Just Back from.... Curtain Bluff in Antigua

Laura Davidson and her family just came back from a heavenly week at Curtain Bluff in Antigua, a long-term LDPR client and friend. Here's the latest from her time on the island -

I knew I was in trouble when my husband Andy joined the kids club (photo above with my sons Tobey and Jake). Between the Hobie cats, snorkel trips, diving, aqua-aerobics and kayaking, we kept happily busy. And all these activities are included -- as are all the meals and bar drinks! Curtain Bluff is truly the best value in a luxury all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. And it's my secret birthday hideaway every year :)

As you can see from my photos, everyone had a great time. From Tobey and Jake spending time on the beach to Jake jamming with the Steel Pan Band!

P.S. -- Rumor has it that Eric Clapton showed up for Easter Sunday brunch -- just missed him by one day! Next year I'll stay longer...

Adweek Names the Year’s Top Magazines

Adweek’s 31st annual Hot List is out announcing the top ten most influential and successful magazines over the past year. The rankings are based on a variety of factors including ad revenue, search engine results, awards and more. The full article may be viewed here, but below is the breakdown of the winners:

10. Vanity Fair
9. Bloomberg Businessweek
8. Rolling Stone
7. Cosmopolitan
6. People StyleWatch
5. GQ
4. Wired
3. Elle Décor
2. Marie Claire
1. Food Network Magazine

PREFERRED HOTEL GROUP™ EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC WITH THE OPENING OF ITS FIRST SALES OFFICE IN CHINA

Preferred Hotel Group continues its commitment to global expansion and reinforces its Asia Pacific presence with the opening of its Shanghai office. Continuing its quest to provide the most comprehensive support and services to independent hotels and resorts, this will be the company's 31st sales office globally and sixth in the region, reaffirming its dedication to the Chinese market. Spearheading Preferred Hotel Group's Shanghai office is the company's newly appointed Director, Global Sales – China, Renee Wu. A Taiwanese national, Renee has a wealth of sales experience in the Chinese luxury hotel industry. Prior to joining Preferred, she was the Associate Regional Director of Sales for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts after spending two years with Four Seasons Shanghai as Director of Sales. Previous roles included senior sales positions in The Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, Shangri-La's China World Hotel in Beijing, and Grand Hyatt Taipei. Renee's key responsibilities include driving business from the corporate, MICE, and leisure markets outbound from China to Preferred Hotel Group members globally, increasing revenue share for existing member hotels in China, and strengthening the presence of the company's four key brands. www.preferredhotelgroup.com

New Shanghai Address:
Shanghai Kerry Centre
Level 29, Suite 2920
1515 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai 200040
Telephone: +86 21 6103 7131 | Fax: +86 21 6103 7070
Email: rwu@preferredhotelgroup.com

NEW ALL-SUITE BOUTIQUE HOTEL OPENS IN BAL HARBOUR

Well-heeled global travelers looking for their next home away from home have a new address: Bal Harbour Quarzo. Featuring 29 studios, one and two bedroom suites, Bal Harbour Quarzo stands apart from the high-rises along the coast as a new chic boutique hotel with exceptional personalized service. Just steps from pristine white sand beaches and overlooking the turquoise waters, the condo-size suites feature modern, sophisticated décor and open living and dining areas. The luxurious rooms have full kitchens with top of the line appliances, elegantly appointed bathrooms with spa-style baths and spacious walk-in closets. Quarzo’s Zen meditation garden, solarium and outdoor pool with private cabanas allow for the perfect escape. The resort also offers in-room spa services and personal chefs who can prepare creative meals in guests’ own gourmet kitchens. Quarzo is perfect for families, couples, business travelers or anyone looking for all the comforts of home. The hotel is a tranquil retreat just 20 minutes from bustling South Beach and a short stroll from the iconic Bal Harbour Shops and gourmet restaurants. To celebrate the opening of Bal Harbour Quarzo, introductory rates start at just $259 per night. For reservations or more information about Bal Harbour Quarzo, call 305-222-7922 or visit www.quarzomiamihotel.com.

