May 11th, 2012
The Wauwinet, White Elephant
Celebrate Nantucket Island’s rich literary past, present, and future at the island’s first Nantucket Book Festival, June 15 – 17. The weekend’s celebration will include panel discussions, readings for adults and children, pig roast at Cisco Brewery, and opportunities to meet notable authors in person, plus much more.
A handful of local Nantucket authors will be participating including Elin Handbrand, whose books are ideal beach reads, Nancy Thayer, author of 21 novels with her latest Heat Wave due out in June, and Nathaniel Philbrick, New York Times bestselling author of seagoing books.
Stroll down Broad Street and pop into Nantucket Bookworms to buy a book for your literary-themed weekend. (May we suggest Moby Dick?). Rest your head at The Wauwinet or at the White Elephant, both which offer cozy libraries – perfect for leafing through your new book, with a complimentary glass of port of sherry in hand.
To book overnight accommodations, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com.
For more information about the Nantucket Book Festival, click here.
April 30th, 2012
Balance your mind, body, and spirit at the island’s first Nantucket Yoga Festival, July 26 – 28. The weekend celebration is chock full of wellbeing classes, lectures, seminars and yoga (of course)!
Workshops and classes will be held at Bartlett’s Farm, Nantucket’s oldest and largest family farm. The Festival is offering an amazing array of classes with experiences including:
- Silence in Symmetry: Learn hidden techniques of movement and breathing that will create the dynamic stillness that ancient yogis claimed was our original nature.
- Yoga for Athletes: Understand various styles of yoga asana and pranayama for sport-specific performance and longevity.
- The Secret to Radiant Health, Ayurveda: Learn the difference between Ayurvdea and modern medicine and how they complement each other.
- Reclaim Your Life Force: Combine an all-levels vinyasa flow class and various pranayama exercises to awaken the inner body and clear the mind.
For a complete schedule of activities, click here.
In between channeling your chakras, unwind at Nantucket Island Resorts for the weekend, which includes the new Inn at the White Elephant Village opening mid-June. Round out your weekend of wellness with a rejuvenating treatment at Wauwinet’s Spa by the Sea or the White Elephant Spa.
Day and full weekend passes are available starting at $125 per day. For more information, tickets, and a full schedule, visit www.nantucketyogafestival.com/.
To book overnight accommodations, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com. Rates start at $450 per night.
April 18th, 2012
Photos courtesy of Inc.com and Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises is surely doing their part to help make the world a better place. It all started in January 2011, when they introduced the “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program where guests and crew can be directly involved in worthwhile causes in the destinations they visit, including opportunities such as assisting with poverty relief, education, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and more. In May, Arun Gandhi joins guests aboard Crystal Symphony for a Iberian Peninsula sailing.
Few names in world history evoke such powerful images of integrity, courage, social harmony, and – perhaps most of all – hope. Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace-maker and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi. A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities, and corporate and civic organizations. His unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world. Arun is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history’s most influential leaders.
From May 9 – 21, 2012, join Gandhi aboard Crystal Symphony’s ”Iberian Journey“ sailing from Barcelona to London, with calls in Mallorca/Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and Málaga, Spain; Tangiers, Morocco; Lisbon and Oporto/Leixoes, Portugal; and Bordeaux, France. You too can help make the world a better place!
April 12th, 2012
For those of us who aren’t familiar with Songkran, this Thai holiday is celebrated as the traditional New Year’s Day from April 13-15. Thais and tourists alike take to the streets to participate in the cleansing celebration of “throwing water,” which has been ushered into modernity with Super Soakers, garden hoses, and water balloons… So ditch those dry-clean-only clothes at the hotel!
For many, Songkran is also a holy time to pay respects to family, elders, and monks. And to commemorate the fresh start of the New Year, many Buddhists will “cleanse” Buddha images and shrines in their households with a water mixture infused with Thai aromatics.
To our great friends in Thailand, we wish you a happy and prosperous 2566th New Year!
April 6th, 2012
The annual Nantucket Film Festival will take place on idyllic Nantucket Island June 20 – 24, and will feature an expanded lineup of films and programs. Celebrating its 17th year, the Nantucket Film Festival is one of the premiere destination film festivals in the world offering preview screenings and signature discussions.
