April 26th, 2012
HIGHLY REGARDED BOUTIQUE PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM SEEKS TALENTED ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
We are looking for several executives to help promote our amazing roster of high end hotels, spas, beauty and luxury goods. Candidate will have two to six years agency experience publicizing luxury hotels and beauty products. Experience in other luxury goods sectors will also be considered. Position requires a dependable, thoroughly organized, resourceful, creative thinker with a genuine and positive attitude. A love of pitching creative stories to a receptive roster of media and editors a must. Experience in forging luxury brand partnerships a plus.
Must be capable of managing and overseeing multiple tasks/projects and have proven experience working with media and generating coverage for clients. Our staff is organized so that everyone pitches in; the person we are looking for shall be willing to take over responsibility for several clients and projects, and see things through to completion. Excellent writing skills, excellent contacts and reputation, attention to detail, and the appreciation of a warm, team-oriented work atmosphere are necessary.
Salary commensurate with experience. Health benefits. 401 K.
Applications will be accepted via email only. Please write to prresponse10011@yahoo.com, include your resume and any appropriate writing samples.
April 24th, 2012
Park Hyatt
- Rain or shine, this is one event that no one wants to miss. On April 26, 2012, as part of the 2012 Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, Park Hyatt Seoul will be offering a Korean ethnic earthenware Onggi class followed by a reception and full course dinner with exclusive, locally-produced caviar and sturgeon complemented by an excellent wine selection.
Anantara
- Make downtime fun in Thailand with Anantara activities: chef-led Thai cooking class and market tours at Anantara Lawana on Koh Samui, 120 minutes of bliss with the Pearl of Andaman signature treatment at Anatara Phuket Villas’s Anantara Spa, a Floral Foot Ritual, Traditional Chinese Herbal Back Massage, and Pearl Facial.
Crystal Cruises
- Take advantage of a rainy day at sea to try an onboard enrichment program at Crystal’s Creative Learning Institute. Take a crash course in a foreign language with Berlitz, taste wine with the Society of Wine Educators, or create a work of art with Crystal’s Masterpeice Art Program, the most comprehensive art program at sea.
La Réserve Ramatuelle
- April marks the re-opening of La Réserve Ramatuelle. Dedicated to health, the hotel has indoor and outdoor fitness options that include an indoor pool and a fitness center with Technogym equiptment – guests can stay fit rain or shine! In April, La Réserve is offering the third night free for any reservation of two nights!
Geejam Hotel
- While it might be raining outside, at Geejam it’s always jammin’ no matter the weather. The hotel has its own recording studio where guests can learn the recording process and record a track on the mic.
Orient-Express
- Rain is a fact of life in Scotland; lucky for us, the Scots have had centuries to figure out how to make the best of it. Orient-Express’ The Royal Scotsman’s new season is sure to entertain during April showers with elegant Scottish dinners, breathtaking views, and the quiet comforts of private Edwardian-style carriages.
One&Only Ocean Club
Park Hyatt Tokyo
- Stay high and dry on the 41st floor while indulging in some sweet temptations. Every weekday afternoon, the Peak Lounge offers a tea plate and sweets buffet showcasing quintessential Japanese confections, such as warabi mochi sprinkled generously in sweet toasted kinako and a panna cotta accented with sakura sauce and macaron.
The Wauwinet
- Borrow The Wauwinet’s complimentary Hunter Boots to explore Nantucket on a rainy afternoon. Watch the storm roll into the bay or take a short walk to the Whaling Museum and check out the 46-foot skeleton of a sperm whale that washed ashore in 1998.
Le Pavillon des Lettres
- Take advantage of the rain and catch up on your reading. There’s no better place than the intimately luxurious Le Pavillon de Lettres, Paris’ first literary hotel. Guests can curl up by the fireplace or read from one of the hotel’s many iPads, loaded with international bestsellers, in the privacy of their rooms.
