a $300 resort credit for use toward dining, spa and golf at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica (http://www.recommend.com/destinations/latin-america/costa-rica/) at Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste. Additional perks include a 20 percent savings and a spa day pass; complimentary cabana use for two days; and a guaranteed room upgrade at the time of booking plus a 50-minute complimentary massage per guest at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California, the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui in Hawaii and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana in Mexico (http://www.recommend.com/destinations/mexico/mexico2/) , respectively. For more information, call (800) 442-9244 or visit journese.com (http://journese.com/) . Additionally, Pleasant Holidays has added a new tier, the Premier Tier level, to its Travel Reward Incentive Program (TRIP) available on Pleasant Holidays and Journese bookings. Agents automatically earn TRIP points on every Pleasant Holidays and Journese booking, including cruise, group and FIT bookings, and can redeem the points they earn for personal travel. Beginning with their first booking, agents earn one point for every $10 in commissionable sales. Agents at the standard TRIP level, can redeem their points for personal travel once they have earned 2,500 points, while Premier Tier agents—an automatic upgrade once an agent earns 25,000 or more points—have the ability to redeem points at any value with no minimum required. Premier Tier agents are also able to use points for air-only bookings, apply points toward FAM trips, and convert their TRIP points to enhance their client’s booking with upgrades for hotel accommodations and land transportation. Bookings made with both brands accrue into one TRIP account. TRIP points do not apply to bookings for Air by Pleasant or Pleasant Activities brands. For more information, call (800) 448-3333 or visit p (https://www.pleasantholidays.com/Travel-Agent-Sign-In?option=0) leasantagent.com (https://www.pleasantholidays.com/Travel-Agent-Sign-In?option=0) .
Tell us what you think. 0 Comments
Add a comment...
Facebook Comments Plugin
Sort by Oldest
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/travel/tripideas/the-18-most-beautiful-places-in-canada/ssBBqh5b2#image=11
Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:24am EDT - Canadian Markets open in 6 mins Up To 70% OFF Everything Home
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations By The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – Wed, 16 Mar, 2016 11:53 PM EDT
By The Canadian Press CALGARY - National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1 per cent rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn. “Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year. (CTV Calgary)
Login/Register Videos
Beyond the Beach: Action & Adventure in the Caribbean Explore the bounty of the Caribbean on 寡鰓ve islands that offer heart-pumping action and activities in addition to beautiful beaches. By: Jill Fergus
A knockout beach is certainly at the top of the list for couples honeymooning in the Caribbean. To be sure, these sun-drenched tropical isles have plenty of sugar-soft strands where you can swim in crystal-clear waters and lounge under colorful sun umbrellas. But even the most diehard beach-lovers can’t resist the temptation to slip into their sarongs and shorts and explore the rest of the island. Perhaps you’ll discover a historic plantation, a cascading waterfall in the rainforest or fabulous 寡鰓ne dining at a West Indian restaurant. These 寡鰓ve islands more than 寡鰓t the bill, offering loads of actvity options beyond just fun in the sun (though there’s plenty of that too!).
Photo courtesy of Don Riddle for Four Seasons (http://fourseasons.com) Barbados This former British outpost with afternoon tea and cricket matches is chock-a-block with glorious beaches. Along the Platinum Coast on the island’s western side is Payne’s Bay; Cattlewash on the rugged east coast is another favorite. What to Do: Spend the morning shopping in the duty-free stores in the capital of Bridgetown, then lunch (try the 耸ꗰying 寡鰓sh sandwich) at the Waterfront Café overlooking Parliament, a stately 1871 Neo Gothic building. Take a drive through the lush hilly interior known as the Scotland District, stopping at cozy watering holes housed in old Bajan cottages where locals come to
socialize. To see how the island’s most famous spirit is made, take a tour at the Mount Gay Rum factory, said to be the oldest distillery in the world, dating from 1703. Where to Stay: The pastel-pink Fairmont Royal Pavilion (http://fairmont.com) sits on a half-mile stretch of Alleynes Beach. The 40-acre Platinum Coast property features 72 ocean-view rooms, meticulously landscaped gardens and afternoon tea served daily (room rates start at $649 a night; fairmont.com (http://fairmont.com)).
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (http://fairmont.com) St. John
NEWSLETTERS | SEND PICS | TIPS
59° HOME
NEWS
WATCH LIVE
WEATHER
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
ENTERTAINMENT
SPORTS
TRAFFIC
Search
CONTACT US
Watch NBC Bay Area News at 11 a.m.
Share
Celebrate Easter Sunday at Fairmont San Jose
TRENDING STORIES
1
Goff May be a Better Fit for 49ers Than Wentz
2
Ticket Prices Skyrocket as Warriors Go for NBA Record
3
PHOTOS Rare Peek into Country's Most Populous Death Row
4
VIDEO FBI Joins Search For Missing 2-Year-Old SF Girl
5
Strong Earthquake Strikes Myanmar
On Sunday, March 27, Fairmont San Jose is having an Easter Brunch followed by a Spring Lunch Buffet. The Easter Brunch will satisfy the entire family, a wide array of exciting dishes, including several live action stations featuring logically sources, seasonal items.
Fairmont Easter Brunch- Imperial Ballroom
Reservations available 11:00am - 3:00pm
$84 per person includes wine services ($74 without wine)
$37 for children under 12; complimentary for children 5 and under
Executive Chef Anthony Hsia and his team have created a delicious Easter brunch buffet. The menu will feature favorites like roasted leg of lamb with a pistachio mint pesto, grilled petit filet mignon with white cheddar grits and thyme jus, seared Arctic char with butternut squash and much more. Brunch will be accompanied by live piano music, a petting zoo, games for children and an appearance by the Easter Bunny.
WEATHER FORECAST San Jose, CA
°
59°
Spring Lunch Buffet- Fountain Restaurant
Reservation available 11:00am - 2:00pm
Scattered Clouds Feels Like 59 °
$64 per person; $32 for children under 12; complimentary for children 5 and under Radar
Forecast
Maps
Enjoy a lunch buffet fit for the Easter Bunny at Foundation Restaurant. Easter fare including a carved honey backed ham with country mustards, gourmet omelets, grilled Pacific salmon with olive tapenade, string beans with smoked almonds and plenty of delicious meals. A colorful Easter dessert buffet will be featured as well as an appearance by the Easter Bunny.
For more information about this event, please click here.
Published at 3:17 PM PST on Mar 10, 2016
NEWSLETTERS YOU MAY LIKE
Promoted Links by Taboola
Receive the latest community updates in your inbox
Sign up
The 2016 MINI 3 Door. From Just $269/Month. Mini Canada
Privacy policy | More Newsletters
99% of Students Surveyed Report Getting Better Grades With This Writing App Grammarly
Download the App Idea Guide & Lead the Mobile Revolution Salesforce
Get Space Age Sleep Sponsored Content
'At-Risk' 2-Year-Old Girl Still Missing After Mother Found Dead, Police Say
Community Reacts After Horse Found Dead in San Fernando Valley Street
FROM THE WEB
MORE FROM NBC BAY AREA
Does Dynamic, Personalized Creative Really Move The Needle on Ad … (AdRoll) The All-Wheel Drive MINI Countryman ALL4. From $392/Mth. (Mini Canada) Write Emails Like a Pro with This New App (Grammarly) There Are 7 Types of English Surnames — Which One Is Yours?
(Ancestry)
What is considered a high fever in infants? (Bundoo) Judge's Tough Love Talk to Minors Goes Viral: 'You Are Special' Brown Foam Washing Up Along Orange County Coast Raises Questions
SEARCH STYLE
6 reasons to visit Sonoma in 2016 CHELLE KOSTER WALTON Mar 29th 2016 5:45PM
Napa Valley, of course, started California's wine revolution, but in recent years neighboring Sonoma County has become a celebrated wine destination in its own right with its scenic vineyards, high-end boutiques and sublime Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. Sure, Napa may boast larger and more well-known wineries, but Sonoma Valley boasts its own superlative tasting rooms. And while the two valleys are both renowned for their picturesque settings and rolling, vine-strewn hills, Sonoma, with its cozy inns, farm-to-table fare and fewer crowds offers plenty of enticements for wine enthusiasts. Plus, as spring ushers in lush, green landscapes, now is the perfect time to plan a trip. With that in mind, here are six
reasons to visit Sonoma. You Can Enjoy Free Wine Tastings Along Sonoma's Wine Road, you'll find more than 400 wineries welcoming the public for tastings, and the chance to purchase wines that are often unavailable or difficult to find elsewhere. Even better, at more than 60 of the wineries, you can score free tastings. While some wineries simply don't charge, others are on the Visa Signature Perks plan, which allows cardholders to receive complimentary tastings for two, a savings of around $20 or more per person. Plus, the Visa Signature program also cardholders to receive discounts on purchases made at the qualifying wineries. You'll Embrace Sonoma's Subtler Charms Smaller and more neighborly than Napa, downtown Sonoma features a lovely square with a park at its center and a storied city hall. Known as Sonoma Plaza, the area ranks as the largest plaza in California. After checking out the plaza, visit the state historic park, which takes up one block of Spain Street and encompasses a number of noteworthy Spanish colonial sites, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, the 21st and last mission built in Alta California. Meanwhile, the historic El Dorado Hotel and Kitchen, with its highly touted restaurant overlooks the plaza, and the elegant Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, sits only a few blocks from the plaza and is known for its fresh California fare at SantĂŠ restaurant. Should you need a break from wine tastings, savor craft cocktails and modern munchies at Whiskey Bar & Grill downtown or check out the shops, galleries and eateries around the plaza. Foodies should also carve out some time to explore the Sonoma Cheese Factory, which offers essential picnic ingredients, from wine and local cheese varieties to fresh sandwiches. You Can Check Out the Quaint Town of Healdsburg A shopper's and diner's delight, Healdsburg, too, centers itself around a charming plaza. Occupying less than five square miles, the area is chock-full of wine tasting rooms, galleries and fun gift and clothing shops. If you want to pick up a memorable souvenir, make sure to check out Studio Barndiva for local artwork. And if you're interested in staying in the area, the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza, a Four sisters Inn, will put you in the thick of the town's charm and action in stylish accommodations. Looking for the perfect accessory or utensil to use with your Sonoma wine? Shop these products!
(Article continued below.)
LEISURE / TRAVEL / INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The suite life just got sweeter at these ďŹ ve Fairmont Hotels March 1, 2016 4:45 PM MST
Living large in the penthouse suite at the Fairmont San Francisco Photo supplied with permission to use by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
For most people who travel without budgetary restrictions say millennials, celebrities, sports figures, CEO’s booking a suite in a hotel or on a ship is a no-brainer. Why be cramped up on a vacation. With this in mind one upscale hotel chain, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is raising the bar on spacious accommodations at its worldwide properties. The hospitality giant is showcasing its suite life offerings with lavish, sought after and one-of-a-kind lodgings that will lure savvy travelers. Travelers will be able to book stays in chic and fashionable chambers in US areas such as:
∙ Fairmont San Francisco has the 6,000-square-foot Penthouse Suite that actually takes up the entire 8th floor of the historic property’s Main Building. The suite has three large bedrooms, a living room with a grand piano, a formal dining room, a kitchen, a two‐story library, a billiards room and an expansive terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind the library’s main bookshelf lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite. The sticker shock is $18,000 a night which includes exceptional amenities and a fully stocked kitchen, plus dedicated personnel, including a butler, who are at the ready to pamper guests. ∙ San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers discerning visitors the Brisa Villa-a majestic and finely crafted 4,500 square-foot spot with the privacy of a home and conveniences and amenities of a world‐class hotel. It offers three bedrooms, 4½ marble bathrooms, living and entertaining areas, a media room and a full kitchen, although guests can also choose 24-hour in-villa dining from the Mediterranean-inspired Amaya restaurant. The city’s renowned weather can be enjoyed on secluded terraces and climate‐controlled patios. Villa guests also enjoy a wide range of concierge and personal butler services, as well as amenities including unlimited golf. ∙ Fairmont Chicago’s Grand Park Suite offers guests a one-of-a-kind residential luxury experience. Located on the 37th floor, the one-bedroom Grand Suites feature warm, contemporary décor, modern furnishings, an expansive living area with plenty of lush seating, a guest powder room and unique extras like a Kawai grand piano, full kitchen or wet bar and fireplace. They also offer elegant, private settings that connect into one mega suite enhancing the view to 360 degrees. Following recent renovations, each of the five suites now boasts its own unique design and is accented with custom furniture. * ∙ The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York sweetens stays with its Grand Penthouse Suite that pays homage to its esteemed heritage. Named for Henry Hardenbergh, the hotel’s architect, it was recently reimagined as one of The Legacy Suites at The Plaza. Play Eloise at the Plaza at this dramatic, 2,100 square-foot perch located on the southwest corner of the hotel’s penthouse floor, affording extraordinary views of Central Park from large windows. Flowing off of the master bedroom, an inviting private terrace on the suite’s second floor offers enchanting views of the Big Apple’s famous skyline.
Your suite life is overseen by a personal pre-arrival concierge, and white glove butler service while in residence.
So go ahead live large, enjoy the suite life, you deserve it.
SUGGESTED LINKS Bill to end Day Light Savings Time on the table in California Assembly Talking trash with City Hall during Oscar Week in Los Angeles Zika virus hits too close to home with two more cases reported in Los Angeles Dead body of woman found in laundry chute at D Hotel in Las Vegas indentified
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner
SEARCH
ȘŲBȘČŘİBĚ ŇĚẄȘĿĚŤŤĚŘ
AUTOS ĦǾMĚ
FASHION
AVIATION JEWELRY
BOATING
HOME & STYLE
HEALTH & WELLNESS
TRAVEL
WATCHES
LEISURE
REAL ESTATE
Ťǿp Čǻŀįfǿřňįǻ Ŀųxųřỳ Řěșǿřť Ǻđđș Șųmměř Ħǿřșě-Řǻčįňģ Ěxpěřįěňčěș
Mǻřčħ 21, 2016
Fřǿm ťħě Řǿbb Řěpǿřť Ŀųxųřỳ Ňěẅșẅįřě
Fǿř Ťħǿřǿųģħbřěđ řǻčįňģ ěňťħųșįǻșťș ǻș ẅěŀŀ ǻș ťħǿșě jųșť șěěķįňģ ťħě ťħřįŀŀ ǻňđ ěxčįťěměňť ťħǻť čǿměș ẅįťħ Đěŀ Mǻř’ș “șěě-ǻňđ-bě-șěěň” șųmměř șěǻșǿň, ťħě ǺǺǺ Đǿųbŀě Fįvě Đįǻmǿňđ Fǻįřmǿňť
Ģřǻňđ Đěŀ Mǻř mǻķěș ťħě įđěǻŀ bǻșěčǻmp. Ťħě řěșǿřť’ș přěmįěř ŀǿčǻťįǿň įň Ňǿřťħěřň Șǻň Đįěģǿ ǿffěřș
čŀǿșě přǿxįmįťỳ ťǿ ťħě Đěŀ Mǻř Ťħǿřǿųģħbřěđ Čŀųb ỳěť přǿvįđěș ǻ ťřǻňqųįŀ ħįđěǻẅǻỳ ťħǻť fěěŀș ẅǿřŀđș ǻẅǻỳ fřǿm ťħě ħųșťŀě ǻňđ bųșťŀě ǿf ťħě řǻčěťřǻčķ. Ǻș “Čǻŀįfǿřňįǻ’ș #1 Ŀųxųřỳ Řěșǿřť,” ǻččǿřđįňģ ťǿ ŤřįpǺđvįșǿř’ș 2016 Ťřǻvěŀěřș’ Čħǿįčě Ǻẅǻřđș, Fǻįřmǿňť Ģřǻňđ Đěŀ Mǻř įș řǻįșįňģ ťħě bǻř fǿř ťħě řǻčě đǻỳ ěxpěřįěňčě ẅįťħ ťẅǿ ňěẅ șťǻỳ-ǻňđ-pŀǻỳ pǻčķǻģěș fǿř ťħě șųmměř șěǻșǿň (ěxčŀųđįňģ Ǿpěňįňģ Đǻỳ), vǻŀįđ Jųŀỳ 16 ťħřǿųģħ Șěpťěmběř 5, 2016.
Ťħě “Řǻčě Đǻỳ Řěǻđỳ” pǻčķǻģě įňčŀųđěș ǻŀŀ ǿf ťħě fǿŀŀǿẅįňģ fǿř $1,600 pěř ňįģħť, bǻșěđ ǿň đǿųbŀě ǿččųpǻňčỳ fǿř ǻ ťẅǿ-ňįģħť-mįňįmųm șťǻỳ:
Ťẅǿ ňįģħťș įň ǻ ŀųxųřįǿųș șųįťě ǻť Fǻįřmǿňť Ģřǻňđ Đěŀ Mǻř; Čǿmpŀįměňťǻřỳ vǻŀěť pǻřķįňģ; Đǻįŀỳ břěǻķfǻșť fǿř ťẅǿ; Přįvǻťě ŀįmǿųșįňě ťřǻňșfěřș ťǿ ǻňđ fřǿm ťħě řǻčěťřǻčķ; Přįvǻťě řįđįňģ ŀěșșǿňș fǿř ťẅǿ ǻť ťħě řěșǿřť’ș ǿň-șįťě ěqųěșťřįǻň čěňťěř; Ťẅǿ mįňť jųŀěpș įň ťħě ŀǿbbỳ ŀǿųňģě; Ǻň įň-șųįťě čųșťǿm ħǻť fįťťįňģ bỳ řǿỳǻŀ mįŀŀįňěř Jįŀŀ Čǿųřťěmǻňčħě ťǿ đěșįģň ǻ ǿňě-ǿf-ǻ-ķįňđ ťǿppěř ťǿ ẅǿẅ ťħě čřǿẅđș ǻť Đěŀ Mǻř (ẅǿměň’ș ǻňđ měň’ș șťỳŀěș ǻřě ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě); Ǻň ǻfťěřňǿǿň ǻť Ňěįmǻň Mǻřčųș ťǿ čǿmpŀěťě ťħě “řǻčě đǻỳ ŀǿǿķ,” įňčŀųđįňģ ǻ pěřșǿňǻŀ čǿňșųŀťǻťįǿň ẅįťħ șťỳŀě ǻđvįșǿř Ǻŀěx Ỳǻňěż, ŀųňčħ ǻť ťħě Żǿđįǻč řěșťǻųřǻňť ǻňđ ǻ mǻķě-ųp ǻppŀįčǻťįǿň ťǿ bě “pįčťųřě pěřfěčť” ǿň řǻčě đǻỳ; Ťįčķěťș ǻňđ ǻ ťǻbŀě fǿř ťẅǿ ťǿ ťħě Đěŀ Mǻř Ťħǿřǿųģħbřěđ Čŀųb’ș ěxčŀųșįvě Ťųřf Čŀųb, įňčŀųđįňģ ǻ $250 fǿǿđ ǻňđ běvěřǻģě čřěđįť; ǻňđ Ǻ běħįňđ-ťħě-șčěňěș ěxpěřįěňčě, įňčŀųđįňģ ǻ bǻřň ťǿųř ẅįťħ ǻ ťřǻįňěř ǻňđ ǻ “měěť ǻňđ ģřěěť” ẅįťħ ǻ jǿčķěỳ fǿř ťħě ųŀťįmǻťě “pħǿťǿ ǿpp.”
Fǿř ģřǿųpș ǿf șįx ǿř mǿřě, mįŀŀįňěř Jįŀŀ Čǿųřťěmǻňčħě čǻň čŀǿșě ťħě đǿǿřș ǿf ħěř Șǿŀǻňǻ Běǻčħ șťųđįǿ ťǿ ħǿșť ǻ přįvǻťě ħǻť pǻřťỳ, fěǻťųřįňģ ŀįvě mųșįč, čħǻmpǻģňě, ǻňđ ǻ ǿňě-ǿň-ǿňě čǿňșųŀťǻťįǿň ťǿ čřěǻťě ťħě pěřfěčť řǻčě-đǻỳ ŀǿǿķ. Ěǻčħ ģųěșť řěčěįvěș ǻ $400 vǿųčħěř ťǿẅǻřđș ǻ ǿňě-ǿf-ǻ-ķįňđ ħǻť ǻňđ fįťťįňģ. Ťħįș ǿpťįǿňǻŀ ǻđđ-ǿň įș $3,000 fǿř șįx pěǿpŀě; ǻđđįťįǿňǻŀ ģųěșťș ǻřě $500 pěř pěřșǿň.
Ťħě “Đǻỳ ǻť ťħě Đěŀ Mǻř Řǻčěș” pǻčķǻģě įňčŀųđěș ǻŀŀ ǿf ťħě fǿŀŀǿẅįňģ fǿř $800 pěř ňįģħť, bǻșěđ ǿň đǿųbŀě ǿččųpǻňčỳ fǿř ǻ ťẅǿ-ňįģħť-mįňįmųm șťǻỳ:
Ťẅǿ ňįģħťș ǿf ŀųxųřįǿųș ǻččǿmmǿđǻťįǿňș įň ǻ đěŀųxě řǿǿm ǻť Fǻįřmǿňť Ģřǻňđ Đěŀ Mǻř; Čǿmpŀįměňťǻřỳ vǻŀěť pǻřķįňģ;
Đǻįŀỳ břěǻķfǻșť fǿř ťẅǿ; ǻňđ Ťįčķěťș fǿř ťẅǿ fřǿm ťħě Đěŀ Mǻř Ťħǿřǿųģħbřěđ Čŀųb.
Ǻvǻįŀǻbŀě Jųŀỳ 16 ťħřǿųģħ Șěpťěmběř 5, 2016, bǿťħ pǻčķǻģěș ǻřě bǻșěđ ǿň đǿųbŀě ǿččųpǻňčỳ, řěqųįřě ǻ ťẅǿ-ňįģħť-mįňįmųm șťǻỳ, ǻřě ěxčŀųșįvě ǿf ťǻx ǻňđ ǻřě șųbjěčť ťǿ ǻvǻįŀǻbįŀįťỳ. Ťǿ bǿǿķ pŀěǻșě vįșįť ẅẅẅ.fǻįřmǿňť.čǿm/șǻň-đįěģǿ/ ǿř čǻŀŀ 1-855-314-2030.
Ǻbǿųť Fǻįřmǿňť Ħǿťěŀș & Řěșǿřťș
Fǻįřmǿňť Ħǿťěŀș & Řěșǿřťș čǿňňěčťș ģųěșťș ťǿ ťħě věřỳ běșť ǿf įťș đěșťįňǻťįǿňș, přǿvįđįňģ ťřǻvěŀěřș ẅįťħ měmǿřǻbŀě ťřǻvěŀ ěxpěřįěňčěș, ťħǿųģħťfųŀ ǻňđ ǻťťěňťįvě șěřvįčě ǻňđ ŀųxųřỳ ħǿťěŀș ťħǻť ǻřě ťřųŀỳ ųňfǿřģěťťǻbŀě. Ěǻčħ Fǻįřmǿňť přǿpěřťỳ řěfŀěčťș ťħě ŀǿčǻŀě'ș ěňěřģỳ, čųŀťųřě ǻňđ ħįșťǿřỳ ťħřǿųģħ ŀǿčǻŀŀỳ-įňșpįřěđ čųįșįňě, șpįřįťěđ bǻřș ǻňđ ŀǿųňģěș ǻňđ đįșťįňčťįvě đěșįģň ǻňđ đéčǿř. Ẅįťħ mǿřě ťħǻň 65 ħǿťěŀș ģŀǿbǻŀŀỳ, ǻňđ mǻňỳ mǿřě įň đěvěŀǿpměňť, ťħě Fǻįřmǿňť čǿŀŀěčťįǿň bǿǻșťș șǿmě ǿf ťħě mǿșť įčǿňįč ħǿťěŀș įň ťħě ẅǿřŀđ įňčŀųđįňģ Ťħě Pŀǻżǻ įň Ňěẅ Ỳǿřķ, Ŀǿňđǿň’ș Ťħě Șǻvǿỳ, Fǻįřmǿňť Pěǻčě Ħǿťěŀ įň Șħǻňģħǻį ǻňđ Qųěběč Čįťỳ’ș Fǻįřmǿňť Ŀě Čħâťěǻų Fřǿňťěňǻč. Fǿř mǿřě įňfǿřmǻťįǿň ǿř řěșěřvǻťįǿňș, pŀěǻșě vįșįť fǻįřmǿňť.čǿm.
Ěmǻįŀ:
čŀǻįřě.ķųňżmǻň@fǻįřmǿňť.čǿm
Ťřǻvěŀ
Běǻčħ
Ųňįťěđ Șťǻťěș & Čǻňǻđǻ
Fřǿm Ǻřǿųňđ ťħě Ẅěb... Pǿẅěřěđ Bỳ ŻěřģŇěť
Ųňįťěđ Șťǻťěș - Čǻŀįfǿřňįǻ
HOME | LIFE | TOP STORIES | STORY Side Dishes: Downton Abbey owner in Vancouver for afternoon tea Tuesday, March 1, 2016 By Mia Stainsby, Vancouver Sun
Lady Fiona Carnarvon, owner of Highclere Castle used in the Downton Abbey TV show, does afternoon tea in Vancouver on Friday, March 4 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Photographed by: Mia Stainsby, PNG Some of the best lines in the soon to expire Downton Abbey TV series (sniff, sniff) come from the kitchen, with head cook Mrs. Patmore dishing out delicious lines like: “If the family is like sardines, my Lady, the staff are like maggots.” And: “Chilled soup should be an exquisite mouthful, not a bucket of slop.” Or: “Listen to me and take those kidneys up to the servery before I knock you down and serve your brains as fritters.” You can be quite assured that when Lady Fiona Carnarvon, owner of Highclere Castle, the setting for the Crawley family in the series, does afternoon tea in Vancouver on Friday, March 4, her manner will be ship shape. Quite! She’ll be at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for afternoon tea and to celebrate the Season Six finale. If tickets ($115) are still available, you can hold out your little pinky and sip right along with her. The tea, with a 1920s theme, begins at 4 p.m. with sparkling wine. Lady Carnarvon will give a talk and Christopher Gaze, artistic director of Bard on the Beach will be Master of Ceremonies. Guests are invited to dress in 1920s era outfits if they like. A portion of the proceeds will benefit KCTS 9 (PBS). For reservations call 604-443-1816 or email at hvc.concierge@fairmont.com. Mrs. Patmore’s Bowl If you really want to get downright Downton, do your baking and mixing in Mason Cash Caneware bowls, just like kitchen servants Mrs. Patmore and Daisy Mason. English company Mason Cash has been making kitchenware since 1800 and the designs haven’t changed much over the hundreds of years. The Caneware line has been in use since 1901 and is available in seven sizes. They’re sometimes called yellow ware, after the colour of the local clay, or bargeware, because they were packed on barges to be shipped to markets. They cost $24 to $130, and are available at Gourmet Warehouse and Ming Wo kitchen stores. Still in The Mood for Tea? If the British can do it, the French can do it better. That would seem to be the message behind Lauduree Boutique and Tea Salon. Macaron and viennoiserie perfection, beautiful teas, all coming to Vancouver this spring. The longlived French patisserie (born in 1862 in Paris) will be located at 1141 Robson St. Consider it your little trip to Paris if funds are low.
The Big Lebowski Brewery And Bowling Tour If you’re a fan of the stoner cult film The Big Lebowski, Vancouver Brewery Tours has something right up your alley. Throw on your bathrobe and shades, grab your growler and join the Big Lebowski Brewery and Bowling Tour. There’ll be Lebowski (The Dude)-inspired oat soda (“Two oat sodas, Gary!,” he says, ordering barley beer) at Big Rock Urban Brewery and Storm Brewing, a costume contest, and bowling at Grandview Lanes. “As an ardent Lebowski fan, I’m excited to offer a tour that not only highlights some of our amazing local craft breweries but also pays tribute to a film loved by so many, but that’s just, like, our opinion, man,” VBT founder Ryan Mackey says, all Dude-like. Tickets are $85, beer and bowling included. Book online at vancouverbrewerytours.com or phone 604-318-2280. Macarons Fights Cancer Well, not really. But buying them at Faubourg Paris on Macaron Day, March 20, will help cancer research. They’ll be selling them for half price that day ($1) and all the proceeds will go to BC Cancer Foundation. Owner Franck Point will match the amount raised. Last year, the three Faubourg locations raised $7,000 from sales and donated $14,000 to the foundation. This year, they’re aiming for $10,000 in sales. Macaron Day takes place in several global cities with bakeries donating to different causes. French Made Bakery will be donating part of their macaron sales to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and holding macaron baking classes on March 19 and 20 for $110, of which 25 per cent will be donated. Ideas for Healthy Families The third annual Healthy Family Expo takes place Sunday, March 6 at Vancouver Convention Centre, offering solutions to healthy eating. Thirty five food and beverage vendors (samples!) will be part of the 100-plus exhibitors. The Active Kid Zone has a rock wall, fire truck bouncer, hamster ball track and entertainers. Tickets are $15 at the door and kids under 12 are free. For more information, visit HealthyFamilyExpo.com. © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun Top Page National | World | Business | Sports | Entertainment | Lifestyle | Health | Travel | Technology 2016 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication is prohibited. Contact Us | FAQ | Download BlackBerry© App
Willow Stream Spa Fairmont Mayakoba
10BEST Says Spas: The breathtaking Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya incorporates ancient Mayan elements and wisdom in their spa treatments. The men's and ladies' locker areas feature tropical gardens and outdoor Swiss showers and whirlpools. On the rooftop deck, which overlooks the jungle canopy, you can soak in the signature vitality pool or sea-mineral soaking pool. Signature massage, body, face, beauty and bath treatments utilize local herbs, essential oils and extracts. The "Cha Chac Rain Ritual" and "Cacao with The Food of the Gods Body Nourisher", two of the Willow Stream Spa's signature treatments, are favorites. There are special experiences "just for men" and sports-minded guests.
Local Expert Kristin Busse Says:
Spas: "You can purchase a gift card for 50 to 2000 usd for the Willow Stream Spa for a friend or loved one." Best for Spas Because: Beautiful Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya has a rooftop deck and a huge spa menu.
NEWSPAPERS LOG IN REGISTER
NEWS TECHNOLOGY
BUSINESS Money
Markets
SPORTS
ENTERTAINMENT
LIFESTYLE
HEALTH
TRAVEL
Mortgages
Alber ta tour ism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations By The Canadian Press March 16, 2016 CALGARY - National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1 per cent rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn. “Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year. (CTV Calgary) E-mail this Article Print this Article Share this Article
Stor y Tools E-mail this Article Print this Article Share this Article Font: * * * * *
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 01:28 PM EDT
The Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. (Stuart Dryden/Postmedia Network) CALGARY -- National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1% rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn.
"Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year.
SPONSORED LINKS Up to 90% Debt Redu ction. Sinking in debt? We can help! Click here & start today!
SW IMMING POOLS DIRECT Pools/Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs Factory Direct Click here for specials! See All Sponsored Links
SEARCH
Luxury Travel Advisor
Destinations
Suppliers
Trip Types
Industry
Offers
Events
Education
Video
Focus Series
Digital Editions
USA-NORTHEAST
Up for Auction: The Legendary Plaza Hotel in New York
Webinars
The Dossier Su bscribe n ow to L u xu ry Travel Advisor's e-n ew sletter for th e latest on afflu en t travel n ew s an d produ cts.
Enter your email address here
By Mary Winston Nicklin | March 23, 2016 The billionaire brothers who currently hold the mortgage have scheduled a foreclosure auction for April 26.
Filed under : USA-Northeast, business hotels, city hotels, historic hotels, luxury hotels
Photo by Freeimages.com/Sean Llewellyn
What would Eloise think? According to multiple news reports, The Plaza Hotel is going up for auction next month. Since it first opened in 1907 at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South in Manhattan, the legendary hotel has changed ownership multiple times (Donald Trump and Prince Alwaleed bin-Talal of Saudi Arabia number among these). After two years of uncertainty about the hotel’s ownership, Bloomberg reports that the billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben, who currently hold the mortgage on the property, have scheduled a foreclosure auction for April 26, after the hotel's 75 per cent owner Sahara India Pariwar defaulted on loan agreements. Now the Internet rumor mill is churning: could The Plaza fetch up to $1 billion? The sale will include the hotel’s 282 guest rooms, the restaurants, and retail space. It will be sold in a package that includes the Dream Downtown hotel, located near the High Line in Chelsea.
See This, Skip That: Sonoma By GABE SAGLIE SENIOR EDITOR OF TRAVELZOO
George Rose/Getty ImagesYellow mustard sprouts after recent rains in dormant vineyards Feb. 11, 2016, near Healdsburg, Calif. 4 Shares Sonoma is home to world-class wineries and many of the country's best chefs -- and it's also a haven for foodies. But there's a lot more going on here than fine pinot noir, including sweeping natural beauty and a history anchored in California’s earliest days. Here are a few unique things for travelers to do in Sonoma.
Skip the Wine, Sip Suds Winemakers tell me all the time: it takes a lot of good beer to make good wine! It makes sense, then, that the craft beer movement is alive and well in Sonoma County. If you’re staying in downtown Sonoma, check out Carneros Brewing Company, just south of town, a family-owned microbrewery founded by members of the area’s well-known Ceja family. The taproom doles out original-recipe brews -- including a refreshing pilsner and a variety of IPAs -- and the outdoor, acre-long beer garden features a pond and shuffleboard. Visit Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. for a bevy of California ales and German-style brews. If you prefer some guidance, North Bay Brewery Tours and Brew Brothers Brewery Tours lead thirsty guests to microbreweries throughout Sonoma County.
Skip the Beer, Sip Spirits Need something stronger to perk up the palate? Prohibition Spirits, located south of Sonoma Plaza, is home to the Indigenous Spirits Lab, a hip, friendly spot where you can explore the aromas and flavors of the fine spirits made right on site. Call ahead and schedule a 45-minute distillery tour that depicts how spirits are fermented, distilled and aged. Prohibition may be best known for its line of whiskeys, but its liqueurs made from local lemons, oranges and figs, as well as their rums and brandies, always get high marks.
Skip the Bar, Taste at the Adobe When it comes to the top-caliber wines, a handful of by-appointment-only tasting options allow for truly intimate and personalized experiences. The newest, and easily one of the best, is The Adobe, just down the street from Sonoma Plaza. The Vallejo-Castaneda Adobe dates back to 1842 -- California’s Mexican period -- and is Sonoma’s oldest occupied residence. Vintners Bill and Eva Price purchased it in 2012 as the private tasting venue for their celebrated Three Sticks label. The meticulously refreshed property carefully preserves its historic essence; artifacts unearthed during the painstaking restoration are displayed throughout the cozy home. Tastings of pinot and chardonnay are doled out as you tour The Adobe one-on-one with Three Sticks staff; you can also schedule a culinary pairing experience, with food provided by celebrated El Dorado Kitchen, located down the street.
Between Sips, Travel in Time The Vallejo name is integral to Sonoma history. General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was the Mexican military commander of what was known as the Northern Frontier and the man who helped drive California's transition from Mexican territory to U.S. state. His former home (just down the street from The Adobe, which was constructed by his brother, Captain Salvador Vallejo) is part of Sonoma State Historic Park and open to the public. “I always love stopping by General Vallejo’s home when I’m there,” said R.H. Drexel, who writes for the popular Vinous wine website and whose wine zine, Loam Baby, includes an edition dedicated to Sonoma wine culture and personalities. “The home features a selfguided tour, which includes a great collection of old wine ephemera and a stellar Koi fish pond,” said Drexel.
Skip the Vineyard, Visit the Mission Sonoma State Historic Park, one of 11 state parks in Sonoma County, is actually a spattering of historic buildings and locales spanning 36 acres. Its centerpiece might well be Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of California’s 21 historic mission spearheaded by Father Junipero Serra, established in 1823. Much of it is not yet restored, offering a genuine glimpse back in time. The onsite chapel was built in the early 1840s by General Vallejo and the property also features a courtyard and museum. Mission admission includes a visit to the Sonoma Barracks across the street.
Take a Hike, Bring a Book About 10 miles from downtown Sonoma is another state park worth a visit, Jack London State Historic Park. American novelist Jack London lived here after he bought the property in early 1900s and the home in which he and his family lived, as well as his grave, are located on site. Robyn Berg, part of the concierge team at the luxe Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, recommends the park, which is both a California and National Historic Landmark, to guests who are outdoor enthusiasts. “It has over 26 miles of hiking trails across 1400 acres, including stunning vistas,” she said.
Skip the Hotel Pool, Dip in the Springs One of the reasons the Fairmont property is so well-known is its remarkable location atop Boyes Hot Springs. The thermal mineral water source was discovered after the California mission-style property was built in the 1920s – 1,000 feet below the ground. Today, the AAA 4-Diamond Inn is one of the few luxury resorts in the country with its own mineral water source, and you can experience them at the onsite Willow Stream Spa. A treatment is not required to access the co-ed bathhouse, and even nonguests can visit for a fee. Various pools, and a large Jacuzzi, are kept at varying temperatures; the Watsu pool, for example, is kept at a constant 98.6 degrees. Nearby, the Sonoma Aquatic Club also taps into the underground waters’ curative appeal; a one-day visit for $20 include access to three mineral water pools and a variety of workout equipment.
Skip Lunch, Eat the Cheese Nothing matches world-class wine like world-class cheese. The official Sonoma Cheese Trail links close to 30 local farms and creameries, including downtown Sonoma’s own Vella Cheese Company. This is a perfect stop to pile handmade cheddar, asiago or Monterey Jack with Rosemary into your picnic basket. But you’ll also get a peek at how cheese is made from local ingredients. No public tours are offered, but guests can often visit the aging barn, where cheeses wrapped in ash and cloth patiently await optimum ripeness.
