Travel Archives – Page 21 of 26

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens for business

February 16, 2017

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, part of the luxury 1 Hotels chain, has opened at 60 Furman Street in Brooklyn, New York.

The following is an excerpt from a 1 Hotels press release:

Situated at Pier 1, just south of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn Bridge Park with sweeping waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was developed by a joint venture partnership between Starwood Capital Group and Toll Brothers City Living, and it was designed by New York-based architecture studio, Incorporated.

The property features 194 guest rooms, including 29 two- to six-bedroom suites and The Riverhouse, its Presidential Suite, with most rooms offering panoramic views of the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline. The project also includes the adjoining new condominium, Pierhouse, which consists of 106 townhome-style residences spread across two waterfront buildings and is sustainably and beautifully designed by Marvel Architects.

The lobby of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens to a dramatic 25-foot green wall, featuring steel grating covered in hand-placed plants and creeping vines that will evolve over time, created by landscape architecture firm, Harrison Green. A two-story industrial spiral staircase is punctuated by a sculpture of obsidian rock boulders wrapped in hand-dyed rope by Rachel Weiss. The dwellings are complemented by a 4,000 square-foot rooftop, nine-treatment room Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June 2017), a state- of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two restaurants, an intimate 10^th floor lounge, a 50-seat screening room and lobby cocktail service.

Narrated by Nature

The 10-story hotel occupies Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre beautification project that stretches 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront. The hotel project originally began in late-2011, however when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012, 1 Hotel’s architectural drawings for the Brooklyn Bridge property had just been completed. Due to the damage and destruction, the team was informed the waterfront zoning had changed, requiring 1 Hotels to raise the building by three feet along with other code changes such as relocating mechanical equipment to the roof. Meanwhile, they could not raise the overall height of the building, which triggered a massive redesign effort.

Rather than whitewashing the delay and changes caused by Sandy, the 1 Hotels team opted to honor the force of nature by tapping Olivié Ponce, an artist and creator in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to paint a watermark in remembrance of Hurricane Sandy along the walls of the corner suites.

Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was built under LEED® guidelines and underscores the following efforts:

The design of the hotel features a 54 percent ratio of regional and reclaimed materials, including original heart pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory, walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and pine flooring from the Old Crow Distillery in Kentucky.
The hotel will eventually boast a LEED Dynamic Plaque which will measure and display the building’s eco-conscious practices in real time.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge operates a rain-water reclamation system that will reduce storm water runoff into neighboring water streams by more than 50 percent prior to the site development. The water collected will irrigate the park during summer months. (Roughly 5,000 cubic feet of water is projected to come from the hotel.)
The property uses 100 percent wind power energy.
The hotel features low-energy light bulbs, a Triple Clear water purification system, in-room recycling bins, and fresh dining offerings.
1 Hotels has committed to donating a percentage of sales from in-room dining and goodthings (the hotel’s mini bar) to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger.
The hotel features a nature-driven art collection, including a textured rubber sculpture, “All OVEREACHOTHER,” created by Jarrod Beck from massive rubber pieces of roofing that were stripped from a big box retailer’s roof during a tornado that touched down unexpectedly in Utica (Upstate New York) in the summer of 2014.

Rooms & Suites with a Lady Liberty View

The interiors of the 194 guest rooms and suites were designed to honor the historical significance of one of world’s busiest waterways—the East River. The most stunning feature is a sleek floor-to-ceiling sliding window that transforms the guestroom into an open-air den with skyline views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Furnishings include a porous stone-looking table of composite wood, leather chairs and pendant leather lampshades. Many of the design details in the rooms are by local artisans, from the “crate” inspired, open-slatted wood closets, corrugated leather headboards, to the Fresnel glass light fixtures.

Other room amenities include:

Custom hemp-blend mattress by Keetsa wrapped in 100% organic cotton sheets
Triple Clear filtered water
On-demand meditation content by Biet Simkin, Meditation Leader for 1 Hotels
Marble rain showers with a 5-minute, hour-glass timer to remind guests to conserve water
A green moment – living plants and trees by leading landscape team, Harrison Green
LCD 55-inch smart television
Riverview hammocks (Skyline Suites and Riverhouse only)
Complimentary Wi-Fi
In-room yoga mats
Cozy socks to take home
Goodthings & (not so) goodthings which consists of curated refreshments and local experiences
Family-friendly amenities available through the Seedlings program

In addition, the hotel amenities include a fresh farm stand in the lobby, botanically driven cocktail program by Arley Marks, complimentary rides in Tesla premium electric vehicles, and valet parking for bicycles. Guests also have 24-hour access to the Field House fitness center. 1 Hotels properties are pet friendly with special amenities and no fees for visiting pets.

