April 30th, 2012
Forget the Hallmark card or the flowers and take Mom away for a real treat. We’ve put together some suggestions for a Mother’s Day she won’t soon forget.
Where: One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico
What: Get Mom a weekend of spa treatments in paradise.
When: Mother’s Day Weekend
Why Mom will love it: Mothers and daughters can unwind in the privacy of a double Spa villa at the ESPA spa complete with private garden, rain showers, outdoor Mexican daybeds, and whirlpool baths to relax in after a treatment. Special for the weekend are Mother-Daughter Soul-to-Soul moments ($640 for two) that include a Mother-Daughter yoga or salsa experience, an ESPA age-defying radiance facial or intensive facial, a spa lunch, and full use of the heat experience and relaxation area, or the Enduring Memory Mother’s Day Experience ($355) with a two-hour holistic body ritual, an in-villa 30-minute experience including a foot ritual, bath, and relaxation time, a spa lunch, and full use of the heat experience and relaxation areas. And all of this with her now favorite child.
Where: Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe, New Mexico
What: Show Mom how much you care by sending her to the welcoming Inn on the Alameda for a weekend of adult-only relaxation.
When: Mothers Day Weekend
Why Mom will love it: With the Please Your Parents Package, Mom and Dad can enjoy a weekend away from the kids in Deluxe Accommodations at the Inn, including the Inn’s signature continental breakfast, afternoon wine hour, and one box of yummy bizcochitos, the official New Mexico state cookie.
Rate: Nightly rate is $220 plus tax per room per night. With a regular rate of $270 plus tax, this package has $50 nightly savings and applies to the Inn’s Deluxe Rooms only. The stay must include Mother’s Day, Sunday May 13, 2012, but there is no minimum night stay requirement. The offer is subject to hotel availability.
Where: The Peninsula Spa, New York
What: An amazing ESPA “Spa-Cation” without leaving the island
When: Perfect for the week before or after Mother’s Day
Why Mom will love it: Play hooky and take your mama out! Without hopping on planes trains, or automobiles, have a spa-cation right in the city. You and mom can indulge in a 60-minute treatment, a special lunch, and complimentary use of the pool and fitness center. It’s available Monday-Thursday for $285 per person.
Where: White Elephant and Brant Point Grill, Nantucket, Massachusetts
What: Breakfast in bed is a nice gesture, but we bet Mom will enjoy the “Best Brunch on the Island” even more!
When: Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Why Mom will love it: From the Benedict Burger to the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, a Sparkling Station for mimosas, and a brand new tapas station, this brunch is complete with all of Mom’s favorites.
Rate: Brant Point Grill’s Mother’s Day Brunch is $55 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6-12 and $5 for kids ages 3-5. Combine your brunch with a stay at White Elephant and enjoy special Hot Dates Cool Rates, starting at $195 per night.
Where: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Avon, Colorado
What: Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, this luxury chateau-style resort features many amenities, including the 30,000 square-foot Allegria Spa, with a full-service fitness center, slopeside pool and hot tubs. This world-class spa is offering the “Her Day, Her Way Mother’s Day” package, an exceptional package for moms to unwind on their special day.
When: Mothers Day, Sunday, May 13, 2012.
Why Mom will love it: Spoil Mom with an extra luxurious spa escape with the “Her Day, Her Way Mother’s Day” package that includes a 50-minute Swedish Massage; choice of one of three select treatments (25 minute Sweet Lavender Body Scrub, 30 minute Custom Facial or Express Manicure & Pedicure); champagne; take-home spa gift; and access to Aqua Sanitas, the health club, the pools and hot tubs.
Where: Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
What: Max and relax with Mom for a stress-free weekend away
When: Mothers Day Weekend
Why Mom will love it: Stress is a fact of life for mothers and daughters alike, which is why Parrot Cay has designed a Stress Management Wellness Package to target and relieve sources of tension and worry. Professional consultants will take things down a few notches with deep relaxing therapies, enlightening outdoor pursuits, and smart tips to put some of the carefree “island life” of Turks & Caicos into the home routine. Let the experienced personal fitness trainers convert pent-up stress into a productive mother-daughter workout, and follow it up with mind- and body-balancing yoga and meditation.
