Tuesday, February 28, 2012

HSMAI Honors LDPR with 17 Adrian Awards, including Best of Show!

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) honored Laura Davidson Public Relations (LDPR) with 17 awards including 1 Best of Show, 1 Platinum, 5 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 Bronze for public relations excellence in the 55th annual Adrian Awards Competition, the world’s largest and most prestigious travel, tourism and hospitality marketing competition.

Laura Davidson PR took home a coveted Platinum Award for its consumer marketing campaign for the opening of “CRUSH” Teen Club at Atlantis, Paradise Island; which also won BEST OF SHOW in the public relations category!

In addition,  Gold and Silver awards were won for Abercrombie & Kent (2 awards), Atlantis, Paradise Island (2 awards), Tourism Victoria (Australia), The Resort at Paws Up, Sanctuary Retreats, Tourisme Montréal (2 awards) and Trump SoHo, New York.

 February 27, 2012 - LDPR celebrates a "best of show" win at last night's HSMAI gala in NYC.
Thanks to our fabulous client, Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, for such a creative partnership!



The Evolution of Online Travel [INFOGRAPHIC]

A brief history of online travel, brought to our attention today by HotelMarketing.com


Mashable's Lauren Hockenson shares an infographic that explores this topic's evolution. The automated Airlines Reservation System, SABRE, put the pedal to the metal drums used to store memory!?! 53 years ago and today's point-and-click possibilities seem endless!


Click here for to view Mashable Infographic
Illustrated by @lamccormack / Research by @lhockenson




Friday, February 24, 2012

LDPR Digital Directory: February 2012 Update


LDPR Digital Directory Categories:
 Steadfast Social Site
★   Mobile Mover
  Newbie Network
★   Surprising Standouts

Statigram

Statigram is a third-party Instagram application, and gives Instagram  photo-sharing users a bird’s-eye view of their app activities. It connects to your Instagram account, analyzes your past behaviors alongside your connections’ actions, and distills all this data into interesting metrics, charts and graphs. Statigram includes the date of your first Instagram photo, total number of photos, counts and averages for all comments and “likes” on your photos, your top photos organized by “likes” and comments, a collection of the people you “like” most frequently, a days-of-the week breakdown of your activity and a few other interesting data points — like most used filters, for instance.

What's Instagram you ask? From our January 2012 Edition of the LDPR Digital Directory....

Instagram
From the folks at Instagram: “When we were kids we loved playing around with cameras -- we loved how all the old Polaroid cameras marketed themselves as “instant” (something we take for granted today). We also felt that the snapshots people were taking were kind of like telegrams in that they got sent over the wire to others -- so we figured why not combine the two?”
Instagram came from that inspiration - could we make sharing your life as instant and magic as those first Polaroid pictures must have felt? Our first product is Instagram for iPhone, and we're just getting started.

Secrecy, Intrigue, and History: Hotel Lutetia’s Left Bank Spirit


Ever wondered what the walls of hundred-year-old hotels would say if they could talk? Maybe strange encounters, celebrity sightings, or even hidden treasures? The iconic Hotel Lutetia in Paris wants travelers to find out its secrets firsthand, along with insider information on the 6th arrondissement, with the new blog, Le Discret (Discreet) 


Since it opened in 1910, Hotel Lutetia has been a favored haunt for artists and creative types. In the “Life at Lutetia” section of the blog, Le Discret shares tales of the hotel’s past, such as a once walled off wine cellar during the German occupation (hotel chef Philippe Renad can tell you more). Travelers seeking to experience the Left Bank of Paris as a local can use Le Discret as a guide to learn historical facts, the latest cultural/art happenings, gastronomy suggestions, and shopping experiences.  