Brooklyn Bites + Concoctions:

Neighbors – Located on the ground level, 1 Hotels presents Neighbors, a picnic-fare café offering seasonal, fresh items from local Brooklyn purveyors. The menu includes fresh fruit smoothies and super food salads. The café is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, and during the warmer seasons, the space opens to Brooklyn Bridge Park with outdoor seating.
1 Hotel Lobby – From 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, guests and residents of Brooklyn can sip on cocktails and freshly brewed coffee while hosting an impromptu meeting or working from their laptop.
Signature Restaurant – 1 Hotel’s main restaurant will be opening later this spring. Details to be disclosed soon.

Rooftop Pool & Bar

Debuting in May 2017, the rooftop will welcome hotel guests and locals to a 4,000-square-foot urban retreat with unrivaled views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Manhattan skyline. Brooklyn’s newest day life hotspot will feature a 3-foot lounge pool, full-service bar, fire pits and seating spaces made from reclaimed railroad ties where up to 350 guests can relax and sip craft cocktails. The rooftop will be available for private events and small weddings.

10th Floor Lounge

One floor below the rooftop, a dark, ashy wood 2,800-square-foot lounge space, surrounded in floor-to-ceiling windows, and it is expected to become New York’s most coveted hideaway. The cozy den will feature a functioning fireplace and black silica furniture created by Brooklyn artist Fernando Mastrangelo. The space can seat 60 for private events, and it will open in May.

The Screening Room

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge features a 50-seat screening room on the cellar level of the hotel. The 1,250-square-foot space features an 84″x140″ screen with full HD-digital projection. Available for private film or television viewing events, the screening room is the ideal venue for a private gathering.

Event & Meeting Spaces

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge counts more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting, social and event space with high-tech audio/visual equipment, featuring sliding floor-to-ceiling windows and tree-line or Skyline views. The Meadow Rue event space, located on the ground floor, opens onto the park, designed with a full wall of collapsible doors and windows to accommodate up to 1,000 guests. All spaces are named after native plants, grasses, trees and shrubbery found in the park.

Wellness Amenities

Anchored in the vital necessity of connection to nature, human interaction, mindfulness and movement, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers wellness amenities, culling from experienced leaders in healing, mediation, nutrition, astrology and more. Guests can opt for experiences, including POE Yoga, a yoga and barre studio with infrared heat; Biet Simkin, offering mediation and wedding officiant services; and Dark Sky ceremonies/Full Moon parties that honor the cycle of our night sky and include reflective workshops, tarot card readings and Brooklyn-based DJ performances.

Location & Accessibility

Guests can easily access 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge by the East River Ferry, a two-minute drive over the Brooklyn Bridge or the MTA (three different subway lines). A novel amenity in the New York City area, the property also offers 300 valet parking spaces located under the hotel and universal charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles. The property is 10 miles from LaGuardia Airport and 25 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Opening Offer

Available until April 16, 2017, guests who book the opening offer, “Hello Brooklyn,” will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next available room type, a $25 credit towards food & drinks, and a $10 Lyft credit or two ferry passes. Rates from $350. To reserve, visit 1hotels.com/brooklyn-bridge/offers or call 877.803.1111.

Courtyard by Marriott New Haven at Yale University unveils major upgrades

February 15, 2017

Courtyard by Marriott New Haven at Yale University at 30 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut has completed a significant upgrade of its guest rooms and public areas.

The hotel features:

207 guestrooms and suites with marble and granite finishes
More than 1,600 square feet of flexible meeting and board room space
A fully-equipped business center and fitness center
Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access
A Bistro café offering both breakfast & dinner options and an evening bar, as well as a 24/7 grab & go market
Brand new lobby features media pods with cable television, a Boarding Pass Station, and an interactive GO Board for all news, sports, and local information

Pendry luxury hotel opens in San Diego

February 14, 2017

The Pendry in San Diego (Rendering by Christian Horan)

Pendry Hotels, a new luxury brand from Montage International, in partnership with the Robert Green Development Company, has opened The Pendry at 550 J Street in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego. According to a Pendry press release, The Pendry has 317 guest rooms, three dining concepts, three bars, Spa Pendry, private meeting and event spaces and a vibrant lobby experience.

