New Hotels Opening

Regardless what side of the states you reside in, there are plenty of new hotels opening across the country in 2009. The Waldorf Astoria collection has added the Waldorf Astoria Orlando resort which will ultimately be part of the Hilton Bonnet Creek development. Recommend Weekly reports this is the first new Waldorf Astoria to be build since the original opened in New York City. The Boca Raton Resort and Club will also join the Waldorf Astoria collection in 2009.

Hawks Cay, also in Florida, recently opened its 100 new redesigned Preferred Villas. This private island in the Florida Keys offers 2, 3, and 4 bedroom villas located throughout the 40 acre resort.

On the West Coast - Setai San Diego and the Fours Seasons Seattle have opened their doors. The Setai in San Diego is located in the financial district offers 184 rooms beginning at $300 a night. The Four Seasons Seattle is a 21 story hotel condominium property that offers 147 guest rooms. The resort includes a restaurant, lounge, spa, a rooftop terrace and an heated 40 ft outdoor infinity swimming pool.

A Denver Staycation

Have you considered staying in your home town and having a "staycation" instead of a long distance vacation this year? With all economies tight, area hotels and restaurants are offering amazing deals for locals. And if you combine that with a city tour, you may just see parts of your hometown that you never knew existed.

Culinary Connections of Colorado offers such a delectable destination tour! And trust me, it will be hard to come across a better way to see Denver. Becky Creighton, a self ascribed foodie, has launched a entree filled endeavor that will keep you coming back for more! Her tours are between 4 and 5 hours in length and take you behind the kitchen doors of some of the best restaurants Denver has to offer. She provides amazing ambiance and an exclusive setting between you and the chef. The tours are limo chauffeured with an intimate group of only 6-8 people and you are even escorted by a local chef! Check out her site as http://www.culinaryconnectionsofco.com/ is not one to miss!

Combine this with amazing stays at Hotel Monaco, the Ritz or Hotel Teatro and you will feel like you are worlds away without all the hassle of travelling.

As a side note, the Hotel Monaco has rates as low as $109 for a queen bed that includes a bottle of wine, free wifi and a wine reception on the evening of arrival.

Two Great Riu Options in Cabo

Riu recently opened its second property in the Cabo San Lucas area and they are offering free wedding packages at the property through 2009. The Riu Santa Fe Hotel is an all inclusive and has 902 rooms with 7 bars, 5 restaurants, tennis, spa, pools, water sports and beaches of this lavish hotel. Kids have their own private swimming pool and mini club.

The resort chain opened the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas Hotel a few years ago and it is still a favorite among travellers. The property has 642 rooms, two heated infinity pools with Jacuzzi, spa, gym, sauna, 2 children's pools and a playground. The view of the Arch from the hotel is amazing and it has great nightly entertainment featuring both variety and themed shows. The hotels boasts an eclectic menu of restaurants including Krystal (fusion gourmet), Misaki (Japanese), Mar de Cortes (Steakhouse) and San Jose (Mexican).

The World's Largest Ice Skating Rink

Do you know where the world's largest ice skating rink is located? Mexico City. Yep, that's right and it comes complete with 50 meter high Christmas tree, toboggan slide and huge snow area. Its 3200 sq meters and while the Guinness Book of World Records hasn't verified it, I'm pretty sure the 14,000 people are expected to stand in line daily for a skate.

Delta to offer Wi-Fi Services

Delta Airlines recently announced that it would be offering paid Wi-Fi services on several of its East Coast flights. Fliers can expect to be online roughly 40 minutes and the service is being tested primarily on the New York flights to Boston and Washington, D.C. Other airlines should be making similar announcements in the coming weeks.

Barbados Resort Offers Big Renovations

Sandy Lane, one of Barbados' premier resorts, recently reopened this fall after a month's closure to provide unbelievable enhancements. Guests are welcomed with new linens, furniture, 52" TVs, new spa amenities, a new sauna, new line of productions and the expansion of the property's Bajun Blue Restaurant. Bajun is now home to a lobster tank, red wine cellar and new lounge area.

Sandy Lane has the distinction of being a "Best of the Best" property as selected by Virtuoso. Virtuoso guests can receive additional amenities including upgrades on arrival, daily breakfast, complimentary full body massage and round trip airport transfers. Barbados is also an easy nonstop flight from most major US airports and offers some of the best golfing in the Caribbean.

Cayman Island Castaway

Airfare is so cheap starting at just $174 one way to the Cayman Islands. There is nonstop service from major cities like Miami, New York, Chicago and Tampa and just recently Cayman Air announced nonstop service from Washington's Dulles airport. Packages include a $400 resort credit on a minimum four night stay. If the winter blues have you down, why not be a Cayman Island castaway if only for a few days!