Want to know where Victor Hugo wrote Odes & Ballads or where you can create your own perfume? You’ll have to visit Le Discret to find out! http://www.lutetia-lediscret.fr/en

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Laura Davidson Public Relations Named PR Agency for the new SELMAN Marrakech

 
Exterior of SELMAN Marrakech
LDPR announces an exciting new client! Opening in May 2012, Selman Marrakech is slated to be Morocco's premier luxury resort. Located on a fifteen-acre park at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, five minutes from bustling Marrakech, Selman was executed by famed designer Jacques Garcia. Consisting of 56 rooms and suites, plus five private riads, the resort will also offer a 12,000-square-foot spa, Espace Vitalité Chenot, one of only a few in the world to use the Henri Chenot method. Focusing on wellness, organic treatments, and slowing the aging process, the treatment menu is completely customized to each guest, with an emphasis on hydrotherapy and a balanced diet regimen. Dining options range from the main restaurant, The Selman, to the Mediterranean-inspired Assil Pavilion.
Espace Vitalité Chenot Spa is the epitome of relaxation
 Inspired by Arabian horses, one of Selman’s most distinctive features is the property’s sixteen Arabian thoroughbreds, from the hotel's own breeding program, housed in a stable and clubhouse also designed by Jacques Garcia. The horses will roam in spacious paddocks for guests’ enjoyment and a selection will be available for trekking rides. Upon opening, Selman Marrakech will redefine Moroccan hospitality and solidify a position as a top retreat for discerning travelers. 
A look inside one of the riad's living rooms
 To view images, please visit the Selman Marrakech Gallery
 
Contact: Kelly Brewer, kelly@ldpr.com / 212-696-0660.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Just back from...Bal Harbour, Florida


LDPR's Meredith Phares is just back from a three-day press trip to Bal Harbour, Florida.... 
Jan Schroder, Emily Leaman, Jacquelyne Froeber, and LDPR's Meredith Phares at St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Upon arrival in this chic South Florida destination, we met for lunch at Mister Collins, the new restaurant at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa serving interesting takes on classic American dishes. We feasted on tuna tartare, homemade guacamole, warm pretzels to start and I followed with a roasted beet and citrus salad. Perfectly sated, we embarked on a tour of Bal Harbour Quarzo, a boutique hotel with spacious suites, just a short stroll from ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa.   
To prep for an evening out in Bal Harbour, we stopped at Gee Beauty, a new makeup and skincare studio located in the iconic Bal Harbour Shops, for a professional makeup application. With glowing skin and refreshed energy, the group headed to Neiman Marcus (the first Neiman Marcus outside of Texas!) for a Bal Harbour Art Chat. The evening was entitled, "A Collecting Life," and featured Ruth and Marvin Sackner, founders of the Sackner Archive, the world's largest private collection of concrete and visual poetry from 20th century art. Dinner followed at Makoto, Stephen Starr's new restaurant. From spicy tuna crispy rice to short rib robata (my favorite!) to frosty kobe fried rice, we tasted many of Chef Makoto's specialties before heading back to ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, where I sank into my king-size bed.

The next morning, we toured the nearby The Sea View Hotel and had a cup of joe at the charming poolside coffee shop alongside the Olympic-sized swimming pool. We then checked into our next hotel - the brand-new St.Regis Bal Harbour Resort, which opened on January 19. While it was quite difficult to leave my oceanfront balcony, the thought of fresh seafood and al dente pasta lured me out the door. We met again at Carpaccio, a local favorite at the Bal Harbour Shops known for its classic Italian food and world-class people-watching. Leisurely window-shopping and afternoon spa treatments filled the afternoon (isn't life in Bal Harbour tough?). 

To celebrate our last evening in Bal Harbour, we sipped creative cocktails in the lobby bar - my cucumber martini was quite refreshing - and then sat for dinner at J&G Grill. We shared some of Jean-Georges' signature appetizers ranging from black truffle pizza to Florida hearts of palm salad and selected some of his most popular entrees, based on the waiter's recommendations. But there's always room for dessert! The Grand Marnier Souffle and Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae (with peanuts, popcorn and chocolate sauce, no less) stole the show.