Don't Just Use a Corkscrew, Learn All About It Old wine gadgets enjoy the spotlight at Sonoma’s Buena Vista Winery; dating back to the 1860s, this is the oldest commercial winery in California. Their new museum features a unique collection of viticulture tools from the 19th and 20th centuries, all displayed on the walls of the underground cellar and showcased during a 20-minute tour. The tour alone is $10 (children are welcome) but $25 adds a tasting of some of Buena Vista’s best wines.
Skip the Museum, Hit the Galleries For those who’d rather purchase artwork than just admire it, Sonoma Plaza does not disappoint. Art buffs can visit more than a half-dozen galleries here. The photographs on display at the Lisa Kristine
Gallery focus on indigenous people while precious metal fans can dig for souvenirs at the Sonoma Rock & Mineral Gallery.
Skip the Walking Tour, Take Off Tour companies abound in Sonoma, which allow you to visit the wineries and sights of your choice by everything bike, foot or chauffeured limo. But this gorgeous sprawling landscape may best be appreciated from above. Coastal Air Tours uses a classic 1926 two-seater Travelair biplane to showcase the area’s vineyards and nearby coast; it operates out of Sonoma Skypark Airport, five minutes from the Plaza. Vintage Aircraft Co. uses restored vintage planes for its air tours. Bring your camera!
Get Off the Streets, Hit the Raceway Racing buffs know the Sonoma Raceway well -- a 12-turn, 2.5-mile course carved into the Sonoma hillsides. Big ticket events are held here and big names – Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt – have revved their engines here. If you’re itching to put peddle to the metal, Wednesday Night Drags take place March through November and allow enthusiasts to take on the quarter-mile dragstrip and race their cars in a safe, legal, controlled environment. Buckle up! Gabe Saglie is senior editor for Travelzoo, which features exclusive deals to Sonoma and other California wine country destinations here. Any opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Sponsored Stories
Sign In / Register |
Search TravelPulse.com
SUBSCRIBE
NEWS
ARTICLES
OFFERS
VIDEO
OPINION
TRENDING
SUPPLIERS
DESTINATIONS
|
US Edition
MAGAZINES
Last updated: 02:00 PM ET, Thu March 10 2016
How Do Top Hotel Brands Rank on Social Media, Offline? HOTEL & RESORT | PATRICK CLARKE | MARCH 10, 2016
Subscribe to our Newsletters Caribbean River Cruise Breaking News Luxury Las Vegas Europe Family Travel SUBSCRIBE NOW
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock Hilton Worldwide is making its mark when it comes to social media and word-of-mouth performance. According to the latest U.S. hotel rankings from Engagement Labs, Hilton's flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, ranks first in both Instagram and offline word of mouth performance. What's more, the company's luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria, ranks No. 1 in Facebook performance, while Marriott International's Ritz-Carlton finished tops among all U.S. hotel brands on Twitter.
Daily Weekend Edition Hawaii Mexico Florida LGBT
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
FEATURED VIDEO
Experts: Slow Down Plan for Self-Driving Cars CAR RENTAL & RAIL
Religious Freedom Law Threatens Tourism in Mississippi IMPACTING TRAVEL
US Warns of ‘Credible Threats' in Tourist Areas of Turkey IMPACTING TRAVEL
Police Chief of Chicago Airports Resigns AIRLINES & AIRPORTS
Secrets Resorts & Spas: Unlimited Luxury HOTEL & RESORT
RELATED OFFERS Hello Summer! The Caribbean is Calling!
Transit Agencies Might
ELITE ISLAND RESORTS
Offline Data and research from Engagement
Partner with Uber, Lyft to... IMPACTING TRAVEL
Best Value Rooms &
Labs found that Hilton Hotels is winning the offline word of mouth conversation, earning nearly 21 percent of all industry conversations. Marriott Hotels was a close second, though, earning
Suites at Beaches Resorts BEACHES RESORTS
20.5 percent of conversations.
Up to $550 Instant Air Credit at Beaches Resorts BEACHES RESORTS
Holiday Inn came in third, nabbing 11 percent of the conversation. Engagement Labs' eValue score takes into account the social media engagement, impact and responsiveness of a particular brand. Meanwhile, offline word of mouth TalkShare is measured via the Keller Fay Group's TalkTrack. Facebook On Facebook, Waldorf Astoria is clearly on to something, ranking first for not only overall eValue score, but for engagement score and the most likes and shares per 1,000 fans. Despite finishing fourth, Hilton Hotels received the highest impact score and saw the most fan growth on Facebook, adding more than 12,500 new followers during the measured time period. Starwood's Four Points by Sheraton ranked No. 1 in responsiveness on Facebook.
RECENT TRAVEL OPINIONS
Baseball, Fun and Friendship in The Dominican Republic BRIAN MAJOR
Lola No More Than a Reality Check For Travel Agents TIM WOOD
Marri-Wood: Recapping the Hotel Industry's First and Best Rom-Com
READ MORE: Which Hotel Rewards Programs Are the Best?
PATRICK CLARKE
MOST READ
Ritz-Carlton's leading impact score propelled it to the No. 1 ranking on Twitter,
1
while Radisson and Fairmont Hotels finished in the top six thanks to their top scores in engagement and responsiveness, respectively.
TRAVEL AGENT 2
Marriott Hotels and Hilton Hotels finished behind Ritz-Carlton in overall eValue 3
4
performance, tying for the highest engagement. But Four Seasons Hotels and Renaissance Hotels ranked tops in impact and responsiveness on Instagram. Despite finishing fifth in Instagram eValue score, Four Seasons Hotel is trending up, boasting the largest following of 214,895 fans and the highest follower growth with 8,852 new fans during the measured time period. "Travelers are turning to social media to discover various options and receive recommendations on where to stay during their trips," said Engagement Labs
Court Grounds Plane Until Passenger is Paid Compensation AIRLINES & AIRPORTS
score for Twitter.
Hilton Hotels and Waldorf Astoria were a close Nos. 1 and 2 in overall Instagram
Confused About The New Airline Pricing Structure? ASTA Is Here To Help.
Travel to Iran: Is It the Next Cuba? DESTINATION & TOURISM
Wynn Resorts Is Building a Beach on The Las Vegas Strip HOTEL & RESORT
5
Which US Airlines Might Merge Next? AIRLINES & AIRPORTS
CEO Bryan Segal in a statement. "As hotel bookings are highly influenced by recommendations, reviews and reputation, hoteliers have a prime opportunity to use social media to amplify their property’s best features, attract travelers and generate revenue." "Offline conversation can drive online conversation, and vice versa, both serving as a reflection of consumers’ emotions and experiences," added Segal. "It is those experiences that cause people to talk about one hotel brand over another." "Creating an experience which enables guests to generate conversation around a brand can have a major impact on the brand’s bottom line." Follow @_Pat_Clarke
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Email this Story
For more information on UNITED STATES For more HOTEL & RESORT NEWS MORE BY PATRICK CLARKE
Marri-Wood: Recapping the Hotel Industry's First and Best Rom-Com Marriott CEO Provides Update on Future of Marriott Rewards, SPG Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn: 'Nobody Likes Being Around Poor People' Marriott, Starwood Shareholders Vote in Favor of Merger
St. Regis Abu Dhabi to Unveil World's Highest Suspended Suite Meet AMResorts’ Breathless Line London's U.S. Embassy to Be Transformed into Luxury Hotel
What's Ahead for Starwood Preferred Guest Members?
Room Rates Soar Ahead of Olympics: Hotel and Resort Industry News for April 11, 2016
COMMENTS You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.
This Mass. service dog stayed at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, ate Wahlburgers as part of ‘best day ever’ George helps Bella, a Woburn resident, manage her rare disease.
By Kristin Toussaint @kristindakota Boston.com Staff | 03.09.16 | 2:02 PM
Bella Burton’s best friend is more than just a pal to hang around with: George, her service dog, helped the 11-year-old get back on her feet after she was diagnosed with a rare progressive disorder. So the Great Dane was awarded with his own “best day ever” by BarkPost, a subsite of the dogtreat subscription company BarkBox. To reward George for all his hard work as a service dog, BarkPost gave him a Boston-tailored version of their video series “Dog’s Best Day.” George and Bella romped around the city, feasted on Wahlburgers—“George does not get to have people food because he’s a service dog,” Bella says in the video, “but today is a special occasion because it’s his best day ever.”—went sledding at Blue Hills Ski Area, and tried all the dog treats his great dane stomach could handle at Polka Dog.
BarkBox
on Monday
She needed him, so fate brought them together. 77,384
9,139
140,908
Bella, who is from Woburn, was diagnosed with Morquio Syndrome when she was 2 years old. It’s a rare progressive disorder that affects her mobility, and before George, Bella used crutches or a wheelchair to get around. The two first met when Bella and her family volunteered at Service Dog Project in Ipswich. Their bond was instant. “I could tell he needed me, and I needed him,” Bella says in a video for BarkPost. “The first time I walked with George it was amazing.” George and Bella ended their best day with a sleepover at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, where they were welcomed with a suite stocked full of dog toys and special George-sized bed. “George is joyful and he’s always happy and he’s always there to cheer you up,” Bella says. “He’s my best friend.”
About
Advertise
Newsletter
iPhone/iPad App
SEARCH
enter keyword(s)
SUBSCRIBE DESTINATIONS LIFESTYLE REVIEWS DAILY GT SELECT HOTELS SOCIAL MEDIA MAGAZINE Home » Uncategorized » 7 Favori te P rop erti es of P ast P resi d en ts
7 Favorite Properties of Past Presidents by Holly Riddle on Mar. 5, 2016
Contact
Photo: © Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza has seen nearly ever U.S. president since William Howard Taft stayed there in the very beginning of the 20th century. The property was a particular favorite of the Kennedy family. Stay in the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Suite to view the hotel’s collection of photographs of JFK and his family, including one of the past president and his grandfather, who just so happened to cut the hotel’s opening ribbon. ADD TO FAVORITES
Like
0
Comments
SUBSCRIBE Tweet
SHARE
March 5, 2016
Lions Municipal Golf Course anchors a day well spent on Austin's historic west side By Brandon Tucker Managing Editor Mar 22, 2016
Lions Municipal Golf Course (aka "Muny") is located just west of downtown Austin. It was the ăˆ˛â€ąrst desegregated course in the South. (Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor) Austin native Ben Crenshaw, who takes a swing on the 10th tee, grew up down the road from Lions Municipal Golf Course. (Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor) The 17th hole at Lions Municipal Golf Course is a scenic par 3 over water. (Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor)
Austin's Lions Municipal Golf Course dates back to 1924. (Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor)
The 14th hole at Lions Municipal Golf Course is a long par 5 with a tricky green. (Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor) AUSTIN, Texas -- One could theoretically avoid the snarls of traf㈲‱c that often plague boomtown Austin by hopping on a boat at docks off the Lower Colorado River near the Pennybacker Bridge and Austin Country Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/2747-austin-country-club/), and head a couple of miles downstream on Lake Austin to Oyster Marina on the town's old west side. This is one of Austin's most coveted zip codes (Ben Crenshaw lives in this historic neighborhood, as well as many other distinguished Austin families), but for tourists, it's as affordable and welcoming a place to explore. Even if there are fewer food trucks and handlebar mustaches compared to the east, this is an established part of town where you're bound to enjoy a full day of outdoor leisure. As a resident myself, here's how I would spend a ㈲‱ne spring day here, anchored by a round of golf at "Muny."
Breakfast at Town Lake In the morning, take a jog on the Hike & Bike Trail on Town Lake, or better yet, see just how good dogs have it in this town at Red Bud Isle, where they run free. Two breakfast institutions in the neighborhood are Magnolia Cafe, a 24-hour diner with Tex-Mex staples (yes, breakfast tacos included) as well as more traditional American breakfast items. For a cup of joe on the lake, head to Mozart's, which has plenty of outdoor seating in a quiet setting on Lake Austin (no full breakfast, though, mostly pastry items).
Golf at "Muny:" Lions Municipal Golf Course After breakfast, for the day's main event, look no further than "Muny." Of the ㈲‱ve 18-hole courses in Austin's municipal system, Lions Municipal Golf Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/2750-lions-municipal-golf-course/) is the oldest (1924) and shortest (6,001 yards), and hasn't received much of the updates the other facilities have recently. So why then, after all these years, is venerable Lions probably the toughest public tee time to score in town? Simply put, many locals ㈲‱nd this old beast sublime, warts and all. "The holes are more interesting," said resident Lorenzo de Paolis, comparing it to Morris Williams Golf Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15065-morris-williams-golf-course/), which he lives closer to. "You have to shape the ball certain ways. "I'm a big nature freak, and these are the best trees [on a course] I've ever seen."
Courtesy of Lorenzo de Paolis This is a local haunt where groups waving to one another on opposite fairways seems commonplace. If it's your ㈲‱rst time at Lions, I wouldn't play any locals like 'Zo for cash. Despite picking up the game four-and-ahalf years ago, 'Zo knows Lions like few do. He plays here, quite literally, nearly every afternoon (sometimes twice). In addition to working as a tutor, he helps out part time at the course both on the grounds and as a kind of unof㈲‱cial historian. His golf swing is hardly elite, but it's grooved to say the least. A round with him and his 9-year-old golden retriever Willow (who usually strolls down the cart path at a leisurely pace just behind the golfers) reveals just how well they both know the layout. You'd think 'Zo could sleepwalk around this place and shoot even par. His best score here is a 7-under 64. Some of the town's ㈲‱nest golfers enlist 'Zo's caddie services at Lions, and he was witness to the recent course-record 60 shot by well-known local golfer Jay Reynolds in the past year -- ㈲‱nally surpassing Crenshaw's record 61. It's true that many of Texas' greatest golfers like Harvey Penick, John Bredemus, Ben Hogan, Crenshaw and Tom Kite all have their Lions legends (boxer Joe Louis played here, too). But there are also countless locals whose legends are based around their time at "Muny" like Roy Kizer, Barbara Puett and Lloyd Morrison (you can read more about them at SaveMuny.com (http://www.savemuny.com/legends-of-lions.html)). Residents are very willing to share the course and its many stories with anyone, but you'll need to act fast to score weekend morning tee times (weekend times become available Tuesday morning). But there's good news for non-residents. You pay the same low green fee as townies on this city institution. Friendly golfers of all ages, abilities and wardrobes, often with their dog in tow, make this place as undeniably "Austin" as anywhere in town.
There are no hotels on Austin's old west side, but there are a fair amount of short-term rental properties (rental "granny 㐴⸹ats" are a staple in central Austin) in Tarrytown and Clarksville available on HomeAway and AirBnB. But a few Austin institutions worth checking out are Hotel San Jose on festive South Congress and Austin's Inn at Pearl Street closer to the Capitol complex. New downtown hotels have been sprouting up like bluebonnets in March. Hotel Van Zandt (which just opened near Rainey Street), JW Marriott and South Congress Hotel are all brand new. More are coming, including a huge Fairmont hotel near the convention center, scheduled to open in 2017. The historic Driskill is the town's most decorated hotel, but if you can't afford a room, pop in and explore the bars over a martini or two.
Video: Ginella on where to stay and play in Austin
00:00 NEXT: / Search 05:31 golf courses Share • Mar 22, 2016
0 Comments
Related Links Can landmark status help save Lions Municipal Golf Course? (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/savemuny-lions-municipal-austin-texas-15600.htm) Play a full weekend of golf in Austin for $200 (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/austin-texas-golfcourses-200-dollars-14479.htm) Top 25 courses in Texas, according to Golf Advisor reviews in 2015
Comments
Subscribe
Starting at 99 cents
Members Sign In
TRAVEL
A look at some of Boston’s swankiest presidential suites
FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA
Pr e side ntial suite at the Fair m o nt Co ple y Plaza.
B y Linda Clar ke GLOB E C OR R E S PON DE N T MAR C H 06 , 201 6
What would George Washington have thought about checking into a presidential suite, the plushest, most expensive lodging a hotel offers? It’s hard to imagine the humble statesman would have requested such highfalutin digs; these days it’s likely to be a corporate executive or entertainment icon 5 of 5 free articles. Subscribe now ruffling the sheets in these lofty perches. Maybe that’s why some hotels don’t
call these accomodations their presidential suites, but whatever the name, super-comfy and ultra-swanky is their game. When we took a tour of some of Boston’s top level suites, some of which have hosted the nation’s leaders, the most surprising thing wasn’t opulence, but how difficult it was to get a look inside: Most were occupied. Here are four that we did get to tour. Mandar in Or iental Dynasty Suite, from $8,000 nightly The 2,445-square-foot Dynasty Suite is decorated with an Oriental flare, and expands to 2,700 square feet should two additional bedrooms be required. A dining room, kitchenette, and separate office add functionality, but it is the luxurious appointments that impress. In the living room, a blue velvet couch is large enough to seat a football team with ease. There’s an enormous super toilet with many push-button functions. The master bedroom’s walls are lined with gold silk. But perhaps the most extravagant aspect is a separate dressing room the size of an average bedroom. It has two dressing stands positioned in front of full-length mirrors, and the walls are lined with wardrobes. You wonder, who travels with this much luggage?
The Dy nasty suite at the M andar in Or ie ntal.
The Ritz-Car lton Presidential Suite, from $6,000 nightly Boston boy Benjamin Franklin, though never a president, is the inspiration behind the Ritz-Carlton’s recently refurbished Presidential Suite. Franklin’s propensity for invention informs its custom-made pieces, including the impressive beehive-style chandeliers, created from mock bifocals, which Franklin was known to wear and is credited as having invented. The impressive marble foyer opens to a dining area with seating for eight, and the living room has a fireplace and circular couch. This 1,680-square-foot, 12th floor perch has TVs in the living room, bedroom, library, and in the master bathroom over a magnificent tub. The suite’s guests have access to the hotel’s exclusive Club Level lounge, where a breakfast and lunch buffet, snacks, and early evening hors d’oeuvres and drinks await. But everything pales in comparison to the living room’s picture-perfect view over Boston Common.
The living r o o m in the pr e side ntial suite at the R itz-Car lto n.
Fair m ont Copley Plaza Presidential Suite, from $5,000 nightly It is said that all US presidents since Taft have visited this hotel for one thing or another, with some staying overnight in this suite, and some, such as President Obama, using it for events. This stately fifth-floor suite, which overlooks Copley Square to Trinity and Old South churches, expands from a one-bedroom, at 1,500 square feet, to two or three bedrooms. The entrance hallway is lined with Carrera marble and leads to a formal dining room, a sitting room, and on to the master bedroom with its en suite bathroom and dressing area. (Suites at this level all have a powder room for guest’s guests.) A separate service entrance allows unobtrusive preparation in the kitchenette. True to the hotel’s Beaux Arts grandeur, the suite is furnished with real antiques, not reproduction. Each magnificent piece was artfully created, built to last, and is clearly cared for and cherished.
FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA
Pr e side ntial suite at the Fair m o nt Co ple y Plaza.
Nine Zer o Cloud Nine Suite, from $2,500 nightly This 19th-floor suite looks out over stark urban rooftops softened by old Bostonian architectural details, and also down to the Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street. In keeping with parent company Kimpton Hotels’ funky swagger, its striking but sultry color palette brings together plum and shiny black. A fluffy fake fur throw adorns the bed. There’s a deep soaking tub and a comfy couch to cozy up on. But for all its flirty fun atmosphere, there’s a serious side: In 2004, Nine Zero was the first hotel in the world to deploy iris recognition technology. (Which means never having to say, “Sorry, I’ve lost my key,” to the front desk clerk.) It was installed in Cloud Nine for the Democratic National Convention, when former president Bill Clinton stayed in the 1,065-square-foot suite, which can be expanded to add a second guest room. The first dog is welcome, too.
CHRIS SANDERS
Clo ud Nine S uite
Linda Clarke can be reached at soundz@me.com.
Get Today’s Headlines from the Globe in your inbox: Enter your email address
SIGN UP Privacy Policy
SHOW 6 COMMENTS
Recommended for you
Schools seek balance for cellphones in class Some educators maintain that smartphones in schools are crucial to being competitive in a global market, while others insist they distract students. MORE...
(/)
56°
(/weather) NEWS (/)
WEATHER (/WEATHER)
TRAFFIC (/TRAFFIC)
SPORTS (/SPORTS)
FEATURES
AMNW (/AMNW)
W A(/STATION) TCH LIVE ABOUT (/LIVE)
ADVERTISEMENT
(mailto:? (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle? (https://plus.google.com/share? subject=A%20link%20for%20you&body= (https://twitter.com/home? mini=true&url= url= status= {canonicalUrl}) {canonicalUrl}) {canonicalUrl}&title=&summary=&source=)
Visit Fairmont Chateau Whistler & Whistler Blackcomb BY
|
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2ND 2016
fairmont whistler.png
Whistler isn't just for winter. There are fun things to do in the spring and summer too! Michelle Leroux -- from Fairmont Chateau Whistler -- and Lauren Everest -- from Whislter Blackcomb -- stopped by to tell us more. For more information about the hotel Fairmont Chateau Whistler, click here (http://www.fairmont.com/whistler/). For more information about the ski resort Whistler Blackcomb, click here (http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/).
Send to printer
Close window
The Best of North County 2016 Little Italy, North Park, and Downtown may get the most buzz, but it’s hard to beat North County’s unspoiled coast, laid‐back vibe, and quaint cafés. And now, with a restaurant renaissance, local designers hitting big‐name stores, and cool kids’ programs that give back to the community, there’s never been a better time to experience NoCo’s charms. E R I N M E A N L E Y G L E N N Y, A N A S TA C I A G R E N D A , K A I O L I V E R - K U R T I N , A R C H A N A R A M , & A N N W Y C O F F | P H OTOGR A P H Y B Y S A M WE L L S
Pick a Category
Food & Drink Shopping & Beauty Arts Health & Wellness Kids
Food & Drink
Happy Hour
“Alchemy Hour” at Hello Betty Fish House Oceanside Named after the time when surfers enjoy the best swells, this bilevel oceanfront eatery’s Alchemy Hour means $3 street tacos, $3 Mexican beers, $5 margs, and three oysters on the half shell, with a glass of bubbles for $13. Plus a sunny deck and a funky, character-filled bar scene. 211 Mission Avenue
Pub Concept
Barrel Republic Oceanside The genius lies in this new O'side pub’s self-serve tap system. Simply open a tab, receive an electronic wristband, and choose from more than 50 taps, including a few wine and kombucha options. The food menu puts a twist on classic pub grub, like chili-dusted crispy pickle chips and garlic butter pretzel bites. 215 North Coast Highway
Hawaiian
The Lanai Island Grinds Leucadia Former private chef Doug Moric has created a Garden of Eden for authentic Hawaiian eats on a sunny patio in Leucadia with picnic tables, murals, and bamboo details. Order the divinely fresh poke with avocado, or the kalua pork plate lunch with kimchi bok choy and traditional mac salad. And mark your calendars for their monthly pig roasts in the summertime. Hula attire optional. 1114 North Coast Highway 101
Coffee Shop
Culture Craft Coffee & Espresso Escondido Don’t let its location in a Lexus dealership fool you. Culture’s café experience is already stellar thanks to their excellent James Coffee blends, but they up the ante with local artwork from Escondido’s Stephen Fishwick Fine Art Gallery. You’ll be buzzing. 1205 Auto Park Way
New Eats in Vista
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen Vista Flying Pig’s first outpost kick-started the culinary upswing in Oceanside, and now they’ve landed in a renovated bank building in sleepy Vista as a new hot spot for locally sourced, seasonal cuisine and craft brews. Patrons enjoy eclectic design with antique mirrors and chandeliers, along with friendly service and dishes like bacon mac and cheese. 230 South Santa Fe Avenue
Vegan Chocolate
Gourmet Mediterranean Chocolate Former NASA rocket scientist Michael Ross now engineers small-batch handmade Belgian chocolate that’s vegan and gluten-free. Taste 12 delicious flavors like chili mango or hickory-smoked sea salt at the Solana Beach Farmers' Market or buy bars at Bliss 101 in Encinitas, The Wine Loft at the Forum in Carlsbad, or online. gourmetm.com
Winery Experience
Cordiano Winery Escondido Originally from Calabria, Italy, Gerardo and Rosa Cordiano created a pizzeria empire in the southern U.S. before bringing their talents to San Diego. Their hillside winery serves wood-fired pizzas, wines, and stellar views of the valley, vineyards, orchards, and horse farms below. 15732 Highland Valley Road
Gourmet Secret
Angel’s Salumi & Truffles Carlsbad French chef and charcutrerie expert Pascal Besset has a warehouse and boutique with wild boar, natural bison, Berkshire pork, and more, along with foie gras pâté, cured duck breast, and all things truffle—from butters, salts, and oils to truffle caviar, truffle carpaccio, and seasonal white and black whole truffles. 5621 Palmer Way
Farmers’ Market Fare
Shaka Guac Two twentysomething surfers, Zak Zimmer and Brett St. Amour, who met as servers at Sbicca, saw a void in the grab-and-go guacamole market
and did something about it. Find their Mango-Habanero Mavericks, Spicy Swamis, and signature Ridiculous Rincon at the Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach farmers’ markets, or at Culture Brewing Co Saturday afternoons. shakaguac.com
Restaurant Revamp
The Wooden Spoon Escondido What was once a nondescript Mexican drive-thru is now a showcase for five-star cuisine courtesy of chef Jesse Paul, formerly of Park Hyatt Aviara. His tiny restaurant has an equally tiny menu that rotates frequently. We love the Spoon Burger. 805 East Valley Parkway
Veggie Taco
Cauliflower Tacos at The Lumberyard Tavern Encinitas Corn tortillas are stacked with sautéed cauliflower and caramelized onions, drizzled with salsa verde, and dressed with cabbage and fans of avocado. It’s served with a side of house-made black beans and pairs perfectly with an orange wheat beer. 967 South Coast Highway 101
Whiskey Bar
Urge Oceanside This gourmet pub, whose flagship has flourished in Rancho Bernardo, just opened Urge Gastropub and Whiskey Bank in south Oceanside. Try the fried cheese curds with spicy aioli, Garbage Burger, and Drunken Carrot Slab cake with a cold brew or fine whiskey.
2002 South Coast Highway, Oceanside
Wine Bar in a Mall
The Wine Loft Carlsbad This tasting room at The Forum has wine flights, cheese boards, charcuterie, and panini. Indie winemakers from Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles drop in to show their handiwork. They also offer blind tastings and a killer wine club. 1911 Calle Barcelona
Nouveau Ramen
The Whet Noodle Oceanside The Whet Noodle isn’t your average ramen house. Select a protein such as fish or buffalo and bacon before deciding between hot and sour miso (slightly sweeter) or duck shoyu (more savory) ramen broth. The gastropub also serves beer, wine, and sake. Slurping encouraged. 1813 South Coast Highway
Cheap Tacos
El Pueblo Cardiff‐by‐the‐Sea Yes, it’s located at the Valero gas station next to the car wash, but no complaints here. The fish tacos are 99 cents every day, and the carne asada fries are killer. 820 Birmingham Drive
Morning Buzz
Better Buzz Coffee Encinitas This hipster-packed coffee house is home to single-origin coffees, cold brew, kombucha on tap, and fresh juices, as well as Bread & Cie pastries and muffins. Thumbs up for understanding the art of toast—giant slabs of multigrain bread come slathered with organic avocado, sprinkled feta, and tomato slices, or with Nutella, berries, and bananas. 578 South Coast Highway 101
Rhône‐Style Wines
Domaine Artefact Winery Escondido Winemaker Mark Robinson spent time elevating his craft in Paso Robles and now makes impressive wines like a Grenache Rose and ruby Syrah. Pastures with horses and an alfresco patio set the scene for sipping by the hills of San Pasqual Valley. 15404 Highland Valley Road
Tempranillo
Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery Escondido Winemaker Mike Embly and his father, Ed, are producing well-crafted reds, and their estate-grown tempranillo is the best in San Diego. Take a vineyard tour of the property’s 15 varietals and then drink in views of soaring hawks. 3255 Summit Drive
Fast‐Casual Idea
Pokewan Carlsbad Get grab-and-go sushi and seafood or build your own poke bowl for a taste of Hawaii at this “Chipotle-style” eatery, newly opened from the Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar team.. 2958 Madison Street
Under‐the‐Radar Microbrewery
Arcana Brewing Carlsbad This steampunk brewery pours brews in a tasting room dressed in clock gears, machine pieces, and handmade mugs (part of their Mug Club, in which members have their own glass waiting behind the bar). Try the Headbasher, a hoppy IPA, and and look for Steampunk Night, when local aficionados converge to talk Victorian-industrial style. 5621 Palmer Way
Gelato
Gaia Gelato Carlsbad Roman expats and cousins Cristina Amoroso and Paola Richard offer gelato made in-house daily at Gaia. Amoroso—who studied gelato making in Perugia, Italy—concocts flavors that range from ricotta and fig to pink salted caramel, plus traditional favorites like cookies and cream. A key ingredient in all flavors: Carlsbad alkaline water. Enjoy your scoop in a cup or cone, or doused with coffee for a creamy affogato. 300 Carlsbad Village Drive
Special Occasion Meal
Kitchen Counter at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara Carlsbad Kick your celebration dinner up a notch with the Kitchen Counter experience ($85 per person), which offers the chance to get up close and personal with the kitchen staff. Diners can sit at the counter or at a long table for larger parties, and watch as chefs create a custom five-course menu, with painstaking attention to detail (like using tweezers to place microgreens). Vegan, gluten-intolerant, soy-phobic, or all of the above? The team can tailor the menu to your diet, and offer plenty of insight and fun. You must be a guest to attend, but don’t worry—their villas and refreshed pool area will have you booking a room in no time. 7210 Blue Heron Place
We Can't Wait For... Campfire Carlsbad The brainchild of CH Projects vet John Resnick, design team Bells & Whistles, and former Addison chef Andrew Bachelier, the resto will feature rustic food cooked over an open flame, wine from Solana Beach’s Carruth Cellars, and more. 2725 State Street
The Expansion of Swell Coffee Co. Del Mar Owner John Vallas plans to elevate the café experience with tapas and shared plates at night, along with a cheese expert, beer and tequila ciceroni, and an adventurous wine list. 670 Via de la Valle
Tasting Room Del Mar Del Mar Tasting Room will highlight boutique wine, craft beer, and small plates of sustainably sourced food from L.A. chef Steven Lona. The evolving wine list will be curated by sommelier Rusti Gilbert, formerly of Addison and The Cork and Craft. 1435 Camino Del Mar Back to top ^
Shopping & Beauty
Spa Day
Omni La Costa Spa Carlsbad
Fifty-one and still fabulous, La Costa Spa, a leader in progressive wellness experiences, calls for a day of luxuriating. We recommend the outdoor Roman waterfall showers, a stone path labyrinth walk for meditative reflexology, and Bellinis by the pool. Plus, bliss out with the new citrus and kale facial. 2100 Costa Del Mar Road
Handcrafted Putters
Kronos Oceanside Kronos founder Phillip Lapuz makes remarkable handcrafted putters, known for their balanced center of gravity and handsome design. (His artistic Hinotori putter, featuring an intricate “bird of fire” design, is even on display at the British Golf Museum in Saint Andrews, Scotland.) Lapuz, who was offered $150K on Shark Tank, walked away from the deal, but no worries, his O'side company is doing just fine. kronosgolf.com
Specialty Salon
Blink Lash Boutique Solana Beach The eyelash extension pros recently moved their flagship to a larger location nearly double the size and introduced a brow bar. Coming soon, a makeup line so you can walk out the door with your best face forward. 665 San Rodolfo Drive
Repurposed Jewelry
Copper Canary Carlsbad Fifth-generation jeweler Allie DeSeelhorst refashions vintage pieces into something new and chic. Prefer the gems in their original settings?
There are plenty of those sparklers for sale, with a focus on antique bridal jewelry. 2832 State Street
Spa Treatment
Honey Dream Body Treatment, Ocean Pearl Spa Carlsbad An Ocean Pearl exclusive at the Sheraton Carlsbad, the 80-minute regimen uses myofascial techniques to relieve muscle tension and increase circulation, and uses honey to decrease inflammation and soften skin. Bonus: It includes a milk-honey face mask. 5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Affordable Spa
Karma Carlsbad The strip mall gem garners loyal patrons for its pretty ambiance, solid therapists, and easy-on-the-wallet prices. Book a duo room with a girlfriend or mate and try the Body/Foot Fusion—a 60-minute foot soak, head and shoulder massage, and full backside body massage with reflexology for $36. 2614 El Camino
Real Home & Gift Boutique
Moonshadow Encinitas Pick up a gift for the man, woman, kiddo, and fur child in your life at this well-stocked boutique that includes global-chic pillows, Cleobella handbags (pictured), and Pendleton for your pooch. 90 North Coast Highway 101
Back to top ^
Arts
Music Festival
Kaaboo Del Mar This local spin on Coachella made a splash at the Del Mar Fairgrounds last year with acts like No Doubt, art and comedy showcases, airconditioned areas, and no grungy Porta-Potties. This September, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, and Jason Isbell will take the stage for the fest. Rock on! kaaboodelmar.com
Mural Program
Carlsbad Art Wall Carlsbad This is one of the latest projects from artist Bryan Snyder, a longtime proponent of public art. Visiting and local artists leave their mark on an exterior wall of Señor Grubby’s restaurant, with a new mural created every two months. Snyder also leads an urban art workshop for teens with the local Boys & Girls Club. 377 Carlsbad Village Drive
Intimate Theater
North Coast Repertory Theatre Solana Beach Forget big-box theater. The intimate layout of this performing arts space means there isn’t a bad seat in the house. And that’s great news, considering the nonprofit theater’s consistently stellar lineup—look for Way Downriver, an adaptation of William Faulkner’s Old Man, this month. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive
Pop‐Up Gallery
Said Space Encinitas Surfer vibes meet arthouse culture at this creative space, which hosts gallery showings and opening party exhibitions for collections of paintings, drawings, photography, and other works by local artists. Said is open per a rotating show schedule—check saidspace.com for updates—but you can purchase many pieces on their online store. 766 South Coast Highway 101 Back to top ^
Health & Wellness
Community Farm
Coastal Roots Farm Encinitas Get back to nature at this nonprofit farm, whose mission, “We seed, we grow, we share,” describes its sustainable practices as well as its work with the community. It hosts food festivals, offers volunteers the chance to work the land on Sundays and Tuesdays, and recently became the site of a forest of fruit trees and plants that can eventually be harvested by the public. 441 Saxony Road
Alt‐Yoga Studio
Evolve Yoga & Movement Encinitas Yoga class meets cool lounge at Evolve, where local DJ Krazy Kut spins records during Sunday morning classes so you can lip-synch to Kid Cudi while you eka pada. They also teach Hip Yoga Hop for cardio dance sans mat and the Tootsie Roll foam roller yoga class to work out those knots. Stick around for kombucha post-class. 687 South Coast Highway 101
Beach Run
Surfing Madonna Encinitas This beach run now has 5K, 10K, and 15K races along Moonlight Beach (timed for low tide, of course). Whatever distance you choose, at the finish line you get a medal modeled after the namesake iconic mosaic artwork. The money raised by the event—scheduled this year for October 15—helps local schools and charities. 400 B Street
New‐Age Treatment
Chiltonic Encinitas Yes, people pay money to stand in a chilly –135° C chamber for three minutes, sporting only booties and mitts. Why? Because cryotherapy’s cold nitrogen vapors are said to relieve inflammation, treat injuries, turbocharge healing, and rev metabolism. Athletes have been freezing for more than 30 years, and present-day athletes like LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers are also fans. 191 North El Camino Real
Hardcore Barre
Studio Barre Multiple locations Of all the barre workouts, this one hurts the most. Franchise co-owner and “barre-tender” Brooke Tigh is a certified yoga teacher, former pro dancer, and all-around athlete, ensuring you nail the form and humbling you with her advanced moves. Kneel on your heels, lift your butt a few inches, then circle your hips, crunching your abs while squeezing a ball between your hands at chest height. Do this for an eternity. This class uses a ball, mat, resistance band, barre, and weights. It has a boot-camp feel—this barre is not tied to tiny movements. Bring no-slip socks and your game face. 7845 Highland Village Place, Torrey Highlands; 208 North El Camino Real, Encinitas (also in Mission Hills and Bird Rock)
Instructor
Scott Baker at Gemini Fit Solana Beach Scott Baker serves calorie-incinerating, Tabata-style workouts one-on-one or in group classes. His Sculpt and Shred circuits are fast-paced, ever-changing, and effective. Local trainers flock to his studio for their workouts, a testament indeed. 742 Genevieve Street
Pressed Juice
Choice Juicery Solana Beach Healthy, high-quality juices, smoothies, and superfood-loaded meals are on the menu at this juice bar's latest location. Plus, recycle your jar and save $1. 437 South Coast Highway 101
Healthy Eats
Good on Ya Encinitas The Kearny Mesa–based eatery opened a location in Encinitas last summer. Feast on organic breakfast and lunch items, like oatmeal made with grass-fed butter and sandwiches served on local Prager Brothers bread. There are also waffles packed with more than 15 grams of protein. As Good on Ya's menu says, "It’s almost like working out!" 1051 South Coast Highway 101
Two‐for‐One Yoga
Mantra Yoga & Juice Bar Carlsbad Mantra brings fitness and nutrition together for one indulgent sweat session. Beyond the cold, lavender-scented cloth doled out during savasana, yogis can order a drink from the in-house juice bar before class so it's ready for you as you walk out the door. 5617 Paseo Del Norte
Best Yoga Soundtrack
Rock & Roll Yoga at Yoga Six
Carlsbad At Patrick Garrison’s Friday Vinyasa Specialty Flow Rock & Roll class, yogis flow to Bowie, Hendrix, and Green Day, as well as Motown and ’80s pop. Each week features a different band or artist. No spiritual chants on this playlist. 1905 Calle Barcelona
Cookbook Author
Sara Vance Encinitas Encinitas-based author and nutritionist Sara Vance wants us all to get healthier. We love this recipe (below) for a green lemonade from her new book, The Perfect Metabolism Plan. Go green, SD! rebalancelife.com
Recipe: Metabolism‐Boosting Green Lemonade From The Perfect Metabolism Plan Ingredients 1 organic Granny Smith apple 1 small slice of peeled ginger 1 organic lemon (most of peel removed) 6–7 organic kale leaves 1 organic romaine heart 1 small cucumber 1–2 celery stalks 1 teaspoon of avocado oil, or 2 teaspoons of chia seeds (stir in and allow to soak) Directions
Put everything (except the avocado oil/chia seeds) into the juicer*. Pour into a glass. Stir in chia seeds (if using), and allow them to soak 3–5 minutes. Otherwise, add your avocado oil and enjoy. *If you don’t have a juicer, use your blender and strain out the pulp if you like. Back to top ^
Kids
Horseback Riding
Equestrian Center At Fairmont Grand Del Mar Carmel Valley Non-hotel guests can take advantage of everything from pony rides and day camps for kids to professional riding lessons for aspiring and seasoned equestrians. Trail rides explore the beauty of Los Peñasquitos Canyon with chance sightings of bobcats, mule deer, and great blue herons. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court
Nature Program
San Diego Botanic Garden Encinitas Ever wondered how to create a living wall or vertical garden with succulents? Interested in growing your own hydroponic vegetables? Curious
about compost? This 37-acre green jewel in Encinitas offers excellent classes for gardeners tall and small. Kids love their Seeds of Wonder activity series, which includes garden arts and crafts. 230 Quail Gardens Drive
PHOTO BY SHELBY CLARK
Kiddie Accessories
Bink & Boo San Marcos Bianca Wickers has been making children’s booties, bibs, and more for her line Bink & Boo since 2009, but earlier this year, the San Marcos resident debuted a collection of her covetable kids’ footwear for big-name retailer The Land of Nod. The styles combine her vintage aesthetic with a slightly preppy flair. binkandboo.com
Animal Encounter
Nurtured By Nature Valley Center This nonprofit animal facility offers one-of-a-kind otter swims and interactions with critters like kangaroos, sloths, hedgehogs, porcupines, and more. Beyond the entertainment, it’s an education and conservation center dedicated to making dreams come true for sick and traumatized children. Money raised from private paid encounters supports free sessions for kids with terminal illnesses or disabilities through organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (Kids 7 and up; reservations only.) nurturedbynature.org
Teen Program
Circles Teen Wellness Academy Encinitas
Circles combines workouts, yoga, and self-discovery to promote mind-body awareness in adolescents. Activities include creating vision boards, journaling, and guided meditations with guest presenters. 960 Second Street
Art Class
Martin Fine Art Classes Encinitas Kids learn artistic fundamentals during lessons in the Old Masters tradition. Prospective students can try a free intro class in drawing or painting. 162 Rancho Santa Fe Road
“Cool” Sport Venue
Icetown Carlsbad Budding figure skaters can hone their skills via IceTown's figure skating academy or private instruction, while young hockey players can opt for the in-house league or club team, and others can try the free hockey program for beginners. 2283 Cosmos Court Back to top ^
What happened to this top hotel’s ranking?
