Monday, July 23, 2012

HISTORIC WEEKAPAUG INN SET TO RE-OPEN IN WEEKAPAUG, RHODE ISLAND AS SISTER HOTEL TO THE FAMED OCEAN HOUSE


The Weekapaug Inn, one of New England's last great family resorts, will re-open its doors in October 2012 after a $20 million transformation. This historic inn now joins the Ocean House as a collection of seaside resorts renowned for their scenic Rhode Island oceanfront setting, sense of tradition, exceptional food and highly personalized service.

Originally built in 1899, the Inn is inspired by classic Cape-Cod style architecture, covered with red cedar shingles and accented by dark brown trim.  The original 67 rooms will become 27 guest rooms, and four two-bedroom Signature Suites, giving the Inn 31 rooms. Other additions include a three-lane 75-foot lap pool connecting to a fitness center, in the area where the tennis courts were located previously. To entice guests to enjoy the romance of winter in New England, rooms will have bathrooms with heated floors and towel racks, and four wood-burning fireplaces in the public spaces. There will be three dining outlets that will offer a modern interpretation of New England Coastal Cuisine, featuring farm-to-table delicacies prepared simply yet elegantly with a nod to the traditional cultures of the region - including Italian, Portuguese and Native American. Executive Chef Jennifer Backman will oversee the inn's dining experiences. 

The inn will also feature an on-site dedicated "Naturalist" to connect guests to the surrounding stunning environment via educational classes such as bird watching, evening constellation sessions, guided kayaking tours, and more.


Located just five miles away, the AAA Five Diamond Property and Relais & Chateâux Ocean House will serve as a sister property and manager, allowing guests of the Inn the use of its facilities, including Rhode Island’s only Forbes Five Star OH! Spa, six restaurant outlets, championship croquet, two squash courts and a 650-foot private white-sand beach. The partnership allows guests at each property to experience the best of both worlds, and enjoy two properties with vastly different styles. 

For more information about the Weekapaug Inn, call 401-322-0301 or visit www.weekapauginn.com.

Bal Harbour announces winner of the first "Unscripted" public art program



The stylish destination of Bal Harbour has selected George Sánchez-Calderón to be the winner of its first public art commission, “Unscripted,” coming to fruition this October.  Created to support and challenge the artistic talents in South Florida, the “Unscripted” project is the first of an ongoing series of commissions geared toward providing artists with a new platform to create an ambitious project and contribute to the growth of Bal Harbour as a creative destination. Due to the quality and ambition of two of the final proposals submitted this summer, Bal Harbour decided to pursue an additional commission for Spring 2013. Sculptor, installation and video artist Christy Gast will be featured as the second “Unscripted” commissioned artist.


George Sánchez-Calderón’s winning public art project, entitled “Pax Americana,” draws inspiration from Bal Harbour Village’s history, by reflecting upon the iconography that has collectively defined the archetype of “the American Dream.” Positioned in front of the new St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, where the Americana Hotel previously stood, Sánchez-Calderón will create a six-foot tall, stainless steel letter installation of the word “Americana,” in reference to this historical site. Many important political events and national conventions were held at the notorious hotel designed by Morris Lapidus, which over the years hosted Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Johnson, Reagan and Clinton—an apt reference leading up to this year’s presidential election.

As his second installation, entitled “Levittown House,” Sánchez-Calderón will build a recreation of a Levittown-style house on Bal Harbour’s Founder circle. Bal Harbour Village was one of the first planned communities in South Florida, as a quiet residential neighborhood with former World War Two army barracks. Bal Harbour was incorporated in 1946, just a year before Levittown, and both communities were developed in response to the United States’ post-war housing needs.  For Sánchez-Calderón, the Levittown house symbolizes the prototype of post-war America, which forever changed the American urban and suburban landscape.


“Unscripted” public art commission is spearheaded by curator Claire Breukel, who has served on various art-related boards and has curated exhibitions in South Africa, New York, Miami, Vienna and El Salvador. To reach the final decision, she consulted with contemporary art and public art experts including Yvonne Force Villareal, President and Co-Founder of the Art Production Fund; Solita Mishaan, a Bal Harbour resident, collector and member of the International Council for TATE London; and celebrated artists Hernan Bas and Hank Willis Thomas.