Pendry San Diego is home to the following restaurants, bars, nightlife, retail and wellness concepts:

Excerpted from a press release:

Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile – Designed in partnership with Raan and Lindsay Parton from Los Angeles’ Alchemy Works retail concept, Provisional is a restaurant and marketplace featuring seasonal fare and gourmet takeaway offerings from Executive Chef Chris Osbourne. The communal dining space features a Vittoria Coffee espresso bar, sky-high ceilings, bistro tables and a retail marketplace set within a greenhouse. The marketplace features a curated collection of items including homeware, ceramics, apothecary items, pantry staples and jewelry.

Nason’s Beer Hall – A new addition to the famous San Diego craft beer scene, Nason’s is a California coastal establishment featuring local and international beers, global comfort food, and vintage bar games. Its name pays homage to Nason & Co. Farmer’s Market, formerly located in the current location of the beer hall in the early 1900’s.

Fifth & Rose – A sophisticated and chic gathering place with elevated bar fare, Fifth & Rose is the perfect place to engage in conversation over a hand-crafted cocktail. Rich stone stands out amidst a palette of soft pink, green and black with crimson details, candles and fresh roses. Fifth & Rose is inspired by a host’s living room: comfortable, always welcoming, a place you never want to leave.

Lionfish – Driven by seasonal, local ingredients, the Lionfish menu features modern coastal cuisine highlighting fresh-catch and prime meats from Executive Chef Jose “JoJo” Ruiz. Ruiz’s unrivaled dedication to his craft earned him a spot on Eater National’s top 50 “Young Guns” list, illustrating “the most promising up-and-coming talent in the national restaurant industry.” At Lionfish, developed in partnership with Andy Masi’s Clique Hospitality, Ruiz brings his incredible talent in sushi, seafood and coastal cuisine to the airy two-floor dining room where a menu of distinctly San Diego-inspired dishes, many served family-style, complements a diverse menu of hand-crafted, seasonally-focused cocktails. Lionfish is open for dinner only.

Oxford Social Club – Developed by Clique Hospitality, Oxford Social Club is the hotel’s nightlife centerpiece, welcoming guests and locals to enjoy a late-night experience every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, focused on design, music, service and an extensive, curated cocktail program. The space is intimate and relaxed with banquette seating, plush furnishings and art installations that all take inspiration from the personal detail and comfort of a private residential setting.

The Pool House – Boasting some of the best views in the Gaslamp Quarter, The Pool House at Pendry San Diego is the hotel’s premier rooftop lounge in partnership with Clique Hospitality, embodying the true essence of the southern California lifestyle with its light, contemporary open-air design and indoor/outdoor aesthetic. The rooftop, perched above the Gaslamp’s famed Fifth Avenue, plays host to relaxed daytime and evening events and gatherings while featuring a signature bar and cocktail experience for poolside guests.

Spa Pendry – A menu of experiences focusing on discovery, modern techniques and traditional healing practices. From aromatic awakenings and soul nurturing massages to curative baths and meditative bliss, guests can take the time and space they need for relaxation or revival. Spa Pendry’s signature solutions use native ingredients reminiscent of the healing energies of the sea, aromatic citrus groves, and euphoric herbal concoctions.

Meetings & Events – The hotel boasts 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and special event space, including a Grand Ballroom, customizable Parlor and Salon rooms, a private al fresco poolside deck and various private dining options.