Ben Stiller returns to present the All-Star Comedy Roundtable. The conversation series, “In their Shoes,” will be hosted by journalist Chris Matthews; and Glee’s Mike O’Malley will lead “Late Night Story Telling.” Jerry Seinfeld and Seth Meyers are but two of the star-studded names who have taken part in previous years’ events. The five-day event also features family film tickets starting at $10 per person. More guest and film announcements will be made on April 24.
Stay tuned for weekend packages including tickets and accommodations from the White Elephant, which has been a major sponsor of the Nantucket Film Festival and was recently voted Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 200 Best Hotels in the U.S.”. Packages will also be offered at other Nantucket Island Resort properties: White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, Jared Coffin House, and The Wauwinet.
To purchase tickets visit www.NantucketFilmFestival.org or to book a stay visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com.
April 5th, 2012
The Nantucket Wine Festival, one of the nation’s most celebrated wine and food events, returns to Nantucket for the 16th year, May 17-20, 2012. A mecca for winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike, the Festival is filled with special events including celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, tastings, seminars, symposia, auctions, a special charity gala, and receptions.
The White Elephant, Nantucket’s landmark hotel, plays host to many of the wine festival events and is offering a weekend package alongside its sister hotels, The Wauwinet, and White Elephant Hotel Residences.
“Enthusiast Package” at White Elephant and White Elephant Hotel Residences
(Sunday Night Only)
- Accommodation at the White Elephant or White Elephant Hotel Residences
- Two tickets to Grand Tasting at the Nantucket Yacht Club
- Rates: From $300 at White Elephant and $500 at White Elephant Hotel Residences
“Connoisseur Package” at The Wauwinet
(Thursday – Sunday)
- Three-night accommodations at The Wauwinet
- Two tickets to Harbor Gala
- Dinner for two at TOPPER’S
- Two tickets to Grand Tasting at the Nantucket Yacht Club
- Brunch for two at TOPPER’S
- Rates: from $2,200 for three nights
“Aficionado Package” at White Elephant Hotel Residences
(Thursday – Sunday)
- Two-night accommodations at White Elephant Hotel Residences
- Two tickets to the Harbor Gala at the White Elephant Hotel
- Dinner for two at Brant Point Grill
- Two tickets to Grand Tasting at the Nantucket Yacht Club
- Rates: From $2,200 for two nights
“Spectator Package” at White Elephant Hotel Residences
(Friday – Sunday)
- Two-night accommodations for two couples at the White Elephant Hotel Residences
- Dinner for four at TOPPER’s
- Four tickets to Grand Tasting at the Nantucket Yacht Club
- Brunch for four at Brant Point Grill
- Rates: from $3,600 for two nights
To book online, please visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com or call 1.800.475.2637 and mention the Nantucket Wine Festival.
March 29th, 2012
From September 12-16, 2012, the Thai seaside town of Hua Hin will be taken over by some friendly giants and royalty from around the world for annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament! For the 11th year in a row, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas will host the event in an effort to raise money for their giant neighbors.
Transforming from a small two-day event to now one of Thailand’s major and internationally most loved events, elephant polo teams from all over the world will travel to Hua Hin to compete in the tournament, many of which have royal celebrity players. The event will also feature a grand opening parade in Hua Hin town center, a Tournament Draw & Cocktail Party at the Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, a celebrity Grand Auction Gala dinner, and end of tournament celebrations on the field.
Fundraising from last year’s events has been donated to three projects in Thailand. The first is to continue to support research and clinics using elephants in therapy sessions for children in Thailand living with autism. In addition, the money raised has also been used to launch the first and only elephant hospital in southern Thailand, as a human-elephant conflict project between between Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) and the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) charity who works in a wildlife reserve in Kanchanaburi.
For more information on this year’s King’s Cup Elephant Polo, please visit www.anantaraelephantpolo.com
March 23rd, 2012
What better place is there to celebrate Easter than beautiful, spring flower-speckled Nantucket Island? Rates are low, crowds are yet to arrive, and there’s a decadent Easter brunch at White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill.
What: Brunch and Raw Bar
When: Sunday, April 8 10am-3pm
Events: Easter egg hunts at 11am and 2pm
Price: $42 for adults, $21 for children
Stay: Rates at Jared Coffin House start at $90/night
Why: Indulge in custom omelets, a waffle station, carving stations, entrees, seafood, salads, and special Kids Corner. While enjoying the best brunch on the island (according the Inquirer & Mirror), adults can sit back and enjoy the harbor view while sipping sybaritic cocktails like the famous Lobster Bloody Mary while kiddies scamper on the lawn filling their baskets with Easter eggs.