Culinary Delights

Food & Wine Magazine and Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa announced the 10th annual Epicurean Escape June 24th-29th, 2009. It is 5 incredible days that include interactive cooking classes, demonstrations by local and international celebrity chefs, wine seminars with master sommeliers, nightly themed parties and a spectacular seven course formal dinner. Grand Lido Negril Resort is the only Four Diamond Resort Chain in the world. Mark your calendar for this culinary adventure, this will be one not to miss.

Holiday Ideas

Are you tired of giving the same old thing for holiday gifts? Or are you tired of being asked what it is that you want for the holidays? I mean how many articles of clothing can you receive or toys and electronics can you give. Its been said that you rarely remember the gift you received 5, 10, or 20 years ago, but that instead you remember and value an experience, especially one that leaves a touching memory on soul. Experiences and memories last a lifetime, long after the watch broke or the TV gave out or the sweater you outgrew.

Many hotels, restaurants, spas, airlines, and travel companies are offering gift cards and certificates this year. If you know your loved one wants to go to a particular destination or hotel, then contact your agent or that property for information on a gift card. Southwest and Frontier offer gift cards online. Spafinder.com has a fantastic offer for a gift certificate. Hotels and restaurants will gladly give you a certificate to pop in the mail or wrap up as a gift. And if you don't have a specific place in mind, call your travel agent and get a certificate through their agency. These are perfect for the individual who has everything, because then they can use it go or do anything.

Travel Management gift certificates are perfect for those top employees or stellar clients you want to reward at the end of the year. A Gift Certificate can be personalized or even destination specific. You could buy a package for a 3 day cruise or trip to Las Vegas and spend less than $500.00. In the days of economic gloom, travel is an option that always excites and leaves a lasting memory from the smell of the salt air, the feeling of sand between your toes and the sun on shoulders. And they will be sure to remember the gift they received from you this year.

Savings in San Juan

El Conquistador, Las Casitas Village and Condado Plaza are all offering unbelievable discounts to escape to the beautiful isle of Puerto Rico. El Conquistador and Las Casitas Village, along with its famed Golden Door Spa, are perfect venues for a family vacation, a corporate retreat, an award incentive, that all important business meeting or just a romantic retreat.

The El Conquistador and Las Casitas Village share an amazing property, complete with tantalizing restaurants, its own water park and private island, the Golden Door Spa, and one of the largest casino's in Puerto Rico. Both are offering kids 10 receive a free breakfast each morning and the longer you stay the more credits you earn to use during your vacation.

El Con is offering rates as low as $239 and Las Casitas rates are $299. You can earn up to $400 in bonus credits as long as your trip is booked by January 31, 2009.

Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino is a great little boutique property that is also offering up to $400 in bonus credits, kids under 10 receive free breakfasts and the rates are as low as $179 per night.

Disney Cruise Kids Sail Free

Disney Cruise line just announced a new promotion where kids sail free on 3 day sailings beginning in January 22 through May 29th. This is truly my favorite cruise line and my favorite Disney experience with the kids. There are no lines to wait in, fantastic dining venues that change every night, Broadway productions with Disney themes, characters all over the ship and an entire deck devoted entirely to the little ones. There is an adult only pool, deck area, restaurant and spa as well as an entertainment avenue on board. The best thing is the private island - Castaway Cay - truly a paradise that words cannot describe.

Sensational Scottsdale

Scottsdale is probably one of my favorite destinations in the US. It is easy (& cheap) to fly into the Phoenix airport from almost any other city in the United States and the resorts in the Scottsdale area are amazing. Virtuoso has over 9 properties listed in their Best of the Best book. Check out this picture I recieved this morning from my rep at the Sanctuary at Camelback:

Who wouldn't want to visit this resort - not to mention their bar Jade and the spa are both internationally renowned in the travel industry. And if you are a star watcher (and I don't mean the kind in the sky, although those are amazing too), there are plenty of chances to grab a sighting or two.

Just today I receive announcements from two of my other fave properties. These are steaks abd deals you won't want to miss. The brand new Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa is offering a rate of just $240 per night for the Tositos Fiesta Bowl that will feature Ohio State vs. Texas. Its a sweet deal to get somewhere warm in the midst of winter, check out great college football and the chance to savor a piece of the Mediterranean at this hotel.