Legoland debuts The Lego Batman Movie Days in 2017

February 14, 2017

“The LEGO Batman Movie,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and LEGO System A/S, LEGOLAND Parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers around the world will celebrate the Caped Crusader with an exclusive new event—The LEGO Batman Movie Days—taking place on select dates in 2017. The event, developed with The LEGO Group and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, will take place on select dates at LEGOLAND locations worldwide in early 2017. For a list of planned activities, attraction hours and ticket prices at each site, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

The LEGO Batman Movie Days Schedule

LEGOLAND Parks

LEGOLAND California Resort (Carlsbad, Calif.): Feb. 18-19, 25-26
LEGOLAND Florida Resort (Winter Haven, Fla.): March 4-5, 11-12
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort (outside London): March 10-April 16
LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort (near Günzburg, Germany): Early April
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort (Johor, Malaysia): Feb. 17-March 31

U.S. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dates

Arizona: Feb. 11-March 26
Atlanta: Feb. 18-19, 25-26
Boston: Weekends in March
Chicago: Feb. 18-20, 25-26
Dallas: Jan. 1-Mar 2
Kansas City: Feb. 18-26
Michigan: Feb. 18-20, 25-26
Philadelphia: June 24-25
Westchester (Yonkers, N.Y.): Feb. 10-19

International LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dates

Manchester (U.K.): Jan. 9-March 31
Toronto: Feb. 25-26, March 4-5
Berlin: Jan. 28-March 5
Oberhausen (Germany): Feb. 10-March 5
Istanbul: Jan. 1-March 31
Osaka: April 1-30
Tokyo: April 1-30
Shanghai: Feb. 10-March 5

Four Seasons offering Culinary Discoveries, a luxury international culinary trip by private jet

February 7, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk7OjruKV4

Four Seasons is now offering Culinary Discoveries, a nine-city, 19-day international trip that has guests traveling on the Four Seasons private jet. Here is more information from a Four Seasons press release:

Exclusively for the Culinary Discoveries journey, Four Seasons is offering complimentary business class airfare from each guest’s home city to the starting point in Seoul, Korea, and back from Paris, France, a value of up to $5,000 (U.S. dollars) per person.

A small group of culinary adventurers will meet in Seoul, where they will get to know one another at a private dinner in the home of chef Jong Kuk Lee. In the days to come, guests will dine on wagyu and kobe beef in Tokyo, and learn about molecular gastronomy in Hong Kong in addition to enjoying a traditional feast of whole suckling pig. In northern Thailand, the group goes on an elephant trek, followed by a market visit in Mumbai before the Four Seasons Private Jet takes off for Europe. In Florence, guests meet an eighth-generation butcher and visit Michaelangelo’s David during a private viewing, and in Lisbon, they explore a city and cuisine shaped by its seafaring history. After an exclusive foraging and dining experience in Copenhagen, guests jet off to Paris for a farewell dinner to remember at Four Seasons Hotel George V.

Along the way, Four Seasons Private Jet guests will meet other legends of the global food scene including Namae Shinobu, Alvin Leung Jr, Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, and Jiro Ono, who gained worldwide recognition for his 10-seat restaurant in the Tokyo subway through the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Guests will also meet leading Four Seasons chefs including Christian Le Squer of three Michelin star Le Cinq in Paris, and Chan Yan Tak of Lung King Heen in Hong Kong, the world’s first Chinese restaurant to earn three Michelin stars.

“The list of dining experiences alone is astounding. Other travellers could spend weeks or months trying to secure reservations at any of these restaurants, and then plan a special trip around one meal. Here, Four Seasons has secured the best tables and behind-the-scenes access, all in one incredible trip filled with opportunities to eat, drink and explore to your heart’s content,” says Director of Guest Experience and On-Board Concierge Javier Loureiro, noting that Four Seasons Private Jet guests will have rare opportunities to learn the secrets of Michelin-starred chefs, go on market and foraging excursions, enjoy hands-on tutorials and more, all in the company of like-minded travellers.

The Four Seasons Private Jet is a 52-seat custom-designed Boeing 757. Passengers of the jet stay exclusively at Four Seasons hotels and resorts, with dedicated staff both in the air and on the ground tailoring each journey to each guest’s own interests.

DreamMaker is selling Passport to 50, an ultimate luxury trip, for $13,875,000

February 2, 2017

Experiential travel boutique DreamMaker has designed a trip around the globe aboard a privately outfitted Boeing 767 for its ultra-high net worth clientele. Passport to 50 offers the purchasing client and 50 friends and family of the client to fly in tandem on a second Boeing Business Jet. Offered at $13,875,000, this DreamMaker experience is slated for August 2017, covering 20 cities in 20 days. Highlights in the air include a $500,000 charity poker tournament with the a top-ranked poker player, an in-flight yoga session, a fashion show, and a master sommelier.