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
- Let the rain be your excuse to take a break from the outdoor activities available at the Victoria-Jungfrau and indulge in the signature treatment at the hotel’s ESPA Spa, the authentic Swiss Alpine herb poultice massage. The herbal foot ritual, full-body poultice massage, and relaxing head and scalp massage are guaranteed to relax you from head to toe.
Guinot
- When rain has one homebound, get that face ready for summer. Start with a gentle exfoliation with Gommage Grain d’Eclat, follow with quick swipe of refreshing Lotion Hydra Fraîcheur toner, and finish off with 10 minutes of the smooth and gentle Hydra Sensitive Face Mask (voted Best Overall Face Mask by NewBeauty).
ESPA
- Rainy days and Mondays get you down? Make the best of an April shower and take a “Spa-Cation” at the Peninsula Spa. This includes a 60-minute ESPA massage, a special lunch, and complimentary use of the pool and fitness center.
Inn on the Alameda
- Let it rain, let it rain!!! While rainfall in Santa Fe is negligible, when it does rain, it pours! Take shelter in the Inn’s cozy Agoyo Room and enjoy a Turquoise Margarita or a New Mexican wine while sitting in front of the roaring fire.
Shakti
- While April showers are nourishing the earth, Shakti guests can nourish their souls by sitting in meditation with Buddhist monks in a Sikkimese monastery, meeting with a real medicine man in a remote Ladakhi village house, or creating a bespoke itinerary featuring customized adventures.
Royal Mansour Marrakech
- April showers may be cold and dull, but traditional Moroccan hammams are not! At 27,000 square feet, Royal Mansour’s two-story spa features thirteen treatment rooms, a fitness center, gymnastics area, a salon, two hammams, and an indoor swimming pool. Try out their signature Slimming Body Massage to prepare for the summer ahead!
Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens
- A little rain never spoils the party in Costa Rica! Don’t fret – the almost-daily showers usually don’t last more than a few minutes, leaving just enough time to sample a sommelier-selected assortment of 33 South American wines and Latin American tapas at Nostalgia Wine Bar at Nayara, near the Arenal Volcano in the heart of the rainforest.
April 16th, 2012
Image courtesy of WakeUpWorld.com
Everyone seems to be talking about the new “Chocolate Diet”, including The New York Times. With a new study showing that people who eat chocolate frequently have lower body mass indexes than those who it less often, we’re all about indulging our sweet tooth – in moderation of course. Here are some of our favorite places to satisfy a chocolate craving and stay healthy.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
The sweetest way to satisfy a sweet tooth? A trip to the Santa Fe Chocolate Trail, of course! The Inn on the Alameda even offers a special “Check Into Chocolate” package. Designed to let you sample the unique hand-crafted delicacies created by the talented chocolatiers of the City Different, this tasty package won’t break the bank or your waistline. With rates starting at $340, this package includes:
- Two (2) nights in a traditional Queen or King Room or a Deluxe King accommodation
- Daily continental breakfast
- Daily afternoon wine hour
- Four (4) $10 gift certificates, one each to sample some of the individual creations found on the Chocolate Trail at Todos Santos, Kakawa Chocolate House, The Chocolatesmith, and C.G. Higgins
- Four (4) melt-in-your mouth bolitos, the signature chocolates from Señor Murphy, Santa Fe’s first local chocolatier, upon arrival
- One (1) $30 gift certificate to dine at the Chocolate Maven, purveyor of some of the tasty treats found in the Inn’s Breakfast of Enchantment, serving high tea Monday through Saturday from 3-5pm
London
Since November, London’s famed boutique hotel, The Halkin, offers Couture Chocolate Afternoon Tea. The concept was created by William Curley, four-time winner of ‘Britain’s Best Chocolatier,’ for The Halkin as part of the hotel’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The exclusive new menu gives traditional afternoon tea an unexpected twist and is to be found in the hotel’s newly-transformed lobby bar, the Assouline Culture Lounge, showcasing coffee table books from the renowned book publisher, Assouline. In addition to the English teatime classic of freshly-made scones with clotted cream and jams and a selection of sandwiches, guests can choose from William Curley’s à la carte selection, that includes a Chocolate Financier with Passion Fruit Curd and a Sea Salt Caramel and Raspberry Tart. Priced from £37.50 per person, the tea is available daily between 3 and 6pm.