The Four Seasons Scottsdale just introduced a Stay Longer in the Spring promotion. By booking a 2 night stay, you will receive a 3rd night free. The hotel just completed a multi-million enhancement project leaving all 210 casita guest rooms and suites completely renovated. I just visited this property in early April 2007 and thought it was fantastic before the renovation so I can't wait to see it now! As guests of the hotel, you will receive preferred tee times, complimentary Kids Club programs and if you book through a Virtuoso agent you can get an upgrade upon arrival if available, daily breakfast for two, a welcome amenity and a 50% discount on valet parking. Who wouldn't want to spend the spring lounging in this amazing pool:

Celebrate Carneros Style

The holidays are the perfect time to get away and most people I know would love a brief respite from reality versus your average holiday gift of a tie, slippers, sweatsuit, etc. Carneros Inn in beautiful Napa Valley is briming with holiday cheer and a terrific location! It is by far, one of my favorite, most luxurious resorts in both the Napa and Sonoma valley areas. Venues for your holiday dining are asplentiful as are your options for hotel stays. Carneros goes above your traditional hotel room by capitivating the traveler with a luxury cottage complete with your own private (and heated) outdoor patio, king beds, a lush bathroom experience with soaking tub, shower for two and even an outdoor shower, plus a sitting area with a king bed and the traditional rocking chairs on the front porch to indulge in your relaxation experience. The spa, cuisine and views abound with pampering and sootheness that will wash away even the most harshest of winters. And the property is a Virtuoso resort highlighted in the Best of the Best book so ask about your additional amenities like upgrades, breakfast for two and more.

Frontier to Change Fares

Frontier Airlines will soon be introducing a new way to purchase travel. Frontier's product is called AirFairs, which is a new fare structure to offer bundled pricing for customers. AirFairs is Frontier’s way of giving customers a choice when purchasing a plane ticket. Customers will be able to pay for they type of travel experience they prefer in 3 different levels: Economy, Classic, or Classic Plus.

Economy offers maximum savings (and personally I think will be on par with Southwest) with the basic amenities, and the ability to pay for any additional services as the passenger flies, with seats available only at check-in. Classic and Classic Plus offer more amenities and flexibility of tickets. Classic, for example, will offer advanced seat assignment, 125% mileage accrual, complimentary Direct TV, $50 ticket change fee, and $75 change flight same day confirmation. Classic Plus will offer all of that and more, including 150% mileage accrual, free paid beverages, food, the ability to refund, and the list goes on.

Virgin Charter

Richard Branson has done it again with his newest entry into the air market. Virgin Charter has been recognized by CNN Money, USA Today, Forbes, and BusinessWeek just to name a few and it makes booking a charter flight a snap! Not to mention you get to compare quotes, look at specials for empty leg one way flights all online in the comfort and privacy of your own computer. I tested it and it was simple. I've booked and researched hundreds of charter requests for clients, and in the past I research the market, find the best carriers, maybe consult a few online charter databases and start making calls, emails and praying someone will get back to me with a decent proposal. Check out www.virgincharter.com.

MSC Cruise Line's Orchestra

MSC is launching its newest ship, Orchestra, over New Year's weekend. The inaugural sailing in North America will be special 2-night Caribbean cruise departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, January 2, 2009. Rates for the weekend sailing begin at just $199 plus with their kids under 17 sail free promotions, the entire family can enjoy a warm Caribbean holiday. On board the Orchestra, you will experience 5 full service restaurants (with the only dedicated Chinese restaurant at sea), 10 lounges including a disco and 2 venues set outside, a 21x12 ft LED outdoor movie screen, the Body and Mind spa with over 16,000 sq ft of relaxation space and so much more.

Hyatt's New Business Plan

I've always been a fan of Hyatt's properties, but now they offer even more incentive for the business traveler with a new Business Plan Package. If you book under that rate, you will receive daily breakfast, Internet access, daily refreshed water (I'm assuming its bottled), daily newspaper and one piece of laundry pressed or washed per room per day. Ahh, maybe business travel will get easier....

Viva Vero Beach

Everyone knows I love all Kimpton Hotel properties and if you don't know, I mean you can't beat them. To draw on an earlier post, where else can you get a goldfish in room during you stay? Kimpton Hotels are traditionally boutique-y types with gorgeous room furnishes and stellar service you can always count on. Families, groups, romantics all feel at home while staying at Kimpton.

Now they have just announced the new addition: Vero Beach Hotel and Spa and they are offering great introductory rates! A studio suite is $149 a night on stays between Sunday and Thursday and then it goes up to $169 for the weekend plus you get a daily $20 F&B credit. While that may not be enough for a full meal, you could use it to sip a cooling margarita while you sit serenely on the white sandy beaches watching the crystal blue waters of Florida. The offer is good between now and February 12th - definitely check this out!

Las Brisas Steals and Deals

Las Brisas Resorts in Mexico are offering some amazing deals. At their Ixtapa property, new deals include everything from a free breakfast, F&B credits, room upgrades, and free nights. They have a great wedding package from the casual beach I do's to the more classic formal event in one of their ballrooms. There is also a great "Hold a Rate" promo going on until 2010, where you can hold a rate for the next three years at today's pricing. It doesn't get any better than this!