Newsbytes - January 2009

TBA News Bytes ~ January 2009

• NEW OPENINGS! Molori Private Retreats, a new hospitality brand comprised of small luxury retreats, has added two more properties to the collection: a stunning home in tropical Port Douglas, Australia and a posh harbour-side apartment in Sydney, Australia. Molori Mirage is a five-bedroom estate located between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest in Port Douglas, opening this month. Once the owners’ private home, the property includes three king suites with private baths, two queen rooms, an office/media room, TV room, a steam room. Need a breeze? The rear walls are made of retractable floor-to-ceiling glass, opening to reveal a private infinity pool, Jacuzzi, several deck lounging areas, and views of the adjacent golf course. Molori Mirage accommodates up to 10 guests, and includes the services of a private chef and housekeeper.

• Molori Sydney, a three-level waterfront retreat, overlooks Double Bay and borders a small beach and harbor. Features include a lower-level infinity pool + Jacuzzi, a large living room, dining rooms, a gourmet kitchen, media room, gymnasium, and steam room on the main level, opening onto a furnished terrace with Jacuzzi, outdoor dining space and a gourmet barbeque framed by palm trees, frangipanis and harbor views. On the third level, three king suites have private balconies, baths, walk-in dressing rooms, and plasma TVs. Molori Sydney accommodates six guests, and includes a personal chef, housekeeper and use of the owners’ three boats (with captain). www.molori.com

• NEW OPENING! Playhouse and Sweet Love Hangover by ICRAVE opens in Los Angeles. Shuttered for almost three decades, the iconic Fox Theater building on Hollywood Boulevard will play host to a nightclub and 24-hour restaurant. Playhouse, the three-level nightclub, pays homage to the authenticity of vintage Hollywood, The retro-chic Sweet Love Hangover mixes an oversized “Lite Brite” back bar and bright colors to cater to the midnight-upscale comfort food cravings of Angelinos. www.icravedesign.com

• Food  Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, from February 19-22? Stop by! The Brandman Agency is one 2009’s Platinum Level Sponsors and the Presenting Sponsor of the Festival Online Auction, bringing together taste-makers in every sense of the word. The 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival Online will feature luxury getaways, insider experiences, gourmet dinners, rare selections of fine wine and other luxury goods, all of which will benefit Florida International University’s Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. The Online Auction officially kicks off on January 19^th and continues with new items added each week leading up to the Festival. Visit the auction at: http://tinyurl.com/6um7rk

• Casa de Sierra Nevada announces the opening of Casa Palma, the newest addition to its collection of historic Spanish colonial mansions. Just a brief stroll from El Jardin, the town’s center, and located directly beside the hotel’s swimming pool, the 18^th century former private mansion offers six elegant suites, each with copper tubs, heated floors, flat-screen TVs, and outdoor heated plunge pools. Guests of the Casa’s Presidential Suite have access to a 900 square-foot roof top terrace with barbeque grill, vast granite counters and a bar area, plus breath-taking views of the city center and the Parroquia. www.casadesierranevada.com

• La Samanna in St. Martin, is offering two exclusive offers to celebrate the opening of The Villas at La Samanna, available through December 21, 2009. These brand new three- and four-bedroom villas include stunning views, VIP airport transfers, daily private breakfasts, a private concierge, twice daily housekeeping service, a private pool and garden, a private beach cabana with beach butler service (holidays only). A complimentary extra night is offered when booking four, or two complimentary nights when booking five. Automatic upgrades are also available from a three-bedroom cottage to a four-bedroom villa. Reservations are available via La Samanna’s Villa Concierge at 800.780.4028. www.lasamanna.com

• Opening doors worldwide, FOLIO Collection owners now have access to the entire Ultimate Resorts portfolio – 21 worldwide destinations, from skiing in Deer Valley, Utah and exploring wine country in Tuscany to surfing in Maui and shopping in Paris. In addition, Ultimate Resort members now have access to FOLIO’s Isle de France Club, located on the private beachfront enclave of St. Barth’s Flamands Bay, and, coming this year, Pond Bay, on St. John, in the US Virgin Islands. www.foliocollection.com

• In Madeira, Portugal, Reid’s Palace offers guests a chance to skip the learning curve with intensive instruction in one of five week-long courses. The Churchill Painting Class offers lessons from one of the UK’s leading impressionists, and follows Winston Churchill’s memories of Madeira ~ painting in the hotel and on excursions to fishing village Camara de Lobos, local flower markets and the Levada Mountains. The Reid’s Perfume Master lets guests explore Madeira’s gardens with a Maître Parfumeur, and learn how to make bath salts, perfumed paper and their own unique fragrance. (March and April 2009) Other options include instruction in Ballroom Dancing, Botanical Painting, and Bridge. www.reidspalace.com

• In Eco News ~ InterContinental is proud to announce Green Globe Certifications for each of the brand’s four French Polynesian resorts – InterContinental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, and InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa. The Green Globe Advisory board granted the prestigious certification for the effort put forward by each on environmentally, socially and economically sustainable practices – from Moorea’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, to Thalasso’s groundbreaking use of sea water 3 miles under the surface to cut energy use by over 90%. Each property features a “Green Team” of staffers, and all four were founding members of the World Ocean Network – committed to building environmental awareness. www.tahitiresorts.intercontinental.com

THE BARBADOS BEAT:

• Call it a Web 2.0 Rum Punch ~ Barbados is now hosting a page on Facebook, with daily updates, photo galleries, a calendar of events and links to the latest offering on the island. Visit and become a fan to get up-to-the-minute insider tips on hot flight prices to the latest anthropologic finds on island...http://tinyurl.com/8alw6r.
  

• The island’s “Biggest Social Event of the Year,” arts aficionados, celebrities and socialites flock to the 2009 Holders Season event, coinciding with peak Polo season on Barbados. From March 14 – April 4, 2009, world-class music and arts performances, from opera to comedy will be hosted by the gracious Wendy Kidd (mother to Jodie & Jemma – the UK’s sweetheart supermodel) at the breathtaking 17^th century plantation-style Holders House estate. 2009 brings a record number of American artists and introduces Café Holders, a relaxing garden party with live jazz, food & drink. Ticket prices start at $15 USD ($30 BBD) per person. For more information (and reservations) visit: www.holders.net. For information on Barbados visit www.visitbarbados.org

• Barbados is host to 2009’s Black Diaspora Visual Arts Symposium, part of the celebration of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Presented from February 13-14, 2009, the symposium will include leading international scholars, curators and artists participating in this dialogue on black modern artists, from the Post-War period to today’s Caribbean contribution to the art scene. A tour through Bridgetown’s galleries, exhibitions and installation sites is planned as part of the program. www.visitbarbados.org

• Virtuoso’s Return on Life^TM campaign is focused on experiences that offer the best return on investment for travelers. Through new travel packages, travel specialists comprising the Virtuoso network use their extensive connections to craft a more satisfying travel experience. Recession-conscious as well, planning a trip through Virtuoso’s network means more activity for your travel dollar, more enriching activities and opportunities to simply spend less. An example? The 9-night Highlights of Singapore & Vietnam package takes guests through city tours of Singapore, Hanoi and Saigon, including a private full-day cruise on the Mekong Delta and a water puppet theater performance, all in addition to accommodations, internal airfare in Asia and some meals, all for under $3K. Closer to home in South Carolina, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort gives guests booking through a Virtuoso advisor a complimentary third night when booking two. www.virtuoso.com

Comments

[jabrin]

Most of the time I prefer hotels which are having ג'קוזי facility. Because I really love to take bath in that especially when I go on holidays.