This project will be supplemented with public programming including art chats, meet-and-greets, artist presentations, studio visits and more. “Unscripted,” is an ongoing Bal Harbour creative program that will support public art projects with commissions throughout the year, aiming to provide meaningful opportunities to artists, celebrate creativity, and enhance the tourism experience.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Partners in Paradise?



Flying JetBlue through JFK Airport in NYC? Be sure to check out the beach scene! Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island is celebrating the resort’s newly minted partnership with JetBlue with a fun lounge and photo booth at JetBlue’s chic flagship Terminal 5.

Stop by JFK’s T5 to snap a photo in the gorgeous booth (wetsuits and inner tubes provided!), grab some great Atlantis swag like sunglasses and beach balls, and enter to win a trip to the family vacation mecca.

Details on the TrueBlue partnership: Guests at Atlantis Resort and The Cove can now earn one point in JetBlue’s customer loyalty rewards program for every dollar spent on the base room rate accommodations at any of Atlantis’ five lodging options.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Scotland the Brave!

Today is the day - Disney-Pixar's "Brave" hits theaters! 

Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney-Pixar’s “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane), unleashing chaos in the kingdom. To view the trailer, click here

The LDPR team gives it two enthusiastic thumbs up after checking out a sneak preview last night. 

No doubt that you will be inspired to visit the beautiful land of Scotland after seeing the film. Check out a variety of Brave-themed itineraries and travel packages from VisitScotland perfect for a family vacation this summer: 


Follow the conversation and let us know what you think on Twitter: #BraveScotland and become a fan on Facebook:


TODAY IS THE DAY TO BE BRAVE!

Disney•Pixar's new movie Brave hits theaters in the United States and Canada today! If you fancy to see how it inspired the film makers, have a look here! The VisitScotland Brave webpage has a ton of extras, from videos to itineraries that bring the movie to life.   
Check out VisitScotland on Facebook & Twitter for the latest updates!


Monday, June 18, 2012

LDPR DIGITAL DIRECTORY: JUNE 2012 UPDATE

LDPR Digital Directory Categories:
  Steadfast Social Site
★   Mobile Mover
  Newbie Network, App and anything in between
★   Surprising Standouts


★  Shufflr
With Shufflr, spend less searching and more time watching videos? Considering all of the video out there, this could be a helpful app. Download for free and put it to the test.

★  SlideShark
SlideShark is a free app for viewing PowerPoint presentations (the way they should appear) on an iPad. Finally! 

 SocialCam
SocialCam is a mobile social video application for iPhone and Android. It allows users to capture and share video online and on mobile, as well as via Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. The application launched in March 2011.

Storify
Storify is a website that creates and preserves stories or timelines using social media such as Twitter, photos and videos. It was launched in 2010, and has been open to the public since April 2011. Users search multiple social networks from one place, and then drag individual elements into stories. Users can re-order the elements and also add text to help give context to the readers. To download the free iPad app, click here.

  TurboScan
TurboScan turns your iPhone into a multipage scanner for documents, receipts, notes, whiteboards, and other text. With TurboScan, you can quickly scan your documents and store or email them as multipage PDF or JPEG files. Not free, but only $1.99 to download.


To view all digital directory updates, click here.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Just Back From...Morocco!

LDPR's Kelly Brewer and Meghna Patel just returned from a visit to the new luxury boutique hotel, Selman Marrakech! 

We were greeted by the hospitality of Selman Marrakech moments after landing in the capital city of Casablanca. Exiting the plane onto the tarmac, we expected to follow the other travelers to the bus waiting to take us to the terminal. Imagine our surprise to see an airport employee at the bottom of the stairs with our names on a sign and a comfortable car behind him. He quickly drove us to the terminal and directed us to a private airport lounge, where he collected our passports. As we decompressed from the flight, he returned and informed us that we had been processed through customs and a car was waiting to take us to the hotel. The new Audi was a comfortable way to travel from Casablanca to Marrakech. This service is standard for all guests of Selman Marrakech - a stylish preview of what everyone will experience! 