Travel on Your Own – But Never Alone with Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent is able to offer solo travelers safety, security and now savings. In 2010, solo travelers made up 10% of all bookings showing A&K that there is a very active group of travelers who don’t mind seeing their dream destinations on their own. Now A&K is either waiving the single supplement fee or reducing it by as much as 75% on more than 30 Solo Savings departures on 13 programs to the most popular destinations. Including departures to China, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt and even the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro!

For a full list of Solo Savings departures, visit www.abercrombiekent.com or click here:

Curtain Bluff Resort in Antigua Hosts First-Annual Wellness Week this June!

This June, Curtain Bluff Resort in Antigua will host its first-ever Wellness Week. The week will take place June 9-14, 2011 and is comprised of various fitness, spa, and wellness activities. It is ideal for those looking to relax while also starting the summer off on a healthy note. Daily fitness activities include a rainforest hike, Beach Boot Camp, Pilates, muscle toning, Yoga, stretch, aqua aerobics and more. Each participant also gets one complimentary personal training session at the fitness center.

Those who sign up for the wellness week will also enjoy a choice of daily spa treatments, including an Ultimate De-stressor Massage, a Moor Mud Wrap, Classic Facial, Sabai Hot Stone Massage, and Classic Manicure and Pedicure. The Spa at Curtain Bluff is a great place to relax – every treatment room has a private balcony with ocean view. Guests love unwinding on the relaxation deck, which features a Jacuzzi that overlooks the island of Montserrat. Participants will also receive a private consultation with a certified nutritionist. To learn how to maintain healthy eating after the weekend is over, guests can partake in a healthy cooking class led by Chef Christophe Blatz, who will be creating separate wellness menus that guests can order from in the dining room each night.

Rates for the Curtain Bluff Wellness Week June 9-14 start at $513 per person per night, based on double occupancy. Rate includes all meals, most activities, round-trip airport transportation in Antigua and taxes. To book the wellness week, call 1-888-289-9898. Visit www.curtainbluff.com

The art of selling art – putting it together

It’s an art collector’s dream vacation come true – visiting a resort in one of the country’s top art meccas where one can purchase the most desirable works at a fraction of the cost without even having to leave the premises. Oh, and it comes with a spa. Such is the case at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, A RockResort that hired Curator Sara Eyestone to manage the gallery collection on property. Eyestone was hired in 2009 and turned what used to be a few local paintings scattered about the resort into one of Santa Fe’s hottest galleries, which houses over 600 pieces throughout the property.

Because the resort does not charge gallery hanging fees, she is able to offer these works of art to guests at a fraction of the cost. She also hosts “Meet the Artist” sessions where the artist will do a painting or sculpting demonstration, lead a lecture, or be available for a fireside chat with collectors completely free of charge. She can even arrange lessons or private lessons with the masters. When Eyestone spots guests who are intrigued by a certain artist, she invites them back to the resort when the session next takes place at a discounted lodging rate (guests who take advantage of this offer have changed their Santa Fe visiting patterns from once every few years to up to four times per year). Through her intuitive nature and ability to connect with people to find their desired art needs, Eyestone has sold over $500,000 in art over the past year. As a testament to her success, over 400 artists are on a waitlist to have their works displayed at La Posada de Santa Fe.

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, A Mother’s Day Treat Just for You!

Residence Inn celebrates moms in a big way this year. 50,000 red roses have been ordered for Sunday, May 8th to spread the love at all Residence Inn by Marriott properties across the U.S.

A rose for mom is a great way to start the day! Hot free breakfast is nice too!!!
For more information, visit:
http://news.marriott.com/2011/03/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue-residence-inn-celebrates-moms-with-you.html
To book, visit: www.residenceinn.com or call 1-800-MARRIOTT.

Discover the best of Jackson Hole with “Experience the Tetons” at Jackson Lake Lodge and Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort

Two Tetons Are Better Than One – Explore The Highlights of Jackson Hole!

Two of Jackson Hole’s most classic and iconic resorts are partnering to offer summer travelers the ultimate, hassle-free way to enjoy this must-see destination. Guests booking the “Experience the Tetons” package will spend two nights at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park and two nights at the pampering Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort in the heart of Teton Village.