According to a DreamMaker press release:

DreamMaker has appointed hypnotherapist April Norris to develop a holistic program that integrates cutting-edge wearable sleep technology with alternative wellness techniques such as hypnotherapy, Reiki healing, Ayurvedic medicine, and the attention of a Doctor of Acupuncture.

World of Diamonds Group was commissioned to create the trip’s most luxurious amenity: a set of 18-karat gold swizzle sticks set with white and blue diamonds worth a total of $1 million. Crafted into a spinning globe atop the 50 swizzle sticks are 20 white sparklers, each representing every city landing of Passport to 50. One rare fancy blue diamond, a specialty of the diamond mining conglomerate, evokes the blue skies traversed on this trip.

In line with the 50 signature DreamMaker experiences, London’s Hotel 41 will be the first in the world to completely rebrand its identity to “Hotel 50” and accommodate the unique story with its famously personalized service. The hotel will chip out its marble tile in the foyer, commission newly monogrammed bed and bath linens, and a raise a “Hotel 50” flag. Other ground highlights include 50 monks’ blessings amidst an inundation of 50,000 lotus petals.

The Passport to 50 experience directly benefits children around the world through experiential giving, such as the distribution of 2,500 bicycles to enable rural children in Cambodia to attend school, the provision of clean drinking water for 50,000 at-risk children in the Philippines, as well as building “fun centers” for 50,000 children battling life-threatening illnesses in the United Kingdom.

Fairmont and Air Canada team up for luxury Après in the Air package

February 1, 2017

In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Air Canada have partnered for the luxury package Après in the Air, which offers a unique experience at three of Fairmont’s most well-known Canadian properties.

According to a Fairmont press release, the package (whose price starts at $300,000 and is available until December 31, 2017) includes a round trip for 58 people by private charter with Air Canada’s all Business Class private charter service, Jetz, as well as stays at Fairmont Château Laurier, Fairmont Le Château Montebello and Fairmont Tremblant. The adventure begins with the transformation of the private jet into a Fairmont-inspired ski chalet, creating an “après ski” experience at 30,000 feet, and continues once wheels touch down in Canada.

Each Fairmont destination offers several activities, including dog sledding, ice skating, snowmobiling, ice fishing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, skiing,and curling. To highlight Fairmont’s traditional Canadian heritage, inspired cuisine from notable Canadian chefs Louis Simard, Tim Wasylko, and Éric Beaupré is featured at each respective stop on the journey. Guests will also be able to enjoy pool and spa treatments Fairmont Le Château Montebello, which Fairmont says is “the world’s largest log cabin” ; explore the scenic village at the foot of the mountain from Fairmont Tremblant; and feel instantly transported to a French château amidst the nation’s capital at the landmark Fairmont Château Laurier.

In addition, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has also launched the Travel North package, encouraging travel to Canada in honor of Canada 150. Also available through December 31, 2017, the package offers 15 percent off the daily rate, a $150 (Canadian dollars) hotel credit and 1,500 Aeroplan miles per stay (500 base + 1000 bonus).

Chileno Bay Resorts & Residences opens in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Chileno Bay Resorts & Residences has opened in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Managed by Auberge Resorts Collection, the resort is set on Chileno Bay.

The following is an excerpt from Auberge Resorts Collection press release:

An ideal retreat for families, groups of friends and active couples, 60 guest rooms and 32 two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas are light and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow a seamless flow from each space, framing the panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. Expansive floor plans with a natural color palette are the backdrop for handcrafted contemporary furniture in linen, cotton and leather, comfortable for lounging, with pops of bright colors that add vibrancy and flair. Guest rooms feature private terraces with ocean, beach, pool or lush garden views, spacious light-filled bathrooms with deep freestanding soaking bathtubs and private outdoor showers. Villas are equipped with the comforts of home, including gourmet kitchens and living spaces that span indoor-outdoor, terraces with plunge pools and hot tubs and breathtaking ocean views. Signature in-room amenities include a welcome cocktail freshly prepared in-room upon arrival, artisanal bath products, complimentary refreshments and WiFi.