By Lori Weisberg | 3:30 p.m. March 2, 2016
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar, which was sold last year, is not on Forbes Travel Guide’s list this year of four- and five-star properties. The Grand Del Mar
.
✉ ⎙
Just two San Diego County hotels this year — the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort — have made it onto the Forbes Travel Guide’s prestigious list of five-star lodging properties, scattered throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Noticeably absent from the annual ranking is the Grand Del Mar, which was sold last year and is now being operated by the Fairmont hotel chain. However, the hotel’s well regarded fine dining venue, Addison, and its spa did receive five-star designations in the separate restaurant and spa categories. Addison is one of just 56 top-rated restaurant winners, and the spa remains among an elite group of 47.
No other San Diego County restaurant or spa received five stars. For several years in a row, the Grand Del Mar, a luxury 400-acre resort located in Carmel Valley, has received a Forbes five-star designation. As is customary with the Forbes rating system, a hotel temporarily loses its rating when it undergoes a change in its branding or management and it is then reinspected for a possible new rating. In the case of the Grand Del Mar, Forbes did re-inspect the property last year following the change in ownership, but the Travel Guide is now classifying the hotel only as “soon-to-be-rated,” meaning that the rating process remains incomplete, said Amanda Frasier, senior vice president of ratings for Forbes Travel Guide. Frasier pointed out that Forbes has what she called a global partnership program, of which the Grand Del Mar is a member. It is operated independently of the ratings program, but one of the benefits for partners that previously have not received a star ranking is the ability to review their inspection reports. At that time, they have the option of not making their rating public. Fraiser would not confirm whether that was in fact what happened with the Grand Del Mar for this year’s release of rated properties. The next rating announcement will not be made until January of next year, she added. Grand Del Mar general manager Christof Luedi was unavailable for comment on Wednesday, but hotel spokeswoman Claire Kunzman said, “We look forward to the resort being rated later this year.” This year marks the second time the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad received a five-diamond award, and the Rancho Valencia resort in Rancho Santa Fe has received the ranking three years in a row. They were among 17 five-star properties in California. Forbes Travel Guide works with a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties using as many as 800 defined standards for determining ratings. It describes five-star resorts as “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.” Typically, inspectors stay two nights at each hotel as part of the ratings process. San Diego County properties receiving four-star Forbes ratings were the Lodge at Torrey Pines and the US Grant. Four-star restaurants are A.R. Valentien at the Lodge and Veladora at Rancho Valencia. The spas at those two hotels also earned four stars, as did Park Hyatt’s spa. lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg
10BEST: Trusted Travel & Lifestyle Advice
The Best Naughty and Nice Bits of Victoria, B.C.
48 hours of unexpected twists in the trendy Canadian capital city By Corinne Whiting Seattle Local Expert
SAVE TO MY LISTS
+
MARCH 8, 2016
Photo courtesy of Deddeda Stemler/Tourism Victoria Perhaps you’ve heard whispers of an unfortunate tagline recently acquired by our lovely neighbors to the north. Victoria, B.C.: a destination for the “newly wed and nearly dead.” Zing! Ouch, we’re sorry, neighbors. We’re happy to report, though, that - in our eyes - such a below-the-belt description no longer applies to this increasingly hip destination. In truth, the stunning capital of British Columbia is so much more than its serene setting and British colonial past.
The British connection can be spotted all around town. Photo courtesy of Corinne Whiting Locate
Share
Lists
Articles
MOST POPULAR 10BEST LISTS Naples: Find Amore at Naples Best Authentic Pizza Joints Chicago: Dance the night away at Chicago's best clubs Toronto: Lacking in Passport Stamps? Visit Toronto's Best Asian Restaurants for Exotic Flavors Edinburgh: Dine Out in Leith for the Best Meals in Edinburgh New York: 10 Reasons Why Save the New York
Steakhouse Will Never Die
Sure, Victorian architecture, formal gardens and even a stately castle mansion here honor history and make for Insta-perfect snaps. In this town, the pace is tranquil, the crime is low and the price is right (for travelers using the U.S. dollar, anyway. Again... sorry, neighbors.). But these days, visitors might choose to go the naughty route by getting a couples' mud wrap at Brentwood Bay Resort or sipping on a couple (or many) Ol' Dirty Fashioned cocktails at be love restaurant. And yes, Victoria might go a bit gaga for imported customs like tea, with an estimated 500,000 cuppas served annually at the regal Fairmont Empress Hotel. Yet now even tradition comes with a dose of sass. For example, innovative mixologists now concoct tea-tinged cocktails across town that would leave even the Queen stumbling giddily out of teatime. Also? The city is stepping up - in racy ways - its claim-tofame as the "Most Romantic City of Canada" (as ranked by Amazon.ca). A recent tourism newsletter gave the 411 on how to get “down and dirty in Victoria,” suggesting tantalizing Valentine's draws like funky Hotel Zed’s "Lucky Nooner Package," a cheeky deal for rooms rented between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. And the "Naughty Romance Package" continues to shake things up at the elegant Inn at Laurel Point. Couples get greeted by rose petals, a bottle of the Velvet Devil Merlot and a "Chef's chocolate creation for two;" the next day, they're rewarded with a late checkout and breakfast in bed. The real zinger? A "Naughty Love Kit" that comes stocked with playful perks like a feather tickler, mini vibrator, two condoms and personal lubricant. The Clipper proves an inviting, enjoyable way to cross the waters to Victoria. Photo courtesy of Clipper
GETTING TO VICTORIA Although one can also take the ferry from Port Angeles, we recommend expediting the process by hopping on a seaplane or boarding a Clipper (high-speed passenger ferry) from downtown Seattle. The 2.5- to 3-hour Clipper journey proves comfy and scenic, and attendants serve food and drink airplane-style. Windsurfers relish the surf at Dallas Road Beach. Photo courtesy of Deddeda Stemler/Tourism Victoria GET ACTIVE National Geographic magazine recognizes Vancouver Island as one of the best cold-water diving destinations in the world (who knew?), and other water sports abound, too. The city boasts hundreds of kilometers of running and bike paths, including the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. But, perhaps - like us - you enjoy being rewarded for your hard work; try burning calories in between decadent feasts on The Pedaler’s bike tours. Get led to some of the city’s best finds (think hot coffee or cold brew at Fernwood, to-die-for ice cream sandwiches inside Cold Comfort‘s charming, vintage space and so on). If you're looking for adult bevvies to accompany your bites, choose the Hoppy Hour Ride and Eat.Drink.Pedal. itineraries. Music lovers get their fix from buskers (especially in the summertime) or at venues around town. Photo courtesy of Jesse Moore Photography/Tourism Victoria FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
With 2,855 farms on Vancouver Island (991 of which are in Greater Victoria), "local" and "seasonal" are more than trendy buzzwords around kitchens up here. They're serious business. Pop into culinary Mecca Public Market at Hudson, where each local vendor’s stall seems tastier than the last. “Musts” include the Salt Spring Island Cheese and Silk Road tea spaces, as well as Sutra (for the lamb curry dog), Victoria Pie Co. and La Cocina de Mama Oli (try the tortilla soup, to start). Also, it’s important to know: Brunch is a thing. Spectacular options are everywhere, but unfortunately they're spectacularly popular too. Be prepared to queue. Luckily, Canadians are really stinkin’ polite and orderly while waiting in line. Places like Jam Café are worth the wait. Once settled below an antique Coke sign, mounted antlers and lazilyswirling fans, enjoy the eatery’s mellow feel and tasty dishes from biscuits ‘n gravy to The Turkey Lurkey sandwich, enhanced by sugar-cured bacon. At nearby Mo:Le, tuck into a friendly, hippie vibe where exposed brick walls display local art and the yam wrap is a tasty order. Victoria is only a 45-minute seaplane flight away from Seattle's South Lake Union. Photo courtesy of Tourism Victoria Before dinner, follow locals down Trounce Alley and past Tapa Bar (a bustling, popular venue), to instead enjoy the more chill Bodega, where a happy hour drink comes along with a complimentary pinxtos snack (like duck liver pate on the night we were there). Consider Fiamo for dinner— where a barstool is an especially cozy place to belly up.
The dark, sultry space features exposed brick walls, pops of red and delicious Italian food (think calamari, generous salads and pizzas drizzled with truffle oil). At North 48, comfort food with a twist complements fun tiki cocktails; at nearby 10 Acres, savor the perfect-10 ambience and dishes showcasing the island's freshest meats, cheeses, seafood and seasonal produce coming straight from the restaurant’s own farm. Next to a fireplace in the heated garden courtyard, enjoy fried heirloom green tomatoes, quinoa fritters, Sooke trout, Salt Spring Island mussels and the steak and frites platter, featuring some of the best truffle fries you’ll likely ever encounter. Pops of color enliven this town. Photo courtesy of Corinne Whiting EMBRACE THE QUIRK True, the Royal BC Museum is really interesting, and Butchart Gardens are beautiful. But we're here to switch it up. Head to the Bug Zoo instead. Here, you'll meet Dwayne the (flat) Rock Johnson, an intimidating scorpion, some horrifyingly hairy tarantulas and creepy-cool leaf insects that will boggle the mind. Next, go to Miniature World for nearly 100 meticulouslydetailed dioramas reveal teeny scenes capturing everything from historic wars to fairytales. (“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” anyone?) Victoria's Miniature World calls itself "The Greatest Little Show on Earth." Photo courtesy of Corinne Whiting TREAT YO' SELF You only live once, so we say, pamper it up. Try one of Victoria’s luxe five-star spas while in town.
One sure bet: soaking in steaming seaside mineral pools at the elegant Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Other ways to cut loose? Take advantage of the rockin' exchange rate by shopping till you drop at popular spots like She She Bags, Violette (stunning jewelry) and Paboom (awesome kitchenware, textiles, gifts, etc.) Afterward, tuck into some brews at The Guild and Swans Brewpub, or chat up friendly Canadians while indulging in creative cocktails at Veneto Tapa Lounge. And if you're especially lucky, Discover the Past tours might be leading their "Scandals and Sex" walkabouts while you're in town. Bottoms up: These days, Victoria has a thriving cocktails and brewery scene. Photo courtesy of Deddeda Stemler/Tourism Victoria However you choose to "do" Victoria, we feel confident you'll find something fun, rejuvenating and just your speed.
About Corinne Whiting Corinne Whiting thinks more Seattleites should know how easy it is to visit our lovely neighbors in Victoria. Read more about Corinne Whiting here. Connect with Corinne via: Blog | Instagram
comments powered by Disqus
Victoria's Empress Hotel gets first female manager CARLA WILSON, VICTORIA TIMES COLONIST 03.24.2016 |
Indu Brar has been in the hotel industry 27 years, working as a general manager at several hotels since 2007.
She just took over as the first female general manager of the Empress Hotel in Victoria, where she is
overseeing a major renovation slated for completion next spring.
Indu Brar is the first woman appointed as general manager of the 108 yearold Fairmont Empress Hotel, which is undergoing a major renovation slated to be completed in spring 2017. Brar started her new job two weeks ago, moving from the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver where she served as general manager for 2½ years and oversaw its renovation. As far as being the first woman to manage the Empress — after 23 male managers over more than a century, it’s just business as usual to Brar.
“I have been a GM in various hotels since 2007,” she said Thursday. Ian Powell, general manager at the nearby Inn at Laurel Point, spent six years of his career running the Empress. When he heard that Brar was taking the job “my first reaction was, ‘About time it’s a woman.’ ” Men outnumber women in senior management positions in the hotel sector, Powell said. “It’s not 5050, but there are a lot more (women) than there used to be.” Brar jumped at the chance to manage the historic Empress, calling it “a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Born and raised in Calgary, Brar, 47, is completing a masters of business administration through Queen’s University. She has been with Fairmont for 27 years. “As soon as I started, I absolutely fell in love with hospitality.” She joined the hotel business after high school, beginning by answering phones at the Chateau Airport hotel, then a CP property, in her hometown. “You have an opportunity to impact everyone’s experience, just with either a kind word or gesture. Also, I was fascinated by what it takes to run a hotel.” Guests see it as a seamless service. “When you get an opportunity to look behind the scenes, it is a beautiful orchestration of a lot of dedicated people and process to be able to turn it into something very special and genuine.” After Calgary, Brar moved to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton, and then to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Brar served for just under two years as hotel manager at The Plaza in New York. “You’re on the world stage there. Your clientele is very international,” she said. New York was followed by the job of general manager at the Fairmont
Winnipeg. She moved to Boston to become the general manager of the Fairmont Battery Wharf, prior to relocating to Vancouver. Brar points to the repointed brick work on the exterior of the Empress. “It is really spectacular.” New owner Nat Bosa is funding a massive renovation of the hotel. It’s too soon to say what the eventual cost will be, said Brar, estimating it will come in at between $30 million and $50 million. Once complete, the hotel, which has about 500 staú, will have 465 rooms, Brar said. The renovation is expected to reposition the hotel, ushering in its most elegant era, Brar said. The goal is “to be the best luxury resort in the Pacific Northwest. I think you have to think big.” Brar said the new restaurant, lobby lounge and bar will be sophisticated, but welcoming. About half the hotel rooms are also being completely updated. This first phase will be finished by June. Along with the traditional afternoon tea, the hotel is developing recipes to support the vibrant local cocktail culture, Brar said. A garden above the lobby will provide herbs to garnish drinks, and be part of food prepared by Empress chefs, who will also have homegrown vegetables. The hotel will be fully open in the summer and the final stage of renovation begins in the fall. This includes improvements to the lobby, the remaining rooms and the spa. Brar looks around the Bengal Lounge, which will be closing, saying it is a romantic location. She’s keen to tap the potential of destination weddings at the hotel. “I don’t think we have scratched the service yet.” Along with other tourism oøcials, Brar is optimistic about the upcoming season, saying, “we are seeing a nice positive uptick.” American travellers are returning, attracted by the exchange rate
between the Canadian and U.S. dollars, Canada’s beauty and overall safety.
Vancouver Flyers
HOVER FOR FLYER
HOVER FOR FLYER
HOVER FOR FLYER
(HTTP://WWW.POSTMEDIA.COM) © 2016 Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
HOVER FOR FLYER
4 Maui Pools With Swim-Up Bars : TravelAge West
1 of 2
http://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Hawaii/4-Maui-Pools-With-Swim...
home / destinations / hawaii / features
March 15, 2016 Submerged bars that are worth exploring in Maui By: Marty Wentzel
Hotels
Hawaii
When it comes to Hawaii pool time, all that diving, bobbing and sliding in the sunshine can really work up a thirst. How do active guests balance their love of the water with their craving for a mai tai or margarita? Four Maui resorts have come up with an answer by creating swim-up bars as part of the pool experience. Guests ages 21 and older can simply paddle up to the bar for a signature drink and even a bite to eat. Check out these watering holes where clients can wet their whistle without drying off first.
Hyatt Maui's swim-up Grotto Bar serves
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui Fairmont Kea Lani’s upper lagoon area presents an adults-only lure that’s part of Ama Bar & Grill. Bathing suit-clad clients perch on submerged seats and savor food, cocktails and
tropical libations. // © 2016 Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
views of the ocean and nearby islands.
Feature image (above): Kea Lani's Ama Bar &
Like all of the resort’s menus, Ama’s drinks showcase local ingredients. Consider the Long Paddle In, a blend of rum, pineapple, coconut, mango and raspberries. In addition, guests
Grill features a swim-up bar with ocean views. // © 2016 Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
Related Content
can order dishes such as sugar cane chicken teriyaki skewers. Get your cocktail from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. www.fairmont.com Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Don’t miss our list of the 10 best
4/5/2016 3:00 PM
4 Maui Pools With Swim-Up Bars : TravelAge West
2 of 2
pools in Hawaii for adults.
http://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Hawaii/4-Maui-Pools-With-Swim...
The swim-up bar at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea’s Serenity Pool is elegance epitomized. An infinity-edge pool design provides unobstructed panoramas of the Pacific
Ocean. Guests can freestyle stroke underwater to the strains of Hawaiian music and then relax with a drink on one of the eight in-water stools. Classic concoctions include the Ananas Della Passione, a mai tai served in a freshly-cut pineapple. The food menu is equally sleek, from salmon and kale salad to a Thai chicken wrap. The Four Seasons bar opens at 10 a.m. and serves until sunset. www.fourseasons.com
Grand Wailea On their first pass through Grand Wailea’s nine pools on six levels, guests might be so distracted that they miss the Grotto Bar, tucked in a waterfall-laced cave. If so, they can return to the top of the complex and make their way back down to this five-seat hideaway. Among its heady libations is the Hana Mudslide, with vodka, coffee liqueur, Bailey’s Irish cream and ice cream. The bar, which also serves salads and burgers, is open from noon to 5 p.m. www.grandwailea.com Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa In Hyatt Maui’s half-acre pool, swimmers can linger in a cool oasis — also called the Grotto Bar — beneath two waterfalls. Sunlight and water cast reflections on the cave walls while a television adds to the show. Clients take just a couple of steps out of the water to reach the bar, which appears to be floating. Popular picks include Pele’s Lava Flow with white and dark rum, coconut syrup, ice cream, banana and a strawberry swirl. It’s a decadent drink in a splashy setting that’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.maui.hyatt.com
Copyright © 2016 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
>
4/5/2016 3:00 PM
LEISURE / TRAVEL / INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
New hotel study defines the "new luxury" in travel March 20, 2016 9:35 PM MST
The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel Fairmont
The Luxury Insights Report: Stewardship of Iconic and Historic Buildings, commissioned by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, unveiled new insights in current trends in luxury travel. This inaugural volume reveals the vital importance of emotional fulfillment, place identity (the psychological connection to a destination) and cultural immersion in the decision-making process of luxury travelers worldwide. "Luxury guests are not only looking for warm and engaging service when traveling to world-class destinations, they are also following their hearts," said Jane Mackie, vice president, Fairmont Brand. "The emotional connection guests feel to each of our hotels is unique – whether it's finally crossing off a bucket list trip, exploring a new destination, or celebrating a milestone event. This industry-leading research demonstrates that the choice of a Fairmont hotel, be it historic or newly developed, often provides the sense of place and personal connection luxury travelers crave." One of the highlights from the report is that guests choose a historic destination to make an emotional connection. In fact, many feel that historic hotels offer unique and ownable emotional benefits due to their ability to evoke "place identity". Additional report highlights include: Place Identity: the psychological merging with the past; hotels with rich histories enable guests to feel like they are part of something meaningful, important and enduring. Experience over Commodity: aligning social status with the consumption of experiences rather than material goods – luxury redefined; transforming "luxurious" travel from simply being pampered to creating unforgettable memories. Cultural Immersion: a new type of cache among travelers; "I stayed at the Fairmont" is a clear demonstration of immersing oneself in culture, experience and history. History Lovers Repeatedly Choose Fairmont: in 2015, 38,000 "history lovers" stayed at more than one of Fairmont's historic properties.
With more than 70 hotels in key markets globally and even more in development including The Plaza in New York City, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has a distinctive collection of unrivaled heritage properties in its luxury portfolio. In June 2015, The Plaza unveiled The Legacy Suites, offering guests an unparalleled level of luxury in one of the world’s most iconic hotels. As the name suggests, The Legacy Suites pay homage to the rich history and heritage of The Plaza, and were designed to be evocative of an Upper East Side home. New York-based Champalimaud has redesigned each of the 29 iconic suites to feature contemporary décor with a tailored look that is simple and bright, yet elegant and timeless. Named for the iconic locations and celebrated individuals who have been part of The Plaza’s history, The Legacy Suites are firmly rooted in today with decor that is contemporary, yet complementary to the historic elements of the building. While the hotel is respectful of its storied past, The Plaza continues to evolve and The Legacy Suites are the newest page in its ongoing history book. With a global commitment to the careful restoration and preservation of historic buildings, along with the integration of the latest guest amenities and advanced technologies, Fairmont is uniquely positioned within the luxury travel industry. This value pillar was the impetus for the research study, which was
designed to investigate key motivators for travelers today, and how these drivers relate back to iconic and historic properties. "Our Luxury Insights Report reveals a decisive link between travelers and their emotional connection to historic and iconic hotels and the destinations in which they reside," added Mackie. "As a globally recognized leader in the stewardship of these landmarks, as well as the luxury operator of many new hotels that have already established themselves as the icons of tomorrow, it is our mandate to not only understand the experiences our guests desire, but to preserve and develop the properties that act as a catalyst for so many unforgettable moments." Fairmont has made it a focus to restore many of its grand buildings worldwide, and in partnership with its committed hotel owners, the luxury brand has managed to help renovate or restore more than 80% of its North American portfolio over the last few years. Notable projects range from a multi-million dollar makeover of the Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley, CA to a top-to-bottom restoration of Quebec City's castle-like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. In addition to the preservation of these influential historic properties, Fairmont is extending its commitment to being the leading operator of iconic properties worldwide with more than 40 new developments underway in key gateway cities and sought after resort locales across Europe, North America, the Middle East and China.
Sponsored Content on Examiner The Sound of SIlence By Ford Motor Company - A team of Ford engineers combines psychoacoustics and music theory to create the chime alerts in your car. Watch More From Ford
Traci Tournoux NY Travel Examiner
Š 2006-2015 AXS Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
(https://www.facebook.com/HotelierMagazine)
(https://twitter.com/hoteliermag)
▶ (https://www.youtube.com/user/KostuchMediaLtd)
☰
(http://www.hoteliermagazine.com)
(https://registration3.experientevent.com/showHDE161/Default.aspx?FLowCode=ATTENDEE&Source= (HOTELIER)) KOSTUCH MEDIA (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/AUTHOR/MOBRIEN/) , MARCH 18, 2016 /
129
0 (HTTP://WWW.HOTELI...
Fairmont Hotel Study Reveals Luxury Travel Trends BREAKING NEWS (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/CATEGORY/NEWS/BREAKING-NEWS/)
NEWS
(HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/CATEGORY/NEWS/)
SHARE
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/fairmont-hotel-study-reveals-luxury-travel-
trends/&t=Fairmont%20Hotel%20Study%20Reveals%20Luxury%20Travel%20Trends)
(https://twitter.com/home?
status=Fairmont%20Hotel%20Study%20Reveals%20Luxury%20Travel%20Trends+http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/fairmont-hotelstudy-reveals-luxury-travel-trends/) reveals-luxury-travel-trends/)
(https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/fairmont-hotel-study-
(http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/fairmont-hotel-
study-reveals-luxury-travel-trends/&media=http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/fairmont-royalyork.jpg&description=Fairmont%20Hotel%20Study%20Reveals%20Luxury%20Travel%20Trends)
(https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool? shareSource=legacy&canonicalUrl=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hoteliermagazine.com%2Ffairmont-hotel-study-reveals-luxury-traveltrends%2F&posttype=link&title=Fairmont+Hotel+Study+Reveals+Luxury+Travel+Trends&content=)
Home (http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/) News (http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/category/news/) Breaking News (http://w...
NEW YORK — Fairmont Hotels & Resorts released key ndings from its inaugural “Luxury Insights Report: Stewardship of Iconic and Historic Buildings.” The results of the report revealed that emotional ful llment, a place’s historic identity and cultural immersion are essential in the decision-making process of luxury travellers worldwide. “Luxury guests are not only looking for warm and engaging service when travelling to world-class destinations, they are also following their hearts,” says Jane Mackie, VP, Fairmont Brand. “Our ‘Luxury Insights Report’ reveals a decisive link between travellers and their emotional connection to historic and iconic hotels and the destinations in which they reside.” Fairmont’s “Luxury Insights Report” incorporates research and insights from multiple sources, including a brand- rst ethnographic study conducted by Weinman Schnee Morais Inc. and data from market research rm YouGov. The report is part of a new series of research-led, data-driven reports focused on current trends in luxury travel.
TAGS: FAIRMONT (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/FAIRMONT/), FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/FAIRMONT-HOTELS-RESORTS/), JANE MACKIE (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/JANE-MACKIE/), LUXURY INSIGHTS REPORT (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/LUXURY-INSIGHTS-REPORT/), LUXURY TRAVEL (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/LUXURY-TRAVEL/), WEINMAN SCHNEE MORAIS INC. (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/WEINMAN-SCHNEE-MORAIS-INC/), YOUGOV (HTTP://WWW.HOTELIERMAGAZINE.COM/TAG/YOUGOV/)
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php? u=http://www.hoteliermagazine.com/fairmon hotel-study-reveals-luxury-traveltrends/&t=Fairmont%20Hotel%20Study%2 (https://twitter.com/home? status=Fairmont%20Hotel%20Study%20Re
Luxury Daily Home >> Featured, Industry sectors, News, Research, Travel and hospitality >> Article: Travelers interested in history and culture of locale: Fairmont Receive the latest ar ticles for free. Click here to get the Luxur y Daily newsletter s.
Tr aveler s interested in histor y and culture of locale: Fair mont By Forrest Cardamenis March 21, 2016
Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Travelers place an enormous weight on concocting a psychological connection to a destination, according a new report by Weinman Schnee Morais Inc. commissioned by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “Luxury Insights Report: Stewardship of Iconic and Historic Buildings” is the first in a new series of research reports focusing on current trends in luxury travel that Fairmont will undertake. The series of reports will help Fairmont and other hoteliers check their strengths and weaknesses against consumer desires. “This Fairmont research shows that today’s traveler exhibits higher levels of interest in active and creative cultural participation, rather than passive observation – something they are looking for whether they choose to stay at a luxury hotel or home-sharing service,” said Alexandra Blum, vice president, public relations and partnerships at FRHI. “Luxury guests are not only looking for warm and engaging service when traveling to world-class destinations, they are also following their hearts, which is why our colleagues strive to bring this authenticity to life in ways you can only experience in a luxury hotel.”
Reflected through histor y Great service is no longer enough for travelers; instead, consumers desire cultural immersion and a strong sense of place, and hoteliers must follow suit. A brand-first ethnographic study included in the report focuses on the ways in which Fairmont meets these desires.
Fairmont San Francisco Instigating the study, Fairmont found that 75 percent of its guests say that “capturing the local culture of the destination” is extremely or very important for their trips. In support, the study found that more than a quarter of United States international travelers see themselves as “sophisticated explorers” whose top priority when traveling is to explore new cultures. The top priorities of travelers overall are to connect to a destination emotionally – something a hotel can do by placing itself within the locale’s history – and that commodities and souvenirs are less important than experiences. Hotels have long operated in this manner, with cultural immersion initiatives being commonplace across properties. “The emotional connection guests feel to each of our hotels is unique – whether it’s finally crossing off a bucket list trip, exploring a new destination, or celebrating a milestone event,” Ms. Blum said. “We found, for example, that history lovers repeatedly choose Fairmont: in 2015, 38,000 “history lovers” stayed at more than one of Fairmont’s historic properties.” More specifically, however, the report shows that “bucket-list” experiences are particularly desirable, and that consumers are willing to spend more money on having one than ever before. This is closely connected with social media, which allows travelers to stay in contact with a large circle of friends and share their experiences. Under these circumstances, unique experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere are particularly desirable.
Fairmont Dubai, United Arab Emirates For Fairmont, many guests consider staying at one of their properties as a bucket-list goal and an accomplishment in and of itself. This fact speaks to the brand’s success at cultivating desire and selling itself as a supporter of experiences rather than as a mere status symbol or even a mark of great service. The study also found that consumers are particularly fond of Fairmont hotels for their ties to history. Recognizing that this is a point of differentiation can help Fairmont with future marketing efforts, which will need to maintain its sense of history to stay true to its brand but also can branch out in strategic ways to capture a market segment with other interests. Cultur al specificity Culture-based and heritage travel are important to U.S. travelers, with more than half engaging in such activities while traveling abroad. The closely related trend of voluntourism is also growing. Traveling is an increasingly popular way for people to give back, and hotel brands must stay on top of the trend to maintain their status as the best in the business. A recent study by Tours.com found that an astonishing 55 percent of America-based travelers partook in volunteer work during a vacation within the past two years, with almost three quarters calling their charitable donations or philanthropic endeavors “important,” “very important” or “extremely important.” As “voluntourism” becomes increasingly common, brands must show that they care equally and assist travelers in partaking in volunteer work or gifting to maintain status and image (see story). In addition to Fairmont, other hotels also promote heritage in a culturally specific manner. For example, The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is taking guests on a trip through time to celebrate 140 years. The hotel will host a number of culinary, music and dance events, exhibitions and CSR
initiatives throughout the year, emphasizing the hotel’s ties to various historical periods and figures. Turning a hotel into a destination will attract visitors and also positions the Mandarin Oriental as a culturally rich and creative brand (see story). “Our global leadership position as both a steward of these historic and iconic properties, as well as the luxury operator of many new hotels that have already established themselves as the icons of tomorrow, differentiate the Fairmont brand among our stakeholders – travelers who visit our properties, developers looking for a brand to manage their building or a city leader trying to understand the significance of a property in their jurisdiction,” Ms. Blum said.
Like this article? Sign up for a free subscription to Luxury Daily's must-read newsletters. Click here!
« Previous article Next article » Related content: Fairmont and BMW team up to take guests through Canadian Rockies, Fairmont continues sustainability efforts with bee hotel expansion, Fairmont and Flytographer say no to selfies, Luxury hotels have trouble delivering consistent experience globally: report, Fairmont reduces carbon emissions to meet sustainability goal, No comments » Tags: Fairmont, luxury, luxury daily, luxury marketing, travel and hospitality You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply
FREE SHIPPING AND RETURNS Exclusions apply. See site for details.
NEWS
SPECIAL OFFERS
DESTINATIONS
LUXURY HOTELS
VILLAS
TRIPS/CRUISES
ARTS/CULTURE
FOOD/WINE
SPA/SPORT
SHOPPING/STYLE
Back to: Home >
News
Search
Interviews, Jet Set Pet, Luxury Voyages, Suite Dreams, Time Traveler, Trends, Weekend Away
Luxury Insights Report Released by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
March 17, 2016 Enter Keyword COUNTRY SETTING TRIP TYPE
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has released key findings from its Luxury Insights Report: Stewardship of Iconic and Historic Buildings, part of a new series of research-led, data-driven reports focused on current trends in luxury travel. This inaugural volume reveals the vital importance of emotional fulfillment, place identity (the psychological connection to a destination) and cultural immersion in the decision-making process of luxury travelers worldwide. Fairmont's first Luxury Insights Report explores the role of architecture, property development, and thoughtful preservation and restoration as emotional drivers that influence purchase decision. "Luxury guests are not only looking for warm and engaging service when traveling to world-class destinations, they are also following their hearts," said Jane Mackie, vice president, Fairmont Brand. "The emotional connection guests feel to each of our hotels is unique – whether it's finally crossing off a bucket list trip, exploring a new destination, or celebrating a milestone event. This industry-leading research demonstrates that the choice of a Fairmont hotel, be it historic or newly developed, often provides the sense of place and personal connection luxury travelers crave." Fairmont's Luxury Insights Report, which incorporates research and insights from multiple sources, including a brand-first ethnographic study conducted by Weinman Schnee Morais Inc. and data from market research firm YouGov, shows that guests choose a historic destination to make an emotional connection. In fact, many feel that historic hotels offer unique and ownable emotional benefits due to their ability to evoke "place identity". Additional report highlights include: • Place Identity: the psychological merging with the past; hotels with rich histories enable guests to feel like they are part of something meaningful, important and enduring. • Experience over Commodity: aligning social status with the consumption of experiences rather than material goods – luxury redefined; transforming "luxurious" travel from simply being pampered to creating unforgettable memories. • Cultural Immersion: a new type of cache amongst travelers; "I stayed at the Fairmont" is a clear demonstration of immersing oneself in culture, experience and history. • History Lovers Repeatedly Choose Fairmont: in 2015, 38,000 "history lovers" stayed at more than one of Fairmont's historic properties. With more than 70 hotels in key markets globally and even more in development, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has a distinctive collection of unrivaled heritage properties in its luxury portfolio. With a global commitment to the careful restoration and preservation of historic buildings, along with the integration of the latest guest amenities and advanced technologies, Fairmont is uniquely positioned within the luxury travel industry. This value pillar was the impetus for the research study, which was designed to investigate key motivators for travelers today, and how these drivers relate back to iconic and historic properties. "Our Luxury Insights Report reveals a decisive link between travelers and their emotional connection to historic and iconic hotels and the destinations in which they reside," added Mackie. "As a globally recognized leader in the stewardship of these landmarks, as well as the luxury operator of many new hotels that have already
LUXURY PARTNERS
Ran ch o Cielo - Co sta Rica Rancho Cielo sits between heaven and earth on a private 24-acre hillside property with breathtaking views of Hermosa beach in Santa Teresa on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. Sag o Ho tel - New Yo rk City
The Sago is an atmospheric medley of urbane fragments and light, the lustrous inner world of the hotel is the quintessential launchpad into your perfect New York City experience. Ab ercro mb ie & Ken t Villas The collection of exclusive, luxury villas are hand-picked by A&K expert travel advisors and are meticulously inspected to ensure they meet the highest expectations. Ho tel d el Co ro n ad o - San Dieg o The iconic Hotel del Coronado has been the world's choice for creating inDELible moments and connections for over 128 years. Th e Missio n In n Ho tel & Sp a Embark on a European vacation in Southern California at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, an icon of breathtaking architecture, timeless beauty and old world charm.
established themselves as the icons of tomorrow, it is our mandate to not only understand the experiences our guests desire, but to preserve and develop the properties that act as a catalyst for so many unforgettable moments." Fairmont has made it a focus to restore many of its grand buildings worldwide, and in partnership with its committed hotel owners, the luxury brand has managed to help renovate or restore more than 80% of its North American portfolio over the last few years. Notable projects range from a multi-million dollar makeover of the Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley, CA to a top-to-bottom restoration of Quebec City's castle-like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. In addition to the preservation of these influential historic properties, Fairmont is extending its commitment to being the leading operator of iconic properties worldwide with more than 40 new developments underway in key gateway cities and sought after resort locales across Europe, North America, the Middle East and China. "As we search for new ways to bring our brands to life, we continue to develop deeper insights around the importance of our guest expectations and experiences," said Alexandra Blum, vice president, public relations and partnerships. "The Luxury Insights Report findings are a tangible way to demonstrate this knowledge and help to guide our overall product, positioning and communications narrative." Visit website: fairmont.com
Mead Bro wn Co sta Rica A boutique vacation rental firm offering extraordinary private villas and homes plus premium condominiums for those who expect excellent value, personal service and supremely comfortable accommodations. Ed en Ro c at Cap Can a Offering exclusive luxury in the Dominican Republic, Eden Roc at Cap Cana, the only Relais & Chateaux hotel on the island, features 34 freestanding suites with private pools and stunning views. Villa Sab ai Jai - Ko h Tao , Th ailan d Three exclusive, boutique pool villas for rent on the small island Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand -- the perfect place for those seeking privacy, luxury and tranquility. In su reMyTrip .co m Find the right Travel Insurance Plan for your next trip. InsureMyTrip offers hundreds of plans from top providers in the industry. Plan eSen se, In c. PlaneSense, Inc. is a fractional aircraft ownership program based in Portsmouth, NH, in operation since 1995. It is the only program that combines affordable, practical ownership with world-class service.