The package offers the convenience of embracing the two sides of Jackson Hole with absolute ease. First, you stay in the heart of Grand Teton National Park at the venerable Jackson Lake Lodge where guests are greeted by 60-foot ceiling-to-floor lobby windows with stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range and Willow Flats where elk and moose graze. Some of the activities guest can enjoy include a scenic raft trip on the Snake River and a Jackson Lake Dinner Cruise.

After two nights in The Park, return to Teton Village and pamper yourself at the Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort that exudes the cowboy charm of Jackson Hole with luxurious touches, Wyoming’s largest spa and the friendliest Western welcome around. Grab a 10-gallon hat and your camera because you’ll be treated to the best of the West with dinner and a show at Bar T-5 Covered Chuck Wagon Cookout. You’ll also experience a 50-minute custom massage at the Avanyu Spa, a scenic tram ride to the 10,450-foot summit at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and more.

Rates start at $907 per person per four-night stay, based on double occupancy. The package is available May 29 – September 18, 2011. Specific package details include

At Jackson Lake Lodge:

• Two nights accommodations in a classic cottage lodge room
• Dinner in the Mural Room restaurant
• Daily breakfast at the Pioneer Grill
• Two lunches in either the Pioneer Grill or Mural Room
• Jackson Lake Dinner Cruise
• Scenic raft trip on the Snake River

At Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort:

• Two nights accommodations in a deluxe room
• Dinner at gamefish restaurant
• Daily breakfast at gamefish restaurant
• Two boxed lunches
• 50-minute custom massage at the Avanyu Spa
• Dinner at Bar T-5 Covered Chuck Wagon Cookout & Show
• Scenic mountain tram ride at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

For further details on this package and to book, please visit www.snakeriverlodge.com or call 1-866-513-ROCK (7625) or call 1-800-628-9988 or visit www.gtlc.com.

Forget April in Paris: April in SoHo is Suite

For those who are thinking of visiting Paris in April, why not head to SoHo in New York City instead? Art-centric SoHo’s charming boutiques, outdoor cafes and cobblestone streets are much closer to home and deliver more bang for your buck.

In celebration of its one-year anniversary on April 9, Trump SoHo New York is offering those who book a stay in April on the hotel’s birthday (Saturday, April 9) using the code APRIL9 a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom suite; that’s 682 square feet and a breathtaking view of SoHo from its tallest building! Plus, all guests receive the Trump SoHo Shopping Card for exclusive discounts at chic boutiques and big name designers like DKNY and Longchamp. Très magnifique!

Bookings will open at 12 AM on April 9 and close at the stroke of midnight. To book, visit www.trumpsohohotel.com.

Head to Melbourne for the 2011 President’s Cup

Image: "The Royal Melbourne Golf Club"


The cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, known as the “Events Capital” of Australia, will live up to it’s title this November when it hosts the 2011 President’s Cup on November 18. Home to more than 100 top courses, this ultimate golf vacation spot also boasts a bevy of beautiful hotels, every imaginable cuisine at more than 3000 restaurants, and all the cultural trappings a traveler could want - from museums and sports to performing arts, shopping and gaming. And in surrounding Victoria, a countryside of coastal villages, sprawling vineyards, beaches and rainforests, is abound with adventures and experiences that make golf just one more reason to visit Melbourne.

In an effort to help tourists experience the President’s Cup and other adventures Melbourne has to offer, Goway Travel, North America's oldest and largest travel company specializing in travel to Australia, is offering a few special packages:

• ON THE GREENS To experience The Presidents Cup in style, five- and seven-night packages tailored to golf fans are available from $2,739 double occupancy. Packages for witnessing the tournament firsthand include general admission tickets, a choice of hotels, private transportation to and from The Royal Melbourne Golf Club and entry to an exclusive spectator function at the Crown Towers on November 18.
• OFF THE GREENS Beyond The Cup, visitors will have a hard time choosing from activities both in and out of the city. To narrow the field, Goway has created a selection of two, three and five-day post-golf touring options. Choose from the iconic rock formations along Victoria’s famed Great Ocean Road or the world’s smallest penguins on parade at Philip Island. Package rates range from $419 to $989, based on twin/double share.
  

Packages are bookable online at www.thepresidentscuptravel.com or by calling 866-515-2878.