Bangkok
Located on the ground floor of the newly opened Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa, Numero Uno is a chocolate lover’s paradise. The boutique features over 100 types of chocolate, mouthwatering cakes, and delectable pastries made from raw ingredients imported from Europe. Visitors can also enjoy rich coffees and a selection of indulgent hot chocolates. Deli-style sandwiches along with Asian and Western cuisine make Numero Uno a perfect place to stop for an afternoon snack or a late-night treat.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Chef Fred Bisaillon, the Executive Chef at the White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill, has created a delicious and satisfying dessert. Using a decadent combination of rich dark chocolate and sweet fruit, the restaurant’s Cranberry, Pecan, and Orange Chocolate Clusters are easy to make and the perfect solution for a sweet tooth.
Recipe:
- 1 lb dark chocolate
- 1-1/2 cups pecan pieces
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- Zest of 2 oranges
Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl using 25-50% power, stirring every 25 seconds until melted but not burned. Remove from microwave and stir in cranberries and nuts, then orange zest. Using two spoons, drop spoonfuls onto a greased baking dish one at a time. Allow to rest in refrigerator until solid, about 15 minutes. Pull out pan and release clusters from it with thin knife or spatula.
On the Seven Seas
At least once on every sailing, Crystal Cruises hosts a special Chocolate Tea Time held in the charming sunlit Palm Court on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Guests can enjoy delicious savories and sweets accompanied with Might Leaf teas, the world’s finest whole tea leaf served in special silk pouches. Some of the chocolate temptations offered include Ganache cake, rings, and tartelettes; chocolate crème brûlée; chocolate éclairs; chocolate fudge cake; chocolate whiskey tart; chocolate pyramids and chocolate roulade. Yummm!
March 1st, 2012
Vacations are usually a time for indulgence. A time when travelers don’t want to worry about how many calories are in that dessert, or when they’ll find time away from the rays to use the resort’s state-of-the-art gym. Instead, most days are spent horizontally on a beach with a good book. But what happens on that last day of vacation when the bikini fits a little snugger? Resorts are offering low-cal choices for holiday revelers, and at Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa in Bali, guests can indulge in delicious, health conscious meals, like the Garden Vegetable Terrine featured on BeatMag.com. Of course, Thai BBQ is also an option for protein-seekers, there’s always a game of beach soccer or yoga to burn off those extra calories.
February 13th, 2012
Ladakh, the Land of High Passes, is a high altitude desert spanning the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges and the upper Indus River Valley. Known as ‘Little Tibet,’ the region is culturally and anthropologically tied to Tibet. Renowned for its remote mountain beauty and distinguishing culture, Ladakh is one of the most picturesque places on earth.
Shakti operates bespoke walking tours and homestays throughout the Himalayan region and offers customized, private itineraries for guests to experience the breathtaking beauty of this remote wilderness with a full range of activities including village-to-village walks, treks, visits to monasteries, camping, and rafting along the Shayok and Indus rivers. Shakti Ladakh is open from May 1 to September 30, when the region’s weather is gorgeous and humidity-free, making it the perfect alternative to the sticky heat that envelops the rest of India.
On daily walks, guests can pass by ancient villages, forgotten valleys, and high-altitude flora and fauna such as ibex, yaks, and marmots, with local porters and guides to assist along the way. Nights are spent in cozy, village houses built in the traditional Ladakhi fashion using sun baked mud bricks and wooden beams, which give an instant authenticity and charm. Last season, Shakti renovated three more village houses, adding six to the Ladakh experience. Accommodations, using only local craftsmen and materials, remain simple to optimize comfort.
River rafting along the Indus and Zanskar rivers is included in Shakti Ladakh’s itinerary and is a wonderful way to explore the region. Both rivers are fed by glaciers, and rafting is varied with rapids ranging from Class 1 to 4. During the rafting portion of the experience, guests sleep in fully-inclusive tents suited to maximize comfort.