Ho tel Valley Ho - Sco ttsd ale, AZ Hotel Valley Ho is the legendary hip hotel in downtown Scottsdale, paying tribute to its original and classic midcentury design. Exo tic Estates In tern atio n al Exotic Estates International offers an exquisite collection of luxury vacation rentals in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, and America's favorite ski areas. Arg en tario Reso rt Go lf & Sp a A coastal golf and spa resort in Tuscany named 'Best Luxury Hotel in Italy' by Overseas Living Magazine, Argentario Resort Golf & Spa also offers a luxurious golf villa. A.M.A Selectio n s - Fren ch Riviera A.M.A Selections is a premier luxury vacation rental agency on the French Riviera offering an exclusive portfolio of villas from Monaco to St. Tropez. Peg asu s Su ites & Sp a - San to rin i Pegasus Suites & Spa promises you a carefree and memorable vacation while enjoying the magic and the mystery of one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Th e L o d g e at To rrey Pin es Overlooking the world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course with distant views of the Pacific Ocean, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a AAA Five Diamond La Jolla hotel located just 15 miles north of downtown San Diego.
Sign In / Register |
Search TravelPulse.com
SUBSCRIBE
NEWS
ARTICLES
OFFERS
VIDEO
OPINION
TRENDING
SUPPLIERS
DESTINATIONS
|
US Edition
MAGAZINES
Last updated: 06:51 AM ET, Mon March 21 2016
Study: Travelers Seek a New Kind of Luxury HOTEL & RESORT | PATRICK CLARKE | MARCH 18, 2016
Subscribe to our Newsletters Caribbean
Daily
Breaking News
Hawaii
River Cruise Luxury
Las Vegas Family Travel
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Luxury Insights Report. The study set out to uncover guests' motivation for staying with Fairmont, a Canada-based hotel operator boasting a vast portfolio of luxury and historic properties. The report points to a trend in travelers seeking out historic hotels based on an emotional connection, revealing that luxury travelers value place identity, or the psychological unification with history.
LGBT
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
new kind of luxury, according to
Mexico Florida
Europe
Today's travelers are in search of a
Weekend Edition
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
FEATURED VIDEO
Aloft Hotels Embraces the Gap Year with Special Rates,... HOTEL & RESORT
Shipyard Tour: Royal Caribbean Puts the Finishing... CRUISE
Hyatt Joins the DirectBooking Movement with Exclusive... HOTEL & RESORT
Watch Real-Time Recreation Of Titanic's Punge Into The... ENTERTAINMENT
Cook Japanese Vegas Style DESTINATION & TOURISM
RELATED OFFERS Remind your Clients About Free to Explore, at Dreams Las ... DREAMS RESORTS & SPAS
Other key findings of the report
Super-Inclusive Getaways at 30% - 50% Off
Top Meeting Trends for 2016
include the emerging trend of cultural immersion and the value of
BREEZES RESORTS & SPAS
BUSINESS TRAVEL
experience over commodity. That's to
Extra Savings at Select Sandals Resorts
say that more than ever travelers are looking to make memories rather than
SANDALS RESORTS
simply consume material goods and services. Interestingly, the study uncovered that more than one in four U.S. international travelers consider themselves "sophisticated explorers" whose top travel motivation is "exploring new cultures and their traditions while on vacation."
RECENT TRAVEL OPINIONS
Top 5 Highlights of Split, Croatia NICK AND DARIECE
READ MORE: Why Luxury Hotels Aren't Always the Cleanest Fairmont also found that 38,000 "history lovers" stayed at more than one of its historic properties in 2015. "Luxury guests are not only looking for warm and engaging service when traveling to world-class destinations, they are also following their hearts," Fairmont Brand vice president Jane Mackie said in a statement. "...This industryleading research demonstrates that the choice of a Fairmont hotel, be it historic or newly developed, often provides the sense of place and personal connection luxury travelers crave."
The Best Ways to Tour Vietnam’s Beautiful Halong Bay SHANNON WOLF
Who Lives in a Pineapple Under the Sea? You Can! MANDY CHOMAT
"Our Luxury Insights Report reveals a decisive link between travelers and their emotional connection to historic and iconic hotels and the destinations in which they reside," Mackie added.
MOST READ 1
This Picture From 'The Shining' Hotel Is Totally A Ghost ENTERTAINMENT
Click here to view the complete 22-page report.
2
HOTEL & RESORT
Follow @_Pat_Clarke 3
Share on Facebook
Survey Reveals Millionaires' Favorite Hotels
Share on Twitter
DESTINATION & TOURISM
Email this Story 4
For more HOTEL & RESORT NEWS MORE BY PATRICK CLARKE
Woman Allegedly Urinates on Donald Trump's Scotland Golf Course Marriott Issues Another Statement on Fraudulent Phone Calls Airlines May Soon Have to Refund Checked Bag Fees DOT Gives Tentative Approval for Norwegian Air to Fly to US
World's Luckiest People To Live At Disney World Fathom Earns Kudos For Customer Service After First Cruise Canceled CRUISE
5
Southwest Airlines Raises EarlyBird Check-In Fees IMPACTING TRAVEL
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com/news/business/Fairmont-Hotels-Resorts-Releases-Findings-From-itsLuxury-Insights-Report-15873.shtml
Hotel Chefs Choose Unique Dinnerware to Showcase Their Creativity When choosing dinnerware for a hotel restaurant, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends — whether it’s hand-painted ceramic bowls, or elegant, flat plates. But before deciding on a show-stopping table setting, buyers need to consider what’s going on (or in) the dish. “I think where people sometimes go wrong is they pick form over function,” says Luke Mathot, FRHI Hotels & Resorts’ corporate director, Food & Beverage, Americas. “When you select dinnerware, you have to ask, ‘Does it make sense for that dish?’ There might be a really cool plate that’s completely flat and doesn’t have any edges, but in restaurants that serve pancakes with maple syrup, you’ll get maple syrup all over the table.” Daniel Craig, executive chef at Delta Toronto, lists a number of other issues worth considering: Do the dishes keep the food hot? Ergonomically, does the dinnerware make sense for the server? If guests order multiple, shareable items, does it all fit on the table? “It has to look good, of course, but the practical stuff is huge,” stresses Craig. That’s not to say dinnerware has to be all about practicality. While food is usually the star attraction at restaurants, the tabletop is becoming an increasingly important part of the show. “Restaurants aren’t just about food anymore. They’re about the whole package: the lighting, the music, the glassware, the napkins,” says Mathot. “Dinnerware plays a huge role because it’s the canvas on which the food is presented.” These days, one of the trends influencing dinnerware is the shift from fine-dining to a more relaxed, farm-to-table approach. Many chefs are now opting for plates and bowls featuring a handmade, casual look, rather than the white porcelain dishes that have been popular for years. “We’ve seen a lot of plateware that matches [the casual trend], celebrating the imperfections of dishes that come out of the kiln,” says Craig. “Not everything is identical.” A more handcrafted look is on the table at Delta Toronto’s SoCo Kitchen + Bar, a sleek but casual eatery that serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The restaurant, which opened in 2014, features kiln-fired heavy stone plates; wood boards (made from Ontario black walnut) for pizzas, burgers and charcuterie; and cast-iron pots for the warm eggplant and burrata dish. “We purposely try to stay away from the classic white, round, 12-inch plates,” says Craig. For Craig, the most important style consideration is that the dinnerware matches the concept of the restaurant. “It’s easy for chefs to say ‘I want this plate because it looks insane and I saw it in a restaurant,’ but does it make sense for the room?”
Linda Cheng, EVP of Montreal-based Groupe Satori, agrees. “The dinnerware has to reflect the personality and concept of the restaurant,” says Cheng, whose company recently opened the upscale Pan-Asian restaurant, East, at the new Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel. The restaurant is based on an old Shanghai concept, a nod to the city’s deep culinary roots and modernity. As Cheng explains, a lot of culinary trends were discovered in Shanghai, and its people are avant-garde. “We wanted to express that through the dinnerware as well, so we tried to find a new way to present the food,” she says. The team at Groupe Satori decided on a blend of modern and traditional, as well as a mix of colours and materials. For example, white and pale items such as sea bass and tofu are presented on black ceramic plates, while the steak dish (called Siam’s Steak 1855) is laid out on a wood plank. On the more traditional side, the Beef Panang Curry is served in a mini cast-iron cauldron; and bao, a Chinese bun, is served in a bamboo basket. “It’s either modern to go with our concept or traditional because that kind of dish deserves to be presented in an authentic way,” says Cheng. For some hotel companies, it’s also important to stay local whenever possible. FRHI is currently exploring its dinnerware options for Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel, which is revamping its restaurant, bar, lounge and tearoom. Mathot says it’s in the process of selecting plateware, so decisions have yet to be made. But, if the restaurant were to use a wood board for cheese or house-made charcuterie, for example, “there’s a ton of Douglas fir up there, so we would actually use the local wood,” says Mathot. “Whenever we can work with a local artisan or purveyor using local products that fit within the environment, we will.” While the trend toward more rustic, handcrafted tableware is taking over, white dinnerware still has its fans. At the Harbourstone Sea Grill & Pour House, located inside the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, the decor highlights bold colours such as orange and deep walnut, but the dinnerware is white. “We always gravitate to white because we want the focus to be about the food and not the vessel,” says executive chef Trevor Simms. The pieces have soft, rounded edges, which reduce breakage and are versatile. “Specific shapes tend to come in and out of favour with customers. For example, square and rectangular plates were really hot for a while,” says Simms. “But if you take a rectangular plate that has rounded edges on it, for some reason, you tend to get a lot more use out of it. You can use it for an entrée or appetizer.” Simms says the longevity of an item is a key consideration. Smaller operations can easily switch up their dinnerware, since they might only be buying 50 pieces of an item. “For a place like us, that’s a $40,000 to $50,000 conversation,” says Simms. “When we select a piece, it needs to have legs to it.” With regard to glassware, Simms also wants products that last. At Harbourstone Sea Grill & Pour House, the team sources lowball and highball cocktail glasses from Libbey, which includes a DuraTuff treatment to increase the resistance to mechanical and thermal shock. “It’s the kind of glass that can take a bit of a beating and you won’t go through a ton of breakage every year,” says Simms. “Stackability is also
important because in every operation, real estate is the thing that you don’t have enough of.” Volume 28, Number 2Rebecca Harris
(http://www.hotelonline.com/? ACT=27&ad_id=88)
(http://www.construct-a-lead.com?utm_source=hotelonline&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=Hotel%20Online) View The Current Newsletter (http://www.hotel-online.com/?ACT=27&ad_id=82)
Hotel-Online (http://www.hotel-online.com/) » News (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases) » Hilton Hotels Earns Honors in Word of Mouth, While Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton Get Upgraded in Social Media
Hilton Hotels Earns Honors in Word of Mouth, While Waldorf Astoria and RitzCarlton Get Upgraded in Social Media March 10, 2016 2:30pm Share
Rankings of the Top U.S. Hotels Based on Social Media Performance and Word of Mouth Conversations TORONTO, ON – March 10, 2016 – Technology and data company Engagement Labs (http://www.engagementlabs.com/), released rankings on the top U.S. hotels on social media and through word of mouth (WOM) conversations. The data consists of proprietary social media measurement tools. Top 10 U.S. Hotels on Social Media and Word of Mouth Conversations
“As March break descends upon us, the hotel industry is preparing for a boost in bookings,” stated Bryan Segal, CEO at Engagement Labs. “Travelers are turning to social media to discover various options and receive recommendations on where to stay during their trips. As hotel bookings are highly influenced by recommendations, reviews and reputation, hoteliers have a prime opportunity to use social media to amplify their property’s best features, attract travelers and generate revenue.” On Facebook Waldorf Astoria, The Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont Hotels were the highest-ranked hotels, ranking consistently in the top five for all eValue subcategories of Engagement, Impact and Responsiveness. Waldorf Astoria not only ranked first for overall eValue score but also had the highest Engagement score and the most likes and shares per 1,000 fans. Fourth-place finisher Hilton Hotels had the highest Impact score and experienced the most impressive fan growth with 12,505 new followers during the time period measured. The brand with the highest Responsiveness score was Four Points by Sheraton, which leveraged its Facebook channel as an avenue to interact in two-way conversations with consumers helping to build brand aꏤinity.
On Twitter, Ritz-Carlton placed first with the highest eValue score and the highest Impact score.. The highest Engagement score was generated by Radisson, which posted numerous high-quality, user-generated images showcasing its amenities at various locations. The highest Responsiveness score was generated by Fairmont Hotels, which took the time to thoughtfully respond to its followers tweets – both positive and negative. Hilton Hotels ranked first for overall eValue score on Instagram, with Waldorf Astoria coming in at a close second. Hilton Hotels utilized user-generated content to showcase beautiful views from its numerous locations, while attaching themselves to popular hashtags such as #travel and #travelgram. “Online research is a prime avenue for consumers to leverage when booking travel. Therefore it is vital for hotel brands to capture the essence of their hotel through online channels, especially on social media. Brands who build an online story that demonstrate the hotel experience through visuals and excellent two way communication with guests, builds brand aꏤinity and trust with the consumer, thereby making them more inclined to book,” continued Segal. “While social channels influence purchasing decisions, travel shoppers are just as influenced by recommendations from oꏤline sources.” The success of the hotel industry relied on the guest experience. Social media has empowered consumers with an additional avenue to discuss those experiences. Therefore, it’s extremely important for hotel brands to understand the volume of conversations, happening both online and oꏤline, to determine the impact on its business. Placing in the top five across the board for online eValue scores, Hilton Hotels also leads in oꏤline WOM conversation, earning 20.7 percent of all conversations around the hotel industry. Marriott came in a close second place with 20.5 percent, while Holiday Inn followed with 11 percent of the conversation. “There is an important synergy between online and oꏤline conversations. Today, consumers move seamlessly between oꏤline and online conversations and brands need to understand how to tap into those conversations and utilize this data in their marketing eꏤorts,” noted Segal. “Oꏤline conversation can drive online conversation, and vice versa, both serving as a reflection of consumers’ emotions and experiences. It is those experiences that cause people to talk about one hotel brand over another. Creating an experience which enables guests to generate conversation around a brand can have a major impact on the brand’s bottom line.” Tags: social media rankings (/latest_news/tag/social+media+rankings/), engagement labs (/latest_news/tag/engagement+labs/)
About Engagement Labs Engagement Labs oꏤers intelligent data, analytics and insights for marketers and organizations enabling them to track, measure and benchmark the conversations happening around their brand or industry both online and oꏤline. These conversations are proven to drive critical business outcomes, including sales, while Engagement Labs’ tools provide data and actionable insight to help guide business decisions and power marketing eꏤectiveness. (http://www.engagementlabs.com/)
www.engagementlabs.com (http://www.engagementlabs.com/) Contact: Danielle DeVoren ddevoren@kcsa.com (mailto:ddevoren@kcsa.com) / 212-896-1272
Related News All News » (http://www.hotel-online.com/latest_news) Comments (0) Please login (http://www.hotel-online.com/account/login) or register (http://www.hotel-online.com/account/register) to post a comment.
Top Read News Customer Service: Say This, Not That (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/customer-service-say-this-not-that) April 6, 2016
Predictions in Hospitality Social Media Customer Care (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/predictions-in-hospitality-social-media-customer-care) April 6, 2016
Hotels up Their Game for Fitness Conscious Guests (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/hotels-up-their-game-for-fitness-conscious-guests) April 4, 2016
2016 and Beyond – Oꏤicial Forecast by Robert A. Rauch (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/2016-and-beyond-oꏤicial-forecast-by-robert-a.-rauch) April 5, 2016
The Hotel Industry - From the Humble Inn to a Multi-Billion Dollar Business (http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/the-hotel-industry-from-thehumble-inn-to-a-multi-billion-dollar-business) April 6, 2016
Current Top 25 » (http://www.hotel-online.com/latest_news/top)
NEWS
SPECIAL OFFERS
DESTINATIONS
LUXURY HOTELS
VILLAS
TRIPS/CRUISES
ARTS/CULTURE
FOOD/WINE
SPA/SPORT
SHOPPING/STYLE
Back to: Home >
Search
How Suite It Is At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts March 1, 2016 -
Enter Keyword COUNTRY SETTING TRIP TYPE
The pursuit of extravagance is being taken to new heights in hotels around the world as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts turns the spotlight on some of the sweetest suites in the luxury hotel business. This year, the hospitality leader will highlight these lavish, sought after and one-of-a-kind accommodations, to entice sophisticated travelers and promote a sense of discovery with guests worldwide. Aspirational travelers seeking an elevated and memorable guest experience can visit fairmont.com/suites, a unique online hub dedicated to highlighting the exceptional features, exclusive services and noteworthy bells and whistles of the brand’s unrivaled suite product. Throughout the year, luxury lovers will get an insider’s glimpse into these chic and fashionable chambers, as Fairmont serves up curated collections of top suites from around the globe, ranging from rooms with the most unrivalled views to suites fit for royalty. Fairmont is kicking off the campaign with some of its most distinctive dwellings – its Most Expensive & Luxurious Suites. Many of these suites are so remarkable, they are considered among the world’s best and most iconic, celebrated and aspirational accommodations available. Featured suites, along with a selection of honorable mentions, include… AMERICAS Fairmont San Francisco’s lavish crown jewel, the Penthouse Suite, offers 6,000 square feet of sophisticated indulgence. Spanning the entire 8th floor of the historic property’s Main Building, it features three large bedrooms, a living room with a grand piano, a formal dining room, a kitchen, a two‐story library, a billiards room and an expansive terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind the library’s main bookshelf lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite. Its USD $18,000 per night price tag includes exceptional amenities and a fully stocked kitchen, plus dedicated personnel, including a butler, who are at the ready to pamper guests. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Expensive
The showpiece at San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar is the Brisa Villa. This majestic and finely crafted 4,500 square foot villa combines the privacy of a home with the conveniences and amenities of a world‐class hotel. It offers three bedrooms, 4½ marble bathrooms, living and entertaining areas, a media room and a full kitchen, although guests can also choose 24-hour in-villa dining from the Mediterranean-inspired Amaya The city’s renowned weather can be enjoyed on secluded terraces and climate‐controlled patios. Villa guests also enjoy a wide range of concierge and personal butler services, as well as amenities including unlimited golf. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Luxurious
Offering sweeping views of Chicago’s expansive skyline, Lake Michigan and world-renowned parks, Fairmont Chicago’s Grand Park Suite offer guests a one-of-a-kind residential luxury experience. Located on the 37th floor, the one-bedroom Grand Suites feature warm, contemporary décor, modern furnishings, an expansive living area with plenty of lush seating, a guest powder room and unique extras like a Kawai grand piano, full kitchen or
LUXURY PARTNERS
In su reMyTrip .co m Find the right Travel Insurance Plan for your next trip. InsureMyTrip offers hundreds of plans from top providers in the industry. Sag o Ho tel - New Yo rk City The Sago is an atmospheric medley of urbane fragments and light, the lustrous inner world of the hotel is the quintessential launchpad into your perfect New York City experience. Ab ercro mb ie & Ken t Villas The collection of exclusive, luxury villas are handpicked by A&K expert travel advisors and are meticulously inspected to ensure they meet the highest expectations. Ho tel d el Co ro n ad o - San Dieg o The iconic Hotel del Coronado has been the world's choice for creating inDELible moments and connections for over 128 years. Th e Missio n In n Ho tel & Sp a Embark on a European vacation in Southern California at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, an icon of breathtaking architecture, timeless beauty and old world charm. Mead Bro wn Co sta Rica A boutique vacation rental firm offering extraordinary private villas and homes plus premium condominiums for those who expect excellent value, personal service and supremely comfortable accommodations.
wet bar and fireplace. They also offer elegant, private settings that connect into one mega suite enhancing the view to 360 degrees. Following recent renovations, each of the five suites now boasts its own unique design and is accented with custom furniture. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Luxurious
New York’s The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel is a legendary hotel steeped in history, and The Grand Penthouse Suite pays homage to this esteemed heritage. Named for Henry Hardenbergh, the hotel’s architect, it has been newly restored as one of The Legacy Suites at The Plaza. The dramatic, 2,100 square foot suite is located on the southwest corner of the hotel’s penthouse floor, affording extraordinary views of Central Park from large windows in the spacious living room. Flowing off of the master bedroom, an inviting private terrace on the suite’s second floor offers enchanting views of the Big Apple’s famous skyline. As befitting a suite this grand, guests enjoy the attention of a personal pre-arrival concierge, and white glove butler service while in residence.
Visitors to Vancouver seeking the ultimate in luxury should look no further than Fairmont Pacific Rim’s The Chairman's Suite, often nicknamed the “ Rock Star Suite” for its private elevator and elegant entertaining options. Inspired by a Balinese Villa, this 2,250 square foot, two-story masterpiece offers a spacious open floor plan. The suite includes a custom 8 foot Swarovski crystal chandelier that cascades over the two-story salon, a master bedroom located on the top floor featuring a fireplace, and an impressive 500 square foot en-suite marble bathroom with a hand-carved soaker tub. This lavish suite also offers two living room areas, a kitchen and pantry. The outdoor rooftop patio with expansive views of Coal Harbour and the North Shore Mountains includes a private gazebo with a meditation pond and fire pit, and private rooftop tented terrace. Guests of the suite also enjoy Fairmont Gold services and benefits including private check-in, personalized butler and concierge services. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Expensive
EUROPE In London, The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel’s Royal Suite comprises a long run of rooms along the River front, permanently configured into an opulent one-bedroom residence which offers dramatic views of the River Thames and an awe-inspiring panorama of the city. Balancing a stunning Edwardian interior with modern features such as a bespoke multi-room media system, the suite offers a private dining room, lavishly-appointed marble bathroom, large walk-in wardrobe, study and entrance hall in addition to the sitting-room and bedroom. The sumptuous furnishings, beautiful artwork and bronze statues reminiscent of the original days of The Savoy connect guests with a strong sense of London’s history. A service kitchen is available for those traveling with a personal chef, and a Savoy butler is on hand 24-hours a day. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Luxurious
Monaco’s F1 Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo is the perfect place to catch the exciting action. The hotel’s Grand Prix Suites provide coveted views of the circuit, with a balcony overlooking the legendary Fairmont Hairpin turn in front of the hotel, as well as the entrance of the tunnel. Two other balconies frame views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Italian coastline. Three of the suites are dedicated to the greats of F1 driving: Sir Stirling Moss, David Coulthard and Jean Alesi, and integrate some of their personal racing memorabilia, including race suits, helmets, and autographed books and photos.
ASIA PACIFIC Fairmont Peace Hotel boasts the Nine Nation Suites, unique rooms that pay homage to the cultural and stylistic influences of nine different countries. The suites were conceived by Sir Victor Sassoon, the hotel’s founder, and reflect the international nature of the original Peace Hotel and of Shanghai as an internationally significant destination. The original Chinese, Indian, English and American suites have been preserved from Sassoon’s time, while the French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and German suites have been redesigned, keeping with their original concepts. Each suite is approximately 178 square meters in size (almost 2,000 square feet), with a spacious living room, dining room, bedroom and bathroom. The suites have romantic panoramic views of the famous Bund and the Huangpu River across to Pudong, and they’ve hosted countless VIPs, diplomats and celebrities over the decades. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Expensive
The Presidential Suite is Fairmont Nanjing’s most prestigious and luxurious home away from home. Guests who stay in the 260 square meter (over 2,800 square foot) Presidential Suite are met with an expansive bedroom, including a deluxe walk in closest, two living rooms, a dining room, full kitchen and a study. For movie lovers and gamers, a home theater sound system and two 70 inch LCD TVs with a PS3 game player complete the ultimate entertainment experience. Guests can enjoy views of the Yangtze River and stargazing with the suite’s very own private telescope. Located on the 59th floor of the hotel, the suite offers full access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge and all its exclusive privileges with personalized butler service upon request.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA Fairmont Ajman’s two Royal Penthouse Suites offer stunning panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf flanked by an emerging city skyline. Measuring over 500 square meters (over 5,300 square feet), and perched high above the resort, these two-story penthouses with floor-to-ceiling windows are flooded with abundant natural light throughout the day. The suites feature three bedrooms with an option to connect to a 4th and the master bedroom is highlighted by a spacious spa marble bathroom with a dual unit rain shower experience and an oversized soaker bathtub. The Royal Penthouse Suites also offer a separate living area, dining room, entertainment space, full kitchen and bar set‐up and executive work desk with media panels. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Luxurious
Ed en Ro c at Cap Can a Offering exclusive luxury in the Dominican Republic, Eden Roc at Cap Cana, the only Relais & Chateaux hotel on the island, features 34 freestanding suites with private pools and stunning views. Villa Sab ai Jai - Ko h Tao , Th ailan d Three exclusive, boutique pool villas for rent on the small island Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand -- the perfect place for those seeking privacy, luxury and tranquility. Elite Estates Myko n o s Five different luxury estates to choose from in Mykonos, Greece. A network of contacts is placed at your disposal, with exclusive lists of maitre, DJs, private jet pilots, chefs, jewelers, personal shoppers, and yoga masters provided at your convenience. Au to b ah n Ad ven tu res - L u xu ry Eu ro p ean Drivin g To u rs Autobahn Adventures is not just about the high performance German sports cars, the exquisite hotels and spas, the gourmet dining or the breathtaking European cities and countryside.
Sto n ewater Co ve Reso rt an d Sp a A hidden gem, nestled on the shores of Table Rock Lake, surrounded by Mark Twain National Forest, this luxury resort combines tremendous natural beauty and outdoor fun with unbeatable indoor luxury. Pu re En tertain men t Gro u p From hilltop and beachfront villas, to country estates, luxury chalets, private islands and more, bespoke concierge Pure Entertainment Group offers some of the most exclusive luxury vacation homes all around the world. Jad e Mo u n tain - St. L u cia Jade Mountain is an exclusive luxury 'resort within a resort' with 24 suites at St. Lucia's famed Anse Chastanet Resort, in a truly romantic and magical setting poised high overlooking St. Lucia's Piton World Heritage site and the Caribbean Sea. Sin g ap o re Marrio tt Tan g Plaza Strategically located in the heart of Orchard Road - Singapore's prime shopping and entertainment district, the award-winning Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel creates brilliant experiences for leisure and business travelers. Ho me in Italy: Th e Mo st Stu n n in g Villas Imag in ab le! The Home in Italy portfolio includes handpicked properties located in the most beautiful regions of Italy; a team of specialists personally selects each villa and only the finest properties become part of the exclusive Home in Italy collection. ORYX - L u xu ry Ph o to Safaris A professional photographic safari company specializing in exceptional wildlife, landscape and cultural photographic tours.
Fairmont Nile City’s Diplomatic Suite is the ultimate in urban chic, with its contemporary Art Déco furnishings and distinct panoramic views of the river Nile and the Pyramids in the distance. Spread over 233 square meters (over 2,500 square feet), the suite offers an open concept bathroom with sliding shutters, rain shower, and a private steam room. The suite offers a bedroom, a dressing room, a living room, a lounge, a dining area that can accommodate up to ten guests, a kitchenette, an office, a terrace, and a butler room as well as service for unrivaled comfort. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Luxurious
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was originally the refuge of movie star and Club founder William Holden, and today the famed resort’s most sophisticated lodgings are named in his honor. The twelve William Holden Cottages reflect the history and charm of the hotel’s original residence, and feature an impressive 329 square meter space (over 3,500 square feet) which is elegantly furnished and offers a spacious lounge, a beautiful stone fireplace, a regal five‐piece en-suite bathroom and an expansive private lawn overlooking the majestic mountain. *Fairmont Favorite – Most Expensive
Visit website: fairmont.com/suites
News | Special Offers | Destinations | Luxury Hotels | Villas | Trips/Cruises | Arts/Culture | Food/Wine | Spa/Sport | Shopping/Style Home | Contact Us | Contributors | Editor's Picks | Privacy Policy © 2016 Luxury Travel Media. All rights reserved. [ SMC/CMS ]
Own
IHIF recap: No small amount of enthusiasm on display in Berlin by David Eisen | Mar 11, 2016 9:45am


One thing is certain: The global hospitality industry is primed for continued advancement, but outside forces continue to bombard it from all sides. Operating hotels has never been a more multi-faceted job. It's no longer, "set it and forget it," not when there are a deluge of channels at hoteliers to disposal—but channels that come at a price.
Distribution Game The distribution challenge is without question the focal point of the industry now: online travel agencies convincingly now the go-to resource for consumers to research and ultimately book hotel rooms, something that comes at a huge cost to hotel owners and operators. How the industry deals with the OTA situation was front-and-center during one of the early IHIF panels, with the likes of Google, Expedia and Booking.com making their cases in regard to their value and service to the hospitality industry. Read the full coverage, here.
Irvan Sutiono @IrvanSutiono
Follow
LIVE NOW #IHIF2016 - @BHAtweets's @UfiIbrahim, @google's @TerriScriven, @ChoiceHotels' Carl Oldberg @IHIF_News 9:46 AM - 7 Mar 2016 · Berlin, Germany, Deutschland
5
4
Dovetailing with distribution is the overall evolution of technology and its impact on the hospitality space. It's a topic that David Rowan of Wired is fully engaged in. He o㌰〰ered six tips for hoteliers on how to embrace the guest, through technology: 1. Embrace connectivity 2. Design against friction points 3. Interact on guests' own terms 4. Accept the power shift. "People decide, not the CEO." 5. Radically personalize 6. Tell a more authentic story.
Hotel Management
@HotelMgmtMag
Follow
@WIRED editor David Rowan talking #disruption and evolving #tech #IHIF2016 7:59 AM - 7 Mar 2016
1
1
Safety & Security Meanwhile, the world continues to be an unsafe operating environment, with nefarious forces at work. That is why hotels need to be as vigilant as ever to ward o㌰〰 and defend against them. That was the crux of this session, wherein IHG's VP of global safety, Helen Loughborough, and PwC global head of cyber security and data protection, Stewart Room, laid out how to protect against both cyber crimes and terrorism threats. Pre-IHIF, we published an in-depth article on the state of safety and security in the hospitality industry. You can access it, here.
Hotel Management
@HotelMgmtMag
Follow
.@ihg Helen Loughborough compares terrorists to water: look for easiest route of maximum damage #ihif2016 9:22 AM - 7 Mar 2016
3
1
On the Floor and Up Close To get a true sense of where the industry is, there is no better course of action than to go straight to the horse's mouth: the executives that run the day-to-day operations. Hilton Worldwide CEO Chris Nassetta gave us an exclusive sit-down, where he discussed his company's chosen path of organic growth over M&A, why the REIT spino㌰〰 was the right move and how to shift consumers to their owned channels. You can watch the full video, here.
Hotel Management
@HotelMgmtMag
Follow
See why @HiltonWorldwide CEO Chris Nassetta is all about organic growth Full vid bit.ly/1W6HhOM #IHIF2016 2:28 PM - 8 Mar 2016
1
5
We also hit the 흓oor with an early stop at Wyndham Hotel Group's booth, where we found Wyndham Hotel Group CEO Geo㌰〰 Ballotti, who was eager to share his thoughts on the industry (it's great now and will continue to be), his company's turn to branded content as a way to engage guests, launching Super 8 in Germany and why the company will always look to add new brands, if they Ht. That interview can be found, here. We also got up close with provincial German brand Steigenberger Hotels, and its CEO, Puneet Chhatwal. While the group's three brands are still focused on Europe expansion, having a hotel in the U.S., is still on the docket. See what he had to say, here. Getting a sense of the overall industry is the forte of consultancies such as JLL and Colliers. We picked brains of JLL's global CEO and head of hospitality Mark Wynne Smith, and Colliers director of hotels for EMEA, Dirk Bakker. They let us in on where the hospitality is now, where it's going, what Airbnb means long-term and why the industry is still ripe for consolidation. Their interviews can be found, here. Before IHIF One of the strategies we employed this year was to engage our audience as much as we could through stories, interviews, video and speaker proHles of IHIF delegates and panels before the conference. The feedback we received was extraordinary. In a nod to Jerry Seinfeld and his popular online series, "Comedians in Cars Getting Co㌰〰ee," we delivered, "CEOs Talking Hotels." You can watch Part I and Part II. Meanwhile, one our more popular speaker proHles was of Jennifer Fox, the president, international for FRHI and president of the Fairmont brand. On FRHI's announced merger with AccorHotels, Fox said: "It will generate the scale needed to drive the next phase of growth for our luxury brands." For a full listing of IHIF content, visit hotelmanagement.net and search keyword "IHIF."
Read More: IHIF Hilton FRHI Wyndham Hotels & Resorts JLL Berlin Security
DoubleTree to open Ahmedabad hotel
Mobile POS a game changer for hotels | Hotel Management
Why Murcia is an emerging investment hotspot in Spain | Hotel Management
Shiva Hotels buys London garage, waits for development approval | Hotel Management
HOME
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
Destinations
THE APRÈS GOLFER
Resorts We Love
WHO WE ARE
CONTACT
Road Trips
Hot Deals
Golf Courses
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
Fitness, Instruction and Shows
Springtime For San Diego MARCH 5, 2015 BY BRIAN KENDALL
LEAVE A COMMENT
Share this:
30
More
Sunshine and balmy temperatures greet travellers year-round in lovely San Diego. But for Canadian golfers, a springtime visit to Southern California’s snow-free fairways is a revelation—and a renewal of hope. LATEST TWEETS
Tweets by @cdngolftraveler Brian Kendall @cdngolftraveler Easy to see the appeal of Doug Carrick's par-3 'Cliffhanger' @greywolfgolf in B.C.: wp.me/p2CL051DY
World-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla. (Image: San Diego Tourism Authority)
For winter-weary Canadian golfers, a visit to San Diego is like a first glimpse of paradise. California’s most southerly metropolis offers abundant sunshine, idyllic year-round temperatures and is home to more than 90 golf courses in every imaginable setting—from oceanfront to desert to mountains.
3h
Brian Kendall @cdngolftraveler Next door to Muirfield, #GreywallsHotel is a favourite of PGA Tour stars: wp.me/p2CL05-1v7 @golfeastlothian
Once an uninspiring Navy town, today’s San Diego features a glittering skyline, world-class shopping and dining, and is recognized as an ideal family destination, with attractions such as SeaWorld, LEGOLAND and the USS Midway Museum.
Embed
Perhaps most impressive is Balboa Park, a verdant oasis in the heart of the city that is home to 15 museums and the renowned San Diego Zoo. Golfers find themselves almost overwhelmed with choices. But at the top of any must-play list are the world-famous South and North Courses at municipally owned Torrey Pines Golf Course.
PHOTO PICK
View on Twitter
Set on seaside bluffs just north of the tony suburb of La Jolla, the South Course was where Tiger Woods clinched an epic come-from-behind victory over Rocco Mediate in the 2008 U.S. Open. And looming over this spectacular setting is the Lodge at Torrey Pines, a popular resort where the golf theme extends to the Scottish kilts worn by the bellboys. A skyline view of California’s southernmost city. (Image: San Diego Tourism Authority)
Almost as famous as Torrey Pines is Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, nestled in coastal foothills about a 25-minute
drive north of downtown San Diego. The luxury resort’s two recently renovated parkland-style layouts, Champions and Legends, have together hosted 37 PGA Tour events. It was on the Champions Course in 2005 that Woods memorably trounced Canadian Stephen Ames 9 and 8 during the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, the most one-sided match in the history of the tourney.
MONTEREY
San Diego’s golf roster runs the gamut from bare-bones municipal tracks to bucket-list courses with palatial clubhouses and sky-high green fees. Unmatched in its elegance is Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort, tucked in the scenic Sorrento Valley north of the city.
airbnb.com
The Mediterranean-inspired retreat includes Grand Del Mar Golf Club, a brilliant Tom Fazio design punctuated by dramatic shifts in elevation. Another of Grand del Mar’s headline attractions is Addison, one of California’s Tom Fazio-designed Grand Del Mar Golf Club. (Image: The Grand Del Mar)
premier fine dining restaurants.