It's always exciting to visit a new client for the first time and Selman more than lived up to our expectations. The property, designed by Jacques Garcia, was filled with authentic Moroccan touches, stylish accents and local handiwork. Our rooms were incredibly spacious and after meetings with our client and time spent exploring the Medina, it was great to relax in the alcove on our balconies sipping Moroccan tea. 

A highlight of the trip was the chance to experience the Espace Vitalite Chenot Spa for the first time. The Spa was developed around a method created by Dr. Henri Chenot and is based on "Biontology" - the understanding of each individual's needs according to age, diet, etc. Treatments address aging, fatigue, toxins and overall health. It's a concept unlike anything else in the US. 


An attribute of Selman Marrakech that sets it apart from other hotels are the Arabian thoroughbred horses. Living in beautifully designed stables from Jacques Garcia, the horses spend their mornings and part of the afternoon running in large open paddocks for all the guests to enjoy. Eating lunch at the hotel's Assil Pavilion restaurant overlooking the paddocks and the horses was a perfect way to spend an afternoon!


Selman Marrakech is currently in its soft-opening and will be celebrating its grand opening this fall.To learn more about the property and to view additional images, please visit www.selman-marrakech.com

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Laura Davidson Public Relations Named PR Agency for Millennium UN Plaza New York

LDPR announces an exciting new client: Millennium UN Plaza, New York. This iconic hotel has just launched a major renovation project. Come September 2012, the first $30-million phase will reveal a luxury product in the hotel’s West Tower, catering to discerning business and leisure travelers as well as the diplomatic community. The West Tower renovation has already begun and when it reopens, the Tower’s 154 fully-renovated, beautifully spacious rooms and suites, and an exclusive Skyline Club on the 30th floor will showcase a signature design scheme by renowned French interior designer Didier Gomez.
Millennium UN Plaza, New York
Designed by visionary architect Kevin Roche, the building’s stunning panoramic skyline views over the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, East River, and five bridges are considered amongst the finest in Manhattan. And the hotel boasts such extraordinary facilities as a swimming pool on the 27th floor and the only indoor tennis court in any New York City hotel.
Scheduled for 2013, Phase II of the renovation will focus on a new restaurant concept, bar and full lobby renovations. Phase III will see the completion of the East Tower renovation; thereby causing no interruption to the hotel’s day-to-day operations. 
And Millennium Hotels & Resorts has ambitious plans – Millennium UN Plaza will be the benchmark for future MHR luxury properties worldwide.




Millennium UN Plaza, New York
The new West Tower guest room



Tuesday, May 8, 2012

And the 2012 Resident Mom of the Year is...

Residence Inn by Marriott is thrilled to announce the 2012 "Resident Mom of the Year," NYCityMama Carol Cain!


Residence Inn by Marriott works closely with the blogger community and the brand continues to be inspired by the many moms and family travel influencers who share their stories of cherished family memories. 


Last year, Residence Inn recognized Holly Robinson Peete, a working mom and philanthropist, as the first Resident Mom. For 2012, Residence Inn chose to honor a true champion in the family travel blogosphere, Carol Cain, for inspiring moms everywhere to make the most out of their travel experiences.

Throughout all seasons, and especially as summer approaches, Residence Inn by Marriott strives to make moms’ lives easier by providing family-friendly hotels and great value at over 600 locations. Every Residence Inn offers spacious suite-style accommodations, free hot breakfast daily, free wireless Internet, kitchens, laundry facilities, a swimming pool, and a welcoming environment for pets.

Please join us in congratulating Carol and be on the lookout as she shares her Residence Inn experiences this year and for many seasons to come! Follow all of Carol Cain's travel tales @NYCityMama.

For the latest updates on Residence Inn, please follow the newly launched Twitter handle @ResidenceInn and track #RIMoms for travel tips and tweets! 
From left: Tricia Lanigan (LDPR), Joyce Shulman (Macaroni Kid), Nina Herrera-Davila (Residence Inn by Marriott) and Diane Mayer (Residence Inn by Marriott) join Resident Mom Carol Cain to celebrate the award, presented at the Macaroni Kid Family Travel Expo & Blogger Conference on May 7, 2012. 