For the latest news in Bal Harbour, follow on Twitter or Facebook

Friday, February 10, 2012

Travel to Botswana this Saturday, February 11 with Sanctuary Retreats on ABC's Born to Explore

 
Sanctuary Retreats recently hosted ABC's Born to Explore crew at Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This tented safari camp is home to the extraordinary and unique learning adventure, Living with Elephants, in which guests can enjoy a leisurely paced walk in the Delta with a trio of semi-habituated elephants.
Presented by avid explorer and extreme adventurer Richard Wiese (who first climbed Mount Kilimanjaro at eleven-years-old!), Born to Explore takes viewers on an inspiring and entertaining adventure around the world. Don't forget to watch a preview of the episode!
Tune in to ABC on Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. EST, to see the remarkable experience for yourself!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Just back from…Puerto Rico!

LDPR’s Michaelann Millrood just returned from a whirlwind vacation to Puerto Rico and shares her story…

I recently got back to chilly NYC from Puerto Rico after a relatively impulsive vacation to the Isla del Encanto. And it was, indeed, quite enchanting. Gifted an airfare credit from my generous travel-agent mom, back in November I booked round-trip NYC-San Juan January flights, and hoped a friend would eventually commit to joining me. If not, I was happy to travel solo.
Good morning San Juan! Not a bad approach…
I ended up spending the trip with old college friends now living in San Juan (there’s no better way to see a foreign city than with a local!) and a friend from DC met me in Vieques (one of the most beautiful islands, off the coast of Puerto Rico). Check out additional photos and captions below for a snapshot into my awesome vacation!
Thanks, Michelle Valle at Grande Lakes Orlando for recommending the San Juan Marriott Resort, where I was greeted by a beautiful rainbow! 








 

After I spent an afternoon exploring Old San Juan, I ended the day at the El Morro and caught this beautiful sunset.
I hadn’t realized this when I booked my trip, but I was in San Juan for the San Sebastian Street Festival weekend, which is basically the Carnival of Puerto Rico!
Beach or pool? Tough decisions.
Secret Beach. I definitely recommend renting a car or moped and beach hopping!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Ultimate Beaver Creek Getaway is One Facebook "Like" Away


It's no secret that many of us spend too much time on Facebook. Beaver Creek Resort Properties makes it time well spent, however, with a giveaway that provides all the luxuries you could ask for. "Like" Beaver Creek Resort Properties on Facebook and enter the sweepstakes by February 21, 2012 for a chance to win the ultimate getaway for you and SEVEN of your friends and family. Winners will receive:
  • Four-night stay at the exclusive Trappers Cabin, a four-bedroom cabin sitting at 9,500 feet. With ski-in/ski-out access of course!
  • Airfare for eight on American Airlines
  • Three all-day lift tickets per person
  • $1,000 gift card to Beaver Creek Sports for all your gear
  • $1,000 on-mountain dining credit
  • Round trip airport transfers for eight with Colorado Mountain Express
We can't wait to find out who the winner is! And if you need an extra person to join your group...

Driving Ambition to Visit Scotland? The Course at Gleneagles Awaits

Whether you hit a fade or a draw, the Home of Golf wants to help land you on the green. Contest entrants for VisitScotland’s Drive it Home competition have the chance to experience a one-in-a-lifetime trip to Scotland to play the 2014 Ryder Cup course and experience the Home of Golf. The legendary Gleneagles course, birthplace of the Ryder Cup, will host eight winners on the greens during the “Scotland The Home of Golf Challenge” grand prize in October 2012. Testing the field before the pros take over in the Ryder Cup? This is an opportunity any golf enthusiast will swing for.