Season: Shakti Ladakh’s season begins May 1 to September 30, 2012
Rates: A six-day, seven-night Shakti Ladakh experience is $3,898 per person, based on two adults sharing, and includes private accommodation in village houses on a fully inclusive basis: all meals and beverages, activities, an accompanying English-speaking guide, private chef, support guide and porters, car at disposal, and taxes and return transfers between Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong and Bagdogra and village houses. Flights are not included.
Stakmo to Eego Four-Day Trek: This three-night, four-day trek through the unexplored valleys and villages on the north side of the Indus Valley can be added on to any Shakti Ladakh itinerary. On daily treks, five to six hours in length, guests will experience trekking along some of the highest ridgelines as they traverse from west to east across the northern side of the Indus Valley. Enjoy daily picnics in some of the most stunning valleys and picturesque river settings the Ladakh region has to offer, while evenings are left to explore villages and camp out under the stars in comfortable, domed canvas tents.
For onward travel to Bhutan or throughout India, Shakti’s sister company, Banyan Tours & Travels, offers customized itineraries and ground arrangements.
For additional information: Shakti, www.shaktihimalaya.com
Traveler Inquiries: 1-866-401-3705
January 27th, 2012
Newly engaged Chrissy Teigen and John Legend; Anantara Kihavah Villas. Photos courtesy of gatagat.com; Anantara Resorts & Spas.
Of course you know that John Legend proposed to Chrissy Teigen in the Maldives, but do you know at what resort? It is no secret that the island nations of the Maldives, taking the #27 spot on The New York Times’ “45 Places to Go in 2012” list, is a hotbed for celebrities. But with over 80 different resorts throughout the necklace of islands, where are they all hiding?
Well, we’ve spotted supermodel Chrissy Teigen with R&B musician John Legend, soccer stud Cristiano Ronaldo, tennis champion Roger Federer, and British bombshell Jenny Frost all at the luxurious Anantara Kihavah Villas. Whether they spent their time relaxing on the white-sand beaches, picking up a few tips from a cooking class at Salt, sipping on some bubbly at the underwater restaurant, Sea, or popping the question à la John Legend, it is clear that this resort is hot on the celebrity circuit! Whether you are a star or starlet, or just like to pretend that you are, all guests of Anantara Kihavah Villas receive five-star treatment.
January 25th, 2012
Crazy Horse Cabaret, the avant-garde icon of provocative Parisian nightlife, continues the celebration of its 60th anniversary with Le Pavillon des Lettres, extending an invitation to see the show and get a room. In a perfect marriage of the arts (literature and burlesque go hand in hand, non?), the literary hotel and the legendary theater are offering a package that includes amour-inducing accommodations, VIP tickets to Crazy Horse’s 60th anniversary celebration show, Désir, and some take-home memorabilia.
In order to get the most bang for your burlesque buck, we suggest some pre-Paris homework… In a documentary showing at the Film Forum in New York City now through Tuesday, February 7, and currently available anytime, anywhere on Netflix, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman has captured the mystique of the most famous nude dance show in the world with “Crazy Horse: Désir.” Wiseman’s new film takes a behind-the-scenes look at the painstaking creation, grueling rehearsals, and ultimate unveiling of the 60th anniversary show.
Radiating the timeless elegance of Paris, Le Pavillon des Lettres features 26 intimate rooms, each dedicated to a letter of the alphabet that pays homage to corresponding French and international literary geniuses. A stay in a room named for, and decorated with the works of such writers of passion and romance as F for Flaubert (Madame Bovary), S for Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet), or T for Tolstoy (Anna Karenina) is sure to enhance the experience.