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Celebrating the Opening of Selman Marrakech!

 Anticipation has been building for the opening of the luxury Moroccan resort Selman Marrakech and today is the day! Located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, five minutes from the bustling hub of Marrakech, this palatial hotel is redefining five-star service. High-profile French designer Jacques Garcia is the Artistic Director for the entire property. Amenities include 12,000 square foot Espace Vitalite Spa, from Wellness Guru Dr. Henri Chenot and high-end stables also designed by Mr. Garcia, housing Selman's 16 championship thoroughbred Arabian horses. Guests will be able to take in equestrian competitions and a select few will be available for trekking rides.

Selman Marrakech is highlighting VIP service and perks for its guests to mark the soft-opening. These include:
Special Opening Offer:
Reserve a stay during the soft opening period of May 1 – September 1, 2012 and receive the following:
·      VIP welcome at Marrakech airport with private limousine transfer to Selman
·      Room upgrade upon availability
·      Daily continental breakfast
·      Tailor made presentation of Selman’s famous Arabian horses
 Minimum two-night stay required and based on double occupancy.  Rates start at $470 per night.

Selman Marrakech Discovery Offer:
Discover the best elements of Selman, selected especially for new guests to get a feel for the amazing experience the resort provides. This package includes:
·      VIP welcome at Marrakech airport with private limousine transfer to Selman
·      Daily continental breakfast
·      One Chenot energetic massage at the Espace Vitalite Spa
·      One lunch at the Pavillon Assil restaurant, located on property
·      One dinner at the Selman Restaurant
·      Guided city tour of Marrakech
·      Tailor made presentation of Selman’s famous Arabian horses
 This offer is valid until December 1, 2012. Rates start at $2,700 for a three-night stay, based on double occupancy.

Discovery of the Chenot Method Offer:
If you are not familiar with the wellness and lifestyle treatments of the renowned Chenot method, now is your chance. Selman is inviting guests to sample highlights from the Espace Vitalite Spa with an offer that includes the following:
·      VIP welcome at Marrakech airport with private limousine transfer to Selman
·      Three hydrotherapy treatments
·      Three Chenot energetic massages
·      One scalp treatment
·      Three fitness sessions with a personal trainer
·      A fully developed Biolight Cuisine meal plan
 This offer is valid until December 1, 2012. Rates start at $4,111 for a three-night stay, based on double occupancy.

To book your stay at Selman Marrakech with one of these offers, please email reservations@selman-marrakech.com or call +212 (0) 524 45 96 00. 

 

Friday, April 27, 2012

Hot Deals, Cool Continent. It's Time to Travel to Antarctica!


The hit Discovery Channel program, Frozen Planet, has inspired viewers to plan their own visit to Antarctica. Abercrombie & Kent has hosted over 150 journeys to the white continent and is now offering special savings so families can make their own trip to the "frozen planet" a reality.

The Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands December 17, 2012 departure on the luxury expedition ship Le Boreal, makes Frozen Planet truly come alive. Book by May 15, 2012 and save 25 percent on a category 1 stateroom and 10 percent on a category 2 or 3 stateroom. Children between the ages of 7-18 save 50 percent when traveling with one full-fare paying adult per cabin. If there is a grandmother or grandfather who wants to enjoy the experience as well, A&K is waiving the single supplement fee for solo travelers, when booked in conjunction with one double cabin.For a peek inside the luxurious accommodations guests will enjoy on board Le Boreal, you can check out the photo tour from USA Today.

Antarctica, with its beautiful visuals and wildlife, is a dream trip for many individuals. Frozen Planet has encouraged people to fulfill that dream a bit sooner. It's both an inspiring and educational destination and A&K’s expert guides and certified naturalists help to compliment the experience.

To book your own adventure to Antarctica with this special savings, please visit www.abercrombiekent.com or call 1-800-554-7016.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Give Me S’More Glamping!


