Category: News

  • Rosewood Little Dix Bay – The final word wellness escape

    Perched upon the beautiful British Virgin Island of Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay, complete with its cliff-top Sense Spa, dedicated fitness and yoga retreats, and vast array of land-based and water-based activities Rosewood Little Dix Bay provides the final wellness escape.

    Fitness and Yoga Retreats : May and June 2013
    Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s four-day retreats was crafted to provide a complete body revitalization experience through a gently-planned agenda of yoga or fitness classes, healthy cuisine tailored to individual nutrition plans, and massage in SENSE, A Rosewood Spa. Spearheaded by well-known Ny based instructors, yoga classes, hosted by Johnny Anzalone, will leave guests balanced and strengthened while the more intense fitness workouts by Frank Baptiste of FranklyFitness, will combine strength, flexibility, cardio exercise and core training. Fitness Immersion Retreat : 8-12 May and Revitalise, Refresh, Renew Yoga 8-12 June ; 12-16 June 2013.

    SENSE Cliff-Top Spa Experience
    Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea Sense Spa’s dramatic setting with 360° views is unparalleled. Using therapeutic practices and progressive concepts in health and wellness, lots of the treatments fuse the indigenous botanical resources proliferating in the grounds of the resort with traditional, spiritual and physical healing arts. Sample treatments include: Little Dix Bay Signature Ritual, Virgin Gorda Goat Milk & Honey Wrap, “The Baths” Hot Stone Therapy and Seaside Sedation Massage.

    A haven for sports enthusiasts
    Hiking – guests can see the right of the region from considered one of Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s hiking trails – Cow Hill Trail winds behind the spa at the west side of the resort and gives spectacular views of the bay and around the marina, whilst The Savannah Bay trail starts on the eastern end of the resort and gives a more rigorous and lengthily trail where the “reward” is a refreshing dip within the ocean at Savannah Bay.

    Tennis – having hosted the Legends Tennis Camp in association with Necker Island and Premier Tennis Travel last December, Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s luxurious tennis facility comprises three artificial grass courts and 4 hard courts at the doorstep of a powerful state-of-the-art indoor gym.

    Diving at Rosewood Little Dix Bay – for over 25 years, Dive BVI located at the beach of the resort, has offered Scuba instruction, certification and excursions to guests at Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Dive BVI offers all levels of SSI courses from Discover Scuba to Divemaster, with the chance for certification in either Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver levels.

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  • News: World Travel Awards reveals Central & South America Nominees

    Online voting has now opened prior to the arena Travel Awards Central & South America Gala Ceremony, scheduled to occur in Peru on July 20th.

    The organisers of the awards are encouraging both trade representatives and consumers to submit votes if you want to determine those companies and organisations which excel in travel, tourism and hospitality within the combined regions.

    Eight new Awards were added to locate the leading companies and organisations at the continents, including categories similar to “Leading Romantic Resort”, “Leading National Park”, “Leading Hotel Residences”, “Leading Hotel Suite”, “Leading Airline Lounge”, “Leading Tourist Attraction”, “Leading New Hotel” and “Leading Meetings & Conference Destination”.

    World Travel Awards is celebrating a landmark 20th year because the Oscars of the travel industry in 2013.

    At the Central & South American Gala Ceremony, travel, tourism and hospitality companies from 13 countries will compete for the celebrated top accolades.

    The ceremonies are widely thought to be the ideal networking opportunities inside the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international media.

    The 2013 Central & South American nominees were published here.

    Votes can also be cast here.

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  • Focus: Eco-retreats at Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

    Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading around the water out to spacious villa accommodations.

    Everywhere you look, marine life abounds. And the gleaming waters beckon. Formerly generally known as Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Gili Lankanfushi is decided at the private island of Lankanfushi within the North Malé Atoll.

    This luxury resort is simply a 20-minute speedboat ride from the International Airport at Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives. All of its 45 over-water villas, crafted in a conventional style from natural materials, reflect the harmony of life by the water’s edge.

    For ultimate privacy, guests can stay in a single of the seven Crusoe Residences or the personal Reserve, accessible only by personal boat.

    All villas at this luxurious island resort offer an individual water garden, outside bathroom, and roof-top terrace and over-water sundecks.

    The interiors recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and standard fabrics, while still offering all of the modern amenities and providing the relaxation of true luxury.

    Luxury dining is available in the shape of an individual dinner in this secluded island.

    The cuisine will whet your appetite with fresh offerings and native produce, while the extreme settings will leave an indelible impression.

    The surroundings are teeming with marine life and the resort has its own fully-equipped PADI diving school plus a number of water sports. This place tops the list of must-do destinations for those within the know.

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    “As an eco-sensitive resort, we’re committed to the rules of environmental sustainability, which plays an ideal part in Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives corporate philosophy,” said Iain McCormack, general manager of Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives. “We’ve tailored the operations of the resort around this philosophy.”

    McCormack added: “We have on staff a marine biologist, who’s liable for several ecological conservation programmes with regards to the sea. We also maintain our own organic herb and vegetable garden, which gives fresh and native ingredients utilized in the resort’s kitchens. An active recycling program of using waste for building materials is practiced.”

    Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives’ corporate responsibility extends beyond the resort’s perimeter in addition, with several programs currently active and may be continued following the name change.

    Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives marks the parent company – Hotel Properties – fifth property within the Maldives. The opposite properties inside the group are Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru; Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma; and Rihiveli Beach Resort.

    More Information

    For additional information visit the official website.

  • Hilton Worldwide adds third brand to Portuguese portfoli

    Following a succession of modern brand introductions within the Iberian Peninsula, Hilton Worldwide has announced that its DoubleTree by Hilton brand is about to reach in Portugal. The signing of a management agreement with Turismadeira SA will see Lisbon’s Fontana Park Hotel convert to DoubleTree by Hilton Lisbon – Fontana Park in summer 2013, as Hilton’s first hotel within the Portuguese capital.

    The agreement sees DoubleTree enter its thirteenth European country, having only in the near past opened its first Spanish property, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Emporda. In Portugal itself, the Lisbon property will join Conrad Algarve, which opened in autumn 2012, almost about the present Hilton Vilamoura as Cascatas Golf Resort and Spa, while Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos Resort opens next winter.

    Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice chairman of development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “This is a main coup. Not just are we bringing certainly one of Europe’s hottest hotel brands to Portugal for the primary time, we’re doing so within the capital city, while also demonstrating the strength of our portfolio with this becoming our third brand within the country.”

    Fontana Park Hotel first opened in 2008 and its impressive design quickly won plaudits, including ‘Best Interior Design’ on the European Hotel Design Awards. The hotel has 139 rooms, seven meeting rooms, two restaurants and a bar.

    John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton continues its rise as certainly one of Europe’s most well liked conversion brands and we’re thrilled to be entering certainly one of Europe’s most enticing and historic capital cities, with what’s an exquisite property.”

    Located on Rua Engenheiro Vieira da Silva, inside the northern district of town centre, the hotel benefits from excellent public transport links and is barely quarter-hour from Lisbon Portela Airport. Its proximity to 1 of the city’s main roads connects it to the historical tourist and shopping districts of Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Avenida da Liberdade and Alfama.

    As one of several oldest cities on the earth, Lisbon offers quite a number cultural, architectural and historical attractions. The Park of countries, set out along the banks of the Tagus River, is an urban space that brings together contemporary architecture, theme gardens, exhibition centers, and is a venue for diverse shows and events. It also houses Lisbon Oceanarium, among the largest marine mammal parks of its kind in Europe.

    The coast to the west of Lisbon offers further leisure destinations, including the resorts of Estoril and Cascais, plus the historic and cultural town of Sintra.

    Once converted, the hotel will feature the brand’s signature welcome with a warm chocolate chip cookie presented to each guest at check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services, and a special and caring team member commitment to the local people.

    Joaquim Justino, Chairman of Turismadeira SA, said, “This partnership provides a superb opportunity for this wonderful property to profit from the worldwide reach and operational expertise of 1 of the world`s strongest hotel brands. Located in an exhilarating and increasingly vibrant area of Lisbon, the DoubleTree by Hilton Fontana Park is destined for popularity with both corporate and leisure guests alike and we strongly believe that Hilton Worldwide would be capable of make our jewel shine much more in future.”

    Guests of DoubleTree by Hilton Lisbon – Fontana Park will benefit from the benefits of the area-class guest reward programme Hilton HHonors®, the single hotel loyalty programme that lets members earn both points and miles together.

    European countries where DoubleTree by Hilton is either trading or has a property under development include; Uk; Ireland; Netherlands; Luxembourg; Spain; Portugal; Italy; Greece; Poland; Romania; Slovakia; Turkey; and Russia.

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  • News: DoubleTree by Hilton moves into South Africa

    Hilton Worldwide has announced the official opening of the 1st DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in South Africa – the 183-room DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside.

    Owned and operated by Upper Eastside Hotel under a franchise license agreement, the newly renovated, upscale full-service property is found in Cape Town’s upcoming district of Woodstock, a dynamic area that is home to an abundance of trendy art galleries, boutiques, music bars and stylish restaurants.

    The hotel becomes the fifth Hilton Worldwide property in South Africa and the third DoubleTree by Hilton in Africa.

    John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton said: “I am delighted we’re making our debut in South Africa in such an inspiring location and with a property that may both impress and pleasure. 

    “The newly upgraded DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside offers superb facilities in a city so that you can help to increase our commitment to welcome the world’s travellers to key destinations.”

    Accommodation ranges from executive rooms and suites to luxury, two-storey duplex loft rooms located at the penthouse floor with panoramic views of the city’s best known landmarks.

    With both business and leisure guests in mind, DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside offers quite a lot of amenities, including nine meeting rooms, a 350 -capacity function room and 24-hour fitness and business centres.

    Discerning guests enjoy Liberty’s Restaurant with its seasonal á la carte fusion-style menu created by executive chef Simon Kemp.

    Kemp is renowned for his professional creativity and a spotlight to detail. Guests and locals who want to unwind can visit the eStreet Bar and Lounge, that is open for cocktails and drinks every evening until 1am, with live entertainment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa said: “Today’s opening is a major milestone for Hilton Worldwide as we underline our commitment to tourism development in South Africa and broaden visitor choice by bringing our third brand and our fifth hotel to this growing market. 

    “Cape Town, particularly, is an award winning city of adventure, gastronomy and cultural attractions and currently one of the popular destination resorts in Africa.”

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