Best Holiday Lettings

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  • News: American Cruise Lines introduces 4-night cruises at the Mississippi River

    American Cruise Lines (www.americancruiselines.com), the biggest U.S. cruise company, today announced the addition of 4-night cruises to the Queen of the Mississippi’s 2013 schedule. Three days shorter than the normal itinerary length the road offers at the Mississippi River, the brand new cruises will specialise in many of the plantations found along the river.

    The roundtrip voyage from New Orleans is ideal for a fast getaway or extended weekend trip, offering a historic exploration of the plantations along the Mississippi River, including Nottoway Plantation, Houmas House, Oak Alley and Laura Plantation. Featured dates include November 30, December 4 and eight, with rates starting at $2,395 per person.

    The new shorter plantation cruises will feature quite a lot of special events and onboard activities:

    *  Mint juleps served at the Oak Alley lawn
    *  Performance by Judy Davis, singer, entertainer and storyteller of life on a plantation
    *  Praline-cooking demonstration by Michael DeVidts
    *  Performance by the recent Orleans Jazz All Stars
    *  Onboard cooking demonstration by a Louisiana Culinary Institute chef

    “With great and rising interest in cruising the Mississippi River with American Cruise Lines, we thought it was important to give additional options for those interested,” said Timothy Beebe, vice chairman, American Cruise Lines. “This new offering will attract those inquisitive about a shorter cruise or to these trying to complement a land vacation within the American Heartland.”

    The Queen of the Mississippi carries 150 guests in spacious 300 square foot staterooms, which feature large private balconies with sliding glass doors and each of the amenities today’s travelers expect, while maintaining the elegance of classic late 1800s Mississippi riverboats. American Cruise Lines operates the authentic paddlewheeler over the full Mississippi River System, including the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers.

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  • News: IHG offers free internet for all loyalty members worldwide

    IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced that it’ll be providing free internet to all its 71m loyalty programme members, worldwide. The announcement comes as IHG reveals the result of a worldwide online survey* which show that almost 1/2 adults (43%) would select to not stay in a hotel that charged for internet.

    IHG is the primary and only hotel group to provide free internet in all hotels to all loyalty programme members, globally – whether or not they stay the night or are available for a coffee or an impromptu meeting. It’s going to benefit millions of guests globally as IHG has the main rooms and is in additional countries than anyone of the opposite four largest hotel companies on this planet**. This may start from July 2013 for Elite members and extend to all members during 2014.

    The move comes as IHG announces that it’ll be enhancing and renaming its industry-leading loyalty programme Priority Club® Rewards as IHG Rewards Club in July and introducing a number of new benefits for members.

    Richard Solomons, Chief Executive, IHG, said:
    “In today’s fast-paced world, we all know that travellers should stay connected and free internet access is increasingly important. i’m proud that IHG is the primary hotel company to present free internet globally to all our loyalty programme members.

    “2013 marks 10 years since IHG became a standalone company. Whilst we’re relatively young as a business, our brands, inclusive of Holiday Inn and InterContinental, have a deep history and a strong heritage and are instantly recognised by millions all over the world.

    “Renaming our industry-leading loyalty programme as IHG Rewards Club may help our guests remember that all our brands are section of a similar IHG brand family.
    “Whether this can be a business stop-over or a family holiday, our guests can select from greater than 4,600 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories, secure within the knowledge that every carries the IHG badge of responsibility, trust and confidence that they could depend on.”

    Internet access is increasingly important to hotel guests and a key consideration when planning their hotel stays. New research* commissioned by IHG reveals that:
    *  43% of adults surveyed said that they’d choose to not stay in a hotel that charged for internet.
    *  23% of respondents said that free internet in rooms and within the hotel is the main amenity when staying in a hotel for business, in comparison to *  7% who chose room service.
    *  Travellers from China placed one of the most importance on online connectivity – with nearly half (47%) listing it because the most vital thing to them when staying in a hotel for business, followed by those from Russia (26%), the u. s. (23%) and India (22%).
    *  Travellers from the united kingdom (18%) and the usa (14%) both listed buying internet because the second most disturbing thing when staying at a hotel after noisy guests (22% and 24% respectively).

    Globally, more female respondents (14%) say free internet within the hotel is fundamental to them when staying for leisure, in comparison with 2% who listed having an in-room hairdryer.

    IHG Rewards Club, formerly Priority Club Rewards, is the world’s first and biggest hotel loyalty programme, providing existing, industry-leading benefits including points that never expire, no blackout dates for Reward Nights, flight rewards, music downloads and free nights at any IHG hotel anywhere on earth.

    From July, new benefits will include:
    *  free internet to all Elite status members from July 2013 and lengthening to all members during 2014;
    *  the facility to earn Elite status faster by staying in three or more of IHG’s hotel brands;
    *  Reward Nights will count toward earning Elite status; and
    *  Platinum Elite members’ “extra” nights will roll over toward maintaining their status of their next membership year

    Booking directly with IHG provides guests with access to the precise available rates through our ‘Best Price Guarantee’ and ensures they qualify to earn points for his or her IHG Rewards Club account.