Details:
  • Visit www.driveithome2012.com to enter your name into the prize drawing (now through June 1, 2012).
  • Eight (8) grand-prize winners will test their game on the 2014 Ryder Cup course, stay in luxury accommodations and experience some of Scotland’s greatest golfing regions. The trip will take place October 4-8, 2012.
  • For more information on the Home of Golf and planning your trip to Scotland, visit www.cometoscotland.com. Follow VisitScotland on Twitter www.twitter.com/visitscotland and become a fan on Facebook
    www.facebook.com/visitscotland.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Big brands making a point to use Pinterest

It's like having access to a creative director's bulletin board!  Check out this Search Engine Watch post by Kaila Strong to understand the growing interest and allure of Pinterest.

 7 Creative Ways Your Brand Can Use Pinterest


Push pin and thumbtack could not be reached for comment.

Sanctuary Retreats Offers 25 Percent Off Luxury Escapes Around the Globe



 Looking to check off items on your travel bucket list? Look no further than the Sanctuary Sale.

Book by February 29 and take advantage of 25% savings while:
  • Exploring the Three Gorges—Qutang, Wu and Xiling—aboard the Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer while participating in Tai Chi, Chinese cooking, calligraphy and silk embroidery classes. 
  • Witnessing millions of wildebeest and zebra journey between the Masai Mara and Serengeti in search of greener pastures at the semi-annual Wildebeest Migration at Sanctuary Olonana in Kenya.
  • Tracking gorilla families at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Uganda and home to half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
  • Cruising down the Nile aboard the newly renovated, Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adventurer and seeing all of ancient Egypt with the country’s most experienced Egyptologists. 
For more information and restrictions, please visit: www.sanctuaryretreats.com/sanctuary_sale.cfm

Happy packing!

"Unlock" Keystone on Facebook for an Extra Fun February!



Keystone, Colorado is guaranteeing time well spent with a February line-up of festivals, lodging and ski deals. Fans of Keystone Resort on Facebook hold the key to VIP treatment and will be able to “unlock” amazing offers from special lodging rates and two-for-one tickets for many of February’s most popular events! It’s all about keeping music in your ears, food in your stomachs and money in your pockets!

The fun kicks off at the Warren Station Center for the Arts, located in River Run Village, in the heart of Keystone and steps from the slopes, with the following events: 

Warren Station “Vodka on the Rockies,” February 11: New this year! Keystone is adding a bit of swankiness to the slopes. Cocktail aficionados can get into the “spirit” during this vodka tasting event from Three Olives Vodka. Try six of the most popular Three Olives Vodkas while enjoying hors d’oeuvres. A live performance from The Fever will start the night before a DJ takes over to spin while you sip. Doors open at 7pm, with tickets benefiting The Keystone Science School.

Keystone Winter Wine Weekend, February 17-18: It’s back! This guest favorite is a two-day experience in decadence with wine tastings, food and music. It all ends with an amazing chef demo, wine pairing and special dinner. Expand your palate and your music tastes as well. 

Head over to Facebook to get a great offer and tickets to these events or if you want to focus on skiing, the Ski Free, Stay Free package includes discounted lodging and lift ticket pricing. Book a two-night stay and get one night free. Rates start at $97 per person, per night.




Thursday, February 2, 2012

Laura Davidson Public Relations Named PR Agency for the Somerset on Grace Bay


LDPR announces an exciting new client: The Somerset on Grace Bay, a luxurious, family-friendly resort in Turks and Caicos. The Somerset offers 53 spacious villas and estates sprawling from 1,400 - 5,000 square feet, as well as two restaurants and bars, in-room spa choices, two freshwater pools and full concierge services. Under new management, the resort just launched the new "Caicos Kids Club," a complimentary program for children ages 5 -12, that's operated by certified teachers from a local school. Every accommodation at The Somerset is equipped with a full Viking gourmet kitchen and the resort's extended family suites are the perfect option for families traveling with multiple generations. Contact: Meredith Phares, meredith@ldpr.com or 212-696-0660.

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.