This offer includes :
- Deluxe Room accommodations
- Daily breakfast
- Two VIP tickets to Crazy Horse
- Crazy Horse photo book
- Rates start at 440 euros per night ($570 USD)
- Valid for travel now through December 31, 2012
- Minimum two-night stay; based on double occupancy
For additional information visit:
www.pavillondeslettres.com or call +33 (0)1 49 24 26 26
December 8th, 2011
There’s a reason Angel and Collins from our favorite musical, Rent, wanted to leave New York to open a restaurant in Santa Fe. The City Different was recently voted one of the Top Ten US Food Destinations by TripAdvisor! Now you can learn to cook like a Santa Fean chef at the charming Inn on the Alameda, recently named one of Condé Nast’s Top 200 Hotels, with the Taste the City Different Package. Led by a chef from the Santa Fe Cooking School, guests will take an afternoon tour of the city with four stops at unique dining destinations, where they can taste the menus, meet the chefs and owners, and learn about the eclectic mix of old and new that defines the region’s distinctive cuisine. The package also includes a cooking class, where guests will learn how to throw some southwestern flair into their kitchens at home.
January to April, 2012 dates are:
January – 1/19-21
February – 2/2-4; 2/9-11; 2/16-18; and 2/23-25
March – 3/1-3; 3/8-10; 3/15-17; 3/22-25; and 3/29-31
April – 4/5-7; 4/12-14; 4/19-21; and 4/26-28
So jump on the bandwagon, and find out for yourself why everyone is talking about Santa Fe!
To see if your favorite U.S. hotel made the list, click here!
November 10th, 2011
Well, today we found him at the “top of Europe”, at Jungfraujoch’s Sphinx Observatory, located 11,745 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps. Most well-known for as the setting for the 1969 James Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, Mr. Lauer arrived by train to the highest railway station in Europe this morning.
Accessible only by cable car, the Swiss Alps are an outdoor sports enthusiasts’ dream come true. The majestic mountain peaks offer the world’s best Alpine skiing and snowboarding, as well as some incredible lower altitude activities on the crystal clear mountain lakes, such as boating and ice skating. Besides the vast array of activities available in the Alps, it is also incredible just to sit with a glass of champagne and enjoy the extraordinary scenery. From the glittering snow-capped peaks to the impossibly blue lakes, it is a sight to be seen at least once in a lifetime.
The Alps stretch through France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia; but we found Mr. Lauer in Interlaken, Switzerland, the home of the beautiful Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa.
Read more about Matt’s Swiss adventures here and be sure to stay tuned to see where Matt will be tomorrow!
October 31st, 2011
Do you have a passion for travel? Are you just as interested in the finer things in life as you are in the cool and the quirky? Are you a creative thinker with a genuine and positive attitude, and a can-do spirit? Are you dependable and organized?
Here at Alice Marshall Public Relations we are looking for an account executive to join our New York-based team. If you answered “Yes!” to all of the above, and have 2-4 years of public relations experience promoting luxury hotels, resorts, spas, and/or luxury goods, then we want to hear from you!
The candidate must be capable of handling multiple tasks/projects and have proven experience working with the media and generating coverage for clients. Our staff is organized so that everyone pitches in; the person we are looking for should be collaborative and capable of taking on responsibility for client projects and seeing them through to completion. Excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and the appreciation of a warm, team-oriented work atmosphere are necessary.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain regular direct contact with clients and journalists
- Actively contribute to the development of client PR plans and projects
- Demonstrate ability to effectively develop full range of written materials including press releases, pitches, client correspondence, and reports
- Social media management and maintenance for our clients
- Develop and maintain editorial/journalistic/media relationships
- Organize and host press trips
- Oversee monthly client reports
Qualifications:
- BA in Liberal Arts, English, journalism, or related subject
- 2-4 years of public relations experience in promoting luxury hotels and goods
- Strong media relations skills and contacts
- Strong and creative writing skills
- Able to juggle many projects at once and to prioritize
- Adept at social media; familiar with Cision
Other:
- Languages a plus, as are internships for hotels, spas, and beauty brands
- Strong interest in the world, travel, culture, etc.
- Passion for all types of news; ability to spot trends; curiosity a big plus
- MUST live in New York
Salary negotiable. 401K/403B program. Health coverage.
For immediate consideration, please email your resume and cover letter describing relevant experience and interests, along with writing samples (a pitch letter, blog post, and press release) to prresponse11@gmail.com