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!