April 19th, 2012
Guinot’s new Gel Douche Soleil to the rescue! This NEW shower gel, made especially for bathing after sun exposure, is here just in time for Spring and Summer 2012. Sun, salt, and chlorine dry the skin, while sunscreens leave minerals behind. This shower gel has been formulated to dissolve sunscreen residues and UV filters while neutralizing the effects of chlorine and salt water. While all things relating to a day at the beach or pool tend to cause skin dehydration, so, too, do many ordinary soaps and cleansers. This after-sun superstar has Jojoba Oil to moisturize and soften, preventing dehydration and making it gentle enough for sunburned skin.
TO USE:Lather with Gel Douche Soleil in the shower to wash away sunscreens, salt, and chlorine.
Gel Douche Soleil comes in a 300ml bottle priced at $30. Guinot products are carried in over 1,000 spas and salons within the US. To locate a spa, visit www.GuinotUSA.com.
January 17th, 2012
Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com
Sailors in the Volvo Ocean Race have had quite the adventurous couple of months. After departing from their starting port in Alicante, Spain in October, they braved the treacherous Atlantic to Cape Town, Africa, narrowly avoiding potential pirate attacks in the Straight of Hormuz. From Cape Town, they set sail to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates where they arrived last Thursday to the welcoming music of Coldplay.
After several in-port races in Abu Dhabi, the boats embarked on the next leg of their journey to Sanya, China, where they can expect some surprises in the water. While sailing the Malacca Straights, the second busiest shipping channel in the world, they need to be on the lookout for logs and other debris in the water that have the potential to cause disaster.
After Sanya, they will set sail for Auckland, Australia; Itajai, Brazil; Miami, USA; Lisbon, Portugal; Lorient, France, and finally, Galway, Ireland. After approximately nine months of racing and 39,270 nautical miles, there will only be one champion in Galway. We can’t wait to find out who!
For the most up-to-date information and updates on the race, visit www.volvooceanrace.com.
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!
June 14th, 2011
Lucky fans will get the thrill of their lives upon meeting the “Queen of Suspense” herself, author Mary Higgins Clark, on Crystal Cruises’ “Beyond the Bosporus” sailing from Venice to Istanbul September 7 – 19.
Known for keeping readers on the edges of their seats, Clark will share tales of her life, her novels, and what it takes to make the suspense come to life.
Two-for-one fares start at just $7,485, and guests can save on verandah and penthouse staterooms as part of Crystal’s big fall fare sale. All bookings include air transportation from 24 North American cities and $2,000 “As You Wish” shipboard credit per couple.
Is the suspense killing you? Book today for the thrill of a lifetime!
June 13th, 2011
Considered one of the world’s greatest theatrical festivals, not to mention the longest running in France, the Festival d’Avignon marks its 64th anniversary this summer! From choreographed dances to modern plays, the festival is sure to suit any art lover’s fancy. Taking place July 2-26, with over 35 performances in the beautiful Cour d’Honneur of the Pope’s Palace and multiple other outdoor venues, it’s hard not to get lost in the location’s rich history. This year’s shows include such works as La Paranoia by Elise Vigier and Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, Child by Boris Charmatz, and I Am the Wind directed by Patrice Chereau. (Click here for a complete list of programming.) Ticket prices range from free to €38 (approximately $54), allowing everyone an opportunity to participate in this historic event!
Need a place to stay?
Hotel Crillon le Brave, a mere 26 miles away, is the perfect place for festival goers to rest their heads. The property offers seven beautifully restored 16th and 17th century stone houses, accented by cobblestone walkways and hidden courtyards. When not immersing in theatrical performances, relax back at the hotel while sipping wine at the Grange bar, pedaling through the olive groves on complimentary bikes, or joining in a cooking demonstration with new head Chef John Ellis.
The hotel’s concierge is happy to assist with transportation arrangements and booking tickets to the Festival d’Avignon. Rates start at €290 (approximately $416) per night.
June 1st, 2011
Music festivals, world-class opera, hiking, biking, museum hopping, unique culinary adventures and art shopping – Santa Fe has plenty to offer this summer! Recently nominated by Travel + Leisure as one of “America’s Favorite Cities,” Santa Fe invites travelers from around the world to dive into its unique culture and exciting history.