Your insider's guide to the world's best golf. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter today! email address
Golf reviewers also rave about Maderas Golf Club. Co-designers Johnny Miller
Subscribe
and Robert Muir Graves artfully carved this upscale beauty into the mountains north of the city. Fortunately, memorable golf doesn’t have to bust the budget in San Diego. Just across soaring Coronado Bay Bridge from downtown is one of the state’s most popular
ABOUT US
municipal courses. More than 100,000 rounds a year are played at Coronado Golf Course, an
Canadian Golf
affordable jewel ($35 weekdays; $40 weekends) that winds past the iconic Hotel Del Coronado,
Traveller is your
where the Marilyn Monroe classic Some Like it Hot was filmed in the late 1950s.
insider's guide to
But even more unforgettable are the views of the San Diego skyline glittering in the California
experiences, must-
sunshine across the bay.
play destinations
unique golf
and courses, and the hottest deals in
Essential Balboa Park The largest urban cultural park in the United States offers meticulously maintained gardens, hiking trails and 15 museums, including the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and the San Diego Natural History Museum. But Balboa Park’s most popular attraction is the world-famous San Diego Zoo, home to more than 4,000 animals. Thanks to an
Canada and around the world. Start planning your next trip with our expert team's top recommendations — and get set to enjoy your most memorable golf … [Read More...]
extraordinarily successful breeding program, the zoo’s menagerie includes the largest population of giant pandas in the U.S.
Search this website …
Search
LEISURE / SPA & BEAUTY / SPAS
Mild winter means early golf at Fairmont Banff Springs March 5, 2016 9:06 AM MST
The Fairmont Banff Springs Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
A relatively mild winter and a cooperative early spring have the golf team at Fairmont Banff Springs, one of Canada’s most-iconic and beloved resort properties, anticipating an outstanding start to the 2016 golf season. Fairmont Banff Springs will open its popular Tunnel 9 Golf Course on May 6 and will follow up opening its famed Stanley Thompson Golf Course on May 13. New for the summer, Fairmont Banff Springs has partnered with Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge to revive the Stanley Thompson Challenge. For just $299 CAD per player, guests enjoy one
round of golf on the Stanley Thompson Courses at Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, two of the top-rated golf courses in Canada, as well as a welcome gift at check in. The Fairmont Banff Springs (www.fairmont.com) is located in the heart of Banff National Park and is styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, offering commanding views of the surrounding mountains and the stunning Bow River. Just steps from the village of Banff, the resort is a National Historical Site and offers a tremendous blend of luxury and recreation. In addition to its two golf courses, The Fairmont Banff Springs offers world-class dining and shopping options as well as a Willow Stream Spa and a host of additional recreational activities.
Steve Pike
National Resort & Spa Examiner
Š 2006-2015 AXS Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Stay and play: America's most expensive green fees at resort and private courses that require an overnight stay By Jason Scott Deegan Senior Staff Writer Mar 21, 2016
Even with a $500 green fee, Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas isn't the most expensive stay-and-play course in the country. (Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor ) Golfers have to stay at the Four Seasons to play the Nicklaus Course at Hualalai Golf Club on Hawai'i Island. (Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor)
To make the Seaside Course more affordable, you can stay at the inn at Sea Island Resort instead of the two 門龐ve-star hotels, The Cloister and The Lodge. (Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor ) Great Waters is the most prestigious of the courses at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, east of Atlanta. (Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee)
Editor's note: Jason Scott Deegan is detailing the priciest rounds of golf in the United States. In this edition, he breaks down the most expensive courses that require an overnight stay at a hotel or resort. For his installment on the most expensive standalone golf courses, click here (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/most-expensive-green-fees-in-america-part-1-15762.htm). Determining America's most expensive resort courses and private clubs open to resort guests isn't as simple as it seems. All 40 of the resort and private courses listed in this story have rack rates that cost $200 or more, but how many golfers are foolish enough to pay them? Most customers are going to be staying on a golf package that should, theoretically, cut the "peak rates" used in this story down considerably. For the sake of fairness, I had to follow the theme of my 門龐rst story on America's most expensive publicaccessible golf courses (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/most-expensive-green-fees-in-america-part1-15762.htm), which included 118 courses across the country that cost more than $200 to play. Just to reiterate: When I began researching expensive green fees, it wasn't necessarily to call those courses out for being "overpriced" or for "gouging" customers or being "most expensive." It was to 門龐nd out what "bucket list" golf costs these days. The best courses are expensive. There's no sense in arguing that point. And they get even more so when you add a stay at a posh resort into the equation. The total costs to stay and play (without a golf package) at these resorts could only be estimated due to ⎤⍤uctuating room rates and green fees. You can use this list two ways: As a guide to seek out and play the most exclusive public-accessible courses in the country, or avoid them altogether, because they're simply too costly for your budget. You decide.
Manele Golf Course Peak rate: $1,000-plus (green fee plus a stay at the Four Seasons Lanai). Comment: Rooms at the recently reopened Four Seasons Lanai, which allow access to play Manele Golf Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/14953-manele-golf-course/), never dip below $1,000 a night, all part of island owner Larry Ellison's plan to create a playground for the 1 percent.
Kukui'ula Golf Course Peak rate: $1,000-plus ($232 green fee plus a stay at the Lodge at Kukui'ula). Comment: Kauai's 門龐rst new development in more than a decade recently introduced the lodge, a collection of island-style cottages, bungalows and villas that allow access to the private Tom Weiskopf-designed (http://www.golfadvisor.com/architects/3111-tom-weiskopf/) course.
Hualalai Golf Course
Hualalai Golf Course Peak rate: $900-plus ($285 green fee plus a stay at the Four Seasons Hualalai). Comment: The Nicklaus course at Hualalai hosts the Mitsubishi Electronic Championship for winners on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. The Four Seasons Hualalai is generally considered the biggest jewel in the Four Season crown. Could that change with the rebirth of the Four Seasons Lanai?
jasondeegangolfadvisor • 2 months ago
Follow
Throwback to 2014 when I visited #HawaiiIsland twice, teeing it up each time on #Hualalai host of the #MitsubishiElectronicChampionship ... Check out the #ChampionsTour right now on #GolfChannel 29 likes
3 comments
Snake River Sporting Club
Snake River Sporting Club Peak rate: $700-plus ($190 green fee plus $500-and-up per night in a rustic cabin). Comment: Snake River Sporting Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/21328-snake-river-golfcourse/) -- one of Jackson Hole, Wyoming's premier private clubs and residential communities for sporting and outdoor enthusiasts -- just announced the opening of overnight accommodations for 2016, allowing access to its Weiskopf design, ranked the top course in Wyoming by Golf Digest for 2015-16.
Shadow Creek Peak rate: $700-plus ($500 plus a stay at one of 10 MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas). Comment: From the limo ride to the Tom Fazio-designed course to the 門�nal drink at the bar, Shadow Creek (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15949-shadow-creek-golf-course/) delivers greatness.
Great Waters and Oconee Courses at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Peak rate: $700-plus ($245 for either course plus a stay at the resort). Comment: The Landing (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/389-reynolds-plantation-the-landing/) is the only daily-fee course at the resort that doesn't require a stay over, and both the National Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/387-reynolds-plantation-ridge-bluff-at-national-course/) and Plantation Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/388-reynolds-plantation-plantation-course/) cost less than $200 for peak rates. Great Waters (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/16334-reynoldsplantation-great-waters-course/) hosted the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf from 1995 to 1997.
CordeValle Peak rate $700-plus ($295 green fee plus a stay at the Rosewood CordeValle). Comment: Hosting the 2016 U.S. Women's Open will keep CordeValle (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/239-cordevalle-golf-club/), the former PGA Tour venue in northern California, in the spotlight.
The Grand Golf Club Peak rate: $700-plus ($270 green fee plus $495-and-up per night at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar). Comment: The rebranded Fairmont -- now named The Grand Golf Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/3981-fairmont-park-golf-course-country-club/) -- is one of southern California's most luxurious retreats.
Seaside, Plantation and Retreat Courses at Sea Island Resort Peak rate: $600-plus ($325 green fee at Seaside and $235 green fee at Plantation and $230 at Retreat plus a stay at the resort).
Close Window
M ak ing The A-List
P utting Together The R ight W ine M enu Can Be Critical To Guest Satisfaction Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Steve Pike
Print Now
bookmark this
We are on Twitter @hotelinteractiv
As important as a creative food menu is to a resort and hotel restaurant, a creative wine list is equally as important. A great wine list often can be the “make or break” difference in a dining experience, as well as a way to create a loyal guest following for dinners, happy hour and special occasions. “Wine is a major part of any dining experience,” said Robert Weil, director of food and beverage at The Resort at Longboat Key Club in Sarasota, FL. “When your guests are receiving that one-of-a-kind experience that only the synergy between food and wine can provide, they will seek it out time and time again.” "The wine list, said Federico Galligani, general manager at Castello di Casole --Timbers Resort in Casole d'Elsa SI, Italy, "is often a direct reflection of the restaurant’s overall quality and reaffirms guests’ thoughts on whether they chose the right place to dine. “A good wine list demonstrates the investment by the restaurant and the overall knowledge of its staff. In economic terms, a good wine list would present well-known wines at fair prices, while ‘must have’ wines would have reasonable margins. Special undiscovered labels would generate high profits because of their superb quality and ‘wow’ effect.” Here’s how top sommeliers and restaurant executives go about creating that “wow” effect. “A lot of it has to do with storage,” said Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier at The Breakers Palm Beach. “What a restaurant can capably store in terms of refrigeration, temperature control and shelving.” Beyond those things, a wine list has to reflect the theme or culture of that specific restaurant. “First and foremost, a wine list should complement the food,” said Josh Loving Aaronson, general manager/sommelier at Capa Steakhouse at Four Seasons Orlando. “As a Spanish-style steakhouse, we pride ourselves on diverse selections from Spain to complement our chef’s creative Spanish dishes, while both well-known and hard-to-
find American cult wines highlight our prime beef.” In addition to wines that complement the food, Aaronson said the wine list should be creative enough to allow sommeliers the opportunity to guide diners to places they might not necessarily go. “Pinot Noir is rarely associated with beef, but having a stylistically diverse offering of pinots allows our team to suggest wines that complement the food and educate the guest,” Aaronson said. At Azul, the signature fine-dining restaurant at The Mandarin Oriental Miami, Wine Director Dwayne Savoie has a list of more than 600 wines from around the world. “From there we searched to find the best offerings from each major wine producing region, while at the same time focusing on small, family owned producers,” said Savoie. “Our program buys many items on a weekly basis. Some items are easier to find and sell at a rapid pace, but others are allocated items that are only released once a year and could be limited to as little as three bottles. “We also do ‘buy in’ on good vintages in Burgundy, Bordeaux and Italy. This long-term buying plan allows us to have more depth in the noteworthy vintages. For example, we could spend up to $10,000 on a good Bordeaux or Burgundy vintage to secure the wines and add them to list at a later date when they are ready to drink.” The St. Regis Bal Harbour (FL) also has approximately 600 wines in its famed Wine Vault. “Our philosophy when we select the wine is that ‘it’s all about the juice in the bottle,’” said Nino Milenkovski, sommelier at the resort’s J&G Grill. “What that means is that we don’t go by points alone. We are not afraid to stock wines that are unrated by wine critics if they are popular with our clientele and continue to sell well at the restaurant. “Since Miami has a very international clientele, we strongly believe that having an international wine selection will help us attract every type of taste and pallet from around the world, which in turn drives more business to the restaurant. We carry wines from countries that most people don’t even associate with wine, like Macedonia, Lebanon, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and Israel,” he added. For Wesley Kurz, sommelier at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, selecting wine is part instinct and part collaboration. “Although a sommelier might initially have a particular selection in mind, he or she should also listen to both guests and staff alike to determine what has moved, what has not and what resonates,” Kurz said. “Sommeliers might wish to test wines with pre-launch tasting experiences before committing a new wine to the list or even ask directly for guest suggestions and feedback. “With service at the heart of what we do, we actively listen and get to know our guests on a personal, individualized level. When we learn that a guest favors a particular wine, we are sure to have it available prior to his or her next arrival,” he added. It is difficult to say, according to Kurz, exactly how many wines should be put on any particular list. “The wine list should grow organically with wines being added progressively as more knowledge and understanding of guests’ preferences is acquired,” said Kurz. “Evolving the wine list in this manner also helps to keep guests interested and coming back for a unique experience each time. Rather than quantifying a certain number, what is more important in building a wine list is offering a diverse selection of known, new and experimental wines.
“For example, if a guest sees a wine that he or she knows and enjoys, a well-trained server or sommelier can confidently suggest something new that is comparable or something entirely out-of-the-box. Often, this makes for an even more memorable experience,” he added. While new and different each are good, what are some “must haves” on every great wine list? “Sauvignon Blanc is a ‘must’ because people are drinking more of it,” Philip said. “And if you’re not going to do New Zealand or California, then generally the option is French or Italian.” The most desirable varietals in any restaurant, said Justin Thompson, senior F&B manager at The Sebastian – Vail – A Timbers Resort, are pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, prosecco and champagne. “However, as Leonora (The Sebastian's signature restaurant) is a tapas restaurant, it’s necessary to include popular Spanish varietals as well. A few personal favorites include Tinto Pesquera and Vall Llach from Spain, Tikal and Lunta Malbec from Argentina, Merry Edwards and Peter Michael from Oregon and California, respectfully. I’m also a huge fan of starting off any meal with a glass of grower champagne--Pierre Peters is a favorite.” On the Left Coast, Kurz said name brands such as Robert Mondavi, Silver Oak and Nickel & Nickel are on his “must have” list. “With our location in Southern California, flagships from Napa Valley and Sonoma are staples to our particular menu,” at Addison, the resort’s signature restaurant. “However, we are adding wines from Mexico’s burgeoning Baja wine region, which is also nearby.” All of this brings us to perhaps the most important aspect of creating a great wine list – cost. That is, the cost of buying product and the list price (bottle and by the glass) on the menu. “We tell our vendors that we don’t want to see any wines under $12,” said Philip. “From there we’ll go up to $40 or $50 per glass at our outlets.” Most wine programs, Savoie said, will have budget guidelines that determine what dollar amount of wine inventory will be necessary to maintain the list based on business levels and the aforementioned wine list philosophy. “Through this process we can determine how much of each wine we should inventory,” he said. “Some wines we may carry as little as three bottles, but others that are less expensive we could stock 12 bottles or more.” “If you have a menu that is very value based, you want a wine list that reflects that for the most part,” said Weil. “However, this does not mean stepping away from quality in any way. In choosing a number of wines, you have to have a little something for everyone -- whether it be in style and price point. The key is balance with a list that you can manage and move product.”
F&B Perspectives 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 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
Edition: US
Like
FRONT PAGE
POLITICS
BUSINESS
ENTERTAINMENT
MEDIA
TASTE
STYLE
GREEN
HUFFPOST LIVE
6.8M
Balmy Bermuda 03/18/2016 03:35 pm ET | Updated Mar 18, 2016
Like
16
John Mariani Publisher of “Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet Newsletter” and award-winning author
All the destination islands of the Caribbean have, more or less, their own appeal, but Bermuda is decidedly not a Caribbean island. It is in the Atlantic Ocean, 640 nautical miles east of the U.S. mainland, which makes it much more of a year-round attraction and one I tend to prefer for its own particular, fairly subdued character. Call it British reserve, if you like, but Bermuda does exude a far more genteel spirit than do the British Virgin Islands or Jamaica. The pink sand beaches are truly spectacular, nudging along a rugged coastline of dramatic beauty, and, when it’s not being pummeled by a hurricane-the last was Gonzalo in 2014-it has a subtropical climate with average monthly temperatures in
Follow
ALL SECTIONS
THE BLOG
FOLLOW HUFFPOST
the low 60s in winter (the record low is 43°) and in the low 80s in summer. When I was there in June many of the more secluded beaches were nearly empty, and,
since you can’t rent a car on the island (only scooters and bicycles), the pace of traffic is very civilized indeed.
HuffPost
Like
6.8M
Travel
Like
1.2M
HUFFPOST NEWSLETTERS Get top stories and blog posts emailed to me each day. Newsletters may offer personalized content or advertisements. Learn More.
address@email.com
Mark Twain was a regular after the Civil War, proclaiming, “You go to heaven if you want to, I’d rather stay right here in Bermuda,” where he found “no rush, no hurry, no money-getting frenzy, no fretting, no complaining, no fussing and quarreling; no
Subscribe!
SUGGESTED FOR YOU Wegmans Is Officially America's Favorite Grocery Store.
telegrams, no daily newspapers, no railroads, no tramways, no subways, no trolleys, no Tammany, no Republican party, no Democratic party, no graft, no officeseeking, no elections, no legislatures for sale.” Well, that was then, and Bermuda now is far more modernized, with its major industry being re-insurance, which has had its ups and downs in the global recession. But, largely speaking, the island retains that calmness of which Twain spoke; the buildings are in every shade of pastel, the water as blue as anywhere in the Atlantic, and the pace of life unrushed.
The 5 Least Visited Countries In The World Are Also The Most Beautiful
As did Twain, I stayed at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, long nicknamed the Pink Palace. The original structure dates to 1885 and took its name from Queen Victoria’s daughter Louise, who’d visited Bermuda a few years prior. Affluent Americans were the intended targets for the hotel and they’ve never stopped coming. During World War II, the hotel became an intelligence center nicknamed ‘’Bletchley-in-the-Tropics’’ after the English country house where the ‘’Enigma’’ code was broken.
What Doctors Wish You Knew About CPR
Today the hotel is sister, though not twin, to The Fairmont Southampton on the island’s south shore. In 2012 the Princess was sold to the local Green family under the Fairmont aegis and has been renovated to the tune of $90 million; the main lobby is now a veritable museum of modern art, including works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Banksy and others. The 157 rooms are flooded with light and are all in view of Hamilton Harbor, with modern amenities, excellent bathroom facilities, dependable WiFi, access to the Inner Sanctum Spa and Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club. Booking jet skis, kayaks, even a catamaran from K.S. WaterSports, gives you freedom to sail through gorgeous seascapes in view of some of the grand mansions built on
Who Is This Person And What Has She Done With Taylor Swift?
Bermuda’s hills.
Here's What All The Big Celebrities Wore To The First Weekend Of Coachella
There are three dining options at the hotel, including the open-air 1609 Bar and Restaurant, set on the marina, and the Crown & Anchor Bar, Restaurant & Terrace, which is open for very good breakfast, lunch and dinners. The big news when I visited was the opening of celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson’s vast Marcus’ restaurant (above), with a menu I felt fell way short of expectations. Marcus himself played greeter at the opening party, but was headed back to New York the very next day. A $20 appetizer called “Aunt Bonita’s crab and codfish cake with charred mango,
10 Smaller Cities That Are More Beautiful Than Their Capitals
salsa, bacon, and salsa verde” was third-rate; the catch of the day, wahoo ($36), was overcooked; the blackened redfish and grits ($38) were bland, and Samuelsson’s much ballyhooed fried chicken for two-$75!-could not even keep its crust on the meat. Otherwise, dining out in Bermuda can be trying-and expensive-with the hotel restaurants trying to please everyone with similar menus that pretend to offer a few questionable items of Bermudian cuisine, which, I’m sorry to report, is barely identifiable in any case. I asked repeatedly of the locals where to eat something
21 Engagement Rings That Are Perfect For The Unconventional Bride
that resembled true Bermudian cooking, and, after visiting a few recommendations, found none that would give any foreign traveler much to talk, much less rave, about. Avoid at all costs The Spot in Hamilton, a kind of diner with terrible food. You’d do as well at the numerous pubs, like the Frog & Onion at the Royal Navy Dockyard, and, for a taste of something as downhome as you’ll find, Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy is a place where you line up to get a good fried fish sandwich, then eat it at the nearby park (but watch out for the beseeching beggars already on their third beer). Do You Need To Refrigerate Butter? Here's The Definitive Answer.
Rio de Janeiro's Pedra da Gavea Has To Be The Scariest Photo Op Of All Time
Skin Condition Linked To Risk Of Deadly Aneurysm
The best restaurant I dined at was very, very good: Little Venice (above) in Hamilton. It has been around for 40 years and has fine-tuned every dish, along with the ebullient patter and opera singing of owner-chefs Umberto and Tony, who have earned the respect of their guests enough to ask them for “Proper attire: collared shirts, trousers or Bermuda shorts, No tee shirts-No sleeveless shirts-No tank topsNo bathing suits or shorts, No baseball hats or bandanas-No sneakers, Ladies Dress Jeans Only.” They also stock a wine list of tremendous breadth and depth. Even though the food is not particularly Venetian in style, I would return again and again for Little Venice’s roasted octopus brightened with lime juice and a pesto sauce along with roasted potatoes ($20.75) and any of the housemade pastas, such as the tortelli filled with pumpkin and crushed amaretti in a butter-sage truffle sauce ($25.75), gnocchi of pumpkin filled with ricotta and sauced with a tomatobasil coulis ($24.75), and Mario’s ravioli alla caprese ($24.75). Equally impressive was a risotto made with Arborio rice, rich with seafood and colored with squid ink ($29.75). For dessert consider the torta caprese. While Hamilton is a fine town, though on the verge of overdevelopment, historic St. George’s, a World Heritage Site, gives you a much more relaxed sense of the island’s past. Settled in 1612, it is quiet and low in density, with its center at King’s Square, where the Bermuda National Trust Museum is located.
More: Food Style Hotels & Resorts Restaurants Taste
FOLLOW TRAVEL
GET THE NEWSLETTER
address@email.com
Subscribe!
The unmistakable Audi Q5 Visit your local New England Audi dealers.
Find your Q5
NEWSLETTER
DESTINATIONS
Tweet
FOOD & DRINK
Lik e
ATTRACTIONS
SPORTS & LEISURE
FRANÇAIS
ADVERTISE
CONTESTS
CONTACT US
EVERYTHING ELSE
0
Five Canadian Golf Courses in the Mountains Take in a round of golf among these impressive peaks MARCH 30, 2016 - BY ANDREW PENNER
Book a flight Round trip
One way
From To Date to leave 1 adult 7+ guests?
Date to return 0 children 2‐11 years
Get flights
Greywolf Golf Course There’s something righteous about rareᵠed air, dramatic drops and panoramic, mountain-ᵠlled vistas. For golfers seeking solace among the peaks, the options are many. From Alberta’s Rockies to Quebec’s Laurentians, the joy of blasting balls among the rising rocks never gets old. Golden Golf Club, Golden, B.C. Thanks to Golden’s location at the western edge of the Mountain Time Zone, twilight golf lingers long at this course. So wait until 4 p.m., pay your $35.70 (Monday to Thursday) and play the pristine fairways that roll along the Columbia River and the spirited waters of Holt Creek. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course, Jasper, Alta. With the classic routing relatively unchanged since Stanley Thompson laid it down in the 1920s, this course is relatively short by contemporary standards. In other words, it’s a doable test that even beginners can appreciate. Adorned with majestic mountain views, one-of-a-kind holes and a perfect ᵠnish along the lake, Jasper hits all the right notes.
0 infants Under 2 years
WESTJET
Big Sky Golf Club, Pemberton, B.C. Big Sky is a lush, 18-hole oasis that sits gracefully in the shadows of Mount Currie. Just minutes from Whistler, it will exceed your expectations on every level. True, the three courses right in Whistler are excellent, but Big Sky— thanks to its conditioning and sublime setting—is exceptional. Greywolf Golf Course, Panorama Mountain Resort, B.C. “Exhilarating” is an apt way to describe a round of golf at Greywolf—the cliᵸside greens, rolling fairways and elevated tees are legendary. “Exhilarating” is also appropriate when describing the mountain biking, whitewater rafting and hiking options in the surrounding Columbia Valley. Fairmont Tremblant, Tremblant, Que. Loving life in the Laurentians is easy to do—especially if you’re staying at the Fairmont Tremblant and playing golf at Le Diable and Le Geant, two of Quebec’s ᵠnest courses. Featuring red-sand bunkers, beautifully carved mountainside holes and gorgeous fairways that dip and dive through the mixed Laurentian forest, Tremblant is truly a treat.
WestJet Magazine 7,473 likes
Like Page Be the first of your friends to like this
STAY CONNECTED
LATEST ARTICLES
LINKS
Sign up to get all the latest WestJet Magazine travel news
Four Ways to Explore Hispanic Culture in San
Book a Flight
Diego
Privacy Policy
©2008-2016 RedPoint Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.
Four Hiking Holidays How to Save on Sanibel Island Where to Watch Baseball in Toronto A Guide to Canadian Craft Distilleries
Advertise Write for Us WestJet Customer Service Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to RSS Feed
DESTINATIONS
Sign Up
http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Hawaii-s-mixologists-are-stirring-ups-6885484.php
Hawaii’s mixologists are stirring up contemporary cocktails By Jeanne Cooper and Leilani Marie Labong Updated 12:35 am, Monday, March 14, 2016
MAUI Luana Lounge, Wailea Reflecting the islands’ embrace of pau hana (“end of work”) partying as well as the tropical landscape, the Fairmont Kea Lani has transformed its formerly staid lobby bar into an all-comers oasis. Cal alumnus Aaron
IMAGE 1 OF 6 Sam’s Piano, at the Luana Lounge, combines bourbon, blackberries, pomegranate liqueur, lime sour and prosecco.
Alcala-Mosley created an intriguing cocktail menu that includes Sam’s Piano (top
photo), a blend of bourbon, pomegranate liqueur, lime sour, blackberries and Prosecco; the Pina Non-Colada, a take on Jimmy Buffett’s fave that features sparkling pineapple wine; and the Daiquiri Moderno, served over crushed ice with a sugarcane swizzle stick. Tylun Pang, executive chef of the hotel’s popular Ko restaurant, offers flatbreads, salads and other small plates with a few twists of his own. Also check out the staff’s new Sig Zane shirts, patterned after the native aalii shrubs in the hotel’s garden. — Jeanne Cooper HAWAII ISLAND hBar, Kailua-Kona Venerated seafood restaurant Huggo’s has always boasted prime oceanfront views, but now its dedicated cocktail lounge, hBar, competes with sunsets and crashing surf for attention. Billy Gienger, a six-year veteran behind the bar at Huggo’s, helped reshape the beverage list to highlight house-made ingredients such as orgeat (key to the bar’s Classic Mai Tai), shrubs, grenadine, tinctures and infused liquors. Huggo’s triple berry vodka turns up in the Last Voyage cocktail with pomegranate and lime juice, while a beet shrub and cayenne tincture join tequila and Aperol in Lono’s Curse. The small-plates menu adds local sizzle — literally, in the case of Kona Kai sizzling shrimp in garlic butter or the spiced Hamakua mushrooms served in an iron skillet — while the playful turquoise and rust-colored upholstery on modern openweave wicker seating brings a new level of chic to the Kona waterfront. — J.C. OAHU L’Aperitif, Honolulu This upscale cocktail bar in La Mer, the neoclassical French restaurant at the Halekulani, harks back to the extravagant Belle Epoque era with its turn-of-thecentury objects, discovered in Parisian antique shops by chef du bar Colin Field, formerly of Bar Hemingway in the Ritz Paris. His aperitif menu, which takes the form
of a vintage newspaper, includes a bit of history on absinthe and whimsical cocktail descriptions — the Cabourg, for instance, is “brought to extreme noblesse with Champagne.” The Red Nichols Manhattan is a particular favorite since it’s mixed with house-made vermouth and bitters and then dramatically smoked bar-side with local kiawe wood. One-bite Pacific-inspired tapas — think raw oyster topped with ginger-lychee sorbet or a salmon roe cornet — are served with each tipple. — Leilani Marie Labong Mud Hen Water, Honolulu At restaurateur Ed Kenney’s restaurant Mud Hen Water — the latest in a growing empire that includes Town in Kaimuki and the forthcoming Mahina & Sun’s in Waikiki’s new Surfjack Hotel — the cocktails are in lockstep with his “local first, organic whenever possible, aloha always” philosophy. Bar manager Kelly Jeffers has designed a fascinating menu that spans global flavors made with regional ingredients. The Vishnu’s Vice is an exotic East Indian blend of all-local olena (turmeric), honey, lime, sugar and spiced gin, while the Fire Monkey, originally created for Chinese New Year, combines star anise, honey, apple and organic gin with kicky Hawaiian chili water. As Jeffers suggests, enjoy the latter with Kenney’s tilapia skin salad for a gastronomically prosperous 2016. — L.M.L Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu The name might sound like something out of San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair, but the vibe is more speakeasy than spank-easy in this recently opened hideaway in downtown’s Topa Financial Center. Bartender Justin Park crafts cocktails for just six lucky imbibers at a time — those who’ve made reservations to sit at the monkeypod bar. (A separate bar menu is available for those who’ve snagged a seat at one of the handful of small tables.) Inspired by Japanese whiskey bars, Park’s expert variations on Old Fashioneds include the Matcha, tinged with green tea and fine-grained Wasanbon sugar; the Japan, which adds maple and bitters to an umami-infused Hakushu whiskey; and the Elderflower, featuring St. Germain elderflower liqueur and a before-your-eyes infusion of kiawe smoke. A meticulous
artisan, Park even makes his own leather aprons. — J.C. KAUAI Bar Acuda, Hanalei In 1996, Food & Wine magazine named Jim Moffat one its Top 10 new American chefs, thanks to his San Francisco restaurants 42 Degrees and the Slow Club. But a decade later, he opted to go even slower, at the latitude of 22 degrees, by moving to the Garden Island and opening this popular tapas-style restaurant on the North Shore. Patrons still belly up to the bar nightly to taste the latest in farm-to-shaker cocktails, thanks in part to the relationships Moffat has cultivated with local growers over the years. Smoke & Ginger benefits from fresh ginger puree and lemon juice as well as a blend of ginger beer and organic tequila, framed by a Molokai black sea salt rim, while the Tequila Koi sweetens organic Tequila with local coconut water and island honey, then adds a tart note with lilikoi puree. Bar Acuda’s spin on the mai tai finds silky macadamia nut orgeat offsetting the pucker of fresh orange, lime and pineapple juice, along with organic white rum. — J.C. © 2016 Hearst Communications, Inc.
ADVERTISEMENT
recommend.com
Spring Into Hawaii’s Family Fun by Donna Ray • March 2, 2016 • 4 min read • original
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui waterslide. Fairmont Kea Lani Maui waterslide.
Families tie into sweet deals, free meals and plenty of perks. As multi-generational travel continues its upward trend, Hawaii remains among the leaders of the pack. “We hear all the time that a vacation here allows families to unwind, slow down and really open up to the things we value most in life,” says Jay Talwar, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s chief marketing officer. “In most cases, that’s balance and quality time with our loved ones.”
Talwar adds that agents have access to a flurry of Hawaii properties offering special concessions for children, such as Kids Eat Free programs and multiple room discounts. “Hotels and resorts are also putting a lot of thought into their kids programs to offer activities and experiences that are fun, educational and unique to Hawaii.” Case in point is Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s complimentary Kids For All Seasons that engages with canoe paddling and eagle ray feedings. At The RitzCarlton, Kapalua, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment shares Hawaii’s natural wonders, including native flora. “We have terrific, agent-friendly packages that are easy to sell and present a great value for families, including our Ocean Promotion and Suite Life offers,” says Dale Carstensen, regional director of sales, leisure for Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ 11 Hawaii properties. Select programs allow kids 5 and younger to eat free with paid adults, while several broaden it to children under 12.
Hawaii Island On the Kohala Coast, it’s all about robust recreation. Waikoloa Beach Resort’s Family Golf Days lets offspring and parents swing away at its Kings’ Course (from 3 p.m.) for $25 and $50, respectively. Juniors 6-17 also enjoy complimentary club use, while adults pay $25. At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s Beach Club, mantamania is fueled by nightly snorkel excursions and new Glow SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) revealing these rays and other ocean marvels in pristine Kauna’oa Bay. Kauai On Kauai’s lush north shore, the resort fee-free Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas keeps up to eight connected in luxury style. Families booking a Deluxe Island View One-Bedroom Villa with nightly rates from $550 can boost the space with a connecting Studio Villa for an additional $100 nightly. A 3-night minimum stay is required on bookings through Dec. 25.
Perched on the south shore, The Villas at Poipu Kai provides daily rental car use on 7-night rack rate stays in select categories from April 20-May 30, Aug. 15-Nov. 15 and Dec. 1-15. Homey conveniences include a gourmet kitchen, separate living room, lanai, in-villa laundry and WiFi. On 3-night minimum stays through Dec. 15, Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort’s Family Vacation package covers 20 percent off select villa rates, rental car use, $100 activity credit and daily breakfast for two (kids under 12 eat free). Eco-diversions thrive as well, with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa engaging all ages along its naturecentric Wildlife Walk and Kawailoa hydroponic farm tours. Maui “This is a wonderful destination for families to get away together and enjoy the sunshine,” says John Yeadon, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. With a mother lode of year-round activities and add-ons from $379 nightly,
the Ultimate Maui Family Vacation covers daily SUV with self-parking, daily buffet for two adults and two kids, plus ticket discounts for top Maui excursions. Destination Residences Hawaii’s Your Vacation, Our Destination says aloha with up to 30 percent savings on vacation homes, plus $155 in gift cards from restaurants and spas. Select properties extend the pleasure on 2- and 3-bedroom bookings with free rental car use. Through Dec. 19, nightly rates are from $249 at Wailea Grand Champions Villas to $1,799 for a 3-bedroom with plunge pool at Wailea Beach Villas. “A lot of our guests actually return each year and request the same villa or condo; it’s become their true home-away-from-home,” says Donna Wheeler, director of sales and marketing, Destination Residences Hawaii. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui’s Fifth Night Free Promotion lets families extend the nirvana in newly renovated 1-bedroom suites or luxury beach villas. “Our 860-sq.-ft. Poolside Suites provide direct access to our upper lagoon pool and 140-ft. waterslide, making these ideal for families with active young ones who just
want to splash in the pool all day,” says Tanya Matthews, regional director of sales & marketing. Those with wee ones can pack a bit lighter with the resort’s flurry of thoughtful amenities like no-tears hair wash, cleansing soap and gentle lotions. Makena Beach & Golf Resort’s complimentary keiki (child) package can be added onto promotions like the Makena & More Fifth Night Free priced from $355 nightly through Aug. 30. Perks include Maui Ocean Center admission for participating in its new interactive Na Mo‘olelo Hawaiian Cultural Programs sharing Hawaiian language, culture and traditions. Oahu From $279 nightly, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort’s Rise n’ Shine taps into the daily Duke’s Waikiki Breakfast Buffet and a bevy of cultural activities. Children 17 and younger stay free. The daily Waikiki Connection Fee of $30 covers unlimited rides on the Waikiki Connection Trolley to Diamond Head and Downtown, WiFi, 60 minutes of phone calls daily, and a coupon book, plus additional benefits.
Set on a white-sand beach 10 minutes from Waikiki, legendary Kahala Hotel & Resort embraces families with Suite Celebrations discounts of 20 percent off daily suite rates. Go for the gusto from $926 nightly on minimum 3-night stays thru Dec. 18. Other perks include daily breakfast buffet for two adults and two children (up to 12 years) and $100 resort credit issued for every threenights of stay. Few resorts say “family” quite like the Leeward Coast’s Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. “A key part of Aulani’s magic is that we’re purpose-built for family travel to Hawaii,” says Lynn Clark, CTC, v.p. of domestic travel industry sales for Disney Destinations. “It’s a winwin for every member of the family.” On bookings made by March 21 for travel April 3-June 13, families can save 30 percent on 5-night stays or 25 percent on 4night stays. Standard View Rooms start at $315 nightly. On Oahu’s fabled North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort presents a flurry of family-friendly recreation options ranging from stand-up paddling and kayaking to trail riding and surfing lessons. The 850-acre sanctuary’s Find Your North Shore Adventure provides $400 resort
credit redeemable at the property’s Guidepost on minimum 4-night stays through Dec. 31. Families can count on The Guidepost concierge team to create an agenda with something to appeal to all ages. With Hawaiian Island discounts and freebies, it all adds up to strengthening family ties in paradise! Contact Information Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa: disneyaulani.com Destination Residences Hawaii: drhmaui.com Fairmont Kea Lani Maui: fairmont.com/kea-lanimaui Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: fourseasons.com/hualalai Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: kauai.hyatt.com Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau: hvcb.org Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa: maui.hyatt.com Kahala Hotel & Resort: kahalaresort.com Koloa Landing Wyndham Resort: wyndham.com Makena Beach & Golf Resort: makenaresortmaui.com Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: maunakeabeachhotel.com Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort:
outriggerwaikikihotel.com The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua: ritzcarlton.com Starwood Hotels & Resorts: starwoodhotelshawaii.com Turtle Bay Resort: turtlebayresort.com The Villas at Poipu Kai: villasatpoipukai.com Waikoloa Beach Resort: waikoloabeachresort.com The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas: westinprinceville.com
Original URL: http://www.recommend.com/destinations/north-america/spring-into-hawaiis-family-fun/
http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Hawaii-s-mixologists-are-stirring-ups-6885484.php
Hawaii’s mixologists are stirring up contemporary cocktails By Jeanne Cooper and Leilani Marie Labong Updated 10:35 pm, Sunday, March 13, 2016
MAUI
IMAGE 1 OF 6 Sam’s Piano, at the Luana Lounge, combines bourbon, blackberries, pomegranate liqueur, lime sour and prosecco.