LDPR’s award-winning Glamping campaign developed for The Resort at Paws Up was just featured in the Consumer News section of PR Week.com. A Gold winner at this year’s Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) 55th Annual Adrian Awards, the Give Me S’More Glamping campaign generated outstanding media coverage and sales. Tanya Lewis of PR Week interviewed Laura Davidson and owner of Paws Up Larry Lipson to learn the strategies and tactics behind the program. PR Week subscribers can read the story here:



Friday, April 6, 2012

LDPR Celebrates Scotland at the Today Show!

LDPR and Today Show fans take over the Plaza for Tartan Day
Answering the call of the bagpipes and armed with flags and tartans, LDPR staffers woke up bright and early to start National Tartan Day off right! The team brought a dose of Scottish spirit to The Today Show Plaza, getting the crowd pumped up before a week of Scotland festivities kicks off. Check out our group on The Today Show's allDAY blog here. For more information on all events and experiences, visit www.cometoscotland.com and www.scotland.org
And tomorrow, it's off to the races during the 9th Annual Scotland 10k Run!
Enjoy a FREE fun-filled festival in the Park celebrating Scotland – featuring musical performances by Scocha, free giveaways (think Scottish beanies, flags, tartan corsages!), and the highly anticipated “Tag Your Tartan” photo booth and digital "Design Your Own Tartan" kiosk station. There will be some big prizes too (hint: WIN A 5-DAY TRIP TO SCOTLAND).

Central Park - Mineral Springs
Central Park West & W. 69 St.

Monday, April 2, 2012

LDPR Brings Experience to the Classroom

Last week, some of LDPR's staff traveled to a completely different destination...the head of the class! Sometimes the best way to learn about public relations is from the real-world experiences of professionals. Knowing this, LDPR is always eager to share best practices, case studies and more with those who want a career in the world of PR and travel.

Laura Davidson and Kelly Brewer with students from the NYU Tisch Center

On March 27, Laura Davidson, president and Kelly Brewer, account supervisor returned for their second lecture at NYU's Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Speaking to a classroom of hospitality graduate students led by Professor Donna Quadri-Felitti, Laura and Kelly discussed the evolution of PR and its importance in hotel marketing. Social media was a large part of the discussion and both Laura and Kelly were pleased to learn that the Tisch Center recently announced a new Twitter handle, @nyutischcenter

Leslie Cohen with PR students from The City College of New York

On March 28, Leslie Cohen, executive vice president was invited as the guest lecturer at The City College of New York. She addressed over 25 college students as part of an "Intro to PR" class with Professor Phil Ryan. The group had many questions for Leslie, who provided an insider look into what it takes to be successful in this industry.

LDPR values the importance of mentoring and truly enjoys speaking with students who want to pursue a career in public relations and/or the travel industry. Just call us publicists by day, professors by night! 

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Somerset Celebrates Spring with "Sea"ster Fun!



Spring is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the Easter holiday than with a family getaway to The Somerset on Grace Bay. This year, families can start a whole new "egg hunt" tradition with the resort’s first annual “Seaster egg dive (well, snorkel really!). During the first week in April, kids of all ages are invited to participate in painting the “Seaster eggs, which are egg-shaped rocks provided by The Somerset. Then on Easter weekend, these painted treasures will be scattered into the turquoise waters of Grace Bay and families will snorkel around to collect as many painted "eggs" as possible. The winning family will receive a family portrait to commemorate the trip!


The Somerset on Grace Bay, located on one of the top 10 best beaches in the world, is the perfect escape for families year-round with the new  Caicos Kids Club,” offered free for children ages 5 – 12. The program changes daily and includes beach games, sand castle building, tie-dye, water relays, treasure hunts, and more. On select evenings there is a kids group dinner and activity, including bonfires and movie nights, to give parents the opportunity for a romantic evening alone.



LDPR

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For over 20 years LDPR has guided some of the world’s most prestigious travel brands through an evolving media landscape with creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm. We are a highly driven and innovative travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City with a global roster of clients from destinations and tour companies to exclusive private islands, hotels and resorts. Our unique culture is defined by our collaborative and strategic approach to working with clients, media and our staff, leading to a strong partnership with measurable results.