At the heart of Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is a spectacular 450-foot-long three-tiered infinity-edge swimming pool that cascades through the center of the property, featuring private poolside cabanas and offering guests a relaxed, interactive gathering place. The H20 Watersports Activity Cave offers snorkeling gear, glass-bottomed kayaks and other high-performance watersports equipment to enjoy in the calm waters of Chileno Bay that are known for the best snorkeling in Los Cabos. Another communal gathering place is the resort’s Activity Center that offers a comprehensive kids’ club; two movie theatres; a games lawn and the Fitness Center, featuring weights, aerobic equipment and group classes such as TRX, yoga, Pilates and spinning. Signature group fitness and wellness programming will be led by CrossFit Games champion Jason Khalipa.

Dynamic Culinary Experiences

Guests and locals will be delighted by the resort’s exciting dining experiences, which offer an eclectic interpretation of regional Mexican favorites and celebrate the the cuisine of Latin America. The resort’s signature restaurant, COMAL, a three-tiered open-air space designed by Gulla Jonsdottir Architecture + Design, mirrors the contemporary design aesthetic of the resort and showcases spectacular ocean views. COMAL is helmed by locally loved and internationally known Chef Yvan Mucharraz, alum of The French Laundry and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurants in Yountville, California and Paris. He has earned a reputation for contemporary Mexican cuisine with an international character influenced by his travels through Brazil, Peru and elsewhere in Latin America. Dinner at COMAL will feature signature dishes such as Crispy Octopus with Hazelnut Mole; Steamed Sweet Potato-Wrapped Snapper with Clams; and Braised Short Rib with Cacao Broth, Chilhuacle, Roasted Corn and Chayote. A raw bar located at center of the restaurant offers an impressive array of local wild-caught seafood in a live-action setting that serves raw oysters, clams and served as ceviche and sashimi-style tiraditos.

Culinary offerings are matched by the resort’s outstanding selection of wine, local tequilas and artisanal Mexican spirits. Osvaldo Vasquez, one of Mexico’s most lauded mixologists and known for his hand-crafted bitters and inventive cocktails, oversees the beverage program at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. Vazquez has curated an extensive spirits selection including artisanal tequilas, mezcals and raicilla, a traditional spirit made of fermented agave. A comprehensive craft cocktail menu features classic and innovative signature libations that complement the regional cuisine.

On the sand guests will find the casual and lively beachfront tacos and tequila bar TnT offering a selection of Mexican street-style tacos, artisanal tequilas and freshly crafted cocktails – and even jars of traditionally prepared chapulines (grasshoppers) for the adventurous! In the evening, fire pits are lit, creating a romantic setting for guests to sip and enjoy the vast collection of spirits under the moonlight.

Destination Spa by the Sea

Rounding out Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is the world-class Auberge Spa at Chileno Bay. A haven for inspired simplicity dedicated to eliminating the distractions of modern life, the spa features 10 indoor and outdoor treatment facilities, a Purification Garden, reflexology pool, salt inhalation room, ice fountain, a hair and nail salon, and a sleek men’s grooming den. Signature spa journeys are inspired by the rich healing traditions of the Baja region, with a holistic and restorative approach to wellness and relaxation. The spa features a menu of skincare treatments created exclusively for Auberge by True Botanicals.

Meeting and Events Space with a View

An ideal venue for oceanfront weddings, retreats or group gatherings, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences features more than 13,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The Chileno Galleria offers private oceanfront dining and meeting space with an adjacent terrace overlooking the Sea of Cortez. El Limonero Event Lawn is a flexible setting for a variety of outdoor events that showcases the resort’s ability to create carefree gatherings that can also be enlivened with games such as a life-sized chess set, Jenga and croquet.

Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is set amidst Discovery Land Company’s prestigious 1,200-acre resort community of Chileno Bay, comprised of residences, a private beach club and a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course. The golf course is available to resort guests.

Opening Villa Offers Unveiled
In celebration of the opening, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences gives guests the opportunity to experience the comforts of residential resort living with its Vacation Home Rental offers.

Available through December 20, 2017, for three-night-minimum villa stays, are two special offers:

The Family Connection offer, which includes complimentary daily breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, a movie night experience, one family dinner and the use of the Kids Club.
The Vacation Home Special Offer which gives a third night free and round-trip airport transfers. Additional terms, conditions and blackout dates may apply.

Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech opens in Morocco

January 30, 2017

Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech has opened in Morocco. The new hotel, which has views of the Atlas Mountains, features 318 fully renovated rooms and offers “all-inclusive” services and facilities. The hotel is also surrounded by an 11-hectare park and is just 15 minutes from Marrakech tourist attractions, such as the historic Medina quarter, which is home to Jamaa El Fna Square, Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace.

For dining options, guests can choose between Moroccan and international gastronomy at the Oasis buffet, which offers show cooking and specialty evenings; the à la carte Jawhara restaurant; and the food truck serving fast food located by the pool. For pampering, the hotel has Spa Sensations, a fully-equipped wellness centre offering a wide choice of beauty treatments, massages and a sauna. And for entertainment, Club Palmeraie is open to adults and children alike to enjoy an extensive range of activities with the Star Fit & Fun program: cookery activities; sports (including tennis or golf); hot air balloon or camel rides; and live shows. In addition, golf lovers are in luck as there are as many as nine courses within easy reach of the hotel. The hotel also has eight meeting rooms with a capacity for as many as 600 people.

(Photo courtesy of Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech)

REI Adventures adds trips exclusively for women

January 27, 2017

REI Adventures is launching a collection of 19 Women’s Adventures in Africa, Europe, Latin America, New Zealand and North America. In addition, REI Adventures is expanding its cycling offerings into fully supported mountain bike trips and growing its Signature Camping itineraries on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and along the Inca Trail in Peru. According to a press release from REI: “REI’s Women’s Adventures are extraordinary journeys designed especially for women who want to experience a destination—not just see it. Guests travel with female guides and a ready-made group of girlfriends. These lively trips blend outdoor activities with local spots, cuisines and communities a traveler wouldn’t find on her own, and include little surprises along the way.”

Examples of REI’s new Women’s Adventures include:

Baja California Women’s Adventure: Escape to a beachy oasis for an eight-day vacation where women kayak, snorkel, stand-up paddle board, surf and do yoga. In addition, guests meet local artists at galleries, enjoy gourmet meals along the way and have an opportunity to volunteer at a local nonprofit where women build their own greenhouses.
Greek Islands Women’s Adventure: Perfect for foodies and history-lovers, spend nine days island hopping Tinos, Naxos and Santorini. Guests hike through whitewashed villages and ancient trails of lush vineyards, terraced hillsides and olive groves. They unwind with beachside yoga, wine tastings, swimming in the Aegean Sea and learning how to prepare a traditional Mediterranean meal.
New Zealand Women’s Hiking – Southern Alps: Over 10-days, hike the wilderness through larger-than-life landscapes of South Island’s peaks, plains and golden hills. Take a break from the trail by paddle boarding Lake Wanaka and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at a woman-owned dairy. Evenings are authentically Kiwi with stays at the iconic Rex Simpson Hut and historic Ben Lomond lodge.
South Africa Ultimate Women’s Adventure and Safari: From Cape Town to Johannesburg, the 11-day odyssey explores the country’s rich heritage by hiking, cycling, sea kayaking and a safari at the famous Sabi Sands Reserve. As one of the most beautiful wine-growing regions in the world, the group will wander the backroads and stop at estates to taste the celebrated vintages.
Yosemite Women’s Backpacking – Half Dome: A four-day adventure to the summit of Yosemite’s most iconic peak. Guests hone their backpacking and wilderness skills during daily hikes, and evenings are filled with hearty gourmet dinner prepared by the guides and camaraderie around the campfire.

Here are the details of REI Adventures’ two new international destinations for its Signature Camping itineraries:

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route is an 11-day experience up one of the seven summits of the world and the highest peak in Africa. Known as one of the most scenic routes on the mountain, guests hike across six ecological zones as they acclimatize, take in the scenery and learn about the region from local guides. REI’s unique approach to Kilimanjaro’s Southern Circuit includes new exclusive camp locations featuring REI Signature Camps that keep guests comfy and energized as they summit.
Machu Picchu – Inca Trail Trek is a nine-day, fully supported journey through lush valleys filled with wild orchids and rainbow-colored mosses to the breathtaking “Lost City of the Incas.” Trek up to seven miles each day with only a day pack, while a Signature Camp awaits your arrival each evening with spacious tents, amazing meals and more.