Lu ana Lou nge, W ailea Reflecting the islands’ embrace of pau hana (“end of work”) partying as well as the tropical landscape, the Fairmont Kea Lani has transformed its formerly staid lobby bar into an all-comers oasis. Cal alumnus Aaron Alcala-Mosley created an intriguing cocktail menu that includes Sam’s Piano (top photo), a blend of bourbon, pomegranate liqueur, lime sour, blackberries and Prosecco; the Pina Non-Colada, a take on Jimmy Buffett’s fave that features sparkling pineapple wine; and the Daiquiri Moderno, served over crushed ice with a sugarcane swizzle stick. Tylun Pang, executive chef of the hotel’s popular Ko restaurant, offers flatbreads, salads and other small plates with a few twists of his own. Also check out the staff’s new Sig Zane shirts, patterned after the native aalii shrubs in the hotel’s garden. — Jeanne Cooper HAW AII ISLAND hB ar , K ailu a-K ona Venerated seafood restaurant Huggo’s has always boasted prime oceanfront views, but now its dedicated cocktail lounge, hBar, competes with sunsets and crashing surf for attention. Billy Gienger, a six-year veteran behind the bar at Huggo’s, helped reshape the beverage list to highlight house-made ingredients such as orgeat (key to the bar’s Classic Mai Tai), shrubs, grenadine, tinctures and infused liquors. Huggo’s triple berry vodka turns up in the Last Voyage cocktail with pomegranate and lime juice, while a beet shrub and cayenne tincture join tequila and Aperol in Lono’s Curse. The small-plates menu adds local sizzle — literally, in the case of
Kona Kai sizzling shrimp in garlic butter or the spiced Hamakua mushrooms served in an iron skillet — while the playful turquoise and rust-colored upholstery on modern open-weave wicker seating brings a new level of chic to the Kona waterfront. — J.C. OAHU L’Aper itif, Honolu lu This upscale cocktail bar in La Mer, the neoclassical French restaurant at the Halekulani, harks back to the extravagant Belle Epoque era with its turn-of-the-century objects, discovered in Parisian antique shops by chef du bar Colin Field, formerly of Bar Hemingway in the Ritz Paris. His aperitif menu, which takes the form of a vintage newspaper, includes a bit of history on absinthe and whimsical cocktail descriptions — the Cabourg, for instance, is “brought to extreme noblesse with Champagne.” The Red Nichols Manhattan is a particular favorite since it’s mixed with house-made vermouth and bitters and then dramatically smoked bar-side with local kiawe wood. One-bite Pacific-inspired tapas — think raw oyster topped with ginger-lychee sorbet or a salmon roe cornet — are served with each tipple. — Leilani Marie Labong Mu d Hen W ater , Honolu lu At restaurateur Ed Kenney’s restaurant Mud Hen Water — the latest in a growing empire that includes Town in Kaimuki and the forthcoming Mahina & Sun’s in Waikiki’s new Surfjack Hotel — the cocktails are in lockstep with his “local first, organic whenever possible, aloha always” philosophy. Bar manager Kelly Jeffers has designed a fascinating menu that spans global flavors made with regional ingredients. The Vishnu’s Vice is an exotic East Indian blend of all-local olena (turmeric), honey, lime, sugar and spiced gin, while the Fire Monkey, originally created for Chinese New Year, combines star anise, honey, apple and organic gin with kicky Hawaiian chili water. As Jeffers suggests, enjoy the latter with Kenney’s tilapia skin salad for a gastronomically prosperous 2016. — L.M.L B ar Leather Apr on, Honolu lu The name might sound like something out of San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair, but the vibe is more speakeasy than spank-easy in this recently opened hideaway in downtown’s Topa Financial Center. Bartender Justin Park crafts cocktails for just six lucky imbibers at a time — those who’ve made reservations to sit at the monkeypod bar. (A separate bar menu is available for those who’ve snagged a seat at one of the handful of small tables.) Inspired by Japanese whiskey bars, Park’s expert variations on Old Fashioneds include the Matcha, tinged with green tea and fine-grained Wasanbon sugar; the Japan, which adds maple and bitters to an umamiinfused Hakushu whiskey; and the Elderflower, featuring St. Germain elderflower liqueur and a before-your-eyes infusion of kiawe smoke. A meticulous artisan, Park even makes his own leather aprons. — J.C. K AUAI B ar Acu da, Hanalei In 1996, Food & Wine magazine named Jim Moffat one its Top 10 new American chefs, thanks to his San Francisco restaurants 42 Degrees and the Slow Club. But a decade later, he opted to go even slower, at the latitude of 22 degrees, by moving to the Garden Island and opening this popular tapas-style restaurant on the North Shore. Patrons still belly up to the bar nightly to taste the latest in farm-to-shaker cocktails, thanks in part to the relationships Moffat has cultivated with local growers over the years. Smoke & Ginger benefits from fresh ginger puree and lemon juice as well as a blend of ginger beer and organic tequila, framed by a Molokai black sea salt rim, while the Tequila Koi sweetens organic Tequila with local coconut water and island honey, then adds a tart note with lilikoi puree. Bar Acuda’s spin on the mai tai finds silky macadamia nut orgeat offsetting the pucker of fresh orange, lime and pineapple juice, along with organic white rum. — J.C.
NEWS
New York's Plaza, Dream Downtown heading to auction
By Jeff Weinstein on 3/17/2016
The famed Plaza Hotel and the Dream Downtown in New York City are expected to be auctioned off at foreclosure on April 26 by the mortgage holders, billionaire brother David and Simon Reuben, according to a Bloomberg report. The move will serve to end a two-year ordeal over the state of the hotels’ ownership after current majority owner Subrata Roy of Sahara India Pariwar went to jail in India for defrauding investors. Saudi Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Co. still holds a minority stake in the Plaza along with hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal. Kingdom Hotel Investments CEO Sarmad Zok told HOTELS on Thursday, “We will not give up on the Plaza, which we have owned for almost two decades, and plan on being the constant factor in this going forward.” The Reubens bought the loan from Bank of China Ltd. after a default by Sahara last year. The two hotels serve as collateral for the Bank of China loan and are cross-collateralized with the Grosvenor House hotel in London. The Dream hotel is owned by Sahara’s Roy and Chatwal. The combined mortgages for the New York properties total about US$500 million, according to the Bloomberg report citing a person with knowledge of the matter.
Post a comment Name
Hadley Schroll Subject Comment
Travelweek NEWS Airlines
Cruise
DESTINATIONS
Hotels & Resorts
CONTESTS
NEWS
Tour Operators
Travel Agent Issues
LOG IN 路 REGISTER 路 SUBSCRIBE Search
Wednesday April 13, 2016
HOME
Other
BLOG
MARKETPLACE
FRENCH
Free night deals galore across
MEDIA
DEALS
LEARNING CENTRE
Hawaii’s six islands with Alio; sevennights at Aston at the Maui Banyan with Sunspots Holidays Like Share
2 0
Share Share
Tweet
0
0
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Posted by Candice Abraham
There are a plethora of night-free deals for clients to take advantage of, offered across all of Hawaii’s six islands, bookable through Alio Tours. On the Big Island, clients can choose from Fairmont Orchid’s fi걧¬h night free plus breakfast special (for travel April 1-Dec. 12) or Waikoloa Beach Marriott’s fourth Night Free plus daily breakfast buffet for two deal (valid for travel Sept. 15-March 31). Mauna Lani Hotel & Bungalows is also offering a fourth night free plus daily breakfast for two as well as the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa Keahou Bay (valid for travel April 1March 31, 2017). On Kauai there’s the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach’s 5th Night Free offer (valid for travel now until Dec. 20) as well as 5th Night Free plus daily breakfast buffet specials at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa as well as St. Regis Princeville (valid for travel from now until March 31). Clients interested in the Kauai Marriott at Kalapaki Beach or Sheraton Kauai Resort can also take advantage of 4th Night Free plus daily breakfast buffet for two offers (valid for travel from Sept. 15 to March 31, 2017). More news: Ireland trip up for grabs with new Royal Irish Tours contest
For an extra special trip to the small island of Lanai, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai is offering a 4th Night free plus free upgrade and resort credit offer (for travel April 1 until Dec. 19).
Then on Maui, clients can enjoy a 6th Night Free plus daily breakfast for two at the Andaz Maui at Wailea, a 5th Night Free at Fairmont Kea Lani and Hyatt Regency Maui (August 28– March 31, 2017), Westin Maui Resort and Spa (April 1–Dec. 21), Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas (April 1–Dec. 21), Makena Beach Golf & Resort and Sheraton Maui Resort (April 1-Dec. 21). These last five Maui deals also include breakfast. On the little island of Molokai, clients can stay at Molokai Shores and receive a 4th Night Free (for travel from April 1 to Dec. 31). Finally, on Oahu, clients can choose from 4th Night Free deals at the Waikiki Beach Marriott & Spa (April 1–March 31, 2017), Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort (April 1–Dec. 25) and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani (April 1-Dec. 25) as well as a 5th Night Free deal at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore (April 1- Dec. 19). Visit Alio.ca for more. More news: Japan to introduce payment option using only fingerprints
Sunspots Holidays is offering a Maui vacation, with sevennight accommodation at the Aston at the Maui Banyan, including airfare to Maui for $1,600 per person. Visit sunspotsholidays.com for more.
<< Previous Post
Next Post >>
Other stories that may interest you
Air Canada’s new routes ready to fly this summer
Strike closes Athens airport
Instagram account publicly shames bad in-flight passengers
Visas for EU travel? It could happen, for Canadians and Americans too
What's Trending: Top 3 Hotel Trends for 2016
By: Bradley Hasemeyer (mailto:bradley.hasemeyer@scripps.com), Amanda Savage (mailto:amanda.savage@scripps.com) Posted: 3:47 PM, Mar 31, 2016
Tag: Lifestyle (/category/Lifestyle) | vacation (/topic/vacation) | travel (/topic/travel) | hotel (/topic/hotel) | trends (/topic/trends)
That daydream of being served a cocktail as you step off the plane is being materialized...well, kind of. Hotels serving free drinks upon check-in are becoming standard: It's just one of the hot hospitality trends that The List’s Bradley Hasemeye VIDEO BY LSTV
That daydream of being served a cocktail as you step off the plane is being materialized...well, kind of. Hotels serving free drinks upon check-in are becoming standard: It's just one of the hot hospitality trends that The List’s (https://www.facebook.com/thelistshowtv) Bradley Hasemeyer (https://www.facebook.com/TheListBradley) has for your summer vacay.
1. Technology
According to Curtis Pandes, Captain/ General Manager of Moxy, “Technology these days is not an option. We are more reliant on digital access than ever before. We have plug-ins all over the hotel...from virtual guest books, free wi-fi, to checking in with apps and ...keyless room entry.
2. Millennials
Pandes says they appeal this next generation of travelers. “They don't have a traditional front desk.... We have all bartenders and they could check you in... They'll serve you up a drink;it's a welcome cocktail. It's part of the idea that self-service is the best service.
3. Multi-Generational Travel
That's travel catered to everyone! Hawks Cay in the Florida Keys boasts resort luxury with exceptional family-friendly accommodations with villas, pools, spas, water sports, dolphin, diving, and fishing. In San Diego, the Fairmont Grand del Mar also leads this trend with their Explorers Club for kids and an onsite naturalist to take guests on waterfall hikes. We’re checking into hospitality trends that cater to you. What’s your favorite childhood vacation? Join the conversation on our official twitter page, @TheListShowTV (https://twitter.com/TheListShowTV). Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Print this article
LOG IN 路 REGISTER 路 SUBSCRIBE Search
Wednesday April 13, 2016
HOME
NEWS
BLOG
LEARNING CENTRE
MARKETPLACE
CONTESTS
MEDIA
DEALS
FRENCH
Travelweek BLOG Annie on the Run
Bloopers
Friday Five
Industry Experts
Travel Freely
Fairmont Kea Lani showcases Maui at its finest, with vacation inclusions that keep Canadians booking Like
8
Share
Tweet
0
ON LOCATION
Other
Photo Blog
Share
0
Share
0
Monday, March 21, 2016 Posted by Candice Abraham
Lobby at Fairmont Kea Lani.
It’s no wonder Maui’s Fairmont Kea Lani hasn’t seen a drop in its Canadian business in 2016, even as the dollar continues to fluctuate. As I learned on a recent trip to Maui with my family, Maui’s beauty overflows through every inch of the Fairmont Kea Lani – which is the only oceanfront all-suite and villa property in Hawaii. There are also so many added value inclusions for guests, for those travellers booking in the luxury category, who could say no? It began the moment we arrived. Aloha greetings with fresh juice and leis for our family enveloped us in an ‘instant Maui’ vibe as we checked in to our suite and began to take in our surroundings. Fairmont Kea Lani is a sight to behold, sitting on 22 acres of tropical landscape, with sweeping oceanviews and a resort that sparkles in the a㣶erglow of a just-completed US$70 million renovation. As an all-suite resort, the Fairmont Kea Lani is no doubt an ideal choice for families. Our one-bedroom accommodation provided our family of three with enough space to put our baby to sleep in the large master bedroom (crib provided at no extra charge) while we enjoyed late-night movies in the living area and nightcaps on our oceanfront lanai. Fairmont Kea Lani’s suites have also undergone a stylish makeover, with a new ceramic tile entryway, granite countertop, new carpet, furniture, décor, lighting and local artwork. The bathroom is also quite large, with double sinks, separate shower and bathtub – and with a sleeper sofa and other amenities (like a microwave and mini
refrigerator) a family of four would not feel the least bit crowded here and a couple would be in for a romantic treat. Our large lanai came with enough furniture and room to have dinner ordered and set for us when we returned from our day on property so we could enjoy each other, the sound of the ocean waves and the private service and culinary specialties that the Fairmont brand is known for.
Kilohana suite.
And in keeping with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts experience, with the on-property activities and services available to us (and all guests) at Fairmont Kea Lani we sunk deep into Maui life without having to venture far. The resort is situated on a grand stretch of Polo Beach, where our family enjoyed hours of beach play with umbrella and lounge chairs set up near the shore and time for Dad to take part in some scuba diving while my son and I built sandcastles and played near the waves.
Polo Beach.
When poolside felt more up to speed, we took advantage of the pool cabana’s offered at Fairmont Kea Lani, with a keiki (kids) pool perfect for a toddler like ours to splash around in, and a 140’ waterslide for the biggest kid in our family (Dad). When we needed to satisfy our hunger cravings, we had an array of choices at our fingertips: snacks, beverages and a post-dinner gelato fix from Caffe Ciao Dell, poolside lunch (with dine-in options available) from Ama Bar & Grill and for that extra-special dining experience couples and families look forward to weeks before the vacation begins, Fairmont Kea Lani’s newly rebuilt Kō brought us on a culinary journey to be remembered. The resort’s signature restaurant went through a $5.1 million rebuild in 2012 and the result is a masterpiece that puts the spotlight on Hawaii’s extremely diverse cuisine – with starters like the Kobe Beef Poke and Lumpia Filipino Spring Rolls and entrees like the Pan-Pacific inspired Island Seafood Stew and the Ono Pulehu Chicken, which calls back to Hawaii’s plantation days.
Keiki Club Interior.
Ko Signature.
Ko Bar.
Nick’s Fishmarket.
Many of the stand-out features our family experienced during our stay at Fairmont Kea Lani came in the form of resort inclusions that more than make up for the presence of a resort fee ($35/day), and with a fluctuating dollar help Canadians earn back some of their travel budget. Some of the resort inclusions we took advantage of at Fairmont Kea Lani included self-parking for our rental car, in-suite bottled water that gets replenished daily, the opportunity to work off some resort dining indulgence at the 24-hour Fitness Center and a really special inclusion – a sunset photography session for our family with a professional from the on-resort photography team at Dream Pacific Photography. Guests staying at the resort have the session and one take-home
photograph included with their stay (as well as the option to purchase packages that include digital images and print products). For families and couples travelling for special occasions, or those who just want to mark their Maui travels in a memorable way, Pacific Dream Photography provides lifetime treasures. Other Fairmont Kea Lani inclusions for guests are daily access to Inspire Your Energy fitness classes, cultural activities including the Hawaiian Canoe Experience, Hawaiian Cultural Property Tour and ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language and authentic Hawaiian cra㣶s), unlimited business Internet access, shuttle service to Wailea, one-hour snorkel equipment rental and daily beach umbrella rental (one per suite, two per villa) as well as many more.
Hawaiian Canoe Experience.
Something to sweeten the deal for clients considering the Fairmont Kea Lani is its Fi㣶h Night Free promotion, available at the resort not only in the off-season, but year-round. This package includes one-bedroom suite accommodation or accommodation in one of the resort’s luxury villas (for a Maui dream vacation that will never be forgotten) for a minimum five-night stay, with the fi㣶h consecutive night free. Rates for this package begin at $489 per night, based on double occupancy (excluding taxes and resort fee). If you have clients who are also Fairmont President’s Club members they will receive a $50 resort credit for their stay as well. What did Tanya Matthews, regional director of sales and marketing for the Fairmont Kea Lani have to say about the resort’s Canadian business? “We are continuing to see strong Canadian business here at Fairmont Kea Lani. Our fi㣶h night free offer for our spacious suites offers
exceptional value and the competitive air fares from Canadian cities have really helped keep Canadians traveling to Maui.” Visit fairmont.com/kealani for more details.
<< Previous Post
Next Post >>
Other stories that may interest you
Air Canada’s new routes ready to fly this summer
Strike closes Athens airport
Instagram account publicly shames bad in-flight passengers
Visas for EU travel? It could happen, for Canadians and Americans too Porter Airlines to use politics to test possible expansion to Western Canada Tourism to France still increasing despite Paris attacks Big turnouts for Celebrations @TravelBrands events Air Transat, Brussels Airlines launch Brussels flights TICO board approves Compensation Fund claims
Order Commande: 162119
Travelweek (Toronto, ON) Date: 17.03.2016
Page: TIG58 Circulation: 12000 Page(s):
© UNLICENSED REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED / REPRODUCTION INTERDITE SANS PERMIS ©
PHILC
1900
1 / 3
RefNo: bcbe9f
http://www.discoversd.com/news/2016/mar/16/spa-san-diego-eat/#&panel1-5
Search BRIDES Blog
How to Spend a 3 Day Honeymoon in Playa del Carmen HO NE Y MO O NS & DE S TI NATI O N WE DDI NG S
Friday, March 4, 2016
Photo: Courtesy of GrandVelas Riviera Maya Looking for a quick getaway with your love before or after the big day? Whether you need a little R&R from all the planning or are planning the mini-moon of your dreams, look no further than chic Playa del Carmen on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, the perfect getaway to splash and play or sun and spa. Or, why not both? Just 45 minutes south of Cancun International Airport, Playa del Carmen is a double win: With so many direct flights to the region, getting here is a breeze — and yet you're worlds away from the mega-resorts (and collegiate crowd) of Cancun. Playa, as the town is affectionally called, has more activities on offer than you could ever pack into three days, but this isn't the trip that you try to do it all. An ideal itinerary would be anchored by three nights at one of the area's spectacular resorts with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the stunning beaches, the warm, gentle waters of the Caribbean Sea, and resort amenities. Perhaps a spa treatment or two? Choose one day for an adventurous day trip: The picturesque Mayan ruins of Tulum are less than an hour south and World Heritage Site Chicen Itza is two hours inland. A day trip to Cozumel, an easy ferry ride from Playa del Carmen, offers abundant opportunities for snorkeling, world-class diving, and other water sports. About those resorts: From all-inclusive to eco-chic to ultra-luxurious, the area has options aplenty. Here, a few suggestions:
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Mayakoba Mayakoba, an eco-resort enclave located north of Playa's downtown, is a study conservation and luxury. Three truly special hotels share 240 acres of tropical forest, mangroves, lagoons, waterways and a pristine Caribbean shoreline: Fairmont Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and the ultra-luxurious Rosewood Mayakoba. Spa lovers should consider the Spa Sanctuary Villas at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, which come with unlimited spa treatments within the privacy of your own retreat.
SPA BUSINESS > INDUSTRY LEADERS > SPAS
Winners Announced for World Spa & Wellness 2016 March 8, 2016 Contact Author
BRANDED CONTENT
Top 9 Considerations When Choosing the Perfect Product Partner — Environ
6 Ways to Advance Your Career — Rhonda Allison
At the Professional Spa & Wellness Convention, which took place on Feb. 28‐29, 2016 in London, the winners of the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2016 were announced. They are listed below.
1. One&Only Spa, Mexico Hotel Spa of the Year: North and South America
2. The Spa at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego, USA Resort Spa of the Year: North and South America
3. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai, UAE Resort Spa of the Year: Middle East & Africa
4. Espa at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, UAE Hotel Spa of the Year: Middle East and Africa
5. Away Spa at W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak, Indonesia Hotel Spa of the Year: Asia & Australasia
6. The Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru Resort Spa of the Year: Asia & Australasia
7. The spa at Old House Resort & Spa, Rostov-on-Don, Russia Hotel Spa of the Year: Eastern Europe
8. Amanzoe Spa at the Amanzoe, Kranidi, Greece Resort Spa of the Year: Eastern Europe
9. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Paris, France Hotel Spa of the Year: Western Europe & Scandinavia
10. 36.5° Wellbeing & Thermal Spa at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Switzerland Resort Spa of the Year: Western Europe & Scandinavia
11. Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Italy Worldwide Health & Wellness Destination
68°
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Home
News
ePaper
Business
Sports
Entertainment
Subscribe
Sign In
Arts & Life
Obits & Wine Marketplace DMNstore ArtsOpinion Books Food Home & Garden Style
Search
Travel
5 locations to spring to for a family vacation Facebook Print
0
Comments
Published: 04 March 2016 04:21 PM Updated: 04 March 2016 04:21 PM
Spring is upon us, and it’s time to move forward with family-travel planning. Here are five ideas to consider:
Del Mar, California Immerse your family in Old World, Mediterraneaninspired luxury when you check into the family-
friendly, 249-room Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Lounge beside one of four heated pools, check out the equestrian center, sign up for a guided hike into the adjacent canyon preserve, or consider a motherdaughter spa treatment. Get in the swing of things on the Tom Fazio-designed golf course or pile into the free shuttle for a day at the beach. For an extraordinary dining experience, indulge in an adults-only evening at Chef William Bradleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Addison, Southern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only five-star, fivediamond restaurant. Contact: fairmont.com/san-diego; addisondelmar.com.
Get My Boat These days, the sharing economy is about more than transportation and sleep spots. Now you and your family can float, paddle, sail or ride personal water craft in more than 154 countries for as little as a few hours without investing in your own boat or committing to a weeklong charter. And you can arrange it from your smartphone. Water craft owners list their boats, you peruse the
options and then set sail in the Caribbean, power-boat around Miami or sleep aboard a floating B&B in Bali. Choose from options that include a guide or captain, or hone your skills in waters around the world. Contact: getmyboat.com.
South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, Florida Is someone in your clan a seashell lover? If so, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to take advantage of a beach walk with the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designated shelling concierge in this famed southwest Florida beach community. Later, opt for kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, family birding tours, or scout out the Points of Discovery within the on-site wildlife preserve. Play beachfront golf, enjoy a spa treatment or simply relax within the 330-acre beach resort. Kids can learn about marine conservation, snorkel in sea grass and discover where manatees live. Ask about the fifthnight-free promotion, which is available now through the end of May. Contact: southseas.com.
Hollywood, California Harry Potter fans from around the globe are expected to flock to Universal Studios in Hollywood with the April 7 opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s groundbreaking tales, the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, will entertain in detailed, hyper-realistic 3DHD with Hogwarts Castle as the focal point. While in town, consider a Warner Bros. Studio tour for a behind-the-curtain look at how Hollywood creates magic. Travel through back lots and onto soundstages, and visit the Archive, where costumes, props and even Batmobiles are part of the memorabilia. Don’t miss Stage 48: Script to Screen, a new interactive soundstage where you can learn about the production process of a film or TV show, and visit the set of Friends. Contact: discoverlosangeles.com.
Greenville, South Carolina Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this South Carolina city has more than just Southern charm to entice families. Craft your crew’s itinerary from award-winning urban bike trails, an 80,000-
square-foot Children’s Museum, water parks, hiking trails, baseball-theme museums and sporting activities, programs at the Roper Mountain Science Center and free trolley rides. You’ll want to create your own scavenger hunt and search for the nine bronze mice statues hidden along Main Street, an installation inspired by the book Mice on Main. Contact: visitgreenvillesc.com. Lynn O’Rourke Hayes is the editor of familytravel.com.
Facebook Print
0
Promoted Stories From The Web
Try a Colorado Dude Ranch For Your Next Family Reunion
The 10 Best Places to Vacation in the U.S. AARP
Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association
More Promoted Stories
Follow this story
Comments Recommended by
10 Rare English Surnames About to Go Extinct
25 Terrifying Airports You Should Avoid At All Costs
Ancestry
Shockpedia
More From Dallasnews.com
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 11:28 AM MDT
The Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. (Stuart Dryden/Postmedia Network) CALGARY -- National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1% rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn.
"Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year. Visit the Northeast
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 01:28 PM EDT
The Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. (Stuart Dryden/Postmedia Network) CALGARY -- National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1% rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn.
"Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year.
SPONSORED LINKS Ottaw a Aller gy Interested in an Allergy, Asthma or COPD Research Study? More Details
Can't Clim b you r Stair s? Let us help you to continue living in your own home click below No Obligation Quote See All Sponsored Links
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations THE CANADIAN PRESS 03.16.2016 |
CALGARY National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1 per cent rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banú and Jasper are starting to hire staú. Meanwhile, oøcials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banú Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Oøcials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn.
“Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Oøcials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year. (CTV Calgary)
Vancouver Flyers
HOVER FOR FLYER
HOVER FOR FLYER
(HTTP://WWW.POSTMEDIA.COM)
HOVER FOR FLYER
HOVER FOR FLYER
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 12:28 PM CDT
The Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. (Stuart Dryden/Postmedia Network) CALGARY -- National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1% rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said.
Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn. "Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year.
INSIDER SECRETS
Concierges share their favorite places and recommendations
LAND IN LANCASTER
The capital city of Dutch Country mixes urban and rural appeal
PREPPING FOR THE POPE An A/V pro relives the World Meeting of Families Congress
MEETINGSMAGS.COM
LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TALK
TECH
4 local companies connect and simplify the industry
//
SPRING
2016
PA.MEETINGSMAGS.COM
Spring 2016 PENNSYLVANIA MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE
20
16 FEATURES
6 EDITOR’S LETTER 16 TABLESCAPE Color-blocking adds depth and texture to event tables. By Natalie Wi
18 EVENT PROFILE How one vendor experienced the pope’s visit to Philadelphia. By Rob Gardner
20 DESTINATION Lancaster brings urban chic to the center of PA Dutch Country. By Roger Gordon 48 PEOPLE PROFILE Vicki Pohl’s start in catering began with a crush and ended with a career. By Nancy DePalma
2
PAM+E | SPRING 2016
24
Making Sense of Tech Four local tech companies streamlining the business of meetings and events. By Carolee Noury
29
Keys to the City Concierges are local experts and top resources. By Shay Badolato
P H O T O S : M A R R I O T T ; N ATA L I E W I ; FA I R M O N T P I T T S B U R G H
DEPARTMENTS
Keys
to the
CITY P H O T O S : I S T O C K . C O M /A L E X S TA R ; I S TO C K .CO M / TO M O G R A F
Four top concierges share their local secrets.
BY SHAY BADOLATO
PA.MEETINGSMAGS.COM
29
G
et to know and love your concierge. After all, they are your best
resource to what is beyond the hotel walls. No matter the question or request, stop by the desk and it might just make the difference between a mediocre and a memorable trip. Your concierge will leave a lasting
impression, whether it is advice on the most effective way to get to Heinz Field with 65,000 Steelers fans all going to the same place at the same time, hand-picked recommendations on the city’s best dining and cultural hot spots, or flowers, champagne and a cello player performing your favorite tune as you enter your suite. As a concierge at Fairmont Pittsburgh with firsthand knowledge of the career, I can confidently say that most guests are intrigued by the work we do. Quite often guests want to know the craziest questions we have been asked or the most outlandish tasks that have been bestowed upon us. PAM+E surveyed several concierges from across the state of Penn-
FAIRMONT PITTSBURGH
C O N C I E R G E : Ma r k C h a m b e r s
Fairmont Pittsburgh opened its doors in 2010 as Pittsburgh’s first Four Diamond LEED Gold Certified hotel. The 185-roomed property is impressive—with sleek lines, modern décor, ceiling heights towering to 57 feet, luxury amenities such as a 6,000-square-foot health club and spa, Habitat restaurant and Andys Wine Bar. Mark Chambers, Fairmont Pittsburgh’s chef concierge, is the first and only Les Clefs d’Or member USA in Pittsburgh; he is your go-to man when visiting the ‘burgh! PAM+E: What have you learned over the years about being a concierge? MC: Never act surprised when you get a request that surprises you. Everyone is different and some people need things that you can’t imagine. Just roll with it. As long as it is legal and doesn’t hurt anyone, “Sure, I can help you with that!” PAM+E: What service do you provide that guests may not know about?
30
PAM+E | SPRING 2016
MC: At our desk we not only take care of guests, but their pets as well, with beds, bowls and more. Additionally, one of my co-workers is a dog! Edie, our canine ambassador (yes, she even has a business card and email), is available for walks with our guests or just a cuddle in the lobby. PAM+E: Give us a crazy story. MC: I get this question a lot. It seems daily that we get a request that can
be considered outlandish—but the one request I can never forget (and not for lack of trying) was when a guest wanted to rent a gun. Why would anyone want to rent a gun?! PAM+E: Most memorable guest interaction? MC: We get a lot of A-list celebrities; it is often that we connect with them on a personal level when they are with us for a long time. Naturally, I can’t go into details, but you can imagine when speaking to someone who makes blockbuster after blockbuster and you are sharing dog pics from your cell phone … that is fun! PAM+E: Favorite part about living in Pittsburgh? MC: Pittsburgh is a relatively small city with everything a big city has to offer. Pittsburgh has an amazing art community, food scene, it’s inexpensive and the downtown is alive and thriving
P H O T O S : FA I R M O N T P I T T S B U R G H ; J O S E L U I S D E S O L A R ( PA M E L A’ S )
sylvania to share their recommendations, interactions and secrets with us.
PAM+E: Favorite place to have breakfast? MC: Pamela’s in The Strip District. Pancakes, crispy on the edges, eggy and spongy in the middle. Nothing beats Pamela’s pancakes! PAM+E: Favorite place to have lunch? MC: The Strip District; it’s not just one establishment, there are so many from which to choose. There are many sidewalk cafés and restaurants. If one is busy or isn’t serving what you are in the mood for, take two steps to your left and try the next! PAM+E: Favorite place to have dinner? MC: Downtown has a lot of really great options. They are hot, trendy and very busy. Finding a table can be a challenge, but like lunch in The Strip, if one is a bust, take two steps to the left. We encourage our guests to come see us at the desk, that way we can find out exactly what they are looking for and we can base our recommendation off their desires.
Mark Chambers assisting guests.
“Pancakes, crispy on the edges, eggy and spongy in the middle. Nothing beats Pamela’s pancakes!” –MARK CHAMBERS
PAM+E: Favorite hangout for happy hour? MC: Andys bar in my hotel. It is comfortable, sophisticated and there is jazz almost every night. PAM+E: Favorite museum? MC: The Warhol. There is no place like it anywhere. It is a massive collection. PAM+E: Favorite view of the city? MC: Mt. Washington. Almost every photo you will ever see of Pittsburgh is from Mt. Washington. It’s the perfect spot for the perfect photo-op or selfie.
Edie, canine ambassador.
PAM+E: Favorite neighborhood? MC: Shadyside. It’s pedestrian and hip. It’s good for people watching and easy to get to and from. PAM+E: Recommendation for a rainy day? MC: Phipps Conservatory and the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History. You can spend more than a day! PAM+E: Favorite way to spend a spring day in Pittsburgh? MC: Shadyside and Oakland are great in the spring. The Shadyside business district is a residential neighborhood. I first moved to Shadyside when I arrived in Pittsburgh and I used to love to watch the gardens come up while I was walking around the neighborhood. Shadyside is next to Oakland and there is where you will find spring, in the botanical gardens … it is spectacular!
Andys bar is hip and fun.
PA.MEETINGSMAGS.COM
31
NEWS
TRENDING
PHOTOS
JENNIFER LOPEZ
VIDEOS
TV SCOOP
ROB KARDASHIAN
STYLE
E! SHOWS
MICHELLE DOCKERY
NEWS/ Neil Patrick Harris' Twins, 5, Look Adorable While Getting Pampered at the Plaza Hotel in NYC by CORINNE HELLER Sun, Mar 13, 2016 5:01 PM
Share
2855
Tweet
Share
RED CARPE
FIFTY SHADE
MOST RE
NEW PIC
NEWS LOOKING
PHOTO
Neil Patrick Harris' twins now have something in common with Eloise and Home Alone's Kevin McCallister. The 42-year-old How I Met Your Mother alum posted on his Instagram page Saturday photos of his and husband David Burtka's daughter Harper Grace and son Gideon Scott, 5, looking adorable while getting pampered at the famous and luxurious Plaza Hotel in New York City. The kids are pictured eyeing some delicious treats, including massive sandwiches and an assortment of pastries, and relaxing on a plush couch while wearing flu·y, white hotel robes over their clothes. Gideon even opted to wear the matching slippers.
Kelly & Mar Cutest Pics
"Yesterday I filmed a secret thing that I can't discuss, but it was filmed at the Plaza Hotel. When we wrapped, they let us stay in a fancy penthouse suite and have tea in the Palm Court. The kids were blown away (as was I)," Harris wrote. "Thanks, @theplazahotel, for spoiling my children. #eloise." PHOTOS: Neil Patrick Harris' twins, 5, make breakfast in bed as family keeps warm during Winter Storm Jonas snowfall theplazahotel • 2 weeks ago
1,586 likes
Follow
33 comments
The hotel was the setting for the beloved Eloise children's book series and Disney's 2003 movie Eloise at the Plaza, as well as the cult 1990 film Home Alone 2: Lost in
'90s Girl Cr
NEWS
New York, where Macaulay Culkin's character lived like a king for a little while by himselfâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and definitely took advantage of the room service. Both stayed in penthouse suites.
Share
Tweet
Share
PHOTOS: Cutest celeb kids on Instagram
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
LEISURE / TRAVEL / INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The suite life just got sweeter at these ďŹ ve Fairmont Hotels March 1, 2016 4:45 PM MST
Living large in the penthouse suite at the Fairmont San Francisco Photo supplied with permission to use by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
For most people who travel without budgetary restrictions say millennials, celebrities, sports figures, CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booking a suite in a hotel or on a ship is a no-brainer. Why be cramped up on a vacation. With this in mind one upscale hotel chain, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is raising the bar on spacious accommodations at its worldwide properties. The hospitality giant is showcasing its suite life offerings with lavish, sought after and one-of-a-kind lodgings that will lure savvy travelers. Travelers will be able to book stays in chic and fashionable chambers in US areas such as:
∙ Fairmont San Francisco has the 6,000-square-foot Penthouse Suite that actually takes up the entire 8th floor of the historic property’s Main Building. The suite has three large bedrooms, a living room with a grand piano, a formal dining room, a kitchen, a two‐story library, a billiards room and an expansive terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind the library’s main bookshelf lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite. The sticker shock is $18,000 a night which includes exceptional amenities and a fully stocked kitchen, plus dedicated personnel, including a butler, who are at the ready to pamper guests. ∙ San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers discerning visitors the Brisa Villa-a majestic and finely crafted 4,500 square-foot spot with the privacy of a home and conveniences and amenities of a world‐class hotel. It offers three bedrooms, 4½ marble bathrooms, living and entertaining areas, a media room and a full kitchen, although guests can also choose 24-hour in-villa dining from the Mediterranean-inspired Amaya restaurant. The city’s renowned weather can be enjoyed on secluded terraces and climate‐controlled patios. Villa guests also enjoy a wide range of concierge and personal butler services, as well as amenities including unlimited golf. ∙ Fairmont Chicago’s Grand Park Suite offers guests a one-of-a-kind residential luxury experience. Located on the 37th floor, the one-bedroom Grand Suites feature warm, contemporary décor, modern furnishings, an expansive living area with plenty of lush seating, a guest powder room and unique extras like a Kawai grand piano, full kitchen or wet bar and fireplace. They also offer elegant, private settings that connect into one mega suite enhancing the view to 360 degrees. Following recent renovations, each of the five suites now boasts its own unique design and is accented with custom furniture. * ∙ The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York sweetens stays with its Grand Penthouse Suite that pays homage to its esteemed heritage. Named for Henry Hardenbergh, the hotel’s architect, it was recently reimagined as one of The Legacy Suites at The Plaza. Play Eloise at the Plaza at this dramatic, 2,100 square-foot perch located on the southwest corner of the hotel’s penthouse floor, affording extraordinary views of Central Park from large windows. Flowing off of the master bedroom, an inviting private terrace on the suite’s second floor offers enchanting views of the Big Apple’s famous skyline.
Your suite life is overseen by a personal pre-arrival concierge, and white glove butler service while in residence.
So go ahead live large, enjoy the suite life, you deserve it.
SUGGESTED LINKS Bill to end Day Light Savings Time on the table in California Assembly Talking trash with City Hall during Oscar Week in Los Angeles Zika virus hits too close to home with two more cases reported in Los Angeles Dead body of woman found in laundry chute at D Hotel in Las Vegas indentified
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner
http://www.smartmeetings.com/travel/85183/sleepy-travelers-no-more
Luxury Daily Home >> In-store, Industry sectors, Jewelry, News, Travel and hospitality >> Article: The Plaza repurposes Baccarat chandeliers as exclusive jewelry Receive the latest ar ticles for free. Click here to get the Luxur y Daily newsletter s.
The Plaza repur poses Baccar at chandelier s as exclusive jewelr y By Staff reports March 1, 2016
Baccarat’s cyrstals from The Plaza’s former chandeliers The Fairmont-managed Plaza Hotel in New York is offering guests an opportunity to wear a piece of the property’s history. Hotels often commemorate a guest’s stay through keepsakes such as ornaments for the holidays, stuffed animals for children and other personalized tokens of gratitude expressed by the property. For The Plaza, this notion is reflected in taking items set to be discarded and repurposing them to be consumer facing. Upcycled cr ystal Taking a piece of its own heritage, The Plaza is now offering guests a new line of jewelry crafted from its former chandeliers. Up until 2005, when the property was renovated, The Plaza had two dozen Baccarat chandeliers hanging within its glamorous lobby and other rooms. Unsure what to do with the 24 crystal chandeliers, valued at $2,500 to $4,000 each, executive vice president of retail at The Plaza, Kristin Franzese showed the Baccarat light fixtures to jewelry designer Heather Morra, who sells her designs in the hotel’s gift shop.