March 19th, 2012
A trip to Nantucket doesn’t have to break the bank – Nantucket Island Resorts offers fantastic rates this spring and summer with their Hot Dates, Cool Rates. Think sun-filled days at the beach and evening clambakes on the dock!
Book a room with the Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion and receive a dinner credit ($25 on $100 spend, or $50 on $150 spend) and two $25 spa treatment credits.
The Hot Dates, Cool Rates offer for 2012:
- Jared Coffin House from $125 | Relax at this historic inn just steps away from Nantucket’s Main Street
- The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin from $175 | Admire stunning views of the harbor and spend time with man’s best friend at the WOOF Cottages, the Cottages’ pet-friendly accommodations.
- White Elephant from $195 | Sip on delicious cocktails on the lawn overlooking the harbor, stroll the cobblestone streets and shop downtown.
- The Wauwinet from $225 | Retreat from the bustle of the town and take a trip to Great Point Lighthouse (located at the very tip of the island with no other soul in sight).
- White Elephant Hotel Residences from $350 | Enjoy all of the complimentary extras that the Residences offers, including access to the hotel’s private swimming pool (in season) and complimentary bicycles.
To book online, visit the website of the Nantucket Island Resorts property of your choice and enter the booking code HOV, or call 800.ISLANDS (800.475.2637) or 508.325.1000 and mention booking code HOV.
February 27th, 2012
Royal Mansour Marrakech will welcome local Moroccan artist Hicham Benohoud starting March 3. Born in Marrakech, Benohoud bases his work on the familial, religious, and hierarchical structures of his culture.
Benohoud’s exhibit, entitled La Salle de Classe, features striking black and white photos of local students during the school day. The images reflect the provocative sensibility that permeates much of his work. Despite their haunting quality, the images in La Salle de Classe are beautiful, otherworldly, and not to be missed.
This exhibit is part of the property’s ongoing commitment to showcasing top local artists. These temporary exhibits join the hotel’s permanent art collection of over 80 contemporary Moroccan artists. The artwork is dotted among the hotel’s public spaces and private riads, seamlessly blending with the stunning Moroccan décor.
For more information about Royal Mansour Marrakech, please visit their new website, www.royalmansour.com.
About Royal Mansour Marrakech
From the black marble road leading to the entrance to the 500 staff members, Royal Mansour is everything short of staying at a palace. Built into the media wall, the expansive property covers over eight acres, comprising 53 individual riads, the product of exquisite handiwork. Extravagantly luxe, each riad (ranging in size from 1,400 square feet to 19,375 square feet) showcases Moroccan splendor: hand-done tile work and mosaics cover courtyard floors and riad walls while interiors are furnished with handcrafted wood and antique furniture. The top local craftsmen were recruited, and their level of skill and attention to detail literally make the property a work of art. Royal Mansour Marrakech was carefully designed to represent traditional aesthetics. The 53 riads are true to the classic riad style, configured around a central, open-air courtyard with few openings to the outside. Around this is a bar, living area, and, in some cases, a dining room; first floors house bedrooms that overlook the private courtyard below; and roof terraces with sun beds and private pools provide stunning views of Marrakech or the Atlas mountains. The estate’s landscape is dotted with imported ancient palm and olive trees ranging in age from three to seven centuries in addition to grenadine trees surrounding the entrance and orange trees outside the spa. The spa is 27,000 square feet and has 13 treatment rooms, which include six rooms for a specific treatment, three spa suites and four multi-purpose cabins. The spa also contains a fitness center, a gymnastics area for Pilates and Yoga, a salon, and an indoor swimming pool. Additionally there are two Hammams (ladies and gentlemen) each with three areas (hot, warm and cold in each). One also has a water bath, and another has a balneotherapy tub and a yoga space. Products lines include Maroc Maroc, Dr. Hauschka, and Sisley. The two main fine-dining restaurants represent the predominant cultures in Morocco: Moroccan, of course, and French. La Grande Table Marocaine is draped in honeyed tones, with low seats and benches and a soundtrack of local music. La Grande Table Française’s elegant white décor, accented with veils of silver thread and crystal chandeliers, showcases French glamour.
Rates for a full individual riad start from €1,650 per night.