Right in the heart of the city is the Inn on the Alameda, a charming, cozy inn as rich in history as the city itself. Located just steps away from some of Santa Fe’s most exciting attractions, the inn maintains a secluded serenity throughout its stone courtyards and peaceful patios. Authenticity radiates from the handcrafted finishes, adobe walls and southwestern décor, reflecting the essence of “the city different.”
Whether a relaxing getaway or adventurous fun in the Southwest sun, Santa Fe has it all!
For more activities in Santa Fe, visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau web site: http://santafe.org/perl/page.cgi?g=1067
April 4th, 2011
While enjoying a round of golf on Nantucket seems to be the perfect vacation activity, red ropes at private clubs, long waits at public courses, and the relative absence of golf academies have kept island visitors from hitting the links.
Enter the Nantucket Golf Academy, offered by Nantucket Island Resorts as its answer to the golf gap on Nantucket. Packaged along with a three-day, two-night stay at the White Elephant, the Golf Academy offers a full day of instruction on the Miacomet Golf Course. The daylong session begins at 9:30 am on the driving range and in the short game area covering full swing, chipping, pitching and putting. After enjoying a lunch served on the course, golfers will hit the green for 18-holes in the afternoon – nine-holes with instruction, nine-holes without.
Fun extras include a Digital Video Swing Analysis DVD of each guest’s swing and a gift bag that includes a White Elephant hat, a Miacomet golf shirt, and a bag tag. Rental clubs will also be provided for those unwilling to lug their clubs from home.
The Nantucket Golf Academy package will be offer Sunday – Tuesday, with golf instruction occurring on the Monday of each stay. It will be available on the following spring and fall dates: May 15-17, May 22-24, October 2-4, and October 16-18. Included in the package rates are breakfast each morning at the hotel’s Brant Point Grill, spa and dinner credits, and transportation to and from the course. An additional day on the golf course on Tuesday is available at a reduced rate.
The Nantucket Golf Academy package starts at $1300 for two people. Room upgrades available upon request for a fee.
IN OTHER GOLF NEWS: All White Elephant guests can request priority tee times at Miacomet golf course and have off-season access to Sankaty Head Golf Course.
March 29th, 2011
Celebrate Switzerland’s Lucerne Festival with “Spa & Sounds” Package
From Victoria Jungfrau Collections’ Palace Luzern
In conjunction with the renowned Lucerne Festival, Switzerland’s Palace Luzern is offering a two-night “Spa & Sounds” package, available for stays April 9-17. Designed to promote ultimate relaxation, the package combines five-star accommodations with massage, music, and a mobile device drop-off service!
While enjoying Balinese massages, and festival tickets for performances of those chart-toppers of the 17 and 1800s, Bach, Brahms and Mozart; the “Spa & Sounds” package is as much about what you WILL hear as what you DON’T HAVE TO hear – namely, the unsoothing sounds of your cell phone. Bringing new meaning to the term “hands-free”, included in the package is Palace Luzern’s mobile device drop-off service. Simply hand your phone over to the hotel’s concierge on arrival, they’ll be happy to answer any phone calls and relay your messages.
The annual festival has been in existence since 1938 and attracts a roster of major international orchestras, conductors and soloists to the Swiss city. View the complete program here.
The “Spa & Sounds” package costs 1764 CHF based on double occupancy ($1,922 USD at time of release) and includes the details below. Guests can book the two-night offering between April 9 – 17.
- Two night accommodations with views of Lake Lucerne
- Breakfast both mornings
- Tickets for evening of your choice to the Lucerne Festival
- One Balinese massage per person
- Roundtrip transfers from the Lucerne train station and KKL (festival location) in a Jaguar car
- Butler service
- Mobile “drop off service”
- Fruit and Swiss chocolate upon arrival
Don’t fret if you can’t make it this time; the offer will also be available in August for the Summer Festival and November for the Piano Festival (Prices may vary).
February 18th, 2011
Anantara never wants to see guests leave without having the chance to really soak up the sun and all of their unique property offerings, so they are throwing travelers a bone. An extra night, on them! The new Extra Night on Us promotion is available for all bookings now through April 15 (with a minimum stay at all properties).
Don’t leave Si Kao without a wellness consultation, Golden Triangle without playing with the elephants, or Kihavah without enjoying a glass of wine underwater. Happy travels and enjoy your (longer) stay!