Together Ms. Morra and Ms. Franzese decided to repurpose the chandeliers since they had been sitting, boxed in storage for nearly a decade. Using the chandeliers, Ms. Morra has created an eight-piece suite called the Legacy Collection. The Legacy Collection includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings using the chandelier’s crystals, dating from the 1920s or ’30s. Each piece retails for approximately $150 exclusively at The Plaza Boutique.
Necklace from The Legacy Collection for The Plaza, designed by Heather Morra So far, Ms. Morra has only used six of the two dozen chandeliers ensuring that the jewelry
line’s availability will continue for the immediate future. Hotels often taken an element of their own histories to share with guests in an interactive and memorable way. For example, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and French silversmith Christofle are giving their upscale clientele a chance to elevate even further in class – to the level of Napoleon. Napoleon Bonaparte’s habit of opening Champagne with his saber helped birth the bottleopening technique, which St. Regis practices across its line and which consumers can now learn with the purchase of a bespoke saber (see story).
Like this article? Sign up for a free subscription to Luxury Daily's must-read newsletters. Click here!
« Previous article Next article » Related content: None Found No comments » Tags: Baccarat, Fairmont, Heather Morra, In-store, Jewelry, luxury, luxury daily, luxury marketing, Plaza Hotel, travel and hospitality You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply
Luxury Daily Home >> Apparel and accessories, Commerce, Food and beverage, Industry sectors, News >> Article: Glenmorangie breathes new life into scotch casks with sunglass partnership Receive the latest ar ticles for free. Click here to get the Luxur y Daily newsletter s.
Glenmor angie breathes new life into scotch casks with sunglass par tner ship By Staff reports March 3, 2016
Glenmorangie Finlay & Co. sunglasses Scotch whisky distiller Glenmorangie is going beyond the cask for its latest craftsmanship effort. The distiller has teamed with handmade sunglass brand Finlay & Co. to create shades made from repurposed oak cask barrels Glenmorangie has used for its scotches. Since each oak cask has a unique wood grain pattern, each pair of Finlay & Co. sunglasses will be distinct, a bespoke quality likely of interest for discerning scotch drinkers. Shades of scotch For the collaboration, Finlay & Co. uses Glenmorangie’s American White Oak cask barrels. These casks are used only twice to age Glenmorangie’s Original flagship scotch at its distillery in Dornoch Firth, Scotland. Since the wood used to shape the sunglass frames was once exposed to aging Scotch, the oak has maintained traces of the spirit. While the scent will not be overwhelming, if kept in the case for an extended period of time, a slight whiff of scotch will remind the wearer of the frame’s origin upon opening.
“We aim to delight our customers and could only work in partnership with others who set similarly high standards,” said David Lochhead, managing director of Finlay & Co., on Glenmorangie’s Web site. “Our sunglasses are often the most noticed accessories somebody will wear, the item that draws the most compliments. “And Glenmorangie is a whisky that also stands apart,” he said. “The partnership made much sense to us. At the same time it was exciting because, despite the similarities, it’s not exactly something anyone was expecting. “With Glenmorangie Originals we’ve crafted the wood down to reveal the true nature of the grain. It’s been a chance for us to give each cask a new chapter in its story.”
Unseen from Glenmorangie: #BEYONDTHEC...
Unseen from Glenmorangie: #BeyondTheCask For the project, Glenmorangie found that each cask can yield between 50 and 60 pairs of sunglasses. To create the shades, Finlay & Co. follows a 16-step process to ensure each pair exudes max strength, lightness and inimitable style. Numbered pairs of Finlay & Co. Glenmorangie Originals are available exclusively on the sunglass brand’s Web site. Pairs retail for $425 and can be engraved for an additional $55 or fitted with prescription lenses for an extra charge. Brands often offer consumers an interesting way to own a small segment of its story. For instance, the Fairmont-managed Plaza Hotel in New York is giving guests an opportunity to wear a piece of the property’s history. The Plaza is now offering guests a new line of jewelry crafted from its former chandeliers. Up until 2005, when the property was renovated, The Plaza had two dozen Baccarat chandeliers
hanging within its glamorous lobby and other rooms (see story).
Like this article? Sign up for a free subscription to Luxury Daily's must-read newsletters. Click here!
« Previous article Next article » Related content: None Found No comments » Tags: Apparel and accessories, commerce, finlay & co., food and beverage, Glenmorangie, luxury, luxury daily, luxury marketing, scotch whisky, sunglasses You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply
Tea & Fashion at Fairmont San Francisco On Friday, March 11, a fashionable Bay Area crowd gathered at the Fairmont San Francisco to fete Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective, which recently opened at the de Young museum. An official sponsor of the highly anticipated exhibition, the Fairmont held an afternoon tea at its Laurel Court Restaurant for a guest list that included man-of-the-hour André Leon Tally, who curated the retrospective of late designer de la Renta’s most exquisite gowns, on view through May 30.
Alberta tourism expected to have strong year due to low loonie, staycations THE CANADIAN PRESS FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 11:28 AM MDT
The Fairmont Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. (Stuart Dryden/Postmedia Network) CALGARY -- National parks in Alberta saw an increase in visitors last year and another strong tourism season is expected this year. According to the Alberta Tourism Market Monitor, the low Canadian dollar, healthy U.S. economy and more Albertans staying close to home contributed to an 8.1% rise in visitors last summer over the previous year. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops in Banff and Jasper are starting to hire staff. Meanwhile, officials with the hospitality and tourism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are hosting an expo to help students find jobs. Instructor Ken Upton says not only is there an influx of Americans, but also tourists from China, Korea and Japan. Stacey Fisher from Discover Banff Tours says some of their American customers don't even realize that their dollar stands up so well in comparison to the Canadian dollar. "Once they find out that then it's just a bonus for them and they're loving it," Fisher said. Officials at the Fairmont Palliser hotel in downtown Calgary say visitors stop in the city before heading to the mountain parks and they see opportunity in the economic downturn.
"Business travel is down but that has created opportunities for travel in the leisure, group or tour markets," said Janet Jacques of the Fairmont Palliser. "Staycations are also proving to be extremely popular as Canadians are sticking closer to home instead of going south." Officials with the hotel chain say the mountains are an oasis of good economic news and that its flagship hotels are expecting a strong year. Free Breakfast. Free Wi-Fi. Visit the NortheastAt participating hotels. Terms & conditions apply. ChoiceHotels.com
LEISURE / TRAVEL / INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The suite life just got sweeter at these ďŹ ve Fairmont Hotels March 1, 2016 4:45 PM MST
Living large in the penthouse suite at the Fairmont San Francisco Photo supplied with permission to use by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
For most people who travel without budgetary restrictions say millennials, celebrities, sports figures, CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booking a suite in a hotel or on a ship is a no-brainer. Why be cramped up on a vacation. With this in mind one upscale hotel chain, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is raising the bar on spacious accommodations at its worldwide properties. The hospitality giant is showcasing its suite life offerings with lavish, sought after and one-of-a-kind lodgings that will lure savvy travelers. Travelers will be able to book stays in chic and fashionable chambers in US areas such as:
∙ Fairmont San Francisco has the 6,000-square-foot Penthouse Suite that actually takes up the entire 8th floor of the historic property’s Main Building. The suite has three large bedrooms, a living room with a grand piano, a formal dining room, a kitchen, a two‐story library, a billiards room and an expansive terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind the library’s main bookshelf lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite. The sticker shock is $18,000 a night which includes exceptional amenities and a fully stocked kitchen, plus dedicated personnel, including a butler, who are at the ready to pamper guests. ∙ San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers discerning visitors the Brisa Villa-a majestic and finely crafted 4,500 square-foot spot with the privacy of a home and conveniences and amenities of a world‐class hotel. It offers three bedrooms, 4½ marble bathrooms, living and entertaining areas, a media room and a full kitchen, although guests can also choose 24-hour in-villa dining from the Mediterranean-inspired Amaya restaurant. The city’s renowned weather can be enjoyed on secluded terraces and climate‐controlled patios. Villa guests also enjoy a wide range of concierge and personal butler services, as well as amenities including unlimited golf. ∙ Fairmont Chicago’s Grand Park Suite offers guests a one-of-a-kind residential luxury experience. Located on the 37th floor, the one-bedroom Grand Suites feature warm, contemporary décor, modern furnishings, an expansive living area with plenty of lush seating, a guest powder room and unique extras like a Kawai grand piano, full kitchen or wet bar and fireplace. They also offer elegant, private settings that connect into one mega suite enhancing the view to 360 degrees. Following recent renovations, each of the five suites now boasts its own unique design and is accented with custom furniture. * ∙ The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York sweetens stays with its Grand Penthouse Suite that pays homage to its esteemed heritage. Named for Henry Hardenbergh, the hotel’s architect, it was recently reimagined as one of The Legacy Suites at The Plaza. Play Eloise at the Plaza at this dramatic, 2,100 square-foot perch located on the southwest corner of the hotel’s penthouse floor, affording extraordinary views of Central Park from large windows. Flowing off of the master bedroom, an inviting private terrace on the suite’s second floor offers enchanting views of the Big Apple’s famous skyline.
Your suite life is overseen by a personal pre-arrival concierge, and white glove butler service while in residence.
So go ahead live large, enjoy the suite life, you deserve it.
SUGGESTED LINKS Bill to end Day Light Savings Time on the table in California Assembly Talking trash with City Hall during Oscar Week in Los Angeles Zika virus hits too close to home with two more cases reported in Los Angeles Dead body of woman found in laundry chute at D Hotel in Las Vegas indentified
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner
About
Advertise
Newsletter
iPhone/iPad App
SEARCH
enter keyword(s)
SUBSCRIBE DESTINATIONS LIFESTYLE REVIEWS DAILY GT SELECT HOTELS SOCIAL MEDIA MAGAZINE Home » Uncategorized » 7 Favori te P rop erti es of P ast P resi d en ts
7 Favorite Properties of Past Presidents by Holly Riddle on Mar. 5, 2016
Contact
Photo: © Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
The Fairmont San Francisco officially opened exactly one year after the city’s great earthquake. Like its Boston sister, this Fairmont property also hosted President Taft, and has acted as the San Francisco residence for every U.S. president since then. The luxury accommodations and common spaces are continually evolving to provide only the best for their international visitors. ADD TO FAVORITES
Like
0
Comments
SUBSCRIBE Tweet
SHARE
March 5, 2016
SF Hotels Get Busy On Sustainability With Rooftop Beehives
Beekeeping at the Clift Hotel. (Photo: Clift Hotel) Tue. March 22, 2016, 12:02pm
(/ads/7/15/2)
High above the frenetic city streets, full of shoppers shopping, tourists touring, and workers working, you'll nd a new set of neighbors who are also busy as bees, and for good reason: they're actually bees. Hives are being kept on the rooftops of several SF hotels these days, from Union Square to Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf. Michael Pace, general manager of the Clift Hotel (https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/originals/originals-clift-san-francisco) in Union Square and chair of the Sustainability Committee for the Hotel Council of San Francisco (http://www.hotelcouncilsf.org/), has spearheaded the effort to encourage city hotels to keep bees, as an environmentally friendly initiative. The Clift rst installed its rooftop aerie last May, with one queen and 10,000 bees. Today, it has 80,000 bees, and expects to grow the colony to 800,000 by early 2017. Local beekeeper Roger Garrison is in charge of installing and maintaining the hives.Â
Beehives at the Clift Hotel. (Photo: Clift Hotel) Seven other local hotels also have hives: The Fairmont San Francisco, Holiday Inn and Express Fisherman's Wharf, Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf, Omni San Francisco, W San Francisco and Hotel Zetta. And two more are on the way. When he was considering ideas for sustainability, Pace thought, "What if we did something different? What if we did something with a little more heart and soul?" Aware of the well-publicized threats to honeybees (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder), he wanted, in a small way, to help repopulate them. People often ask, "Is there enough greenery? Is there enough pollen?" Pace's answer: "You'd be surprised." The bees nd gardens and trees throughout the city to feed, and they tend to return to the same place daily.
Bees at the Fairmont. (Photo: Courtesy of the Fairmont San Francisco) The Fairmont San Francisco (http://www.fairmont.com/san-francisco/) was the rst local hotel to install beehives, way back in June 2010, according to Melissa Farrar, its director of marketing communications. "[We] introduced the bees to the hotel to support the dwindling bee population, which Fairmont Hotels & Resorts as a brand has put a great deal of focus on and pioneered as a cause," she told us via email. The Fairmont has four hives, and beekeeper Spencer Marshall checks on them regularly. Guests and visitors can ask for a chef- or staff-led tour of the hives and garden, too.
Bee tour at the Fairmont. (Photo: Courtesy of the Fairmont San Francisco) Where there are bees, there's honey, and hotels do their best to make use of it and share it with guests. The Fairmont's Bee Sustainable Program (http://www.fairmont.com/promotions/fairmontbees/)—with more than 20 participating hotels around the world—uses honey in everything from food to spa treatments. The Fairmont San Francisco even brews its own honey beer, and plans to release a new honey pale ale soon. To make use of its homegrown honey, the Clift is introducing some new honey cocktails, including the 49er Tea Time with black tea-infused Cyrus Noble whisky, honey syrup and lemon juice and the Peerless Purple, with lavender-infused No. 209 gin, honey syrup, lemon juice and lavender bitters. The new drinks will roll out next Monday, March 28th. Clift chef Thomas Weibull also uses honey in some dishes, such as the compressed watermelon salad (on the hotel's small bites menu) and chef's pintxo platter (on the happy hour menu).
The 49er Tea Time cocktail at the Clift Hotel. (Photo: Clift Hotel) Both the Clift and Fairmont also have rooftop gardens. The Fairmont's chefs use house-grown herbs and fruit in the kitchen, while the Clift has dedicated plants on a second- oor terrace for its cocktail program. "Mixologists tell us what they need, and we grow it," Pace said.
share this story:
Like
Share
227
Tweet
Never miss a story. Subscribe today to get Hoodline delivered straight to your inbox. subscribe
RELATED:
North Beach Week: Easter Events, Neon Robot Iceberg, Women Ge in' Wi y, More
(/2016/03/north-beach-week-easter-events-neon-robot-iceberg-women-gettinwitty-more) Bunnies, stand-ups and a remote-controlled El Camino help kick off events around the North Beach this week.
(/2016/03/north-beach-week-easter-events-neon-robot-iceberg-women-gettin-witty-more)
(/neighborhoods/embarcadero) F I S H E R MA N' S W H A R F (/neighborhoods/ shermans-wharf) JACK S O N S Q UA R E (/neighborhoods/jackson-square) N O RT H B E AC H (/neighborhoods/northbeach) EMB A RC AD E RO
Lana Kohn, Katrina Sperry, Alencia Lewis at Tea &amp; Fashion at... Photo-9633514.126726 - SFGate Tea & Fashion at Fairmont San Francisco On March 11th models wearing the latest Oscar de la Renta designs interacted with guests throughout a special afternoon tea in celebration of the de Young Museum’s exhibition “Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective.” March 18, 2016 11:07 AM
CELEBRITY
FASHION
BEAUTY
HAIR
LOVE
LIFE
VIDEOS
PHOTOS
MORE GALLERIES
FESTIVAL
SUBSCRIBE
23 of 25 | COMMENTS
25 LUXURIOUS HOTELS WITH ROOMS UNDER $200 A NIGHT FAIRMONT SAN JOSE HOTEL – SAN JOSE, CA Located in the heart of the capital of Silicon Valley, this fabulous hotel offers visitors the “Stay and Play Weekend Package” starting at $174/night. By Ni’Kesia Pannell
GLOBAL EATS: STREET FOOD AROUND THE WORLD VIEW
ADVERTISEMENT
Y OU MIGHT ALSO LIKE 15 BEST BLACK TRAVEL MOMENTS YOU MISSED THIS WEEK: SISTERHOOD IN TANZANIA VIEW
Promoted
Star Gazing 5.24.13
10 Cars To Avoid in 2015
Style 24-7: All White Party
RM AutoBuzz
Promoted
Promoted
The Pictures of The WW2 Shipwrecks Are Really Haunting Mozo Motors
16 Things Cruse Ships Surprisingly Keep Hidden from Their…
Destination Tips
Recommended by
0 Comments Recommend
15 BEST BLACK TRAVEL MOMENTS YOU MISSED THIS WEEK: BACHELORETTE GOALS IN MEXICO VIEW
1
Essence Magazine
⤤ Share
Sort by Newest
Start the discussion…
Be the first to comment.
✉
Subscribe
d
Login
Add Disqus to your site Add Disqus Add
ὑ
Privacy
LEISURE / TRAVEL / INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The suite life just got sweeter at these ďŹ ve Fairmont Hotels March 1, 2016 4:45 PM MST
Living large in the penthouse suite at the Fairmont San Francisco Photo supplied with permission to use by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
For most people who travel without budgetary restrictions say millennials, celebrities, sports figures, CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booking a suite in a hotel or on a ship is a no-brainer. Why be cramped up on a vacation. With this in mind one upscale hotel chain, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is raising the bar on spacious accommodations at its worldwide properties. The hospitality giant is showcasing its suite life offerings with lavish, sought after and one-of-a-kind lodgings that will lure savvy travelers. Travelers will be able to book stays in chic and fashionable chambers in US areas such as:
∙ Fairmont San Francisco has the 6,000-square-foot Penthouse Suite that actually takes up the entire 8th floor of the historic property’s Main Building. The suite has three large bedrooms, a living room with a grand piano, a formal dining room, a kitchen, a two‐story library, a billiards room and an expansive terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco. A secret passageway concealed behind the library’s main bookshelf lends a sense of intrigue to the fabled suite. The sticker shock is $18,000 a night which includes exceptional amenities and a fully stocked kitchen, plus dedicated personnel, including a butler, who are at the ready to pamper guests. ∙ San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers discerning visitors the Brisa Villa-a majestic and finely crafted 4,500 square-foot spot with the privacy of a home and conveniences and amenities of a world‐class hotel. It offers three bedrooms, 4½ marble bathrooms, living and entertaining areas, a media room and a full kitchen, although guests can also choose 24-hour in-villa dining from the Mediterranean-inspired Amaya restaurant. The city’s renowned weather can be enjoyed on secluded terraces and climate‐controlled patios. Villa guests also enjoy a wide range of concierge and personal butler services, as well as amenities including unlimited golf. ∙ Fairmont Chicago’s Grand Park Suite offers guests a one-of-a-kind residential luxury experience. Located on the 37th floor, the one-bedroom Grand Suites feature warm, contemporary décor, modern furnishings, an expansive living area with plenty of lush seating, a guest powder room and unique extras like a Kawai grand piano, full kitchen or wet bar and fireplace. They also offer elegant, private settings that connect into one mega suite enhancing the view to 360 degrees. Following recent renovations, each of the five suites now boasts its own unique design and is accented with custom furniture. * ∙ The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York sweetens stays with its Grand Penthouse Suite that pays homage to its esteemed heritage. Named for Henry Hardenbergh, the hotel’s architect, it was recently reimagined as one of The Legacy Suites at The Plaza. Play Eloise at the Plaza at this dramatic, 2,100 square-foot perch located on the southwest corner of the hotel’s penthouse floor, affording extraordinary views of Central Park from large windows. Flowing off of the master bedroom, an inviting private terrace on the suite’s second floor offers enchanting views of the Big Apple’s famous skyline.
Your suite life is overseen by a personal pre-arrival concierge, and white glove butler service while in residence.
So go ahead live large, enjoy the suite life, you deserve it.
SUGGESTED LINKS Bill to end Day Light Savings Time on the table in California Assembly Talking trash with City Hall during Oscar Week in Los Angeles Zika virus hits too close to home with two more cases reported in Los Angeles Dead body of woman found in laundry chute at D Hotel in Las Vegas indentified
Patti Pietschmann LA Travel Diva Examiner
Heat Up Your Happy Hour with 3 Fiery Cocktails By: Jimmy Rhoades (mailto:jimmy.rhoades@scripps.com), Cassarah Coffey (mailto:cassarah.coffey@scripps.com) Posted: 5:38 PM, Mar 11, 2016
Tag: Food (/category/Food) | fire (/topic/fire) | cocktails (/topic/cocktails) | drinks (/topic/drinks) | happy hour (/topic/happy+hour)
Flames, fire, smoke...if you're looking to get a little lit up at the bar, don't just order a regular ole' boring drink. The List’s Bradley Hasemeyer has three show-stopping cocktails that will heat up your happy hour. VIDEO BY LSTV
Flames, fire, smoke...if you're looking to get a little lit up at the bar, don't just order a regular ole' boring drink. The List’s (https://www.facebook.com/thelistshowtv) Jimmy Rhoades (https://www.facebook.com/TheListJimmy/?fref=ts) with three show stopping cocktails that will heat up your happy hour.
1. Tableside Whiskey Piercing This process was adopted from Japan and their piercing involves torching something. In this case a banana.
2. The Number Seven This drink uses rosemary, green Chartreuse which is a herbal liqueur, aged rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, and just a touch of simple syrup to balance it all together. YUM!
3. Flaming Coffee at La Hacienda First, the glass is dipped in cinnamon and sugar, then the burn agent is added, rum, then light it on fire! Add tequila cream, coffee, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings and enjoy. That's three show stopping cocktails that will heat up your next happy hour. What's your favorite beverage to enjoy after a long day of work? Join in on the conversation on our official Twitter page, @TheListShowTV (https://twitter.com/TheListShowTV)! Big thanks to Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com/), Bourbon Steak (http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com/Sip-Savor#Bourbon-Steak), Plaza Bar (http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/dining/theplazabar/), and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant by Richard Sandoval (http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/dining/la-hacienda/).
http://onforb.es/22stvNx
Bill Springer Contributor
I cover superyachts, offshore adventure, luxury travel, and tech. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
LIFESTYLE
3/21/2016 @ 3:17PM 4,376 views
Elegant, Exotic and English: Why Bermuda Is the Ultimate Island Escape
Credit Bermuda Tourism Authority
As a guy who’s been lucky enough to spend more than my fair share of time on exclusive islands around the world, and more specifically, summer getaway destinations in the Northeast— Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, coastal Maine, and the Hamptons—a recent trip to Bermuda has rocked my world.
The pool and palm trees at the Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa provide a peaceful oasis. Credit Bill Springer
In fact, I’m going to come right out and say it. Bermuda is simply the ultimate (and easily accessible) island escape for anyone who lives on the east coast. And it’s a must-visit destination for everyone else. Here’s why. First of all, flights on all the major airlines from the East Coast are generally pretty affordable. And Bermuda is the only gloriously-Britishdrive-on-the-left-hand-side-of-the-narrow-road overseas territory that combines island charm, English sophistication, a temperate climate, palm trees, and impossibly blue water that’s only a short 2 hour flight from NYC, Boston, or Washington DC!
Credit Sam Greenfield/ORACLE TEAM USA
Of course, it has the famous pink sand beaches, exclusive golf courses, high-end resorts, and shopping that this tiny island about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina has always been known for. But as I found out during a recent, 4day-long visit, Bermuda is also the site of the 2017 America’s Cup and is way more hip, and active, and exciting than you’d ever imagine.
Jeff Koons Blue (Monkey)/Credit Bill Springer
In fact, the refreshing “hipness” of Bermuda became apparent when I saw the Jeff Koons mirrored sculpture “Monkey (Blue)” hanging over the fireplace in the lobby the newly remodeled Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club, before I’d even checked in. The hotel also features fanciful work by Andy Warhol, Banksy, and other well-known contemporary artists that complemented the water view from the balcony in my comfortable room overlooking the marina perfectly.
Andy Warhol Camouflage/Credit Bill Springer
The art was a wonderful surprise, but I’d come to Bermuda for more active pursuits starting with the 75-minute jet ski tour we embarked on almost immediately after we got there. I will say the water was a bit chilly (it was early March
when I was there) but well worth it. Our guide brought us out to the wreck of the H.M.S Vixen where the water was teeming with fish, and speeding around the west end on a jet ski was a great way to get oriented to the island. Plus, it sure beat the grey late winter cold of New England that I’d just left only hours before.
Working out with the defending America’s Cup champs is a great way to get the heart rate up. Credit Bill Springer
Bermuda is also a well-known destination for sailors (I’ve actually sailed across the Gulf Stream to Bermuda from New England many times). But now that I’ve toured ORACLE TEAM USA’s base, and even worked out with the guys that are the defending America’s Cup champs, I can say from first hand experience, that the America’s Cup is turning Bermuda into the epicenter of all that is “hip” in the ultra-exclusive world of high-performance hydrofoil sailing.
RC44′s on Bermuda’s Great Sound/ Credit Bill Springer
The America’s Cup is also attracting other worldclass sailors to Bermuda. I had a chance to watch the high-performance RC44 class racing on the
Great Sound while I was there, and many other high-profile regattas are planned leading up to the big event next year. The America’s Cup may be ubiquitous, but I also saw first hand that Bermuda has way more to offer, especially if you’re into exercise and endurance sports, than sailing.
Credit Bill Springer
So, if you’re into stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), Surf SUP Bermuda in Somerset can rent you a board and a paddle. Since we were jumpstarting the summer season in March it was a bit breezy when we went for our SUP tour, but it was still a great work out, and the scenery along the west end of the island is gorgeous.
Credit Bill Springer
If you’re into bike riding, there were plenty of serious, lycra-clad-local cyclists riding on Bermuda’s narrow and hilly roads (usually in groups early in the morning), but I found the ride we did on rented mountain bikes along a portion of Bermuda’s Railway Trail (that runs along secluded trails almost the entire length of the Cshaped island) was much more conducive to safety and sightseeing.
And if you are one of those crazy people who are into Tough Mudder-type obstacle course racing, Bermuda has you covered there too.
Credit Bill Springer
After getting acquainted with part of the Bermuda Triple Challenge obstacle course that runs through the island’s stunning South Shore Coastal Nature Reserve I can report two things: 1. Running through beach sand and climbing over plywood obstacles is wicked hard. And 2. The Bermuda Triple Challenge (that just took place) may be the most aesthetically beautiful obstacle course race in the world!
Credit Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Southampton
Thankfully, Bermuda is also home to more than a few spas, and any of the soreness I acquired during our runs, and rides, and SUP tours, and workouts with America’s Cup teams disappeared after my wonderfully restorative deep-tissue massage at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Southampton.
Credit Bill Springer
And last but not least, no trip to Bermuda would be complete without a discussion of Bermuda’s national drink. The Rum Swizzle. Bermudians love their “Swizzle.” It’s made with Bermudabased Goslings Rum and most of the locals have their own distinctive recipe. So, while I was sad to leave this wonderful island and its welcoming people, I was grateful to be able to stop at the famous “Swizzle Inn” on my way back to the airport. Because, you see, Swizzle is not only a drink, it’s also a pen name I use from time to time.
Credit Bill Springer
Please, just do yourself a favor, go to Bermuda and tell them “Billy Swizzle sent me.” I know I’ll be going back soon and you’re going to love it. When he’s not sailing or pushing a baby stroller all over New England, Bill Springer covers superyachts, offshore adventure, luxury travel, and technology. Follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn. RECOMMENDED BY FORBES
Edition: US
Like
FRONT PAGE
POLITICS
BUSINESS
ENTERTAINMENT
MEDIA
TASTE
STYLE
GREEN
HUFFPOST LIVE
6.8M
Balmy Bermuda 03/18/2016 03:35 pm ET | Updated Mar 18, 2016
Like
16
John Mariani Publisher of “Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet Newsletter” and award-winning author
All the destination islands of the Caribbean have, more or less, their own appeal, but Bermuda is decidedly not a Caribbean island. It is in the Atlantic Ocean, 640 nautical miles east of the U.S. mainland, which makes it much more of a year-round attraction and one I tend to prefer for its own particular, fairly subdued character. Call it British reserve, if you like, but Bermuda does exude a far more genteel spirit than do the British Virgin Islands or Jamaica. The pink sand beaches are truly spectacular, nudging along a rugged coastline of dramatic beauty, and, when it’s not being pummeled by a hurricane-the last was Gonzalo in 2014-it has a subtropical climate with average monthly temperatures in
Follow
ALL SECTIONS
THE BLOG
FOLLOW HUFFPOST
the low 60s in winter (the record low is 43°) and in the low 80s in summer. When I was there in June many of the more secluded beaches were nearly empty, and,
since you can’t rent a car on the island (only scooters and bicycles), the pace of traffic is very civilized indeed.
HuffPost
Like
6.8M
Travel
Like
1.2M
HUFFPOST NEWSLETTERS Get top stories and blog posts emailed to me each day. Newsletters may offer personalized content or advertisements. Learn More.
address@email.com
Mark Twain was a regular after the Civil War, proclaiming, “You go to heaven if you want to, I’d rather stay right here in Bermuda,” where he found “no rush, no hurry, no money-getting frenzy, no fretting, no complaining, no fussing and quarreling; no
Subscribe!
SUGGESTED FOR YOU Wegmans Is Officially America's Favorite Grocery Store.
telegrams, no daily newspapers, no railroads, no tramways, no subways, no trolleys, no Tammany, no Republican party, no Democratic party, no graft, no officeseeking, no elections, no legislatures for sale.” Well, that was then, and Bermuda now is far more modernized, with its major industry being re-insurance, which has had its ups and downs in the global recession. But, largely speaking, the island retains that calmness of which Twain spoke; the buildings are in every shade of pastel, the water as blue as anywhere in the Atlantic, and the pace of life unrushed.
The 5 Least Visited Countries In The World Are Also The Most Beautiful
As did Twain, I stayed at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, long nicknamed the Pink Palace. The original structure dates to 1885 and took its name from Queen Victoria’s daughter Louise, who’d visited Bermuda a few years prior. Affluent Americans were the intended targets for the hotel and they’ve never stopped coming. During World War II, the hotel became an intelligence center nicknamed ‘’Bletchley-in-the-Tropics’’ after the English country house where the ‘’Enigma’’ code was broken.
What Doctors Wish You Knew About CPR
Today the hotel is sister, though not twin, to The Fairmont Southampton on the island’s south shore. In 2012 the Princess was sold to the local Green family under the Fairmont aegis and has been renovated to the tune of $90 million; the main lobby is now a veritable museum of modern art, including works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Banksy and others. The 157 rooms are flooded with light and are all in view of Hamilton Harbor, with modern amenities, excellent bathroom facilities, dependable WiFi, access to the Inner Sanctum Spa and Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club. Booking jet skis, kayaks, even a catamaran from K.S. WaterSports, gives you freedom to sail through gorgeous seascapes in view of some of the grand mansions built on
Who Is This Person And What Has She Done With Taylor Swift?
Bermuda’s hills.
Here's What All The Big Celebrities Wore To The First Weekend Of Coachella
There are three dining options at the hotel, including the open-air 1609 Bar and Restaurant, set on the marina, and the Crown & Anchor Bar, Restaurant & Terrace, which is open for very good breakfast, lunch and dinners. The big news when I visited was the opening of celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson’s vast Marcus’ restaurant (above), with a menu I felt fell way short of expectations. Marcus himself played greeter at the opening party, but was headed back to New York the very next day. A $20 appetizer called “Aunt Bonita’s crab and codfish cake with charred mango,
10 Smaller Cities That Are More Beautiful Than Their Capitals
salsa, bacon, and salsa verde” was third-rate; the catch of the day, wahoo ($36), was overcooked; the blackened redfish and grits ($38) were bland, and Samuelsson’s much ballyhooed fried chicken for two-$75!-could not even keep its crust on the meat. Otherwise, dining out in Bermuda can be trying-and expensive-with the hotel restaurants trying to please everyone with similar menus that pretend to offer a few questionable items of Bermudian cuisine, which, I’m sorry to report, is barely identifiable in any case. I asked repeatedly of the locals where to eat something
21 Engagement Rings That Are Perfect For The Unconventional Bride
that resembled true Bermudian cooking, and, after visiting a few recommendations, found none that would give any foreign traveler much to talk, much less rave, about. Avoid at all costs The Spot in Hamilton, a kind of diner with terrible food. You’d do as well at the numerous pubs, like the Frog & Onion at the Royal Navy Dockyard, and, for a taste of something as downhome as you’ll find, Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy is a place where you line up to get a good fried fish sandwich, then eat it at the nearby park (but watch out for the beseeching beggars already on their third beer). Do You Need To Refrigerate Butter? Here's The Definitive Answer.
Rio de Janeiro's Pedra da Gavea Has To Be The Scariest Photo Op Of All Time
Skin Condition Linked To Risk Of Deadly Aneurysm
The best restaurant I dined at was very, very good: Little Venice (above) in Hamilton. It has been around for 40 years and has fine-tuned every dish, along with the ebullient patter and opera singing of owner-chefs Umberto and Tony, who have earned the respect of their guests enough to ask them for “Proper attire: collared shirts, trousers or Bermuda shorts, No tee shirts-No sleeveless shirts-No tank topsNo bathing suits or shorts, No baseball hats or bandanas-No sneakers, Ladies Dress Jeans Only.” They also stock a wine list of tremendous breadth and depth. Even though the food is not particularly Venetian in style, I would return again and again for Little Venice’s roasted octopus brightened with lime juice and a pesto sauce along with roasted potatoes ($20.75) and any of the housemade pastas, such as the tortelli filled with pumpkin and crushed amaretti in a butter-sage truffle sauce ($25.75), gnocchi of pumpkin filled with ricotta and sauced with a tomatobasil coulis ($24.75), and Mario’s ravioli alla caprese ($24.75). Equally impressive was a risotto made with Arborio rice, rich with seafood and colored with squid ink ($29.75). For dessert consider the torta caprese. While Hamilton is a fine town, though on the verge of overdevelopment, historic St. George’s, a World Heritage Site, gives you a much more relaxed sense of the island’s past. Settled in 1612, it is quiet and low in density, with its center at King’s Square, where the Bermuda National Trust Museum is located.
More: Food Style Hotels & Resorts Restaurants Taste
FOLLOW TRAVEL
GET THE NEWSLETTER
address@email.com
Subscribe!
Stay and play: America's most expensive green fees at resort and private courses that require an overnight stay By Jason Scott Deegan Senior Staff Writer Mar 21, 2016
Even with a $500 green fee, Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas isn't the most expensive stay-and-play course in the country. (Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor ) Golfers have to stay at the Four Seasons to play the Nicklaus Course at Hualalai Golf Club on Hawai'i Island. (Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor)
To make the Seaside Course more affordable, you can stay at the inn at Sea Island Resort instead of the two ᐀�ve-star hotels, The Cloister and The Lodge. (Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor ) Great Waters is the most prestigious of the courses at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, east of Atlanta. (Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee)
Editor's note: Jason Scott Deegan is detailing the priciest rounds of golf in the United States. In this edition, he breaks down the most expensive courses that require an overnight stay at a hotel or resort. For his installment on the most expensive standalone golf courses, click here (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/most-expensive-green-fees-in-america-part-1-15762.htm). Determining America's most expensive resort courses and private clubs open to resort guests isn't as simple as it seems. All 40 of the resort and private courses listed in this story have rack rates that cost $200 or more, but how many golfers are foolish enough to pay them? Most customers are going to be staying on a golf package that should, theoretically, cut the "peak rates" used in this story down considerably. For the sake of fairness, I had to follow the theme of my ᐀�rst story on America's most expensive publicaccessible golf courses (http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/most-expensive-green-fees-in-america-part1-15762.htm), which included 118 courses across the country that cost more than $200 to play. Just to reiterate: When I began researching expensive green fees, it wasn't necessarily to call those courses out for being "overpriced" or for "gouging" customers or being "most expensive." It was to ᐀�nd out what "bucket list" golf costs these days. The best courses are expensive. There's no sense in arguing that point. And they get even more so when you add a stay at a posh resort into the equation. The total costs to stay and play (without a golf package) at these resorts could only be estimated due to ᴀuctuating room rates and green fees. You can use this list two ways: As a guide to seek out and play the most exclusive public-accessible courses in the country, or avoid them altogether, because they're simply too costly for your budget. You decide.
Manele Golf Course Peak rate: $1,000-plus (green fee plus a stay at the Four Seasons Lanai). Comment: Rooms at the recently reopened Four Seasons Lanai, which allow access to play Manele Golf Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/14953-manele-golf-course/), never dip below $1,000 a night, all part of island owner Larry Ellison's plan to create a playground for the 1 percent.
Kukui'ula Golf Course Peak rate: $1,000-plus ($232 green fee plus a stay at the Lodge at Kukui'ula). Comment: Kauai's ᐀�rst new development in more than a decade recently introduced the lodge, a collection of island-style cottages, bungalows and villas that allow access to the private Tom Weiskopf-designed (http://www.golfadvisor.com/architects/3111-tom-weiskopf/) course.