About The Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup, a team match play competition featuring 24 of the world’s top golfers – 12 from the United States and 12 from around the world, excluding Europe – is held every two years, and since 1996 has alternated between United States and international venues. The Presidents Cup is a unique golf event in that there is no purse or prize money. Players are not personally paid for their participation, rather each competitor allocates an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice. Since the event’s inception, nearly $22 million has been raised for charities around the world, including a record-tying $4.2 million in 2009. www.PresidentsCup.com

Preferred Hotel Group Welcomes Eight New Members This April

Image: Hotel Terra, a Preferred Hotel & Resort



Preferred Hotel Group announced the addition of eight hotels worldwide this April. The hotels include:

• Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa in Teton Village, Wyoming
• Hotel Terra in Teton Village, Wyoming
• The Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney, Ireland
• Casa Palmero in Pebble Beach, California
• Golden Bear Lodge in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Onyria Marinha Edition Hotel & Thalasso in Cascais, Portugal
• Chateau Elan Hotel & Conference Center in Sebring, Florida
• InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco, California

About Preferred Hotel Group™
With a global reach of more than 800 best-in-class hotels and resorts in 70 countries, Preferred Hotel Group™ represents six distinctive brands: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™, Historic Hotels of America® and Preferred Residences™, a membership-based exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts. Preferred Hotel Group also offers I Prefer™, a complimentary global guest benefit program that provides members with exclusive offers and rewards, as well as Preferred Golf™, a membership-based program that grants access to 100 of the world’s most renowned golf resorts. For more information, visit us on the web at www.PreferredHotelGroup. For high resolution imagery of our properties, please visit the Preferred Hotel Group Image Library at www.preferredhotelgroupimages.com

Piping in Scotland Week on the Highline in New York City

New Yorkers out for a morning stroll in the Highline Park this morning may have heard their Scottish calling. Led by local Scots-American bagpipers, three dancers -- Lydia Phillips, Heather Gehring, Emily Edwards -- from a New York based dance troupe floated above the city streets in traditional Gehring Dance while unraveling themselves from a Scottish tartan. The purpose: to usher in another year of Scotland Week in New York City.

Working with Festivals Edinburgh, and the city’s well-known Fringe Festival, this morning’s performers are just a handful of the many Scots and Scottish-Americans coming out for the week long festivities celebrating National Tartan Day on April 6.

"Festivals are one of the great reasons to visit Scotland in person, and we hope this morning’s beautiful performance gives New Yorkers a little taste of what they’ll see at our famous Fringe Festival in July” said Fiona Stewart of VisitScotland. “And there will be more to come from Scotland all around the city this week,” added Stewart.

Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDHQ319yTZk

For more information about traveling to Scotland, and Scotland Week, visit: www.cometoscotland.com

Scotland Week 2011 – It’s almost here!

Wednesday, April 6 marks National Tartan Day, a celebration of all things Scottish and the contributions of more than 12 million Scottish Americans. To celebrate, the Scots are invading New York City, and here’s how you can join in the fun!

Ellis Island Immigration Museum (April 1) -- View Clan Currie's latest exhibition featuring the history and heritage of Scotland's most enduring icon, Tartan. Opens on Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 3. Visitors will also enjoy all-day performances by pipers, drummers, dancers and other Scottish performers.

Dressed to Kilt (April 5) – Held this year at the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street Country Chic The annual fashion show produced by Sir Sean Connery's Friends of Scotland charity, features stunning designs, celebrity models, and this year, a number of big country music artists and designers.

Whisky Live New York (April 6, Tartan Day) – Being held at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, the annual evening of great whisky tasting, fine food and wonderful entertainment features the finest Scotches, Bourbons and Whiskies from around the World.

National Tartan Day Parade (April 9) -- The annual parade featuring pipe bands, individual pipers & drummers and Scottish groups starts at 2:00pm stepping off from 45th Street and marching up 6th Avenue, ending at 55th Street

Scotland Run (April 10) -- Tartan Week will conclude with the annual Scotland Run, a 10k event through Central Park at 9am on Sunday April 10th, which last year saw over several thousand people complete the race.

Visit www.tartanweek.com for more information on the New York event. For information on planning your trip to Scotland please visit www.cometoscotland.com