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  • Roff takes up trade development role with Hong Kong Tourism Board

    Hong Kong Tourism Board has appointed Sarah Roff as its new senior executive, trade development for UK & Northern Europe.

    She can be based on the organisation’s London office.

    In the role, Roff can be answerable for travel trade marketing, industry relations, and trade incentives and coaching, in the UK and the Netherlands markets. 

    Following two years within the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s marketing and PR team, Roff decided to go to trade development, to construct on her travel trade experience.

    She was previously on the Japan National Tourism Office for over five years, where she was answerable for marketing campaigns and events, in the marketing and PR team.

    “During her time at HKTB, Sarah has worked with the travel trade on events along with our annual Chinese New Year evening and call and Contract.

    “Her knowledge of Hong Kong is outstanding and we believe she’s going to be instrumental in raising the profile of Asia’s World City,” said Dawn Page, director, UK & Northern Europe, Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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  • News: Virgin Trains supports guide dog training

    Virgin Trains and the British Transport Police have joined forces to assist a guide dog get acquainted with the railway environment.

    For most people, getting off and on a train will not be a question of shock and rarely something we pay any attention to. But for someone who’s blind or partially sighted this may prove a damaging and stressful exercise. This is the reason getting off and on trains is a vital step in the course of the training of guide dogs.

    Skippy is a 14-month-old Labrador guide dog with a slight phobia of high train steps. So as to help his trainer Zoe Aird, BTP Sergeant Jane Evans contacted Virgin Trains and asked if Skippy could spend slightly time practicing getting off and on a train carriage.

    The exercise was quite a hit, and after 20 minutes and some reward treats, Skippy was feeling a chunk more confident. Little doubt we shall see him back soon to hold on his railway familiarisation.

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  • Peachtree Hotel Group acquired six hotels during Q1 2013

    Peachtree Hotel Group, one of the vital nation’s fastest growing hotel acquisition, management, development and ownership groups, today announced that it acquired/invested in six hotels within the southeastern Usa through the 2013 first quarter. At this pace, the corporate is definitely previous to its previously announced goal of adding 15 hotels to its portfolio in the course of the coming year.

    “Our option to hotel investment begins with being flexible,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree CEO. “Our growth strategy encompasses 100% acquisitions, participating as a majority or minority owner, acquiring first mortgage hotel loans and third-party management.”

    Jatin Desai, chief investment officer, noted that the company’s diversified acquisition technique of both real estate and note acquisitions allows it to surface transactions very early within the process which yields more opportunities.

    “During the primary quarter, we checked out greater than 100 transactions, including individual assets and portfolios, but selected only six where we thought lets add value at appropriate risk-adjusted returns,” said Desai. “While all but this type of transactions were equity-related, acquiring hotel loans remains a high priority for us. We wish to work with owners and operators who can take pleasure in restructuring of existing loans, cash infusions or providing other creative financing alternatives.”

    “Each of those assets is a brilliant fit and complements our growing portfolio of 25 select service and extended stay hotels. The properties’ geographic locations and dynamics match up well with our means of owning and managing hotels in primary and secondary markets,” said Mitul Patel, chief operating officer.

    In preparation for this growth spurt, the corporate added significant bench strength to both its acquisition/financing capabilities and hotel management. “We have the depth to comfortably add 15 hotels this year and will increase our goal if market conditions warrant such.” Patel said.

    The six hotels include:

    —The 85-room and suite Hampton Inn Okeechobee in Florida Peachtree made a majority investment within the waterfront hotel situated on picturesque Lake Okeechobee. The hotel offers meeting space to house as much as 35 people, state-of-the-art business center, fitness room and 24-hour Suite Shop convenience store.

    —The 96-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham-Chapel Hill/I-40 in North Carolina Peachtree acquired the extended-stay property located just off I-40, with quick access to area highways and minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Duke University Medical Center, Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, prominent corporations, museums and other area attractions are within walking distance of the hotel in Durham. The hotel provides a complimentary breakfast bar, convenience store and outdoor pool.

    —The 98-room Four Points by Sheraton Durham at Southpoint in North Carolina Located 11 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the hotel, acquired by Peachtree, is nearby the Research Triangle Park, a hub of prestigious universities and leading tech and pharmaceutical companies and medical centers. The hotel has 1,800 square feet of banquet space, health club and indoor pool.

    —The 96-suite Residence Inn Little Rock hotel in Arkansas Peachtree made a sliver investment and now manages the extended-stay hotel. Located off Interstates 430 & 630, this Little Rock extended stay hotel is situated next to the Arkansas Heart Hospital and nearby to area attractions, together with UAMS, Verizon Arena, the Little Rock Downtown Historic District, The Clinton Library and Little Rock Zoo.

    —The 120-room Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville I-295/East Beltway in Florida The golf green lodging certified hotel, now owned by Peachtree, offers a health club and outdoor heated pool and spa. The hotel is convenient to the JaxPort Cruise Terminal and provides overnight parking for cruise-goers and is near the Mayo Clinic, St. Luke’s Hospital, University of North Florida and Jacksonville University.

    —The 66-room Comfort Inn in Alabama Peachtree acquired the 1st mortgage note.

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