Hualalai Golf Course
Hualalai Golf Course Peak rate: $900-plus ($285 green fee plus a stay at the Four Seasons Hualalai). Comment: The Nicklaus course at Hualalai hosts the Mitsubishi Electronic Championship for winners on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. The Four Seasons Hualalai is generally considered the biggest jewel in the Four Season crown. Could that change with the rebirth of the Four Seasons Lanai?
jasondeegangolfadvisor â&#x20AC;˘ 2 months ago
Follow
Throwback to 2014 when I visited #HawaiiIsland twice, teeing it up each time on #Hualalai host of the #MitsubishiElectronicChampionship ... Check out the #ChampionsTour right now on #GolfChannel 29 likes
3 comments
Snake River Sporting Club
Snake River Sporting Club Peak rate: $700-plus ($190 green fee plus $500-and-up per night in a rustic cabin). Comment: Snake River Sporting Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/21328-snake-river-golfcourse/) -- one of Jackson Hole, Wyoming's premier private clubs and residential communities for sporting and outdoor enthusiasts -- just announced the opening of overnight accommodations for 2016, allowing access to its Weiskopf design, ranked the top course in Wyoming by Golf Digest for 2015-16.
Shadow Creek Peak rate: $700-plus ($500 plus a stay at one of 10 MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas). Comment: From the limo ride to the Tom Fazio-designed course to the á?&#x20AC;ďż˝nal drink at the bar, Shadow Creek (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15949-shadow-creek-golf-course/) delivers greatness.
Great Waters and Oconee Courses at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Peak rate: $700-plus ($245 for either course plus a stay at the resort). Comment: The Landing (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/389-reynolds-plantation-the-landing/) is the only daily-fee course at the resort that doesn't require a stay over, and both the National Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/387-reynolds-plantation-ridge-bluff-at-national-course/) and Plantation Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/388-reynolds-plantation-plantation-course/) cost less than $200 for peak rates. Great Waters (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/16334-reynoldsplantation-great-waters-course/) hosted the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf from 1995 to 1997.
CordeValle Peak rate $700-plus ($295 green fee plus a stay at the Rosewood CordeValle). Comment: Hosting the 2016 U.S. Women's Open will keep CordeValle (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/239-cordevalle-golf-club/), the former PGA Tour venue in northern California, in the spotlight.
The Grand Golf Club Peak rate: $700-plus ($270 green fee plus $495-and-up per night at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar). Comment: The rebranded Fairmont -- now named The Grand Golf Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/3981-fairmont-park-golf-course-country-club/) -- is one of southern California's most luxurious retreats.
Seaside, Plantation and Retreat Courses at Sea Island Resort Peak rate: $600-plus ($325 green fee at Seaside and $235 green fee at Plantation and $230 at Retreat plus a stay at the resort).
Comment: Both the ᐀�ve-star Cloister and The Lodge overlook the seashore of coastal Georgia. If you want to save some cash, the fairly new Inn at Sea Island still allows access to the Seaside Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/414-seaside-at-sea-island-golf-club/), Plantation Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/14590-plantation-at-sea-island-golf-club/) and Retreat Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/4790-retreat-at-sea-island-golf-club/).
jasondeegangolfadvisor • 12 months ago
I hit little slices of heaven on the awesome practice range at @SeaIslandResort 11 likes
0 comments
Miller and Soffer Courses at Turnberry Isle Resort
Follow
Peak rate: $600-plus ($295 green fee plus a stay at the resort). Comment: Turnberry Isle's Soffer Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/1856-turnberry-isle-resortclub-soffer-course/) á?&#x20AC;ďż˝nishes at a 64-foot waterfall near the island green at no. 18. The resort is minutes from Miami's South Beach.
May River Golf Club Peak rate: $600-plus ($305 green fee plus a stay at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff). Comment: May River Golf Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/19182-may-river-golf-club-atpalmetto-bluff/)'s Palmetto Bluff is a vibrant 20,000-acre residential and recreational preserve offering 32 miles of riverfront and marsh along the May, New and Cooper Rivers in Bluffton, S.C., near Hilton Head Island.
Champion, Fazio, Squire, Palmer and Estates Courses at PGA National Resort & Spa Peak rate: $600-plus ($409.66 green fee on the Champion and $250.16 on the others, plus a stay at the resort). Comment: Perhaps only Amen Corner provides more thrills and spills for PGA Tour players than the threehole "Bear Trap" on the Champion Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15478-pga-national-resortspa-champion-course/) during the Honda Classic.
The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Sarasota Peak rate: $600-plus ($245 plus $25 recommended tip for required forecaddie and a stay at the RitzCarlton Sarasota). Comment: Fazio strikes again at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club Sarasota (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/21504-ritz-carlton-members-golf-club/) with another well manicured private club experience.
Copperhead and Island Courses at Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf & Spa Resort Peak rate: $500-plus ($325 for Copperhead and $225 for Island (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15279-innisbrook-resort-golf-club-island-course/), plus $185-and-up per night at the resort). Comment: PGA Tour pros respect the Copperhead Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15879innisbrook-resort-golf-club-copperhead-course/) as one of the best tests of golf they see all season.
Foothills and Canyons Courses at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Peak rate: $500-plus ($250 green fee on the Foothills Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15495barton-creek-resort-fazio-foothills-course/) and Canyons Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/22400-barton-creek-resort-fazio-canyons-course/) plus an overnight
stay) Comment: There are other cheaper choices at Barton Creek -- the Coore/Crenshaw Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/14574-barton-creek-resort-crenshaw-cliffside-course/) maxes out at $180 and the Palmer Lakeside Course (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/14573-barton-creek-resortpalmer-lakeside-course/) at $125.
TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas Course at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas Peak rate: $500-plus ($215 green fee plus $295-and-up per night at the Four Seasons). Comment: Las Colinas (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/3053-las-colinas-country-club/) has been the home of the AT&T Byron Nelson since 1983.
Cape Cod National Golf Club Peak rate: $500-plus ($200 green fee plus a stay at the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club). Comment: Wequassett -- one of Cape Cod's favorite family/beach/golf resorts -- books up fast in the summer.
Bay Hill Club & Lodge Peak rate: $500-plus ($275 green fee, plus a forecaddie fee of $60 per foursome, plus tip, that is to be paid in cash after the completion of the round, and $117-$199 per night's stay at the Lodge). Comment: Breakfast is your best chance to run into Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill Club & Lodge (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15870-championship-at-bay-hill-club-lodge-the/), an Orlando stalwart.
Sonoma Golf Club Peak rate: $500-plus ($225 green fee plus a stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa). Comment: The private Sonoma Golf Club (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15812-sonoma-golf-club/) is probably the best resort golf experience in California wine country.
Norman and Fazio Courses at Red Sky Ranch Peak rate: $400-plus ($255 plus a stay at an eligible Vail Valley resort). Comment: Red Sky Ranch (http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/16152-red-sky-golf-club-fazio-course/) is about 20 minutes west of the Vail village but well worth the trip for the scenery and memorable golf.
(http://adserver.adtechus.com/?adlink/5115/2686971/0/864/AdId=6330250;BnId=5;itime=578773258;key=key1%2Bkey2%2Bkey3%2Bkey4;)
(http://adserver.adtechus.com/?adlink/5115/3637803/0/0/AdId=-3;BnId=0;itime=578773491;key=key1%2Bkey2%2Bkey3%2Bkey4;)
The Perks of Being an Agent
(http://www.recommend.com/destinations/europe/the-perks-of-being-an-agent/) written by Web Reporter (http://www.recommend.com/author/webreporter/) | Posted on March 1st, 2016 Read:
NOW
L AT ER
P R IN T
E M A IL
Journese, a member of Pleasant Holidays’ portfolio of luxury brands, has launched its Exclusive Perks campaign offering agents the opportunity to extend their clients a range of value-added amenities, from resort credits and complimentary nights to spa treatments and complimentary cabana use at select premier resorts. The new campaign, available on new bookings made by April 30, 2016 for travel through April 30, 2017, features exclusive added values such as a complimentary Thames dinner cruise for two at ME London in England; a $300 spa credit, complimentary bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a Bourma waterfall excursion at the Qamea Resort & Spa in Fiji; and a $300 resort credit for use toward dining, spa and golf at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica (http://www.recommend.com/destinations/latin-america/costa-rica/) at Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste. Additional perks include a 20 percent savings and a spa day pass; complimentary cabana use for two days; and a guaranteed room upgrade at the time of booking plus a 50-minute complimentary massage per guest at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California, the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui in Hawaii and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana in Mexico (http://www.recommend.com/destinations/mexico/mexico2/) , respectively. For more information, call (800) 442-9244 or visit journese.com (http://journese.com/) . Additionally, Pleasant Holidays has added a new tier, the Premier Tier level, to its Travel Reward Incentive Program (TRIP) available on Pleasant Holidays and Journese bookings. Agents automatically earn TRIP points on every Pleasant Holidays and Journese booking, including cruise, group and FIT bookings, and can redeem the points they earn for personal travel. Beginning with their first booking, agents earn one point for every $10 in commissionable sales. Agents at the standard TRIP level, can redeem their points for personal travel once they have earned 2,500 points, while Premier Tier agents—an automatic upgrade once an agent earns 25,000 or more points—have the ability to redeem points at any value with no minimum required. Premier Tier agents are also able to use points for air-only bookings, apply points toward FAM trips, and convert their TRIP points to enhance their client’s booking with upgrades for hotel accommodations and land transportation. Bookings made with both brands accrue into one TRIP account. TRIP points do not apply to bookings for Air by Pleasant or Pleasant Activities brands. For more information, call (800) 448-3333 or visit p (https://www.pleasantholidays.com/Travel-Agent-Sign-In?option=0) leasantagent.com (https://www.pleasantholidays.com/Travel-Agent-Sign-In?option=0) .
Tell us what you think. 0 Comments
Add a comment...
Facebook Comments Plugin
Sort by Oldest
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown's Fairmont Hotel Undergoes Renovation 0 comments B Y M IC H E L LE G O LD C H A IN MA R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 , 1 : 0 7 P
With the goal to become Washington, D.C.'s largest luxury group hotel, or a hotel with the biggest capacity for meetings, The Fairmont Hotel is expecting to complete the first phase of a renovation by April 15. By then, all 415 guest rooms will have new furnishings and carpeting, and the hotel's amphitheater will be converted into a 2,900-square-foot ballroom, called the Kennedy Ballroom. The suites will also have new furnishings and carpeting by June 1. For the guest rooms, designers Pierre Josselin and Ayten Nuhoglu of New York-based Wimberly Interiors decided on a plum and grey color scheme with local artworks depicting Washington, D.C. throughout. The new features in each room include the wall coverings, beds and mattresses, outlets, furniture, and carpeting. The first phase of construction began December 2015. There are further plans to renovate the center of the lobby and the courtyard with a start mid-July.
Meetings & Conventions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Circulation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 60,023 DC Fairmont to Unveil Group-Focused Renovation in April by Matt Alderton | March 24, 2016
A $27 million renovation currently underway at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown is scheduled to complete its first phase next month, strengthening the property's group offerings, according to the hotel, which announced the renovation in October and commenced it in December. "This exciting project will be complete by April 15, 2016, enhancing both the guest experience and the hotel's position as the largest luxury group hotel in the nation's capital," said General Manager Shane Krige. The renovation's first phase encompasses each of the hotel's 415 guest rooms, each of which will be updated with new interiors, art, and furnishings; its specialty suites, the number of which will increase from five to seven; and its meeting space, which will be enhanced with a new 2,900square-foot junior ballroom that is being created in the space formerly occupied by the hotel's executive forum amphitheater. "The additional ballroom will increase group meeting capacity as well as [add] entertaining space for social events," explained the hotel, which underwent its last major renovation more than a decade ago, in 2002. A second phase of renovations is expected to commence in July and will encompass the hotel's lobby, courtyard, and onsite restaurant, Juniper.
iOS app Android app More April 12, 2016
Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
David Suzuki
Become a fan
Co-founder, David Suzuki Foundation
Change Is In The Air Posted: 03/09/2016 11:08 am EST
Updated: 03/09/2016 11:59 am EST
When Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in June 1914, no one thought, "Uh-oh, World War I is starting..." We only recognize the significance of events in the context of history. I recently had a day like any other except it made me wonder if we're on the verge of historical change. On March 2, 2016, I woke to CBC's Early Edition and heard program host Rick Cluff interviewing Canada's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna. She was explaining her infant government's intention to meet the emissions targets set in Paris in December.
“It all str u ck m e as am azing after a decade w hen little attention w as paid to clim ate change at the feder al level.
That was followed by an interview with Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff, talking about his organization embracing the need to address climate change with a proposal to create a million "climate jobs" over the next five years. It all struck me as amazing after a decade when little attention was paid to climate change at the federal level. I hopped out of bed with excitement. Walking to the bus stop, I was hailed by my neighbour, the eminent architect Bing Thom, who invited me to squeeze into his Mini Minor. As we drove downtown, he was anxious to talk about the energy future and how it related to his job designing places to live and work. "We have to be bold, because climate change is so urgent," he repeated several times. As he let me off at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel, I wondered if I was still asleep and dreaming. I then noticed a number of identical bicycles at the hotel entrance. When I asked a manager whether they're for rent, he replied, "They're for our hotel customers on a first-come, first-served basis." I asked whether they were used much. "All the time. People love them," he answered. He then asked if I had seen the rooftop garden. "We have five beehives up there that produce 500 pounds of honey a year," he boasted. I was at the hotel to join Yussuff for a news conference about the CLC's plan, called "One Million Climate Jobs: A Challenge for Canada." As Yussuff and I chatted before the event, I asked how he had come to take climate change so seriously. "I have a seven-year-old daughter, and my greatest concern is the world we are leaving her," he said, "Climate change is going to have a profound effect on her life." I responded that, as a grandfather, I shared his concern. We agreed that the problem for politicians is that they think in terms of election cycles, which demand that whatever they do will pay off before they return to the polls.
At the news conference, I thanked and congratulated the CLC for the forward-thinking idea that the challenge of climate change presents an opportunity. British Columbians, I said, are at the front lines of climate change. We've seen billions of dollars of pine trees destroyed by mountain pine beetles that are no longer suppressed by cold winters, massive fires that have caused enormous economic loss, a drought in the heart of the coastal rainforest, shellfish killed by ocean acidification and changes in growing seasons. By embracing scientific information about the warming planet and committing to avoid a catastrophic temperature increase this century, we create a huge opportunity that groups like the CLC propose we exploit.
“A r evolu tion is alr eady u nder w ay. The reporters wanted to know what specific proposals we had to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I pointed out the important hurdle was to commit to reduce emissions, because until we start, we won't know what opportunities will arise. I reminded them that in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy said the U.S. would get American astronauts safely to the moon and back in a decade, no one knew how they were going to do it. Amazingly, not only did they achieve the goal before the decade was over, there were hundreds of totally unanticipated spinoffs, including laptops, cellphones, GPS, ear thermometers and space blankets. I am absolutely certain the same will happen when we commit to avoiding chaotic climate change. This day wasn't much different than the day before or the next one, but it made me feel that a revolution is already underway. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org. ALS O ON H U FFP OS T:
Drone Images Highlight Climate Change
1 of 11
L U X U R Y
The Travel Industry's Trusted Voice
Luxury
Off cour se at Fair mont St. Andrews By Jeri Clausing / March 24, 2016
The Fairmont St. Andrews has two links courses, including the Kittock on the coastline. Standing on the driving range at one of golf's traditional links courses at the Fairmont St. Andrews in Scotland, we took turns using our clubs to smash fruit. Yes, fruit. It seemed almost sacrilegious. But I have to admit that it was just about the most fun I've ever had on a golf course. Even the most serious golfers among us couldn't get enough, repeatedly going after the lemons, oranges, apples and pears to see how far they could make the pieces fly while the juice sprayed our faces and clothes. It's a technique Fairmont golf director Amy Yeates uses at times for beginners and children's clinics, making it a little easier to create contact and add some fun to what can be a highly frustrating sport. For some of us, it was the only golf outing of the trip. But that was by choice. As an occasional golfer who has a hard enough time on the sunny courses of New Mexico, there were many other things I wanted to do during the three-day trip sponsored by the hotel. Waking up to see a cold rain falling on the morning of my scheduled tee time tipped the scales in favor of going shopping. I didn't regret the decision. While the Fairmont, an inviting property set on 520 acres, with a huge fireplace in the lobby and stunning views atop a cliff overlooking its two links courses and the North Sea, is a destination by itself, our walking tour of the nearby town, home to St. Andrews University and the ruins of a castle and cathedral dating to medieval times, left me wanting more. My decision was proof that you don't have to be a guy or a golfer to enjoy the Fairmont and St. Andrews. There is something for everyone at this luxurious resort: fine and casual dining, a spa, ample space for meetings and special events and rooms ranging from standard to a suite that has housed the future king and queen of England.
The suites at the Fairmont St. Andrews, including this deluxe twin, are scheduled for renovation. Still, like everything in St. Andrews, much of the resort revolves around golf. First, of course, are its stunning, traditional links golf courses, where guests can get a guaranteed tee time should they miss out on their request for one at the city's famed Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which uses a lottery system to award the widely coveted rounds of play on one of the world's oldest courses. The hotel recently launched what it said is the only program of its kind in the county of Fife, offering to back up a guest's Royal and Ancient tee-time ballot entry with a corresponding tee time on either of its championship courses, the Kittocks or the Torrance, to ensure they don't miss out on a round at the home of golf. And should guests be successful in the lottery, the resort will remove the provisional tee times with no charge. The hotel also offers clinics to help players perfect their game on the coastal links courses, which are characterized by uneven fairways, thick rough and small, deep bunkers. A skosh of Scotch But even serious golfers can play only so many hours in a day. My trip also highlighted the Fairmont's partnership with the region's Scotch distillery, Kingsbarns, developed in 2014 by former golf caddie Douglas Clement on an old, abandoned farm in the area's breathtaking countryside. The Fairmont offers a Divots and Drams package, which includes a room, full Scottish breakfast, 18 holes of golf, a three-course dinner and a dram (one-eighth of an ounce) of malt whisky and a tour of the Kingsbarns Distillery. The hotel can also arrange special dinners, private tastings, bachelor parties and other events at the distillery, where you can learn about the history of both St. Andrews and the Scotch-making industry. The Fairmont's restaurants and bars have recently been renovated. The St. Andrews Bar and Grill is about a five-minute walk (or optional shuttle ride) through the golf course to a cliffside perch offering panoramic views of the golf courses and the North Sea. It has recently been transformed to offer informal fare at lunch and fine dining at night. The Bar and Grill serves locally sourced foods, including fresh fish and lobster, steak and traditional Scottish dishes like haggis and blood pudding. There is also a casual dining restaurant, the Squire, which serves a Scottish breakfast; a new Italian restaurant, La Cucina; and two taverns: a pub-style lobby bar and a sports bar. Next up for renovation are its suites, including the Kingdom of Fife Suite, where Prince William and his wife, Kate, have stayed, and the standard guestrooms. Even without the renovations, the spacious standard rooms feel fresh and have all the touches and services one expects from a luxury hotel, from deep-soaking tubs to Nespresso machines and comfy beds and robes.
Copyright © 2016 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000
TRAVEL
The Most Requested Room at the Savoy A suite with views of the Thames is the go-to for many of the London hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests TEXT BY LAURA ITZKOWITZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
Posted March 14, 2016
A London icon since it opened in 1889, the Savoy, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, has been a home away from home for celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin, Katharine Hepburn, Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, and even Claude Monet, who set up an easel on the balcony and painted his famous views of the Thames. It has had a reputation for culinary excellence since Cesar Ritz, who ran the stately hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant, invited his collaborator Auguste Escoffier into the kitchen. Later, the
American Bar became a refuge for bartenders fleeing Prohibition, like Harry Craddock, who wrote The Savoy Cocktail Book,considered the definitive compendium of classic cocktail recipes. Today, guests of the Savoy are surrounded by history while enjoying all the modern conveniences they expect in a world-class hotel. Rooms and suites pay homage to the property’s pedigree with Italian linens, silk wall coverings, marble baths, and Murano-glass chandeliers.
If you guessed that the hotel’s most popular suite is done up in Edwardian elegance, you’d be right. Though not in the highest category (that is reserved for the Personality Suites), the most requested room is one of the one-bedroom River View Suites, which start at $1,812 per night, located on the seventh floor. The charms of the accommodations are apparent even before guests set foot in the hotel, thanks to a chauffeured transfer, and a welcome drink, butler service, and complimentary garment pressing certainly don’t hurt. The elegant design is the real star, though— the 861-square-foot suite comprises a sitting room, a bedroom, a bath with a freestanding clawfoot tub and separate walk-in shower, an entry foyer, and a cloakroom. Large windows frame stunning views of the Thames, the London Eye,
and other landmarks.
“Our one-bedroom River View Suites are the jewel in the Savoy’s crown,” said Sean Davoren, head butler at the Savoy. “We have several regular guests who will not stay anywhere but here. You would definitely have heard of these guests, but I couldn’t possibly say who they are. A butler never tells!”
Strand, London; fairmont.com http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/most-requested-room-savoy-london
SEARCH DEPARTURES
HOME
TRAVEL
FASHION
SHOPPING
ART & CULTURE
LIFESTYLE Newsletter
= Exclusive content for Platinum Card® and Centurion® members from American Express. ?
DISPATCH
Instagram Mobile Promotions
Log In
Home » Travel » Hotels » Amazing hotel penthouses Like Be the first of your friends to like this.
Tweet
Submit
ADVERTISEMENT
March 02, 2016
Amazing Hotel Penthouses By Marnie Hanel, Nikkitha Bakshani
14 of 18 AUTOPLAY
Penthou se Su ite, Raffles, Du bai In a city with many garish and overthe-top penthouse suites, the Raffles wins for its toned-down sophistication. There are two penthouse suites available: One adopts a Moroccan aesthetic, with mosaics characteristic of Marrakech, and the other takes on the East-meets-West duality characteristic of Turkey. At 4,747 sq. ft. each, both suites have one bedroom with a king-size mattress, and splendid views of Dubai. The bathrooms are outfitted with Asprey amenities, jacuzzis, and ceiling speakers—a feature that can be controlled via iPad, along with room service delivery and temperature. And yet, a butler is still included, for making sure you are aware of the different kinds of pillows available for use, serving a sundowner on the balcony, and other small luxuries. From $3,200 per night; 13th St., Sheikh Rashid Rd.; 97-1/4324-8888; raffles.com.
Courtesy Raffles Dubai
—NB
NEXT SLIDE
SPONSORED CONTENT BY EMIRATES
Feast for the Senses: The Magnificent Exper ience of... Delicious, decadent and luxuriously dramatic, brunch time in Dubai is all about extravagance.
5 Gro wn-Up Easter Egg Hunts
W o rth No ting: Fo ur Seaso ns
A Unique R o m an Stay:
New in Co sta R ica: Hacienda
MAR 15, 2016 BEST LUXURY HOTELS & RESORTS, PASSPORT, TALES FROM THE ROAD, TOP DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL TIPS
The List: 11 Hotels with Impressive Art Collections - Darren Dunne, Kiwi Collection
Once relegated to museums and private collections, art is more accessible than ever, thanks in part to the internet, and a movement toward exhibition in unusual places. Curiously, hotels have found themselves in the vanguard of this new direction, with an increasing number decorating their halls with bespoke pieces from masters of their craft. With this in mind, we’ve scoured our collection to share 11 hotels with impressive works and collections.
The Royal Crescent Hotel Bath Back in the 18th century, the English city of Bath was falling into disrepair. The medieval streets and alleyways choked with grime and the gentry of the time felt something had to be done. The British monarchy commissioned architect John Wood to remodel the city, and his designs stood the test of time, earning the city UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987. Perhaps the most celebrated aspect was the iconic Royal Crescent, which today hosts The Royal Crescent Hotel. This 18th century wonder sits on a curved row of Georgian townhouses, flanked by manicured gardens. Within, works from 18th century masters like Thomas Gainsborough mingle with modern pieces by Scottish artist Ronald Smith and sculptures by Margaret Lovell.
hotel12 High up on Gerlitzen Mountain in the Austrian Alps, hotel12 sets out to tell an artistic story in a fairytale setting. Each one of its 12 guest rooms was uniquely designed by a different international artist to craft a unique tale. The rooms eschew the usual numbering convention and instead bear a sign of the zodiac on the door. All have been filled with artistic works to
create memorable spaces, each quirkier than the last. If the scene within doesn’t inspire, gaze out the window and drink in the views over Lake Ossiach or the surrounding Alps.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong has spent the last 50 years standing sentry over Victoria Harbour, but this time has also been spent amassing a collection of unique artworks and sculptures a museum would be proud to display. Many of the original design elements of the hotel can be attributed to noted designer Don Ashton, who acted as art director on the film Bridge over the River Kwai. Following Ashton’s blueprint, common areas have been filled with carvings celebrating Chinese history stretching from the Han Dynasty (207 B.C to 220 A.D) up to modern times. The extravagant Mandarin Suite is the hotel’s premier guest accommodation and it’s filled with treasures such as a Qing Dynasty court robe, a 19th century Shansi lacquer laundry chest and a pair of Sung Dynasty (A.D. 960 to A.D. 1279) Celadon burial vases that have been converted into lamps.
Andaz Amsterdam Culture is never far away during a stay at Andaz Amsterdam, after all, the building used to house the city’s Public Library. As the first and only hotel in the world to boast what they’ve dubbed a “dynamic video art collection,” Andaz Amsterdam offers a truly unique proposition. Guests can wander through a digital museum that showcases more than 40 unique works from carefully selected international artists. Selections from the video art collection are showcased in different parts of the hotel, but the centerpiece of the show is contained in the Lounge with its nine 60-inch televisions.
Raffles Istanbul At Raffles Istanbul, a collection of over 200 art works has been gathered, a vast body of work that further celebrates the area’s diversity. The collection is based around a series of themes: Byzantium, precious gems, iconic Turkish landmarks and the rich history of the city itself. Each of the bright and airy guestrooms is anchored by an ephemeral wall mural that pays homage to various Istanbul landmarks. One of the hotel’s most striking pieces is “Lavinia,” a full-scale bronze sculpture in the lobby by artist Martin Dawe.
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost During March and April, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost plays host to “Revealed”, a compelling photo exhibit curated by Olivier Widmaier Picasso, grandson of Pablo Picasso. The collection consists of 30 hand-selected photographs from the annals of Paris Match, a famous French Weekly Magazine. Each individual photo takes an intimate look at some of the world’s greatest modern artists at work, as revealed to the photographer. The artists featured include Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Jeff Koons, Pierre Soulages, Kees Van Dongen and Francis Bacon. After stopping in Munich, the collection will then move on to Sofitel Los Angeles where it will be displayed from April 24 to June 30.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia A recent entrant to Vancouver’s burgeoning luxury hotel scene, Rosewood Hotel Georgia makes a big splash with the largest hotel-held collection of Canadian art in the world. The hotel’s artworks are the result of a partnership with local Vancouver company, Farmboy Fine Arts. The partnership aims to celebrate the best of Canadian art while also complimenting the art deco-inspired interiors of designer Munge Leung. Included in the selection are works by Douglas Coupland, Sonny Assu and Patrick Hughes. The lion’s share of the artworks are located in public spaces, allowing members of the public to stroll in and enjoy them.
The Ampersand Hotel London’s Kensington neighborhood has long been an arts hotbed, counting the Proud Gallery and Royal Albert Hall among its many treasures. In such illustrious company, the art collection at The Ampersand Hotel passes muster with an eclectic selection of pieces dotted around classically elegant interiors. Arriving in the lobby, one’s eye is immediately drawn to the colorful painting of a Yellow Throated Warbler, a piece by American artist Frank Gonzales. The artistic theme continues throughout the hotel. The guest rooms exude a warm atmosphere thanks to a plethora of curiosities and whimsical décor. Many are even styled after local sights such as the Natural History Museum.
Eau Palm Beach While the arts may not be most people’s primary reason for visiting Palm Beach, there are more than 200 cultural organizations working in the area, making it a surprisingly fulfilling destination for culture vultures. At Eau Palm Beach, a varied collection of artworks can be found; pieces by Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson, Leila Jeffries and Jenna SnyderPhillips. The hotel has even partnered with the Palm Beach Cultural Council to put together a package where guests receive a Culture Pass to explore local sights such as the Flagler Museum, Norton Museum of Art and Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
Gramercy Park Hotel Any stay in New York tends to leave a person within close proximity to an art gallery or museum, but a stay at Gramercy Park Hotel comes with a world-class art gallery under the same roof. Decorating the hotel’s walls is an impressive art collection weighted toward contemporary American masters, sprinkled with pieces from British legend Damien Hirst. The collection is ever changing, featuring a large selection of works by Andy Warhol, Enoc Perek and David Salle, among many others. The guestrooms are equally impressive; boasting imported Italian linens, exquisite artworks and bathrooms with luxe beauty products.
Andaz London Liverpool Street Room with a view is the standard traveler request, but at Andaz London Liverpool Street rooms come with a unique view not available anywhere else. In a nod to the city’s street art culture, each of the hotel’s Large King Rooms have been painted with murals depicting East London’s past, present, or future. The project was carried out by British artists Chris Price, Patrick Vale, ILoveDust and Patrick Morgan, with each putting their unique slant on the character of the area. TAGGED UNDER:
Andaz Amsterdam, Andaz London Liverpool Street, Eau Palm Beach, Gramercy Park Hotel, hotel12, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Raffles Istanbul, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, The Ampersand Hotel, The Royal Crescent Hotel Bath
Comments are closed.
From rustic Filipino cooking to classic European cuisine, the dining scene in the Philippine capital has never been more exciting. The restaurant landscape in Manila is booming. In the last couple of years alone, a handful of big-time global superstars (Nobu Matsuhisa and Akrame Benallal among them) have opened restaurants, just as local names have started to gain recognition abroad. Add in a group of young, outof-the-box-thinking chefs with humble dining rooms that serve cleverly transformedPhilippine classics, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a foodie scene that is as exciting as it is varied. Here are 10 restaurants to book during your next trip to Manila.
Spectrum Both Raffles and Fairmont Makati share this sun-soaked, all-day dining venue. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also where the hotels serve breakfast, and where travelers who are not familiar with the local cuisine should get their introduction. A Philippine breakfast is a heavy affair that usually involves rice, and Spectrum prepares a few different kindsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including garlic-fried rice, which Filipinos pair with meat and eggs to start the day. The Vigan Longganisais an especially tasty option: a little sweet, a little garlicky, a little spicy. Those with a sweet tooth can opt for champorado, a sort of chocolate risotto that can be topped with condensed milk or fish flakes. 1 Raffles Drive Corner, Makati Ave.; 63-2/555-9027; raffles.com
http://www.departures.com/travel/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-manila-philippines/1
http://www.departures.com/lifestyle/food/dining-agenda-new-restaurants-and-food-world-newsmarch/3
SPRING 2016
VACATION INSPIRATION, BROUGHT TO YOU EXCLUSIVELY BY TRAVEL LEADERS
Culinary Quest PARIS
Clockwise from top left: Eiffel Tower; macarons from La Cuisine at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris; grapefruit and fennel salad from Pierre Gagnaire; Parisian cheese shop; vegetable tofu salad from L’Abeille; brunch buffet at La Cuisine.
BY CHADNER NAVARRO
EIFFEL TOWER
Finding a place to eat around Paris’ most famous landmark that doesn’t inflate prices can be a challenge, but Christian Constant’s casual-chic bistro Les Cocottes offers light fare such as soups and salads plus heartier casseroles served in cast-iron pots—all at reasonable prices. Philippe Excoffier was the executive chef at the American Embassy for many years before opening his eponymous restaurant in 2011. Here, he serves a burger piled high with lobster and avocado and, one of his trademarks, an addictive salted caramel souffle. Some of the Shangri-La Hotel Paris’ bedrooms and suites feature gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower, which is just a short walk across the Seine. Its signature restaurant L’Abeille focuses on contemporary French cuisine with the occasional Asian flourish like a poached scampi starter surrounded by a limey ginger broth or snacked scallops garnished with a ponzu jelly.
CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
Start the day with a fortifying breakfast at the Philippe Starckdesigned La Cuisine at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, where you can tuck into pastry chef Pierre Hermé’s delectable confections, from macarons to croissants, most of which are exclusively served at the hotel. Just outside on the Champs-Élysées, in the lower level of the Guerlain boutique, is the utterly glamorous Le 68 Guy Martin. Under a massive Baccarat crystal chandelier, you can dine on dishes that smell as good as they look, such as white asparagus perfumed with orange blossoms, sardines with bergamot and fish carpaccio with aloe vera. Splurge at the three Michelin-starred Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant, where there’s an entire menu dedicated to game meats. We recommend the roasted cumin-spiced young wild boar medallions, which are wrapped in a tart combo of minced cèpe mushrooms and raisins.
WHEN TO VISIT: In September, France’s culinary scene is in its full splendor when the country celebrates the annual Fête de la Gastronomie. In Paris, there will be tastings, cooking classes, markets and more.
36 Postcards
LE MARAIS
The cafés in two of the City of Lights’ most stylish arrondissements (the third and the fourth), attract Paris’ most fashionable clientele. Breizh Café (which has many locations throughout France and Japan) elevates your typical crepe experience by using the finest ingredients (unpasteurized cheeses, homemade caramel) and by adding international whimsy (shiitake mushrooms, smoked herring) to every recipe. Over at Cuisine de Bar, the kitchen uses bread from the famous Poilâne boulangerie as the foundation of its devotioninspiring open-faced sandwiches (or tartines). Simple combinations—such as the artichoke tartine with tapenade and sundried tomato on toasted sourdough—are some of the best. For a nightcap, head to Candelaria, which has a hole-in-the-wall taqueria vibe out front but a buzzy cocktail bar in the back, where you can get some of the best mezcal-based libations to pair with a particularly limey guacamole.
MONTMARTRE
Of this charming neighborhood’s cozy eateries, none is more atmospheric than La Table d'Eugène. Its teeny-tiny dining room (book ahead!) houses an oft-tweaked menu that balances the delicate (flaky cod topped with a tissue-thin slice of pata negra) with the rustic (ravioli stuffed with pheasant). Finally, if you want your Parisian culinary experience to be more educational, sign up with Cook’n with Class. Founded by Eric Fraudeau, whose resume includes stints at Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton hotels, this intimate cooking school can take you on tours of local markets before heading back to the kitchen for a hands-on session preparing a multicourse meal. Similarly, there’s a wine program where you can learn the differences between a Sancerre and a Chablis.
L’Abeille at the Shangri-La Paris
CALL US Let our Travel Leaders agency help plan your culinary adventure in Paris. Call us today and we’ll do all the work so you can relax and enjoy each mouthwatering bite.
TAKE HOME: World-renowned confectioner Ladurée may have already landed in the U.S., but there’s still something special about purchasing a box of macarons to take home from the French capital.
MUST TRY: Baguettes: Le Grenier à Pain Pain au Chocolat: Boulangerie Bechu Wine and Cheese: La Vache dans les Vignes Jambon Beurre: Le Petit Vendôme Croque Monsieur: La Maison du Croque Monsieur
IMAGES COURTESY OF RAFFLES LE ROYAL MONCEAU; SHANGRI-LA HOTEL PARIS; AND PIERRE GAGNAIRE RESTAURANT
P
aris’ food scene is as vast as it is famous. From must-reservemonths-in-advance Michelin-starred restaurants, to rustic surprises in stumbled-upon cafés, to grab-and-go sugary crepes served from street vendors, there’s something for everyone in this foodie capital. Here, our neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to Paris’ most delicious tables.
Markets
Marché Bastille: This massive twiceweekly market in the heart of Paris is as great for local cheeses and produce as it is for people-watching. Marché des Enfants Rouges: One of the most popular markets in Paris can be an awesome choice for a casual lunch thanks to countless stalls of prepared meals of international provenance. Marché Monge: You get what you pay for at this Latin Quarter market, which offers a tight selection of pricier, high-quality vendors. Marché Saxe-Breteuil: Gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower make this a must-visit market for many tourists, but the shopping available (beautiful cold cuts, bright seasonal fruits, fresh fish from Normandy) is equally fabulous.
Postcards 37
http://wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/paris-restaurant-loulou-ritz-paris-10375176/
Paste Cloud
Paste Monthly: The Road Issue
Search Paste
Music
Movies
TV
Games
Comedy
Daytrotter
Paste Studio
Books
Design
Food
Drink
Tech
Travel
The Bucket List: 7 Archipelagos for Island-Hopping Adventures
Comics
Share
Podcasts Style
Tweet
Radio
Politics
Soccer
By Lauren Kilberg | March 30, 2016 | 8:45am TRAVEL | GALLERIES
1 of 7
The 115 islands that make up the Seychelles have more to offer than you could probably see or do in a single trip, but by hopping between a number of the country's inner islands you can certainly see a lot. The Seychelles are located off the coast of eastern Africa in the Indian Ocean. Warm waters, pristine beaches and Photo by Jean-Marie Hullot, CC BY 2.0 year-round hot temperatures make it a popular destination. The Seychelles are home to the world's second largest coral atoll, Aldabra, which stretches for more then 20 miles. Vallee de Mai, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site on Praslin, is a must-visit for its natural beauty. The Seychelles aren't lacking in topnotch resorts either, like the Raffles on Praslin. Ferries, catamarans and even helicopters can get you to and from most of the inner and outer islands. Island vacations are the quintessential destination for many looking to relax for a week, leaving the stress of work (and life in general) behind for a bit. But what if sitting in an all-inclusive resort on some undoubtedly beautiful, beach isn’t enough of an adventure for you? These destinations offer many of the perks of an island vacation along with multi-destination options for those looking to see, learn and experience more. From the Florida Keys to the Faroe Islands, these seven archipelagos are perfect for island-hopping adventures. Paste Travel’s Bucket List columnist Lauren Kilberg is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Her travels have found her camping near the Pakistani border of India and conquering volcanoes in the Philippines.
Paste Studio Sign up for the Paste newsletter Get our daily summary of the day's top articles and new items.
MORE
The Civil Wars - Poison & Wine